Once again the disclaimer:  All characters and things in the Harry Potter world belong to J.K. Rowling. Please do not sue me.  I make no money and you would undoubted piss readers off if you delay in continuing the saga as we anxiously await your next book. 

I have cited other fan fiction articles which have inspired me to incorporate their ideas in this story as well.  I encourage you to read them. 

Many thanks to all who have submitted their reviews!  Comments are always appreciated, especially constructive criticism!  Please read and review.

Thanks~ Leyna

Chapter 6: Energy and Unrest

She jogged every morning and studied genealogy in the library between classes. She was getting nowhere on the identification of the seal. Sitting in her usual straight back chair in the library near the restricted section, she pulled some of the rarest history books she could find.  She could feel the weight of the brass in her right hand as she manipulated it with her fingers.  She pressed the seal into her palm as if she could sense and study the markings by the impressions it made in her flesh.  As the pages turned over and over underneath her experienced fingers, there were precious few close resemblances to the seal. The circular metal bore a staff down the middle with a gyrfalcon to the left of the staff and something which could only be described as a light or a star on the right.  She rubbed her thumb over it, pondering it's mysterious meaning.  Small runes decorated the edges like etch marks on the outside of a British pound, but had faded with time.  Their purposes were certainly magical, but when she pressed the metal into the hot wax the runes left no impression.  She was sure the magical autograph was there.  The signature of her mystic kin.  The answers however were not to be found in the library.  They felt just beyond her reach.  She sighed and left the stacks disappointed.  Hermione Granger had found the answers to most all of her problems by seeking advice from the pages of her friends in the Hogwarts library.

Hermione practiced meditation every day and found solace and clarity in the Room of Requirement. She used the time in the morning to focus on remembering dreams from the previous evening.  Sometimes, she had succeeded, but often the recollections were too mundane to be considered valuable.  Once she saw Filch's cat stalking a bird in Greenhouse three and saw she'd uprooted some Wolfsbane cuttings recently potted by Professor Sprout.  No big conspiracy there.  There were quite a few images of Snape grading papers, stalking off into the dark forest, and visions of him hurriedly apparating to 12 Grimmauld Place but nothing special.  Hermione felt strangely alert as she saw him retreating to the forest, like it was dangerous somehow for him.  When she woke from the vision she was covered in gooseflesh.  She couldn't put her finger on it, but then admonished herself for trying to read too much into things.  Hermione knew she was struggling to find a way to make this gift into something useful.  Right now her gift was anything but useful.

Snape liked to use the Room of Requirement during the summer, a change of scenery from his dungeons which offered him anything he might desire in the way of books, or weapons, or atmosphere.  Out of habit went to use it for meditation practice instead of the usual recreation.  Over the years he had gotten out of his previous disciplined habits, and the classes with Granger were for the purposes of helping her to focus.  He felt not nearly as sharp as he once had been in school.  Sure his senses were finely tuned, acutely aware of sounds and movement, but his quick reflexes were reactions to events around him, a heightened perception.  But when he had been in his best form, Snape could almost anticipate events as they unfolded.  He was not only aware of  people and things around him, but also who those persons and things were, seen or unseen.  It was on this day of wanting to relearn that ability he had walked in on her, and was surprised. He suspected most students didn't diligently apply themselves to their studies outside of class, but Hermione was an exception to the rule. She was calm focused, yet appeared to be unaware, or at least unconcerned about his examination of her form.  She breathed from her relaxed position on the floor.  Her graceful countenance made her appear surprisingly more mature instead of youthful.  It was obvious she took this seriously and he could feel her becoming connected to the energies of objects around her.  He left silently, a bit amazed at the signs of her early abilities in conquering an art which took most students years to grasp. 

Weeks flew by and the lessons with Snape continued. She had achieved quite a bit in meditation, however Occlumency provided more of a stumbling block. Hermione was far too intrigued by the visions and feelings Snape was unlocking.  She found herself looking forward to his chanting, a lazy release for her, a way of looking at things easily without her having to work for it.  Still she felt compelled to fight him off, both wanting to see her memories and visions, but at the same time wanting to protect the secrets they held.  Hermione had never felt so conflicted.

Desire and feverish curiosity prodded her to meditate before bed, forcing her mind into the dream about the mist, willing herself to dream it every night until she could uncover it's true meaning. When she saw it she felt alive, desperate, searching for something, an answer. Every fiber of her being felt on fire, flushing her skin, and for the first time she felt a surge of energy pass through her and outward. It was like heat, and passion, uncontrolled frustration. And then it vanished.

She dismissed it and chalked it up to hormones as her monthly cycle came the next day. But then the crashing waves of energy started happening frequently. Usually at night. She felt that this was connected to her family in some way and decided to keep it secret. The dedicated student tried to read up on it in the library but couldn't find anything except information on Phoenixes dying and being reborn and spontaneous combustion. That wasn't it. After a few times, she could anticipate and predict a few seconds before it would happen.

Hermione found herself softening up about Professor Severus Snape. He was a different person than she had previously thought. There was so much more to him: depth, layers, soul. She began noticing his elegance, the movement in his cape when he slinked down the corridors, the velvet purring inherent in voice, his refined facial features and gentlemanly mannerisms. He should have revolted her. He was mean, unkind, unfair, and generally a total bastard in every way. She wondered about his schooling, and then his beliefs, personal concerns. God, this is ridiculous. I need a date. She couldn't wait for school to start.

Hermione had only ever dated Victor Krum. He was a nice boy. Very thoughtful and polite, but they had only ever shared a peck on the lips. He was sweet to her, not very handsome and that's what had attracted her. Victor paid attention. He had invited her over for the summer, but they could see it wouldn't work out. There were no other boys she really found herself interested in. Ron was sweet, he obviously seemed to like her, but they were wrong for each other on so many levels. They'd had huge rows and Hermione didn't think she could tolerate someone that thick for a boyfriend.  She was terribly smart young woman and most boys found that pretty intimidating. After her recent growth spurt, she had developed into a beautiful young woman, however that only made her all the more unapproachable.  Of this she was wholly unaware.

Harry came the week before classes started and they enjoyed the last of the summer. He practiced Quidditch and attempted to teach her improved Wizard's chess skills. She talked to him about how things were going in meditation and Occlumency, but didn't disclose her recent discovery of her adoption. He'd had a more tolerable summer at the Dursley's since his associates had threatened the family if they prevented him from communicating. Since the rescue attempt though he'd stayed with the Weasley's—the closest thing to home he had ever experienced. Molly and Arthur Weasley made him feel like one of their own sons and that deeply touched Harry.

"Hey, Hermione.  How are things going with your Occlumency lessons?"  He winced and it appeared he was almost afraid to ask.   His own dealings with Snape had been far too antagonizing to be considered fruitful for the first 6 months of lessons.

"They're okay I guess.  Sometimes I can block him, y'know, but… it's really kind of helpful to have him unblock visions I've had.  I mean, I've spent a lot of time trying to remember them and understand what they mean, and like with one spell, I swear, in one second he can totally reveal something that would've taken me hours to uncover on my own!  It's kind of  frustrating."  She shrugged.  "And you?  He's been seeing you over the summer right?"

"Yeah.  I'm kind of getting the hang of it.  We're starting to work on helping me choose which memories to show, y'know to mislead someone who'd draw conclusions from those selective memories.  I get screwed up though when I try to omit certain details. He says I'm trying too hard, and told me to 'keep it simple'?"  Harry let out a sarcastic laugh.  "Really, keep it simple.  I mean either someone's going to see stuff or not.  I feel really exposed when he sees the visions, and I got all defensive last time…"

"Harry…what did you do…"  Oh  no, she could see where this was going.

"I nearly hexed him to death the last time he cast Legilimens on me.  It was awful.  Jelly Legs, and Bat Bogey and slugs…all rolled up into one mess."  She stifled a giggle at the thought of that horror. 

"Oh God, what'd he do?"

"He tried to hex me back and missed between his legs flailing around and vomiting slugs.  I didn't have time to apologize.  A 'finite incantantem' later the flappy things on his face disappeared but he was still retching… I thought I'd never live it down.  But the next time he just went over a lot more about how to choose memories, simple ones I didn't have to edit and let them rise to the surface like a bar of soap.  I'm trying anyway."

"I think I'm doomed.  I try pretty hard but I feel like I'm making no progress. I'm not sure what Professor Snape thinks of me.  I hope he doesn't think I'm wasting his time."

"He doesn't."  He said plainly.

"How can you be so sure?"

"He compares me to you all the time.  'If you put in as much effort as Miss Granger…' and so forth."

"You're pulling my leg."

"No, I'm not.  You'll get it.  It just takes time."

"Hey, when's Ron getting here?"  Hermione changed the topic.

"He's right behind me," said Neville Longbottom as he strode in the common room portrait.  He groaned as he lugged in a box of supplies.

"Why didn't you let the house elves…"  Harry grimaced for Hermione's anticipated punch at his arm.

"Harry!  Neville, I'm glad you decided to carry your own things here."

"Don't give me too much credit Hermione, it's just that these are some potions ingredients and plant cuttings for my Herbology independent study.  I didn't really trust leaving then lying around to be knocked over or tampered with."

"Wow!  You're doing an independent project this year?  That's amazing."  Harry said while Hermione's jaw hung open.  It really was.  Neville wasn't the best student, but he was really good in Herbology.  He was only a sixth year student and it was uncommon for any students except seventh year students to take on projects like that outside of class.

Schooling always impressed Hermione.  Neville tried hard, but his lack of confidence had hurt his grades and performance.  It was wonderful finally seeing him succeed.  Even though she was a might jealous that he was doing a special project in his sixth year and she wasn't.  When they discussed their OWLS grades, she could see why Neville had been chosen.  She cheered up.  She did have a lot more to be worried about this semester with her extra classes and new visions.

Soon Hermione was chatting Neville up about his project.  He was studying the effects of moonlight on certain plants, to evaluate why some plants absorbed some of the moon's magical properties and others did not.  The fruits of the research were supposed to be helpful to Snape's long research problems into the active ingredients of the Wolfsbane potion.  Hermione was fascinated and vowed to follow his project closely.  She loved potions, but Herbology was never really a serious subject of study for her.  She excelled at it but it wasn't her first love.  She couldn't understand why she felt so compelled by the topic.

School started and the pressure was on toward the NEWTS. Hermione had of course received top marks on all of her OWLS and was accepted into Advanced classes in Charms, Arithmancy, Transfiguration, DADA, Herbology and Potions.

Professor McGonagall did what she promised in making sure she could help Harry in any way she could to be an Auror. He was accepted into Advanced Transfiguration, Advanced Charms, Advanced DADA, and Advanced Potions, but Harry swelled with pride in that he had pulled off an 'O' all on his own in Potions, 'Exceeds Expectations' in Transfiguration, and received an 'O' in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Professor Flitwick had been a bit more flexible with young Harry for acceptance in his Advanced class.

Amazingly enough, Neville also did well in Potions and miraculously managed to remain in Snape's class as Hermione Granger's lab partner. He was showing quickly that he was made of sterner stuff since the end of last year. Neville Dumbledore had persuaded Severus to allow him to remain there. was excelling in Herbology and DADA. Potions was a logical step toward a career choice as it was very compatible with Herbology. Longbottom was rising to the occasion.

Hermione began to dream more as the weeks into the semester unfolded and heaped more stress on her shoulders. She didn't know why she should be anxious. Her grades were always excellent. She just felt a nagging at the back of her mind.

*****

Hermione thrashed violently and woke up in a cold sweat. It was the third time in one evening she attempted to wrestle herself free of the same nightmare. Each time, upon opening her eyes, the memory of it eluded her. And each time a red-haired, worried classmate knelt outside her door, concerned for a friend who had woken up screaming.

"Hermione? Are you alright?" asked Ginny through the door.

Finally, the sleepy shell recognized her friend's voice and stumbled to open the door. Ginny hugged her, and noticed the tear streaked cheeks of her tormented friend. "What's wrong?" she pleaded. "Tell me."

"I don't know. I know I've been having nightmares, but of what I have no idea." Her voice was a whisper.

They both sat on the edge of the bed in companionable silence. Ginny allowed her to struggle, searching for the stray memories of her dream. The girl nodded and jerked awake, nodded again and jerked awake. Ginny reached out to put a comforting hand on Hermione's shoulder.

Hermione started at the touch and stood up sharply with a gasp. Memories flooded to her without warning, and she crumpled to the floor in horror with a cry which had no voice.

Mortified, the younger Gryffindor comforted her, holding and rocking her as her own mother had done for her on many occasions. Hermione cried and cried, unable to articulate the unspeakable acts which she had witnessed, experienced. She shook violently and an hour later the exhausted girl was asleep in Ginny Weasley's lap.

Harry and Ron noticed when she wasn't there for breakfast and Ginny made her excuses. She knew Hermione would have met Professor Snape before the start of classes, and made her way to the Head Table to pass him a note. Almost the entire Gryffindor table and several other students turned their heads to watch her. This was never done, and it was noticed by the Headmaster who searched the face of the young girl and became concerned.

Professor Snape grabbed the note from a student who could as well have spoken to him and roughly unfolded it. It simply read, "Hermione will be unable to meet with you today and requests she be excused from her class. She is not well." Snape looked with concern to Dumbledore and then to Ginny. A similar note was handed to Professor McGonagall which requested Hermione be permitted to miss her morning classes. The student didn't wait for a reply. She turned on her heel and left the Great Hall to see about her peer after seeing Madame Pomfrey for a sleeping potion.

The healer missed the point entirely. "Miss Granger cannot stay up all hours of the night studying for NEWTS which are months away, and expect me to dispense sleeping potions through a fellow student. If Miss Granger is ill, she must come see me. Should I go to her?"

"No, Madame Pomfrey, that's ok. I'll ask her to come," the disappointed student replied.

"Miss Weasley?" came a firm voice behind her. "May I speak to you privately?"

"Yes, Headmaster." She sighed. She hoped Hermione would be alright until after her meeting.

They exited a spare room in the infirmary. It was a pale room, with only dim light available until Madame Pomfrey drew the shades and allowed the sunlight in. She excused herself.

"Miss Granger isn't studying is she?" Dumbledore deduced.

"No, I mean, yes—but that's not what's bothering her. I'm really worried about her Professor. She's been having terrible dreams. She wakes up screaming. She's not getting any sleep. I think this has been going on for weeks now, but she can't tell me what's happening. This morning, she must have remembered what happened because she cried for an hour. She's sleeping now, if you can call it that. I don't see how she's able to function." Ginny presented her concerned and objective viewpoint and the Headmaster considered the girl with admiration and a smile.

"Hermione has had a great deal on her shoulders of late. I am glad she has you for support, Ginny. I must however, defer to Hermione and allow her to come to us when she chooses. Miss Granger needs to be the one to ask for help, and be encouraged to do so," he added with a twinkle. "If you continue to make requests on her behalf she may stop taking care of her own needs."

"Yes, sir. B-but what if she's unable to? What then?"

"If you are ever worried about her mental status please come to me, Miss Weasley. I am always here to help you if you have need. As is Madame Pomfrey and the other professors including your Head of House. I daresay Professor McGonagall was rather upset to see that you didn't approach her earlier."

"I'm sorry sir. I came right after she fell asleep. She doesn't seem able to talk about it yet."

"Thank you for your loyal and devoted attention to your classmate. She is lucky to have you for a friend." Ginny smiled weakly and excused herself to check on Hermione before her classes started.

That evening, Snape noticed Hermione from his position at the Head table. She joined her classmates for dinner but ate in silence, merely pushing food around on her plate. She walked out in tears after eyeing the plate of noodles to her left.

Another week went by as Hermione was plagued by her night terrors, lateness to classes, distractions and sleeplessness.

Snape pushed his students hard. His methods weren't just a reflection of his temper or bitter attitude, he used his harsh reprimands and high expectations of students to prepare them for a future where they would be expected to defend themselves. He felt they needed toughening up. Other teachers were far too lenient. Some young students were already facing those adult responsibilities. He had seen Hermione that evening at dinner. Hard not to notice her withdrawn frame pecking at the food. Where was the once confident girl?

The next Monday she was reprimanded by Snape for her lack of discipline and deducted 10 house points from Gryffindor. Then he immediately casted "Legilimens" on her and attempted to break into her mind.

He had only seen a flash of metal. Hermione screamed and Snape was thrown to the wall. Her knees buckled and she fell.

When she came to, Snape was holding an ice pack to his head and she found herself in an infirmary bed.

Madame Pomfrey left.

Hermione was expecting a lecture. She got one of a different nature.

"When, Miss Granger, are you going to confide in us and tell us what is so troubling you?" the concerned Potions Master said with sincerity.  Stubborn girl.

******

For the next weeks, Hermione struggled to get to her classes on time. She had perhaps only an hour of sleep each night. Only Ginny was somewhat sympathetic as angry Gryffindors shunned their housemate who had, in a single week, lost fifty points due to her excessive tardiness. Twenty of those were lost in Potions.

Her nightmares were so horrible Hermione started trying to avoid sleep and consequently found herself nodding off in classes. For the first time Neville found himself taking the lead in potions, preventing Hermione from making costly mistakes and surprising Professor Snape with his confidence. The previously disaster-prone boy had not melted a single cauldron this semester.

"Neville, ten points for instructing Miss Granger in what should be the most basic of safety rules. That's first year work, Miss Granger. And Miss Granger, do you have a wish to be burned to a crisp?" She shook her head wordlessly. "No then? Gloves please. Ten points from Gryffindor, for each of you." He, as usual, deducted points from Neville as well for rescuing Hermione from her responsibilities in his class. She is way off her game. He frowned. This was completely unlike his star pupil.

Hermione cast a silencing charm on her door each evening to avoid confrontations by her peer and Head of House. After a few days Ginny deduced that Hermione was still being haunted by her dreams as she watched her jump when Ron merely reached out to return a pencil she had dropped on the floor.

She fell asleep twice in meditation with Professor Snape, who in place of a reprimand gave her a Dreamless Sleep potion. Effects which should have lasted 12 hours imparted only 3 hours of rest, and upon waking she found she was bleeding though her pores. Hermione knew she was in trouble if even the potions master couldn't help her.

In Occlumency, Snape noticed her lack of progress and became infuriated. She was wasting his time. His eyes glittered. "Miss Granger, you must focus. You're not trying!"

"I-I can't! Ohh!" She doubled over clutching her abdomen as he watched pools of light emanate in waves from the center of her body and disperse outward. Her eyes widened and she groaned with the release. Her blood coursed through her, flushing her face. Snape took a step back and felt the edges of the light touch him. He felt something, but didn't process it. Snape stepped forward to assess the girl. She was out of breath, trying to get her bearings. She recovered quickly, but embarrassed at what Snape had witnessed.

"How many times has this happened?" He snapped.

"A few." She lied.

"Stupid girl! Didn't you even bring this to Madame Pomfrey's attention? Do you think that you are the only person in this school who is capable of handling such matters?!" Each word was spoken with a sharp edge.

She was yelling now. She stood up and retreated a bit. "She can't help me! Neither could you! I'm still not sleeping. Even the potion you gave me didn't work. I slept, if you could call it that, for three hours. Three! And I woke up…." She halted, editing her thought.

""You woke up and what, Miss Granger? Don't. Stop. Now." His voice was quieter, daring her to finish.

"I woke up bleeding through my skin." She said through clenched teeth.

His eyes widened a bit. Gods.

"My nightmares aren't new, but I will get control of whatever this is. I'm not going to let this beat me!" She was calmer now with this said. But it was a facade.

"Let's go. I'm ready." She wasn't.

"Legilimens!"

Hermione let out a empty cry. A man in a cold grey room stood over the crippled body of a ruined girl. He taunted her blatantly. "Despicable filth!" Another curse. "Crucio!" Familiar laughing. So much blood…a glimmer of a sharp instrument next to her eye…"Don't!" she pleaded, begging for her life.…"Please, no more pain"…Oh God, I'm dying, he's going to kill me…let me die…screams…blackness. A half disemboweled naked girl lying on the ground caked in blood from hours of merciless torture and misery. Hermione collapsed and did not wake.

Oh Gods…He should have known better. She'd been furious and the goal of Occlumency was to empty your mind of emotion. Professor Snape was miserable. He saw only flashes of her horrible vision. This was more than he'd ever seen before. He could not comprehend what he saw, nor understand how Hermione's nightmares advanced to this point. The Death Eater, who had witnessed many horrible things over his life experience, yet who attempted to protect his students from this fate, saw his student at the brink of insanity and had allowed her to push forward. He cursed his own failing as a teacher. Strength cannot always be attained though adversity. Snape carried her to the infirmary and brewed the strongest sleeping potion he possessed knowledge of. But she wouldn't need it.

Hermione was in a coma for two and a half weeks while Madame Pomfrey tended her. She required a good deal of pain management as the nurse observed brain activity which revealed headaches, migraines and chemical imbalances which reflected lower reasoning from months of sleep deprivation. Professor Snape brewed potions at Poppy's request to aid in various stages of healing.

The mediwitch blinked back tears, so unhappy that one of the smartest and most desperate students felt she couldn't come to her for help.

****

Hermione woke up with a start, out of breath. She was panicking. She felt him.

Hermione stripped off her nightgown and grabbed her clothes from the foot of the bed throwing them on. She picked up her wand from the nightstand and made the bed as if she'd never been there. She charmed the bedside gifts until they were tiny and tossed them in a nearby drawer. She didn't know what time is was, just that it was early morning. The stirs of students and teachers could barely be perceived and she could hear the walls of Hogwarts talk to her as they moaned and settled in the fierce wind blowing outside.

He's coming… oh God, he's coming…

Madame Pomfrey heard the disturbance and knew her unconscious patient had finally wakened. As she walked in through an adjacent door, she saw the frantic young girl streak across the room. "What are you doing? Wait, Hermione, it's too soon! I have to…" But her medical advice was lost as the girl fled the room.

With a flash and no words Hermione flew down the stairs through the Great Hall in a sprint down, down the corridors toward the safety of the dungeons. He would help her. She'd be safe there.

Snape woke up earlier than usual, taking inventory of his stores before classes. He paced back and forth, eye of newt, black beetle eyes, wing of fruit bat… He had waited longer than he usually did, and hoped he could order more supplies before fifth year students arrived. He was faintly aware of a noise behind him and spun around to see who it was disturbing him at this hour.

She barely knocked and ran through the classroom to the desk where she quickly squatted and hid under the recess where his chair usually nestled. He could scarcely believe his eyes as he recognized the trembling student. Hermione, what are you doing out of the infirmary?

"Get out from under there, Miss Granger. Right now." He stood at his full height behind the desk and expected swift obedience. She didn't budge. He leaned over with a stiff bend. "Miss Granger? Is there something wrong with your hearing?" His words were clipped and held a tone of accusation.

She looked at him painfully and his brow wrinkled incomprehension of the fear that had been painted there with a wet brush. She looked like a victim at one of the Death Eaters revels. Tears fell to her cheeks as she remained quiet and still, she didn't breathe. Not a word escaped her lips. Help me.

He heard noises down the hall and he straightened, to see Lucius Malfoy walking unannounced into his chambers. Why the devil are you here?

"Lucius, may I ask what you are doing here?" He asked tersely. "Draco's probably still in bed at this hour."

Snape's solid oak desk concealed the girl completely, and though she willed herself to feel invisible, Hermione felt as if Lucius could see her through the desk.

Malfoy's eyes darted around the room, and Snape's eyes narrowed a bit. He didn't wonder too long about who his old friend was looking for. "I was going to inquire about something concerning last night…" he lied.

It took only three long strides for Severus to reach Malfoy with a threatening look and a close proximity, which permitted his next remark. "This is hardly the place to be discussing that Lucius! These walls have ears." His voice was a deadly whisper.

McGonagall burst in behind him, entirely outraged. She was a scary and formidable authority when angered. She held her wand firmly in hand. "Secret meeting gentlemen? Mr. Malfoy, I doubt I have to remind you that all … parents… must see and check in with the Headmaster prior to visiting with the students or teachers. No exceptions even for a man of your influence. At no time are you permitted free reign throughout the halls." Her voice was one of pure loathing. Malfoy was not a trustworthy man and McGonagall for one wanted him off Hogwarts property if not the face of the earth

"Poppy would also like to know if you are feeling better," she added callously. "You came there in such a rush, she thought you might have required medical attention." Seeing Malfoy in perfect health, McGonagall looked as if she would have been pleased to help him correct that. Snape wasn't the only master of sarcasm. She had communicated to Severus perfectly well who Lucius was looking for.

Dumbledore was quick, and had fetched a sleepy Draco from the Slytherin common room. They strode in together.

"You wanted to see me father?" The boy asked obediently, and Dumbledore stood behind with a halting expression.

"Yes, Draco." He lied often and well, a practiced art. But this did not fool present company, including his disappointed son, who had been unaware of his father's spontaneous trip to school.

Dumbledore spoke next after McGonagall excused herself. "Mister Malfoy, you will have to forgive my rudeness. You do have a child at school here, and I would expect no less than you to see to his welfare. However," he regarded him coldly over the brim of his glasses in his characteristic manner. "I do expect you to follow the policies of this institution especially due to your rather questionable criminal history."

"How dare you…" Lucius spat.

"Would you care to repeat that Mister Malfoy? I have Aurors at my disposal, and I am quite sure they would love to know where you can be found." Lucius blanched. Even though Azkaban prison couldn't hold him, it was not a pleasant place to be for any length of time. "I didn't think so. You and Draco may meet in the front hall in the conference room." Dumbledore didn't move; the family was clearly getting an escort.

Behind Lucius' back he could see Severus allow the corner of his lip to upturn in a smile at Dumbledore's reprimand. The Headmaster's well-trained eye briefly flickered to the desk where she hid.

Lucius walked off in a huff with his son. A dejected Draco knew he would be dismissed immediately. Lucius had been rather withdrawn as a father figure of late. Draco had loved his father, had admired him. Their relationship was slowly beginning to change as he saw more and more of his father's true character.

Snape shook his head as he considered Draco, he was a prized son to his father, however Lucius' incarceration had hit him hard. He hoped that the opportunity to be away from his father's dominating and controlling presence would offer Draco perhaps and opportunity to make rather different choices. After Lucius was released he ignored his son. He didn't know yet if that would help or hurt Draco. Maybe both. Snape waited a moment and returned to his desk. This time he knelt. Hermione looked at him with red watery eyes as she finally released the breath she'd been holding. "It's all right, come out now."

"Thank you," she muttered.

"You can wait here about 20 minutes and then return to Madame Pomfrey. I'm sure she'll want to see that you're alright." He swiftly returned to his rooms and fetched her hot tea to calm her nerves. He did it without a word, and she appreciated the silence.

What is Malfoy doing? What would he want with Hermione Granger? Draco had always complained how Granger had outdone him in class, but she hardly had to try and Draco wasn't putting forth much effort. Death Eaters usually made examples of Muggles and adults at that. To come after a Hogwarts student invited too much danger. Least of all from him. Snape was a Death Eater, but he was also a teacher and he held the responsibility of his student's safety with the utmost importance. He suspected perhaps the Death Eaters were trying to make an example of one of the Hogwarts children, one of Dumbledore's sheep, in order to poke a few holes in the walls of this seemingly impenetrable sanctuary. He was sure he and the headmaster would discuss it at length later.

Snape quietly continued his list making and sent out an owl to request the missing potions ingredients. He graded papers and permitted the girl her solitude. He knew she appreciated it as much as he did, especially after what he had done to her to put her in the infirmary. He was carefully reconsidering the value of her lessons since that day. He had already approached Dumbledore with the lesson gone awry. Dumbledore had always understood, and he dismissed it as something out of Severus's control. He had full confidence in Professor Snape's ability to handle it.

Noting that it was about time, Hermione rose slowly away from her seat and asked, "Professor Snape?"

"Yes? What is it?"

"May I be excused from our classes over the holiday? I think the break would do me good, and it will give me a chance to catch up with my other studies." She looked a bit sheepish, like she was asking to skip school or ditch a larger responsibility. Truly, she was trying to isolate and protect herself from mental intrusions.

"Yes, of course." He relieved she had asked for a break. Truthfully, he needed one too and she had let him off the hook without him having to open an awkward conversation. He had no doubts that she would launch herself back into her schoolwork after leaving the infirmary. It was how Hermione Granger had handled all things.

He watched her leave the dungeons and sighed. After what he had done though, he was surprised if she wanted to continue with the lessons. He only seemed to hurt her. Why then did she come to me for protection?  She'd made little progress in Occlumency and he wondered how much that had to do with the teacher and not the student. No matter. All of the students hated him. Perhaps Hermione was no different. He'd talk to Dumbledore, she would be much better served with him as a teacher instead. He shook his head. Dumbledore kept Harry with Snape after last year. He wouldn't let Snape off that easily.