Isolation

A/N: Thanks again so very much to jengeorge and shebringsmewater for their fine beta work. And I wouldn't get far without the help of my hard-working Admin, lyn_f. You ladies are the best!

And, of course, I make no money from the writing and sharing of this story. It all belongs to the amazing JK Rowling.

Chapter 32

Isolation

Although that horrid article by Rita Skeeter had stolen Hermione's appetite, she made her way to her assigned seat at the High Table in the hope of forcing down some breakfast. As she approached, McGonagall waved her over. "You have third period free, if I recall correctly, Professor Granger, do you not?"

"Yes, ma'am," Hermione choked out. She was trying her best to maintain her composure in front of the entire school, but it was indeed difficult.

"Come to my office then."

Hermione nodded obediently and made her way to her seat. She knew it was necessary, but it was the last thing in the world she wanted to do.

As she sat at the table in a feeble attempt to eat breakfast and put on a brave face, she received two more Howlers and four more letters from angry parents. She also noticed, much to her chagrin, that the Headmistress also received several owls, and from the look on Minerva's face, none of them were friendly.

It was all Hermione could do to make it through her first class of the day, double Charms with the fourth-year Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws. When the bell finally sounded, her mind was so stressfully consumed with thoughts of the upcoming meeting that she forgot to assign the class any homework. She absentmindedly straightened papers on her desk as they all quickly filed out, in a rush, no doubt, to exit before she changed her mind. After the room had emptied, she closed and warded the door and headed for Minerva's office.

"Hermione," Minerva began apologetically, "I know this is a most unfair situation, and I know as well as you do that Severus has done nothing to deserve such wicked treatment, but the fact remains that he is a convicted felon and therefore inappropriate for you to keep company with."

"But Minerva..."

"I'm sorry, Hermione, but my hands are tied in this instance. I must answer to both the parents and the Board of Governors, and they are all calling for your resignation if you do not put an end to your association with Severus."

"But I'm the only friend he has!" she insisted. "I can't abandon him now. He cares deeply for my children, and they for him. He needs us!"

"And from everything I've heard, you need this job. You can't have it both ways, Hermione. I'm afraid you will have to choose between Severus Snape and your career here at Hogwarts."

"Please don't do this to me, Minerva. I can't bear to break his heart."

Minerva's eyes narrowed as she studied her former pupil. "Is it his heart or yours that will be broken?"

Hermione sniffed and stared at her shoes as a lone tear meandered down her face.

Minerva moved around the side of the desk and placed a gentle hand on Hermione's shoulder. "Do you love him, child?" she asked with a touch of wonder in her voice.

Hermione nodded as the tears began to flow freely.

"And what are his feelings in this matter?"

"He has never actually said as much, but I believe that he cares deeply for me."

"Oh, dear. This does complicate things. The decision would be easy if he could afford to support you. But you and I both know that's not possible in his present situation. Perhaps someday... But for now, I must insist..."

"NO!" Hermione glared at her former head of house. "I will NOT abandon him. The entire wizarding world turned its back on him when it should have heralded him as a hero. I refuse to do the same. I'll take a Muggle job to support myself if I must. But I will not throw his friendship back in his face. To hell with the rest of the wizarding world. If this is how they treat their heroes, perhaps I'd just as soon wash my hands of the lot."

"Hermione, you don't mean that," Minerva pleaded.

Hermione had stopped crying, her tears having been replaced by sheer rage. "Do what you must, Minerva, but I will not turn my back on Severus Snape!" With that, she turned on her heel and headed for the spiral staircase, teaching robes billowing defiantly behind her.

"You leave me little choice, child," the headmistress called after her. But Hermione disappeared through the door in an irate huff.

"Ah, love's sweet sorrow," commented Dilys Derwint's portrait in a soft, calm voice.

"She is right, you know," Phineas Nigelus Black added with his chin held high. "He deserves an award, not condemnation."

"Don't you think I know that?" Minerva snarled back at him. "But my hands are tied."

"Perhaps we should ask Severus for another alternative," suggested Albus gently. "If he cares for her the way I believe he does, he'll do what's best for her."

*****

Friday morning found Hermione back at the records office at the Ministry of Magic. She had suffered through a number of glares on her way through the corridors, and one employee had even had the gall to mutter Professor Snape's name and tsk at her as she walked by. She tried to ignore the insults and innuendos, but Mrs. Oddfellow's comment was the last straw. She had given the woman instructions as to which records she needed for the morning, and the woman had just returned with a pile hovering behind her. Hermione thought she was going to get off easy, but the old biddy just couldn't keep her thoughts to herself. "Gads, woman!" she announced as she waddled to the front counter. "You had Viktor Krum in the palm of your hand, and you turn him down for that scum, Snape. Have you lost your MIND??!"

In a fit of wandless magic, sparks flew out of Hermione's hand as she pointed her finger in the old fuddy-duddy's face. "Severus Snape is a hero," she growled. "Somehow, some day, I'll prove it. But until then, if I ever hear you speak ill of him again, so help me, I'll turn you into a NEWT – PERMANENTLY!!"

The stuff-budget snorted like the pig that she was. "Well, I never! Such rude behavior." She hobbled away to the back of the room and didn't emerge for the rest of the time that Hermione remained there.

Thank Merlin for small favors. As she cleared her mind and concentrated on her work, Hermione discovered that every transferee that had put in a request to leave the country had been a Muggle-born, and each of their transfer papers had been signed by none other than Dolores Umbridge. The circumstantial evidence was finally beginning to build up against her.

Hermione left the Records Office that afternoon and headed straight up to the Auror Office in hopes of catching Harry to give him an update, but Ron informed her that Harry was away on assignment and wouldn't be back until Wednesday at the earliest. He offered to relay a message, but she declined his offer. Since she didn't dare put her findings in writing, she would just have to wait until he came back.

"Sorry about that article, Hermione," Ron admitted with trepidation. "I know Snape doesn't deserve what he got. And neither do you."

"Thanks, Ron." Hermione gave him a melancholy smile. It was the first kind word she had received since breakfast that morning.

"Hogwarts couldn't ask for a better teacher than you. If they can't see that... well... then they don't deserve you."

"Perhaps you could write a letter to the editor? It might not do much good, but you never know."

"You know writing is not my strong suit, Hermione. But I'll try. I'd tell you to move back in with me and keep on seeing Snape on the side, but after spending so much time in France, I started dating Gabrielle Delacour, and somehow, I don't think having you living there would help my chances with her. I hope you don't mind."

"Oh, no, Ron. I don't mind. I want you to be happy."

"As long as it's with someone else." They both chuckled, and she reached up and gave his shoulder a friendly pat.

"Thanks for telling me. I'd rather hear it from you than through the grapevine."

***

After retrieving Hugo from the Burrow, Hermione made her way home. But her computer beckoned and repelled her simultaneously. She wanted desperately to IM Professor Snape, but she was so afraid of what he would say. Would he refuse to see her anymore, claiming it was for her own good? She had not received an owl from him all week. She knew he must have been stewing over that damnable article. Curse that Skeeter woman!

After a quiet dinner and seeing Hugo to bed, she finally decided to face the music. She held her breath as the screen hummed to life. She was disappointed to discover that he wasn't online. But sure enough, an email awaited her from HalfBloodPrince. When she opened it, her heart sank.

My dearest Miss Granger,

Severus Snape

Well, there it was in a nutshell. McGonagall must have gotten to him... appealed to his inner Gryffindor. One of the few times she wished he wouldn't have been so gallant. She would wait until tomorrow to IM him about the case.

*****

When Sunday afternoon finally came, Hermione dutifully corresponded with Professor Snape about the case as requested. After going back and forth about her findings, they determined that they still didn't have enough to convict Umbridge. Professor Snape asked if she had discussed her findings with Potter. She told him what Ron had conveyed to her the previous Friday afternoon about Harry being out of town on assignment. Snape told her not to worry. He would get the information to Potter during the week. He had an idea as to how to proceed, but he couldn't elaborate at the moment because it was something that she was better off not knowing about. He was attempting to end the conversation when Hugo came into the room.

"Tell Professor Snape that I miss him, and I think Rita Skeeter should be thrown in Azkaban for telling lies about both of you! I can tell the people on the Wizengamot what a great guy he is if he thinks it will help."

Hermione laughed. "I'm afraid they can't throw her into Azkaban for telling lies, love. But here, I'll spell the computer to respond to your voice, and you can tell Professor Snape yourself."

"That would be GREAT! If he can't be here, this is the next best thing." The boy waited patiently while his mother informed Professor Snape of the change and cast the necessary spell.

Snape stared sadly at the computer screen and waited for Hugo's message. He managed a half-smile at the notion that Hugo was willing to testify on his behalf. Such a pure soul. Such a brave heart. He would end up in Gryffindor for sure.

After a short conversation, Miss Granger came back on.

MuggleBornWitch: I echo Hugo's sentiments. I miss you terribly.

HalfBloodPrince: Thank Merlin.

Hermione chuckled.

HalfBloodPrince: I have work to do. I suggest you spend some quality time with your son. Give him a hug for me.

HalfBloodPrince: Of course.

Hermione couldn't quite bring herself to say, "goodbye."

MuggleBornWitch: Until later, then.

HalfBloodPrince: Later.

Apparently, neither could he.

*****

Although Professor Snape had promised to owl Hermione during the week, by Wednesday she had yet to receive anything but more angry letters from parents. McGonagall had given a press release to the Daily Prophet and The Quibbler, which hit the newsstands by that same day, announcing that Professor Granger had ceased socializing with Severus Snape, in the hope of quelling parental objections. So the volume of negative owls finally began to subside. But Hermione knew that suspicions would linger indefinitely unless she could find a way to clear his name.

It all boiled down to convicting Umbridge, finding her guilty, and having her dispelled from the Wizengamot. Then, and only then, would an appeal to prove Professor Snape's innocence have any hope of bearing fruit.

Whatever Professor Snape had up his sleeve, she hoped and prayed it would work.

*****

Wednesday evening, Hermione felt the credit card heat up in her pocket. She had just left the Great Hall after dinner and was heading up to her quarters when she noticed it, so she stepped into a nearby alcove and discreetly pulled it out. It read, "S to P only. 7-12-7p." She knew from the message that Harry and Professor Snape would meet the following evening at 7:00 p.m. She knew the rules: if she was caught, she would probably lose her job. But her heart ached so badly from missing him that she just simply had to go. So she pushed herself to get all of her grading done early, she offered to take a later hall patrol, switching with a grateful Madam Hooch, and tried to look nonchalant as she strolled about the castle grounds the following evening after dinner.

At 6:45 p.m., she managed to end up right by the Whomping Willow. She leaned against a large boulder and pretended to be winded as she scanned the castle windows for curious on-lookers. But it was December. Daylight had made its escape hours ago. And the overcast sky made visibility almost impossible save for the dim light coming from the castle windows. Since no direct light illuminated anything this far away, she needed nothing extra to conceal her activities, but she cast a Notice-Me-Not charm for good measure. Then she Levitated a large rock over the knotted root and let it drop. Just as the tree stilled, an orange fur ball shot through the shadows and into the hole between the roots. Crookshanks! Harry and the Professor will just love this! she mused.

As Hermione and her half-kneazle made their way through the cramped tunnel towards the cellar entrance to the Shrieking Shack, she could feel the anticipation and anxiety growing. Will he be angry with me for showing up uninvited? Will he Disapparate away on the spot? Oh, Merlin, I hope not. Just one hug, Professor, please, please, please? Then I'll leave, I promise.

She continued to practice pleading with her beloved Professor and second-guessing her decision to crash their party until she finally arrived at the end of the tunnel. But as she glanced up, she noticed that there was no light, no sound, no signs of life. She checked her wristwatch. Just before 7:00 p.m. Perhaps I'm a bit early. She Levitated the crate off the opening and lit the end of her wand with a silent Lumos.

She blew the dust from the crate with a loud gust of breath and sat down. Then she decided that the light might attract attention from anyone who happened to pass by, so she extinguished her wand and waited patiently...

Crookshanks leaped up onto her lap and made himself comfortable. She gently stroked his fur as he began to produce a purring sound so loud it could scare away any mouse within fifty feet. The minutes ticked by with an aching lack of speed or enthusiasm. Finally, Hermione glanced down at her watch, whose hands and numbers glowed in the dark. 7:03. I've only been here for five minutes? God, it feels more like fifteen!

She continued to stroke Crookshanks' fur. At this point he had rolled over and was presenting his expansive tummy for inspection. "Professor Snape is never late, Crooks," she pondered out loud. "Now, Harry is quite another matter."

After only about fifteen minutes, but what felt like hours, she finally began to worry about them. "Where could they be, Crooks? Why aren't they here?"

She reached into her pocket and retrieved the credit card. The message from the day before was still emblazoned on its surface. "S to P only. 7-12-7p." No change. A change would have shown up and stayed there, even if she had not noticed the card burning. She glared at her watch. 7:30 p.m. If they were coming, they would have been here by now.

As the tears rolled down her contorted face, she felt soft paws knead her shattered heart. Then her familiar stretched up to put his front paws on either side of her neck, and he silently licked her tears away. "Is this why you came, love, to comfort me? How did you know?" She cradled the flat-faced fluff-ball in her arms and buried her nose in his soft belly. "How did you know I would need you so much?"