Chapter 26

Disclaimer: Anything that seems vaguely familiar in this chapter has been quoted, paraphrased, or just plain old summarized from the Goblet of Fire book or movie.

Chapter 26

Hermione's fourth year continued:

Hermione entered the common room and was surprised to find Harry already sitting down on the couch by the fire. She wandered over to him, unsure of whether to be friendly or to be cold. Her curiosity got the better of her, so she was friendly.

"Did you decipher the message?" she asked hurriedly.

Harry looked up and scowled at her. "Yes."

She sat down next to him with excitement. "What did it say?"

"I'm not sure it's any of your business after the things that we said to each other earlier."

Hermione looked at her hands in her lap. "Harry," she began, "you're right about me, and I'm sorry I got so mad at you. I realize I have an insecurity problem, and I assure you, I will work hard not to act so angrily when I receive criticism from now on."

Harry looked at her as she stared at her hands. "I'm sorry too, Hermione. I shouldn't make fun of something I know is a sore spot for you."

Hermione looked up at Harry finally and grinned at him. "Now will you tell me what that egg was on about?"

Harry laughed. "It says that something important to me will be held under the water and that I have an hour to retrieve it."

"It didn't say what the thing would be?"

Harry shook his head.

"Well, at least you know what the task is. How will you accomplish it?"

"I suppose I'll swim to the object and bring it to the surface," Harry said simply.

"But you have to be under water for an hour, Harry. How can you do that?"

Harry's eyes grew wide. "Oh, I hadn't thought of that. I was just relieved to know what the task was."

Hermione rolled her eyes at Harry. "It looks like our studying isn't over," she sighed. Getting off the couch, she motioned to Harry. "Let's go back to the library. I'm sure we can find something there."

Harry rolled his eyes then, but got up nonetheless. "You and your books, Hermione. This time, though, I think you're on to something."

Hermione punched him playfully on the arm. "Where's Ron, anyway?"

"Professor Snape's given him detention," Harry explained.

"This is the third time this week!" Hermione exclaimed.

Harry nodded his head. "It seems that Professor Snape has it in for him lately. He's been watching him like a hawk and takes off points for even the simplest of mistakes in class."

"I think Ron's been more nervous because of it, too," Hermione said thoughtfully. "So, when he turned his potion green today, and Professor Snape told him to stay after class, he gave him a detention?"

Harry nodded again.

Hermione thought of the talk she'd had with Professor Snape during the Yule Ball when she had been so upset by Ron. He had looked livid when she had told him what Ron had said and did to her. He couldn't be punishing Ron for that, could he? Hermione shook her head. No, of course not. Professor Snape would have no reason to do such a thing. He wasn't interested in silly teenage relationships. Pushing her musings out of her head, she turned her attention back to Harry.

"Let's go, we've got a lot of work to do," Hermione informed him. They both headed out of the common room, bound for the library.

oooOOOooo

"Miss Granger, a word please," Severus requested as the class was filing out.

Oh, no! I hope he's not going to say anything about that hug the other day! Hermione thought as she went up to his desk.

"Yes, sir?"

"Miss Granger, since you are aware of Mr. Potter's lessons with me, I was wondering if you would like to join us from now on... that is if you and he are on speaking terms."

"We managed to patch things up, Professor. I would be honored to join the two of you."

Severus nodded. "I'll look forward to our Saturdays together then," he said before the next class of students began to file in.

Hermione nodded and left the classroom. Severus chided himself for his stupidity. He was asking for trouble including her in his lessons with Harry. It would only lead to him feeling sorry for himself, but he could not pass up the opportunity to spend time with her, even if it was only on a platonic level.

oooOOOooo

Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat in the library again, searching books for a way for Harry to hold his breath for an hour. The trio hadn't come up with anything yet. They were so entrenched in their work they didn't notice Dudley wander up.

"Hermione, Ron, the Headmaster asked me to tell you to report up to his office," Dudley told them.

Harry furrowed his brow. "What could he want from you two? I need your help, hurry back."

"We will, Harry," Ron said. "We'll be back before you know it."

With that the two turned and left. Dudley eyed the stack of books.

"What exactly are you doing, Harry?" Dudley asked.

Harry sighed. "I'm trying to find a way to be able to breathe under water for an hour."

Dudley's eyebrows rose at that. "Have you found anything yet?"

"No! I don't know what I'm going to do."

Dudley sat down and started flipping through the books. The two became silent as they searched every book on the table. After a long while, Harry sat back in his chair in discouragement. He looked over at Dudley.

"So, what's up with you and Susan Bones?" Harry asked him.

Dudley's face flushed a bit. "Nothing," he told Harry.

"Come on, Dud. You guys have been inseparable since the Yule Ball."

"We've always been inseparable, Harry," Dudley argued.

"I saw you two arm in arm when you thought no one was looking."

Dudley pretended to be absorbed in a book.

"Why are you guys being so secretive? I think it's great!"

Dudley shrugged. "I don't know. It's been kind of fun sneaking around," he said, admitting to it finally. "We don't want Jason and Hannah to feel like the odd men out. The four of us spend most of our free time together."

"Maybe you can set those two up?"

Dudley rolled his eyes. "I don't play matchmaker, Harry. I don't think they're interested in each other that way anyway."

"Dudley, they probably know about the two of you already. You should just tell them and stop all of this sneaking around. They'll be happy for you."

Dudley looked to Harry. "I know they will. I just don't want things to be different between the four of us."

"It already is, Dud. You just have to acknowledge it."

Dudley thought about that. "I suppose you're right. Susan tells me much the same thing. She's really smart about things like that."

"She's a great girl, Dudley. I'm glad the two of you finally got together. You make a great pair."

"Thanks," Dudley muttered.

He put the book he was reading down and lifted up another one. The boys continued their search silently into the wee hours of the night. Come morning the two were hunched over their books, fast asleep. Neither had found any solution to Harry's breathing problem. Luckily for them, Dobby appeared, giving Harry Gillyweed and instructing him to take it before plunging into the lake. Harry did as he was instructed and not only completed the task, but saved Fleur Delacour's sister too.

oooOOOooo

"Albus, what were you thinking, submerging four students in the depths of the lake for who knows how long?"

"Oh, Severus, they were perfectly safe!" Albus chided.

"They could have drowned!" Severus growled.

"Barty assured me that the task would be harmless to the students. I explained every detail to them, and they all readily agreed to take part in it. You have nothing to gripe about."

"Nonetheless, something could have gone wrong."

"Are you questioning my spell casting abilities?" Albus asked with narrowed eyes.

"Of course not, Albus, it just was an unnecessary risk. The contestants could have gone after some inanimate object. Poor Fleur Delacour almost had a heart attack at the thought that her sister would perish at the bottom of the lake."

"I don't think it's Fleur Delacour's sister you were concerned about, Severus. Rather, I think it was the young Gryffindor that you were worried about, and I'm not referring to the red-headed one."

Severus grimaced at Albus. "I cannot help being concerned when you placed all of them in danger like that."

"Severus, Severus, she is fine. Nothing went awry, and they are all fine. Calm yourself down, for heaven's sake."

Severus narrowed his eyes at Albus. "Do you care for anyone, Albus?"

"I believe that Miss Granger posed that same question to me when you were about to receive your Dark Mark."

Severus looked at him quizzically.

"You mean she didn't tell you how she stormed in here and gave me a piece of her mind for coercing you into being my spy?"

"She never told me about that."

"She even threatened to kill me if any harm came to you."

Severus gave Albus a smirk. His memory of her being so protective of him had faded over the years. It was nice to remember how often she stuck up for him to others.

"You are very lucky to have her affections, Severus, as she is lucky to have yours."

"Neither of us have either one's affections at this time!"

"You know what I mean. There are only a few short years before she returns to you."

"Short for you, perhaps," Severus huffed.

Albus gave Severus a fatherly look. "She will be back before you know it," he assured him.

Severus rolled his eyes. "That's what you've been saying for the past seventeen years. It hasn't gone by any faster because you say it will."

Albus chuckled at him. "It will pass, nonetheless, my boy."

oooOOOooo

Harry and Hermione walked into the Room of Requirement, but Professor Snape wasn't there yet. They didn't have long to wait until the man came through the doors himself with a smirk on his face and a copy of Witch Weekly under his arms. He sauntered over to Hermione and held it out to her.

"It would seem, Miss Granger, that you have turned into quite the hussy," he commented as she took the magazine from him.

It was open to an article that had her name emblazoned on the top of it. Hermione Granger: Two-Timing Witch! cried the headline. Hermione raised her eyebrows and skimmed the article. She burst out laughing and tossed it over to Harry.

Harry skimmed it too. "Hermione, how could you play me like this? I thought I was the only one you cared for."

Hermione threw her hand to her forehead. "I'm sorry, Harry! I'm not the type to be happy with only one man! Viktor and I never broke up, even though I told you we did."

"Oh, I'll kill that overrated Quidditch player. He can't even speak English."

"Of course he can!" Hermione retorted.

"Hermione, he calls you Hermioninny," Harry said blandly. "Emphasis on the ninny part."

Severus burst out laughing.

"He can't help it if my name is hard to pronounce!" Hermione countered.

"I can say it!" Harry cried.

"So can I," Severus remarked.

"You both are impossible!" Hermione laughed.

Harry went up to her. "That's why you love me! Give up on that foreigner. I'm the one for you!"

"Harry!" Hermione cried, "Cut it out already."

"It's a shame Miss Skeeter isn't here to see you both bickering like this," Severus murmured with a smirk.

Hermione looked puzzled. "I wonder how she knew I had spoken to Viktor about visiting him in Bulgaria."

"Who knows?" Harry cried.

"It does seem that Miss Skeeter has some unnamed source for her information," Severus mused. "Perhaps she employs a fly on the wall?"

"Oh, well, I suppose we'll never know," Harry said.

"Are you two ready to concentrate, or shall I give you another few minutes of bickering time?" Severus queried.

"You're the one who brought in that awful magazine, Professor!" Hermione exclaimed.

"Yeah, Professor, you just wanted us to have a lovers' quarrel!" Harry quipped.

"Mmm hmm, and now I'm sorry I brought the bloody thing to you both."

"You're just sorry Skeeter hasn't written anything about you in here!" Harry told him as he tapped the magazine with his hand.

"Oh, yes," Severus said dryly. "I long for the day I see my name in one of her articles. She's always so spot on with her reporting."

"She'll probably accuse you of having a torrid love affair with Professor Trelawney," Hermione said slyly.

All the color drained from Severus' face. Hermione took one look at him and doubled over laughing. Harry looked over too and began to giggle.

"What's the matter, Professor?" Harry asked. "Did we figure out where you spend your weekends?"

Severus looked at him crossly. "Shudder the thought. That woman has been after me since the day she started here."

Harry and Hermione gave each other dubious looks, hardly believing they had come across this well-kept secret.

Harry couldn't help himself. "So, what's keeping you from going after her, Professor?"

Hermione laughed again, receiving a scowl from Severus. He stared at Hermione for a minute before snapping out of it and turning to Harry.

"She's not my type," was all that he said.

"I'm sure her 'Inner Eye' says differently!" Hermione laughed. "Are you in the beyond? I think you are!" she mimicked.

Severus couldn't help himself and snickered at her imitation.

"Hermione hates her, if you haven't gathered that already," Harry explained.

Severus raised an eyebrow at that.

"Oh, she's awful! You do not posses the spirit for the noble art of divination!" Hermione imitated. "Shriveled soul my foot!" she said while stamping that very foot.

Severus looked at her quizzically.

"Professor Trelawney told her last year that she doesn't have Divination in her." Harry explained. "She made some remark about her shriveled soul and clinging to the pages of a book or something."

Severus walked over to Hermione and looked her up and down.

"Oh, yes, I can see it now," Severus joked. "Her shriveled soul is practically leaking out of her ears."

Hermione just rolled her eyes.

Harry laughed. "You should have seen Hermione. She glared at Trelawney, stomped out of the class, and never came back."

"As I have said before, Miss Granger, you are quite feisty."

"I don't even know why they offer Divination as a class, it's worthless," Hermione muttered.

"Perhaps you should have a meeting with Professor Trelawney," Severus drawled. "I'm sure she'd be willing to drop the class simply because you feel it is worthless."

"Alright, Professor, you've had your fun," Hermione countered with a roll of her eyes.

"Oh, I assure you, Miss Granger," Severus retorted, "the fun has just begun."

With that he pulled his wand out and sent two hexes at Harry and Hermione, sending them flying into the wall. They both sat up and glared at him.

"Well, get up!" Severus demanded. "Death Eaters aren't going to let you rub your bruises and recuperate after they hex you."

Hermione and Harry jumped up and started sending spells at Severus. It was quite fun for both parties. Harry and Hermione got more shots off than they normally would, and Severus felt he was actually challenged in their sparring. They had fought each other for quite a while when Harry and Hermione both shot stunners at Severus simultaneously. He flew into the wall and was knocked out cold.

The two students rushed over to Severus in fear. They looked at each other and then back down at their Professor, afraid that he was hurt badly and even more afraid of what he'd say when he awoke.

After a minute, Severus moaned and opened his eyes. His first vision was of Hermione looking at him worriedly, and he almost reached up and caressed her face. Luckily, he came to his senses quickly and realized why he was staring up at her from the floor. He suppressed the urge to pull her to him and just blinked at her.

"Are you alright, Professor?" she asked with concern.

His heart constricted within him once again at the look of concern that crossed her face. He pushed the feelings aside and cracked a smile at both Hermione and Harry.

"Now that was a duel!" he remarked, making his students grin back at him.

oooOOOooo

Severus stalked quickly through the halls. He pondered the recent events that had occurred during the final challenge of the Triwizard Tournament. The death of Cedric Diggory had shocked them all. The burning in Severus' arm, signaling the return of the Dark Lord had not been as shocking to Severus. He had seen the signs. Both his and Karkaroff's Dark Marks had been becoming more defined as the months had gone on.

He rushed to the Headmaster's office. He had stayed behind to ensure the Aurors had secured and taken Barty Crouch Jr. away. Severus found Harry a crumpled mess in the chair in front of Dumbledore's desk. The Headmaster gave Severus an understanding look as he looked worriedly at Harry.

"Ah, Severus, I'm glad you have arrived. I need to attend to Cedric's father. You wouldn't mind staying with Harry until I return, would you?"

Severus nodded his assent, and Dumbledore rushed out of his office. Severus pulled another chair near Harry and looked at the boy. It seemed he had gone to Hades and back in the short time since he had started the third task.

"Harry, are you alright?"

Harry looked at Severus with fear in his eyes. "He's back! He killed Cedric. I couldn't do anything! I'm useless. After everything we have worked on, I couldn't save anyone!"

Severus moved to the front of his chair and gripped Harry by his arms.

"Harry, stop this. It isn't your fault. None of us could have imagined that the cup was a Portkey. You were taken by surprise. Even the most powerful wizard would probably not have been able to do anything more than you did."

"He's dead. I should have saved him!"

Severus' hands tightened around Harry's arms.

"No, you're wrong. Diggory was dead the minute he touched that Portkey. Harry, you must pull yourself together. All is not lost. The Dark Lord has just returned, and it will take him time to build his armies. We can use that time to further prepare."

"What's the use? I'm worthless!"

Severus shook him slightly.

"You are not worthless. You are essential in our victory because you are connected with the Dark Lord. He will seek you out to destroy you. You must continue to prepare! Leave this useless guilt behind you, and continue with your training. The next time you meet Voldemort, you will be victorious."

"I can't do this, Professor. I can't fight him. He'll win, just like he won tonight."

Severus' demeanor softened. "Harry, he just won one battle, not the war. Take the time you need to mourn, but you cannot think that you will be useless in this battle. Ultimately you will be the key to his defeat."

Harry studied him curiously. "How do you know that?"

Severus pulled back. He had said too much. "I cannot say. I just know it," Severus muttered.

Harry looked down in his lap and said nothing for a long time. Finally he looked back at Severus with determination.

"I'll work twice as hard, Professor. I will never let myself be taken by surprise again."

Severus nodded to Harry. "That's the young man whom I know can defeat the Dark Lord."

Severus looked Harry over. "Will you be alright?" he asked finally.

Harry nodded his head.

"Dumbledore will return soon. I fear if I postpone meeting with the Dark Lord any longer, I will not survive the night."

Harry looked to Severus with shock, then anger in his eyes. "You're going back to him?" he cried furiously.

Severus placed a hand on Harry's shoulder.

"I explained all of this to you already, Harry. I must resume my position as a spy. It is imperative that the Dark Lord think that I'm loyal to him."

Harry relaxed with Severus' words before looking up to him worriedly.

"What if he hurts you? What if he kills you?"

Severus sighed. "That is a chance I have to take. It is part of my work to put myself at the mercy of the Dark Lord and his wand."

Harry could control himself no longer and threw his arms around Severus.

"Be careful, Professor. I don't think I could take another death tonight."

Severus patted him on the back and pulled away.

"Don't worry, Harry. The Dark Lord will find me more useful alive than dead, I assure you."

Harry nodded to him, and Severus rose. He nodded back to Harry and turned and swept from the room. He only hoped that his assurance to Harry wound up being the truth. This first meeting would be the most dangerous one for a while. The Dark Lord would be furious at Severus' late arrival and his clinging to Dumbledore for all of these years. He hoped he would be able to coerce his 'master' into sparing his life.

oooOOOooo

After assuring Potter's safety, Severus Apparated to the Dark Lord's side. He appeared in the cemetery where Voldemort had regained his body and glanced around. Peter Pettigrew stood next to Voldemort, grinning maniacally. The rest of the Death Eaters formed a circle around their newly resurrected master. Bowing low, Severus apologized for his late arrival.

"Crucio!" Voldemort cried at Severus.

Severus fell to the ground, gasping in surprise and pain. His body jolted violently from the curse. Severus cried out in anguish as the Unforgivable curse coursed through his body. Voldemort finally lifted it, and Severus' body stilled.

"Rise before me, Severus, and explain your tardiness."

"My Lord, I could not escape Dumbledore's side without raising suspicion. The school was in an upheaval at the death of the youth. If I had disappeared, Dumbledore would have immediately suspected that I had returned to your side. I understand your wrath at my delay, but I believe that I can be more useful to you under the eye of Dumbledore than shunned from the school."

Voldemort narrowed his eyes at Severus. "You have been cozying up to that wizard for all of these years. How am I to believe that you are here for my benefit? Crucio!"

Severus fell to the ground again and shook, but the curse was not nearly as strong. Severus hurried back to his kneeling position when it was lifted. He bowed his head again.

"My Lord, the only reason I have stayed at Hogwarts was to gain you a watchful eye when you returned. I have garnered the Headmaster's friendship. He is unaware of my true allegiances. I can keep you updated on Dumbledore's doings, if it pleases you."

Voldemort put his wand up to his chin and thought about what Severus had just told him.

"Look at me!" he demanded of Severus.

Severus looked up, and Voldemort swept through Severus' mind. Severus could feel him searching his mind, seeing his duplicity against Dumbledore, and confirming the truth of what he had said.

"Yes, this is good. This is very good, Severus. I had thought you had turned against me, but now I see that you have been one of the most loyal all of these years, lying low, knowing that I would return. You have made it possible for me to spy on Dumbledore right from the start of my return. This is excellent."

"Thank you, My Lord."

"You may go, Severus. Keep me up to date on what the old man is up to."

"I shall, my Lord."

Severus stood and moved out of the center of the circle so he could Disapparate. He noticed a figure following him as he hastily walked to the edge of the cemetery. Turning, he saw Lucius Malfoy following him, a grim expression on his face.

"Severus, I'm glad you finally showed up. I was beginning to worry about you," Lucius said gravely.

"What did I miss?" Severus asked.

"Only much of what you received yourself. Our master was upset that none of us took the initiative to help him, save Pettigrew."

Severus scoffed. "Pettigrew is watching out for his own backside. He is nothing but a scared coward. He would sell out the Dark Lord himself if he felt his life was in danger from another."

Lucius nodded his head. "I agree. I believe the Dark Lord is aware of that also. He, however, understands Pettigrew's usefulness."

Severus frowned. He wished he could kill the rat right there, but he would need to answer to Voldemort for such a deed, and there was no reason for him to just up and kill the whiny creature that had caused Lily's death.

Lucius continued his conversation, unaware of Severus' musings about the worthless Wormtail.

"I'm glad you came when you did, Severus. I don't think the Dark Lord would have been as merciful had you shown up any later."

"I'm glad I was able to help him to understand my motives. I am eager to prove myself to him again, Lucius."

"As we all are, my friend."

Severus nodded and turned to go.

"You will keep... her... safe, will you not, Severus?" Lucius said quietly.

Severus turned and narrowed his gaze at Lucius.

"Just what are you getting at, Lucius?"

"You won't let Professor Granger's identity slip one of these days, will you, Severus?"

Severus arched an eyebrow at Lucius. "I would worry about my own mind giving up that tidbit of information if I were you, Lucius. You will need to guard those thoughts carefully."

"As will you," Lucius agreed.

Severus gave a quick nod. "She will remain safe if we both keep our wits about us. Now, I must be getting back, before Dumbledore notices I have gone."

Lucius bowed his head and smiled at Severus. "Travel safely, my friend."

"Give my regards to Narcissa, Lucius. I will see you again soon."

Severus twirled on the spot and Disapparated. He reappeared at the Hogwarts gates and started for the safety of the school. He shook his head. He knew his Occlumency was strong enough to keep Hermione's identity hidden from his master. He also knew that Lucius had studied Occlumency and should have no problem keeping such old information hidden from the Dark Lord. He just hoped that his master's ignorance of Hermione would remain that way.

If the Dark Lord remembered Hermione from the past and asked about the girl with exactly the same name, Severus would be forced to cover for her. The only logical story would be that Hermione was the daughter of the old Hogwarts professor. Severus' mind whirled with the creation of the story. It had to be close enough to the truth that if the Dark Lord sent other Death Eaters to investigate her background, they wouldn't come up with anything that would concern them.

Suddenly an idea came to him. If asked about her, he would make it sound as if he had thoroughly investigated Hermione when she had first attended Hogwarts. The story would be that Hermione Granger, the professor, had died in childbirth, and her Muggle brother and sister-in-law had adopted Hermione as a baby. They had never divulged this secret to Hermione, as her birth mother had left strict instructions that she was to be kept in the dark about her Wizarding parentage.

Severus sighed in relief at the lie. If anyone wanted to investigate the girl, they would only find her true story, which would seem to certify Severus' tale about her not knowing her true parentage. The Dark Lord would then have no reason to be interested in her.

Severus hoped he would never have to use the diversionary tale. He hoped that Voldemort would be too busy rebuilding his army to even connect the name of a single student with the young teacher who had become an enemy to him twenty five years in the past.

Severus shook his head. Already the lies were beginning. His life had become incredibly more complicated in the last several hours. He was back in the middle of things again and no longer had the luxury of waiting to see what would happen. He was a spy once more. Even his brain had a hard time sorting out who he was really working for sometimes.

---

A/N: Next up: The arrival of the Pink Tittering Monster.

I hope you had as much fun with that chapter as I did. :) Happy reading, and don't forget to review. You guys are the greatest.