"You shouldn't be here." He murmured, turning away from her.
She sighed. "I know. I just…I wanted to see you."
"How did you get away?"
Hermione shrugged her shoulders and stepped closer. "Everyone's busy with the wedding…they won't notice I've gone for a while."
"Regardless…it's dangerous. Surely you realise the Ministry will fall any day now, the Dark Lord will have a free rein over the entire country. Nowhere is safe."
"Of course we know the Ministry will fall…" She said quietly. "…we're prepared."
"Where will you go?" He asked, his shoulders slumping. "I trust you will not be foolish enough to return here."
"No, we have to finish the job Dumbledore started. As to where we'll go…I don't know."
He hummed. "For your information Grimmauld Place is safe, I have not and will not be divulging its location."
She smiled softly. "I'll remember that. What about you? Where will you go?"
"The Dark Lord says I am to become Headmaster." His back tensed and he clenched his hands into fist as he spat the last word out like an expletive. The usually stoic man let out a shuddering sigh and hung his head, his dark hair falling forward.
Her heart clenched, the pain radiating from him was palpable. Summoning the rest of her courage she moved forwards until she was right behind him and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. He flinched under her touch but didn't move away, emboldened she gave his shoulder a squeeze. "It'll be ok…" At that he snorted. "…inadequate sentiments I know but you won't be alone, wherever I am, I will be on your side. I promised you that weeks ago, and that promise still stands."
After a long minute he shrugged off her hand and turned round, lifting his head so his dark eyes met hers. "You need to go…" He said finally. "…but if you should need assistance, let me know. Go to Grimmauld Place, speak to Phineas Nigellus, he'll get word to me here. Take his portrait with you, if you can, that way you can contact me wherever you are."
Smiling softly, Hermione nodded. "I will and be careful. Won't you? Please."
He grunted derisively and rolled his eyes.
"I mean it." She whispered, reaching forward and grabbing his hand. "I know you don't expect to survive this, but that doesn't mean you can be reckless. I would like you to at least try to stay alive."
"What does it matter?!" He snapped, scowling darkly as he attempted to extract his hand from hers. "Who would care if I died, anyway? I'm a murderer remember! I killed the greatest wizard that's ever lived. In cold blood. Who on earth would mourn me?"
"I would!" She snarled, twisting her fingers round his and tightening her grip. "I would! So don't you dare stand there and say that no one would mourn you, because I would!"
He stared at her for a long moment before sighing. "You need to leave…now."
"Please, please be careful."
He exhaled sharply. "Very well. Now go."
Hermione nodded. "Thank you." She said as she stepped closer, stretching up and pressing a fleeting kiss to his cheek. "Take care, Severus." His name felt strange on her tongue, alien almost.
He let out a long slow sigh, his breath ghosting past her cheek. "You too, Miss Granger."
She rolled her eyes. "Hermione, call me Hermione."
"Hermione." He murmured.
