Disclaimer: Apart from AU and OCs, JKR is still the creator of the HP world.

Chapter 51

It was like the old days. Severus could feel his blood roaring his ears alert and he could feel his heart beating right within his palms. He could not waste a single moment before the whole world started closing on him. If he was to get his footing in this mess, if he was to establish an equilibrium in this rapidly infringing chaos- he was required to act and mobilize the others to play their roles.

While Molly handed every witch and wizard present in the Shell Cottage their teacups and shortbreads, the headmaster spent the time pacing up and down the little room they managed to leave for him. Remembering an odd incident, he right away approached Harry, "When you were recruiting students for your Dumbledore's Army, tell me how did Miss Hermione go about it?"

Harry gulped once, settling his spectacles back on his nose he recalled," She made all volunteers write down their names and if anyone broke the code of secrecy, well, that was how Marietta Edgecombe got 'sneak' etched on her head, Hermione had jinxed the parchment."

"Enough," fetching a parchment, Snape aimed his ebony wand on it. The others sat straightened, exchanging glances they watched the parchment glow not once but thrice. Lines and columns appeared over the pale yellow surface. Someone offered him the quill. He looked up to see Ginny Potter holding it out to him," Sir, I will get the others to sign it, why don't you start explaining your plans."

"Very well," taking the quill, he put down his signature. Once Mrs. Potter had collected it, she signed it without asking any questions and so did the others, one by one. Clearing his throat Snape continued," Few things are quite clear. The goblins have already approached us. Soon we will see the ministry asking for help. And we also have a unique problem that keeps Hermione battling for her life. And there is the Undead Knight. We need to make sure one thing- put Hermione's life above the interests of others. That parchment with your name would have told me whether anyone here thinks otherwise." He had looked about for a moment and enjoyed the ashen faces of several horrified audiences.

"Bill thinks goblins are in this for Gryfindor's sword and I believe the Ministry is interested in missing Horcruxes. We would on the other hand want to see all of that is taken care of at one strike. We need to have the upper hand and we need to have both the ministry and the goblins agree to our conditions."

Lupin and Minerva both asked, "How?" Lupin gestured to the deputy mistress to continue on," What can we offer both of them to strike such a unique deal?"

"The ministry will try to contain their secret dealings with the goblins and the goblins will try to keep Lily's vigilante days off the papers to continue their other clandestine missions, we will simply step in Hermione's abandoned shoes. We will tell Griphook, umm, Minerva, how important is that sword to the House of Gryffindor in these circumstances?"

The old witch roared in anger, "Severus, don't you dare! Hermione is not disposable, not to me, not to Hogwarts, and surely not to the Magical Society of the world."

"Good, we need to quickly go back to Hogwarts and interrogate Griphook, before sending him back home. Minerva can you send a word to Aberforth to join us? I am sure Madam Bones will soon call a joint meeting. Just for Hermione's sake, we can't give his secret away. I strongly feel Madam Bones will come knocking here, and she must not see any of you apart from perhaps, the Weasleys and Potters and you, Minerva. The rest should stay back at Hogwarts. Cissa and Dora meantime, can you please go back to the Manor and look for the journal that," gesturing at Mrs. Malfoy, he asked," you were talking about. The one, that Dark Lord wanted so badly..."

Aberforth was waiting for a Patronus, he was certain, Snape won't waste any time. So when the familiar Patronus of a tabby cat woke him up, he had gathered his sister's portrait once again and had patiently waited next to the school's closed gates. Several pops later a formidable crowd of witches and wizards appeared and together they entered the grounds. Filius Flitwick and Griphook were waiting for the party in the guest quarters where the bank manager had his night's rest.

Snape drew a chair close to the goblin's bedside while the others settled around the room. Curtly he stated," I will thank you for keeping both Lily and Hermione safe. And I am equally disgusted with you for making both of them go through so much trouble. But I will not speak of that. I want to know your true intentions behind this, all of this?"

Griphook had a night's time to think and the goblin was certain of one fact. Severus Snape was a dangerous wizard who had for all his life walked over a thin wire between two kinds of magic. Light and Dark. He knew this man would not bow to the goblins' manipulation. But above all, the bank manager was tired of pretending and lying to himself that Hermione Granger was not the daughter he always wished for.

In a raspy voice, he replied, "Headmaster Snape, I will assist you in saving Estella's life. I don't wish for nothing else, apart from atoning for the sins my family has committed..." Snape studied the man and brought out the same parchment on which he had gathered the signatures of the others. "Very well, sign this."

The goblin understood this was a test of his conscience and wrote his name down without hesitating. George had the presence of mind to ask, " Sir, if you could throw some light on what happens if, " before he could complete, his eyes had started bulging out and his tongue had started growing. Snape turned, his lips curled at the corners," That happens to start with and ends by melting your bones, now think of how much you truly love my girl and things will be back to normal."

After Aberforth had signed the parchment, Snape pocketed it and spoke directly to both the portrait of Adrianna and his brother. Filius had arranged for Dilys and Nigellus's portraits and those were propped against two chairs. "Thank you for helping me from the very first, I am sorry for that incident at my…" Abe placed his hand over the young man's shoulders and gave it a squeeze. "Keep aside formalities. You know your girl suffers from the early bouts of Obscurus. I think Healer Norman wouldn't be able to help her much longer. You will have to step in and perhaps you might require her to shift somewhere…"

Griphook cut in, "Headmaster there is something else I have to offer. There is a property that you have inherited. Its last claimant died three months ago. You can shift her there when things start to get out of hand."

"And it will, Where is it?"

"Its Prince Manor, you are the only surviving kin apart from Hermione."

If he was shocked about this new development Snape didn't ask for further clarification. Instead, he wanted to know something else, "What is inside Hermione's Vault?"

The Goblin looked down at his hands and mumbled, "Lily's books among many other things."

"I will visit the bank today itself, and I would like to see the vault. Professor Flitwick, would you please ensure that your brother has safely reached his home?" turning back to Griphook, he had grabbed hold of his hands, squeezing it menacingly, the ex death eater had chewed his last words, "No more games, expect the ministry at your door as well. I promise not to breathe a word to them but only till you hold onto your end of the deal."

The goblin's eyes had shone in a rare flash of determination that made Remus Lupin standing right behind the headmaster, as he clearly remembered how ferocious these magical creatures could be. In equal intensity that matched the tenacity of the man nearly breaking his bones, Griphook replied, "For Estella, I will die a thousand deaths."