Chapter 16

(Summer before 5th yr)

The sun came in thru the window, shining so brightly it woke her up.

Yet, it was in a shade of bright orange and furry. It was Crookshanks body that obscured her view. His purrs the only sound she could hear. Which was a pleasant sound to her ears? Or so she thought as she realized how loud they really were.

She stood slowly, making sure not to jostle him too much. He didn't move an inch except for his tale; which he flicked in her direction. Smiling at his antics, she covered him with the blanket and climbed out of bed.

Dressing in some jeans and her father's jumper, she headed towards the kitchen to make breakfast. Her jaw popping as she yawned loudly.

Once done with her morning ritual she began packing for school. Setting a bag aside for the time she stays at the Grimmauld place. She set everything by the floo and went into her lab. She packed everything she needed in case of an emergency and made sure it was secure in the metal box Dimitry had charmed to do certain things. He had also used the spell Zephrine had done to her bag.

Fitting it all in one bag was such a relief. Not that she would use it much. Snape had already agreed to brew her weekly potion.

The one that would make her look a bit younger. She was supposed to take it every Sunday. She was sure she was going to use the time-turner many times the upcoming year so she would have to keep track of that.

Hermione grabbed her purse and set the box inside as she set to clean the house. Crookshanks would be staying, only for a few hours before Dimitry would come by and take him to her parent's current location.

Her parents still called her and sent her messages. But for Hermione, it was painful and relieving at the same time. They were safe but it wouldn't be long before somebody noticed the letters that seemed to follow their location.

She asked them to only write her once every two weeks on different days. They had agreed rather reluctantly. Her father's disapproval had been clear even from the simple letter.

Hermione sighed as she finished cleaning, her mind everywhere.

She was about to leave when she felt a tug; which let her know somebody was coming in. Hope blossomed. But it couldn't be him, could it? She waited by the fireplace, her eyes trained on the door.

It opened to reveal Snape.

His familiar dark eyes fixed on hers as he stepped inside. He shrugged off his robe as he stood there.

"I didn't think anybody would come so I left a few letters on the kitchen table," she said, her eyes holding his to hers.

He looked away, nodding as he replied. "I figured. Dumbledore asked me to pick you up. Said something about Potter wanting you there."

Hermione didn't miss the slight question in his voice. She shook her head as she walked over to him.

"There is nothing between us. His just my best friend. Somebody I haven't seen over two years."

Snape stood by the door for a couple of more seconds before walking past her, carrying a slight smell of herbs and spice. She inhaled and closed her for a second feeling a slight relief at the familiar smell. She shook herself after a while and sat across from him. Her legs curled up under her, she didn't glance at him, knowing it would only look more desperate.

"They send their apologies. Zephrine really wanted to be here but Riddle won't let them leave. It won't be for another week or so before they can." His deep voice filling the room.

Surrounding her soothingly.

Hermione wanted to kick herself. Since when did she act like a lovesick teenager. She wasn't one of those girls. Never would be. She waited to see if he would bring up the giant elephant in the room but when he didn't she lifted her eyes to his.

"We can't act like the kiss didn't happen. It did and now I want more." Her voice almost betraying the fact that she felt slightly nervous. She didn't know what he would say but his next words shocked her slightly.

"I won't act like it didn't happen but we can't really do anything about it. Once we go back you will be my student once more. Yes, you might be slightly older but that doesn't change the fact that I'm a Death Eater or that I'm also older than you by more than 10 years." he said, making sure to emphasize the Death Eater part.

She nodded slightly, her eyes on Crookshanks who had finally wandered out of her room. He had probably gone out the window since she hadn't seen him earlier when she had packed. She touched his tail as he brushed past her, his goal sitting across from her. She waited to see what Snape would do and his reaction shocked her once more.

He let him onto his lap.

Crookshanks turned back to look at her, face smug.

Hermione cocked an eyebrow but inwardly she wanted to be in his place. She didn't comment on it and addressed what he had said.

"I know. As a student and teacher, it would be frowned upon. I'm not asking you to all of a sudden change and be good. I don't want that. I'm attracted to you for you and I'm trying to find out why I am. I don't want to jump into something this big especially when I know next to nothing about you. As for me, you might have known me once but I did change in those two years I was away. But you see, in those two years I was away from you; I still thought about you. A lot."

She paused for a couple of seconds, her gaze meeting his. "Regardless of the fact that I told myself not to. Or that I didn't really want you. I wondered why that was and I'm still trying to figure it out. I don't care about you being older. That never entered my mind. Muggles do it all the time and well we do live slightly longer than them. I'm just asking you not to write me off. Give us a chance."

Snape nodded. "I'll admit that I have never given anybody the chance. I never wanted to. I wonder why now, in the middle of all this, did something like this happen. I won't shut you out but I will say this. I'm not an easy man to like. I won't act like boys your age. I'm not even sure if I can be in any relationship."

Hermione frowned. "You have never dated before?"

He shook his head. "No. I never felt the need. Once, a long time ago I would have but it never happened and I never looked back."

Curious, but conscious that it was too soon to ask, she shrugged. "I've never dated, never wanted to. Harry and Ron never saw me as a girl until the day of the ball. Viktor was the only one that did but I didn't like him like that. I think I would have liked Ron at one point but I could say the same about Harry."

His eyes became darker at the mention of Viktor and she silently wished he would ask about that but he didn't. So, basically, they were in the same place. They could figure it out later when they had time. She brought up another topic that had been eating at her.

"Were you able to make Fenrir Greyback his ally?"

He shrugged once again. "I took him to Riddle but wasn't told if that was what happened. Dimitry thinks so but I won't know until the next meeting. I won't be required to attend until the second week of the new school term. We will still train twice a week, as we did before. Can you handle that?"

Hermione gave him a sly smile. "I'm not at the same level I was when I was before. I know I can."

...0oo0...

She opened the door to the house and was assaulted with loud sounds. She could hear Fred and George bothering their mother while Ginny ran up the stairs.

Hermione walked around him and whispered ever so softly, "I'll see you tomorrow."

Snape set her stuff on the floor and walked back out. "I'll be here tomorrow."

Hermione her things just as Molly walked out into the hallway.

"Hermione, you made it! Come, come, the boys are waiting for you." Molly said as she helped her with her things. So, taking the potion had worked. Molly didn't see much difference but the real test would be Harry and Ron. Hermione ignored Walburga Black's painting, Harry had cautioned her about her and wandered in to see Sirius and Remus talking in the corner. Fred and George were by the window, staring out into the street while pushing each other. She noticed right away that there was a woman she had never seen before.

Her hair a wild pinkish colour. She was talking to Arthur and Bill. Hermione wandered who she was and was shaken out of her thoughts when Ron yelled her name. She turned to see both of her boys running at her. She soon hugged them both and was drawn away from everybody else. They helped her take her things to the room all three would be sharing.

She couldn't help but stare at Harry who was talking non-stop about the adults not letting them in on the meetings. Ah, yes the Oder was active once again. They must have made the house some sort of Headquarters. If something happened; it would be hard to leave.

Harry stared at her as Ron went back downstairs. His eyes searching hers before sitting down on her bed. She put her stuff away and sat down on his bed, facing him.

"What is it, Harry?"

He shook his head, "I don't know. You seem different. I don't know. Plus I'm just irritated. I want them to tell me everything but Sirius and Remus always find excuses. I haven't seen Dumbledore even though the others have. I just want to know what's going. They let Fred and George join the Order. Or whatever they call it."

Hermione stayed stilled and thought of the gift she had gotten him. It would be a day early but anything to distract him. She had asked Zephrine to pick it up for her and she had been keeping it safe in her bag.

She pulled it out and handed it to him. His face brightened, "It's early, Mione."

Making a rude sound, she motioned for him to open it. He did, unwrapping the silver wrapping carefully. Something she hadn't expected him to do. She took in his face and noticed the slight change. His hair was longer and he had lost the rest of his baby fat. He looked quite handsome actually. She smiled since she knew he would never see himself that way.

Harry laughed as he checked out his gift. It was for his wand. So he could polish it and take care of it the right way. She remembered him saying something about Cedric's and she had wanted to give him one. His smile faded a bit as he stared at it longer. He blinked away tears; which made her stand up and sit beside him. She pulled him into a hug as he buried his face into her neck.

"It's one way to remember him, Harry. Don't cry. He wouldn't have wanted you to grieve for long." she murmured, her hand rubbing his arm in a calming gesture.

Harry gave a nod and pulled away as Ron's loud voice called up.

"Dinner's ready!"

He put his gift on the table and they both made their way downstairs. Hermione made sure to act like she was interested and clueless at the same time. Once dinner was done, Hermione headed back to their room. Harry stayed behind so she went along by herself. She ran into Kreacher in the hallway. He threw her a filthy look and muttered under his breath.

"Nasty Mudbloods, always coming to Madam's house. Making it dirty so that Kreacher has to clean it."

Hermione would have ignored him if not for his next sentence which made her curious. Kreacher turned away from her and headed to the third floor.

"I must clean the house all over again. Nasty Muggleborn air, making Master Regulus's room dirty. He, who served the Dark Lord…" His voice faded as Sirius called for him. He changed direction and went back downstairs. Hermione let him pass as he shot her another dark look. She ignored him, mind racing as she tried to think back as to who could Regu...

It was Sirius's younger brother.

Hermione glanced down the hallway before heading upstairs, her steps quite. She didn't know much about Regulus Black but it was a known fact that Sirius had been on the wrong terms with his family. So Regulus had been a Death Eater? She supposed that it was true. She would have to ask Severus.

Wait, since when did she think of Snape as Severus. She reminded herself never to say out loud. It wouldn't do any good if somebody heard her.

She reached the door that had a metal plate with R.A.B on it. His middle name must have started with an A.

She pushed the door open and was immediately able to tell what house he had been in. There was Slytherin banners, posters, flags, and a lot of other stuff hanging around the room. It was a large room filled with heavy furniture and two other doors at the far end. She walked up to the fireplace, noticing the Quidditch plate. It had his name written on it.

Regulus A.Black.

Seeker.

So, he had played on the Slytherin team.

She would have moved on when something shiny glinted from behind the picture she had been about to look at. She moved it slightly and saw a necklace decorated with astrological symbols. She picked it up and shivered as something dark whispered through her mind. Bringing it closer to her face, she noticed the green stones set in an S-shape. Almost like a snake. Very Slytherin. She rubbed it and almost jumped when Kreacher screeched.

"No! Leave that locket alone you filthy Mudblood!"

Turning just in time to see him jump for it, she moved back and noticed Sirius standing by the door. He was staring at the room with a wild look in his eyes.

He eventually turned to look at Kreacher. "Shut up, elf. Leave her alone."

Kreacher snarled and reached for it again. Hermione moved sideways and walked over to Sirius. She showed him the locket, which kept giving her a bad feeling. She turned to look at Kreacher who had stopped his muttering to glare at her.

"Why does it sing dark whispers to me? Does it belong to your family?" she asked Sirius as he reached for it. He also seemed to become aware of what she was talking about since he shivered the instant it touched his skin. He frowned at it.

"No, as far as I'm concerned it isn't a family heirloom," he turned to Kreacher, "What is this doing here? Where did it come from, Kreacher?"

Kreacher seem to shrink into himself as he glanced widely around the room. He kept rubbing his arm and muttering nonsense. Sirius asked his questions louder and Kreacher trembled before shaking his head repeatedly.

"Kreacher must not say. Kreacher must keep the Master's secret."

Secret? What Secret? Hermione pulled her wand out, the fake one at least, and shut the bedroom door quietly. She set a spell to let her know when somebody was coming up the stairs as well a muting spell before turning to look at Kreacher; who had moved further back, touching the wall with his back. Sirius had shifted to look at her for a second, gave a nod, and turned back to Kreacher.

"I command you to answer me, Kreacher."

Hermione would have once been offended on Kreacher's side but she knew better. Kreacher seemed to sag as the command worked on him. His ears went down and he spoke in a gritty angry tone.

"Master Regulus dies because of it cursed locket. He died but saved Kreacher! Don't speak of him. You don't deserve to speak of him! He saved Kreacher and asked Kreacher never to speak about it. But you command me. I must do so now. Sorry, Master Regulus. Kreacher will tell your Mudblood loving brother the truth." Kreacher said. The elf's face was ashen at this point.

Sirius stiffened and swiftly walked over to Kreacher. "What do you mean he died saving you! He was killed by Voldemort!"

Hermione leaned back against the door and watched Sirius become more aggravated as he advanced on Kreacher. Her eyes strayed to his hand, which held the locket and froze. A bit of dark smokey substance was leaking from it. Hermione frowned as she continued to listen to Kreacher tell his tale.

Kreacher continued to mutter and stutter every time he tried to speak which only made Sirius see red. She grew tired of both of their yelling so she took her wand out, pointed it at Kreacher; who reared back in fright.

"Legilimens."

At first, nothing happened, she almost thought it hadn't worked until she was sucked into his head harshly. She saw Kreacher being given to Tom Riddle for a task that took him to a place called Crystal Cave.

He was told to drink from a basin, which turned out to taste awful, made Kreacher beg not to drink. His cries went unheard, Riddle's face a clean blank face. Nothing like what Harry had described him as.

Kreacher finally finished drinking it. He watched Tom Riddle place the locket into the basin and waited for it to fill up once more. He left without a word to Kreacher who was suddenly dying for the taste of water. He turned around, noticing the lake. That meant fresh water. He almost touched the water when a pale clawed hand reached for him. He jumped back in fright.

Kreacher apparated out of the cave. Something Riddle must not have known elves could do. Or that's what she guessed as she saw him drink directly from the faucet in his kitchen. It wasn't long before he went to Regulus Black and told him what had happened.

Regulus asked Kreacher to take him back to the cave. Something Kreacher dreaded. But did as he was told. It wasn't long before he took him there. This time Regulus was the one to drink from the basin. He ordered Kreacher to make a fake locket to look just like the real one and trade to it. He was to take the real one and destroy it.

For it was part of Riddles immortality plan.

Hermione caught that bit and willed Kreacher to finish the memory. She watched in muted horror as Regulus reached for water from the lake and got dragged down by...Inferi!

She screamed for his name and found herself back in her own mind. Kreacher's own screams filling the room.

Sirius had her in his arms as he shook her repeatedly. She slowly came back to her senses and raised her head to stare into his eyes.

"The Locket. It's a Horcruxes. We finally found one."

Sirius drew back, face going pale under his skin. He looked down at his hand, which still held it. He thrust it at her. "Here, find a way to destroy. How…"

Sirius helplessly looked around.

Hermione took a shuddering breath before opening a link between them. She showed him everything once more and watched him lose his composure bit by bit. Hermione couldn't stand to see him like this so she waited until the end of the memory to call for Remus through another link.

"Come to Regulus's room. Sirius needs you."

She didn't give him time to reply before she cut him off. She rose unsteadily, just noticing that she had been sitting on the floor and looked over at Kreacher who had quieted down to whimpers. She sighed and walked out of the room, dropping the spells as Remus came down the hallway. She pointed at the room and walked past him without saying anything. Her mind was racing too fast to actually talk to anybody.

Clutching the necklace in one hand, the whispers becoming louder the longer she held it, she walked into her room and grabbed her purse. She headed back out and towards the loo.

She quickly locked it and putting her fake wand away. Opening her bag she took out a jar big enough to house the locker and put it away. The jar doing nothing to muffle the locket. She took out her notebook and wrote three words that would appear for Dimitry and Severus.

"I found one."

Hermione stuffed the jar into her bag; she wouldn't let the purse out of her sight until she figured out a way to destroy it. She leaned back against the door and waited until she felt the notebook heat up with an incoming message and looked down at Snape's familiar writing.

"Tomorrow we will examine it. Do not touch it more than necessary."

She touched the words as they slowly began to fade and would have shut it when Dimitry's own writing appeared.

"Tell Severus everything. Be safe..."

The next morning she woke a little too warm. It wasn't' until she felt a hand clutch her tighter that she realized that Harry lay behind her. He had probably slipped in sometime during the night and she didn't move since it only seemed to make him tighten his hold.

It wasn't until Ron's voice filled the room that Harry stirred.

He stiffened immediately and gasped. "Hermione? What are you doing in my bed?"

She smiled into her pillow as Ron laughed loudly. "More like why are you in HER bed."

Harry lifted his upper body, his bed hair tickling her as he did so. "I don't know what's so funny…"

His voice faded as he realized the truth of Ron's words.

Hermione couldn't hold it in anymore and burst out into gales of laughter. Harry hit her shoulder as he stood up on her bed. He jumped on her and tickled her as he demanded to know what was so funny. Hermione finally screamed for him to stop but it only made Ron join in on the fun.

That was how Molly found them a few minutes later.

They washed up and headed downstairs to eat while trying to sing an early Happy Birthday to Harry. She watched him smile and blush, forgetting the bad in the world for a little while. Something she had experienced that very morning.

Something she wanted to have with her own Slytherins. She grew sombre as she walked out of the kitchen and went back to Regulus's room.

Snape not far behind. He had arrived early. But had only just made an appearance.

She stared at a picture of young Regulus Black and his group of Slytherin friends. She saw an older boy with long straight hair, which covered his face. He stood out with his tall lanky figure. Touching the picture, she turned partially to glance at Severus.

"This is you?"

He had slipped in without making much noise but she always knew when he was in the room.

He came to a stop beside her and looked at the picture.

He frowned. "Yes, it is. I was friends with Regulus. He was young but smart and always wanting to please those he admired."

Yes, that did fit his image. She turned away from the picture and would have pulled the jar with locket out but paused when she saw Severus cock his head to the side. A second later she saw why.

Sirius stood at the door with Remus. Sirius glared at Severus and stepped in.

"Why are you in here with Hermione, Snape? Is he bothering you, Hermione?"

Shite, double shite.

She had forgotten that Sirius and Remus hadn't known about Severus. Sirius walked up to them, face hard and eyes flinty.

"Do you know he was once accused of being a Death Eater? He was friends with my brother and influenced him to join. That is why Reggie is dead."

Hermione felt sharp anger filter through and she calmly raised her eyes to Severus. He had gone still beside her. Never taking his eyes off Sirius. She glanced at Remus who was watching them cautiously. She really didn't want to deal with this. Hermione leaned back against the bookcase and asked very calmly.

"Why would I know that? Why do you hate him so bad, Sirius? I saw this that night at the Shrieking Shack. Because let me tell you something. He's risking his life for us all. He's doing a lot more than you have ever done. I know what I need to know. I don't need you to point it out. I'm sorry about your brother but don't take your anger on those that don't deserve it. He did what he did in order to bring down Tom Riddle. Do not cast a shadow over his deed with your words."

She paused as he shifted his glare onto her. She lifted an eyebrow. "He's mine now. I'm his handler. So you better never utter a word at him unless its work related. His identity has to stay hidden. Nobody can know. So shut up with this childish anger and leave. Do your duty while we do ours."

Sirius nodded stiffly as he avoided her gaze and walked out. Remus smiled gently at her.

"He'll get over it. If not, I'll deal with him."

He left them alone after a few more words. She groaned and sat down in the armchair by the bed. Snape finally turned to look at her. His eyes showing a bit of surprise which was quickly wiped away when he noticed her looking.

But she had seen it. She took the jar back out and handed it to him. The instant his hand touched it, he hissed, dropping it.

It shattered and the locket fell out. She hurriedly grabbed it, wrapping it in her jumper as she stared at Severus. He was grinding his teeth as he kneeled down. She cleaned the shards of glass with her fake wand and went down to her knees. She was about to speak when he turned his head, his eyes blacker than normal and kissed her hard on the lips.

She stiffened but didn't break away as his lips roughly slanted across hers.

She closed her eyes and gave him what he wanted.

...0o0o0o0o0...

Thanks for reading! :D

Vanee