12NOON HOGWARTSHer stomach growled loudly, and she fervently wished she'd used her 'Gryffindor guts' to try the stovetop brew back at H.Q. She lifted her eyes hopefully for any chance of a sherbet lemon, but let them fall again upon realising that neither Professor McGonagall nor Snape would have personally chosen to continue that particular Dumbledore tradition. Her thoughts about also getting Dobby to nab her something was also quenched by a glance at her watch, although Miss Granger was always typically punctual and early, it was now the expected time for the Orders meeting. Normally which would of taken place at Grimmauld Place had been moved to Hogwarts as the school term was in full swing and, since the majority of the highly ranked (and ministry decorated) members were Hogwarts staff, this was decided a more convenient means to all involved.

Just as Hermione tucked her watch back into her midnight robes, voices were heard on the stairwell, and almost immediately, McGonagall, Harry, Ron and Ginny were visible, closely followed by a slightly out-of-breath Molly Weasely and her husband, Arthur, before Kingsley Shacklebolt, and Neville who seemed to be occupied with something horrid behind him. That 'something horrid' became apparent a moment later, as Severus Tobias Snape stalked stiffly into the room. Hermione quickly snatched her eyes away from him, away from the bandages that still must cover him, before he caught her looking. Six months prior in the Shrieking Shack after letting Harry pelt away to goodness-knows-where Hermione had spelled the only magic which had a chance of saving the great 'old bat' and magically froze his whole body for two whole months, effectively supplying her and Roland Goldcauldren (Britain's only other potions master) the time required to identify and brew the twenty-six different potions required to cure Naginis unique poison. A stroke of luck had helped them on their way – the severed head of Nagini had provided original sample of the venom. Hermione offered a shy wave to the new occupants to the room and was rewarded with hugs from the two other members of the trio, which gave her a moment to drag her mind away from the memories of that cold night. Once settled, Hermione stared determinedly at the patterned carpet on the floor, simply to avoid possible eye-contact with the still-weakened Professor. Hermione still didn't know if he'd really wanted to be saved and survive into the new age.

And she most defiantly didn't know that at that moment her former Professor was staring at her with his oh-so hooked nose, tuning out McGonagalls greetings and inquiries about his health with as much disinterest and sobriety he could muster. He didn't let himself admit it, but Hermione Granger was defiantly a more pleasing subject. Although guilt flushed into his stomach along with mouthfuls of anger as he studied her. She had seen him at his very weakest, he had been completely defenceless and utterly dependant on the bushy-haired girl for his very life, and she had worked so hard to save him. He was humbled too, somewhere deep down, her toiling away for months for a cure for him. Snapes mind rolled back to the young muggle-born he'd watched under his overly hook-nosed instruction through the years as she'd annoyed him, learned from him, practised, and really did somehow end up ensnaring his senses. At that last thought Severus Tobias Snape snapped his eyes away from her, feeling a renewed sense of guilt and frustration. 'How couldi think about her that way?'He still hadn't thanked her. It wasn't a Snape thing to do. That had to be it. Nothing else could make the fearsome potions master quell before her bright eyes, or block all coherent thought or conversation topic when he was in her presence as effectively as if she'd stoppered his very brain. It sounded weak even inside his head. He was the Orders treasured double-spy, with cunning and coy beyond measure, who, thanks to the Granger girl, still had a very long job ahead of him.

The general greetings and 'how are you's' had been distributed across the room, and the atmosphere had subtly slipped into being serious, calling the attentions of all those seated in the room. Minerva McGonagall had crossed to the front of the room just ahead of her desk.

"Right, let's get straight down to it, most of us have classes shortly. Last Wednesday, Fenrir Greyback was sighted by three muggle children around 5PM. Unfortunately after Remus (her voice wavered slightly) left us, we have been finding it harder and harder to keep track of the goings on of the majority of the still resisting werewolves, and i believe it imperative that we put all current efforts into apprehending Greyback. He is loosely regarded as their main leader and will be a rather large blow to them if we succeed. Before i release any other information i need a vote to decide whether you all personally think putting all our efforts, as it were, into one basket to bring him down."

All hands were raised before she even finished speaking, though it was left to Hermione to ask the question hovering in the air.

"Professor, you said Greyback was seen by three children..." She left it hanging, half of her not wanting to know the answer, the other half guilty that she was being so weak.

"Bitten, all three. Two are not likely to survive the attack...the third, might make it." The room went quiet for a number of minutes, before Minerva continued:

"I would like three information-gatherers on this at once, each to be accompanied with three additional 'guards'. Understand that dealing with werewolves is one of the highest dangers for us to face now. If i hear any reports of anyone going off alone they will answer to me and me directly." She growled that last sentence, and made many seated in the room instantly relate her to an old mothering lion.

Bloody overbearing GryffindorsThought the cynic in the room and made to leave

"Oh, and Severus?"

He turned back to the old lion with only a scowl in reply.

"If you are going to aid in this next mission i want it to be thoroughly clear to you that i and many others still regard you as not fit enough to join the guards, but i will be pleased if you were to instead help gather information."He left, aiming his thoughts at the glass of the nearest portrait, which cracked severely and caused it's inhabitant to roar at Severus's retreating back.

Bloody Gryffindors

Hermione looked back up at the newly-safe room, and raised her hand to join the information team then went to repair the broken glass.

Bloody Slytherins