Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Harry Potter in any way. I'm just borrowing them.

A/N: It's amazing. I'm still working on this. Thanks for the encouragement everyone!

Sleepless Nights

Chapter Six:
Make Someone Happy

"Fame, if you win it,
Comes and goes in a minute.
Where's real stuff in life
To cling to?" –

Jimmy Durante

Hagrid was up late that night, tending to his pumpkin patch. He was humming one of his favorite Halloween tunes as he checked on his prized pumpkin of the year. He paused for a moment when he heard something approaching his hut.

"Hagrid, you oaf… Help me…" Severus managed to gasp out before he collapsed.

Hagrid raced around to the back of his hut to find the Potions Master collapsed in front of his door with an unconscious Harry lying on top of him. "Ya done right good, Perfessor." Hagrid picked up Snape and took him inside, laying him in his bed. After tucking him in like a baby doll, he went back outside and scooped up Harry in his arms. He set off for the castle, Fang at his heels.


Hermione and Ron turned around and stared at Harry. "Did you hear something?" asked Ron.

"I thought I heard him move." Hermione looked him over. "Oh well. It doesn't matter. Madame Pomfrey said he'd be fine." She gave him a longing glance before turning back around. "I hope he's okay."

"I'm sure he is. Like you said earlier, he's always fine. I wonder what happened."

"Dumbledore said he would make an announcement after Professor Snape recovered." Hermione looked across the Hospital Wing to where Professor Snape was sitting up in his bed reading. Hermione hadn't yet gotten the chance to talk to him. Ron had always been by her side. While it was a comfort knowing Ron was near, he was becoming a bit of a nuisance. She couldn't quite get around to all the stuff on her agenda – Ron simply didn't have the patience. And although she felt she needed to be near Harry in case something happened, she knew there were things more constructive for her to be doing. Working on the Animagus potion, for instance. But she couldn't do that in front of Ron. He'd freak out like he had earlier, never mind that he might blow himself up.

She felt something prod her shoulder. "Hermione? Are you there?"

"Oh, I'm sorry Ron. I was thinking about something."

"I know that look. You were off somewhere. Thinking bout your mum and dad?"

This question took Hermione by surprise. She hardly ever thought about her parents at all during school, except to perhaps respond to the occasional letter they sent her. Come to think of it, she wrote more owls to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley than her own parents. "No, Ron. I wasn't thinking about my parents. It doesn't matter."

He shrugged. "Sure, why not."

Silence followed for quite some time. Hermione hadn't realized that the two of them had so little to talk about without Harry. Hermione scraped her mind for something to talk about. The answer was obvious.

"How are you doing on your homework?" she asked although she already knew the answer.

"Well, I… er… I do have a little catching up to do…"

"Ronald Weasley," Hermione sighed, exasperated. "You know better than that. Go get it done."

"But Hermione, I need to stay here in case he needs me."

"I'll be here, Ron. I'll come and get you if anything happens, I promise. Is that fair enough?"

Ron gave a longing glance at the unconscious Harry, and Hermione knew it was going to take a bit more to convince him to leave. Unfortunately Professor Snape was conscious and could take off points if she said the wrong thing. "I'll play you a game of chess tomorrow if you finish your homework." That did the trick. Everyone had gotten so sick of Ron beating them in wizard's chess that they had stopped playing, and Ron was forced to save up and buy an independent set that could play him on his own. Nevertheless, Hermione knew he missed the interaction with someone across the board. Ron agreed to finish his homework by nightfall and took off.

Hermione gave Harry one last look-over and tucked the sheets around him snugly before crossing the room. When she pulled up a chair beside his bed, Professor Snape didn't even close his book to acknowledge her. Hermione wasn't very surprised. She was from the House of Gryffindor. This was to be expected. She took a deep breath and started. "Professor, I know that it wasn't a part of our deal, but while you were… gone, I continued work on the Animagus potion. I went into the restricted section of the library to do some research. I turned up a few prospects like past experiments and some ingredients that might be useful to investigate."

Professor Snape laid down his book and peered at her. "Like what for instance?"

"Well, I was talking to Madam Pince about rare substances, and she mentioned veela hair. She wouldn't allow me to research veela hair without permission from Professor Dumbledore. She said that the book containing the information was once used in a very inappropriate manner and is therefore one of the most classified books on her shelves."

Professor Snape nodded. "I recall that incident. One of the most effective disasters I have seen at Hogwarts in the past ten years. At any rate, veela hair would be too expensive and too unpredictable to work with."

Hermione nodded. "I realized that. It was just a suggestion." Now she had to explain the trickier part. "You also left a potion brewing when you left. I had to break down your door with an axe to take care of it." She looked at her shoes. "I followed procedure with eliminating a potion manually. I disposed of the axe and notified Mr. Filch to clean up the pieces of your door. I also took some notes and ingredients you had left, and I've been working on building a basic solution so we can begin modifying and adding ingredients." She was in trouble, and she knew it. What she had committed was breaking and entering along with theft.

Professor Snape looked at Hermione or the top of her head rather. To be quite honest, he was impressed with the witch. Despite her usual complete lack of regard for rules and respect for personal property, she had taken the duty of their experiment upon herself while he had been absent. She knew she didn't have to, and he was sure she had plenty of other work to occupy herself.

Nevertheless, he had an image to maintain. "Well, Miss Granger, I must say your recklessness and mistreatment of school rules has not improved over a period of seven years. For destroying my property, that's twenty points from Gryffindor." He saw Hermione grimace. "Also, for taking on the responsibility of this project while I was preoccupied showed a true dedication to your work efforts. I…" he paused, "award Gryffindor fifteen points."

Hermione jerked up. Had she lost it? Professor Severus Snape, Head of Slytherin House, gave Gryffindor house points? Sure, he'd just taken points as well, but that wasn't the point. He had compensated for it. It was puzzling indeed, but it wasn't significant enough to worry about.

Professor Snape highlighted the line he was on with his wand and closed the book. "So tell me what you used for a potion base."

Hermione grinned. "It was quite simple really. I researched several potions with results similar to what we want. I made a list of the ingredients and their quantities. I separated the crucial ingredients, and compared the basic ingredients between each. I then analyzed what would be the most stable but potent combinations, selected the nine ingredients in the quantities I thought best and combined them. It has produced a very stable base to work from. It's sitting in my den right now."

Professor Snape arched a thin eyebrow. Some students never ceased to amaze him, although the context varied. Occasionally there came a student who impressed him. It would seem Hermione would remain one of those students. Rarely had a student been so adept at Potions, much less a Gryffindor girl. "Well, Miss Granger, I must indeed thank you for your assistance. Your aid has been most appreciated, and I wish you luck on your future endeavors. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to heal in peace." He picked up his book and continued reading.

Hermione gaped. Had the Potions Master just dismissed her like any ordinary student? She knew she was not an ordinary student! She had just done the most important work for him all on her own! She would not be brushed off her project like this. "I beg your pardon?"

"Miss Granger, unlike most of your fellow students, you don't seem to comprehend when your detention has been served. Your two months is over Miss Granger. Now please run along and leave me be."

Hermione reluctantly got up from her seat. He had bested her in this duel. She returned to the seat next to Harry's bedside fuming. This would require some serious plotting.


Harry's eyes fluttered open. The whiteness surrounding him was blinding in comparison to the darkness of unconsciousness. He closed his eyes to adjust to the new found light. He heard something stir. He opened his eyes again. "Ron!" he croaked. He flushed at how weak his voice was. He hadn't used it in ages.

Ron looked at him, rattled. "Harry! Are you awake?"

Harry grinned. "No, I'm a bloody ghost. Do I look awake?"

Ron leapt up from his chair and enveloped Harry in a hug. "I can't believe you're back!"

"I'm here, I promise. Just watch the ribs."

Ron released him, but he was still smiling enormously. "Do you need anything? Water?" He grabbed a nearby pitcher and poured some into a glass. His hands were shaking, and he dropped the pitcher. It smashed into a thousand pieces.

Madam Pomfrey rushed in the room. "Ronald Weasley! I will not have you making any more disturbances in my infirmary!"

Ron pointed at Harry and said, "Madam Pomfrey, look! Harry's awake!" Madam Pomfrey took one look at Harry and screeched. She grabbed Ron by his ample supply of ears and dragged him away. "I'll tell Hermione and Ginny you're up!" he shouted to Harry before the door slammed shut in his face. He spun around on his heel and tore off for Gryffindor Tower.

He burst past the Fat Lady into the Common Room. Everyone looked up from what they were doing. "Harry's awake!" he cried. Sparks and voices erupted with glee.

Ginny pushed her way past a mob of ecstatic people and faced her brother. "How is he?" she demanded.

"Oh, Ginny! He's fine! He's sarcastic and everything!"

"He's sarcastic?" she asked. "You're positive? Oh, Ron!" Ginny gripped her brother in a quick hug then dashed out the door.

Someone noticed the door swinging shut and had an idea. "TO THE INFIRMARY!" he shouted, and before Ron could warn them, he was swept over in the mad dash out the portal. When Ron managed to separate himself from the racing storm, he ran off in a different direction towards Hermione's dorm.

Ron faced Circe, who was scowling down at him as usual. "Circe, you have to let me in!" he pleaded. She sneered and raised her wand. "Harry's awake!" Startled, Circe lost control of her spell and released it on her loom. It fell apart, and all her work raveled away. Circe gave a horrified sob, but she opened nevertheless. Ron dashed inside.

Hermione was in her room by her desk, sorting through stacks of paper, holding the feather tip of her quill between her teeth. "Hermione!" Ron shouted. She yelped and dropped her quill to the floor.

"Ron! What do you mean, surprising me like that? I could-"

"Hermione, Harry's awake!" She clasped her hands over her mouth and ran past him, grabbing her cloak as she ran out the door. Ron followed close behind.

They arrived at the doors to the hospital wing, but couldn't get inside. There was a swarm of people trying to get inside, blocking anyone else's way. Ron pushed his way to the front. "What's going on here?" he shouted, silencing the rest of them.

"Madame Pomfrey won't let us in!" shouted a third-year.

"Well, what did you expect?" asked Ron. No one answered. "Well, okay. Then I would suggest you all go back to Gryffindor tower. I'll let you know when everyone can visit him. In the meantime, I would suggest that those who can should gather up sweets and gifts for Harry to welcome him back to Hogwarts." There was more silence. "LEAVE!" he shouted. Everyone scampered off.

"Nice," said Hermione, grinning.

"Thanks."

"Now what do we do?"

"We go eat lunch." Ron grinned and started walking towards the Great Hall. Hermione shrugged and followed. She needed a good lunch. Maybe it would help her clear up a few things.


Hermione and Ron were eating their lunch quite merrily. Dumbledore had made an announcement at the beginning of the meal that Harry was conscious and recovering quite well. By Dumbledore's estimate, he'd be back in his classes in about three days. He mentioned nothing of Voldemort.

Hermione felt something brush slowly across her back. She turned around to find Draco Malfoy leering down at her.

"What do you want Malfoy?" she growled.

"What makes you think I want anything from you? Maybe it's you who wants something from me, Mudblood."

"10 points from Slytherin for foul language. Watch it Malfoy."

"10 points from Gryffindor for making a threat, Mudblood."

Hermione stood up abruptly, knocking over her chair. Slowly and deliberately, she began to draw out her wand. Malfoy knew better than to let her. "Expelliarmus" he shouted. Hermione was knocked back, her wand flying out of reach.

At this, everyone in the Great Hall looked up. Hagrid made to stand up, but Professor Dumbledore bade him sit back down with a wave of his hand. More importantly however, all the sixth and seventh year girls paid rigid attention. They had been waiting for Malfoy to pick the wrong enemy.

Malfoy seemed very proud of himself for disarming the Head Girl. He puffed out his chest and tossed back his hair. No doubt he would have strutted given the opportunity.

Hermione shook her head. How very foolish of him. No one ever paid attention to the raw source until it was too late. "When will you learn," she said, "that magic… does not come… from a wand!" With this last word, she darted out her hands. Malfoy expected contact, but he remained untouched. Hermione whistled shrilly, and the note concentrated around her hands and echoed inside Malfoy's skull until he thought it would burst.

In an act of self-defense, he thrust out one of his fists and struck Hermione squarely on the nose. Immediately she opened her eyes and put her hands to her bleeding nose. She stumbled back, overwhelmed by her sudden release of the spell and the shock of being injured.

When Hermione blinked a few times and regained a sense of mind, she noticed something strange. Malfoy had obviously noticed it as well. Every sixth and seventh year girl had risen up from their seats, their wands all pointed at Malfoy's head. The tips were swelling with all the potential spells not yet spoken. Malfoy looked like he was going to soil himself.

"That is enough, I should think," Dumbledore interjected from his chair. All the girls looked at him and sat down.

"I am shocked that such a display of immaturity and violent rivalry has occurred, between a Prefect and Head Girl no less. As punishment, I shall deduct 100 points from Slytherin House from Mr. Malfoy's lack of chivalry and self-control." The Slytherins moaned as the emerald jewels were lost. Malfoy slumped and tried to disappear. Dumbledore continued, just as stern, "For Miss Granger's conduct, I giver her detention with Professor Snape in the dungeons until further notice." Hermione tried to seem horrified but this actually was just what she had been hoping for the moment Dumbledore had intervened.

Hermione sat down at the table. Everyone was giving her looks of sympathy. Hermione wanted to laugh at them all; she was jumping for joy inside. She looked at Professor Dumbledore, and she was sure she saw him wink at her. She winked back.

"Bloody hell, that must stink," Ron mumbled. "You think you're free, and then you're chained up again."

Hermione merely nodded. If she spoke, she'd have to lie through her teeth about how she felt.


Dumbledore looked up from his papers when a small knock sounded on his door. "Come in, Severus," he called. The door opened and the Potions Master glided in. He took his seat across from Dumbledore's desk.

"I can tell you that Lucius Malfoy is dead."

Dumbledore nodded. "It was inevitable. Does Draco know?"

"I have not told him yet, but I believe the return of Harry and no news of his father has alerted him."

"Indeed. Were there any other casualties? Who was there?"

"MacNair died at the hands of the Dark Lord. Everyone was there but the LeStranges. It was a revolution among the dark forces. All there believed that the Dark Lord would no longer lead them to triumph. He is obsessed with Potter, and every Death Eater knows it. He no longer cares for his followers, but for the death of those who defy him. He is willing to pay in Death Eater blood for vengeance. All but the LeStranges no longer think he is capable of leading this war. That conflict was epitomized there."

Dumbledore was lost in thought. Snape seized upon this moment to recollect his thoughts.

"Why did they feel it was necessary to kidnap Harry if they simply were in rebellion against Voldemort?" Dumbledore asked.

"Potter is the only device that will register with the Dark Lord. His life had to hold with the Death Eaters for them to be able to hold sway with their master."

Dumbledore paused. "You may go now, Severus. I must meditate on this for some time." Snape stood up to go. "Oh, and if you find a moment, please send Mr. Malfoy to my office." Snape gave a curt nod and left.


Hermione slipped down to the dungeons through one of her favorite passageways. Enough snooping and spying had lent her a sturdy knowledge of clear pathways, handy for Head Girl work and also for simply being alone. This day, she was making her way to see Professor Snape in his office. Alone. She needed to speak with Professor Snape about detention. She wasn't sure how he would react to being stuck with her again.

A terrifying thought crept into her mind. Perhaps Professor Snape wouldn't let her work on the potion anymore. Maybe that ship had sailed and she would be stuck pickling ogre eyes. The more she thought, the faster she went until she burst into Professor Snape's office and shouted, "I will not preserve Monopod foot fungus!"

Professor Snape did not even look up from his writing. His quill continued to scratch across the parchment and he growled, "Miss Granger, might I ask what it is that makes you may simply barge into my office at 8 o'clock and state outrageous claims?"

Hermione felt like a fish the way her mouth kept opening and closing. When she hadn't said anything for some time, Snape stopped writing and looked up at her. "Well?" Embarrassed and speechless, Hermione closed her mouth, turned around, and left, the office door closing quietly behind her.

Professor Snape returned to his writing in peace.

Hermione Granger stayed up all night thinking of witty remarks she might have made.