Disclaimer: No copyright infringement intended. Anything recognizable belongs to JK Rowling. I only have my characters and the plot.

Always a Stranger

Chapter 7

"Yes, speaking of which, where exactly are we going?" inquired Severus silkily.

"Well," chuckled Remus nervously. "Brace yourselves."

"Get on with it, Lupin! It cannot be that bad." Severus groused.

"Yes, ahem, yes, that's right. Well. Hermione and Severus, you will be raising your family – for an indeterminate amount of time - in the place Voldemort would least likely suspect. The United States of America."

No one moved.

No one said a word.

"WHAT?!?" Hermione and Severus shrieked in unison. They glanced at each other, annoyed.

"How the hell are we supposed to do that?" asked Severus scathingly. He sat back and crossed his arms waiting for the explanation.

"What the f? We don't know anything about American muggles. How will we live, work? We'll have no family around! What good can we be over there! It's just so far. We know no one!" Hermione sounded like she was about to come undone.

"I believe, Hermione, you have touched upon the heart of the matter." Remus began gently. "All those reasons are what make America the best hiding place.

Voldemort knows you are crucial to the war effort, and probably believes we will try to keep you as close to us as possible. Without your magic, you will be untraceable. Even the American wizards care little for our struggles in the war. It is perfect, then, that you'll be even more obscured, with the muggles."

"The idea is not without merit." replied Severus darkly. "I think it will work, if we can pull it off."

"Severus, you're like master spy, I'm sure you'll be great!" Tonks encouraged.

Hermione sighed. "I'm sorry if I sounded ungrateful. I know Albus and the Order are doing the best we can. I think I'm just letting my fears get the better of me. If anything were to happen to us, or we were ambushed, we'd just be so far away. That worries me."

"Yes, dear, your fears are legitimate, but I cannot think of a place where we would necessarily be safer. Even Hogwarts and Headquarters present major safety issues for us. What more can you tell us of the arrangements?"

"Yes, and what is going on with Slughorn, or our house?" Hermione wanted to know.

Lupin told them the details he was privy to, "Some of us in the Order were able to go to your home and pack a few things for you."

At this, Remus looked at Severus, who shook his head just the slightest bit.

Remus continued, "You will be provided with furniture, but the majority of your personal effects should be arriving this afternoon. Kingsley has picked them up from the airport with a packing van. You will be driving this to your new house. The trip should take about two and a half hours. Are you both comfortable with driving?"

Severus snapped, "Lupin, Hermione is Muggle-born and what the hell kind of a spy would I be if I couldn't drive a Muggle auto?"

Hermione looked on apologetically.

Remus seemed unaffected, and pressed on.

"Of course, there are a few changes to consider, however. Here they drive on the wrong side of the road, and the steering wheel is on the other side of the car as well."

"I imagine we'll adjust. This will probably be a minor alteration compared to some we have in store." Severus quipped.

Nodding, Remus continued, "You will be, in essence, hidden in plain sight. It's ingenious, really. Albus figured that you would be least conspicuous if you appeared to be leading a regular Muggle life. We have found a house for you. Severus, you will have gainful employment. We have a car for you as well."

Neither Hermione nor Severus had anything to say; their looks prompting him to proceed.

"You will be in New York State, close to a major city, Buffalo. We figured a nice suburb named Orchard Park would suit your needs. It is quiet. Severus, in this area it is common for you to have a small commute to work. You will be working in the city, and you live about thirty minutes away."

Hermione broke in, "Remus, if we are not to go home, what are we to do with Pezzy? Can he be taken care of? He obviously cannot go with us. A house elf would surely be conspicuous. What about our owls? What are we going to do with Brimstone?"

"No worries, Hermione." supplied Tonks. "Pezzy is already with your owls at Hogwarts. They will be safe and comfortable. Brimstone is traveling here as we speak, and I can attest, I had a devil of a time trying to get her into her carrier!"

"Oh, Tonks, Thank you. I know it sounds foolish, but that impossible Kneazle is like a member of the family, and I don't know what I'd do if anything ever happened to Pezzy."

Hermione was emotionally wiping her eyes and Severus had to smile at his wife, defender of house elves and lover of Kneazles.

Remus was fishing through his robes and he explained, "Dumbledore has sent you a letter. Perhaps he can shed some more light on the situation." Finding the scroll, he handed it over to Hermione and Severus.

He and Tonks left them to read in privacy.

Shite! thought Severus. I haven't even told her about the house yet. What if he mentions this in the letter? I've got to tell her now.

"Hermione, love." He took her hands in his and led her over to one of the couches. "Please sit. I have to tell you something.

To be honest, we've been so caught up in this, that we've barely had a quiet minute. That, and I didn't even know how to tell you all this. It's not like I meant to keep it from you, but at first, I just kept thinking of all my research, and - "

"Severus Snape! Just tell me right now. You're making me nutters! Please just get to the point. With every syllable you utter, I keep imagining one fate worse than the next. Just spit it out!"

He took a breath. "After the Death Eaters abducted Slughorn the wards on Spinner's End were breached. Thank Merlin we were not home. They raided my lab. We are fairly sure the research was not compromised because of the safety measures we enacted. Unfortunately, they ransacked the house. Remus came after they had left and he said it was pretty bad. They were looking for anything. To hear him tell it, our desks, our library, even…" the lump in his throat was threatening to cut off his speech, "even the children's rooms. Hermione, everything."

"OK Severus, it's OK. We're together. We are all safe. That is the important thing. Oh, I am so glad we set up those safeguards with your research. I don't even want to think of what might have happened…" she trailed off.

"Then, do not think of it, my love. Let's see what Albus has sent."

Severus broke the seal on the parchment and together they read:

My Dears: Severus and Hermione,

By now, you understand this need for subterfuge - the protection of your persons and your family. Very fortuitous, you both know how to live amongst muggles, that! No doubt this will be an adjustment to your family. At least you can deal with the particulars: the use of electricity, balancing accounts, et al….

Severus, you have obtained a line of work in the financial quarter. I am sorry you have no choice as to your profession. As you can surely understand, procuring you a position in the areas of education, chemistry, or medicine would be all too obvious.

Hermione, I imagine you will have quite enough, at present, with the education of the children and settling a home the muggle way. Time will come for both of you for research and assignments from the Order.

I need not stress the importance that these extreme measures be implemented, nor the profound danger your benefactors have placed themselves under. Know that we are all working toward resolution, but I cannot allow your return while your demise seems so imminent.

Try to keep up hope. I wish you could be home with us right now, but I do not wish to dissolution you; wars have a tendency to last years, as you know.

Our last matter - shortly before we received the warning that enabled us to save your lives, your home on Spinner's End was raided. When you were not in residence, your would-be captors searched the home, and I'm very sorry, left it in a shambles. The Order was able to apparate there a while later and gather up many of your possessions. Unfortunately, not twenty-four hours later, Death Eaters returned and cast Incendio on the property. Sadly, nothing else remains of your home on Spinner's End. I cannot tell you adequately how sorry I am. I, for one, have many happy memories of that home and our times together there. But, as Minnie keeps telling me, the house is nothing without the people in it. Minerva sends all her love.

I am sure the Lupins were able to adequately explain your new living arrangements, but there is another reason I have placed you in this particular location. Although we have no Order contacts in the United States, your family is afforded another measure of protection in the area. The Ancients, as you know, have very powerful protective magics. The Ancient Magics were practiced by the first inhabitants of that land. I am speaking, of course, of the Iroquois. Even the Seneca Nation of today is spiritually powerful, and some of their numbers still honor the Ancient Ways. Their protection extends to you as well. You will not be living in the Seneca Nation, as once again, we do not want to be conspicuous. You should be safe in the majority of the Western New York area. Also, this protection extends up to Ontario, where your current safe house is located. They are your closest physical extension of the Order and are at your disposal.

Also on a side note, we were unable to shrink any of your parcels, as you would need your magic to restore them. We will be in contact as soon as we can. Stay safe my loved ones.

I remain, as always,

Yours,

Albus

When they finished the letter, they held each other and cried.