Chapter 13-Tracking the Future
Monday morning found Hermione up bright and ready to go far before breakfast time. She couldn't resist the beckoning of the library and it was calling to her more than ever before. She was much more interested in her Celtic myth study than any of her classes. She could take the NEWTS right now without further study, and that was truly a blessing because she couldn't find the motivation that she had in years past. She knew what she was currently studying was far more important to herself, her loved ones, and the wizarding world at large. So she decided not to wait until Harry and Ron finally got out of bed and tumbled down to breakfast before the first day of classes. Thus, she headed to the library alone.
"Morning, Miss Granger. Glad to see you back so soon. Did you have a pleasant summer?"
"Yes, of course, Madame Pince. Though as usual I am quite glad to be back. I can't stand a life without a good library. Mum and Dad rarely allowed me to go to the library in London. They wanted me to take time off from books this summer."
"Gee, Miss Granger, I can't imagine why they'd want that," the librarian teased the girl that had easily become her friend over the past five years.
"Madame Pince, you're starting to sound like, Professor Snape."
"Oh, yes. The Master of Sarcasm. Well, at least one can admire his wit. Don't you think so?"
"He does have a very quick tongue." Madame Pince blushed and Hermione grinned devilishly. "If you admire him so much, Madame Pince, you should find out if all the rumors are true."
"What rumors, Hermione?"
"That witty repartee is apparently not the only skill his sharp tongue has. He is the Head of Slytherin after all."
"Hermione!" the red-faced librarian gasped. Madame Pince threw a crumpled piece of paper at her. Then, she teased her right back, knowing Hermione wouldn't be saying such things if she hadn't spend a good amount of time thinking about it, "If you're so curious, girl, why don't you find out for yourself? You are of age."
"Yes, I am of age because of my extensive use of a time turner. Not that I admit to any sort of curiosity when it comes to Professor Snape, but I think someone of my age wouldn't have a chance in Hades with the man. Besides you need time away from this library, and nobody else around here needs a break more than Professor Snape. Why not ask him to your rooms for a drink sometime? Or at The Hog's Head maybe?"
"Hermione, you silly thing. I would have no idea what to say to the man. He'd probably glare at me like I didn't exist and ignore me all together. I'm not quite as clever as you, dear girl. Nor am I in any way brave. I couldn't match his wit. I only have ever lived for my books."
"Well, I'm quite disappointed, Madame Pince. Someone needs to get that man to relax in more ways than polite conversation, and I'm sorry but it cannot be me. I have NEWTS to study for, along with duties as prefect. I won't have spare time for an extra-credit project." Madame Pince laughed at her young friend.
"So what besides visiting you favorite book worm brings you to the library so early. You don't need to study for NEWTS anymore than someone who's taken them already. Besides you take them your seventh year not your sixth, my girl."
"I've decided to take them a year early. With the war, I want to be prepared to help in any way I can. Besides that though, I'm just working on another one of my top-secret projects. I'm sure you'll figure it out when I start checking out books."
"Well, it will have to wait dear. It's time for breakfast in the great hall. I just saw Severus go by."
"Severus, Madame Pince. Hummm."
"Hermione Jane Granger. Stop getting ideas, you silly girl."
"Indeed." The women jumped as they realized the tall, dark man in question was standing right next to them. "Ladies, I think it is time for breakfast."
"SEVERUS SNAPE you sneaky, snarky, bat! You scared me halfway to Hades!" a startled Madame Pince exclaimed.
"That was my intention." He started to turn on his heal, but turned back, eyebrow raised, as he took in the scene of two women mouths gapping open. "Oh, I almost forgot, twenty points from Gryffindor for silly plotting and gossip about professors. And another ten points for gapping like a fish." Snape smirked as he left the library toward the Great Hall. Hermione looked at her librarian friend and said more amazed than shocked,
"How does he do that?" Madame Pince just shrugged her shoulders and followed her out the library to breakfast. "Someone should put a bell on him." The ladies laughed as they entered the Great Hall.
Harry and Ron were already present along with just about everyone in the school.
"Where you been, Mia? Visiting Snape already? Or were you hitting the books far too early as usual?" Hermione, sick of being teased about her routine in the library, looked at the boys calmly and said without flinching,
"Well, I've been found out. I was shagging Snape in the library if you must know." The boys made a face of disgust. Dean and Neville both spit out their pumpkin juice.
"Mia, that was just awful. How can you scare us like that? Please tell me you were kidding."
"I wasn't kidding," she deadpanned. Then, she laughed and hit Harry in the shoulder playfully. "Of course, I was kidding. I was in the library talking to Madame Pince and losing points to Gryffindor."
"How did you lose. . ." Hermione groaned.
"Snape." The boys looked at her in confusion. She waved it off with her hand, "Never mind it wasn't important."
"Did you mention anything about 'you know' to him yet?" Harry asked her.
"No. I'm not really looking forward to it guys. I have a feeling it's a big deal. If what I think is true, and it can't possible be because I don't believe in that nonsense. . . But I guess me not believing in it doesn't mean it doesn't exist." Harry raised an eyebrow.
"What's the matter, Mia?"
"It's just some flighty nonsense too close to divination for it to be believable. But then again, look at what prophesies do to Dumbledore. I don't know. I just think Snape's going to be even more skeptical than me and it is just going to be so frustrating."
"It's okay, Hermione, if anyone can handle Snape it's you." Just as he said this he looked up from his plate and mumbled, "Ah, speak of the devil." Ron rolled his eyes and motioned to Hermione.
"Miss Granger. The Headmaster has reminded me that you had some important information to talk to me about. I am quite busy with my extra duties this week so the only time I have available is after my classes today at 5:00. I expect you to be prompt. I can't have a Gryffindor wasting my time. Hopefully, this will meet your schedule?" Snape stated with more than a little impatience in his tone.
"Um... I haven't gotten my schedule yet. But I'll let you know when I see it, Professor?"
"See that you do, Miss Granger. And do come prepared. I don't want to suffer through any more of your babbling than strictly necessary." Hermione turned red with anger but managed a steady reply.
"Certainly, Professor Snape." As Snape stalked out of the Great Hall, Professor McGonagall came over to her prided prefect. She looked in the direction of the potions master and asked Hermione,
"Is everything alright, dear?"
"Nothing I can't manage, Professor." McGonagall smiled at her girl and continued,
"Glad to hear it, Miss Granger. Here are the schedules for the Gryffindors. Please see that they are passed out in an orderly fashion."
"Yes, Professor."
Within twenty minutes the schedules were handed out and the students were on their way to their first class of the day. The golden trio started off to their shared double transfiguration class. On the way, Hermione realized she'd forgotten to tell Snape she could meet him later. Glancing at her schedule she noticed that she wouldn't have any free time to tell him unless she went right now. Taking off for the dungeons she yelled to Harry and Ron, "I have to go talk to Professor Snape about that meeting, can you tell Professor McGonagall I'll be late?"
"Course, Mia," the boys said in unison.
She ran all the way to the potions classroom, not wanting to miss too much of her mentor's class. She just made it to Professor Snape's door before his seventh year NEWT level class was to begin. As she slowed down to turn into the classroom not paying attention to where she was going, she bumped hard into a tall, solid mass.
"Err.. ah. Professor, I was just coming to tell you I could make it at 5:00, sir."
"Miss Granger, shouldn't you be in class at this moment?" the potions master purred, menacingly.
"Yes, sir on my way back, sir," Hermione said out of breath and turning to do just that.
"Twenty points, Miss Granger, for poor time management skills." Hermione paused on her heal turning redder than before. Her frustration was obvious even to Snape, but she managed to hold her tongue and continue on her way without turning back.
When Hermione made her way back to transfiguration, the boys were sitting in the back their elbows resting on the desk with heads in hands. Hermione just took the last spot next to Harry, rolled her eyes, and began taking notes until the boys anxiously woke themselves up to whisper at her.
"So what did Snape say?" Harry asked her yawning between words. Hermione yawned back at him not knowing she was tired and scolded him,
"Harry, we can talk after class okay. You should have been taking notes while I was gone. I know it's early for you but couldn't you at least . . ." Just then Professor McGonagall asked Hermione a question,
"Miss Granger, could you show the class the correct way to transfigure a person's eye shape and color?"
"Of course, Professor."
"Mr. Malfoy, please come up here so Ms. Granger can demonstrate."
With that Hermione and Draco moved to the front desk where the professor was standing. As Hermione twirled her wand around Malfoy's eyes, she clearly stated "Qui Mutatio" and Malfoy's eyes changed into almond shaped black eyes.
"Well done, Miss Granger. Twenty points to Gryffindor." Hermione returned to her seat and mumbled, "At least I'm making up for the morning now."
After transfiguration, Hermione stayed behind to talk to Professor McGonagall about her and Harry's dreams.
"Miss Granger what is it?"
"Professor, I have been having strange dreams lately. I think they may possibly be images given to me by a muse."
"Really. What do these dreams contain, Miss Granger?" Hermione told her about the past lives and the story behind it as well as the clearing, the three circles, and the image of Blanche Hope Nouveau.
"Amazing. I didn't know Miss Nouveau had survived Voldemort the last time. Humm. Are you the only one having these 'dreams?'"
"No, actually. Harry has also been receiving images from the same muse. It appears she may be on her way to Hogwarts if the images prove true. And there is another thing, Professor."
"Yes."
"Harry dreamed of the three circles containing he, myself, and Professor Snape, except he did not receive the signature of Miss Nouveau. It was just a regular dream."
"Oh, my. This could be quite important. I must tell the Headmaster immediately. I'm afraid that you and Mr. Potter could be in even more danger if you do not perfect occulmency very soon."
"Yes. I admit that is why I came to you. Harry and I have already discussed this and I had hoped he would ask Professor Snape for lessons on his own, but despite the respect I know he has for him now, he knows the Professor would not be too pleased with the prospect of teaching him now that Harry knows some of his more embarrassing childhood memories. Harry actually respects him more because of them, but I think the professor would feel otherwise."
"Well, Professor Snape is already taking Harry into NEWT level potions despite his grade being lower than he accepted. Of course, he also has to get an E on his first exam. Since Professor Snape bended once, it may be possible to get him to do this for Mr. Potter also. If Mr. Potter asks, I think the professor would swallow a bit of his pride and teach him. But you also need to learn Miss Granger."
"Yes, I realize that. But if worse comes to worse I can read up on it and manage, I think."
"Not that I don't think you very capable of learning on your own, Miss Granger, but occlumency requires practical experience to become proficient. It may be well that you need the lessons. Perhaps having you and Mr. Potter in the same lessons, may ease some of the testosterone that I suspect causes the arguments between Mr. Potter and Professor Snape. I will have a word with Professor Snape. Try to convince Mr. Potter to ask Professor Snape for lessons, and also tell him I will tutor him in potions if he wishes at the same time I tutor him for my class."
"Okay. I will try, but it will not be easy."
When Hermione finally joined the Gryffindor table for lunch, Harry and Ron were talking excitedly about the coming Quidditch tryouts. Apparently, Harry had to try out again and find out if he would be able to be part of the Gryffindor team this year. All it would take is a word from the four heads of house to reinstate him. That meant that he was at the mercy of Professor Snape. Harry didn't think the outcome would turn out to his liking. He was fairly certain Snape and Dumbledore wanted to keep him as far away from harm as possible. The more Harry thought about it, and he told Ron and Mia as much, it might be good to not have practice to work around for all the extra lessons he would need both keeping his classes in the auror track and preparing for the war. He already needed tutoring in two of five classes, and he was determined not to blow the chance McGonagall was offering him.
The talk of classes got the trio thinking about their futures. Ron, of course, was following Harry to the bitter end and planned on becoming an auror along his side. They'd found out that Neville was planning to play to his skills in Herbology and wouldn't mind teaching, so he was preparing for his apprenticeship with Professor Sprout. Luckily, Neville's participation in the DA had given him a bit of confidence and he now could face even Snape with no fear. He would need that resolve as a teacher. The boys continued to look to the future and didn't even notice until lunch was near over that Hermione wasn't saying much.
"Mia, what track are you on? I suppose you're going to teach transfiguration or charms, right?"
"Well, I'm not sure."
"What? Know-It-All Granger doesn't know what she's doing beyond Hogwarts? You're kidding, right? I mean you always know, well, everything. How could you possibly not know this?" Hermione sighed and tried to explain,
"Well, you guys know how much I like to learn and know about everything, that's obvious, and other than flying and Quidditch there isn't anything that has really been beyond my abilities. I like everything, muggle and magical. Anything I can learn I go after with a full heart. Learning is my passion. But the thing is, to choose a profession to go for, you really need to have your heart and mind focused in one place. I can't do that. Maybe I'm making it far too complicated for what it is, but the more I think of it the more confused I get."
"How could you pick your classes out this year if you didn't at least have it narrowed down some?"
"Well, do you remember what I did third year?"
"Sure, you took too many classes and were crabby all year. Enough to actually punch Malfoy."
"Right. Well, I know it's terribly bull-headed of me with prefect duties and a war to think about, but I just couldn't choose. So the ministry allowed me a time-turner until Christmas when I must decide which of my ten subjects to keep and which I will focus on. I just don't know."
"What are the jobs you would consider?" Neville asked, genuinely curious.
"Honestly, I've thought a lot about it and there just doesn't seem to be a perfect fit in anything. I know, I know everyone thinks I am to be the youngest professor at Hogwarts or at the very least be the first witch under twenty to run her own lab." She paused to process her thoughts, "The thing is, and maybe it is just me being cynical, but the war is going to change everything. I don't want to start aiming myself toward something that can't possibly occur. It is very probable that I won't even be able to attend university. I don't want to be locked up safe here at Hogwarts or even in some lab, while you boys fight the Death Eaters. I don't want to be thought of as bait. I want to be prepared if, no, when the time comes. I want to be right there with you, and after Voldemort is gone then maybe I can think about what I really want."
"So why don't you be an auror with Harry and me?"
"I've thought about it, but while I think the detective part is intriguing and I would enjoy solving mysteries, I don't think I could kill someone. Remember the Department of Mysteries. Cleverness can't keep me alive forever. No matter how calm I am under pressure the idea of taking a life, any life, despite the wrong the person may have committed, doesn't sit well with me. It's my deepest sense of morality . . . I just can't do it. And I don't think I ever will be able to."
"I know how you feel, Mia." Neville said. "Everyone thinks that now since I'm showing skills in places other than Herbology that I'll follow in my parents footsteps and bring down Lestrange. But even after seeing what my parents have gone through day and day out, at the end of the day when I should be seeking vengeance, I only hope for peace. No one should go through all that. Except maybe Malfoy Sr. and Voldemort. I don't think I could kill Lestrange if I was confronted with her, even if I had the power to. Must be the Hufflepuff part of me."
"You both say that now, but if you were faced with evil and had to protect yourself, you could and you would. The alternative is death." Harry said with too much wisdom for his years.
"I don't know Harry. Maybe I forgive too easy. I think life is a very precious beauty. I would rather protect with my life than kill with it," Hermione said reflectively.
"Isn't that what you would be doing by killing off Death Eaters?"
"In war, there isn't a choice. In war, I would have to make due. I would not have the choice. As an auror, and don't forget this Harry Potter, you are not supposed to kill unless in defense. Can you do that Harry? Could you face Bellatrix right now and not kill her?" Harry vexed but liking the challenge of the conversation replied with surprising calm,
"Mia, you're talking yourself in circles. You say you couldn't kill so you couldn't be an auror and yet you say an auror should not kill unless in defense and you could do that in a war situation. Don't you think that is a little contradictory?"
"Here's the thing, Harry. I could choose to be an auror. I could choose that responsibility and hope that when the time came I would make the right decision, knowing that ultimately I would be the one killed or be the one used to bait you and Ron. For war, if I am in battle I would be more prepared to know it is them or me. Facing one or two criminals out in fieldwork seems to be different from an army against another army." She sighed and shook her head, "I don't know. I know it doesn't make sense. I guess it is nothing but ideas anyway. Who really knows how they would act in situations they haven't faced yet?"
"You know what I think, Mia," Ron said casually. "You think too much. You need to take a break from thinking for a while. Why don't we all go outside after classes today and just sit by the lake?"
"That's a good idea Ron. Everyone's getting intense already and it's only the first day of classes," Harry responded.
"You know I'd love to guys, but I have to meet Snape during my free time tonight. And then I have hall duty, and five of ten classes worth of homework to complete. I don't have time to not think. I wish I did."
"So pick something, Mia. You don't have to do it for life. If it doesn't work, you can try something else later. You don't need to kill yourself studying right now. We only have so much time left as teenagers. I think we should enjoy it while we still can."
"Ron's right, Mia."
"I don't guys. I just don't know. I guess I don't know what I want for myself. I worry too much about everyone else."
"You're right, Mia. But you'll figure it out. You haven't failed at anything, even flying, you aren't going to start now."
"Thanks for the support guys. I love you all." Then, with a smile Hermione went off to her next class, and the boys went off on their extra free period.