The Walk In
Hermione knew it was dangerous the moment the plan was suggested. Dressing up as a death eater to find Luna. Darkening her hair and changing her mannerisms were possible but something she never thought she would do. Hermione doesn’t expect anyone to recognize her at the Malfoy Manor. Possibly Ms. Malfoy but that would be a stretch. No one higher up would be there to recognize her since the death eaters had relocated to a new headquarters.
She had missed dinner but still had time to introduce herself in the sitting room. An older death eater,Tuffu, opens the double doors into the room. “Introducing lady Edith, daughter of lord Grantham” Tuffu announces.
Hermione walks in. Snape standing right there before the fireplace. Snape briefly looks at the doors then looks back to the fire.
“Lady Edith? I never knew Lord Grantham had a daughter.” Saids Narcissa Malfoy. “Severus, did you know about her?”
Hermione nods and curtseys to Narcissa giving a quick glance to Snape.
“I was quite young at the time of his disappearance. I still hope he will find his way home.” Hermione stammers. “Only have I just now joined the family after my time away.”
“Lady Edith, have we met before? I don’t recall but you seem…”
“That is because of me.” Snape interjects and comes over next to Hermione “Forgive me Narcissa” he says as he grabs Hermione’s hand raising it to kiss it. “Lady Edith has always been a dear companion to me. Perhaps you saw each other at Tuffu’s Christmas party?”
Hermione's heart raced as Snape took her hand and kissed it. She glanced at Narcissa, who seemed slightly taken aback by Snape's gesture. It was essential to maintain her cover, so Hermione decided to respond with a shy smile.
“Oh of course! How could I forget?” Narcissa exclaimed. “Wonderful to see you again.You must have missed Severus in your time away.” she remarked.
Hermione's face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and relief. "Thank you, Narcissa," she replied, grateful for the validation of her supposed absence. "It's comforting to know that I've been remembered."
Snape intertwined his fingers with Hermione's, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "Lady Edith has been a constant source of support and solace," he said, his tone carrying a hint of affection. "I'm grateful to have her by my side."
Narcissa seemed satisfied with their explanation, and the conversation shifted to other topics. Hermione took a seat on the chair across with Snape standing next to her chair.
Hermione kept her eyes lowered, her gaze fixed on their entwined hands. Snape had continued to hold her hand as everyone talked. She knew that any move against Snape would be the end of the charade and most definitely the end of her. She felt strange holding Snape's hand. His grip was firm, yet gentle, and it served as a constant reminder that he was there. “And ready to give you away” she thought, her mind filled with the weight of his past actions. "I am holding hands with a murderer who has not harmed me. Why?” The more Hermione thought, the more panic rose within her. She looked up to Snape to find him glancing back at her. His dark eyes shot through her as she felt strangely calmer.
“NO! don't look” Hermione thought. Harry had told her about the training he did with Snape. Occlumency, the magical defence of the mind against external penetration. Something that Harry had told her about and tried teaching her before the mission. Legilimency was something that Hermione had trained for but nothing could prepare her for Snape’s mental Legilimens. One look and the door was open for Snape if he wanted.
Snape looked away and made a comment to the continuing discussion in the sitting room. Hermione looked around the room realizing that she had no idea what the conversation was about. Snape had still not given up her cover to everyone she realized.
As the conversation in the sitting room carried on, Hermione struggled to refocus her attention. She nodded along, offering the occasional comment or smile, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Snape. Snape. Holding her hand Snape. She remembered Snape's cutting remarks, his cold demeanor, and the constant feeling of being judged. It was hard to forget the animosity that had tainted their relationship for years. Snape had always seemed to revel in making her feel small and inadequate.
She wondered why Snape was going to such lengths to protect her identity, especially considering their complicated history. Her past experiences with him had left scars of doubt and mistrust that were difficult to shake off.
Hermione maintained her reserved and shy demeanor, allowing Snape to take the lead in the conversation while she observed and absorbed information. It was a delicate balancing act, one that required her to suppress her natural assertiveness and intelligence.
“How about we call it a day?” Narcissa says after what Hermione could tell as an eternity. “Lady Edith, Severus will lead you to his room.”
Hermione sat there for a good few seconds before she had processed what was going on.
“My dear” Snape says with softness. “This way.” He courts her arm leaving the sitting room to a bedroom with gray and green themes. Two wardrobes, one bed and no windows Hermione makes note of. For what she could not say.
Snape lets go of her and turns his back to her as he closes the door.