Hermione started at the photograph in front of her.
Severus, glowered. He stood up and strode to the bathroom. Hermione followed him.
He stared at the mirror, his fingers grasping the edge of the stonework.
"Revelio," he ordered.
"That's not polite," Hermione pointed out furrowing her eyebrows at him.
Severus glared at her.
"It's a mirror," Severus said calmly, as if explaining something basic to a child.
"I know it's a mirror," answered Hermione annoyed. "But it's been here longer than either of us, and if someone tromped into my house demanding things, I'd tell it where to go."
"It is nice to see one of you has manners," remarked a gentle-faced elderly witch from the mirror surface. She was done up in antique garments of delicate blue. Gold runes were inscribed into the white fur that snaked its way around the edge of her tall hat.
Severus jumped back so quickly he slipped and fell over backwards. He sat down hard and struck his head on the opposite wall.
"Is he tickle-brained?" the witch asked warily.
"I beg your pardon!" Snape was irritated.
"I'm very sorry, Madam," Hermione said. "We just discovered you live here, and he's…" she cast about for a phrase.
"Paranoid?" provided the witch.
"That works," replied Hermione, helping Severus to his feet.
"I suppose it would be a shock," remarked the witch kindly. "The last time I spoke to a soul was the Year of our Lord 1742. Then Lyons expired, and the chamber was vacant. He was a handsome fellow. Sang in the morning. Nice bottom."
"It's 1997," said Hermione hesitantly, avoiding that last part.
"I see," replied the witch, clearly shaken. "I cannot understand why I was left behind for so long. I gave thought into the apartments. They would be beneficial for generations."
"You're Helga Hufflepuff?" asked Hermione, breathless.
Severus narrowed his eyes.
"Why, certainly, dear," answered Helga, tenderly. "I am sorry I did not introduce myself directly."
"How did you come to be in a common mirror?" barked Severus as he drew his wand. "Why would Headmaster Lyons never tell anyone?"
"I commissioned a portrait of myself before my death," said Helga, disregarding the Potions Professor. "Later, I stowed away the portrait within the mirror. I don't understand why Lyons never told anyone. Perhaps he thought I would be moved if anyone knew."
"How could you put a portrait into a mirror?" asked Hermione with a perplexed expression.
"Mirrors used to be made of mercury and glass," said Severus in an ordinary voice as he lowered his wand. "What a clever trick."
"Thank you, good sir!" Exclaimed Helga sincerely, nodding her head; not insulted at all that someone hundreds of years her junior had called her brilliant enchantment a 'clever trick.'
"Mercury and glass?" Hermione said questioningly.
"When designing an item that changes into a teleportation portal, a mix of mercury and glass is employed to create a fundamental component in the anointing potion," Severus said as if recalling a textbook. "Since the portrait would be hidden, not actually teleported anywhere, all the glass would have to do is become a point of stasis."
"What?" asked Hermione, a confused look on her face.
"I set up a pocket of space, threw the portrait in and locked it up," said Helga. "He is just attempting to impress you."
"I am not," said Severus defensively.
"Certainly, you are," answered Helga knowingly.
Severus was suddenly glad he had sought sanctuary in the opposite rooms rather than waking up to this every morning.
Hermione giggled.
"You live here presently, dear?" Helga asked Hermione.
"Yes ma'am," replied Hermione. She hurriedly explained the legislation established by the Ministry and why a pupil was dwelling in the quarters of a faculty member before Helga started to ask. Hermione had a hunch she was a lady that was something to be frightened of when provoked.
Severus was quickly reminded of Molly Weasley.
"I beg your pardon?!" she squawked loudly. "Impertinent fool-born lout!" she thundered. "Leave it to a man to come up with such a beef-witted idea! Let me talk to the headmaster! We'll have that fool expunged from the records and strip him of rank!"
Hermione made a mental reminder to convince Helga to teach her medieval slang and find out what ranks meant.
"Don't tell me," Helga blustered on. "He's a descendent of that flap-mouthed Salazar. Never did have anything to rattle between his ears. I suspect his progeny would turn out no better."
Hermione and Severus were both quiet. Their faces went slack of expression and they glanced at each other.
"Something terrible has happened," said Helga. Her eyes skittered from Severus to Hermione. She looked frightened. "Tell me."
Severus reached up and removed the mirror. Helga was jostled about and caught the inside of the frame to keep her balance.
"I'm not eating my supper in a toilet," he declared. "If I have to explain unpleasant circumstances, I'm not going to be hungry."
They left the bathroom together and sat down for their meal. Severus propped the mirror on a chair so they could talk to Helga comfortably.
"Has Hogwarts degraded to a situation where they cannot manage to cook its meat?" Helga asked, alarmed.
Hermione quickly explained sushi to her and assured her it was delicious. Helga then saw the photographs and Hermione had to dredge up what she remembered about the history of photography. She was thankful Colin tended to be long winded about details.
"Well," answered Helga, attempting to understand some of the technological developments.
Severus decided the easiest place to begin history was after Lyons had departed. Voldemort had been such a powerful part of their modern history he elected to give her a lesson covering the last two centuries. Hermione often went to a bookshelf to consult when their memories failed, or Helga had a question they couldn't answer.
Dinner was over. Dobby returned to remove their dishes and Severus stopped him as he was leaving.
"Dobby, I would appreciate it if you could place a hook in a distinguished area in the drawing room for Madam Hufflepuffs' mirror," said Severus.
"Very well, sir," said Dobby cheerfully. "Is there anything else you would be wanting sir and madam?"
"Some trifle?" suggested Severus.
"If it isn't any trouble," blurted Hermione hastily, shooting Severus an admonishing glance.
"Dessert and one hook," repeated Dobby. "I will return shortly sir and madams."
"Thank you, Dobby," said Severus. "Where were we?"
"Grindelwald," answered Hermione.
Severus continued through their dessert and by the time Dobby poured tea Severus had started talking about Tom Riddle and Voldemort. By the time he had finished Helga was shaking her head in misery.
"I never expected anyone would grant that fool a measure of thought past his death," Helga said worriedly. Severus stayed uncomfortably quiet. Helga didn't appear to notice. "He had an entire chamber with a basilisk?"
"I assumed each founder had their own private place—" Hermione began.
"They did! You're in mine!" Helga spluttered. "Rowena and Godric both slept with their students and had their rooms in the towers!"
"There are secret chambers in Gryffindor and Ravenclaw towers?" Hermione asked excitedly.
"Not anymore. They were cleaned out for extra space centuries ago," Helga snorted. "They were supposed to be practical getaways, not a great bloody shrine to ourselves complete with inconvenient monster."
"I hear there's a giant statue of Rowena Ravenclaw in their common room." Hermione hazarded.
"They put that in after she died," Helga waved her off. "It brings me joy to know Godric never thought of it. He would have enchanted it to swagger and wink at the female students. Shocking man."
Severus looked alarmed.
"Thank you for taking the opportunity to speak with me," Helga smiled kindly. "I would like to see my new place. I would think you are ready to retire, and I have much to think about."
Hermione thanked Helga for showing herself to them and bid her and Severus a good night before Severus carried the mirror into his drawing room. The stone arch to Hermione's rooms shrunk into the form of the purring cat once again.
A brilliant gold gilded frame lay fastened to the stone wall near the cat with a hook driven in the center. Red velvet curtains draped from either side so the mirror could be hidden if desired. The elf did seem to take things to the extreme.
Severus hung the mirror and Helga smiled at him. "You both insist this is a union of convenience. I think there is something more."
"I don't know what you're going on about," said Severus, clearly caught off guard.
"You admire her mind," Helga said plainly. "What else could one desire in a partner?"
"Who says I want a partner?" asked Severus scowling.
"I didn't say you wanted one," snorted Helga. "You need one."
"I do not need one," he sniffed imperiously. "I am quite capable of taking charge of myself."
"That's what they all say," snorted Helga.
Severus threw his hands in the air and stormed into his rooms. He banged the door behind him.
"Impertinent whelp," Helga puffed.
0
Hermione stared at the bottom of her canopy. The moon light poured in her window and filled the room with pale blue light.
Hermione couldn't help but think how romantic it was. This was immediately followed with the understanding that the trifle went right to her head. She giggled to herself.
As she fell asleep, she wondered what it would be like if he kissed her again.
0
"Best of luck to you, my dear," said Professor Flitwick to Hermione as he shook her hand vigorously.
End-of-year had crept up on them. Hermione smiled at her tiny professor before giving him a hug. When they broke apart Flitwick burst into tears.
"There, there," responded Professor Hooch, turning to pat him on the back.
"They grow up so fast," Flitwick said to no one in particular as he rubbed his face with a huge blue handkerchief. A Ravenclaw girl offered him a hug and he bawled harder.
"Wouldn't be the same if Flitwick didn't have a breakdown at least once," McGonagall remarked to Hermione.
"He does this every year?" asked Hermione, giggling.
"Without fail," said Severus. "There's just the closing speech and the end-of-year feast left. Then we leave."
"What's the hurry?" Hermione asked.
"Initiations tonight," Severus said candidly. "Order of the Phoenix."
"What?" Hermione squeaked. "So soon?"
"The sooner the better with you lot," Severus snorted.
"Thank you for your confidence," replied Hermione dryly.
0
A thunderclap sounded over number twelve Grimmauld Place. Hermione, Harry, Ron and Neville watched as parchment, with their names inscribed in their own blood, drifted into a goblet full of golden flames.
"Well," said Dumbledore smiling. "Who's up for biscuits?"
"I'm in," replied George Weasley.
"Good suggestion," responded Fred Weasley.
"I'll go put a kettle on," suggested Arthur Weasley, kissing his wife on the shoulder.
"Congratulations," said Remus Lupin, gazing at the trio through heavy-lidded eyes.
"Thanks," replied Hermione. Ron and Harry were already working over some plans with Fred and George.
"I understand you've already been handed an assignment," said Remus smiling.
"Russia," replied Hermione. Ron and Harry looked up.
"You're leaving?" Ron demanded. His eyes darted to Severus.
"It's a research job," Hermione said happily.
"You'll get along fine," Remus said, picking up a teacup with a few biscuits perched on the saucer from Arthur. "I'm sure the trip will be very educational. You're supposed to talk to the Mystic Brotherhood. Very exclusive lot."
"Rasputin was an active member of the Mystic Brotherhood," Ron replied, settling back. "They're presumed to have one of the greatest libraries in existence."
"I wonder if I'll get a look at it," mused Hermione.
"Wish you well, Hermione," declared Harry, seeming to be happy and worried all at once.
"Thanks," said Hermione, feeling a ball tighten in her chest.
"I'm terribly proud of you, Neville," declared Mrs. Longbottom, beaming.
Neville smiled timidly at the room, amazed he was even invited to take part in the Order.
"So, what is the Mystic Brotherhood?" asked Harry.
"Private fraternity," said Fred. "Really elite. They only take a few scholars at a time, and only from a handful of bloodlines."
"Devoted to the preservation and procurement of knowledge," added Neville. "Bunch of leftover monks."
"But very important," said Dumbledore, sitting down across from them and dipping his biscuit in his tea. He turned towards Severus who was sitting quietly to his right. "Will you be visiting your family estate, Severus?"
"I was planning to—" started Severus. Ron started shooting daggers with his eyes. "There are twenty-three rooms in the estate, Ronald. I promise you the young lady will have more privacy than entirely needed."
Ron turned crimson.
"Really, Ron," Molly spoke to her son, exasperated. "Subterfuge is the only good thing to come out of this ridiculous farce."
"So that's the way it's going to be then?" Ron said stiffly.
"It's the way it has to be," answered Hermione exasperated.
"If you'll forgive me, I've lost my appetite," said Ron, shoving himself away from the table and standing up.
"Come on, Ron," said Harry, pleadingly.
"I know it's the way things have to be," answered Ron sadly. "I didn't say I had to like it." Ron stepped into the adjoining room. They heard him use Floo powder to leave.
"Where'd Ron go?" asked Arthur, sitting down next to Neville.
"Didn't take Hermione's assignment well," said Remus.
"Ah," said Arthur. "Well, he'll be occupied soon enough. It'll distract him."
"We'll keep him busy," responded George, rubbing his hands together over the large parchment spread out in front of him.
"Just keep an eye on him," said Molly.
0
"How did it go?" Helga asked eagerly as Hermione and Severus walked back into their apartments through the fireplace.
"She's an active member of the Order," said Severus grumpily.
"You don't need to sound so excited," Helga remarked. "You might burst with enthusiasm."
"It's an extremely delicate appointment," Severus said, stepping over to the tea service and pouring himself a cup.
"It's a research assignment," answered Hermione.
"It's too close to the Dark Lord for my taste," said Severus bitterly. He turned into his rooms and came back out with a flask. He poured a healthy dollop of whisky into his tea.
"Why? Do you know something no one else does?" Hermione asked as she took one of her own.
"Just a suspicion. Nothing more," he waved her off.
She looked at him warily.
"I may be able to get you a few books from the Brotherhood to study, even if I can't get you access to their library," said Severus taking a deep drink from his cup.
Hermione downed her cup. "Thank you."
"I think you'll be pleased with the Russian Estate," said Severus thoughtfully. "It has a small reference library of its own. Although the books are common for the area, you may find them interesting."
"I'm certain I'll find something to catch my interest when I'm not working," she reassured him.
"I'm certain you shall," said Severus.
0
Hermione glowered. They both decided to read for an hour before bed and she had decided a toddy or two wouldn't be amiss.
He had helped her to her bedroom and got her pajamas out for her. Hermione flushed at the prospect of undressing in front of him, but he had left without a word.
He had snorted at her state! The nerve!
Hermione couldn't get it out of her mind.
"It's only the toddy," Hermione muttered to herself.
Crookshanks meowed questioningly and butted his head against Hermione's left hand. She scratched him absentmindedly. He purred and curled up against her to sleep.
Hermione found herself slipping in and out of sleep. Severus' face swam in front of her in and out of dream.
She slipped a hand down under the waistband of her underthings. She sighed softly.
Hermione imagined Severus placing the gentle kiss he had given her on their wedding day somewhere else.
She twisted under the covers and cried out her climax. She instantly clamped her hand to her mouth before she remembered she didn't share a bedroom with two other girls. She snuggled deeper under her covers.
"Nothing to be ashamed of," Hermione giggled to herself. "He's my husband, after all."
She laughed out loud at the absurdity of it all.