Awkardness & A Memory

Hermione jolted awake at the knock on her bedroom door. Peeking at the clock on her nightstand, she grumbled and pulled the cover back over her head. Who in their right mind would be bugging me at eight a.m.? I thought Severus said he was going to pass on the message to let us both rest late without being disturbed unless there was an emergency, she pondered. Suddenly she sat up and called, "Just a moment!" She reached for her robe and belted it around herself, straightening her hair as best she could, and headed for the door.

Hermione and Severus had stayed up until nearly four a.m. working on the base potion with a whole thirty minutes spent creating suitable "memories" to show the Dark Lord. With a last look in the mirror, she opened the door, only to be bowled over and knocked to the floor from the force of the two hugs that enveloped her. She panicked for a moment before she realized it was Harry and Ron. Both of them pulled back and sheepishly helped her to her feet. "Nice to see you too," she said grouchily as she tried her best to keep the pain from showing on her face from having landed so hard on her back.

"Hermione, we've missed you! And guess what – we've decided to kidnap you for the whole day!" Ron said happily. He helped himself to a seat on the little sofa, putting his feet up on the table that was strewn with books and parchments from her research.

Harry less rudely sat down in one of the chairs across from Ron.

"It's great that you're both home, but I'm afraid I don't have time to let you kidnap me. Severus and I are busy with a very important potion – you'll have to ask Remus all about it – and there simply isn't time for a break. We're actually pretty close to finishing the base, and –"

"Hermione, we haven't seen you in months! Can't Snape spare you for a day?" Ron protested.

Hermione put on the best forced smile she could muster. "Look, I've missed you both, too. But this is really important, to all of us. I can visit with you for lunch, but that's it, okay?" she replied, taking in the disappointed looks on their faces. "Look, I've got a few minutes right now since Severus isn't awake yet, so why don't you tell me how your trip went?" Hermione offered. She sat down in the other chair and fidgeted uncomfortably under Harry's searching gaze. He knows something is wrong, she thought, a little panicked.

"Hermione, since when do you call Snape 'Severus?' What's happened that has you fidgeting as if you were waiting for your OWL results?" Harry asked her. Ron frowned as he looked at her more carefully, suddenly wondering why he hadn't noticed anything.

"I don't know what you're talking about – nothing's happened. I mean, there was this horrible attack the other day, but other than that I've been busy helping Severus. And since you seem to have forgotten, I'm Severus' apprentice. As a courtesy, he's allowed me to address him as Severus. I actually think he just prefers it to 'Mr. Snape' since he's no longer a professor," she said with a bit of a smirk. Her face had visibly brightened at the mere mention of Severus' name.

Harry stared at her, his eyes going almost squinty as he tried to understand what had lit up her features briefly. Surely Snape wouldn't do that? he thought, revolted at the idea. "Well, since we're home, is there anything Ron and I can do to help you? That way maybe you can get your work done faster and spend some more time with us," Harry offered.

"Actually, there is something you can do. Remus and Hestia Jones are in dire need of help in creating enough charmed Portkeys for our battle plan. I'm sure they would welcome your help. Remus can show you exactly what to do, since it's a bit delicate and critical that it be done correctly," Hermione replied. She got up and went into her closet to pull out some simple clothes to change into after her shower.

"Hermione, Harry and I want to spend time with you. Can't we help you with something in the potions lab? I know we've never been good at mixing, but we've been decent at chopping and sorting ingredients and such," Ron said, a hopeful look on his face.

"Ron, Severus doesn't – uh – allow anyone but himself and me to enter the lab. This manor is his and he reluctantly let the Order use it...but he prefers to keep that room to himself. He only showed me where it was because I'm his apprentice. But like I said, we can visit at lunch, and Remus and Hestia really need your help."

"Fine. What a welcome home this has been. Let's go, Harry, Hermione needs to get back to work with Professor Dingbat," Ron said spitefully.

"Ron, she really does sound busy; you don't need to act like a prat!" Harry replied, giving Hermione an 'I'm sorry, you know what he's like' look.

Hermione avoided looking at Ron as he left the room, slamming the door on his way out.

"Hermione, I'm sorry – we were just hoping to have more time to hang out after being away for so long. I understand you're busy with important stuff, but if you can find some spare time, we have really missed you," Harry said simply, his face showing the disappointment he too felt over their reunion.

"I know, I've missed you too. It's just that...some things have changed. The war is escalating, and there simply isn't enough time for 'fun' or hanging around. There comes a point when you have to grow up a bit and concentrate on the important things," Hermione replied defensively.

Harry looked at her for a moment, observing that she still radiated an unusual nervousness. "Hermione, there's something you're not telling us. Something's happened – and don't tell me it's the recent attacks. What's going on?" Harry asked, approaching her and holding her shoulders to make sure she stayed facing him.

Hermione shook off his hold and walked over to the large windows overlooking the orchard and greenhouses. "There's nothing to tell you, Harry. Now, if you could give me some privacy? I need to take a shower to help me wake up before I go to the lab. I'll see you both at lunch, okay?" she said dismissively.

Harry looked at her for a moment, his face plainly indicating his disbelief that there was nothing she was hiding. "Okay, I'll see you later, Hermione. Just please remember that we're friends; there's nothing you should feel you have to hide from me," he returned sadly. He left the room and closed the door – quietly – behind him. The moment it closed Hermione fell to her knees and cried.

~{}~

Severus looked up from his notes when Hermione finally joined him in the lab. He'd heard her rude awakening and the conversations that had transpired afterwards, including the sound of her crying. It had taken a strong effort to resist entering her room to comfort her, but he wasn't used to dealing with sobbing women, especially ones who were of interest to him. So, figuring she would be better off without his lame attempts to comfort her, he had gone ahead to await her arrival in the lab. While he waited, he'd formed a plan that he hoped would be helpful to her.

"Hermione, would you please gather your harvesting tools? We're in need of several ingredients before we work on the base today. It shouldn't take more than four or five hours, then we can work on the base this afternoon and into the evening. I think you were right in hoping that we've nearly completed the base. In addition, after those attacks we're in dire need of replenishing the basic ingredients for healing potions," Severus said evenly as he completed his notes and started to gather his own tools together.

Hermione felt a wave of relief flood over her, especially after what had transpired that morning, when she realized she would be able to avoid the awkwardness of visiting with Harry and Ron during lunch. "Just give me a few moments to gather my things and, um, would you mind leaving a letter for Remus and... the others? Just so they know we had to go and will be back later?"

Severus nodded and replied, "Yes, I'll take care of notifying them of our plans. I'll meet you upstairs in ten minutes, then."

Hermione hurried up the stairs and quickly gathered her collection bags and tools, putting them in a knapsack that was spelled to hold an enormous weight without being so heavy a person couldn't carry it.

She entered Severus's room just as he sent a letter flying out of his room, like the Ministry's inter-office memos. "Hold tight, now," he warned, a slight smirk gracing his face as she wrapped her arms around his waist instead of just grabbing hold of his arm. With a whoosh of his cloak as he turned them on the spot, they both Disapparated with a crack.

~{}~

"They took off? Remus, what the bloody hell is going on with Hermione? She said she was going to at least spend time with us during lunch – and then she just leaves? She didn't even send us the note herself, she had Snape do it!"

"Calm down, Ron. I'm sure she would have stayed if she could, but as you can tell, things are quite hectic at the moment. Severus and Hermione... have been working nonstop for months on this Avada-Bomb. You've got to realize how trivial it is to complain about her not hanging out with you when there's work to be done. Hermione cares about what she's doing. It was her idea; she can't just leave it to Severus to accomplish. Besides, she's his apprentice, and with that responsibility comes a lot of hard work. Even if there was no war on, she'd be busy with her apprenticeship. Be sensible," Remus replied, exhausted with Ron's less than mature ranting.

Ron slouched down into his chair and mumbled something. "What was that, Ron?" Harry asked.

"I said I was hoping to...ask her on a date. I've been looking forward to coming home for months, just to see if things might develop a bit between us. I was willing to make a fool of myself so she'd truly know how I felt about her."

Harry, his brow raised in incredulity, responded with a censorious, "You want to prove how much you care for her, yet the first thing you do when you see her is act like a prat just because she's busy developing a brilliant potion that could save our lives and end the war?"

Ron scowled and put his head in his hands. "You're right, I blew it. You don't think she hates me, do you? Do you guys think I still have a chance?"

Remus couldn't believe how ridiculous Ron was being. He had hoped that being away for months on their own, accomplishing a mission that was dangerous and complicated, would have made Ron and Harry grow up a bit more than they appeared to have. He shook his head tiredly.

"Are you two really going to help Hestia and me? If so, follow me so I can explain the spells and charms to you. We've only made a fraction of the Portkeys we'll need, and the sooner we get the job finished, the better for us all," Remus said. He walked out of the room, leaving them to follow.

~{}~

Severus and Hermione worked diligently to gather the ingredients. All the while, they discussed the pros and cons of their sequencing for the Avada base and had already discovered a better way to approach their work. As Severus listened to Hermione's logical train of thought, he couldn't help noticing how well she was handling being at the meadow. The moment they arrived, Severus had taken the liberty of a quick kiss on her lips before they separated and went about their work.

He refrained, as they conversed easily, from mentioning Harry and Ron. As thoughts of them entered his mind, he started to wonder how things would change now that they were home. Before they had left, Hermione, Ron, and Harry were nigh inseparable. They had spent months holed up in the library researching everything they could get their hands on about Horcruxes with only the occasional break for a quick game of Exploding Snap, something that had irritated him no end. The lab at Grimmauld Place had been next door to the library, and the sounds of small explosions had forced him to put up silencing charms so he could concentrate on his work.

Severus was also worried that the boys' return would distract Hermione from their work, in essence taking her away from him just when he was beginning to want to spend time with her. Severus stopped his train of thought right there, mentally scolding himself for worrying about such things. Though this new development has been exciting, there are more important things to worry about! he thought grumpily. He looked up when he heard Hermione call his name loudly.

"Severus! Are you okay?"

Severus smirked. "Yes, I'm quite all right. I've just been mulling over a few things in my head. Nothing to worry about," he replied easily. "Well, I think we have what we need to continue with our work. Shall we head back to the Manor? If you're hungry, I can stop off in the kitchens to get some food and bring it down to the lab."

Hermione smiled. "As nice as it would be to sit down and enjoy a meal with you, I've already missed lunch with the boys. I really should make an appearance so they won't disturb us later. But you're welcome to join us," she offered, smirking at his scowl.

"As much as I've come to enjoy your company, Hermione, I'm sorry to say that I will never want to willingly 'join' you when you are with those two. In fact, I think I just lost my appetite," he finished, feigning an upset stomach and holding his hand to his waist. Hermione laughed and walked over to hug him tightly.

"Don't worry, I understand that you'd rather not spend any time with them. They feel the same way. I'll be sure to bring you a plate when I come down from dinner, shall I?" she asked, looking up at him.

"Yes, that would be... lovely. And please don't take overlong. Not only do we have a lot of work to do on the potions tonight, but... I was rather hoping for a few moments of time alone with you," he replied carefully, smiling in triumph as her breath left her and a look of passion came into her intense gaze. With a sigh of contentment, Severus leaned down and joined his lips to hers, both of them enjoying each other for a long time. It was just after dusk when they finally pulled apart and gathered their things.

After a loud crack confirmed their Disapparation, a tall, cloaked figure rose from his uncomfortable seat on the ground, sore from sitting there for so long, and also Disapparated from the edge of the warded meadow.

~{}~

Hermione spent an hour filled with many awkward silences and even more questioning looks with Harry, Ron, Remus, Molly, and Arthur. After finally feeling she could sneak away, Hermione fixed a plate of food and made her excuses.

After she'd left the room, Harry looked at Remus and the others. "What happened to her while we were gone? She just isn't... the same. You three have to have noticed how distant and nervous she is around Ron and me," Harry said, a look of determination on his face as he waited for an answer.

Remus, Molly, and Arthur shared an uneasy look. Molly tapped Arthur on the arm and, ignoring Harry's question, stated, "Well, we really do need to get home. Are you two going to be staying at the Burrow or here? I do wish you'd stay with us."

Harry looked at Molly and replied, "I'll be there later, if you don't mind. But I'm not leaving this kitchen until one of you explains what exactly it is that we're missing about Hermione."

Molly and Arthur left in a hurry, Arthur stating plainly that some things were none of their business and cautioning them to leave Hermione alone.

Remus, who had also begun to get to his feet, sighed and summoned a bottle of Firewhisky. He resettled himself in his chair and poured himself a two-finger glass. "Harry, as much as I would like to inform you of certain... events... Hermione has asked for everyone to respect her privacy and keep it to themselves. I suggest you take it up with her, though I doubt you'll get far."

Ron leaned forward, his face angry, and asked, "What happened to Hermione? What are you all hiding from us – her best friends? Why is she refusing to share it with us?"

Remus looked at them both and wondered, himself, how Hermione could keep something so big from her two best friends. He thought momentarily of Sirius keeping to himself the fact that he'd switched his position as secret keeper with Wormtail at the last moment when protecting Harry's parents. Though that event and what had happened to Hermione were completely different things, Remus still didn't like the idea of helping her keep something like this from two people who could likely help her cope with it all.

Returning from his inner thoughts, Remus stated simply, "I'm sorry. It's not my wish to keep it from you, but I will respect hers." Remus finished the rest of his glass and left them to get some sleep.

Harry and Ron talked for a while before finally deciding to head to the Burrow. Tomorrow they would officially start making Portkeys with Remus and Hestia, so they knew it was important to get some sleep before then.

~{}~

Hermione worked alone late into the night. As soon as she had reached the lab, she'd found it empty except for a note from Severus, stating that he had been summoned and would likely not be back for hours. Finally, around three in the morning, he returned and told her he was going to bed and suggested that she do the same. He was dirty and tired, so Hermione didn't question his abruptness. She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and wished him a good night's sleep.

~{}~

The next morning Harry and Ron awoke to a black owl tapping incessantly on the window, a small package tied to its leg. Ron opened the window, and the owl swooped in and landed on Harry's arm. As soon as Harry untied the package, the owl dug its claws into his arm, drawing blood, and flew out of the room. "Stupid owl – someone needs to train that one," Harry said grumpily as he healed the cuts and vanished the drops of blood from his arm.

"Who's it from, Harry?" Ron asked eagerly.

Harry's brow furrowed as he read the simple 'Harry Potter' written on the packet in shining black ink. "I don't know, it doesn't say. Do you think we should open it?"

Ron waved his wand over it, performing a few spells they'd learned for their trip. When he detected no curses or hexes, he replied, "Go ahead – the spells didn't detect anything Dark or dangerous."

Harry carefully unwrapped the small box and opened it to find a small phial with a bright, swirly-looking liquid. "It's a memory! But who from?" he said. He scrambled into his trunk and retrieved the Pensieve he had stored there, left to him by Dumbledore.

After pouring the memory into the Pensieve, Harry and Ron both lowered their faces into the cool, liquid-like substance and watched in horror as Hermione, their best friend, was viciously raped and tortured.

The last image they saw before retreating from the horrible jumble of memories was the person that the memories belonged to: Lucius Malfoy, smiling wickedly into the mirror.

A/N: Whew... there you go, a long and interesting chapter... with a bit of a cliffy at the end thrown in for good measure. *Smiles* Please remember to read & review... and don't worry, I will write you guys another update soon... lol.