Chapter One: Down the Rabbit Hole

Hermione lay sprawled out on the thick grass with a heavy textbook in her hands, basking in the afternoon sunlight. A warm breeze danced through the dark green blades, stirring smells of dew and damp earth into her nose, the summer wind flipping back the corners of her pages. Not ten yards off, Harry and Ron flew side-by-side on their brooms, tossing an old quaffle back and forth through the air, their cheeks pink from a day in the sun. Their chatter was barely audible, but familiar and comforting as she completed the eighth chapter of Preventative Potions, Precarious Poisons by Dilys Derwent. She looked up from her book and watched her friends for a while, entertained by their boyish antics as Ron tried to throw the quaffle out of Harry's reach. She shouted up at them from her spot in the grass,

"Have you two spoken to Moody about your jobs at the Ministry?"

"Yeah, he thinks it's a good idea that we begin Auror training right away. We start in September, I believe. What about you? Doesn't Dumbledore have an office for you already?" Harry laughed, tucking the ball under his arm as he readjusted his glove.

Hermione proudly replied, "Well, yes. If all goes according to plan, I'll be the Assistant Mediwitch to Madam Pomfrey. But, Professor Dumbledore hasn't informed the staff yet. I'll actually be the youngest mediwitch of this century."

"Of course you will," Ron rolled his eyes, "No one's better than you at charms and potions. No one's better than you at anything!"

Since the trio's recent graduation, they had been required to send out job applications all over the wizarding world that summer. Hermione had always hoped to work at St. Mungo's, but Professor Dumbledore had made her an offer that she simply couldn't pass up. With Voldemort still at large, gaining strength and followers every day, Harry had been strongly urged to continue on his Auror path. All three of them would remain Inner Circle members of the Order of the Phoenix, whose headquarters were being built on the Hogwarts grounds, as per Harry's instruction. In spite of Voldemort's growing threat, Harry claimed that the Order needed to assert their power in the wizarding world to show other wizards, and members of the dark side, that they would not back down.

"Will you have to work with Snape? Doesn't he make all of Madam Pomfrey's potions?" Ron's freckled nose crinkled and turned up in disgust at this thought. He feigned throwing up into his open palm. Hermione, undeterred, replied,

"Yes, I will. Professor Dumbledore said I would be working closer to Professor Snape during the first year since my training will consist almost entirely of potions work."

With only a little apprehension, Hermione thought she might actually enjoy working with the world's leading potions master, even if he hated her with a burning passion.

"Merlin!" shouted Ron, "Snape? 'Mione, you must be joking!"

"Well," she replied curtly, "I'm not."

"He's such a worthless git!" Ron continued his tirade.

Harry half-nodded and half-shrugged in agreement.

"He's not worthless," Hermione spat, defending her new boss, "He is the most talented potions master of the century. Professor Snape is ten times better at potions than I will ever be. Even Potions Weekly said that he is the most advanced master that the world has ever seen," she waved the article unceremoniously in the air.

"He's a Death Eater!" The boys sang out in unison.

Hermione rolled her eyes. Severus Snape had been nothing but cold and heartless to her from the moment she walked into the school. But, Hermione was no fool, and now she thought she knew the truth about him. Not only was he the most talented potions master in the entire wizarding community, but he might arguably be the biggest player in the war against Voldemort. Dumbledore's letter to Hermione had been top-secret, of course. But, Hermione had a feeling as to why it was so important that someone take Madam Pomfrey's place immediately, and to work so closely with Snape.

She shook her head angrily at Ron, slammed her book closed, stacked it on top of the potions article and shoved it in her bag,

"I'm going in."

Apologetic, Ron called after her, "Oh, c'mon, 'Mione! Grab a broom and fly around a while." He tossed her the quaffle.

A cheeky, forgiving grin shot across her face as she tucked the ball beneath her arm,

"No! Not unless you make me, Ronald Weasley!"

Hermione turned and bolted down the hill, straight to the Burrow. With the boys at her heels and swatting at the ball, she galloped toward the door laughing and gasping for air. The boys followed at full speed, only to be stopped in their tracks by a worthy, red-headed adversary: Molly Weasley. Her hands were on her hips, and she had a scowl on her face that slowly began to fade into a grin. She shook her head, and beamed at them. She motioned for the trio to go inside,

"No brooms in the house! Supper is ready, you three."

Inside the Burrow, Ginny was already finished setting the huge table, the size of which only emphasized the closeness of the cramped kitchen. She smiled at Hermione, gesturing for her to take the seat to her right, next to Ginny and across from Arthur. Half-happy, half-reluctant, Hermione accepted the invitation and sat down. She loved Arthur Weasley, she really did, but that man's Muggle obsession was out of control. Hermione knew she would most likely be answering Muggle culture questions all through dinner.

The Burrow had changed since Fred and George moved into their flat above Weasley's Wizard Wheezes in Diagon Alley. What was once a bustling madhouse full of the twins' explosions of chaos, now the Burrow was often silent. Once Ron was gone, the house would seem nearly vacant. Hermione didn't want to think about how quiet it would be when Molly was the only one left to live in it during the day. She hoped that the annoying ghoul who resided in the attic would make up for the lack of commotion.

Out of the oven came warm food that everyone had been eagerly waiting for. Molly's famous Stag Steak Pie floated to the table, followed by Full-Moon Potato Casserole and candied baby carrots. The food set itself down neatly on the table and Arthur began to serve himself. The group ate and chatted about everything from the upcoming Quidditch season to the oddly cool weather that had blanketed the recent evenings. They chewed and drank, enjoying each other's company, trying in vain to forget about the war that raged on outside their comforting walls.

"So, Hermione, I've been meaning to ask you a question," Arthur Weasley said with a mouthful of food.

"Yes, Mr. Weasley?" Hermione knew it was coming. Muggle questions were the only thing she and Arthur had in common.

"What is the hierarchy of automobile…cup holders?" He looked genuinely stumped.

"Cup holders? What do you mean?" Hermione almost didn't want to ask.

"Well, right now we are doing a study on Muggle driving etiquette, which is very complex mind you, and we can't decide who gets to use the cup holders for their drinks. The driver seems to get one every time, but as for the rest of the passengers, it's a complete mystery!" He shook his head, totally baffled by who had claim to what cup holder in the car. Hermione was totally confused.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Weasley, but I have no idea. Whoever gets to it first, I guess."

"Oh! Like a race. Good theory, Hermione…now, considering that, I wonder…" Arthur trailed off as Hermione tried to stuff her face as full as possible to hinder her ability to respond.

Finally, once the main course was over, Molly rose from her seat and uncovered a small, beautiful cake from behind the bread box.

Setting it down in front of Harry, she beamed at the black-haired boy,

"Happy 18th birthday, dear."

"Thanks," he replied, grinning at everyone and blowing out the bright blue candles. As the sweet scent of Molly's thick chocolate icing filled the air, Hermione knew exactly what he was wishing for. It was the same thing they were all wishing for: peace.

Hermione tried not to think about Voldemort as the dinner came to a close, but, as if everyone else had read her mind, the conversation turned to the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters soon after the cake was consumed.

Molly's face began to knot up with worry as Harry tried to explain the pros of the recent construction of the new Order of the Phoenix headquarters.

"…and it will need to be near the Forbidden Forest as well, for apparition purposes. I was thinking–" Harry was cut off by Molly's interruption,

"But, that's awfully near the wards, Harry. What about the young ones in Dumbledore's Army? Surely they couldn't survive an actual attack?"

"I think they can," Harry argued, "Dumbledore thinks they can. All the members of Dumbledore's Army will become official members of the Order of the Phoenix, since Dumbledore decided to incorporate the DA into our organization, and I believe they can handle stronger attacks and more complex spells than what you may think, Mrs. Weasley."

Harry's reply was stern, but reassuring. He continued,

"Dumbledore says that building the headquarters in plain sight will scare Voldemort. Tom thinks his power has forced us into hiding indoors or inside the Room of Requirement, but we must prove otherwise. If any of the other schools are going to side with our cause, we need to prove that we are actually able to stand up to Voldemort and his army. We have begun negotiations with the Salem Academy in the U.S. as well as Beauxbatons and the Coven of the Republic in Moscow. We believe that building a structure out in the open will bring these institutes closer to joining our side, where they otherwise would have remained neutral out of fear of Voldemort's retaliation."

"I was aware of Albus' talks with France, but I believed America was trying to remain stubbornly neutral," Arthur's last two words left his mouth with some contempt and the tiny kitchen filled with silence as he continued,

"Russia is an even bigger shock to me. I can't believe Dumbledore is foolish enough to think that the Coven of the Republic is anything but a hotel for Death Eaters!"

Mr. Weasley's strong insult did not surprise Harry. He and Dumbledore had been receiving similar comments for weeks. He tried to explain,

"I know. We thought Russia would side with Voldemort too, but I believe the Death Eaters have overstayed their welcome in the Coven. Apparently, Lucius Malfoy raped and killed Vladishka Virahslav, the headmaster's daughter."

Arthur and Molly gasped. Ron simply looked confused,

"Well, what did they expect? They let Death Eaters into the school and didn't think there would be any dead students?"

Molly's eyes were still full of shock as she replied to Ron's comment,

"I'm shocked that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named would even take that chance. If there is anything that you should know about Russian wizards, it is that you should never cross one. Never. Especially Headmaster Virahslav. Once you are out of the Russians' favor, you are not allowed back in."

Harry nodded, "That's the exact idea we are counting on."

"I just hate that you and Ron will be so vulnerable, Harry," Molly said softly, "I understand that you boys want to run off and be Aurors as soon as humanly possible, but even the Ministry has eyes and ears on the dark side. At least I know my girls will be safe. Especially you, Hermione."

"Why me?" She said between bites of cake.

Molly looked at her with knowing eyes, "You will have Severus by your side all day and night. That man is arguably the most powerful wizard in that castle. Maybe the world!"

Ron mockingly choked on his cake, but Molly's glare was on him immediately,

"Ronald Weasley! Severus has done more for this family than you will ever know. Use your manners."

She passed out her homemade pumpkin pasties and continued,

"When are you expected at Hogwarts for the faculty meeting, dear?"

Hermione, who had memorized the date by heart, replied, "Monday, but I need to go to Diagon Alley before then. I was going to wait and see if Ginny wanted to come with me for school supplies. Do you still need books, Gin?"

Beaming, Ginny replied, "Yes! It's been a long time since we had a girl's day out."

Hermione smiled back. She knew Ginny would jump at the chance to be free of Molly and her controlling nature during yearly shopping trips.

"Good. We'll leave early tomorrow then."

Molly looked wary, "Just be careful, you two."

That night, in her cot upstairs, Hermione lay awake with thoughts and feelings about her new position. She was excited about launching her dream career, and she couldn't help but think about her plans for expansion that both Madam Pomfrey and Professor Dumbledore had already approved. Hermione had shown the headmaster her ideas about creating three separate sections for emergencies, long-term patients, and an apothecary. She could see it in her head, clear and organized; nothing like the craziness that usually went on in the Hospital Wing. Making a mental note to herself to speak to Dobby about house elf medical specialists, Hermione decided that she was only anxious about one itsy bitsy, stubborn and surly obstacle – Professor Severus Snape.

So, this is a project I started for a friend. It's inspired by all the big classics that we love - Cloak, PProject, Lioness, etc. Technically it's my first fic, but I've written other little scenes here and there.

I feel that it's necessary to include a warning here that the angst gets pretty dark sometimes, so here's your trigger warning. If you aren't okay with violence or unconventional sexual themes, back out now.

Sorry if there's some things about it that you don't like. I'm still pretty much a noob. If you do like it - reviews are great.

Stay Snapey.

#LadyLash#