Severus Snape sat up slowly, awakening from a mild depression, as a small knock on the door rang through his ears like an earthquake. Curious. Most, curious…
"Professor?" Severus looked up in surprise,
"Miss Granger, what are you doing here? Why aren't you with Draco?" Hermione shot him a withering look, as if to say, 'I am not his baby sitter!' ("I am not a baby!") But instead she said simply,
"Lupin said I should come. He told me to tell you," She paused for a moment, trying to remember exactly what he had said, "Oh yes," The brunette took a deep breath and began to recite, "Draco's not talking or eating or anything, Sirius is being an absolute git about it and Lupin thinks Lucius turned up but he promised Draco he wouldn't tell and could you please come and help?" Instantly, the potions-master rose to his feet, secretly glad of the excuse to go back, and grabbed his cloak off a hook,
"Yes! Of course…do you think I should tell Dumbledore?" He added uncertainly, for the first time looking at Hermione for advice, who shrugged unhelpfully,
"If you think it would be best, I really don't mind waiting around. Maybe I could catch up with my friends…"
"Okay," Severus wondered out loud, "How about I'll meet you back here in half an hour?" Hermione grinned,
"Sure."
Ron threw down his quill in frustration, splattering ink across the discarded homework, making it look as though numerous millipedes had scurried across it.
"I can't do this!" He growled, resting his head on his hands, "What's the bloody point of trying to predict our future anyway? It's not like we'll be able to stop anything from happening is it?" Harry nodded gloomily in agreement,
"Tell me 'bout it." The green-eyed boy muttered, scrunching up what had to be at least the twentieth bit a parchment and chucking it in the waste-paper bin, "Why can't teachers just die and let us get on with interesting things?"
"Well, maybe if you tried harder, it might get more interesting." Came a familiar, superior voice. The boys' faces lit up joyfully,
"Mione!" Hermione laughed and hugged them both at the same time,
"Missed me?" Ron gaped at her,
"Have we? I reckon we're going to be kept back a year now! 'S all your fault. Why d'you disappear anyway?" Hermione giggled and tapped her nose knowingly,
"It's a secret." The boys gave her a Look, " Well it was Dumbledore's idea!" She continued indignantly, "He said it wasn't safe here. But I can't tell you where I am 'cause it's a secret, see?" Harry sighed and shrugged nonchalantly in a 'Whatever, it's up to you if you tell us or not and there's not really a lot we can do about it anyway, so fine' sort of way.
There was an awkward silence…
"How's Malfoy?" Ron asked unexpectedly, breaking the rather thin ice with a chainsaw, making all the little fishies get brain damage and die randomly,
"Oh, he's umm…he's okay." Hermione said slowly, picking her words carefully, "He's still not really sure anything and Sirius is giving him a rough time but-"
"You're with Sirius?" Harry cut in eagerly, "How is he? Does that mean you're at number Twelve?" The brunette nodded and cast a furtive glance around the common room,
"Uh huh, but you mustn't tell anyone. It's got to be kept a secret! Promise?"
"Sure Mione. Who else is there?"
"Not many people really. Just Tonks, Lupin and Mad-Eye." Ron snorted, barely hiding a grin,
"I bet he just loves Malfoy."
"Actually, they get on rather well." Hermione countered defensively, "It's Sirius that's being the problem." She ignored the glare Harry was shooting in her direction, "He won't even look at Draco. Lupin and Tonks, though, as always are being lovely."
"I'm sure Sirius has his reasons for not liking him." Harry mumbled as ever defending his godfather to the very end.
"Yes, but he could at least try." Hermione pointed out obviously. Harry muttered something incomprehensible and sat back down, glaring ominously at his unfinished star-chart, "What time is it Ronald?" The red-head glanced down at his worn-out watch, the one with the frayed purple strap,
"Just gone ten-to."
"Oh…I better go then." Hermione stated, "I've got to go and meet Snape." She bowed low, "Au revoir, mes Amis!"
When she'd disappeared through the portrait hole, Ron turned to Harry,
"I really do think that girl's 'On' something." The boy who lived nodded his agreement.
A/N: Greetings to all! Hermione was supposed to be in the kast chapter but i kinda sorta...forgot. :) Sorry Mione! But hopefully i made up for it in this one!
Lady Bridgitte, please send me ur e-mail, I'd love to talk to you. >cheesy grin
Slytherin Dragon hugs to...
katieMalfoy19, Nikki's Evil Doppelganger, secretly in love, Sailor Hecate, Lady Brigitte, blueeyedchibi, Hecate Goddess of Darkness, lilmissgullable, 13BlackAngels, Hogaboom, lollenk, perfectpureblood, Dark Princesses.
I love you all!
Lilyxxxxx