Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Memories of Deception	By : professorflo Category: Harry Potter > General > General Views: 20868 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters within. I make no money from this story.

Chapter List
- 1-Memories of Deception
- 2-2
- 3-3
- 4-4
- 5-5
- 6-6
- 7-7
- 8-8
- 9-9.
- 10-10
- 11-11
- 12-12
- 13-13
- 14-14
- 15-15
- 16-16
- 17-17
- 18-18
- 19-19
- 20-20
- 21-21
- 22-22
- 23-23
- 24-24
- 25-25
- 26-26
- 27-27
- 28-28
- 29-29
- 30-30
- 31-31
- 32-32
- 33-33
- 34-34
- 35-35
- 36-36
- 37-37
- 38-38
- 39-39
- 40-40
- 41-41
- 42-42
- 43-43
- 44-44
- 45-45
- 46-46
- 47-47
- 48-48
- 49-49
- 50-50
- 51-51
- 52-52
- 53-53
- 54-54
- 55-55
- 56-56
- 57-57
- 58-58
- 59-59
- 60-60
- 61-61
- 62-62
- 63-63
- 64-64
- 65-65
- 66-66
- 67-67
- 68-68
- 69-69
- 70-70
- 71-71
- 72-72
- 73-73
- 74-74
- 75-75
- 76-76
- 77-77
- 78-78
- 79-79
- 80-80
- 81-81
- 82-82
- 83-83
- 84-84
- 85-85
- 86-86
- 87-87
- 88-88
- 89-89
- 90-90
- 91-91
- 92-92
- 93-93
- 94-94
- 95-95
- 96-96
- 97-97
- 98-98
- 99-99
- 100-100
- 101-101
- 102-102
- 103-103
- 104-104
- 105-105
- 106-106
- 107-107
- 108-108
- 109-109
- 110-110
- 111-111
- 112-112
- 113-113
- 114-114
- 115-115
- 116-116
- 117-117
- 118-118
- 119-119
- 120-120
- 121-121
- 122-122
- 123-123
- 124-124
- 125-125
- 126-126
- 127-127
- 128-128
- 129-129
- 130-130
- 115
- 116
- 117
Disclaimer: See chapter 1.
Nightstar, ~*LissaDream, thanks for the lovely reviews. I'm glad you continue to enjoy the story. More soon!
She rubbed at her sore eyes, before lifting the steaming cup of tea to her lips, aware of the worried eyes of McGonagall and Harry on her. They'd listened to her story of how she had gone back to save Snape mainly in silence, with the occasional question from the former and exclamations of surprise from the latter.
Hermione was grateful that the professor hadn't alluded to anything she knew about Snape's and her own relationship in front of Harry. It wasn't that she was ashamed of what had happened, but she was sure it would take some explaining, and her feeling were far too raw for such a discussion. From the subtle glances McGonagall kept flicking at her, though, she was sure that as soon as she managed to get her alone, she would be asking the questions she hadn't so far.
Despite the decent amount of time she'd managed to sleep she felt drained and emotionally exhausted after explaining what had happened without breaking down into tears again. She missed him, especially now the horror of battle and the chaos that had accompanied it had died down. There hadn't been time earlier to adjust to life outside his rooms again, she'd been thrown into the midst of it and hadn't had time to stop and think since the fighting began.
Now, despite the fact that the battle was won and the dark wizards rounded up, she felt alone and exposed without him by her side, or by being tucked up in his rooms. Even before being captured, most of the previous year had been spent with no company besides the two boys, and she'd become accustomed to a quiet, solitary life. Since returning to Hogwarts, she'd barely seen anyone besides Snape, and she'd come to rely on his calming presence so much, even when she'd been in doubt of his feeling and intentions towards her. He felt… safe.
Hermione had to fight down the temptation to run to his rooms and hide herself away behind his wards, to curl up in his bed and take comfort from the scent of him that lingered there. Sitting here with just two other people made her feel uncomfortable enough, she wasn't sure how she was going to face more. She'd been running on adrenaline earlier, when she had first gone to meet her friends in the Room of Requirement, and look how that had worked out. She'd been on the verge of freaking out when everyone had started to accuse her of coming to spy on them.
It might be safe for people to know Snape's true loyalties now that Voldemort was dead, but would people actually believe him, and how would they react to her relationship with him, such as it was. Would people understand? She wasn't even sure she wanted anyone to know what had happened between the two of them. She needed to figure out what to do, and quick, for surely there would be awkward questions to answer from many sides.
The room was silent for a minute as the three of them sipped their drinks. The only sound in the room was the tapping of McGonagall's fingers on the Latin dictionary on her lap. Harry was the first to speak.
"So, what do we do now?
Hermione said nothing, her gaze flickering across to McGonagall in the hopes that she would have some idea of what could be done.
"There is little we can do for Professor Snape…"
"But he…" Hermione started, but McGonagall raised a hand and Hermione automatically fell silent.
McGonagall continued. "There is little we can do at the moment to help him. If your memory of the spell he used is correct, and I've no doubt it is, then we have a good deal of time to prepare."
Hermione slumped back against the back of the chair glumly. Two years… Two years she would have to wait before she could see him, the man she loved, and who needed her to save him. How would she bear waiting that long to be with him again? Tears started to prick at the corner of her eyes yet again. Why had he left her? After the moment they'd shared when she'd arrived back in his office she'd thought that perhaps they had a chance for something… more. Her heart ached with the thought that maybe it hadn't meant as much to him as it had for her.
"To begin with there will be some sort of inquest into what has happened, and I'm sure many of us will be called upon to testify in the Death-Eater trials to come." She paused for a moment, looking thoughtful. "If there is indeed the chance that Severus does survive his injuries, then perhaps it would be a good idea to press for some sort of recognition of true allegiance so there are no problems when he does return. I would hope that between the three of us we should be able to provide enough evidence." She looked across at Hermione, her expression sympathetic.
"Snape's memories should still be in the pensieve, so we can use those too," Harry piped up, looking from McGonagall to Hermione. "But should we tell people about what happened to Snape. Everyone thinks he's dead, Voldemort did announce it in front of a lot of people. Do we tell everyone, or do we wait until… you know…"
"For the moment at least, I believe we should keep this to ourselves. I have already been given the position of acting head, with the intention that it becomes permanent, once the Ministry sorts itself out and a new Minister is elected. I should have been able to enter the Head's study, but the wards are still active. I need to study them and see whether there is a way in. If not it means the castle still recognises Severus as the Headmaster, which may cause a problem. Miss Granger, perhaps you and I could meet later and take a look at the wards together, perhaps tomorrow." She looked pointedly at Hermione, who realised that the older woman wanted to discuss more than the wards with her.
"Of course, Professor," she replied, her stomach tightening with apprehension. She was sure that McGonagall wasn't going to make the conversation to come easy on her.
"As for this evening, I believe there is little we can do besides taking some time to rest. The next few weeks will be very busy with clearing up and repairing the castle, as well as dealing with the wider implications of Voldemort's influence over the wizarding world. You are of course welcome to stay as long as you need, as is anyone else who needs a home for now. Certain areas of the castle were barely damaged in the fighting, so we have plenty of space."
"Thank you, Professor," Harry replied. "If you need any help…"
"It would be appreciated, Potter, especially if we are to be in any state to open our doors to students in September."
They both looked across to Hermione, who had stayed silent.
"Potter, will you make sure she finds a room to…"
"I want to go back to Severus's rooms," she blurted out, "I'm the only one that can get in there at the moment, and it will free up a bed elsewhere for someone else."
For a moment she thought McGonagall was going to refuse, but after a moment she nodded her head. Hermione stopped listening as soon as she knew she wouldn't be stopped from returning. She was finding it difficult to think of anything beyond curling up in Snape's bed once more, despite having come from the not long previously.
"Let me know where you are staying as well, Potter, in case I need to find you." McGonagall pushed herself slowly to her feet. "I'm going to get some sleep. I've been running on Pepper Up potions for the last 12 hours and I refuse to do any more until I've rested. I suggest you both do the same."
She waited as the two of them stood and accompanied them as they moved towards the door. Hermione was quiet and downcast, and she missed the worried look that passed between McGonagall and Harry.
"Look after her, Potter." McGonagall said as she pulled open the door.
"I will," he replied, gently pulling on Hermione's arm as they left McGonagall's rooms. "Come on Hermione. See you tomorrow, Professor."
The door closed behind them, and Harry took her hand to lead her down the hall. They walked without speaking for a minute before Harry broke the silence.
"Hermione… I can tell something's wrong. What aren't you telling me?"
She didn't reply except to shake her head, her eyes stuck on the flagstones before her feet. She wasn't ready to talk, not yet, and she was dreading the chat she would have to have with McGonagall the following day.
"Is it… Snape? What happened, Hermione? You were with him for around 2 months. Did he treat you ok?"
"Yes, Harry," she replied. "But I don't really want to talk about it right now." Not that I know what to tell you in any case. She definitely didn't want explain to her friends the details of what had happened. They wouldn't understand… The fact that McGonagall knew as much as she did was humiliating enough.
Harry was quiet as they walked down a corridor before climbing a set of staircases. She could almost feel her feet speed up as they drew nearer to the Headmaster's room.
"Hermione, why do you want to stay in his rooms so much? It's a bit weird. Why don't you come and stay with all of us somewhere together.
She sighed. "Please Harry, I just want to stay there. I feel safe there… please understand." She laid her hand on his arm and looked up at him pleadingly.
He looked back at her strangely, and she knew he had a hundred more questions he wanted to ask, but she saw as he managed to reign himself in and nod his head reluctantly at her insistence and lack of verbosity. They were quiet for a few more minutes until they reached the corridor that lead to the gargoyle guarding the spiral staircase.
"Why would he only allow you access?" Harry wondered out loud, as the gargoyle began to move upon Hermione's touch.
She only looked at him silently as the staircase ascended, and he grinned and threw his hands up in mock surrender. "I know, I know, you don't want to talk about it yet."
They reached the top, and Hermione reached to twist to twist open the door handle. Before she could step inside, Harry stopped her with a hand on her shoulder. "Can I come in for a few minutes?"
When Hermione hesitated he continues quickly. "I won't stay long. It's just… I'm worried about you, Hermione. "Besides…" His gaze flickered past her into the room beyond. "…I should get Snape's memories, they're going to be needed to help him."
Hermione just wanted him to go so she could retreat into Snape's rooms once day. "I can do that. They're probably safer staying in here for now anyway. And maybe I can take a look… fill in some of the gaps in what he showed me to convince me to trust him.
"Please, Hermione. I'll only stay a few minutes. I've not seen you for ages. I've missed you… we both missed you. I won't be long." He looked at her with the big pleading eyes that had persuaded her so many times to help with his schoolwork, or to go against her better judgement and accompany him on some new hair-raising adventure. She couldn't refuse that look.
"Fine," she sighed, stepping through the wards and pulling him through with a tug on his arm. "I'll call Tiggy for some food then, I've not eaten for ages." And at least it's something to do before I can get him to leave. The comfort of Snape's bed was almost a tangible temptation for her, and she glanced longingly at the stairway that led up to his chambers.
"Sure, sounds good," Harry replied absently, making his way across the room to where the pensieve still shone brightly.
"Tiggy," she called, not taking her eyes off Harry. The elf popped into view beside her.
"Tiggy is here, what can she do for Miss?"
Hermione glanced down, and was surprised to see that Tiggy was sporting a bandage around her head, as well as a cut down one side of her face and bruises all down her arms. Despite that the elf was grinning happily up at her.
"What happened? Are you ok?" she asked concernedly.
"Tiggy is wondrous happy, all the elves are glad to help stop the bad wizards who come to Hogwarts."
"Was anyone hurt?" Hermione could remember how at one point she'd seen the house elves throw themselves into the battle against Voldemort's forces.
The elf's eyes grew misty. "There are many bangs and scrapses, but no more than punishment for disobeying masters. Miss is so kind to think of us."
"Do you need any help to heal…?"
"No, no, we is all happy to help, no need to heal. But we is very worried about Master…" She moved closer to Hermione and whispered conspiratorially. "Master is here, but not here. Castle can feel him, but we cannot find him to get orders." Tears began to well in her eyes. "We has no one to tell us our orders!"
Still here… she thought for a moment, patting Tiggy's shoulder comfortingly. It makes sense really. When she'd used the time-turner she'd always been able to see time passing around her. She wondered if Snape was aware of his surroundings as he moved forwards. In a way it meant he was actually still there, in his bedroom, just passing through each moment too quickly to be seen. The thought soothed her somehow.
"It's ok, Tiggy. The headmaster's gone ahead so we can help him get better. For now, you all need to ask Professor McGonagall what to do, as she is in charge of the castle."
Her words seemed to calm the elf, and she smiled up through her tears. "Tiggy will tell everyone, we will be so happy to serve until sir returns. But what can Tiggy do to help Miss?"
"Are the kitchen's still working? Can you bring anything for us to eat?"
"Oh yes, Miss. Wes have already fixed everything and have been making food to go to the Great Hall all day. What would Miss like?"
"Anything is fine, thank you Tiggy."
"Tiggy is always happy to serve Miss." She disappeared with a pop and a moment later plates appeared on Snape's desk.
"Harry," Hermione called softly, moving over to where he was gazing silently down into the blue shimmering light of the pensieve. "Food's here, are you coming?"
He seemed not to hear her as he reached out to trace a finger around the rim of the bowl, careful not to touch the swirling memories within.
"Harry…?" she repeated. "What's the…"
"He did so much for us… for me, and we treated him so awfully. Now… It all seems so obvious, all those times he saved us. I can't believe we never guessed."
"He needed us to hate him, Harry, or he would never have lasted long spying on Dumbledore." She rubbed his back gently.
"It must have been really terrifying when they took you. Did Snape tell you straight away that he was really on our side?"
"Yes Harry, he explained everything straight away." She wasn't ready to tell him any more about the removal of her memories just yet, it could wait until they were all together, as she couldn't face telling it more than once.
"…Everything?" Harry whispered. "Did he tell you about my mother then? I saw her in his memories, and I thought I wouldn't get a chance to find out any more. Did he say anything to you?" He looked up at her expectantly.
She frowned at him. "No, he never said anything… I didn't even realise he knew her." Her stomach suddenly felt tight. "What did you see? Why was she important enough to show you his memories of her?"
Harry expression was strangely sad as he replied. "He did it all for her, you know. He protected me all this time because of her."
Hermione felt sick. "What do you mean?"
"All this time, he loved her, Hermione." He smiled as her as if the information wasn't breaking her heart as he spoke. "He switched sides when Voldemort killed my mother, and protected me all this time because of her… because he loved her."
- 115
- 116
- 117
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Memories of Deception