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Beneath the Surface

By: Sharkdiver
folder Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Snape/Hermione
Rating: Adult ++
Chapters: 14
Views: 7,667
Reviews: 40
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.
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Meetings

Beneath The Surface

By: Sharkdiver

Disclaimer: These characters belong to JK Rowling. They are NOT MINE. I'm just borrowing them for a good time. No profit is being made from this.

Rating: NC-17

Summary: Severus Snape is currently researching a potion that could serve as protection from the effects of the Cruciatus curse. After Harry and Ron are sent to the Auror Academy, Albus Dumbledore arranges for Hermione Granger to assist in the research of this invaluable potion as an apprentice to Severus. Will they be able to overcome their differences for the greater good? (SS/HG)

AN: I hope you all have been enjoying the first 4 chapters. I have added a Harry potter section to my website. On the link to Hermione/Snape fanfic, you will find my soundtrack for this story. The songs are linked, so just click the links and hear the music ;) Thanks again, ~Sharkdiver

www.sharkdiversrealm.com


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Chapter 5 - Meetings


The next few days had passed quickly without much excitement. A meeting for the Order had been called so that everyone could be updated on new developments in the war against Voldemort.

Dumbledore sat at the head of the table, on his right sat Alastor Moody, and on his left, Severus Snape. The other members of the order sat around the table waiting for Dumbledore to share the news.

"Some information has come to light, that is valuable to our cause." Dumbledore began. "First, I would like to announce that Alastor has managed to track down eight of Voldemort's Death Eaters since their disappearance from the battle at the Ministry. A strategic capture is being planned by several of our best Aurors, including Alastor himself." Dumbledore gestured to Alastor "Mad Eye" Moody and smiled. The members of the order nodded their heads in approval appreciating the good tidings.

"I would also like to tell you that a most notorious Death Eater has been found among them. No doubt the capture will prove dangerous, but we are confident it will be successful in the end." Dumbledore looked pointedly between Harry and Neville Longbottom as he spoke his next words.

"The targeted Death Eater is none other than Bellatrix LeStrange."

Both Harry and Neville stiffened. They both had a personal vendetta against Bellatrix and felt a sort of nervous apprehension with the news of her impending capture. Bellatrix had been the one to send Neville's parents into the psych ward at St. Mungo's Hospital, as well as playing a direct role in Sirius Black's death. This time, if Bellatrix was captured, Harry felt a life sentence in Azkaban just didn't seem to be enough justice for her crimes.

"And lastly, I would like to have Severus brief you all on a new research endeavor he is currently undertaking. It has the potential to prove very beneficial to the Order against the Dark Lord. Severus, if you would..." Dumbledore gestured for Severus to take over from there and explain the scientific theory he would center his research on. They all seemed to be genuinely impressed with Severus' extensive knowledge in Potion's making, and had the utmost confidence that if a potion such as this were poss to to make, Severus would make it. Hermione, especially, seemed very intrigued by the project, whereas it incorporated muggle science with the forces of magic.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Molly Weasley had ushered everyone into the parlor for refreshments. After all, the news Dumbledore had shared was good news.

Harry looked over and made eye contact with Neville. There was no doubt in Harry's mind that Neville had entertained the same thoughts as Harry regarding Bellatrix's sentence.

As the Order members began to file out of the meeting room, Snape caught Hermione by the elbow and pulled her unceremoniously into the kitchen pantry. She looked up at him with wide eyes, her heart racing, as she tried in vain to make out the expression on his face; it was completely blank.

"Miss Granger, a word..." he spat caustically.

'Think Hermione...think...play dumb. That might just work...' she thought to herself as she bit her lower lip and finally found her voice to answer him with a simple, "Of course, Professor."

He glanced quickly around to make sure he was out of earshot from the others before continuing. He looked down at her, arms across his chest, with his best intimidating sneer in place.

"Miss Granger, what, precisely, was the meaning of your actions the other night?" He scowled.

Hermione thought for a moment that she would be ill, right there, on his shoes. What was she supposed to say?

"I ah...I apologize, Professor, if I offended you. I was rather...drunk the other night." She stammered in what she hoped sounded like a convincing apology.

"I could see very well that you were intoxicated, Miss Granger. I was referring to your inappropriate behavior." He snapped.

Hermione felt the floor drop from beneath her feet, as she braced herself against the counter top. She was beside herself that he was actually confronting her about the incident. She wasn't surprised, really, it was Snape after all, but she couldn't help feeling exposed, insignificant, and completely humiliated. He was so good at this...

"I'm sorry Professor, I didn't mean it." She offered hoping against hope that he would just let it go.

His expression softened just slightly for a split second, and returned to his usual sneer, "You didn't mean it?" He repeated for confirmation.

"Well...that's not true...I did mean it, but I shouldn't have done it. I crossed the line, and I apologize." She couldn't look into his eyes. She was afraid of what she'd see there.

"So you did mean it then." He said simply, a slight smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.

She felt like a deer trapped in the headlights. He caught her red-handed once again. "Yes." She muttered so quietly she wasn't sure he'd even hear her.

"Miss Granger, have you told anyone about this?" he asked pointedly, taking the scathing intensity off of her for a moment.

"No." she said quietly.

"Good. I think it best not to mention this to anyone." He told her. This meant he hadn't told anyone either. He subtly caressed her cheek with his thumb and abruptly turned on his heel and stalked out of the room.

Hermione let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. That little chat had gone nothing they way she had expected it to. She had expected him to have to Dumbledore so that she might be punished. Why hadn't he? More importantly, why was he asking her if she had meant it? And then he had caressed her cheek. It seemed such a tender gesture. If she had hoped to have her questions answered through his behavior during this confrontation, she had been sadly misguided. If anything, she had even more questions plaguing her mind now.

Hermione was totally lost in thought that she hadn't even heard Dumbledore approach her.

"Hermione, may I have a word with you?" Dumbledore spoke softly.

She shook her head and looked up at Dumbledore's twinkling blue eyes. There was no apprehension showing in Dumbledore'e gaze. Snape couldn't have told him, could he??

"Yes Professor. What can I do for you?"

"Hermione, was there something you wished to discuss with me?"

Hermione's blood froze in her veins. Didn't Snape just tell her not to mention it? Why would he go and tell him? Then it dawned on her that this was Dumbledore she was talking to...he always seemed to know everything.

"Um, Professor, I can explain..." she began.

"Explain what precisely? You aren't all that interested in the ministry position, Hermione, which is hardly anything to be ashamed of. Although it is a prestigious place to work, it is hardly stimulating work." He said looking over his half-moon spectacles at her with a smile.

Hermione breathed a sigh of relief, "Yes, professor, I'm flattered by the offer, but I was hoping for something a little more exciting than a position in the Department of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts." She smiled wistfully.

"I fully understand. I have a suggestion, if I may..."

"Of course Professor."

"A project has come up that I believe you would be an asset to. It is work for the Order of the Phoenix, if you would be interested. I'm afraid it doesn't pay much, but..."

Hermione nodded. She didn't care what it was, so long as she had an opportunity to help the Order, and have a chance at making an impact on the war with the Dark Lord. By taking this job, she would be able to still see everyone on a regular basis, and it promised to be much more exciting than sitting behind a desk at the Ministry.

"I'll do it Professor. Anything to help the Order would be an honor." She smiled.

"Wonderful Miss Granger. I'll speak with you again soon regarding the details of the position." He nodded to her and took his leave.

'Well, this is turning out to be a better summer than I had thought!' she smiled to herself, eager to share the news with Harry, Ron, and Ginny.
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