Chapter 6 – New Years Brings New Friends and Old Enemies

"Ginny? Do you remember the summer after fifth year, when you and Hermione were trying to make Ron leave her alone?" Harry came through the door talking, and Ginny, looking up from the laundry she was folding, was struck by the difference in him since the time of which he spoke. His face, though not smiling, was the picture of contentment, something she had never dared hope to see when she looked at him. But there was a gleam in his eye that seemed new.

"Yes, why?" she asked guardedly.

Harry hung up his coat and kicked off his shoes, for once, before crossing the room to greet her. She smiled wanly at this. It had only taken 5 months to train him to do that. Her mother owed her ten galleons. Not that she would tell her.

"Was all of that Hermione's idea?"

"Of course. You don't figure I'd come up with something like that! Walking in on Fred in the nude? Yuck! And the bra disaster! It was brilliant." Ginny laughed, remembering Ron's intense embarrassment at being stuck in Madam Malkin's back room while Hermione and his mother kept holding up garments and giggling over them. Ginny and her other brothers had watched the entire spectacle from the window. She'd had to place a silencing charm on George to keep his laughter from giving them away. "Why do you ask?" she inquired shrewdly. She eyed him as he sat down in the chair opposite and put his hands behind his head, another habit he'd picked up from his father as seen in Snape's Pensieve.

"No reason. I was just thinking how very Slytherin it was of her to use Ron's family against him."

Ginny leapt to her friend's defense. "It wasn't like that! She just sort of knew how we'd all react to certain things and – " Her words died in her throat as she looked at her husband. "Okay, yes, it was a sneaky, low-down, Slytherin thing to do. But it wasn't as if she was doing it to hurt him. She only wanted to save their friendship. And it worked," she added, almost petulantly.

Harry grinned. For all her assertions that last year's time turner experience had made them of equal age, Harry could still see an immaturity in her that wasn't present in those who'd begun in his year at school. He was always careful not to mention it, however, since she HAD managed to finish school a year early, something not even Hermione had accomplished. Naturally her NEWT scores had not been as high as Hermione's nor had she taken as many NEWT level classes, but honestly, who had?

"Yes, it worked," he agreed finally.

"What are you up to?" she asked immediately, noticing the odd gleam again in his eye and the uncharacteristic smirk that was taking over his face. The smirk vanished at her words, but the gleam remained.

"Nothing."

The subject was dropped, and with only one quick glance, Ginny went back to the bedroom to put the laundry away. A moment later Harry followed, smirking again.


"Ron, really, if you were so concerned, why didn't you just come over and talk to us? It isn't as if he'd give you detention for speaking out of turn!" Hermione held the phone to her ear with her shoulder as she rushed through the streets of London, thanking whatever deity presided over cell phones that Ron had finally learned not to shout into the blasted thing.

Today, however, he was inordinately loud. "What could you possibly have had to talk about anyway?" he demanded. Hermione grinned as she made her way from the crowded street into The Leaky Cauldron. It was just the opening she'd been waiting for.

"Oh, well, we started out discussing Potions theory. He's developed a fascinating new way to make Veritaserum, which depends upon combining the same ingredients that are used in the first stage of a delirium potion, in a completely different order, of course, and it isn't susceptible to – "

"Right," Ron said quickly, cutting her off. She could just see the glazed look in his eyes that would have settled in as soon as she started explaining. "I guess if you're interested in that sort of thing," he admitted grudgingly.

"I am, and then we talked about – "

"OK, Hermione, I get the idea! I still wanted to talk to you last night, and you weren't available. Are you going to listen to me now?"

Hermione's triumphant grin faded and she sank into a chair at a corner table, unaware that someone was observing her closely. "Of course, Ron, what's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong," he replied, exasperated. "I just want your help picking out something for Gabrielle."

Hermione smiled into the phone again. Ron had started dating Fleur's sister shortly after Fleur herself had left his older brother, Bill. She had a shrewd idea what it was Ron was picking out. Sure enough, he continued. "I already talked Harry into meeting me at O'Malley's today, and he'll be here any minute, can you come?"

Hermione and Harry had bullied Ron into learning to use a cell phone not three months previous. He'd been reluctant at first, but it had soon become a common occurrence to see one of the three of them with their ear glued to a phone. Not as quaint as charmed mirrors, perhaps, but certainly less likely to put Harry in a mood. All in all, it was a good way to stay in touch.

"I'm in the Cauldron, now. I'll be there in ten minutes," she said quickly. They made their goodbyes just as Tom approached her to inquire if she was ready to order. She sheepishly got up to go, apologizing for taking up a table, when she noticed the amused smirk on a very familiar face at the next table over.

"Miss Granger," Severus said by way of greeting. He could hardly look away and pretend he hadn't seen her, after all, though the thought occurred to him.

"Even the Headmaster calls me Hermione, now," she replied, collecting her things. Tom shuffled off, shaking his head as if he knew what was coming.

"Indeed?"

There was an uncomfortable moment when her shopping bags were collected, and yet nothing was said. "What was that nonsense you were spouting into your muggle contraption a moment ago?" he inquired, having allowed a suitably long pause.

"Oh, er, just something to get Ron to stop prying. If I talk over his head it usually gets the topic back to something that doesn't irk me," she admitted a moment later. A slight blush had overcome her features as she spoke, because she remembered quite plainly that the Potions Master had never even mentioned Veritaserum during the previous evening's conversation.

Severus bit back a grin. It wouldn't do to be seen smiling in public. "I see," was all he responded. Another short silence found him wondering if there was something else she wanted. She was looking at him as though she was about to start firing off questions, and he was sure he didn't have the patience to endure it. Thankfully, however, she snapped out of it and excused herself politely before making her way toward Diagon Alley.

Severus sipped his drink, avoiding the bartender's eye. Tom would be sure to wonder why he hadn't snapped at the girl, as was his habit this time of year. In fact, only half an hour previous, he'd snapped at Tom himself, though he could no longer recall what for. He tossed back the last of his drink and left his money on the table. He had plans for the evening, and wanted to be sure the elves had cleaned his quarters sufficiently.


"You finally got it?"

"That appears to be the case." Severus stood with his back to his guest, sipping something and looking very pleased with himself. "I will be teaching fifth through seventh year potions and fifth through seventh year DADA. Albus says he'll hire someone else to cover each of the classes for the younger students."

"Well, that's just what you wanted, isn't it? No more dunderheads," Draco Malfoy laughed a little, which was more than he would have done in anyone else's presence, and finished his drink.

Severus swirled his cup again and wondered if it WAS what he wanted. It wasn't as if he had no options. In spite of his rather notorious bad temper, there were ex-students littering Europe who now worked in the Potions field, and not a few of them had contacted him again this year with job offers. It was a yearly thing, but this was the first year he'd been free to actually consider any of the possibilities. It was the first year he would ever work for Albus Dumbledore without any strings holding him in place.

He threw a glance over his shoulder at the young man who was currently lounging in his favorite chair. Never mind that there was another chair just beside it, you could always trust Draco to choose the best. Severus wondered briefly if he did it consciously and decided it was unlikely. No one ever annoyed him on purpose, after all.

"So I guess you'll be turning us down again then," Draco said, throwing him a devil-may-care grin as Severus seated himself in the other chair. Severus rethought his previous conclusion and scowled.

"Not necessarily, Mr. Malfoy. You did give me until June to decide. I intend to withhold my decision until that time."

It was Draco's turn to scowl, but he couldn't keep the expression in place. His uncle, who'd taken over the actual work involved in running the many Malfoy businesses, had asked him to approach Severus about heading up the R&D division of their perfume company, based in France. He'd been surprised when Severus informed him that his father had asked him the same question nearly every year since the Malfoys had acquired the company, and they'd shared a laugh over it earlier.

"My uncle doesn't much care when you come, as long as you agree to come. You could tell him you'll work for him in six years and he'll revamp his whole business plan to accommodate it," Draco said graciously. It was, after all, the truth. So complimentary had Lucius been in describing Severus to his younger brother that the man would gladly trade three of his top researchers for Severus Snape.

Severus allowed himself a smile at this. Compliments were rare things among Slytherins. He'd nearly formulated an equally generous reply when an odd tone filled the air. After a moment of puzzlement, he placed it as a very tinny rendition of an old Weird Sisters song. He grimaced as Draco looked apologetic and lifted his cell phone to his ear, propelling himself out of the chair to pace.

"Malfoy here," Draco said coldly into the phone, trying to keep his voice down. Naturally Severus would be listening.

"Draco, it's Harry. Are you still having that New Year's Party at the Switzerland MSO headquarters? I'd like to bring someone." Harry said all this quickly, and with an air of confidence he didn't possess. Draco tolerated him, but they had never become friends.

"Is it Weasley?" Draco asked contemptuously. To say that he and Ron were not friends either would be a gross understatement.

"No, of course not," Harry assured him.

"Nine PM," came the curt reply. "And it's a black tie affair," he continued, "don't come dressed – "

"Thanks, mate," Harry said quickly, making a mental note to wear something outlandish. Like a tie. Wouldn't that serve the arrogant prat right? "I've got to go. See you then."

Draco glared at the silent phone for a moment before thrusting it back into his pocket. He was still unsure as to exactly how Harry had come across his number, and, indeed, why the bloody Boy Who Lived even HAD a cell phone, but now was not the time to dwell on it. He could feel the weight of the Professor's gaze as he resumed his chair. His wineglass had been refilled, so he lifted it and calmly drained it again, blissfully unaware of the raised eyebrow he earned for his trouble.

Severus thought better of asking what had happened to upset his friend. He recalled clearly Lucius' temper during his first year as head of the Malfoy estate. Whatever it was, it would probably be taken care of by an eager underling before the week was out.


MSO, one of the many partnerships the Malfoy family had formed, then bought out over the centuries, was host every year to an elaborate New Year's party. Draco had never before been required to attend, and therefore had never seen the place. He was appropriately smug, however, as he shook hands with the few guests who warranted his personal attention. They would expect no less.

When Harry arrived, accompanied by both Ginny and Hermione, Draco forced himself not to roll his eyes. Harry was sporting a dark gray tie over his dress robes. "Ridiculous as usual, Potter," he commented quietly. He kept his expression neutral and shook Harry's hand politely in spite of it all. The illusory tie vanished, and both men smiled tightly.

"Nice place," Harry allowed, his eyes straying to the gleaming chandelier as he silently reminded himself not to wipe his hand on his robe. Like Draco, he had never quite gotten over the feelings of dislike that had taken up residence during their first train ride together.

Draco didn't respond to that obvious understatement, turning instead to Harry's entourage. "Mrs. Potter," he said, nodding. Then, "Granger." He kept his tone just this side of civil. Barely.

It wasn't that he cared particularly that her parents had been muggles. His dislike for Hermione, and Ron as well, stemmed almost entirely from jealousy. He and Harry would never get along, and truthfully Draco didn't mind that. He didn't like the man enough to care.

But he had no one, with the possible exception of Severus, with whom he would ever be as comfortable as Harry, Ron and Hermione were together. And that irked him on a primitive level. Harry he had to tolerate – the Malfoy businesses would certainly suffer if he were ever to be rude to him in public. He was under no such duress concerning Ron and Hermione.

Pondering these things unintentionally, he missed the fact that Ginny hadn't bothered to answer him. He snapped out of it in time to catch Granger's response, however. "Draco. A lovely party," she said quietly. He could detect no lie in her tone, and years of etiquette conditioning kicked in as he responded.

"Thank you. May I offer you a drink?" He was so annoyed with himself, even as he offered her his arm as well, that he missed the look of alarm that crossed Harry's face. It was well that he had, as that would surely have garnered a sneering response.

Hermione hesitated only a fraction of a second before deciding to accompany him. Harry and Ginny watched them walk away in bemused silence before making their way towards the tables to find their places for dinner.

They found Severus already seated, alone at a table for 8 and looking distinctly unapproachable. Presumably Draco would be sitting with him, but Harry took a seat beside him anyway. Severus cast an inconspicuous glance around the room before he spoke. He bypassed the customary greeting altogether.

"Baiting Draco again, Harry?" he asked quietly. "You ought to know better than to use your friends for such things."

Harry was a little surprised at the rebuke, but took it well. "If I'd wanted to irritate him, I would have brought Ron," he said good-naturedly. "Besides," he added, suddenly scowling, "they seem to be getting on well enough."

Ginny had charmed the empty bread plate beside her into a place-card with Hermione's name, and it was well that she had, as several people made a bee-line for their table as soon as they'd greeted Draco.

"Professor!" The first witch to approach them was dressed in very simple red satin robes. Unlike the latest style in England, her robes had cropped sleeves, which came to just past her elbows. Her long hair was bound at the nape of her neck. The effect, though certainly more severe than Ginny's flowing curls, was of a hurried elegance. She looked as though she had someplace else to be, but had made the time for this instead.

"Madam Haverty," Severus greeted her stiffly, in sharp contrast to his fluid movement as he rose to take her outstretched hand. In spite of his formality, however, his tone was not unkind. "A breakthrough at last?" he asked, as though picking up an old conversation. He pulled out for her the chair beside the one he was saving for Draco, and she sank into it with good grace, never questioning her placement.

"Yes, and you'll never guess where the idea came from."

Harry could hardly keep his eyebrows beneath his hairline as he took in the sight of this rambunctious woman facing the currently unflappable Potions Master. "Won't I?" Severus asked indulgently.

"Why, your article last October, of course!" Madam Haverty exclaimed, as Severus looked suitably skeptical.

"I was writing about the adverse effects of misusing poly-juice potion, Madam. I fail to see how that has any bearing on your research to create a potion to allow anyone to turn into an animal at will."

This was an out-and-out lie, but Severus had had years of practice, and the excitable Madam Haverty did not register that anything was amiss. Harry and Ginny, however, exchanged an amused glance and promptly tuned out the conversation.

Nearly half an hour later, when all the guests had arrived, Draco turned control of the festivities over to the President of MSO, an old Swede whose name he could not recall, and gratefully found his table. Hermione, who'd been pleasantly surprised by his civility, was still trailing after him. He found that he didn't mind. Her presence at his side had certainly prevented several over-eager women from propositioning him. And as he was quite sick of gold diggers, he was appropriately thankful.

Without a great deal of thought, he held out the chair next to Severus for her, and she sat. Draco himself sat in Madam Haverty's recently vacated chair. She'd disappeared only moments before, upon seeing them approach.

Harry hid his grin behind the rum and coke he'd special-ordered from the house elf serving their table. In spite of Ginny's place card, the seating arrangement had worked out to his liking.

Severus also hid his expression behind his drink. But he wasn't smiling. It was obviously going to be a long night. First he'd had to listen to that incompetent, idea-thieving imbecile. Now he would spend the rest of the night running interference between Harry and Draco, and fielding questions from the most talkative witch in the west. His mood was not improved by the knowledge that he'd published the poly-juice article specifically to aid MSO's stagnating R&D department. His headache was only made worse at the thought that he'd rather enjoyed discussing said article with Miss Granger the week before Christmas. Carefully dancing around his knowledge of the stolen potions ingredients during her second year had been quite entertaining.

If nothing else, he was relieved of the necessity to speak with her now, as she and Draco appeared to be content to continue the conversation they'd begun earlier.

"He wasn't a Slytherin."

"Naturally, but that doesn't change the fact that he was a lying, no account, pretty-boy fake," Hermione retorted vehemently. Severus quickly concluded that 'content' had been an incorrect assessment. Intent was perhaps more accurate.

"So all Slytherins are lying, no account pretty-boys, then?" Draco asked angrily. It was a testament to his concentration on Hermione that he didn't notice Harry's quickly hidden smirk. Severus didn't miss it, however, and shot him an annoyed glance.

Hermione took a deep breath. "No. Not all Slytherins are dishonorable. I was only pointing out that, contrary to popular belief, they also haven't cornered the market on it."

It took Draco a moment to assimilate this information, but when he did his hackles fell a bit. He risked a glance at Severus, looking for some support, but found only disapproval. No one else at the now full table was looking at them, and it was clear to Draco that they were purposely engaging themselves elsewhere. They must have been a bit louder than he'd thought.

"I agree," he said after a moment. "There are certainly a number of untrustworthy people from each house."

Hermione, pleased to have made her point in spite of Draco's initial assumptions, finally turned her attention to the rest of the table. She was sure there had been an insult veiled in Draco's polite response, but determined that if she ignored it, it would be overlooked by everyone else as well.

"Good evening, Professor," she said, setting a purse down on the floor beside her chair. She'd been a little chagrinned to discover just how tightly she'd been clutching it. Draco always did know how to push her buttons. It was especially difficult after he'd been so polite at the beginning of the evening. She put him out of her head. "I understand congratulations are in order. Draco tells me you instigated a sizeable breakthrough in the research here with that article we were discussing."

Draco looked startled for a moment, then recovered. They'd spoken of the progress MSO's team had made, but he had no reason to believe that Severus had had a hand in it. Professor Snape blinked once in surprise and then began to laugh. Obviously she'd put two and two together.

Hermione, Harry and Ginny were all smiling, and even the other 3 wizards at the table, all of whom had been present for at least part of Madam Haverty's gushing conversation, were smiling knowingly. Draco scowled. How he detested being left out! And concerning his own company, no less!

"Thank you, Miss Granger. They did, indeed, pick up on the clues I left them in my article, though they are convinced that it's a remarkable coincidence."

Hermione chuckled briefly before noticing the dark expression on Draco's face. She then proceeded to explain it all to him, careful not to sound as patronizing as she would have with Ron or Harry. Draco had, after all, been a reasonably good Potions student.

Severus found himself strangely annoyed that Draco had managed to commandeer her attention again so quickly. He shook the feeling off and allowed Harry to talk him into having one of whatever he was drinking.