A small grin played at Hermione's lips as she recalled her conversation with Snape the previous evening. In a moment of boldness, she'd walked to the professor's quarters to offer an apology for her behavior at dinner, hopeful to be pardoned for the emotional outburst. However, Snape had surprised her by refusing her request for forgiveness, expressing that her actions against him were justifiable. Furthermore, he'd countered her apology with one of his own and had even admitted to not hating her.
As Hermione repeatedly replayed the interaction through her head, she every so often feared that the memory had only been a dream. The words I'm sorry coming out of Severus Snape's mouth seemed impossible, yet she was almost certain he'd spoken them to her the previous night. She'd never foreseen the man abandoning his pride to make amends with someone, especially with the Gryffindor best friend of Harry Potter. Nonetheless, he'd set aside his ego to apologize to her, an act she wouldn't easily forget.
That afternoon, Hermione decided to collect a to-go lunch from the Great Hall, excited to enjoy a final day of warmth outside before the onslaught of chilly Fall weather. She sat on a cotton blanket alongside the hauntingly still Black Lake, picking at a plate of fruits and cheeses as she read through a copy of Theories of Transubstantial Transfiguration. Several students sat beside the waters as well, gathered in small clusters characterized by a Hogwarts house or year in school. About fifty feet away, however, a larger group of eleven or twelve students stood huddled in a circle, appearing to have little to nothing in common. After watching for a few seconds, she noticed a small blonde witch standing in their midst, animatedly talking about something serious.
Curiosity getting the best of her, Hermione decided to move within eavesdropping distance. While Mathilda was probably simply discussing classes or answering questions about homework, meeting with a bunch of school children of various ages and houses next to the lake seemed a bit strange. Had the woman not acted so oddly in their interaction a few nights prior, Hermione would likely have ignored the sighting.
Doing her best to remain unnoticed, Hermione quietly left her picnic to sneak behind a large boulder close to Mathilda's cluster of students. Successfully making it to the hiding spot without drawing attention, she listened in on the soft-spoken conversation.
"...have to make it happen tonight if we really want to impress them," the professor pressed urgently, earning several nervous looks from her onlookers.
"What if we get caught, though?" a particularly anxious-looking Ravenclaw asked, earning an eye roll from Mathilda. "Professor McGonagall is sure to expel us!"
"You're not going to be caught, Margaret. As I said, the professors will be eating dinner in the Great Hall while everything is happening. The only way you'll be found out is if one of you is stupid enough to open your mouth about the plan."
An older Slytherin spoke up next. "And the Mudbloods? What if they don't show up?"
Mathilda appeared irritated by the question as if she had a hundred things she'd rather be doing then answering it. "Everyone we discussed was sent an invitation. Surely enough of them will show up for the plan to be worthwhile. Now, does anyone else have a question I haven't explained already?"
Mathilda grinned with satisfaction as the group remained silent, some appearing excited while a few looked close to vomiting.
"Brilliant. I looked forward to hearing about your success later tonight."
With that, the professor left the group of students to themselves, walking merrily with her typical bouncy gait toward the castle. After a few more minutes of discussion, the children slowly started heading off in various directions, leaving a bewildered Hermione alone behind the boulder.
The witch could hardly believe what she'd just witnessed. From what she'd heard of the conversation, it seemed that Mathilda was leading the students in an attack against Muggle-borns. That, or something else worthy of getting them expelled.
Rushing from her hiding place to collect her things, Hermione stuffed everything she'd left laid out into her charmed handbag and hastily made her way to the castle. She needed to inform McGonagall of the plan, and quickly.
Severus and Minerva sat in silence at the High Table as they each enjoyed the food they'd served themselves. The Great Hall was noticeably empty that afternoon, for the weather outside was particularly nice for a late-September day. Regardless, the two professors had both chosen to enjoy the rare opportunity of a quiet lunch inside, utilizing the time to refuel for their afternoon responsibilities.
As Severus finished his final bite of food, he noticed Hermione enter the Great Hall, conspicuous distress written across her features. The sight of the woman sent him back to their conversation the previous night, immediately causing his heart rate to skyrocket. He still felt uncomfortable with his decision to apologize but stood by the choice nonetheless. The tension between them had finally been eased, meaning that he was much closer to bringing up the events of that night at the Battle of Hogwarts.
"Professor McGonagall," Hermione began frantically as she arrived at the High Table. "I need to speak with you. Urgently."
Minerva, highly contrasting the flustered witch, remained calm as she responded."What is it, Dear? Is it something Professor Snape might care to hear as well?"
Hermione paused to consider the idea before continuing, evidently agreeing to involve the man.
"I overheard Professor Sweetleaf talking with a bunch of students. They were discussing something along the lines of attacking Muggle-born students," Hermione explained, her words almost too quick to follow. "They plan to do it tonight during dinner."
Severus turned to Minerva for her reaction, unsure of what he would see. The older witch remained silent for several seconds, absorbing Hermione's words with an unreadable expression. When it seemed as though she was never going to respond, the headmistress finally spoke up.
"When did you hear of this, Hermione?"
"Just now near the lake. I saw her talking with a bunch of students and… well, I decided to listen in."
Minerva took a moment to consider her words once more, allowing Severus the opportunity to speak up.
"And what is it that compelled you to eavesdrop, Professor?" he asked slowly, earning an embarrassed look from the younger witch.
Anxious to dissolve any idea of her being nosy, Hermione explained herself.
"The other day when I was leaving the library, I came across Mathilda. She was very… not herself," she began, unsure of how to describe the woman's behavior. "She was wandering the castle alone in the middle of the night and seemed quite upset to be discovered."
Minerva listened intently, her brows furrowed as she calculated everything she was being told. Hermione went on.
"Ever since that night, I've been suspicious of her. So when I saw her having a serious conversation with a random group of students by the lake, I couldn't help but listen in."
Minerva nodded as Hermione concluded her pitch, taking a long sip of tea before asking her next question.
"Did you hear where these students will be holding their attack?"
Hermione's shoulders drooped as she realized she hadn't acquired the important detail. "No, I didn't," she admitted sadly, eyes downcast with disappointment. "I was only able to hear the last bit of the conversation."
The headmistress, however, appeared unbothered by the lack of information.
"Thank you, Hermione, for reporting this to me," the older witch said warmly, offering an affirming grin. "This evening, I would like for each of you to patrol the castle while the rest of the school eats dinner. I trust that together, you'll be able to handle whatever you might come across."
Severus was taken aback by the sudden responsibility Minerva had thrown at him. He felt his cheeks fill with heat as he imagined himself walking the halls of Hogwarts with Hermione Granger that evening. While things between them had significantly improved the previous night, the prospect of being alone with the witch for over an hour was overwhelming. The escapade promised to be painstakingly awkward.
"Of course, Professor," Hermione agreed, fists clenched with determination. She seemed quite unconcerned about spending the extra time with him.
Minerva turned to Severus, awaiting a response with that damned twinkle of mischief in her eye.
Severus sighed, standing from his seat to leave the Great Hall.
"Yes, Minerva," he agreed calmly, fighting to uphold his appearance of indifference. "We will take care of it."
Thank you for reading! I'm so pumped to FINALLY be getting into the meat of this story.
As always, your reviews are what keep me writing this fic. They make the writing process way more bearable.
Much love, Muggle friends.