Date:
February 2005
Disclaimer:
Do not own Harry Potter.
Pairing(s):
DM/HG (coming much later)
Summary:
Hermione isn't sure where to turn after an attack on her home. And
with so many people offering her advice she isn't sure whose council
is worth heeding and whose should be disregarded...
Theodore Nott started at the ceiling blankly. Mum dead. Dad in Azkaban. Theodore in dungeon. Why his parents signed him over to Snape he'd never understand.
It didn't matter too much, actually. Snape could never be called warm and the man, because of his Death Eater role, kept strange hours, but he wasn't cruel so it was OK as far as Theodore was concerned.
However, all thoughts flew out of the Slytherin's head as he heard the doors to the castle groan open.
Hermione rubbed her face with the heel of her hand for the umpteenth time. "Is the headmaster here?"
"No. The headmaster doesn't live here during the summer." Sybill snorted. "Only Snape and I are here. Snape's here for his reasons and I need to use the library. You're lucky that anyone's here at all."
Hermione sighed. "You're right, of course. I guess I'll stay at the Burrow. I'll stay here just for tonight. Correct?"
"In the infirmary you can - that is if Poppy's at home. I wouldn't be surprised if you're stuck sleeping the hall outside the infirmary. Or," Sybill turned towards Hermione, "I could ask Snape if he'd put you up." Hermione paled, Trelawney cackled. "No?"
"No."
Sybill nodded, ducking into a nearby room. Hermione sunk against the wall, swallowing her tears.
"Hermione Granger is there. Really?" Poppy gasped.
"Really," Sybill said irritably. "Just came here. I need help getting her to the infirmary."
Poppy clicked her tongue. "Calm down. I just need to get ready and I'll be over."
Sybill nodded, ending the connection.
"Snape," Sybill greeted the potions professor who was standing, rumpled, in the hallway.
"Sybill. Miss Granger was just inarticulately explaining the reason as to why she is here."
"I don't have to explain," Hermione blurted out angrily. "I had some trouble. Now I am here."
"And why here, Miss Granger? You run to an empty school rather than to the Weasleys or, your hero, Harry Potter's?" Snape surveyed the girl with a sneer.
"Now, you. Leave the poor girl alone!" Poppy scolded, stepping out the same classroom that Sybill had went into moments before. "Sybill help me." Sybill and Poppy got on both sides of Hermione, putting her arms around their shoulders. "One. Two. Three. We're off."
Theodore hated slippers, but, with the cold floor of the dungeon, they proved to be a necessity.
"Who's here?" Theodore asked, shuffling out to Snape's parlor for breakfast.
"Hermione Granger came in last night. Her ankle is injured, she has some scratches, and," Snape rolled his eyes, "'emotional turmoil.'"
"What? She wouldn't give Potter and Weasley her homework?"
Snape stared at the boy for a moment before pouring him a cup of tea. "You would think. Death Eaters, actually. She was the only one in her family to escape alive."
Theodore snorted into his scone. "Dumbledore is not so wise. Should've put some wards on her bloody house."
Snape hummed. "Perhaps."
The sunlight streaming through the infirmary windows was the worst thing that Hermione had ever seen. She had no desire to wake up - that morning or any morning after. Hermione, who had always been an early rise, groaned and rolled over. She allowed herself to ignore the pain streaming through the large windows. Shutting her eyes, she fell into the welcoming arms of sleep.
"Snape," Sybill knocked on the open door. "Can I speak with you?"
"You can. I don't know if I'll listen," the professor replied, turning around to face his least favorite staff member.
"Don't be an ass," Sybill replied, stepping in and shutting the door behind her. She placed herself on one of the student benches. "Come. Sit down."
Snape rolled his eyes. "If I'm going to converse with you it won't be with my knees in my mouth. I refuse to sit at a student desk."
"Fine," Sybill replied primly, jumping up off the bench and opening the door to his private office. "Come in. Let's talk."
Snape sighed. "I'll be there in a moment. I just have to finish this up. Order some tea."
Sybill nodded and did as asked, settling herself in Snape's surprisingly cozy office to wait. She had barely taken three sips from her tea, however, when Snape swept into the office, taking the seat across from her.
"So what is so important that you are deigning to talk to me?" Snape asked with a snort. "We've never gotten along, Sybill."
"I am aware, Severus. However, I need you to talk to Dumbledore."
"You can't speak to your own employer?" Snape raised an eyebrow, amused.
"I can. I don't want to. I hate that man. Especially now..." Sybill waved her hand. "Nott came into the library earlier today to take out a book on wards. He knows enough to believe that wards should have been placed on that girl's house! Dumbledore should have known."
"And why do you care so much? Granger walked out of your classroom and insulted you, as far as I knew." Snape leaned back, sipping contemplatively at his tea.
Sybill laughed. "I care because students shouldn't have to watch all of their family die, Severus! You care just as much."
Snape sat up straighter at that. "I never said I didn't. However, Sybill, this is your pet project, so to speak. I'll work with you to protect students - despite the fact that we hate each other - but you can handle Dumbledore on your own. I don't get along with him, either. But I'm sure you Saw that."
Sybill snorted. "Yes, indeed." Sybill sighed, frustrated. She took out her wand and quickly cast a few silencing spells. "Hermione Granger has the Sight. I never would have believed it, but I Saw it. I want her protected, but I don't want her trapped. Taking an interest in students isn't my job - so to speak. Just speak to Dumbledore about letting her keep residence here for the summer. That's it."
"She has the Sight?" Snape frowned. "Did you tell anyone else?"
"No. I'm not an idiot. I act like one because it makes this God forsaken job a little more enjoyable. None of them have the Sight so it isn't like teaching divination is useful to them. And anything they could learn from - tea leaves and so forth - they write off. You're trapped here too."
"Hermione Granger is one of the most brilliant minds of her generation."
"And she has amazing power and control," Sybill added, with a smile. "Dumbledore can keep her safe, but as long as he continues to underestimate her she's safer."
"How are you sure that he underestimates her?" Snape knew for a fact that Dumbledore did take the Granger girl for granted, but he wanted to hear Trelawney's reasons.
"It's obvious. He always says, 'Oh yes, that Hermione Granger is quite bright' in staff meetings when Minerva is gushing and he ignores her actions in favor of the brash and bold steps taken by her cohorts. You know that and I know that and all the better."
"All the better," Snape repeated with a smile. "All the better."
A/N: That was kind of short, but I think it ended at a good point.
Porcelain Prayer - Updated. Haha
Gentileschi - Hope this cleared some things up. Why would the DE's kill Hermione's family and burn down her house? Just because - she's one of Harry Potter's closest friends, the smartest girl in school, and a muggleborn. Killing her would be a large blow for Harry.
Krystagurl04046k - I hope that this was less confusing. Tell me if you have any questions you want me to clear up.
As always - thanks for reviewing. Keep pressing the review button, please!
