10

Chapter 10- November 21, 1998

Saturday morning, right after breakfast, Snape and Hermione joined hands and waited for the Portkey to Prince Manor that Snape had commissioned from the Ministry office to take effect. Wands at the ready, personal Portkeys tied around their wrists, they lurched at the behind-the-navel pull of the Portkey and stumbled only a little as they alit on pristine snow in front of a large dilapidated building.

Snape immediately scanned the surroundings, senses on alert, before returning his attention to the manor house. All of the windows were devoid of glass, it having been broken and disintegrating over many years. Many of the windows sported remnants of shutters or bits of the planks used to board them up. Some of the roof had caved in, and there were shingles missing. The skeletal arms of barren vines and other plants had encroached on the walls and front walk, glistening in their casings of ice. In all, it was an exceedingly decrepit building, as dry and brittle as the brown leaves and pine needles swirled by the chill wind.

Hermione pressed closer to Snape, seeking warmth. Expression wary and mournful, she murmured, "Shall we try to go in?"

Snape sucked in a deep breath and said, "I suppose. We may as well try to get out of the elements and see if the inside is as bad off as the outside."

Together, they strode through the snow to the front door. It was closed, and Snape cast several diagnostic spells in search of dangerous enchantments. At Hermione's inquiring look, he said, "I read more about my mother's family. Apparently, the affinity for Dark magic started a very long time ago. It wouldn't be unusual to find the ancestral home seeded with hexes or curses."

"Oh. I see." Hermione cast a wary glance at the rest of the façade, as if she could spy a jinx in the peeling paint.

After a moment, Snape voiced a cry of astonishment. "Just as I thought! No wonder this place has fallen into ruin. In order to open the door, one has to be of the Prince bloodline."

Hermione tilted her head and said, "Really? What would happen if I tried to open the door?"

Snape's eyes narrowed in thought. "You could try, if you want to. I'm fairly certain whatever happens won't be lethal or permanent."

Hermione jerked in surprise. "Wow. Okay. Well, here goes nothing..."

She reached for the door handle, and Snape tensed, poised to respond if things went badly. As soon as she touched it, she snatched her hand back and shrieked, cradling it against her chest. Snape grabbed her hand and peered at the angry red welt across her palm and the blisters on her fingertips. "Hold still."

He cast healing charms and counterhexes, restoring her hand to its former state. "That hurt! It was a combination Stinging Hex and Burning Curse. I daresay that's a pretty effective security system."

Snape lifted her newly healed hand and pressed gentle kisses to it. "I'm sorry you were hurt. Here, let's get inside out of the wind."

Gingerly, he touched the handle, exhaling in relief when he wasn't hurt. He felt the tingle of magic spreading from his hand and knew the house was recognizing him as one of its own. Hermione tucked her hand through the crook of his elbow and followed him into the creaky house lit only by the wintry sunlight filtering in through the windows.

The house wasn't empty. The furnishings were still present, if in terrible condition. It was obvious that things had been covered with sheets, as some were still shrouded, while others were bare, the sheets blown into piles against the walls. Old portraits, covered with layers of grime and with peeling paint, still hung rakishly on the walls.

Snape led Hermione carefully through the multitude of rooms, repeatedly casting spells to search for danger. She kept levitating the covers off the furniture, taking peeks at what would have previously been considered exquisitely wrought pieces, but were now weathered and worn from decades of neglect. Fortunately, the floors had maintained structural integrity, but when they made their way to the main staircase, they eyed it with trepidation.

"Be ready to Apparate if things start to crumble."

Hermione nodded and said, "Been there; done that. That's the only way we escaped from Mr. Lovegood's."

Snape nodded and took the first tentative step, tensed to react as he listened to the groan of the boards under his foot. Slowly, they climbed to the next level, where the corridor was in slightly better condition, having less direct exposure to open windows. They entered room after room, looking in wardrobes and drawers and under sheets covering furniture. When they found a room lined with bookshelves, they stayed to peer at the aged, brittle books.

"Severus, look. This is another Prince family book, but it's more like a family journal than anything else."

Snape joined her to flip through the pages, seeing descriptions of family members and tales of family events penned in different hands throughout. "This should prove very interesting reading. I'll take this with us when we go home."

Hermione watched him shrink the book and tuck it in his pocket. Then he gestured for her to continue to the next room. They eventually made it to the top level, a smaller section only above the main section of the house, serving as a large garret. It was much dustier up there, as it had been a storage place even when the house was occupied, and the shadows seemed much darker inside it.

Hermione was near a small window, peering out at the snowy landscape and into the trees surrounding the property, when Snape lifted a sheet off a tall cheval mirror near the back of the room. At Snape's startled cry, she spun in time to see him throwing his arms up to defend against the dazzling flash of light that burst from the mirror, the sheet slipping off and pooling on the floor. Concerned, she rushed over. Snape was blinking rapidly, temporarily blinded by the brilliance, and when Hermione stepped beside him, she saw their reflection in the mirror for a brief moment before another glare of light exploded from it, bathing them in the glow and nearly incapacitating them with the painful brightness. As if that weren't worrisome enough, at the same time, all around them, they heard the slamming of the door and shutters, plunging the room into even deeper darkness once the blaze of light faded.

Hermione clung to Snape, waiting until she could see again, noting the difference in air pressure now that all exits were blocked. "Severus, are you all right?"

His voice was black with impatience and frustration as he growled, "As soon as I can see again, I'll be fine. Are you hurt?"

"No, just blinded. But it's getting better. What happened?"

Snape was silent until he regained his vision, then he peered around the dark room, seeing light only through the cracks in the shutters and the door. "Lumos." His wand lit up and he prowled around the room, testing them. "The windows and doors are sealed. We can see light, but I can't pass anything through the cracks." He paused and said, "Hang on a tick." Frowning in concentration, he tried to Disapparate, but was stuck fast. "Trying to Apparate feels much like it does when you try at Hogwarts, which is to say, you get absolutely nowhere." He sighed and continued, "We're trapped for now. I'm not sure what that mirror was all about either."

Hermione fought down a frisson of fear at his word "trapped." Lighting her wand as well, she joined him and said, "Did you see anything before the light flashed?"

Snape scowled and crossed back to the mirror, warily eyeing his reflection. Hermione sidled up next to him, and the edge of the mirror glowed briefly again. "Obviously, something magical has happened, but I've never seen anything like that before, so I have no idea what enchantment it could be. Of course, that's not as important as getting out of here."

Hermione nodded and tried Disapparating anyway, spurred on by rising panic. She felt the block and desisted, meeting Snape's knowing look. They hurried to the door, trying any spells they could think of to get through the door, including destructive and vanishing spells, but everything just dissipated against whatever field was keeping them locked in. Hermione shivered and said, "The only good thing is that it's keeping the wind out. But it'll be getting dark in a few hours, and I know it's not going to warm up."

Snape stepped closer and wrapped her in an embrace. "We'll be home in time for dinner, I'm sure."

"I hope so, considering we never did stop to get any lunch. I am going to conjure some fire to give us light and some heat in the meantime, though." Backing out of his arms, she transfigured some glass jars and conjured her bluebell flames, placing them around the attic room. The dancing light cast everything in an eerie glow. Hermione then transfigured a drinking glass and said, "Of course, now that I can't immediately pop out of here to get a drink, I'm suddenly thirsty."

Snape snorted and watched her cast Aguamenti, pouring water into her glass from her wand. When she had drained the glass, she filled it again and offered it to him. He shrugged and did the same, then ruefully realized that he had just set himself up for needing the toilet sooner.

Hermione sagged onto a decrepit armchair, sending up a cloud of dust, and said, "If only we could send a message to someone for help. If only there was a Floo hearth in here..."

Snape snapped his gaze to hers, eyes wide with excitement. "Wait! We can send a message. How do you think Albus and I communicated when we needed secrecy and security: a Patronus."

Hermione sat up straight. "That's right! You even sent your Patronus to lead Harry to the sword of Gryffindor! He said it never spoke, and I wondered why, after hearing Kingsley's and Arthur's speak when they sent messages."

Snape smirked. "I seriously doubt Harry would have followed my Patronus anywhere if it had spoken with my voice, Hermione. I had to stay silent so he wouldn't know it was mine."

Hermione flashed a wry smile. "Point taken. At any rate, let's get this done. I'll send mine to Harry, and you can send yours to Minerva."

They stood shoulder to shoulder in the middle of the cluttered room and said in unison, "Expecto Patronum."

Neither was prepared for the shock of seeing two wholly different creatures springing forth from their wands. In their astonishment, they faltered, and the glowing forms flickered out.

Cold trickles of fear washed over Snape, and he swallowed hard. Casting a stunned glance at Hermione, he saw she was just as taken aback as he was. Her whisper was shaky as she said, "What just happened?"

Snape cleared his throat and said, "I'm not sure. Perhaps we should try again."

Hermione stared up at him and murmured, "Go ahead."

Snape took a deep breath and closed his eyes, concentrating on stifling the fear and finding the joy within himself to conjure a Patronus. On the tail of his incantation, he opened his eyes to marvel at...not a doe any longer, but an eagle...circling the attic.

"Severus, it's... beautiful."

Snape watched it soaring around them and felt his chest fill with a surge of fierce pride and a longing for the freedom of flight. Rapt, he simply stared until it lit upon a sheet-covered piece of furniture. Exhaling a long note of satisfaction, he allowed the Patronus to fade. Turning glowing eyes to Hermione, he said, "Your turn."

Hermione blinked. Gathering her scattered wits, she took a deep breath and breathed, "Expecto Patronum." Her eyes were wide as she waited for her otter to gambol from the end of her wand. She gasped when an owl arrowed upward, gliding around the room. The misty white glow of the Patronus owl reminded her of Harry's beloved Hedwig, and she couldn't help but smile in tremulous awe at the distinct change from her previous Patronus. It landed and settled its wings, turning to pin her with its sombre gaze. Hermione shook herself and let it fade, then spun to look at Snape.

"What's wrong?"

Hermione murmured, "My Patronus was an otter before. Yours was a doe. Why are they different now? Is it related to whatever is keeping us stuck here?"

Snape closed his eyes and immersed himself in the sensation that had suffused him at the sight of his eagle. "No. They're ours. I can feel it."

The silence was very loud as they considered the changes they had just experienced. After a few minutes, Hermione said, "I guess we should try to send a message, then."

Snape settled his shoulders and said, "Right. Very well then."

Again, they stood and cast the spells, watching the very different birds soaring out of their wands and flying around their heads. Hermione said, "How do we give them our message?"

Snape, mesmerized by the graceful flight of his Patronus, said, "You train your wand on it and say Vox Patronum, then you recite the message and say Finite Vox. Once you're done, you direct it on where to go and let it fly...in our case, literally."

Hermione looked at his delighted grin and smiled. "All right. Let's go."

When they focused on the birds to record their messages, each Patronus calmed and settled until they were told to go. Then, they spread their wings and shot upwards, winging toward the shuttered windows...only to careen to the sides when they encountered the enchantment keeping them trapped. Snape and Hermione watched them circle the room, trying each window and the door, flying at different angles, and skimming the walls before disappearing in a frustrated flutter of wings.

Snape met Hermione's worried gaze with his grim one. Irritated, he flicked a cursory dusting charm at the armchair and gestured for Hermione to sit. She did so, her hands worrying in her lap as she chewed her lip.

In an attempt at a silver lining, Hermione said, "Well, I'm sure they'll come looking for us at some point. As long as this place doesn't collapse around us in the meantime, we'll be all right."

Snape huffed in frustration, raking a hand through his hair. "We've nothing to eat; you'll likely be hungry before long."

Hermione shrugged. "It can't be worse than when we were camping."

Another heavy silence fell. Snape began pacing, and Hermione watched him, her expression sympathetic. After several minutes, Snape kicked a piece of detritus on the floor and let loose an inarticulate roar of fury. Hermione jerked back in her seat, startled. Snape noticed and scowled. "I apologize. I don't mean to take out my frustration on you."

Hermione nodded and watched him retreat to the mirror, his expression sheepish. Attempting to keep things calm, she said, "Well, what shall we do to occupy our time while we're here? You've got that book, don't you?"

Snape jerked his head in an affirmative while he trailed his hands over the mirror frame, seeking any information he could find on what in bloody blazes was going on. After a long moment, Hermione rose and crossed to him, once again joining him in the reflection and inciting a brief glow. Snape snarled, "It's clearly got something to do with you. It's done that twice now since the first blaze!"

Hermione stepped away and crossed her arms as she said, "Then get out of the way and let me go again so we can see if that's true!"

Snape glared at her but complied, joining her to one side. Huffing, she stepped in front of the mirror and stared at her annoyed reflection. Nothing happened. Snape swore under his breath and charged forward again. As soon as they were both in the mirror's reflection, the glow happened again.

Hermione whirled on him in triumph and said, "There! See? It's not about me; it's about us." With an arch parting glance, she spun again and frowned at their reflection in thought as she said, "But what about us?"

Snape shot a baleful glare at the mirror and stomped off to flop onto the tattered armchair where he sank down and crossed his arms in a sulk. Hermione cast an appraising look over her shoulder and drawled, "If you're going to just sit there, then why not read that book?"

"I don't bloody well feel like reading right now, if you don't mind."

Rolling her eyes, Hermione stalked over to him, hand out, and said, "Fine. If you're not going to read it, then let me borrow it so I can at least distract myself while we wait. Hey, maybe if we get lucky, we'll be here long enough for our Portkeys to kick in."

Snape shot to his feet and gripped her arms, pinning her with a sharp gaze. His voice was rough with remembered pain as he said, "That's not funny."

Hermione saw the hurt and worry in his eyes and flushed with shame at how callous she had been, making that sarcastic comment. Ducking her head, she mumbled, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean that."

Snape relaxed his grip and tugged her forward, wrapping his arms around her and resting his chin on the crown of her head. "I'm sorry I got you into this."

Hermione enjoyed the warmth of being pressed against his chest and said, "It's not your fault. I'm the one who pushed you to come."

They were quiet again, listening to the creaking of the house, the muted sound of the wind, and each other's heartbeats. Hermione pulled back and Snape fished the book out of his pocket. "Here. Read it if you like...if that'll help."

Hermione nodded and sank onto the armchair, restoring the book to its regular size. Snape crossed back to the mirror and began inspecting it again. Eventually, he gave up and started roaming the attic, poking into drawers and peering behind furniture. Hermione sat in the chair, reading the whole time. When he had explored everything, stirring up more dust, he sank onto the floor beside the armchair, leaning against its side and propping his arms on his knees. Laying his head back onto the arm, he closed his eyes and thought about the unnerving new form of his Patronus.

As shocking as it was, it feels right. What could have changed it like that? It's not often that people have to conjure their Patronus forms, but it's really unusual for them to change. I liked it, though. It's powerful, free... I daresay that nearly dying might be enough to change one's Patronus. Then what changed Hermione's?

It had been hours since they first got stuck, and Snape jerked out of a light doze at the sound of Hermione's stomach growling. He twisted to stare at her in amusement, and she scowled at him, embarrassed. "What did you expect? We haven't eaten since breakfast."

Snape grimaced and said, "I understand. And, that's not the only thing we haven't done since breakfast." He exhaled a long-suffering sigh and muttered, "I shouldn't have had that water."

Hermione gasped in comprehension and bit her lip to keep from giggling. "Well, at least we've got it better than Muggles. We can magic up some privacy and effective...if crude...facilities and then Evanesco everything!"

Snape cut an acid glance at her and said, "Indeed. Well, we may as well do that now, seeing as we still don't know how long we'll be here."

In as businesslike a manner as possible, they transfigured what they needed and setup a screened off corner, even casting silencing charms to block noise and using Aguamenti for washing up.

Things were awkward for a little while afterward, but they took up their positions again to wait. Hermione, however, insisted on transfiguring some cushions for Snape to rest on instead of sitting on the hard floor. It was dark outside when Snape heard Hermione gasp.

Twisting to look at her again, he said, "What's wrong?" Her face was a blotchy mixture of pale and flushed, and her eyes were wide as she stared at the book. Snape surged up onto his knees and spun, leaning over the chair arm in concern. "Hermione? Are you all right?"

Hermione blinked rapidly, exhaling a shaky breath. Her voice was barely a whisper as she said, "I think I know what happened with the mirror."

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