Chapter 2:

Ailing Red Rose / Ailing Red Rose

"I trust you are ready to leave?" Snape inquired, not looking at her, but rather over her shoulder.

"Of course," she took a hold of his arm and they both disapperated on the spot. When Hermione felt the telltale sign of being on solid ground her eyes flew open, looking for intruders. As usual, however, nobody was there. Nobody was unlucky enough to meet two lethal spies in the dark, away from any possible help. But, Hermione didn't lower her wand until she was completely sure they were alone.

"Clear," whispered Hermione.

"So it seems," agreed Snape, his wand still at the ready. He pocketed it a moment afterward, however. "Shall we?" he asked, already heading through the bracket of bushes that was their apparition center. Hermione followed him and was greeted by the dank darkness that had begun to hang around Hogwarts.

Ailing Red Rose / Ailing Red Rose

When they arrived in the front hall she was greeted by Remus.

"Did everything go to plan?" he asked, clearly anxious.

"Yes, did you believe something went wrong?" Hermione asked. Lupin nodded vigorously. "Well, everything went fine."

"Why were you so late?" asked Lupin, wanting to understand everything that had happened. Hermione flushed, while Snape had just seemed to sink back into his surroundings.

"Draco held me up."

"Ah," said Lupin, now blushing fiercely as well. Hermione nodded briskly.

"If you'll excuse me," and she stalked off up the once grand marble staircase. Lupin stared after her, a look of guilt on his face.

"She wasn't always like that, you know," he said finally.

"She has adapted," said Snape, sullenly, coming into noticeable view.

"I wish she didn't have to."

"As do we all. Remus," he nodded, as well, and headed down the stairs that led to the dungeons.

"I wish you didn't have to," whispered Lupin after he had gone from sight completely. "I wish we didn't have to."

Ailing Red Rose / Ailing Red Rose

Hermione entered Gryffindor tower courtesy of Sir Kudugen. He was not the same knight she had met back in her third year, he was now quiet and moody, and was barley ever in his portrait. But, he did a good enough job, and the Fat Lady had disappeared into the paintings of Hogwarts, presumably never to be found. It wasn't as if they really needed someone to guard the portrait hole anyways. It was just her, Harry, and Ron living here anymore, and if anyone violent wished to get in, the fact that they were already inside the castle was bad enough.

She dropped her bag in front of the fireplace and sat on one of the old, deserted, high-backed armchairs. She conjured up a cup of tea and put her hair up. Charmed tea didn't taste nearly as good as regular muggle tea, but it would do. It had been a long evening for her. She stayed by Draco's side all evening. She watched him receive the mark, which she already bore loathing and shame, with anticipation and excitement. She pressed up against him every time one of his opponents had appeared, proving his ownership of her. If Hermione had been 17 again she might have let tears fall down her face. But now, at the age of 25, she couldn't. It was not if she didn't want to, but she physically couldn't anymore. She had lost that ability. And sitting here, thinking about all that had gone in her life, it was excruciatingly painful.

So, instead of willing herself to cry, she got up and pulled a book out of her bag. Books were one of her few escapes anymore. They pulled her into a different world. A world where all she had to focus on was the words on the page, and what they meant. They blocked everything else out. Before the war had started Hermione had barley ever read fiction. But now, it was all she ever looked at.

Ailing Red Rose / Ailing Red Rose

When the fire finally finished it's last few sparks, it was dawn. Hermione was asleep over her book. Harry appeared in the common room and sighed when he saw her. This was the way most mornings were after a mission. He walked over to her and pulled the book out of the crook of her arm. He pushed her hair back tenderly and nearly started crying when he saw the lines of sorrow and weariness on her young face. But his wrist was immediately grabbed with frightening strength. He cried out in pain. Hermione shook her head, now fully alert.

"Oh, Harry. I'm sorry. It's just, you know," she paused.

"Reflexes?" Harry added, helpfully. Hermione smiled.

"Yeah."

"Don't worry about it," he said, he was used to this conversation by now. He helped her stand up. Hermione unfurled her limbs like a cat waking from a long nap, but soon stood as straight as a rod.

"Has Ron woken up yet?" asked Hermione, absentmindedly.

"Um, yes. He went down to work with Flitwick early this morning," said Harry, not meeting Hermione's eyes. Hermione, being the spy she was, noticed this.

"You don't have to be like this, you know," she said.

"Like what?" said Harry, far to quickly

"Stop treading around me, like I'm some sort of time bomb. He left me," she said bluntly, "I'm over it. It wouldn't have worked," she paused and turned to look out the window, "Maybe once, but not now. Not with the war."

Harry couldn't understand how Hermione was able to deal with this so calmly. If Ginny had chosen to leave him, he wouldn't have been able to stand up, let alone be around deatheaters all day.

"You want to get breakfast?" he asked, trying to pull her out of her silent thoughts that couldn't be healthy.

"Sure," she smiled at him warmly. Suddenly she rushed up to him and pulled him into a crushing hug. "I love you, Harry," she whispered. Harry hugged her back, just as tightly.

"I love you too, Hermione." 5 minutes later she pulled away.

"Let's go get some breakfast, shall we?"

AN:

2nd chapter, yay!

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(and in case it wasn't clear. Harry and Hermione do love each other, but just as friends love each other. And that can be a very strong love :)