Chapter 35
Chapter 35 of 74
livvy6The fate of Sirius Black and Pettigrew come to a resolution, and Severus and Hermione say goodbye for the summer.
A/N: Well, we are at the end of Hermione's second time around of her third year. Whew! I hope you enjoy this chapter. Again, I have woven my own writing with JKR's words. My deepest gratitude for her fabulous world and her willingness to share it with so many! As always, my everlasting devotion to luvsev and WriterMerrin who have stuck with me this far! :)
***
"Hello, Peter," said Lupin congenially.
"S...Sirius... R...Remus... my dear friends!" Peter stuttered in a squeaky voice as he started to edge towards the door. Severus barred the way, and Pettigrew snarled as he slinked away from him.
"How interesting, Pettigrew, to see you alive and well, at least alive, if not well," Severus said wryly.
"What are you doing here, Snivellus?" he snarled.
"You aren't the one asking the questions here, Wormtail!" shouted Sirius.
"Remus." Pettigrew cringed while he slinked towards Lupin. "Help me! Sirius tried to kill me before, and he's been trying to kill me all year!"
"Some would think you deserve killing," said Severus dryly.
Sirius' face grew more skull-like as he advanced on Pettigrew. "No one is going to die until we get a few facts sorted out," he whispered sinisterly.
"I knew it. I knew it!" Pettigrew shrieked. "I always knew he'd find me. He's been given dark powers by You-Know-Who. He's powerful, and now he wants to destroy me!"
"What, Voldemort, teach me tricks?" Sirius said innocently.
Pettigrew cowered.
"What is it, Peter? Does the sound of your lord and master's name strike fear in your mind? I don't blame you. I'm sure his lot isn't terribly pleased that you've scampered off. Isn't that right, Snape?" Sirius sneered as he looked at Severus.
Severus remained silent. His eyes bored into Peter's watery eyes before he spoke. "You failed, Peter," Severus said softly. "You had been the mole giving information to the Dark Lord for a year before the Potters' deaths. You are a pathetic weakling! If it hadn't been for the fact that the Dark Lord never allowed us to see all the faces of our fellow brothers, I would have known you."
Peter looked upon Severus with rage. "What of you, Severus? You're just a Death Eater too...always sucking up to the Dark Lord. What are you doing here now?"
"So you admit it!" roared Sirius.
Pettigrew began to pull at the tufts of hair on his head. "You can't understand! The Dark Lord, he is so powerful. If you had the choice, Sirius, what would you have done?" he challenged him.
"I would have died!" he shrieked. "I never would have betrayed my friends!"
"Well," asked Lupin. "Shall we?"
"NO!" Harry shouted. "Take him to the Dementors. Don't become what they all think of you. Just don't!"
Sirius was growing antsy. "Harry..."
"...I've made my choice. Azkaban and the Dementors can have him," he replied.
***
They all began to take the long trek back towards the castle. Sirius and Harry helped Ron while Remus, Hermione, Peter, and Severus followed. Hermione watched the tension in Severus' face. His wand was fixed onto Peter's back, and he had never looked so invincible or deadly.
Hermione realized she really didn't know this man. She never knew what the war had done to him, what her absence had done to destroy him. He was cold, cruel, vindictive, and angry. At least he had been able to keep it together before anything disastrous happened.
They reached the surface and took a pause. Hermione watched Harry while he and Sirius talked alone. Then Hermione heard a whimpering noise beside her.
"AHHH!" she screamed as she crawled backwards from the scene in front of her.
"Professor...Remus...he didn't take his potion!" she yelled frantically.
"Run!" Sirius yelled. "RUN!"
No one could move; it was too horrific and gruesome. Before their eyes, Lupin was transforming into a werewolf. Severus blocked Hermione, Peter, Harry, and Ron from view. Black transformed into a dog and attacked the growing and snarling werewolf. It was awful to hear the snapping and howling that came from their fight. They all were transfixed, unable to turn away. Finally, Hermione saw movement at her side.
"A wand! He's got a wand!" Hermione screamed. She looked at Severus who did nothing. She struggled against Severus' iron grip on her, and he refused to release her. Hermione realized that Severus was deliberately enabling Wormtail's get-away, delaying time for them to act. Pettigrew transformed back to Scabbers and scurried away. Hermione watched Harry scramble towards to Sirius, telling him that Pettigrew had gotten away.
"What'll we do?" asked Ron.
Snape said, "Weasley, you and Miss Granger will come with me to the Infirmary. I'm sure Potter will be able to take care of his godfather."
Hermione was reluctant to leave Harry, but she did. She would confront Severus later about why he had allowed Pettigrew to escape.
***
Hermione paced as Cornelius Fudge, Severus, and Dumbledore discussed the events of the evening. Harry was unconscious, and Black had been found at his side, near death. Ron had been patched up by Madam Pomfrey, and all Hermione could do was listen to Fudge, the blowhard, talk about how fortunate they all were to have had escaped such a dangerous creature as Lupin and his happiness that Sirius Black was back in custody.
Hermione was disgusted. After Fudge and Dumbledore left, she took Severus aside and laid into him. "How could you just stand there and lie like that? You know, you saw with your own eyes that Sirius is innocent!"
Severus pointed a finger towards the unconscious Black. "That man is no innocent. You and I know that from personal experience," he reminded her.
Hermione relented. "All right, yes, but still, he is innocent of murder, and I swear, Severus, I'll do what I must to stop this Dementor Kiss from happening!" she hissed as she stalked off.
When Harry came around, Madam Pomfrey gave him some chocolate. Hermione explained that Sirius was locked in the high tower and at any moment was to be given the Dementor's Kiss. Harry jumped up out of bed. "No!" he yelled. "We have to stop them!"
Hermione smiled, loving how predictable he was. "Don't worry, Harry. See this?" she asked as she took out a golden chain with a circular spinner surrounding a small hourglass. "This is a Time-Turner, Harry. This is how I've been getting to my classes all year. You and I are going to go back in time to save Buckbeak and Sirius. Do you trust me?"
Harry grinned. "Yes! That's brilliant! Let's go," he said urgently.
***
Ron, Harry, and Hermione sat in the Gryffindor common room a couple of days after the whole Sirius Black debacle. Harry and Hermione had been successful. They had saved Buckbeak and Sirius, and together they were in the wind. Before Sirius had taken off, he'd hugged Hermione and whispered in her ear, "I know you, Hermione. I am grateful you could look past our history and help me."
"You're welcome, Sirius," she had replied. Two days later, she still didn't know how she felt about Sirius Black. One thing was for sure; he hadn't been the one who had betrayed James and Lily. She was grateful for that.
The trio was getting ready to leave for the summer, and Hermione was torn. She wanted to leave, but then she didn't at the same time. She had returned the Time-Turner to Minerva, saying, "I don't want to ever see a Time-Turner as long as I live, I do believe."
Minerva had laughed. "Are you going to see Severus before you go?" she had asked her softly.
"Of course. I already miss him. But only one more year before I'm sixteen."
***
She left and made her way to the dungeon. "Severus?" she called out. Before she could blink, he was there beside her, startling her.
After she regained her composure, she whispered, "I am leaving, but I couldn't leave without saying goodbye."
She cleared her throat and squared her shoulders. "We need to talk, Severus. You deliberately kept us back from acting so Peter could escape. Because of that, he got away, and God knows where he is! Why? Are you still a Death Eater?" she asked.
"Yes," he answered without shame or apology.
Hermione felt her legs give. Everything her world had been built upon was falling apart. Severus grabbed her from hitting the ground.
"Don't touch me!" she screamed.
"Hermione!" he said sharply. "I am a Death Eater, and I am also a spy for Dumbledore. Being Dumbledore's man means that I must be a Death Eater. He will return, Hermione. Remember, a long time ago, he gave hints about reaching immortality. Regulus told me about it. I never fully understood, but I know that when the Dark Lord returns, I will have to rejoin my brothers and be a Death Eater once again, in order to defeat him."
"A spy," she whispered sadly. "A double agent?"
"Unfortunately," he sighed.
"Hermione," he whispered as he brought her closer to him. "I need to kiss you, to feel your lips on mine, just once before we part again. I know it's wrong; I just need to kiss you." He brought her to him, and she crumbled in his arms. He was far more aggressive than he had been as a youth. It frightened and excited her at the same time.
She eagerly returned his kiss, and he abruptly pushed her from him. "I'm sorry, Hermione. You are still too young. I can't be excited by it. Please don't be angry with me. It just feels wrong," he said huskily as he lowered his forehead to hers. "I miss my curvaceous Hermione."
Hermione tried to smile, but she felt heartbroken just the same. "I'll get there, Severus," she mumbled as the tears fell. She didn't hate him for saying the truth of what he felt, but still it felt like rejection. "I-I love you," she whispered through the tears.
"Oh, my girl," he whispered as he held her. "Please don't cry, Hermione. I love you, and I will miss you. I can't wait until we can be properly and legally together without fear or awkwardness."
"I love you," he breathed.
"I love you too, Severus," she replied.
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Latest 25 Reviews for A Change is Going to Come
1513 Reviews | 7.08/10 Average
livvy, eventhough I would never get a response from you. As a reader, albeit late, to be honored to know what is inside your alternate universe means so much in this community. This is such a masterpiece. The emotions rolling in such perfect clarity. Though a parody, it brought such happiness to those who say 'what if?'. I'm glad to think that there is this Severus Snape who had his Hermione with a lot of wonderful talented children, happy and content. Although canon already sentenced him to.... I'm still glad to find this universe in your eyes. :)
That was a Very good story. I am very glad you wrote it.Thanks
I don't envy Hermione at all. She's still out of her own timeline and can't really make a real life here. There is still pain for Severus and I wish there wasn't.
Part of me wonders why Dumbledore allows all of this death eater activity to go on in the school grounds. He could expel them but maybe he's afraid of their parents. The school board could make a death eater the Headmaster, but he sure lets the Slytherins get away with an awful lot right now. Why? Has he no power over the students? Why didn't those who raped that muggle-born girl not get called up before the Aurors and the Wizengamot? I don't understand how this all can be going on right under Dumbledore's nose on his own turf!
If Voldemort is not a fool, he knows he would need to woo a truly intelligent and powerful witch to be loyal to him. Especially if he thinks she would be truly useful and doesn't want to waste her by having to kill her for disobedience. He will need her to come to him fully of her own free will.
Well written!!! Great chapter. Intrigue, romance, angst, anxiety, hope, courage. Great character development! Great flow. I feel worried and afraid but have a small amount of hope, just like your characters. I loved the veritiserum save Albus made. Inferi are an absolute horror. I thought they were too scary to be in a children's book when I read that book. I felt DH was way too scary for pre-teen children to be reading. It should have a PG-13 or even a R rating for violence.
What a tragedy for all of them. Broken hearts are everywhere! I'm glad Severus and Hermione still have their love. It will help him be strong. It will give him a reason to not give up like his mum did. I'm a little sorry for Lily that she says she loves Hermione, but I don't like her much. I'm sure she is hurt because she didn't get what she wanted, who she wanted. She used Severus, she used the James and Sirius against Severus. She says she loves Hermione but only if Hermione does what she wants her to do. It's sad that she is such a shallow person. Even if Hermione was gay, she would be too good of a person for Lily. Lily will make a great idealistic, Griffidorish, self-righteous Order Member. Everyone wants her. Only Hermione really knows her. She's just what the cause will need for the perfect Martyr for the side of the Light. Many have died and many will die, but only James and Lily will be hailed as great Martyrs. Hermione's life pretty much sucks. I'm sorry for Remus. He'll have Tonks but not for long. They will die too before they get to see their child grow up. I wonder if JKR considered her story to be a tragedy? I have faith that you will save our heroes, Severus and Hermione in the end and it won't be a tragic ending.
Hermione is as much a prisoner of the Order as Severus is of Voldemort. They are neither free to live thier own lives. Severus loves Hermione and Hermione loves Severus. As long as their Occulumency sheilds hold Tom Riddle and Albus Dumbledore or Alaster Moody don't need to know Hermione and Severus are still friends. I don't like Moody even if he is just doing his job. He may be on the side of the light but he isn't a good person.
Moody is a bastard. War is hell. She isn't any more free to make her own decisions than Severus is. Yet, they both important be held accountable for their actions. I have a bad feeling this gets worse before it gets better. 
Possible spoilers....
I don't remember what age Hermione is when she returns to her own time line. I will be such a total bummer if she is younger and doesn't get to retain all this skill and knowledge she is gaining this summer. If she has to start over as a third year it will suck for her, but I can't seem to figure out a way for her to get around it or she won't be with Harry for certain important moments. I wish that before she goes back to her old timeline she could have some memories put in a pensive and Dumbledore would give them back to her at the right moment so that she already knows this stuff. Besides her being able to teach it to others at the DA, she will remember that she loves Severus and he loves her.
What happens to wizards that take oaths that conflict? Can you tell me? Will Voldemort be able to detect Hermione's oaths to the Order? I've never liked Moody because he's always been so mean to Severus. He and Lily are two of a kind. He may be powerful and intelligent but he isn't complex. He's too simple and everything is too black and white unless he wants to do it for what he considers a good cause. Albus is the same way. They would both use dark magic for the greater good while making sure anyone else he wanted disposed of would go to Azkaban for the same thing. Hermione is very mature for her age and very wise.
How awesome and awkward. I imagine she eventually has to go back to her own timeline in order for Harry to prevail. Severus will be bound to her and will remember who she will become when she starts at Hogwarts at 11. But she won't remember him until after she time travels. Remus will know, Dumbledore will know. Will Minerva remember? Will Sirius? Will Dumbledore alter certain people's memories about her at Hogwarts who will meet her again when she is 11 years old and Harry's best friend or will all the Order Members who know her in this timeline remember her and realize she had been time traveling? I hope you can tell me the answer w/o spoilers for other readers but I really want to know! If you can't tell me in the review will you contact me and let me know? Do you write anywhere else? You are a really talented writer. Thanks! breastlady
You weave a fascinating tale of intrigue. It is so sad how little choice Severus has ever had in his life. He will give everything he has and is. He will be alone and despised. And he will end up with absolutely nothing in the end, only to die for no good reason on a dirty floor in cannon. I'm sure you have changed the end or I would not have put this story on my list of favorite years ago. I normally check the end of stories to make sure they end well. If they don't I don't read them. I can't remember anything else in this story due to my own memory issues but I'm glad I saved it. I can't stop reading it.
There's really nothing to say except, poor Severus. Poor, poor Severus. He deserves better than Lily. She can't seem to understand he has to stay on the good side of the Slytherins in order for her to be under his protection. Has Hermione put it that clearly to Lily? Maybe she would say she doesn't need his protection because she has never had a unforgivable cast against her and maybe she really can defend herself as well as Hermione. She doesn't know though because she's never needed to. Does she not believe Hermione when she says Severus would be slaughtered in his sleep? Has Hermione put it that clearly to Lily?
Hermione is quite impressive.
I can never understand how Albus Dumbledore could allow all this bullying to go on. He has to know! What is his problem? Is it some sort of adgenda?
I wonder how long the spell lasts and how long his dad will stay petrified. Maybe he could tie him up and just unfreeze him to feed him then freeze him again. Maybe he should try to send an owl to Albus Dumbledore for help. I don't suppose he has access to an owl.
Nothing ever goes well for Severus. He is up for the most horrible disappointment! I can see how Lily could be torn. She feels obligated to be true to her best friend, Severus, but she isn't attracted to him. He does put a lot of pressure on her to make his life happy. She is everything to him and that isn't healthy. He has nothing and no one but Lily. Lily has lots of people who love her. It does make one rather callow. She doesn't know what it feels like to have no one. She can't. She tries but she isn't a very deep girl. Not everyone is. Hermione is also shaped by her dangerous association with Harry. She is very mature for her age in this story. I guess is is in cannon as well.
Ooooh! Why don't I remember this chapter? Hell, I never remember anything! It does making reading stories over again much more fun, but that's the only silver lining to having memory problems. It must be the almost daily migraines for the last 16 yrs. I'm reading my favorites over again because I've been soooo soooo sad about AR's passing. This is on my favorites list! I remember the basic premise but not many details. At least I'm able to leave reviews now. The first month I wasn't even up to reviews but I know you authors put so much heart into these long stories and all for the price of reviews. And you deserve them for your brilliance and hard work. Thank you so much for sharing your craft in the ff arena for free and thank you for writing this ship. It's still my very favorite all these years later. I started reading when the first movie trailer came out and I found WIKTT way back then by accident. It opened a whole world of how to spend my evenings and weekends instead doing the things I should be doing. But I became addicted and I still am. I'm on to chapter 2. Ta, love!
I wonder if Hagrid recognizes or remembers Hermione when she come to Hogwarts in the future? I can imagine that the other teachers could be in on the secret eventually and know that she's from the future and not treat her any different when they see her again years later, but I don't know that Hagrid could keep the secret. Interesting.
I loved this fic! I've spent all my spare time reading it this week. Thank you for such an amazing story! It really was an emotional roller coaster that I thoroughly enjoyed.
So sweet! Loved every bit of it
Things are looking up
Aww I'm so happy!
Good for her!