A/N: Angry Severus, ignorant Hermione, scary whatever-it-is.. ~ Ari



The ghost owl glided noiselessly through her window, but she was restlessly asleep on the narrow bed next to the desk. It folded its wings, standing silent sentry over the ominously smoking case.

Professor Snape… eyes… cold… trapped… hollow…

Hermione whimpered in her sleep, her head tossing on the pillow.

A small case on Dumbledore's spindly table… Dumbledore's voice: "Take it, Severus… I dare not touch what it is meant to contain…" Snape refusing... fear? Finally, bitterly, conceding …

Her outflung arm brushed the case, which shrank.

She awoke with it closed tightly in her hand.

Her skin was burning.