Chapter Text
“Hermione, the minister wants to see you.” Looking up from her paperwork, Hermione saw Dorothea approaching her desk.
“Oh, of course. He could have just sent a note.”
Standing, she followed Kingsley’s assistant. Dorothea was a few years younger than herself and beautiful. Even now, as they walked side by side, heads turned to watch the witch go by.
They entered the lift. “He could have but I offered to come get you. He’s rather impatient to speak with you.”
Worry gnawed at Hermione. She knew if she’d done something wrong with her work, her own supervisor would be talking to her, not the minster, but anxiety at not being perfect was her constant companion. They stepped out into the executive offices waiting area and Dorothea preceded her to open the door labeled Kingsley Shacklebolt Minister for Magic.
She thanked the woman, then walked in. Kingsley stood as soon as he saw her. “Hermione, thank you for coming. I trust you’ve been well?”
Nodding, she took a seat across from him and smiled tentatively. “I have been. Thank you. And how have you been?”
His huge smile lit up his face. “We’re expecting. Due in six months, but don’t spread it around. We’ve been keeping it quiet.”
“I’m so happy for you and Imani. Congratulations.”
He nodded, then pulled a file towards himself. His face adopted a slightly more serious look. “Thank you. That’s not why I called you up here though. There is something I’d like your help with.”
Moving to the edge of her seat, Hermione leaned forward, eager to find out what he needed. The wizard smiled slightly at her, then continued. “In the past several months, there have been incidences of important magical artifacts showing up in the muggle world. They have been found in antique shops, a couple of auctions, and in one memorable case, given as a gift to the Sultan of Oman for his wedding by the Duke of Bedford. Some of the artifacts contain dark magic, though some are simply of a magical nature with no light or dark affiliation.”
“Do we know how they have gotten out? Has anyone been hurt?”
Kingsley shook his head. “No, no one has been hurt yet, but it’s becoming something of a problem. It was first brought to our attention by Arthur Weasley, then we had the Aurors investigate, but so far, it’s only been dead ends. So, we have assigned an unspeakable to the case.”
Curious, she asked, “Where do I come in? If it’s assigned to the Department of Mysteries, then my department has nothing to do with it anymore.”
“Normally, that would be correct, but I have been wanting to see you promoted for some time. You are a powerful, intelligent, and clever witch. Working as a researcher in the DMLE is a dead-end job and you are far better than that.”
She sighed. “I like research.”
Standing, Kingsley came around his desk, then leaned back against it. “How long have you worked in your department?”
“Five years, preceded by two years in the Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.”
“Just listen to my offer, then if you’re not interested, you can return to the safe confines of the research department.” At her nod, he continued. “I need someone who has the following abilities: comfortable in the muggle world, thinks quickly on their feet, the ability to deal with dark magic and memory spells, plus they need to be able to do research on the items retrieved so that they can be stored or destroyed, but more importantly traced back to whoever is letting them out into the world. You’d be moved to the Department of Mysteries and inducted as an unspeakable. This will include a significant raise in pay and the opportunity to advance the way someone of your caliber should.”
A fission of excitement tingled down her spine. Then she narrowed her eyes at the man. “What aren’t you telling me?”
A grimace crossed Kingsley’s face. “Before I tell you, let me assure you there is a significant bonus involved. You see, the unspeakable we have assigned to this case doesn’t routinely work with others. Well, to be perfectly honest, he never works with others. He’s been doing curse breaking and assisting the ministry in recovering Death Eater assets outside of Britain. However, I’ve recalled him for this particular job because he has expressed interest in returning.”
“Who is it, Kingsley?” She crossed her arms and stared at the wizard.
Letting out a sigh, he answered, “Severus Snape.”
Her mouth dropped open. “Severus Snape is an unspeakable?”
The minister nodded. “Listen to me. The information I’m about to share with you is classified. It is only known among the highest levels of the Ministry and except for myself there is a taboo on repeating it. We recruited Severus Snape six years ago to help us neutralize some very dark objects. At the time, we gave him unspeakable status due to the sensitive nature of the work he was assigned. Since then, as I’ve said he’s been working on our behalf in foreign countries, occasionally in a clandestine manner. Most recently he’s been in the Balkans. However, when I asked if he’d be willing to return to Britain, he agreed.”
She was stunned. After the war, specifically after the battle, she, Harry, and McGonagall had returned to the Shrieking Shack and found him just barely clinging to life. The older witch had taken him to Saint Mungo’s and harangued the staff into saving his life. Then she’d led the charge to clear him of any charges the Wizengamot might try to throw at him. As one of the most formidable witches most had ever met, few dared to cross Minerva and ultimately her will had prevailed.
Severus Snape had woken up in hospital angry and very much the reluctant hero. After he’d gotten better, he had returned home for a time, then simply disappeared. Now she knew what happened to the wizard.
“Can I ask you a question?” Kingsley nodded. “How long did it take you to recruit him?”
The man threw his head back and laughed. “I started trying to talk him into working for the ministry while he was still recuperating in hospital. It took the promise of an overly generous salary, allowing him to choose his assignments, and very little oversight to get him to agree.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Because, Hermione, he deserved it. Now, are you willing to accept?”
Thinking about it, she considered that as risk averse as she’d become after the war the lack of any excitement in her life had made it stagnant. It wasn’t that she was afraid to face the world, but there had been more than enough adventure in her relatively short life to suit her. On the other hand, maybe Kingsley was right. Was this where she’d seen herself ending up? Didn’t she want more? Merlin knew she was capable of more.
“How much of a raise and bonus are we talking about?”
Reaching back, he picked up a folder. Inside was a contract with some impressive amounts filled in the renumeration section. There was also a list of rules and of course her security clearance, should she accept.
“May I have some time to read this over and think about it? I mean is it okay to take this with me?”
“Of course. You and I are the only people who can read what is written on those sheets. If you accept, simply tap your wand to the signature line. If you decide to decline, then burn them. I do hope, however, you agree that this could be the perfect opportunity for you.”
She stood and shook the hand held out to her. Then turning, Hermione asked, “What would my official job title be? After all, unspeakables don’t generally go around telling people they’re unspeakables.”
He smiled. “How about Department of Mysteries archivist?”
“That works. Sadly, I think that’s exactly what people would expect. Thank you, Kingsley. I’ll consider this carefully and have an answer for you tomorrow.”
Reaching forward, she was about to open his office door when it flew inward and knocked her folder out of her hands. Stooping, she began to pick it up, then noticed a pair of black, dragonhide boots stop just before her. Her gaze worked its way up a pair of long black denim clad legs, to a narrow pair of hips said jeans hung off. A soft black t-shirt stretched over a flat stomach and broad chest. She couldn’t see his arms properly, as he was wearing a black, leather jacket, but there were silvery scars on his throat, then a sharp jaw and sensuous looking lips. Finally, she met his eyes.
“Professor Snape”, she squeaked, then promptly fell back onto her bottom.
He shook his head and stared down at her impassively. “Granger. That is not a convenient place for you to occupy.”
As he reached out to help her up, Hermione felt a zing up her arm at the contact with his hand. Standing, she waved her hand and her papers refiled themselves, then flew into her grasp. The top of her head just reached the bottom of his chin. Still, she looked up at his black eyes with all the dignity she could muster.
“I was not occupying the spot, I dropped something. Glad to see your good humor remains intact.”
His lips quirked up in a smirk and then he stepped around her to greet Kingsley. Irritated, Hermione hurried out of the office and closed the door behind her. Sitting at her desk, Dorothea was staring at her with wide eyes. She fanned herself and smiled.
“I swear the temperature goes up when he walks into a room. Who knew the bat of the dungeons could be so hot?”
Looking over her shoulder and then back at the blonde, she asked “What are you on about?”
Getting a dreamy look on her face, the younger witch giggled. “You saw him. He’s not… gorgeous, but mmm, I’d shag that.”
Hermione pulled out her wand and waved it over the woman’s teacup. Dorothea gave her a startled look. “What are you doing?”
Tucking her wand away once more, Hermione shook her head. “Making sure you’ve not been poisoned or had your tea tampered with. Mr. Snape is still the ill-tempered, irascible, curmudgeon he always was. The only difference is, he can no longer take house points or fail us in class.”
Then she marched out of the office and down to her own department. Normally, she never left early, but the folder wouldn’t let her concentrate properly and there was much to consider. After all, would money make up for her loss of self-esteem when her old professor decided to make her feel and look foolish? Likely not.
At the floo area of the atrium, Hermione was just about to step through, when a deep voice called her name.
“Miss Granger, do you have a moment?”
She turned around and saw Snape. He really did look different. His hair was pulled back into a queue and his clothes made him look… dangerous. Like a bad boy, yet even she couldn’t deny he looked good in them. Had he always had a body that looked like that? And while he wasn’t attractive in the way most would find immediately obvious, there was something. Giving herself a mental shake, she stepped away from the floo and towards him.
“I do. Would you like to speak somewhere less public?”
He nodded, then beckoned her to follow him. Then in moments, he entered the loo. Unlike the communal bathrooms used for coming and going, this one was a single for actual bathroom needs. She stopped and stared at him.
“I don’t particularly want to find an office or walk any further than I must. I’ve things to do and you’re holding me up. Come in here.”
Looking around, she saw no one about. Hurrying inside, she tried not to flinch as he shut the door behind her. Turning, Hermione crossed her arms at him and said, “Well?”
His gaze raked over her from head to toe. Then he grimaced. “Have you read the file yet?”
Sighing, she shook her head. “No, I was going home to do that.”
“I see. Well let me give you a quick rundown. Kingsley wants to partner us. He believes if we go undercover as a married couple, we’ll have an easier time dealing with the poor dears who run the muggle antique stores as we search for the magical items that have been released among them. I’m sure you see the flaw in his logic. We clearly don’t belong together and frankly, I don’t want to work with you.”
Crossing her arms, Hermione glared at him. “Well, I’m going to accept his offer. If you are not capable, then I guess it’s up to me. After all, he did say he was looking for someone clever, intelligent, and able to figure out where these items have come from. Which is me.”
He glared at her. “You do not want to cross me, Granger. I am going to finish this job, then I can reintegrate into the British department. Meanwhile you will simply continue doing whatever it was you were doing.”
Tilting her head, she realized something. “You weren’t given a choice. Kingsley said you have to work with me unless I decline, then once the case is solved, you’ll get something you want. But what?”
Snape took a large step forward, then another. Hermione retreated until her back hit the wall. Caging her in with his arms on either side of her, he leaned forward. He smelled of citrus, tea, fresh herbs, and something… undefinable.
“Listen to me. You will decline. We are not going to work together. If you think otherwise, I will make sure you regret your decision.” Then he placed his lips against her ear. “I’m sure you can be a good girl and do the right thing.”
Stepping back, he gave her a severe look before turning on his heal and leaving the bathroom, slamming the door behind himself. Hermione was angry and a little confused. When he’d whispered in her ear, she’d felt an unwelcome tingle over her skin. Surely that was simply because he was such a prat, she’d wanted to hex him.
Reaching into her purse, she pulled out the file and opened it on the sink, then she pulled her wand out of her sleeve. Tapping it on the signature line, she hoped she wouldn’t live to regret it as he’d promised.