Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
"Master, what is it?" asked Wormtail cautiously creeping to Voldemort's side, feeling the red eyes piercing his skin as he couched at his masters feet.
"I have lost the girl," Voldemort answered venomously. "But all is not lost. At least the old meddling Wizard will die before Potter is ready and I will have victory!" he laughed mercilessly. All who bore the mark of their master heard it too, including Severus Snape.
* * * * * * * *
He could still hear the laugh in the back his mind as he dressed. Snape had not slept after it had woken him in the early hours of the morning. He planned to go see Dumbledore immediately. Snape knew that last night Harry and Hermione had been ordained into the Order of the Phoenix. He himself was a member, but not high ranking enough to attend the ceremony. It worried him that Voldemort still felt some kind of victory even though he had lost Hermione. He arrived at Dumbledore's office just as Professor McGonagall was leaving wiping her eyes.
"Morning," he greeted her looking closely at her tear stained face.
"Oh Severus, it Albus he is really ill, I am on my way to fetch Poppy. Will you wait with him until I return?" she asked shakily.
Severus nodded and hurried up the stairs. He crossed through the Head Masters office and up more stairs into the chambers. Knocking briefly on the door he entered and was distressed at what he saw.
Dumbledore lay wrapped up in bed, his face gaunt and grey. The white of his eyes had turned yellow and he was trembling with fever.
"Come in Severus," the old wizard said in a whisper. Snape went to his side and looked closely at him.
'How did he become this ill so quickly?' he thought to himself.
"I need you to make sure Harry and Hermione get all their training, Severus," Dumbledore said struggling to communicate. Snape nodded. Albus had always believed in him, always protected him and now Dumbledore was dying. He turned his head trying not to look at the gaunt face when he noticed that the Professor's hairline was purple. Thinking it was odd he struggled to remember where he had read about what causes it.
Professor McGonagall returned with Madame Promfery in tow minutes later and both started fussing over the ailing man. Suddenly Snape made the connection.
"Stop Poppy, don't give him any medication it could be fatal!" he grabbed the bottle from the nurses hand.
"What are-" she cried astonished looking as though Severus had slapped her.
"Purple on his hairline, he is being poisoned with Costicili," Severus said anxiously as his mind raced for the antidote. He could not believe it as he said the words. McGonagall and Madam Promfery both looked closely at Dumbledore. Both gasped realizing Snape was right.
"Just keep him comfortable, I am going to make a counter potion," the Potion's Master ordered.
With that he swept out of the room down to the dungeons.
"Will it work, Poppy?" asked Professor McGonagall looking rather distraught. The nurse nodded.
"It will, but it will take time, and he will be weak, very powerless for a while," she answered looking at Dumbledore who had closed his eyes unable to react to what was happening.
They both knew that with the Head Master in this condition that things might take a turn for the worst.
* * * * * * * * *
Ron could not believe his ears when Harry and Hermione told him what had happened the night before.
He felt rather envious but when Harry handed him a ring with an orange stone he could not contain his happiness.
"Wow, this is wicked!"
"Now Ron, you need to listen carefully," said Hermione smiling at her friend. She felt more like herself today.
"What about?" asked Ron still looking at the ring. Harry stepped in.
"You need to go to training twice a week with Snape, okay?" said Harry relieved he wasn't going to train with Snape.
"Snape, he is a member?" Ron groaned. "I suppose you two are going to be trained by Merlin?"
"No, actually we don't know yet," admitted Harry not being able to think of anyone worse than Snape.
"Well, I don't know whether to be happy or frightened that Snape will probably get me kicked out of the order," Ron tried to joke, but it was obvious that he was thinking it might happen.
"Oh Ron, don't be silly," Hermione said putting her arm around him protectively. Harry swallowed hard as Hermione finally told Ron about their relationship.
* * * * * * * *
Harry walked alone along the corridor. Ron had gone off on his own and Hermione was in her room. Ron had not taken the news well but hadn't not gotten angry either. He was simply upset. Hermione told Harry that Ron obviously needed sometime alone. It was almost lunchtime according to his watch, so Harry turned around headed towards the Great Hall. He was not looking where he was going, when he crashed into someone. He started to mumble an apology when he recognised the voice talking to him.
"Hallo Harry, I haven't seen much of you around lately," said Cho softly adjusting her cloak.
Harry looked up slightly pink around the ears.
"Cho, it's um good to see you," he mumbled, looking around uncomfortably. Harry had had a crush on Cho in his fourth year, even asked Cho to the Yule Dance. Unfortunately Cedric had beaten him to it, and had already asked Cho. Then after Voldemort killed Cedric, Harry felt too guilty to speak to Cho.
"So we are playing against Slytherin next week," Cho tried to make conversation. Harry had forgotten about the match, if Slytherin won Gryffindor would be playing against them next. They had yet to decide on a new captain for the team.
"Yeah, I hope you guys win," Harry responded still blushing. Cho looked at him and smiled brightly.
"Why don't we go for a walk down to by the lake?" she suggested hoping that Harry would ease up.
Harry nodded and they headed out the front entrance towards the dark waters. The weather was chilly with Christmas two weeks away. Soon everyone would be going home, and a few students would remain in the castle, including Harry. Harry wondered what Hermione would do. She would probably stay unless she went to stay with family. The thought worried him immensely and he forgot that he was even with Cho.
"Harry?" he heard his name.
"Are you even listening to me?" Cho asked with disbelief.
"Sorry Cho, I just have a lot on my mind," said Harry his voice sincere and apologetic.
"It's okay, I know that you have had a rough time, but at least things are somewhat back to normal and I thought that you and I might have opportunity to spend more time together," she said carefully.
"Yeah?" he answered surprised. With that Cho leaned across and kissed him lightly on the lips.
Harry pulled back with haste. He looked blankly at Cho like he had just seen a ghost.
"What is it Harry?" Cho said with a smile.
"Hermione!" he yelled and started to race up towards the castle chasing the fleeing girl.
Cho watched Harry till he was out of sight and let out a deceitful laugh, before collapsing to the ground.
* * * * * * *
Tears flooded down Hermione's cheeks as she raced through the castle. She glimpsed Harry running after and knew she needed somewhere to hide. Without hesitation she headed towards the dungeons.
Snape was sitting at his desk, reading essay's cursing under his breath at the errors before him.
Hermione raced up to his desk out of breath, looking slightly panicked.
"Need to hide," she gasped. Snape confused pointed to his storeroom and took out his wand.
Hermione put her hand on his and shook her head.
"Harry, I need to hide from Harry," she explained.
Snape's eyes flashed for an instant but he nodded without saying anything. Hermione dashed into the storeroom and closed the door.
Severus Snape sat down and continued working, his mind full of questions.
'Why was Hermione hiding from Harry?' Before Snape could think about it anymore Harry burst into the room.
Harry panicked when he realised he had run straight into Snape's classroom. He looked around startled.
"Yes Mr. Potter is there something you are perhaps looking for?" Snape said coldly.
Harry knew that Hermione had come down this way but he dared not ask Snape.
"No, Professor, I going to lunch," he stuttered and left. Outside the classroom Harry took a deep breath and calmed himself down. He would have to talk to Hermione later. Slowly he climbed the stairs feeling really angry with himself. How could he have hurt her like that?