Disclaimer: It's not mine. J.K. is a genius and I'm simply a hopeful pantomime.

A.N.: The next chapter, finally posted. I hope you like it, writing it took my quite awhile. If it seems like the action is taking quite awhile to get going, I agree, and I'm doing my best to get it going quicker. It's just not co-operating all that well.

Chapter Five

Scheming and Sneering

A careful driver is one who looks in both directions when he passes a red light.

~ Ralph Marterie

~*~

Two weeks had passed for everyone in the Snape manor, leaving them all to try and find a slightly uncomfortable day to day routine. They hadn't yet come to a solid decision on what they were aiming for nor what their first project should be, or even really had their first meeting to get any closer. Hermione had caught up with everyone in the house, except for Severus Snape and Draco Malfoy, whom were rarely around and when they were, were speaking only to each other. She hadn't spoken to Sybil Treelawney either, though she wasn't all that upset over that.

Hermione hadn't been that sociable to the other houseguests, even though she had caught up with the majority of those residing in the house. She hadn't been overly interested in spending much more time then needed with most. Ginny, however, had been much more gregarious. She had spent the entire time fluttering from one person to another, half the time trying to drag Abby and Hermione with her, although Abby was a great deal easier to convince.

In fact, Ginny had offered to watch Abby today, on the premise to give Hermione a break, and so that Ginny could socialize Abby with everyone else. She had been quite adamant that Hermione would make her a hermit in the house if she didn't help her "make friends". Hermione didn't mind Abby spending time with Ginny. In truth, she enjoyed the time off, allowing her to do the things she loved. Like read.

She had spent a great deal of time in the manor's library, mostly renewing her knowledge of all things magical, the years away from it all had made her knowledge a little rusty.

None of the other houseguests had made so much as an appearance in the library, be it because they had no interest or because they hadn't been given approval from the Professor she wasn't quite sure, but she was glad for it. The lack of interruptions had allowed her to get back up to the level she had been at when she had been in seventh year and ready for her newts, not that she had ever gotten to actually take them.

Today however, it was slightly different. No one was bothering her, not because of lack of interest, but because everyone had been up until morning. Fred had decided they had got a hold of enough fire whiskey and butter beer to finally celebrate the Order reforming. She had managed to get out of the 'party' early, dragging a sleepy Abby off to bed. Since Ginny had promised to watch her when she woke up, Hermione now had the entire morning to herself. Everyone else would be asleep until well past noon, and for Ginny's sake, she hoped that included Abby.

She settled herself comfortably in one of the chairs, loosing herself in a book, one about obscure charms and wand work. It was only approaching about 8:30 in the morning when there was a soft noise of a door in the far end of the library which Hermione didn't seem to notice. What did get her attention was the soft "Good morning Miss. Granger," that came from above her right ear.

Turning quickly, she looked up. "Professor? I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were in here, I could leave..."

"Don't be silly. I gave you permission to be in here, did I not?"

"Yes, professor," she said rather meekly. Why her old teacher always did this to her was really beyond her. She had faced much worse than the strict man and spat in their face (more literally than not, come to think of it), and yet with him she felt like a child.

"And don't call me Professor. I'm no longer one, so it's quite inane to continue with the title. I would have thought you would have figured that out." His sneer was still there, but it was slightly subdued by something.

"Of course, sir, my apologies. What should I call you if I'm not to call you by a title?"

"My name, perhaps?"

"Severus?"

"Very good, Miss Granger."

"It would only be polite for you to use my given name as well."

Severus sighed, before conceding. "Fine, Hermione. Now, may I get to my reading or is there anything else?"

Hermione raised her eyebrow, surprised at his forwardness in the situation. Perhaps he hadn't changed as much as she had thought. Or hoped. He could run into a wall and blame the wall for walking into him. She almost chuckled at that thought, though the appraising glare he was giving her seemed to stem that response quickly.

"No sir, there's nothing else."

Giving a simple nod, Severus walked to the other side of the library, picking up a book and quickly managed to immerse himself in it, not giving the young woman sitting across from him another look.

Yes, he was quite the same as he had been at Hogwarts. Except now he couldn't remove house points. With that thought making her smile, Hermione went back to her book.

~*~

Draco settled to his knees, kissing the Dark Lord's hem, before standing, head still bowed respectfully.

"My Lord," he said as he backed away. This motion was repeated by the others standing in the brightly-lit room. If one thing had changed since Dumbledore's fall, it was certainly the accommodations. Voldemort had taken over the ministry's buildings, Hogwarts, several homes, and many of the more upper class meeting halls and such, like this one. It was a grand hall where they now stood, the ceiling decoration with elaborate mural, while the floor shone as the chandelier light reflected off of it gently. Draco smirked, wondering absently how long it had taken the servants to clean it from their last night of enjoyment.

This, however, was purely business. His colleagues, who had long ago relinquished their Death Eater robe and mask, along with the name, stood around the Dark Lord in a rather assembled circle, though one that didn't demonstrate their true numbers in the least. Only about a fifth of their 'inner circle' was here. Several of the older members, Avery, McNair, his father even, along with several of the newer generation, Zabini, Patrick Parkinson, Pansy's younger brother, and even former Hufflepuff, Hannah Abbot, to name a few.

These members were mostly in charge of knowing what was going on around the Dark Lord's so aptly named 'Domain'. Few of the members here did much of their own dirty work, with the exception of the older generation and a scant few of the newer one. The older members simply enjoyed it too much to give up, and the younger, well, they were just sick fucks in his opinion, not to say he hadn't joined them on occasion.

"Ahh, it is good to see you all. What news is there?"

This was the part that Draco tuned out slightly. Most of the news was redundant tripe that the Dark Lord could care less for, but it did saturate his thirst for news enough that he didn't lash out most painfully at his loyal followers. Nothing new was really brought up, at least not until the Lord got to Abbot.

"And what news do you have?"

"M'Lord," she murmured, kneeling subjectively before him, "I have heard word of stirrings of the forbidden name among servants. Something, Lord, has given them hope once again. They speak as if he returns."

"Is it just ramblings then?"

"No, Lord. It is more than that. It is almost prophetic in tone. They speak of it as if it is written, perhaps not in stone, but in works of a prophet from times past. Lord, they speak as if it was fate."

"Then it is only speculation?"

"Yes, Lord."

Voldemort nodded slightly, considering. Finally, he looked to all his followers. "Keep an eye out. Punish those who speak the forbidden name, or even those who wish to speak of him. Make them know that no hope will find them, and certainly none in him. I expect more news next time we meet. Dismissed."

~*~

The first meeting of the newly re-established order had been scheduled for that night, and Ginny was more than excited. She had always been 'too young' for the order, and now she would be included. She had always been excluded and told it wasn't her business. Now she would know what was going on, have a say. Now she would be treated like all of them should have been treated while at school. The war effected them all, and now they could effect it.

She quickly dressed; sticking her tongue out at her mirror and smirking at the piercing that sat there, newly acquired. She was still fairly swollen, but she still quite liked it. At least her mother didn't know about that one. Pulling her multi-coloured hair back, she grabbed a muggle sweater and headed for the Snape dining room.

Oh, this should be fun. At least it would be the first time she'd see Snape since she got there. Maybe he'd only show up for meetings. That would be nice.

~*~

So she was late. Again. Sighing and shifting Abby from one hip to the other, Hermione hurried down to the meeting place. She knew she probably shouldn't be taking Abby to the meeting, but she wasn't leaving her with a house elf. Not after Kreacher at Grimmauld place.

Entering the room in a flurry of robes and hair, she quickly took her seat muttering apologies to the rest of the group. Everyone seemed to accept it and ready themselves to continue with the meeting, except for Severus. He sat, brow raised at the child squirming in her arms, her rather tangled appearance, as well as her apologetic smile.

"Got lost, did we, Miss Granger?"

"So it would seem, Professor."

Sneering, he hissed, "I thought you agreed not to call me by a faulty title, or has your memory been jumbled as badly as your appearance?"

"Only as badly as yours, since you agreed to use my given name also."

Scowling, he muttered something along the lines of "Fine, Hermione, it wouldn't be too much trouble for you please get settled so we can continue after being so rudely interrupted, would it? Hmm?"

The beginning of the meeting continued much as she had expected it to, with Severus glaring occasionally and her rolling her eyes back, all the while Abby crawling boredly on her lap as the other members discussed what had happened the past two weeks they had been there.

"What should be our first step?" That was Minerva, whom Hermione could only guess was trying to distract her and Severus from the rivalry that had already started.

"Logic would suggest first we need to build up numbers and intelligence, and then devise what our first mission would be," Severus sneered. That man could put a condescending tone on anything.

"Obviously, Snape, really. But we still need to assign jobs, do we not?" Ah, so Remus had thrown in his two cents as well.

"I believe, Wolf, we were just getting to that? Firstly, we should divide into divisions and work from there. We will need a group to concern themselves with information, another for devising tactical measures we can take against Voldemort, and a final group to worry about getting more members and keeping ourselves secret from him."

"And who's to do what?" Minerva asked, but it had certainly been on everyone's mind.

Severus sighed, but continued, "I, along with Draco Malfoy, Miss Granger, Hestia Jones, Miss Weasley and Minerva will work with intelligence. For tactical measures, I think both Messer's Weasley, Shacklebolt, Tonks and Lupin would work best. That just leaves secrecy and recruitment to Miss Patil, Molly, Miss Lovegood, Sibyll and Mr. Longbottom. Is that sufficient?"

"Wait, Malfoy's in this? He's a Death Eater!"

"Very good, Miss Patil, but he's also a valuable source of information and you would do well to remember that," Severus sneered dangerously. Padma sat back in her chair with her arms crossed over her chest. "Good. Does anyone have any problems with the assignments?"

No one spoke, and so Severus continued. "Very well then. I will be the leader of the information team, Kingsley, you shall lead the tactical team, and Molly, will you please lead the secrecy and recruitment team?" At their nods, he stood. "Then that is all for tonight."

He quickly left the room, leaving everyone else in the room looking at each other, slightly surprised by how fast that went, and how little input they each had had. Shrugging, they started to filter out of the room.

~*~

A.N.

Thanks for reading.

Also, I'd just like to say I hope this flows well and makes sense. I can correct the majority of my grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes myself, but flow and logicality of my writing is a little harder to fix myself. Since I don't have a beta, I do the best I can, usually editing until I'm happy with how it goes, but I'm sure I miss things, so if you see anything, please let me know. Thanks.

Thanks for reviewing to the following:

DistinctVagueness: Thanks for the review. Yes, I do plan on having Ron more included in the story. There were several characters who were captured in the 'final battle', and I hope to get to that part soon. I'm not sure how soon we'll see Ron, but we will be hearing of him fairly soon.

deborahfr: Thanks for the review. I'm glad you like the balance. Writing in a post-war makes it a lot harder to plan where everyone is and how they've changed, but it also makes it a lot of fun to be able to reveal piece by piece.

influenze1918: Thanks for the review. I'm glad you're happy that Sevvy isn't the dad. I agree that there has been quite a few with him as a father to Hermione's baby. I don't think I've read of one where Lucius was the father, but there's probably a few out there. :)

And thanks to: sweetbabe, Raclswt, Shocker, Redd7.