At The Precipice

Severus stood in his office, pacing every once in a while as he periodically picked up a piece of parchment. It was heavy parchment of the finest quality. An ornate script of the sender's initials decorated the top of the missive.

My dear Professor Snape,

M. Philippe Valois

Severus detested veiled insinuations. He could be as easily thrown out as soon as he arrived if Valois found his questions too personal. He would have to keep it to a basic level. No divulging of secrets, just a bit of wanting and needing advice on approaching Hermione with delicate matters.

The blasted hawk arrived with the Portkey, as promised, and Severus was sent reeling into the air and landing softly outside a lovely chateau that was immaculate and very old-fashioned. Lucius may be a pompous ass, but Valois is a smug bastard!

He was introduced to M. Valois after waiting in the foyer for a half an hour. His temper was already starting to rise, but he schooled his face to register no emotion as he entered the inner sanctum.

The sitting room was dark with its golden hues and earthy tones. However, it was drenched in muted light that made it very welcoming and relaxing. Valois was in a smoking jacket. He offered Severus a cigar, which he declined graciously with a lift of his hand.

God only knows what he has done to it.

Severus watched the older wizard as he carefully pierced the end of his cigar. "Ah, well then, may I tempt you with some scotch? Muggle, however, twenty-year-old...rather good, I say, for Muggle spirits," he said as he poured a glass for himself.

"Thank you, Monsieur," replied Severus. He held the snifter to his nose, inhaling its scent for potential poisons or paralytics. He would take it in hand, pretending to drink but only short of Hermione's love and of his daughter's would force him to imbibe it.

"Sit down, young man!" the older wizard said in a booming voice. Severus sat in a velvet-upholstered chair and observed him as he poured another drink.

Valois was rather fit for a wizard of his age and appetites. Severus had never met him before, but had always thought of him as more of a Horace Slughorn type. It was quite obvious the wizard enjoyed comfort and ease, but he was rather conscious about his looks and physical appearance. Severus could see the family resemblance to Lucius. There was the stubborn chin and sly smile that crept up one side of his face, yet never reached the eyes. Moreover, if his physique was an indicator, he was just as vain. He was rigid and exacting, from what Jules had told him. Philippe Valois only entertained the very best. In fact, it had only been for two reasons Valois even considered meeting with him: First, that he was an acclaimed Potions master and well-respected in his field, and secondly, that he knew from very reliable gossip he had been successful in luring Mlle. Granger out of her shop to take luncheon with him alone.

"Profezzer Snape, Monsieur Valois eez verry... territorial about Mlle. Granger. Only 'e 'as 'ad zee pleazure of 'er company alone. 'E eeez intrigued by your association with 'er," Jules had mentioned during their meeting. Severus would use those tidbits to his advantage.

"So," began Valois, "what do you wish to speak with me regarding?"

Severus crossed his legs and spread his hands open in a gesture of complete disclosure. "Miss Granger was my student for all her years at Hogwarts. She was the most impressive student I had the pleasure of teaching. Unfortunately, my service to the Dark Lord prohibited me from expressing my true regard for her talents." He assumed a poise of relaxation, a façade to give the allusion of feeling at ease.

"Yes," Valois commented as he relit and puffed on his cigar. "Hermione was quite the find. I found her in a dingy corner shop, trying hard to set up a business that could belong on La maison Guinevere. The old men sneered at her attempts to make a place for herself. I kept watch on her and one day, I saw a lovely woman walking down the street with long curls flowing down her back and dressed in a gorgeous beige chiffon dress with a hat and gloves to match! She had her servant with her, and I recognized her. I introduced myself and watched her shrewd brown eyes flicker towards her assistant and with the slightest tilt of the head, her assistant gave her approval, and the goddess came to life!" His hands popped open to indicate an explosion, and he mirthfully laughed.

"I am glad you appreciate the talent that she possesses, Professor. Mlle. Granger is the future of the Potions world...not that I am interested in potions," he said off-handedly as he took a sip of his drink. "I am very interested in originals and people of talent. I have had the good fortune of hearing your name in many circles. You have quite the dubious reputation, Professor," he said as he stared in the dark wizard's eyes.

Severus carefully maintained a neutral expression during the wizard's speech, but took in every physical and verbal nuance the man made. "I would prefer, notorious, Monsieur." Good Lord, he is like Slughorn!

Valois laughed heartily. "Very well, Severus Snape. Let us cover our agreement."

Severus raised an eyebrow and crossed his hands behind his back, carefully taking a powerful stance that would not be moved. "That shan't be necessary, I assure you. I have no desire to know of Miss Granger's secrets. All I wish is for advice, as you are her confidant. I have some news that may be quite distressing for her to hear and accept. All I wish is to know the best way to approach her."

Valois sighed. "I always knew there was a secret behind all that satin and lace...a lingering sadness...a loneliness that has unfortunately made her so intriguing to so many men. So, you know the real face behind 'The Huntress?'" he asked.

"Somewhat." Severus kept his face as stone as he chose his words cautiously. "I was her teacher during her formative years. One gains a sense of...a basic temperament. Of course, you know her volumes more." Snape began to walk along the bookcases that lined the room, taking care to memorize titles he felt important. "Where I knew the girl, you know the woman."

"Well," Valois said after he downed the remainder of his scotch. "I am afraid I cannot help you, my boy. You see, I know her business secrets, and as ruthless as she may be, I cannot help but feel a sense of obligation to protect her against those who would wish her utter ruin and financial calamity. I know absolutely nothing of her personal life. And from the tenor of your voice, this sounds rather personal."

Severus turned to face Valois. Keeping his voice quiet and smooth, he dared to risk going deeper. "While this is a personal matter, it is potentially devastating to her mind, I fear. She may not take the news well at all. I need to know how invested you are in Miss Granger's well being. Not, financially, but psychologically."

Valois narrowed his eyes. "You mean that she could potentially go mad over such information?" he whispered.

"Potentially; however, not absolute," Severus clarified. "I believe if she had the support of the people she trusts to rally around her, she may not react as terribly as I fear."

"Young man," Valois said as Severus watched his face turn red, "are you involved in this treachery against Hermione or are you just the messenger?"

Severus kept his back rigid and steady, "With respect, I must decline answering. I will tell you that any involvement I have had in this tragedy was not performed with malicious intent."

"For your sake, my dear boy, I pray you are being honest," Valois countered with a harsh retort. "I regret I can not help you."

Severus bowed before taking his leave. He was on his own.

***

A week later, Severus received a letter from Hermione with happy news. The ingredient had been found. Severus could see, in his mind, her sparkling eyes and bright smile as he read the tale of her discovery.

... I shall be back in Paris in two days. Please join me for a drink at my flat above the shop on Saturday around seven. Then we shall go for dinner and celebrate our good fortune!

Hermione

Severus felt physically ill. He went to see the Longbottoms and explained that Hermione was returning to Paris.

***

"I have to tell her," Snape urged Luna as they whispered in the doorway. Luna looked nervously towards the door where Neville was playing with Alice.

Luna squeezed out of the small opening of the door she allowed herself before continuing to speak with Snape.

She stood wringing her hands. "I just wish we had more time. Neville has not taken this well at all. He was rather scarred by watching Alice's birth. He refuses to have a child with me. I think he always thought there would never be a way she could be taken from us." She raised her face to reveal unshed tears threatening to fall.

Severus scowled at her. This was not the quirky, mysteriously calm person he'd always known to be talking to him. This was just another frightened wife and mother, letting her emotions and sentimentality run amok. He couldn't stand females like that; they were impossible to respond to reason.

Severus crossed his arms in front of him. "No one is taking Alice from anyone," he snapped. "I haven't even discussed this with Hermione, yet. She may not want her back."

"And you, Severus?" Luna asked softly as she looked up at him with her round blue eyes.

Severus lowered his head, hiding his face. "I can't answer that," he muttered. "I just know I want my daughter to know me."

***

Severus arrived at Hermione's shop exactly at seven. He looked at her thoughtfully as he watched her working at her desk when he rang the bell, noticing as she jumped up and dashed to let him inside.

"Hello, Professor!" she breathed. "I am just so excited to tell you all about my trip, and how I came about this rare ingredient. Follow me."

Severus followed her as she opened a secret panel on the corner wall of the shop, and a set of carpeted stairs led them upstairs. Severus was shocked to see how open and airy the room was. It was cozy and relaxed, so unlike the Mlle. Granger seen about town. It was all one huge room: kitchen, bedroom, sitting room, it was all open and free.

He was reeling from how different Hermione was acting. If the last time they had met was any indicator, the last place he would expect them to meet would be in her personal annex.

"Sit!" she insisted as she went into the kitchen. "I have let this decant for a while. I wanted very much to celebrate our success." She poured out the wine and handed him his glass. "I don't think I have ever felt so free as I did in Kiev. It was by far the most challenging search I had ever encountered, but the most rewarding. I found myself at times wishing you had been with me!"

Hermione laughed and said, "Honestly, I don't think I have ever met people so intrigued at Potion making and the excitement of thinking and dreaming up a new potion. It was such a hunt!"

She jumped up from her chair. "Excuse me, I've been in this dress all day, and I just want to change. I'll be right out."

She disappeared into the bathroom, and Severus swallowed his glass of wine in one gulp. Hermione had obviously overcome some hurdle emotionally, and he felt physically ill to destroy what she had accomplished. But, he had to tell her. He had to make it all plain and let whatever fallout happen. He poured for himself another glass of wine and downed that as well.

She came out in jeans and a jumper. "Oh, that is so much better!" she said as she placed her feet encased in thick wool socks on the coffee table. "So," she said, "where do you want to start first? Do we talk here, or go out to eat and talk. I have the worst craving for a hamburger! There is a Muggle restaurant not far from here, and they have the most delicious chips and greasy burgers!"

Lowering his voice and leaning slightly forward, Severus said, "Hermione," cutting her off. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He looked down at his hands for a second, then back up at her, seeing her expectant expression and tried again. "First, let me say I am very excited to hear all about your trip and the work you completed for me. I am also intrigued to see it myself. However, there is something that has come up, and we need to talk."

Hermione's face turned pale. "Is everyone okay? Is Harry and Ron..."

Severus was nervous. His hands were quivering and his confidence was weakening. "...No, they are well, everyone is... well. I need to tell you something, and it is not going to be easy. All I ask is that you please let me have my say and when I am through, you can throw me out or hex me." He tried to relax a fraction and took out his wand, offering it to her, giving it over to her, allowing her to close the gap between them. His fingers slowly caressed hers as the wand slipped from his possession and into hers. Hermione blushed; the physical contact between them was not unnoticed. Severus' face remained expressionless, but his eyes burned into hers when they made contact.

Severus closed his eyes and drew in a breath. When he spoke, his voice was rich and tender with feeling. "I need for you to realize I am not here to hurt you or frighten you. But I've something to say you are not going to like." That was a bloody understatement!

"Okay," she said nervously as she held on tightly to his wand and her own, tucking her legs under her to brace herself for the story to come.

***

A/N: Sorry, Evil cliffie, I know! Much thanks and gratitude to karelia, Maria, and Beth, who help me so much with their time and talents. Please review!!! I am loving the reviews!!!