Chapter 34: October part 2

Hermione went deep into the woods following the silver otter. She knew it was Severus'. She trusted that he'd lead her the way. As she travels something doesn't feel right with her.

"Severus? Are you near? Can you hear me?" Hermione calls out. No answer. She brought her bag with her so she searched for her journal. Fumbling through her books it was nowhere in her bag. 'damn it.' She thought to herself. Finally, the otter; just a bit taller than hers. Obviously since it's male. Stops at the lake.

"Now, Severus… what on earth are you bringing me here for? A swim?" She joked. She looked around a little bit to take in her surroundings. Its about mid-October and the colors of the leaves are beginning to change. The air is cooler and just right for her liking. She breathes in the fresh crisp air as the leaves crumble beneath her feet. The lake glistening from the full moon shown just above the clouds. She watches the otter frown at her.

"Why are you frowning? Not happy to see me?" She chuckled. The Otter spun around and then jumped into the lake. As she continues to watch him, something sparkles in the corner of her eye.

"It's the sword!" She yelped. The sword of Gryffindor is at the bottom of the lake. Of course, it would be! It's just cold enough where the water is chillier than she'd like. She is not the best swimmer she'd admit, but who else is going to get the sword? She took off her shoes, grabbing the soles of her laces she tugs, untying each shoe and placing them near a fallen branch. Taking a deep breath, she slowly walks in, allowing her body to get adjusted to the temperature of the lake. The water is now up to her waist. The worst part about the lake is that its not clear, so she has no idea what's underneath. She placed a charm on her eye's. Making sure she'd be able to see what she's swimming to. Unfortunately, there isn't a charm that can help hold in her breath.

"I trust you Severus." She takes a deep breath and start to swim, deeper and deeper down into the lake. She didn't think the lake would be this deep, but she's following the otter, trusting his instincts. Finally, reaching the bottom she grabs the sword. Noticing that she can't hold in her breath much longer, she tries her best to swim to the top with sword in hand. About half way through she hears screeching heading her way, she looks to her right and a Grindylow is coming straight towards her. She panics. Using the sword she tries to kill it. However, she misses and the Grindylow wraps its tentacles around Hermione's shoulder and bit into the nape of her neck, drawing blood, she looses all control and sucks in what feels like a gallon of water. She's struggling to break loose from the Grindylow. She's starting to lose conscious. This is it. This is how she's going to die. She isn't ready to die. Not yet, not as she found the love of her life. Not after everything they went through to protect her. She for sure would've thought that Lucius might be the one to do her in, as it was his quest to kill her. Or at least die in the finale battle. But not like this. Not by a Grindylow. As the water flows into her lungs the last memory she sees is her beloved proposing to her in the small rose garden. Still as she closes her eyes one finale time she is still trying to fight off this beast.

A bright light came bursting beside her, instantly knocking the Grindylow off her. Someone grabbed her, lifting her up with the sword. It feels like a life time already but the next thing she knew. She isn't dead. Isn't in the great beyond or, whatever comes after this. She can feel someone's lips on her. Apparently doing CPR. But it was her neck this going to bleed out. The ground is rough, barely moving her hands she can feel the leaves between her fingers. She's out of the lake? But…who? Hermione regains consciousness, and of all people, it was Severus Snape himself!

"Come on! Breathe damn it! I'm not going to lose you! Longbottom, grab the potions out of my bag!" Severus commanded. Hermione gasp as she coughed up a mixture of water and blood.

"Oh thank Merlin!" Severus sighed.

"Sev.." was all she could say. She is in too much pain.

"Hush, don't talk love. Drink this, it'll help with the pain. I've managed to stop the bleeding. But you'll be sore for a bit." She is wet, cold and tired. All she wants to do now is to be held.

"Hold me." She gasp. Severus gently lifted her up and held her to his chest. Rocking back and forth trying his best to sooth her.

"Everything is going to be alright now." He soothed. He was practically clinging onto her for dear life. His right hand gently cradling her head. Careful not to touch the wound. Neville couldn't really believe what he's seeing. He's never seen the Professor act this way. He realized that both the Professor and Hermione are still soaked. He took out his wand and cast a drying spell on them both. Severus turned to him:

"Thank you." He paused still rocking Hermione back and forth.

"Where is Potter?" Severus asked.

"He's…" Neville paused.

"He's what?" Severus is getting impatient.

"He is s-sleeping." Neville stuttered. Severus wanted to loose all control, but he held it in as he's holding a frail Hermione in his arms.

"HE'S BLOODY SLEEPING! Why the HELL didn't either of you wake him?!" He growled. The next time he sees Potter. Hermione winced as his voice grew louder.

"I'm sorry my love." He cooed.

"He's been carrying the Horcrux the past two days. It was having an affect on his mood. He wore himself out and 'Mione didn't want to wake him."

"How did you realize she was in trouble?" Severus asked.

"Your Patronus came back. It was acting weird, I knew something was wrong. But before I left, I grabbed this." Neville held out the locket. He gently took it off Harry before he left the tent.

"The original patronus was meant for Potter. Not her. She wasn't supposed to be near the lake." He felt guilty. He should've been more clear to the fact that it was supposed to be Potter. Since he's the chosen one.

"It's…not your fault love." Hermione struggled to say. Of course, she would sense his guilt.

"I had to find a way to give it to him without being noticed. I couldn't just hand it to him." Severus said.

"I know that. I—I just wanted to help." Hermione struggled. Severus wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer. As close as he could.

"You're doing plenty love. If it weren't for you neither of these boys would survive a week out here. Or really, past their first year." Neville huffed at that last statement, however decided best not to talk back.

"How—how were you able to leave the school?"

"I told the Carrows that I had an arrand for the Dark Lord."

"They bought it?" Neville asked.

"They aren't that smart to begin with." Severus retorted.

"I need you to get back to the tent and make sure boy wonder is awake. I'll be bringing her shortly." Severus said. Neville nodded.

"What do you want me to do with this?" Holding up the locket.

"Take the locket and the sword to Potter. It is his responsibility to destroy it. It's high time that boy does something useful." Severus retorts. Hermione coughs trying to reprimand him.

"I know love, I know he's your best friend. I'm just so angry with him, and at myself." He admitted. Once Neville was out of earshot, he couldn't help himself. For the first time in years he cried. Tears flowing down his face. Hermione weakly kissed his cheek. Lifting a hand up to cup the other side.

"I'm—I'm going—to be okay love."

"Oh Hermione…When I realized it was you that was down in that lake, my whole world crashed. I never seen that much blood come out of someone. I—I thought you were gone before I was able to get to you. I couldn't feel a pulse when I laid you on the ground. I knew CPR because I did go to primary school before coming to Hogwarts. That's one of the things I remember. Thank Merlin for that." He's never been so thankful for muggle lessons before now.

"I won't leave you. Ever."

"Promise?" Severus pleaded.

"I promise my love. But you must promise me the same."

"Always." Severus lifted her up in his strong arms, making his way back to the tent. Hermione looked up at Severus, though he not paying attention but she couldn't help but be completely and utterly in love with this man. If she could survive this, this God forsaken war. She made a vow to herself then and there that she'll do whatever it takes to make a happy life for him. She'd be the best wife she can possibly be. For the bravest man she'd ever known.

A/N: Hope you like it! Please let me know what you think. We are chugging right along here.