New Chapter! It was about 75% complete over the Christmas hols and then work picked back up, but I got it over the finish line today. :) Thank you to everyone who reads and reviews as always, xx.

Chapter 29

Hours later, it was an exhausted and grieving group that departed the kitchen of Number 12 Grimmauld Place. It was agreed that Kingsley and Professor McGonagall would take over as joint leaders of the Order. With their positions and connections within the wizarding world, along with their commanding leadership styles and cool demeanours, they were the best choices.

The most important tasks were keeping Harry safe and keeping Severus in the Dark Lord's good graces. To that end, Hogwarts would be closed for the school year immediately after Dumbledore's funeral, and Harry would, begrudgingly, return to the Dursley's house until his birthday. At the same time, Severus, with the aid of Kingsley, Moody and Tonks, would stage a break-out of Azkaban. This would return the Dark Lord's lieutenants to him, securing Severus' position as a loyal Death Eater. No one was keen to see the likes of Lucius Malfoy freed, but Hermione could see that it was the most logical course of action.

With Harry safe and Severus secure in the inner circle, the hope was for the remaining members to continue with the resistance, maintaining positions within the Ministry and keeping Hogwarts a safe haven. Hermione hoped they could keep the wizarding world intact long enough for the Horcruxes to be destroyed so Harry could face Voldemort again.

They stepped into the corridor, Severus' hand gently kneading the small of her back, where the baby was putting too much pressure on her spine. Hermione caught the shocked faces of the boys and exhaled, knowing she couldn't avoid them forever, but being too tired to deal with them now. Harry recovered first and said, "' Mione, you're coming with us?"

It was phrased like a question, but Hermione knew it wasn't.

"No. I'll see you in the morning. I have things to do here."

"Hermione," Harry said, stepping closer, "We have to talk. Now."

"We will speak in the morning. I – "

"What could you possibly have to do," Ron sneered.

Drawing herself to her full height, staring up at Ron with a look of disdain, she said, "I do plenty without your knowledge Ronald. Go back to school with Professor McGonagall. I will return with Severus later."

"Have fun with Severus," Ginny cut in, pulling her brother away. Then leaning up next to Hermione, she whispered, "Don't worry, I'll calm them down. Then you can tell me everything later," the redhead winked suggestively.

"Thank you," Hermione whispered back, gratefully.

As the trio was rushed out the door by Professor McGonagall, Hermione turned back and found Severus huddled in a corner with Bill, Fleur and Kingsley. She gave him a small smile, and he returned it, ever so briefly, with a quick upturn of his lips that anyone else would have missed.

Hermione went to join them when she felt a large hand on her shoulder. Still looking at Severus, she saw his eyes darken, his smile turning into a grimace as he bared his teeth slightly. "Hermione," the rough voice of Professor Lupin said behind her.

"Hermione, I thought you were smarter than this, to let this happen to yourself," Remus said behind her.

Fire in her eyes, Hermione turned around to face her former Professor as he continued speaking. "I know what you said in the kitchen, but if he forced you, you could tell me, Hermione. I'll help you get away from him."

"What are you talking about?" Hermione seethed, "How dare you Remus; that is a despicable accusation. Severus would never…"

She was interrupted as Severus himself strode over, grabbing Lupin by the forearm and putting himself between them.

"Once again, putting your snout where it does not belong, Lupin. If only you were so attentive to those being taken advantage of in our youth... Instead of finding your courage now and misapplying it."

Remus moved to pull out his wand, yellow eyes glaring, when Severus gripped his wrist and pulled it away. Both men were snarling at each other when Tonks found them. She rushed down the stairs, tripping and falling into them. Severus managed to stand up first. Straightening his robes in a huff and looking at Hermione with an arched eyebrow before snapping, "Nymphadora, Hermione and I would request your presence in the library. Now."

Tonks stood up and looked at the Potion Master with trepidation before smiling to Hermione, "Sure Snape. Remus, you coming?"

Remus hesitated.

"Your wolf's presence is not needed, nor particularly wanted, but he may join, I suppose. As long as he keeps his tongue to himself, or he will find something unpleasant in this month's potion," Severus drawled.

Tonks looked at Remus, her hair turning fire engine red, and he followed her into the library as if his tail were tucked in between his legs. Severus looked to Hermione, lifting her chin to meet his eyes while placing a gentle hand on the top of her stomach. "Are you alright?" he murmured, "I saw him come up behind you and I could have hexed him on the spot."

She patted his arm, "We're both fine. You'll have to get used to this Sev, Remus is just the start. I still have to deal with Harry and Ron when we return to the castle."

Severus scoffed, "Leave those two to me. I can make Weasley's life a living hell."

"As much as I appreciate it, I can take care of myself with them. C'mon, let's not keep them waiting."

As the pair walked into the library, Severus' hand once again on her back, Remus said, "So, why have we all been summoned, Severus?"

"If you recall, you were not summoned at all, so be quiet or leave Lupin. The rest of you," he gazed around the room, "have been asked here because we have selected you to be the godparents of our son if you wish."

Fleur clapped her hands and rushed to Hermione's side, finally able to corner the girl to talk about all things baby. Kingsley and Bill both nodded in agreement and clapped their friend on the back, while Tonks was held back from the group, whispering heatedly with Lupin.

Suddenly, Remus' voice rose above the quiet chatter of the room, "No, I forbid it. I know Severus did something to Hermione, and we will not just pretend that this situation is ok."

Tonks backed up from Remus as if she'd been slapped, "You are not the boss of me Remus, and Hermione is my friend. The only thing Severus did to Hermione was fall in love with her. It's been obvious for months, we all figured that bit out except you. You cannot forbid me from being the baby's godmother," she said, tears in her eyes.

Tonks walked away from him to stand at Hermione's side and at the same time, Kingsley, Bill and Severus approached the livid Remus Lupin.

"Remus, these accusations are getting out of hand," Kingsley said in a cool voice, "I know Severus to be honourable.."

"… and I know him to be a bitter, cruel, Death Eater," Remus snarled, showing his canines. "At school, he knew more Dark Arts in the first year than almost anyone in the school, and we've all heard the stories out of Hogwarts, hell, I taught there! Everyone is afraid of him except his own students…"

"So?" Bill said, "Severus was my teacher. He was harsh, exacting, a sarcastic asshole, sure, but that's in the classroom. I have known him as kind, loyal, hardworking. He saved me from Fenrir Greyback last night. You weren't here at Christmas when they were attacked. He got the girls to safety, and then we dumped Rowle in the woods…"

"Both of you need to bury this schoolboy hatred," Kingsley continued. "You always defended Severus to Sirius; what happened, Remus?"

"Well back then he hadn't gotten a student pregnant, he hadn't turned Harry against his father! … He … He's going to tell Who-Know-Who about the location of Headquarters now that Dumbledore is dead. Who is there to keep him in check now?"

"Enough," Severus said in a deadly tone while barely raising his voice above a whisper. "It is good to know what you think of me finally, Lupin. I had always thought you a spineless bystander amongst your friends, but now… well, you show your true colours. What, are you afraid I'll die, and you'll have to raise my Death Eater spawn? Well, no worries, Why do you think we've selected as many as we have? I don't want my son to end up like Harry, alone with a godfather thrown in prison for twelve years and a spineless werewolf, hidden and licking his wounds. Nymphadora would only have to take in our son if Hermione's parents and all of the others all passed. Even then, I'm sure Molly or Minerva would take him if you whinged hard enough. Still, Hermione wants her in our child's life, and, despite her constant clumsiness, Nymphadora would be a good influence amongst two very serious parents. Now," Severus spat, "I'm pretty sure she is reconsidering her decision to agree to marry you…"

Remus was startled and began to protest at that, "How did you know?"

"…oh, please," Severus rolled his eyes, "it's been evident all day. She's projecting her emotions all over the place. If she asked me, I'd tell her she could do infinitely better than the likes of you, but we cannot choose who we love. So, fuck off Lupin; say one more word against me or mine, and you'll find your potions supply cut-off, and then she'll leave you once she sees what a rabid beast you actually are."

Remus approached Severus, standing toe-to-toe, gazing into the slightly taller man's eyes. "If I get even a hint that you've hurt her…"

"Then you will be at the back of a very long line to skin me alive. Go away, Lupin, you weren't invited, and you've ruined what should have been happy news."

His jaw twitching, Remus turned away and stormed out of the library, slamming the great wooden door behind him.

The room quieted then, except Tonk's hiccups, apologizing profusely for her fiance's behaviour.

"It's not your fault," Hermione crooned, patting her friend's now grey, lank hair, "we don't blame you."

Severus approached, "Certainly not. Now, I understand most of Lupin's accusations levelled at me, but what did he mean by, 'I had turned Harry against his father'?"

"Oh," Tonks gasped, "Remus has been writing Harry, who told him about resuming lessons with you. Remus was jealous; he really cherished the private lessons he had with Harry back when he taught. I think he always secretly liked that your occlumency lessons were abysmal."

"What did Harry tell him?"

"Just about how he was so happy to hear about his mother from you. Remus couldn't tell him much, they'd only become friends through James in 7th year really, and he said how brilliant you were at Defense. I think that really burned him."

"Arrogant prat," Severus muttered, "just like his friends."

Then looking at the rest remaining in the room, he said, "Well, let's forget about Remus for now. This was supposed to be some good news after a shit couple of days. You are the closest friends we each have, with the exception of Hermione's friendship with Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum… ow!" he yelped as Hermione hexed him from behind.

"Anyway," Hermione continued, "Our son would obviously be raised by my parents if anything happens. Severus has hidden them in a non-disclosed location where the Dark Lord can't find them… but they're muggles, and they already raised one magical child without support, and they're getting older … so … so we hoped that if anything does happen, you four would be best equipped to help them."

"Of course," Fleur chirped, "We are honoured."

"…and odds are we won't all die …" Tonks said.

The room grimaced at that, knowing they all had targets on their backs in the upcoming conflicts.

"Accio Firewhiskey," Kingsley muttered, suddenly, five bottles emerged, smashing through the closed library door.

Bill and Hermione quickly erected shield charms while the rest of them ducked, the room erupted into laughter and Severus wheezed, "Did you know that would happen?"

The auror just shrugged and smirked, "It was Sirius' house. There was bound to be a couple of bottles lying around. Should have opened the door first, though."

After a few drinks, imbibed by all but Hermione, a little group that remained at Grimmauld Place departed. Severus and Hermione stood on the step outside and gently holding her to him, Severus disapparated with a pop.

They arrived, much to Hermione's surprise, at the bottom of the long gravel drive to Prince Manor. "Apply your glamour," Severus murmured. "I know you want to collapse into bed and have me rub your swollen ankles, but we should tell Grandmother and your parents about Dumbledore. Before it shows up in the paper tomorrow. We'll tell your parents that you will be staying at the Burrow.

Hermione burrowed her head deep into Severus' robes and nodded, muttering.

"What was that love?"

Pulling her head back, Hermione said, "that better be one damn good foot rub. I love my parents, but they are the last people I want to see right now. After last time … oh, it was horrible…"

"Hence the glamour. I understand. We will tell them when you want, but we're going to have to tell them eventually, preferably before one of us is killed."

"Don't talk like that," she whispered, knowing how naïve she sounded. "For now, everyone we love is safe."

Severus tightened his grip around her and nodded curtly before releasing Hermione to cast her glamour charm, and the pair continued up the drive.

Before Severus could open the large oak doors, they swung open, revealing the presence of Mackie the house elf. "Lord Master Snape-Prince, Miss Granger," he said, bowing so low, Hermione was sure his long snout touched the marble floors. "The elves felt the Master's return to the grounds. Shall Mackie alert Lady Prince and Mr. and Mrs. Granger of your arrivals?"

"Please, Mackie; however, we will not be staying long."

The house-elf disapparated quickly with a sudden crack as the couple made their way to the drawing-room.

Hours later, Severus walked into his bedchamber at Hogwarts and drew open the curtain. It was a bright spring night with the bright half-moon illuminating the sky. Its silvery hue reached into the deep recesses of the candlelight's shadow and each light reflected off the crisp white linens where Hermione lay, giving the room an air of close intimacy. Quietly he came to the bed, sat down on edge and indulged in the sight of her sleeping. Her fine lashes were like a wisp of gossamer upon her cheeks; her wild curls, unbound, extending across the pillow, framing her lovely face, her nightgown taut over her growing belly and he chest rising and falling in a peaceful, even tempo, he thought there could be nothing lovelier to behold. He brushed away a strand of hair that fell on her brow and lifting his hand, he placed it gently upon her belly and spread his fingers wide, bestowing protection upon his son, and feeling the babe kick in response against his hand.

Thus captivated, he did not observe Hermione open her eyes. She watched him in silence. In the silvery light, she could see the corners of his mouth slightly lifted. She had never seen such an expression of innocent expectation on his face, and it was incongruent with the dark, snarky wizard everyone knew and feared. Raising her hand and placing it on his own, she smiled, "time to bed Severus."

He quickly removed his robes, carelessly placing them and his boots near the chair in the corner and joined her on the bed. Hermione tucked her perpetually cold feet between his knees, and he kissed her hair. She moaned quietly, and he swallowed the sound with his lips. Pulling Hermione on top of him, so her thighs bracketed his, Severus closed his arms tightly around her. "I love you," he said hoarsely.

Hermione placed a hand on his chest, "I've never doubted it," she whispered, leaning down and brushing a soft kiss against his lips, and he drank in the sweetness of it. Suddenly, needing more of her, Severus grabbed her hips and rocked her down onto his cock, burying his length to the hilt. Hermione's muscles strained and quivered around him, her breaths puffing in sharp bursts.

No matter how often they joined, she was always hot and tight for him. Wanting to savour her, Severus maintained a firm grip on her hips and slide her up and then down with excruciating slowness. Severus times, he repeated the sensual motions, and Hermione cried out at the overwhelming sensations, arching her back and resting her palms on his powerful thighs. She rolled her hips decadently in response, but after several minutes, she lost her slowness and quickened her pace. They sobbed each other's names, grinding hips and whispers of love and adoration dripping from their throats as their lovemaking overwhelmed them until they finally tumbled over the edge together. As Hermione rolled off Severus, each of them slick with sweat and evidence of their mutual pleasure, he tucked her into his arm. He pulled the duvet over them, Hermione already asleep before his own eyes closed.

The next morning, Hermione was shocked to find Harry, Ron and Ginny leaning on the stone walls outside the DADA corridor, waiting for her.

"Erm, good morning," she murmured.

"You didn't come back to the Tower last night," Harry said accusingly, "So I looked for you on the map. No wonder you made me promise not to use it to spy on you."

"What Harry means to say," Ginny interrupted, "is that we were concerned when you didn't return after the meeting yesterday."

Harry and Ron both scoffed derisively.

"Look, can we go somewhere private to talk – " Hermione was cut-off by the grumbling in her stomach, "after I eat."

Harry looked like he wanted to object, but Ron nodded in agreement, also starving, and Ginny, playing peacemaker, linked her arm with Hermione's and gave Harry a dirty look, "Of course 'Mione, you need to keep up your strength. Mum would have kneazles if she thought you weren't eating enough."

After breakfast, the foursome went in search of an abandoned classroom while the castle was a hotbed of activity. McGonagall had announced at breakfast that Dumbledore's funeral would be the next day, and the school would be closing, with everyone departing on the Hogwarts Express immediately after. N.E.W.T.s and O.W.L.s would be taken privately at Ministry test centers, which Heads of House counselling muggle-born students to take their exams as soon as possible. Once they were alone and the room sufficiently warded, the boys rounded on Hermione.

"How come you didn't tell us?"

"What were you doing after the meeting? You didn't appear on the map for hours."

"How could you?"

"You can't help us and fight You-Know-Who with a baby."

"You can't –"

"Enough!" Ginny shouted, looking at Hermione's pale face, "Look at what you're doing to her. She. Is. Pregnant. Stress is bad for the baby. Mum said so, so shut up and let her talk."

Hermione had never been more grateful for Ginny. While they weren't always the closest of friends during the school year, they always roomed together at Grimmauld Place and the Burrow, which brought a lot of late-night girl talks.

The boys, looking chastened, sat down at some rickety desks. At the same time, Hermione paced at the front of the room, gathering her thoughts, before eventually stilling and looking at her best friends.

"I couldn't tell you about my role in the Order because Dumbledore forbade it and made me take a vow. I will not explain or justify my relationship with Severus. We love each other, we love this baby very much, and nothing will change that, so you will have to accept it as my best friend. I want my son to know and love his Uncle Harry and Uncle Ron very much."

"It's so weird," Ron murmured, "You don't look pregnant at all."

Hermione sighed and dropped the glamour, revealing her much fuller, curvier figure, "Severus developed this charm to mask the pregnancy, as I showed you last night. I usually only drop it when he and I are alone at night."

The boys shuddered as she reapplied the charm and continued, "Last night, we stayed at Grimmauld Place for a while to chat with the others."

"Why did you get to –" Harry muttered.

Hermione cut him off, "We asked Tonks, Fleur, Bill and Kingsley to be the baby's godparents. I've become very close to Tonks and Fleur this year and Severus has known Kingsley for many years and became quite close to Bill around Christmastime."

"What about us!" Harry said, getting angry again.

"Makes sense," Ron mumbled, looking at Hermione in understanding. "Godparents have to be of age, which Gin won't be, and typically the father selects the godfathers, and the mother picks the godmothers mate. Don't be mad. Bill and Kingsley are great choices."

"Yeah, I suppose," Harry muttered petulantly.

"Anyway…" Hermione continued, "Then we went to visit my parents. They are in hiding, Severus sent them away months ago to a safe house and has been making sure they have everything they need."

"Why?" asked Ginny curiously.

Hermione wavered, wondering if she should tell them the truth about Dumbledore, but ultimately decided against it, "Necessary precaution when we found out about my condition. If You-Know-Who got even the slightest hint of my condition, they'd go after Severus and I. If they couldn't find me, they'd use my parents as bait. So we packed up the house, warded it, and moved them into hiding."

"Do they know about…" Ron trailed off.

"No," Hermione whispered, "Every time we see them, there's a row, they want me in hiding with them, and I refuse. They mad enough about Severus when they realized, but they trust him now, so that's good … I'm just afraid to tell them."

Her friends nodded in understanding and Ginny wrapped her arms around her, the room silent except for Hermione's sniffles. "As for the other bit …"

"Ginny," Harry interrupted, "Do you mind…"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know, secret Golden Trio business. I have to go back my trunk for tomorrow anyway, but I swear to Merlin, if you two make her cry when I'm gone, I'll hex your bollocks off, and you'll be sneezing bat bogeys for a month." The boys immediately shielded themselves as Ginny sauntered out of the room.

As the door snicked closed behind Ginny, Harry pulled out a large gold locket from his pocket and threw it on the table. "This is what Dumbledore and I went to retrieve. It's fake. I opened it last night after … everything and it had a note in it. Prying the locket open, he passed the note to Hermione, who read it aloud.

"To the Dark Lord, I know I will be dead long before you read this, but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret. I have stolen the real Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can. I face death in the hope that when you meet your match, you will be mortal once more. R.A.B."

"R.A.B.?" Ron whispered, "But who was that?"

"Dunno," said Harry, staring blankly at the ceiling.

"To the Dark Lord," Hermione repeated, "It must be a Death Eater, only they call him the Dark Lord."

"You'd know, wouldn't ya," Ron muttered.

Hermione threw him a scathing look, "Yes, Yes, I would, which means Severus probably knows who R.A.B. is. We can ask him."

"No!" Harry shouted, "Dumbledore said…"

Hermione rolled her eyes, "He already knows. Sorry, but I told him months and months ago. I couldn't find anything about Horcruxes in the library, so I borrowed some of Severus' books. He demanded answers, and I told him. I am so sick of this secrecy. Imagine if Dumbledore hadn't hidden his illness. Didn't last night tell us anything?"

"She's got a point mate. I'm not thrilled about getting help from the greasy git, but better than us searching for ages to find R.A.B.," Ron said.

"Fine," Harry spat, "And I do trust Snape, he's been decent, but no one else. Voldemort cannot find out what we know about these, which is why its secret. Snape is risky, he spends so much time with – "

"And he never gets caught. Jesus Harry, Severus has hidden our relationship and the baby for months, as well as the Horcruxes, we're fine. Still, if you don't want to tell anyone else, I understand it's risky if anyone is caught."

It was Harry's turn to start pacing, tugging on his hair as he finally let go all of the anxiety he'd been let pile up for the last two days. "I just, I just don't know where we go from here. I know the Order agreed I would go back to the Dursleys until my birthday because of my mum's protection. Still, I can't just sit there for two whole months, alone, while everyone else helps the Order. We need to start hunting down the rest of these now. It all makes sense now, why Dumbledore showed me so much about Tom, I thought we'd have all summer and next year together to find these, me assisting Dumbledore. Still, now it's down to us, alone. The Ministry is so stupid, its probably a matter of time before Voldemort takes over and then what? We will need to go into deep hiding. Hermione, you'll be targeted as a muggle-born, Ron, you'll be targeted at my best friend and a blood traitor, we'll need to go underground. How will we find the rest of the Horcruxes if we're in hiding, with a baby!"

"Look, mate," said Ron, "no offence, but you're pretty useless while you got the trace on you. The Ministry will be able to keep tabs on you, and you'll be defenceless. The Dursley's are bloody awful, but you can't start tracking these down yet."

"As for the baby," said Hermione, "Severus understands my role is at your side, Harry. After I give birth, he's going to keep the baby here at Hogwarts, hidden from everyone. His house-elf will help, and I'll be with you. In the meantime, I can keep researching. We still need to figure out how to destroy them, too, right?"

"You're going to leave your baby? To help me?" Harry said, stunned.

"Well, as you've made abundantly clear, I can't help chase Horcruxes with a babe in my arms, and Severus and I have discussed it; he knows I will be forced to go into hiding as a muggle-born."

"Hermione – I…"

"The decision has already been made Harry, this war is bigger than you, bigger than all of us. As a Death Eater ensconced at Hogwarts with an unknown private life, he is in the best position to raise our son. We just need a safehouse until at least October, which will limit our mobility."

"Grimmauld Place?"

"It's compromised though … every single Order member is a secret keeper now that Dumbledore is gone."

"Can we re-do the charm?"

"I'll talk to Severus."

"Of course you will," muttered Ron.

Hermione shot Ron a scathing look, then looked at Harry with compassion.

"I know waiting out the next two months at the Dursleys is the last thing you want to do, but, as long as the Ministry is under Scrimgeour's control, it buys us time. The Dark Lord can't hurt you while you're there and in the meantime, we can find out who R.A.B. is and sort out a safe house. It won't be like the summer at Grimmauld – we'll communicate with you the whole time."

"Owl's too risky," Ron mumbled.

"The DA coins?" Harry asked.

"No, no," said Hermione, "they're linked to everyone else's. I'll be with Severus. His homes have a floo and a telephone. I'll floo Ron and call you; we can also apparate to Surrey."

"Ok," Harry muttered, "but I want to know everything…"

"We know Harry," Hermione soothed.

The next morning saw a large delegation from the Ministry ushered into the Headmaster's office by McGonagall and Snape. At the same time, Hagrid dealt with the large powder-blue carriage the size of a house and pulled by a dozen giant winged palominos that landed at the edge of the Forest. Harry watched from a window as a large and handsome olive-skinned, a black-haired woman descended the carriage and threw herself into the waiting Hagrid's arms.

He, Ron, Neville, Seamus and Dean had risen early to pack. The Hogwarts Express would be leaving an hour after the funeral, even if the golden trio wouldn't be on it, Snape had sneered and told them that it was no excuse for dawdling. When they made it down to the Great Hall for breakfast, the mood was subdued. Everybody was wearing their dress robes, and no one seemed very hungry. Professor McGonagall had left the Headmaster's chair in the middle of the staff table empty, flanked by Deputy Headmistress and Snape. In contrast, Hagrid's chair had been unceremoniously filled by Rufus Scrimgeour. Harry avoided his yellowish eyes as they scanned the Hall; Harry had the uncomfortable feeling that the Minister was looking for him.

Eventually, Professors McGonagall and Snape rose to their feet, and the mournful hum in the Hall died away at once.

"Please follow your Heads of House out into the grounds," McGonagall called, "Gryffindors, after me."

They filed out from behind their benches in near silence; they were heading, as Harry saw when he stepped out onto the stone steps from the front doors, towards the lake. The warmth of the sun caressed his face as they followed Professor McGonagall in silence to the place where hundreds of chairs had been set out in rows. An aisle ran down the centre of them: there was a marble slab standing at the front, all chairs facing it.

It was a lovely late spring day. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny filled into seats at the end of a row beside the lake, surrounded by Order members, fellow students, and current and former dignitaries. Harry was so conflicted, knowing what he now knew about Dumbledore, the secrets, the plans, and how he had engineered his own death, wanting Snape to take the fall for it. He could only imagine the hatred he would have felt for Snape if things had gone according to Dumbledore's plan, and he shuddered. Hermione knowingly put a hand on her best friend's waist and squeezed him tightly to her side.

Harry gripped the fake locket in the pocket of his robes, and his mind whirled, not taking in a single word the Ministry wizard conducting the service said. Afterwards, he would vaguely remember the appearance of the merpeople or the centaurs, but for now, all he could feel was the hot sun beating down on his neck. He thought he would have cried, but noted that neither Ron or Hermione were crying either, all feeling more betrayal than grief at Dumbledore's passing. Then Harry's mind drifted further as he wondered where Draco Malfoy could possibly be. If he was safe or forced to live in Voldemort's presence like Hermione said, he shuddered at the thought.

Finally, the funeral ended, and Harry, turning his back on Dumbledore's tomb and linking arms with Ron and Hermione started to walk back to the castle.

"Mr. Potter!"

Harry turned to find Rufus Scrimgeour limping rapidly towards him, leaning on his walking stick and indicated to Ron and Hermione to continue on without him.

"I've been hoping to have a word…do you mind if I walk a little way with you?"

Harry was just about to refuse the man when he felt the sun that had been beating on his neck disappear. Wondering what could have blocked the oppressive heat, Harry heard the familiar drawl.

"Mr. Potter, I suggest you go get your luggage as it will soon be time to depart."

"Now, Snape!" Protested the Minister.

"Minister," Severus said with a hint of his usual disdain for mankind, "Mr. Potter is not your mascot, and he has places to be, I suggest you focus on running the country and seeing justice served while leaving school children alone."

Harry sucked in a breath, staring up at Snape, in all his bat-like glory as he stared down the Minister from his beak-like appendage. He had never been happier to have Snape as an ally.

"Go up to the castle Harry," Snape said again commandingly.

Harry didn't need to be told twice as he scrambled up the walk. When he reached his friends at the top, he turned to look over his shoulder, finding the Ex-Death Eater still standing toe-to-toe with the grizzled ex-Auror.

"What did Scrimgeour want?" Hermione whispered.

"No idea, but Snape intimated that he wanted me to be a Ministry poster boy."

Ron looked at the two men and shuddered, "…and that gets you off, Hermione?"

She swatted him over the back of the hand and snorted derisively, "He's not like that with me; however, it is quite entertaining to see it turned on others."

"I'm just glad it's not me again," Harry shuddered.

After a few minutes, Severus joined the trio at the castle doors and intoned, "I thought I told you to go inside and get your luggage Potter. We're taking you to your Aunt's as soon as the train departs."

The trio took their leave of the DADA professor and took the long way back to the Gryffindor Common Room, knowing it would be the last time they walked the halls of Hogwarts for quite some time.