Five

Chapter Five

Voldemort had fallen! Harry had defeated him!! It was all over the battle field! Hermione looked down at Draco's still form below her and back up to those nearby celebrating.

"Draco, get up. You're missing the victory dance." He was still breathing. She had no idea what they had hexed him with, but he didn't look all that good. He was part of her team this mission. He and his father had turned on Voldemort and had come over to their side to help them. Though most did not trust them, she had bonded with Draco, probably because he reminded her of Severus.

Severus! Dear God! He was with Harry's group. Had he survived? She hoped so. The past year since she'd left Hogwarts she had put all her energy into Auror training. Ron had decided to follow Harry into the field, and she would not be left behind. Now they each headed their own team. Ron! How has he fared?

"Is he alive?" Lucius cried, seeing his son so still in her arms.

"Only just, Lucius. Bring him to St. Mungo's straight away. I'll Apparate in later." He nodded and with a loud crack, they disappeared. She was fond of both Malfoys. They worked twice as hard to do their part. Mostly they were trying to convince all that they were on the good side of the Phoenix War. She knew where their hearts were though.

After Voldemort had his wife, Narcissa, killed as punishment, Lucius had had enough. He'd approached Dumbledore the same day Draco had solemnly graduated from school. Hermione had been the first to approach Draco, in front of all, to hug him. He recoiled slightly, but then clung to her as if she were a life line. While he was holding her, her eyes had met Snape's.

He'd had a look of pride and also one of hurt there. He'd been happy that she could embrace a once enemy, but he'd been hurt, thinking that Draco was probably an ideal match for her. Everyone had reluctantly accepted him after that. Well, after Harry had come to shake his hand and tell him he was sorry to hear about his mother, they'd accepted him.

She thought back to the hour before she had left on the train to London. She had gone down to his chambers. He'd been sitting alone in his chair, drinking some dark liquid. He'd met her gaze and smiled softly.

She went to sit on his desk right next to his chair. She then summoned her own glass and poured them each a fair amount. Not a word was spoken. She blindly hoped that he would beg her to stay with him, but he didn't. Sometimes no words were needed to convey one's thoughts. She downed her drink and stood up boldly. She still felt chills when she thought of what she'd done to him.

She met his eyes boldly, brushed back his dark hair from his face, and kissed him intimately. He kissed her back with such intensity that she almost begged him to keep her there, but she didn't. She did the mature thing. She gave herself that one last glance at him, and she walked out.

She'd become part of the Order of the Phoenix right after they'd finished school. That and Auror training had kept her fairly busy. She had run into Severus on many occasions, but they hadn't spoken on anything personal. It had all been about the war and different battles. Once he'd told her that he was proud of her and what she was doing with herself. Before she'd been able to reply, Ron had come over and ruined the moment by poking fun at Snape's Muggle outfit.

Blinking and coming back to the present, she looked around. "Susan!" Hermione called. "Where is Harry's team now?"

Susan stopped hugging Seamus and looked at her. "Harry did it, Mione! He killed Voldemort! They are all Disapparating back to the Ministry now. We are just gathering up our people!"

"What of Ron?" Hermione asked quickly.

"He's all right as far as I know," Seamus said suddenly, "but Harry's team took the worst hit of us all."

Hermione's heart dropped. Most of her closest friends were on Harry's team, the older Order members that she'd come to love and respect mostly. Harry had known they would see the worst of the war. It was probably why he'd insisted that Ron and Hermione lead other teams in missions.

"Oh, Hermione," Susan said sadly. "We've all taken losses. But we've won. I would have died for this cause, too. It's what we signed on for."

Hermione nodded sadly. Susan Bones-Finnegan had changed from the girl she'd first met at school all those years ago. Once soft and quiet, she was now hard and outspoken. She and Seamus had been married only a couple of months, but it seemed they belonged together. They were like a perfect pair.

She wished she could have her ideal mate. He still, apparently, wanted nothing to do with her in that way. Wouldn't he have come to her on his own by now? What if he wasn't alive? She had to get to the Ministry. She Disapparated there straight away.

She popped in on a scene that disturbed her. Harry was not happy. He was completely upset. Dumbledore was at his side, trying to comfort him. Her heart was heavy. Who had died? Apparently, it was someone close. She heard a snag of conversation that chilled her.

"But if Draco's fallen and nobody has seen her, she's gone."

"Harry?"

"Oh my God, Hermione!" He ran to her and pulled her into a tight embrace. "I thought you were captured. I thought something happened to you. I heard Draco was taken in."

She tried to calm him. "No, Harry. I'm here. I sent Draco in with his father. He's still alive, though I don't know for how long," she whispered.

He was crying loudly now.

"What is it, Harry?"

"So many are gone, Mione," he said sadly. "I took him too late. I tried to take him alive."

Dumbledore came and put a hand on his shoulder. "No, Harry. You did as you were supposed to. Don't take the blame. We all knew the risks involved."

"Where... where is...?" She couldn't speak. Her throat felt as if it was tightening.

Dumbledore's eyes, however, twinkled. "He is at St. Mungo's looking after Minerva."

How did he know whom she was talking about?

"Severus saved many lives tonight. He is to be commended."

She nodded and tears fell from her eyes. He was alive!

"Mione..." Harry said softly. His eyes were full of grief. "Charlie fell tonight. Just to my left. I saw it happen. I have to tell Ginny. Ron has just found out and asked me to do it. Will you meet us back here after?" His eyes pleaded with hers.

"I'll be here. I'm off to St. Mungo's to check on our teams," she said softly, kissing Harry's cheek. "You did a good thing tonight, Harry. Now we can breathe easier. All of us."

"Some of us will never breathe again, Hermione," he said in an eerie voice.

Dumbledore smiled sadly. "I'll take care of him. Go to him," the wise old wizard told her knowingly.

Did anything get past him? She nodded and gave her thanks and Disapparated.

St. Mungo's had long since set up a special ward for battle victims since the battles were more frequent and many patients were brought in. She walked straight that way. The first person she saw was Lucius Malfoy standing over Draco's bed. He was talking to a mediwizard.

"Lucius?" she interrupted.

He gave her a most brilliant smile. "He'll be all right. In some kind of catatonic state, but they can revive him!"

She hugged him tightly.

"Thank God." She smiled. "You have a most brave son, sir. I'm proud to have fought alongside him."

"Miss Granger, I will say the same to you. Times have changed and so have my opinions. You are a most acceptable friend and team leader."

She could see that he was sincere. "Have you seen Severus Snape?" she asked.

"Just there beyond that screen. He's with McGonagall. She took a Petrifying Curse and hit her head on something. I'm sure she'll be all right," he said softly.

She made her way to the screen he'd pointed at. She peeked around and saw Severus holding her favorite professor's hand. "Minerva, your boy has done it. He's beaten the bastard finally. You'll be so proud of him when you awaken. Don't give up. We've come so far now."

She watched him wipe a tear from his eye, and her heart fluttered wildly. Slytherin and Gryffindor had been natural competitors for years. It was good to see all past differences put aside.

"Lily would be proud of him. God, how I miss her at times. I wish she could be here to see him."

She froze. Lily! As in Harry's mum. It sounded as though there was longing in his voice. Had he once been in love with Harry's mother? But Harry's mum had been in love with James Potter. Now was not the time to worry about that. She had to talk to him. He was alive!

"Severus?" she called tentively.

She saw his back straighten as if listening for her voice again. Ever so slowly he turned, and his black eyes met hers. He stood up sharply. "Hermione!"

She practically jumped in his arms and rained kisses on his face. "I was so worried about you!"

"As was I," he choked out. The cold, hard man she'd come to love broke down in front of her. Tears flowed freely from his eyes.

"I don't know what I would have done had you... died," she squeaked. "I still love you." His mouth crushed hers for a long kiss. He pulled away, though, after a minute.

"No, Severus. Just let me hold you, please. I don't care if you don't feel the same. Just give me this one time."

She could see that she'd won. She cradled him to her softly. "Come with me to my flat tonight after we meet with Harry."

She saw he was about to reject her offer, but she put a finger on his lips. "I need you. Just this once. I promise."

He kissed her again and seemed to be trying to draw her very soul out of her body. He smiled at her softly.

"You've cut your hair," he noticed.

She grinned and kissed his hand softly.

A voice interrupted their battle of wills. "Well, as I live and breathe, I'd say someone has finally broken through those thick walls of yours, Severus."

He jumped. "Minerva!"

"Can't keep an old bat down, now can they?" she said weakly.

"Hello, Hermione." She smiled softly.

"Harry has done it!" Snape told her excitedly.

She watched her old mentor's face light up with pleasure.

"Oh, Harry! And he's all right? The prophecy?"

"He lives. Though we don't know exactly what will linger."

McGonagall nodded slowly. For the first time, Hermione noticed that Ron was standing a few feet away.

"Ron!" She jumped into his arms and hugged him.

He grinned at her, but his eyes moved over Severus in an odd manner. "We did it! It's over!" he said quietly.

"Where's Parvati?" she asked, looking over his shoulder.

"She's gone. Just now," he said, tears in his eyes.

"Where to? I want to see her!" Hermione said.

"She's gone, Mione. Lost too much blood. Padma's just come in with their mum. I've lost her." He was showing hardly any emotion and must have been in shock.

"Oh, Ron! I am so sorry." She pulled him closely.

He did not cry.

"I've got to go find Harry now. Charlie... he's gone too," he said numbly.

"I know. He's at the Ministry talking to Ginny. I'll meet you there."

Ron Disapparated without another word. She saw Neville holding Padma down the way and moved forward slowly. She looked around for the first time. So many deaths. So many hurt people. Who all had they lost?

"Padma, I'm so sorry."

Over her friend's shoulder, she could see the dead form of her twin sister. It was horrible, blood caked up on side of her face. She didn't look like herself. Ron had finally settled for someone, and she was gone.

"I'm so shocked, Hermione. She was pregnant, did you know?" she asked sadly.

"I didn't know."

Hermione felt sick. She had to get out of here.

"Hermione, Dean was killed as well," Neville said.

She brought a hand to her mouth. The room started to spin. So much blood. So much grief. She felt herself fall back slowly, but someone had caught her. Someone in dark robes.