Deception

by Sev4ever

Is Harry Potter really the son of James Potter? A certain Potion professor learns the truth, and what will happen when one of the students finds out? Will this eventually help Severus and lead him to love again or will his entire plan fall in disarray?

14. Chapter 13

Hey y'all I know, I know its been quite some time updating, but with the pandemic and trying to keep my mental health up and finding time to write! Its been a bit busy but here we are with a new chapter! Please enjoy! I have been reading the comments and I appreciate each and every one of them!

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Screams echoed in the darkness, smoke filled the air, fire was spreading from campsite to campsite and people were in a panic running around, lost and confused. Severus lay and wait in the shadows, stalking towards where the death eaters were starting their chaos, watching and listening. Every few minutes a huge flame would arise high into the sky, and screams echoed around as more people were trying to flee the scene.

Severus quickened his pace as he was nearing the death eaters, he was scanning the area for anyone that may have needed help, he passed several campsites that had been destroyed lying in clumps of cloth and wood laying on the muddy ground and looking to make sure no one was left behind. Severus was skimming the area, when he felt a raindrop on his forehead, knowing that the skies was going to open once again and start pouring down on them at any moment, however there wasn't another soul in the area, as he was about to turn to leave when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

Severus turned on his heel with his wand out and thrusted into the neck of whoever it was, his instincts were in full swing, he was blind to survival, blinking several times to a regretful expression upon his face. "Lucius, I'm sor…"

Lucius held his finger up to his lips in silence, his platinum blond hair was not flowing freely like it was earlier he had now pulled it up to keep it out of his face. Lucius nodded his head towards an area that he had yet explored, Severus followed Lucius when they came to an opening with a lone tent, probably because it was a death eaters.

Entering the tent, Lucius turned to him, "Severus, I was worried."

"Sorry Lucius didn't mean to worry you…" Lucius clapped him on the back, sighing deeply.

"Don't worry Severus Im just glad that you are all right." Lucius moved past him and went over to a trunk that was sealed; he opened the trunk and pulled out two black robes and a couple of masks.

"Haven't seen those in years…" Severus murmured as Lucius gave him his black cloak and the mask that the dark lord made specifically for him since he was part of the inner circle. A chill as cold as ice ran through his spine as he touched the mask once more so many memories pushing forward through his mind ones that he blocked countless years ago. He could not think of those not now. Lucius piped up as he slipped his death eater robes on.

"Yes I remember the night you came to me and asked to store it with mine. I have been keeping them safe in a secret compartment in my attic. For all these many years."

"Yes, all those years ago…" Severus' mind drifted as he remembered that day he went to Lucius.

*Flashback*

Ironically it was storming that night as well, it was a hellacious storm that was ravaging the countryside, where the Malfoy Manor was located.

Severus remembered battling the storms, the dark lord had fallen and now every known death eater was standing up for trials, and Albus. Oh Albus. Told him to get rid of his death eater robes as to say that he has completely sworn off the dark ways and was now working for the light. How naïve he was to believe that thersal shit. Severus figured that was the beginning of when Albus was trying to sway him away from the Malfoy's, he really detested that man.

Pounding through the claps of thunder, Severus had no idea what time it was he had been up for over twenty four hours and was still working, when the door finally opened and the first thing he saw was an exhausted Lucius with a wand pointing at him.

"Severus? Severus, what are you doing here? Are you okay? Do you know what time it is?" Lucius bombarded him with questions, opening the door for him to come inside and he was soaked to the bone in the middle of the entrance hall, dripping water all over Cissa's floors, she would not be pleased with him.

"I'm sorry to bother you so late Lucius. You know I wouldn't bombard you in the middle of the night if this wasn't important." Severus spoke as he wiped the rain from his face, he watched Lucius' expression changed to curiousness to knowing.
"I understand Severus, what is it that you need?" Lucius questioned, as he whipped up a towel for Severus to dry his hair.

"I was told to discard of these." He handed Lucius his cloak and mask from within his own robe.

"I'll take care of it Severus. Don't worry." Lucius didn't ask questions, he never had to, they had a bond that was understood between the two of them.

"Thank you Lucius. I owe you more than you know." Severus and Lucius hugged tightly, when he heard a baby scream after a round of thunder.
"Would you like to meet your godson?" Lucius smirked as Severus genuinely smiled.

*End Flashback*

"Severus are you ready?" Lucius asked as he was finishing up on his cloak, Severus shook his head blanking out every memory that was forcing its way to the front of his mind.

"Oh um yes, yes." Severus mumbled out as he took a deep breath before slipping back into the role of death eater, of spy, of the savior of the wizarding world, or so he's been told.

"Severus, what were you thinking about?"
"Huh?"

"You had your I'm lost in a memory look." Lucius chuckled despite the situation.

"Oh it was when I brought you the robes and mask, when I got to meet Draco for the first time." Severus reminisced, feeling a clap on his shoulder.

"Bittersweet memory, but we do not want to miss all the fun do we Severus?" He could tell that Lucius had a morbid expression upon his face, even with wearing the mask, his voice was drenched in sarcasm.

Fear and anxiety rose in his stomach, "No. We don't."

"Severus if I don't make it out of this. Take care of Draco and Cissa." Lucius whispered to him, if one knew Lucius Malfoy he never showed expressions towards anyone but those he was close to, and Severus was the only one that could detect that emotions that were in his voice at that moment.

"Lucius, everything will be okay. Its just a march to announce the return of the death eaters. There will be a short meeting and we can go home alright?" Severus tried to calm his old friend down, but he was also giving himself a mental pep talk as well, it's been thirteen years now since the fall of the dark lord, and going back he knew it was coming, he just didn't want it to.

Lucius took a deep breath, "Yes alright, meet up back at the house?"

Severus nodded, "I'll be there."

"Are you ready now Severus?" Severus took a big calming gulp of air; he felt his mask strangle him once again.

"Yes. Let's get this show over with Lucius."

"Hey Severus?"

"Hmm?"

"Be Safe out there."

"You too old friend." The two of them hugged quickly, patting each other on the backs and went to join the march.

Hermione had grabbed a hold of both Ron and Harry's hands to make sure they did not lose each other in the panic that ensued as they tried to get away from the chaos and back to the port key. Hermione started at a run, bobbing and weaving between others that were panic running away from those marching in black.

"'Mione slow down!" Ron called next to her as the trio was being pushed, shoved into, grabbed, and yelled at to get out of the way. Booming sounds thundered around them, making not only the trio but everyone around them duck in panic.

"Where's Fred and George?" Hermione yelled over the chaos that was ensuing, hearing screams around them, explosions happen behind them, smoke and fire were starting to surround them.

"I dunno! We just need to get to the portkey!" Ron shouted over the thunderous noises, the three of them had stopped dead in their tracks.

"Oi you brats watch where your going!" Someone shouted at them, when Hermione was trying to regain her bearings to which way they needed to go, she felt a hand slip through hers as she and Ron were being pushed forward by the mob that had formed behind and around them, Hermione tried to turn around, but Harry had been left behind.

"HARRY!" Hermione shouted as she tried to fight the mob back, but she was being carried away out towards the gates of the pitch.

Hermione called back "Harry?!" but there was no answer, and Ron was pulling her out towards the exit where there were some ministry workers trying to make sure that everyone was safe.

"Ron, Ron? What are you doing? We have to go back for Harry!" Hermione was trying to yank her arm away from Ron so she could go back and look for Harry, but Ron had a death grip upon her wrist.

"Harry will be fine Hermione, we need to get to safety!" They were getting outside of the arena, while everyone was apperating away, there were pops everywhere.

"What about Harry, Ron? He will get left behind, what if those death eaters get him?" Hermione barked at him as there was a huge explosion somewhere in the arena area behind them. Everyone ducked and the ministry workers started to leave the gates of the arena and head towards the chaos, leaving Hermione ample time to get back to Harry.

"It's fine, dad is helping the ministry they will find him." Hermione sighed loudly, as she was being dragged towards the port key, where they saw Fred, George and Ginny waiting for them.

"Oi, where's Harry?" Fred spoke up, as one of them was trading some treats with Ginny.

"We got separated, I wanted to go back to get him…" Hermione trailed off as Ron cut her off.

"Dad told us to get to the port key."

"I'm going back to get Harry." Hermione argued, she wasn't about to leave her brother to the death eaters, because Ron was to much of a bloody chicken to go up against them.

"Dad said…"

"I know what he said Ronald, I want to go make sure Harry is safe." Hermione started off at a run down the hill back towards the cacophony, back towards the death eaters, back towards the mayhem.

Hermione pushed her way through all of the other people who were escaping, she heard people behind her trying to yell at her to go back to not go in, but she wasn't listening, the only thing she focused on was to save Harry. As she was getting closer to the arena, rain started to pelt down, immediately dousing the fires that were created by the death eaters. 'Well at least this will cover any sound I make…hopefully.' Hermione pondered as she was trying to stay in the shadows as best as she could, but she was already soaked to the bone.

"HERMIONE!" A breath in her ear scared the living daylights out of her, turning quickly with her wand out, stood Ronald.

"What are you doing here?"

"Well I'm not not gonna help my best mate." Ron chided in as he looked around the corner, Hermione rolled her eyes, 'No its more he didn't want to not get credit for helping the boy who lived when he was in trouble.'

"Alright follow me Ron." Hermione peaked around the corner and they had an opening to a set of shrubs that they can crouch down in before moving up to where Hermione remembered she lost Harry.

"Are you sure we should go that way, mione. I think we should go that way." Ron piped in, as he was looking towards one of the kiosks that was selling souvenirs earlier.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "If you want to split up Ron, fine by me, but I'm going this way." Without hesitation she bolted over to a shrub and kneeled down inside of it, the arena was starting to calm down, the fires were out while the rain still pounded down on them, but you could still hear some of the chanting from the death eaters in the distance.

"Hermione I don't like this."

Hermione growled, he was acting like a spoiled child. "I didn't ask you to come Ron."

"I didn't think you would be able to handle yourself on your own." Hermione raised her eyebrow as she darted behind a tree, 'The insolence of her friend. What he only thought she could handle herself when her nose was in a book? Even though he made fun of her for it.'

While she was hiding behind the tree bickering about what they were doing, Hermione noticed a particular figure in black that was dragging a body behind a kiosk. 'Harry! Wait who is that dragging him…? Wait…Is that Severus?' Hermione pondered to herself as she elbowed Ron and nodded her head over to the figure.

"Oi, look mione there's one of them we could become heros you know if we took out one of them all by ourselves." Ron suggested out of nowhere, while he started pulling out his wand, Hermione quickly lowered his arm.

"Are you daft? Were not taking on a death eater were here to help Harry?" Hermione growled as the death eater walked stood from behind the kiosk and took in his surroundings.

"Yeah and what if he's already back at the port key?" Ron shot back, "We need a reason to be in here." He argued with her, but why couldn't he get it through his thick skull that this was a rescue mission, even if Harry was back at the portkey at least he wasn't forgotten about.

"I'm not taking on a death eater Ronald. That's final." Hermione spoke as she watched as the death eater sent a patronus to someone before disappearing in the thicket of woods that surrounded the area.

"Wait, Ron I thought death eaters couldn't send out patronuses?" Hermione whispered curiously, as this confirmed who she thought the death eater was.

"That's what dad said, they have no happy memories to produce one…" Ron trailed off as the both of them looked over at the kiosks where the body was lying.

"Lets go check." Hermione pushed Ron towards the kiosks.

Severus was one of the front marching death eaters, he kept an eye out for any ministry workers, students or anyone that may be in any sort of trouble. The group of death eaters were marching down the main alley when he saw a blob in the middle of the road, afraid that someone might have been killed in this stunt he wanted to make sure they were alright, so he yelled out "Let us split up into groups."

Most of the death eaters thought that to be a brilliant idea as they hooted and hollered in excitement to go and create chaos and death. As the main group divided into four smaller groups keeping to five in each group, Severus felt a hand on his shoulder, which was Lucius, it was there given code while wearing the masks. He nodded his head towards the blob, while the others were distracted and he slipped away from the shadows of death to hide behind one of the kiosks until his group disappeared into the darkness.

Rain started to drizzle down even harder from the cloudy night sky, Severus left where he had been crouching he could feel that the dirt under his fingertips were turning into mud. Standing, moving over to the middle of the alley way and crouching over the blob, blinking his eyes as large droplets of water came down, recognizing that it was his son,

"Well for fucks sake Harry can you ever be in the right place at the right time?" He questioned nobody but himself since his son was knocked out, he noticed that he had several bruises and scrapes from people running past, kicking him without knowing because of sheer panic.

Severus did not want to take the chance that a rogue death eater would not wander his way to see him helping the boy wonder or his son waking up and freaking out that someone in a mask was carrying him. Instead, Severus dragged his son out of the middle of the road to where he was just hiding behind the kiosks. If any of the other death eaters knew where Harry was it could end very badly for the teenager.

Before Severus left his son, he sent his patronus to Arthur to tell him where Harry was lying, something caught his eye over in the bushes, wondering if it was the rain until he spotted bright ginger colored hair from just above the bush. 'Ahh well at least Harry will be in safe hands as long as Granger's with him.'

Severus followed the imprinted footsteps that were in the dirt as the rain continued, the trail led towards the forest, keeping an eye on his six to make sure he wasn't creating mud prints for the aurors or the kids to track.

Standing at the edge of the forest in the shadows, Severus watched the pair braved the open field to run over to where Harry was lying. He was impressed with Granger's stealth skill even though she was no longer using the time turner this year, it seems that her skills have improved over the summer.

Keeping his head down and in the shadows he caught up with the rest of the rogue death eaters, they had grouped back together in a clearing further into the forest. Entering the clearing, he saw that they actually had a refreshment table, with several death eaters acting as if they were at a random forest party than just having raided a world wide quidditch match, a bit of disbelief and annoyance surged through him.

A voice from afar came over with a couple drinks, "Ahh Severus where did you run off to? Find any good women?!" McNair asked lowering his mask, he pocketed the mask that the dark lord made for him, than lowering his hood as many of the other rogue death eaters had done, he wore a smirk with eyes that burned with a dark vile gleam that was on the edge of madness.

Severus let out a fake chuckle to keep up appearances that he was still on their side, "No, no McNair there was no time for that but a couple of tortures here and there." Hoping to make sure that they believed him no matter the circumstances, a few of them questioned him of how they could trust him, wondering where his true allegiance was, with the dark lord or being a spy for Dumbledore.

"Well I do believe that was a successful first outing of the resurrected death eaters the followers of the dark lord." Dolohov spoke loudly to the group, cheers from some of the newer recruits, glancing around to noticing that a few of his former students had joined the ranks of the death eaters. Recognizing a few of them as ones that were meant to join by their parents and some he was slightly taken aback to see, 'Poor souls. I wish they knew what they were getting themselves into, because most of them will die within the first year.' He thought to himself sadly, sighing and leaning against a rogue tree away from the cacophony but close enough to watch every one of them.

Severus kept his mask on not wanting to let anyone that did not know his mask to know his identity in case said person were caught and wanted to throw his name out there, again. The celebration had officially begun when McNair noticed that most of all the death eaters were accounted for and he pointed up to the sky.

"The Dark Lord lives, let the festivities begin!" Most of everyone's head looked up into the night sky the rain had let up quite a bit since earlier and was now only an overhanging mist, Severus not taking his eyes off of any one of them but taking a quick glance up to see the dark mark was slithering in the sky. 'Well that's not ominous.'

The snake running through the skull fluttered around the sky, bored Severus pulled back his cloak and checked his pocket watch for the first time since he left the tent with Lucius, which felt like a lifetime ago. 'Where the hell was Lucius anyway?' Realizing that he had yet to see Lucius' mask, looking back down at his watch, watching as the time ticked away, the minute hand slowly catching up to the hour hand to reach one in the morning.

Pushing himself up away from the tree, the moonlight highlighting the forest floor as the clouds partially parted, he slipped his pocket watch back into his pocket when a few of the new recruits emerged from the sea of black cloaks to him to introduce themselves. Severus watched as each one of them bowed and introduced themselves to him, thinking that bowing to him mattered, Severus had an inkling that another inner member suggested them to introduce themselves, as a punishment.

"I am Emily Hawkyn." She spoke quite boldly in his presence, remembering the former student she was a Gryffindor, trying to remember her backstory when another one introduced himself. "Names Grant Owlrick" Once again he knew the face and the fact that he was in Ravenclaw, when the last girl spoke up.

"My name is Jenny Obwix." Granted it was a bonus for him now there was something to tell the order, but he gave a gruff response to those that did not understand what they were getting themselves into.

However, the newbies started to give him lip about not shaking their hands welcoming them into the 'club', which always helped him determine if they would be long-term, die or be caught. 'The insolence of these children.' Severus thought as he attempted to push past the small trio, after being bothered for as long as he could take Severus decided that it was time to get back to the Malfoy's manner; he went to leave the forest when one of the girls attempted to grab a hold of his wrist.

"Where do you think you are going?!" Severus let out a malicious growl, yanking his arm away from her as he turned quickly on his heel, his eyes were lit with anger that made the girl back off slightly.

"I was not done talking to you." The girl bravely barked at him attempting to grab a hold of his arm again, however Severus grabbed a hold of her wrist with his wand pointed directly at her throat, her eyes as wide as those of a deer caught.

"Do not fucking touch me." He seethed through gritted teeth and the young woman attempted to pull her arm back and squeaked having seen fear in her eyes, 'Ha if she is scared by me that she won't stand a chance against the dark lord.' He thought to himself, when the boy that was in their little trio stepped forward.

"Let her go." Severus tilted his head over to the boy, all the boy could see were Severus' eyes, and underneath his mask, he had raised an eyebrow.

"NOW!" He yelled, as the boy levitated a fallen branch that was now hurtling towards Severus, but with a flick of his wrist, the tree branch flew in the opposite direction, however the boy seemed determined.

Letting go of the silly chit, pushing her aside back into the growing crowd of death eaters, as the boy threw a simple knockback jinx towards him, and Severus sidestepped it easily and a malicious laugh left Severus' lips.

"Is that all you got boy?!" That egged the boy named Grant on, when other death eaters seemed to notice the chaos forming the created a circle around the dueling pair. He himself threw out only the basic spells no need to torture the boy as of yet, Grant tried to hit him with fallen limbs of trees, rocks, hell he was sure he tried to use a thorn bush against him.

When Grant seemed to be losing stamina, the girl named Emily decided to join in but not in a traditional dueling manner. She jumped onto Severus' back, and started to claw at him, anywhere she could reach, his eyes, she tried to go for his mask but it didn't work, so she went for his neck and arms, which he ended up with several cuts, scratches and bruises.

"Fucking Brat." Severus was trying to get the raving lunatic off his back when he felt a large tree limb hit him in his side.

"Oooff" Knocking the wind out of him, taking deep gulps of air, as the girl on his back was still trying to get the mask off his face. Being doubled over, with his hands on his knees, sweat dripping down his forehead, feeling weight lifted off his back; Grant had swaggered over and kicked Severus in to the mud where he was sitting on his ass breathing deeply figuring out his next move. It was like a game of chess to Severus, figuring out how to be three moves in front of your opponent always worked best for him. They never see it coming.

There was a silence in the crowd of death eaters, when the boy stood in front of him and smirked, "Come on old man. I thought you were like top death eater or that's what I've been hearing."

Severus' mind went into double time, thinking, calculating, pondering what was the boy's next move. 'Top Death eater? Who the hell is saying that? Another thing to figure out…' Breathing deeply, looking at the boy who was standing over him, thinking that he won he had the words of the cruciatus curse on his lips. Before the boy knew what had hit him, Severus swung his leg in an arc, which swept Grant's feet straight from under him and knocking the pompous boy to his ass. Severus pushed himself off the cold, hard ground in lightning speed, straddling the boys chest, his knee on one of his arms, lowering himself towards the boys face and in a malicious, dark, seething voice.

"You fuckers want to play dirty, I'll show you how real death eaters play." Within seconds of finishing the sentence Severus gave the boy a nice right hook, than was standing over Grant before he could even blink, his wand at the ready, with a smirk of pure malice gracing his features, he whispered into the falling darkness.

"Crucio." Grant withered in pain, screaming in pain than going quiet and you could just hear him withing on the ground. Severus would only do the curse for a few seconds at a time, when he felt small fists beating against his back, turning his head slightly.

"Stop it. Please. Im Sorry!" He did as she asked, however, Severus was not done with the boy, he needed to know his place in the ranks of the little 'club' that they joined and how brutal everything was going to be from now on, and it was better that it was coming from him and not another death eater that was actually seeking to murder someone.

Bending onto one knee next to the boy, clutching the front of his robes in his right hand; making sure, that Grant faced him and looked him in the eyes and in a malicious growl Severus warned, "Welcome to our little 'club'."

With that, he gave another good right hook to the boy's face, and he was out for the count. Pushing himself off the ground once again, he noticed that one of the death eaters had been holding the girl named Emily back.

With a wave of his hand signifying that it was okay to let her go, she rushed over to Grant to make sure he was okay. Severus was now ready to leave, when he felt a hand on his shoulder, letting out a growl about the warning he just informed everyone about, he tilted his head again when the hand squeezed his shoulder, signifying that it was Lucius.

"Lucius I do recommend that anymore of these 'recruits' should be taught manners on how to address their superiors." Severus snarled, as he stalked out of the forest and into the cool evening air. Relief flooded him, as he exited the forest, another night survived, that is what matters.

Jogging back into the meadow that was just outside the forest, Severus started to pace with his hands up and above his head, breathing deeply trying to calm himself before he apparated. When he saw another cloaked figure coming out of the forest, slipping off his mask, when he saw Lucius face coming closer to him, "I'm sorry Lucius."

"Don't worry about it Severus, those newbies had it coming." Lucius finished as he was looking back towards the forest.

Severus sighed, "Let's go home Lucius." Lucius nodded, then pointed over to some shadows down the meadow back towards the quidditch pitch.

"Are those aurors?" Severus watched the shadows and his surroundings for any movement, looking at their wand movement and their posture and he could confirm that those were Aurors.

"Yes. They must have been the ones that I called for earlier… Lucius go, ill meet you back at the manor. Call the elves and make sure Draco is home safe." Severus told Lucius, as he refused to take his eyes off the pair of aurors that were lurking about.

"What are you going to do Severus?" Lucius asked quickly.

"I'm going to push them a bit in a particular direction." Severus whispered as they were inching closer, casting a disillusionment charm on himself he started to sneak his way over to where the aurors were meandering about.

Lucius nodded, "Just make it home." With that sentiment, Lucius was off bounding off away from the aurors.

Reaching the main alleyway for the fourth time that evening within a few minutes of departing from Lucius, when he heard voices coming from where he needed to go, as they were searching the kiosks that lay in crumbles in the mud. Severus was limited on his options and time. Severus was about to cast a spell in the direction, however he caught part of what the two ministry workers were talking about and he caught Harry's name.

Staying motionless, Severus listened intently, "Arthur mentioned that they found Harry Potter near the dark mark that was in the clouds. Some suspect that it was actually the boy that conjured it."

Severus wanted to sigh, but bit his lip, 'I swear some of these aurors are numptys, do they really believe that a fourteen year old boy that isn't allowed to do magic outside of school was able to learn dark magic while staying in the Weasleys household.' Severus thought to himself as the workers passed by him deep in their conversation. Waiting for the pair to get farther down the main alley as he started for his tent once again, flicking his wand over near the forest entrance so that way a spark showed and the aurors were off towards the forest.

Arriving at his destination there was nothing left of his tent but the magic residing in the tents structure, it should have at least protected his personal belongings. Rummaging through the aftermath of the tent his rucksack lay underneath bits of rubble, his book that was laying on the coffee table was under a stray bucket that had landed near his site. Gathering his things, slipping his book, his death eater garb off and into his bag. Checking around him he threw his pack on his back and he was once again ready to travel, checking to make sure there weren't any loitering aurors about, he left the surrounding area.

Walking towards the small town that lay nearby, whispering to the cool night breeze the hint of more rain in the air. "Well that was an eventful evening." Severus whispered to no one but the wind that swirled around in gently caressing his every move, as he continued his trek.

Hermione was holding onto Ron's arm, "Not yet, give it a minute."

"Come on Hermione, Dad's waiting for us…" Ron complained loudly, having forgotten that the death eaters were just marching about this place.
"Ssshhh…we have to make sure they aren't coming back any time soon, Ron." Hermione spoke assertedly, mentally counting the seconds since she last saw the person enter the forest.

"Twenty Nine….Thirty. Alright come on Ron." Hermione pushed her way through the bush, sprinting over to Harry who was starting to wake up, groggily moaning with his hand going straight for his head.

"Harry! Harry? Are you alright?" Hermione whispered urgently kneeling down by his side, as the three of them were covered by the kiosk.

"Hey 'Mione…ya my head hurts…what happened?" Harry asked blinking trying to get his bearings.

"We lost you in the crowd and im guessing by the bruises that are now welting on your face, people kicked you unconscious." Hermione assessed the situation, as she heard a noise from down the way they had just came. Grabbing a hold of Ron's sleeve and yanking him down, he was about to protest when Hermione put her finger to her lips, in a shushing manner.

Peeking her head just slightly above the kiosk, the moon was shining brightly over the muddy terrain, there was a group of people walking towards them. Ducking down quickly, whispering urgently, "Harry can you walk?"

"Whats the matter Hermione?" Harry asked, as he was lifting himself up.

"Theres a group of people coming towards us, not sure if its death eaters or aurors, but I don't think we should wait around to find out." Harry nodded, kneeling down taking a deep breath.

"Okay where to?" Harry asked groggily

"Head towards the mark Harry." Hermione was hesitant

"ARE YOU CRAZY?!" Ron whispered loudly

Hermione sighed, "No, if we head towards the mark now hopefully there will be aurors there to help protect us." Rolling her eyes as Ron unfolded his arms and steadied himself.

"Ready?" Hermione asked as she grabbed ahold of Harry's arm helping to his feet.

The other two chimed in with ready, and off they went hiding by the shadows of the clouds as they made their way towards the pitch, stopping every few minutes to let Harry rest. Whoever knocked him unconscious did a damn good job, he would definitely need to be checked to make sure he doesn't have a concussion, but first they needed to escape from the death eaters.

As they were nearing an opening, Harry stopped dead in his tracks, looking up at the night sky.

"Harry are you alright?" Hermione asked as she looked around their surroundings, gauging their time.

"Hermione what is that?" Hermione looked up knowing full well what it was as she had mentioned something about it just a few minutes ago, now she was extremely concerned for Harry.

"Its his mark Harry." Hermione told him grabbing a hold of his arm, squeezing tightly as a blast from her right side hit a spare tent.

"DUCK!" Hermione barked, as she grabbed a hold of Harry and knocked him down to the ground. Spells were whizzing past their heads as her and Harry were huddled together, Ron was crawling over towards them, soon him and Harry were wrapped arms around each other. None of them looked up because of the flashes of lights were blinding, when they could hear footsteps squishing towards them, voices echoing around them, and at this point they could only pray that it was aurors.

---

Arriving in the small town, the lights of the town were shut off except for the small tavern that lay at the end of the village. Debating weather or not he should have a quick drink before departing, he decided against it wanting to get to the manor to make sure everyone was safe. With a pop Severus was back outside of the manor, checking his pocket watch in the moonlight it was nearing three in the morning it felt a hell of a lot later than that.

Here at the manor, the clouds had dissipated, and the moonlight was shining brightly. Severus was starting to feel the night over his body as he marched towards the house, seeing a blonde man pacing in front of the front door.

"Lucius!"

"Severus!" Severus started to limp on his left leg, apparently the log that hit him was a bit more than he thought it was, closer to the house, to his friend, to a safe haven. Lucius was also making his way over, his expression changing to happiness to concern within seconds, which meant Severus probably didn't look that great.

"Severus are you alright?"

"Probably not Lucius, those little brats were throwing logs at me and I had one on my back for half the bloody fight." Severus was grateful when Lucius took his bag and threw it onto his own back, while offering an arm for him.

"The real question Lucius, how is Draco?" He was instantly concerned for his god son, who at the time they left him in the tent was fast asleep, hopefully he wasn't none the wiser of the events of the evening.

"He is fine, as soon as we left, Naelby took Draco back home informing Cissa what was happening so she wasn't in the dark about everything." Lucius sighed looking up at the house as some of the lights were flickering on.

"Is she still awake?"

"She hasn't been to bed since Naelby arrived…" Lucius trailed off, as they heard the front door opening, and a platinum blonde woman stood in the door way in a robe, with her hands on her hips.

"SEVERUS SNAPE."

Severus whispered in a slight panic, "Why is she mad at me, what the bloody hell did I do?"

He flinched as she marched towards him, feeling Lucius grip lessen, 'She's your wife you coward…thanks for the protection.' Severus gave a mental eye roll as she was standing right there in front of him.

"Cissa, I…I… don't know…" Before he knew it, he was enveloped into a hug, her face was buried into his chest and he could hear her sniffling. Wrapping his arms instinctively around her, he smirked over at Lucius and stuck his tongue out, Lucius gave him an eye roll and folded his arms against his chest.

"Thank you Severus." Severus was slightly confused at the sentiment, taking her shoulders and pushing back slightly to look her in the eyes.

"Whatever for?" She smiled through teary eyes

"For making sure Lucius and Draco got home safely to me." Cissa almost sobbed again as she went back into his chest.

"I do believe this has been an exhausting day for us all, why don't we all go to bed?" Lucius suggested, hearing his wife sniffle, he kissed her forehead, when she finally took in the state of Severus.

"Come on let's get the two of you cleaned up." She led the way back into the house, while Lucius was helping Severus once more.

"I can't believe this is happening again Lucius." Severus took a hold of Lucius' shoulder once more to lean some of the weight off of his bad ankle which was becoming more irritable the farther they got towards the manor.

"I know, but lets talk more over some whiskey and maybe some food." Lucius suggested as he took the weight of his friend.

"Agreed."

Lucius lead Severus into the house and up to his room, where Lucius dropped his bag. "Will you be alright? I just feel like I also need a shower to get this day off of me."

"I'll be fine, yeah but at least it was fun in the beginning…"

"That it was…" Both of their expressions were solemn, when Severus shut the door and hobbled over to the bathroom, calling for Naelby.

The small elf popped into the room, "Master Severus, how may I….Ahh were back that manor. Are you alright?"

"Sadly not Naelby, I think I have a few more cuts and bruises than I would have liked for this evening." Severus growled as he could feel that his adrenaline was wearing down and he was starting to feel every bit of his body.

"What do you need me to do?" Naelby was following him into the bathroom, as he started to strip down, laying his clothes upon the counter, standing and looking at himself in the mirror. He was a sight to see, a giant bruise was starting to form on his left side, 'Welp probably cracked a rib, going to need Cissa to check…' his neck was covered in scratches.

"Bloody chit." Severus grumbled, as he checked the rest of his body, he had several gashes on his arms, 'How the hell did she get me…unless she had a knife.'

"I really hate people." Severus turned to the shower, limping on his bad leg turning the heat up and looking down.

Naelby was right behind Severus making sure that he was there in case he needed anything, "Naelby while Im in the shower could you get my black bag from my backpack and the potions from under the bed?" Severus was barely putting any pressure on his bad ankle at this point and was leaning up against the shower door.

"Of course!" Severus nodded and stepped into the shower, feeling the searing hot water drench over him, leaning his head up against the side of the shower the coolness of the tile against his forehead, helped his relax and let the pain slowly ease away.

'This was a hell of a night, all those students that weren't even in Slytherin who turned death eaters. Everyone assumes its always just Slytherin, but those that were forgotten or lost their way they turn towards what can grant them power and acceptance. Sadly most of them will probably be dead before the dark lord even returns.' Severus washed his hair, watching as the mud and blood swirl around the drain, taking deep calming breaths, when there was a knock on his bathroom door.

"Sev, I have some whiskey and roast beef sandwiches." Lucius spoke, Severus could hear his stomach grumble at the sound of food.

"Be right there!" Severus spoke over the water, he shut the water off, stepped out of the shower looking at dry silk pajama pants on the counter. Not helping the small smile that graced his lips, slipping on his boxers and grabbing the towel to wrap up his hair, opening the door, Lucius was sitting on the bed in his own silk pajamas, his hair was too up in a towel.

"Do you think Cissa would mind looking at this?" Severus asked as he could smell his sandwich and he could feel his mouth salivating, when he was about to pick up his sandwich to take a bite, there was a huff from the door, Severus averted his eyes and met with Cissa's.

"I was um going to…" Severus took a very large bite of his sandwich, she stomped into the room huffing going into his bathroom there was clanking of bottles, Severus laid down on the bed still chewing his sandwich.

"What happened?" She demanded out of him, Severus swallowed his food downing some whiskey.

Severus recounted his tale of what happened before Lucius arrived, leaving out a few details, and stopping when he apparated outside the manor. Hissing as she pressed down against the side, "Well Severus it looks like you cracked a rib and you will need to not do anything strenuous for several days."

Severus groaned, "Yeah, yeah."

"Alright I'm going to leave the two of you alone." She turned to Lucius, looked him deep in the eyes, held his face and kissed him deeply. Then leaning back over to Severus, she kissed his forehead.

"I'm glad you two are safe." She left the room closing the door behind her, leaving the two men to their drink and conversation.

Severus took a drink of his whiskey, sitting up in his bed wincing, taking another bite of his sandwich.

"Hell of a night."

"That's for sure." Severus started to wrap his ankle while taking bites of his sandwich.

"This is it, isn't it?"

"Yes. The dark lord is returning." Severus took a large gulp of his whiskey, accioing his smokes, flicking two out of the back. He watched as Lucius leapt from the bed to open the window, coming back to sit down taking ahold of his sandwich and taking a cigarette from Severus.

"Cissa is going to kill us."

Severus smirked, "I would rather die by her hands."

"Which one of you conjured it?!" A voice boomed at them, as the three of them were cowering together on the ground, their hands and knees now covered in mud and confetti from the earlier celebrations.

"THAT'S MY SON!" You could hear Mr. Weasley's voice from a kilometer away, as he was bolting towards the trio, who were standing and wiping their hands on their clothes.

"Well which of you did it?" Hermione grabbed a hold of Harry's sleeve, which didn't go unnoticed by Ron. 'Oh thank Merlin they are aurors I knew they would be nearby, granted we were almost stunned but hey at least, aurors.' Hermione mused to herself in this dire situation.

The trio didn't say anything.

Hermione watched as Harry looked back and forth between, the dark mark, the aurors, and Mr. Weasley trying to connect the dots after being knocked out.

"Barty you have to be joking, they are only kids?" Arthur exclaimed as he was slowly stepping in front of the kids, Hermione took a deep breath as she noticed that there were three other aurors surrounding them.

"Those people in the cloaks earlier, they were his too? Weren't they? His followers?" Harry interjected, as he side stepped past Mr. Weasley, and directly speaking to Barty. Harry has always was curious about the wizarding world, sometimes he just didn't know the time and place to ask questions.

Looking back towards Mr. Weasley, a nod of confirmation made him gulp deeply, "Than why are you three here?" Barty questioned them as he took a step closer to the group, his eyes squinting like he didn't completely believe Mr. Weasley.

"Well we were on our way back to our portkey when we were separated, Hermione and I continued towards the portkey to check to make sure Harry hadn't made it back there yet." Ron explained making eye contact with the man named Barty.

"That explains why you went to your portkey but why are you back near the dark mark?" Barty raised an eyebrow now even more suspicious of the kids that were standing in front of them.

Hermione stepped forward, "We arrived at the portkey seeing that Harry wasn't there, even though I knew full well that he wasn't going to be because I was holding his hand and lost his grip through the crowds. So I came back here waiting in the bushes near the gates when Ron here joined me…"

Taking a breath to continue when Ron interjected quickly, "We saw a death eater in the field near the kiosks."

Hermione rolled her eyes, crossing her arms against her chest, 'Oh yes tell them that Ron.'

"Where did the death eater go?!" Barty barked towards them, Hermione looked over at him.

"The forest." She spoke as Barty Crouch turned on his heel and was barking orders to the aurors.

When Harry interrupted, "Mr. Crouch. I saw a man over there, he was going off in the direction of the forest."

"I want two groups, one to scope out that area and the other to follow me into the forest." As the aurors disappeared into the mist and fog that started to surround them, Mr. Weasley asked, "Who was it Harry?"

Harry turned to him, "No idea, never saw his face."

After several minutes of walking in silence back to the portkey, Mr. Weasley spoke up. "I'm disappointed in the lot of you."

Hermione held her head down slightly from disappointing Mr. Weasley, she had no guilt for trying to help Harry though. Mumbling out, "I'm sorry Mr. Weasley. I just wanted to make sure that Harry was alright."

"Sorry dad, I was just following Hermione…I just didn't want her to be alone in case she got into trouble." If Hermione rolled her eyes any harder they would have popped out of her head and started down the road.

Mr. Weasley sighed, "I am proud of you though, you kept your nerve in a couple of serious situations." Hermione didn't know what to do or say so she stayed quiet, while glancing over at Ron who was beaming at his fathers approval.

Hermione than heard a whisper in her ear, "Thank you Hermione." Looking over she saw Harry smiling at her.

"I just wanted to make sure you were okay…" Than Hermione turned to Mr. Weasley, "Oh Mr. Weasley I do think that Harry needs to see a mediwitch, I think someone knocked him unconscious pretty good."

Harry groaned next to her, "Hermione."

The next day was a blur, mostly just sleeping from exhaustion.

Hermione had stayed the night in Ginny's room, as she was going to be returning to her parents house a day earlier than planned since she was supposed to stay the weekend with them for the cup. As she was coming down the stairs groggily, the delicious smells of breakfast wafted towards her and she could hear her tummy rumbling.

"Alright calm down, I know its been a while since we've eaten hold on." Hermione spoke to her tummy as she was one of the first three down at the table, the twins were already down there eating some of their breakfast and writing down things suspiciously down on some parchment.

"Wow are you two working on your homework?" Hermione questioned as she sat down next to George, while pouring herself some orange juice when some eggs and bacon floated over to her plate.

The twins immediately laughed, "Oh no not homework Hermione, but a venture that Fred and I have been planning for a couple of years now."

This piqued Hermione's interest, "Oh? Can you talk about it yet?"

She watched as Fred and George look at one another, they shared a look, than in unision spoke "Not yet. "

Hermione chuckled, "Alright you two, but can I be the first to know?"

"Definitely!" Once more in unision, when they heard more footsteps coming down the stairs, it was Mr. Weasley.

"Good morning you lot, how did you sleep?" He ran his fingers through his hair as he plopped himself down into the head chair, looking over at the trio as his plate filled itself with food.

"Like a rock." Hermione exclaimed, when three heads turned towards her with a questioning look upon their faces.

Giggling, "Right…sorry forgot that's a muggle expression."

"Do rocks sleep in the muggle world?" Mr. Weasley asked in between bites of his food, "How do you know if rocks sleep? Or who decided to research that rocks sleep?"

Hermione let him continue his questions before interjecting, "Oh no Mr. Weasley, it's a phrase. Hmmm…. Ah." Taking a quick drink of her juice, she continued, "Last night I slept like a rock, rocks are hard. So I slept hard. Like nothing could have woken me up."

Mr. Weasley was tapping his fork on his lip and thinking about it, "Fascinating."

While Mr. Weasley asked more questions about muggles, there were more footsteps but coming from the garden, it was Mrs. Weasley coming in from the chicken coop with a fresh batch of eggs.

"Morning mum!" The two boys exclaimed as they kissed her cheek.

"Morning love." Mr. Weasley gave Mrs. Weasley a soft peck on the lips, while she set the basket on the counter.

"Morning Mrs. Weasley." There was no response for Hermione, she raised her eyebrow and tilted her head, as Mrs. Weasley turned her back to them, she looked at the three boys and they all shrugged.

Whispering quietly to George, "Do you think this has something to do with last night?"

A loud huff came from Mrs. Weasley from across the kitchen, "I can't believe you were so reckless."

George whispered back, "I think you've gotten your answer, 'Mione."

"You two go upstairs." Mrs. Weasley hadn't turned around, but the boys knew who she was talking to, the boys gave her a sympathetic look and a small squeeze to her shoulder.

Fred leaned down to whisper, "Don't worry her bark is worse than her bite…usually."

They left the kitchen, leaving only Hermione, Mr and Mrs Weasley.

"Mrs. Weasley?" Hermione asked as she took a bite of her bacon.

"How could you be so reckless?" Hermione was confused but slightly touched that she cared so much about her.

"I'm sorry to have worried you Mrs. Weasley." Hermione held her head down once more feeling awful for disappointing the people she considered another set of parents.

"I cant believe you would put Harry and Ron into danger like that." She huffed turning on her heel, her hair looked like fire as did her eyes.

Hermione sat there for a moment, her head had shot up. "I'm sorry Mrs. Weasley, I don't think I heard you correctly."

"You put Ron and Harry into danger last night." Hermione's mouth physically dropped open in surprise. 'Wait she's pissed at me because she thinks I put Ron and Harry's lives in danger, she doesn't even remotely care about mine?' Hermione pondered for a split second as the woman in front of her was fuming.

"I did NO such thing Mrs. Weasley." Hermione spoke confidently.

"That's not what I heard."

"Than you heard wrong."

"Are you calling my Ginny a liar?" Hermione eyes widened, 'Wait how the hell did Ginny hear about any of this?'

"Ron, Harry and I were leaving to get back to the portkey. We got separated. Ron and I went to the portkey but Harry wasn't there. I, me, just me, I gave Ron a choice, but he stayed at the portkey. I went back to the grounds to go look for Harry, but a few minutes later Ron joined me. If you are going to yell, than it should be at the both of us not just me." Hermione backtalked Mrs. Weasley, she watched as Mrs. Weasley came closer to her not saying a word, but within seconds a loud THWACK echoed across the room.

Hermione felt tears sting her eyes, then pain on her cheek. 'Mrs. Weasley just slapped me.' Hermione wanted to cry but she wasn't going to give the woman the satisfaction, "How dare you come into our home as a guest mind you and talk back to me."

Hermione turned to leave the kitchen, her food completely forgotten, where she saw two very smug faces staring at her.

When she pushed past the younger siblings, she heard the whisper, "It was your idea you know."

---

Several days later, Severus had apparated outside Hogsmeade, hiking his rucksack further up his back to make the hour in half hike back up to the school since this was the closest apparition point. Running his fingers through his hair, he limped back up to the school, he didn't want his mind to wonder about what the future was to hold, but his main question even now was 'When will the dark lord return? Why the hell did Albus volunteer the school for the stupid triwizard cup if he knew this was going to happen?' So many questions never enough answers.

Arriving at the gates of Hogwarts, rain had been pelting down on him for the last ten minutes of his hike, the clouds had rolled in while he was lost in thought. It was quaint at first, the warm summer rain dripping down his face, however it was shortly lived when he had nearly slipped into a six-inch deep hole that made his foot and bottom of his pants sopping wet. Now when he walked his foot squelched with every step, and his agitation also grew.

Growling, as he continued his trek the warm rain started to feel frigid as it slipped down his hair, under his shirt and down his bare back. Severus waited for a few minutes to make sure that he had not been followed back to the school, after waiting for a good ten minutes, and a cigarette later, he let himself into the school grounds, closing and re-warding the gates behind him. Severus checked his watch once more; it was nearing noon, and Albus had yet to greet him. Granted he wasn't expecting much since he had sent an owl to Albus after the Quidditch World Cup to inform him that he will be staying with the Malfoy's for a few days, he never got a reply back.

As Severus approached the door-sopping wet, cascades of water fell off, pushing the doors they swung open. His fingers were starting to feel numb from the cold of the rain, his usual caramel colored eyes were bloodshot and getting heavier by the second and his five o clock shadow more prominent with each passing hour. Sighing Severus continued to drag his exhausted body through the halls of the school and down to his dungeons where the drafty air greeted him like an old friend.

Dropping his sack down near his door with a loud thud that echoed through the empty corridor, slipping his wand out of his jacket sleeve he took down his wards having made them quite complex after Granger had pulled her stunt a couple of years ago. Granted it couldn't hurt to have the extra protection up now with death eaters having no fear to roam freely, he was not going to take any chances, not to mention the fact that they would be hosting one soon enough.

Grimacing as he attempted to pick up his rucksack again, he decided to just push it with his ankle, his bad ankle, growling he pushed it right into the door. Limping over to his desk, he opened his bottom drawer, finding his trusty firewhiskey, setting himself down pulling out a new journal and starting to write down everything from the past few days.

Feeling his eyes growing heavy as it became harder to blink, he placed his quill down and rubbed his eyes while pinching the bridge of his nose, he wished that Albus would hurry the hell up so he could enjoy the rain and take a hot shower and go to bed, his ankle was killing him. Speaking of the devil, there was a knock on the door, "Enter."

"Welcome back Severus I heard about what happened at the Quidditch Cup." Severus sighed too tired to scoff at the insolence of this man, recognizing the twinkle that was in the old man's eye.

"Did you hear all of it or just the Auror's version, because unless you have another spy, you haven't heard my side yet." Pouring himself another glass of whiskey, he never offered any to Albus, because at this point he didn't even deserve recognition of an offer.

"Well Severus no I haven't heard your side, you were taking a vacation at the Malfoy's, it seems you were a bit busy gallivanting around." Albus passive aggressively spoke as he took a seat in front of Severus, who just smirked, 'That got under his skin.'

"Mmm." Severus picked up his quill again and continued to write as if Albus wasn't even there, when Albus coughed.

"Well Severus?"

Severus recounted his tale, not leaving any parts out this time, Albus sat there and listened asking questions only when he paused.

When he finished neither of them said anything for a moment, until Severus had a question that he couldn't help but ask, "Albus. Do you know who I sat next to?"

"Hmmm…" It seemed that the headmaster was lost in thought or was ignoring him, he really wasn't sure which one.

"Albus?" Severus sighed, he was ready to take a hot shower, eat some food, take a pain potion and prep for the new year which was only a week away.

"Oh yes, um no I made sure you were in the ministers box though to make light of that horrible mistake that happened at the Ministry." Severus raised an eyebrow

"What do you mean mistake, Albus?" Severus questioned as he leaned back into his chair, folding his arms across his lap, waiting for the answer.

"Severus, you were with the Malfoys, not to mention now with the dark mark in the air, we had to do some cleanup for the school…"

Severus barked out a sarcastic laugh, "Wow. Flabbergasted. That is the best word that comes to mind right now Albus." He was shaking his head when he looked up to see a quizzical look upon the headmasters expression.

"What are you talking about Severus?"

Raising his eyebrows, "Albus." Severus spoke exasperated, "Albus, the Malfoy's are my family, being at the Ministry with them wasn't a mistake I was on vacation visiting them. You can spin it however you want but you and I both know the truth."

"Severus, what did I say." Albus didn't ask a question he bluntly spoke.

Severus knew exactly what he meant, however, with a smirk on his face he stood from his chair, lightly limping on his bad ankle, and moving over to the door to open it.

"I am quite busy as I have just arrived back at the school I must prepare for the next school year." Albus raised an eyebrow and stood up from his chair and walked over to the door.

"Well I'm glad that you see it my way."

Severus snorted, waiting for the headmaster to be right outside of his door, he spoke, "The Malfoys were sitting with the Minister and I'm pretty sure our picture was taken." He then proceeded to watch the headmasters expression change to several different emotions, the last one being rage, and he slammed the door in his face.

"Severus Snape, Open this door."

"Good Night Albus."

Hermione was relaxing in one of the empty compartments with her new books for school specifically her charms standard book of spells for year four, however Hermione was actually lost in her thoughts. Her book bag was taking up the second seat on her side of the compartment, while Crookshanks had joined her, and was snuggled up in her lap purring quite loudly.

A high-pitched scream echoed throughout the train station, Hermione looked outside watching the parents waving back at their kids, after last year she decided to leave her parents at the car, it was easier for her she always balled her eyes out when she went back to school, it gave her some time to clean herself up before getting on to the platform. Through the crowd, she was not able to miss the bright red headed woman and man waving their four children back to school.

Which brought back that fateful morning this past summer, she had been reliving that moment over and over in her head for the past couple of weeks. Wondering if she really was the reckless one, the one time she didn't think and just did, it made Mrs. Weasley hate her…

After that incident, she attempted to write a couple of letters to Mrs. Weasley apologizing, but instead received one from Ron.

Hey 'Mione,

I would suggest stop sending mum messages, shes really upset still and to be honest so am I. You could have gotten me killed, not to mention yourself!

Ron

There were many emotions that flooded her, sadness mostly, she didn't know what to say or do, so she didn't respond to anyone, and here she was now waiting to go back to Hogwarts. Not even sure that Ron or even Harry would speak with her again after the incident at the Quidditch world cup.

Within minutes, the train lurched forward and started to move out of the station to the countryside, looking out the window once again she was curious where the boys were or if they were even looking for her. She knew that if they were looking for her, they would find her eventually granted they were probably going to ask her to do their homework, because they 'forgot' to do it over the summer holidays since Harry had been over at Ron's she doubted they even thought about back to school work but she would attempt to fend them off as long as possible.

As the train was leaving the city, rain started to pelt down against the window making it very hard to concentrate on her book and not fall asleep. She always enjoyed rainy days, during the school year if it was during the weekend she would either go on a walk, get drenching wet but that was usually in the spring, or during the fall and winter she would grab a book sit in her pajamas, and drink hot chocolate all day.

Blinking her eyes a few times, trying to blink the sleepiness from her eyes, she continued to flip through the pages, retaining all the information that she read, she was already a third through the book when a loud raucous noise from down the corridor of the train jolted her senses awake.

Perking her ears up, her senses heightened after using the time turner in their previous year, watching the door out of the corner of her eye while trying to pretend to continue to read. When of course Harry and Ron come running down the train's corridor, sliding to a halt in front of her compartment, bursting into the compartment breathing heavily and their hair was all tussled when they burst out into laugher.

Ron spoke first, "Did you see Malfoys face?!" Hermione shut her book knowing with those two in the room she would never get any reading done.

"Yeah he looked like he just swallowed a dung beetle!" The boys took in Hermione who was snuggled up with Crookshanks, having her small coin purse that she picked up for all of her extra wizarding coins.

"Hey 'Mione we aren't even at school yet and your studying?" Ron quipped, Hermione was flabbergasted, the past couple of weeks she went without speaking to any of the Weasleys and yet he's acting as if nothing happened?

"What?" Hermione didn't know what else to say, she must of held a quizzical expression because he too tilted his head.

"I said that we aren't even at school yet but you're studying…. Gotta listen with your ears Hermione." Ron teased, as he plopped down in front of her.

"You have spoken to me in two weeks Ronald, your mother slapped me. I didn't even know what the bloody hell has been going on, you waltz in here like nothing happened?" Hermione tried to form a proper sentence but she was so lost for words at the moment, she couldn't articulate how she was feeling.

Ron looked slightly panicked, than waved his hand at her, "Old news 'Mione."

"What do you mean old news? It happened two weeks ago!" Hermione quipped back at his passiveness.

"Mum forgave you, all is right for you now 'Mione." Hermione's expression turned to surprise.

"What do you mean your mum forgave me? I haven't heard a peep out of any of you." She did receive a letter from Harry but she wasn't about to throw him under the bus for it.

"Ruddy owl…" Were Ron's final words as they sat in awkward silence until the trolley woman eventually made her way to their compartment.

Sliding their door open, "'Anything from the trolley dearies?"

Ron immediately stood up, "Pack of dribbles and licorice wand….on second thought just the dribbles."

Harry was standing next to him suggesting that he could get him the candy, but his friend waved him off and slouched back down next to the window opposite her. Harry had made his purchase nearly running into the door behind him, I was standing next to him asking for some chocolate frogs and sugar quills.

Eventually the boys were asking her about how the other part of her summer had been, making their way to the quidditch world cup and the death eaters that plagued the event, and how their last two weeks had been. Hermione felt awkward, but it seems like everything has been forgotten but it was still eating at her how they could treat her like family, than throw her away so easily and pick up like nothing happened.

"So if you two have been together for the past two weeks, have you two completed the summer homework?" Both the boys looked at each other and refused to make eye contact with her.

"Come on you two, if you two ever want to be aurors than you will need to know how to defend yourselves." Hermione rolled her eyes as she readjusted herself and crookshanks in the seat.

"Well I don't want to be an auror Hermione I want to be a famous quidditch player, like Viktor Krum." Ron fantasized out loud, Hermione huffed, and they went to go back talking about what Mr. Weasley had come home and said about the event.

Listening to what Ron's father had told him that there were several ministry workers patrolling, but apparently, the death eaters were already inside of the camping area, in between bites of his droobles.

"So, this was planned then, this just wasn't a spontaneous event for the death eaters." Hermione interjected as she hadn't raised her nose from her book but couldn't help but overhear their conversation.

She didn't realize that both boys looked at each other, "What if our new DADA professor will be a death eater? Like hidden in plain sight kind of thing?" Ron quipped, then shaking his head in disbelief.

"Nah Dumbledore would know off the bat…granted he did hire that greasy git."

Hermione audibly sighs, "His name is Professor Snape, Ron." Another thing that Hermione missed was that Ron elbowed Harry in the ribs, snickering into his hand while Harry just shrugged and looked out the window.

Silence fell upon the compartment once again.

Several hours had passed when a whistle echoed through the compartments of the train, being able to see the enormous school from the station in Hogsmeade, the lights of the school made the scene serene and excitement fluttered within her, she was ready to get back to school, she was home.

"Finally were here, I'm starving." Ron grumbled, as he started to clamber out of the compartment leaving his new owl behind, for the elves to take up to their rooms, she really hated how they were being treated without even a simple thank you. Honestly.

"When are you not hungry Ron." Hermione teased; Ron looked as if he was about to say something but shut his mouth. Hermione grabbed her book bag slung it over her shoulders, opening the top and putting crookshanks inside he hated the rain, luckily she put the rest of her snacks in her bag already. Curious about what he was going to say, but she was sure it was another quip about her studying habits or probably making fun of her again in some form or another.

Hermione exited the compartment waiting for an opening to slip into with the crowd that was exiting, the excitement from the other students were radiating, the sounds, the conversations, she couldn't say it enough, she was glad to be back.

Finally finding an opening in between Ginny and a couple of second years, some pushed and shoved others were talking animatedly about the upcoming year, and something about some festival or competition that was going to be held, but she was only catching every other word. 'What? What competition?' Hermione pondered as some were starting to push and shove, but it was finally her turn to exit through the train door, and their waiting for them was Hagrid.

"Hagrid!" Hermione squealed as she ran up to him, hugging him, after last year she kept up sending him owls to keep in touch and asking a few more questions about Care for the magical creatures that he takes care of, it wasn't her favorite subject but the urge to learn was strong.

Hermione waved back at Hagrid as all the students were being bombarded with the rain as it continued its onslaught of the school; they all marched up to the carriages that were waiting for everyone above their first year. Hermione put her bag in the cart, they sent the covered ones this year, which Hermione was eternally grateful for, plopping her bag inside she clambered in herself, appreciative for the warmth.

Picking up her book bag from next to her feet, feeling crookshanks shiver with anticipation of any thunder, holding the bag in her lap to try and comfort him when she heard a few other voices, and splashes coming their way, tilting her head she saw that Neville and Luna would be joining her, Harry and Ron in the magic drawn cart. Ron had taken the seat in front of her; Harry was on his left, Neville made himself comfortable next to her as well as Luna.

Ron sniggered loudly, "Trying to protect your precious books 'Mione?"

Furrowing her brow, rolling her eyes, and ignoring his comment, she held onto the fragile cat that lay in her bag, there was only one real book she was trying to protect but no one will ever know about it. Neville took the quietness to ask her how her summer was and how she went about with her homework and reading.

When Neville stated that, he had grown fond of Herbology over the summer,"That's fantastic Neville, I can write down a couple of books you can read." Hermione suggested as she had brightened up at the talk of academics.

Ron coughed, "Well since we are talking about homework and what not, hey 'Mione if you have time after the feast could you help me?" Hermione rolled her eyes once again, debating whether she should help him, wondering if Harry would need help to. At least when she helped Harry he took it seriously sometimes until Ron joined in and urged her to do it for them so they could go and practice quidditch. If she did not help them, he would probably freeze her out he started doing that in their third year, and Harry followed suit only because Ron urged him to.

Feeling that Luna and Neville were watching the conversation, she spoke over the rain that was continuing its downpour, "Sorry Ron not tonight I'm exhausted."

Watching his reaction, he pouted like a small child would when they did not get the toy they asked for. "Well if you didn't study the entire train ride, maybe you wouldn't be so tired to help." He murmured to himself but loud enough for everyone to hear.

Hermione ignored his childishness, she wasn't going to fight him this year, but she wasn't also going to sit down and be taken advantage of. However, Hogwarts came into view and all she wanted to do was jump up and down with joy to get out of the carriage with the skulking Ronald.

Arriving at the school, the rain had finally let up just enough for them to get inside of the school; she waited patiently for everyone else to hop off before she could get down herself. Slinging her back across her shoulder once again, looking around the carriage, she realized the boys were already gone. Huffing, she looked beyond the carriage and taking note that the boys were already heading up to the castle, rolling her eyes, 'Well this a way to start the school year.'

"Thanks for waiting." She griped, as she was breathing heavily as she caught up to the pair with a mewling cat by her side.

"Sorry Crooky." She slipped her hand into the bag to pet his head, he tried to bite her, 'Fair Crooky'

"Well thanks for helping." Hermione noted the sarcasm that dripped from Ron's words, sighing she kept mostly to herself since Ron and Harry were walking just in front of her talking about 'Mad eye Moody' our new defense against the dark arts professor, she wanted to interject some facts into the conversation, but whenever she spoke, Ron spoke over her.

"Ah damn it Snape still hasn't been sacked yet?" Ron groaned loudly, Hermione growled for the past three years, she has been correcting him, and the thought of him saving them time and time again. She couldn't help the blush that rose to her cheeks, when she remembered his baritone laugh, it was one of the small things that she held dearly to her, because she has a feeling that not many people have heard that man laugh.

"Ronald, he is our Professor!" Even in the darkness, she could hear his eye roll.

"Whatever, but why does he have to do check in?" Ron grumbled under his breath, Hermione had been lost in thought thinking that the boys had only seen him in passing, but her heart went a flutter when she tried heard he was doing check in. Attempting to nonchalantly stand taller than the boys to see that the man clad in black, who was indeed standing at the entrance hall checking everyone that came in.

"Because that is part of his job…" Hermione had to bite her lip to hide her excitement to see him and not to scream at Ron for being an absolute wanker. Feeling that her stomach was doing somersaults in pure elation as she approached the man clad in black, when she heard Ron mumble some more to Harry.

"Greasy bat of the dungeons." Harry half heartedly chuckled, when she watched as the pair in front of her attempted to maneuver away from Professor Snape, but to no avail.

"Potter. Weasley." His tone was bored but affirmative, looking them up and down with a sneer on his face, the two of them stopped dead in their tracks, they both turned to him, making eye contact, as they got older those two were getting braver or more stupid. Truthfully there was no real in between.

"In." He barked,

"That's where we were going." Harry sassed back to Snape, when the shrieking shack flashback entered her head, she dared a look up at Snape, who raised an eyebrow at the pair of them.

"You two have a track record of," He sneered, "Making an entrance. Ten Points from each of you, for cheek."

"WHAT?! The year hasn't even started!" Ron spoke loudly, Hermione watched as he checked off both of their names on the parchment he was carrying.

Severus smirked, as Ron was throwing a tantrum like a five year old, Hermione pushed the two of them forward. "I'm sorry for the dramatics professor." The two of them were already near the great hall, looking back with death glares, but he paid them no mind.

"Granger." He spoke in a slightly less annoyed voice; having to bite her lip a bit harder, when she felt a blush creep through her cheeks making her heart flutter.

"Professor." She engaged back nodding, as she followed the two boys to the feast that was about to take place, having released her lip that now had a bite mark indent.
Taking a chance glancing back, she saw that he was checking in Neville who was visibly shaking, and Luna who was going on about some magical creature, and she couldn't help the small smile that appeared as he was just nodding either pretending or intently listening to Luna.

Noting that he looked tired, and then another flashback of the end of last year of when he protected her from their previous werewolf DADA professor and that she had seen him without all of his robes on or even a shirt came into her mind clouding what was happening around her. In a dreamlike state she ran directly into the back of Ron, he turned on her looking her up and down. When he was about to say something, Harry wrapped his one arm around Hermione's shoulders and one over Rons.

Harry sighed contently and whispered, "We're home." As he looked up at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

"Watch where you're going 'Mione, thinking about re writing your charms assignment again?" Ron hissed into her ear; he was still a bit perturbed by her answer about 'helping' them with their work.

Sitting down next to Harry, she watched as all the other students filed in sitting at their respective tables, and her favorite professor came stalking in his billowing robes whipping behind him. Hermione smirked, 'He does like his dramatics.' She thought to herself, as she heard loud meowing from her backpack, "Sorry crooky."

Undoing her backpack she let Crookshanks out of her bag, he pounced out of the great hall like he owned the place, pulled out her book, wiping off the cat hair before opening to where she left off, waiting for the first year sorting to begin.

However, a few minutes in, she couldn't concentrate for her life. Random thoughts infiltrated her brain, as it does from time to time, the main question was if he wanted to talk about last year. 'Granted he would have spoken to her last year, right? I took him the wolfbane potion, he had the chance to ask the question if he was going to ask, but does he even know that I know? Like he has too, he's Snape.'

Hermione was lost in thought as the sorting began and everyone else was sitting at the table, not paying attention to the fact that Ron had just elbowed Harry in the ribs to get his attention to nod his head towards her.

"Mione, you okay?" Harry asked, realizing that she didn't hear him, until a hand was waving in front of her face.

"Huh oh, Hey Harry!" Hermione closed her book to have a conversation with the boy she considered her brother.

"Yeah, sorry to bother you but are you okay?" Hermione tensed up for a second, glancing up to Snape at the head table, who in turn was staring at her, she could of died at the gaze he was holding with her.

"Oh I um fine, Harry, sorry just thinking about stuff."

"Oh what are you thinking about?" Ron asked as he was twiddling his thumbs as McGonagall was going through the list of the new first years.

"Nothing." Hermione looked at the innocence of the younger students and how happy they were to be sorted into those known as their family.

"Oh come on Hermione, do you have a crush on someone?" Ron hinted as he rolled his eyebrows, she inwardly cringed at what he just did, but wasn't going to say anything.

"Why do you always have to ask if I have a crush on someone?" Hermione interjected, taken aback that she couldn't be lost in thought about any academics or anything as such, but it has to be about a boy ha or in this case a man.

However, Ron didn't get the chance to answer, when Dumbledore stood infront of the entire school. We were expecting our welcome home speech that he does every year, however, he started a bit different this year, when Filch apparently had wheeled a large statue out from the professor's quarters in the back room.

"What do you think that is?" Harry whispered, both Hermione and Ron shrugged their shoulders.

"Welcome, Welcome everyone to another year at Hogwarts. Usually I have a speech to start with however, this year is going to be quite different." There was a rush of gossip and whispers that echoed throughout the school.

"Yes, yes, settle down. I have some very exciting news to announce, this year we will be hosting an extraordinary event, the Triwizard Tournament." Roars of excitements that bellowed throughout the great hall, when Dumbledore tried to calm everyone down, he continued.

"The Triwizard tournament?" Hermione questioned, "What is that?"

Before she could get an answer the headmaster replied, "Yes, the Triwizard Tournament, three tasks that will test you and push you to beyond one's limits, but the reward." He paused and clapped his hands, "However, I am getting a head of myself, we have even more exciting news."

"Now we aren't the only school pariticpating in the Triwizard trounament, and as hosts that means we are hosting two other schools, so lets introduce the Beaubaxtons and the Durmstrangs."

"Let me introduce you to Madame Maxine, the headmistress of the lovely ladies of Beaubaxtons Academy of Magic!" Dumbledore announced, as the great hall doors opened and two rows of girls who wore silk blue dresses came striding into the hall, doing a small dance as they went.

Hermione watched as the ladies from the Beaubaxtons came sweeping into the room with grace and poise, while most of the male students were ogling the women, as they were flouncing around, Hermione sighed as the boys were clapping quite loudly, standing on their seats whooping and hollering.
Hermione rolled her eyes, as the boys were murmuring about how beautiful those girls were, and she hung her head in her hand waiting to see who the next school was that Hogwarts hosted. The ladies finished their dance and went to sit down at a table, while one of the younger girls was doing acrobatics down the main alley to the head table. They each bowed and sat down, when Dumbledore interrupted the clapping and hollering.

"Now time to introduce Igor Karkaroff the headmaster of the Sons of Durmstrang." The great hall doors burst open, several young men came running into the room, doing backflips and tricks up the main walkway of the great hall.

Everyone in the great hall stood to see the acrobats that were happening around them, when Ron spoke up, "Is that…is that Viktor Krum?"
Ron gulped, as Hermione saw that he had entered with the headmaster, 'Interesting, wonder if they are related, or if its just cause he's famous.' Hermione pondered as she sat back down and Dumbledore stood once more.

"Yes very exciting indeed. We have an official Ministry worker here to explain the rules of the upcoming tournament, let's give a warm welcome to Mr. Barty Crouch." Dumbledore continued as a ministry official, who was standing in a pinstripe suit stood and gave them a small speech, while one of the new rules that was introduced was that no one under the age of seventeen could participate. He received many jeers and hate for that one.

"Harry! Isn't that the ministry auror who was at the World Cup?" Hermione asked, Harry nodded. 'Was this a coincidence? Or was there a reason that he was the particular ministry worker to be chosen for the job…' Hermione pondered as she heard the headmaster bark at the school.

"SILENCE."

Mr. Barty Crouch explained a few more things about the event and took his seat next to Professor McGonagall. Dumbledore stood once more, striding up to a figure that was standing in the middle of the hall, waving his hand the cover vanished and it was a giant cup, the Triwizard cup. Having blanked out part of the instructions, Hermione came back in hearing, "Just write your name on a piece of paper and put it into the cup, as of now the Triwizard cup has begun."

The boys were engrossed in conversation, when Dumbledore finished everything by saying, "Let the feast begin."

Within seconds, the food was in front of them, Hermione heard her stomach growl, putting food onto her plate, she started to dig in. Listening to the boys moan and groan about wishing they were seventeen to participate in the Triwizard tournament.

After watching the spectacle that occurred, Hermione was ready to eat the delicious treats that came along with the welcome back feast, plopping some shepherd's pie onto her plate, always enjoying some comfort food on a stormy night like this.

Listening to the boys go on about how beautiful the Beuxbatons girls were and how he saw Victor Krum the seeker for the Bulgarian team and wondering if he should ask for an autograph. Hermione was curious about what she could learn from them, hopefully test out her French with some of the beaubaxtons, if they would let her at least.

"You know Hermione if you keep eating like that its going to go all to your thighs." Ron sneered as he stuffed another sausage in his mouth.

"You are one to talk Ron." Hermione interjected as she took another bite of food without even glancing up from her book.

"Well Hermione I mean look at those girls from Beaubaxton's, plus I don't have my nose in a book all the time, I do quidditch you know." Ron quipped back, Harry sighed knowing that Ron's onslaught was because Hermione didn't help them with their homework, but at this point why would she, they never showed any type of thanks towards her.

"Good to know that you know what I do of every moment of every day Ronald." Hermione growled and continued reading her book.

Having eaten as much as she could, she waited for the boys to finish up granted if Ron were allowed to he would probably take one or three of everything with him into the common room. Scooping some pudding and a warm tart into a bowl, she began to eat her dessert taking in everyone when she tried and failed to not look up at the staff table to see that Snape and the guy that was the headmaster for the Durmstrang school were in a bit of a quarrel. He had ahold of his arm, when Snape leaned down to talk to the man; he immediately released him and left, 'Wonder what that was all about.'

Taking a couple more bites trying to look as if she was not just staring, she noticed a scowl embroidered onto his face. Gobbling down the rest of her dessert, wondering if the boys were ever going to finish eating, she decided to head to bed.

"I'm off to bed you two, don't stay up engorging yourselves. Oh and do get a start on the homework Ron its due Monday." She teased the two of them trying to lighten the mood from earlier with Ron's sulkiness. Harry had bid her good night; Ron however still seemed to be irritated with her. 'All well that is all on him for messing about and not doing his homework. I would help him, but he just wants me to do it for him. Not going to happen this year.' She thought to herself, grabbing her book bag from underneath the table, and leaving the great hall.

Climbing seven flights of stairs for the first time in three months would wear anyone out. Hermione threw her bag onto her bed, she began to get ready for bed, instead of pulling out her charms book she had been reading, she pulled out her diary that she has started to carry around, mostly to write days events, important notes, frustrations, and notes about potions and the professor that taught it.

Writing down the day's events when there was chatter echoing up through the corridor to the girls dormitory, "Can you believe that was the new defense professor, I mean come on Lupin has been by far the sexiest of professors we have ever had." Pravati was saying as the three other girls followed suit giggling and talking about the 'cute' professors and boys in their class. Ignoring the inane conversation of the girls, when one of them mentioned.

"Anybody notice Snape tonight? I mean he may be a greasy git, but I mean you ever see him run?" All the girls giggled and shoved each other playfully as they continued on another one mentioned something about Draco.

Hermione could only grip her quill and bite her lip knowing who she was writing about in her journal at that moment in time. Than a thought occurred to her, 'What if my crush isn't that bad? But what if they were just teasing one another?' She decided to keep her mouth shut as the girls all but ignored her not even including her in their conversation because 'Ms Hermione Granger only had a love for books.'

She finished writing in her book for the evening, slipping her wand out from her sleeve, casting a complex warding charm on her journal just to make sure none of the girls got any stupid ideas.

Pulling out her blankets from underneath her, snuggling up under them hearing the rain bounce off the windows and the thunder clattering outside, closing her eyes she thought about the upcoming year, and imagined a certain potions professor as she fell asleep with a smile upon her face.

Severus was checking the students in, when he came across the 'Golden Trio.' Exasperated about these three always getting into trouble, at least this year they aren't making an entrance. When he spotted, Ms. Granger, he had pushed it down into the recesses of his mind, last year at the shrieking shack, he was sure that she had been there when a secret was spilled, but he wasn't one hundred percent guaranteed yet.

Severus raised an eyebrow at his son's sass towards him, he hoped that this is what Albus wanted, his son hates him and sees him as ghastly person, but that's what he was told to do.

Now one day, when he does tell him, Severus guaranteed that he would be resented and forgotten, but what difference did that make to every other day.

Ignoring the bumbling idiot that was Harry's friend, Ms. Granger had pushed them along towards the great hall, he was grateful, with the stress that he was already under. After coming back from the Malfoy's, Severus was again in hot water, no one was allowed to tell him anything about the goings on of Hogwarts, which for him was fantastic, less things to deal with. Until he overheard a couple of other staff members, whispering into a corner about Durmstrang and them visiting Hogwarts.

Blinking rapidly, he finished checking in the last of the students, shrinking the piece of parchment to fit inside of his robe pocket to give to Albus at the dinner feast that was about to begin.

Leaving Filch at the entrance hall complaining about the students bringing in mud and dripping buckets of water off each one of them, tracking mud prints, having to deal with other creatures and just a genuine mumble of resentment.

The doors were open with students still filing in, when they saw that he was coming they parted ways to let him through, stalking up to the staff table, taking a glance out the window the storm outside, which had started to rage once again, it has been on and off for the past week.

Severus watched the group of first years march behind Minerva for the umpteenth time, some looking bewildered looking up at the ceiling of the school, the true innocence of first years. They all stood in front of the staff table they all waited to be sorted into their respective houses, as the sorting began, he began to clap as several of the students were sorted into his own house. Recognizing a few of the last names as ex death eaters, there was quite a baby boom around the falling of the dark lord.

Glancing over at a particular trio, he had a thought cross his mind, 'Harry has gotten even lankier, and taller just like myself when I was in school.' When he caught Ms. Granger's eye, she looked panicked, giving her a curious gaze asking a question she tensed, when they both turned to face Albus who stood for his annual speech.

Before dinner started, the headmaster had his usual annual speech that he intended on delivering. However, he did start it slightly different than usual, because as he announced they were hosting the Triwizard Tournament this year, but he already knew that.

Since no one was allowed to share anything to him, luckily Lucius worked within the Ministry, because at the dinner during the summer he was informed of this event. With the info gathered, he found out that Karakaroff was head of Durmstrang, which put Severus on edge, he didn't need another rogue death eater inside of the school, one that would sell him out at the first given chance.

As Albus announced the first school, Severus watched as the young ladies gracefully made their way into the hall to take their seats. However, his eyes were gazing around at the fact that most of the male population stood to watch the girls dancing, echoing through the hall was applause, shouts of 'encore' and some of the female population looking distraught. The headmistress of the Beauxbatons School followed behind the girls as she entered the great hall, there were several gasps around the hall, the headmistress was in fact a giant, she was seated down in between Hagrid and the headmaster.

The headmaster stood again his purple robes swept around him as he pushed himself off his seat, "Now we shall meet those from Durmstrang."

Severus groaned internally as Karakroff led the boys from Durmstrang as they also performed a traditional dance. This time the female population seemed to stand on their seats, swooning, to watch the boys dancing around, rolling his eyes, and knowing that Karkaroff would be sitting next to him since they were old acquaintances and to the fact that there was an empty chair that wasn't here previously. Granted he assumed that this was all Albus' plan, this was going to be interesting as Karkaroff and himself did not get along, whatsoever. He never fully trusted Severus as a death eater, but then again he was jealous of Severus was in the inner circle and Karkaroff was not.

Karakaroff came down the main isle with a boy that was on the Bulgarian quidditch team during the world cup this year. 'Ahhh he does love collecting the best of the best doesn't he…' As Karakaroff greeted and shook the headmaster's hand, and took his seat next to Severus.

"Hello old friend." Karkaroff whispered quietly, holding out his hand to shake.

Severus refused, "Karkaroff."

The headmaster stood for the third time that evening to give the stage over to Barty Crouch who explained more of what the triwizard tournament consisted of. However, when he reached the part of where they are putting an age requirement on the tournament so that those only seventeen and older were allowed to participate many of the students groaned, whined, and threw fits about what the ministry had to say.

Severus was still curious as to why the cup was still happening at the school with what occurred over summer break at the quidditch cup, death eaters confirming that the dark lord was on his way back to power.

As everyone was told to quiet down and explain the next few things about the cup, "Everyone who is old enough and wants to participate than all you have to do is…." He whipped a cloth away from the cup from the middle of the great hall, the reaction that Albus wanted he received, ooos and ahhs loitered the room.

"Is enter your name into the cup."

As Severus was stacking food onto his plate, waiting for Albus to be done talking with Crouch, he had several things that were running through his mind. 'Was Karkaroff at the 'celebration' those nimrod death eaters threw in the middle of a forest? Did he see the duel that happened between them?'

Whenever he chanced a glance over at the headmaster, Severus stood from his seat and went over to him, handing him over the check in sheet. Completely ignoring every word that Karkaroff was trying to spew his way.

"Ahh Severus, weren't you surprised by the announcement today?" Albus spoke loudly enough for those in ear shot could hear, Severus smirked and leaned into the old man.

"Actually no I wasn't Albus." Albus turned his head so quickly he looked like an owl about to hunt down some prey.

"Who told you?"

"That's for me to know and you to find out, Albus." Severus turned on his heel, feeling the old man eyes bore into his back, as he went to go sit back down next to Karkaroff.

When he sat back down, there was movement from the corner of his eye, made him turn his head quickly to see that the new DADA professor has arrived sopping wet, It was Mad Eye Moody. He vaguely remembered him from some of the other order meetings from times past, but they never sat down and chatted, granted he was pretty sure that Moody hated him from being a death eater, and again another person that didn't trust him.

Severus was eating his dinner, between two people who wouldn't bat an eye to kill him, when there was a whisper in his right side of his ear. "So Severus has your arm hurt…at all?"

Finishing his drink, setting his cup back down turning to the man from Bulgaria, Severus knew he needed to keep his calm, slipping easily once again back into his role as death eater/spy mode.

"This is not the time or place, Karakaroff." Severus whispered in a dark, menacing tone. "This is my place of work."

Finishing his second helpings of the chicken potpie he was ready for bed, Severus stood abruptly from his seat, he showed face to dinner and was ready to be alone with his thoughts. Grabbing some of his favorite cake to go, Karakaroff made to grab for his wrist, which he succeeded on doing since Severus was preoccupied with his food, he felt fingers wrap around his wrist.

Severus' right hand twitched to grab his wand but knew that would not be the best decision since Crouch was already watching the two of them intently to see if either of them gave off signs of anything suspicious. Severus pulled his arm away from him, turned his head toward his old colleague with an eyebrow raised, leaning towards the man so only he could hear what was about to be said,

"What the fuck do you think you are doing Karakaroff?" Severus growled through gritted teeth, trying to keep from punching him straight in the fucking face, feeling the mans fingers release from around his wrist.

"We are not done here Severus. We need to talk." Karakaroff tried to give his best intimidation, but Severus had way more practice under his belt, also he was a foot taller than the Bulgarian man.

"Fuck. Off." With those two words spoken Severus turned on his heel, with his cake in his other hand, taking a bite as he stalked out of the great hall with a scowl upon his lips, which a certain know it all took notice of, he went for his personal quarters.

Opening and closing his quarters, Severus paced back and forth between his desk and fireplace. "Fuck." Severus growled as he was reveling in the facts.

One Karakaroff another former death eater would be staying residence at the school, Albus has to have lost his god damn mind, after a death eater attack at a public event lets have death eaters visit the bloody fucking school. Two Barty Crouch was running the triwizard cup event, which meant that the Ministry will be in and out all year long, could go either way on how it could end up. Three death eaters were now making themselves known once again, which is a bad sign for the entire wizarding world and himself. Sighing, apparently I carry the entire wizarding community on my back or so says Albus.

The list could go on for the rest of the evening, but right now, he just wanted to be happy that his son was back and safe. Severus stopped pacing, taking a deep breath to exhale his anxiety, he strode over to his bookcase where he had been hiding a large bottle of Firewhiskey.

Taking the bottle and the tumbler over to the fireplace, with a flick of his wrist a blazing fire stood in the once empty hearth, pouring himself a small bit of the amber liquid in the tumbler, he raised his glass and toasted to no one but himself.

"Welcome home Harry. May this year be ever so kind to you." Downing the drink within a gulp, he hoped it would help ease his mind of all the thoughts, when there was a knock on his door.

Morning arrived quicker than she would have liked, as she heard the quiet pitter patter of the rain that continued through the night and let up just enough to make you want to stay in bed all day. Pushing herself up and out of bed, she was ready to see what her schedule was going to be and maybe even go visit Hagrid and see how he's doing, but first the main thing was breakfast.

Deciding to take the morning to herself, she took her book with her to breakfast, exiting the common room as no one had really woken up yet. Heading down to the great hall, she listened as the rain was pelting against each of the windows, a warm feeling encompassed her and she felt lighter than air at that moment.

Arriving to find a few other students, a couple of staff members, her favorite missing from the table, she sat down as the food smelled delicious, she missed having so many choices to choose from for breakfast, today though she was craving a chocolate chip muffin with some milk. Propping her book open, as she was tearing pieces off and biting into them, when she heard her name being called out.

"Hey 'Mione!" Looking over she saw the Weasley twins and Harry walking into the great hall, waving them over for them to come sit next to her.

"Morning you three, how did you sleep?" Fred and George looked over at each other and smirked

"It was great, we sold a whole case of some of the fudge we have been experimenting with it causes boils so that way one can get out of class." One of the twins spoke as the other raised his hand for a high five.

"You lot I swear, wait was that what you two were discussing over the holidays?" Hermioen asked the pair as they sat down next to Harry.

"Part of it yes, but there is a whole other part that we are still working out." Fred spoke the first half and George finished the sentence.

"Fair enough, what did you think of the announcement of the Triwizard?" Hermione questioned as she took a sip of her chocolate milk, she watched as the boys eyes lit up like fireworks on New Years on the thames.

"Brilliant." The two said in unison, "Granted even though they said seventeen we have a plan to get past that."

"Im not even a bit surprised." Hermione chuckled at the two of them as they continued to plan their concoction, she turned to Harry, about to say something when a voice cut her off.

"What are you not surprised about?" It was Ron and he looked as if he just left the bed, he plopped down in between Harry and George, which in turn George raised an eyebrow at his younger brother, but just kept talking with Fred.

"Oh we were talking about the Triwizard Tournament…" Hermione trailed off, as Ron was dishing up food onto his plate and eating as if he has never touched food before.

In between bites of food, "I…ant…ait."

"Harry what did he say?" Hermione looked over at her friend who chuckled

"I do believe he said he cant wait." Ron was excited at that sentiment.

"Is that what you two did all summer, practice listening while eating?" Hermione chuckled when the hoos of owls and birds started to call for their owners or visitors for gifts, welcome back presents from friends, news, etc.

Harry received the Daily Prophet and was reading through the news article, Ron rarely ever received anything unless it was a letter or a howler from his mother, Hermione wasn't expecting anything and as she debated on going for some bacon, a letter dropped in front of her.

"What?" Looking at the onyx colored owl, which had beautiful green eyes, she picked up a slice of bacon breaking off a piece giving it to the mysterious bird.

"Are you sure this belongs to me?" Opening her palm, asking the bird for permission to pet the creature, he hoo in response, she started to rub her finger up and down his chest feathers. Looking down at the envelope, it was a small brown envelope, with one word in a familiar scrawl, it read Granger. Wondering if she should open it now or in private, she started to carefully open the envelope, wasn't sure who this was from, but with it saying Granger, most likely a professor, and if it's the professor she was hoping it was from, than she wanted to protect this envelope with everything she had.

"Ooo a piece of mail whos it from Hermione?" She didn't answer, but she didn't know herself.

Unfolding the parchment, she recognized the scrawl.

My office, after breakfast. Need to speak with you.

S.S.

Hermione knew what this was about, or so she thought. It was about Harry.

"Well?!"Ron egged on.

"Oh nothing just my cousin…"

"Liar." Ron shoved more food into his mouth, "If your so ashamed of this guy than why be with him?" Ron countered in between bites of food.

"Its fine Hermione, you don't have to tell us, its none of our business anyways." Hermione could feel her heart swell towards Harry, he really is growing up.

"Thank you Harry." As soon as she spoke those words, the one that sent the letter entered the great hall, Hermione tried to hide her smile behind her glass of milk, as she decided to go for some more bacon and another muffin.

As soon as she was full from eating, the boys were still eating and wanting to get some quidditch practice in, even it was starting to rain cats and dogs out, so much for going to see Hagrid today anyways.

"Alright you two have fun and please be safe."

"Will do 'Mione." Harry spoke as he gave her a hug and the two of them were off, she decided to head down to the dungeons early, whether he was done eating or not, she glanced over at the head table and he was already gone.

'Seriously does he have like a trap door or something?' She giggled at the thought as she went down to the dungeons, taking a deep breath before she knocked on his door, waiting for an answer.

"Come in." Hermione entered the head of slytherin's office.

Opening the door, hearing a long monotonous squeak of the door, Hermione slipped inside the room, take a moment to look around she had never been in his office before, it was covered with things in jars. "Good morning Professor."

Severus was sitting at his desk with quill in hand and a cup of coffee by his side, he sighed, "Ms. Granger please take a seat, I want to have a word with you."

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Hey y'all I hope y'all enjoyed the chapter! It took me a hella time to get it where I wanted it! After this particular one I only have really fifth year written so it may take a bit to get the chapters where I want them but I don't want y'all to think that I abandoned this story! Dont forget to review!