Why Didn?t Anyone Tell Me?

Disclaimer: The characters are the property of JKR, I think. Not mine, in any case. I only take them out to play and promise to return them all tidy when I'm done. The story is mine, and so are the original characters interacting with the world of magic.

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Damage Control - Chapter Nine

Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me?

"Leave me alone! Imposing a good mood on anyone who had less than enough sleep and before coffee should be illegal."

Severus Snape smirked as he listened to Hermione's words. He was comfortably seated, a glass of brandy in his hand, while viewing Hermione's day in the Investisieve. He thought contemplatively that it was probably the first time in his life that he agreed wholeheartedly with Granger's opinion. All of his own colleagues, even the headmaster, knew better than to approach him before he had at least two cups of strong coffee, unless they felt decidedly suicidal.

The next sentence he heard wiped the smirk right off his face. "You mean there are more stories about Snape and Hermione?" What on earth was the chit on about? Stories about himself and Granger? He could not quite fathom the idea. Snape continued to view the events of the day, perplexed by the mention of something called, 'Ordinary People' by 'Hayseed'.

Snape scowled, 'Who was Hayseed... And why would someone write a story about him? And her of all people?'

The Potions professor sighed. It would have been much easier if he could have placed tracking charms on that entire blasted family of hers. That way he could at least hear what the others were saying, rather than just Granger. He felt an unsurprising urge to investigate the correct meaning of 'more stories about Snape and Hermione.' It was bad enough having this J. K. Rowling person of whom he had never heard write best-selling books that told the entire Muggle world about his life, but to have others write about him? And someone writing that he should apologise to her? It was inconceivable. Yes, the notion definitely required further investigation, he decided.

For once, fate was kind to Severus Snape. He sighed at the sight of the headmaster's head in his fireplace, but was almost immediately mollified with what Albus Dumbledore said.

"Severus, are you free tomorrow? I could do with your expertise at Miss Granger's aunt's home. Miss Granger has already applied protective Runes all over the property, but I'd like to reinforce them to ensure that Lucius cannot get close to any member of her family."

"Yes, Albus," he replied sardonically. "I'm usually very busy during the holidays, but I'll make myself available for this task."

"Ah, thank you, Severus," Dumbledore said in a friendly manner, completely ignoring his Potions master's sarcasm. "I was curious as to what you thought we should do with Draco in the meantime? Minerva has left to visit her relatives, and nobody has returned from their holidays yet, so except for Argus, he is unsupervised and unprotected. I would hate for Lucius to get hold of him while we're out, even if it's unlikely. I'd rather err on the side of caution."

"Why, Headmaster, we'll take him along with us. A dose of Muggle life will not harm him, I'm certain. If anything, it will be educational for Draco... and Granger's cousin will be delighted, I'm sure, to see young Mr Malfoy," Severus replied, his black eyes glinting. It would be fun indeed to watch two hormonal teenagers from such different backgrounds. And he might be able to place tracing charms on Granger's relatives, so that he could follow entire conversations rather than just snippets. Then, he might be able to learn more about those mysterious stories the chit had mentioned.

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Hermione felt relieved that she had spent the day in such a relaxing manner, when she received Professor Dumbledore's note informing her of his arrival the next morning. She wanted to be alert when he set to work on reinforcing the protective Runes, so she could follow his every step and learn the process.

Alana was excited at the prospect of meeting the greatest wizard alive. "Do you think he'll let me watch when he does magic?" she asked her cousin tentatively.

"Sure, I don't see why not. He knows that you already know about the magic world, and you are in as much need of protection as I am, so I would think he would appreciate your thirst for magical knowledge," Hermione assured her cousin.

She wondered who the headmaster would bring along. His letter had stated, "We will arrive... ."

'Maybe he'll bring Professor Flitwick. I'm sure that as a master of Charms, he'll know the best way to ward a home,' she thought contemplatively.

Both Hermione and Alana were up early the following morning, and Hermione walked into the kitchen to be greeted enthusiastically by her aunt. "Ah, good morning, young lady! Up bright and early! You haven't spent the night reading, then, I take it?"

Hermione murmured a greeting and sat down at the table to enjoy her coffee. "Mum made pancakes again," Alana noted. "Why do I have a feeling she enjoys having you here for the summer... She never makes pancakes more often than once in a blue moon." Taking a sideways glance at her cousin, she added, sighing, "Although how anyone can possibly enjoy your company first thing in the morning is beyond me..."

Hermione glared at her and continued to sip her coffee. Slowly, the caffeine kicked in, and her brain was brought into gear. A thought entered her mind like a bolt of lightning, and she looked at Alana in horror. "She doesn't know," she mouthed, glancing at her aunt who was just exiting the kitchen.

"Oh. My. Goodness," Alana groaned, her expression equally horrified. Abandoning her breakfast, she hurriedly got up from the table and yelled, "Mum!" At that moment, the doorbell rang, causing both girls to utter loud groans. Alana's mother was heading straight for the entrance door.

Hermione positioned herself at the far end of the corridor, hoping fervently to get Dumbledore's attention somehow, as her aunt opened the door.

The headmaster greeted Amelia pleasantly. "Good morning. You must be Hermione's aunt. I'm Albus Dumbledore, and these," pointing towards his two companions, "are Professor Severus Snape, Hogwarts' Potions master, and his godson, Draco Malfoy, who is also a pupil at Hogwarts."

"Very funny! And you really do look authentic!" Amelia said, impressed. She looked the three wizards up and down, taking in their appearance. "Now, who are you really, and what do you want?" she asked sharply, her face taking on a stern expression.

Dumbledore finally noticed Hermione who was mouthing, "She doesn't know about us."

He allowed a small sigh to escape. "Ah. I see. Hermione might have forgotten to mention that we do, indeed, exist. I believe your daughter has had the pleasure of meeting both Draco and Professor Snape already. Why don't you ask her?" he suggested nonchalantly, his eyes twinkling to Hermione's relief. It was bad enough having to face Professor Snape again, and unexpected at that. She did not think she could have coped with the headmaster's wrath.

The said professor utilised the fact that his employer was busy, intently watching the interaction between one mother and her daughter. He silently, discreetly, and wandlessly applied a tracking charm on the mother. One task was out of the way.

"Alana! What on earth! How could you not have said anything? What has gotten into you? How could you get me into such an embarrassing situation? Did you think if you told me, I would try to prevent you from meeting Draco Malfoy? Have I ever stopped you from meeting any boy you fancied?" Aunt Amelia was as distressed as she was embarrassed. Remembering the conversation about Professor Snape at that moment did not help in the least, either. She turned to face her niece. "Hermione! How could you keep quiet, especially after those conversations we've had? Why didn't anyone tell me?" she wailed in utter despair.

Draco and Alana used her mother's outburst to study each other with open curiosity. Alana knew she should feel embarrassed about her mother's words regarding Draco, as well as the fact that it had never occurred to her to inform her of the expected visit from Hogwarts' professors. But she knew that Amelia would soon enough get over her embarrassment. She also decided it was just as well that Draco knew she liked him. That way, if he did not like her, she would at least find out soon.

Draco was not sure what to make of the Muggle girl. He was used to Slytherins, who tended to act in twisted and hidden behaviours. He sensed more than knew that there was something about her that he just could not quite place his finger on. Surely, it was worth investigating. If he ended up making a fool of himself, well, she was only a Muggle, and nobody in the magical world would be the wiser. There were plenty of Slytherin girls who fought for his attention.

Hermione felt deeply embarrassed. She had fooled her aunt, who had given her shelter and a loving welcome when her own parents had failed because of their personal problems. She knew that she had been unfair by not letting Aunt Amelia in on the secret in the first place. And yet, she could not have done so with a clear conscience. Ever since first year, it had been drummed into her that the world of magic was to remain as secret as possible. However, she felt that forgetting until it was too late to inform her aunt was unforgivable.

To ease the situation for her distressed aunt, she cleared her throat and suggested pleasantly, "Why don't we go inside? Surely, there is no need to entertain the neighbourhood."

"If Mr Malfoy and Miss Williams have quite finished their staring contest, perhaps we should proceed inside. Preferably before a Death Eater walks past," Snape sneered, glaring from Draco to Alana and back to his godson.

"Splendid idea," Dumbledore remarked good-naturedly and turned to Alana's mother. "Mrs Williams, my sincere apologies for disturbing your peace, but I will explain everything to you. If you don't mind, I would prefer the privacy of somewhere indoors... with no prying ears."

Aunt Amelia finally recovered from her shock and, muttering excuses, led the visitors to the living room. After making sure everyone had coffee, tea and biscuits, she sat down and looked expectantly at Dumbledore.

The headmaster wasted no time in explaining the situation, the recent events, and the need to protect Hermione and her loved ones. "I'm very sorry that you got unwittingly involved in all this mess, Mrs Williams," he said sincerely. "And now, with your permission, I would like to inspect the fine work these two young ladies have done with their protective Runes," he finished in a more cheerful tone.

Hermione got up and led the two professors around the house to show them the work, which she and Alana had undertaken. As soon as Snape had left the room, Aunt Amelia left to busy herself in the kitchen, too flustered from the most recent events to worry about leaving her daughter alone with a potential love interest.

Draco took to staring at Alana again. "How did you do it?" he blurted out, too fascinated by the alien situation he found himself in to care about etiquette. Besides, he had no idea about Muggle etiquette...for all he knew, it might be completely the opposite of the wizard world. He did not notice the sudden mischievous glint in Alana's eyes, nor the fact that she had moved, until he found himself on the floor on his back with her perched on top of him.

"This, you mean?" She grinned at him, looking all mischievous and pretty.

Draco felt himself harden. Damn, but she was attractive, Muggle or not. And, her skill was good. To put him on his back in a split second without magic was quite an achievement. His father would kill him if he knew the thoughts drifting through Draco's mind, but Draco decided that if knowing her was part of being on Dumbledore's side, it was worth the risk.

"Teach me!" he demanded and found himself being scrutinised, before she burst into laughter.

"Sure. If you're willing to train about ten hours a week, stop eating meat, and meditate half an hour a day, you might be able to do it in a year or three," she replied, her voice sincere, although her amusement at his demand was still evident.

"What's so funny?" he grumbled. "You think I can't do it? You don't know me!"

"Well," she drawled, still amused, "Let's say, I know you better than you know me, courtesy of J.K. Rowling. I didn't say you couldn't do it. But if you want me to teach you, then you have to know that it's not something you can learn in just a few days like, say, Apparating. Martial Arts is a complex subject; it's not about winning a fight, and it's not about being able to knock someone on the ground," she explained, her speech becoming more passionate as she went on.

The way she spoke with passion about the subject, which was obviously close to her heart, besotted Draco. Suddenly, Lucius no longer mattered. Nothing and no one was important but her. He looked at the young woman intently, savouring the feel of her lithe body on top of his own.

"I want to learn this. I want to learn you. I want to be with you," he said slowly, emphasising every single syllable.

Alana looked at him in disbelief. Unsure as to whether she was dreaming, she let out an uncertain giggle, not quite knowing what to do or say. Finally, she decided that as always, truth worked best for her.

"You know... I want to get to know you, too. And be with you." She paused for a moment, gathering courage before continuing boldly, "Ever since I started reading the Harry Potter books, Draco Malfoy has fascinated me. You have fascinated me. I've been dreaming of how it would be if you were real, and I got the chance to know you..." She looked straight at him and started to laugh. "Heck, Draco, I've been spending my free time reading fan fiction stories about you and a girl, and I imagined I'd be that girl." She had moved off him and placed herself next to him on the floor.

Draco grinned, his face radiating happiness. He had no idea what she meant about fan fiction stories, but he would ask her later. Right now, it was not important.

Alana looked at him oddly. "You know, you look totally gorgeous looking so happy."

Draco slowly got up, her words ringing in his mind. Gorgeous? He moved towards her and bent his head toward hers, and sure enough, she moved her head towards his. They kissed. And kissed some more. Not stopping until the dire need for air left neither of them a choice but to stop.

"Mmm... you taste delicious, and I love your smell. Vanilla... peach. It's... exquisite," Draco stated, leaning his forehead against hers.

"You taste good, too. And if I hadn't known it before, I'd be sure now...the dungeons must be full of herbs! I mean, with the Potions classroom there, it's no wonder, but you really do smell of the most delicious herbs... like parsley... a sprig of basil, some oregano, a bit of thyme, mint... all combined. Absolutely d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s." Alana replied, rather contentedly.

"Right," Draco said, getting up. "Now, I'd like my first Martial Arts lesson," he demanded. "That way I'll know what exercises I need to do while I'm at Hogwarts."

He pulled her up, looked at her and added, "But not until I've had another taste of that delicious mouth of yours." And he kissed her again.

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Hermione watched in fascination as Professor Dumbledore reinforced the Runes, and then Professor Snape applied protective ward layers. "I never knew the process could be as complex as this," she said, almost breathless from her intense observation.

"It doesn't have to be, Miss Granger," allowed Dumbledore. "The Runes you worked would protect any ordinary home from burglaries and such, or even from attacks. But unfortunately, the wards on this home may have to withstand the power of Death Eaters... And even with a tracking charm on you, I'll feel better if the entire place is well guarded." Then, he added as an afterthought, "I would also like you to continue to refrain from using magic, except for emergencies, of course. Although you are of age and allowed to use magic, and your relatives know that you are a witch, it will be safer if no magic is used in this house."

The headmaster's words made Hermione shudder. Although she was ready to face trouble any time, the thought of Lucius Malfoy being after her did leave her feeling disconcerted and uneasy.

"Not so courageous now, Miss Granger?" Snape drawled, interrupting her thoughts. "Should have thought twice about being friends with Potter and the Weasleys."

Hermione looked at him and retorted indignantly, "That's like saying I should have thought twice about being born a witch! Sometimes, friendships just happen." How dare he question her choice of friends! And in her home, however temporary it might be, no less.

"Severus!" Albus Dumbledore admonished his Potions master. "There is no need to bait Miss Granger! This situation is far too grave!"

Snape kept quiet. He would have plenty of time to wind her up without Albus being present.

"Severus," Dumbledore said warningly. He was no fool when it came to the youngest member of the staff and knew exactly his train of thought.

"No, Headmaster," Severus sighed. "There was no need, although the temptation was too great to resist on this occasion," he allowed.

"May I remind you..." started Dumbledore, only to be interrupted.

"No, you may not," Snape said firmly. There was no need to bring up the damn prophecy in front of the chit. He continued, "Since we are done here, perhaps we should go and see what trouble Mr Malfoy has got himself into." He turned around and headed for the living room without waiting for either the headmaster or Hermione to follow.

Hermione sighed inwardly while following him and thought, 'At least he doesn't have double standards...he's as rude here as he is at school.'

She nearly bumped into him when he stopped abruptly at the door to the living room.

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Neither Dumbledore nor Snape and certainly not Hermione had ever witnessed a sporty side to Draco Malfoy besides Quidditch. Nor had any of them ever known Draco to accept instructions and corrections from someone his own age, and a Muggle no less. The young and normally impeccable looking wizard was covered in sweat, his hair almost as lank as Snape's, and he was panting heavily, obviously having spent quite a while doing what he was doing when the professors arrived back at the living room.

Neither he nor Alana noticed the people leaning into the room, watching them in utter surprise. "No, Draco, you need to hold your thumb straight. Rest it on your bent finger, or else you'll end up injured very quickly. And punch like this," she instructed and showed him with her right arm. She then continued, "Don't get into bad habits from the start. Bad habits are really hard to lose, believe me. I'm talking from experience." She smirked, remembering her training sessions at the beginning.

She held her hands up again for him to punch, and he did it correctly this time. "Right. Now do it once more. You've got two kicks and two punches to practice until we meet again," she said approvingly. He was a very willing and able student when he set his mind to something, and he wanted to learn her ways of defence. Whether it was all about defence or something entirely different, it did not matter to him.

The loud ringing of the phone startled everyone, and Alana and Draco finally noticed their audience. Draco was visibly embarrassed, having been caught learning a Muggle skill by his godfather who was smirking at him in a faintly amused fashion.

Dumbledore looked mildly curious and asked, "What is this you are trying to learn here, Draco?"

After receiving a short explanation from the two young people, he looked impressed. "Interesting," he murmured, turning to face Alana, "Miss Williams, do you mean to tell me that anybody can learn your skills?"

"Absolutely," Alana confirmed. "All that is needed is the willingness to learn. Obviously, the more you train, the better your skills will be. But it's not just that. By simply having Martial Arts skills, you become far less likely to ever be attacked in the first place. It's almost as if your aura gives out a warning that you're not a potential victim," she explained, and again, Draco noticed her passion about the subject surfacing. He felt a surge of affection for her well up inside of him like he had never felt for anyone in his life before. The sheer force of the emotion made him shudder.

Professor Snape, in the meantime, utilised the headmaster's and Alana's concentration to unobtrusively, silently, and wandlessly cast another tracking charm, this time on his godson's new-found love interest. His personal mission accomplished, Severus leaned back in his chair in a relaxed manner and idly followed the conversation about Martial Arts.

Alana's mother had entered the living room again, and overhearing the last of Alana's passionate explanation, she suggested to her daughter, "Do tell about the Tai Chi group at your dojo, Alana. That should be enough to convince anyone that the art is suitable for absolutely everyone."

"Oh, yes," Alana smirked, pleased to be given a reason to go on. "Where I train, there is a group of elderly people. All of them were quite frail when they started with Tai Chi, which is a very gentle and passive form of Martial Arts. After a few months, every single one of them was in much better health overall, and those who were prone to injuries reported far less incidents."

Dumbledore looked thoughtful. "I wonder if a Muggle could defend him or herself with Martial Arts against a wizard..."

"Alana did, in Diagon Alley," Draco spoke up, with not even a trace of embarrassment for being defeated by a mere Muggle girl. Muggle she was, but an incredible one, too, as far as he was concerned.

"I dare say, there is a considerable difference between your skills in magic and those of a Death Eater," Snape commented.

Sensitive to her environment and the people around her, Alana suddenly knew what was coming and started to breathe slowly, deeply, and deliberately. Draco, still sitting close to her, looked up, surprised at the apparent sudden change in her, but she did not appear to notice. Gradually, her breathing gathered the spiritual power she required for the task she sensed the headmaster was about to ask of her.

"You are right, of course, Severus," Dumbledore agreed. Then, facing Alana who was looking at him intently and expectantly, he started, "I wonder, Miss Williams, if you might be willing to give a demonstration of your skills." She nodded, and he continued, "Only, maybe this time not against Draco but instead, a fully grown wizard with considerably more power? I'd like to see the outcome...."

He turned to his Potions master and asked, "Severus, would you mind? Only mild hexes and spells please, and no wandless magic."

Snape snorted and drawled, "Certainly, headmaster. Wouldn't want to injure a Muggle, would we?"

Alana stood up, ready to face him. She realised her defence would be harder than it had been with Draco, mostly because the effect of surprise was missing this time. On the other hand, she knew that her years of training, starting in early childhood, had prepared her for situations like this one.

Snape stood up. "Ready to be bashed by a wizard, Miss Williams?" he asked sardonically.

Her eyes blazing, she replied with a quiet voice, "I'm ready to defend myself against you."

She dodged his first spell, a casually thrown Petrificus Totalus, by ducking. Then, she jumped three feet high over a slicing hex directed at her feet. Next, she averted his pimple curse by bending down, all in quick succession. Her mind working as fast as her body, Alana decided it was time to change tactics. She returned his next curse by picking up a book from the coffee table and hurling it at the curse and him. Snape only just managed to deflect it. He made the mistake of showing his surprise, and Alana used it to her advantage. Before he could even think of his next curse, he found himself facing her with his wand now in her hand and pointed directly at him.

"Not bad," he conceded unwillingly and then sneered, "But a Death Eater would not use fair techniques, nor would he refrain from using wandless magic if he had that skill. So don't think too highly of yourself."

Stung by his last words, she snarled, "I wasn't looking for your approval. But now that you've mentioned it, why don't you try me, Professor? Surely, you know how a Death Eater would attack?"

Hermione gasped at her cousin. "Alana, stop it!" she pleaded.

Snape looked at Alana, his eyes glinting dangerously. In a low voice, he hissed, "You'd be well to follow your cousin's advice. You don't know what you're asking for, girl." He held out his hand, and Alana returned his wand, shrugging her shoulders.

Dumbledore rose to deflate the suddenly tense atmosphere, "Well done, Miss Williams! Your skills are impressive, indeed." Alana nodded in acknowledgement and glanced at Draco, who looked at her as if she were some prize trophy.

The headmaster looked from the Muggle girl to Draco and added, "I think it would do Draco very well to learn this art, if you are willing to teach him, Miss Williams. And maybe Miss Granger and Messrs Potter and Weasley as well. Would you be willing to do that?" Not waiting for her reply, he turned to his Potions master. "Severus, wouldn't you agree that it would be good for Harry to learn such a skill? It might prove useful when he has to face Tom."

Snape reluctantly agreed. Sighing, he said, "Any additional skill would help the Boy-Wonder, Headmaster. Even more so if it involves learning some measure of discipline."

After motioning for Snape and Draco to get ready to leave, Dumbledore turned to Alana. "I would like you to think about teaching your skills to a few witches and wizards, Miss Williams. I must leave now, but if you could owl me your answer within the next few days, together with some ideas of the how and where and when, that would be wonderful. I have no doubt Harry would be willing to lend you his owl for the task."

They said their good-byes, Snape looking less unfriendly than usual, his mind on his evening session in the Investisieve, which he anticipated to be very entertaining after this morning's events. Besides, he was hoping to get to the bottom of the stories Granger had mentioned in his Investisieve viewing the previous evening.

Draco and Alana gazed at each other, oblivious to the two professors waiting for him. "I'll owl you," Draco said.

"Okay," replied Alana. "Bye, then. Visit soon, okay?" she added.

"I'll try my best. Bye." He kissed her, briefly this time as he heard Dumbledore clear his throat, and left to join his teachers to return to Hogwarts.

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A/N

Thanks to Tatiana who beta-read this for me.

And many thanks to NSS for hosting this archive and Southern for being an admin. You two truly rock!

My sincere apologies for the delay with this chapter. Apart from RL interfering and the fact that I've been travelling half way around the world since about chapter 3, I've also written another story in the meantime ("Play, Outcast, Play" - complete), have started one more ("Without Magic") and have posted an original short story ("Everything is fine"). All are posted here at TPP - have a look at my author page if you're interested. Add to that an original story that I'm writing as an ongoing project and the fact that I unschool my children.... Anyways, now that you know what you didn't really want to know, I solemnly promise that at least one chapter more will be posted before the end of the year, if not two. I'm aiming to do at least one chapter per month, but it honestly depends on the muse - if the muse decides to take me elsewhere, then, alas, I might have to write as the muse dictates... :-)

The next chapter will see more of Draco/Alana interaction, more mention of fanfiction, and possibly more interaction of Severus and Hermione. I'm almost certain that Severus will get a kick out of returning to the Investisieve.