The trio slipped into the Great Hall. The boys were relieved to see the Order and some students gathered around Dumbledore, receiving their orders for the fight that would surely come. Hermione felt decidedly ill. The only relief was that Severus was not among them.
Dumbledore turned and beckoned them closer. "Minerva, I trust you can fill Mr Potter and Mr Weasley in on our plan? I must speak with Miss Granger in private."
McGonagall nodded.
"Come, Miss Granger, Severus is waiting to speak with you."
Hermione followed him reluctantly, her mind working overtime. She needed a new plan. Now!
He should be used to betrayal by now, Severus reflected as he paced the bright, tacky confines of the headmaster's office. It was a theme of his life thus far. But Hermione's betrayal was a bitter taste in his mouth that no amount of anger could burn away.
The office door swung open at last and Dumbledore ushered Hermione in and shut the door behind her leaving his potions master to deal with the traitor.
Severus did not turn to look at her. He did not trust his anger to protect him from his own weakness where Hermione was concerned.
A sniff distracted Severus from the black grounds below him. He turned and allowed himself to see Hermione for the first time and immediately wished he hadn't. She looked small, sad and scared. Her robes were tattered and there were suspiciously blood coloured smears alongside the dirt. His traitorous heart longed to rush across the room and...
But then there was a flash of green and when he looked out he could see the lingering glow of a Dark Mark over Hogsmeade and he knew it was over. The woman he loved was gone. And worse, she had never been.