Unforgivable Promises

Unforgivable Promises

Chapter 18

-----

Back in Gryffindor Tower, Harry discovered his intuition was right. He stepped into the common room to hear one of the Fourth Years talking loudly to a group of Firsts.

"Of course it was Harry Potter who caught Malfoy. Did you see that one of them was a Hufflepuff? You guys are lucky you're Gryffindors. None of us would ever join You-Know-Who."

"That's enough," Harry stepped over to the group. "Everyone says that Slytherins are the dark wizards. And maybe they have more than their share. But bragging that Gryffindors don't get Marked is stupid and wrong. I know for a fact that at least one of us followed him in the last war." Everyone looked shocked at that revelation, but no one was going to argue with him. "I'm not saying I think someone here would ever do that, but it's not as simple as what house you're in. I'm not a prefect, and I can't make any rules, but I don't want to hear about anyone in this House bragging about what happened. We lost seven students today, and that's nothing to be happy about."

Across the room, Ron stood up and said, "Well, Harry, I am a prefect, and I can make a rule like that. But I won't. Anyone who needs to try to make the other houses feel bad about what happened in order to make themselves feel good doesn't belong in Gryffindor at all. That's not what we do."

Harry was impressed at his friend's strategy. Rules are broken, but he'd made it a matter of House pride now. He suspected there would be no need to discuss it further.

"You said that better than I could have, Ron," Harry said. "Thanks for backing me up."

"Any time, mate. I hadn't thought about it, but you're right. If we go around acting like we're above everyone else, it's just going to make problems."

"Yeah. I can't say I'm sorry to see them getting what they deserve, but I still feel bad that it had to happen. I'm sure they all had friends here. We shouldn't be gloating while everyone else is missing their house-mates."

Ron nodded. "Still," the redhead said. "It was fun listening to Hermione talk to Malfoy."

Harry chuckled. "He really had that coming, didn't he? Speaking of Hermione, where is she?" Harry could see the First Year girls in the common room, so she was not showing them the dorms.

"She ran off. Said she had to meet someone. I saw her talking to a boy from Hufflepuff before. I think she was meeting him for something."

"And you're okay with that?" Harry asked, grinning broadly.

"Sure, why not?" Ron grew worried. "Hey, you don't think she's in danger, do you? Someone getting revenge for getting their friend arrested?"

"Oh, no, that's not what I meant. I'm sure she's fine. She can take care of herself. And no one really knows she was involved with the whole thing."

Ron agreed, and said, "Speaking of that, Harry, I don't think it's a good idea for you to be alone in the halls any more. You said yourself that anyone could be angry about what happened. Not to mention that there are probably other supporters of You-Know-Who in the school."

"You're starting to think just like Professor Snape, you know. He said the same thing to me just before I came here."

"Normally, that would be a very disturbing thought. But I'm not going to think too much about it. I'm just going to be happy he agrees, so he can give you detention if you don't listen. I'd feel bad having to dock you points, you know. They're my points too."

Harry laughed. As much as he understood Snape's concerns, he had not liked the idea of bringing up the problem with his friends. There seemed something snobbish about asking friends to follow him around. They would do it, of course, but he hated asking.

He spent the rest of the evening in the common room getting to know the new additions. Experience had taught him that the sooner they realized he was a normal person, the sooner they'd stop treating him with fear or awe. Hermione arrived not long after Harry had asked about her. He could tell she wanted to talk to him, but was waiting for him to be free. By the grin she was wearing, he assumed it was good news.

His curiosity was finally satisfied when Hermione pulled him over to a quiet corner. "Well, Harry," she said. "I had a very interesting talk with someone a little bit ago."

"I figured that," Harry replied. "What's going on? You weren't asked out, were you?"

Hermione covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. "No, no, that's not it at all. It's very funny you said that, though. No, someone asked me for a favor. It seems he wants to start a club for. . ." She looked around for anyone listening. "Well, for people like you, if you know what I mean. It's for boys and girls, so they can talk and get support I guess."

Now it was Harry's turn to stifle a laugh. "He didn't think you were. . ."

"No. At least, I don't think he did. He just wanted to know if I could make a sign-up sheet like we did for the DA. He said he might want coins too, but he has no idea how many people would be interested. For now, the parchment will just be a way to keep out people who only want to make trouble."

"Who is it?" Harry asked.

Hermione frowned. "Well, I promised not to tell anyone. Obviously I'm not worried about you telling people, Harry, but-"

"It's okay, Hermione. I made the same promise to the person I told before you, remember? It's not your secret to tell. I understand."

"I did tell him that I know someone who might be interested. I hope you don't mind, Harry. I just wanted to make sure I was allowed to even mention it to people. Of course, I didn't give any names. Hey, you don't think the person who asked me is the person you were talking to, do you?"

Harry laughed. "No, I think it's safe to say that the person I know isn't starting any clubs."

"Well, if you're interested, let me know and I'll see about getting you to sign the parchment."

"I'll think about it," Harry replied.

-----

The following day at breakfast, a new addition sat at the head table beside McGonagall. Harry was surprised to see Hestia Jones with the faculty, but gave her a cheerful wave when he caught her eye. Harry and the rest of Gryffindor assumed, along with the rest of the school, that she would be the new Defense instructor. Once it seemed most students had made it into the Great Hall, the Headmaster stood and raised a hand, calling for silence.

"Good morning, students. I trust everyone is recovering from the shock of yesterday's surprise. I will remind you all that, should you require someone to speak to about the unfortunate loss, I and your Heads of House are always available." A fresh silence fell on the students. "However, I spoke enough of that yesterday. Today, I am pleased to announce some good news in the form of our new Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor, Professor Jones." The woman nodded amiably but did not stand when Dumbledore turned towards her. "Professor Jones is a recently retired Auror, and will certainly prove a most excellent addition to Hogwarts. Please welcome her."

Polite applause greeted the announcement, though cheering came from the group of Gryffindors who knew her to be more than an Auror and were grateful to again have a trustworthy, competent teacher. Ginny absolutely beamed. Jones, while not quite young enough to be an older sister, was still young enough to fill the role of a favored aunt.

"I'm so glad she's here," Ginny said, keeping her voice low so only the close-knit group of friends would hear. "Until Hermione got to the house, she was just about the only person I had to talk to. She was too young to fight in the first war, but her parents did. Her mother was killed by You-Know-Who himself in the middle of the war. Her father died last winter. I'm not sure how, but I think it was something natural. She's been an Auror since she left Hogwarts, and I don't think she has any family left. She had a boyfriend, I think, who was killed by Death Eaters not too long ago."

Ron blinked at her. "Wow, Sis, you could teach Hermione a thing or two about research." Ginny giggled; Hermione elbowed the boy.

"Well, we talked a lot in the beginning of the summer. Sometimes she'd almost say something. Mostly if I was talking about Dean. I'd say something, and she'd laugh, or agree, then start to tell a story and just stop. I guess she didn't want to talk about it, so I never asked. Anyway, things were kind of quiet until the night Harry showed up, after all, and I think she was bored, and maybe a little lonely, like me. Then, of course, everyone got so busy we never really saw anyone but Professor Snape and sometimes Remus. And no one would tell us anything about where anyone was. I'm glad she's okay."

"I think it's great she's here," Harry said. "We've only ever had one good Defense instructor. And it'd take an Auror to last more than a year."

"That won't be a problem for her," Ginny replied, her respect evident. "She told me magical defense is her specialty. Whenever a group of really nasty wizards were holed up somewhere, they'd send her in as bait. Nothing can get through her shields. So the other Aurors would take down the attackers while they were trying to hex her."

"Sounds brilliant," Neville said. "Too bad she wasn't around this summer when we were learning stuff like that."

"Plus, the more teachers, the less lessons with Snape, eh?" Ron asked. Neville nodded vigorously.

As appetites dwindled and students began making their way from the Hall, Luna found her way to the table and joined the group. Neville explained how they knew Hestia Jones; the quiet girl only replied with one of her disconcerting smiles. Once the room was nearly empty, Ginny said she wanted to greet the new professor.

"We'll go with you," Harry said. "She was one of the wizards who got me last year from the Dursleys. Least I can do is welcome her here." Harry and Ginny stood and were naturally followed by the rest.

With only a few professors within earshot, Ginny nearly squealed, "I'm so glad to see you. I've been worried about you. No one would tell us anything about where anyone went. I was sure you were okay, of course. Who can hurt you, right? But still. . ."

Hestia smiled at the girl and took her hand. "It's good to see you too, Ginny. And the rest of you too, of course."

"Welcome to Hogwarts, Professor Jones," Harry said. Everyone else echoed him.

"I'm glad you came to see me now, Ginny. This summer was not quite my best. I've been at St. Mungo's for the past four weeks." Ginny stifled a gasp. "You'd find out, of course, in class, but I think it's best that you know now."

Professor Snape stood and came to Jones's side. He whispered something in her ear, and she looked up at him with a faint smile. "Yes, please. Thank you, Severus." With a nod, Snape offered her his arm. She grasped it, and her struggle to stand was not lost on anyone gathered. Snape pulled the chair out of her way as she straightened up slowly. A wide belt on the outside of her robes looked distinctly out of place until she tapped the buckle with her wand. She rose slightly, so her toes were just barely off the ground.

The look she gave Ginny was almost apologetic. "Seems my shields were not quite as good as I had hoped."

"Oh, Hestia!" Ginny gingerly stepped forward and pulled the woman into a hug. "What happened? Does it hurt?"

"No, Ginny, I'm in no pain. I can't feel anything at all below my waist, actually. The spell used was Dark magic, and the damage cannot be undone. As for what happened, the details don't matter. Let's just say I faced one Death Eater too many this time. I was due, right?" Though she tried to mask it with a lighthearted joke, Harry could hear her voice waver. The few students remaining were watching the scene with interest, and though they could not hear, they would certainly be wondering why a student was hugging the new professor. It was not lost on Snape, naturally, who placed a hand on Jones's arm.

"Professor, perhaps I should show you to your classroom. I am told you arrived last night and have not had an opportunity to tour the castle." Ginny pulled back and wiped her tears on her sleeve.

"Thank you, but that is not necessary. I was a student here, of course, and it hasn't been that long." Another nod from the Potions Master and the two instructors exited the hall. The effect, on Harry at least, was eerie to watch. Hestia Jones's belt must have been charmed with a levitation spell, and she floated to the door. Snape had a way of gliding about with his long, swift strides hidden by his robes, making it seem as if he wore the same belt.

It was Luna who turned to Ginny first to comfort her. "She could have suffered much worse. She doesn't feel any pain, right? And she can still go wherever she wants."

"I suppose." Ginny sniffled.

"We've got Charms together next," Luna said to the group. She put her arm through Ginny's. "She'll be okay."

As the Sixth Year Gryffindors made their way to their class, Harry sighed. "You know, I was wondering why she was here teaching and not out. . . You know. . ." Everyone trudged along in silence, not wanting to say anything out loud. "I think I'd rather have Lockhart, or even Umbridge back, then get a good teacher that way." Still, no one else spoke. No one had to.

-----

By the end of the week, Professor Jones's presence was causing quite a stir. In the classroom she was dynamic and engaging. Years as an Auror had given her a story for any occasion as well as an appreciation for unusual or innovative ways to handle Dark magic. She was strict and had very high standards, but she held everyone to them equally, and no one was sure what house she had come from as she seemed to hold no preference. Speculation abounded, of course, but most theories were simply attempts by members of each House to claim the Professor as their own. Even some Slytherins could be heard insisting she was far too cunning to have worn anything but silver and green as a student.

Many of the boys, and statistically, Harry thought, some of the girls, were developing crushes despite her handicap which she made no attempt to hide. She was certainly pretty enough. And along those lines came rumors that sent Harry into private bursts of laughing every now and then. "Snape's in love," was whispered in the hallways and many a student had been on the end of one of his withering stares for so much as daring a knowing look at the Potions Master. It was no wonder, though, Harry thought–only natural that students would jump to conclusions. After all, whenever Professor Jones seemed to need any kind of help at all, Professor Snape appeared at her side. Every meal, though he sat several places down the table from her, Snape pushed in her chair as she sat and offered his arm in aid when she rose. Lavender had proclaimed it "Simply charming," and Harry completely agreed.

With the rumor mill in full grind, Harry hung back one afternoon after Potions, the last class of the day, to have a bit of fun with his Professor. The room had cleared, leaving Harry alone with Snape for the first time since school started.

Harry made sure the door was closed before saying, "If you aren't careful, professor, you're going to have half the boys at Hogwarts looking to hunt you down."

Snape looked up from his desk coolly. "Only half? You are dismally under-appreciative of my abilities to be a bastard."

"Well, that's the problem, isn't it? If you were being a bastard, you wouldn't be showering Professor Jones with such devotion and affection." Harry grinned and sprawled lazily in one of the front desks.

"Ah, I see. And has Professor Jones so quickly captured the hearts of so many hormone-laden children?"

"Sure has. I personally don't see it. I mean, she's nice and all. . ."

"Not your type, is she?" Snape played along.

"Not quite, but everyone sure thinks she's yours. Speaking of that, though, Hermione found out there's a group of. . ." Harry decided discretion was a virtue in a classroom, even with the door closed. Anyone could still walk in. "Well, students like me. She made them a sign up sheet like she did for the DA."

Snape nodded and observed, "How nice such students still need to be paranoid. Have you joined this group?" Before he could answer, Harry was interrupted by Snape's raised hand. "First, consider if there is anything going on that I will be happier not knowing about. I am a teacher, remember."

Harry blushed. "It's nothing like that! Just a few kids sitting around talking. Mostly about dumb stuff, like who everyone thinks is cute."

"Does this mean you will find yourself a mate rather than making a habit of interrupting my afternoons?"

Harry wrinkled his nose in thought. "I hadn't really thought about it, to be honest. Well, I did before I signed up, but not really since. I don't think so. There's no one there I'm interested in. I'm not even sure I'll keep going, honestly. Everything they talk about seems so. . . I don't know. Silly, I guess. If I have to hear about what someone wore to Hogsmeade weekend last year again, I'll be in your office looking for something to make my head explode. It's nice to know there are more students out there like me, but they never want to talk about anything serious."

"First, the potion you'd want is found in my office on the third shelf, fourth from the left, in the green glass bottle. Help yourself. As for talking about something serious, it's been my experience that attempting to have a serious conversation with anyone under the age of twenty-four is pointless. You should not be so serious yourself, for that matter. You are, after all, sixteen. And trivialities are expected to be the focus of your existence."

Harry simply snorted at that.

-----

A week later, Harry found himself back in the potions classroom having almost the same conversation, this time with Hermione. Everyone else's potion had turned into a clay-like substance twenty minutes into brewing, and only Harry and Hermione had any liquid to continue working with. The potion now done successfully, Snape trusted them enough to retreat to his office as they cleaned up.

"I don't know," Harry said. "I do appreciate you telling me about it. I'm glad I went and all, but it's just so. . . inane."

Hermione stared at him. "You've been spending far too much time with Professor Snape if you're using words like 'inane'."

Harry laughed a little and said, "They're just way too childish, I guess. Aside from us all being gay, I just have nothing in common with them. I'm spending my time worrying if Remus will make it back from his next mission, or if Voldemort has figured out a way to break into my head again, and they're making stupid jokes about their wands and different kinds of vegetables."

"I guess I can understand that," Hermione replied. She let out a little sigh as they gathered their books.

"It's not your fault, you know. And I am glad you told me about it."

"Oh, I was just hoping you'd find someone. I was thinking about how hard it must be to meet people."

Harry simply shrugged. "Well, I thought the same thing at first, but none of them are really what I'm looking for."

"So what are you looking for?"

"Beats me. Not fireworks and violins like in a movie. I just want someone who cares how I take my tea, you know? Someone I can lean against while we both read. He'll interrupt every now and then to point out something I'm completely uninterested in, and I'll pretend to be mad because I'm trying to read my own book. But we'll both know I don't mind." Harry rested his chin in his hand and stared into space. "I want someone who keeps, oh, I don't know, a tin of biscuits in the cupboard, even though he hates biscuits, because he knows I like them. My whole life's been so complicated. I want something simple."

Hermione leaned forward and gave Harry a kiss on the cheek. "That's very sweet Harry, and I think I understand what you mean, even though personally, I expect both fireworks and violins." Harry smiled at his friend. "Plus, you don't like biscuits. But maybe you'll keep a tin in your flat for him."

"Hmm," Harry considered the idea. "I suppose that works, too."

As the two got up to leave, Snape reappeared from his office. "Have you two finished cleaning up? Good. Can you stay a little longer, Harry? There is something I need to discuss with you." Snape gazed at Hermione for a few moments before saying, "You may stay as well, Miss Granger." They both nodded and sat down.

"Information has come my way. This is information that Dumbledore also possesses, though as yet, he does not know I have it as well. As such, he has not yet asked me to keep it from you. Are we clear?"

Harry understood the implication. When Dumbledore did talk to Snape, he'd be ordering that Harry be kept ignorant. Dumbledore had nearly promised not to do that, but Harry trusted Snape's opinion.

"Furthermore, I need you to promise me that you will not overreact, and you will absolutely refrain from purposely digging for information. Your source, while well placed, is far too dangerous. Do you understand?"

"I'll stay right here, I promise." Harry tapped his head, aware that while someone may be listening in, it was far less likely they could see him. Snape nodded, satisfied.

"Lupin has gone missing. He was safe two days ago, but after that, there are no clues." Harry grew pale, and the only thing keeping him from running from the room was the knowledge that the only person with answers was standing before him. "Now, before you assume anything, Harry, remember that Lupin has been doing this for a very long time. Even before the Dark Lord's rise–since he graduated, really–he has been on the run simply because of what he is. He knows how to sense danger and he knows how to disappear. That we have no trace whatsoever is, in my opinion, a good sign. It is unlikely that an abduction would be covered as well as Lupin can hide his own tracks. And he has enough Wolfsbane for the coming full moon, which may work to his advantage." Harry calmed a little. Remus was probably in danger, but he may still be safe. And Snape was right about the full moon. A sentient, logical werewolf was far better off in a dangerous area than even a wizard.

"I am telling you this for a reason, Harry. If the worst has happened, as I believe it has not, then he will certainly be taken before the Dark Lord. Until we know something for sure, I want you to be extra careful with your Occlumency. If emotion plays a part on both sides, then Lupin's capture will be cause for great joy on the other end. I am trusting your word that you have not been attempting to spy, though your trick at breakfast before the term started was not lost on me." Harry squirmed, as he had not realized the man had caught on to Harry's swift dip into Voldemort's mind the day after Luna's rescue. "In any case, the next few days may present the opportunity to witness something you surely want never to see."

Harry swallowed hard. "Thank you, Professor. For the record, except for that one time, I haven't tried any, uh, tricks. I wasn't planning on it either, but I'll make sure my shields can hold up against anything."

Satisfied, Snape looked to Hermione and said, "As for you, Miss Granger, I understand you have some questions for me pertaining to your research project." The girl looked up sharply.

"Yes, sir, but. . ." She frowned.

Snape stood and beckoned them to follow.

-----

Severus led his two students out of the potions classroom and down the hall to his own rooms. Being seen with Potter and Granger was no longer a threat to him–he could be in no greater danger at this point–but there was still a need for secrecy. He stood facing the wall and gave Salazar's bust an expectant glare. The piece of rock made a decent doorkeeper usually, but now and then decided to make a point of showing that its duties were by choice and not by command. Not a stone eyelash fluttered as the wall eventually disappeared into his arch. He trusted the statue felt its point had been made.

Snape waved the two in and followed. Granger looked around curiously as Harry sat down on the couch. It was another display of familiarity, but the boy had been in his rooms once before. The setting was private enough to ignore that he did not wait for an invitation to sit.

The Potions Master settled into a chair and nodded for the girl to join Harry on the couch. "Minerva tells me you have questions about the Mark. She seems to believe that you are in the best position to uncover holes in your own notes." He had never actually sat down and discussed the workings of the bond with anyone. Albus had some idea of what it did, but only through years of observation and a good deal of passive study of the Mark. Severus was in no mood to talk about it now, but he was forced to admit that the odds of discovering how to break the bond were better now than they had ever been. Not only had Potter's intrusion into the Dark Lord's mind garnered more information on the spells than anyone had ever gathered, but both he and his colleagues were far freer to test and study the Mark. Any active work on the Mark would require, of course, Potter's presence. The man felt a pang of guilt at the acknowledgment of what further study was likely to cost the boy, and made a promise to limit such work as much as possible.

"Have you read my notebooks, sir?"

"No, I did not feel that was necessary. There is nothing pertaining to the scar that I do not know of, yes?" He directed the question at Harry.

"Almost everything Hermione has is what you and I worked out during our lessons. I can't think of anything I didn't tell you." Now that Snape knew he could slip into Voldemort's mind at will, that charade was past.

"Then what is it you need to know, Miss Granger?"

Always studious, she pulled a quill, ink, and yet another notebook from her bag. "Well, let me tell you what assumptions I've made, and we'll see if the foundation's right. Then we'll worry about filling the gaps. Maybe Harry can try to connect it all with what he's seen the Dark Lord do."

Snape answered questions until it was time for the three to get ready for dinner. Harry seemed preoccupied, but for the most part was attentive to the discussion. The girl's questions were astute, and Snape grudgingly acknowledged to himself that she had made several accurate assumptions about his Mark. As the Potions Master escorted the pair to the hall, his unease at discussing his bond to the Dark Lord was quelled somewhat by the satisfaction that his plan had worked, and Harry had been at least mildly distracted from worrying about the werewolf.