Chapter 29

Disclaimer: Anything that seems vaguely familiar in this chapter has been quoted, paraphrased, or just plain old summarized from The Half Blood Prince.

Chapter 29

Hermione's sixth year:

Sirius Black sat in front of the Wizengamot in chains. The new Minister, Rufus Scrimgeour, sat at the head of the group listening to Albus Dumbledore.

"And so, Peter Pettigrew was actually the one who told You-Know-Who about the location of the Potter home. It was he who indirectly caused their deaths. It was he who blew up the Muggle street, severing his own finger to frame Sirius Black. Mr. Black has been imprisoned wrongly, and I must request the court to find him innocent and make him a free man."

Minister Scrimgeour regarded Dumbledore thoughtfully.

"You have provided a compelling case, Professor Dumbledore. Wizengamot, what say you? If you find the defendant guilty, raise your hands."

Several hands shot up, including that of Dolores Umbridge. Harry rolled his eyes. He was sitting on the sidelines, watching the proceedings. He had testified earlier on Sirius' behalf about seeing Pettigrew. Severus sat next to him. He had also testified as to what he had witnessed, including Pettigrew's escape.

"Those in favor of dropping all charges and labeling the defendant innocent raise your hands," Scrimgeour directed.

Most of the hands in the hall rose.

Rufus Scrimgeour banged his gavel on the podium.

"We, the Wizengamot, find the defendant, Sirius Black, innocent of all charges. He is to be released immediately."

With that, all of the Wizengamot stood and began to file out of the room. Harry rose and raced down to Sirius. The chains had automatically fallen from him at the pronouncement of the sentence, so he was standing with his arms open wide as Harry rushed up to him. They embraced.

"I knew you would be proven innocent, Sirius!"

"I have you and Dumbledore to thank for that." He looked toward Snape. "I even owe something to Snape... shudder the thought."

Severus gave him a terse smile, bowed his head and left the room.

"He's always full of wise things to say, isn't he, Harry?" Sirius quipped.

Harry's hackles prickled a bit. "He just saved your life, the least you could do is not taunt him!"

Sirius looked down in shock at Harry. "You're right," he said finally. "It just comes so naturally to me."

"Well, I wish you would make an effort not to be so nasty," Harry demanded.

Sirius looked Harry up and down. "You are more mature than your father ever was at this age, Harry. And of course, you are right. Now is not the time for childish name calling. There is a war going on, and we need all of our allies beside us."

"Thank you, Sirius. Professor Snape is my friend, and you are my godfather. I would like it if you two would get along."

"I will do my best, Harry."

Harry hugged Sirius again. "I'm glad you are free now," he said, changing the subject.

Sirius' eyes lit up. "Why don't you spend the rest of the summer with me?"

Harry looked hesitantly at Sirius. "I would like that, but I'm not sure my aunt would."

"Well, let's Apparate over to her and ask, shall we?"

Harry brightened. "Okay. The worst she can say is no."

"And hopefully she'll say yes." Sirius grinned conspiratorially at his godson as they both turned to leave the courtroom.

They left the Ministry and Apparated straight away to Privet Drive. Harry burst in calling his aunt's name. She bound down the stairs with a smile on her face. She stopped short at the base of the stairs when she caught sight of Sirius.

"Aunt Petunia, this is Sirius Black. Sirius, this is my Aunt Petunia."

Petunia extended her hand, and Sirius raised it to his mouth and gave it a kiss.

"My pleasure, madam," he drawled.

Petunia tittered at his chivalry. "I suppose the Wizengamot set you free, or you would not be standing in my hallway?"

"With Harry's help, they had no choice but to set me free."

Petunia smiled at him. "Well, I'm glad they saw the truth finally. Harry has explained everything to me. I think it's awful that that Pettigrew rat framed you like he did."

"Well, I believe he'll get his in the end."

"Oh! Where are my manners? Do come in for a spot of lunch, would you?"

"I would be delighted, madam."

She smiled at him and led the two men to the kitchen. Before long there was a giant plate of sandwiches set before them, and three glasses of pumpkin juice appeared. Sirius' eyes grew wide at the bounty, not having eaten well in months.

"Ms. Dursley, you really have outdone yourself," Sirius complimented as he reached for a sandwich.

"Oh, it was nothing," Petunia said as she blushed. "And call me Petunia, please."

Sirius grinned coyly at her.

Harry grabbed a sandwich and stuffed some in his mouth. Dudley appeared out of nowhere, somehow having a sixth-sense that there was food to be had. He sat down too and grabbed a sandwich.

"Hey, Sirius, did you get off?" Dudley asked with his mouth full.

"I did," Sirius said simply.

The four conversed about the trial for a while before Harry got up the nerve to bring up staying with Sirius for the rest of the summer.

"Aunt Petunia?"

"Yes, dear?" Petunia asked.

"Would it be okay if I spent the rest of the summer with Sirius?"

Petunia frowned and looked over at Sirius.

"The entire summer, Harry? That's almost an entire month! I hardly see you during the school year!"

"I know. It's just that I haven't been able to spend much time with Sirius since I found out he is my godfather. Please?"

"Petunia, Dudley and you are welcome in my home anytime," Sirius offered. "You could even come and stay for a while. The house is large, and there's plenty of room."

Harry looked at his aunt with pleading eyes. Petunia regarded him for a minute and then smiled at him.

"You know when you give me those eyes, Harry Potter, I can deny you nothing!"

Harry smiled devilishly. "Is that a yes, then?"

Petunia narrowed her eyes at him slyly. "Yes, you may, as long as we can visit."

"How about you all come right away and stay a week at least!" Sirius insisted.

"Well," Petunia said as she looked to him, "if you're sure it won't be an imposition."

"It will not be, I assure you," Sirius responded.

Petunia smiled at him, and they started planning their vacation.

oooOOOooo

"Petunia, if you feel so strongly against Voldemort, you should join the Order," Sirius told her.

Petunia thought about that. They were all sitting in the Grimmauld Place study with mugs of hot chocolate in their hands. Even though it was the middle of the summer, Harry and Dudley had begged that they have some, so they were indulging in the delicious hot drink while in the midst of a heat wave.

"What good can I be for the Order?" Petunia asked curiously.

"We need every able witch and wizard in this fight. When there is a battle, you will be alerted and can join in it," Sirius explained.

"I would like to be of some service. I was so negative against magic for so long..." Petunia knit her eyebrows together as she considered Sirius' proposal. "I almost feel that I owe the Wizarding world something of an apology."

"I wasn't implying that, Petunia!" Sirius cried.

"No, Sirius, I didn't think you were. I was merely thinking out loud. What do I have to do to join?"

"You need to take an oath of secrecy never to divulge the meeting place of the Order or any of its members or secrets. In the oath, you also pledge your allegiance to the Order."

"That seems simple enough. Okay, I'll do it!" Petunia said.

She was met with three smiles.

Harry looked to Sirius. "Are you sure we can't join, Sirius? We are both sixteen."

"I'm sorry, Harry, Dudley. You must be an adult to join. I'm sure you will both do your own part in this war, nonetheless."

Harry and Dudley both looked disappointed.

"Perk up, you two," Petunia said. "At least you know I'm in it up to my neck now."

The boys grinned at her, and the four continued to chat until it was very late.

oooOOOooo

Severus sat in the Headmaster's office, staring at Albus. Albus was staring at him with the same look of dread on his face.

"So, you say that Draco Malfoy has been ordered to kill me?" Albus asked him, not really seeming surprised at all.

Severus only nodded.

"Well, we can't have that, my boy. He is not so far gone yet as to destroy his soul in such a way. He is only a Death Eater because his father has pushed him into the position. He wishes to see his son with as much power as he himself has; perhaps more."

"I believe Lucius urged Voldemort to give Draco this task. He wants Draco to be glorified. I'm not sure that will be the eventual outcome, however. Draco himself seems eager to please. I'm not sure the full meaning of his task has occurred to him yet." Severus was silent for a moment. Finally, he looked up to Albus. "What do you suggest be done, Headmaster?" he asked with trepidation, sure of what the answer would be.

"Perhaps you should kill me," Albus remarked absently.

Severus rose from his chair and leaned across the desk looking into Albus' eyes.

"You would spare Malfoy ruining his soul, yet you would have me ruin my life and soul? How dare you ask me such a thing, Albus! I will not be your murderer."

Albus gave him a fatherly look. "Severus, perhaps we can do it in a way that everyone will benefit."

"How can anyone benefit from your death?" Severus asked through clenched teeth. "This is ludicrous, Albus. There must be another way."

"Have you any suggestions, my boy?"

Severus sat in the chair suddenly. He knew what Hermione had said would happen. Did he want this bit of history to repeat itself? If it did, he would be forced into hiding for who knew how long. In the long run, of course, it would be better than having to actually kill the old man.

"We could fake your death," he said finally in defeat.

Albus looked at him curiously. "Do go on, Severus."

"We could come up with some sort of hex I could throw at you that would make it appear you were dead, but only incapacitate you for a time, so that everyone thought you were dead. Then we could hide Draco, so he wouldn't be punished by the Dark Lord for not being the one to kill you in the first place."

Albus brightened. "That would give you an opportunity to get deeper into the Death Eater organization!" he sputtered.

Severus gave Dumbledore a quick nod. "Yes, if the Dark Lord believes that I truly wanted to murder you, but something went awry with the spell."

"But are you willing to have the world think of you as a murderer, Severus?"

"I would rather they think that than to actually become a murderer, Headmaster."

Albus nodded his head. "Let's move along with this plan, Severus. We can accomplish much with it."

oooOOOooo

Severus was once again in the Headmaster's Office.

"It seems that I have committed myself to your murder, Albus," he said gravely.

"What do you mean, my boy?"

"I was visited late last night by Narcissa Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange. Narcissa begged me to help her son to accomplish his task. Bellatrix, who has always been suspicious of my motives, suggested an Unbreakable Vow. I agreed in order to keep up pretenses and knowing what our plan would be."

Albus sat quietly across from Severus, mulling over everything he said.

"What did you agree to in the Unbreakable Vow?" he asked finally.

"To do Draco's job for him."

"But that would mean you would really have to kill me."

"I was hoping you could come up with an alternative. You are well versed in Unbreakable Vows and how they can be accomplished. If we can figure out a way to make the hex fulfill the Vow, I believe we can go ahead as planned."

Albus stroked his beard. "Well, the hex is supposed to feign death. I think the fact that I will be 'dead', even though not actually dead, will fulfill the Vow."

"Are you sure?"

Severus pictured himself perishing because he had not completed his Vow to kill Dumbledore. That would definitely be the ultimate irony.

Albus got up and went to his bookshelf. He took down a book and returned to his desk. Unbreakable Vows and their Fulfillment was the title. He flipped through the book until he found what he was looking for. After a minute, he looked back up at Severus.

"What exactly did you promise?"

"To watch over Draco, and carry out the deed the Dark Lord has ordered Draco to perform."

"And the Dark Lord has asked him to kill me," Albus mused.

Severus nodded.

Albus shut the book. "I think the act of attempting to kill me will fulfill the Vow as long as your intention is to kill me."

"But it is not."

"You must believe that it is."

"Even though I know that you will survive in the end?"

"Yes, Severus. It is imperative that you believe that you are killing me. That is the only way the Vow will be fulfilled."

Severus sighed. "We'll need to make sure that my believing I'm killing you does not enhance the spell so that it actually kills you."

"I trust you, Severus. You will be ready when the time comes, and I will not die."

"Hopefully you are right."

"Once the deed is done, you may admit to yourself your true intentions, and the Vow will be fulfilled. There will be no repercussions."

Severus only nodded. "I despise this plan," he said plainly.

"It is the only way to save everyone involved, Severus."

"Must I always suffer to help everyone else?"

Albus regarded him with a sad look. "I wish it could be different, Severus. You knew what you were getting into when you volunteered to be my spy."

Severus sighed. "Yes, but I didn't realize how much pain and horror I would live through at the time."

"I doubt you would have declined my invitation even if you did know what was to come."

Severus gave Albus a small smirk at his assurances. "Thank you for your trust, Headmaster."

He rose and bowed his head slightly as a goodbye and left the room.

oooOOOooo

Hermione headed toward the Gryffindor Common Room. She was feeling a little embarrassed for accusing Harry of giving Ron Felix Felicis. She had been cross now for over a week. First it had been that book that Harry had with all of the hints and cheats in it. It frustrated her to no end that she would work her hardest only to be overshadowed by Harry who was just cheating the whole time. She calmed herself inwardly. She was supposed to not let things like that upset her. She had worked hard to be more even keeled and not so insecure about herself, but it was times like this that tested her to the point of frustration.

Then of course there was this morning with the potion. Harry had wound up duping both

Ron and her into believing that he had slipped the Felix Felicis potion into Ron's drink. But all had been explained, and there was now a celebratory party for the Gryffindor win in the common room. She was looking forward to a little fun.

Her week had continued on its terrible run with Ron giving her the cold shoulder. Hermione shook her head. She had kissed Viktor Krum over two years ago. What was Ron's problem? Why couldn't he just come out and ask her out? If he was going to be jealous, there should at least be a reason for it. If he liked her, he should just tell her so. She had wanted him to ask her out for ages now, but he never did. She did not understand what the problem was. Was he really that shy?

She entered the common room with a little smile on her face, hoping to enjoy herself. She glanced around, but Harry had not arrived yet. She searched for Ron, but did not immediately see him. She grabbed a butterbeer and took a sip. That was when she noticed him. Ron sat in the corner with Lavender Brown. She was sitting on his lap, and they were snogging. Hermione almost dropped her butterbeer. She quickly placed it on a table to avoid an accident and looked back at Ron. It was like her eyes were glued to him. He passionately kissed Lavender. She was returning the favor with just as much fervor.

Hermione's heart clenched within her. Ron hadn't liked her at all! Or was he just doing this to make her jealous? That would be Ron's style... the git. She watched him for another minute or so as a mixture of grief and anger grew within her. Suddenly she turned and fled from the common room. She ran down the hall and found an empty classroom. Running over to the teacher's desk, she sat down on it. Her thoughts were black.

She removed her wand and said "Avis."

A flock of birds came out of her wand and started circling her head. She eyed them, thinking they were a little too chipper for her mood, but she let them fly about anyway. They represented well the emotions that were swirling around in her. She mulled over the last few minutes of her life. Was Ron trying to make her jealous, or had he never liked her at all? Either way, he was a total jerk. She shook her head, making the birds move in a more elliptical pattern rather than circular for the moment. Why did she care about that prat, anyway?

Suddenly the door burst open. and none other than Ron and Lavender came in, laughing together. Hermione narrowed her eyes at Ron as Lavender giggled and backed out of the room.

"Oh, sorry," Ron said, smirking at Hermione.

It was as if she were a Legilimens. She could read his thoughts. She could tell he was thinking, Ha ha, I showed you. Now I'm the one who's snogging someone else.

Filled with fury, she cried, "Oppugno!" The flock of birds around her head went straight for Ron. He shielded himself and backed out of the room, bombarded by the small flock of birds.

oooOOOooo

Given the Gryffindor victory, Severus was feeling a bit glum. He thought that perhaps a stroll around the school would be helpful. He had headed straight for the Gryffindor tower, hoping to find some snogging students around the entry to the common room. He was walking down the hall when a strange sight came into view. Lavender Brown was backing away from Ron Weasley, who was shielding his face from a flock of small birds.

"Gittemoffme!" Ron cried as the birds assaulted him.

Severus pulled out his wand and in an instant the birds disappeared. Ron put his arms down in relief.

"Mr. Weasley, what is the meaning of this?"

Ron pointed to the door from whence he came. "She's mental, that's what the meaning of this is. She set those birds out to kill me!"

"Who are you speaking about?" Severus asked tersely.

"Hermione. Who else would be such a crazy loon?" Ron said indignantly.

Severus reigned in the urge to punch Weasley in the face. "What did you do to her, Mr. Weasley?"

"I just walked in there with Lavender, and the next thing I knew she was sending a flock of birds at me! I'm telling you, she needs a trip to St. Mungo's."

Severus seethed inwardly. He wanted to give Weasley a detention, but he had no excuse. Not yet, at least.

"Mr. Weasley, did you say something stupid to her?" Severus taunted.

"I didn't say a word to her, Snape!"

Severus raised an eyebrow at him. That had been all too easy.

"Detention, Mr. Weasley, for disrespecting a teacher. Tonight. I suggest you take your girlfriend and get out of my sight before I bestow more on you."

"Come on, Lavender," Ron said as he grabbed her elbow and pulled her back toward the common room entrance.

Severus watched him as he led the girl away. He then eyed the classroom in which Hermione had holed herself up. He debated whether to leave her to her misery, but he couldn't. He stepped to the door and peered in. Hermione was sitting at the teacher's desk, sobbing with her head lying down, enveloped by her arms. I should have given Weasley ten detentions, he thought.

Severus silently entered the classroom and warded the door. He glided over to Hermione and stooped down, placing his hand on her shoulder. She glanced up and immediately put her head down again sobbing louder.

"Miss Granger?"

"Please, just leave me alone!" she wailed.

"That was some fine spell work you did with those birds. If I had known you had cast the spell at the time, I would have let them eat at Mr. Weasley a bit longer."

Hermione's crying stopped. She picked her head up and looked at him curiously. Scrunching up her eyebrows in disbelief, she burst out laughing. She shook her head as she laughed.

"You never cease to amaze me, Professor," she exclaimed.

"Neither do you, Miss Granger. How you can be so feisty in the midst of adversity is beyond me."

Hermione stared straight ahead and said nothing.

"Would you like to talk about it?" Severus asked.

"You must be sick of me burdening you with my problems."

"Miss Granger, if I were sick of it, I wouldn't have come in here. What I'm sick of is Mr. Weasley constantly upsetting you."

"He doesn't constantly upset me," she murmured.

"It seems to me he does more than his share of it," Severus scoffed. "Why do you put up with him?"

"Professor Snape, I just sent a flock of birds to attack him! I hardly call that putting up with him."

Severus smirked. "Why then, do you put up with him for so long that it causes you to hex him when you can take it no longer?"

Tears formed in Hermione's eyes again. "I thought... I thought... oh, never mind. You don't care what I thought."

Severus wanted to pull her toward him and comfort her. He wanted to make Weasley disappear off the face of the Earth so he wouldn't make her so upset. But he only put his hand on her shoulder.

"What did you think, Miss Granger?"

She looked over at him tentatively. She couldn't discuss her love life with her professor; it was just too weird, no matter how nice he was to her.

"Nothing, Professor," she said and looked down.

"You thought he had feelings for you?"

She nodded.

"But he is now seeing Miss Brown?"

She nodded again.

"Have you ever heard the quote 'A lovesick fool is foolish indeed'?" Severus asked her.

She shook her head.

"I believe Mr. Weasley is suffering from the effects of that quote. Is it possible he's trying to make you jealous?"

"The thought has crossed my mind," Hermione admitted.

"I believe it is more than likely."

"That really doesn't make me feel any better. He's either not interested or a total prat."

"Perhaps you should count yourself lucky to find this out before anything started between the two of you."

Hermione scoffed. "I already thought things had started between the two of us. The way he has been acting towards me lately. Running when he sees me... screaming his head off because I kissed Viktor Krum two years ago!"

She looked angrily at Severus and pointed at the door.

"That's what all of this is about, you know. I saw it in his beady little eyes. He's throwing Lavender in my face!"

"Miss Granger, someday you will find someone who cares for you truly, and you will be happy." Someday we will fall in love, and you will have someone who respects you, not someone who does everything he can to spite you. "Forget about Mr. Weasley. He's not good enough for you."

Whoops, he hadn't meant to say that last part aloud.

oooOOOooo

Hermione's big eyes stared at him for a while. She wished for a fleeting moment that he was twenty years younger. She could see that he would be the type of man who respected anyone he was interested in. He's your professor, Hermione, knock it off, she thought to herself. Pushing those thoughts deep within her, she looked down at the desk and smiled at his comments.

"Anyone who can send a flock of birds as an attack weapon is worthy of the finest companion," Severus confided in her.

Hermione laughed out loud. She looked gratefully at Severus.

"How do you always know the right things to say to cheer me up?" she asked him.

Severus stood and looked down at her. "It's part of being a Knight in Shining Armor, Miss Granger. It comes with the job."

Hermione laughed as Severus drew his cape around him, turned, and made his way out of the room and disappeared from sight.

oooOOOooo

Severus made his way slowly to his room. He was deep in thought. He had known that Hermione had dated Ron Weasley in her past, but he had not counted on their eventual hook up to hurt so much. She had told him that Ron had been jealous, and that was the reason she had broken up with him, but he had not realized that that jealousy had started way before they had even officially dated. Severus truly did not see what Hermione saw in Ron. He was selfish and spiteful. Of course, she had seen deep within Severus himself to see the good within him, she would look deep and see the good in Weasley also.

As she matured, he knew that Ron and her joining would be inevitable. He hated to think of Hermione being touched by someone else and to have strong feelings for anyone but him, but he would have to steel himself for the coming of such a relationship. Perhaps he could move out of the country or something when they started dating. Then he wouldn't have to watch them, only wishing that it were him she was looking at so lovingly.

oooOOOooo

Harry knocked on Professor Snape's door.

"Enter," Harry heard from within and swung the door open with a smile on his face.

"Hi, Professor," he said to Severus.

Severus looked up from his cauldron to nod politely to Harry and went back to his stirring.

"Professor, could I ask you a question, or is this a bad time?"

"Go ahead, Harry, I can pay attention to you and this cauldron."

"Could we include Ron in our Saturday sessions? He's getting a bit curious as to why Hermione and I both disappear at the same time. I think he'd benefit from everything you're teaching us too."

Severus frowned deeply. The last thing he wanted to do was spend more time with Ron Weasley. He looked up at Harry.

"The next thing I know, you'll be inviting all of Dumbledore's Army in on our little sessions."

"No, I promise I won't, although that's a great idea," Harry said with a grin.

"I suppose I should be glad we kept it as private as we did for so long?" Severus said with an arch of his eyebrow.

"That's how I'm choosing to look at it. Anyway, he's my best mate. I hate lying to him all the time."

Severus looked crossly into his cauldron and then back up to Harry.

"Okay, but he'd better not say anything stupid," Severus relinquished.

"Thanks, Professor!" Harry said and ran out of the classroom.

"Good talking to you, Harry," Severus muttered under his breath.

oooOOOooo

It wasn't nearly as bad as Severus was supposing it would be. The three students arrived, and to his delight, Hermione and Ron were speaking civilly to each other.

"Mr. Weasley, you can thank Harry for your inclusion in our exclusive group. I was only coaching Harry, and that was my only intent until Miss Granger and her stunning intellect figured out where Mr. Potter was heading to every week. And now, you too are involved, thanks to the whining of your best friend."

"Hey, I didn't whine!" Harry exclaimed.

Severus raised an eyebrow at him, which shut him up. Severus smirked.

"All right, Mr. Weasley, shall we begin by seeing what you already know?"

Ron nodded his head and got into his dueling stance. Severus did the same. He shot a spell at Ron, who blocked it easily. Ron sent his own spell at Severus, who jumped out of the way, giving him an advantage as he shot another spell towards Ron. Ron rolled on the ground to avoid it. Severus pointed his wand in the air, signaling a ceasefire.

"Very nice, Mr. Weasley; you defended yourself well. Let's see how you do against Miss Granger."

"No way! She always hexes me into the wall!" Ron cried.

Harry laughed.

"I believe the purpose of these lessons is to learn to not be hexed into a wall, even by a formidable opponent," Severus said dryly.

Ron nodded his head and got ready. Hermione was too fast for him, though. Sure enough, into the wall he crashed.

"Ow!" Ron cried.

Severus went over and helped him up. "What do you think you did wrong, Mr. Weasley?"

"I dueled with Hermione," Ron whined.

Severus smiled at him. "Well, that probably was your first mistake, but how could you improve your performance?"

Ron shrugged.

"You must assume that the enemy will attack before you are ready. The second you see that person, you must be ready to throw up your shield or else you will be passed out or dead before you know what hit you. It has to almost happen before you're even aware that the enemy is in front of you. You must make it second nature to be able to throw up a shield at a moment's notice."

Ron gave Severus a determined look. "I understand, sir," he told Severus.

"Good, let's try it again."

Ron and Hermione readied themselves, and this time when Hermione sent her spell, Ron shielded it perfectly. He sent a spell of his own, catching Hermione off guard, and she was the one to slam into the wall. All three of the men rushed to her side to make sure she was all right, as it was not often that she went flying.

"Sorry, Hermione," Ron said as he extended his hand to her.

She sat up and rubbed her head.

"Are you alright?" Harry asked.

"Yes, I just slammed my head when I hit the wall."

"Let me see," Severus offered.

He examined her head and waved his wand over it. The pain subsided.

"Thank you," Hermione muttered.

She took Ron's hand and got up.

"That was a good move, Ron," she admitted. "You really caught me off guard."

Ron beamed. "Thanks, Hermione!"

"All right, let's pair off. Miss Granger, Mr. Potter, you two are together. Mr. Weasley, you are with me."

They worked for an hour, trading partners until everyone had worked with everyone else. At the end, they were all laughing at the things that had happened and the way they had all hit the wall at the same time during one exercise. The three students said goodbye to their professor and left the room.

"Snape's not as bad as I thought he would be," Ron commented.

"Professor Snape," Hermione corrected.

Ron rolled his eyes. "Anyway, that was fun. Thanks for finally including me in your little secret society."

"Oh, Ron! We would have said something if we could have," Hermione cried.

"Yeah, Ron, I wanted to tell you, I just couldn't."

Ron nodded his head in agreement. "I understand. I wouldn't want Professor Snape mad at me either for spilling the beans. Speaking of beans, it's close to lunch, isn't it?"

Oh, Ron, you're impossible!" Hermione told him in no uncertain words as they headed for the Great Hall and a plentiful lunch.

oooOOOooo

Petunia waited in the Leaky Cauldron with a soda in front of her. Tom, the barkeep, had looked at her strangely when she had asked for the Muggle drink. She was sure that not many wizards had taken a liking to the beverage and was glad that he even had some on hand for her. She took a sip and looked around. The bar was crowded with midday clientele chatting away about their days.

Her eyes drew to the door as it opened, and a tall dark haired man walked through. Petunia smiled. Sirius Black smiled back at her and sauntered over.

"Imagine finding such a flower in this dark, dingy place!" Sirius drawled.

Petunia giggled. "Sirius, you're too much."

"I know. That's why you're so enamored with me," Sirius replied as he sat down.

Petunia scoffed. "You are way too full of yourself, sir."

Sirius flashed his patented grin at her. She smiled back, despite herself.

"Shall we be off?" he asked.

"Don't you want a drink or something?" Petunia asked him.

"I'm not thirsty. Let's go."

Petunia stood along with Sirius. They made their way to the back of the pub and entered Diagon Alley. They strolled along the street taking in the shop windows. Finally, Petunia spoke.

"I can't believe you've taken this long to replace your dress robes," she mused.

"I have really not had need for it. I have been on the run for quite some time."

"Well, yes, but you've been a free man for several months now."

Sirius gave her an amused look. "Sorry, Petunia, it wasn't on the top of my list of things to do."

Petunia laughed. "I guess I can understand you wanting to do other things."

Sirius became serious. "I'm glad you let Harry spend his summer with me. I was a bit scared at first that you would say no."

"I wouldn't have. I understood his need to get to know you better."

Sirius glanced at Petunia with admiration. She was quite a bit deeper than she appeared on the surface. He saw her look up and realized they had made it to Madam Malkin's.

"So, do you know what you want?" she asked him.

"Of course not, that's why I brought you along."

She grinned as they entered the store. They were accosted by Madam Malkin herself immediately, as the shop was uncharacteristically empty.

"How can I help you both?" Madam Malkin asked.

Sirius spoke up. "I am looking for a new set of dress robes."

Madam Malkin's eyes lit up. "Oh, sir, we have some wonderful new styles that just arrived last week!"

She grasped Sirius' arm and led him over to the rack of new robes. They perused the styles for a minute while Petunia stood back and let them rifle through the rack. Sirius pulled out a couple, but replaced them quickly. Finally, he found a set that was a charcoal grey. The suit coat was long and stood open. Sirius liked them. He looked over at Petunia. She smiled and nodded.

"Try it on," she encouraged.

He disappeared for a few minutes and then emerged from the dressing room bedecked in the robes. Petunia caught her breath at the sight of him. The suit fit perfectly. The pants were slimming and framed him nicely. The suit coat was open and revealed a pure white ribbed shirt underneath. The whole outfit made Sirius look incredibly handsome. At least, that was what Petunia thought.

"They're perfect, Sirius," she commented.

"Do you think so?" he asked while looking at himself in a mirror.

Madam Malkin piped in. "Oh, it's as if they were made for you! They just need a tiny bit of tailoring."

Sirius stared at his reflection for a few minutes. He turned and looked to Petunia again. She only nodded.

"Okay. I'll take it."

"Wonderful!" Madam Malkin exclaimed and began making the alterations.

A little while later Petunia and Sirius were heading out of the store and walking down the alley. Sirius led her across the street.

"Are you hungry?" he asked her.

"Yes," she said simply.

"This café is the best in Diagon Alley."

Petunia noticed they were next to a small café that was bustling with business. The sign atop it read Pomegranates. All of the tables outside were filled. Sirius led her inside, and they luckily got the last table available. They spent a couple of minutes studying their menus and ordered a couple of sandwiches. Petunia looked to Sirius, and he flashed a smile.

"What else do you want to do today?" she asked him.

"Whatever you would like to do," Sirius said.

"I don't get here too often. I'd just like to look around a bit, if that's okay with you."

"Of course, Petunia. I would be honored to accompany you while you 'look around'."

Their sandwiches arrived soon after that. Petunia stared down at hers in disbelief.

"They don't expect us to eat all of this, do they?" she exclaimed.

The sandwich was piled high with corned beef. It was at least three times the size of any sandwich she had ever seen. Sirius' was the same, except his was piled with roast beef.

"I told you this was the best place in town," Sirius replied as he carefully grabbed his sandwich and took a large bite from it.

"I don't even know how to pick this up!" Petunia remarked.

She made an attempt, but some of her corned beef fell out of the sandwich. Sirius laughed.

"It's supposed to do that. That's the beauty of the sandwich."

Petunia smirked and took a bite.

"Mmm, that's good," she mused.

"Told you," Sirius gloated.

Petunia nodded her head at him, and they continued eating.

A good while later they had left the café and were strolling along the street, 'looking around.' They chatted and laughed. Petunia was startled when Sirius' hand went to her back and he directed her along the street.

"I appreciate you coming along with me today, Petunia. I probably would have debated which robe to buy for a while had you not been there to give your approval."

"Oh, Sirius, those robes are perfect for you."

Sirius stopped and looked at Petunia. His flirtatious demeanor fell away, and he suddenly looked shy.

"You're perfect for me too," he said tentatively.

Petunia's eyes widened at his remark. She realized he was being serious, and she was quite taken aback. After Vernon, she had not expected to date anyone again. She'd had it with love. But Sirius was different. He made her laugh, and he was kind and respectful. She enjoyed his company. They had seen quite a bit of one another through visits with Harry. She secretly had wanted to get to know him a lot better and had been excited when he had asked her to come with him to Diagon Alley. Sirius suddenly stepped closer to her.

"I have wanted to be closer to you for weeks now, Petunia. Do you have any feelings for me at all?"

Petunia smiled at him. "Sirius, I find you incredibly attractive, and yes, I do have feelings for you."

She was surprised by his lips meeting hers. His kiss was not faint and unemotional like Vernon's was. It was wild and passionate. She got caught up in it and kissed him back furiously, unaware of anything around her but him. After a little while they separated.

"Remind me to thank Harry for introducing us," Petunia whispered to Sirius.

"It seems I owe him more than my life."

oooOOOooo

Hermione quickly moved through the mostly deserted halls. Once again she had spent all night in the library. Between her Transfiguration essay, her Potions essay, and the need to research color changing charms, she had spent every hour after dinner with her nose in a book. Finally looking up at the clock, she had amazed herself to find that she'd spent the entire evening in the library and had only twenty minutes until curfew. She had packed her books away and left the room quickly. She had left her Arithmancy book in the Great Hall at dinner and needed to get it before curfew. She hurried down the stairs and got to the third floor, where she stopped suddenly.

From the stairwell, she could see down the third floor hall. A black mass lay crumpled on the floor near the doors to the hospital wing. Hermione took in a sharp breath. The mass was large enough to be a person. She ran from the stairs and down the hall to what she now recognized as a pile of black robes. Reaching the robes, she got down on her knees next to them. Reaching out, she felt a body and saw some blood smeared on the floor.

Hermione told herself to breathe as she rolled the still form onto its back. It was Professor Snape. She couldn't help herself; she gasped loudly as her hand came to her mouth. His face was covered in blood from a gash on his forehead. His arm stuck out at an odd angle. There were tears and gashes in his usually impeccable robes and blood seeped from each gash. Hermione stifled a sob as she got up and rushed to the infirmary doors.

Bursting through, she shouted as loud as she could.

"Madam Pomfrey! Madam Pomfrey?!"

"What is it child?" Madam Pomfrey demanded as she stuck her head out of her office.

"Oh! Come quickly! Professor Snape is unconscious and bleeding in the hall!" Hermione shouted to her from across the room.

Madam Pomfrey disappeared for a second, then came bounding to Hermione's side with her wand in her hand. She raced past Hermione and burst through the doors. Hermione followed quickly behind.

Poppy bent low and took a look at Severus. She deemed he was able to be moved and levitated him into the infirmary, settling him into a bed. Hermione watched helplessly as Madam Pomfrey went to work healing her Potions professor. A tear escaped her eye as she saw just how wounded he was.

Who could have done this to him? It had to be the Death Eaters. The poor man risks his life every time he meets with them. Hopefully they didn't find out he's on our side.

Madam Pomfrey looked up at that moment. "Miss Granger, thank you. I can take it from here. Return to your common room and go to bed."

"But, Madam Pomfrey, I thought..."

"No, young lady. He needs many spells and potions, and he won't be awake anytime soon. You can stop by tomorrow if you're concerned about him. He'll be alright."

Hermione nodded and left. She couldn't help herself, more tears flowed down her face. She didn't want to think of what might have happened to Professor Snape if she hadn't come across him when she had. Would he have bled to death? At least she had found him and Madam Pomfrey could heal him. He was a good man and didn't deserve such horrid treatment from those who were supposed to be his allies.

oooOOOooo

At lunchtime the next day, Hermione snuck into the infirmary to check on her professor. She closed the door quietly behind her and tiptoed up to Severus' bed. His eyes were closed, and she didn't want to wake him, so she just stood quietly by his bedside, examining every inch of him to make sure he was okay.

Feeling a presence, Severus cracked an eye open.

"You found me last night?" he asked Hermione.

She jumped, not realizing he was awake and certainly not expecting him to speak. She gave a quick nod.

"Thank you," Severus said. "I was expecting to bleed to death on that floor. Imagine my surprise when I awoke here instead."

Hermione went to the side of the bed and looked down at Severus. "I'm glad I came by when I did, Professor. The halls were pretty empty, and I'm not sure if anyone else would have seen you. Are you feeling all right?"

Severus put his hand up to his head and rubbed his forehead. "I have felt better," he admitted.

Hermione bent low. "Did they find out you're a spy, sir?"

Severus saw the concern in her eyes. Why did everything have to be so difficult? "No, Hermione, they didn't. The Dark Lord only thought I needed a little reminder of who was in charge. He set his fiends on me. Believe me... it could have been much worse."

Hermione straightened and looked at him haughtily. "How could that be? You were bleeding from so many parts of your body last night that I didn't even know what was really injured and what wasn't. Did they set out to kill you?"

Severus opened his mouth to respond, but hesitated. Hermione seemed almost frantic. He wished he could pull her to him and cradle her in his arms. Stop thinking about that, you lovesick fool, he berated himself. She would think me mad if I did something like that.

"They had no intention to kill me. They wanted me to have a long recovery so I could 'treasure' every cut and broken bone. That way, I will remember who my master is and not desire to usurp his position."

Hermione put her hand to her mouth. "How can they do this to you, sir?"

"It is simply a game."

"They are all animals!"

Severus closed his eyes. "Yes, they are."

Hermione bristled. "How long must you do this, sir? Certainly there's another way?"

Severus looked to the window. "There may be, but this is the best way for now. I have made a commitment, and I will continue with it. I am not one to shirk my responsibilities because of some minor inconveniences."

"Minor inconveniences! They almost killed you! Surely there's someone else who can do this?"

"And who would you have do it, Hermione? I am a Death Eater. I am the perfect mole. No one else could get the information that I am privy to. I will see this war out and do what I have to."

Hermione fought back the tears. "Even if it kills you?" she spat violently.

Severus' eyes moved toward her once again. "Even then," he said sadly.

"Well, it's not fair!" she cried. "You don't deserve any of this!"

"Miss Granger, get a hold of yourself!" Severus demanded.

Hermione's chest heaved as she tried to calm her shattered nerves. "I... I'm sorry, sir," she said finally.

"It's all right. I appreciate your concern. I have long known this time would come and that my life would be in grave danger. I have come to terms with my possible death."

Hermione nodded stiffly. "Is there anything I can get you to make you more comfortable?"

Severus smirked at her. "I think you finding me this bed was more than enough."

Hermione gave him a quick nod. "I'd better be going. Harry and Ron will be wondering where I wandered off to. Get better quickly, Professor."

"Thank you... Miss Granger," Severus told her before she turned and left the infirmary.

He stared after her for a long time. Her caring for her friends had not changed. She still fought for them with all she had. He'd missed that from her for all these years. His heart swelled as he admitted that it was nice to have her fighting for him, even if there was nothing she could do. He loved her even more knowing how upset she'd become simply at the thought of an injustice done to her professor and friend. She was truly a remarkable woman, in any time and place.

oooOOOooo

Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat in the common room. Harry told the other two of his latest meeting with Dumbledore. At long last, he had finally gotten the memory he sought from Professor Slughorn.

"It seems Riddle quizzed Slughorn on Horcruxes," Harry began. "He wanted to know if it were possible to make more than one."

"So, Riddle made more than one Horcrux?" Ron asked.

Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Dumbledore thinks he made six, splitting his soul into seven parts," Harry explained.

"How can he even be alive?" Hermione asked.

"I guess as long as a piece of your spirit exists in your body, you are alive, but look at what he's become." Harry mused.

"So, Professor Slughorn gave him the information he needed about the multiple Horcruxes?" Hermione asked.

Harry shook his head. "To be honest," he said, "I don't think he told Riddle anything he didn't already know. He simply confirmed what Riddle was assuming. I think Slughorn was more embarrassed than anything about that memory, and that's why he chose to hide it."

"So what? Who cares how many Horcruxes he made?" Ron asked.

"They keep him alive, Ron," Harry explained. "So, even if one is destroyed, the others still work. I destroyed the diary and Dumbledore destroyed the Gaunt ring. But if we killed Voldemort today, he'd find a way to come back because his soul would remain alive and on the Earth because of the Horcruxes that remain."

"So, we need to destroy all of the Horcruxes?" Hermione asked. She was always one step ahead of everybody.

"Yes," Harry said solemnly. "But it will just be Professor Dumbledore and me. You both don't need to get yourselves involved with this."

Hermione and Ron both gave him caustic looks.

"Harry," Hermione said, "how many times do we have to have this conversation? We are in this for the long haul."

"Yeah, mate. We're in this together. You can't get rid of us," Ron agreed.

Harry looked at his two friends. He didn't know whether to feel grateful or worried by their constant desire to help him.

"I just don't want you guys to get hurt is all," he muttered.

"We won't, Harry. We know how to defend ourselves and get out of tight spots just as much as you do," Hermione reassured.

Harry smiled at her. "Thanks. I don't know what I'd do without the two of you."

oooOOOooo

Severus ran to the top of the Astronomy Tower and stopped short. Draco was with two other Death Eaters, pointing his wand at an obviously injured and disarmed Dumbledore.

"What's going on?" Severus asked.

"It seems that little Draco is having a problem with his assignment," came the response from one of the Death Eaters.

Severus rolled his eyes and pointed his wand at Dumbledore. Sopor Curtus, he chanted, and the spell left his wand. It hit Dumbledore in the chest, and he fell to the ground, his eyes staring up, fixed and lifeless. Severus lowered his wand and ran from the Astronomy tower pulling Draco Malfoy with him. As they quickly descended the stairs, Severus instructed Draco on what he must do.

"Go to the Headmaster's office. The password is lollipop. Wait there. Professor McGonagall will get there eventually. Tell her what you were supposed to do and that you need to be hidden away because you did not fulfill your mission and your life is in danger. She will know what to do."

"No!" cried Draco. "If I go into hiding, the Dark Lord will kill my parents!"

Severus stopped for a moment. "Draco, I will make sure that no harm comes to your parents. You must go into hiding, or you yourself will be killed."

Draco gave a slight nod, and they resumed their descent. Draco broke off when he reached the floor where the Headmaster's Office was. The two separated, and Severus increased his pace so he could escape from the school before anyone knew what had happened.

oooOOOooo

Harry Potter had seen everything from underneath his Invisibility Cloak. He had been frozen in place with the Petrificus Totalus spell that Dumbledore had placed on him, but as Dumbledore had crashed to the ground, the spell had been lifted. He rushed to Dumbledore and peered down at his friend. The older wizard's eyes stared blankly into the sky. There was no breath that came from the old man. Harry stifled an anguished cry. Still underneath the Invisibility Cloak, he bounded after Severus as tears began to course down his cheeks.

He quickly caught sight of Snape and rushed to catch up with him. He watched him escape the halls and head for the gates of Hogwarts. Harry snarled at him. It would be up to him to avenge Dumbledore's death. He needed to be fast if he was going to catch up with Snape before he Disapparated.

---

A/N: Next up: Reactions to attempted murder.

Well, this chapter just kept getting longer and longer and covering more and more characters and situations. Sirius and Petunia, yay or nay? Oh, yes, a cliffie. We haven't had one of those in a while. Thanks for your enthusiasm for this tale. I love hearing from you.