Habeas Corpus

Chapter 3 - Coincidences

Hermione sat on the couch in her little sitting room staring at the red roses that have arrived a few hours ago. She wanted to reply to Snape but she realised she knew not where he was. Her eyes fell on the booklet containing the instructions from Dumbledore. It suddenly felt strange that Dumbledore, known for his planing and masterminding the courses of action, gave her such vague instructions. There was something wrong about it but she didn\'t know what yet.

Suddenly her reverie was broken by the sound of the telephone. She picked it up:

\"Hello?\"

\"Hi, Sammie, it\'s Martha.\" Hermione felt surprised. Who was Martha? The voice was tery fay familiar but she couldn\'t place it.

\"I\'m calling,\" said this Martha, \"to confirm our dinner at St. Jacques tonight.\"

\"Sure, at half past eight, right?\" replied Hermione assuming that this Martha was sent by Dumbledore. All of this was really getting strange.

\"Half past eiand and you\'ll never guess!\"

\"What?\" it seemed that this Martha character knew her well.

\"My boss will be having dinner there with the other partners from the firm at seven so you\'ll be able to catch a glimpse of him. I must say that the more money he has, the more striking he becomes. He is even slightly nicer.\"

\"I always thought money changes you the wrong way.\" Replied Hermione.

\"Just wait and see. Have to run, he wants me in his office. See ya this evening.\"

\"See you.\" Replied Hermione and the phone was hung up on the other side.

This was getting stranger and stranger. She was sure she has just spoken to someone from the magical world and that she knew that person but she couldn\'t pinpoint who that person was. Meanwhile Ginny was quite satisfied with the conversation she has just had. Hermione did not recognise her voice, and Ginny did not ask about the flowers Hermione received. She thought that the 21 red roses was a nice touch and she sincerely hoped that Snape would not be mad when he found out she chose 21 red roses for Hermione.

Ginny got up and taking her note pad walked into Snape\'s office. The meeting with the staff passed uneventfully and Ginny thought Snape even smiled at few people.

\"You wanted me to come, Sir?\"

\"Yes, please have a seat. I have just read the agenda for the meeting with Gomerheimer. I am to fire 20 people whom I have never seen in my life and I have to leave Gomerheimer who is a complete idiot?\"

How very Gryffindor of you, Professor - wanted to say Ginny but checked herself and instead remarked: \"Sir, you have ordered that Mr Gomerheimer pick 20 people from among the staff, which he thought were not compatible with the firm\'s policies. He has just followed your instructions given last Friday.\"

\"I see. Well then, we\'ll have to revise this list. Please cancel my meeting with Mr Gomerheimer and tell him that I want the files of all the people on the list. Thank you, Miss Weldon.\"

\"Will that be all, Sir?\"

\"Yes. Where do I have this lunch with the heads of the departments?\"

\"Here in the office. It\'s the Surrey Conference Room.\"

\"Thank you, Miss Weldon. That will be all.\" His manners are certainly improving thought Ginny leaving the office.
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Snape spent the afternoon looking through the files supplied by Gomerheimer. At a quarter to six, Gomerheimer\'s name was the only name on the list of people to be fired. The lunch with the heads of the departments wasn\'t as bad as he thought it would be. Som alm almost all the people present seemed to know him and they asked questions, he could safely reply to. At half past six, he gave Ginny his list and asked her to have his chauffeur ready with the car. Ginny smiled looking at the document he gave her.
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Hermione stood in front of her wardrobe trying to choose an appropriate dress. At least the person who supplied the cloths did have a good taste. Having tried on six or seven dresses, Hermione chose a short, simple, black dress that matched her strappy shoes. A simple silver necklace completed her outfit and at eight she set out for the restaurant.

Ginny was already sitting at the table. She arrived earlier on purpose so that Hermione would not get confused. She notice Hermione enter and ask the waiter to be led to Ms Weldon\'s table. As soon as Hermione looked up, she saw Ginny Weasley waving at her. Of course, it was Ginny\'s voice on the telephone. Ginny has completed her Hogwarts schooling this summer and Hermione knew she shared her father\'s love for everything Muggle. She was perfect for the job.

\"Oh, Sammie, how good to see you. It\'s been too long!\" exclaimed Gias tas the waiter arrived with Hermione.

\"Gi... Martha, too long indeed. How are you?\"

\"I am well.\"

\"Would you like something to drink ladies?\' interrupted them the waiter.

\"White wine for me, please.\' Replied Hermione.

\"Same for me, please.\" Said Ginny and the two girls began chatting. Ginny related to Hermione, in a quiet voice, how she came to be on the assignment. Apparently, Dumbledore wanted to have another person helping Snape and Hermione in the Muggle world and Ginny was glad to help as it gave her first-hand experience with the Muggle world. As the girls waited for their dinner, chatting happily, they were interrupted by a voice coming from behind Hermione:

\"Ah, Miss Weldon, do I pay you that well that you can afford St. Jacques?\"

\"A girl needs a treat.\" replied Ginny smiling. \" I trust you had a good evening, Sir?\"

\"Indeed, I had.\" Replied Snape feeling that the alcohol he had this evening was taking a slight toll on him. He was too much at ease.

\"I believe you know my friend,s Sas Samantha Rhys.\" Asked Ginny.

Snape looked at Ginny\'s companion whom he hadn\'t looked at before and there was indeed Hermione a.k.a. Samantha. She looked breathtaking in that small dress and he wished she was standing so that he could enjoy the full view of her.

\"Indeed, we know each other. Miss Rhys, I am glad that you\'ve returned home safe and sound on Saturday.\" Said Severus bending to kiss Hermione\'s hand in greeting, his eyes not leaving hers for a split of a second. He lingered for a moment before releasing her hand and
Hermione knew she would feel that kiss for a long time.

\"I have.\" Managed she at last. \"So have you, I see.\" She was still in a shock. Snape looked so un-Snape. He was terribly handsome and he had a killer smile when he looked at her. The sparkle in his eyes made her shiver.

\"So it would seem.\" Replied he grinning. \"I shall leave you for now, ladies. I hope to see soon, Miss Rhys. In fact, I plan on giving a party next Saturday, I would like you to come. Miss Weldon will give you all the information. She is invited as well.\"

This time it was Ginny who was surprised. There was no information about that party in her instructions booklet Dum Dumbledore. It must have been Snape\'s creation. Snape bid them good evening and left.

\"I didn\'t know you knew George Herrensford that well, Sammie.\' Ventured Ginny grinning.

\"I don\'t know him at all.\"

\"Come, come, I know you fancy him.\"

\"No, by no means. But I have to admit he looks remarkably well now.\"

\"Remarkably well, indeed.\" Said Ginny grinning.

\"Stop it, Gin!\"

\"Hush. It\'s Martha remember.\" Hissed Ginny.

\"Oops, sorry.\'

\"You may say what you want, but I think you fancy him.\" Stated Ginny, \"And he fancies you. Did you like the flowers?\"

\"How do you know?\'

\"I\'m his secretary.\"

\"You chose it?\"
He tHe told me to send you a basket of flowers with that note, but I thought you\'d like the roses better.\"

\"I knew those roses did not fit in. I\'m glad you told me.\"

\"What?\'

\"That basket was much more like Sev... like George.\"

\"George, it is now, is it?\"

\"Stop it!\" hissed Hermione. \"What about that party?\"

\"I don\'t know, first time I hear about it. Will have to ask him tomorrow.\"

The girls ate their dinner and left. Ginny had to be in the office at 8.30 in the morning.