Against The Odds

Chapter 8 - No more hiding

Minerva listened as the group spoke to her about adding extra wards to the school. Her lips pursed into a pale thin line. "Potter, if we do this, the Ministry would clearly be involved and they would be alerted to Severus being alive," she finally said as she conjured a cup of tea for herself and the others.

Harry nodded slowly, "I know, but it's for the safety of the students," he replied before looking at Severus. "How have you been under the radar, sir," he then asked the dower Professor.

Severus groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. He surely didn't want to give away his secrets especially to Potter. "Polyjuice Potions for when I needed to go out in public," he stated lazily.

Harry and Ron exchanged grins, remembering when they had used that Potion in their second year with Hermione. "Bloody brilliant," Ron stated with another dumb grin.

The dower Professor rolled his eyes. "It was necessary for survival, not some nitwit half cocked plan to get myself killed," he then replied slowly as his dark eyes narrowed at the two men.

Even though they were all about the same age now, the two men squirmed under Severus' glare as if they were first years all over again. "Right well," Harry coughed and looked back at Minerva. "I think at this point, either way they're going to find out about him. When the students return, news will spread like wildfire," he then stated soberly.

Hermione bit her bottom lip and looked over at Severus, who for the first time in his life, looked helpless. "Professor Snape, you're regarded as a hero now, so I'm sure the Ministry won't give you a hard time," she said gently, making Severus' face go hard.

Clearly he should be thanking Potter and the other two busy bodies, but he wouldn't. "Yes, I'm aware of my standing with them. I'm also aware that I'm going to be drilled for answers," he then replied with a hard glare at Harry. "But, seeing as how my options are quite limited at the moment and I can't hide forever behind Polyjuice potion, I say we should go forward with this plan," he added, although his hard glare never left Harry.

After clearing his throat, Harry nodded and looked at Minerva. "Ron and I will go to the Ministry with Severus and start this process."

The look on Severus' face at Harry's comment was comical and Hermione had to hide her smile behind her hand. "Very well, let's go now," Severus stated, wanting to get this over with a quickly as possible.

As anticipated, there were many questions for Severus from everyone in the Ministry. He answered them honestly and somberly for them. When the Ministry was satisfied, for the time being, they agreed to send over some specialized wizards and witches to help with reinforced wards on Hogwarts.

Hermione was reading out by the Black Lake while Severus was away with Harry and Ron. "Reading anything interesting," Dillon asked as he walked up and sat on the grass beside her.

She had been so engrossed in her book that she hadn't noticed him creeping up on her, so when he spoke, it startled her. "Oh," she dropped her book and then smiled sheepishly. "Yes, it's a book on wards, charms and protection spells," she stated as she picked up her book from the ground.

Dillon rose a brow as he looked at her. "I see, well not exactly leisurely reading," he stated. Clearly he didn't know Hermione.

"I love learning," she stated easily as she shrunk the book down and put it in her pocket.

The male watched her then nodded. "Nothing wrong with that. Would you like to go to Hogsmead to get some lunch with me," he then asked with a friendly smile.

Her stomach growled just as she was about to decline his offer. "Sure," she lamented, because if she said she wasn't hungry, she'd certainly be lying.

The two headed down the path towards Hogsmead in a compatible silence until they reached one of the newer restaurant/pubs in town. The atmosphere was pleasant and the ambiance was nice, Hermione took note as they were seated in a booth near a window that overlooked some mountains. "This is nice, huh," Dillon asked as he grabbed a menu and began looking it over.

"Mhmm," Hermione hummed as she looked over her own menu and focused on the cheapest priced options she could find, because she wasn't about to let him pay and automatically assume that this outing was a date.

After a filling lunch, the two headed back to the castle, where a bunch of people were congregated outside chattering and looking up at the castle. Hermione already knew that it was the Ministry and school staff. "Excuse me," she said to Dillon before running over to see how she could help them.

Severus shot her a glare, especially after seeing her with that nitwit again. "Nice of you to finally join us, Miss Granger," he snarled in a whisper as she stood beside him.

"I didn't know it would be today," she shot back in a heated whisper. "I went to get lunch," she added defensively.

Severus rose a brow and glared over at Dillon, who seemed very disinterested in the whole conversation with the Ministry and staff. "So we're adding more wards? I thought Hogwarts was already the most protected school there was," Dillon remarked.

"It is. However, with Severus here, we need to be absolutely sure the students are safe," Minerva stated hastily before returning her attention to the Ministry members and other staff.

Severus watched Dillon closely from the corner of his eye as they began reinforcing the wards and adding newer ones. He didn't trust the guy at all, although Severus didn't really trust anyone, so that was nothing new.

After hours of work, the castle was secured and the Ministry members left, save for Potter and Weasley, much to Severus' demise. "Anyone for dinner," Minerva asked as the rest began to head back inside and to the Great Hall.

Severus grabbed Harry's arms and pulled him away from the group then around the corner so they couldn't be heard. "What gives," Harry grumbled as he rubbed his arm.

"Listen to me Potter, Miss Granger has been spending a lot of time with that Dillon Dupont bloke," he stated then waited for a reply.

Harry rose a brow, unsure of where this was going. "Erm? So," he then asked, when Severus didn't continue.

Severus pinched the bridge of his nose. "I don't trust him, Potter. What do you know about him," he then stated in a heated rush.

Realization finally set in and Harry nodded in understanding. "Ah right, got ya. Well, he graduated from Ilvermorny in the Wampus house about 5 years ago. His record is unblemished. In fact, no one's ever heard of his since before he registered to teach at Hogwarts. That's not really unusual though, I mean look at all the wizards and witches in the world that we've never heard of," Harry added. "I don't really think there's much to worry about there, Professor. However," he interjected because he could see Severus was ready to explode, "I will look into this further for you and for Hermione's sake. I will owl you, if I find anything," he stated with a half smile.

"Thank you," Severus stated before briskly walking off and into the castle.

Harry stood there puzzled for a minute before slowly walking back to the castle.

Seems to me that Severus Snape may have a soft spot for Hermione.

Harry grinned at his thoughts and hurried into the Great Hall with his friends.