Did I mention? Now edited to American Standard Spelling! If you see any their that should be there or they're, please do let me know. My commas still need help if any betas out there are interested. A million blessings to Shdwcat27, Bene Gesserit Witch (did I mention how much I respect the Bene Gesserit Order?), toostupidforyou (I highly doubt that), adele rose and Mari Skyrin-Sarker. All of you are too beautiful for any of my words. I write for you because it is all I can offer you. This chapter is for my reviewers without whom my life is emptier leaving more room for dust and cat hair to accumulate. As always everything from comments, critiques, corrections, jokes, chat, flames, to monkeys on keyboards typing Shakespeare- all is welcome here.

Discovering the Hidden Heart

Part Three

Leaps of Faith

The next day, as she hurried from class to class or tried to find ways to pass the time between them Hermione caught herself thinking about Snape as she often did lately when she was alone. Instead of dreading their meeting Hermione found herself looking forward to having another conversation with him. At lunch, she realized she was beginning to notice aspects of him that she had never before considered. It occurred to her for example that Snape was an odd blend of stealth and presence. He could command a room entirely just by being in it or could fade into obscurity the next second so effectively that people would swear he had left though he had not in fact moved from the spot. She wondered how he managed those completely public disappearing acts. Was it mass hypnosis, a shielding spell, or some sort of personal Disillusionment Charm? Hermione did not think so. For one thing, she had become completely immune to this power he possessed. Since his return she was always aware of him. She could tell by the way they acted that other people were not. She remembered a story she had read once about a Muggle film star.

The star was walking down a busy city street with her friend. They had been out and about for several hours together. The friend remarked how odd it was that no one had recognized the star that day. The star turned to her friend and said,

"Watch this."

The star did nothing different. Her demeanor and expression remained the same. A crowd of people suddenly materialized around them. Traffic stopped. Someone shouted,

"That's Marilyn Monroe!"

That kind of voodoo has nothing to do with wands and spells Hermione decided. She wondered if it were a gift from the Gods. What ever it was Snape had plenty of it albeit he used it differently.

She had noticed subtle changes in the man since Voldemort's demise. He looked better rested and generally less edgy. In class, he was his same charming self though. He was just as quick to challenge, humiliate, take points, and hand out detentions. Instead of being appalled along with the rest of the student body, Hermione decided that his consistency was comforting.

There was that word again. How on earth could anyone in their right mind find comfort in anything to do with Snape? It occurred to her and not for the first time that she might not be in her right mind. Snape was the only one trying to help her with that, too. At one time, she would have thought that it was a case of the blind leading the blind. She wasn't so sure now.

Considering how the man had spent the last twenty years or so it was remarkable that he was at all functional. Yet he had been and continued to be far more than just that. He had managed to teach, supply the infirmary, pioneer research, publish papers, spy for Dumbledore and Voldemort, conduct his other duties as a Death Eater and as an Order Member, and serve as the Head of House for Slytherin, and still had time to give out who knows how many thousands of detentions. In fact, during her first six years he had managed to seem as omnipresent in the castle as Filch and Mrs. Norris put together. These were only his activities of which she was aware. She wondered briefly if it were possible that Snape were really a set of twins or had cloned himself successfully at some point in his youth.

Since she had eaten a very light dinner, she stopped by the kitchens before her meeting. She showed up at Snape's office door carrying two small plates and a tea towel draped basket. The towel looked suspiciously ratty like the ones that the House Elves wore. She wondered if this were their commentary on all her attempts to give them clothes. She timed her steps carefully. At precisely eight o'clock she arrived at his office door and knocked.

The door opened. Snape looked up from his grading and then stood as she entered.

"Do come in, Miss Granger. You are on time."

"I was a bit hungry so I brought us savory scones. The House Elves said you like them, sir."

Snape looked completely floored.

"I hope you don't mind?"

"No, I do not mind. It was- most thoughtful of you."

Something in Hermione's chest constricted. It seemed thoroughly wrong to her that someone who had sacrificed so much for so many was shocked by the smallest of kindnesses.

He seemed to recover and poured them each a cup of tea. "I am surprised that they speak to you all. I have it on good authority that you are the only person in the castle known to terrify House Elves more than I do."

She transfigured a small table between the two chair by the fire so they could help themselves to scones and have something on which to set their teacups. She thanked Snape for the tea and took the same chair she had sat in the last time.

"At least -I- never threatened to turn them all into Potions ingredients," said Hermione with a look of disapproval Ron and Harry would have recognized.

"I am certain they would prefer that fate to becoming the proud owners of haute couture by Granger."

"I do think you are probably right about that, sir."

"You know what they say about a good intention?"

"That the road to Hell is paved with them?"

"No, " said Snape taking a seat, helping himself to a scone from the basket, "though the same idea is in play. The wizard's version is, 'The scourge of curses all surpassed with just one good intention cast'. Folklore holds that Salazar Slytherin said it to Helga Hufflepuff. However, the first known written version of that story appears over three hundred years after both Slytherin and Hufflepuff and anyone eavesdropping on their conversations had turned to dust. I find it far more likely that the author of that written account attributed a false origin based on what was known of the Founders personalities."

"One could take that quote two ways."

"Only you would think so, Miss Granger."

They were silent for a while eating scones and drinking tea. Snape seemed just as hungry as she was. When her plate had only crumbs left and her tea was nearing the bottom, she said,

"There is a dating spell for objects and a translation spell for phrases. Do you think that those two spells could be combined somehow to create a dating spell for phrases?"

"It sounds like a theory worth pursuing."

"While pinning down the date would not prove that Slytherin said it, it could disprove the belief that he originated the phrase if that date did not coincide with his lifetime. You could narrow the possible dates further with what is known of their lives and the timeline of their acquaintance."

"I agree with most of your assertions. However, you can not disprove a belief. While you may show evidence to the contrary you will find that a mountain of such evidence does little to change even a single person's faith."

"Perhaps not right away. Some science requires many generations to become widely accepted."

"Your faith is in science, Miss Granger. Realize that few wizards Muggle-born or otherwise hold your beliefs."

"You do."

"Do you find me the typical wizard?"

"No sir. Never that. What place do you believe science holds in Wizardry?"

"The same as education, too small a place to Wizardry's detriment. Look around you. You attend the most exclusive Wizarding school in Britain. Here, the creme de la creme of the crop daydream, nap and stare blankly. How many of your classmates do you envision becoming leaders in a field like Divination or the History of Magic, never mind Potions or Arithmancy? How many do you imagine will bother to continue at a University? How many even try to get top grades here? How many seventh years other than you, Neville Longbottom, a few Ravenclaws, and two Slytherins ever read a scholarly text not required for a class?"

"I do see your point, sir."

"Do you realize what a rarity you are? You are a powerful witch. You are the finest student I've ever had the privilege to teach. You are living proof that everything Voldemort stood for was the worst kind of lie. Your mind alone could cement your place among the likes of Salazar Slytherin and Rowena Ravenclaw. You have also been tested by war, and proved yourself, once again, brave enough to make Godric Gryffindor Slytherin green with envy. Even Helga Hufflepuff would appreciate all your extra efforts."

"I don't know what to say, sir. I never thought I'd hear any praise from you at all. That might be the nicest compliment anyone ever presented me."

"I shall deny speaking it with my dying breath."

"Your reputation is safe as Gringotts. Not to mention that no one would believe me, unless I told them you said something like 'Miss Granger, too bad the slight amount of intelligence you demonstrate is bound to your complete lack of common sense. If such were not the case you might have one day become a productive member of the Wizarding World despite your grating voice and insufferable personality.' I do think more than a few people might believe something like that."

"Which of you insolent young savages does the best Snape impression?"

"Ron did. It was uncanny. Far better than Draco's though I don't think his was an impression. I think he just wanted to be you, sometimes. Maybe he just wanted to seem as intimidating. How well did you know him?"

"Mr. Weasley?"

"Malfoy."

"He was often ill as an infant and young child. Lucius had a profound distrust of healers. Perhaps he just did not want them poking around the manor. When Draco fell ill Lucius would ask me to care for him. Apart from Death Eater business which was often conducted there I socialized at Malfoy Manor on occasion. As Draco grew I spent far too much time watching Lucius and Narcissa crushing all the spirit and individuality out of him. I watched them remake him in their own images. By the time he started school he was as vain, greedy, and cruel as either of them yet as effective, sly, and charming as neither. In my opinion, he became the very worst of both of his parents. That is saying something. From time to time, I would glimpse a little sparkle of young Draco under their conditioning. It gave me hope. As his Head of House, I tried to be as much of a positive influence as would not get me tortured to death and to subtly counter some of his father's authority. My efforts were insufficient."

"Clearly you were a positive influence on Millicent, Pansy, and Blaise."

"I was not a genuine influence on any of their decisions. Blaise told me that Pansy felt more Slytherin than Parkinson and that I represented Slytherin for her. I believe she had other more personal reasons for siding with the Light. Millicent looked to me to see which side I thought would win. She trusted my judgment. Only Blaise acted out of conscience and genuine forethought. He was as surprised as anyone that he and I fought on the same side.

"I think you are underestimating your influence, sir."

"You are hardly an expert on the inner workings of Slytherin House, Miss Granger. On what basis have you formulated an opinion?"

"A comparative basis, sir."

"I doubt comparing Gryffindor to Slytherin qualifies as a foundation for any sort of substantive analysis including an informed opinion as to my effectiveness as Head of House."

"I was comparing Salazar Slytherin's doctrines to a Muggle religion, sir."

"Well done Miss Granger. I am now far too curious to be dismissive. Please do elaborate on your comparison."

"You and Voldemort were the only two priests preaching the religion of Salazar. Voldemort picked out one passage in a great book of teachings. He interpreted that passage to mean- persecute Muggles and Muggle-borns because they are the root of all evil. Having observed that Muggles and Muggle-borns aren't the root of all evil you interpreted the same passage differently by considering the contents of rest of the book as well as its historical context. You couldn't come out and preach your interpretation to your flock. Openly disputing Voldemort's interpretation would have gotten you burnt at the stake as a heretic. However, you realized that you could teach your flock the rest of Salazar's teachings to help them make up their own minds. Pansy learned loyalty to Slytherin House. Millicent learned to side with winners. Blaise learned to do what was best for Blaise. These are all Salazar's teachings. They wouldn't have known of those if it weren't for you. Most of the school and most of the Wizarding World would still think that being a Slytherin meant nothing more than being a follower of Voldemort if it weren't for you, sir."

"In your sunny assessment of my importance you are conveniently ignoring that Professor Sinestra and twice ex-Head of House Slughorn both Slytherins also fought for the Light."

"Yes sir, but you were the Head of Slytherin House for the first six of our years here. Professor Sinestra never held your influence. Most of the Slytherins don't respect her. She treats Hufflepuffs as well as she treats any of them. Slughorn was terrified of even the smallest and weakest of Slytherins. He hated to be alone in the dungeon halls at night. Face it, sir. You were the only one preaching the doctrines of Salazar or anything else to Slytherin House."

"Out of all the Slytherin seventh years only three fought for the Light. Three became Death Eaters. The one I had the most personal contact with murdered your parents to prove his worth to his father's master."

"The rest of your seventh years chose not to fight, sir. They realized they could side with the winners no matter who won. That sounds like a Slytherin value to me. Either way, the majority of your seventh years survived this war outside of Azkaban. Two who died and one who lived are honored by the Wizarding World. I doubt Dumbledore himself would have predicted such a positive outcome even as optimistic as he was."

"I do believe your optimism might rival Dumbledore's. However, you are still young. It is hard to imagine that he ever had youth as an excuse. I have decided to take you up on your suggestion. Tonight, I am allowing myself to dream for the first time in over twenty years. If they haul me off to St. Mungo's tomorrow I would appreciate your notifying someone of the cause of my maladies. It is nine o'clock, Miss Granger."

"So soon? When should I return sir?"

"Since tomorrow is Saturday I shall leave that decision to you."

"Are you busy tomorrow evening?"

"Providing my dream experiment goes well I was hoping I might terrorize the House Elves to earn back my title as Most Horrible Castle Resident. I could be persuaded to change my plans."

"I'll see you at eight then. Goodnight Professor Snape. Good luck with your experiment."

"Goodnight, Miss Granger."