Chapter 3

Disclaimer: J.K.R. owns these characters. I'm simply borrowing them, but I'll Scourgify them before sending them back home.

As always, I'd like to thank my lovely, brilliant beta, Charmed Nay.

From his position behind the last greenhouse, Severus was in a good position to watch those coming and going from the castle. He'd been there for nearly an hour, watching and taking note of everyone on the grounds, everything's location, and even counting each step made of stone on the steep slope from the back of the castle that led down towards the gardens. From what he'd gathered, Sprout was not at the castle any longer. She'd already warded the greenhouses and set her enchantments in place to make certain her plants had the right amount of water and sunlight when needed, and she'd taken care to ward them with the same spells she'd always used...only known to the staff of Hogwarts.

He smirked. The dumpy witch likely assumed he'd never have need of her greenhouses and hadn't bothered to change it. No, in fact, she probably simply hadn't thought of changing it. She never was overly bright. It had been so easy to make his way onto the grounds. He'd used his Apparition point in the forest and trekked down the path he'd always used to travel towards the castle. It brought him directly into Sprout's gardens, which were at the rear of the greenhouses. They were surrounded by shrubbery, enabling him to pick a quite comfortable spot in which to lie down and spy on the goings on of the castle. If his calculations were correct, there were only seven people at the castle: Minerva McGonagall, Argus Filch, Rubeus Hagrid, Poppy Pomfrey, Irma Pince, Horace Slughorn, and Austrina Sinistra.

Minerva had walked out with a group earlier and had seen them to the gates before returning to the castle herself. Darkness was finally pushing the last of the light from the sky. All he needed was a little less light, and he would Disillusion himself and make his way out to his private entry to the castle.

His careful plans and patient planning were ruined an instant later when he heard some rustling from his left. Someone or something else was making use of the same location as he. Quickly casting the charm on himself, he tried to press against the wall of the greenhouse as much as he could, hoping he'd not be noticed. The deep shade from the last of the day's light hitting the shrubbery would help him remain unseen.

"Ouch! You're on my foot, Ron," said a feminine voice.

Severus placed it immediately: Hermione Granger. And if she was talking to Ronald Weasley, then that meant that Potter wasn't far behind. The idiots were sneaking onto castle grounds? What business did they have there? Shouldn't they be hiding from the Dark Lord?

"Well, it's not my fault. It's right hard to move with the three of us hiding under here," Weasley replied. "Take it off, Harry."

The three of them became visible, all crouching down and huddled closely together. "I don't think we'll be doing much more of that, the three of us," Potter said, putting his cloak into a bag that was strapped onto his back. "It's dark enough for us to go in now. The grounds are safe. McGonagall said that they'd be gone by now, right?"

"Yes," Granger answered.

She was perilously close to where Severus was lying, her foot merely a few inches from his face. He could see the tiny scuffmarks on the brown leather all along the sides of her shoes and noted that the lace was partially untied.

"I'm going to go start looking for books in the library while you two go and talk to Dumbledore's painting," she continued. "There's got to be something in the Restricted Section at least. A quick Summoning Spell should send the books to me easily enough."

"Don't you want to hear what Dumbledore has to say?" Weasley asked, reaching out to place his hand on her lower back, where it rubbed her reassuringly. He leaned closer and whispered, "Think Harry could do with your support, too."

"Yeah, I guess I'd have to be deaf not to hear you," Potter said in annoyance. "Come on." He strode out from the shrubbery leaving Weasley and Granger behind.

"Coming then?"

"Yes," she agreed. "Oh, let me tie my shoe."

"Right. Boy, Hagrid's hut still hasn't been rebuilt. Poor sod's living in the castle right now," Weasley said as he followed Potter.

When Granger squatted down to tie her shoe, the strong scent of fresh oranges wafted over to him. Good Lord, she must have squeezed oranges into her bath or rubbed their juice directly on her flesh, he thought, willing himself not to sneeze. To his horror, she began mumbling to herself.

"Undo... cross... pull... loop... go around... another loop... There, all done now." She patted the top of her shoe affectionately and stood. "Please give Harry the strength to deal with this." In the next instant, she was gone as well, hurrying to catch up with her two friends.

How had someone like her become mixed up with Potter and Weasley? She had her faults, of course, but the friendship with those two had done much to influence her, causing her to become as troublesome as the boys. The best thing that could have happened to the little swot would have been to be sorted into Ravenclaw...away from the Dream Team. Although she was always respectful to him, he could tell that his indifference and cold words affected her much more deeply than her two friends. They would simply respond cheekily while she would remain silent or look as though she wanted to cry. He'd waited for her to snap, to respond with a flippant remark worthy of Potter, but she never had, even when he'd tried pushing her harder. He couldn't really say why he enjoyed intimidating her, but he knew that it was partly because of the way Weasley and Potter would swell indignantly with rage. And he supposed for the most part that it was simply because he could. And why not?

Shrugging the thoughts away, he gazed at Potter, noting that his strut was quite like the one his father had used when he'd been at school. "Potters," he said in disgust. "All alike." Sudden pent up rage tried to make its way to the surface of his mind, his hand unconsciously gripping his wand. How he'd love to hex the brat. The little bastard didn't know or appreciate that everything that had been done had been done for him. Dumbledore had opted to die for him, and yet, he still had the nerve to strut about as if he owned Hogwarts, bossing his two faithful followers around, toying with their compassion.

"We'll see who has the last laugh, Potter," he whispered, pushing up from the ground, not bothering to brush the leaves or dirt from his robes. Still Disillusioned he made his way to the castle. Once he neared the small statue of a griffin, he took seven steps to the left and tapped three select stones with his wand. The stones silently moved aside to allow him passage. He slipped into the castle undetected, for there were no wards placed to detect anyone's entrance this way. No one alive knew of it...Dumbledore had made it for him specifically. As the stones sealed behind him, a candle lit just ahead, casting light for him. He began walking down the damp, sloped path, another candle lighting every few feet and the ones behind him going out the moment he was far enough away. It didn't take long to make his way to the door to his chambers.

"Fawkes," he said softly. The door then opened slowly, and for the first time in weeks, he entered his old chambers. Nothing had been changed. He snorted as he realized that Minerva likely had no idea how to enter his rooms, as he'd long before warded them to close upon his exit and not open for anyone but him...or the late headmaster.

He quickly went about his business of searching for the small, locked chest that contained parchments that Dumbledore had given him, dismissing all thoughts of Potter and his pesky friends from his mind. He had work of his own to do...important work in fact. He went to the large trunk near the foot of his bed, opened it, took out the chest, and unlocked it quickly. He'd never actually read what was on the parchments. Dumbledore had given him a few details and ordered him to not open it until the time was right.

"I'd certainly say that now is that time," he mused aloud as he broke the seal. He swallowed thickly as he recognized the familiar handwriting of his late friend.

Severus,

Albus

Shaking his head in annoyance, he folded and sealed the parchment again, placing it back inside the chest. "How the bloody hell am I supposed to get in there? Surely they've changed Secret-Keepers by now." He snorted. "Perhaps not." He had to find a way to go there undetected. There would likely be wards if nothing else. Thinking of Potter, he thought of Weasley and Granger. If anything, Granger probably directed them to make the place more secure...if they were even staying there. It would be much easier if it were still vacated.

"Weasley," he said slowly, an idea coming to him. If there was a weak link in amongst them, it was that boy. "I suppose I should start brewing some Polyjuice then," he said and quickly began gathering things that he'd need to bring back to his new home. Getting into Grimmauld Place wouldn't be hard at all. Hell, the berks had been right next to him earlier and hadn't even known it. The next few weeks would be taken up with potion brewing and spying on Grimmauld Place. If he could still see it, they'd not changed their Secret-Keeper. He hoped this was the case, as it would be easy enough to detect their wards and find an undetectable way in. Once that was done, the rest would all fall into place.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ O ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Albus?" Minerva called. "You have visitors." She smiled as he opened his eyes and stretched.

"I must have fallen asleep," he said with a kind smile, looking out at them.

Harry moved forward, raising a hand to the portrait, stopping as he neared the canvas. "S-sir?"

Hermione had tears in her eyes, and she noticed that even McGonagall seemed touched by Harry's reunion with Dumbledore. To her great pleasure, Ron pulled her closer and put his arm around her. She could tell that he was choked up as well. Who wouldn't be, seeing the headmaster again after all that happened?

"Hello, Harry," Dumbledore said. "Are you all right?"

"I..." Harry seemed to have lost his voice for a moment. "I need your help...some advice if you don't mind."

"You can have it." Dumbledore looked out at Hermione and Ron. "Hello, Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger."

"Hello, sir."

"Hi."

"First," Harry began, "I'd like to use your Pensieve." He gazed over to the last place he'd seen it and noted that it was gone. He looked around and saw that the office had changed somewhat. He supposed that should be expected, as there was a new headmistress of the school, but it just didn't seem right.

"I have most of his things still in his chambers," McGonagall said gently, realizing what he was looking for.

"You may use anything of mine that you need, Harry," Dumbledore said, giving him a small smile. "I trust you have questions about what we talked of last?"

"Yes."

Noting that McGonagall seemed rooted to her chair, Dumbledore said, "We'll have to save that for another time it seems when we can speak alone. For now, have you any other questions you want to ask?"

"I have a lot of things I want to ask."

Hermione noticed that Harry's voice had taken on a bitter tone, and she didn't want him to plague Dumbledore with questions about Professor Snape, so she spoke up. "Sir, it's about Grimmauld Place. I think we should find a new Secret-Keeper, but Harry feels that there's no need. What would you have us do?"

"Grimmauld Place is as safe now as it was before," he said evenly.

This confused Hermione. Did that mean that it wasn't very safe before with Snape knowing the address or that he still trusted Snape even after all that had happened? "Er..."

"I don't want to change anything," Harry said, looking back at her.

"Voldemort will never find his way inside," Dumbledore said with a nod. "I can assure you of that."

"What about Snape?" Ron blurted.

Hermione quickly elbowed him and shot him an angry glance. "Shut it, will you?"

"He'll never give out the address." Dumbledore's smile faded into a stern look. "When I say that you are safe, you must trust me."

Harry moved closer and lowered his voice. "He's worried that Snape might come in, not that he'd be able to tell anyone."

"It would have to be a very good reason for Severus to go there." He looked over towards Ron, and then his eyes lingered on Hermione. "You have nothing to fear from Severus."

Exploding, Harry yelled, "Nothing except the Avada Kedavra! Don't you remember what happened to you?"

"I am aware of all that has happened, yes," Dumbledore said, tone unwavering.

Turning to look at Headmistress McGonagall, Harry rudely blurted, "Do you mind?"

When Hermione noticed her eyebrows rising in indignation, she quickly moved forward. "Professor McGonagall, if I could have a word please... er... privately."

Stony gaze lingering on Harry, she replied, "Indeed you may, Miss Granger. Come." She strode past Hermione and took a small flight of stairs to another section of the office, enabling her to keep an eye on the goings on above near Dumbledore's portrait. "Well?"

"I have need to do a bit of research in the library here, and I was wondering if you would speak with Madam Pince on my behalf." She smiled hopefully. "I would be in your debt, and I won't take anything from the library. I've got a quill that can quickly jot down the information that I need." In truth, she wouldn't want Madam Pince or anyone to know what books she looked at.

"Are you returning to school this September?" her mentor inquired.

"I... I would like to, Professor, but I don't think that I'll be able to, what with Harry needing my help and all." She bit her lip, mentally berating herself for what she knew would come now.

"And what sort of help does he need exactly?"

"Honestly, I cannot tell you. I promised that I would keep his confidence in this matter, and if you don't agree to help me because of that, I will understand...only I hope you don't hold it against me. You trusted me with a Time-Turner and prefect duties, so I do hope that means you'll trust me on this." Seeing her old professor wavering between agreeing and denying, she added conspiratorially, casting a furtive glance over towards Harry, "I can give you my word that the information I need is vital to helping Harry carry out Dumbledore's final wishes... things the Order needs us to do."

Nodding slowly, Professor McGonagall said, "Very well. I will inform Madam Pince that you are to be allowed access to all parts of the library and will not be leaving with any books. Austrina... pardon, Professor Sinistra is utilizing the library this summer as well, so you may see her there. I trust that won't be a problem."

"No, ma'am," she said quickly. "I'll not interrupt her work, keeping as quiet as possible." She paused. "Why are you all still here?"

"The select few who are here are working on different projects to ensure the safety of this school. There are important measures that are needed...else the parents won't allow their children to return." She frowned and shook her head. "Not that I can blame them. I always thought that with Albus here..." Her voice trailed away.

Hermione could only guess that her professor meant to say what she'd always believed as well: that Hogwarts had always felt so safe with Dumbledore around. She placed a hand on McGonagall's shoulder affectionately. "Somehow things will be all right. It'll work out."

Nodding and composing herself, the headmistress said, "They've had long enough to talk, I think. Come along."

As Hermione began to follow, a picture on a small shelf drew her attention. She stopped to quickly look at it. Professor McGonagall was smiling and shaking hands with the old Minister of Magic, Fudge, clutching a parchment to her chest. It was obviously some award. What caught Hermione's eye were the two people in the background: Headmaster Dumbledore and a much younger Professor Snape. Dumbledore was talking animatedly, making large circles with his hands as he did so, and Professor Snape's face had a carefree expression as he watched. Both suddenly looked towards her as if knowing she was there. Dumbledore waved, beaming brightly, while Snape simply nodded, small smile still on his face.

Before tears could well up, Hermione fled, wanting to catch up with McGonagall. Trying to push what she'd seen from her mind...at least for the moment...she tuned in to what Harry was asking McGonagall.

"Professor, he's told me that you noticed a corridor that you'd never seen before near the Ravenclaw dormitory. Is that right?"

"If I told him that I saw it, I saw it," she said, seemingly annoyed.

Dumbledore began chuckling. "Forgive her, Harry. It's just that I never had the pleasure of witnessing it, and Professor Flitwick claims there is no such corridor."

"Well, it was there, I tell you," she replied heatedly. "It's not often that I venture over to Ravenclaw Tower, but I needed to speak with Flitwick. After leaving his office, I was about to descend the stairs when I noticed an opening just behind that statue of Balfour Blane at the top. The sun was so bright as it filtered in through the large window, I thought I was seeing things or that it was just the statue's shadow. When I moved closer, just at the entrance, a sconce lit just beyond it, lighting the way should I want to proceed."

"Did you?" Hermione asked.

"No, I did not," she replied tartly. "I went to get Filius to come with me, and when we returned, it was gone. There was no doorway, only stone."

Hermione nodded and spoke. "How about the sunlight? Was it still as bright or had it hid behind a cloud or moved down?"

"What's that to do with anything?" Ron interrupted.

"Some places are enchanted to only show up at a certain time of day or when the sunlight hits it a certain way," she said primly. "Think of Hamunaptra over in Egypt. Don't you remember learning that when your family visited?"

Ron shuddered, muttering, "The City of the Dead..."

"I'm not certain," said McGonagall, "but both of us checked for any warding or sign of the corridor and found nothing." She gazed at Dumbledore, who was smiling serenely. "It was there."

"Indeed, indeed. I believe you," he said. "Our castle holds many secrets, I'm certain."

"Tomorrow," Hermione said, "would you mind terribly going there at the same time...when the sun's just as bright to see if anything has changed?"

Harry stepped forward. "I'd like to be here...just in case."

"Well, what's this to do with you?" McGonagall asked sharply.

"Er..."

"You know," Ron said with a wink, "we can't say anything. Official business for Dumbledore, you see."

To soothe things, Hermione said, "Perhaps it was a corridor made by Rowena Ravenclaw herself, and if so, we would like to check it over for... for something we need." She smiled when Dumbledore nodded his approval. "It's important to us."

"I will allow you to be here," she said, relenting finally. "However, you may not take anything from the corridor or chamber if we are able to find a way in."

"With all due respect, Headmistress," Hermione began, "I..."

"I don't like being out of the loop," McGonagall said in annoyance. She looked at Albus accusingly. "You've told them not to tell me, yet they need my help. Do you not trust me Albus? Am I less worthy of your trust than bloody S..." She stopped abruptly, wincing as if her own words had hurt her.

"Minerva, you know that I trust you as much as anyone else that I hold dear to me. I've only told Harry to keep this to himself and his two closest friends because I knew they would keep his secrets and help him without thinking of consequences or, dare I say, allowing rules to stand in the way of what needs to be done."

"Though I may not approve of things, I am not above rule bending...at times."

"Yeah?" Harry asked sarcastically. "Couldn't even let me go to Hogsmeade with my classmates because my uncle didn't sign a note. You knew how they treated me!" he accused.

"I was trying to keep you safe here at Hogwarts! I'd thought Sirius Black was out there, waiting to snatch you away," she said in her defense.

"How do I know you won't be trying to keep me safe by using what I say against me? By telling someone else?" Harry asked, tone angry.

Hermione flinched. She'd never seen Harry speak to McGonagall that way, and she'd never known for her old Head of House to stand for impertinence. She knew there would be a confrontation soon.

"Mind your attitude, Potter. I demand respect," she said coolly.

He looked down, abashed. "Sorry. It's just that many lives are at stake."

"And you think I couldn't be trusted."

"Well, I sure as hell wish I could say yes, don't I?" Harry retorted bitterly. "It would make things much easier for me."

"You have my word that I will not stand in your way if you openly speak to me about your plans," she said quietly, stern expression softening. "You've always been special to me... to us all, Harry."

Hearing his name spoken with such affection, Harry looked up and nodded. "And do I have your word to speak of it to nobody, save us or Dumbledore's portrait?"

She shifted uncomfortably. "You do."

"All right. Have a seat then. I'll explain it to you."

"While you're doing that, I would like to go to the library."

"I'll go with you, Hermione," Ron said, moving to her side.

She smiled. "Headmistress, if I could have a letter of permission?"

"Certainly." She waited while the note was scribbled and sealed with the headmistress' official seal. "We will be waiting for you here."

"Thanks."

They made their way to the library in silence, only the echoes of their steps sounding along the corridors. Before Ron opened the door, he said, "I'm sure he's doing the right thing, confiding in McGonagall like that."

"I'm relieved that he is," she said with a nod. "I felt so guilty by not telling her the truth. She's in charge here and was Dumbledore's right hand, accomplice in all that he did. I'd say she deserved to know."

"I suppose." He smiled sheepishly. "Look, I just wanted to say that you... you were brilliant back there, the way you were trying to handle and explain everything."

"Well, thank you, Ronald," she said, smiling brightly. It wasn't often that he simply came out and gave her compliments like that any longer.

He shrugged and opened the door for her. When they entered, they immediately saw Professor Sinistra, clad only in a thin shift and large blue witch's hat, flicking her wand in a series of sharp movements. Ron cleared his throat, but it didn't disturb her, as she was completely involved in what she was doing, her long, dark locks swaying behind her.

"Shhh," Hermione whispered. "We're not supposed to disrupt her. Come on." She pulled his hand and led him towards Madam Pince's office, not missing the fact that his eyes were locked on to the professor's shapely body. Feeling a smite jealous, she released his hand and stomped ahead.

"Yes?" Madam Pince asked, narrowing her eyes. "What are you doing here?"

"I have this," she said, holding out the roll of parchment the headmistress had given her.

Making a show of putting her glasses on her nose and opening the missive with slow deliberation, she silently read the note, gazing up at Hermione for a moment and then looking back down to the note. "I suppose I will have to agree." Her vulture-like gaze left Hermione to travel over to Ron, who was still spying on Professor Sinistra. "It doesn't say anything about him being with you," she said suspiciously.

"Do you really expect me to go all the way back to her office to get her to amend the note?" Hermione asked testily. "She's in a meeting with Harry Potter right now!" She didn't like using Harry's name, but she felt it prudent in this instance.

"I will allow it," she said, rolling up the parchment and placing it on her desk. "However, if I should learn that he had no business here tonight, I will make certain that your research is quite hard to complete."

Forcing her mouth to remain closed, Hermione nodded and quickly moved towards the Restricted Section, wanting to try there first. She didn't have to look to see if Ron was following her, as she could hear his loud stomping behind her. "Are you purposely trying to draw Professor Sinistra's attention?" she accused once they were far enough away from Madam Pince.

"Wha...? Eh?"

"Nothing!" she huffed.

"Bloody hell," Ron said, obviously in awe of the stacks and rows of books before them. "I've just realized how hard this is going to be. Gonna be like finding your quill at the bottom of a pile of feathers."

"Oh, honestly," Hermione said, still irritated with him, swishing her wand. "Accio any references with something pertaining to Horcruxes."

After a brief pause, three books zoomed towards them, and Hermione directed them over to a nearby table. When no other books came, she frowned and said, "Looks like there isn't much then."

"Right." Ron pulled out a chair and gestured for her to sit. "What do you want me to do then? I'm not too good at this research stuff. Want I should go to the main part and try to Summon something?"

"No," she said, taking the proffered seat. "Thanks."

"All right," he said, plopping down next to her. She reached into the pocket of her robes to fetch her magical quill. "Be ready in case I have notes," she said.

"Sure," Ron agreed.

"Not you, silly," she said with a laugh. "The quill."

"Oh, right. I knew that. Just trying to make you laugh, is all," he said quickly.

She simply grinned and began looking through the first book while he put his head down. After poring over the books and having her quill jot down a few things on a single sheet of parchment, Hermione was ready to go. She nudged Ron to wake him.

"Watch it," he said, swatting at her.

"Ron, wake up."

"Oh, finished, are you?" he asked with a yawn.

"Yes, there wasn't much in there, but it's a start. I found a spell to detect one. That's good if nothing else, but I'm confused on how to destroy it. I'll have to ask Dumbledore about that," she said as she tried to tug him up. Once he was up, he enveloped her in a tight hug. She leaned into him and relished the feel of being held. How long had she wanted someone to do this with her? Viktor hadn't minded holding her when he was at school, and since then, she'd only had that one date with McLaggen, though his type of affection was much more physical and definitely unwanted.

"Oi, what's she doing here?" Ron asked, suddenly pushing her away.

Hermione followed his gaze and noticed Mrs. Norris watching them from the front of the first stack, large lamp-like eyes scrutinizing them. She turned and went back towards the exit. Hermione said, "Makes me feel like we've been caught doing something wrong!"

They grinned and left the Restricted Section, only to overhear a conversation behind a nearby stack of books. "Yes, my sweet, you look right nice today." Filch. Locking eyes with Hermione, she made a sour expression. Who was he talking to?

"Why, thank you, Argus," replied a breathless Madam Pince.

This time it was Ron who made the sour expression, pulling Hermione away swiftly. As they approached the main doors, they saw Professor Sinistra fastening her robes. She looked up, startled.

"What are you two doing in here? I wasn't aware of any students on campus?" she asked, pointing her wand at them.

"We're here with permission from Headmistress McGonagall," Hermione said nervously.

"Is that right?"

"It is," Ron said. "We gave the permission note to Madam Pince when we came in. You were a bit... distracted, so you might not have seen us." He grinned when she blushed. "But, uh, we saw you."

"Oh, I must apologize," she said, obviously embarrassed, putting her wand away. "The series of spells that I have to work produce energy around me that is quite... warm, shall we say? I just can't stand being hot."

"You're definitely hot," Ron said with a grin, gazing at her body. "Oof!"

Hermione elbowed him and stormed off, hearing him apologize to the professor.

"Er, sorry, I meant to say that you seemed to be hot... Good day." When he caught up with her, he pulled her arm to make her stop. "What's your problem?"

"I don't appreciate you flirting with another woman right in front of me!" she said indignantly. "You wouldn't like it very much if I did the same, would you?"

"Flirting? With a professor? Are you mad?" he asked, face reddening. "It was a slip of words, that's all."

Self consciously, Hermione looked down at her body. She certainly didn't have the curves that Professor Sinistra had. Nor did she have the experience that Ron had with others. And she certainly wasn't as bold as Lavender. As it often did, the fear of being found lacking and failing her relationship assaulted her.

"It's just that... you never look at me that way," she said finally, hoping she didn't sound miserably stupid.

"I always look at you that way," he said, stepping closer, pulling her chin up with his fingers. "Trust me, Hermione. You're a looker all right and mine to boot."

He brushed his lips against hers tentatively and looked around to make certain that nobody was about before kissing her again, more deeply. The sound of a door opening drew them apart, but Hermione felt much better about their relationship. "Thanks."

"Anytime," he said, turning around to see who was coming. When nobody came around the corner, he frowned and wrinkled his brow in confusion. "Sounded like someone was coming out of the library to me."

"Same here."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out the Marauder's Map. "Let's see then." He unrolled it, saying, "I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good." The pages came to life with different pictures and movements. "Says nobody's here but us. Sinistra's still in the library, and ugh... look at this. Filch and Pince must be going at it or something. They look like their right on top of each other."

"Ron!" Hermione admonished.

"Bloody fucking hell!" he said, face suddenly pale.

"What's wrong?"

"Snape! He's here in the castle!"

Hermione pulled her wand and whipped around. "Where is he?" she asked nervously.

"He's just outside the castle now. Looks to be going towards Hagrid's hut!" He pulled his wand and sprinted for the entrance hall.

"Ron, you don't mean to take on Snape alone?" Hermione asked incredulously.

He halted and shook his head. "Blimey. We need to get Harry."

"I'll get him," she said. "Watch the map to see where he goes!"

Just as she began to sprint away, Harry rounded the corner with the Pensieve hovering just behind him. "Hey, I was just going to look for you in the library. Been gone kind of long, eh?"

"Harry! Come on! Hurry!" she said, not taking the time to even mention that they'd seen Snape on the map.

He followed anyway, pulling his wand when he saw that hers was pulled, the Pensieve zooming behind him.

"Here!" Ron called, running out onto the grounds.

Once outside, Hermione said, "We saw Snape's name on the map! He's here!"

Harry sped forward and snatched the map from Ron. "Where is he? Where's Snape?"

Hermione blinked at his forceful tone, but said nothing as he looked to the spot Ron's finger was pointing to. Snape was past Hagrid's hut now and just entering the forest.

"Damn!" Harry said. "He'll be off the map soon." He ran towards the scorched remains of Hagrid's hut at full speed, not saying another word.

Hermione and Ron followed quickly and entered the small clearing into the forest cautiously. "Harry," she whispered.

"Over here," he called loudly, waving his hands to get their attention. "He's gone."

They tramped over to his side and looked at the small clearing with interest.

"I've seen him here before. Back in first year, he was bullying Quirrell here. I'll bet that this is where he used to come to Disapparate."

"I wish I would have looked at the map sooner, mate," Ron said miserably. "We'd be heroes if we'd capture him, and we'd get that reward money."

"Come on. We've got to warn Professor McGonagall," Hermione said, turning back towards the castle. Neither followed. "What?"

"We're going to set a detection ward here," Harry said, already flicking his wand and mumbling to himself.

"Harry, no! It's much too dangerous. We need to inform the staff. They're at risk. There's no telling what he was doing here. In fact, for all we know, he followed us here. We came around the long way, too, didn't we?" She heard a twig snap behind her and turned around, shakily pointing her wand. "Show yourself."

Nothing came forward.

"It's nothing," Harry said. "I'll know if he comes here again, and I've got a feel of the place now. We all do. We can Apparate in after and take him by surprise." When she glared at him, he added, " He needs to be comfortable and to think he's sneaking about. It's the only way to catch the slimy git at his own game. Trust me on this, Hermione."

"I don't like it," she said, crossing her arms, "but it seems that you'll do what you want anyway. And Ron seems to agree with you."

"Yeah," Ron said. "He's got a point. We could do this. We owe it to Dumbledore."

"Speaking of him, how did things go during your chat with the professor?" she asked.

"Let's talk over dinner," Ron said. "I'm a bit hungry, meself."

"Good idea," Harry said, turning to clutch the still hovering Pensieve. "Any luck in the library?"

"Some. Come on. Let's go home."

Southern's Notes: I'm getting things set up. I'm certain you see what's coming, eh? Teehee.

Next: We'll see how Narcissa and Draco are doing and learn a bit more about Snape's plans. Ron gets a bit frustrated with Hermione.