Chapter 27

Disclaimer: Not mine. I just borrowed them for a while. I promise to put them back when I'm done. Oh, nope, no money either...just for fun.

I want to give a great big thank you hug to my alpha reader, Arabellabloodgood, and to my betas, EverMystique and DuchessOfArcadia, for combing through this and helping me clean up my many mistakes. I really appreciate it more than you can possibly know.

Thank you, Jay, for the beautiful banner. I absolutely love it!

---

Returning to school and to the daily routine she knew so well had been a relief for Hermione. There was the added pressure of all the added homework heaped upon them by every teacher, and with Harry having Occlumency lessons every Monday and Wednesday, it made it much harder to find time for the DA to meet. Umbridge was being ever more watchful of the Gryffindors, as if only Gryffindors broke the school rules, and was frequently seen in the corridors. Not only that, but Umbridge had given Hagrid his evaluation, and he was now on probation. Educational Decree Number Twenty-six was posted on the school notice boards, stating that teachers were not allowed to impart any information that was beyond the scope of their lessons, something that really amused Hermione.

Harry was at least more himself, even if he'd been having a horrible time with Professor Snape's Occlumency lessons. Hermione had researched everything she could on Occlumency for Harry, hoping to help him with the lessons, not that he wanted to actually practice clearing his mind with her when she'd suggested it to him...he wanted to practice defensive and deflection spells and shielding charms.

The first day of term, though, Harry had an unexplained fit of happiness, supposedly because something that Voldemort wanted had happened. Whatever that had been, the implication was frightening.

Hermione thought she now knew why Professor Snape was so interested in Harry's dreams. In her opinion, something had reacted with the Killing Curse the night Harry's parents died, possibly something Harry's mum had cast, that had not only made the spell rebound back onto Voldemort, but forged some kind of connection between Voldemort's mind and Harry's, which is why Harry could see and feel Voldemort's thoughts and emotions. She suspected that if Voldemort ever discovered this, he could use Harry, bend and twist his mind or make him insane. That alone would've made Hermione strive to be the best darned Occlumens ever!

Harry, on the other hand, was putting himself wholeheartedly into the DA as if that was the only reason he'd returned to Hogwarts.

Hermione, Ron, and Harry snuck off to the small classroom down the corridor from the common room whenever they could...actually, whenever Hermione could, which was usually around eight or nine in the evenings...to practice as much as they could. Harry was as tenacious as he'd been when learning spells for the Triwizard Tournament, and Ron was even putting forth the same effort as well.

Harry's article for The Quibbler came out Monday morning. It was fantastic. By the time the first class let out that same day, Umbridge ensured its circulation by posting Decree Number Twenty-seven, making it an expulsive offense for any student to read or even have a copy of The Quibbler in their possession. Now, every student in school, and possibly their parents, would know Harry's side. Hermione was elated!

However, Harry was still having nightly dreams of the corridor. He'd told Hermione and Ron that he knew it to be in the lower levels of the Ministry of Magic...precisely where Mr. Weasley had been attacked, and she was worried as to how he knew that so assuredly. But, Harry was convinced that it was the same corridor where he'd seen Mr. Malfoy talking to Minister Fudge the day of his trial.

Just before Potions that same day, Hermione had written about the dream on her homework with Professor Snape's special ink. She was currently trying to ignore Malfoy's, Pansy's, and Millicent's snide remarks, keeping an eye out so that none of the Slytherins flicked anything into her, Neville's, or Harry's cauldrons, as well as paying attention to what Neville, Harry, and Ron were doing, as usual, all while trying to concentrate on her own potion. She barely noticed when Professor Snape stood behind her until she straightened up and collided with him, accidentally kicking the toe of his boot. "Er, sorry, sir," she stammered.

"I believe that another night with me is in order," he snarled. "Fifteen points from Gryffindor, Miss Granger. I'll expect you promptly at eight o'clock. Do not be late and be prepared."

---

Severus' door banged open just before he was ready to leave his classroom for lunch. Mr. Aldebaran Urguhart and Mr. Rayne Boughton burst in, Mr. Boughton dragging Miss Brambila Rusbridge by the hand with him. Severus stood and crossed his arms as Miss Tammorah Merkle and Miss Serena Wilkes filed in. "Do you have any idea what he's done?" Rayne Boughton demanded angrily as Mr. Darias Kennecott closed the door and stood behind the girls with his arms crossed, scowling darkly. Beside him, Mr. Urguhart stood with his arms crossed, apparently equally furious.

"Whom?" Severus asked, simply for clarification. He had a good idea who, and for what, which was quickly clarified by Mr. Urguhart.

"That bloody Harry Potter, that's who, and his sidekick Mudblood, Granger," the boy spat angrily.

Severus was about to admonish him for calling Miss Granger a Mudblood when Miss Rusbridge cried out, for once in her life acting boldly when in Severus' presence, "We saw them...Tracy, Terrance, Rayne and me...we saw Potter, that Granger girl, and Weasel in the Three Broomsticks sitting with Rita Skeeter. Rita Skeeter! Why her of all people? She never reports the truth!" Her grey-violet eyes looked as if they were brimming close to tears. Severus hoped she wouldn't start crying; there was plenty of things to be done for damage control.

"Well, she did this time," Miss Wilkes, his seventh-year female prefect, stated.

"She mentioned my Da!" Tammorah Merkle cried out, nearing hysterics.

"Quiet!" Severus snarled. "Will you all just calm down."

"But she mentioned my Da!" Miss Merkle reiterated as if Severus hadn't heard her the first time.

"And he is a Death Eater; you know this," Severus said patiently, facing the group calmly, hoping to head off Miss Merkle's hysterics.

Miss Merkle raised her voice, shouting, "HE'LL BE ARRESTED," as she stamped her foot.

Severus scowled at her, and Miss Merkle lowered her head, slightly, still gazing at him out from under her fringe. "Sorry, sir."

Severus nodded and looked at the rest of the group assembled. "No one will be arrested."

"But, sir, Aldebaran's, Raithe's, and Darias' dads were named as well," Miss Wilkes stated. "What if they are brought up on charges and arrested? The Ministry does that...Stun, arrest, then ask... guilty before proven innocent, and even then..."

"Not bloody likely," Severus stated with a smirk. "For now the Ministry is in complete denial. Fudge is doing everything in his power to ensure that the public remains ignorant of the facts...and arresting anyone on Skeeter's list would do just the opposite. It would mean that the Ministry is taking Professor Dumbledore, and for that matter Potter, serious enough to arrest wizards previously proved innocent of any associations with the Dark Lord." His words were having the desired effect; even Miss Merkle was quieting down. "However, war is imminent. You know this."

Mr. Urguhart said, "But he named..."

Severus turned on the boy. "You are not your father...you are your own person," he snapped. "You've chosen to stand up for your own beliefs. Nothing is going to happen until the Dark Lord decides to take action. Fudge will not do anything because he doesn't want the public to panic. That's why Umbridge is here: to ensure that every one of you remains ignorant, believing that your world is safe."

"But what happens when the Ministry finds out it's true...that he's back?" Miss Wilkes asked.

"Then the choices we make now will be put to the test; you'll have to take an active stance and choose sides," Severus stated. "The Dark Lord isn't gaining as many supporters and followers as before. You are being recruited...actively, which is still being conducted by his most devout followers, while the Dark Lord keeps a tight leash on his more unscrupulous followers. And when you leave school, you will be forced to choose...and forced to take his Mark. This time around, neutrality will not be an option."

"Against," Messrs Kennecott and Urguhart stated, echoed by Mr. Boughton. Miss Wilkes and Miss Rushbride nodded as well, although Miss Merkle bit her lip and hung her head.

"Now remember, hold your head up, keep your emotions under control at all times, play their game, and guard your opinions well," Severus stated. "You've all learned how to Occlude your mind. Practice...diligently."

They all nodded and appeared calmer.

"It's time for lunch." Severus ushered them out of his classroom, and he locked the door behind them. Despite his own words of reassurance, he had been seething about the article all day. At least his group of Slytherins were holding fast, unwavering, although Severus realized he'd have to watch Miss Merkle more closely.

---

Severus was at his desk when Hermione entered his office. "Fifteen points, Miss Granger, for being on time," he said smoothly as she walked forward. Hermione smiled, apparently pleased that he'd upheld his promise to her, and dropped her bag on a chair.

"Have you held a meeting with your group since start of term?" he asked, setting his quill aside and looking right at her.

She shook her head, her smile fading as she sat down. "A few."

"It's been a month and a half," he sneered at her. "Are you not taking this seriously?"

"Of course I am!" she exclaimed, incensed. Why he was so angry eluded her. If she was in trouble for something she'd done, then he should just bloody well give her the detention and be done with it. Why was he mad about the DA when he'd told her he not only approved of it...but supported it? "I..."

"And yet you have plenty of time for romantic interludes with Mr. Weasley at Hogsmeade, and making idiotic interviews with gossip mongering reporters," he sneered.

She couldn't believe it. He's angry at her over the article? Harry had only told the truth so that...

"Have you any idea how important it is for you and Potter and your friends to actually learn this material?"

"Of course," she said, now confused at his abrupt change of subject. "But arranging meeting times for an illicit, illegal club isn't as easy as getting a detention, is it?"

"That is hardly an excuse!" he snapped.

"You're right, sir," she said, feeling chastised. "I have everyone's schedule and all the dates of the clubs and Quidditch practices, and I'm told if any changes are made, but still, sometimes it's hard to get everyone..."

"There is a staff meeting on the first and third Monday night of each month...mandatory for all professors. Umbridge likes to make a spectacle of herself at these meetings, so she never misses them. Thanks to her incessant blabbering, they go on for hours, two hours minimum, although they are usually longer. She questions bloody everything, loves enforcing parliamentary procedure, insists on reviewing point on all past meetings and is utterly unrelenting that we invest our time with such foolishnesses. Afterwards, Umbridge has meetings with the Minister of Magic on the same nights so as to inform him about everything going on in the school. So, that clears two nights a month for you. I can arrange for a meeting on the second Friday of each month...my monthly review with the witch...but I can assure you she will be too tired to investigate your activities on those nights. Professors Sprout and Burbage are on probation as well; they meet on the fourth Friday. Afterwards, Umbridge goes outside to hassle Hagrid about his lesson plans. Why are you not writing these down?"

Hermione reached for her daily planner and checked the dates on her schedule. Professor Snape slid his red inkwell in her direction. "Professors McGonagall and Sinistra have theirs on the second Wednesday, and Professor Flitwick's is on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Let me know which dates you select so I can ensure your evenings are unimpeded."

"Charms Club meets on Mondays," she stated. "Not to mention that Harry has Occlumency with you on Mondays and Wednesdays."

"Not this term, Charms Club will be on Thursdays," Professor Snape stated assuredly. "Professor Flitwick has other obligations on Mondays this term. Potter meets with me from six to seven, when he lasts that long, but we generally quit at six-forty, so you can meet from seven to nine on Mondays. Same goes for Wednesdays," he stated, but his tone was still cool.

Hermione made a quick note on each day he suggested in his red ink.

"Use the tenth to meet with Potter and Weasley in the room I provided for you, and then meet with your group on Friday. Review what you've discussed on Friday on the following Monday. By Tuesday I will have a meeting with you, then you can use the twenty-fourth for you and your friends to train on that which I teach you. The twenty-sixth and the twenty-ninth, hold your meeting. As long as you are careful about the dispersal of your friends, you should be fine. I will be teaching you the Disillusionment Charm and the Notice-Me-Not that I used on you when you bounced back in time, tonight." He slid a book over to her. "This is what you'll teach your friends this week."

After finishing marking the proposed unimpeded meeting dates in her planner, she set down her quill and picked up the book. Hermione read the three Defense spells he marked in the book and grimaced. They were very aggressive and could potentially really hurt the opponent even maim them. "These..."

"Are fighting spells, my little Gryffindor, and ones you should know," he said with a scowl. "But first, you are going to learn how to Disillusion yourself."

---

Darias Kennecott had waited until he saw the girl leave before he approached Professor Snape's office for his own appointment. "How is she doing?" Darias asked as he plonked himself down on the seat in front of Professor Snape's desk and crossed his ankle on his knee. His Head of House simply regarded him with that carefully controlled mask of indifference he wore when annoyed.

"I don't know what you mean," Professor Snape said softly.

Darias had the audacity to scoff at his Head of House and ignored the resulting scowl the professor's face. Not that Darias had paid much mind to Malfoy in the past, but the arrogant git had mentioned the girl's detention at lunch. "The girl, Granger, how is she coming along?" He could tell that Professor Snape was suppressing his feelings of annoyance at his impertinence, but this was important. "Look, we took a vow; I cannot betray you."

"If she knows the spells, so does Potter. Or at least he will. It's the best way to train the boy," Professor Snape replied.

"If you say so," Darias said off-handedly. He'd have trained the boy himself and not bothered with the girl. But this was Professor Snape's project.

Professor Snape crossed his arms. "And what exactly do you mean by that?"

"Nothing. You wanted to know the numbers, right?" Darias dropped his foot from where it had been resting on his knee and leaned forward. "My year, the same three are still mumbling about blood-loyalty, but Raithe and Duane are firm. Thortensen is still wavering, but I don't dare say anything directly because of his father. He'll come around in time, I think. Sixth year, Montague, Pucey and Warrington are lost, can't wait to join. Fifth year, Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle are his, but Brambila is working on Longacre; I think she and Davis are wavering. I think they'll come around. Nott, he's been keeping to himself as much as possible, but Rayne is now socializing with Nott more frequently, so there's hope. Greengrass is giving Malfoy the cool shoulder, and she and Davis are not as tight with Bulstrode and Parkinson anymore. It's a matter of time before the girls try talking to Greengrass as well. Oh, and Vaisey wants to join. How he found out is a mystery, but he wants in."

Professor Snape shook his head. "No, no fourth-years. Any others?"

"Nope," Darias said and exhaled as he turned to look at a two-headed toad in a glass jar of yellow liquid. He hated all those disgusting things Snape had in his jars. "Too scared or frightened of their parents to budge," he said as he turned back to his mentor. "Others are biding their time, watching every move or utterance they make. Still, that leaves only three in my year who will join him, three in sixth and four in fifth...not counting the girls. Bulstrode would join the Dark Lord, but she's hoping to be matched with that boy from Durmstrang, and Parkinson is holding out for Malfoy. If he chooses her, she'll follow him in whatever he does. The dutiful wife."

Professor Snape nodded only once. "Very well. How are your Occlumency practices coming along?"

Darias sat up straighter. "That's what I'm here to find out," he said and tried to clear his mind of all emotions.

The onslaught hurt. Professor Snape never held back anymore, and Darias struggled to keep the man from probing too far and discovering anything... embarrassing.

---

Friday in Potions, Hermione approached Professor Snape's desk and slipped a piece of parchment on top of his ledger he'd been writing on. "My assignment, sir," she said politely and walked calmly to her seat.

Severus arched his brow, carefully concealed by his hair. He hadn't given the girl an assignment, which could only mean she was passing him information on Potter or her Defense club. He stood up and announced their assignment, scowling at the raucous manner in which they scrambled to retrieve their materials. As soon as the students were busy with their brewing, he used the nonverbal charm to reveal her message.

By the way, every time you have an Occlumency meeting with Harry, his scar hurts more than normal. Your lessons aren't working...Harry is having longer visions and his dreams are much more vivid than before, and he feels more of You-Know-Who's emotions than he should. He's not closing his mind...it's like he's more susceptible than before...he feels he has been blasted open by your sessions. He's definitely much more receptive.

He already knew this. Potter's lack of control was evident enough, but he certainly had not blasted the boy's mind open, the Dark Lord was doing that, or Potter was, by wanting to know what the Dark Lord was feeling.

Harry dreamed of being Voldemort last night and questioning Rookwood about the thing he wants, something in the Department of Mysteries. Apparently someone named Avery had told Voldemort that Bode would be able to remove 'it,' but Rookwood told Voldemort that Mr. Malfoy had put Bode under the Imperius to get 'it.' Only Bode knew he couldn't retrieve it so he resisted. Apparently, Rookwood is going to tell Voldemort how to get it.

This is not good news; Dumbledore will need to know right away, Severus thought. Of course, the old man will want me to find out if this is true or not. Bode had been in the Order. Severus knew that Bode had been strangled in his bed with that bloody plant because he couldn't have been allowed to survive and verify Dumbledore's claim that the Dark Lord was back. That's why he had been killed...to silence him.

Is this the weapon that Sirius mentioned to us in ... There was a smudge on the parchment obscuring the last word or words, which amused him, as if she'd tried to write headquarters or Grimmauld Place. Thought you should know.

Severus glared at the question. Damn Black, what part of 'secret meeting' did that dunderhead not comprehend? That's another thing Dumbledore will need to know – Black is feeding Potter information.

Also, since you wanted to know, we are meeting again tonight. After that, I will inform the others of the meeting times we've arranged for March. Monday, I'll be in the classroom to help Harry learn the spells you've shown me. Please, don't give him a migraine like you did last Occlumency lesson. He can't concentrate when you do, and he can't do the spells at full strength or velocity.

Severus discretely used the charm to make the wording fade. Very well. But he needed to talk to Hermione. Alone.

Half way through class, at the critical stage when the stinksap should be added to the potion the students were brewing, Severus started his rounds. Most of the potions were dismal; Mr. Crabbe's was boiling and would be useless. Mr. Nott's was passable as was Mr. Zabini's. Both boys would be in his Advanced Potions, he was sure of it. Mr. Malfoy's potion was fine; however, as expected, Mr. Potter's potion was merely adequate, and Mr. Weasley's was too thin. When he stopped beside Mr. Longbottom to check his progress, his potion was already congealing. "Mr. Longbottom, add the hellsbane and stir. Now." The boy predictably jumped and dumped the entire amount into his cauldron at once. From the corner of his eye he watched as Hermione carefully stirred her potion. "Miss Granger, remain after class," he sneered and glared at Potter and Weasley.

"What did she do?" Mr. Weasley hissed to Potter.

"Dunno. Breathed?" Potter whispered back with a shrug, but he kept his eyes on his own work. "Since when did the git need a reason to give Hermione a detention?"

Mr. Weasley made a quick glance in Severus' direction, and then turned his attention back to slicing his grubs. "Usually it's you he picks on."

"Mr. Potter, kindly allow Mr. Weasley to fail on his own," Severus barked as he checked on Miss Parkinson's potion. "Ten points each from Gryffindor." He nodded to Miss Parkinson and frowned at Miss Bulstrode's sludge-like attempt. He took the chance to slip into his storeroom, quickly grabbed two items and hurried back to the classroom, then checked everyone's potions again to assure himself that no one had done something idiotic in his brief absence.

At the end of class, Hermione waited until everyone left and then approached Severus' desk. He handed Hermione the two bottles. "Here is a Migraine Potion and one for strength. The bottles each contain a half a cauldron full of potion and should last the boy until the end of term. Do not tell Potter you got it from me," he said coolly.

"Of course not, he'd think it was laced with poison," Hermione said as she carefully examined the bottles.

"Of course he would," Professor Snape said disdainfully.

She put them in her bag. "The way you both talk to each other, your prejudice against him...his hatred of you, can you blame him?" she asked.

"No," he sneered. "That's not what I wanted to talk to you about. Potter's dream."

"I summarized everything that he told Ron and me." She looked up as she straightened and got right to the point, which he appreciated. "The way he talked about it, it was like he was there. As Vo...You-Know-Who," she corrected herself and continued. "He said he felt like he was in his body. I'm really concerned."

This is not good. Severus steepled his fingers and held them in front of his mouth. "And you say his connection is getting stronger?"

"Yes," Hermione said nodding. "He's always saying that you're not helping him close his mind as much as blasting him more open, making him more susceptible to the dreams. And the dreams are more vivid after your lessons. I read everything I could on Legilimency, and it involves opening up the subject's mind and focusing their attention on the subject's imaginative experiences, perceptions, sensations, emotions, thoughts or behavior."

"That's the usual perception of the art, Miss Granger," Severus scoffed at her.

"Deirdre Barrett defines susceptible subjects as Fantasizers and Dissociaters," she argued. "Fantasizers are easily acceptable but can block out invasion by shifting and creating."*

"She's a self effacing fool," Severus sneered. "A true Occlumens devoids their mind of the emotional pathways associated to experiences, perception, sensation, emotion, thought or behavior. It's these emotional pathways that an accomplished Legilimens uses to delve into the mind."

"I know that," she admitted, but she pushed her argument further anyway, "however, Fantasizers find it easy to block out real-world stimuli with imagination, spend much time daydreaming, report having had imaginary companions as a child and grew up with parents who encouraged imaginary play, that's why they do best when using shifting or creating, like using a mental wall, corridors, or a lake to block a Legilimens. Dissociaters often have a history of childhood abuse or other trauma, and learned to escape into numbness or to forget unpleasant events."*

"It won't work, Hermione, the Dark Lord can blast right through such transient blockades, as can I, because the emotions are still there to be felt," he stated. "Unless you are willing to learn the principles, this discussion is pointless."

"I'd love to learn how to!" she exclaimed her eyes alight with avid curiosity and expectancy.

That wasn't what he'd meant. "I don't have the time to indulge you in this pursuit."

Her eyes were instantly downcast and her shoulders sagged slightly. Teaching her would be so much more preferable than teaching Potter, but he couldn't. "Go. I have work to do before lunch."

"Do you want any help?" she asked anyway.

He was surprised that she offered; most students couldn't wait to be dismissed. "Did you really want to wipe down worktables and straighten up the supply cupboard?"

Hermione dropped her bag on the nearest stool. "Which did you want me to do first?"

"The supply cupboard," he stated, actually pleased for the assistance. "Please make note of anything that is empty or in low supply, so I may replenish it."

She nodded and went straight to work. Severus began levitating the cauldrons to the sink as he wiped down all the worktables, periodically glancing up at the girl sorting out his cupboard. Any other student would have considered that chore a detention, but Hermione was actually humming as she wrote a notation on his supply list on the clipboard.

When he'd finished the worktables, he walked over to check her progress. She was two thirds the way complete, and every container she'd checked was neatly aligned with the labels showing. "Miss Granger, you will stop. It's time for lunch," he said softly.

"Yes, sir," she said happily as she scrambled to her feet. "Good bye, Professor."

He simply nodded and watched her leave before leaving himself, locking the door behind him.

---

On the tenth, as arranged, Hermione took advantage of the small classroom on the fifth floor to hold a training session for Harry. Fred and George insisted on coming since they didn't have Quidditch practice to occupy them, or apparently homework, and stubbornly followed them anyway, so Hermione relented. She was surprised when the wards allowed all five of them to enter. "Messrs Potter and Weasley," she mumbled, remembering what Professor Snape had told her, "but only Messrs Potter and Weasley. Bet he didn't think of that."

"Pardon Hermione?" Harry asked. "Who didn't?"

"Nothing," she said with a smile. "We only have an hour. So let's practice, shall we? The Disillusionment Charm is really helpful if you need to..."

"Oi! That's not a fifth-year charm," Fred stated.

"It's not even a sixth-year charm," George pronounced.

"So, how did you learn it?" Fred asked, crossing his arms.

"A book," Harry and Ron said the same time Hermione did. She scowled at them, but they were snickering.

"That's not one you can learn from a book," Fred stated, tilting his head slightly and narrowing his eyes.

"You can seriously damage someone's brain with that one if you get it wrong," George argued as if she were mental.

"Don't be silly," Hermione said, more to Harry and Ron than the twins. "It's not that hard if you're concentrating and are sufficiently determined." She drew her wand. "Watch, I'll Disillusion you, Harry. Evanescere-occare," she said as she flicked her wand on Harry's head as Professor Snape taught her. Harry appeared to dissolve from head to foot.

"Whoa," Ron, Fred, and George all said in unison.

"It worked, I'm invisible!" Harry exclaimed. "It felt just like it did when Mad-Eye did it!"

"Of course." Hermione smiled, saying, "Appareo," while tapping Harry on the head to make him visible. "See."

Fred and George both looked astounded. "When did Mad-Eye show you that?" Fred asked.

"Why did Mad-Eye show you?" George asked, narrowing his eyes at her.

"Who cares!" Ron exclaimed. "Do me!"

Hermione demonstrated the wand movement to Harry as she Disillusioned Ron.

---

Just as she predicted, Monday in Double Potions, Professor Snape snapped at Hermione, first for holding her knife incorrectly, secondly for whispering to Ron when he'd nearly spilled her Amarillo bile.

"What time do you want me to show up tonight?" she asked with a sigh, moving her ingredients away from Ron's elbow.

"Don't be ridiculous, girl, Potter has Remedial Potions on Mondays. You will be here seven o'clock on Tuesday. Now, do. Your. Own. Work."

"He hates you," Ron uttered.

"Sorry, Hermione," Harry apologized.

Hermione shrugged. She'd expected it to happen, just not for him to embarrass Harry.

---

"You are getting lazy," he barked at her.

Hermione was massaging her wrist. "I'm exhausted."

"Hardly an excuse," Severus stated.

"It's not like he's going to attack tomorrow," she complained, stretching her back.

He straightened up and relaxed his arm. "And just when did you think he would make his move? Do you have some insight into his plans of which I am unaware? He tried to kill Potter your fourth year and failed. He attempted to get to Potter over the summer, twice that I know of, but couldn't, and he tried again...twice...over Christmas holiday," he sneered at her. "Oh that's right, you were unable to eavesdrop on those meetings, weren't you?"

Actually Hermione had heard about the attempts, not that she'd say how the twins managed it. She rolled her shoulders and faced him, wondering what had put him in such a foul mood.

"It's only a matter of time before he finds his opportunity. Now, if you're finished moaning like a first-year, defend yourself."

Hermione braced herself for his onslaught. His movements were wicked fast, and she struggled to keep from being hit. She managed to lunge away from one spell while casting one at him, and then ducked, barely avoiding his hex. He was quick, making her dive out of the way, but she'd not been fast enough on her feet, and he nailed her on her side. She shook her head as she tried to rise, feeling the effects of the hex abate.

"On your feet," he said as she straightened.

She'd barely had time to ready herself before his onslaught resumed. She deflected one curse, fired a stunner as she ducked from another, deflected and parried his fourth and fired at him. He smirked and fired a hex, which she managed to block. She fired a stunner at him, which he easily blocked, and fired again, their spells colliding, making a huge, white explosive-flare in the space between them. She immediately cast a shield and jumped to her left, firing a spell where she thought he'd be. His responding hex came from the other direction, barely missing her. She fired again while dodging his curse, lunging as she fired a stunner, then drew back upright to avoid another, and took his third curse in her hip, making her fall to her knees.

"You're too slow," he remarked as he cast the counter curse.

She stayed on her knees as she caught her breath. "Are you upset at me?"

"No, I'm not upset at you; I expect you to do better," he said, slightly breathless with his hands at his sides.

She looked up at him. "You are mad about something; I know you well enough to see that."

He took a step back and squared his shoulders. "It has nothing to do with you."

"Harry?" she asked, refusing to continue if he was going to take his anger out on her.

"No, not Potter," he said coolly.

She hung her head a moment and then slowly stood up. "We're done."

"No, we are not done until I say we are," he growled and resumed a dueling pose.

She shook her head, keeping her arms at her sides. "No. I didn't come here to fight you; I came here to duel."

His arm dropped as he glared at her. "You'll..."

"I came here to practice...dueling...not all out fighting. I'm not your practice dummy," she said, her pitch rising as she spoke.

He stepped closer to her, his eyes flashing with anger. "Do not raise your voice at me."

"THEN STOP TRYING TO KILL ME!" she shouted as she backed up.

"IF I WAS TRYING TO KILL YOU...YOU'D BE DEAD!" he shouted back. "Now defend yourself!"

She let her wand fall to the floor. "No."

"Pick it up!" he snarled, aiming for her heart.

"Severus, if you're upset about something, you can talk to me." She stepped forward, and he took a step back, his wand never faltering. "I'd never betray your confidence."

He stepped back again as she continued to walk toward him. "It doesn't pertain to you," he said, his body rigid.

"But you do know I'd never betray your confidence?" she asked, closing the distance between them.

He summoned her wand and held it out to her. "Take it."

She shook her head. "You don't trust me," she said and hung her head again.

"What do you mean I don't trust you?"

She knew he did; he'd shown his hand to her too many times for her to reasonably question his trust in her. She looked up at him, trying to assess what could have him so agitated.

His hands were at his sides, each holding a wand. "With everything you know about me, with everything I have revealed to you...I have to believe in your discretion," he said smoothly, but his tone was forced.

"Because if he knew that you were training me, he'd kill you," she said with a sigh.

He laughed, a cold, impersonal laugh. "You think highly of yourself. I'd be punished, yes...killed, no. He'd want a detailed account of our association and a full explanation of my reasoning, after he used the Cruciatus on me."

"Do you get summoned to him frequently?" she asked.

He scoffed at her. "Not while school is in session. I must make a monthly report and send a message if I learn of anything of import. However, if I leave the school too much it would be noticed."

Hermione nodded in understanding. "Umbridge."

"Students. The other professors," he stated, putting both wands in his right hand and crossing his arms. "It would not be good for the school governors or any Ministry personnel to know I departed or for them to see me away from the school grounds."

"So how do you manage it?" she asked, curious now that he practically admitted that he did leave the school.

He relaxed his stance somewhat as he regarded her. He unbuttoned his cuff and pulled his sleeve up exposing the Dark Mark on his left forearm. It was the first time she'd seen the Mark, and she inhaled in shock. "Through this I can go to where he is, anywhere he is."

It looked alive. The snake, although it didn't actually move, seemed to undulate in his skin, and the skull looked like it was hard as bone. She involuntarily reached out to touch his forearm, but he jerked it away from her and quickly yanked his sleeve down. "Enough." He held her wand out to her. "Take it."

She grasped the handle of her wand and slid it from his fingers.

He stood staring at her, but his body was more relaxed than before even though his expression remained neutral. "Well?"

She nodded and assumed a sparring stance. "Just don't put me in the hospital tonight. I have four essays to review for tomorrow and my Arithmancy equations to finish."

"Fair enough," he said smoothly, resuming the dueling stance and beginning to circle her.

She sighed as she turned to face him, her wand held at the ready.

---

Every one of the dates Severus had mentioned for DA meetings had turned out to be good; everyone in the DA had had the evenings free. However, instead of teaching what Hermione had worked out for them, Harry had decided to introduce Patronuses. By the second DA meeting on Patronuses, not at all surprising, Hermione, Cho, Luna, and Ginny had all produced corporeal Patronuses. Ron had almost produced one, a dog...well it had looked like it could've been a dog.

Lavender hadn't...hers was still nothing more than a mist, and Neville had still been having trouble; he could produce a shielding Patronus, just not a corporeal form. Even though it had been Seamus' first DA meeting, he'd managed to make his Partonus form...well, sort of. It had been hairy, possibly, but had looked like it had four large wings, not four legs. Unfortunately, Dobby had interrupted the meeting to tell them they'd been found out, and everyone had scattered as quickly as they'd could.

Hermione was pacing by the portrait hole in the common room, wondering who had been caught. Since Harry wasn't back, it was very highly likely that he had. She stared at the door, willing to see Harry coming through. "It's all my fault. I should've warned him," Hermione mumbled. She pivoted near one of the tables to cross the room again, uttering, "Then he'd have ensured that she wouldn't know." She turned again. "How could I have been so stupid..."

"Hermione, it's no use pacing," Ginny said, trying to draw her to the chairs by the fire.

"Damn Malfoy!" Hermione snarled. "I bet it was him."

"How could it be?" Ron asked. "C'mon, at least sit down. You're making the first-years nervous."

Just then Harry scrambled through the portrait hole, stormed across the common room, and ran up the stairs to his room. Hermione ran after him; Ron, Seamus, and Neville quickly followed as did Ginny, Fred, and George.

Hermione burst into the dorm room, to see Harry pacing angrily. "Marietta Edgecombe turned us in! She has SNEAK written across her face in pimples!" Harry announced as the room quickly filled up with the Gryffindor DA members. "It was Willy Widdershins who told Umbridge that he'd overheard us in The Hog's Head, just so he'd not get prosecuted for putting regurgitating toilets in public Muggle loos!"

Lavender and Parvati scooted over to stand between Seamus' and Dean's beds. Even little Colin and Denis Creevey had snuck in.

"Dumbledore took blame for the group...said it was his! Dumbledore's Army...and now he's gone!" Harry shouted unnecessarily, since no one was talking but him. "Dumbledore made a huge flash of silver light and then...and then...both Aurors, Shacklebolt and Dawlish, the Minister and Umbridge were on the ground unconscious... then he vanished."

"Who vanished?" Hermione asked perplexed. Harry wasn't making any sense. It was time to calm him down.

"He...Dumbledore...Fawkes!" Harry stammered angrily, his hands in fists at his side. "They vanished! Dumbledore grabbed onto Fawkes' tail, and they vanished in a ball of fire."

Hermione tilted her head and reached out to touch Harry's arm to get him to stop pacing. "Fawkes is a Phoenix, Harry, it's possible that..."

"I know that, Hermione!" Harry shouted, turning his shoulders to avoid being touched.

"Harry, mate, just calm down and tells us what happened?" Ron said, sitting on the foot of his bed.

"It's what I told you...he's gone. Dumbledore's gone and it's entirely my fault," Harry said, finally lowering his voice somewhat. "The paper we all signed, Umbridge had it...she gave it to Fudge, and now Dumbledore's gone!"

"It's my fault, Harry," Hermione stated as Ginny placed her hand on Harry's arm saying, "If it's anyone's fault it's mine."

Ginny looked up at him, imploringly. "I suggested Dumbledore's Army, not you. We should've been the Anti-Umbridge League or the Defense Association but we chose Dumbledore's Army instead."

"Now what do we do?" Lavender asked.

"We fight back," Fred and George stated.

"And I know just how to," George added.

"...Get even," Fred finished for him.

The look in Harry's eyes startled Hermione...it was the same as Fred's and George's...only darker.

---

The next morning, notices for Decree Number Twenty-eight were posted on every notice board and tacked up on every wall. The Minister of Magic had made Dolores Umbridge Headmistress of Hogwarts. Everywhere the students were talking, mostly under their breath if one of the Inquisitorial Squad were near.

---

Severus strode down to his office feeling the full weight of the castle, every stone, on his shoulders. The words of his vow echoed in his mind, 'If anything should happen to me, Severus, you must protect the students. Promise me, boy, you'll protect the students.'

How the bloody hell am I to do that now? He snarled to himself. That Umbridge bitch has made herself Headmistress!

At least the other Heads of Houses, and several of the teachers who'd shown up in Pomona's rooms, were just as angry about the situation. When Pomona had invited Severus to 'tea,' he'd known that Filius and Minerva had been likewise invited, as were Poppy, Wilhelmina, and Septima since they were also in the Order. Minerva outlined the situation quickly, suggesting appropriate steps to secure the school, and Severus and Filius both filled in what they knew, offering both their suggestions and supporting Minerva's. For once they were in accordance.

However, Bathsheba, Aurora, and Charity had arrived forty minutes into their discussion.

Severus hadn't wanted to deal with Charity's or Bathsheba's hysterics, but thankfully Wilhelmina and Poppy had calmed them down.

Minerva had used the impromptu meeting to stress the importance of protecting the students at all costs and ensuring the integrity of the school. What that boiled down to was the four Heads of Houses had to reinforce the spells protecting the school. But that meant that if any one of the four Heads were eliminated the spells could fall and the school would be vulnerable. A fact Severus had never told the Dark Lord.

Wilhelmina left the school that night to alert the Order; Hagrid was told so he could alert the Merpeople and the centaurs, and to make sure the school perimeter was protected.

When the meeting was called off, Minerva asked Severus to walk her to her rooms so they could talk in private. Amusingly enough, when they walked up the stairs to the sixth floor, they heard Umbridge snarling loudly and cursing someone or something. Curious, Minerva and Severus walked up the stairs to the seventh floor and spotted Umbridge shouting at the guardian gargoyle to the Headmaster's office to let her in.

The statue stood resolute, unmoving, and unresponsive.

Smirking with satisfaction, he offered Minerva a cup of aged brandy in his quarters instead, which she accepted, her eyes sparkling with what looked like amused delight.

~ T. B. .C. ~

---

Author's Notes:

Hermione's dialogue denoted by an asterisk is borrowed from article on Hypnosis under susceptibility: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnosis

The Latin used is from: http://www.archives.nd.edu/cgi-bin/lookdown.pl Any errors in my choice of words is my own.

Evanescere means: to vanish, disappear, pass away

Occare means: to make blind, to blind, to darken; to conceal, make invisible, to make dull or numb

Appareo means: to become visible, appear, be manifest