Author's note: This is getting more into the plot now and I hope you enjoy it. The diary entries will alternate between Snape and Hermione, maybe with a little bit of Lupin thrown in. Each will reflect on their feelings about the other characters and events. All reviews are welcome.

Dear journal,

My day has been rather boring so far and I am dreading having to teach those repulsive first years tomorrow.

I did manage to get a copy of Hermione's timetable, although I did have to break in Professor McGonagall's office in the process. Of course I got away with it. I am Professor Snape and can out wit all the students and the Professors quite easily.

Yesterday I met Hermione alone for the first time since she had returned and it was wonderful. I forgot all sense of time and I enjoyed every moment I spent staring into her picture perfect face. She is just so beautiful that I don't even think she is real. She is like a painting, never changing, always pretty, but unlike a painting close up she is even more amazing than from a distance.

I pine to see her face and I ache inside when I no longer hear her voice. My dreams are full of her glorious face and my heart is full to bursting for love for her.

I want to quench this ever-growing fire of emotion I have for her but I can't.

And to my disgust things have gone from bad to worse.

It was Malfoy at the door. That little rat came squealing to me. First he wanted to tell me his results. I did not want to know his results but I guessed that was not all he wanted. He would not come to me unless he was after something.

I congratulated him for his results and awarded him 5 points, in the hope that he would scuttle off to the rat hole where he had emerged. But he didn't. He stood there grinning at me.

"Anything else?" I said impatiently.

"Here, Professor." he said still smirking, and he passed me an identical letter as the one I had received two weeks prier. "Its from my Dad."

"I can read, Malfoy." I looked at the back. The wax seal was embossed with a skull with a snake protruding from its mouth like a tongue. I recognised it immediately. This was no normal note from a parent.

I had not heard the door shut so realised that Malfoy was still in the room.

"You may go, now." The smile on Malfoy's face disappeared and half- heartedly he left the room.

I must have spent several minutes sitting transfixed on the seal as though it had some charm on it and eventually I brought myself to open it. It took all my strength just to break the seal and when I had at last managed to open the envelope I felt almost drained and came over all weak.

I could predict exactly what would be in letter. I could picture those red scribbles telling my deepest nightmares.

I realised suddenly that this is what Voldermort wanted be to do. He wanted me to break like all his other followers. Become his little spy. His agent in Hogwarts but I am strong.

I told myself this, my sudden weakness dissolved and I unfolded the letter with enthusiasm and with a slight laugh, however nervous it was. There was no way I was going to let Voldermort win even before the games have started.

I kept it together but then I unexpectedly folded. I was so hit by the words, each sticking in my memory like pins, that I could not believe quite what I was reading. It seemed all a horrible nightmare.

Voldermort is threatening to "get rid of" the one I care most about. He did not say in all words that it was Hermione but he said he has spies and he says he senses a weakness in me.

I am becoming ever so confused. Voldermort may be using this as a trap. He may know about Hermione. He may have got some spies around the school. He may be able to tell what my feelings are. I was part of the Death Eaters.

But this is what Voldermort wants me to think. He may not know about Hermione. He may just be playing a huge mind game. He just wants me to join him. It is one ploy.

All these maybes are getting me confused. I have not slept since I read the letter.

What is worse is that I cannot ignore this letter like the others. I have to write back as Malfoy gave it to me. The others I can say never reached me but a witness put this one in my hand.

I have written several replies but all have been wrong in some way. I don't know what to do. I cannot tell Dumbledore, he will get Lupin involved and I am not having that.

I know one thing though, I must find out if they actually know anything about Hermione. I must protect her even if it means swearing allegiance to the Death Eaters again.

Yours Truly,
Potion Master