A few hours later, Harry and Hermione found themselves standing outside of a certain potion masters room. Hermione reached to knock on the door but pulled her hand away. She was nervous. This was a risky plan. They only had one chance to get this right.
Hermione had decided to use veritus truth serum on Black and Snape later on at the meeting, but had two problems. One was to secure a bottle of the serum if there was any to be found at all. Two was how they still did not know how they were going to slip it into the drinks without appearing suspicious.
It was obvious that if anyone had the serum, it was Snape. Being one of the more expensive potions and given that they were obviously up to no good, he surely wouldn't share it with them. They had no choice but to sneak into his room and find it. Hermione would distract him while Harry, under the protection of the cloak, would sneak around and find it. However, it was a difficult plan to pull off. Harry had to stay undetected and Hermione had to keep Snape's attention. If Harry made a sound, Snape might realize what was going on. And if he caught Harry going through his private stores there would be hell to pay.
Hermione was terrified of the consequences of getting caught, and very reluctant to take this risk. But it had to be done.
After seeing her pause, Harry nudged her on the shoulder. "Are you sure you're up to doing this?" He whispered.
Hermione took a deep breath. "Ready as I'll ever be."
Harry vanished under the cloak and waited. Hermione reached her hand closer and closer to the door.
'Be brave Hermione. You're a Griffyndor remember? You can do this!' She thought to herself.
Then the dreaded sound; KNOCK KNOCK
All was quiet, and then the even more dreaded sound.
"Who is it?" Snape growled.
"Hermione." Hermione said in a weak voice, so low only Harry could hear.
"Who?" Snape said crankily.
"Hermione Granger." Hermione squeaked out.
Snape sighed. "Ugghhh. What do you want Granger. I hope these little visits of yours do not become habit."
"No of course not sir, I just came to tell you some news."
"Go ahead. Speak."
"Are you going to open the door?"
"Why must I open it? I can hear you just fine."
Hermione swallowed. "But sir, it's important."
The door creaked open. A cranky looking Snape looked down at Hermione.
"If you must insist on disturbing me and keeping me from my nap, then this better be important news." He stood at the side of the door and gestured for Hermione to enter.
"Come in."
Hermione felt Harry rush past her and then entered.
"Now tell me about this 'important news.'…" Snape said.
All of a sudden, Hermione could hear Harry's stifled giggles from under the cloak. It occurred to her that she didn't tell him about the room being so girly and naturally, it was pretty funny to see a once dark wizard in a delicate and pink bedroom.
Hermione covered her mouth. Snape glared at her with his empty black eyes.
'Oh no! We've been found out!' She thought.
"It is good to see you're so amused by this, Miss Granger." He hissed.
"No, sir. Please, I'm sorry.."
"Shut up! Did you come here to give me any news, or did you just come to giggle about my accommodations? I really do not understand what is so funny."
Hermione took a deep breath. That was close. He thought that she was laughing. He still didn't know about Harry. The plan was still on.
"I'm sorry sir. I should be more mature. I came to tell you about a meeting that Moody has called this evening…"
Snape held up a hand. "I know about the meeting already. Now if that's all you had to say, your company is no longer needed."
Hermione watched as Harry carefully opened a closet behind Snape's head. He went through each bottle and placed them back. He slowly closed the door, not having found what he was looking for.
How could she get Snape to lead them to his potions?
Suddenly, Harry whispered into her ear. "Hermione!"
Being surprised by the disembodied voice, she jumped. Snape raised an eyebrow.
"Miss Granger you are acting very strange indeed."
"Sorry sir I feel a little lightheaded." Hermione stuttered. Harry continued whispering to her.
"Lupin needs a wolfsbane potion. Ask him for the ingredients."
Brilliant! If he cooperated, he would lead them straight to his supplies.
"If you're so lightheaded you should probably go lay down. Now leave me, I have a migraine and I would like some rest." Snape said quietly while rubbing his temples.
"Ummm, actually there is something I need to talk you about. You see, Lupin needs a wolfsbane potion and I was wondering if you could.."
"I understand Miss Granger. The last thing any of us needs is a werewolf on the lose in this hell hole. I will prepare a potion for him. I can have it ready later this evening." Snape replied.
"No sir, you don't understand. I wasn't asking for you to prepare it. I just need the ingredients so someone else can make it."
Snape scowled. He seemed rather offended.
"So who can make it?" He demanded.
"I don't know sir, someone else in the order I guess.."
"And whose else in this order is more skilled than I in potion making? Hmm? Why must it be made by someone else?"
"I'd rather not say why." Hermione said sheepishly.
Snape raised an admonishing finger at her.
"Tell me now or I shall use a more unpleasant method of finding out."
Hermione gulped.
"Well, after last night the order doesn't really trust you. They think you might mess with the potion."
Snape's mouth twisted. His eyes gleamed with outrage.
"NOT TRUST ME? After all the times I have risked my throat? Nonsense!"
Snape whipped out his wand and aimed it at the wall. A hidden closet appeared. He ravaged through it, letting out a whole list of curse words. He gathered a bunch of ingredients in his arms and threw them at Hermione.
Hermione ducked just in time for a glass jar to graze her shoulder.
"TAKE THE INGREDIENTS AND GET OUT!" He screamed.
Hermione trembled and scuffled to pick up the ingredients strewn across the floor.
Meanwhile, Harry searched quickly through the closet. On the top shelf he found just what he was looking for: veritus serum. He snatched the bottle and tucked it away into his pocket.
Hermione stood up, her arms full of bottles and jars. Snape shoved her out the door.
"YOU TELL THEM THAT THEY SHOULD BE GLAD I HANDED OVER A SINGLE JAR. NEXT TIME POOR OLD LUPIN IS ON HIS OWN!"
With that angry outburst, Snape slammed the door.
'Oh no, no, no, no.' Harry muttered under his breath. He was now trapped in the bedroom with a steaming Snape. If he opened the door, Snape would know he was here. All he could do was back into a corner and be as quiet as possible.
Snape closed the closet and waved his wand, causing it to blend into the wall.
"Ungrateful fools." He muttered. Snape kicked off his shoes lazily. One bounced hard off of Harry's knee. Harry was sure that it would leave a nasty bruise.
Snape collapsed onto his bed, burying his face into a pillow.
"My aching head." He whined. "Being stuck here with all these damn imbeciles is setting off my migraines."
Harry rolled his eyes. 'What a huge baby.' Harry thought.
A shabby black cat rubbed itself affectionately against Harry's leg. It purred loudly and cooed for his attention.
"Shhh! Go away!" Harry whispered.
Snape looked up. "What are you purring about you annoying animal? Can you go jump out a window or something I'm trying to sleep."
The cat tiptoed over to Snape and jumped up on his chest. It scratched at his sweater for attention.
"Stop being a kiss ass." He muttered as he lifted the cat up.
He gave it a dangerous look, which it returned with an adorable big eyed glance.
Snape lowered the kitten down and pet him. "You're lucky to be so cute." He sighed.
The cat purred, happy to finally be given attention.
"Whose a good kitty? Whose a pretty pussy cat?" He said in a babyish voice.
Harry cupped his face in his hands. 'He is not baby-talking the cat.'
"You're my little friend aren't you? Aren't you?" Snape cooed as he stroked the kitten playfully. However, the kitten had gotten just as annoyed as Harry was right now, and snapped at Snape's finger before running for the door.
"Damn it, you little traitor." Snape hissed. "Go bother someone else."
The cat scratched at the door. 'Meow Meow Meow' it begged.
Snape slid out of bed and opened the door. "Now scat, cat." He warned.
The cat hurried out, followed closely by Harry. Harry barely made it out and was hit by the door on his rump after Snape slammed it shut.
Harry rubbed his sore behind and reached into his pocket. The veritus serum had been secured. He snuck off to meet Hermione and work on the second part of the plan.
'This plan better work' Harry muttered. 'It has already given me two bruises.'