Nobody Cared

The End of November

17 Nov 1991, Sunday

The very next morning, after breakfast, Hermione was summoned from her dorm to her Head of House's office. They had all just settled down in their common room to finish up their homework assignments for the weekend. As Hermione let out a sigh, she packed away her inkwell, quills, parchment, and textbooks, and then asked that the boys watch her bag for her. Harry adamantly shook his head.

"I think we oughta go with you, 'Mione," Harry glanced at Draco who nodded in the affirmative.

She smiled at her friends, and watched as they packed up their supplies, too.

Upon entering Snape's office, the Potions Master was about to send Draco and Harry back to their House when Harry shook his head firmly.

"I really think me and Draco need to stay, Dad. Please? It's important." Snape considered the request, and then finally nodded curtly. He conjured two more chairs, more comfortable than the normal straight-backed wooden ones he kept in his office for his students, and then he Transfigured the two uncomfortable ones to match the new ones.

Snape then ordered tea and Digestible biscuits that were laced with a Calming Potion. He knew that Hermione would not take well the news of her parents arrest and didn't want to load up her stomach with something that would upset it. He almost thought to give the boys something else to nibble on, but then decided that should they display any indignant outbursts on their friend's behalf, the biscuits would temper the worst of such emotion.

The Floo in Snape's office then whooshed green and Lucius stepped through. He removed the soot from his clothing with a swish of his wand and smiled when he heard, "Papa! What are you doing here?"

Draco rushed to his father's side, but halted just short of giving him a quick hug. Lucius was allowing his son to show him more of his affectionate nature, but when others were around, Draco still hesitated. Narcissa had explained to her husband that their son was at that age where he wanted hugs from his parents, but he was beginning to feel, at least in front of his friends, that he was too old for such a show. Lucius removed the glove from one hand and touched his son's cheek in place of a hug. Draco grinned happily, and then moved back to sit beside Hermione.

"I've come for tea," Lucius answered his son's unasked question as he removed his other glove and then his robe which Snape took and put on the clothes tree. He then seated himself opposite the children.

"Is mother all right?" asked Draco conversationally.

"She had a long night helping Professor Snape and I with a problem so she is still abed," replied Lucius as he took the cup of tea that Snape offered. "I think your mother would welcome a Floo call from you later today, Dragon."

Draco nodded firmly. "Sure, Papa."

Silence then fell a bit awkwardly until Snape cleared his throat for attention. His gaze dropped to Hermione. "Miss Granger, a letter came for you last Monday, and due to circumstances you were unable to read it. Prefect Anglaise found the letter and wisely brought it to me."

"Who was it from, sir?" she asked with trepidation.

"Jean and George Granger," it was Lucius who spoke. Hermione noticed that her sponsor had not called them her parents, and this began a tiny seed of worried panic fluttering just beneath her breastbone.

"Wh-what did they... should I read the..." Hermione's Head of House shook his head slowly, and she could only swallow dryly.

Snape added to his negative, silent response, "I do feel it would be to your benefit to read their letter, Miss Granger... but not at this time."