-x-x-x-x-x-x-
9. In which some mysteries of the plot are explained and others deepen
-x-x-x-x-x-x-
It was strange, thought Hermione, how she could recognize Mr. Snape even though he was over ten metres away and it was raining heavily, making impairing visibility. She just got this 'feeling' that it was Mr. Snape and that there was no way that she could be wrong about it.
He was leaning against the railing of the bridge and as she drew near, advanced to meet her.
"I am glad you came."
"It isn't of much use, though – and I cannot stay here for long," he replied quietly. She recognized that he had charmed his voice so that only she could hear him. It seemed strangely distant amidst the heavily falling rain. She followed his example.
"Why? What happened?"
"Do you trust me, Miss Granger?" he questioned in reply.
Hermione was slightly startled. Whatever could have prompted such an enquiry?
"Yes…" She murmured uncertainly.
With an almost imperceptible nod, he stepped forward and gripped her hands.
The next moment she was standing in the attic – which she supposed was his abode.
"I hope you don't mind," he said, taking off his cloak. "The rain was rather inconvenient."
Rather unlike his usual callous self, he helped her out of her dripping wrap and led her to the fireplace. Contrary to the last time she had been here, welcoming yellow flames danced in the hearth.
"Presuming that you have guessed about the Order – which is the Order of Phoenix, by the way – working against the Dark Lord…"
"How do you know?"
"I spied you spying on Black throwing a tantrum about my being in his house – as if I would ever set foot anywhere near him willingly. Not to mention…" His tone was getting darker.
"Oh well," interrupted Hermione, not very embarrassed at being discovered thus, "what about the Order then?"
"I don't know how he did it," said Mr. Snape angrily, his eyes narrowing, "but Black managed to convince Dumbledore that I am not fully loyal towards the Order."
Hermione's eyes widened. Granted that Lord Black would not be credited the best judge where Mr. Snape was concerned, but surely, he would not accuse without reason, would he?
As doubts about his loyalty flashed across her mind, Mr. Snape suddenly turned towards her.
"You can doubt me all you want," he said acerbically, "but believe what I am about to tell you now."
Hermione's cheeks coloured. She didn't want to believe that Mr. Snape was a traitor… but all the same, one couldn't easily stop doubting.
"I wasn't…"
Mr. Snape waved an impatient hand. "Please refrain from making meaningless excuses, Miss Granger. My bringing you here has an ulterior motive."
She looked steadily at him.
"Your life is in gravest danger. The Dark Lord is personally interested in finishing you. Grascorty Castle is no longer a safe place for you."
Hermione stared at him for a few moments, and then blinked.
"I beg your pardon – why shouldn't Grascorty Castle be safe for me?"
"Because Lord Cromwell is a Death-Eater – an avid supporter of the Dark Lord."
"No way," she blurted out before she could stop herself. "I mean, he is a Muggle."
"Lord Cromwell is a squib. His only purpose in bringing you to the Castle is to keep you until the Samhain, which is the most favourable time for casting the more 'conditional' Dark curses and spells."
Hermione felt her head whirl with this new information. This man had to be lying. How could her kind uncle be a Death-Eater?
"Why? What do I have to do with the Dark Lord?"
"That will make a very long story, indeed. But you have got to take my word on this matter and trust me – you said that you did. I shall escort you back to Grascorty Castle. You shall quickly pack up your things and then we shall Floo out of the building from your room."
"So my room is connected to the Floo network?"
"Yes. The whole castle is, in fact."
Hermione sat with her eyes fixed on the flames for few minutes. All the while, she could feel Mr. Snape's eyes on her.
Finally, she raised her head to meet his eyes. "Give me one good reason to believe you and to go with this crazy scheme."
Mr. Snape sneered at her. "I am not asking you to believe me. You don't have to go through with this if you don't like."
He took a deep breath.
"However, if you are unwilling, I shall have to immobilize you and take you to a safe place against your free will. I could have done that, but I preferred giving you a choice in the matter."
"Why? Why would you care?"
"Trusted by the Order or not, I have no intentions of seeing the Dark Lord rule the country," he said coldly.
"Then why don't you explain the whole thing from beginning? Yours might be a long story, but I can stay here all night."
Mr. Snape seemed to weigh her suggestion for a while. Finally, he conceded. Conjuring up a chair near hers, he sat down.
"I was a Death-Eater once – it is now twenty years ago. Suffice to say that my skill in Potions impressed the Dark Lord and he deemed me to be a very useful Death-Eater. He trusted me more than he trusted any other Death-Eater. He prefers to do things on his own – he formulates plans without consultation. He only issues orders. But he sometimes told me some things. Slowly, I began understanding how his mind worked. I could fathom his moves although more than once he surprised me with schemes I didn't believe possible.
"A year before his fall, I turned a spy – for Dumbledore. I was as useful to the Headmaster as I had once been to the Dark Lord as I could more or less work out what he meant to do next – where he meant to strike and then report my conclusions to Dumbledore.
"The Dark Lord didn't know of my treachery till the last day, even though I suspect a few others regarded me warily. Whether it was because of my skill in Dark Arts or because they felt that I wasn't loyal, I cannot say.
"When the Dark Lord came to power once again, he summoned all the Death-Eaters. It was a pleasant surprise – although the use of the word 'pleasant' is highly dubious – that he still regarded me with the same trust. Once again, I proved useful to the Order's cause.
"But a few months ago, I felt him grow suspicious of me and treat me with the same caginess the more powerful Death-Eaters did. Eventually, about two months ago, there was an attack on my quarters in the East End. I knew then that he had somehow discovered that I was a spy. I am still in dark as to how.
"I haven't been idle since. I had found out with Dumbledore's help that he had created Horcruxes…"
"What?"
"You do not know what Horcruxes mean, Miss Granger?"
"No," she admitted, a bit sullenly.
"A Horcrux is the word used for an object in which a person has concealed part of their soul. You split your soul and hide part of it in an object outside the body. Then, even if one's body is attacked or destroyed, one cannot die, for part of the soul remains earthbound and undamaged. The soul can be torn apart only by the supreme act of evil - committing murder. Killing rips the soul apart. The wizard intent upon creating a Horcrux would use the damage to his advantage. He would encase the torn portion using a spell."
Hermione's eyes widened with shock and horror. "How beastly!"
"That would be an understatement," commented Mr. Snape dryly.
"In any case, the Dark Lord meant to create seven Horcruxes – the last one by killing your friend, Mr. Potter. But you know how well that succeeded. Now, he means to create his last Horcrux – at the time of Samhain this year. And he will use a Ravenclaw souvenir as the Horcrux."
"Why Ravenclaw?"
"Because he has already used the Slytherin and Hufflepuff souvenirs and he cannot access Gryffindor's – the sword is safe in Dumbledore's office. He has a fascination for 'trophies' and still regards Hogwarts as his home – first home. In any case, I have full reason to believe that he will use the Ravenclaw souvenir."
"What is it?" Hermione leaned forward involuntarily – she did not want to miss the answer.
"You – a descendant of Ravenclaw. I do not know how he came to pinpoint that one on you, but I know that he is sure that you are the Heir of Ravenclaw."
"That is the most absurd thing I have ever heard!" exclaimed Hermione, standing up.
"What have you against it?"
"I was a Gryffindor!"
"McGonagall mentioned your enthralment with Hogwarts: A History. Do you forget that Ravenclaw married Gryffindor?"
"But…" Hermione couldn't think of anything to say for a while. All things seemed surreal to her now.
Mr. Snape stood up and gently pushed her back in her chair.
"There is more to tell. I did not know that there were Anti-Apparition Charms on Grascorty grounds – which I found very intriguing indeed. Miss Weasley was as surprised to know that. That was what first made me suspicious. I have been on the Grascorty grounds for the past couple of weeks. You might have noticed Florinzel during one of your walks. He was there because I wanted to keep him near me. In any case, unbeknownst to you, your uncle has been periodically leaving the grounds and taking a Portkey to some place. There is a Dark spell to follow a person who Portkeys.
"I have pursued Lord Cromwell on more than one occasion. I couldn't stay near to where the Dark Lord was for long – his pet snake makes that impossible. But I heard things in bits and pieces and I have been putting them together. And I have told you all my conclusions."
Mr. Snape leaned back in his chair.
Hermione found that she was unable to say anything. Everything fit in perfectly. She couldn't trace a flaw in his narrative.
"Does Professor Dumbledore know this?"
"Professor Dumbledore had the misfortune of deeply suspecting my loyalties on Black's words. I do not see a reason to tell him about it. All this concerns you and you alone."
Hermione looked imploringly at him. "You've got to tell him. He'd be able to do something about it."
Mr. Snape looked frostily at her. "If you mean that he would be able to protect you better than I can, then let me disillusion you – you cannot have a better guard than me. I would know how to protect you better."
"I did not mean that… I just feel that Dumbledore's got to know."
"You are free to tell him, of course," he snapped angrily. "But I shall not go back to him or the Order. I am more than pleased to work on my own. I informed you about this because I felt you ought to know. I shall not let the Dark Lord succeed in his plans – hence, I would like you to come with me. I could hide you very well indeed."
"But if Voldemort wants to make a Horcrux, he will. If I am not there, his plans won't change."
"The Dark Lord is a fanatic, Miss Granger. He will have what he has set his mind on."
Hermione pushed in a log in the weakening fire.
"Who does he mean to kill on Samhain?"
She knew the answer to that question though.
"None other than Mr. Potter, of course."
"See… that is why you've got to tell Dumbledore – or Harry."
"I do not give a damn to either. I've had enough from them. Moreover, the Dark Lord will now concentrate his energies on finding you. It might weaken his resolve to kill Potter if you were missing."
Hermione stared incredulously at him.
"Tell me you don't mean that."
"I meant to send Potter a note on Samhain – 'Your death is near'."
"Are you joking?" asked Hermione, scowling at him.
Mr. Snape looked indifferent.
Hermione stood up, huffing angrily.
"I am going to Hogwarts."
"Let us return to the Castle and gather your things first. You should leave that place completely without delay."
"But then we are going to Hogwarts."
Mr. Snape made no reply.
"Why are you so exasperating?"
Mr. Snape stood up, sneering at her insolence.
Flinging her cloak at her, he said, "Apparate to the bridge. Now."
-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Things went surprisingly smoothly thence. Hermione kept glancing over her shoulder and walked as noiselessly as possible once they entered the Castle. She more than half expected some hooded Death-Eaters to attack her as she entered her room, but everything was just as she had left it.
Mr. Snape helped her out of her dripping cloak and dried and warmed both of theirs while she moved about the room swiftly, reducing and packing her things in an old bag.
"Now we go back to the Bridge and Apparate away from there."
Mr. Snape had reached the door. Realizing that Hermione had not followed him, he stopped and turned back.
"Why should I not believe that it is all a big hoax and you will take me straight to Voldemort?"
"Don't say his name!" he hissed out angrily. But said nothing more, merely glared at her.
"Give me a reason."
"I don't feel compelled to," he said slowly, looking straight into her eyes. "I know I want to protect you."
Hermione felt a burning feeling in the pit of her stomach. There was no reason why she should believe what could well be a set of elaborate lies. Harry didn't like Snape. Lord Black wasn't too fond of him either. What did Remus think?
Her heart constricted a bit at the thought of Remus. Surely, if Dumbledore didn't believe in Snape's loyalty any more, Remus would not either. But then…
She knew he wasn't lying. She couldn't explain why she felt so. She had always been taught to never to trust the feelings you could not explain. However, looking at the dark man waiting for her, she could not help feeling that all she had been believing in until now wasn't the best… that no one could protect her better than this man…
'Where did that come from?'
She picked up the bag and moved towards him, wondering what she was getting herself into.
'There is no reason to believe him. Dumbledore doesn't.'
Mr. Snape took her bag and handed her the cloak. He carried it for her till they made their way back to the bridge.
The rain was falling as hard as ever. She could barely see him. His hood was drawn just so that she could see his eyes. Little trails of water ran down the side of his cheeks and down his nose.
He stepped very close to her. This time he talked to her without putting the charm around them.
"You are really very foolish – a Gryffindor through and through."
His hand closed around her wrist.
"I trust you," she said suddenly, clasping his hand.
There was deafening thunder. Snape pulled down the hood over his face. She followed his example – the force of the rain against her face was hurting.
'In for a Knut, in for a Galleon…'
-x-x-x-x-x-x-
This has been taken from Slughorn's explanation to Tom Riddle in the 23rd chapter of Harry Potter and the Halfblood Prince.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-