Hermione's heart felt lighter now that she knew her parents were safe and when Harry and Ron trudged into the Great Hall for dinner the next night after Quidditch practice, she presented them with study schedules. Ron groaned and Harry looked at her, bemused.
"Hermione, N.E.W.T.s aren't until June," he said, sounding mildly exasperated. Ron shook his head, dishing vegetable stew onto his and Harry's plates.
"Yes, and it's time to begin studying," Hermione replied loftily. Ron rolled his eyes.
"It's four months away," he said reasonably, picking up his spoon and staring at Hermione.
"And knowing you two, you won't crack a book until the week beforehand," Hermione snapped back. "Look, I've left you plenty of time for your Quidditch practices and I've marked the games on the schedule, see?" She pointed to Harry's, where she'd marked each Quidditch practice and game with a small snitch whose wings fluttered on the parchment. Harry raised an eyebrow and nudged Ron.
"This isn't so bad, really," Harry said approvingly. Ron looked at his own and grudgingly nodded his agreement.
"I suppose so."
Hermione grinned, pleased, and turned her attention to her own dinner.
Dinner continued on, the hall noisy with the chatter of students and teachers alike. And then suddenly a hush began to fall over the students; Harry, Hermione, and Ron looked up to see a large owl swoop down and drop a letter in front of Dumbledore.
"Oh no," Hermione whispered, almost inaudibly. The only time owls arrived at dinner with letters for Dumbledore was when something horrible had happened.
Whispering filled the hall as Dumbledore opened the letter and leaned over to Professor McGonagall, speaking quickly and quietly. He then stood and the hall fell silent as every student watched him; it was as if everyone was holding their breath.
Dumbledore stepped down from the staff table and approached the Hufflepuff table, the letter in hand.
When he placed a gentle hand on the shoulder of a third year girl, she dissolved into sobs. Several students began to cry silently as well, Hermione and Ginny among them.
Dumbledore coaxed the girl into standing as Professor Sprout hurried down to the table; wrapping an arm around the girl's shoulders and speaking very softly, she led the girl from the hall. Sniffling could be heard throughout the hall and Dumbledore gazed around.
"Thus ends the meal," he said quietly. "If you'll all retire to your common rooms." He looked weary as he turned to walk back up to the staff table.
Chairs scraped across the floor as the students all stood and filed silently from the hall.
Ron had his arm around Ginny's shoulders as the four of them walked slowly up the grand staircase. Hermione walked next to Harry, feeling very depressed. But if she was depressed, it was nothing compared to the Hufflepuffs heading for their own common room. Most of them were crying, or at the very least, highly shaken up.
Tears rose again in Hermione's eyes, of frustration and anger and sadness. How she hated all of this, the deaths and such disregard for human life.
"Are you okay?" Harry asked softly, noting Hermione's pale face.
"Yeah." Hermione forced a smile as they reached the entrance to the Gryffindor common room.
"I'm just gonna go to my room," Hermione murmured, turning and starting up the hall.
Anger still coursed through her body as she dressed for bed and sat down to try and work some more on her rune translation. Two hours passed and Hermione had made almost no progress, as her mind kept wandering to images of destroyed homes and families torn apart.
Glancing at the clock -almost ten o'clock- Hermione stood resolutely, pulling her bathrobe on over her pajamas, and left her room, her sock-clad feet silent as she made her way down to the dungeons.
Severus was in his chambers, staring moodily into the fire.
"I want to ask you something," Hermione said as she entered. Severus looked up, startled.
"You shouldn't have come alone," he murmured.
"Who was I going to come with?" Hermione asked, faltering slightly.
"I just meant the halls may not always be safe at night."
Hermione waved this concern away impatiently.
"I have to know." She stared at Severus for a moment. His eyes had turned back to the fireplace and had Hermione cared enought to notice at this particular moment, she would've seen his sadness.
"Tell me the truth. Did you kill Muggle-borns?"
Severus looked at Hermione, again startled. "What?"
"When you were Voldemort's... whatever, did you kill Muggle-borns?" There was a wild look in Hermione's eyes as she stared at Severus.
"Hermione, it doesn't really-"
"Answer me. Did you murder their families? Were you the one who sent the Dark Mark into the sky to tell those who would come to find the ruins that you had been there?" Furious tears had filled Hermione's eyes and Severus stared at her.
"Hermione, what point are you trying to prove?" he asked, rising and looking wearily at Hermione.
"I just... I have to know."
"Yes," Severus whispered.
"Did you enjoy it?"
"No." Severus shook his head. "I hated it."
"I just couldn't stand thinking about you working for Voldemort and doing all those horrible things and actually enjoying it..." Hermione sniffed, obviously physically and emotionally exhausted.
"Hermione, you should go up to bed," Severus said gently, taking a step towards her.
Hermione frowned. "You don't want me here?"
"I love you, Hermione, but I'd really like to be alone." Exasperation tinged Severus's words and for the first time, Hermione noticed the letter clenched in his hand.
"What's happened?" Hermione asked, blinking away her tears.
Severus sighed, running his other hand over his face.
"My mother..." Severus trailed off, turning back to the fire. Hermione remained silent, staring at Severus's back.
"She died," he continued quietly and Hermione gasped softly.
"Severus," she began, taking a step towards him.
"She's always been in and out of St. Mungo's, and she didn't make it out this time." Severus sat down heavily in his chair and Hermione started towards him.
"Hermione, please," Severus said, holding up his hand. She stopped short.
"Just... leave me be, okay? We'll talk later." Severus looked away and Hermione nodded dumbly, turning slowly and leaving the room, feeling even more miserable than she had when she'd entered.
She slept poorly that night and the next, her dreams full of masked and hooded men torturing people and Severus mourning beside a casket containing, not his mother, but Hermione herself. This disturbing image shocked Hermione awake on more than one occasion and by Monday morning, she hadn't gotten much sleep. Looking around at her fellow students as she sat down to breakfast, however, she realized she wasn't alone in looking pale and tired, so no one asked her if anything was wrong.
Valentine's Day dawned cold and wet and it wasn't until midway through the day that Hermione even realized what day it was, finally taking the time to notice shy boys giving cards and such to giggling girls. It made her smile, if only briefly, as she made her way down the dungeons for potions.
The class was queued up outside the door and Hermione went to join Harry, Ron, and Neville. Malfoy was talking with his Slytherin cronies, Pansy Parkinson making doe eyes at him. Hermione rolled her eyes, leaning against the wall between Ron and Neville.
"Hey, Granger," Malfoy called, separating himself from his groupies. Hermione looked at him warily.
"What?" she muttered.
"It's Valetine's Day. Got yourself a boyfriend yet?"
"Bugger off, Malfoy," Hermione snapped, looking away from him.
"No one desperate enough to go out with you? Not even Longbottom... I suppose even he's got standards."
Neville sputtered beside Hermione, apparently surprised he'd been dragged into the conversation. Ron made to raise his wand, but Hermione stopped him.
"You know what, Malfoy? Fifty points from Slytherin," Hermione said acidly.
Malfoy's face pinkened as he took a step towards Hermione. Harry and Ron stepped protectively in front of her.
"You disgusting little-"
"Remember fourth year, Malfoy?" Harry said, pulling out his wand. "What a wonderful ferret you made?"
"Yeah," Ron added. "I'm sure there's a potion that calls for white ferret tail."
"Or paws," Harry continued.
"Maybe even the whole ferret," Neville contributed, his voice shaking only slightly.
"We're not picky. Finish your thought, and we'll be sure to find just the right potion for you," Harry finished, his hand tightening around his wand.
Malfoy glared, but said no more as the classroom door opened. Severus quietly took in the scene before him: Harry and Ron shoulder to shoulder in front of Hermione and Malfoy standing back beside Pansy, his cheeks pink and his lip curling.
"What's going on out here?" Severus asked softly.
"The Mudblood took points from me," Malfoy spat. Severus's hand twitched convulsively and a warning look from Hermione was just about all that kept him from wrapping that hand around Malfoy's pathetic neck.
"Detention, Mr. Malfoy. And a further twenty points from Slytherin on top of what Miss Granger took," Severus snapped instead.
Malfoy sputtered disbelievingly. "But-"
"I don't believe the matter is up for discussion." Severus glowered at Malfoy before stepping aside. "All of you, in."
The class filed by Severus, glancing furtively at Malfoy, who appeared to be having a one-sided contest of wills as he stared furiously at Severus.
"Sev-"
"Do not speak to me as if you are equal to me," Severus hissed with such vehemence that Malfoy recoiled and the class looked around at him.
"In," Severus continued dangerously, "or it'll be another twenty points."
Knowing better than to continue arguing, Malfoy hitched his bag onto his shoulder and stalked into the classroom. Severus followed, slamming the door behind him; the class jumped and turned back to their tables, not even daring to whisper.
"Eyes front," Severus snapped unnecessarily as he approached his desk.
Later that night, Hermione was on her belly on Severus's bed, this time working on her Arithmancy homework.
"Just once," Severus muttered, "I'd like to wipe that smug look off his face."
"Wouldn't we all," Hermione murmured, scribbling out a miscalculation and starting over.
"What he said-"
"Severus," Hermione said sharply, sighing and slapping her quill onto her parchment. "Malfoy's been calling me that for six years now. The sting has long worn off. So would you please stop muttering about it."
Hermione picked up her quill again. "Don't look at me like that, Severus."
He scowled and set his own quill down. "Do you know about Malfoy?"
"What about Malfoy?" Hermione replied absently, finally achieving the correct answer and circling it.
"He's a Death Eater."
"Lucius-"
"Not Lucius, Hermione," Severus said, looking at her slightly annoyed. Hermione stopped writing and looked over at Severus.
"You mean... Draco?" Hermione's expression was surprised. "Already?"
Severus nodded grimly. "Lucius did it. A bloody birthday present," he said contemptuously.
Hermione sat up quickly, upsetting her ink bottle. She impatiently cleaned the spreading stain from the sheets with her wand and looked at Severus.
"There's an active Death Eater here?"
"Dumbledore knows, and I don't think Draco's fool enough to attempt anything under the headmaster's nose." Severus sighed. "Dumbledore didn't see why he shouldn't finish his schooling."
Hermione scowled. "I think Dumbledore is giving Draco far too much credit."
"Even so." Severus stood and fixed himself a drink. Hermione watched him closely.
"Are you okay?" she asked. Severus looked up at her, surprised.
"I'm fine. Why?"
"Just checking. Don't want you having any other attacks. Of any kind."
Severus gave Hermione a look as she turned back to her Arithmancy homework.
By a quarter to twelve, Hermione had fallen asleep, her arms crossed over her textbook and her head resting on them. Severus entered the last few grades into the grade book and stood, approaching the bed and gently shaking Hermione awake.
She looked up at him sleepily and he smirked, rubbing a spot on her left cheek with his thumb.
"You've got ink on your face."
Hermione groaned and sat up. "I'll wash it off later. What time is it?"
"Almost midnight," Severus answered, gently pushing Hermione's hair from her face.
"Hm, stop that, you'll make me want to stay." Hermione smiled and Severus kissed her.
Hermione gathered her things together, shoving her books into her bag and digging around in the sheets for her quill.
Severus walked her up to the hallway and kissed her good night.
"Oh, and Hermione?" he murmured. She turned to look at him.
"Happy Valentine's Day."
Hermione grinned in a bemused sort of way and didn't move, as though mulling something over. Finally, she stepped up to Severus and kissed him again.
"I hate you sometimes," she murmured, smiling slightly. "Good night."
Severus smirked as he watched her walk down the hallway and disappear around the corner.
Hermione entered her room a few minutes later, dropping her bag to the floor and kicking off her shoes. Undoing the clasp on her robes, she turned and stopped short, staring at her desk; a smile slowly spread on her face and she pulled her robes completely off, approaching the desk; situated on top of it was a vase of roses, deep red this time.
Hermione sank into her chair, plucking the small card from within the flowers. It read simply "I love you" in Severus's recognizable handwriting.
Inhaling the scent of the blooms, Hermione smiled again and stood to finish preparing for bed.
February ended, taking its chill along with it, to be replaced by a slightly warmer, if windy, March.
Most of the students abandoned outside study for fear of papers blowing away, thus making the Great Hall a very noisy place again.
To Hermione's great surprise, and pleasure, Harry and Ron were actually following their study schedules.
"Better than you nagging us all the time," Ron said good-naturedly when Hermione expressed her surprise. Sticking his schedule under her nose, Ron pointed to March 9, where's Hermione's drawing of the snitch beat its wings lazily.
"Are you going to come?" he asked. "We're playing Slytherin."
"Yeah, Hermione, the season's almost over," Harry added.
Hermione looked at the both of them, biting her lip. In the weeks since Severus's revelation about Draco, Hermione had not yet told Harry and Ron. She wasn't quite sure how to explain just how she knew and she finally nodded.
"Of course I'll come."
Harry and Ron beamed, returning to their Transfiguration assignments. Hermione sighed inwardly, gazing around at the many chattering students, people-watching until the bell rang to signal the end of the break.
That Saturday, Hermione stood with a group of Gryffindors, cheering as they watched the game.
Hermione cheered particularly loudly as Ginny scored and Dean Thomas, who had replaced Lee Jordan as commentator in their sixth year, announced the new score, Gryffindor leading by twenty points.
The Slytherin team seemed to sulk as a whole and Hermione kept her eye on Malfoy as he circled high overhead. She could see Harry ignoring him as he too flew slowly, scanning the field in his search for the snitch.
Hermione wasn't quite sure what she expected Malfoy to do, but it wasn't what happened next: Both Harry and Draco were suddenly hurtling towards her and she leapt the side with the other students around her. Harry pulled out of his dive spectacularly, the Snitch clutched in his hand. Draco on the other hand crashed into the stands. The groans from those around him were far surpassed by the cheers from the rest of the stadium as Dean announced Gryffindor's victory.
Hermione reached down, grabbing Draco's arm to help him up. He pulled away from her and spun around, his arm swinging out. The back of his hand connected solidly with Hermione's cheek and she gasped, stumbling back into Seamus, who put his hands on her shoulders to steady her.
"Don't you ever touch me again, Mudblood," Draco spat, picking up his broom. Throwing one last contemptuous look at Hermione, he kicked off from the stands and flew down to the field.
Hermione looked around, feeling her cheeks reddening and trying very hard not to let tears fill her eyes; Lavender and Parvati were both watching her with wide eyes, Lavender's hand over her mouth. Colin and Dennis Creevey looked simply frightened and Neville was pale.
"Hermione," he whispered. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Hermione answered quickly, stepping away from Seamus, who was as pale as Neville. "Come on, we'll be the last ones left," she added. Indeed, the stands around them had very nearly emptied and Hermione started down the steps.
When they entered the common room, Hermione could see Harry's head above the crowd and knew he was looking for her. She made her way over to him and he seized her immediately, pulling her into the corner.
"Harry, stop," she said as he grabbed her chin and turned her head to look at her cheek.
"I saw him hit you," Harry muttered darkly, releasing Hermione's chin. "I would've hexed him nine ways to Sunday if the entire school hadn't been there to witness."
"Where's Ron? And Ginny?" Hermione asked, rubbing her chin slightly.
"Ron got hit in the arm with a bludger. Madam Pomfrey's got him. Ginny went with him. Are you sure you're alright?"
"I'm fine," Hermione replied shortly.
"You've already got a bruise," Harry said, running a light finger along Hermione's cheekbone. She winced and he pulled back.
"Terrific," Hermione muttered, looking at her reflection in the window. Ron and Ginny entered then and, spotting Harry and Hermione, made their way over to them.
"Nice dive there, Harry- blimey, Hermione! What happened to you?" Ron exclaimed, reaching up.
"Touch my face and so help me God," Hermione snapped, pulling out her wand. Ron frowned and took a step back. Harry explained to Ron and Ginny what had happened, and when he finished, Ron's ears were bright red and Ginny looked simply furious.
"Are you going to tell someone?" Ginny asked forcefully. "McGonagall? Dumbledore? Snape?"
Hermione frowned at Ginny and the younger girl's expression softened as she realized her blunder. Fortunately, Ron didn't know Hermione's real reason for frowning and instead seized upon the opportunity to bash Severus.
"Why would she tell Snape? He's probably give Malfoy a pat on the back," Ron said grumpily. Harry, however, was gazing curiously at Hermione.
"I don't know, Ron, he did give Malfoy detention and took away points the other day for calling Hermione a... well, you know."
Ron shrugged, scowling. "One shining moment on an otherwise tarnished conscience. Forgive me if I don't think that's enough to redeem him."
Hermione, tired of the noise and the way Harry was looking at her, sighed.
"I'll see you all at dinner," she said, turning and leaving the room.
After dinner Severus took his turn at inspecting Hermione's cheek, his eyes glittering malevolently.
"Self-righteous little bastard," he muttered, smearing a cold, creamy substance on Hermione's cheek. Five minutes later, he washed it; the bruise was gone.
"So he just turned and hit you?" Severus asked, capping the cream and setting it on his nightstand.
"Well, yeah. But it could've been an accident." Even as Hermione said this, she didn't believe it and Severus gave her a look.
"Are you regressing? Don't be naive, Hermione, of course he meant to do it."
Hermione sighed and Severus sat down beside her on the bed. He opened his mouth to speak but suddenly froze.
"Dumbledore's coming."
Hermione looked at him, wide-eyed.
"How-"
"It doesn't matter, get up, get up." Severus grabbed Hermione's upper arm and shoved her unceremoniously into the dark bathroom, shutting the door rather calmly.
Frowing slightly, Hermione walked quietly to the door and pressed her ear against it.
"To what do I owe the pleasure, Headmaster?" Severus said. Dumbledore sighed and Hermione could almost see the frown on his face.
"Mr. Malfoy. Apparently when he crashed into the stands today, Miss Granger went to help him up and he hit her. No one seems to know where Miss Granger is, but the incident was witnessed by a number of people and I don't think it's necessary to drag her into this."
"Indeed," Severus murmured. "And what would you like me to do?"
"Remove Mr. Malfoy fromt he Slytherin Quidditch team, of course," Dumbledore replied promptly.
"Sir, the season's almost over, surely you wouldn't deprive the team of its Seeker?"
Hermione frowned, annoyed at Severus's defense of Malfoy, however false it was.
"There is a reserve, Severus," Dumbledore said firmly. "Mr. Malfoy attacked another student-"
"He didn't attack her, sir," Severus interrupted loudly.
"Call it what you like, Severus, but he cannot stay on the team." Dumbledore paused. "And besides," he continued, his voice growing louder as he neared the bathroom door, "I'm not sure it's wise to have an active Death Eater in such an accessible position to harm Harry."
Hermione took a step back from the door, barely breathing, her heart pounding in her ears.
"Very well, Headmaster," Severus said shortly. Hermione could see Dumbledore's shadow moving under the door and she held her breath, willing him to move away.
"Perhaps we'll go tell him now?" Severus pressed. Dumbledore moved away from the door.
"Yes. Perhaps now is best."
Hermione listened as Dumbledore and Severus left the room and let out her breath, sinking onto the edge of the bathtub, staring into the darkness of the room.
She waited for a few minutes before standing and very carefully opening the door. The room was very much deserted and Hermione quickly left through the door up to Severus's office, climbing the dark staircase and emerging from behind a bookcase.
She had nearly reached the door when it opened and Severus entered the room. Hermione sighed, casting an irritated look his way.
"That was fast," she muttered. Severus shrugged.
"We told Malfoy he was off the team, he threw a chair. Nothing we didn't expect."
Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Come back downstairs, Hermione, you don't need to leave."
"Two near heart attacks in one night is enough, I think," Hermione said. Severus smiled placatingly at her and moved towards her.
"Okay, okay," Hermione said, laughing, before Severus had a chance to really sway her.
They were still lying in bed at half past midnight, neither of them really inclined to get up. Severus's hand was resting on Hermione's stomach, tracing lazy circles around her belly button.
"I should go," Hermione murmured.
"Yes, well, what one should do and what one actually does are two different things," Severus replied, moving closer to Hermione and kissing her shoulder. She grinned at him.
"I shouldn't even be down here."
"But you are."
"Indeed I am."
Severus smirked and pressed his lips lightly to Hermione's jaw. She smiled indulgently and tilted her head back; Severus took the invitation, moving his lips to her neck. He slowly shifted position until he was poised above her. Hermione spread her legs, bringing Severus up to kiss her lips as he entered her.
The time was slow and deliberate, neither of them wanting to rush it; there's was no reason to.
"I really should go," Hermione whispered an hour later. Severus sighed into her hair, very lightly kissing her ear.
"I know." He moved over and Hermione sat up, gathering her clothes and dressing, Severus watching her. When she'd finished, she turned around and got on her knees on the bed, kissing Severus deeply.
"I love you."
Severus smiled, which was answer enough for Hermione. She grinned at him and crossed the room to the staircase.
At two in the morning, Hermione expected the hallways to be quite deserted and so when a rough hand grabbed her arm and slammed her against the wall, she was momentarily stunned. Draco Malfoy sneered at her, his wand out and pointed at her chest.
"You got me kicked off the Quidditch team."
"I didn't do anything," Hermione snapped, frowning. "You hit me. You deserved what you got."
A muscle in Draco's cheek twitched an his wand emitted a few green sparks. Hermione watched him warily, longing to reach for her own wand.
"What do you want, Malfoy?"
"I want to get our dear professor up here, and since you seem to be fucking him, you've just made this easier for me."
Draco suddenly moved his wand from pointing at Hermione's chest to her side and fired a spell that shot by just below her rib cage, burning through her shirt and leaving a rather large gash on her skin. She cried out, clearly shocked, and pressed her fingers to the wound. They came back with blood on them and Hermione let out an angry shriek, gasping at the pain.
"You bastard!" she cried.
"Just know I could do worse," Draco hissed. Hermione glared at him, pressing her hand to the cut and her back to the wall.
The door finally opened and Severus stepped into the hall, looking around curiously for Hermione.
Draco grabbed her, pulling her to him and ignoring her gasp of pain.
"Professor," Draco said sardonically.
"What are you doing, Malfoy?" Severus said dangerously, taking a step towards Hermione and Draco. Malfoy tightened his grip on Hermione's arm, raising his wand.
"Just having a little fun." Draco stuck the tip of his wand in Hermione's hair, twirling a curl around it and yanking hard. Hermione cried out again and Severus's hand tightened around his wand.
"What would you like me to do to her, Severus?" Draco asked softly, staring at Severus.
"What do you mean?"
"C'mon, Severus, perfect opportunity here, we could do so many things to her. Even take her back to headquarters..."
"I want you to get your filthy hands off of her," Severus snarled.
"Are you sure? There's so many neat tricks they taught me. You never mentioned that before. Severus."
"Let her go, Malfoy," Severus said warningly, though he wasn't quite sure what he would do. Draco stared at him a moment, then any sign of emotion disappeared from his face and he shoved Hermione away from him; she stumbled and fell at Severus's feet, her hand still pressed to her side.
"This was a test," Draco said sharply. "You just failed." Draco turned and walked away to the Slytherin common room without so much as a backward glance.
Severus glared after him as he knelt down beside Hermione.
"Sit up," he said gently, helping Hermione to do so. He looked at her cut through the tear in her shirt, then raised his wand and healed the wound.
"Anything else?" he murmured. Hermione shook her head and Severus helped her to her feet.
"Come on, I'll walk you to your room."
Hermione nodded, afraid if she tried to speak she'd start to cry.
She and Severus walked in silence, not touching or looking at each other.
"Hermione," Severus began as they started down the corridor to her room.
"Good night, Severus," Hermione murmured, glancing up at him with tears in her eyes. He opened his mouth to speak but Hermione turned away from him, walking the rest of the way to her room and disappearing inside.
Severus cursed loudly as the mark on his arm burned sharply and he hit the wall with his fist, startling awake the sleeping witch in the portrait just to the right of where he'd hit. She reprimanded him angrily and Severus ignored her, sweeping away down the hall; he knew better than to argue with the portraits.
Once in his chambers he flooed to where Voldemort was currently hiding and immediately dropped to one knee before the skeletal figure.
"Get up," Voldemort hissed softly, halfway through Severus's declaration of devotion. Severus stopped speaking and stood, his hands clasped tightly behind his back.
"Draco has just told me some very interesting news," Voldemort continued. "It seems you still care for the Mudblood and are, shall we say, closer than is necessary."
"A ploy, my Lord," Severus murmured immediately, his eyes downcast. "A way to get to Potter-"
"Liar," Voldemort said sharply and Severus fell silent again, contemplating his next move.
"Your insolence and disobedience will no longer be tolerated, Severus." Voldemort paused and Severus tensed. "Oh how you've fallen," Voldemort whispered. Severus looked up as Voldemort raised his wand. Realizing what was to happen, Severus dodged the Killing Curse, flinching slightly as the wall exploded behind him.
"How dare you!" Voldemort cried, standing quickly. Severus blocked the next curse and Stunned a Death Eater as he rushed into the room.
Severus ducked out of the room, collecting his thoughts rapidly in preparation of Disapparation.
Focusing on the gates of Hogwarts, he shut his eyes. There was an odd sensation, for just a second, of being weightless, and then he appeared at the gates. He all but ran up the drive to the castle door, relaxing only when he was within the castle walls.
Cursing softly to himself, Severus slowly made his way down to his chambers, rubbing his forehead and wondering how to explain this to Dumbledore.