Hello! Sorry for the delay. Enjoy :)
Disclaimer: I don't own anything that looks familiar to the world of Harry Potter.
Previously…
Hermione sighed as she rolled onto her side, suddenly remembering the way her body had been pressed up against his during their long-distance travel. She hadn't realised it until now, but that incident was the start of an extended period of blossoming feelings for Severus Snape.
"We need to talk." Hermione brushed past Severus' chair as she dropped into her usual seat at breakfast.
He swallowed his spoonful of oatmeal. "I see you've finally decided to grace us with your presence."
"Honoured?"
He didn't answer. "What bothers you?"
"What makes you think I'm bothered?"
"I have known you for many years now but never have I seen you add cream into your juice."
Hermione's face burned as she dropped the spoon. "It was a misjudgement on my part."
"Not uncommon." He raised an eyebrow meaningfully.
"I admit I misunderstood." She nibbled on a piece of toast.
"What did you misunderstand?"
"You and her."
"Her?" Severus was now facing Hermione fully.
"Chérie."
"What about us did you misunderstand?"
She frowned. "Surely you two are not, well, seeing each other, are you?"
He let out a bark of laughter that sent a jolt through Hermione's chest. "And here I thought you would know me by now."
"I thought I did until I heard you set foot into Madam Pudifoot's. Then I thought, perhaps, I didn't know you as well as I thought I did."
Severus shook his head amusedly. "Locations aside, what led you to the conclusion you misunderstood?"
Hermione didn't answer immediately. She took a long drink of her juice. "Dusoleil."
"I see." Severus folded his napkin and set it on the table before rising from his seat. "This is not the place to discuss. My office, in an hour."
-.-.-.-.-
"I'm surprised it took you so long to figure out."
Hermione was seated across Severus, the centre of his table cleared except for the few pieces of news clippings from Neville. She crossed her arms. "I didn't realise it was part of my job to dig into people's backgrounds."
Severus raised an eyebrow.
"I'd have expected Minerva would hire the most suitable candidate for the position."
Severus raised the other eyebrow.
"She is aware, isn't she?"
"Obviously."
"But what is the woman doing here?"
He paused for a moment before getting up to fetch a small vial of potion and handing it to Hermione. "Calming draught."
"I'm not worked up."
"You may be soon enough."
She bit the inside of her cheek before unstoppering the vial and taking a sniff. Severus watched in amusement but didn't comment. Hermione tipped the potion back and swallowed in one go. "Alright."
"You have to promise not to divulge anything I am about to tell you to anyone."
"I can make an oath if you require it."
Severus shook his head. "She is here to track down Death Eaters."
"Are there that many still around?"
"Not many."
"But why would they need her help? She's not from here."
Severus remained quiet for a few seconds and Hermione saw he was giving her a meaningful look.
"Oh. The French Alps." Hermione raised a hand to her forehead. "But I thought you sent both of them back."
Severus shook his head. "Only Greyback. I couldn't trace the other one."
"So the other one is the main reason for her presence here."
"Yes. Since he was detected on French soil, they have the right to get involved."
"So it's my fault." Hermione knew she should be feeling distraught by now but there was something holding her back. "Now I know why you had me take the draught."
Severus met her gaze levelly. "It is absolutely not your fault. Remember, you were not supposed to be going after them in the first place."
Hermione knew deep down what he said was true. But she also knew that had she not started anything, nothing would have happened. Except several more innocent people sacrificed in the hands of Greyback and his partner. "I have no regrets."
"I see."
"Because I met you then." She wasn't sure how the words managed to slip out; perhaps the calming draught loosened her tongue as well.
"Pardon?" Severus' eyes glittered as he gazed intensely at her.
She changed the subject. "What I'm really curious about is how you have the privilege of knowing all this information. Was it really a coincidence that you were in the French Alps as well?"
Snape sighed. "It's a price to pay for the freedom I have now."
"What are you talking about? What price?" Hermione pressed on.
"During my trial after the war was over, the Ministry agreed to exonerate me as long as I'm at their beck and call to be sent on certain missions."
She frowned. "You mean they placed a condition for your release? How did I never get to know about it?"
"Highly confidential information," he replied, giving her a meaningful look. "I had no choice but to comply. Still, I'd rather risk my life out here than rot in Azkaban any day."
"But that's not fair!"
"Since when has life been fair?"
She fell silent.
"From the day I was born, Hermione, it was a tragedy. I never knew what happiness meant, not even with Lily, not until," he paused and gulped before looking away. "I digress. The fact remains my life is still under the control of the Ministry."
Hermione was feeling warm at the sound of her name on his lips and was curious at what he stopped himself from saying. "Am I right to assume the days when I cover your lessons are when you disappear off to carry out these missions?"
"Yes."
"And the French Alps … were you tracking down Greyback?"
"Yes."
"Who else knows about all of this?"
"Minerva and I are the only ones who know about it."
"Surely the Aurors are involved."
Severus sighed. "No, my case is handled by a special division in the Ministry. However, Potter is aware since he was my guarantor during the trial."
"Of course," Hermione muttered. "Ron?"
"Weasley is best left in the dark about this matter."
"So your task this time is to work together with Chérie to catch Greyback's partner."
"Yes." A weary smile rested upon his face.
"Who is his partner?"
He pulled out a slip of paper from his coat and slid it across the table. Hermione unfolded it and it multiplied into a sizeable folder. Greyback's partner was a newly recruited wannabe Death Eater by the name of Greendown. He was once a student at Hogwarts and had been from Hufflepuff. His general whereabouts were unknown but he had last been spotted in a town not too far off from Hogwarts. The Anniversary event was expected to draw his attention and security details were being planned around the expectations that he and perhaps several other wannabe Death Eaters may turn up in disguise. Hogwarts' protective charms could not prevent them from entering the castle.
"This is much more serious than I imagined." Hermione raised her head and found Severus staring at her. "What?"
He shook his head. "That's why Chérie is helping us. Her background is much more complex than what it seems in new reports. She is a skilled tactician."
A pang of jealousy hit Hermione in the chest at his praise of the Frenchwoman. "But she hasn't been through a war."
He smirked. "True."
"And she didn't have to live her life on the run, I'm sure."
"Most likely."
Hermione glared at him.
"You are just as capable, perhaps even more so. However, Minerva chose not to have you involved because this has connections to your past. The last thing any of us would want is for the Ministry to get heavily involved with Hogwarts like how it did once."
Of course, who could forget the era of Dolores Umbridge?
He continued. "As it is, Chérie's presence is a reminder to us that we can't always avoid political interference. But your involvement is entirely within our control. So I beg of you, please do not get yourself involved in this. I know I have told you more than I ought to, but only because I am certain of your discretion."
"I want to help."
"I knew you would say that." He let out another sigh. "Not this time. You have to trust the rest of us will be able to handle it well."
"It's not about that. I just," she paused, heat rising in her cheeks. "I just don't want you to be in danger." Her voice softened at the end just as she felt his fingers wrap around her hand.
Severus cleared his throat. "I appreciate the concern. However, I do know how to get myself out of danger."
He made to draw his hand away but Hermione grabbed it back. She laced her fingers through his and placed her other hand on top of his. "I will protect you."
He chuckled. "That would be a privilege."
Hermione noticed the slight hint of rosiness in his cheeks and smiled broadly. Perhaps she had a chance. "And when all of this is over, there is one thing I want."
"That depends."
"I want to go to Madam Pudifoot's."
"Go, then, by all means."
"I meant, with you."
He stayed silent for a few minutes. Hermione felt him trying to read her intentions as he studied her face. Then he nodded, giving her hand a small squeeze.
