Chapter 50

Disclaimer: Not mine. I just borrowed them for a while. I promise to put them back when I'm done. Also, no money made either...just for fun.

I have made a few deviations from canon, but the events that are not mentioned in this story that happen in the books remain as they happened in the books.

I want to give a great big thank you hug to my alpha reader, Arabellabloodgood, Proulxes for the bit of Brit-picking, and to DuchessOfArcadia and FrankQ for combing through this and helping me clean up my many mistakes. I really appreciate it more than you can possibly know.

Thank you, Jay, for the beautiful banner. I absolutely love it!

---

Severus arrived in the French style garden of Malfoy Manor still holding Draco by the scruff of his collar. He dragged the struggling, stumbling boy forward, pointedly ignoring the boy's cursing and protests of the mistreatment. However, Severus knew that if the Dark Lord was still in residence, Draco would have to answer for his own ineptitude and treating the boy roughly with disgust might assuage some of the Dark Lord's displeasure. Narcissa must have seen them from the house, because she came running out of the door and down the path toward them, delighted to see her son. Severus unceremoniously dumped Draco at his mother's feet. "I did what I could, the rest is up to you," he said coolly to the boy.

"Did he...?" Narcissa asked, bending down to make sure her pup was unharmed.

"No, he did not," Severus sneered down his nose at the boy. "However, the deed is done."

"I did too, do it," Draco sneered at him and then turned to his mother, accepting his mother's hand to get up. "I got them in. I did what he wanted; the school will fall now...Dumbledore is dead. He will own the school by the end of the night."

"You foolish, idiotic boy," Severus sneered loudly, making Narcissa cringe, even if the boy merely glared at him. "Yes, Dumbledore is dead, but not by your hand and, in case you failed to notice, your associates were fleeing from the castle. You only completed half the task he set for you, you idiot, and failed at the latter part."

"I didn't. I was to get them in so they could capture the castle!" Draco said, his voice rising to near shouting. He turned pleading eyes on his mother as he scrambled to stand up. "I did what he wanted, mother, and Snape killed Dumbledore."

Severus' Dark Mark burned, a summons, and from the painful searing sensation of the burn, the Dark Lord was not pleased. Considering Draco's audible hiss, Severus knew that his Mark was burning as well. "Well, we shall see, won't we?" Severus grasped the scruff of Draco's robes once again. "Come now, boy, it's time to see just how well you've done."

"Severus?" Narcissa pleaded.

Draco was trying to free himself from Severus' grasp. "If you must come, take my arm and don't let go. Side-Along-Apparition with three is rather difficult. I'd hate to Splinch you or your son."

She hesitated as Draco snarled, "I can Apparate myself, thank you. Now. Let. Me. Go."

"Fine," Severus said, letting go. He grasped Narcissa's arm with his left hand. He knew the boy would go, there was no way he'd fail to answer a summons. "Your mother and I will await you in the Dark Lord's presence. Come along, Narcissa. Let's see if Draco's able to convince our master that he's succeeded." He jabbed his wand into his Dark Mark and felt the pull as he and his passenger were immediately transported away.

They arrived on top of the rock face above Hogsmeade which had the spectacular view of the vale Hogwarts sat in, overlooking the village, the lake and the castle below. The same place he'd taken Hermione many years ago on her second jump back to his sixth year. Severus quickly clamped down on his emotions, shoving any memory of the girl deep inside him and out of the Dark Lord's reach should he invade his mind.

"Dumbledore is dead?" the Dark Lord asked as Draco appeared and stumbled.

Severus made no move to steady the boy and clamped his hand on Narcissa's arm to prevent her from doing so, too. Draco had to stand up for himself if he were to survive this. "Dumbledore is dead," Severus intoned flatly.

"But my followers have been chased out of the castle by a bunch of children?" the Dark Lord snarled, his red eyes flashing angrily.

Draco hung his head.

"They were particularly lucky," Severus stated, ignoring the boy. "If I didn't know better, I would have sworn that they were all under the influence of Felix Felicis."

The Dark Lord shot him a questioning glare.

Unperturbed, Severus continued, "I reported earlier that Slughorn had given both Potter and Granger a vial of it at the conclusion of his first Potions lesson. Although... if it were the same vials of the potion, I'm surprised they kept it all this time. I'd have thought Potter would have experimented with it before this."

"I see," the Dark Lord sneered, watching the snake in the Dark Mark undulate and twist as the Mark lingered in the dark blue evening sky above the castle. "What of those who were captured? Cuiléin and Gibbon both mentioned that five were seized?"

Severus's lips pulled back into a mirthless smile that wasn't reflected in his cool and respectful gaze. "When you make your move on the Ministry, it will fall, and those who were unjustly imprisoned will be released."

The Dark Lord smiled. "Yes, when I take over the Ministry, they will be rewarded." He turned, his robes flaring out, and he glanced at Draco, then back to Severus. This was it, the decision would be swift.

"What have you to say for yourself?" the Dark Lord asked Draco, holding his wand balanced lightly in his hand, the tip pointed at Draco's throat.

"I did as you asked," Draco sniveled, fear evident in his eyes, and Severus fought the revulsion he felt at the boy's supplicant behavior. "I fixed the cabinet, it works. We can go back and..."

The Dark Lord struck swiftly. "Crucio."

Draco fell to his knees, screaming out in pain. Severus watched with a dispassionate expression plastered on his face as the boy dropped to the ground, curling into a fetal position, kicked as his body arched, then curled up again under the duration of the curse. Beside him, he could feel Narcissa's growing concern. Her desire to help her son warred with the knowledge that if she did, he'd only do the same to her. The Dark Lord didn't tolerate interference with his discipline. The wizard's wand flicked; the determination to hurt the boy had ended. But the lingering effects took longer to subside, as Severus knew well. Draco curled in on himself, holding his middle as the pain ever so slowly ebbed away, barely noticed increment by barely noticed increment, until the pain seemed to ease to the point where breathing deeply felt possible.

The Dark Lord turned his back on Draco, his gaze scanning the view, unconcerned. "Take the boy away, Narcissa, and prepare your house for guests. The boy hasn't yet proven himself worthy, but at least he finally did as I commanded him. Keep him at home...he's not to leave."

"Yes, my lord," Narcissa said solemnly, bowing her head to hide her relief. "It will be done as you command." She helped her son get up off the ground, and Draco clung to his mother on shaky legs, forcing himself to stand. The boy would not easily forget this punishment any time soon. "Come, Draco," his mother said softly and they departed with a pop.

"Severus, there is something more I need of you," the Dark Lord said, rolling his wand languidly in his fingers as he paced on the wide ledge, his robes swishing with each turn.

Severus mentally braced himself for the pronouncement.

The Dark Lord was still very agitated; his eyes narrowed and his nostrils flared as he breathed. "I do not fault you. Vincent Crabbe said that young Malfoy was keeping everything to himself; he didn't even trust his long time friend with my task...in that he did as I commanded. And yet his mother did not...she made you Vow to aid him... Why you'd risk yourself for such a whelp, I don't know."

He stopped and faced Severus. "I was very disappointed in your lack of judgment. Had the boy failed, you'd have ruined my plans." He faced the castle. "It would have been the second time my plans regarding you would have been ruined."

Severus knew he was referring to Dumbledore appointing him professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts last summer. "The curse on the Defense teaching position would have found some way to dispense with my tenure," Severus said softly, knowing that he had so far managed to escape the curse. "My delight is in the fact that I can still serve you, my lord."

"Yes, you can and you will," the Dark Lord said, pleased by the response. He glanced sideways at Severus, but Severus merely stood sentinel-like, forcibly remaining calm. "I am well aware that Dumbledore expected me to hand over the administrative duties of the school to you."

Severus let his gaze drift over to the old castle standing proudly on the hill in the growing darkness. He was surprised that the Dark Lord knew. Severus tried to avoid watching the Dark Mark above the Astronomy Tower, and thought of the Thestrals he would sometimes see flying gracefully over the trees from that tower instead. He realized in that moment that Dumbledore was once again correct in predicting the Dark Lord's motives and actions.

"I can see that you are anticipating my plan. Is it possible that you want the position as much as Dumbledore wanted you to succeed him?"

A small fraction of a smile played on Severus' face, but he remained immobile otherwise. A few strands of his hair flew into his face as the breeze began to pick up, but he ignored them. "I admit that I have entertained the idea."

The Dark Lord smirked. "I thought you might. Alecto wants the position, naturally, but she is unqualified. You, however, have been a teacher at the school and a Head of House for fifteen years, and it's time Hogwarts had another Slytherin headmaster. As soon as I have control of the school governors, I will have you appointed as headmaster. You will help me reshape this school into the glory that this school should have been all these years."

"I will gladly accept your appointment," Severus said with a slight bow. "I will serve you in this capacity and bring the school up to the standards worthy of the honor you grant me."

"Of course, I will have to find a suitable position for Alecto at the school...she's expecting it...as is her brother," the Dark Lord said thoughtfully.

Severus' gut clenched. That didn't bode well; keeping control of the school will be hard enough without those zealots.

"You'd like to have their help after all, won't you, Severus?" The Dark Lord turned to appraise him. "The Defense Against the Dark Arts is open...Amycus would be suitable in that field, but I will have to lift the curse before he accepts."

And why didn't you do that for me? Severus thought snidely as the Dark Lord continued speaking, "It will no longer be necessary to do away with those appointed to the position since they will be of my choosing. But his sister, Alecto... where to place her particular talents...?"

Severus waited. He had no suggestions, and a flicker of dread punched him in the gut. Not Minerva McGonagall's position. He'd have to do what he could to keep her as his Deputy. Without her, the rest of the staff will be difficult at best.

"Now go and do what you must to prepare," the Dark Lord said dismissively. "When I have need of you, I will summon you."

"What of Potter and the Order?" Severus asked.

"You are no longer a reliable source where they are concerned," the Dark Lord stated. "I'll have Pettigrew relocated to the Burrow. He can hide in the shed he mentioned and listen from under the floorboards as a rat. I have another who can be persuaded to cooperate as well. He is not as trustworthy as you have been, but possibly useful. I expect you to be ready to move back into the castle as soon as I call for you." With that, he turned and vanished with a crack.

Severus stood on the edge of the ledge, his robes and hair fluttering forward in the breeze. The windows glowed softly in the dark walls of the school. Headmaster. You were right, again, old man. He stared at the charcoal-brown outline of the battlements and towers against the dark outline of the trees and deepening blue sky. He wanted to send Hermione a message, alerting her to the dangers of returning to the school. If the Dark Lord is going to reshape the school and bring the Carrows on as teachers, it's doubtful that the Muggle-borns will be allowed to return, he realized. The Muggle-borns...the school registry. If I can't protect Minerva's position in the school, the Dark Lord will have all their names and addresses at his disposal! I can't take the chance...they will have to hide. All of them. He hoped Dumbledore had prepared the Order to this eventuality as well as he'd prepared him for the task he'd been given, but someone needed to know so precautions could be carried out.

The Dark Lord assumes I no longer have contacts in the Order, Severus mused with a cocky grin. He had one, tenuous at best, and possibly a second. Both were honorable and could see the bigger picture of things, and would possibly listen to him if he gave them warnings. If he could convince them of his true loyalties, he could still help shape the outcome of this war. The fate written on the first pages of the diary still might not come true.

At least he needn't worry about the diary falling into the wrong hands. He'd be able to retrieve it from his quarters tonight, and the other objects he needed to hide, tokens he'd foolishly never been able to part with. Once they were secured in his secret vault in his private stores, he'd find a way to convince Hermione to leave. If she will even speak to me.

He closed his eyes to the pain that pinged in his chest.

First things first, the thought, opening his eyes.

He looked up at the sky and remembered the girl he'd taken up here on their hike. This had always been his favorite view of the castle. He recalled how Hermione had inhaled deeply, breathing in the fragrant air as she'd turned and then stared in amazement at the view, her eyes shining with happiness, then drew his wand. "Expecto Patronum," he intoned as he waved his wand. The silver deer jumped forth and landed next to the bushes that blocked the trail that led down to the Shrieking Shack. It turned, its sleek head raised to look up at him with soft, guileless, trusting eyes, ready to do as he asked. A doe, more mature in its appearance now than it had been when he'd been younger, but still a doe. "If you'll meet with me, I need to speak to you...to warn you of new developments and new dangers," he said, infusing the Patronus with his voice.

The deer gracefully nodded once, then turned and disappeared into the night.

---

The headlines of the Daily Prophet announced, Albus Dumbledore Dead and Harry Potter Says Professor Severus Snape Killed Our Beloved Headmaster. The bold print under the image of the Dark Mark floating in the sky over the Astronomy Tower read, Death Eaters Breached Hogwarts Castle In Raid. Spiky letters were used to write, Werewolf Attack In Hogwarts Corridors, above a picture of Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. The article had all the gory details of the attack on Bill and another, as of yet unnamed, student who had been attacked by Greyback himself during the skirmish. Also apparently known was that Dumbledore's secret group of renegades, the Order of the Phoenix, and a group of students calling themselves Dumbledore's Army had chased the Death Eaters and Greyback out of the school along with Severus Snape and Draco Malfoy, who were both named as responsible for the breach of the castle's defenses. The students in Dumbledore's Army were all named and to be given honors for their bravery.

Hermione scoffed at the mention of the award and cringed at the realization that once again, much like they had been after her fifth year, she and her friends would be targets. Only now, the Death Eaters had all of their names and many of Order member's names as well. Blast the idiocy of the media. Didn't they know or care that what they've done could put us in danger?

She read every word of the paper. Harry was quoted in several articles, and for once they recorded him accurately. Every professor was quoted and many of the Order members as well. There seemed to have been a question as to why so many 'added security' personnel had been arranged, and if Dumbledore had previous knowledge of the raid, why hadn't the Ministry been alerted. There had only been a handful of Aurors present, each one named. "Because those Aurors are all in the Order," she mumbled with a sigh.

Naturally, Severus Snape was vilified and the articles were full of accusations, lambasting him horribly.

Hermione dropped her hands holding the paper to her lap. His last words echoed in her mind repeatedly, I do what I must tonight. Forgive me if you can. She pressed her fingers to her lips at the memory of his kiss, so hesitant at first as if expecting her to shove him away, to be repulsed by his show of affection, then hungrily demanding to the point it had left her breathless and her knees weak. Forgive me if you can.

How could she?

I do what I must tonight, he'd said in a deep deadened voice.

He hadn't wanted to, she could see that now. He didn't want to do it. It had been in his voice, the resolution to do what he hadn't wanted to do. Whatever it had been...he told her he would be doing what he had to. Why? What was it he had to do? Kill Dumbledore? She thought she knew him, had gotten to know him. Dumbledore trusted him, supported and defended him time and time again. He had told everyone that he trusted Professor Snape explicitly. She'd trusted him unconditionally.

I do what I must tonight.

She leaned forward, covering her face as she sighed aloud in frustration, and the paper slid off her lap onto the bed. Why, Severus, why did you do it? The grotesque image of the Dark Mark wafting over the castle on the paper was glaring up at her accusingly.

Harry described the fact that Dumbledore was weakened by the potion he'd drunk that night in the cave. Harry had told her that Dumbledore didn't have the strength to stand, sagging and staggering weakly against Harry, barely able to walk out of the cave. How badly hurt had he been? He'd had enough strength to lower the wards on the school so he and Harry could fly to the castle, but Harry said he could barely stand. Dumbledore had sunk, slumping against the wall of the tower when he'd faced Malfoy. He had managed a broom well enough, supposedly, and he'd cast a binding charm on Harry, but then he could barely hold his wand arm up to defend himself? She tried to picture it: being magically immobilized against the wall as Greyback, Malfoy, Snape and four other Death Eaters faced down Dumbledore on the tower, wands drawn. Professor Snape's expression one of revulsion...hating what he had to do, angry, yes, she would believe that. But Harry had said hate...not anger...hate and revulsion. He hated what he had to do...hated being in that position.

"Augh!! What a bloody nightmare." Severus. Why, Severus, why? Why did you have to kill Dumbledore? Where are you now? What are you going to do? Have you really abandoned us? She just couldn't believe that...didn't want to, but the evidence was so overwhelming.

She couldn't worry about that now. The war was raging; people were dying, so many going missing, and the Death Eaters were attacking, destroying everything. And she had to help Harry.

---

Within minutes of scanning through the morning paper, Darias felt his bloodstone pendant vibrate and continue to vibrate. He also felt the small key in his pocket vibrate as well, multiple times. His friends were arriving at his beach house all at once. Fearing they were close to panicking, he excused himself from his father and, as nonchalantly as he could, walked from the room. He walked through the house and out into the early morning as if leaving for an appointment. Once he reached their Apparition point, he took out his pendant and touched his wand to the back of it, activating the Portkey spell, and clamped his hand tightly on the stone.

Darias entered the house through the back door. He was right. All his friends, the ones not already hiding in safe houses, and a few new faces, were crammed into his small lounge waiting for news. There were four new faces: Theodore Nott, Daphne Greengrass, and Bryan and Winnifred Maguire. The first two were standing with his wife, Serena, and Tammorah Macrae and Tiberius Flint; Bryan and Winnifred Maguire stood next to Brambila Rushbridge, who clung to Rayne Boughton's hand, talking worriedly to Aldebaran Urguhart and Terrance Higgs. The rest were gathered around the dining table, talking animatedly.

He shook his head upon seeing three more additions to their group: Eddart Terrance, who had been the fifth-year prefect when Darias had been at school, and Terrance's friends, Gasper Vaisey and William McGariety. If my memory serves me, they are going to be sixth years next fall. They stood with Raithe, Duane and Grantham, listening to Darias' old dorm mates intently.

Raymond Aubry touched Darias' arm. "I think we're all here."

"No," Catherine Flint stated. "We're missing some of the girls. Penelope Reilly and Mary Nolan aren't here yet, and Vaisey, that boy over there," she pointed to the sixteen year old boy, "said that he'll pass on anything we decide to Jessica Arenas and Pauline Gweynewoud after our meeting. They are in his year."

"I also heard from Rayne that Louis Beresford, Charles Lenox, Beatrix Spencer and Eleanor Beaufort are in, but they don't have pendants," Raymond added.

Darias nodded. "I think that Serena may have extras," he said, looking at his wife. "Has anyone heard from Professor Snape?"

Rayne shook his head. "Doesn't look good though, does it? I mean, he'll lose his position at the school for sure now." He looked at the students surrounding the table, and then turned back to Darias and Catherine. "I suppose you're in charge now, unless you want me to since I'll be at the school."

"I'll keep things together the best I can," Darias said. "Duane, Grantham and Raithe keep me appraised on what's happening, but it looks like you and Brambila will have to keep the group at Hogwarts going."

At that moment all conversation in the house stopped as the door opened. Several of those closest to the door had drawn their wands, but lowered them in relief as Severus Snape entered the house. "What happened? I heard you killed the Headmaster?" Darias heard Tammorah Macrea's voice more clearly over the sputtered oaths, mumbles and outcries of the others.

"Calm down. All is not lost," Snape said calmly as he moved further into the center of the lounge, his dark eyes scanning the faces as if cataloging who was present. "Yes, what you heard is true: Dumbledore is dead and by my wand."

"But why would you..." Tammorah asked, but she was quickly quieted by Snape's scowl.

"For reasons I cannot say at present," he said with a tone that everyone knew all too well. "Suffice to say, Dumbledore was dying. From what I've assessed, he'd consumed a potion that had adverse effects on the curse that had been eating away at him all year. Had he been captured or taken before the Dark Lord, it would have been disastrous."

If the Dark Lord had raped the old man's mind...and he could have... Darias let the thought drop. It was too horrible to contemplate. He felt a rock-hard lump in his gut. He had no idea how much the old man had known about their group, let alone all the secrets he'd carried of the Order of the Phoenix.

"However, the Dark Lord plans on taking over the Ministry and the school, and he could very well accomplish that." Snape held up his hand to stem off their comments. "There is much to be said, and I've very little time to do so."

Everyone settled down: leaning against walls, filling chairs, sitting on armrests of chairs occupied by friends or spouses, and even sitting on the floor. Snape nodded in approval. "Now, if the Dark Lord does take over the school as he plans, he intends to make me headmaster of the school. If not, then we'll find ways to communicate. Those of you returning," he looked pointedly at the three returning as sixth years in the fall, "you'll have to be careful. Vincent Crabbe has taken the Mark, as has Gregory Goyle. Draco Malfoy will return to Hogwarts as well. Patrick Harper is also a concern. Eugene Caldwalter is likely to join us, and Aurora Shidhom is scared to join us but she sides with you. I will arrange a meeting with them and see how they stand before school starts. If I think they might waver, I'll modify their memories."

Vaisey raised his hand, and Snape acknowledged him. "I know who stands where in my year," he said boldly. "Eugene and Seumond will side with us, but Seumond is unsure about raising his wand at his dad in the war. Jessica and Pauline are on our side, too. I'll know for sure in September."

Snape acknowledged his declaration with a nod. "For now, keep your messages brief, and be careful how you pass information to each other...especially to me. If I don't answer right away, it might be due to my circumstances, but I will get back to you. Have patience, keep vigilant, trust only those you know who have sworn an oath of loyalty and above all, watch your backs. When I know more, I'll send word. Mostly, keep up pretenses. He is rising in power, much like he did before, but all is not lost. He can be defeated. We have to stick together and look for opportunities as they present themselves, undermining him as best as we can from within."

"When do you think he'll strike?" Rayne asked.

"Runcorn keeps telling us," Duane said, indicating Grantham and Raithe, "he'll take the Ministry first. There are a number of Death Eaters already employed there. Umbridge and Fudge were idiots. Their blindness to what was really happening has weakened the Ministry's defenses considerably, and the news is that Rufus Scrimgeour will be named as the new Minister, but he doesn't know who is on the Dark Lord's side."

"And if the Dark Lord does pull a coup on the Ministry, then taking over the school will not be difficult," Darias stated. There was a collective sigh in the room.

"We'll be ready," Vaisey said, and Terrance and McGariety squared their shoulders as Rayne nodded assuredly.

"I must leave you now," Snape said. "Remember what I said. I'll be in touch, but I presume the Daily Prophet will be announcing anything that transpires quickly."

"Unless Bollard follows through with his threats and buys the paper," Byron Maguire stated, and everyone turned to him. "My dad says Bollard will fire Barnabas Cuffe and Jonathan Vogt because they are too liberal on their ideas of equality, tolerance and individual rights, and make himself Publisher and appoint Beaufort as Editor in Chief, and Rousseau in charge of editorials, and they will take on new staff. If that happens, presume it will only print propaganda and half truths, slanted to what the Dark Lord will favor."

Snape was thoughtful for a moment. "I have seen Bollard and Beaufort at Malfoy Manor talking to Rodolphus and Bellatrix Lestrange and Lucius Malfoy. The Dark Lord has not been happy with the slant the paper has been writing, and if what you say is true and the Dark Lord decides to take action, the Lestranges will back the takeover."

"So, we can't trust the Daily Prophet?" Brambila asked.

"For now," Winnifred Maguire said, "The Prophet has been reporting the truth, but father says that he will do what is needed to keep his job."

"Keep me informed on what you hear," Snape said. "Now I must go." He turned to leave.

Darias watched his ex-professor leave with a mix of emotions. He wanted to know what had transpired on the tower, and why he'd killed Dumbledore. The brief explanation still left too many questions unanswered. He'd have to look into it personally. He turned to the others.

"Ginny Weasely and Colin Creevey are in my year, and I'd heard that Dumbledore was dying from a curse. It had been eating away at him," Vaisey was saying. "That's why his hand was all black and dead-looking...a curse. From what I overheard Professor McGonagall telling Professors Flitwick and Sprout, it had reached past his shoulder, and Madam Pomfrey had said it would've killed him within a month if Professor Snape hadn't killed him."

"When did you hear this?" Serena asked.

"I was visiting a friend in the hospital that night. They didn't know I was there," Vaisey stated. "There was a man and a woman next to a cot, and they were all talking softly, but I have some of those Extendable Ears from Weasley's Wizard Wheezes."

Darias listened on with rapt attention as he told them everything he'd over heard.

---

Hermione arrived at Privet Drive in her new, off-white, Coco Channel sleeveless dress paired with her new black and tan shoes, and carried her Burberry rain coat, umbrella and purse. She'd even taken great pains with her hair, using generous amounts of her mum's deep conditioner and conditioning styling gel to make her curls look their best. She'd heard about the Dursleys and how snobbish they were, so she figured that she'd better dress up if she were going to get her way and be able to help Harry with his Surges. Snobby people respected wealthy people.

Normally, Hermione wore clothes from H&M, Fat Face, M&S or whichever boutique her mum wanted to go to. Hermione usually preferred her casual clothes, which were comparable to what the other girls wore, to the higher end fashions her mum bought for her.

The truth was Hermione's family was really quite well off, something she kept to herself. If Ron knew she was from a wealthy family, he'd only moan about her and Harry having money when he didn't, and Hermione was of the opinion that being rich wasn't everything. She knew that Lavender and Parvati certainly would have treated her differently if they'd known, but then she'd always wanted to be liked for herself, not for her parent's money. The good thing about school robes, they were equalizers, and practical shoes were more comfortable on stone corridors and stairs than fashionable shoes.

She walked confidently up to number four and rang the bell. She heard some voices before a man said, "I have no idea, I'm not expecting anyone," before he opened the door.

Hermione was unimpressed with Mr. Dursley, with the exception of how he'd managed to find a suit jacket in his size. "Good morning, Mr. Dursley. I'm Hermione Granger. Is Harry at home by chance?" she asked politely.

Somehow he took immediate offence to her. "And what would you be wanting with him?" he asked.

"Harry and I are school mates, and I was in the neighborhood and thought it might be nice to come by and see him. Besides, I think he may need my help," she said. Behind the large man, an equally, if not larger, teenager backed away quickly. That had to be Harry's cousin, Dudley.

"He doesn't need anyone of your kind here," Mr. Dursley said, and he was about to close the door on her.

Thinking quickly, Hermione said, "And what if Harry has a magical outburst...he's coming of age, you know. Harry will come into his full magical strength over the next two months...up until his seventeenth birthday. Our magic surges at this time of our life, and if there are accidental magical incidents, it could manifest at disproportionate levels."

Mr. Dursley started to turn puce. "Do not mention this nonsense on my doorstep!"

"Then let me in," she said, placing a hand on the door and pushing him aside with a very gentle Repelling Charm with her other. He moved back as if of his own accord. Hermione set her handbag, umbrella and coat on the table set across a door under the stairs. Probably Harry's old room, she thought with a tinge of indignation on her friend's behalf. Well, no bother. She turned and faced Mr. Dursley, seeing Harry and Mrs. Dursley standing in the entry to the lounge. "I seem to recall an incident where Harry blew up his aunt."

Mr. Dursley opened his mouth but closed it when she continued, "Imagine if he did something similar now? You see, from now up to his birthday, Harry is coming of age, both chronologically and magically. His powers likewise are going to come to their full strength, but all at once, and he'll have to learn how to control it. So, as his friend and having gone through it myself, I'm here to help him since its obvious you can't." Apparently no one else was buggered to help him, so she was going to do it herself. At least Professor McGonagall agreed to give her a target dummy and a sparring dummy, both shrunken down to fit in her purse.

She looked up at Harry. "All right there, Harry?"

"Yeah, although, I thought Mr. Weasley or Tonks would be helping me?" he asked.

She shook her head. "Nope, it's me. Mr. Weasley and Tonks are overwhelmed with Ministry business, and well, Mad-Eye would have, but everyone in the Order is fighting Death Eaters and Voldemort, so I volunteered." It wasn't exactly a lie, only twisting of the facts a little, but Harry caught on quickly and affirmed her statement with a mute nod of his head. "Now, I strongly suggest we pick a room and set things up."

"I will not have magic committed in my house!" Mr. Dursley shouted.

"How about the garage," Harry suggested.

"Harry cannot leave the residence, Mr. Dursley. It's too dangerous as I'm sure you're aware, or have you been ignoring the wizarding papers?" Hermione asked pointedly.

"We do not read that rot you all call news," Mr. Dursley bellowed.

"That's too bad, because there are wizards who want to kill Harry, and if they do, your protection...the protections Dumbledore placed on the house because of the blood bond between Harry and your wife...might be cancelled..."

"What about your house?" Mrs. Dursley asked.

"My parent's house in Bexleyheath? I'm afraid that my parents are at a business conference at the Mandolay Hotel in Guildford. You can't bring Harry there, practicing there would be a violation of the Statute of Secrecy," she explained patiently.

"What about them wizards who take him every summer, the Weasels. Why can't he do this at their house?" Mr. Dursley asked, shaking a pudgy finger at Harry.

"Mr. Weasley is fighting in this wizarding war we are currently experiencing, as are his eldest sons, and Mrs. Weasley's home is the hub of the resistance, and she's planning a wedding. Unfortunately, Harry can't Apparate yet, and neither the tube nor the bus goes there. It would be unwise for you to take Harry to the Burrow...I'm certain you can't get there by car." She looked at Harry. "So we'll use the garage."

"Now look here, young lady," Mr. Dursley barked.

"It would be safest; I certainly don't want to do magical control exercises in your lounge...I'd hate to have any of your lovely things blown up in there...and I'm certain that Harry's bedroom will be too small for such practices," she said calmly, thoroughly enjoying outwitting the man. "No, as Harry suggested, the garage would be the best place."

It took some haggling, and she remained calm even as Mr. Dursley continued to bellow at her, but in the end he relented. When Harry opened the door to the garage and turned on the lights, Hermione gaped in astonishment. She'd never in all her life seen a cleaner garage. The cement floor didn't have any stains or cracks, the cupboards and cabinets were painted a pristine white, and on the walls everything was in its place. Even the tools on the pegboard were outlined, designating their exact place. Together, Harry and Hermione packed all the loose items in boxes, shrunken to fit in the cabinets, and she added spells to the walls: dampening charms, deflection and shielding wards, containment spells, everything she could think of to cordon off the space and protect the house.

"I don't think we're really going to need to spar all that much. You're already a very good fighter," she explained as she set the target and sparring dummies up. "So we'll concentrate on control. Try a Stunning Hex first."

Harry drew his wand and fired at the target dummy. The indicator on the target dummy showed a dark violet-blue. "Too strong, Harry, try to keep it in the greens for now."

His next two were equally strong. "Gah," he exclaimed when the next one was again too strong. "I can't."

"It's okay, Harry, I expected this," she assured him. "You're a really strong wizard, and your magic is obviously Surging. Remember the talks McGonagall gave us?"

He shrugged. "Mr. Weasley tried to tell me about it, too."

She nodded, remembering the talk she'd overheard with a smile. "So for now, we'll keep practicing and focus on your control. Try again, and try to hold back."

The next few results were pretty much what she predicted: too strong.

---

Severus arrived on the street in Bexleyheath where Hermione lived and walked casually down the street, stopping at the space he knew her house was. As soon as he had the thought, the house magically slowly appeared. He knew immediately that they were home since both cars stood in the drive.

He checked that his wards on the house and their cars were still strong and relaxed upon confirming everything was as it should be. Even the Compulsion Charm to leave the premises in a car remained. Severus knew that most Muggles would walk to the nearest bus or train stop, but if either Hermione or her parents walked off the property they would be vulnerable, hence the protections on the vehicles. He'd also personally added Bumper-Buffer Defensive Charm and Distance-Periphery Spatial Charm on the vehicles so the other Muggles driving on the road would not hit them, and since Muggles typically tried not to collide, no one observing the flow of traffic would likely notice anything amiss. Or so he hoped.

He was worried for her. If the school records fell to the hands of the Death Eaters or the Dark Lord demanded access to the school registry, Hermione's address would be known. Between Draco's constant comments about Hermione's success in school, her tendency to best him in every subject, Severus knew that her name came up in Draco's letters home on a regular basis and in his family discussions during the holidays at his home. And there were other students who were bothered by her intelligence and natural ability to grasp even the most complex magical skill...and not just in Slytherin. Pure-bloods were supposed to be superior, and Hermione proved the pure-blood supremacy theory wrong at every turn...just as Lily had when they'd been kids. Hermione would be a target if only to eliminate the threat she posed.

Moving stealthily, he tried to ascertain if she was in residence. There was a woman running the vacuum in the lounge. Hermione's mother was in her kitchen preparing something, and her father was in a room to the right, reading. Severus used a detection charm to deduce if anyone were upstairs, and nodded when the charm indicated no one else in the house. He walked to the back of the house and repeated the charm, obtaining the same results. Apparently Hermione was not at home.

He wondered briefly where she could have gone. Shopping, out with a friend, at the Burrow, or... he thought, but wherever she was, she was not at home, and she had not taken a car. Bloody hell. Wherever you are, I hope you Apparated.

He stamped down an irrational anger, realizing that if he were to try and make contact, she would think of him as a killer, and he might get hexed on her doorstep. But he had to warn her. He closed his eyes and forced himself to remain calm. It would be a huge risk, but he'd have to send her a letter and hope to Merlin she didn't disregard his warnings.

He turned on the spot and Apparated for home.

---

Hermione arrived at Harry's right on time and rang the bell. She heard Harry's footsteps on the stairs and his call of, "I'll get it." She smiled. She could almost see him in her mind, bounding down the steps, messy hair, baggy jeans, shirt that was much too big on him.

When he opened the door, she was a little surprised to see that his clothes actually fit him this time. "Dressed up again for dueling practice?" Harry asked as he let her in.

"What this old thing?" Hermione said, offhandedly as she entered the hall, briefly touching her chest with the hand on which her Dolce and Gabbana handbag hung on her arm. "This is last season's, Harry, it won't matter if it gets mussed." From the corner of her eye she could see Mrs. Dursley's reaction and almost started laughing. She'd been dressing outrageously in designer ensembles, like a model from a fashion magazine, for each session, mostly to keep up the pretenses and to keep the Dursleys off guard. One day, she wore an Antonio Berardi dress with an Anne Klein coat, followed by a Burberry trench dress and Alaxander McQueen boots the next day, then a Saint Laurent blouse with her favorite jeans and Dolce loafers the day after that, a St John ensemble with Chloé pumps another day, and she'd worn a white Sandro blouse with a black Gucci skirt, and black and white Michael Korus pumps. But today she simply wore a light camel Chanel coat and skirt with a Burberry top and Jimmy Choo shoes.

She waved at Mrs. Dursley, who was naturally cleaning with a dust rag in the lounge again. Each time Hermione had entered the house she knew that Mrs. Dursley scrutinized her clothes critically while trying to appear completely disinterested, which really amused her and Harry. At least her mum had been glad to see some of the pricy clothes being worn, although it only encouraged her mum to try and take Hermione shopping.

Hermione pulled two books from her purse to hand to Harry. He eyed the books skeptically; they were a little thick, but they had some really great spells in them. "I thought we'd start with these today," she said softly so her voice wouldn't carry.

"Wonderful," Harry drawled out slowly as he took the books. "Well, c'mon, let's go out to the garage."

"What does she see in him," Hermione heard Mrs. Dursley ask someone she couldn't see from the entry.

"He is so out of her league," she heard Mr. Dursley grumble back. "Now if it were a fine young man like Dudley, I could well understand her attraction..."

Hermione rolled her eyes as she followed Harry out of the house. They practiced for a good hour, and there was some slight improvement, but occasionally he was still using too much force behind his spells. "Think of it like... reigning in your strength, not holding it back. And exhale before casting. Maybe that will help, like taking a cleansing calming breath."

"In a fight, I won't be taking calming breaths," Harry replied.

"No," she said, quirking her mouth and shrugging her arms slightly, "but this is about learning control. No one is going to attack you right now."

Harry huffed, then exhaled heavily, took aim and fired at the target dummy. The indicator was a bright orange-red.

"Better," Hermione said as he tried again, only this time the indicator was a bright red.

He raised his wand, and fired a Stunning Hex just as Mrs. Dursley entered the garage. She stopped short, gaping at the wobbling target dummy, then at the pair of them. Mrs. Dursley swallowed nervously as Harry lowered his wand. "W-would you c-care to join us for lunch, Miss Granger?" she asked, trying to force herself to calm down.

Hermione looked at her as if not understanding her discomfort. She knew that the Dursleys were uncomfortable with magic, but Harry was showing remarkable control of his aim. His spells were all hitting the dummies squarely. Not one item in the garage had been broken or damaged. "Oh, er, thank you, but no," Hermione replied, feigning surprise with a dramatic air. "That's so kind of you, but I promised Harry lunch and stopped by my favorite little deli on the way."

Harry, who'd pursed his lips to keep from laughing, quickly added, "I was going to suggest to Hermione that we sit in the back garden since it's so nice out."

"Oh, that would be delightful," Hermione said as she turned to him and nodded. She then looked at Harry's aunt. "If that's all right with you, of course, Mrs. Dursley?"

"Don't worry, Aunt Petunia, we'll clean up when we're through," Harry said. "I promise."

Mrs. Dursley sputtered her acquiescence while staring at Harry's wand.

"And we won't let the neighbors see our wands," he added as his aunt backed out of the garage.

"Harry, that was mean," Hermione said as he led her to the back garden.

Harry shrugged and a chuckle escaped. "But fun. Did you see the look on her face? You'd think I was blasting holes in the walls and cupboards."

Hermione pulled the food she'd brought from her purse, and they sat on lawn chairs, sipping on Cokes and munching on thick chicken sandwiches as they discussed some of the spells in the books she'd brought.

"Have you been following the Prophet?" Harry asked.

"Of course," she replied.

"They got most of it right, but I'm sick of the images they keep reprinting," he replied, and she knew he meant about the Dark Mark over the Astronomy Tower and Dumbledore's grave. "And all the disappearances...the attacks...it's all happening, and I'm stuck here, doing target practice."

"You have to stay here. If you go wandering, you might be seen and then where will we be? If you face Voldemort now, he'd come back. We have to destroy all of them first." She placed her hand on the book and bit her lip, releasing it slowly. "Harry, what really happened that night, up on the tower?"

"I told you, Snape killed Dumbledore," he said exasperatedly.

"Professor Snape," she corrected him automatically. "But there must have been something you missed, some clue, a hint." It didn't make sense. Professor Snape had kissed her...really kissed her and then begged her to forgive him. Yes, he'd knocked out Professor Flitwick, and he'd rescued Malfoy, but he'd told her he had to do something she'd hate him for...something he had to. It was like he'd warned her that he'd have to kill Dumbledore. What else could he have meant by his cryptic words? And why work so hard creating potions to cure the Headmaster if he was only going to kill him... or spend so much time with me, teaching me how to defend myself, how to do wandless magic... None of it makes any sense!

"Hermione, Snape is on Voldemort's side. He always was. Dumbledore was wrong. He killed him," he said adamantly.

"Professor Snape," she insisted with a sigh. "Are you sure about his expression? He couldn't have been angry because you were there or he found himself in a situation with no way out?" She wished she could view his memory of the evening. She thought she knew Snape by now, she'd gotten to know the real him and then he went and did something like this. It really bothered her. "It just doesn't feel right; I know there is something..."

"It was revulsion. Snape looked at Dumbledore for a moment, and then he stared at him with revulsion and hatred and then he killed him. Dumbledore was pleading with him, and Snape just stood there and killed him."

"Professor Snape. But even on the grounds, he had opportunity to grab you or kill you and he didn't. He didn't, Harry. He let you go." It didn't make any sense. "You said he told you to keep your mouth closed, to use nonverbal spells...he was still trying to impart something to you, even then he was trying to teach you. Harry, he was always trying to teach us, to help us be better."

Harry jumped to his feet. "He killed Dumbledore! Snape stopped me from stopping him...he could have killed me, but he was a coward."

"Argh," she growled out, frustrated, and followed him toward the garage. "Professor Snape was not a coward. He was in a situation with no other choice. Or maybe Dumbledore didn't want to be dragged off. Did you consider that? You said he was weak; he couldn't stand...he was slouching against the wall. Imagine if Voldemort had gotten hold of Dumbledore! The damage it would have done to the Order," she persisted. It was no use, Harry wouldn't be swayed, and she didn't have the answers. "Forget it. Forget I said anything. Let's get back to practice."

Harry glowered but stood and aimed his wand at the sparing dummy. "Confringo."

The indicator glowed in a deep purple.

She sighed.

---

"Harry, if he's so bad, why would he warn me to stay away from Hogwarts?" she asked, showing him the note she'd received. It had actually come in the post a week ago. It had really surprised her to receive it, and if anything could, it reaffirmed her suspicions that things were not at all how they seemed. She was going nutters trying to rationalize his actions, but without actually talking to him, she could only come to one conclusion: Dumbledore had pleaded for Professor Snape to kill him rather than be carried off by the Death Eaters. It was the only thing that made sense...and yet didn't. If the Death Eaters couldn't Apparate from the tower, one of them would have had to carry Dumbledore, Imperiused or Stunned, out of the castle.

And yet, Professor Snape had warned her of being in danger...of her parents being in danger.

His note had been brief.

Miss Granger,

Hogwarts will not be safe, do not return to school.

It would be best if you leave, get away from England, as far away as you can. Your parents are in danger, too.

The protections on your house might not be sufficient if he gains power, and if you leave the house on foot, you'll be exposed, you would be in danger.

Do not expect the Ministry to be of any help. He is getting stronger and the Ministry is not as strong as it once was. It may fall to him soon.

It hadn't been signed, but there was no mistaking his handwriting.

Hermione had sat down with her parents and told them everything. They were worried, naturally, but they'd listened attentively. Having several issues of the Daily Prophet in her trunk, every issue saved up over the previous year helped, but there had been plenty of arguments over what they should do. Thankfully, Severus' note helped support her position on the matter, as did a letter from Tonks and Ginny about the concerns the Order had for her and her parent's welfare, but her parents hated the idea that she would not go into hiding with them. She was seventeen, soon to be eighteen in September and therefore a legal adult in her world. And she had a mission, one she couldn't exactly tell her parents about, except in broad generalizations.

She'd explained to her father that she had artifacts to find, and that these artifacts would, if brought together, combine a magic so strong as to bring down Voldemort for good. It was a horrible half-truth, but she equated it to Dungeons and Dragons and War Hammer, where the mage (or in her case, witch and wizard) could destroy the evil overlord. That he understood. At least hypothetically.

She'd also told him that the Order of the Phoenix would be doing the actual fighting, and that the fighting was also a diversion to the quest set to her, Ron and Harry. Not that her father liked that, but he did eventually come to understand the importance of what she was involved in.

Her mother took longer to convince.

Besides, Hermione knew that as soon as they found the missing Horcruxes, Harry would be ready to face down Voldemort, and how long could that take? A year was a reasonable assumption. Everything should be back to normal by then.

In the end it had been decided that her parents would take a year, or longer, sabbatical from work. Her parents' partner, Dr. Duke, and Melissa Hennings, their office manager, would manage the practice while they were away, and two Locum Tenens dentists would be hired to fill in for the duration. Both Dr. Duke and his family, however, were told that George and Jean Granger were going to join Doctors Without Borders for a year or so, to help those less fortunate and see some of the world. Hermione helped reinforce the idea in Dr. Duke's and Melissa's minds with a little spell she'd read about, the Inception Curse, instilling the notion that her parents had been speaking of doing so for a while now and that all would be well and good until they returned. The Dukes even offered to throw a going away party, which ended up being held in the office.

Hermione found that altering her parents' passports and needed papers with the names Monica and Wendell Wilkins was easy enough. Using the altered identifications, her parents transferred their accounts under their assumed names, which could be transferred to a branch in Australia. That way her parents would draw on their savings for the time being. Her father even suggested that they could work for the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Australia, one of the largest and most comprehensive aeromedical organizations in the world. The house would be locked down and magically secured, and that Hermione could use the money that had been set aside for Hermione's last term of school if she needed the funds.

The next day, Hermione had gone to Diagon Alley to transfer all her funds to a Muggle bank. She hadn't expected the goblins to be able to do the transfer for her, but it had made things much easier. She had been surprised by the amounts her parents had set aside for her. According to the accounting sheet, she had over five thousand, two hundred and ninety-four Galleons, four hundred and seventy-one Sickles and over a thousand Knuts... a fortune in her mind. According to the goblin Tagruk, her parents had already set aside twenty-five thousand pounds sterling for the tuition for her last year, plus two hundred and fifty for books, four hundred for new uniforms, three hundred for her potions ingredients, and a generous amount of pocket money for quills, parchment and essentials for when she went to Hogsmeade. Combined with her building society savings, she should have enough to support her, Harry and Ron for a while.

"I have some money put away," she admitted to Harry. "But we'd have to make it last. So, that means no hotels."

"Too risky. What about camping?" Harry asked, glancing down at her shoes. "Would you be all right with that?"

Hermione shot him an incredulous look. "Despite my current flair for fashion, I assure you I can endure some time camping. But, you're right, a tent is really mobile, and easy to take down and relocate with minimal fuss. Plus we'd be able to move about in places where cars can't go." It was so logical. "But I don't own any camping stuff, and I'm certain your guardians won't let you borrow theirs."

"Ron's dad had a tent, remember? A magical one...fully equipped with a kitchen and a bathroom," Harry said, beaming. "Maybe we could ask him."

Hermione nodded. "All right, I'll go see Ron tomorrow and see about it."

~ T. B. .C. ~

Author's Notes:

Yes, I know, this update delivery was really quick thanks to my wonderful betas. So, now here we go... on to DH!