Chapter Twenty: Spiders Web

Hermione walked down the corridor to the dungeons, her mind spinning. She had spent the last four days in the library reading everything about the dark arts she could find. A lot of the art didn't seem say 'evil' exactly, just illegal for the most part.

There where numerous spells and potions that required blood, bone, or other body parts from an unwilling, and it was specified often as "unwilling", source, many human. This went against one of the many regulations of the ministry of magic.

Mind you many of the spells were quite helpful, and hardly any of them had a "light" alternative. For this Hermione's logical side reasoned that if there was only one way to get something done, it should be used. However her moral side argued that taking part of another unwillingly, was wrong on so many levels, regardless of what good may come from it.

She knocked on Snape's door. A dull "enter" rumbled from within and she walked in.

"Your lost in thought, Ms. Granger. What could possibly be weighing down your already heavy mind?"

"Does the end always justify the means?" She asked, her eyes dark.

"what do you mean?" he voice questioned, he eyes glaring at her.

"Albus told me to investigate the Dark side and to give it a chance." Hermione explained.

"What foolishness!" Snape shouted, "The Dark arts are alluring, but hold empty promises, they will not gain you power, or anything else, the end will never justify the means, as the end is not what you think it will be. I advise you get this folly out of your mind Ms. Granger. A spy cannot second think their loyalty. To do so, will trap you."

Hermione listened and nodded. It was foolishness wasn't it? Nothing could justify hurting or killing another being.

...Could it?

The 31st came faster then Hermione had realized. It was shocking that for one month, she had spent every evening in Snape's company, and was not mortified.

Not to mention tonight, she would be making friends and brownnosing with the Malfoys. Tonight her job as a Spy/ Assassin would begin.

She was so nervous, butterflies were multiplying in her stomach and going wild.

Harry had invited her out to the three broomsticks with Ron, to Celebrate the new year. Hermione had to decline, again, however, Ron covered for her, winking.

She did not need to guess what Ron was up to, Hermione had a very good feeling that tonight, Harry would get quite the shock.

Shaking her head, she went back to getting ready, it was a few hours until eight pm, and she was only starting her hair.

'Odin help me.' She thought, taking a deep breath. 'I'll need it.'

Her shall looked like a spiders web, strung across her back. Snape stepped out of their carriage they took from Hogwarts and offered her his hand, "Its show time," he whispered, a slight bit of excitement evident in his eyes.

Her mind and body was trapped within the web her nerves were spinning. "Lighten up" Snape whispered in her ear, the warmth of his breath sending shivers up her spine, "Or you'll blow our cover, dear." The last word was forced, mainly for appearances. He kissed her hand, once again for appearances, but it eased her worry.

Snape was with her, what could possibly go wrong? Smiling, she looked up at him, "Shall we go love? Or are you going to stand there all day, and make us terribly late?"

Snape chuckled, marveling just how well she fell into character. "Lets go" and they walked up the steps to the dark Malfoy Manor.

Hermione was sure, but she felt that if there ever was a Halloween party in existence that entombed it all, then this would be it. To bad that it was a New Years party, not Halloween.

There were cobwebs all over, lights were down low as a band played a slow waltz when they entered. Hermione saw no trace of the hosts.

"Its traditional for a grand entrance on their part." Snape whispered to her, answering her unspoken question. She nodded, and Snape bowed and they began to dance.

Hermione was watching over Snape's shoulder, absorbing all who was there. It seemed that a large portion of the Purebloods were present, and, as a large portion of them were as well, a large group of death eaters.

"Relax." Snape muttered, "I know everyone here, that's not why we are here."

"You wanted to introduce me then?" she whispered back.

"of course, and you'll fit in fabulously." He winked.

They both planed their words just so, so that if anyone was looking to over hear, they would not realize what they were truly discussing.

The lights went out suddenly went out, and Hermione gasped. Snape brought her closer to him, holding her close.

"My dear guests," A voice sounded in the dark, "welcome one and all, to the Malfoy New Years Eve BALL!"

Fire burst to life on the many light posts on the walls, at the top of the large staircase on the other side of the room from the entrance, stood Lucius Malfoy. His cape was flying around as is possessed, a magical fire light seeming to radiate from it, making Malfoy Sr. look far more intimidating then Hermione knew him to be. He slowly walked down the stair case, Narcissa followed him down, as if floating, her dress ends moving like an octopus as she glided behind him.

Draco met them at the bottom, his dragon skin robes making him look like a prince, he bowed to his father, and kissed his mothers hand before facing the room. "On behalf of my parents, I announce that this ball officially has begun."

"Begun?" Hermione whispered to Snape, below the loud applause and cheer that followed Draco's words.

"Yes, Technically, we were simply just waiting for it to begin, do not question the ethics, I realize it makes little sense." He sighed and took her hand, they both bowed low as Malfoy passed.

"Severus," Lucius drawled, "who is this delectable creature you have brought with you?"

Snape became gradually more protective of Hermione, moving close. He was glad for the opportunity to openly act how he was dying to since he has spoken to Filius oh so many days ago.

Hermione realized with fright that they hadn't discussed who she would be, she also realized that If Snape kept acting so protective, she would never get the chance to prove herself.

"Severus dear, do introduce me." She drawled, her voice more tenor then normal.

Snape nearly jumped, before smirking. "Of course, Lucius, this is Morgan, Morgan, Lucius."

Lucius took Hermione hand as she offered it, and kissed her knuckles. "Severus, such a beauty, why have you never introduced me before now?" He comment wasn't to unusual as Hermione was wearing the guise of the best features of every female she envied, Severus however didn't seem to like the complement, nor the question.

"I felt that it would be an opportune time to introduce her to everyone at once." They way he said everyone made Hermione think that something was going to happen after the party.

"I see." Lucius walked over to Snape and whispered something into his ear that Hermione couldn't hear before leaving to talk to other guests.

"charming." Hermione commented airly.

"Yes my dear." Snape took her hand and brought her close to him again, before beginning to dance again. "He takes us for lovers, and asked why hadn't I shared, I do find that quite charming."

"I see." Hermione went to thinking.

"May I interrupt?" Draco's voice asked, tapping on Hermione shoulder. "I'm sure you wont mind sharing professor, just for one dance?"

"course not Mr. Malfoy, I'll get drinks Morgan." He bowed before turning towards the refreshment table.

"No alcohol Severus dear!" she called back, Severus waved and continued to walk. Hermione had to hold back a giggle, this was to much fun. She was free to tease her professor all she wanted, and he couldn't do anything back.

But she felt a twinge in her every time she said "dear" or "love" to him, it seemed too natural.

"A dance, lady Morgan?" She turned and smiled at Draco, something she never thought in her life she would do.

"It would be an honor, Mr. Malfoy."

"Please, call me Draco." He took her hand and immediately began to dance with her.

Despite him being a complete git, Hermione did have to tip her hat to his ability to dance so elegantly.

By the time the song ended, Severus was back with drinks, "I'm afraid I need to steal back my date Mr. Malfoy."

"Of course professor, you have quite the lady there sir," Draco winked at Hermione.

Snape glared, instinctively. "indeed..." he drawled and took Hermione over to a table and away from Draco.

"I'm enjoying myself, Severus." She said his name extra long, and he glanced at her.

"I'm glad to hear that, Morgan," He too accented her name, "Because its only just beginning."

Suddenly Hermione realized, looking around the room, that everything done tonight was so interwoven, so planed, that by simply not paying attention, she may have snagged herself into a larger web.

She was grateful that at least, she has Severus with her.

Good thing that she didn't realize that Snape himself was having to battle himself so much that he too wasn't paying close enough attention as to what was happening.

AN:

YIKES

Sorry its been a bit, evil school glares at it

I had a nasty paper to do, and on top of traveling during the summer and having a college course after that them coming back to school to a research paper that took a month to do, I just got around to having time enough to write.

Happy Halloween everyone

RelenaS