Chapter 6

As she was running, she could smell the unmistakable scent of blood in the air. The sky was pitch black with the exception of spells flying through the air, almost like shooting stars. She could see the sickening shade of green being cast as the battle raged on. As she ran, she would periodically see people she recognized fighting, others were laying on the ground, motionless. She had no time to grieve, not yet, not until the snake was dead. The next thing she could register was the Dark Lord's voice echoing throughout the battlefield telling them to collect their dead, telling them to face their fate at the entrance of Hogwarts. She could see the faces of the fallen lined up within one of the corridors, Lupin, Nymphadora, Fred, Lavender, Parvati, amongst so many others. The one face she had expected but could not see was Severus Snape. A glimmer of hope had spread across her being at the thought of someone surviving such a gruesome attack.

Her vision blurred, the next image to appear was of Harry sprawled against Hagrid's chest as he brought his corpse to the entrance, Hermione kept waiting for Harry to jump out of Hagrid's arms but it never came. He laid in Hagrid's chest, motionless and very much dead, his eyes misty and unfocused. The remaining survivors faced with the choice to either submit or die. As people made their choices, some would walk over and submit, kneeling in front of the Dark Lord and prophesying their allegiance. Others chose to die, some deaths were quick, other were dragged on, notably Molly Weasley's execution as she screamed under the Cruciatus curse. Hermione was the last to choose, as she walked over, she made her choice, looking right in Voldemort's eyes she made a break for it, choosing to jump over the railing and fall to her imminent death.

Before she hit the ground, Hermione woke up in a cold sweat, her throat sore from screaming and her heart beating out of her chest. These nightmares were now a part of Hermione's everyday life. For a time, she had taken Dreamless Sleep but felt the creeping sensation of addiction and needed to up her dose on a more frequent basis for the potion to work. Cancelling the silencing charm around her bed, Hermione got up and got ready for the day. Before leaving for breakfast Hermione carefully re-applied the glamour hiding the dark circles and bags under her eyes. Taking one last look at her reflection with the glamours on, Hermione sighed and thought good enough.

"Hermione!" Ginny beckoned over. As Hermione approached she could see and sense the tension rolling over most of the student body. She could see groups of students huddled over newspapers, as she approached where Ginny and Neville sat, she saw the moving image of Azkaban on the front cover.

"You might want to sit down for this Hermione…" Neville said in a somber tone.

As she sat with her friends they handed her the newspaper. She was correct in assuming it was Azkaban, the picture depicted Dementors flying around, seeming almost panicked, something she had never seen before. The headline read Prisoners escaped, seemingly vanished in thin air. As Hermione read the article, not only did most of the remaining Death Eaters escaped, but they did so with seemingly no outside help. The next picture showed the aurors responsible with hunting down the escapees, there she saw Harry and Ron amongst a few other young men and women starring at the camera with an intense look on their faces.

"Guess we won't be hearing from either Harry or Ron for a while…" Murmured Ginny.

Hermione did not know how to respond, all she could think of was how unsafe Hogwarts was going to be if any escapees were to target any former members of the Order, especially her and professor Snape. No longer did she feel safe in the very place she called home for so many years. As she looked around the Great Hall, she happened to glance over at the Head table. As she looked over the Heads of House, she could sense their own panic, the only one seemingly unfazed was Snape. He seemed to be reading the article as it were the sports section in a muggle newspaper, and not a devastating piece of news. It was strangely comforting having him not react.

"It just makes no sense; how could they have just disappeared like that? No break in, no attack, seemingly no outside influence and poof, just gone" Said Ginny in a sad but bewildered tone.

Hermione's mind began to race, thinking of all the worst case scenarios, building herself up into a panic attack. As she was beginning to feel like she needed to run away, she glanced over at the Head Table only to lock eye with professor Snape. Seeing the state his young apprentice was in, Snape made a gesture to take a deep breath. As she followed his breathing patterns, she felt herself calm down. Hermione gave a nod of thanks and turned back to her friends.

Hermione sighed and thought of the possibilities for how they escaped. "One of the guards could have helped maybe? Or a visitor smuggling something in for them to escape with? Who knows at this point. I for one will not let those bastards take any more of my time. We've fought before and won. As much as it also frightens me, we are in the safest place possible." I think, Hermione thought to herself.

Everyone within ear shot seemed to agree and relax ever so slightly. Hermione glanced towards the head table and saw professor McGonagall stepping towards the podium. All eyes turned towards her as she cleared her throat.

"As many of you have read, it seems many of the previously captured Death Eaters have escaped. I'm sure you're all scared and worried but rest assured, Hogwarts will remain safe for anyone within its halls. For the time being, I've made the decision to postpone any Hogsmeade visits until we are sure there is no threat to your safety. I implore you to stay vigilante, and to be mindful of the information you choose to share with your loved ones through the owl postal service." Seeing the students start to whisper to one another, McGonagall held her wand to her throat, non-verbally casting the projection spell. Once again, all eyes turned towards her as her words echoed across the Great Hall.

"Make no mistake...we are still living in dangerous times, with or without the escaped prisoners there are still those who wish us harm. No one is to venture near The Forbidden Forest and if you see anything suspicious please come and see one of the staff. Now, I believe it's time for you all to head to your first period."

At the Headmistresses' dismissal, students scrambled to get out of their seats, clearly still frightened and on edge.

"Let's go Hermione, we need to head over to Defense Against the Dark Arts. I for one could use some practice and it certainly doesn't hurt coming from professor Cyprus." Added Ginny with a saucy wink.

Hermione giggled, feeling slightly better. As Hermione and Ginny made their way to Defense class, both girls were lost in thought, one thinking about the safety and location of her beloved, the other focusing on her tasks ahead. As they reached the classroom, they could see hordes of students attempting to enter the classroom. As the girls got closer they could hear students begging for private lessons from professor Cyprus, some even going as far as attempting to give him their meager galleons for lessons.

"Enough!" Exclaimed professor Cyprus. "You will all have the chance to refine your skills during you time in my classroom, otherwise I will echo the same sentiment Headmistress McGonagall expressed this morning. You are all safe here, now unless you're taking part in my morning class, please take your leave."

Hermione could see the hesitation in the students faces at leaving what they thought to be a safe haven, but one by one the students took their leave.

"Ah, Miss Granger and Miss Weasley, so nice to see you both. Please, do come in."

As Hermine and Ginny entered the classroom, professor Cyprus had to almost slam the door as he saw more students not currently enrolled in his class trying to reach for the door.

"Colloportus, now that the door is locked we may begin" Said professor with a sigh as he walked to the front of the classroom. "I know that the news this morning has frightened you all, but I promise with me in the castle as well as many distinguished war heroes and heroines…" His piercing gaze once again found itself on Hermione. "We should all be safe, but being prepared is never a bad option. Please break into pairs, we will be brushing up on some standard dueling practices and spells today. You all know yourselves, pick a partner that best represents your dueling level."

The classroom broke itself off into pairs, leaving Hermione on her own as Ginny had been snatched up by a fellow Gryffindor.

"Miss Granger, you'll be with me this lesson, there's something I wish to speak to you about."

Hermione slightly blushed, feeling slightly flustered at his attention. "Now, practice the spells you know on each-other, this should go without saying but no unforgivables and nothing that could leave more than a bruise, Miss Granger, if you could follow me into my office."

As Hermione was walking up the stairs towards professor Cyprus's office, she looked back towards the classroom only to meet Ginny's questioning stare. Hermione simply shrugged and proceeded to enter the office.

"Make yourself comfortable Miss Granger, please sit" professor Cyprus said as he motioned to the cushiony chair in front of his desk.

"Thank your professor, I must confess I'm a bit worried, have I done anything wrong?" Asked Hermione.

Professor Cyprus laughed "No my dear, In fact I have a proposal for you. I want you to be my apprentice, I think you show great promise and I would love to take you under my wing."

Hermione's smile faltered as she heard professor Cyprus's offer. "I see, had that offer been on the table earlier I may have considered it but as it is I've agreed to be professor Snape's apprentice."

At the mention of Snape's name, professor Cyprus frowned slightly "I see…and are you sure that he is the right fit for you Miss Granger? I would hate to see such potential wasted brewing burn salve. There is no art, no passion in brewing, at least not in comparison to the Dark Arts and all they have to offer."

Hermione's shoulders went up as she seethed internally, her eyes narrowed as she tried to re-gain the calm she had felt entering. "I'll have you know sir-"

BANG!

The office door swung open, only to find professor Snape standing in the doorway looking not too pleased.

"Professor Cyprus…Miss Granger, how cozy." Professor Snape drawled. "I came to retrieve my apprentice, I assume you have those papers on you Miss Granger?"

"Yes sir" Hermione responded as she reached into her bag, retrieving the documents.

"Excellent, give them here"

Once Snape had the documents in hand, he practically slammed them on the desk, all the while maintaining eye contact with professor Cyprus until he bowed his head, signing them magically. Once done, the papers burst into flames, signifying the binding of the contract. Snape stood to his full height, motioned for Hermione to get up and pointed at the door.

"Come with me Granger, it's time for you to waste your potential."

Hermione hid her smirk as she picked up her bag and followed Snape out the door. She chanced a look at professor Cyprus to find him gaping like a fish. Out of the classroom, Hermione had to practically run to catch up with Snape's long and deliberate strides.

"Sir, I hope you know, I completely disagree with everything professor Cyprus said. I-"

"No need to explain Granger, I would not have taken you on if you lacked the…passion for brewing."

"As you're now officially my apprentice, I hope you're ready Granger, today is your lucky day."

"How so sir?"

"We're going swimming"