Hermione Granger. Teenage witch, know it all, mudblood, and best friend to Harry Potter. The perfect target for a sabotage plan that could very well kill the boy who lived without even touching him. Lord Voldemort was overseeing the planning of such an attack that moment, grinning to himself and his most loyal followers, not knowing that they had a rat inside of their ranks.

Severus Snape prided himself on his loyalty to those who deserved it, and Albus Dumbledore deserved it. Not only his old professor and current boss, Albus Dumbledore had fought for the Snape family when they had come under attack years ago by both the Ministry of Magic and Lord Voldemort himself. He had been summoned weeks ago to begin planning but only in this meeting had he found out who the target truly was.

"Granger, damnit, why couldn't it have been a Weasley? Guess they'd be harder to get to and this will definitely hit Potter below the belt. Albus must know," Severus thought to himself, being sure he had his mental wall up to prevent the Dark Lord hearing his troubles.

"Problem, Severus? You don't seem as pleased with this as the rest of my loyal followers," Voldemort hissed with his snake-like tone.

"No my lord just thinking about how much this would truly hurt Potter. It seems a perfect plan and will get the reaction you expect. Who exactly will be carrying out the task?"

The Dark Lord seemed pleased with Snape's response, "An ex-member of the local coven has been chosen, Cassius Night."

This visibly shocked the potions master, "Ca-Cassius Night? I thought he was killed by the Ministry years ago for infecting people. How did he escape that?"

"Ahh so you do remember him then? Yes, he was meant to be executed but thankfully, he dodged capture and found sanctuary with an American coven until I called for him a few months ago. Will this be a problem for you Severus?"

The dark haired professor shook his head and bowed lowly to his master, "No my lord, I was just interested in how he had escaped death. Are you sure that he is the best choice though? Are there no more suitable candidates that can do the task?"

"Are you questioning your Lord? Of course, others could do the task but I chose Cassius for a reason and you would do well to remember who I am! Crucio!"

Severus writhed in pain on the floor while Voldemort cursed him long and hard. The professor knew not to scream as that would only heighten the Dark Lord's pleasure and make the curse even longer so he bit hard into his tongue, savouring the copper taste that flooded his mouth. Finally the curse was lifted and Snape could rise again, unsteadily at first but he would not stumbled or show weakness before the other Death Eaters.

"Leave my sight Severus but know that I keep you around for only as long as you are useful," Voldemort turned on his heel and exited the room, quickly followed by the rest of his followers.

It took several minutes before the potions master could regain enough strength to apparate to the front gates of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Weakly he cast a messenger Patronus and promptly passed out from exertion.

"The poor man, how could they do this to one of their own?" A feminine voice whispered.

"He must have been in an evil mood to do this to Severus; he is thought to be his most trusted Death Eater. How long before he will awaken Poppy?" A familiar elderly male voice asked the matron of the hospital ward.

"Any time Albus, it's all up to Severus' resistance and how long he was held under for. There should not be any permanent damage but we can never know what his system will do. I'll leave you to stay by him, but don't wear him out should he awaken."

Severus slowly opened his eyes, grimacing slightly at the bright sunshine pouring into the room, seeing his friend at the foot of his bed. The elderly wizard looked so old at that moment, his age being a complete mystery to everyone.

"Albus," he croaked weakly before coughs wracked his body.

"Hush my friend, you need your rest. Whatever it is can wait until you are fully healed," the headmaster calmed the restless man.

"Can't wait. Granger, Cassius, Dark Lord," Snape fainted after getting those few words out.

"Oh dear, Albus I told you not to exert him!" Poppy Pomfrey scolded the wizard, and then scooted him out of the hospital wing.

Not wishing to face the wrath of an angry Healer Pomfrey, Albus Dumbledore head for his office to think over everything that Severus had said to him. At first, it had seemed somewhat jumbled and just random words but now, as the headmaster sat in his large chair, did it make some sort of sense. It was common knowledge that everyone close to Harry Potter would at some stage or another come under attack but Hermione Granger was thought safe from harm due to her living in muggle Britain.

"Miss Granger may be in trouble Fawkes, my boy. What should we do?" He talked to his familiar, a phoenix by the name of Fawkes. He had always brought him guidance in some way or another and was, as always, a great listener.

Fawkes preened himself then started to sing a sorrow filled song that made things clear to the wizard. He knew that what he was going to have to do would mean anger thrown at him by many of his friends, colleagues, and students, but it was going to have to happen. He would of course, inform the poor witch of what was going to happen to her and that there was no other way to go about it. She was the brightest witch in at least a century and Hermione would do anything to help Harry defeat Voldemort.

The headmaster set about writing one of the most difficult letters he would ever have to write.