Chapter 3: Salvaging the Future

"WHAT?" Hermione shot from her chair scared out of her mind. "In his office… with the slimy things?"

"Yes Miss Granger, if you wish to salvage your future." Dumbledore replied cryptically.

"What do you mean Salvage My Future?" Hermione was shaking now her voice becoming soft. "What do you know that I don't?"

"Only that, Miss Granger," he said with a tell nothing smile and a dancing in his eyes, "you may want to reconcile your differences with Professor Trelawney… as I am assigning you and Professor Snape to go see her in a weeks time. In fact," he said standing, "I think I will come with you to Severus' office."

They walked calmly down to the dungeons where Snape liked to dwell. Hermione had suggested Floo Powder but Dumbledore said he needed the exercise… although it seemed to her Hermione that he just wanted to give her time to think… the last thing she wanted to do.

When they finally reached the cold, dank, dungeons of seclusion that Snape so adored Dumbledore picked up the knocker and let it slam down. "Severus," he called, "Severus I know what you've done, come out." There was a moment of silence and then a click of a lock unlocking.

"Come in Headmaster," his cold voice drawled… it seemed different though…

"Stay here," he whispered to Hermione as he put a charm on her to increase her hearing. "And listen. Come in when I say." Hermione Nodded and watched the Headmaster enter.

"Good day, Severus," he said politely.

"It certainly is not, Albus." Snape said haughtily. "And you know it isn't. I should have known better. She went running to you, didn't she Albus? That snarky little mudblood went running to you and now you'll have me sacked."

Hermione's face became red with anger and she was about to stalk right in there and tell him off, but Dumbledore's laugh stopped her in her tracks.

"You're not going to be sacked, Severus. You're not even suspended… as long as you do what I ask."

"And that would be," Snape said coldly.

"She knows, Severus." Well that was all he needed to say to get Snape in an uproar. It was all 'how could you' this and 'be the death of me' that until Dumbledore had had enough.

"Be silent Severus!" He yelled… such a rare thing that Snape did in fact cease any noise ever. "She knows, and she has been bound to it. She cannot tell and would not if she could. I have given you a chance Severus. I see the way you look at her. She intrigues you. You two could have an intelligent conversation if you tired."

"I seriously doubt it," Snape scoffed.

"Well I haven't left you a choice, Severus. You will have conversation everyday after supper until this time next week when you will be meeting with Sybil."

"Not that half mad… did you say what I think you said." Snape's voice softened.

"I did, Severus."

"But surely someone will suspect… And what could Sybil have to do with this… "

"You will discuss every night for one hour at the least, thought I have a feeling they may get quite bit longer, until you go to see Sybil. Do you understand?" Dumbledore said.

"I do headmaster."

"Good. Come in Miss Granger."

Hermione met quite the sight when she opened the door. Snape was standing there in shock, his moth agape, and Dumbledore with his mouth twisted into a smile. "I will leave you two to your own devices… at least an hour," he reminded as he left.

It took Snape a moment to recover himself before his eyes turned to ice and he sneered at the young woman before him.

"So… a moment of weakness condemns a man to the nonsensical ramblings of a half-witted know it all."

Hermione's eyes shrunk to slits. "And a moment of knowledge has lead her to a life of secrecy and torture with a man no one likes or wants to." She replied. "Honestly if you insulted me less perhaps your kiss would not have sickened me so."

He started towards her; hand raised, and stopped, balled it into a fist, and lowered it to his side.

"I sicken you?" He said, his guard lowering.

"Of course you do you greasy git," she growled.

"Oh, I see." His sunk into his chair but not before Hermione saw the hurt in his eyes. "I'm so tired of playing the mean Professor. Everyone hates me. And I deserve it. But here in my solace I refuse to be who I am not… although I must admit the act has become a part of who I am now. Professor and Severus are not as separate as they used to be."

"Oh," Hermione sat in a chair near but not too near him and slumped. "What… what did you do after you were done schooling with Harry's dad?"

"That's none…" she saw him try to harden himself and fail. "I came back here. Right away. Disappeared. Albus made up some story about me studying potions somewhere and had his connections back it up. The only time I lived through the Dark Lord's Reign was when I was summoned back to help it along. Interesting that the mark worked through time and space… but it did." His eyes became cold and he looked at her wish disdain. "Don't pretend to care you insufferable know it all. You're only here because he made you be."

"You're only here because he made you be too!" She shouted angrily. "You hate me, and that's just fine I hate you too!" She stood to leave but he grabbed her wrist. The cold had not gone out from his eyes, but in all sincerity he said,

"Please stay. I never have visitors. We can move into my quarters if you wish. I have a sitting room. We could play chess. Or read something… I suppose… since you can't leave for another… 50 minutes anyway."

Hermione sighed. "I guess a game of chess would be fine," his grip loosened slightly although he did not let go. "Should make the 50 minutes go by much more quickly." She didn't hide the cold in her voice either… but although he masked the hurt her words caused she felt him flinch as he released her.

"Very well," he said smoothly. "We shall go." He stood and turned to Hermione. She refused to move and his standing brought him dangerously close to her. He could smell her, feel her. Their faces were inches away and it was all he could do not to attack her again. Instead, feeling he must do something, he lifted his hand and brushed a hair from her face tucking it behind her ear. "Follow me… Hermione."

A/N & Declaimer:

I am not JK Rowling. I do not take credit for her characters or ideas.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! These newest chapters are my gift to you