Chapter 69

A/N: Well, this is that last chapter before Hermione and Severus are reunited. I know you've all been waiting for this!

Thanks to my beta, WriterMerrin! Yea! I'm glad she's back. :) PLEASE REVIEW! I love reading your thoughts and reactions to the twists and turns!

***

That night, everyone sat around the fire and exchanged information they knew. It was horrifying to hear. Hermione realized just how fortunate she had been compared to the others. Hagrid and Hannah confirmed Remus' story about Severus.

"Neville has taken over the resistance against the Carrows," said Hannah Abbott. "I can't believe he hasn't been kicked out!"

Hermione saw Terry Boot and Susan Bones nod their heads.

"I was expelled," Terry said. "Got caught writing graffiti on the walls about the D.A. Snape expelled me. Told me to keep my mouth shut and to go to Hagrid."

"Same with me," said Susan. "The Carrows kept torturing me because of my family. They are truly evil. Finally, Professor Snape got me out of class one day, told me to not tell a soul what he was doing, and to go to the mountains to Hagrid. He had a drawer full of Portkeys. He gave me one, and it took me right here. I didn't even have time to pack anything, but others who came after who were more fortunate brought me some of my things." She shot a grateful smile towards some of the other girls.

Kenneth Towler, who had already graduated two years before, lounged against a log and stretched out his long legs. "I cannot for the life of me figure out why people like Seamus Finnegan and Patricia Stimpton are still around and about. I even heard that Tracey Davies and Malcolm Braddock even returned to school."

"Yeah, so what?" said Colin as he wrapped his arms around his legs. "They're Slytherins! What do they have to worry about?"

Kenneth sat up and said, "You all don't get it, do you? All the people I named are half-bloods. You wait...they'll come after us next. That's why I went into hiding. I saw the signs."

"What did you see?" asked Hannah, her eyes wide with concern.

"Well, first off," Kenneth said as he stoked the fire with his stick, "everyone had to register if they were Muggle-born. Then after the identity cards were handed out, they were given a red 'M' stamp on their card to show they were Muggle-born. And it is the law to carry your identification with you at all times. So, you could be minding your own business, someone taps you on the shoulder and says, 'Hey, mate. Give us a look at your I.D. card.' Then, there is that red 'M' just glaring out for all and sundry, then Bob's your uncle! You're done for.

"Then came the second edict that all half-bloods had to register. When those came out, there was a big green 'H' on mine. I said to meself, 'Ken, me lad, you got a problem.' It was then I packed up and went off. I wasn't going to wait around to see how long I could last before the final battle!" he said hotly.

"Tonks was taken right out of work at the Auror Department," Hermione said suddenly, just remembering. "She was on her way to a transport to Azkaban when her mother, who was a Black, came and proved her status."

Kenneth nodded. "Names are important. Although they prefer if you had a wizard for a father rather than a witch for a mother if you are a half-blood. Last names can get a person in trouble if it's not a known wizarding last name."

The longer Kenneth spoke, the more animated he became. "I saw the people I worked with at the Ministry arrested and sent off because they had been labeled as 'dissenters.' Then all the Muggle-borns were ordered to move into all the major wizarding towns, like Ottery St. Catchpole or Godric's Hollow, even wizarding London and Hogsmeade. So, I watched as they moved, and I shook my head because now they were like sitting ducks. Sure enough, the Snatchers finally came for them, bit by bit. The night before they came, someone heard that they were coming. The month before, a number of people had been sent owls stating they were to report at the Ministry for some important work, and they were needed. It was all a trap, so not everyone reported to the Ministry. So, the Snatchers came in the middle of the day and took people right out of their homes. I saw Justin Finch-Fletchley and his family taken from their house. It didn't matter that his parents were Muggles. They were taken as well...just because they knew."

"What happens to the family members of Muggle-borns?" asked Terry, sounding fearful.

"I was told that they are executed right after being taken from their magical children," replied Kenneth. "I saw all this going on and said to meself that it made no sense to stay. I became even more convinced when I had been ordered to register and prove my lineage with the Ministry. However, it only makes sense to see the escalation of it all. People think that because they are half-blood that they are safe. They aren't. And if this war continues, they'll round up the half-bloods next, and then it will be all the blood traitors. It won't stop until You-Know-Who's paranoia is sated, and that will never happen because he's effing psychotic."

Everyone was silent then. No one knew if any of their family was alive unless they already knew before joining Hagrid. Hermione didn't want to talk about the war anymore. She knew her parents were dead. She turned to Hagrid to speak with him.

"So, you have contact with Severus often?" Hermione asked Hagrid.

"No, nuthin' much," the half-giant answered. "More like he brings me a message when a student comes up ter stay wit' us."

"It's too bad you had to go off on the run," she whispered.

"It's better this way, Hermione," he said. "I don' have ter make meself all happy an' all abou' You-Know-Who bein' in charge, and all, tha' if I was back teachin' at Hogwarts, which I wouldn't, bein' a half-breed an' all."

When Hermione went to sleep that night, she dreamt of the last time she had made love to Severus. It was the night she had conceived Serena. When she woke, she prayed with all her might she would have him back in arms again and would never have to be without him again.

***

"Well, it's just insane," said Parvati Patil, who came during the Easter hols, a month later, in April. She and her sister, Padma, were pure-bloods, but could no longer stand being at the school. By the looks of them, they had gone a few rounds with the Carrows.

"It's gotten worse," said Padma. "Everyone except for Slytherin has bruises and black-eyes. It's not even school anymore...it's a house of horrors!"

"What news of the outside?" asked Hannah.

"Well," said Parvati. "Our Mum owled us and said Diagon Alley is nearly closed down. Wanted posters for Harry Potter are plastered everywhere, and so many of the old shops are closed. People are living destitute in the streets, begging for food or Galleons. There are so many people who have lost everything. It's really hard for the ones left behind. My mum wrote that you couldn't ever be sure if you'll see your family again. There had been a neighbor of ours: a pure-blood husband who had come home a month ago from work, and his Muggle-born wife was gone! He went to the Ministry and everything, but he never found out what happened to her."

Padma interjected at this point. "Or look at what happened to Tonks' mum and dad." she said. "Oh, and Luna Lovegood has been kidnapped by Death Eaters! Right off the Hogwarts Express. Don't even know where she is now."

They showed them all their old bruises and contusions. "Poppy was ordered not to heal us," said Padma. "There are a lot of students hobbling along on improperly healed bones, and others are all scarred up because they were never healed fully."

Hermione looked around them. She had thought she was the only one who had suffered and lost. They all had shared their stories. Colin and Dennis had lost their entire family in a Death Eater attack. They'd had a couple of little sisters back home, and now they were all dead. Susan had lost so much of her family, she figured she had to be the last of her family line by now. Then there was the perpetual spasm in her right hand. She said it was residual effects from repeated subjection to the Cruciatus Curse.

"And I don't care what anyone says about Severus Snape!" she said boldly as tears welled up in her eyes. "He saved my life! I'd be dead today if he hadn't intervened."

Terry Boot had been whipped until he had nearly died; his parents had been marked for death for hiding a Muggle-born in their house. The last he heard, they had been sent to Azkaban to be executed. It was all so sad.

"I heard there was a lot of that going around," said Colin.

"What? People hidin' Muggle-borns? O'course!" said Hagrid proudly. "Tha's what our Tonks did fer our Hermione."

"What about you, Hermione?" asked Parvati. "What happened to you?"

Hermione hadn't planned to say anything until she had spoken with Severus first, but she felt a tug on her heart to let it out. She started out with a small, nervous voice.

"I had been in the Tower where Harry had the Aurors put me after Dumbledore had been killed. I stayed, even though after a while, Harry told me about his search Dumbledore had sent him on just before he died. Tonks gave me my wand back and sent her Patronus to leave as the Death Eaters were coming to take over Hogwarts...so I fled. I-I was pregnant. I was afraid about the baby. I went to my parents' house and found out that the Death Eaters had already killed them and destroyed the house."

Hermione was crying again as she told them about hiding alone until finding Dean Thomas and Tonks' dad. Then she told them how she lost Serena and went to live with Andromeda and Tonks until now, and that was where their baby had been buried, in Andromeda's garden, when Remus had brought her here.

"Oh, Hermione!" Hannah said as she went to hug her. Hagrid was sniffing as well. Everyone was shocked.

"No wonder you want to see Snape so bad," whispered Colin.

Hermione nodded. "He never knew I was pregnant. You see, I had only found out the night Dumbledore died. I never got a chance to tell him," she blurted out as she wept.

***

It was May, and the weather was delightful. Also, thanks to some of Hermione's spell work, some scars and bones not quite fully healed had been set right again. They were sparring every day now, under Hermione's training. Being an Auror in training had come in quite handy. More were coming to join Hagrid's group; some were past students, and it was so good to see old friends again. Hermione had nearly broken down and bawled like a baby when she saw Fred and George. They still were in Hogsmeade at their shop, but the Death Eater patrols were really getting old.

"I'm about ready to sneak Puking Pastilles into their food, but Rosmerta won't cooperate with me," said George.

"Well, that's were you went wrong, George," said Fred lazily. "You should have sweet talked her and stuck it in when she wasn't looking."

***

News of the Gringotts break-in came to them by word of mouth, and it was incredible news...like fresh water for the thirsty. The sighting of Harry Potter gave so much hope to those who had nearly given up. Hagrid assured them it wouldn't be long now.

Hermione couldn't stand the way everyone was gushing over Harry. If he hadn't been such a bastard, Serena would still be alive. She was more determined than ever to get to Severus and leave before the fighting started.

The final battle was more imminent than even Hermione could have imagined. One evening in late May, Fred and George awakened them. "Aw, bless 'em," said Fred.

"Up and at 'em!" his voice rang out. "Start Apparating into the Hog's Head; Harry is already inside Hogwarts in the Room of Requirement, and we're needed to get Snake-face's arse once and for all!"

Hermione jumped up and grabbed her wand. She pulled her long hair back in a ponytail and changed into different clothes and her cloak. She Apparated into the Hog's Head and joined the queue. Soon, she thought. Very soon, and I shall see Severus again!

***

Hermione was shocked at the strange way everyone was crawling into the portrait on the wall. When it was her turn, she and the Patil twins went together through the dark tunnel.

"I don't like this," whispered Padma.

"It'll be okay," Hermione reassured her. "We're all together."

When they finally reached the end of the long tunnel, they found themselves inside the Room of the Requirement. The room was bursting with familiar faces, some badly bruised and beaten, but hearty and ready to fight. Soon, Harry was hurtling himself at her.

"Hermione!" he shouted happily as he hugged her tightly. "I've missed you."

Hermione's body immediately stiffened at the touch of him. "Of course, Harry," Hermione said uncomfortably. "So what's the plan?"

Harry's face beamed as he held onto her arms. "Well, we have them all, thanks to you. Otherwise, we'd still be trying to puzzle out the Diadem."

Hermione crossed her arms and glared at him. "Well, you can thank my husband for that," she ground out.

"Uh, yeah," Harry muttered as he ran a hand through his hair. "Hermione, I still don't know about Snape. Look at these people! They've been beaten and starved. How could he let that happen if he were on our side?"

Hermione barked a laugh and tried very hard not to hex him. "Harry, sometimes I think you place too much stock in Severus' abilities. What the bloody hell was he going to do? Do a one-man show and tell all the Death Eaters and You-Know-Who how things were going to be at Hogwarts? He could only do so much. Try listening to the other stories of how he stopped people from being punished brutally or killed and how he helped them escape!"

Michael Corner came out of nowhere and challenged Hermione. "I was here all year long, and there were plenty of times Snape did nothing to lift one finger to help. If he is so noble and good, why did he run off earlier?"

"What?" Hermione spat furiously.

"Yeah, Hermione," said Harry, looking truly sorry for the first time. "He ran off...we think to warn You-Know-Who."

Hermione was fairly shaking with impotent rage. She couldn't believe how little control she had over her own life. "Or to be an advisor...and a poor one to put wrong information into his ear," Hermione explained. "That's what he has done for quite some time. I'm telling you, I know because he told me. He killed Dumbledore because he was already dying!"

Everyone in the room hushed and silently listened to Hermione shout out into the crowd. "You remember Dumbledore's hand, all dead and black? Well, he had been cursed. Severus saved his life and even prolonged it. He was dying anyway! Draco had been ordered to kill Dumbledore by the Dark Lord. Albus knew of the plan then ordered Severus to do it...that he wanted Draco to still have a chance not to turn into what his father had become. He wanted to save Draco's soul."

"It was a mercy killing?" shouted someone from the back.

"Yes!" Hermione excitedly, relieved someone was finally getting it. "He HAD to do it. He made promises to keep certain people safe. It's what I've done my whole life since I came back. I've worked with the Order and with Severus to keep Harry safe and to help the Muggle-borns. So, don't tell me he's evil. He's not!"

The room was buzzing again as Hermione grew quiet. Ginny came to her saying, "Did you hear the news?" Tonks had a baby boy. They named him Teddy...well, Theodore, actually, and Harry and I are to be the godparents. It looks as if he'll be a Metamorphmagus, like his mum. I've never seen Remus so happy before!"

Hermione nodded silently. She didn't want to hear about babies and happy families. She wanted Severus, and that was all. The rest of the wizarding world could get stuffed for all she cared.

Harry started to address everyone. "We know that the Carrows are incapacitated and that Snape has left the grounds. He will be back with Riddle. Now, we all must go to the Great Hall, and I want you all to sit at your House Tables."

When everyone started filing out, he spoke with Minerva quietly. Hermione followed everyone. It was odd to see Xeno Lovegood at the Ravenclaw Table with Luna and the entire Weasley clan together at Gryffindor's table.

Minerva took to the podium and spoke to the assembly.

"I want our prefects to rouse all of the students and have them evacuate the castle at once through the Room of Requirement. Once there, arrangements will be made to send them somewhere safe until their parents can be notified. There is no time for owls or packing. No one is to take anything with them except the clothes on their back and their wands.

"Professor Slughorn, please rouse your Slytherins, I am sure they would all wish to leave the castle as well. In fact, I insist upon it. Any Slytherin that stays to fight will be considered a combatant and will be cursed on sight. You will leave with them, Horace, as chaperone, and keep them all safe."

Horace Slughorn went his way without a word, and Minerva addressed the crowd again.

"I have no time for quarreling. If you are under the age of seventeen, you must return to the Room of Requirement. If it comes to it that reserves are needed, you may be counted on to fight. Do not argue this matter. All who are under seventeen...leave now!"

There were grumblings, and Ginny remained firm in her chair after the last underage wizard had left. She set her jaw and crossed her arms defiantly as her parents yelled at her to go.

"I have been out there fighting for a year! Ask Ron and Harry how Bellatrix captured us and tortured me at Malfoy Manor, and how we escaped. I went through the Cruciatus Curse. I have earned my right to fight!"

The matter dropped abruptly as a thunderous voice echoed throughout the hall. It was HE.

"I know you are prepared to fight and your efforts are futile. You cannot win against me..."

Hermione blocked out the rest. She couldn't give a flying fuck what he had to say. She just wanted this over with.

"Give me Harry Potter and you will live. You have until midnight."

Minerva waited until she was sure there was no more to be said then she called the three houses together. All of the Order had arrived, except Tonks who was staying with her baby and mother. Hermione saw many faces from earlier years that had graduated before her, like Cho Chang, Angelina Johnson, and Oliver Wood. Minerva gave the floor over to Kingsley Shacklebolt.

"Right. We have exactly thirty minutes to get prepared. The teachers of Hogwarts and the Order of the Phoenix have already constructed a battle plan during these past months. Professors Flitwick, Sinistra, and McGonagall will take fighters to the three highest towers: Ravenclaw, Astronomy, and Gryffindor...where they will have a good overview and excellent positions from which to cast spells.

"Remus"...he pointed to Lupin..."Arthur"...he pointed to Mr. Weasley..."and I will take groups of fighters onto the ground. We'll need volunteers to organize the defense of the entrances of the various passageways into the school."

"Sounds like a job for us," called Fred, indicating himself and George, and Kingsley nodded his approval.

"Professors Sprout and Trelawney will have the high ground from the main interior. If you are called to join a certain leader, go with them. No bargaining for a better position. This is war, not a practice dueling session. These people are out for your lives." He paused for a moment to see if everyone was aware of the gravity of the situation.

"All right then, leaders, divide up your troops and get into positions!" he called out.

McGonagall turned to Hermione. "Normally, I would want you at my side at Gryffindor Tower, but I know you have the skills that are needed on the ground with the Aurors. Are you fine with that?"

"I don't think so," she replied calmly.

Minerva sucked a breath while she looked at her young friend and ex-student in shock. "You will not fight with the Order?"

"I was treated as a Prisoner of War BY the Order!" Hermione growled at her. "I suffered and paid far more than anyone here, and I will be damned if I will shed one more drop of blood for this war. I am going to get my husband, and you all can go to hell!"

***

A/N: I know Hermione's decision not to fight in the battle has seemed a bit severe for her type of personality, but after all she has suffered, endured, and sacrificed, only to be called a traitor in the end and cast out as a pariah from the Order on Harry's say-so, I think she's got the right to say, "I'm done."

The italicized portions are either taken directly from Rowling's Deathly Hallows or paraphrased.