A/N: Sorry for the wait guys... been busy and all :) Anyways, would appreciate some reviews. I think I got like 4 from the last chapter. Honestly, the reviews make me want to write more so if you guy give me some nice ones, perhaps the next chapter will appear sooner rather than later. ;)

Her eyes were open, but her vision was blurry. Silent tears were running down her cheek and Hermione was at a loss of what to do. Currently, she was sitting upright in Snape's bed, completely alone in the room. She had asked Pomfrey to retrieve some clothes from her own quarters, and took advantage of the spare moments alone to really let it all out. Her body ached on every inch of skin, the faint scars of the words were still etched into her stomach. So desperately she wanted Severus to be there, to hold her, to comfort her.

Hermione's eyes caught the folded paper on the night stand, and she shakily picked it up and read it.

The score will be settled, don't worry. Don't play by their rules, and trust no one.

Confused, Hemione's eyes read the second line on the paper.

Your best defence: "Returtious"

She didn't get it. Then again, Snape always was a confusing man, but she knew one thing was for certain, he always let his anger get the best of him. He was furious with what had happened, and he knew who did it. He was planning on settling the score. That could only mean one thing.

Hermione's face paled and she leapt out of the bed. She was wearing hardly appropriate clothing for venturing out, but she had to ensure Severus wasn't doing something stupid. Her body ached with every step, and her common sense told her that he was a grown man and fight his own fight. Yet, she practically charged on, conjured a robe, and left the quarters before the nurse witch could return.

As she made her way towards the Slytherin common room, she tried to decipher his note. She wasn't sure who's rules he was talking about, and who she shouldn't trust. Also, what did he mean by her "best defence?"

She approached the common room as a younger student was entering. "Excuse me?"

The student turned and jumped almost shocked at the sight of her. She was well aware of the bruises still on her arms, and her pale look probably made her seem to be a ghost. "Ye...yes?"

"Do you know if Draco Malfoy is in there?"

"He was when I left... about fifteen minutes ago."

"If he is still in there, can you tell him someone is waiting for him outside?"

The young wizard gave Hermione a strange look and agreed, disappearing into the common room. A few minutes later, the blonde boy she so devotingly hated appeared in the doorway, and Hermione's stomach turned. She was so preoccupied with thoughts of saving Severus, that she didn't think about who she was going to see. Flashbacks from the previous night filled her head, and she fought back nausea.

"Miss me already?" Draco smirked, but Hermione could see an almost unsure lack of confidence behind it.

Hermione swallowed her emotions and spoke clearly, her hatred and anger fuelling her voice. "Has he been to talk to you?"

"Lover boy?"

"Shut it Draco," she snapped, and saw the boy flinch slightly. He was worried about something, she could see that. What could have turned his confidence so darkly displayed the night before, into nothing but a nearly shaking child. She never believed a person able to be as cruel as he was, and a small voice in her head hinted that perhaps the sick and twisted boy wasn't exactly Draco in his right frame of mind. "Where is he?"

"Don't bother Granger, it's done. They were only sending him a message... a warning rather."

This time Hermione advanced on him slightly. Something in her snapped, and she lost it. "Yeah, well your message angered him, and now he is after whoever was sending it. I'm asking again Draco, where is he?"

"If I take you there, you'll only be locked up, or worse..." Draco's voice was pleading slightly, for her to back down. "But if you want, we need to go off grounds."

Hermione nodded, and followed the boy through the castle and out the front door. She walked 10 steps behind him to ensure if he tried to attack, she'd have time to defend. Maybe this is what Severus meant by saying trust no one.

Once they got far enough, Draco turned around and Hermione pointed her wand. He reached out his hand, "He is going to kill my father." Hermione just stared at his outreached hand for a moment. "The Dark Lord will kill both of you, if Snape succeeds." She looked into the boys eyes, and the look he had was almost apologetic, but she grabbed his hand before he or she could change their mind.

The two advanced on the dark mansion, and Draco stepped in front of her. Hermione cautiously reached for her wand. The boy took a step back, "Love makes people doing crazy things Hermione, and Snape..." Hermione merely nodded. "They'll be in my father's quarters. Stay close." He turned and continued towards the house.

Hermione knew Draco was concerned for his father, or he wouldn't be helping her at all. If he, of all people, was concerned, then the situation was definitely serious. As they made the way through the halls, Hermione realized her fate. The likeliness of her leaving this house alive was low. If Severus was dead, she was of no use to Voldamort and surely would die, after a lot of other horrific things happened. However, if Lucius was dead, Voldemort would kill them both. She thought of her options, and knew neither ended well. But if there was even the slightest chance both Severus and herself could come out alive, then she would risk it.

Hermione loved him, she knew this. After everything she had been though, he was all she had left, even though she never really had him. She couldn't save her parents, but she could try to save Snape.

As Hermione and Draco reached a large oak door, he pushed it open and both stood frozen and silent, staring at the lifeless body that was laying on the floor.