It Starts With A Dance

Chapter 10: I Will


Needless to say, Severus was on eggshells since his deal with Minerva. Not only was he completely inept at planning things for the brats he taught, everyone he had tried to pawn the task off on was busy with 'more important things', as they all put it. Between members of the Order who were still tracking down rogue Deatheaters and instructors who were supposed to be researching new teaching method, everyone he'd asked had been unable to help.


But there was one person he hadn't asked. And he didn't plan to, unless he truly was helpless. Except he was at his wits' end. The students couldn't be bothered, so he hadn't even managed to pull together a 'dance committee'. As he paced his dungeons, he realized only one thing could help him now, one person.


Hermione Granger.


"Dobby!" Severus summoned the house-elf who had a soft spot for the girl. The creature popped into the room and averted his eyes from Severus, bowing low.


"Yes, Masters Snape, sir, Dobby is being here to help yous, sir," Dobby said in a small voice. All the house-elves feared the Slytherin head of house, and were well to do for it.


"Dobby, I want you to bring Professor Granger down here, immediately. You are not to tell her where you are bringing her, and she is not to resist. You will not tell her who has summoned her, and you will do this immediately," Severus gave the order quickly before he lost his nerve. Dobby slapped himself and nodded, apparating away with a pop. That has never made me comfortable. If a house-elf can apparate around the wards like a member of the Order, then what else has the same ability? Severus thought as he waited.


After a minute, Severus chuckled to himself. No way would Hermione refuse Dobby, not when she knew he'd be in trouble if he didn't procure her, even if he didn't give her any reason. It was perfect.


5 5 5 5 5 5 5


Hermione had managed to stay clear of Severus, but she had long known she'd have to make the first step, offer the first olive twig, so to speak. In fact, she was gearing up to go to Severus and try to get through things when Dobby apparated into her room, completely unannounced. Hermione dropped the hairbrush she'd been using and reached for her wand before she realized that it was just Dobby.


"Dobby! You scared me. I thought you were supposed to announce yourself," Hermione scolded her house-elf buddy. She'd known him a long time, since he'd tried unsuccessfully to get Harry out of Hogwart's for his own good. Obviously he'd failed, but he'd stuck around and was actually one of their most loyal allies.


"Dobby is being very sorry, Harry Potter's 'Mione, but Dobby has come to collect his 'Mione. Dobby is being so sorry, but we's gots to be leaving, now, before he gets mad," Dobby said in a weak voice, slapping his face with one hand while the other pulled one of his ears.


"Dobby, where are we going? Who asked you to bring me to him?" Hermione said, the hair on the back of her neck rising in alarm.


"Dobby cannot tell 'Mione, on orders, Miss. We must be going, Miss, or he'll be angry with Dobby," the elf said miserably, pulling on his ears harder than ever.


Hermione's heart went out to the poor creature, but she had to ask him one last question, and depending on that question, she just might have to 'obliviate' him.


"Dobby, the one who ordered you ~ does he mean to hurt me?" Hermione asked, holding her breath while she waited for his answer.


"NO! Never! This one would never mean Miss, harm, no, and Dobby would never bring Miss to harm! Never, never!" Dobby stopped pulling on his ears and instead ran to the wall and began pounding his head against it, causing great blooms of blue and black to rise up in bruises on his forehead. Hermione grabbed his shoulder to keep him from doing anymore damage when the sly little creature winked at her and apparated her from her rooms.


5 5 5 5 5 5 5

"Took you long enough, Dobby. I thought I told you she wasn't supposed to be allowed to resist. Fetch us some dinner from the kitchens. And yes, the ban on the kitchen has been lifted. It is part of why Miss Granger is here," Severus Snape said to Dobby, dismissing him so he could discuss things with Hermione.


"You should have just invited me here, Severus," Hermione griped, seating herself on a couch.


"You wouldn't have come, and the resulting shouting match would have entered the record books. At this point, we have many things to discuss, even if we stay up all night," Severus said, regarding her as he sat in a chair opposite her.


"Agreed," Hermione decided he didn't need to know that she had been planning on seeing him, anyway.


"I'll try to be honest with you, and I want you to do the same."


"I will."