Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

A Living Secret ~ COMPLETED	By : Ms_Figg Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 43743 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 16
- 17
- 18
Chapter 17 ~ The Capture of Severus Snape

Tom, the barkeep at the Leaky Cauldron accepted a letter, a
set of specific instructions and several galleons from a rather plain and
non-descript witch. He didn�t find it strange. He often passed on messages to
patrons. The woman thanked him and left. Tom wondered what was wrong with her
voice.

****************************************

Madam Puddifoot accepted the pretty pink letter and the two galleons from the
young woman before her, looking her over. She could really use a good
conditioner and some tender skin treatment. She tried to sell her a few of her
lotions but the young woman refused. Obviously, she didn�t care about being
pretty. Poor thing.

They went over the instructions once more then the witch left, Madam Puddifoot
shaking her head at the awkward walk, as if the woman was purposely not trying
to switch her hips.

*****************************************

The young man at the bookshop looked at the title of the book the witch put on
hold for one Hermione Granger. It was entitled, �Finding the Man of Mysteries.�
The woman slipped an envelope inside the front cover addressed to whoever was
going to pick it up, explaining it was a gift.

�It will be here,� he said to the straggly-haired witch. He
bet she�d never been on a date in her life, looking the way she did.

Severus moved through the crowd, heading for the public
apparition point. He felt relatively sure he had planned everything correctly
and this was the safest way to deal with Hermione. Now, if only the witch�s
natural inclination to put herself in danger made her take the bait. Hopefully
she would tell no one.

He�d be waiting at the designated time. He hoped she was as
punctual as usual. Timing was important.

********************************************

A week passed and Hermione continued her duties around Hogwarts. The students, the few there were would soon be returning to the school. Actually from the returned letters Minerva received, only half the normal student body would be attending this term. The new Headmistress was quite depressed about this and Hermione did her best to put a positive spin on it.font>

�Just think�now there will be smaller classes and the students
can get more individual instruction from the teachers. All around the marks will
be better,� she said to Minerva, who gave her a wan smile.

�Yes, I suppose there is that, Hermione, but the truth is the
budget is going to be much lower too. We are going to have to cut back on the
selection of foods we offer and will not be able to provide education for those
students who can�t afford tuition this year, since we have to use the extra
money set aside for the running of the school. Also, there won�t be the annual
raises for the staff. I believe however that they are dedicated enough not to
abandon us because of this. We do provide food and board after all. There will
also be no dances or balls this year. We simply can�t afford them.�

Hermione hadn�t considered how Hogwarts was run. With the
smaller number of students, things were going to be very different her seventh
year. There would be no elaborate graduation ceremony or ball. That saddened her
a bit. She had been looking forward to that. Then she felt guilty. So much else
was going on that a final Dance shouldn�t even be on her mind.

At lunch, she received an owl post containing two deliveries.
One was her issue of Charms Today, and the other was a small parchment envelope
that simply had her name on it. But what made it interesting was that it wasn�t
in normal handwriting but printed on strips of paper and glued to the front.

Suddenly her belly tightened and she as non-chalantly as
possible put the letter into her robes pocket and tried not to noticeably wolf
down her lunch. As soon as she was able, she hurried to her headgirl�s room and
pulled out the letter�her heart pounding.

Who would send a letter and purposely glue words to it rather
than write them? Someone who didn�t want their handwriting recognized.

Slowly she opened the letter. She could feel a little twinge
of magic as she did so. The letter was probably charmed only to open for her.
She pulled out the piece of parchment inside. There were more glued words,
presumably cut out of magazines or newspapers. It looked like a badly put
together ransom note. It read:

If you would know the truth, this coming Friday, go to the Leaky Cauldron at
precisely 6 pm and ask the bartender named Tom for a virgin Bloody Murder.

Hermione stared at the message. This had to be from Professor Snape. Who
else would send her this? He wanted to talk to her.

�I knew it! I knew there was more to this than met the eye!�
she breathed as she looked down at the letter.

Suddenly, the letter and its envelope burst into flame,
Hermione dropping them quickly as it burned away to nothing before even hitting
the floor. Not even ash was left. Shit, she could have been burned. Hermione
scowled.

It was from Professor Snape all right. He was perverse enough
to have a letter self-destruct without warning. Well, at least it hadn�t
exploded.

So, she needed to go to the Leaky Cauldron this Friday at
exactly six in the evening.

She�d be there. And she�d be wearing her necklace.

******************************************

Friday evening found Hermione walking into the Leaky Cauldron. She told the
Headmistress she was going to visit her parents for the evening. Minerva had no
reason to disbelieve her, though Filch grumbled something about �prowling the
streets� at her as he let her out of the gate.

The pub was filled with witches and wizard ready to unwind
after the long work week. Pipe smoke and the scent of liquor filled the air. She
walked up to the bar. A bald, rather tall, bent man was serving drinks. He eyed
her and scowled. She looked too young to be at the bar. He walked over with
narrowed eyes.

�How old are you?� he snapped at her, �I can�t serve you if
you�re not the age of consent.�

�Um, I�m seventeen�but I want a virgin Bloody Murder,� she said to the
frowning wizard.

Tom�s expression changed immediately.

�Oh. Right,� he said, making up a concoction of tomato juice,
lemon juice and other spices. He didn�t add any alcohol. He placed it on the bar
in front of her with an envelope.

�How much?� Hermione asked him, reaching into her robes
pocket.

Tom waved his hand.

�The witch that left it for you already paid for it,� he said,
walking away.

Hermione looked after him, then opened the envelope. There was
another message with glued words.

At precisely 6:30, enter Madam Puddifoot�s teashop and sit at
the third table in front of the large window and have a cup of tea.

Hermione would have to apparate to Hogsmeade in order
to visit the tea shop. She realized that Snape was trying to make sure she
hadn�t set him up and was probably somewhere close, making sure she wasn�t being
followed. There was no reaction by her necklace, so he wasn�t in the immediate
vicinity. She couldn�t help looking around the pub a bit suspiciously.
Suspiciously enough to attract the attention of one Marcus Delaluci, who was
seated at a table enjoying a firewhiskey on the rocks.

�Hm. Now what�s Miss Granger doing here?� he wondered,
watching the witch. He saw she had a parchment in her hand and telescoped his
vision to read the words. Hm. Strange lettering for a letter. Suddenly it ripped
into shreds in her hands, the pieces shriveling up and disappearing before he
could read it fully.

The wizard instantly went on point. Something was up here. Of
all the bloody luck. It seemed Miss Granger had made initial contact with
someone who didn�t want to be found out.

Most likely Snape. It made sense he would contact her if
anyone. The last time he saw her looking at his poster on the street torch, she
had seemed very sympathetic considering what he�d done. Marcus smiled. Snape was
being cautious and was probably watching to see if the witch was being followed.

A slow grin crossed the blonde wizard�s face as he watched
the witch drink part of the drink in front of her. Those twenty thousand galleons
just shifted to within his reach. The wizard stood up and sauntered over to
Hermione, appearing on her right side.

�Hello Miss Granger. What in the world are you doing in the
Leaky Cauldron?� he purred at her.

Hermione was startled at first, then sighed as she saw
Professor Delaluci had addressed her.

�Oh, I just wanted a little drink before I headed out,� she
said lightly�a bit too lightly.

Marcus immediately knew she was trying to be evasive. His hand
was on his wand in his pocket. Non-verbally he cast an Eradicator tracking spell
on the witch. She couldn�t feel the subtle magic wash over her. It was made that
way.

�I see. Well, I just wanted to say hello,� he said, �I imagine
I will be seeing you at Hogwarts in class. Hope you�re ready for it.�

�I am,� Hermione said smiling.

�Good. Take care, Miss Granger,� the wizard said with a
disarming smile. He walked back to his table and sat down.

Hermione quickly finished her drink and walked quickly to the
back of the pub which led to the entrance to Diagon Alley. The moment she left,
Marcus whispered the incantation that made a translucent map appear floating in
the air in front of him. No one else could see it but him. He watched as the
footprints of Hermione walked through Diagon Alley to a public apparition point
and disappeared. A new map appeared. She was in Hogsmeade.

Marcus ordered another firewhiskey. He wouldn�t follow her
until she went to a location that was rather private. That was where she would
most likely meet up with Snape.

And that�s when he could collect his twenty thousand galleons.

************************************

Snape, disguised as an elderly witch with long gray hair, and a pointed hat,
watched from across the street as Hermione entered Puddifoot�s Tea Shop and took
a street at the designated table near the window. Madam Puddifoot came over with
a cup of tea and the pink letter. The wizard looked about carefully to see if
anyone was following her. He didn�t see anyone. So far so good.

Seated at the table, Hermione opened the frilly pink envelope,
opened it and read it. It had the same kind of lettering as the other messages.
She scowled.

�I have to go back to Diagon Alley? Good gods,� she murmured.

Hermione had to be at Flourish and Blotts book store at
precisely seven o�clock and ask for a book called �Finding the Man of
Mysteries.� She never realized Professor Snape was so literal. First, she had to
order a �Bloody Murder� now pick up a book

Hermione drank the hot sweet tea in front of her. It was very
good. She noticed however that her hands were shaking. She was afraid. Afraid to
see the wizard�afraid he might do something to her. Perhaps Voldemort decided it
was time to kill off Harry�s friends and she was first on the list.

�No. No. He wants to tell me what happened�not kill me. He
could have killed me at any time after I arrived at the Leaky Cauldron if that
was what he wanted,� she told herself. She didn�t sound very convincing.

Hermione looked down at her necklace. Still nothing. She began to wonder if she should have told someone about Snape contacting her. No. She couldn�t have done that. There was no one she could have told that wouldn�t have tried to capture the wizard. Not even Harry. She knew he said he wouldn�t go after the Potions Master, but she was sure if Harry knew precisely where he would be�he�d still go for the wizard. He couldn�t be trusted because of his emotions.

Severus disapparated to the next location to wait for Hermione
when he saw her finish her tea and rise. The witch discovered her tea had also
been paid for in advance. Well, at least the Professor wasn�t cheap.

********************************************

Marcus watched the map change again as Hermione apparated back to Diagon Alley.

�Hm, Snape is really fudging her movements,� the wizard mused,
watching as the witch loitered in front of a few shops.

�Killing time,� the wizard said to himself as he finished his
firewhiskey. That was enough liquor. He had work to do.

********************************************

Snape sat on a rickety chair, waiting for Hermione. He had transformed back into
his normal form, but had another bottle of Polyjuice potion for another
transformation after he talked to the witch. He looked around the old, dusty
room. He chose this place because it was right under the Ministry�s nose and had
already been investigated several times. It was decided the Potions Master
wouldn�t hide in such an obvious place. He wouldn�t�but it was fine for a short
visit. Particularly on a Friday night when Aurors were busy keeping the peace.
Fridays could get quite wild in the wizarding world, the weekend warriors coming
out in force, wands blazing. There were few people as arrest-worthy as an
inebriated witch or wizard with a wand.

Snape sat there, going over what he would say to the witch.
He�d have his wand drawn when she arrived, just in case Potter had rubbed off on
her and she decided to try and take him herself. It was unlikely, but still
possible. He didn�t plan to tell her about the journals. She�d no doubt be
livid. Just about what happened with he and Albus, how he wanted to help Harry
find the Horcruxes and what they were. If it went well, he would contact her
again with the precise locations as Voldemort gave them to him. Perhaps�perhaps�

Severus� eyes narrowed. No, the boy was too volatile. No doubt
he would try to hex him the moment he saw him. They couldn�t work together. This
was Potter, not a reasonable human being.

*******************************************

Hermione walked into Flourish and Blotts and straight to the counter. A
pimply-faced clerk looked down his nose at her. He was in his early twenties and
looked tired. It was near closing time and he couldn�t wait.

�May I help you?� he asked the witch.

�Yes. My name is Hermione Granger and I�m here to pick up a
book you have on hold for me. It�s called, �Finding the Man of Mysteries.�

�I�ll be right back,� the clerk said, walking to the back of the shop. He looked
on the shelves that held books for pick-up and after a short search found the
book. Hermione�s name was taped to it and it was prepaid. He brought it out to
her.

�Here you go,� he said, sliding the book over the counter to
her, �It�s already been paid for.�

�Thank you,� Hermione said, opening the hardcover book. Yes,
there was another letter.

This one had only one word on it, and it was in the
Professor�s handwriting.

�Portis,� she said.

Suddenly Hermione was gone. The clerk blinked at the empty
spot the witch had disappeared from. She had left her book. Ah well.

He picked it up and returned it to the back. She could pick it
up later.

With a gasp, Hermione appeared in a dim room, lit by only one
torch.

�Your wand, Miss Granger,� a silky voice said as her eyes
adjusted.

Before her stood Professor Snape, dressed in his trademark
black robes, his wand pointed directly at her heart, his eyes narrowed.

Hermione pulled her wand out of her pocket and handed it to
him as she felt her necklace warm and glow. Snape noticed it as well.

�What is that?� he demanded.

�Your signature stone,� she said. Then her eyes rounded as she looked down at
her necklace.

�Oh my gods�my gods,� she breathed, her voice incredulous.

�What are you going on about, witch?� Snape snarled at her. He
didn�t have time for this. He had to tell her what he had to tell her and get
out of here.

Hermione looked at him, then slowly lifted up her necklace so
he could see it clearly.

�This is your stone,� she said in an awed voice, showing him
the gray glowing stone, �but this stone, Professor�this stone holds the
signature of Albus Dumbledore.

Snape stared at the blue stone, his eyes widening in
disbelief.

It too was glowing.

Suddenly the covered window and wall behind them splintered
with a powerful blast, sending both Severus and Hermione flying as Marcus
Delaluci entered, his wand drawn, a victorious smile on his face. He trained his
wand on Severus, who had dropped his own when he was taken by surprise.

�Easy Snape. Get up. Slow. You�re wanted either dead or alive.
Take your choice wizard,� Marcus breathed.

Severus slowly rose, his black eyes shifting toward his wand
which was a short distance away then back to Marcus, who smirked.

�I wish you would try it, Snape,� the wizard growled as
Hermione stood up, brushed herself off and looked at the wizard in horror.

�Professor Delaluci, how did you get here?� she asked him,
shaken. This was terrible.

�A tracking charm. I saw the Professor�s little glued note
while you were in the Leaky Cauldron and figured he had contacted you. I put a
tracking charm on you,� he said to the witch, his violet eyes never leaving
Severus, �Now come over here and stand behind me. Hurry up.�

Hermione obediently walked over to Marcus, moving behind him
as he directed. Snape watched her silently. Had she been in on this?

�Don�t hurt him, Professor. You�you don�t understand. He�he�� she
began.

�Shut up, Miss Granger,� Severus hissed at her, his black eyes
glinting, �I don�t need you to defend me.�

Really he didn�t want her to tell Marcus what they discovered. It would be like
signing his death warrant. Voldemort would kill him.

�A good idea. I have to concentrate. So just be quiet,� Marcus
said in agreement, �Now Snape, I want you to walk out of that broken window.
Hold on a moment.�

Marcus whispered a spell, hitting Severus with it. The Potions Master�s hair
blew back slightly but that was all that happened.

�A targeted dampening spell so you can�t apparate,� the blonde
wizard said.

Hermione was staring at Marcus� back. If he turned Severus in,
whatever plans he and the Headmaster made would be ruined. She didn�t know how
she knew this�but she knew. Besides, Professor Snape was a Horcrux. If Marcus
killed him, he�d be killing Albus too, and she wouldn�t be able to prove
anything if they were both dead. Suddenly Hermione leaped on to Marcus� back,
covering his eyes with her hands and hanging on.

�Run Professor! Run!� she screamed at the wizard.

Severus didn�t have to be told twice. He ran through the
broken wall and across the grounds of the shrieking shack. There was a tall
fence he�d have to scale, if he could reach it before Marcus threw Hermione off
of him.

�Let go of me you crazy bitch!� Marcus snarled, reaching back
and grabbing at Hermione�s robes, trying to pull her off of him, �You�re letting
my money get away!�

Finally he back up into the wall hard, banging Hermione
against it painfully. The witch let him go. Marcus ran out of the shack and saw
Snape fleeing before him. He fired a stunner at the wizard, who zigzagged so it
missed. Marcus fired another spell, grazing the Potions Master who slowed,
clutching his shoulder, stumbling toward the fence. Shit, this wasn�t good.

Marcus slowed to a walk. Snape didn�t have his wand plus had a
dampening spell on him. His shoulder was injured. He wasn�t going anywhere.
Those galleons were as good as in the Eradicator�s pocket.

�Give up, Snape. You�re mine,� the wizard said, swaggering
toward Severus, who turned, his black eyes hard.

Hermione recovered, grabbed both her own and Severus� wands
and ran out of the Shrieking Shack as fast as she could.

�Let him go, Marcus! You don�t understand!� she yelled as she
ran toward the wizard.

�I understand fine. I understand he�s worth a lot of money to
me, witch and you nor anyone else is going to keep me from collecting! Now,
don�t make me stun you,� he said over his shoulder before turning so he could
see both her and Snape.

Severus� shoulder was burning and he could hardly move his
arm. There was no way he could make it over the fence. Then he looked up. So did
Marcus and Hermione.

A small ball of fire was soaring toward them, becoming bigger.

�What the hell?� Marcus said, staring at the approaching
flame. It was heading straight for the Potions Master. Everyone was frozen in
place as the ball of flame took on a shape. The shape of a large, fiery bird.

�Fawkes,� Hermione breathed as the phoenix fluttered over
them, ceasing to burn.

He let out a trill, then dropped and grabbed Professor Snape
by the shoulders, streaking off with him, flying away quickly, the wizard�s hair
and robes streaming, whipping in the wind.

Marcus� jaw dropped as did his wand arm as he stared at the
disappearing pair.

�What the fuck was that?� he breathed, �Wasn�t that
Dumbledore�s phoenix?�

Hermione walked up and stood beside Marcus, watching as Severus and Fawkes
disappeared into the distance.

�Yes,� she replied her eyes shining, �Yes it was. And he�s
protecting Professor Snape.�

*********************************************

A/N: Oh man, this was a fun chapter to write. Exciting too. :) Thanks for
reading.
- 16
- 17
- 18
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

A Living Secret ~ COMPLETED