Hermione saw Professor Snape show his dark mark to Karkaroff. She understood that he was frightened of what the mark getting darker meant. She also understood how brave and courageous he was. But there was nothing she could do about it.

This was only reinforced when she saw him speak to Professor Dumbledore, after everything had gone wrong with Cedric and Harry and the maze. She saw him look resigned to the fact that he would have to return to Voldemort's side (although he would never call him that). She also saw his resolve, especially after Dumbledore reminded him that he would be late.

She decided to wait up for him, near his office, under Harry's invisibility cloak. And when he returned, battered and bloody, she called a house elf to help her get him inside, and made him some tea.

"Miss Granger, this is highly irregular. You should not be here." Severus was dismayed, and it kind of showed in his pain-filled, gravelly voice.

"I know sir, but no one else was waiting, I don't know where the headmaster is, and you needed some kindness." Hermione replied, the gravity in her voice belying her age.

"Why would you be kind to the great bat of the dungeons?"

"Because he needs it." She wanted to give him a hug again, but she was quite sure it was still not the time.

"Call Poppy, you insolent girl. And then get back to your tower, before I remove so many points from Gryffindor you will not be able to make them up in the next 3 years!" Severus practically growled at her.

Hermione did as he asked and then ran out the door. She pulled the cloak over her head, and went back to the tower, wondering what the heck was going on.

Severus was unsure what to do at this point. The girl was confusing to him. She certainly was growing into herself, as was evidenced by her surprising beauty at the Yule Ball. What could he do at this point, other than wait.

Madame Pomfrey was not sure why Hermione Granger was the one who called her, and she did not get a satisfactory answer from Severus when she asked. But, she did not think anything was going on, Severus was far too honorable for that, so she decided to just watch and wait.