The Hunt and Hunted

A huge thank you to my alpha reader, Arabellabloodgood, for reading this over for me, Proulxes for the Britpick, and to DutchessOfArcadia and Dandru, for combing through this and helping me clean up my mistakes. I really appreciate the beta help. Thank you very much.

Also, smooches and a big thank you to Jay for my banner! I really love it.

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~o35o~

The Hunt and Hunted

It was about four in the morning when Severus arrived at the Manor's gates. He sorted his memories out carefully and suppressed his emotions, forcing himself to appear calm and in control as he walked up to the front door. A house-elf with a small plump nose and wide green eyes, that matched the green in the tea towel he wore, approached. "May Judder takes your cloak, Headmaster, sir?"

Severus handed the elf his cloak, his attention drawn to the tension of the people lingering in the grand hallway. As he turned to walk into the ballroom, he could tell that the Dark Lord was in a rage; he could hear his displeasure even from the foyer. Severus stopped just outside the doorway to the ballroom to assess the situation. The guests of the party had apparently been dismissed, and only a few Death Eaters remained. However, those in attendance had changed from their finery into their usual black leather and wool, attire much more suitable for conducting raids.

"Dolohov, Wroithesley, Gerund and Jugson are watching the house, my Lord. She hasn't returned," Yaxley was saying, kneeling with his head bowed.

"VanHalal, MacCavish, Travers, and Rowle have returned to the school," Alecto said, sounding imperious, although she was kneeling as well. "Malburke and Macnair have joined your guard at the school gates."

Wonderful, now there is no way Hermione will attempt to return to the school, Severus sneered silently.

"Nott, Gibbon, Selwyn, and Rathaille are in Hogsmeade," Yaxley added, "and the Searchers are all on alert."

"Runcorn and Westmore went to pay the Longbottom's a visit," Lucius said from across the room. "Zabini, Crabbe, and Goyle went to the Finnigan's."

"He means they're pacing the lane that the Finnigan residence is rumored to be," Cillian murmured dryly as he approached Severus. "Any luck? I've already been to the Longbottom's and Finnigan's twice – each – and the houses, if they're really there, are not visible. Nor are they perceivable, detectable, or tangible."

"The Fidelius?" Severus asked softly, and Cillian nodded as he handed his cloak to the house-elf.

Cillian turned to lean in closer to whisper to Severus, "The Fidelius. But I couldn't detect the Skrewt shell jewelry either."

"And the Longbottoms have more than one residence in which to hold up," Severus stated. "I'm assuming you were unsuccessful."

"Ah, Severus, Cillian, you've finally returned," the Dark Lord called out, cutting off Cillian's answer.

Cillian turned and squared his shoulders.

"Come forward and report."

Both men entered the room and knelt at the Dark Lord's feet.

"How did the girl escape?" the Dark Lord snarled through gritted teeth, glaring down at Severus.

Severus looked up, and the Dark Lord invaded his mind. The memory of Hermione running for the gardens and then Disapparating, followed by several images of the places he'd searched for her, flashed through his mind. When the Dark Lord withdrew, he saw the Dark Lord holding his wand firmly in his fist as he turned to look at Nagini coiled up on her large stand. The windows behind the snake shook to near breaking.

"What drew you away? How did you get separated at the party?"

As if his mind hadn't been searched, Severus answered the Dark Lord's question calmly. "The last I remember, I was cornered by Mordaunt, Alecto and MacCavish while Hermione was dancing with Mr. Endfield. They wanted to talk to me regarding some nonsense of putting Hermione into the Malfoy's dungeons for the rest of the winter holiday for Mengele and Macnair to experiment on while I assisted in their hunt for Muggle-borns," Severus stated. "If you'd like, ask Malfoy for his family Pensieve, and I shall give you the memory to view."

Alecto sneered at him, her hiss audible even over the other mumblings. It was very rare for one of them to freely offer a full memory for viewing, especially of one pertaining to a presumed failure and when the Dark Lord was so angry.

"Yes, that would be easier," the Dark Lord said, turning to face Lucius. "Fetch the Pensieve, Lucius, and be quick about it." He stopped right next to Cillian, glaring down at his bowed head. "Cillian, what have you to say?"

"I was conversing with Roquewood and his daughter, Larissa, when I saw Hermione being shuffled out of the ball room among the guests who were heading outside to the terrace. Belinda, Bellatrix and the Lestrange brothers were following her, so I hurried to follow as well. I arrived in the gardens just as Hermione Disapparated," Cillian said calmly, ignoring the outraged huffs from Belinda and Bellatrix.

The Dark Lord whirled down on them. "Hush! I have several eyewitnesses that have said that you two chased her away!"

Belinda recoiled and quailed, but Bellatrix, still on her knees, reached out with her arms in supplication. "But, my Lord, I was only trying to stop the..."

"SILENCE!" the Dark Lord bellowed, and both ladies cowered.

"And where have you been all night?" the Dark Lord demanded, rounding on Cillian.

"Searching, my Lord," Cillian said from on his knees, his expression carefully guarded. "I've been doing my best to track her down. I have a list of all of her friends and those who are on friendly terms with Hermione at school. I have been methodically checking each residence, well, except for the residences of those who were in attendance tonight for your party. I assumed she wouldn't go to their houses."

"Where is Draco?" the Dark Lord asked, staring over their heads at the doorway.

"At the castle, my Lord," Severus said smoothly as he bowed his head, feigning reverence with a carefully constructed mask of respect.

"He has been keeping watch for the girl, and I thought it prudent for him to continue," Cillian stated, his head still bowed. "I do know that Hermione has not been seen in the castle."

"She could have slipped by that boy," Alecto said in a saccharine voice.

"Not likely," Severus said with a sneer. "I gave Draco the password to my office and told him to speak to Dumbledore's portrait. Considering the old goat's fondness for Hermione, he'll have every portrait in the castle assisting the boy."

Cillian nodded and looked up at the Dark Lord. "It's true. From what I saw, Draco has every portrait and all the ghosts watching every corridor and entry in and out of the castle for the girl. They are giving him regular reports."

"Very well, he can stay," the Dark Lord snarled through gritted teeth, and he stopped his pacing, facing Severus.

Lucius appeared, followed by two house-elves, maneuvering a pedestal holding a large, very old stone bowl. "Our family Pensieve, my Lord."

"Move it to the drawing room," the Dark Lord snapped with a flick of his hand. "Severus, Cillian, you come with me." The elves immediately maneuvered the pedestal and Pensieve to the smaller blue drawing room, and Severus and Cillian rose to follow.

The Dark Lord was very clear about what he wanted to see, and Severus carefully constructed his memory of that part of the evening, from the moment that Mordaunt and Alecto approached him and up to watching Hermione Disapparate. The Dark Lord watched the memory twice. "Cillian, you next, everything. I want to see the conversation with the Roquewoods as well." The silvery strand from Cillian's head was even longer than Severus'. The Dark Lord watched it twice as well.

"Severus, send Mordaunt and Alecto in here," the Dark Lord said as he pushed his wand into his Dark Mark. Severus turned heel and went to summon those requested, hearing the Dark Lord ask Cillian to locate Gregory Gloyle and Marek Schlinder.

When Severus approached them, Mordaunt acquiesced with a nod and turned for the drawing room, his shoulders sagging slightly, but Alecto glared at him and stormed off after Mordaunt.

Lucius walked over to Severus while he waited. "What about Draco?"

Severus turned to look at the wizard, taking in his appearance. Lucius had never in all the years he'd known him looked so harried. "I sent him to the castle to wait, and I want him there." He saw Narcissa approach. "Narcissa, do not fret, he is safe. The Dark Lord has not summoned him as of yet, and I don't think he shall."

"And the girl?" she asked, and he was surprised to see concern in her eyes.

"I was about to follow a lead before I was summoned to return," Severus stated, his eyes darting to the doorway of the blue drawing room.

Narcissa looked like she wanted to say something, opening her mouth and inhaling, but she lowered her head and turned to look at her sister. Both Bellatrix and Belinda were on their knees before the dais, waiting for the Dark Lord's decision regarding their initiatives. Severus was certain that Belinda was in some way involved, but how he wasn't certain. He still presumed she'd used some form of Imperius on him, and he was determined to find out which one. He already knew why. He waited in silence, as did the Malfoys, while those around them began to talk softly and move about the ballroom.

When the Dark Lord returned, he walked directly up to Severus and the Malfoys. "And how do you know you can retrieve her?"

"Her necklace and bracelet – the ones I make her wear – I can find her with this," Severus replied, holding the disk of Skrewt shell in his palm. "I was retrieving it when I was summoned." He hoped that the Dark Lord would accept his deceit as truth.

The Dark Lord picked up the shell disk and examined the runes and symbols.

"They are connected," Severus stated. It was a huge gamble; the disk still had a limited range, not that he'd admit that to the Dark Lord. "I know she has gone to the Weasley's home, the old headquarters of the Order, and her parent's house. So far she's been predictable."

"Yet, she eludes you," the Dark Lord sneered, handing back the shell disk as if it were offensive.

"She was chased off the grounds and fears for her life – fears your wrath. I believe she's gathering things, what she feels are necessities for being on the run. Her wedding robes were left in the Black house, and all of her personal items were removed from her childhood home. I fully expect her try to sneak into the castle – she will want her magical implements and books as well as her wand. That's why I have Draco there." Severus waited for the invasion of his mind, his altered memories in the forefront of his mind to prove his statements. The invasion never came.

The Dark Lord's frown stretched into a malicious grin. When his attention centered on Severus again, he said, "I know Potter is frustrated. He is angry, feels betrayed..."

"My Lord, forgive me," Severus said, lowering his voice with a sly smile. "I have every reason to believe she will try to contact Potter – to meet up with him. Might I suggest using her to hopefully find out where Potter is?" Severus looked up at the Dark Lord with a smirk. "So far I have been only one step behind her at each location I tried. The signs of Apparition were fresh."

The Dark Lord rolled his head slightly and smiled. "Yes, Potter is frustrated – annoyed."

"Hiding does that to children who have run away from home and have nowhere to turn to," Severus said with an evil smirk. "The boy is a pampered prince at Hogwarts, and Weasley, his side-kick, is used to his mother taking care of him, his every need met. Now they are on their own, no access to Potter's money, no one to wash their socks for them. I doubt they like being fugitives."

"Yet my men cannot find him," the Dark Lord snarled with a hiss as Cillian approached. "And he is not alone. We know some Mudbloods have joined him. How is it that they can find Harry Potter yet he still eludes me?"

Westmore approached and bowed, saying, "Pardon my intrusion, my Lord. The boys you summoned await you in the drawing room."

"Fine. Tell them to wait." The Dark Lord waved him off and looked at Severus.

"I believe they are moving frequently," Severus said calmly as if he hadn't been interrupted. He wanted to leave, and soon. "It is the only logical explanation to the numerous times the Snatchers claimed to have just missed them in each report I've been privy to."

"Yaxley did say that the girl went to the house on Grimmauld Place," the Dark Lord said. "Macnair said that he found this on the front step." He held out a small object and gave it to Severus.

It was one of Hermione's Skrewt earrings. "Yes, my Lord, it's hers. I made it myself."

"So, I know the Fidelius Charm is still in place; only Yaxley can see the door and only in his peripheral vision, but he can Apparate to the top step. Are the curses still in place on the inside?"

"No, they are no longer a problem. Nevertheless, I saw what I wanted to know. The boy had been there, not that long ago, and as I said, Hermione's wedding robes hung on a wardrobe. She found what she wanted and left."

The Dark Lord's eyes widened, and his nares opened and closed. "So go. Find her! I. Want. Her. Back. If she leads you to Potter, all the better. Notify me if you find him. Immediately. But, I want that girl back under my control."

"Of course. Cillian and I are doing our best. She will be found, I swear it," Severus said with a bow and left, Cillian right behind him.

When he entered the foyer, the same old house-elf appeared, their cloaks draped carefully in his arms. "Your cloak, Headmaster, sir," he said, holding up Severus' cloak.

Severus looked at the creature's wide green eyes and small plump nose as he took the garment and was reminded of Peren. The elf then turned, handed Cillian his, then bowed low and hurried off.

As Severus stepped out of Malfoy Manor, he looked past the black shapes of the trees and hedges of the Malfoys' gardens at the horizon. From the way the midnight blues still bespeckled with stars in the sky were just beginning to fade to rich, variegated shades of blues, he hazarded a guess it was a little after six in the morning. Astronomical twilight, an hour and a half to sunrise.

Cillian paused to look up at him. "You coming?"

He nodded and hurried down the steps. Although he'd been up all night, his adrenaline and the gravity of the situation were still keeping him wide-awake.

"So where to first?" Cillian asked softly as they walked down the graveled path to the Apparition site.

"Your island," he said softly.

Cillian nodded and Disapparated, and Severus quickly followed suit, arriving on the path that led to the house. Cillian was standing only a few feet away, his arms crossed, waiting. "So, what is the plan?"

"I'm going to the castle," Severus said softly, conjuring an illumination orb so he could see.

"What?" A glow orb left Cillian's wand as well and floated in the air above them. "The castle? But you told the Dark Lord..."

"I lied." Severus stared off through the trees. "Truth is, I have a few ideas, but I'm just not sure how to pull them off."

"You lied to the Dark Lord?" Cillian asked incredulously.

Severus smirked. "It wasn't the first time." His smirk widened at his friend's smug expression.

"So what are your ideas?" Cillian asked, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.

"I'm going to try scribing for her with the disk, or to persuade Peren to assist me," Severus stated.

Cillian shook his head. "You're counting on forcing Peren, Hermione's house-elf, to betray her?" he asked with delicately intoned sarcasm. "She will never do it."

"Hermione is marked. If I can persuade her that the Dark Lord is biding his time, waiting for his connection with Potter to indicate that she's with him to strike, I might get her to cooperate," Severus said, enveloping his body in his cloak to shield him from the cold. "If not, there is always the School Registry. The only problem is that Hermione has to stay in one place long enough for the book to register her presence, otherwise it reads her last known location."

Cillian nodded, one of his eyebrows arching, and his mouth twitched.

Severus turned to look at the shadows between the trees. "I must ask that you keep this between us?"

Cillian glowered at him, his brown eyes darkened in anger as they narrowed in suspicion. "You've been asking that a lot of me as of late." He narrowed his eyes further into a scowl, looking at him curiously. "If I didn't know you as well as I do..." He crossed his arms, starring intently at Severus, his eyes barely slits. "And what's my part in this scheme?"

"If I need you, I'd rather you be available to Apparate on a moment's notice without raising suspicions." Severus said with a conspiratorial smirk.

"Oh, you know very well I can manage that," Cillian said with a crooked smile.

Severus hoped that after they caught Hermione he wouldn't have to Obliviate his best friend. One way or another, Cillian had to change sides, and soon. "I'll make the Skrewt shell vibrate when I find anything. In the meantime, spend some time with Dianne. It'll be sunrise soon." He Disapparated for Hogwarts without waiting for his reply.

~H~

Hermione stretched. She'd been reading Ron's notes, Rita's book, and all the pages Ron had marked in Great Wizards of the Age and his Divination book while the boys slept. At one point, Dean had entered their 'room' to get some rest, and Harry left, mumbling something about taking watch. But Hermione was too wound up to sleep. From out in the main part of the tent, she could hear some of the others moving about and could smell the wonderful aroma of coffee, pork and eggs.

Ron and Dean woke with a start when someone patted the canvas barrier. "Hey, if you're awake, we've got breakfast ready," Dennis called out.

"Damn, Creevey, I just laid down," Dean grumbled as Ron stretched, yawning, and quietly scrambled to his feet.

"Hungry?" he whispered, looking at Hermione.

She nodded and reached for his rucksack, but Ron shook his head. "Leave it. Dean knows, well, most of it." He picked up his wand and tapped the binder. "Mischief managed. Now, all the confidential stuff is blurry. Besides, none of the others come in here. C'mon."

With the exception of Dean, Oliver and Harry, everyone was gathered in the main room of the tent, fully dressed and many of them sipping on warm beverages. "Coffee or tea?" Katie asked Hermione as she handed Ron a steaming mug.

"Tea for me," Hermione said, looking at Anthony, Michael and Dennis sitting at the table in the main room of the tent.

"We don't have any sugar," Katie said when she returned, holding a large mug out to her. "But milk is on the table. Help yourself."

"Where's Colin?" Hermione asked, taking a sip of the watered-down tea.

"He's checking their traps with his dad," Katie answered. "Will you join us? I know we are all anxious for news on what you can tell us about what's happening in school."

Ron nodded, so Hermione followed Katie and joined the group around the table. She did her best trying to tell them what had been happening in the castle, but gave up trying to gloss over the abuse since everyone knew quite a bit already. Apparently, they simply wanted to hear her side of things and to see if she could tell them anything she'd overheard from Severus.

"Susan said you've been the Muggle Studies and Dark Arts teachers' punching bag," Angelina stated with deep concern in her eyes. "And what is this about you being married to Snape?"

"I was captured the end of June and dumped on Severus as his responsibility. The Dark Lord, he thought that if I was hand fasted to Severus I'd lose the trust of my friends – that everyone would turn away from me. It hasn't worked, but it's what he wants," Hermione stated.

"She has a bodyguard that won't let the Carrows get too carried away, but she still gets a lot of abuse," Anthony said. "And so far Headmaster Snape makes her serve her detentions with Hagrid or him."

Hermione turned to Dennis. "Tell me, how did you find Harry and Ron?" she asked.

Dennis sat up straighter, but even on a cushion, the table came up to his shoulders. "Harry Splinched himself – wasn't too bad," he added quickly when Hermione gasped. "But Ron was desperate for help and made the coins vibrate. He was giving us the information off a Muggle historical plaque, you know, using six letters or numbers at a time, and Dad knew right away where he was."

"I'd run out of Dittany," Ron said. "Won't make that mistake again, I tell ya."

"But I thought you were the one who Splinched?" Hermione asked Ron, confused.

"Yeah, back in October! But you try Apparating as you jump from a two-storey window so you don't land into a bunch of rose bushes! It's really hard. I mean, it's hard enough when you're concentrating and know where you want to go," Ron said defensively. "Anyway, we're talking about later, in the middle of November. Harry... well, Dean wasn't as good at Apparation as Harry and me at the time, and he grabbed onto Harry's arm," Ron explained with a shrug. "Harry didn't account for the extra drag and Splinched his arm. Dean's gotten loads better at it since then. Daniel, that's Dennis' dad, he wants us to call him Daniel, he used Muggle first aid to stop the bleeding," Ron said. "When Harry woke up, Daniel was tending to his injury, and Colin was sitting next to him. He was rather angry at me at the time."

"We weren't too far away actually; we were on the path to Castell Dinas Bran that starts from Canal Bridge and runs beside Ysgol Dinas Brân. Imagine that – he was just over the hill, on the Offa's Dyke Path on the northwestern side of the castle. So we started saying Ron's name as we trudged up the hill, and he appeared. Just like that, Ron appeared out of nowhere," Dennis said enthusiastically, making Hermione smile. "We had to abandon the jeep, but we still have the radio. Ron showed us how to make our backpacks big enough to hold everything, including the tent. It all fits, everything!"

"So tell me, what have you all been doing? I saw maps when I arrived," Hermione said, sipping on her tea as Alicia sent large bowls with scrambled eggs and slices of pork to the table. Those closest to the kitchen started grabbing plates and passing them around.

"There isn't too much to do," Angelina said. "Main camp is primarily a hideaway for Muggle-borns. It has been carefully hidden since the start of all this. There are several witches and wizards who watch over the kids and try to teach them how to control their emotions and magical outbursts. There are these caves, huge caverns, where the magical kids can hang out, and all."

Several people gave her a sharp glare. "Oh, like I divulged that much!" Angelina shot back at them. "Outpost two is responsible for information. There are a few people who are staying in the house that brew potions; four are Healers who had to leave St. Mungo's. In fact, there are nine Healers at main camp."

"Healers?" Hermione asked between bites.

"Hermione, every Muggle-born is considered undesirable. When the Ministry fell, it was only a matter of time before those working at St. Mungo's were checked for their blood status. All the Muggle-borns that hadn't fled were arrested. All those who are half-bloods with less than desirable heritage who work in St. Mungo's were given slave collars with tracking spells on them, and they are not permitted to leave the hospital."

"Otherwise there wouldn't be any Healers left!" Alicia sneered. "More Healers come out of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff than any other house."

"Isn't that stereotyping?" Hermione asked. "Like the saying that there wasn't a witch or wizard who went bad who wasn't in Slytherin? It's that sort of mean prejudices that started all of this in the first place."

"Nah," Angelina said, shaking her head. "It's facts. Statistically speaking, Slytherins aren't typically the selfless, nurturing kind, just as Gryffindor's aren't known for their enduring patience or for enjoying spending long hours triple checking facts. There are jobs that require intelligence over brawn, ones that require magical strength over delicate techniques – or strong transfiguration skills instead of subtle arts like Potions or the ability to do complicated calculations. It's just how things are."

Oliver plopped down next to Anthony. "Realistically, each house has its strengths and its weaknesses. I, for one, don't agree that every Slytherin is bad – I was saved by..." He paused and looked away for a moment. "I was warned. Because of what happened last June, I took the warning seriously and hid, but only after looking up a few friends first and warning them as well. Katie and Alicia wanted to stick with me and help me warn some of our old classmates. We were almost picked up a few times by Snatchers."

"So there are lots of us," Dennis said. "But we've got to be really careful."

"And food is a problem," Alicia said. "If you don't want to resort to stealing or raiding Muggle trash bins, you starve. Outpost two is lucky, Justin Finch-Fletchley, William Collette and Pamela Wealthlow are really well off, and Roland Thaxter's step-dad works in food distribution for Morrison, so between them, they can support the needs of those there. We have the Creeveys, but main camp – they have to do what's necessary to get enough to feed everyone. I know that on occasion they've stolen cows or raided a store... it's really tough. Outpost two helps when they can, and Roland's dad tries to send all the day-old stuff the stores return, if it's still edible, but still."

"They hijacked a bread truck once, even sent us some bread, and I know they stole bedding from a warehouse, but they had to," Dennis stated.

Hermione didn't like it, but as she listened to the others talk about being on the run, she was forced to admit that it was tough.

"Normally, none of us would resort to stealing, but it's not like..." Ron said, stopping mid thought. He exhaled and shook his head. "They do what they need to survive." He paused, but Hermione didn't have anything to say. Life was hard, and this was war. People living or hiding in war zones did what they had to in order to survive.

"Speaking of which, I have to get things organized for tomorrow's move and go get Wayne and Will," Ron said as he scrambled to his feet. "Excuse me."

Alicia rose and started collecting the plates.

"I'll help," Hermione offered, collecting those closest to her.

"Thanks," she replied. "Just so you know, we have to wash them by hand. Harry and Ron don't want us using our wands unless necessary. Too much magic in a remote place would tip off the Ministry."

"But in main camp – they do magic. Or teach the kids to control their magic," Hermione said as she followed Alicia to the kitchen, her hands full of plates.

"It's the caves," Alicia said and shook her head. "Look, Harry said I'm not supposed to – it's best if you don't know, all right?"

Hermione shrugged and offered to wash, letting Alicia dry. She'd ask Harry about it later.

~ meanwhile ~

Severus arrived on the side of the lake near the forest and looked up at the castle. From his vantage point the castle was backlit with the warm peaches and light blues of twilight, but he didn't really have the desire to enjoy the view. He drew his wand, casting two complicated spells on himself, "Elevipondosa Exaurare," to make himself almost weightless, nonverbally tying his magical core to the spell, and added, "Flēogan," as he spread his arms, lifting up easily into the air, and soared up to the castle. He landed on the top step with well-practiced grace.

He would try the School Registry first. If that didn't work, he'd try and convince Peren to take him to Hermione. Severus ran all the way to Minerva's office, quickly glanced over his shoulder, and used his overriding password to gain entry, something Severus failed to inform the Dark Lord that he was able to do. He slipped inside unseen and hurried over to the incased pedestal that held the School Registry. He pulled out the huge book and turned to Hermione's name.

Severus smirked at the fact that the Registry had added his surname. Snape (nee Granger), Hermione Jean.

He held his wand tip over her name and said the incantation, a well-guarded secret of the Hogwarts Headmasters and Headmistresses and their Deputies, that should update her current location. Another reason he was glad that Alecto was not given the Deputy position under him.

Severus scowled as the words appeared: Current location: undetectable – previous location: Swinley Forest Crowthorne Wood, Berkshire.

He looked down the page at Potter's name and sighed. Potter, Harry James - Current location: undetectable – previous location: Swinley Forest Crowthorne Wood, Berkshire.

Confirmation, she's met up with Potter. Somehow the thought didn't sit well with him.

Severus put the book back, stealthily left Minerva's office and ran all the way to his. "Peren," he called out as soon as the door closed behind him.

A loud pop followed by, "Yes, Headmaster, master sir," made him turn about-face.

"I know that house-elves always know where their master's are," he said, looking at the elf's upturned face. "It's dire that I find Hermione. Can you take me to her?"

Peren's ears drooped. "No, Headmaster, master, sir, Peren cans not."

"She was marked," he said before the elf left.

Peren turned. "Peren knows," she said, her ears drooping a little more. "I hears her screams and feels him burning my mistress' arm."

He stepped closer to her. "You served the Malfoys. You know that once marked you cannot run from him – the Dark Lord will kill her, unless I can find her first."

Peren shook her head, her eyes downcast. "I can'ts."

"He has his Death Eaters searching for her," he said. "If I don't find her first, she'll be killed, and you'll be returned to your previous family, the Malfoys." It was a lie, she could always stay with him or here at the school, but he needed her to help him.

Peren's eyes widened and she trembled. "My mistress wills be killed."

"By the Dark Lord himself, you've seen how he treats his deserters."

Peren nodded, tears of fear forming in her eyes.

"I have to find her first. If I can, I can save her life, prove she came back to me." Gods, he hoped so. "Where is she? Where did she go?"

"Mistress did nots calls for Peren," Peren said, still obviously reluctant, but added. "I hears my mistress asks about the tents."

Tents? So she'll be someplace remote. "What else have they talked about?" he asked, but she tightened her hands into fists and started convulsing. "Did she mention a locket?"

She nodded. "Yes, Mistress asks about the evil locket."

Severus took the sword out from behind Dumbledore's painting. "I have to give this to Potter. If she's with Potter – he needs this sword, Peren. He can't kill the evil in the locket without it, and the evil inside it can and will possess them. If you don't know the evil I'm talking about, ask Dobby. He knows. Dobby!"

Dobby appeared with a loud crack and bowed respectively. "Tell Peren about the evil diary, or about the ring and what the ring did to Dumbledore. Harry Potter has one of the Dark Lord's cursed items, a locket; he wears it around his neck." It was a guess, although Severus hoped he was wrong. The evil in the ring wanted Dumbledore to put it on, it had enticed him to.

Dobby's eyes widened. "Kreacher and Dobby both knows about the evil thinking locket – Harry Potter must not wears You-Know-Who's locket!"

"He wears the locket – they takes turns," Peren said, her ears drooping again and her lower lip quivering. "Peren hears Mistress offer to wears evil thinking locket."

"No, no, not right, cans not – musts not," Dobby stammered as he paced. "Too evil. It harmed Kreacher, hurt Kreacher's mind. Dobby can nots let Harry Potter hurts his mind with the evil thinking locket. Dobby can nots."

"But you can hear him; you can hear Potter?" Severus asked.

Dobby stopped pacing and faced him with his hands on his hips. "You will nots harm Harry Potter?"

"I will not harm Harry Potter," Severus stated, then knowing how fond the elf was of Potter, he elaborated. "If I'd wanted to harm the boy, I've had plenty of opportunities to do so, more numerous to count, in which I could've captured the boy and taken him to the Dark Lord. If I had done this, at any time in the boy's life, I'd have been given such rewards."

"Buts you did nots," Peren stated.

Dobby was staring intently, and a bit unnervingly, at Severus, trying to discern the truth in his eyes. "Dobby knows you protects Harry Potter. Dobby knows how many times you stops other Death Eaters from harming him. But you is not a good wizard."

"If I tell you why, if I tell you my deepest secret, you must both swear to keep my secret," Severus said, now down on one knee. "I must have your sworn word, from both of you."

"Peren swears," she quickly answered. "Peren keeps all Headmaster, master's secrets."

Dobby stared at Severus for a few more seconds, staring at him in deep deliberation. "Dobby swears. Dobby will keep the Headmaster's deepest secret."

"I want Potter to win," Severus said. "In the end, I want Potter to defeat the Dark Lord."

"I's already knows this," Peren stated dismissively.

Dobby turned and gaped at Peren, stuttering, "Y-yous do's?"

"I's do," Peren stated. "I hears what is said. I's sees what Headmaster, master do's, and I knows." She then shook her head. "But unless my mistress calls for Peren, I cannots takes you to her. Peren is sorry, Headmaster, master, sir. I's cannots."

Severus inhaled and looked away. This was getting him nowhere. Hermione has to call Peren? "But if she does, will you help me save her life?"

Peren considered his request.

"She is Harry Potter's friend," Dobby said, trying to persuade her. "Harry Potter needs the sword to kills the evil thinking locket before it destroys him!"

"And she is marked," Severus reminded Peren. "It's a matter of time before she's caught, but it would be best for her if I find her first."

Peren's head drooped, as did her ears. "Peren wills do this to protect her mistress." She looked up at Severus sternly. "Buts you must promise Peren that she will nots be killed or tortured out of her minds."

He exhaled in relief. "I swear to you, I will do everything I possibly can to protect her. I want her back."

"Peren will helps you. If I hears my mistress call, I will takes you to her."

One down. "Thank you." Severus rose to his feet and walked to the window.

Severus sent his Patronus to Tonks, asking her to meet him at the ruin of Emmeline Vance's house. His request was for her to come alone, but he knew that there was no way Lupin would trust him. He went immediately to the large oak, in view of the house, Disillusioned himself and waited.

~H~

Hermione sat in a chair, reading Rita Skeeter's book across the main room from where Dennis sat at the table, flipping through a shoebox of photographs and postcards while Dean, Ron and Harry discussed possible locations on their maps. Oliver came out of the room he shared with Anthony and Michael and dumped two rucksacks on the floor. He stopped at the tent entrance and turned around. "The Creeveys are back," he said before leaving.

Hermione looked up, smiling as Colin Creevey entered the tent, followed by a thin, wiry looking man. Her smiled widened at the sight of the pair. Mr. Creevey looked too young to have two teenage boys, and although there was definitely the strong facial resemblance, and he had the same body frame as his sons, Mr. Creevey's hair was a straw-colored blond rather than mousy brown. Both carried a couple of rabbits by their hind feet. "So, looks like we're packing up, are we?" Mr. Creevey asked, handing the rabbits to Alicia.

"I'll clean them," Colin offered as he scurried into the kitchen area.

"Can it wait until after we set up in the new place?" Alicia called out after him.

Mr. Creevey was looking at the picture in Harry's hand. "Wouldn't go there," he said, shaking his head. "They have a winter festival and there are a lot of tourists. I might suggest the summit of Symonds Yat East in the Wye Valley. The boys and I have been there before. You can't get here unless you're a hiker, and a serious hiker or mountain climber. So no one will know we're there.

"We could always set up camp in the Forest of Dean. This spot," Dennis suggested, handing Ron a picture, "we camped in once was great. It's a bit densely wooded, but there was this huge fallen tree with big knarly roots. It would be easy for us to find. You and I could go fishing, Harry!"

Mr. Creevey looked at the picture and nodded. "I remember this trip, you were what, twelve? Good choice. Of course, there will be snow this time of year. Not too many like camping in the snow." He looked up at Harry and Ron. "It's very remote, no facilities, and nothing nearby for kilometers."

Harry looked up at Hermione and then turned to lean in closer to Ron. Still his voice carried well enough for her to hear him say, "What do we do with her?" with a jerk of his head in her direction.

Ron jerked back, a look of incredulity on his face, and turned to look at Hermione for a brief second. "She comes with us."

"I've been to the Forest of Dean with my parents," Hermione said casually, not letting on that Harry's question stung.

Mr. Creevey cocked his head at her. "Camping or did you use a Streamline?"

Hermione shook her head. "Camping."

"Roughing it?" he asked, clearly not believing her.

She nodded. "Camping in a tent," she replied, setting down the book. "My parents loved the outdoors."

"Doesn't matter, the more remote and difficult to get to the better," Harry said, looking at Hermione from the corner of his eye. "So we go there, by that tree."

Ron nodded.

"Right, Oliver and Dean will take Dennis to the site, and set up the dampening and protection spells. Once the dampening spell is set, call Ron and we'll send the others." Harry turned to Oliver and Dean. "Be careful and watch out for Snatchers. If you see any, Apparate right back, and we'll pick another site."

Oliver and Dean both nodded, Oliver's expression hardening as if preparing for a battle, and Dean smiled somberly.

Everyone jumped into action, and Hermione was surprised by the efficiency as everyone began packing the tents up for relocation. Oliver and Ron immediately began organizing the packing of the tents so they could be magically folded, while Harry and Dean went to pack their things. Hermione got up to help Alicia who was overseeing the packing of the main tent, while Katie and Angelina packed up the girls' tent, and the Creeveys packed up theirs. Once the tents were packed, Oliver, Dean and Dennis Apparated for the new site. Everyone else gathered together, each person carrying various types of backpacks, totes, rucksacks, suitcases, or canvas duffle bags. Ron had his Deluminator out and was watching it intently.

Colin passed around a photograph so everyone could get a good look at the location. "This is about four years ago, but it should look about the same. Concentrate on the fallen tree. We'll use that as our destination," he said softly.

"You're coming with me," Harry said, grabbing Hermione's arm as he Apparated.

~~o0o~~