A/N: Thank for the continued support and cookies for this plot bunny! I do not own Harry Potter or any related characters. Flashbacks will be in italics!

Hermione smiled studying the two names on the list. There would be more later, if Severus could gather any more intel, but these two were more than enough to keep her busy. She'd already started tracking their movements, figuring out the patterns.

The newspaper on the table caught her eye and she couldn't help but smile. All of this had begun with a newspaper...

Hermione's eyes glanced at the front of the paper. She knew there wouldn't be anything useful, not outright, instead she looked for little tidbits of information. Names, dates, things out of place. Those were what would tell her the truth about everything.

It was the summer between fifth and sixth year and she, Ron, and soon Harry would be holed up in 12 Grimmauld place. Ron was helping his brothers with something that involved a lot of whispers and glances in Mrs. Weasley's direction. Hermione had taken advantage of this and sneaked into the kitchen, grabbing the paper as she went.

"They have it wrong," she muttered jotting a quick note in the margin. "He didn't die Tuesday, he's been missing since last Monday," she commented not looking up as she poured herself a cup of coffee.

"Who?"

"Mister Epsico."

"Who?"

"He was a reporter for the prophet," Hermione answered without looking at the speaker.

"And what pray tell does a reporter have to do with anything?" Hermione looked up into the semi-confused face of Professor Severus Snape. She blinked as if unable to believe she'd been conversing with the man.

"He doesn't, not really, but the dates don't match up, sir. He was one of the reporters who covered current events, and was apparently on the side of the order."

"And you know this how?"

"Simple, if one were to read between the lines of his articles, there were clues about his true allegiance. He also didn't dismiss the stranger murders as coincidences. He didn't outright say they were because of death eaters."

"Everyone knows He Who Must Not be Named is back."

"Yes, that's why he was so careful with his words. He disappeared last week, they found him dead."

"Yes, and?"

"And, the dates don't match. He wasn't killed right away, sir. Something bigger is going on."

"What do you mean, Miss Granger?"

"There's more to the story than what's being reported, sir." Severus studied the young almost woman in front of him. She'd be of age next year, she knew more than she realized.

"Miss Granger, I know telling you to dismiss this idea as idle speculation will only result in you pursuing it further, so instead, I will leave you to it. If you have any questions, ask me, and only me. Do you understand?" She nodded. She'd known he'd know what she was talking about, he was probably the only one who worked both sides.

"Am I not to trust Professor Dumbledore then?" she asked softly. Severus surveyed her for a second before giving her a slight nod.

"Only me, Miss Granger."

"Yes sir. Will you be available tonight, after dinner?"

"Yes, there is a lab in the basement. Be there at seven."

Hermione pulled herself from her thoughts and glanced at the clock. Severus would be back soon, she smiled wondering how much time they'd have before they had to work.

"Belle's tonight's target," she decided temporarily banishing the file she'd been compiling about Nott.