*Chapter three: Where loyalties lay*

Hermione stared down at the trunk, frowning. There was a silvery snake with green jewel eyes on top of its lid, which became suddenly alive with a mysterious hiss.

"What do you want?" It said in a dangerously low voice, while lifting its body up to face the terrified girl.

"I'm here at professor Snape's order." she lied. "He wants me to deliver a special device." Hermione answered brave, but looked clumsily down at the snake.

"You're lying. My master would never trust a common student with anything inside of this trunk." It hissed murderously.

"I'm not lying." Hermione answered, trying to cover her fear. "Through I have no way to prove otherwise. Professor Snape wouldn't approve your behaviour snake! You're disturbing his work and it's rather important to him!" She explained and tried to show some authority towards the silvery snake.

"It's always important girl…" the snake paused and stared pointedly at Hermione, who finally looked shaken. Snape would kill her for this. And she wasn't even a complied newcomer! She had done it before, in their second year, she had stolen the items for the polyjuice potion. And now, when Snape wasn't even at Hogwarts, she was caught by a stupid green-eyed snake! Life was cruel.

"But I'm willing to open the trunk for you. Even if I don't believe you." Hermione looked up in shock.

"What? I mean…Why?" she asked quickly, before the snake would possibly made up its mind.

"Because I saw my master's sudden disappear this morning with great concern, my little friend. I knew him for a far too long time for not to be concerned by his unusual behaviour. And I'm willing to help him out of his critical situation. Even if this means to ally with a curious Gryffindor student."

"So you think professor Snape is in danger?" Hermione asked her voice barley more than a whisper.

"You are a smart girl. Yes, in grave danger I fear. Otherwise I would never betray his trust like this." The green eyes of the snake light up in a bright green, then the snake fell back into its lifeless form again und with a silent 'click' the trunk opened.

Hermione reached out and opened the lid. Inside she saw lots of letters, some of them seemed to be very old and others looked quite new. There were also some personal notes, as Hermione could tell by recognising her teacher's handwriting, and pictures of people she didn't knew. Carefully Hermione unfolded one of the newer letters.

Dear Severus,

This isn't brave, it's suicide! The dark lord wants your head. You were lucky to fool him once. But none, not even you how he trusted more than anyone else, can fool him twice.

It was very clever to hide behind Dumbledore, my dear friend. But you can't hide forever. That must be obvious, even for you. I mean, you are supposed to be to genius one.

Even if I knew where You-know-who's new residence is I wouldn't tell you. I knew you have other sources, but I would strongly advise you not to do something foolish. Hide or stay at Hogwarts. That's better – for both of us. Be careful.

 Sincerely,

Karkaroff

Hermione looked shocked. Snape had tried to find Voldemort? She had never trusted Snape In first place. He had been one of Voldemort's deatheaters after all. It wouldn't surprise her if he would try to alley with him again, but Dumbledore trusted him. Hermione looked again at Karkaroff's letter. The former Deatheater thought Voldemort would kill Snape as soon as he caught him. So why in bloody hell should Snape try to actually find him? Or did the potions master really think he could spy again after he had been discovered once? It didn't made scene. She reached for another letter.

Dear Severus,

It was good to hear from you again. How is Draco doing in school? He never tells me until I finally get the testimony. He's just complaining about Harry Potter and how he's getting all the attention. He isn't used to stand out off the spotlights, you know. Lucius, how was an abnormal patient with Draco, finally exploded after his last transfiguration marks and said he should spend more time with his books than to complain about Potter. I know what you're thinking Severus. Well, you're probably right. Draco is so much like his father that it scares me sometimes.

Lucius tells me little about the hole situation, but I've noticed that the dark mark on his left arm is becoming more and more visible. But you should know that Lucius isn't actually lucky about Voldemort's return. He simply loved the power Lord Voldemort had promised his followers, but he isn't the person who likes it to be ordered around. After Voldemort's downfall Lucius took his place within the remaining Deatheaters if you know what I mean. He didn't look forward to Voldemort's return, but fears him now to much to resist his calling.

The two of you have always been friends, even after Voldemort's downfall. He thinks highly of you Severus. Former Deatheater or not, Lucius still has much influence. You can trust him enough not to deliver you to Voldemort, if you're going make it careful und silent. I will do everything to help you Severus. Anyway which side you may choose. I hope you know that.

Yours,

Narzissa Malfoy.   

 

Narzissa Malfoy? She was probably Draco's mother, Hermione thought.

Mrs. Malfoy gave information about her husband to Severus Snape? Dumbledore's trusted Potions Master? This was confusion, but never the less most interesting as well. She couldn't resist thinking of Draco's face when he heard about the letters. Hermione flipped through the letters and stopped at one of the notes.

ALIVE: PETER, LUCIUS, CRABBBE, GOYLE, LESTRANG (Askaban), MACNAIR, AVERY, NOTT, NOTT, KARKAROFF and ME

Below Hermione found some addresses and a list full of spells and curses she'd never even heard of before. And there was also a plan of an old castle. But it wasn't Hogwarts. Each single way was marked with red and green lines.

Hermione gathered all the papers inside the trunk again, took it and ran off to the Gryffindor common room, forgetting about the upcoming potions test. 

To be continued.

A/N: Sorry it took me so long to update. Love it? Hate it? Please R&R!