The news of Snape's murder spread through Dortmouth like Fiendfyre. While not everyone had been a fan of the man, it was clear his death would have a large impact on the way the Order was run. Kingsley had ordered an emergency meeting with several of the Order members and while Ron and Harry had been required, she had not. Hermione briefly wondered what Kingsley could possibly be telling them that she wasn't needed for, but she hurried to the hospital ward to help there before she could think too hard on it.

"I bet it was the leak at Sussex," Oliver told her as she ran a diagnostic on him. "Three of 'em were missing when we were attacked, but I couldn't tell you who. I just have a vague memory of their faces. It's almost as if they erased themselves from memory."

"That's an interesting take on it," Hermione said. Oliver shrugged as best he could. In an attempt to move the subject away from Snape's sudden death, Hermione asked, "Are you sure you're okay with me trying the countercurse? It's not fully developed and leaves some of the effects unattended to."

"You couldn't fuck me up any worse, Granger," Oliver said with a grin. "Hit me with your best wand."

Hermione did and while Oliver reported it did help some, she was upset to hear it hadn't been as much of a cure as she'd anticipated. He could still feel the acid burning through his organs, but nowhere else seemed to hurt anymore. Hermione made sure he had a very targeted numbing charm on his torso so the burning wasn't unbearable before checking on the other patients and performing the spell on those willing.

She hadn't quite finished at the hospital wing when Kingsley summoned her. She passed Harry in the hall and they shared a look, promising to talk to each other later.

As Hermione slipped into Kingsley's designated office, she caught sight of a battle map rolling itself up. She frowned but didn't comment on it as she moved further into the room and took a seat beside Kingsley. He moved the rolled map off of the table, locked it away in a cupboard, then joined her at the table with a droll look on his face.

"I'm sure you've heard the news," he began. Hermione refrained from scoffing if only out of respect for the dead. She nodded instead. "Severus's death complicates whatever arrangement he was hoping to create with his second contact. I'm not sure if you've already met or have yet to meet, but I'm worried about what the timing of his death could mean."

"Snape was reporting to your directly much too often," Hermione said. Kingsley frowned and opened her mouth, but she spoke before he could. "You're far too noticeable in the Order and Snape was too important. Besides, there's already rumour of a leak from Sussex. This is just evidence."

"What do you suggest we do about this supposed new contact?" Kingsley asked, leaning back to look at her clearer. "One leak may have known about Severus. What happens if a new leak spurs and they find out about our new contact?"

Hermione shook her head, certain it wouldn't be a problem.

"The only ones who know of the new contact are me and you," she reminded him. If anyone got wind of a second spy for the Order, they could immediately be suspicious of the other. "To be safe, I'll take extra care never to reveal the identity of the person even to you."

"What happens at the end of the War?" Kingsley asked, pointing out that anyone could claim to have been the secret contact.

"I'll know," Hermione said. She could swear in whoever it was and as long as Kingsley promised to trust her admission no matter who the contact was, they would be able to grant immunity to the right Death Eater. "I know the leak is important, Kingsley, but with Snape's death, this new contact could be the Order's only hope."

Kingsley agreed without hesitation. Insight into Voldemort's regime and Death Eater forces was crucial. Snape had been loyal in his reports, but he hadn't been a fighter. He'd been positioned in the potions lab and recruited to design lethal weapons for when the battles began. While he'd managed to get word of most attacks, he hadn't known enough at some times.

"I can't stress how important it is that you tell no one about this new alliance," Kingsley said. Hermione nodded. "Even when telling the most trustworthy of people, you never know who could be listening. You'll be almost completely on your own."

"I can handle it," Hermione promised. Kingsley nodded and dismissed her. As she moved to the door, she paused and remembered the sight of the battle map rolling up. Hesitating at the door, she asked, "Is there going to be a battle soon?"

"I believe that's on a need to know basis now, Hermione," Kingsley replied. Hermione pursed her lips but didn't argue. Instead, she nodded one last time at Kingsley and slipped through the door, wondering when she'd been written off the need-to-know list and just who had replaced her.

* * * * *

Finding Harry and Ron at dinner was easy. Sneaking away unseen was easier. By the time they had securely warded and locked Harry and Ron's shared room, Hermione was beginning to wonder if anyone would notice if they disappeared for several days. It didn't seem like anyone had hardly cared as they slipped by and only Ginny had given them a second glance. Whatever the reason, Hermione wasn't sure how to feel about it.

"You weren't at Kingsley's meeting," Ron said as soon as she'd informed them the room was secure enough. "I thought you were always at those meetings. Kingsley laid out the strategy instead."

"So there is a battle? When is it?" Hermione asked. She perched on Harry's bed and glanced between the two boys. "Kingsley said I was no longer on the need to know basis."

"That's barmy!" Ron exclaimed. Harry nodded beside him. "You're always there! What are Harry and I supposed to do without you on the field?"

"Have you figured out a countercurse yet?" Harry asked. Both Hermione and Ron looked at him strangely. "What? Maybe Kingsley's trying to move you to a more permanent spot in the hospital. You are pretty quick at creating antidotes."

"I don't think that's it, Harry," Hermione said. She figured part of it had to do with whatever alliance she ended up solidifying at midnight tomorrow, but she couldn't very well say that.

"Did he talk to you at all about it?" Harry asked. Hermione shook her head and steered the conversation back to the upcoming battle.

Harry and Ron went over every detail of the attack with Hermione. She listened closely but knew she couldn't do much to change it if she hadn't been in the meeting herself. As it was, the attack plan was one familiar to her and she vaguely remembered suggesting it when they destroyed one of Voldemort's bases in the north. Listening to Harry and Ron describe the location for this particular attack, it seemed like the base was set up similarly and the attack would likely be successful.

"The one thing I worry about is that it's predictable," Hermione said. Harry frowned and Ron shrugged.

"We've only done it one other time," he reminded her. "They shouldn't see it coming."

"Besides, the Order has never repeated attack tactics before," Harry added. Hermione nodded, though she was a bit reluctant.

The Order needed this attack and while both of the boys had good points, Hermione had learned never to guess what the Death Eaters would expect. The last thing she wanted was to misstep and watch the Order be destroyed while Voldemort rose in his madness. The one thing she could rely on that Harry and Ron couldn't, however, was the knowledge that while Snape was dead, the Order had a new contact that would hopefully be just as useful. If not, Hermione wasn't quite sure what she'd do.