Hermione thought about the day, it had been a long one. She remembered how boring and long her classes had seemed to her, except one. . .Her Potions class was starting to seem remarkably different than her previous years at Hogwarts. It seemed to her that Professor Snape was beginning to act quite differently towards her, but it was nothing big. Just the small things. . .

Like not having as much venom in his voice when he reprimanded her for helping out her fellow students, except Neville. He seemed to accept the fact that if she didn't help him Neville out periodically that he wouldn't have a classroom any more. . .

But there was something else different about him too. He kept deducting points with such ferocity, that it surprised Hermione. And the way he kept rubbing his left arm. . .And glancing at her. . .

Hermione's eyes widened slightly. She was concerned about him. . .She was watching him so closely that she noticed he rubbed his left arm an awful lot. But that couldn't be. Not with the way he hated Gryffindor's and anyone who had anything to do with Harry. Was she beginning to fancy such a narrow and judgmental man?!

Hermione curled her fingers tightly. It didn't make sense. None of it did. She couldn't be after her teacher. But she had felt so safe and secure in his arms. . .The way he had held when she had cried had made her feel so warm, like she might melt.

But he was her Professor! Her mind tried to argue common sense into her.

But no other man had every made her feel so safe! Not even Harry or Ron! So what if he was her professor, so what if he was a narrow and vindictive man?! When it comes down to it, that doesn't matter, other parts of her argued back.

Teacher/student relationships are highly inappropriate.

Yeah, well, so is constantly fighting Voldemort.

That's not the same thing. There is no way a true love can exist between two people who are so far apart in their ages.

What about her grandparents? That had each lived until they were 74 years old. Her grandmother was ten years older than her grandfather, yet they still loved each other deeply. Even when her grandmother died at 74, her grandfather chose not to court and marry anyone else. He chose to remain physically alone, because he believed her spirit was always with him. And he believed that until he died ten years later, on the anniversary of his wife's death.

It's different. It wasn't a student/teacher relationship.

Hermione let out an exasperated yell in her dormitory and slumped into a chair. She shouldn't even be considering this. . .Hermione sighed and calmed her mind. She needed to do something, and before she knew it, she was standing by the fireplace.

Hermione's fingertips grazed the mantle over the fireplace in her dormitory. A soft dust covered her fingertips. The room needed to be organized (the house elves did the cleaning, they did the organizing), but it wasn't her turn to do it. It was Akasa's. Hermione walked over to the high bookshelf by her bed. She was bored and alone in the dormitory, she should probably read or do her homework. But she had done all her homework and she had read a fair amount of her books. But there always seemed to be one that she hadn't read.

Hermione assumed this was either because she had brought more books than she thought or because her house elf, Winky, whom she had befriended, left her books. It certainly be the first time the house elf had left her things. Winky seemed to admire her very much. Not only because she was a close friend of Harry Potter, but because one night Hermione had walked in one Winky crying while cleaning the dormitory. The elf had been a bit tipsy and Hermione comforted the best she could and offered tea to the elf. Then the elf had looked up at her with her large eyes wide with newfound respect.

After that time, Hermione would occasionally find new books, uniquely scented soaps, and maybe a flower every now and then. Sometimes Winky would come and talk to her, but that was infrequent and rare. What happened more often was Hermione walked in on Winky supposedly still cleaning. The house elf had quite a bit of pride and would allow Hermione to start the small talk before she dared to ask questions and show a little more of herself.

Hermione would smile and offer a seat to the house elf across from her own by the fireplace. Winky had only accepted the offer one previous time and she had looked down the cup of tea she had held and didn't ask any questions. Hermione had felt bad, feeling like she had forced Winky to do something that she didn't want to. But Hermione knew better. The house elf didn't feel that she was good enough to look at her in the eye, much less accept a cup of tea and a seat that would place her as an equal to Hermione. Hermione guessed that that was breaking every rule in the book to Winky.

Either way the two had become fond of each other. So, Hermione would also lay out a gift for Winky every now and then. But even though she laid out gifts, she never gave the house elf clothes. No, Harry had told her in their sixth year that the house elves resented it. Ever since then Hermione had rethought her priorities with S.P.E.W. and gave up on the organization. House elves enjoyed their lives and all she had been doing was making them angry. Hermione had felt a little guilty, but her intentions had been good and she Winky told her that the house elves had forgiven her when they realized she was only trying to help.

Hermione picked a small book off her bookshelf. Though the book was small it still had about 300 pages; a quick read for Hermione. Hermione smiled at the extravagant cover on the book and settled down into a large, scarlet chair with claw-like arms by the fireplace.

This book was from Winky. Hermione never brought Muggle books to Hogwarts, and Winky seemed kind enough to notice that Hermione desired nice fiction books where she didn't need to learn everything it was comprised of. Winky was a thoughtful one, she recognized that Hermione studied too much and too often, and the small house elf seemed to understand that Hermione needed an escape from reality every now and then, too. But Hermione had no idea how Winky got Muggle books. Nevertheless, she enjoyed them immensely. Her very own refuge from reality. . .

A smile still played on Hermione's lips as she shifted herself to a more comfortable position and indulged herself with the Romance novel.

___________

A hour later Akasa came into the dormitory. She set her books down on her bed and walked over to her dresser. She took a black band off the top of it and pulled her hair up into a ponytail. She saw Hermione reading a book by the fire that was crackling, it was probably comforting sound to Hermione. She smiled at the girl who didn't notice her entrance and went over and tapped her on the shoulder. Hermione jumped and turned her head from the book.

"Akasa!"

"Nice seeing you too," She chuckled. "What is it about?" She asked, pointing to the book.

"Oh. .nothing," Hermione stood up and smiled. "I'll get out of your way."

"You can stay if you like. You know how hard of a time I can have telling the difference from Parvati's stuff and Lavender's things. Want to help?"

Hermione looked at her novel and placed it back on her bookshelf. "Yeah, I have nothing else to do."

The two young witches then began to go through the belongings scattered throughout the room and bathroom. They worked hard organizing the room. It was another solid hour before the finished.

"Hey, thanks, Hermione. It would have never been done this quickly if you hadn't helped." Akasa slumped into the other large chair across from the one Hermione also slumped in.

"I wonder how we always we get so messy. But it is mostly Parvati's and Lavender's. They should be the one cleaning every time!" Hermione complained.

"Yeah, I wonder whose fault it is we have to clean," Akasa eyed the brunette mischievously.

Hermione looked at her innocently. "I don't know what you mean, Akasa, surely neither of us are at fault. . ."

"Oh Hermione, have you forgotten so soon? Here, let me enlighten you. In our fifth year, you were so crazy about S.P.E.W. and house elf rights, that you decided that they should only do minimal cleaning. So you talked everyone in this room into picking up their own belongings so the elves didn't have to guess where everything went. But Parvati and Lavender didn't completely like that idea - remember anything now? So, they decided to have one person pick up everyone's things every week. This was my week, which means Parvati goes next week. Then Lavender, then you. Remember?" Akasa asked in such a sweet voice that Hermione felt slightly queasy.

"Oh. .that. .Guess I forgot. . ." Hermione said smiling.

"It's okay. I forgive you." She said pleasantly and self-righteously.

Both girls burst out laughing. Akasa had been the one who had backed Hermione up in helping the elves out in their dormitory. She was also the only other one she had told about Winky. People weren't supposed to know which house elves took care of their rooms. They were supposed to be 'not seen and not heard' - a saying about house elves quite similar to one about Muggle children.

Their laughter soon died down as they looked at the clock.

"Wow, it's late," Hermione murmured, locking her arms around her knees which were brought up to her chest.

"Yeah, it is," Akasa agreed. "Are you going to bed now?"

Hermione nodded. "I don't like going out this late. . ." Her eyes took on a forlorn look as she gazed into the fire.

"Hermione, are you okay?" A concerned voice entered her sudden and intrusive thoughts that depicted horrid scenes.

"I'm fine," Hermione managed a weak smile.

"Are you sure you don't want to go out? What about just down to the common room? Fancy a game of chess?" Akasa asked cheerfully.

"I don't. ."

"Oh, come on! Please! No one ever plays chess with me!" Akasa pleaded, her amethyst peering in Hermione's. Hermione suppressed a shudder as she glanced away from Akasa's dark eyes.

"I'll see you down there in five?" Hermione said, trying to keep the regretful sound from her voice.

"I'll go set it up!" Akasa hopped from her chair and headed eagerly downstairs to the common room.

Hermione uncurled herself and walked over to her mirror. It wasn't the first time she had stood before it and looked at herself; her sad and self-pitying self. She shot a look of distaste at the mirror. It wasn't her fault! She didn't have a choice in the matter! It's not like she waited in the corridor. She had simply received a note from a 'secret admirer'. She glared at the mirror. Some admirer.

A silly note. A silly desire. A frightful experience. A real life consequence. A young woman reduced to a tarnished school girl.

Hermione stared hard at the mirror. She had had other difficult experiences, but none had affected her quite as much as this one had. None them had also affected her as closely and directed. Someone had been out to get her. The person had obviously planned everything well enough to know her weaknesses. She had never dated much, and had lusted for a male's companionship. Graham had known. . .and he had acted. Not only had he watched her and marked out his plan, he had acted upon it and was willing to do so again.

But he hadn't been successful the second time.

The thought struck Hermione hard. He hadn't been successful. . .! He had tried and failed. He was making mistakes - and getting caught. Snape had caught him in the library last time, and now he knew the entire story. The way he had held her when she had first told him. . .The way he had acted when she told him her attacker's identity. . .The way he had seemed so concerned about her. . .But he had hidden the concern away as quickly as it had come. He had let little out and had immediately locked the little up again. Almost like she wasn't supposed to know. . .

She stared hard into the mirror. Why would he hide something like that? To know that someone was so concerned about her would make her feel better. But, she supposed, she didn't need words. Sometimes expressions and gestures expressed enough. But. . .Snape. .though he was a man who seemed to be one where he would express more than he would say, even she had to doubt him a little bit.

She had to doubt his sincerity. She had to doubt his efforts. She had to doubt his actions. She had to doubt his eyes. It seemed she had to doubt everything about him. . .

Except him.

She watched her own facial expression stretch with surprise. She had no reason to doubt him, but she also had no reason believe him.

But plenty to believe in.

Hermione shook her head furiously to clear away forbidden thoughts and went down to the common room.

___________

"Hermione! You're late!" Akasa came running towards. "Hurry, before someone takes our board!" The eager, raven-haired witch dragged her friend across the common room and sat her down in front of a chess board. Hermione looked at it surreptitiously. She was never the biggest fan of wizard chess, then again, she was never the biggest fan of any kind of chess. Her skills at it weren't all that great. It reminded of her flying. . .Hermione winced. There seemed to be several things at which she didn't do too well at. And, just judging from the numerous times she had fallen off her broomstick, flying would be one she could safely count out of her 'Accomplished' category - just like chess.

Hermione plastered a smile on her face in an attempt to also forget about what she had been thinking about before she came down. Her friend grinned back at her, and by the end of the hour, Hermione had only won one of the five games they had played.

Akasa looked sympathetically at her. "It's alright, you will do better next time!" She added with some enthusiasm which died away at Hermione's sour expression.

"When did you get to be so good?" She asked indignantly.

"Some of the guys have been teaching me. Why do you think I have been coming up to the room later?"

"Oh?" She quirked an eyebrow. "Which guy has been teaching you?"

Akasa blushed. "N-No one. .really. . "

"Akasa! Tell me!"

Akasa giggled. "Uh uh!" She hurried forward forcing Hermione to speed up.

"Come on! You have to tell me!" She pleaded much like Akasa had done before.

Akasa paused and looked thoughtful for a moment. "Nope!" She started up the stairs.

"Akasa!" Hermione once again hurried forward.

"All right. .all right. .Can you keep a secret?" She lowered her voice mischievously.

Hermione nodded eagerly. She had to know whom one of her closest friends liked.

"Good!" A small smile perked up her face. "So can I!" She ran forward and into the dormitory as Hermione let out an exasperated sigh. Trudging forward she accepted the truth that Akasa wasn't going to tell her.

But what struck her as odd, was not there her friend had found a guy, but that she, Hermione, was so interested in knowing. But it also didn't seem to be out of sheer curiosity - that came from being a teenager. She had felt this surge of protectiveness in her.

Protect you friend. Protect your friend.

That's what her mind had immediately began telling her the instant Akasa had mentioned that there was a guy involved. Hermione supposed that her own experience had been frightening enough to not only protect herself even more but to also protect her friends.

Hermione stopped her eyes from glistening and firmly opened the door to her dormitory. She couldn't let this get to her. She couldn't let Graham have that kind of power over her. She couldn't!

Besides, the guy Akasa liked was probably a Gryffindor and Gryffindors were supposed to be noble and courageous, right?

Hermione didn't have a chance to answer her own rhetorical question because a loud blaring noise suddenly resounded through the castle.

"Attention!" The blaring began to form into words. Hermione stopped at the threshold of her dormitory. There was rarely an announcement like this. . .

"All students are to return to their dormitories and go to bed at once! All faculty, come at once to the meeting room!" The voice suddenly quieted and the blaring ceased. Hermione stared at Akasa wide-eyed while she looked at Hermione with a sort of numbed expression.

"Akasa, do you have any idea about what's going on?" Her nervous added, "They have never done anything like this before. . ."

"I-I don't know. . ." Akasa looked particularly pale against the black hair that framed her face.

"I guess. . .We should go to bed. . ." Hermione mumbled as she changed into her pajamas.

"Yeah. . ." Akasa's face was blank and her voice empty and her behavior was strange.

"Akasa. .?"

"Hm?" She absently began changing and didn't look at Hermione. And Hermione didn't dare tell her that she was changing into normal, plain black robes. Akasa seemed to be having a difficult time coping with the announcement. . .

"Nothing, never mind. Lavender and Parvati will be up here soon." Hermione noted moments before the two came into the room.

"Do you guys know what's going on?" They both asked at the same time in the same frenzied voice.

"No, we know as much as you, which is evidently, nothing," Hermione climbed into her bed.

"Hurry up and get changed, then go to bed." Akasa's quiet voice kept them from asking further questions.

Akasa whispered 'nox' when the other three girls were in their beds and closed the drapes that hung around her canopy bed.

Hermione watched Akasa's movements with worry. She had never seen her friend so distracted and she was rarely so serious. Did Akasa know more than she was letting on?

Hermione closed her eyes and attempted to sleep but too many thoughts kept racing through her head. After she had lain there for what seemed like hours, she heard her door creak open so slowly that it hardly made any noise. She didn't hear anyone walking through the room but she saw a moonlit shadow going towards Akasa's bed .

Hermione was wide awake. Who was that person? What were they doing here? How did they get into the Gryffindor house? Why were they going to Akasa's bed?

Hermione squeezed her eyes shut in an effort think clearly. People can't just come and go into their dormitory. First off, only girls can, the boys can't make it up the staircase because it turns to a slick slide. And other people can't go into the Gryffindor house because you need to know the password and know where the entrance is. No one could get into their dormitory unless they were allowed to. . .

Sirius did. He got past the Fat Lady, knew where the entrance to the house was, and made it up to Harry and Ron's dormitory!

But he knew where the dormitory was, he was a Gryffindor, She stubbornly argued with herself. He also stole the passwords from Neville and he had probably slept in the same dormitory as Harry and Ron when he attended Hogwarts!

Hermione's disagreement with herself only made her more tense. But, soon, her attention was drawn to the shadow, itself.

"Akasa," The shadow whispered. Hermione scrunched her eyebrows, that voice sounded awfully familiar. One that commanded obedience, not unlike Snape's, however, this one was female. And this one seemed a little more aged.

"I'm here. Is everything ready?" Akasa's voice replied equally as quiet.

"No, there are still more preparations to be made. No one knows anything, right?" The voice whispered urgently.

"No, no one seems to know. Shall we be going, Professor?" Professor? Hermione's quick mind deducted that the shadow in question was not only a professor, but that the person was her very own head of house, Professor Mcgonagall.

Hermione stifled a gasp and tried to make out the shapes even more. She heard the drapes around Akasa's bed move and then be set carefully back in place. The two figures reached the door.

"Are you sure no one knows? You didn't act strangely or anything, did you?" Mcgonagall's voice spoke just as urgently as before.

"I'm sure. I just ensured they all went to bed, that's all. They are all asleep. I have been waiting for hours for you."

"Good. None of them should be involved in this. Though, it isn't Patil and Brown I'm worried about. Neither would think about interfering even if they could. It's Granger that could be a problem. Especially with Potter and Weasley for friends. . ."

Akasa paused. "I don't think she is awake, I probably would have heard her shuffling around or something; she is always really quiet when she sleeps."

"Come on, then." The door creaked open quietly once again and the two figures quickly left the room.

Hermione sat up in her bed, something was happening. Something big. She had to do something. This wasn't a little prank that Harry and Ron would try to rope her into, it was something much bigger than that. And it was obviously something that Mcgonagall was worried about her becoming part of. But what was Mcgonagall always worried about when it came to her, Harry, and Ron?

Lord Voldemort.

The answer came to her instantly and she sprang from her bed, throwing aside the drapes. She changed faster than she ever had and ran to keep up with her professor and friend. But even with her quickness and hurrying to catch up, she moved soundlessly - something that years of sneaking through the corridors at night had taught her.

She soon caught up with the two. They were now walking as swiftly and quietly as her. Hermione walked stealthily along, with pressing herself against the wall every time the two dared to turn around and see if anyone was following them.

"What's happening? If everything isn't ready, then why do you need me?" Akasa asked quietly.

"We can't discuss this now, Akasa. What if someone is around?" Mcgonagall's voice replied, but her voice didn't hold the same sternness usually reserved for students. The two witches passed a torch and Hermione saw Akasa nod and resume a silent disposition.

Where can they be going? Hermione wondered as she was led through many chambers and corridors that she had never seen nor knew existed before.

But soon enough, Mcgonagall and Akasa stopped before a large, stone eagle.

"This is your last chance. You can still back out," Mcgonagall said stiffly.

"We each have our own parts to play in His defeat. It is finally time all the wizards and witches of this world stepped up and played a hand in defeating him. Professor," Akasa looked at Mcgonagall, with what Hermione caught as fiercely determined eyes, and said, "We have to help defeat Him, it's not enough with what you professors do. Yes, you do quite a lot, I mean, look at what Snape does! I am playing a remarkably small and safe role compared to him."

"Professor Snape," Mcgonagall corrected softly before saying 'three finest' and heading up to the headmaster's office.

Hermione held her breath as she watched the two leave. What's going on? Something quite obviously having to with Voldemort. . .Hermione walked up to the eagle, should she go? If anyone ever found out. . .Hermione touched the eagle. The stone statue did not move.

"Three. . ." Hermione began to say the password but stopped. She couldn't go up there. They would know. Whatever was going on, she was certain that Dumbledore was in his office meeting with Akasa, Mcgonagall, and probably the rest of the staff - or at least the ones in the Order. He would, or course, know if she was spying on them.

Hermione backed away from the eagle and hid so she could still see those who entered and exited the office.

Hermione ended up waiting for what seemed like many minutes before there was any movement at the site of the eagle. She had leaned against the stone wall and let her head rest against its coldness, almost letting sleep take her. The sudden churning of the eagle swiveling upwards then downwards, with a passenger this time, shook her into a complete state of awareness. She tried to see who it was in the darkness.

A darkly cloaked figure walked swiftly from the revolving staircase once it had completed its revolution. The figure's soundless steps urged Hermione to follow, and so she did. She beginning to think that maybe she should spend a little less time with Harry and Ron; they were becoming a bad influence on her.

She followed figure until they both reached a rather solid looking wall. She crept as close as dared, remaining unseen only by way of a suit of armor. She squinted through the darkness, try to discern the figure. Definitely a male. . .

"You can come out now," The person's said coldly.

Hermione took a step back. He couldn't have seen her, he couldn't have. . .

"Now," His voice grew in coldness. Hermione lowered her eyes and walked out from behind the suit of armor. She walked close enough to the main to make out his facial features.

Professor Snape! She thought, but not entirely surprised. She knew he was observant, so it must have been a simple matter to notice her following him.

"Any particular reason as to why you are following me?" The coldness hadn't dimmed from his voice and his face was unreadable.

"I-I'm sorry," She succumbed. "I was just looking for something I dropped earlier. . ." She trailed, seeing that he didn't believe her.

"And so you thought that where ever I went that this object you seemed to have so keenly dropped went with me? Miss Granger," He stiffened, "I am not the fool you seem to make me out to be."

"It's not that I think you are a fool!" Hermione blurted before a deep scarlet came onto her cheeks. She looked at his unwavering form; tall and dark; mysterious and sexy; everything she wanted. Hermione whimpered. She didn't know where all these feelings and 'observations' were coming from. It seemed that they all stemmed from that one night where he held her. . .Hermione looked Snape starkly in the eyes, she didn't see him flinch, but something did flash through his eyes.

"I was following you," She said suddenly and flatly. When she didn't continue with an explanation, Snape began to speak.

"Well, then - "

"You didn't let me finish!" She said angrily. "I was trying to think of a way to word it so it didn't sound intrusive, but I guess I won't. Professor, what was going on in Dumbledore's office?"

Snape looked startled for only the briefest of moments. "That is privileged information, such information that should not come into the hands of a student." He said sharply.

"Then, what was Akasa doing up there? She is a student."

"I am not discussing this with you," Snape sneered.

"Why not? What? Because it has to do with Voldemort? Is that it, Snape?" Hermione's voice did not raise nor lower, it remained the same, calm voice that a normal person would dare not challenge.

"Will that make you go away?" Snape's temper was rising at the audacity of the student. He saw the hope flicker across her face at the thought of him telling her what was going on. He then proceeded to smash it, "Like I said before, Miss Granger, such matters are not to be discussed with students!"

Hermione took a threatening step forward. "So, it is about Voldemort, isn't it?" She didn't wait for a reply. "Well then, I won't waste my breath asking about that anymore. The Order has obviously incorporated new members - including students - and was just meeting in Dumbledore's office. So, he has my friend in there right now, yet you aren't in there. Am I to question your allegiance?"

"No, you are to go back to your dormitory and pray that the headmaster does not find out about this."

"What is it that you are doing, Snape?" She pressed on, quite unaware how out of character she was acting. She so rarely questioned a teacher or spoke against them, but she felt like she was on equal terms with Snape. . . "I can't believe that you would stop working for the Order - Dumbledore trusts you too much. So, my guess is that you are on some sort of special mission. Akasa did mention that her role in the plan was much safer and smaller than your role."

Snape looked at Hermione with a look of disbelief. "Miss Granger, you are tampering with dangerous things, I suggest you leave it up to those are capable of handling it." He said quietly.

"Professor," She urged, "Harry, Ron, and I are part of the Order, too. Why is it that none of us know about this plan?"

"It was not necessary for you to know." Snape replied simply and turned to go.

"Not necessary for me to know?" Hermione's lips twitched. "Since when are dealings with Voldemort not necessary for everyone to know? This is Voldemort, we are talking about! He could go out and kill anyone he pleased!" Her voice raised slightly higher than it had previously been. "Professor, you know this. Please. . .tell me. . ." Hermione whispered with a certain desperateness not for the information, but for him to tell her something, for him to confide in her.

Snape looked down the corridor then looked at Hermione. His expression changed to one she could read as he turned to the stone wall and pressed his right hand on it, muttered a phrase - one she just barely caught - and the wall opened into a black opening.

"Follow me," He stated before sweeping into the dark hole. Hermione followed him, her curiosity over knowing where he was going and what he wanted to do beat her common sense.

She followed him through a narrow passageway that led in one direction only for a few meters before changing the direction to a 90 degree turn. Consequently, with there being no lighting, she ran into several walls. Though she couldn't see Snape, she could hear his shoes clicking on the concrete, but, after a dozen or so turns, they stopped and she ran into his back.

"Ouch. .Sorry. .Professor?" She backed away from him and immediately apologized, but he didn't respond. Instead he did something she could see to the wall before him and it the stone wall separated like the one to Diagon Ally again to reveal a narrow opening into a medium-sized room.

The room was furnished with a couch directly in front of a large, blazing fire. The room was also ornamented with two large, straight-backed chairs set adjacent to either side of the couch. There was also a light gray rug set between the couch and fireplace.

Wait. . .Weren't couches more Muggle-ish? Hermione wondered and thought to ask Snape, but she wasn't so sure that his demeanor would appreciate such a frivolous question.

Snape walked forward and sat on the far side of the couch and stared into the fire. Hermione stood there for a moment, but when the opening was she was standing in began to close up, and she jumped forward, into the room.

"Professor. . .?" Her nerves escalating and her courage failing her, she looked at him, intent for some kind of direction.

"Sit down," Was all he said. She obliged, opting for the far side of the couch he was sitting at.

"Miss Granger, these are my personal quarters, I expect you will exercise restraint when it comes to informing others of their whereabouts," He said quietly, quite obviously not as a question.

"Yes, Sir," Hermione replied. It several minutes before either spoke again, both staring into the fire.

"Professor, may I ask why you brought me here?"

"If you must," She glanced at him and saw a brooding expression on his face.

"Er. .Professor. .Why did you bring me here?"

"The headmaster seems to see it fit for it to be I who tells you something."

"He did? What is it?" An edge of worry began to form in her. Something had happened. . .

"This is. .not easy for me to say," He didn't take his eyes off the fire.

"What is it? Did something happen?" Urgency sounded in her voice. If it wasn't easy for Snape to say, how horrible could it be? Really horrible, her clenched stomach answered.

"Your. .parents, they have been taken by the Dark Lord." He said softly, looking her full in the face.

"M-My parents. . ." Hermione's voice was thick with emotion as her voice cracked. "Are. .A-re d-dead?!" She felt a hot rush of tears to her eyes as she became oblivious to Snape moving towards her and shaking her by the shoulders, and she cried against him.

"Miss Granger!" She didn't respond. "Hermione!" A momentary pause came from her that he took full advantage of. "Your parents aren't dead!"

Disbelief locked onto her face. What was he trying to tell her? First he says that her parents were taken by Voldemort then there aren't - Her eyes widened.

"T-They're still alive?" Her voice whispered.

"Yes, they are alive, but they are in Lord Voldemort's grasp."

Then they are as good as dead!" She sobbed.

"That's not true! They are still alive!" He spoke with so much defiance of her words that she forced herself to listen.

"How do you know?" Her voice returned to a whisper.

"I saw them," He said quietly before separating himself before. She had once again been crying into his robes.

"How could you have seen them? Did you. . .Did you. . ."

"No, I did not help in their capture." He moved a little further away from her. "They were kidnapped because. ." He looked at her uneasily. How was she going to take this? "They are your parents and you are friends with Potter."

"Because. ." Her expression began to harden. "I'm Harry's friend?" She spat. "They took my parents because I'm Harry's friend?!" She said with venom ringing clear in her voice.

"Yes, Miss Granger," Snape said softly.

"Why do you do that?" She snapped suddenly at him. "You are delivering me possibly the worst news of my life and you still keep with formalities. That's disgusting. Call me Hermione - because if you try giving this type of information to other people in the future like you are doing to me now, the results of this will look mild compared to it. Formalities aren't any good for this type of thing, Professor," She repeated, her sorrow calming and her anger rising - but not at Snape, at Voldemort. She knew what she had to do, now, and knew how to do it.

"Professor," Her voice echoed softly in his mind. "How did you see my parents?" A long moment's silence elapsed between them and Hermione thought for a moment that he didn't here her, but he spoke.

"I. . ." He spoke unsurely, wondering once again how she would take this. "I have returned to the Dark Lord as a Death Eater," He paused. "I saw your parents alive though with Him."

Hermione looked at Snape with a newfound respect. "Dumbledore asked you to do it, didn't you?" She asked quietly but didn't wait for an answer. "He asked you to become a Death Eater again and return to Voldemort! That's how you knew my parents were there! Where are they?"

Snape looked quite taken aback by her sudden changed in attitude. "Miss Granger, if you are going to ask something, please keep it down to one question, it is difficult to separate them when you gibber them out like that."

Unfazed, Hermione worked up to her final question once more, "Dumbledore asked you to do it, did he not?"

Snape nodded.

"You have become a Death Eater once more?"

"I believe it has already been said that I have."

"You saw my parents when Voldemort summoned you, right?"

Snape nodded.

"Does Voldemort always summon you to the same place?"

"No, that would be foolish. He summons us to many different places around the world."

"Where did he summon you last time?"

Snape looked at her with mild surprise. "Miss Granger, my pardons, but do you think I am fool enough to answer that?"

Hermione glared at him. "It was worth a shot - and - did you just call me 'Miss Granger'?"

"Sorry, Hermione," He said without insincerity. "But were you just trying to find out where they were so you could go to them?"

Hermione looked at the fire and nodded. "I guess are you aren't going to tell me?"

"Hermione, death is something very closely associated with the Dark Lord, and if you go seeking him, you go seeking it."

"You don't think I can handle myself?" She looked at him angrily.

"That's not it," He looked at the fire, his voice was subdued.

"I-I'm sorry, that was foolish of me to say, Professor. There is only one person who can handle Voldemort. . ."

Snape didn't respond. He didn't do anything at all; not even blink. Minutes went by where he just stared into the fire and Hermione looked at him. The time ticked by slowly. . .

"Professor?" No answer.

"Professor Snape?" No answer.

Hermione continued to look at him. He seemed to be off in his own world. She didn't try to get his attention again, instead waited for him to speak. And as she waited, her anxiety grew. She wondered how her parents were doing, how they must feel, how frightened they must be. . .Hermione felt a thick clog of emotion in her throat.

"Do not worry," Snape spoke suddenly, his contemplating expression gone. He seemed to have come to a decision. . .One he didn't like. . .

"Do not worry," He repeated, "I will make sure nothing happens to your parents."

Hermione shot out of her own thoughts about her parents and questioned Snape.

"But what can you do?" She asked softly, her voice honest in its inquiry.

"In my position, I am one of the Dark Lord's top Death Eater's, he trusts me. If I tell him that it is necessary to keep them alive for some purpose, he will do so."

"You control him?" She asked in a small voice.

"No, but I am one of his favorites therefore he is more likely to believe what I say. Which is why I currently go to him now, I feed him false information."

"You have to go and suffer in that monster's presence just to give him some false information?" She sounded incredulous.

"Yes, but I also pick up on other things, like your parents. . ."

"What would he do to them?" She asked suddenly. "They're just Muggles, they have no way to defend themselves!"

"Yes, Hermione, I know. But that may also be part of the reason he keeps them alive, because he can. He thinks of himself as a god, one who can dictate life and death."

"Because he can? Does he like to kill people or not?" Her brow furrowed.

"The Dark Lord provides no explanations for His actions; he simply does them and does not concern Himself with the repercussions."

Hermione sat there, staring into the fire, feeling stupid. It seemed as if right now she could not see the obvious. And despite how sad she was about her parents, her thoughts kept coming back to Snape. He was going back to Voldemort and pretending to be on his side. . .What would Voldemort do if ever found out what Snape was doing? Worry creased her face. Such consequences. . .ones that she couldn't even imagine.

"Professor. . ." She had to ask, she just had to. To know that he put himself in such danger. . . "What is the chance of Voldemort finding you out?"

Snape's pale face paled more. It was something he had thought about himself many times, but he had never voiced it out loud. . .It made it too real. And hearing it just now. . .especially from her.

The fiery embers were starting to die down in the fireplace, but it left plenty of light for Hermione to see the angst in his eyes.

"Professor? Are you okay? I'm sorry. . .I didn't mean to. . ."

He didn't say anything; he sat there, quiet and reserved. Hermione became worried. Had she just offended him? Scared him? But from the persona he exhibits in the classroom, you would think he was fearless.

That's silly! Everyone is afraid of something! Her mind told her.

"Professor?" She moved a little closer to him. He didn't respond, only an empty, hollow look haunted his eyes. Hermione felt her heart clench. She felt sympathy for the man beside her. The man who put his life on the line to help defeat one of the greatest wizards. Admiration shined in her eyes.

"Professor," She wasn't timid like before as she placed a hand on his shoulder, this startled him and he looked at her. But he didn't say anything, just looked, un-chastising, with dark eyes that showed he troubled mind.

"I'm sorry that I said that. With Dumbledore around, Voldemort can't do anything. Everyone knows that. He can't hurt you," She said, determined to make sure that she upheld that statement.

"You don't know. . .understand. . .Sometimes it isn't the pain he realizes he inflicts that is the most painful," He spoke quietly for the first time in minutes.

It was her turn to look startled, "What do you mean?"

Abashed, he turned back to the fire, "Nothing. I shouldn't be saying this, least of all to you."

"Why? Why least of all me?"

Snape didn't say anything, his eyes were now carefully guarded, but she could still see a well-kept secret in them.

"What can't you tell me? What does he do that hurts so much?" She inched closer to him once more, her hand remaining on his shoulder.

"The Dark Lord has created many horrors, harmed many people, and taken your parents, don't concern yourself with me."

"But you keep going to him! It too dangerous! Putting yourself in so much danger isn't smart. . ." She trailed abruptly turning her face from his and surveying the room.

"Hermione," He said quietly, "Why are you so worried? I was under the impression that you and your friends didn't hold me in high regard."

She lowered her eyes. "Be-Because. .you helped me that one night. You let me tell you what happened on that night . ." She didn't look at him, afraid he would see through her. See what she was really beginning to feel. . .The real answer to his question. . .

"Is that the truth? Nothing else?" She took the risk of looking at him and nodding, and what she saw surprised her. For a brief moment, he looked sad at her answer, but all to soon his eyes reverted to the all too common unreadable state.

"You should go," Snape said quietly.

Hermione swallowed thickly before standing and walking to the wall which had served as a door before. She placed her hand on it and it opened. Stepping onto the threshold she looked at Snape sadly. He sat staring into the fire, a look of complete and utter despair on his face.

Closing her eyes for a moment she whispered, "Thank you," Then left.

___________

She felt as if her body, mind, and heart had suffered from torrents of attacks. Flopping onto her bed she laid there for several minutes before noticing a golden hue formed around her dresser. Sitting up, she reached over to it and pulled open the drawer. Inside was the enchanted parchment with the poem written on it, but it had new lines added.

Secrets of the Forbidden

Moonlight spreading through the night sky

Lighting the quiet ground

Spreading to and fro

Setting upon the silent seas

Shedding its brightness to the earth

And into the eyes of two onlookers

With admiration in their depths

Of darkness

That clouds their mind

And hearts

Allowing themselves to only see the light

Never touching its goodness

Letting only dark come near them

If for the best of all

They sacrifice themselves

To see others

Live in happiness

And with innocence

That they think they can only dream of

Not believing

That it can be more than a desire

Until they see each other.

And believe that fate is cruel

To every waking moment

Of their lives

They wish and plead inside

For desires that not even they recognize

And begin to chase the one another away

In fear of the unknown.

___________

AN:

Hey all. Hope everyone enjoyed this chapter - I know I enjoyed writing it. Though it was a bit difficult to get Snape and Hermione just right. But I think I did pretty good. I really like how the scene with them worked out, I wasn't sure about it when I was writing it, but it turned out nice. The most trying part seemed to getting it to lead up to some evens I have planned for the future. ;D You guys will love the scenes I have planned for the future.

Thanks for the reviews! I really appreciate everyone's feedback. I chose to make this chapter longer because I couldn't bear to leave it off at any place, it just seemed wrong. So, everyone gets a longer chapter this time round. I also would have had it out sooner, but I went school shopping on Saturday and my grandmother slept over (she was shopping with us). And she stayed in my room where my computer is, so I didn't get very much work done. I will try to have the next chapter out sooner.