Hey guys sorry for the delay. I'm doing my best to get over writer's block and having time to write before and after work. Thank you for the reviews I really appreciate them. I hope you like

Chapter 16: What Now?

Silence filled the Potion Master's chambers as the three friends sat around the roaring fire. Hermione hadn't spoken a word yet the two boys were hopeful that she would tell them about what had been bothering her so.

"Hermione, what's been going on, why are you….depressed?" Harry asked finally.

Visibly Hermione stiffened at the question, but she knew she wasn't going to get out of answering it. Racking her mind she tried to think about the best way to talk to them about it.

"It's everything about my parents." She whispered. "I couldn't handle it anymore."

Harry's eyes softened as he placed his hand on Hermione's knee. "Why didn't you come to us about it?" He asked softly. "We would have gladly helped you."

"Oh Harry, I couldn't burden you with this on top of everything else. It wouldn't be fair to you." Hermione replied.

"What about me?" Ron asked quietly.

The look in Ron's eyes told her that he was hurt that she hadn't gone to him for help. "I'm sorry Ronald." Hermione whispered

Hermione lapsed into silence as her memories pulled her to the memory of her dream or was it a vision of Sirius Black a few nights ago.

"Harry, Ron I have to tell you about something that happened a few nights." Hermione stated softly. "I had a dream a few nights ago, but it might have been a vision to." She pondered a moment.

Harry leaned forward, knowing what it was like to have weird dreams. "Tell us what happened Hermione." He prodded gently

"Sirius came to me in a dream…" She started

Harry's emerald eyes grew wide behind his round wire rimmed glasses. "You did?" He whispered his soft voice cracking slightly

Hermione nodded. "He talked to me, told me to come to you for help."

"Why didn't he come to me?" Harry whispered hurt in his voice. "Why you?"

Shrugging Hermione lowered her eyes feeling down that she had hurt her friend.

"I'm sorry Harry." Hermione said quietly.

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Up in the Headmaster's office the Order of the Phoenix sat discussing the recent events. Arthur stood behind his wife trying to comfort her as she wept. Mad-eye and Remus were arguing vehemently about something concerning death eaters. Severus was pacing the length of the round office deep in thought

"Albus what will happen to her?" Molly asked tearfully.

Dumbledore looked up wearily at the Weasley matriarch. "Miss Granger is in grave danger. Severus, what news on your end?"

Severus looked up with a sour look on his face. "The Dark Lord is not pleased that he can't get to the Granger-girl. He had the Grangers murdered so that it will be easier to get to the girl."

"The girl needs a suitable guardian that will be able to keep her safe from dark wizards." Mad-eye growled.

Dumbledore nodded. "You are quite right Alastor."

"We would gladly take her in our home." Arthur volunteered.

Albus shook his head. "It is a noble thing to do Arthur but I'm afraid Miss Granger needs more protection then you can offer." He stated.

The old wizard's blue eyes wandered over those assembled in his office until they stopped on the dark form leaning on the far wall.

"Severus…" His voice was soft but commanding.

The man in question looked up. His obsidian eyes glaring daggers.

"I have full confidence in you Severus to become Miss Granger's guardian." Albus stated.

"Why me?" Severus questioned. "Why not Minerva or one of the other professors?"

"Because Severus you are the only one of us that knows what the Dark Lord is planning and therefore you know how to protect the girl." He replied matter-of-factly.

Severus growled. "Very well."

The annoying twinkle was back in the ancient blue eyes as the Headmaster turned to the others. "Now that we have that settled I'm afraid it is time to retrieve Hermione and break the news." He stated gravely. "Severus would you call Miss Granger…" He paused. "And at a second thought I believe it would be beneficial for her if Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley were present."

Nodding Severus went to the fireplace and threw in a pinch off floo dust. "Snape's Quarters." He said firmly and clearly.

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The three teens were startled when the fireplace turned green and Snape's head appeared in the flames. "You are summoned to the Headmaster's office. Say Headmaster's office and the password is chocolate frog." With that said Snape's head disappeared.

Hermione sighed. "Guess we should go. Come on guys."

Going over to the fireplace she stepped in and dropped a handful of floo powder. "Headmaster's office, chocolate frog." She called.

With a whoosh of air Hermione disappeared in the green flames. Moments later she stumbled out of the grate and into the round office. Just as she stepped aside Ron and Harry came through.

A bad feeling crept into Hermione's mind when she noticed all of the order members present. "Ah Miss Granger, Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley good of you to join us." Dumbledore greeted the three.

"Professor what's going on?" Harry asked as they took a seat in the newly conjured chairs.

The twinkle died in the old man's eyes causing Hermione to tense in her seat. "Miss Granger I'm afraid I have ill news."

"No" Hermione whispered quietly.

"Early this afternoon Professor Snape and Mr. Weasley went to your home to see why I had not got any response from my letter." He went silent. "I'm afraid to tell you Miss Granger your parents are dead."

Tears ran their course from brown eyes as the terrible news sunk in. Her mind was reeling and she felt completely numb.

"Was it Voldemort?" Harry asked suddenly

The other occupants of the room except Dumbledore and Hermione flinched at the name. In the corner Snape growled muttering about foolish Gryffindors.

"Yes Mr. Potter there was signs of dark magic used." Dumbledore replied.

Harry silently placed a hand on Hermione's arm in attempt to calm her as she sobbed over the news of her parents' untimely deaths.

Feeling the touch on her arm Hermione flinched away furiously rubbing at the tears falling from her eyes. "What now?" She asked hopelessly.

"You are no longer safe in the muggle world Miss Granger." Albus informed her.

"Couldn't she stay with us?" Ron asked hopefully

Albus rubbed his temple tiredly. "I'm afraid that is not a possibility Mr. Weasley."

"Why not?" Ron cried indigently.

"Ronald" His mother said warningly causing the red headed teen to shut his mouth.

The Headmaster's lips twitched slightly. "I have arranged Miss Granger's suitable guardianship."

Hermione looked up through red rimmed eyes and watched the mysterious twinkling in the old man's eye. Who would be her guardian? She wondered looking around at the adults present. Who does Dumbledore trust most?

Brown eyes shot over to the dark figure in the shadows. Snape was a big possibility. Deep down she hoped that it would be him. Oddly enough she felt safe with this man and knew she was going to be protected. Besides she could learn so much from him.

"I have granted Professor Snape guardianship…"

Hey guys sorry for the wait. It's getting really busy here so I'm trying my hardest to write and update. I hope you enjoyed.