"They made another attempt on her life today."

Dumbledore's face has taken on an uncharacteristic seriousness. I pinch the bridge of my nose, and squint. Damn this whole bloody mess straight to hell.

"How is the girl"

"She's a bit shaken, understandably, but she's unharmed. Fortunately, the Aurors arrived in time to assist her. Next time…I don't know, Severus."

He looks even wearier than I imagine I do. War can be so tedious.

"I've schooled her as best I can. We all have. We watch, and we wait."

"Like we watched and waited with the Weasley lad?"

I sigh and rub my temples.

"She's a damn site more skilled than Mr. Weasley was, and you know it."

"She's also more important to us."

I try to keep the annoyance from my voice, but am less than successful.

"Because of Potter."

"She's got great potential in her own right. When the last battle comes, she'll be an invaluable asset in more ways than I can count."

"Of course. She can be bait, she can be the delectable spoils of war, she can distract the Dark Lord with her feminine wiles."

"Severus!"

I give him a withering look, but he fails to wither. Perhaps I'm loosing my touch. Perhaps he just knows me well enough to understand that at times like these, Gallows humor is all I have left. I school my features to impassive resolve.

"What would you have me do, Albus?"

"She needs a full time protector."

"Send Kingsley. He's quite the fancy lad. I'm certain she'd more than approve."

"You're much more powerful than Kingsley."

"She doesn't like me."

"Nobody likes you. But, you're the one I trust, Severus."

"Lucky me. What did you have in mind?"

"A marriage contract. A living arraignment."

I snort now. I think perhaps the old man has finally lost it. Poor sod..

"It wouldn't work. No one would believe it for a moment, Albus, and you know it."

"It doesn't matter what anyone believes. They'll know you're with her, and they'll know she's under your protection. The deterrent…"

"Deterrent? Potter himself will probably sweep down to rescue her!"

"I won't force you, Severus. If you don't think you're capable of putting your personal feelings aside for the cause, then perhaps…"

"Damn you, Albus."

He has the nerve to smile at me.

"Thank you, Severus."

"You wanted to see me, Sir?"

Dumbledore turns from Fawkes' smoldering ashes to the doorway, where a certain bushy-haired former student is waiting.

"Ah, Miss Granger. I trust you're feeling better."

"Yes, Sir."

She touches her hand to the nasty scrape on her forehead. I draw my wand from my robes and wave it in her direction, muttering softly. She startles as the flesh knits cleanly, catching site of me in the corner.

"Professor Snape, I'm sorry. I didn't see you there."

She runs her fingertips over her now smooth brow.

"Thank you."

I nod in her direction.

"Hermione, this is the third attempt on your life since you've been appointed to the staff her at Hogwart's".

She sinks into a chair before Dumbledore's desk, clasping her hands tightly together, and lowering her eyes. She looks tense, but resolute.

"Would it be best if I resigned, Professor Dumbledore? I don't want to endanger…"

He cuts her off before she can finish.

"I wouldn't dream of sending you away, dear girl. But I do have…concerns."

"Of what nature?"

"Safety."

She bristles at this. So much pride. In the wrong hands, under the wrong influences, she could be so…dangerous."

"I can assure you that I'd never let harm come to any of my students."

"I was speaking of YOUR safety, Miss Granger."

She quiets at this. And then suddenly she shifts in her seat and catches a glimpse of me. Like she's trying to put it all together. She doesn't know why I'm hear, and that disconcerts her.

"As I think I've already proved, I'm quite able to take care of myself."

"If the Aurors had arrived a few minutes later, there's no telling what might have happened last night. "

She lowers her eyes and blushes with shame. Dumbledore's right, and she knows it.

"Just what are you proposing, Professor?"

Funny, that's the word she chooses

"Well, I've given the matter a great deal of thought and…"

I cannot abide silently any longer. "For Merlin's sake, she has a right to know. Quit leading the girl a pace and out with it!"

My tone comes out overly sharp. Two pairs of eyes whip around to face me. Albus does not look amused.

"Very well, Severus. Hermione, I'd like you to have a reliable, round the clock protector. You're of age now, and as such you're available for contract."

"I'm not sure I follow you professor."

"I think the wisest course of action would be for you to marry one of our operatives and share a domicile."

She lets out a startled, nervous laugh.

"You can't be serious!"

"I'm afraid I am, Miss Granger. It would be a marriage in name only, of course. And when this war is finally over, the marriage would be easily annulled."

The color has drained from her face, and she suddenly looks ill. I don't even need to look into her eyes to divine her thoughts.

"Who?"

"Professor Snape is my most trusted Ally. He has agreed to my request, if you approve."

She can't bring herself to turn and face me. She is shaking softly. Poor girl. How ugly this fate must look to her.

"I need some time to think."

"Of course."

She rises from her chair stiffly, looking disoriented. She makes it across the room, but pauses at the doorway. Her back still turned to me, she peeks briefly over her shoulder. She manages to keep the waiver from her voice.

"I appreciate your offer, Professor Snape. Perhaps we can continue this discussion when I've had time to collect my thoughts."

I incline my head to her before she slips out into the hallway.

"I told you she didn't like me, Albus."

"I know, dear boy. No one does."