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Snape was pacing in his chambers, Sirius watched him idly from his spot on Snape's sofa. "You should not have done that! I created that damn collar to conceal your identity even as a dog! Not so you could go visit Miss Granger and bloody reveal yourself!" He snarled, Sirius nodded patiently.
"What were you even doing with her?!" He demanded rudely, Sirius opened his mouth to reply, but Snape continued his rant.
"The last thing I bloody need is Sirius Black coming back from the fucking dead and being spotted in Gryffindor Tower! With a student no less! As if my life isn't fucking complicated enough!" He threw his arms up in complete frustration.
This piqued Sirius's curiosity, "What else is complicating your life?" Snape stopped pacing.
"Nothing." He answered, and then continued pacing. Sirius sighed, preparing his speech to convince Snape to tell him.
"Don't bother trying to give me that speech, it's not going to work." Snape said, before Sirius even finished articulating his thoughts. Sirius's eyebrows raised in surprise, but he grinned anyway.
"Okay, fine. I guess, and you can decide when to tell me what's really going on." He slid down the couch a little and put his feet on Snape's coffee table. Snape's lip curled in irritation, but Sirius ignored him. "Okay, let's see, you're girlfriend doesn't want to clean your house." He guessed, Snape gave him a withering look, "No." He said and Sirius grinned.
"She doesn't like your haircut?" Snape glared at him. "As if I have such problems." He sneered, Sirius smirked evilly.
"Her family disapproves of you. But Dumbledore thinks you two are the perfect match?" Sirius clasped his hands together, pressed them to his cheek and batted his eyelashes.
Snape gave him a look that said you're nuts. Sirius was unfazed, "Your girlfriend is in a love triangle with some other guy and you feel threatened." Snape looked like he had had just about enough of Sirius's nonsense.
"Draco Malfoy likes her niece, and your girlfriend wants you to intervene. She dislikes the muggle movie you picked out and now you have to take it back? She wants you to get a haircut? Or, she just really likes the idea of washing your hair for you-"
"Is that a thing?" Snape asked suddenly, Sirius blinked a few times in surprise.
"What?" He asked in confusion, "Girls wanting to touch your hair, and wash it for you?" Snape clarified, Sirius tried to look serious.
"Um, yeah, lots of women like that. Why?" Snape shrugged casually, "I've had it a few times, women liking my hair... Or something like that." Sirius looked nearly impressed, "I hadn't realized you were so... Active in that area... You know, what with Lily and all." Sirius said quietly, Snape was still for a minute.
"I wouldn't say I've had that many...Emotional encounters, but I've... tried to, a little bit... Back, before... You know... He got to them. And since then, I've been... a little active. But not with any, feelings. I guess." Snape said, sounding awkward and uncomfortable.
Sirius nodded, "Until now." He prodded gently, Snape nodded silently. "But..." Sirius didn't really know what kept him interested in Snape's life, he chalked it up to having no one else to talk to.
"She's... Really young... And a Gryffindor." Sirius's eyebrow raised, "how young?" Snape looked away, feeling a little guilty. "She's... Still in Hogwarts." Sirius's other eyebrow shot up.
"So, like, what? Seventeen?" Sirius asked, Snape shook his head. Sirius's eyes got wider, "Sixteen?" Again, Snape shook his head.
Sirius blinked a few times, "Fifteen?" He asked somewhat incredulously, Snape nodded. "Damn. Are you sure you could keep up with a girl like that?"
Snape looked offended, "I'm not that old!" Sirius shrugged, "Yeah, but... " Snape felt as if his ego was being poked at with a sharp stick.
"I have more stamina and energy than most men half my age. And I am far more intelligent." He said haughtily, "Merlin's beard, fifteen and your already thinking about that?" Sirius said in surprise, Snape looked just as surprise.
"What? N-no, I didn't mean it like that!" He defended, "I just meant in general! As in, I'm not weak or anything! I don't even look that old!" He said, feeling embarrassed.
Sirius smirked, "I didn't think so, but I'd thought I'd ask." He said casually, Snape huffed in annoyance.
"So, what else is complicating your life, beside being in love with a fifteen-year-old girl?" Sirius inquired, Snape shook his head. "I'm not telling you that." He said severely, Sirius could only imagine it had something to do with Dumbledore.
He shrugged and didn't press any further, "So, does this mean you don't have a girlfriend or that your girlfriend is fifteen?" Sirius asked, Snape scoffed. "What the hell is your obsession with my love life?!"
Sirius shrugged, "Well, it's not like I have anything better to do! Or think about!" Sirius exclaimed moodily, Snape smirked. "So, this entire time, you've been pumping me for information, because you're bored."
Sirius shrugged, "Hope that doesn't hurt your feelings mate." Snape shook his head. "Not at all, I thought it was weird that you were so interested."
Sirius nodded, "I know, it's a sad day in a man's life when his enemy's love life is more interesting to him than his own."
Snape smirked, "Yes, it must suck to be you."
Sirius glared at him out of the blue, "says the man who has to take the credit for an idea his student had." Snape looked confused, "what on earth are you on about?"
Sirius narrowed his eyes, "Oh, Sirius, you have to make everyone believe you're dead! Oh, this is the second time I've saved your life!" Snape looked at him as if he'd gone mental.
"Yes. And?" Sirius looked at him, disgusted.
"It wasn't your idea, nor did you even know I was alive! Hermione told you!" Sirius exclaimed, finally.
Snape smirked evilly, "I still fail to see how that changes anything. For all we know, you're still a wanted criminal, should the Ministry find out that you're alive, and Miss Granger knew of your whereabouts anddidn't report it. She could go to Azkaban herself. Or at least be in very big trouble. Hate me all you want, but I'm still the only thing standing in the way of you being dead or back in Azkaban." Snape said coolly.
Sirius blinked a few times. "Well shit. I guess I'm still stuck with you. Damn." Snape smirked in satisfaction.
"What did you mean, you didn't think I was actually thinking of.. Her, like that?" Snape asked suddenly, Sirius took a minute to answer.
"I dunno mate, I guess you just don't strike me as the type of guy who would normally condone that kind of behavior. You know, you have standards. So, I s'pose it must be a pretty bloody special girl for her to catch your attention." Sirius concluded, Snape was a little impressed that he had come to that conclusion and not that he was just some git who liked his girls young. He felt a slight relief that at leastsomeone wouldn't think badly of him. He decided, maybe, just maybe, it would be okay to like her. He was beginning to believe it would be fine, after he fixed that last mistake, to keep the more depressing and unpleasant parts of his past, in the past.
"How's the potion coming?" He asked and Sirius sighed, "Slow and steady. It should be ready soon, I hope."
Snape nodded approvingly, "It's really bloody boring you know. Just sitting there, making bloody potions all day. For fuck's sake, I even brewed the Animagus potion!" Sirius exclaimed, throwing his arms up in the air.
Snape's eyes widened, "Why the hell did you do that? Who's going to drink that? Those ingredients aren't cheap you know!" He snapped in anger, Sirius shrugged.
"I don't know, you could take it if you want to. What ever problems you're currently facing might be easier if you could turn into an animal. You'd be surprised how it can get you into places you wouldn't normally be able to get into otherwise."
Snape looked unconvinced, "But that's not all it takes to become an Animagus, and if I do it illegally, like you, I could go to Azkaban."
Sirius smirked, "Yeah, if you're dumb enough to get caught! But it can also get you out of Azkaban, I should know. Besides, the spell is a lot less advanced as some of the spells I've seen you do." Sirius continued, beginning to see the benefit of Snape as an Animagus. Snape didn't say anything, pondering what Sirius had said. It would make it easier to get around without being seen... Snape thought, seriously considering doing it. Sirius waited, knowing that one wrong move could make him decide against it.
Finally, Snape nodded his assent. "I guess so... You didn't poison it did you?"
Sirius laughed out loud, "No, sorry. Not this time." Snape looked at him skeptically.
"I don't believe you." He said flatly.
Sirius sniggered, "well, I do have a price for not poisoning you." He said, Snape's eyes narrowed. "What?"
Sirius gave an exaggerated sigh, "I'm so bloody bored all day! I can't believe I'm saying this, but, I could stand to spend some time with even you. Are you up for a card game? I'm not used to being alone so much! I need friends!" Sirius whined, sounding like a dog.
Snape blinked, "what exactly are you proposing, that we act like we're friends?" He almost spat out the last word. Sirius shrugged and nodded. Snape was silent for a long time.
"You and your friends tormented me for fuckingyears and now, you want to be friends with me because you feel the need tosocialize." Snape snarled. Sirius pursed his lips, not sure what to say to that. He took a deep breath and started where he should have started a long time ago.
"I'm sorry. I realize that really doesn't help. But I am, you've become a better person than... A lot of people in this world. Wormtail included, obviously. You definitely have the right to be mad at us. We misjudged you severely. And I'll make up for it one day." Sirius stated as calmly as possible, refusing to let his pride get the better of him. Snape didn't say anything, calculating his options before he spoke.
"Help me bring them back." He said finally, Sirius's head jerked up to look at Snape in shock.
Snape held his gaze fiercely, "both of them. And anyone else we can." Sirius let the idea sink in, a slow grin spreading across his face.
"I'll do it! Fuck yeah!"
He answered enthusiastically, Snape smirked. "So we have an accord?"
Sirius nodded, "one thing though, let's say we succeed...-ed. It's been nearly twenty years, wouldn't someone have noticed their presence? Wouldn't Harry have grown up with his parents? Why did he go to the Dursleys' if his parents are still alive?" He said, unloading all his questions and doubts on Snape. Snape was ready for this apparently, as there was no hesitation before he answered.
"We did to them what we did to you. Change their looks and their names, give them a new life. One without their son. So we'd have to wait until after he gets taken from the house and given to the Dursleys'."
Sirius nodded approvingly, "Yes, that's pretty good. But the potion only works within an hour of the person's death. How are we going to authentically fake their deaths if they get up and walk away within an hour of dying? How the hell are we going to convince them to part with their only child?" Sirius countered.
Snape paused, "As for the bodies, I'll brew the Draught of the Living Death. And then we'll just have to dig them up after the funeral." Sirius gave him a squeamish look.
"As for convincing them to part with their son, that's where you come in to play."
Sirius nodded solemnly, "And then we'd have to arrange a history for them, a way to fit into society convincingly."
Sirius added and Snape nodded in agreement. There was an awkward pause, then Sirius stuck his hand out to Snape. Snape looked at the proffered appendage like it was something disgusting. But after a few minutes, when Sirius didn't take his hand away, Snape reluctantly shook it.
"So? Card game on Saturday?" Sirius asked cheerfully, Snape gave him a sour look. "I haven't totally forgiven you yet."
Sirius shrugged, "I didn't expect you to at all." Snape seemed satisfied with his answer.
"Yes, fine. Saturday night. We'll play a stupid card game. But come to my chambers, I can't be leaving Hogwarts right now." Snape finally conceded, Sirius grinned like a dog going out for a walk.
"Fuck yeah!" He exclaimed, pumping his fist in the air. Snape rolled his eyes, and Sirius slapped him on the back happily, making him look even more sour.
Over the next week, Hermione spent most of her time in the library, and on the floo network. She was asking around to various places, and people about Regulus Black. She finally got to the end of her trail and it went cold, almost. As it turned out, the person to ask about Regulus's last whereabouts right before his death, was the Malfoys. Hermione found this matter to be quite distasteful. Finally, after much deliberation back and forth, she worked up the courage to attempt to talk to Draco Malfoy about it. But he was always around his friends, and Parkinson. She started following him sometimes, when he looked like he was parting from his friends, but he always managed to evade her or give her the slip and leave her lost in the halls of Hogwarts. She finally got so frustrated she hexed Crabbe. This did not go over well with Malfoy and the rest of his posse and she ended up having to run as the other three decided to gang up on her. Later that night she complained to Ginny about it.
Ginny smirked deviously and said simply, "we just need to kidnap him." Hermione just stared at her, wondering for the millionth time where Ginny got such ideas,Fred and George probably. The two of them began to plan it out carefully. Ginny said that they should brew a Polyjuice potion and one of them should turn in to Parkinson and lure him away from Crabbe and Goyle. Then take him walking around in circles until he lost his bearing's, then knock him out and drag him into a dark empty dungeon room. "After that, interrogation should be pretty easy." Ginny finished happily, Hermione stared at her again, feeling a slight sense of disquiet about Ginny's morals.
Feeling desperate, Hermione agreed to it, but made a mental note to try to do something about Ginny's darker streak. They brought Luna and Neville in on the plan, Hermione nicked the Marauder's Map from Harry, along with his Invisibility Cloak. Hermione pointed out that Slughorn had a Polyjuice potion already brewed and ready for use. She was feeling shadier and shadier about this plan as it progressed, but didn't feel like she could back out at this point. So as they reached the end of the day, Ginny got in a huge nock down drag out fight with Parkinson in a deserted hallway, leaving Parkinson unconscious and looking suspiciously green. Hermione distracted Slughorn while Luna and Neville snuck into his office, stealing the Polyjuice Potion. Hermione waited until she saw the two of them exit the office, then hurriedly ended the conversation with Slughorn and walked away abruptly. Neville was sniggering at Slughorn's confused face when Hermione finally caught up with them.
"He looks like a walrus that was suddenly misplaced." Neville laughed, Luna smiled dreamily, "Neville!"
Hermione admonished, "He's a teacher! You can't say that about him!" Neville looked a little guilty. They made their way back to the Gryffindor Tower as calmly as possible, attempting to not draw attention to themselves. It almost didn't seem to work and Hermione felt like everyone was staring right at them.
When it became intolerable, she leaned forward and whispered, "Is it just me, or is everyone staring at us?"
Neville snickered, "It's just you Hermione. Merlin's beard, it's like you've never broken the rules! Don't worry, just stay calm."
Hermione nodded, "Is anyone else worried about Ginny's ability to be sneaky and down right devious?"
She tried to whisper, "What 'devious' behavior are you referring to Miss Granger?" A silky voice said behind them. The three of them froze, apparently she was louder than she thought. They turned around slowly, to theirhorror it was Professor Snape. Hermione's face went white, Neville's even whiter, and Luna smiled at him dreamily.
"Well?" He snapped when no one answered, they jumped and all three started speaking at once. Each one saying something different, until Snape held up his hand to silence them. He surveyed them carefully, looking each one in the eye until they looked away. He pointed his finger at Hermione, who's eyes widened in fear.
"What 'devious' antics is Miss Weasley up to?" He asked carefully, Hermione gulped loudly and opened her mouth to speak.
"Professor Snape!" A voice called from behind him.
A little first year Gryffindor came running up to him, "What?" He snapped, the little boy flinched and took a step back, "there's an unconscious sixth year Slytherin boy down the hall there!" The boy said, pointing back to where he just came from. Snape let out a sigh that bordered on a growl, glared back at the three of them and then strode off towards the Slytherin boy. As soon as he was out of sight, Ginny appeared from another direction.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Snape to come back and interrogate us?" She said impatiently, nobody needed to be told twice.
The four of them headed back into the dungeons. "So, what the hell did Snape want?" She asked casually, Luna was the first to answer.
"He wanted to know what devious behavior you were up to." Ginny looked at her in surprise then blushed, looking away. "How did he know I was up to something devious?" She asked carefully. Neville was looking at her suspiciously, but Hermione spoke.
"I was talking to Neville and Luna about it." She said, sounding a little guilty. Ginny nodded but didn't say anything. Neville was looking at her with narrowed eyes, Ginny glanced in his direction and then looked away really quickly.
"What Neville?" She said a little aggressively, "Why do you always blush when someone talks about Snape?" He asked in a peeved tone.
She shrugged, "what's it to you?" Her nonchalant attitude put him off a little, he looked down, self conscious. "I don't know, I'm your friend, I guess I'm just a little worried about it."
She smiled at him kindly, if a bit mischievously and said, "Don't worry about it Neville." He nodded, accepting her answer. Hermione was amazed at how Ginny kept her life in check with such a big and obvious secret. Ginny glanced at Hermione, catching her eye and smiling with a mischievous wink. Hermione just rolled her eyes back and gave her a disapproving look. Ginny shrugged casually, and they continued in silence until they reached the empty classroom. Ginny pulled out a fistful of Parkinson's hair that she grabbed in the fight. Hermione winced looking at it, simultaneously thinking of how much it must have hurt to have one's hair ripped out and of her last experience with a Polyjuice potion. Ginny stuffed a few hairs in the potion and then handed it to Hermione, who blanched.
"W-why me?" She squeaked, Ginny grinned devilishly, "Because you wanted to talk to him."
Hermione groaned, "yeah, but still, you're much better at being sneaky and Slytherin-like." Ginny shrugged, "not necessarily. You're the smartest witch of our age. If anyone can fool Malfoy into believing you're Parkinson, it'll be you." She said confidently, Hermione looked uncertain, but downed the potion anyways. She shuddered at the taste, and then again when it started to take effect. Her body shifted about, getting a little taller and a fair amount skinnier, her hair straightened out and turned platinum blonde. Ginny handed her Parkinson's school robes. Hermione glanced at Neville, who took the hint and turned to watch the door. As she changed, Ginny snorted and looked her up and down disapprovingly.
"I always knew Parkinson was anorexic, but now I have proof!" Hermione looked down a little self-consciously, hurrying into Pansy's robes a little faster. When she was all dressed, she looked down at herself, feeling awkward in this new body. Ginny motioned for her to turn around, Hermione complied as Neville, Luna and Ginny inspected her carefully. Neville nodded at her, gesturing for her to walk around a little. Hermione tried out her new legs, wobbling a little at first but becoming more confident with each step.
Finally she felt she had conquered walking, "not so modest Hermione, you have to sway your hips like you think you're a model but more exaggerated." Ginny said, Neville nodded behind her. Hermione raised an eyebrow but did it anyways. She walked again, feeling more than a little strange as she tried to balance properly while swinging her hips that much.
"You need to dip your hip before swinging it the other way, that's how she does it." Neville said helpfully, Ginny, Hermione and even Luna swung their heads to stare at him.
Neville went red, "What? It's just an observation." He defended, Ginny snorted in a very unladylike fashion. Neville's face got even pinker, and Luna smiled in amusement.
"You fancy her." He went bright red, "N-no, I just notice these things, you know, I'm a guy." He said, as if that explained everything to the three girls in the room. Hermione smirked behind her hand, trying to be polite and not laugh, Luna laughed out loud, and Ginny just stared at him incredulously. He glanced at Ginny in slight alarm.
"I can't believe you! You have the balls to accuse me of liking Snape, and here you are fancyingPansy fucking Parkinson!" Ginny spat out the name like it was something gross.
Neville blushed, "I don't fancy her Ginny, I just noticed she's kind of hot. Besides, I'm a Gryffindor, I should have balls." He said with a shrug. Ginny stared at him for a minute longer, then suddenly she nodded, completely accepting his answer. Hermione rolled her eyes, the way Ginny got over upsets with her friends was ridiculously simple. Hermione almost envied her a little bit, everything was so big and dramatic with Ron, Harry not so much, but particularly Ron.
Luna piped up, "I think Hermione needs to get going, otherwise the potion's going to wear off. Don't you?" This brought everyone back to reality. Ginny fixed up Hermione's make up to make her look like Parkinson.
Hermione almost went out the door before she remembered, "oh! I don't know what the password is!" She exclaimed,
"parseltongue." Ginny said matter-of-factly, the other three looked at her in surprise.
"I may or may not have set off a few dungbombs in the Slytherin dormitories." She said with an innocent shrug, Neville grinned appreciatively. Hermione huffed in nervousness, and Ginny gave her a playful shove out the door.
"Go get 'em tiger!" She said a little sarcastically, Hermione glared back at her. Having no choice but to go along with it, she sashayed her way towards the Slytherin dormitories. She said the password in Parkinson's high-pitched voice and went in. Looking around and not finding Malfoy, she grabbed a passing Slytherin boy.
"Where's my Draco?" She demanded, the boy looked at her funny, then his eyes just settled on her chest.
"Uuumm… I think he's in his room?" He said distractedly, Hermione was appalled at this kid's nerve to sit there and stare at her chest.
She smiled, puffing out her chest anyways, "well could you please... Escort me there?" Hermione grabbed his arm and held it tight to her front. The boy went red, seemingly unable to speak for a few minutes and just nodded. She gestured forward, as if to say 'lead the way'. He nodded, licked his lips and walked forward, until he arrived at Malfoy's dormitory.
He opened the door and said, "D-Draco, Pansy's hear to see y-you." His voice cracked a few times and she smiled provocatively at him.
Leaning forward, she grabbed his chin and said, "Thank you SO much for helping me find my Draco." He nodded in a daze, she scrunched her nose for a moment then shoved him out the door.
Draco stared at her, "what do you want Pansy?" She smiled at him suggestively, coming over to slide her hands down his back.
"I have a surprise for you." She purred, he raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. She slid her hands down his chest and grabbed his tie. He looked between her and his tie for a minute, she gave it a little tug.
He stood up quickly and followed her out of the dorm. She grabbed his hand and laced her fingers with his as she slowly led him out of the Slytherin common room. He grabbed her waist as they walked, his hands travelling down slowly. Hermione smiled at him knowingly, and as they reached the classroom she pushed him against the door loudly. She leaned forward as if to kiss him, but turned the door handle and shoved him to the ground. Ginny shoved a bag over his head as Neville tackled him. Luna grabbed his wand, and together with Hermione's help they shoved him onto a chair and hog-tied him to it. He struggled furiously, yelling through the bag over his head. Luna silenced him quickly and Ginny removed the bag from his head. He looked around wildly as the four of them stood back and admired their handiwork. Hermione leaned forward, still looking like Parkinson and grabbed his chin. He glared at her hatefully, the contempt in his eyes would have made a lesser girl cry.
But Hermione only smiled at him, "Hello Drakky, I have some questions to ask you." She said mockingly, in Pansy's high-pitched voice. He let out a silent stream of obscenities at her, going red from the exertion of it as he struggled against his bonds.
"Tsk, tsk, Drakky, that's not very nice!" Ginny chimed in, her mock hurt only fueling his rage.
Luna smiled, "I think he has a wrackspurt up his nose, that would explain why he so angry." Luna said helpfully, Ginny and Hermione laughed.
Neville came forward, "I think we should get a move on, who knows if someone's nearby." He said cautiously, Ginny nodded and went to the door.
"I'll keep watch, ask him your questions really fast." Hermione nodded and turned back to Malfoy.
"I need to know where Regulus Black was right before he died and what he was doing." She asked him, he glared at her in confusion.
"Well?" She demanded, he smirked evilly and shrugged. She got a little annoyed, so she pointed her wand at him. "Tell me, or I'll hex you so badly, not even the real Pansy Parkinson will be able to touch you." She warned, he stared at her wand in trepidation. He opened his mouth to speak, but no sound came out.
Hermione huffed, "if I let you have your voice back, will you promise not to scream?" She asked, pointing her wand straight at his nose. He went cross-eyed looking at her wand and then nodded very slowly. She muttered the reversal spell and he cleared his throat to test it out. He stared at her wand, as it was still pointed at his nose.
"Why do you want to know about Regulus Black?" He asked quietly, Hermione took a long time to answer, finally she said, "I just, need to help a friend, get some peace on a deceased family member." Draco narrowed his eyes at her.
"Whom, pray tell, is this family member?" He asked quietly, Hermione pursed her lips.
"Nymphadora Tonks. She would like to know what happened to both Sirius and Regulus Black. I hoped, since she's your cousin, you would be willing to help her." She said carefully, Draco looked unconvinced.
"Why would you think that? Why Regulus?" He asked, Hermione was starting to get impatient.
"Can you just answer the damn question! What happened to Regulus Black?!" She snapped at him, sparks frying from her wand and hitting him in the face. He jerked back in both fear and pain.
"I don't know, all I know is he betrayed the Dark Lord and died for it!" He said fearfully, "I never really got the in depth story about it!" Hermione pressed her wand to his face, he closed his eyes fearfully.
"Find out. Now." She said, he nodded and struggled to get away from her, but the bonds holding him in place made it impossible.
"Okay, okay! I need to floo my mum! But I can't do when I'm tied to a chair!" He yelled, Hermione nodded.
"If you try anything, I will personally hex you into next Tuesday!" She threatened, he nodded silently.
She flicked her wand at his bindings and they disappeared. He stood up, and looked around. Ginny was watching the door, Neville and Luna had their wands pointed at him and Hermione was next to him with her wand at his chest. He took a step forward, Luna and Neville twitched. He held up his hands in surrender. He slowly walked towards the door, with three of them watching him and Ginny keeping a look out. Finally Ginny poked her head out the door. Looking both ways, she slipped out of the door. Draco and the other three followed carefully. Hermione looked at him, and suddenly noticed a strange look on his face. She furrowed her brow in confusion and he looked away. They walked a little while longer, heading for Slughorn's office.
"Someone's coming!" Ginny hissed, Neville and Luna dashed into a nearby room. Ginny and Hermione grabbed Draco's arms and tried to force him into the room as well, but he wouldn't budge. Ginny glared at him threateningly,
"I'm a Slytherin, it's not weird for me to be wandering around the dungeons. Besides, she looks like Pansy. We're not conspicuous, you three are. Go hide, I won't run." He hissed at them, Ginny glared at him one last time, before she ran inside the empty room. Hermione plastered on a fake smile and hugged Draco's arm.
He rolled his eyes, "Come on! Act like I'm Pansy!" She hissed at him venomously, he smirked at her.
"I don't think you'd want that." He said, she scoffed.
"All I need right now is to beconvincing to whom ever is coming!" She whispered irritably, he smirked and shrugged.
"Okay, play along, if you can." He said, she opened her mouth to reply when his lips crashed against hers. She let out a squeak as he pulled her against him. She resisted the urge to shove him off of her and hex him. The footsteps came to a halt in front of them.
"Draco, a word please." Snape said calmly. Hermione's blood ran cold. Draco ignored him completely.
"Draco. A word." Snape ordered, his tone left no room for argument. Draco finally stopped and turned his head to look at Snape.
"What? Can't you see I'm busy?" He snapped rudely, Hermione gasped at him. He smirked at her, nuzzling her neck so she had to turn away from Snape. Hermione faked a giggle, feeling nauseous and wanting nothing better than to scrub her mouth out with soap. Vigorously. Nevertheless, she giggled air headedly and cradled Draco's head as if she like his kisses.
"Draco, I must speak to you. it is imperative!" Snape insisted, Draco turned to glare at him.
"No it's not! Now please excuse me, Pansy and I were just in the middle of something!" Draco sneered, glaring at Snape.
Snape narrowed his eyes at him, "yes, you were about to be ambushed by a bunch of stupid Gryffindors, who think that I don't know they're there just because I can't see them." He said, flinging open the door to the empty room that Ginny, Neville and Luna were hiding in. But to his surprise, it was only Ginny. And she was unconscious, Hermione watched Snape's eyes widen in alarm and he rushed to her side. Checking her vitals, he sighed in relief when he seemed to discover that she was fine. He looked back at Draco and Hermione/Pansy and glared.
"This conversation is not over. I expect to see you in my office tonight Draco, without Miss Parkinson." Snape said intently, then turned back to Ginny. Draco watched with a raised eyebrow as Snape carefully pulled Ginny into his arms and picked her up. Her head lolled to one side and Snape adjusted her position so her head was supported by his shoulder. Hermione smiled a little at the tender look on his face as he handled her. Snape shot one last death glare in Draco's direction, then carefully walked away with Ginny in his arms. Hermione waited until Snape was out of sight, then shove Draco off of her. He smirked at her as she scrubbed her mouth vigorously and made gagging noises, even going so far as to scrub her tongue.
"Oh come on, you should feel honored that I would even kiss you. That was probably the best kiss you'll ever get. Only true purebloods know how toreally kiss." He bragged on as she continued her mouth scrubbing.
"You're not the pureblood guy I want to kiss." She commented between scrubs, then stopped with wide eyes when she realized what she had said.
He smirked and raised an eyebrow, "Let me guess, not Weasley." He said, Hermione sniffed and raised her nose in a haughty expression.
"Let's just go, I still need to know the answer to my question." She said evasively, he smirked at her.
"I know, but now we're on level terms." He said with an awful smile spreading across his face. Hermione looked at him with dread as he held up his wand.
Hermione reached for her own wand, "ah, ah, ah!" He said, pointing his wand at her. Hermione glared at him. "I need that information!" Hermione said, she was getting upset now.
Draco nodded, "I know, but what's in it for me?" He asked casually. Hermione looked confused and upset.
"I'm only asking about your deceased family member! Why do you need something in return forthat?" She exclaimed in indignation. He smirked his usual smirk, "because I'm a Slytherin." Hermione gave him a disgusted look.
"Fine. What do you want?" She huffed, rolling her eyes at him. He took a deep breath, seeming to be anxious about what he was asking.
"I need you and your friends to help me get my parents to safety." He said quietly, Hermione looked at him in shock.
"I will get youany information you want. I don't care the price. But I have to get them to safety. As long as they're safe, I can doanything." He continued, Hermione looked at him for a minute. He looked so sincere, Hermione decided to give him the benefit of the doubt.
"Okay, I'll help you." She said, he sighed in relief.
He lowered his wand, "but we have to keep this a secret, even from Potter." He added severely, Hermione nodded her assent.
"I will owl my mum and ask her to meet me in Hogsmeade. Then I need you guys to kidnap her." Draco said quietly, Hermione's eyes widened as he spoke.
"I can't be seen to have anything to do with it, otherwise it won't work. I need to be trusted by the Dark Lord and the Death Eaters. Then I can continue to help you guys without it being known." He said with such conviction, Hermione couldn't help but feel some respect for him.
"So let me get this straight, you're offering to become a double agent?" She said incredulously, he nodded solemnly. Hermione weighed her options on this. It was an incredible stroke of luck that Draco wanted this, but the reality of it was a little bit tricky.
"What if we can't get your mother out?" She asked, watching his reaction closely. He grimaced, the pain in his eyes very real.
"Then I will be in avery difficult position, and either way I'd have to carry out any orders given to me by the Dark Lord." He said, the dark burning look in his eyes made her feel sorry for him. She chewed her lip, thinking about how to get this done.
"Okay, I have an idea. But give me some time to get things set up, okay?"
He nodded, "It would be best if I asked my mum when I meet her, and not before. It would be less suspicious."
Hermione nodded again, "How will you let us know when she's coming?"
Draco thought about that for a minute. "I'll pick a fight with you in class." Draco said, Hermione's expression soured.
"Why don't you just bump into me in the hallway or something, I don't know, send me an anonymous letter! I don't understand why you have to be such a prat all the time." Hermione vented a bit, Draco's eyebrows lifted in surprise.
"Um, okay... I guess that could work." He nodded absentmindedly, Hermione let out a breath of relief. They stood there for a moment, then Hermione felt the potion starting to wear off. Draco watched in weird fascination as Hermione changed back into her normal self. He stared as the robes she was wearing stretched a little too tightly. Hermione took her wand out and fixed the robes so they fit better.
"Just one question, Malfoy." She said, he looked back at her with a bored and sardonic expression on his face.
"Why?" She said finally, he blinked in surprise.
"Why what?" He inquired.
"Why are you switching sides? Especially now that You-Know-Who is almost at his height of power? It just seems rather un-Slytherin of you." She said, he smirked at her.
"Are you trying to talk me out of it?" Her eyes widened, "No! It just seems out of character for you... You know, with all the bullying and what not." She said quietly, he shrugged.
"I guess, I know for certain that you won't harm them, as opposed to the Dark Lord, who would definitely harm them if they displeased him." He said it so softly Hermione almost didn't catch it. She nodded in sympathy, but he shrugged it off.
Snape carried Miss Weasley carefully, making sure that she was not uncomfortable, despite the fact that she was still unconscious. Her breathing and heartbeat were fine, so whatever it was, it was not life threatening. He took the long way around to the hospital wing, not wanting to be seen carrying her and not really wanting to stop carrying her either, for some reason. He wondered why she was unconscious, and why she wouldn't seem to wake up. He could not detect any dark magic on her, so it wasn't that bad. He was annoyed at how little time had passed before he arrived at the hospital wing. He put on his sour face and pushed the doors open with his shoulder. Madame Pomphrey was busy with a few other students, so he gently placed her on a hospital bed quite far from the entrance. He felt her pulse again, and found it was fine. He turned her head from one side to the other, looking for some clue as to her condition. Suddenly he noticed some crumbs on her mouth. His temper flared slightly, and he opened her mouth to find a magical treat stuffed in her mouth. He pulled it out and searched her robes for the other half.
But he could not find it anywhere, so he simply whispered, "finite incantatum." Ginny inhaled deeply as she came to. Her eyes opened and she looked around at her surroundings first in confusion and then alarm. Snape's temper died when he noticed the look on her face. Ginny had turned white, and she looked terrified.
"Miss Weasley." Snape said in a quiet and controlled voice. Her head jerked to look up at him. He almost didn't need to use Legilimancy to know what she was thinking.
"How did I get here?" She whispered in dread, thinking that she had somehow been possessed again.
"It's alright Miss Weasley, I found you unconscious in the dungeons. I brought you here, thinking something was wrong only to find this in your mouth." He said rather sternly, holding up the offending treat with two long fingers.
"Would you care to explain?" His dark tone making almost wince. She took a deep breath, trying to remember what had happened. She bit her lip,
"I didn't eat that thing if that's what you think. I don't have any reasonto take it. I hate that one, and going unconscious is not... pleasant." She said, sounding very guarded towards the end. His glare faded when he realized what she was saying.
"You don't like going unconscious because it reminds you of what happened when you were eleven?" He inquired softly, Ginny stiffened a little. He could sense her dislike of talking about that. She gave a little jerky nod, but that was all.
"So, what were you doing in the dungeons?" Snape asked her. Ginny huffed, she was reluctant to tell him, but disliked lying to him. So she chose her words carefully.
"I was there to meet up with some of my friends, to pull a prank on Malfoy. But something went wrong, and somebody shoved the Fainting Fancy in my mouth. And then I woke up here."
She said with certainty, Snape could almost believe her. "So where are your friends now? Why did I only find you in the classroom?" He asked further, Ginny gave an exasperated sigh.
"I don't know where my friends are. As I said, they shove the fancy in my mouth and then I woke up here. I don't know where they went after that." She said, running through it in her mind a little bit, trying to figure out what happened for herself. Snape nodded, adequately satisfied with her answer. Ginny glanced up at Snape and for a moment they locked eyes. But he looked away, making Ginny feel a little disappointed.
"You're free to go, seeing as you were not actually sick." He said in a calm, indifferent manner. Ginny huffed quietly at his tone, but simply nodded and complied, getting out of the hospital bed and walking past Snape.
He watched her go, feeling the urge to call her back and talk to her about something. "Miss Weasley," Snape said quietly, Ginny paused at the door. 'If you ever need help, with dealing with... That, I'm always here. I can help you." He said, Ginny was surprised at his words. She had not expected that fromhim of all people. She smiled at him, even though he wasn't looking,
"thank you sir, I will keep that in mind... And, you have helped me, with that... More than you know."
She said so quietly it was almost a whisper. He looked back at her, surprise and confusion written on his face. She only smiled at him warmly, and walked out of the door.