Triumph Out of the Bitter Taste of Ashes

Farfie -- Thanks! Me too. I\'ve always seen Snape as not only very observant, but also someone who *needs* to know what\'s going on around him for his own sense of safety.
Star -- Very soon, I promise. : )
Deb -- Thanks Deb, I spent more time on the Snape parts than anything else, trying to balance out his normal snarky nature with the sorrow they\'re all going through right now.
Shemham -- LOL Probably. : )~ I actually think that if Ron hadn\'t been so brave and far too open a person, he really *would* have made a good slytherin. He may not be overly ambitious, but I think he has a lot of cunning hidden inside him. Not that, that is what he\'s doing now, but he\'s obviously thinking.
ANdrian -- Thanks! : ) I\'ve been having fun with those two. And yep, you\'re right. ::smirks::
Geekgoddess -- The humor breaks out at the oddest times. The angst isn\'t over yet, not by far. Hopefully, however, from here on, it will be balanced with glimses of the light at the end.

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Chapter Six
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Weasley reddened, and gaped a couple of times before he found his voice. Watching it amused Severus. He was surprised to see it end rather quickly, however, as Weasley squared his shoulder and turned to face Malfoy, virtually ignoring Severus. At least, that\'s what the boy *tried* to do.

\"Actually,\" he began, \"that wasn\'t quite the topic I was going to refute.\"

\"It wasn\'t?\" Malfoy asked in surprise.

The words echoed in Severus\' thoughts. That was certainly the impression *he* had received. Damn! Maybe he was now stuck in a conversation he had absolutely no interest in.

\"No, it wasn\'t. You made a comment, about squibs, in relation to non-purebloods.\"

**I stand corrected. This could be *very* interesting.**

\"And?\" Malfoy retorted defensively. \"It\'s obvious isn\'t it? Introduce muggle blood into the line and you\'re going to end up with a higher ratio of children who are squibs to those who are magical.\"

\"Have you actually researched the numbers?\" Weasley pressed. \"Or is this an assumption?\"

Malfoy blinked.

Severus ignored the boy\'s response, surprised by his own. He didn\'t know whether Malfoy had actually taken the time to research the numbers or not, but *he* certainly hadn\'t. It was the obvious connection to make, after all. And right now, he felt highly stupid to have made that assumption. Correct or not, wasn\'t relevant. The point being, a logical person did not stand by a perspective that was made on an assumption. Extensive research, with facts to back up your assertions, that\'s what learned people did.

He kept his mouth shut, needing -- for a change -- to keep his own ignorance quiet. It wasn\'t often Severus found himself in a position like this, and he discovered he *really* didn\'t like it. He turned to look at Malfoy pointedly, his expression asking very directly whether what Weasley claimed was true.

Malfoy shifted under that intense gaze, flicking his eyes back to Weasley. With a sigh, he finally shook his head. \"No, I didn\'t think it was necessary. It seemed -- and still does -- so obvious.\"

\"Hmmm,\" Snape murmured disapprovingly, instantly slipping back into \'professor\' mode. \"Perhaps you should research it, Mr. Malfoy. Your views on this subject are quite well known, having been so . . . vehemently attested to in the past. It would be . . . embarrassing to have an opponent be able to provide documentation to the contrary, would it not?\"

Mouth agape for a fraction of a second, Malfoy suddenly sat up straight. \"You don\'t really believe that\'s possible, do you Professor?\"

Severus merely arched a disdainful eyebrow. \"Surely, you do not expect me to answer that, *Mr.* Malfoy. Do the work yourself. I look forward to seeing your *complete* results. In fact, I\'m going to make it a project for you and Mr. Weasley.\"

\"ME?!\" Weasley exclaimed in surprise.

\"Yes, you, Mr. Weasley. You are the one who brought it up, are you not? Who better a partner? I expect to see significant progress in a week\'s time. The entirety of your compiled and sorted data will be due at the end of winter break.\"

Both boys groaned -- loudly -- at the idea of such a huge undertaking owhatwhat was supposed to be a holiday. They would *already* have the standard holiday work from all their classes.

\"You will have precisely two weeks after school resumes to hand in your essays on the collected data.\"

\"How long does it have to be?\" Malfoy asked, shoulders slumped in defeat.

Snape smirked. \"As long as it needs to be to be complete. I expect you to thoroughly document the birth rate from all five groups; squib births, witch and wizard births -- including relative ability levels of said births, muggle births, etc. for the past 200 years. Of course, the muggle data will be more difficult to collect in full . . . especially beyond a hundred years ago. Clearly, I cannot expect you to gather information that hasn\'t been actually stored anywhere, so I will be more . . . lenient on less fully realized data for the muggle side of the equation. You\'re not trying to ascertain the whys and wherefors of muggleborn births specifically, after all.

\"Also, I expect a side essay from each of you of at least one meter length, espousing the theories that can be arrived at from the data you will have provided by then. Oh, and do remember that if your theories do *not* match the data you gather,\" he said, grinning smugly from one boy to the other, \"you will *fail* this project. Personal biases do not belong in proper research.\"

\"But, Sir!\" both protested, Malfoy continuing alone. \"That\'s a master\'s thesis you\'re asking for!\"

\"I\'m afraid not, Mr. Malfoy. It is actually only a rather ambitious 7th year project. If I were asking a Master\'s project of you, I would require data correlated on the last 300 years minimum, and would suggest 500 for higher accuracy. I would also add that you would be required to hypothesize the *future* number of births based on current pairings, the relative frequency of squibs in female children vs male children, and whether or not there is any correlation *there* in regard to each of the five classes. Additionally, I would require the essay to be at *least* three meters for a basic low-level passing grade. Of course, if either of you were actually up to doing master\'s grade work, I wouldn\'t have needed to explain any of that.\"

Both boys gaped at him.

Weasley jumped up. \"That won\'t be necessary, Professor. We\'re quite happy with the original assignment,\" he said hastily, as if he feared to actually receive a master\'s thesis assignment. \"Aren\'t we, Draco?\"

Rolling his eyes, Malfoy nodded, his voice slightly sour as he spoke. \"Yes, quite happy,\" he replied.

\"Good,\" Snape nodded firmly. Then smirking, continued. \"Since this *is* such an ambitious undertaking, it certainly qualifies as a double 7th year project. I believe the subject matter qualifies as a project for both History of Magic and Muggle studies. I will speak to the Professors of both subjects for their assent in the matter.\"

\"Thank you, Professor,\" both replied weakly, relief showing clearly on both faces. Obviously, they\'d thought it was going to be *extra* work.

Truth be told, he\'d considered it, but acknowledged the fact that even with two of them, finishing the project was going to take considerable time and effort -- time they wouldn\'t have if adjustments weren\'t made. He was interested enough in the results to go to the trouble of actually making that adjustment, and he was pretty sure that the headmaster and the muggle studies professor would also. Binns, probably wouldn\'t care, but then, he was a ghost, of course he wouldn\'t -- though Snape was reasonably certain the professor would agree it would make a suitable project.

Nodding one last time to the two boys, Severus headed toward the exit. He half turned just as he reached it as if he\'d just thought of a new tidbit. \"Don\'t forget the possibility of a magical ancestor when you figure your data on muggleborns.\" Holding back the real smile at the gobsmacked look of horror the two boys exchanged, Severus quickly left.

**That ought to keep the two of them out of trouble over the holidays,** he thought in satisfaction. **Quite in addition to getting the information I want.** He was worried about both of them, but Malfoy particularly. Weasley had lost his sister yes, but Malfoy had pretty much lost his entire world. This would be the first holidays *After*. Now, however, Malfoy would not suddenly find himself bereft of his surprising friend at a time when he needed the other boy most -- and he wouldn\'t even have to ask.

Severus smirked as he suddenly realized the rather interesting predicament he\'d put the two of them in. Either they both stayed here for the break, or they both ended up at the burrow. Laughing, he was pretty sure he knew which way *that* decision would go, but considering all the recent surprises, he wasn\'t willing to lay any galleons on it.

**One problem solved,** he thought as he made his way toward his office. It would certainly be nice if all the remaining problems could be solved so easily. His good mood lasted approximately four and a half minutes all of ten seconds after reaching his destination.

Leaning against the wall next to his office door was none other than Harry Potter. And while he no longer maintained the absolutely loathing with which he\'d viewed the boy for so long, neither was he, in any way, shape or form, Severus\' favorite person. He sincerely doubted they would *ever* do more than tolerate each other.

\"Mr. Potter,\" he greeted drily, \"to what do I owe this unexpected *pleasure*?\" he continued, the dry quality of his voice turning quite sour by the time he finished.

Potter straightened immediately at his approach, and though wincing at the obvious sarcasm, faced him squarely. \"I need your help, Professor,\" he said clearly. \"I believe you\'re the only one, other than the headmaster who can help me.\"

Eyebrow up sharply, but intrigued despite his own desire to have nothing to do with Potter outside of class, he nodded once. Efficiently removing the wards on his office, he waved the boy inside the room before him. Wondering at the ease with which the boy had asked for help from probably his least favorite person still living . . . *apparent* ease, he amended silently as he watched Potter sink into a chair. The boy sat stiffly straight, his posture as rigid as Severus had ever seen it.

Frowning slightly, Severus swept around his desk, dropping gracefully into the chair behind it. \"So, Mr. Potter, what can I help you with?\" he asked, intrigued enough that his voice lacked its normal sting. Giving a purely mental wince of his own, he berated himself. All this . . . interest . . . in student activities was making him soft, he decided firmly, resolving to step back and recollect himself as soon as pole. le.

\"Professor,\" Potter blurted, \"either Hermione is still alive, or I\'m going completely crazy.\"

**So much potential lost!**

\"Well,\" Severus replied carefully, completing ignoring his own reaction to this subject being brought up again, well aware this was well beyond touchy enough to avoid using his normal approach. \"I\'m sure you\'re quite well aware of my position on the likelihood of Miss Granger\'s survival.\"

\"Yes, yes,\" Potter interrupted, much to Severus\' surprise, waving him off in irritation. Potter jumped up from his seat immediately after to begin pacing in agitation. \"The problem is, I obviously can\'t talk to Ron about this, because, sore point. Major sore point. The headmaster might be able to help, but I\'m not really sure I trust him to.\"

Severus\' eyebrow shot up for the umpteenth time. This time, however, he felt his jaw going the other way, and hastily stopped its progress. \"You are aware, are you not,\" he asked as drily as he could considering the shock he was experiencing, \"that you just implied that you do trust *me*?\"

Slumping visibly, Potter stopped pacing, but didn\'t look at him for several moments of silence. When Potter did turn to face him, the look of despair in the boy\'s face as their eyes locked, shook him . . . deeply. \"I trust you more than I trust him,\" was the whispered reply.

\"Why-ever for?!\" Severus exclaimed incredulously, shooting up from his chair to glare at the insolent child in front of him.

Still without so much as a blink, Potter slowly approached him. \"Because *both* of you are sneaky bastards, but at least you\'re honest about it.\"

Severus Snape felt the laugh build, tried, but couldn\'t stop it. The short, loud, belly laugh exploded from him completely contrary to his wishes.

Potter stepped back in startlement.

Clearing his throat, Severus sat down carefully. \"You have a point, Potter,\" he said carefully, very wary of his own reactions at this point. \"Sit. Tell me what you think I can do to help you. I cannot guarantee I\'ll be any good at it, however. I am most definitely not the headmaster, nor am I Minerva McGonagall. You would be *wise* to take that into consideration before continuing.\"

Potter gamely stepped forward; though, the boy was back to eyeing him warily. \"I\'ve been having these dreams,\" he said softly, closing his eyes. \"They\'re different from the ones I used to get because of Voldemort, but they\'re also way different from the \'normal\' dreams I have. I don\'t really know how to explain it, really. They just feel like they\'re *more* than just dreams.\"

Eyes narrowing, Severus leaned forward. \"What are you dreaming about, specifically.\"

\"Hermione, \'specifically\', \" Potter replied evenly. \"Sometimes I see things that probably happened to her. She\'s screaming stupid things about her childhood while Mr. Malfoy tortures her. Other times I see--\" Potter gulped, paling. \"Other times I see Malfoy pulling away from her, she\'s on the ground, she--\"

\"I get the picture, Mr. Potter, you do not need to continue that description.\"

\"Thank you,\" Potter replied faintly. \"Yet other times, I see Malfoy running toward flares of magical energy, and then watch as Hermione crawls slowly in the opposite direction.\"


TBC
Kiristeen
Feedback, as always very much treasured, and certainly a spur to go back and edit instead of writing ahead. : )~
Kiristeen@kiristeen.com


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