Chapter 46

Disclaimer: Not mine. I just borrowed them for a while. I promise to put them back when I'm done. Also, no money made either...just for fun. Oh, and all of Professor Twycross' dialogue, the snippets that I have, are borrowed without permission from Mrs. Rowling's book. I truly hope she doesn't mind.

There are some deviations to canon in this chapter: the fight between Ginny and Dean as well as Ron's breakup with Lavender will happen in a different time than in the books, and Aragog doesn't die in this chapter. (Who'd want a humongous dead spider lying around for several days?) Likewise, since I consider a concussion to be a serious medical condition, I have Harry in the hospital ten days instead of three days like it happens in canon. He will also have a girlfriend for a short time before his interest turns to Ginny. But other than that, the events that are not mentioned in this story, especially pertaining to Dumbledore, Draco Malfoy and Professor Slughorn, that happen in the books remain as they happened in the books, at least the parts from Harry's perspective.

I want to give a great big thank you hug to my alpha reader, Arabellabloodgood, Proulxes for the bit of Brit-picking, and to Phoenix for combing through this and helping me clean up my many mistakes. I really appreciate it more than you can possibly know.

Thank you, Jay, for the beautiful banner. I absolutely love it!

---

Hermione went to see Ron after her Ancient Runes lesson on the following Monday. She was worried about him; Madam Pomfrey had kept him in the hospital all day Sunday, and she hadn't released him this morning. She feared that Harry's use of the bezoar hadn't been enough to heal him. "Ron, how are you feeling?" Hermione asked as she approached his bed. She couldn't stay long; she had double Defense Against the Dark Arts after the break, so she was glad to see him awake. Lavender had been complaining that he was always asleep when she stopped by.

"I still get tired easily," he replied, pushing himself up so he could sit and talk to her. "You didn't see Lavender on the way here, did you?" Hermione shook her head, which made him relax and look immensely relieved. "Good. She comes in here like six times a day! I'm supposed to be resting, not snogging her every two to three hours."

Hermione fought the urge to roll her eyes.

"May I ask you something?"

"Of course," she said, sitting on the very edge of his bed.

"I was wondering if you'd get me some books," he said as he reached for a slip of parchment on his bedside table. "I'd ask Harry, but you probably already know where they are, and you don't have a lending limit like Harry and I do."

No, that was true; she didn't have a lending limit. "Okay, Ron," she said as she accepted the parchment he held out to her. The six books on his list were rather advanced...well, more advanced than she'd seen him reading before, and they were all magical theory books...not one of them related to Quidditch. "I'll bring these by after dinner, all right?"

"Great."

She noticed that the marker in his book, Golpalott's Magical Principles Pertaining to Potions, showed that he'd already read about three fourths of the book. "How are you getting on with Bertrand Golpalott's Theological Laws?"

Ron shrugged. "The bloke's pretty up himself, but I understand him all right. His Ninth Law seems like a copout. 'Whenever multiple ingredients share the same neutralizing ingredient or ingredients, then that ingredient or ingredients, infused with the magical properties of a bezoar, is the antidote,' seems very narrow-minded."

Pretty up himself... a copout? Hermione was a little shocked by his odd answer; it was not the kind of reaction she was used to from him. Usually she had to explain the theories to him, and here he'd just quoted it to her, then called it a copout!

"Obviously the bezoar is the neutralizer, because it apparently neutralizes the poison, but not the effects, and the other antidotal ingredient or ingredients neutralize the poison's ingredients – again, not the effects – the ingredients combinations that counter the effects should therefore be combined to make the cure. I think he missed that," Ron continued. "One could then argue that Neville Hinshelwood's theory on acrogenic flora for neutralization of acidic poisons is analogous just as easily, if you take into account that old red flora is used for its acid reduction capability of neutralizing many acidic ingredients, but is rarely used in Healing potions. When red flora is immersed in an arsenic-laced solution, it neutralizes the poison, but not the effects of the poison...same thing goes for a bezoar."

"I remember her theory; she came up with it after testing old red flora on Fireproofing Solution burns and Exfoliating Potion rashes and found it neutralized the boric acid," Hermione said, amazed that he knew of it. She couldn't believe how weird he was being or that she was even having this discussion with Ron, of all people. He never wanted to talk about magical theory.

"Yes, rather like Jean-Ambroise Paré's proven hypothesis; both old red flora and bezoars are effective against some acidic ingredients in acidic poisons, but they have no effect against alkaline poisons."

Hermione was once again shocked; Jean-Ambroise Paré's proven hypothesis...? "The man used his father's experiments on Muggle criminals to substantiate his theories... but he hadn't actually done any experimentation of his own."

"But his theory was proven...I'm living proof of it; Paré simply reported his findings from his father's research," Ron insisted and then asked conversationally, "Do you know Jean-Ambroise Paré's hypothesis? It corresponds perfectly to Robert Goyle's Law on Alkalines."

Hermione nodded, not in agreement with Ron, just acknowledging that she'd read it, wondering when he'd read Goyle's Law. Oh, this conversation is too bizarre! It's...it's almost like he's not Ron! Even though this felt like a sort of suspended reality, she answered his question like she'd always done. "Of course I do; it's based on his experiment of using a bezoar for arsenic poisoning. The toxic compounds in arsenic are arsenate and arsenite. Bezoars have a mineral brushite which neutralizes arsenate, and the sulfur compounds found in the protein of degraded hair, one of the key crystalline structures in the bezoar, binds to the arsenite, rendering it harmless."

"Yeah, well, that's what I'm basing my essay on for Slughorn: the comparative of Golpalott's Ninth Laws and Neville Hinshelwood's theory to Jean-Ambroise Paré's hypothesis and Robert Goyle's Law on Alkalines."

"Professor Slughorn. Really, Ron, would it hurt you to address your teachers properly?" Hermione asked, rolling her eyes. She had to admit it though, his thesis for his essay was brilliant, unorthodox, but brilliant. Ron explained theory on alkaline versus acidic antidotes and his rationale of separating the neutralizers from Healing potions, then explained his reasoning of having the victims of the poisoning take them consecutively. Hermione disagreed with him, and she was more than a little disconcerted by his ideas, but for the sake of discussion she heard Ron out. She was amazed while at the same time felt slightly concerned at his reasoning. But this was Ron she was talking to...Ron who never quoted books or theories before.

But if he is right... She immediately dismissed the idea; it was too dangerous to consider. There was a reason that antidotes both neutralized the poison and healed the effects...the victim could die. She wanted to discuss it with Professor Snape to see what he thought of Ron's theory. She quickly changed the subject, telling him what a pest McLaggen was being now that Harry was letting him play for the house team.

---

After her Defense lesson, Hermione approached Professor Snape and waited as he changed their list of spells on the backboard to reflect the parchment in his hand with a few swirling movements of his wand. "What is it, Miss Granger?" he asked, his back to her.

Hermione had been looking at his parchment and was thrown momentarily off-footed by the indifference of his tone. "Sir, I was wondering if you have some time to answer a question."

He faced her fully, almost bumping into her as he turned around, and appeared taken aback that she was standing so near. "Does it relate to today's lesson?" he asked.

She caught a brief whiff of his cologne as he sidestepped her and set his parchment on his desk. "No, sir, not really," she said, shaking off the brief headiness from the scent. Merlin, he always smells so good, she thought and stepped forward to stand closer to him, but he moved to sit behind his desk.

She rested her fingertips on the surface of his desk, lightly brushing the smooth wood as she formulated the best way of wording her concern, and his gaze dropped to them as if the action was offensive. She removed her hand, watching his expressionless face for any clues to why he was behaving this way. He'd avoided her earlier in class, although truthfully, her nonverbal skills were greatly improved, and even Neville was doing much better, so they'd hardly needed his intervention.

She asked the first logical explanation she could come up with, hoping it wasn't the case, "Are you angry with me for breaking your nose? If you are, I'm so sorry, but it was an accident, really."

"No," he said, his tone still firm, but not angry. "Considering the circumstances, no, I do not hold it against you." But he seemed so stiff and... as if he was using an outward show of indifference to distance himself like she'd observed him do with others, especially on Order members he wasn't friendly with.

"Professor, what have I done to offend you?" she asked, perplexed.

He inhaled sharply. "I am not offended; you've done nothing untoward." One corner of his mouth twitched. "Yet."

Her lips quirked slightly at what she hoped was a sarcastic, but friendly jibe. He's in professor mode...we could be interrupted... She decided to be honest with him and told him about Ron's theory. "The thing is, it's... it's not like Ron to talk like this. He never used to want to talk about magical theory in any subject, and some of what he'd suggested... well, it makes me feel concerned."

"I see," he said and the fingers on his right hand drummed rhythmically on his desk. "I don't understand the problem."

"If I didn't know better, I'd say he was someone Polyjuiced to be Ron, but that's preposterous, right?" She paused, maybe she was worried over nothing. "He quoted Bertrand Golpalott's Theological Law, and then called him narrow-minded, then quoted Neville Hinshelwood's theory on acrogenic flora and the chemist-alchemist Jean-Ambroise Paré's hypothesis... and he mentioned Robert Goyle's Law on Alkalines. But Jean-Ambroise Paré's book is in the Restricted Section as is the book on Robert Goyle's Law on Alkalines. The thing is, I've never read anything comparing these theories before in such a way, and Ron hasn't been given permission to use the Restricted Section, that I know of, so where had he read it?" She could see in his eyes that he was disturbed by her revelation.

Professor Snape stood. "Miss Granger, follow me," he said and led her all the way to his office. He'd opened the door and told her to wait inside, then returned with an old tome in his hands. "I think this will interest you," he said and thrust the book at her.

She clasped it with both hands and examined the title: The Collected Works of Lucien M. Underwood's Potions Experiments.

"This book may not leave my rooms. It is illegal to possess that book," Professor Snape said, and she looked up at him in shock. He cocked his eyebrow at her and continued, "I have special dispensation from the Ministry of Magic and from Dumbledore himself. I use his books simply as reference material, but some of his potions have, on occasion, saved the life of a student...or Order members. St. Mungo's has a copy of all his works, naturally, as do I, but I also know that there are copies of his work in the Lestranges' library as well in the Malfoys' and the Goyles'."

"How did you get them?" she asked.

His expression darkened. "That, I will not tell you. Turn to the chapter titled, Experimentation Utilizing Alkalines and Acids."

She turned to the chapter and began to read. It looked like someone had simply taken the wizard's handwritten journals and compiled them into a book. Professor Snape waited patiently as Hermione read the first several pages. She turned the page again and was surprised that he'd copied the periodic table with dynamic layouts showing the names, atomic numbers, electron configurations, oxidation, trend visualization, orbitals, isotopes, and recurring chemical properties. She looked up at her professor both questioningly and confused.

"Yes," he said before she voiced her questions. "He, like some Potioneers, studied Muggle chemistry. Not all of it applies to brewing potions, but as I've said before, it helps to fully understand the elements involved."

Yes, she remembered seeing his books in his office.

Professor Snape pointed to the book. "He proposed several theories for the creation of antidotes for poisons, some of the antidotes poisonous in of themselves, but he was not really concerned with the creation of healing antidotes or for devising ones for his creations. However, his initial summations about bezoars are quite accurate, and he quotes Jean-Ambroise Paré on several occasions. Lucien Underwood was well known for his experimentations in several magical arts, the search for answers without any regard of the products he created. He cared more about the knowledge he gained in creating than in the use someone may make of it."

"Wasn't he a Dark wizard who became the right hand of Gellert Grindelwald...?" Hermione asked, scanning through the page Professor Snape had indicated. Ron's theory, all of it, was right here, in what looked like Lucien Underwood's own handwriting.

"The very same," he said. "You do know that you cannot quote this book as one of your references."

She nodded and turned the page. "But he makes some interesting assumptions."

"Yes, he did," Professor Snape said, leaning against his desk with his arms crossed.

She read through a rather disturbing alkaline poison containing both lye and ammonia, feeling her stomach knot as she read through the description of the physical effects of the victim. When she reached the end of the chapter, she looked up at her professor again. "I..." But she really didn't know what to say. He was brilliant...but horrible.

Professor Snape held out his hand, and she closed the book and handed it back to him. "Do you want to discuss his work?"

She slowly shook her head as she crossed her arms, hugging herself. "No, not really. I appreciate you're showing me his theories, but what I don't understand is how Ron knows about them."

"Can't you determine how he'd gain this knowledge?"

This was the second time he'd challenged her this way this year. She stroked her lips with her thumb, trying to come up with a logical answer. Ron couldn't have seen the book...it was restricted...illegal. Professor Snape mentioned that Lucien Underwood had other books, 'all his works', but she was certain that they were not in the Restricted Section, only his autobiography was. There were two biographies on him in the library and a very detailed one in the Restricted Section... She'd read all four, looking for information on Horcruxes, but they didn't include very many of his theories, only summaries, and they certainly didn't have any of details on his experiments or listed out his potions. But Ron knew the wizard's theory...he had practically quoted it.

She turned her head, trying to rationalize it, and her gaze stopped on the frame with the background that reminded her of the Mona Lisa and a jar holding a small brain in formaldehyde. Seeing the brain sparked another memory; Dennis Creevey...Professor Snape said that Dennis had been assaulted by the memories from the brain of Mordrid Swithin Wroithesley in the Department of Mysteries, and that he'd successfully assimilated the memories of the eighteenth century Necromancer and Alchemist with his own. "Is...was the brain that attacked Ron... Lucien Underwood's brain?" she asked slowly, fighting back the horror and revulsion she felt at the thought.

Professor Snape nodded, and Hermione thought for a moment she'd be sick. "Yes, the alien memories from Lucien M. Underwood's brain were a bit more befuddled when I first checked Mr. Weasely. Professor McGonagall has been watching him, as have the other Heads of House, for obvious reasons, and so far, Mr. Weasley does not show any inclination toward Dark Arts or magical experimentation, although he has developed an interest in Dark Arts theory...but it appears that he still is repulsed by the Dark Arts themselves," he said smoothly.

She could read concern in his voice as well as his reassurance that Ron would be all right, but this information still bothered her. "So this could be the reason Ron is more studious this year," she said, somewhat oddly gratified that it was due to this horrible Dark wizard's influence and not because of Lavender Brown. Ron had been very interested in the annotations of Harry's potions book...apparently even tried a few of the spells...but as far as she knew, he hadn't done any experiments on his own.

"Professor McGonagall has noticed that Mr. Weasley has shown more initiative in his lessons," he replied, and Hermione nodded; she had seen a change in his participation in their lessons. "And he is demonstrating a better aptitude in his magical application and in his homework, but beyond that, I see no difference in the boy at all. Although, this is the first time I've heard that he's quoted one of the wizard's theories."

Hermione's mind raced: she wondered what else this could mean for Ron. How much would Lucien M. Underwood's memories influence him? The wizard had created some truly horrible spells and potions...he'd done some horrific experiments.

She felt his hands on her arms and inhaled slowly, detecting earthy and rich oakmoss... that subtle hint of vetiver combined with orange oil and cedar, savoring the intoxicating aroma, before he said roughly, "Miss Granger, sit."

She looked up at him. His dark eyes were searching hers, and his expression clearly showed his concern. She complied, landing in a chair she hadn't realized was behind her, feeling regret when he backed away.

He conjured a glass out of nowhere, filled it with a subtle, "Aguamenti," and handed to her.

He filled it wandlessly! she thought, taking a sip. It was ice cold.

He watched her, scrutinizing her. "Are you all right?"

"Yes, sir, I just... if Ron is...how much will the memories influence him?"

"That's hard to say," he replied, leaning back against his desk and crossing his arms. "We were under the opinion that the assimilation was complete. I will have to discuss this with Professor McGonagall and the Headmaster." He looked away for a moment. "He will be observed, but he's not done anything of concern. However, I do appreciate you coming to me about this."

She nodded as she swallowed another mouthful of water. "Of course. I'm grateful to you for taking time to talk to me."

"You've only to ask," he said with a slight smile, but then he became serious again, "Let me know if you see anything else out of the ordinary or out of character."

"Of course," she readily agreed.

"Good. Lunch started ten minutes ago, you should go to the Great Hall..."

She shook her head. "No, I...I don't think I could eat anything."

He scowled. "You have to eat something. Two pieces of toast at breakfast are hardly enough to sustain you until dinner."

Hermione gaped at him, wondering how he'd known...why he knew what she'd had for breakfast.

"I suggest you go up to the Great Hall and eat something," he said firmly, rising up to escort her out.

"Yes, sir," she said, smiling at his concern.

---

Hermione heard Mrs. Weasley's voice as she rounded the corner. "Ron really seems to have finally buckled down in his school work," Mrs. Weasley commented to Professor McGonagall, then looked up as if surprised to see her. "Oh, hello, Hermione dear, are you going to go see Ron?"

"Yes," she replied and greeted her professor politely. "I have some more books for Ron. He's trying to keep up on his revision so he doesn't get too far behind."

Mrs. Weasley smiled. "I always knew you'd be a good influence on Ronald," she said.

Hermione smiled benignly and didn't comment that Ron's sudden scholastic interest had little to do with her.

Mrs. Weasley turned to Professor McGonagall. "I have to get back and start dinner. Bill is staying with us."

Hermione watched the two women walk off and hurried down the corridor to see Ron, her bag loaded with the books he'd requested. She was so happy that he wanted to keep up with his school work, who or what had inspired the change in him didn't even matter.

Hermione entered the hospital and waved to Madam Pomfrey. As she approached the curtain separating off his bed, she heard Harry's voice. "I just think it's odd, you know...that Professor Snape had an argument with Dumbledore...not wanting to do what he'd been asked to do. I mean, he always does what the Headmaster wants, so what could Dumbledore have wanted..."

"Enough, Harry, so he had an argument. Adults argue; it's no big deal," Ron said, cutting him off a bit curtly. "Knight to H-six. It doesn't mean anything."

Hermione purposefully walked around the corner and saw Ron and Padma sitting crossed-legged across from each other with a chess board floating steadily in the air between their knees. Padma was doing quite well apparently, judging by the look of concentration on Ron's face, far better than Hermione had ever played.

Harry sat on the chair, his forearms on his thighs as he watched them playing wizard's chess. He looked up at Ron, his expression troubled. "Teachers don't usually argue with Dumbledore though, do they?" he persisted as the little knight swung its sword and chopped off the head of a pawn.

"I heard Professor Flitwick argue with the Headmaster once, something to do with Professor Slughorn," Padma said adding, "Rook to E-three." She smiled as her bishop and rook cornered his king. "Checkmate. Good game, I really enjoyed it."

Ron was scrutinizing the board as if trying to determine how he'd lost. "Yes, me too."

"Maybe we can play again some time?" Padma asked.

Ron looked up and gave Padma a goofy-lopsided grin. "Yeah, I'd like that."

Padma smiled as she passed Hermione, and Hermione watched her leave, wondering when she'd become friendly with Ron and Harry. She turned back to face the boys when she heard Ron ask Harry, "She's pretty, don't you think?"

Harry shrugged. "I think she's forgiven you for the muck up at the Yule Ball."

"Do you think so?" Ron asked, leaning over to watch Padma walk away.

Hermione rolled her eyes. Great. Now he's interested in Padma. "When did you two get friendly?" she asked, dumping her bag on the foot of his bed.

"She came to see me with Lavender and Parvati," Ron said, collapsing on his bed and crossing his arms as Hermione set the chest board on his bedside table.

"Ron, have you called things off with Lavender?" she asked, turning to face him. "She still thinks she's your girlfriend."

Ron's ears turned pink. "Er, no, not yet."

"Ron, you can't start things with Padma if you're still seeing Lavender," she pointed out. Boys could be so daft.

"Do you think she wants to?" Ron asked hopefully as he propped himself up on his elbows, his eyes going wide.

"Well, she's been here twice to see you, hasn't she?" Harry said, smiling at his friend.

"She's Lavender's friend! Parvati's twin...it just isn't done!" Hermione exclaimed.

"Relax, Hermione, it will sort itself out," Ron said, sinking back down onto his pillows.

"Yeah, just keep feigning being asleep every time Lavender comes, and she'll get the hint eventually," Harry said with a soft chuckle.

Hermione palmed her face as she shook her head. She looked at the broken pieces scattered on his blanket. "Do you want me to restore these?"

"Yeah, will you?" Ron asked still looking at the ceiling. "I don't have much strength right now."

Hermione looked at the pile of rubble. It was so much easier repairing them as they were 'killed' during the game, rather than trying to sort them all out later. "Rooks Reparo," she tried first with a flick of her wand, pleased to see three pieces quickly repair themselves neatly.

"Now about Snape," Ron said, looking at Harry as Hermione flicked her wrist again saying, "Bishops Reparo."

"I've been thinking..."

"Professor Snape," Hermione corrected him, "and I thought you said it was no big deal? King Reparo." The black king literally popped as it came together.

Ron turned to look at her. Well, they both did. "Of course, I said that in front of Padma! I wasn't about to get into this with her around...it's private!" He turned to Harry. "Dumbledore set Snape a task or maybe to help him with a cursed object? Nah, he'd like that. Or something he dislikes... something to do with teaching you something again...or possibly having ..."

Hermione rolled her eyes saying, "Knights Reparo...Queens Reparo" with twin flicks of her wrist as she repaired three knights and both queens. "Really, Ron, it could be anything. He could be telling Professor Snape to..."

"...to do with getting a memory from another Death Eater... That could be it," Ron continued as if he hadn't heard her.

"You're only speculating. Hagrid only heard a fragment of the conversation, not enough to deduce anything," she said, looking at the pile of debris that used to be the pawns. She lowered her voice. "He's Dumbledore's spy, remember? It could have something to do with Order business, something Dumbledore wants Snape to do...or find out, but it could be risky, obviously something he doesn't want to do. It might have something to do with a memory, yes, that could be... but think. If Professor Snape was to take a memory from another Death Eater, something that might pertain to," she lowered her voice even lower, "Horcruxes," so that both boys had to lean in to hear her, "and that Death Eater remembered...it could be really dangerous for him. He might have to Oblivate the man...or witch," she added remembering that Bellatrix and Mrs. Malfoy were Death Eaters. "And if Voldemort somehow found out that that person had been Oblivated...from using Legilimency on him... Thing is, even though someone uses an Oblivate on another person, it can leave a trace, or there might be a lingering memory of the person who did it... The mind is really complex. I've read all about memory charms." She wasn't ready to tell them why.

Harry's expression became stubborn as if she wasn't taking him seriously, but Ron was listening aptly, nodding occasionally as if he were really considering what she was saying.

"That's one scenario," Ron admitted and then turned to Harry. "All you have to do is go down and confront Hagrid, get him to talk about the argument again. You know how he slips up, says things he realizes that he shouldn't. Maybe he'll divulge something more."

Harry nodded and smiled.

Hermione wanted to smack her forehead and bury her head in her hands. Instead, she aimed her wand and cast the strongest Restoring Charm she could, "Pawns Reparo," making the bedcovers, and Ron's legs jump as well as all the broken pieces reassembled themselves.

"Bloody hell, Hermione," Ron yelped. "You don't have to repair my legs, too!"

---

Apparition lessons were cancelled due to the Quidditch match. For some reason Professor McGonagall allowed Luna to commentate the game. Hermione couldn't remember a game she'd enjoyed more. That was until Gryffindor lost when McLaggen pelted Harry with Bludger and cracked his skull.

The next day, Hermione visited Hagrid before dinner to see how he was doing, because he was still worried for his friend, Aragog, the Acromantula he'd had as a pet. As she left Hagrid's, the air seemed bitingly cold compared to the warm hut.

"It's a bit late for you to be outside."

She turned and smiled at Professor Snape; she hadn't seen him or heard him approach. "I was visiting Hagrid and lost track of the time," she explained, rubbing her arms to warm up.

"And how is the Acromantula doing?" he asked.

She shrugged. "Apparently it's very ill." She fought the urge to hurry up to the castle, delighted to have a chance to talk to him some, but she wished she'd had the forethought to bring her coat.

Professor Snape removed his traveling cloak and draped it across her shoulders. "Won't you be cold?" she asked.

"Unlike yourself, I dressed for the weather," he said with a bemused smirk.

"It was warmer when I left the castle, and Hagrid's hut was really warm," she said in her defense, holding the edges of the cloak with both hands. She pulled the cloak tighter and raised one edge over her nose, inhaling deeply.

"What are you doing? Smelling my cloak?" he asked, his brows creased as he watched her.

She shook her head, embarrassed to be caught, and could feel her face heat up. "I...my nose is cold."

"Uh huh," he murmured. He inquired as to how her lessons were going as they walked together, and she told him about the spells she'd been learning. "Dennis is working on an Alchemy project involving stabilizing the alkaline metals so they can be used in water based potions."

"That would be some feat, considering that the alkali metals and alkaline earth metals, except for beryllium, react with water: alkaline earth metals from alkaline hydroxides, and alkali metals react vigorously or explosively with water, especially tepid or cold water, producing a basic alkali metal hydroxide, which releases hydrogen gas, thus all should be handled with great care in the laboratory," he said.

She smiled. She loved discussing things...anything...with him. "The heavier alkaline metals react more vigorously than the lighter ones," she said as they reached the castle doors, "which is why the potion base must always be heated to the right temperature, to reduce the possibility of asphyxiation."

"Precisely," he said and opened the door for her, then followed her into the Entrance Hall.

She handed him back his cloak once the door closed. "Thank you."

"My pleasure," he replied, draping the black cloth over his arm. "Good night, Miss Granger."

"Good night, sir," she replied with a warm smile, although neither of them moved.

He breathed a heavy, "Huh," nodded to her, then turned to go, and she did the same, walking away with a heavy sigh. It was still hours before curfew so she decided to go visit Harry in the hospital wing and hurried up the stairs.

She was surprised to see Romilda Vane visiting Harry.

"Oh, hi," Romilda said, sitting up straighter. "Uh, I suppose you..." She turned to look at Harry. "I'll come by later, all right?"

"All right," Harry replied with a goofy grin on his face.

Romilda gave his hand a little squeeze and gracefully rose to leave. She smiled at Hermione, a weak one-sided smile, and quickly hurried away. Hermione watched her go for a second before turning to face Harry. "Romilda Vane? Really, Harry? She tried to poison you with a love potion, or have you forgotten?"

"It's not like that, Hermione, she...she just really likes me and didn't know how else to get my attention. She's really nice once you give her a chance."

Hermione watched him critically, wondering if Romilda had slipped Harry another love potion.

Harry crossed his arms. "Hermione, really, she explained everything and even apologized to Ron. Besides, don't you think Madam Pomfrey would notice if someone slipped one of her patients a love potion? She's already checked in on me twice today, and other than this bloody headache and feeling nauseous and dizzy when I move too quickly, I'm fine."

He had a point. Besides if he was experiencing nausea, he'd be given his potion before every meal. At least he didn't seem to have slurred speech or sensitivity to sound and lights. "Do you still have the ringing in your rears?"

"No, not so much anymore, but then it's really quiet in here when Ron's not snoring."

"Oi! I heard that," Ron said from the next bed.

"My equilibrium is still off a bit, but Madam Pomfrey says it will go away once the swelling is gone, and she assures me I'll be able to fly a broom in no time."

"Well, that is a relief," she said, sitting in the chair. She spotted the map folded up under his pillow. "So have you given up watching Draco on the map?"

"No," Harry replied sulkily. "But I have asked Kreacher and Dobby to tail Malfoy..."

"Harry, you didn't!" She hated that he would use Kreacher in such a way. Dobby, she knew, would literally do anything for Harry, but that was beside the point. She listened to him go on about Malfoy and Harry's theories and speculations.

"Hagrid said to tell you hello," she said when he was winding down, hoping to change the subject. "He's really concerned for his friend Aragog."

"That mangy spider?" Ron asked. "Well, good riddance, if you ask me. Imagine, there's a whole nest of them in the forest now."

Hermione smiled, knowing Ron's fear of spiders, pleased that at least there were some things unchanged about her friend.

---

Professor Snape kept his distance, only talking to Hermione in class, and so far they hadn't had another practice session of magical handball, as she affectionately dubbed it. Ron was released from the hospital Friday but he was not cleared to attend the Apparition lesson and went to library instead.

Harry was dismissed from the Hospital after spending ten days under Madam Pomfrey's care, the same day that Ron finally managed to call it quits with Lavender.

Harry had his fourth meeting with Dumbledore (because Hermione hardly considered viewing old memories a lesson regardless of how informative they were about Voldemort) the following day. Harry related everything to Ron and Hermione afterwards: about seeing the memory of Tom Riddle visiting Hepzibah Smith, and Dumbledore's memory of Tom asking for the DADA teaching post at Hogwarts and what Harry remembered about Dumbledore's conclusions. She had been as surprised as Harry that Tom had worked at Borgin and Burkes after failing to secure a teaching position from Professor Dippet, who had been the Headmaster at the time, considering what an exemplary student Tom had been...she'd have thought he'd have had larger ambitions. She had not been surprised that he'd stolen Hufflepuff's cup and Slytherin's Locket and framed Mrs. Smith's house-elf.

A diary, the ring that had belonged to his grandfather and supposedly has the Peverell's coat of arms on it, Hufflepuff's Cup, Slytherin's locket... Is there a pattern? she'd thought as she'd made a list on the margin of her journal. Two of them supposedly belonged to two of the founders of the school. The ring didn't, and the scratches she saw matched a symbol she'd seen in both Gellert Grindelwald's and Lucien Underwood's biographies in the Restricted Section: the triangle with a circle in it, bisected by a line. She wished that she could ask Professor Snape about the symbol, but knew she couldn't betray both Harry's and the Headmaster's confidences.

Wednesday, Hermione saw Romilda and Harry walking together in the corridor, and Romilda sat next to Harry in the Great Hall that evening. Hermione asked Harry about his friendship with Romilda that night as she reviewed his essays and, after a few probing questions, he admitted to having kissed her. Ron on the other hand, talked about his possible romance with Padma. Hermione supposed she was happy for her friends, considering that neither girl seemed to show the same jealousy toward Hermione as Lavender had.

When Saturday rolled around, Ron still wasn't allowed to attend Apparition lessons, which had angered him considerably. Harry was not cleared to attend either, but he chose to spend the afternoon with Romilda, so Ron had sulked off to the library by himself. Hermione went to the lesson alone, determined to finally make a successful Apparition, but no matter how hard Hermione tried, she still hadn't managed to Apparate. She was starting to feel like the rest of the students, although she couldn't resort to voicing her grumblings to anyone.

As she walked down to the following lesson a week later, Hermione contemplated the mystery of Draco's task. Dobby had informed them that Draco has been using the Room of Requirement. Ron deduced that the students keeping watch for him were possibly Crabbe and Goyle under Polyjuice Potion. Harry had described a room, one of the possible options that the Room of Requirement had, a huge store room full of all sorts of old junk... but even though he tried getting in all week, the door never opened for him.

However, once in the Great Hall, Hermione pushed all thoughts of Malfoy aside. She stood by her usual hoop and when Professor Twycross told them to begin, focused on her destination. She was determined. As she spun deliberately, she tried to let her magic flow, intent on the task of doing a successful Apparition.

She failed. Again. As well as on her second and third time. She was no closer to it her fourth or fifth. She stared at the hoop and tried to determine what she was doing wrong.

"Miss Granger?" Professor McGonagall asked as she walked by. "Is there a problem?"

"Ah, no, professor," she replied and saw Professor Snape watching her. She heard his words in her mind, 'Focus your determination on your intended action, say the incantation, and then release your magic... without losing focus...' What if releasing my magic is the wrong course? She remembered what she'd read in Physical Shapeshifting Through Transformation by Phaedrus Goldschlager her third year; something about melding her magic with her physical form... She'd thought it an odd concept at the time, but right now it made sense. She was, in a sense, casting a spell on herself. Her magic had to flow in her, taking her with it to the desired location...in this case the hoop in front of her. She closed her eyes, focusing her magic, letting it build up as she thought of where she wanted to be, sufficiently focused on her destination, determined that was where she was going to go, and released her magic within as she made her deliberate action...

Nothing.

Bugger! Bugger.

But she'd felt something, something different, she was sure of it. She tried again.

She'd moved two feet. She wasn't sure if she'd moved because of her turning or if she'd only Apparated two feet. Either way it didn't count, she wasn't in her hoop.

She tried again; the space within the hoop clearly visualized in her mind, determined to get it right this time, and deliberately released her magic within herself as she made her attempt....

Hermione screamed in pain, grasping her hand as she opened her eyes. Her finger was missing! She lost her finger. It was just starting to bleed when she felt a tremendously forceful pulse hit her from two sides, heard the ear-deafening bang as the magic surrounding her clashed and bonded, layering together as it seeped into her every pore. She felt her hand grow cold, bone-chilling cold, then felt the sensation of hundreds of fiery needle pricks on her hand. She stood there, gasping. Trembling. But when she looked at her hand, it appeared normal.

"Miss Granger," Professor McGonagall said, wrapping her arm about Hermione's shoulders.

Hermione looked down. She was standing in her hoop. She'd Splinched...but she was standing in her hoop! She looked up at her professor and saw Professor Snape standing four feet away from Professor McGonagall, watching her intently. "I did it! I failed...I Splinched, but I did it, didn't I?"

"Yes, on all accounts," Professor McGonagall said, nodding with a sympathetic smile. "Steady now. It's all right, you're fine now."

But Hermione felt elated. Yes she'd Splinched, but the more she thought about it, the more she focused on exactly what she'd done and how she'd done it, the more she felt like she could do it again.

"I think you should go up to the hospital wing..." Professor McGonagall was saying.

She tried to protest, wanting to try again, but the other students were leaving and Professor Twycross was magically collecting their hoops.

"It's best you go, Miss Granger," Professor McGonagall said kindly.

"I'll see to her," Professor Snape said. "You should see to Mr. Longbottom; he looks green."

Hermione turned and smiled at him. "I did it...you healed me, but I did it!"

"All right, Severus," Professor McGonagall said, and hurried over to help Neville.

"Miss Granger, come with me," Professor Snape said, taking hold of her arm gently and guiding her from the Great Hall. However, he led her to his office instead of the hospital wing. "Sit down," he said, a softly spoken demand.

She complied. He left the office for a moment and returned a few minutes later with three small potion dosing cups and a small jar on a small tray. She looked at the potions, then up at him.

"They are healing potions," he said with a roll of his eyes. "Steadfastness and Calming Draught for the shock, and a Rejuvenating Potion to help your hand. Take them in succession, right one first."

He waited patiently until she finished all three. She immediately felt better. Professor Snape then rubbed a little of the emollient from the jar into her hand, massaging her fingers. She watched him, feeling that warm fuzziness she sometimes got when someone brushed her hair, only it emanated from her hand to her head. She was disappointed when he let go of her hand, but her hand felt much better and more flexible.

He wiped his hand on a handkerchief as he turned his head and barked, "Toopsy, bring two plates of food, one for myself and one for a student, and two drinks."

A house-elf appeared with a tray. She placed a plate with a thick sandwiches, crisps and some fruit on his desk near Hermione with a standard student goblet, and levitated a plate with an open-faced roast beef sandwich and boiled potatoes and his goblet, with the Slytherin crest on it, to his side of the desk. She added two sets of silverware rolled up in napkins and stood back. "Does Professor needs anything else from Toopsy?" she asked, holding the tray with both hands.

"No, this is all," Professor Snape said and sat down. "You should eat." He waited until she took two bites of her sandwich and a sip of her pumpkin juice before asking, "Do you want to talk about it?"

Hermione smiled. "It was incredible...well aside from the Splinching. I remembered what you said and, well, do you remember when we'd talked about Phaedrus Goldschlager's Animagi theory from Physical Shapeshifting Through Transformation? I remembered something about melding my magic with my physical form and deliberately released my magic with my determination to Apparate, not releasing my magic as I moved, before... and it worked."

His lips quirked slightly. "Yes, and do you think you can do it again, without Splinching yourself?" he asked and took a bite of his potatoes.

"I think so," she said. "I don't want to go through that again...the sensation of being healed is horrible."

"Yes, it is," he admitted.

"How did you learn it?" she asked after swallowing another bite.

"All the Heads have to learn how; it comes with the job, although, some are better at it than others," he admitted. "Professor McGonagall and I are well matched magically, and therefore our magic works well in conjunction with each others."

"I'm amazed at how quickly you react," she said and thought she saw a little color appear on his face. "Although when it's you, it seems to take a lot longer than when watching someone else being put back together."

"It's the same when casting the spells, time seems to slow down, but you move as quickly as you're able," he said.

She looked up at him thoughtfully. "I don't believe I thanked you."

"You're welcome," he replied. "Now eat."

Despite his firm demand, she peppered him with questions about Apparition and asked which places he'd Apparated to. He answered her, listing a few locations, and slowly the conversation moved to locations they'd both like to see someday, although he was considerably less forthcoming than she was.

---

The next Apparition lesson, Ron had been cleared to go. But he hadn't managed to Apparate and blamed it on the fact he'd missed three lessons. Harry hadn't been cleared by Madam Pomfrey, so he'd stayed in the common room with Romilda, although he'd promised to go to the library and finish his essay on Dementors for Professor Snape which was due on Monday. Try as she might, Hermione couldn't manage to do a successful Apparition on that day. Three students had Splinched that afternoon, and each time, Hermione had felt sympathetic pains in her hand, making her determination falter. But at least she hadn't Splinched herself.

Professor Snape had asked her to follow him to his office, and then asked her what was bothering her. He'd listened patiently as she'd expressed her fear. She remembered his advice and tried to take it to heart.

"You should not concern yourself with other's Splinching. I know the feeling; I've done it, and yes, it's horrible, but put it behind you. You cannot allow your fear to control you."

She stared at him in disbelief. "You've Splinched yourself?"

"Yes, I have. Once. The thing is to get over it and believe in yourself. Don't let it break your concentration or ruin your self-esteem."

Harry became more and more obsessed with Malfoy and trying to get into the Room of Requirement, so much so that Romilda was beginning to complain, but Harry wouldn't let up. He even tried to get Hermione and Ron to help follow Malfoy into the room.

Harry was cleared in time to participate in the last two Apparition lessons before they would have their test in Hogsmeade, but when he'd read the notices, he'd lost heart. He'd have to wait a year before being able to take the test, and because he'd missed so many lessons, he'd have to repeat them next year as well. Of course it hadn't helped that Hermione managed to Apparate successfully in both lessons. She'd looked about the room, catching Professor Snape's eye both times and saw him nod, barely perceptibly, with a tiny twitch of the corner of his mouth.

The morning of the examination, an owl dropped a folded piece of parchment on Hermione's plate and flew off. It read simply, Concentrate, focus and believe in yourself, and although it was signed with only one 'S', she recognized Professor Snape's printing easily.

Hermione walked down to Hogsmeade with Ron the day of the Apparition testing. Harry promised that he'd try again upon acquiring the needed memory from Professor Slughorn rather than follow Malfoy around. When she and Ron arrived in the magical village, she was surprised to see so many Healers standing around talking to Ministry officials, everyone one of them wearing large badges.

She was directed to a location across from Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop and told that she would be Apparating to the Hog's Head, while Ron had been directed to Madam Puddifoot's on Grove End, his destination being next to Scrivenshaft's off High Street.

Hermione waited her turn, maintaining her focus. She'd done this successfully in the Great Hall, so she felt confident she could do it again, all she had to do was suppress her pre-exam nerves, believe in herself and concentrate. She walked up to the magical mark on the street when the Ministry official called her name.

"Now, concentrate, Miss Granger. Picture the Hog's Head in your mind..." the woman was saying.

Hermione tuned her out, willing her to shut up. She closed her eyes. She focused on her magic as she pictured the Hog's Head in her mind. Once she felt sufficiently focused on her destination, determined that was where she was going to go, she deliberately released her magic within herself as she willed herself to go...

---

Three butterbeers later, having to endure Professor Twycross extol her achievement as he praised her clean and perfect Apparition for at least a half an hour, Hermione ran all the way up to the castle and down the steps to the dungeons. She knocked exuberantly on Professor Snape's door and rushed inside the minute he opened it.

"I did it!" she exclaimed as she flung herself at him, hugging him tightly. "I passed!"

He set her down firmly on her feet. "I knew you would," he said as she bounced once in pure joy.

"Thank you," she said, smiling broadly, grasping his arms. "Thank you!"

"I didn't do anything," he said, drawing himself to his full height.

"Yes you did, you believed in me," she said and hugged him again. He stood rigidly, his hands on her arms, but he didn't shove her away as quickly as before. She inhaled his scent and smiled contentedly... then quickly remembered herself. She backed away quickly. "I just, er, sorry. I was a little overly excited."

His hands hung by his sides as he stared at her. "It's understandable. Earning your Apparition license on your first exam date is an impressive feat."

"Thank you," she said again. She couldn't believe that she'd simply hugged him like that, but all she'd thought of the second she'd arrived successfully in front of the Hog's Head was telling him about it. "I wanted you to be the first person..." She paused, trying to calm her pounding heart.

His lips quirked briefly, a quick smile, before he said, "Thank you." He stood there, immobile, just watching her and for some reason she was at a total loss of words.

She thought that she saw a movement out of the corner of her eye and turned her head reflexively, seeing a sleeve vanish in the lonely background scene. She shrugged and turned to face him, feeling her heart skip a beat. He was still watching her intently as if memorizing her face, her expression. "I should go..." she said and regretted the words. "I don't want to, but it's almost lunch time, and I didn't have much to eat."

His mouth drew back slowly into a small smile. "I've told you before, two slices of toast is not a significant breakfast. And pushing your eggs around with your fork doesn't count either."

"I was nervous," she replied, shocked once again that he had observed her so intently at breakfast.

"I have some potions to bottle before lunch," he said softly. "Would you care to assist me?"

"Yes!" she said, glad to have the opportunity.

He nodded and led her to his lab, and told her which potions went in which bottles.

~ T. B. .C. ~