Thanks again to my wonderful friend Pamela RR for taking the time to always help! And a big thanks to the folks reading and following me on this journey. Your support is absolutely amazing.

Hermione sat with Voldemort on a settee directly across from their guest. Snape kept his eyes away from hers and focused his attention on Voldemort as he explained the new task he required from him. Hermione had to keep control of herself from the presence of her former professor. She couldn't stop the image of Dumbledore's funeral in her head, looping itself over and over like a magical photograph.

"Do we have an understanding of what I need from you, Severus?"

"Yes, my lord. I will provide the girl with lessons and any assistance she might need."

"I expect Hermione to to assist you with the potions I require and to be able to brew in your absence."

"As you wish, my lord," replied Severus with a bow of his head.

"Excellent," replied Voldemort as he stood on his feet. Hermione stood to follow him, but was stopped as Voldemort placed a hand on her cheek.

"I want you to stay here with Severus. He will start you on your lessons and you need to take advantage of his time before he goes back to Hogwarts." Hermione took a deep breath and tried to smile at Voldemort.

"I would prefer to learn on my own. I don't need anything from him." Voldemort laughed and placed a kiss on her lips. She wasn't sure how to react, especially with an audience in the room. As he pulled away, he kept his hand on her face, stroking it almost lovingly.

"Is something wrong, dearest?" Voldemort asked with a mischievous grin. Hermione clenched her fists on the sides of her body, not wanting to create a scene by raising her arm and slapping that damn smirk on his face. She wasn't sure what made her more upset, Snape himself or Voldemort displaying some sort of dominance over her in front of Snape. Hermione shook her head no.

"I didn't think so. I will see you tonight." With that, he walked out the door, leaving her with Snape. She sat back down in her seat, then managed to lift her head to look at the man across from her. His dark eyes were now directly locked on hers, but he had not spoken a word. Minutes that felt like hours had passed and the silence was starting to wear on her.

"So...push anyone off a tower lately?" Snape quickly pulled his wand from his robe causing Hermione to almost fall from her seat. His nostrils were flaring as his long legs made their way towards her. She felt magic surround them as he silently cast a charm.

"Why are you here Miss Granger!" His sneering voice vibrated in her ears as he pulled her up from her seat, his large nose almost touching her own.

"Don't touch me!" Hermione tried to pull herself from his grip.

"Why would you abandon him after that dunderhead walked out!" Hermione's eyes widened in shock from his statement.

"Let me go, now!" Hermione wasn't sure how to get away, so she swiftly kicked his shin causing him to yelp and he let go of her. She moved away as he bent down to rub his leg. "Stay there and don't come near me." She could see as he desperately tried to regain his composure, his chest still rising up and down to catch his breath.

"How can he succeed without you?" The look in his eyes was genuine; anger, concern, fear? "You have to go back. Back to the Forest of Dean." The thought of Harry alone was enough to cause physical pain to tighten in her chest. How can he know? Tears started to fall from her eyes.

"I can't go back," she cried, falling to her knees and hiding her face as tears flowed freely down her cheeks. The feeling of his hand on her shoulder caused her to jerk. She moved further away from her former Potion's professor, holding her hand up, reminding him to keep his distance.

"Miss Granger?" The look in his eyes softened as he once again moved towards her. This time he lowered himself to the ground as though approaching an animal about to attack. "Did he hurt you?" Hermione wiped the tears from her eyes. She knew the "he", he was referring too. She shook her head in response to his question. "Miss Granger, I'm not sure-"

"Why are you pretending to care?"

Snape rose to his feet and turned away from her. "There are things you're unaware of and that I'm not willing to share with you. Not now, at least." Hermione focused her attention back to the dark wizard. "The Dark Lord told me he had a task and here I am."

"Is that it?"

"What else would there be, Miss Granger?" She didn't trust this wizard, but she knew there was something else. Something he was hiding. She had to know.

"How do you know about the Forest of Dean?"

"I will answer your question...but first...you will answer me." Hermione decided to go along with his demand, by motioning her head for him to continue. "Why are you here at Malfoy Manor?" Hermione stood on her feet and walked to a chair that was facing the fireplace.

"I wasn't aware of where here was until now. I didn't bother asking where I was being taken to."

"Snatchers?" Hermione turned to face Snape.

"You and I both know if Snatchers found me, I wouldn't be here." Snape nodded his head in agreement as he sat back down across from her.

"You still have not answered my question."

"A blood oath." Hermione saw the flicker of concern return in his eyes, then quickly fade away.

"Why?" Hermione took a deep breath, then turned away.

"To save Harry. To keep him safe as long as possible."

"And keeping him safe involves warming the Dark Lord's bed?" Hermione narrowed her eyes.

"How would you like me to respond to that question, Snape?"

"The truth."

Hermione laughed. "You first, sir," Hermione smirked mirroring Snape's trademark expression. "Who truly has your allegiance?"

"Myself," replied Snape matter of factly.

"Then it seems we have something in common." Snape leaned back against his seat, crossing his long legs, and placing his hand underneath his chin.

"Is that so, Miss Granger."

"It is."

"Prove it." Hermione stood from her chair and approached the wizard. She lowered herself to the floor and kneeled in front of him.

"You have permission to see for yourself," she said as she tapped her index finger on her forehead. I don't know much Occlumency, so I can't hide anything from you."

"Legilimens," whispered Snape without a second to spare. Hermione instantly felt his invasion as images from over the months flashed behind her eyes. Bill's wedding, hiding, the Ministry, the locket. Her memories no longer sacred to her, but now playing like a film to a wizard she didn't trust. The late night conversations with Voldemort, the private moments alone with herself and his voice, the night they finally met. His exit was harsh and the invisible force pushed her to the ground. Her hands cradling the pain that throbbed in her head.

"How? How can you-," he snarled, standing up on his feet and looking down on her.

"You have no damn right to judge me, Snape! Let's not forget that you're here too and I know your sins are darker than my own."

"You know nothing of me, girl!"

"What else do I need to know beside you being a liar and a murderer?" She expected another outburst from him, but instead he calmed his expression and once again took a seat on a chair next to the fire.

"I don't deny any of those things, Ms Granger. But from what I saw in her mind...you're not so far behind."

"Never," she uttered, as she shook her head. Snape raised a dark eyebrow, questioning the younger witch on the floor.

"Really?" He leaned his body forward, his black eyes reflecting the glow of the fire. "The guilt you carry will eat you alive. Not to mention, you just condemned your best friend to death."

"No!" Hermione shouted as she stood up from the floor. Snape keep his eyes on Hermione, then leaned back into his chair and crossed his legs. His face displaying its trademark stoicism.

"Sit."

"No."

"Sit down...Ms Granger." The emphasis of Granger held a stern commend. Hermione walked over to the settee and sat, but her eyes refused to look at the wizard in front of her. Instead, she took a small comfort staring at the fire as the cracking of the wood filled the silence between them.

"I believe you don't want any harm to fall upon Potter. That much was clear. But you have to understand, that you leaving...will break the boy." Hermione could feel the prick of tears behind her eyes as she turned to face the dark wizard.

"I do feel guilty...but the guilt I feel is not towards my actions with Voldemort. It's only towards my dishonesty to Harry. So, I'm not sure what that says about me. I can say this and I say it with truth. Harry will live and win."

"Then, Ms Granger, we have another thing in common." The events of the last couple hours played out in her head. She knew that Snape was untrustworthy, shit he's a traitor! But she needed to know that Harry was alright. If Snape was her only way to the outside, then so fucking be it. What can he do, tell Voldemort that I support Harry? Ha! Beat you to it. Hermione schooled her expression, sat straight in her seat, then crossed her legs. Her position so beautifully mimicking her former professor's posture, she even decided to add his well beloved scowl.

"Prove it."