Disclaimer: JK is the one with the creativity, not me. (Applicable for all chapters)
If one found any interest in peeking through the window of the headmaster's office at two in the morning on the eve of November 26, he would have seen absolutely nothing but Snape returning from a nightly harvest of Hart's Tongue Fern. A thick fog shrouded the forest and grounds, which made his dark, cloaked form both easy and nearly impossible to spot. No moon lit the sky, or at least none that could be seen through the fog; that is, if anyone cared to notice. This is how Albus Dumbledore knew the Juliet Elixir was nearing completion before Snape said a word.
"Headmaster, the potion should be completed by the end of the week. However, for it to remain intact, it needs to be ingested within two days. How can we be assured there will be a meeting in that time?" Snape sat facing the wizard.
"I will owl my father. He expects me to be initiated over Christmas break. I'll simply say I am growing impatient and am able to sneak out this weekend." The voice came from his right, from what Dumbledore entitled, 'The Secret Weapon.'
"Good, Draco, and apparate separately from Severus. After the initiation, you will return with his body, correct?" Albus stroked his beard.
"Yes, I intend to direct the killing curse slightly to his right, while he bursts the potion capsule in his mouth. The elixir should make him appear dead for ten hours, plenty of time for the revel to end and for us to return."
"I see-"
"Albus, should we inform Miss Granger of the plan?" Snape questioned.
"No, Severus, the risk is too high. Let her believe you are dead until she joins you in hiding. I'm sure you can explain everything to her after that." Dumbledore's eyes lost their twinkle momentarily as he caught Snape's gaze.
Snape's lips thinned as he inclined his head. "Very well, then," he murmured, glancing at the illuminating sky. "If you will excuse me, Albus, the potion is finished simmering and I have a class of second years in less than one hour. Headmaster, Draco…" he exited the office before Dumbledore opened his mouth.
Rounding the corner near Gryffindor tower, he collided with a short someone whose books crashed to the stone floor, leaving echoes to reverberate throughout the hallway. The girl stood up and smoothed her robes as Snape gathered her reading.
"Professor," she acknowledged him as he stood, handing her the books and resuming his scowl.
"Miss Granger, I believe running in the halls is prohibited. Five points from Gryffindor." Snape smirked slightly at his voice. Hermione straightened and narrowed her eyes.
"But professor, I wasn't running…"
"Would you like me to take off ten?" His smirk grew wider as did her eyes. She held her books to her chest and hurried around the corner. His lungs finally emptied as he placed a finger to his temple. The girl was so ignorant, so unsullied and so often brilliant. In a few months, that would all change. Better to drink of her now, before the hiding, he affirmed as he returned to the dungeons.