Author's Note - Woot! The newest edition is now up! ;) I believe a bit of the mystery will be revealed here (coughsecretadmirercough), but enough is still up in the air to keep the suspence going, I think.
Snapedreamer - I will try to keep the story at a slow pace. ;) Thanks for the advice.
AngelicBladez - Muhahah! My plan is working!
Rinny08 - If you remember the name of the book, let me know. It sounds pretty interesting. Almost like Labyrinth. -DavidBowieDrool-
Marston Chicklet - Thank you very much. ;) I'm glad you enjoy the story. In regards to the errors, I've been looking for a beta reader, but I can't seem to get a hold of one. Also, I'm afraid it's going to be increasingly difficult to keep Snape in character from this chapter on, but I'll surely try. Oh, and I'm not a big DumbledoreIsNotDead kind of person, but I did think I needed his character for this particular story.
Amsev - Thanks! ;) Hope you like more cliffhangers!
----
Hermione paused beneath the archway. "Lemon Drops."
Nothing.
"Butterbeer. Jelly Puffs. Cinnamon Twigs. Cream Tart. Chocolate Beetles. Marzipan Earwax."
Ewwww.
Hermione watched the staircase appear, her thoughts occupied by a desire for simple Muggle candy.
She felt drained as she climbed the flight, the satchel draped in her arms adding to the weight of her tired body. Barely had she slept the night before-her time had been occupied by staring into the canopy of her bed, watching the faux stars and moon twirl and spin like a child's mobile. Oftentimes, the mere sight had lured her into sleep. But last night, after catching herself in front of the mirror, a dream-like trance lulling her to gaze into the embellished reflection, even the comfort of the enchanted night sky could not soothe her.
"Come in, Miss Granger," came a warm, pleasant voice. "I had suspected you might show up this evening. Tell me, have you got the slippers with you as well?"
Hermione paused, a shocked little quiver in her bottom lip. "I...well...yes, I did, Headmaster."
I don't know why it surprises me, she thought, taking a seat opposite the Headmaster's desk. Perhaps Professor Snape isn't the real master of Oculomancy.
Albus seemed to smirk then, although it passed in a glimmer.
The old Headmaster took a seat, watching Fawkes regard Hermione with a regal bow. He looked quite healthy, then. He must have been reborn only a few minutes ago, she thought. She smiled to him and bowed her head graciously in return.
"Might I have a look, Hermione?"
Albus stroked a hand through his beard as the Head Girl reached into her satchel. First, she handed him the Devil's Box. The Headmaster studied it carefully, spinning it with his fingertips as if to memorize each angle. "I suspect Remus has already informed you of the purpose of this box."
Hermione nodded.
Cautiously, the Headmaster opened the box, placing the top down gingerly upon his desk. "Oh, my," he remarked quietly. One long, aged finger traced the edge of a pearl lightly, as if it were pulsating some fragile life. "I have heard the stories of these particular pieces, and yet was never fully convinced of their existence. It seems I have been proven to the contrary." Azure eyes lighted pleasantly upon cinnamon-Hermione frowned. "You are aware that these are Lost Artifacts?"
She swallowed-she nodded again.
"If I'm not mistaken, my dear, I believe that these may have, at one time, belonged to Lenora Slytherin." He paused, watching her eyes gradually widen. "Might I see the slippers?"
Slytherin?
Hermione complied, handing the Headmaster a bundle wrapped in small throw. Dumbledore pulled the crimson fabric aside gently, revealing the white silk beneath. "These are quite priceless, Hermione," he remarked gently. "The person who gave them to you has not done so lightly."
Hermione sighed, a heavy pressure in her stomach tightening. I'm sure you're quite aware of that, she thought, bitterly. "Headmaster, do you know who might have-"
"I'm afraid that it is not my place to interfere, Hermione," the Headmaster remarked swiftly, placing the throw over the slippers and gingerly returning the bundle to the girl. "However, I do believe that I can help you in your research over the properties of these gifts." He paused, the twinkle so familiar to his eyes changing-deepening in its understanding. "I believe that the most learned man on these particular artifacts resides right here in Hogwarts."
Hermione smiled, placing the red-cotton bundle into her satchel. "Professor Lupin has been very helpful, Headmaster, but I'm afraid that even he is not fully aware of the artifacts' capabilities."
"I'm sure that Remus has been most helpful," Dumbledore agreed. "I understand that he has been quite enthusiastic on acquiring you on as his apprentice."
She blushed slightly and placed the bag to the side of her chair, faintly aware of the presence of it calling out to her. It disturbed her, and yet she said nothing. "I intended upon accepting his offer this evening, Sir. That is...if you approve of Professor Lupin's decision."
Dumbledore studied her casually, leaning the weight of his body back into the chair. "I would be most honored to accept you on my staff, Hermione. However, it takes many years to complete an apprenticeship and I am unaware as to who the temporary replacement shall be after Remus retires." He hesitated, then. "Hermione, I must admit that Remus, although quite talented, is not the expert I was referring to. Are you aware that...Severus is an avid researcher of the Lost Artifacts?"
Hermione's eyes widened sharply. "Professor Snape?"
Albus chuckled, his hand folding thoughtfully into his lap. "If I'm not mistaken, that was one of Severus' many Advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts projects. I understand that Remus has taken the formation of..."Dumbledore's Army" as one of your's?"
Hermione turned a fair shade of pink-it seemed she had much more to become self-aware about these days. "Yes, Sir," she replied, "as well as Harry and Ron, of course."
"Of course," Albus remarked, sparkling jovially. "Severus would be quite elated to discuss his progress with you, I'm sure. He hasn't had many interest in his projects for years-especially not from young witches with an incomparable amount of knowledge."
Hermione was genuinely touched by the compliment. However, the idea of working with Professor Snape did much to override her momentary pride. "Headmaster...I don't believe that Professor Snape would be very...appreciative of my asking him to-"
"Nonsense," he assured. "My dear, I'm sure you will find Severus to be quite a bit more appreciative than you expect."
----
As he watched her retreat down the staircase, he sighed, placing his wand at his temple and muttering a brief alleviation spell.
"I trust that my performance was adequate?" he inquired.
Severus stepped from the shadows of the corner bookcase, pulling the Invisibility Cloak from his body and gathering it neatly in his arms. "You say that as if you told the girl lies, Albus."
"I did not lie, Severus," Albus corrected gently, watching the eyes of the youthful Severus peering out of the older man's body. He had aged only in years, Albus thought.
"And I did not ask it of you," Snape countered, standing perfectly attentive before the Headmaster. "I do recall you admitting that it was in the best interest of the girl."
"That I did." The ancient Headmaster began to caress the gray strands of his beard. "I have asked Remus to inform the girl about her parents. I feel he may be able to handle the situation delicately in regards to Miss Granger's comfort."
Severus was visibly vexed by the comment, as Albus knew he would be. "Is Lupin so much more comforting than others?"
Albus gaged this remark-he had never appreciated the competition between two of his most trusted staff. "Are you suggesting you tell the girl yourself?"
The lines of the dark man's face tightened. "Of course not," he snapped. "I have no interest in the matter, nor patience for a silly Gryffindor's outburst."
"You must learn, then, Severus." Albus stood and moved towards the younger man. I know that you have the capacity for compassion. "What you ask of her will require it." Love does not exist
without compassion, Severus.
Severus clenched his teeth, his lips drawing out into a thin hyphen. "I ask nothing of her," he replied, curtly. "You know quite well that it is a...proposition. Miss Granger is quite capable of answering in any way her little Gryffindor mind chooses to."
Albus felt so old, then-it came upon him quickly, like a chill. "She will come to you now, Severus, to know the secrets of the artifacts. It is upon you to sway her mind into the direction that you choose."
A flicker of candle passed across the dark man's face.
"Albus," he said, gripping the cloak tightly against his body, a painful expression in the pools of his eyes, "I have spent several years trying to talk myself out of this nonsense. As it stands, I only hope that I can survive." His lips began to twitch-the old man knew Severus felt helpless as the strands of his facade began to slip away. "I do not understand why I feel more fear while in her presence than at the feet of the Dark Lord-and the joy is incomparable. I have become a fool, Albus."
Dumbledore smiled warmly. "Everyone in love is a fool, Severus."
----
The boys held each other beneath the olive-drab comforter, white and dark hair splayed across the pillow case.
"Father knows," Draco said, stroking a long, white finger across the arm of his lover. "He's disowned me. I'm quite poor, darling."
Harry chuckled. "You know that I have spent all my money on the war effort-on the horcruxs and the bribes for information. My parent's money. Sirius'. We're quite poor, my love."
"How do you expect do pay for your Auror training?" Draco shifted across the mattress until he had managed to prop himself up on one elbow. Harry watched him, lazily drawing circles across the other boy's chest.
"Dumbledore is going to allow me to train for free," Harry replied, putting his glasses back on their perch behind his ears.
"It's the least they can do for the Boy Wonder." Draco smiled and pulled himself playfully on top of the Head Boy, pinning him beneath his scant weight. "We shall always be poor, my sweet," he said, his smile fading slightly.
Harry gave a sad smile-a smile for his love and his misery. "It costs a small fortune to be married in the Wizarding World-a fortune we will not have for a long time. I love this world, my heart, but their ideas are ancient. Penalties for same-sex marriages."
Draco watched him sleepily. There sat a comfortable sort of love in his eyes-pensive and warm. It was the sweetest honey Harry had ever tasted. The white-haired boy bent down to lick the salty skin of his lover. "We will find a way," he whispered in the dark.