A/N: Hey guys

So this was literally the hardest chapter that I have ever had to write, I just can't seem to get it right. I have spent every weekend trying to work out the kinks, and I think this is as close as I will get for now. I hope you like it!

Sorry for the long delay on this one but it just couldn't be helped

Read/Review/Enjoy!

The next morning Severus was woken up by something tickling his nose, opening his eyes to investigate, he saw the bushy head of Hermione resting on his chest. They had talked well into the night and had evidently fallen asleep there on the couch. Looking out the window, his eyebrows rose when he saw how high the sun had risen. It had to be almost eight in the morning. Never had he slept that long without the assistance of a potion or a cup of Hermione's tea. What am I doing? Only last night he had all but professed his feelings for the girl. I shouldn't be putting her through this. In three weeks we will be going our separate ways and never see each other again. I'm just giving her false hope.

"Severus," Hermione said sleepily, not even opening her eyes. "It's far too early in the morning to be thinking such serious thoughts. Go back to sleep."

Severus hadn't even realized she was awake, how did she even know what I was thinking? "It was early a few hours ago, it is now just after eight." Severus said, his voice a little scratchy.

"It's still too early to be trying to talk yourself out of... whatever we're doing." Hermione replied.

"How do you know that's even what I'm thinking about?" Severus asked.

Hermione sighed, reluctantly opening her eyes and sitting up to look at the man she had fallen asleep with. With a lazy smile she said, "Like it or not Severus, I know you pretty well, I'd even venture to say that I know you best." Hermione sighed, when Severus' sullen face did not change. "I know what you're thinking, and even though I'm loathed to admit it, I know you're right. But perhaps we can just have these weeks together any ways?" Hermione said looking up at him hopefully.

Severus' face relaxed, indicating that he would give into her, once again. "We need to start our day," he whispered getting up off the couch. "we have a lot to do and not enough time to lounge about."

…...

That afternoon Hermione and Severus were just finishing up in the lab, after finally vacating the couch, they had spent the rest of the morning and afternoon brewing healing potions. Hermione hadn't asked why they were doing this, merely enjoying the time with Severus. One of Hermione's favourite things to do was watch Severus brew, he always seemed so at peace. And those hands, always so elegant and sure of themselves. She then felt a nudge on her mind. Looking up at the man only a few feet away from her, she smirked. "You know you could just ask me what I'm thinking about."

"I thought I just did. Merely using a different form of communication," he answered. Hermione sighed in defeat, letting him into her mind, she felt his surprise when he saw she had been thinking about him.

"Perhaps we could go into the village for dinner tonight?" Hermione suggested hopefully, already knowing the answer.

"I don't think it wise. I am supposed to be in hiding and you at home with your parents." Severus answered.

"I know. You're right, I just thought it'd be nice." Hermione sighed.

"Besides we have too much work to do. I want you to be as prepared as possible."

"You mean this is all for me?" Hermione asked, surprised.

"Of course its all bloody for you! Who did you think it was for?" Severus snapped, annoyed.

"I hadn't really thought about it." Hermione answered honestly.

"Well you need to start thinking about these sorts of things, soon I won't be there to help you think of it. You, Potter and Weasley will be all on your own," Severus ground out angrily.

"I've been thinking about that actually." Hermione mused, cutting Severus' tirade short. "Is there anyway that we can keep in contact with each other?"

"Not that I know of. But we have three weeks, I might be able to find a way," Severus sighed.

"What about the coins I designed with the Protean charm for the D.A.?" Hermione offered.

"Yes, those would work, my fear is that your coins have become quite well known since, if someone procured ours somehow, there would be no way to tell if it was truly us sending the message. And I refuse to put you in danger," he said seriously.

"Then we shall just have to find another way." Hermione said with a confident smile.

…...

"Why isn't she answering?" Ron asked impatiently as he rang the Granger's bell for the fifth time in the past two minutes.

"Maybe she's out with her parents." Charlie answered. "I would have known if anything happened, the wards are still in place."

"Yeah, I guess. Why don't we just go wait in side hmm?" Ron asked already taking his wand out to cast Alohomora.

"Oi! Watch the wand work brother. We're in a muggle neighbourhood. Here, let me do it." Charlie said, batting his brother's hand away and casting his own non verbal and wandless Alohomora.

As the two brothers walked into the living room, Ron's stomach let out a loud growl. "Merlin, I'm starving. Where's the kitchen?"

"Just wait until Hermione's back, don't go nicking her food." Charlie bossed.

"Nah," Ron said waiving his hand light heartedly. "Hermione won't mind," he added now finding his own way to the kitchen.

"Charlie!" Ron yelled only moments later.

"What have you done now? Please don't tell me you ate the last biscuit or someth- Ron, what's wrong?" Charlie asked at seeing how pale his brother's face had gone.

"This isn't right Charlie, there's no food in the fridge, no food in the cupboards, no food anywhere!" Ron screamed, starting to panic. "I don't think that they've been here for at least a few days. When was the last time you saw them?"

"Just over a week ago. I don't understand, where could they be? The wards..." Charlie trailed off, obviously finishing his thought in his head. "Ron you check the bedrooms, I'll check the garage, make sure their automobile isn't still here." Ron nodded in understanding as he raced off to the stairs.

Ron groaned as he entered Hermione's room, her trunk was gone and so it seemed was Crookshanks, he knew that if the part kneazle had been there he would have made himself known by now. Hermione wasn't here. Making his way back down stairs, he yelled, "Charlie! Her trunks gone, so are the rest of her things, and so is Crookshanks."

"The car is still here, which means that they didn't drive somewhere." Charlie looked panicked now, it had after all been his responsibility to keep the Granger's safe.

"Charlie, what do we do?" Ron asked helplessly.

"We have to call an Order meeting now." Charlie then cast the Patronus charm, suddenly twelve Romanian Longhorn Dragons leapt out of his wand, waiting for instructions from their master. "Only let the intended party hear the following, Hermione Granger and her parents are missing, report to the Burrow at once to discuss our next course of action. GO!" Charlie yelled, sending the dragons on their way. "Come on Ron we better get back to the Burrow, Mum will be hysterical by the time we make it down from the apparition point. Without letting his brother answer, Charlie grabbed Ron by the arm and apparated them away.

…...

Hermione was sad to say the least, the last three weeks with Severus had gone by very fast indeed. She felt as if she had only just arrived at Hawthorne Cottage. The time that she and Severus had spent together had been almost perfect, what with their uncertain future looming over their heads. "I wish I didn't have to leave tomorrow." Hermione said, sighing.

"As do I, but you must, we can't have anyone suspecting anything," Severus answered.

"How did your meeting with Mundungus go? I haven't had a chance to ask you." Hermione said looking over at him. They were currently sitting by the fire in the library, each in their respective chairs. Severus had been out in the early evening to "meet" with Mundungus Fletcher.

Severus snorted at Hermione's use of the word meeting, "I'd hardly call it a meeting, I crept up on the fool and cast the imperious on him. It was hardly a pleasant evening."

"I assume you were successful?" Hermione added.

"Naturally. He will be having a meeting with Kingsley later tonight to propose the idea. You will most likely be asked to participate in the rescue," Severus said taking a deep sigh. "Which brings me to my next point. Now I know that there is no stopping you from partaking in this death wish you like to call a rescue but I would like it very much if you would not be part of this mission. It is going to be extremely dangerous, and I cannot guarantee your safety."

"You're right Severus. There is no stopping me. I will be a part of this, Harry is one of my best friends, he's like a brother to me. I know he would do the same and I don't intend to stand around doing nothing!" Hermione finished hotly.

"Hermione please-"

"I will not hear another word about this Severus, so save your breath!" Hermione said crossing her arms in front of her.

"I assumed this would be your response so I have already set up another meeting with Mundungus for tomorrow night, he will inform me of which Order member you have been paired up with. That way, I can keep an eye on you and protect you the best I can."

"I believe that's a compromise that I can live with." Hermione said nodding her head.

"Hermione I have to warn you that when you arrive tomorrow, the Order will interrogate you about me." Severus said changing the subject.

"Interrogate?"

"Yes, to their knowledge you spent the most time with me out of anyone, even more time than Dumbledore. They will want to know if you know anything about me that could be of use. Hermione you're going to have to lie, you must convince them of your ignorance." At Hermione's worried look he continued, "Just tell them that you don't know anything. That I was so paranoid about you knowing any information that wasn't absolutely necessary. When they ask you what we were working on, tell them but only a few of the important members. Because many of them could leak the information. Don't worry," Severus reassured her, "I do have a backup excuse for the Dark Lord but I'd rather not test it."

"But Severus, what about Minerva? She knows that we are friendly. She will know I'm lying."

"Don't worry, Minerva won't confront you in front of everyone. She will probably come to you privately, not wanting anyone in the Order to become suspicious of you. When she does confront you, just break down and say that I had tricked you and that you thought we were true friends and were embarrassed to let people know I had manipulated you. Say that you told them everything you thought might be important. She will trust what ever you say. After all you are her favourite student." he said with a smirk.

"I hope you're right." Hermione said a bit doubtful. Their conversation was interrupted then by Crookshanks jumping up onto Severus' lap. Hermione looked at the pair wistfully. "He knows that we're leaving. I think he's going to miss you." Hermione said with a small smile. "Although he does love chasing the gnomes in the Weasley's garden, there never were any for him to chase at Grimmauld Place. He didn't like it there much. It's odd not being able to go back there." Hermione commented.

"You may go back there if you need to." Severus answered. I let myself be put under Moody's curse at Grimmauld, I now get tongue-tied if I try and utter the location. The Fidelius charm has now been greatly diluted, but at the moment it is still intact."

"I'll have to keep that in mind." Hermione mused. "I better get to bed, it's already past one," she said getting up.

"Wait, I have something for you." Severus said getting up out of his chair and walking over to fetch something out of his desk drawer.

Hermione held out her hand as he handed her a small beaded bag. She looked at it perplexed at why he would give her such an item. "A purse Severus? Why-"

"Open it," Severus replied frustratedly.

Upon opening the little clutch Hermione peered inside to see nothing, not even the bottom of the purse, it reminded her instantly of the bag that Mary Poppins had, only this you could carry on your wrist. "I've never seen anything like this! Severus, it's brilliant, thank you," she said tenderly giving him a peck on the cheek.

"As soon as you get to the Weasley's I want you to have the essentials packed. Have this on you at all times so you are packed and ready to go with only a moments notice. I don't know how long it will take for the Death Eaters to take over the Ministry, but as soon as they won't hesitate to attack the Burrow."

"I won't ever let it leave my side."

"Good. I will see you in the morning then, goodnight," Severus said walking over to the door to open it for her.

"Goodnight Severus." Hermione said giving him another peck on the cheek.

…...

She was almost done packing. All Hermione had left to do was find Crooks and she'd be leaving. Hermione looked around what she had come to think of as her room, and sighed wistfully. She was going to miss this place. "Nokey!" Hermione called out. She smiled at the house elf as he popped into existence right in front of her.

"Is Miss needing Nokey?" he asked devotedly, bowing his head.

Hermione tried not to recoil at the show of servitude Nokey was displaying, she had tried her best in the last three weeks to put an end to it, but nothing she said ever seemed to make an impression. "Yes Nokey, I am," she replied as she packed the last of her things away, including the beaded bag that Severus had given her. "I was wondering if you could help me find Crookshanks, he seems to be hiding from me, and I've checked all the usual places."

"What is Miss doing with Mistress' bag?"

"You mean this?" Hermione said holding up the beaded bag. At the elf's fervent nod Hermione said, "Severus gave this to me yesterday, wait did you say Mistress'?" Hermione asked.

"Yes Missus!" Nokey nodded again.

"Nokey, who's purse is this?" Hermione asked, a guess already forming in her mind.

"That was Mistress Prince's purse, Miss." Nokey answered, confirming Hermione's suspicions.

"Thank you for telling me Nokey." Hermione said kindly. Her mind was reeling with this new information, should she confront Severus about it? No, she knew it would only embarrass him, maybe one day she would bring it up, but not now.

"Would Missus still like me to find the pesky furball?" Nokey asked innocently.

"Nokey, just because Severus calls him that doesn't mean you have to, that's not his name." Hermione chuckled. "And yes, if you could spare some time to help me find him that would be a great help."

"Yes miss! Do not worry, Nokey will find your Crookshanks," he said dissaparating away.

She was going to miss the little house elf. Over the past few weeks they had become friends of sorts. Whenever Severus had to leave the safe house, be it for Death Eater meetings or self assigned missions to secretly help the Order, Hermione would spend her time either in the library reading or spend hours in the kitchen with Nokey, cooking up a storm. She liked Severus to have something to come home to. Hermione and Nokey would talk about Severus mostly during their time together, Hermione would ask Nokey questions about Severus that were innocent enough that the elf didn't feel guilty for answering them.

Walking over to the window in her room, Hermione opened it basking in the freedom that the sea air granted her. "Hermione! What on earth did you say to Nokey? He just left my office in shambles muttering something about that darn feline familiar of yours." Severus said storming into the room, looking quite put out indeed.

Not turning around Hermione answered sadly, "I can't seem to find Crooks, I enlisted Nokey to help me find him. He's hiding, he knows that we're leaving."

Severus walked up to stand behind her. "Well that explains why Nokey checked my lap," he said dryly.

"Oh dear, I'm sorry Severus, I'm actually quite surprised that he would invade your personal space like that." Hermione said, turning around to look at him, trying to fight the smile that was making it's way onto her face. "I'm going to miss this," Hermione said leaning her head against his chest, inhaling his sent.

The moment was broken by the tell tale crack of apparition. Nokey was standing before them proudly holding out a carrying case, containing a very unhappy Crookshanks. Hermione gasped at noticing the scratches on Nokey's face and arms. "Nokey! You should have had Severus or I get him, there was no need to put yourself through that!" Hermione chided as she knelt down to Nokey's level and began healing the worst of the cuts

"Nokey was happy to do it Miss! Nokey found Missus familiar hiding in the greenhouse under the Umbria plants." Looking himself once over in a nearby mirror he said, "Thank you Miss! Nokey feels much better now!"

"Maybe I should stay for supper." Hermione said looking up at Severus, a pleading look in her eyes. "Nokey might need help."

"Hermione, you've been putting this off all day, you were supposed to leave this morning. If you don't leave soon people will start to worry and go looking for you. It's already half past three." Severus answered.

Hermione nodded silently, knowing he was right. Still on her knees she looked back at Nokey. "Goodbye Nokey. I'll see you soon all right?"

"Will Miss be returning soon?" Nokey asked hopefully.

"I will try my best." Hermione said getting choked up, as she gave the small elf a hug.

"See you soon Miss!" And he was gone. Hermione was thankful that he understood enough that he knew she and Severus would want to say goodbye alone. Standing up she turned her teary eyed face to look at the man that she would dearly miss.

"Do you know where you're going to apparate to?" It was a daft question, they had discussed her going to the Weasley's many times over. Hermione nodded.

Holding both his hands she leaned up to give him a kiss. Unlike the passionate kisses they had shared in the library the day she had arrived it was slow, as if they were both trying to memorize the feel of the other. When they finally broke apart Hermione opened her mouth to say something, but before she could Severus stopped her with a look. She smiled then, he was right there was no need for words, they both knew how the other felt.

Resizing her trunk, Hermione tucked it in her pocket. Picking up Crookshanks' carrying case, she looked at him one more time, trying to savour every detail of his face, before she felt the familiar tug as she went spinning away from the one place that she wanted to be.,