A/N: Again, I'm so sorry for the delay, but thank you guys so much for being patient and waiting an extra couple of days. I really do have the best readers in the world, and I send virtual hugs to you all.

With that said, here is the new chapter (finally). Enjoy!

The infirmary was quiet when the door opened almost silently, and even that small noise sounded loud as it reverberated throughout the room. Their younger brother wasn't exactly difficult to spot- his shock of red hair stood out more than anything else in the Hospital Wing. They looked at each other and smirked as they approached his bedside.

"Oh, ickle Ronniekins," they chorused, "you've been quite naughty, haven't you?" George finished.

Ron's eyes narrowed as he glared up at them.

"I reckon you're here to tell me I'm a disappointment to Mum and Dad."

"Not exactly," Fred said.

"Actually," George picked up, "we're here to listen."

"What?"

"Must we spell it out? You've been bad and we want to know why."

"Simple, really," they said together.

They watched as he took it in, eyeing them suspiciously all the while. "Why should I believe you? This could be one of your tricks for all I know."

"Somebody's being petulant," George said in a singsong voice.

"We really did want to hear it from you first, but if you'd rather we ask, say, Snape, we don't mind, do we George?"

"Not at all, Fred."

"Merlin, no! Anyone but him! Well, almost anyone…"

"That's what we thought," the twins said together.

"Out with it, then," Fred prodded.

They sat and listened as he explained what had been done to his mind and how he couldn't remember what he'd done, but had had to hear it from the headmistress; how Hermione had taken his magic away- although it was apparently temporary; it seemed to be coming back now- and Snape had tortured him; and what his recovery had been like since he'd woken up.

When Ron was done, he watched the twins, clearly expecting them to think he was lying. Fred and George just looked at each other, silently discussing whether or not they believed their baby brother. With nearly imperceptible nods, they turned their gazes back to Ron.

"Okay."

He blinked, his eyes flashing from one twin to the other. "'Okay'? That's it? You aren't mad at me?"

"Oh, we didn't say that. You've really made a mess of things, but we believe you, at least."

"Yeah; it'll be awhile before any of us trust you again, but you aren't lying."

Giving his brothers a small smile, Ron nodded. "Thanks. I know I've bollocksed things up, but I want to make it better. But…" he trailed off, smile fading.

"What?"

"It's just that my head still isn't my own. Whoever's there never left. It's been quiet, but I can still feel it. I still can't tell who it is, but I'm not… me."

The twins just looked at him for a moment, taking in what he'd told them. With a quick- albeit worried- glance at each other, they made an agreement. Turning back to Ron, Fred sighed.

"Right, well, hopefully that'll come back to you-"

"Or it'll be a lot harder to find who did this."

They couldn't hold back their laughter at Ron's expression- they'd caught him off guard again. He really had been expecting them to turn him away.

"I… You… What?"

"Well, of course. Things have been too quiet lately-"

"And we have some new products that could use testing-"

"Unless you want to volunteer?" they said together.

"No, no, I'm good, thanks."

The twins laughed again before deciding to make their exit.

"It's been fun, baby brother, but we're afraid it's time for us to go."

Ron nodded. "Thank you, guys. I… didn't expect this, but I… just, thanks."

With identical nods and smiles, Fred and George left the infirmary.

"Where to next, Fred?"

"Well, George, I think our other sister deserves a visit, don't you?"

"I agree, but before we do that, maybe we should… verify what ickle Ronniekins has told us?"

A pause.

"Good thinking. To visit the bat, then?"

"To visit the bat."

The library was always quiet in the evenings. Well, it was usually quiet, but even more so during and after dinner. That was why Hermione loved coming here then; it was also a good way to escape the unwanted attention she was still receiving, much to her dismay.

News of Draco's death had spread throughout the school like wildfire, and it hadn't taken her peers very long to connect it to her. She'd had the pleasure of hearing a multitude of absurd theories, and she wasn't sure whether she should be offended or amused.

But she was here for a different reason tonight. She had received a note that afternoon from Ginny, and she was meeting the other girl here so they could talk. If Hermione were honest with herself, she would have to admit that she was a bit nervous. The note hadn't said why Ginny wanted to talk to her, but Hermione felt like she should give Ginny a chance. She didn't know why; she certainly didn't deserve it- or did she? Hermione believed in second chances, and it would be wrong of her to go back on that, even if Ginny had really hurt her when she'd turned her back. After agreeing to come, Hermione had thought through he reasons Ginny could want to meet her. She'd narrowed it down to an apology or an evisceration. She didn't want to think too much about which was more likely.

So, Hermione was curled up in a chair with a book on her lap, waiting for Ginny to show up. She was trying to focus on the thick tome, but she really didn't even know what book she had grabbed. With a sigh, she closed the book and sent it back to its shelf.

As she settled into her chair, she heard the library door open. Hermione listened as the footsteps came closer and closer, and sat up just as Ginny came out of the shadows.

She approached slowly, as one would if approaching a stray dog.

"Hi," she murmured hesitantly.

"Hello," Hermione responded just as softly.

There was an awkward silence before Ginny gestured to the empty chair next to Hermione's. "Can I sit?"

Hermione nodded. She watched the younger witch make herself comfortable and was more than a little surprised by the lack of hostility she saw. She allowed herself to hope that maybe this would be okay.

Maybe she would be okay.

On the way back to her room, Hermione reflected on the conversation she'd had with Ginny. It had been… a bit of a relief, really. For months, Hermione had been left thinking that she was without a family, and to know that it wasn't true lifted a burden from her shoulders- shoulders that had been so very tired as of late.

This didn't change much between Hermione and Ginny; at least, not for now. It would take Hermione time to forgive the other girl fully, but the younger witch seemed intent on making things right. It had been a step in the right direction, and Hermione found that she was glad she'd agreed to give Ginny a second chance.

She was contemplating how Ginny had decided to come to her when she felt a hand clamp down on her shoulder.

Hermione jumped and pulled away, fighting the urge to scream. Turning around quickly, she felt her power surge in self-defense. Her eyes widened when she found she was standing face-to-face with Pansy Parkinson.

"Hey, Granger, can we talk?"

She was surprised by this. The only times Pansy had ever spoken to Hermione, she had been less than pleasant. Apprehensive as she was, Hermione nodded once.

"Not here, though. It's kind of… well, it would be better if we weren't in the corridor."

Hermione thought. "My rooms, then?"

She knew it was a risk, but if anything happened, Severus was right next door. If she didn't go to his quarters, her quarters would be the first place he'd look.

Pansy made a noise of affirmation, and Hermione led the girl down the hall to her rooms.

Once they were both seated, Hermione turned and faced Pansy, still trying to figure out why they were here. She was interested and wanted to hear what she had to say, but Hermione knew she had to be careful. Severus hadn't told her if Pansy had come forward yet, and she couldn't help but wonder if that was what this was. But that didn't make any sense- the Slytherins had been told to go to Severus.

Hermione was confused, and she didn't like it.

"Look, Granger," Pansy started suddenly. "I don't know how much you know, but I need to say something, so hold off on the endless questions for now, would you?"

Without giving Hermione a chance to answer, Pansy continued.

"I'm not good at this kind of thing, so I'm just going to do it. I'm sorry. I knew what Draco was doing and I didn't try to stop it; I was helping him. I didn't know he'd go as far as he did, but even when I found out, I didn't do anything. I just wanted you to know that I do feel really bad about everything."

Hermione didn't know what to say, so for a long moment, she said nothing. She could feel that Pansy was becoming uncomfortable, but she couldn't form any words. Of all things, this had not been what she was expecting, and she was beginning to wonder if she'd somehow gone into shock.

That thought- irrational as it was- was the one to clear her mind enough for her to look back at the other girl, who was beginning to fidget in her chair.

"Thank you," Hermione said somewhat suddenly. Pansy started, then relaxed. "I know that couldn't have been easy for you. Can I ask something now, though?"

Pansy sighed. "You want to know why, don't you?"

Hermione nodded eagerly. "Please. It's been killing me."

And as Hermione sat and listened to Pansy tell the story of the descendant of the sorcerer's apprentice and how Draco had believed that Hermione was who he was looking for, she was completely entranced. Ever since she'd learned she was a witch, she'd believed that she was a Muggleborn. She'd been teased, taunted, and tortured, and now she was finding out that she was quite possibly the most powerful being in the world. Needless to say, it was quite a lot to take in.

It certainly explained quite a bit, though. Now she knew why she was the target. She understood why the things they'd done to her had had to be so horrid. It was clear that, broken as they might have left her, she wouldn't have been killed. No, she would have been kept alive so she could be used at Draco's will. But now that Draco wasn't here, and Pansy was telling her everything she knew- supposedly- Hermione couldn't help but wonder just what Blaise'e plans could be. The uncertainty of it made her nervous, and she didn't like it one bit. So, putting her own excitement aside, she asked; she had a feeling her question wouldn't yield any answers, though, and even if it did, she probably wouldn't like them.

"I'm not sure. He doesn't know that I know as much as I do, and I don't plan on letting him find out. I'm nervous enough about him coming after me; I don't need to give him more of an incentive."

Hermione couldn't say she disagreed.

Then something occurred to her, and she felt guilt wash over her.

"Pansy?"

"Yeah?"

"How much danger have you just put yourself in by telling me?"

The other girl laughed humorlessly. "No more than I did when I told Snape, I imagine."

"Wait… Professor Snape knows about this? About me?"

"Yeah. Let me tell you, that was much more intimidating than telling you."

"I can imagine…" Hermione trailed off. She wasn't really paying attention to the conversation anymore, though. All that was on her mind was the fact that Severus had known, but he hadn't told her. How long had he known. Pansy hadn't said, and it would seem strange if she asked. She supposed she would just have to ask him about it.

"Okay, well, I think I'm going to go back to the Common Room- unless you have more questions?"

"No, I think I've got it, but thank you again, Pansy," Hermione said as she rose to walk the other girl out of her rooms.

Pansy nodded and left. Now alone, Hermione looked around he rooms; she wasn't looking for anything in particular. With a sigh, she walked back into the bedroom that had once been hers and went through the door leading to Severus' quarters.

It had been a long and emotional day, and Hermione was more than happy that it was finally over. Setting her bag on the bag, she pulled out the parchments she needed to have done in two weeks for Charms, Defense, and Potions; homework was always as good a distraction as any, and she knew she needed to clear her head before talking to Severus. If she just confronted him, he wouldn't tell her anything, and if she was too passive, he either wouldn't answer or would be too ambiguous for her to glean anything useful. No, this wasn't something to do after a day like she'd had.

Severus was always irritated when he was trying to get somewhere in the castle and everybody else seemed to be going the opposite direction. This was urgent, and he just couldn't get to the headmistress' office fast enough.

Being the most feared person in the school did have its advantages; the students went out of their way to clear a path for him to get through, and he fought a smirk- on the outside, at least.

Once he'd gotten through the worst of it, the hallway appeared to be completely empty. Severus noted this as strange, but continued on his trek; he could think about this later.

Unfortunately, it seemed as though he wouldn't be going to see Minerva just yet. There, lurking in the shadows and obviously trying to stay hidden, was Blaise Zabini. Severus wasn't sure if the boy was just avoiding him or if he were up to something, but he wasn't taking chances.

"Zabini."

The boy halted and turned. Severus instantly disliked the smirk he could see even in the darkness.

"Yes, Professor?" he called, somewhat belligerently.

"What do you think you're doing? I do believe it's nearly curfew. I would hope you aren't trying to lose House points. It could be… unfortunate to make that many enemies in Slytherin House; wouldn't you agree?"

"Just taking a walk, Professor. You know, stretching my legs a bit."

"Of course. You should be getting back soon, Mister Zabini; it would be a shame if somebody else were to come across you and think you were… up to something. One from a line of descent such as yours wouldn't appreciate such a blow to the reputation, hmm?"

During their exchange, the boy had been coming closer to Severus, and he was just out of the shadows enough for Severus to see how he'd blanched at Severus' last statement.

Once he'd regained his bearings, Zabini responded. "No, sir, I can't say one would."

Making eye contact for a brief second, Severus was surprised to find the boy's mind completely open to him.

Not that it matters when most of the Wizarding world doesn't know you exist, isn't that right, Professor?

With a turn of his head, Zabini broke the connection and walked off. "Good night, Professor."

Severus stood and watched until the boy disappeared before continuing to Minerva's- this needed to be handled even more immediately than he'd originally thought.

Merlin help us all, he thought as he swept through the corridors in a swirl of black.

A/N II: My goodness, so many guest reviews (I don't think they're showing up here just yet)! Because so many of them were from earlier chapters and I think some of your questions may have been answered along the way, I'll respond to the last one now.

So, last chapter, you pasted the legend of the descendant of the sorcerer's apprentice and implied that you didn't understand it. Let me explain:)

This is the key to why Hermione is the target. It's the motive behind basically everything that's happened to Hermione through the course of this story. Sorry if this wasn't quite clear!

Thanks to everybody for sticking with me so far! I'll see y'all on Sunday:)