Hogsmeade: Part 2

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

A big thanks goes to my beta, Charmed_Nay, and to my friends over at Potter_Place.

"Potter!" Severus yelled as the boy began to spring forward. "Get back here!" When he didn't turn back, Severus looked to Weasley. "Get both of them back to Hogwarts, Weasley."

"But, sir, Harry..."

"Now!"

"Fine, Professor," Weasley bit out. "Gabrielle, you have to come with me."

Severus watched as a half-dazed Hermione allowed Weasley to hold her close. The moment the other girl was holding onto Weasley, Hermione's eyes met his. He could read the shock, the sadness, and even a hint of accusation there. "All will be explained," he said to her, knowing that the others would simply think he was reassuring them all. They were gone an instant later, and Severus moved forward to the building upon which the Dark Mark hovered.

Even with the crowd that had gathered, Severus could see Potter running into the building, everyone moving aside to allow him to pass. Striding forward, he followed him inside. The first thing he saw was Dumbledore kneeling beside a crouched, sobbing witch. Potter was kneeling on the other side. Snape's stomach lurched. How dare the boy assume he has the right to be there with Dumbledore? He must feel so fucking important. I hate that boy. He's just like his filthy father. Taking a few steps forward, he paused upon hearing Minerva's shaky voice. To Snape's horror, he saw the limp body of what appeared to be a student...a Slytherin student. Quickly, he brushed aside McGonagall and Lupin. Tonks was talking to a wizard in the corner.

With a quick pull, he was able to see the face that went with the lumpy body. It belonged to the young Goyle. "How? Why?" He intended to kill the boy's father, but he wouldn't have truly wanted anything to happen to his son. His son had just been misguided. "Who would do this?"

"I was hoping you could tell me," Lupin said sharply, though in a low voice.

"How dare you insinuate..."

"Enough for now," McGonagall said, voice strained with emotion. "This is horrible enough without it becoming personal. We have to take him back to Hogwarts. His parents must be notified. You are Head of Slytherin, Severus. We shall do as you decide in this. What should we do?"

Severus' eyes met those of the headmaster momentarily. He could see the questions in the man's eyes, and unfortunately, he had no answers for this. In fact, he only had speculations. There was much to be done. "I will see him back to the castle," he bit out, lifting the boy in his arms partially. "I will also fetch his mother." He Disapparated quickly with him, reappearing at the gates of Hogwarts. He Disillusioned the boy and cast a spell to bring him to the infirmary. Many thoughts were going through his mind. He wanted to see to Hermione to find out what the bloody hell had happened. He wanted to have a go at the older Goyle for his part in the day's events. He wanted a glass of whisky. First, however, he'd have to speak to Dumbledore. If he can bear to leave Potter's side, he thought snidely. The two were getting closer with each passing day it seemed. What were they up to behind closed doors?

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

Hermione lay in her bed thinking of the day's events. Ron was snoring lightly behind her, hand firmly planted on her waist. If she moved away, he might awaken. She wasn't ready to face his questions. He'd badgered her about different things from the moment they were in her rooms until the moment she'd fallen asleep. Her head lifted up slightly. She could see Gabrielle was still asleep on the couch. From the darkened skies outside, she could tell that it was now night. The fire in the grate was nearly out, but she hadn't the energy to move. She was emotionally drained. Had the day's events truly happened? She knew they had, but it was too horrible to think of.

Why hadn't Harry come? Where was Ginny? What about those poor students? She nearly sat up when the next question came to mind. What about Severus? There were so many things she needed to talk to him about. Lucius had said that he'd done something to that Higgs boy. Surely he would never murder someone. Would he? At once, she remembered that he'd lied to Dumbledore and the others. Goyle Sr. had not gotten away. What was he planning to do to him? Horrid scenarios and visions began plaguing her. As of late, how often had she wondered if he was honest with her about everything? Her questions began melding together, and her visions darkened. Unable to remain awake any longer, she drifted back off to sleep.

Lips upon her neck, and a hand gently kneading at her breast woke her some time later. "I've missed you," she murmured sleepily. A groan was her reply before his lips found hers. He suddenly crushed her beneath him, lips against hers, hips against hers. The hand upon her breast began applying a little too much pressure. "Mmmm," she mustered, trying to push him off of her. She was trying to tell him to move off, but he took it as approval, grinding more intimately against her. What she heard next chilled her.

"I've missed you, too, Mione. Want this. Need you."

Ron! With all of her might, she pushed against his chest, and their kiss broke. "No, stop," she hissed.

He sat back on his heels, still straddling her. "What's wrong?"

"I didn't realize... I thought..." She swallowed deeply. "No, Ron."

"But... you said you missed me, and then you kissed me."

"Lumos!" she said. Her wand next to the bed lit, casting an eerie light upon them. She snatched it up and began lighting the lamps in the room. Gabrielle was no longer with them. When had she gone? Hermione couldn't believe that she never heard her leave. "I didn't know it was you!"

"Is that right? Got some other bloke visiting, have you?" he asked angrily, moving to stand next to the bed. "Forget it happened!"

"How could you want to do that with me? What of Pansy?"

"Pansy isn't you," he blurted, running his fingers through his messy hair.

"We've been through this before, Ron!" Hermione screamed. "You can't just think that..."

"Shut it, Hermione," he said, pulling on his trainers. "I know, all right? You were there, and I needed you. That's all."

"That's all? How dare you?" she asked angrily. She gasped as she suddenly realized they were no longer alone. Oh, God, no.

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

Severus Apparated to the Goyle residence to personally accompany Madame Goyle to Hogwarts to retrieve her son's body. When the woman collapsed, he simply assisted her to a bed and had Pomfrey look after her. The woman was worried that something had happened to her husband as well. She said that he'd not been home for over a day. He knew that it was likely that he'd been with the others for that long in an attempt to plan things, but he couldn't tell her that he'd seen her husband. She would simply have to add that to her list of worries. As she grieved, Severus found his way over to Molly. "How is she?" he asked, looking down on her daughter's sleeping form.

"Some sort of spell to keep her asleep for awhile. Poppy says she'll be good as new, she will," Molly said faithfully. "Arthur's on his way in. I told him to tell the others." She swallowed thickly. "Severus, Dung's gone. They can't contact him. Something very wrong was happening there today, and for some reason, our little girl was a part of it. Three children are dead. Dead, I say." She began crying and embraced him suddenly.

Severus had been caught unawares and stood there in momentary shock. What the...? "Mrs. Weasley!" he exclaimed, placing two hands on her shoulders and pushing her back. "You must get yourself together. Tears will do nothing for your daughter and the others. We need to have our minds clear." And, you, dear Madame, need to keep your hands off of me.

"You're right, you know," she whispered, wiping her eyes. "I get a little emotional sometimes."

"Understandable," he said sharply. He made his way back over to the safety of Madame Goyle's nearly silent weeping. At least she wouldn't accost him. When he was certain that nobody was looking, he brushed off his robes as if to erase the incident completely. Pomfrey, who had disappeared whilst he spoke to Mrs. Weasley, came in through the doors and walked over to him.

"Argus is getting all of the students to their common rooms now." She wiped a few tears away. "I had to have some fresh air for a moment. You'll be interested to know that I've just seen that the others are coming."

"Thank you," he said. As an after thought, he asked, "Where are the other students, Whitby and Madley?"

"Pomona preferred to have them out in her private gardens. Rolanda is with her. Their parents are on the way. Killing Curse on one and a Severing Hex on the other. Cleaned the boy up as well as I could. No cause for his mum to see all that." With a curt nod, she brushed past him to give Madame Goyle a dose from a phial that she took from her pockets.

From the light scent on her breath, Severus suspected that it was her own brew of liquor, and she felt the woman needed a shot. Who wouldn't need it at a time like this? He debated on going to Hermione and getting her story, but he knew it would be best to wait. Once the headmaster and the others came back, he pulled Dumbledore to the side. "You must come with me."

Dumbledore simply nodded. Before leaving, he turned to McGonagall. "Have Harry stay here with Molly until I return."

Severus sneered slightly as the boy eyed him triumphantly as if to gloat that he was getting away with more than the other students. Potter had no business meddling around with their business, and he resented that Dumbledore seemed to be spending more time with him than usual. It was just as well, however, because the boy would only come back on his own in that damned Invisibility Cloak. Silently, leading the man to his office where he closed the door and warded them against any intruders, he sat behind his desk and sighed deeply.

"Tell me, Severus."

"I was able to capture Goyle and send him here to my personal...interrogation chambers. He awaits me now." Severus looked at the headmaster in the eyes. "He hit her. Do you understand what I am saying to you?"

"I'm afraid not. Explain."

"He will have to answer to me for harming what is mine," Severus said quietly. "There will be no Azkaban for him."

"Do you hear yourself, Severus? Harming what is yours?" Dumbledore shook his head, and Severus knew what was coming next. "I am removing her from this school, Severus. She and the others will go into protective custody."

Severus leapt to his feet in a rage. "You will NOT take HER from me," he said, raising his voice only to accentuate two words. "If she needs protective custody, I shall see to it, Headmaster. The Dark Lord..."

"Would think it was suspicious that I allowed her to be handed over to you for protection," Dumbledore said firmly. "Harry, Mr. Weasley, Miss Weasley, and Miss Granger will all be taken from school."

"To the same place?" he asked incredulously. "If there was a plan, Headmaster, which there isn't, that would be erroneous!"

"There may be something planned, Severus. You don't know. You have no idea what went on today, do you?" Dumbledore said wisely. "It could be that he knows where your true loyalties lie."

"Impossible," Severus said darkly. I am not even certain.

His headmaster studied him for a long moment. "I shall not keep them all together. I think that Miss Weasley would do well under Molly's watchful eye at headquarters. Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley..."

"Absolutely not," Severus blurted suddenly, moving to sit down. "I can't allow that, Headmaster. Whether you think it prudent or not, the Dark Lord will not be accepting of her being spirited off with Weasley...alone." Nor will I. He picked up and slammed down a stack of parchment on his desk in frustration. "He will expect me to remain close to her."

"Tell me everything, Severus, and I shall make my decision."

Severus recounted all the events of the day, aside from those of him and Hermione in the small alleyway. He told him that he'd found Draco's actions odd and ended up Stupefying him. He had no idea what Death Eater had snatched young Goyle or what they would want in the apothecary.

"It appears that he was after lovage. When the witch told him that she hadn't any, he cast the Dark Mark into the sky, and he turned his wand on himself." Dumbledore sighed. "We believe he was under the Imperius Curse naturally."

"Lovage? What would he want with lovage? Better yet, what would a Death Eater want with it?"

"To be honest, I'd hoped you could tell me, but it seems that you aren't as close to Tom as you'd thought," Dumbledore said, apparently trying to get a rise out of him. "We both know it's used in a Confusing and Befuddlement Draught. I wonder what Tom is up to."

"This was not the Dark Lord's doing," said Severus adamantly. "He'd never consent to harming Hermione. Goyle and some others were working on this on their own. I almost fear that Lucius is involved. That doesn't bode well." Severus wondered what Draco knew. "Hermione will have the answers we seek. Shall I go fetch her?"

"I think it would be wise to speak to our prisoner first, Severus."

Severus' face remained blank as he asked, "Is there some reason that you are trying to purposely rile me?"

Smiling, Dumbledore said, "Of course not, Severus." He placed a hand upon Snape's shoulder affectionately. "I think you are taking your relationship with Miss Granger more seriously than you once thought. You should think about that. Is it more than what you let on in the beginning? Are you obsessed? That's not healthy...for either of you." He took his hand away and gestured towards the door. "Shall we see what he has to say to us?"

Shaking his head, Severus replied, "I cannot promise to control..."

"You will," Dumbledore said confidently.

Annoyed, Severus led the headmaster to the secret chamber that held his prisoner. When he opened the door, he saw the man huddled in the corner. He moved forward and pushed him roughly with his foot. "Wake up, bastard." He swished his wand at him. Nothing happened. The headmaster crouched down.

"He's dead."

"What? I didn't..."

"Do you smell that?" Dumbledore asked. "Magic killed him. Binding magic. His life was bound to his son's." Dumbledore shook his head sadly. "Whomever forced the boy to go into the apothecary knew this would happen. I'd say they didn't want Goyle to talk to us. When they realized that he'd been caught, they probably went after his son to be certain. I suppose they tried to have him do a little of their dirty work first, such as getting the lovage, but when that failed, he was instructed to end things. Miss Granger and Miss Weasley will be in more danger than we thought as survivors in this. I am sorry, Severus, but she will have to leave Hogwarts. You will have to remain."

"He never mentioned that he'd bound himself." Severus brought his hand to his mouth in thought. Why? Who? When? The more he thought about it, the more he wondered if Lucius truly was involved. Neither Crabbe nor Goyle ever had much of an inclination to do things unless Malfoy directed them. Their sons were the same. If so, what was he playing at? Severus picked up the twig near Goyle, and in moments, the man was Portkeyed to his property. It was unfortunate his poor wife would find him that way, but he couldn't risk being seen with the body. "They'll not be able to trace it to us here," he said. "They will realize that the deaths are linked as well." Part of him was disappointed that he hadn't been able to inflict any pain or be a part of his death. Nobody shall harm my witch. "Albus, you have to let me protect her. No one else need know where she is." He didn't use the headmaster's name often, but he felt that using it in this instance would prove his intentions sincere.

"Go find Hermione, Severus. Bring her up to my office discreetly. I have to contact the Minister and go over new safety procedures. There are many letters pouring in already from concerned parents. They began to bombard us the moment we came onto the school grounds. Minerva is handling them momentarily. I suspect, however, that she will delegate that task to Filius. Also, I wouldn't be surprised if some students are pulled from school."

Just as Severus nodded and began to stalk away, the Mark on his arm began burning. "Headmaster, I must go to him." Dumbledore nodded. Severus quickly made his way to the Apparition point and went to his Master. Orienting himself immediately, he moved forward, kneeled down before his Lord, and was bidden to rise.

The Dark Lord was not pleased. "Severusss," he hissed, "I have heard some disturbing news this evening. Is there anything that you know?"

"Yes, my Lord," Severus said quickly, not wanting to anger the man. "I found Goyle today. He struck my witch and was attempting to leave when I happened upon him. He did not act alone, Master. Two children were slain, and Ginevra Weasley was knocked unconscious. Not appreciating that Goyle broke your law, my Lord, of not harming my concubine, I apprehended him and sent him to a personal chamber in order to question him and seek retribution." Voldemort nodded. Severus continued. "I thought that our young Malfoy was acting strangely, and he was in pursuit of Miss Weasley. I Stunned him and moved on. Whilst I was dealing with things, one of us, as I am told by Draco and Crabbe's son, Apparated next to them and snatched young Goyle away."

"Interesting," the Dark Lord hissed. "Go on."

"We found him in Hogsmeade at the apothecary. He'd gone in to seek lovage. When the witch said there was none, he cast our Mark in the air and gave himself the Killing Curse. When I returned to the castle and sought out Goyle to interrogate him, I found that he'd died the instant his son had. I suspect some sort of binding magic, my Lord." Severus met his Master's eyes to grant him access to whatever he might need there.

"What says your lover?"

"I've yet to speak to her privately. I was to fetch her for Dumbledore just as you summoned me." Severus let his voice fill with disgust. "The old man is now going to send Potter and his friends away...Miss Weasley included. I've already asked to be allowed to keep an eye on my witch, but I do not know if he will allow it. He thinks that you are behind this and that you might harm her to spite Potter."

His Lord cackled. "You may tell him it wasn't I. I am certain he'll be disappointed that his assumption was incorrect. Let him believe that there is dissention amongst my followers. You say Lucius' son was acting strangely. How so?"

"Fidgeting. Talking to himself aloud. Sneaking about."

The Dark Lord nodded. "I knew you would come forward with the truth, Severusss." He thought for a moment. "If you can get your witch away from Hogwarts, do so. That will worry Potter, and she will still be an eventual link to Potter when the time is right for me to defeat him. You will also need to keep an eye on our young Malfoy and also the Weasley girl." He moved forward to place his hand on Severus' shoulder just as Dumbledore had. "Leave Lucius to me, and if your concubine knows something else, send word to me."

"I shall," Severus vowed. "I do not know if this is important, but Mundungus Fletcher has gone missing from his post. I suspect that he was overtaken or left his post to thieve."

"We shall know soon enough. Go back before you are missed," his Master said, dismissing him. He quickly made his way back to the castle. McGonagall met him at the front entrance.

"Severus, come quickly. It's Remus," she said excitedly. "He and your Mister Malfoy are in a serious row. I was going to fetch Filch if I couldn't find you. I don't think it prudent to hex them with all the others about. We'll need to remove them manually."

"All students were instructed to return to their dormitories," said Severus in an annoyed voice. "Why would Malfoy be out? What the hell is going on with those two?"

"They are in the infirmary. Poppy is beside herself as it is without those two going at it," she said tartly. "Albus is still with the Minister, so I didn't want to bother him."

The moment they opened the doors to the infirmary, Severus heard Lupin yelling. "I wouldn't be surprised if you know something about this!"

Tonks said, "Stop it, Remus."

"He knows something! Look at him! He's not here out of concern," Lupin bellowed.

Madame Pomfrey was between the pair. Tonks was pulling on Lupin's arm and had wrestled his wand away from him. Draco was being held back by Potter. The Weasleys were huddled in the corner around their daughter. He could see the shadows of Madame Goyle and some of her family members huddling around Goyle's body at the end of the room. Poppy had draped the curtains around the bed to keep them hidden, but Severus could hear them all. Likely her sisters and their husbands. He saw no reason not to use his wand on Lupin and Malfoy.

"Control yourself, Lupin," Severus ordered loudly, pulling his wand. "You shall not assault any student on these grounds." A flick on his wand had Lupin falling back against the nearest wall. He smirked nastily. "Look at you. You're acting like a student, bellowing and arguing." Another flick had Potter's hands away from Draco. "Settle down, Mister Malfoy." The boy nodded respectfully. "What are you doing out of your common room?"

"I wanted to check on the other students, sir. We heard that Goyle was here." He glanced around. "Nobody will confirm if he is or not. I saw Weasley over there and out of concern, sought to check on her."

"Very well," Snape said. "I shall be down to give a statement in just a few minutes. Return. Now." Draco nodded and left the infirmary.

Pomfrey said, "Glad you came round, Severus. We didn't want to hex either of them, but they both clearly needed it."

Severus turned to Tonks and nodded to where Lupin was still struggling silently against the wall. "See to him." He sneered hatefully. The weak lovers were made for each other. The girl would never amount to much of an Auror. She couldn't even control Lupin! "Dumbledore shall hear of this." His gaze turned to Potter. "What are you still doing here, Potter?"

"I've allowed it. He helped with Mister Malfoy, and I was glad for it. If it hadn't been for him..." McGonagall interjected. Severus could tell from the way she was clutching her wand that she'd wanted to hex both parties but had refrained out of respect for the families.

"Very well," he said. "I must see to my House. Excuse me." Severus quickly made his way to the Slytherin common room. He broke the news about losing Goyle and was surprised that everyone...especially Draco...looked upset. He tried to get the boy to speak to him privately, but he refused, heading to his dormitory instead.

Feeling the need, Severus went to his quarters to bathe and change. A knock at his door sounded as soon as he was dressed. He opened it and found the headmaster standing there again. "Come in," he said, stepping aside.

"What have you learned?"

"The Dark Lord feels it was Lucius, but he is uncertain as to who might have been with him. I sensed that he suspects Crabbe. He said that he would deal with that. I am to protect my witch in the interest of one day using her to lead him to Potter. He wants me to keep an eye on Draco as well as Miss Weasley."

"Does he know that we plan to relocate them?"

"Yes," Severus said, voice low. When Dumbledore's expression changed for the worse, he added, "He had to know."

Dumbledore nodded. "They will be taken from classes for now until you are able to find out more. The Minister has agreed that the students be taken to somewhere safe. They shall still be able to do their schoolwork, of course." Dumbledore sighed when Severus tried to interrupt. "Where would you bring her, Severus? There is no place that you could go with her that is not known by your friends."

"My home," he said immediately. "I have secret rooms that cannot be found. He wishes it."

"He wishes it, or do you wish it?"

"Both," said Severus honestly.

"Should something happen to you?"

"I shall leave instructions for you should that be the case." Severus was suddenly bursting with adrenaline and excitement. He'd have his witch in his home each night, just the two of them. "She will be protected during the day. My wards are rarely breached. The only one that can is you."

"You will bring someone with the pair of you. Someone female." Dumbledore smiled slightly. "I could not in good conscience allow a female student to stay with a male professor. Not at this point and in this situation."

Severus' face paled, and his lips thinned. "I cannot allow someone else into my home, Headmaster. I will not jeopardize my sanctuary in any way. Very few know of its whereabouts."

"What other alternative is there?" Dumbledore asked exasperatedly.

"I could keep her here, in my chambers. Nobody would be the wiser," he said quickly.

"We shall talk on this tomorrow, Severus. For now, I must make arrangements with the Weasleys."

"What about Potter?"

"Harry's place will be known only to me," he said mysteriously.

"Of course," he said sarcastically.

"Go to Miss Granger, Severus, and meet me in my office shortly," Dumbledore instructed.

"Very well." Severus strode forward and opened the door. "I have something to attend to before I go." Once Dumbledore departed, Severus took out his parchment to be sure that Hermione was in her room. What he saw made his blood boil as if hexed.

Currently in bed in the Head Girl's dormitory with Ronald Weasley.

Severus dropped the parchment and stared at it where it settled in disbelief. "That bastard is trying to take advantage of her. Why is she allowing it?" In a dark mood, he pulled on his robes and stalked to her room. He whispered the password and entered in time to see his angry witch, still in bed, arguing with Weasley who was putting on his shoes. The bedcovers and sheets were strewn about. Their clothing and hair had definitely been tousled from sleep. From what he'd heard, the boy had tried to rekindle their association, and she had rebuffed him. He saw the moment she noticed him and noted the fear in her eyes.

"What is going on in here?" he asked, voice dangerously low. He strode forward menacingly.

"Nothing. I was making sure she was all right, sir," Weasley said quickly.

"You've slept in here. You were in her bed," he accused, nodding at the bed, voice nearly inaudible. "Get. Out. Of. Here. Now. Boy."

"But, sir..." Weasley began.

Severus grabbed him by the collar and roughly threw him to the floor. Hermione reached out to grab his arm in panic. He shrugged her away and glared at Weasley. "Your mother is in the infirmary. Go there now, or I shall bodily remove you. Is that clear, Weasley?"

"Yes, Professor," he said reluctantly, getting to his feet. He looked at Hermione remorsefully before he fled.

When they were alone, Severus warded both entrances. "We shall not be interrupted or heard," he said icily. She immediately moved away from him and closer to the headboard.

"Nothing h-happened," she said, clearly afraid.

"Yet."

"What d-do you mean by that?" she asked.

"You had another man in your bed," he said, moving closer, wand still drawn. "You allowed him to touch you, to take liberties that are mine alone!"

"No, it wasn't like that. Gabrielle was here. They brought me here after, and when I woke up, she was gone. He wasn't." She flushed guiltily.

"What are you hiding?" He placed a hand on her arm and forcefully pulled her closer to kneel near the edge of the bed.

"All right," she said quickly. "I woke up once. They were both here, asleep. He was with me. Gabrielle was there. I... I didn't make him leave. I hadn't the energy."

He could see the truth in her eyes, but he was still angry. "Why would you not tell him to get out of your bed?"

"I fell asleep. W-when I woke again, she was gone. He was..." She swallowed. "He was kissing me and on me. I thought he was you. I swear it. The moment I knew it wasn't, I told him to stop, and you saw the rest. That's the truth."

Severus' grip on her arm tightened until he saw her wince. He let go, never intending to hurt her, not really, but he was angry. Weasley would pay for trying to bed his witch. "Get your things together. We leave tonight."

This startled Hermione. "Wait. What? Leave? What are you..."

"Do it now," he snarled angrily. "The Headmaster has decided that the two Weasleys, Potter, and you will need to leave school for your own protection. You have been assigned to me." He smiled nastily. "Prepare yourself accordingly. Once we are on our own, you will not be my student any longer." His eyebrows raised when she blanched. "That's right. You will be having correspondence classes of sorts, not to be graded by me." He enjoyed the fear and excitement he saw mixed in her gaze. He could almost feel her body trembling, if not see it.

"W-where will we go?"

"Leave that to me." He didn't care what the headmaster said. He was going to bring her to his home, and no other would accompany them. He would certainly not allow Weasley around her. He'd already proven that he couldn't be trusted. Parkinson or no, he still wanted Hermione. That much was evident. He would lie to the headmaster if he had to. He could always say that he could find someone to accompany them.

After her things were packed in her trunk, she turned to face him. "Severus, I swear I didn't..."

"Enough for now," he commanded. Her trunk was shrunk easily and placed in his pocket. "We have an interview with the headmaster. We need you to tell us what happened today. After that, we shall take our leave."

"But, Severus, your classes..."

"I shall still appear to stay here and carry on with them," he said, some of his anger receding. "Silence now."

"There are things that I need answers to. I don't really know if I can..."

"If you can what?" he asked, daring her to say that she didn't trust him. She flinched as he moved closer. Realizing that he might be pushing her away with his harsh actions, he tried a different approach. "Hermione, I will protect you no matter what. The safest place for you to be is with me. Come quickly now." He released a breath he didn't realize he was holding once she moved to his side and allowed him to guide her into the corridor.

Together they made their way to Dumbledore's tower. Severus couldn't believe that all he wanted was finally within his grasp. He would have her to himself, she would not be his student, and they could finally consummate their relationship. Not much time had passed, but it was time to know her completely. She seemed frightened, though, and he had no desire to bed a nervous witch. No, he wouldn't pounce on her immediately as he'd threatened. No, he would take it slowly over the next few days and allow her to get used to being with him. Each night, they'd resume their reading together. Slowly but surely, he would have her seduced, and eventually, she would plead with him to take her. He was glad that his senses had kicked in, and he was able to control his anger. He had wanted nothing more than to tear the boy to shreds or to slam into Hermione to show her what a real man could make her feel like.

As they approached the gargoyle, he looked around to be certain that nobody was watching. He smoothed down her disheveled hair. "I apologize for my actions earlier," he lied. "I should have known you wouldn't have allowed him into your bed. You must forgive my anger. Just the thought..." He let his voice trail off.

Her eyes and expression softened. "I understand. Apology accepted."

"Hermione," he began, touching her chin momentarily, "I won't ever let you go. You do know that, right? You are a part of me now."

Tears in her eyes accompanied the smile that lit her face. "Will you not tire of me? Get bored? Seek more... willing company?"

He knew that she was referring to what Weasley had done. Deciding to put her at ease, he said, "You are all I need." To his surprise, the words were true. He'd never want any other so long as he had her. "Come along," he said, gesturing for her to follow him. "The headmaster awaits." All he had to do now was convince Dumbledore of his plans, find out what Draco knew, and think of ways to destroy Ronald Weasley.

The door to the office opened immediately. A harried Dumbledore was coming out just as they were trying to enter. "Severus, I was just coming to get you."

"What is it?" He didn't like the look on the man's face. Inside the office, he could hear and see Molly Weasley crying as her husband tried to comfort her. Had something happened to the girl?

"Ginevra woke up finally and was fine. Molly went to Poppy's office to let Arthur and Poppy know, and when they rounded the corner to tend to her, they saw their daughter hurrying out with...Draco Malfoy."

Southern's Notes: More up soon. We'll find out more about what's going on with Lucius, Draco, and Ginny! Severus gets his witch alone.