CHAPTER 3

Severus had only one thought in his head as he returned to his class. How could he be so irresponsible and leave this book in his old office? It wasn't even his enhanced potions instructions. It will be worse if the spells he created will fall into the wrong hands.

- Salazar… - he whispered when he remembered one of them. Marked with "against enemies" could result in death at the hand of someone who misinterpreted the concept. Teenagers often exaggerate this word.

After a while, he reached the room. He had moments of peace. The combined seventh year Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw class was one of his favorite activities. The students, despite their opinions about it, had enough culture to focus on the lecture, leaving their prejudices behind the door of the classroom.

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He felt humiliated. And this time, he couldn't even blame Severus Snape for it. He might have thought of returning the book to the professor. Or at least that the notes could contain wrong information. It may have been a joke from a previous user of this book. Sometimes he wondered if there was more James Potter in him than he had previously thought. Until now, he remembered how he felt when he saw the memories of his former potions professor. Shame is an understatement. How could someone like him attract his mother? He wouldn't get involved with someone who was abusing his friends for entertainment. Even Malfoy is better because his behavior was based on some beliefs, but bully someone because he "exists"?

- What are you thinking about? - Ron tried to distract his friend.

Harry Potter felt bad because at that moment he found himself getting better and better at making little lies. - I wonder if it is possible to order additional potions books through the library. I felt satisfaction when that potion came out correctly. I would like to exercise.

- Seriously? - The red-haired boy looked surprised. - When you will have time for it? What about Quidditch?

Harry sighed in irritation. He was far from Hermione and more than once he skipped school for other matters, but he understood why he ended up at Hogwarts at all. Ron must not have understood it yet. - We can play Quidditch at the Burrow. I want to be an Auror on my own, not on the spur of the fact that I am the boy-who-lived. Besides, I think Potions class without our "dear" Severus Snape can be quite enjoyable.

Ron was silent at that. They both got down to work on another potion. Harry needed at least half as good a result as he got yesterday.

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This day was rather difficult. Not only for Hermione Granger. She knew it, but she still couldn't help feeling that she was the only one waiting for the evening to come and only she was afraid that evening. Finally, before the expected meeting with Draco Malfoy, she had another wall to cross. Ginny Weasley.

The brunette entering the Common Room hoped that this time she wouldn't be a witness of Ron and Lavender's public displays of affection. Not that she was bothered by this relationship, but those two issues of kissing in front of the witnesses took it so far that it was starting to get tasteless. And unfortunately it only seemed to bother her.

- Hermione! - Like it or not, Gryffindor had to face the youngest Weasley. - If you don't tell me which of my brothers you like, I'll tell the boys about it.

She wasn't in the mood for it. She approached the younger witch angrily and said in a hard voice - If you want to blackmail someone, check first if that person has material to blackmail you back. I consider you a friend, but if you try to come out against me, I won't hesitate to fight.

- Sorry ... I just don't believe you aren't in love with Ron. That's why you don't want to tell me which of my brothers this is about.

- Haven't you thought I wasn't telling you because I needed a little privacy in my life?

It was another day that ended with a passively aggressive argument with Ginny. And it will end once again with a meeting with Draco Malfoy.

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He doubted she would show up. Granger never liked him. Yesterday's situation may have simply been the result of drinking too much alcohol. He didn't want to give himself hope, but he would never forgive himself if he hadn't shown up. He didn't have much light in his life right now.

- I bet that she didn't show here? - he said aloud to himself quite nervously walking around the Room of Requirement.

- Why did you think I wouldn't come? I'm a little late, but know that I always keep my word.

He heard the girl's voice from behind him. As Draco turned around, he saw that Hermione was concerned. She bit her lip nervously. She was playing with her hair. After a while, she approached him and snuggled up to him. Instinctively he wrapped his arms around her. He didn't know what was happening but decided not to fight her.

- What's going on? - he asked in a whisper. He didn't want to press on her, he hoped that when she calmed down, she would answer him. He knew from experience that when a girl cries, you have to let her finish. The mere presence can serve as comfort.

He heard the crying fade away and her breathing soothing. - I was late because I overheard the Headmaster talking to Professor Snape. Is Severus Snape really going to kill the Headmaster if you fail? Is it true that damned Dumbledore allows you or the professor to become killers?

He knew there was nothing to argue with. - Yes it's true. I have a mark that I have not accepted freely. My mother was in danger and my father wasn't around to help us. I can redeem myself for failing at the Department of Mysteries, but there is a price to pay. My mom insured me. If I fail, my godfather is to help me ... Severus Snape.

- I'm surprised you just tell me all this. - She looked at him with eyes full of sadness.

- Because instead of yelling at me, you hugged me as if you felt sorry for me. I couldn't talk to anyone about it, so you should know what that means to me ... - he answered her truthfully. He was fed up with his situation. He needed someone to tell everything to. - Why aren't you nervous?

His trademark smirk appeared on her face. He didn't know why, but he felt proud of her for that one moment. She rested her forehead against his shoulder and sighed. Then she pulled away from him, and he reluctantly had to release her from his embrace.

- I haven't trusted the "saint"Albus Dumbledore for some time. He's too secretive, and too many things about Harry have been coincidences. Someday I will tell you everything. However, now I will give you one example. Tell me what would your father do if your name was drawn from the Goblet of Fire?

- It's easy. As my magic guardian, he would have access to a magic contract and, based on my age, would withdraw me from the tournament. - he replied without hesitating.

- So why wasn't it done for Harry if withdrawing him from the tournament would have been so easy? - Hermione's face showed anger. - Actually, if it weren't for Harry's presence, You-Know-Who would have a hard time in returning.

- We don't know each other well, but I know you're up to something.- he sighed before adding - You look like Pansy when she comes up with an idea we might not like and which she wants to convince us to pursue anyway.

Hermione smiled. - Sit down and we'll talk. I know this isn't what we were supposed to meet today, but we need to prioritize. For ... There will be time later. I fantasize too much about it with you to let go of the opportunity.

Draco Malfoy didn't know if he was going to be scared of what Gryffindor had come up with or be content that Granger fantasized about him as he fantasized about her.

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Ginny Weasley didn't know what to think about this situation. For a long time she had imagined what it would be like when Hermione finally became her sister-in-law. She was sure they both had feelings for each other. She was met by an unpleasant and quite big surprise. First it turned out that her idiot brother chose Lavender Brown instead of Hermione, and then that, contrary to everyone's imagination, the brunette wasn't in love with Ron.

- Merlin. - Irritated, she said aloud, not paying attention to the fact that she isn't alone in the Common Room.

Ron broke away from Lavender's lips for a moment, which was a feat in itself, and took notice of her. - Ginny, what's going on?

- Nothing special. - she had to give a half-truth quickly, because a lie with the truth is more credible. - I'm not getting along with Hermione lately. I don't know whats happened.

- She must be jealous of me. - her brother snorted so that an outsider could take it as a joke, but she knew he was serious.

The girl on Ron's lap smiled, then said - I doubt it. Yesterday she congratulated me on my relationship with you. She is happy that you are in a relationship with me because she thinks I can make you happy. I was honestly surprised because I was afraid of the atmosphere in the dormitory. I thought that girl was in love with you.

Ginny noticed the shocked looks of both Ron and Harry. Harry muttered something under his breath. Something that sounded weird like "me too."

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The blond looked at Hermione in surprise. She gently ran her fingers over his Dark Mark. With a tenderness he had never known before. He wasn't sure what she just told him. He hoped it was true, so he had to ask again.

- Is it possible? - he felt his voice tremble. He didn't like this obvious sign of weakness.

- I haven't tried it in practice. However, think about it. The Dark Mark isn't rooted in your magic core. It uses magic from it. So theoretically, once the core is removed from the body, this mark should disappear. - She looked at him as a research object. He didn't know if it offended or excited him even more. - Would you like to test my theory?

- In fact, I have little to lose. If I could get my parents out of this hell, I might try to do it. I know that if I do nothing, my chances of survival aren't great. - He saw the gleam in her eyes - What else did you come up with?

- Will you answer my next question? - her smile was getting wider.

- Of course. I think that nothing will surprise me today. - he said it, though he wasn't so sure.

- How could the picture of the war have changed if both your and my parents and Professor Snape disappeared from the battlefield? - she asked. Her voice was charged with confidence. When she saw that after a long moment he still hadn't given her an answer, she began to speak. - Well, Voldemort could have a reduced cash flow if the goblins were given the appropriate information. Severus Snape wouldn't be a double agent, so the information flow would be reduced. Our parents couldn't be used against us. These are just examples.

- Only… How do you want to "disappear" five people without being able to track them? - he doubted that something like this could work. - It's just impossible.

- What if it were possible? Not only Severus Snape is able to create his own spells.

He considered. If it were possible, he wouldn't hesitate to take this opportunity. - If it's possible, I'll marry you.

- Draco, don't throw your words into the wind. You never know when I will ask for it.

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Severus Snape knew it was one of his worst days. He did not expect a good one to meet him anytime soon. If only he had known that his life was about to change 180 degrees, he would have thought twice before ignoring the curly brunette. A brunette for whom, despite mutual dislike, he was a role model for a long time.

Sitting at his desk, he wondered what had happened today. He wasn't expecting the envelope that appeared on the counter.

- A clever spell. - An involuntary smile appeared on his face.

After briefly checking the magic around the item, he opened the letter. The next day it turned out that Severus Snape had disappeared from Hogwarts without leaving the castle wall. And only Draco Malfoy, seeing the smile on Hermione Granger's face, knew that this witch was more dangerous than anyone imagined.

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Did you like it? I wrote this chapter for a really long time. I deleted large chunks several times. So if you don't like it, it's up to you. I like it, that's why it was finally published. Regards Katie-Krum