Rethinking and Regrouping

A/N: Many thanks to everyone who has reviewed. Hopefully, I'll catch up on answering soon. Also, deepest gratitude to Cat (quaffswinegaily) for the very helpful Britpick.

Chapter 4: Rethinking and Regrouping

Hermione's words echoed in the air between them for what seemed an eternity. Professor Snape paled, looking shocked. His usual smoothness appeared to desert him. He sputtered, "You were ... She used ... Why was I never told of this?"

"I'm sure I don't know," Hermione said. "I assumed you knew."

"I assure you, I had no idea, Miss Gr ... Hermione," he said, sounding extremely remorseful and just a bit awkward. "Are you all right? No lingering aftereffects?"

"Nothing I can't handle," Hermione assured him, feeling surprisingly touched at his obvious distress. "It was pretty bad for the first year or so, but I rarely feel it now."

"What did they give you for it?" Snape asked, still looking concerned.

"Primarily, a muscle relaxing potion to take whenever the spasms occur. I don't need it very often anymore. Massages have helped, also – I've been getting them monthly for years – since shortly after I joined the Department of Mysteries."

"Massage has never helped me when I've had post-Cruciatus spasms," Snape commented.

"Oh, no, Professor," Hermione explained. "I don't attempt it during the spasms. They do seem to help as a prophylactic measure, though, if you get them on a regular basis. I go to a spa in Muggle London. I'd be happy to give you their contact information if you like."

Snape looked thoughtful. "Perhaps," he said, adding absently, "Call me Severus."

Hermione was surprised, but she managed, "All right, Severus. Thank you."

"Will it be a problem for you, being in Malfoy Manor again?"

"I hope not. It's probably best that I avoid the drawing room, though."

"Well, if it's any consolation, Lucius is too fond of his freedom to allow any harm to befall a war heroine on his property. And in any event, I shall be with you the entire time. I will ensure your safety as needed."

Hermione smiled, relieved. "I appreciate that, Severus. You've always been an excellent protector, even when none of us knew or appreciated it." After a short pause, she admitted with some chagrin, "Even when we actually made it more difficult for you to keep us safe."

To Hermione's surprise, Severus's lip twitched. He asked wryly, "When exactly did you not make it more difficult for me to protect you and your friends?"

Hermione felt her cheeks grow warm. "Well, I think ... that is, I suppose ... when you weren't around to try to protect us in the first place?" she said at last.

He gave a short bark of laughter, causing Hermione to jump at the unfamiliar sound. He said, "Well, apparently we agree on something, then." He changed the subject. "When do we expect the Dubious Duo?"

Hermione glanced at her watch. "They should be here shortly, I suppose. Will you be able to do what you need to from Malfoy Manor?"

"I'll have to," Severus said. "Even if I were inclined to leave you to your own devices, Lucius won't permit it. It's probably best that way, anyway, as some of his books are not fond of Muggleborns."

"Not a surprise. I'm fairly sure I could handle it, but I admit I'm glad I won't have to."

Ron and Harry chose that moment to arrive through the Floo. "Oi, Hermione, sorry we're late," Ron began before pulling a sandwich from his pocket and taking a large bite. As an afterthought, around a mouthful of sandwich, he added, "Professor." Hermione just managed to keep from rolling her eyes at his total lack of manners.

"We stopped off at the kitchens since we missed dinner," Harry added, before he, too pulled out a sandwich. "Have you learned anything?" he asked.

Hermione said, "Nothing specific, no. I've exhausted the Hogwarts Library resources, so tomorrow we'll go to Malfoy Manor and see what's there."

Harry started at the mention of Malfoy Manor. He looked worried. "Are you sure you'll be all right? Maybe Ron or I should go along, just to be safe."

Severus interjected, "I am perfectly capable of ensuring Miss Granger's safety in the unlikely event that it becomes necessary."

Ron swallowed the last bite of his sandwich and said, "What do you mean, unlikely? Malfoy has always hated Hermione."

Hermione almost laughed at Severus's 'you are such a dunderhead' look. With exaggerated patience, he said, "At the moment, Lucius Malfoy loves his freedom significantly more than he hates anyone or anything. He's highly unlikely to jeopardize that by allowing harm to come to an invited guest."

Harry argued, "But Hermione, that's where ..." he trailed off at the glare Severus turned on him, then continued determinedly, "Even if you're physically safe, are you sure you'll be all right?"

Hermione smiled; it was rather sweet how Harry worried about her sometimes. "I'll be fine, Harry. It's been five years. I can handle it, I promise. And anyway, this is important. Severus says if anyone has books likely to be of use to us, it will be Malfoy."

Both of her friends glanced warily at Severus, looking shocked at her use of Severus's given name. Hermione was amused to see they appeared prepared to disarm him in case he tried to hex her. But he merely said, "There, your friend has assured you she'll be fine, and I have promised to protect her if necessary. Now, I believe we have additional business to discuss, as I certainly have no intention of allowing this meeting to drag all night. What did you learn in Hogsmeade?"

"Nothing much," Harry admitted. "We questioned everyone we were able to identify rather extensively. All the shopkeepers seemed surprised to learn that anything had happened. The woman at the gentleman's club wasn't very forthcoming, but she eventually admitted that she hasn't seen Lucius Malfoy in years – apparently, his reformation included a decision to be faithful to his wife. She didn't seem to know much of anything – says she's seen enough trouble to last a lifetime already and doesn't need to bring more down on herself by harming one of the most revered wizards of our time. She wouldn't identify the man we saw with her – something about client confidentiality – but she did agree to owl us the next time he shows up so we can question him, as long as we promise not to let on that we're specifically interested in him." He paused, pulling a sheaf of parchment and flipping through it before adding, "That's all we've got so far. I don't suppose either of you suddenly recalled the identities of anyone else we saw?"

"As it happens, Mr Potter," Severus said, "the two foreigners were Ivan Milanovic and Jan Bresnik. Given your obsession with all things Quidditch, I shouldn't need to remind you they're both former Bulgarian Quidditch stars who currently hold political positions?"

"That's why they looked familiar!" Ron exclaimed. "I knew I recognized them! It's been driving me crazy that I couldn't place them! Thanks, Professor," he added, sounding more sincerely grateful than Hermione had ever before heard him when he spoke to – or, for that matter, about – Severus.

Severus looked suspicious, but he merely said, "You're welcome, Mr Weasley." He paused. "I have, as yet, had no luck with the others. However, I have several resources yet to examine, so I remain optimistic that I shall quickly discover their identities."

Harry nodded. "All right." He frowned suddenly. "Hermione, how did you exhaust the entire Hogwarts library in a single day?"

Hermione felt her cheeks heat. "Don't forget I've read most of what's there at one time or another, Harry. I simply skimmed through the things I've read before then perused the Restricted Section and the Extra-Restricted Section more closely."

"The Extra-Restricted Section?" Ron asked, sounding confused.

"An area of the library that I doubt you shall ever see," Severus said dryly.

"I go to libraries," Ron muttered, apparently not realizing where the actual insult lay. Hermione decided not to enlighten him.

Severus, however, said sarcastically, "Yes, I'm sure you do, Mr Weasley, but the Extra-Restricted Section contains nothing at all related to Quidditch."

Honestly, did Severus have to behave like an immature twelve-year-old? It had almost seemed like they were all getting along for a minute there. Sadly, the fleeting détente was already gone, as Ron retorted (rather lamely, in Hermione's opinion), "Well, at least I'm not a stupid bat of the dungeons."

Hermione interrupted before they could really get going. "All right, can we focus, gentlemen?" She glared at each of them in turn, adding, "It doesn't really matter if Ron goes to the library or not, does it, since I already looked there and didn't find anything helpful?" To her surprise, all three of them – including Harry, who hadn't even been provoking anyone– nodded, looking shamefaced. Taking advantage of their silence, Hermione issued instructions. "All right, then, if you three would all just behave, we could wrap this up for the night. I, for one, am tired." Once again, they all nodded sheepishly. "Severus and I will work together at Malfoy Manor; Harry and Ron, you'll continue interviewing potential witnesses. Here are sketches of the individuals that we couldn't identify – perhaps if you show them around Hogsmeade, someone will know them." She handed them each copies of the sketches.

"Where'd you get these, Hermione? I didn't know you could draw this well." Harry sounded impressed.

"I can't," Hermione said brusquely. "Severus used a spell. Now, as I said, Severus and I will be at Malfoy Manor, most likely all day tomorrow. If you need us for anything, you should be able to Floo-call, I would think." She looked at Severus, who nodded confirmation. "Shall we plan to meet back here after dinner again tomorrow if nothing comes up in the meantime?"

Everyone agreed, and they adjourned for the evening. Harry, Ron, and Hermione took their leave, heading toward the various guest rooms they had been assigned. Severus also left the office, warding it securely behind them. Hermione wondered where he was going, but then he took the staircase that usually dropped people off outside the infirmary, and she realized he was likely going to check on the headmaster's condition.

A short while later, as she prepared for bed, it occurred to her that she was discovering that he cared far more deeply about people than she had previously realized. She wondered if this concern was new, or if she was just noticing it for the first time. Probably both, she supposed. She had always suspected he cared deeply for Dumbledore – especially when she had learned the elaborate measures he had taken, to ensure that Dumbledore's planned death wouldn't actually occur. At the end of the war, it had come out that he had hired a Squib who worked as a stunt coordinator in the Muggle film industry to convincingly stage the headmaster's death, then sent Dumbledore into a secret-kept hideaway for the remainder of the war. This ruse might have been less successful if the Purebloods who made up the crew of Death Eaters who had been present on the Astronomy Tower had ever even heard of Muggle cinema, but as it was, they believed what they saw with their own eyes.

She hadn't realized, however, that he might be upset by the idea of her – someone he had never particularly liked – enduring torture. He clearly had been, however, and his concern for her current well-being also seemed genuine. Based on all he had done in the past to protect her and her friends, she suspected he must have cared somewhat even then. So perhaps the only change was that with the war over, he had less need to carefully conceal his concern.

Apparently, he had hidden depths – so well hidden that hardly anyone seemed aware of them.