It\'s All Done With Mirrors
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Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Snape/Hermione
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Adult ++
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Category:
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Snape/Hermione
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
38
Views:
10,652
Reviews:
120
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Brewing Trouble and Putting A stopper In Prejudice?
A/N : Aiobheann, thank you for the review!
Chapter Twenty-One
Brewing Trouble and Putting a Stopper in Prejudice ?
Dungeon Corridors, Hogwarts, August 2010
Nathan Bulstrode mopped along the corridor, totally fixated upon his simple but arduous task. His head ached, but he didn\'t dare take a break. Mr. Filch had been very vocal on that score - plus, Mrs. Norris was watching him with her lamp-like red eyes.
\"Mr. Bulstrode?\" a voice, calling softly from the gloom of the Dungeons, made him jump and kicked the bucket over.
\"Oh, shit!\" Nathan was close to tears as the mucky water pooled at his feet and began to gush down the Dungeon staircase.
\"Mr. Bulstrode, I do not require you to answer my question with a flood! Come down here now, if you please.\" The voice belonged to Professor Snape, Nathan knew. But it didn\'t seem as irred aed as usual, especially considering he, Nathan, had probably soaked his shoes.
Nathan hesitated, and looked at Mrs. Norris, who was pretending to wash her tattered ears.
\"Mr. Bulstrode, I would like you to consider what a very terrible decision it would be to ignore the Head of Slytherin, be you student or not.\"
Severus shook his head. \'Gods, give me strength!\' he thought, as the sound of uncertain footsteps splashing down the staircase grew louder and louder.
With a wave of his wand, Severus set the corridors to rights while the caretaker\'s apprentice wasn\'t looking.
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
The Library, Hogwarts, August 2010
\"Ah, here you are, Robin!\" Dumbledore touched the boy lightly on the arm, shaking him out of whatever daydream he was currently enjoying.
\"You\'re Professor Dumbledore, aren\'t you, sir?\" the boy was alert immediately, and Albus chuckled to see that the lad\'s eager posture resembled that of his mother.
\"Indeed I am, young man, and may I be the first to welcome you to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?\"
\"Professor Dumbledore, you are the first to welcome me. Not that I\'ve been bored,\" he quickly amended. \"Miss Quinke gave me some books to read, and she\'s been keeping an eye on me. There are some brilliant books in here,\" Robin added, wistfully, and the old Wizard knew that Robin had had more than a good look in places he was not permitted to go. He smiled to himself, but gave the young lad a stern look.
\"You can rely upon Miss Quinke and Madame Pince to steer you in the direction of the most appropriate reading material for your age, my boy. Never try to fly before you can hold the broom.\"
The boy nodded a trifle sulkily, and Albus was reminded almost nostalgically of his father, with whom, almost forty years ago, he had found himself having almost the exact conversation.
\"All right, Professor Dumbledore,\" Robin was saying. \"I must say, I love what I have seen of Hogwarts already! Will I see any more of the school before I\'m enrolled in a fortnight?\"
\"I would be happy to escort you, dear boy, but I fear my old legs will not be up to the task. I have, however, selected a more youthful guide who will be available later. For now, though, Robin,\" and here Dumbledore treated the boy to one of his most mischievous twinkles \"it is time for luncheon in the Great Hall. Feeling hungry?\"
\"I\'m famished, Professor!\"
\"Then let us go. I trust Miss Brown and Mr Malfoy have given you titbits of information about mealtimes at Hogwarts?\"
Robin nodded, grinning. Living at Lavender\'s place was nice, but Hogwarts already felt like...home.
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
The Potions Laboratory, Hogwarts, August 2010
\"Nathan, I am aware of your background and firstly I would like to tell you now that I harbour none of the prejudices which have served you so ill thus far. I was your Head of House for the four years you completed at Hogwarts, and hope that we still have, as a result, a bond of trust.\"
Severus sighed, as Nathan continued to look at the floor. \'So much for sensitivity\', he thought. \'I\'ll stick to what I know\'.
\"Mr. Bulstrode! Look at me when I am speaking to you!\"
The head snapped up, and Nathan looked at the Potions Master, nervously.
\"Mr. Bulstrode, have you been in contact with your sister Millicent over the past ten years or so?\"
Nathan shook his head.
\"So you don\'t know where she is?\"
\"No, Sir.\"
\"Do you know where she might be?\"
\"No idea, Sir.\"
\"Very well, Nathan. You can go.\" This was obviously getting Severus nowhere quickly. The Potions Master sighed, and went to deal with the chaos in the Labs.
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
The Great Hall, Hogwarts, August 2010
Azure skies and a golden sun shone a honeyed light over the Great Hall, which was decked with garlands of late-summer roses, and boughs laden with perfectly ripe peaches hung over the tables. Their combined scents made Robin\'s stomach growl audibly, and he blushed.
Professor Dumbledore didn\'t seem to notice however. \"Since it is not yet the start of the school year, and we have not yet \'Sorted\' you, you must come and sit with the members of Staff on the top table.\"
A little nervously, Robin followed the swishing robes, mindful of where he put his feet. When they reached the table in question, however, he was pleased to see his Uncle Draco sitting there, deep in conversation with an older Witch, who was wearing an artfully crooked black hat with a tartan lining.
\'I wonder if Lavender made that one,\' he pondered.
He jerked to attention when Professor Dumbledore began to speak to him again.
\"Robin, from my left, this is Professor Flitwick, Head of Ravenclaw House, who will be taking you for Charms, here\'s Professor McGonnagal, Headmistress, Head of Gryffindor House and Professor of Transfigurations.\" The Headmistress smiled warmly at him, eyeing him with interest. Professor Dumbledore continued. \"I don\'t need to introduce you to Lord Malfoy, one of our esteemed School Governors.\"
Uncle Draco smiled at Robin, and gave him a slow wink. \'Lord Malfoy?\' the boy thought, amused. \'Uncle Draco, you just keep unfolding like a flower!\'
\"Ahem. Yes, and next to your godfather we have Professor Vector who teaches Arithmancy, which of course you will not be taking until your second year...Madame Hooch, our wonderful Broomstick Mistress who also referees on the Quidditch Pitch.\"
Madame Hooch gave Robin a scrutinising stare, seeming to be sizing him up. He was lost for an instant in her intelligent yellow eyes, then felt bemused as she shot him a quick grin, and turned to whisper something to the Wizard seated next to her.
Who was none other than the Famous Harry Potter!
\"Mr. Potter here will be assisting in the Defence Against the Dark Arts classes, supervised by Professor Lupin, of course, who does not appear to be attending luncheon today. Next to Mr. Potter should be Mrs. Potter, but I conclude she must be with her parents still...?\"
Famous Harry Potter nodded, and rolled his eyes at Robin, who was so overawed, that he had difficulty breathing.
\"Finally we have...another empty seat. Dearie me, was the prospect of quiche and salad not tempting enough for our other visitor? And here we have Head of Hufflepuff - Professor Sprout, who will be pleased to teach you to know your mandrakes from your Bubotubers.\" The plump lady grinned, and waved a lettuce leaf in greeting.
Robin\'s sharp ears detected the sound of footsteps behind him, growing louder and louder. \'Perhaps the \"other visitor\" is in fact arriving at last\', he thought.
Professor Dumbledore\'s voice boomed out suddenly.
\"Ah, Severus! So glad you could join us...let me draw you a chair.\"
\"No thank you. However, I would like a word, if I may,\" came a sneering voice.
\"Certainly, Severus...after luncheon you may have as many words as you wish! But first, do meet our guest, Robin Chapeau. Robin, my boy - this is our worthy Potions Master, Professor Snape. Head of Slytherin house, and Deputy Head teacher of Hogwarts.\"
Robin looked up in awe. This was his Uncle Draco\'s Uncle Severus!
*
Severus looked down upon the small, thin lad. What was this scrap of a boy doing in Hogwarts, two weeks before the beginning of Term? He glowered, remembering that this must be the young man Minerva had mentioned this morning. Gods, was Hogwarts turning into a centre for asylum seekers?
The boy had taken a step backwards, and then narrowed his eyes, took a deep breath, and stepped forward again. He looked Professor Snape straight in the eyes and said, \"It\'s a pleasure to meet you, Sir. Uncle Draco has told me a lot about you.\"
\'Uncle Draco?\' Severus looked at those earnest brown eyes, and suppressed a shudder. Then he bowed, remembering his manners. He supposed that if a relative of his godson\'s was coming to Hogwarts, he ought at least to be civil to him.
\"Welcome to Hogwarts, Mr. Chapeau, albeit a little early in the year. I hope you will use your time here productively...in the Library, for example.\"
\"Oh, yes, Professor Snape. I think the Library is amazing!\" The lad\'s pale skin was tinged with red on his cheeks. \"I don\'t think I could ever get bored with books like those...\" he trailed off, realising that every pair of eyes in the room was on him and the tall Potions Master.
\"Then I hope, young man,\" remarked Severus, \"that you will work hard and make your parents proud of you.\"
Minerva uttered a gasp, and her hand flo heo her mouth, but the lad continued to stare unblinkingly at the stern face of his Uncle Draco\'s Uncle Severus, and said clearly:
\"I intend to do just that, Sir.\"
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
Dungeon Corridors, Hogwarts, August 2010
Nathan Bulstrode shot an odd look at his gleaming bucket, standing upright with the mop handle sticking out of it, and along the shining clean corridors. Perhaps one of the House Elves had kindly finished job job for him in time for lunch.
Nathan decided he felt too sick to eat. His head was pounding, and he needed to lie down. Perhaps a short nap during his lunch hour would get him through the rest of the day.
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*++*+*+
The Leaky Cauldron, Diagon Alley, August 2010
In Diagon Alley, the Leaky Cauldron was full. No one noticed the cloaked figure that had limped slowly over to the bar, pointed to the firewhiskey, and had handed a pile of Sickles over for what remained in the bottle. Most of the Wizards and Witches still drinking therein were at least nine sheets to the wind themselves. If any had noticed, they had decided that the latecomer had merely intended to catch up in that quarter.
From the hood of the dusty dark cloak, a pair of eyes squinted. Pain wracked the afflicted body, and it was an effort not to scream in agony as the firewhiskey burned the cut lips.
\'Just...need...rest. Then I\'ll go...\'
Chapter Twenty-One
Brewing Trouble and Putting a Stopper in Prejudice ?
Dungeon Corridors, Hogwarts, August 2010
Nathan Bulstrode mopped along the corridor, totally fixated upon his simple but arduous task. His head ached, but he didn\'t dare take a break. Mr. Filch had been very vocal on that score - plus, Mrs. Norris was watching him with her lamp-like red eyes.
\"Mr. Bulstrode?\" a voice, calling softly from the gloom of the Dungeons, made him jump and kicked the bucket over.
\"Oh, shit!\" Nathan was close to tears as the mucky water pooled at his feet and began to gush down the Dungeon staircase.
\"Mr. Bulstrode, I do not require you to answer my question with a flood! Come down here now, if you please.\" The voice belonged to Professor Snape, Nathan knew. But it didn\'t seem as irred aed as usual, especially considering he, Nathan, had probably soaked his shoes.
Nathan hesitated, and looked at Mrs. Norris, who was pretending to wash her tattered ears.
\"Mr. Bulstrode, I would like you to consider what a very terrible decision it would be to ignore the Head of Slytherin, be you student or not.\"
Severus shook his head. \'Gods, give me strength!\' he thought, as the sound of uncertain footsteps splashing down the staircase grew louder and louder.
With a wave of his wand, Severus set the corridors to rights while the caretaker\'s apprentice wasn\'t looking.
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
The Library, Hogwarts, August 2010
\"Ah, here you are, Robin!\" Dumbledore touched the boy lightly on the arm, shaking him out of whatever daydream he was currently enjoying.
\"You\'re Professor Dumbledore, aren\'t you, sir?\" the boy was alert immediately, and Albus chuckled to see that the lad\'s eager posture resembled that of his mother.
\"Indeed I am, young man, and may I be the first to welcome you to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?\"
\"Professor Dumbledore, you are the first to welcome me. Not that I\'ve been bored,\" he quickly amended. \"Miss Quinke gave me some books to read, and she\'s been keeping an eye on me. There are some brilliant books in here,\" Robin added, wistfully, and the old Wizard knew that Robin had had more than a good look in places he was not permitted to go. He smiled to himself, but gave the young lad a stern look.
\"You can rely upon Miss Quinke and Madame Pince to steer you in the direction of the most appropriate reading material for your age, my boy. Never try to fly before you can hold the broom.\"
The boy nodded a trifle sulkily, and Albus was reminded almost nostalgically of his father, with whom, almost forty years ago, he had found himself having almost the exact conversation.
\"All right, Professor Dumbledore,\" Robin was saying. \"I must say, I love what I have seen of Hogwarts already! Will I see any more of the school before I\'m enrolled in a fortnight?\"
\"I would be happy to escort you, dear boy, but I fear my old legs will not be up to the task. I have, however, selected a more youthful guide who will be available later. For now, though, Robin,\" and here Dumbledore treated the boy to one of his most mischievous twinkles \"it is time for luncheon in the Great Hall. Feeling hungry?\"
\"I\'m famished, Professor!\"
\"Then let us go. I trust Miss Brown and Mr Malfoy have given you titbits of information about mealtimes at Hogwarts?\"
Robin nodded, grinning. Living at Lavender\'s place was nice, but Hogwarts already felt like...home.
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
The Potions Laboratory, Hogwarts, August 2010
\"Nathan, I am aware of your background and firstly I would like to tell you now that I harbour none of the prejudices which have served you so ill thus far. I was your Head of House for the four years you completed at Hogwarts, and hope that we still have, as a result, a bond of trust.\"
Severus sighed, as Nathan continued to look at the floor. \'So much for sensitivity\', he thought. \'I\'ll stick to what I know\'.
\"Mr. Bulstrode! Look at me when I am speaking to you!\"
The head snapped up, and Nathan looked at the Potions Master, nervously.
\"Mr. Bulstrode, have you been in contact with your sister Millicent over the past ten years or so?\"
Nathan shook his head.
\"So you don\'t know where she is?\"
\"No, Sir.\"
\"Do you know where she might be?\"
\"No idea, Sir.\"
\"Very well, Nathan. You can go.\" This was obviously getting Severus nowhere quickly. The Potions Master sighed, and went to deal with the chaos in the Labs.
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
The Great Hall, Hogwarts, August 2010
Azure skies and a golden sun shone a honeyed light over the Great Hall, which was decked with garlands of late-summer roses, and boughs laden with perfectly ripe peaches hung over the tables. Their combined scents made Robin\'s stomach growl audibly, and he blushed.
Professor Dumbledore didn\'t seem to notice however. \"Since it is not yet the start of the school year, and we have not yet \'Sorted\' you, you must come and sit with the members of Staff on the top table.\"
A little nervously, Robin followed the swishing robes, mindful of where he put his feet. When they reached the table in question, however, he was pleased to see his Uncle Draco sitting there, deep in conversation with an older Witch, who was wearing an artfully crooked black hat with a tartan lining.
\'I wonder if Lavender made that one,\' he pondered.
He jerked to attention when Professor Dumbledore began to speak to him again.
\"Robin, from my left, this is Professor Flitwick, Head of Ravenclaw House, who will be taking you for Charms, here\'s Professor McGonnagal, Headmistress, Head of Gryffindor House and Professor of Transfigurations.\" The Headmistress smiled warmly at him, eyeing him with interest. Professor Dumbledore continued. \"I don\'t need to introduce you to Lord Malfoy, one of our esteemed School Governors.\"
Uncle Draco smiled at Robin, and gave him a slow wink. \'Lord Malfoy?\' the boy thought, amused. \'Uncle Draco, you just keep unfolding like a flower!\'
\"Ahem. Yes, and next to your godfather we have Professor Vector who teaches Arithmancy, which of course you will not be taking until your second year...Madame Hooch, our wonderful Broomstick Mistress who also referees on the Quidditch Pitch.\"
Madame Hooch gave Robin a scrutinising stare, seeming to be sizing him up. He was lost for an instant in her intelligent yellow eyes, then felt bemused as she shot him a quick grin, and turned to whisper something to the Wizard seated next to her.
Who was none other than the Famous Harry Potter!
\"Mr. Potter here will be assisting in the Defence Against the Dark Arts classes, supervised by Professor Lupin, of course, who does not appear to be attending luncheon today. Next to Mr. Potter should be Mrs. Potter, but I conclude she must be with her parents still...?\"
Famous Harry Potter nodded, and rolled his eyes at Robin, who was so overawed, that he had difficulty breathing.
\"Finally we have...another empty seat. Dearie me, was the prospect of quiche and salad not tempting enough for our other visitor? And here we have Head of Hufflepuff - Professor Sprout, who will be pleased to teach you to know your mandrakes from your Bubotubers.\" The plump lady grinned, and waved a lettuce leaf in greeting.
Robin\'s sharp ears detected the sound of footsteps behind him, growing louder and louder. \'Perhaps the \"other visitor\" is in fact arriving at last\', he thought.
Professor Dumbledore\'s voice boomed out suddenly.
\"Ah, Severus! So glad you could join us...let me draw you a chair.\"
\"No thank you. However, I would like a word, if I may,\" came a sneering voice.
\"Certainly, Severus...after luncheon you may have as many words as you wish! But first, do meet our guest, Robin Chapeau. Robin, my boy - this is our worthy Potions Master, Professor Snape. Head of Slytherin house, and Deputy Head teacher of Hogwarts.\"
Robin looked up in awe. This was his Uncle Draco\'s Uncle Severus!
*
Severus looked down upon the small, thin lad. What was this scrap of a boy doing in Hogwarts, two weeks before the beginning of Term? He glowered, remembering that this must be the young man Minerva had mentioned this morning. Gods, was Hogwarts turning into a centre for asylum seekers?
The boy had taken a step backwards, and then narrowed his eyes, took a deep breath, and stepped forward again. He looked Professor Snape straight in the eyes and said, \"It\'s a pleasure to meet you, Sir. Uncle Draco has told me a lot about you.\"
\'Uncle Draco?\' Severus looked at those earnest brown eyes, and suppressed a shudder. Then he bowed, remembering his manners. He supposed that if a relative of his godson\'s was coming to Hogwarts, he ought at least to be civil to him.
\"Welcome to Hogwarts, Mr. Chapeau, albeit a little early in the year. I hope you will use your time here productively...in the Library, for example.\"
\"Oh, yes, Professor Snape. I think the Library is amazing!\" The lad\'s pale skin was tinged with red on his cheeks. \"I don\'t think I could ever get bored with books like those...\" he trailed off, realising that every pair of eyes in the room was on him and the tall Potions Master.
\"Then I hope, young man,\" remarked Severus, \"that you will work hard and make your parents proud of you.\"
Minerva uttered a gasp, and her hand flo heo her mouth, but the lad continued to stare unblinkingly at the stern face of his Uncle Draco\'s Uncle Severus, and said clearly:
\"I intend to do just that, Sir.\"
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
Dungeon Corridors, Hogwarts, August 2010
Nathan Bulstrode shot an odd look at his gleaming bucket, standing upright with the mop handle sticking out of it, and along the shining clean corridors. Perhaps one of the House Elves had kindly finished job job for him in time for lunch.
Nathan decided he felt too sick to eat. His head was pounding, and he needed to lie down. Perhaps a short nap during his lunch hour would get him through the rest of the day.
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*++*+*+
The Leaky Cauldron, Diagon Alley, August 2010
In Diagon Alley, the Leaky Cauldron was full. No one noticed the cloaked figure that had limped slowly over to the bar, pointed to the firewhiskey, and had handed a pile of Sickles over for what remained in the bottle. Most of the Wizards and Witches still drinking therein were at least nine sheets to the wind themselves. If any had noticed, they had decided that the latecomer had merely intended to catch up in that quarter.
From the hood of the dusty dark cloak, a pair of eyes squinted. Pain wracked the afflicted body, and it was an effort not to scream in agony as the firewhiskey burned the cut lips.
\'Just...need...rest. Then I\'ll go...\'