A Hogwart's Tale: Romeo & Juliet

Act Two, Scene Three – I would I were thy bird.

Disclaimer: I neither own JK Rowling's Harry Potter nor Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

A/N: This chapter falls during HBP chapter 12. Due to my extended sabbatical from writing, I not longer have a BETA, so please forgive any errors. Also, the ending to the last chapter was edited yesterday, due to my forgetting a very important part.

Please be sure to leave reviews and helpful hints. R&R!

Hogsmeade

Midway through October, the students were finally able to take their first trip of the year into Hogsmeade. Severus, whose turn it was not to escort the students into the little village, spent the day pacing his rooms his brow constantly furrowed by worry for Miss Granger. Pausing in mid-pace, Snape shook his head, his lips curling ever so slightly upward. 'No, my fiancé.'

vvv

Hermione was both anxious and nervous today. Finally, she would have a few hours away from Hogwart's and al the studying. She chuckled to herself. 'I must be losing my mind, if I want not to study.' But is it really safe for us to go? She didn't know who their chaperones would be; just that Severus would not be there. And she always felt safer just knowing he was nearby. 'Maybe I shouldn't go… I'm sure he wouldn't mid being able to spend the extra time together… But I do so miss spending time with Harry and Ron.' Shaking her head, Hermione steeled her resolve to sped time with her friends and not her fiancé.

Dressed and on the road to Hogsmeade, Hermione began to relax and chat with Ron and Harry. 'Maybe this is a good idea, though it is colder than the Antarctic out here.' Even though Zonko's was closed, Hermione's new found good spirits did not lesson until they were inside the Three Broomsticks. Ron's obvious longing to see Rosmerta only made Hermione wistful that Severus and she could make their newly defined relationship known.

Distracted by her thoughts, Hermione began following Ron and Harry back to Hogwart's.

When Harry stopped to look back, a chill ran down her spine. 'Oh no. I don't want to see it. Please gods, tell me everything is ok.' Slowly Hermione turned around, straining to see through the horrid weather whatever it was Harry was looking at. Gasping, she saw Katie Bell floating in the air. Katie's screams pierced the sky around them, freezing Hermione in place. 'Oh gods. Oh gods. Severus help us!' Hermione kept repeating in her mind.

Something in Hermione registered Harry move into action. Then Hagrid appeared. This spurred her to do something, anything. Walking towards Katie's friend, Hermione tried to remember her name. 'Leanne?' Hermione then let her autopilot take over…

Shaken into reality in Professor McGonagall's office, Hermione realized that Harry was again blaming Malfoy. 'Why is he so fixated on ruining him?' Hermione, with Ron's help, quickly tried to disillusion and redirect Harry in front of Professor McGonagall.