A Song for Severus ~ (Not Update, but Edit)

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to JKR. All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
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Chapter 19 ~ Joining the Order

The next morning a very miffed Hermione and determined Severus apparated to Hogwarts. Hermione was in a foul mood because she had an early class that morning and most likely was going to miss it, thus ruining her perfect attendance record.

Severus was completely unsympathetic. He needed to get her into the Order as soon as possible, so he could inform her about his meeting with Bellatrix this evening. It was going to be a relief to be able to tell her what he was doing…though he was sure Hermione was going to be less than enthusiastic about his going to meet the dangerous witch. Bella was capable of anything.

As soon as they apparated into his private quarters, Severus walked to the floo and tossed in some floo powder from a box on the mantle. When the flames turned green he said, “Headmaster’s office,” then called for Albus.

There was no answer. Most likely he was in the Great Hall having breakfast. Severus didn’t want to bring Hermione out publicly, so sent her through the floo to Dumbledore’s office, then exited his rooms and headed for the Great Hall.

He entered with a billow of robes, the chattering voices of students dropping down several levels as he strode up the aisle. Calls of “Good Morning, Professor,” rang out from the Slytherin table. Severus threw up his hand at his charges and marched up the dais. His assistant Bartholomew was sitting in his seat. Severus gave him a passing glower and walked over to the Headmaster. He leaned down and whispered in his ear.

Albus’ bushy eyebrows rose and he nodded, the other staff members looking at the pair curiously. The Headmaster took one last bite of his raisin muffin, then rose, following Severus out of the Great Hall.

“So she finally found out what you were about, Severus?” Albus asked him as they walked to the floo in the Main Hall.

“Yes, she did,” Severus said, scowling a bit at having to admit Hermione out-Slytherined him.

Albus said an incantation that temporarily removed the ward that blocked access to his office, then cast in a bit of floo powder. Both wizards stepped through.

Hermione was petting Albus’ familiar Fawkes when there was a “foomph” from the fireplace. She watched as Severus and Albus walked through, brushing off their robes. Albus smiled at the witch.

“Ah, Hermione. It is so good to see you. Things going well at University?” he asked.

Hermione frowned at Severus, who looked at her soberly.

“They were, until Severus ruined my perfect attendance record,” she said stiffly, walking over to one of the armchairs in front of Albus’ desk and plopping down in it.

“You ruined your own record,” Severus said, taking the seat next to hers and looking at Hermione pointedly.

Albus walked around his desk and sat down in his swivel chair. He looked up at the portraits, which were all looking at them with great interest.

“Out,” he said to them.

Looking disappointed, all the occupants of the paintings moved out of the frames. Hermione wondered where they all went. They probably crowded out the paintings in the Main Hall.

Albus focused his blue eyes on Hermione.

“I understand you wish to join the Order,” he said to Hermione with a smile, “I’ve been waiting for you for some time, Hermione. You will be very useful to us.”

“It’s more like I have to join the Order, Headmaster,” she said, giving Severus a black look. The wizard continued to look sober.

“Yes, yes. Something to do with acquiring secret information I understand,” the Headmaster said, a bit of the twinkle leaving his eyes, “Of course…if you don’t want to join us, Hermione…you could be obliviated.”

Hermione looked at the Headmaster, then Severus, who arched an eyebrow at her. Hermione thought about this. If she were obliviated, she would be back where she was before concerning Severus’ disappearances, not to mention having no recollection of what transpired between them afterwards. No, she didn’t want her memories altered.

Besides, there was no guarantee that she wouldn’t attempt to invade Severus’ mind again. But this time, he would most likely discover it, knowing she had done it once before.

“No…I don’t want that, Headmaster,” Hermione said, “I’ll join the Order.”

“Good,” Albus said, rising and holding out his arm.

Fawkes flew from his perch and landed on the wizard’s arm. Hermione thought the Headmaster must be much stronger than he appeared to be. Fawkes was a large bird, a Phoenix, a magical creature that was reborn from its own ashes. Albus walked around his desk and stood before Hermione.

“Stand up please,” he said to the witch.

Hermione rose.

“Fawkes has the uncanny ability to define the purposes of the heart. If your heart isn’t true concerning the fight against evil, then he will know and reject you,” Albus said somberly.

Hermione’s mind immediately flew to Albus’ acceptance of Severus as a spy years ago and his belief in him when others question his loyalty. She realized that most likely Fawkes had accepted the dark wizard and was the basis of the Headmaster’s confidence in the Potions Master. Another mystery solved.

Severus looked at the Phoenix.

“Fawkes?” he said to the bird.

Fawkes studied Hermione closely, his golden eyes whirling in his head. Then he ruffled his feathers, puffing them up and looked back at Albus, nodding his feathered head.

“Very good,” Albus said, beaming, “Fawkes judges you to be suitable Order material.”

Hermione couldn’t help but wonder what would have happened if Fawkes didn’t accept her. Probably obliviation. Obviously, reluctance to join wasn’t a factor in the bird’s decision. It was the character that mattered. And Hermione truly was against evil.

“Hermione Granger…you have chosen to offer your skills and your life to protect the sanctity of our society. This will require you to be of service and it is possible that service could end in the Ultimate Sacrifice. You are accepting the position of a Protector of all things good in our world, becoming the sworn Enemy of any evil that threatens our way of life. You will protect and serve all members of our society without prejudice, regardless of background or origin. You will also keep our secrets and divulge them to no one until such time as they can be released to others outside of the Order…”

At this point, Albus pointed a long thin finger at Hermione and twirled it. An odd feeling washed over her as Fawkes began to sing softly.

Albus smiled at her.

“Welcome to the Order of the Phoenix, Hermione Granger,” he said. “Our next meeting will be Friday after next, eight o’clock at 12 Grimauld Place. You will receive your orientation at that time.”

Fawkes flew back to his perch and Albus took his seat again, and looked at Severus.

“I am sure Hermione does not know the entire story behind the Dark Lord’s child and the current plans of the Death Eaters. I suggest you tell her, Severus,” the wizard said.

Severus looked at Hermione, then did as the wizard asked. Hermione listened carefully and was absolutely horrified at the idea of creating another Dark Lord. Were they all insane?

Then she listened as Severus told her about the child Bellatrix was raising to become the next Voldemort.

“Who is his mother?” Hermione questioned Severus after he finished.

“We don’t know. Probably some poor unfortunate Bella killed. I doubt she would have left the mother alive to influence the child,” Severus replied.

Hermione looked thoughtful.

“So this boy has been raised by Bella to be a despot,” she said slowly.

“Yes,” Albus replied, his eyes dark.

“What are you going to do when you capture him?” she asked.

Albus looked distinctly uncomfortable.

“We will probably have to put him away for the rest of his life, Hermione. Most likely he will have to be bound by powerful spells to render him helpless,” the Headmaster replied.

“I think it best we kill him,” Severus said darkly, “It would be safer.”

Hermione looked at the Potions Master with wide eyes.

“Kill him? It’s not his fault that Bella did this to him!” Hermione said.

Severus sighed. Oh no, here it was. Bleeding Heart Hermione.

“Be that as it may, he is too dangerous to live,” Severus said, “As long as he is alive, there is a chance he could escape. Then where would we be?”

Hermione scowled at Severus. He was so cold and hard. It was as if he were talking about putting a rabid animal down. This wasn’t an animal, but a human being, a young wizard being manipulated into becoming something other than who he was.

”It doesn’t seem fair. Bella’s been poisoning his mind and his body. He doesn’t know anything other than her. If he were exposed to love, kindness…” Hermione began.

Severus rolled his eyes.

“I doubt if he is even capable of appreciating such things, Hermione. The boy has been immersed in darkness all his life,” the wizard said.

“It worked for you,” Hermione said softly.

Severus stared at her.

Albus fought back a chuckle.

“I am not the Dark Lord’s offspring, Hermione,” he snapped at her, angry that she said such a thing, especially in front of Albus. “Nor have I changed that much toward anyone other than you.”

Albus cleared his throat to stop what was obviously becoming a lovers’ spat.

“All right, Hermione…what would you propose as far as the handling of the boy goes?” he asked the witch.

Hermione fell silent for several minutes, thinking hard. The basic problem was the boy’s power. If they could find a way to reduce it, then he could be handled in a more humane manner.

“We need to take away his power…make him as normal as possible,” she said, then she brightened, “We need to reverse the effects of the elixir!”

”What?” Severus said, looking at Hermione as if she were insane, “Reverse the elixir?”

“Yes!” she said enthusiastically, “What is the main ingredient in the potion, Severus?”

“King Cobra venom. When mixed with other ingredients and incantations, it takes on properties that strengthens the body and increases magical abilities…at a terrible physical price,” he said.

Severus didn’t like to think about all the people who died when he was creating the elixir. He tested it on wizards and muggles alike. He was different then, young, ambitious and hungry for the power Tom Riddle promised him. He was given his own lab, endless resources and human test subjects he thought of as nothing more than lab rats and nifflers.

Hermione thought about this. If venom was the ingredient that increased power…

”Maybe we can use anti-venom to create another elixir to counteract the original,” she breathed, getting excited.

Severus recognized that look.

“Hermione, you have no idea what was sacrificed to make that damnable elixir,” he said in a harsh voice, “you…you can’t test it the way I did.”

Severus didn’t want to actually say he used humans to develop the elixir. There were parts of his past he didn’t want to reveal, though Albus knew all. But Hermione figured it out immediately…using human beings was the only possible way it could have been done. But there could be substitutions. She wouldn’t have a Tom Riddle breathing down her neck for results. Using human subjects probably sped up the process, but there were inherently magical creatures that could be substituted for the experiments. She could give them the original elixir and use the ones that survived…

“It can be done, Severus,” Hermione said firmly, “We don’t have to use humans…we can use magical creatures whose increase in power can be observed. Once we have them at the equivalent level of power a wizard would acquire, we can work on reversing it!”

Severus shook his head as Albus’ eyes lit up. If Hermione could do this, he wouldn’t have to kill the boy.

“Hermione, you don’t yet have the level of skill for this,” he said to the witch.

Hermione’s eyes narrowed.

“If Bella can brew the elixir, Severus, I know I can,” she said, “And…if I run into problems…I have you. You are a very gifted Potions Master.”

Severus looked at Albus and immediately saw he was buying into this insanity.

“What about your studies? University?” he asked her, trying to get her mind turned back on her selfish desire to excel.

Hermione’s eyes darkened.

“Severus, we’re talking about saving a life here, a life that had no choice in what it became. I can withdraw from school with the credits I have and pick it up later. Besides, if I manage to do this successfully, I will get Life Experience credits as well,” she said to him.

Severus stared at her, trying to figure out a way to discourage Hermione from this path.

Hermione then hit him with her final argument.

“Severus…I know that you harbor some guilt for creating the elixir in the first place,” she said softly, “Don’t you want to do something that will ease some of that guilt? Bella knows how to brew it. Someone else could get the formula and use it at another time. An antidote would protect us from other Dark Lords being created.”

Severus continued to stare at her, his belly tight. Yes, he did harbor guilt that he helped create the monster that killed thousands before his own demise. It was something he lived with, shoved to the back of his mind. And she did have a point…now that the formula was in other hands, it could very well be used to create more Voldemorts at any given time. That was a frightening thought…one he had never considered.

“Hermione, I knew you would be an asset,” Albus said to the witch, “Normally, Order members are required to give monthly service in whatever capacity they are needed in. However, in your case…I think we’ve already chosen yours. So you are hereby relieved of all service, except for one. Finding an antidote to the original elixir.”

“But…but she has no lab sir,” Severus said, still trying to be discouraging, “She can’t use mine because Bartholomew uses it to brew. Something of this nature can’t become common knowledge.”

”I will have another lab set up in the subdungeons,” the Headmaster replied, “Accessible through your private rooms, Severus.”

Hermione had a thought. She paid for her flat through grants, scholarships and so forth. If she left school, she would have no income on which to live. She wasn’t about to rely on Severus to support her.

“Um, Headmaster…do Order members get…well…paid?” she asked him.

Albus shook his head.

“No. All Order members are volunteers,” he said.

“Oh,” Hermione said shortly.

Severus looked at her. Albus had already made his decision, and as the leader of the Order…his word was law. There was nothing the Potions Master could do but go along with this madness.

“You can stay in my private rooms for the duration,” he said to Hermione, “But it would have to remain a secret. No one can know I’m involved with you.”

It was only right. He had practically lived at her flat for the past two years. He did stay at Hogwarts sometimes, but not often.

Hermione shook her head.

“No. I don’t want to live like a prisoner, Severus,” she said.

If she stayed with Severus, no one could see her. She’d be trapped in his rooms. She didn’t want to live like that.

Albus looked thoughtful.

“Perhaps I could create some position for you…” he said, “There are thousands of records in disarray in the subdungeons, records of past students going back at least three hundred years that need to be organized. Such work would require you to be in the subdungeons alone for long periods of time. No one would question it, or you having your own quarters at Hogwarts. Of course, you would be compensated…not a large amount because I have very little surplus in the budget, but with your room and board covered, I believe you can live on it.”

Severus scowled. He had been looking forward to having Hermione pinned down in his rooms. The witch was so independent, it would have been nice to have her…his prisoner. Ah, well. But it was a good idea.

“That sounds perfect, Headmaster,” Hermione breathed, her eyes alight. She was in her element again.

“Of course, your lab will be accessible from your quarters, which will be in the dungeons,” Albus added, his eyes twinkling.

Severus let out a little snort. Obviously Albus was trying to make it easier for them to “connect.” But the Potions Master knew better. Once Hermione got into gear, there would be very little “connecting.” The witch knew nothing else but her projects when she got started. More than likely, he would be regulated to the duty of “nursemaid” rather than “lover,” making sure the witch bathed, ate and slept properly.

Hermione was absolutely beaming, her earlier petulance completely forgotten. She had a purpose now. To save a life and protect the wizarding world from the creation of other despots. She couldn’t wait to get started. Already she was thinking about what magical creatures she could use.

Severus watched her, knowing the wheels in her curly head were already turning.

“I will get started on creating the lab and the quarters right away, Hermione,” Albus said enthusiastically, “We should have you moved in within a week and a half.

Albus would have to get the new position of Record Keeper past the Board of Governors. He’d force it through, citing the records in the bowels of Hogwarts important documents of history that needed to be preserved.

“Now, I do have a meeting this morning,” Albus said, “Is there anything else we need to address?”

Severus drew in a deep breath.

“Yes sir, just one more thing,” he said, looking at Hermione who had a dazed look on her face. He snapped his fingers at her and she looked at him.

“Yes?” she asked the wizard.

“Before you drift off completely into the realm of possibility, I need to inform you that I have a meeting this evening with Bellatrix LeStrange,” he said.

A look of horror immediately settled on Hermione’s features.

“What? Alone?” she asked him.

“Yes. I believe she is going to ask me not to make the elixir for the competition. I plan to tell her I have created an even more powerful potion in an attempt to have her let me see the boy,” Severus said.

Hermione frowned.

“But you don’t have a more powerful elixir, do you Severus?” she asked him.

“No. But Bella doesn’t know this. There will be no way she can tell when I give him the original elixir. If she does feel he isn’t strong enough, I will tell her his powers will become stronger over time,” the wizard replied.

Hermione still didn’t like it. Bellatrix was extremely dangerous, and perfectly capable of attempting to kill Severus.

“She can’t be trusted, Severus. She might try to kill you after you’ve served your purpose,” the witch said, looking at him worriedly.

Hermione quickly found out that knowing for certain the danger the Potions Master was putting himself in was even worse than wondering about it. But Hermione had wanted to know…and now she had her wish. She’d just have to deal with it.

“She will need me to ‘monitor’ the boy. I highly doubt she would trust anyone else to do it since she considers the Death Eaters traitors to the memory of Voldemort. No doubt, I hold a traitorous position in her mind as well…but if I attend the boy, she will use me,” Severus replied, “My usefulness ought to stay her hand.”

“Ought to. You sound as if you think you are dealing with a normal witch, Severus. Bellatrix LeStrange is insane,” Hermione said.

Severus nodded.

“But shrewd. It will work out Hermione, believe me,” Severus said.

“How long will you be gone?” the witch asked him.

“I believe I will be back tonight. I won’t have the elixir with me, so most likely we will set up a date and time when I can meet the boy and then I will return,” he said, noting the worry in the witch’s eyes.

“I told you I would always come back to you,” he added softly, then his black eyes shifted to Albus who had a rather dreamy look on his face at his words.

Severus scowled and stood up.

“I believe we should be going now,” he said stiffly, Albus smiling at him. “I will give you my report when I return, Headmaster.”

Albus nodded, still giving him that insipid smile.

Hermione rose too.

“I’ll talk to you later, Headmaster,” she said, smiling as Severus hovered over her impatiently.

“Goodbye, Hermione. If I need you, I will contact you in the way of the Order,” he said.

Hermione knew what that was…the sudden appearance of the image of a Phoenix feather.

“Yes sir. Goodbye,” she said, walking over to the floo, Severus right behind her. He reached over the witch, grabbed a handful of floo powder and tossed it into the fireplace.

“My private rooms,” he breathed.

The flames turned green and both he and Hermione stepped through.

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A/N: Ah, I worked Hermione in there. I used the idea of the records in the lower dungeons from “A Catty Situation” where Odessa Divine was hired to straighten them out. Hm. Creating an antidote for the elixir. Bleeding Heart Hermione. Lol. Thanks for reading.