The Need for Vengeance

Disclaimer: It's not my creation, but I do enjoy manipulating things. No money for me though. Enjoy.

A big thanks will always go to my lovely beta, Charmed_Nay, and cheers go to my friends over at Potter_Place. (GinnyW  and CocoaChristy, thanks for listening to me ponder on things.)

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Hermione hated the expression on Harry's face. She moved to sit beside him and placed an arm around his shoulders. "It'll be all right, Harry. Nobody will know that she's not at headquarters any longer."
 
"Fleur aggravates me," he said angrily. "She shouldn't have asked Gabrielle to go back to staying with them. She thinks that since nothing has been going on lately, it's all right to act and live normally. Gabrielle is at risk!"
 
"She's going to stay inside and not venture out into the open. It's likely that nobody will even know she's there, Harry." She squeezed his shoulder affectionately.
 
"If Fleur's so bored, why can't she go stay at headquarters with the others?" he asked bitterly. "It's like she only cares about herself, that one."
 
Grinning, Hermione said, "I think that she likes to be in control, and I think she's learnt that Mrs. Weasley is the big owl of the Owlery wherever she is. That's why she'd rather be off at her own home. I guess since Bill's been working late and helping the Order more, Fleur is alone often. I can understand her point."
 
Harry nodded and admitted, "I can, too, but I just have this terrible feeling. When I told her goodbye, it felt like I'd never see her again."
 
"That's just because you know it'll be a long time before we have a break and can go back. We'll just have to ask Dumbledore if she can visit here and stay in my room with me," Hermione said, pulling away and positioning herself more comfortably against the arm.
 
"Maybe."
 
"The only bad thing is that we'd have to tell her the truth about my relationship with Severus," Hermione said with a sigh.
 
"She knows."
 
"What?"
 
"Well, you don't think she believed you were going down to the library all those nights, do you? Besides, she saw some of his clothes mixed with yours," Harry said, shrugging as if nothing was wrong.
 
"Harry! What if she tells Fleur or Bill? They might tell the others!" Hermione hissed.
 
"Relax. She won't say anything," he said dismissively.
 
"I hate the way everyone thinks it's all right to discuss my life with whomever they please!" Hermione said reproachfully. "I expected better of you, Harry."
 
Incredulous, Harry said, "Don't blame me for your problems. I have enough of my own, thanks."
 
Hermione chose to ignore him, not wanting to argue. If she told Severus that Gabrielle had figured things out, he wouldn't be too happy. She hadn't mentioned that Ginny had found out as well. He didn't seem to mind much that Pansy knew. Must be a ruddy Slytherin thing, that.
 
Grumbling, Harry said, "We've only been back the one night, and I can't stand it already." He looked over at her and smirked. "Care for a little excursion? Snape's not due to come here for a while yet."
 
Annoyance with him waning, she leaned forward. "Where to?"
 
"Who cares? Anywhere. The students won't be back until tomorrow. Only a few stayed. We can just walk round the castle," Harry said, trying to convince her. "Let's go down and see Dobby."
 
"It's too risky, Harry. What if someone else goes down there while we're there? They'll know that we are here." She would have liked to go, but she thought of Severus. He'd be furious that she'd allowed herself to be talked into such a risk. If it wouldn't be for his parchment, she might have gone anyway.
 
"Suit yourself," he said. "I'm going for a walk."
 
"No, you're not! You can't risk what Dumbledore's been trying to do for us."
 
"Going to snitch, are you?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.
 
"Of course not. Just... Harry, hurry back," she relented.
 
"Right then."
 
He quickly donned his cloak and left. He returned twenty minutes later, saying that he felt much better and that he wanted her to go with him the next time for a bit of fresh air. She slightly resented that he'd been able to slip out without any problems. He always seemed to get away with things.
 
After Dobby delivered their dinner, Harry stood and said, "Guess I'll go have a shower and hang about in my room for a bit since Snape's probably going to be stopping by." Stretching, he added, "I'd say about an hour before I come out again."
 
"All right," Hermione said, pushing her plate aside. "I'll just do some revising until he comes." She couldn't wait to see him. It had been nearly a week since they'd had a real conversation. His two replies to her five owls had been short and direct. She'd just moved to the long table and positioned all of her books and parchments atop it when he came in.
 
"Hi," she said in a small voice as he strode purposefully to her.
 
He said nothing, simply lifting her, setting her upon the table, and kissing her passionately. Severus had told her to let his actions speak for his feelings. From the intensity of his kiss, she knew that he was saying that he missed her. His lips pressed against hers so forcefully that she imagined that she'd have bruises when they finished. To her surprise, he laid her back onto the table and reached below her skirt with his hand.
 
Tearing his lips from hers, he asked quietly, "Where is Potter?"
 
"Room." She tried to catch breath. "Forty-five more minutes, I think."
 
To her horror, he straightened, reached within his robes, watching Harry's door all the while, and partially unfastened his trousers. She didn't want to think that maybe Harry had charmed his door and was watching them. That would be too embarrassing. This wasn't exactly the best idea Severus had ever had. "Er... what are you...?"
 
Before she could finish the sentence, he flicked his wand in the direction of Harry's door, and he was over her again, mouth reclaiming hers as his own. When he moved down to nip at her throat, she tried to speak again.
 
"But Harry will hear us!"
 
"Shhh," he said in a whisper. "We'll have to be quiet. I'll know if he nears the door."
 
His mouth moved back to hers for a long scorching kiss, lips slanting and moving against hers, tongue probing and tangling with hers. She was so mesmerized by his kiss and the way it made her insides tingle that she didn't realize he'd pushed her knickers aside. "Mmmph!" she exclaimed, words muffled by his unrelenting mouth, as he slammed into her body completely.
 
Severus' tongue competed with the long, deep, rough strokes he made within her body. Hermione was completely shocked. He was having sex with her on a table! It was the very table that she and Harry used daily to study on. It seemed... unnatural. Harry could come out at any minute. It was horribly... naughty. She opened her eyes and saw that he was looking in the direction of Harry's door. This did little to comfort her, and though she was enjoying his kiss, she couldn't relax enough to feel comfortable climaxing. Not here. Not like this. Nonetheless, her hands wove into his hair, making certain his mouth wouldn't escape hers.
 
She'd not deny him. He seemed to desperately need her. Hadn't she been fantasizing about the next time they would be together? Hadn't she thought it would be too long before she could have him again? This wasn't exactly what she wanted, but it would do. For now.
 
His body began tensing and flexing, and Hermione knew that he was nearly done. Her mouth muffled his grunts and whatever words that might have slipped from his tongue. In that moment, she wished that she could join him, feeling utterly aroused suddenly. Blast! Why didn't I try to concentrate on the feel of him? Severus ended their kiss and laid his head upon her chest for a moment.
 
He straightened, cast charms on both of them to clean them up, and fixed his clothing. Hermione sat up and hopped off the table only to sit on a chair, looking at the spot where they'd frantically coupled. "I can't believe that happened," she said, clearly gobsmacked.
 
Severus sat next to her, scooting his chair close to hers and moved his hand between her parted thighs back up to her knickers. "Open."
 
"But..."
 
"Shhh," he said sternly, eyes moving back to Harry's door.
 
She parted her legs and felt his fingers slip beneath her knickers again. This time, they fondled and caressed her gently. Using her own moisture as a lubricant of sorts, he began circling his thumb around her clitoris, eliciting a small whimper and a hissed, "Yes."
 
His mouth found hers, tongue invading and demanding attention. With each caress, the tension within her built. Letting all thoughts of Harry walking in on them go, she relaxed and tried to simply enjoy his touch. She knew he would stop immediately if Harry came out, and from the way they were seated, it would simply look as if they'd been snogging...nothing more.
 
With peace and concentration finally came her orgasm. She moved against his fingers as much as she could without grinding against him too much... just in case. When release finally found her, she murmured something sounding like, "Mmmphohmahgopheveruh," into his mouth, causing him to press his lips more firmly against hers in fear she'd cry out and alert Harry. As her climax ebbed, his fingers slowed and stopped, as did his kiss. She watched with wide eyes as he moved back, brought two fingers to his lips and licked them, eyes darkening with lust as he did so.
 
Not again. We haven't time. Although she wished there was time for more, she knew it would not be possible. She simply slumped against him and allowed him to hold her, kissing her atop her head as he did so.
 
After a few minutes of silence, he said, "This is why I knew it would be dangerous to have you. Once I had you, I figured I'd not be able to go long without you." His voice was deep and rich... menacing even, as if daring her to deny his statements.
 
"I missed you, too," she said quietly. She still couldn't believe that they'd just shagged in the common room she shared with Harry. It all had happened so fast. Her head was still reeling. She'd definitely not mention it to Harry. Not that he would want to know anyway.
 
"Lately, I have been very busy. The Dark Lord has been calling me often. Have you been noticing on the parchment?" he inquired.
 
"To be honest, I've tried to keep from looking at it too much. I want to know where you are, but I feel guilty about invading your privacy." She smiled. "Don't you feel that way?"
 
"Never," he said honestly. "I always want to know what you are doing." He studied her. "I haven't much to hide from you. If you want to look, do so. Show nobody else. Ever."
 
"I won't."
 
"I have to go," he said suddenly.
 
"Wh-what?" she asked incredulously. "You can't just leave!" He'd only come to have sex with her?
 
"My Mark is burning, Hermione. I told you. He's been calling me often."
 
Sadly, Hermione nodded. "All right. I had hoped to give you your gift tonight," she said. "Will you come back?"
 
"Gift?" he asked.
 
"Your birthday."
 
She could see the emotions flickering in his eyes. "I... tomorrow will be fine."
 
Hermione smiled smugly. She had affected him, caused him to be surprised and pleased. "Go. I'll be waiting for you tomorrow."
 
He leaned over and kissed her again. Brushing his lips against her once more before moving away from her, he stared into her eyes as long as he could before clutching his arm. "Sleep well."
 
She watched him leave and longed to run after him for another kiss, but she knew he'd not appreciate it, as he'd be even later for his meeting. She hoped that things would go well. Deciding to watch her parchment closely, she stood to collect her things and go to her room.
 
As she did so, Harry came out of his room. "I wanted to summon something to drink." He looked around, walking towards her. "Snape didn't come yet?"
 
"He did," she said, inwardly laughing at the double meaning. So did I.
 
Harry paused, looking at the floor. "Hermione, why are all your parchments and books scattered about?" His eyes met hers, and she knew that he likely suspected exactly what happened. "Bit breezy, this time of year." He summoned a pitcher of pumpkin juice and went back to his room without another word to her. She quickly collected all of her things and retreated to her room for the night, feeling only slightly embarrassed. If he didn't say anything, she wouldn't either.
 
Once ready for bed, she took out the parchment that Severus had given to her. She put her hand over it and said, "Locus Severus." She gasped and felt slightly uncomfortable upon reading:
 
Currently on the Kincardineshire east coast, in the Dunnottar Castle with Lord Voldemort, feeling quite amused.
 
"Oh, Severus, I hope you know what you are doing," she said softly, wanting to believe that he was able to act amused on a whim. It was odd that Voldemort would see his amused side when they, Dumbledore included, only saw his scowls and agitation. What did it mean?
 
Eyes wide, she released the spell and put the parchment away. She had the Dark Lord's current location. She could easily give this to the headmaster and have things end once and for all. "I can't," she whispered. Wouldn't that be betraying Severus? Keeping Voldemort's location from them felt as though she was betraying Harry and the Order. "He told me to show no one," she said aloud, internal debate confusing her. For now, she would remain silent. She owed Severus that much, what with the trust he'd shown her by giving it to her.
 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  
Rodolphus sat quietly in the shadows and listened to Snape talk to his master.
 
"It seems, Severusss, that I've called you at a most inopportune moment. Tell me, are you satisfied with your chosen concubine?" the Dark Lord asked.
 
Snape grinned nastily. "More than I had ever thought possible. Such firm, pleasing, nubile flesh, you see. Quite satisfying."
 
That's it, Rodolphus thought excitedly, half listening to what else they were saying. The girl! Potter's friend. Severus seems to truly like, if not care, for her. She could die as payment for Rabastan's death. Yes, that was it. The Dark Lord would still have his favorite, and even though they'd been instructed to not harm the Mudblood in honor of Snape, the Dark Lord need not know he'd had anything to do with it.
 
When he'd gone to see Narcissa the previous day, she'd told him that she'd be willing to work with him to seek revenge against Severus for his actions. Bella had told them to stop plotting, as she would not allow them to do anything to the Dark Lord's favorite, though she didn't truly trust him either. When Bella had gone to the loo, Narcissa had leant forward and said, "I'll not allow anyone to stand in the way. Not even my sister.
 
Rodolphus decided that it was time to pay another visit to Narcissa. He had a plan forming. Quickly and quietly, he moved from his position and returned to the room that the Dark Lord had directed him to share with his wife. He entered and found the room lit by a solitary candle. His wife was in the middle of the bed, completely naked and touching herself.
 
"I've been waiting for you," she said, not bothering to open her eyes. "Where have you been?"
 
"I wanted to seek an audience with the Dark Lord," he said, pulling his robes off and moving towards her. "Snape is here again, and I don't know how long he'll be about. I tried to wait it out, but they're still talking."
 
"You need to stop obsessing over Snape. Come here. Pleasure me."
 
"I will always hate Snape. It is his fault that Rabastan was killed," he said, crawling towards her and pausing to rest his head on her stomach while his fingers replaced hers.
 
Growling, Bellatrix retorted, "Enough talk of Snape and your brother. Do your duty to me."
 
Rodolphus had had enough. He sat up and turned to lie in the other direction. "Do yours," he ordered and groaned lightly as her hands found his scrotum. He would say no more, but on the morrow, he would pay a private visit to Narcissa. She would be eager to help him.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Oh, don't mind me," Harry said sarcastically. "I've just got a bit of reading to do... on the table here." He nodded to the table where his new book of last year's Quidditch statistics was located. "I suppose it's all right to read at the table?"
 
"What's your problem?" Hermione asked hotly. "Is there something you want to say, Harry?"
 
He put his head in his hands. "I'm being a prat, aren't I?" He knew he was being hateful to her, but he'd been thinking about what he'd discovered all night long. He'd been nice enough to stay in his room while she and Snape had a talk and maybe a little snog. Instead, when he'd come out, he saw her parchments and books scattered on the table and the floor. Her hair had been disheveled. They'd shagged. Had to have. While he didn't begrudge anyone some privacy, it didn't seem fair that they would have a shag in a place that he had to live in.
 
"I want to give him his birthday gift and do it while alone. A little privacy isn't all that much to ask for, is it?" she asked again.
 
"No, I'll go in my room, but I might come out at any minute..." He let the warning hang between them. Her hand on his shoulder stopped him.
 
"She'll be all right, Harry," Hermione said, wrapping her arms around him. For only a brief moment, he considered pulling away, but he needed comfort, needed the words, and needed Hermione.
 
He pulled her to him tightly and felt his body tremble as he tried to suppress any tears that might try to escape. "Everybody I love dies. What if I've sealed her fate? Her arrogant sister won't listen. Bill says he'll be on the lookout, but he's never there. Wards only go so far, you know?"
 
 "I know," she mumbled, pulling back to look into his eyes, hers shimmering. "We've got to have faith, Harry."
 
"Oh, right," he said, voice laced with sarcasm. "Let's leave it to destiny. Guess I should go visit Trelawney and see if she's something to say on the matter." He moved away from her completely and stalked off to his room, leaving the door partially opened. Ha! Let them try to get a quick shag in now!
 
After sulking for a while, he pulled on his Invisibility Cloak and crept to his door, looking out at them. Snape was sitting with Hermione on the settee, actually smiling at something she was saying. Hermione's laughter carried over to him. The man actually grinned as she moved her hands about while she talked. In the next moment, Snape pulled her face to his and kissed her, hooked nose digging into her cheek as his head moved with his kiss.
 
How could she want that? Harry half expected her to pull away any moment, but she didn't. Instead, she pulled him closer and returned the kiss with fervor. It was Snape that eventually pulled away. It looked as if they'd already shared some of the cake that Hermione had asked Dobby to bake for the man 's birthday. He was admiring the Muggle timepiece that Hermione had bought for him. It was one of the old-fashioned types that simply needed winding, so it worked at Hogwarts without any trouble.
 
They seemed happy. Why did that bother him? Snape has been nasty to us for all these years, and he suddenly wants Hermione? Dirty old wanker. Probably been preying on the older students for years. The only problem with his bitter thinking was that Snape did truly seem to care for her. He'd never seen the man so... relaxed. Was he only feeling bitter because he was caged up like an animal? Was it because his girl was off without him and possibly going to be in danger? Was he jealous of Snape and what he had with Hermione, wanting it for himself?
 
He nodded. That had to be it. He had to learn to trust Snape. If Hermione trusted him and if Dumbledore trusted him, shouldn't he also follow suit? If it came down to a single decision made by Snape that would sway the victory in the war, whose side would the man help? Harry looked back up and saw the man in question touching Hermione's cheek gently. Snape would choose Dumbledore... for her if nothing else.
 
"Right then," he whispered. "From now on, I'll not try to interfere. I'll trust him."
 
He kept his word and found that Snape seemed more cordial over the next few weeks. It wasn't hard to feel included in their conversations. Snape had even brought him news of Gabrielle a couple of times. Hermione seemed happy. Harry figured that was a worthwhile payoff. He still didn't give them much time alone, as he didn't want to have to eat, sit, or study where they'd... shagged, but things were going well. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bellatrix Apparated to her sister's home. Sure enough, her husband was having tea in Lucius' old study. "What the fuck is going on?" she asked, eyeing her sister first and then her husband.
 
"Now, Bella, really. That's no way to greet your sister," Narcissa said smoothly, bringing her teacup to her lips.
 
Bella pulled her wand and pointed it at her husband. "Are you fucking my sister, dear husband?" Her words were laced with iciness not unfamiliar to him.
 
"Of course not," he said immediately, knowing she'd likely hex him if she believed it to be true.
 
"Explain then," she said, looking between them. "Why have you been coming here so often? Over the past five weeks, ever since you overheard Snape conversing with the Dark Lord, you've been disappearing, coming in late, exchanging owls with Cissy, and other things."
 
Narcissa cleared her throat. "We've found a way to get a little revenge against Snape."
 
Bella had thought it might be something like that. She truly didn't think that her husband would dare touch her sister, and she didn't think her sister would actually want to be with her husband. It was her duty as a faithful follower of the Dark Lord to report meetings such as this. Snape was not to be harmed, much as she would like to see it. "It would be treason, Cissy. You cannot plot against him."
 
"He'll live to fight for our Lord," Rodolphus added.
 
She sat next to Narcissa and summoned a glass and a bottle of wine for herself. "But how can he pay if you don't harm him?" She poured her glass and began to drink, hoping that they didn't have anything planned that she would feel compelled to tell the Dark Lord. She wouldn't want her sister harmed.
 
"Rodolphus told me about Severus' future concubine," Narcissa said casually. "Wouldn't it be a pity if she were a casualty of a Death Eater raid or simply disappeared without a trace?"
 
Smirking, Bella shook her head. "Rodolphus? Do you not remember what happened to Higgs? We have orders to keep her alive. She is for Severus and is to be spared Potter's fate."
 
"He need not know," her husband rebutted. "We've been watching, and we've not found her." He grinned nastily. "However, I overheard that she was staying with Potter. Potter is sure to come out of hiding if his little girlfriend is attacked, wouldn't he?" He nodded at Bella's shocked face. "Snape's bitch wouldn't let the brat go alone. You've seen that for yourself. She'd be there, and we'd snatch her."
 
"And we'd bring her here to Lucius' rooms below. Nobody would ever see her again or know her fate," Narcissa added.
 
Bella downed her drink and poured herself another.
 
"It's where I've been these last few weeks when I left. Gabrielle Delacour is staying with her sister and her sister's husband. Weasley is never there on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday evenings. Just the two girls." He put his teacup down and leaned forward. "When Potter hears, he'll be sure to come sniffing about, and if we know him, he'll try to come without the Aurors hanging about. He believes himself above needing protection. The Mudblood will accompany him, knowing he isn't."
 
"And if Potter hexes you?" Bella asked snidely. "Dumbledore might be teaching..."
 
"I shall deal with Potter and take the girl," he said darkly.
 
"You may very well ruin what our Master has planned. I cannot go along with this," Bella said defiantly, putting her glass down and rising quickly. When she turned to Narcissa, she was surprised to see her sister also standing, wand drawn. "Oh, Cissy, really. You..."
 
"Obliviate," Narcissa said easily.
 
Bellatrix blinked and felt her body heat up for a moment. Dizzily, she looked around. Rodolphus was standing with his mouth agape and eyes wide. Narcissa had her wand drawn.
 
"How dare you accuse me of sleeping with Rodolphus, Bella? He's been coming here to talk about you and to do something nice for you," Cissy said indignantly. "You're my sister. I would never hurt you by committing adultery with him! I only had to hex you just now because I thought you to be attacking us. Are you all right?"
 
Bella shook her head and touched it. "It feels like I've a headache." The last thing she remembered was coming in and seeing them having tea. No, then she'd asked if something was going on. Cissy must have jumped up and hexed her. "Well... if nothing is going on, why has he been disappearing so often? This hasn't to do with Snape, does it?"
 
Rodolphus moved closer and touched her shoulder to steady her. "Narcissa has been helping me with a painting. It's nearly completed, but I suppose I could show you if you insist."
 
"A painting?" she asked incredulously. "Why would you need help with a painting?"
 
"She's been describing an early morning flight you two had on your brooms as children. She said you fell in love with the beautiful dawn. I've been getting her to describe it to me. I thought it would be nice for your birthday gift next month."
 
Touched, Bella smiled genuinely. "Thank you." She hugged him in a rare show of affection. "And you, Cissy."
 
Narcissa nodded and seated herself. "Wine, Bella?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Come on, Hermione. Snape's off with Dumbledore again on that urgent business. Who is going to know? He won't be back for hours. Just come have a walk out on the grounds with me. It's a nice day out," Harry asked.
 
Hermione bit her lip as she debated on going with him. Finally, she nodded. "Let's do it." She scrambled to get under Harry's Invisibility Cloak. As quickly as they could without calling attention to themselves, they ventured down to the front entrance, intent on exiting the doors as soon as the hall was clear. "Madam Pomfrey," Hermione whispered. "Shhh."
 
She watched as Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey neared. "If Bill hadn't shown up when he did, there might not be anything left of his wife. I still wish Albus had not insisted that I care for her. St. Mungo's is much better equipped."
 
Hermione's heart sank. Something had happened to Fleur. What of Gabrielle?
 
"It's for the Order, Poppy," McGonagall said. "I simply hope that Potter doesn't find out."
 
The two women moved out of earshot, and Hermione felt Harry trembling. She wrapped her arms around him. "No, Harry, we can't be seen."
 
"To hell with that," he blurted, voice raised. He threw the cloak from them and stood, sprinting in the direction that the women had gone.
 
"Harry! NO!" Hermione yelled and gave chase after picking up the discarded cloak.
 
"What is the meaning of this?" McGonagall asked. "What are you doing here? Away from your location?"
 
"Tell me about Gabrielle," Harry demanded. "Where is she?"
 
The women eyed each other. Poppy looked away first. "Potter," McGonagall began, "maybe you should wait for the headmaster."
 
"When did this happen?" Hermione interjected, unable to help herself.
 
"In the wee hours of the morning yesterday," came the reply.
 
"Why weren't we told?" Harry asked angrily. "They are my friends, too. She is my girl! Where is she?"
 
Pomfrey spoke then. "I'm sorry, Potter, but she's not here. It's just her sister under my care."
 
"She was gone," McGonagall added. "They didn't find a trace of her. Now, I must insist that you come and wait in the headmaster's office. You might not be safe in the open."
 
Harry turned and ran towards the door. "Harry! Wait!" Hermione yelled, running after him. He was much faster than she was, but he only made it past the gates a few moments before she did. "Stop!" she yelled, grabbing his shirt.
 
"I have to find her, Hermione! I knew this shite would happen! I tried to tell them," he yelled.
 
"Here," Hermione said, handing him the cloak. "They are coming to get us. Put it on." Harry quickly donned the cloak, pulling Hermione beneath it with him and stepping back just as McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey ran by, stopping a few feet away, gasping for breath.
 
"They've Apparated off," Pomfrey said. "We need to find the headmaster."
 
McGonagall nodded, and after her breathing eased, she said, "Back to the castle. There is nothing more we can do."
 
After they were near the castle, Harry spoke to Hermione. "I am going to Bill's. Maybe there is some clue as to what happened."
 
"No, Harry, there will be Aurors. What if the headmaster or Severus is there? We'll be in trouble." She bit her lip. She wouldn't let Harry go alone, but she was afraid to go. "Please, let's just wait." She was angry that Severus hadn't mentioned what the urgent business was. Dumbledore hadn't said anything either. This situation could have been avoided had they not tried to keep the news from Harry. Severus had been acting oddly, but she had thought it was because they'd never been able to have any lengthy privacy... not since that day on the table. She wanted to wait until they had complete privacy and weren't rushed anyway, but she could tell that it was truly hard on him to only touch each other and have no penetration. His temper had been worse each day lately it seemed. A shake from Harry brought his contorted face into focus.
 
"Hold on if you want to come."
 
She did so, and in moments, Harry Disapparated them away.
 

---

 
Southern's Notes: Sorry this took so long to get out, and I apologize that it's short. I will have another update in three days or so. I had trouble getting time to pass. I had different scenarios written, and nothing seemed to be working. I just hated to add filler that wasn't in my outline or critical to the plot.
 
As you can imagine, our pair here are falling right into the hands of their plotters.
 
About Bella's Obliviate, GinnyW and I wondered how someone actually felt when they were Obliviated, so I hope I conveyed her slight confusion and feelings enough. Mighty slick of Narcissa, eh? Hehe
 
On a good note, Harry has finally opted to trust Snape and stop with his bratty little outbursts. Let's hope his decision is not in vain.