Still not mine.

Meeting

Snape's Point of View

Lucius' return from Azkaban sent a frisson of excitement through the ranks of the Death Eaters. He was welcomed back with torture for having failed the Dark Lord and ending up in prison, but welcomed back all the same. Once the Dark Lord was through with him, he released him into Narcissa's care. She was going to take him to one of the other Malfoy properties, since the Manor would no doubt be visited by forces from the Ministry in the near future. I knew that with Lucius' escape, my mission to meet up with whomever Minerva was sending would be more perilous than I had originally anticipated, with more Aurors out searching.

The invisibility cloak alone would not suffice. There were too many people (like Moody) who could see through them. With a sigh, I realized it was time to resort to the charms that altered physical appearance. People who could penetrate the cloak would not bother with the charms underneath.

I had been a spy for a long time, but never before had there been so many things that could go wrong.

Waking up the next morning, I began my preparations by charming my most salient feature, my nose. My hair and eyes were also changed from their natural black to light brown and hazel. A potion to temporarily increase the melanin in my skin made me appear tan. Looking in a mirror, I didn't recognize myself. Grabbing my invisibility cloak, I Apparated directly to my home in Spinner's End, where I changed into casual clothing of a Muggle nature, with a wool cloak over that for warmth. Once changed, I glanced at the clock on the mantel. It was a little after 2 in the afternoon. I decided to head to Diagon Alley and get some potions ingredients that were missing from the stores here before I was to meet whomever Minerva sent.

Hermione's Point of View

I awoke wondering what the day, our first day as Order members, would hold. I was going to be contributing, officially. Minerva had announced at the meeting last night when Harry, Ron, and I were inducted into the Order that I would be working as her assistant. She said it was so that if she sent me with messages, the other members would know they were official.

I had wondered if the members would be offended at my "promotion" over their heads, but no one was. Everyone seemed to agree with Minerva's reasoning both that there was a need and in her selection of me to fill it.

So with that to look forward to, I began my day at Headquarters with breakfast and packing for my weekend away.

I had thought, long and hard, about the biggest problem facing our continued communication with Severus, how to get in touch. I decided to take a page from our 5th year and the Defense Association, and weave a Protean Charm as the best possibility. My only question was what to put it on that wouldn't be suspicious for a Death Eater.

I Apparated to the Leaky Cauldron and checked in with Tom early. I wanted to go shopping for something to link with the Charm before I expected Severus to arrive.

After dropping my bag in the room, I headed out to Diagon Alley to see what I could find. It had to be something small, something over-look-able. But at the same time, something that wouldn't seem new or get easily misplaced. It also had to be something he could keep on him permanently.

I had noticed that a lot of purebloods wore jewelry of some sort. While Severus wasn't a pureblood, he had functioned as Head of Slytherin for about 20 years, and he hung out with the purest of the pure (at least in some senses….) so jewelry may not be too out of place. Thinking back, I don't remember seeing him wear any jewelry, but that could be because of the reactivity of metals with potions, or something, too. A really simple piece, though, that might work…

Finding the jewelry store, I went in and began looking at what was available. In a display case, I found some rings that had versions of the Hogwarts House crests. They looked something like signet rings, showing the mascot engraved on a flat surface. Some of them were enameled, but most were plainer.

That struck me as a good possibility. Looking around more, I didn't find anything else suitable, and I wanted to get this done quickly so I would have time to set the Protean Charm in place.

Getting a salesman's attention, I purchased a Slytherin ring in silver and a Gryffindor ring in gold. The salesman's eyebrow shot up at the combination, but I quickly explained that while I fancied the Gryffindor one for myself, the Slytherin one was for creating a joke ring, and that I was friends with the Weasley twins…

Taking the rings back to my room, I began working on the Protean Charms to link them and make them respond to myself and Severus so we could pass messages. Once finished, I looked at the clock, realized I had several hours, and decided to read. Before I knew it, I had drifted off to doze.

I awoke for the second time that day and looked at my watch, quarter to three in the afternoon. Standing in front of the mirror, I charmed the wrinkles out of my clothing and headed to the washroom to refresh myself.

Once again awake and aware, I returned to the common room and asked Tom to send some food up to the room that would be good for nibbling on and a pot of coffee and once again climbed the stairs to wait.

Engrossed in a book and a cup of coffee to help me stay awake, the time passed quickly. Then, at half past four, I heard the sound I had eagerly been awaiting and dreading at the same time.

A sharp, yet quiet knock on the door.

The door opened and closed, flipping its latch to lock and I felt the muffling sensation of a silencing charm.

This was followed by a swirl of fabric being removed, leaving a man standing in my room who did not look like Severus Snape, at least not on first glance. He had not noticed me as of yet, as I was sitting in a corner. A closer inspection revealed that the cheek bones and general facial structures were the same, but the nose and coloring had been altered.

"Severus, can you drop the illusions?" I asked him, wanting to make sure I was dealing with the right person. Not that his appearance would be what decided this for me, but rather how he would react…

Quickly spinning at the sound of my voice, he exclaimed, "Miss Granger!" He seemed quite shocked to see me there, and I had to wonder what Minerva had told him. But the tonality of his 'Miss Granger' had me convinced that this was in fact my old professor.

With a small sigh I put my book down and rose from my chair. I crossed the room to the table and two chairs that stood on the other side of the bed. Seating myself, I indicated the other chair with a nod, and waited for Snape to collect himself.

"Miss Granger, I must admit, I am a bit surprised to find you here. I was expecting someone…else."

"Severus, as you are no longer a professor, and I am not longer a student, perhaps you can drop the formality? Hermione will do, as I believe we will be working together for some time."

As he slowly lowered himself into the other chair, I watched him carefully. He was processing everything I had said, as well as everything it implied. My respect for his mind rose again.

"So, Hermione, Minerva assigned you to be my contact person? And you are no longer a student, hmmm, not just my student, but a student? A lot must have happened in the last couple of weeks."

"Yes, Severus. A lot has happened." I looked him over carefully, although it was hard to detect if he was affected by my perusal, since he was covered with illusions. "Severus, you look concerned to be working with me, and I will be the first to agree with you that we have not always had the most…cordial…relationship, but Minerva felt that I was the best choice for this assignment."

His eyes focused on me intently, like he was reading my soul. I realized in that moment, he might be, given that he had been teaching Harry Occlumency. Well, he could find Minerva's reasons for himself, although I wasn't happy that he was probing without asking first.

"Miss Granger, I feel that I must become your teacher again, if not your professor. You will have to learn to Occlude your mind if wish to function well as Minerva's assistant."

Momentarily stunned, I dropped my gaze. Collecting my thoughts and my Gryffindor courage, I looked him in the eyes again and said, "Professor, I think you are correct. That had not occurred to me, nor, do I think it has occurred to Minerva. If you think you would be willing to give me that instruction, I would be a fool to turn you down."

"And a fool is something you have never been, have you, Miss Granger?"

"I try my best not to be."

"All right, Hermione. Let's discuss our plans, then."

At this, I presented him with the ring I had purchased that morning for him. He looked at it quizzically, an eyebrow rose almost to his hairline.

"It's charmed with a Protean Charm. The date inscribed on the inside can be changed. The first number is the time you want to meet, the second number the day of the month. The last number is the year you finished Hogwarts for AM or the year you began teaching for PM. If you change it, it will grow warm and my ring," here I held up my hand to show him the Gryffindor ring which adorned my finger, "will alert me to the changes. I will immediately Apparate to whatever we have agreed upon as a location if you set it to the current time."

"Simple, yet effective. I approve, Miss Granger."

"Oh, now you approve, when you can no longer give House points, and I can no longer earn them. How ironic."

At that, he gave an unexpected snort of amusement.

"So, Professor, we need to set a place to meet."

"Hmmm, yes, well, as I see it, the best option is the Shrieking Shack. The Shack is cold, inconvenient, and hard to explain to the Dark Lord, but overall I think it is the best choice for now. We can both Apparate there easily, and for the most part everyone avoids it."

I just shrugged in response. I hadn't been to the Shrieking Shack since the horrible night more than two years ago when Wormtail escaped. But Snape's reasoning made sense. No one went there, it wasn't Secret-Kept, so going wasn't a problem, and it would be easy for me to go up to Hogwarts and meet with Minerva from there.

"Yes, I suppose that will work. When would you like to set a meeting time, and a lesson time, I guess? I would like to take you up on your offer for Occlumency lessons, since I am carrying around a number of things now that I don't want others to find out…"

"This time is fine."

"All right. So, Severus, is there anything you would like me to pass on, or any questions you have that I can answer? Or really, anything at all you think Minerva and I should know?"

"Miss Granger, to be quite frank, I was not expecting you. I do not know who I was expecting really, but it certainly was not someone my mind is telling me should still be a student at the school. Perhaps, it would be best to explain to me why you are no longer a student?"

"Certainly. I suppose I should start at the beginning, then. You are aware that Dumbledore and Harry had been working to neutralize Voldemort by collecting a series of objects, yes?"

"No, I had not. Although, it makes sense if what I suspect is true…" As he considered the possibilities, a look of horror came over his features. "Surely not! Even the Dark Lord would not do that to himself!"

"Ah, well, since I am not sure what you are referring to, I will continue. Dumbledore believed that there were a certain number of these…items. We have so far neutralized two of them, and we are sure of what another is and are trying to find it."

"It was from this search that Dumbledore and Potter were returning when they were…found…atop the tower?"

"Ah, yes. We…that is, Harry, Ron, and I…decided to not return to school this year, and instead are tracking down these items."

"Miss Granger, it does not surprise me in the least that your two dunderheaded companions would make that choice. It does, however surprise me that you, who had always been so focused on succeeding at school, would throw away your chances in the wizarding world by not completing your education."

"Well, sir, you don't have to worry. I took my NEWTs last week."

"Really? A year early?" Severus looked very surprised as he asked that. "Perhaps I have been underestimating you all this time. All right, so you are a fully qualified witch?"

"You are getting ahead of the story you originally asked for. When we told Minerva we were not returning, she wasn't all that surprised. But a week ago, when she received your letter, she asked me to be her assistant. She requested Professor Marchbanks test me, and once I was done, she had me read your letter and look through the memories it mentioned." At this, Snape's face darkened. Apparently, he had not wanted anyone but Minerva to see those…

"She wanted me to know everything that was happening, so that if something horrible happened, someone would know the whole story. As she saw it, the Weasleys were too volatile or busy, anyone who works at the Ministry too easily compromised, Harry had enough on his plate already and he really hates you, Lupin hates you and as a werewolf his word is not worth much…well, you get the point. I was the best choice. I argued that I was too young, but Minerva said that I was a full witch and an adult now, and that I had impressed enough people to be all right in the case of an emergency. Besides, the other adults would back me if needed. So, here I am…"

"And do Harry and Ron know where you are?"

"Ah…well, they know I have been made Minerva's assistant. They know I am working on that today. They do not know I am with you. Last night, when we received word of Lucius' escape, we were officially inducted into the Order."

"Congratulations."

"Thank you, I think."

"Oh, you don't think. I am well aware of how long you have wanted to be members, to be part of the group that is in-the-know. All right, let me tell you some things, then. You and Minerva can decide how much to pass on.

"The Dark Lord was extremely unhappy with Draco over his failure to kill Dumbledore. He was tortured and locked up to await his punishment, but before the Dark Lord could decide what his punishment would be he managed to escape with some help…"

I wanted to interject comments that he deserved it for bringing Death Eaters into the castle, or ask Snape if he had played a role in freeing Draco when I realized that his phrasing admitted as much. Slytherins and their need to be subtle. Why can't they ever just come out and say things? Actually, this might be a good time to ask that…

"Severus, why do you Slytherins feel the need to beat around the bush?" I noticed his face darkening at the perceived insult. "I'm not trying to insult you; I am merely asking a question. Why not just say you freed Draco? Why leave it so open to interpretation? It seems like a Slytherin characteristic, to always speak so ambiguously. Why?"

"Not everyone wishes to share there innermost thoughts and feelings and motivations with the world all the time. If we did, we would likely have been sorted into Gryffindor."

"Yes, but…"

"Yes, but. Indeed. Well, Slytherin as a House has the most politics. Try to think of it as talking to a professional politician and you would be better off."

I could only sigh at that. I meant I would have to remember word for word every conversation and look for all the hidden meanings and half-truths. "All right, so Draco…escaped."

"Yes, and he in now in a safe location. The Dark Lord was quite upset, and ordered Bellatrix and I to search the homes of his inner circle. Draco has, of course, not been found. Not long after, the Dark Lord detailed Bellatrix and Rookwood to break Lucius out of Azkaban. He escaped yesterday. I have not yet seen him, and do not know for sure where he is hiding, although I assume it is with Narcissa at one of the many properties owned by the Malfoy family."

"The Order did know that he had escaped, although not who was sent to break him out."

Snape nodded, as though he expected this.

"All right, I have a way of getting missives to Minerva, but not to you. Where can I send information to you at, if I cannot get it to Minerva?"

"I have been staying at Headquarters with Harry and Ron. I'm not sure that it's the best place to send things, though, as the boys get very protective of me…"

"No, I can see that. And it's Secret-Kept, so mail cannot be sent there for you. Alright, the rings really are the best idea, then. I'll signal you through the ring. And if I cannot get away, I will send an owl to you there."

"That will work."

"Now, briefly, for starters with the Occlumency, you should practice letting go of your emotions and emptying your mind. When we meet next, we will discuss it more. But for now, start with trying to empty your mind and let go of emotion. I know that is particularly hard for a Gryffindor."

"You know, I had never considered that before, but you may be right. It is hard for a Gryffindor, because our emotions are so often tied to why we do things. If we give up our emotions, we give up our reasons for being involved in the very things that put us in danger. Harry especially. His whole purpose in being involved in the conflict is love and friendship, and his desire to protect those he cares about. Without that, I don't think he would bother…"

A look of dawning understanding came across the almost-face of Snape, as if, in that moment, he realized why he had failed in his attempts to train the Gryffindor Savior of the Wizarding World…and it was not a pleasant thought for him.

"Yes, well, I shall see you next week, then. When I know when I will be able to get away, I will send you it through the ring," Snape said, trying to regain his sense of balance after a revelation.

"Yes, see you then."

And with that Severus Snape Apparated away.

Repacking my bags, I headed back down to the common room and checked out of room seven.

"Thanks, Tom, but something has come up and I have to get back home," I said, giving him the key.

"Alright, Hermione, I'll see you around," he said, looking a bit sad that I wouldn't be there over night.

Leaving, I Apparated to the gates of Hogwarts to make a report to Minerva, letting her know all that I had found out.

Things were slowing looking up for the Order. We once again had an inside man with the Death Eaters who we could trust.

Please Read and Review. Comments are appreciated. Draco and Hermoine will come face to face in the next chapter...