Chapter 7

Disclaimer: I've snagged a few of JKR's characters, but I'll be returning them shortly. No money for me...bummer.

Thanks go to my lovely beta, Charmed_Nay.

Hermione followed Harry and Ron through the old trail and realized, much to her annoyance, that they'd passed the same marked, gnarled tree three times already. There was no way that many trees were marked the same way.

"Stop," she said, easing her bag's strap from her shoulder and letting it fall to the ground with a thud.

"Want to stop for a light snack, what?" Ron asked, backtracking to stand next to her.

"No, we just ate two hours ago at Bill and Fleur's wedding party," she replied, rolling her eyes and shaking her head. "Honestly, all you do is think of food."

He waggled his eyebrows and whispered, "I think about sex, too, you know."

She blushed prettily and grinned. "Don't I know it?" Realizing that Harry had come to stand next to her as well, she cleared her throat and said, "I think the place is warded so that we can't see it." Hooking a thumb behind her, she added, "We've been by here already."

Harry took out the map and looked at it again before gazing at their surroundings. "Seems like we should have been there already. The rest of the homes are to the east, and we've walked way more than the map's told us to." He frowned. "I expect we should try to feel the wards out."

"All right," Ron agreed. "Where do you want to start?"

"Hermione can have this area. I'll go ahead and try there while you go back the way we came and try. We'll meet back right here in about an hour to see what we've found...if anything."

"Right." Ron smiled and moved back down the overgrown path.

"Meet you back here soon," Harry said before walking on.

It didn't even take an hour before both boys found their way back to her, unable to detect any enchantments at all. Harry had somehow circled back without ever leaving the path that he was on. Ron claimed to have seen a wild Crup, but he couldn't be sure, as he'd sped off quickly when he'd first heard it growl.

"Why didn't I think of this before?" Hermione blurted suddenly, softly slapping her forehead. "We've got that book at home with all those wards and ward detections. I expect it has something in there that will help us."

"All right. I'll go back and get it for you," Ron offered.

She shook her head. "No, I've got it warded in the study where no others can find it when they come over."

Ron nodded. "Don't blame you there. Lupin was a bit nosy last time if you ask me."

"You two can set up camp here, and I'll be along as soon as I get it. We can stay here until we figure out how to unward the path to this place." She flashed a reassuring grin. "Shouldn't take long."

"Er... you did pack the tent, eh, Ron?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, I wouldn't forget that, mate."

Harry quipped, "Or the food."

"Absolutely. Can't do hard work on an empty stomach."

Hermione shook her head and made her way back down the path to the place they'd Apparated at, which was the suggested point on the map. She did keep a close watch on the brush and trees around her in case that Crup came round, but she never heard anything suspicious and assumed it had wandered off. While she was walking, she thought about what Tonks had told her after the wedding.

"You wouldn't believe how much things have changed for Remus and me since he finally realized that it truly didn't matter that he's older and a werewolf." She grinned broadly and took another deep sip of her wine. "I can only hope that you can be this happy one day, Hermione. I'm sure that you will get on well with Ron once he gets serious about a relationship with you."

Obviously realizing that she was about to let slip something intimate, Tonks scurried off to talk to Remus and Kingsley. At that moment, Ron looked up and over at her, smiling broadly. It was in that moment when Hermione wondered why she didn't know without a doubt that Ron was the man for her or feel anything like Tonks had felt in that same moment? She smiled back and wondered if she ever had. Sure, she'd felt some of that, but it wasn't the way Tonks made it sound. Turning away, Hermione went off to comfort a sullen Ginny.

She hadn't had much time to truly ponder those words, but she felt a little cheated. Why couldn't she experience that? Was it because she and Ron had always been close and that something like this only happened when a person made this realization about a stranger or someone not too close? Maybe her feelings for Ron had been unrequited for so long that when he'd finally glanced her way, they'd already dulled some, rendering her unable to feel that spark that Tonks felt.

With a sigh, she Disapparated and began to retrace their steps by going back to each of the Apparition points they'd used on their way in.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Severus congratulated himself on easily infiltrating Grimmauld Place once again. The inhabitants wouldn't be back for hours, as they were attending the Weasley nuptials. To be on the safe side, he'd placed a ward of his own to alert him of anyone entering. Currently, he was sitting comfortably on the couch in the study while sipping on a glass of whisky. Dumbledore's letter had instructed him to do that. On his last visit, he'd been too hurried and had been interrupted before he could carry out his plans.

The letter's orders were to have a glass of whisky and to recall the last conversation he'd had with Dumbledore in that very study. Something in that discussion had been a clue to what he needed in order to move his own plans along. Closing his eyes and leaning back, trying not to think of what he'd been doing on this very couch the last time he'd been there, he let the burn of the whisky ease down his throat into his chest and tried to recall the exact conversation they'd shared.

"Severus, I do wish that you would try to do things differently with Harry. It would make everything easier. Maybe if you would just tell him that you..."

"Not this one. Even the title is quite interesting: The Black Way. It's a pun on words of course. The House of Black obviously bought it for its name and because it celebrated doing things their way...a dark way."

Eyes popping open, Severus sat forward, spilling some of his drink as he did so. "That's it then. His next instructions are in that very book." With a satisfied, smug smile, he rose and began looking over the titles of the tomes on the shelves, realizing it would be a tedious task, as the number of books were many. It was a pity that a simple Summoning Charm didn't work to bring it forth. After nearly two hours of looking through the titles, trying different revealing charms on some of them, and finding nothing, his ward alerted him that someone was about to enter the front door. As quickly as he could, he jumped behind the couch and crouched down to peer out.

What the fuck? They shouldn't be back just yet, he thought in annoyance as he pulled his wand, preparing to do what he must in order to save himself. To his dismay, Hermione Granger walked into the room and went straight to the bookshelf he'd just been perusing. As she'd passed the couch, the citrus scent he now associated with her wafted over to him, and he wondered, not for the first time, if she'd put oranges in her bath.

"Let's see..." she muttered to herself. "One, two, three... Here we are."

He smirked and shook his head. Still talking and counting to herself, I see. Another thought struck him. She might know where the book is. It was possible that they'd found it already and, with it, the documents he needed. Even as he watched, she flicked her wand a few times to change the appearance of the small book into a large, dark tome. While she opened it in search of something particular, he made a quick decision and rose from his hiding spot.

"Expelliarmus!" he hissed, disarming the unaware girl of her wand, snatching it neatly as it flew to him. Even as he looked, her tome dropped to the floor, and her expression became frantic.

"Professor Snape!" she blurted incredulously. "But we've warded the house against you!" As quickly as she could, she scrambled towards the couch, meaning to jump over it and sprint to freedom; however, her foot caught on the arm and tripped her up.

To his surprise, she didn't stop there...rolling over and jumping up again to make for the doorway, a small limp evident. He had to think quickly to command the door to close and lock before she made her way out.

"Stop, you stupid girl!" he said angrily, advancing on her slowly as she pounded on the door. "Nobody will hear you. You are at my mercy now."

"W-what do you want?"

Her breathing was heavy, her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were wide with wonder and fear. He'd seen her looking much like this on their last encounter, though for different reasons. Pointing his wand at her and glaring at her menacingly, he said, "You have something that I need." When her eyes widened even more, he curled his lower lip in disgust. "Definitely not what you're thinking. Tell me. Where is the tome, The Black Way?"

"I don't know," she replied quickly, eyeing his wand as it inched closer to her neck.

"You're lying, Miss Granger. Tell me the truth."

"No, I'm not," she said in a voice that was nearly defiant. "Ouch," she said with a moan as she applied weight to her left ankle.

Angered, he clutched her roughly by her jumper and pulled her over to the couch, tossing her down with a loud thud. "Accio," he said, flicking his wand towards the book she'd been holding. "What have we here?" He opened the book and noted that it was a book on wards and revealing enchanted places or items. "What need do you have of this book while you're at a wedding?"

She said nothing, only turned her head away, seemingly trying to keep herself from crying. When he slammed the book onto the hard floor, she startled and looked back at him, biting her lip.

"Speak quickly."

"We aren't at the wedding any longer. We left and went someplace else. Once there, I remembered that I'd forgotten my book. I, uh, I felt like doing some light reading while the boys played chess." She swallowed thickly. "How did you get in here?"

"I'll ask the questions if you don't mind, Miss Granger," he said through clenched teeth. "So, you came back here for a book to read...a book that just happened to be warded so that others wouldn't notice it, and if so, it would appear to be a rather ordinary text. Why, it seems like something so much more important than just a bit of light reading."

"I just didn't want anyone else to snatch it up while I was reading it and misplace it," she said, gazing at him evenly.

"Such a little liar," he said, tilting his head to the side and studying her. He could see that she was lying, but he could also tell that she wasn't keeping anything from him that would be detrimental to his plans. "Seeing as I don't care what your reading habits are, I will get to the point and ask you again: Where is the book that I am searching for? Why is it not here?" He pressed his wand against her chest. "I warn you that I shall know if you are lying."

"Harry has it."

"Does he indeed? And what would that boy be doing with it?"

"L-learning things," she said softly, eyes tearing up.

"And is it in his possession at this moment?"

"I don't know, sir."

"You don't know?"

"No," she said with a shake of her head.

He could see that she was telling the truth. "Very well, Miss Granger," he said, stepping away from her and lowering his wand. Deciding to give her a demonstration of good faith, he flicked his wand to heal her sprained ankle, satisfied when he noticed her look of surprise. As much as he hated to admit it, he needed her help. "I am willing to make a bargain with you."

Brown eyes lit up with curiosity and wariness. "What sort of bargain?"

"Get that book for me, and I'll get you something in return."

"What do you have that I could possibly want?" she asked quickly, a horrified expression upon her face.

"Information, Miss Granger," he said in a bored tone.

"Why would I help you get a book that might enable you to do something that would hurt us?" she asked, finally finding a bit of stubborn courage.

"I don't have to answer any of your questions, girl," he said brusquely. "However, I do see the need to reassure you that the finding of this book will not bring harm to you or your... pesky friends."

"How can I trust you?" Her voice had taken on a harsh tone. "We all know what you did!"

"Save your questions and indignation. You know nothing!"

"But I always thought... I thought you were so noble and..."

He began laughing loudly, obviously startling her to silence. "Noble? I believe I told you last time that being noble has nothing to do with it." Severus smiled smugly as her face contorted with confusion, obviously trying to remember where she'd heard those words and think of the last time they'd spoken. He wanted her to know. Wanted her to remember.

"You never said that to me that I can rightly remember," she said, brow still knitted in bewilderment.

"Why, I did indeed." He nodded to the couch she was sitting on. "We were in this very room... on that very couch..." He arched an eyebrow at her as she gazed down at the couch in horror and then brought shocked eyes up to meet his. "I see you understand then."

"Oh, my God! It was... you... The whole time that night. No wonder he...oh, God, I'm going to be sick!"

"Spare me your dramatics, girl. I tried to get you to leave off. I simply wanted the damn book! That I didn't kill you or Potter and Weasley should be testament enough that I'll not harm the three of you...even though I am a murdering Death Eater."

"But you...and you..." She leaned over and dry heaved twice.

"Do you want to know anything that I can tell you, Miss Granger? Would you rather that I promise to never return here again? I'd do it, you know... make that promise," he said softly and slowly, letting his words sink in.

Her eyes rose to meet his. "You would stay away from here and help us? How could I trust that after what you did... and now after you took advantage of me!"

"I had no choice," he said, suddenly angry. Couldn't she understand that? "Do you think I wanted to touch you? You are nothing but an insignificant, plain girl to me! I tried to deter you. It was you who wouldn't turn away. For the first time in my life, I was glad to see Potter, for it hadn't been for him..." He let his words remain unsaid.

"I need to know where Nagini is," Granger said suddenly, all traces of her tears and disgust gone. "I also need to know where Lord Voldemort is hiding."

Severus chuckled. "Not wanting much, are you?"

"You said you would tell me what I want to know in exchange for the book, and don't forget your promise to never return here."

"Agreed. When you deliver the book to me, I will tell you as much as I can, and that is a promise. If I can't give that to you, I will give you something just as valuable."

"What? When I deliver the book to you? As much as you can? That doesn't sound like part of the deal to me."

"I'll not come back here again, as per our agreement and for the fact that I don't trust you as much as you don't trust me. I won't come back and find myself trapped with Aurors or Order members waiting for me. I've important work to do, and I will see it done by any means necessary," he said, letting cold determination seep into his voice. When she shivered, he knew his desired effect had been achieved. She now feared him again.

"But why should I come to you? What if you plan on doing the same thing? Trapping me, I mean?" she asked nervously.

"If I intended that, wouldn't I spirit you away now, girl? Think. You're smarter than this." He ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "Suffice it to say that I will not deceive you in this and expect the same in return. But if you cross me, Miss Granger..."

He watched as she mulled over his words and briefly took a moment to remember the way she'd felt beneath him and against him. Ha! Girl indeed. I've been thinking of her since then... occasionally and trying not to wonder how an eighteen-year-old girl could have a body like a siren. There was something about her that was indeed appealing to him, and he only hoped that he didn't have to force her to help him. Things would be so much easier if she'd just agree to it, and he would form his plans around that.

"All right," she said shakily, yet determinedly. "I'll meet you. Where? When?"

"How quickly can you get the book?"

"I need only to ask him for it to get it," she replied. "And you? When can you find out their locations?"

"That's hard to say," he answered honestly. "Where there is one, there is the other, and he always moves about." He looked at her thoughtfully before saying, "Now is not the time for anyone to search them out. Potter isn't ready."

"Are you... are you on our side still even after...you know...the Astronomy Tower?" she asked incredulously.

"Where my loyalties lie are not your concern at this moment. There is something else that I can give you that is just as important and something that needs to be handled before anything else can happen. Will that do?"

She bit her lip and nodded her head. "All right then."

"I will owl you when I want to meet and disclose the time and the..." His ward alerted him that two people were about to enter the house. "I must go." As fast as he could, he unwarded the door and fled up the stairs towards the attic to his escape, leaving the shaking girl in his wake.

Hermione slid from the couch in relief and allowed her hot tears to stream down her face. Snape, the Death Eater who'd murdered the headmaster, had come into their home easily, even with their wards in place. Snape, the man who had made them miserable in his classes for many years, had Polyjuiced himself as Ron and had made her feel like a woman...had given her the first intense orgasm of her life that wasn't encouraged by her own hand. Promptly, she threw up just as Ron and Harry ran into the study, wands drawn.

"Where is he?" Harry asked as Ron kneeled next to her and rubbed her back.

"All right?"

"Snape?" Harry asked again. "Where'd he go?"

"Up the stairs," she said weakly. "Gone."

"Fuck!" Harry yelled, sprinting off towards the staircase.

"I need to help him. I'll be right back, okay?"

She nodded and waved him away, trying to stop herself from vomiting again, not that she had much more that would come up. Snape kissed and touched me. Saw me naked. Would have shagged me! The mortification she felt was something she'd not ever experienced before. How could she not have known that it wasn't Ron? In all fairness, she'd noticed that something wasn't right the next day when they'd actually made love, but she'd thought that his boldness the night before had been because of the whisky he'd consumed. Ever since then, she'd been trying to put her finger on what was wrong and what was missing. Now that she'd figured it out, she wished she still had no clue as to what it was. Snape! she thought again before feeling her body heat and cool at the same time, making it unbearable to remain conscious.

"Mione?" Ron's voice. "Come on. Wake up."

She opened her eyes, horrified that she'd fainted. "I'm all right," she said shakily, bringing a hand to her puffy eyes. "I need to wash up."

"We'll be in the kitchen."

"How'd you know that he was here?" she asked.

"Harry's wards were alerted," he said, almost proudly.

"But why didn't they work last time?"

"What? Last time?" Harry asked from the doorway.

"What are you on about?"

Not wanting to tell them exactly how she knew he'd been there before, she quickly said, "He told me he's been here before... spying on us... knowing when we'd be away so he could come here while we were at the wedding to search for something."

"For what?" Harry demanded.

"How come you didn't detect him last time?" she asked accusingly, feeling it was Harry's fault that things had gone so far between her and Snape.

"I just added some new wards with something I learned. When someone uses a hex against one of us in this house, I'm alerted about it."

"The name of the person casting the hex shows up in red sparks, quite wicked that," Ron added.

Harry lowered his voice, concern showing in his eyes. "Where did he hex you? I got the alert twice."

"He disarmed me," she admitted, frowning as she looked around. "He also charmed my sprained ankle to heal." She gasped suddenly. "Oh, no! He took my wand with him!"

"What exactly went on here, Hermione?" Ron asked, squeezing her shoulder affectionately. "Did he try to h-hurt you?"

When she noticed that his ears had reddened, she smiled and shook her head. "No, nothing like that." At least not this time. "Just let me go brush my teeth and change please... and wash up. I'll be back."

"Okay."

Harry nodded at her as she left, and she could tell that he was a little suspicious about things. It was at this point that she decided to tell them exactly what had happened with Snape...not the part about him Polyjuicing himself as Ron the other time, as that would be too humiliating and cause problems. They had the right to know about his request for the book, though, and to help her decide what to do. They also needed to add much more wards. It was apparent that Snape had entered and exited from one of the higher floors, else Harry's wards would have detected him entering from below. She'd make certain he didn't return either way, and if it was her fate to meet him, she'd definitely have a backup plan, as she didn't trust him whatsoever...no matter how sincere his words had been. He hadn't hoodwinked Dumbledore all those years without learning to be convincing, had he?

Southern's Notes: And so they meet again. This time, the game changes. We'll see what each has planned in the next chapter and how one gets the better of the other. Whoops! Hehehe.