Hermione waited with bated breath until Snape returned to the study alone. She could see the fearfulness in his eyes – fear for Draco. It was obvious to her Snape cared for Draco a great deal and was worried Dumbledore’s scheme would mean the end of the young Malfoy. In the short time Draco had been staying in Snape’s cottage with them, she had grown rather fond of having him around, and given some time, she thought they could probably be friends. After all, both of them had been forced to do things against their own will on more than one occasion.