Chapter 22

A/N: Well, another drama-filled chapter leading us closer to the end of everyone's days at Hogwarts. I hope you enjoy this chapter, and the next chapter after this will be the (one of many) big reveal. Again, thanks to my betas, luvsev and WriterMerrin, who are so diligent, and for all the lovely reviews!

***

"Interesting," Dumbledore replied after Hermione told him everything that had occurred in Lord Voldemort's presence. He sat quietly in his chair behind his desk, rather casually, deep in thought. It seemed an eternity while Hermione waited for him to say anything about what she had confided in him.

The old wizard stood up and began to pace around his office. Finally, he spoke. "Has he mentioned a second meeting?" he asked shrewdly as he paced around the room.

"No," Hermione answered truthfully as she turned her body to keep him in her sights. "He said nothing to me about it. Although, he may say something to Severus later.

"Sir, there were two people sitting on either side of him. I know the wizard was Lucius Malfoy. However, the witch I didn't know. She was dark-haired with heavy-lidded eyes."

"The woman seated with Voldemort was Bellatrix Lestrange," he answered grimly.

"Lestrange?" she repeated. "There was an Eloise Lestrange that came to get me when it was time to leave."

"Yes," Dumbledore explained as he nodded. "Miss Lestrange is from another branch of the Lestrange family. Rabastan and Rodolphus are her cousins." He took a deep breath and continued, "Yes, Rabastan's brother, Rodolphus, is her husband. Bellatrix Black was her maiden name. She is the cousin of Sirius and Regulus."

"Oh," said Hermione, her interest now piqued. "I thought perhaps they were married. Why else would they be flanking Voldemort?"

"Tom and Bellatrix's relationship is a complex one. Although she is another man's wife, she is the closest Tom has ever come to having a wife of his own. She is his right-hand, and for the moment, it seems, Lucius is the chosen favorite. That may change. No, Lucius has recently married Bellatrix's sister, Narcissa. She was in her final year during your third year."

My word! Draco is related to that woman, she thought.

"It seems there is a lot of intermarrying amongst the pure-bloods," she observed.

"Indeed," Dumbledore replied. "Have you then found it strange how Voldemort wants to knit you into his pure-blood world?"

Hermione smiled. "I found him working desperately to explain a theory that had more holes in it than Swiss cheese. He tried to appeal and charm his way into what interests me the most. He must be rather good at it," she mused.

"Charming those who are potential obstacles has been one of Tom's lesser known talents, I'm afraid," Dumbledore confided as he reclined in his chair. "I recall how he charmed his way through seven years here at Hogwarts; although, he was never able to charm me. That was something, I fear, that always annoyed him."

Hermione watched the headmaster's face as his eyes drifted far off somewhere. "Any advice for me if he asks me to return?" she asked.

Dumbledore came to the present and sat upright in his chair. "You cannot return, Hermione," he said without a flicker of emotion. "His allowing you to leave the way you did was in a sense of good faith. If you return, he will feel no sense of obligation to allow you to leave alive. He will torture you, siphon your magical abilities and then dispose of you."

Hermione felt numb with shock.

Dumbledore leaned forward onto his desk and spoke candidly with her. "Hermione," he said softly, "I didn't tell you the details of the deaths the Order has suffered by Voldemort because I didn't wish to terrify you before your meeting. It was necessary for you to meet him for Severus' sake. He had been most foolish taking Miss Evans to meet him that day, very foolish. He needed to redeem himself in Voldemort's eyes.

"We have found wizards and witches, their bodies mutilated and nearly impossible to recognize. A few spells of Dark Magic were found on them, and we were able to ascertain that he had been experimenting with the minds and bodies of those he felt were powerful enough to be a threat to him. He knows you are powerful. He has admitted as much. If you return, he will kill you."

"What will happen to Severus?" she asked.

Dumbledore remained calm. "He will be continue on the path he has chosen and do what he must to stop Voldemort from continuing. I must ask that you adhere to the accord you signed with Slytherin. Do not engage Severus any more than you must. It will endanger him if you were seen to be close here and then when the time came for him to deliver you, he was unable."

Hermione stood and turned away from Dumbledore. "You asked me to make a life for myself. I have the person now that I wish to make my life with, and now you are saying I have to give him up?"

She turned back to him, astonished. "Why? Why must I? Can't we spirit Severus away, take him and hide him from Voldemort?"

Dumbledore smiled sadly. "Hermione, we must think of the Greater Good. Severus' work could mean everything to Voldemort's downfall. The information he passes to you could mean speeding up the war and ending it years ahead of than if we had done nothing. You have given up so much, Hermione. I know this must all be so confusing and seem impossible to handle. Just hang on. It will not last forever," he implored.

Hermione left Dumbledore's office feeling low and downcast. How could she hang on if she had to watch over her shoulder every time she met with Severus? Would the cool and detached demeanor he assumed when they met in public take over the private looks of love to which she had grown accustomed?

***

It was Christmastime and the weather was gloomy and cold. Hermione met with Severus again outside underneath the Owlery stairs. It was getting exceedingly dangerous for them to meet alone, so they decided to only meet once a month. That way, information could be more concentrated and useful to the Order.

Their breath hung heavy in front of them as they huddled to stay warm.

"He has met with the giants in hiding. He is recruiting them to make some sort of push. He wants to take the war to the next level. It all rests on his meeting with Dumbledore. How the meeting ends will let us know how to proceed. Dumbledore needs to know this. Also, we don't know who all the Death Eaters are. We wear masks, and it creates a lot of confusion. Orders are given that only some have knowledge of and vice-versa. It keeps things in his control, I guess," he said.

"Severus, are you okay?" Hermione whispered quietly.

Severus was staring out into the snow. Even in the shadow, being so close to him, she could see the vein flickering in his temple that always signaled emotional strain. "There is more. It's a bit fuzzy, he's not been clear, but he's been working on what he calls his 'immortality.' He's working on something that will secure his existence forever. I have no idea how he is doing this, but the demonstrations of his powers are awesome, Hermione. You need to warn Dumbledore."

Hermione was silent. "He's taking steps towards immortality? Can that happen?"

Severus shrugged. "I know about Nicolas Flamel, but this is different. He's working on experiments, experiments that I am aiding him with. Dark magic, it is so fascinating, Hermione. It makes you feel so alive and powerful. I've only read about such things, but I've always wondered...now I can broaden my mind. It's exhilarating!" he said excitedly.

"Severus," she called to him.

He stopped and looked at her with a fire in his eyes she had only seen when he looked at her with desire. Now, he desired something new.

"Severus, look at me!" she said in a hard voice not like herself.

He snapped out of his dream-like state and looked at her. "Severus, you are teetering, love. He's wooing you the way he wants to woo me. We have so many similar desires. Knowledge, learning, expanding the mind's abilities, power, respect...Severus the cost is too much!" she said desperately. "And you know nothing is for free...especially from that vampire."

She clung to him now in desperation to hold him, keep him safe from Voldemort's seductive powers.

Severus looked away, his face so forlorn. "It's so hard, Hermione. He makes it all sound so right. The Dark Arts is so subtle, I feel so pulled towards it...my whole life I have. I think it was those books I found that were my mum's. She said in school she had been fascinated by the Dark Arts. I was pulled in, and I just took to it so well!" he explained. "It was as if I was made to do the Dark Arts."

Hermione placed a hand on his chest. "I understand, Severus. How can you refuse something in which you excel?" she replied.

"Right!" he answered brightly. "I have been able to make my own potions and spells for years now. You remember my book, my old Potions book from fourth year?"

Hermione laughed. "How could I not? That poor book was so inked up, and you just infuriated me with your ability to always find a better way to brew!"

"You should have seen my sixth-year book! I consolidated everything from fourth year and on into that book. All my spells, curses, hexes." His smile vanished as he changed the subject.

"Voldemort leaves me be to do my brewing. I don't have to join in when they go out Muggle-hunting. I hate it!" he said in disgust as he shook his head.

"You can live in your lab, working on difficult potions for Voldemort..."

"...Don't say his name!" he hissed.

Hermione was stunned. "Why ever not?" she asked, affronted.

"It makes my Mark sear. It frightens me that he could find me or hear me," he whispered fearfully. "Just call him the Dark Lord."

"All right," Hermione acquiesced. "The Dark Lord praises you, tells you how invaluable you are, gives you all the adoration you secretly resented Potter for all this time. It is very seductive. Like a lover, even."

"No, Hermione," he said firmly. "It could never be that dear to me. One day, we will be lovers, and it will be wonderful. You have vowed your body to me and as mine is to you. Look, we can do this!"

He changed the subject abruptly. "He takes great pains to demonstrate his magical powers that he has learned over the years when he traveled. He claims to be the most powerful wizard alive, quite disturbing, that."

Hermione snorted. "Quite full of himself, isn't he?" she said with disgust. "The hubris of this wizard is incredible, but no bother. Dumbledore is far greater, I am sure of it!"

"That's all I can tell you, Hermione. Listen. I have to go away for the holidays, and then sometime soon after, he'll be coming. Warn your people to stay in their tower." He pressed a tin into her hand. "Here is some Floo powder. Floo the elves in the kitchens; I have already warned them. They will bring you food, whatever you require. I'll send word the morning of his arrival. Make sure that no matter their blood status, if they don't want him to know about them and their families, stay in their tower! Do you understand?" he asked with worry etched in his face.

"Yes, Severus. We shall all be careful."

He kissed her and said, "I won't be able to meet with you for a while. Valentine's Day, I will see you at the dance. I won't be able to steal away with you, but I will be thinking of you, wishing we could spin around on that dance floor for everyone to see! I love you, Hermione Granger. One day Hermione Snape. Does it sound good to you?" he whispered against her lips.

"Mrs. Severus Snape. I think I'm looking more forward to that," she teased as she rubbed her hands slowly up and down his chest.

"Why?" he asked with a quirk of an eyebrow.

"Oh, it makes me think of all the things I am waiting for: being with you, belonging to you, being under you...things like that," she replied shyly.

Severus looked at her intensely and closed his eyes as he traced her face with his fingertips. "I want to learn your whole body the way I have learned this face," he said with yearning in his tone.

"You will, Severus."

***

January of 1978 was a hard month. Severus and Lily both turned eighteen. The snow was making everyone stir crazy, and then the worst was the weekend Voldemort arrived. Hermione received the owl and went straight to James and Lily, who had strangely become an item over the holidays. After dinner, the Head Boy and Girl escorted all of Gryffindor House and the Muggle-borns of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw to their common rooms. The mood was tense, but Hermione shared Severus' gift with them all. The house-elves worked overtime bringing in all sorts of tasty foods and creamy pies to help take the edge off.

"Damn decent of the slimy git, I'll say that," admitted Sirius as he tucked in with James, Peter, Lily, and Remus.

All in all, the first evening was a blast. The second day was slow. Everyone was having a bit of a lie-in. Later, Hermione organized study groups to help everyone get all of their homework out of the way, so when Severus gave the heads up, they could enjoy themselves without guilt.

At first most of them grumbled when Hermione mentioned "study groups," but she said that it would be a competition to see who could outshine whom. Those students good at Transfiguration had their own team to work with and teach. Potions, Charms, Ancient Runes, Divination, Potions, Arithmancy...everyone tried their dead level best. The day was full of first- through seventh-years, people who never had spoken a word to each other before, helping each other with their various tasks.

There were quite the shockers too! Little Marlene McKinnon, a sixth-year who was as quiet as a church mouse, completely annihilated James Potter and Sirius Black in a duel. It had been most spectacular! For such a small witch, she was wicked fast and deadly accurate. She hadn't even broken a sweat. Sirius Black swore he had fallen in love.

First-years were showing upperclassmen enchantments and spells that were in the NEWT level. It had been amazing to watch such young children perform such difficult spells. At the end of the day, Marlene McKinnon won a bag of Honeydukes chocolate for an honorable mention prize for her dueling lesson. First place went to Lily Evans for the incredible Transfiguration of the common room to look like the Throne Room she had seen in Dublin Castle when on Holiday in Ireland. Through her demonstration, she was also able to assist other students with the more difficult concepts of Transfiguration.

Second prize when to Maddie Markum, a first-year who had dazzled all of Gryffindor House with her Charms work. She was also able to explain the complexities of jabbing versus swishing whilst performing a spell. Many people benefited, even a couple of seventh-years.

Third place went to Alice Lambert with her study group on cauldron safety. She helped to show many first and second years where they were going wrong before cauldrons began to explode. She had such a tender and nurturing manner that she was able to handle the strain and pressure. By the end of the day, everyone's homework had been completed and also proofed by seventh-years for accuracy. Then it was back to the celebration of good food by the house-elves and games of wizard's chess, Gobstones, and Exploding Snap for everyone.

Sunday came with another lie-in and a late breakfast. Soon the rumors and questions started to abound.

"Surely, Voldemort has been and gone by now!"

"I wonder if he did anything to Dumbledore."

"Did Dumbledore hex him?"

"When is Snivellus getting his pale arse here to let us out?" demanded Sirius Black over everyone else.

James sat lounging with Lily in his lap. "Don't be a prat, Sirius," he said lazily. "Just enjoy!" he turned, and he and Lily began one of their infamous snogging sessions. Hermione thought it was revolting. Why Lily was all over him, she couldn't understand. Not after the declaration she had made to her at the start of term. However, she could tolerate it because she knew their snogging was going to lead to Harry being born. Although, deep down, she knew, even if she didn't want to admit it to herself, that Lily was using James. She had made it plain that she was gay. It hurt knowing that Harry, who took such stock in his parents love, was really a by-product of two people just wanting to fit in with the expectations. Sure, James loved Lily, but she didn't love him.

She was caught staring, and Remus whispered to her, "Makes you wish you had someone, doesn't it?" he whispered.

Hermione wasn't in the mood for another one of Remus' "we should be together" sales pitches. So, she changed the subject.

"Remus, how did they get together anyway?" she asked as she jerked her head towards James and Lily, AKA, Hogwarts Golden Couple.

Remus' face grew sad. "You didn't hear?" he asked.

"What?"

"Lily's parents died over the summer. So did James'."

Hermione was dumbstruck. "How?" she demanded.

"Lily's parents were in the house when a pipe broke. Gas leaked in, and they died in their sleep from the carbon poisoning. James' Mum and Dad were old when James was born. His dad was eighty and his mum was sixty! His dad had a heart attack and it was all so sudden. James' mum hadn't been well for a while. She had problem with her kidneys. Anyway, when James' dad died, the shock was too much for his mum. She just gave up and died a month later.

"Being Head Boy and Girl made them communicate, and sharing their loss was good for them, brought them together. He wised up, she stopped thinking he was a bastard, and then one thing led to another," Remus explained.

"Do you think Lily's parents' deaths' were accidental?" she asked fearfully.

"It was the work of Death Eaters. The Morsmordre was over the house," he replied.

"How odd they would be so...humane," she replied hatefully.

"Are you upset that she and James are getting closer?" he asked.

"No, but I am concerned about how Severus will take the news," she whispered.