Harry, Ron and Hermione were quietly discussing the events of the night before at breakfast the next morning. Harry had immediately plunged into a discription of the horrible pain he'd experienced. "It was bad," Harry said shaking his head. "My scar hasn't hurt that much in a long time."

"You didn't have any dreams about You-Know-Who, did you?" Ron asked nervously in a low voice.

"No," Harry reassured him him. "Those Occlumency lessons stopped me from having dreams about him. But, I can still feel some of his stronger emotions." He looked at Hermione and noticed that she had turned very pale and she was shaking slightly. "What's wrong Hermione?"

"Professor Snape was summoned to Voldemort," she said quietly. Ron shuddered violently, but the other two ignored him.

"What?" Harry said in alarm.

"Yesteday, I ran into Dumbledore when I was on my way to meet Snape," Hermione said in a quiet, shaky voice. "He told me that Snape had been summoned. Harry, Dumbledore looked so worried. And with your scar hurting like that..." she trailed off looking anxious.

"Relax," Ron said in an attempt to soothe her. "It's just Snape. I mean if the great greasy git hasn't snuffed it by now-"

"Shut up Ron!" Harry exclaimed. Hermione was looking horrified. "Do us a favor and don't help," Harry said frowning at Ron. He looked back at Hermione. "Don't worry. It'll be ok. If Professor Snape isn't back this afternoon, we'll go see if Dumbledore knows anything."

Hermione nodded. "I'm going to Ancient Runes now. I'll see you later," she said getting up and leaving the table.

Harry looked at Ron raising his eyebrows. "Here's some pumpkin juice for you," Harry said handing Ron a goblet. "You must be parched after shoving your foot into your mouth like that," he said sarcastically. Ron grimaced and turned back to his plate to finish eating.

Hermione walked down the hallways toward the Ancient Runes classroom. She yelped in surprise when she nearly walked into Dumbldore. "Oh!" she said. "I'm sorry, I didn't see you. My mind was elsewhere." She smiled apologetically.

"Indeed," Dumbledore said, smiling kindly at her. Hermione noticed that the headmaster looked exhausted. He said "Miss Granger, I wonder if I could trouble you for your assistance?" At her hesitation, he continued. "I will excuse you from your classes and have Mr. Potter bring any homework you are assigned," Dumbledore said smiling.

"Yes sir," Hermione replied. The headmaster gestured for her to follow him and she obeyed. They walked down several hallways and ended up in the dungeons. Hermione looked curiously at the headmaster but said nothing.

Dumbledore stopped in front of a large portrait of a very stately looking old wizard. The headmaster muttered something that Hermione couldn't hear and the picture swung foward to reveal a heavy wooden door. Dumbledore opened the door and ushered Hermione inside.

Hermione looked around to find herself in a sitting room. There was a black leather couch and a large fire place but she could see little else because the room was so dimly lit. "This way my dear," Dumbledore said, leading her through a door on the left side of the room. To her dismay, Hermione discovered the second room was someone's bedroom. She looked over at the bed to see Professor Snape.

"Oh my," Hermione said softly, her eyes widening. Snape's face a little paler than usual. He looked battered and she could see angry red marks on his neck. "He's back," she said looking over the sleeping man.

"He came back last night," Dumbledore said quietly. "He passed out on the lawn. He hasn't been awake since then, so we're not sure what exactly happened. But, we are fairly certain that the Cruciatus Curse was used on him because he's still having tremors."

"But, what can I do?" Hermione asked looking up at Dumbledore.

"Professor McGonagall and I have been watching over him," Dumbledore said looking at Snape's sleeping form. "However, we have other duties to attend to. Professor Snape rather dislikes the hospital wing and I'd prefer for the other students not to see him in this state. We wouldn't leave you without adequate instructions and you'd still be able to have meals with your classmates. Since, it's Friday, you'll miss today's classes, but he should be well enough to teach by Monday."

"Alright then," Hermione said with a smile. "I'd be happy to help."

"Wonderful," Dumbledore said, looking delighted. "His condition is improving, but he may not be able to do much independent movement." He sighed. "I suppose I should bring Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley down here. It'll be difficult to explain this without being overheard." He swiftly left the room.

Hermione looked at her sleeping professor. Beads of sweat stood out on his forehead and his whole body appeared to be trembling. She reached out to put her hand on his forehead, only to find that he was running a fever. She found a large bowl on his side table filled with cold water. She dipped a piece of cloth into it and then wrung it out. Gently, she placed the cloth on Snapes forehead in an attempt to make him more comfortable. She smiled when an almost inaudible sigh escaped his lips.

A few minutes later, Dumbledore returned to the bedroom followed by Harry and Ron. Ron's eyes widened and he said "Snape's in here!" Harry, Hermione and Dumbledore just looked at him for a moment.

"Well spotted Ron," Harry said snickering.

"Professor Snape was summoned by Voldemort last night," Dumbledore said. "He returned with many serious injuries. Miss Granger will be aiding in his recovery so that he won't be left unattended too often."

"Is he ok?" Harry asked, sounding uncomfortable. He was clearly unnerved by the idea of being in Snape's private rooms. He kept looking anxiously at Snape as if he expected the professor to suddenly jump out of bed and deduct points.

"He will be fine," Dumbledore assured Harry. "He's very strong."

Ron was looking at the sleeping man with the utmost curiousity. "Why is he all twitchy like that?" he asked suddenly.

Dumbledore sighed and Hermione said "Those tremors are an after effect of the Cruciatus Curse."

"You're joking!" Ron exclaimed leaving forward and watching the potions master interestedly.

"As funny as that is, no," Hermione said scathingly. She was shocked to hear Dumbledore chuckle. She looked at him in disbelief.

"My dear, you have spent too much time in the presence of Severus Snape," said the headmaster. His eyes twinkled. "I do believe he has rubbed off on you." Harry smirked at that comment. "Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore said, turning to Ron. "Torture by use of the Cruciatus Curse is not something we find amusing," he said gently.

Ron's face reddened. "Oh, no sir. I didn't think it was funny at all. I just thought it was sort of interesting," he said in an embarrassed tone.

Hermione shook her head. "You two had better go back to class," she said quietly. "I'll see you both at dinner." Harry turned and left the room. Ron paused and started to say something, but he thought better of it when Hermione crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows at him. He turned and left with Harry. Hermione grinned at Dumbledore. "Ron's a nice guy, but sometimes I wonder if he leaves his brain in his trunk." Dumbledore chuckled.

"I have wondered the same thing myself, Miss Granger," said a quiet silky voice. Hermione jumped in surprise. She turned to see Professor Snape awake and looking very pleased that he had startled her.

"Severus," Dumbledore said affectionately. "We're so pleased to have you back among the conscious." His eyes twinkled merrily. Snape just glared at him. "How are you feeling?" the headmaster asked.

"Like I have been run over by a hippogriff," replied Snape in a bored voice. He looked over at Hermione. "Why is she here?"

"Miss Granger will be monitoring you since Minerva and I are unable to be in here often," Dumbledore replied smiling. Before Snape could argue he said "Now, Severus this is the best way to handle it. Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley can make excuses for her absence. Since she's your apprentice, she's supposed to be working with you anyway." Snape's eyes were narrowed but he didn't comment.

"I'm afraid I must go now," Dumbledore said gently to Hermione. "You may do homework if you need to and then you may go down to dinner. We will be giving Professor Snape a potion for dreamless sleep."

"I just woke up," Snape protested.

"You have many injuries, Severus," Dumbledore replied. "Sleep will do you a world of good. You'll be up and terrifying the students again in no time. We'll talk after dinner." Turning to Hermione he said "We will also give you other instructions after dinner." He strode over to Snape's bed and took a vile of purple liquid from the side table. He lifted the vile to Snape's lips and poured the liquid in. Within moments, Snape drifted back to sleep. "See you at dinner," Dumbledore said smiling at Hermione and leaving the room.

Hermione sighed and looked over at Professor Snape. This might not be so bad, she thought. Especially if he's going to sleep all the time. Somehow, Hermione didn't think that would be the case.