In Wisdom's Creed

Ok, here's the third chapter. I realised after re-reading the second one, that I'd uploaded it a little quickly. I wrote it straight off and didn't check it over before uploading, hence the spelling mistakes and so on.
Ahh well.
This one's checked!

So, quote for this chapter:

"Trust dies but mistrust blossoms."
-- Sophocles

Enjoy and keep reviewing!

SecretlySnape

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Hermione woke slowly; aware of something that was bringing her to consciousness.
She blinked her eyes open, wincing at the light. Then she realised that someone was knocking at her door.

"Oh! Just a second!"

She jumped out of bed and hastily put on her dressing gown, then went to open the door.

Professor MacGonagall smiled as Hermione opened the door.

"Hermione, dear, I'm sorry to wake you on a Saturday morning, but Professor Dumbledore has asked if you could come and meet with a few of us so that we can talk about last night."

Hermione smiled. "Of course, Professor, I just need to get dressed."

"Of course you do, we'll be in Professor Dumbledore's office."

Hermione closed the door and went to get ready. She should have expected that Professor Dumbledore would want to talk to her, though she wished she'd had more sleep.
She thought back to last night; Professor Snape had escorted her back to her room after giving in and letting her accompany him with Lucius to the Medical Ward.
As a result of going up to the Medical Ward, she'd gotten to bed rather late.

Snape hadn't been happy, she guessed he didn't want Lucius here, maybe he didn't believe her.
She sighed as she tried to get her hair to lie down more.
Could this all be really true?
Lucius Malfoy, hater of mu... witches of non-magical families, Death Eater, supporter of Voldemort.. Could it really all be the Imperio?
She shuddered slightly, remembering the way he'd treated her, and many others, for so many years.
He was a Death Eater... why had she helped him?
But so was Professor Snape, and he was on their side now.
Snape was different though... he'd proved himself many times.
Lucius was... well... a monster... she sighed again, remembering the look in his eyes as he'd begged her for help.
That was no monster.

Resolved, she left the room and headed for Professor Dumbledore's office.


Professor MacGonagall answered her knock at the door and pointed to a seat.
Hermione looked around; Professor Dumbledore was sitting behind his desk, talking quietly to Professor Flitwick, who was showing Dumbledore some papers.
Professor MacGonagall had taken a seat near Hermione.
Madame Pomfrey was sitting next to Professor Sprout, who was sitting next to... Professor Snape.
Hermione groaned inwardly.
Of course he'd be here.
He was scowling at the floor, and hadn't seen her glance at him, so she quickly turned away and looked at Professor Dumbledore.

Flitwick finished what he was talking about, smiled at Hermione and took a seat.

Professor Dumbledore looked up at her, gazing over his half-rim glasses.

"Hermione, we're here because we need to work out what to do with Mr Malfoy.
You're here because you already know about it, but you cannot tell anyone else about it."

Hermione nodded.
The room was silent, she could feel eyes on her back.

"Now Hermione," continued Dumbledore, "I've heard what happened... I just wanted to ask you one thing."

He paused and looked thoughtful for a moment, before continuing. "Do you really believe that he is under the Imperio Curse and not acting as a Death Eater of his own volition? Please take some time to think carefully before you answer this."

Hermione stared at the desk in front of her, thinking about last night.
Malfoy had scared her when he had been typical Malfoy... but when he'd begged for help... she couldn't get the look in his eyes out of her mind. He was broken, completely broken.

She frowned in determination and looked up at Dumbledore again.
Nodding, she said, "I do, Professor."

There was a slight murmur around the room, and a snort from Snape's direction.

Hermione ignored it, continuing to look at Dumbledore, who smiled at her.
"Well, I have to admit to you, Hermione, not all of us are convinced, but we will do what we can to help him. If he is under the Imperio, stopping its effect upon him will be a major victory for us. Lucius Malfoy has always been a thorn in our side."

Hermione nodded, her mind suddenly filled with things to say.

"I think the best course of action," continued Dumbledore, "is to talk to Lucius and to see if we can come up with a way to beat the Imperio Curse. You do realise what it will mean for us if we can?"

"Yes, Sir. And it will help all those poor people controlled by Voldemort."

Dumbledore smiled.
"Since you already know he's here, and since you're involved, how about an 'extra-credit assignment'?

Hermione blinked and looked at him hopefully.
"You're the most intelligent student we have, Hermione, and you're very far ahead in all of your subjects. Someone who is able to bridge the gap between the subjects may be able to help us find a cure."

Hermione continued to stare at him. He was asking her to help the Professors?

"What do you say to that?" He asked gently.

"I.. I..." she stammered, and took a deep breath calming herself. "I'd be honoured to work with you all on this, Professor."

He smiled at her, eyes twinkling.

"Excellent. We will let you know when we have the first meeting. Those present will be who you see in the room here."

'Oh no.' thought Hermione, 'Snape. Of course he'll be there... hopefully the other Professors will keep him in check.'

"Now, along you go, Hermione, you should get some breakfast."

Hermione sd and and stood. "Thank you Professor, I'll definitely look forward to working on this."

She smiled around the room and left.

--x--

Snape stood and snorted.
"You're going to let her work with us?"

Albus sighed gently. "Sit down Severus, she's a very intelligent person."

"She's also a child, and Lucius Malfoy is involved."

"If she's right, Severus, you do know what it means..."

"IF she's right, and who here really believes that?"

Minerva tutted at Severus.
"Of course we're all worried, Severus, but Hermione really does believe he's under the curse."

"Great, so we have to waste time on Lucius Malfoy because the teacher's pet thinks it's worth while.
I have better things to do..."

"Severus, I said sit down. Beating the Imperio Curse would be a massive step forwards for us. You do not have anything better to do than that. Forget about Malfoy, it's the curse we're trying to beat. If Malfoy is our chance to do that, then we need to take that chance."

Albus sighed and dismissed the room, all except for Minerva.

"Do you think Hermione will be ok?" She asked immediately. "I'm worried that she's making a big mistake..."

"I think it would take a lot to make Hermione not be ok, Minerva. I'm worried about Severus as well though... He's always been second fiddle to Lucius, coming to this side at least meant he had something important to do. He's alone and feels unloved and uncared for. Lucius joining our side might be the worst thing for him... or so he might think."

Albus frowned thoughtfully.

"He needs someone to cheer him up. He needs to get out of himself for once. How long has he been with us? And never a smile, Albus. He's such a grump!"

"I know.. I know...hmmm" Albus picked up a quill from his desk and started rolling it between his fingers.
"I wonder if the two problems might be a solution..."