A/N: To all my lovely reviewers; thank you! I was afraid that the dream Hermione had would be too rushed. But maybe it wasn't :) Anyway, read and review, as always!

Oh, and thanks to those who point out spelling/grammar errors :) I kinda need it..hrm.. ;P

I Find Comfort In Pain

Chapter 4, Guarder of a Treasure.

Severus entered the Headmaster's office with what felt like very, very unsettled nerves. How was it that he just had said thank you to The-Worst-Know-It-All in this whole godforsaken so-called school? And not just that, he had given her house points! 'I'm definitely losing it' was the last thing he thought before shutting down his mind; making it as blank as possible.

He didn't want the twinkling mad-man to know about these…new thoughts. Firstly because Severus was sure that he would figure out what it all meant before he himself could. And that was an irritating thought.

"Ah, Severus, splendid! How do you feel, m'boy?"

Severus rolled his eyes at the all-too-happy-giddy attitude that greeted him when he stopped in front of the light wooden desk belonging to the silver-bearded man sitting behind it. How was it that this man's good mood never ceased? Well, except in the gravest subjects. The man tended to be less giddy then.

"Just wonderful. After two Crucio curses and Stinging hexes, and some more, you've never felt better."

Severus answered with as much sarcasm as he could muster; his mood was raptly turning worse for ever second.

"Now, now Severus…"

Dumbledore said; his giddy expression lost. That made Severus slightly nervous. Bad news, perhaps? He hoped not; he hated it. Especially when it involved him…

"I see I should get to my point now, seeing it as I can't get your mood to lighten up."

Severus frowned in puzzlement at Dumbledore's statement. Since when did he ever try to get Severus mood lighten up? He had at least never noticed the man trying.

"Sir? What exactly is your point?"

He finally asked, as he took the hint of starting the conversation himself.

"Well, you see Severus, last night… At the meeting… You said you heard Voldemort discuss something with one of the more loyal Death Eaters? In a foreign language?"

Dumbledore explained while piercing Severus with his blue eyes. Severus stiffened as he tried to remember what the Dark Lord had sounded like while speaking the foreign language, but the memory was too dim by now.

Nodding his head in agreement with Dumbledore's statements, silently asking him to continue, Severus kept his features clear from all emotions.

"And do you remember that I asked you to put the memory in my Pensieve for me to examine?"

Severus thought for one second before nodding once again; yes, he did remember. Though it was hard to remember details. His mind had been fogged by pain and exhaustion.

"Well, I found the part when he spoke to the Death Eater. And what they said, or rather planned, made me deeply concerned."

The grave look in Dumbledore's face and the firm, solemn glow of his eyes, nearly made Severus' blood drain from his face. This was serious.

"What did they plan?"

Severus asked, with the serious tone he felt needed in this situation even though he didn't know what it all was about.

"They have a new spy among us, and they plan on…breaking Mr Potter down further."

Severus gave him a puzzled look, urging him to continue.

"They plan on doing this by hurting the ones he love, the ones he care about. Their main target is, unfortunately, Miss Granger. They did not mention anything about when, how or even who when they spoke about attacks, manoeuvres and so on."

"So you don't have anything? No information that could protect her?"

Severus hated to admit it, but he did feel concerned about what the Dark Lord might try to do towards the Granger girl.

"No, we do not. Though I think we have someone to protect and watch over her."

Severus straightened in alarm. He glared towards the now less grave old man, feeling his blood return to his face.

"I do hope you do not mean me, sir."

Severus stated stiffly, still glaring daggers at the man.

"Well, then I'm sorry to take that hope away, dear boy."

"No, I am not doing it. Why can't McGonagall watch out for her precious little Gryffindor? Why involve me? I don't even like the girl!"

Dumbledore's expression changed into an amused one instead of 'less-grave', which made Severus even angrier. He didn't want to baby-sit one of the Golden Trio's members. And if the other two found out, he himself would be up for a big headache and probably would be sitting and trying to explain why Potter ended up with three arms while Weasley only had one left in this very office.

"Severus, please understand, she is in danger and you are the last person anyone would expect to protect Miss Granger. She needs your help, as I am sure you needed hers last night."

Severus looked at the old man with slightly too wide eyes, but other than that he didn't show his feelings. Of course that ruddy old man would turn this situation against him, lurking out the Slytherin pride and some of the responsibility he had inside of him.

"How did you know she helped me last night?"

"Whatever else would've made you give a whole 5 points to Gryffindor, dear Professor?"

Severus rolled his eyes. That man could be so annoying sometimes; knowing everything that goes on.

"So?"

Severus snorted. Obvious, Dumbledore wanted an answer.

"Yes, I'll do it. But what do I have to do?"

Severus could've sworn he saw the Headmaster's eyes shine mischievously, but when he looked twice, it was gone; replaced with the usual twinkle.

"You'll need to keep an eye on her. Almost 24 hours a day, to be on the safe side."

Severus raised one of his trademark brows in question.

"And exactly how would I manage to do that?"

"Well… Miss Granger is very…ambitious in her school work. So why not start an extra-credit project?"

Severus groaned. Great, now he had to spend most of his free time with the witch that had occupied his thoughts, if only lurking in the corner of his mind, ever since last night.

"I take that as a yes. Don't worry Severus, I will plan the schedule. You'll have to ask her though."

"Alright, but if I get Potter and Weasley after me, then I will not be held responsible if they get one extra limp or something like that."

Dumbledore chuckled while standing up, ready to follow Severus to the door.

"Agreed."

Severus nodded and left for the door with Dumbledore behind.

"I'll talk to her when I'm back teaching in a few weeks. I'm too tired right now."

"I understand. Now you better go off to bed, Poppy will come down and check on you. It was the only thing she would not let you get away with. See it on the bright side though; you don't have to be in the hospital wing."

Severus just snorted as he let the door close behind him. This was going to be a long year. Being a guarder to that girl. Yet a little voice in the back of his head whispered that it maybe wouldn't be an unpleasant experience... Oh, and that only made him angrier, of course.