A Living Secret ~ COMPLETED
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Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Snape/Hermione
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Adult +
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Category:
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Snape/Hermione
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
44
Views:
44,071
Reviews:
245
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.
Enter the Dragon
Chapter 7 ~ Enter the Dragon
Marcus Delaluci sat in the back of the Hog’s Head Inn sipping a firewhiskey and looking at the wanted parchment he picked up off the bar when he entered. The SB teacher’s violet eyes scanned the photo of Snape, which, despite being a wizarding photo, didn’t move. The wizard’s dark eyes stared back at Marcus as if challenging him. He read the poster:
PROCLAIMATION
of the
MINISTRY OF MAGIC
WANTED
DEAD OR ALIVE
SEVERUS SNAPE
FOR THE MURDER OF ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
AND OTHER NEFARIOUS OFFENSES
G20,000 REWARD
”Twenty thousand galleons? Damn. Got yourself in a world of shit this time, Snape,” Marcus said to the image, taking another swallow of his firewhiskey, “Don’t know why you’d kill Dumbledore though. He was the only one who liked your snarky ass.”
Marcus Delaluci served as Hogwarts’ Spells Breaking teacher for the past year. It was a new position created by Dumbledore. The Headmaster felt Spell Breaking would be an important skill for the students to learn if they found themselves dealing with spells that they did not know the counterspell for. The rugged blonde wizard was a former Eradicator, a member of a secret force that did the dirty work for the Ministry when the usual avenues didn’t work. The group had had been disbanded several years ago when a reporter by the name of Rita Skeeter found out about its existence. Of course the Ministry denied there was ever any “Eradicators” in their employ.
In other words, Marcus was a former assassin who raped, assaulted and killed in the name of politics and the Ministry of Magic. After the Eradictors were disbanded, he spent some time as a mercenary abroad for Gringotts bank, killing natives, nullifying curses and claiming jewel-rich territories around the world. Finally, tired of the bloodshed, he returned to England to try and make an honest, blood-free living. He wasn’t doing very well at it when Albus Dumbledore showed up at his flat and asked him to come to Hogwarts.
Marcus didn’t have anything better to do, other than chase down trim. Actually, he was a fairly good teacher and his pupils loved him…especially the older young witches. He loved them too, albeit discreetly…provided they were the Age of Consent and willing.
Well, maybe love was too strong a word. Fucked would be a better description of what Mr. Delaluci did. He wasn’t big on conscience, though to his credit he didn’t pursue his students. But if they pursued him, they were fair game as far as he was concerned. He made it clear to the young women however, he was not in love with them, nor would he maintain a relationship. It was strictly sex.
As a result, Marcus found himself obliviating quite a few witches who found out later they weren’t mature enough to handle what he offered them, which was little more than a stiff cock and experience. What happened with the SB teacher mattered to them.
The moment a witch walked into his office with her eyes glistening and asking him why he wasn’t paying attention to her, the SB teacher whipped out his wand and removed himself from her memory. Marcus was quite adept at memory charms because of his past. He often had to remove certain memories of his victims who lived while leaving the horror intact. He was fast and precise. The ability certainly came in handy at Hogwarts. He stared down at the parchment.
“Twenty thousand galleons, eh?” the wizard mused.
Marcus had never cared for Snape. He was greasy, snarky, sarcastic and acted as if he owned Hogwarts. He doubted the Potions Master had ever been laid unless he paid for it. He had a run-in with the wizard once, concerning the frequent loss of some potions ingredients.
“Mr. Delaluci,” Severus said to Marcus one day, stopping him on the way to breakfast in the Great Hall, “I do not appreciate you teaching your students how to break the wards on my Potions stores."
Severus was the Dark Arts teacher now, but he still brewed and kept a private Potions store in his DA classroom. It had been raided several times this year. A lot of skill had to go into breaking those wards, skills that students didn't have before Mr. Delaluci arrived.
Marcus looked at him with raised eyebrows.
“There's no proof my Spellbreaking students are the ones breaking into your stores, Snape. I imagine that's been going on long before I came to Hogwarts,” he responded, his violet eyes telescoping to black for a moment, “If you don’t want students breaking into your stores, I suggest you bone up on your magic and use stronger wards.”
Severus’ nostrils flared at the suggestion that his magic was weak. Who the fuck did Marcus Delaluci think he was?
“I assure you my magic is above par and I take offense that you have suggested it is not so. You don’t want to make an enemy of me, Mr. Delaluci,” Snape said darkly.
Marcus loved a good duel.
“Maybe I do,” the wizard replied, meeting Severus’ eyes directly, “I haven’t had a good duel in ages.”
Severus smirked a little. He’d like nothing better than to blast the swaggering bastard to hell.
“Any time you feel ‘froggish,’ Mr. Delaluci, you are welcome to leap,” Severus purred.
Marcus smiled nastily and was about to respond when Albus suddenly swept around the corner with a big smile, offered both wizards lemon drops and escorted them into the Great Hall with a flourish, effectively defusing the situation. They never did get back to the matter, but Marcus remembered Snape was more than willing to have a go.
“Seems like I might get that duel after all, Snape,” Marcus mused, his eyes falling on the G20,000 reward offering.
He started thinking, and thinking hard. How could he possibly get to Snape when no one else could? Snape was most likely with Voldemort and under his protection. The only ones who could enter Voldemort’s presence were his Death Eaters.
Marcus paused.
This wasn’t the safest time to be a Death Eater…but hm.
He had heard it bantered about that Snape was considered a spy loyal to the Order before he killed Dumbledore and had been for years. Too bad the Headmaster didn’t realize just whose side the dark wizard was on.
Marcus was no slouch when it came to filling a role. The Headmaster had been after him to join the Order for over a year before his demise. Marcus always refused, stating he was neutral and if things got bad, he’d just leave the country. He had done enough service for the so called “Greater Good” when he was an Eradicator. He knew the uglier side of it and felt he had earned his stripes. But for twenty-thousand galleons, he could have a change of heart, especially since it might work in his favor. Now…who was the head of the Order now?
Marcus scoured his brain for a moment. Oh yes. Kingsley Shacklebolt.
He’d have to stop by the Ministry and see him since the location of Order headquarters was a secret. Marcus had no doubt Kingsley would put him on. He had several abilities that had made him invaluable to the Eradicators. They would serve him equally well in the Order, if he joined. Marcus had a secret and that was he was of mixed ancestry. Something about a virgin and a dragon that fell in love with her centuries ago. Marcus was the first of his line born with dragon gifts in generations.
His violet eye color was inherited from the dragon, as well as his ability to see in almost total darkness. He could also “zoom in” on objects, like a telescope, the pupils of his eyes enlarging until they appeared almost completely back. He could detect dark magic, resist the effects of veritaserum, and when obliviated, his memories would come back in a few days. He also had another gift…one more appreciated by witches, one which most likely explained how a dragon could mate with a human female.
Marcus could adjust the girth and length of his cock between human size and what he imagined was dragon-size, though he had never used it set on “insanely enormous.” He’d kill someone. However, he was quite the lover, pig that he was.
His brow furrowed, Marcus finished his drink and rose, leaving a galleon on the table. If Snape could play spy…why couldn’t he? However, his focus wouldn’t be on Voldemort…that would be the ruse. He really wanted Snape and those twenty thousand galleons. Once he got the reward, he would leave the Order, leave the school and leave England. Make a new start far beyond Voldemort’s influence. He knew how to disappear.
“I wonder just how you become a Death Eater anyway?” the wizard mused as he exited the inn.
That was something he’d have to look into as well.
*****************************************
Hermione ordered two reference books from Flourish & Blotts, the first being “Dark Magic: Myth and Reality.” The text discussed Horcruxes, though purely from a theoretical view. It did not give the exact spells needed to create a Horcrux, but it did give other pertinent information about them. She also ordered “The Big Book of Soul Magic” another reference guide to spells involving the soul. Again, there were no actual spells, only the history and theories behind the magic. The books were not in stock but she would be able to pick them up in a couple of days.
As she exited the book shop, Hermione saw a wanted poster for Professor Snape attached to a streetlight. She walked up to it and studied the Professor.
“Why did you do it, Professor Snape?” she asked the poster in a sad voice, “The Headmaster cared about you…trusted you. Was his trust misplaced?”
The Professor’s black eyes looked back at her, glinting slightly.
“He’s not going to tell you anything,” a voice said behind her.
Hermione spun and met the violet eyes of Marcus Delaluci. He smiled at her.
“Hard to believe, isn’t it, Miss Granger? That he’d turn on Dumbledore that way,” the wizard said to the witch.
“Yes. It really is,” Hermione said, looking up at Marcus.
“Just goes to show you can’t trust anyone,” Marcus said, his eyes washing over Hermione appraisingly.
Hm. Little Miss Granger was filling out nicely. But alas, the witch was a walking library. Probably everything she knew about sex was out of a book.
Hermione was about to suggest that maybe there was more to what happened with Snape than met the eye, but found she couldn’t do it. Something was stopping her. She realized it was the oath. But, she had taken that oath only concerning Harry’s mission, not Professor Snape. She had been able to talk about her thoughts openly with Harry and Ron, but for some reason, she wasn’t able to say anything to Professor Delaluci. Could he interfere with Harry’s mission in some way?
Something was wrong here but Hermione didn’t know what.
”Yes, these are untrustworthy times, Professor,” she agreed, not letting on something was out of whack with the wizard.
“Are you ready to return to Hogwarts or are you bailing like half the student body?” Marcus asked her.
He doubted Hermione wouldn’t come back. Most likely she cared about her marks more than breathing.
“Oh, I’m definitely coming back. I’m in your Advanced Spellbreaking class this year, and am looking forward to it,” she said, still wondering what it was about Marcus that made the oath go into effect.
“It will be quite challenging, Miss Granger, I promise you. You might even have to come to me for private sessions,” Marcus said, arching a bushy blonde eyebrow at her.
Hermione smiled at him.
“Then it would have to be very challenging, Professor,” she replied.
Marcus knew if anyone could handle the curriculum, it was Hermione Granger. She had the best marks in Hogwarts in the past fifty years. The witch was a walking brain.
“We’ll see, won’t we?” he said with another smile.
Hermione noticed Marcus had a dimple in his right cheek. No wonder the other witches went gah-gah over him. He was handsome enough, but held as much interest sexually for Hermione as playing Quidditch. He was too old.
“Yes we will,” she answered him.
Marcus stared down at her consideringly, then said, “I have to go. See you when school starts, Miss Granger.”
”Goodbye, Professor,” Hermione said.
Marcus gave her a parting smile, then walked away. That was one young witch who wouldn’t be knocking on his door after hours.
Hermione watched him go, then headed for the Leaky Cauldron, her mind once again on Professor Snape. They were certainly offering a large reward for him. Wanted posters were plastered everywhere. But Professor Snape was a very dangerous wizard. She was sure he’d protect himself by any means necessary if someone tried to capture him. That would mean even more blood on his hands. Hermione sighed.
There was more to this…she knew there was. She wished she could find the Professor and talk to him, hear his side of what happened. Harry had told her several times what occurred in the Astronomy tower…but…what happened before then? Before that night?
Hermione pulled out her wand and tapped the pattern that opened the brick wall behind the Leaky Cauldron and stepped through.
She hoped those books would arrive soon.
She had a lot of research to do between now and her return to Hogwarts. Not to mention a bit of planning. She had to figure out how to be alone with Dumbledore’s portrait so she could question it. Professor McGonagall was the Headmistress now and probably wouldn’t take kindly to Hermione wanting to investigate the Headmaster’s death further.
Her response would probably be, “The Ministry is handling it, Miss Granger. I’m sure they have enough experienced people in their employ not to need your help.”
It didn’t help that Minerva was grieving over Albus terribly. They had been lovers for many, many years and it felt as if she had lost not only a friend and respected colleague, but a spouse as well. Of course, none of the student body knew this. Albus and Minerva were masters of discretion. Now, she was alone and had to keep the depth of her grief to herself. It was bound to come out in other ways.
Hermione walked through the Leaky Cauldron without even seeing the patrons, she was so deep in thought. She bumped into a witch smoking a long pipe.
“Oh, excuse me,” Hermione said.
The witch scowled at her. She wore a traditional pointed black hat with matching black robes, had a very pointed chin and a hooked nose with a large wart on the end of it. She was the witchiest looking witch Hermione had ever seen. If she had been green, she could have doubled for the Wicked Witch of the West.
“You should watch where you’re going, young lady,” she sniped at Hermione.
“Sorry,” Hermione said, glancing down to see if the witch wore ruby slippers.
She didn’t. She wore emerald ones with bits of silver running through them. Probably a Slytherin.
Hermione walked past her quickly, the witch squinting after her.
“Young people have NO manners, today,” she complained, then walked up to the bar and ordered a firewhiskey sour.
Hermione exited the bar and headed for home, feeling tired now.
It had been quite a taxing afternoon.
**************************************************
A/N: Welcome Marcus, you scheming git you. Thinking of joining the Death Eaters just so you can catch Severus? You’ll have to get by Voldie first…but hm…maybe the Dark Lord would like another spy at Hogwarts. Anyway, thanks for reading.
A/A/N: I had to rework this chapter and change Marcus' job at Hogwarts to keep the story HBP compliant. He now teaches Spells Breaking
Marcus Delaluci sat in the back of the Hog’s Head Inn sipping a firewhiskey and looking at the wanted parchment he picked up off the bar when he entered. The SB teacher’s violet eyes scanned the photo of Snape, which, despite being a wizarding photo, didn’t move. The wizard’s dark eyes stared back at Marcus as if challenging him. He read the poster:
of the
MINISTRY OF MAGIC
WANTED
DEAD OR ALIVE
SEVERUS SNAPE
FOR THE MURDER OF ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
AND OTHER NEFARIOUS OFFENSES
G20,000 REWARD
”Twenty thousand galleons? Damn. Got yourself in a world of shit this time, Snape,” Marcus said to the image, taking another swallow of his firewhiskey, “Don’t know why you’d kill Dumbledore though. He was the only one who liked your snarky ass.”
Marcus Delaluci served as Hogwarts’ Spells Breaking teacher for the past year. It was a new position created by Dumbledore. The Headmaster felt Spell Breaking would be an important skill for the students to learn if they found themselves dealing with spells that they did not know the counterspell for. The rugged blonde wizard was a former Eradicator, a member of a secret force that did the dirty work for the Ministry when the usual avenues didn’t work. The group had had been disbanded several years ago when a reporter by the name of Rita Skeeter found out about its existence. Of course the Ministry denied there was ever any “Eradicators” in their employ.
In other words, Marcus was a former assassin who raped, assaulted and killed in the name of politics and the Ministry of Magic. After the Eradictors were disbanded, he spent some time as a mercenary abroad for Gringotts bank, killing natives, nullifying curses and claiming jewel-rich territories around the world. Finally, tired of the bloodshed, he returned to England to try and make an honest, blood-free living. He wasn’t doing very well at it when Albus Dumbledore showed up at his flat and asked him to come to Hogwarts.
Marcus didn’t have anything better to do, other than chase down trim. Actually, he was a fairly good teacher and his pupils loved him…especially the older young witches. He loved them too, albeit discreetly…provided they were the Age of Consent and willing.
Well, maybe love was too strong a word. Fucked would be a better description of what Mr. Delaluci did. He wasn’t big on conscience, though to his credit he didn’t pursue his students. But if they pursued him, they were fair game as far as he was concerned. He made it clear to the young women however, he was not in love with them, nor would he maintain a relationship. It was strictly sex.
As a result, Marcus found himself obliviating quite a few witches who found out later they weren’t mature enough to handle what he offered them, which was little more than a stiff cock and experience. What happened with the SB teacher mattered to them.
The moment a witch walked into his office with her eyes glistening and asking him why he wasn’t paying attention to her, the SB teacher whipped out his wand and removed himself from her memory. Marcus was quite adept at memory charms because of his past. He often had to remove certain memories of his victims who lived while leaving the horror intact. He was fast and precise. The ability certainly came in handy at Hogwarts. He stared down at the parchment.
“Twenty thousand galleons, eh?” the wizard mused.
Marcus had never cared for Snape. He was greasy, snarky, sarcastic and acted as if he owned Hogwarts. He doubted the Potions Master had ever been laid unless he paid for it. He had a run-in with the wizard once, concerning the frequent loss of some potions ingredients.
“Mr. Delaluci,” Severus said to Marcus one day, stopping him on the way to breakfast in the Great Hall, “I do not appreciate you teaching your students how to break the wards on my Potions stores."
Severus was the Dark Arts teacher now, but he still brewed and kept a private Potions store in his DA classroom. It had been raided several times this year. A lot of skill had to go into breaking those wards, skills that students didn't have before Mr. Delaluci arrived.
Marcus looked at him with raised eyebrows.
“There's no proof my Spellbreaking students are the ones breaking into your stores, Snape. I imagine that's been going on long before I came to Hogwarts,” he responded, his violet eyes telescoping to black for a moment, “If you don’t want students breaking into your stores, I suggest you bone up on your magic and use stronger wards.”
Severus’ nostrils flared at the suggestion that his magic was weak. Who the fuck did Marcus Delaluci think he was?
“I assure you my magic is above par and I take offense that you have suggested it is not so. You don’t want to make an enemy of me, Mr. Delaluci,” Snape said darkly.
Marcus loved a good duel.
“Maybe I do,” the wizard replied, meeting Severus’ eyes directly, “I haven’t had a good duel in ages.”
Severus smirked a little. He’d like nothing better than to blast the swaggering bastard to hell.
“Any time you feel ‘froggish,’ Mr. Delaluci, you are welcome to leap,” Severus purred.
Marcus smiled nastily and was about to respond when Albus suddenly swept around the corner with a big smile, offered both wizards lemon drops and escorted them into the Great Hall with a flourish, effectively defusing the situation. They never did get back to the matter, but Marcus remembered Snape was more than willing to have a go.
“Seems like I might get that duel after all, Snape,” Marcus mused, his eyes falling on the G20,000 reward offering.
He started thinking, and thinking hard. How could he possibly get to Snape when no one else could? Snape was most likely with Voldemort and under his protection. The only ones who could enter Voldemort’s presence were his Death Eaters.
Marcus paused.
This wasn’t the safest time to be a Death Eater…but hm.
He had heard it bantered about that Snape was considered a spy loyal to the Order before he killed Dumbledore and had been for years. Too bad the Headmaster didn’t realize just whose side the dark wizard was on.
Marcus was no slouch when it came to filling a role. The Headmaster had been after him to join the Order for over a year before his demise. Marcus always refused, stating he was neutral and if things got bad, he’d just leave the country. He had done enough service for the so called “Greater Good” when he was an Eradicator. He knew the uglier side of it and felt he had earned his stripes. But for twenty-thousand galleons, he could have a change of heart, especially since it might work in his favor. Now…who was the head of the Order now?
Marcus scoured his brain for a moment. Oh yes. Kingsley Shacklebolt.
He’d have to stop by the Ministry and see him since the location of Order headquarters was a secret. Marcus had no doubt Kingsley would put him on. He had several abilities that had made him invaluable to the Eradicators. They would serve him equally well in the Order, if he joined. Marcus had a secret and that was he was of mixed ancestry. Something about a virgin and a dragon that fell in love with her centuries ago. Marcus was the first of his line born with dragon gifts in generations.
His violet eye color was inherited from the dragon, as well as his ability to see in almost total darkness. He could also “zoom in” on objects, like a telescope, the pupils of his eyes enlarging until they appeared almost completely back. He could detect dark magic, resist the effects of veritaserum, and when obliviated, his memories would come back in a few days. He also had another gift…one more appreciated by witches, one which most likely explained how a dragon could mate with a human female.
Marcus could adjust the girth and length of his cock between human size and what he imagined was dragon-size, though he had never used it set on “insanely enormous.” He’d kill someone. However, he was quite the lover, pig that he was.
His brow furrowed, Marcus finished his drink and rose, leaving a galleon on the table. If Snape could play spy…why couldn’t he? However, his focus wouldn’t be on Voldemort…that would be the ruse. He really wanted Snape and those twenty thousand galleons. Once he got the reward, he would leave the Order, leave the school and leave England. Make a new start far beyond Voldemort’s influence. He knew how to disappear.
“I wonder just how you become a Death Eater anyway?” the wizard mused as he exited the inn.
That was something he’d have to look into as well.
*****************************************
Hermione ordered two reference books from Flourish & Blotts, the first being “Dark Magic: Myth and Reality.” The text discussed Horcruxes, though purely from a theoretical view. It did not give the exact spells needed to create a Horcrux, but it did give other pertinent information about them. She also ordered “The Big Book of Soul Magic” another reference guide to spells involving the soul. Again, there were no actual spells, only the history and theories behind the magic. The books were not in stock but she would be able to pick them up in a couple of days.
As she exited the book shop, Hermione saw a wanted poster for Professor Snape attached to a streetlight. She walked up to it and studied the Professor.
“Why did you do it, Professor Snape?” she asked the poster in a sad voice, “The Headmaster cared about you…trusted you. Was his trust misplaced?”
The Professor’s black eyes looked back at her, glinting slightly.
“He’s not going to tell you anything,” a voice said behind her.
Hermione spun and met the violet eyes of Marcus Delaluci. He smiled at her.
“Hard to believe, isn’t it, Miss Granger? That he’d turn on Dumbledore that way,” the wizard said to the witch.
“Yes. It really is,” Hermione said, looking up at Marcus.
“Just goes to show you can’t trust anyone,” Marcus said, his eyes washing over Hermione appraisingly.
Hm. Little Miss Granger was filling out nicely. But alas, the witch was a walking library. Probably everything she knew about sex was out of a book.
Hermione was about to suggest that maybe there was more to what happened with Snape than met the eye, but found she couldn’t do it. Something was stopping her. She realized it was the oath. But, she had taken that oath only concerning Harry’s mission, not Professor Snape. She had been able to talk about her thoughts openly with Harry and Ron, but for some reason, she wasn’t able to say anything to Professor Delaluci. Could he interfere with Harry’s mission in some way?
Something was wrong here but Hermione didn’t know what.
”Yes, these are untrustworthy times, Professor,” she agreed, not letting on something was out of whack with the wizard.
“Are you ready to return to Hogwarts or are you bailing like half the student body?” Marcus asked her.
He doubted Hermione wouldn’t come back. Most likely she cared about her marks more than breathing.
“Oh, I’m definitely coming back. I’m in your Advanced Spellbreaking class this year, and am looking forward to it,” she said, still wondering what it was about Marcus that made the oath go into effect.
“It will be quite challenging, Miss Granger, I promise you. You might even have to come to me for private sessions,” Marcus said, arching a bushy blonde eyebrow at her.
Hermione smiled at him.
“Then it would have to be very challenging, Professor,” she replied.
Marcus knew if anyone could handle the curriculum, it was Hermione Granger. She had the best marks in Hogwarts in the past fifty years. The witch was a walking brain.
“We’ll see, won’t we?” he said with another smile.
Hermione noticed Marcus had a dimple in his right cheek. No wonder the other witches went gah-gah over him. He was handsome enough, but held as much interest sexually for Hermione as playing Quidditch. He was too old.
“Yes we will,” she answered him.
Marcus stared down at her consideringly, then said, “I have to go. See you when school starts, Miss Granger.”
”Goodbye, Professor,” Hermione said.
Marcus gave her a parting smile, then walked away. That was one young witch who wouldn’t be knocking on his door after hours.
Hermione watched him go, then headed for the Leaky Cauldron, her mind once again on Professor Snape. They were certainly offering a large reward for him. Wanted posters were plastered everywhere. But Professor Snape was a very dangerous wizard. She was sure he’d protect himself by any means necessary if someone tried to capture him. That would mean even more blood on his hands. Hermione sighed.
There was more to this…she knew there was. She wished she could find the Professor and talk to him, hear his side of what happened. Harry had told her several times what occurred in the Astronomy tower…but…what happened before then? Before that night?
Hermione pulled out her wand and tapped the pattern that opened the brick wall behind the Leaky Cauldron and stepped through.
She hoped those books would arrive soon.
She had a lot of research to do between now and her return to Hogwarts. Not to mention a bit of planning. She had to figure out how to be alone with Dumbledore’s portrait so she could question it. Professor McGonagall was the Headmistress now and probably wouldn’t take kindly to Hermione wanting to investigate the Headmaster’s death further.
Her response would probably be, “The Ministry is handling it, Miss Granger. I’m sure they have enough experienced people in their employ not to need your help.”
It didn’t help that Minerva was grieving over Albus terribly. They had been lovers for many, many years and it felt as if she had lost not only a friend and respected colleague, but a spouse as well. Of course, none of the student body knew this. Albus and Minerva were masters of discretion. Now, she was alone and had to keep the depth of her grief to herself. It was bound to come out in other ways.
Hermione walked through the Leaky Cauldron without even seeing the patrons, she was so deep in thought. She bumped into a witch smoking a long pipe.
“Oh, excuse me,” Hermione said.
The witch scowled at her. She wore a traditional pointed black hat with matching black robes, had a very pointed chin and a hooked nose with a large wart on the end of it. She was the witchiest looking witch Hermione had ever seen. If she had been green, she could have doubled for the Wicked Witch of the West.
“You should watch where you’re going, young lady,” she sniped at Hermione.
“Sorry,” Hermione said, glancing down to see if the witch wore ruby slippers.
She didn’t. She wore emerald ones with bits of silver running through them. Probably a Slytherin.
Hermione walked past her quickly, the witch squinting after her.
“Young people have NO manners, today,” she complained, then walked up to the bar and ordered a firewhiskey sour.
Hermione exited the bar and headed for home, feeling tired now.
It had been quite a taxing afternoon.
**************************************************
A/N: Welcome Marcus, you scheming git you. Thinking of joining the Death Eaters just so you can catch Severus? You’ll have to get by Voldie first…but hm…maybe the Dark Lord would like another spy at Hogwarts. Anyway, thanks for reading.
A/A/N: I had to rework this chapter and change Marcus' job at Hogwarts to keep the story HBP compliant. He now teaches Spells Breaking