Disclaimer: I only own everything that resides in my room. Oh, and my own original stories. Everything else is someone else's.
Author's Notebubblegumb1 has gotten half of the Chapter 14 Guess-the-Reference! Snape's niece Meru is named after a character from the Playstation game, Legend of Dragoon. The other reference is still open. And remember, whomever guesses correctly gets to create a character (can be Ministry member, student, Death Eater, ANYTHING) that I will use at some point during this story!
And Xyverz, I'll definitely go back over that chapter at some point in time.
Chapter 20
One Problem is Never Enough
"Miss Granger!"
A solemn Hermione turned and regarded Snape with a blank expression as he jogged towards her. It had been three days since Harry had been confined to a room on the third floor. And the stress of being separated from him was beginning to show.
"Severus," she said softly with a nod.
"Hermione," he replied as he caught his breath. He then looked at her closely and asked, "Have you been getting any sleep, child?"
She just stared at him and he took her silence as an affirmative.
"We will get him out of there, Hermione. Trust me on that."
"I do," she whispered, ducking her head. "But…it's difficult."
"This I can see," murmured Snape. He then shook his head and said, "I somehow now think that you have too much on your mind now for me to even consider asking for your help."
Brown eyes blinked and Hermione queried, "My help? For what?"
The wizard sighed then looked up and down the corridor to check for anyone nearby. He then sank against the stone wall, suddenly looking as worn as she felt.
"It's Meru," he said softly – so softly she stepped closer to him so she could hear. "After that scene in the Hall when that whelp opened his mouth, I haven't been able to get her out of her room. I'll hear her come out on occasion but I cannot get her to speak to me. This, plus…" He laid a shaking hand on his left forearm. "…I must deal with Voldemort's wrath. He does not take kindly to traitor's and whilst Hogwarts can protect me from his full revenge, he can still be an annoyance."
An annoyance? thought Hermione as she studied his face, catching the lines of pain drawn in it. He's beginning to look like Hell warmed over and he calls that an 'annoyance'?
"You want me to try and talk to her?" she asked.
"I shouldn't ask it of you right now, I know, but I…" He sighed and shook his head, lifting his right hand to run back through his hair. "She doesn't trust me like she does you."
She saw pain in his eyes at the acknowledgment and it suddenly hit her that he trusted her. He wouldn't be allowing her to see him, the feared Potions Master, like this if he didn't. And he needed her help.
"I'll do it."
Snape smiled in response – a very drawn, grim affair that was really the far cousin of a smile but she knew it for what it was. He then reached into his robes and pulled out a small object…an old coin, probably centuries old.
"Here," he said, holding it out to her. "As a Prefect…"
"Former Prefect," she corrected as she took the coin.
He sniffed, knowing full well that Fudge had ordered Dumbledore to dismiss her from her duties as a Prefect because of her relationship with Harry. In reality she was still a Prefect. They were just letting Fudge think he was having his way until they could manage Harry's release.
"As a Prefect," Snape started again, "you know where the Professor's rooms are, correct?"
She nodded an affirmative.
"Good. Go down two portraits from the entrance and you will find an eighteenth century suit of armor bearing a black standard with an eagle on it. Ask for entrance then place the coin in the armor's glove when it offers it. Wait a full minute and it will allow you entrance to my rooms once it has identified the coin as true. When you leave, it will return the coin to you. And I do expect it returned to me before class this afternoon."
She blinked.
"You…you're letting me go in alone?" she asked.
Snape arched an eyebrow and said, "Why wouldn't I? I trust you, silly girl. Now, once you're inside, there will be two doors to your left, three in the wall in front of you and to the right will be the main room. Meru is within the second door on the wall that you will be facing." He shook his head and added, "I can only hope you can reach here where I cannot. I…ah, you don't want to hear of this old man's worries."
Hermione smiled tightly and said, "Actually, sir, I do. It…it would keep my mind off other things."
"Then perhaps we shall discuss it at some point in time. Maybe even invite Minerva to join us." He looked at her, a glint of hope in his dark eyes. "And perhaps Meru…"
They stood in silence for a moment then she softly said, "You love her, don't you, sir?"
"I'm not certain about love, I don't know her well enough for that. But I do care for her a great deal. Do tell her that."
"I will."
Snape nodded and pushed himself off the wall, slowly straightening and gathering himself back together. She watched in silence then said, "I'll go now, if you want."
"Go at your will," he said softly.
Hermione nodded and turned to walk off when she heard him call her name softly. Turning, she met his eyes and blinked curiously.
"Thank you," was all he said before he turned and strode off down the corridor.
She stared after him then smiled and said, "No. Thank you, sir, for giving me something else to think about."
With that she turned to go and have a little chat with a certain eleven-year-old Potion Master's niece.
- - -
Hermione gasped as she entered the Potion Master's room past the suit of armor, which had moved to its right once it had identified the coin she'd given it, revealing a heavy oak door behind it. Her fingers itched to touch the three bookshelves that lined the far wall to her right as she studied the room.
It wasn't what she had expected.
Since her first year, she had heard tale after tale about the dour Potions Master's living area. The rumor that he lived in the dungeon in a room that was more a cave than anything with bats was the most heard of these. She'd never believed any of the tales but had always thought the colors of Slytherin would be a great presence in his rooms.
Not so.
Most of the furniture was in dark, earthy colors excepting a large chair that stood near the fireplace. It's high back was easily as tall as she was and the entire frame was made of rich, dark ebony polished to a shine. But she noticed there were scratches on the wood and even a deep slash in the wood as though from a sword in the base of the seat. The seat itself and more than half of the high back was padded and covered in rich blue cloth that shone in the light from the hearth. In the space above the padding on the back was a carving of some sort of crest: it was a round shield with a falcon displayed upon it, the feathers on its wings touching the sides of the shield. In one talon it held a serpent by the tail whilst the beast wound itself about the falcon's leg and in the other it clutched a bauble. A banner wrapped around the entire shield and words in Welsh were carved within it.
She stepped toward the chair with her hand over her mouth, eyes reflecting the awe she felt at the sight. The chair was the work of master carvers and she could even read the words on the crest's banner.
"Drwo pawb safwn a goroesa er pawb dafledig rhagom," she carefully read aloud, idly wondering what the words meant. Then she was another line of words underneath the eagle on the shield, this time in a language she didn't know. A small European style dragon was carved at the end of the line, it's tail clutched in its mouth.
"Art.hot. Sînge de la Dracul voinţă a voi niciodată vanilie. Art.hot. Sînge voinţă a voi ultimul pînă le art.hot. sfîrşit de Timp." She frowned after stumbling over the words and wondered idly what it meant. Maybe sometime she could ask Snape about the crest…but not today.
Turning away from the chair, she started towards the door he had said was Meru's room, pausing before the oak door. Then she stepped forward and gently knocked, calling, "Meru? It's Hermione."
There was a shuffling noise from within and she heard Meru softly ask, "Is he out there?"
"No. It's just me."
Silence from within made her nervous then a bolt turned within and the door drew open a few inches. A gray eye peered from behind it then Meru pulled the entire thing open, allowing Hermione to see her in full. Her dark hair was pulled into a hasty knot at the base of her neck, her eyes were red and her face blotchy from tears.
Hermione frowned and dropped her bag next to the door, murmuring, "Oh, Meru…"
The girl looked up at her then whimpered and lunged forward, throwing her arms about her waist. Hermione bent and hugged the small girl, waiting patiently until she pulled away.
When she did, Meru sniffed and wiped her tears away with the back of her hand, mumbling, "Sorry…"
"It's okay. Do you want to talk about it?"
Silence answered Hermione's question for a matter of tense moments then the girl nodded. The elder of the two smiled gently and ushered her back into her room, leaving her bag by the door. They both settled down on Meru's bed and the younger girl picked at the dark green cover nervously for a few moments. Then she sighed and whispered, "I miss her."
Hermione frowned then realization hit her and she said, "Kailua."
Meru nodded then looked up at asked, "Did…did you know? Did you know that he…" She choked and trailed off, looking back down at her hands.
"Did I know that Severus was a Death Eater?"
The younger girl looked up in surprise as she referred to her uncle by his first name and Hermione smiled.
"He gave me permission to call him that after Voldemort took me. As to knowing he was a Death Eater, yes, I did know." She then leaned forward and gently laid her hand over Meru's. "But you have to know, Meru, that was long before Voldemort fell. He turned on him and became a spy for the Headmaster, which he can no longer do thanks to that idiot Auror. But I have the feeling Voldemort already suspected him."
"It's not the he was a Death Eater!" cried Meru, shaking as fresh tears came. She looked up and continued, "It's that he didn't tell me!"
Hermione pulled the girl into a hug then, holding her close against her.
"I'm certain he meant to," she murmured, gently rubbing the distraught girl's back. "He was probably just waiting for the right time to tell you. After all, you've only known each other for such a little while…I'm certain he thought you might – like so many – turn away from him because of what he was."
Meru shoved herself backwards with a cry of, "I wouldn't!" She shook her head wildly, hands clenching in Hermione's robes. "He's…he's my blood," she whispered. "Mama…Kailua…she always said blood was important. Blood means family. But…that also means Draco…"
"Is also family, yes," said Hermione. Meru had met her half-brother a handful of times since her arrival at Hogwarts and the Slytherin had nothing but contempt for the young Hufflepuff. Then again, he had no idea that she was his sister and Hermione doubted that knowing that would change him. "But Severus cares about you, Meru. I can't say the same about the Malfoy's."
"I know." Meru laid her head against the older girl's shoulder and sniffled. "I should've let him explain. He tried…but I was afraid."
"I understand that. And I'm certain he does too, which is why he asked me to try and explain for him."
She paused and lifted the girl's chin so their eyes met.
"Will you talk to him now?"
Meru nodded in response and replied, "Uh-huh." She then gasped and cried, "My Transfiguration class just started! I'm going to get in trouble!"
Hermione shook her head and said, "I'll walk you up and explain to McGonagall that we were having a conversation. She'll be okay with it."
"You're sure?"
"I'm positive, sweetie. Now, c'mon, and get your bag and we'll go."
- - -
As soon as she dropped Meru off and quietly told McGonagall why she was late, Hermione made her way down towards the dungeon. Her Potions class was a half-hour away and she had blank parchment in her bag that was going to be put to use.
Finding a small alcove, she curled up in it and pulled out a book and the parchment, propping both up on her knees. Digging out her inkpot and quill, she dipped the nub into the pot and began to write.
It's only been three days since I've seen you but it feels like so much more. I can't imagine what you must feel like being trapped in that room.
I just hope you're okay.
Ginny is starting to worry about me already. Apparently I look horrible but I haven't looked in a mirror. And I can't sleep well when I know I won't see you when I wake up. I swear you're like a drug and I'm having withdrawals without you near.
It's hard.
But I feel a bit better today. I helped Meru with a problem she'd been having. Severus (you remember that he gave me permission to call him that, right?) didn't tell her he had been a Death Eater before that idiot shouted in out in the Hall. She didn't react too well to the news. I think she's okay now though. Hopefully they'll talk tonight.
Severus' Mark is also bothering him apparently. Voldemort is a vindictive bastard and is punishing him through it since he can't reach him here in Hogwarts without endangering the Death Eater's children. When he lowers that mask of his, he looks like Hell warmed over.
I hope that Voldemort gets his just due soon. He deserves the death he deals out so often more than anyone else.
I almost can't believe I thought that but after what he's done to me…to us…and to so many others, it's not that hard.
I just wish I could share what I feel with you in person and not in some letter. There's so much I want to talk to you about but I can't…not in writing.
I hope we can get you out of there soon.
Just…just remember that I love you. And don't lose yourself. I couldn't bear to see you like that again.
Love,
Mia-san
She reread the letter slowly then folded it and slipped it into an envelope that she tucked into her robe. Then she heard a soft cough and looked up to see Ron looking at her, Neville lurking behind him. The tall redhead had a hand extended towards her and she idly noticed the dirt under his fingernails along with the spot of ink on the side of his nose.
Taking his hand, she allowed him to pull her out of the alcove and murmured a "Thanks." Ron just shrugged then blinked when she reached up and wiped the ink smudge off his nose, reminding her of the day she'd met him on the train and he'd had dirt on his nose.
"You two looking after me again?" she asked as they began to walk towards the Potions class – which neither of them had had since fifth year.
"Maybe," replied Ron, casting a goofy grin down at her. On her other side, Neville smiled and shrugged, saying, "Seems like the least we can do."
They walked in silence until they reached the Potions classroom, where she smiled at them and murmured, "Thanks, guys. Gonna walk me back up?"
"I can," replied Neville. "Ron's got double History today."
The redhead winced and Hermione reached up to pat his shoulder, wishing him a nice sleep (which he snorted at) before she entered the classroom. Snape was writing on the board behind him with a piece of chalk and paused to acknowledge her presence before continuing.
She laid the envelope on top of his desk then softly said, "I spoke to her."
The sound of chalk upon the board was the only sound for a few moments after she spoke.
"And?" he asked in an undertone.
"She'll probably speak to you tonight."
Tension left the Potion Master's shoulders and he said, "Thank you."
Hermione shrugged and said, "It was nothing. And, sir, can you…" She looked down at the letter on the desk then back up at him, her eyes pleading.
He turned briefly to look at her then at the letter.
"I can take it," he said softly. "Though I wonder why you haven't written him before now…"
"Professor McGonagall told me the schedule when the teachers were going to see him," she explained. "I don't trust anyone but you with this. He wouldn't either."
Snape blinked then nodded slowly.
"I see." His dark eyes flicked towards the door behind her and abruptly his mask fell into place as he swept the envelope up and tucked it somewhere within his robes. "Take your seat, Granger, or Gryffindor will suffer a sudden loss of points!"
"Yes, sir," she mumbled then turned to find Draco standing at the door, his gray eyes studying her. She stared right back into them, noticing that they were nothing like Meru's despite their common coloring. Meru's eyes were always animated in some way, which showed her cheerful nature beautifully. Draco's eyes had been like ice towards her since he'd discovered she was Muggleborn.
"Granger," he sneered after a moment.
She sniffed and responded, "Malfoy."
The blonde stared unblinkingly at her for a moment then smirked and said, "Bet you're all nervous with your pet bodyguard gone, aren't you, Granger? 'Fraid you're going to kidnapped again?"
"THAT IS ENOUGH!" bellowed Snape, spinning around. His dark eyes blazed with anger as he snarled, "One hundred points from Slytherin for your insolence, Malfoy!"
The so-called Prince of Slytherin took a step backwards in shock and opened his mouth to speak. Snape cut him off with a flick of his wrist and a muttered spell – which literally cut him off as the blonde's mouth vanished without a trace.
"I would have thought you'd learned your lesson when you helped in Granger's kidnapping. You're extremely lucky that you weren't EXPELLED!"
Snape smirked as he added, "And you are even more lucky that Granger has a forgiving heart for confused souls. She asked me herself not to expel you after your father's death and your mother's subsequent suicide. You owe her your presence in this school, Mister Malfoy, and I expect you to APPRECIATE IT!"
Draco mumbled something and the Potion's Master scowled before removing his spell.
"Sir, you can't be serious! She's a M…"
"You say it, boy, and you will test my temper."
Hermione blinked and looked from one to the other, wondering if she should speak up.
Draco sneered and spat, "I won't accept help from a Mu…Muggleborn!" He amended his last word at a glare from Snape.
"Then shall I expel you?" purred Snape, his voice dropping several octaves into a dangerous growl. Hermione took a step back into the rows of seats at the sound, her stomach quivering nervously in response. Was that the voice he'd used as a Death Eater? It certainly made her want to go hide in a dark corner and she wasn't even the subject of his ire! "I have only to sign the forms in my office and it will be done. And then where would you go? Your father's holdings have been seized by the Ministry and all his accounts – and therefore, yours – frozen. Outside these walls you'd have no place to go or no one to go to."
He tapped his fingers briefly on his desk then continued, "So tell me, Mister Malfoy, do you now have some appreciation for Miss Granger?"
The blonde had gone as pale as a ghost during Snape's tirade and had to take a few moments to collect himself. Then he stood tall and glared at Hermione as he grounded out, "Yes."
The air of menace that had surrounded Snape vanished in an instant and he said, "Good. Now take a seat. AND YOU AT THE DOOR GET IN HERE BEFORE I TAKE FIFTY POINTS FROM ALL OF YOUR HOUSES! FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU!"
The rest of the class spilled into the room and Hermione sank into her seat, only half listening as Snape began class.
She couldn't get that frightening voice out of her mind.
- - -
"Auror Tonks, Winston," greeted Snape as he came to the room at the end of the third floor corridor.
"Hello, Professor!" greeted Tonks cheerfully. The Potion's Master tried not to blanch at the Metamorphmagus' blindingly neon green hair and gave her a thin smile.
Winston, a tall and nearly deathly silent Greek wizard who'd been adopted by an English family, grunted before tapping his wand three times on the heavy oak door. He then said simply, "Go in."
Snape inclined his head slightly and entered, waiting until the door closed and warded behind him before he looked around the room. It had been only sparsely furnished by the house-elves at Fudge's insistence and still had that closed-up smell in the air. Having windows in the room would have helped with that.
He quickly located the dejected looking form of Harry sitting on the floor with his back to the bed and walked very carefully towards him.
"Harry?"
A weak snarl answered him then feral emerald eyes looked up to meet his. There was a tense moment where they stared at each other then humanity flickered in those eyes.
"S-sensei?"
Dear Merlin, he's losing himself in here.
"Yes," he replied, stepping closer to the han-akurei. He slowly crouched down beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder, which had become rake thin in the three days he'd been in the room. "Have you not been eating?"
"I can't," replied Harry. His ears pressed back against his head and he hugged his knees to his chest as he mumbled, "I can't breathe in here. It's…pressing in on me. And I can't see the sky…no windows."
"You're claustrophobic?"
"No. Just…feeling caged…it does bad things to my mind." He then sniffed and his ears perked up slightly. "Mia-san has spoken to you today?"
The change that came over the young man at the scent of Hermione made Snape blink. He was suddenly himself again, if a little more worn looking.
"She did," he replied, not bothering to elaborate on why. "And she gave me this for you," he added as he reached into his robes to retrieve her envelope.
Harry's hands trembled as he took the envelope and he held it for a moment before lifting it to his nose and inhaling. His eyes closed moments later and he murmured something in a language that wasn't Japanese. It sounded more like a cat than anything.
Snape frowned and asked, "What was that?"
"Hmm?"
"The sound you just made."
"Oh," said Harry. "Each species of demon has their own language unto themselves. We all know it at birth and start to speak it during our first weeks until we learn the human tongue."
"I see," said Snape. He then pulled another envelope from his robes and handed it to the han-akurei. "Your work from me."
Emerald eyes looked at it for a long moment then rose to meet his.
"I doubt I'll get it done."
"I could care less. Don't bother with it if you don't want. I think you have a fair enough excuse not to, what with being stuck in here." He looked around the windowless room then growled, "I'll see if I can have you moved. Or at least have Albus ask the castle to create a window in here."
Harry smiled tightly at that.
"That would be nice."
Snape nodded then gently squeezed the young man's shoulder, dark eyes focused on his face.
"You must hold yourself together, blentyn. For her sake as well as every other soul in this castle," he softly.
" 'Blentyn?' "
The older wizard smiled and explained, "It means 'child' in Welsh." He then turned at a sharp rap on the door behind him and cursed softly.
Harry smiled and said, "I'll be fine. If you don't leave when they knock, they'll come in and get you. They did that to McGonagall and she threatened to transfigure both of them into toads."
Snape scowled then said, "I'll return in four days. I'd do so sooner but our dear Minister is keeping up with what teacher comes to see you. If one of us is found to be coming too often, we've been told that we'll no longer be allowed."
"Shiseiji!" spat Harry. He then hissed when the door began to open, his ears lying flat against his head again.
Tonks poked her head into the room, her neon green hair falling haphazardly over violet eyes.
"Professor, it's best if you come out now. I'd love to let you stay in and chat as long as you want but Winney here's a stickler for the rules."
"Don't call me that," growled Winston from somewhere on the other side of the door. He then shoved the door completely open and glowered at Snape. "Time to go."
"Very well," said the dark professor. He then squeezed Harry's shoulder before he rose and walked towards the door, feeling the young man's feline eyes on his back the entire time. Before the door closed he turned briefly and met them, dark ebony into emerald jewels.
Without sparing a glance towards the two Auror's, Snape left. He was intent on having a talk with Albus and he was going to see how McGonagall's battle against the Ministry was going.
Back inside the room, Harry slowly read through Hermione's letter twice before he set it aside and leant his head back against the bed. He turned and climbed up onto the bed moments later, curling up like a cat in the center of it. One ear flicked restlessly as he laid there, eyes staring off into nothing.
The caged feeling slowly came back and he closed his eyes tightly, trying to banish it. He failed and felt his demon half begin to slowly rage again.
If he didn't get some form of fresh air soon, he wouldn't be able to hold his demon side back when it finally decided that it had had enough of its cage.
TranslationsDrwo pawb safwn a goroesa er pawb dafledig rhagom: Through all we will stand and survive despite all thrown against us (Welsh)
Art.hot. Sînge de la Dracul voinţă a voi niciodată vanilie. Art.hot. Sînge voinţă a voi ultimul pînă le art.hot. sfîrşit de Timp.: The Blood of the Dragon will never vanish. The Blood will last until the end of Time. (Romanian)
Blentyn: Child (Welsh)
Shiseiji: Bastard (Japanese)