Disclaimer: If I owned Harry Potter the world would be mine and everyone would bend to my will. But of course the absolute ruler has to be J.K. Rowling.

A/N: I must apologize in chapter 9 I accidentally spelled Minerva wrong. But otherwise it was a pretty good chapter and I appreciate the reviews. So here is chapter 10. ENJOY!

The room was silent except for the excessive chirping of the birds outside and the steady breathing of the men and women in the room contemplating on what to say and do. The knowledge of what had happened struck them all hard and the professors were worried about the well being of the school just as much as the well being of the Headmaster. Minerva walked over to the window and opened it letting the cool fall air rush in, taking away the musty smell of the hospital room.

"Minerva, what shall we do?" Lupin asked. "We can't let the students stay at Hogwarts with a deadly snake on the lose."

"Yes Lupin I know. But if we send them home then it will send all of the wizarding communities into an uproar. We must keep quiet about this and the students must stay. We will send out a search in the castle to look for a snake."

"Madam is that really logical." Harry jumped in. "I mean look at how much trouble you had with finding the Chamber of Secrets, with a snake that big living in the very walls of Hogwarts. And besides who knows what this snake looks like or even how big it is, it's probably no larger than a common garden snake. For all we know it could already be gone and back with its master." Harry finished.

"Yes but what if it is still in the castle, Harry? It could go after anyone, and considering that there are members of the Order there, including me, we can't just let it stay there and wait for it to strike again." Hermione replied.

Minerva looked to Draco holding a questioning gaze. "You haven't told her yet have you?"

Hermione looked over to Draco with the same look as McGonagall. "Told me what Draco?"

"That I'm in the Order now."

"What how come we didn't know?" Harry and Ron said at once.

Lupin turned to them. "It was up to him to tell you, not ours."

"Since when?" Hermione questioned.

"Since the fall of the Dark Lord. I'm sorry I didn't let you know any sooner, I just needed to get my affairs in order."

Ron stepped forward and looked him up and down, as if examining him for any imperfections. "So you really are on the side of good now, right?"

Draco nodded and stepped closer to Hermione. "But this is not what matters right now. What matters is figuring out what to do about the school. As Hermione said we are at risk, and we can't just let this snake roam free in the halls. But how do we organize a search for a snake that could be anywhere in Hogwarts?" he stared pondering at the ceiling.

Ginny brightened. "Oooo… I know. Ok this might sound a little juvenile but I saw it on a spy movie once. Ok they had this little spider looking thingy that had a sort of camera attached to it and the set it lose in the building to track down where their enemies were. Do you remember Harry we watched it just the other day?" Harry blushed but nodded. "Maybe we could use something like that. But seeing as how nothing electronic is allowed in Hogwarts you could always make your own thing like that." Ginny finished in an almost excited tone.

Hermione thought for a second. "You know that might just work. We could put it in all of the drains and small places that we wouldn't be able to fit and we could search the rest."

Tonks looked around at everyone's triumphant faces. "I hate to burst your bubble but don't you think that whoever sent this thing would know we would look for it. What if it's a trap?"

"She's right. But what else is there to do." Lupin agreed. "We have to stop it Tonks and this is the only possible way so far."

"But what if you can't destroy it? What then? What are you going to do put it in a jar and keep it until you know how to?" she paused. "This thing got into Dumbledore's office. How do you expect to trap it?" she finished her rampage and sat down.

"Tonks you make a good point. But so does everyone else. We will find a way to stop it, but we have to find it first." Minerva said.

"Fine but what if it's not a snake?"

"What do you mean, not a snake? The healer has already told us what it was, you ignorant little girl." Snape snapped.

"Severus watch your tone." Minerva protected. "But yes Tonks what do you mean?"

Tonks glared at Snape. "What if it's an animagus."

Snape yet again snapped at her. "I have never in my life heard of an animagus being venomous in any kind of state."

"Yes well you weren't the one bitted, were you?." she snapped back. "I mean it could be possible, couldn't it, Minerva?" she almost pleaded with the older woman.

"I'm not sure, Tonks. But we will look into it. As for now we should all get back to Hogwarts and begin our search. Snape you will take the dungeons, Tonks and I will search the east towers, Lupin and Harry, you take the west side, Draco and Hermione take the south entrance, and Ron and Ginny the north entrance." she paused to take a slight breath. "When we get back we will also get the other teachers and the ghost to help with the search. Not let's go, we will floo back to Dumbledore's office."

They began to walk out the door and into the lobby when Hermione saw Travis she stopped.

"Professor McGonagall, what about my brother." she asked as he stood at their entrance.

Minerva scoffed. "Bring him with us if you must but keep an eye on him. He will be in your care Hermione."

Hermione nodded and motioned for Travis to join her. With a smile he stepped in line beside her and wrapped his arm around her shoulder in a protective manor.

"So what's going on?" he whispered.

"Don't worry about it. We have to get back to Hogwarts first, then I'll tell you." she whispered back.

They stepped into the fireplace together right after Harry and Ginny were gone. Travis spoke "Dumbledore's office" and they were ensnared into the green flames and ashes. When it stopped Hermione found herself on the floor of Dumbledore's office, and Travis standing over her offering her his hand. She took it and allowed him to help her up. Harry and Ginny were standing by the door waiting for everyone else to arrive. The next to come out of the fireplace was Ron, followed by Draco, then McGonagall, Lupin and Tonks, Madam Pomfrey, and finally Snape.

"Ok everyone knows where to go." McGonagall said before rushing out the door with Tonks behind her.

Everyone followed them out but split ways as soon as they set foot off the stairs. Hermione, Draco, and Travis were the last to come out.

"So were are we going?" Travis asked.

"South entrance." Draco stated plainly. There was a tension in his voice that unnerved Hermione.

"What is with you, Draco" she asked taking his hand. "You seem on edge."

"Nothing. I'm just worried about Dumbledore is all." he shot Travis a death glare before leading Hermione down the corridor.

The walk was quiet, most of the students were outside seeing as how it was such a lovely day. Or in the Great Hall having lunch. Travis followed behind Hermione and Draco watching their every move.

"You know Draco, you're not as smooth as you used to be." Travis spoke up.

Draco spun on him. "What is that supposed to mean?" he yelled in his face.

Hermione stood bewildered by what her bother said. She looked from one man to the other trying to plan what was going to happen next.

"Do you honestly think I don't know, Travis?" Draco almost whispered.

What was he talking about. Hermione thought.

"My dear boy, you must think me crazy to do such a thing."

Hermione's face wore a mask of confusion and worry. "Will you guys tell me what you're jabbering on about. I mean seriously, this is bloody annoying."

They sighed. "Nothing."

Draco took her hand again and started walking towards there destination. When they got there they searched but found nothing. They had no orders as what to do after wards so they simple went to Draco's room. Where Draco conjured up an extra chair for Travis as he sat down on his bed pulling Hermione with him.

The room stayed quiet for some time; each boy exchanging looks of malice and uncontrolled angry for one another.

Out of frustration and not being able to take it any longer Hermione stood up. "What the bloody hell is going on here? If you don't tell me now it's not going to be funny." she threatened, not sure if it worked by the amused looks the guys were giving her.

"Look Hermione just sit down." Draco said trying to pull her back down.

But she refused. "No not till I know what that was all about back there. I need answers and I need them now." she stomped her foot.

Travis looked from Draco to Hermione back to Draco, who nodded. "Ok you want to know?" she nodded. "I'm an animagus, Hermione."

"Ok so?"

He took a deep breath. "My animal form is a snake." she gasped. "Your little boyfriend over there thinks I must have had something to do with your little incident today."

She backed away. "Did you?"

"No. I've been nowhere near this castle since before I was arrested." he paused. "I promise." he added after seeing the look of uncertainty in her eyes. "You have to believe me. I'm your brother do you honestly think I would lie to you."

"Why not you were on his side. You did kill Mu-" her voice cut off as tears came to her eyes.

Draco stood up and wrapped his arms around her holding her close. "Why did you have to come back, Travis?"

"Because I promised, I promised Mum and Dad I would take care of her if something happened."

"Yes but you were the one who caused it."

"Under the imperious curse, and don't forget you were on his side as well. Don't you still have the mark on your arm?"

Draco let go of Hermione and lunged for Travis nearly missing him and falling to the ground as Travis stepped to the side. Hermione fell onto the bed still weeping.

"You didn't have to bring that up. It was uncalled for. I paid for my wrong doings. What about you? Were you set free or did you escape?"

"My time was up. I am only here to right my other wrongs." he turned to Hermione's sobbing form. "If you want me to leave Hermione, just ask it and I will go."

She lifted her head up to look at him. "No, if you say you made a promise I will let you keep it. But you have to stay here within the castle with me."

"What!" Draco said. "Hermione you can't possibly believe him. He's a snake animagus, he could have been the one who did this to Dumbledore. You don't know him Hermione, I do, I know what he's capable of. Please Hermione don't let him stay here."

"I have to Draco, McGonagall put him in my charge. He will stay in my room."

Travis smiled in triumph but Draco stared at her in disbelief. She wiped the tears from her eyes and walked to the door.

"Where are you going?" Draco asked.

"To my room to get it ready for him, you can come help if you wish, but he has to come no matter what." she walked out of the room and across the hall. Travis and Draco soon followed.

"What about you, Hermione, are you going to stay in there with him, or sleep in my room?" Draco asked as if the answer was obvious.

She looked to Travis for the answer.

"Do as you wish, sweetheart. I'm not going to stop you."

She nodded. "Fine I'll stay with you, Draco. But only because I have become accustomed to it." she walked over to the dresser and magiced her clothes out of it and into Draco's. "You'll have to put your own clothes in here. But do what you want with the room. I'm never really in here. I'm sure Minerva won't mind you staying here as long as you are behaved." she gave him a strict look and he laughed. "What? I don't find anything funny."

"Sorry. You just look like Mum when you try to give orders."

Her face dropped at the mentioning of her mum. "Oh." she fidgeted with the hem of her shirt. "Well make yourself at home. I'll be across the hall if you need me. And don't forget I'm trusting you, to be good." she gave him a peck on the cheek and walked out.

Draco lingered behind. "If you as much as think about harming anybody in this castle I will personally hunt you down and tear you to pieces."

Travis smirked at Draco's statement, and laid down on the bed. "You shouldn't be worried about me, you should worry more about yourself."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing it's just a warning. Whatever it is that attacked Dumbledore could still be here and I'm sure it's not after me but you are good so it might as well be after you." Draco stomped out of the room and slammed the door behind him. "Hermione?" he called into his room.

"What is it Draco?" she turned around to find him standing in the doorway. "Why are you standing out there, come in here?" she saw a look of terror fall upon his face. "What is it?"

Draco took a step closer to the room. "Hermione, don't move." the look of terror didn't falter.

"What are you rambling about, Draco?" she took a step forward and heard a hiss coming from behind her. She froze instantly. "Draco," she whispered. "please don't let it get me?"

"Stay there Hermione, don't move." he turned back to the room Travis was in.

"Where are you going? Don't leave me?" she almost screamed. The hissing behind her kept her frozen in her tracts and barely able to breathe.

"Just stay there." He reached for the door handle and wrenched it open. "Travis come on, she's in trouble." he didn't even have to say her name, because as soon as he had said she Travis was up and out the door.

He stopped in the exact same spot Draco had. "Hermione, it'll be ok."

Before she could say anything he turned him self into a snake and slithered over to the one behind her. His hissing blocked out the others as they began to fight. Hermione ran out of the room and into Draco's arms and turned around to watch the scene.

"It wasn't him." was all Draco could say as he held her to him. "It wasn't him."