A/N: I hope everyone is enjoying their holidays. This chapter has been giving me fits, but luckily I have had the assistance of Jocelyn, beta and daughter extraodinaire. I'm pleased to give co-author credit to Jocelyn, who joined me in writing Chapter Twelve. (Mum loves her baby girl!)

Chapter Twelve

"You have got to be kidding me." Draco Malfoy looked at the others in the room, as if waiting for the punch line of the joke. "Bits of soul spread all over the place, and they've all got to be destroyed before Potter can take out the Dark Lord?"

"That's a rather simplistic way of putting it, but yes," the Headmistress answered him.

Hermione watched the play of emotions across Malfoy's face. Apparently, he hadn't known about the Horcruxes, and she wondered if this meant that his father was unaware of them as well. It seemed certain that Voldemort didn't want their existence to be common knowledge; there was too much risk to him in that. But if the attack on Ginny was any indication, he knew the Order was hunting for them and that they'd succeeded in destroying one already. If the casket in the chamber contained another Horcrux, how soon would he know that they'd gained access to it, and how would he attempt to stop them?

"Mr. Malfoy, would you be agreeable to attempting to open the casket?" Headmistress McGonagall inquired.

For a moment, Draco didn't respond. "Professor, I think I'd agree to doing just about anything to take down the Dark Lord."

"Excellent," she replied. "Remus, will you accompany them to the chamber and witness the opening?"

Remus stood up. "Lead the way back to the staircase, Harry. We've got work to do."

Hermione and Ron rose from their seats as well. "Wait a minute," Draco protested. "I didn't agree to be part of some happy Gryffindor group."

"Believe me, Malfoy," Harry snapped. "If there was any way to keep you out of this, we would."

"Enough," Remus chided. "From this point on, we're in this together. Is that understood?"

Hermione and Ron nodded. Harry stared rebelliously at Remus, then finally lowered his eyes and muttered, "Yeah."

Remus swung around to look at Malfoy, who struggled to regain his look of contempt and failed utterly. "Okay, sure...just lead the way."

Although the trip back down the staircase took significantly longer than her previous trip down, Hermione appreciated having her feet on something solid as she descended, rather than hurtling through a black, slimy pipe, with no idea of where she'd end up. When they reached the bottom, they faced the solid wall with another snake silently regarding them. Hermione watched Malfoy again. As Harry stepped forward and hissed a command, and the snake moved in response, Malfoy went pale. He glanced uncertainly from the snake to Harry, and Hermione was sure that he was remembering similar interactions between Voldemort and Nagini.

Hermione followed Harry and Ron across the chamber, when she realized the others had fallen behind. Stopping to look, she saw Remus and Malfoy staring up at the huge statue. Remus recovered first, and gave Malfoy a nudge to catch his attention. The two hurried across the chamber, and followed Hermione into the room.

"Shite!" Malfoy exclaimed.

"That's one way of putting it," Remus said dryly.

"Over here," Hermione indicated the bedchamber and the table with the casket. "This is where we think Riddle hid the seal."

They gathered around the table, looking closely at the silver casket. The ruby eyes of the guardian snake glittered malevolently, and Hermione kept her distance.

"I think the three of you should step back. Malfoy and I'll deal with the snake." The sibilant rasp of Parseltongue echoed in the room, as Harry spoke and was responded to. The snake reared up, and Hermione took another step backwards, bumping into Remus. He put out a hand to steady her.

Harry turned to Malfoy. "I've told it that you're a Slytherin. Reach for the casket...slowly. If it goes at you, pull back right away. It has one hell of a bite."

"You can say that again," Hermione agreed.

Malfoy extended his hand. The snake opened its mouth wide, fangs extended, with a hiss that resembled a snarl.

"Get back!" Harry exclaimed.

Instead of complying, Malfoy regarded the snake steadily, then slowly reached over with his right hand, and slid the sleeve of his robe up his left arm. There, exposed, black against the white skin of his arm, was the Dark Mark. Hermione gasped, and heard the echoes of indrawn breath from the others around her.

The snake froze, its red eyes scanning the Mark. Giving a series of hisses, it shrank back, and slid off the casket, coiling up on the table. With a look of distaste, Harry turned to Malfoy.

"It says that you can open it...because you bear the mark of its master."

Watching the snake the entire time, Malfoy opened the clasp, and lifted the lid. The others held their breath as he drew out the contents. He turned and extended the bright object toward Hermione.

"Well?" Ron asked.

"Yes," she replied. "That's the original Ravenclaw Seal."

"And if you're right, this is the fourth Horcrux," Remus said. "Let's get back to the Headmistress's office, and we'll decide on our next step from there."

The Seal had been encased in a chest in the office, and Professor McGonagall and Remus Lupin spent an extended period of time warding it. Watching and listening as they worked, Hermione wondered if the use of such powerful magic would ever be as effortless and natural to her. In spite of her achievements at Hogwarts, she never quite lost the feeling that she was at a disadvantage because of her Muggle heritage. She sighed, and adjusted the sling on her arm absently. The swelling in her hand was nearly gone, but Madam Pomfrey had decided it would be necessary to keep the arm elevated for another couple of days.

"Does it still hurt?"

Hermione turned in surprise at the sound of Malfoy's voice. "Not much."

He turned away with a scowl, and resumed his observation of the ritual. Troubled by the anger in his face, Hermione watched his eyes. He noticed, and turned his back to her deliberately.

There was a rush of sound, a flare of light, and the chest disappeared from view. The two adults straightened up. "That will keep it secure until we can make the arrangements to destroy the Horcrux," the Headmistress said.

Harry glanced from her to Remus. "How?"

Remus slid into the chair next to him. "A ritual designed to destroy a dark object...safely."

Harry winced, caught off guard, and Hermione knew he'd caught the reference to the ill-conceived method by which the locket had been destroyed. He shot Remus a hostile look. "I want to be there when you do it."

"You will," Remus assured him. "As a matter of fact, it's going to take several of us."

"How are you...?" Hermione began eagerly, when Professor McGongall cut her off.

"It will take some time to prepare for the ritual, and in the meantime, we have other things to consider." She addressed the entire group. "Just because the school is not in session, does not mean that we will forego our usual Yule celebration. Merlin knows that there's been little to celebrate lately, so I must insist that we take some time to enjoy ourselves."

Harry opened his mouth to protest, but she overrode him. "Nothing will lost by taking a few days to relax. The Seal is safe for now, out of reach of the Dark Lord and any of his minions that might know of its existence. And," she said pointedly, "the Yule traditions must be honored. It would be inappropriate to ignore them."

A voice from the wall caught their attention. Albus smiled down. "I agree. It will be good for all of us."

The Headmistress looked pointedly at Malfoy. "We can expect visitors over the holiday, and the fewer people who know that you are hidden here, the better...so I am afraid that you will have to return to your quarters, Mr. Malfoy."

Malfoy stood up and walked over to the hearth. Taking a handful of Floo powder, he regarded them with a sneer. "It doesn't matter. I know just how welcome I'd be anyway." He threw the powder, and disappeared in a flash of green flame.

Hermione hesitated," Couldn't he..."

"No, I'm afraid not," the Headmistress answered. "For his own safety, he must remain out of sight."

Ron snorted. "That's a good idea...permanently."

"Ron!" Hermione said. "He just helped us."

Harry grimaced. "Only because it fits into his own agenda. He's not doing anything for us."

"That will do," the Headmistress said. "Mr. Potter, please round up Mr. Longbottom, Miss Lovegood, and Miss Weasley, and we shall make plans for the Yule celebration." She summoned a house elf, and Hermione joined her in the planning of the dinner menu for Christmas day. With the return of the others, they discussed decorations, music, and the invitation list for the dinner. Dumbledore interrupted frequently with suggestions, and Hermione couldn't help but laugh at the expression of exasperation that crossed the Headmistress's face as she countered most of them.

The snow falling against the windows made a thick, white curtain that cast a pearl-like sheen over the Great Hall. Above them, stars twinkled silver and gold, falling and reappearing in a continuous heavenly dance. The tables were covered with a feast, comprised of every traditional Yule favorite. Glasses of Christmas punch refilled themselves automatically, and the celebration became merrier as the evening progressed.

The large portrait above the Hall's fireplace was crowded with those who'd gathered from various portraits throughout the castle. They were enjoying their own Christmas punch, and Hermione was amused to see that the raucous singing of "Good King Wenceslaus" was being led by none other than Murphy the Muddlesome, with his arm thrown around the shoulders of Albus Dumbledore.

Hermione sat between Fleur Weasley and Kingsley Shacklebolt, pushing around the Brussels sprouts on her plate. Even though the Headmistress had assured her that Draco Malfoy would be well fed, it bothered her that he was alone while the rest of them partied. Her musing was interrupted by the twins, who were getting to their feet to propose, what she roughly figured, was their fifteenth toast so far. Next to her, Fleur laughed and leaned in to speak confidentially.

"Ah, 'ermione, there is somezing about these Weasley men, n'èst-ce pas? My Bill, 'e is zee best of them, of course, but 'is brothers, they are très adorable." She gestured slightly in the direction of Ron, who had eyes only for Luna sitting next to him. "I 'ope that you are not too 'eart-broken that Ron 'as fallen for someone else?"

"No, I'm not...really," she insisted in the face of Fleur's doubtful look.

"Zen per'aps there is someone else. I 'ope it is not 'arry, for then I think you will be deezappointed. Ginny will not give 'eem up."

"No, of course not. Harry is like a brother to me. So is Ron. And there's no one else, Fleur." Hermione responded shortly. "Excuse me." She rose from her seat and made her way towards the door. As she passed him, Neville turned in his seat.

"You okay, Hermione?"

"Just desperate for some air. I'll be back in a minute." She closed the doors behind her, intending to go towards the main entryway where the air was cooler. Instead, she jumped and gave a startled squeal at the loud "pop" that sounded behind her. She whirled around.

"Dobby! You really startled me."

"Dobby is sorry, miss. I am having a message for you from the Headmistress."

"Oh," Hermione waited.

"The Headmistress wishes you to go to her office, and Floo to the quarters of...a guest of Hogwarts."

Hermione nodded. "All right. What am I to do when I get there?"

"I am to meet you there and give you something."

"All right." Hermione changed direction and headed for the spiral staircase that led to Professor McGonagall's office. The gargoyle, sporting a red Father Christmas hat, regarded her silently. "Mistletoe." Springing aside, the stairway was clear for her ascent. Once inside the office, she couldn't resist going to the spot where the chest had been and waving her hands through the air. She encountered nothing, but hadn't expected to. What good was protective warding if you could find the object that easily? At the hearth, she picked a handful of Floo powder, then hesitated, wondering how to state her destination. She finally decided on "the quarters of Hogwart's special guest," threw down the powder, and found herself exiting from the same hearth where she'd sat shivering a couple of days previously.

Malfoy hurried in from another room, his wand at ready. Seeing her, he tucked it into his sleeve. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm not sure," she answered. "I'm supposed to meet Dobby."

"Our old house elf? What is...?" Malfoy swung around as Dobby appeared behind him. The elf was carrying a heavy tray, and without speaking to either of them, carried it over and set it on the small table in front of the fireplace. Having completed that task, he disappeared.

Hermione eyed the tray, then reached for the handle with some trepidation. Although it didn't appear to have any snakes or other short-tempered reptiles in view, she still didn't like risking her uninjured hand. She turned to Malfoy. "You open it."

"That's my job now, is it?" He said sarcastically. "To open things for Gryffindors who can't do it themselves." He pulled off the top of the tray to reveal an elaborate collection of pastries and sweets. "Looks like pudding." He picked up a chocolate-covered confection and popped it in his mouth. "G'n, Granger. Help y'self," he mumbled with his mouth full.

She opted for chocolate. "You don't mind sharing it with a Muggleborn?"

Malfoy scowled. "I don't have much choice about who I associate with, do I? Gryffindors, werewolves, Mud...Muggleborns. It's the price of staying alive."

Irked, Hermione dusted crumbs off her robe and turned to leave. "Sorry we make it so difficult for you. In case you haven't thought about it, some of us are up against it too!"

He reacted so fast, jumping in front of her, that Hermione backed up and pulled out her wand. "Up against it? What do you know about it? My mother is dead, my father's in prison, and I'm facing either death at the hands of a mad wizard or spending the rest of my life in Azkaban for a crime I didn't want to commit in the first place." He was practically shaking. "It was the only way to keep myself and my parents alive...and I couldn't do it! Do you know what that means?"

Dumbly, Hermione shook her head. "It means that the only person I have left is my father, and he'll either be killed for my failure or he'll be commanded to kill me." He spun away from her, and in one angry motion, sent the tray flying off the table, confections splattering against the hearth.

Hermione stayed where she was, watching as he bent over the table, taking deep breaths. She took a step forward, wanting to touch him, but knowing she'd be rebuffed. "Draco," she said softly, "The Order is going to help you. Once Voldemort is defeated, they'll make sure you don't go to prison. Believe me."

He straightened up, but did not turn to look at her. "If he's defeated, you mean...and I'll be dead by then." He walked away from her, and paused at the door of the adjoining room. "Get out, Granger. Go back to your party." The door closed behind him.

Blinded by tears, Hermione wandered the halls for quite some time before she realized that she was lost. One hallway led to another, and still nothing looked familiar. A request to the castle to show her the way back to the Great Hall met with no results. Instead, it was leading her to the dungeons. She found the hallway that led to the Potions laboratory, stepped inside, and sank down onto the nearest bench. Poor Draco Malfoy – expecting to be killed or imprisoned. The thought came to her, and not for the first time, that she could wind up in Azkaban herself, if her role in helping Snape ever came out. She shivered, wishing heartily that she'd never gotten involved in this deception. Better to have left everything in the hands of the Order, and kept faith with her friends. She sighed. There was so much at stake. If he's defeated, Draco had said. The chance that they could lose never seemed real, but tonight, after seeing the despair in Draco's eyes, it finally struck her as a strong possibility. Standing up, she absently adjusted the sling, and turned to go...and nearly ran into the dark figure standing directly behind her. She gave a yelp of surprise, backed up and sat down hard on the bench. Fate was treating her rather badly, she decided, confronting her with the one man that she did not want to deal with tonight.

"Miss Granger." He stood over her, arms folded.

"Professor." She couldn't keep the distress out of her voice. "Couldn't you find someone else to harass on Christmas?"

"Lest we be interrupted, I suggest this conversation be continued somewhere more secure." He gestured towards the door to his quarters. "Come with me."

Hermione got to her feet and followed him through the door. Without waiting to be invited to take a seat, she curled up in one of the chairs in front of the hearth. Pulling out her wand, she waved it at the fireplace. "Incendio."

"Do make yourself at home, Miss Granger," Snape drawled sarcastically, as he took the chair across from her. "I wouldn't want you to be less than comfortable for our little chat."

She refused to look at him. "What do you want?"

"Answers."

His tone brooked no dissension, but for once, she didn't feel like cooperating. She remained silent, and continued to stare into the fire.

"Something has sent the Dark Lord into a fury. As he won't tell us what it is, I am assuming that another Horcrux has been placed in jeopardy."

Hermione didn't respond. She had been reluctant in the past to talk about Order business with Snape, but had done so at his urging, and the urging of the portrait of Albus Dumbledore. Now she was more than reluctant, and determined to guard her knowledge carefully.

"You have nothing to tell me?"

"No. Nothing."

"The Dark Lord is venting his anger on his followers...all of us."

That brought her around to look at him closely. His face was etched with fatigue, and something else...the remnants of excruciating pain. He raised a hand to brush back a strand of hair, and she noted a faint trembling.

"He's used Cruciatus on you."

"Among other things." He paused. "Does that make you more inclined to talk?"

"What do you want to know?"

"Tell me about the Horcrux." She gave a slight shake of her head, and he responded with annoyance. "Don't take me for a fool, Miss Granger. What is it, and where is it right now?"

"Why don't you just ask Dumbledore?" she answered.

"Because," he snapped, "he is inebriated...and singing."

In spite of her annoyance with the situation, Hermione giggled. The playful side of the Headmaster's personality was no doubt enhanced by his drunken state, accounting for the irritation in the Potions Master's voice.

Snape rose from his chair and began to pace in front of the hearth. "The Horcrux," he snarled, impatiently.

Hermione felt her own temper begin to boil. He spoke to her as he would an errant house elf or an inept student. "The Horcrux is in the Seal of Rowena Ravenclaw. It was turned over to the Headmistress, and I don't know where it is now." She stood up and walked past him to the door. "Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to leave."

He stopped pacing. "I don't believe we have finished our conversation."

"Yes, we have," Hermione responded. "I don't have anything else to tell you."

He walked toward her, and it took all her will to stand her ground, and not back up. His voice was silky. "I shall tell you when we are finished, Miss Granger."

She met his look for a long as she could, staring into the blackness of his eyes. His gaze was unrelenting, and she was forced finally to turn her head away. "All right. What else do you want to know?" She could feel his presence, towering over her. His nearness was frightening her in some inexplicable way. Her pulse was pounding, and her mouth felt suddenly dry.

"How did you come to be injured?"

His question caught her unprepared. She moved her left hand to cover the injury, reflexively. "I...it's nothing. I was bitten and my hand swelled. Madam Pomfrey has seen to it."

He moved towards her again, and lifted her injured hand to examine it. He went still as he looked at the two healing punctures surrounded by the darkened and bruised skin.

"Where would you have encountered this particular snake?" he asked. She tried to slide her hand away, but he refused to release it. "Must I repeat the question?"

Resigned now to the fact that she wouldn't escape this particular confrontation, she answered him truthfully. "It was in the Chamber of Secrets, guarding the Horcrux."

She heard him catch his breath, and shook her head. "Please don't..."

He dropped her hand and caught her by the arm. "You stupid girl! You went after Potter again in spite of my warning. You failed to listen to anything I said!"

"That's not quite true," she retorted. "I did think about what you said, but I went anyway."

"Why?" he snapped, his grip tightening painfully. "I told you not to risk yourself!"

"Because Harry needed me! Because finding the Horcruxes takes precedence over anything else!" She tried again to jerk away, furious with him for taking her to task like an unruly child. "And who are you to tell me anything? I'm capable of making my own decisions!"

"And your decision is to continue to trot along behind Potter, basking in his reflected glory, is that it?"

"How dare you!" Hermione was shaking. "Harry values my help, whether you believe it or not!"

"You are of greater value to me alive than dead!"

"You can't order me to stay away from Harry," she snapped

He was just as angry as she was. "Then you are going to get yourself killed!"

She faced him defiantly. "Well, in that case, you'll just have to get yourself another little errand girl, won't you?"

"So you are content to remain Potter's little errand girl, pointing his idiotic little entourage in the right direction, doing their homework for them, taking risks of injury?" Snape derisively indicated her wounded arm. "Do you taste their food and drinks for them as well?"

Hermione wrenched her arm away and shoved him from her as hard as she could. "Don't you talk to me about my relationship with Harry!" she practically screamed. "You're a fine one to judge. Since when have you ever known the value of caring about someone enough to share the risks with them? Harry would do the same for me if I needed it, and I wouldn't have to ask, just like he didn't have to ask me!"

"I put effort and risk where it is worth most in this war!" Snape informed her.

"What's the point of taking risks and effort in a war if we lose what we're fighting for?" Hermione shot back. "Oh wait, I forgot. You're not fighting for anyone or anything other than yourself!"

He closed the space between them so fast, that she could only gasp as he seized her other arm and pulled her to him. His lips came down roughly on hers, cutting off her voice and her breath. It lasted for seconds, it lasted for hours...she couldn't be sure. He released her for a moment, his breath brushing her face, and her knees almost gave way. The eyes staring into hers were intense and impossibly black. His hand came up, and the fingers that caressed her cheek were unexpectedly gentle.

"You little fool..." The words were practically whispered, his voice soft and dark like velvet. Then his fingers moved into her hair, his lips were on hers again, and she was lost.

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