Old Sins, Long Shadows

Partners

Olivia stood looking out her office window. It was her usual position apparently. Severus sat in a leather chair reading what few notes she had on this new assignment. A knock at the door caused them both to look round. The director called,

"Come in."

Personal Secretary to the Head of MI6, Thomas Milford, entered,

"Inspector Granger, Ma'am."

Hermione nodded and smiled at the secretary as he left the room closing the door behind him. Olivia walked over to greet her expected visitor, hand held out confidently,

"Hello, Inspector Granger. I'm Olivia Ward-Davies, Head of MI6."

Hermione smiled at the woman in a the dark blue three-piece suit, sans tie, and shook her hand firmly,

Wow, she reminds me of Minerva!

Hermione wasn't sure how to address the person in charge of Britain's security around the world, so she went with what she knew,

"Nice to meet, you...Ma'am?"

A deep familiar voice sounded from somewhere in the room,

"Livvie, how nice. You have a new toy soldier to play with."

Olivia gave a slow deliberate blink of the eyes expressing almost parental-like tolerance for a misbehaving child. Severus stood from his chair and faced Hermione Granger for the first time in seven years. Taking in a breath the director introduced them,

"Inspector Granger, Commander Snape."

Hermione could hardly believe her eyes. There he was, standing in front of her and suddenly she was eleven years old again. He was still tall, still thin, still...indomitable. Still in black but this time a muggle black suit and very crisp white shirt. His long hair gone. Now, it was short, modern and seemed to compliment his sharp features more so than the long lanky mane he once wore. And glasses? Hmm. If she had seen him on the street she would not have known him at all.

"It's nice to see you again, Prof-- Commander Snape. You're looking well."

Severus looked into the eyes of someone he knew but hardly recognised. With that hair pulled away from her face he now noticed her rich amber eyes. The form-fitting grey suit she wore accentuated her very adult figure. This was Hermione Granger? Gryffindor know-it-all? The mass of hair and too many teeth? Friend to dunderheads Potter and Weasley?

He must have been staring,

"Commander?"

Severus realised she was speaking to him. Discipline your mind. Control your emotions. He quickly recovered,

"Inspector, is it? I'd have thought it would be Minister Granger by now."

Did he just pay her a compliment? She'll take it.

"No...not yet. But then, I'm only twenty seven."

Olivia felt a chemistry between the two old acquaintances. Whether they were willing to admit such was an entirely different kettle of fish. Or maybe they didn't realise it themselves...yet. It would serve them well in this mission. If they managed not to kill each other, this could be the start of a wonderful team for MI6.

Hope springs eternal.

C looked between the uncomfortable pair before breaking in,

"Let's get down to business, shall we."

Olivia took her place behind her large desk while Hermione and Severus sat in the two chairs opposite.

"Inspector Granger, as you will be, in part, working with MI6 you will use the codename H2 in any communications. Commander Snape is S3. I am Mother."