A/N: I do not own Harry Potter.
This little plot bunny has been hopping around my head for the last day. Now, it's out, hopefully...
"Three dead,"
"Yes, three."
"Do we know..."
"Unfortunately. It was the Granger girl again."
"She took out three aurors?"
"She wasn't alone sir."
"Who?"
"A Mister Severus Snape."
"I thought they were on our side."
"So did everyone else."
"And we're sure it's them?"
"Yes, sir. It has been confirmed by more than one witness."
"Then we have no choice but to inform the order."
Hermione Granger smiled at the paper in her hand.
"Wake up, Sev, we made the front page," she laughed tossing him the paper.
"Really? For what this time, my love?"
"The three Death Eaters we took out last night. Of course, no one knew they were Death Eaters, so..."
"The order thinks we betrayed them?"
"I bet Dumbledore is pissed, wish I could have seen his face," Hermione stated with a yawn.
"I'll see if I can get him to share that memory. You deserve a treat after last night."
"Thought last night was part of my treat." She sipped at her coffee. "How long do you think we have before someone shows up?"
"Ten minutes. Not long enough for what you have in mind, unfortunately."
"Oh well. You were wrong, there's a owl outside the window, dear. Please let it in before it brains itself on the glass."
"I hate those bloody things," Severus muttered standing up and opening the window. The large owl landed on the table and Hermione swore it was glaring at her. Carefully she reached out and took the letter, managing to keep the owl from biting her hand.
"Who's this one from?"
"Ron, saying I'm a bitch, a slut, ohh, I've been brainwashed by you and he'll be waiting for me to come to my senses and come crawling back to him. Git," Hermione muttered glaring at the owl. The owl took off and another one replaced it.
"Your turn to get bitten," Hermione commented as Severus glared at her but reached for the letter.
"A howler?"
"Molly Weasley."
"Of course."
"Hermione, how dare you run off with that horrible man! Don't you know what you did to Ron's heart? And they're saying you're a murderer. We will save you, I promise you that. Severus Snape, if you are listening to this, I will have your head for this!"
The pair watched the howler destroy itself and burst out laughing.
"Did you want some coffee, Severus?"
"Please." The owl flew off after trying to peck Hermione several times.
"I love how it's all my fault, but then it's not because I'm under the imperius curse? Does this make sense to you?"
"Of course not, since when has that family ever really made much sense when it comes to you?" She smiled pouring his cup of coffee.
"Good point, part of the reason I left honestly. She kept trying to get me and Ron together, saying how perfect we are together. We have nothing in common, he bores me to the point of sleep, and then I can't be myself because I'm too..."
"Much for him to handle?" Hermione snickered.
"We never made it that far. No, I had to dumb down everything I said, everything I did."
"I, for one, am glad you left, Hermione. Now, you mentioned last night there's still a few names left on the list?"
"Two, Nott and Belle, one known, one not."
"He doesn't require the women to take the mark, have you noticed?"
"He only has two ladies," she wrinkled her nose, "in his little circle. Bellatrix and Narcissa. Am I correct?"
"Yes."
"Bellatrix took the mark, she is insane, does Narcissa?"
"No."
"He doesn't force the mark on the women, good to know, does Dumbledore know?"
"Yes. He doesn't believe me."
"He is an idiot," Hermione purred watching as yet another owl flew into the kitchen they were using.
"Wish there was a spell to keep them from finding us."
"But you like watching them come up with the most idiotic conclusions, don't you, my love?"
"You know me too well, Severus." Hermione carefully pulled the letter from the owl.
"Potter?"
"Yes, it's from Harry, at least he doesn't think I've lost my mind. Of course, he also says I need to come back because him and Ron are completely lost without me. He says they found the locket."
"Good, I'll take care of delivering the sword to them, does he say where they are?"
"No, but we can find them. Should we take care of the horcrux first then?"
"Yes, we should. That leaves what, the cup, the tiara, the snake?"
"Yes, you say Dumbledore destroyed the ring?"
"Yes, and ordered me to kill him for his own stupidity."
"Glad you didn't, no matter what the cost. I'm willing to bet he wasn't about to let anyone know what was really happening?"
"He did not plan to, no. He just doesn't want Draco to darken his soul." Hermione rolled her eyes. She'd heard this so many times already. Severus knew her exact thoughts on this plan.
"I'll kill him later," she commented. "How much longer does he have?"
"A month at best. Draco's made two, three attempts?"
"He doesn't have the heart of a killer," Hermione shrugged. "You'll deliver the sword this afternoon?"
"Yes. Can you work on tracking our last two Death Eaters while I do so?"
"Only if you promise to bring back lunch."
"Deal."
