Autorrios' Note:
It is a known fact that I LOVE Snape; his inability to love, his coldness, his arrogance. Perhaps this story is more for me than for the people, if any, who should read this. I don't really want to focus on the war as much as focusing on building the relationship between S&H. So I'm going to avoid that as much as possible. Hah. Also. For anyone who reads this, which I am quite doubtful anyone would, I will include a "play list" or song that I listened to while writing each chapter. I feel music influences mood.
Plus, I guess you could say this is A/U. Not really taking place in the time of the 90's. more like the present.
Silvia by Miike Snow
.com/watch?v=UnD9CrsZeOE
It was November 5, the day of the attack. The confusion that it brought was more than some could handle; however, for some, it brought an inevitable happiness that people spend their whole lives searching for.
It had been a normal day at a not so normal school. Hermione Granger, alongside her two best friends, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, made their journey to the last class of the day. It was their sixth year at Hogwarts, the school that catered to the education young witches and wizards.
"I'm so excited to end this day!" exclaimed Ron.
"I hear you mate. And on top of homework that seems to be endless, we have a Quidditch match with Ravenclaw at the end of the week," replied Harry.
"Well, if you boys didn't wait until the last minute to finish your homework which, by the way, we were given a week to complete, you wouldn't be in over you heads with your priorities. Now, if you'd just stick to a schedule, like I do, you'd have more free time; which means you could spend more time out practicing for the 'big' match," said Hermione exasperatedly.
"Must you lecture us all the time? I thought you'd realized after the first hundred times that we don't listen?" said Ron. It seemed that, as of late, Hermione had been testing his patience.
Hermione breathed deeply, attempting to calm herself before lashing out. "Fine. You boys do what you want," she said walking ahead.
"I don't get it. Did I say something?" said Ron, confused as to why Hermione was so upset.
"You're really thick, you know that?" said Harry, silently thinking that the game of cat and mouse that Hermione and Ron play may be more out of ignorance than being shy. He knew that they both had feelings for each other, but with the way things were going on between them, their relationship was more strained than close.
And with that, Ron and Harry met Hermione in Professor Binns' classroom. During, what seemed to be another droning lesson, Hermione took notes diligently, Ron slept, and Harry was thinking strategy for the upcoming Quidditch match. After the hour and a half lesson, the three Gryffindors made their way to the Great Hall for dinner. Ron immediately devoured as much food as possible, while Harry attempted to eat and organize Quidditch at the same time. Hermione, on the other hand, didn't eat at all and it was something unnoticed by her friends. Which was a good thing, she thought, for had they asked questions, she would have to give lies.
It wasn't as though she was trying to hide something. No, quite the contrary. Her bond with Ron and Harry ran deep. They had been through everything together and if there was something that was a concern, she'd express it.
But this was something that she didn't understand, for there seemed to be no cause. She felt ill and felt as though something was coming; something bad. But she didn't know what it was, so she just let it slide.
After dinner, the three walked to their common room, upon which, Hermione began working on her essay that Professor Binns assigned on the history of giants. Harry and Ron also thought it wise to maybe dwindle down their workload by starting and finishing some of the homework they had been assigned.
At 11:30, the boys finished what they could and walked sluggishly to their bedroom.
"Goodnight Hermione," Harry said as he walked up the stairs.
"Night 'mione. Don't stay up too late working that brain of yours. It needs rest too," echoed Ron, already up the stairs and entering his bedroom.
"Goodnight boys," called Hermione feeling tired as well. She finished her essay a few minutes after Ron and Harry left, but felt no inclination to sleep. She sat by the fire reading instead. And that was when the explosion occurred. The entire castle was shaken awake and bits and pieces of the building were flying through the air and causing destruction on other parts in the process.
There was a huge stir in the common room; the boy's room was emptying out quickly as well as the girl's. People jolted to the windows to see what was happening. Instinctively Harry rushed out of the common room with Ron and Hermione following quickly behind towards Professor Dumbledore's office. Along the way there were more and more explosions cause shards of brick to come flying at the trio. The portraits were running as well, shouting, "He's here! He's here! He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is here! Attacking Hogwarts!" The exclamations pouring out of the portraits quickly rushed Harry to Dumbledore's office.
Outside stood the staff. Professor McGonagall was questioning the happenstance and what to do with the children. As the trio arrived, Dumbledore quietly announced, "Hogwarts is officially under attack."
Dumbledore glanced quickly around at the staff with a sharpness in his blue eyes. "Severus, please escort Miss Granger to the Manor. Quickly. You must hurry for it may be too late."
"Yes, Headmaster. Miss Granger," Professor Snape said turning to Hermione, "If you will please follow me."
Hermione turned to Professor Dumbledore to ask what the bloody hell was going on. However, Dumbledore spoke first, "I'm sorry, Miss Granger, but explanations will have to wait. Please. We don't have much time."
Hermione nodded quietly and turned to leave with Professor Snape. As she followed him, she glanced back at Harry and Ron hoping that their expressions bore some sort of reason as to why she was leaving, but they seemed to be as confused as she was. There is no time to overreact, she thought, Soon. I know Professor Dumbledore will explain. Soon.
Hermione found herself running, instead of walking, alongside the most hated Professor at Hogwarts towards the entrance gate. Upon arrival, Professor Snape turned to Hermione and grabbed her arm.
"Please remain still. Apparating will be less difficult and uncomfortable if you don't move."
Hermione only nodded, still speechless from the incident that occurred not even ten minutes ago. She looked into the night sky right before Snape turned to apparate and saw the Dark Mark hovering over the castle. She silently thought to herself, What on Earth is happening. I need to help Harry.
After an uncomfortable minute of feeling as though she was pushed into a tiny rubber hole, she found herself standing in front of a townhouse next to a busy street. Professor Snape took out a piece of parchment and thrust it into Hermione's hands.
"Read and memorize this," said Professor Snape impatiently.
As soon as she had a glimpse of the parchment, Professor Snape snatched it from her hands and held it to the tip of his wand and set it aflame.
"I'm quite sure you are aware of how this works?" questioned Professor Snape.
"Yes," said Hermione concentrating on the address written on the destroyed piece of parchment. Quite suddenly, the townhouse split open and another quad emerged.
"Welcome to your new house, Miss Granger," said Professor Snape walking up the steps and entering the house.
Hermione hesitated and stood quite still. My new house? Am I living here now? Professor Snape looked at her over his shoulder and said in a dangerously low voice, "Get into the house now. Or would you rather wait here for your knight in shining armor to rescue you from the big bad wolf? Trust me, Miss Granger, he's not coming."
And with that he walked away, disappearing into the dark house. Hermione took a deep breath and braced herself for the journey that was to come. Please, whoever is listening, let Harry and Ron be safe. Please.