Here's the next chapter. I hope you enjoy it. Please read and review love Hermione xxx

Severus was angry. This week was longer and busier then last week and as of yet he'd had no opportunity to go to his hiding place and destroy the objects. He had attempted to go but had been summoned to a staff meeting of all thins which had been long and arduous. He finally had a moment to escape and do his task when an owl dropped a letter off annoying him. Deciding he would look at it later he saw the Gringotts seal on it and realised it probably couldn't wait. He decided to go against his better judgement and make it wait. He left heading to his hiding place for the objects of which he'd told no one and quickly cast the gemino curse on the vial of basilisk venom. He touched it as it multiplied burning him and causing him pain. He touched it four more times although it hurt like hell and then removed the cursed. Taking one of the duplicated vials he opened it and using a stopper made to withstand it's power dropped it on top of the first item one drop at a time. It took a total of ten drops to do it.

He was blasted back as it was killed exploding outwards and sending him flying. He whacked his back on the wall exhaling loudly. He would need to take a much more careful approach next time. He was in too much pain however to think clearly so he took two of the vials and opened both pouring them both quickly into the sack containing the rest and was once more blasted back so severely he felt his arm and ribs break. He barely managed to hobble back to the sack in time to see that everything inside was destroyed. He thought he was free shocked as he saw his dark mark pulsing and releasing slow dark magic which would drain his life force as it rose up his arm in the direction of his heart. The whole point had been that when his heart had been reached he'd die. Screaming his head off he slashed his wand upwards and severed his arm off at the shoulder cauterizing the wound so it didn't bleed anymore and flooed to Madam Pomfrey before promptly passing out on her floor as she rushed out to see what the matter was.

She shrieked as she saw Severus on the floor with his one arm missing, his other arm broken and his ribs also broken. He was levitated onto the nearest bed where she gave him a blood replenishing potion. That at least gave him a bit of more colour in his skin. It was quite clear he'd been blasted back by someone very strong indeed. It was also highly likely as he'd hit his head he wouldn't remember who had done it either. She used a limb regrowth potion which would return his arm to him but would hurt like a bitch in the process. It was best he remain unconscious for this. She spelled it into his stomach as his shoulder and down to where his arm would end was surrounded by a white glow and lots of breaking noises came from that area. It would take twenty four hours to complete so would be done at six the following evening. His ribs and head injury would take at least two days to fix. Albus was called in and seeing Severus gasped.

"Poppy my dear what happened to him?" he asked very worried for his old friend.

"Well Albus he was clearly involved in a fight of some kind and his arm was severed from the shoulder. He has a broken arm on his other side, broken ribs and a head wound. I would estimate he will not remember who attacked him or why just that they were stronger. Thankfully with my expert care he will be fine but he will not be in classes all week I am afraid" she said as Albus sighed.

"Yes well his health is most important. I will assign Lily to head Slytherin in his absence. His students will have to spend those classes reading their potions books for now. I will assign a free teacher on each of those periods to watch over whichever class he is supposed to have. I will announce it at the feast!" he said as Lily rushed in and cried when she saw Severus.

"Oh my god! Poppy! Will he be alright?" she asked tears falling freely form her eyes. The look of devastation in her eyes was very hard to look at.

"Lily he is very ill but he will be better in a week's time. He was attacked by an unknown assailant which he will not remember once he wakes up unfortunately. Whoever did this attacked him breaking his arms, his ribs, giving him a head injury and severing his other arm from the shoulder. Now it could have been a freak potions accident too but I doubt that. He will be fine in one week's time I promise you. Your love is safe now sweetheart. You will be the head of Slytherin in his absence. Albus' orders!" she said as Lily nodded mutely before leaving and heading in the direction of Slytherin house. She cleaned her face up and with a spell had fresh makeup reapplied to her face.

"HOUSE MEETING NOW. ALL STUDENTS TO THE COMMON ROOM!" she called out as the shocked Slytherin students entered.

"Now then for the next week I will be the head of your house while Professor Snape recovers from an illness he is suffering from. He will be fine but will not be teaching any classes this week. Instead you are to read your potions textbooks during his class slots. Does anyone have any questions?" she asked as most of them looked so disgusted to have a mudblood in their midst's even if it was a Professor.

"Who said a mudblood like you could be the head of this noble house. Professor or not it is what you are!" shouted Cassius Warrington as other people agreed with him readily. Jim went to curse him but a quick look from his mother stopped him in his tracks.

"Mr Warrington Professor Dumbledore did. Also because I was lied to as a child I know I am now a half blood. Make of that what you will. Oh yes and fifty points from Slytherin for being thick and talking before thinking. Does anyone else wish to go for the golden one hundred huh? Is anyone else feeling brave today?" she snapped as everyone was silenced in shock by her revelation. If she was a halfblood this changed things dramatically.

"We did not realise you were a halfblood sorry!" someone shouted from the back.

"NOT GOOD ENOUGH! One hundred points from Slytherin and you had better make them up. Just because you think someone is one way you should check it out first. Oh and Warrington because you couldn't riddle your way out of a wet paper bag that will be detention with me tonight at eight. I swear to Merlin for a house that is supposed to be all cunning you suck at truly hiding your intentions. Cunning my arse!" she shouted as they flinched back looking fearful. It would be a good learning lesson to head this house she thought as she entered her office. It would be a long week for sure.