Chapter 33
Friday March 1st
At dinner that evening, Hermoine's owl Pavel returned with a message.
I have a mission for the Order this evening. I will return sometime over the weekend.
S.
Oh well. she thought. She turned to her friends,
"So, what do you lot have planned tonight?" she asked them.
"Dunno yet." Ginny replied. Harry and Ron shrugged their shoulders. Most of the students felt this way. Hogsmeade trips being cancelled was putting a damper on everyone's spirits.
"We'll see after quidditch practice." Ron thought out loud. "At least it's not so cold."
"Are you going to join the Order?" Hermione asked suddenly.
"Where did that come from?" Harry asked.
"Just curious, Harry." Hermione replied.
"Dumbledore said the choice is ours after we graduate. I'm pretty sure I'm joining." Harry said. "And you Hermione?"
"Oh yes, I'm joining."
"Mum is kind of worried about so many family members being in the Order, but she understands how important it is. I probably will join." Ron said. They chatted about various subjects then left to get ready for practice. At practice, Hermione's mind as wondering. About Severus.
I wonder what he's doing on this mission. I do hope he's alright. When will he return? She remembered the day she found out the double life Severus led.
Flashback
It was one late Saturday night last year when she was a prefect, close to the end of term, she had found him when he had returned from a mission. He was staggering in the doors to Hogwarts, beat up and limping. She just happened to be walking past the doors. She ran to the them.
"Professor? What in the world? You need to get to the infirmary!" she said alarmed.
"That will not be necessary, Miss Granger. This happens often and I deal with the injuries myself. No one needs to be put out." Snape said softly.
"Put out? Truly sir, you need medical attention." Hermione said earnestly.
"Miss Granger, I will not debate this with you. Continue with your patrols."
"Sir, if you insist on not seeing Madame Pomfrey then I must insist to seeing you to your chambers to ensure you at least get there."
Snape hesitated. "Very well. Shall we?" he said waving down the corridor.
At the potions classroom, his limp became more pronounced, and he leaned suddenly on Hermione. Some blood dripped onto her robe and she staggered bit under his weight, then resumed.
"My apologies Miss Granger."
"Don't be silly sir. I'm here to help."
They stopped at the door to his chambers.
"Yes Miss Granger. You may enter. I won't bite. I merely need to wash my wounds, take some potions, then lay down." She opened his door and they slowly entered. Hermione's jaw dropped at the sight of his room. It was stunning. No dark imposing environment here. Different shades of brown adorned the walls, classic paintings, a large king size four poster bed (black and green silk sheets), the biggest hot tub she had ever seen, a wall covered with bookshelves and a piano in one corner. The whole room was warm inviting.
Snape heard her thoughts. "Yes Miss Granger. These are my chambers. Surprised?" he said leaving the bathroom. He had washed the blood from his face.
"I must admit, yes. It is rather inviting," she replied.
"I suppose you have questions?"
"Yes sir, if it's alright."
"Continue."
"You say this happens often. What exactly happens often?"
"Dumbledore hasn't told you?" She shook her head no.
"Oh well, you will find out sooner or later. Simply put, I am a spy for the Order of the Phoenix." She stood there speechless. He continued.
"When I am summoned to Voldemort and the deatheaters, whether they are planning meetings or revels, I have to give information about our side, or the 'Side of Light' as Voldemort calls it." Hermione was alarmed.
"No need to worry Miss Granger. I've been doing this for 14 years. I never give them anything useful, misinformation mainly, just enough to let them think I'm spying for their side. This evening Voldemort was displeased with the information I gave. My injuries are the result." He grimaced as he drank a potion.
"Fourteen years? You do this willingly? And what are revels?"
"Yes Miss Granger. Willingly. Revels are best described as 'evil parties'. I won't go into what transpires during these parties." His tone left no question.
"Miss Granger, what I do must remain secret. For the Order, Dumbledore, the students, for a hundred different reasons. If for some reason you are…..taken, they will most certainly extract information from you. Slow. Painfully."
"Taken? Me? Why? I'm no one important."
"Miss Granger, you are quite wrong. You are best friends with Voldemort's number one enemy."
Realization dawned on Hermione like a tidal wave. The past twenty minutes was a lot to absorb. "Now Miss Granger, I hope you have no more questions, because this potion is taking effect. If you have any further questions, I'm sure the Headmaster will be more than happy to enlighten you."
"Are you sure you are fine, Professor?"
"Yes Miss Granger. Your concern is touching. Good evening."
Upon that, she left his chambers. In a mild state of shock, she went back to her room. From that point on she silently vowed not to be such a bother in class. He had enough to deal with. i I guess he's not such a git after all. /i A grudging respect for the man had started.
end of flashback
"HERMIONE!" Ron shouted, startling her form her musings.
"What?"
"That bludger almost tagged you in the head and you didn't even notice. And you've been just sitting there on your broom holding that quaffle forever. What's wrong with you?" Ron demanded.
"Nothing is wrong with me Ronald."
Ron blew his whistle. "Okay team, this practice is over. It's obvious no one feels like being here. This just means Monday's practice will be longer and harder." He flew to the ground and stormed off the pitch. The rest of the team left the pitch afterward. Used to Ron's rants, they shrugged their shoulders and headed their rooms. In her room after her shower, she paced and paced the floor wondering when he would return. After midnight, she flopped down on her bed with a book.
She was awakened the next morning by the sun though her drapes. She jumped up, quickly got dressed and ran to the great hall for breakfast. Pushing open the doors, she looked immediately to the staff table to see that Severus was not there. Her shoulders stooped as she made her to her table. She plopped down and summoned a muffin to her waiting hand. She was silent and frowning.
Now I'm worried.
"Umm, Herms, I don't mean to criticize, but did you wake up colorblind?" Ginny asked.
"Huh?"
Ginny pointed to Hermione's clothes. She looked at herself. They were mismatched to say the least.
"Oh."
"Anything the matter?"
"No. Nothing you can help with. I'm going to change." She arrived back at her room to change out of the green shirt and violet pants she had thrown on in a hurry. The pants she decided to keep on, but put on a t-shirt that said,
Save a broom, ride a wizard!
Severus might need a smile when he gets back.
She went to the front entrance doors and sat on a bench waiting. She sat there for about an hour then frustrated, stalked to the doors. Opening them, she peered down the walk for any sign of Severus. The sound of Prof. McGonagall clearing her throat caused her to turn around suddenly.
"Professor!"
"Miss Granger. Expecting someone?" Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Hermione, don't fret. He's done this so many times, I'm sure he's fine. Would you care to join me for some tea? We can talk." Hermione looked to her cautiously.
"No to worry, you have nothing wrong. Not today anyway. We can talk about anything you please. It might clear your mind for awhile." So they went to her office.
"So Hermione, what would you care to discuss? And where do you get your t-shirts? They are most amusing sometimes."
"My dad sends me some shirts, some I make." She thought for a minute trying to put the Severus matter aside. It was hard to do. She kept having the urge to look to the door. "Yes, my interview at the ministry. Do you know the man who will be conducting the interview?"
"I do. His name is Mathias Longley. He is quite intelligent, and is charming to boot. His wife is lovely and they have 6 children. He was a first year when I was a seventh year. He is highly respected in his field, and the department of research apprenticeship is highly sought. He only takes 2 per year. Some stay, some move on to other departments. It's a great deal of study and dedication. You will do great things there, Hermione. That's how sure I am of you."
"Thank you ma'am. I suppose you want to discuss Sev- I mean, Professor Snape."
"Only if it's comfortable for you, Hermione. And as you know, what is said in this office stays here."
"Okay. Hmm. Well, if you must know, things are good with him. Better than good, in fact. We often talk of our future. I know I love him, and I know he feels the same. I didn't think I would feel this way about someone again. You cannot know what it is to wake up everyday and say to yourself Severus Snape and I are together. Who would have thought," she and McGonagall chuckled.
"Dear, that's wonderful. Although I am happy for the two of you, I am still a bit worried about the whole student-teacher scenario, but you two seem sensible and discrete about it. Besides, there's no stopping it now."
"What amazes me is how different he is in public and private. To everyone here, he seems, well, snarky but behind closed doors he is funny, affectionate and charming."
"The only foreseeable problem will be my parents when they find out." Hermione said.
Should I tell her how great he is in bed? she thought fighting not to laugh at the thought.
McGonagall's clock rang that it was noon.
"Lunchtime." McGonagall said.
"I suppose I should go eat something." Hermione said quietly.
"No worries dear, I'm sure he is fine."
"Yes professor, if you say so."
At lunchtime, Hermione looked hopefully to the staff table. No Severus. Prof. McGonagall shook her head. She picked at her lunch. The Gryffindor table was chatting, but Hermione barely heard any of it. A fifth year Gryffindor tapped her on the shoulder.
"Hermione?"
"Yes Melissa?"
"Sorry to bother you, but are you doing anything after lunch?"
"No, I suppose not. Why?"
The fifth year looked down the table to some other fifth years, who mouthed "go on" to her.
"As you know, our O.W.L.s are this year and we need some help. Your kind of help. You had some of the highest scores ever on OWLS and we were wondering if you could help with some studying. I know it's only March, but it doesn't hurt to start now."
Ron snickered.
"That sounds great, Melissa. It never hurts to study, does it Ron? Do you know where the empty classroom on the third level is? The one down the hall from the loo?"
"Yes.
"Okay, meet me there at two pm. Will that do?"
Melissa turned to her friends and gave them a thumbs up. Hermione grinned. Melissa returned to the group.
"Mione, that's a good thing. Really. You should come back here as a professor," Ron said.
"Thanks Ron, but no thanks. Teaching here is the most stressful thing I can think of doing. We students can be a bit of trouble at times," Hermione said.
"I'm going to the music room for a bit before seeing to the fifth years study group. Hey Harry, you want me to find out if they want some DADA practice? They might you know, from the legendary Harry Potter," Hermione quipped. Ron and Ginny laughed.
"Ha Ha Mione. Why don't you go save a broom and ride a wizard as your t-shirt says?" Harry returned smiling. Harry, ever the reluctant hero. The students left the great hall to find something to do. Hermione pounded away on the piano.
At two p.m. Hermione strolled into the classroom discussed earlier. She stopped suddenly. There was about 40 students there, from all the houses.
Oh my! she thought.
"Are you all here about your OWLs?" Hermione asked curiously. They all nodded their heads. Looking around, something suddenly occurred to her:
Why are they all girls?
"Let's get this started. What particular subject is the help needed?"
"Charms."
"Transfiguration."
"Arithmancy?"
"Potions."
All the different subjects were called out.
"Whoa, whoa hold on. We will start out with the subject that has the most need. Everyone that needs help with charms raise your hand." She counted the hands.
"Transfiguration?" A few were raised.
"Arithmancy?" she dared. One student raised her hand.
"Potions?" Over half the students raised their hands.
"I see." Hermione said. "Potions it is."
After an hour, Hermione wondered why these students had asked for help. They seemed to be dong fine. Her question was soon answered.
"Hermione, can I ask you a question?"
"That's what we are here for Lizzy."
Lizzy hesitated. "Come on, Lizzy, it can't be that hard a question," Hermione asked flipping through a book.
"Is it true that you and Draco Malfoy are dating?"
Hermione stopped nearly dropping her book.
"Excuse me?" Hermione asked. "Where the hell did you hear that?"
Ginny would be laughing her ass off at this!
"It's a rumor we heard." Melissa from Gryffindor asked.
"Well that rumor is wholly untrue. We are good friends, as head students should be and that is it."
They nodded among each other.
"So is it true that you hexed yourself?"
"Another rumor?" Hermione asked.
"Yes." Melissa said.
"Unfortunately that rumor is true," Hermione said rolling her eyes.
The gaggle of girls giggled.
"Is this study session or gossip hour?" Hermione demanded from the group.
"Please, don't get mad Hermione. Yes, partly. We do need help but we have a lot of questions about you. We have heard all this stuff about you, you know, the all-knowing and proper Head Girl and we have to know." Melissa confessed. The rest of the girls nodded.
"Well, let me make something clear. I AM NOT 'all knowing' and sometimes not very proper, not by a long shot. If they only knew! You fifth years have been here long enough to know that."
"Are you a lesbian, Hermione?" one ventured.
"No, I am not. I would certainly like to know where all these rumors start."
"So you have had sex? With a boy?" the girl asked.
"That's a very personal question to ask, but yes I have."
"Have you seen this picture Hermione?" another girl asked waving a magazine.
"No, what picture?"
"It's in last month's Quidditch Monthly."
She handed the magazine to Hermione. Inside there was a full page picture of Hermione in the last game she had played in. It was taken at the moment she had cast the 'arresto momentum' at Ginny while dangling from her broom with one arm. She read the caption at the bottom:
Head Girl Wows Spectators With Her Wandless Magical Display, Photograph courtesy of Colin Creevey.
"Oh, for pete's sake. I'm gonna kill him." Hermione lamented.
"Can you autograph it Hermione?" the girl whispered.
"Absolutely not. Class dismissed." Hermione answered.
At dinner, she again looked to the staff table anxiously. She was perplexed after the "study session." Melissa apologized for the twentieth time at dinner that night. She absently nibbled on a dinner roll.
"So how was the tutoring session?" Harry asked Hermione after seeing Melissa apologize again.
"Don't ask."
"That bad?" Ron asked.
"I'm so stupid. It was not really a study session. Those little sneaks got me there on the pretense of 'helping with studying' but it was really a gossip period."
"Huh?" Ginny asked.
"Apparently there are rumors going on about me and they wanted them confirmed or denied."
"What rumors?" Harry asked.
"Oh, let's see. Am I dating Draco was one." Hermione said.
Ginny snorted at that one. "I know Ginny, I did the same." Hermione replied.
"They then asked if I had really hexed myself, if I have had sex yet," she paused because her friends were snickering, "and followed up with wondering if I was a lesbian." They burst out with laughter at that.
"Someone actually asked you all these questions?" Ron asked with a smirk.
"I fail to see the humor in this." Hermoine stated.
"Oh Herms, if you were a lesbian, there would be nothing wrong with that. You can't help who you love. It's just funny seeing how much you like to-" Ginny said.
"Ginny." Hermione warned.
"The icing on the cake was one girl showing me a picture of me at the last quidditch match and wanting me to autograph it."
"What picture?" Harry asked.
"One in last month's Quidditch Monthly. Hold on, let me see if she still has it. Be right back."
Hermione walked to the Hufflepuff table and asked a girl something. The girl reached in her bag, gave the magazine to Hermione and she returned to the table. Hermione opened it to the page with her picture. When they read the caption, they laughed again.
"Wows spectators, huh." Ginny quipped.
"Where's Colin?" Hermione fumed.
"Now calm down Mione. This is a great picture and what you did was amazing. Why are you mad?" Ron asked.
"I don't know Ron. Everything is getting to me today. I think I just need a good night's sleep." She finished her drink, said goodnight to everyone, then gave the magazine back to the girl. She slowly walked from the hall, waving the doors shut behind her.
"She's getting good at that." Dumbledore said to McGonagall, watching Hermione leaving the hall.
Severus, where are you? Hermione thought as she flopped down on her bed.