Thank you all so much for the reviews! I enjoy and appreciate them a lot. If anyone is wondering when there will be more Severus/Hermione action, I am trying to make this realistic, so they're not just going to start jumping each other out of nowhere. Enjoy :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, etc.


"I'll wait for you downstairs at the door. Remember, don't alert anyone to the fact that you're leaving," Severus said as he left her room, quietly heading downstairs.

As she quickly pulled on her clothing, Hermione's mind was racing. She absent-mindedly put her wand in its holder. It was three simple leather straps that wrapped around her forearm with a thin sleeve to hold her wand. It was a contraption of her creation to carry her wand around when it couldn't be seen, perfect for under long sleeves or robes (she would only have to think 'Accio wand' and for it to shoot into her hand).

She took a moment to collect herself. She would be kidding herself if she said the last three weeks hadn't been hell. In one day she had lost her parents and then something else so precious. She tried to act normal for everyone else; no one except Dumbledore and Remus knew about her erasing her parents' memories, and only Severus knew all that plus what really happened that night at Voldemort's headquarters.

She couldn't wrap her head around it all; somehow it still didn't seem real. She didn't know how to act around Severus. Should she ever talk about it? Or should she just go with it and play the part around Voldemort and never bring it up otherwise?

And Hermione hated herself a little bit for enjoying it. She had never felt pleasure like that before and she had let her body take over. Was it wrong?

Hermione tried to shake her head of all these thoughts. Before she opened her door, she cast a silencing charm down the hallway and stairs so no one could hear her footsteps. Severus seemed serious about not letting anyone know they were leaving.

Even with the silencing charm, she walked as quietly as she could down to the entryway where she came upon a sight she did not expect.

Severus was leaning against a wall, but without his usual poise and confidence. He was slouched over and had his face buried in his hands. He wasn't crying or anything but looked tormented. She realized he hadn't heard her walk up and she felt like she was seeing something she shouldn't. She was debating whether to announce her presence or leave when his head snapped up to meet her eyes.

Hermione was taken aback and didn't know how to react. The feeling in the entryway was very tense.

"Ms. Granger, were you planning on making your presence known, or were you enjoying yourself too much?" his voice snapped so icily it made Hermione flinch.

"I- I…" Hermione didn't know what to say. So she decided to turn it on him. "What is wrong?" she asked in an impartial voice.

"I don't know what you are talking about," he said, straightening himself up to his normal impressive height, towering over her.

Hermione glared. "I do believe only a minute ago you agreed to truthfulness with me," she said calmly.

He considered her for a moment, still obviously fuming at being caught in a moment weakness. Hermione was sure he was not often caught like that.

He was silent for a few moments, trying to read her eyes. She was not judging him, nor was she pitying him. She was simply curious and genuinely asking what was wrong. Something in him broke. Between the Order and Voldemort, when people spoke to him it was generally only to obtain information or to accuse him of something. He could not remember the last time someone honestly asked about him, other than maybe Dumbledore.

She raised on eyebrow at him. She was tired of his mood swings and games. If she was being forced into working with him, the least she wanted was for him to be straight with her and stop trying to keep her in the dark. And they had already been over that.

"We have never discussed that night," he said, surprising her. "And…I regret it greatly. What I had to do to you, what I took from you. I cannot undo it, but it…" he was about to say that it haunted him, but he couldn't say it. "…but it is hard to come to terms with what I've done. I can already see it has changed you," he finished grimly. Her eyes looked dark and exhausted. She was not the bright-eyed bookworm know-it-all he remembered.

Hermione's mouth had opened slightly in surprise. "Well, believe it or not, it was not you who changed me. Perhaps you just haven't looked in a while. I doubt you know half the things I have been through because of this war, especially in the last couple of years," she said in a low voice. He said nothing, only looking at her in surprise this time. When he still said nothing, she again turned it on him.

"Is that what it's like all the time to be a double-spy?" she asked. It was his turn again to open his mouth in surprise. When he didn't answer she continued, "I mean, I'm guessing that wasn't the first time you had to do something you regretted. I can only imagine other things you've been asked or told to do, and you can't tell anyone. It…must be horrible for no one to know or understand. I mean, people treat you with such hostility, but…I bet they have no idea what you do for them, or the Order, or whatever," she stopped when she realized she was rambling.

Before Severus had a chance to answer, they heard footsteps headed toward the entryway. Hermione and Severus looked at each other for a moment before Snape grabbed her arm and quickly pulled her outside where he could Apparate them away. Kingsley opened the door just as they were gone with a POP. He stared into the empty sidewalk for a few long moments wondering if he was just being paranoid.

"Kingsley, a letter just appeared for us! It's-It's Hermione and Severus!" Mrs. Weasley yelled from the kitchen. Kingsley remained staring into the street for a moment before going back in. He had a bad feeling.


The world rematerialized around Hermione and Severus released his grip on her arm when he was sure she found her balance. Though they lad left Grimmauld place in daylight, the forest they were in was dark, and unnaturally so.

She looked at him for a second. "Are we in Romania?" she asked, deciding to drop what she had asked before they had to make a hasty departure. She felt reassured that was the right way to go when she saw relief on his face for a split-second.

"Yes. The vampires appreciate their privacy, so we will have to walk a short ways to get to out meeting place. It's less than a mile away. We could Apparate directly there, but it is not good to surprise a vampire," he said while looking around, making sure it was safe. "This way," he said, walking past Hermione toward an overgrown path. A few moments later, Hermione almost collided with his backside as he suddenly stopped and turned to face her.

"And yes, that's what it's like to be in my position. And what was wrong is I fear you will learn that for yourself all too soon," he said in a deadly serious tone, but not looking directly at her. "The Dark Lord will not forget about you. He will want to use you and you won't be able to tell anyone of what he asks of you and what you actually have to do. You will know more than you ever wanted to know, and you won't be able to do anything with it. You will find a new meaning of isolation."

Hermione felt a knot form in her chest.

"I understand, and I understand what you had to do. And I would rather be alive and having to deal with all this than dead. It is just…hard to understand everything all at once. But I trust you," she said, not knowing what exactly she was trying to say. "Dumbledore is sure of you, and though I don't always understand what he does, I trust his belief in you. And I'm not exactly isolated right? I mean there's you-"

"Please, Hermione," he said gravely, catching her attention especially with the use of her first name, "I understand your raw bravery, but there is something you must understand." He paused and took a deep breath. "I told you I will do everything to help you and keep you safe, but I cannot…I cannot guarantee you won't get hurt. I can't guarantee that I can always help you. I can't even guarantee that you will survive all of this. And I know I have brought you into this because I believed you wanted to live. But it does not make anything easy or good. And even Dumbledore does not know everything, especially about the position we are in with the Dark Lord."

"You think I haven't been able to surmise all this? I know how deep I'm in, even if I don't understand what it might entail specifically. I know this is more than dangerous. I know I could die. But I could have died at Malfoy's hands that night, right? But now I have this chance to do more. I wouldn't have exactly chosen this of my free will, but this is bigger than my life. This is for the Order and for Harry, a cause which I will gladly die for," she said unwaveringly, locking her eyes on Severus.

Severus looked at her again with his mouth open slightly in surprise, something that was happening far too much for his liking. He had expected her to maybe burst into tears or break down at what he had to say, but instead she handed him this speech that was basically saying 'duh.' He felt a small bit grateful for the fact that of all the people who might have landed in this same situation, he ended up working with someone who understood exactly his feelings on the matter. What he was doing was about more than him which is why he was willing to sacrifice everything; his time, his freedom, his very life. But he still didn't like it.

"I suppose I am glad to hear it. You need that point-of-view to do this kind of work you have been forced into. But please, don't be too eager to sacrifice everything. That is no way to live," he said somberly. She looked at him in a way that told him she knew he was talking about himself.

"Do you regret it?" she asked.

"…No." She nodded at him in acknowledgement before he turned around and led her to the path. Nothing else was said.

They walked in silence for a several minutes. It was almost pitch black and Hermione could barely see Severus' outline in front of her let alone the path. He didn't take out his wand to cast a light, and Hermione remembered what he said about using magic and not insulting vampires. She couldn't imagine what might happen.

"We're here," Severus said. Hermione looked up. There was a haze in the air in front of them that looked unnatural. "It's somewhat like the magic that hides Hogwarts: Unplottable and Unfindable to all but those invited or forced here. But no Apparition wards. Something to remember if things go badly," he explained. He held out his hand to her while she was wondering exactly where here was. She took his hand lightly.

He walked into the haze, pulling Hermione through with him. Hermione almost gasped when she took in the sight once they passed through the charmed haze that concealed the place. They were just outside an iron gate that rose several feet above their heads that set a perimeter to an impressive but sinister looking mansion. The first sounds she could hear were the sounds of screaming, some in joy and pleasure and some in pain and agony. She couldn't imagine what kinds of acts of depravity were occurring within the walls.

The gates opened and Severus, still not letting go of her hand, led her inside and the gates closed behind them loudly. Hermione swallowed in nervousness. She moved her hand out of his and up the crook of his arm. He let her arm stay there. They both felt it best to stick close.

There was a loud CRACK and a man materialized before them. There was no mistaking the pale skin and ethereal allure. He was a vampire.

"Welcome," he said. Severus bowed his head to him and Hermione followed suit.

"I will take you to Erik now. He is waiting for you." And with that, he turned around and led them to the large wooden doors. As they stepped inside, Hermione felt as nervous as when she had been led into Voldemort's headquarters. Maybe even more so. They walked down a grand hallway adorned with deep red curtains and other similarly colored trimmings. Their footsteps echoed loudly, but not enough to cover the sounds of the activities Hermione couldn't even imagine happening elsewhere in the mansion. There was so much screaming and moaning and noise. Vampires were known for their particular talent for torture.

It was a short trip between the front doors and the first main room where Erik, the head of this particular clan, was waiting, but it felt like miles. As they stepped in the room they found Erik sitting in a chair, staring at them intensely. They stopped in the middle of the room and the man who led them in left, leaving the three alone.

Severus bowed his head as he did before and again Hermione followed his lead.

"Severus Snape? And a young distraction," Erik said, moving his eyes from Severus to Hermione. His voice was surprisingly warm and inviting for a creature like him. Hermione tried to remind herself that vampires used glamouring to make themselves appeal to any humans around them. Even as Hermione was consciously reminding herself of how dangerous these creatures were, she was getting lost in Erik's eyes. She quickly broke eye contact and looked somewhere over his shoulder.

Erik laughed. "Severus Snape, I must admit you certainly have high standards for your whores. She is the first human girl to be able to look away in a very long time." Severus tensed but said nothing. Hermione couldn't help but feel redness creep into her cheeks as she was called Severus Snape's whore. As she felt blood rush to her cheeks, she also noticed how quick Erik was to stare hungrily at her.

"But we are not here to discuss that are we?" Erik continued, his eyes still glued to Hermione. "State what you came here to state," he commanded leaving no room for argument.

Severus removed Hermione's arm from his which was difficult seeing as she had been gripping so tightly she had cut off the blood supply. It was Severus' turn to notice how quickly Erik was to stare at him as he felt blood flow back into his arm.

"We are here on behalf of the wizard Dark Lord," Severus said as he raised his left sleeve carefully revealing the Dark Mark. "He wishes to form an alliance, an understanding between us if you will. If you agree to fight with Him, he will give you all the humans you desire," Snape said smoothly and diplomatically and recovered his Dark Mark. Hermione's stomach churned at the thought of giving innocent Muggles over to vampires.

There were a few moments of dead silence. Then Erik laughed in a way that sucked the little warmth out of the room.

"Surely he has not sent you with the same message he sent last time? I am getting the feeling he does not take my word seriously when I say things such as to not waste any more of my time. I have already told him, I have no interest. I have all the power to take all the humans I want, and I have no interest in an alliance, as I clearly stated to the last messenger he sent," Erik's voice lost the glamour and he sounded cruel and cold. He stood up so quickly his movements were a blur. He was now a couple of feet in front of them. "Perhaps I need to make my opinion more clear."

Severus took a protective step in front of Hermione. She got a jolt of adrenaline as the phrase 'killing the messenger' crossed her mind.

Before either could say anything, there were multiple simultaneous CRACKS as at least five others appeared facing Severus with Hermione at his back. Erik laughed as he saw the panic on their faces. "Leave me the girl. She smells good," Erik sneered in a way that sickeningly reminded Hermione of Lucius Malfoy. She concentrated on the words 'accio wand' in her mind and her wand shot to her hand from her sleeve.

She was about to shoot the strongest wide-range curse she could think of when Severus grabbed her with amazing strength and threw her to the side of the room away from the vampires as they pounced. Hermione landed hard, hitting her head. She managed to look up in time to see Severus firing spells faster than she could register. But one of the vampires, a female, managed to get around the flurry of curses and hexes and drew a dagger. Hermione tried to move so she could either warn him or cast a protective spell, but she had hit her head hard and could barely see straight.

Hermione's mind cleared of the injury but went dizzy with adrenaline as she saw the female vampire sink the dagger into Severus' abdomen then throw him like a rag doll into a book case. Hermione could hear a sickening crack as he hit it and heavy books fell all around him and on him. The only sound that was worse was his strangled cry of pain.

Hermione was on her feet in a second. The only spell she could think of was one not meant to be used on humans, but her next thought was that these things weren't human.

"Reducto!" Hermione cried the spell meant to blast through solid objects. It made solid contact with the vampire and it tore through her side and into the wall. The other vampires screamed. One of the others jumped on the unconscious and profusely bleeding Severus and tore through all the flesh he could reveal with his impossibly strong hands. He met the same fate as the female as Hermione rushed forward. The second Reducto curse she cast at him was strong enough to blast the vampire back through the wall. Hermione grabbed Severus and his wand, and as she concentrated on Apparating, one of their fists collided with her face with incredible force, but she ignored the pain and focused on where she was Apparating to.

The dark cold room and the vampires dissolved around her as she transported herself and Severus away. As she clung to Severus body she felt blood running down her arm and she honestly couldn't tell whose it was. Her mind was still swimming with pain and adrenaline, but she knew she had to concentrate fully. Apparition was difficult enough with injuries, but a Side-Along Apparition with someone in worse shape was even trickier. She doubted whether either of them could survive splinching in their conditions.

The world rematerialized around her. She looked up and saw the metal door to what looked like an old military bunker.

She decided to bring them back to Voldemort's headquarters. She knew she just couldn't bring them back to Grimmauld Place. She could only imagine the Order's reaction to them coming back in their condition after leaving without telling. They would forbid her from ever going on a mission again, and then Severus would be as good as dead with Voldemort. And the Dark Lord's lair was the only other place she could take them.

She looked down at Severus. She almost thought it was too late and that he was dead until he coughed up some blood without re-awakening. He was a bloody mess and one of his legs was bent in an unnatural angle. She wanted to start crying. That would have been her if he hadn't thrown her out of the way.

She slowly got to her unsteady feet and looked over Severus again. It was then she noticed some of the books from the book case had travelled with them. Most were in tatters much to Hermione's reluctant dismay (she shouldn't be caring about books at a time like this) but there was one undamaged book that caught her eye. It seemed to glow darkly in the most sinister way. She couldn't help but pick it up. From her years of Ancient Runes, she could decipher the title as "Immortalirituals." She instantly recalled: from a Taoist perspective, life is finite, and wishing to live beyond one's natural span is not with the flow of nature. Beyond this, there is a major issue with immortality. Even a spell to extend life may not be entirely good, especially if it draws life energy from another to sustain the spell. This was a book dealing with immortality.

It was then that the metal door flew open, shaking Hermione from her short academic reverie. Hermione couldn't do anything. With Severus unconscious, she had no protection from the Death Eaters. But it wasn't just any Death Eater greeting her and Severus' arrival. It was Voldemort himself flanked with Bellatrix and Yaxley.

The Dark Lord's eyes roamed over the bloody and broken Severus up to the bloody and battered Hermione, but then his eyes landed on the book Hermione had in her hands. His face changed from a foul-tempered scowl to a surprised and delighted grin.

"Ms. Granger, so glad you made it back," he said smoothly, not taking his eyes from the book.

Hermione looked to Severus as if he could help her in his near-death and unconscious state. She merely looked back to Voldemort, her mouth and eyes wide in uncertainty and fear.

"I- I didn't do this. I mean, they attacked us, and-" Hermione spluttered out, noting the amused grin on Voldemort's face. He was toying with her. He held up a hand, stopping her.

"Dear girl, I am aware. I hope you can understand that I needed to make sure you were both willing to go on such a dangerous mission for me. And I would know if you were strong enough to survive this, you are strong enough to serve me," he explained amusedly.

"You- you knew they would try to kill us?" Hermione asked, horrified.

Bellatrix and Yaxley laughed. Hermione ignored them and looked at Severus. He was bleeding out and would die if he didn't get some help soon.

"She is stupid for someone allegedly known as the brightest witch of her age," Bellatrix sneered. Voldemort held up his hand to Bellatrix, silencing her.

"Now, all this I planned for. But what is that?" Voldemort asked, looking to the book of dark magic in Hermione's hands. She paused. The look in his eyes told Hermione he wanted it. And if Voldemort was interested in a book of dark magic, it could not be good. But she knew she could not refuse to give it to him. She just survived vampires, she wasn't about to die for this impossible situation, so she decided to play it in her favor.

"There was a bookcase in the vampire's mansion. I saw this and it caught my attention. I- I thought it could serve some purpose. I was able to conclude it has some very powerful old magic in it," Hermione said, trying to sound as sincere as possible.

"Legilimens," she heard Voldemort whisper and suddenly he was in her mind. He watched the scene in the vampire's mansion, and Hermione relaxed when she realized she didn't need to alter anything for him to see. He watched them talk to Erik, then the attack, and then as Hermione blasted the vampires away and grabbed Severus and, unknowingly to Hermione at the time, the book as she Apparated them away.

He exited her mind and laughed.

"You used a Reducto spell on them?" He asked, obviously surprised and amused.

"Yes. It was the only thing I could think of," Hermione said quickly, looking to the dying Severus again.

Voldemort walked forward to Hermione and held out a hand. Hermione put the book in it even though her mind was screaming that Voldemort's hand was the last place she should put an ancient book of dark magic. Voldemort laughed again.

"I appreciate the determination, but the hand was for you, my dear," Voldemort said silkily. Hermione didn't like it. Voldemort moved the book to somewhere in his robes and held out his hand again. Hermione tentatively took it with her own. He was about to lead her away when she stopped and looked at Severus again. Voldemort laughed for a third time, and it was unnerving to Hermione.

"You do care for him, don't you?" he asked thoughtfully. Hermione didn't know how to answer. With a flick of Voldemort's wand, he levitated Severus' broken body and led an increasingly nervous Hermione inside followed by a dissatisfied looking Bellatrix and Yaxley. Apparently they had been hoping for a punishment of some sort for Hermione and Severus.