Thanks to all those reading and reviewing. Sorry it's taken a while to update. I've been distracted with new born puppies and sooo much more madness going on in my life right now.

Disclaimer: Not mine.

Chapter 25

"You're bloody lucky you weren't killed!" Hermione snapped at Harry as they walked side by side down the corridor of Hogwarts. They were heading towards their next lesson, despite it not being for another half hour.

She'd read the Daily prophet and heard from Harry about what had happened at the Burrow over the Christmas holiday. She felt awful about the Weasley's house and could only thank God that none of them had been hurt. She was especially thankful that Ron was okay despite the fact he drove her mad playing tonsil hockey with Lavender every five minutes.

Being back at school meant Hermione had to wear the ring Snape had given to her for Christmas on the chain around her neck. She was unaware that whenever she wore it on the chain she would play with it, twisting it round and round on the chain with her finger and thumb.

"I know," Harry replied, "We all got lucky that night….well if you count having your house burned down lucky." he said before he caught her playing with the chain… again. He hadn't realised there was a ring on it. "What is that you're constantly playing with?!" he snapped at her, stopping them in their tracks, swatting her hand away so he could grab the chain and look for himself.

Hermione saw the instant look of shock on his face upon seeing the ring, "Merlin, Hermione!" he gasped, "Where on earth did you get that? It must be worth a fortune."

"Oh….it's a… well it's a erm.… it's a family thing. It gets passed down….. I guess you could say it found its way to me by accident." Hermione explained hesitantly. There was some truth in it.

"It's stunning!" Harry told her, "But if you keep playing with it like that there's going to be nothing left of it."

Hermione could only laugh and tuck the necklace back into her shirt. She and Harry continued walking and had only taken a few steps when they came to another stop, Harry because he saw Ron and Lavender in another particularly disgusting act of romance.

Hermione stopped due to the silky soft voice of Snape in her head, "Hermione, I need to speak with you immediately, in my classroom…. Oh and for once in his life Potter's right, keep playing with that ring and there'll be nothing left of it."

"Coming." she told him, having to stop herself from grinning like a fool. Using Won won's and Lav Lav's disgusting display of affection as an excuse to get out of there seemed like a good idea. "Excuse me, I have to go vomit!" she told Harry before turning on her heels and heading off down the corridor leaving Harry to face the horrid display on his own.

~0~0~

Hermione walked into Snape classroom to find it empty, she was confused as just moments ago he had asked her to meet him there but was nowhere to be seen. She took another step into the room and couldn't help but scream when she heard the door slam shut behind her. She spun round to find Snape standing there a smirk on his face.

"You just scared the life out of me!" she snapped at him, having to smile as he walked over to her.

"Sorry." he replied as he lovingly tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. He was smiling at her for a moment but then his smile quickly faded, "Thanks for coming." he said as he abruptly walked away from her.

Hermione sighed, hating how one second he was loving and the next he was all sensible and almost cold towards her.

"You said you needed to see me, so here I am." she said, suddenly wanting to get back to her daily routine of lessons and studying in the library.

"After reading about what happened at the Weasley home I wanted to remind you to be extra careful around him and Potter."

Hermione rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Thank you for the concern but we're not having this conversation again." she told him firmly as she made her way over to the door.

"Will you be coming to my quarters this evening for your lesson?" he asked before she could leave.

Hermione stopped and turned to face him, she knew being alone with him somewhere safe, private, would make him act differently again towards her so she nodded and replied, "Wouldn't miss it for the world."

With that she left, leaving Snape alone to prepare for his next lesson.

~0~0~0~0~0~

Their private lesson had gone well. Snape had fabricated some memories for Hermione and she had learnt them with ease, able to portray them as real, but still she couldn't help but feel slightly worried that Narcissa would work it out should she be the one to perform Legilimens again.

She was sat on the couch beside Snape. His arm was securely wrapped around her but thinking about Narcissa finding out what they were up to and the consequences of such a thing made a chill run down her spine.

"What's wrong?" Snape asked.

Hermione was hesitant to tell him but in the end did so anyway, "Narcissa Malfoy….I think she knew that the memories she saw weren't totally true."

"If she had known such a thing then neither of us would be sitting her right now." Snape told her.

Hermione sat up straight and told him what she had been feeling since the day Narcissa had performed Legilimens at Spinners end. "I'm telling you….she knows something, or suspects."

~0~0~0~0~

Narcissa Malfoy wasn't scared of many things, but having the Dark Lord touch her, even in the slightest, always made her heart skip a beat.

"Tell me sweet Narcissa, what did the mudblood show you?" Voldemort asked her as he ran her hair through his fingers.

He had not long returned from his trip but straight away he had showed up at Malfoy Manor wanting to know what she had found out and she had no choice but to tell him.

"The Potter boy is determined to defeat you, my Lord."

Voldemort simply laughed at this. "He will need much more than determination if he wishes to defeat me."

"He's improved this year, his ability to perform spells, cast charms…" Narcissa began.

"He may have improved but I have perfected spells and charms he will never be able to perform or cast." Voldemort hissed.

"Precisely why you have nothing to fear from him, my Lord." Lucius said, sucking up as he usually did.

Voldemort wandered around the main hall of the Malfoy's home, seemingly thinking something over, finally he made his way back over to Lucius and Narcissa. "What of Severus and the Mudblood?" he asked.

Narcissa hesitated for a second before answering, but Lucius quickly stepped forward and answered. "I believe he has grown fond of the girl. They shared his home this Christmas holiday, I believe she shares his bed."

"Such a beautiful creature would be welcome in any mans bed, despite her blood status." Voldemort said.

"M-m-my Lord, I fear with the bond they share, should the fourth ritual be fulfilled then…"

"Should she and Severus fulfil the ritual and a child is produced, it will be taken from them and killed before their eyes the moment it takes its first breath. I have no use for a baby. This time a rebounding curse won't stop me from destroying an infant, nor anyone who stands in my way." Voldemort told them as he sat down in an armchair beside the fire.

His snake moved to coil up by his feet which were hidden beneath his dark robes. Narcissa could only watch, she prayed for the sake of any baby that would be conceived that Hermione and Snape were being careful to avoid any such thing from happening.

~0~0~0~0~

Hermione rushed to the hospital ward. She had never felt so sick in her life. It was barely morning and she had been woken so abruptly that she had barely given herself time to understand what was going on. She didn't want to throw up in the corridor but she was sure that was about to happen and she would have no control over such a thing.

Somehow she managed to reach the hospital ward without making a show of herself in the corridor. Once there she was able to take a deep breath and swallow back the feel of nausea. There was Harry, sat on the end of a bed that was occupied by a very pale, well paler than usual, looking Ron.

She raced over to him and took her friends hand. She carefully sat on the bed beside him. "What happened?" she asked.

Harry had barely finished explaining the night's events when a whole bunch of teachers, including Snape rushed into the room. Hermione didn't pay a great deal of attention to them but she had to look up and groan in frustration moments later when she heard the shrill cries of Lavender Brown.

"Where is he? Where's my Won Won! Has he been asking for me?" she cried.

"Won Won?" Hermione heard Snape ask using their connection.

"Don't, please!" she sighed back to him.

She didn't hear Snape's reaction as she was too shocked by Lavenders upon seeing her. "What's she doing here?"

Hermione got to her feet and snapped back, "I might ask you the same thing!"

"I happen to be his girlfriend!" Lavender spat at her.

"And I happen to be his friend!"

"Don't make me laugh! You haven't spoken in weeks. I suppose you want me to break up with him now that he's suddenly all interesting!"

"He's been poisoned you daft dimbo, and for the record I've always found him interesting!" Hermione spat back at her.

"Do I sense a catfight coming up?" Snape asked.

"Shush!" she snapped back at him, quickly glancing at him before turning to glare at Lavender.

"I'm not normally one for violence but that I think perhaps I would like to see."

"Then how about you hold her while I slap her!" Hermione asked.

She was suddenly distracted as Ron began to mumble. She ignored Lavender and could only watch and wait to see what Ron was trying to say. She had to quickly look up at Snape when he used the connection to say sarcastically, "And there was me thinking the golden trio had finally bit off more than they could chew."

"Shush!" she snapped.

She had to smile when Ron mumbled her name. Lavender wasn't happy about it and ran off crying, but Hermione couldn't be happier in thinking she and Harry would finally get their friend back like he used to be, warts and all.

~0~0~0~0~

A couple of days later Ron was allowed out of the hospital. It had been during his first free period in the great hall when Katie Bell had also returned with a clean bill of health. Harry had been distracted talking to Katie, but Hermione had noticed straight away when Draco had walked into the great hall. She couldn't help but notice how much thinner he was these days, how much paler he seemed. How much he had aged, just like she had.

She had then watched Harry and Draco exchange glances before Draco turned and all but ran from the great hall. Alarm bells had gone off in her head when she saw Harry chase after him. She knew something could go very wrong and so quickly got up and chased after them. Somehow she had to stop what was about to happen and she had a sickening feeling in her stomach it was going to be something very bad.

~0~0~

Snape was in his classroom teaching some second years, getting ready to yell at them all as not one of them had successfully completed the task he had set. He was shocked when he suddenly heard Hermione's panicked voice.

"GET UP TO THE BOYS PREFECT TOILET NOW!"

"What's wrong?" he asked her. "Everybody out now!" he yelled to the classroom, whipping his wand out and casting a quick spell to clear his classroom of equipment. "GET OUT!" he roared at them all, making them all grab their things and run out in a panic.

Outside his classroom he barged past them and practically ran down the corridor, "Are you okay?! Hermione, are you hurt?" he asked her.

"I'm fine, but Harry or Malfoy might not be in a minute."

~0~0~

It was just a minute later when Snape ran up to the prefect boys toilets, Hermione was stood outside, unable to get in due to a particular awkward portrait that refused her access. "I tried explaining I needed to go inside but the damn portrait wouldn't let me!" she explained to Snape who was granted instant access.

He rushed inside and Hermione decided to wait outside, just in case she was overreacting and nothing was wrong. She knew anything that was happening in there Snape would be able to handle, her interfering would more likely only be a distraction to him.

Just moments later Harry came bursting out, racing towards the Gryffindor tower. Hermione wasn't sure whether to go into the bathroom and check on Snape and Malfoy or to chase after Harry. In the end she decided upon checking on Harry. The portrait probably wouldn't grant her access anyway.

"Harry!" she called out as she chased after him, "Harry wait! Harry, what happened?" she asked.

"The book!" he snapped, stopping in his tracks and facing her, "That book, you were right Hermione, it's bad news!"

With that Harry stormed off leaving Hermione in shock, she wanted to know what had happened, in the boys toilets but right now she had to be sure Harry got back to the Gryffindor tower okay. Somewhat hesitantly she ran after Harry, deciding she would go find Snape afterwards to speak to him.

~0~0~0~0~

Hermione stepped through the portrait into Snape's quarters. She couldn't help but notice he looked tired, about as tired as she felt and she was utterly exhausted. His usual full on teaching attire was gone and he had on just a black pair of black trousers and a white shirt that was only half buttoned up. She also couldn't miss the large glass of Firewhiskey in his hand and the half empty bottle on the side unit.

"You should be in your dormitory." he told her sharply.

"I needed to know how Draco is."

"Why, you don't like him?" Snape pointed out.

"You're right I don't, but Harry told me he used a spell from this stupid potions book he got hold of, he told me what happened to Draco because of it. The book has all these alterations to potions, and spells and charms written in the margins. Whoever owned the book, some Half-blood prince, is a completely despicable creature and someone who is clearly very dangerous. I wish Harry had never got his hands on that book!" Hermione said angrily.

She turned to face Snape and was a little confused by the look of his pale face. She couldn't tell if it was worry or anger. "Sorry, I'm just upset and annoyed. I'd love to meet the Half-blood prince, I'd use everything you've taught me against him!"

Once more she found Snape giving her the same look, whatever it was. "What?" she asked.

Snape hesitated a moment before he said, "You need to be more careful now around Potter than ever. Look at what happened to Weasley! He slashed Draco open like a Virginia Ham! You have no idea how much I would like to keep you locked in here permanently where I know Potter can't put you in dangers way!"

"Well you can't! I've told you this before, Harry and Ron are my best friends and I will never stay away from them because you say so!"

"But no doubt you'll expect me to heal you too when Harry casts a Sectumsempra spell on you!"

"Harry wouldn't hurt me!" she snapped, "Wait, how do know that spell?!

"Draco told me that was what Potter used. I can't say I've ever heard of it before." he answered quickly.

"Then how did you know to heal Draco?" she asked him.

"A simple healing charm, like the ones I've had to use on you before."

Hermione just shook her head, "Look, I know I have to be careful right now, but not because of Harry. I only have to read the Prophet to know that there's some dangerous stuff going on outside the walls of Hogwarts."

Snape just scoffed as he took another big sip of Firewhiskey. "What's that supposed to mean?" Hermione asked, a little annoyed by his attitude, she presumed his large intake of Firewhiskey was playing a big part in that.

"You think this place is such a safe haven, you have no idea how dangerous it can be here," he scoffed again "You know for such a bright witch sometimes you don't even see what's right in front of your face!"

"What do you mean? Is something going to happen here? Voldemort, is he…"

"Don't speak his name!" Snape bellowed at her.

"I'm not afraid of the name!" she yelled back at him. "Tell me what's going to happen! I know you know something."

"Never mind. Just get back to your dormitory!" he told her.

"You're amazing you know that! You preach to me about potential danger from my best friend but then refuse to tell me about other danger that is likely to occur. Well, don't worry I won't come to you looking to be healed if such danger gets to me!" she said storming past him.

"Hermione, wait!" he said reaching out and grabbing hold of her arm.

"Dumbledore himself said that the biggest weapon the Dark Lord can use to infiltrate the school are those…people already here… please be careful."

Hermione glared at him for a moment and then pulled her arm from his grasp. She left his quarters wondering why he wasn't telling her what he clearly knew. One way or another she vowed to find out what he wasn't telling her.

TBC

So more is getting mentioned about a baby, can this mean only one thing?

Thanks for reading. Please, please review.