Chapter Eight: Favours

Disclaimer : the characters aren't mine, the Potterverse isn't mine, even the prompt is someone else's!

Many thanks to "You-Know-Who," my divine Master, oops, beta. She now can be revealed as ladyinthecloak.

Chapter 8: Favours

After leaving Hermione at the café, Severus Apparated to the Burrow. Molly Weasley opened the door and welcomed him with a delighted smile.

"I don't believe it! Severus Snape, here on a visit of his own accord! Come in, come in. Would you like a cup of tea and some biscuits, fresh out of the oven?" Molly bustled about in her customary way, bringing out the teapot and cups before he had a chance to reply. "What brings you here today, Severus?" she asked.

"I came to let you know... no sugar, black, thanks... that I have become involved in a research project, which will take up a lot of time over the next few months. I do not wish to appear discourteous, so I thought I would let you know that I may be too busy to come to Sunday luncheon for a while," he explained.

"Now, you are not using that as excuse to turn into a hermit, are you?" Molly questioned suspiciously, her maternal instincts on full alert. "Just what is this research about?"

His years as a spy had taught Severus many things. The best way to keep a secret was to tell as much of the truth as possible. "During my time with Voldemort, I discovered he was researching ancient potions which could strip one's magic. I believe it is imperative to look into the possibility so we can develop a countermeasure, should it ever become necessary. Evil did not disappear with the demise of Tom Riddle. It is simply quiescent until the next madman takes it upon himself... or herself... to try and gain ultimate power."

"But how would you test the theory?" Molly looked concerned.

"I have no idea at this stage, but the very idea of a potion that would do such a thing is extremely dark and dangerous. I do not want any hint of my research falling into the wrong hands."

"Of course, dear. I am quite sure that you are the best person to take on the task. But you will be careful, won't you? We don't want to lose you now you are back with us," she said worriedly.

"I will be taking extra care; do not doubt it, Molly. However, I ask one thing of you. Will you explain this to Potter and the others? I don't want any inquisitive visitors interrupting what may become delicate research work."

"I will ensure that they keep their noses out of places they shouldn't be," Molly assured him. Severus smirked to himself. He had simultaneously ensured that he would not have uninvited guests, as he had no doubt Molly would spread the word that he had something important to do, and avoided the need to make excuses for attending the, now customary, Weasley Sunday luncheon. He was disinclined to remind Hermione of what she had lost by leaving her alone once a week while he went off and socialised with her friends. He finished his drink, thanked Molly for her help, and left for the next destination on his list – Malfoy Manor.

The Malfoy residence was in its usual immaculate state. After having had his accounts frozen after the war while he was under investigation, Lucius had, with somewhat more effort than usual, charmed himself out of trouble and back home – free. His scion had been exonerated, despite his attempts on Dumbledore's life and allowing the Death Eaters into Hogwarts, by virtue of his youth and the extreme pressure to which he had been subject by Voldemort. The Wizengamot had accepted that a seventeen year old with his family under threat could not be held responsible for his actions, no matter how obnoxious he had been until then. Narcissa was lauded for her aid to Potter in the final stages of the battle and emerged from the whole affair squeaky clean, gaining much sympathy from other mothers in the wizarding world. The entire family had finally realised that their previous attitude was no longer fashionable or desirable. They remained shocking snobs, but it was more on the basis of wealth, not bloodlines.

Lucius greeted him warmly. Severus was one of the few people who willingly availed himself of the Malfoy family's hospitality. The elder Malfoy, activities whilst a Death Eater notwithstanding, had remained one of the few wizards whom Severus had known as a boy; those ties were not easily abandoned. Their sincere endeavour to change their ways had allowed him to forgive, if not forget, their past transgressions.

"Welcome, my friend," Lucius said as he summoned a house-elf to bring drinks. "To what do we owe the honour of your visit today?"

Severus smiled at his host's formality. "I am looking for information. As you know, I have always been most impressed with the... scope... of your library. There is certain information that I suspect Riddle may have obtained from one or more of the darker texts you own, which may be useful for future reference. I wonder if I may be granted access to those tomes." He knew that he would have to tread carefully with Lucius Malfoy. His library was a source of pride and pleasure to the wealthy wizard, and he did not allow anyone, even his friends, to take liberties therein.

"What sort of information are you seeking?" queried Lucius, eyes narrowing in speculation.

Again, the truth, or at least part, was needed to convince his friend to cooperate. "Do you remember when Riddle used Potter's friend for an experiment in stripping magical powers?"

"Oh, yes, the Granger girl, wasn't it?" Lucius sneered, his new tolerance not yet extending to the witch who had, until recently, been his adversary.

Restraining his desire to hex his friend for his obvious grudge, Severus replied. "Yes, that was her name. I am concerned that if the knowledge of this potion ever came into the wrong hands," he glanced pointedly at Lucius, "it could cause all manner of havoc."

Lucius raised his hands in denial. "Don't look at me, my dear man, I have had quite enough of plotting and mayhem. I just want to live with my family in peace whilst of course becoming even more disgustingly wealthy in the process... through legitimate enterprises. Please find the books you require and any others that may be similarly tainted and remove them from this house. I want nothing left here that could implicate me in any future insurrections."

Severus remained impassive, although internally he was celebrating the ease at which his friend had acquiesced. Perhaps Lucius really was trying to make a fresh start. He supposed that nearly losing your beloved family and wealth could do that to a man. As he had experienced neither, he really could not comment.

"Well then, lead on, and I will liberate you from anything that would generate suspicion," he quipped, sweeping his hand before him in mock elegance.

Lucius lead him to the library and gave him carte blanche to browse. Several rewarding hours later, Severus had a pile of a dozen books which looked promising for his quest and two further piles of potentially dark texts, copies of which he mostly owned himself. He shrunk the former set into a manageable size and placed them into a pocket in his robes. The rest he showed to Lucius who requested that he dispose of them as he saw fit. There were to be no further tarnishes to the Malfoy name if Lucius had anything to do with it. Farewelling his newly virtuous friend, Severus Disapparated, smirking at the haste with which he had been shown the door with his dodgy cargo.

There was one more visit to make, and then his to-do list was complete. Arriving at the gates to Hogwarts, Severus looked up towards the castle and stiffened his spine. He had not been back since the final battle. Too many nightmares were associated with that day and the preceding traumatic year. Too many students tormented by the Carrows, despite his best efforts. Too many looks of disdain and animosity as he acted the part of the loyal Death Eater. That was the real reason he had not taken up Minerva's offer of reinstatement; the memories were still too raw. Steeling himself, he conjured his Patronus to send a request for entry to the Headmistress.

The silvery shimmer took shape. It was... different.

Shaking his head in puzzlement, he sent off the message and contemplated the significance of his new Patronus. Within a few minutes, Minerva herself had come to let him in the gates.

"Severus, what a lovely surprise. Please forgive the delay, as it took me a moment or two to understand the message. I had never seen that Patronus before. Was it not a doe previously? Never mind, come in. Have you had lunch?" Minerva was uncharacteristically garrulous in her astonishment at seeing Severus.

"Yes, and no," he replied succinctly, as she shepherded him up to her office. A house-elf was quickly despatched to bring tea and sandwiches as they settled themselves into the somewhat more comfortable chairs than had been there the previous year.

"I see you have redecorated the place," he remarked in an attempt to distract her from her interest in his Patronus.

"Well, Slytherin colours are not really my cup of tea," she retorted, pleased to see he had taken notice of the changes. The room was no longer full of the gadgets and trinkets that Albus Dumbledore had preferred and did not have the austere, sparsely furnished appearance that had served as his penance. Now it was smart, yet welcoming; with a large cherry wood desk; comfortable, chocolate, leather chairs; and a few of her favourite plaid cushions in red and gold, as befitting an ex-Gryffindor Head of House. The inevitable portraits of previous Heads of Hogwarts were present, hung on deep red walls. Dumbledore's was conspicuous by its absence.

"So, Severus," she began after they had their steaming teacups in hand. "What has brought you back to Hogwarts?"

"I have come to request a favour, Minerva. Well... two, in fact," he told her.

"Ask away, my dear. Anything that is in my power to provide is yours; you know that," she responded generously.

He proceeded to give her the same, almost complete, explanation that he had given Molly and Lucius. She nodded encouragingly, asking some intelligent questions as he described the problem.

"So what can I do to help?" she asked. "It is clearly a sound idea to try to find out what Riddle knew, but I cannot see what use I can be to you."

"I wish to have access to the Hogwarts library to check for any relevant texts in the Restricted Section. I would also like to borrow Albus' Pensieve."

"Of course you may use the library, any time you wish," she replied. "But why do you need the Pensieve?"

"I would like to examine my memories of the night Riddle described his research. There may be further clues to be found, things I did not think important at the time." He omitted to mention that he would be closely observing the effect the potion had had on Hermione and was planning to examine her memories as well.

"I agree. That would be useful. I do not use the Pensieve at all, so you may borrow it as long as you wish." Minerva disappeared into another room and returned bearing the heavy stone bowl. "Please be careful, Severus. Meddling with one's memories can be dangerous."

"I promise to take every precaution." Severus reassured the concerned, older woman. "Now, I must go to the library and start work. Thank you for your assistance."

He headed down the stairs after leaving his ex-colleague. A thorough search of the Hogwarts library yielded nothing of use, which was as he expected. It hadn't hurt to check, however. He had just enough time for a quick trip back to Spinner's End to deposit the Pensieve and the books from Malfoy Manor, then it was time to meet Hermione.

***

Hermione had once again surprised Shirley with her jubilant mood. Her boss's enjoyment was soon diminished by her protégé's apologetic resignation, effective two weeks hence. However, Shirley was a good-hearted woman, who was simply pleased that Hermione was happy and had lost her air of resignation with life. She wondered what, or who, had been responsible for the girl's sudden change of outlook.

With something to look forward to, the day passed quickly, and promptly at five o'clock Severus walked in the door. Hermione could not contain her expression of delight, which generated more than a few quizzical glances between her colleagues. Surely this dark, sardonic-looking man was not the reason for her good cheer?

Greeting Severus with a hug, she invited him to sit awhile as she finished up. Shirley brought him over a cup of espresso, murmuring, "I don't know who you are, sir, but here's a free coffee in appreciation of what you have obviously done for Hermione."

He muttered his thanks and sipped at the hot drink while he observed the young witch he had come to collect. She was efficiently wiping down the last of the tables, leaving them ready for the morning crowd. Her hair had become a little dishevelled during the busy day, and her apron bore one or two coffee splashes, but her smile was engaging, and she moved with grace and alacrity. He raised his cup in salute and was rewarded with a cheeky wink.

Once they had returned to Spinner's End, Hermione turned to him curiously.

"What have you been up to today, Severus? You look absolutely worn out."

"Gathering a few necessary items for our research. It took a bit of travelling around." He explained what he had been doing that day as he organised something simple for dinner.

"Sounds like you have a plan," she said as she gathered up the dishes to wash. "No, you sit down. I will sort these out." She gently pushed him back into his chair.

"If you start channelling Molly Weasley, I will take all those books back," he threatened with a mock scowl.

"Ah, you can't scare me now, you old fake," she retorted, "I know all it takes is a hug and you melt."

"I'll have you know I am not old. I am only forty; a wizard in his prime." He posed, a la Lockhart, as she threw a wet dishcloth at him with deadly accuracy. "You can't do that! I was your fearsome Potions professor," he spluttered. "Can't you be just a little terrified... or at least pretend?"

"No, sorry. I stopped being scared of you years ago when I found out that you worked for the Order. Why would you hurt us if we were on the same side?"

"What, you mean all that acting the greasy git was for naught? Dammit, woman, I could have sworn you lot were all shaking in your boots whenever I came near." He grumbled at her as they went into the sitting room.

"No, that was only Neville. He shook enough for all of us. Why did you have to terrify him so? He wouldn't have been half bad at Potions if you hadn't loomed so often in his vicinity."

"Longbottom needed to build a spine. All the mollycoddling the other staff subjected him to did nothing to strengthen him for the last battle. I tried to engender some sort of response that didn't involve trembling or making catastrophic errors, but..."

"I suppose he did repay your efforts by killing Nagini in the end," she replied thoughtfully.

"Yes, I owe him a debt of gratitude for that little service," Severus acknowledged.

"So, what is your grand plan?" Hermione asked as they drank the tea she had made.

"Firstly, I have one question. Yesterday, you knew that I lived here. How did you find out?" he asked.

"Do you not realise your name is listed in council records as the owner of the house at this address?" She explained how she had traced his address using the internet.

"You mean, all this time this place has been carefully protected by various charms, and any Muggle could have looked it up on a computer?" Severus was horrified.

"Just as well those Death Eater purebloods were too superior to use Muggle technology, wasn't it?" she chuckled at his expression.

"Do not tell me any more. I do not need to know what other secrets of mine are available to be Googled!"

Hermione couldn't help the loud laugh that escaped her at this. "I didn't... think you knew anything... about Muggle technology," she managed to gasp out between giggles.

"The rest of them may have been purebloods, but I was brought up in a Muggle neighbourhood. We did not have computers while I was growing up, but I kept in touch with developments when I could."

He noticed his companion had quietened and was rubbing her temples. "What is it? A headache?" He was suddenly concerned.

"I seem to have had a headache ever since that night with Snakeface. It's always present, but mostly I can ignore it. Sometimes it becomes worse; must have been all the laughing," she explained glumly.

Severus got up and went into the kitchen. He returned with a vial of headache relief potion. Smiling her gratitude, Hermione downed it in one swallow.

"That works so much better than Muggle analgesics." She sighed with relief.

"That headache may be our first clue," Severus suggested. "Has anything else changed since then, apart from the obvious loss of your magic?"

"Not that I am aware of, although when I was here on Sunday I could sense this house, even though it was invisible."

"You were here? On Sunday?"

"Yes. I fell asleep on the step across the road and just missed you as you Apparated in. If you hadn't found me at the café, I would have been back this weekend. Just call me your personal stalker!"

"Unfortunately, sensing the house probably doesn't mean anything. I believe Muggles can do that; they just do not know just what it means. I think we both need to put our memories of what happened into Albus' Pensieve and study them to see what we have missed," he suggested.

"And what was happening around us perhaps," Hermione added. "I know that I wasn't in any state to notice anything else at the time."

"I will just go and fetch the Pensieve." Severus was almost up out of the chair when he found Hermione barring his way.

"I think you have done enough for one day. You are exhausted with all that Apparating around. We can start tomorrow. Tonight, you are going to bed early!"

He quirked an eyebrow at her bossiness. "What did I say about channelling Molly?" he asked.

"Molly has nothing to do with it. I spent seven years organising Ron and Harry. You don't think you present a challenge after those two, Mr Bat-Of-The-Dungeons? Now go to bed!" she ordered.

"Always said you were an insufferable Know-It-All," he muttered as he somewhat gratefully headed up the stairs.

"I heard that!"

***

A/N: Based on prompt 93. "Someone has his or her powers stripped away for misuse. Did he/she lose them because of actual misuse or was it a set up? How do they get them back?"