Faded Grandeur

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

Many thanks as ever to Septentrion and Sempra for the beta.

A thousand questions running through her head, and Hermione could only stare.

'Sir...' Severus broke the silence, gesturing around him. 'Why now?'

Hermione blinked. 'Yes, yes... And... have you been here all this time... alone?'

Stroking his beard thoughtfully, Salazar Slytherin gazed at them. 'To answer your question, Snape, the time is right, and... Headmistress, I believe that I appeared here shortly after my... demise. Few know of my existence, but I am not without company.' He turned his head at the sound of beating wings. 'Am I Caradog?' Landing gracefully on Salazar's shoulder, the raven nipped his ear affectionately.

'Is that...?'

Severus nudged Hermione as Salazar looked at her disdainfully. 'Of course not,' he hissed. 'Use your brain.'

'Right. How would a live bird get into a painting...?' Throwing her hands up, Hermione walked over to one of the large mullioned windows, trying to gather her wits. Slytherin Tower... That was confusing enough. She remembered Severus mentioning its existence, but she hadn't paid much attention, thinking it had disappeared...as in been demolished and not hidden from sight...centuries ago. Looking through the leaded glass, Hermione confirmed its aspect: facing due south, to capture the best of the sun.

Severus and Salazar watched Hermione taking in her surroundings. The room was certainly imposing, with its high ceilings, panelled walls and large refectory table, even if it was sadly neglected.

'The elves'll think Christmas has come early,' Hermione murmured, examining the moth-eaten tapestries. 'Impressive. This is some common room, sir.'

'Common room?' Salazar spluttered. 'This is my...that is, my Head of House's...reception hall! The entrance to the dormitories is down the corridor.'

'Really...?' Hermione smiled. 'Your apartments must have rivalled the Headmaster's in their day.'

'Rivalled and excelled,' Salazar replied. 'But then, Godric always had rather... plebeian tastes.'

Hermione's smile froze. 'Perhaps the safety of Muggle-borns was a more pressing concern for him,' she ground out. 'And at least he didn't leave when the going got tough... A Slytherin trait, incidentally, that survives to this day!'

'Hermione! That was uncalled for.'

'No, she's right, Snape.' Salazar smoothed his familiar's plumage and sighed. 'I've witnessed many changes down the years...Caradog, here, keeps a keen watch from the paintings for me...no one takes any notice of a raven sitting in the background, you see...and I, too, have been saddened and embarrassed by Slytherin's... attitude in recent times...'

Severus pinched the bridge of his nose. 'That is behind us now...'

'It still needs to be said.' Salazar inclined his head towards Hermione. 'My apologies, Professor Granger. There were fewer Muggle-borns in my day. Not enough to be worried about. But I have observed your numbers increase, and I am enough of a pragmatist to realise it is better to bring them into the fold and train them here than leave them to their own devices and run the risk of our world coming under attack.'

Hermione nodded. 'Apology accepted. So... why have you brought us here? Why now?'

'A good question,' Salazar replied. 'And one I cannot answer. The key was to be delivered to Slytherin's Head of House on my orders or, in the event of my death, when a compelling need arose.' He turned to Severus. 'You know the quarters under the lake were only ever intended as a short-term solution...to stop Godric from sticking his oar in while I was gone, mainly...but the time has evidently come for my house to return to the home originally built for it.'

'But Severus isn't Head of Slytherin.'

Salazar looked down his nose at Hermione. 'Exactly.'

'Now, what does that tell you, Headmistress, hmm?' Salazar asked, tapping his fingers together impatiently. 'What can you deduce from that, eh?'

Hermione's frown deepened as she considered the implications of Salazar's question. 'You're either inferring Professor Burbage wasn't fit to receive the key, or that the Raven did not recognise his status,' she said quietly.

'I am.'

Head bowed, Hermione stared into the fire, finally accepting that something, somewhere, was terribly wrong. But with no solid evidence, she could hardly start flinging accusations around...seeing as Gary hadn't actually done anything.

Hermione sighed. 'What do you suggest I do?'

'We have no proof of any wrongdoing,' Severus said, echoing her thoughts. 'I therefore advise caution while further investigations are made.'

'Time may be of the essence, however,' Salazar offered, 'but as guardian of the key, the decision to reveal the Tower's existence is yours, Snape.'

Hermione's head snapped up at that. 'What?'

'Didn't I tell you?' Salazar smirked. 'The tower is still invisible to the outside world. The enchantment will only be broken if you leave via the main exit. Go back the way you came, locking the door behind you, and no one will be any the wiser.'

Severus didn't like the way Hermione was nibbling her bottom lip.

'Um-um. O-okay,' she stammered. 'That would probably be for the best. I'll have to order a structural survey to ensure the tower's safe for habitation first, anyway. And, er, with exams this close, it would be far too much of a disruption in any case... No. Without a good reason, I see no need to rush into this. We'll take our time and aim to have everything ready for the new school year.'

Salazar glanced at Severus, who shook his head imperceptibly. 'That is of course your prerogative, Headmistress.'

'Well,' Hermione said brightly, 'if that's everything... It's getting late, and I have work to do.' She turned to leave. 'Severus...?'

'It was a pleasure meeting you,' Severus said, bowing formally. 'Until we meet again.'

Salazar bowed in turn. 'Indeed. And I suspect it will be sooner rather than later...'

As soon as the door closed behind them, Salazar slumped back in his chair. He could do no more.

'Have they gone?' said a voice to his left.

'Yes, my beloved.' Reaching out his hand, Salazar pulled Betty into his lap. 'And you were right. She is a stubborn one.'

Betty smiled. 'I did warn you...' Sighing, she leaned her head on his shoulder. 'I'll miss having the tower all to ourselves, but I'll be glad when the enchantment's broken...for your sake.'

'It's been a long exile,' Salazar agreed. 'Only made bearable these last four centuries by your presence, Elizabeth. It was a blessed day when Caradog led you here.'

'But soon you'll have your pick of the portrait ladies,' Betty whispered, toying with his locket.

Salazar stilled her hand, covering it with is own. 'I already have.'

'Charmer,' she murmured.

'Hmm... Ouch! Watch your fangs, old girl.'

'Sorry...'

~ HGSS ~

Once the archway had sealed itself, Hermione rounded on Severus. 'Sometimes I wonder if I'm fit for this job,' she snapped.

'Of course...'

'I mean, my judgment is obviously suspect, the castle hides things from me, and Slytherin house is doing its own thing as per usual.'

'Hermione, calm...'

'And back there, I was made to feel like a ten-year-old by a bloody portrait! A portrait which obviously doesn't give two hoots about my position in this school.' She paused to draw breath, glaring at him.

'So what are you yelling at me for?'

'Because... because... Oh, I don't know.'

Arms akimbo, Hermione tapped her foot agitatedly. 'Guardian of the key,' she muttered.

The tapping stopped, and Severus braced himself. 'Please don't take this the wrong way...'

Oh, shit.

'I trust you with my life, but I need to know where your loyalty lies. With Slytherin or with Hogwarts?'

'Good God, woman. Is that what all this is about?'

'Don't be angry. Please,' Hermione said, stepping towards him. 'Just tell me. In a crisis, who would you support. Me or Salazar?'

Severus took her hands in his. 'Above all else, my loyalty is to you. As Headmistress and my... friend.'

Hermione nodded and smiled. 'That's good to hear.'

Severus tried to pull her closer, but she resisted. 'Tomorrow, we'll talk tomorrow. After all that's happened, I need time to think.'

'May I escort you back?' he asked hopefully, releasing her hands.

'No, I'll Floo.' She reached for the pot of Floo powder and scooped out a handful. 'Oh, and shall I ask the elves to see you about cleaning our newest addition to the castle?'

'I think that would be wise.'

'Well, then... Goodnight, Severus.'

'Goodnight...'

Kicking the empty hearth in frustration, Severus cursed his luck. 'Tomorrow... Always. Bloody. Tomorrow.'