Chapter 2: Potter Loves Normalcy

Neville was never any good at directions. He could have a map, a compass, and a guide, and he would still manage to lose his way. So it didn't surprise him when he took a wrong turn, or maybe two, and found himself facing the Slytherin flags in the dungeons. The depiction of the snake teased him, sticking its tongue out at him. He stuck out his own tongue and scratched his head. How was he ever going to find his way back?

Turning down a hallway that seemed to go toward upward stairs, he could hear whispering not far from where he stood. He stopped moving and held his breath, scared of being caught in the Slytherin realm. The voices came from a nearby door, which was partially opened. Letting out his breath, he tip-toed to the door and peeked in.

It was Snape and Malfoy Sr. They were discussing something very quietly, something that, as he listened in, made his eyes widen in fright.

He had to get out of there before they found them. He had to tell the Order. But as he spun around, there was someone there, someone wearing green and silver colours.

Draco grabbed him and pushed him up against the wall in a surprisingly quiet manner.

"What are you doing here?" he spat, his wand pointed right at Neville's nose.

"I-I-got los-lost," Neville stuttered.

"Why are you eavesdropping? Did you hear anything?" Draco asked.

Neville could feel himself shake beneath the pressure.

"I…no!" he said.

Draco grinned. He muttered a silencing charm under his breath and gave Neville one last shove against the wall before letting him go.

"I'm watching you, Longbottom. Not a word."

---

Hermione returned the following night with a whole new list of questions. Snape agreed to see her, but was not thrilled to see the new, longer, list she produced from her book bag.

She started with one near the bottom; something about the method used to stir potions. She didn't write his answer down. It didn't matter. She already knew the answer. She simply wanted to break him in a little.

When he was done speaking, she eyed her list again, choosing one a little more interesting.

"Apart from your obvious talent, why did you decide to be a Potions Master?"

Snape didn't break his straight-wood stature, but he did hesitate a little.

"Interest?"

"Weren't you interested in other things, though?" she asked.

"No," he said, "what is your interest in the matter?"

She shrugged. He raised his eyebrows in question.

She proceeded with another school-related topic, and listened as he answered. He still put forth his usual crude demeanor, and still gave her the chills, but that night, he also had a bit of a twinkle in his eye. It wasn't something that she could really explain. Perhaps she´d caught him on a good day.

At least, she hoped she had.

"Why would you want to become a Death Eater?" she asked next, cautiously.

He froze in his seat, breath and all.

"What is the true purpose of this tutoring?" he asked solemnly.

"I'm just trying to get to know you," she said.

She knew it wasn't bright. In fact, she knew it was downright awful of her to try to get into his brain this way, but the temptation was just too great. Who had the opportunity to have much one-on-one time with an actual genius, albeit a bad-tempered one, like Snape? To get into his mind on a more personal level, to really see the man for what he was: she simply could not resist trying.

"Are your friends waiting up for you again?" he asked.

She nodded.

"Were they upset last night by the late hour?"

She nodded again.

"I will only answer what I find appropriate about my life," he said, "but I'll let you ask anything you want. But you must stay the entire night."

She could hardly contain the excitement inside her. She could see right through it. He wanted to irritate Harry. He wanted it to seem as though their relationship was leaning on the inappropriate in order to poke under Harry's skin.

It didn't bother her; not as much as she would have expected, or as much as it should have. She had an entire night to dig into Snape's personal life, to dig into the brain of a genius. The chance of a lifetime.

"That sounds just fine," she said.

---

Harry was suspicious. He didn't like how much time Hermione was spending with Snape; the late nights, passed her curfew. He would wait up for her, concerned and curious, but each time her arrival had been after he had fallen asleep. He would wake up to the morning light, or to Ron dragging him up the stairs to bed.

He didn't like it.

He sat in the Great Hall, listening to Hermione speak of her latest night with the professor, or, rather, the pervert. She had so much to say and not enough breath to say it in, her blush giving her feelings away.

"You shouldn't be allowed to be alone with him like that after curfew," he said.

"I know you're worried," she said, "but it's completely innocent. He's trying to make you squirm. It's all very childish."

But Harry wasn't convinced.

He saw her blush a deeper shade of red as Snape walked up to the table where they sat and hovered over her like a great big, deadly bat.

"Miss Granger," he said, giving Harry a quick smirk, "I need you to meet me in my office tonight."

Harry glared at him as he spoke.

"It's so nice to have a dedicated student," Snape continued, his eyes focused straight at Harry. "One so willing to learn, even staying up all night with me to do so."

Harry knew it had nothing to do with dedication. He was rubbing it in. He was poking his stick at Harry, waiting for him to poke back. But he couldn't help but fall right into the trap.

Hermione couldn't stop blushing. It made Harry nauseous. He stood up to leave, but not before Neville came running into the Great Hall, almost knocking Harry down.

Neville shied away from Snape until he left for the teachers' table. He seemed frantic, but would not speak. He opened up his mouth and moved his lips, but no words came forth.

"I know a silencing charm when I see one," said Hermione. "Come on, outside."

When they were safely gathered in the courtyard outside of the Great Hall, she pulled out her wand and muttered a counter charm. Neville thanked her with a hug, of which she had not expected and did not, therefore, reciprocate.

"Harry, I have to see the Order," Neville said, "and quickly!"

"Hold on, who put the silencing charm on you?" Hermione asked.

But Neville ignored her.

"I have to see them, and without Dumbledore. Can you take me, Harry?"

No one seemed to understand, especially not Harry. But he had never seen Neville so unapologetic and demanding. It sent a chill up through his spine.

"Yeah, sure," Harry said. "Right away."