Chapter 7

Chapter 7

By emie554

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Disclaimer: I do not own Harry, oh how I wish I did and I could have my way with him and so many other ickle characters. Alas, I am poor and pathetically obsessed with the world of Harry Potter so I only can write about him.

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"Potter, I suggest you hurry. The Headmaster is waiting for you downstairs. Miss Granger, follow me."

Harry watched as Snape led Hermione from the room. He could not believe the audacity of that man. That he would threaten her with expulsion, simply because they had fallen asleep in the same bed. Moreover, even if there was something going on between them, what business of his was it anyway?

"Greasy git," he muttered to himself.

What right did that man have to be the morality police? It was not as if Snape could say that he had never made a mistake in his life. One would think that joining the Death Eaters, no matter what the reasoning, would be a much more horrible mistake than anything that could have happened in that bedroom last night.

If he did not know better, he would almost have guessed that the Potions master was jealous. Nevertheless, he knew that could not be possible. There was no way that a petty, vicious man would ever fall for someone as sweet as Hermione. It was impossible. Besides, he was her teacher. There had to be rules against that kind of thing.

Harry shuddered slightly at the image of Snape touching Hermione. No, that was not it; there could be no way that they would ever be together. He would just put it out of his mind... "I mean, who would ever love Snape?" he asked.

Putting those disturbing thoughts aside, he quickly dressed and headed downstairs to meet with Professor Dumbledore.

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Tears streamed from Hermione's eyes as she fled the library. That man could get under her skin like no one else. She wondered if everyone had that power over the person they loved.

'Yes,' she thought, 'loved.' Not that she would ever admit that to anyone. All they would do was tease her for being in love with the "black bat" of the dungeons.

However, none of them knew the man that was hiding inside that icy exterior. Well, if she was going to be completely honest, she barely knew that man. However, the mere glimpses she had seen inside his shell were some of her fondest moments. When she could see that man, she wished she could spend eternity with him.

Hermione could imagine them having long conversations about the books they were reading, time spent together working on research, and even sometimes, a picture of a small boy with curly black hair, dark soulful eyes, and her nose invaded her daydreams. She could not help the sigh that escaped from her lips; it was a beautiful dream... Not that she allowed herself to believe it could ever come true, because she knew that Snape would never return her feelings.

She held no delusions of how admitting those feelings would make others treat her. Imagining the snickers of other students talking about how the "Head Girl" got her position and even her friends would look at her with pity, or even contempt. No one really understood how it was possible that she could love Professor Snape.

She was so lost in her thoughts that she let out a slight yelp when she ran into a hard object on the landing. She took a quick step back and looked up into the face on Remus Lupin.

"Professor Lupin, I am sorry I didn't see you," she said.

"Hermione, I haven't been your teacher in a while. Please, call me Remus. Are you alright?" he asked.

"I'm fine," she replied.

"You don't look so fine to me."

"I swear, Pro... Remus, I am ok."

"Come, Hermione, let's go and chat for a moment... I do think you could use it," Remus stated firmly.

"Oh, alright."

Remus led her into a small sitting room that was located near the stairs.

There were many small sitting rooms and parlours located in this old house, and this one in particular was not used very often.

She looked around the room, taking in the slightly shabby chairs, and decided to sit in the one that was closest to the fireplace.

Watching as Remus lit a fire, for the room was quite chilly, and then he took the chair that was opposite her. His eyes ran over her as he took in her appearance.

She was suddenly very conscious that she had slept in her clothes, had not yet had a chance to brush her hair, and that she had recently been crying. No wonder Remus had not believed her when she said she was fine. She must be quite the sight.

"What is going on? Please, don't tell me it's nothing. I can tell you have been crying."

"It's really nothing important. It was just a misunderstanding, really."

"Well, tell me what this misunderstanding is," he said.

"First, promise me you won't tell anyone else," she said hesitantly.

"Hermione... You know I cannot do that. What if someone one gets hurt because I was keeping a secret."

"No, I swear it's not something that will get anyone hurt... It is more embarrassing than anything else."

Remus looked thoughtfully at her and then said, "Alright, if it won't get anyone hurt then I promise not to tell anyone. However, if I decide that this is important or dangerous, I will inform Albus."

Although it was not exactly what she wanted to hear from him, it was enough of a promise for her to start telling him her story.

"Last night, after Harry arrived here, we went up to his room to talk. I guess it got late and we fell asleep. The next thing I know, Molly is there yelling at us, and then Professor Snape walks in and threatens me with expulsion... I jus... just don't know," she ended with a sob.

"Oh, Hermione, it will be alright. Severus can't do anything to you while you are not at school."

"Yes, he can. He told me that his research assistant shouldn't be bothering with boys...basically told me that he could take me off the project."

"He won't do that because Albus won't let him, Hermione."

"I don't want to be on this project only because Professor Dumbledore won't let him take me off. I want to work on it because I deserve to," she cried.

"Albus would not let anyone work on something so important, unless he thought you were capable of doing the work. You are really the smartest witch of your age. Remember that."

"Do you really think that, Remus?"

"Of course I do, and you know what? Professor Snape would not let anyone work with him if he didn't believe it too," he told her.

Hermione wiped the last of her tears as she looked up and asked, "He wouldn't? Couldn't Professor Dumbledore make him?"

"Honey, if Severus didn't think you were able to handle the work, nothing that Albus could say would make him work with you."

"Thank you, that makes me feel better. I just need to go get ready, I am needed in the lab," she said while getting up.

"Well, hurry up. You wouldn't want to keep Severus," Lupin chuckled.

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It had been only a few short minutes since Harry had entered the kitchen and found Professor Dumbledore waiting for him. He took a seat at the table when the aged professor had motioned for him to sit down.

"Have some tea, Harry," Dumbledore said, placing a cup of tea in front of him. "I have heard there was a little excitement today. Molly came down and told me what she saw... Why don't you explain to me what happened."

"Professor, we were up late talking last night and fell asleep. There is nothing more to the story. I had only woken up moments before Mrs. Weasley walked in, and then Snape barged in and threatened Hermione. Sir, it's not fair... I mean nothing happened, why should she get into trouble?"

"It is Professor Snape, Harry. In addition, I am sure Hermione will not be in trouble if what you say is true. Now, I need you to remember that just because school is not in session doesn't mean that certain school rules should not be followed. Please, remember to sleep in your own bed...alone," Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eyes.

Harry blushed slightly at the implications in the Headmaster's words. "I am sure that will not be a hard rule to follow. We really were just talking and fell asleep, sir."

"No matter, my boy, things do just sometimes happen. I would advise you not to get too comfortable though; you will not be staying here for very long."

"Where am I going? Will I get to stay at the Burrow?" he questioned.

"Alas, I am afraid not. No one is staying at the Burrow right now. Unfortunately, Death Eaters raided it. Luckily, no one was home, but it is too dangerous for anyone to live there. We do have a place for you to stay, but for now we are keeping where that location is secret."

"Don't I have a right to know where I am going to be staying?" Harry yelled. "I am not some five-year-old child. I deserve to know what is going on!"

Harry was so wrapped up in his anger at Dumbledore's words, he failed to notice that Snape had entered the room. Silently, the man approached Harry, almost like a tiger stalking his prey.

He waited until he was just inches away from the irritated boy and then spoke in a silky tone.

"Well, well, Potter. Are you afraid that someone other than yourself might be in the spotlight? Afraid you might have to share your glory, for once? Did you ever think for a moment that there might be a good reason why you are not given certain pieces of information? Oh, wait a moment, thinking about others might require your to use your brain for something besides Quidditch."

Harry whipped around to face the teacher who was speaking to him. "What the hell do you know? You overgrown bat...maybe if people told me everything, I wouldn't have to seek it out in other ways," Harry yelled.

"If that were true, Potter, then you would never have placed your friends' lives at risk with your hair-brained schemes. Maybe, the reason people don't tell you things is because they can't trust you." Severus spat out.

"Severus, Harry, calm down. We need to discuss what is going to happen, not fight about things we can't change," Dumbledore said. "Severus, please sit. We have many things to discuss and not a lot of time left."

"Why? What is going on?" Harry questioned.

"All in good time...all in good time, but first, Severus, have some tea," Dumbledore replied.

"Headmaster, now is not the time for tea," Severus stated.

"There you are wrong, my boy. Now is the perfect time for tea. Would you like a lemon drop, as well?" he questioned, his eyes twinkling madly.

"You know, I can't stand those blasted things. Let's just get back to business. I have other things that require my attendance today."

Once, Dumbledore had his way and all three men sat with steaming cups of tea in front of them, they went over their plans.

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Hermione walked down the stairs about an hour after her meeting with Remus. She felt much better after her shower and making her hair at least semi-presentable.

She had decided, on her slow trudge upstairs, that Professor Snape would wait for her. He had no right to come upstairs during her summer holiday and tell her what to do. To threaten her with expulsion without even asking for an explanation, she felt she deserved more from him. After all the time they had spent working together, they had seemed to come to an understanding, and while not fast friends, they did mostly treat one another as colleagues. In addition, if he wanted her to continue working with him, he needed to understand that he needed to treat her better. It was not as if she was some petulant child, she was an adult and in less than a year, an equal in all things.

Yet, for all her thoughts, she did not know how she was going to inform her professor that he needed to treat her better. She knew not to threaten to quit the project. That course of action might just play into his wishes. Well, that, and she did not want to risk that the potion would not be developed in time. No, she just needed to find a way that would get him to see that she was his equal in all things.

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Down in the kitchens in Grimmauld Place, the meeting among Harry, Dumbledore, and Snape was just ending. Snape pushed his chair back, clearly stating without words that the boy-wonder arguments were failing.

"We are not getting anywhere, Albus. I refuse to argue with this child. Here we are, planning once again how to save you, and you do not seem to care. Do you want to get your friends killed? Do you really want to be brought in front of the Dark Lord to face your death? Because, you are not yet ready to face him," Snape growled.

"What makes you think I could not defeat him, right now? I think you really want him to win...you greasy git," Harry yelled.

"How dare you question my loyalty? How many times do I have to save your life before you realize I want us to win?" Snape yelled.

"Severus, Harry, calm down. Sit, both of you," Dumbledore shouted. "Harry, this is not an option. You must follow though on this plan. We need time."

"But everyday that Voldemort is alive, he is murdering people. How many people need to die before you let me face him?" Harry questioned. "It is my destiny. I know that now. And until I face him, more people will die because of me."

"If you face him before you are ready, you will be defeated. Then more people will die. Our way of life will be in danger...surely you must see that?" Dumbledore pleaded. "We are working on things, things that we cannot share right now, but I promise that the end will come soon, Harry. Do your part in all this, study and learn all you can, so that you are ready and can prevail when the time comes."

"Alright. I don't like it, but I will do it," he said.

"Capital, my boy, I am sure there are many things you need to do, and I need to speak with Severus."

Snape watched as the boy sullenly got up and left the room. His eyes turned to the Headmaster.

"Do you think he will follow the plan, Albus?"

"I am sure he will. He gave his word, after all," Dumbledore said with his eyes twinkling.

"I am sure you didn't keep me to talk about supposed Gryffindor honour. What did you need?"

"How goes the potion work?"

"It is slow, but I do believe we might be on to something. We are going to brew a modified Polyjuice Potion, which is rumoured to cause mutations and diminish the magic of a person. However, even if the potion works properly, we would still need to find out what possible modification might be needed for it to be effective on the Dark Lord."

"How long?" Dumbledore asked.

"At least a month to brew, and Merlin only knows how long it will take to work out the possible modifications. It will take even longer because the term will be starting soon."

"What if we removed Miss Granger from school and placed her on the project full time?"

"Well, that would make the work faster, but do you really think she would give up her N.E.W.T.s or even Head Girl status?"

"Severus, you know as well as I do that she could take her N.E.W.T.s and pass them right now. I don't have to tell you that Voldemort grows stronger every day...we have to stop him and soon. It has to be our top priority."

"How do we explain her not being in school? It will be noticed. I have to explain it before it comes up."

"Since so many students are being taken out of schools, the Ministry of Magic has decided to offer OWL and NEWT tests quarterly. The first of these tests are scheduled in one week's time. I would like Miss Granger to take the test then. She would then be issued her Hogwarts diploma. I require you to take her on as an apprentice. You have no choice in this."

"But, the Dark Lord knows that I have never taken on an apprentice. How am I to explain not only taking one, but one that is a Muggle-born..." he trailed off.

"Severus, your employer requires you to take on an apprentice, just like I am requiring all the teachers to do. I am assigning recently graduated students to all of you. The only difference is yours is graduating a year early. Here is your copy of the letter I sent out to all the teachers, stating who you apprentice is to be."

Snape took the parchment, unrolled it and read the letter:

Due to current circumstances in the Wizarding community, many qualified, recently graduated students are not given the opportunity to apprentice under masters. Because of this, I am requiring all teachers to take on apprentices.

Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress, and I have gone over school records and NEWT scores (where available) and assigned apprentices according to several factors. All these people are believed to have sufficient motivation and the underlining skills necessary to become masters in their chosen fields.

Ancient Runes: Vicky Frobrisher

Arithmancy: Ian Inglewood

Astronomy: Alfie Omega

Care of Magical Creatures: Mathew Strongarm

Charms: Gemma Barnes

Defence Against the Dark Arts: Neville Lufkin

Divination: Star Lighta

Flying: Oliver Wood

Herbology: George Greenbush

History of Magic: Beaumont Marjoribanks

Muggle Studies: Charlotte Smithe

Potions: Hermione Granger

Transfiguration: Imogene Arkwright

I hope that you all understand the necessity and importance of this program. I expect all of you to work diligently to guarantee the successfulness of this new endeavour.

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore

Headmaster, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

"Yes, Albus, I will make sure the word is passed along," Severus stated, as he got up from the kitchen table. "I am afraid I must cut this discussion short. I am supposed to meet with Miss Granger."

"Of course. Please, do tell her the news. I'm sure she will be excited."

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Author's note: I apologize for this chapter taking so long to get out, but I was waiting for my other beta to get done with it. She has unfortunately had some issues come up (start of a new job).

I do wish to thank my betas gingergurl and Alexandra for their wonderful work.

Any mistakes found are solely my own. Please, read and review.