Disclaimer : I don't own Harry Potter, the power to cancel school, or make people obey my wishes. BUT, I do own an energy drink mix. Which I know I will need tomorrow morning.

About this chapter: It's what happened before the first chapter – a lead up. I really hope that I didn't let anyone down in writing this, and have to say that there MIGHT be another chapter after this one. MIGHT.

So, I hope you enjoy!!

The slight breeze played with the stray brown hair that came from a mess of curly, silky brown hair situated upon the head of a brilliant young woman basking in the soft glow of the midmorning sun. The fresh face looked at peace as the rays crept from the treetops to her closed eyes, highlighting her slightly fidgety features that turned her content smile into one of discomforted circumstance that dreams often lead one to.

Hermione shifted to her side, trying to regain her dozing state after being rudely awakened by an unwelcome thought that made itself at home in her susceptible mind as she had dreamt away on the rather comfortable lawn of Arthur and Molly Weasley. Finally sighing in frustration the witch propelled herself onto her stomach and nestled her chin a top her folded hands and stared into the empty land that surrounded this particular side of the home.

No matter what she tried, the impending feeling of dread could not be shaken loose on this beautiful day. In the distance she frowned slightly as she saw the familiar shapes of her friends glide through the air after the balls that zoomed every which way.

"Oh Sev…"

Promptly she let loose a sigh of dissatisfaction and rolled to her back, only to be met with a solid mass of clothed leg and black leather shoe. Shielding her eyes from the bright radiance Hermione squinted to make out a tall, dark figure staring down at her, a passive look on his face. A smile immediately leapt to the girl's face as she bounded to her feet and embraced Severus Snape.

The man gently hugged the girl back and looked down to her beaming features, not able to hold back a small smile of his own.

"I've been here since breakfast – Molly shepherded us out of Grimmauld as soon as the last Order member left. I told her I wanted to talk to you, but she said that you had a 'late night' last night and shouldn't be bothered. She did not yield, even after I told her that I saw you before you retired for the night."

Severus chuckled.

"Yes…that sounds like Molly's evil doing." He looked at her, a battle raging on in his head upon the principles or morality. Finally, after a slight pause of comfortable silence he let out a long sigh and indicated to the ground. "Hermione…"

She nodded her head, curiosity taking mastery that lead to her previous spot on the bright green grass where her companion sat next to her.

"There's been trouble lately."

"What do you mean Severus? Trouble with what-" Hermione's speech was quick and worried and all to soon to be cut off.

"Not with anything to do with the Order. It's safe, everyone in it's safe. But, there is trouble amongst the ranks of Voldemort's supporters…there is talk of a spy in high post, and of course there are talks of who it can possibly be. It seems that everyone is turning on every other person – no one is safe. They just want to save their own skin."

"Sev, what happens if-"

Once again Hermione was cut off.

"There is supposition that I am the spy."

Hermione could not breathe. The news that deatheaters were turning on each other and doing everything in their power to ensure their innocence to their lord was common, but news and talk about a traitor – a spy – throughout the higher ranks struck her hard. Severus was an extremely lucky man, and those in the Order knew that. He risked his life every time he stepped out of the protective bounds of Grimmauld Place to gather at a meeting, and the now added pressure of knowledge of a double agent…

"H-how do you plan…what are you going to do?"

Their eyes met and it seemed like time had stopped as deep onyx stared into beautiful chocolate. Breezes tussled respective hair as a wordless conversation took place between the two lovers, leaving nothing to reveal to stray onlookers.

Finally Hermione nodded and broke contact, looking away to keep from tearing up. Severus cleared his throat and looked away also, but awkwardly tried to resume a regular conversation.

"So…what are your plans for this afternoon?"

"I have promised to assist Molly in the kitchen…something to do with Kingsley. I'm not quite sure though." She peered at him, making note that his dark hair and pale completion made an admirable contrast with the lively greens that set the background. "And you?"

"I have an Order meeting this afternoon with Minerva. Meaning, that I will not be seeing you until ten pm or so." Silence reigns for a few small seconds. "Oh, no, don't you look at me like that, Miss Granger."

Hermione's sad, pouty face took a turn on the edgy side when she was called by her surname but immediately wiped clean her face upon the realization that Ron was standing a few yards away, rapidly approaching. Severus let out a sigh of disgust while Hermione groaned.

"Hey Mione!!" Her name was said enthusiastically whilst her companion received a less warm greeting. "Professor Snape." It came out contemptuously, as they both reasoned is how Ron wanted it to be said.

"Yes Ron?"

"Mum sent me to get you – she wants to start now. Or something like that. I'm pretty sure she said that."

Hermione watched as the boy awkwardly stood before his peers, pushing his hands into his jeans pocket as an act of self-assurance. He twitched his head, trying to free his line of sight from bright red hair that seemed to grow unusually fast for a boy.

"Oh…a-alright…" She glanced to Severus, who just sat there and watched her crawl to her feet and dust herself off. "I guess I will see you later today, Professor."

His answer was a curt nod in her general direction

"Good day, Miss Granger."

With that, Hermione curled her hand in farewell and turned around to follow Ron across the way to the small kitchen in the uncommon house.

Hours later the drained Hermione plopped ungracefully into an empty chair in Grimmauld Place, placing her elbows on a recently cleaned table…with the exception of a few papers and stray cups and plates. Beside her Ginny collided with the table before her butt found the hard wooden surface of the chair and planted herself there with a very loud sigh and the resonating sound of her head hitting the worn out surface.

"Mum…you're such a slave driver. Making us cook and clean…its just plain unfair. How come Ron didn't have to do anything? Or Fred and George? It was them who spilt the water all over the floor."

Molly just laughed in response.

"Welcome to the glamorous world of adulthood, sweetie."

Hermione couldn't help but smile at the stated comment and trained her eyes upon the opposite dingy wall, thinking of nothing in particular. That is, until her mind wandered to a certain Potions Master, which caused fear to invade her exhausted mind.

"Molly," she kindly interjected into the mother-daughter conversation, "how long does a meeting between Minerva and Severus last?"

Putting down her dishrag, Molly placed her hands on her hips and pursed her lips in thought.

"Dear, I'm not quite sure. Sometimes it's just a few minutes, but it has lasted several hours at times. But it's not something to worry about."

Hermione looked from the wall to the caring face of her second mother and rubbed her eyes. According to Severus, there shouldn't be a dark meeting tonight, and that freed her mind of some dreadful thoughts for the time being.

"Alright." Pushing herself up from her seated position, she continued to speak. "I think I am going to retire then. I can't remember a time when I've been so sleepy!"

She pushed in her chair, heard Ginny mutter something along the lines of 'good idea' and started for the stairs, only to stop and face Molly. The older woman was yet again cleaning the perpetually dirty house.

"Molly," the elder woman's attention was caught, "can you come wake me when Severus returns? Please? It doesn't matter what time it will be – I just need to discuss something with him."

Mrs. Weasley smiled and nodded sympathetically at her daughter's best friend, shooing the two off in the process. Tired feet scaled the decrepit stairs, faltering once or twice along the way to the closed door at the top of second floor. Pushing open the heavy door the girls looked at one another as they began to dust off their hands from the grime that never left the banister or any doorknob.

Ginny and Hermione bid goodnight to the other after getting dressed in the murky bathroom and individually pulled back the covers on their respective beds. As Hermione wavered in between sleep and consciousness her wandering eyes watched the clipped moon, silently wishing that nothing would happen as she peacefully slept.

Hmmm. I'm realllllyyyy sorry for all the grammatical errors you had to wade through to get to the bottom. Overall, I hope you enjoyed reading this (I had a tough time writing it, for some reason. Stupid me). And I know that I said this was only going to be a one-shot, but I just can't leave stories hanging.

Tid-Bit Information Time!

Kitties are cute. And kicking out your frozen car is delightfully fun also.

Love to All,

Kat ³

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