Hermione stopped dead in her tracks, his words sinking in. You and I are to be spending a good deal of time together. The words had become almost tangible, she could almost reach her hand out and touch them hanging in the confined staircase to Dumbledore's office. You and I are to be spending a good deal of time together. That could only mean that Dumbledore was sending the two of them after Vasily Borodin, since there was no way they would be spending time together voluntarily.
She hastily recovered and followed Snape's robes up the stairs, sitting in a chair opposite the headmaster, holding her books on her lap. Her eyes scanned the room by habit, noting Fawkes's dismal appearance in the corner, deciding his transformation must be close. Snape resumed his place by the fire, scowling heavily.
"Severus, I must speak with Hermione alone. I trust you can gather necessities for your journey," Dumbledore added gently, knowing the younger professor would take his request as an insult, as he did indeed, storming out of the office without a backwards glance. Dumbledore turned his attention to Hermione. "Am I right in believing that Severus gave you the bare minimum in information?"
She nodded. "I know Vasily is missing, there was a note from his family in Murmansk, and Professor Snape and I will be spending some time together, apparently."
"Yes, indeed. What Severus neglected to mention is that Voldemort is gathering forces in Eastern Europe."
"But what's in Eastern Europe? And why would he want Vasily?"
"Both excellent questions, Hermione, however I do not possess the answer to either."
"The ministry? Have you contacted Fudge?"
"The Minister does not believe this is of grave importance and so will not become involved at this point. I am paraphrasing his response by owl this afternoon. He told me to contact him after Vasily had been missing a week or more."
"Fudge, that fucking bastard. What about your source? Does this have anything to do with Snape?"
He shook his head, saying, "No, I do not believe so. Voldemort will no doubt wish to settle matters with our Potions Master personally, however our latest reports show that he is currently in the vicinity of Bulgaria."
"What about Vasily? Do we know exactly where he was going?"
"Severus knows the complete details regarding his last known location." Dumbledore pulled a rolled parchment out of his desk, handing it to her. "I found this map of great use during the courting of my late wife, but that is neither here nor there." Hermione looked at him sharply, raising her eyebrows when she saw Dumbledore's mouth turn up slightly. "Continuing on, just by using a simple invenio spell, the map displays the charmed person, wherever he -- or she -- may be. Rest assured, it is complete and up-to-date map."
"Thank you, Professor."
"Hermione, I do not need to remind you to be careful. I trust you have observed Severus's reaction to your presence." He paused while she nodded. "Do not let this cloud his judgment."
"If there's not anything else, I'd like to gather my things," she said, rising from her chair.
"One moment, Hermione," Dumbledore interrupted, rising as well. "I have something else for you." He stood and moved to the bookshelves near Fawkes's stand, stroking the phoenix as he passed, removing a small vial from a shelf. He handed it to her, saying, "Fawkes donated these just yesterday."
Hermione tilted the vial, examining it. "Phoenix tears? Wonderful. Fawkes, thank you," she said, encouraged when the phoenix warbled at her. "Again, thank you Professor."
"Albus."
"Albus, right, I told you to give me awhile," she said, grinning sheepishly, then turning serious. "We will be back as soon as possible."
She left the office quickly, moving unconsciously, her mind sifting through the sudden rush of information. She didn't see Snape glaring at her from across the corridor, waiting for her, arms folded across his chest, and she very nearly ran into him before she spotted him.
"Professor, I was just on my way--"
"To somewhere most important, no doubt. Time is of the essence, Miss Granger, and I am ready to leave."
"Right," she murmured, setting off for her quarters at a brisk pace, uncomfortably aware of Snape's presence only a few steps behind her. She uttered her password and unwarded the door before entering, making a mental note to change the wards and password upon her return.
He followed her in, standing silently in her sitting room, eyes watching her add her newly acquired books to the shelves carefully. She went to the other room, her bedroom Snape presumed, turning to her bookshelves and scanning the titles. There were a great number on transfiguration and charms, and a few on arithmancy, not to mention Muggle history books and novels, but what surprised him was her selection of potions texts. Though it was not nearly as thorough as his own, it was still impressive nonetheless. He pulled out a nondescript book, opening it and reading.
In her bedroom, Hermione pulled out two changes of warm clothing, as well as her thick Ministry-issued coat, piling them on the bed and then changed out of her bikini, which she had forgotten about wearing, and into a crisp black suit with sneakers charmed to look like heels. She added a miniature potions kit to the remaining clothes, as well as the map Dumbledore had given her. She dug out her wand from her robes which she had tossed on the bed, placing the wand in the inside pocket of her suit along with the small vial of phoenix tears. She then placed the pile of supplies in her leather satchel.
Hermione came back into the sitting room carrying her bag, stopping short when she saw the book in Snape's hands. He raised his eyes and met her stare, which had taken a defiant edge.
"Reading up on dark potions, are you?" he drawled, but she noticed the sneer lacked its usual edge.
"Since you know what it is, then you will no doubt be aware of its usefulness," she answered, moving towards him with her hand extended.
"Of course," he said, passing the book to her, noting the brief hint of surprise that crossed her face, wondering what had surprised her.
She replaced the book, turned to him. That momentary lack of hostility had confused her, but she pushed the thought away, for another time. "Let's go."
They moved quickly through the castle in silence, which continued until they passed the invisible barriers protecting Hogwarts. Snape stopped, and Hermione slowed before catching up with him, quietly muttering the invenio spell on him, that way she would be able to follow him on the map. She then took the opportunity to query him about their destination.
"Where are we going exactly? Albus said you had all that information."
"I will explain after we apparate," he replied in a tone that discouraged further discussion.
He closed the short distance between them, circling his arms about her shoulders and pulling her roughly to him, and suddenly the world was spinning and all she could think of was that she should've owled Ron before she left and Snape had really strong arms and smelled of something she couldn't place but it felt very familiar --
-- and suddenly she was falling, and she landed hard, on something very cold, and wet. Snow, she realized belatedly, as she struggled to stand. She turned, gasping slightly as she surveyed the mostly white landscape, interrupted only by snow-topped trees or an occasional patch of green. As she turned back towards Snape, she realized he wasn't there, that he had started towards a small town nearby. She quickly caught up with him.
"We are approximately sixty miles northeast of Murmansk. Borodin's family owns a large estate outside of town, and there is a small wizarding community here. I intend to check for possible Death Eater activity before going to the estate."
"Why don't we go directly to the family, and then check with everyone else?"
"Because Borodin's father, Dmitri, was one of Voldemort's largest supporters in all of Eastern Europe, much less Russia."
"Right, of course. And why is it that Fudge doesn't believe the Death Eaters could be involved?" she asked sarcasm flooding her voice.
Snape snorted. "If anything, politics will lose this war, and your Potter isn't doing anything to help by publicly feuding with that prat of a Minister."
"And what should he do? Stand by idly while Fudge twiddles his thumbs, just as he is doing now? By his dissension, Harry is showing the wizarding public that it is alright to have opposing views of government and that government is indeed fallible."
"As I said, Miss Granger. Politics."
"Then where do you stand on all this?"
Snape threw a glance at her, but she was unable to read his dark eyes. He did not answer her. They reached the center of town, where they turned down a small, empty side street that dead-ended after thirty yards. Snape did not slow, walking through the wall, and Hermione followed.
She assumed this was the heart of the wizarding community here, such as Diagon Alley served as in London, though it was much smaller, and only a few people were out. The street was limited to a single block of shops. Snape led them to a small pub, where he found a booth in a dark corner. The waitress approached, eyeing them distrustfully. Snape spoke quietly to her in Russian before looking at Hermione, raising his eyebrows and she nodded, Snape again speaking with the woman. The woman returned shortly with two glasses of vodka, and Snape handed over a gold coin.
Hermione turned so she could study the people in the bar. The waitress who kept glancing at them. An old man at the bar, seemingly passed out. Two younger men who watched them intently for a moment, before resuming an animated conversation. No one overly suspicious.
Snape considered Hermione as she sipped her drink. She looked older than her twenty-three years, was beautiful in an unconventional sort-of way. He thought of how she had been as a student, the annoying know-it-all, always keen to show off her vast intellect. And he remembered how she had changed. Her active participation in class had begun waning sometime during her sixth year, all of the teachers had noticed it, and it had been brought up in several faculty meetings, but since she still made high marks in all subjects, it was dropped.
Then there was her seventh year Potions project, which was so advanced that Snape doubted her ability to finish when she first approached him about it. But when she brought him the final work, he'd immediately suggested that she attend Berkeley, but she wanted to be actively fighting, not passively researching and studying. Snape realized that her rejection of his proposal marked the beginning of his current anger towards her, but he ignored it, knowing he had neither the time nor the effort needed to dissect his emotional health.
"How do you know this place?"
"As I said, Borodin was one of Voldemort's largest original supporters in Russia. He used to hold three or four dark revels a year." He paused, drinking slowly. "I was present at two, though I was never introduced to Borodin himself."
"What about Vasily?"
"He would have only been six at the time, too young to be able to ... participate in the festivities."
"Why was Borodin not arrested after Voldemort's defeat?"
"The Russian ministry wasn't exactly forthcoming when it came to Death Eaters. Though they never openly supported Voldemort, they certainly didn't assist us. The Russian ministry did bring charges against Borodin, but no one showed to testify, so the charges were dropped."
"Is he still active now?"
Snape shook his head. "Not to my knowledge, but I am excluded from many things now, especially concerning other Death Eaters."
"So who do we talk to then?"
"We start with her," he said, motioning to the waitress. Hermione quickly cast a translation charm on herself as the woman approached.
She nearly laughed, covering her mouth and turning the sound into a cough, when Snape opened his mouth and she heard his words in English, though his mouth obviously moved in Russian. It reminded her of an old kung-fu movie Harry made her watch once.
"I am seeking a person who is called Borodin, Vasily Dmitrivich. Here is what he looks." Snape handed her a picture of Vasily. "Do you know of this man?"
The woman studied the photo, handed it back and shook her head. "No. No I do not. And you should not be asking these questions here. You must finish your drinks and go."
She abruptly left, Hermione and Snape sharing a glance. "I take it you got the gist of what she said."
"This doesn't look good, does it?"
"No. But there is one other place we must try," he said, downing his drink, Hermione following suit and finishing hers as well. The two men stared again as they left, and Hermione began to feel uncomfortable.
As they crossed the street, she felt eyes on her, finally spotting a tall, menacing man down the street. She again felt uncomfortable, and quietly drew Snape's attention to the man.
"Yes, I noticed him when we arrived."
They entered what appeared to be a general store, since it sold everything from broomsticks and robes to cauldrons and wands. Snape approached the counter, and an old wizard appeared momentarily, hesitating as he surveyed his customers.
"Yes? No sellers here please."
"No selling. We are looking for a colleague we work with, this is him." Snape handed over the picture and watched the man closely.
"Yes, I know who this man is. Vasily Dmitrivich. He worked for me when he was teenager, before he left to be teacher in England."
"He was to be visiting his family here, but he did not make it to his family. We work at the school with him, the school who sent us to find him."
"It was him I saw on Tuesday, he came by to get a wand. He said the shop in London was not pleasing, and he wanted a wand of mine," the old man said, handing back the picture. "That is all I have seen him."
"Thank you, you are too kind," Snape said, bowing his head slightly.
"Think nothing of it."
Snape motioned to the door and they left, pausing outside.
"Do we talk to the family now?"
Snape nodded, then suddenly grasped his left arm, visibly wincing. "Not now," he muttered, oblivious to the look Hermione gave him.
"What?" When he did not answer, she pressed again. "What is it?"
"I am being summoned."
"Shit."
"My sentiments exactly."
"So what do we do? You have to go, right? Then I'll have to talk to the family."
Snape scowled. "This is not a good idea."
"I know, but what other choice do we have? You can't ignore the summons, and you certainly can't show up with me tagging along."
"Though I'm sure it would put me in good graces if I turned over a top Ministry auror," he said, his voice low and silky.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "I think that's an even worse idea."
"Very well, find out what you can and return to Hogwarts. I will return as well, when I am finished," he said, moving to apparate.
"Wait, I need to know where the Borodin estate is."
"Just east of town, you cannot miss it."
"Right." She paused, watching him, adding softly, "Be careful."
Snape nodded tersely, apparating without response. Hermione immediately withdrew Dumbledore's map, scanning for the flashing 'x' that would designate his position, but the map showed he was still in Russia.
"This can't be right," she murmured, then cast the invenio spell on herself. Another flashing 'x' appeared to mark Hermione's location, only kilometers away from Snape's. "Fuck."
Dumbledore sat down at his desk and removed his glasses, rubbing his eyes with one hand. A piece of parchment slipped from his other hand and fell to the desk.
It's a trap. Get them back.
___
A/N:
Sorry for the cliffhanger, but chapter 6 is going to be lots of fun and excitement. Excuse any typos or errors, I'm trying to get this posted before I go to work. Will come back and fix any problems ASAP.
Again, thanks for reading, and let me know what you think!