Disclaimer: All familiar words and characters from the Harry Potter universe belong to the brilliant J.K. Rowling and not to me.
A/N: Thank you, Moon Revel, for the beta-read!
Ron and Hermione entered the Barking Man to see a distressed-looking Harry sitting in the back of the room waiving off a hovering server. They were greeted heartily by the manager, Mr. Salkis, who was invariably over-the-top friendly to them in order to mask his nervousness at having the owner or his best mates stop in.
Harry looked up when he heard Mr. Salkis bellow enthusiastically, "Ms. Granger! Mr. Weasley! Always a pleasure to see you both! Mr. Potter is right over—"
"Ron!" Harry said in disbelief as he rose and strode quickly to where they stood in front of the door. "You followed me here so you could see Hermione?" Harry noted Hermione's red, tear-streaked face. Turning on Ron, Harry exclaimed, "She's been crying! I told you to give her some time! What have you been saying to her?" Harry glared at the sweating manager who was pretending not to be listening to them. The man turned and quickly retreated to the kitchen area. "Hermione, are you alright? I swear, I didn't know Ron was going to come along!"
"Harry, it's okay. Ron just… he just… someone… Well, he stopped someone who just used Legilimency on me to learn how to make the… er—you know," Hermione said inarticulately.
"What! Are you okay, Hermione?" Harry asked as he silently cast a Muffliato about them. The slight buzzing noise that suddenly filled the air clued her in to the magic worked.
She nodded. Harry put an arm around her and guided her back to his table. Ron followed.
"I need you to tell me everything that happened," Harry began, now in full Auror mode. "Then we will need to report to Kingsley so he can get a team of Aurors working on this. Someone out there has learned to brew the potions, and we will need as many of us on the case as possible so we can stop him before—"
"Harry, hold on! He didn't learn anything. All he could get before Ron showed up was a memory that showed Professor Snape making the potion." She took a deep breath and continued, "He knows I do not know how to make it! So no need to worry on that account. The secret is still safe."
Harry, despite her efforts to reassure him, looked more worried. "Hermione! You mean Snape hasn't taught you how to brew them yet? What's he playing at?"
"Nothing!" Hermione said indignantly. "He just had to be sure he could make them flawlessly before explaining the procedure to me. It's a really difficult recipe, you know! Besides, why should you mind? If I had known, then someone who obviously wants to break into Azkaban would know as well!"
Ron shook his head. "True, but Harry's right. The Ministry will be upset that Snape hasn't taught you yet. It's a matter of security."
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked with a frown.
"Look, Snape was told that he had to teach you the potions as well," Harry explained. "For one thing, the secret can't be known to only one person! What if something happened to him?" He casually added, "Then… well, you know, the Ministry doesn't particularly trust Snape, so they want another—"
"What are you going on about?" Hermione countered. "Everyone knows now what he did! They awarded him an Order of Merlin, First Class, for goodness' sake! They honored him with the title 'War Hero!' If they didn't trust him, they wouldn't have him brewing potions for them that could be deadly if made wrong! Of course they can trust him!" she ended emphatically.
"Sure they can…" said Ron sarcastically, "Trust him as far as they could throw him in a dueling match!"
"Ron, be fair!" cautioned Hermione. She paused, smirked, then added sweetly, "And it's really alright of you to compliment Professor Snape's defensive skills!" She beamed at him mischievously.
Ron looked indignant and was about to come back with a retort when Harry spoke first, "I see you two are back to your usual, bickering selves." He grinned, then continued, "That's great, but we need to go report to Kingsley now. It's up to him how to handle this, and I'm betting he won't want Scrimgeour aware of what happened."
Hermione suddenly had several more questions than the many that arose just a minute ago. She started to speak as Harry led them to the pub's fireplace, but he interrupted her, "Kingsley will explain it all to you. Let's just hurry."
The trio, who had not all been in one room at the same time for the past several weeks, now sat closely together on a short, upholstered bench in the office of the Head of the Auror department. Harry was relieved that they were together again, but felt the circumstances could certainly be better. Ron had an arm wrapped around Hermione's shoulder, which, Harry noted, seemed to make her slightly uncomfortable. He hadn't even asked them if they had resolved everything. Were they getting back together after all?
Kingsley Shacklebolt sat in a high-back, plush, leather chair behind his desk, his fingers idly stroking the jaw line under his chin while he considered what he had just been told. He leaned forward and spoke to Hermione, "Now, are you sure you told me everything you can remember about the man who attacked you? Is there anything else?"
"No, I think that must be it," she said more calmly than anything she had said since the attack. "I could not see his face. All we know is that he is fairly tall, large-framed, with a deep voice, and that he wants to break someone out of Azkaban. Oh, and that he knows how to perform Legilimency," she replied, summoning it up.
"That's not a lot, but we can start with that." Kingsley turned to Ron and said politely, but with authority, "Ron, go now and pass this description to everyone in the Department. Make sure they are all clear about this being an 'inside case,' please. Thank you."
Ron nodded and rose, leaving the room with an air of dignified duty.
"Inside case?" queried Hermione.
"Hermione," Kingsley began in conspiratorial tones, "there are some situations where it would be… shall we say, i unwise /i to inform the Minister or his minions about them. In this case, Severus Snape does not need the grief they will surely give him for not beginning your training. Secondly, we need to protect you both, and Scrimgeour would certainly hinder our efforts by making a compromising spectacle of it all." Kingsley leaned back in his chair and let out a deep sigh.
"So what are you going to do?" Hermione asked.
"First, we are going to get the Potions master over here so we can discuss this with him as well." Kingsley regarded Harry and asked, "Harry, would you be kind enough to draft him a letter requesting his presence here? Tell him what has occurred, but please be nondescript about the rest."
"Of course," was Harry's reply as he took parchment and quill from the desk. He found the idea of sending a letter to Snape a little disconcerting. What would his former professor think when he unrolled the scroll to see a letter in his nemesis' handwriting?
My bounty is as boundless as the sea,
My love as deep; the more I give to thee,
The more I have, for both are infinite.
Severus Snape sat on the deep brown, suede sofa in his chambers. He had just read the most affecting passage on page 487 of his collection of works written by the noted playwright, William Shakespeare. He paused to wonder why it was that Hermione had been reading from Romeo and Juliet. The story was about two lovers who loved one another despite the stark disapproval of everybody they knew. It is nearly fitting, I suppose, Severus thought, except the love part was questionable. Hermione might, for some unfathomable reason, desire him, but surely she would never love him!
Gods, what am I getting myself into? Severus shook his head. How long would it take, once her friends found out about him, for them to talk the sense back into her? Unlike Juliet, Hermione would never choose him over the friends she loved. And they would certainly never approve of Hermione's and his relationship!
That damn Potter still hated him despite having finally learned of everything Severus had ever done to help him! The brat had not even thanked him once. He even knew about Lily. Severus had been sure that Potter would have approached him to ask about his mother…
Severus frowned, remembering the past Saturday spent in Hell. There had been that hate-filled stare Potter had given him during those wretched circumstances they had been forced to share.
No, it seemed Potter would always hate him. It was not as if that were a big deal in and of itself… of course… but Severus Snape would never be tolerated by the Chosen One as the lover of his best friend! Severus snorted. Hermione was with Potter even now! Surely she will never actually—
Tap! Tap! Tap! There was suddenly the sound of an owl outside the one, lone window in his private rooms. It was a narrow window located way up near the ceiling, which equated to being just above ground level from the outside. There was no way for him to reach it. Severus pointed his wand at the window instead, and an owl came soaring through the opening, bearing a scroll embossed with the Ministry's seal.
Severus untied the letter from the owl's leg. He gave the bird a pat, and it flew out without further ado. He unfurled the scroll and nearly dropped it in surprise at the sight of the handwriting of the former student on whose papers Severus had delighted in drawing big, prickly, black D's. Speaking of the Potter brat, what the hell was he writing to him for?
Severus stood in the lift, pushing the button for level two over and over again. The damn lift was going entirely too slow! He let out a frustrated growl. Finally it opened to the right floor, and Severus quickly made his way to the Head Auror's office. He was seething with rage and replete with worry as he opened the door without bothering to knock. He needed to see…
Hermione. There she was! She was sitting at the far end of a bench. He quickly noted with his peripheral vision that Potter was seated next to her, and on the other side of him sat Weasley. She smiled softly at him when his eyes sought hers. He could see she had been crying earlier. He half-moved to wrap her in his arms, but the presence of Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, and Kingsley Shacklebolt stopped him. Instead he asked solemnly, "Are you alright, Miss Granger?"
"Yes, Se—sir," she answered, her eyes still locked with his.
Severus walked over to her, pulling out a vial from a pocket in his robes. He offered it to her as he said, "I brought this for you. It will cure your headache. Drink it down promptly, please." She took it obediently with a word of thanks. Severus nodded and sat in a nearby chair that Shacklebolt offered him.
Severus looked around and saw Potter staring at him—not with hatred this time—but in a prying way, as if he wished he could perform Legilimency on him. He huffed. As if the boy could ever have the fortuity or discipline! Severus glowered at him until Potter broke his gaze.
Shacklebolt began, "Now, Severus. Harry told you what has happened to Hermione. We are going to need to take some extra precautions—"
"We most certainly are!" interjected Severus. "First, I no longer agree to teach Miss Granger how to brew the fire-immunity potions. Clearly, it is much too dangerous for her to—"
Undeterred, Shacklebolt interrupted him, taking back over the conversation. "Severus, you know why you must. If you do not teach her, Rufus will have your head! That is why we are prepared to ensure your protection so that no one will be able to get to either one of you."
"There is no need to remind me of my little arrangement with the Ministry, Shacklebolt," Severus said coldly. "However, surely Miss Granger's safety is more important than their political games? You know I hardly care for the so-called benefits I have been receiving from them! Let them take all that away! I—"
"Severus, listen to me. It's either all or nothing for you. If they take it away, then surely you must know where you will end up?"
Severus glowered fiercely at him.
"You know I do not agree with the Ministry's decisions in their handling of the post-War trials, Severus. I want to help you. We will not tell Rufus anything of what has happened today. You only just cast the Black and Purple Flames this past weekend, and already someone is trying to break in. You don't want him to think that the secret is no longer safe in your hands, or he just might 'take it all away.'"
Severus sat with his arms crossed, his scowl deepening.
Shacklebolt continued, "Instead, I will tell him that I am instituting a new security plan just as a simple precaution. We will station Aurors at Hogwarts again. No one will be allowed admittance without prior screening and approval. One of them will meet you or Hermione on the grounds and Apparate with you when one of you comes here to drop off the potions every week. We will also mention as an aside in the i Daily Prophet /i that only Aurors have the knowledge of how to enter Azkaban. That way we divert attention away from you. Few would be foolish enough to dare take on one of our well-trained Aurors. Not to mention, even if they would dare, they would still not learn a thing about getting through the Flames of Azkaban." Shacklebolt finished speaking and sat silently, allowing for Severus to give his thoughts about the security plan he had just detailed.
Severus sighed with exasperation. "That is all well and good, Shacklebolt, except you are overlooking one significant detail."
"Oh? And what would that be then?" Shacklebolt inquired while using all of his concentrated effort to ensure that it came out politely.
"Someone already knows that the way through the flames comes by means of a potion," Severus explained smoothly. "He already knows that she—" he gestured toward Hermione, "—is assisting me, even if he believes that she is not to actually make the potion herself. This person clearly knows that I am in possession of the knowledge he seeks."
"Rest assured, Severus, that we are doing all that we can to track this person down before he causes any more trouble. With the Aurors stationed at Hogwarts, you will be secure. Until the man is caught, we can have Aurors attend you when you must leave the Hogwarts grounds."
"How utterly delightful," Snape declared sarcastically. "And what about Miss Granger? Our illicit foe's inability to get helpful information from her does not assure her future safety. He could still use her to get through to me."
"We'll offer her the same security, of course," Shacklebolt replied smoothly.
Potter cleared his throat. "Er—might I suggest something?" he asked.
Shacklebolt said, "Certainly, Harry!" but Potter was looking at Severus when he asked.
Severus rolled his eyes. "Out with it then! Let's hear it."
"Well, sir. I think it might be a good idea for you to teach Hermione Occlumency," he answered.
"Excellent idea, Harry," Shacklebolt said as he acknowledged Potter with a smile.
Snape grimaced. Of course he would have to teach her Occlumency! Way to state the obvious, Potter.
"Mr. Potter, I intend to do as much," Severus answered in a tone just barely perceivable as scathing. "However, I am surprised that such a suggestion has come from you. I seem to recall you thought me to be rather remiss in teaching you Occlumency?"
"Er, I… well—" Potter began.
Hermione spoke up, "Please, let's not get off-track here. Professor, I am sure you will teach this well, just as you do everything else." Weasley raised his brows at Potter. It was obvious to Severus that these two galling boys definitely disagreed with Hermione on that point. They looked as though they were trying not to laugh. Severus sneered.
Shacklebolt spoke, "Yes, Hermione is right. Let's get this all settled then. Severus, you must immediately begin teaching Hermione Occlumency. You must also show her how to brew the Azkaban potions—the necessity of which is unquestionable."
Hermione caught Severus' darkening eyes. She frowned and asked, "Why must he…?" She trailed off when she saw Severus shake his head at her.
Shacklebolt answered the unfinished question. "Hermione, the Ministry thinks it unwise for only one person to know how to brew the potions. You are well-placed and uniquely qualified to be their second brewer. You are a Potions apprentice for one. Not to mention that they trust you implicitly as you are a friend of the 'Savior of the Wizarding World'…" Severus and Harry both rolled their eyes. "…and because of your effort in the War. It's not as if they could simply recruit any decent potioneer to take on such a serious job. They might be entrusting their lives to someone dangerous for all they could know!"
Hermione nodded and said, "Oh, I see. Okay." Yet, when she looked at Severus again, he could tell she knew there was more to it. Hermione is way too curious sometimes! I really hope she does not pry…
"Well, I believe we are finished here now," Shacklebolt declared. "Hermione, take care, dear. Rest assured we will work tirelessly to find this man." She nodded in response.
"Harry, Ron, Severus," he acknowledged them all in farewell. "I must go down to put that spin on the new article about Azkaban security. You all have a good evening." Shacklebolt left the room.
Potter stood up and said, "Hermione, I think it would be a good idea if I see you home safely. Unless you'd rather Ron…?"
Weasley piped in, "Yeah! I'll do it—"
But Hermione shook her head, "Sorry, Ron, but I need to talk to Harry anyway."
The redhead whined, "I think we need to talk more. I haven't been able to talk to you for—"
"Mr. Weasley," Severus cut in smoothly, "I think your friend deserves some rest after today's events, wouldn't you agree?"
Weasley glared at him but said, "Yes, she does, sir." He turned to Hermione and said, "Sleep well, and Floo-call me tomorrow so I can hear how you're doing, yeah?"
"Sure, Ron," she replied.
Weasley, now obviously uncomfortable, said shiftily, "Well, I'll just go then. Goodnight to you all." He turned and left the room.
Potter turned to Hermione, "Is he still hoping you two get back together or something?"
With a quick, wide-eyed glance at Severus, Hermione exclaimed, "No! We're just going to try being friends again!"
Severus felt an entire sequence of emotions wash through him in swift waves from when Potter had voiced his question. First was fear, and then came jealousy. Then there had been a fleeting, self-chastising thought about knowing this would all be too good to be true. With Hermione's reply came relief, joy, and as an afterthought… annoyance.
"Well, that's good! So, are you ready to go then?" Potter asked her.
Severus answered for her, "Mr. Potter, I must speak with Hermione for a moment before she leaves."
"Yes, Harry, will you give me just a minute?" Hermione chimed in. "We need to discuss how we are going to fit these lessons in on top of those for my apprenticeship."
"Sure. I'm going to catch up to Ron real quick before he Floos out… see what's got him tied up in a knot. Meet me down by the lifts when you're ready to go, okay?" Potter saw Hermione nod in affirmation, and he turned and exited the room after briefly nodding in Severus' general direction.
Finally, Severus could do that which he had been desperate to since he had arrived. He pulled Hermione into his arms. She buried into his chest, and he rested his cheek on the top of her head.
"Hermione," Severus breathed. His hand ran slow circles over her back. "Tell me truly, are you quite alright?" he asked with concern. Somehow he should have been able to prevent this!
Hermione's arms encircled his waist, and she hugged him to her more tightly. After a few moments she said, "I did not realize when I signed on to become the new Potions professor that it would become such a dangerous job."
Severus brushed aside a loose strand of her hair that had been plastered to her cheek. He chuckled softly. "Well, it has always been a precarious position! Children blowing up cauldrons of potent and perilous potions being a daily hazard…"
She smiled up at him. "You never really enjoyed teaching Potions, did you?"
"I have enjoyed teaching you in these last weeks, but otherwise, no. Now, the art of potion making will forever be an affection of mine, certainly. However, you are more than welcome to the teaching of it to unskilled and unappreciative children."
"It won't be as bad as all that," she said, her eyes glinting with humor.
Severus' throat tightened at the sight. "Hermione," he whispered, his voice rich with emotion, "you cannot know how relieved I am that you were not more seriously hurt today."
"Thank you, Severus," she said, clasping her hands to his and entwining their fingers. "So am I. Though, everything will be fine. It sounds as if we have a good plan for security. We can carry on as we were." She paused for a moment in thought, then asked, "Severus, what kind of arrangement do you have with the Ministry?"
He sighed deeply, releasing her hands and hugging her to him once again. He spoke softly into her ear, "I would prefer not delve into those matters right now. We can not afford the time with Potter awaiting you at the moment. And I must insist you go home and ensure you get sufficient rest tonight."
"I suppose you shall endeavor to explain it to me at a more opportune time?" teased Hermione dryly.
Severus sighed. "I suppose I am building up quite a number of matters in which I have acceded to elaborate on in later discourse." He smirked. "Then again, perhaps that is only due to your propensity to ask an inordinate amount of questions!"
She huffed at him though he was smiling at her. Hermione was about to retort in kind, but Severus ran his thumb gently across her lips. She immediately quieted as he leaned down to kiss her.
Hermione never stayed silent for long, Severus noted with amusement as she let out a soft moan when their lips began to move together. He kissed her gently, savoring her, sharing with her his relief, his care, his love.
i It is entirely regrettable that Hermione's next lesson is not until Thursday/i Severus thought at they finished the kiss and gazed upon each other.
Hermione whined softly, "I do not want to wait three more days until I see you again!"
Severus let out a small laugh. "I do not intend to let that happen. I would suggest that you come up to the school tomorrow, and we can—"
"Start Occlumency lessons?" she provided. Then, with a smirk and sparkling eyes, she put forth, "Or perhaps discuss you and the Ministry?"
Severus responded with a hard stare that was supposed to be reproachful but was somewhat undermined by the amusement in his eyes. "Yes to Occlumency. However, I thought perhaps we could finally have that literature discussion…" he said with mirth, raising his brows suggestively.
"You, Severus, are devious!" she exclaimed in playful reprimand. He laughed, and Hermione kissed him briefly to shush him. She added, "You are not able to deceive me. I know you are just trying to divert my attention from asking you questions by offering me instead what you know I find inescapably appealing!"
Hermione kissed his smirking lips again. "Okay, I'll play your game, but in all seriousness, I hope you know that you can talk to me about anything."
"You are exceptional, Hermione," Severus offered, giving her a kiss of his own. He led her to the door, saying, "Let's get you down to the lifts before Potter wonders what has been keeping you."
Hermione and Harry Flooed from the Ministry to her flat. She would now hear what Harry had needed to talk about. And tomorrow, she would get Severus to talk to her!
A/N: Sorry to make you wait yet another chapter to find out what's bothering Harry. It just didn't quite fit at the end of this one. More soon!
The passage Severus reads from his book is, indeed, attributed to William Shakespeare.