The Prophesy: Silent Shells

Chapter 7

If any poor unsuspecting person had happened to have been in Severus Snape's private section of the dungeons that afternoon they would have witnessed a bizarre event.

Professor Snape, upon returning to the dungeons after apparently running away from Neville, was straining to pull a huge, black shaggy dog down the corridor. The dog was growling and snapping while trying to escape from the iron grip that held its leash.

If the person watching this encounter had been able to see through solid walls they would have been even more surprised when they witnessed Snape, having got the dog into the room, shouting foul language at it and yelling 'Its for Harry you fool, not for me for Harry.' As if the dog understood what was being said.

This, fortunately fictional, person would have been even more shocked when they observed the dog turn into a man and, after uttering some dangerous threats, pull out a hair, cut himself, start muttering under his breath and then begin to cry. After completing these activities the man then turned back into a dog and after growling at Snape who was giddy with relief, turn the doorknob with his paw and run down the corridor.

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At lunch , the main topic of conversation was the peculiar behaviour of their hated greasy potions professor. The students had never seen him do anything other than scowl and take off house points, so this new side of him was a shock.

Neville had told the other boys in his dorm about the slightly hysterical behaviour that Snape had been showing when he was in the dungeons. This gossip had spread like wild fire through the school.

'It was so weird, he was going through some papers when he started cursing and swearing about how only four hundred and ninety nine people loved the Boy, I assume he meant Harry, when he needed five hundred. Then he started crying and banging his head on the wall. Next thing I know he is smiling again and running out of the room.'

Neville was telling Ron and Hermione in the common room when Hermione squeaked and ran to the portrait of the Fat Lady, pushed it open and ran out.

'Was it something I said?' queried Neville as he and Ron stood staring after her.

'I dunno,'

'Where d'you think she went?'

'When Hermione gets that look on her face it can only mean one thing.'

'The Library.' They finished together.

'Wait here, Neville, I'll go and find her.'

Ron left the common room with Neville went up to the dorm.

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When Ron found Hermione, she was arguing furiously with Madam Pince.

'Please, ma'am, I'm not going to do anything bad with it. I just need to read it.'

Madam Pince was shaking her head.

'But I think I know what Snape is doing and it's really important.'

Madam Pince finally nodded her head reluctantly

'But only you can go in to the Restricted Section, Miss Granger. Not Mr Weasley, I know what he and Mr Potter are li - that is to say...was like... I mean, well um, go ahead Miss Granger.'

Ten minutes later Hermione came tearing out of the Restricted Section.

'I knew it, I just knew that it sounded familiar, I should have guessed when he wanted everyone's blood and stuff, but it just didn't click.'

She ran out of the library calling back to Ron

'Go to dinner and save me some, I dunno if I'll be there or not.'

People in the corridors stared as Hermione ran past.

Many hadn't seen her since Dumbledore had announced Harry's demise and those who had, had only seen her staring at a wall in the Gryffindor common room or being held up by Ron and Dean Thomas outside Snape's private dungeons.

Yet here she was, running through the Castle and laughing.

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Professor Snape was at a tricky part of his experiment.

He needed to chant an incantation but he needed at least two people to do it.

He was staring at the cauldron murderously wondering who he could ask without raising suspicions when Hermione ran in.

He looked up with a shock to see the now thin and usually pale girl, flushed and out of breath leaning on the doorframe.

'The Resurgence Potion, professor?'

He gaped at her for a moment before smiling relieved.

'You always were to much of a know it all for your own good, Miss Granger.'

'Does anyone else know what you are making?'

'Not even Albus, but I think he has his suspicions. How did you know?'

Well, when we made the Polyjuice so we could change into Crabbe and Goy... er I mean when I was reading Moste Potente Potions...um in Flourish and Blotts, at the beginning of the year...'

Snape just looked at her.

'Crabbe and Goyle?'

'Um, yes, we wanted to know if Malfoy knew who the heir of Slytherin was in our second year, so we um...'

'I see. Continue'

'Well I read about the potion, and I remember wondering why it had never been attempted before, when I realised that it would be very difficult to find five hundred people who all loved one person enough to bring them back from the dead. And then when I heard Neville saying how upset you were at there only being four ninety nine I started to realise. I went to the library and checked. And then I was sure.'

'Well, Miss Granger, now you are here you can help me with this next part.'

It was halfway through the last period of the day when to chanting voices echoed around the castle.

The words they spoke were unintelligible but they rang with power. The words were suddenly cut off and the everyone stared around in amazement.

Albus Dumbledore was sitting in his office when he recognised the incantation. He looked up in wonderment before throwing some powder into the fire in his office and stepping in.

When he stepped pout of the fire he was blinded by a white burning light showering from the cauldron in the middle of the room. When his eyes adjusted he could see Hermione and Professor Snape lying unconscious on the floor. Their hands were clasped and they had the look of intense concentration on their faces.

The white light died down and Dumbledore stepped over a pile of empty bottles of potions ingredients before crouching in front of the two and whispering

'Enervate'

They both sat up bewildered. Then a flash of understanding crossed their faces followed by one of embarrassment as they realised that they were still holding hands.

Hermione snatched hers back and Snape looked vaguely disappointed before turning to Dumbledore who was hiding a smile behind his hand.

'Did it work? Was there a lot of light.'

Dumbledore nodded and then unsuccessfully tried to prevent himself from laughing as the exhausted pair jumped up and hugged each other before springing apart and turning away, faces flushing.

'Is Harry's body preserved Professor?' Hermione asked, trying to cover her embarrassment.

'Yes, and if that Potion is what I think it is the it should be ready to use tomorrow.'

Snape nodded before asking a question.

'Albus, we need to get it in to his bloodstream, and he obviously cant swallow it. How do you suggest we do it?'

Dumbledore was pondering this question when Hermione jumped in.

'Couldn't we use a muggle syringe Professor?'

Dumbledore smiled.

'Yes, that would work, but where should we get one?'

'My parents are dentists and they have some for injecting pain killers into patients gums. I could owl them so send some of the larger ones.'

'Yes, could you do that Miss Granger. Now I want you to return to your dormitory and don't breathe a word of this to anyone. Not even Mr Weasley. If this doesn't work I want the less people disappointed the better.'