A/N: I am so so SO sorry it took this long! You have no idea how many papers, lab reports, and speeches I've had to write these past weeks! I cannot WAIT for break. However, I managed to dedicate some Turkey-break time to giving you an update! Yay! And it was sometime this century!
Thank you to all of my lovely reviewers! LoveSnape11, DedicatedReader, woodshark, BellasBeingBad, HPFanGirl01, ultimanoapte, tennis14321432, KittyPimms, MadamigellaSnape, cinnamin, 83annak, sweet-tang-honney, Mel, BlooDsucKkerR69, Lover of Fantasy, Mossyrock, stupidme, Angelwells, Phoenixica24, Vif119, and Russian Flower!
Bound to Him
Chapter 18
A deep scowl was set upon the face of Severus Snape as he descended into the dungeons the next morning. The rest of the faculty members would be returning to the school over the next twenty-four hours, and he was as excited about that as he was about having to read another year's worth of student essays.
As per usual, Sybil Trelawny had been the first to arrive, wobbling into the castle as the light was just beginning to peek through the early morning fog. Severus had had the misfortune of appearing on the ground floor just as Dumbledore was welcoming her back for the year.
His frown deepened as he remembered how she had frozen at the sight of him, her bugged-out lenses blinking at him in alarm. Snape mentally sighed. If I never have to see that woman again, it will be too soon.
To make matters worse, the Headmaster had seized upon the opportunity to further dampen his spirits. The first staff meeting of the year was to be held the following afternoon, promising him several torturous hours of scheduling and small talk.
"Don't forget to bring your lesson plans, my boy!" Dumbledore had called out just before he managed to escape.
Lesson plans! Snape snorted disdainfully. In the wake of everything that has happened, the man is worried about ruddy lecture notes. As if I haven't been following the SAME protocol for the past decade.
Several choice words and phrases were echoing about his head as he strode angrily down the corridor. As he rounded the corner, however, he came to an abrupt halt and let his contemptuous glare melt into a blank expression.
Hermione sat on the floor beside his office door. She had wrapped her arms about her legs and was resting her chin atop her knees as she stared blankly at the wall opposite her.
Severus watched her curiously for a few seconds before shifting back into motion.
"Loitering in the hallways already, Miss Granger?" He raised an eyebrow as she visibly jumped.
The girl immediately glanced up at him, and he caught sight of a brief glimmer of terror swimming in her pupils before she returned her gaze to the wall. Her cheeks had taken on a tinge of pink as she let out a puff of air.
"You weren't in either your office or your classroom, and I figured it impolite to enter without permission." She pulled herself up from the floor and dusted off the back of her jeans.
Snape tilted his head as a slight smirk graced his features. He held open the door and gestured her inside. "So it appears you do possess a set of manners. Pity you couldn't teach the rest of your house."
Hermione sighed as she stepped past him and into the room. Pity you couldn't teach yours.
"Indeed."
She blanched as he shut the door with more force than was necessary.
Severus pretended not to notice as he swept by her and made for his desk. "Pardon my tardiness this morning, Miss Granger. It seems Mr. Filch was in need of my assistance regarding the replacement of a rather expensive mirror that used to hang on the fifth floor. Apparently, some roving...poltergeist saw fit to blast it to...smithereens."
"P-poltergeist?" She stammered in disbelief before slamming her mouth shut and glancing at the floor in shame. She could feel her ears burning as she remembered her violent outburst. Peeves didn't break the mirror - I did! He must know that.
Rolling his eyes, Snape glanced at the clock and cleared his throat loudly. "Before you begin designing the stationary for Prevent the Insufferable Student Slandering of Our Phantasmal Habitants or some other ridiculously-acronymed society, you should realize that that accursed being was more than happy to take the fall for your late night bout of property destruction. He was merrily peppering Mr. Filch with the evidence for quite some time before the caretaker finally saw the need to consult me."
Hermione gave a slight start when he began speaking, but soon narrowed her eyes in confusion. "But you could have told him the truth -"
He sighed dramatically and raised his eyes to the ceiling. "Use your head, girl. What would have likely transpired had I done so?"
A moment of silence occurred as Hermione slowly mulled it over. Severus's fingers were twitching with impatience before the light of realization finally overtook her eyes. "I'm not supposed to be here. That's it, right? He would have started asking questions that you don't want to answer."
"Brilliant as always, Miss Granger." His voice dripped sarcasm across her thoughts.
"Stop it," she whispered suddenly.
Snape whipped his head in her direction and narrowed his eyebrows. "Stop what?" he asked wordlessly.
"That," Hermione answered, meeting his gaze. "Stop that! Stop talking in my head! Your voice rattles around in there enough as it is, believe me... So if you have something to say to me, Professor, I would a-appreciate it if you would say it ou-out loud and...to my face."
He raised his eyebrows in surprise as she flopped into the chair with a defeated sigh, but recovered quickly. Shifting his robes and glancing at the top of his desk, he gave the slightest dip of his head. "Very well."
"Thank you," she said matter-of-factly, crossing her arms.
Severus grunted unintelligibly as he stepped out from behind his desk. He stood in front of her chair, peering down his long nose at her. "As your new technique appears to have withstood not only the intrusions of my wand, but also those of the Headmaster's, I believe it is time to examine its efficacy with more advanced Occlumency."
Hermione nodded, but then stopped as a small smirk materialized. "Piss off."
Seeing the frown suddenly appear on his face, she offered a hurried explanation. "Prevent the Insufferable Student Slandering of Our Phantasmal Habitants - P.I.S.S.O.P.H. It's the acronym - your acronym, sir. I just figured it ... I just ... Right, focus. I'm focusing, sir. I swear."
Severus bit the inside of his cheek and strode behind her chair so as to avoid her seeing the smile struggling to break free. He cleared his throat louder than usual, disguising a small chuckle, and then wiped his countenance free of emotion.
"As I was saying - before your childish interruption - you now have the ability to obscure your consciousness from prying wands. While some may prematurely declare this a victory, bear in mind that should the Dark Lord perform Legilimency -as he is so apt to do - and find your head so lacking in substance, it will not seem quite so exultant." Snape slid his wand out from his sleeve and took a small breath. "I can assure you, Miss Granger, he does not take kindly to...deception."
Obviously. Pinching her eyes shut, Hermione shifted in her seat and exhaled slowly. "So I only need conceal specific memories?"
"Not just memories, Miss Granger." He spun around to face her. "Thoughts, opinions, emotions - all of these you must filter! Anything that may betray us, you must cleave from the rest of the drivel filling that bushy hair of yours."
She rolled her eyes and sighed while he stalked back to his desk. "Any pointers, then?"
X
"Professor, this isn't working!" Hermione doubled over, gasping for more air.
Snape rubbed his temples and rested against the edge of his desk. He could feel the beginnings of a migraine coming on and suddenly wished he could retire to the bottle of fire-whiskey sitting in front of his fireplace.
"Maybe if you could just..." she paused as she drew in another ragged breath, "I don't know...explain it again, perhaps?"
Pinching the bridge of his nose, the wizard sighed. He was going to need a potion soon if she was going to insist upon talking so often. Entering her mind repeatedly, by itself, was taxing enough on his system, but her efforts the past day and a half had made it worse. The memories that swirled by him would randomly glow brighter or fade slightly as she tried to focus on manipulating them. Sometimes they would spin uncontrollably or flicker violently, giving the impression of some amusement park ride from hell where even the most die-hard thrill-seeker would be sure to feel quite ill. Severus realized he should be grateful to only be suffering a splitting headache. He was lucky not to have fallen to the ground, vomiting at her feet or even erupting into fits of seizures.
Though there's still the chance of it. The day isn't over yet, he mused. Opening his eyes and folding his arms against his chest, Snape shook his head. "No."
"But, sir, if -" Hermione began.
"Whatever it is you are trying, Miss Granger, it is not working. You shall have to find a new approach. I cannot take any more of...whatever it is you were doing."
The girl opened her mouth to protest, but quickly swallowed the comment. Her face had taken on a red hue as she noticed the green tinge appearing on his pale skin. After taking a deep breath, she re-gathered her courage. "Well then - what would you suggest?"
Severus raised his eyes to meet hers. He considered her question for a minute before answering, "Instead of trying to single out the memories, perhaps it may be more constructive to focus on the emotions attached to them. Try latching onto one emotion, and allow it to cloud all the others."
"I thought I was supposed to clear away my emotions," she frowned.
"You need to control them," he corrected. "If you are able to clear them away, logically you should also be able to control them."
"Fine." Hermione stood and began to stretch. Severus redirected his gaze to the wall until he heard the chair squeak as she retook her seat.
She gestured with an open palm. "Alright, blast away."
"Do not tempt me, girl." He scowled as he raised his wand. "Legilimens!"
Severus winced slightly as he spiraled into her mind. He closed his eyes briefly to steady his stomach as the now familiar images swirled about him. While during earlier sessions her head had been filled with memories of her parents and of that night, now they were joined by a plethora of others. He could see Sirius Black slipping into the Veil, Viktor Krum bowing at the bottom of the staircase and extending his arm, and Draco Malfoy running away, covering his nose with his hands. Several nauseating images of Potter and Weasley from throughout the years also circled past him.
Grief. Excitement. Rage. Happiness. Fear. Jealousy. He felt all of these wash over him as he moved through the memories.
"Miss Granger, I said you should focus on one sentiment, and one sentiment only. Or does that hair of yours interfere with your-" he trailed off as he caught sight of his own likeness slithering about, "-hearing."
Curious, he began stepping towards the memory, dodging the other flashing faces that rushed past him and ignoring the spectrum of emotions across which he tread. When it was only inches from his face, Severus cautiously raised his hand to touch it. Instantly he was transported into his classroom, and from the canned speech he recited to every new batch of first-years, he knew it had to be from five years ago. He could suddenly feel an overwhelming desire to prove himself as he saw the younger Hermione's hand shoot up and wave about obnoxiously. Shame and disappointment began working their way into his gut as her attempts to please him went unrecognized.
'Perhaps you should just go ahead and take the credit for my failures, then, Professor! Merlin knows you've been waiting to do so since I first walked in to your classroom!'
Her voice angrily screeched through his head as he felt, more than saw, the tears building up in the eyes of the first-year girl sitting before him. Yet another instance when he had been so distracted by his loathing of the Potter spawn that he had been blind to the pain he caused others. It seemed he had been fated to fill Hermione Granger's life with misery and anguish.
And you've done a bang-up job at that. Severus shook his head as he continuously stepped from one memory of himself to another. Nowhere could he find the hatred he had expected, nowhere could he find the fear that she had previously displayed. As he made his way to the near-present, he could once again see the little black orbs flitting about the space before him.
' She thinks you are responsible for her parents' deaths.'
Snape frowned in confusion. It was not there. He had not seen a single thought of hers that regarded his involvement in their demise. Dumbledore had seen it, but he had not. It did not make sense. Frustrated, he began snatching at the black particles dancing around him. Once again, he found his hand slipping through dark strands of mist as the orbs disappeared.
Exasperated and exhausted, Severus dropped his arms to his side and cancelled the incantation. He closed his eyes until he felt securely rooted in his own body. When he did open them, he found Hermione staring at him with defeat written upon her features.
"I tried," she stated, glancing quickly at the floor. She squirmed nervously as she attempted to explain. "I tried picking out one emotion on which to focus, but I kept thinking it was the wrong one. So I'd try another, but that one would be wrong, too. I didn't know what you wanted me to do, sir - and then it just became one, big jumbled mess! And I tried to sort it out, I did, but -"
Severus closed his eyes and held up a hand to silence her.
"I tried," she repeated in a whisper. She sighed loudly and dropped her head into her hands. "I'm going to be the death of us."
"That remains to be seen, Miss Granger," he shrugged, stowing his wand into his sleeve. "Though I have little doubt as to the validity of that statement."
The sudden appearance of a green flame in his fireplace prevented him from studying her reaction to his words.
"Oh, what the bloody hell is it now!" He shouted, spinning to face the intruder.
Professor McGonagall stood tall and snorted as she stepped into the office. "I'll tell you what the bloody hell it is! The Headmaster refuses to start until you are in attendance - Oh, hello Miss Granger - and the longer you dilly-dally, Severus, the longer I have to sit there!"
Snape scowled as he remembered the staff meeting. Perhaps it isn't too late to begin seizing?
The elder witch brushed some excess floo powder from her robes and then fixed him with another glare. "I swear on your mother's grave, Severus, if you leave me in that room with that...that...THAT woman longer than I have to be, I will make your life a living hell."
"While I do admire that vein popping out in your forehead, Minerva," he began, risking a side glance at his young charge, "I doubt you could make my life any worse than it already is."
Narrowing her eyes, McGonagall tempered her expression into a cool gaze. "It would do you well to remember that I am the one who assigns your seat at the High Table, and, unless you wish to spend the rest of your employment here seated to the immediate right of Professor Trelawny, I suggest you get your skinny arse in that staff room."
Severus paled briefly, but then snorted and turned to Hermione. "It does appear that our... dilly-dallying... is at an end for the afternoon. I suggest you put the time to good use and get your head in order."
Hermione nodded stiffly and rose from her chair. As she headed towards the door, McGonagall wished her a good afternoon. When the door clicked shut, the deputy headmistress threw a pinch of floo powder into the fireplace and called out the destination.
"Now, get in there!" She shouted, pushing Severus into the flames.
X
"Ah, Severus," the Headmaster greeted him as he spiraled into the room. "It's good to have you join us."
Snape straightened to his full height, scowling as he swept the floo powder from his sleeve. "I wouldn't dream of missing it, Albus."
A quick whooshing sound behind him announced the arrival of the deputy headmistress.
Dumbledore smiled. "Minerva, thank you for taking it upon yourself to fetch our young Potions Master. He does tend to lose track of time down there."
McGonagall gave a loud 'Harrumph' as she stepped past the younger wizard and made her way to her seat next to the Headmaster.
Severus rolled his eyes before glancing about the room. The full Hogwarts teaching staff had gathered around the long table. He narrowed his eyes angrily as he spotted Trelawny staring at him with her usual, horror-stricken expression. Looking away quickly, he caught sight of another familiar face that caused his lip to twitch into a snarl.
Lupin. His displeasure grew as he realized the only open seat was placed next to the werewolf. He could feel the Headmaster silently telling him to sit down, and with a roll of the eyes, he stalked over to the empty chair and flopped into it.
"I assume I shall be called upon once again to prepare the flea baths," he muttered moodily.
Lupin snorted and fixed him with an amused glance. "How kind of you to offer your services, Professor. Here I thought I was going to be at the mercy of the house-elves."
Snape let a torturous sigh escape his lips, and turned his attention to the window. He let his body relax and decided to only half-listen to what Dumbledore had to say. It was relatively the same speech every year, and he was already privy to more information than most of the others on staff.
Through the window, he could see a flock of birds swooping over the tops of the trees. The day looked relatively peaceful as only a calm breeze fluttered the tips of the leaves. He knew Hermione was somewhere near the lake as she was arguing with herself about whether or not she should have left the castle. He had told her the day before to stay out of sight, and now she was worried that someone may catch a glimpse of her. Severus smirked as she came to the correct conclusion that if he did not want her there, he would have told her off by now.
Quite right you are, he thought to himself. A moment's worry weighed upon his mind as he remembered her outburst the morning prior, but he soon relaxed when he was sure she had not heard him. So far, it seemed that she could only hear his thoughts when he willed them to be heard. Severus absent-mindedly chewed on his lip as a thought struck him. If I can will my thoughts to be audible, am I capable of willing hers inaudible?
He got no farther on that line of thinking as the mention of Hermione's name caused him to snap his attention towards the Headmaster.
"On a most distressing note," Dumbledore began, "one of our promising students - Hermione Granger - has found her family to be a recent target of Lord Voldemort's followers. I do admit that it is quite unprecedented to permit a student early re-entry into Hogwarts. However, in light of these dark times, I have allowed the young Miss Granger to take sanctuary here in these halls."
Expressions of shock and sympathy erupted from several staff members, while Snape narrowed his eyes. The Headmaster had assured him - not even a week ago - that the official explanation for her presence at the castle would be much farther from the truth, and leave far fewer questions unanswered. His eyes flicked around the table at the familiar faces surrounding him. It was difficult to picture any of them running to the Dark Lord with information, but betrayal, he knew, was never an impossibility.
Severus froze as he realized Lupin was watching him. Several uncomfortable minutes passed as the Defense instructor continued his scrutiny while Dumbledore continued speaking of other things.
"Is she alright?" Remus whispered as soon as the meeting was dismissed.
Snape sighed, but gave the slightest dip of his head.
Traces of tension began to dissolve from the disheveled man's face. He glanced about quickly at the disappearing staff members before speaking once again to the Slytherin Head. "Are they safe?"
Snape's eyebrows shot to the top of his forehead, and he shifted his gaze to Dumbledore, who was watching the two men with a curious look upon his face. Severus's own expression grew cold as he turned back to Lupin. "I'm afraid I have nothing to tell you. Any further questions you may have should be addressed to the Headmaster. Good day, Lupin. Try not to scratch too much."
Remus sighed as Snape rose from his chair and made to leave the room.
"Severus," Dumbledore called out. "If you wouldn't mind, I have some additions for you to make to your lesson plans."
Snape scowled, but turned back towards the table. He glared in Lupin's direction until the werewolf smiled and took his leave with a polite nod to the Headmaster.
"I see you have tossed the Ministry's recommendations to the wolves," Severus sneered when the door had clicked shut, leaving the two wizards alone.
Dumbledore chuckled and gestured to the two armchairs near the fire. "It may come as some shock to you that the Ministry and I have had a falling-out of sorts recently. Regardless, I felt it might be beneficial to have another Order member on the grounds. Even with the added wards and Auror presence, one can never be too careful when it comes to the safety of children."
"To keep the children safe, you release upon them a werewolf," Snape raised his brow. "It's no small wonder the Ministry thinks you're ..."
"Completely barmy?" Dumbledore interrupted loudly, a stitch of anger present in his tone. "Two apples short of a bushel? Tell me Severus, do you hold the same opinion as they?"
The younger wizard's only response was to roll his eyes and silently walk over to the window. As he peered down onto the grounds, he suddenly wished the view had been of the lake instead.
Dumbledore sighed and shook his head. "Remus has been extremely vigilant in his taking of the Wolfsbane. He has learned his lesson and shall not allow himself to slip-up as he did before. He is an excellent Defense teacher - I think even you can agree."
A snort emanated from the direction of the window.
"Severus, believe me when I tell you that I know Remus Lupin is not as strong or as powerful a wizard as you are. He is not as well-versed in the Dark Arts and their prevention as you are, but he is still an exceptionally talented individual who has plenty to offer our students." Dumbledore paused for a moment and sank down into one of the chairs. "You have no idea how desperately I wish I could place you in that position, Severus, but you and I both know Voldemort would try to use that to his advantage. He would not allow you to prepare the students to the level which you would desire them to be. If I can avoid putting more pressure on you, I will do what I can."
As long as it suits your needs. Snape closed his eyes briefly before willing himself to nod.
"Besides, you would have been brewing his Wolfsbane potion whether he were here or not." Dumbledore waved his hand dismissively as he continued. "Having Professor Lupin in the castle is something that asks no extra effort on your part - except in civility, perhaps. I fully expect that the two of you will be able to work together on good terms."
Snape rolled his eyes again, but made no attempt to move away from the window.
"Remus is a good man, Severus, and despite your history together, he trusts you."
"You are mistaken, Albus." Snape glanced towards the Headmaster. "Lupin's trust is in you. Any faith he has in me is... simply the residue of that."
A small smile appeared on the old man's face. "Trust is a many-layered thing, my dear boy. There is nothing simple about it. Surely you must realize this."
Severus took in a deep breath as he considered those last phrases.
"Something else on your mind?" Dumbledore asked with a cautious gaze.
The Potions Master cleared his throat and folded his arms across his chest. He dropped his eyes to the floor as he organized his thoughts. Finally, he spoke. "You told me the other day that Miss Granger suspects my involvement in her parents' deaths."
"Yes," the elder man nodded. "That is true."
"Did she tell you this herself," Snape asked, raising his eyes. "Or did you see it?"
A strange look crossed over the Headmaster's face as he turned his eyes instead to the fire. "As I told you before, Severus - Miss Granger was able to clear everything from sight during our session together."
Severus frowned, stepping towards him. "Are you attempting to tell me you did not peer into her mind unannounced, or perhaps you are saying that she was able to block you from doing so without her knowledge? You cannot seriously expect me to believe that...not when every time I stand before you, I feel the tugging of your curious gaze pulling at the edges of my consciousness, trying to pry its way in. Do not lie to me, sir - I beg of you!"
Closing his eyes, Dumbledore dropped his head until his chin nearly rested upon his chest. "Miss Granger did not articulate her fears in words, no."
Snape allowed his anger to dissipate into a nervous sigh. "Was there anything else you may have...discovered...that she is not...comfortable, perhaps, with me knowing?"
The Headmaster glanced back at his subordinate with renewed curiosity. He appeared to be deep in thought for a few moments before standing quickly from his chair. "Before I tell you, you must agree not to seek punishment for something that happened so long ago."
His eyes narrowed greatly, but the younger wizard slowly nodded his head.
"You do recall, several years ago, an incident with polyjuice potion? Yes, I'm quite sure you do. And I'm sure you must have gathered by now that it was Miss Granger who was capable of brewing such a potion at that age." Dumbledore stopped to watch the expression on the younger man's face. "But while you have blamed Harry all these years for stealing from your stores, it was, in fact, Miss Granger who nicked the necessary ingredients from your supplies."
"She..did...WHAT?" Severus balled his hands up in tight fists and let out an angry huff of air. Of course he had known she had been the one to brew it - of the three, she was the only one who could even be considered capable of successfully completing a batch of a NEWT-level potion at the age of thirteen. To even momentarily think Potter or the Weasley boy capable of doing so now was laughable. He had also known that she spent a fair amount of time after their little experiment in the hospital wing being de-furred. He had felt her shame of that moment as he strode through her memories not four hours before.
He had not known, though, that Hermione was a thief. The knowledge of that, however, was frustrating him less than was the knowledge that he had not been able to extract that particular memory from her consciousness. Setting his face into a stern grimace, he rounded on the older man.
"When you... forced... your way into her mind, were there any gaps?" Severus began pacing. "Was there any information...were there any thoughts or memories that should have been there, but weren't? Were there blank spots, or black spots - or floating black orbs, more specifically?"
Dumbledore narrowed his eyes in utter confusion as he watched the man turn back and forth. "I don't understand, Severus. Everything was there. What are you getting at? What do you mean by floating orbs?"
Snape stopped dead in his tracks. His jaw dropped slightly as realization struck him. "They're not there...because she doesn't trust me."
"Who aren't there?" The Headmaster asked, desperation creeping into his voice. "Severus?"
"No," Snape answered, already half way to the door. "I have to go."
"We aren't finished!" Dumbledore called after him. "You will find me in my office, and I await an explanation!"
X
Severus quickly made his way onto the castle grounds, where he found Hermione perched atop a large boulder at the edge of the lake. Her eyes were closed, and her body seemed quite relaxed - as though she were asleep.
"Miss Granger!" he shouted, stepping close to her.
Hermione's eyelids flew open, and she let out a small squeal of surprise as she nearly fell off the rock.
"Merlin's beard," she panted, covering her heart with her hand. "You just about killed me."
Snape rolled his eyes. "How fortunate, then, that I was unsuccessful."
Hermione glared as she regained her balance. "I was only doing what you asked - trying to sort my head out. You could have given me some warning before shouting in my ear."
"My apologies, Miss Granger," he sneered. "It had appeared that you were asleep."
She shook her head. "I wasn't sleeping, sir. I was meditating, and I was -"
"Enough." He held up a hand, causing her voice to trail off into a whisper. "I interrupted your nap, Miss Granger, because I need you to answer a few questions. Now, do you trust Albus Dumbledore?"
Her brow wrinkled in confusion. "What?"
Severus shook his head. "You are to answer the questions, Miss Granger, not ask them. I shall repeat the first one - do you trust the Headmaster?"
Hermione looked no less confused, but slowly nodded. "Yes, of course I do."
"To what extent?"
"Erm, completely," she answered hesitantly. "I would... trust him with my life."
Snape gave one nod before quickly thrusting the next question before her. "In the same regard, do you trust me?"
Her mouth opened and closed several times as she tried to figure out how to answer. "I, uh -"
"The truth, Miss Granger," he instructed. "I desire nothing but absolute honesty in what you answer. Do you trust me?"
"Yes," she hissed angrily. "I trust you! Perhaps I shouldn't, but I do!"
Severus dipped his head in acknowledgement. "How far, Miss Granger? Do you trust me as you do Professor Dumbledore?"
Hermione let out a deep breath and closed her eyes. After a moment, she shook her head. "No. Not completely. I mean, I would trust you with my life - I do trust you with my life, but not..there are some things... Just not completely, sir."
Snape gave a long sigh of relief and leaned against a second boulder.
A puzzled expression was plastered upon the girl's face as she stared at him. A number of minutes passed silently before she gathered the courage to ask another question -or two. "Sir, what is this all about? Shouldn't you be angry that I don't trust you fully?"
"Never mind that," he muttered, staring at the slightly rippled water of the lake. He took in a large breath and then turned to meet her questioning gaze. "Miss Granger, suppose I were to tell you that the Headmaster was using you to spy on me - that he was sifting through your memories to make sure I have not lied to him and have only done what he asks. If I were to tell you this, how would it affect your opinion of him?"
"What?" she cried loudly, her eyes wide with shock. "What are you saying? Is he ... He wouldn't...You have to be...What?"
"Miss Granger," he reprimanded. "Answer the question!"
Though a shade paler than before, Hermione seemed to calm down quickly as her logic took over the task. Her brow furled in concentration as she considered the implications of his query. Could it possibly be true? Could Dumbledore be capable of that?...Don't kid yourself, Hermione -you know he is. Just look at the way he handles Harry. What would make him treat you any differently? What would make him treat anyone any differently?
Hermione sighed and fiddled with the cuff of her jumper. "I suppose...if that were true...then I wouldn't trust him as much as...as I thought I might."
Severus gave a stiff nod and pushed away from the boulder. He quickly turned from her and began striding back towards the castle.
"Wait!" Her head snapped up immediately and she scrambled down from the boulder. "Just what in the buggering hell was this all about?"
"Language, Miss Granger," he chided without slowing. "Now stop dawdling!"
"Dawdling? What?" Hermione whispered before hurrying after him. "Where are you going?"
"We," Snape corrected, tilting his head to give her a haughty smirk, "have an appointment with the Headmaster."