Chapter 01


Harry, Ron, and Hermione had returned to the castle with the other students after Dumbledore's funeral. All three were silent, sobered by the day's events.

As they walked, a strange sound from an unused corridor drew Hermione's attention. Her eyes traced the source of the noise…and for a brief second she swore she saw the glimmer of scales. She frowned, certain she'd just seen something important. Something she should remember. Her eyes widened.

"But that's impossible," she whispered, half to herself.

Noticing that she had stopped, Ron and Harry turned back to her. "What's wrong, 'Mione?" Ron asked. "You look like you've seen a ghost!"

"Not exactly, Ron," she murmured distractedly. "You two go on to the dorms. I have to…er…stop by the library."

Without waiting for their answer, she hurried off down the hall, leaving two very confused young men in her wake.

"Harry?" Ron was clearly puzzled.

"Yeah Ron?"

"I know we don't spend much time there, but isn't the library in the other direction?"


Following the occasional glimpses of green she caught, Hermione was drawn further and further into an unfamiliar section of the castle. Finally, she rounded the corner and came face to face with a giant serpent.

Something triggered a memory of long ago.

"Sarmad?" she whispered.

"Greetingsss, my little manasssa. It hass been a long time."

Elated, she dropped to her knees in front of him, allowing him to coil around her in a serpentine embrace. Sarmad moved around her until his body was situated around her waist. His head rested on her shoulder.

"Sarmad, this is incredible! Where on Earth have you been all this time? Are the others with you?"

"Come with me, child," the snake instructed, neatly avoiding her questions. "There isss work to be done."

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"To the Forbidden Foressst. There isss sssomeone there you mussst meet," Sarmad replied. "We will collect him and meet with the othersss. Hogwartsss isss in danger, and it isss time to act."

She nodded. Memories were returning to her, as though they'd been hidden behind a curtain for years. Though some of the finer details were still hazy, she knew with absolute certainty that she could trust Sarmad with her life.

A brief encounter with a startled first-year made her think absently about the picture she must present. Her lips curled upward in a small smile.


Following her odd companion's direction, Hermione left the castle and headed for the Forbidden Forest.

"Sarmad," she asked the snake draped across her shoulders. "I don't mean to sound impertinent, but are you certain this is the right way?"

"Ssso distrusssting, child. I would not bring you to harm."

"Of course not," she said.

"Thisss way," he instructed, directing her to an opening in the trees.

She trudged through, wondering where Sarmad was taking her. Stepping into the small clearing, Hermione froze. For there, seated on the forest floor, was the man wanted for the murder of Albus Dumbledore.


A/N: Muahahhaaa. Well, hopefully things are starting to become clearer. Thanks to all who left reviews; they are always adored and appreciated.