Darkshadow-lord: Lockhart's motives will be revealed soon.

It had been over a year since that fateful Halloween night, and Severus was no closer to figuring out the mystery surrounding Hermione Granger. Every time he got a few answers, he ended up with more questions, and it was frustrating to say the least.

He knew his curse, Sectumsempra, was used to kill the troll. He also knew the only ones that knew about the curse were the Death Eaters. Because of that, he knew a Death Eater had gotten into the castle and protected Hermione. What he couldn't figure out was who, or why.

Then came the pendant. It took him longer than he wanted to admit, but he recognized it as belonging to the House of Black, more specifically it belonged to the three Black sisters. The obvious choice on where it came from was Narcissa. Hermione was close to Draco so it would make sense that Narcissa would want to protect her. But Narcissa was not a Death Eater, nor did she know his curse. That also eliminated Andromeda. Which left Bellatrix.

Bellatrix Black, formally Lestrange, had saved Hermione's life, and continued to protect her. There were rumours in the dark circles that Bellatrix had taken over as head of the Black family since the next in line, Sirius Black, was currently in Azkaban. Bellatrix was in fact a vast improvement over the imbecile, but why would she protect a muggleborn girl?

That was the question that bothered him for the last year. Why would Bellatrix protect a muggleborn? There was no reason he could think of. She was an excellent student and once she befriended Draco, she became much less of a know-it-all. But that wasn't enough to draw someone like Bellatrix in.

He was actually rather fond of the girl. It was why he had yet to say anything to the headmaster about his suspicions. It was also why he had yet to tell the headmaster about his Dark Mark getting darker. He wanted a chance to talk to the Dark Lord, and Bellatrix, before he told Albus anything. But it was a dangerous choice on his part. If Albus learned he knew the Dark Lord was back and said nothing then his loyalty would be questioned. Which is why he wanted to speak to the Dark Lord. He wanted to know… he wasn't sure. He wanted to know which side he would choose in the end. He knew he meant for the dark, but if the Dark Lord was the same now, as he was before the end of the first war… he would choose Albus and the light. But if he was different… then his choice was much more difficult.

Until he decided, he would watch over Hermione and protect her as best he could, just like he was doing for the Potter brat. Lucky for him, Hermione had far less powerful enemies, and with the Black pendant around her neck, no one was stupid enough to target her.

Severus Snape took a deep breath before heading to potions class. This was the worst and best second year class. He loved teaching his Slytherins. Not only were they respectful but they were actually eager to learn potions. The same could be said for Hermione Granger. The Gryffindors on the other hand… he despised them. They barely listened and caused the most accidents in potions, more so then even the Hufflepuffs.

Hermione sat at her desk beside Draco. Everything they needed for today's class was laid out in front of them. They weren't sure which potion they were doing today but they were ready for anything. "You know Theo and Pansy miss you," Draco said conversationally. They were still waiting on the last few Gryffindors to make their way to class so they had a few minutes to talk.

Hermione glanced to the left, where Theo and Pansy were partnered together. "I wasn't avoiding them," Hermione said. "I've just been distracted."

"Lockhart?" Draco asked.

Hermione shrugged. "I mostly ignore him. But he stares at me in class and he looks…afraid I think."

"Afraid," Draco repeated in surprise. The last of the Gryffindors piled in with Professor Snape right behind them. "I wonder what he could be afraid of," he muttered to himself.

"Fifteen points to Slytherin and five to Gryffindor for being prepared for class," Professor Snape said.

The Gryffindors were torn between being angry at Hermione for showing them up and happy that Snape had actually awarded Gryffindor points. Hermione was the only Gryffindor that Professor Snape ever awarded points to.

"Open your textbooks to page 99," Professor Snape continued, ignoring the glares of the Gryffindors. "You will be completing the strengthening solution today. It is more difficult than you are used to but not impossible. I suggest you play close attention to the instructions. Begin."

"What ingredients do we need?" Draco questioned.

Hermione searched the book. "Standard ingredient, salamander blood, Griffin claw and snake fang. The Griffin claw needs to be ground down, same with the snake fang."

"Alright," Draco said. "I'll grab the ingredients. Can you grab my mortar and pestle? We can each grind one thing which will protect against contamination."

Hermione nodded and Draco went to the storage cabinet to grab what they needed. Hermione dug both their mortars and pestles from their bags. She also grabbed the standard ingredient from her own potions kit. She doubled checked the recipe and decided to get started while she waited for Draco.

She tapped her wand and lit the fire under the cauldron. She then pointed her wand inside the cauldron and muttered, "Aguamenti." The cauldron filled with water and she waited for it to boil.

Draco returned with the ingredients and sat them on his station. He peered into the cauldron and saw it wasn't boiling yet. He handed Hermione the snake fangs to grind while he got to work on the Griffin claws.

Once the water started boiling, they got to work on their potion.

Hermione worked on tuning out all of the noises around her so she could focus on the potion in front of her. It was a little more difficult then they were used to and she wanted to do it perfectly.

The standard ingredient was added first as it was the base for most potions. Then Draco added the Griffin claw, stirring clockwise seven times after he did so. The salamander blood was added next and Hermione stirred the potion counter clockwise until it turned purple. Now they had to wait for twenty-five minutes before adding the snake fang. Draco decided to keep track of the time for them.

Hermione glanced around the room. The other Slytherins were a little behind her and Draco but it didn't look like they were struggling with the potion. They were simply taking their time. The Gryffindors were a whole other story. Lavender and Neville's potion was smoking, which it wasn't supposed to do. Harry and Ron looked hopelessly confused on what they were supposed to do. Hermione wanted to help them but knew better than to get up and go to them. Professor Snape may like her better than the other Gryffindors but he wouldn't tolerate her wandering around the classroom.

So, she stayed in her seat and pulled out her journal.

I started the Dark Arts book, she wrote to Morgana.

Draco glanced at his friend. He noticed the journal Hermione had and knew she was talking to his Aunt.

It was still weird to Draco, knowing that one day his friend and his aunt would be a couple. But he had watched the two of them together during the holidays. He saw the way Hermione would look around any room when she entered, hoping to see Bellatrix there. He saw how her eyes would light up if she was there and how sad she would look if Bellatrix wasn't there. He also saw how Bellatrix's eyes would follow Hermione around, as if trying to reassure herself Hermione was okay. As weird as it was to him, he could see how the good the relationship would do for both of them.

I thought you were supposed to be in Potions class? Morgana wrote. There was a slight pause before she added, what do you think about the book?

I am in Potions. We have to let it simmer for a while. The book is interesting, far more interesting than the introduction book I read. I didn't realize how bad an addiction to Dark Arts can be. I haven't seen the spells yet. I'm determined to get through the background first. Have you read this book?

I've read most of the books on the Dark Arts. Are you disappointed there are no spells yet?

A little. But I also promised not to practice spells without you so there's no real point in learning any yet. Has anyone actually been addicted to the Dark Arts? There's a lot of mention about the potential for it but nothing about any victims.

There's been a few in history. Most are not reported. I… I was close to an addiction. I tried practicing on my own and lost control. Tom was able to save me from myself. That is why I do not want you to try. I don't want you to suffer the way I did.

Hermione dropped her quill. The Dark Arts were no joke. She knew that. But the thought of almost losing Morgana too them devastated her in a way she didn't understand. It made her all the more determined to stand by her word.

It won't be as bad for you, Morgana added when Hermione didn't respond. The Black's have a long history of madness. It makes the addiction much worse than it would be for the average person.

You're okay now, though, right? Hermione bit her lip in anticipation. She wasn't sure how she would react if the answer was no.

It was over thirty years ago Hermione. I'm fine, I promise. Would you like to learn a spell?

Hermione frowned. I thought it wasn't safe?

Typically, no, but there are a few spells that are borderline dark. The risk for addiction is next to none. If you wish, you could test it and then let me know how you feel after. Depending on your answer, you can keep practicing that, and a few others, or you will have to wait until summer holidays.

Okay. Hermione quickly agreed because she was eager to learn more magic.

The spell is Confringo. It is similar to Reducto, but it is dark magic and therefore stronger. I'm sure you've read it already but dark magic is tied to your emotions. The stronger those emotions, either good or bad, the stronger the spell will be. You could level an entire building with Confringo if you're angry enough. Reducto would simply put a hole in the building, the size depending on the power used. Be careful though. While most dark magic isn't illegal, it will cause the professors to pay closer attention to you and students may look at you different.

I'll be careful, Hermione promised. Where should I go to practice?

The Room of Requirement. It's on the seventh floor. The door is hidden as you have to be in need of the room to find it. You'll find the entrance opposite the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy. To gain access to the room you need to pace in front of the wall three times and think about what you want. In this case, 'I need a place to practice spells.' If you decide to go, make sure you take Draco with you, that way he can contact me or his parents if something goes wrong.

"Hermione, we have a minute left before we need to focus on our potion," Draco warned her.

Hermione looked up and nodded. "Thanks Draco."

I have to go. It's almost time to finish our potion.

Hermione closed the journal and tucked it back into her bookbag. "Are you interested in practicing some spells?" she whispered to him. "Morgana told me of a place we could go."

"Sure," Draco agreed. He took the cauldron off the heat. "We have a break after lunch. We can go then."

Hermione poured the snake fang in while Draco stirred the potion. If they did it correctly the potion would turn blue. Then when it cooled completely it would turn a light blue. Hermione held her breath as Draco stirred. He was on the last stir and nothing had changed. Suddenly, it turned blue and Hermione sighed in relief.

"Excellent job Mr. Malfoy, Ms. Granger," Professor Snape said walking over to the two. He could tell it was a perfect potion because if it turned blue while still warm, it would automatically fade to the light blue.

"Thank you Professor," they said respectfully.

"Bottle it up and place it on my desk, then you two are free to go," Professor Snape instructed.

"What about the homework?" Hermione asked nervously. She was sure the others would be angry she asked but she didn't want to potentially miss the assignment by leaving early.

"Only those who failed to make a perfect potion will have an assignment," Professor Snape informed them before walking away.

"Do you want to clean up or bottle our potion?" Draco questioned.

"I'll clean up," Hermione offered.

She waved her wand and the table was cleaned of all residue. While Draco carefully poured the potion into the vial, she grabbed their mortar and pestles and walked over to the sink. She carefully washed the mortars and pestles. She didn't scrub them as it wasn't necessary but she did make sure they were clean. When she finished she used her wand to dry them before heading back to her station. She packed both their things away and checked the cauldron. Draco had vanished what was left of the potion. The cauldron was left the way it was as Professor Snape liked to have students scrub them for detentions.

Once everything was cleaned they grabbed their bags and headed out. Hermione paused next to Harry and Ron's station, under the guise of adjusting her bookbag, and muttered, "lower your heat." She left the classroom without waiting to see if they listened.

"Should we head to the Great Hall for an early lunch?" Draco questioned.

It was ten minutes before lunch started but if they walked slow they would get there right at the start. Hermione shrugged. "Sure," she agreed. "We could head to the Room of Requirements right after and meet Theo and Pansy in the library before Defense Against the Dark Arts."

"I'll tell them at lunch," Draco promised. "What should I say about the Room of Requirements?"

"Tell them we have a lead on a new place to study and if it works out we'll bring them there tomorrow," Hermione suggested. "You can say your mum mentioned it over the holidays and we wanted to see if it was real."

"Works for me," Draco agreed. They entered the Great Hall just as the food appeared on the tables. They walked to the Slytherin table first as it was on the way to the Gryffindor table. "Come get me when you're ready."

Hermione made her way to the empty Gryffindor table. She decided to take advantage of the fact that the table was empty and pulled out her journal. She had a little time before others started to appear and she wanted to talk to Morgana before anyone came to bother her.

How was your potion?

Perfect, Hermione wrote. Professor Snape excused Draco and I from the assignment since our potion was perfect. We're going to the Room of Requirements after lunch and then meeting Theo and Pansy at the library.

That's good. Exams are fast approaching. The Room of Requirements does make an excellent place to study. I used to use it when the library was too crowded. Make sure you ask for a comfortable place to study, you will get better chairs that way. Should I send you some notes from History?

Defense too if you can. Lockhart is useless. And maybe… maybe some snacks? Malfoy Manor had the best snacks.

I'm sure I can arrange for the house elves to send you and Draco and care package. Hermione could practically see her smiling. Let me know if there are any special requests from your friends. I will send it at the beginning of next week.

Hermione put the journal away as she saw several Gryffindors approaching the table, including Harry and Ron. She tucked the journal into her bookbag and started to fix her plate for lunch.

She ignored the fried foods that were constantly pushed on them and instead chose a grilled chicken breast. Narcissa had informed her on how important food was for young witches and wizards and their magic. She wanted to do whatever was necessary to ensure her magic was strong. She piled a Caesar salad onto her plate as well along with some kiwi slices.

"Hey Hermione," Harry said sitting on her left side. Ron sat next to him and piled four bacon sandwiches onto his plate. "Thanks for the help with our potion. It was actually passable, well according to Snape. Why did you help us?"

"You're my friends," Hermione said with a shrug. "It was something easy to help you with that wouldn't get us all in trouble and it seems to have really helped you."

Harry nudged Ron. "Oh," Ron said dropping his half-eaten sandwich. "I was wondering if you wanted to come to the Burrow this summer."

Hermione wanted to say no. She would much rather spend her summer at Malfoy Manor with the Malfoy's and more importantly Morgana. But she also wanted to maintain her Gryffindor friendships. Why, she wasn't sure, she just had a feeling it would be handy.

"Sure," Hermione agreed. The two looked at her in surprise. "When?"

"Uh, how about the last two weeks of summer?" Ron suggested. "We can meet in Diagon Alley or something and do our shopping."

Hermione nodded. That sounded reasonable to her. She would still have two months with Morgana and a chance to learn everything she could from the Malfoy's and Tom. "I like that idea," Hermione said. She pushed her empty plate away. "I'll see you guys in Defense. I have something to do."

She left before either of them had a chance to ask where she was going.