Snape was only mildly surprised to find himself standing in the middle of Luscious Malfoy's study. At first glance all he saw was Luscious setting at his desk. However, upon further inspection he caught the tell tale shimmer signifying a disillusionment spell. He tracked what he assumed to be Hermione through the room as a completely unaware Luscious sat doing paper work. He smirked at the man surprise as he was tied to his chair with a silent jinx. He watched as she moved about the room never once removing her concealment charm.
He smirked not at all surprised when she found the hidden cubby in one of the many book cases. He nearly laughed when her shimmer appeared to do a happy dance at finding what she sought. After her initial glance at the papers he noticed as she read them with more intent. The scene shifted as she turned to return the papers to their rightful place. He now stood in a small room with a desk. On the desk there was looked to be copies of the papers Hermione just put away.
He tilted his head and crossed to the desk and looked down at the papers there. He picked up the papers and sat to examine them. After a few moments he realized that he was indeed looking at the real deal. 'Luscious always was an idiot.' Death eaters were taught to destroy all correspondence and to never leave evidence. It seemed Luscious had not learned his lesson. After he finished reading the documents he sat them back on the desk.
Severus sat back and folded his fingers together staring off into space deep in thought about all that he read and the implications of it. As thoughts flickered in his eyes his lips pulled up into feral smile, it was a smile that would put any predator to shame. With his thoughts in order he relaxed and willed himself back to real world.
Severus rocked back on his feet as he pulled out of the pensive. "That was an interesting bit of memory manipulation, very good."
"I was starting to think I was going to have to come in after you," she snapped. "But thank you. So, what's the verdict? Are they real or where they planted just in case?"
"From what I could ascertain they are the genuine article," he watched as the light of triumph entered her eyes then continued. "But to be certain I will need to make some inquires. It should take a few days but I will soon have the information you will need." He turned and with swish of his robes left the room to return to Hogwarts to think and plan. If was going put out the trash and get the girl he needed to set the stage and make sure no one was able to rat him out. A simple memory modification charm should take care a least that problem.
Very few actually trusted Severus during the war and with good reason. While he was never a fan of the Dark Lord he was and always will be a dark wizard. There is of course some good in him, just as there is some bad in others. No one is purely one or the other.
Hermione stood there for some minutes after Snape had left just staring at the door wondering what on earth had gotten to the man that he would compliment anything she had done, the insufferable know it all. After realizing she had been standing there dumbfounded for nearly five minutes shock herself and left the minister's office as well. Headed for her own chambers at Hogwarts.