Chapter 48

A/N: Thanks to my betas, luvsev and WriterMerrin. I have been enjoying all the reviews. Please drop me a line if you haven't yet :)

***

The first Defense meeting went well, in Hermione's estimation. The Room of Requirement was the perfect place. In fact, it served everyone's purpose. They even thought up a name for themselves: "Dumbledore's Army."

Hermione got a hold of enough Galleons and performed Protean Charms on them to signal future meetings. It wouldn't be prudent, she had said to keep the same time and day. They could be found out that way. So, they each had a Galleon that would warm in their pockets whenever Hermione needed to notify the time of the next meeting.

***

As October dragged on, Umbridge finally decided that Gryffindor could participate in the Quidditch season. Harry and Ron were increasingly preoccupied with practice, so Hermione easily found time to attend the next Order meeting at Grimmauld Place. She left with Severus and Apparated there from outside of Hogsmeade. Inside, she received a hearty welcome from everyone there.

She was happy to see Dumbledore. He had been in and out of the school since the school year had started. As happy as the atmosphere was, though, it grew tense as the information poured in.

"Podmore's all right," reported Diggle. "He's trying to keep his spirit's up. It's hard, though."

Sirius looked grim. But, of course he would. He had spent twelve years in Azkaban. Hermione was sure there wasn't a day that went by that he didn't think about it.

"We believe it was Malfoy who put the Imperius on him," Diggle continued. "We'll have to be extra diligent in our watches. They're gettin' desperate."

"Severus?" Dumbledore asked quietly.

Severus cleared his throat and said, "It's true that the Dark Lord is growing restless. He is counting on getting the prophecy soon. I discovered he is planning on a mass breakout of Azkaban. I have no idea of how many or who he will choose to free, but one thing I can say for sure is that you can count on the Lestranges."

"Bellatrix?" growled Moody.

"Yes," Severus responded.

"Well, if that mad woman gets out, there'll be chaos for sure!" Moody grumbled.

"That will make things harder, but we must keep as Moody implores us...Constant Vigilance! Arthur interjected. "That means no taking for granted when you are greeted by another Order member that all is well. That person could be under the Imperius Curse. Furthermore, you all need to have your contacts in order. No cross-chatting!"

Everyone agreed. Dumbledore had ordered them all previously to have a contact person in case of trouble. It couldn't be husband and wife. It had to someone not living with you. Hermione's was Minerva's since she was still in school.

Severus continued with his report. "Rookwood is being most helpful these days. His experience as an Unspeakable has given the Dark Lord more information on the Department of Mysteries than we could have dreamed. There was a plot underway to get another Ministry worker to infiltrate the Department; however, that went afoul."

Dumbledore spoke up again. "Severus has just informed me that one of our own has been attacked. Death Eaters have infiltrated the Department of Mysteries. The Prophecy Room was breached, and Broderick Bode is in St. Mungo's. Fortunately, the curse placed on him was not so terrible that he cannot recover; nevertheless, his speech is still garbled. Nothing he says makes sense."

Hermione gasped and looked at Severus. They knew Bode. He was the calm, sallow-faced man that had helped them gain access to the Time Room.

"What of the other workers in the various specialized rooms, Albus?" Hermione asked fearfully. "How are they?"

"All accounted for," he replied with a twinkle in his eye. "Don't worry. It will take more than this to catch Horatius off his guard."

Hermione smiled. She felt better knowing the sweet, gentle man who had helped her come back home was still all right.

"When you say 'breached,' Albus, do you mean to say that they have located the prophecy?" asked Lupin.

"Yes," Dumbledore replied. "I believe that he was placed under the Imperius Curse and was forced to retrieve it. Of course, only the ones the prophecy speaks of can touch it. Otherwise, the consequences can be severe. Our old friend Rookwood must have neglected to inform Tom of that fact."

"Poor Broderick," said Arthur. "He's such a nice chap."

"Hermione," Dumbledore asked. "I hear we have a lot to learn about what is going on with you and Harry."

"Yes," she replied, noticing Molly's glare on her. "Harry has been having dreams about the Department of Mysteries. He feels a compulsion to open a door in a room, which he described in exact detail, that resembles the lobby to the Department of Mysteries. Also, he is experiencing pain in his scar. He says he now can tell when You-Know-Who is happy or when he is sad."

Dumbledore sighed. "So the connection is growing?"

"I am afraid it is, sir."

Dumbledore thought for a moment. "Well, we must continue to keep our sights sharp, and I want you, Miss Granger, to notify me immediately if this connection takes an ominous turn." He looked at Severus, and Hermione knew what he meant. Soon, Harry would have to learn Occlumency. She shuddered to think how Harry would take having to spend one-on-one time with Severus.

Molly spoke up. "Dumbledore, I think we all need to discuss this new Defense group that has popped up at Hogwarts," she urged.

Hermione felt Molly's glare and turned to watch Molly also glare at Sirius, who looked as if he were the cat who had caught the canary. He had the audacity to smile at her glare, and Hermione wanted to slap his smile right off. Damn him and Mundungus!

"Hermione?" asked Dumbledore.

"We are meeting in an undisclosed area of the castle. We do not meet at a regular time, or on a set day. Switching it up at first was a necessity, due to everyone's schedules, but it also functions as another way to keep us safe."

"I want to know who gave you such a foolish idea to start with!" demanded Molly.

"Molly," said Hermione as calmly as she could, "I am trying very hard to keep my temper. You would do well to recall that I am thirty-six years old! I just didn't fall off the Knight Bus, you realize! So, I would appreciate it if you would speak to me as your colleague and not one of your children."

"Then stop acting like one," said Remus quietly.

"Come now, Remus," urged Sirius.

"No, Sirius, this is very important," he insisted angrily. "Hermione, what you are doing is very dangerous."

"Do you all think I'm that thick?" she yelled as she stood up. "May I remind you that at the beginning of September I had on my hands a snarling, moody, sarcastic little boy to deal with...?"

"...And Lord knows she already has one of her own already in Snivellus!" mocked Sirius as he laughed heartily.

"If you don't mind," Severus said waspishly, "I would like to stay out of this idiotic conversation."

" As I was saying," Hermione interjected before Sirius could talk back. "Since the inception of this group, Harry has been easier to handle, he's more optimistic, and overall, he feels more able to handle the pressures surrounding him. Quidditch season is starting, and he's beginning to open up to the people around him that he trusts. The real Harry Potter is coming back to us, and in the meantime, the students are getting the training they need. Surely you can respect this, Remus, Sirius. After all, you were a part of the day we all helped one another, the day the Dark Lord came to Hogwarts."

"I think you should continue," Dumbledore announced. "It will be good for Harry to feel he is doing his part. I just need your assurance you and Mr. Weasley will keep a sharp eye on him, for I cannot."

"I will," promised Hermione.

***

Gryffindor's first game was grueling. The Slytherins taunted the Gryffindor team viciously with a horrid song aimed to upset Ron. He was already feeling inadequate; this act of cruelty did not help matters. Each time Slytherin scored, they all would sing a chorus of a song they had named "Weasley is Our King."

Harry caught the snitch, and Gryffindor won, although it still would not erase from people's mind Ron's poor performance. It was a mercy, catching it so early. Nevertheless, Ron felt terrible. He had played abysmally, and what was worse was that he knew it.

Hermione had foolishly hoped for a clean getaway and then a quiet evening soothing Ron's bruised ego, but that hope was dashed the moment Draco stepped in the picture. He was a real piece of work, going on about Mrs. Weasley, calling her fat and ugly. Fred and George were there as well.

"Leave it," said Angelina, trying to pull Fred from the scene. Harry grabbed George as Malfoy ran his mouth, not realizing for a second how fortunate he was to still be alive.

Then Malfoy did it. He managed to get two for one when he insulted Lily Potter and Molly Weasley in one breath.

*"Or perhaps you can remember what your mother's house stank like, Potter, and Weasley's pigsty reminds you of it..." *

Harry and George leapt on Malfoy, not caring that all the teachers were watching. Hermione shook her head sadly as Angelina and Ginny were screaming for them to stop. Madam Hooch came storming over and blasted them apart.

*"What do you think you're doing?" she screamed. I've never seen behavior like it...back up to the castle both of you and straight to your Head of House's office! GO! Now!" *

Draco was whimpering like a puppy on the ground, bloody and moaning. George had a swollen lip. Hermione couldn't believe what had transpired. There was definitely far too much testosterone floating in the air. She knew Harry and the twins were in for it. She glanced around and saw Umbridge with a look of sheer delight on her face. Hermione walked with Angelina and Ginny back to the common room to await the coming news of punishment.

When the boys returned, they were white and scared looking. *Harry gulped. "George and I got a life-time ban on Quidditch," he said shakily.

"WHAT?" they all said at once.

George turned to Fred. "Sorry, but Umbridge banned you as well. She figures you were about to jump in and you are my twin so..."

Hermione stood with Harry and Ron, trying to comfort them. "I'm sorry, Harry," Ron whispered.

"What for?" Harry asked with his brows furrowed.

"For thinking I can play Quidditch. I'm hopeless," he said sadly.

Hermione smiled as she watched her boys. "I have news that may cheer you up," she said brightly.

"What?" Harry grunted.

"Hagrid's back." *

***

Hagrid's return was a bright turn for them. For Hermione, Hagrid had been a rock, an unmovable force of safety and comfort. Hagrid had been there for her when she had been a scared girl back in 1973 and kept faith with her until this day. He also kept her secrets. Fortunately, Dumbledore had him placed under a Wizard's Oath to never talk about Hermione's past to anyone but her. He was just too loose-lipped. Hermione had missed him dearly and couldn't wait to talk to him about her marriage to Severus.

They sat and listened to Hagrid weave his tale of life with the giants. Hermione was most anxious to hear since no news had been shared by Dumbledore to the Order...at least as she was aware. He told a fascinating tale of how the giants communicated and how he and his girlfriend, Madam Maxime, tried to win them over from Voldemort. Unfortunately, it had been for naught. Death Eaters had already secured their position. However, it looked as if Hagrid had given his all. He looked like the devil. He was bloody and bruised.

He talked about trying to locate his mother, who was a giantess. Unfortunately, she had died; so overall, it had been a very sad and depressing trip. They were trying to console Hagrid when suddenly Ron said, "Oh, no! It's Umbridge!"

They all scurried around to the back entrance, and Hagrid got rid of their cups. They hid well enough, but could hear the exchange. Umbridge was in fine form, insulting and rude; she tried to extract information about where he had traveled. Hagrid was taken aback, but remained steadfast.

Umbridge went on, droning about her newfound status as High Inquisitor and her role in inspecting the instructors. Hermione peeked inside to see Hagrid's reaction. He looked confused. She left him then with those thoughts in mind and the knowledge that she held the power to fire any teacher not up to standards. Hermione was fuming inside. Dear, sweet, Hagrid had been her friend during some very difficult times. There was no way she was going to let that bitch of a witch sack him.

***

Christmas came around and with it, the upcoming break. Hermione was looking forward to having alone time with Severus. The D.A. was coming along swimmingly, and Harry was knee-deep in his first romance. He came to her for advice, and she was more than willing to oblige him.

"She cornered me after the meeting tonight," Harry reported.

"Good, progress at last," she said encouragingly.

"Well, uh, she, uh..."

"Did you kiss?" Hermione asked him directly.

"Well, yeah," admitted Harry as he looked away, his face looking flushed.

"It's all right," Hermione whispered as she laid a hand on his arm. "How did it go?"

"I don't really know," Harry said, a bit confused. "She was crying."

"Oh, Harry," Hermione replied sympathetically. "Look, Cho cries a lot these days. She's very conflicted about your relationship. She really cared for Cedric, and his death has deeply affected her. She must be very confused," she explained.

Hermione smiled a bit and was happy that she had Severus waiting for her in their bed and no longer had to deal with all the silly worries of youth. She thought of their home where she could be herself and not pretend she was just sixteen. She packed up her stuff and said her good nights.

"Harry," she called to him as she reached the portrait hole. "Don't think too hard about it. Cho has to work it out, not you. If you like her, keep liking her. Be patient and kind. Give her time to sort out her head, and let her know you care that she's hurting. Just let things happen as they come, all right?"

"Okay, Hermione," he said as he hugged her extra tight.

***

Hermione walked the dark, deserted corridors back towards the dungeons. She was completely knackered. What she wouldn't give for a bit of Floo Powder so she could Floo from one fireplace to the next.

She ambled along slowly before being jerked into a hidden alcove and firmly pressed against a hard body that was warm and solid. Rough hands pulled and plunged inside her clothes, causing her to gasp in surprise and desire.

"Severus?" she breathed.

A hand clamped over her mouth, and she felt a hand manipulate its way between her legs.

"It's time, Hermione," he whispered. "It's time to pay for that outfit you wore the night I took you out dancing!"

"I was sixteen!" she screeched after she loosened from his grip.

"That's interesting. You are sixteen again," he murmured as he turned her around against the wall, hoisting her up to his waist, wrapping her legs around his waist. He raised her arms above her head as his pelvis pinned her flush against his hardened flesh. His lips dragged along the length of her neck. "The thought of you changing clothes right behind me was nearly too much. I wanted to grab your naked body to my own and take you against the wall right there in the alley."

He kept her wrists pinned to the wall with one hand and with the other, stroked her thighs lightly. Hermione felt brazen. It was so very wicked...but so thrilling at the same time. Severus' hand left her thigh to rip open her blouse and push her bra out of his way to expose her breasts before lowering his hand to tease the delicate entrance between her legs.

He kissed her hard and forced his tongue inside her mouth. He dominated every part of her, and all Hermione could think of was to breathe. He was touching her expertly, and she felt the wetness between her legs spreading.

"Wrap your legs tighter around my waist," he ordered her.

Severus pushed into her roughly and sheathed his cock inside her forcefully. He thrust against her deeply, hurting her. She took it with a shudder, and then as soon as she thought she could take no more, he built the tension fast and furiously inside her. Severus murmured all the dirty things he wanted to do to her while she began to gasp and whimper.

"Sweet girl," he breathed as he grasped her breasts in his hands. "Let me feel your pleasure around me."

"I'm trying!" she cried out as she wrapped his hair around her fist as a reign and bucked choppily against the grinding force of his thrusting.

"Hermione... Hermione..." he chanted into her neck while skimming one thumb against a tender red nipple.

She quivered in his arms as she cried out her orgasm. Severus continued to drive into her soft flesh over and over until he found release, straining and trembling against his wife's welcoming body.

***

They were in bed the next morning, whispering and touching each other as they relaxed in bed.

"Will you take me to Spinner's End for Christmas?" she asked. "It shall be our first Christmas together since 1984." She nipped and kissed his jaw as he cleared his throat.

"I think we might be able to place that on the agenda," he said as he grabbed her hair and pulled her back from him. He mounted her and kissed her neck and shoulder. "Mmmm, you taste delicious," he said deeply.

"I feel even better," she whispered wantonly back to him.

He raised an eyebrow in response. Then he pushed her legs apart and plunged into her.

"Ahhh!" she cried out.

"I see what you mean," he groaned as he looked down at her from half-lidded eyes. He leaned back and lifted her by her arse. He began to stroke deeply inside her, rotating his hips as Hermione squealed underneath him.

"You feel even better after you've orgasmed a few times, too." He looked at her flushed face underneath him and smiled. "You feel very slippery and open," he whispered in her ear.

Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck and brought him down lower as she kissed him hungrily. "What are you thinking about now?" she asked him.

"Working in the garden at Spinner's End, your hands in the dirt. I could see down your shirt," he replied wickedly.

She slapped him on the arm. "How could you, you randy bugger?"

"I was a teenager! A desperately randy teenager at that," he said as he laughed. "Not that you weren't top shelf. I was just this depressing, ugly boy who was hoping you would just let me taste the sweat at the top of your cleavage."

He began to make love to her slowly as he whispered in her ear. He knew it drove her wild. "Imagine, knowing you were in the next room. I thought, maybe she's naked and frigging herself thinking about me whilst I'm wanking every night thinking of her."

Hermione felt the tension building. "Oooh, you were masturbating at the thought of me?" she groaned.

"Yesss," he breathed in response. "Nearly all summer long. Then the night I came into your room and climbed in bed with you, I could smell you. I knew you were wet and wanting me. It was hell." He grasped her breasts lustfully and moved faster. Hermione held her lips to his as they climaxed together. Afterwards, they listened to their breathing slow down to normal with their foreheads touching intimately.

"Severus? Hermione?" a voice called.

"I don't fucking believe it!" snarled Severus.

"Who is it?" Hermione whispered as she wriggled out from underneath her husband to put on her bathrobe. Severus sighed in resignation as he put on his pajama bottoms. "Albus, or in your terminology, our friendly neighborhood cockblocker," he sneered.

"He didn't block you, Severus. We had our fun," she whispered as they walked towards the bedroom door.

"Post-coital enjoyment is a part of the whole process. Besides, I don't think I was through with you just yet," he replied, irritated.

Severus let Hermione through the door first, and she lingered in the background while Severus went to the fire. "Yes, Albus?" he asked sourly.

"I hope I wasn't interrupting," he said apologetically.

"Albus, I have a young woman in my bed, and it is six in the morning. I am awake. Of course you interrupted!" he snapped.

Hermione huffed in the background, embarrassed. Severus turned his head and gave her a lustful smirk.

"Well," replied Albus. "I guess you will have to live with the disappointment. I'm coming through."

Severus turned around and walked towards Hermione. "Foolish me. Here I thought we would be the only ones 'coming' in here," he muttered sarcastically.

Albus walked through and smiled. "Good morning, Severus, Hermione."

"Good morning," Hermione whispered as she pulled her robe tighter and sidled closer to her husband.

"I have some bad news, I'm afraid," Albus said sadly. "Last night, Harry was brought to me by Minerva and Mr. Weasley. It has started," he said ominously.

"The visions?" whispered Hermione.

"He had a dream," began Dumbledore as he sat down into one of their sofa chairs. Severus went to sit on the couch.

"Dobby?" Hermione called.

Dobby popped in front of her. "Miss! Friend of Harry Potter! You's needing help, Miss?"

"Yes, Dobby, please bring some strong coffee and breakfast for three, please. And Dobby, you must never mention you saw me here to anyone, even Harry. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Miss," Dobby replied as he winked out. Hermione said to them, "Please, let me get on something more appropriate. Don't start without me!" she ordered.

She hurriedly threw off her robe and put on her bra and knickers with a pair of sweatpants and a jumper. She grabbed a pair of socks and a ponytail holder for her hair. She came out and saw breakfast waiting for her.

"Okay," she breathed.

Dumbledore smiled as he handed her a cup of coffee. "Harry had a dream that Arthur Weasley was being attacked by a giant snake. He was hysterical. He insisted Arthur was bleeding to death."

"Nagini," muttered Severus.

Hermione wanted to know what that name meant, but decided she'd ask later.

"Needless to say, Harry was right. We reached Arthur in time, and he's now healing at St. Mungo's. The Weasley family and Harry are at Headquarters."

Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank God Arthur is all right!"

Dumbledore nodded in agreement. "However, the story Harry told me was very disconcerting. He said he was the snake. He also met my eyes for a moment, and I could feel the rage and the hate emitting from inside him. He wanted to kill me. It's starting, and I fear the time has come for you to start teaching him Occlumency, Severus."

Severus crossed his arms. "I still don't think it's the best idea, Albus," he said as he shook his head.

"Who else can teach him? Who else is a better Occlumens?" Albus shot back at him.

"Fine," he relented. "I'll start at the beginning of term," he said with a hint of resignation in his tone.

"Hermione," Albus said, "I need you to go to Grimmauld Place and be with Harry. He's confused and afraid. He thinks the Weasleys will think badly of him. He's beginning to shut down and push them away."

"Oh, dear," she said in frustration.

"Wait...Hermione and I are going away!" Severus fairly shouted.

"Please, Severus, Harry needs Hermione," reasoned Albus.

"I don't give a shite. I need Hermione!" he roared.

Hermione reached to stroke his arm. "It's okay, Severus," she said sweetly. "We'll get away another time."

He growled and stormed out of the room. "Let me handle this, Albus. I'll have Severus get me to Headquarters," she whispered.

After Albus left, Hermione took the breakfast tray into the bedroom. Severus was sitting on the bed, leaning back on the pillows against the headboard.

"I told you, Albus is a born cock blocker!" he snarled.

"You are acting like a child that's been denied his favorite pudding," she chided with a smile.

"Well, that's precisely how I feel. No Christmas pudding for me!" He pouted as he crossed his arms.

Hermione took off her clothes and brought over a plate of food. She straddled him and said, "Eat! I have to get ready to go to headquarters, and I want to leave you knowing you've eaten."

She fed him the eggs, and he picked up a sausage and pushed it into her mouth.

"You are a naughty boy, you know that?" she laughed as she ate.

"Take me once more before you go," he asked as he banished the plate of food.

"What?" she responded in shock.

"You heard me. I want you to make love to me before you leave me alone," he demanded as if he had ordered her to make a potion for grading.

"How?" she asked suspiciously.

He relaxed down into the pillows. "Ride me," he commanded as his eyes bored into hers.

Hermione's eyes grew wide, and a flutter of desire spread through her. "I love it when you get all bossy and domineering," she whispered, teasingly.

A/N: The sentences in italics that have asterisks on them are from Rowling's OotP. The rest are mine.