"You've been expecting us?" Hermione stuttered. "How did you . . ."
Mrs. Snape gave a weary smile as she led her guests into the parlor. "I didn't know when it would be, of course, but ever since Severus . . . passed on . . . I've been waiting for your visit. Would you like some tea? I've just put a kettle on."
Hermione watched the older lady as she hobbled toward a small kitchenette, where Hermione could hear a teapot currently whistling. The woman's slight limp was heard even more than seen – her shoes made a distinct "scrape – clop" sound against the aging wood floor. Mrs. Snape's arms shook a little as she carried the tea set back into the parlor, causing it to wobble precariously. Whether it was from excitement, nervousness, or a physical malady Hermione could not tell.
"I'm afraid I don't have any biscuits to offer, but the tea should at least help cut through the chill. I suppose you walked from the pub?" She continued as she poured the tea with shaky hands, not waiting for an answer to her hypothetical question. "You must be freezing."
"Thank you for your concern, Mrs. Snape, a cup of tea would be just lovely," assured Professor Dumbledore.
Hermione nursed her tea, waiting for Mrs. Snape to sit down before pouncing. "You said you knew we would be coming. How is that?"
"I've known for over twenty years that this day would come, dear. Ever since you brought me the letter I'm going to write today." Mrs. Snape smiled. "I'm actually quite looking forward to hearing the whole story. The letter was necessarily vague but left me quite in the dark as to the reason behind the whole scheme."
Hermione looked inquisitively at Professor Dumbledore, who shrugged. "Time travel, being the dangerous and tricky endeavor that it is, can have strange results. It follows that those we've affected by our actions might recall it as a natural part of their own past. Few studies of the process have been made, since its legality has always been dubious. Mrs. Snape, what do you remember?"
"Please, call me Olivia," she chastened. "The details are all still so fresh, even after all this time. You, Miss . . ."
"Granger," supplied Hermione.
"Miss Granger. . .you came into the shop one morning and asked to see me. It was a Tuesday, I remember that because Theodore always visited his mistress on Tuesdays and left the shop with me. So it was safe for you to come then, I imagine, and not risk him seeing you." Olivia's voice took on a harder quality as she mentioned her husband's name, and her fingers clenched a little around her teacup, causing it to shake harder. She soon relaxed as the conversation continued away from him. "I was doing the inventory when you arrived, and so you came in back with me and we talked as I counted. I'm afraid I didn't pay you much attention until you gave me the letter, as I was worried that I wouldn't get my work done and that Theodore . . . anyway, you showed me the letter and then I knew I had to help you. Had to let you take Severus for awhile. You promised he'd be back before he'd be missed, and you were right. Theodore never found out about it, and none of you at Hogwarts suspected anything amiss either."
"What did the letter say?" asked Hermione.
Mrs. Snape pursed her lips, "Mainly that I should trust you and let you take Severus into the future to perform an important duty, help save the wizarding world, etc. No specifics, I'm afraid. Oh, and something to convince me that the request was legitimately coming from my own future self. I'm afraid with some of the . . . connections that my husband kept, I wasn't very trusting, even of my own writing."
This piqued Hermione's interest. "What did you say to do that?"
"Something very personal. . .that I'd rather not discuss. As you know, it was effective and that is all that need concern you." Mrs. Snape's tone wasn't rude, but definitely told Hermione that the subject was off limits. "So, Professor Dumbledore, would you please, after all this time, let an old woman know what she's getting her son into?"
"Of course, Olivia." Professor Dumbledore proceeded to explain about the prophecy, skipping over some of the details but touching upon the fact that her son's aid would be needed to defeat the Dark Lord. "And of course I don't need to tell you that the prophecy is highly secret, and that you must not repeat a word of it to anyone?"
Olivia grinned, "I've kept the secret for over twenty years, I'm sure I can keep quiet a bit longer. I suppose I must write the letter now. If you'll excuse me. . ."
Mrs. Snape stood clumsily and retreated through a rickety door, closing it after her.
"That was surprisingly easy," commented the Headmaster. "We didn't even get to use our persuasive cover story."
Hermione laughed. "What a waste! And after all that time we spent preparing it, too!"
The two sat silently, sipping their tea, for several minutes before Mrs. Snape returned with a sealed parchment, which she handed to Hermione.
"I've enchanted this parchment so that only I may open it," she cautioned. "It will combust if anyone other than me attempts to do so. The letter will accomplish its task, but it is for my eyes only."
"Understood," acknowledged Professor Dumbledore. "Miss Granger will deliver this letter to you intact." Hermione felt his pointed stare and she nodded in agreement.
"Yes, of course, thank you very much for your help, Mrs. Snape!"
"My pleasure, Miss Granger. I almost forgot, I have something else for you as well." Just then, Hermione noticed that Mrs. Snape was carrying a second sealed parchment. "It occurred to me that my son might resist participating in this plan. Hopefully this letter will help encourage him."
Hermione accepted the scroll gratefully. "Thank you! I admit that aspect of the plan had me a little worried."
"Although Severus was always a secretive, uncommunicative boy, I think I understand his motivations fairly well. If I'm right, this letter will convince him." Mrs Snape took a deep breath and smiled. "I must confess I feel a certain ironic satisfaction at playing a part to fight against those my husband held so dear. But if I might make one, small request of you in return?"
"Of course," replied Hermione. "Anything."
"Bring Severus to see me, when it's all over. . .before he goes back. I want to see my son alive one last time before I die."
*****
"So what did you bring me?" asked Hermione with a smile as Ron and Harry returned to the Gryffindor common room after their trip to Hogsmeade. "Something good, I hope."
Ron leaned down to kiss her cheek, "Just the usual I'm afraid. A box of Chocolate Frogs and . . ." He reached into his pocket and produced a small book. ". . .some 'light reading.'"
"I held on to the Chocolate Frogs," grinned Harry as he tossed her the box. "So you might actually get to eat some this time."
"Thank you! Although my parents would go mental if they knew you were bringing me chocolate! I'll save these for later, since it's almost time for supper."
Ron looked across at the cuckoo clock on the wall. "Right. I'd better get changed. Malfoy was up to his old tricks again and, well. . ." He turned, displaying a splatter of mud on his bum. When Hermione started to giggle, Ron snapped, "Well, ferret-face came out looking much worse, I assure you."
"Go change, Ron, I don't want to be late for dinner," cajoled Hermione. "As nice as the bullseye look is. . ." She and Harry burst out laughing again as Ron stomped out of the room. Once he was out of earshot, Hermione hushed and motioned for Harry to come closer.
"Harry," whispered Hermione. "Before Ron comes back. . .can I borrow your invisibility cloak tomorrow night?"
"What for?"
Hermione painted her most beguiling smile on as she pleaded, "You know I wouldn't ask you if it weren't important, but I'm working on a present. . .for Ron. . .and I need to get back into the restricted section to do some of the research."
"What kind of a present," asked Harry, always the curious one.
"I'd rather not say until I know I can do it," Hermione prevaricated. "Please?"
Harry chewed his lip as if considering. "All right. Just make sure Mrs. Norris doesn't smell you or anything, I'd hate for Filch to confiscate it."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "I'll be extra careful, I promise. Thank you! When can I get it from you?"
"After dinner tomorrow, ask Ron if he wants to play a game of Wizard Chess. He'll be so excited he won't even think about the fact that usually he's the one doing the asking. Leave your bag on the couch over there," he motioned to a couch directly behind Ron's favorite chess chair. "I'll fetch the cloak while you're playing and put it in your bag."
"Perfect. Thank you!" she whispered, hearing Ron's voice as he trampled down the stairs from the boy's dormitory.
"All right then, shall we go eat?"
*****
Very early that Monday morning, Hermione met Professor Dumbledore and Madame Pomfrey outside the Potions dungeon. The headmaster unwarded the doors and they entered, They'd acquired a time turner as well as all the other 'props' that would be needed for the endeavor, and were going through the list to make sure they forgot nothing.
"Now, Miss Granger, you must remember that effects of the potion will only last for forty-eight hours. You must have everything in place for the extraction before Severus drinks it, or he will appear to have been cured," instructed Madame Pomfrey. "I've charmed the vial to be unbreakable, so as long as your timing is correct you should have no problem."
Hermione nodded in acknowledgement and the nurse continued, handing her the potion. "Be aware that the symptoms will be very pronounced for the two days Severus is affected. He will be in considerable pain and is likely to be rather . . . unpleasant."
"I'm sure I can handle it," grinned Hermione as she pocketed the vial. "I'd become quite accustomed to Professor Snape's being unpleasant."
Professor Dumbledore interjected, "Miss Granger, you're aware that Severus was quite a different person as a teenager. He will bear very little resemblance to the Professor you knew, save in his outward appearance. You are prepared for this, are you not?"
"I think so," answered Hermione. "From what you've told me, Professor Snape craved notice as a child, and was much more emotional than as an adult. I'm to play to his sense of wanting to feel important."
The headmaster nodded, "Yes, I'm afraid that there were many times in his youth where he felt as if he were valued less than his classmates. I don't think he ever forgave me for not punishing Sirius for his part in the Shrieking Shack incident, even after all these years. If you can make Severus feel that he is valued and will be rewarded for his participation, I believe he'll agree to just about anything."
"That's probably why he joined the Death Eaters in the first place," commented Madame Pomfrey. "I'm sure the Dark Lord offered him the glory he craved."
"You're probably right," agreed Professor Dumbledore. "Oh, and there is one more thing that you must remember, Miss Granger."
"What is that?"
"Call him Severus."
Hermione smiled, "Of course. I'm sure once I see him as a boy my own age, it will be easy to see him as a different person, who I can associate with a different name."
"I hope so," cautioned Professor Dumbledore, "for if anyone hears you refer to him as Professor Snape, there are bound to be consequences. Although you should avoid being seen, whenever possible."
"What if I am seen? What should I say," asked Hermione. She never was particularly good at prevaricating.
Professor Dumbledore handed her a scarf. "Wear this."
"But Professor Dumbledore," Hermione challenged, "this scarf looks just like mine."
"Looks can be deceiving, Miss Granger. That scarf has been heavily enchanted. Its color changes to suit the situation. If you were among Slytherins and desired not to be recognized, it would display Hufflepuff colors. If you were speaking to a lone Slytherin and wished him to feel at ease with you, it would shine silver and green."
Hermione gasped, "I understand! So a group of Gryffindors would see a Slytherin, so they wouldn't be concerned that they didn't know her name. And Slytherins would never acknowledge a Hufflepuff. Does it work off my thoughts?"
"Yes," answered the headmaster. "Think about being invisible and the scarf will react one way, think about being accepted, and it would react the other. Keep in mind though, it will not help you in large, mixed, crowds, as it only displays one set of colors at once. Your goal is still to avoid detection, so keep the invisibility cloak with you at all times."
"I will. Other than making contact with Professor. . .with Severus, and with his mother, I should have little need of being visible," reasoned Hermione. "Anything else?"
The headmaster and the nurse both shook their heads. "I think that's it. Are you ready?"
Hermione nodded.
"Bring him right back here, at this exact time. Wear the invisibility cloak, so that if the timing is off you can make your way to the infirmary undetected. We'll have a lot to do when we return, and quickly." The headmaster put a hand on Hermione's shoulder. "Good luck."
"Thank you," she replied as Madame Pomfrey leaned down to give her a quick hug. "See you soon!"
She covered herself with the invisibility cloak, readied the Time Turner, and began to turn. . .
****
A/N:
Thanks to all who reviewed! I'm glad people are enjoying it and hope I can keep you entertained!
Lorena Snape – You are correct, I am working under the assumption that it is possible for Arthur to be transferred within his department, it should have stated Improper Use of Magic department and that this department would have jurisdiction on enforcement issues. I'll try to make this correction soon.
DistinctVagueness-Thanks! I'm glad I have you hooked! *muhahaha* Since your fics do the same for me I'm quite flattered!
Melissa Jooty – I think Dumbledore is grieved, but does not show it much. At least on camera, so to speak. This is all from Hermione's POV so she wouldn't see his reactions when he's not with her, and he needs to put up the brave face as the headmaster.
Otherside2 – Methinks you will too!
DragongirlG – I'm glad you like my portrayal of Ron too, some people don't like that I've paired Hermione up with him but as the story progresses I think it will be clear that it will be more interesting this way.