This Subdued Fire

To my readers: I love all of your reviews, thank you ever so much. :) To Jen, Jenny, Paril and Mon as always. Please, read and review. I enjoy all of them. Anti-Litigation Charm: *Evanesco Lawsuit!*, ie, I don\'t own these characters, they belong to JKR, all those publishing people and Warner Bros. I just take them out of their boxes and move them around a bit. They like it and it makes me happy, too. :)
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The journey back to Hogwarts was a short and uneventful one. Hermione emptied the house of all familiarity and locked it up, sayioodboodbye to it forever. She looked back on seventeen years\' worth of memories, both good and bad, and did not share a tear - only a wistful glance. From there, she and Snape Apparated to the financial district. Hermione went into the bank, barely sparing a look for the strange expressions on people\'s faces as they saw Snape\'s outlandish garb.

Tobias had taken care of all the liquid assets of Hermione\'s parents and had the money transferred into her personal account. If the tellers thought that she was making a strange request to withdraw such a large sum of money, in cash no less, they thought nothing of it. Hermione withdrew fully a quarter of the money from her account with the intention of taking it to Gringotts and exchanging it to Wizard money.

The two Apparated directly from a secluded alleyway into Diagon Alley. Hermione led the way into Gringotts and boldly walked up to the goblin who was in charge of exchanges. He looked vaguely displeased in that goblin way and raised an eyebrow at the amount of money she was exchanging. He gave her the requisite number of galleons, sickles and knuts., which filled a small wheelbarrow full. He wheeled it to the keeper of the vaults. Griphook called for an underling to take them down to the vault after Hermione showed him her key.

They hurtled down, down into the depths of the bank. Both Snape and Hermione looked vaguely nauseated. The pair was relieved when the car came to a shuddering halt in front of Hermione\'s vault. The goblin took her key and opened the door. Snape pushed the wheelbarrow filled with gleaming coins into the nearly empty space. There were a few piles of galleons and sickles lying in the middle of the floor. He poured the small fortune out and the money immediated sorted itself into orderly piles. Hermione stepped forward and scooped some of it into a bag. Their business concluded, they left the bank and went to the Leaky Cauldron for a bite of something to eat.

Tom sent a barmaid over to take their orders. \"What\'ll it be, luvs?\"

Snape looked at Hermione. \"Um...nothing for me, thanks.\" She replied.

Snape looked at her. \"She\'ll have the steak and potatoes, medium rare. I\'ll have the same. A butterbeer and a glass of Old Ogden\'s with a water back.\"

The buxom wench went back into the kitchens to get their orders from the cook-elf. Hermione looked at the Potions Master with a gimlet glare. \"That was really high-handed of you. Not that I expected anything less.\" She concluded with a sniff.

\"Of course you didn\'t, Miss Granger. But I was given a charge to look after you. I may not like you much and I assume vice versa. However, Dumbledore asked to me to keep you sorted and so I shall. If you haven\'t noticed, you\'re rather frighteningly thin.\"

Hermione smirked evilly. \"About as skinny as you, I imagine. You\'re not exactly the poster child for health, you know.\"

Snape just shook his head. \"Ah, yes. I\'m the \'greasy git\' that you\'re all so fond of. You\'re just so sure that what you see is what you get.\" Snape rubbed his hands over his face and hair. Nothing changed except that he smiled, actually smiled. His teeth had lost that yellowed look and his hair wasn\'t nearly as greasy as it had been seconds before.

\"A glamour, professor? I\'m shocked. Then again, you *would* use one to make yourself look worse than you already do - not that it takes all that much.\" Hermione rejoined, rather cruelly.

\"You could do with a little sprucing up yourself, Miss. You\'re not the picture of beauty, either.\" Snape smirked.

\"Point taken.\" Hermione nodded, as if satisfied by Snape\'s response. \"Ah. Here is our dinner.\" The barmaid set steaming plates of food before them, with the requested drinks.

They dug in, little to no conversation passing between them except for occasional requests to pass the salt and the like. Both replete with the good cooking, they sat back in their chairs, nursing their drinks. Hermione was on her second bottle of beer, Severus had forgone a second shot of whiskey in favor of a butterbeer. He contemplated the young woman who sat in front of him. Hermione was so strong and yet so weak. She reminded him of Lily and of his mother in so many ways.

His mother whom he hated with a passion. Once he\'d buried her in a long forgotten corner of a cemetary on their tiny parcel of land, Severus had not looked back.

Funnily enough, one would think that he\'d have hated his Wizard father who misused and abused he and his mother. His poor passive mother. Severus\' stomach churned uncomfortably thinking of her and he hastily chugged a bit on the beer. He felt the mellow heat settle in his guts and settled back comfortably into the chair cushions.

No, it was his mother who Severus harboured an unrelenting enmity for. She was weak. So very very weak when it came to her abusive, overbearing husband. Tiberia Snape flinched everytime his father even breathed differently. He himself was the same way until he joined the Death Eaters. Whatever anyone said about the Dark Lord\'s organisation - if you managed to get out of it alive - it had the uncanny ability to drum the ordinary sorts of fears from a person.

The first summer he\'d come home from Hogwarts after joining the Dark Lord he\'d been totally unafraid of his father and his petty rages. The first time his father raised his wand to cast some painful hex, Severus showed no compunction in hitting him with a nice little Furnunculus Curse.

That was enough for Augustus Snape to back off of his wife and son. And when Severus had gotten an \'O\' on his Potions OWL, Augustus shrank about two feet in fear. Severus taunted him daily with poisons that left no trace to even the most experienced Auror.

He\'d spent 6 years in the Dark Lord\'s employ. Severus had seen more disgusting and disturbing things and *done* more disgusting and disturbing things than anyone could\'ve imagined. His thoughts turned to Bella Lestrange before her imprisonment in Azkaban. The woman had an incredible thirst and capacity for depravity and Severus had indulged her in her passions many a time. It had given him a taste for the darker side of sensuality.

The Death Eaters toyed with Muggles and Muggle-borns for amusement. The killing and rapine amused Severus too. Until the one night they went too far.

Lucius had brought in a young red-headed woman who looked enough like Lily Evans to pass for her under casual scrutiny. And when Lucius had given the female a dose of Polyjuice which had a strand of Lily\'s hair in it...that was the moment when Severus\' brain revolted. He excused himself from the Dark Lord\'s presence and quietly vomited up his aphrodisiac laced dinner.

That fateful night, Severus made his way to Hogwarts and spilled his guts to Dumbledore. Dumbledore was at once distant and sympathetic. He gave Severus a warm cuppa and a couple of chocolate key lime truffles from Godiva. He offered Severus the post of Potions professor, for which Severus was extremely grateful. Severus, in turn, spied on the Death Eaters and the Dark Lord for Dumbledore. He still hadn\'t overcome his feelings of contempt for Muggles and Muggle-borns and was still paying the piper for those feelings.

It was this skinny, bushy-haired witch who looked as if she hadn\'t had a friend in the world that made Severus take a second look at Muggles. Amusement and cheap labour weren\'t all they were good for it seemed. She was easily one of the most brilliant persons he\'d had the good fortune to come across. It was a fact he conceded with a fair amount of internal grousing. Who would\'ve known that a pair of ordinary Muggles could\'ve produced such an extraordinary witch?

It was true though, what he\'d said. He still didn\'t like her much, although he understood her. He hated the superior look she had in her eyes everytime she looked at him. He hated the way she so easily came up with answers and solutions that it took many grown wizards years to figure out. In short, he hated her because she reminded him of himself a little too much. And he resembled his father in too many ways to count.

Severus\' thoughts turned to Draco. If Hermione was his father, then Draco would surely be his mother. The boy put on a tough exterior and was softer than melted butter inside. Severus had known Lucius Malfoy long enough to guess what kind of tactics the man would use to keep a rambunctious son under his thumb. The Potions Master gave an internal shudder. Draco knew that he was the product of many years\' planning and careful casting. Even then, no one knew if the resulting child would be the long-hoped for Mage or a babbling idiot.

It would\'ve been better for everyone involved if Draco had been an idiot.

Unfortunately, the boy turned out perfectly. He was built according to exact specifications and the mould was broken when he was born. Snape often wondered why none of the three principles thought it odd that they were only children of their parents. Hermione, Draco and Harry...no siblings...most wizarding families had more than one child. Although, Hermione didn\'t come from wizarding stock. Then again, he\'d heard tell of a French cousin who also was a witch. He made a mental note to ask Dumbledore about it when they got back to Hogwarts.

He noticed that Hermione was done with her beer and he was finished with his. He spoke, shattering her reverie. \"Shall we?\" Severus gestured to the fireplace.

Hermione Reduced her suitcase and tucked it in the pocket of her cloak. They rose and walked to the large fireplace. Snape went first. He took a bit of powder from his cloak pocket and gave it to Hermione. He then took a handful for himself and stepped into the fireplace. \"Dumbledore\'s Office!\" Severus tossed the powder into the low flames and with a whoosh he disappeared. Hermione followed a minute later.

She landed in the soot and Snape reaca haa hand down to help her up. Hermione refused it and got up under her own power. This little display wasn\'t lost on Dumbledore who chuckled from behind his desk. *\"Scourgify.\"* Hermione muttered, annoyed.

\"Hello, Hermione.\" Dumbledore grinned at her. \"I\'ve thorougly enjoyed the eye drops. Perhaps you could send me another bottle?\"

\"Perhaps.\" A smile played about the corners of Hermione\'s mouth.

\"Well. I\'m sure that you\'re tired and you like to take a rest. Shall I see you tomorrow morning? Nine a.m.?\"

Although Dumbledore phrased it as a request, Hermione knew that it was an order. She merely nodded. \"As you wish. And so saying, I bid you both goodnight.\" She left the office quickly and shut the door.

Severus turned to Albus, who could barely contain his hilarity. \"Go ahead and laugh, old man.\"

\"Thank you for your kind permission, Severus. I think I shall do just that.\" Albus broke into heartly gales of laughter which finally subsided when the old man wiped tears from his twinkling blue eyes. Snape just stood back and shook his head irritatedly.

\"Are you quite finished?\" Snape snapped.

\"Oh dear me, yes. It\'s a wonder the two of you haven\'t come to a wizard\'s duel. I\'d pay to see that. Although, it\'d be hard to pick a winner. You\'ve got more experience but she\'s got more skill.\"

\"Thank you for that charming assessment of my abilities,\" Snape replied drily. \"Have you come up with anything?\"

\"No. I do believe that matters shall work themselves out precisely as they should.\"

\"The prophecy?\"

Albus turned serious in the blink of an eye. \"Do not inform, allude or hint about it to her or she may go back to him out of some misplaced emotion. But judging from that display earlier, she\'s missing him more than she knows. Continue to keep watch, Beltaine will be dawning sooner than I\'d like.\"

\"Sir.\" Snape gave a brief formal bow and left Dumbledore\'s presence.
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Hermione went to her room and enlarged the suitcase with all its belongings. Crookshanks was happy to see her as was Boolean who flapped his wings and hooted joyfully. Well, as joyful as an owl can be. She flicked her wand over the suitcase and the contents began putting themselves away in a flurry of activity. As the garments flew about the room, Hermione changed into her familiar duck-printed flannel pajamas and slid into bed.

After the maelstrom of tears, she felt cleansed and better. She, very simply, *felt* again. And what she felt was anger. It was subdued but there. She burned hot to get even with both Malfoys and Voldemort. Voldemort would have to wait...but she could take care of Draco as soon as term began. Hermione rolled onto her side and drowsed for a couple of hours but awoke full of nervous energy.

She got up from bed, careful not to disturb Crookshanks, who was sure to set up a kitty howl if he saw her tipping from the room. She dressed in a pair of black low-slung track pants and a black tank top. Hermione put a pair of leather-soled flat black ballet slippers onto her feet and left the room. As she walked out of the still enlarged portrait hole (the staff and students finding it more convenient than having to climb through all the time), she noticed a small black kitten sitting sentinel just in front of the portrait.

\"Robespierre! Whatever are *you* doing here? And how did you get in here, more to the point? *Priori Incantatem*.\" Nothing. The cat was a cat. Apparently he\'d decided to make his home with her after all. \"Come along then. I need a bit of exercise, I\'m out of practice and you can watch.\"

The two started off down the stairs. When mistress and feline reached the trophy room, Hermione snapped her fingers and they sprang to brilliant life. She went to the wall and looked for a suitable pair. Finding a set with Spanish grips, Hermione placed her hands on the glass and it melted away into nothingness. She plucked a blade from where it rested in its hooks and tested the weight. The rapiers were light but not so light that they didn\'t provide a suitable balance. Swishing one through the air, the metal sang. Hermione turned and saluted the little black cat and assumed the position. \"*En garde!*\"

Just as she was about to start a shadow dance, the cat\'s form changed in the blink of an eye. \"Snape! It was you all along?\"

\"Yes. It was easier to keep up with you, being a cat. You\'d let a cat interfere and insinuate itself into your life, not your...let me see if I remember correctly...ah yes. Your \'hook-nosed, sallow-faced greasy git\' of a Potions Master.\" He smirked.

Hermione felt the indignation bubble up inside her. \"Were you there the night that -?\"

\"No. After the funeral I had other things to attend to. I had no idea that you were going to get up to so much trouble.\"

\"You spying, lying, interfering bastard.\" She seethed, her eyes and ears burned.

\"I assure you, I did not want to be there. Being stuck as a cat is damnably uncomfortable.\"

\"I don\'t give a rat\'s ass *how* uncomfortable you were! You SPIED on me! How dare you!\" She tossed the blade she held in her hand to Snape and *Accio\'ed* the other from the case. \"I assume that you\'re familiar with the rules.\"

\"Quite. Capo Ferre?\"

Hermione shook her head. \"Thibault.\"

\"Very well. En garde!\" Snape gave her no time to prepare. He thrust, catching her off guard. Hermione recovered handily and parried his thrust.

Snape, who\'d been trained in swordplay as had all males in pureblood families (except for, perhaps, the Weasley men), recognized the skill and talent that Hermione possessed. They pranced across the floor, neither one wanting to hurt the other. Hermione had a lot of angry energy to work out. Snape could see a faint blue sizzle at the edge of Hermione\'s hair and skin. Before they\'d begun fighting, he saw what blades she\'d inadvertently picked. But there would be time enough to explain those to her later. For now it was all he could do to concentrate. The student was deadly serious in her swordplay against the teacher. The blades, obviously, were not tipped. One false move and one of them would end up skewered.

A quick thrust and parry and Severus found himself neatly disarmed. She Summoned his blade to her left hand and grinned cheekily. \"You\'re a good fighter, Professor.\"

\"You\'re better.\"

\"A compliment? From you? Let the heavens dance and the stars shake: Severus Snape actually paid me a compliment.\"

\"Keep your wig on, Miss Granger. I\'m long out of practice.\" He made a moue of distaste.

\"Not that out of practice.\" Hermione moved to put the blades back in their case. She conjured up a glass pane where she\'d melted the other one away. \"Good fight.\" Hermione stuck her hand out to the professor, who she\'d noticed (quite offhandedly) that he\'d forgotten to put his glamour back on.

Snape shook her hand. \"And, now, back to your own house before I take points away.\"

\"You can\'t do that, it\'s still the holiday.\"

\"Care to test that theory, Miss Granger?\" he inquired silkily. \"Off with you.\"

Hermione gave Snape a merry mock salute and left, feeling the tiredness finally weigh down on her. Once upstairs, she fell asleep, pleasant delusions of slicing off Draco\'s ears dancing in her head.