Four:

"Welcome to third year Potions. I am Professor Hermione Granger. This year we will be studying--" Hermione's gaze traveled to the door to her office, where Sandy Carson was grinning at her, perched atop the large teaching desk. "Excuse me for a moment, please open your text books and begin reading chapter one."

She went into her office to the whispers and stares of her students, and shut the door behind her. She regarded Sandy suspiciously before taking her by the arm and dragging her off the desk.

"Didn't the Elders teach you not to sit on desks?" she grinned.

"Sorry to interrupt a class, but this came straight from the main office. Apparently, you're coming out of retirement." Sandy said, handing her a thick parchment.

"I suspected as much. Looks like I'm working two jobs now." She opened the parchment and read.

Hermione,

A new assignment has your name on it, Love. Apparently the minions have begun to arise again. Voldemort has a successor. We do not know of his identity, only that he has summoned the remaining Death Eaters and is attempting to reform the Dark Side. The Order is cooperating with us, as they wish to stop the problem before it gets to out of hand. Stuff like this has happened before, Hermione, but we think this is for real. Others have tried, but this man knows what he is doing. He was probably in Voldemort's inner circle. Be watchful, and talk to Severus Snape. He is still a spy for the Order and has agreed to help you in any way.

Good Luck,

Oliver Wood.

Hermione looked up from her letter and shared an "I told you" look with Sandy. The blonde stared back with wide blue eyes, waiting for instructions. Hermione sat in silence for a moment, a thoughtful expression on her face.

"Gather the students, have them begin a new training schedule. Teachers need to be more thorough and prepare their students for anything. I want all Elders informed, if they aren't already, and tell Oliver that next time he plans on sending me into retirement to at least give me a full month off." She said briskly.

"Right. Get to see the cute boss. Score for me." Sandy joked. It was common knowledge that Oliver Wood didn't have a straight bone in his well-toned body.

"Just get moving, and if the Sisters find out you're gone, tell them to contact me before they put you in solitary again, you need to be within reach of the Floo at all times."

"Yes, ma'am, Miss Danger, ma'am." Sandy mock-saluted before bouncing into the green flames and disappearing from sight.

Hermione entered her classroom. The students all hurriedly pretended to be reading. Hermione sighed and walked over to the nearest Hufflepuff. She grabbed his book and turned it right side up. It was going to be a long day.

~*~

Click, clack. Click, clack.

Hermione stalked down the halls to the DADA classroom, forever cursing the many changing staircases, as she had already had to change her route twice. Finally, she reached the door and pushed it open. Severus was seated at his desk in front of the empty classroom, working on his lesson plans.

"Severus? May I have a word?" Hermione asked softly.

"Sit." he did not look up.

Hermione sat and waited patiently for him to finish his sentence and close the book. He regarded her carefully, and then gestured for her to speak.

"I received a letter from Oliver Wood this morning."

"Ah, I thought so. He didn't tell me exactly whom I would be 'helping', but I assumed it was you. Well, Miss Granger, what can I do for you?"

He still had the same dark and silky voice, but Hermione noticed his politeness gratefully. Clearly, he was trying to be respectful. She smile softly and continued.

"The Dark Armies are being assembled, as I'm sure you know. I need to know when you are summoned and what happens at the meetings. Who appears to be in control." Hermione explained.


"I was summoned last night…by Bella."

"Bella?" Lestrange?" Hermione asked, inching forward eagerly.

"Yes, she is the one who seeks to reassemble."

"I see. Well, thank you, Severus. I must get going. I have a training session in half an hour." She rose to leave.

"I am…surprised… at you choice of work, Miss Granger." Severus finally admitted. "Surprised, but impressed."

"Thank You, Sir. And to tell you the truth, no one chooses this job." Hermione said quietly.

"To true, Miss Granger, too true." he nodded thoughtfully.

"Good night, Severus."

"Good night, Miss Granger."