Author`s note: Yes, I know it`s been a long time (getting from there to here *lol*), but I needed the time to decide which way this story will go. I hope you will like it. Please review a lot!!! Oh yes, the story is to be considered AU, since I started before I have read OotP. Nevertheless I try to stay true to character! So that`s that. Thanks again to the lovely LuSa. Hell, I cannot wait to see Jason, Alan and Tom again. And for the first time Gary Oldman, doesn`t he look promising as Sirius Black?

Disclaimer: How could it be different? J.K Rowling rules!!!

Facing demons

She glared at him. Not only was he self-centered, no, he was looking at her as if she merly existed. Great, just great, Hermione thought. She pulled herself together, trying to forget at least for now all the prejudices about Draco Malfoy which kept running through her mind. "So, what is there, that you know about Ginny?" There was a long pause while they simply focused on on another, neither of them willing to shove away their dislike for the other one. At last Hermione spoke up: " Please, if you do know anything useful at all, tell me. You don`t know what it feels like when your best friend is missing and you are in absolute no position to do anything" .

Hell, what did this woman know? Of course he knew what it feels like when you are absolutly helpless. Not only was he missing a friend, no, Ginny Weasley meant much more to him, though he would never admit that to anyone and for instance not to Hermione Granger. What did she know what it had cost him to realize that he needed help, that he could not do anything without the help of her, Hermione Granger. He had to be cooperative, not for his sake, but for her sake.

"Alright, as you have probably already heard there are several rumors that Ginny has been captured by a couple of Death Eaters…" Hermione only nodded. "However" Draco continued "This is as I believe not the case. Ginny is not the only girl who is missing, there are about a dozen by now and they have one thing in common. All were or still are students from Hogwarts. Which means that there must be a connection…." He paused and looked out of the window. "I understand" said Hermione "but where do I come in? ". Silence. Suddenly Draco turned around and looked straight into Hermiones eyes. "We, that is Dumbledore and I". At that remark Draco saw that Hermione had taken a sharp intake of her breath. "Hell, yes Dumbledore and I, what do I need to do to proove to you that I am loyal to our cause? I know my father is a Death Eater and so you have all the right to believe: like father like son. However you must know Dumbledore trusts me." Draco paused, then he spoke again "like Snape". It is true, thought Hermione, Dumbledore trusted Snape and so did she. Somehow she always had looked up to him, in her eyes he was the bravest person in these days and the torture he must endure only let Hermione feel more compassionate towards him. "Alright" she met Dracos eyes on an equal level "proceed". He did not know why exactly, but he feeled relieved.

Darkness……complete Darkness surrounded her. There was no sound,no light. She was alone. She did not know who did this to her and moreover why. She tried to reach her hand out and feel something, anything, it did not matter to her what, but instead she felt nothing. The Void. For the first time in her life she was all alone with nobody to lean on. How can you cope with something you cannot see? Suddenly she had the urge to scream…..a piercing sound and yet there was no reaction. Absolutley nothing. She felt lost.

"Since I have non of the qualification to teach and Dumbledore has no hope that whoever is responsible for this is going to run to him and confess, the only solution is…." "Oh no no no no, don`t tell me what I think what it is. You want me to teach at Hogwarts and gain the trust of this insane man, woman, creature, whatever?" "Yes, that is exactly what WE want of you!" He emphathized the word "We" so that she knew that Dumbledore was involved in this matter, too. Hermione reflected on that and after a while she realized, that this was only logical and that she could be useful in this case for the first time. Maybe she was still able to rescue Ginny and make everybody happy again, including Harry.

"Alright. When shall I start and moreover what do you want me to teach?" That part was what left her the most curious. As far as she knew there was no need for a new professor, especially in those subjects she would be able to teach.

A wave of relief washed through Draco, after all he did not make a mess out of it. His father always made him feel like this, like everything he is responsible for turned out to become a mess. Well, not this time father…..

"Unfortunately or shall I say fortunatley Professor Snape is not able to manage all the work with his classes next year, so he will be able to share them with you" There was silence. Working with Snape…..not that it apalled her, no, but nevertheless she felt unsteady when she gave it a thought. "I assume that this was NOT Professor Snapes idea?" Draco looked at her, surprised, "No, it wasn`t, how did you know?" "Because Professor Snape does not come along to me as the person who asks for help. I even doubt he would accept help when he sees no other way out of the situation. What`s up with him? You must tell me." Why does she preoccupy herself with that matter, Draco asked himself. Infact that was, what Hermione asked herself right now, too. Why was she suddenly so concerned about Snapes well-being? " It is not in my disposition to tell you that, Professor Dumbledore will, or Snape himself for instance, when he thinks you should know it." She suddenly felt like she was slapped but tried not to let show it. "Alright, when do you expect me?" "Does that mean you are willing to do the job?" Malfoy regarded her hopefully. "Hell, yes, I am going to do it, if only for Ginny`s fate and all the others who are captured" Malfoy turned around, so that she could not see the relief which showed on his face. Maybe there was a chance to rescue Ginny after all. Maybe he was not that kind of a dunderhead.

" We expect you in three days, at twelve o`clock, that should do to arrange everything" he muttered and without further comment left the room.

Hermione stared after him, not yet realizing to what she had agreed to in a moment ago. She would return to Hogwarts. And not as a student, but as a teacher. She did not know why exactly, but somehow that gave her a great satisfaction. Moreover she was now Snapes equal, not that she had felt inferior to him before, but now she was an adult.

Oh, this could be fun after all, she thought with a smirk on her face.

"Headmaster, you wished to speak with me?" "That`s quite right Severus. I wanted to inform you, that I have finally found someone with the qualifications who will be able to teach Potions" Severus stared at Albus disbelievingly, normaly it took ages for the headmaster to find someone who is adequate. Well, what did it matter. Infact the sooner, the better, because he would have to face it anyway. Now, he only hoped that it was someone with whom he could at least get along, someone who would not disturb him. After a sharp intake of breath he pronounced the inevitable words: "Who is it then?"

"Hermione Granger"

A/N: I know I know, this is an evil cliffhanger, but I could not resist. I do not know yet, when the next chapter will be posted, but probably around the 1st of September. Until then, I hope that there will be a lot of reviews, because they keep me going. Tell me what you think so far. Shall I continue?