A/N: If you notice an increase in the quality of the writing in these next chapters, that is because I have Jocelyn here, and she is co-authoring them with me. It's my favorite way to write, and we have a great time doing it – hashing out plots and creating dialogue. Hope you like it!

Chapter Twenty-One

Hermione groaned and stretched, trying to relieve the ache in her shoulders. She felt as if every muscle in her body had been beaten with a rubber mallet. In fact, she was painfully aware of muscles she hadn't even known she had. She groaned again, and someone behind her began rubbing her shoulders. Bending her head, she let him massage her neck.

"Oh, Ron, you're a god. I'm so sore I can hardly move."

He released her and collapsed beside her on the cushions. Staring up at the ceiling of the common room, he nodded in sympathy.

"I know what you mean. If there's a square inch of my body that isn't black and blue… ."

"Do you see the size of that bruise?" Ginny asked, extending her leg in front of them. "And the one on my other leg is even bigger… and more colorful, if you can believe it?"

"Trampled," Luna moaned. "I've been trampled by a Three-horned Snittdoodler, I swear it!"

Neville was half on, half off the sofa, his eyes closed. He'd made an attempt to put his head in Susan's lap, but she'd shoved him off because she was too sore.

Harry was flat on his back on the floor in front of the hearth. He hadn't moved or spoken in the last half hour. Hermione considered crawling over to check on him, but decided that she was too tired to move, and that he'd keep well enough where he was.

"Never expected they'd work us this hard," Ron complained. "I doubt even Auror training is this hard."

"Are you kidding?" Neville spoke for the first time. "This is Auror training, and in a fraction of the usual time."

"True," Hermione agreed. "Remember, Kingsley said they'd bring us up to snuff, and he wasn't kidding."

"How many battles do you think we've been through so far?" Ginny asked.

"Dunno," Hermione sighed. "But this is the third time I've been killed this week."

The common room door opened, and Remus Lupin walked in. He eyed the group for a moment, then grinned.

"Everybody up. Training continues in the Room of Requirement in fifteen minutes."

"Noooooo!" came a groan from the vicinity of the hearth, even though Harry showed no outward sign of movement.

"Please," Hermione begged. "Have mercy."

"Not a chance," Remus laughed. "Up, all of you!"

They staggered to their feet, grousing and grumbling as they headed out the door. Last to leave, Harry stopped and attempted to give Remus an exhausted glare.

"Y'know, you're enjoying this way too much."

"That I am," Remus assured him. He put an arm around Harry's shoulders and they walked out together. "Much more fun than teaching DADA, since I don't have to answer to the Board of Governors for what I do to you."

Harry groaned louder, and Remus laughed.

At the Room of Requirement, a battered-looking Draco Malfoy was leaning against the entryway. He eyed Harry and Remus, shaking his head at them. Remus greeted him, jovially.

"Ah, Draco. Ready for another round of training?"

Draco turned to Harry. "Potter, you told me that he was really a nice guy when you get to know him."

"I know. He sure had me fooled all these years."

Remus laughed harder, and shoved the reluctant boys into the room ahead of him. The others were already sitting on the floor, waiting for instructions.

Hermione watched as a number of adults filed in behind Remus. Mad-eye Moody, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Tonks, Dedalus Diggle, and Hestia Jones entered the room, and busied themselves placing red bands on their right arms. So, it was going to be another students vs. Death Eater battles again. So far, they'd battled through the grounds of Hogwarts, the castle itself, and the Forbidden Forest – all without leaving the Room of Requirement. They'd done training runs, lifted weights, learned to disguise themselves in a number of different ways, using a myriad of spells and charms, and practiced tracking and following, without getting caught.

Remus had lost his cheery attitude and was entirely serious as he addressed the group.

"We're going to do a battle; the location is a street in Hogsmeade. You'll be divided into groups again, only this time there will be one major difference." He eyed each of them, in turn. "We debated about including this scenario, but, as it's a very real possibility, it was finally decided that it was an unfortunate but absolute necessity that you experience it."

Everyone was sitting up, aches and fatigue forgotten, focused on Remus. Ron exchanged a look with Hermione. She shrugged slightly, having no idea of what was coming.

"In this scenario, one of you," Remus continued, "is a traitor." There was a quick intake of breath from everyone in the room. "I've already arranged it with the person who is taking on that role. Who, I might add, was extremely reluctant to do it."

Now they were eyeing each other, looking for some sign. He cleared his throat to catch their attention. "So, here is the scenario. A group of Death Eaters," he indicated the group of adults, "has attacked a shop in Hogsmeade. Your group of Order members have been called to respond. As I said before, one of your group is a traitor. You know this, but you don't know who."

Ron muttered under his breath. "Not hard to figure it out… it's gotta be Malfoy."

Someone smacked him on the back of his head, and Ron yelled, "Hey!"

"Stupid, Weasley. Jumping to conclusions will get you killed! Constant Vigilance!" He stumped back to join the others. Ron rubbed the back of his head and looked sheepish.

"All right," Remus said. "Step out of the room, and return in ten minutes."

As a group, they rose and made their way out. The group of adult "Death Eaters" remained behind.

In the hall, Hermione found that she was shaking. She looked over at Harry.

"I hate this. I know there might be a traitor somewhere, but to make us all suspicious of each other like this… ."

Harry nodded. "But like he said… it could happen." He looked around at the others. "Anyone have anything to confess before we go in?"

"Oh right, Harry. Like that would work when it's the real thing," Ginny scoffed.

"I don't think a traitor is going to announce himself," Susan added.

"Who said it's a himself?" Luna asked. "Maybe the traitor is a woman."

"That's right!" Susan and Ginny responded.

Hermione felt a sick feeling deep in the pit of her stomach. It could most definitely be a woman. If anyone knew that she was meeting with Snape, she would be considered the traitor in their midst. She was seized by a sudden desire to get away.

"I… I don't think I can do this. I'm too tired to concentrate."

Harry moved to her side. "It's okay, Hermione. We're all tired." She shook her head at him. "C'mon. I can't go into this without all of you, remember?"

"Gotta hang in there," Ron agreed. "This is the last exercise for the day, and then we can all collapse."

She gave him a weak smile, and the door behind her swung open. Stepping inside, Hermione realized that they were standing on the street in front of the Three Broomsticks. Her mind raced over the plans of the building that they'd had to memorize earlier in the week: the main pub room with the bar, a small dining room off that for private groups, a couple of storage areas behind the bar, and also a stairway that led upstairs. There was a cellar divided into three areas, for storing liquor, food, and general supplies. Upstairs was where Madam Rosmerta had her personal quarters, and there were two additional bedrooms that could be rented out, with a small bathroom at the end of the hall. Another stairway was located at the end of the hall next to the bathroom. It ended with a door that opened to the back of the pub.

"All right." Harry spoke softly. "Luna, you're with Neville. Ginny, team up with Draco. Susan goes with Ron. Hermione, you're with me."

They spread out, the different teams taking separate positions around the building. Harry and Hermione moved around to the back, and took shelter behind a clump of bushes, surveying the area around the stairway door.

"Any overhead windows that look down directly on this exit?" Harry whispered.

Hermione scanned the building. "No. This would seem to be a weak spot."

"Don't count on it. Once we're in the stairwell, they could pick us off one at a time."

The door opened, and Tonks appeared. She scanned the immediate area, then turned, hugging the wall of the building, to make her way around to the other side. Hermione aimed her wand.

"Stupefy!"

Without making a sound, Tonks was down. Harry and Hermione eased forward quietly, and with her wand, Hermione made a blue mark on Tonks chest.

"That was too easy," Harry said. "C'mon, we've got to get inside."

They slid inside the door, and hugged the side of the stairwell, pausing for just a moment to cast a Silencing spell on their feet. At the top of the stairs, Harry eased the door open a fraction, and immediately ducked back as a spell impacted against the door.

"Damn!"

"Who's out there?" Hermione hissed. She turned and shot a spell at the exit. There was a quick glow around the door itself.

"It's Remus. What did you just do?"

"I've sealed the door to protect our backs."

"Hermione, you've just sealed our only way out!"

"Oh, yeah. Didn't think of that."

Harry grunted, shoved the door open, and hit the floor in the hallway. Remus sent a hex streaking towards him, but Hermione dashed into the hall and threw a Shield in front of Harry. The hex ricocheted off it, and Harry sent an answering spell at Remus, who dodged into Madam Rosmerta's quarters. At that point, Ginny and Draco emerged from the other stairway.

"We took out Diggle downstairs," Ginny whispered. "Who's up here?"

"So far, we've only exchanged fire with Remus. He's gone into Madam Rosmerta's private quarters."

"Hmm," Ginny said. "Interesting. He knew just where to go. Wonder if he's been there before?"

"Would you keep your mind on the battle!" Hermione snapped. Harry looked appalled.

"We've got two other rooms up here, besides her quarters," Draco reminded her. "If we go in after Remus, they could come in behind us."

"Nice trap," Harry agreed. "We'll have to search out the other rooms first."

"I'll stay here and watch Rosmerta's door," Ginny said, "while you check out the others."

Hermione stepped in front of the first door, and cast a Revelato spell. The door appeared to be as clear as glass, and she peered through it, trying to make out any movement or other sign of habitation. Nothing appeared.

"I think this one might be clear," she told the others.

Harry had cast the same spell on the second bedroom, and was examining it.

"Hey, that closet door moved," he whispered. "Think we've got ourselves a hidden Death Eater."

"Let take this one out, then we'll go after Lupin," Draco said. "Ginny, stay on watch out here and signal us if anyone attempts to come up the stairs."

"Right," Ginny answered. "I'm on it."

The three of them burst through the door, Harry sending a spell crashing into the closet door, Hermione dodging behind the armchair, and Draco hitting the floor beside the bed. The closet door swung open from the force of the hit, and Kingsley Shacklebolt shot a bolt of yellow light at Harry. He dodged it, and Draco came up over the side of the bed, simultaneously shooting at Kingsley. The hex hit him in the chest and threw him back into the closet. Hermione slid out from behind the chair, wand at ready to cover Harry. Slowly and carefully, Harry looked around the edge of the closet door, then he walked in and used his wand to place a blue dot on Kingsley's chest.

"Nice work, but you should have been watching your back."

Harry, Hermione, and Draco swung around. They'd been so intent on their battle with Kingsley, that they'd neglected to watch the door. Remus Lupin was standing there,

with Moody… and Ginny.

"Shit," Harry said.

Ginny had her wand out and aimed at Draco.

"Nice working with you… partner."

She sent Stupefy in his direction, but he dodged it, and sent the same back at her. She hit the floor. At the same time, Harry shot a hex at Moody, but the cunning old Auror easily blocked it. Hermione and Draco both shot hexes at Remus Lupin, but he, too, managed to evade them. Hermione took shelter behind the armchair again, but a blast from Moody's wand sent wood and batting flying in all directions. She tried to evade both the blast and the resulting debris, but only managed to trip over something and land flat on her back on the floor. Remus was coming at her now, apparently thinking Moody's hex had taken her out, and preparing to place a red dot on her. She kept her eyes slitted, and at the last moment, swung up her wand and hit an astonished Remus right in the chest. He crumpled.

"Woo Hoo!... ungh!"

Draco's cry of glee was cut short, and he slid to the floor. That left just Harry and Hermione to face off Moody. He kept moving, but so did they, covering each other and taking every opportunity to hex him. Moody managed to maneuver towards the door, and blasted it open. The fight continued in the hall. Minutes ticked by, or was it hours… either way, Hermione couldn't believe that they could continue to hold their own against the Auror. One spell after another came at them, and they had little time do anything but Shield and shoot.

There was a commotion at the other stairway. Neville and Luna were emerging, and a shout from Neville alerted Moody to their presence. He sent a hex racing towards them, and hit Neville before he could dodge. He wavered at the top of the stairs, then toppled backwards. There was a startled yelp from Luna and the sound of a crash; Neville had landed on her, and they'd fallen back down the stairs.

Harry took advantage of the interruption, and he dodged behind an old bookshelf in the hall. His hex impacted just above Moody and sent the remains of a shattered wall sconce raining down on his head. Moody cursed, and returned fire, just as Harry stepped out of his shelter to finish the job.

"Harry!" Hermione shouted. She threw up a Shield and ran directly into Moody's line of fire. The impact was strong, rather than painful, and she had a brief glimpse of a wall covered with an impossibly gaudy rose wallpaper, before she slammed into it, and everything went black.

"Ennervate!"

Hermione sat up, looked down at the red dot on her chest, and sighed. They were back in the Room of Requirement, and some of the others were sitting up, blue and red dots marking their robes.

"Gather round," Moody bellowed.

Hermione flinched. Her head was aching, and the talk went on around her for some time before she realized that they were in the middle of a debriefing. Kingsley was winding up his critique of the Aurors' performance. Tonks had come under his wrath for having let herself be surprised outside an entryway. Remus took his share of it as well, along with a considerable amount of teasing, for having fallen for Hermione 'playing possum.' Dedalus Diggle complained about a lack of backup among the "Death Eater" team, and Hestia Jones admitted she'd stayed hidden longer than she should have, before venturing out to help him.

Then it was the students' turn. Ginny was applauded for having kept her 'turncoat' status hidden until the right moment, but the others were reminded that with the knowledge that a traitor was in their group, no single member should have been left alone. Neville had it pointed out to him that letting your opponent know that you're behind him, by yelling at him, was not good strategy. Also, that he should be careful to be clear of his partner before he fell over.

"Blimey," he whispered to Hermione. "I was unconscious at that point. Do you think they're expecting a bit much?" She stifled a giggle.

Kingsley suggested that Moody critique Harry, Hermione, and Draco, since he'd seen them fight, while Kingsley himself had been unconscious in the closet. Moody stood up and stared hard at the three of them, his mad eye still and focused.

"You, Malfoy," he growled. "Good fight, but next time, save your celebrating until all your opponents are down."

Draco nodded. "I will. Stupid of me."

"And you, Granger. How the hell you keep getting yourself killed escapes me! The others tell me you're brilliant. Apparently not in strategy, I'd say. Try keeping yourself alive a little longer next time!"

Hermione sighed. "I probably hold some kind of record."

"And you, Potter. Damn good fight. Keep it up."

Harry had a gratified look on his face. Moody turned away, and Hermione slid over next to him.

"Nice going, Harry. You've really got it. I wish I was less of a klutz."

"You don't have to keep getting yourself killed. Try letting me block the hex next time, instead of doing it with your own body." He smiled at her. "Thanks, though."

It was the first day that they'd had off from training in nearly two weeks. Most of the others were taking advantage of the opportunity to sleep in, but Hermione had never been able to stay in bed for any extended length of time. Once she was up, she was up. In fact, she'd often been envious of her dorm mates who never seemed to pass up a chance to sleep late. Still, she appreciated the quiet time to get some work done alone.

She was the only one of her group who showed up in the Great Hall for breakfast. The Headmistress, as well as Madam Pomfrey, Hagrid, and Professor Flitwick, joined her. Normally, she was a light eater in the mornings, but food seemed uncommonly appealing, and Hermione was eating a second helping of toast and eggs, when Hagrid took notice.

"A healthy appetite, yeh got there, Hermione. Yeh don' usually eat mor'n a bird, but yer tucking in pretty good."

She laughed. "I think it's all the exercise and the training. I don't think I've worked this hard at anything in my life… well, at least physically, I mean."

The Headmistress nodded. "Kingsley Shacklebolt was commenting on the performances all of you have turned in. He's very pleased." She frowned slightly. "Although, I have my reservations about training children as warriors."

"We're not children, Professor," Hermione protested. "We're almost all of age now, and our ability to fight may be the deciding factor in whether or not we get any older."

"Well stated, Miss Granger." Professor Flitwick joined in the conversation. "I don't relish the idea of putting any of us on the front lines of this battle, but as Mr. Potter must be there… ."

"Yes, I know," replied the Headmistress. "He will need his friends and supporters by his side." She sighed. "How much longer before the decisive battle is joined, one wonders?"

And suddenly, the breakfast in front of her was no longer attractive. Hermione shoved the plate away, and turned to address Madam Pomfrey.

"How are supplies holding out? Do you need me to make anything up?"

"No, dear. Even with the amount of bruise salve we've had to use on all of you, our supplies remain well stocked. You'll be able to make another batch of Wolfsbane in about ten days?"

"I don't think that will be a problem. I've enough ingredients for at least six more batches, so I should be able to make it on schedule each month."

The Headmistress addressed her again. "As Madam Pomfrey does not require your assistance this morning, would you be agreeable to doing some work for me? I have a number of proposals to put before the Board of Governors, regarding the maintaining of Hogwarts until the school reopens. I shall need some background for three of them. Are you interested in doing a little research?"

Hermione agreed, and followed the Headmistress to her office. The morning was spent going through old Hogwarts' records, and necessitated some side trips to the library, but she was able to provide the material needed and finished up shortly after noon. A quick trip to the dorm confirmed that no one was up and about yet, so after obtaining a lunch basket from the house-elves, Hermione decided to head down to Hagrid's hut and invite him to share lunch with her.

The sun was bright, and she was enjoying her walk, when something buzzed by her head. Ducking quickly, she spotted a small creature flying past so quickly that she couldn't really identify it. There was an impression of sapphire blue and emerald green, glittering like a jewel, and then it was gone. Hermione stood there and stared around, hoping for another glimpse of it, but it didn't return.

Hagrid was delighted to see her, and obligingly toted the Sugar-sipper basket out to a shed behind his home. Once the creatures had been removed, the two of them spread out the picnic. Hagrid's stories of his adventures with the giants kept her interest through the meal, and it wasn't until she had packed up and prepared to leave, that she remembered she had a question for him.

"Hagrid, I've think I've been seeing a hummingbird around here. Do you know anything about that?"

"Hummers? Why sure, Hermione. There's a big group of 'm that live around here. Dumbledore kept 'm, yeh see."

"Kept them? Where?"

"The greenhouses. They buzz around the place when the weather's good, and stay sheltered in the hothouses when it's not."

"But… Hagrid, now that Dumbledore's gone… I mean, aren't you caring for them?"

Hagrid stroked his beard with his huge fingers while he thought about it. "'e wouldn'a left 'm without someone t' take care of 'm, but it wasn' me. And I would'a been happy t' do it. Pretty little things, but feisty… don't get scared by much, them hummers."

Puzzled, Hermione said good-bye and headed back up to the castle. She hadn't gone far from the hut, when she was buzzed again. She froze, holding her breath, and was delighted when the small blue and green bird, delicate as a fairy, hovered just out of her reach. It moved quickly from side to side, seeming to examine her, before hovering in front of her again. Slowly, oh so slowly, Hermione stretched out an open hand towards the bird, and nearly gasped with excitement when it flew down. It hovered over her fingertips for a moment, then perched on the tip of her index finger. Amazed at the sheen of the beautiful feathers adorning the bird, she didn't notice at first, the tiny scroll clutched in one tiny claw. So suddenly, that she couldn't follow the movement, the bird dropped the scroll into her hand and flew off.

Other ways of communicating with her… wasn't that what Snape had told her? Making sure that she was out of sight of any windows, Hermione pulled her wand and cancelled the Shrinking Charm on the parchment. It enlarged to a small note.

Meet me in Draco's quarters as soon as possible. Tell no one. Destroy the note.

That was all. No signature. She felt slightly annoyed in response to the peremptory tone of the note. And the fact that he'd felt it necessary to remind her not to speak of meeting with him and to destroy the note. Honestly! Did the man think she had no brains at all? A flick of her wand, the note was gone, and she ran back to the building.

Draco was gone from his quarters when she arrived, apparently having finally regained consciousness and no doubt seeking out food. She went quickly to the door in the hallway, and tapped quietly. The door opened, and she slid in past Snape, while he locked and silenced the door. A feeling of dread washed over her as she saw his face. Whatever he was here for, it wasn't good.

He remained silent for a moment, then indicated that she should seat herself, although he remained standing. She couldn't help but get the impression that the man was stalling. Unable to wait patiently, she spoke first.

"What's all this about?"

Again, he seemed to hesitate before answering her. It seemed to take some act of considerable will before he was able to do so.

"I require your assistance, and I shall have to ask you to do something in opposition to your every instinct." He seemed to have recovered his composure, and now he eyed her appraisingly. "I am trusting in your intelligence and common sense to understand that what I ask you is absolutely necessary."

Now it was her turn to be frightened and nervous. "What is it you want me to do?"

"There is a task that must be carried out before the Order will be able to move directly against the Dark Lord," Severus said quietly. "It is extremely delicate, as well as dangerous, and I will need assistance."

"From me?" She steeled herself for whatever danger she would have to step into. If he asked, she would do it.

But to her surprise, he shook his head, avoiding her eyes. "There is a limited number of persons in the Order capable of aiding me in this… you are not among them. Besides which, I will need you to continue here as we have done until now. When we are ready to move forward again, word must reach the Order."

Hermione took a deep breath. "I understand. Do you know who in the Order could help?"

"I do." He still did not seem willing to look her in the eye. "Whatever the cost, he must accompany me, without the knowledge of the rest of the Order of where we are going or what we are doing, or any possibility of my cover being blown with the Dark Lord."

"Then that's one more person who'll have to understand what you're really doing with us," she concluded, grimacing. "Do you trust him?"

"I don't know," Severus admitted. "Until he is persuaded of my true role, it will be necessary to… secure him. From the others."

Hermione stared at him as the implications of what he meant sank in. "You mean… kidnap a member of the Order? Hold him against his will? How! I mean… a teacher… or an Auror, how can you… you'd have to use force!" Her stomach lurched. "Or a trap or… trick or something… that's what you want me to do?"

Severus nodded, and she understood now why he couldn't seem to look at her. He wanted her to come up with a lie or a story or… good lord, a spell or a Potion, even… to lure one of her teachers or one of the Aurors… didn't he realize she could barely hold her own in defense practice? How could she help him overpower an Order member?

"I understand that this will be difficult for you," he said quietly, and she looked at him in dismay.

"To say the least! You won't… you won't hurt anyone in the Order, will you? You'd never hurt them," she murmured, more to herself than to him.

"I will do all I can to keep him from being harmed, Hermione. But you must help me take him from Hogwarts."

Hermione sighed heavily. "Who, then?"

Severus took a deep breath and finally looked her in the eyes.

"Harry Potter."

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