Chapter 11

"Mr. Weasley, we are here, care to explain why our presence was required?" Professor Snape glared at the young man from where he was standing just beyond the foot of Hermione's bed. Albus Dumbledore had conjured a comfortable chair, and Ron was standing by a worried Hermione, holding her hand.

"Now, Severus..." Dumbledore chided. "Ronald, please, enlighten us to your findings." Rather than sounding condescending, the Headmaster's voice was full of gentle encouragment.

With only a minor blush, Ron repeated his earlier statements, describing what lead to his conclusion. As he finished, he looked frantically towards Hermione, his courage fading as the name finally needed to be said.

Hermione squeezed his hand, and looked resolutely at the two older men. "Ginny Weasley." She spoke the words flatly, but her face was a study in emotion. Betrayal, anger, hurt, hope, dread, relief all warred within her features, for those skilled enough to read. Dumbledore and Snape were skilled enough. Both Ron and Hermione had dropped their eyes, feeling dreadful for accusing the youngest Weasley, but not feeling they had much choice. Albus turned to look at his younger collegue, who just raised an eyebrow in response.

The silence seemed to stretch out, until the Headmaster rose from his chair. "Well, I do believe that we will need some further discussion on this. Mr. Weasley, Professor Snape, if you will retire to your office, I believe that a deeper discussion is in order. "

Ron's head snapped up at that that and he opened his mouth to protest, but Hermione spoke first, knowing her best friend. "Ron, please. Go with the Professor. Ane-Ace."

The red-headed young man smiled at his friend and nodded. "Ane-Ace." Then he looked at Professor Snape. "Well?" He managed to conceal most of his belligerence.

Snape's eyes narrowed, and he swept out of the room without another word. He wondered why Albus was sending the Side-Kick with him. Considering that Albus was more likely to get more information out of the whelp it didn't make sense to send the boy with him. Unless... no, not even Albus could have such a strange notion. Severus almost snorted when he realized that yes, Albus could. And thinking back over the recent interactions, Albus probably had. He didn't know how Albus had come to that ridiculous conclusion. Yes, time spent with her outside the classroom hadn't been quite as burdensome as it could have been. She wasn't pretty, but her eyes had a sparkle of determination that was admirable. She had what appeared to be unyeilding loyalty to those she deemed worthy, and for some odd reason had included him in that number. But she was his student. He felt protective of all his students, didn't he? She was nothing special, apart from her amazing courage, superior intellect, and unending loyalty. Sooner than he would have liked, he was standing in front of his office doors, and had to put the problem of the Headmaster's notions aside, and concentrate on the problem of Miss Granger.


Albus watched the two younger men leave the infirmary, then turned back to the young woman in the hospital bed. With a wave of his wand, he cast a silencing ward around them, so they could be candid, without worry of errant ears.

"Now, Miss Granger, first I'd like to to ask a question not pertaining to your problem."

Hermione nodded, wondering what in the world the Headmaster was up to.

"What was it you said to young Mr. Weasley? Ane-ace?"

Hermione giggled. She should have expected that. "Actually, Headmaster, it's AINAIS. Short for 'All Is Not As It Seems'. Its something we came up with after the Department of Mysteries to remind us that we need to look deeper and not take things at surface value." She smiled at the memory of the three of them in the Burrow, when they had decided to use that as a code-word.

"Ahh, and something we all need to remember." Albus smiled at the young witch. "Now, back to your problem. Had you suspected this person before Mr. Weasley brought you his suspicions?"

"No, sir." She paused, her brow furrowed, as she tried to find the words. "Ginny and I have never been close. Sometimes it feels like she wants to, other times its like she can't get far enough away from the three of us. We tried to include her a couple of times, but she started complaining that she couldn't compete with our history."

Albus nodded and stroked his beard knowingly. "And did she use the word 'compete' or did you?"

"I'm not sure, sir." Hermione paused, and started thinking again, the conversation was several years old. "I think she did, Headmaster." Albus nodded again.

"Very well. I think I will need to discuss this with Professor Snape before we make any conclusions." At her agreeing nod, Albus leaned back in the chair, and then fixed her with his famous knowing look. "And Miss Granger, I understand that when two people are thrown together in extreme circumstances, sometimes the familiarity can breed a certain affinity. However, that affinity must not be mistaken for true emotion, especially for a young woman just starting her adult life."

For a moment, Hermione looked blankly at the Headmaster. Everyone did say he was barmy. "Yes, sir. I agree, sir." She nodded seriously in agreement with him, while trying to keep the gobsmacked look off her face. He couldn't be implying what she thought he was? Yes, he could. But.. no, that was wrong. He was her Professor. Yes, she respected him, she had since her fourth year. Yes, he wasn't quite the greasy git he appeared to be. In fact he was rather pleasant once you learned to translate from Snape to the Queen's English. Yes, she felt safe in his presence, but that was because he was a trusted Professor, right? RIGHT! Hermione didn't know what to think now.

The Headmaster beamed at her, and rose from his chair, which disappeared with a pop as soon as he was standing. He patted her on the hand, and without another word, left the infirmary, leaving a shocked young woman behind him.


A/N: I've tried and tried to extend this chapter, but it wants to be how it is. I also wanted to apologize, this story was supposed to be more of a "Silence of the Lambs" part with cat and mouse games between Ginny and the rest, but it seems Severus and Hermione have other ideas. Ron's also a bit more vocal than originally planned. Who do they think is writing this fic, anyways? ;)

Well, now that I'm no longer fighting with them, expect sooner updates. Hope that I've now not jinxed myself. :D