Thank you for those who reviewed the last chapter and welcome to the new followers! Here's another chapter for you all! I really enjoy writing Snape, him being my favorite character after all. And yes, that will influence the story ;) As always, reviews are welcomed and encouraged!

Chapter 11

Ten days later, Hermione found herself on the Hogwarts Express yet again. After doing her Prefect patrols with Ron she settled into the compartment with him, Harry and Ginny. As the other three discussed Quidditch, Hermione found herself staring out the window thinking of Remus and the upcoming year.

I still can't believe this is happening. One minute I'm crying over him yelling at me and the next we're both headed off to Hogwarts as a couple.

It would be disastrous if anyone else found out. It's bad enough that Snape knows. Technically there wasn't anything illegal about what they were doing but the public ridicule that would ensue would be horrific. Remus is already so fragile, anything else might break him.

She was shaken out of her daze by Harry asking her if she was alright.

"I'm fine Harry."

"Are you thinking about Remus?" Ginny asked.

"Yeah…"

"Ugh I don't wanna hear this. I'm going to go on another patrol or something," Ron said rushing out of the compartment.

"Oh he needs to grow up," Ginny laughed. "Anything wrong, 'Mione?"

"No, I'm just nervous to see what this year entails."

"Oh, it's going to be great," Harry assured her. "Remus is going to be our professor again and you'll be able to see him more."

"Thanks for stating the obvious," Ginny said rolling her eyes. "What are you nervous about?"

"I don't want anything to ruin this," Hermione replied. "Snape knows about us and I don't know what would happen if he let that information slip."

"Don't worry about Snivellus. He wouldn't dare," Harry laughed.

Hermione furrowed her eyebrows. "I wish you wouldn't call him that. I don't care if it is Snape; it's not a nice name. Even Remus has stopped calling him that." Harry had the decency to look away.

"I doubt he'll say anything Hermione," Ginny said. "Besides making Remus look bad, he has nothing else to gain out of it. Dumbledore would probably be more upset with him than he would with either of you."

"Yeah I guess…" she said, looking out the window again.

"Chin up, Hermione," Harry said. "This year is going to be great!"

xXx

This year is going to be shit. Snape was currently making his way to the Great Hall for the beginning of the year feast. Well every year is shit, but this year is going to be worse. Much worse.

First off, the mutt was back to be the bane of his existence. That wasn't anything compared to his other problem. Days prior, Draco Malfoy had been inducted into the Death Eaters. Little did the Dark Lord know but the Malfoys had switched sides ever since he had returned. They had been spying on Voldemort, along with Snape, for the Order for the past year and a half. It took a while to convince Draco that this was the right path but he was eventually in agreement. Only Snape, Dumbledore and a couple high ranking Order members knew of their true allegiance. It wasn't in the plan that he would join the Death Eaters though. Voldemort was punishing Lucius for his failure at the Ministry months before. Along with that punishment, Draco was required to prove his allegiance; he was to kill Dumbledore.

How the bloody hell am I supposed to get him out of this mess?! There were only two ways he could think of; the Malfoys could reveal their true allegiance and go into hiding or they could fake the Headmaster's death. The latter would probably be easier since he didn't want to risk the lives of his friends and godson but the Dark Lord wasn't so easily fooled. He hadn't been able to talk over this predicament with Dumbledore yet as he had been pissed drunk ever since the Death Eaters meeting. Maybe if I make it through this feast without hexing a student, I'll be able to talk to him afterwards.

He walked through the doors to the Great Hall wearing his worst scowl. All of the students, minus most of the Slytherins and a handful of Gryffindors, looked to him in fear. Ah, I must be late. At least I made an entrance that would scare the first-years enough. Snape walked down the hall to the staff table. Dumbledore doesn't look too happy though…serves him right for bringing Lupin back on the staff. He noticed Remus staring at him with a disapproving look. Watch it, mutt, he thought raising an eyebrow at the Gryffindor causing him to look down at his food. That's what I thought.