Chapter Two

Chapter Two

Two days after Tonks' revelation, everyone in the house was hurriedly packing to leave. Tonks and Remus had not been able to finish their conversation; Kingsley and Arthur had come in about that time and Tonks had shaken her head at Remus to keep him quiet. She had whispered something in his ear as the other two had moved off towards the kitchen. Hermione had been forced to move quickly to keep from getting caught eavesdropping.

The next day had been another lonely day with no company other than Remus. Unfortunately, he had been there only a couple of hours before he had gone out, claiming he needed to get ingredients for his potion. Hermione could believe that, but wondered who he had gotten to make it for him. She knew he couldn't do it, and didn't know if he was in contact with Professor Slughorn. According to Harry, Professor Slughorn had been a loner, quite paranoid like Moody. She thought about this for a little while, trying to keep her mind off what she had heard. She couldn't ask Remus about it, couldn't let him know that she had overheard. After all, no matter how intelligent they were or what the age of majority was, they were still kept out of the loop.

Hermione had become more resentful as the day had progressed. God forbid they give them any information or something to do. What good was it for her to do research when all they had was a little bit of information that repeated itself over and over? She could be useful in other areas. She could make potions. She could help with the Muggles who were injured or who were in a position to provide help to the wizarding world. At the very least she could go and find out what others were saying on the streets, figure out what the people said in the pubs and sort through the B.S. that the Ministry obviously couldn't.

That was another bone of contention for all of them. Stan Shunpike was still in Azkaban. Minister Scrimgeour still had not let him out. Unfortunately, there were still others who were either part of the Order or who were sympathetic to the cause who had been placed there. He had even tried to claim that Fred and George Weasley were in the employ of Voldemort. Unfortunately for him, that didn't sit well with the public, especially when Harry had let "The Quibbler" print a small story letting the public know that Harry had funded their success and, technically, they were in HIS employ. That had given Hermione a small boost a few days ago, knowing that Harry would have had to sneak Hedwig out to send that letter to Luna.

Harry had come to Grimmauld Place that night, escorted by no fewer than eight Order members. Since Dumbledore's murder, aspects of security for Harry had been put on the back burner. Not that most didn't think that Harry needed the security more than anyone else, but it had not seemed to be a problem that needed to be fixed. As long as they continued doing what had been done before, the Order had figured that all was fine. They had not taken into consideration that maybe the protections that Dumbledore had pressed upon the Order, headquarters, the Dursleys' residence, and Harry himself might be compromised by his death.

It was a week before Harry had planned on coming back, and although no one had told them the reason, Harry's arrival in the dead of night was precipitous to what was to come. Harry and Hermione had been woken up early by Remus. She had not even known that he was there until walking into the kitchen. When they were both seated after exuberant hellos and welcoming, they had been told they were to begin packing, and that it had to be done quickly. Remus had appeared nervous when asked why, and had avoided answering, just telling them to get anything that might be useful to the Order later. They had not been able to ask anymore questions. It was then that the Weasleys had made a hurried entrance.

Hermione had been decidedly put out, and fumed over the lack of information from anyone. Even Ron and Ginny, who had been with their mother, wherever she had been sent, had been decidedly close-mouthed. She knew that something had happened, and whatever it was had to have been bad if Harry was back early and they were leaving. It was disconcerting also, as no one seemed to know where they were going. At least, no one was telling her or Harry.

Everything was coming to a head, and no one seemed willing to talk about it, as if speaking of a problem would cause it to happen. Hermione thought they were acting like children by not talking about what was going on. She figured it was the childish mentality of, 'If I don't see you, you can't see me,' and hiding their eyes from the truth.

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Hermione was packing up the library when Harry came rushing in, a wild look in his eyes. She glanced at him, then looked back, alarmed at his appearance. His hair was in more of a disarray than ever, his clothing was askew, his shirt was buttoned wrong, and his shoelaces were untied.

She moved to touch him, reaching out, disturbed by the quick shifting of his eyes and the tensing of muscles in his face. Just before she got to him, however, he grabbed her wrist, turned, and began pulling her along behind him to the kitchen.

"Harry, what are you doing?" she asked, alarmed. This was not the Harry that she knew. He was afraid of something and she didn't know how to handle him, other than to go along with him.

He did not acknowledge her, just kept pulling her along towards the front door. It wasn't until then that she realised that it was quiet in the house; no one was rushing around as they had been earlier in the day, getting things ready to leave. It was darker than it had been in the house, and she couldn't believe that she had taken so long in the library, thinking more about what she didn't know was happening than what she did. With Harry pulling her behind him, she understood how selfish she had been, and felt properly ashamed. How could she not have noticed what was going on around her? Had she been sulking so much that she had not seen how depressed and useless she was, or if anyone else had felt the same way? What was happening to her? Where was everyone else?

In her woebegone state, Hermione's thoughts were turned inward, and she didn't see the shadow that moved to the side of the front door, nor did she see Harry pull his wand. Her emotional status being what it was, she didn't realise that Harry kept her from the line of fire. She would later reflect that it might have been a good thing that she didn't see what was coming before everything went completely black, and she stopped feeling sorry for herself, although not by choice.

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The night after Hermione was packing the library, Severus, Draco, and Danae donned dark travelling cloaks, mounted three winged unicorns, and rode away from the safe haven that both Severus and Danae had found so comforting. Their hearts were filled with trepidation, fear, and even a sort of horrified excitement that one gets when leaving for an uncertain future.

Draco had not wanted to go. His Slytherin tendencies had made themselves vociferously known. He had refused, at first. It had then been explained to him just what price they would have to pay if they stayed. It took some convincing, and only after images of what Death Eaters did to those who betrayed them were placed in his head did he decide that Severus and Danae were right about taking their chances with Minerva and the light.

Draco had also been worried about his mother, not letting them know that for days he had been seeing her eviscerated body splayed out like a Muggle biology lab experiment in his nightmares late at night. When he had told Severus about this, after agreeing to leave with them, Severus had paled and told him to make sure to do Occlumency exercises, and not to worry. He said he was sure that it was just the Dark Lord trying to lure them out of hiding. Fears laid to rest, Draco had tried, but they kept coming back, and now it was even more grotesque as her body was starting to rot.

Draco's fears had been Severus', also. Danae had wanted to leave within three days of speaking with him, and it was all he could do not to run the opposite direction. He was sure that he could spend the rest of his life flitting from here to there, staying on the run. However, he knew that he could not subject Draco to that. He had thought of giving him what he needed here at the cabin, a home that was filled with at least respect, if not love. Severus was tired of the way he had been living his life, and with Draco, he figured that they could be the family that he had never had. Draco was as close to a son as he was going to get, and he knew it. Besides, his vow was not over yet. He had to protect Draco, make sure that he didn't die, and the best way for him to do that was to go to those who would not immediately kill them on sight (he hoped), rather than let themselves be sitting ducks for the Dark Lord and his followers.

There really had not been much to pack for their return trip to Scotland. They had not stopped to get anything from his or Draco's home, but had immediately begun making preparations to disappear. They had Apparated to different parts of the country, then moved by Muggle means to different places, staying in Britain. After almost a week of sleeping in barns, caves, and abandoned houses, they had moved again, this time to other countries. In France, they were able to get new wands, their old ones kept safe on their persons. In Africa, they had joined a herding community with carefully placed Glamour Charms on them to blend in with the native peoples. Then they had slowly worked their way to the cabin, back in Great Britain. After three weeks of running, they had wanted to get settled. It was a push to go back to their homeland, but neither was comfortable anywhere else.

To keep from having to lug packages with sentimental objects with them, they had carried only a change of clothing, food, and water wherever they had gone. Because they had so few belongings, Danae had sent the herd ahead of them, along with the house-elves. They had been under strict instructions to make a place for them, using any means possible. Severus had no idea where they would put them; they would probably have to make use of the Forbidden Forest.

Danae herself had had a sentimental goodbye from the home that she had lived in for so long. Her small house would remain as is, she only taking a few clothes with her. Severus thought that she didn't think that she would ever return and wanted to leave emotional attachments in the place she had been happiest at. He could definitely empathise with her.

All in all, it was a morose threesome that entered the Hogwarts grounds a few hours later, flying low so as not to be obviously highlighted against the night sky. They had flown around Hogsmeade; had they been spotted, an alarm would have gone up, and they didn't want to alert the authorities to Severus' and Draco's return. It was all well and good for Minerva and the Order to know about them, but the Ministry was still looking for them. Plus, there was always the danger that someone from town would overcome his or her fear and resort to vigilantism.

They landed in the open courtyard in front of Hagrid's house. It appeared that he had been waiting for them to arrive. The door opened as they were dismounting, and the large man filled the doorway before barreling down the few steps, yelling, "Danni!" at the top of his lungs. He swept her into a great bear hug, twirling her around before squeezing so hard that Severus thought she would asphyxiate before she had a chance to return the greeting.

"Hagrid!" Danae wheezed. Although she couldn't breathe, there was a large smile on her face as she returned his hug as best she could. Hagrid must have realised that she was having a little trouble, and so put her down. He had tears in his eyes, and they rolled down his cheeks while he looked her over.

"Yer lookin' a mite better than we all though' yeh would. Wher'er yer bin all this time?" he asked her, wiping his cheeks and then blowing his nose on a great big, red polka dotted handkerchief.

Danae patted him on the arm, her fondness for him showing on her face and in the gentle way she touched him. "I will come down tomorrow to talk to you, Hagrid," she said. "I'll tell you all about it then. Did my unicorns get here all right?"

Hagrid beamed at her. "Sure thin', firs' thin' this mornin'. I never seen nothin' like all them beautiful flyin' unicorns comin' on to the groun's. I he'ped the elves put 'em up, if tha's all righ'." He looked around sheepishly, then frowned. "They didn' wan' much he'p."

Danae smiled at him reassuringly, then squeezed his hand. "I'll have to get you to show me where you put them tomorrow when we talk. In the meantime, we have to get up to the castle."

It was then that Hagrid noticed Severus standing by their three mounts, Draco hiding behind him. With mixed emotions crossing his face, Hagrid stared at them for a moment before slowly lumbering toward them. Draco flinched and tried to hide more behind Severus than he already was, trying to make himself a smaller target. Severus was also very nervous with having to face Hagrid. After all, there was no greater supporter of Albus Dumbledore than Hagrid, who would have protected him with his life. It would not be a good thing for Hagrid to get hold of them if he harboured any unkind thoughts towards them. Danae was obviously thinking the same thing, for she followed only a short way behind Hagrid, wand gripped firmly in her hand.

Hagrid finally stood before Severus, breathing coming harshly. Severus met his eyes, allowing a look of sorrow into them. After standing there, hovering over the shorter man and cringing ex-student as if to intimidate them, Hagrid seemed to deflate and hung his head.

"I know yeh didn' wan' to do it, Professor. An', I know wha' the Headmaster had told yeh to do. It don' make it any easier, but I do wan' to say tha' I don' blame yeh. Besides, he alwa's trusted yeh, an' I figured tha's gotta accoun' fer somethin'."

After his speech, everyone relaxed, and Severus and Hagrid shook hands, although Severus was soon pulled into a bear hug much like Danae had been, without being twirled around. Draco was still cowering slightly, but to his credit, he said nothing. Hagrid ignored Draco, although there was a fire in his eyes when he looked at him, anger mixed with sympathy roiling away. To say Draco was confused by the look and Hagrid's subsequent silence in his direction was an understatement. He did not question his good fortune, however, and remained quietly standing, not looking up until Danae asked if Hagrid would mind tending the unicorns.

Hagrid enthusiastically took the unicorns off their hands. Severus, Draco, and Danae stood there for a few minutes, getting their bearings. For Danae, it had been a while since she had been at Hogwarts, and to Severus and Draco, it felt as though it had been as long for them. Finally, with a look back at the other two, Danae began making her way to the front of the castle. Severus and Draco slowly followed.

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There were at least three hundred people milling around the Great Hall when the doors banged open and three black cloaked people strode in. The one in front was much smaller than the other two, but exuded an air of confidence and power. The two behind the one appeared more hesitant, but no less powerful. Their cloaks covered them from head to foot, not allowing their faces to be seen. With all that had happened the last couple of days, it was not unexpected that nearly all the three hundred people there grasped their wands and pointed them at the three.

Seemingly unconcerned, the three did not falter at all, but continued up the middle of the hall, and those standing in front of them parted to make way. All talking had stopped as everyone stared, and when they had made their way to the front where the High Table was located, covered in parchments, maps, quills, and other debris, whispering began. It started out as a low murmur, then swelled so that it was soon a quietly deafening roar.

Seated around the High Table were those professors who had decided to come back to the castle on Minerva's request after the sale had been made known. Many Order members were there also, taking on roles that Minerva had told them would be explained after the owner arrived. Although they did not know who their benefactor was, it was understood that he or she had wanted Hogwarts to remain like a school. Only Minerva was privy to who that person was and what they wanted to do at the school, and she had decided that it would be best all the way around if the owner told everyone when they were all together. She had been the only one in the hall to not stand up and remained unconcerned with the three people walking toward her.

When they reached the High Table, Minerva looked up and smiled at them. "Welcome back, my dears," she said, then stood and walked around the table, stopping once only slightly to push Remus back into his seat. When she stood in front of the shorter, obvious leader, the hood of the cloak was pushed back. Minerva embraced Danae then turned her to introduce her to the entire Hall.

"For many years now, we have been lost to a great friend, someone who was taken from us at an early age, before her education here at Hogwarts was finished. Although unfortunate for her, it was a godsend for the light. Where she was taken to allowed her to gain information that was vital to our cause during the first rising of Voldemort." She paused here while several people gasped and shuddered, then continued. "She was discovered by Voldemort himself, and barely escaped death at the hands of one of his Death Eaters. Since then, she has been in hiding. I myself only recently learned of her continued existence. It was fortunate for us that I was able to locate her, and she was able to help. I would like to introduce to you the new owner of Hogwarts Castle, Andromeda Danae Riddle-Black."

After this announcement, several things happened. Remus fainted, Tonks screamed, Molly Weasley burst into tears, and several people began yelling. Chaos was total, some of the older wizards and witches storming around yelling questions angrily while the younger ones were looking around confusedly. The only calm ones were Minerva, Danae, Severus, and Draco, the last two who had not yet been identified.

As they looked around the room, Severus leaned down to loudly whisper a question in Danae's ear. "So, castle owner, how did you get enough money to pay for it?"

Danae turned to meet his surprised look with a mischievous grin. "Let's just say," she replied, "that I am a firm believer that fathers should support their children in all their endeavors."

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A/N: Well, next chapter should be up soon. I know, transitional chapters suck when there is not much going on. I was planning on explaining a lot more, but that would leave me with an extra long chapter. I am trying to keep my chapters down to about 3,000 words, give or take a couple hundred.

So, what happened to Hermione and Harry? Any ideas? That will be in the next chapter, and I bet no one knows. If you do, will someone let me know? ;)

Anyway, I will have the next chapter sent to my beta this week. I start back to classes on Wednesday, so after the next chapter I'll only be updating twice a month until December, when I will hopefully get one a week done. I also am planning another Christmas fic, but want to get some ideas from all of my readers. You can send me an email by going to my bio on Ashwinder or The Petulant Poetess.

Thank you to my reviewers, and a great big smacking snog goes to my beta, Vaughn. Without you, dear, I would not have been able to get this out.