"That is enough Weasley! The Dark Lord didn't want her dead! Get your arse out of here!" A Death Eater.

The pain had stopped and the voice was slightly familiar, but she couldn't open her eyes to see a face. She gasped as she shifted on the hard floor and the pain raced through her. This time the blackness did engulf her.

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Chapter 3-Failed

"What happened to her?" Sirius asked, getting frustrated. "The least anyone could do is tell me why they're hauling me off to see Hermione."

For the past half hour Harry, Tonks, Mrs. Weasley, Remus, and Severus had been arguing about whether or not to sneak Sirius in to Hogwarts in his dog form to see Hermione. They had eventually agreed that, yes, he could go and were now trying to convince him to follow them in dog form and stay that way. No one would tell him a thing.

"The newest Death Eater held a crucio on her for quite a long time." Severus finally answered.

"Thank you, Severus." Sirius said, making sure to at least call the man by his name.

Severus inclined his head with a smirk before what he said sunk in. "What!" Sirius yelled. "Ron-crucio-Hermione-hospital-git-bastard-little-GAAAHHHHHH!!!!! I am going to kill him!"

"Sirius, this is why we didn't tell you dear, we thought you might over react and-" Mrs. Weasley started.

"Let's just go okay?" Sirius said through clenched teeth and changed.

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"Enough already Snuffles, Madam Pomfrey will kick us out if you don't shut up." For the past ten minutes Sirius had been growling and Harry was getting sick of it, now that they were outside the Hogwarts Infirmary doors he decided it was a good time to let the big dog how annoying he was.

The small party was led to the bed farthest back from the door, on which lay a sleeping Hermione. With a sigh Harry took her hand and sat next to her. As soon as Madam Pomfrey was gone Sirius jumped on the bed beside her and got a disapproving hiss from everyone but Tonks, who just smiled.

"How long has she been out?" Harry asked.

"About four hours," Remus said, "She should be coming around soon."

"Mr. Potter, I do believe you have classes to get to." Severus inclined an eyebrow at Harry. Glaring at the potions master Harry left.

"Molly, if you could fetch Minerva, I'm sure she'd like to be here. Tonks, could you go get Arthur? He should also be present for this." Remus ordered.

"And, Lupin, if you could be so inclined to fetch the rest of the Weasleys, I think this should concern them all, and I will go get Albus." Severus said. "I think we can leave Miss. Granger her with the mu- with Black."

Remus nodded and left, after he was gone, Sirius whined his thanks at Severus for stopping himself for saying 'the mutt'. Severus smirked, "Don't expect it again Black."

Sirius rolled his eyes.

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There was something warm pressed against her side. She moved her hand to touch it. It was furry and big. Hermione blinked open her eyes to Sirius and smiled. She sat up slowly and he whimpered at her, his head cocked to one side.

"Yes, I'm fine. I guess I'm sore though." Hermione replied in a rough voice. Sirius whined and dropped his head to her lap. She laughed. "No pity parties for me though okay?"

He huffed and lifted his head up. Again his head cocked to the side but this time Hermione saw what she thought to be a devilish grin on his doggy face. "Sirius…" She began in warning, but before she got any further his wet tongue lapped at her face.

"Ewwwww, Sir-Snuffles! That's gross!" Hermione said rubbing her face on the sheets. "Don't do that again!"

He didn't plan to but she didn't need to know that. He had got her laughing and that's all he wanted. Looking around at the more than empty infirmary he changed back. Hermione gasped and glared at him. "You shouldn't be doing that! What if someone saw you?"

Sirius ignored that. "What? Am I not your type? Or was that just 'cause I was a dog? I could do it again you know."

Hermione knew he was joking but decided not to take a chance. "No Sirius, that's fine."

Many footsteps sounded outside the doors and the pair looked at them then back at each other. An irritated dog-like grunt came from Sirius and he kept his eyes on hers as he changed back then jumped up to curl beside her. The twins, Ginny, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley walked in closely followed by McGonagall, Dumbledore, Tonks, Remus, and Snape. Hermione threw a panicked glance at the dog before smiling weakly at the group.

"How are you feeling?" Remus asked sitting on the chair Harry had previously occupied.

"Sore but good." Hermione replied. "What happened after he crucioed me?

"That's what we are here to discuss Miss. Granger." Dumbledore said. "Tonks?"

"We got there right as another Death Eater was telling Ron to stop it and go away, we tried to catch him but several Death Eaters showed up and kept us from doing so."

"You mean that little twerp did this to Hermione?" Fred asked.

"Bloody git." George said at the same time Ginny mumbled "Bugger."

Everyone looked at Hermione to see what she thought but her head was bad against the wall and her eyes were closed. Everyone except Sirius, whose fur she was gripping rather hard, thought she had fallen asleep. They turned to go when they heard her speak.

"I failed. Even with the note I failed."

"What did you say?" Remus said whipping around.

"Did you just say note?" McGonagall asked, her voice harsh.

Hermione didn't seem to hear them. "Exactly where to go and what time. Shouldn't have failed, shouldn't have failed."

"What note?" Remus asked harshly.

Hermione opened her eyes…wide…she wasn't supposed to say that. "Nothing." She mumbled. She was the only one who noticed Snape was now gone. She released her death grip on Sirius who sighed thankfully.

"No, Hermione dear, you said something about a note."

"I didn't say anything!" Hermione snapped.

Dumbledore looked at her curiously for a moment. "I think it's time to go everyone." Slowly everyone left except for Remus and Sirius. Sirius whimpered at Hermione and poked her cheek with his cold nose and then followed Remus out the door, Dumbledore close behind.

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Hermione made her way slowly up to Gryffindor tower. Why did she have to fail? That was probably the only time she would ever have inside help and now poof, her chance was gone. She went into her dormitory ignoring the people around her and went to slide into her bed. How ever, when she pulled back the sheets another piece of parchment lay there.

Hermione, you failed this time but there will be other times. Death Eaters have lots of meetings. I'll give you another place and date but if you fail this time, do not expect another chance for a while. Two nights from now we will be meeting in Bleeding Ghost Tavern in Nockturn alley, around 1 AM. You will be able to follow us to our hide out if you arrive early enough.

Remember, no failing this time.

Hermione gaped at the note then tucked it into her back pocket, no way was she going to fail this time. With the places that these notes showed up, Hermione was beginning to guess who the writer was. She needed to talk to him.

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