I own nothing but this plotline.
*Six months earlier*
Severus Snape was pacing in his office angrily. That imbecile Dumbledore was making him, him, be the one to escort the Granger know-it-all to visit her parents. Dumbledore claimed it was vital she see them, and that Severus was the only Order member available capable of protecting her from any Death Eaters she might stumble across.
Damn it, where was she? She was supposed to be here ten minutes ago. Severus was not a man who liked to be kept waiting. He could continue marking the second year essays as he waited, but… those bloody second years were almost as moronic as Dumbledore.
Ah, finally. Severus could hear footsteps outside his office. That should be Granger. There were several loud raps on the door. Severus gathered his traveling cloak and opened the door, intending on leaving immediately. The shock of blonde hair took Severus by surprise.
"Draco, what are you doing here?" he asked curiously.
The boy paused. "I just wondered if you'd heard anything from my father. I haven't heard from him in over a week."
Well, if Lucius was on a mission for the Dark Lord then he wouldn't be able to contact his son. Draco should realize that. However, Severus didn't have the energy to be precious with the boy. "Perhaps he has better things to than babysit his seventeen year old son. Now, run along and play. I've got things to do."
Draco's upper lip curved. "Fine. Thank for nothing."
He turned to stalk away, and came face to face with Granger. He looked down at the small girl with disdain. "What are you doing here, Mudblood?"
The girl looked at Severus in indignation. He ignored her. There were worse things than being called Mudblood. He looked at Draco, and said, "Miss Granger is here for detention."
The incredulous look on the boy's face was almost comical. "What? The great Hermione Granger, know-it-all and teacher's pet, gets detention?"
Hermione seethed silently. One more jab and she'd curse the ferret.
Severus sighed. "Draco, go."
As Draco walked past Hermione he nudged her shoulder viciously, causing her to stumble backward. "Try to stay on your feet, Mudblood."
The girl pulled her wand out and aimed it at Draco. "Tarantellegra!"
She began laughing uncontrollably at the sight of Draco Malfoy doing a lively dance outside Snape's office in the dungeons. It really was a comical sight.
Sighing, Severus muttered the counter jinx. "Malfoy, leave. Now. Granger, let's go. You're wasting my time."
Without pausing to see if they were obeying his instructions, Severus stalked away, his cloak billowing behind him. Draco shot one last glare at Hermione, and left. Hermione followed Snape unenthusiastically.
Next chapter: Severus and Hermione visit Hermione's parents
