The Pitfalls of Being an Insufferable Know-it-all

Thirteen

It was Monday and some days had passed since that incident in my living room. I had not heard from the man since. I was only irritated because I was unsure what our next step was and, of course, I still could not easily contact him myself. I was beginning to wonder as to the likelihood that he might not intend to contact me again. I only knew if that proved to be the case then he would be in for a very rude awakening.

I was sat at my desk, staring unseeingly at a report I was supposed to be writing regarding an infestation of chizpurfles at a Muggle School last week. The office bustled around me, but as I watched, I felt a pang of distaste. Most of them were busy doing nothing. I had more than enough to get on with, but Merlin, it was becoming mind-numbing. There was no sign of them giving me anything other than the most menial of tasks. Were it not for my extra-curricular venture, I would have made rather more protest than I did. As it was, it was somewhat beneficial to have room in my mind for that particular task.

I had spent much time thinking on the incident with Cresswell. Someone was trying to lead me into the path of Severus Snape, and I wondered what they anticipated me to do with the information I had. I had done nothing, and anyone who knew me would know doing nothing is not really in my repertoire.

Mid-morning, I walked to the admin department and put in a new order for chizpurfle repellent. There was the usual smattering of cordial greetings, but little else. I'd tried small talk when I'd first started at the Ministry, but I was no good at it. I didn't bother anymore. I'd never have that effortless sociability that seemed to come to others with ease.

I procured myself a cup of tea and then walked down the hallway back to the office. Halfway there, I came to a halt outside the filing room, where I was deposit my latest report. Clutching the file under my arm, and transferring my mug from one hand to the other, I took out my wand to unlock the door.

The sound of approaching voices and footsteps reached me, and it was only a courteous glance I intended to send my fellow employees. When I did, however, I flinched and nearly jolted the tea from my mug all over me. There were four men approaching and one of them was Severus Snape himself.

When he clocked me, a maddening smirk stretched at his mouth. My thoughts, unbidden, returned immediately to our last meeting. I prayed that the shadows in the hallway would mute any subsequent blush.

Of course, I was not to be left unscathed.

'Miss Granger,' called Bertie, the boss. 'I have a meeting to attend now; will you answer any Floo-calls in my absence? There's a good girl.'

I clenched my teeth together so hard my parents would have flinched. I glared as openly as I dared, as they passed, but it appeared only to further amuse Snape.

I scowled as they retreated around the corner. So, he was officially back from Norway… How kind of him to inform me of that fact. I wondered, not for the first time, if I had ever met a more infuriating man in my life.

The answer, as always, was an emphatic no.

Perversely, though, I was beginning to see I rather enjoyed being infuriated by him.

As the day wore on I wondered what the likelihood was that I'd go home and find him there. Or was it more likely that he let me stew further for his own amusement? I was afraid for my own sanity if he decided on the latter.

As it transpired, I felt a traitorous pang of disappointment when I arrived home and found he hadn't let himself into my house. I've never been afraid of irony so I allowed myself a rueful smile. But there was an owl waiting for me — the missive its beak bore his spiky script and I tore it open straightaway.

I was to present myself at the Most Extraordinary Society for Potioneers at half past six that evening. Those were his orders. I crumpled up the parchment and wondered if his return from Norway had more to do with not wanting to visit my personal abode anymore, than it did anything else. Or was that indescribably self-absorbed of me? Still, I rather doubted he could not have noticed that moment between us.

In any case, I changed out of my work robes and if I spent time deliberating over my appearance from there, well, I chose not to analyse it. I Apparated to Edinburgh shortly after and found the building I was visiting to be shrouded in darkness. I gave the large oak door an experimental nudge and found it to be locked. I lifted the knocker twice and told myself there would be trouble if he'd got me up here on another fool's errand.

Luckily, only a few moments later, I heard the sound of the lock and then the door opened. It was Snape himself and he held a candlestick in one hand.

'Good evening,' he said cordially.

I stepped in and he shut the door. When he locked it, I looked at him with raised eyebrows

'Got the place to yourself, have you?' I injected just enough suggestion into my tone and sent him a small smirk.

I think he scowled, but in the half-light I couldn't be sure. He started walking, ignoring my attempt at teasing. I followed him up the stairs, wondering if he would mention our last meeting. He didn't, of course.

He marched into his office, where the fire crackled and several candles floated around bathing a warm glow that was lacking elsewhere. I sat in the chair in front of his desk without waiting for an invitation. I decided it was time to dispense with ceremony, especially since he'd never even engaged with it in the first place. He sat behind his desk — all very professional and business-like. I was convinced now that I certainly hadn't been the only one to have felt that frisson between us.

'You are back from Norway, then,' I stated simply.

'Indeed.'

I stared at him expectantly. He, however, was in no hurry to expound.

'Why are you back from Norway?' I ground out.

He shifted and seemed to rouse himself. 'After our discovery last week, it occurred to me I might be better served being able to account for my movements.'

I nodded in agreement. 'And the Ministry?'

'Just a follow-up meeting… They are clueless and have no resolve one way or the other.'

'And what is our resolve?'

He considered for a moment. 'I think it is time for more… pre-emptive action on my part.'

'Our part, you mean.'

He shifted in his chair. 'May I remind you of the type of people we are dealing with? I think it's —'

'I'm in, remember?'

He shrugged elegantly. 'Very well; I've been working on a Tracking spell for some time now. This was always going to be a last resort — to put a trace on the Augureys and their eggs themselves and hope they lead us to the heart of the matter. However, there are problems to be considered. For one, we can't know precisely where they will target next, and neither can we charm every Augurey in this country. The other major risk, of course, is that if my spell is detected, it may be used in reverse…'

He flicked his hand in nonchalant dismissal of the implications.

'Is it likely to be detected?'

'I'm prepared to take the risk.'

I nodded to myself. I was prepared, too. I thought with only a smidge of envy that he was one of the most talented wizards in the country. I thought it highly unlikely his spell would be detected.

'How will we implement it?

He opened his pocketbook and examined it for a moment. 'Over time I have recorded when and where I have been aware of attacks on Augurey nests. The pattern is not conclusive, however, there are places I believe could be next on the list, simply because they do appear to strike in the same place with any regularity.'

'How does the spell work?'

'We will cast it and then I have this…' He reached into the drawer and pulled out a large folded up piece of parchment. He unfolded it to reveal a large map of the United Kingdom. 'This is where I haven't had chance for further refinement… You may recall, no doubt, Potter's map of Hogwarts?'

The contempt in his expression amused me despite myself. I made sure to contain it.

'I could not hope to achieve the same precision on such a scale as this, but it should lead us to within a workable radius.'

'Impressive.'

'Shall I give you a demonstration?'

I nodded, straightening in anticipation.

He withdrew his wand and demonstrated first the wand movement and then recited the Latin phrase to accompany it. Following which, he repeated both together and aimed his wand directly at me. My mouth fell open in outrage as a blue flash enveloped me. I felt nothing physically, of course, as it hit me, but there was a great deal of umbrage at his cheek.

He gave a dry chuckle as he turned the map towards me. I found Edinburgh on the map and there was a glowing red dot signifying my presence within the vicinity at least, of the Society.

'Very good,' I said sarcastically. 'Now, feel free to remove it.'

He did so with a smirk and I watched the red dot disappear.

Uncomfortably, I was reminded of something. 'This, ah, wasn't how you knew I went to see Cresswell, that time, was it?'

He raised an eyebrow. 'Come now, Granger; I thought we'd progressed beyond such little doubts.'

I wished suddenly he would call me Hermione, but stupidly, I felt as though I couldn't request it — as if the opportunity had passed by some time ago.

'But to answer your question,' he continued, oblivious to my internal fancies. 'Cresswell told me… It was that simple.'

I nodded to myself. What a novelty this was, having him give straight answers to simple questions!

'Have you had any further thoughts on who might be utilising Polyjuice against you?'

'No,' he replied. 'I don't anticipate it is a favoured modus operandi for them. It's too fraught with pitfalls, whilst I am at large myself. Still, they need only incriminate me once. of course.'

At the contemptuous turn of his expression, I considered a matter which had been poking at me ever since our discovery about the polyjuiced Snape. And so, in the spirit of full co-operation, I decided to reveal the paltry remains of my hand.

I coughed. 'There's, ah, something we haven't discussed before, which may or may not have a bearing on matters.'

'Oh?'

'I tried to track down your work 'Secrets of the Augurey and Other Creatures' — I came here in fact to find it.'

He simply stared me.

'It was gone.' I stated. 'Mr Ridley also told me you had his own personal copy.'

Now I observed his eyes narrow marginally.

'Similarly, the, ah, original from the offices of the Practical Potioneer has also disappeared.'

Now his expression clouded precipitously, and I hesitated over what I was to say next.

'I should say it had disappeared, until I, um, found it.'

'Granger…' he purred warningly.

I actually squirmed. 'I found the copy from the Practical Potioneer here, in this office, the day I came for your liquorice wands.'

He leaned forward over the desk, eyes blazing. 'You're only telling me this now?'

I opened my mouth to defend myself, but when he rose to his feet and stalked over to the sideboard, whereupon he poured himself a hefty measure of whisky, I found the words died in my throat. However, whilst I fully anticipated a torrent of vitriol to follow, there was, surprisingly, none. His back was to me and for a moment he did nothing except stand there. Then, his head tilted back as he swallowed the contents of the tumbler in one go.

'Fuck,' he said, setting the glass down with a heavy thump.

I witnessed a brief drop of his shoulders as he sighed, and then he drew himself back up and returned to his chair across from me. Call it a revelation, but right there I knew that my erstwhile desire to wrong-foot this man was not the true reflection of my feelings, for I felt no satisfaction from where I was sat. None, whatsoever.

'It was a fascinating read, I must say,' I offered, glancing at him carefully.

He stilled and gifted me with a hard look. 'Why, thank you for that scintillating peer review.'

I smiled appreciatively. I think the clenching of his jaw signalled he was not as irritated with me as he might try to convey. I was beginning to enjoy very much this tit for tat between us, especially as I sensed he also took enjoyment from it.

'Was there anything on the document in question that might signify anything useful? He asked.

'No… You may examine it yourself if you wish. Clearly, though, if you did not leave it here then someone got in here and did so. Surely, it would have been too risky using Polyjuice to come in here… Especially as you were supposed to be in Norway.'

He made no answer; he stared into the fire with a contemplative frown on his face.

'Could someone who works here be in on it?'

He stirred at that. 'Theo might be abrasive, but I have no reason to believe he would get mixed up in anything like this. The building, as you know, is open to the public, and whilst my office isn't, it isn't kept locked. There is no need to do so.'

'Is it worth speaking to Albert —'

He snorted. 'You've seen him… An elephant could probably sneak past him undetected.'

I bit back a laugh and ran a hand over my face tiredly. I could tell from the hard set of his jaw that he resented the not-knowing — resented that someone, somewhere, dared to cross him. He had the benefit of an innate cautiousness, however. No recklessness for him, because unlike me, he thrived on playing the long-game. I could only wonder who could be foolish enough to take him on, as I knew who I would put my money on emerging victorious.

In the silence of his contemplation I found an opportunity to study him unnoticed. I wondered what would have happened had Harry's Patronus not interrupted the other night. Even just looking at him, I could feel a subtle accompanying warmth within me. I had to wonder at it, because I couldn't recall quite ever feeling the same sensation unbidden before. I always thought I wasn't the type for silly fancies or daydreaming, that my mind only ever sought the comfort of that which was certain — knowledge and facts. It didn't waste unnecessary time on feelings and needs and those intangible desires.

When I came to see that he was now looking at me, too, I felt that warmth pulse hotly. I sought to deflect his gaze and I folded my arms defensively.

'What do we do next?' I asked as evenly as I could.

When he did not answer straight away, I felt I might be perilously close to fidgeting.

'This Saturday we shall commence placing the tracking charms. From there, we simply hope for a breakthrough.'

'Very well.'

I was pleased to have something to do that would hopefully prove productive. I thought about the event of us catching the smugglers, and the consequences thereafter. As he had intimated before, the ripples and aftershocks I imagined would finally be my opportunity. From there I would expand my career — I would achieve change. I would influence progress. One may be forgiven for thinking that it was I who was the glory hunter, but I simply always wanted to be helpful and, indeed, useful.

I discovered that he was watching me whilst I was thus occupied. It was a calculating look and he was not at pains to hide it.

'Have you not already made enough of a difference in this world, Granger?' he asked eventually.

My blood ran rather cold at his divining the direction of my thoughts. There was no Legilimency involved, of course; I was apparently just so very transparent in some ways to him.

'No,' I replied plainly.

'You may not always be thanked for it.'

I stilled, somewhat confused by his train of thought. 'I don't do it for thanks...'

He nodded in a gesture of deference to my words, but I had the distinct impression he didn't really believe them. I would have pressed the point, but he prevented it by getting to his feet and pouring himself another measure of whisky. I also got to my feet, deciding it might now be sensible for me to take my leave. I told him I would see him Saturday, but he said nothing. I thought that would be the last of the matter, except, as I reached the door, he called out.

'Oh, and Granger?'

I looked over my shoulder at him.

'Remember — our association must remain between the two of us for now.'

I nodded reaching for the door.

'There's a good girl.'

I froze at that. He dared to use that precise dig at me, knowing full well I hated it. No doubt he hoped for a reaction, but I wondered if he realised the reaction he had elicited was far from what he likely expected. For, whilst that chauvinistic phrase usually always elicited a burst of frustration within me, it was lacking here.

It was lacking, because, as I took my leave, I found myself smiling.

I was smiling, because I wondered if he even realised he was flirting with me. And if he did realise it, I thought, did he know that it was working?

AN: Thanks for reading : )