The door of Grimmauld Place opened with a bang, and closed with one as well. Hurried footsteps searched through the house. Not in the kitchen, nor the living room. Her room, perhaps.

Severus walked hurriedly up the stairs to Hermione's room, and opened it without knocking. She sat on her bed with parchment spread everywhere, inkstains on her fingers. She looked up as he came in.

"Professor? What… are you doing in my room?"

A sense of relief rushed through him.

"I had to make sure you were safe. Because you mean more to me than anything in this world."