Hermione walked down the hallway silently. She didn't want Professor McGonagall to catch her out at a time like this. After all, Professor McGonagall made it clear in the beginning of school that every student needs to stay in their common rooms by 8 every night. No one complained, because this year, as Professor McGonagall had stated, is "a very dangerous year." Hermione knew that if she didn't risk to come out for the chance of answering the question that bothered her and Harry, she'd probably never get another opportunity. She hid as Filch passed by, eyeing every corner suspiciously as he walked on mumbling something indistinct. Hermione rolled her eyes; she wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't because she was dying to know if she was right on her assumption. After making sure the coast was clear, Hermione got up from behind a knight and continued walking.

Severus threw the essay full of red marks and a big fat T on his desk. He sighed and stood up from his chair, rubbing his eyes. He reached for his frock coat as he checked the time on his wall. He then shut the door to his office and walked out of the classroom. Despite of all the torches burning against the walls of the hallways, the atmosphere felt unusual. Severus ignored the feeling as he paced quickly and turned at a sharp corner. He froze in his tracks when he saw a pool of blood and a body lying face down a few meters away from him. He knitted his brows and instantly ran towards the body. Kneeling down, he gently flipped the person over, realizing that it was a Gryffindor girl by the color of her tie. She was wounded badly on the forehead; the nasty wound stained her uniform with the trickling blood. After wiping some of the blood off the girls face, Severus was then able to recognize the girl as Hermione Granger.

Then the eerie atmosphere shot him, he cussed under his breath as he carried Hermione over to the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey came out from her office in her nightgown, "Severus?"

Severus set Hermione on an empty bed. Madam Pomfrey's eyes trailed down and saw Hermione unconscious, "What in Merlin's name happened to her? " she exclaimed as she rummaged through the box of bandages.

"She was attacked, supposedly by the Dark Lord." Severus glanced down at Madam Pomfrey as she covered her lips in horror.

Madam Pomfrey squeezed the question out of her dry mouth, "Does Minerva know?"

"I'm about to tell her." Severus said calmly.

Madam Pomfrey quickly dabbed various types of medicine onto Hermione's forehead as Severus left for McGonagall's office.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Something heavy pushed against her head as she opened her eyes. Hermione was badly startled by the faces staring down at her. She looked around as Professor McGonagall softly said, "Are you feeling better?"

"I guess so…" she touched her forehead, noticing the bandage wrapped around her head.

"I want you to tell me what happened last night," Professor McGonagall gave her a stern look, "why were you out of your tower at a time like that?"

Hermione's heart thumped hard at the question, "I…I was…" she looked at Harry.

"That's actually not the most important issue," Professor McGonagall shook her head lightly; "I want to know what happened to you last night in the hallway."

Hermione's head felt heavier from the sudden rush of pain, "I was attacked…. By Voldemort… He asked where Harry was, I glared at him and said I don't know… then he shot a spell at me and I went unconscious. That's all I remember. "

Professor McGonagall's face was blank, "Alright" she managed to say after a moment of silence.

"Who brought me here?" Hermione whispered.

"Professor Snape." Professor McGonagall said. Harry looked at her incredulously, "He came down to me instantly and told me that Voldemort entered our school and attacked an innocent student."

"May I see him?"

"Sure."

Severus opened the maroon letter he kept invisible behind a stack of books. It wasn't addressed to anyone, and all it said was:

Keep Hogwarts open, no matter how devastating situations get. Remember that.

Severus folded the letter back to normal and set it back behind the shelf. He stared out the window next to his desk, "I don't think Minerva will agree with you…." He whispered.

A loud knock was heard on his door, Severus' eyes darted away from the window as he sat back at his desk, "Come in."

Professor McGonagall rushed in with a stern look on her face and walked straight to his desk. "Severus, things are getting quite drastic... you said you'll do something about Voldemort as long as I kept you at school. Well?" She tapped her fingers impatiently on his desk.

Severus looked at the book shelf where he just hid his letter.

"Voldemort is going after innocent students. I think we have to shut down the school... it's too da-"

"No," Severus cut her off and shifted his eyes away from the shelf to meet McGonagall's. "Albus said that we cannot shut the school, no matter how horrible things get."

Professor McGonagall's eyes stared questionably at him. "Albus said?"

Severus' calm breathing became rapid. "Didn't he tell us that last year? I mean before...before.."

"Yes," Professor McGonagall turned away from Severus and said with an acerb tone, "he did say that before you killed him."

Severus winced at the statement, something deep inside bit him hard on his stomach. You still didn't forgive me, did you, Minerva?

"Forget it." Professor McGonagall waved her hand as if to shake off her bitter remark. "I already asked you about what happened last night; I'm just here to tell you that Hermione wants to see you."

"Miss Granger?"

"Yes," Professor McGonagall repeated as she opened the door of Severus' office, "Miss Hermione Granger."

Disclaimer: I do not own any Harry Potter characters or spells or whatever else that appears in the books

A/N: Sorry this chapter took me so long... I was finished with this chapter, but I never got the chance to post it (parents and the internet regulations...) I appreciate the seven people who cared to take their time to give me reviews and some excellent critiques :) I don't like to give away what's going to happen next, and I know its very painful to wait for updates... but people who like my work, you'll love the next chapter, I promise.