Chapter 33: October part 1

It's been about a week since her visit with Severus. Not a whole lot has changed with their movements. She wanted to take this time to fully prepare for whatever may happen. Also, give them some time to rest. Unfortunately, the sandwiches that Severus provided for them ran out, and now they're back eating barely edible mushrooms.

"We need to figure out how we can destroy this thing. Its severely affecting our moods." Neville said. He kept an eye on Harry who seems to be a bit out of sorts. Twitching, pacing back and forth.

"I know. I know. I'm just at a standstill. I've read through everything, all the books I own in my bag. Nothing." Hermione said.

"You have every book probably ever written Hermione. How you manage to fit it all in, plus a tent is beyond me." Neville joked. He turned on the radio and found some music to help fill the silence. Frank Sinatra came on and almost immediately, Hermione burst into tears.

Someday, when I'm awfully low,

When the world is cold,

I will feel a glow just thinking of you

And the way you look tonight.

Yes you're lovely, with your smile so warm

And your cheeks so soft,

There is nothing for me but to love you,

And the way you look tonight.

With each word your tenderness grows,

Tearing my fear apart

And that laugh that wrinkles your nose,

"It touches my foolish heart.." Hermione sang along with the radio. Neville watched as her composure completely broke down. He quickly moved to sit next to Hermione and wrapped his arms around her, bringing her close. She wrapped her arms around him, laying her head upon his shoulder and Neville rested his head on top of her.

Hermione finished softly singing the song, afterward she let out a sigh.

"You must miss him, Hermione." Neville whispered.

"I do, I miss him terribly."

"I've actually never heard this song before." Neville admitted. Hermione chuckled a little.

"Its by a muggle artist; Frank Sinatra, I am a fan of his."

"You like this Frank Sinatra?"

"I love all his songs, but this one especially. This is sort of our song, Brings back memories of simpler times."

"Can you tell me this memory?" Neville asked. Hermione sighed.

"Sev told me if I tell anyone he'd hex me." She chuckled.

"Well then, maybe it's worth it?" Hermione playfully slapped him.

"You really want to know?"

"Of course."

"It was during my apprenticeship, I was helping him find a cure for the headmaster, I won't go into that, it's a long story. However, while we were waiting for the first part of the potion to finish brewing, we had a bit of time on our hands. So, I decided that I'll bake a cake."

"You like baking?"

"Of course Neville. I loved baking. I miss it actually." She paused for a moment.

"Anyhow, we were making icing for the cake, Severus practically threw icing on me. I swear till this day he threw it on purpose. We had a little 'icing' war before this song came on. I asked him to dance with me." She laughed at the memory. She remembered that she did take a picture of him with the cake that they baked. She keeps it with her at all times. She pulled it out of her pants pocket and showed it to Neville.

"That's Snape? He's somewhat smiling, I guess. Haha" He looked on as the picture of Severus went from a half smile to a low growl of irritation, as he held the cake waiting for Hermione to take the picture.

"Yes, it's either Professor Snape to you." Hermione said.

"It's kind of hard to see Professor Snape in this demeanor, when you're used to having him scare the living daylights out of you."

"He's honestly not that bad once you get to know him. He's really a big o teddy bear."

"I see." Neville had a hard time believing that.

"Soon after that, we had to do the second portion of the potion."

"Try and say that five times fast." Neville comments.

"Anyhow- Severus left the room for like ten minutes, I went on to add the Unicorn hairs, but the cauldron exploded."

"WHAT?!" Neville shouted.

"You were okay right? Your potions never explode!"

"This is an experimental potion, we had no idea that it would explode. But, it shattered and threw me up against the wall, knocking me out cold turkey. Severus found me moments later and pretty much flew to the hospital wing." Hermione kept an eye on Harry, he finally tuckered himself out and he's fast asleep on one of the cots.

"How long did it take for you to wake up?"

"Not long, Madam Pomfrey did some amazing work. But as I was waking up, he confessed his love to me. I was completely taken aback."

"You were on your death bed."

"I would have if Severus didn't get me to the hospital wing when he did. I apparently hit my head pretty hard."

"That's crazy."

"Yeah, its been crazy, we had to halt my apprenticeship because Lucius Malfoy was instructed to kill me, and Severus was instructed to kill Ron."

"That's bonkers 'Mione." Neville had no words.

"We went into hiding for awhile. I was at Snape Manor. He was at McGonagall Manor."

"That's why you two were gone. There were rumors that ya'll ran off together, Seamus apparently started it." Hermione busted out laughing at that atrocity.

"That's a joke if I ever heard one. Anyhow, I fell in love with Severus' library and I hardly ever left."

"Why am I not surprised Professor Snape would have his own library."

"My parents were murdered during the time I was at the Manor. I was so heart broken, I almost did something that I couldn't take back."

"I'm so sorry 'Mione, what did you do?"

"I almost jumped off a cliff. Severus helped me snap out of it." Remembering how stupid she was.

"You were grieving. And you didn't know how to get control over it. But, I'm glad you didn't jump."

"Severus is too, he proposed before we went into hiding, after he had to get some counselling." She showed him the ring. Neville gasp.

"You are engaged?! Wait… counselling?"

"Yes, he proposed in June, in a small rose garden he planted while he was a student. Rather romantic actually. He had to get some counselling for some anger issues, but its been all worked out."

"When are you going to get married?" Neville asked.

"Not until after the war. Its surely not safe to have one now. But did I tell you the reason why Ron isn't really around anymore?"

"No, you haven't." Hermione told him everything that had happened at the Manor, how Ron had asked her to be his girlfriend, she turned him down. He called her a whore and everything went downhill.

"That's why Ron's been acting weird."

"Yes." She told him about Ginny and taking a short vacation to the states.

"You took a vacation, when someone was on the hunt to kill you?"

"We- well, I had to get away, after everything my stress level was through the roof. Severus was worried about my welfare."

"I see."

"Very few people know of our relationship. I'd appreciate it if you'd keep it to yourself please." Hermione said.

"Of course."

"With Severus being Headmaster, his association with me could lead to his death. I can't imagine life without him." Neville wrapped an arm around her to bring her closer. She leaned in, thankful for his friendship.

"I wouldn't do anything on purpose to put you and him in harms way. You have my word 'Mione." A couple of moments of silence passed by. Before there is a blue-ish white glow shining from the outside of the tent. There is a patronus- otter waiting outside the tent.

"Isn't your patronus an Otter?"

"It is Neville." She knew who it was. It was supposed to lead Harry to the lake, but she didn't want to wake him up.

"Stay here Neville, I need you to watch over Harry." Hermione ordered. Neville didn't like the idea of Hermione going alone, but he did what she said.

"Of course."

Hermione picked up her small red bag and followed the Otter into the woods.

A/N I know it's been awhile since I've updated. Life has been pretty hectic with working two jobs. Barely any time for myself. Reviews would greatly be appreciated!