Chapter 12: Professor Snape's talk with Miss Granger

Severus walked briskly into the Great Hall and winced mentally at the noise all of the students were making; his headache got measurably worse. He spotted the bushy brown hair of Hermione Granger amidst all the flaming red-haired Weasleys and of course messy, James-haired Saint Potter. He came to a stop directly behind her and crossed his arms, glaring at any Weasley that dared to make eye contact with him. Neville Longbottom dropped his fork from 5 seats down. He smirked in satisfaction.

"Miss Granger, if you would follow me," he said, not asking but ordering.

She looked up at him nervously and gulped. "Yes, Professor," she answered, trying to not allow her voice to waiver. She nearly tripped standing up.

Hermione followed Snape all the way from the Great Hall to the dungeons. She could not see the look on his face, because she followed one step behind him, but she had a good feeling that this talk was not about potion's class.

Expectantly she slowed down near Snape's office, but was suddenly stuck behind him as he kept walking passed his office. She scurried to catch up to him. He glared back at her for just a brief moment. He stopped at a large arched entranceway. Before she was close enough to hear him, he said something to the door and then opened it.

"Well," he said, standing at the door. "In, Miss Granger."

Reluctantly she entered what she saw as the dragon's lair. The moment she took time to take in what was before her, her mouth dropped open in surprise. There was no sign of Slytherin green and silver. It seemed as if Snape's tastes were more for grey and midnight blue.

Snape cleared his throat, "If you are finished gawking Miss Granger, could you kindly move away from the door."

She jumped out of his way, but did not move much further into the room. A fire was lit and two black leather chairs and a leather couch framed a small open space before the fire which held a coffee table.

"Miss Granger," he said to get her attention focused back on him. "I did not invite you here to survey my lodgings and have tea. Sit," he said pointing to one of the leather chairs.

She looked at the chair and went to sit down, not taking her eyes off the professor the entire time. The chair was surprisingly comfortable.

Snape rested his back on the mantle of the fireplace and stared down at her with an expression she could not quite place. It was definitely a negative, however.

"I am aware that my nephew has showed you something that he was most imprudent to show you," he paused to harshen his look.

She nodded, intimidation setting in throughout her body.

"Do you know what I am talking about, Miss Granger?" He asked impatiently.

"Yes, sir," she said softly.

"Speak up, girl, we don't have time for your timidity now."

"I saw Sage's Dark Mark, Professor."

He took a step closer to her and narrowed his glare. "Have you told anyone Miss Granger. Before you answer, it will be much better for you if you have told someone, to admit that now. You will be most sorry if you lie to me."

Hermione swallowed, but knew that she had to look the professor in the eyes when she answered him.

"No sir, I didn't tell anyone."

"Are you sure, Miss Granger?"

"Yes, Professor."

She watched keenly as the Potion's master paced a few steps and then stopped in the same place he had been. He crossed his arms and pursed his lips, taking her in.

"Do you know the power of this information?" He asked finally.

Hermione opened her mouth to answer, but then shut it in order to think for a few more moments.

"Sir, I did not think it would be wise to say anything. I don't want anything to happen to Sage."

He nodded, but harshly. "Listen to me very carefully, Miss Granger, and do not interrupt me. Is that clear?"

She nodded and waited for him to continue.

"Sage is obviously not a Death Eater." The Dark Lord had not returned in form enough for such things. Yet. "However, Miss Granger, if anyone were to find out that he has the Mark, his life would be in grave danger." He paused for a moment to allow the information to settle in. "As you know my nephew is a Magi, do you know how the wizarding world would react if they knew that a Magi had the Dark Mark?"

Hermione's face was getting pink. Severus could hear her breathing become more frequent. She swallowed. "I think they would feel threatened."

"Moreso even than you know. If Fudge were to find out about this, Sage's life would be over. A Magi with the ideals of a 'Dark Wizard' would be a threat even greater than the Dark Lord. No one would care how the Mark came to disgrace his arm. They would have Sage killed as a precaution. He could not even defend himself."

"Oh, Professor," she choked out.

"Yes, Miss Granger, I think you are catching on quite quickly. You now realize what a mistake he made in showing you that Mark. He just placed his life in your hands."

Hermione was shaking slightly, but trying to hold it. Her eyes were glistening. None of this escaped Snape's glare. 'At least she cares,' he thought.

"Professor Snape, are you going to Obliviate me?" she asked quietly, looking at her knees.

He sighed heavily. She did understand the seriousness, then. Even so, a part of him wished that he felt differently about using an Obliviate. "No, Miss Granger, I will not. However, a great deal of trust has been placed upon you by Sage. No matter how much he was not thinking clearly when this happened. You will not break that trust. You must not tell anyone, not even Potter and Weasley. If you tell one person, the next day Fudge will be here. The day after that, if that long, Sage will be dead. Do you understand me, Miss Granger."

She looked deathly close to tears, but she composed herself enough within a minute. "Yes sir, I won't tell anyone. I would not have done anyway. I don't want anything to happen to Sage, Professor."

"Very good," he replied.

"Erm, sir?" she asked hesitantly, quietly. The Gryffindor boldness was that she said anything at all.

"What, Miss Granger?"

She looked at him with caution. "Sir, how did Sage get the Dark Mark. I mean Voldemort couldn't have given it to him, could he?"

Severus stared at her, coldly. "Why don't you ask my nephew that, Miss Granger. Afterall he was thick enough to show you the Mark in the first place. He might be foolish enough to tell you that as well."

Hermione knew that he was ready to usher her out, but she wasn't ready to leave yet.

"Professor Snape, is Sage here? He hasn't been back to Gryffindor, and he isn't in the hospital wing."

Snape scowled. Gryffindors. "Yes, he is here."

"Ermm, can I talk to him?"

"No, Miss Granger, you may not. He is in no condition. In fact, he is in a very deep sleep. After you saw him, he had a very bad vision in the middle of the entrance hall. Then, the next day, he had another one here. The after-effects of the visions are similar to the Cruciatus Curse, Miss Granger, if you wish to know the severity. He has never had two so close together."

Hermione stood up and Severus thanked the Gods that she was going to leave so easily.

"Can I see him then, sir? I won't bother him, I promise." She bit her lip. "It's just…he's my friend…and I'm worried about him."

Severus growled, "I believe you have done enough Miss Granger!"

Hermione backed up a step. "Please, Professor?"

He raised a finger up at her, but then crossed his arms again. He took a breath. "You do not have class, Miss Granger?"

Her eyes lit up for a moment, at the possibility that the stoical professor might let her see Sage. "No sir, I don't."

Severus looked at his pocket watch. "Well I do, Miss Granger." He stopped talking and looked at her critically. He nodded, seemingly to himself, and then stood to full intimidation height.

"I am not at ease to leave him alone after what has happened. You will not touch anything. Anything," he leaned forward and looked at her even harsher. He continued, "And, you will not bother him. He is very weak. If anything happens, you will not do anything other than come and find me in the classroom. Is that understood?"

She stepped forward eagerly, "Yes, Professor Snape."

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