Folding the letter and placing it in his pocket, he could not help but think 'What now, have I not done enough? I wonder though, who is this KIA and what could they need help with? I could go and slack my curiosity, no need to say yes. Just hear what they have to say. At worst it would be just a waste of time and there isn't much better to do around here,' with all that in mind Snape left the Great Hall to prepare for his first class of the day.

After being accepted back at the school after the last was and Riddle's permanent death Snape took over, once again, as the Defense against the Dark Arts professor. While an exceptional Potions Master his greatest strength lies in defense. That is not to say he gave up the art completely. No but he now only dose so for his own pleasure, as well as to help the new Potions professor when she finds herself in a rare moment when she doesn't know the answer.

By the end of the day he was antsy with anticipation and anxiety. 'Who is this KIA and what could they want from me?'He was more than a little certain that KIA was not the person's name. 'What would they have to hide? Why not use their name?' With that thought before going to dinner he made sure that his wand was secure in its holster and that he had various potions tucked away inside his robes. 'One can never be too prepared.'

He sat through dinner barely eating nearly dancing with the need to raise and pace with his thoughts. However, He did nothing more then set and watch the goings on of those in the room with his stoic mask firmly in place. The dinner hour was nearly over when he noticed that the newest member of the Hogwarts staff had yet to make an appearance. Not one to usually show concern for another's well fare he gave an inward shrug and went back to watching the room. He'd find out eventually.

At five to seven he rose to his feet turned to the Headmistress and excused himself. After leaving the Great Hall he continued outside before pulling the note from his pocket and slipping his wand discretely into his hand. 'Here we go,' he thought as he felt the pull when the portkey activated.

Hermione Granger sat in her seat at the High table in the Great Hall watching her students' milling about. She looked up as the mail was delivered and sent a glance at Snape as the transfigured owl swooped down to deliver its burden. She smiled at the look of surprise on his face before appraising the owl. It was working perfectly. Once freed of the letter it had carried it took flight again and once out sight returned to its original form and drifted away on the slight breeze. After watching the owl leave she turned back to the DADA professor in time to see him shove his hand into his robe with a puzzled frown on his face before striding from the room.

By the time her last class let out she was a ball of nerves wondering if he would even show for the meeting that night. She knew it was last minute and that manners would dictate that she give him more time, but she was afraid that given time to think he would not show. Gathering all of her things and papers needing to be graded she made her way to her chambers and got ready for her meeting with her former professor.

When ready to face the night's upcoming events she exited the castle and headed from apparition point just beyond the main gates. She did not disapparate to the ministry directly but to Diagon Alley. She entered flroish and bolts lifted the hood of her cloak to cover her face and flooed to the Hogs Head. Once the green flamed died she stepped out the floo and dusted herself off. Looking around quickly she made her way to the back of the building and slipped into the kitchen and out the back door without so much as a raised eyebrow from anyone. In the back alley after looking around to make sure she was alone she glanced at here watch and waited. At exactly six o clock on the dot she disapparated directly into the minister's office.

Smiling she took a seat and asked "So what's for dinner? I am starved. It's hard work teaching the bright minds of tomorrow." They sat and ate dinner chat about different things until five till seven. They cleaned up the evidence of the meal and she drifted back from his desk and pressed herself to the door of his office. If the portkey worked like it was supposed to it would drop Snape right in the middle of the room facing the desk, leaving him ignorant to her presence until she presented herself to him. Slipping her wand into her hand just in case and waited.

He staggered only slightly on landing and groaned inward. 'Merlin' he hated that queasy sick feeling he always got when he portkeyed and where. Mentally shacking himself he squared his shoulders and took in his surroundings and found himself staring at the Minister of Magic Kingsley Shacklebolt. Tilting his head slightly to the side and lifting one eyebrow he inquired "What is it that you need Minister?"

Kingsley stood and made his way around his desk saying "it is not I who summoned you here but it is my wish that you give the person and their request your full attention and think it all through before you decide anything. I will be leaving the two of you to talk. The less I know the better. Do have a goodnight both of you." And with that he left the room.

Snape turned just as the door closed firmly behind the minister and meet the dark chocolate brown eyes of the missing Hermione Granger. Eyes that were so much like the rich bitter sweet treat that he nearly lost himself to them completely. Almost but not quite, 'What the hell is going on here?' "Miss Granger, What is the meaning of this?"

"You seem surprised Professor; I had thought you would have figured you would know who you are to meet. After all how many Know It Alls do you know?"

'Know It All. Ah, KIA. Hmm, guess that was starring me in the face.' "That Miss Granger is neither here nor there. You have summoned me here for some purpose. Please do get on with it. I have many papers to grade this evening, as do you I am sure," he spat frustrated with himself for not picking up on the clues she had left him.

She smiled and it nearly unmade him. She tilted her head and flipped her hair behind her shoulder and he had to lock his knees to stay upright. "Well Professor," she started. "I need your help and you're the only one I can possibly ask to help with this. My reason for being here is the best held seceret in the whole of the wizarding community being that it is a secret that has remained completely unknown but for the few who already know. Your own role here will need to remain the same. No one can know that are here."

"Why, the need for all this secrecy, Miss Granger? Surly what you are doing not Illegal, is it?"

"No, not illegal, just potentially lethal," she said and with wicked glint in her eyes continued, " Your mission if you should choose to accept it, Professor, would be to…."

tbc