5.

                                    Whenever I'm caught between two evils I take the

                                                One I haven't tried yet. –May West

For Hermione, time had past quickly. She spent most of her time in the lab working diligently on her project. Only she was having an appallingly hard time succeeding. In fact every time she would complete a step and make some headway into doing well she would come back to find the project two steps behind where she left off.

To say she was frustrated would have been the understatement of the year. She needed this project to be successful, if not perfect. She had planned on presenting the results at her "interview" only now she couldn't. Of course she could explain the idea and progress she had made but she doubted highly that the Dark Lord would be impressed with just "ideas".  So she sought out help. She had a few minutes before her meeting with Professor Snape. He had definitely shown interest in her project and had helped her obtain many books and scrolls that she otherwise would have never been able to get.

Only there was something odd about the way he watched her work when they shared the lab together. Something in his eyes told her that he wasn't entirely trustworthy. So she had refrained from bringing it to his attention that she indeed was having trouble. But in the end her yearning to excel had out won her suspensions.

            " Miss Granger?" He called as he stepped into the lab.

            " Yes, Sir. I'm here."

            " Good, have you your reports for this week?"

            " Yes, but I'm having a few problems." She noticed Snapes body stiffen at that.

            " What sort of problems, Miss. Granger." He leaned against the table as he spoke.

            " Well you see, it seems that every time I make advances in the development I return to find the potion faulty." She handed over her folder.

            He opened it carefully, his eyes scanning over her report.

            " Have you tried adding the ginger root before the cardinal beak?"

            " Indeed I have sir. In fact, going over my notes along with my calculations the potion should only be a week away from completion. Only I just checked the potion and it seems that its in truth the potion has reverted back to its original step."

            Snape raised his eyebrow in acknowledgment. " Miss. Granger, might I suggest you start over, perhaps the problem lies in a miscalculation on your part." He could tell she was infuriated by this suggestion.

            " Sir that would take months, and I've went over my calculations and they are in theory correct."  She shook her head.

            " Miss. Granger it is only the end of October. I hardly think two or three months would prove implacable to your research. You have until the end of the term to complete your project." Snape noticed her clench her jar and ball her fist.

            " Sir, it is imperative that this potion be ready as soon as possible. I have been working on these theories well over a year now. To start over would be foolish."

            Snape knew he'd have to tread lightly here. If she suspected him to be the reason the potion was muddled then he might as well pick out a nice plot for his grave. Time to give her a little push.

            " Miss Granger, I can assure you that he will accept your eagerness to help, along with your work so far."

            Her eyes widened.

            " Sir?"

            "I have known for sometime now as to why this potion is so important. Why do you think I agreed to allow it?"

            She narrowed her eyes at him. " Sir, I do believe we have two completely different ideas as to the usefulness of this particular potion."

            He laughed a low short gurgle. "You would do good to accept that I am quite aware of your loyalties for they are along the lines of mine."

            It was her turn to laugh. " Sir, I do believe you are wrong."

            A dark mask came across his features as he began to roll up his left sleeve.

            " Miss. Granger, things are not always what they seem."

            He shoved his arm out to her as he quietly spoke. " I wear this mark with pride."

            " Professor, you seem to forget' she said as she looked up from his arm.' I was there when Dumbledore asked you to return to the Dark Lord. And you expect me believe you are in fact faithful to Lord Voldemort?" She smirked, daring him to deny it.

            Snapes eyes flashed, as he rolled his sleeve down.

            "If I were in fact against Lord Voldemort do you think him to be a fool not to see through me? I am quite talented in most areas but acting is not one of my fortes. I assure you that we are on the same side."

            He could she was having a hard time excepting this.

            " If you need further proof of my loyalty then know that over the last few weeks if I had chose to do so you could have been turned over to the authorities twice over. But I have been informed by the Dark Lord of your potential and he has asked me to oversea your work."

            " Sir if you are in fact loyal to the cause, might I ask a favor then?" She smiled lightly. If he agreed she could accept him as loyal if he did not she would turn him in.

            " Miss Granger if it is imperative to you, then you have my word." He gave a mock bow.

            " I would very much like to brew a supply of Veritaserum." She questioned.

            His eyes flashed and he stood up straight. " I will supply you with all the ingredients you will need, we can even call it your extra credit for the term." He smirked.

            She nodded her head in agreement, and went back to her botched potion, intent on making up for the lost steps.

            " Sir,' She asked meekly. ' do you really believe he will be satisfied with what I've prepared so far."

            "I can honestly say that he will be thoroughly delighted with your offerings."

                                                ~~~~~~~~~~**~~~~~~~~~~

            Severus was worried. He had not expected her to be so cunning. Her "favor" was a stroke of genius. He knew he'd have to be very careful as to not bring any more suspicions to himself. If he mucked up her "extra-credit" she'd know for sure he was up to something. His mind was reeling as he made his way into the Great Hall for the Halloween feast. The Great Hall was decorated superbly as always. He took his seat at the head table, as his eyes scanned the room. He could see Granger sitting at the far end of the table alone her head bent over a book scribbling onto some parchment, he noticed Potter and Weasley glance down at here every few minutes. He knew she had brushed them off weeks ago news did travel fast through these walls. He was watching her intently as he ate. He wondered how long she had thought about doing this. He understood her desire to be drawn to the dark arts. It was thrilling; there wasn't a day that went by that he didn't have to fight his way back to the light. Each morning he awoke with such a violent urge to submerge himself in darkness that it made him physically ill to deny it, and this girl with such a magnificent intelligence wanted to willing breathe it in. A crushing wave of melancholy flooded through him. He felt saddened that it came to this for her, she was so beautiful and young and she wanted to waste it on something so unworthy. Severus shook his head clearing his thoughts, scoffing at himself. "When did bushy-hair, buck teeth become beautiful? You're loosing it old man. Only she is beautiful." He whispered to himself. He noticed that dinner was over and everyone was getting ready for the dance as Hermione Granger made her way out of the great hall heading for the rose bushes, alone.

            "Oh seek your newer ways and be left in sorrow.[1]" He spoke as he left for his rooms.



[1] - Quote comes from Dorothy Parker   :0)