Chapter 4

Severus sat before the fire in his private chambers rereading the carefully written notes from his student. He sipped his Firewhiskey and stared into the fire. She was amazing. She had within her grasp the ability that many before her could not ever reach.

Even himself.

Her hypothesis was concise and simple. She had a theory that required hours of research and experiments. How would she do such a thing? Everyone would want a piece of this. Instead of stepping out into her own, she was wrapping the noose tighter around her little neck.

Severus sighed as he pondered his student. She would be famous one day. She would be renowned around the world for ages. She wanted to develop an anti-Unforgivable spell. And she was on the right path, so it seemed to Severus. She probably would do it. But at what cost? The ministry would want this formula to stay within the ministry's control. They would want to market it. They would sell it to the highest bidder and once again, young Ms. Granger, would be under the thumb of someone. It was sad really. She was brilliant. The unsettling thought occurred to him that they could have used this last year. As the thought raced through his mind, he felt his chest tighten. It made him understand, even better, why Dumbledore and the rest of the Hogwarts staff, groomed her for their own use.

Severus shook his head and decided he would meet with her again the next evening. There was no sense in pretending this wasn't fascinating stuff. It was exciting. Thought it was wholly incomplete and needed much work, she was on a road of no return. But he would try his best to convince her to forget what she had stumbled upon. It was for her own good.

Hermione received a note from Professor Snape while sitting at Breakfast the next morning.

"Hermione! What? What is it?" Harry reached across the table to read her letter, but she snatched it from his grasp.

"Nothing. It's nothing. I have to…I have to meet with Professor Snape this evening. I did some extra credit for Advanced Potions and he is reviewing it. I was just startled, that's all." Harry's eyes were reduced to slits as he glared in the direction of the staff table.

"Aww…Sorry 'Mione. Want us to go with you?" Harry shot Ron a black look and Hermione shook her head.

"Thanks Ron. I…I don't think he would let you come with me anyway. Well, it shouldn't be too bad. I mean, when has he ever said anything kind to me before? Plus…" she leaned in towards them. "we have only six weeks left and school is over."

Smiles broke out on her friends faces and they began rapturously discussing Harry's new position at the Ministry. He had just accepted the position as Head Auror - in training and would be working directly with Kingsley Shacklebot. Ron, was torn between working for his brothers and going into the ministry as an entry level clerk. There, he would have an opportunity to decide what his strengths were and pursue them from an entry level position.

"What about you Hermione? Have you decided yet?" Harry asked her.

"Yes, as a matter of fact I have. But I want to wait a little longer before I tell anyone. Maybe another week or so. I might even wait until graduation night." Hermione bit into a biscuit and Ron rolled his eyes. He mumbled about Hermione and "all her brains".

For the second time, Hermione was standing outside of Professor Snape's office. She knocked loudly, but this time he opened the door himself. Hermione stood, a little shocked, as Professor Snape beckoned her into his office and shut the door behind her.

"Sit Ms. Granger." His voice was emotionless and tight.

Hermione sat, rigidly, ready to flee, in the wooden chair across from her Potions Professor. Her heart flipped slightly as his black eyes bore into hers. She looked down at her hands and breathed deeply. Severus pulled out his wand and cast a silencing spell around them.

"Am I to assume, Ms. Granger, that you wrote this yourself?" She nodded. "With no help form anyone? Even Professor McGonagall?" She nodded again, her eyes open wide and locked on his. Severus sat back and looked at the ceiling. She was, in a word, amazing.

"Ms. Granger-"

"Professor, sorry but I have to know wh-"

"Don't interrupt me. Do not abuse what little liberties you have with me." His eyes were cold and he gave her a look that chilled her. How could she have ignored this side of him? Why did she come to him, of all people? Hermione was quickly seeing the error of her ways as she sat looking sullen and very small.

"Ms. Granger, what you have here is a time bomb."

"But-" He held his hand up as a warning to her interruption.

"Not for anyone but yourself. What you have done…what you are striving for…is, impossible. But perhaps Gryffindor's head girl really will accomplish this one obstacle, who knows? If I were you, I would guard this with my life. No one will help you with this, and not expect something in return-"

"But that's just it Professor! I'm sorry…but I know all of this! If I work for the Ministry, they will take credit and leave me with very little to show for my efforts. I have even wondered that they might even…well…they wouldn't want me to create this. I mean…"

"I see Ms. Granger. It is entirely possible that the current Minister would frown upon such a thing. The Ministry likes to have control over things. Now that…now that The Dark Lord is gone, the Ministry no longer has the control over it's citizens, except the fear of another, Unforgivable wielding Witch or Wizard. But you take away the fear and what is left? The wizard community doesn't really need the Ministry, does it? Not now. Your friend Potter made that perfectly clear. Tread carefully Ms. Granger. Abandon this silly nonsense and put your brains to use where you are more suited. That is my advise to you."

Hermione sat and stared at the folder in her hands. He was right, and she knew it. But he wasn't right about everything. She couldn't just walk away from the most important work she could ever be a part of! Hermione stood and tucked the folder under her arm.

"Thank you Professor." Once again, Severus sat at his desk and watched her leave his office. This time he knew, she was indeed the brightest witch of the age.

But what seemed to creep into his mind, slowly at first, was the self doubt. He had been honest with her and told her what he thought. Not only what he thought would be what she needed to hear; but what would bruise her. He realized, a little too late, that what he had done, whatever his intentions were, could be misconstrued as an act of kindness to the young witch. She had come to him and he had been…what? Helpful?

The thought left him feeling uncomfortable and paranoid. Severus sipped his drink as he stared off into space. There was that warmth again. Welcomed back into his empty chest. Was it that? Whatever had crept into the bowels of Hogwarts Dungeons had softened him. It had deluded his fortification enough to make him act as though he was not himself.

Severus had the feeling of a drowning man that was grasping for a lifeline. He had carefully plotted his life after The Dark Lord's fall. His plan was to teach for another five years and then retire from the Wizarding World all together. No one would notice his absence. But this strange, and unsettling turn of events, made odd thoughts seep into his brain. Would anyone really notice? Would he be missed? Why was he all of a sudden concerned about it?