Sight

Chapter 7

The Weasleys were still at St. Mungo's with their father, but she had come back after spending the morning with them, giving them some family time. Harry was upstairs, sleeping, which left Snape and Sirius as the only people in the house with her. Hermione had never seen Snape and Sirius alone with each other, and she wasn't looking forward to it. She didn't know the full extent of what had happened between them while they were at school, but-

the thought was cut short by a loud crash from the kitchen. She sprang up from her seat in the living room and burst into the room, only to find the two with their wands drawn and in the middle of an argument that she apparently played a part in. The crash seemed to have come from the teacup now in fragments at Snape's feet.

"Entertaining Miss Granger at night now? I would have thought even you were above that, but once again you prove you are nothing but a dog."

"You sniveling git, you have no idea what friendship is, do you? Because you're nothing but a traitor and a coward-"

"Watch it, Black, before I make sure you never have a night guest again-"

"HEY! STOP!" She slid between the two, pushing them apart as far as she could. "You're on the same side now! There are more important things that stupid schoolyard fights! And there's no need to involve me in barmy insinuations, either!"

Snape snarled as Sirius spoke. "Stupid schoolyard fight? Snivellus here knew more dark jinxes and hexes in our first year than most seventh years. He was a bloody Death Eater!"

"Need I remind you that you tried to kill me, Black?"

"Enough! Sit down, both of you. I'm making tea. And you two are going to have learn to trust each other if you ever want to bring down Voldemort-"

"Do not use the Dark Lord's name." Hissed Snape, sitting at the kitchen table and subconsciously rubbing his left forearm. In hindsight, this was probably not the best topic to get into in front of Sirius, who very, very slowly got to his feet.

"You know, I grew up in this house with a family full of would-be Death Eaters, and I stillchose the right way. For you to take the mark just proves how twisted your mind is. You make your tea, Hermione. I appreciate what you're trying to do, but if I spend another minute with Snivellus you'll be carrying his dead body out of here." He shut the door on his way out.

Hermione, relieved as she was that everyone was still alive, couldn't shake the feeling that perhaps she had been wrong. Maybe this is more than just stupid school rivalry.

"Well, Miss Granger, I'll be on my way. If Mr. Potter wakes up anytime this week, tell him he's to speak with me."

"Wait." She was still a bit irritated with him for the detentions he'd given her, but it was slowly fading. "I really was going to make that tea." She evanesco'd the remnants of the tea cup and looked at him imploringly: would he let be knownshe could bother him by getting up, or suffer through tea with her but leave his reputation of being impossible to frazzle intact?

"Very well."

Smiling, she took out new cups for them both? "Does it hurt? When someone says Vol- You-Know-Who's name?"

"Yes."

She set the cup down in front of him and took a seat herself. "Did it hurt to take it? The Mark?"

He blew on his tea. There was a moment of silence as he thought about telling her it was worse than the Cruciatus. "Yes."

"I was wrong, wasn't I?"

He lifted an eyebrow, and his lip curled into what could have been a smile. "The insufferable know-it-all, admitting she's wrong? As much as I'd like to agree with you, Miss Granger, I'm at a loss as to what you're talking about."

"About it being a stupid schoolyard fight between you two."

His expression darkened again. "Yes."

"What do I have to do to get more than monosyllables?" Hah. He can't answer that with a yes or no.

"I'm afraid it's hopeless."

Well, I could always... but he would kill me... no, it's now or never. He can't give me detention here. Reaching over the table, she grabbed his hand- he jerked- and willed her gift to reveal his past.

When she woke up, Harry and Ron were standing beside her bed.
"What happened?"

"Apparently you passed out on Snape." Said Harry. "He carried you up here and woke me up. Ron just arrived half an hour ago."

Half an hour ago? "How have I been out? Again?"

"I think you just kept on sleeping because you were so tired. Sirius says it'll do you some good, getting some sleep once in a while. You were crying, though, Hermione, we couldn't get you to stop."

"Oh. Must be the stress, you know, and Mr. Weasley..."

"Dad's fine." Ron beamed. "Brought him home today. We're all going to be staying for Christmas, Sirius said the more the merrier, but there's still no word from Percy-"

"Nitwit."

"Yeah, exactly. Anyway, Snape said he's going to be teaching Harry Occluwhatsitsname-"

"Occlumency, Ron" interrupted Hermione, who was still a bit out if it. Professor Snape loved Harry's mum. Harry's mum. And he was right about Sirius all along; even though he's obviously changed. I can't believe he's been through so much... Merlin, what would Harry say if he knew?

"Yeah." Harry picked up where Ron had left off. "He said Dumbledore's concerned Voldemort will try to make me do stuff. Sirius wasn't too happy about me spending so much extra time with Snape, he gave me this present- it's a two way mirror!"

"Wicked!" Ron was rapidly starting to sound more and more like Fred and George. "So, Hermione, back to you. The last time you passed out was when you saw Neville's past..."

"I'm not telling you." Her tone left no room for argument. "He's been through a lot. I'll never doubt his loyalties again, though... and he does have reason for hating Sirius and your dad, Harry."

"What?"

"I- I really can't tell you. Just try and be nice to him, alright?"

"Alright." He said, begrudgingly. "Do you think I should ask Sirius about it?"

She shrugged. "You could. But he's dealing with problems of his own... maybe later would be better. Does Snape know I-"

"I don't think so."

"Was he mad?"

"Not more than usual."

"Then he doesn't, probably, seeing I'm still alive."

"What it is that's so bad, Hermione?" Ron asked earnestly. She thought about telling them how he had seen his father beating him, James hanging him from a tree and choking him on soap, him holding a dead Lily Potter and crying as baby Harry wailed-

She shook her head. "He- he's a good man. That's all you need to know, for now."