Ron and Harry found Hermione finishing her homework in the library, much to the surprise of absolutely no one. "Whatcha doin' 'Mione?" Ron asked sitting down at the table next to her.

"Homework," she replied. "Not that you would know anything about that," she added nastily.

"Ouch," Ron said in an injured voice. "Why do you have to be so harsh with us?"

"Why do you have to ask such stupid questions?" Hermione quipped. She looked up at him and grinned. "I guess I shouldn't expect anything better from you two," she said sighing dramatically.

"Ugh..." Harry said disgustedly. "For a second there, I thought you were being possessed by Snape." He grinned when Hermione rolled her eyes. "And speaking of Snape, what did he want after Potions today?" He looked at her curiously.

"Oh that," Hermione said smirking. "Actually, he wanted to know what was so funny at breakfast today. You know, with your ridiculous little spoon interview." She giggled at the memory. "He tried to make it sound as if he were looking for a reason to give you detention for attempting to assault me with your silverware. I just explained what happened and then I was allowed to leave, but I actually heard him laugh when I left."

Harry chuckled. "I guess that's better than him thinking we're a couple of nutters talking to spoons."

Ron looked from Harry to Hermione. "Are either of you going to bother explaining this to me?" he demanded. "Or does it not matter if I still think you're raving lunatics?"

"Ok Ron," Hermione said laughing. "Let's go to dinner and we'll explain it to you."

Ron agreed eagerly and helped Hermione put all of her homework back into her bag. Ron trotted off toward the Great Hall with Hermione and Harry behind him.

Harry took on the task of patiently explaining the use of microphones to Ron and Ginny, who was now sitting next to Hermione. Ron looked thoughtful for a moment. "So, that's what you and Hermione were doing this morning," he said slowly. "I suppose that is funny."

Harry smiled but suddenly looked wary when Ron picked up his spoon. "So, I would talk into the microphone like this," Ron said holding the spoon to him own mouth. "Then, when you were to answer, I'd hold it out to you." He thrust the spoon at Harry, managing to hit Harry in the face and breaking his glasses.

"Owww... Bloody hell, Ron!" Harry exclaimed.

Ron looked horrified, his face turning almost as red as his hair. Hermione and Ginny snorted with laughter. Harry sighed heavily, causing the girls to laugh even harder.

"Let me help Harry," Hermione said taking out her wand and struggling to control her laughter. She pointed her wand at his glasses confidently and said "Reparo." Harry's glasses were repaired instantly. She smiled in satisfaction and put her wand away.

"Thanks," Harry said gratefully. "Don't worry about it Ron," he said smiling.

Ron was looking distinctly flustered. He smiled sheepishly and began eating in order to ignore the amused looks on his friends' faces.

"I wish Severus had seen that," said Albus Dumbledore chuckling. He was sitting at the staff table talking to Minerva McGonagall when he witnessed Ron whacking Harry in the face with a spoon.

Minerva laughed. "Yes, Severus would have loved that little display." She looked at the empty chair next to her. "Albus," she said seriously, "Severus isn't often summoned during the day when he may be needed at the school. Is he in danger?"

Dumbledore sighed. "Unfortunately, Severus is always in danger. We can only wait and see."

Hermione parted with her friends and headed towards Professor Snape's office. She stopped when she heard someone behind her. "Miss Granger," said the kind voice of Dumbledore. She turned to look at him curiously. "Your work with Professor Snape has been canceled for tonight," he said gently. He ran his hand down his long white beard absently.

"Why?" she asked, confused. His next words made her blood run cold.

"He has been summoned by Voldemort," the headmaster said heavily. His kind eyes were sad and weary.

"Oh no," Hermione said softly. "How terrible. Poor Professor Snape," she said in a whisper.

"We hope he'll be back some time during the night," Dumbledore told her. "But we'll have to wait and see. You may return to your room for the night. Don't worry. He's done this sort of thing before," he said trying to assure not only her, but himself.

Hermione nodded and walked away, leaving the worried headmaster to his troubled thoughts.

Back in her private room, Hermione prepared herself for bed and set her clothes for the next day on a chair. Her thoughts kept straying to the potions master. I hope he's ok, she thought. Dumbledore looked so worried- No! Don't think about it.

Hermione curled up in her bed and willed herself to relax. Eventually, sleep overtook her.

In the boys' dormitories, Harry woke up in the middle of the night to a searing pain in his scar. He felt dizzy and thought his head might just split open. Slowly, the pain began receding, leaving Harry feeling nauseous and panting heavily. He rubbed his aching forehead. I wonder what Voldemort is up to now? he thought. He briefly considered going to Dumbledore to explain about the pain in his scar. However, he rejected this thought due to the fact that since Voldemort had returned to power, Harry's scar ached frequently; Sometimes more intensely than others. He finally decided to just try and get more sleep. He'd discuss it with Ron and Hermione the next day.

At 3 a.m., Albus Dumbledore was looking out of the window in his office. Conveniently enough, it overlooked the front gate of Hogwarts. He had just been notified by his Phoenix, Fawkes, that Severus Snape had just apparated outside the gate. Albus watched in relief as Severus made his way slowly onto the school grounds. The pale skin of the potions master was bathed in moonlight. Suddenly, he collapsed in a heap on the grass.

Albus shook his head sorrowfully. He wasn't surprised in the least. It was by force of habit that the headmaster watched at the window upon Fawkes' announcement of Professor Snape's return. On many such occasions Albus had been forced to help Severus back into the castle due to various injuries. Dumbledore wrote a quick note on a piece of parchment and put it into the waiting beak of Fawkes. "To Minerva," he murmured to the beautiful bird. Fawkes disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Dumbledore rushed out of his office and hurried down the hallways. Upon getting outside, he easily spotted the fallen potions master and went to kneel by his side. Minerva arrived just moments later.

"Albus," Minerva said struggling to catch her breath. "Why didn't you just come down here as soon as you knew he was back? Must you wait until he passes out?" She was looking Severus over for serious injuries.

"He's less likely to accept our help if he's conscious, Minerva," he said ruefully. At her glare he added "I wanted to wait just in case he was being watched. He could be followed some time."

Minerva nodded and then looked back down at Severus. "This looks bad Albus," she said quietly.

Albus rose mutely and waved his wand over Severus' body, levitating it. They headed back into the castle, Snape's body floating along beside them. "We'll have to keep close watch over him," Albus said tiredly. Minerva nodded in agreement. The next few hours would be very long indeed.