A/N: Yes, this has been a long time in coming – since the fifth book came out, I've had to cool my fanfiction for a while. My blood was boiling at Rowling's apparent decline. Argue with me if you want, but I say the fourth and fifth aren't as good as the first ones.
Anyway, on with the story.
*****
IN THE NOISE OF SORRY NIGHTChapter 4
Returning to Hogwarts was, expectedly, very evocative for Hermione. Not only did it bear memories of her school life and the stress that had accompanied it, but it was the place where it had all begun. Where she had met Harry and Ron. Where she and Draco had –
It was a happier time, before the complications of politics had finally dawned on her, before she had realised that truth was not truth unless it was what needed to be heard, and that in times of need, things simply had to be fabricated. Hogwarts stood tall, free of the corruption that laced the Ministry. Hogwarts was clean.
She collapsed onto the lawns, letting her broom and bags fall to the ground beside her. She had been flying for hours, too fast, she knew, but she had been afraid, and now the sun was beginning to stain the east.
The castle looked no different, but it held a sense of darkness, of wariness, that had not been there before Voldemort's open declaration of war. There was an acknowledgement of weakness, of a past feud to which not enough attention had been paid. The feud that had led to their present turbulence. The lake was somehow deeper, the Forest more menacing. Early morning in February, and it was deserted. Silent.
And yet … Hermione's nose twitched suddenly, sensing movement of air, and danger.
There was somebody near her, around her. Cautiously she stretched a pale hand out in front of her, and noticed, almost with irritation, that it was shaking.
Then there was a small sigh, and the castle shimmered, glittered, and Albus Dumbledore stood before her. 'Good morning, Miss Granger,' he said quietly.
'Shit, Albus, what are you trying to do?' Hermione exclaimed. She stilled herself, with effort. 'Sorry. You … you startled me.'
'So I see.' He looked down at her, tall, thin, frail, but undoubtedly formidable. 'Are you visiting, Hermione? Or are you checking Hogwarts for curses in a belated attempt to copy Alastor?'
He smiled, and Hermione knew he had been joking, but only just. She took a breath. She would have to tell him everything, or at least what she had told Harry. He would not believe any less. Or probably, she told herself with mingled wryness and regret, any more.
So quickly she explained to him her 'unfortunate experience' with Lucius, her meeting with Snape. 'So I'm a little … concerned, Albus. Suspicious, even. Harry wants me just to check that … that he's still with us.'
Dumbledore looked at her seriously. 'I want it understood, Hermione, that I believe – and I believe so strongly that I can assure you – that Severus is still completely loyal to our cause. Please do not ask me to explain how I know, but trust me when I tell you that he will never betray Hogwarts. I am somewhat reluctant to allow this to take place, if it means we are to start investigating each other as well as the enemy. This business with Lucius is probably nothing, you know. They are required by Voldemort to at least pretend to like each other.'
'Then he hasn't mentioned it to you?'
Dumbledore shook his head, eyes narrowed.
'If it's so reasonable and good, why hasn't he told you about this friendship before?'
The Headmaster of Hogwarts, for once, said nothing.
'And,' she added, confident that she had now won, 'if you are right, my checking on him won't make any difference, will it?'
He sighed. 'Very well, Miss Granger. You may stay here for a while. But I want regular reports. And please don't search his office or rooms without warning me … I can't allow the privacy of my staff to be this casually interrupted.' He turned as if to leave, and then stopped. 'Oh … and what are you going to tell the school, and the staff? About why you're here, I mean.'
Hermione shrugged. 'Just that I'm visiting people. Most of them don't really know who I am, anyway.'
'All right,' he agreed. 'I'll get Minerva to find you a room. Near Snape's?' The query was almost amused, and Hermione did not want to think about its implications.
'Doesn't have to be. Wherever, really. Oh, and thank you.' The infamous Granger trick. Introduced by Muggles, from her father's side of the family. Get what you want, then you can afford to be grateful about it. She smiled up at Dumbledore. 'I think I'll have a sleep, as soon as I have a room … I've been flying all night.' And she was weary from looking over her shoulder while she did it, but she didn't mention that. There was no need to tell him that she was scared of Lucius' retaliation. Not that she was, of course. No.
*****
McGonagall was delighted to see Hermione, and immediately offered her the suite near the Gryffindor tower. Too tired to consider that it might not be useful, Hermione accepted, and proceeded to sleep until mid-afternoon, content at last that she was safe.
She rose eventually, and her first thought was of her new missions. So far she had given very little thought to how she was to conduct this. She had to investigate Snape, find out what his business with Lucius was, and form a reasonable judgement about his loyalty to the cause. And ideally, she had to determine all this from casual-seeming conversation.
It was her most difficult assignment yet. At least with Lucius, there was proper proof of his hatred of Muggles, and it was common fact that he had sinister amusements. But everyone knew, and Snape had admitted, that he was sometimes obliged to take part in the various Death Eater practices for the sake of appearance. How was one to decide to whom he was dedicated? Hermione had never seen fit before to distrust Dumbledore's opinion, but now she really was not sure.
Still … she thought back to Harry's words. She did love her job, and she would not have been content away from the action.
She went to her new desk and found drawers containing parchment and ink. Quickly Hermione made a list of the facts she knew and the facts she needed to know.
Snape connected to Lucius – both Death Eaters.
As an afterthought, she went back and scored out the word 'Lucius', replacing it with 'Malfoy.'
Is connection deeper? Are they friends?? Does Snape approve of/support Malfoy's activities?
If AINAISB, who knows about it?
The last was an acronym that Hermione had invented for herself. 'If all is not as it should be.'
Is Voldemort aware of it? If so is it his order? Is Snape trying to remain in favour with Voldemort – and Malfoy? Malfoy very powerful, influential.
Is business amicable? Financial? Personal? How intimate are they??
The list of questions seemed endless. Suddenly Hermione took up the paper and set fire to it with her wand, watched it burn for a few seconds and then tossed it onto the stone floor by the fireplace.
There was no way she'd be able to plan her investigation. So much depended on Snape's reactions, and Dumbledore's kindness – she would not be able to push him too far, she knew. The best way of beginning would be simply to spend time talking to Snape and to try and tease it out of him. If that failed, perhaps she would take more dramatic measures.
Hermione stood and scattered the ashes across the floor with her bare foot. 'Right,' she said aloud. 'Let's go and find Snape.'
*****
'What is it that you have planned, Lucius?'
Lucius swallowed. 'It's only a vague idea, my Lord, but …' He leaned forward towards his Master, and spoke harshly. 'What she did needs to be punished. I shall find Hermione, and she will pay.'
Voldemort raised a thin hand. 'Calm yourself, Lucius. Remember that you have to be emotionally unattached for any damage you do to be fully effective. I can see that you are still very affected by her, although your tender feelings have been wiped away. You need to be prepared to do anything.'
Lucius swallowed again. 'Yes, my Lord.'
'Do you know where the girl is?'
'I'm afraid not, my Lord. I've been told that she was seen heading for Europe, but in fact returned only a few hours later. My source did not know where she went next ... but …'
'You have your suspicions?'
'I do, my Lord,' Lucius said earnestly. 'There are only a few places where Hermione might be totally safe. Or where she might believe herself to be totally safe. If she were not aware of our omnipresent control.'
A sly smile spread across Voldemort's face. 'Severus can be a useful tool, can't he?'
'Oh, yes, my Lord.' Lucius returned the smile. 'Very useful.'
*****
'Miss Granger.' Snape held out a hand.
'Severus,' Hermione replied pleasantly, taking his hand. 'How are you?'
He nodded. 'Fine. Yourself?'
This is friendly, she thought sardonically. 'Oh, yes …' She lowered her voice, aware of the other staff around her. 'Well, as good as can be expected, I suppose.'
Snape's eyes narrowed slightly, as if he were suddenly remembering something. Finally he nodded, and stepped away, leaving Hermione to be exclaimed over by the other teachers.
'Hermione! You've come back!'
'I hope this is a leisure call – not extending your little detective work to the school as well, are you?'
Hermione forced a smile to Professor Vector, shivering a little at the irony. She allowed herself to be seated in one of the large staff room chairs, and dosed with hot tea, while she was chattered to simultaneously by Vector, Flitwick and McGonagall. Most seemed overjoyed to see her.
Snape sat apart from the others, apparently reading a heavy book, but too many times his eyes flickered up to her face. Simmering there was a mixture of amusement and disgust at his colleagues, and the same thoughtfulness he had shown before. He was certainly wondering something. Then, abruptly, he left the staff room, although few except Hermione noticed.
Perhaps now was her chance. She too stood. 'I – I wonder if I could just pay a visit to the Gryffindor tower? Just to see it's still there?'
Minerva nodded. 'Yes … now would probably be a good time, actually – I think they're at Remus' duelling club. It's so popular he has to run it at different times for different houses. Do you want me to come with you?'
Hermione shook her head and smiled, lowering her eyes as if to imply something personal. 'No, it's fine. Am I allowed to know the password?'
Minerva almost laughed, and then quickly restrained herself before muttering: 'Lusty Lockhart.'
'What?' Hermione exclaimed. 'I'm not sure I approve of this …' She held Minerva's eyes in mock seriousness for a few seconds before the two of them were overcome with mirth. They laughed for several minutes, attracting attention from the rest of the staff.
'What's so funny?'
The two women shook their heads.
'It doesn't matter, anyway,' Minerva explained. 'None of them remember him, and it amuses the Gryffindor staff. Besides, he always was a bit of a joke. The students thought he was bad, but you should have heard him in here in the evenings. Best entertainment I'd had for years.'
Hermione wiped the tears of amusement from her eyes and finally left, heading for the common room. Minerva had provoked an actual desire to see it, and to try this ridiculous password. Snape could wait until later.
'Miss Granger!' As if on cue, his voice echoed in the dimming corridor.
Snape came striding behind her, and drew level, his black robes flying behind him. Hermione did not stop walking, secretly quite pleased to see him. Now she needn't feel guilty about not beginning her mission. 'Hello again, Severus.'
'What are you doing here?' he asked coldly.
Hermione had to almost run to keep up with him. 'What do you mean?'
'You told me you were going to see Potter in France. Why didn't you go?'
'I did.' Hermione sighed. 'It didn't work out.'
'Ah,' Snape sneered. 'Lovers' tiff, was it?'
He really was astonishing in his level of perception. If it had been him, Hermione would never have been able to work out the reason. 'If you must know, Severus,' she said quietly, 'then yes, it was. I came here to see everyone again.'
'And to hide.'
Hermione was silent. Without revealing her true reason for being here, there was no way she could escape this.
'I suppose so,' she said finally. 'I need some rest and comfort for a while. Let things cool down for a bit.'
Snape snorted. 'If you say so, Miss Granger.'
Then he stopped, and turned on her, tall against the torches. 'Don't make the mistake of thinking you're safe from Lucius here, though,' he said in a low voice. 'I know you're cleverer than that. They've infiltrated Hogwarts before, you know. True, they had Draco to help them, but I have no doubt that they could manage it again, if they had to. Don't forget that all it takes is one tiny spark of suspicion for them to force Veritaseum down my throat and find out everything. Voldemort won't do it unless I stop being useful – it damages the bond between us - but if that happens, we'll both be annihilated, and personally I'd rather keep my neck. So don't get in my way, Miss Granger. Don't be ostentatious about your presence here. You might find yourself unexpectedly expelled from the castle.' He made as if to leave, and then added: 'As, I seem to remember, I originally predicted.'
Then he disappeared into the gloom.
Hermione stood for a while until her breathing had slowed again. That had not gone well.
Snape had seemed almost to be … to be threatening her.
She had not anticipated his hostility at all, although she supposed it was fairly reasonable. The Ministry would not forgive her if she ruined Snape's double-dealing – at the moment it was the most useful tool they had against the Death Eaters. She doubted Dumbledore would forgive her either, especially if Snape turned out to be completely innocent.
Luckily he seemed not to have suspected what her aim at Hogwarts was, or that would have made things harder still. It was unlikely now that he'd submit to any form of questioning, although technically she had the right to do it as she was of superior clearance in her department. And Snape, it had to be admitted, was a Death Eater. Hermione and the DEID's work was totally legitimate as far as his investigation was concerned.
Hermione hurried the rest of the way to the common room. The password did not seem half as funny now. She remembered instead Lockhart's fraud, his incompetence, the ignorance which had lost Harry the bones in his arm and the cold-bloodedness with which he had nearly allowed Ginny to die. The world was a dark, dark place.
She sat for a while by the fire in the warm but deserted room, thinking, trying to organise her thoughts.
What concerned her straightaway was that she feared Snape was right. Lucius could probably get quite easily into Hogwarts. No doubt he had an Invisibility Cloak, and the windows of her room were not that secure. If Lucius knew she was here, she could not be completely safe. There was, in fact, nowhere where she was completely safe.
Her next thought, quickly overriding, was her worries about Snape. Hermione's being at Hogwarts surely could not cause any suspicion among the Death Eaters about his loyalty, could it? No more than usual, anyway. Not to the extent of giving him Veritaseum. Was there another reason that he was so annoyed with her? Had his opinion of her been diminished by her actions? Was that it? Or was it that she was, as he put it, 'getting in his way?' In the way of what? His deceit of Hogwarts?
Not for the first time, Hermione considered vaguely the possibility of getting a Pensieve.
*****
Hermione awoke suddenly as the room began to fill with chattering students. At first they hung back from her, frightened and confused, but she quickly explained who she was, and when a couple of the older ones had verified that Hermione Granger did exist, and was a friend of Harry Potter's, then they were more confident, even friendly.
'Miss Granger?' A boy of about fourteen stepped forward shyly.
Hermione turned towards him. 'Yes?'
'Are we -' The boy stopped, and made to turn away, but was pushed forward again by students standing behind him. He swallowed, and started again. 'Are we winning the war?'
Unexpectedly Hermione's eyes filled with tears. This boy had done nothing wrong. There was no reason why the war should affect him, why he should have to stand in fear that his family, or his friends, or even his teachers, might be attacked at any minute. Voldemort had no right to damage innocent lives like this.
'I don't know,' she answered honestly. 'I'm sorry, I really don't know.'
'Is Harry Potter still alive?'
Hermione was rather startled by this. 'Yes, of course. What reason would you have to think he wasn't?'
The boy looked rather relieved. Then he lowered his eyes, and scuffed a foot along the floor. 'Well,' he said slowly. 'There are rumours. The Slytherins say a lot of things. They're trying to make us panic, they're trying to make us think we're losing.' His voice grew louder, higher. 'They've always done it, always made fun of us and insulted us and tried to make out they're better than us … I hate it, and I hate them!'
She looked into his face, proud and earnest and pale, and sighed. 'What's your name?' she asked.
'Matthew MacCulloch.'
Hermione understood. The boy's father, Gerry MacCulloch, was a senior in the Ministry, and extremely anti-Slytherin.
'I don't know what your father has told you, Matthew, but you can't hate the Slytherins. You can't just lay all the blame on them. It isn't anywhere near as simple as that. In some ways our side is responsible too. You hate them because they're ruining our lives and they're proud of it, but they're just trying to cover up the fact that among them are Slytherins who have lost parents, siblings, relatives, friends, children … their lives are being ruined too. The Slytherins – or at least some Slytherins – may be cruel, and crueller than our side, too, but they can feel pain and grief. They want an end to it all as much as you do. They're all human.'
Suddenly she realised that almost every student in the room was listening to her. She lowered her eyes. 'I'm sorry – I didn't mean that to sound like a lecture. But you all have much more in common than you think.'
Hastily she rose, feeling her cheeks begin to colour in embarrassment. Surely she had just made a fool of herself, speaking in favour of the Slytherins, and of Voldemort's followers? 'I'll see you at supper,' she muttered, and stepped through the portrait hole into the cool, dark corridor.
She leaned against the stone, solid beneath her, old and experienced. 'God, what must they think of me?' she murmured. 'What kind of an Auror am I if I can pity the Slytherins?'
'A compassionate Auror.'
She turned her head. Dumbledore was standing tall and still and calm a little way along the corridor. 'That was a very decent thing you did, Hermione,' he said quietly.
She sighed again. 'I just – I just thought it was unfair. They haven't thought about that side of it before, and … and I wanted to make them see.'
'And you're right,' Dumbledore said. Then he smiled. 'Although I think it may have been rather unexpected for some of them.
'I think there are few people who look at the war like that, Hermione. Most see it simply as "us" and "them". But I've seen their suffering – it's on both sides. It's good to know there are other people who understand that. I'm glad you're here if you'll be able to help them.'
Hermione did not know whether he meant it, but suddenly she felt a little guilty. 'I'm being silly, aren't I?' she said. 'Investigating someone on our side when I should be trying to help to end this war.'
Dumbledore looked at her gravely. 'You do what you have to do, Hermione. If you're right about Severus, then your presence here is even more crucial. Even if he is still loyal, you're welcome anyway.'
She smiled, and then realised it was nearly time for supper. 'I'd better go and change,' she said. 'Thanks, though. I was beginning to feel rather paranoid.'
With that, she left Dumbledore, who watched her go thoughtfully.
*****
A/N: Alrightey, the story's moving again. I've got ideas for the rest of the plot now, so … hopefully it'll go a bit faster now. Please review – it'd be nice to know that there are still people reading this.
~SS~