The Bedroom
As they entered the room, Hermione's fear caught up to her. She took a step back, with her hand moving to her wand. Snape makes no move toward her and just puts his finger to his lips.
Snape looks at Hermione for a moment, then begins to speak in a low, calming voice. "My dear, why don't we…” Snape pauses as if he’s forgotten something. He then casts his wand around the room not directly aiming at her. “Muffliato”
“Hermione, I have cast a silencing charm for this room. I understand you are hesitant so feel free to cast your own spells so we can talk freely.”
Herminone doesn't move.
“Ms.Granger, fear will give you nothing right now. Think about your actions and perform them.”
She still doesn’t move. A million things go through her mind but she doesn't move.
Snape sighs.
“Expelliarmus.” He says without much effort. Flinging the wand from Herminone. He picks it up quickly then holds it out to Herminone. “I want you to be reactive, not fearful. Take your wand and cast a silencing charm.”
Hermione is hesitant but she grabs the wand and does as he asks.
“Perfect. Now…”
“Expelliarmus!” Hermione shouts and casts directly at Snape. The wand flies not far away from him. She keeps her wand pointed at him and stares him down with determination. Snape's dark eyes meet hers, his demeanor unwavering. He doesn’t flinch at her sudden aggression.
“If that is what it takes for us to talk, then I will start. I am a death eater as you know. But in 1981 I made a deal with Dumbledore.” Snape looks away for a monument into the fireplace. “I know it might be difficult to accept but a mistake I made cost me my life. Now Dumbledore has my loyalty to the end.” Snape says quickly and efficiently. “I am still part of the order. I have only been keeping my cover because Dumbledore deemed it necessary to defeat the dark lord.”
“Why should I believe you!” Hermione snaps back “You killed Dumbledore! You call that loyalty?”
Snape then looks back at her with softness in his eyes. “Hermione, he asked me to kill him.”
"You... you were asked to kill Dumbledore?" Hermione's voice trembles with disbelief, her mind struggling to comprehend Snape's words.
Snape nods slowly, his gaze fixed on Hermione's. "Yes," he says, his voice barely above a whisper. " Dumbledore foolishly put on Marvolo Gaunt's Ring, and it cursed him. He asked for a quick death but he thought we could use it to further my status with the dark lord."
"I... I don't know what to say," Hermione stammers, her voice trembling with uncertainty. She feels unsure of whether to step forward or retreat. "Why should I believe you?" Her voice is sharp with accusation.
“This whole thing is a lot to take in," Snape's expression remains impassive, but a hint of sadness lingers in his eyes. "But I need you to understand, Hermione. Dumbledore's plan was intricate, and my role in it was... complicated. I can only offer you the truth as I know it. Whether you choose to believe me or not is entirely up to you.”
Hermione's mind races, trying to understand the many memories of the cruel potions master she had known for six years and the man before her. "If that is the truth why did you keep it a secret for so long?" she asks, her voice filling with skepticism.
Snape's expression softens, a hint of regret flickering in his dark eyes. "There were reasons, Hermione. Dumbledore believed it was necessary for his plan to defeat the dark lord. I unfortunately have no choice but to continue his plans."
Hermione nods slowly, trying to understand. The pieces of the puzzle seem to click into place, yet there are still gaps she can't quite fill.
"I know this is overwhelming," Snape says, his tone remaining gentle. "Hermione,“ He pauses trying to find the right words to say. “Hermione, what is your plan here? Sure you managed to fool yourself into the manor but what is your plan?”
“I’m… I’m here to find Luna. She’s been missing since Christmas. Suppose you already knew about her.” She adds with another snap.
He nods defeatedly. "Yes, I'm aware of Luna's disappearance," he admits quietly. "It is troubling, one that I’ve been trying to address discreetly."
Hermione's eyes narrow slightly at Snape's response. Despite her lingering distrust, she senses a genuine concern in his words. "Discreetly? I don’t understand" she asks, her voice tinged with urgency.
“The circumstances surrounding Luna's disappearance are delicate.” He says carefully. “It is believed that her father will make a deal with the dark lord in exchange for her. I have tried to move her to less secure locations and tried to convince the dark lord that Xenophilius Lovegood will not betray The Order.”
“I don’t believe…” She hesitates and thinks about it. Xenophilius did seem more anxious last time she saw him. “You really think so?” She lowers her wand slightly to hear more of what Snape has to say.
“Doesn’t matter what I think. We need to get you out of the mansion before you get yourself killed here.” Snape says. He takes a step closer to her for the first time during the conversation to emphasize his point.
“No way. I’m staying here. I’m not leaving when I’m so close to getting Luna.” She says with more of a plea then she expected.
“Are you proposing we work together? Remember you still are pointing a wand at me.” He says with his normal snide that Herminoe remembers from his lectures.
“I’m not saying I trust you.” She walks over to pick up his wand. She takes a moment to look at it. Her hands start to shake, holding both of their wands in her hands. “I just want to believe all you told me is true.”
Her words echo in her mind. She knows that she is not in a defensive position but her desperation and tiredness has caught up to her.
Snape walks over slowly. He then places his hand on hers and over both their wands.
“I have only wanted to keep everyone safe.” He searches for her eyes. “If you will not leave then I will work with you.” The words fall tenderly with a softness that Herminoe did not expect from Snape. Snape, a death eater, a loyal friend to Dumbledore, her professor. He says he is all of them.
“I know you are tired. Allow yourself to rest.” He pulls away from her to gesture towards the bed. “You can keep both our wands for a while. I will ask for it back when we leave the room.”
Hermione stands there confused. She quickly looks at the bed then back to Snape.
“Oh I understand.” He says studying her glances. “It was my intention to sleep in the chair over here, while you have the bed. I understand that this may seem uncomfortable but keeping our cover as a couple is essential to keeping both of us alive.”
Hermione sits on the bed then looks over at Snape. He has settled comfortably in the chair holding a book in his hand. He looks up from his book to catch her glance.
“Professor… I don’t know. Um… I’m unsure…” she stampers out nervously. Sleeping in the same room with a professor is not what she expected this mission to end up like. She takes a deep breath to compose her thoughts. “Professor,” she says with more confidence. “Could you give a little trust to me?” She stood abruptly, looking at him. “I would like you to take a dreamless sleep.”
Snape didn’t look up from his book. Hermione thought he was being cautious with her but at this point she really could not tell what Snape wanted. Less loyal death eater in her mind then before but still part of his nature, Hermione thought.
“That is amendable under the circumstances. There is a vial in my bag next to the other side of the bed. Do you want to grab it or shall I?”
“I will.” Hermione says then without thought she placed both wands on the bedside table. She then walked over to the other side of the bed retrieving the vile. “Will one be enough?” She asked curiously looking through the bag.
“Good to know your potion lessons did not fade while you were in hiding. I only require one vial.” He then takes the vial from her. “ I know this will put me to sleep for six hours. If you want to be awake before that time, then I suggest a waking charm.”
He takes the potion, then places it on a table next to the chair. He closes his eyes for a second then opens them to read his book. By the time, Hermione turns around to go back to the bed and then turns back to him. He is already asleep.
Hermione watches Snape for a moment, Sleeping peacefully in the chair. She couldn't shake the image of the man who had once been her formidable Potions professor was now vulnerable and defenseless. Willingly. Her mind reminds her.
With a sigh, Hermione settles onto the bed, her mind still reeling from the revelations of the evening. She did not have much time to dwell on it as exhaustion washed over her. Before she knew it, she falls asleep on top of the covers of the bed.