Chapter 15 — An Unexpected Ally

As the week passed, Hermione continued to heal Harry's hand after each night he had detention and then soaked it in Murtlap Essence afterwards. The words still shone white across the back of his hand — it was likely to never go away. Thankfully, his last detention had been the night before and Merlin, Hermione hoped he would keep his mouth shut during Umbridge's class.

"Hey," Harry said, sliding onto the Gryffindor bench next to her. She was reading a textbook propped up against the orange juice, as usual. She put it down as Harry reached for the buttered toast.

"Good morning," Hermione said. "How is your hand this morning?" Harry held out his right hand to her; it was still scabbed a bit, but Hermione was pleased with the progress. "Looks good."

Harry started to eat, and they sat in comfortable silence for several minutes before Hermione spoke again. "I think I am going to go see Madam Pomfrey this morning."

Harry frowned and with a piece of toast in his mouth, said, "What? Why? Are you sick?"

She shook her head. "No. You know my...issue?" He nodded. "Well, I want to talk to her about it. I think she could be a good ally for us in case we need it."

He swallowed the toast and didn't respond for a moment. After taking a sip of water, he looked at her. "That would be nice to have an adult that we can confide in."

"Exactly my thought." With that, Hermione crawled off the bench, placed a quick kiss on Harry's cheek and bounced off to the infirmary.

"Madam Pomfrey," Hermione called walking through the infirmary and to the back office.

Before she could knock on the office door, the matron walked out to greet her. "Miss Granger, what can I do for you?"

"I was hoping we could talk, about...you know." Hermione bit her lip, hoping that the matron picked up on what she was saying.

"Very well, let's speak in the privacy of my office. Let me just put up a monitoring charm to make sure no one comes in, in need of assistance." Hermione nodded and waited as the witch pulled out her wand and wordlessly cast the charm. Then, she gestured to the door of her office. "After you, Miss Granger."

Hermione took a familiar seat in the office and waited as the matron shut the door and took a seat on the other side of the desk.

"Now, you wanted to talk about you being a mermaid. Were my notes of any help?"

"Very much so, Madam Pomfrey. Thank you." Hermione continued on, spilling her adventures with Harry from the summer in Greece. She was a great listener — oohing and ahhing and gasping all in the right places.

"Sounds like you have quite the decision to make. Just out of curiosity, why have you come to me?"

"I felt like you were the logical choice. After all, you had this decision once before as well. And it was you...or Professor Snape."

Madam Pomfrey smiled. "It might not be a bad idea to make a visit to Professor Snape as well. After all, I know that you did write to him over the summer."

Hermione raised an eyebrow at her. "How do you know that?"

Madam Pomfrey leaned across the desk. "A woman never tells her secrets," she said, winking at Hermione. Hermione giggled and then sighed.

"I didn't need anything specific. I have already made my decision, but I just felt I needed to tell someone other than Harry and Ron. Someone that could keep our secrets and be of assistance to us if we needed it."

Madam Pomfrey bowed her head in acknowledgement. "I am honoured that you felt you could come to me. Though please do take what I said into consideration—" Hermione looked at her funny. "—Go see Professor Snape. You might not like him. You don't have to, but I believe that he will be a valuable resource to both you and Harry."

"You—You haven't told him any of this have you?"

She shook her head. "He only confided in me about the letter you and Mister Potter had written. He asked me if I knew anything in passing, but I've not told a soul. I'm under oath as a healer. Besides, it's not my secret to tell."

With the conversation at a close, Hermione stood and thanked the matron for her time. As she left the infirmary, the wheels in Hermione's brain were turning at a rapid pace. Professor Snape? How could he be of any more help?

She walked mechanically toward her first class of the day, too distracted to look at where she was going.

"Hermione!" Harry said as he ran up to her. "How did it go?"

She shook her head and mouthed, "Not now."

Harry nodded and together they walked into Transfiguration. After class, the two of them plus a gaggle of Gryffindors made their way down to Care of Magical Creatures to the paddock near Hagrid's hut, though Hagrid was nowhere in sight — hadn't been since the beginning of the year. She, Harry, and Ron purposely stood off to the side while Professor Grubbly-Plank explained the lesson.

"Hey," Hermione whispered. "Let's get one of the unicorns to ourselves so that we can chat. I have something to tell you both." They nodded, and when the professor let them go, they beelined for the unicorn furthest away. Hermione began petting the creature, Harry and Ron standing on each side of her.

"What is it?" Harry said, keeping his voice low.

"Well, you know how I went to Madam Pomfrey this morning?" Harry nodded.

"I don't, but now I do. But go on," Ron said.

"Well, I told her everything."

"Everything?"

"Everything," Hermione repeated. "I know you both know, but it will be nice to have an adult in our corner. She seemed the most logical and plus, I didn't think of this before — but technically it falls under her healer oath. She isn't allowed to spew the secrets of students."

"Even to other professors?" Ron asked, looking sceptical.

Hermione nodded. "Even to other professors." She paused. "Which brings me to my next point." Looking at both her friends, she took a deep breath. "I don't want either of you to overreact, especially right here and now. We can talk about this more in depth later, but now is not the time to throw a hissy."

"We do not throw hissys," Ron said, scrunching his nose.

"I beg to differ, Ronald. Need I point out all of them, beginning with first year?"

"No!" Harry said, just a little too loudly as Professor Grubbly-Plank walked their way.

"Everything alright, Mister Potter?" she asked, looking at the trio carefully.

The three of them nodded. "All is fine, Professor," Harry responded.

"Alright then," she said, although still looking a bit curiously at them as if she knew they weren't telling the truth. She checked her watch. "It's about time for class to be dismissed, you best head up, so you aren't late. Your assignment is to write 12 inches on the uses of a unicorn. Explain why or why not the uses are ethical."

"Yes, Professor," the trio chorused. Hermione retrieved her bag, Harry and Ron following. Together they walked back up to the castle.

"What were you going to tell us?" Harry said, looking behind them to make sure they were far enough away from the next group to not be overheard.

"No overreacting remember?" They nodded in response. "Madam Pomfrey thinks we should go to Professor Snape as he could be a valuable resource to us as well."

"Why in the bloody hell would she think he could be a valuable resource to us?" Ron asked, kicking the dirt on the ground.

Hermione shrugged. "He helped me and Harry this summer when we needed into the library in Greece. Perhaps it would be worth a shot."

Harry frowned and looked ahead.

"Harry, what do you think?" He just shrugged and didn't respond.

"Look, I know you don't like him and he isn't the most pleasant to be around, but I trust Madam Pomfrey despite her lying to me about my condition at first. I think that we should go and at least thank him for helping us and see what he has to offer."

"I'm out," Ron said. "You guys wrote to him, not me. I am not standing in that greasy git's presence any longer than I have to. Potions class is enough for me."

"That's fine," Hermione said, almost sighing in relief because she had a feeling if Ron had tagged along, it wouldn't have gone well.

"Harry?" Hermione asked again, tentatively. "What do you think?"

He looked at her with a squint in his eyes, as the sun was shining through his glasses. "He hates me...I know it. But I'll go if it means that much to you — if you think we should."

"I do."

"Then I'll go with you."

Hermione smiled and looped her arm through his. "Thanks, Harry." He grinned back.

"Ugh," Ron said. "You two are disgusting." He pretended like he was going to be sick.

Harry grinned. "Shut it, mate," he said, as he unlooped his arm from Hermione's and shoved his friend to the side.

"When do you think we should talk to Professor Snape?" Hermione asked, smiling at the boys' exchange.

"What about after Potions?" Harry suggested.

"We can try, but I know there is a 7th-year N.E.W.T class right after ours. He might not have time."

"Well, if he doesn't have time, we will ask to schedule a meeting with him at another time. Tonight would be ideal."

"Eager?"

"I just want to know what kind of information Madam Pomfrey thought he could give us. And I am actually extremely curious to why he gave us that letter of recommendation. What was his motive?"

"Maybe he just wanted to help us," Hermione said, as they pushed open the front doors to the castle. Harry looked at her like really? Hermione shrugged in response. "It's just a thought."

They made their way down to the dungeons. Potions class passed as usual — Professor Snape scowling at them all, barking at Neville, and giving Slytherin points that they didn't earn. One thing that was out of the ordinary though was that he looked Harry and Hermione's way several times, a sneer not to be found upon his face. Odd. Perhaps Madam Pomfrey had given him a heads up that they would be coming to see him.

He dismissed class, and Hermione looked at Harry, who gave her a nod. Together, they walked down the steps to their professor's desk.

"Yes?" Snape drawled out as they stopped in front of him, not looking up from the essays he was grading.

"Prof-Professor Snape?" Hermione asked. He sighed and set down his quill. As he looked up at him, he folded his hands under his chin.

"What can I do for you, Miss Granger, Mister Potter?"

"Well, we just wanted to thank you for giving us a reference for the Mykonos Library this summer. After we gave our names, I am not sure Harry even needed it." She giggled nervously.

"Yes, I am sure Mister Potter's fame precedes him," he said, his voice bored.

Hermione fidgeted and looked at Harry. She didn't know what to ask—what to do. Her Gryffindor courage was a little weak in front of the intimidating Potions master.

"Was there anything else? My N.E.W.T class is starting to file in." He gestured to the door and sure enough, several seventh years students were setting up their stations.

"Could we meet with you this evening, sir? Hermione spoke to Madam Pomfrey, and she directed us to you. We have some things we'd like to discuss with you."

He looked at both of them carefully as if they were lying or trying to play some trick on him. "Very well. 8 o'clock sharp. Don't be late."

"Thank you, sir!" Hermione said. They turned and walked out, and Hermione let out a sigh of relief as soon as they made it the Entrance Hall.

"What happened back there?" Harry asked. "You could barely get your words out in front of him."

Hermione blushed, embarrassed.

"I don't know. I am fine talking to him about school work, but as this is really personal, I didn't know what to say. And his eyes just felt like they were boring into me like he could see my soul." She shivered.

"At least he agreed to meet with us," he said. They walked into a bustling Great Hall, right at the peak of lunchtime.

"Look, there's Dumbledore," Hermione said, pointing out the Headmaster who was looking at them curiously. "He hasn't been here much."

Harry glanced up, and as soon as he did, Dumbledore looked away. "I find it odd that he hasn't contacted me. And each time I look at him when he's here, he refuses to look me in the eye."

Hermione frowned. "I wonder why that is."

"Who knows," Harry said, shrugging. "But let's eat. I'm starved."

Hermione frowned a bit at Harry's nonchalance. She thought perhaps it was bothering him more than he let on. Dumbledore was his mentor after all, and seeing him blatantly ignoring Harry...well, she wouldn't push the subject now, but she would store away the information for a later time.

The day passed uneventfully in Hermione's mind, but she couldn't get it out of her head that Professor Dumbledore was acting strangely. Harry said each time he had looked in the Headmaster's direction in the past week, he had pointedly looked away. It was especially odd that he hadn't contacted Harry over the break or came to see him when they were at Grimmauld Place. The Headmaster was an eccentric man, that much you could tell by his clothing choices alone, but this was something more.

After dinner, the trio and Neville settled down in the common room to work on some homework. When it was fifteen minutes until eight, Harry and Hermione made their excuses and headed down to Professor Snape's office. Luckily, they didn't pass anyone who would hinder their journey to the dungeons. Hermione was extra thankful Umbridge wasn't around. Despite it not being curfew, she wouldn't put it past the toad to hand out detentions to them both.

A chill crept over Hermione as they entered the dungeons. She pulled her robes closer around her, and they quickly made their way to their Potions classroom. Harry lifted up his knuckles to knock.

"Enter."

As they walked in, she saw that their professor was continuing to grade essays. He stopped as they reached his desk.

"Let's go somewhere more private," Professor Snape suggested as he stood up from his desk. He stretched his arms above his head first before leading them through a door to the right of his desk.

Hermione was giddy with excitement as she would get to learn something new about their professor. Hardly anyone met with him in his private quarters, except for other professors of course.

"Woah," Hermione whispered, one hand lightly grasping Harry's robes.

It was dark, lit with only an oil lamp. She squinted through the darkness, but couldn't make out anything except Harry standing next to her. With a wave of Snape's hand, more lamps were lit, and they were thrown into what Hermione briefly thought was an alternate universe. This wasn't Snape's quarters, was it? It was homier than she thought it would be — so unlike the darkness and dreariness of the dungeons. The sofas and various pieces of furniture were dark brown, and surprisingly, the throw across the back was red. It seemed very cabin-esque; something straight out of the mountains.

Hermione looked around the rest of the room. There was a painting of a woman above the fireplace — it wasn't moving, hinting that it was a Muggle portrait. She had dark eyes, sallow skin, and straight, jet black hair...just as Professor Snape did. She wondered if it was his mother.

When she turned, he was watching her. His lip curled like he knew what she was thinking and she hastily looked away.

He gestured for both Harry and Hermione to sit. They did, on the sofa while he took a seat across from them in a matching armchair.

Before Hermione could speak, a house-elf popped in with a tea tray before quietly exiting.

"Tea?" he offered. Hermione nodded her head politely and nudged Harry in the side to do the same. He gave her a look, telling her he wasn't daft.

"Thank you," she whispered, accepting the freshly poured cup that floated her way and adding a bit of milk and sugar into it. Taking a sip, it calmed her right down.

Professor Snape took a sip of the tea as well before he set it down and looked at first Harry, then her. He had a glint in his eyes as if he were curious about them. Almost as if he had never seen them before.

"So Mister Potter," he said, contempt dripping from his tongue. "Miss Granger...what can I do for you?"

Hermione cleared her throat and glanced at Harry quickly before returning her gaze to her Professor — not backing down when he looked her straight in the eye.

"Actually Professor, there is something that needs to be said before we continue. Specifically regarding yours and Harry's relationship."

Harry's mouth gaped open at her admission. She wasn't surprised — they hadn't discussed anything of the sort before coming down here.

If their Professor looked surprised, he didn't show it. Though the twitch in his eyebrow gave away that he knew where the conversation was headed.

"Go on," he said, simply.

"Well, I think before we disclose any information, it would be wise for the two of you to air your grievances. It's no secret Professor Snape that you dislike Harry so much, it borders on hatred. And Harry, since our first day here and most likely in response to that treatment, has done the same."

Harry nodded, though he refused to look up from his teacup.

Snape looked at her curiously and took a sip of his tea before responding. "What incentive is there for me to tell you? I assure you, the story goes back far before you were born. Why should I tell my secrets?"

"We have secrets of our own that we are willing to share and want to confide in you, but I think we—or mainly Harry, deserve to know what he did to deserve the treatment. If you would like me to leave the room, I can."

He shook his head and looked down at his clasped hands. "It's complicated, Miss Granger." Hermione nodded her head in understanding. "But I am willing to share a few small details in hopes that it can potentially make class-life and perhaps, our personal lives better." He looked up at Harry, somewhat skeptically

Harry finally looked up from his cup and nodded, his messy hair moving with him. "I think I would like that very much. I don't very much fancy Potions, but I think it would be bearable if I knew I wasn't hated the moment I stepped into the classroom."

"I don't hate you." Harry snorted at that. "It's true. Like I said to Miss Granger, it's a story that begins far before you were born. And much too long to get into now. Perhaps, if our truce continues, I will tell you. But now is not the time."

Hermione watched as Harry nodded.

"You are so like your father, it is difficult to not associate him with you. Except for your eyes, you have—"

"—My mother's eyes. So I've been told." Harry's lips thinned as he brought them together. She knew it was difficult to talk about his parents. "Did you—Did you know them, then? My mum and dad, I mean?"

Snape inclined his head again. "I was in their year at Hogwarts, and I knew your mother before Hogwarts. We met as children in the village we lived in."

Harry's face lit up. "Really?"

Hermione was surprised by that tidbit of information and Severus sent a grimace their way, as if he was dwelling on unpleasant memories. But Harry perked up, intrigued. It was rare that Harry had someone to talk to about his parents, especially with someone who seemed to know them well, or at least was near them often enough to have stories.

"Really. Your mother was...but again that is a story for another time, if ever." Harry opened his mouth to interrupt, but Severus continued on. "And your father, well, let's just say that we did not get along. He was a Gryffindor through and through, and he hated me from the moment the hat proclaimed me a Slytherin. I have to admit, I was most likely unpleasant to be around...my home life wasn't too great, you see." Hermione noticed that his eyes flickered to the portrait above the fireplace hinting once more that the woman was indeed his mother.

"...though your mother didn't seem to mind. But James' despised that we were friends. House ties were strong even then you see. I was also smart and unpleasant — far from popular. That hasn't changed. I was an easy target."

Hermione opened her mouth to respond, and he held up his hand. "No pity, Miss Granger—" She blushed. He knew exactly what she had been planning to say. "It's no one's fault, except my own...and maybe my father's. I am used to bearing that burden I partially placed upon myself."

She nodded. It seemed that there was no love lost between Professor Snape and his father especially since there were no other portraits besides the one she assumed was of his mother.

"Anyway," Snape said, continuing on. "We were rivals since we started at Hogwarts and once he befriended the other Marauders well, they were unstoppable. But I seemed to be their favourite target." He sighed, and Hermione felt bad for him. It was like Malfoy picking on Neville — endless and harsh.

Harry looked at Hermione before looking back to Snape. "So that's it?" Harry asked. "He bullied you, played that prank on you with Sirius and you decided to take it out on me when I got here?"

Snape sighed and leaned back in his chair, running his hands through his greasy hair. "It isn't that simple. Something happened when we were older...I don't think I will share that with you quite yet. But it turned strong dislike into complete hatred on both ends. Lily got caught in the middle."

Ah, Hermione thought to herself. Lily chose James over Snape. It all made a bit more sense now why the hatred of James continued to be directed to Harry after all of these years. He had yet to heal from the heartbreak.

Harry nodded. "Maybe sometime you can tell me?" She could hear the hope in his voice. Even if it was something horrible about his dad and his favourite people, he wanted to know. He wanted to latch on to any piece of information about his parents that he could because he had been starved of information about them over the years.

"Perhaps," was all he got. Harry nodded again and looked back down at his teacup. "Though I think—no, I know that I can attempt to push back that hatred and see you clearly."

Harry looked up and gave the professor a closed-mouth smile. Maybe Professor Snape was exactly what Harry needed. He had been poorly treated as well — it could be something they bonded over and healed from. It was clear that the hatred he had endured as a child, seeped into his life as an adult.

"I think that would be nice. Though it's okay if you think I am an attention seeking, famous prick," Harry said, breaking into a full grin. "You wouldn't be the only one."

Snape smirked. "Rita Skeeter will get her due, don't worry."

It was Hermione's turn to smirk. "Oh, she already has."

He looked at her curiously once more. "So does that sate you, Miss Granger? Mister Potter and I have agreed here to attempt to hate each other less."

"It does. Now, perhaps we can tell our story?" She looked down at the watch dawning her left wrist. "Though it is getting late. I don't want to get stopped by Professor Umbridge."

Snape huffed and rolled his eyes, surprising both Hermione and Harry. "That woman will also get her comeuppance. Mark my words."

Hermione's eyes went wide as she took in the implication of his words. If Umbridge was pissing off even Snape, what would he do to shut her up? The possibilities were fun to dream about— she could only imagine the day she stepped on his toes.

"But to answer your question," Snape continued. "If you wish to tell your story, I will give you a corridor pass from me so she cannot give you detention. How is that?"

Hermione looked at Harry to get a confirmation on what he wanted to do. "Let's stay, you know what I want to know…"

"I do." She looked up at Snape. "Well, I better get to it. It all started when Viktor pulled me out of the lake after the Second Task of the Triwizard Tournament." Hermione went on to detail conversations with Viktor, Harry, Madam Pomfrey and their adventures over the summer in Greece. When it came time to talk about the library, Harry couldn't help himself.

"Why did you help us?" Harry asked, his head tilted slightly as he questioned their Potions master.

Snape pursed his lips, Hermione leaned forward on the sofa, eager to hear the answer as well.

"It was a feeling. I don't know how to explain it. And Professors are supposed to help their students in a time of academic need, right?"

Hermione laughed. "I don't think that is how the saying goes, Professor. But thank you for helping us. It was quite informative, as you now know."

She continued on with the story, Snape raising an eyebrow when she told of them swimming down to the merperson colony of Greece. She babbled along until the story caught up with where they were at this exact moment.

"...and now here we are," she said, finally, closing her hands on her lap.

Severus didn't respond for a moment. "I did speak with Madam Pomfrey about receiving her letter, but she was less than...forthcoming. There is one thing that I do believe can benefit you, especially now that the Dark Lord has returned."

Hermione's hand flew up to her mouth, as she turned over the implications of Snape calling Voldemort the Dark Lord. Only his followers were the ones to usually do that. Did that mean he was…?

"Don't be so surprised, Miss Granger. And now that you've figured out my secret, the one thing that can benefit you is necessary."

Harry looked around wildly. "What? What are you talking about?"

"It's best that you do not know until you can protect your mind. Miss Granger," he said, using her name and looking her directly in the eyes. "I need you to keep this secret from him until the time is right."

Harry was about to blow up next to her, and she grasped his hand. She nodded in agreement.

"What? Why can't I know now? And why can't Hermione tell me?"

"Because, it could mean life or death for him, Harry," Hermione said, explaining.

"Oookay then…when can I know?"

Severus sighed. "You both need to learn occlumency, especially if you don't want the Dark Lord discovering your secrets. Once you have mastered the skill, I will divulge or have Miss Granger tell you the information she has discovered. Are we clear?"

"Yes, Professor," they chanted back at him. They stood from the sofa, their meeting coming to a close. It was best if they got back quickly, even with a corridor pass.

"Before we leave," he said, as they were walking out his quarters. "I will send one owl to one of you sometime this week to set up a meeting time. It would be best if you could keep yourself out of detention so I can guise this as detention instead of its actual intentions."

Hermione nodded and looked at Harry. It was him they needed to worry about. The professor bid them goodnight and sent them on their way with a note from him.

As they walked into the portrait hole of Gryffindor Tower, Harry asked again. "Why can't you tell me?"

"Harry, I want to. But Professor Snape could die if this gets out. I think it's best if we wait until we complete occlumency...and hopefully, I complete it sooner than later so I can keep our secrets and his secret safe."

"Fine. Do you think that we should see if Ron can be taught? He knows the secrets too."

Hermione shook her head. "Three's a crowd and we already have five people that know about this." She pointed to herself. "I think we are putting everything at risk by including any more people. I know he is our friend, but maybe keeping him in the dark with these new revelations is best. We know Ron, he could talk about it without realising what he is doing. Plus, it's a tough branch of magic, I will even have to try hard to master it."

Harry flopped down on the sofa where they had left their homework earlier, covering his face with his arm. "What good will it do me then?"

Hermione slid onto the sofa next to him, her arms going around his middle, her head on his shoulder. "You can do this. Plus, I think it could help with your nightmares. Especially since I can't be there with you each night to keep them at bay."

Harry sighed in response, moving his arm from his face to curl around her shoulders.

"Tomorrow I will go and get some books from the library about the subject. That way we can read up on it in preparation for meeting with him next time."

Harry nodded and before she knew it, he had drifted to sleep. She hoped his dreams were not plagued by nightmares.

A/N: Huge shoutout to HeartOfAspen for her work on this chapter. This story would be much less without her x