Be Careful in the Dark

A/N I know this chapter has been a long time coming. I’ve been kind of stuck on this part of the story. I have pieces written, but not yet tied logically together. I swear, I’m working on it.

Chapter 30: Reluctant Lab-mates

“Ms. Granger, I believe I may have found what we need for the spell you found.”

Hermione lifted her eyebrows at Albus Dumbledore before saying, “Really? You found twelve powerful virginal witches skilled enough to be ready for the summer solstice?” The information on destroying the horcruxes that Hermione had found in France had been promising but the requirements of the spell had been quite complex.

She was sitting in the small room off of Dumbledore’s study, the one with no paintings on the walls. Hermione always insisted on meeting in this room. When she has been in school here, she had never thought much about the paintings. Now, however, she couldn’t shake the feeling that the walls were listening. It was creepy and it didn’t seem to matter that the paintings were bound by magical oaths

“The Ladies of the Lake have agreed to help us.” Dumbledore gave her a gassy smile, a look Hermione had come to realize was his smirk.

Hermione’s eyebrows tried to rise further, but instead the motion just made her forehead hurt. “That order still exists? I thought they had died out years ago.”

Dumbledore shrugged. “There are thirteen Ladies left and two novices. After discussing my proposal, they have decided that the numbers are auspicious.”

Hermione thought about that for a second. “Because there will be someone left to teach the novices if the spell goes wrong?”

Dumbledore nodded. “The order will continue and the Ladies will know they have sacrificed their lives in support of a quest. It is one of their most sacred tenets.”

Harry and Ron had found Helga Hufflepuffs’ cup almost six weeks ago and it was better to destroy it sooner, rather than later. The longer it remained out of its hiding place and not yet destroyed, the higher the chances were that Voldie would figure out where it was.

“The solstice is two months away. “ Hermione knew she was pointing out the obvious but it was dangerous keeping the horcrux around.

“We are all aware of that. If you have a better idea, I am all ears.” Dumbledore smiled at her and Hermione smiled back at him.

A question bubbled up out of her mind, something she had wanted to know since she took the History of Magic in her first year. Professor Binns, however, had not been the most approachable teacher. “Do you think Arthur ever knew how many Ladies of the Lake died to get him that sword?” Hermione asked.

Dumbledore pursed his lips and took a sip of tea before replying, “I think he did, at the end.”

Hermione took a sip of her own tea and returned to the subject at hand. “Think we could alter the spell to destroy two horcruxes?”

“Have Harry and Ronald had some luck I am unaware of?” Dumbledore asked the question pleasantly but his eyes focused in on her so sharply she almost spilled her tea.

“No. Hope springs eternal, you know.” Hermione replied. It seemed likely that the remaining three horcruxes were probably affiliated with the founders of Hogwart’s in some way. The missing diadem of Rowen Ravenclaw seemed like a potential horcrux and so Harry and Ron were working on locating it. For a crazy moment or two, they had through the sword of Gryffindor could be a horcrux. The four of them—Ron, Harry, Dumbledore, and herself—had poked and prodded the sword until finally giving up.

“Ah.” Dumbledore relaxed minutely, the sparkle returning to his eyes. “Thank you for the update, my dear.” He patted the scroll in front of him. Hermione provided him with regular updates on her research into anti-unforgivable spells or charms, for all the good it did. She was no closer to answer than she had been when she had graduated Hogwart’s.

“I’m sorry I don’t have better news. I suppose it was arrogance to assume I could solve three of the magical world’s biggest puzzles in under a year.” Hermione looked down and smoothed her hand over her pant leg as she spoke. Her lack of progress was incredibly frustrating.

“Do not give up, just yet Hermione.” Dumbledore gently smiled at her. He stood and walked over to a small table. He quickly jotted a note and then sent it zooming away. “Besides, your difficulties provides me with a possible opportunity.” Dumbledore gathered his robes and sat down again.

“And what is that?” Hermione asked, narrowing her eyes. Dumbledore was simply too crafty for his own good.

“I find myself in a bit of a predicament. I still need Severus to teach Potions. He’s good at it and finding a replacement on short notice…” Dumbledore tsked and shook his head. “But, our scaly friend is making unpleasant rumblings about one of his Servants working at Hogwart’s now that Harry is no longer here.” Albus smiled at her and took a sip of his tea.

Hermione let out a long suffering sigh and put her face in her hand. “Oh Merlin, you want him work with me.”

“I hardly think it is you who will be put upon in this endeavor, Ms. Granger.” Severus said bitingly. Hermione jerked her head up in surprise. There he was, standing in the doorway, arms folded, and with his face pinched in a tight, unflattering grimace. This was the first time she’d seen him since… since… her mind skittered away from the words. You can’t even think it, you ninny! Hermione looked away.

“Come in and close the door, my dear boy!” Dumbledore said, ignoring Severus’ glare at the word ‘boy’. “Tea? Biscuit?”

Severus shook his head and then sat with a rustle of cloth. He crossed one leg over the other and sneered at Hermione.

“Oh for godssakes Severus, would you stop with the sneer!? I haven’t even said anything yet.” Hermione said, glaring at him.

“I do not recall giving you permission to call me by my given name, Ms. Granger.” Severus bit back.

Hermione opened her mouth to say something nasty and then closed it. After a moment or two, she tried again. “Colleagues call one another by their first names, Severus.”

“As if you and I could ever be colleagues!” He snapped back.

Hermione looked at Dumbledore who was looking at them with sympathetic eyes. “I’m sorry Albus, the answer is no.”

Severus snorted. “Can’t stand to have your precious ideas examined by someone else? No wonder you haven’t made any progress.”

Hermione gritted her teeth and did not respond.

“This could be very helpful for you both.” Dumbledore said, grin fading.

“I told you this would not work, Albus. Ms. Granger is a know-it-all and, like all know-it-alls, is unwilling to listen to the ideas of others.” Severus stood, sweeping his robes out of the way, and began to walk away.

“Severus Snape! I am no longer your student!” Hermione stood and walked closer to him as she spoke, “I do not wish to work with you because you are pointlessly cruel and narrow minded! Great ideas come from unexpected places and if I wasn’t going to be boxed in by the Ministry, I’m certainly not going to be boxed in by you!” Hermione’s voice rose until she was almost shouting. “They, at least, could offer me resources instead of amateurish insults and a swishy robe!”

Severus’ lips twitched in an almost-smile. “Swishy robe?”

Hermione smirked at him and then mimed sweeping her robes out the way and mock-glared at him.

Severus made a disapproving noise and said, “your robe swishing technique is atrocious.”

Hermione lifted her eyebrows at him. “We can’t all be you, Severus.”

“Children, children, do sit down.” Dumbledore motioned at the chairs they had each recently vacated. Grudgingly, they both sat down. “Voldemort knows you are up to something, Miss Granger. We have a need to distract him from finding out exactly what then taking more direct action against you. Working with Severus can accomplish this.”

Hermione sighed when he said it. It was inevitable the Voldemort would start to wonder what the third part of the Golden Trio was up to. She had just hoped his obsession with Harry would give her a little more time.

“Severus,” Dumbledore continued, turning to look at the other man, “you said yourself that Voldemort is becoming more dangerous and unpredictable. We need you to remain a valued servant. Working with Miss Granger is an opportunity to achieve this.”

Severus pressed his lips together and exhaled sharply through his nose. He then brushed an imaginary piece of lint from his left sleeve. That he didn’t immediately dismiss Albus’ statements meant Snape thought he was right.

Hermione took in a deep breath and counted to ten. This was getting a little ridiculous. She needed to think this through. Where were her abilities as a spy now? Calm down. Think rationally. Working with Severus was risky risky. On the one hand, he might figure out who she was. On the other hand, it might be easier to keep him guessing if she could be two players in this strange threesome, Shadow, and Severus, and Hermione were developing. Who was Hermione in this game? Innocent and unavailable for starters. It would help if she knew why Severus was so sensitive about Hermione, at least when he was talking to Shadow. He was an ass to Hermione’s face.

A headache started to throb in her right temple. How am I ever going to keep this straight?

“I’m willing to discuss this.” She said finally.

Severus snorted and Hermione glared at him. “I’m going to have some ground rules, though,” she added. Severus glared back.

“Oh good. I thought you might see reason.” Dumbledore said with a smile. “What are your ground rules Ms. Granger?”

“I protest, Headmaster! I see no reason why her ground rules are more important than mine.” Severus said, turning his glare on Dumbledore.

“Nor do I, my dear boy, but she did speak first.” Dumbledore motioned to Hermione to continue.

Resisting the urge to stick her tongue out at Severus, Hermione began ticking items off by tapping her fingers. “One, I keep odd hours and I don’t want to have to answer to anyone.”

“As do I.” Severus said, finally actually looking at her.

Hermione continued, as if he did not speak. “My preference would be to meet from time to time and do the bulk of the work alone. Second, no insults. Not one.” She pointed at Severus to emphasize her point. “You may tear my ideas into tiny little pieces but you may not insult me. If one word like know-it-all or brat crosses your lips I am tossing your scrawny ass out the door.”

“If I may issue no insults, you may not either.” Severus said, gritting his teeth.

“Deal.” Hermione said, grinning. Severus frowned at her and Hermione shrugged in response.

“I’m going to need your research notes.” Severus said after an awkward pause.

Hermione shifted in her seat. There were dates and her personal thoughts in those notes that she didn’t think Severus needed to see… for more than one reason.

“Please tell me you kept a research journal.” Severus said, leaning forward rigidly in his seat. “If there is one thing you should have taken away from your education here at Hogwart’s…”

“Of course I kept one!” Hermione snapped, interrupting him. “I just don’t need my personal anxieties on display. I’ll need some time to edit it and then you may look all you like.”

Severus nodded and relaxed back into his chair.

“Third, we work in my space, not yours.” Hermione said.

Severus gave her a measuring look and then smiled at her silkily. “All the time? Surely there may be moments where my space is better suited.”

Hermione narrowed her eyes at him. “Fine. Under extraordinary circumstances, we may use your space.” Her heart was pounding in her chest as they went back and forth. She issued a rule that he had to be open to new ideas. He returned that he expected her to be on time. After a couple of minutes, the silence stretched out between them as each searched for one more rule they could impose on the other.

“Splendid!” Dumbledore said, draining the last bit of tea from his cup. “You’ve worked it all out. I look forward to hearing about your progress.” The meeting, at least according to Dumbledore, was over. He stood and exited the room.

Hermione and Severus rose reluctantly to their feet.

“Are you free this time next week?” Hermione asked, feeling somehow as if Dumbledore had tricked her.

Severus nodded, shooting a look after Dumbledore that made Hermione think he felt the same way. She grinned wryly and asked him, “feel tricked?”

He glared at her and then gave her a twisted smile. “As I usually do after one of these meetings.” His bitter smile morphed into a smirk. “I’m going to need to know where you lab is, if we’re going to be working there.”

Hermione nodded. “Dumbledore can tell you how to get there. Just,” she paused and then continued, “have him tell you in here.” She motioned at the bare walls. Severus looked around and then snickered at her.

“Hey! No insults, remember?” Hermione said, flushing.

“I didn’t say a word, Hermione.” Severus drew her name out and Hermione suppressed a shiver. Did he know what his voice did to her? No. No. He couldn’t.

Severus walked to the door and then held it open, motioning for her to go through before him. He smirked at her as he did it, like the cat that ate the canary. That condescending wanker… he wanted to play games, did he? That was fine with her.

“Why, thank you!” She said in a bright, bubbly tone. As she left, she brushed his chest with her shoulder. The doorway was narrow, it was an easy mistake to make and she, Hermione, would be entirely innocent of the potential effect of bringing her warm, nubile body that close to Snape. She kept her face cheerful and the laughter trapped inside. After she had walked into Dumbledore’s office she turned around. Snape’s mouth was pressed into a flat line and he looked a little pale.

She ginned at him and said, “If I’d known that yelling at you would get you be well-mannered, I would have done it some time ago.”

Severus bared his teeth at her and said coldly, “it is a pity yelling never had that effect on you, Hermione.”

Hermione just laughed. She walked to the fire in Dumbledore’s office and tossed a handful of floo powder in. “I’ll see you later, Severus.”