In Wisdom's Creed

Oh wow!!
Don't you just love it when you have a scene vaguely planned, and then your characters go and do completely different things and solve the problem you had anyway?
This came out very different to how I had planned it, but I love it!

Enjoy!


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The next morning Hermione was greeted with a roar of congratulations in the common room.
She blushed furiously and glared at Ron and Harry who had, no doubt, told the whole house.
Finally the commotion died down and people started to leave for breakfast.
Hermione, Ron and Harry sat by the fire whilst Ron and Harry chatted about last night's quidditch practice.
Eventually the boys stood up.
"Coming to breakfast, Hermione?" asked Harry gently.

Hermione stared into the fire, "I don't know Harry... he.." she sighed, "He really is going to be mad, isn't he?"

Harry shrugged, "It's not to bad once you get used to it, and at least you did something great to deserve it." He grinned down at her.

Hermione smiled at him. Harry was right, she couldn't just avoid Snape for the rest of her life, not even for the rest of the week; they had potions tomorrow.

She stood up and linked arms with the boys, feeling somewhat happier that her fate was unavoidable, and that it couldn't really be too bad. Besides, she'd get to see Lucius later.
With that happy thought the three went to breakfast.

- X - X - X -

Hermione walked up the stairs to the hospital wing with a bit of a skip in her step.
Snape hadn't been present at mealtimes and as a result she had had a wonderfully Snape-free day. And now she was going to see Lucius.
She walked into the hospital wing and smiled happily to Madam Pomfrey as she came out to see who had come in.

"Hello, Madame Pomfrey," Hermione was always glad to see the old mediwitch, "How is he today?"

Madame Pomfrey smiled at her and accompanied her towards Lucius' room, "He's good, he's very alert today and he's been waiting to see you."

Hermione grinned, she really was enjoying her time with Lucius. He had turned out to be a charming, intelligent man who was nothing like the old Lucius she had known.
She definitely preferred this Lucius, in fact, she was coming to see their time together as more than just a project. She didn't come to see him because of the work anymore, she enjoyed the time they spent chatting.

"Professor Snape's in there waiting for you, dear," Madam Pomfrey continued.
Hermione continued walking for a moment, and then stopped dead and turned to stare at Madame Pomfrey.

"Sn.. Snape?" she squeaked.

"That's 'Professor' Snape, Miss Granger," came a soft, smug voice from behind her.

Hermione gulped and forced her breathing to calm itself, then turned to face Snape.
She forced a polite smile onto her face,"Good afternoon Professor."
Quickly, but not hurried, Hermione walked around him and into Lucius' room.
Lucius perked up immediately, a bright smile appearing on his face.
"Hermione!" He exclaimed.
Hermione sat on the chair next to his bed and dropped her bag on the floor.
"How're you feeling Lucius?" she asked, trying to ignore the snort from behind her.

Lucius glanced up at Snape who was standing over Hermione, "Well... I have been better." He grinned at her, and Hermione grinned back.
"Well I've come to give you some good company," she said, making sure to emphasise the 'good'.

"Well that's certainly a relief."

"May I remind you, Miss Granger," came Snape's voice from close behind her, dangerous and low, "that this is a scientific project. You are here strictly on business, not for your own, or," he glared down at Lucius, "Or your little pet's own pleasure."

Hermione sighed deeply and made a decision.
She stood up and turned to face Snape who was hovering so closely over her that she nearly walked into him.
"Professor Snape," she started calmly, "You are correct, I have a project to work on, but that does not mean I should not be human and seek to be on good speaking terms with the people involved. Everyone else in this project, Lucius included is doing their best to find a cure to the Imperio curse. You seem only to be trying to confound my efforts. If you do not wish to work with me on this project, speak to Professor Dumbledore. I'm sure he can relieve you of your duties. But if you are going to work with me, then you had better start working. I have developed a lot of theories about the curse and unfortunately it seems that a potion may be required."

She paused and realised triumphantly that a spark of interest was ignited in his eyes. She just might get away with what she said!

"Now, I'm quite happy to work on the potion myself, but..." she sighed, "You really are the best Potions Master in the country. It would be a shame if I could not get the help I needed when it's so close to home..."

She trailed off uncertainly. She was confused. She had been intending to shout at him, since she was in enough trouble already, it wouldn't matter to have a little more. And instead she had ended up complimenting him.
From the look on his face, Snape seemed just as confused.

"Well..." he started, staring at her, then at Lucius.
"Fine!" he muttered, "You still serve detention, but I will look at your bloody potion ideas."
With that he stormed from the room, leaving her alone with Lucius for the first time since he had arrived.