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Be Careful in the Dark	By : SilentCall Category: Harry Potter > Threesomes/Moresomes Views: 40145 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- 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
- 38
- 39
- 40
A/N: I'm very sorry for the delay, but I have a clear vision for the next chapter and the one after that is mostly written. I still know where the story is going, I'm just having a bit of difficulty wrangling the characters. Also, dissertation eats my brain.

A/N, May 2013:

This is an apology post. Essentially, I was struck by a plot bunny of my very own which quickly morphed into an insatiable monster that eats every moment of my creative writing (usually late at night when I should be sleeping). I don't think I'm ever going to finish "Be Careful in the Dark."

Since the last time I posted an update to this story, I have written two 50,000+ novels in my own universe along with several short stories and portions of the novels that follow the first two. I'm a little obsessed, actually.

I kept thinking I'd get back to "Be Careful in the Dark" because I love this story and the reviewers here have been seriously awesome. But any time I sit down to write, I want to do work in my demonridden universe. I hate not finishing things and I'm sorry to leave you hanging.

I've posted "Bitten", the first book of my series, in the original writing section. I've also put my website in my profile where you can download the first book in a variety of formats for free. The second book does cost money (1.99), mostly in an effort to pay for cover art and maintaining a website. However, if I get enough reviews for "Bitten" over in "Original Writing", I'll post a coupon so AFF folks can get the second book for free.

I can't even tell you how amazing AFF has been for me. Telling stories is so much more fun when other people are listening. I'm so grateful to every person who posted a review for anything I've written.

Best,

Anna

p.s. @soniab: I tried to email you a personal note to thank you for so consistently reviewing my work, but the email address in your profile seems defunct. Drop me a line sometime!

***

Chapter 39: Imbroglio

Hermione demurely crossed her legs at the ankle and smoothed her dusky violet skirt, forcing herself to remain calm. She was in the small, portrait-less room off of Dumbledore’s office with Harry, Severus, and Albus. Today, everyone around her thought she was Hermione, something that was surprisingly difficult to remember.

“This is madness.” Severus growled in clipped tones. He was sitting rigidly in his chair, studiously ignoring her. It was clear he had no interest in acknowledging they’d spent the night before last cuddling in the lab.

“Now, now, don’t be hasty. Lemon drop?” Albus Dumbledore twinkled. His arm was clearly worse, the black twisted skinnow extended up past the color of his robe. The curse was winning.

“For the millionth time Albus, no. And again, for good measure, no.” Severus crossed his arms over his chest.

“I’ll have one.” Harry said diffidently from his sprawled position next to Hermione.

Severus glared at Harry as he plucked one from the red sack. Hermione stifled a giggle at Harry’s unsubtle attempts to needle the lanky man. At the same time, she wondered at how quickly Harry changed personalities. This smug, arrogant boy was hardly the man Hermione knew Harry to be. She wondered if the performance was for Albus or Severus.

“What does Shadow think of all this?” Hermione asked, running her hand over her skirt again and inappropriately pleased to note the Severus’ eyes followed her hands. Severus found the color violet on her extremely attractive. Though she, as Hermione, wasn’t supposed to know that. A twitch behind her eyeball started as the thought threatened to move in a continuous loop. Are you allowed to be jealous of yourself?

“In the past, Shadow has been most cooperative.” Dumbledore said, leaning back in his chair.

“You haven’t asked yet.” She replied with a smirk.

Dumbledore smiled and nodded.

“Then why are we even having this discussion?” Severus asked in a bored tone, flicking an imaginary dust mote from his shoulder.

“It’s not really a discussion, my dear boy.” Dumbledore’s light tone remained but the twinkle was a little steelier. “This could make the difference in the upcoming battle. And you know as well as I that the sooner we wrap this up, the better it will be for everyone.” Dumbledore flicked a quick look at Hermione that she couldn’t interpret.

Severus’ pressed his lips together until they were white at the edges. “You want us to go haring off to Egypt looking for the imaginary fire arrows of a long defunct Egyptian Goddess when we could each be doing something more productive here.” Severus actually managed to straighten his posture further as he attempted to express how foolish he thought the endeavor was.

“Sounds like fun to me.” Harry said, and flicked his taut cheek with his finger to make a small popping sound, in response to Severus’ irritated glare. He grinned as soon as Severus turned away.

“And it’s the Sudan, Severus.” Hermione said serenely, not making eye contact.

“You too?” Severus asked, sounding startled.

“Why not? I have the easiest part in this charade. All I have to do is hang out in a secret hideaway while you three run off and have all the fun.” At this she turned to him and unleashed a dazzling smile. “It’s not all that different from my life now.”

He grunted in response and she could tell he was suppressing a smile.

“Yes, Hermione will be most safe in the secure location only I will know about.” Albus smiled and he probably thought it was comforting. Hermione shook her head.

“No, no. I’ll take care of that little detail. I have a plan, you see.” She then did a little twinkling of her own at the Headmaster who frowned at her and opened his mouth to disagree when Snape interrupted the thought.

“There is no way anyone could maintain a transfiguration that long. It would have to be maintained continuously for at least days, maybe weeks and it would need to be bone-deep. That’s too much of a drain on anyone. If Shadow is unable to cast any spells, the mission is over before it has begun.” Severus replied after a minute long silence.

“That’s not really our decision to make, is it?” Hermione said calmly.

“Hermione is quite correct. I would like to know if you three are willing before I go to the bother of locating the elusive Shadow.” Dumbledore was grinning now, always a disturbing sight.

“Don’t worry about it, Albus. I’m supposed to meet up with Shadow later. I’ll tell her.” Hermione realized she’d used a gendered pronoun and it took every ounce of her will to keep her facial expression neutral. You’re getting sloppy, Granger.

“I haven’t agreed yet.” Severus grumbled.

“Sure you have Snape.” Harry looked at him and grinned.

“Shut it, brat.” Snape replied without missing a beat. He was staring at Hermione with a frown. “Why refer to Shadow as a woman? We know nothing about this person. They could be male or female. Old or young.”

Hermione shrugged, inwardly kicking herself, before deciding to simply ignore the mistake. “How could she be anything but a woman?”

Harry barked in laughter and Severus frowned.

Albus cleared his throat. “It seems to me that this upcoming trip of yours,” he motioned to Severus and Hermione, “could prove quite useful.”

Hermione closed her eyes for a moment, feeling foolish. Of course. She and Severus had decided last minute to attend a potions conference in July. Their anti-cruciatus would potion would be finished and tested by then. Hermione knew Voldemort was getting restless with Severus’ progress getting information out of the weakest link of the Golden Trio; the conference had been a ruse to Voldemort’s eyes on Hermione instead of Harry.

Dumbledore continued, “I thought perhaps Harry could go along with you, since he’s Hermione’s boyfriend.”

Hermione heaved a heavy sigh. Keeping her personas separate was getting more difficult and she wasn’t even sure it was necessary anymore. Still, some part of her was unwilling admit that she and Shadow were the same person.

“I feel the same way.” Severus said dryly. “But it would help me convince the Dark Lord of my continuing usefulness if the Boy-Who-Was-Too-Stupid-To-Die joined us and might distract him from...” Severus trailed off.

“Hey!” Harry squawked in protest. “No need for that kind of name calling.”

Severus smirked. “That is the kindest thing the Dark Lord calls you.” He stood, gathering his cloak around him in a ridiculously smooth motion. “I have lessons to prepare. Ms. Granger, are you free this evening? I would like to speak with you.”

Hermione blinked a couple of times. “Uh, yes. I guess. Should we meet at the lab?”

Severus shook his head. “My quarters will be fine.” He turned and walked away.

“Your…” Hermione stammered at his retreating back. “Um, okay.” Once he was gone, she turned to Harry. “Does he know who the Reaper is?”

Harry looked at Dumbledore and then at Hermione. “No. We decided it might be dangerous information for him to have.”

Hermione nodded. It was the answer she expected. “We should offer him the choice about whether he knows or not.”

“My dear,” Dumbledore began, his caterpillar eyebrows gathered together.

Hermione made a sharp, flat gesture with her hand. “Do you think he will make the wrong choice?”

Dumbledore leaned back in his seat and sighed. “No.”

“Then I don’t see why he shouldn’t have the choice.” Hermione replied.

Harry shrugged. “Okay. Just know that if he finds out and leaks the info to the Voldie-poo, even by accident, we’ve lost an important advantage.”

“Duly noted.” Hermione said tightly.

***

That evening, palms sweaty, she knocked efficiently on the doors to Severus Snape’s quarters. She had never been in his rooms; she’d been a Gryffindor after all and all the potion ingredients worth stealing were kept in the potions lab. Hermione had a sudden urge to tell Severus she’d stolen his boomslang skin during her second year, mostly to see the look on his face.

When Severus opened the door, he was still fully dressed with his black jacket buttoned all the way to his Adam’s apple and his cloak still on. Severus growled at her, “is something amusing?”

“Not at all.” Hermione let her smile widen. “Shall we chat in the hallway?”

Severus glared at her for a moment and then stepped backwards as he motioned a mocking invitation with one hand.

Hermione stepped in and didn’t bother to pretend she wasn’t looking around. There was a small front room, with flickering sconces of light among the bookshelves. It wasn’t large, just enough space for a couple of big arm chairs, a low table, and a fireplace, but it was cozy despite the ever-present stone floors and walls. On the far wall, there was a door that she assumed led to the bedroom.

“Does it meet with your approval?” Severus’ had gotten control of his face and now looked at her with empty eyes.

Curling one side of her mouth up in a smile, Hermione shrugged. “I’m just relieved I don’t have to look at your bed. I wasn’t sure if all of the house head quarters had the same floor plan.”

“Am I to assume you are referring to Minerva’s quarters?” Severus stepped briskly to the far armchair and settled into it.

“You are. Do you know how difficult it is to pay attention to her lectures when there’s a bed the size of a football field behind her?” Hermione settled in the second armchair.

Severus’ lips twitched. “Come, now, Hermione. It’s not nearly that large.”

“Fine. A bed large enough to fit a football team with room to spare?” Hermione smirked as she said this.

Severus put his hand over his eyes. “I think you have scarred me for life.”

“I will carry the guilt with me always.” Hermione snorted.

Lifting his head out of hand, Severus reached out and picked up a bottle of fire whiskey. “Care for a drop?”

Hermione lifted her eyebrows in surprise and nodded. Severus poured out a fair bit more than a drop for them both. He began drinking his immediately and Hermione wondered if it was his first of the night. She looked at his profile as he stared into the fire and waited for him to tell her what she was doing in his rooms. There was a book on the table and Hermione leaned forward to pick it up. It was Bilius Fillzwallace’s classical analysis on the roots of magic, aptly named The Source of Magic.

“An unexpected book to find on the table of Severus Snape.” Hermione said, flipping the book open. Fillzwallace had a rather daring understanding of the roots of magic, arguing that both magical creatures and muggles functioned as important aspects in the creation and maintenance of magical power. It was not a popular position.

“Why is that, Ms. Granger?” Severus turned away from the fire, his eyebrows lifted and cold sneer playing on his lips.

“Hermione.” She corrected absently as she ran her fingers over a page. “Because I thought you didn’t bother with wand-waving.” She mimicked his classroom voice, the one burned into her brain. “Wasn’t Fitzwallace particularly well known for his transfigurations texts?”

Severus sighed and Hermione lifted her eyes from the book in surprise. Severus Snape did not sigh. She set the book down and waited for him to speak. Again, he said nothing and turned his gaze to the fire.

Hermione finally gave in and spoke. “Let’s say, hypothetically speaking, that I knew who the Reaper was.”

“Hypothetically?” Severus tilted his head to look at her.

“Yes. Hypothetically. Would you want to know?” Hermione felt better just saying it.

Severus expelled air from his nose so sharply that he pushed his upper body back against the chair he was sitting in. Then, he rubbed his face. “I have made a mistake. Several mistakes, actually.”

A chill raced down Hermione’s spine. “Oh?”

“The Dark Lord believes you and I are lovers.” Severus said the words brusquely, his eyes flickering to look at her once and then away again.

Suddenly, Dumbledore’s look earlier in the day made sense and she took such a large gulp of fire whiskey that she choked. Once she finished coughing, she asked, “why would he think that?”

Severus pulled his lips back from his teeth. “The Reaper is better at legilimency than most.” Implicit in this statement was that the Reaper was better than Voldemort.

Hermione stared into her drink, trying to get her panic under control. She knew what she needed to say to maintain the illusion that Hermione and Shadow were two separate people, but it was difficult to speak when all she wanted to do was scream. “But in order for legilimency to work, there has to be a memory for the wizard to access, a memory of us, um.” She trailed off, hoping she sounded embarrassed and not wooden, as she kept her eyes on the shimmering fire whiskey.

Severus cleared his throat. “You know Shadow sometimes wears your face.”

Hermione jerked her head up and looked at him. “You slept with Shadow while she was wearing my face? You idiot!” Hermione had to force disapproval into her voice since she was as responsible for this situation as he was. More so. I never thought about this risk, not once. I’m such an idiot.

Severus hunched his shoulders forward and said nothing.

Hermione inhaled slowly. “I’m going to kill her. I’m going to hex her into next week.”

Blinking, Severus looked over at Hermione. “I am responsible for my own actions. I allowed things to get out of hand and failed to use occlumency effectively.”

“I don’t even want to think about what she did to get you to sleep with her while she looked like one of your students.” Hermione stood and began to pace in the small space behind the chairs. It was eight steps from one side of the room to the other. “I told her, when she started pretending to be me, that she had to be careful. Christ, what a mess.” As she spoke, Hermione tried to think of a solution that didn’t involve exposing Shadow or making Severus feel like shit. This was her fault, no question about that.

Hermione plopped back into the chair, silently noting that Severus hadn’t ratted Shadow out. They’d slept together long before Shadow “officially” began pretending to be Hermione. God help her, but she trusted him. I’m totally barmy. “You any good in bed?” Hermione asked Severus before belting down the rest of the fire whiskey.

“What?” Severus choked out, finally looking her full in the face.

“Well, the good guys think I’m fucking Harry. The bad guys think I’m fucking you. It is beyond sad that I’m not actually fucking anybody so…” Hermione held both of her hand, palms to the ceiling. “Is fucking you worth getting killed over? I’d like to find out.” Yes, yes it is. Hermione pushed the thought away.

“I’m not going to sleep with you!” Severus hissed the words at her.

“Oh, now you have scruples? Besides, we have already slept together. Twice.” She held two fingers up. “I’m talking about fucking.” Hermione folded her arms over her chest and glared at Severus.

“Stop saying that word!” Severus snarled back.

“You mean fucking? Fuck fuck fuckity fuck!” Hermione shouted back. “What should I be saying instead, Severus? Should I be pointing out that if the snake-faced lunatic thinks I’m your lover, he probably has grandiose plans of getting you to turn me against Harry. But we both know the Reaper is too smart for that and its running the show these days so it’s more than likely Reaper thinks it’s you whose been turned by me and is planning our very slow, painful deaths!”

Severus stood as he bellowed, “I know, Merlin’s balls, I know! What do you want me to say? I’m sorry!?” A vein on his forehead stood out as he shouted, his pale skin suddenly red.

Hermione leaned her head back and closed her eyes. Keeping Shadow and Hermione separate almost doesn’t matter anymore. The words danced on her tongue; she wanted to tell him, just as she wanted to tell him about the horcruxes. She pressed her lips together. Telling a double agent anything so sensitive was a terrible idea. She opened her eyes. Severus was still standing, his hands clenched into fists, though his face was once again its normal sallow color.

“Do you want to know who the Reaper is?” Hermione asked, looking up at him.

“No. Yes.” Severus frowned. “No.” He sat down in his chair, leaning forward until his forearms rested on his thighs and he could fold his hands together. “How bad is it?”

“Bad. Really bad.” Hermione replied. “Do Harry and Dumbledore know about this… that Voldemort thinks we’re fucking?”

Severus winced when she said the “f” word. “Dumbledore told Harry this afternoon. He allowed me the privilege of admitting my own mistakes to you.”

Hermione narrowed her eyes and studied Severus. After a moment, she decided he wasn’t being sarcastic. “Okay. I’ll tell Shadow about this new development when we meet. After I kick her ass.” Hermione ran a hand through her hair. “It’s all getting out of control so quickly.”

“One way or another, it will be done before the year is out.” Severus sounded tired, his voice low and rough, and every line in his face stood out in the firelight.

“Then we don’t have much time.” Hermione stood. She still had things to do.

“No, we don’t.”

Ignoring the tug in her heart, the one that told Severus needed a hug, she turned and let herself out of the Head of Slytherin’s personal quarters.
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Be Careful in the Dark