I do not own anything in the world of Harry Potter. Many thanks to Selek the best beta I know. Thanks to all my reviewers.

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Chapter 21

"I am very sorry for mistreating you two that way," Hermione confessed loudly. She hung her head in apparent penitence. "And I can only pray that you'll both forgive me."

"Well, now we know," Amycus cried with a curl of disgust on his lip. "It was the mudblood all along."

"The little bitch must be severely punished!" screeched Alecto. "Detention isn't enough!"

A violent clamoring of voices swelled from the students of all houses and joined with the mutinous murmurs from the staff. If the Headmaster failed to quell the rising tide, violence was sure to break out.

"Enough!" Severus' shout rang out across the Great Hall. From all tables, angry faces glared at him and the Carrows. "Now, Mrs. Snape, in our wedding vows, you promised to obey me, didn't you?

Hermione raised her head, her face red with embarrassment and anger. "Yes, Headmaster, I did." She noticed that Black held his butter knife like a switchblade, and Hagrid had crushed his goblet. Pumpkin juice was running down his fist.

"Then I must insist on your word here before all assembled that you will not let me catch you carrying out such asinine practical jokes again," Severus, in a cold, haughty tone, commanded.

"No, Headmaster," Hermione agreed with wet remorseful eyes, "I promise you'll not catch me committing any more silly pranks again."

"Damn right," from behind his toast Black mumbled to Lupin. "The stakes have just been raised from silly to deadly serious." He caught Slughorn's eye, who motioned subtlety to Draco.

Draco nodded almost imperceptibly towards Seamus Finnegan, who nudged Longbottom in the ribs. Neville, in turn, winked at Luna. Luna merely turned around, leaned back, and whispered in Susan Bones' ear.

Taking a long, fake sip of tea, Flitwick eyed the exchange amongst faculty and the students. "Hmm," he grunted in return, "and it looks like she'll have plenty of help with things as well."

October 30, 1997

"Dougal," Minerva whispered in the dark, "we can't go on like this. I can't go on like this."

He frowned and sat up. "What do you mean?" he asked huskily.

"I mean," she told him, "that I want Albus, not some husk of a dream of a young man from long, long ago. I'm not a girl. I'm a grown woman, and I want Albus. I want to call you Albus not Dougal." She laughed. "What's more, we can't take a chance of being caught by either the students or the faculty."

He leaned down and kissed the tip of her nose. "I'm fairly sure that Poppy is already aware of the fact, which means the others know as well." He grinned at her. "I overheard Black and Lupin calling you some sort of 'cougar,' but I assured them that they were mistaken. Your animagus form is a tabby not a -"

She laughed with wicked delight. "You silly, silly man!" She took her time to kiss him back. "But for now, please, let's be more careful, hmm?"

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"Ginny," Hermione spoke softly into the mirror, "Ginny, wake up. It's Hermione."

"I'm awake," the Weasley girl answered quickly. "What is it? Has something happened?"

Hermione smiled at her friend's face in the mirror. She glanced over her shoulder at the closed door. "Nothing's happened," she assured Ginny. "I just wanted to make sure you guys are all right."

Ginny smiled. "We're fine, Hermione. We're staying -"

"No," Hermione whispered fiercely, "don't tell me. All I need to know is that you're all on the run."

"Oi," Ron called over his sister's shoulder, "can you help us out with some food?"

"Hush, Ron," Ginny snapped as she smacked her brother on the arm. "If anyone hears, Hermione might lose the mirror, and -"

"And they'll know where we are," finished Harry. "Hey, Hermione, are you okay?"

"We're fine," she assured them. She held up a curly haired baby to the mirror and waved his hand at them. "I will be taking the twins to visit Septima and Hyacinth Black today, and I'll make arrangements with Septima's parents to get some supplies for you." She glanced over her shoulder quickly. "I have to hurry. Ginny, later this week go see Michael and Nancy Vector. They live on Matlock Street in East London. Tell them Hyacinth sent you. I have to go. Goodbye and God speed."

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"Hermione," Severus stated bluntly, "I have to ask you a question, and you must tell me the absolute truth." He held her eyes. "Remember that you have vowed 'to obey' your husband."

It was late in the evening, and together they had just settled the boys down to sleep. She swallowed hard, hoping that he wouldn't ask about Harry, Ron, and Ginny. She'd die before she betrayed them, and she would hate herself if she lied to Severus.

She patted Grazey on the arm, knowing the elf would sit up all night watching her children. Then she partially closed the door to the newly added nursery and entered the bedroom. "What do you want, Severus?" she asked. To cover her nervousness, she took an extra long time to remove her robe and slippers. When she finally slid into bed, he was already there waiting for her.

"Do not look so distraught," he told her gently. "I have no intentions of asking you anything that might worry you unduly. However, I would like to know what devious devices you and your cohorts have planned for the Halloween party."

"Oh," she said with relief, "Severus, I know how upsetting this time of year is for you. I'll see to it that no one does anything that -"

"Used to be, Hermione," he interrupted. "This time of year used to upset me most dreadfully, and while it still pains me to think of -"

"Lily," she supplied softly.

He eyed her speculatively. "Yes, Lily," he continued. "She no longer haunts me. I have found another, more worthy, lady to occupy my thoughts." Gallantly, he kissed her hand. "Now, tell me what pranks my staff is concocting for the Halloween feast."

"Whatever do you mean?" she asked guardedly.

He gazed fondly at his wife. "Hermione, while I cannot be bothered with every tiny complaint of the Carrows," he told her slowly, trying to express what he wanted her to know but could not say aloud, "I am beholden to the Dark Lord. It was he who insisted I employ them at Hogwarts."

He paused this time, willing her to understand that he detested them as much as everyone else. "Those two are singularly piss-poor teachers, detrimental to the educational process, and thoroughly incompetent. However, I cannot dismiss them without 'good and sufficient cause'."

He pulled her close to him and extinguished the candles. "Hermione, I am not as upset about the practical jokes played on them as I am about your being charged as the perpetrator. It will be considered as a serious crime, and you will be presented to the Dark Lord for his punishment."

"Oh, I know that, Severus," she whispered, "and I know that you do love me and the boys. It just frustrates me not knowing exactly which side you're on, and then I have to listen to Sirius, and I don't know whether to- "

He stopped her with a kiss. "You talk too much, my dear," he informed her dryly and kissed her again. "No matter what, Hermione, I am always on your side. Nevertheless, if you truly wish to rid Hogwarts of the Carrows, you'll have to provide me with a great deal more evidence to discredit them in the eyes of the Dark Lord."

"Or," she suggested slyly, "perhaps they could be persuaded to quit on their own."

"Mayhap," he murmured, pursing his lips, considering. "But back to the subject. What Halloween pranks are being planned?"

"Well, it is tradition for the seventh years to spike the punch," she said thoughtfully.

"I remember something my mother told me when I first received my Hogwarts letter," Severus mused. "One Halloween, the seniors from all four houses banded together to prank the professors."

"Go on," she pushed as she snuggled up to him.

He smiled and pulled her closer. "It was something about the food."

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Sirius Black was laughing so hard, he nearly wet himself. "That was utterly brilliant!" he cackled with amusement once he'd recovered his breath. "Who'd have ever thought of caramel covered onions? And the Carrow twins just crunched right into them!"

Poppy wagged a finger at her friend. "Pomona, how in the world did you ever pull it off?"

Sprout chortled with delight. "Thank you, Poppy, dear, but I cannot take credit for it. I do vaguely remember a similar joke being played several years ago."

"Now that you mention it," Slughorn added, "I seem to remember it as well."

"That's right! I believe it was the graduating class of 1958," Flitwick wheezed as he wiped tears from his eyes.

Hooch, who had instantly joined them when she heard of the Rebels, lifted an eyebrow. "Personally, I thought the mayonnaise-filled puff pastries were genius," she added.

"No, the funniest prank was when someone, who shall remain nameless -" He grinned widely. "- laced their Halloween punch with amortentia," Slughorn commented dryly.

"It might have been funny to you," Remus Lupin muttered, "but not to me. Alecto followed me around all evening."

"I've got news for you, laddie," Minerva told him, "but she's been following you with her eyes since she joined the staff."

"Sweet Circe!" he cried. "Someone avada me now."

"I have a better idea," Poppy replied. She shared laughing grins and sly looks with Minerva and Pomona. "What if we made her believe that you really did like her?"

"No," Remus sputtered. "Absolutely not."

"Wait, Remus," Sirius laughed, "let's hear her out."

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"Chocolate covered brussel sprouts? Toothpaste filled biscuits?" Severus shook his head and bit his inner check to keep from laughing aloud. "Hermione, how could you perpetrate such juvenile pranks on the Carrows?"

"It wasn't me this time, Severus. I promise," she giggled. "Emrys, you little devil," she exclaimed. "He's weed in the bath water again."

Headmaster Snape quickly plucked up his son from the bath. "Hand me a towel, will you? I'll not ask who it was," he said to the baby as he began drying him off. "I'll assume it was the Seventh years out for a lark."

Wisely, Hermione bit her lip, knowing that he was only partially correct. She remembered how earlier during the week, Draco and Blaise had cornered her in the corridor.

"A word, Mrs. Snape," Blaise called out.

Warily, she stopped. She had heard from Slughorn that the two young men were whole heartedly on the side of the light, but years of being a target for Slytherin house made her cautious of them. "Mr. Zabini, Mr. Malfoy," she acknowledged them and nodded coolly, "how may I assist you?"

Draco smiled most charmingly. "We have a question about Muggle Studies, particularly the Halloween practice called 'Trick or Treat'," he stated calmly. "Blaise and I understand what is meant by 'treat,' but we were wondering exactly what constituted a 'trick'."

Hermione's eyebrows rose. A quick glance at Blaise, who winked and grinned at her, told her what she needed to know.

"Well," she launched into professor mode, "it is common practice to trick or pull pranks on people that night, especially those who are not forthcoming with treats."

"So," Blaise said, "if someone was mean and refused to give treats, he or she would be a fair target to be tricked."

When Hermione nodded, Draco asked, "What sort of tricks?"

She blinked, returning herself to the present. Luckily, she'd warned the rest of the faculty to steer clear of any food on the professor's table at the party. Ducking her head with a poorly hidden smile, she wondered how Severus would feel if he knew that it was with his own suggestions that Slytherin house had wrought havoc on the Carrows.

"As I was saying," Severus whispered, now that the boys were asleep, "beetles instead of raisins in the eccles cakes? Wooden chips?" Suddenly, he snatched her into his arms. "But I must say the exploding catsup bottle was fantastic! However, did you achieve it?"

Hermione giggled. "I told you, Severus. I didn't do it."

"But you know how it's done, don't you?" His black eyes twinkled at her.

She laughed. "Of course, it's really very easy. Surely a Potions Master can remember what happens if you introduce a little baking soda to the vinegar in the catsup?"

He laughed aloud and kissed her soundly. "And what other tortures do you and your confederates have in store?"

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"A very good evening, Miss Bulstrode," Sirius smiled grandly at the Slytherin as they passed in the corridor. He nodded at the girl and winked.

"I think it may snow," Millicent replied. "What a lovely pink tie you're wearing tonight, Professor Black." With that cryptic comment, she kept on walking.

"Yes, I think you're right," Sirius answered.

"What what the hell was that all about?" Remus demanded once they'd passed the girl. "There's no snow in the forecast, and you're tie is Gryffindor red."

Sirus grinned manically at Remus. "Oh, that was just a little heads-up on what to expect tonight. Bulstrode and company have charmed the Alecto Carrow's shampoo, you see. Every time someone mentions the word 'snow', her hair will change to a bright pink."

Remus stopped walking. He was completely flabbergasted. "You don't say!"

Quickly, Sirius jogged back to his pal, laughing like a goon. "Oh, don't go believing all that claptrap about Slythernins, now Remus. That's just house prejudice. Just because she's a Slytherin, doesn't mean that Bulstrode is a junior Death Eater. Oh, no, she's quite in our camp. In fact, from what Slughorn and and Draco tell me -"

"Draco?" Remus all but shouted. "Bulstrode is one thing, but how did Draco bloody Malfoy join our side?" Utter confusion shown on his face.

Black took him by the arm, again, and began walking him towards the staff lounge. "You miss too much when you're out on the full moon," he muttered. "Last month, Slughorn interviewed all of Slytherin house with some of Pomona's veritiserum tea," he whispered. "So, now we know where Draco as well as a great many Slytherin have placed their loyalties. And they are definitely helping us."

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"Did I wake you? I'm sorry I was just up late feeding the boys and finally had the time to call," Hermione spoke quietly into the mirror.

"No, problem, 'mione," Ron added. He cast a sullen glance at Harry and Ginny. "These two shouldn't be alone together at night like this anyway," he grumbled.

Ginny opened her mouth to blast her brother, but Harry nudged her, so she satisfied herself with glaring at him instead. The whole scene left Hermione feeling odd.

"It's that damned locket, isn't it?" Hermione asked as she hefted the baby to her shoulder. "No matter, I've figured out a way to destroy it."

"How?" Ron blurted out. Depression and suspicion made his voice desperate.

Hermione gritted her teeth. "The Sword of Gryffindor," she said firmly. "It will be able to destroy the horcrux in the locket."

Harry frowned. "Yeah, but, Hermione, how do we get the sword?"

"So, that's why Dumbledore left the sword to Harry," exclaimed Ginny. "Now, it's making sense!"

"No," Ron muttered pessimistically, "it would have made sense if the old geezer had just told us what to do in the first place."

Their chatter was halted by a loud and content burp from young Albus. The young people laughed at the sound, and it relieved the tension.

"I've got a plan to send you the sword," Hermione informed them. "There's a new DADA teacher, Mr. Dougal McGregor. He's Poppy Pomfrey's cousin, and he's rather, uh, cozy, with Minerva."

"Eww," Ron complained, covering his ears, "I don't want to hear this."

Ginny shushed her brother and punched his arm. Harry laughed loudly.

"Dougal will take the sword to the Clerk of Court in Caithness, Scotland. Ron, next Monday you will go to the city administration building. Wear a Muggle business suit, and ask for Mr. Colquhon. Tell him your name is Iain Dubh McGregor and that you've come to pick up a package."

"That's brilliant, Hermione," Ron told her.

"Thanks, Ron," she replied. "Once you've destroyed the locket, be sure to let me know and to return the sword to Mr. Colquhon. Minerva will return it."

"That still leaves us with four unknown horcruxes," Ginny mused. "I'm wondering if he made one out of something from each of the Founders of Hogwarts."