A/N: Hello everyone, sorry about the delay, just a bit of writer's block, but I believe I got over it quite quick. I hope you're still enjoying reading my story, so this is my present to you before the new year.
So, enjoy reading, and if you don't mind, I'd like to read your opinion.
!Happy new year everyone!
Kisses. MoonShadowAMR.
Chapter21.
After the brief encounter with Dumbledore in the Hospital Wing, Severus was angrily pacing back and forth at the foot of Hermione's bed. The nerve of Dumbledore to just waltz in there and act concerned, as if he hadn't left his magical signature all around her, not to mention the other two he'd found.
He hadn't said anything to Harry, knowing that the boy could act very rashly when his mind was clouded with anger, besides, he planned to take care of the two redheads himself. Oh, Ginerva and Ronald Weasley would curse the day they came out of their mother's womb.
Hearing a small moan, he spun on his heel and made a beeline for Hermione's bed table. She had been given a pain potion while still unconscious, but it must have worn off.
''Open your mouth, love.'' he said softly and slipped a hand under her head.
Hermione didn't protest and quickly downed the bitter liquid. ''Think on changing the taste, won't you?'' she moaned again as the potion was taking effect.
Severus chuckled and took one of her hands in his. ''No can do. It's a way of keeping the students out of the Hospital Wing. When they think of doing some mischief and know they're going to get hurt, they'll think again if they know they would have to endure the taste.''
''Always protecting them aren't you?'' Hermione giggled.
''Someone has to.'' he sighed as he remembered Dumbledore's crazy plan of involving every student, no matter the age, in the battle.
''Don't fret, love. You know we won't allow that to happen. Every single one of them will be secured away the moment we're alerted.'' she said and squeezed his hand.
He gave her a small smile. Lately, she seemed to know almost every thought that passed through his mind without the need of Legilimency. It warmed him to know that she cared so much about him to take the time and try to learn him. She was a remarkable young witch, and she was his.
''What are you thinking about? You have a wicked smirk on your face and a glint in your eyes. Should I be concerned about something?''
''No, not really.'' he said and smirked. ''Now, tell me, how do you feel. And if you can, exactly what happened?''
Hermione rubbed her face with her free hand and sighed. ''Honestly, I don't know what the hell happened. One moment I was cheering for the Gryffindors, the next moment I couldn't move. I could have reversed the spell, but I still need my hands to do it. Could you find out who did it?''
''Do you need to ask?'' he said dryly.
Hermione barked a humorless laugh as tears started welling in her eyes. ''They both, truly, wand me dead, don't they?''
Severus' eyes darkened as he leaned over her and kissed her kips. ''I promise you, Angel, Dumbledore will get what's coming for him.''
''I know, my love.'' she said and kissed him back.
They quickly sprung apart as someone cleared their throat to their left, and their eyes widened.
''You know, you could at least put some wards up.'' Harry said smirking.
''Bugger off Harry.'' Hermione smiled.
''First off, missy, how are you? The DA is going crazy. Secondly, Professor, you'll have to come calm them down. They're bent on having Dumbledore's head by tonight.''
Severus groaned. ''Is still everyone in the Room of Requirement?'' Harry nodded. ''Alright, I'll be there in a few minutes, then we'll meet in my chambers to start discussing some strategies.''
''When did madam Pomfrey say I could go?'' Hermione asked, trying to sit up.
''She didn't say anything yet. Why?'' Severus asked.
''Well, now's the perfect time to run, if you ask me. If she catches me awake, she'll have me here for a week. I just know it.''
''Mione, don't you think you should at least stay until tomorrow?''
''For what?'' Hermione exclaimed. ''I'll be alright in a couple of hours anyway. And I want to be there with all of you.'' she crossed her arms over her chest and glared at them both. Silently daring them to argue.
Severus sighed. ''Potter, keep watch. If Poppy catches us, we won't be able to hear for a week.''
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Narcissa navigated easily through the corridors of Hogwarts, a small smile playing on her lips as she remembered some of her days here as a student. A sigh escaped her red lips as the thought of Draco injured, or worse, came to the forefront of her thoughts.
Reaching the entrance to the dungeons, she delicately lifted her skirts up and descended towards the dark halls. Dumbledore had said that Severus would be in his chambers. He was her only hope to save Draco. If Severus would prove to be as heartless as her own husband…well, she didn't know what else to do. Except maybe grab Draco and flee the country.
But her heart somehow knew that somewhere inside the dark, sneering wizard, was still the frightened and sweet first year she knew as a prefect. An image of Severus crying in an abandoned corridor sprung in her head. The Marauders had managed yet again to humiliate him and it was only the end of the second month at Hogwarts. She had tried to take him under her wing, being a prefect had helped somewhat, but then Lucius had started questioning the boy's presence around her.
Lucius took very much pleasure in either taking points off Gryffindor, or assigning detentions, especially to the four troublemakers, so he started talking to Severus himself, started encouraging him to retaliate, started teaching him dueling, and even more so, the Dark Arts.
At first, Narcissa, had protested, but accepted the fact that it was for his own good, with some limits. Knowing a dangerous curse or two would definitely show the others that he was knowledgeable and would leave him alone.
No such luck. It seemed that the more Severus stood his ground in front of them, the more they attacked him. But Severus always gave as good as he got.
It had been a great mistake to let Lucius mix in the matter, and that had become more and more obvious as the years passed and Severus became more closed. She remembered how he used to speak to her about his home, and how a girl from Gryffindor was helping him during the summer somewhat, but by the time she graduated, Severus had already retreated in a space in his own mind, centered only on learning and becoming the best there was.
Since then, Severus became the most feared student, even the marauders had stopped teasing him by the seventh year. But the damage had already been done. And now, Severus Snape was known as the deadliest of them all.
Honestly, she feared that Lucius' tactics had been too convincing even for Draco. No matter how much she tried to teach the boy to be somewhat loving, Lucius would step in and ruin everything. But she would not allow them to do with Draco what they had done to Severus. If she had to die to prove her point, she would.
Composing herself, she straightened her back and knocked on the door that lead to Severus' private quarters.
''It's open…'' a female voice shouted and she frowned. She didn't know Severus had a …lady friend. Shrugging, she pushed the door open but froze before taking another step.
The sitting room had been magically expanded and she could easily count at least twenty students. Her son amongst them. What made her freeze though, was the fact that Draco was brandishing a rather large sword…as were the others. Even Severus.
When the others noticed that the door was still open, but no one had advanced inside, all pair of eyes shot towards her. A collective sharp breath was drawn in and everyone took a step back.
''Why is this door open? What have I…'' Hermione stopped speaking as her eyes landed on the elegant Narcissa Malfoy. Doing a quick scan of her thoughts, Hermione's face broke into a wide grin. ''Why don't you close the door, Mrs. Malfoy, then you can tell us why you are here.''
Narcissa eyed the girl for a moment, then nodded.
''Cissa, what can I help you with?'' Severus asked as he made his way towards her.
''Severus…'' she said slowly, her eyes still scanning the weary faces, ''…what exactly is going on here?''
Severus gave his sword to one of the students and fingered his wand. If Narcissa proved to be a spy he wouldn't hesitate in obliviating her. ''Why don't you come to my office and I'll explain everything.''
Narcissa nodded and followed. Her nose wrinkled in distaste as her eyes fell on the many jars along the walls. She never understood why Severus liked to keep those…things. If she was honest with herself, although she was fairly good at potions, she couldn't for the life of her remember ever seeing any of those disgusting things being used as ingredients.
''What can I help you with, Cissa?'' Severus asked as he sat behind his desk and offered her a chair.
Trying to forget what she'd seen in his private chambers for the moment, she started talking, telling Severus everything she had heard, and begging him to help her keep Draco safe.
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''Granger…''
Hermione barked a laugh. ''Why are you whispering Draco?''
Draco rolled his eyes. ''Why do I have the impression that those Bludgers hit you harder than you're telling us?''
''Sod off. Now, what do you want?''
''Did you get a read on my mother? I know you wouldn't have allowed her to enter if she didn't have good intentions, but do you know exactly why she is here?''
Hermione nodded. ''She has good intentions, but I'll let her tell you.''
Draco scowled. ''You just like to see me squirm don't you?''
Hermione fought a grin and widened her eyes in mock innocence. ''Why, Draco…have I ever done that to you? Honestly, it's your mother's right to tell you why she's here, not mine. So, once again, sod off and go polish your blade. We have a few wizards to entertain.''
Draco rolled his eyes at her. ''Yes boss.''
''Good boy.'' Hermione smirked and patted him on the head. The surprise of how different Draco Malfoy could be had yet to erase from her system. Often enough she fell asleep in Severus' arms and questioned her own idiocy. How many times would the Slytherins have acted differently, given the chance? Why hadn't she taken the time to scan each and every one of them? She knew now that many of them were abused at home, mostly the boys, how many of the beatings could she have prevented in the past years? Guilt gripped her heart again and the tell-tale shiver ran down her spine. Not long now. After Voldemort's demise, she would make damn sure that no other child, no matter the house, or blood, would be mistreated. First on the list though was to keep them all alive, and to keep herself alive. Shaking her head to rid herself of the too familiar thoughts, she spotter Pansy. ''Oi, Pansy, are the girls ready? I'm actually curious to know why Madam Pomfrey hasn't blasted the door down yet…''
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Severus exited the office and reentered his sitting room with Narcissa in tow. He honestly didn't know what to do. Be angry and start barking orders at the students, and tell them that they had less time than they had originally thought, or laugh and tell them all that the respected Narcissa Malfoy, a Death Eater's wife would be joining them.
Taking a deep breath, he eyed the students that had stopped in whatever they were doing to watch them. ''Gather up, all of you, and head towards the Room of Requirement. I'll gather everyone else and meet you there.''
A collective 'yes, sir' was heard and the students started towards the door. He caught Hermione's eye and she sent him a smile. Of course she already knew. That witch was incorrigible. And that was a small part of why he loved her so.
Once the sitting room had cleared, he gestured for Narcissa to take a seat, and threw some Floo Powder in the fireplace.
''What do you need Severus?'' Minerva asked as the dark wizard's head appeared in her fireplace.
''The Angels are ready, I've already sent them up. Can you gather the others?''
''Of course.'' she nodded. ''We'll be up in a few minutes.''
Severus nodded in thanks and retreated from the fireplace. Turning around to face Narcissa, he let a smile slip on his lips. He actually wanted to laugh at her expression, but as sweet as Narcissa Malfoy seemed, she was also good with a wand.
''I appreciate the fact that you came to me Cissy. I really do. And I can also tell you that Draco can take care of himself…''
''But, Severus, he is so young…''
''Cissa, believe me, he is very well aware of what of going on around him, and can protect himself quite well. If you would like to join me and the other Heads of House, and I'll prove to you everything I've said. Besides, I have to tell them everything you've told me.''
Narcissa nodded and stood once again. She was quite curious to know what exactly Severus was referring to. Actually, she didn't quite want to believe that her 'baby' had grown up enough to be able to fight in a war. She didn't think any mother would.
But she followed nonetheless. She would be helping them anyway. If Draco intended to fight, she would too.
For some reason, Severus guided her through secluded corridors, with very little lighting, not to mention the many stairs they had to ascend. They reached the seventh floor a little breathless, but she kept her strides to match his.
Narcissa gave him a slightly puzzled look as they stopped in front of an empty wall. He just smirked and started walking back and forth. To her utter astonishment, a tall black door appeared, with winged handles and a twisted design painted in gold.
Severus was still smirking as he grabbed both handles and pushed the doors open.
Narcissa's eyes went wide and a gasp escaped her lips as she was greeted by the most unexpected scene.
A/N: Liked it? Hated it? Leave me your thoughts, or any idea you might have. Thank you all.