Summary: It wasn't fair. One of her best friends had given up everything to protect the wizarding world. Even the most hated Professor in the school was a spy. All in the hopes of riding them of a madman. Forbidden to interfere. She could do nothing but watch as the rest of their world simply waited for a young teenager to take care of everyone's problems.

Disclaimer: Not mine unfortunately…I just enjoy playing with them and making my own little world away from real life.

Warnings: WIP, basically whatever my poor brain comes up with at the time. Does not follow the books.
Notes: Beta is no other than (gryfferin666). Thanks for all your help.

Chapter Six

Earlier that day Harry, Ron and Ginny had finally cornered her. She was on her way to back to the common room after her meeting with the Headmaster and Professor Snape. She had taken them to the Room of Requirement and told them everything that had been happening. They promised to cover for her as much as they could, but made it clear that they did not like the danger she was putting herself in. As promised though she had asked them all to take a wizard's oath, which they had no problems with given the circumstances. They had already given their word not to talk about it. Everyone was going to take an oath anyway when they were in the common room. In the excitement of the moment though she had actually forgotten to get them to do it.

Hermione snuck out of the castle for a walk. It was after curfew but she needed to unwind. After having to deal with her friends and trying to convince Dumbledore that she could do more than play hide and seek she was frustrated to say the least. Anytime she tried to get him to let her at least help with the Order he would just twinkle at her and offer her candy. They had discussed at length her abilities and what they may mean. She knew she was supposed to do something, but what it was, well that was another matter entirely. Only once had he come to her for help. He asked her go with Remus to Hogsmeade who was dumbfounded when he found out what she could do. Dumbledore needed to send Snape on a mission and if everyone thought he was too ill to teach, then no one would question his absence. Hiding at a secluded table with Remus, she made it look like a couple of students had snuck into the three broomsticks late for a butterbeer. They drank their butterbeers, laughed and gossiped, then headed back to school. After watching to make sure that the conversation was overheard Remus had escorted her back to her rooms and went to fill Dumbledore in on the evening.

Bringing her thoughts back to the present she headed into the castle wishing could stay out longer. After making it back to her room she looked to make sure all her packing was done. In a couple of days school would be officially over and everyone would be heading home. Then she would be moving to new rooms. She would still apprentice with Professor Snape in order to stay at the castle. "Not like the old coot is going to let me do anything to help though. I swear he is up to something. He may not admit it but I think he already has suspicions as to what I may need to do. Not that he will let me know." She grumbled digging out her nightclothes. Changing and sliding into bed she remembered her conversation with Ginny after everyone had left the Room of Requirement. She had noticed Hermione's obsession with Snape. Ron was too dense to notice and Harry was preoccupied with his own worries. After an argument where she tried to convince her that she had no clue what she was talking about, she finally caved. Crying her heart out she confessed that she had been in love with Professor Snape since the end of last year but she was positive that he would never think of her that way. She made her promise not to tell the guys. She would tell them eventually but for now she wanted to keep it to herself. After all what was the point when nothing would ever come of it anyway. Sighing and punching her pillow she finally got comfortable enough to fall asleep.

'Finally that's finished.' She thought looking around. 'All unpacked.' Sitting in the chair facing the fire she stared at the flames loosing track of the time. It was only a matter of time before things came to a head. She could almost feel it. Graduation had gone smoothly at least. Everyone was tense during the ceremony but seemed to take a collective sigh once it was over. Now everyone was gone except for Harry and she really hadn't had a chance to talk to him much. He had been meeting with Dumbldore and the order a lot. The rest of the time he normally spent training. She was worried about him. He was taking on too much but what could she do. Shaking her head and pulling out her favorite book she tried to read but her thoughts soon took another turn. She had a few days off before her apprentice schedule actually started. She kept trying not to think about spending all that time with Snape. After being around him so much the last couple of weeks things had gotten worse. It was driving her mad. At the beginning of her sixth year she had developed a crush on him. It had gradually developed into much more. It didn't seem to matter that her feelings weren't returned, they were there never the less. She was a realist though. She knew nothing would ever come of it. Even if they both did survive the war, he was not the type for relationships and he certainly wouldn't think of her that way. The Insufferable- Know-It-All that he believed her to be. It simply wasn't going to happen and the sooner she became accustomed to the fact the easier it would be.

"I know he doesn't return my feelings but I simply can't leave knowing it might be the last time I see him alive. I'll offer any help I can in order to stay near him." Tears began to run down her cheeks as she softy cried. "I can't lose him, I just can't." Her book fell to the floor forgotten as she cried herself to sleep.

He pinched the bridge of his nose, another headache. It seemed as though they were a part of his normal daily routine anymore, if you could call his days normal. The tension seems to be building now more than ever. What little Dumbledore had allowed Miss Granger to help had made a small difference. The Dark Lord was not happy however. He seemed to become more demented and suspicious than ever before. Severus's only hope was that he wouldn't be discovered as a spy. He had no false hopes of surviving the war but he wanted to at least do as much he could to ensure that the Dark Lord's days were numbered. He wouldn't have minded having the same things everyone else wanted, but he knew that was not possible for him. Even if he were lucky enough to survive who would want a greasy haired git. Working with Miss Granger everyday for so many months had not helped the matter any either. He became even worse with each passing day, sneering at anyone who attempted to speak to him. Her presence was enough to drive him mad, not that he would ever admit it. It was a weakness that he had no time for. It was to late for him. She was much to young and innocent to ever be with someone like him. The less she liked him the better off she would be. When the war was over she could go on with her life and would cease to even remember the greasy Potions Master of Hogwarts. The site of her walking the grounds earlier had almost done him in, but he shook it off refusing to dwell on it. Downing the last of his drink he made his way to bed. He needed to rest while he could. The way things had been going lately this could end any day. He was almost looking forward to it. The endless curses and hexes were becoming more and more draining on his body. As he climbed into bed he thought. "Soon it will be over, soon."