A/N Hey guys, sorry this chapter took so long in coming, sorry it is so short, and sorry for all the mistakes that you will probably find. Hopefully all the action and suspence will make up for the delay and length. I didn't have time to read over the entire thing, so just bear with me. It should be legible enough to read.

Also, I really enjoyed writing this chapter and I want to thank RebeccaTwinTyler for the idea of the Frences. That was awesome, and I hope you like it. I added a few twists, so it should be alright.

And again, please review and let me know if you liked it! Thanks for reading! ~XCrookshanks

When Hermione woke the next morning, her head was throbbing mercilessly. Groaning in pain, she struggled to sit up. Reaching for her wand, she realized it wasn't under her pillow where is usually was.

With a growing sense of horror, she sat up and her head cracked against a wooden beam crossing over her bed. She fell back against her pillow with a barely suppressed cry of pain as she stared above her at the odd array of beams crisscrossing her bed frame, her eyes flashing white spots as her head rang. She tried to sit up but only fell back again. How she hated Snape, the arrogant git. He did this to her, and she would have her revenge, however small. With a small but forced smile of satisfaction, she remembered the Dung Bomb she had planted in Snape's desk when he had left the room. She hoped he liked his little 'present.' It was just a small act of payback, but she was fine with it.

Just then, a snicker sounded outside her bed curtains and a voice whispered, "Do you think she's up yet?"

"I don't know! You check if you're so eager to find out!" replied another high whisper.

Hermione rolled her eyes at the sound of Ginny and Lavender Brown's voices. "I know you're there, Lavender, Ginny. What did you do with my wand?" she demanded in a tired voice.

The voices stopped abruptly. Then the curtains drew back to reveal the two girls standing there, giggling at her. When Ginny saw her, though, her laughs cut short and her eyes widened. "What happened to you Hermione?"

Hermione opened her mouth to answer but at that moment Crookshanks, her orange Persian cat leaped on her chest, purring loudly. She smiled and stroked his ginger fur as he closed his green eyes contentedly. After a moment he was asleep.

"I'll tell you later," Hermione muttered.

Lavender looked ready to burst. "Please tell us," she begged. "Maybe we can help."

After hesitating a brief moment, Hermione said quietly, "Last night I had detention with Snape. He was trying to teach me Occlumency. He—he saw something I shouldn't have let him see."

Ginny gaped and Lavender just looked confused. "What did he see?" Ginny asked hoarsely, already guessing the answer. "Not the…" She couldn't bring herself to say it.

Hermione nodded miserably. "Yes, I tried everything to keep him out, but he's so much stronger in that subject, it was almost impossible." She hung her head. "I still don't know what he thought. He just acted as if nothing ever happened."

Lavender was lost. "What are you talking about?" she asked in an exasperated tone. "What did Snape see that you aren't letting me in on?"

Ginny gave Hermione a glance and whispered something in Lavenders ear. The blonde girl nodded ruefully and sighed. "Alright," she relented. Ginny smiled at her ruefully and Lavender left the room.

"What did you tell her?" Hermione asked incredulously.

Ginny snickered. "Oh, nothing, just that it was repulsive and she might not want to know."

Hermione stared at her a moment, shocked, then let out a snort of amusement. Ginny grinned and before long they were doubled over, cracking up. "You want to know something?" Hermione gasped, out of breath.

Ginny gazed at her and shook her head.

Hermione straightened her face as best she could. "I gave Snape a present!"

"You did what!" Ginny started. Her eyes widened and she clamped her hand over her mouth in disbelief. "What was it?"

Hermione snickered. "I left a Dung Bomb in his desk drawer." She couldn't hold it in any longer and she burst out laughing again, her headache long forgotten.

Ginny stared at her in shock a moment, then her face twisted into an awed expression. Then she too was laughing. After a few minutes they were both gasping for breath. "I can't believe it! What if he catches you?" The redhead was serious faced again. "You could get expelled."

Hermione sniffed with disdain. "Yeah, like they would believe the top-scoring student would go as low as to prank a teacher!"

"True," Ginny replied, but didn't laugh again. "My throat is sore now," she commented.

"Let's go down to breakfast, I'm starving!" Hermione rose from her bed and extended a hand to help her friend off the floor. They dressed quickly and had just entered the common room when Harry appeared from the boys' dormitories. He saw them and turned pointedly away as he pushed through the portrait hole. The two girls were more perplexed than ever as they followed him out into the deserted halls. As they headed for the Great Hall, they subconsciously made a wide detour around the unused hall.

Upon taking their usual seats at the Gryffindor table, they were joined by Fred and George Weasley, who sat directly across from them.

"So, did that bomb serve you well?" Fred asked Hermione with a wink.

"Yes, thank you," she replied with a grin. "We should be seeing the results about now…"

"What did you do with it?" George added, his face carved with its usual mischievous grin. "Or is it top secret like everything else you do?"

Hermione smirked. "I'll say one word, and that should explain it all." She paused dramatically. "Snape."

The twins burst out laughing and Fred said, "Well done, Hermione! We've been on to that greasy git all year! They would never suspect you for—"

He broke off as a shadow fell over them. "Suspect her for what, Weasley?" drawled a voice. A foul odor hung in the air as Professor Snape appeared at their shoulders, a sneer on his face. It was obvious he had found the Dung bomb. When no one answered, he snapped, "answer me boy, or I will give you detention the rest of the year!"

Fred quickly said, "Nothing sir, we were just talking about… what would happen if we were to try Apparating in the castle," he improvised smoothly.

Snape still looked suspicious, but after continuing to glare at them a moment more, he turned and swept away towards the Slytherin table. As he left earshot of the Gryffindor's, they sighed in relief. "That was really close," Ginny said with a scowl at the twins.

"Too close," Fred added jokingly.

Hermione gazed thoughtfully as Fred. "What would happen if we tried Apparating in the castle, eh?" she smirked. "Nice cover. It sure fooled Snape!" Anyone listening could have heard the sarcasm in her voice, and Ginny was quick to point it out.

"Yeah, and Snape'll give us a hundred points," she muttered.

Hermione hit her friend on the shoulder gently. "Lighten up, Ginny! You know he'll not suspect us, and even if he does, we can get out easy." Ginny shot her a grateful look and resumed eating. After about ten minutes, the twins left for Quidditch practice and the two girls were left alone.

Their classes that day went by quickly for Hermione, probably because she was dreading her detention. At dinner, she and Ginny were sitting alone. They remained silent until Ginny spoke.

"What is Snape having you do today?"

Hermione shrugged nonchalantly. "Who knows, maybe…scrubbing desks again? Scouring the walls? Sorting paperwork?" She snorted dryly. "Who knows?"

Ginny snickered in reply. Pretty soon the hall was almost empty. As Ginny finished eating, she said, "I'm tired; I was thinking of heading back to Gryffindor tower early, since I don't have any more classes."

"That's fine," Hermione said. "I'll be up as soon as I'm done eating." Her friend nodded and left. The next time Hermione glanced at her watch, it said 4:22. She stood from the table and sauntered down the aisle to the large doors at the back. She wanted to take a quick catnap before her detention.

As she was walking through the empty corridors, she suddenly felt breath close to her ear.

"Bring your wand and traveling cloak tonight," came the unmistakable drawl of Professor Snape. She whipped around, her heart pounding in her chest, and saw the Potions master sweeping away from her. Slowing her rapid breaths, she wrung her hands to calm her nerves. What was she thinking? With a resigned sigh, she realized she couldn't answer that.

Continuing on her path, she wondered what Snape was going to have her do. It couldn't be good, seeing as he felt the need to remind her to bring her wand. And if she needed her traveling cloak, were they leaving the castle? Where could she possibly go for detention outside Hogwarts that was any worse than the dungeons? Hermione shook herself mentally. No need to work her nerves into frenzy before detention with Snape.

Upon arriving at the Common room, she saw that it, as were the halls, was empty. The others must have already gone to bed or were outside. She sat on a plush armchair by the dying fire and waited for 6 o'clock to roll around. As she watched the flickering, mesmerizing flames, she felt herself drifting off. She closed her eyes and gave in to sleep.

Jolting to consciousness a while later, a glance at the clock said it was 5:30. With a shrug, she thought, May as well be early. Standing from the chair, she stretched, lifting her arms above her head and emitting a huge yawn. She hoped tonight's detention wasn't too long. She walked across the still empty room and out the portrait hole, grabbing her black traveling cloak on the way out and slipping her wand into the front pocket.

As she strolled slowly down the deserted corridors, she had the odd sense of being watched, or followed. Whipping around, she scanned the halls behind her. Not a thing stirred or made a noise so she continued walking her pace unintentionally quickening.

Suddenly, a flash of black caught her attention and Draco Malfoy stepped out in her path, forcing her to stop. "Well, well, if it isn't the little Gryffindor Mudblood," he sneered. He strode forward and ran his long pale fingers along her jaw line. With a glare full of loathing, she growled and snatched herself from his reach. "What do you want, Malfoy?" She demanded, impatient to keep going; if she didn't hurry, she would be late and she was sure Snape wouldn't be at all pleased if she was.

Abruptly, Malfoy's eyes flashed and he advanced rapidly on her, forcing her back. She was stopped as she hit solid wall, but Malfoy kept coming until he was barely a foot from her. "What are you doing out this time, Mudblood?" he hissed softly. "Don't you know it's your bedtime?" he spat in her face. She turned her head away from him, but he just clamped his hands on either side of her face and yanked her to look at him. He stepped forward and was suddenly pinning her to the wall with his body. She let out a small gasp as the air was squeezed from her lungs and he slammed his arm against her neck, causing her to emit a strangled squeak as her airway was cut off. Hermione clawed desperately at his hand, trying to get him off her but to no avail.

"Not so strong without your friends now are you, Granger? Obviously can't take care of yourself," he mocked, his face mere inches from hers. He laughed at her futile attempts to dislodge him. At that moment, as Hermione's vision was fading to blackness, a shadow fell over them and an unmistakable voice said, "What is the meaning of this, Draco?"

Hermione went limp with relief, and as Draco stepped away from her, she fell forward. The last thing she saw was Professor Snape reaching out reluctantly to catch her as she crumpled to the ground.

As the unconscious Gryffindor collapsed in his arms, Snape wrinkled his nose in disgust. After setting her against the wall none too gently, he turned on Draco. "What were you thinking?" he hissed. "You could have been expelled had she died!" The blonde boy on the floor picked himself up and glared at his Head of House with a gleam in his eye.

"Are you defending her now?" he demanded with a slight mock in his voice. "Not going soft are you?"

Snape narrowed his eyes menacingly, but to Draco's credit he didn't flinch. "First of all, I am most certainly not defending her, nor am I going soft. Second, the Dark Lord cannot afford to let you be expelled. You are needed here." He lowered his voice. "If you are suspended, it could ruin everything." Snape glared at the defiant boy in front of him a moment longer then turned and with a flick of his wand aroused Hermione. Draco turned and stalked away.

Hermione blinked her eyes open and waited for her vision to clear. When it did, she glanced up to see Snape standing a yard or two to her left, an impatient glare plastered on his pale face. With hurried movements she scrambled to her feet just as a massive wave of dizziness hit her and she reached out to support herself against the wall, only to find it out of her reach. As she braced herself to collapse again, a hand grasped her arm, keeping her upright until her mind cleared. She glanced over to see Snape yank his hand away from her and turn around to stride briskly away from her. She followed just as quickly, still confused as to why he had told Malfoy off.

They arrived at the main doors and Snape pushed them open effortlessly before stepping out into the stinging air. He practically flew down the front steps and headed straight for…

"The Dark Forest," Hermione stated curiously.

"Yes, the Dark Forest, vigilant girl, eh?" Snape sneered sarcastically. "I am just about out of Frences fur, and I need to restock." He explained shortly.

"A what?" Hermione stared at him in surprise. "I've never heard of a Frences."

"Of course not; books can't tell you everything," he sneered. "A Frences is a huge fox-like creature that is extremely rare, with many positive traits. Their blood, if fresh, can counter any kind of venom or poison, no matter the venoms' strength or potentness. Some hospitals, such as St. Mungo's, keep live Frences for that reason exactly. No other potions ingredient is as complex or efficient. Their golden fur is said to good luck. It hasn't been proven, but some believe that carrying it around can bring good fortune, or prevent nightmares. It's most incredible ability, though, is when it is added to boiled water and a few drops of dragons' blood, it can help relive depression. However, if taken repeatedly," he added with a smirk, "it can cause the taker to go mad, no longer believing anything is real."

Hermione's eyes were wide, but only with curiosity. "Why does it do that?"

Snape glanced at her quickly before continuing to stare ahead of him. "When taken, it replaces darkness with pure and happy thoughts. Too many of those can ruin a mind. They would be lost in their own memories…" He trailed off, lost in his own thoughts.

Hermione took his lapse of concentration to ponder what he had just told her. If that was true, why would anyone take it in the fist place? Why risk it? Just the thought of being lost in her own memories made her shudder. At that moment Snape pulled to a halt so suddenly Hermione almost ran right into him. She pulled up and he held his arm out in the unneeded fashion to stop her.

"The Frences lives in dark; they prefer it. For a while I've had a presumption that one is living in the Dark Forest. I thought it would be a suitable time to come tonight." He glared at her and started walking slowly into the Dark Forest. He continued his lecture in a faint whisper, "Their fur is golden, and their white eyes aren't visible unless you look straight at them. They are harmless at first glance, but if agitated, can be more deadly that a Basilisk, something I'm sure you've had experience with," he added roguishly.

Hermione shook her head. "No, sir, I wasn't with Harry and Ron when they were fighting the Basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets. I was paralyzed, remember?"

Snape snorted and said, "Well, you obviously had a bit of knowledge on them, seeing as how you helped them without even being there. I would think you to run headlong into battle without proper books for guidance," he said the word scornfully.

She just snickered quietly and said to herself, "Yeah, you'd be surprised what books can teach you." He turned his head sharply towards her, but the Gryffindor just smiled at him. He scowled and turned forward again. She always had a deep sense of satisfaction when she got on the Potions master's nerves, like now.

"Can you manage on your own?" Snape suddenly said. Surprised, Hermione nodded and Snape continued. "Then we will split up. Search for prints, snagged fur, anything. If you find anything, send green sparks into the air. If something attacks you, or something goes wrong, send up red sparks and I will find you. Do you understand?"

Hermione realized with a jolt of shock that his expression, which he usually masked, was one of fear, for what she didn't know, but it was there. She nodded. "Where should I go?" Honestly, she was nervous about leaving him. He may be the most hated teacher in the school, but he was still her professor and superior.

When she asked the question, he looked faintly amused. "Find something a book can't teach you, eh?" he smirked maliciously. Before she could retort, he added, "If you hadn't asked that, I would have been astounded. There's not a book in the world to teach you where to find a Frences."

Hermione didn't respond. How could she, when her least favorite teacher had just told her not everything there was to know came in books? Where else would the knowledge come from?

"You can go that way," Snape continued, gesturing to their left where the trees began thinning, but just barely. "I'll go that way—" a wave the opposite direction, "—and we meet back here in an hour. Watch your back at all times," he added seriously. "Keep your wand at ready. Now go," he watched as she cautiously picked her way through the brambles and shadowed underbrush. She vanished around a bend and he turned.

With a muttered "Lumos" Snapes wand lit and he started out into the unknown. He took that time to reflect on his life the past few days. After he had reluctantly mentored Granger in Occlumency, looking back on it now made him regret it. Yes, he had seen her dream. And yes, she had begged him not to look at it. Yet doing so would have made her think less of him as a teacher, not that he didn't want her to. He had been given an assignment to gain her trust and bring her before the Dark Lord, and he was going to do as was his obligation.

But just the thought of turning the girl over to the most evil wizard of the century made his stomach clench. He hated it, but he felt inclined to tell Dumbledore everything, from the first day in the presence of the Dark Lord to now. Yet if he did, he would be imprisoned, tortured, and, eventually, killed, for treachery on his vow. Snape was torn between his loyalties to Dumbledore and his fear of Voldemort. He would rather fight a thousand dementors than chose between loyalty and fear. Then he snickered at his naïveté and lack of consideration. Of course it would come to a choice, what was he thinking? What worried him was what he might choose.

While he had been lost in thought, Snape hadn't noticed the sudden quietness in the air, and he suddenly felt like he was being watched. Whipping his wand around at a crack behind him, he barely had time to inhale before a hard, hairy something smashed him across the face and chest, hurling him across the cramped clearing to slam hard into a thick, gnarled tree, knocking the breath from his lungs and causing white hot pain to course through his body. He groaned in agony. As his vision faded to blackness, the last thing he saw were eight huge, glowing yellow eyes glaring down at him.

Hermione whipped around sharply as a twig snapped behind her. A dark, huge shape lumbered towards her and she prepared to hit it with a spell when a familiar voice rang out towards her.

"What'r ya doin' out 'ere?"

A sigh of relief escaped her as Hagrid stepped into her wands' faint light. "Hagrid!" Then, realizing he didn't know her situation, quickly explained. "I got a detention with Professor Snape, and he decided we should come out here to look for Frences fur, and—"

"Frences?" he broke in incredulously. "There ain't none o' them cre'tures out 'ere in ye'rs," Hagrid stated. "They'd all gone, left', I think. Why woul' yeh be looking fer them anyway?"

"Snape said he was out of the fur, and he needed to restock."

"Well, yeh won't find none 'ere. Been searchin' meself fer months, not a sign." Hagrid glanced around, only then noticing Snape wasn't present. "And were migh' Professor Snape be?"

Hermione glanced at her feet. "We split up. He said it would be faster than if we were together."

Hagrid looked horror stricken. "He cain't be ou' hisself, it's too dangerous! Which way di' he—"

He was cut off as a high screeching sounded through the forest, reverberating off the dense trees. It was faint, like it was far off, but unmistakable. Hagrid stared in the direction it had come and muttered in a low voice, "Aragog." His face twisted into an expression of dread. "He on'y makes tha' sound when a human enters his ter'tory. That must mean…"

Hermione suddenly caught his meaning and realized what he was saying. She opened her mouth to speak but Hagrid had already started briskly in the direction from which the sound had come. With a sigh, she started after him, running hard to keep up with his long, easy strides.

As they rounded a sharp turn, another wail echoed ahead, much closer than before. The half giant quickened his pace, and Hermione started panting from trying to keep up. She made a mental note to never run a marathon with Hagrid.

They rounded a bend and Hermione almost ran headlong into Hagrid, who had pulled to a halt. As she stepped around him as to what had induced such a reaction, she saw Snape.

He was sprawled on the ground, his head thrown back and his limps twisted at odd angles. A nasty gash on his face was spurting crimson blood and his wand was laying on the ground next to him, snapped in two. But it wasn't her professors' condition that made Hermione shriek. It was the seven foot high, black-as-night, viciously intimidating spider crouched over him, its deadly fangs buried deep in Snape's arm.

Hagrid stormed towards the arachnid with rage flaming in his eyes. He waved his arms menacingly. "Git out, yeh vile cre'ture!" he thundered, his actions clearly showing he was prepared to beat the spider if needed. "Go on, scram, yeh ruddy, oversized devil!" Aragog didn't show any signs of leaving; instead he raised his head and glared at the bulky figure hurtling towards him. Hagrid was in arms reach and he started pounding at Aragog, who backed away slowly.

When they were well out of her way, Hermione rushed over to where Snape still lay, not stirring. His chest was barely moving and Hermione knew his time was limited as the spider venom took effect. Frantically pulling out her wand, she muttered an incantation and the gash on his cheek slowly healed until it was as if it was never there. That taken care of, she inspected the bite in his arm. It was already turning a nasty shade of purple and green, and was swollen terribly due to the spider venom. Racking her brain, she searched every spell and potion she knew for poison or… then it hit her.

"Their blood, if fresh, can counter any kind of venom or poison…No other potions ingredient is as complex or efficient…" Snapes own words rang in her ears and she knew what she had to do. Standing, she glanced around for Hagrid. He was just emerging from the shadows and he hurried over to her.

"How is 'e?" he demanded, concern and remorse clear in his rough voice. He didn't wait for an answer. "I should'e knowed Aragog would be 'ere, he hates intruders. It's all my fault." His voice broke and Hermione glanced at him in surprise.

"Hagrid," she soothed, "It's not your fault; you couldn't have known Aragog would be here, no one knew. Listen, I need your help. Stay here with Professor Snape; make sure nothing else comes to hurt him any more. I—I need to find something." She avoided her friends' eyes, knowing he would want to know. She was not to be disappointed.

"Fin' what?" Hagrid asked curiously. "Nothin' 'ere I hope, yeh cain't go off on yer own."

"Hagrid listen, if I don't, he will die." Hermione's voice rose and took on a desperate tone. "You have to trust me. Please."

Hagrid turned his head and sighed audibly before replying. "Fine. But keep yer wand out an' watch yer back at all time. Don' let that devil get the better o' yeh."

Hermione chuckled quietly at his words, almost exactly the same as Snapes' earlier. "I will." She cast one more regretful glance at the Potions Masters' unconscious, unmoving body before turning to face the darkness and, probably, her doom. As she headed deeper into the unfamiliar territory, she realized she hadn't a clue of what to look for pertaining to Frences' trails. For a moment, she recalled everything Professor Snape had told her about the creatures. Golden fur, white eyes, sharp claws, harmless unless provoked... She shook her head. It was no use. Her best bet was to search for the fur or for prints with distinct claws. Scanning the ground carefully, she trekked onward. After about ten minutes and no sign of anything, Frences or not, she was starting to get discouraged. It was, inadvertently then, that a flash of gold caught her eye. Turning sharply, she stared into the darkness.

Nothing.

After a moment of watching, and seeing nix, she continued on, chary yet excited by the flash of color. Her wand hand was shivering, causing the light spilling from the tip to seem watery as it shimmered. She proceeded at a slower pace, hoping to see…whatever it was…again. What happened next took Hermione completely unawares.

A twig snapped behind her… Pounding paws thundered towards her… She barely had time to breathe… Something hurtled at her… It slammed into her chest, driving the breath from her body… She was pinned by a huge furry something… claws dug into her skin…

She stared above her, horrified, and saw—white eyes?—staring down at her. Then it started licking her face. She lifted her wand to illuminate the creature and saw golden fur; she gasped. She'd done it! She'd found the Frences!

She reached up to scratch behind its ear, surprised it was so friendly. The Frences suddenly jumped off her and sat, waiting for her to stand. When she did, she inspected the friendly creature closely.

It stood with the top of its head about as high as her shoulder. Its eyes were not white, as she had thought, but a stunning shade of emerald. It had cat-like proportions, but the snout was that of a fox. Its golden fur seemed to emanate its own glow and Hermione was struck with how different yet familiar the creature seemed, as if she'd seen it before. As she watched the Frences leaped into the air, sailing well over her head to land behind her and crouch, its tail a blur as it watched her happily. She laughed and bent down, extending her hand towards it. It bounded forward and, to Hermione's surprise, gently took her hand in its mouth. With a tug, it started leading her…

"Oh, no, Professor Snape!" she suddenly gasped, remembering. She yanked her hand from the Frences mouth and instantly regretted it. The golden creature reeled on her, snarling angrily. She put her hands up. It advanced on her and she said quickly, "I won't hurt you; I just need your help!"

It froze and cocked its head, letting out a sharp bark. Instinctively she pulled out her wand, but it took up defensive, narrowing its eyes menacingly. Amused at its sensitivity, she said, hoping it could understand her, "I just need to cast a spell to understand you. It won't hurt you," she explained. It still seemed suspicious but sat slowly down, not looking at her. "Translacio," she murmured. A faint blue light shot towards and hit the Frences in the chest. It yelped in surprise and rage.

"What was that for?" the Frences snapped at her in an unmistakable females voice. A young one at that.

Hermione smiled. "Now I can understand you," she said haughtily.

"Yeah, right, I doubt that very much," she sniffed. "You're just hallucinating."

"I'm not pretending; I really can understand you. Go on, say anything."

"You shall not fool me, for I, Safire, queen of Frences, am not going to fall for it."

"Your name is Safire? That's a beautiful name! I'm Hermione."

The Frences, Safire, gaped, her perfect white fangs showing. "How—how can you… what?" She closed her mouth, casting Hermione a sideways glance. "You knew this would happen."

Hermione nodded. "Of course, that's why I cast that charm. It makes the caster able to understand the person or creature it was cast upon." She tried to act casual as she said, "I came here to ask you a favor."

Safire lifted her graceful head. "And what might that be?" she barked, her eyes showing interest. "What could you possibly ask of me?"

So Hermione explained. She told of her detention with Snape, what he had explained, and why they were here. When she got to the part when Aragog attacked the Potions Master, Safire broke in with a low growl.

"That arrogant spider! He's been no good since he was hatched, that—that…" she trailed, her fur prickling and her eyes furious.

"Calm down!" Hermione urged anxiously "The thing is, Aragog attacked Professor Snape, and only you can help him. If you don't, he could die." For some reason Hermione couldn't fathom, she felt a twinge at the thought of Snape dying.

"How could I help with that?" Safire asked. "And what's in it for me?"

Hermione sighed. "He told me the—the blood of a Frences could counter any type of poison or venom. That's why you're his only hope. I just need you to do this one thing for me. And as for something in exchange for this, is there anything you want?"

Safire rolled her green eyes and shook her head. "No, I don't want anything. But, if I help you, you cant tell anyone I am here. I prefer my…seclusion." She snickered.

Hermione nodded and said, "So you'll help me?"

Safire nodded. "Show me where he is."

A/N Please review, it would really help! Three reviews is kind of disappointing, can we try for eight? And if you can, answer this me: How long should I continue this FanFiction? Thanks!