"Now he's moving close,
My heart in my throat.
I won't say a word,
But I think he knows.
That I've hardly slept,
Since the night he left.
His body always kept,
Mine inside of it.
Keep the nightmares out,
Give me mouth to mouth.
I can't live without you,
Take me to your house."
CHAPTER TEN: An Understanding
"We did it, Hermione! We did it! He's gone! Gone for good!"
She could feel him beneath her fingertips, smell his scent in the air, and hear his voice.
"We defeated him!" He cried in jubilation.
He was here.
Hesitantly she touched his face, allowing her hand to travel up through his messy red hair; her smile broadening.
He was real.
Hermione could feel the tears beginning to trickle down her cheeks as happiness enveloped her.
Ronald. At last.
"Oh, Ron. You're here! I had the worst dream ever..." She began, falling into his chest, hugging him tightly; melting into his warmth.
"We did it, Hermione! We've won!" He called over her.
Ron ignored Hermione's embrace, and kept cheering.
"I know! This dream though, it felt so real. You wouldn't believe what happened. I had to marry..."
"It's over! We did it!"
She could hear firecrackers going off as the blurry figures around her jumped and waved in celebration.
"I know, Ronald! But this dream. They made me marry Snape.. They made me preform an unbreakable.." Hermione lightened her hold on Ron to look up at him. "vow...".
"He's gone! Finally! We did it!" Ron smiled widely down at her, cheering along with the hazy faces.
She could see the bursts of colors shimmering through the sky behind him, which fell and rained over the crowd.
He wasn't listening to her. Why wouldn't he listen to her? And for goodness sakes, why wouldn't he hold her?
"It felt so real.."
"We did it!"
"Listen to me!"
"He's gone!"
Hermione took a step back, releasing her grip from the love of her life, and surveyed the area with new eyes.
Her smile faded.
She wiped the happy tears that had fallen moments before with the sleeve of her jacket.
Ron was still celebrating, not paying any attention as she moved away from him.
"We did it!"
She shook her head, taking another step back.
"He's gone! We did it!"
Slowly turning in a circle, counter clockwise, she tried to make out the individuals around her. Another loud crack echoed through the skies.
Molly appeared first to her left, followed by Arthur jumping in behind. They were both wearing wide grins just like their son's.
But Molly had an open wound on her forehead, which allowed a steady stream of tar-like blood to ooze down the side of her face. Her husband had deep burns all along the right side of his body; his tattered clothing barely keeping together over his melted skin.
"What's going on?" She breathed, turning once more, this time facing Fred..
Her heart began to quicken as an uneasiness rushed over her.
Hermione's breath hitched as she looked down to the ragged and bloody hole that was his chest. She could see right through him to the wizards dancing behind.
"We did it! We defeated him!" He croaked.
Hermione shook her head again, looking at him in disbelief. Then George was there, next to his brother, wrapping an arm around his shoulders.
She first looked to the ear that had been cursed off a year before. It left a small black crater in it's place, but what caught her attention next were the two large puncture wounds through his neck.
Nagini's punctures.
"No.. no.. no.." she whispered in a panic, as Tonks and Lupin's smiling faces came into view. "This isn't real."
The couple were stippled from head to toe with shards of glass, as if they had been thrown through a window. Their cuts and bruises from impact glistening under the sky.
Hermione could feel the tears returning; the familiar burn attacking her throat. Her heart was pounding like it wanted to break free from her chest.
There was another loud 'BANG', followed by cool laughter.
Her stomach dropped.
The laughing echoed through the party and the cheering subsided. The skies grew dim, and the figures around her more dark and distant. Chills ran up her spine, turning for the last time back to where Ron was.
But it wasn't Ron.
It was the Dark Lord.
"We did it. We defeated him." He laughed, raising an arm and pointing behind her shoulder.
She held her breath, unable to do anything but follow his gaze; turning on her heel.
Then she saw him.
Harry.
Now a pale grey corpse, hanging by an invisible rope around his neck, being paraded through the square for all to see. His face was slightly bloated, his glasses askew and the lightening bolt scar now as black as night.
Hermione hitched a sob preparing to scream.
"We did it!" The voice behind her cackled. "We defeated Harry Potter!"
Hermione woke with a start in the early hours of morning to a rumble of thunder that travelled through the castle.
The clock on her side table read 4:12am.
It took a few moments to collect herself. She had been having such a bad nightmare, but she couldn't for the life of her remember what it was about. All Hermione knew was that she'd seen Voldemort.
The room was dark and, aside from the rain hammering against their window outside, very quiet. To her right she could hear the rhythmic breathing of her sleeping husband; who lay on his side with his back turned towards her. Severus' silhouette, illuminated only by the sporadic flashes of lightening, rising and falling with each breath.
Hermione sat up and straightened the sheets she had twisted during her sleep. It was then that she noticed she had been sweating. Her nightgown was damp, and clinging to her skin.
The night before had been awkward.
Neither of them said a word as they settled into bed. Being given a potion for her headache, as well as overhearing the conversation about Luna, Hermione was eager to continue talking. She wanted to get to know him a little better, to find out what the Dark Lord had in-store for Luna if she were caught, and more importantly, have a plan of action for her vow.
Hermione couldn't focus without a plan. It left her on edge.
But Severus ignored all of her attempts at conversation, and simply stated that, "It's been a long day, and we could both use a good night's rest.".
After extinguishing the lights, they laid in silence for what seemed like ages before she heard him succumb to sleep. Hermione wasn't sure when she followed suit, but it wasn't long after.
There was another flash of light followed a few moments later by loud crack.
She needed some air.
Being careful not to wake up her husband, she maneuvered herself out of bed. Another roll of thunder passed as she pulled on her robe, and donned a pair of slippers.
Hermione paused for a second to listen for any changes to Severus' breathing. When she surmised that he was still fast asleep, she crept over to the bedroom door, let herself out, and closed the door quietly behind her.
The lounge was a bit more illuminated than the bedroom had been. With three massive windows, what little light there was outside easily danced across the walls, furniture, and floor.
It was also much cooler. So much so that she could feel the sweat, that moistened her clothes, begin to dry and disappear.
Hermione stood in the middle of the room unsure of what to do next. She wished the apartment came with a kitchenette, then she wouldn't have to decide whether or not to make a trek all the way down stairs to the kitchens just for a cup of tea.
She'd have to ask Severus about that the next time they spoke.
If they spoke.
Hermione prided herself on being able to adapt to whatever situation she needed to in order to survive. She had always been prepared for the worst. But the life she lead now was so out of her ordinary that she oftened wondered whether or not it was real.
It hadn't quite hit her yet that she was married and she expected it wouldn't be long before that day came.
In order for her to keep her sanity, she needed to stay busy. To just roll the the motions.
No, she didn't love the man that slept in the next room. Infact if it wasn't for Dumbledore's and Lupin's trust in him, she'd have probably wept the same as Lavender. Wallowing in misery for the rest of her days.
Hermione, Harry and Ron had destroyed every Horocrux but the snake. If there were enough strong like minded wizards still alive, then there was still a chance that they could defeat the Dark Lord once and for all.
There was still a chance that Harry, Ron, and the rest of the Order wouldn't have died in vain.
The rain was now coming down in sheets, and pounding the glass in short intervals.
Taking a few more steps into the lounge, she looked over the furniture absentmindedly.
It had calmed her to know that her parents were safe. Changing their names and planting the idea of Australia in their heads made it so that even she couldn't tell you where they were. If Voldemort wanted to torture what information he could out of her, he wouldn't have any straight answers to work from.
But could he torture her? Now with the protective ribbon, was it even possible for him to cause her any damage? If not, the only thing she had to really worry about was the vow. After pregnancy nothing could stop her from going into hiding.
A clash of thunder rumbled through the castle once more, bringing her back to the present. She stood tracing the gold band that was around her wrist, and decided that she would go down to the kitchens. Do a bit of exploring before everyone woke up.
Hermione tightened the belt of her robe, and set off out of her chambers. The apartment door clicking softly as it closed.
"Do you plan on comin' back to bed anytime soon?"
Lavender, who had decided to take a shower, shivered as she glanced at her naked body in the mirror. Droplets of water still clinging to her skin.
"Just a second." She yawned, rubbing her eyes.
As she twisted around to look at herself, she found a few new bruises forming around her ribs and neck.
Thanks to the time difference, her day had lasted much longer than any of the other girls.
After leaving the Malfoy Manor following brunch, she and Antonin apparated to the Ministry where they caught their international port-key to Boston.
Going back in time six hours.
At five o'clock in the morning on the same day, they were settling down in the upscale townhouse the Dark Lord had reserved for them.
By 5:15 that morning, Antonin was having his way with his new wife, and continued to do so every hour after.
It was now nearing 10:30pm in Massachusetts and all Lavender wanted to do was sleep. Her husband, on the other hand, wanted one more go.
The only light on in the house was in the bathroom that she occupied. Antonin could see Lavender's shadow moving around in the gap underneath the door.
It had been years since he had had a woman and with free reign he was going to take every advantage he could.
Just thinking about that face she made when he pushed her up against the wall in the hallway, made his member go rigid.
He scared her.
And he liked that he scared her, but he also wanted her to enjoy it. You could only go so long before dullness set in. If she could become interested, she might never bore him.
"Come on, darling! We don't got all night." Dolohov called, stroking himself.
Lavender took a deep breath, muttering encouragements to herself, and opened the bathroom door.
She stepped into the bedroom, leaving the light on, and door cracked behind her. The comforter and most of the pillows had been shoved onto the floor, and the bedsheet was twisted; partially covering Antonin's right leg.
"Come here, love" he cooed, giving her a wink.
She had cried so much over the past 24 hours, that she could no longer muster any tears.
Coming to a stop beside him near the edge of the bed, she waited for his instructions. He dragged his left hand up the side of her outer thigh, until he reached her hip, grabbing firmly to her right buttock. He noticed a few new bruises popping up from his earlier aggressions.
"You're such a pretty girl, love. Why don't you smile for your dear ol' husband?"
He was still stroking himself, watching her facial expression closely.
This is so revolting, Lavender thought, giving him a weak smile.
"Ah, well, we'll have to work on that won't we?"
Throughout the day his hair had come loose from the combed back style he modeled at the ceremony. It now hung low over his face. His beard was so prickly that her neck was red from rash, and his finger nails were so long, there were scrapes on her lower back.
Dolohov repositioned himself in a more comfortable sitting position, leaning his back against the headboard, and raising a hand to his wife.
"Come on, now. Come sit on Daddy's lap." He grinned, showing his deep yellowing teeth.
Lavender took his hand, as she had done so many times before that day, and climbed into bed; straddling her husband.
Gripping onto her hips, he pulled her down, easily sliding her onto his length.
She let out a small whimper, and grimaced; keeping her eyes shut.
She was so sore.
"Oh, yes. This feels very nice, doesn't it?" Antonin breathed, moving his hands up to her breasts and squeezing them roughly; his nails digging deep into her skin.
Not quite knowing what to do with her hands, she kept them in the air hovering low over her thighs. She didn't want to touch him anymore than she had to.
"Look at me, darling. I want you to look at me." He drawled as he slowly began to rock his hips back and forth; moving himself in and out of her.
Lavender lifter her face to his and starred blankly into his eyes.
Being tortured and degraded for two months, and then to be groomed for a life of servitude; she wasn't sure how she was supposed to feel anymore.
Dolohov's hands moved to the sides of her breasts, his thumbs caressing her erect nipples.
That afternoon, when he forced himself on her, was her breaking point. She no longer cared what he did with her. Voldemort had reduced down to an object for breeding. Nothing more.
'You're a Gryffindor... you're brave.'. Those were the words Hermione had whispered when they said their goodbyes.
Yes, she was a Gryffindor. And yes, she was brave.
What set her apart from the others had nothing to do with courage, it was her endurance; or lack there of.
Lavender had been more than willing to fight at the Battle of Hogwarts. It was her duty as a member of the wizarding world. But the two endings she had invisioned were easy. Either win, and live happily ever after, or lose and die fighting. She never considered living on after the loss.
She wasn't cut out to endure a slaves life. To exist when, in her mind, there wasn't anything worth living for.
Harry and his friends had been fighting the same dark wizard from day one. Every year seemed to be a new attempt on his life, and every year they would come together to face that test.
For her, she had only ever been an onlooker. A bystander. Kept out of harm's way.
They learned to endure, to never give up, but not her. Lavender always knew when to step aside. To weigh her options and follow the one that made the most sense. It wasn't her fault Dumbledore was killed. It wasn't her fault Professor McGonagall was captured so early on. Or that Harry gave himself over as a sacrifice.
She had been relying on their experience to lead the way. Lavender had expected to be on the winning side of the war.
"Oh, my sweet. You are magnificent."
Dolohov brought one hand up from her breast and pushed a stray lock of damp hair behind her ear.
"I want to let you in on a little secret, love." He continued, moving his hand from her cheek to cup the side of her face.
"If you work hard for me..", he pulled her face to his and placed a soft kiss upon her lips, "not only will I work hard for you..", he placed another soft kiss on her lips, "but I will make sure you get anything your heart desires.".
Lavender looked at him now. Gaging his offer.
Antonin looked down to his lap, where their bodies intertwined, her eyes following.
"I am one of the highest ranking officials in our new world. I can promise that if you work hard for me.."
At the word 'hard', he thrusted his hips more aggressively.
"I will work hard for you." He finished, bringing his head back up to look at her.
It was a few moments before Lavender spoke.
"Okay.." She whispered.
She took hold of his hand that was to her face, and guided it back down to her breast.
Dolohov smiled and leaned his head back, as Lavender took charge; holding his hands firmly against her breasts and riding him like a wife should.
Ginny woke to a soft commotion at the foot of the bed. For a split second she had forgotten where she was, which prompted her to jolt upright into a sitting position.
"Good morning" Draco whispered, sitting on the edge of the bed and hiking up a leg to slide on his other shoe. "Didn't mean to wake you."
Ginny, whose face was scrunched with questions, smiled and relaxed back into her pillow.
"What time is it?" She asked groggily, lightly stretching, and looking around the moon lit room.
"Almost 4:30."
Draco stood after finishing his laces, moved to the closet next to the dresser, and procured a fresh white button up shirt. Ginny rubbed her eyes, and allowed them to focus.
The windows were still open, and every so often a gust of cool wind would circle through.
"My father sent an owl early this morning," Draco began, taking the shirt from the hanger and weaving his arms through it. "It seems that friend of yours escaped last night. He's freaking out and wants me to come help him find them."
"Which friend? Hermione?" Ginny began, propping herself up on her elbows.
"Nah, not Granger. The blond one. The weird one."
Draco finished buttoning the shirt, and started to work cuffing his sleeves.
"Luna? Luna escaped?"
This both excited and terrified Ginny. For a brief moment the idea of a rebellion starting now was exciting, but as she and Hermione had discussed night after night at the Manor, they needed more people on board for a revolution to work, as well as time to learn their enemies. It unnerved her to think of Luna in this much danger. Especially when she didn't need to be.
"Yeah. From what I gather, her and that giant from school, busted out of their cellar." Draco chuckled, undoing his pants enough to tuck in his shirt. "They knocked out a few guards and took their wands."
Re-buttoning his trousers, Draco walked over to the bathroom, flipped on the light, and moved to the sink; turning on the water faucet.
"Hagrid?" Ginny gaped, "He's alive?"
"Yes." Draco called.
Ginny, determined to learn more, shuffled out of bed. Still naked from their previous engagement, she picked up Draco's button up that he had thrown on the floor after the party the night before, and put it on.
She practically ran over to the bathroom entrance, while simultaneously working to button his shirt that was a few sizes too big for her.
"And they have wands? Does Volde..."
"The Dark Lord." Draco corrected her, bending his head over the sink and splashing some water into his hair.
"Right, the Dark Lord." Ginny rolled her eyes and leaned against the door frame. "Does he know?"
Once Draco's hair was as damp as he wanted it to be, he stood up and began to comb it back.
"No. He doesn't. That's why dear father is losing his marbles." He said nonchalantly, setting down the comb and using his fingers to add the finishing touches.
"I don't think father's realized that all of you have been put back on the tracking list. Sure, she can run, but the moment they cast any sort of spell, a ministry official from our ranks will be notified."
Ginny finished what little buttons she needed to keep her covered, and crossed her arms.
"So they're likely to be caught before any of you have the time to look." She concluded.
"Exactly." He smirked.
"We've been put back on the tracking system?" Ginny asked, confused.
"Well, yeah. That's what those ribbons are for."
Draco turned off the water, grabbed a hand towel from the rack to his right and gazed at his new wife.
Her hair was still in the messy bun she had put it in before bed.
"I thought these ribbons were for our protection? That's what your mother told us."
"Probably because thats what the Dark Lord told her." He stated, drying his hands. "They don't provide any sort of protection. They're a kind of tracking charm. He told Severus and I about them a few days ago. Eventually he wants all the women to wear them. Keep you all under lock and key."
"Oh, goody. This just keeps getting better." Ginny mumbled, looking down at her wrist.
Draco stood there watching his wife for couple moments. He thought it odd that in the time he'd known her, both before the war and after, she never cried.
Weren't girls supposed to be emotional? Wasn't that a common trait?
Pansy had always been a whiner. The biggest complainer this side of the wizarding world.
Ginny on the other hand... She was different in that respect.
Even after last night, he assumed there would be an awkward conversation to follow. Draco thought she'd want to talk about Harry, or one of her other dead family members. Maybe she'd want to tell him that she had no feelings for him, and cry about only being there because the Dark Lord was making her.
But no.
Nothing.
Instead they talked. And then laughed.
They started the conversation with decorating ideas. Bickering about their house being in Gryffindor colors instead of Slytherin. Then Draco jokingly teased her when she told him about how she sometimes snores. Then she jokingly teased him when he admitted he had a deathly fear of snakes. They ended the conversation with quidditch and debated about which national team was best.
Both had fallen asleep before they could come to an agreement.
Draco had to admit that it was the first time in a long time he'd felt normal. Like a normal teenage wizard who was just having fun with one of his mates.
But it was his wife, which made him feel all the more grateful.
He set the towel on the bathroom counter, and moved toward Ginny.
She kept her face down.
"Hey, I'll probably be home in a few hours. Maybe by 10 or so. Our weekly meeting is at 8, and that shouldn't last more than an hour." He said softly.
Ginny looked up at him.
"I know there is only so much you can do. But if you're able... If you do find them..." She began timidly. Even if Draco couldn't, she needed to say it. "..please don't hurt them.."
Draco let out a long sigh and nodded, before bending down and placing a quick, somewhat strained, kiss on her temple. His hand resting on her hip.
"There is food in the kitchen if you get hungry. Call for Wendy if you need anything else."
Draco dragged his hand from her hip, and across her stomach, as he walked passed her to the bedroom. Ginny looked over her shoulder at the clock on the dresser just as Draco vanished into the hall.
It was 4:36.
Hermione stepped through the portrait hole, having just tickled the fruit, and entered the kitchen.
It took her a little longer to reach the painting than she thought it would, but due to a few caved in corridors, one moving stair case that was on the fritz, and a detour to avoid a raging Peeves; she was happy to have made it to her destination at all.
Upon entering, Hermione was greeted by the ends of four very long wooden tables, matching the house tables directly above. In the soft light she could make out an array of ovens, counters, and stoves that lined the walls, with three very large pantries in the far left corner.
You could tell that the house elves used the tables for their own meals as well, as she could see benches running along either side of them.
At the far end of the Slytherin twin table, sat someone else having their own cup of tea. They were dressed in what she could only describe as rags, and their head bent low over the table top.
Hermione strained her eyes to make out the figure.
The room's main source of light was coming from a candelabra sitting a few places further up the table.
Hermione wasn't sure if she'd know any of the faces in the castle. Most of her teachers had been killed or captured.
Professor Tralawny and Professor Sprout had been struck by killing curses when they came across Yaxley and Dolohov on their way to the second floor. Bellatrix killed Firenze by immobilizing him long enough for a mountain troll to take him out with one swift swing of his bludgeon. Madam Hooch and Professor Grubbly-Plank controlled what they could of the skies, flying over tops of trolls, and blasting arachnids from the castle walls.
Being with Ron and Harry in the room of requirement, Hermione didn't see what happened to her old Care of Magical Creatures substitute, but Narcissa Malfoy had taken Madam Hooch prisoner.
Professor Slughorn, one of her least favorite teachers, had run towards the enemy after witnessing Fred take a blasting curse straight to the chest. Waving his arms over his head, he called for his own surrender; when one of the huge spiders from the the Forbidden Forest came over the wall and snatched him up before the enemy had a chance to take notice.
Hermione was certain no one went looking for him.
Professor Flitwick was the only one, to her knowledge, who made it out. Using his gifts in charm work, he was able to evade capture and go on the run. She only knew this because Lucius Malfoy had spent an entire day torturing those in the cells around her for information to his whereabouts.
There was only one other teacher who had been captured.
Suddenly she remembered what Severus told her the previous day.
Hermione stepped in the direction of the light and cleared her throat.
"Hello? Professor?"
The figure jerked up, startled at the noise, and twisted in the seat to face her.
"I'm sorry" Hermione began, now half way up the table. "Professor McGonagall?"
"Miss Granger? Is that you?" The shrill voice whispered.
There was a moment between them of relief.
"I thought.. I thought you'd gone!" McGonagall stood up, reaching out to Hermione and pulling her into an embrace. "I thought the worst.."
Both were fighting back their emotions, so happy to see a familiar face.
"Severus told me last night that you would be here." Hermione laughed, hugging her professor's frail frame.
The two pulled back apart and sat down on the bench together, all smiles. Hermione reached out and moved the candelabra closer for some added brightness, while Minerva grabbed another cup and saucer from from the tea tray on the table to fix her former student a glass.
"Severus told you?" McGonagall asked, adding two sugar cubes and passing the cup down.
"Yes, when we arrived after the ceremony." Hermione stirred, and took a sip of the tea, feeling the warmth radiate through her.
Minerva sat for a moment, wild eyed, remembering what Snape had revealed to her at the prison. The marriage act the Dark Lord had come up with.
"Oh, no." She muttered, slumping down slightly and looking at the child. "You're his new wife now?"
Hermione nodded.
"But... But what does that mean? Is it just in hopes that you'll start a family? Or.."
"It's required that I become pregnant in the next two months." Hermione interrupted.
When she saw her teacher's mouth drop, she continued.
"I had to preform an unbreakable vow. With him... If I fail to deliver a baby in one year, I'll die."
She stopped and yanked the sleeve of her left arm, showing McGonagall her new dark mark.
"I was branded and basically told that when I learn my duty, and am trusted, I'll be a part of their ranks."
The kitchen was silent, only the clink from their china echoed through the room.
"Oh, dear me. I don't know what to say. He told me he was betrothed, but never said to who..."
Hermione sighed and raised her hand with a laugh.
"Is there anyone else still alive? That also had to be married?" Minerva asked, taking another sip of her tea.
"Ginny Weasley. She's married to Draco Malfoy."
McGonagall nodded slightly, "Not ideal, but at least they're the same age."
"Lavender Brown. She's now married to Antonin Dolohov."
"Oh, mercy."
"And Cho Chang. She's not exactly married though." Hermione finished.
"So she's the lucky one, then?" McGonagall said, nonchalantly.
"I wouldn't say that, Professor. She still had to go through with the vow." After a curious look, Hermione went on. "Because Bellatrix and her husband haven't produced an 'heir', she's been paired up with Rodolphus."
"I'm so sorry.."
"Don't be, professor. We both knew what the dangers were."
"I should have been there.."
McGonagall placed one of her hands atop Hermione's, and gave her the smallest of squeezes.
"What happened, Professor? To you after?"
"Oh, nothing too horrible." McGonagall propped an elbow on the table and leaned into it, resting her head against her upright fist.
"They questioned me. Forced me to drink veritaserum, and once they were satisfied, dumped me in a cell in Azkaban."
Hermione nodded, not surprised by the story.
A few moments passed while they thought over their predicaments. Hermione was grateful to have her headmistress by her side. A fellow comrade. Hogwarts felt more like home now.
A calmness swept over her.
"I don't suppose you have a wand?" Minerva smirked, breaking the silence.
"No. And I'm not sure when or if I'll get one." Hermione crossed her arms and leaned on the edge of the table.
"There has to be one around her somewhere..."
"Ginny and I talked for hours about finding new Order members. Getting our numbers back up. But with Voldemort keeping us all separated, I'm not sure how far we can go."
"We start by finding a wand. We don't have to react immediately, but having it will be a step in the right direction."
"Do you have an idea where one might be?" Hermione asked.
"There were over a hundred wizards at the battle. Surely someone dropped a wand." McGonagall sipped.
"Do you know of anyone who got out? Did you see anyone from the Order in Azkaban?"
Minerva switched positions, mimicking Hermione's, and thought.
"I did see Longbottom and Finnegan take off into the Forbidden Forest. They may have escaped, but I can't be sure. I also saw Hagrid while I was in my cell. They were moving him somewhere."
"Hagrid is with Luna." Hermione yawned. "Luna wouldn't keep her mouth shut when Voldemort came to talk to us. She kept trying to correct him on what happened at the battle." She rolled her eyes. "Told him, 'you're remembering it wrong', and 'I'm going to fight with Harry Potter'. Usually Luna is quiet, but she wouldn't stop."
"Luna is with Hagrid? They're married?" McGonagall had a look of utter disgust on her face, with the slightest underlying of anger.
"No professor. She wasn't with us. Voldemort took her to punish her, but she escaped. I don't know how, but Hagrid helped her escape. They're both on the run."
"How do you know?"
"Lucius Malfoy was here last night. I overheard him speaking with Severus. He was panicking. If you-know-who finds out, it will be the end of him."
"Good. I will hold out hope."
Hermione opened her mouth intending to tell Professor McGonagall about her ribbon. She wanted to explain that she was protected, so it would be safer for her to be the one to search for the wand; but just as her forefinger traced her wrist, a small pop echoed behind them.
They turned to find Chummy standing in their shadows, one of her big eyes illuminated.
"I'm sorry Miss Hermione, but Chummy was called to fetch you. Master Snape is wanting you!"
Both witches sighed and nodded to one another.
"I will see you in a few hours I expect." Hermione said, standing up. "We'll talk more then."
McGonagall smiled and waved her off.
Hermione looked down at the elf beside her and took hold of the hand that had been reaching for hers. With a familiar tug behind her navel, the elf apparated her back to the headmaster's quarters.
A/N: Song Lyrics, "Home" By Daughter
** So sorry it took me so long! Ended up using the notepad on my phone to write the entire thing! It took me about a week to complete, and another week to edit. (There are still probably a ton of mistakes even after rereading it several times haha)
If someone is interested in being my beta, shoot me a message! Lol I could use all the help I can get in that department!
I hope you enjoyed it! I'm reading all of the reviews, good and bad! I'm loving them all!
And for those of you who have been patiently waiting this past year and a half, thank you so so much! You're all awesome!
Love you all to Hogwarts and back!