Time Marches On

Disclaimer: These characters belong to J.K.R. I've just borrowed them and am not receiving any Galleons for it!

I just want to say thanks to my lovely and brilliant beta, Charmed_Nay.

"I can't believe he's gone," Harry said quietly, not wanting to wake Dumbledore again. The man had truly been hurt and seemed to need much rest in order to recover completely...if he ever would. When he did wake, he could only talk for so long before tiring out. This worried Harry.

Pansy nodded, putting the book aside and moving to sit back against the pillow next to Harry. "I think of him all the time," she said. "It's only been a month, and I still expect him to come crawling into my bed during the night, hoping to not alert his mum." She smiled and closed her eyes. "I guess I should thank you for letting me stay here so much."

He slid down further under the duvet to get comfortable, being right glad she'd put her book away. He enjoyed her company, but he truly didn't want to read any more about a girl who went back in time to shag her Potions professor. It reminded him of some odd Hermione and Snape romance. She'd started reading it to him the day before. When she'd come in, he'd seen the word Vanity on its cover and nearly groaned. Pansy seemed to adore the warty witch that wrote the story, and she had plans of reading some of her other books to him.

He was thoughtful for a moment. "I don't mind. I think I'd go mad if I didn't have your company." After a few minutes of silence, he added, "Did you love him?"

"I cared about him, and I'd decided that I would make a life with him and hoped to fall in love with him along the way." She moved onto her side to face him, propping her head up on her arm. "I think he felt the same way. So, yes, we loved each other."

"When you and he first got together, I didn't quite trust you," Harry admitted. "I guess I'd always wanted him to be with Hermione. I feared you might just be using him or some other rubbish."

Pansy said, "It's all right and understandable. Harry... Never mind."

"What?"

"No, it's all right."

"No, really," he prodded. "Tell me... anything."

"Did you love Gabrielle very much? Are you still hoping she'll come back?" she blurted.

His face contorted with sadness. Since his plight, he'd not spent much time thinking of his Gabby. Guilt flooded through him, and he nearly felt like crying. "I did," he said. "Still do, and yes, I do hope that she is found." He closed his eyes, not wanting her to see his pain. "I don't think she'll... she'll be found." His tone was low and etched with melancholy.

"I'm sorry, Harry," Pansy said, putting an arm across his chest to hug him, placing her head on his shoulder. "I shouldn't have said anything."

"No, I should talk about her. I should remember her; it's only right," he said reassuringly, placing an awkward hand on her shoulder.

"What about Hermione? Did you and she ever have feelings for each other?"

He shrugged. "I don't know that you could call it that. We're just very close. It would be hard to live without her in my life... as it will be with Ron gone. Sometimes lately, it feels like if something happened to her, I'd snap, especially with how things are now." He waited for her to comment. When she remained silent, he asked, "Why do you ask?"

"I just wanted to know if you would be looking to... date her now that Ron and Gabrielle are gone," she said honestly.

"No, I imagine she's happy with Snape," he said, bitterness evident.

"Why do you say it that way? He's keeping her alive," she defended.

"Yeah, amongst Voldemort and his lot of Death Eaters. I'm sure she's real happy with that situation," he said. "She should be here with us."

"You really don't like her with Snape, do you?" she asked quietly.

He sighed. "I suppose he's all right. I mean, he did save me and bring me here, right?" Shrugging, he added, "I just hate that she has to... live that way. It must be driving her mad."

"Fair enough," she whispered.

Harry wondered why she was concerned about his relationship with Hermione. Did she worry that he would be competition for Snape? She was definitely loyal to Snape. Each time he came to check on things, which wasn't often, she would always obey his instructions as if they were law. Did she fancy Snape? He smirked, knowing that was unlikely. It was probably some old House loyalty.

The silence stretched between them, and he heard a light snore. She'd gone and fallen asleep on him. What would Mrs. Weasley think? We're both dressed, so she ought to not say anything, he decided. Enjoying the comforting closeness of another, he turned slightly and gathered her to him completely, eventually drifting off to sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Is there still no word?" Hermione asked immediately.

"Could you give me time to get comfortable before you start asking questions?" he asked in annoyance. "No, there is no word."

He was sick of her theories and ponderings about where Potter could be. In fact, if his named slipped from her mouth once more, he might hex her. For the past month, the majority of their conversations were centered on the brat, the Order, or what Dumbledore might have planned. He was sick of it. Part of him wanted to tell her that he was alive and living at headquarters, but the Dark Lord was too good of a Legilimens to not find that in her mind. Hermione didn't seem very adept at Occlumency, so he'd given up on teaching her. She would only alert the Dark Lord that she had something to hide and make him probe further.

They'd decided it was best to just end her lessons. It was likely due to her inability to clear her mind as needed. He could easily get in and see things. What bothered him was that there were many different memories that she seemed to dwell on. He was only in a handful of them. Potter was in many of them, and even Weasley seemed to be on her mind. In all probability, it was he that couldn't continue with the lessons without getting annoyed and wanting her to explain every single scene that came to him, especially when he could feel such affection for them. He was too much of a suspicious person to be able to endure such emotions that she felt for other men.

He'd admitted that he loved her. Was that not enough to claim her loyalty or to make her happy? He supposed he was being slightly irrational and a little insecure about things, but how could he not be? Fucking Potters always seemed to best him. James Potter did it often, albeit he had much help from friends, and his son blatantly disrespected him time and again, only to be coddled by Dumbledore. It was his secret query that if he had not seduced Hermione when he did, would she and Potter have become an item?

All those weeks enclosed in the same living area had brought her even closer to the boy. He'd had to put a charm on Potter's room to be certain that she stayed out of it, and just before all hell had broken loose, he'd caught her in his arms, seeking and giving comfort. He hated it, though he knew it was likely innocent.

"Are you not listening to me? I said I want to get out of these rooms," Hermione said, interrupting his thoughts.

"You are not a prisoner here," he pointed out. "You can leave at anytime for a walk."

"And run into the Dark Lord or Nagini? I don't care to, thanks," she said with a dramatic sigh.

Severus began pulling on the robes he'd just discarded. "Very well. I don't see why we can't have a walk on the grounds, ragged as they are."

Once they'd walked through the deserted and eerily quiet corridors, they found themselves outside in an overgrown courtyard filled with crumbled portions of the battlement and excessive plant growth.

Hermione sat down on a cracked, stone bench. "The weather is lovely. Just being in the sunshine feels so good."

Severus sat next to her and smiled as he watched her enjoy the outdoors. Out of the gloom of the castle, she had that spark in her eyes again, and the smile that he enjoyed so much was plastered onto her face. It was as if the fresh air and cold breeze gave her a feeling of freedom. Did she truly feel that she was a prisoner? Surely not. She was with him, and he cared for her, giving her protection, love, life, and pleasure. A pang of guilt filled him. He knew she was not completely happy, but she could hold on longer... until Potter was ready to face his Lord, couldn't she?

"I'll bet that this place was once beautiful," she commented.

He nodded. "It is a pity that it was allowed to fall into such a state. However, that works as an excellent cover for us."

"I'm going to ask you a question, Severus," she said firmly, not looking at him. "I would like an honest answer...no matter what it is. Agreed?"

"All right," he lied. There were some things that he couldn't tell her, although she'd never believe it was for the best reasons.

"Have you truly not found Harry?"

"No," he said quickly.

"Is he dead, Severus? You've found him, and the Dark Lord has killed him! Is that what you are keeping from me?"

"Hermione, I am..."

"You don't have to lie! You are keeping something from me and have been for a while. I can feel it." She turned her furious eyes towards him. "Do you believe me to be so stupid as to not notice?"

"Of course not," he said, turning towards her. "If Potter were dead, I would tell you."

"No," she said, shaking her head. "You wouldn't tell me. You wouldn't want to hurt me, but I must admit that this is worse. The hope and the disappointment... Every lead turns into a dead end. I can't stand it."

"I've brought you copies of the Daily Prophet. You've read for yourself that he's still not been found," he pointed out.

"You could have altered the words."

Severus rose quickly and walked away from her, stunned. How could she accuse him of such treachery? He would never... His thoughts trailed away as he realized that he was lying to her, and while she hadn't guessed his true secret, she'd caught on that something wasn't quite right. It's for her own good, he reasoned internally. It would be her death...and mine...should my Master find out that I've saved Potter and am trying to prepare him for their next meeting. She cannot know.

"Severus, I didn't mean to accuse you," she said, coming up behind him and placing a hand on his arm. "I should know better than to think you'd alter the words, but just because the paper doesn't know something... You understand what I'm trying to say? I've just been going a bit mad a little each day." She tugged at his sleeve. "Look at me." He did so. "I know you are hiding something from me."

"I am," he admitted.

"What is it?" she implored.

He shook his head. "I cannot say, Hermione. Just know that I don't mean to hurt you with my secrecy. It's just better for all of those involved if I keep my silence on the matter." He sighed when she looked away in anger. "Can you not understand that?"

"You say you love me."

"I do."

"You use my body whenever you want."

"Use your body?" he asked, pulling away from her hand, eyes narrowing. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Whenever you seek pleasure, I give it to you. I never deny you anything. All I ask is that..."

"I do NOT just seek pleasure. I also give it. Two people in a relationship such as ours do that for and with each other." He stepped back. "Forgive me, my dear. I didn't know that you felt it to be such a taxing duty. I shall not touch you again. Would that make you feel better?"

"Maybe it would!" she yelled suddenly. "Maybe you shouldn't touch me again until you can be completely honest with me! I told you that I wanted to be your equal in every way, sharing everything...even information! I'm not a child." With the last sentence, she stamped her foot.

"You certainly act like one," he bit out. "Some days you are just... perfect, and others, you are this!" He gestured to her with his hands. "I am returning to our rooms. It would do well for you to come. There will be others coming here tonight for a gathering. I don't want you to feel uncomfortable." He smirked. "Although, you might think me to have an ulterior motive. Rest assured. You are quite safe in our bed from this moment forward"

She said nothing as she stormed by him angrily. He followed in her wake, thinking of many scathing remarks he'd like to give her, but he would not. Not now. They could be overheard, and he didn't want his Lord to sense that there was trouble between them. He could understand her feelings on the matter, but surely she would see reason. There were simply some things that she needn't know about. That she'd dare act like such a twit angered him. He put his life on the line each day... for her. He snuck away to help Potter and Dumbledore whenever he could... for her. He'd lowered himself to the level of some henpecked husband and said that he loved her... to make her happy. He'd allowed her to see a side of him that no other ever had, giving her leverage to use against him, to make her feel better about her position in his life. And to what end? Part of him was glad that she was hurting and felt as if she deserved it for acting out in such a manner.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ginny took the glass that Draco handed to her and took a sip. "Very good."

"I thought so," he said, smiling smugly. "I suppose your twin brothers are good for something."

"Where is Pansy?" she asked suddenly. "She's not been down here all day. I wonder if she's gone out back again."

Draco said, "She's been that way since Ron... since that day."

Molly Weasley dropped her glass, spilling its contents over the table. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean..."

"I apologize," Draco said, quickly flicking his wand to clean the mess. "I shouldn't have said anything about it."

Arthur said sternly, "It's fine, Draco. I think it's time that we started accepting what happened. Time is passing by quickly. How long has it been now? Six or seven weeks? And we can't even say his name without worry?" He sighed. "Bill needs our support in helping Fleur through this rough time. She is lucky to be alive and has to deal with her younger sister's demise. We all know how close they were."

Molly glared at her husband. "Now is not the time."

"When will it be time?" asked the normally peaceable man. "We have to get on with the living, Molly, while remembering. We've all our other children to fret over still."

"Yes, but it's..." Her voice trailed away as tears welled in her eyes.

Ginny had had enough. She threw her napkin onto her plate. "Mum, we all miss him, but there is nothing we can do to change things. Some days when the realization hits me anew, I cry all over again and feel as if all the hope is gone, what with Harry and Hermione being gone as well." She looked to Draco, who was shaking his head, pleading with her to keep silent. She nodded evilly. "But then I realize that I have so much to live for, Mum. So much to fight for."

Molly sniffed and looked up at her. "Yes, dear, I understand."

"No," Ginny breathed. "You don't. I will fight for the cause my brother believed in and died for. I will fight for the cause that has forced Harry's life to be hell. I will fight for my family and for the love I've found with Draco." She smiled at Draco and continued to gaze at him as she added, "And I will fight for my baby...the baby that Draco and I created."

Another cup dropped to the table, its contents spilling out. This time, it was Arthur Weasley that lost his grip. "Ginevra, do you mean to say...?"

"Yes," she said, looking back to him. "I'm pregnant."

Her father's face became red as he looked at Draco. "We've accepted you here, trusted you, and this is how you repay us?"

"I love her," Draco said unflinchingly. "Trust me. We didn't plan it, but I will marry her and give her everything she's ever wanted and provide for my family."

"You are just a boy! She's not even..."

The scraping of Molly's chair cut Arthur off. Nobody had looked to her for her reaction, what with the sudden argument.

"Mum?" Ginny asked, rising. When the woman just eyed her as if noticing her for the first time, she said, "I didn't mean to disappoint you. It was only the one time. I swear it."

"You're already growing round the middle," Molly said, approaching her quickly. "How far along are you?"

"I'd say about three months, maybe a little more," Ginny said nervously. "It really was only the one time. Draco did say that we should wait. Blame me if you must." She eyed her father. "I love him, Daddy."

Draco stood. "My feelings are genuine."

"Why didn't you say anything before?" Molly asked, pulling her daughter to her in a tight hug. "You need to see a Healer and make certain that all is well."

"I was afraid that you'd be angry or that it would make you more upset. I only found out right before the battle at Hogwarts." She shrugged. "I've been reading up on it, and I've been taking extra care."

"I will marry her now with your permission," Draco cut in.

"She needn't be married just yet," Arthur interjected. "There's no reason to rush. It's done."

"I would like my child to have my name, sir, if it's all the same to you," Draco said, sounding suddenly older and as charismatic as his father had once been. "I would have his mother's last name the same as well."

"Ginevra's not even finished her schooling," her father said, though his smile was returning. "I suppose your intentions are honorable, but we'll not rush. There is time before the... little one will be here."

Suddenly, Molly was full of chatter and even seemed happy. She was making plans of appointments and talking of knitting some outfits for the new arrival. It seemed that with the pending arrival of a new addition to the family, things were looking up for her.

Ginny, Draco, and Arthur all shared relieved glances as the woman, who had slipped into a shell of her former self, came back full force. "And, Draco, you should have talked her into telling us sooner," she said.

He cleared his throat and looked abashed. "She wanted to, but I talked her out of it. I guess I was a little afraid of what you'd say."

"You're part of the family now, too, Draco," she said happily, pulling him to her for a warm hug. "Oh, there is much to do. Just wait until everyone else hears of this. Fleur likes to knit. She and I could have a little project going." Her face paled for a moment. "Perhaps if you have a girl, you could honor our Gabrielle, and if it is a boy, I am sure that Ron wouldn't mind if his name is used."

Ginny giggled. "Perhaps." She smiled happily. It was good to see her mother smile, and it seemed that Lupin was right. Life in a time of death was a miracle in itself and gave hope to the weary. She noticed Draco's thoughtful expression. "Oh, come on," she whispered when her mother moved away. "We don't truly have to name the baby after one of them."

"It's not that," he said quietly, embracing her. "I just wished that I could tell my mother. I think she would be happy."

"Talk to the professor when he comes again," she said. "He may be able to help."

Draco nodded and grimaced. "Of all the rotten luck! The twins are here. I suppose they'll try to pummel me for taking advantage of their sister."

"Not if I threaten them with a Bat-Bogey Hex or two!"

He laughed. "I still owe you for that, you know."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I must admit, Potter," Severus began, "you've been doing a good job of clearing your mind and keeping others out. I am surprised you've improved so much in such a short amount of time."

"Maybe because I view you differently now and am not so blinded by my dislike of you," he returned.

"Well, at any rate, you are doing well. Your reflexes are back, and the new spells we've been going over seem to be easy enough for you."

Dumbledore asked, "Do you feel he is ready for Tom?"

Severus shook his head. "I do not, Headmaster."

"Your reasoning?"

"What do you mean I'm not ready?" Harry interrupted indignantly. "I am completely healed and have been practicing like you asked!"

"You still want to go off without being properly prepared, and you are slipping into one of your more emotional stages as we speak." Severus shook his head in annoyance. "After giving you praise, I shall have to rescind it. When you face him, you cannot let your emotions take over and cloud your judgment."

"Harry, listen to Severus," Dumbledore said, rising and walking across the room to join them. "I shall work with you on the days that he cannot come, giving you extra practice."

"But you need your rest," Harry said quickly.

"I shall rest when I can. I am not so weak that I cannot do my part," he replied in a voice that said there would be no arguing. He looked over to his familiar. "Fawkes even deems me well, as Severus has pointed out before."

"No, I said that you..."

"That will do, Severus."

Potter's eyes met Severus' in silent question, and he nodded minutely in answer. The headmaster was not completely well, and practicing would only weaken him even more. He hoped that the boy got his message.

"Sir, if it's all the same, I think that you could oversee my practicing with others. Perhaps Pansy or even Arthur? And if you think it all right, maybe we could finally let Ginny and Draco know that I'm here. I'd really like to see them."

"We shall discuss it," Dumbledore said. "I must use the loo. I shall return."

Once he left them alone, Potter said, "He's never going to be all right, is he?"

Severus shook his head sadly. "I do not believe so. His age and the hexes he took... Just being here now is a miracle. He needs a quiet retirement and rest. Do not let him overwork himself. There is no reason that you can't allow Parkinson or Malfoy to help you. I think it might do some good for them at the same time. I am certain that Draco feels caged as it is."

"All right." A moment later, he added, "How is Hermione, sir?"

"She is fine," Severus replied abruptly. He'd not give the boy any more than that. His problems with Hermione were his business and of no concern to Potter...at least they shouldn't be.

"I wish that I could see her," he said thoughtfully.

"Yes, I'm sure she wishes the same," he said dryly, moving towards the door. "I must take my leave. Good day."

He quickly left the room. On the stairwell, he met Draco and could tell that the boy wanted a word with him. "What is it?"

"I'd like to see my parents," he said.

"Now?"

"Well, I've been wanting to see them. There is something I'd like to talk to them about, and it doesn't seem right to say it in a letter," he said adamantly. When he noticed the raised eyebrow on his ex-Potions master, he added, "Ginny is pregnant. We told her parents a few days ago, and I'd like to tell mine."

"I see," Severus said, shaking his head in disgust. The boy wasn't even a man yet, and he'd have to be dealing with a family already. However, it was not his concern. "Very well. I think we may be able to get by the Aurors. It seems that as time passes, they grow less vigilant. I'd bet a simple Disillusionment Charm would do." He shook his head. "Perhaps not."

"Too bad we don't have Potter's cloak," Draco muttered.

Severus smirked. "Just so happens, we do have it."

"But how? He had it at the battle, and he's not been found since. Did you notice it on the grounds?" Draco asked, brow furrowed.

"Potter lives," Severus said quietly. "We've had to keep it a secret. If word gets out, my life and all of our work is forfeit." He raised an eyebrow and added, "Your parents' lives would be ended as well."

Shocked, Draco nodded, "I will keep quiet on it."

"Excellent. I think he may like you to help him practice Occlumency and some new jinxes I taught him."

"He's been training, hasn't he?"

"Yes, and I know you do well with Occlumency and hexes."

"I'll help him, sir. You've my word," Draco said, extending a hand.

Feeling odd to be shaking hands with the boy, Severus quickly took it and released it. "I shall return in a moment. Let Molly and the others know that we will be back as quickly as we can."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hermione found her way out to the old courtyard and looked up to the clear night sky. It was beautiful and made her feel unbound in many ways. Since Severus had shown her the courtyard two weeks prior, she'd made a trip out to it each day. True to his word, he'd not touched her or attempted any intimacy with her.

This annoyed Hermione. She had been angry and frustrated when she'd said those things, but she hadn't meant that she wanted to stop all intimacy. Things had been strained between them, and she tried not to ask too much about his search for Harry. With each passing day, it seemed unlikely that Harry would ever be found or that he was even alive. For she knew, with all her heart, that if he were alive, he would have found a way to let someone know. It would be in all of the papers. Perhaps she had been pressuring Severus too much. Whatever the case, something had to change. She was miserable and had taken to crying. It seemed that everything she meant to say came out wrong, and she couldn't stop feeling sorry for herself. If it weren't for her books, she might honestly fall into a serious depression.

"It's nice out, isn't it?" a voice from behind stated.

She whipped her head around to see who had joined her. It was a young man, who was holding his mask in his hands, though his Death Eater robes and hood were in place. She wondered if she should leave or remain where she was. "It's quite lovely," she commented, trying to sound as if his presence didn't unnerve her. He looked familiar.

"Do you remember me?" he asked, moving closer. "We attended Hogwarts together. I was two years ahead of you."

"Adrian Pucey," she said, remembering that he'd helped her pick up some books she'd dropped in the library. "But what are you doing here?" He was one of the few Slytherins that didn't act like Malfoy had.

"We had a small meeting, and I decided to come out for a quick smoke," he said, moving to sit on a bench near her. "Snape wasn't there tonight."

Hermione didn't reply. She knew that Severus wouldn't approve of her divulging any information on his whereabouts, and she didn't want to admit that she had no idea where he was. He was supposed to be back hours earlier. "You were a good Chaser," she said suddenly, pretending to have noticed his Quidditch skills. "Did you never follow up on it?"

"No, I only played because my father wanted me to," he admitted. "After school, I married and went to work in the family business... and joined the Dark Lord."

"Married?" Hermione asked incredulously. "So soon out of school?"

"Oh, yes, well, our parents paired us together from an early age, but it suited me fine. I love her. We have a daughter on the way," he said proudly. He pulled a wallet from within his robes and showed her a picture. "This is my wife, Elizabeth. Perhaps you know her sister, Daphne Greengrass?"

"I do," she said, thinking of the quiet girl. "She was one of Pansy Parkinson's friends. Your wife is lovely."

"Thank you," he said.

"Why did you join the Death Eaters? You seem to have all you want in life. What more could the Dark Lord offer you?" she asked quietly.

He seemed startled. "Do you not approve?"

Careful with her wording, she replied, "It's not something that I would have just done on my own. I just wondered how other people came about joining. Family pressure? Forced?"

He laughed. "No, nothing like that. Well, my wife's father is a Death Eater, and he told me of the Dark Lord's noble work."

"Ridding the world of Mudbloods and Muggles," Hermione accused, feeling her temper rise.

"No, of course not. We are only going to harm the Muggles if they endanger our world," he said confidently. "I am a half-blood wizard." He smiled and explained, "My mother is a half-blood witch; her mother was a Muggle-born."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I just... Sometimes I get so offended. Malfoy and some of the others used to taunt me, and it just seems like that is the whole point of things, especially after the whole Basilisk business at the school."

"Did Harry Potter truly kill that Basilisk with a sword?" he asked in awe. "Someone said that a painting in Dumbledore's office told him. I've always wondered about it."

Hermione nodded proudly. "He did... luckily."

His smile faded. "I am sorry for your loss. I know you must miss him."

"I do," she said quietly. Suddenly, she asked, "Do you believe him to be dead?"

"I know him to be dead. My father-in-law saw the Dark Lord kill him at Hogwarts," he said apologetically.

Hermione knew to keep quiet about the Dark Lord not truly hitting Harry with his final curse. "I guess I just hoped that he was still out there."

"Understandable, what with the way his body simply vanished after he was hit like that." He shrugged. "The Dark Lord's power is quite strong."

She couldn't believe that this nice guy with a family in the making was a Death Eater. "Were you there that day?" she asked.

"Yes, but I wasn't anywhere near the frontlines. Our Lord only let's the best join him there. I'm quite new and have trouble casting successive jinxes. I'm more adept at blocking spells for myself and others, so that was my job."

"Good luck with everything," she said, intending to get up and leave.

"Granger, how did you come to be so close to Snape? He always seemed so aloof, so cold. You've always struck me as a nice girl." His face paled. "I'm not saying that you're too nice for him. I only mean that you don't seem like a likely couple."

"I had troubles with my boyfriend. Severus caught him in a compromising position with another, and when I saw them together, he took pity on me for some reason. We talked at length and found that we had more in common than we would have thought." She smiled. "He's not so cold all the time."

"I didn't mean to offend you," he said. "Really. I apologize."

"No, it's all right. Trust me. He was my professor for a long time. I know how he can be," she admitted. Shivering with the colder gusts of wind that were now blowing through the ruins, she said, "I need to be getting within. It was nice talking to you. Good luck with your baby. May she be healthy."

"Thank you," he said, standing and nodding in farewell.

Hermione quickly made her way back to her rooms more troubled than she'd ever been. Life would be so much easier if Voldemort appeared to be the monster she'd always thought him to be, if his damn followers would act like the frantic lunatics she'd met before, and if she'd stop meeting some that were basically good...only misguided.

She wanted things to be better with Severus again and hoped that too much damage had not been done. "Of course it hasn't," she said aloud. He still looked at her with the same longing he always had and though he hadn't openly showed her affection recently, she felt him hold her and kiss her during the night when he thought she'd not notice. There was still hope.

The worst thing was that her hope was fading, and it seemed that this would be her destiny. Harry was dead. It was the only explanation for his continued absence. She wondered still if Severus knew the truth of what happened to him and just didn't want to tell her, afraid she'd not accept it and attempt to fade away as she'd once threatened.

Hermione vowed to keep silent as much as possible and to swallow her pride and let him know that she still loved and wanted him, though she'd said such hurtful things to him. She knew he'd never used her body just for his own pleasure. When they made love, he put all of his feelings into it, and it never felt like just a shag. It was always so much more...even their frenzied, quick couplings.

"Something's got to give," she said, heading to the bath.

Southern's Notes: Sorry it took so long to get out. I figured it would be better to simply get the holidays over with and make certain that my beta and I had time. I hope it was worth the wait.

We are nearly done now, and I guess I'm just putting off the end by procrastinating some. I've just been having fun with it. There are only about five chapters left. I'm trying to make it an even 40. (I'm such a dork. Hehe!)

Before anyone asks, Adrian Pucey doesn't have much more of a part. I just wanted someone to talk to Hermione and confuse her a little more about the types of people that are Death Eaters. I want her to really see that most of them are normal people with families of their own, too. As far as the funk she's in, I think being confined to one place and not truly knowing what's going on would get to anyone in this position and bring about a depression or moodiness.

For a bit of fun, I've joined a round robin with Fervesco, Wartcap, and Daya. We're under the penname CrapFic and the story is Mission:Getting Dobby Laid. If you feel like smiling, go give us a read. I've posted chapter 3. Oh, and I'm not one to whinge for reviews, but in that case, please review. I need to catch up with those witches. Grrrr... I'm way behind!

Ashwinder:

http://ashwinder.sycophanthex.com/viewstory.php?sid=12909