11

Hermione had felt rather useless at the planning session, seeing as it was obvious that Snape didn't need her there. When they'd called it quits for the night, she'd sarcastically asked if that was all he needed of her, and she was surprised when he'd looked at her intently, replying snidely, "Do not underestimate your usefulness, Miss Granger. I may not have asked your opinions, but that is simply because you couldn't hide them if you tried."

Hermione didn't know whether to be flattered that her opinions counted, or offended at his phrasing. She decided, as she snuggled under the covers, that it didn't matter one way or the other what she felt. She just hoped his plans panned out.

Fortunately, her mind was so focused on that hope that she forgot about what the morning was to bring.

She was woken up quite early by a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Miss Granger," Snape's quiet voice said. "We cannot delay any longer."

Her eyes shot open, and she found Snape watching her with an almost apologetic expression.

"I can't do this," she whispered. Snape's face grew hard, but before he could snap at her, she added, "They're going to kill you."

Snape's face relaxed in shock, but then the harsh look came back. "Your confidence in me is touching."

Hermione opened her mouth to protest, but he held up his hand. "We have no time for this. Dress yourself and meet me in the office in five minutes."

He turned and left before she could even nod. She sat staring at the door for a few moments before recalling that she was supposed to be getting dressed. She stretched, yawning, and then reluctantly got up, dressing in the plain brown robes Snape had provided. She was trying to tame her hair when he knocked on the door, letting her know her time was up.

She walked into the office, parting her hair so as to braid it at the same time. He watched her with a peculiar expression on his face, one that she couldn't quite decipher. He didn't say anything, however, until she'd finished plaiting her hair and waved her wand at the ends to hold them together, and then it was simply, "Your wand."

She handed it over with a frown, hating that she had to be so defenseless, although she trusted Snape to keep her safe. She also knew, rationally, that she was not the one in danger for this meal – the majority of the staff wouldn't be after her blood – but she still felt nervous being wandless.

Snape seemed to sense her anxiety, and he made sure she saw in which drawer he placed her wand. When he was done, he paused before pointing his wand at her.

"I'm sorry."

She nodded, biting her lip nervously. He flicked his wand and suddenly there was a weight around her neck, much like the night they came to the castle, only this time, it was softer and far more comfortable.

She put her hands up to feel the shackle, but it felt like hard steel to her light touch. She looked at Snape in query, and he rolled his eyes at her.

"There is no reason we need to add injury to indignity. Besides, chafing paste is a tedious potion to brew."

She smiled, swallowing the tears of fear and gratitude that were threatening her. "Thank you, sir."

She didn't know whether he looked offended or pleased. She supposed he could be both.

He motioned for her to exit the office, and she took in a big breath. She knew they had to do this, but she was finding it difficult to leave the safe haven the office had become.

"We need to leave now, Miss Granger," Snape said softly, sympathetically.

She nodded and stepped forward, knowing this must be as hard for him as it was for her. She wouldn't make it any harder on him than it needed to be.

They made their way quietly down the spiral staircase, but just before they reached the door, Snape touched her shoulder, making her stop.

"Why didn't you braid your hair magically?" he asked.

She choked back a laugh. "My hair doesn't react well to that spell. It... it sort of has a will of its own and doesn't take being forced well at all."

Snape smirked and reached out to tug on a stray lock of hair before tucking it behind her ear. "Not surprising."

He turned and the door opened, but Hermione stood there, shell-shocked and wondering what had just happened. A slight tug on the chain reminded her that she was supposed to be moving, but she walked in a bit of a daze, trying to figure out Snape's motivations.

By the time they reached the doors of the Great Hall, she figured he must have done that just to provoke that reaction from her. When he looked down at her before opening the doors, she glared at him. His smirk was all the confirmation she needed.

"That was horrible of you!" she whispered.

His smirk grew and he opened the doors. "I'm so glad you appreciate my kindnesses, my dear."

The sound of a utensil hitting a plate drew her angry gaze off Snape and into the room at large. Everyone at the head table was staring at them, and all but two of them wore expressions of shock and dismay. McGonagall looked like she was about to faint.

Snape strode through the room to his seat in the center of the table, and Hermione followed reluctantly, moving just before a tug on the chain was required.

She felt everyone's eyes on her. Everyone but the two Death Eaters were unnaturally still. She wanted to send them a smile, let them know she was okay, but that was not an option. Not with the Carrows watching.

Mindful of the Carrows, she turned her eyes to the floor, and followed Snape meekly. When he reached his seat, he motioned for her to stand against the wall, as they had planned. She was about to take her place, when Amycus said, "Now, Severus, don't be churlish! If she's standing against the wall, we can't see her. That's not fair at all."

Snape's mouth thinned. "She was not gifted to you, Amycus. I shall do with her as I please."

Hermione heard several gasps, and felt the tension at the table increase.

"I don't know why you want to look at her, Amycus," Alecto said. "Let Severus put her where he will. I certainly would be more comfortable knowing she wasn't behind us, but I don't really relish the idea of looking at her, either."

Hermione peeked at Snape again and saw a muscle in his jaw twitch, though he was wearing a slight smile.

"I hadn't thought of her as a threat, but if it would make you more comfortable..." Snape motioned for Hermione to move to the front of the table, holding the chain up as she walked around it. "And since you would prefer not to see her, she can sit."

Hermione sat down with relief; she hadn't been sure her legs would have held her up for much longer. She decided to look out at the empty tables rather than face the teachers, but she could still sense how upset they all were. Conversation was nonexistent. She didn't know how Severus was going to stage any conversation. But just as she wondered that, Amycus said, "So, the Dark Lord said you've got the Weasley boy. Any luck with him yet?"

Once again, all movement stopped at the table.

"I had thought the Dark Lord meant to keep Ronald's captivity a secret," Snape replied coolly. "But, since you so blithely bring up the subject, he is still unconscious and showing no signs of regaining consciousness." He paused as if to take a sip of pumpkin juice. "I don't have much hope of his recovering consciousness, actually, though judging by the way my pet keeps talking to him, you'd think he was alert all the time."

"You let her around him? Isn't that..."

"She's not going to harm him. Besides, if she expends all her verbal energy on him, I don't have to deal with casting silencing charms ad nauseum."

Alecto and Amycus both gave appreciative chuckles, though the rest of the table remained in stony silence. Hermione tried not to feel hurt. She knew he was just telling them that to stay in character. She hoped.

"Still, don't you think it's a bit risky?"

"I think the known benefits outweigh the possible risks."

"But what if she decides to put him out of his misery?"

Snape snorted. "As amusing as that would be, I don't think my pet's up for that. It's not the done thing in Gryffindor, and believe me, she is a Gryffindor through and through."

Hermione heard McGonagall choke and start coughing, while most of the other teachers rustled uncomfortably at the innuendo.

"Does the Dark Lord know about your arrangement?"

Hermione smiled when she heard Snape's long suffering sigh and could almost hear him calling Amycus a dunderhead in his head.

"Of course he knows. He has seen and approved of everything. If he had taken issue with it, the boy would be locked up in the hospital wing, as Madam Pomfrey requested he be. Instead, the good woman has trained my pet to be his nurse, and Weasley and his memories remain secure."

No one said anything else, as it had been clear by Snape's tone alone that he was finished talking about the subject. It wasn't long after that Snape stood and yanked on Hermione's chain, indicating it was time to go. Hermione stood and, as meekly as she could, followed Snape out the giant doors of the Great Hall. She hadn't dared look at the table, fearing she would give everything away if she did.