Swords and Books

A huge thank you to my alpha reader, Arabellabloodgood and Dungeon_Butterfly, for reading this over for me and to thedoughymatron and Dandru, for combing through this and helping me clean up my mistakes. I really appreciate the beta help. Thank you very much.

Also, smooches and a big thank you to DuchessOfArcadia for my lovely banner! I really love it, doll.

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~o 28 o~

Swords and Books

Cillian had been in a bad mood all weekend. He'd been gone for a long time on Saturday, which had meant that Hermione had been trapped in the sitting room with Draco all afternoon. Apparently, Draco was still angry with her, but they'd worked on their essays at opposite ends of the enlarged coffee table in relatively amicable silence.

On Wednesday, several owls carrying the monthly delivery of The Quibbler swooped into the Great Hall with the morning post owls, dropping one in front of Ginny, Jenny, and Neville. Hermione looked around, noticing that nearly every member of the DA had received a copy. The headline on the front page read, 'You-Know-Who is using Hogwarts to recruit our children.'

Jenny showed the article to Janilynn, and Ginny angled the tabloid so that Hermione could read it as well. Hermione made a quick glance at Cillian, but he was eating his eggs, apparently unconcerned about what Mr. Lovegood may have printed in The Quibbler. The article stated that the Carrows were posing as teachers, and the four Death Eaters at the school were really there to entice the students to join You-Know-Who's youth league of Death Eaters called the Dark Lord's Knights.

Ginny turned the page when Hermione nodded to her that she'd reached the bottom. 'Support Harry Potter' was printed boldly on the top of the next page, and the next. "He also lists those who have gone missing from their homes and businesses," Jenny pointed out. "Let's Not Forget Our Families, Friends, and Neighbors column – it's on page seven."

An article on the fifth page stated that the Ministry of Magic Public Relations and Communications Office had banned all wireless broadcasts and shut down all publications until further notice, 'or until suitable replacements of staff can be found'. Mr. Lovegood called the Daily Prophet, 'a publication of inane propaganda that gives it's readers a steady diet of outlandish assertions, falsifications, and distortions which over time can make a certain impression on one's mind and often misleads.'

Listen to this," Ginny said, reading, "'Morgund Runcorn, acting on behalf of Minister Pius Thicknesse, has demanded the removal of hundreds of Ministry officials, those who are 'of impure blood,' to be replaced by 'approved members of wizarding society.'

"Oh, no! Listen. 'Minister Thicknesse urged the newly appointed Aurors 'to make decisive actions' and warned that those who didn't would be severely punished.' The Aurors are now authorized to use the Imperius and Cruciatus... They can't be serious?" Jenny asked, dropping her hands and looking at Hermione and Ginny over her copy of the paper. "They're using Unforgivables! You've got to be kidding me!"

"Of course they are, You-Know-Who is in charge of the Ministry now," Stephanie stated from beside Jenny.

"Her dad is going to get into loads of trouble over this," Hermione whispered, glancing up at the Carrows at the staff table.

"Right, except it's crammed between the article of a Kelpie sighting in the River Thames and a hag's claim that her sister is responsible for causing the northern lights."

Hermione turned to glance at Severus, but his attention was directed toward Alecto. The stocky, little witch was brandishing a copy of The Quibbler at him, and he, in turn, looked murderous. "They may be in charge, but I bet he doesn't want his activities exposed this way," Hermione said.

"He'll be fine. You-Know-Who doesn't take Luna's father seriously," Stephanie said as Ginny put her copy of the publication into her bag.

*

Alecto's lecture that morning actually included some factual information: she talked about Pope Innocent VIII and his Papal bull, Summis desiderantes affectibus. The papal bull had been the cause of a long period of witchcraft suspicions, persecutions, and witch trials which had led to the arrests and inhumane torture of anyone suspected of using 'the black arts,' who demonstrated odd behaviors, or was merely well versed in healing herbs and poultices, whether they had true abilities or not. So, naturally, real witches and wizards, everyone with true magical abilities, went into hiding and formed their own culture underground. This, of course, formed the foundation for the current wizarding world.

She handed out a pamphlet that had obviously been penned by someone else since the penmanship was neat and precise. "Now, finally, we can reestablish the natural order of how it should be," Alecto announced proudly. "Mrs. Snape – no comment or inspiring opinions?" Alecto teased her as she walked over and stopped directly facing her.

Hermione looked up from the pamphlet and shook her head.

"Answer me, girl," Alecto sneered.

Hermione swallowed nervously. "Actually, I think this pamphlet expresses the truth about the bull and its effects on wizarding society very nicely." She hoped that was a safe enough answer.

Alecto leaned down to glare at Hermione almost nose to nose. Her breath reeked of onions and garlic. "I'm aware that the pamphlet is 'true.' What I asked is how you feel about Wizardkind reestablishing the natural order of things and assuming our rightful place as the nobility of humankind."

"I'm told that's what the Dark Lord is striving for, Professor," she said softly.

Alecto straightened and smiled, although her eyes were calculating and cold. "You are bloody right he is," she stated. "But what I asked you is... What do you think about his idea of the natural order for Wizardkind?"

"That I have no place in his world," Hermione said softly with her head bowed.

"No, you don't. You are an affront to us all," Alecto sneered as she flicked her wand, and Hermione's hand shot forward and stuck to her desk. "And so you don't forget it," she said, pulling her ruler from her pocket.

Alecto brought the ruler down hard on the back of her hand so the metal edge cut a slash into her skin. Hermione bit the inside of her cheek to keep from crying out as Alecto hit her again. From the corner of her eye, Hermione saw Cillian jump to his feet when the ruler struck her a third time.

"Alecto, enough," Cillian growled, looming over her threateningly as he grabbed her wrist, his brown eyes narrowed dangerously. He turned to face the class. "All of you. Get. Out. Now!" he snarled each word, so much like Severus when really angry that no one faltered, grabbing their things quickly to leave. "Malfoy – stay put."

Draco froze and sat back down.

"You cannot dismiss my class!" Alecto shouted. The students stopped and stood, waiting.

"Perhaps. But, I just did," he snapped at her. His brown eyes darkened in fury, and his jaw clenched as if his temper was barely controlled. "The rest of you – OUT. NOW!" Cillian snarled dangerously, and the rest of the class hurried out of the classroom.

Hermione clutched her bleeding hand to her chest, trying to compress the cut with her other hand, fighting back the tears that threatened to fall.

Draco placed an enlarged handkerchief onto Hermione's lap.

Cillian rounded on Alecto. "You've gone too far, witch."

Alecto recoiled in shock, stammering, "I-I'm allowed to pun-nish her for her – her in-insubordination," as she stammered as she struggled against Cillian's grip, but she was unable to free her wrist. "You're hurting me!"

"And you are overstepping your authority," he in a scathing tone, although he didn't remove the vice grip on her wrist. "This will be shown to the Dark Lord, Alecto. In a Pensieve." He looked down at Draco, still seated next to Hermione. "Mr. Malfoy, you will go inform Headmaster Snape, then meet us at the hospital."

Draco rose quickly and left.

"She was insubordinate!" Alecto snarled, trying to maintain her dignity.

"She all but admitted that she will be eliminated after Severus' year with her is up," he snarled and leaned in toward her, stopping only when their faces were a few inches apart, his eyes glaring warningly at her. Hermione could feel the animosity radiating off him and could see the fear in Alecto's eyes even as she struggled to fight back. "So, until the Dark Lord doesn't see any further reason to tolerate her anymore and kills her, we'll have to tolerate her presence. Won't we?"

"He said that I can punish her if she's insolent..." Alecto whimpered, struggling to free her wrist from his grip.

"She was acquiescent and respectful," Cillian snapped at her. His lips curled into a sardonic grin, and he yanked on Alecto's wrist, making her look at him. "She is here only because the Dark Lord wants her under his thumb, thus the reason I'm here to watch her," he said with a cruel smirk. "I'm her gaoler." He released Alecto's wrist with a forceful shove, which made her stumble and fall. "Hermione, get up," Cillian said, flicking his wand a few times to make her things pack into her bag.

Hermione silently rose to go with him, and he clasped her by the scruff of her robes and propelled her ahead of him. "Ow!"

"Hush!" he hissed.

She glanced over her shoulder, flinching when she saw Alecto behind them. "She's following us," she whispered.

"I know. Keep walking and look dejected," he whispered, grasping her elbow as he propelled Hermione down the corridor toward the hospital wing. Alecto stopped at the bottom of the stairs on the fourth floor. "I'll have to show the Dark Lord what happened," he said softly, loosening his grip. "I'm hoping he will be pleased that you kept your head and didn't talk back. I know I am."

"I suppose I'm just used to her berating me," she replied, tears escaping and sliding down her cheek.

Cillian led Hermione to the nearest empty cot, and Madam Pomfrey hurried over. The kindly matron handed Hermione a dose of Blood-Replenishing Potion and laid a gauze sponge soaked in Dittany on the cuts. She swished her wand over Hermione's hand, making the bleeding slow, clot, and then stop, leaving a long thin scar. "At least the lines will fade in time," she said with a sad smile.

Cillian looked away, his arms crossed and his back rigid.

"Thank you," Hermione said as she wiped her tears away on her sleeve.

"You may wait here until your next lesson, so lie back and rest for a bit," the Healer instructed. "Mr. Gwyneck can go inform the Headmaster and get you a clean robe, and I'll inform Professor McGonagall about the incident."

Cillian's head turned sharply in the direction of the Healer. "He is informed; I sent Mr. Malfoy." The Healer nodded and walked away.

Hermione was feeling better by the time Severus showed up with a fresh set of school robes. Severus asked Cillian what happened as Hermione changed, and she was pleased that Cillian told him the truth. Severus examined her hand when she stepped around the curtain, his thumb gently stroking the thin red scar. "Watch over her," he said to Cillian, still holding onto her hand.

"Count on it," Cillian replied. As she expected, Severus told her to watch herself and to be polite to Amycus when they parted in the corridor.

When Hermione and Cillian entered Defense Against the Dark Arts, Cillian pulled Hermione aside and handed over her wand but didn't release the grip. "Watch yourself. Stay alert, and don't let your guard down." Hermione nodded, and he let go.

Draco looked at her, his eyes actually showing a flicker of concern before he walked to his seat.

Amycus Carrow stood boldly in front of the class. "The Dark Arts ain't different from any other kind of magic, except tha' you have to mean them to make 'em work. The intent is what's important, and you have to be determined just like when you cast other spells, but what you intend is what counts. Say, you wan' to break someone's ankle so tha' the bone snaps, or say you wan' to make someone's hair fall out... Gettin' even is easy, if you know how."

"Which is his way of saying that it's all right to hurt someone if it's for revenge," Neville hissed.

After a quick demonstration with Crabbe, Amycus called Hermione to the front of the room. "Okay, girl, you give it a try."

Hermione's hand still throbbed from Muggle Studies, so it hurt to hold her wand, but she held her wand ready, repeating the incantation in her mind. She barely managed to deflect Crabbe's Whiplash Curse but successfully deflected his Jelly-Legs Jinx; however, his third curse hit her full in the chest. The second time that he attacked her, she couldn't hold her wand firmly enough, and she fell to her knees, retching from the effects of the Furunculous Jinx and Stinging Hex.

"Pitiful," Amycus snarled, reversing the Furunculous Jinx. "You, girl," he said, pointing at Lavender, "git up 'ere and do it."

Lavender reluctantly walked around the desks and approached Hermione's side. "Are you all right?" she asked.

"Watch it; he's not going to hold back on you," Hermione hissed, trying to stand ready despite feeling a bit woozy from the residual stabbing sensations of the Stinging Hex.

Lavender missed Crabbe's modified Tripping Hex, managing to sidestep it instead, but the second hit her squarely, knocking her to her knees. Amycus took his time explaining what she did wrong before reversing the hex. Lavender's ankle made a soft cracking sound as Crabbe's third hex made her stumble. Even before Lavender could stand up, Crabbe fired two more hexes in quick succession: one at Lavender and the other at Hermione, catching Hermione off guard and knocking her across the room.

Hermione fell hard, hitting her head on the bookshelf, feeling like a truck had hit her. The impact knocked several items off the shelves that fell on top of her, including something that contained some type of foul smelling liquid. She slumped to the floor, the room spinning, and fighting the feeling she was going to hurl. Cillian rushed to her from the back of the room at the same time Seamus and Neville jumped from their seats with Neville reaching Hermione a moment before Cillian did, and Seamus rushing over to help Lavender.

"Sure, coddle the chits," Amycus sneered at Cillian. "Longbottom, Finnigan, git back to your seats, now!"

"She's hurt," Neville snapped, holding one of Hermione's arms as Cillian gripped her other to help her sit up.

"You'll be too, if you don' git back to your seat!" Amycus snarled at him.

Neville stood and faced Amycus, his wand held ready. "Fine."

Amycus' eyes narrowed, and he flicked his wand, sending a nasty curse at Neville. However, Neville had been practicing Shield Charms, and just as quickly, he raised a shield to defend himself, Hermione, and Cillian. Amycus scowled darkly at the tactic.

"Deflection spells, Longbottom, not shields. Fifty points from Gryffindor," he growled, aiming another hex at Neville.

Neville ducked, sweeping his wand to try the Wimbling Deflecting block, so that the hex barely grazed his leg, but the spell hit the wall near Cillian's head. Amycus fired another one, which rebounded off Neville and hit Hermione.

"Enough!" Cillian snapped now brandishing his own wand. "Mr. Longbottom, stop disrupting class and take your seat!" Cillian reversed the hex, motioning Neville to move with his head.

"How is you supposed to know how to block the spell if you cannot do it in me classroom," sneered Amycus as Neville limped to his desk, which made all the Gryffindors angry and several of the Slytherins snicker.

Hermione felt like she was sitting on a boat instead of a stone floor. She was dizzy, and the conversation around her sounded as if she were hearing it through a tin can on a string.

"I'm taking Mrs. Snape to the hospital wing," Cillian announced, scooping Hermione up in his arms. "Mr. Finnigan, you'll bring Miss Brown."

"You'll do no such thing," Amycus snarled.

"Then you would prefer to deal with the Dark Lord?" Cillian retorted with his own sneer.

Amycus glared darkly at him. "The Dark Lord is the one who told me what to teach them."

"Did the instructions include killing or maiming the students?" Cillian snarled angrily.

Amycus simply glared back.

"I didn't think so," Cillian snapped. He turned to leave the classroom, making Hermione's head spin again, causing everything to sway and fade to black.

*

The bell on Severus' desk chimed for the third time that hour. "Enter," he barked.

Draco entered the office, still slightly breathless. "You asked me to let you know if Amycus retaliated for what happened in Muggle Studies. Well, he did – Hermione was hurt. She was standing next to Brown when she was hit – intentionally – it wasn't an accident," the boy said quickly, then added, "Not that I care, but Amycus dragged Longbottom down to Filch's office, and he has him hung up in Filch's chains," as Severus jumped to his feet, heading for the door.

Severus was not surprised; it was only a matter of time before those inbred half-wits encouraged Filch use his medieval devices. "I asked you to inform me because I knew that if Amycus did that the other members of Dumbledore's Army will retaliate." Severus said as he hurried out and down the stairs with Draco behind him. "I have enough to do without rooting out insurgents!" He turned to go to the hospital to check on Hermione.

"Where are we going? I thought we were going to go rescue Longbottom?" Draco asked.

"To check on Hermione first. Filch knows better than to actually maim him," Severus said, his voice steady to conceal his concern. It was the second time today she'd landed in the hospital, and he wanted to assure himself that she'd be all right. "Besides, the delay might get Longbottom to behave." He doubted it, but he was more concerned for Hermione than for Longbottom. "And I want to escort him out of the dungeons to his next class when his little friends might see him."

Draco laughed at the ploy. "Not that it will do any good."

When Severus entered the corridor on the fourth floor, two witches whose portraits hung in the adjoining corridor were huddled around a tree, trying to avoid the Erumpents in the frame. "Headmaster! Oh, Headmaster, help us!" the women in the painting called out to him.

Severus stopped, intrigued. "What in blazes are you doing in there?" he asked, slightly amused by the painted ladies' predicament. The self-healing tree in the frame looked as if the Erumpents had battered it badly because of the witches' intrusion.

A witch in bright yellow robes popped up from behind a sponge moss covered rock. "She's insane, Headmaster; help us! Please," the witch pleaded, making Draco chuckle.

"She's soaking two students against Eledora's portrait," said a witch in a pointed black hat with a wreath of thistles, leaning around the well-battered tree. The Erumpents tossed their heads at the witches in annoyance, and while they weren't attacking at the moment, they looked ready to stampede.

The third witch in lime green robes, Healer Eledora Bittlestrom, leaned around the other side of the same tree. "She's going to make my paints run," Eledora whimpered.

Severus hurried down the corridor, ignoring Draco's inappropriate snickering. Miss Weasley and Miss Wang were both pinned to the wall as Alecto blasted each girl in the face for a few seconds with water jetting from her wand. "Alecto, you cannot use the Aguamenti spell as water torture," Severus said with a sneer, moving closer to the squat witch. "Cease immediately."

"They're lying to me," Alecto snarled, water still gushing from her wand and hitting the girls in the face and chest.

"Not, spft, just, spft, seeing Herm..." Miss Weasley spit out a mouthful of water only to gag on another. Alecto ended the spell. "Tinko and I were coming to see Hermione and Luna in the hospital when..."

"They hung this on the bathroom wall," Alecto snarled, brandishing a wet piece of parchment at Severus.

He snatched it; his eyes narrowed as he recognized it as a copy of the latest DA flyer. He glanced at Draco. "Mr. Malfoy, you may go," he said as he walked over and grabbed Miss Weasley's chin, making her look up at him. Draco hesitated a moment, but Severus glared sidewise at him, and he walked away.

"Did you do this?" Severus asked, adding a softly uttered, "Legilimens," and quickly grazing her mind as she replied, "No sir," but he saw an image of her handing them out to several people.

"Detention every night this week, Miss Weasley, and fifty points from Gryffindor for lying," he snapped and let go of her chin, ignoring Miss Weasley's angry glare. "Miss Wang, the same goes for you, too. Fifty points will be deducted from Ravenclaw. I suggest you both go to your lessons or your common rooms, and tell your friends that they have detention tonight. Now go." Miss Weasley and Miss Wang took off running as he turned to Alecto. "Alecto, search every bathroom and notice board. I want every one of these flyers in my office."

Alecto squared her shoulders and glared at him. "Of course, Headmaster. But those girls..."

"Will be scrubbing floors all week – as will their friends responsible for those flyers," he said. He'd inform Filius about Miss Wang and which of his other charges would be scrubbing floors. He stormed down to Professor McGonagall's classroom, startling the sixth-years. "A word, Professor," he snapped.

"Certainly, Headmaster," she replied curtly, clearly affronted by his interruption. "I expect all of you to review the theory on the board. Quietly," she told her class as she followed Severus out into the corridor.

Severus turned to face Professor McGonagall. "Miss Weasley and Miss Wang were caught by Alecto hanging flyers in the loos," he said, holding up his hand up to stop Professor McGonagall from talking. "Professor, I would like you to oversee the girls' detention every night this week. If you are unavailable, then send them to Hagrid."

Professor McGonagall nodded, but her eyes narrowed, and her lips pursed into a thin line. "Of course, Headmaster. Is that all?" she asked, her tone curt.

Severus paused as Alecto stormed passed them on her way back to her own classroom. "Yes. There will be seven other students as well. I'll give you the list later." He stepped closer to the angry teacher and lowered his voice. "Do not allow any of them, under any circumstances, to be supervised by Mr. Filch until I'm able to discuss his current use of his shackles and chains with the Heads of Houses."

Professor McGonagall's eyes widened slightly before she regained her composure. "Of course, Headmaster," she said, this time without the sarcasm she'd used before. "I will oversee them myself, as you requested."

He nodded curtly, turned on his heel, and hurried to the hospital to check on Hermione.

~*~

When Hermione woke up, she was lying on a bed with Severus sitting in a chair by her side. He leaned over her, lifted her head, and tilted a cup to her lips. "No... sick to my stomach... my head..." she managed to tell him as she turned her head to avoid drinking anything she knew she'd vomit right back up.

"It's a potion for the nausea, Hermione. Drink it," he said softly, coaxing her to drink.

She looked at him and then took a small sip.

There was a slight twitch of his lips before he said, "More."

She lifted a hand to the cup and drank the potion in small gulps. He filled the cup with another potion. He continued to support her head as she sipped it down as well, then drank the third potion he gave her, finally feeling a bit better. "You have got to watch yourself in the Carrow's classes," he said with a sigh, watching her intently.

"I do!" Hermione gasped, closing her eyes at the pain in her head. "I didn't talk back to Alecto – I was only answering her questions, but she cut my hand anyway..." she tried to say then fell silent. Talking made the throbbing in her head worse. She could tell by his body language that he was furious but she thought she could see concern in his eyes. "And Amycus, he was letting Crabbe use me as target practice – again – and he wasn't holding back at all! Then Amycus had Crabbe duel Lavender, but Crabbe was firing his spells too fast and missed – hitting me!" She tried to sit up, but the movement made her too lightheaded, and she lay back down. "He caught me off guard! How is that my fault?"

He reached out, using his thumb gently to wipe a drop of potion off her bottom lip. "Do you think I'm uninformed? Draco told me what happened in both classes. You have to know – you must hold your tongue and be respectful to the Carrows at all times!" He placed the cup on the table beside her bed.

Hermione closed her eyes, still feeling dizzy. She heard the chair scrape as he moved it.

"Just so you know, MacCavish and Travers are standing guard outside the hospital wing, but Cillian will be here as well. Draco will be here tonight after dinner until curfew. I can't give you a Sleeping Draught because I don't want you so drugged that you can't be woken. But, if either MacCavish or Travers bothers you – call Peren. Do you understand me? I can't stay here – there is another matter I must attend to."

Hermione opened her eyes. "I'm in danger – here in the hospital? They wouldn't dare!"

"Oh, you don't know them like I do," he said quietly. "Rest. Poppy insists on keeping you overnight. I'll be by to collect you tomorrow and take you back to our room. Peren can care for you there." He leaned forward, his elbows on his legs, and laced his fingers together.

Hermione watched him from the corner of her eye. His expression had softened somewhat as he sat with her. "You don't really blame me, then, do you?" she asked.

His expression softened, and he shook his head. "No, I don't think you intentionally provoke them. It's more like someone who hasn't shown a hippogriff the proper respect before approaching it; only you haven't learned what that is yet."

"But, I was only answering her..."

"They are anticipating for you to react, just waiting until you give them even the slightest provocation. It's not easy living under that kind of scrutiny, but you have to try harder." He filled her cup with water and leaned forward to help her drink. "Just play her game, agree with her."

Hermione nodded and closed her eyes. He was only warning her – again. He was right; she had to learn to play their game, agree with Alecto, and hold her tongue. "I have a feeling that no matter what I say she'll twist my words around and use them against me," she said with a sigh.

"Most likely, but Cillian and Draco have already been to the manor to speak to the Dark Lord. Hermione, close your eyes and rest. I'll be here for a while," he said as he leaned forward, brushed her hair aside, and kissed her forehead. She watched him thoughtfully as he sat in the chair and crossed his ankles.

His presence was soothing. She closed her eyes and tried to relax. She still felt disorientated, as if the room was moving slowly or being on a boat, but in a calming way. She fell asleep unaware that he'd sat with her until Draco showed up after his last class.

~*~

Severus met with Madam Pomfrey after lunch to discuss the unprofessional disciplinary actions of the Carrows. Her concerns were valid, and he assured her that he'd do what he could to prevent any discipline that might truly harm the students, but she hadn't been placated.

When he returned to his office, after checking on Hermione, an owl pecked at the window. Severus opened the window wide enough to retrieve the letter and cringed at the flourished handwriting of Professor Trelawney that asked to see him immediately. He sent a reply informing the witch that he'd try to visit her that night after curfew, only to appease her, and went to sit with Hermione.

Cillian relieved him so he could make his appearance at dinner; however, Trelawney sent another letter to him at dinner, much to his annoyance. He summoned a house-elf as soon as he returned to his office, and asked the elf, Dobby, to take his reply to her saying that he would come up to see her that night.

When Severus left his office intending to keep his promise to visit the loony Seer, he saw flyers tacked up on the notice boards with large, bold letters that read:

Voldemort and his Muggle Infiltration Defense = Pope Innocent VIII and his Papal bull!

Pope Innocent VIII's Summis desiderantes affectibus, was meant to systemize the persecution of witches! It's the same as the decrees sent out by the Muggle Born Registration Committee against Muggle-borns. Pope Innocent VIII authorized two High Inquisitors, Kramer and Sprenger, to carry out the death penalty for those who were presumed to be witches – And Umbridge and Runcorn are Voldemort's High Inquisitors! Voldemort's issuance of the Muggle Infiltration Defense legalizes the activities of the Death Eaters and systemizes the capture, persecution, and killing of our families and friends!

Learn the truth. Stand up for what's right!

Join the cause for fair treatment for all wizardkind!

Join Dumbledore's Army Now!

Scowling, he tore the flyer from the wall and incinerated it, then checked the nearest loos, finding the same flyer posted there. And the graffiti was back again on the walls by the main staircases.

If you don't believe in Witch-hunts, join us! Dumbledore's Army Now Recruiting

The DA had retaliated. Severus hung his head for a moment, counting mutely to ten, then summoned Mispy, ordering her to tell all the house-elves to remove all the flyers from the walls, and turned on his heel to go visit Hagrid about the detentions.

*

Severus went to retrieve Hermione from the hospital at dawn. Even though the house-elves had brought him all the flyers they'd collected last night, and the known members of the DA had spent their evening cleaning all the graffiti off the walls, it was immediately apparent that the DA had retaliated against the Carrow's abuse sometime in the early morning before dawn. The graffiti was back again, and Filch was already collecting the flyers from the loos. He was infuriated by the insubordination and the defacement of the school property, but he understood it as well. Not that he'd ever condone it, but no matter what he tried, he couldn't stop it from happening. And the Dark Lord was unhappy about it, too.

He entered the hospital and stood by Hermione's bed as he watched her sleep. He berated himself for being so harsh with her earlier. He was worried. He knew that Hermione was being as respectful as she could be to the Carrows, but he was concerned because the animosity Alecto had was escalating. Amycus, the brainless, inbred git, followed his sister's example, but no doubt enjoyed taking sport out on her. There was very little Severus could do about the situation. The Dark Lord allowed him to protect her the best he could, but he couldn't show any outward sign of just how much Hermione meant to him.

Her head turned in his direction, the same way she did when they slept together. Then she rolled slightly, seeking him out. She was only restful when she had contact with him or was in his arms. It had disturbed him at first, but now he enjoyed the silent affirmation, even though he wasn't sure if he was ready to believe that she could actually care for him in return. He'd read about Stockholm syndrome and was concerned that she would develop that sort of infatuation, so he kept trying to let her have a normal school year, or as much as he dared under the current situation. She existed in an extreme state of dependence, stripped of nearly all forms of independence. Her affections toward him were only because she was his hostage, totally dependent on him. Their bond only occurring because he was the one who showed her kindness, and her emotional attachment was only to maximize her need to have him protect her. He silently wished that it could be more, but it was too much to hope that she could actually love him.

It was the same with Cillian; Hermione needed his friendship, an assurance that he'd protect her, and therefore, she followed his rules without complaint. Most of the time anyway. She did on occasion push the limits and test his boundaries, but not too much. The Dark Lord was quite pleased by Hermione's submission to her situation.

Madam Pomfrey carried over a few cards and flowers from Hermione's schoolmates. As was the custom, Poppy had opened all the cards so that no unanticipated trick would be played on her patients. Severus looked at Hermione's cards, frowning at the sentiment Mr. Longbottom had written, then at the remarks written by Mr. Finnigan, Mr. Macmillan, and Mr. Corner. Half her cards were from boys. He had no idea that his wife was so popular with the boys of the school; she certainly hadn't been when she'd been in the hospital her previous years.

He called for a house-elf to collect the tokens from Hermione's friends and lifted her easily into his arms. One of her arms wrapped around his neck, and her head rolled as she buried her face more comfortably on his shoulder. He noticed as he carried her to their room that she'd lost some weight; something he'd have to have rectified. She needed to keep her strength up, and he didn't want her to get ill.

She whimpered sorrowfully as he laid her on their bed in their room and drew away. "Sleep, Hermione," he said softly. "I'll be right here, reading."

She murmured, "All right," and relaxed as she drifted back to sleep. Once again, he was amazed at the trust she had in him.

He picked up a Chocolate Frog and wondered if Hermione would begrudge his eating the candy. It was one of his favorites, although he no longer bothered with the cards. Hermione turned toward him, and he smiled, leaning over her to roll her gently onto her back. "I'm here, Hermione," he said softly, brushing her cheek. "Sleep."

Her lips and head moved slightly as if to say 'yes' again, and her body relaxed. Severus sat in the chair by the bed and watched her sleep. She looked so young and fragile in her sleep, which belied the strong witch she truly was. Her silky curls fanned out on the pillow. He liked the way his shampoo made her hair softer, and the way the bath oils made her skin like satin.

He sat back and shook his head. She was only his until the end of August when he'd have to let her go. Unless this war came to a head before that, then he'd most likely lose her earlier. No, he wouldn't think about that now. He stood to go down stairs to retrieve a book from the shelves.

~*~

Hermione was sitting up in bed, reading her Herbology book, when the door opened, and she saw Jenny, Tinko, and Luna walking in with Cillian.

"Hermione!" Jenny squealed rushing over to the bed. "They said you had a concussion! Are you all right?"

"Ladies."

The girls turned to stare at Severus as he rose to allow her friend to use the chair. "Hermione, I'll be in the sitting room," he said and walked over to Cillian. "Care for a drink?"

"As long as it's not tea or pumpkin juice," Cillian replied, walking out after Severus.

Jenny glanced speculatively at the doorway, as her sister, Tinko, moved aside to let the men leave. "I'm not sure that this is the time, but Ginny wanted me to tell you that she has them."

"Has what?" Hermione asked, setting her book aside.

Luna was watching something out the window. "She slipped out to go see her brothers. I like George; he's nicer than Fred." She turned to look at Hermione. "Oh, I'm not saying Fred is mean to me or anything, but George always said hello."

"The mirrors," Jenny stated softly, barely a whisper. "She slipped out of the castle to see her brothers after lunch to go buy mirrors in London."

"She what?" Hermione hissed and sat up straighter.

"She snuck out. Someone named Avery – a Death Eater – almost caught her in Hogsmeade. They're all over Hogsmeade now. Anyway, she said that she was Angelina Johnson," Jenny explained, "and Ambrosius Flume helped Ginny escape the Death Eaters by hiding her in his cellar. However, Ginny was caught out in the corridors after hours by Filch, so she has detention, or she'd be here, too."

"Nearly everyone is scrubbing floors now," Luna said, turning to face Hermione. "I like the blue damask bed hangings; they're like the ones on my bed only darker."

"Oh, Luna." Jenny shook her had as she chuckled softly. "Ginny, Seamus, Neville – everyone on the DA list has detention every night. Everywhere you go after dinner, the people on Alecto's list are scrubbing floors under the watchful eyes of either the Carrows or one of the Death Eaters," she stated, then leaned closer to Hermione. "Ginny gave a report on the radio! The Potterwatch broadcast. Even though she tried to disguise her voice so no one knew it was her, I could tell."

"What?" Hermione gasped. She glanced at the door, worried that Severus might overhear her.

Tinko turned to look as well.

"Does she still have the mirrors?" Hermione asked. She'd ask Ginny later about the radio broadcast.

"She gave them to me," Jenny said, nodding. "Alecto demanded to know what they were when the Headmaster made me turn out my pockets, but I told her they were just compacts for putting on makeup. Alecto didn't even know what a compact was; she assumed they were Muggle shells and tried to take them away from me. Except Janilynn pulled out her magical compact from her bag, and the mirror told her that the shade of lipstick she had on was the perfect shade for her. You should've seen Alecto's face – she turned purple with rage."

"The Headmaster, well, he handed them back to Jenny," Luna stated. "He said they were apparently a novelty item, mirrors that don't talk back at you. I didn't know that it bothered you, mirrors that talk. Don't you know the spell that makes them only give compliments? If you don't, I could tell you how to do it."

"Er, yes, I do. I used it on the mirrors in... Harry's house when I stayed there," Hermione admitted, remembering how the Black family mirror in her room used to insult her. "But, that's not what Ginny meant."

"No, I know. Anyway, here they are." Jenny handed Hermione the twin compacts. "So, do you want my wand? Ginny said you'd need to use it."

Hermione couldn't believe she was actually holding two identical compacts. She looked up at her friends. "Do you mind me using your wand?"

"Nope," Jenny stated, handing Hermione her wand with a hopeful smile.

Hermione asked Peren to bring her the notebook with her Charms notes. She flipped to the back pages and read her notes on the research she'd done. She aimed Jenny's wand at one mirror and said, "Interbipatentis," with a flick and jab at the reflective surface. Even though Jenny's wand seemed different to her, it responded well enough, but nothing happened. Disappointed, she tried again and again. Sighing, she handed Jenny back her wand. "It's not working. I think I'll have to ask Professor Flitwick about them."

"Well, any time you need it, you may use my wand, too," Luna replied.

That evening, when Peren took Hermione's dinner tray away, Severus tried to give her another Occlumency lesson. Hermione was thrilled that Severus only saw what she wanted him to, but he was furious that he could still see events from her daily activities and said she wasn't even trying.

Monday, Severus kept Hermione out of Muggle Studies, but he allowed her to attend Potions. Draco asked Hermione how she was feeling when she sat down at the worktable.

"I'm fine, Draco," she replied, wondering if he was going to start talking to her again.

After class, he walked beside Hermione and Cillian to the Transfiguration classroom and even opened the door for her. When Professor McGonagall dismissed the class, Draco walked with Cillian and Hermione to her Wizard Language and Literature lessons. "You have revision next, so I'll meet you in the Revision Hall, okay?" he asked.

Hermione merely nodded, silently cursing that she couldn't go up to her room to work on the mirror.

"That's okay, isn't it, or would you prefer the library?" he asked, titling his head slightly to catch her eye.

"No it's fine," she sighed. He shrugged his shoulders and ran away to attend his own lesson.

Hermione watched him go, then smiled wanly to Cillian and entered the classroom. It occurred to her by his actions that Draco might've felt bad about not protecting her from the Carrows. It hadn't been his fault; she fully blamed Alecto's and Amycus' hatred for her, but knew that nothing was going to stop them from torturing her further.

Tuesday before Charms, Hermione tried to talk to Professor Flitwick again, but Cillian followed her to Flitwick's desk and stood too close for her to ask without being overheard, so she asked for clarification on one of the Charms she'd missed because of her concussion.

She tried to talk to Professor Flitwick again after class, but Draco approached them before she had a chance to ask Professor Flitwick about the charms, so instead she asked him to explain a wand movement for the charm they'd done in class.

After Ancient Runes, Hermione spent her revision time in the Gryffindor Common room with Ginny until dinnertime, working on their respective essays while Cillian sat at the table making a paper bird fly about their heads, much to Hermione's annoyance.

That night in Charms Club, Cillian challenged Hermione to see how she would do against him. He was quick and agile, but unrelenting. Twice, when he gave her a break, she looked for Professor Flitwick, annoyed that he always seemed to be across the room from her. Afterwards, Cillian was again standing too close to ask her professor anything.

Ginny and Luna left Charms club with her, chatting about how well everyone was doing.

Cillian stopped behind them in the corridor just shy of the gargoyle. "Go on up," he said and waved her on. "I'll be by before breakfast."

"Do you want to come up?" Hermione asked her friends, pleased when they said yes. "Sphinx moth," she told the gargoyle and led her friends up stairs.

"What did you want to ask Professor Flitwick about?" Luna whispered to Hermione when they were alone on the stairs.

"Transaudient Charms, and if they can be combined with the Conjointment and Protean Charm," Hermione whispered back and sighed. "Damn, I wish I had that book. I'm certain it was in there."

"What book?" Ginny asked, now as curious as Luna.

Hermione shrugged. She led them up to the sitting room and plunked herself down on the sofa. "Transaudient Charms, Reaching Across Distances the Magical Way. Harry bought it for me the day I disappeared. Oh, and there's one on Transilient Transfiguration, but that might not help much. The library here doesn't have a copy."

Ginny sat on the end of the sofa with one leg tucked under her bum and faced her. "Where are they?"

Hermione sighed. "The Black house, well, I suppose it's Harry's house now."

"Perfect! Luna and I can go get them," she said with a huge grin.

Hermione looked at her in shock. "Gin, it's too risky!"

"What's life without a little risk? You need those books, right? Once we have the mirrors, we can talk to Harry and my brother!" Ginny said excitedly, even though she did have the forethought to keep her voice low.

"But the Death Eaters!" Hermione exclaimed.

"The one-eyed witch passage to Honeydukes," Ginny countered. "I'll contact my brothers, they can meet me there, and we can slip out the back door and Apparate from behind the store."

"And Ginny can take me," Luna said, playing with the fringe on a throw cushion. "I'd like to see Harry's house."

Hermione knew better than to argue, and she really needed the books. "Fine, ask Kreacher for the two books Transaudient Charms, Reaching Across Distances the Magical Way, and one on The Magic of Transilient Transfiguration," she said, trying to remember the exact title of the book, "or some thing like that. They were on the desk the day I disappeared." Hermione rubbed her face with both hands. "Gods, I cannot believe I'm asking this of you!" She dropped her hands and stared at Ginny. "What if you get caught?"

"We won't. We'll be careful and quick. It'll be fine," Ginny stated with absolute confidence.

Hermione hoped so. They pulled out their books and read together until Severus came up and told the girls to go to their common rooms.

*

Wednesday in Dark Arts class, Amycus continued teaching Dark Arts spells, only this time the Slytherins were handed rats to use, while all the Gryffindors were given cats to torment. Crabbe and Goyle had no problem using the Dark Arts on their rats, even laughing as the animals squealed in pain, and Amycus treated them as if they were the top of the class. Parvati didn't want to cast the curses on her cat, so Neville and Seamus tried to help her, and all three received detentions. Hermione didn't have the stomach to torture her terrified orange tabby, so Amycus hit her with a Stinging Hex before giving her detention as well. Lavender tried to curse her longhaired, white cat, but she couldn't put any determination behind the curse. She burst into tears when the cat cried out in pain, petting the feline and apologizing to it. Amycus snarled at her and gave her detention, too. Severus, who was standing at the back of the classroom, instructed all five of them to report to Hagrid after dinner.

In detention, Hagrid had them all revise in his greenhouse. Since she was caught up on all her essays, Hermione pulled out a book on animal transformations, reading about Animagi transformations and animal forms. At some point, Hagrid produced a huge teapot, several mugs, and a large plate of his rock cakes and some peanut brittle. Hermione accepted her mug, still repeating the Animagi spell over and over in her mind. It just seemed too easy. If her Animagi form was a ferret, she already knew what she should feel like...

Seamus smirked at her amusement. "We're all having tea, and you're revising? Take a break, Hermione, and try a rock cake. It'll chip your tooth."

Hagrid frowned at him, but Hermione ignored them, repeating the spell over and over in her mind while envisioning the transformation clearly. She knew what the transformation felt like, like melding into the familiar form, and she'd given herself into the spell, just as the book said, each time Draco had changed her.

"She's too preoccupied," Lavender stated and then screamed.

Hermione looked up and stood up, wondering why Lavender was upset, but for some reason, Lavender had grown at least five feet taller. "She's a-a ferret!" Parvarti exclaimed, pointing at her.

"She turned herself into a ferret?" Hagrid asked, leaning over Lavender. "Blimey! Wha' she do tha' for?"

"Way to go, Hermione!" Seamus shouted, trying the reversal spell they'd used in class. It didn't work. He turned to Neville and the girls. "Whose wand did she use?"

"No one's!" Lavender said, squatting down to examine Hermione. "She isn't allowed a wand, remember?" She tried the reversal charm again, which only gave Hermione a tickling sensation at the roots of her fur.

Hermione looked up and squeaked.

"What was she...?" Neville picked up her book and examined the page. "Draco keeps turning her into a ferret – but how...?"

"We'll have to take her to the hospital," Hagrid stated.

Neville handed the book to Seamus and picked Hermione up. "Nah, we can take her to Professor McGonagall," he said. "She'll know what to do."

"All righ', yer nearly done with yer detention anyway," Hagrid stated. "She's a righ' pretty ferret, isn' she?"

Neville carried Hermione to the castle quickly with their friends in tow, everyone chatting noisily. However, Professor McGonagall wasn't in her office.

Seamus patted Neville on his shoulder. "I'll try the staff room," he said, running off.

"I'll go to Professor McGonagall's classroom," Neville said and turned, taking the stairs two at a time with Lavender and Parvati right behind him. They bumped into Luna and Ginny just outside the classroom door. Neville held up Hermione. "Guess who this is?" he asked, grinning broadly.

Hermione thought he was having too much fun brandishing her around like a rag doll and really wanted to be set on her feet.

"I have no idea... wait!" Ginny placed her hand under Hermione's head and peered into her eyes. "It has amber eyes, and oh, my, Merlin's balls! Is this Hermione, isn't it?" Ginny asked, her eyes going wide. "I heard that Draco keeps turning her into a ferret, but he's her friend this year – or at least he's been trying to be a friend. Professor McGonagall isn't here; I was looking for... never mind. We can try the Headmaster – he might know how to turn her back." Ginny took off running, followed by Luna and Neville, who was still clutching Hermione in his hands, on her tail.

"Parvati and I will try the..." Lavender shouted after them, but she was drowned out as Neville, Ginny, and Luna up the stairs.

When the gargoyle allowed her friends to pass, they all hurried up the stairs to the office. Neville held Hermione out over Severus' desk with both hands, practically holding her in his face. "It's Hermione, Headmaster – she changed herself."

"Did she by chance change her clothes in the transformation?" he asked smoothly as if this were an everyday occurrence.

"Sir?" Neville asked, apparently confused, and his arms lowered slightly.

Severus exhaled though his teeth. "Give her to me. All of you wait here until I come back," he said as he took Hermione and carried her upstairs.

Hermione squeaked in annoyance of the rough treatment, wishing they'd just let her walk on her own.

A soft cough from the painting in the sitting room made Severus turn. "Severus, my boy, she's aware."

"Aware of what?" he asked.

"Mrs. Snape – turn her back, my boy. It will be fine," the ex-headmaster replied from the painting.

Severus put Hermione on a chair and drew his wand. Hermione stood up, anxious to be in her human form again.

"I'll be downstairs in my portrait. Congratulations, Mrs. Snape," Dumbledore said and left as Severus reversed the transformation.

Hermione clapped her hands together. "I was aware – the whole time. I need to see Professor McGonagall!" she exclaimed, jumping up to go.

Severus grabbed her arm to stop her from leaving. "You are supposed to be in detention, as are your friends," he snapped and sighed at her exuberant expression. "I'll go get her, but you and your friends are to wait here until I get back."

Hermione followed Severus down into the office. When Severus left, Neville took Gryffindor's sword down from the case and wielded it. "I can't believe that Harry used this against a Basilisk! Imagine how tough that would be, trying to stab something you can't look at directly," he said, making a thrusting motion and then holding it up again. "I wonder how he knew where to aim?"

"I think we should find a way to give the sword to Harry," Ginny suggested, smiling at Neville. She turned to look at Hermione. "You know, for the cup and the 'L,'" she whispered softly, so that only Hermione heard her.

Luna was staring at Dumbledore's portrait and then glanced about the room with a hesitant expression. "I don't think that wise; they'd inform the Headmaster if we steal it. Put it back where it belongs," she said, urging Neville to put it back.

"We have no idea where he is, Gin," Hermione stated as Neville's arm relaxed by his side, his hand still grasping the hilt of the sword. "Harry, Ron, and I, well mostly Harry and I, were working on concealing, repelling, and disillusionment charms before I was caught. We were going into hiding. He could be anywhere. In fact, they could be right here on the school grounds, and you'd not be able to see or detect the tent..."

Luna smiled at her. "And knowing Harry, he'd want to move around a lot," Luna stated. "Hermione's right; they could be anywhere."

Neville was examining the rubies on the hilt when the door opened. "But if Harry needs it..." He jumped in alarm as Severus and Alecto entered, followed by Professor McGonagall, and quickly put the sword on Severus' desk.

"He's got a weapon!" Alecto screeched. "I demand to know why the portraits didn't come warn you, Headmaster. It's an outrage!"

"Mr. Longbottom is not about to attack me with the sword," Severus growled, although he had his wand in his hand.

"They should be put in the gibbet cage in the Entrance Hall for stealing!" Alecto screeched.

"That barbaric contraption will not be hung in the Entrance Hall!" McGonagall stated adamantly. "I warn you, Alecto, none of the teachers will stand for it."

Alecto rounded on Professor McGonagall. "Well, it's not up to them, is it?"

"Severus, she – she can't – you can't just stand there..."

"Enough!" Severus snapped.

"They have to be punished for this insolence!" Alecto shouted. "He was going to attack you!"

"He was not going to attack me! But, don't worry, Alecto, they will be punished – and cruelly," he sneered, glaring down his nose at Neville, Ginny, and Luna. "You three will be denied permission to go to any more Hogsmeade weekends. Professor McGonagall, if you'll escort them back to Hagrid to finish their detention, I'd be grateful."

"The Dark Lord will hear of this," Alecto snarled as she turned to leave.

"No, doubt he will," Severus snarled after her. "From both of us!" He rounded on Professor McGonagall. "You will return after depositing your cubs with Hagrid. Hermione will wait for you here."

"Of course, Headmaster," Professor McGonagall said stiffly, waving Neville, Ginny, and Luna to go away with her.

When everyone had gone, Severus leaned against his desk with his hands clutching the edge on each side of his hip. "Go on, show me, Hermione," Severus said with a nod. "Do it again. I want to see you transform."

"All right," she replied, puzzled by his request. She concentrated on the transformation as she had before. Twice she opened her eyes to peek at him, but he was simply waiting, patiently, with his arms crossed, watching her. Finally, on the third try, she felt herself shift and shrink.

"Very good," he said, his lips curling slightly.

Hermione reveled in the seldom-received praise.

"Now up on the chair," he said, pointing his finger.

She tried to scramble up onto the seat of the chair, even tried jumping, finding it harder than she thought it should be.

He transformed her back. "Do it again. Concentrate."

"Okay," she replied, finding it a bit easier the second time.

Professor McGonagall walked in as Hermione literally gave herself into the sensation of the spell, melding into the now familiar form.

"Oh, goodness gracious!" Professor McGonagall exclaimed.

"My sentiments, exactly," Severus stated. "It seems, Professor McGonagall, that you have a student for private study to work into your schedule."

Professor McGonagall leaned down to look at Hermione. "Are you able to reverse the transformation?"

"Unfortunately, no," Severus stated as Hermione shook her head. "But I suspect that it won't take too much time before she's able."

Professor McGonagall straightened and returned Hermione to her human form. "Very well. You'll come see me tomorrow after dinner, Mrs. Snape, and we'll discuss when would be a good time for your lessons."

"Oh, and, Professor," Severus said smoothly. She and Hermione both turned to look at him. "I must insist that you tell no one of the lessons. As far as anyone is concerned, her friends included, it was an accidental transformation – one that you reversed – and Hermione is to serve detention with you for attempting it."

"Severus, surely!" Professor McGonagall exclaimed.

"Given the circumstances of her position here at the school it would be best if no one, and I mean, no one but us is aware of her ability," he said smoothly with a hard edge to his voice. "She faces the Dark Lord soon, and I'd hate to have it known that she is an Animagus, don't you agree?"

Professor McGonagall inhaled sharply, and Hermione's elated feeling at her accomplishment turned into a cold lump in her gut. "Yes, I see. Of course." She turned to Hermione. "It's for your own good."

"Yes, Professor," Hermione said, fully understanding Severus' concerns. She'd have to bury this memory deep in her mind behind her hidden doors.

"Tomorrow, then," Professor McGonagall said and turned to leave.

When the door closed behind her, Severus stood up and grasped Hermione's arms. "No one is to know. It was an accident, you understand me, a fluke."

"Yes, I understand," she replied. "I won't do it unless I'm in either her classroom or in the sitting room."

"You are not to do it anywhere other than in her classroom. Period. Especially not where you can be seen." Severus let go of her and ran his hands over his face. "Blimey, witch, but you are nothing but trouble." He reached out and pulled her into a hug, ignoring her downcast pout. "You really amaze me sometimes."

She looked up at him. "I do?"

"Bloody hell, yes," he said and kissed her. "Frequently." He kissed her again deeply, preventing her attempt to say anything.

~o0o~

Thursday evening, Neville, Ginny, and Luna had detention with Hagrid in the Forbidden Forest. Hermione knew that for them, the detention would be exciting, not the least bit of a punishment, but at least Alecto was satisfied with the arrangement.

While her friends were with Hagrid, Hermione had her first lesson on Animagus transformation in Professor McGonagall's office, after her Head of House admonished her severely for trying the spell without supervision, which was great because it would mean that it would be easier to hide the memory than if it had been in her classroom. They spent the rest of the hour discussing everything Hermione read about the spell. Hermione explained that during the times Draco transfigured her into a ferret that she'd been fully aware and cognizant, which hadn't surprised her professor.

"It's why I have the lessons, Mrs. Snape, to learn if any of my students have the natural ability for the Animagus transformation. Those that do remember far more than those who do not," she explained. Her next comment really shocked Hermione though. "Because of the war, and your particular situation, you will not be registered. Professor Snape is right; it's for your own safety. However, if we win this war, I will personally register you with the Ministry; if we lose, you will have an invaluable means of hiding yourself."

"Like Peter Pettigrew and Sirius Black; they used their Animagus forms to hide," she replied, fully understanding the implications.

Hermione agreed to meet with her professor Friday of the next week and one week from Monday, knowing that the irregular meetings could be considered detentions rather than extra lessons, for her protection.

When Hermione entered the Headmaster's office, Severus was facing Dumbledore's portrait, his hand resting near the side of his frame. She hadn't been sure, but it almost looked like he'd been stroking the frame, however, she was certain that she'd misjudged the action. She greeted him, and he turned with an annoyed expression that quickly softened when she told him that her lesson with Professor McGonagall was over and that her next lesson would be Friday after dinner.

However, at that moment, the door opened. Alecto and Bellatrix stormed into the office. Bellatrix demanded to have Gryffindor's sword and claimed that the Dark Lord wanted her to have it. Hermione stared aghast as Severus simply acquiesced and calmly took down the sword from its mount. He smirked at Bellatrix as he handed it to her, his dark eyes intent on her face. Bellatrix examined the blade as if she held a holy relic, marveled at the beauty of the goblin-made silver and the quality of the gems, and then left the office with Alecto following along in her wake. Hermione fumed as Bellatrix's cackle of joy echoed from the stairs before the door closed. She then stormed up to the bedroom to soak in the tub and tried not to sulk or cry at the loss of the only thing they had to destroy the Horcruxes.

~o0o~

The next morning, Hermione noticed that Filch had set up a pillory in the Entrance Hall and hung a gibbet cage from the ceiling, which gave Hermione the creeps when she walked passed them.

At breakfast, Ginny slid Transaudient Charms, Reaching Across Distances the Magical Way and The Practical Magic of Transilient Transfiguration onto her lap with a wink. "Thank you for lending these to me," she replied and reached for the eggs as if nothing was amiss, her comment thankfully missed by Cillian across the table form them.

Hermione shoved the books into her bag and resumed eating. She was suddenly too excited to eat, but she didn't have a free period to read the book until that night.

~o0o~

The next morning, Hermione noticed that Filch had set up a pillory in the Entrance Hall and hung a crow's nest from the ceiling, which gave Hermione the creeps when she walked passed them.

At breakfast, Ginny slid Transaudient Charms, Reaching Across Distances the Magical Way and The Practical Magic of Transilient Transfiguration onto her lap with a wink. "Thank you for lending these to me," she replied and reached for the eggs as if nothing was amiss, her comment thankfully missed by Cillian across the table form them.

Hermione shoved the books into her bag and resumed eating. She was suddenly too excited to eat, but she didn't have a free period to read the book until that night.