The shadow apparated in the middle of the plaza. It was tall and lean, with a black cloak hiding it's body and face like a protective blanket. Slowly the figure crept through the shadows of the night to it's destination of 12 Grimmauld Place. Creeping up the steps of the porch, the figure reached out a large white hand and sharply rapped his knuckles against the door.
From inside Mrs. Weasley hurried to the front entrance, casting charms in her wake to tidy up the place. Opening the door, the light from the foyer spilled out onto the porch. Quickly the figure stepped in and closed the door, murmuring his thanks as he briskly walked to the kitchen.
Slipping into the hall in a flurry of black billowing robes he swiftly walked out into the hall and promptly bumped into something soft rather forcefully. A loud squeak filled the air as the man stumbled forward ungracefully and slid his arm around the waist of a young woman. Pulling her against him he turned so that his back slammed against the hall wall and the woman fell against him.
Breathing hard, the man felt the soft and hurried rise and fall of the woman's chest pressed firmly against his. Looking down his nose into wide brown eyes, he stared for a moment.
"Professor…" the young woman exclaimed breathlessly. She looked up into the black depthless eyes. Feeling a small shiver course through her body, she pushed away.
"Miss Granger," Severus Snape sneered. "Already getting yourself into trouble I see." He pushed himself off against the wall and stood up to his full height. Glaring slightly he looked Hermione Granger up and down, taking in her long rumpled brown hair, black spaghetti strap shirt, and plaid pajama pants.
Hermione stared up at Snape as his hood of his cloak fell off of his head, revealing his harsh, gaunt features, pale skin contrasting sharply with his black greasy hair. Her cheeks grew pink a little, hinting to a slight blush of embarrassment as his eyebrow raised in a silent question. Shifting her eyes away from Snape's probing eyes she softly spoke, "Excuse me, sir. I should have been watching where I was going."
"Yes. Next time you won't throw yourself into my arms, I presume." Snape coldly replied.
Glaring angrily at him she crossed her arms over her stomach. "I didn't 'throw' myself into your arms, I merely wasn't paying a bit of attention to where I was going. If you'll excuse me…" she trailed as she hurriedly walked past him.
Snape straightened his robes as Hermione rushed past him. Watching her out of the corner of his eyes, he made sure she climbed the stairs to the second story. Casting a silencing charm around the door as he proceeded into the kitchen he marched to the front of the room. His black eyes slowly scanned the rest of the Order Members present. Everyone was here, called forth to an emergency meeting. Moving forward he stood at the end of the table facing everyone else. Standing straight he had his hands behind his back while he assessed everyone present.
"It would seem," Severus Snape said in a calm quite tone "that The Dark Lord has devised a new plan."
Alastor Moody's magic eye started to go crazy, scanning everyone around the table, then stopping on Snape. "What are you talking about here, Snape? Can't be keepin' these bloody things vague. We need answers and solutions." he slammed his fist down on the table, receiving a disgruntled look from Kingsley.
Before Snape could get a word in Minvera McGonagall spoke up in a severe voice. "We need to get Potter, Weasley, and Granger moving. It's the only way. Dumbledore meant for all of the horcruxes to be found and destroyed. They should be at this meetings. They need to be informed!" They've had this argument many times before, Snape mulled over in his mind. It was too risky to have the little Golden Trio in the meetings with spies present.
Mr. Weasley and Remus Lupin started to shake their heads. Mrs. Weasley's horrified gasp could be heard over the quiet discussion from the doorway. "I think not! They are children! Children have no business in adult matters."
"They have not been children in years, Molly" Lucius Malfoy disgustingly sneered.
A small pale hand reached out to cover Lucius's hand and squeezed lightly. "Lucius, dear, we do not want to reprimand those who offer us protection and kindness." Narcissa's soft voice scolded him lightly. Grey eyes roamed over her face, but murmured his apologizes to his wife and Mrs. Weasley.
Snape cleared his throat and waited for the noise of everyone talking to one another to die down. "If I can have all your attention again, I would like to proceed." Glancing around at everyone he nodded. "It seems we have more trouble, but nothing we didn't expect. After all, The Dark Lord is not stupid. It would also seem that he has caught wind of the brains of the operation between out little Golden Trio." Going silent for a moment, he contemplated his next words carefully. "He wants to bring Miss Granger to the dark side. Willingly or not, but she's to be used as bait to bring Potter out. Which would ultimately leave Weasley in danger." Slightly rocking back and forth Snape waited for a reaction. It didn't take long.
"He wants Miss Granger? She's not a pureblood!" McGonagall inquired.
"He does make acceptances to the rule." he said quietly.
Slowly pacing back and forth in front of the hearth Snape listened to the conversation rise out of control. Everyone around the table started talking at once. Everyone speculated on the dangers of this school year with the war raging on. All attention went to Kingsley as he stood up. "Perhaps it best if they each have a guardian. One person to watch over each of the three. It would be best if aurors stepped in at the school. Mind you, this is only a suggestion aimed to you Minerva."
"Yes, yes. I think you're right. We want the security of all the returning students this year. No chances must be made." McGonagall contemplated out loud.
"Ahh, be careful, Minerva. We don't want them to know what's possibly going on and that we have someone watching over them. After all, we know how headstrong they are. If we give the smallest hint of looking over them, they'd keep to themselves." Remus replied.
Snape watched the activity around him, half listening to the conversation and half contemplating the situation at hand. Gently he was tapping his fingers against the wooden table when he heard McGonagall speak up again.
"I do believe we will start with a guardian for Harry. Someone who can soothe his temper and a person he won't suspect of following him." Looking over everyone around the table, her hazel eyes landed on Remus. "I do believe you would be the best choice, Remus."
With a small smile Remus nodded. "Yes, I think so too."
Black eyes fell onto grey ones and a sly smile formed on Snape's face. "Lucius, watching Weasley would be a wonderful first task for the Order's newest spy." his voice dripping sarcasm.
"Yes," Lucius sneered. Glaring back at Snape a cold smile played across his features. "And as the Order's most experienced spy… the remaining spot would be perfect for you."
The two men sat there glaring at each other. Lucius raised his eyebrow in amusement. Snape gritted his teeth and turned back to the conversation at hand.
"Do to the unfortunate events leading to Dumbledore's death, I would like to ask , Severus, if you would agree to come back to Hogwarts. I want you to teach the potions class again. You will also be continuing with Potter's occlumency lessons and providing Weasley and Granger private lessons in it also. This will be a vital part to their training." Snape nodded his consent to McGonagall. Smiling slightly she turned to Malfoy. "To add to your protection and security, I'm offering you the chance to pick up the teaching position as the Transfiguration professor." From where Lucius sat he looked down his nose at McGongall, but gave a slight nod of his head. "Finally, Remus will be picking up his old teaching post as the Defense Against the Dark Arts."
Snape watched as all the Order members sat around talking over the decided plans for the new semester at Hogwarts. The meeting finally came to an end. Two by two the members got up and hurried to the entry way and made their way out.
Walking back out into the night with his cloak covering his form he walked to the disapparating point. Looking up to the drawing room window he stared in to the face of Hermione Granger. With a sudden pop, he'd vanished.