6

I’m not sure how to help him. How do I begin, and whom should I go to? Maybe Filius will know how to guide me here? Even if he doesn’t exactly know how to help Severus, he will be able to point me to someone who can. What will it hurt to have a small chat with a trusted advisor? Hermione made up her mind and went to find the one person who she thought could help. After rapping on Filius’s door and receiving no answer, she began to pace, waiting for him to return from wherever he was.

‘Miss Granger, I hope I’ve not kept you waiting long,’ the diminutive professor said from behind her. ‘I had a last minute meeting with Minerva—she needed advice on what to do with a student.’ He waved his wand at the door to his rooms, and it promptly swung open to admit them.

‘I was wondering if I may ask you something, Filius. I have a problem, you see. Before I go into what my problem is, I need to know what I have to say will stay between us. It’s a rather sensitive matter.’ She watched him put on a pot of tea and set out cups, sugar, and cream.

‘Of course, Hermione. Do go on.’

‘Severus has a problem—’

‘If Severus is the one who has the problem, why are you here in his stead?’

‘Patience, Filius,’ Hermione snapped. ‘I am here on his behalf. In fact, he doesn’t know I have come to you for help. He hears women’s voices, and he’s not handling it well.’

‘How is he hearing them? Are they out loud, or are they inside his mind? It’s important you tell me.’ He heard the whistling kettle and rose to fetch the now boiling water.

‘I don’t like what you’re insinuating.’

‘Nonsense, Hermione. I’m merely trying to ascertain the cause of his new ability.’

Hermione gritted her teeth, trying to settle herself. ‘He hasn’t gone round the twist, Filius. He’s actually caught girls doing the very things they were thinking of. Take this for example: Yesterday, he caught a girl cheating on an exam. He was livid, and instead of dealing with her, he sent her to Minerva.’

He nodded, and a wave of understanding washed over him. ‘Severus was the one who caught her? Minerva didn’t mention who had. How long has he had this problem now?’

‘A week, maybe a little longer. It’s definitely been long enough to take its toll on him.’

‘Has it become any better or worse in that amount of time?’

‘No, it has remained the same.’ Hermione looked at him, trying to discern what he was thinking.

‘I doubt this is a new talent, Hermione. If I had to venture a guess, I’d say someone did this to him. Why it was done, I can’t say.’

‘I’m not asking for a motive, Filius. I’m asking for what can be done to either help him or cure him—preferably the latter.’

‘I’m not sure what, if anything, can be done.’ He sipped his tea, and his eyes lingered on her pretty face. Her eyebrows were creased, and her lips were set in a thin line. He could plainly see the concern she had for her colleague. With how protective and worried she was over Severus, he wondered if there was something more going on–something more than what she had let on. If something was between her and the Potions master, it was about time. He had seen the way they had looked at each other when they didn’t think the other was paying attention.

‘So, I’m supposed to just sit back and watch this play out while he is suffering? I hate being unable to help him. Sure, he’s helping others, but it is at great personal cost. I fear what will happen if this keeps up. Can’t we do anything?’

‘I’ll see what I can find, but I’m making no promises.’

Standing, Hermione drained the last of her tea from the tiny, porcelain cup. ‘In the meantime, Filius, what can I do for him?’

‘I suppose all you can do is comfort him and listen to him when he needs it. I’ll let you know what I find in a few days. Until then, try not to worry so much. It’s not the end of the world.’ He led her to the door, bidding her a pleasant evening as she left.

What have I done, and how do I remedy it without revealing my culpability? I only wanted to push him in the right direction with Hermione. I knew if he could hear her thoughts, he would make a move so they could be together. I never dreamt it would turn out like this. Filius heaved a heavy sigh into his empty cup.

A/N: I’d like to thank my magnificent beta, kittylefish, who has superior skills. Also, I’d like to extend a special thanks to braye27 for an idea she inspired.