Chapter 35: October part 3

Once Severus reached the tent, Harry was fully awake and completely gob smacked at what had transpired. He cleared the bed trying to make it comfortable for Hermione. She is asleep, her breathing ragged and the scars from that Grindylow shined crimson. Harry wanted to fall to his knees. He couldn't believe it. His mind boggled.

"Move Potter." Severus commanded as he gently laid Hermione on the bed.

"I-Professor—" He didn't know what to say.

"Don't say a word. If it weren't for her, I'd ring your God damned neck. She almost died because of your negligence." He said in a low growl. Tears silently falling down Harry's cheeks.

"I was—"

"What did I just say?" He turned to him. His black eyes murderous.

"I need you to leave. Place heavier protective charms around this area. They are weak. You and Longbottom." He motioned for them to leave the tent. They obliged. Since they didn't know how to aid a wounded person, they'd be useful outside.

It's been at least an hour but Harry and Neville couldn't bear to interrupt Severus taking care of their friend.

"I've been an idiot." Harry said dishearteningly.

"It's not your fault. You had that blasted thing around your neck for days, it was wearing you down. Hermione didn't want to wake you. You were twitching and pacing back and forth. You literally just fell asleep when his patronus came." Neville said, laying a comforting hand on Harry's shoulder.

"It is up to me to destroy this thing now that we have the sword." Harry said.

" 'Tis indeed my friend."

HG/SS HG/SS HG/SS

Severus watched Hermione's chest rise and fall. Clasping her hand into his, still feeling the coldness from the lake he strokes her knuckles back and forth. With his other hand, he gently places it over her stomach, caressing her soft skin.

"Love me tender, love me sweet…

Never let me go…

You have made my life complete,

And I love you so…" Severus started to sing. Remembering that this was one of her favorite songs from back when days seem simpler.

"Love me tender, love me true,

All my dreams fulfilled…

For my darling I love you,

And I always will…." He continues singing softly. Like a whisper in her ear. She hears him and it brings her out of her slumber. For a moment she just allows him to caress her. She's so tired but misses him company greatly. When she turned to him, his eyes, as black as the night is staring straight at her.

"For my darling…I love you… And…I…Always….Will." She finishes with him.

"You're still here." She whispers.

"Of course I am."

"What about the school?" She asked.

"I told them that I'd be away on an arrand for the Dark Lord. I had to leave the Carrows in charge." Her eyes bulged.

"Wh-at?" She thought of her friends, Luna and the others.

"I've told them that Minerva will be handling the students. All they need to do is occupy my office. Minerva doesn't like the idea of them being 'in charge' but I saw no other way. They report everything they see or hear. She understands my position." Severus said, trying to sooth her.

"Is Ginny—"

"She's back at Hogwarts, but she is being protected by the other professors, her friends too. I need to make sure that you're okay before I head back." He said.

"The locket—" She gasp.

"Will be destroyed by Potter. Don't you worry about that. I have placed some salve on your neck to help ease the pain. I have also placed various potions next to the bed. I don't want you traveling anywhere for at least two weeks. I have restocked your food supplies to last an additional three weeks. It's no 5-star restaurant, but I placed a refrigerator, yes I know we don't have 'power', but I managed to configure it with magic to keep your food and drinks from not spoiling."

"You think of everything." She whispered. She wanted to kiss him, but she is still too weak to move much. As if reading her mind, Severus leans in and brushes his lips to hers. Severus lingers as he is thankful that he's still able to kiss her.

"I have to make sure you survive. I know you're capable, but with those two dunderheads you need someone to look after you as well. You've lost weight."

"They need their strength."

"So do you! You're the brains of this operation." Severus said. Hermione chuckled. She sees Harry and Neville poking their heads in.

"Come in boys." She said. Severus growled, but didn't argue.

"Hermione, how are you feeling?" Harry asked, timidly walking towards her.

"I've been better."

"No thanks to me." Harry's eyes darted towards the floor.

"It's not your fault."

"If I wasn't asleep, it would've been me going down in that lake." Severus remained quiet. Not trusting his voice.

"That locket has been taking its toll on you. You haven't slept in days. We had no idea when we were able to get the sword, it just happened to be at that moment. I was confident that I was competent enough to get the sword myself."

"Why didn't you have me come along?" Neville asked.

"Because I needed you here just in case there was an attack. I wasn't going to take my chances leaving Harry unguarded."

"I'm able to protect myself you know." Harry chimed in.

"I know you are; but not when you're sleeping and having a Horcrux change your personality and your energy source. It wasn't safe." Hermione said weakly. Severus covered her hand with his, still stroking it lovingly with his thumb.

"Have you destroyed the bloody thing yet?" Severus asked. Harry's and Neville's silence told him no. He grunted with annoyance. He bent down and kissed the top of Hermione's hand, standing up.

"Hermione, I need you to stay here. I'm going to help these boys destroy this…thing." Severus said. Hermione looked up at him with worry in her eyes.

"Be careful my love."

"Always." He signaled Harry and Neville to leave the tent. He followed pursuit. Severus led them as far away from the tent as possible but still within the wards. Harry yanked the locket from his neck and threw it on the ground.

"Confringo!" He screamed. The locket turned to flames, but as dwindling of the flames disappeared. As the locket looked untouched.

"You think that's going to help Potter? We have the sword for the reason." Harry cheeks turned bright red.

"Of course."

"You can do the honors." Severus said, handing the sword over to Harry. Harry gulped. Not sure if he is able to do it. He took a step forward, opened the locket. The second he did so, black funnel clouds came spiraling out, reaching towards the sky.

' Harrrrry…. You will NEVER be successful. The one you love will betray you towards the end.' It hissed. Harry froze.

"Kill it Potter!" Severus shouted.

"You can do it." Neville said, trying to encourage him.

"You don't have any real friends Harry. You're just a pawn in a game." It repeated. Severus took a step forward, placing a hand on Harry's shoulder. The image of the smoke changed, taking form of Hermione.

"I never loved you Severus. You're a coward. I need someone who will protect me. To love me. Who isn't as ugly as you. I need someone like Harry Potter." The smoke Hermione turned to Harry, and began to fiercely kiss him.

Severus took a step back, struggling to breath. Closing his eyes and trying his best to ignore this… thing.

"Stab it Harry!" A female voice cried from a distance. With another spout of encouragement Harry lifted the sword above his head and as hard as he could stabbed the locket. A horrible scream came from the Horcrux. The black smoke spun around, and spread out like a blanket covering the sky. Severus still remained frozen. For some reason what that Horcrux said could be true. He's a coward. Hermione will leave him. He felt a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it tight.

"Severus. Open your eyes love." The voice whispered. Severus opened his eyes, turning his head to see Hermione. With one hand still grasping her neck for support.

"You're supposed to be in bed." Severus stated. Hermione smiled at him.

"I heard all the commotion. I couldn't just lay there. When I saw how it affected you, I needed to be there for you." Her breathing became staggered. Severus' face soften as he wraps his arm around her waist to steady her.

"It almost had me convince that you were going to leave me." Severus admitted.

"Never. I still have this, remember?" She showed him the ring he gave her. Indicating that she's still going to marry him.

"I'll always be with you Severus. I will always love you." Hermione confirmed with a loving kiss on his lips. Severus moaned as he reciprocated.

"I will always love you." Severus paused.

"We need to get you back to bed. You need rest." Severus implored. Hermione feeling light headed, nodded. Still keeping a hold of her neck, she allowed him to guide her back to the tent. Harry and Neville followed suit.

"We all need some rest." Neville whispered to Harry, out of earshot from Severus.

A/N: So sorry for the delay, I hope you all liked it. Let me know what you think!