Lendoren

Disclaimer: I own nothing more than the translation, Kelokelo owns nothing more than the story and Jo Rowling owns the rest.

Chapter beta’ed by Tanit. Thanks so much for your efforts!

Ch6. the discovery of the chameleon

When Hermione went into the Great Hall for the start of term feast, her eyes were immediately drawn to the teachers table. The usual teachers were there except for Snape, good riddance. Someone else was sitting on his chair next to another new teacher. Who then would be the Defense against the Dark Arts teacher this year?

Severus was perfectly conscious of Hermione entering the Great Hall. Their link had been reinforced when the distance between them had been reduced. Arlin was right, once she would be in possession of her Lendoren powers, she would be formidable. A hint of a grimace appeared on his face when she found out with glee that Professor Snape wasn’t at the teachers table. Arlin caught it and asked softly:

“Bad news?”

“Just a detail, she’s delighted with Professor Snape’s absence”, Severus grunted.

« You already hear her to that level ? » He couldn’t believe it!

“I’ve been hearing her to that level for more than a month,” Severus replied. “Since she was with the Weasleys in fact. Which was of a great help”, he added after a moment.

Gryffin had a knowing smile.

« So Severus, it isn’t that disagreeable ? »

« At least, her conversation subjects aren’t just about the most fashionable band of the moment or about the last piece of cloth she’s just bought. Her culture is impressive and she can be critical about what she reads, though her opinions are very clear-cut.”

“Has she the same opinions than you?”

« Not always. But for now, I don’t insist much about some stupid things she believes in. »

« Did you tell her about her being a Lendoren ? »

“Not at all. She still thinks she’s speaking with her subconscious and, as I’ve told this morning, I’m not in a hurry to let her know who I am.”

« I didn’t know you to be that shy, Severus, » Gryffin teased him. That earned him a dark look from Severus.

“She’ll be very powerful. When she is angry, she’ll be able to crunch me to atoms,” he replied. “So, with your permission, I’ll manage this … revelation to her myself, and don’t interfere.”

« You remember the subject of my first lesson for the Seventh Year Gryffindors ? »

“Absolutely, I’ve taken it into account in my plan.”

They shut up for Professor McGonagall was moving forward with the First Years for the Sorting. When it was finished, Professor Dumbledore got up and started his start of year speech:

« Silence, please, » the Headmaster asked. At once all the tables shut up and turned their attention to Dumbledore.

“First I welcome back those who were already here last year and I just welcome the students who join us for their first year. I remind you that the name of the Forbidden Forest hadn’t changed over the summer and the students are thus forbidden to go there for a stroll if they’re not accompanied by a teacher.”

Smiles made their way amongst the students’ faces. To skirt that rule was the second sport after Quidditch at Hogwarts.

“The list of forbidden objects is available in our beloved caretaker’s office. Mr Filch made sure he would put down on this list every new things from the Weasley brothers as soon as they come out.”

Laughs bursted forth in the room.

“About the professors, I want to introduce you to your new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher, Mr Arlin Gryffin,” he said, holding his hand out to a rather old man who stood and smiled. “Concerning your Potions Master, you didn’t get a new one in spite of what you may think, he’s always Professor Snape. Why he changed his appearance is only for him to tell only if he wants to.”

Dumbledore told this last sentence in a very firm tone so that any question would be discouraged.

People at the Gryffindor table looked like they were attending a funeral. They had hoped to have a quiet year in potions without having to submit to Professor Snape’s relentness and bang, they had to put up with him for another year. That made them eye the dishes glumily. Only Ron threw himself on them as usual. The girls were the first to realise the advantages of the new situation, not that they expected a change in the Professor’s attitude but they had to admit that the show would be a lot more appealing, even if they wouldn’t be able to contemplate it during class. Those who thought themselves lucky to have known Professor Lockhart began to be secretly delighted. And those who had to drop potions in sixth year…some of them began to regret.

Severus received Hermione’s disappointment head-on.

“One more year, but it’s the last. I’ll still have to tell Harry and Ron to keep out of sight. I’m fed up to have to catch up with all the points he has pleasure to take from them. Malfoy does things ten times worth and he’s never punished. I wished to see his face if McGonagall did the same in Transfiguration!”

He remained impassive on the outside but grimaced on the inside. She was right of course but now he would have to convince her he didn’t have a choice. That would be arduous. In the meantime, he could speak with her a bit during the night, before he could do it more openly once she knew she was a Lendoren. He turned to Arlin and asked him:

« When do you have a lesson with the Seventh Year Gryffindors ? »

« In two days. Are you in a hurry?”, he added, smiling.

“A little. I’d like things to go ahead and in the right direction before the equinox.”

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When dinner was finished, Hermione accompanied the First Years with Ron to Gryffindor tower. She gave them the necessary information and showed the girls the dormitory which would be theirs for the next seven years. When she was done, she bade good night to Ron, Harry and Ginny and went with Professor McGonagall who was waiting for her to show her her rooms.

She was surprised to see they were rather far from Gryffindor tower. They were on the second floor and were made up with a lounge, two bedrooms and a private bathroom. She was glad to have that space for herself but surprised to be separated from Hannah. Indeed the flat had two bedrooms… Well she could see whom she could propose to lend the spare room to for a few hours. Harry and Ginny didn’t hide they wanted to carry on with all sides of their love, and the means Harry had considered to do so so far had Hermione shiver with fear if a teacher ever caught them. All the more if said teacher was Snape. It was incredible to see that, no sooner Harry began to break the rules, if he was to be caught, it was by the Potions Master!

She was tired from the travel and the lack of sleep the previous night, so she got to bed quickly but not before she sent a message to her subconscious to tell it “no jest tonight”.

She woke up several times during the night but it was only when the night was nearly over that her subconscious reminded her of its existence. She was clothed this time to her greatest relief. The man’s presence was stronger as if her subconscious was pulling away from her to become fully a consciousness. As if her subconscious had felt her relief, the first question was:

“Didn’t you like last night?”

The voice was warm, the tone even.

“Yes, but it’s just…” Hermione answered.

“Frustrating? Intimidating?”

“Yes,” She admitted, embarrassed.

“Next time, I’ll make sure not to leave you in such a state and you don’t have to be embarrassed…”

“Next…time?”

« I was under the impression you liked it ? »

“Yes…yes, but…”

“So, why deprieve ourself?”

Hermione didn’t know what to answer. By the way, was it really a question? How could her subconscious take the upper hand? That was so bizarre.

“Go, off to your class now.”

She woke up with those words. That… conversation seemed so real.

Thanks to my readers and/or reviewers, it means a lot, especially firewall, citten, donna, lisa, sorceressfujin and megan consoer