A Dark Scenario

Chapter 10 ~ Plans Gone Wrong

The doors to the Great Hall were flung open with a flourish, and Rita Skeeter entered, her Quick Quotes Quill already out and floating beside her. It immediately began writing as the reporter approached the dais. The pop of a flashbulb went off behind her as Bilbo snapped a picture of the staff members having lunch.

Every single one of them was scowling. Hagrid walked in behind them, and looked as if he were about to be strung up by his beard. The way Minerva's eyes narrowed at him, it seemed a real possibility.

"My, my. I see the gang's not all here, is it?" Rita said, the Quick Quotes Quill scribbling away. Then she saw Hermione and her eyes lit up. Not in a good way either. Rita had a few unresolved issues with Hermione and wouldn't hesitate to give her bad press if she could.

"Hermione Granger? My, what are you doing here?" Rita inquired.

"Hagrid, why did you let this woman in here without my permission?" Minerva said to the half-giant, who helplessly shrugged.

"She said she'd tell all tha' other reporters about Perfesser Snape, if I didn' let 'er in. Then, thar'd be more of 'em. Didn' want tha'" Hagrid explained.

Minerva sighed.

"Hagrid, when she publishes her article, every reporter in the wizarding world is still going to be at the gates," the headmistress said tiredly.

Hagrid blinked then scowled at Rita, who smirked at him before turning her attention back to the dais.

"Miss McGonagall, you know very well the public has a right to know the latest news. And the latest news is Severus Snape had been restored to his teaching position. Now—"

Rita's eyes fell on Hermione

"—I didn't expect to see Miss Granger here. Now, that's quite interesting, quite interesting indeed—"

"I work here," Hermione said through gritted teeth.

"Work here? You just left here. How old are you? Seventeen?"

"I'm about to turn nineteen."

Rita shook her head.

"The Board has really gone downhill," she commented, then her eyes narrowed.

"So, tell me why you accepted this position?"

"Because I applied for the job."

"Hm. That could be your motive on the surface but what's the real reason, Miss Granger? Hm?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You were with Severus Snape for more than a month. Some victims begin to identify with their captors—"

Hermione turned bright red.

"Are you insane?" she hissed at Rita, who just kept right on.

"—and they follow them about like—like pets. Are you following Mr. Snape, Miss Granger? Isn't he the real reason you took this position, to be closer to him--the wizard who ra—shagged you for your own good? I heard he gave quite the per—"

Suddenly, Rita's Quick Quote Quill exploded next to her head, pieces flying into her tight, stiff blonde curls and she turn to see Severus Snape standing behind her, his face contorted and his wand out.

"That will be enough, Miss Skeeter," Snape said.

"My Quill! You destroyed my quill and my story!" Rita gasped.

Bilbo snapped a photo of Snape, who immediately fried his camera. Bilbo pulled the smoking shell from around his neck and just stared at it.

"And his camera," Snape said quietly.

Hermione felt like applauding.

"You're going to pay for everything," Rita hissed.

Snape looked at her with such dislike, Hermione thought he might blast her.

"You can write what you like about me, Miss Skeeter, but if you fabricate anything that suggests there is something between myself and Miss Granger, I will sue you for libel—"

Here, Snape's face took on a very frightening mien.

"—and that will be the least of your worries, I promise you," he said darkly.

That was a definite threat. Rita suddenly remembered just who she was dealing with. No longer the incarcerated, helpless prisoner of the trial. This was a free man, who had a number of successfully committed crimes behind him. Snape probably could do something perfectly awful to her and get away with it. He'd gotten away with everything else.

"Fine, then, I'll just write an op-ed," she hissed.

"All of the tripe you write is op-ed," Snape replied as Rita stalked past him, followed by a mourning Bilbo, who fiddled with the remains of his camera.

Hagrid watched them walk by, then followed, a smile on his face.

Snape watched them go, then turned to face the dais. Minerva was looking at him rather strangely, and Hermione was wide-eyed. Snape met Hermione's eyes.

"I want you to stay away from me," he said, his voice slightly hoarse. "Just stay away."

Then he turned and left the Great Hall, Hermione looking after him, speechless.

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For the next few days, Hermione stayed out of Snape's way. She would greet him if they met up, but he wouldn't answer her greeting, or even look her way. It was as if she were invisible. He went out of his way to ignore her.

Hermione didn't like being ignored. So, she came up with a little plan. First, she made her own Invisibility Cloak. It wasn't of the same quality and power of Harry's cloak, of course. Actually, Invisibility cloaks could be purchased, but cloaks made from Demiguise pelts were too expensive. Eventually, they all became opaque over time.

Hermione's Invisibility Cloak was made out of an ordinary cloak with a Bedazzlement charm placed on it. It wasn't very strong, but it did conceal her better than a Disillusionment charm, which always had a telltale shimmer.

She began to leave tea outside Snape's door every afternoon. She'd knock, run up or down the corridor and press against the wall. Through her cloak, she'd watch him take the floating tray into his domicile as if he didn't want it. But, he always took it. This went on for more than a month. But they never said a word about it to each other. They still weren't on speaking terms.

One day, Hermione had a queasy feeling as she approached his door, and she floated the tray as usual, but moved down the hallway and cast a spell on the door that made a knocking sound. It was immediately ripped open and Snape stood there, frowning.

He had tried to catch her.

He looked up and down the hall, and Hermione felt as if her heart were going to stop when his dark eyes fell on where she was standing and just stayed there. Then he took the tray out of the air and inside his quarters. Hermione let out the breath she was holding.

"My, that was close," she breathed.

As quietly as she could, she walked back up the hall. Just as she was passing Snape's door, it was flung open.

Hermione gave a little shriek of surprise because she was startled. The moment she did, two arms shot out of the inner darkness, wrapped around her struggling body and dragged her inside.

The door slammed shut.

Quiet returned as the echoes of Hermione's shriek died away.

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A/N: I'm just sitting here smiling evilly, anticipating getting screamed on for this cliffie. Lolol. Actually, I had to do it, because I don't know what Snape intends to do or say yet. So, blame the muse, not me. ;) Oh, and for those of you who don't know, "Op-Ed" is basically an "Opinion Editorial" colored by the writer's views and conclusions. It's not real news. Anyway, thank you for reading. ***