Chapter 4: Skeeter, Troupabbles, and Snape
Friday passed quickly for Hermione. The potions Draco gave her the night before healed her body, but she was still working on her mind. A part of her had had a feeling since the summer that Harry and Ron were dead, but it was still easy to believe Draco initially when he told her otherwise. She had been broken mentally and physically, clinging to anything that would help her want to live. He saved her life, even if it took a lie to do so.
She breezed through classes that day, mostly because she didn't share any with Draco on Fridays and it made it much easier to concentrate. Hermione normally saw Zabini in Ancient Runes, but when she showed up for it he was nowhere to be seen. She assumed he was in the hospital wing with Crabbe, and Nott. The rest of the school was surprisingly keeping quiet about the entire thing. She was so curious she even cornered Pavarti after lunch to ask if she heard anything, but Pavarti was only wondering why Hermione wanted to know about three Slytherins.
Hermione spent dinner with Ginny, piling seconds onto her plate much to the other girl's surprise.
"I see your weird no appetite thing is disappearing." She said pointedly as Hermione shoved another forkful of pasta in her mouth.
"I'm hungry." Hermione mumbled through mouthfuls.
"Uh huh." Ginny replied skeptically. "So anyway, did you see that small Rita Skeeter bit in the Prophet yesterday?"
"Er…no." Hermione swallowed her food ashamed. She didn't really find much time yesterday to do anything other than get herself into trouble.
"It's fine, I snipped the clip out and have it with me. Thought you should read it." Ginny reached into her bag and threw a small piece of newspaper on the table in front of her.
BREAK IN AT THE POTTERS
The headline blared in Hermione's face. It still hurt her just to see Harry's surname. She looked up at Ginny, a look of pain mirrored on her features as well.
"I know…I'm sorry. I didn't mean to shock you with the title." Ginny rubbed her arms uncomfortably. Hermione lost both her friends, but Ginny lost her boyfriend and her brother. Sometimes Hermione forgot she wasn't the only one in pain. Ginny shook her red hair out of her eyes in an attempt to shake the memories as well. "You should really read it though. Anyway, I have to go to the library. Sprouts assigned us a huge essay on Snargaluff Pods."
Ginny swung her bag over her shoulder, and was just about to leave her when she stopped and turned back.
"I think about them all the time too." Ginny said in a strong voice. "But at least I still have you."
Hermione couldn't find words to say back, but she gave Ginny a warm smile which the girl returned before she took off.
Pushing aside her now forgotten food, Hermione pulled the clipping closer, and delved into the Skeeter article.
BREAK IN AT THE POTTERS
It has only been a few months since Harry Potter's death, but still his memory haunts the wizarding world. A strange mood has settled on the general public as we try to cope with the notion that The Boy Who Lived, is no longer living. Although no body was ever recovered, top Aurors found Potter's wand, glasses, and blood strewn across a small street in a muggle town in Surrey-
Hermione shut her eyes tightly, and tried to forget the details of the scene Rita Skeeter was painting with her words. Of course Hermione knew they had never found Harry's body, nor Ron's although his death was never in the papers. Evidence of a struggle, and ultimately a death were found outside of Harry's Aunt and Uncle's house, whereas Ron's wand, blood, and torn clothing were found in the room he was tortured in at the Ministry. Hermione never found out why Ron was at the ministry. If they caught them there, or if they captured him elsewhere and brought him there to kill him. The details didn't really matter to her at this point. They were both dead.
The lack of bodies was enough to keep Hermione believing they were alive for quite some time despite confidence from Aurors that they weren't. Since Draco's confession to her the night before though, she thought the Aurors had the right idea. Voldemort must have wanted their bodies for himself, and Hermione shuddered to think what he ended up doing with them. She shook her head, skipped the next few lines, and then continued the article.
-people believe he was our only chance of defeating He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, and so a dark new era has befallen the wizarding world. A recent event has had many people wondering if Harry left behind clues for defeating the darkest wizard to ever walk the Earth. Just two nights ago The Potter's old house in Godric's Hollow was broken into. Since James and Lily Potter's deaths nearly sixteen years ago the once flourishing village has been nearly abandoned by the magical community completely. Magical Law Enforcement officials investigated the break in after the one resident left in the area, Bathilda Bagshot, 72, notified officials of a light on the second floor. Officials showed up shortly after to find nothing missing, and no one in the area except Bagshot herself who had fallen asleep at the scene. Many people are of course taking this incident as the ramblings of an old woman, but this reporter is holding out hope that Harry Potter was returning to his old stomping grounds where he may have left or found vital information on how to defeat You-Know-Who. Only time will tell about Potter's whereabouts, whether this comes in the form of a body or-
Hermione set down the paper in disgust. Too much talking of bodies and blood. Especially from a woman she despised so deeply. She shook the cobwebs from her brain, and sat in deep 'Hermione' thought for the first time in months.
Could Harry be back in Godric's Hollow? She set her head in her hands. She had to let the notion that they were alive go. Draco, as a Death Eater, would know best. If Harry wasn't breaking into his old house then who was? Hermione refused to believe it was just an old woman's ramblings, Bathilda must have seen something. Her eyes glanced down at the headline once more. It wasn't the break in part that was itching at her brain…it was the fact of it being called "The Potter's". Their home. What had Dobby said to her only yesterday? Something about Kreacher….her brain was just on the cusp of putting two and two together when she saw a shadow move over her paper. It was Luna Lovegood.
Hermione must have been sitting for a long time in thought. The food in front of her was gone, and so were most of the members of her table. A few people remained in the hall, playing wizard chess, or pulling out homework to complete.
"I saw that article." Luna said dreamily, sliding down next to her. "The Prophet has some of the facts of course, but Daddy got the real story from Bathilda that The Prophet wouldn't touch."
Hermione was going to do the normal 'smile vaguely and make an excuse to leave', but curiosity burned at her.
"What did your father find out from her Luna?" She asked.
"Oh, just the usual facts, but she did give us some interesting information about the night The Potters were murdered."
Hermione looked at her blankly and she continued.
"You know…about the mysterious hooded figure who went into the house after Harry had been rescued that night."
"I never heard about that." Hermione said skeptically.
"Many people doubt its story. Mostly because of the troupabbles Bathilda said she were all over the lawn. She says they're still there…"
"Troupabbles?" Hermione questioned.
"You know…the white schminglerats that grow on the troupabbles." Luna said unblinkingly.
"Right…" Hermione said, folding the piece of paper and putting it in her pocket. "Anything else Bathilda mentioned that The Prophet failed to report on this specific break in? Not something that happened almost twenty years ago."
"Just that she saw a giant snake pass through the streets moments before the light in the Potter's came on. When she saw the lights, that's when she informed the Magical Law Enforcement of a break in."
"A giant snake?" Hermione turned to give Luna her full attention. "Are you sure?"
"Positive. She said it slithered through the toupabbles like they weren't even there. The Prophet of course failed to report this, as they never even believed in the existence of the things. But Bathilda is a firm truth seeker on these subjects." Luna sighed, and stood up. "Anyway, I just came over to tell you about those Slytherin boys."
"Slythering boys?" Hermione looked up at her even more intrigued.
"I heard you asking Pavarti about them at lunch." Luna said. "The three boys are still in the hospital wing. No idea who gave them all those injuries. They seem to have completely forgotten. My guess is wrackspurts messed with their memoires…."
Luna wandered off, and Hermione was left to herself to contemplate all sorts of things.
Her eyes roamed the nearly empty great hall, but only found a few Ravenclaws doing some kind of study group at the table next to hers. No Draco. She wondered if they were still meeting tonight. Hermione threw her bag on her shoulder and exited the hall. She was just about to walk up the staircase when she ran into a taller figure dressed all in black.
"Miss Granger."
Hermione's heart beat quickly, fear chilling her blood as she looked up into the face of Severus Snape. He looked like he had aged twenty years since she last saw him, his normally dark greasy hair filled with some gray, and deeper lines on his face. She had to wonder if betrayal aged a person faster than usual.
She hadn't seen him since the night Draco let the death eaters into the school. Her and Luna had been keeping watch outside his office, when Flitwick ran past them to warn Snape of the Death Eaters in the shcool. He then lied to her saying Flitwick had passed out, when in reality Snape had stunned him. If only she had stopped him then, Dumbledore might not be dead at his hands, and with Dumbledore alive who knew what Harry and Ron's fate would have been.
"Professor." She sneered at him mockingly.
"Careful now." Snape said leering down at her. "I'm the headmaster afterall, and I wouldn't want to get on my bad side."
"No." Hermione said slowly. "Sir."
It took everything in her not to curse him where he stood.
"I was hoping to speak with you sometime…soon. Do you have a moment now?" Snape asked in a tone Hermione couldn't quite decipher.
Her mind could not even begin to ponder what in the world Snape would want with her…other than torture. She knew her time at the school was running short with Death Eaters taking over. As a muggle born she would have to come up with a new plan soon. McGonagall could only protect her so far.
"Uh…no I have to…" Hermione couldn't think of a good excuse, but her mind went straight to her nine o clock meet up with Draco.
"And what exactly do you have to do?" Snape asked lip curling.
"Homework." Hermione said side stepping Snape and heading up the stairs away from him. She let herself breathe when she didn't hear his footsteps following.
"I don't see what Mr. Malfoy has to do with homework." Snape called to her as she reached the top of the staircase.
Legilimency! Hermione thought, her mind racing. Her terrified eyes widened as she turned to face him in horror.
"We will have to reschedule a talk then." Snape said calmly, turning on the spot his cloak billowing behind him.
Hermione stood rooted on the spot horrified at the position she might have just put Draco in. How could she be so stupid! Snape threw her for a loop. Of course she knew he was back from their almost encounter in Hogsmead just two nights prior. But she hadn't seen him at meals, and there was no large announcement made about his appointment of Headmaster.
She made her feet move up the stairs, and after only a few steps broke into a run.
When she reached the Fat Lady, she gasped the password and the portrait swung open.
"Are you okay Hermione?" Seamus asked looking up from his game of gobstones with Dean.
Hermione practically fell into the common room in a panic. There was only Dean and Seamus, and a few other third years hanging around. The clock on the wall was reading 8:30.
"Yeah…yeah." Hermione said catching her breath and moving further into the room. "I just ran into Snape. Gave me a bit of a shock."
Dean made a noise of disgust.
"I heard Flitwick and McGonagall discussing that today in the corridors. I can't even believe he's back here."
Seamus grimaced as if in pain.
"Me Mum wrote me a letter only yesterday. She works at the ministry. Says things are getting bad. Snape's appointment as Headmaster is only proof that the ministry has fallen into the hands of You-Know-Who."
The boys sat shaking their heads in disbelief, the game forgotten.
"It's bad enough just having the two of us and Neville in our dorm this year." Dean said sadly. "The whole thing is just so damn depressing."
Hermione shoved back tears, and nodded sympathetically. The proof of Ron and Harry's absence was everywhere…affecting everyone.
"Have either of you thought of leaving Hogwarts?" Hermione asked hesitantly. She was getting the feeling that her days at here were limited.
"I haven't tried yet." Dead said uncomfortably. "I'm considering it though. Us muggle borns won't be safe here for long."
"I have a feeling I'm Snape's number one target." Hermione said rubbing her arm unconsciously wishing it would burn.
"I'm considering trying to get out of here too." Seamus said seriously. "I'm half blood, but who knows what kind of unconceivable things are about to befall Hogwarts. Plus, I can't leave Dean to brave the walls outside Hogwarts on his own."
"Stop it I'm blushing." Dean said rolling his eyes. Hermione could tell by the look on his face he was touched though, almost relieved that Seamus would go with him if he had to make a run for it.
Hermione smiled and made her way up the stairs, waving goodnight to both the boys. When she reached her dormitory, she was pleased to see Lavender and Pavarti already asleep. Hermione tip toed over and changed out of her uniform, pulling on jeans and a sweatshirt then pulling a plain black cloak over the ensemble. She grabbed the Maurader's Map Harry had left her, her bag, and the invisibility cloak.
"I solemnly swear I'm up to no good." Hermione whispered pointing her wand at the paper.
She searched for Draco's name, but couldn't find him anywhere on the map. She wondered if he had already left the castle.
"Mischeif managed-Ah!" Hermione had just wiped the map clean when the mark on her arm began to burn and she let out a small gasp of pain.
Pavarti turned over in her bed, but stayed asleep. Hermione grabbed the sword of Gryffindor placing it in her sheath. Then she pulled the invisibility cloak over herself as she exited the room once more. Seamus and Dean had gone up to bed along with the other third years, so Hermione found it easy enough to exit without detection.
"Who's there?" The Fat Lady boomed as Hermione opened the portrait and exited the tower.
She made it down two flights of stairs stopping finally to let her mind mull over where the mark was leading her.
Her eyes closed, and she concentrated on the message Draco was trying to send her through the burning mark.
Hogsmeade…
Hermione took off once more, dodging Peeves on her way out of the main entrance who was trying to knock over a large grandfather clock.
She made her way down the slope of the dew soaked grass, passing the lake, and down through the gates that marked the end of Hogwarts. Hermione saw his bright blonde hair before she saw the rest of him. She threw her cloak off her, and shoved it in her small bag which was enchanted to hold large items.
Draco almost seemed to smile when he saw her, but then caught himself at the last minute and settled with a smirk.
"You look like some Greek goddess preparing for battle." He said in a way that was meant to be insulting, but Hermione rather took as a compliment.
"This is war Malfoy, and I'm just being prepared." She replied her cloak whipping in the wind that was picking up around her.
"You know when we do finally find a horcrux we could just take it back with us to be destroyed by the sword. You don't have to carry it with you everywhere." Draco argued.
"You never know what could happen out there! What if we can't transport it!" Hermione replied. "Besides, I look awesome with it. Ever since I found out that this thing destroys Horcuxes I have barely let it leave my sight."
"Tell me again how you figured that one out?" Draco asked confused. "Wait, never mind. Your answer will probably be very Hermioneish, and long, and complicated and we don't have time."
"You're an ass." Hermione said with only half the meanness she usually reserved for him.
"An ass with a lead on a horcux."
"I'm not going back to Grimmauld Place." Hermione said seriously. After last time she needed a bit of a break from it. Besides she doubted that there was anything there, they'd torn the place apart on their first visit.
"Not Grimmauld place…my place."
"Your place?" Hermione repeated dumbstruck as he walked to stand beside her and held out his hand.
Hermione grasped it confused, and suddenly felt the uncomfortable feeling of apparition.
It was much colder when she felt her feet hit the ground once more, the wind much fiercer in her ears.
She opened her eyes to see a very large house in the distance sitting on a great hill, overlooking the side of a cliff.
"Welcome to the Malfoy Manor." Draco's amused voice cut through the howling wind, leaving Hermione speechless.