Disclaimer: These characters all belong to many others including JK Rowling. They do not belong to me.

Power in All Its Glory

Chapter 15: Rumors and Speculations

Professor Snape walked toward the Slytherin common room. He was going to have a talk with Draco Malfoy. It had nothing to do with Hermione, he told himself. Draco was acting strange. He was not his usual arrogant, bullying, self. Snape had actually seen the boy smile. At Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs, no less. Something was definitely wrong. Draco's grades were also slipping. Snape was determined to find out what the problem was. There was the distinct possibility that it had something to do with a girl. Draco seemed preoccupied. It was unlikely it was pertaining to the Parkinson girl. They had been on and off for over a year now. She seemed to be a convenient girlfriend … whenever it was convenient for Draco. Snape had told Lucius Malfoy he would keep an eye on his son. He didn't think this was anything he needed to report to Lucius but he needed to stop any problems before they began. Of course if the girl was Hermione, Lucius would have a big problem with that. Snape shook his head. He was not going to think about that. It could not even be a possibility. He was worried about the boy's well being. That was all this was.

As he arrived at the entrance to the common room, he heard crying. Female crying. Snape stopped in his tracks. He did not deal well with female crying. Especially when as the head of house, he was expected to assist his charges with any problems they might have. This was more McGonagall's area of expertise. Maybe he could just quietly walk away …

"Stupid, little mudblood bitch!"

Okay, that got his attention.

"If she thinks she can steal my Draco, she is dead wrong!" This was exclaimed through sobs.

"But Pansy," her companion said in a comforting voice, "she can't compare to you."

"Millicent, you didn't hear her. She was gloating about how she and Draco were sneaking out to meet."

"She was probably lying just to get at you."

Pansy sobbed even harder. "I know he is seeing someone. I just know it. I can tell."

"You can't know that Pansy. I thought things were better between you guys."

"It's just …" She hesitated, biting her lower lip. "We haven't …done anything in a while. He acts like he can't stand to even touch me." She put her head in her hands and her sobs became louder.

Snape thought this was his cue to sneak away. He had heard enough. He never really believed Hermione and Draco were seeing each other. He was just irritated with her for getting herself linked with him. Now he wasn't so sure. Maybe there was something going on. He could feel a headache coming on. Bloody Hell. Could this day get any worse?

Unaware that their head of house had been listening, Pansy and Millicent continued with their conversation.

"Pansy, I think we need to plan this out. First, we need to know who Draco is meeting with. Why don't we follow him?"

"Don't you think I have tried? He is too sneaky. It's no use …"

"Don't give up yet. What about the mudblood? Gryffindors aren't very good at being sneaky. Let's follow her and find out if she is meeting with Draco. At least that way we will know if it is her or not."

Pansy looked up hopefully at her friend. "That is a brilliant idea. It should be simple to follow her."

"We have some time before dinner. I am sure we can come up with a plan to catch that little bitch before then."

****

Sibyll Trelawney glided toward the Great Hall for dinner. She held the small contraption Draco had given her tightly in her hand. She was supposed to wait for his signal before putting it in her ear. She hoped this worked. She definitely needed all the help she could get when she had to meet with Snape. There was just something about the dark professor that scared her. Of course, she used to think Draco was intimidating. Now the only thing that scared her was how much she was coming to trust him. She did not trust many people. People let you down. The only one she could rely on was herself.

Sibyll was used to being by herself. She liked it that way. Most of the time she had so many things going on in her head that she didn't have time for distractions … like other people. Of course now that had all changed. She was eating in the Great Hall instead of her room. She was out of her rooms more than she had been in many years. She had to admit it was because of the blond Slytherin.

She wasn't sure what it was that drew her to him. Whatever it was, it was powerful enough to override her distaste of spending her precious time with Professor Snape. And Professor McGonagall. The two women had never gotten along. She knew McGonagall was a disbeliever. She also knew the Gryffindor head of house disliked her from the moment the headmaster had hired her.

Professor Trelawney walked into the Great Hall and took her place at the head table. She avoided looking over at Draco. She had to get settled first. Then she would sneak a glance at him.

Hagrid sat next to her. The seat on the other side of her was empty. Professor Black sat there. Next to him sat Professor Snape. Unfortunately the surly professor was already in attendance. She hoped Professor Black would show up soon. She would feel better with a buffer between her and Snape. If the look he had just given her was anything to go by, he was in a foul mood indeed. Great. That was just what she needed.

As the students poured into the Great Hall, Sibyll dared a glance at Draco. He was talking to his friends Crabbe and Goyle. Soon he would give her the signal. She didn't know exactly what it was he was going to do. Somehow he was going to cause a distraction at the doors to the Great Hall. That way everyone would be looking that way, and they could put in their strange little contraptions without anyone noticing.

Draco noticed the looks he was getting from Professor Trelawney. He dared not glance at her. She was being too obvious. He chatted easily with his friends while he waited for his opportunity.

At that moment Hermione walked through the doors. Professor Black was behind her and as he moved to go around her, Draco saw his opportunity. He quietly took out his wand and pointed it toward his victims. Crabbe and Goyle followed his gaze just in time to see Hermione trip and fall forward, right into Professor Black. The force of her fall caused them both to end up on the ground. The initial gasps from the assembled students and staff turned into laughter. Hermione pushed herself up, her face red. She was on top of her DADA professor! She hastily moved off of him and hurried to her seat next to her friends.

Sibyll smiled to herself as she put the red object into her ear. Draco sure knew how to cause a distraction. She really shouldn't have enjoyed it so much, but she hadn't cared for the Granger girl since she had walked out of Trelawney's class in her third year.

Draco was ready. By the time his friends had turned back to congratulate him on his prank, everything was in place. He noticed the relief on his friends' faces and wondered at it. If he had realized how out of character he had been acting lately he would have understood that they were happy to see Draco acting more like normal.

Draco could clearly hear Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall talking. It was like he was right next to them. He smiled to himself. It worked perfectly. Still there was one more thing to test.

"Sibyll."

It caught her off guard, even though she had been expecting it. The sound of his voice in her ear as if he was standing next to her whispering … it sent chills up and down her spine.

She couldn't help her reaction. She jumped and squeaked. Her fellow professors stared at her. She then started giggling uncontrollably. She waved her hands around nervously. She was easily startled, like a wild animal. Draco's voice hissed in her ear.

"Get a grip!"

This helped to calm her, along with the look of scorn on Snape's pale face.

"Yes, well, I for one am concerned about Miss Granger." Professor McGonagall tried to continue with her conversation while sneaking annoyed glances at the Divination teacher.

"I am sure your star student in fine, Minerva." Snape glanced over at the Gryffindor table. "She just needs to keep her head out of a book and on what she is doing. Maybe then she wouldn't fall as much."

"Actually, I think that was my fault. I must have tripped her as I walked by," Professor Black offered chivalrously. Snape rolled his eyes at the other professor's remarks.

"The girl is rather clumsy." Professor Trelawney paused at all the stares she was once again getting. "I have noticed," she added awkwardly. What? What had she said? She was only repeating what Draco told her to say. They were practicing. So why was everyone staring at her?

"Although it is refreshing to have you actually join in on a conversation, Sibyll," McGonagall stated acidly, "your comments could be a little less …" she paused as she searched for the right word, "peculiar."

Draco's voice was full of humor as he passed on his next little tidbit. Surprisingly, Professor Trelawney was able to impart this wisdom minus the hilarity. "You may be right, Minerva. I was too harsh. She is not clumsy. I think she probably fell on purpose."

"Of all the foolish things to say. Why in the world would she fall on purpose?" McGonagall was indignant on Hermione's behalf.

"Because she has a crush on Professor Black, of course," she explained slowly, as if to a child. Again all eyes stared at her.

Sirius was the first to speak.

"I do not think that is true, Sibyll. In fact," he continued. "I think she is involved with Draco Malfoy."

"What?" This time the word was one of her own choosing although she could hear Draco's voice echoing her thoughts.

"I heard her just this morning bragging to Pansy Parkinson that she and Draco were meeting secretly and having an affair."

"Oh bloody hell! That is ridiculous!"

Sibyll felt her chest tighten. She was having trouble breathing.

Realizing the effect it had on the Divination teacher, he spoke softly but urgently to her, trying to calm her.

"It isn't true. Sibyll listen, I don't know what this is about, but it is not true."

Sibyll pushed her untouched plate away.

"I am not feeling well. I think I need to go to my room." She stood up and looked at them all dazed. "Excuse me, please. I need to consult with my Inner Eye."

"Sibyll!" Draco tried to get her attention. He noticed his friends were looking at him strange. Professor Trelawney had hurriedly walked out of the dining hall. He wanted to go after her but he didn't dare. Not with his friends looking at him like that. He would go to her tonight. He would explain that it was all a mistake.

She would listen to him.

She had to. He wasn't sure why it was so important that she believe him.

He just knew it was.

****************************

Severus Snape absently watched the Divination teacher wander out the door. However, inside his thought were tumultuous. Hermione couldn't be involved with Draco Malfoy. It was impossible. Still, the rumor was now all over the school. He looked over at the young Slytherin. Although Draco appeared to be laughing and joking with his friends like any other day, Professor Snape could tell something was wrong. The boy looked preoccupied, frantic even. He thought he saw him glace worriedly toward Hermione. That was his imagination. He could have been looking at the doors out into the hall for all he knew.

"I have detention with Miss Granger this evening."

This brought Snape's attention back to the conversation.

"I would appreciate it if you would talk to her and see if you can find out if something is bothering her, Sirius." Professor McGonagall gave him a imploring look. "I think she would tell you. You are Harry's godfather. She trusts you."

Sirius Black smiled at her. "I will do my best to help the girl out, Minerva."

Snape gave him a dark look. I bet you will, he thought maliciously.

He had to stop torturing himself. What did he care what that slip of a girl did? He longed for the days when his life was ordered and uncomplicated by these strange feelings. He was determined to find out who had created this intolerable situation he found himself in. Then he would be able to retreat back to his dungeons (after a suitable punishment for the offender of course).

However, first he had to veer Miss Granger from her current path of destruction. But how?

An evil smile came over his face as an idea started to take form. It was risky. He would have to be careful. The one person who could make matters worse was also the only person who could assist him in this endeavor.

Lucius Malfoy.