Draco thought he was clever, but Severus would always be one step ahead of the self-entitled brat.

Granger's revelations had kicked everything into hyper-drive. There were no polite ways to say it: they were fucked. If the Dark Lord had split his soul in a bid to remain untouchable then the situation had taken a rather dire turn. There was no way of knowing how many Horcruxes he had made — because there would be more than one, of course there would be more than one — and where he had hid them.

That wasn't entirely true. Dumbledore hadn't said it in explicit terms, but Severus played enough join the dot games as a child to draw a conclusion. It was a horrifying thought, one that kept him awake at night as he stared into the fire. If his assumptions and Granger's information were both correct then it only further sealed their fates. He had been quick to point the finger at Dumbledore that night in the forest, when in reality Severus had no one to blame but himself. It was his stupidity that set this in motion. And therefore it was up to him to set things right.

Which meant he would have to see this journey through, regardless of the consequences. Because his life, in comparison to thousands of others, would be worth the sacrifice.

Saturday morning found him standing in the hospital wing like the dutiful Head of House he was, politely explaining to Poppy that he would assist his charge back down to the Slytherin common room. His actions were as much a surprise to her as it was to himself. Although he would regularly check in on the status of his students, in all his years teaching he had never taken the time to collect one.

The delightful mix of horror and embarrassment that crossed Draco's features was worth it. Draco knew Poppy was delivering him directly into the arms of the wolf and he could do nothing to prevent it from happening. Severus noted the boy appeared to be in better health — Poppy stated several times he had saved young Draco's life. It was a shame he had made a vow to Narcissa, or else he could have quite happily left Draco to his idiocy. He and Potter deserved each other sometimes.

'I'm not going back to my common room, am I,' Draco groaned as Severus marched him down to the dungeons.

'I thought a little detour was in order.'

Severus settled himself behind his desk, gesturing politely at the chair across from him as though they were simply discussing grades. There was a slick sheen forming on Draco's skin as he sat down on the edge of the seat, his palms resting uneasily on his thighs. It was a far cry from his usual portrayal as the Prince of Slytherin, sauntering around like he owned the place. Instead all Severus could see was an anxious, unconfident boy who was too far in over his head.

'I won't bother lecturing you on the dangers of using an Unforgivable curse inside Hogwarts — don't bother lying, I saw it all in Potter's head. I trust you've suffered the consequences of your actions, so we'll leave it at that.' Severus rested his chin on steepled fingers and gave Draco a long, calculating look. 'This cannot continue.'

Draco's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed thickly, his eyes darting nervously between Severus' face and the shelving behind him. 'I don't know what you expect me to say. Even if I wanted to tell you, I couldn't. He made me swear it.'

Severus sighed. He would have to tread lightly; it was clear Draco was at a point where he needed to give himself up. The last thing Severus wanted was to spook him.

'It just so happens that the Dark Lord has shared with all he requested of you.' He waited until Draco finally looked up at him, his shoulders dropping in relief. 'I have made a vow to your mother to keep you safe and complete your task, should you fail to do so.'

'I don't need your help.'

But they both knew that was wrong.

'No, instead you'd rather risk killing an innocent student. A strong man does not cower from that which is difficult. He is confident and self-aware enough to understand what is within his gift, and when to ask for help. No one would ever think less of you.'

Draco was silent for a long time and Severus was sure he had shut down completely. Then he sighed, his shoulders sagging.

'I never expected the necklace or the mead to work. It was just a test.'

Severus tilted his head, curious. 'I suspected as much. You're far too clever for that,' he murmured, appealing to Draco's fragile teen ego.

'I am,' Draco agreed, leaning back, his arm slung over the back of the chair. 'There's a cabinet in the Room of Lost Things. I found it last year by mistake. It reminded me of that pair my father and Aunty Bella owned. I thought it might be the same, but I wasn't sure. I was right though — it took some searching but I found its twin.'

'Go on,' Severus pressed.

'Borgin and Burkes. As you'll know, Borgin is a great supporter of the Dark Lord and a long-time friend to my father. It didn't take much to persuade him to fix his half and keep it safe.'

Dread left a sour taste in the back of Severus' throat. Draco had succeeded where so many others had fallen short, creating an open door between Hogwarts and the outside. He wondered whether Dumbledore had considered such a possibility.

'Do you really believe that to be wise? You'd leave the school in a vulnerable state. Death Eaters could just waltz in and storm the castle.'

'I thought that part of the plan was fairly obvious.'

Severus bit his tongue at the boy's cheek. 'And just how do you expect to control them? Once you've achieved your goal, do you really think they'd listen to you?'

Draco shifted, looking unsettled. 'That's your role, isn't it? You said you wanted to help me, here's your opportunity.'

'Me?' Severus gave a bitter laugh. 'Do you really think the likes of Bella or Greyback would listen? Do you trust them not to go after other students? Draco, this goes beyond dangerous.'

'Well fine then, if you're so smart what would you do?' Draco folded his arms across his chest, his chin jutting out like a petulant child.

How would he do it? He had never given it much thought.

'It would have to be done quickly, and silently, less we alert the other professors. If we played it right we could make it look like an accident; completely untraceable back to us.'

'You mean like a potion?' Draco asked curiously.

'It's easily done. A slip of something slow acting in his evening pumpkin juice. He wouldn't realise he was poisoned until he was alone in his quarters and it was too late.' He felt like a traitor for even suggesting the idea.

Draco seemed to ponder this for a moment. Severus prayed for once in his life he would actually do something smart and take the easy option presented to him.

'It doesn't matter,' Draco said at last. 'Even if there was another way, it's already done.'

'Meaning?'

Draco gave a shrug. 'Borgin completed the cabinet last week. I've already written to my aunt, we just have to sit and wait.'


Severus sat at his desk, watching as his sixth-years made diligent notes from their textbook. He had assigned a lesson on counter-spells and the afternoon was dragging. A quick sweep of the room told him several students in the back were beginning to nod off. It was fairly dull work, but it was important. Not everything could be fun and games. There were certain subjects that must be read and absorbed.

Once again his mind was pulled to his private tutoring with Granger. Unlike her peers, she understood the benefits of studying theory. She understood the importance of a solid technical foundation. She didn't mind spending hours on drills to see the outputs of her labour.

Granger was…

Granger was staring off into space.

Severus opened his mouth to call her out, when he closed it with a snap. The hairs on the backs of his arms stood up when he realised she wasn't staring into space. She was staring at him, or past him, to be precise, with that vacant look on her face again.

The itch started behind his ears, putting pressure on his sinuses. When was the last time he allowed himself to venture into her mind? Not for several months. Not since he had been frightened of the images he saw there, his anger and bitterness reflected back to him like a mirror. He had been careful since then, keeping to the code he practised when it came to his other students.

The sensation spread down through his jugular, making the skin between his neck and shoulders twitch. She was completely zoned out. It would be easy enough to take a peek, to slip between one thought and the next.

He ground the palms of his hands into his eyes, forcing the treacherous thoughts from his head. There was no logical reason for him to look. She wasn't in danger, she wasn't hiding anything from him. In fact it was the opposite — Granger came to him like an open book, gifting all of her secrets to him. There was nothing he couldn't ask of her these days that she wouldn't give. It made him feel powerful, his curiosity towards her not too dissimilar from a spider eyeing the struggling fly caught in its web.

Which was why he shouldn't do it.

His wrists ached and he gave one a sharp flick, making the joint snap. A Slytherin in the front row jumped at the noise. Severus gave the girl a glare before turning back to Granger. She was absently running the tip of her quill along her jaw. He followed the white feather as it traced the soft contours, up towards her left ear and back along her cheekbone. It caressed the freckles on the bridge of her nose before coming to rest on her bottom lip. As if finally sensing his gaze, her eyes lifted to his, and the demon in his brain lunged forward.

One moment he was present in his classroom, the next he was falling through her mindscape.

Granger was daydreaming, the images in her mind foggy and half-formed. He was vaguely aware she wasn't thinking of anything in particular, her thoughts flitting from one image to the next. Running through the waves at the sea. Dangling her feet off the pier, a portion of chips in her lap. Standing around a Christmas tree, singing carols in the cold; the wind lashing at her cheeks. Laying on cool grass, the warmth of the summer sun on her arms as her friend's laughter rang in her ears.

It wasn't the recollection of joy that tore him apart, it was the music. Her memories were underpinned by the steady beat of trombones, a roll of timpani and the high, lilting sound of cornets. Her brain kept playing the same ten seconds of melody on loop like a broken record. Deep in the recesses of his own mind, a memory long ago leapt forward in response, like searching for like.

He was no longer thirty-seven but seventeen, sitting in the dark, the curtains of his bedroom drawn shut against the heavy August light. The sweat dripping down his back as he pushed against the door, his wand slick in his hand. The sound of his father playing the same five bars over and over again on his trombone. The fresh Mark on his arm festering, inky black against the white of his forearm. The sharp tang of blood on his tongue from where he'd bitten it nearly in two against the pain. His mother's quiet whimpering from the other side of the door.

Severus pulled out of Granger's mind, sucking in cool air like a drowning man. His knuckles were white as they gripped the edge of his desk. At some point during the onslaught he had stood up, the entirety of the Slytherin and Gryffindor sixth-years now staring up at him. He could feel the sweat beading between his shoulder blades under his heavy robes. It was far too hot.

His brain struggled to push the memory from his mind, but the adrenaline was already coursing through his veins, tunnelling his vision. Granger blinked several times, the muscles in her throat working. Her eyebrows drew in and Severus knew in that moment she had been dragged through the memories with him. Heat flooded to his cheeks.

'Professor Snape?' Draco called out, and Severus realised it wasn't the first time the boy had tried to get his attention. Draco's brow was furrowed in concern. 'Should we continue making notes or…'

Severus pulled his wand from his sleeve with so much force the air whistled around it. Draco flinched, taking an uncertain step back when the desks vanished.

'Do I ask too much of you in this class?' He asked, his voice deathly quiet.

The room was silent.

'What is the purpose of these lessons? Miss Patil?'

Parvati Patil's eyes grew wide. 'To defend ourselves, sir.'

'Defend yourselves against what?'

She glanced nervously at her classmates for answers. 'The Dark Arts. And… I guess to prepare us for the war.'

'There isn't going to be a war,' Lavender Brown muttered under her breath. Severus narrowed in on her like a hawk.

'Are you sure about that, Miss Brown?' When she didn't speak, he pressed on. 'If you were paying attention, you would know that the war is already here. Numerous witches and wizards have disappeared without a trace, right from their beds in the dead of night. Muggles are being murdered in the streets.'

'So you waste our time writing papers on pointless theory? How is that supposed to help us?' Potter's voice cut through the air, his bratty tone grating on Severus' nerves.

'Not everyone shares the same natural talent as you, Mr Potter,' Severus taunted.

Potter crossed his arms against his chest. 'They're just as talented, no thanks to the teachers we've had so far.'

Granger grabbed Potter's arm. 'Harry don't,' she muttered, trying in vain to pull him back.

'Is that so? And here I thought you had grown rather fond of the werewolf. Well, if you think you know everything then why don't you give us a demonstration.'

Potter haughtily pulled his arm from Granger, his head tilting back to stare down at Severus. 'Gladly.'

Severus' glowered at the sight before he spun to point one bony finger at Draco, for whom he was still harbouring grievances. 'Why don't you join him, Mr Malfoy.'

Draco strolled into the middle of the room, Potter following him. As the students formed a circle around the two, another wicked thought coiled around his spine. Severus ran a finger along his chin.

'Let's make this more interesting, shall we? Granger, up you go.'

Tentatively she stepped in line with Potter, their arms brushing when Severus folded his hands into his robes, the corner of his mouth twisted up in a sneer.

'I think it's time we delve into something that requires a little more active participation; something more… daring. Duels on a battlefield are not as clean cut as we've made them out to be within the confines of this room. It's rare that you'll be given the opportunity to fight one on one.'

'You want us to fight against each other?' Granger asked. Her eyes trained on the floor. Since when did she avoid his gaze? Severus clenched his teeth, pain flaring in his jaw.

'No, Miss Granger. I want you to fight against Potter and Malfoy. The first side to render the other unconscious wins.'

How brave was she feeling now?

'Against her? What… like, you want us to fight together?' Draco howled.

Potter made a noise of indignation, along with half the Gryffindors. 'I'm not fighting her.'

'Just get on with it,' Granger retorted.

Slowly and deliberately, she looked up at Severus; her fingers beginning their routine twist and pull as she braided her hair back from her face. Still shaken from his earlier visits in her mind he watched her carefully, reading the stubbornness lurking in the shadows of her face. She pulled her wand from her sleeve — at what point had she moved it from its usual place in her back pocket? — and faced both boys.

Draco gave one more glance at Severus before seemingly making up his mind. 'Just don't expect me to save your arse, Potter.'

Granger slid into her starting position, arms poised high. 'Shut up and make a move, Malfoy.'

'Ladies first,' he replied sweetly, sketching a bow. Potter stood motionless to the side.

Severus leant his hip against the edge of the desk. This was certainly going to be an interesting match.

Granger was first off the mark, a bright red stinging jinx aimed straight to kill. Draco deflected it with ease, Severus expecting nothing less. Granger wasn't his first private student— the Dark Lord didn't care much about the Ministry's rules on underage magic.

Before Draco could counter-attack, Granger was already there with her next spell, her stance strong. He wasn't as quick to react this time and the hex clipped his shoulder. Draco hissed through his teeth, covering the burn with his hand.

'You'll pay for that.'

Granger danced away from his shot. 'I'm sure I will.'

The two parried back and forth, equally matched fighters. Granger's face was schooled carefully blank, lost within herself. In her mock duels against other Gryffindors she was always reserved, always holding herself back. The intention and drive behind her attacks were never quite the same as when she faced off against himself behind the closed door of his office. But fighting against Draco, the rival of her friend? Severus had to admit there was a kind of dangerous beauty in her approach.

Draco, on the other hand, was growing more annoyed with every failed blow. He couldn't quite gain the upper-hand and it was beginning to bleed out through his actions. Unlike Granger, it was clear he had easily put aside Severus' teachings and gone straight into aggressive, headstrong teenager mode. It was clear he wouldn't hold out for long.

Suddenly there was a gasp as Granger's footing slipped on a loose flagstone and she stumbled. Severus' fingers tightened around his forearm in annoyance. Draco had spotted the opportunity and flung a hex in her direction. Her non-wand arm came up to shield her face when a large wall of blue exploded in front of her. Several students cheered as Potter stood with his feet planted firmly apart, glaring at Draco.

'What are you doing? We're on the same side,' Draco protested.

'You attacked her,' cried Potter.

'You bleeding idiot— that's the point!'

Granger wiped at the perspiration on her forehead and narrowed her eyes at Potter. 'I was doing perfectly fine without your help, thank you very much.'

Which wasn't entirely true. If Potter hadn't interfered, she would be flat on her back.

Severus pushed off from the desk and made his way into the circle. 'Enough,' he drawled, pushing aside Zabini and Parkinson. 'Five points from Gryffindor for failing to follow instructions. Potter, did I or did I not ask you to participate?'

Potter's fists clenched and unclenched at his sides. 'Yes.'

'Yes sir. Then why are you playing the role of damsel in distress, allowing Draco to do all the work?'

There was a titter of laughter.

'But you're asking me to partner with my enemy to fight against my best friend.'

'Correct. How can you be sure you wouldn't come across a similar situation in the heat of battle? A long-standing enemy who, in reality, has been acting as a spy all along. A friend who decides to take the path of least resistance. You will never know who is on your side until the first spell is cast. Now stop messing about and get on with it.'

Logic triumphed over ego. Potter let out a long huff of breath before moving to stand awkwardly beside Draco. They made an odd pair, the contrast between Potter's shock of black hair and Draco's white-blonde startling.

'Are you sure about this, Hermione?' Potter asked gallantly.

There was a ghost of a smile in the corner of her mouth as she dropped back onto her haunches. 'You think I can't handle it?'

Draco slid into an offensive position and glanced sideways at Potter. 'If you mess this up I'll cram your head so far down a toilet bowl it will make Moaning Myrtle's death look tame.'

Potter scowled. 'Is that literally the best you could come up with, ferret?'

Before either could issue another word, Granger was attacking them with gusto.

Neither would ever admit it, but Severus thought it was incredible the way Draco and Potter fell into step with one another. While they weren't quite the seasoned pair, they had fought enough to understand where the other's weakness lay, and how to suitably plug the gaps.

But it was Granger who drew his attention.

Her moves weren't anything brilliant. In fact, Severus was surprised and particularly annoyed to see she wasn't using any of her advanced techniques. Instead, she stuck to her basics, like he showed her in that first lesson. She spent more time on the defence than attacking, her rhythm and the ability to move quickly which kept her in the ring for so long.

In the end, Draco's cocky attitude would only take him so far. He sent a jet of orange in her direction just as Granger countered with her own blast of green. Time hung in the balance as her spell hit his mid-air, the two jets colliding with each other. Draco's orange jinx exploded into many shards, rebounding back toward him. He brought his arms up to deflect, but it was too late. The shards caught him square in the chest, and he flew back, the crowd parting around him.

Everyone was silent as Crabbe leaned over Draco's body. 'He's out cold, sir.'

Granger and Potter's eyes snapped to each other's, a look of shock and then dawning realisation passing between them.

Potter was quick, but Granger was quicker. In two moves she had him pinned on his back, his wand in her left hand as her own was pointed at his abdomen, their chests heaving. For a moment Severus was so sure she was going to take Potter out, but then a slow smile spread on their faces, the tension breaking as twin peels of laughter echoed through the room.

'I wasn't expecting that,' Potter laughed, his arms spread wide in surrender.

Granger grinned at him. 'I've been practising.'

'No kidding.'

Severus' chest clenched at their mirth.

'Not so fast. You were supposed to render your opponent unconscious, Miss Granger. Finish the job,' he ground out.

She turned her head to him, the connection between her and Potter failing. 'Does it matter, sir? I've got his wand, I've clearly won.'

'Wrong. You may have taken his wand, but you haven't incapacitated him. He could be proficient at wandless magic, or he could be hiding a cursed object. An unarmed man wouldn't think twice about snapping your throat with his bare hands.'

Granger looked back at Potter. 'He wouldn't do that.'

'Are you so sure?'

She licked her lips, her grip on her wand tightening. Potter slowly raised his hands in front of his face. 'Hermione…'

'Put him out of his misery, Miss Granger,' Severus demanded.

She shook her head, staring at Potter unblinking. 'No. I won't do it.'

The bell tolled, signalling the end of class.

Severus threw out an arm before the students could make a move toward the exit. 'Don't move a muscle,' he told them quietly. 'Not until Miss Granger finishes this.'

There was a collective groan.

'Stun him, Granger, or I'll do it myself,' hissed Parkinson.

Weasley shoved his way forward into the circle. 'You leave off her!'

'This is ridiculous, why should we stand around when all she has to do is knock him out. She had no issue with taking Draco down,' she countered.

'Silence…' Severus growled.

Granger and Potter were still locked eye to eye. She took a breath and for a second Severus was so sure she was going to do it. But then her arm dropped and Potter breathed out a sigh of relief.

Something ugly writhed in his belly.

'Very well then, Miss Granger. Stupify.'

Her body crumpled where she stood, narrowly missing Potter as she came down.

'What the hell was that for,' he yelled.

'She needed to learn a lesson,' Severus replied lazily. Before Potter could revive her Severus shook his head. 'Leave her. She'll come around.'

'But she might need medical attention. I need to take her to the hospital wing,' Potter insisted, standing protectively over her, his chest puffed out.

'How noble of you. Fortunately for us, she did not hit her head. The only thing bruised will be her ego. Now get out of here, all of you. Before I change my mind and give you detention.'

Potter hesitated, glancing nervously at Weasley. Out of the corner of Severus' eye he could see Crabbe and Goyle trying fruitlessly to wake up Draco before giving up and carrying him out of the room between them.

Weasley shook his head, 'Let's just go, Harry. We'll wait for her in the common room.'

Potter cast one last look at Granger before following his companions out of the room.

Smart boy.

Severus waited until the last student had collected their belongings before slumping down behind his desk, massaging his temples. What a mess. It was always in the plan to teach them partnered-combat, but not like that. And certainly not two against one. It was embarrassing and downright dangerous the way he had allowed his emotions to get the better of him. All because he had to give in to the impulse to view Granger's mind. Why.

He was still drowning in self-loathing when Granger woke up with a groan, clutching her head as she sat up. She stared around the room, confusion on her face.

'What time is it?'

'Twenty past five,' Severus told her dryly.

Her confusion was quickly replaced with anger. 'You… what was the point of that?'

He folded his hands neatly on top of his desk. 'It got your attention.'

'My attention?' Her voice had reached a shrill level that made him wince. 'There was absolutely no need for that. I had his wand, it was a controlled environment. He was never going to attack me. If you did it just to teach me a lesson then you are more—' she broke off, clutching her chest as she stood. Her face paled and Severus pulled out a vile from his desk, setting it calmly on the edge.

'Take this before you give yourself a heart attack.'

The glare she shot him as she snatched the vile was pure Slytherin.

'You say you wouldn't have stunned Potter, but I don't entirely believe you.' He held up a hand when she opened her mouth to defend herself. 'You would have done it if he was your enemy, yes. You certainly took Mr Malfoy down quick enough. But what if the person you were up against was once a friendly face?'

Granger pulled her hands into her sleeves, eyeing him with contempt. 'You've made your point. Can I go now, sir?'

'Despite your valiant efforts you won that battle through sheer dumb luck. I expected better. You had an entire array of advanced techniques at your disposal and yet you didn't use a single one. Why?'

She rolled her eyes, a gesture even two months ago he would have reprimanded her for. 'Are you serious? I'm fairly certain if I'd have used anything beyond what's covered in The Standard Book of Spells you would have annihilated me.'

He should have been annoyed by her cheek. Instead he snorted, too tired to play stern schoolmaster. 'You're probably right.'

Granger twisted the sleeves of her robes between her fingers. 'Does this mean you're not angry at me anymore?'

Severus stared at her for a long moment, mildly debating whether to obliviate her for what she had seen. It wasn't much – more a fragment than a true memory, but it was enough. Enough for her to gain an understanding of the man with whom she traded secrets with. When Potter had peered into the pensive, Severus had felt murderous and violated.

But this time was different. This time he had been the one exposing her memories. It wasn't lost on him that she should be angry with him, and yet here she stood, asking for forgiveness.

He sighed deeply and shook his head. 'No,' he told her quietly. 'Now go on before Potter and Weasley send a search party.'

Granger offered him the hint of a smile. 'Thanks to you, I think they're now aware I can take care of myself.'

The corner of his mouth twitched. 'Indeed.'


Authors note:

I'm forever grateful for your kind support! :)

Playlist:
Soma, Smashing Pumpkins
Seven Nation Army - The Glitch Mob Remix, The White Stripes and the Glitch Mob