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Severus and Hermione left Dumbledores office in silence. On the way towards the dungeons both had things on their minds.

While Hermione was busy thinking about the coming war and her parents, Peter, and Emma now living in Hogwarts. Severus was had other matters on his mind.

How to ask it…

With the war coming closer things are very uncertain, he thought, it is a little early to ask but we aren't sure if we will both make it to the end of this week let alone through the war.

Severus frowned contemplating a way to ask the question he had been thinking about since their date at the restaurant. Although they hadn't been dating long in the present time they had known each other for years. Although they hadn't really gotten to know each other until this year. With a sigh Severus decided there was no time like the present.

"Hermione, I…"

"Hermione!"

Hermione and Severus both turned towards the sound of running feet. From around the corner came a sprinting Ronald Weasley. He froze his eyes looking from Hermione to Severus.

"Hermione," he began, "I wanted to—"

"I don't want to hear anything you have to say Ronald," Hermione said sharply cutting the boy off.

Ron glared at her for a moment and then turner his glare towards Severus, "Could you leave us alone," he said through clenched teeth.

Severus looked towards Hermione his expression blank

Hermione glared back at Ron and then nodded once. Severus raised an eyebrow but did not comment as he left the two together. His last thought as he went around the corner was

This should be interesting…

"Hermione…" Ron began looking at the floor

"What is it now Ronald? Come to accuse me of sleeping with someone else?"

"I'm sor—"

"Sorry isn't good enough. You accuse me of oh how did you put it… I believe the term was "shacking up" with the "greasy git" I don't think 'sorry' is enough"

"Hermione, listen, I… I suppose I overreacted a bit"

"Overreacted? You were screaming at me the whole castle could have heard you!"

"Will you let me finish and stop interrupting!" Ron yelled stepping closer to Hermione.

Hermione gritted her teeth but remained silent.

"Now listen to me. I overreacted alright! I was upset. You had been missing and then I find out you were with him. You were with him."

"Yes, I think we all know who I was with Ronald"

"But Hermione you were with the man who forcible kissed you. The whole Order knows that he's still a Death Eater. After he forced himself on you that just showed to reinforce what we already knew."

Hermione took a deep breath knowing that what she was going to say would not turn out well. "Ron no one other then Harry and you think Severus is a Death Eater. And he did not 'force' himself on me. We are dating and have been you the better part of a year." Well at least she had been with the other Severus in the past….

Ron blanched, "W-what?" his voice came out raspy and dry.

"I am dating Severus Snape"

Something in his face seemed to darken, "I think my hearing is going."

"Ron I'm dating Severus"

He snapped, "WHAT! HOW CAN YOU BE DATING HIM!"

"Ron—"

"HERMIONE! What has he done to you are you under a hex? Spell? Is it one of those potions?"

"No Ron I'm perfectly fine"

Ron took another step forward backing her into a wall. Leaning on either side of her he looked into her eyes.

"Your pupils aren't dilated?"

"I'm not under a potion," Hermione said her patience waning

"But you have to be!"

"I'm not!"

"What do you mean your not!"

"I love him!" she hadn't planned on saying it, it had just slipped out through her frustration, seeing the look on Ron's face now she wished she hadn't said it. A mixture of shock, anger, and hurt had him staggering backwards.

The hall seemed to go deathly quietly

"What did you say?" he whispered

"I said…I love him"

"No…you can't

"I do Ron"

The hurt took over his face as he stared at her, "I love you"

Hermione paled. Of every reaction she had been expecting that had not been one. For him to yell and scream, yes, but for him to say that. Of course she had known during their school years he had had an infatuation for her but she had thoughts that he had lost all feelings after they had graduated and their lives had gone separate ways.

"Ron… I..I'm sorry," she wasn't sure what else she could say

"I don't even know you anymore!" he screeched turning and stomping down the hall.

Hermione stood there a moment before leaving and heading towards Severus' quarters, where her room had been added on. She had a feeling that she wouldn't be seeing Ron anytime soon if he could help it.

Aiden sat staring out at the night sky. Tonight had not gone as he had planned. The fool Lucius was suppose to have gotten rid of Hermiones family. But no! Incompetence! How was he expected to make his plan work with these fools messing it all up!

He let out a bark of laughter. The Death Eaters didn't even realize he had been playing them. Lucius Malfoy had no idea that by going to the muggles home he had been playing into Aidens plan. It was all too easy. If only they did things right!

But no matter, tonight he planned on enjoying himself.

"Sir," the tall blacked haired vampire called as he entered the small circular room

"What is it Stephen?" Aiden asked looking into the vampires pale face. The only difference between this younger vampire and the others were his ice. The piercing icy blue eyes stared back at him unblinking. They seemed alive.

Aiden sneered as he waited for the man to continue, "We've brought the Auror you asked for."

Aiden smiled, if one could called it a smile. "Bring in the girl"

Stephen nodded and appeared a moment later dragging an unconscious girl behind him.

"Revive her"

The small brown-headed girl was revived and blinked at them a moment later.

"W-what?" she stammered taking in her surroundings. When her large hazel eyes rested on Aidens fangs she paled.

"Welcome young Auror. Stephen bring her closer."

Stephen reached down and dragged the girl to her feet and pulled her towards Aiden. The girl's eyes were flashing from Aiden to Stephen to the door then back.

"Hello Alicia," Aiden smiled as he reached over to take her arm from Stephen.

Stephen hesitated a moment then pushed Alicia towards Aiden.

Aiden smiled sardonically, "Leave us. I have information to retrieve"

Stephen nodded once then quickly left the room.

The girls screams could be heard two halls down

The next morning, Saturday, Hermione found herself sitting at the head table between Severus and Professor McGonagall. The students, parents, and other Order members would be arriving on Monday and Hermione felt like an absolute wreck.

The war was coming. She was expected to be an Order member, now that she had graduated. She was also expected to be an apprentice to Severus. Not to mention that now that Harry and her parents were here she knew they would want her with them at least part of the time. Ron, she knew, was going to avoid her. Not to mention Draco was sitting across the table glaring at everyone!

Since most of the people in the school now weren't teachers Dumbledore had opted to for go the high table until Monday. In stead everyone found themselves sitting at a very large circular table. The occupants of the school consisted of: Dumbledore, McGonagall, Severus, Remus, Harry, Ron, Ginny, Neville, Mrs. Longbottom, Draco, Flitwick, Hagrid, her parents, Emma, Peter, and herself.

The rest of the teachers would be riding on the train to protect the students and the parents who would be coming with them along with members of the Order who would also be riding along. The normal Hogwarts express had had several carts added onto it and numerous enlarging charms cast on it to accommodate those who would be riding it.

The school hadn't seen this many people since Grindawalds time. And sadly Hermione had a sickening feeling that more people were seeking the schools safety now then during Grindawalds time.

Everyone in the wizarding world and muggle world knew something bad was coming soon. The mist had increased in London and now was there from daylight to nightfall. While in the muggle world it meant nothing but odd weather here they knew that the dementors were breeding and growing restless. Other strange things had also become to happen.

Hermione brought her attention back to the present as the doors opened. Harry and Ron walked in stopping when they saw Hermione. Harry shot Ron a look Hermione couldn't place and the two men resumed walking to sit near Professor Dumbledore.

Dumbledore stood, "Now that everyone is here lets us begin are breakfast," he finished and with a wave of his hand food appeared.

What a drama queen…

The seating arrangements weren't to the liking of everyone and tension was high. Dumbledore sat on end of the large round table, to his right was Harry, then Ron, Ginny, Neville, Mrs. Longbottom, Flitwick, Hagrid, Draco, Peter, Emma, Hermiones mother, her father, Remus, McGonagall, Hermione, Severus, and then back to Dumbledore.

Tension was very high in the room. The normally talkative Flitwick was quiet his hands in his lap. He kept shooting Hagrid glances and then looking down at his fork. Draco was scowling at a nervous looking Peter. While Ron was looking miserable. Yes tension was very high in the room and no one, except Dumbledore and Emma, ate their food.

As the silence carried on Dumbledore decided to brake it, "Draco, how have your studies with Professor McGonagall been going?"

Draco frowned before answering, "Fine sir"

Obviously Draco was not the person who was going to help Albus brake the silence.

"Hermione how have your studies been going with Severus?"

A fork dropped the Ron's plate as Hermione answered, "Fine"

Albus frowned, "Minerva?"

Minerva looked up giving Albus an apologizing smile.

"Remus?" when he only looked up from his plate and then back down Albus sighed.

His gaze next landed on Emma who was chopping away at her eggs.

"How have you found are school so far Emma?"

She looked up shrugged and went back to munching on her food.

Albus frowned, "You can all be dismissed now… "

Everyone pushed back their chairs and practically ran to the doors only to find them locked. With perplexing looks they all turned back to Dumbledore. The twinkle in his eyes was practically indecent.

"I believe we should all have an intervention to clear the air. The war will be here soon and we, all of us, will have to work together. Now sit again please."

Everyone went back to their seats sitting all with frowns staring at the crazy old man.

"Hermione, dear what is on your mind?"

Hermione sighed, "I have a lot to do, Professor."

"I see, Severus you seem awfully quiet this morning?"

"Albus I do not think anyone in this room wishes to be here. We have better things to do then this intervention of yours. Some of us have matters to attend to."

"Good, good. You may all leave if you wish. No, no one has to humor an old man. Go back to your lives and forget about the poor old Headmaster sitting here wondering why the people in his beloved school are angry at each other," Dumbledore gave an exaggerated sigh as he slumped back in his chair.

"Albus really," Minerva scolded

Surprisingly enough it was Draco who spoke next, "If this will get us out of here I'll tell you what is going on. Professor Flitwick is afraid Hagrid will stab him with a fork again. As for Hagrid, Lupin, and Professor McGonagall they are stressed out. Longbottom doesn't like having his granny here and Mrs. Longbottom wishes she wasn't here. Then the female Weasley is pinning over Potter. And as for Potter he's just upset because he's stuck in the love triangle between Weasley, Granger, and Professor Snape. While the four muggles are wondering what is going on." Draco finished with a smug look on his face.

Most of the people when he finished looked outraged while still others looked surprised at the boys' speech.

"Oh," Albus said looking between everyone, "I see"

"Severus," Dumbledore began, hours later in his office, "I have just been informed by one of our men has just told me that a young Auror has been taken by Aiden. He told me that he wanted some kind of information out of her. I can't be sure what it is but he says Aiden seemed very please when he brought her in."

"How does this concern me Albus?"

"I know you are working on a potion to help Hermione get back to normal. I am afraid that whatever information Aiden wants out of the girl will tie into that."

"Who was this girl?"

"Her name is Alicia. Her family has been vampire hunters for centuries. The knowledge has been passed down through the generations. We believe Aiden wants her to further his spells with his clan. Since Hermione is technically part of his clan. He might be able t call her like Voldemort and his Dark Mark. But since Hermiones blood and the rest of the blood of the people in his clan runs throw his veins. The clan may not have a choice but to come."

"So your saying this girl might have some sort of information that will help Aiden get to Hermione? But Albus how could a vampire hunter have this kind of information?"

"Her family has used intricate spells to capture Vampires over the centuries. I believe that Aiden thinks that he could modify the spell to work to his advantage."

"Is there a rescue mission under way?"

"No"

Severus raised a questioning brow

"The young woman is being kept by Aidens side. We will not be able to reach her. As of now my contact is trying his best to watch out for the girl."

"I understand"

Severus knew now that the potion he was developing would have to be given all of his spare time. Without it Aiden would get Hermione. If Aiden had her then he had a key to Harry Potter. With a key to Potter Voldemort could win.

I'm sorry it was short but I thought you all might like something. So Sorry for the Long Wait. I had writers block. But luckily I got passed it thanks to a friends help! I'll update soon! Again I'm sorry!