A/N: Been thinking of this for a bit. I know, I need to update Renaissance Man, and I swear it's on my list of things to do, but I had to get this one typed out first! For all of you who are clueless, it's another one of my stories. Anyway, I don't know what to say, so just read on.

Disclaimer: Own the plot. The rest I no own. I only play with.

Hermione Granger was, in her seventh and final year of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, wandering the halls past curfew, of her own accord. In other words, Hermione Granger was disregarding the rules without her partners-in-crime Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley at her sides. She was alone, she was nervous, and she was lost.

I swear I've passed that pillar about five times now, she thought to herself in frustration. Honestly, seven years in a castle and I can't even find my way to the Headmaster's office... Aha!

The familiar stone gargoyle sat at the end of the dark corridor, and as she approached it, the words Harry spoke to her earlier that night came back to her: "Just start naming off candies, you're bound to get it right eventually." She sighed, and started her guessing.

Up in the Headmaster's office, Albus Dumbledore smiled cheerfully, his eye-twinkle ever-present, as he listened to his students' guesswork down at the entrance to his office. His companion frowned.

"I'll go down and send her away, if you'd like," he offered.

"That won't be necessary, Severus," Dumbledore answered. "Let's see what she needs."

"Come on!" she growled, growing furious at the statue for not accepting her possible passwords. "Fizzing Whizbies, Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans- don't make me start naming muggle treats!" She was about to kick the gargoyle when it jumped aside and fawkes flew out. Hermione blinked, but recovered quickly, running up the stairs.

Now that the only thing in between her and the Headmaster was a large door, Hermione's nerves went haywire. She took a deep, shaky breath, raised one trembling, sweaty hand, and knocked.

The door opened, and she looked into the face of the Headmaster, still in his day robes. "Miss Granger," he welcomed, showing no surprise whatsoever. "Come in. To what do I owe this after-hours visit?" He asked, a twinkle in his eye. Hermione, shaking slightly, blushed.

"I'm sorry, sir," she whispered. "I just- I had to see you." She sat at his request, and stared at her hands, which she was wringing in her lap.

Dumbledore sat across from her behind his desk, and though he was still smiling, it was lessened. Anyone with eyes could see that Hermione was nervous. He tried breaking the silence.

"Lemon drop?" He offered, nodding to the tin. "Or would you care for some tea?" She shook her head at both of them, still not looking up.

After a few minutes of tense silence, Dumbledore wasn't smiling anymore. "Hermione, what is it that you need to talk to me about?" He asked, causing her to jump.

"Oh," she stuttered. "I... I need to tell you something. I... I..." she swallowed. "I can't do this," she muttered as she stood up and ran out of the room.

Dumbledore, frowning, sighed and sat back into his desk. Looking at one shadowed corner, he asked, "What do you make of that?"

Severus Snape emerged from the shadows, his facial expression dark. "She is hiding a secret," he replied. "One too big for her, I expect, if she had to come to you, but one too dark to voice."

Dumbledore sighed, and closed his eyes. "That's what I thought."

A/N: What do you think? Do you guys hate me? Probably. Anyway, review please!