A/N: I suppose I have kept you lot waiting long enough for what happens so here it is.
Hermione brushed her hair for the hundredth time that morning. It was finally Christmas Eve and she was looking forward to the day. Snape had not been called the previous night, and was still snoring gently in the guest room. Hermione knew this because Snape had left his door open just in case. She pulled on her jeans and a sweater and decided to go down stairs and wrap the last of the presents. Ron's and Ginny's were already done, but Hermione was still contemplating Harry's. She had bought him a book about the History of the Order of the Phoenix, only available to her through permission from Dumbledore. Past members were well known but in the last fifty years new members were kept in the up most secrecy. Walking past the bathroom she could hear Snape curse softly as he stepped under the hot water of his shower. She smiled recalling what had happened the previous night. Was he really interested in her that way? After all she was only sixteen. There was no denying that there was a definite connection between them but the age gap scared Hermione the most more that Severus himself.
* * * * * * * *
"Sure Harry I could make that happen for you, but only you must go," Mr Weasley told Harry and Ron. Harry nodded excitedly and somewhat relieved that he was going on his own. He was going to surprise Hermione and make everything better between them. He missed her, but more than anything the thought of her warm kisses made him want to see her even more.
"See Harry, if you go late tonight it will be like an early Christmas present," clambered Ron.
"I will make sure you can floo to Hermione's home, but are you sure you don't want to tell her and Professor Snape before you just show up?" asked Mr Weasley as he pulled his coat on.
"No thanks Mr Weasley, I really want to surprise her, it will be okay," Harry pleaded.
Standing on the landing above the kitchen, Ginny quickly scrambled to her room. So that is where Professor Snape was. Ginny reread Draco's letter. He was desperately trying to find Snape because his father was up to something. He wanted to know if Ginny knew where he was. Without hesitation, she scribbled a note to him and rolled the parchment. Draco's owl waited patiently while she tied the letter to his leg and then with a hoot he was off. It didn't occur to Ginny why Draco did not go to Dumbledore if it was so urgent.
* * * * * * * *
The office door burst open letting through a rush of light. Standing in the doorway was Draco Malfoy. Dumbledore looked up from the book he was reading.
"Ah Mr Malfoy you are back," the Headmaster noted casually.
"My father and mother have gone on urgent business, and I was told I would need to return," Draco said in harsh tone as he stepped closer to Dumbledore's desk. Something struck the Professor odd, but he could not quite place it and this concerned him greatly.
"You see, Voldemort has returned and finally Wizard's and muggle's will get what they deserve," Draco continued. Dumbledore's face-hardened slightly but he remained calm even though he was taken aback by Draco's sudden acceptance of Voldemort.
"Is that so Mr Malfoy, and what would a boy such as yourself know about that?" he asked.
Draco laughed but it was cold and flat. He pulled out his wand, and roared a spell.
* * * * * * * * * *
Mark Ridgers sat quietly on his bed reading Draco's letter. It was confusing; Draco seemed under some kind of pressure. He talked about wanting to save Mark from dark things, but having to do terrible things himself to avoid this. Mark considered going to see the Headmaster but decided against it. He would just have to wait till Draco wrote again because he had been instructed not to answer the letter he was now reading.
* * * * * * * * *
By the time Hermione and Snape sat down for dinner that night it was almost eight. They had spent the day in her parent's offices, clearing personal items and preparing it for a tenant in the New Year. It had been a sad but amusing day. Snape had actually been witty, playing around with the instruments and making a fool of himself. Hermione could not believe the other side of him. Who would ever believe that Severus Snape was actually funny?
* * * * * * * *
Dumbledore lay dazed in his armchair, suddenly to frail and tired to move or speak. His tormentor stood above him, but it was no longer Draco Malfoy but Lucius.
"Amazing this apologies potion if I must say so myself, you were even fooled," he gloated. Dumbledore groaned trying to reach for his wand that was now in Lucius hands.
"Not so fast old man, you don't want to hurt yourself," again he laughed but suddenly stopped. He had plenty to do now that Dumbledore was out of the way. He slipped out of the office and headed towards Hogsmede. In his pocket was a letter he intercepted for his son. Unwittingly Draco had led him straight to Hermione and also proved that Severus was a traitor. The stupid little red head girl had fallen for the same thing that had happened to her in her first year. How gullible could one get? Now Voldemort would know the truth and this time Severus would die.
* * * * * * * * *
Professor McGonagall was surprised not to see the Headmaster at dinner that night but thought nothing of it. He was obviously busy and did not want to be interrupted. Only three teachers and one student remained at Hogwarts, all unaware of what was still to come.