Hogsmeade Weekend

No monies coming my way. I'm only doing this for entertainment of the free variety.

To WriterMerrin, EverMustique, DuchessOfArcadia, and Dungeon_Butterfly, huge hugs and smoochies for giving this a polish and making this chapter presentable. I'd be lost without you helping me. Pookah, thank you for helping me break through my block.

Thank you, DuchessOfArcadia, for my lovely banner.

~o 26 o~

Hogsmeade Weekend

Hermione convinced Cillian to allow her to visit Neville and Seamus in hospital after dinner. The room seemed longer, somehow, with even more cots than before, in two long rows. "Madam Pomfrey must have expanded the hospital," Hermione said softly as she walked down the rows, looking for her friends.

"The room automatically stretches to meet the Healer's needs," Cillian stated as if she should know that.

Neville was asleep, but thankfully looked normal, except for the bruising to his face and arms. Likewise, Seamus appeared to be sleeping, but his head was wrapped in a dressing and his arm was in a sling. Jack Sloper and Ernie Coppersmith were both heavily bandaged, and Charles Swindlehurst was lying on a cot, his face swollen, as well.

Ginny's eyes fluttered open when Hermione stopped by her bed. "What happened?"

"Ashton Bole," Ginny said, grimacing in pain as she moved up a bit in bed. Hermione hurried over to help her with her pillow. "I still don't know what he hit me with, but at least the tentacles are gone. Jenny is in here, I think. She was hurt in class, and so was Jack. Ofelia Tredwell, she's over there next to Stephanie Adams," Ginny said, indicating the fifth-year Gryffindor across the room. "Julia Sweet and Sorcha O'brien," she said, indicating a brown-haired girl from Ravenclaw on the cot to her right, and a round-faced, freckled, Hufflepuff girl who lay on the cot on her other side. "They got the second half of their Skiving sweets mixed up somehow, and the reaction was pretty bad."

"But why so many?" Hermione asked, gazing about worriedly.

"Some of them are suffering from being attacked in class, but others because they lost the other half of the Skiving treat they ate to avoid the Carrows," Michael Corner said, stepping around the curtain. "Oi, Ginny, glad you're awake."

Hermione turned around, waving to Padma who was standing behind him. "You came to see Lavender and your sister?"

Padma nodded solemnly. "They are both sleeping actually. I wanted to see how you're doing," she said to Ginny.

"Better, but I'm here for the night," Ginny stated.

"Why isn't your husband stopping them from hurting us?" Michael hissed angrily at Hermione.

"I'm sure he will when he finds out," Hermione said, hoping he would. "I'm sure that Madam Pomfrey has reported..."

"Of course she's reported it, she has to," Michael said, raising his voice.

Padma placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's not her fault, Michael. Besides, you know our parents will get notices, too."

"Lot of good it will do," Michael sneered, jerking his shoulder to dislodge her hand and walked off.

"His girlfriend and best mate are in here," Padma said with an apologetic smile. "I'm glad you'll be all right." She turned her head and then looked back at the girls. "I'm worried for Parvati. The impact of the spell almost burst her kidney."

Hermione touched her arm. "I'm sure Madam Pomfrey will heal her," she said, giving Padma's arm a reassuring squeeze.

Padma smiled wanly. "I know she will, I just hate seeing my sister in so much pain. I'll see you later, all right?" she asked and slipped away, leaving Hermione alone with Ginny.

Ginny tried to sit upright on the cot and reached for her wand. "I heard that you spoke to Harry?" she asked, looking up at Hermione with pleadingly hopeful eyes. "I spoke to Colin."

Hermione pulled the curtain closed. "You did? How..."

"Muffliato," Ginny said with a flick of her wand, adding, "Repellere," as Hermione drew the chair over closer to the bed. "I used my DA coin, hoping to get Harry, but I got hold of Colin instead," Ginny said softly. "They're all right. I think. The building where their flat is was attacked, and they can't go back, but apparently they have everything in a tent. Something about packing stuff in a rover..."

"Possibly a Land Rover or Range Rover – a type of 4x4... It's an off-road, all weather type suburban car that Muggles use to enjoy the outdoors – you know – camping," Hermione tried to explain until Ginny nodded in understanding.

"Yes, that makes sense. Colin said they go camping every summer," Ginny said, looking relieved. "I thought he meant a dog. Anyway, he said that his dad had had them pack when he'd heard about the Muggle-born Registration... Well, the coin read 'MoM MBR notice' so I assumed that's what he meant."

"Good, then they're all right." Hermione sighed in relief. "Jenny must be relieved."

"Hermione, I wanted to ask you about something." Ginny leaned on her elbow to get closer to Hermione. "I saw some of your messages, and I was wondering... Is the L something that belonged to Tom Riddle like the diary was? And what is the cup?"

Hermione recoiled in shock. "Gin, I can't; I'm sworn to secrecy," she whispered, glancing at the curtain, hoping that no one was going to open it and hear. She bit her lip and dug her nails into her thumb, not sure how to evade the inquiry.

"I cast the Deafening and Repelling Charms on the curtain," Ginny reassured her. "If you don't trust my abilities, you can use my wand to reinforce it."

Hermione shook her head and Ginny smiled. "Okay, then. So, if the L is a locket, and the cup and the locket belonged to Riddle, would they be like the diary? Would there be magic in them that possess people like the diary did me – is that what Harry has to find – cursed objects that possess people?"

Hermione cupped her hands over her face. She was going to have to get a grip on this.

Ginny pulled one of Hermione's hands down, staring into her worried eyes. "Look, don't lie to me and tell me I'm too young. I'm not. And don't tell me it's none of my business or that I wouldn't understand. And I'm not imagining things, I just know, okay?"

"But how did you...?" Hermione asked, not really wanting the answer.

"I'm not blind, and I'm not dumb. I'm as smart as you!" Ginny snapped, grimacing at the effort. "I – oh, all right, I was eavesdropping. Extendable ears! You didn't think they were only used to eavesdrop on Order meetings did you? Happy? You, Harry, and my brother were planning something over the summer, but you tried to keep me out of it – I overheard you. And you keep asking Harry if he found something. It was in code, but I figured it out. It has to do with his mission, doesn't it? He has to find these things, doesn't he? That's why you are so desperate to make the mirrors. So you can help Harry find these things."

Hermione was at a loss. Ginny had no idea how dangerous this was. "You have to keep this a secret! Promise me! If the Dark Lord finds out that we know his secret, he'll hide them – well, move them. The more people that know, the greater the chance he might find out, the less chance Harry will have of finding what he has to..."

"Well I'm not going to tell anyone else!" Ginny exclaimed, then added resolutely, "So that's Harry's mission, to find cursed things that belonged to Riddle?"

"Yes," Hermione admitted. This was going too far. "Gin, this is really dangerous. I wish you hadn't figured it out."

Ginny's lips stretched into a smile that surprisingly resembled Fred or George's mischievous smirks. "I'll keep quiet about it. I swear. I can help you – really I can."

Hermione hung her head and sighed, remembering what Ginny had gone through.

"He's been in my head, Hermione! He used me! I wanted to know everything about him. When I had tried to destroy the diary instead of giving it to Harry as it'd wanted, the memory in the diary had been furious with me. I had to know what kind of guy he was... for my own sanity."

Hermione stared intently at Ginny. "How well did you get to know Riddle?"

"Well enough," Ginny admitted. "Riddle was a half-blood, he lived in an orphanage – it was a miserable place. He looked just like his dad – did you know that? He showed me once. He's a lot like Harry. Both got special awards for the saving the school – for the same thing! Both are Parselmouths, played Quidditch, and their wands share cores – phoenix feathers. I could go on." Ginny turned on her side. "You'd be surprised what he told me in the diary to gain my trust, and the rest I pieced together from the school records, articles in the Prophet, and from Hagrid – he knew him. They wrote up all kinds of things about him when he won those awards, like he was something special."

She picked at a thread on her blanket. "So I want to help. I don't want to be pushed away and told to stay out of it. I've been in it since my first year at school." She looked up at Hermione, and Hermione was shocked by the hurt in her best friend's eyes. "You're my best friend. Do you really think I could forgive myself if Vold–er... You-Know-Who won and you were killed – for nothing? Just because you don't have magical parents?"

Hermione looked away. Ginny was right, but she didn't want to involve her.

"You're just like Harry; you think you have to take all this on by yourself. You don't, you know, that's what friends are for," Ginny said, falling back on her pillows.

Hermione leaned closer to Ginny. "Gin, I wasn't supposed to get anyone else involved."

Ginny huffed in annoyance, and then turned her head to look Hermione in the eyes again. "Why are you three so thick? Don't you get it – it's what the DA is all about – standing up to him, whatever the cost, because living under him is not an option!"

Ginny was right – it was the same argument she and Ron had had with Harry before going to the Ministry fifth year and after Dumbledore's funeral and again at the Burrow...

"So if we get the mirrors, you'll be able to help Harry, right?" Ginny asked, breaking into Hermione's thoughts.

"Yes, I think so. Or at least be able to look stuff up for him," she admitted.

"Okay, count me in on that, too," Ginny stated emphatically, her expression turning to hurt disbelief when Hermione sighed. "What? I'm good at research, too, you know."

Hermione shook her head. "It's not that – I should've known you'd find out. I mean, it'll be good to have help, someone to confide in. I'm sorry for not trusting you. But tell no one else. This is a secret – the Dark Lord can't find out we know about these objects. That's imperative!"

"Okay," Ginny said, lying on her back again. "I won't tell the Dark Lord."

"Smart arse," Hermione said with a smirk, getting up to go. "Rest. I'll see you tomorrow. We have a lot of searching to do this weekend in Hogsmeade."

When Cillian left Hermione at the gargoyle, she was bone weary, so she rode the stairs up rather than walking them. The office was empty.

So was the sitting room.

She dropped her bag on the floor by the bed just as Severus stepped from the bathroom. "Are you ready for another round?" he asked casually as if asking about the weather.

"Another round of what?" she asked, collapsing on the bed.

He reached out and pulled on her hand, making her sit up. "Prepare your mind, Hermione."

She had only a few seconds before he said, "Legilimens."

The bedroom came into view, and then her friends lying on the hospital cots. She immediately put her memory palace in place. She managed to keep the calm, cool corridors of the castle in place, allowing him to see her revising or in lessons, but he pulled forward the scenes from Alecto's class even though Hermione tried to push them away. She finally managed to throw up the smooth stone walls of the corridor again for a while. She managed to hide her doors, the ones she didn't want him to see, but Amycus' class came into focus, and scenes of her friends dueling flashed in her mind. She shoved them away quickly, but he pushed at her feelings of frustration and her dueling again, and several images of her fighting with her friends appeared. She finally managed to shove them down and away, and he broke contact. Hermione leaned over gasping for breath, not realizing how hard it had been to keep her mind so controlled.

"What was that? Are you and your friends...?"

She braced herself before she looked up. "That was my fifth year," she lied, interrupting him and inhaled deeply. At least she hoped they were from her fifth year and not from the Charms Club. "Charms Club and my Dark Arts lessons." She'd pushed the memories away too quickly to be sure. She closed her eyes and wiped her mouth. She stood up and faced him, still shaking.

He stood there regarding her. "Fine. We're done for the night," he snapped at her, turned and left.

As Hermione's breathing slowed, she sat in the chair facing the fire and berated herself. She tried to recall exactly which memories Severus had seen. It had to be Charms Club. No, he knows what we're doing in Charms Club – but that shouldn't anger him. Cillian's there – he'd have told Severus if we were doing anything wrong. She got up and went to find him. He was standing at the bookshelf, reading the titles. "It was not what you think it was," she stated.

"You told me what you think it was," he said, his finger stroking the bindings gently. "It was not Dark Arts class – because you were not squared off with Draco. I know who was in Dumbledore's Army from the list that Umbridge confiscated, and there were students in the memory that were not part of that group." He turned to face her. "It is this year, and you were dueling. So either tell me the truth or go to bed."

"I told you, you were drudging up memories from my fifth year DA meetings and from Charms Club," she admitted and flinched at his scowl. "Are you really surprised that Professor Flitwick has been showing us how to defend ourselves against the curses we are being tortured with in Amycus' lessons?" she asked, hands on her hips.

He started to walk over to her, and she backed up, afraid of his anger but ready to defend her actions all the same. "Even you told me to learn them, so I've looked them up. But I'm not allowed to do them except in a classroom setting. So I..."

He placed a finger on her lips to quite her. "I don't like being lied to. I'm aware that Professor Flitwick has been coaching you and your friends. It's why I haven't interfered. So far, the Carrows are ignorant of the lessons."

She stared at him in disbelief, and he laughed at her. He was so complicated – he was angry about the dueling – but he was allowing it.

"Cillian is with you at each meeting. I have an update from him every week. Unlike Professor Carrow, I trust Professor Flitwick's abilities."

"You don't trust the Carrows?" she asked, gobsmacked by the confession.

His smile faded. "You're not practicing closing your mind or controlling your emotions. You are using the castle, someplace you know well, as a wall between your memories and my probing. You're becoming proficient at it," he said with a slight shrug. "It's not effective, not by a long shot, but you're only allowing me to see what you think is benign or what you think I expect to see."

She nodded, pleased that he understood. "I can't turn off my feelings..."

"And the castle is safe to you. The corridors are as calming as the library," he stated. "It's not the best solution. You still have to learn how to control your emotions – especially your fear and frustration."

~*~

Severus watched her with inflectionless eyes, openly staring at her. She wasn't even trying to control her emotions; they were right there, displayed on her face and in her body language. He knew that she felt some satisfaction at her pathetic attempt and was obviously confused by his silence. He stood motionless, his eyes the only part that moved as he let his gaze wander over her.

He entered her mind easily, sorting through the maze of the castle she erected. He tried to trace her activities for the day, getting glimpses of Alecto postulating in front of the seventh-years. He pushed on the tinge of discomfort and saw the witch striking Hermione's hand repeatedly with the riding crop. He saw her wash her hands... her tear-streaked face in the mirror.

She shoved him away, visualizing the corridor. He felt her embarrassment and pulled on the emotion, seeing Draco maneuver himself between her and VanHalal. She effectively shoved the memory away again. He smirked. Pushing again, he saw Amycus' classroom with flashes of light and the floor. Hermione seemed to open this to him, allowing him to see more of the dueling. He clenched his jaw and pushed away. He saw her in the hospital, taking off a blanket, and then the memory changed. She tried to push him away from the memory of her friends lying unconscious on their cots. A white light flared, obscuring everything, and then familiar stone walls...

Severus withdrew. He crossed his arms and silently stared at her again, unmoving, unresponsive, a self-controlled mask of nothingness. She faced him as if accepting a challenge to a staring contest, which amused him. He'd win. It's not a contest you could win, Hermione.

She started to fidget, she sucked her bottom lip under her teeth and her eyes searched him for any sign at all to what he was thinking. She blinked.

Yep, I win. He smirked, waiting. She sighed as she leaned against the chair, still watching him cautiously. At least she wasn't trying to talk, that was something. "Ineffective," he finally said, breaking the silence. "You are as open a book as you've ever been."

A slight curl of her lip caught his attention, only a tiny flicker, before she shrugged and frowned. "I keep trying. I just can't do – empty."

"You have to concentrate, clear your mind," he said, exasperated with her. "You have to learn to control your emotions or these lessons are a waste of time."

She looked up imploringly. "I keep trying; I practice whenever I can. I promise to try harder..."

He moved forward and pulled her to him, enveloping her in his arms. "I know, but you let me see too much, Hermione. When we have these lessons, don't trust me. Close off your emotions and push me from your mind."

"I try to! It's not that easy shutting my emotions off," she said, clinging to him.

He tipped her face up and lost himself for a moment in her warm, brown eyes. "I know." He leaned down and kissed her, leisurely exploring her mouth, savoring her responsiveness to him. She rose up on her toes, her arms about him for support, and he deepened the kiss, holding her tightly to him. He was growing hard with anticipation and pressed his erection against her stomach. He released her mouth and moved her hair to kiss her neck. "Come to bed with me," he said softly in her ear.

She nodded, uttering a throaty, "Uh huh," as she peered up at him seductively.

He turned her and followed her up to the bedroom, the sway of her hips on the stairs making his erection even harder. "Minx," he purred, grasping her from behind and kissing her neck. She squealed and turned when he nipped her flesh. "Undress for me," he said, already half way done with his own buttons.

~o0o~

The next morning, the writing on the walls had returned. If you don't like the Dark Arts, join us! Dumbledore's Army Now Recruiting. Severus was livid.

"Well, it wasn't Ginny, Neville, or Seamus – they were in the hospital last night," Hermione stated, and he glared at her.

"I'm well aware of who is in the hospital, Hermione," he said in a low voice, intended only for her. He saw Alecto and Amycus approaching him. Just what I need. "Well, it was one of your friends that did this," he snapped.

"I have no idea who is doing this," she protested innocently.

He knew she didn't, but it irritated him to know her friends were doing this. He turned to face her. "And of course you'd tell me who it was if you knew," he said in an angry hiss. She reacted as he thought she would, eyes wide, hand on chest, gaping at him in shock. "Just as I thought. Go in for breakfast," he snarled at her. He watched her as she recoiled and turned, hurrying into the Great Hall. Alecto stopped right in front of him. "Before you even start – I can see it for myself, however, the usual suspects are all accounted for, thanks to your teaching methods, Amycus."

"Not all of them," Alecto stated, glaring malevolently at writing on the wall.

Severus turned on his heel and strode into the Great Hall, searching for the faces of the students on the list among the house tables. He walked over and yanked Ernie Macmillian from his seat. "You three, Miss Bones, Miss Abbott, Mr. Smith, get up and come with me."

Alecto followed the students out with a smug grin plastered on her face.

"Clean this up. When you're done, you will go directly to class," Severus snarled. "Professor Carrow, you have the privilege of watching them." He strode back into the Great hall, smirking that Alecto and Amycus would miss eating breakfast, but he knew very well, Minerva would give the students Scottish eggs before her class began. He'd even suggest it, in a vague way.

By lunch, half of the second-, third-, and fourth-year Gryffindor and Hufflepuff students had outbreaks of fevers, boils, nose bleeds and various swollen body parts that put many of the them in the hospital. Severus was called down to assist Madam Pomfrey diagnose the conditions and brew the potion remedies. He walked up to the first cot and gripped the boy's chin roughly.

"Severus," Madam Pomfrey admonished him.

"Empty out your pockets," he demanded. The boy paled. "Now!"

Owen Cauldwell, a Hufflepuff fourth-year, nervously pulled his pockets out and looked up at Severus, his eyes full of dread.

"The inner pockets," Severus snapped impatiently.

Mr. Cauldwell hesitated a moment then reluctantly complied. A yo-yo, paperclip, small penknife, folded scrap of parchment, and half a nougat in a crumpled wrapper fell onto the floor. Severus summoned the candy and examined it. "It's one of the Weasley's Skiving treats," he snapped, rolling the half-eaten toffee in his fingers. "Anyone caught with a half eaten candy will spend the day as they are. You may allow them to reverse the effects after dinner." He pulled his wand out making all the curtains open to draw everyone's attention "I want each and every one of you to turn out your pockets. Now! Everything on the cot for inspection."

Thirty students had half-eaten Weasley treats, which Severus confiscated. "From now on all students must have their pockets searched before you give them any potions," he told Poppy. "Under no uncertain terms will they be allowed to reverse the effects until the end of the day, is that clear?"

"Absolutely, Headmaster," she replied, pursing her lips and frowning.

Severus joined Amycus in his classroom for the afternoon, simply as a casual observer, making a mental note of the spells Amycus was introducing to the students. Most were caustic curses, and more than two-thirds did not have the counter curses. Severus suggested sternly that the students write a thousand words on each curse, including the affects, with specific emphasis on the counter spell, irritating Amycus. He didn't care. At least they'd learn how to defend themselves one way or another.

Hermione was soaking in the tub, reading a novel for her Literature class, when he went up to the room to get her. "You'll be late for dinner," he said smoothly.

"Thank you." Hermione levitated the book safely to the counter and rose from the water, completely at ease in his presence.

The fact that she'd mastered the simple spell wandlessly didn't go unnoticed. Nor did the fact that she was no longer embarrassed for him to see her naked. The latter pleased him, even if the fact she'd been practicing wandless magic didn't. Just how long has she been doing wandless magic – and just how capable is she with it? he wondered as she dried herself off with the towel he'd handed her. He tried to recall any signs of her use of wandless magic and couldn't. She's doing it when she's alone, obviously. Hiding it from me, or is it just that she didn't think to tell me? There were too many secrets between them.

Watching her wrap the towel around her body, hiding it from his view, made his body react, and Severus stopped her when she tried to walk past him. "Where do you think you're going?" he teased her and kissed her lightly on the lips as he pulled out the stick holding her hair up on her head. She reached for it as he nibbled at her ear lobe. With his shampoo, her hair was much silkier to the touch. He loved the feel of the curls in his fingers.

"I thought you were mad at me?" she asked as she rolled her head to the side to give him better access.

"I am," he growled just below her ear.

"Odd way to show it," she said, holding the towel tight with one hand.

"I don't like being lied to," he said, stopping abruptly and standing to his full height.

"I wasn't!" she exclaimed, stepping back and away from him. "I don't know who is writing on the walls."

His eyes narrowed in annoyance. That wasn't what he'd been thinking, and he was annoyed about the graffiti now that she'd reminded him of it. "But I don't expect that you'd confide in me if you did know, would you?"

"You don't confide in me either," she said as she turned to the mirror and reached for her hairbrush.

He stepped back and leaned against the doorframe. "I can't."

"Won't," she said petulantly as she brushed her hair.

"Hermione," he said in a low warning voice, "it's not the same."

"Isn't it?" she asked, turning to face him. "I'm not doing it and I have no idea who is. And even if I was involved, Cillian and Draco follow me around everywhere! I'm never alone. So why don't you ask them?"

"I have," Severus said, looking down at his boots. "I want you to tell me if..."

Hermione pushed past him and entered the bedroom. "You should know that if I had seen anyone writing on the walls, your spy would've informed you."

"Your protector!" he snapped, turning so he was in the bedroom, still leaning on the doorframe.

"Whatever," she snapped, pulling on her knickers as he watched her. He closed the gap between them to help her with the clasp on her bra.

"I've got it," she snapped, turning slightly as she strained to do the hooks.

"I was only helping you," he said darkly, the hurt in his voice evident even through his angry retort. He grabbed her blouse to hand it to her. It was usually amusing to him to see her twist her arms like that behind her, but tonight it irritated him. She was purposefully keeping her back to him so he couldn't read her face. "I know that you're still getting together with your DA friends, Hermione. I know what is going on..."

She shook her head, putting on her blouse. She turned to face him as she did up her buttons. "What would it matter if I am practicing the curses your Dark Arts professor is teaching us, anyway?"

His jaw clenched as he exhaled slowly. "I don't want you practicing Dark Arts..."

"He's teaching them to us in class! Professor Flitwick is trying to teach us deflections and shield charms to defend ourselves! How can that be wrong?" Hermione straightened as she pulled her skirt up. "My friends are still in the hospital because of what happened in Dark Arts." She faced him squarely and put her hands on her hips. "Why do you think all the kids are afraid of his lessons?!"

Severus' eyes narrowed dangerously. "I don't want you and your friends taking on the Carrows..."

"No, we're just supposed to stand there and take it, right? Isn't that what you told me? I was to keep my head down and be a good girl, so the Dark Lord won't punish me. Well, I'm being punished every day! I am tortured in class by your friends and I take it – all right? I take it!"

"They're not my friends! They are fellow Death Eaters," he snarled at her, teeth bared and hands clenched. How dare she... I'm just trying to keep her alive, for Merlin's sake! He grabbed her robe and thrust it at her. "We're late for dinner."

He walked to the Great Hall, still fuming at her for her insolence. At least she was behaving respectfully, following him quietly. Filch was standing guard at the wall as if to protect it – a lot of good it did. He couldn't stand there all day or all night.

When they stopped at her usual place at the Gryffindor table, he leaned down and whispered, "This is not over, Hermione," before walking away. Alecto smiled smugly at his dark expression, and he nodded to Minerva before standing up at his chair. "Before dinner, I have a few announcements," Severus stated clearly. The students all quieted down and turned to look at him. "From now on anyone with self-induced outbreaks of fevers, boils, pustules, growths, nosebleeds, or whatever else you come up with, will not be excused from attending Muggle Studies or Dark Arts. You will attend your lessons and then you may go to the hospital. And any student caught owning even a wrapper of a Weasley Skiving Snackbox will be repeating the lesson in detention over the weekend. Same thing will apply if you faint – you'll repeat the lesson in detention over the weekend."

That made Alecto and Amycus smile. Many of the students groaned and slumped in their seats; however, several Gryffindors, ever the brave and defiant, had looks of barely concealed mutiny. Severus sat down and pointedly ignored Minerva and Alecto throughout dinner.

~o0o~

Hermione was surprised on Friday when she and Cillian walked into Dark Arts and saw Severus leaning against the bookshelves under the windows, arms crossed, casually watching all the students filing into the classroom. Each desk held a rat in a large jar and about thirty spells already written on the board.

"Take your seats," Amycus snarled, already in a foul mood.

Hermione cringed and quickly obeyed.

"You'll be lookin' all these up," Amycus said, indicating the board. "Them is the caustic curses, which as you knows, means that they is capable of burning, corroding, dissolving, or eating away somethin' that you want to burn, corrode or dissolve, see. I want ya to write the affects of each, the wand movement, and counter spells... and the potions that cures it," he added with a quick glance in Severus' direction, then turned back to the class, "if there is one. And I want the writing neat so I's can read it."

Hermione turned her attention to the board and sighed as she read the current list: Hot-foot Curse, Blistering Curse, Burning Curse... Where you're skin feels like its on fire? Skin-Searing Curse, Fiendfyre – he added Fiendfyre as a caustic curse? Blood-Boiling Curse, Scalding Curse, Burning-Flesh Curse, Corroding-Flesh Curse, Dissolving-Muscle Curse, Dissolving-Tissue Curse, Necrosis Curse, Eating-Away Curse, Slicing-Cutting Hex ...

"And you'll be doin' 'em on the rats," Amycus said with a quick scowl in Severus' direction, drawing Hermione's attention.

"Saves your hide, Mudblood," Crabbe said as he leaned forward over his desk behind her and Draco. Zabini, Goyle, Pansy, and Millicent all snickered, but Hermione purposefully ignored them. She saw Severus glaring at the Slytherins, but he remained silent.

But Draco turned around. "Not that you can do any of them, Crabbe, without..."

"Malfoy, I is talking now, not you," Amycus snapped, aiming his wand at him like a pointer. "Ten points for not payin' attention."

"Way to go, Malfoy," Crabbe sneered.

Zabini snickered softly. "He got house points for not paying attention," he said softly enough so only the students around him could hear. "By all means, let Malfoy talk!"

"Now the Hot-Foot Curse is funny," Amycus continued, ignoring Crabbe's outburst. "It makes your victim hop around, see..."

Hermione watched in horror as Amycus pulled her rat from the jar, held it over Hermione's desk and aimed his wand, "Fervens pedis." He dropped the rat back in the jar and watched the poor animal prance around in pain unable to stand the feeling of the shavings on its tiny feet.

"Now you try it," Amycus told the class as Hermione quickly searched her book for the counter curse to help the poor rat.

She found it, quickly casting it on the rat, and it lay panting, its nose and whiskers twitching. Amycus glared at her. Reluctantly, Hermione picked the rat up and tried the curse, but only managed to make the rat flinch, since she just couldn't bring herself to torture the defenseless animal. By the end of class, she'd lost Gryffindor forty points.

By contrast, Hermione's Transfiguration lesson was much better. Professor McGonagall had explained the principles of Transformations of humans to small mammals in her lectures, and they'd had the week to compare notes on transforming someone into a small mammal. "To change the appearance, or form, of another person, or yourself, into that of an animal – you must be aware of the physical differences of the animal's anatomy. You must alter the physical anatomy, sometimes changing the function or range of movement of the joints, and sometimes their position, as well as adding the different structures of the animal's physique, such as tails, whiskers, claws, fur – things you don't have. You therefore must have a clear picture in your mind of what you are creating during the transformation in order to complete the spell. Doing it halfway can be quite dangerous. So select your partners..."

Draco immediately clasped Hermione's hand, and she shrugged at Seamus when he tried to take her other hand. "Sorry; ask Lavender. She's really good at Transfiguration," she suggested.

"And you may try the transformation on each other. Who wants to go first?"

Draco raised his other hand, and Professor McGonagall nodded. "Fine Mr. Malfoy, you and Mrs. Snape."

They stood and took position at the front of the room. Draco took aim and said the incantation with the swirling twirl of his wand. Hermione felt herself shift and shrink, the room seeming to enlarge around her as her perception changed, before things in her mind became somewhat fuzzy, then seemed to settle and become clearer. She landed on all fours on the floor and sat up to get a better view of things. Her body didn't feel wrong as she'd expected it to... only lighter and far more agile. She turned around, sniffing the air, amazed at her heightened sense of smell.

She heard Draco say, "Retexere Incantatem," and her body lengthened and grew heavier... fuller... and she found herself back in her clothes, staring dumbfoundedly at Draco.

"Now who's the ferret?" he asked with a smirk.

Hermione looked at her hands in disbelief. They felt the same – only bigger.

"Very good, Mr. Malfoy, ten points to Slytherin. Now Mrs. Snape, before you forget, write down everything you remember," Professor McGonagall stated, turning to Parvati and Breanna Enfield.

Hermione wrote the experience down: the sensations of the transformation, the feeling of movement in her agile state, the avid curiosity, the smells, the sounds, sharper hearing, and feeling lighter... then the change back, how she could feel herself become thicker, heavier, swelling...

"You can't have felt all that," Draco said, leaning over her shoulder. "You lose yourself in the transformation."

"Your turn," she replied, setting down her quill and picking up her wand.

Draco held up his hands as she took aim. "Been there – done that..." he said just as Hermione cast the spell.

She smiled as she watched him shrink into a lovely white ferret – a really quite handsome ferret, in Hermione's opinion. She changed him back, and he staggered on his feet, trying to get his bearings.

"Argh, Merlin's mother's tits! I hate that feeling," he complained as Hermione, smirking, turned to help Lavender with the wand movement.

"Language, Mr. Malfoy! Five points from Slytherin," Professor McGonagall admonished him from across the room while helping Daphne Greengrass and Pansy Parkinson with the wand movement. "Very good, Mrs. Snape, ten points to Gryffindor."

Glenwynn nudged Daphne to get her and Adriana's attention as Hermione stood back to give Lavender room. Lavender successfully turned Seamus into a rabbit; however, she was distracted when Daphne, who was still watching Hermione, whispered something to Pansy.

Hermione transfigured Seamus back to his human form for Lavender. "Thank you, Mrs. Snape, ten points for your assistance. Miss Brown, you have to maintain your concentration. Two points for Gryffindor for the successful transformation." Professor McGonagall turned to the Slytherins. "Girls, which of you are going first?"

"I always get so nervous when the Slytherins stare," Lavender said and apologized to Seamus. "I'll try harder next time."

"No problem," Seamus said, smiling as he jotted down what he could remember. "But it's not you they're staring at – it's Hermione. They stare at her all the time."

"Must be nerve racking, for you," Lavender asked Hermione.

"Not so bad – well, I simply ignore them," she replied.

Seamus finished his notes and stood up. "Okay, Lavender, your turn."

~*~

During her revision time after class, Hermione went to the library, smiling when she spotted Ginny at one of the tables. She hurried over and sat in the chair across the table from her friend. Draco plopped down in the seat next to Hermione, and Ginny frowned. "Hello, Malfoy," she said without looking up from her essay, "still following Hermione around?"

"Yeah, Weasley, I am," he said, pulling out the assignment Professor McGonagall had given them.

Glenwynn, Felicia, and Adriana walked over and sat at their table, Glenwynn and Felicia next to Hermione, Felicia taking the seat next to Ginny. "Hello, Hermione. I was wondering if you were available for tea tomorrow," Glenwynn asked with a sweet smile.

Hermione looked at her, deciding if she wanted to. "I think it will be alright, if the invitation includes Ginny and Luna Lovegood. I've already committed to spending tomorrow with them," she said, ignoring the widening of Ginny's eyes when she looked up.

"I thought..." Ginny said and then turned to smile at the Slytherin girls. "I can't speak for Luna, but I'd be delighted."

Glenwynn glanced quickly at Ginny and opened her mouth, but Felicia quickly said, "That would be lovely. We didn't think you'd be interested, Miss Weasley, considering your family's disregard for my house."

Glenwynn smiled politely. "Yes, I didn't know you'd be inclined to join us, but of course you're welcome to come. It will be at two. The Willow House on North Street in the garden room."

As the Slytherin girls got up to go, Draco leaned over to Hermione, smirking. "I seriously doubt that had anything to do with me," he said smugly.

"Oh yes, ferret, because the world revolves around the Malfoys," Ginny said as she dipped her quill in her ink. At dinner she asked why Hermione had included her. "The idea of an afternoon with the Slytherin girls isn't my idea of fun! I thought we were going to look for mirrors?"

"We are," Hermione said, lowering her voice. "Gin, why would they be trying to befriend me? They never have before. And Severus is supportive of my forming the friendships – the way he says it – there is something going on. And besides, haven't you noticed that Slytherin seems to be divided?"

Ginny shook her head. "You're hanging around too many Slytherins. They look out for their own – you can't trust them."

"What if you're wrong?" Hermione asked, turning to look at Severus. "What if not all Slytherins are on the Dark Lord's side?"

"There wasn't a Slytherin that..." Ginny started to say but Hermione cut her off.

"Sirius hated Slytherins – all Slytherins. What if he was wrong?"

~o0o~

Saturday morning Hermione was still trying to convince Severus to let her go to Hogsmeade. "If you and Cillian come, that's two wizards to protect me. The village is full of students – what could go wrong?"

"The village is occupied by Death Eaters, Hermione," Severus said as if she were a petulant child.

"So is the school," she reminded him as the bell on his desk intoned the arrival of her friends.

Severus barked, "Allow," and scowled at Hermione.

"It's not safe," Severus hissed.

Cillian shrugged, twirling his wand in his fingers as he stared out of the window.

"You're not helping," Severus snapped.

"It's a Hogsmeade weekend. You knew she'd want to go, and the guys know that she's not to be touched," Cillian stated. "Between us, how much trouble can one girl be?"

"Quite a handful, I assure you." Severus glared at her warningly. "I want your word, no problems. If you promise to behave," he said, staring at her, his eyes narrow darkly. "I mean it, Hermione; I want no trouble from you."

Hermione clasped her hands and smiled, saying, "I promise!"

"Fine," he snapped and then indicated the door with his hand. He flicked his wand to open the door and Ginny and Luna walked in, followed by Jenny, Janilynn, and Tinko. Tinko, who'd never been in the office before, stared wide-eyed at the portraits. "Miss Weasley," Severus said, glancing at her friends. "I want your oath – no problems from you."

Ginny held up her hands in supplication. "Oh, no, sir! Shopping, lunch, and more shopping. I promise!"

Severus growled and followed the girls out of his office. On the stairs, Hermione felt the sharp stinging sensation when her necklace vibrated, nearly making Hermione gag and her eyes water. She'd forgotten how much it hurt when he activated it. She bit her lip in anticipation when he grabbed her wrist in the corridor, pushed her sleeve up, and aimed his wand at the bracelet. The stinging vibration in her wrist under the bracelet made her hand spasm, and she gritted her teeth to keep from making a sound and alarming her friends.

"A precaution," he said softly.

Hermione nodded to let him know she understood, even though she resented having them activated.

On the way to the gates, Ginny quietly asked, "What's with the bracelet?"

"Necklace and bracelet," she said, pulling her collar aside to show Ginny. "So I can't Apparate away."

Ginny's expression became thoughtful. "It's familiar – the shell, like– Oh my gosh! Blast-Ended Skrewts!"

Severus smirked at her, and Ginny quickly glanced from Severus, back to Hermione. "They were wicked ugly, but their shells – they repel spells, don't they?"

"Very good, Miss Weasley," Severus said smoothly.

Hermione saw Luna at the gate and waved at her. Luna stopped, seemingly interested in something on the wall, until they approached. "Hello, Headmaster, Mr. Gwynek," she said politely. "I hope it doesn't rain today. The leaves on the almanden vines are curling."

Jenny and Janilynn both laughed, but Tinko looked at the vine growing on the wall with concern.

"Thank you for the weather report, Miss Lovegood," Severus said drolly, urging the girls on. "Shall we?"

Luna turned and took Hermione's hand, then glanced down at her wrist. "Strong protections," she said softly. "I hope you don't need them."

"Me too," Hermione said, amazed at the girl's perceptiveness. Looking down the street, she saw four wizards talking to VanHalal, immediately recognizing Avery, Rosier, Nott, and Rabastan Lestrange and wondering why they were here at Hogsmeade.

"I want to visit Viviane's Woman's boutique, the robes shop, the secondhand shop, and Magical Pastiche and Potpourri," Ginny said, her eyes shining and smiling in a girlish way. Hermione wanted to laugh at Ginny's playacting.

Jenny, Janilynn, and Tinko all smiled, delighted at the suggestion. "Oh, yes! I heard that Gladrags is having a sale," Jenny said enthusiastically.

Severus rolled his eyes and indicated for them to lead the way. The Death Eaters glared at the girls as they walked by, but thankfully didn't make any comments that Hermione overheard.

Avery opened the door for the girls to Honeydukes, openly staring at Hermione's chest – and lower as she walked by. "You got a minute, Headmaster?" he asked before Severus could follow them in.

"I'll be in shortly," Severus said curtly, adding, "Do not cause trouble".

"What trouble can we get into in a candy shop?" she asked with a warm smile and walked in, apparently oblivious to Severus' scowl as she waved at two Ravenclaw girls across the shop.

Lestrange stopped Cillian, asking for a word. Cillian surveyed the shop and then let the door close. Hermione eyed the confections, her finger tracing the bins of her favorite sweets as her friends picked out their purchases.

"So, which shall it be? Cockroach Clusters? Fudge Flies?" Severus asked from behind Hermione.

"Oh! You scared me!" she exclaimed, turning around to face him. "No, those are gross! I like flossing mints and Cocoballs!"

"Of course you do," he said softly. He bought Hermione two tins of her favorites, plus some squeaking sugar mice, sugar quills, and several chocolate frogs.

The girls decided to go to Gladrags next. Two wizards in black robes lingered outside the clothiers, watching Hermione and Ginny enter the store, one with a look of revulsion and the other clearly with aversion, although both offered Severus and Cillian polite greetings.

Hermione strolled through the robe shop, browsing at the contents of the counters and shelves as the girls searched for new scarves, gloves, and various frills. One witch in the shop glared at Hermione as if disgusted and dropped the wrap she'd been examining on the counter and left. Hermione glanced up at Ginny, across the shop, but Ginny shook her head and then became interested in something on display. Severus watched Hermione as she glanced nonchalantly through a rack of robes, smiling at a nice peach one and another in dark blue.

"Didn't see anything," Ginny whispered as she passed behind Hermione.

Hermione returned the robe to the rack. "I saw one," she replied, adding softly, "but it's charmed. Maybe the next shop." She turned away, caught Severus' eye and blushed.

In the Magical Pastiche and Potpourri, there was an impeccable selection of jewelry, gifts, china, crystal, and silver, but the only mirrors there were magical ones and unsuitable. Rosier and Nott entered the shop, snarling at the girls as they made their way over to talk to Severus. Hermione diverted her friends so that they could slip out and miraculously avoided the two men.

Once out on the street, Severus grabbed Hermione's arm. "I told you that you were not to ditch me," he hissed accusingly.

"You're hurting me!" Hermione pried his hand off her arm, but held onto it. "I was trying to avoid them," she said with a jerk of her head at the two wizards exiting the lady's shop. "I wasn't trying to sneak out on you. Besides, Cillian was still with us, Severus."

His eyes narrowed dangerously, but he relaxed slightly and nodded once, keeping a grip on her hand.

"Do keep better control of your pet," Rosier sneered in passing, and he and Nott laughed as they walked away.

Severus expression turned even darker as he steered Hermione forcibly in the opposite direction.

They stocked up on their Potions supplies in the apothecary, bought new quills in Scrivenshaft's, and Jenny and Tinko bought some sachets in Viviane's Woman's boutique. The boutique also had mirrors, but only magical ones that told Hermione that she had a lovely smile and beautiful eyes.

Ginny pulled Hermione into the secondhand shop, and the girls had fun combing through the shelves and bins. Janilynn bought a mortar and pestle, and Luna found a large selection of bangles, which she divided between each girl. Severus paid for Hermione's, smirking when she'd put them on. However, Hermione had no luck finding suitable mirrors since the only ones available were large framed ones.

Out on the street, Ginny pointed to Avery and Lestrange, who were talking outside Honeydukes. VanHalal and Travers were checking the students' purchases from the joke shop, and Rosier and Nott were lingering outside Scrivenshaft's. "I think we should... go to the bookshop," she suggested, indicating the opposite way on the street, and Jenny readily agreed.

Janilynn checked her watch. "For an hour – then lunch," she suggested and smirked at Hermione's wistful look at the books displayed in the window. "Don't you have tea at two?"

Hermione turned, her eyebrows rising at Severus' questioning look. "Yes, at Willow House on North Street."

"With whom?" Severus asked, his tone low and smooth, which meant he was not happy at the sudden revelation.

"Hermione's Slytherin friends," Ginny stated as Janilynn clasped her hands, exclaiming, "I love that place, so... wait – what?"

Hermione turned to face Severus and Cillian, both who sported identical scowls. "Glenwynn, Felicia, and Adriana... or should I use their last names?" she asked, glancing at Cillian, then recovered, "invited Ginny, Luna, and me to tea at two."

Severus exhaled slowly and then glanced down the street. Avery and Lestrange were still outside Honeydukes, and VanHalal and Travers were still inspecting purchases from the joke shop, but Rosier and Nott were nowhere to be seen.

Cillian looked at the other girls and then turned to Severus. "Seems you and I are chaperoning tea at the Willow."

Severus closed his eyes then opened the door to the bookshop. "Apparently," he said coolly. He followed Hermione to the Arithmancy section. "And when were you, Miss Weasley and Miss Lovegood invited to this tea?"

Hermione opened her mouth to respond, but Cillian cut her off, asking, "Why were Miss Weasley and Miss Lovegood included?"

Hermione explained what had happened in the library.

"That is not the proper way to invite a friend," Cillian said as Severus handed her a book from the top shelf she couldn't reach.

"What was I supposed to do?" Hermione asked, crossing her arms to clutch Geometrical Arithmancy for Spatial Distances to her chest, "decline?"

"You forced their hand. It's not done." Cillian leaned his shoulder against bookshelf. "Do you know nothing about pure-blood etiquette? You'll alienate these girls."

"I know about etiquette," Hermione snapped, dropping her hands while still clutching her book. "It's rude to invite someone to tea in front of their friends – as if they are not even there! You draw the person aside or wait for a more opportune time. Or isn't that proper pure-blood etiquette?" She turned, leaving the aisle to join Luna and Ginny in the Charms section.

"Look what I found," Ginny said, slipping a book into Hermione's hand. "It's on charming things to speak – and it has charms for cups, mirrors, and how to make toys talk." Hermione's brow furrowed as she opened the book and Ginny urged her to turn to page twenty-six. Ginny leaned in closer and whispered, "This one tells you how to make a foe glass – on page forty-three, it shows how to make a Sneakers orb."

Hermione hugged her. "Thanks," she whispered.

The girls queued up at the counter. Severus cocked an eyebrow at Cillian when he dropped Politesse du Grande Monde: Essential Etiquette by John Louys de Bret and Etiquette for the Debutante Witch by Fleur Britten on top of the books Severus was paying for. "Not for you – for her," Cillian snapped, tossing two Galleons and twelve Sickles on the counter.

Hermione bristled at the not at all subtle allegation the books implied.

Severus didn't react at all to the book Ginny had added to their pile, requesting the books be delivered to the Headmaster's office.

"Okay, the joke shop," Jenny said, crossing the street with Janilynn and Tinko.

Severus put out his hand, blocking Hermione from following. "No."

Across the street, VanHalal leaned against the window, leering at the students entering the shop as he spoke to Lestrange. Hermione inhaled as two third-years were stopped so VanHalal could inspect his bag.

"Maybe you're right, not a good idea," Ginny said, turning to Hermione. "We could head for the Willow House."

"I've never been in there, but I've heard it's really nice," Luna said, watching two women leaving one of the shops with their heads down and avoiding eye contact with anyone.

As Ginny, Luna, and Hermione, followed by Cillian and Severus, turned from High street onto North Street, they saw Crabbe, Goyle, and Zabini bullying several fourth-years from entering Dervish and Banges. Severus stopped, glared darkly at the Slytherins, and Crabbe and Goyle moved away, but Zabini simply leaned against the wall of the shop with his arms crossed. However, the fourth-year boys ran away.

"Not very good for business, are they?" Luna commented dreamily.

The Willow House was a green cottage with white trim and shutters beside a large willow tree. "If you're going to include your friends, make a formal introduction. But you are playing with fire," Severus warned Hermione as he opened the door.

Inside the house was a traditional English tearoom and shop with very tasteful décor. Felicia, Tracy, and Adriana were sitting in the lounge area across from three girls Hermione didn't know. Glenwynn stood and turned to the hostess' desk.

The Slytherin girls rose as Daphne and her sister, who were closest to the door, greeted Severus, Hermione, and Cillian when they entered. "Glenwynn has reserved the garden room," Daphne said, looking at Luna and Ginny with curious glances.

"Thank you, Miss Greengrass, Astoria," Severus said, giving Hermione a gentle nudge in the small of her back.

Hermione quickly introduced Ginny and Luna to the girls, and Daphne introduced Catherine Hamilton, Amanda Bergental and Jean Pendergast.

The room was quaint, with huge windows that overlooked the back garden. Four wrought iron pillars supported a wrought iron and cut-glass ceiling that resembled a Regent Scroll design gazebo. Each pillar had several hanging baskets of flowers. However, what surprised Hermione were the few small tables situated around the room that only seated four each instead of one long table. The Hostess showed the girls to three of the tables.

Glenwynn, Felicia, and Tracy surrounded one table, indicating for Hermione to join them, as Daphne, Astoria, and Adriana chose another, urging Ginny to sit with them. Ginny sat in the chair that still allowed her to partially face Hermione, and Luna sat at the third table with Catherine, Amanda, and Jean, taking the seat that allowed her to still face Ginny. Severus and Cillian took seats at another table beside the windows, so that neither had their back to the door and they could observe the entire room.

The room had the fragrance of hot scones and fresh roses, while soft music from a bygone era played in the background.

At first the conversation was awkward, but polite, mostly centered on where the girls had gone shopping, the new arrivals at Gladrags Fine Clothiers, Viviane's Woman's Boutique and the Magical Pastiche and Potpourri. Hermione stifled a chuckle when she overheard Luna mention the bangles they'd all bought at the secondhand shop, making hers jingle on her wrist.

Felicia asked Hermione how she was holding up to the torment in Professors Carrows' lessons, and Hermione answered with a noncommittal, "Well enough."

"It's horrible how Professor Carrow singles you out," Glenwynn said softly as she poured more tea for everyone.

Behind her, Hermione heard Astoria ask after Ginny's father. "His department, the Office for the Detection and Confiscations of Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Protective Objects, is under review by the Wizengamot for reallocation of resources," Ginny replied calmly. "His office is now responsible for tracking down illegal wands."

"But still, he has a particular hatred toward the Gryffindors," Felicia stated, drawing Hermione's attention back to their table.

"Severus warned me that they would single me out," Hermione said, wishing they'd change the subject, "since I'm Muggle-born, and all."

At Luna's table, Jean was asking Luna to clarify the difference between an Erumpent and a Crumple Snorthack. "It's a Crumple-Horned Snorkack, but people do get it confused..." Luna replied sweetly.

The food was delicious, finger sandwiches, imported and domestic cheeses, fresh fruit, and freshly baked scones with lashings of Devon cream and delicious preserves all served on fine Royal Doulton Bone China. Their waiter set a three-tiered serving tray of little cakes decorated to look like tiny presents, tiny tarts, and sweet shortbread on the tables and refilled the teapots.

"I wish Professor Carrow would move on with the subject though," Tracy said, taking a sip of tea. "I'm so tired of reading about the inquisitions." She turned to Glenwynn. "Your father was in the paper this morning. I do hope that was nothing but a false alarm."

Hermione noticed that a few of the girls at the other tables had stopped talking.

"The premise was to inspect our plumbing, saying it was too modern. How plumbing in a five hundred-year-old house can be too modern is beside me. Father said they were only interested in inspecting the basement."

Adriana turned around, her face pale, and Catherine dropped her teacup, her hands shaking.

"Of course they didn't find anything untoward," Glenwynn said with a nod to Catherine, but she lowered her voice slightly. The other two tables became very quiet. "I mean, why would they? The basement has nothing but old furnishings and boxes, hardly of any significance."

"Your wine cellar holds the finest collection of elf-made vintages," Amanda said with slightly cocked eyebrows and bit her lip.

"Father assured me that they didn't bother with our collection," Glenwynn said with a sly smile, her voice slightly louder. "All our valuables are still safe." She turned to Hermione. "Have you heard from your parents?"

"Not since summer," Hermione said, looking away. "But I know they're fine."

"Oh?" Felicia asked as Glenwynn touched Hermione's hand, saying, "I'm sure they are. You'd have taken precautions, since you and your friends – well, you knew before any of us." She turned to look Severus and Cillian. "I hope they know you're all right."

Hermione looked at Ginny, catching her friend's eye. Ginny was toying with her cheeses as if pretending to be uninvolved with the conversation. The sound of clinking bone china cups and saucers filled the gap in conversation. Finally, Felicia turned to Hermione. "Would you be interested in joining us tomorrow for Quidditch practice? It might be nice to get outside for while."

Now Hermione was feeling as if she were being set up or something. "I'm sorry but I'll have to decline." She added, "I've so much revision to catch up on, and Severus has made the entire student body write out all those curses for Dark Arts," when Felicia frowned in disappointment.

"Maybe another day," she offered, still looking disappointed.

When the plates cleared, Severus approached the table. "Ladies, if you'll please excuse my wife, I do need to return to my office."

"Of course, Headmaster," Glenwynn said, the first to stand, and all the Slytherins followed suit. "Thank you so much for allowing Hermione to attend." She turned to Hermione and held out her hand. "Hermione, thank you so much for coming. We will have to do this again soon."

"It would be my pleasure," Hermione replied, taking the offered hand.

The Slytherin girls bid Hermione, Ginny, and Luna goodbye, and Cillian ushered them out the door as the Slytherin girls stayed to look over the items in the shop. Out on the street, Severus ushered them to walk straight to the school gates.

Jenny, Janilynn, Tinko, Ofelia Tredwell, Jack Sloper and Ernie Coppersmith came running up just as they were passing the Three Broomsticks. Severus cocked an eyebrow at them as they fell in step with the girls. "Those men wouldn't let us in Zonko's," Jenny complained.

"Confiscated half my stuff," Jack snarled as Ernie glanced at Severus.

"Are you surprised?" Luna asked, turning to face the others. "They're prohibited. They don't want joke items in the school." She turned back around, looking skyward.

"Oh, a thestral," Ofelia said, pointing up at the sky.

Hermione gasped at the sight of the large, black, skeletal horses with dragonish faces and necks, and reptilian wings. One beast dove after some prey, followed by the others, and Hermione cringed at the sight of its white shining eyes.

Back at the castle, Ginny waited with Hermione in the Headmaster's office while Severus and Cillian sought out the school security officers.

Ginny paced the office, looking at the portraits while Hermione sat comfortably in one of the chairs. "They really are impressive," Ginny said, walking along the bookshelf behind Severus' desk. She lifted down Gryffindor's Sword and inspected the craftsmanship, reading the name engraved on it by holding the hilt with one hand and the blade on her other forearm. "Godric Gryffindor. This is Goblin made!"

"So?" Hermione said, toying with her bangles, enjoying the rhythmic jingle.

Ginny turned to face Hermione, still holding the sword in front of her. "Goblin-made steel will imbibe things that make it stronger." She looked closer at the blade. "Harry killed the Basilisk with this."

"As Godric Gryffindor commanded when he placed me in the Headmaster's service," the Sorting Hat spoke softly, then said in its sing-song voice, "if ever the brave at heart have need, I trust you, my dear friend, give my sword to them."

Ginny smiled and sliced the air with the sword. "Do you think that it might have absorbed any of the Basilisk venom?"

"Probably, why?" Hermione asked, her curiosity now piqued.

"Just thinking that if..." The girls both turned their heads toward the door at the sound of stone grating against stone.

Ginny quickly put the sword back on its mount and stood with her hands behind her back as Severus opened his door. He narrowed his eyes at the girls.

"Ginny was admiring the sword," Hermione confessed. "It's famous among us Gryffindors, you know."

"Out," Severus snapped, glaring at Hermione. Hermione rose to go, indicating for Ginny to follow her, but Severus turned his attention to Ginny. "Miss Weasley, Hermione has revision to do. She may see you tomorrow."

Ginny shrugged and walked over and hugged Hermione. "I'll send a letter to George by Floo; he knows London better," she whispered in her ear.

A chill ran down Hermione's spine. "Which Floo – they're watched, aren't they?" Hermione asked, worried.

"Slughorn's isn't," Ginny said and turned to leave. "Headmaster, thank you. I did have a good time today."

Severus' eyebrows rose as he watched her leave the office.

Hermione was halfway up the stairs herself when she heard Dumbledore's portrait say, "You know what you must do, my boy. Now is the time, before it's too late. Hermione turned and sneaked back just in time to watch Severus remove the sword from its mount and examine the blade. He turned and set a strong locking spell on the door then disappeared in the Floo.

Hermione gasped, realizing he'd taken the sword with him.

~o0o~

Author's notes:

I'm so sorry I've been gone for so long. I'm back and happily typing away. Thank you to everyone who is sticking this out with me, I appreciate the support. As before, the Carrows are getting ugly, so I think it safe to say there is some abuse happening.

Moonlitjune, aka ViloletViridian, drew me an incredible picture for my story as incentive to update, so Moonlitjune, thank you and I hope this one suffices. For those who want to see her lovely drawing, here is the link: http://violetviridian.deviantart.com/art/Heart-s-Desire-181076429 I hope you like it as much as I do.

The Latin I used comes from Norte Dame's site: http://www.archives.nd.edu/cgi-bin/lookdown.pl

Retexere: means to unravel, undo, reverse; to cancel, annul; to retract; to revise.