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Chapter 1: The best woman for the job.
The Gryffindor colours decorated the Great
Hall. Their House had – yet again – won the house cup this year. Amidst the
festivities of another year ending, Hermione Granger sat rather quietly at the
end of the table. Next to her, Ron and Harry were making the most of their last
meal at Hogwarts, as their seven years of education had finally come to an end.
She envied her classmates. They all knew precisely what they were going to do
after today: Ron would go working with his father at the Ministry and Harry
would go straight to Alastor Moody to begin his Auror training. Even Neville
had found a way to make use of his talent: he was to become a healer. Only the
brightest student in decades did not know what tomorrow would bring. She didn’t
even know what she would like to do with her life. The only thing she could
come up with, was that she wanted to keep on studying for the rest of her life.
Just the thought of having to leave
Hogwarts ! It had been a safe haven for years, especially now, when it was very
likely the final battle with Voldemort would only be a heartbeat away. His
power had continuously increased over the last years and he had begun to ‘free
the wizarding world from the tainted muggle blood’. As a result, the entire
Creevey family had been wiped out in a Death Eater raid on their house during
the Christmas break, as to make sure the children were there as well. The left
open spaces at the Gryffindor table were an all to sad reminder of their
absence. But it wasn’t just Gryffindor that had suffered. Hufflepuf and
Ravenclaw had dealt with their own losses and even …
Her gaze went to the Slytherin table. Only
half of the students that had begun their school year in September were sitting
at their House table. She shivered when she thought of the events leading up to
the exit of so many students. During this last school year, Voldemort had
finally found a way to get to Harry. Or at least, that ‘s what he had thought.
The Dark Lord had lured Harry to his lair, pretending he had revived Lily
Potter to become his bride and mother to his heir. Before anyone could point
out to Harry that this would be very unlikely, he had enraged in an outburst to
go rescuing his mother. Poor Harry ! Still so much longing for his family, that
only the tiniest bit of hope would blind him for the obvious. He had almost
paid with his sanity to learn that some things just weren’t meant to be.
Fortunately, their much despised Potion
Master had been present at the time. Before Voldemort could make Harry undergo
a dementor’s kiss, Professor Snape had jumped on top of Harry and apparated
with him to Hogsmeade. By doing so, he had completely blown his cover of being
a spy for Dumbledore, after finally regaining Voldermort’s trust last summer.
As a result, the other Death Eaters found it no longer useful to hide and the
Head of Slytherin became their enemy number 2 (after Harry that was). By
revealing their true colours, sides were taken once and for all, and the
children of the Death Eater-families had left Hogwarts. They hadn’t seen
Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, Parkinson and other Slytherin scum since.
Although it was a relief to have everything
out in the open, it was all to clear that it had affected Dumbledore in a
severe way. He had always hoped he could rescue the children of the Death
Eaters from their parents’ ways, but it seemed like all efforts had been in
vain. Dumbledore had addressed the other Houses on the situation and asked them
not to take things out on the Slytherins that remained. Apparently not all of
them were as bad as the likes of Malfoy. After all, even a few Ravenclaws left
to join their family at Voldemort’s side and thinking about Peter Pettigrew …
he had been Gryffindor !
She suddenly realised she had wandered off
and was about to lose herself in a very un-festive melancholy contemplation.
Just then, Harry stood up and went to the head table. He started a conversation
with Professor Snape and it looked like they were shooting glances at her while
doing so. What on earth could they be talking about ? After all, although Snape
had rescued Harry from a fate worse than death, he would always be their least
favourite teacher.
Oh well, deciding she should at least have
some pleasant memories of her last night at Hogwarts, she took another piece of
chocolate cake and turned to Ron.
“So, are you planning on a holiday or will
you start immediately at the Ministry ?” she asked him.
“Well, given the situation with Voldemort,
I don’t think it would be proper to go off on a holiday, do you ?”
“Right, of course. How could I be so
insensitive. No one will probably take a holiday for ages I guess.”
“Yeah. … ‘Mione, what’s the matter ? You
look like you’re about to burst into tears ? With exam results like yours !!!”
Ron rolled his eyes.
She finally managed a little smile.
“OK. No matter how terrible things will
get, we will always have our school results to hang onto” she chuckled.
“Right on!” Ron winked. He knew Hermione
was preoccupied with her future. Well, everyone was these days, especially
since it wasn’t sure they would HAVE a future.
Now! That really was some gloomy thinking.
He saw Harry returning from the head table,
with Dumbledore by his side. They were heading for Hermione. Ron sort of knew
what was going on and he smiled, knowing that his friend’s most pressing
troubles would soon be over with.
“Miss Granger, could you follow me to my
office for a moment, please ?” Dumbledore smiled gently.
“Oh, sure Headmaster.” Puzzled, she
followed the older wizard to his study and found herself alone with him. She
was unsure of what was going to come. Surely she wouldn’t be in any trouble ?
Not at her last day !
“Child, I do think I know just about
everything concerning the future careers of my graduates.
Except …” a little pause and a slight
twinkle in his eye “except for your plans of course”.
It had sounded like a question and Hermione
did not know the answer to this one. Finally caught !
“Well … em … sir, I … em … well I don’t quite
know what I want to do.” There was some despair in her voice.
“Now now, no need to panic just yet, miss
Granger ! After all, your options are so numerous, it’s most understanding you
have some difficulties in reaching a decision.”
She gave him a pensive look. Just what was
going on in the Headmaster’s head ? As if anyone would ever know that one !
“I won’t tease you much longer, my child. I
have a proposition for you. Please hear me out until I have explained
everything.”
She nodded, getting curious to hear what he
had to say.
“You know of course that Professor Snape
had succeeded in infiltrating the close circle around Voldemort. Regaining his
trust made it possible for him to observe him closely.
He
found out something rather peculiar. Now, miss Granger, what I am about to tell
you, is only known to myself, Professor Snape, Alastor Moody and Harry, so I
trust you will keep this a secret.”
After waiting for her to nod, he continued:
“It seems our Dark Lord has a little
problem in maintaining his magical powers. Professor Snape has remarked that
whenever Voldemort used his power, he drank a potion afterwards. As to reboost
it. Unfortunately, he was not trusted enough to brew this potion. But, luckily
for us, he has succeeded in capturing a sample of it. Besides his teaching and
his work for the Ministry, Professor Snape will devote his time on finding out
what the ingredients of this potion are and will attempt to brew an antidote so
that Voldemort can be weakened. It is then up to our Aurors to defeat him.
As this is a very complex task – we are not
dealing with a simple headache potion – he will need some assistance. We had
been thinking of you.”
Hermione swallowed. This was pretty
amazing. A lot to take in at once, but she could already feel the adrenaline
running through her veins, just thinking about the research and experiments.
And most of all, she could stay at Hogwarts
! Even having to work near Snape was worth it !
“Oh Headmaster Dumbledore. I’d love to ! I
cannot believe you thought of me !” she smiled widely and her delight was
reflected on her face.
“He did not Miss Granger … I did.” a dark
and silky voice came from behind her.
She startled and looked at the door.
Professor Severus Snape had entered the room just to overhear the end of the
conversation. She forced herself to look up into his black eyes and tried not
to let the growing feeling of uneasiness get the better of her. Okay, she had
to work with him, but WITH him was not the same as being his student. So she
should not let herself be intimidated by him. After all, if he had chosen her
for the job, he just had given her the best compliment she had ever received
from a teacher!
“I’m flattered sir, that you should think
of a Gryffindor to assist you in such a delicate matter”
she had spoken before she could stop
herself. She noticed a slight sadness in his eyes, no doubt thinking about his
House in shambles, before the usual coldness came back.
“As you are well aware of the fact that you
are the top student this year, it should not have been a surprise to you, miss
Granger.” A Snape-like sneer as usual.
Oh boy, their time together (in the
dungeons !) would surely be interesting !
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