An Apology

Chapter 3: An apology

Hermione spent the next few days in her new room, only venturing downstairs for meals. She had even stopped reading and spent the entire day learning from Altamira. There were so many rites and all of them were extremely complicated. She had now an idea of why her behaviour had offended Snape. She had only seen him once in the last few days at an Order meeting. He was on the other side of the room and did not even acknowledge her presence. She did not try to talk to him, knowing that it would only make things worse. After the meeting, she explained to Altamira that she wished to apologise to him, and had asked the old lady to teach her the proper ritual.

On Sunday, the Headmaster arrived at Grimmauld Place and informed Harry that he would have to visit the Dursley's house in Little Whinging in order to renew the bond of protection. Lupin and Tonks would accompany him the next day. Mr. Weasley asked if they could go back to the Burrow for a day in order to hold their annual family celebration. The Headmaster turned to Hermione and asked her if she wanted to come to Hogwarts for the day so that she would not be alone, but she declined. She had too much practising to do with Altamira.

Hermione stayed in the attic all Monday morning. At lunchtime she went down to the kitchen to make a sandwich. She heard the fire cracking in the study, and she entered, worried that someone had forgotten to extinguish it before leaving. She ground to a halt, halfway between the doorway and the fireplace when she noticed Snape sitting in an armchair by the window reading a book.

She gathered her Gryffindor courage and tried to remember everything she had learned in the past few days. It was a perfect opportunity for her to apologise. Well, if she did something wrong, he would doubtless kill her, and people would only find out when Harry, Lupin and Tonks returned the next day.

She stood in the middle of the room with her eyes dropped to the floor. He did not seem to notice her, and normally she would have coughed to draw his attention. However, Altamira had explained the importance of proper respect towards an elder, which included trusting their powers of observation, so she remained motionless and silent. After about ten minutes, she was almost certain that he wasn't going to notice her, or that he had fallen asleep. She didn't dare raise her eyes as Altamira had explained that it would be inappropriate; it would mean she was criticising his decision to make her wait. After another quarter of an hour, her legs had started to ache from standing still for so long, but her resolution had grown stronger. After another couple of minutes, she started to recite in her head everything that she had learned over the past few days. It was almost an hour later, that she finally heard him say, "Good afternoon, Miss Granger. Is there a reason for your presence here?"

She was surprised. His voice was neutral, but there was no sarcasm in it. Hiding her surprise, she moved on to the next step of the ritual. She approached him slowly, and when she was about two meters away, she knelt on the floor and remained silent. Slowly she raised her head, and when their eyes met she relaxed her defences so that he could see through her eyes in her mind without the use of Legilimency.

He looked at her, and for the first time, there was no cruelty to his eyes; he only looked solemn. His voice was low and serious when he simply said, "I forgive you."

Hermione would have normally reacted very differently from the way she was about to, but Altamira had warned her that this would be a delicate moment. She dropped her eyes to the floor, stood up, and left the room. Altamira had explained that she could not thank him or speak in any way, as to do so without permission would show that she lacked respect, and she could not stay in the room any longer because she would be intruding on his privacy.

Hermione ran to the attic to inform the portrait of her apology, having forgotten how hungry she was and the sandwich that she had left an hour and a half before in the kitchen. She felt overjoyed. She quickly related everything that had occurred to the old lady, and then she ran down to the kitchen to prepare dinner for everyone. When Harry and the Weasleys returned, they found a very happy Hermione taking a huge chocolate cake out of the oven. The table was full of food in large decorated plates and dishes.

Ginny was the only one to be suspicious of Hermione's sudden change of behaviour, but did not get a chance to speak to her, as Harry and Ron monopolized her attention during the evening. Snape was not there for dinner. Hermione thought that he must have returned to Hogwarts some time after she left him in the study, but decided against informing the others of his earlier presence in the house.

....

Severus Snape left the house immediately after his encounter with Hermione Granger. He returned directly to Hogwarts, and a few minutes later, he visited the Headmaster in his office.

"Severus, what are you doing here? I thought you would be in London today guarding the house until Lupin and Tonks returned. Has something happened?" Albus Dumbledore asked worriedly.

"Miss Granger," he replied. "Albus, she apologised."

"Oh, that is excellent." The old man was surprised.

"No, it is not. She apologised properly. You know how much it hurts me to see these students ignorant of good manners and without true respect. However, I am aware of the reasons that led to the final abolishment of the Old Ways a hundred years ago and the dangers they held. This is why I am informing you," Severus Snape explained.

The Headmaster paled, and his eyes darkened. "What do you mean she apologised properly? How did she learn? All Molly Weasley knows is a tea ritual. It could not have been from her. And I have made certain that there are no books on the subject."

Severus Snape did not expect the Headmaster to be so upset. He was one of the few people who knew his involvement in the final abolishment and the reasons behind it, but surely a girl knowing how to behave properly could not be such a serious problem.

"Severus, could you spend a few days in 12 Grimmauld Place and find out how much she knows?" Albus Dumbledore asked worried.

Severus Snape had obligations much more important than watching over a seventeen-year-old know-it-all, but he could not deny the Headmaster anything he asked for.

....

At breakfast the next day, Mrs. Weasley told them that Professor Snape would spend the rest of the week in the house and that they were to avoid disturbing him in any way. She looked worriedly towards Hermione, unaware of the apology that had taken place the day before. Hermione didn't seem to mind. She was progressing with her learning and vastly enjoying Altamira's lectures. She was so used to her by now that she never noticed her ugliness. During lunch Snape joined them, and he looked towards Hermione.

Hermione noticed it, and immediately after lunch, she excused herself and ran upstairs to talk to Altamira about it.

The old lady in the portrait said that it meant he wanted to speak to her, so Hermione ran downstairs again.

She entered the study, and he was once again seated in the armchair by the window. Repeating the actions she had been taught, she walked to the middle of the room and waited motionless with her eyes cast down. After five minutes, he acknowledged her and she moved closer to him, this time walking up to his armchair and kneeling on the floor by his feet. Once again, she dropped her defences and looked him in the eyes. Hermione had expected to be disturbed having to show her thoughts to him, but she was not. She trusted him not to violate her mind.

His face was very calm; she had never seen him looking so peaceful. He produced his wand and aimed it to the floor next to her. A green and silver pillow appeared and he motioned her to use it. Without breaking eye contact she moved and sat on the pillow.

"I am going to look into your mind. There are certain things I need to know." His announcement did not upset her. She found it reassuring that he informed her of his intentions, as he wasn't obliged to; after all, she had opened her mind willingly to him. Altamira had thoroughly explained to her everything that was entailed in the Old Ways. It was much more than mere table manners. Through the lessons, she understood exactly what had led Albus Dumbledore to such extreme measures as the destruction of books. In any exchange under the rules of the Old Ways, the younger party was vulnerable and could be subjected to anything at the Elder's whim. It meant surrendering the control of your actions and yourself. Altamira had not frightened her, she only planned to act in accordance to the Old Ways towards Professor Snape, whom she respected and trusted. He disliked her, Harry and Ron, and despite that, he had protected them on many occasions. Albus Dumbledore trusted him. He was in constant danger of being revealed as a spy. These were enough reasons for her to trust him.

Severus Snape was careful not to delve into any private memories as he searched Hermione's mind: He only wanted to see where she had learned to address him in the proper way. He soon had his answer, and placing his hand on her head, he began to stroke her hair. Shocked, Hermione almost broke eye contact with her professor, but soon regained her composure.

"Come with me. I have to talk to Lady Dumbledore," he ordered softly.

Hermione was terrified. Altamira had expressly told her that she didn't want to be seen by anyone else. She did not know how she could tell Snape this, as he had not given her permission to talk, but she could not allow anyone to harm the old lady in any way.

Sensing Hermione's confusion, Snape spoke: "Do not worry, child. You may speak." His voice was hardly above a whisper.

"S-Sir, Lady Dumbledore does not want to be seen by anyone else. I promised her that I would keep her presence a secret. I have just failed her." Hermione looked at him pleadingly, hoping that he would not force her to break her promise.

"Go upstairs now and explain to her what has happened here. Ask her if I may visit her. Do this for me, child, and I will respect her decision."

Hermione stood and left the study, heading straight to the attic. As she was climbing the stairs, she re-played everything that had happened in the last few minutes. She noticed that instead of "Miss Granger," he had called her "child" twice. She reached the attic and told Altamira everything.

Some minutes later, she descended the stairs smiling. Once again she entered the study and made to walk to the middle of the room, but before she could get there, she was asked to assume her position. She sat on the pillow, her pillow, and looked at him. He immediately knew the answer to his request, but asked her to tell him nonetheless.

"Sir, Lady Dumbledore has invited you to take tea with her in the attic. As she is unable to serve tea, due to her two-dimensional condition, I will perform that service. She will be expecting you at five o' clock," Hermione relayed the message to Snape.

He once again placed his hand on her head and stroked her hair. He then dismissed her.

....

At precisely five o'clock, Severus Snape knocked on the door of the attic dressed in his formal Slytherin robes. Hermione opened the door. Severus Snape strode into the room, ignoring her completely, and headed straight to the portrait. Hermione had positioned Altamira's portrait on the main wall and placed an armchair facing it. He bowed deeply and introduced himself.

"Welcome, please take a seat. Hermione, please serve the tea." Hermione did as instructed and then moved backwards in order to withdraw.

"No, please stay with us," the lady in the portrait asked.

She immediately went to the side of the armchair and sat on the floor in front of it next to the feet of Snape. He placed his hand on her head as before.

"Lady Dumbledore, I have already informed Professor Dumbledore of Hermione's knowledge of the Old Ways. He sent me here to find out how she learned them. He was very upset and worried."

Hermione thought that Snape would try to be subtle and manipulative, not so direct and outspoken. Then she remembered what she was told the first time she uncovered the portrait. People were forced to speak truly and make their intentions known when facing the portrait.

"You may tell him the truth. I think he will relax once he knows who is teaching her. You must excuse his prejudice against the Old Ways; he lost half of his family due to their misuse." She paused for a few seconds and then continued, "They are natural to you, aren't they? I can feel it."

"Yes, they are." A simple affirmation.

"I have a request that I would like you to carry to my nephew. I wish to be moved to Hogwarts and placed next to my sister. It has been a very long time, and I have missed her. I also have an order for you. You will continue the training of young Hermione in the Old Ways."

He acknowledged her order by a slight inclination of his head. He then excused himself and left the room.

TBC

Thank you, Ellie!

I do not own Harry Potter