The More Things Change?

Dances with Witches by Pearle

Summary: Severus Snape loses a magical bet. The consequences? The Tango! My answer to the codpiece challenge on Wiktt. HG/SS

Disclaimer: The characters, settings, etc., of the Harry Potter series are not mine; they belong to J.K. Rowling and Co. I promise to return them when I am through. Well, most of them anyway.

~~~~~ Dances with Witches ~~~~~

Ch 36 – The More Things Change...

Severus strode purposely through the corridor toward Hermione's hospital room. His gut clenched as the sound of her laughter floated out into the hallway. Of course she would be having a good time with Potter. They had been friends since almost the start of her days at Hogwarts.

He had told Minerva he had no intentions of spiriting her away to his dungeon and hiding her from the outside world. Truth be told, that was a lie. While he would never lock her away, the desire to do so seemed to grow stronger every time he saw her. He wanted to be the one that made her laugh, that made her smile. He wanted to be the centre of her attention, and it galled him to have to admit it, even if he were his own confessor.

Jealousy. It was such a childish emotion for a man of his age, for someone who had lived the life he'd lived, but it was there all the same.

Do you think Potter has seen her in The Thong?" He ignored the deranged voice in his head that seemed to be even more focused on Hermione's undergarments since his birthday.

"Severus, you're back. Harry was just telling me about the latest screw up in his department." Hermione's smile was radiant; her eyes warm as she regarded him.

Severus felt the tightness in his chest loosen, pleased that she seemed to have missed him so much. "Everything is ready when Healer Seaton releases you."

"I've got the list of what you want from your flat and the names of the department chairmen. Anything else you can think of?" Harry moved out of Severus's chair and stood at the side of Hermione's bed.

"No, that should cover it. Don't forget to ask Susan for her notes. The Advanced Charms group should be meeting in the student union in about fifteen minutes. Thanks, Harry, I really appreciate this."

"I think Ron and Tina are going to come visit you with Ginny and me later tonight. I'll bring your stuff back then." Harry nodded to Severus as he turned to leave. "Professor."

Severus took a deep breath. "Thanks for the warning, Harry."

"Not bad, you barely clenched your teeth. Should we practice saying Remus now? If I recall, you couldn't say that one either." Hermione truly appreciated his effort to be civil to Harry, but she couldn't pass up the chance to tease him.

He glared at Hermione before turning back to the Potions journal he was browsing, happy she seemed to be back to her old self. Secretly, he was pleased not to have to chase down her instructors or friends for notes and assignments. It was obviously a task the boy-who-lived could handle with his eyes closed. "How is your headache? Has the pain died down?"

"It's better. I'll be glad when it's finally gone." Hermione studied his profile for a minute. "If you're here, who's teaching your classes?" she asked.

"Albus was able to find a substitute for the week."

"You're letting a stranger teach your Potions classes?"

"I'm just glad it's not Albus, though he has been acting as temporary Head of Slytherin. I suspect I will have to redecorate the common room when I get back. Most likely he's turned everything some awful shade of lime-green or purple by now." He shuddered when he thought of the outrageous robes the Headmaster wore. "The wizard substituting seems competent enough. I looked at the essays he left in my office. He's following my lesson plans. There shouldn't be too many problems with my classes when I return."

"Severus, look at me."

"What?"

"You never let anyone teach your classes."

"There was no choice." He shrugged and turned back to the journal, fairly sure he knew what was coming next.

"And now?"

Severus smiled; she hadn't disappointed him. "Would you like me to leave?"

"No, I like having you here, but I'm conscious, and with any luck they'll release me tomorrow. You could teach in the morning and come by and pick me up in the afternoon or later in the evening." Knowing he put her above all else was a heady feeling. He had refused to let Albus take his classes after he was attacked by a Death Eater in Hogsmeade a few months ago, and here he was allowing a stranger to take his classes for an entire week!

"I don't..." Severus's response was cut short as Healer Seaton and his Apprentice stopped by to check on Hermione.

"How are you feeling, Miss Granger? Headache still bothering you?"

Severus watched as they performed routine scans and asked Hermione about her headache and the pain.

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Harry walked through the student union looking for Hermione's study group. He and Ron had been there a few times before when meeting Hermione for dinner. It didn't take him long to find the group in one of the back corners of the common area.

"Hi, you're Susan, right? I'm Harry Potter, a friend of Hermione's." A young man and two women were spread out around the table. He remembered Edmund from Hogwarts, but Hermione had specifically asked him to get study notes from Susan. "You may've noticed she hasn't been around the last few days. She's had an... accident, but she's much better now. She asked me to stop by and ask you for a copy of your notes."

"Is she okay? I saw the article about her injury."

"Article?"

Susan pulled a copy of Witch Weekly out of her book bag and handed it to Harry. His own face, along with that of Hermione, Ron, and a scowling Professor Snape, looked back at him from the cover. He read the headline and groaned.

"Do you know where I can get a copy of this?" he asked with a sigh. Anonymity would be nice, he thought. Not having your life's events chronicled at every turn would be a welcome change. He knew Hermione hated the magazine ever since fourth year, when they'd claimed she'd broken his heart. Still, he assumed she would want to know about this. He didn't want to consider what Snape would do when he saw the story. While they may have reached a compromise in dealing with each other, he thought Snape would still hex the messenger first and ask questions later.

"You can have it. I've already read it. The article says she was taken to St Mungo's. Is she all right?" Susan gestured at the magazine he was holding.

"She took a pretty bad blow to the head, but she's doing better. I think they may even release her tomorrow. She wanted to know if she could get a copy of your Advanced Charms notes. I was going to stop and talk to the department heads when I leave here."

"It says she was hurt in Snape's private lab. Did Snape really stay with her the whole time?" The dark-haired girl sitting on the far side of the table had been quiet throughout the exchange, but she'd perked up when Susan showed Harry the magazine.

Susan shot her a look. "Sure, hang on. I'll copy them for you right now." Susan had been just as curious as Kathleen about the truth of the article; she had the good manners, however, not to ask him about it.

"Thanks." Harry turned to the other girl. "Uhm, yeah, he's still there. Hermione and... the Professor were working on a potion when she slipped and hit her head."

"I'll bet he's staying there so she can't tell anyone what really happened." Edmund had his own theories about the accident. Snape had been his teacher at Hogwarts long enough for him to be suspicious of the man.

"What really happened? Hermione fell." Harry rightfully assumed the young man to be Edmund. Hermione had often said he was the biggest jerk she'd ever met.

"Right. Was anyone other than Snape there to witness what happened? You're her best friend. I can't believe you would take his word for it."

Harry leaned in toward Edmund, his voice low, emphasising his annoyance. "Hermione slipped on a stirring rod. The Professor probably saved her life by casting a cushioning charm as she hit her head. He spent the entire time she was comatose reading to her, hoping the sound of his voice would bring her back. While we aren't fast friends, I, for one, am grateful to have my best friend back, due for the most part because of his care and attention. So to answer your question, yes, the only witness to the accident was Professor Snape; however, unless you've unmistakable proof that he deliberately intended to harm Hermione, I'd suggest you keep your ideas to yourself. Snape and Hermione might not be as understanding about your accusations as I am."

Edmund gulped nervously. "I just meant..."

"Edmund, shut up." Susan held up a sheaf of parchment. "Here are the notes. Tell Hermione we miss her and to get well fast. I'll copy the rest for her on Friday. Will she be home over the weekend?"

Harry nodded. "Thank you. I know she appreciates it. She's staying at Hogwarts until Monday morning. If you want, you can send them by owl in care of Professor Snape's quarters." The last bit was said looking at Edmund, daring him to comment. When the young man remained silent, Harry turned and left.

He'd just defended Snape! It really was a world gone mad.

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Harry checked the parchment in his hand before knocking on the office door. He had already talked with the department head for Advanced Charms, a nice witch who was also an old friend of Professor McGonagall's, and an older wizard who chaired the Potions department. Both instructors were concerned for Hermione's welfare, at the same time saying she was so far ahead in her class work, that there was nothing they needed to tell him other than to let Hermione know they each wished her a speedy recovery.

This was his last stop before meeting Ginny at Hogwarts. Ron and his current love interest, Tina, were planning on going with them to visit Hermione tonight. Tina had lasted almost a month at this point, a record for Ron in terms of relationships these days. Harry didn't mind the witch so much, other than she seemed to bask in the spotlight of Ron's association with the Chudley Cannons as opposed to being there because she liked Ron. Well, it wasn't his problem, but he didn't think Ron noticed how shallow she was. Then too, Ron's criteria for picking girlfriends seemed to hinge on how good they looked draped on his arm, if the last dozen were any indication. Maybe he would ask Ginny what she thought. She'd always been a pretty good judge of character, if you discounted that time with Tom Riddle's journal her first year.

Harry knocked on the door again, a bit harder this time. He heard movement from inside before a male voice called out, "Come in."

"Professor Rancine?" Harry studied the wizard. He was a small man, on the thin side, with his hair slicked back and small beady eyes, reminding him of a weasel. "I'm Harry Potter. Hermione Granger asked me to stop by and explain her absence this week." Rancine was head of the Apprentice Programme. The students worked on an independent programme with him while attending the core classes. Rancine was responsible for the programme as well as student placement when they started their apprenticeships.

"Of course, the famous Harry Potter. I'd know you anywhere, Mr Potter. We could use a wizard like you here. Just think of the prestige it would bring to the school to have the wizard that brought down He Who Must Not Be Named on our staff." Rancine was beaming at Harry as if he held the secret of the universe.

"Thank you, but I'm happy working at the Ministry. About Hermione..."

"Yes, Miss Granger. She's a close friend of yours, if I remember correctly. Tell me, Mr Potter, you were able to destroy He Who Must Not Be Named, surely you must recognise evil when you see it?" Rancine's smile was oily as he regarded Harry.

"I'm sorry, I don't seem to be following you. Evil? What are you talking about?" What the hell was the man going on about? He was supposed to tell him Hermione had been hurt and hoped to be released and back at school on Monday. Period. End of story. What did this have to do with Voldemort?

"She's supposed to be your best friend. How can you let her see Snape? The man is an abomination. Why you didn't do the wizarding world a favour and end his miserable existence when you took out You-Know-Who, I'll never know. How can you let such an impressionable young witch keep company with the likes of him? He's a Death Eater, for god's sake!"

Snape. Hermione had warned him about Rancine and his attitude. Harry was starting to have a new appreciation for the man. While Snape had done some terrible things in his life, and Harry would be the first to say how much he hated the man, he also knew he had been loyal to the Order, saving his life, and the lives of his friends, several times over. Without Snape's help, Voldemort would have won the war.

Harry sighed. "Hermione, Professor. Can we please stay with the topic at hand? And for the record, Hermione has a mind of her own. It's not up to me to tell her who to see or who not to see."

"Of course. Very well, when is Miss Granger expected to be released from St Mungo's?"

Maybe he should have let the Professor come. Snape could have blasted Rancine into bits, like so many Hogwarts rose bushes, and done everyone a favour. Harry groaned; this was not turning out like he had expected.

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"It's almost seven o'clock. What time did my brother say he would be here?" Ginny glanced at the clock again.

"He said he was picking Tina up after work and they'd Apparate straight here. I thought after work meant around five. If they don't get here in the next half hour, we'll just go ourselves. I still need to tell Hermione what her professors said and give her the notes I picked up. Rancine was even more horrible than she said. I can see why she doesn't like him. The man is worse than Snape at his worst."

Ginny weighed Harry's words carefully; she knew it wasn't Hermione alone that didn't like Rancine. Professor Snape had had a run-in with him in Amsterdam, and Hermione had mentioned some type of scandal that had been hushed up. A knock at the door sounded before Ginny could comment. "Finally," she exclaimed as she hurried to answer the door.

"Hello, sorry we're a bit late. Stopped off at the pub with a few of Tina's office mates before coming and sort of lost track of the time." Ron ushered Tina, almost wearing another of her barely-there outfits, into Ginny's quarters.

"Don't make yourselves comfortable. Visiting hours will be over soon. Honestly, Ron, couldn't you've sent an owl or called me over the Floo connection? We would've gone on ahead if we'd known you were going to be this late." Ginny reached for her cloak, while opening the door and shoving Ron back out into the corridor, herding them all toward Hogwarts' main entrance.

"Well, it's not like she won't be there. They're not releasing her tonight." Ron shrugged. He hated hospitals; if it weren't Hermione, he probably wouldn't have gone.

"Yes, they're still keeping her there tonight. That doesn't change the fact that you're late. With luck she'll be released tomorrow and Professor Snape can bring her back here. She's on bed rest until Monday."

Ron grimaced. "Ugh, don't tell me she's staying with 'the greasy git'. She'd be better off unconscious again, if you ask me."

"That's it. That's enough! I've heard all I want to hear about Snape today." Harry had stopped and turned toward Ron. "Did you ever stop to consider that Voldemort would've won if Snape hadn't been there? Hadn't saved my life, or yours, or Hermione's over and over again? What would've happened if Snape hadn't been feeding us information all along? Did you ever consider that he and the Headmaster were the only two powerful enough to cast the holding spell? And where in the bloody hell do you think he's been since Sunday when Hermione fell? Snape hasn't left her side in the last three days. I may not like him, but he's done right by Hermione. Something that I can't say about you when you show up two hours late. First that berk in her study group, then Rancine, and now you. I don't want to hear another word about Snape. Got it? And for the record, you sure as hell could've owled us you were going to be late so we didn't have to sit around like idiots for the last two hours waiting for you." Harry angrily shoved open the front doors and stomped off to the Apparition point, just outside the main gate.

He couldn't believe he'd just defended Snape to Ron. The git had spent all seven of his years at Hogwarts making his life hell. Harry was sure he wouldn't miss the Professor if he never saw him again, but enough was enough. Hermione was their friend and Snape had proved himself beyond honourable where she was concerned. Damn it! Voldemort was dead - life should be much easier than this. With a last angry glare at Ron, Harry Disapparated away with a resounding crack.

"What in the bloody hell was that all about?" Ron stood in the open doorway, dazed, as he watched Harry Disapparate.

"That, I believe, Mr Weasley, was Mr Potter reaching a new level of maturity. Sherbet lemon?" The Headmaster held out a gold foil-wrapped candy, his eyes twinkling merrily. "Miss Weasley, tell Miss Granger I send my best." Dumbledore bowed to the group and disappeared through the doors of the Great Hall.

Ginny sighed. "Come on, Ron, I'd like to get to St Mungo's before visiting hours are over," she said over her shoulder, while hurrying to the Apparition point. A loud crack signalled Ginny's departure.

"They're all nuts," Ron mumbled as he took Tina's hand before Disapparating. "One too many Crucio's."

With a crack, they Disapparated, too.

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A/N: The title of the chapter is "borrowed" from my story of the same name, " The More Things Change - The More They Stay The Same – Sort OF (tentative title – i may still come up with something better). The story answers a bad fiction challenge by Southern_Witch_69 and can be found on my author's page (for those interested in reading it).

A grateful thank you to my beta, Nakhash, for her corrections, suggestions, and never ending supply of commas. Another set of eyes is always helpful, the mistakes, however, are still mine.

Still to come: Severus and Hermione return to Hogwarts, the Symposium, the Wolfsbane Potion, Christmas break (including breakfast at The Burrow), and more. Enjoy. Please review and let me know what you think. I love hearing from you! As always, thoughts, comments, reviews, whatever are most welcome.

Pearle