Chapter 38
Saturday March 9th
Snape observed the students Saturday morning at breakfast. His gaze fell on Hermione. She was eating, talking and laughing and by the looks of it, the happiest he had ever seen her. A small shiver ran through his body as he thought to last night. The way her lithe body moved above him, the way she called out his name, the way she looked at him. Severus considered it a miracle of sorts that he loved someone, and that he was loved in return. He didn't know how it happened but was glad it did. Hermione said yes to him.
"Severus, if you of all people are grinning, I have to know what's so amusing," McGonagall asked.
"Pardon?" Severus asked startled out of his musing.
Was I grinning? Now they are all looking at me.
He waved his hand to them saying nothing. He didn't need to, they had a pretty good idea. It was the young witch eating breakfast at the Gryffindor table. At breakfast, Hermione didn't look his way, but by the way she kept flipping her hair and stretching it was plain to him that she was teasing him. His suspicions were confirmed when he noticed that Ginny had mouthed to her-
'You are so bad Herms!'
It was decided that the student's frustration at being cooped up with no Hogsmeade trips was causing more work for the staff. "Boredom breeds mischief, Albus." McGonagall said time and time again. To maybe ease the cases of cabin fever, trips to Hogsmeade would resume on a limited basis. In case the deatheaters had too keen an interest in the goings-on of students, it was determined that students would go in groups of 5, at different intervals, unannounced. Accompanied by a professor and auror, the group would stay for an hour then go back to Hogwarts. It was better than nothing, and would do wonders for morale. The trips would start after breakfast. The head students and a few prefects would go first. Hermione was in the library studying with Ron, Harry and Ginny when McGonagall came in.
"Miss Granger, would you please step out into the corridor for a moment to chat?" the professor asked.
What did I do now?
"Miss Granger, it has been decided that Hogsmeade trips will resume. This morning, you, Mr.Malfoy, and three other prefects will go with a professor and an auror. You will be permitted only an hour, so use the time wisely. And take care to tell no one, in case someone is taking an interest in what's happening at the school. We will brief you upon your return so you and Mr. Malfoy can make out the schedule for the rest of the students."
The professor looked to Hermione pointedly. Hermione understood and nodded.
"Now go get Mr. Malfoy and meet by the great hall doors. You will leave in 10 minutes. If something should happen in Hogsmeade, flare your wand. Help will be there in an instant."
"Yes madame. And thank you," Hermione said.
She walked quickly to the Slytherin common room where Draco was. She muttered "sour grapes" to the door and walked in.
"Draco, could you come here for a minute please?" she asked politely.
"We don't have alot of time, but you have eight minutes to get yourself ready to go to Hogsmeade. I'll explain on the way. Come on." she said in a rush.
Draco and Hermione arrived at the departure point to find the Hufflepuff prefect, Ayden Foote waiting. A smiling Ginny was there too, and Melissa Feeley from Ravenclaw. Draco gave Ginny a kiss on the cheek.
"At least you'll have a date Ginny." Hermione teased.
Ginny leaned forward and whispered, "Well well well, you seem to have a date too," nodding her head in the direction behind Hermione.
She turned to see Severus and an auror stop at the group. The auror gave a second glance at Hermione's t-shirt that said "Witches Do It Better".
"Are we quite ready? Don't waste this hour," Severus said.
They departed the castle and walked the familiar path to Hogsmeade, every one of them casually scanning the area around them. Severus and the auror walked a bit behind of the students, chatting. Severus caught some of the student's conversation.
"..thank goodness I'll be able to get a new broom. The school brooms just don't do it for me," Hermione said.
"Yeah, and I'm in desperate need of quills," Ginny said.
"Why didn't you say something? I have plenty you can use," Hermione scolded.
"Ginny, come here for a minute would you?" Draco asked.
Ginny went to join Draco leaving her walking alone with her nose in a book. But not for long. Andrew tried to start up a conversation.
Clearing his throat he started, "So Hermione, congratulations about the ministry thing," he said.
"Thanks," she replied.
"When do you start?" he asked.
"A week after graduation." Hermione replied.
"Going to get your own place?" Andrew asked.
"Probably," Hermione answered.
Hermione kept the conversation short so as not to encourage him. Severus took note that Andrew kept asking questions that were getting more and more personal.
Ignorant boy! Severus thought.
Hermione stole a glance over her shoulder to see Severus looking at Andrew with a slight scowl on his face. Knowing that Hermione would rather have her tongue cut out than be rude to anyone, kept answers short and to the point. It was clear that she was uncomfortable, because she was exhibiting her three signs of discomfort. Her hands were clasped behind her back thumbs twiddling, she tugged at her earlobe occasionally and stuttered from time to time. The group finally arrived at The Three Broomsticks. Melissa left to go to Honeydukes. Hermione and the others sat a booth while Severus and the auror sat at a small table near them. Again Severus caught the conversation as he chatted with the auror. From time to time he caught side glances of Hermione, who was somewhat aggravated with Andrew's questions.
"So Hermione, are you seeing anyone?" Andrew asked.
Severus saw Hermione's jaw twitch.
"Yes," she answered flipping through her book.
"Who?" he asked.
"For me to know and you to find out," Hermione said evenly.
"A guy?" Andrew asked.
"Pardon me? A guy?" she asked.
"Well Hermione, there's been rumors..." Andrew said.
She slapped the book down on the table.
"Has there now," she declared.
She thought back to the study-turned-gossip-session with the first years not long ago.
"Whoa, Hermione don't get upset," Andrew said.
Too late. Hermione stood up hands on her hips.
Draco and Ginny scooted out of the booth a safe distance away, well aware of Hermione's temper. She didn't need a wand either.
"Well let me set something straight right now Mr. Foote. Whatever rumors you have heard about me, now listen good, I am not a lesbian. I like men and yes I am seeing someone. Satisfied?" she said loudly.
Who in the world came up with the idea that Hermione was a lesbian? Severus wondered. That was by far one of the most ridiculous rumors he had ever heard floating around Hogwarts. And he had heard plenty!
"I'm going to get a new broom," Hermione huffed as she left the store muttering under her breath.
Draco and Ginny were trying not to laugh at the tirade.
"Andrew! Give it a rest! How daft can you get? She's not available!" Draco said.
"Alright alright, can't blame a bloke for trying to get with the hottest girl in school, now can you?" Andrew pleaded.
If he could get away with it, Severus swore that he would hex the little git till he had permanent jelly legs. Ginny and Draco saw Severus scowling at Andrew and tried to deflect the conversation elsewhere.
The auror at the table grabbed a pendant he had around his neck and leaped to the window.
"Deatheaters," he said quietly.
"How do you know?" Severus asked him.
"This pendant is designed to sense them," the auror said.
Severus and the auror peered out the door, wands at the ready. Draco, Ginny and the others looked out the other window.
"Are you sure? I don't see them," Severus said.
Then the fading mark on his arm twitched, confirming his question.
Damn it all Hermione, where are you? Severus thought suddenly worried.
"They are hidden well," the auror said.
A minute later a flare from a wand shot into the air down the street from behind a building.
Hermione's there! Snape thought anxiously.
At that point the group saw Hermione racing from around the building as fast as she could fly on her new broom. About ten deatheaters rushed on foot behind her, flashing spells, hexes and curses in her direction. Just as the group was preparing to fight back, a deatheater jumped from a door she had flown in front of and cast a stunning spell on her. She fell from her new broom like a rock, the broom flying a few more feet before falling to the ground as well. The group took cover behind another building trying to come up with some kind of quick plan. They looked to Hermione laying still on the street now with a bloody nose. At that point Dumbledore and about twenty aurors appeared with a crack and fought back against the deatheaters. The fight didn't last long. The aurors were ready this time and made quick work of the deatheaters. They only had to kill three in self defense, the rest were taken into custody. After the fight, they went to Hermione. McGonagall cast a waking spell and Hermione bolted up to sitting position.
"I saw...and..flare...raced here.. What happened?" Hermione said between gasps looking around.
Draco helped Hermione to her feet and gave her a kerchief to hold the flow of blood from her nose. She winced when she touched her nose.
"I'm getting tired of this," Hermione stated.
"Albus, how did they know about today? Two professors, an auror and and five students? They risked ten deatheaters for that?" McGonagall asked.
"I agree, all the attacks this year on students have been haphazard. It doesn't make a great deal of sense," Dumbledore said.
"Can we discuss this at Hogwarts? We have an injured student on our hands," Severus said.
"Oh yes, of course," Dumbledore said.
As the group walked back to Hogwarts, Hermione said, "At least I got a new broom."
An hour later in the Hogwarts infirmary, Severus walked in to find Hermione sitting on a bed talking with Harry and Ron.
"Professor Snape," Hermione nodded but her soft brown eyes twinkled as she looked at him.
"I was sent to inquire about you. Is your nose quite healed Miss Granger?" Severus asked.
"Yes sir," she said in slightly flirty tone. Harry and Ron noticed this tone and looked at each other questioningly.
"Very well. Good day." Severus swooshed from the room robes billowing.
"Very well?" Harry asked.
"Good day?" Ron added.
"Ready for lunch?" Hermione asked the two, deflecting the comments to a subject that she knew would do the trick. The two boys held out their arms and the three best friends left arm in arm for lunch. Severus saw the three walk in the great hall, and received the usual wink from Hermione.
Dumbledore brought the great hall to attention, stood and spoke.
"I won't go into much detail, but you must know that there was another attack on students this morning. I again must remind you to be on guard at all times and report anything suspicious. That is all, continue your meal."
Hermione took note that Ayden Foote quickly left the hufflepuff table with a worried look on his face. Glancing at Hermione, he put his head down and left the hall.
What was that all about? she wondered. Didn't the headmaster just say something about suspicious?
Severus saw Hermione look at Ayden Foote as he left the hall and noticed her biting her bottom lip deep in thought. She poked Harry and Ron and nodded towards the door. The three left the hall.
Hermione, what are you up to? Severus thought.
Upon Hermione's urging, Harry took his Mauruader's Map out of his satchel and looked for Ayden Foote. It indicated that he was in the owlry. They hurried there. Reaching the owlry stairs, they snuck up the stairs to find saw Ayden writing a letter. He seemed agitated. Hermione motioned for them to stay put while she walked in.
"Ahem. Lose your appetite Ayden?" Hermione asked.
Ayden jumped at the sudden voice and whipped out his wand. Hermione just stood there calmly.
"Jumpy aren't we?" Hermione said.
"No you just startled me," Ayden said as he stepped towards a school owl still pointing his wand at her. She merely extended an arm to him and said,
"Accio Ayden's wand," Hermione said, summoning his wand to her waiting hand.
Then Harry and Ron stepped in. "Don't send that off just yet Ayden. I'm curious about something. Why is it that you rushed out of the great hall when Dumbledore made that announcement? Who are you sending that letter to? What's in it?" Hermione asked. She knew he would not tell, but she wanted to see what would happen if his buttons were pushed.
"I don't know what you're talking about and it's none of your business," Ayden said.
"I'm head girl and I'm making it my business. We were told to report suspicious behavior. Rushing from the great hall in the middle of a meal to owl a letter off is suspicious. And pointing a wand at me is suspicious," she stated.
A scowl came over Ayden's face. He stepped towards Hermione.
"You must enjoy getting hurt Hermione," Ayden started but was cut off when Harry stunned him.
"Harry!" Hermione exclaimed.
"He threatened you!" Harry said.
"Ron, can you please go fetch the headmaster? Ayden here has some things to explain," Hermione said.
Minutes later Dumbledore and the heads of house arrived at the owlry.
"Miss Granger, Mr. Potter, I assume you have a good reason for this?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yes, do you?" Professor Sprout, head of hufflepuff asked.
"Yes sir," Hermione and Harry both replied.
"Ayden was acting suspicious. Earlier at Hogsmeade, then at lunch and here in the owlry, he was about to send this letter," Hermione stated.
"I stunned him sir when he threatened Hermione," Harry said.
Dumbledore read the letter and shook his head.
He looked to Hermione, Harry and Ron and said, "You three may return to your activities."
"Must we stand here among the bird droppings? He can be questioned in the headmaster's office," Severus said.
"Very well. Wake him please Professor Sprout, he's your prefect," Dumbledore asked solemnly.
Ayden was awakened and looked to Professor Sprout, the headmaster then narrowed his eyes at Hermione. Harry stepped in front of her. He was escorted away and escorted to Dumbledore's office where he was shown to a chair.
"This letter bears some explaining Mr. Foote," Dumbledore stated.
"I have nothing to say," he said.
"Mr. Foote! You had better speak up!" Professor Sprout declared.
"Are you aware Mr. Foote that you are of legal age and can be administered veritaserum without a guardian's approval? We can do it here or at the ministry, it's your choice," Dumbledore said.
Ayden said nothing but rolled his eyes and crossed his arms.
"Very well. Professor Snape, could you please bring some veritaserum potion here?" Dumbledore asked.
Severus nodded and marched from the office.
Dumbledore and the professors made small talk while awaiting Severus. They glanced at Ayden who was sweating and clearing his throat. Severus returned with a vial.
"One drop should be sufficient, Headmaster," Severus said.
Severus approached the boy who looked very worried now. He started shaking head furiously and acted as if he were going to leap out of the chair. Dumbledore sensed this and said,
"Mr. Foote, this would be easier on all of us if you merely told us what was going on instead of us resorting to a potion. You have no reason to be afraid," Dumbledore reassured.
"Yes I do," Ayden said quietly. "give me the potion, there's no way I can willingly say it."
Severus looked to Dumbledore, who nodded back and Severus applied a drop to his tongue. Seconds later, he was visibly relaxed and stared straight ahead in a haze. He squinted then shook his head.
Dumbledore started.
"What was the purpose of this letter?" Dumbledore asked holding up the letter.
"To let him know the attack this morning in Hogsmeade was a failure," Ayden answered.
"Who?" Dumbledore asked.
"Some deatheater named Helborne," Ayden said.
"Helborne? I know a Helborne," Severus stated.
"You were asked to spy for them?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yes, it was the only way I could get my mark," he said.
"Mark? It had better not be the mark I'm thinking of," Severus said.
"What mark Mr. Foote?" Dumbledore asked quietly. He already knew the answer.
Andrew slid his sleeve up and they were treated to the dark mark sign on his arm.
Professor Sprout gasped, "One of my house? Impossible! I can't believe it!" she declared.
"Why?" asked Dumbledore.
"Power. My father took the mark and I was urged to take it too, but I had to prove myself. So I did things this year," he said.
"Elaborate please," Severus said.
Andrew sighed then continued,
"The rogue bludger that hurt Hermione, and the deatheater attacks in Hogsmeade," Andrew stated. "I didn't mean for her to get hurt so bad. I was offered lots of money and was told Hermione would be mine after the war if I helped out."
"I see," Dumbledore said.
"Is there another student in on this as well?" Snape asked.
"If there was, I wouldn't know. They would never tell me for precisely this reason," Ayden said.
"Very well. An auror will be summoned here to take Mr. Foote to the ministry for further questioning. I am more sorry than I can say to see you come to this end. One of the top students in this school..." Dumbledore said sadly.
An hour later when he had been escorted away by an auror, the professors sat around the headmaster's office in shock.
"To think, that boy almost cost the life of Hermione," McGonagall said.
"A prefect from my house!" Professor Sprout exclaimed.
"Voldemort sometimes performs the unbelievable and unexpected as evidenced here. No one would suspect a prefect from Hufflepuff," Dumbledore said.
The group sat in silence for a few more minutes.
"I don't mean to seem impolite, but I would rather be alone for awhile. This has been a sad day. I'll see you all at dinner. Good afternoon," Dumbledore said softly.