Disclaimer:
I do not own the world and characters featured in this Harry Potter fanfiction. This honor belongs to JK Rowling and the many licensors of her work. I do not make money from writing this.
.:/*\:.
The next week was full of learning. Hermione had to juggle her time between working on understanding the Wards, studying for her runes and arithmancy NEWTs, her runes apprenticeship, basic training in preparation for her wards apprenticeship, and general revising for her other NEWT subjects. And she loved every minute of it. Hagdar had made sure she knew her presence was not actually required in Uzugarg for now. But she had to go running around Black Lake at least once a day. His thinking was that she would have no trouble at all grasping warding, but given she was now Goblin - and she would have to pass her physical tests as well as her warding ones to 'graduate' just like any other Clan member - Hagdar had decided she should start fitness training. And running was one thing she could do on her own.
As Hermione rounded the lake on the shore nearest the Black Forest, she saw a few Centaurs apparently out for a stroll. She bowed her head as she went and they returned the gesture. If there was one unexpected benefit to her wards apprenticeship, it had to be that she was now considered a Goblin by every non-human creatures she met. The Merpeople and the Centaurs had only been the first. The House Elves had also accepted the fact. Apparently, the fact that she now was a Goblin explained her behavior during her earlier years at the school. It was unnatural for a Goblin to be served by a House Elf, and Imrae had felt uncomfortable and lashed out - as Goblins were wont to do. That was the reasoning of the House Elves.
The young witch wasn't sure how to explain that it was just her nature to fight for equality. And in the end, she had given up that particular fight for now. The Elves were now very happy to talk to her. And even to answer her questions. And so, Hermione had sworn to herself that she would learn more about House Elves, and find a way to help them they would be happy about. For now, Shiny was happy to take on the role of friendly-Elf-doing-a-nice-Goblin-a-favor. Although she did not have to answer her calls, the little Elf was the one who fetched tea and food when Hermione asked. And although she had said she didn't understand quite why, the Elf was happy to only clean Hermione's quarter as and when the Goblin witch required it.
Hermione huffed a breath as she came to the final hundred meters of her run and she accelerated, running to and all the way up the steps leading the the Entrance Doors. She wasn't surprised to see the Deputy Headmaster waiting for her there. Hermione smiled at him before she leaned her hands on her knees, breathing hard.
"I'm almost afraid to ask how you survived for a year on the run, Miss Granger."
"I wasn't… literally… running… for my life… the whole time…"
"I suppose that's a good thing or we would certainly have lost the war."
The rather droll tone of the Potion Master actually brought a smile to the witch's lips. Hermione waited until she had most of her breath back before she pushed herself upright.
"Can I help you with anything, Professor Snape?"
"The Headmistress would like to know if you have everything you need at this moment in time."
Hermione huffed loudly. "She wants to know if I'll still be able to handle the re-warding when the time comes. Afraid I'm stretching myself too thin."
"Are you?"
The frank question, coming from the master Slytherin, brought Hermione's thoughts to a stop. She found herself actually giving it serious consideration.
"I don't think so. It's true a lot is happening right now. But as most of my teachers were once fond of saying, I could have taken my NEWTs at the end of Fifth Year and passed them all. I'm not really looking to get top scores - although I will do my very best. But revising is secondary at this moment in time, and only take an hour or so of my day as I am focusing on the two subjects I'm testing for right now."
Snape's raised eyebrow marked his amused disbelief and Hermione found herself waving him off.
"I know, I know. If only my fifteen year old self could hear me now…"
The wizard made to turn on his heels but he stumbled, catching himself quickly on the wall.
"Are you all right, Professor?"
"I am fine, Miss Granger," came the gritted and totally expected reply.
Hermione swallowed hard, her gaze locked on the trembling hand that was holding her Professor up.
"Would you bite my head off if I were to challenge your statement?"
"It would depend on whether you intend to say I am lying."
"I would never, Professor," Hermione immediately replied. "But it so happens that I have noticed a few very odd things that I think you should be made aware of."
"Which are?"
Hermione drew in a deep breath before she slipped herself under her Professor's arm, straightening and taking part of his weight onto herself.
"Number one, Minerva McGonagall and Poppy Pomphrey are a pair of worry warts and mother hens who do not seem to recognize when people might want their own space."
"You are only discovering this fact now, Miss Granger?"
Hermione turned her head slightly, just enough to see her teacher's glittery black gaze on her.
"In my defense, Professor, I have only been subject to their particular brand of attention and care twice. Oh no, actually three times. And each time for less than a day. Do you want me to continue?"
"By all means, Miss Granger."
Hermione chose to interpret this last comment and the lack of shouting as permission, and she started walking towards the dungeons, supporting the Potion Master as they went.
"Number two, you can be just as stubborn and pig-headed as they can be when the desire arises."
Snape huffed loudly. "Don't think I can't put you in detention for this."
"Oh, I have no doubt that you'll find an excuse to do just that come September first."
The two made it to the Potion classroom and Hermione deposited the Deputy Head in his chair behind the desk.
"Number three, I suspect that my former Head of House is actually very amusing if you manage to fluster her."
Snape hissed and Hermione froze for a moment, unsure what she had done to hurt the wizard. But he shook his head minutely.
"She is also a very amusing drunk, Miss Granger."
The words were forced through gritted teeth and the smirk was painful to watch, but Hermione returned it anyway.
"I'll bear that in mind, Professor."
The young witch stood and went to the store cupboard. She turned her head to look at her ex-teacher and he nodded slightly.
"Top shelf. Behind the powdered bicorn horn."
The witch went into the small room and reached up for the hidden vials of pain potion. Of course, the Head of Slytherin would have potions stashed here, there, and everywhere. She made her way back to the classroom and handed the man two vials. He choked one down in one gulp.
"Want to know some of my secrets, Professor Snape?"
The pain potion worked swiftly and Hermione watched with some fascination as the man swallowed and ran a hand through his black hair.
"You mean something that I don't already know?"
"Oh, no one but me and the Sorting Hat know one of those."
"Consider me intrigued, Miss Granger."
Hermione bit her bottom lip and took a deep breath.
"I was supposed to be a Slytherin."
"Excuse me?"
"The Sorting Hat would have put me in Slytherin if not for the fact that I would have been dead within the week. Because of my potential for ruthlessness, I ended up in Gryffindor rather than Ravenclaw."
Snape was looking at her like she had lost her mind, and Hermione shrugged.
"Well, I did lead Umbridge to the Forest and happily left her to the Centaurs. I may or may not have also warned the Centaurs when the Ministry turned up to retrieve her the first three times."
"I'm… almost impressed, Miss Granger."
"Yes? Well, I can tell you that another of my secrets is that I'm looking forward to the time you tell the Headmistress I should have been in your House."
Snape chuckled, obviously feeling much better now that the potion was taking effect.
"And why, pray tell, should I be the one to brave her wrath?"
"A wise lion cub does not defy the head lioness. It never ends well for them."
Hermione tilted her head sideways, unsure how to ask if he would be all right since she knew just coming out and saying the words would undo everything she had just accomplished. Professor Snape saved her the trouble and sat straighter in his seat.
"I have work to do. Get out."
Hermione smiled and nodded, and quickly made herself disappear.
.:/*\:.
Lunch found Hermione in the Library, once again taking over Madam Pince's desk. This time, she was holding a message that had arrived by owl just a few minutes ago. Perched over the back of her chair, Silf had made it very clear to the interloper that if a message had to be sent back, she'd be doing the flying, thank you very much.
"And what does the Ministry want with you now, Miss Granger?"
The younger witch looked up from the piece of parchment she was holding, looking pensively at the Madam Pince who still chose to sit on the floor to repair her precious books. It amused her somewhat that, although both had given the other permission to use their first names, they still used their titles and last names.
"Madam Pince, have I been away these last few days?"
At this, the older woman looked up from her task.
"No, Miss Granger. Unless a very convincing double took your place, you have been right here and doing your bit to help Hogwarts be ready on time for the new year. Unlike some others I could mention…"
"I'm not sure about the helping bit," Hermione said.
She was revising for NEWTs and learning for her apprenticeship. The Master Ward was computing a solution to their little problem with the Wards after they had assessed Hermione's power levels.
"Nonsense, Miss Granger," the librarian said, bringing Hermione back to the present. "The School Wards are easily the most important piece of this little puzzle we are trying to assemble. Without most of these wards working, the school will be unable to function and protect the students. Might as well not open."
Hermione smiled in thanks at the older witch.
"Now, what is the Ministry playing at?"
Hermione clearly her throat in a fashion reminiscent of a certain pink toad.
"Dear Miss Granger,
I am writing this owl to confirm the dates of August the seventh to the eleventh for your exams. For the convenience of the examiners and your own, the timetable is as follow:
Monday: Ancient Runes, Arithmancy, Herbology (theory)
Tuesday: Potions (theory), Herbology (practical), Potions (practical)
Wednesday: Transfiguration (theory), Transfiguration (practical), Astronomy (theory), Astronomy (practical)
Thursday: Charms (theory), Charms (practical), Defense Against the Dark Arts (theory)
Friday: Defense Against the Dark Arts (practical)
Hoping you are well,
Amanda Ashworth
Department of Magical Education."
"Aren't you just taking Runes and Arithmancy now," the librarian frowned, "and passing everything else with the rest of the returning Seventh Years?"
"Not anymore it seems." Hermione looked to the Ministry owl. "I have no reply at this moment in time."
The owl seemed to nod and took off at speed, apparently anxious to escape the glaring Silf. Hermione summoned Walnut in her hand and pointed it to the message, making three copies of it. The silver falcon hopped from her perch on the chair to the table, holding perfectly still as her mistress attached one of the missive to each of the bird's legs.
"These have to go to my masters. And this last one should go to Professor Snape."
The falcon let out a short, low shriek at the mention of the dark wizard and Hermione smiled as she scribbled a short message to her former Potion and DADA teacher.
"No need to wait for a reply from the Professors. I'm sure they'll find me if need be. Make sure you do wait on Master Hagdar unless he has nothing to add."
The peregrine bobbed her head then took off.
"Will you really go along with this, Miss Granger?"
Hermione shrugged with a smile.
"All the professors have been saying I could have passed my NEWTs years ago. Guess we're about to discover if they were right."
They didn't have to wait long for the door to open on the form of the Deputy Headmaster.
"I assume that your Gryffindor tendencies will not allow you to refuse this challenge."
"My Slytherin sensibilities are telling me this might actually be a good thing. It will take me out of the classrooms and allow me to focus on my apprenticeships."
"I suppose it is one way to think about it. But taking the bait is risky."
"Not really." Hermione smiled, as the two adults looked at her with raised eyebrows. "The Ministry put the two subjects I really need going forward first thing in the week. Even if stress and sleepless nights get to me by the end of the week, I know I'll have the NEWTs I really need going forward."
The Slytherin Head of House nodded his head slightly. He then extended an arm to the younger woman.
"Allow me to make certain you will neither disappoint your teachers nor yourself. We will first have lunch and then you will study."
Hermione's lips twitched with suppressed laughter, and she allowed the dark wizard to lead her out of the Library.
.:/*\:.
For the next couple of hours, Snape coached Hermione through practical mock exams across most of her subjects. Potions and DADA were skipped, considering that Snape knew she was at an adequate level in both subjects. In his own inestimable style, the dark wizard fired demand after demand: from transfiguring a chair into a miniature tree, to casting the Fidelius Charm over a teacup, from identifying Cassiopeia in the middle of a mock starry sky, to explaining the finer points of restoring a Devil's Snare plant to full health after a close call with sunlight.
Finally, they sat in his office opposite each other. Snape lit his fireplace, the damp coldness of the dungeons noticeable even in the summer. Hermione watched him as he settled back into his seat, his wand once more hidden in the many folds of his black robes.
"I think you are indeed ready, Miss Granger. Is there anything you feel you should know more about?"
The witch shook her head as she leaned back in her seat.
"As I said before, Professor. I'm not worried. I'll be delighted if I manage to beat yours and Professor Dumbledore's scores. But I won't die if I don't either."
"Aiming high, aren't we?"
Hermione let her playful grin show and she was quietly amazed to see her stern and often grumpy teacher return the smile. With a wave of his wand, Snape summoned tea for two. Hermione knew better than to say anything, and she took the cup he was offering with another smile. They sipped at their warm drinks in silence.
Hermione kept her eyes down, staring at at her cup. It felt strangely soothing to be here, not talking. No running around in fear for your life. No trying to step ahead from the Ministry as they tried to wreck her life. No reacting to news and events that she had little control over to begin with. Simply having a cup of tea with a former professor.
"I would like to thank you for this morning, Miss Granger."
The witch let her eyes drift up, watching the wizard opposite her from under her lashes. He held himself straight, not moving an inch. And she shook her head.
"For what? Dripping sweat all over you?"
She saw him swallowing hard but he said nothing. Instead, he lifted his cup in a small salute, and Hermione smiled before returning the gesture. Silence descended between them again, broken only by the ticking of the clock and the tinkling of fine china.
"What would you have done, if not for the Ministry's machinations?"
Hermione swallowed her mouthful of tea as she tilted her head sideways.
"You mean, for a living? After school?"
"Yes."
"I don't know," Hermione shrugged. At Snape's skeptical look, she nodded her head several times. "It's true. I have no real plans for beyond Hogwarts. I would like to go to Australia, to find my parents. After that, nothing much."
"Nothing much, Miss Granger? I would have thought you'd have a five year plan to make your way to the top of the Ministry."
"You know," Hermione chuckled, "I did. Once upon a time. When I still had delusions that this world could be changed if the right person stood up and took action. But then, there was Umbridge, students being tortured, some of us fighting, even dying… A year ago, Scrimgeour quipped that he thought he would see me at the Ministry some time in the future. My answer was that I would never join the Ministry, because I intended to do some good with my life. Or something like it. The boys thought it was a good one.
"Problem is, when I said it, I realized that I truly had no idea what I would do. Because I couldn't change the wizarding world for the better on my own. And the Ministry's actions have proved it once more. Even with an Order member at the helm, they are still treating the muggleborns like we are inferiors, and responsible for everything that goes wrong in this society. And I won't be blamed for it."
Hermione startled as a silky piece of white cloth came in her field of vision. She frowned and looked up to see Snape standing right in front of her, and offering her his handkerchief.
"Have you spoken to anyone since the end of the war?"
He motioned with the hankie and Hermione took it, dabbing at the tears she only now realized were falling from her eyes.
"You mean broken down and started blubbering? No. You don't seem to have that problem."
Snape huffed a breath. "I am a spy and an Occlumens. Trust me when I say I am not a person you should model your mental health after."
The dark wizard returned to his seat and Hermione wiped the last of her tears away. Snape deliberately took a long sip of his tea, and Hermione swallowed hard before doing the same. The two finished their drinks in silence. Hermione watched the flames in the fireplace flickering for a few moments, wondering at the quiet companionship that seemed to be developing here…
The knock on the door was quiet, but in the silence of the office it echoed between the occupants. Professor Snape waved his hand, and Hermione felt the wards shift.
"Uncle?"
Hermione stiffened as she heard Draco Malfoy enter the room.
"Draco. What can I do for you?"
Hermione turned just enough so she could see the younger Malfoy as he stood in the open doorway, his gray eyes flicking between his Head of House and the Gryffindor witch sitting opposite him. Hermione put her cup down slowly.
"I'll just take my leave," Hermione mumbled as she made to stand.
But Snape whipped his wand out, flicking it at Draco, making the young man stumble forward. Another flick, and the door slammed shut behind the blonde wizard.
"Sit. Both of you."
Years in the potion classroom had both Hermione and Draco snapped to attention, and Draco quickly dropped into the third chair that had appeared.
"I was not planning to say anything, but since the opportunity has now risen, I find that I want to take it."
The two students exchanged an uncomfortable look before they returned their attention on their professor.
"I hope you both know that, had things been different, you two would have been Head Boy and Girl last year." Snape held up a hand to stop whatever it was Draco was about to say. "And I am quietly confident that you would have put aside your differences to work in a civil manner over the year. I would not have expected you to become friends, and neither would have Minerva or Dumbledore. But we all thought you would do what was necessary to make it a good year for the younger ones."
Hermione nodded slowly, and she saw Malfoy doing the same from the corner of her eyes.
"All the students will need role models. I would like to ask the two of you to behave as you would have, had you been Head Boy and Girl."
Hermione bit on a corner of her bottom lip. She could see where Snape was going with that request. And she was sure that Malfoy had worked it out too. There was also the facts that the blonde wizard was effectively family to Snape, and he had made an attempt at protecting them when the Golden Trio had been captured and taken to his family's house.
"Want to explain a bit more, Uncle?"
"Not particularly, Draco. Some of the story is not mine to tell," Snape said as he nodded to the younger wizard and in Hermione's direction in turn. "The fact remains this year will not be easy for either of you. You'll be facing different challenges, to be sure. But you will need someone with an understanding of what went on. And sadly, the professors will not have the time for everyone."
Hermione twisted a corner of the handkerchief between her fingers, considering the request. But Malfoy stood slowly.
"Why, Uncle?"
"Because you're going to need her. She owes you. And I owe her."
Hermione looked up at the two wizards. Then with a shrug, she stood and extended her right hand at the blonde wizard.
"Hi. I don't think we've met before. My name's Hermione Granger."
Malfoy looked at her like she was crazy for a moment. Then he took her hand, turned it slightly, and brushed his lips against her knuckles.
"Nice to meet you, Miss Granger. I am Draco Malfoy."
Hermione felt the warmth suffuse her face, and she ducked her head to let her hair fall forward to hide her blushing face.
"Enough, silliness," Professor Snape grumped. "Did you have need of me, Draco?"
"Not exactly. I just couldn't stay in the house for longer."
Hermione looked up slightly to see the Potion Master nodding.
"You are welcome to stay with me tonight. But no longer."
"Thank you, Uncle."
"Actually, you might be able to make yourself useful. Miss Granger here has to prepare for her NEWTs. And so do you, Draco. So you can help each others."
.:/*\:.
The two young people found themselves in the potion classroom, looking at each other in silence after the Deputy Headmaster had literally pushed them out of his office. Professor Snape had dropped what texts he own that would be useful and left them to it. The studying had been somewhat strained at first, but Draco seemed serious about this. And so they had gone through Charms and Transfiguration.
"So, when did you get so cozy with my uncle?" Malfoy finally asked as they took a break before dinner.
Hermione looked up from the mouse she had been about to transfigure back into a long stick.
"I wouldn't say cozy."
"Come on. I was teaching you. One on one. And there was no shouting or snarling involved."
Hermione shrugged. "We're just getting on better."
But the look the blonde wizard sent her told her he didn't find her statement as accurate as he wished.
"Let's just say that we found common ground against the mother hens of Hogwarts, and leave it at that."
"So the Headmistress and the Matron have been getting on his nerves again," Malfoy said with a short laugh.
"You could say that."
There was no way she would tell Malfoy what had happened this morning. Unless Snape told him himself, it was none of his business. And she didn't want to be facing the dark wizard's wrath if she mentioned his momentary weakness to anyone. The two lapsed into silence for a few moments. Then Hermione shrugged and waved Quebracho, returning the stick to its original form. She softly called for Shiny and requested tea for two, before she poured two cups.
"He likes you."
Hermione looked up and gaped at her former classmate.
"What? He does."
"With all due respect, Malfoy, I think you need your head examined."
The blonde wizard waved her comment aside and added honey to his tea before he took a sip. Hermione watched him watching her, wondering at the thoughts that passed behind those cool gray eyes.
"Allow me to be Gryffindorish, in the interest of following my uncle's request." At her nod, Malfoy straightened in his seat. "I don't like you, Granger. I don't hate you, but I still don't like you."
"And I must admit that the feeling is quite mutual."
"I also know that the ideology I grew up with has run its time."
Hermione took a sip from her tea. She understood what the man opposite her didn't say. He didn't think the ideology was wrong, just that it wasn't politically correct to express it anymore.
"I wish to help my godfather in his endeavor."
"And it wouldn't hurt your reputation to be seen with me. Don't worry, Malfoy. I know I am indebted to you for what you tried to do back at your house. If this is what you want, I'll go along with it. But don't expect me to act like a doormat either."
The blonde wizard sneered at her but nodded.
"You're acting almost Slytherin here, Granger."
"Well, in the interest of our newfound 'civil' relationship, I will tell you what I said to the Professor: if not for the political climate, the Sorting Hat would have put me in Slytherin."
Hermione smirked as Malfoy choked on his mouthful of tea. She put her own cup down and leaned forward, elbows on knees.
"Listen up, Malfoy. I'll help you somewhat restore your family name, as long as you no longer publicly put down muggleborns just because they're muggleborns. What you think in private is none of my business. We'll work together on helping out the younger students. Heck, if you need to, I'll even attend one of those social gatherings your family is so famous for organizing. Just keep in mind that whatever I owe you, I won't compromise my own set of beliefs."
"I can get behind that," Malfoy said with a graceful bow of his head.
"Oh, and one more thing." At the blonde's raised eyebrow, Hermione tsked. "Can you try not to insult my friends in front of me? And I don't mean being nice to them at all times. I just… won't be comfortable just listening to you badmouth them for no reason."
"And if I have what I consider a good reason?"
"Well, I'm not sure if we would agree on what would be a good reason, but if you feel you really must…"
"What about my friends?"
"I'm not in the habit of insulting people's friends to their faces. Or even behind their backs. But if it makes you feel better, you won't hear me insulting your friends unless my anger at them is immediate and not totally without reason."
The two finished their teas in silence after that before Malfoy pushed to his feet.
"I'd better go and make sure Uncle is still fine with me staying for the night."
Hermione nodded as she finished her own cup.
"Want to make a statement now?"
Malfoy turned back to her, as he was already by the door.
"The Headmistress nagged all of us into submission a while back. We're not allowed to miss dinner, unless she knows we're eating in our quarters. Professor Snape is unlucky enough to be the focus of both Professor McGonagall's and Madam Pomfrey's attentions, so he's almost always at dinner. Since we will both be going to the Great Hall…"
Malfoy snorted. "I'm starting to think that crazy Hat may have had the right idea about you."
Hermione shrugged as she stood and brushed her hands absentmindedly against her robes. Malfoy extended an arm to her and she took it. The pair made their way to the Great Hall in silence. As they neared the doors, Malfoy straightened and Hermione mirrored his posture. Their entrance was noticed by a few. The gaping and gawking was kept to a minimum as it was soon clear that they were heading for the Potion Master.
"Still alive then?" Professor Snape mocked with glittering eyes.
"Indeed, Uncle." Malfoy bowed his head slightly as he picked Hermione's hand off his arm, brushed his lips to her knuckles, and then handed her over to the older wizard.
"Let me know if you require another revision session, Granger."
"I should be fine now, Malfoy. But allow me to extend the same invite to you, when NEWTs time comes."
A nod was Malfoy's only answer before he turned to Professor Snape with a raised brow. The dark wizard sent his Slytherin off with a nonchalant wave and the slightest of smiles. And Hermione couldn't help but think she might come to enjoy interacting with the two Slytherins of her acquaintances - as long as Malfoy kept to his end of the deal.
.:/*\:.
Author's Note: I've been very busy preparing for NaNoWriMo. I'm going to have to juggle several freelance projects along with writing this year, so it's very likely that I won't post again until mid-December. So fair warning. I've tried to give you an extra long chapter to make up for the long wait you will have to endure while NaNoWriMo is on.
I'll take advantage of this last post to challenge everyone of my fanfic readers to join in the challenge this year: 50,000 words in 30 days. From the 1st to the 30th of November. Go on, I dare you!