The last students had just left the classroom as Hermione's head slid onto the desk. How did her professors do it? Neville Longbottom, sweet boy that he was, was a bloody nightmare. Two cauldrons…TWO. Now she had to go out and buy herself a new one. Hermione's head popped up. Maybe she would get one of the specialized cauldrons that some of the newer potions required. She'd love one made of shatter-resistant glass. Tilting her head slightly so as to get a better view of the corner behind her she smiled. Still there. The whole lesson she'd felt the phantom watching her, she'd been slightly nervous at first, had almost dropped an entire vial of veritasium (she'd planned on pouring it down the throat of a seventh year who'd stolen her books from her desk). Luckily the vial hadn't broken, in fact it had hung in the air a mere two inches from the ground for a second longer than it should have. Hermione smiled at the corner again before getting back to planning the next day's lessons.

Whatever this phantom was, it had hands, and it was alive. She'd yet to meet a ghost that had the power to move things. This too had almost driven her worry. The phantom could be anybody, a murderer, Voldemort, even the minister of magic come to spy on the school. That thought had been dismissed however when she saw the enchanting professor that had taken over Care of Magical Creatures while Hagrid recuperated and continued to plan out his secret meetings with the giants. She'd not known of course about the last minute substitute until lunch, when the young wizard named Cassius accosted her. He seemed charming, and witty, but Hermione recognized that self-assured smile as the smile of a trickster. She wouldn't have put it past him to hide under an invisibility cloak.

She supposed that it was a bit forward, and at some point this fascination with watching her would have to end, but for the moment Hermione let it rest. After so long of being ignored a little attention she thought calmly, couldn't hurt. She couldn't deny that despite her lack of feeling toward him and his advances, she had been the tiniest bit relieved. Better to know that an overzealous teacher was pursuing her, then a follower of the dark lord. The sooner they caught her, the sooner her parents lives would be in danger. Before she had left the house for good, she had cast one last charm on the grounds. Unless she spoke the location, her parents would be forever safe from the dark lord. Hermione would be their secret keeper forever, her last duty that she would perform as their daughter. Not that they knew it of course. They still hadn't contacted her. Not to see if she'd arrived at Hogwarts okay, not to see what she was doing in her spare time. It was as if she'd never had parents in the first place.

"Caw Caw"

Hermione looked up to see her crow drop a letter on the desk. One treat later, she was able to finally read it in peace without the obnoxious cawing of a hungry bird. Tossing the letter into the fire angrily she made a note to buy some pet food in Hogsmeade when she went for her cauldron. Come to dinner. 'Come to dinner', she repeated angrily to herself, as if she were a petulant child holing herself up in the dungeons. After all those miscreants from Slytherin, Neville, and then having to deal with her own classes and the silence from Ginny Weasley, she didn't want to see another human again for a long time. But that didn't mean she would start skipping dinner. The headmistress, and Flitwick, were starting to sound like her parents.

Throwing herself on the bed, Hermione crushed her face into a nearby pillow. All the responsibilities of an adult with few if not any of the advantages. All the other professors could skip meals if they wanted, but not her. When it came to regular meals, or threatening to take away points from people in the hallway, she was still just a student. What was the point of being in this compromised position if there was no benefit from it beside money. What was worse, both Severus and that phantom which she assumed to be Cassius (which had yet to be confirmed) followed her into her lair. How was she supposed to find comfort in the dungeons if she had a pair of eyes staring her down, and a crow cawing at her in desperate need of food?

Hermione flipped over onto her back just in time for Severus to land on her stomach and begin scratching her.

"Severus what are you doing?! Stop it this instant! I'll go get you food I promise, just stop scratching, you ruddy bird."

Fixing her garment quickly, Hermione allowed the bird to land on her shoulder. Split personality, the bird had to have a split personality. This Severus was calm, and didn't seem to want to poke her eyes out. Perhaps because he was finally getting what he wanted. Food. It wasn't such an odd request, even birds had to eat. Petting him awkwardly, Hermione marveled that he didn't attempt to push her away. Guilt began pooling in her stomach. She'd been neglecting the poor thing. Even in Diagon Alley she hadn't given it much more than a treat, and the owner of the owl emporium hadn't seemed like the nurturing type either.

"Don't worry Severus. We'll go get you something to eat."

Marching straight up to what once was (and would forever be in her mind) Dumbledore's office, Hermione prepared to tell the Headmistress exactly what she thought of being treated like child. But upon arrival all the words left her head. Headmistress McGonagall was yelling shrilly at none other than Cassius, and in her hand was one of the rarest finds in all of the wizarding world. Hermione had only seen one other of its kind.