DISCLAIMER. None of the characters used are a creation of mine. They belong solely to JK Rowling.

A week before the students of Hogwarts were set to leave for the Christmas break, Hermione was reading a book on magical creatures researching basilisk venom when Severus Snape sat down in the chair beside her opening up his own potions textbook.

'This textbook is utterly useless.' Severus muttered while making his own little notes after crossing out several words in the book.

So he had been in this habit since very first year. He really was a potions genius.

'Surely the author of this book is more accomplished than you are in potion making, Severus.'

'His methods never amount up to perfect potions. They are close enough and functional but never perfect.'

'And why are you doing writing over these instructions?'

'Because I know better.' He mumbled. 'I have been experimenting a little here and there trying to find out different variations for each step in the potion we make during class. Besides, Slughorn lets me use his lab on weekends to work. That is how I've already discovered plenty little secrets.'

Hermione chuckled, 'I am glad you have found yourself a hobby.'

'You have to believe me. For instance, if we used the leaves of mugwort in place of its roots we would obtain a far more potent sleep potion.'

'For a first year you have mastered quite a lot of potion tricks.'

Severus faltered, unsure of how much he should reveal.

'My father disapproves of anything remotely related to magic. So I used to steal my mother's journals and read them in the middle of the night as my way of rebelling against him.'

Hermione frowned, 'Your mother is good at potions?'

'Exceptionally so. Of course she doesn't put her skill to use anymore because of that vile man.' He sneered.

The two fell into a comfortable silence, each working on their own projects. The hubub of hushed conversations around the common room and the scratch of Severus' quill were the only noises around Hermione fir which she was glad.

As much as she kissed the boisterous Gyffindor common room with its plush couches and chairs and its warmth Hermione was grateful to the undisturbed atmosphere of the Slytherin common room. Students merely ever celebrated here in the dungeons and chose, instead to keep to themselves and their closest friends.

After almost an hour Severus got up and said, 'I am going to go review my Charms homework with Lily.'

Hermione smiled and nodded at him.

'Would you like to join us?'

An invitation like that from Severus was high praise. But Hermione softly declined, 'I am just going to head to bed after I finish my essay for McGonagall.'

'But you're not even working on it. You're always reading.. something else. I wonder how you keep up such excellent grades. You're only behind Lily and that fool Lupin.'

Hermione shrugged and Severus left in a blur of black robes billowing about him.

The week passed with nothing of consequence that may have happened. Hermione attended her classes and turned in due essays. She finished the tests set out by the Defence teacher and scored the highest marks without having to ever stress he mind on it.

She had already created a schedule for herself for the Christmas holidays. As soon as she acquired the ingredients to her potion she would brew it and after coming back to Hogwarts she would start working on a leather case she had previously bought to make it foolproof and safe for holding the darkest of magic.

She removed her cloak and snuggled deeper into her sweater as the train left the Hogsmeade station the following Saturday.

Severus was quietly working on his potions textbook again often looking up and asking her questions when he was confused by something rather complex.

Hermione had formed an amiable friendship with Severus. It wasn't as trusting as her relationship with any other friend she might have had but it was something. She was certain when the time came she would be able to keep him away from the Dark Arts.

Severus was scribbling rather harshly onto a piece of parchment when the door to their compartment was opened by none other than Lily Evans.

Hermione gasped at seeing her eyes that immediately brought to her mind the thoughts of a still missing Harry.

Lily smiled gently at her, 'Hello. I believe we haven't met. I'm Lily Evans.'

Hermione grinned, 'Hermione Lestrange. It's a pleasure.'

'May I join you for the remainder of the ride?' She grumbled, 'The compartment I was sharing with my friends was just now invaded by those troublesome boys.'

Hermione nodded at her, 'Please, go ahead. Make yourself comfortable.'

Lily walked inside and sat beside Severus. Glancing at his work she chuckled, 'He is always correcting these potions books.'

Severus blushed lightly.

'What are those boys upto now?' Hermione inquired curiously.

Lily shrugged, 'Something about their next plan to sabotage the Slytherins for when they come back after the break.'

Hermione snorted. 'They should know that one day when we decide to retaliate our pranks will not be restricted to childish jokes.'

Lily frowned at that as did Hermione for she had honestly not meant to say that. Was she turning into a snake?

She shivered internally.

Severus merely chuckled. 'They won't see what's coming for them if Hermione here did decide on revenge.'

'Well as much as I disapprove of silly pranks I wouldn't mind helping you out.' Lily laughed. 'Those boys need someone to set them right. How does Professor McGonagall always let them go?'

As dusk neared and the students disembarked from the train Hermione said her goodbyes to Severus and Lily and began looking for Rab.

Noticing him coming towards her, she caught up with him and the two made their way away from the crowd.

When they caught sight of Papa, Hermione ran towards the old man and hugged him lightly.

Papa laughed jovially, 'There you are!'

Rab frowned, 'Rolf told me he would be coming to pick us up. What happened?'

Papa's face fell and his jaw twitched, 'He is busy elsewhere. I thought I would fetch you instead.'

Hermione cried, 'Papa, you shouldn't have. You should be resting.'

'I am feeling quite well today, dear.'

They slowly made their way towards the barrier when Papa caught sight of Sirius standing with his friend James and his family.

Papa bent down to look Sirius in the eye, 'My boy, are you well? Are you going home? If old Walburga troubles you, you can be assured that our home is always open to you should you require it.'

Mr Potter was baffled. Here was a man rumoured to be supporting the rising Dark Lord talking to a small boy as if he truly cared about him.

Sirius smiled up at the old man and shook hands with him. 'I am quite well, Sir. And thank you but I am joining the Potters for Christmas.'

Papa looked at Mr and Mrs potter and smiled politely despite the very suspicious looks he was receiving from them.

'I am glad. Sirius is a wonderful boy. I am certain he will bring you no trouble.'

Mrs Potter smiled kindly, 'We are only too happy to have him. James is full of praises for him.'

Papa looked at Sirius and James then. 'I am glad you have found another family to care for you.'

Sirius laughed, 'I am being forced, Papa. I would have spent the holidays at Hogwarts quite gladly but James insisted.'

Papa nodded at James, 'You are doing a good thing, son.'

He bid farewell to the family and left as his grandchildren bowed to the Potters. Hermione made a point to not look at Sirius at all but did shake hands with James. James hadn't been very hostile with her after their first night at school except for a prank here and there.

Back home that night Hermione carefully unpacked her trunk. She sat on her desk and tying her hair in a braid she set down to work.

She pulled out a sheet and made a list of Voldemort's known horcruxes and their locations.

The diadem was already in Hogwarts. The cup and the diary would be eventually given away to the Lestranges and the Malfoys but she was sure that wouldn't be happening for at least the next few years. The locket, she wasn't sure when it would be placed in the cave but she should be able to retrieve it somewhere in the late seventies for that had been when Regulus Black had went looking for it.

As for the ring, it would prove to be the most difficult to obtain. She remembered only too well how Dumbledore had been cursed in his quest for it.

After completing her list, Hermione began writing down the names of the first war's martyrs on another parchment.

She wished she had researched the first war more thoroughly in her time. She had known the statistics but never the details. She only remembered the Prewett twins and the McKinnon family as the only notable names who had been ruthlessly murdered in the first war.

Apart from them she vaguely remembered names like Gilbert Blake, Adrian Bones and Flavius Finnietta, all members of the Order.

She finished and charmed the parchments with several spells to ward off intruders. She then hid the sheets in her beaded bag.

Hermione sighed. It was almost midnight.

She was starving. She considered calling Blinky but thought better of it. She would grab something to eat and head to the gardens for a walk. It would be difficult going to sleep that night.

Hermione climbed down the stairs and quietly entered the kitchens where she was greeted by seven house elves making preparations for breakfast tomorrow.

They worked so hard.

Blinky approached her and happily made her a milkshake which Hermione quickly gulped down.

On her way to the garden she stopped short when she heard heated voices arguing.

Hermione quickly hid behind a tapestry and eavesdropped on the conversation going inside the sitting room.

'It is a just cause, Grandfather. Think of how greatly we shall be rewarded one day.' Rolf said.

Papa replied to him, 'I don't see why he needs my assistance when he has you.'

'He will require somebody to fund his missions. You are the Head of the House. Your presence would not only help with the finances but also aid in creating a firmer constitution. All the Heads of the Sacred Twenty-Eight would together present an unbeatable force.'

'I don't see why he would require my gold when he's a pureblood. And no, Rodolphus. I shall not join. Its shameful enough that you have let him brand you like an animal. A true pureblood would never enter into servitude.'

'It would only bring me honourm Grandfather, you must join him. We cannot afford to anger him or he shall most certainly punish us.'

Papa was adamant. 'Rodolphus. His ideologies are those of a fool. Do you honestly believe a helpless Muggle could steal a powerful wizard's magic? Muggles are no different than us. They may not have magic but look at the things they have achieved.'

Rodolphus laughed. 'Surely you can't be talking like a Muggle lover, Grandfather. You shouldn't go saying things like this in such dark times. The Dark Lord shall win. And despite our current disagreement I wouldn't want him bringing harm to you. If you keep spewing such ideas to the outside world not only would it besmirch our family's name but also cost you many a powerful enemies.'

Papa practically seemed to growl at this. Hermione hadn't expected such ferocity from a man of such an age. 'Are you threatening me, boy? You should do well to remember you are standing under my roof and it would take me less than a minute to have you removed from not only these lands but also all records that name you my heir. Leave my home and do not dare return unless you decide to redeem yourself.'

'You can't!' Rolf cried.

'Its that wife of yours. She has been soiling your mind since the day you began courting her. I knew nothing good could come out of a union with the Blacks. But I agreed for your sake. And look at yourself now. You are going against everything your parents taught you. You are a disappointment.'

'You may refuse but how will you stop Rab? You must realise the Slytherins at Hogwarts are already being recruited and the Dark Lord's ideologies are bound to reach him. He will follow in my footsteps. I know he will.'

There was complete silence and for a minute there Hermione had a horrible feeling that perhaps Rolf had attacked his very own blood but she was wrong for not a moment later Rolf hurried out of the room with a scowl so terrifying set on his face that she was truly scared of her own brother.

Hermione silently prayed to any Gods there may be watching over her. She had already lost one of those she had sworn to protect.

Rodolphus was lost to the Dark Side.