It's What's Inside That Counts
Chapter 20
St. Mungo's
An hour later, a Healer emerged from the Urgent Care Ward where Hermione had been treated. He went to Hankins and Harry.
"Blood loss and alcohol poisoning," the Healer announced. "She's been given blood treatment and nutritive potions. The prognosis looks excellent and she's resting comfortably. You may see her in the Auror ward, to be released in two days time."
"Thank you Healer," Harry said.
"On a side note, I hope you give her good kick in the pants. She's far too young to be doing this to herself," the Healer said.
"I'll keep that in mind," Harry said.
"Let's get back to the Ministry and let them know," Hankins said.
Later at the Ministry...
"I find this simply hard to believe," Ballantine said.
"This from Granger?" Miller said.
"I can't imagine what could have happened to set this off, further, I can't imagine where Snape would be throughout all this," Harry said. "He flips out when she so much as stubs a toe, and here she almost drinks herself to death and he's nowhere to be found."
"Snape? Severus Snape?" Ballantine said.
"Yeah, they're together," Harry said.
"Could this have something to do with him? A falling out?" Miller asked.
Harry chuckled. "You don't know those two. Joined at the hip, they are. We expect invitations to the wedding any day now," he said then frowned. "That's what you're thinking, isn't it?"
"I don't like to think it, but yes. The heart often overrides the mind of a otherwise sensible, smart witch," Ballantine said.
"You sound like you know what you're talking about," Harry said.
"Unfortunately, I do," Ballantine said. Miller patted her shoulder.
Two days later, Molly and Harry went to St. Mungo's to be there when she was released. He waited in the corridor outside the ward for her to sign her discharge papers. She opened the door and sadly smiled at the two.
"Let's get you home dear," Molly said kindly.
Molly and Harry had cleaned the manor while Hermione was recovering. All that remained were the gifts that escaped her rampage. She sighed when she saw the gifts and sat on the sofa in the den.
"I'll get some tea going," Molly said.
"How are you?" Harry asked.
"Tired, but fine," Hermione said.
"You know, you're gonna have to talk about this; to Miller and Ballantine anyway," Harry said.
Hermione groaned and fell back against the sofa. "I'm in trouble, aren't I?"
"Some," Harry said. "So, what happened?"
"The worst birthday of my life," she said ruefully.
"Here we go," Molly announced and brought in a tray of tea.
"Hermione, 2 bottles of vodka?" Harry asked.
"It's cheaper than fire whiskey," Hermione mused.
"You could have drunk yourself to death, there among the pecking chickens, would you like to be remembered that way?" Harry said sternly. "You scared me to death."
"Was it Severus?" Molly asked kindly.
A tear fell from her eyes as she nodded. "He..." she sniffed and stopped. They waited for her to continue.
"He thought I was cheating on him."
"That's ridiculous," Harry said.
"He thought I was cheating on him, with you," Hermione said to Harry.
Harry gave a short, hysterical laugh. "That's beyond ridiculous."
"He didn't give me a chance to explain what he was accusing me of," she said. "He said the most awful things to me and just left. I don't remember much after that."
She went on to explain what happened before the fight. When she finished, she took a sip of tea and smiled thankfully to Molly for the calming drought she tasted in the tea.
"What is it with men? Is it me? What am I doing wrong?" Hermione asked. "Victor left me, Ron-well you know about Ron, Anthony and now Severus. I'm doomed with men I suppose."
"You did nothing wrong, it sounds like he reached the wrong conclusion about a series of innocent events and overreacted," Molly said. "Maybe if you could find him and-"
Hermione shook her head. "No. Hell no. I have no desire to open myself to more hurt."
"Don't you love him?" Molly asked softly.
Hermione nodded her head. "Yes, I do and I hate myself for it. I guess he didn't love me as much as I thought or he would have had more faith in me."
The next morning, Hermione sat before Chief Auror Hicks, Miller and Ballantine.
"I offer no excuse for my reprehensible behavior. I fully understand if you wish to expel me from the program. On a personal note, I do feel horrible for scaring my friend, he's been through enough. No matter the joke that is my personal life, there are better ways to deal with it. I assure you, this will never happen again."
"Very well, Trainee Granger. Miller?"
"On Granger's behalf, her performance thus far has been excellent. She has given us no reason to doubt her dedication to the program."
"Ballantine?" Hicks asked.
"I agree. She's been an outstanding class leader. Many trainees have committed acts much worse than this. I think in this case, Granger simply may have felt she had no one to go to with her problems and became overwhelmed. Am I correct Granger?" Ballantine asked.
Hermione looked at the older woman with wide eyes. How does she know?
Hermione nodded. "My personal life is just that, mine. I've no wish to burden anyone with my petty, silly problems."
"It must not have been that petty to nearly drink yourself to death," Hicks said kindly.
He looked at the young witch carefully. He had a daughter her age, so he decided to take the father-daughter tack. "We may be Aurors and present a tough facade to deal the horrors that come our way, but we are human, with fallible human hearts."
"Yes sir," Hermione said.
"Please wait outside while we discuss your case," Hicks said.
When she was outside, Hicks addressed the other two. "Okay you two, spill it."
"I vote she stay. She really is one of the best class leaders I've seen. Her abilities with Potions and Charms are unequaled among her peers, and she's freakishly ahead of her teammates, academically speaking," Miller said.
"I agree. To give her the boot for a broken-hearted mistake would be a waste of a potentially great Auror," Ballantine said. "From her records, I see that her parents have passed. I would be willing to bet that emotionally, she relied heavily on the bloke that left her. It must have been quite a blow for her."
Hicks sighed. "I've made my decision. She will receive a letter of reprimand in her permanent records, her class leader status is rescinded, and she makes up the missed days on weekends. Oh, and see that she reimburses St. Mungo's for her stay. She's not an Auror yet."
At lunchtime, Hermione told Harry of Hick's decision.
"I'm just grateful they didn't kick me out," she said.
"They're not heartless," Harry said.
"That's what Hicks said," she said.
"Please Hermione, just keep in mind that you have people to go to if you ever need to talk or just vent," Harry said. "On a side note, we blokes aren't worth all the trouble."
Hermione snorted. "I'll keep that in mind."
Spinner's End
A week later, Severus was awakened from his drunken stupor by a Ministry owl. They wanted to see the research on his Polyjuice potion and approach him with a project. A part of him missed Hogwarts- the part that liked the regularity and predictability of teaching, the friendship of staff members and the look on a student's face every once in a while when they were successful. Then his thoughts drifted to one former student in particular.
No, I won't think on it, he thought. I need to move on, she has, with him.
He went to his room to make himself presentable for a Ministry visit. He had work to do. At one p.m. he checked in at the Ministry reception desk and made his way to Auror Administration. Several people recognized him on the way and nodded. He checked in at the Auror Division reception, took a seat and waited. Two third year trainees manning the desk were chatting. Severus paid little attention to the chatter until he heard the name "Granger."
"...was sure they were gonna expel her."
"Hicks grew a heart, I guess."
"She has to pay back St. Mungo's for the three days she was there."
What??!! Severus thought.
"I hear she almost destroyed her own house, had some kind of fit."
"Well, two bottles of vodka can do that."
The doors opened. "Professor Snape? Auror Reilly will see you now."
They still call me Professor.
In the Auror's office, Severus saw as Reilly flipped through dozens of pages of research and patent information.
"Hmm...impressive," the Auror said.
"Thank you," Severus said.
The office door opened. A trainee poked his head in. "Auror Reilly? Chief Hicks wants to see you."
"Fine, tell him I'll be there momentarily."
He continued to flip through the papers for a moment then set them down. "Can you excuse me for a bit? Feel free to help yourself to the coffee," he said, indicating a coffee maker in the corner.
Severus nodded. He glanced around the office, taking note of the personal effects of the wizard, then a sheet of paper on a bulletin board that listed the scores of third year trainees. A red star was penned in between the fourth and fifth name. At the bottom was a note about the star.
First Year Trainee Granger administered Third Year Potions exam, ranked as indicated.
Auror Reilly left the door open and gave Severus a full view of the Auror library, where some trainees were working. His breath was taken away when he saw Hermione diligently scribbling on paper at her table. He noted that she was at a corner table by herself, away from her classmates. She rested her forehead on her hand and frowned at the paper. She stopped, stretched her arms and arched her back.
Why do tarts have to be so attractive? Severus thought ruefully.
Several others noticed her too. She extended her arm and wandlessly summoned a book from the shelf next to her.
"Hey Granger, you're gonna have to teach me how to do that," one of them teased.
"I'm here to learn, not teach," she said and returned to her work.
"What about me?" Ernie called out.
"And here I thought that Ravenclaws knew it all," she quipped.
"Damn, ouch," Ernie said and resumed his work.
Well, that was cold! Severus thought. His lip curled when he saw Harry sit down beside her.
"Ginny wants to see you in Hogsmeade this weekend," he said. "She misses you."
Why would Miss Weasley want to see her? Doesn't she know about she and Potter? Severus thought.
"I don't want to intrude on you two," Hermione said, rubbing her eyes.
"Why don't you have your eyes looked at? Anyway, she really wants to see you, to make sure you're all right, with her own eyes," Harry said.
"Okay Harry, after I make up the training time, I'll make my way there. Just as long as it's not Puddifoots," Hermione said.
"Don't worry, Gin hates that place as much as you do," Harry said. "Plus, you can meet Ron's new girlfriend. She works at the Quidditch shop."
Hermione snorted. "Why am I not surprised?"
"He might actually get laid," Harry said lightly.
Hermione scrunched her face in disgust. "I really didn't need to know that."
Auror Reilly came back and shut the door. "Now, let's get down to business. We are impressed with this potion, truly. I wish I could speak to this other test subject, but do I understand the privacy clause. Anyway, the reason you were asked here today is this: since you are the expert with this potion, and a Professor at Hogwarts-"
"Former Professor," Severus said.
"Well yes, former, however, we have a job for you. You get to utilize you potion, return to Hogwarts and get paid well for it. Plus, your skills are an added bonus. Are you interested?" Reilly asked.
"What would I have to do?" Severus asked.
"Simple. Be an Auror."
"Pardon?" Severus asked.
The Auror removed his glasses and sat back in his chair. He swished his wand to ward and silence the office.
"What you are about to hear is classified. I assume I can depend on your silence?"
"As the grave," Severus replied.
"Very well. Since the death of Headmaster Dumbledore, Headmistress Minerva has reason to believe that Death Eaters have infiltrated Hogwarts either directly or indirectly, through a student. Although she dislikes the idea of Aurors at a peaceful institution of learning, she does agree that an Auror presence will discourage...negative actions from this suspected infiltration."
"I am well aware of Minerva's dedication to the students, and if she believes something is going on, you had best believe her. She has a sixth sense about these things," Severus said.
"See? That's what I mean. No one knows Hogwarts as well as you. You are the perfect choice, and although I find the term spy distasteful when connected to Aurors, it is in essence what you'll be doing," Reilly said.
"Who will know what I'm doing?" Severus asked.
"No one, not a soul," Reilly said. "In fact, if you agree to this, you will obliviate this entire conversation from me, then proceed to another office to continue. It's for the secrecy of the mission and safety of all involved. No one will know that you're not really an Auror."
Severus cleared his throat.
"I realize that you're reluctant to obliviate me, but know that I fully agree to it. I believe in this plan, I have a son at Hogwarts. The thought of Death Eaters milling about the school around my child...any way, what do you say?" Reilly asked.
"When does this plan start?" Severus start.
"If you take the potion today, you'll be introducing yourself to McGonagall tomorrow."