2: The Key

Hermione had tried to question Snape further about what it was he'd instructed Wayne to do. "Why do I need your belongings?" she'd asked, confused. But he had simply slipped back into the shadows, saying no more. She had frowned and turned back to the Auror, shaking her head and giving him a gesture to lead her wherever.

He had; deeper down into the fortress until they landed on a wide, expansive floor, much like a dungeon or Muggle basement. The walls were lined with safes, and he silently led her around the room until they reached the appropriate vault. Using his wand, he murmured softly and unlocked the tiny metal door.

The box itself was perhaps only big enough to slide one's hand inside, but it -- like many containers in the magical world -- was enchanted to hold much more than appearances would have one think. He reached in, pulling out a large sack that seemed to grow and expand as it was tugged free. It wasn't terribly large; perhaps the size of a small rubbish bag.

"This appears to be all," he said softly, reaching back in and feeling around. "Yeah, that's it." He gestured to it as he handed it over, offering a small shrug. "Hope it's whatever you need," he added, giving her a tiny grin.

Hermione nodded slowly, giving him a halfhearted smile. "Me, too," she replied, holding it up. She looked at it curiously, noting the many bulges and shapes behind the rough, canvas fabric. She wouldn't deny that she was interested in what was in the bag. Severus Snape's belongings, things that had been kept despite his being thrown into Azkaban, were things that definitely piqued her interest.

"What sorts of things are usually in the prisoners' belongings?" she asked suddenly, looking back to Wayne.

He shrugged as he locked the vault again and turned, gesturing for her to follow. "Usually whatever they had on them at the time of their capture. Ministry would rather we get rid of everything, but with all the releases and trials going on..." he trailed off, offering another shrug. "Suffice it to say that ex-prisoners get a bit touchy when they realize their belongings are gone."

Hermione nodded slowly, following him back up the stairs and along the paths back to the entrance. It made sense -- though she was still curious as to how whatever it was he'd had on him at the time of capture would be of use. She pondered the possibilities as they went through the paths, still contemplating what on earth she would do now. She figured the best plan of action would be to return to her flat and go through the things, trying to find the next step.

Which was exactly what she did. She bid a soft goodbye to her old schoolmate and then rode back across the lake with Tonks. Thankfully, she'd remained quiet during this trip, and Hermione used the time staring at the water to think. It took everything in her to keep a strong hold on the sack and not look inside. Her curiosity was building to a gnawing strength.

As the boat came to a halt, Hermione climbed out silently. She was ready to leave, to get to work on finding the evidence, when Tonks' voice inevitably broke her train of thought.

"Will you be at Molly and Arthur's this evening?" she asked, standing in the softly rocking boat. Hermione frowned, ready to say no. To tell her that she had work to do and didn't have time for dinners and socializing. "Please, Hermione? They're so looking forward to it."

Hermione hesitated, then gave a short nod. "I'll be there," she replied. She gave Tonks a small smile, then turned back to the shore and Disapparated.

*****

Hermione had gone straight to her flat and set to work. She was incredibly organized -- before she'd even opened the sack she, had grabbed a few spare pieces of parchment and her quill, ready to take any notes she might need. Clearing the desk of everything else, she opened the sack at her feet and pulled out the first item.

Which she almost instantly dropped.

A ghastly mask of a skeletal face stared back at her. It was, quite obviously, his Death Eater mask. She swallowed, tearing her eyes away from the sight and placing it on the smooth surface before turning back to the bag. What followed, ironically, were the heavy, hooded robes that went along with the mask. She cringed, hating to imagine her former professor in that horrid garb.

A few obvious items were pulled out next -- his wand, dusty leather boots, and an antique-looking ring. It wasn't extravagant and looked to be older than Hogwarts itself. Just a dirty silver band with dull emerald in the center. The last thing in the sack was a tiny velvet pouch, rich green in color. Her brow furrowed as she tugged at the opening, the drawstring pulling as the mouth widened.

She gently emptied the contents and surveyed them with concentration. Another ring, similar in style and color to the previous ring, but much more dainty, was on a delicate silver chain. Also, an antique key -- large and heavy, a bit rusted. The key was her biggest concern -- whatever it was a key to was certainly important, right?

Contemplations led her to a few choice ideas -- it was either the key to a Gringotts vault, a safe of some sort, or, just perhaps, his home. Hermione wasn't even aware that he had a home. She'd always assumed he stayed at Hogwarts. This was going to be much more difficult than she'd thought.

The day wore on with her making notes and writing out her thoughts on the parchment before she leaned back in her chair, stretching. Crookshanks hopped down onto large feline feet and wound himself through her legs, purring loudly. She pushed back, then leaned down to scoop his large, furry body into her arms.

With a sigh, she scratched at his head affectionately, still thinking. It was then that she realized how late it was and gave a soft groan. She'd told Tonks that she'd go to the Weasley's for dinner, and she couldn't back out of it now. She kept petting Crookshanks idly, thinking of how out of place she felt there. When Harry and Ron had been around, she'd always felt welcomed and like she fit in perfectly. Now, however, it was different.

Everyone seemed to be paired off. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Fleur and Bill, Remus and Tonks -- all of them were together, and she was left with Ginny, whom had been slightly closed off for a while, herself. It was understandable, of course, but it wasn't easy. She really only comforted herself with knowing that Ginny needed someone so that she didn't feel the couple-pain. After all, it had to have felt far worse for her.

Hermione sighed, trying to forget the depressing thoughts before scooping the furry mass from her lap and setting him back on the floor. "Go play," she chided gently, letting her hand slip around his tail as she slicked the fur back completely. Turning back to the desk, she surveyed the items and notes one last time.

She still was at her same decision. The only thing she'd concluded was that she needed to find out what the old key went to and hope that her next clue was locked inside.

*****

Dinner, as usual, had been amazing. Molly Weasley always knew how to fill bellies and keep everyone cozy and at home. Hermione had nearly stuffed herself on dessert before the group finally retired to the sitting room. The company was quite nice for a long time. Everyone discussed what they'd been up to over the past few weeks, as it had become a bit of a tradition for them all to see each other at least once a month.

Bill had gone on for a bit about his latest curse breaking work while Fleur listened to her husband attentively. The conversation then shifted to a bit of talk about Potions masters that could brew the Wolfsbane for he and Remus, and they compared their latest notes. Apparently the brew Remus had taken the last moon was the closest he'd had to Severus Snape's, and Bill quickly took down the name. Obviously, his last hadn't been the best.

At the mention of Snape, eyes had shifted to Hermione somewhat nervously, and she was expected to reveal a bit about her meeting earlier in the day. She had laughed lightly and tried to brush it off as though it were nothing at all. She caught Molly's uneasy glance and felt that dread pool in her stomach. Molly had been against Snape since Dumbledore's death and had adamantly made her opinion known that she didn't believe a word to the positive regarding his actions.

Knowing the easiest way to change the subject, Ginny had turned to Tonks and asked about her wedding plans.

"She refuses to set the date," Remus murmured, playfully squeezing Tonks' arm as he gave her a soft smile. "She's terrified it'll be too close to the full moon, even though I marked the Absolutely-Not dates."

Tonks squirmed, grinning at him in return. "Oh, stop it. I told you I'm afraid of cutting it too close. It's just paranoia." She shrugged, trying to look as though setting the date of their wedding did not matter.

Hermione leaned back on the couch, trying to either block out the conversation or at least keep a small smile on her face. Lovey-dovey mushiness all over the place. Honestly, didn't they consider Ginny's feelings at all? She looked to the younger girl, noting that her expression looked at peace as she watched her friends and family. Poor girl. Hiding it all inside, isn't she? Hermione thought. Yet, she didn't seem to recall the fact that she had been the one to bring it up.

"Hermione, you been seeing anybody?" Bill asked, nodding her way with a grin. "Got a mate you'd be just right for, y'know."

She visibly cringed, shaking her head. Why did people feel the bloody need to ask questions like that? Bill should have known better, considering how often he and Fleur were asked about when they'd start a family. But, then again, he always seemed so proud to answer it.

She sighed and tried to not vocalize an answer to egg the conversation on, but Tonks' voice quickly added fuel to the fire. "She looked right happy to see Wayne Hopkins earlier today!" she chimed in, giving Hermione what she probably thought was a secretive, knowing grin. Hermione, however, did not return the lighthearted expression.

"I was happy to see him because he's a former classmate," she replied, a bit more indignantly than she'd have liked. She curled her arms around her torso a bit tighter, hiding away in her subtle body language.

"Ah!" Fleur cried, leaning forward with a dazzling smile. "And was... was 'ee 'appy to see you?" she asked, looking very much like the child who had just discovered the cookie jar. Hermione sank lower into the couch, not even understanding why she was so utterly embarrassed by the situation. She didn't like Wayne. She barely knew him.

Molly shook her head and waved her hand at the girls, but her smile told Hermione that she wanted very badly to discuss the situation as well. "Now now, girls, leave Hermione alone." Her demand was serious, but her tone was nothing but playful.

"I've got to get going," she finally said, voice more stiff and awkward than she'd intended. "Ah, early wake up for a bit of work tomorrow..." She stood quickly and moved across the sitting room into the kitchen where her light coat hung over a chair. She shrugged into it before collecting a few parcels into her arms and uneasily making her way to the front door.

Remus stood quickly, with a bit of an admonishing glare to the rest of the room, and moved toward the door to catch it before she could close it completely.

"Hermione," he started, his voice cut off with an expression that spoke volumes. One that told her he really had no clue what to say to make it easier. She looked up, waiting for a moment, before giving him a soft nod of understanding. He tried, at least.

"It's all right," she murmured, giving him a small smile. She turned, starting down the path to walk a bit before Apparating home, when he called out once more, causing her to turn.

He stood there, watching her for just a second, before leaning forward and calling softly, "Happy Birthday, eh?"

*****

"Flowers?" Hermione asked quizzically, holding the small bouquet out at arm's length, as if afraid that Venomous Tentacula buds were embedded in the arrangement.

"Yeah, why didn't you tell me it was your birthday yesterday?" Wayne asked, grinning as he led her down the familiar paths back to Snape's cell. "Tonks told me after you'd gone, and I could have kicked myself."

She cautiously brought the blooms to her nose, sniffing carefully. They were really quite pretty, a small bunch of wildflowers that had been enchanted with a few tiny butterflies, zipping in and out of the colorful buds. "Thank you," she finally replied, brow still furrowed in confusion. "And I don't make it a habit to waltz about, notifying everyone of my birthday. So don't worry about it."

She shrugged, finally letting her arm fall to her side as she walked with him. It was considerably later than the time she'd visited yesterday, already early afternoon. She had gone to Gringotts and attempted to nonchalantly request Severus Snape's vault, and even dangled the key, as though she were very important. However, the goblins had looked at her like she was insane, especially when they had asked for the vault number. She'd been able to do nothing but stare at them wordlessly.

She really hadn't wanted to go back and bother him with more questions, but she really was at a loss if she didn't find out his vault number. A key was useless without the lock it fit. So there they were, heading back through the paths to his cell, her stomach twisting in light knots.

"Snape!" Wayne called, reaching out his wand and tapping it along the bars loudly. Hermione frowned at the disrespectful title, the rude clanging sound he made. That wasn't something she'd have ever thought of someone doing to Severus Snape.

He emerged from the shadows again, this time looking slightly better kept. She wondered briefly if she'd perhaps woken him yesterday or caught him at a bad time. Now, however, he had more color and looked less battered. "Hello, Professor," she greeted, not reverting from his previous respectful title.

He did not speak, but merely gave her a slow nod of the head in greeting. His eyes remained on her, questioning her arrival without uttering a single word before flicking slightly down to the bouquet she held.

She swallowed, fidgeting slightly with the flowers as she tried to remember the small speech she'd had planned and the questions she'd formulated in her head to ask him. Finally realizing she needed her hands, she thrust the flowers back into Wayne's grasp before fishing into her robe pockets.

"I--I went through your things," she began, grimacing already at her words. That sounded so terrible, she thought, shaking her head. Even though she knew he'd expect that she had, it felt like an invasion of his privacy. "And-- well, the key, you see," she continued, pulling it out of her pocket. She noticed his eyes flick ever so slightly down at the heavy key before meeting her gaze again, a soft nod for her to continue being his only real reaction.

"A--anyway, I went to Gringotts but they wouldn't allow me into your vault without the proper vault number, even though I stood there waving the key at them, so I had to come back and ask you. I would have spoken to anyone else, but I really didn't know who might've known or where any record might have --"

"That key is not for a Gringotts vault."

His smooth, deep voice finally echoed in the stone corridors, each word enunciated with such perfection and clarity. Hermione looked up sharply, her brow furrowed in confusion as she waved it slightly as if to ask if he were sure. "But-- well, what does it go to, then?" she asked, head tilting to the side.

She instantly felt daft in assuming -- surely it went to his home? Oh, that's awkward, she thought, feeling her cheeks burn slightly. She didn't know about the idea of going to his home. That was far more private than a small bag of belongings.

Snape's eyes flicked to Wayne suspiciously, his brow furrowing just the slightest bit. "May I have a moment," he requested, though his tone was far from questioning. It almost held that familiar timbre of a demand. Wayne looked to Hermione, and despite her reassuring look, he shook his head.

"Afraid not," he replied, giving a soft sigh and shrug. Hermione frowned, knowing that whatever it was he had to tell her was important.

"Fine," she replied sharply, reaching into her pocket and slipping the key back inside. If Wayne didn't trust him enough to turn and walk away for two minutes, then she'd simply show more trust than he was capable of. She turned back to Snape and took three long strides to the bars, turning her head and leaning in for him to speak softly.

The two men looked at her for a long moment, both a bit disbelievingly. Wayne looked to be on the verge of pulling her away but too shocked to move while Snape seemed genuinely surprised at her level of trust. He stood straighter before closing the distance and leaning against the bars.

One hand wound around the bar directly in front of her eyes, and she noted the familiar look of his ink-stained nails. She wondered briefly what he'd been writing during his time in captivity, but was quickly brought back to reality as his voice murmured near her ear.

"The key is to the private potions storage room within Hogwarts," he replied, hot breath trickling along her ear and neck. She swallowed, giving a small nod, waiting for him to continue. She knew there had to be more than just that -- after all, something so simple hadn't needed to remain so secretive.

Sure enough, he continued, more softly, mouth closer to her ear.

"There is a safe, eleven shelves up, behind three rows of asphodel root. The key fits that safe, which might be of a bit of use to you." He finished, but did not move right away, causing Hermione to feel a bit unnerved. She hesitated, then pulled back slightly to turn and look at him. He was very close, and she was sure she would have felt afraid if it weren't for the thick, iron bars.

He looked as though he'd say something else, but instead gave her another slow nod. She backed up again, feeling her knees trembling slightly from the slight bit of fear and adrenaline that was coursing through her. "Thank you," she finally said, giving him a soft smile before turning to Wayne, letting him know she was ready to go.

He looked to her, an eyebrow raising in question before he handed her flowers over again and heading back down the corridor. Hermione looked to Snape once more, finding him shrouded in the shadows again. Unable to see him, she gave a tiny wave goodbye before turning on her heel and walking briskly to catch up to the Auror.