Finding Your True Self

I do not own any of these characters, but maybe if I wish weally, weally hard..... Nah, I'm only taking them out to play while JK Rowling writes the next book. Same. :(

I really hope you like, if anyone reads these.
Please review so I know you are their, it would really help to get me motivated. :)

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Chapter 2: Surprises and Revelations

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Hermione Granger looked up at Hogwarts. The place still took her breath away. With its magnificent grandeur and turrets it was like something out of a muggle fairytale.
Magic and power radiated off the place, giving it a somewhat glow.

Walking up the well worn path to the front door of the school, Hermione felt her anxiety grow. At least the Headmasters tone in the letter meant the news couldn’t be bad. Yet she had no idea why she was here.
Of course it was good too be back, even if she was meeting at this odd hour.
That was something that nagged at her, why were they meeting at such an odd hour, she would soon find out though she summarised as she entered the caste.

“Ah, my dear, glad to have you back again.”
Hermione looked up and couldn’t keep a huge grin from spreading on her face. Albus Dumbledore stoodt int inside the main entrance with his midnight blue robes looking remarkably healthy.
Hermione sighed inwardly, she was glad to see one of her favourite professors and friends looking so healthy, especially with how frail he looked after the final battle with Voldermort.

“Its good too see you Headmaster. I hadn’t realised how much I had missed the castle, it still looks magnificent.” She replied.

“That it does my dear. Come to my office we have much to discuss.” He answered with a tender smile.

They walked to the Headmasters office talking about Harry and Ron’s recent graduation to aurors.

When they arrived at the large stone gargoyle Dumbledore gave the password “White Mice”.

“ I see your taste for muggle sweets is still firmly in place then” She said as the Gargoyle moved and allowed them to climb the stairs to the Headmasters office.

“Of course my dear, my one great treat and weakness it has to be noted.” He replied with a knowing grin.

As they entered the office Hermione gazed around the room. Although she had been in this room hundreds as a student it never stopped amazing her of its sheer elegance and opulence. The walls boasted all of Hogwarts former Headmasters and Headmistresses who were all watching her intently. Fawkes, Dumbledore’s phoenix was sitting on its perch.

She looked round to Dumbledore who had taken a seat behind his desk and was watching her with keen interest.
She mumbled her apologises for holding him back.
“Don’t worry my dear” he replied “This room always has something new too look at, never minding the splendour of the room that my predecessors created.”

Hermione smiled and kindly accepted the seat Dumbledore offered.
As she sank into the chair facing Dumbledore, her mind began to wonder about why they were meeting and at such a late hour.
“I apologise Miss Granger for asking to see you at such a late hour” Dumbledore said, as if reading her mind. She always wondered if he really was a mind reader, but anything was possible with Albus Dumbledore she thought.
“However it was necessary under the circumstances, you see” He took a break and looked at her quite gravely, the twinkle gone from his deep blue eyes “I did not want any of the students to see you come in. Word gets about. They are still children at this school with loose death eaters for parents and if any were to know you were here, and meeting with me it could cause some problems” At Hermione’s Baffled look Dumbledore continued on “Former Death Eaters are grouping again, planning and scheming, arranging for the rise of a new master. My suspicions are on Lucius Malfoy, even with him in Azkaban you never know. The Dementors left their once for the force of evil and may do it again. Even with the other security measures in place it could still mean that some could easily escape if that were to happen, no doubt Malfoy would be the one.” He said remorsefully.
“But what does this have to do with me Professor, I mean you know I will help as much as I can but I don’t see how I could be of any service?” Hermione asked
“Ah, but my dear there you are wrong because you service is greatly needed. I understand that you have just graduated, with extremely high honours, merits and references I may say, with a Masters in Potions and Charms, am I right?”
Hermione just nodded her head, not knowing where this was leading.
“Professor Flitwick has decided to take his retirement. Although he will be on hand to help, especially on this coming time of troubles, he is going to be spending more time helping his sister who has just had her 17th child” His eyes twinkled at Hermione’s grimace.
“Anyway,” He continued “We will be in need of one charms professor, which is being offered to you, if you would like it?” Dumbledore asked.
Hermione’s eyes light up as she gladly accepted, but only to diminish slightly a moment later. “But why all the secrecy Headmaster? I mean if I am here for a teaching position surely all of the students will see me.”
The Headmaster looked very grave once again. “There is something I have not yet told you. You have known since your 4th year here of Severus’ espionage with the dark side and as you know, Severus' cover was not fully exposed in the final battle, and those who learned of his espionage, such as Voldemort and a handful of his death eaters died shortly after, and so they never told anyone. Now with these rogue death eaters on the loose Severus has once again being made to spy, something I deeply regret” He said with a deep look of sadness.
“And with it comes the dangers. They are maho aho are suspicious of Severus and more than once he has returned with substantial injury. Yet he returns as he believes he is building their trust. As it is Poppy ising ing to use all her efforts treating Severus and with his classes, research and head of house duties, never mind his re-established death eater duties he has a very limited time to replete Poppy’s stocks, and needs rest desperately. I am hoping therefore that you could help in this way, as well as to your duties to the students?” He asked, almost pleadingly.

“Of course” Hermione replied. “Although Professor Snape is a proud man, how did you get to agree to him getting some help Headmaster?” Hermoine asked bewildered.
Dumbledore’s eyes twinkled ? “Well you see I haven’t filled him in on that piece of information yet” Hermione groaned, and hoped she would not be around when he was told. The potions master was and still is a very private man with a lot of pride. How was he going to take to someone intruding in his lab, on an almost daily basis, and helping him out as well, Hermoine didn’t think it would go down so well and cringed at the thought of the Headmaster then telling Professor Snape that it would be her helping him.
As if reading her mind the Headmaster said reassuringly “All will go well my dear, you’ll see.” And while the Headmaster looked confident, Hermoine was anything but.


TBC
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AN: I apologise for any mistakes. I do not have a beta-reader and is quite late while writing this. But I have been putting it off for too long now and decided it was time to get my head out of arse and continue this story. So if you want me to continue, criticise anything (though no flames please) or even let me know that someone is reading this story, please review, please! Just one! :)
I may be editing it in a few days when I see the flaws, but thought I would give you this just now. :)

Thank you,

Lots love

AngelDust xxx