Power in All Its Glory:
Chapter 30: Questionable Behavior
Professor Snape gulped his coffee and stabbed his eggs as he contemplated his dismal morning so far.
Nothing had gone right. He'd barely slept, and when he did sleep he had trouble waking. The result being that Mr. Malfoy had already gone to breakfast when he attempted to speak to him.
He momentarily interrupted his thoughts, and his assault on his breakfast, to glower at those unfortunate students who happened to be looking up at that very moment. He noticed Hermione was not with her usual group and wondered irritably where she was and what she was getting into.
"Good morning, Severus."
He directed his moody stare at the Deputy Headmistress. The memory of her latest bet fresh in his mind.
"Oh, get over it already. It was just a bit of fun. Do you have to always be so broody and dark?" she admonished him. "Although, I must admit I have always liked that quality in you … and that speech you give to the first-years, mmm. .."
He returned to desecrating his eggs, as if to punish them for someone else's cheekiness.
Harry watched Professor Snape and wondered at his foul mood. Although it was not unusual for Snape to be horrible to everyone, he seemed almost desperate in his anger. And this reminded him of someone else …
"Ron, have you seen Hermione this morning?"
"I think she was in the common room, studying of course," Ron replied, between mouthfuls of sausages.
"She doesn't usually miss breakfast, though. Not even to study. 'Most important meal of the day', and all that."
"Yeah, it is strange, mate."
"I know something is going on with her, Ron. And I am determined to find out what it is."
"While you're at it, you might just check on her boyfriend, too."
"Why? What do you mean?"
"Neville was up before dawn. I saw him sneaking out. Getting up early on a Sunday morning. It ain't normal, I tell you."
Harry did not look surprised by this information. "I wonder what he's up to?"
*****
Neville ground the blood red petals of the poppy flower. Soon it would be all over. And still they would not know it was him.
It was ironic that the picture actually bore his signature … in a way. There were very few who knew Herbology as well as he did. He was able to find several plants that used together mimicked a charm. And they had easily believed it was a charm … something he was not very good at.
Only Professor Sprout had been able to figure it out.
Of course, Professor Snape, being a Potions master should have realized it, as well as found the plant that counteracted the effects of the picture. Neville had actually been surprised when Snape hadn't come up with the answer. The only conclusions he could reach were that either Professor Dumbledore had not let him see the picture for any length of time, or Snape did not want the picture displayed.
Not that it would have mattered. Even if Snape had figured it out, he would not have believed Neville capable. They all underestimated him. Snape, Dumbledore, his grandmother, even Hermione.
Except for Professor Sprout. She believed in him. When they had used up all their stores of ground poppy flower and needed more, she had asked him to come in early and help. He knew exactly where to find the plant and what to look for.
It was ironic that Professor Sprout, the one person who believed in his abilities enough to have recognized this as his work, was the one person who would not believe him capable of hurting anyone. After years of being bullied, dismissed, and demoralized, however, he found he was quite capable of hurting those who had hurt him.
But what about Hermione?
He ignored the voice in his head. Look what being a nice guy had gotten him so far!
"Thank you again, Neville," Professor Sprout said, walking into the greenroom and smiling at her favorite pupil. "I appreciate you getting up early on a Sunday morning. As you know, those plants have to be picked right at sunrise or they lose their potency. And it would have taken me all day to grind them up."
"I am glad I could help, Professor Sprout."
"The headmaster will be pleased. He will have results even sooner than he expected," she added.
"What is it for, Professor?" Neville asked, innocently.
"Nothing for you to bother about, my boy. Just something for Professor Dumbledore."
Neville nodded absently.
It would be all over soon. He found he was actually somewhat relieved. Trying to be evil all the time was exhausting … and he was thinking of Hermione.
He really didn't want to hurt her any further.
*****
Hermione rubbed her temple, trying to push back the terrible headache she could feel coming on. She knew she needed to take better care of herself. She had not slept well, and she had skipped breakfast. Still, she needed to look over the files, so it had been necessary. Something was nagging at her. It was there on the edge of her brain, but it was just out of her reach. She felt positive it was something from those files, and she was determined to find it.
*****
Draco slowly walked toward Professor Snape's office. Why had he summoned him on a Sunday morning? He knew something was going on, but what? One thing was for sure, he would have to keep his guard up. He didn't trust Snape at all.
He reached the office and knocked on the door. It opened almost immediately.
"Come in, Mr. Malfoy." With a feeling of impending doom, Draco crossed the threshold.
"You are no doubt wondering why I have summoned you this morning," Professor Snape said, once Draco had been seated across from him. "I want to discuss your recent behavior. As your Head of House, and as a personal favor to your father, I have been keeping an eye on you, and I am quite concerned."
"I am not sure what you are referring to, sir."
"As an example, Mr. Malfoy, the other day during staff interviews you were loitering in the hallways. It was a beautiful day, and most of your peers were out enjoying their freedom … but not you Mr. Malfoy."
"I was instructed to give a message to Professor Trelawney, sir," Draco responded without hesitation. Living in the Malfoy household you had to be quick on your feet to survive.
"Really?" He could tell by the way he drew out the word that Snape was skeptical.
"Yes, sir." He put as much innocence as he could into his voice. Not that it would fool Snape.
"From whom?"
"Professor McGonagall."
Snape narrowed his eyes. The boy was lying, and they both knew it. They both also knew that Snape would not check. There was a reason Draco used the Deputy Headmistresses name. Snape had been obviously avoiding her lately.
Not surprisingly, Snape moved on …
"Your name has been linked with Miss Granger, more and more …"
He was fishing, and Draco knew it. He was just not sure what Snape was looking for. Something was obviously going on and if the Potions master hadn't interrupted him and Granger that day, then Draco was sure she would have told him more. He thought about how Professor Snape had reacted …
"Well? I do not have all day."
"I am sorry Professor, but was that a question?"
"Why, Mr. Malfoy," he said, darkly, "I want you to explain to me why this is occurring."
"Well, sir…I think I am beginning to fancy her. She really is quite nice … for a Mudblood."
There was a second there when Snape's eyes had turned thunderous. It was so quick; he thought he could have imagined it.
Interesting!
Snape appeared really aggravated then. He obviously was not getting what he wanted. It was no surprise to Draco then when the spell came.
"Legilimens!"
Draco was no stranger to the spell. His father used it often. He was also the one who taught Draco to block it quite well.
The young wizard let Snape see what he wanted him to see. He was careful not to let him see anything about …
"About what? Mr. Malfoy?" Snape asked, as Draco felt him retreating from his mind.
Best way to avoid a question was with another question. Another Malfoy family trait.
"Excuse me, Professor … isn't it against school rules to use Legilimency on a student?"
"I am in the middle of an investigation, Mr. Malfoy and I will use whatever means necessary to find out what I need. Not that it is any of your concern, but this has all been sanctioned by the headmaster."
They both knew he was lying … and that Draco would not be checking.
The score was even so far.
"Mr. Malfoy," Snape said, irritably, a hint of desperation in his voice. "We do not have time for this. Time is almost up."
"I don't understand. What do you mean?" Draco grew uneasy. What was he talking about?
"Tell me what you remember about the night of the detention."
"Why?"
"Just answer my questions!" Snape was livid now, and Draco decided it would be best to tell him the truth. This time.
"Nothing … I remember having detention, and that is all."
"Did you black out? Lose consciousness?"
"Yes, sir. I did." He again decided to answer truthfully.
"And where were you when you woke up?"
Not a chance!
"In my dormitory, sir."
"Fine," Snape replied. "That is all for now, Mr. Malfoy, but I will be watching your every move."
Malfoy kept his guard up until he was safely in his room. He had to talk to Sibyll. Something was up, and if Snape's questions were any indication, they were running out of time.
