12

AN: My abject apologies, dear readers. I thought, since I had prepared everything in advance, that I would be able to update while I was on vacation. Ha! Turned out I got about 10 hours of computer time for the entire length of the vacation (2.5 weeks), and that was mostly spent trying to connect to LJ or FB, which both seemed to be on the wonky side then. But that is why I did not warn you that there wouldn't be updates - I thought there would be.

However... I fear there may be a delay for the next chapter or two, as well. My beta, the wonderful Ayerf, is doing her own set of travels and has better things to think about than betaing at the moment. I am far from willing to begrudge her that. When she returns the next few chapters, I will post them immediately in an attempt to catch up. :-)

Snape strode through the castle to his office, fuming at himself. Filius knew. He wasn't sure what he'd said, or how the munchkin had figured it out, but Filius knew. For ten months, he had managed to have THE best kept secret in Britain, and then, in less than one week, three people knew.

He crashed into his office and slammed the door shut, only to have it rebound noisily off the chain attached to Miss Granger. He had forgotten about her. He had forgotten.

He vanished the chain, magicked the door shut and, with a roar, picked up the nearest object and hurled it at the wall.

"FUUUUUUCK!" he screamed at the ceiling, trying to expel all the rage and panic he felt as the situation spiraled out of his control. Unfortunately, all it did was make him aware of the girl by the door, who jumped at his exclamation.

He lowered his head and took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Closing his eyes, he swore again, this time with more despair.

After a moment, he couldn't stand the feeling of Miss Granger's eyes burning on him anymore.

"Mr. Weasley needs checking."

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Go tend to Weasley."

"Not until you tell me what is wrong. If Vol- You Know-Who is going to appear in the next few minutes, I have the right to know."

Snape opened his eyes and turned to look at her. Her eyes glittered with anger and yet to be shed tears. And, for some reason, those tears infuriated him all over again.

"You have the right to know?" he snarled, and turned the rest of his body to face her. "You have the right to know?" He took a step forward. She stood her ground. "What makes you think you have a right to anything?"

She winced, but only stood taller.

"I have the right to know because it will probably affect me and, well, and I might be able to help."

He laughed rather bitterly. "Help? Help me? Help yourself? Help your boyfriend? Who the hell do you really think you can help?"

"Any and or all of the above," she cried, shrilly. "I thought you were brilliant, but you're an idiot if you push me away right now! Use me! Throw ideas at me! Ridicule my ideas until you calm down, but don't just push me away when you are clearly losing it!"

She closed her mouth tightly, breathing so hard through her nose that her nostrils flared. She looked ridiculous. She also looked like she was ready to hex him.

"And there you have it," he said with mocking bow. "I am, as you say, clearly losing it. Flitwick now knows I'm acting. He'll have figured everything out by now, including why I killed Dumbledore. And if he figured it out, then Alecto almost certainly has, too. She's no one's fool."

Hermione stood there, her face still pinched, and just stared at him. Accusingly. 'How could you be so dumb' was written all over her face. She looked at him like that for several moments, and then, without a word, shook her head and walked away. She went to tend Weasley, leaving him to think for himself. Just as he'd asked.

When the bedroom door snicked shut, he closed his eyes and whispered, once again, "Fuck."

He wanted a Firewhisley. He wanted to get drunk and lose the feeling of immense failure that had settled on his shoulders. But a Firewhiskey was the last thing he needed. He was useless drunk. So, he took several deep breaths, then circled around his desk and sat down, sighing.

Placing his head in his hands, he tried to think of how to remedy the situation, what spells could be used, what excuse could be given. But, without knowing what it was that Filius had responded to, he had no ideas. No thoughts came to him at all except a string of repeating expletives.

He heard the door open, and a moment later felt her standing a few feet away.

"Why do you think Professor Flitwick knows?"

Sighing again, he leaned back in his chair and looked at her. "He looked like he had four aces."

She blinked, but then asked, "And what does that look like?"

"Like he's Occluding."

She let out a half amused huff. "At least he knows how to Occlude," she muttered. "What does he look like when he has nothing?

"His normal, excitable self."

"And would either of the Carrows know his tell?"

"I sincerely doubt it, but that is not the point. His behavior changed! Alecto will notice that."

"And not just ascribe it to my presence?"

Snape paused. "She will be suspicious."

"Why?"

"BECAUSE SHE ALREADY IS, YOU SILLY GIRL!" he screamed, suddenly standing over her. He noticed she did not remain unaffected, as she backed up a bit and bit her lip. He sat back down and ran his fingers through his hair.

"I have subverted too many detentions. I have been too lenient with my colleagues' repeated subordinations. I have been soft." He spat the last word like a curse.

Hermione sniffed, and it sounded almost disdainful. He shot her a look and found her glaring at him.

"Madam Pomfrey was shocked, not just surprised, but shocked to find out you're on our side. When she came into the bedroom after finding you asleep out here, and us in there, she looked as if the world had tilted. You do not get that kind of reaction out of a person unless they truly do not suspect anything."

"Poppy was willing to believe the worst in me from the beginning."

"Fuck that. Surely you can see she was upset because she felt you had betrayed her? Harry really hates you for killing Dumbledore, but he's had good reason to loathe you all along. You did not betray him; you lived up to his expectations. Everyone else in the Order, however, felt betrayed."

Snape rolled his eyes. "Even if everyone did find me a delight before I murdered their hero, it doesn't matter. They are a bunch of trusting fools, whereas the Death Eaters are playing a much slier game. Alecto is looking for power, and I'm in her way. She has been observing me very closely ever since the fucking school year started!"

"But it doesn't follow that she's been looking for signs that you're not a loyal Death Eater! She'll have been looking for signs that you aren't worthy of the position! That's all!"

"You do not know of what you speak."

Hermione let out a frustrated noise. "And you are being deliberately obtuse! Even if you're right and she suspects, do you really think she's going to go reporting to Snake Face before she has definitive proof?"

Snape blinked and stared at her in bemusement. "You think of him as that, too?"

Hermione blinked back, still on the defensive. "What?"

"Snake Face. I thought I was the only one."

Hermione blinked again a few times before she visibly made the mental shift. "I expect most of the wizarding world calls him that behind his back. Probably half the Death Eaters, too."

Snape snorted lightly as he sat down. "Only the ones who can Occlude."

A bark of laughter came out of Hermione's mouth, though her face was still rather grim. "Yes, I imagine there's a short life expectancy for those who think it without protection."

"Indeed."

They lapsed into an uncomfortable silence which Snape refused to break. Instead, he watched as she examined him.

Finally, she said, "So that's it? You're not worried anymore?"

Snape shrugged slightly. "You made a good point. One does not summon or even approach the Dark Lord without ample cause. She suspects, of that I am sure, but I can not think of one item of hard proof she has against me."

Hermione sagged against the desk.

"So can we now talk about how Professor Flitwick can help us?"

"Help us? I think not. I will be Obliviating him before the students arrive back tonight."

"Oblivia-- Are you mad?"

He stood and slammed his palm down on the desk. "Yours is NOT the only life on the line, Miss Granger! I would thank you to remember that."

"But he's a Ravenclaw! He can help us find the artifact!"

"And I'm a Slytherin, so I can talk to snakes," he said, deadpan. "Your logic is faulty."

"Will you at least ask before Obliviating him?"

Before Snape could say anything, there was a chime. A moment later, the staircase was heard quietly moving. Snape waved his wand and the chain reappeared on Hermione's neck. He scowled when she knelt by his desk subserviently, but before he could protest, there was a knock on the door.

Giving Hermione a look of disgust, he said, "Enter."

He was less than surprised to see his diminutive colleague enter the room and stand there looking at him shrewdly.

"Morning, Headmaster."

"Flitwick. Do you have an appointment?"

Flitwick looked over at Hermione, and, just like that, he smiled radiantly and started bobbing up and down on his toes. "Ha ha! I knew it!" he exclaimed, and ran over to shake Snape's hand.

Snape gave Hermione a look, to which she reluctantly nodded defeat.

Snape waved his wand again and the office door shut itself, while Hermione got up, dusted off her knees and moved over to her chair. Flitwick, meanwhile, continued pumping Snape's hand.

"I am so glad we were wrong about you, Severus!" he squeaked. "It was terrible of us to just assume the worst like that, even if the proof that was in the pudding was rather substantial."

Snape rolled his eyes and extricated his hand. "That was the point, Filius."

"Of course it was! Of course! And a bloody brilliant plan it was. Dumbledore's, I assume?" Snape bowed his head in acknowledgment, while Filius looked up at the "sleeping" portrait. "Devious bastard if ever there was one, but bloody brilliant."

He waved his wand and a small, high chair appeared, complete with steps. He climbed up and then looked at Snape expectantly. "So, what can I help you with before you Obliviate me?"

"How did you know--" Hermione started before a jerk on the chain cut her off. She glared at Snape, and he shook his head. Filius, meanwhile, laughed.

"Oh, there's no way I can keep this a secret, Miss Granger. Severus knows that, as do I. I wholeheartedly wish I were adept at the art of subterfuge so I could be of more use, but I'm not, so there's nothing for it but a quick bit of Obliviation."

Snape's lips quirked up at Hermione's look of horrified awe. "A quick bit of Obliviation? A quick bit of..."

She sat back, looking disturbed.

"Oh, I assure you, it's nothing. At least, not when so much is at stake, right Severus?"

"Indeed."

"So, we'd best find out if I can be of any assistance before that happens, shouldn't we?"

Snape spread his hands to relieve Flitwick of any duties, when Hermione cut in, "Do you know of any artifact of Rowena Ravenclaw's that has survived?"

Snape sent Hermione a death glare while Flitwick went into a thinking pose and hummed.

"Hmm, not that I know of. I mean, there were rumors of her diadem throughout the centuries, but nothing substantial that might help find it. It's one puzzle we've never really been able to solve, to our

continued embarrassment."

"Diadem?" Snape asked before Hermione could.

"Mm. A crown-like thingy she made. It was said to make the wearer wiser. But it was stolen away before she died, so I have no idea where it might be, or even if it still exists."

Both Snape and Hermione sat back in their chairs, digesting this news. Flitwick beamed at both of them.

Hermione glanced at Snape with a dare in her eyes before asking Flitwick, "If you don't mind my asking, sir, how did you figure out Snape's allegiance?"

He laughed delightedly. "By you, of course! You turning so meek and mild mannered, not even trying to talk once! There's no way anyone could have broken you of that without killing you. Or putting you under the Imperius."

Snape broke into laughter as Hermione pushed herself as far back into the chair as she could, blushing.

Flitwick, realizing the faux pas, said, "Combined with your intelligence and focus, it is a most commendable and endearing trait, I assure you, Miss Granger. It was a delight to teach someone who was so enthusiastic!"

Snape, who had only just stopped laughing, snorted. "That's not what you said every time you graded the girl's essays."

Flitwick looked uncomfortable. "Now, now, Severus. Don't be cruel."

Snape and Hermione snorted in tandem, then eyed each other suspiciously. Flitwick coughed to hide his chuckle.

"Yes, well, time is running short, Headmaster. If I might suggest an Imperio for social calls from now on, I shouldn't become suspicious again."

Hermione opened her mouth to protest, but Snape shot her a repressive look. She subsided with crossed arms and an angry frown.

"See?" Flitwick crowed, after having hopped down from his perch and banishing it. "That's the real Hermione!"

Even Hermione managed to crack an embarrassed grin. Snape took that moment to Obliviate and Confund Flitwick, making sure the Charms professor thought he'd been called into Snape's office for yet another lecture on insubordination.

Flitwick looked around with a confused look on his face, almost squawking in indignation when he caught sight of Hermione with the chain still around her neck. Looking back at Snape, he puffed up in rage. Before he could actually verbalize, Snape said, "You're on your last warning, Flitwick. The next offense will reach the Dark Lord's ears. Now, was there something you wanted to add?"

Flitwick snapped his mouth shut, and, with one last pitying look at Hermione, left the office in a huff.

Both Hermione and Snape sagged in relief as soon as he was gone. Neither said anything as they mulled over the information they'd gathered in that short meeting. After a bit, Hermione grimaced.

"Are you going to Obliviate everyone who suspects, or just the lousy poker players?"

Snape's lips twitched, but he didn't look at her. "It depends. I would consider sparing McGonagall if she's sensible about it, but everyone else here is an unknown, and therefore a liability."

Hermione nodded slowly. "Would it be possible to modify the Carrows' memories? Or would that be too risky?" Snape gave her a look, which made her say rather hastily, "Right, forget that, then. But then, how do we fix this morning's blunder without making it obvious we're fixing a mistake?"

Snape put down the quill he'd been playing with and looked at her. "I put you under the Imperius. Filius is right in that it's the only way. If I make sure you behave as you did this morning, the Carrows will have no reason to suspect anything when I let it slip to the teachers that I am controlling you magically."

"But won't they wonder why you didn't tell them that this morning?"

"They might, but I doubt they will think much of it. Imperio is rather common these days."

"So common they'll know I wasn't under it this morning?"

"Did either of them look into your eyes?" Hermione shook her head. "Then we have little to worry about. Hopefully this will put to rest everyone else's suspicions, as well as Filius'."

Hermione nodded. "Okay. I hope this all works out. I would hate to think I ruined everything just because I forgot to be myself."

Snape looked at her a moment oddly before saying, "There is always the question of whether you are behaving as who you think you are, since this is not your normal circumstance."

"Hm, perhaps, but then, who would I be if not me?"

Snape conceded the point wordlessly while she got up and stretched. "I should go tend to Ron now. Please let me know if there's anything I can help with."

Snape nodded her out and then sat looking at the fire in his grate without seeing it.

"She's a remarkable girl," Dumbledore said over his shoulder. Snape nodded.

"Too trusting by far, though. Did you notice she didn't even question my using an Unforgivable on her once she knew its purpose?"

"She believes in you."

Snape nodded once, still staring through the flames. "I can't say I like the pressure, old man. It will only make failing that much worse."

"But perhaps that much sweeter when you win?"

Snape closed his eyes and imagined her face throughout the morning, from her fearful waking through her angry retorts, and ending on her wide-eyed look of trust. His gut gave a lurch at the thought of betraying her.

"Perhaps." He lapsed back into silence for another minute, before softly repeating, "Perhaps."