Chapter 2

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry, oh how I wish I did and I could have my way with him and so many other ickle characters. Alas, I am poor and pathetically obsessed with the world of Harry Potter so I only can write about him.

All wars are planned by older men

In council rooms apart,

Who call for greater armament

And map the battle chart.

But out along the shattered field

Where golden dreams turn gray,

How very young the faces were

Where all the dead men lay.

Portly and solemn in their pride,

The elders cast their vote

For this or that, or something else,

That sounds the martial note.

From the Two Sides of War by Grantland Rice

Hermione spent most mornings in the library researching, and her afternoons were devoted to potions brewing. Creating this new potion was a slow process, leaving her wondering if they would manage to find the solution they needed in time for it to make a difference.

Voldemort had been busy the past few weeks and attacks on Muggles and Muggle-born had increased tenfold. Even the Muggle news had noticed the crime wave that seemed to be spreading through England. Panic was sweeping the country as people were afraid to go shopping or even let their children play outside for fear that they too would become victims. No one knew what to make of the rampant carnage that was sweeping through not only large cities but small hamlets as well. The government had created tip lines and new task forces to try and solve the mystery of what was happening, but there were few clues as to who was causing this mass destruction.

The Wizarding world, on the other hand, knew all to well what was causing the increase in violent crime sweeping the nation; it was hitting them just as hard. Just this week, Death Eaters had attacked and killed two Muggle-born Hogwarts students and their families, whose only sin was the blood that ran through their veins. Professor Dumbledore was scrambling to assure the parents of students that Hogwarts was the safest place for their children and that they would be protected within the castle walls.

The Order of the Phoenix was trying to stop as many attacks as they could without uncovering their spy. The information that Snape passed on, while sometimes unimportant, helped them remain ahead of the Dark.

The members of the Order were wandering around Grimmauld Place in a frantic pace, no one stopping for long; there was just too much to do and a short amount of time to accomplish it. The grim look of determination on their faces told of the horrors they had seen in the latest attacks. However, they continued, knowing that even if it was one life they saved, it was worth it.

As Hermione watched the people and efforts of the Order, doubts weighed heavily on her mind. Could they create a successful potion in the amount of time they had? Watching the destruction and loss of life made her realise just how important it was that this war ended soon.

Hermione struggled frequently with her doubts. The combining of Muggle science and Potions was a daunting task, one that was made more difficult knowing that their success could mean the difference between winning and losing.

It was with this knowledge that she worked tirelessly, scouring every Muggle text on DNA and Potions book she could get her hands onto. Unfortunately, the combination of Muggle science and Potions was not commonly done; there were very few texts for them to rely on. In a way, they were creating a completely new science, a completely new way of looking at things.

In the few short weeks that Professor Snape and she had been working together, she could never imagined that his personality could be so different then the one that he showed in the classroom. She had come to realize that his favouritism to the Slytherin students was an act, designed to hide his true loyalties. Snape was by no means warm and fuzzy, or even a nice person. Nevertheless, he respected intelligence.

Hermione had hoped that working closely with Snape would help her overcome her crush on him. Instead, she felt herself liking him even more. The way his hands moved so precisely when making a potion, the way his mind worked when he researched, and accumulated wealth of knowledge in his mind made him that much more attractive to her. Now she knew that Professor Snape would never be considered a classically handsome man with his greasy hair, hooked nose, and yellow teeth; he made for a somewhat intimidating picture. However, her tastes no longer ran to handsome men. Hermione had learned that what was on the inside was more important than what someone looked like.

She tried desperately to keep her mind on the potion while they were working together, but sometimes it wandered to the maudlin thoughts that were in her head. It was amazingly frustrating how slow their progress actually was. While she knew it was going to be slow going when she agreed to help, she never expected it to be as daunting of a task as it turned out to be.

"Professor Snape, you think we will be able to complete this potion in time?" Hermione asked worriedly.

"Miss Granger," Professor Snape sneered, "you should not waste your time worrying. We have more important things to do."

"But sir, how we know if we're on the right track?"

"Unfortunately, the answers are not always in books. Creating a new potion takes patience... it takes time." Snape sucked in a deep breath through his teeth and let it out with hiss, "I must go, Miss Granger. Please inform the headmaster that the Dark Lord has summoned me."

"Yes, sir," Hermione replied.

Professor Snape hurriedly grabbed his cloak and mask from the cupboard in the lab, rushed up the stairs out of the door, and Disapparated without a sound.

***

There was an eerie air about the night, as twenty dark-robed villains and one spy met shortly before midnight in the middle of a wood.

"My servant," hissed Lord Voldemort. His serpentine eyes bored into Snape's black ones.

"My Lord." Snape knelt to the ground, and then rose.

"Have you managed to get the location of the boy from the bumbling fool yet?" he demanded.

"My Lord, he hides his location from all."

"I want him found!"

"Yes, sir. But it will take time, my Lord. Unfortunately, Dumbledore does not trust Potter's location to anyone. He considers the brat to be important, to risk that information even to his most loyal followers," Snape replied with a sneer.

"I am not interested in your failings, my loyal follower. Do what is necessary, but remember that my patience wears thin. You may leave." He stated his red eyes glaring his displeasure at the whole situation.

"Oh, and Severus, just to remind you of why you don't fail me... Crucio."

Snape fell to his knees as his muscles contorted in painful spasms.

***

It was nearly midnight when the Order members started gathering in the kitchen at Grimmauld Place. As Hermione helped make tea and set out biscuits, she wished again that she had been allowed to join the Order. She knew that due to the rushed nature of the meeting something had to be happening. It was frustrating to not be allowed to hear information that could affect her fate.

She looked around the table at the faces of the Order members: Mr and Mrs Weasley, Professor McGonagall, Mundungus Fletcher, Hestia Jones, Mad-Eye Moody, and others all sipped at the scalding tea with grim looks. Whatever had warranted this late-night meeting was serious, and Hermione's mind ran rampant with thoughts of what could have happened.

She was worried about Snape, as he had been called early this evening and had yet to return. Could he be injured, could they have found out that he was a spy? Hermione grew more frightened as the clock ticked, and still he did not appear.

Snape walking into the room ended her ruminations. The determined look on his face told of the thoughts that weighed heavily on his mind. He chose a chair slightly hidden in the shadows near the large fireplace, and sat down gracefully.

She watched him covertly while she continued around the room, serving tea to the weary Order members. The crow's feet and dark purple circles under his eyes spoke clearly, of how the war was affecting him. Hermione wished again that there were something more she could do to help him.

The kitchen door opened, making Hermione jump. Professor Dumbledore stepped in, so she quickly put away the teapot and left the room. Slowly she climbed the stairs to her room, hoping that the meeting held at least some good news.

***

I want to thank my beta jedikeladry without her; this story would not be nearly as good. I also want to thank notsosaintly, who has provided encouragement that has kept me going.