Her Frozen Heart

Chapter 4

Light fluffy snowflakes floated down from the sky covering the grounds of Hogwarts. It was the weekend and the students were outside enjoying the first snow of the season. Argus Filch was having a heart attack due to the slush that was being tracked around the entrance.

With her dark green shawl wrapped tightly around her shoulders Emma Riley raised her hand and knocked three times on the arched door. It was opened and revealed an irritated Professor Snape. He was wearing his usual black robes and she could see that he had started a fire to warm the office. "Come in." There was no warmth in his voice; it was as if he was talking to a complete stranger.

The past few weeks had found Riley and Snape spending the majority of their free time together. Since joining the Order Riley had been forced to pretend to at least be civil to Snape. The two had spent many evenings having dinner with various known or suspected Death Eaters. Many had started to believe that the two were a couple and the school was filled with rumours about them.

Lupin and Dumbledore had suggested that they allow these rumours to continue. Their supposed relationship would explain why Riley was suddenly by his side all the time. Riley had done as Lupin had asked and rekindled her relationship with many of the people she had attended Durmstrang with. Daily, she received owls from family friends who were most pleased at her sudden interest in them. In spite of her distance many people found her quite interesting and enjoyed her company.

Riley went directly to the black lounge chair that sat by the fire. Pulling her legs up into the chair she tried to warm herself by the fire. "I wouldn't be able to live down here in the dungeons, its freezing." Snape handed her a goblet filled with firewhiskey and took the chair opposite her. "So, what is it that you wanted?"

"I received an owl from Travers about a meeting. He of course mentioned that I should bring you along." Snape handed the parchment to Riley and she skimmed it quickly.

"Yes, Travers is an old acquaintance. I contacted him recently to see how he had been doing."

"Yes, well. The meeting is tomorrow night. I suppose we will have to arrive together, it will be expected." There was a bitter tone to his voice. The last thing Snape wanted to do was spend more time with this wretched woman. She had a way of pushing his buttons with only a look or a few words.

"Fine, I will meet you here tomorrow night." Riley stood up, swallowed the last of her firewhiskey, and left the room slamming the door behind her.

In the corridor she received several second glances from the students. The rumours she had heard almost made her want to laugh. The idea of her and Snape together was a joke.

Snape paced back and forth glancing occasionally at the clock. The door was thrown open and a disheveled looking Riley entered. "We best hurry or we're going to be late." The woman hadn't even apologized for showing up fifteen minutes late. Rolling his eyes he grabbed his wool cloak and stormed out the door ahead of her.

The snow reached up past their ankles and found its way into their shoes causing their feet to freeze. Riley rubbed her hands together trying to warm herself. A shiver passed through her and caught Snape's attention. "Have you no warmer cloak?"

"Well, if I did, do you not think I would have worn it?" Snape reached out and touched her shoulder with his wand muttering something under his breath. "What do you think you are doing?"

"Relax woman I was only placing a warming charm on you." Snape started to walk ahead of Riley muttering, "Bloody woman doesn't even have the common sense to do a simple warming charm. Would have bloody frozen to death." A slight blush appeared on Riley's cheeks as the charm started to take affect.

They arrived outside of a worn shack several minutes later just outside of Hogsmeade. The shack looked as though a sneeze would knock it over. The wood was rotting and the windows contained several jagged cracks.

Riley started up the steps and the second one gave a loud splintering noise as her foot went through it. A small cry escaped before she had time to control herself. Grabbing a hold of her right arm Snape gave a slight tug and her foot came free. Riley brushed herself off and muttered "thanks." Snape made an odd sort of grunt that she assumed was to mean "you're welcome" and he proceeded to help her up the rest of the steps in case another one gave out.

The door was opened and Jugson stood staring down at the two of them arm in arm. "I never thought I would see the day. The others told me but I couldn't believe them." A terrified look crossed Snape's face. "Finally got yourself a woman hey Snape?" Jugson chuckled and stepped aside allowing them to pass through the door.

Once inside a hooded man came directly over to Riley and threw his arm around her pulling her close. "Emma, how are you?" The voice seemed familiar and Riley pulled away slightly to see his face.

"Walden Macnair? I'm fine. How have you been?"

"Been a long time, yes indeed." Macnair took a hold of Riley's arm and steered her towards a greenish sofa in the corner of the room. Riley sat on the middle cushion with Macnair on her right. Glancing up Macnair caught Snape watching them from the doorway. "Snape, get over here." Snape slowly made his way across the room. "Sit down, reminisce with us." Taking the only seat left, Snape sat down next to Riley, his thigh pressed up against hers.

The air was very tense and Macnair seemed to sense it. "The two of you are not fighting are you?"

"Fighting? No, of course not." Riley forced a smile at Macnair.

Macnair looked at Snape and then back at Riley. "The rumours are true, aren't they?"

"Rumours?" Riley held her breath.

"Well, I was told that the two of you are...an item. At first I found it very hard to believe. Snape actually wanting to spend all of his time with someone." Macnair chuckled. "I was told the two of you were practically attached to the hip, wherever one went the other was right there." Macnair stared at Riley waiting for her to confirm the rumours. What other reason could there be for her to suddenly be with Snape all the time?

Sensing Macnair's sudden suspicion Riley moved her hand to Snape's knee and smiled. "Well, if the truth be known." Riley shrugged her shoulders and blushed slightly. Snape looked as though he was physically ill as he stared down at Riley's hand gripping his knee.

Macnair nodded his head enthusiastically and laughed. "Lucky man, Snape. Emma is an amazing woman, indeed. Just don't piss her off, hey Emma?"

On the walk back to Hogwarts, Riley and Snape did not speak. Placing her hand on his knee had made Snape extremely uncomfortable but Riley did not want Macnair to think of some other reason why she would be around Snape all the time.

Once they were in the entrance hall of Hogwarts Snape turned to Riley. "I shall let you know if I hear about another meeting." His robes flowing behind him Snape turned the corner and headed to the dungeons.

Riley stood there for a moment looking around at the various portraits hanging on the walls. The look on Snape's face when she had placed her hand on his knee was priceless. Chuckling softly she headed to her room for the night.

Hermione reached up and pulled the leather bound book off the fifth shelf. Professor Riley had given them an assignment to write about a famous wizard or witch of their choice. Hermione was having a hard time deciding which wizard to choose.

Tomorrow was the first Hogsmeade weekend of the term and she wanted to get a good head start on her paper. Hermione had plans to go to Hogsmeade with Harry and Ron.

The three of them were going to do their Christmas shopping for each other. They were to walk to Hogsmeade together but split up for a little while once they reached town. At lunchtime they were going to meet for something to eat and drink and then if necessary they were to split up again to finish their shopping.

"Hurry up Harry." Ron was standing in the doorway as Harry searched his room for the list he had made. "Come on, Hermione's going to be mad if we're late."

"I've got it." Harry held up the piece of yellow parchment and the two of them ran down the staircase to the common room. Hermione was sitting in her usual lounge chair by the fire.

"You're late. We best be going, you've wasted enough time as it is." Hermione lead the way through the portrait and down to the entrance hall.

In the doorway stood Argus Filch looking as miserable as ever. Each student had to be signed out by him before they were allowed to head off to Hogsmeade.

Just on the outskirts of Hogsmeade the three went their separate ways. Hermione headed straight to HoneyDuke's to buy some sweets for Ron and Harry. Her plan was to buy them each a type of sweet and then to buy Ron a broom cleaning kit.

Carrying two very large bags, Hermione stood outside of the Three Broomsticks. There was still two hours before she was to meet Harry and Ron. An older wizard opened the door and turned to Hermione, "Going in girl?" Nodding her head Hermione stepped into the warmth of the tavern.

A booth in the corner was available; Hermione placed her bags in one seat and sat down. "What can I get you dear?" Hermione ordered a butterbeer and started to take off her knitted hat and gloves.

"Here you are, dear. One butterbeer to warm you right up. Let me know if you need anything else." Hermione took a sip of the butterbeer and felt her insides gently warm up.

Lucius Malfoy sat at a table near the window watching Hermione. Turning his head he caught the eye of an old slightly scruffy wizard. The wizard stood and started to walk towards the bar, when he passed Hermione he tripped and fell causing his belongings to cover the floor.

"Oh, are you okay sir?" Hermione stood and started to help the man gather his things. Without a clue as to what was going on Hermione helped the man to his feet while a hooded witch dropped something into her butterbeer.

A smile spread across Lucius's face. The job was done. Well, at least the first part. Hermione sat back down at her seat and took a drink of her butterbeer. "That's it girl," he muttered, "Drink it up." Lucius got to his feet and slipped out the front door without Hermione realizing he had ever been in there.

Snape threw open the door and stormed into Riley's office. Looking as if this was the most normal thing in the world, Riley glanced up from her reading. "Yes?"

"I have just received an owl from Malfoy. He says that the first part of the plan has taken place." Riley looked confused. There had been no plan mentioned at the meeting. Were they still suspicious of her?

"Plan? What plan are you speaking of?"

Snape sat down in a chair by the fire. "The plan to use Miss Granger to get to Potter." Riley jumped up from her desk and walked over to Snape.

"I was told of no plan, Snape." Her tone was cross.

"I know you were not told of the plan. Granger has been given the first part of a potion that will put her under the control of the Dark Lord. With her under his power he will finally be able to do away with Potter."

"Why did you let this happen?"

"I did not let it happen!"

"What do they need to do now? Do they need to give her more potion?" Snape nodded. "Well, how much more?"

"They need to give it to her twice more and then she will do whatever he wills her to do. He will not need to be near her, he will be able to control her with his thoughts." Snape pulled his robes tighter and stared up at Riley. "You will need to keep your eye on her. Do not let her out of your sight."

"Me? Why not you?" Snape curled his lips and looked at her as if she were a complete idiot. "Fine, I will watch over her."

Snape rose and headed for the door. "I also received an owl inviting us to the Malfoy Christmas party. I suppose we will have to attend. It is expected." Without another word he left her office. Riley stood before the chair he had been sitting in. Not only did she have to pretend to be Snape's little love interest now she had to follow Hermione Granger around everywhere she went.

"Miss Granger could you please stay behind for a moment?" Ron and Harry looked to Hermione as they were exiting the History of Magic classroom. "I need to have a word with you." Hermione nodded and closed the door behind Ron and Harry.

"Is there something wrong, Professor Riley?" There was a bit of anxiety in Hermione's voice.

"No, sit down." Hermione took a seat in the front row and sat her bag down by her feet. "I have a favor to ask of you, Miss Granger."

"What is it, Professor?

"I am in the process of writing a book about the history of the Dark Arts. I have found it is much more work than I had originally thought. I need someone to assist me in the research." Hermione was trying her hardest not to let her excitement show. "Would you be interested in assisting me? There would be a lot of extra work involved."

"Professor, I would love to assist you." Hermione was positively glowing. "When shall I start?" Riley smiled; she had been right about this girl. The only way she could think of keeping Hermione out of trouble and keeping her close by was to give her a project to work on. The book was of course just a cover; this way nobody would be wary of her sudden interest in Hermione.

"I will not take it easy on you in my class, Miss Granger. I will expect the same quality of work you have been handing in all term." Hermione nodded. "Very well, I have made you a list of some of the information I will need." Reaching into her desk she pulled out a piece of parchment and handed it to Hermione who was now standing before her. "If you have trouble finding any of this, come tell me." Hermione stood there reading over the list. "That is all, Miss Granger." Hermione nodded again and hurried off to tell Ron and Harry her wonderful news.