Falling Fallen Gone

Just before the start of the new term at Hogwarts, Kingsley contacted them via the coins to ask for an emergency meeting. The Ministry had fallen, Rufus Scrimgeour was dead and Death Eaters had overtaken the Ministry. Hermione and Harry sent out a mass invite for a meeting that evening, and people started trickling in immediately. The Weasley twins plus Ginny were among the first to arrive along with Remus, Andromeda and Teddy who was happy with all the attention. Luna dropped in soon thereafter, as did Draco to everyone's surprise, but he was accepted into their ranks once people had heard his explanation. Tonks was still at work but would try to come as soon as she and Kingsley were done. Minerva was unable to join, as were Bill and Fleur, but Severus sent a short message that he would join later in the evening.

They all gathered around the dining room table where Kreacher made sure they were all served a rich stew and newly baked bread. The mood was grim but calmer than a regular Order meeting would have been, mainly due to the lack of Moody and Mrs Weasley. Ron and Harry prepared their latest notes as they waited for the others who hopefully would have more information. After what felt like ages, but probably wasn't more than an hour or so, Kingsley and Tonks showed up, grim-faced and dirty. Tonks immediately went to pick up Teddy and both of them soon sported identical bright pink hairdos. Once the newcomers had been served something to eat, Kingsley started telling them what had happened. Apparently several masked Death Eaters had appeared in the Ministry, undoubtedly let in by one of their agents, and immediately killed Rufus Scrimgeour who had managed to take at least one of them down with him. Others had raided the various departments, especially the Magical Law Enforcement with the Auror office and the Department of Magical Transportation to take control over the Floo network.

"I was in the office by chance after my assigned partner went missing when they attacked," Tonks interjected. "It was chaos, hexes and curses everywhere, I'm quite sure a few of the Aurors were on the Death Eaters' side too. Is Yaxley a Death Eater? What about Thicknesse? He seemed completely out of it but tried to tell people to stop fighting."

Ron nodded. "Yeah, Yaxley's been confirmed, we haven't heard anything about Thicknesse though."

"Figures," Kingsley said with a frown. "Once Tonks and I managed to get to safety we figured that it would be better if we observed the dynamics rather than tried to fight. I saw Arthur somewhere in the fight too, I hope he had the sense to stand down."

Harry had been busy scribbling notes on paper as the Aurors spoke and Hermione tried to pull all the information into the Arithmancy matrix to see how this new development would alter the plans. Something was starting to feel a bit wrong, somehow, but she couldn't pinpoint it exactly, just a diffuse heavy weight in her chest.

"Okay, so this means we need to be extra careful, obviously," Ron summarised once everyone had shared what they knew. "Furthermore, I suspect that those of us that are known supporters of Harry will be hunted so all three of us will basically go into hiding. Hogwarts seems reasonably safe for now so Ginny and Luna will be able to return for their final year."

Hermione nodded. It was something they had discussed earlier as contingency planning in case the Ministry fell. Harry would postpone the Auror training and she wouldn't start at St Mungo's. Ron would have to give up his chance at Quidditch but hoped he could get a new opportunity later. If there is a later. No. There has to be. Travel would be regulated, especially the Floo network, but Luna and the Weasley twins had already started making emergency Portkeys embedded in various pins, buttons and other easily portable items. Fred and George were also busy with new product development but didn't have anything functional to share yet. Hermione suspected it involved things that would go "bang".

"We aren't able to go after Lord Worrywart yet until we clear out a few loose ends," Harry said. "One of them is called Nagini and is a giant homicidal snake. If anyone has ideas for how to deal with her, we'd be extremely grateful. We might also need to break into a vault at Gringotts at some point."

Kingsley chuckled and wished them luck with that before he had to take off for the evening. Andromeda, Remus and Tonks also left with Teddy who had fallen asleep already, exhausted by all the impressions and by Kreacher who had eagerly helped with his care, apparently happy to have a little one under his roof again. Ginny, Luna and Draco asked to stay and since there was no shortage of bedrooms none of them saw it as a problem. They all settled into the living room, Ginny and Harry furtively snogging on the couch, Luna, Ron and Draco playing Wizarding Chess and Hermione trying to read a novel. The evening passed with no sign of Severus and she became more and more convinced that something was wrong. She didn't feel anything specific from the bond, he must have shielded his emotions off from her, but it was not like him to not show up when he had said he would.

Harry and Ginny snuck off to bed early causing Hermione to hope they wouldn't forget silencing charms this time. Ron left early thereafter, he was planning to swing by the Burrow the next morning to check how his parents were doing, while Draco and Luna played another chess match which Luna won before the blond Slytherin too excused himself. Hermione was too anxious to read but was still grateful for Luna's silent company as she sat in the moss green armchair staring into the fire.

Suddenly the front door crashed open and Mrs Black's portrait started shrieking. Hermione shot up from her seat and rushed to the stairs, wand at the ready with Luna close behind, wondering if they were under attack. She carefully peered down the stairwell but didn't see any movement. Warily, she stepped down the landing and soon she could make out a tangle of black fabric on the floor. As she got closer the pile of cloth resolved into one Severus Snape, lying face down on the floor in Death Eater garb and she flew down the stairs to him.

"Help me levitate him on to a bed," she asked Luna.

They made their way upstairs to the first unoccupied bedroom and Hermione managed to remove his Death Eater robes before they dumped him on top of the bed. She started casting diagnostic spells on him, noting a broken rib, a broken arm and several bleeding wounds across his chest and upper arms. He was bleeding from his mouth too and was shivering from what she suspected was Cruciatus aftershocks. Luna started healing his broken bones without prompting while Hermione tried to stop the worst of the bleeding.

"Don't," he mumbled, trying to swat her hand away.

She glared at him. "I care about you, you daft sod! Now stop fussing and let me help you!"

She swiftly stripped him down to his trousers and called for Kreacher.

"Kreacher is here, Miss Mudblood," the elf said deferentially and flapped his ears at her. She had long since given up on trying to get him to call her something else as long as he kept his tone civil.

"Please fetch me Dittany, Skele-Gro, Restorative, Blood-Replenishing, Bruise balm," she told him rapidly and the elf turned on the spot and promptly returned with the potions. Luna took care of the Dittany while Hermione poured the potions down his throat.

"Memories … Order," he managed to croak and she stilled her hands again.

"Show me," she said reluctantly, recalling the memories he had thrust on her in February. She took his hand in a firm grasp as she leaned over him, meeting his gaze, and felt him slipping inside her mind before pulling her back to his own.

He had indeed been present during the Ministry raid, black sinister robes and mask hiding him from view but his posture and gait were still easy to spot. They had come in through the Floo, a coordinated attack of black-clad terror, hexing visitors and Ministry workers as they swiftly made their way to the first level where Scrimgeour was. Severus had stayed in the background, carefully observing, throwing a few flashy hexes at people when one of his supposed brethren was watching but surreptitiously shielding others when he could. Two Death Eaters led the charge on the Minister while most of the others followed. "That's Selwyn and Dolohov leading the charge," Severus commented when he sensed her confusion.

The fight was short but brutal and bloody. Rufus Scrimgeour fought like a beast and managed to take down several of the Death Eaters, killing or incapacitating them, but the Death Eaters also made short work of the support staff. Severus seemed to manage to Stun a few of them rather than killing anyone but Bellatrix and someone else noticed and made short work of everyone she saw. Severus and about a third of the group was sent to the Magical Transportation department while most of the rest went off to wreak havoc at the Magical Law Enforcement. He tried to keep things under control while the others were on a rampage, but relatively quickly they subdued the department. A few were killed anyway but most of the workers were cowering at their desks, terrified of the black-clad crowd. Once things were under control, Severus led them back to the Minister's office, leaving a few Death Eaters as guard.

"I couldn't … couldn't save them," he told her. "I tried, it's never enough."

He continued showing the memory of Yaxley, now dressed in his regular office clothing, as he Imperiused Pius Thicknesse and had him take the Minister's office. Dolores Umbridge showed up, simpering at Thicknesse and Yaxley and promising to keep up the good work. They discussed setting up a Muggle-Born Registration office which Dolores eagerly accepted to lead. Her gaze slid past the still masked Death Eaters flanking Thicknesse as if she didn't see them.

"Who hurt you?" she asked him. She could feel his reluctance but eventually he pulled her into another memory, of the Death Eaters reconvening at Malfoy Manor after their success. Most of them were celebrating, bringing in elf-made wine and champagne. Bellatrix was alternating between drinking champagne straight from the bottle and kissing a young Death Eater who most definitely wasn't her husband. The brat looked terrified which Hermione thought was completely warranted.

Voldemort called his Inner Circle for a meeting and a recap of the raid since he wasn't there himself. Dolohov was congratulating himself on taking down Scrimgeour, making it sound like he had singlehandedly defeated the Minister plus at least ten of his minions. Voldemort didn't look too impressed, and after using Legilimency to check for himself he threw a couple Crucios at the man for lying.

Rookwood was next to report. "My Lord, the Trace on your name is now in place. Since only those idiots supporting the Potter brat would dare to use it, this should enable us to catch them quickly. Furthermore, all Floo travel is now under our control."

Voldemort looked pleased and called up the next person.

"Why aren't you dead yet?" Bellatrix hissed at him while they listened to another report.

"Why, I didn't think you were that concerned with my health, Bellatrix?"

She glared at him, arms crossed over her ample bosom, eyes still wild with the high of the hunt. "There's no way you should be this healthy! How is it possible? Did you manage to break the curse after all?"

"I don't see how that is any of your business. But yes, since you ask so nicely, I'm now cured."

"Severuss, what have you to say?" Voldemort asked and turned his attention to him.

"The raid went according to plan, my Lord," he answered.

"I know that already, what of your other areas of interest? Have you no newss for me?"

"There's been no news from Hogwarts, my Lord, and the Order is disorganised and weak."

"What of Potter and his Mudblood girlfriend? Haven't you swayed her yet?" Voldemort was frowning which Hermione suspected wasn't a good sign.

"The timing hasn't been right, my Lord," Severus said and bowed his head which apparently was the wrong thing to do.

"I know the old fool in the tower is near death, you should have killed him by now so that I can take over Hogwarts. Potter's Mudblood should have been turned already, or are you that bad at seduction? Look at me!" Voldemort hissed and entered his mind forcefully.

Second-hand Legilimency turned out to be horribly confusing to Hermione since she was in Severus' own memory of it, but she could sense that he was searching for something in particular related to either Dumbledore or to herself. Cursing her forgetfulness, she remembered that they had discussed setting up a memory of her and Harry arguing about the fact that she was seeing Severus. They'd have to spin it very carefully now that Voldemort was unhappy with Severus' progress.

"Do not disappoint me again, Severuss," Voldemort said in a low, even tone that was somehow worse than if he had shouted.

To make matters worse, Bellatrix stepped forward. "My Lord, I saw Severus shielding people during the raid. He only used Stunners, he didn't kill a single one of them."

"Is that so? Crucio!" Even in the memory, the curse was nearly unbearable.

"No, my Lord, I merely wanted to ensure that your reign goes smoothly," Severus said as he staggered to his feet again.

"Liar! Liar! I bet it was Dumblefuck who set you up with Potter's whore too! You've been on their side all the time!" Bellatrix shrieked. "My Lord, may I punish him, pleeease?"

Voldemort glared at her. "Severus is still loyal, I have seen it in his mind. He is no match for my Legilimency. But since you have done so well today, dear Bella, you may."

Bellatrix cackled and started another round of Cruciatus.

As he pushed her out of his mind she felt dizzy and nauseous and had to close her eyes and take deep breaths in order to not lose her dinner. Concentrating on the newly acquired information, she extracted the memory from her temple and deposited the silvery strand in an empty potion vial. She saw that Luna had fetched Harry in the meantime, both of them waited by the door, looking serious.

"Are you okay?" Harry asked after seeing her pale face.

"I will be," she said after handing him the vial. "Will you handle this? Minerva and Kingsley should be informed, there are names and other details."

Harry nodded and hurried out of the room as she turned back to Severus. He looked much better but there wasn't much she could do about the spasms that still shook him after the Cruciatus.

"Thanks, Luna," she said shakily when the other witch handed her a cup of tea.

"No problem, I'm glad the Professor will be alright. I think the Wrackspurts will go away faster if you touch him. I'll watch him a while for you so that you can get ready for the night."

"Err … thanks, I think?"

She changed into her pyjamas on autopilot and then returned to the room. She didn't recall that the bed had been that wide earlier, but there was plenty of room for her next to Severus. Luna had even brought in a second pillow and blanket for her. He was asleep or unconscious but it seemed like he was able to relax a little more when she snuggled up close to him, a hand over his chest and her leg slung over his knee. Her own worry for him receded slowly as she was able to hear his steady breathing and feel the tension slowly ebb from his muscles.

When she awoke the next morning, she was nestled in his arms, pulled close to his chest. He was either still asleep or very good at faking it, but unfortunately her need for a bathroom break got too large and she had to struggle out of his embrace. When she returned, he was already getting dressed again.

-x-o-O-o-x-

Hermione spent the day in the War Room, trying to make all the information fit within the Arithmancy matrix together with Draco. Ron and Harry were also busy going over the information they had, while Ginny and Luna had gone to Diagon Alley to get their supplies for their last school year. Both of them returned in the evening and they all settled in with another one of Kreacher's pizza creations, now with chicken, pineapple, bananas, curry powder, kale and cashews.

"It's time to step up the game," Ron said half muffled by a large pizza slice. "What can we do that's totally unexpected?"

Harry nodded. "He would expect us to stage a large fight at either the Ministry or Hogwarts. That's what he seems to be planning and it makes sense for him to think we would too."

"At a significant date, like Halloween or Christmas or something like that," Ginny added and helped herself to another Butterbeer.

"So we should go there on like a Tuesday afternoon on a random date," Ron mused.

"We need to lure as many of the Death Eaters away as possible. Can we stage a diversion? Get the rest of the DA and the Order to cause havoc somewhere?" Harry asked.

"At the Ministry?" Ron continued.

"They'll just Apparate back when Windypants calls them through the Mark," Hermione said with a frown.

Ginny had done some experimenting on the Dark Mark but needed to work on it more. Hermione suggested asking Professor Flitwick but Ginny said she'd rather start with Bill since he was quite good at both curses and charms.

-x-o-O-o-x-

"It's obvious, you can't handle love," Hermione sang off-key as she stacked the dishes much to Kreacher's dismay, either over her singing or the fact that she was doing his job. The others were coming down the stairs too for an impromptu hot chocolate with Marshmallows.

"Love …" Harry mused as he handed her another stack of plates. "Dumbledore always goes on about the power of love. Hermione, are love potions poisonous?"

"In too large doses, yes," she responded absentmindedly.

Ron and Draco had entered the kitchen too behind Harry when they heard the pair talking.

"You want to dose Lord Nosemort with a love potion?" Draco said disbelievingly. "The Amortentia then, it's the strongest. How would you get him to drink it?"

Ron started laughing.

"I dunno, shoot him?" Harry said.

"With Cupid's arrows?" Hermione said and dissolved into giggles too. Ron looked confused but Harry and Draco grinned.

"Seriously, would you two be able to brew Amortentia?" Harry asked Hermione and Draco. "It's just a hunch but I'd like to test it."

Hermione frowned as she tried to recall their inventory. "We can brew it but I think we need some supplies. It's a difficult brew but I don't think it needs to sit for a long time, not like Polyjuice."

Hermione and Draco had made short work on the Order's potions requests and a few experimental potions. She had found that she actually was starting to like the blond prat now that he was out of school and they didn't resort to House rivalries. He was eager for company and something to do now after a year in seclusion with only the occasional visit by Severus, and had told her a lot about his upbringing and family during their brewing or Arithmancy sessions.

-x-o-O-o-x-

A few days later their coins glowed again with a question from Draco.

"Granger, you were right," he said as soon as they had made their way to the War Room. "Have a look."

He pulled out his copy of the Arithmancy equations and visualised them over the table alongside hers. They hovered in the air like a hologram, an eerily orange spindly network connecting people and places and showing probabilities of meetings and events, fanning out into uncertainty the farther into the future they stretched.

"It didn't make sense until I added both my parents back. It seems that now with me taking on a more active role we might have a chance to turn Father too. Look what happens if we don't."

He tapped a rune with his wand and the equations morphed, slowly settling on a rather large skirmish in Malfoy Manor with many deaths on both sides. Hermione shuddered, seeing in stark orange the reality of their situation. She had managed to shut out the morbid reality of the war for quite a long time, not thinking about people actually dying or getting hurt.

"This is if Father isn't turned to our side. Look what happens if we can win him over."

He did it again and most of the death runes disappeared.

Harry squinted at the equations as if that would help make sense of them. "But do you think it's really possible? No offense but your father has always been a strong believer in the cause."

Draco nodded slowly. "He has nothing to live for right now. If I take a stance against Lord No-Nose I think he will do what he can to get me back. His loyalty has always been more to the Malfoy family than to anything else."

Harry snorted at the name. Draco had quickly followed suit in their naming strategy.

"What's Narcissa's role in all this?" Hermione asked him.

Draco looked up at her. "She knows I'm alive so she's holed herself up in the Mansion, refusing to see anyone so that she doesn't betray me. Mother has never cared about the Death Eater propaganda although she has played the part of a proper wife to one."

"Will she help us?"

"I think so," he said slowly. "She'll want me to survive."

-x-o-O-o-x-

Ginny cornered her later, the day before she was due to leave on the Hogwarts Express, and pulled her into the library, away from listening boys.

"We did it!" she squeaked happily.

"Did what?" Hermione asked, confused.

Ginny looked at her as if she was dumb. "Harry and I. And we used Andromeda's spell so now we're soulbound too, plus look at this!"

Ginny thrust forward her left hand where a sparkling ring could be seen.

"Uh … wow, congratulations? You're engaged?"

"Thanks, it was great!" Ginny said excitedly. "And yes!"

"No details, please!"

"You're no fun!" Ginny complained with a mock pout.

"Sorry, but Harry's like my brother, and you're like a sister to me and I don't want to picture my siblings in bed!" Hermione protested.

Ginny just laughed at her as the boys came in to join them, Harry blushing slightly. Thoughts of them together, and of the soulbond, inevitably turned to thoughts of Severus and their own bond. They hadn't spoken of what had happened during the night of the Ministry raid, of the way they had fallen asleep together, of how right it felt. She could only hope that he felt the same.