Bit of a shorter chapter today, but hope you enjoy


Snape poured himself another glass of scotch and looked over at Grangers empty chair. Sighing he took a sip of his scotch, the liquid burned his throat as he swallowed. 'How had things come to this?' he thought to himself. Turning his attention to the fire he began to mull over his next move. To begin with he needed to set things straight with Granger, however with Snape being who he was he didn't have it in him to straight out apologise. Pushing himself up from his chair Snape felt his muscles disapprove with the movement. Merlin did he feel old, even though he was only 37 the first war had taken away much of his youth and the current war well too say the least that wasn't helping either. Grunting in pain Snape limped towards the kitchen where he found Hermione hunched over a book at the table.

Granger kept her head firmly in her book as Snape entered the kitchen. Snape coughed slightly.

"Miss Granger?" he inquired, but Granger continued to ignore his presence.

Slowly he began to walk around the table until he was facing her. It was clear to Snape that he was not the only one who was being effective by this war. The young girl he remembered from Hogwarts no longer sat before him, she was instead replaced by a woman who's youth had been stolen from her. What horror's must she have seen?.

"Miss Granger?" he asked once more using a softer tone.

It was clear she had noticed his change in town and briefly looked up at him before returning to her book. Snape took this as a sign to continue.

"I have managed to make contact with Professor Dumbledore" he began "He had told us to stay where we are for now and he is sending food within the hour"

Granger had now put her book down but still refused to look a him.

"The headmaster also informed me and order member will be arriving in a few weeks to asses the situation" Snape finished.

Silence now fell among the pair but after a moment she spoke.

"Did he mention anything of the others" she responded without looking up.

"If you are talking about Potter and Weasley then yes, after your capture they returned to Hogwarts in seek of help"

"good" she paused and looked up at him "so that means we are here together for some time then"

Snape rolled his eyes.

"Yes Granger well done on your brilliant deduction"

Snape could tell this had irritated her, yet she continued to look him in the eye.

"Shall I cook dinner then when the food arrives, I mean as I guess you are not familiar with cooking in the um 'muggle way' "

"It may surprise you Granger but I was raised in the muggle world and am quite competent at cooking in the, as you put it 'muggle way' "

Granger looked back down at the table.

"Never the less it would seem fitting for you to cook after today's events"

Snape left the kitchen, leaving Granger sat in silence at the table.