Lists of a Foolish Girl

Author's Note: Unfortunately they are not mine, all characters belong to J.K. Rowling. A special thanks to my beta flaminia_x

HG

Hermione takes her time in the bathroom, admiring the grand surroundings. It is, without a doubt, a Slytherin bathroom. The tiled floor is a deep forest green, and the gray walls are almost completely hidden by green and silver banners. She ventures over to the immense marble tub and sighs longingly.

I might as well indulge; who knows if I'll ever get the chance again?

She puts a stopper in, cranks the hot water on high and locates a cabinet filled with towels, placing one next to the tub. Then, deciding it wouldn't be wise to wear Professor Snape's cloak, she ventures out into the bedchamber, meaning to grab a sheet to wrap herself in.

The bedroom's contrast to the impressive bathroom is staggering. It's a bachelor's room for sure... a poor bachelor. The single bed is tucked away in the farthest corner of the room, the mattress, she recalls, ragged and thin. Close to the bathroom door there are two cabinets pushed against the wall. Hermione recognizes one as the cupboard Snape removed a potion from and decides to put off snooping around until later.

The farthest wall is covered with bookshelves filled to the breaking point. Immediately her resolve on 'no snooping' is tested.

What kinds of books does a Death Eater curl up with at the end of a long day? she wonders.

Pushing the thought away, she continues scoping the room.

The center of the room hosts an unstable-looking wooden dining table, featuring just one chair, and the only other furniture in the room is a large green wingback sitting in front of the fireplace to the right of the bathroom door.

First thing first, Hermione rushes over to the door leading to the hall, which is, of course, locked. She attempts to open the door to the right of the fireplace and finds that one locked as well. Huffing loudly, she approaches the bed to gather her sheet, but notices something on top. Sitting before her are a pair of men's black boxers and a white button-down dress shirt, both shrunk to her size. Smiling in spite of herself, Hermione gathers the clothing and locks herself in the bathroom.

The bathwater envelops her, instantly easing her aching muscles, the marble surprisingly soft against her back.

It must be charmed to form to your body...

She closes her eyes sleepily and slowly drifts off, her fretful night catching up with her once again.

Ron's arm is wrapped around her shoulder, attempting to pull her away even as the Death Eaters continue to arrive.

She screams the whole way.

XX

Hermione wakes up sputtering; while flailing around during her nightmare, her head had slipped below the bathwater.

She coughs up another mouthful of water and warily pulls herself up and out of the tub. Anxious to look around before Professor Snape returns, Hermione quickly towels off and dresses. The clothes are a perfect fit, and she feels much less vulnerable now that she is covered.

Entering the bedchamber again, she decides to try the two cabinets. The potion cupboard is, of course, locked. The second one, however, jerks open when she tugs on the door handles. Inside she finds a large stack of parchment and folders. In the corner next to that is a pile of quills and jars of ink.

Hermione examines the folders and realizes that they carry the Scriber Charm. Once a document is placed inside, the folder will only open for the author of said document. Smiling, she takes a folder, quill, ink, and several sheets of parchment.

Sitting at the rickety dining table, Hermione begins making a list of possible ways to kill Voldemort's snake.

Ways to Kill Nagini:

3) Beg to be taken before Voldemort and throw a knife at the snake's head

Hermione sighs and buries her face in her hands.

"These are about as likely as Mundungus Fletcher becoming Minister of Magic," she whispers.

Hermione's stomach gives a ferocious growl and she quickly doubles over.

"I'm so hungry," she breathes.

CRACK!

Popping her head up, Hermione finds herself face to face with a bowing house-elf.

"Oh!" Hermione exclaims.

"Hello, Missy," the house-elf squeaks, raising its head. "Mazy at your service."

"Um, hi, Mazy," Hermione says, taking in the pillow case toga bearing the Hogwarts' crest.

"What can I get Missy today?" Mazy asks, brown eyes wide.

"Mazy, can you get me out of this room?" Hermione asks, hopeful.

Mazy's ears droop, and she begins to twist the bottom of her toga.

"I'm sorry, Missy, but I have orders from the headmaster. I is able to get you food and such, but I is not allowed to be taking you from this room," Mazy says apologetically.

"Headmaster?" Hermione wonders aloud. "Oh, I forgot Professor Snape is the new Headmaster of Hogwarts. It's okay, Mazy. I would like some food then, if it isn't too much trouble."

"Oh no, Missy. I is being told to look after you and it is no trouble at all. What can I be getting for you?" The elf squeaks, happy to be of service.

Hermione places an order for a hearty helping of turkey, mashed potatoes, parsnips and pudding, then as an afterthought asks for a tea service and scones. Mazy nods her enthusiasm and cracks out of the room after promising to return shortly.

Hermione takes this time to search through the bookshelves, finding two that stand out to her:

Fantastical Forebears: Founders of Hogwarts

Willful Wish-Work for the Wandless

She pulls Willful Wish-Work for the Wandless off the shelf and quickly pages through it. The book has in depth step-by-step instructions on how to manage simple spells without a wand. Seeing just how much work is involved, Hermione places the book back on the shelf in exactly the same position.

I'll look into it further when I know I won't be interrupted. I don't want Professor Snape to remember it is here and confiscate it.

Just as she takes Fantastical Forebears: Founders of Hogwarts off the shelf, Mazy cracks back into the room with Hermione's food.

Famished, Hermione rushes to the table, her stomach aching from the delicious smells wafting towards her. She's already taken two bites of potatoes before she manages to sit down.

"Thank you, Mazy. It's so good!" Hermione exclaims, now digging into the turkey.

"Missy is too kind, it is no trouble." The elf blushes. "When you is finished just call my name and I will collect your dishes. And if Missy ever needs anything, just calls 'Mazy' and I will come. The headmaster is telling me to take good care of you, and I is trying to be a good elf and do my best."

Then, before Hermione can say another word, Mazy disappears.

Pausing only to take deep swigs of tea, Hermione manages to finish her dinner and desert in less than ten minutes. Her belly bulging uncomfortably, she leans back in the chair and sighs.

Is it wrong to have such a strong appetite just one day after losing one, no, two of my best friends?

Then, remembering wild mushrooms boiled in a billycan, she decides that Harry wouldn't want her to continue starving.

I'll need my strength, after all.

Hermione pushes her plate away and pours herself another cup of tea. Sighing softly, she opens Fantastical Forebears and finds the section on Rowena Ravenclaw. In no time, Hermione finds the information she is looking for and begins writing a second list.

Possible Horcruxes:

3) Fawkes – Rowena had a phoenix; is it possible that Fawkes can be that same phoenix, and that he has been pledging himself to people who are important to Hogwarts?

Hermione tries to wrap her mind around the new possibilities but finds herself much too full and sluggish to do more than raise more questions.

She takes her first two lists and places them inside the charmed folder, then, after returning Fantastical Forebears to its shelf, she starts one more list.

Severus Snape: Friend or Foe?

Saved my life

Hermione gently sets the quill down and starts massaging her temples. Looking at the short list for 'good' she starts to doubt her sanity.

How could I think he could be good? I mean, come on! This is Snape we're talking about. He saved my life for selfish reasons. And yet...

She can't seem to vanish the look of despair he wore the previous night, or his dejected declaration: "I never win."

Hermione places the third list inside her folder and then cleans up all evidence of her musings. She places the ink pot and quill back in the cupboard and then slips the folder inside the cover of a book on the top shelf.

Having no way to judge the time aside from her lengthening yawns, Hermione decides to go to bed.

Lying on her side, she pulls her knees up to her chest and wraps both an itchy sheet and her arms around them.

Good or Evil?

SS

Just two days ago, if Severus Snape were asked to choose between the likelihood of a Weasley becoming a Death Eater and the likelihood of Severus adopting Lupin as a lovable pet, he probably would have rushed to a pet store to pick a collar for his new werewolf.

At least this way there is no shedding on the furniture...

Severus, having just Apparated outside the gates of Hogwarts, sets off at a brisk pace towards the castle.

He runs through the events of the night in his head...

Severus appears, apprehensively, at the Dark Lord's side, expecting an order to execute the girl. He is therefore surprised to learn that instead, he has been called for an enlistment ceremony.

"Very well," Voldemort breathes. "Let us continue."

Severus had been shocked to discover how quickly Weasley could change sides, but the anger and hatred that tinted his thoughts left no doubt of his new loyalty.

Finally at the castle, Severus gives a wave of his hand, and the front doors fly open wide. Dinner is just ending, and the sudden banging of the doors sends two third-year girls squealing across the entrance hall.

They start giggling over their reaction until they see who the new arrival is.

Severus is used to inciting silence by now.

No one wants to upset the murderer of Dumbledore, just in case Severus gets the sudden urge to hex someone.

Imbeciles!

Shooting them a fierce glare, Severus descends towards the dungeons.

Upon entering his old room, he is assaulted by the smell of lavender and chamomile.

Good god, how does she do that?

Severus surveys the room and sees everything is just as he left it. Well, aside from the large gathering of dirty dishes on his dining room table.

Granger is asleep, curled up in his old bed. He can just barely make out the tip of her nose sticking up from under a mass of unmanageable hair.

She must be exhausted after everything she's been through.

Severus examines the cupboard of writing supplies, deciding he finds a sleeping Granger much more agreeable than an awake Granger.

Finding a folder missing, Severus smiles to himself.

"Accio folder eight!" he whispers.

A book floats off of the top shelf of his bookcase, and then, levitating in mid air, the front cover opens to release the missing folder. The folder soars across the room towards him and lands gently in his outstretched hand as the book places itself neatly back on the shelf.

Foolish girl... as if I would conveniently leave you a way to harbor secrets from me.

Severus taps the folder with his wand; the cover flips open instantly allowing him access. Putting years of speed-reading to good use, Severus quickly peruses the lists in the folder.

The list of possible Horcruxes is quite good, he concedes. But it takes every ounce of his self-control not to snort at the content of the next list.

Honestly Granger, throwing knives? Brightest witch of your age indeed, he sneers inwardly.

The final list surprises him. It hadn't taken her long to question his allegiances. A small smile plays around his lips as he reads her reasons for thinking him good.

So she thinks his sullenness and forgiveness are enough to rival his murder of Dumbledore.

She's as foolish as the old man, and yet just as insightful.

Severus reseals the folder and places it back inside the book cover in which he found it. Deciding to turn in for the night, he makes a sweeping motion towards the door but stops suddenly.

He glances over his shoulder at the frizzy mass on his bed. Before he realizes what he's doing, Severus glides over to the small mattress and secures the sheet around Granger's sleeping form. Then, going a step even further, he conjures a warm, dark green comforter, securing that around her as well.

This time, as he leaves the room, he doesn't look back.