Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Harry lay awake in bed thinking about Hermione. He still had not received a letter from her and tomorrow was Christmas Eve. He wished he could apparate then he would be able to see her at anytime and make sure that Snape was not taking advantage of her. Maybe he could ask Mr Weasley to organise that he could open the Grangers fireplace so that he could use floo powder. Question was if Mr Weasley would? And how would he convince Ron not to come with? Harry rolled over and watched Ron snoring away. They had been having tremendous fun, flying around on Harry's firebolt and other activities. 'At least Hermione was safe for now,' he hoped.
* * * * * * * * *
Snape awoke with a sudden jolt. The room was dark and the fire had gone out. He slowly slid out his wand, not daring to move. There was silence. He eased Hermione off his chest and placed her head onto a cushion. She only stirred slightly before falling back asleep again. Snape crept around the house, but found nothing. Back in the lounge, he lit the fire again, poking at the logs.
"Is everything okay?" Hermione asked sleepily. Severus turned around in a panic, to find her standing behind him rubbing her eyes.
"Yes, the fire went out, but since you are up we might as well go to bed?" Snape remarked, killing the last embers. Hermione stared at him jaw open.
"What is it?" he asked confused, his eyes darting around the room.
"You said we should go to bed?" she answered. Snape looked at her blankly.
"And what is wrong-" as the words came out of his mouth he finally realised what she had been thinking. He raised his eyebrow and looked at her quizzically.
"Miss Granger you needn't take what I say literally, I meant your own bed and myself in the guest room," Severus tried to cover up his obvious amusement. So the girl might be really interested?
Hermione nodded, her face turning pink and raced up the stairs. Snape smiled. Perhaps things were going to work in his favour after all.
* * * * * * * * * *
Draco went home the following morning. His father looked terrible at first sight. His mother no better, she after all had been extremely concerned for her husband's safety.
Alas it was good to be home. When Lucius called Draco into the library, he did not think much of it till his father spoke.
"So have you decided who it is going to be?" Lucius asked coldly.
Draco looked at him blankly for moment before realising what his father meant.
"Yes father," he replied knowing it would have to be Mark. Seamus had also left on at the same time as he had.
"Well who is it?" his father asked annoyed.
"Mark Ridgers, half wizard and the only student at Hogwarts at this moment," Draco explained. His father nodded, rubbing his chin in thought.
"We will go for him on Boxing day, if you are sure that Dumbledore is unwell,"
Draco was again confused. Dumbledore was fine and he looked better than ever.
"Um, but Dumbledore is fine," Draco told him. Lucius face turned to rage.
"What?" he yelled. Getting up from his seat he stormed towards his son taking him by the collar of his jumper.
"Have you not being giving him those sweets?" he shouted shaking Draco violently.
"I have father, I have done everything I have been told!" Draco pleaded fearing his father and Voldemort for that matter. Lucius let go of him and seemed to stop and think.
"Ah, he must have realised, of perhaps someone told him, and provided a potion to make him well," he said out aloud. Draco realised that he was implying that Snape had helped Dumbledore.
'But he is a deatheater, so he would want Dumbledore ill, even dead wouldn't he?' Draco thought to himself. All this time, maybe they have known everything; maybe Snape is working both sides? It made sense to Draco, perfect sense. He watched his father pacing the room, his eyes closed deep in thought. Draco knew this was his only chance, he knew what needed to be done.
"Father?"