Chapter 54 It's starting
Disclaimer : refer to previous chapters and onto the next chapter.
Severus rushed back to Hogwarts, his nerves in a knot and not just from the cruciatus. The problem was that whichever way he looked at it, there seemed to be no way around the situation. There was no way they could take preventive measures without tipping their hand. Voldemort would simply reschedule the attack and he would definitely be not invited for the grand unveiling. At least now they knew when to expect an attack than be caught unprepared.
His real fear came from the vinculum potion and he felt the sweat bead on his forehead as he gained entrance to Dumbledore's office. Dumbledore was as tuned as ever as he wordlessly pushed forward a cup of steaming tea with a shot of strengthening potion added to it. Severus felt his limbs loosen as the chamomile worked it's magic and he took a deep breath before beginning his account of the meeting.
"What do we do now Albus? I am afraid that I am out of ideas" he concluded with a resigned look. The twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes died out and he looked every inch his age "Severus, we anticipated the attack and I would rather we get it done with. It's something that has been in the offing ever since Voldemort got back his body and it is only a matter of time. But I have to confess that I am worried about the vinculum potion. How are we going to save the boys?" he asked his voice bleak and worried.
"I don't know Albus. It almost destroyed them last time even when administered over a distance. In close proximity I shudder to think of what it will do. We could bring in the girls again but Miss Granger will be exposed to double the danger as she is muggle born" Severus despaired in a tone which no one had ever heard from Snape.
"Much as we would like to, I doubt that you could keep Miss Granger away Severus. At this point I can only suggest updating them of the events and prepare them mentally for the attack. There is no other recourse and all we can do is lay the cards on the table and leave them to make their decisions. The only option I am afraid is to give them the choice to either leave Hogwarts and be safe or respect their decision to stay and fight".
"That is not an option at all. Potter will never flee and I do not see Draco leaving Miss Granger behind even if his instinct is to flee. So how are we going to play this Albus? And give me one reason why we are not letting the aurors arrest Lucius since he is basically been broken out" Severus asked his voice becoming hard.
"Lucius had not been officially charged yet, he was merely being held in the holding cells when he was broken out. The date and particulars of a trial were never set. Besides, we need him to bring Tom to us since we have decided to face him rather than defer the situation. If we get Lucius arrested the scenario might change in unpredictable ways. In essence, I am letting the situation with Lucius slide which he will notice but hopefully he will not question it as he will be busy with Tom. As for Hogwarts, I will bring in the order members and the aurors. The aurors will be disillusioned and no one will know that they are there while the order members will stay undetected in different chambers until they are summoned" Albus suggested.
"So we are going to let things play out as they come? What about the rest of the students Albus? They should be protected" Severus said as fear once again twisted in his gut. Albus nodded sadly "I will ask one of the aurors to approach me at breakfast with the news of an impending attack as I am fairly sure that's when Lucius will arrive. He and Tom like to make grand entrances as you know. That will give me a reason to send the students out of the Great Hall and I am afraid that's the best we can do Severus. It is better to face Voldemort on our home turf rather than his. It is also time to apprise the staff members of the impending attack. We need Filius to add his charms work to slow down the death eaters in the great hall. We have to provide Harry and the others with all the support we can".
Severus nodded "Yes I understand. Much as I would like to discuss more about the situation I also have four teenagers to talk to before I go to sleep. God knows I am beat. So I will take leave and see you at the staff meeting tomorrow" he said getting to his feet. He then quickly made his way to the room of requirement which was beginning to feel like home to him and the teenagers. He massaged the bridge of his nose and wished that he could bring good news for a change.
"Severus! Are you alright?" Draco jumped up from the sofa scrutinising his godfather for injuries. Severus raised an eyebrow as Draco reverted back to his unruffled front and adopted a cooler tone much to the snickering of the other teens. "Well you were gone for such a long time" he defended his reaction.
"I am fine. Sit down, there are several things you need to know" Severus said and proceeded to bring them up to speed on the meeting. "So it's here" Harry observed at the same time as Ron shouted "the evil git ..."
"As Potter eloquently put it, it's here" Severus said unable to pass the dig "the question is, considering vinculum potion is going to be used do you want to be here and face him or go into hiding until you are better prepared. No one will think less of you and you will have time to train more. With the vinculum potion involved I cannot guarantee your safety completely" Severus said with regret.
Harry shared a look with the others and spoke for all of them "Sir there's no going back now. We have destroyed most of the horcruxes. If we wait he might just make more and I for one do not want to hunt horcruxes all over again. We just have to take our chances and thank you for being honest about it". The others thought over the situation and agreed.
"I agree, but there is one thing I have a problem with" Draco said and the others turned to him. Hermione saw the expression on Draco's face and knew what he was going to say. "No Draco, I will not stay away so don't even bother saying it" she said firmly "besides I need to counter the vinculum potion and I am not going anywhere".
"Hermione, you don't understand. You are a muggleborn as well as Harry's friend and there's no telling if they are aware of your connection to me. It kind of makes you a target three times over. They will not spare you and I can't bear to see you hurt" Draco protested vehemently.
Hermione's face grew animated at his words "No, it is you who don't understand. I was a target long before you came Draco, and I can take care of myself. So I will be there and that's the end of the discussion. I don't want to argue over this" she said putting a halt to his protests. She looked at her friend's faces hoping to see their support but she should have known better. Harry and Ron were at their protective best and she dearly wished Ginny was there to support her.
"Mione, much as I hate to agree with him, he has a point" Ron started but quickly closed his mouth at the dark look that Hermione gave him. She then turned to her Professor ignoring Harry's divided look "Sir please carry on" she requested.
"Well, I have to say that we did anticipate this and having decided to carry on, I will ask you to convey the news to your Dumbledore's army. Let them be prepared. We need all the support we can to keep the death eaters away so that we can have a shot at the Dark Lord. Please keep your pendants on hand as well as basilisk fangs. Remember we have to stab the Dark Lord twice" Severus said summarising a lot of the key details.
"What about Nagini?" Ron asked and the others turned to him. There was silence for a moment and then Ron answered his own question "you know what? I think I will try to take out Nagini while you concentrate on the big one".
Harry nodded reluctantly "I just thought of something. When he takes the vinculum potion there's going to be a tug of war again.." he paused as Draco grimaced, it was not a pleasant situation at all "why not we let ourselves get pulled to him at a point which will give us the proximity to stab him? He will definitely not expect that and we will be close enough without endangering others" Harry finished.
"No, that is insane" Hermione said horrified at the same time as Ron who shouted "are you mental?" leading to general chaos and raised voices.
"Calm down all of you" Severus Snape commanded firmly in his sneering drawl and somehow everyone listened to the scathing drawl even though it was not loud. "We will discuss further plans at a time when we are not tired and sleep deprived. Head onto bed now and we will deal with all of this tomorrow. In the meantime be careful and go over as many spells and hexes as you can" he advised getting to his feet. He then walked out leaving four drained teenagers who had no inclination to go to their respective dorms.
Once Snape left, Draco got to his feet and started pacing. It was testament to the seriousness of the situation that no one commented on the fact that the one person who used to get irritated with others pacing was doing it himself. "This is all so screwed up. For whatever it's worth I want you to know that it's been an honour" he said as Harry looked at him askance. Ron looked at him like he had grown an extra head "save the farewell speeches will you. Clearly you have not been around Harry all these years" he said as Harry glared at him. "Didn't you hear? We have dumb luck…even got points for that and it's not over until it's over" Ron joked and the others smiled with the tension broken.
"Well I am bushed. Let's sleep for a while and make an early morning out of it. It's going to be a long day tomorrow" Harry said and motioned for Ron to go with him. Ron turned to Hermione "You coming with us?" he asked. She shook her head "I need some time with Draco. You carry on" she said but Harry stopped in his tracks. "Right now it's not safe to go alone anywhere Mione".
Draco got to his feet as well "I will bring her, don't worry" he said as Ron said "And who will escort you? No one should be alone including you". Hermione was adamant about spending time with Draco considering the events that were unfolding. "Maybe we will see you in the morning" she said delicately as Harry grinned a sly smile.
It took a minute for the message to sink in but Ron exploded when he understood her intentions "like hell you will spend the night with him". Hermione stood unfazed as Draco got to his feet "Ron I will be a gentleman" he promised as Ron responded with "I don't want you to be a man at all".
Harry however laughed and pulled Ron along "It's alright Ron, we are not their keepers. Come on" he urged and made his way out of the room with Ron behind him. He however shared a look with Draco and Draco nodded getting the message of "look after her, treat her right".
Once they had left, Hermione immediately went to Draco. She looked up at him and gently cupped his cheek. He turned his face instinctively into her hand, placing a kiss on her palm as she did so. He then slowly threaded his hand in her hair as he took in her appearance hungrily. In two days' time everything could change and he wanted to make the most of this moment. He bent down to taste her lips and luxuriated in the feel of her body against his. He took his time to deepen the kiss keeping her anchored against him with his other hand on her waist.
His fingers made their way slowly from her hair to her face and trailed down her arm causing goose bumps in it's wake. A moan emerged from Hermione and Draco felt almost primal in his need. He trailed down kisses down her neck while her hands were lost inside his shirt blazing fiery trails across his chest eliciting his own groan at the fire she ignited.
"Any more and I will not be able to stop with kissing" he moaned softly stepping back from her. "Same here" Hermione confessed her words coming out husky and Draco noticed that her eyes had darkened with lust. He looked deep into her eyes and guided her onto a sofa pulling her onto his lap.
He played with her hair and clarified "I have to tell you, this feeling I have for you, it scares me. Before you came into my life, I never knew such pure love. I was always subject to judgement and manipulation, sometimes the perpetrator was I myself and then you came with no recrimination, no judgement whatsoever and you saw me for me. I could not fathom how a person who had suffered so much at my hands leave the hurt behind and reach out for me. It made me want to be worthy of the affection you were showing even though I did not deserve any of it. I am truly sorry for having hurt you in the past and the thought of you being hurt terrifies the hell out of me. Hermione please stay safe" he pleaded.
Hermione shook her head and reached out to play with his hand as she ran his words over in her mind "you are not the only one who has come out changed from our relationship. You had suffered and still suffering, I cannot see anyone in pain Draco".
Draco adopted a mock glare "Do you mean to tell me that you are in a relationship with me out of pity? That will destroy us Hermione. Trust me I am no saint" he said reverting back to seriousness.
"No, no pity" Hermione said before adding "well maybe a teensy bit initially but trust me I do not go around snogging all guys who are in the infirmary. And talking of saints, I realise that you are not a virgin but how many girls have you been with?" she asked shyly her words coming out hesitant. "Well I should hope not or I might just decide to kill all the guys in the infirmary" Draco smiled and added "And no I am definitely not a virgin and are you sure that you want to know the answer to your question?" he asked.
When she nodded with determination he looked straight at her "four…two Slytherins One Ravenclaw and one Gryffindor and I am not telling you who they are" he said with a twinkle.
"Only four? And Gryffindor? Well you have to tell me at least that one" Hermione begged and expanded "I thought it would be more considering you were portrayed as some kind of sex god or something".
Draco raised an eyebrow "sex god huh? Perhaps I should try to live up to that one" he commented with a mischievous smile.
Hermione blushed and swatted him on his arm "well don't let it go to your head. It's big enough as it is" she said before becoming serious again. "Draco please don't take any unnecessary chances when the war comes" she pleaded turning to look at him. A shadow passed over his face and he nodded reluctantly "I will not and you have to promise the same. Love, please for my sake will you consider sitting it out?" he asked earnestly.
"And leave you to the vinculum potion without a defence? No Draco, I can't and won't do that. I will just go nuts and besides I want to be there fighting next to you rather than go mad wondering if you are ok" she fought back. He sighed "at least promise me that if a chance arises for you to get out of the fight you will consider it" he said firmly.
She looked at his firm expression and nodded "okay I will, provided you do too" she quietly acceded. Draco seriously doubted that such an opportunity will arise for him, but if this will get Hermione to consider the option then so be it he thought as he said aloud "agreed".
"Now shut up and kiss me instead of talking so much and live up to your reputation" she ordered causing him to laugh out loud. God he had forgotten what it was to laugh, damn Voldemort and his death eaters and he proceeded to do exactly as she asked. "As you please my lady" he murmured against her neck eliciting a quiet giggle from her. She melted against him and he felt the heat swirling between them leading her to look at him hesitantly before flushing a bright red.
"Draco I want you to be the first" she said shyly not able to hold his enquiring gaze. He looked up at her startled "what?" his tone sounded gobsmacked even to his ears. "You heard me, I want you" she said simply. He fell silent for a minute until he heard Hermione's faltering tone "unless you don't want to?" she asked her voice unsure and hurt.
"NO…Merlin! No, love that's not it all…don't you know by now how much I want you? I just want to be absolutely sure that you are alright with it?" he asked in an enquiring tone. "I am sure, absolutely sure" Hermione said "I have never been surer of anything in my life. I have never felt this way before and I have to confess that I have started to dream of a life with you" she confessed.
Draco looked at her keenly, "as have I" he responded quietly before reaching out to pull her to him with a lusty playful "come here wench" resulting in her giggles which for some reason made him insanely happy. He then proceeded to show her what it took to be a 'sex god'.
Hermione woke up to a warm fuzzy feeling as she stirred on the bed. She was spooned against Draco's warm body and his arm was around her waist clutching her to him. A smile played on her lips as her thoughts went to the night before. Draco had been incredibly gentle and thoughtful, something which she would never have believed of him earlier. How wrong they had been in their assessment of him, it had been a mask, all of it she realised. The real Draco had been buried and thankfully now coming out of the proverbial shell.
She felt him moving and realized that she had woken him up. "whaaatt time izz it?" she heard his sleep filled voice murmur against her head. "Time to wake up sweetheart, I know it doesn't feel like Hogwarts in here but we do have classes" she replied as he became more alert.
He sat up allowing her to do the same and stretched with a yawn. Hermione took a moment to admire his muscled body and tousled hair before leaning forward and hugging him from behind. He twisted around reversing the positions and took her in her arms. He looked at her warmly "are you alright, any pain?" he asked concern shining in his eyes.
"No it's okay, I am okay" she reassured him as she ran her fingers through his soft blond hair. His eyes were pools of mercury as he lay back down drawing her down to lay on his shoulder. She turned and inhaled his scent, she truly loved the way his skin felt and the unique musk smell of him. "Draco, I am not sure I am going to have a chance to say this later but I think I am in love with you. I love you. It's alright if you don't feel the same but I thought you should know" she whispered as he turned to look at her in the most loving expression that she had ever seen on his face before it took on a moment of conflict.
"I am sorry Mione, right now everything is such a mess and I don't want to say anything when the war is at the front gate. Everything seems direr, larger and more dangerous and with all that has happened I am just taking one thing at a time. When I do say the words, I want to do it for all the right reasons. Sorry darling I need a bit more time" he said fear of having said the wrong thing bleeding into his voice.
Hermione however just smiled having felt his nervousness. "No problem but we really have to get ready now or we will be late for breakfast" she said. "Yeah, yeah I am going. It's going to be a really long day" he quipped as he headed into the bathroom that the room had provided.
Thankfully they were not late and made it to breakfast with the others where Harry gave her a meaningful smile and Ron made it his business to glare at Draco. But there was no time to talk about anything even with an excited Ginny who wanted nothing than to talk to Hermione about where she absconded the previous night for Nott entered the hall right at that moment.
He sneered at the four of them before making his way to the Slytherin table. The four teens could not help following the slytherin with their eyes waiting for something to happen but they were disappointed. It was obvious that Nott was playing it safe until the next day. Instead, they concentrated on discreetly informing Dumbledore's army about the threat and scheduled rigorous training sessions after classes.
The four teens practiced and researched several hexes and curses skipping classes totally, even taking their meals in the room of requirement. Draco immersed himself in several dark arts books knowing that he would have to call on them to battle the unforgiveables as well as his father. He especially came across an interesting spell that would solve a lot of problems for him. He could handle his father without having to kill him, the only problem was that as most dark arts were, it was obscure and incredibly challenging. He however wowed to at least try and set about practicing the wand movements for it. It was just too bad that he did not have the time to actually try it and would just have to wing it.
As the day progressed so did their tension and by evening they were all as tightly wound up as a coil. Severus and Albus had come in to talk to the boys and to offer their support. "Sir, do you think Nott would be suspicious considering we have missed a whole lot of classes?" Harry asked.
"The story we have been giving is that we are confirmed that you are indeed the 'chosen one' Potter and the headmaster had decided that it was time you were given extra training. And since your two tails are always with you and Draco has now found your support the student body is under the impression that you are doing extra defence" Severus supplied before adding drily "And since there's nothing to be gained from not sleeping I suggest you all get some rest. The aurors are here albeit disillusioned and order members have been sequestered and on call. So I suggest you rest and save your strength for tomorrow" he reiterated before turning to Draco "you can spend the night with me if you wish" What he did not say was that the world might be different tomorrow and he wanted to hold onto this last day as much as he could.
As if to mock them, the next morning dawned bright and warm. The weather was perfect for spending time with your girlfriend stealing kisses and not for duelling with your enemy. The teenagers walked down to the Great Hall in tight anticipation of what the day would bring.
Harry looked at the members of Dumbledore's army and knew that all of them were wearing protective dragon hide vests under their robes. The Weasley twins had procured them at short notice and Harry taken money out of his vault to pay for them. There was a moment of awkwardness when he had stepped forward to give the vest to Draco and seen the flash of hurt in his eyes and understood. There was a time when Draco could have bought vests for the whole school and it would have taken just a tenth of his vault.
It had made the war very real and alive and Draco had murmured a soft thanks as he took the vest. Harry had put on his own suit and then the four of them had held hands, hugged, shared a kiss on the part of Draco and Hermione, checked their basilisk fangs and held onto their pendants before making their way to the Great Hall.
Outwardly they showed nothing but they knew that the vanishing cabinet had been moved to the slytherin dorms the previous night. They had seen the activity on the marauders map and they had also seen the names of several aurors and order members on the map. The stage was set and all that remained was for the drama to be played out.
Harry caught Dumbledore's eye and Draco shared a look with his godfather as they plonked themselves for breakfast. Halfway through the breakfast however there was a commotion as the door opened with a bang and Lucius Malfoy walked in head held high, cane in hand and a sneer on his face.
He made his way to the staff table pausing just for a minute by the Ravenclaw table. His eyes slid over Draco for an instant and his gaze filled with loathing before dismissing him and moving forward.
Draco was frozen in his seat for the moment as his erstwhile father's gaze focussed on him. Fear, anger and resentment warred within him as he fought to maintain his poker face and he was superbly relieved when his father did not linger but walked on instead.
He let out a shaky breath, thankful for Terry Boot's hand on his shoulder and Luna Lovegood's on his hand as he glanced over at the Gryffindor table. Hermione's eyes were flashing with utter rage and Harry was no better. His eyes were shards of emerald held in place only by Ron who had a look of loathing on his face as well. His friend's indignation on his behalf warmed him from inside and he was once again reassured by his choices in life.
"Albus Dumbledore, good morning. I hope I am not imposing on your hospitality but I do need to confer with my heir on certain matters" Lucius said as he stepped up to shake hands with Albus Dumbledore. "Good morning Lucius, the doors of Hogwarts are always open to her students both past and present" Dumbledore graciously replied as he gestured for Lucius to take a seat "Please join us for breakfast" he offered.
Author notes: Thank you for staying with me on this final phase. I have lost some readers and gained many more on this fascinating journey. Every review has made me smile and I have learnt so many things from your observations. I believe I am finishing as a much better writer compared to how I started out and I thank all of you for it.
As for the reader who was very upset that Nott is getting off light, don't worry he will get his comeuppance, only in a different way. Having said, that I hope to hear from all of you again and look forward to reading your reviews. So do leave a review on the way out.
Ciao, take care!
