"Miss Granger," called Professor McGonagall after dismissing the Advanced Transfiguration class. "I'd like to speak to you for a minute, please."
Startled, Hermione nodded and approached her head of House. "Yes, Professor?"
The elderly witch waited until all the other students had left before speaking. "After your last class today, would you please come to Professor Dumbledore's office to discuss a special . . . project requiring your assistance?"
"Of course, Professor. I can come after Defense Against the Dark Arts, at half past three."
Professor McGonagall nodded, "That will be satisfactory. Please be advised that this project is of a sensitive nature, and discretion is required."
"In other words, don't tell Ron and Harry?" asked Hermione with a smile.
"Exactly. Thank you, Miss Granger. You'd best be off to your next class."
Hermione had an unusual difficulty concentrating through the remainder of her classes that day. Although strange and secret events often revolved around Harry, the only time she had to keep a secret from her friends was when she used the Time Turner to help augment her third year schedule. But that adventure was brought on by her own desire not to trim down her class schedule. This was a complete mystery.
Despite her woolgathering, her classes came and went and soon it was time to meet with the Headmaster. The gargoyles apparently were expecting her, because they opened for her without waiting for a password.
She climbed the stairs to the Headmaster's office and was greeted by a larger number of people than she'd expected. Aside from Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall, Madame Pomfrey and Arthur Weasley were also present. Hermione greeted each in turn, then turned inquisitively to Professor Dumbledore. "Professor McGonagall informed me that you have a project for me?"
The Headmaster motioned for her to be seated before replying. "Yes, Miss Granger. We have a matter of utmost urgency, a matter which requires very delicate handling. For reasons which will be explained shortly, I'm afraid you must play a pivotal role in the proceedings."
"Miss Granger, do you remember the letter you received from Professor Snape the night he . . . left us?" asked the Headmaster.
Hermione nodded hesitantly, "It would be a hard letter to forget, sir."
"I understand the contents make little sense to you at present. Honestly, I knew not what to make of them at the time myself. However, events have occurred which have shed some light on the situation." Professor Dumbledore popped a sherbet lemon in his mouth and sucked a moment before continuing. "A short time ago, a new prophecy was made regarding Harry Potter and the Dark Lord."
Hermione's jaw dropped, "Another prophecy? What did it say?"
"Rather than our telling you, it would be easier to show you." Professor McGonagall handed Hermione a pensieve that had been sitting on the Headmaster's desk. "Several of us witnessed the prophecy, and we quickly recorded it afterwards."
Hermione accepted the pensieve and eagerly dipped her hands inside. She felt herself pulled into the memory of . . . supper in the Great Hall? She was standing before the head table watching the faculty enjoy their supper. She chuckled a little at the playful bickering going on, then listened in rapt attention as Professor Trelawney was overcome by her inner seer. Afterward, she spun back to reality.
"The Boy Who Lived and the Man Who Knew He Would Not will blind the Dark Lord and the Last will be fulfilled. Time that is borrowed must be returned, or the innocent will perish. She Who Extracts the Key must also release it. The circle must not be broken." Hermione repeated. "What does that mean?"
"Think a moment, Miss Granger," encouraged Professor Dumbledore.
Hermione bit her lower lip as she thought. The Headmaster mentioned the letter from Professor Snape. What does that have to do with . . . oh.
"Professor Snape knew he was going to die when he wrote the letter. He's the Man Who Knew He Would Not," she reasoned.
The others nodded. Arthur Weasley spoke next. "Very good, Miss Granger. Now do you see what must be done?"
"When did you say this prophecy was made?" asked Hermione.
"Several days ago," answered Professor McGonagall.
"So Professor Snape was already gone when the prophecy was made." Hermione frowned. "Well, unless we've a way of resurrecting the dead, I'd say for this prophecy to be fulfilled, someone would have to . . ."
Her voice trailed off as she considered the repercussions of her train of thought. The others sat quietly, waiting and watching as she figured it out for herself.
"We need to go back in time, find Professor Snape, and bring him back here to help Harry defeat Voldemort," she concluded with a sigh, as Madame Pomfrey and Mr. Weasley cringed at her casual use of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's name. "What a mess."
"Mess doesn't begin to cover it," mumbled Madame Pomfrey. Arthur chuckled in response.
"So what is my role in this? Don't tell me you want me to go back and get him," asked Hermione. "He's not exactly likely to listen to me. I wasn't his favorite student."
Professor Dumbledore motioned toward his never-ending supply of candy, "Please, Miss Granger, have a chocolate. It will make this easier to hear."
She shook her head in growing frustration, "I don't need a chocolate, just tell me why it has to be me."
"Think, Miss Granger. Everyone on both sides of this war knows Severus to be dead. Were he to suddenly appear again, suspicions would be aroused and Voldemort would stop at nothing to discover how it happened and to eliminate him again. Thus, he must be brought back in such a way that he will not be recognized."
Hermione nodded, "That makes sense."
"The most logical way of accomplishing this would be to bring him to Hogwarts, as a student. None of the students will recognize him, and with some minor cosmetic alterations to his appearance, neither will any of the staff, those in the room notwithstanding." The headmaster tried again, unsuccessfully, to convince Hermione to accept a chocolate. He shrugged at her refusal and continued his explanation. "The timing of his . . .extraction . . . is critical. We must retrieve him as late in his schooling as possible, to maximize his knowledge, but we must approach him before he accepts the Dark Mark. Luckily, we know when this time is: shortly after the second term of his sixth year begins."
"How you know that," wondered Hermione aloud. "Did he tell you exactly when he pledged allegiance to Voldemort?"
Professor Dumbledore shook his head, "No, that particular detail did not seem important. We have other evidence to the fact, namely, that Severus was absent from Hogwarts for the remainder of that term. Unfortunately, I can't recall exactly why, as I must confess it was not something I paid much attention to at the time. However, it meshes perfectly with our plans in that it would allow us to retrieve Severus for an extended period of time before sending him back."
Hermione sighed, "I still don't see why you're asking me to go. Not that I'm refusing or anything, it's just that you seem very certain that it must be me."
"For our plan to work, as few people as possible must know that Severus is with us. Myself, the Headmaster, Madame Pomfrey, and Mr. Weasley all have essential roles, and without any additional information we would see no reason to inform anyone else. Why then, if your dealings with him had never been anything other than teacher/student, would he write you the letter he did before he left to face his own death?" Professor McGonagall's voice was kindly but firm as she pointed out the logic of their thoughts. Hermione started to speak but was hushed as her head of House continued. "I'm not implying anything untoward about your past relationship, Miss Granger. I'm merely stating that it is obvious that for some reason you will be privy to his future identity, as evidenced by his letter, and the only way that this could happen would be for us to involve you in the plan."
Comprehension filled Hermione's eyes. "I see. So by inference you've decided I must be the one to go back?"
"Precisely. With the foreknowledge of your involvement a given, you are the natural choice to send back. Any of the adults would be recognized by the denizens of Hogwarts past, whereas you, as an as-of-yet-unborn muggleborn, would not," explained Professor McGonagall.
Hermione was beginning to get excited, despite the serious nature of the matter at hand. To see Hogwarts over two decades ago! What an adventure! She tried not to admit to herself a twinge of curiosity about what a teenage Severus Snape would be like. . . Come now, Hermione, focus.
"I understand. You're right, it makes perfect sense. So what are all your roles," she asked, motioning to Madame Pomfrey and Mr. Weasley. "I know the Headmaster and Professor McGonagall witnessed the prophecy, but what about you?"
"I don't think I need to point out that what we're planning goes against about fifty Ministry laws," grinned Mr. Weasley. "Someone on the inside will need to cover it up, and I was the lucky one to get that job, as I'm involved in the misuse of magic department."
Professor Dumbledore took it upon himself to explain Madame Pomfrey's involvement. "We approached Madame Pomfrey because we will need her help in managing any difficulties young Severus might have in adjusting to a time so far in the future. Additionally, we're still trying to sort out several of the logistical details of his retrieval and thought she could assist in that manner as well."
"We need to determine why young Severus was able to take almost an entire term away from school without question from the faculty and without being noticed as missing by his family," explained Madame Pomfrey. "I'm thinking that the most logical solution would be an illness of some type, one that we could not or would not treat at the school."
"But if he were to be sent home his parents would be notified, wouldn't they?" asked Hermione. "Or if he were truly that ill, they'd probably need to come get him personally."
"Excellent point, Miss Granger," remarked Professor McGonagall. "I can't imagine Madame McKinley would have sent him home unaccompanied."
"Maybe I could approach you when I go back and you could pretend that he was sent home," said Hermione to the Headmaster. "Then we wouldn't have to notify them."
Professor Dumbledore shook his head, "I'm afraid that's out of the question. I know you didn't do that, or I would remember it."
"So it follows that at least one of Snape's parents must have been notified. Which means either that parent showed an unimaginable lack of concern at their son's long absence, or they were informed of the plan," reasoned Mr. Weasley.
"What do we know about his parents?" asked Professor McGonagall. "He never spoke of them."
Professor Dumbledore explained what he knew of Snape's family. Although the Snape line was one of the oldest wizarding families, Severus' father, Theodore Snape, was the youngest of three sons and as such stood to inherit little of the family holdings. Thus he was forced into trade, lowering his own social standing. His parents arranged a marriage to the daughter of another prominent wizarding family, but as luck would have it she was not as financially well-endowed as his parents had surmised, and Snape's father quickly spent what little dowry she had. It was known that Snape's father drank heavily, and hated the wife that he blamed for all his problems.
"He sounds like a lovely man," snickered Madame Pomfrey.
Professor McGonagall cut in, "But what were his affiliations? Did he follow the Dark Lord?"
Mr. Weasley shrugged, "I don't think he was ever accused of doing so, although it was certainly suspected. He had the right connections, but there was no hard evidence in that regard."
"Then we can't take the chance," insisted Professor McGonagall, turning to the Headmaster. "What about his mother, Albus?"
"I met Olivia on a couple of occasions, she is quite unremarkable. Very quiet, soft-spoken, but not unpleasant. I suspect her husband did not treat her well," he replied.
"Did not treat her well," prompted Hermione.
"Theodore Snape passed away several years ago," responded the Headmaster.
"What about Mrs. Snape," asked Hermione. "Is she still alive."
"I believe so," replied Professor Dumbledore. "She attended Severus' funeral, and is the recipient of a trust he set up for her in the event of his death. Last I recall she still runs the business her husband started."
Hermione thought a moment. "If Professor Dumbledore is correct and Mrs. Snape was mistreated by her husband, and if he might have been a Death Eater, she might be sympathetic to our cause."
Madame Pomfrey nodded, "It sounds like our best chance, especially given the fact that she is currently alive and Mr. Snape is not."
"Cuckoo! Cuckoo! Supper time! Supper time!" The clock on the wall behind Professor Dumbledore's desk made its opinion perfectly clear.
"It seems we'll need to continue this discussion later. Poppy, I will leave it to you to determine an appropriate illness for Severus to 'contract'. Minerva and I will discuss the logistics after supper. Shall we meet again tomorrow, same time, to finalize plans?"
Everyone agreed to this plan, save Mr. Weasley, who was wary of leaving work early two days in a row. He agreed to meet with the Headmaster the following evening instead. The meeting was adjourned, and everyone set off for their respective supper arrangements.
*****
The team met every day for the next week. Hermione was both exhausted and exhilarated from the precise planning required to match the details of a plan which had ostensibly already occurred. It was determined that Hermione would leave for the past early next week, but first the wheels must be set in motion with a visit to Olivia Snape.
"Are you ready, Hermione?" asked Ron. He and Harry were bundled up in their heavy jackets in preparation for a Hogsmeade weekend. "I think I hear butterbeers at the Three Broomsticks calling our names!"
She gave a sheepish frown in return, "I'm sorry, but I just can't go. Professor McGonagall is going to help me with my independent study project today." They'd come up with the "independent study" cover story as a believable reason for Hermione's frequent disappearing acts.
"Shite, Hermione, now you're making McGonagall work on Saturday too," joked Harry. "Ron, we'd better leave, this studying thing might be contagious."
Ron didn't look particularly happy to have his girlfriend stay behind. He sat down on the edge of Hermione's chair, putting an arm around her and trying to woo her with little kisses on the side of her head. "Come on, Hermione, cancel on McGonagall and come with us! She'll understand."
"I really can't, Ron. I'm sorry." She grinned devilishly at him. "But I'll make it up to you later."
Harry made a show of covering his ears, "I can't hear you!" while Ron blushed and whispered in her ear, "I'll hold you to it, love."
"Come on, you!" Harry grabbed Ron's arm and began dragging him towards the portrait hole out of the Common Room. "We don't want to let Malfoy and his cronies get the good table!"
"Have fun!" Hermione called after them with unfeigned melancholy. She was more than a little nervous about the upcoming meeting with Snape's mum, and would much rather have been going to Hogsmeade with Harry and her boyfriend.
*****
Professor Dumbledore himself accompanied Hermione to visit Mrs. Snape, primarily because of their previous acquaintance. The two of them Floo'd to the Whistling Snitch Pub outside of the not coincidentally named Snape Village where Mrs. Snape's Quill and Ink distribution business was located. (Historical Note: The Romans avoided the land surrounding the Old Castle, which they believed was haunted. Over time, some daring Angles inhabited a patch of land nearby, though they still tried to stay clear of the odd Old Castle. Word of bizarre happenings spread, and people throughout the land began referring to the growing community by the name of the odd folks living in the castle nearby, Snape. Today, a small wizarding community lives in the vicinity, unnoticed by the muggles who have long since forgotten about the weird ones next door, thanks to improvements in wizarding camouflaging technologies.)
Mrs. Snape lived in same the rooms above the office and warehouse that she'd occupied with her husband (and son) for many years. The building was but a short walk from the Whistling Snitch, and with the help of a heavy jacket and a warming charm, the walk was quite pleasant.
The building was very old and made of stone. The wooden door to the office looked sturdy but in need of a fresh coat of paint. Hermione was about to knock on the door when Professor Dumbledore pointed out a small sign, indicating that the entrance to the Snape residence was around the back.
The two walked around the building to find a stone staircase protruding from the building, leading up to the second floor. They climbed the stairs, and finding a bell, rang it.
They stood for several minutes, unsure if anyone was at home, before they heard footsteps slowly approaching the door. Then a moment of silence, and the door was opened.
The haggard woman who answered had the look of one aged well beyond her years, for she could not be any older than Professor McGonagall but had none of her spritely energy. Her long, salt and pepper hair hung limply over her shoulders, and the wrinkles on her face seemed to drag it towards the floor. She looked back and forth between Hermione and the Headmaster, then suddenly smiled, her eyes taking on a new light.
"Come in, please. I've been wondering when you'd come."
Author's Note: Thank you to Amethyst who pointed out the canonical error I made in the first chapter (but am now correcting!) – Dumbledore was headmaster when Snape was a student, so he should have said "Soon after I became Headmaster," in Chapter 1, not "Before I was Headmaster."
Thank you to everyone who has reviewed! I'm glad I've managed to catch your attention, what with all the excellent stories out there to read! I hope you will continue to enjoy where this story leads! -- ShagsTheDustmop