Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all affiliates belong to JK Rowling. I just like to play with the characters once in awhile.
"Blimey, 'Mione, I don't know how you'll manage all this," said Ron. "I'm having a hell of time myself and with everything, well, you know . . ." he trailed off, not wanting to finish that thought.
"I'll manage like I've managed with everything else. Besides, Severus reminds me plenty that I've been study for NEWTs all seven years I've been here." She flopped onto the sofa between Harry and Ron who were attempting to study for the upcoming tests as well.
"I'd believe that," Ginny said distractedly, looking up from her Transfiguration homework long enough to comment before pouring over texts on human transfiguration once again. Harry and Ron laughed briefly before being stopped by Hermione's glare.
"Geez, Hermione! Don't do that to us." Harry finally spoke. "I mean, it's worse than Snape's glare when he accuses me of helping Neville with his potions."
Hermione sighed heavily. "Sorry, guys. I shouldn't take out my frustration on you. None of this is your fault anyway. I'm not even sure it's mine!" she said exasperatedly. "Sometimes I just wish it would all go away so I could have a normal, problem free life."
"And what's normal again?"
"Normal, Ron," she replied pointedly, "does not involve marrying your professors because they got you pregnant from some stupid curse and then you end up losing said child because of some stupid, jealous girl."
Harry and Ron backed away from her a bit. Ginny looked up, finally spurred to say something. "Hermione, you'd better not repeat that in front of Severus. You'd break his heart, especially now that you know he loves you and all."
"I know. It's just frustrating, Ginny. You try marrying the guy!"
The boys made a face while she just laughed. "I'd rather not. I've got enough Professor Severus Snape between Potions and spending time with you, thank you very much."
Hermione finally cracked a small smile, slight, but visible nonetheless. "Aw, there she goes Ron. See, her husband is rubbing off on her. I knew there'd be adverse affects to spending too much time with the 'old bat of the dungeons.'" Hermione could not help the chuckle that escaped her lips in response to Harry's joke.
"Okay guys, seriously now, we've got to study. That's why I invited you to my private rooms after all." They quieted down briefly, lost in their books before Harry started quizzing Ron on proper disguise transformation techniques. Hermione only half listened lost in her own thoughts and studies. She looked about her and realized she was happy where she was, married to Severus Snape and all.
: P
Draco was sure he should have been the one pacing Dumbledore's office, but he was not very surprised to find that Severus was the one who was actually doing all the pacing. He had a mean streak of doing it when his mind was in overdrive, which was really quite frequently. The blond Slytherin just watched his Head of House walk back and forth with his thoughts until the headmaster spoke.
"You're quite sure there was something in the statement?"
"Albus, Draco assures me his father's threat was not empty. I must concur with that statement. Lucius is just as purposeful in his choice of words as I. He realizes the power they hold and would not go about mixing words."
"But what does it mean?"
Draco, realizing he was perhaps the only one who may know the answer in the room finally spoke. "I may have something, actually," he trailed off towards the end. "I mean, that is to say, I think I understand what he was saying."
"Well, go on," Severus prodded.
"It's just that, well, there's this estate that's been in the family for years, but no one's been able to locate it properly. Apparently it has a tendency to move of it's own accord."
Dumbledore inquired, "It's been protected by some sort of magic perhaps?"
"I think so," Draco responded, "but I don't really know much about it other than it's supposedly located in northern Siberia. Presumably, since my father very clearly told me to 'freeze in Hell,' that's where Pansy is."
"Hell," Severus mused. "The name would be quite appropriate given your family history. They're known for a perverse sense of humor; present company not included, of course."
Paying no attention to the comment he continued, "I don't understand why Pansy would go there though, how she knew about it. Father always showed his disdain for her whenever I was with her . . ." Realization finally dawned on Draco. Dumbledore and Severus looked at him inquisitively. Sighing and rubbing his eyes, Draco finally spoke minutes later. "He was using me the entire time to get to her. They must have had some back-up plan in place in the event of something happening."
"Something like Hermione and me being happy." Severus growled in anger. "If he wasn't already in Azkaban I'd hex him to Hell." The other men present knew he was not talking about the estate in Siberia either.
A burst of green flames from the fireplace marked the arrival of Remus Lupin. "Hi. I've arranged for a raid in the event that you actually found out something. Several ministry officials agreed that it would be in their best interest to get a hold of Miss Parkinson before she does anything else."
Severus nodded his head to indicate he had heard. Dumbledore said, "Thank you Remus. Draco seems to have found the key piece of evidence in this case. If you'd be so kind, Mr. Malfoy?"
Draco proceeded to explain what he knew. Remus listened closely and agreed that it sounded like a possibility. "We'll have a team ready to go as soon as you're ready," the werewolf told Dumbledore.
"Good. That should not be long now. Severus," the wizened wizard turned to the dark haired man, "I'd like you and Hermione to do some research on this." Severus was about to protest, but Dumbledore held up a head, halting him. "You're needed here. There are plenty of trained witches and wizards that are more suited to deal with this. If Miss Parkinson is indeed found, you will have your time with her. Is that understood?" His tone was not harsh, but it was certainly commanding. Severus merely nodded. He left, mumbling any number of obscenities directed toward the headmaster. Once he left, Dumbledore looked upon Draco. "I'd like you to accompany Remus and his team."
"Yes, sir," Draco responded simply. Dumbledore nodded and the young man took it as a dismissal.
"Now, Remus, I'd like to discuss what is to be done with this mission."
"Certainly, Albus," he said, taking a seat opposite the headmaster.
: P
Severus knew Hermione would not be in their chambers when he got back, so he did not even bother to go there. Admittedly, the whole day had passed him by because of the whole Azkaban situation. As classes had finished for the day, he decided to check the Head Girl's quarters. He knocked loudly and was not surprised to find Ginny when she answered the door.
"Good evening, Professor Snape. Hermione's fallen asleep, I'm afraid."
Severus entered the room and took in the homey feel of the space. Why Hermione ever agreed to moving down to the dungeons was beyond him. This space was certainly more to her liking. He sighed heavily, noting the presence of Ron and Harry as he came further into the room. "Actually, Miss Weasley, perhaps you and your friends would be able to provide some assistance. I've been tasked with a research mission and I could certainly use the help." He sat down in the chair Ginny had recently vacated, smiling slightly at the sight of Hermione drooling slightly on her pillow. Harry and Ron politely said their greetings to the professor with whom they would never have thought they could get along. Quite the contrary, they found themselves growing accustomed to the man's presence in their lives. Severus proceeded to tell them of the events of the day. "So, it seems Albus wishes keep me safe from myself and wants me to find some information on Hell," he finally concluded a half hour later.
The other occupants of the room took it all in quietly. Hermione finally began to awaken and was surprised when she found Severus sitting opposite her. "What are you doing here?" she inquired.
"Hello to you too," Severus responded a bit sarcastically making the others smile at the jest. "I was just informing your friends of a research project. As if just hitting on a thought, he added, "There's extra credit for whoever finds the answer."
"You're kidding! Extra credit!" Ron exclaimed.
Hermione rolled her eyes, as did Severus. "Yes, Mr. Weasley, I may actually consider giving you a few extra points if you help me with this."
Ron and Harry smiled to each other. They were glad to help anyway, if it meant catching Parkinson, but Snape rewarding them was something new, even with the changes he had been through since the war.
"Okay, Severus, they obviously know everything. But since I was getting some much needed rest, would you fill me in?"
"Of course, love," he said in an almost too sweet tone that made everyone except Hermione a little fidgety. The couple's flirtatiousness was a bit unnerving, especially since Professor Snape was still considered the harshest teacher at the school. "To keep this short, Lucius told Draco to 'freeze in Hell.' Normally one would burn in Hell, correct?" Hermione nodded in agreement. "Draco remembered mention of an old Malfoy estate somewhere in Siberia that's guarded by a spell. Presumably, this is what Lucius was referring to in regards to Hell. Albus has tasked us with finding out what we can about the estate as soon as possible so that we can catch Parkinson. To everyone he said, "Questions?"
Hermione looked thoughtful for a moment, and then asked, "Where do we start to look for this?"
"Restricted section?" Ron inquired.
"Is there any reference to magical residences?" Harry voiced out loud. "Are there books on such things? I mean, it's suppose to be old, right, so there must be mention of it somewhere."
Severus looked at Hermione who looked back at him. She said, "I don't know of anything in the restricted section, Ron, but Harry may be on to something. Ginny, what do you think?"
The red headed girl looked at her bushy haired friend and responded, "I'll go ask Madam Pince. Of all of us here, she seems to like me the most," quietly she added, "barely, anyway."
"I'll look through the restricted section. Hermione, take Harry down to our personal library and see if you can't find something there. There may even be something in some of the muggle literature." Hermione nodded in concurrence. "Mister Weasley, you will accompany your sister and see what you can find. We'll meet again here later this evening." Standing to leave, he said, "I thank you for you help." With that, he was gone. Hermione had Harry in tow as they flooed directly to the dungeons while Ron and Ginny followed Snape's path to the library. They knew there had to be something about Hell somewhere, it was just a matter of finding it.
End Chapter 24