Chapter 14

A/N: Thank you to all who reviewed! I LOVE reviews! Also, hugs and chocolate to my awesome betas, luvsev and WriterMerrin.

***

When Severus and Hermione turned down the road leading to Spinner's End, Severus stopped and held Hermione back protectively.

"What is it?" she whispered.

"Don't you feel it?" he whispered.

"What?" she asked, confused.

He looked at her with a pained expression. "Magic," he whispered. "Dark magic."

They walked cautiously down the road and were greeted by two wizards before reaching the house. Hermione watched Severus cautiously reach for his wand.

"Mr. Snape, Miss Granger," said the first wizard. "My name is Auror Dawlish. You remember Auror Shacklebolt, correct?"

They both nodded dumbly. Severus recovered first. "What happened?" he said with a hint of anger in his voice.

Kingsley Shacklebolt, the friendly Auror who had helped them after Tobias Snape had attacked his wife and son, broke the news to them.

"There is no good way to say this, Mr. Snape. Your father was released from the Muggle prison where he was incarcerated and returned home this afternoon," he said.

Severus interjected. "Wait! I was told he was going to be incarcerated for five years! How the hell did he get out?" he yelled.

Auror Shacklebolt remained calm and focused, unfazed by the young wizard's outburst. "The Muggles informed us that it was 'time off for good behavior,'" he explained.

To this, Severus gave a snort.

Shacklebolt continued. "We had informed your mother in May about your father's pending release in accordance to the agreement of the warden of the prison. We had encouraged your mother to vacate the premises by his release date. Your mother chose not to leave."

"Of course she didn't leave!" Severus spat, his temper beginning to rage. "Our home has been in the family since before my mother's birth! It's the only home she has ever known...of course she wouldn't leave! Why didn't you force him to stay away?" he shouted.

Kingsley's face remained stoic. "We cannot do that, Mr. Snape. Your father was a Muggle. According to Muggle law, he had every right to return to his own domicile, unless your mother had appealed to the Muggle government for him to stay away," he replied.

"Why are you referring to them in the past tense?" Severus asked sharply.

Hermione felt his hand tighten in hers. She placed her other hand on his arm to calm him. She had a horrible feeling that something very wrong had happened in Severus' house.

"Mr. Snape," began Auror Dawlish, "we regret to inform you that at 18:47 this evening, the Killing Curse was cast inside your home. Your father is dead."

Hermione heard a strangled cry rip from her throat. She looked at Severus, and he was so pale, his eyes so black, he looked numb from shock.

Auror Dawlish sighed as he looked at Kingsley. He continued to speak to Severus. "Son, we found your mother's body next to your father. It appears she performed a Slicing Hex on herself. We examined her wand, and that was the final spell she cast. The spell before it had been the Killing Curse.

"My parents are dead." It was a statement rather than a question. The Aurors nodded solemnly. They led Severus and Hermione down the street and into the house. Aurors were everywhere examining the house and taking notes. Severus and Hermione sat together on the couch, and the questions began.

Hermione thought as Severus spoke with the Aurors. This is why she made us leave. She knew he was coming, and she had already planned to kill him and herself. That's why she was so blunt with me this morning about if I loved her son! Oh, God! Why did she have to do it? She covered her face with her hands as she tried to process it all.

She felt an arm steal around her, and she glanced up at Severus. "Hermione, Auror Shacklebolt asked you a question," he said softly.

She swallowed and licked her lips. "I'm sorry, what did you say?" she asked weakly.

Kingsley Shacklebolt gave her a reassuring smile. "I wanted to clarify the reason for your presence here. It is my understanding that Dumbledore allowed you to stay with Mrs. Snape and her son for the summer?"

"Yes," she said weakly.

"You are an orphan, according to the paperwork Dumbledore gave us?" he asked.

"I am," she replied.

"Dumbledore is waiting for us to take you both to Hogwarts. He will be making arrangements for where you will be staying for the rest of the summer," he said reassuringly.

"I don't think that will be necessary."

Severus and Hermione jerked their heads up towards the voice. It was Avery.

Avery stood in the front door, looking around the sitting room as if it were contaminated. "Severus and Hermione will be staying with my family at Avery Manor," he said importantly. "My father has worked out the arrangements with Dumbledore." He handed a letter to Kingsley.

The Auror read it and looked at Hermione. "The Headmaster is giving his consent if you wish to stay with the Averys," he said with concern in his eyes.

Hermione looked up at Severus, and he placed an arm around her. "I will take care of her, sir," he replied.

Hermione looked at Avery. There was triumph in his face. His eyes glittered, and a smile played around the corners of his mouth. She did not want to go with Avery; he terrified her. If she were brought to his house, there would be no guarantee she would leave it safely.

"Did the Headmaster give us permission to stay at Hogwarts?" she asked desperately.

Kingsley looked relieved. "Yes, Miss Granger, he did. Is that what you wish to do?"

"Yes," she answered resolutely.

"Hermione!" Severus exclaimed as he turned to look at her. His face was pained, and he was clearly upset.

"Severus, let's please discuss this in private," she whispered.

"If you will excuse us," Severus apologized to Avery and the Aurors.

Severus led Hermione past Avery, and they stepped out into the hot summer night air. Severus grabbed her by her arms and said, "Why don't you want to stay with me?" he asked, sounding like a five-year-old little boy.

"Severus," she said as she dislodged herself from his grasp. "I want to stay with you, but I'm afraid to be at Avery's house. I'd be frightened the whole time!"

He looked down at her and slid his hands around her waist. "You can stay with me. I'll never let you out of my sight," he whispered.

Hermione felt her cheeks growing hot. "Yes, then we'd be having sex inside a week!"

He nuzzled her cheek with his nose. "Would it be so horrible, Hermione?" he asked deeply.

"No," she answered softly. "It's just we're not ready for that step, and we would be making love for all the wrong reasons. If we decide to take that step, I want it to be beautiful, like the way you kissed me earlier. That was wonderful," she said shyly.

He looked at her with dark intensity. She looked into his eyes and felt how wonderful it would be to lose herself in them. It would be so easy just to fall into him and let him take over her will, her soul, her mind, and her body. She felt such desire for him to be close to her, holding her, touching her, she felt on fire. She remembered how good his erection felt against her thigh and considered how much better it would feel inside her warm body. But she couldn't...not now...not like this.

He looked so sad and downcast, but he nodded his head and agreed with her that it would be for the best for them to be apart.

"Why can't you just come back to Hogwarts with me?" she asked desperately.

Severus looked at her guiltily. "Hermione, my time of mourning is over. Lily is out of the picture, and now my parents are gone. It's time to now take the final step and begin my training."

"Your training?" she asked incredulously.

He smirked. "I know, it sounds like I'm joining Her Majesty's Army. However, in our world it's not so far off the mark."

"What's going to happen to you, Severus?" she asked quietly. Avery was starting to come around, stalking like a predator.

"I don't know, Hermione," he whispered softly. "But I do know this: you have been mentioned. Your unknown pedigree and blood status coupled with your magical abilities have intrigued many important people. Your showdown with the Slytherins has raised your value, as well as your ability to continue to deal with them diplomatically. I will need to ascertain what that interest will be. Besides, I have debts to repay."

"What debts?" Hermione asked fearfully.

Severus sighed. "Lily's safety came with a price. There is always a price when it comes to Slytherins, Hermione. Nothing is free," he said coolly. "Never forget that. Avery is watching. I will see you in six weeks."

He walked away, and Hermione returned to the house to pack and prepare to leave for Hogwarts. Six weeks I will be away from him, she thought. She sighed and hastily packed her trunk. She put on her traveling cloak, and Kingsley shrank the trunk down to the size of a handbag.

"Mr. Shacklebolt," she began as she looked around the sitting room, "what is going to happen to the house?"

"The house is Master Snape's. After he turns of age, he will be able to come and live here as he pleases. Right now, the Auror Department will be cleaning up and putting things to rights after the investigation is over."

He smiled and motioned her to walk down the stairs first. They walked outside, and he said, "Hold on to my hand. We are going to Apparate to Hogwarts now."

Hermione took a moment to look back to the house. It had been such a wonderful day. She couldn't believe that just a couple of hours ago, she and Severus had been sitting in a record booth listening to an old love song and sharing their first kiss. So many wonderful memories were being left behind in the old house on Spinner's End. But this night, they had stolen precious hours far removed from anything that was remotely connected to the world they were entering.

***

Hermione walked up the final steps to the Headmaster's office door. She took a steadying breath and knocked. The door opened of its own accord, revealing Dumbledore sitting behind his desk. His face looked worried. Though, when he saw Hermione, his face lit up, and he smiled.

"Miss Granger!" he said happily as he stood up. "I am so pleased to see you. Please, sit down."

Hermione sat on one of the plush chairs near his desk, and with a wave of his hand, a silver tea service appeared.

"Shall I pour?" he asked over his half-moon glasses.

"Please," she answered politely.

Dumbledore spoke first. "Miss Granger, I was so very distraught over the deaths of Severus' parents. I had gone to see Mrs. Snape personally after she had been informed of her husband's release. I had tried to persuade her to leave Spinner's End and reside in Hogsmeade or to take a Wizarding flat near the Ministry. She, of course, refused most ardently! I had hoped that seeing you and Severus during the summer might make her see reason." He sighed tiredly.

"Miss Granger, I seem to be making more mistakes concerning you and Severus as time goes by," he declared.

"I don't know how you possibly could have known what was in Mrs. Snape's mind!" Hermione said in his defense. "After all, Severus and I were there for six weeks and never once suspected anything so dastardly."

She accepted a cup of tea from the Headmaster and continued, "I admit that I felt something was wrong with Mrs. Snape. I just assumed she was concerned about my staying the entire summer this year. I was afraid I would wear out my welcome. I was wrong," she whispered ruefully.

Dumbledore patted her free hand. "There, there, Miss Granger. All shall be resolved in due course. What is most important is that Severus be watched over and protected," he said mysteriously.

"Whatever do you mean?" she asked, confused.

The old wizard smiled, and his blue eyes twinkled. "I apologize again, Miss Granger. I have a most unfortunate habit of being vague at the worst times! Severus has been for many years now targeted by the followers of Lord Voldemort. His first year, a student, a seventh-year Slytherin prefect named Lucius Malfoy, took young Severus under his wing. Severus always had a leaning towards dark magic, as most Slytherins do. He had no true friends his first two years before your arrival, save Miss Evans. Those in his own house distrusted him and were jealous of his magical abilities. Although I was pleased to hear of his long-time friendship with Miss Evans, I was sorely disappointed when I saw the fruit it bore. Miss Evans is a very powerful witch. However, her maturity level cannot seem to grasp such a complex personality as Severus Snape."

Hermione sipped her tea and said nothing. She wholeheartedly agreed with the Dumbledore's assessment. She hated knowing Lucius Malfoy had been such a key player in Severus' seduction to the dark. She knew from personal experience from her second year that the man was a vicious opportunist.

He continued. "I know you realize that this year shall bring a new set of problems, including a shift in relationship with you, Severus, and Miss Evans."

Hermione nodded. "So, you know about their falling out?" she asked.

"Professor McGonagall was kind enough to inform me about the incident that took place by the lake in June. Unfortunately, no staff member saw it, so no punishment can be given," he replied.

Hermione pursed her lips. "Pardon me, Headmaster, but I think James, Sirius, and Peter should be punished for what they did! I saw the whole interlude. It was a set-up. A set-up orchestrated by Avery and Sirius Black to humiliate Severus to such an extent that he would lash out at Lily. Severus had been warned that his time of protecting Lily was over, that he needed to let her own house take care of her. Don't you see what is happening underneath your nose?" she said passionately.

Dumbledore sighed. "Yes," he replied sadly. "I do. And it is most unfortunate. I do not presume to dismiss what is taking place outside of these walls. Lord Voldemort, or Tom Riddle, as I know him, is recruiting amongst the Slytherins of this school. His followers are called Death Eaters. I am aware that the animosity between Gryffindor and Slytherin House has grown exponentially as the past few years have gone by. I fear a war will happen upon us: a war that shall end in tragedy and death. I fear what this New Year shall bring."

"I'm not safe, am I?" Hermione whispered as her eyes drifted to watch the crackling fire.

"On the contrary, Miss Granger!" Dumbledore said brightly. Hermione turned to face him, her eyes wide with shock.

Dumbledore's cerulean eyes shone as he spoke. "You have been given a high honor by being asked to stay at Avery Manor. I am pleased you did not take the offer; nonetheless, the offer itself was a gesture of good faith. Mr. Avery is the true Head of Slytherin House. Professor Slughorn is merely a figurehead, and I know it very well. Mr. Avery's father is an old classmate of Voldemort's and is considered to be his right hand man. He is one of his fiercest supporters, along with Rudolphus and Bellatrix Lestrange, Rebastan's older brother and sister-in-law. Slytherin House has recognized you as Head of Gryffindor House. No Slytherin shall raise a hand against you unless an order is issued from Mr. Avery, which consequentially, would mean Voldemort himself."

Hermione's eyes popped open in horror and disbelief. Dumbledore merely nodded his head.

"Oh, yes, Miss Granger. This year shall be a true testing of your strengths and abilities. I would not be surprised if you were not invited to have a visit with Voldemort himself," he said calmly.

"How can you allow this to go on inside Hogwarts?" Hermione raged. "How can you let it take root? Can't you make it illegal? Expel those who are in league with Voldemort?"

Dumbledore spread his hands in resignation. "And then where would we be, Miss Granger? At least this way, I am able to monitor what is happening around us. If I were to drive them out, I would be forcing a war to happen prematurely, before those who must fight it are ready," he revealed.

Hermione looked down at her tea. "I shouldn't be in the middle of this. I should not be interfering. I could be endangering my own reality!" she said hysterically.

Dumbledore remained calm. "Or, perhaps, Miss Granger, this is what you were destined to do. Perhaps you are the one who will stop Voldemort."

She stood up and her tea fell to the floor. "No!" she yelled. "You don't understand. It's not my destiny...it's not me. There is another..." She clamped her hand over her mouth in shock and fear. She had said too much.

"So, in the future, another will come to vanquish him?" he whispered to himself. "Astonishing!"

"Don't you see?" she hissed angrily. "I can't meddle with what must come to pass. There are certain events that must happen, or we risk ever having anyone to stop him!"

"Hermione, the bell cannot be unrung," he said firmly. "What is done is done. You shall assume your new status and assist Severus with his duties. It is expected of you. You cannot avoid Voldemort now; he is aware of you and your power. Besides," he added. "You cannot be walking around anymore without protecting your mind. Voldemort himself will train Severus in the art of Occlumency. You shall start your training with me."

"Headmaster, I know about Occlumency. I can't have you seeing what is inside my head," she insisted as she began to pace the floor.

"Then I suggest you start working very hard during these next six weeks to thwart my attempts to break into your mind. Under the command of Voldemort, Avery and Severus will be attempting the same thing once school resumes," he warned. "I'm sure you wouldn't want Voldemort knowing what information you have hidden in your head. But fear not, Miss Granger. You shall be given the use of my personal Pensieve before each Occlumency lesson. You can remove the damaging memories and not be afraid of them being breached by either side. "

Hermione sat down and watched numbly as Dumbledore summoned from one of his many bookcases several books on Occlumency. That thought alone made her quake with fear: Voldemort could find out about his coming demise. If he knew that, James and Lily would be slaughtered outright before Harry could even have a chance at life! She had no choice. She would do what was expected of her, and she most definitely would use the Pensieve. She took the books and left for Gryffindor tower. It was going to be a harrowing six weeks. The beauty of the day she had just shared with Severus seemed so far away and remote from where she found herself. Would she and Severus ever find their way back to each other, now just as they had found one another?