Chapter 41: December part 6
A/N (1): I forgot to mention that any recognizable lines from the last chapter are from DH part 1. I had to have some help last chapter. I don't own anything from the HP fandom. Except for the story plot. Enjoy!
December 28th (Continued)
Severus finally awoke on a sandy beach. Somewhere, where he's never been before. Hearing the sound of the waves crashing alongside the coast line, he takes a deep breath of the salty air. He noticed that he is lying next to another body, realizing its Harry's. He immediately notice the unconscious form of Hermione Granger. In an instant, he stands up and he cradles her limp form in his arms. Harry and Neville finally stir awake and shakenly stand up with Severus.
"Where are we Mr. Potter?" Severus asked.
"We're at the safe house. Dumbledore gave me the directions before he went into hiding."
"Very well. We need to lay her down. She needs healing. Now."
"Yes sir," Harry led them to the small cottage just across the way. As they enter, they are greeted by Mr. Ollivander.
"Oh my, bring her in here." beamed at him. His gaze turned over to Severus's concerned look upon his face and led him to the nearest bedroom. Severus gently lays her down on the full size bed. Once he laid her down, he brought his hand up to stroke her forehead lovingly.
"You're going to be okay. I swear it." Severus whispered. Mr. Ollivander observes Severus interact with the young Hermione. Severus slowly waved his wand to properly diagnose Hermione's injuries.
"Looks like there is no internal bleeding anywhere. That is good. Mr. Ollivander-" Severus turned to him.
"Call me Garrick." Mr. Ollivander insisted.
"Very well, you may call me Severus. Is there some sort of medicine cabinet anywhere? I'm going to need some bandages and a cold wash cloth." Severus requested. Mr. Ollivander nods before leaving the room to fetch the requested items. Severus turned his attention back to Hermione. His other hand gently caressing her hand that's resting by her side. He hears her breathing steadily, her chest rising and falling.
"You have gone through so much Hermione. It's a wonder how you survived it all. But please, for my sanity. Survive this. I'll be able to heal most of your cuts and bruises. Unfortunately, I cannot undo what Bellatrix had done to your arm. I will however, do whatever I can to get rid of the cursed scar. If it's the last thing I do." Severus promised.
"I—I know you will." Hermione whispered. Severus barely heard her. His eyes lit up as he fervently kissed the top of her hand.
"I—I thought I'd lost you." He admitted.
"It'll take a lot more than Bellatrix Lestrange and a bloody lake to do me in, love." She said.
Mr. Ollivander came back with bandages and several wet cold wash cloths. Harry and Neville followed suit.
"How is she?" Harry asked.
"I've been better Harry." Hermione answered.
"You're awake!" Harry bypassed Severus and hugged his friend.
"Oi, don't squeeze too tight, Harry." Hermione warned.
"Sorry, 'Mione."
"It's alright. How's Neville and Luna?" Hermione questioned.
"They're doing alright. They're in the other room. It's a bit crowded in here. But they'd love to see you." Harry mention.
"You appear to have the same talent as I when it comes to life and death situations. Both of our timing is impeccable." Harry said, he and Hermione chuckled. However, Severus did not find it funny.
"Hermione needs her rest. Maybe a little later Mr. Potter." Severus retorted. Harry nodded.
"Very well, Professor. Sleep well Hermione." Harry and Garrick left the room to leave Severus and Hermione alone. Once the door shut, Severus turned to Hermione.
"You really need to stop putting yourself in danger my love. My poor heart can't take it much more." Severus half joked. Hermione kissed his knuckles.
"You put yourself in danger when you answer 'his' call."
"I know. But I've been doing this for a long time"
"Don't give me that, Severus. Since the day I met Harry, I've put myself in danger. But I wouldn't trade my friendship with him for anything. We've all made decisions that will endanger our lives, but hopefully our sacrifices, the outcome of this war will be in our favor." Hermione's eyes pleaded with his.
"I have a feeling this will all be over soon. Hopefully in a couple of months." Severus responded. Hermione caressed his hands lovingly.
"As do I."
"I have a feeling that your cover is blown." Hermione said worriedly.
"If that be the case, I'd probably be the most hunted man. They will probably believe any hogwash I tell them."
"Maybe. Just…be careful, will you? I lost our journal at the Lovegood's." Hermione whispered. Severus kissed her palm.
"I can make you a new one. I'll also break the connection from the old journal so no one can track our conversations."
"Sounds like a plan dear." Hermione smiled at him. She's so tired she can no longer force her eyes to remain open. Sleep overcame as she drifted off into enchanted dreams she'd hope would become reality.
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Neville, Luna, Harry and Mr. Ollivander are sitting in the living room watching the fire crackle. Luna is sitting next to Neville on the couch. Neville had placed an arm around Luna's shoulder and the other hand clasp with hers.
"How did you two end up together?" Harry asked.
"Since Dumbledore's army really. Towards the end of our fifth year, after the department of mysteries fiasco." Neville explained.
"I'm glad things are working out for you two. You both deserve happiness." Harry said. Mr. Ollivander agreed.
"Have any of you heard of Dumbledore yet?" Neville asked.
"Nope. He's not at this safe house, I know that. He would've made his appearance known." Harry answered.
"I wonder what his plans are. If he's going to show up for the finale battle, or if he's going to stay in hiding. I know Hermione and Professor Snape healed his hand." Neville inquired.
"I don't know Neville. I'm sure he has something up his sleeve. After all this time. He's been fighting this battle since before we were born. I'm pretty sure he's not just going to say 'screw it.' No more help from me guys. See ya in the afterlife." Neville and Luna laughed hysterically.
"Maybe we can aske Professor Snape. I'm sure he'll know something." Said Luna.
"Maybe. But for now, let them have this time together. Hermione has gone through so much and since it's almost New Year's Eve, they deserve this time together."
"Cheers to that My-Boy." Mr. Ollivander smiled.
"We all pretty much made it out alive from Malfoy Manor. That's truly something to be thankful for." Luna chimed in.
December 29th: Morning after the attack, at Ron's and Draco's cabin.
"He's going to kill me Draco!" Ron panicked, pacing up and down the living room floor. His breathing steady.
"Calm down Ron, we'll think of something. I'm sure." Draco watched Ron.
"You have to remember that my life is on the line too." Draco continued.
"I know. I know. We have like less than 48 hours to deliver Hermione. And I have no idea where the hell she is." Ron screamed.
"More than likely they're at a safe house."
"No shit Sherlock." Ron beamed.
"You better watch it." Draco seethed. Ron stopped in his tracks.
"Wait… I have an idea!" A large grin grew on his face.
"What is that Weasel?"
"In our second year, Hermione made polyjuice potion because we all thought that you were a decent of Salazar Slytherin. She made enough to allow Harry and I to turn into Crabbe and Goyle."
"Wait… that was you? No wonder why they were acting weird. But you two were them…" There is a moment of pause.
"That makes sense now. I always wondered why they didn't remember our conversation the day after. They were both confused as hell. Clever. But what can we use polyjuice for now?" Draco asked. Then it clicked.
"We need to find some quickly, find some random stranger and use the polyjuice to make the stranger look like Hermione. Trick the Dark Lord into thinking its her." Ron schemed. Draco's grin increased as his excitement over took him. Before thinking about it he grabbed Ron by the head and locked his lips to his, almost in a bruising kiss. Ron kissed him back just as hard.
"You are bloody brilliant!"
"A compliment from you? A miracle!" Ron said sarcastically.
"Don't push it." He kissed him again. Then he thought of something else.
"So genius, where are we going to get the polyjuice potion?" Draco thought.
"I'm sure with Snape being your godfather, your family has some kind of potion cabinet."
"Yeah, mainly with healing potions smart ass…"
"Did you give some to Bellatrix when you were trying to get them into the castle last year? You were supposed to kill Dumbledore."
"That's right. We have to go later tonight when my parents are asleep. I'm sure they aren't too happy with me right now."
"You mean, you are their precious little boy anymore? The prince of darkness is no longer being pampered?" Ron quirked his eyebrow towards him.
"Shut up you slug eating Weasel."
"Arg, don't remind me ferret." He retorted. They decided after that that they needed some rest. They're going to wake up around midnight. Knowing that Lucius is still recovering from the cruciatus and his mother sleeping beside him, watching his every move. All the fiasco will die down once Bellatrix left in a heap of anger.
"Who will be our victim?" Ron asked.
"We could kidnap a muggle. Do you have anything that belonged to Granger? DNA related?" Draco asked.
"Believe it or not, I do. I have her hairbrush."
"Perfect. We'll leave at midnight."
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December 29th 7pm at the safe house.
Severus made some tea from the kitchen and brought it with him to the bedroom. He sat down in the green chair beside Hermione, she stirred a little bit before waking up to the smell of peppermint tea.
"That smells divine love." Hermione whispered.
"I know how much you enjoy it dear. How are you feeling?"
"Pretty well rested Severus. Still in a little bit of pain with my arm, but I'll live."
"Glad to hear it Mia." He bent down and gently gave kissed her lips. She returned the favor.
"How are you feeling Sev?"
"I'm better now that you're out of danger."
"For the time being. I'm surprised, eternally grateful that you haven't been called yet."
"For the time being. Yes. I am surprised as well. But I know I can't ignore it. The time will come unfortunately."
"I have something for you love." Severus continued as he grabbed the wrapped present from the inside of his coat.
"I know we've missed our first Christmas, but I wanted to give you something. I have two things for you." He handed her the first package, wrapped in green and silver wrapping paper.
"Oh, Severus. It's beautiful." Hermione smiled, as she unwrapped her gift it was a journal, identical from the one she lost.
"Once you told me you dropped your journal, and as soon as you fell asleep, I immediately went and made you a new one and cut the previous connection. Just in case someone might pick it up and use it to track us down. It works just like the old one." Hermione smiled and flipped through the pages.
"It's lovely, thank you Severus."
"You're most welcome. Try it out, I even made sure it can be used with a muggle pen for quicker correspondence."
"Oh, how wonderful!" She accepted the pen that Severus handed to her and she scribbled something down on the first page.
'I love you.' He noticed his book vibrated with a new messaged received. He opened it and responded: 'I love you too dearest.'
"I have something else for you too. I got this before the journal and with all that had happened." In his left breast pocket he gave her a smaller package, with green and red wrapping paper. When she opened it, it was a small golden heart shaped locket on a chain. Tears began to fall down her checks.
"Do you like it?" Severus asked. She opened up the locket and saw two pictures. The first one was of him and her reading together at the manor, 'Minerva must've taken that photo' and on the other side was a picture of Severus kneeling down, proposing to Hermione in the garden, but this one moved. She sees herself saying yes and jumping into Severus' arms, as he spins her around with excitement.
"Oh Severus. This is lovely! I absolutely adore it! Can you put it on me, please?" Hermione asked. Severus agreed whole heartedly.
"Before this war is over, I want you as my wife." Severus said suddenly. Hermione grinned, wrapping her arms to embrace him tightly.
"I want you as my husband. But who will bind us?"
"I can." Mr. Ollivander cuts in. He overheard the entire conversation, as well as Harry, Neville and Luna. Luna couldn't stop crying tears of joy for her friend.
"You're an ordained priest?" Severus questioned.
"I don't only make wands Severus. I have been given permission from Minister Fudge and Minister Scrimgeour. He had to reinstate my 'priest hood' when Fudge died. I can still perform three bindings." Mr. Ollivander said.
"You'd do that, for us?" Hermione asked.
"Of course. After everything you'd done for the wizarding world? And continue to do so? It'd be my honor."
"But…I don't have a dress, or anything."
"My love, you don't need a dress to impress me. You are beautiful inside and out. You will always be beautiful to me. No matter what attire you wear." Severus said. An 'aw' in unison escaped Harry, Neville, and Luna.
"I can help you Hermione, if you'd like." Luna said quietly.
"That'll be lovely." Hermione agreed.
"With that being said, when do you want to do the binding?" Mr. Ollivander said.
"Tonight, if you're willing Mr. Ollivander?" Severus asked.
"Of course."
"Give us about an hour or so. We'd be ready." Luna said. Hermione's eyes lit up with pure joy. Everything is happening so fast. They'd been engaged for so long she was starting to think a wedding would never come. But tonight is the night and there is no going back.
A/N: Phew… this is a long chapter. I had a hard time with this one. I have one more December chapter and hopefully we'll move on into January. I was hoping to move the wedding up, but with how things are playing out, sometimes when I write, it's not me writing, I don't know how to explain it. But I know they'll be having Pricilla after the war. The war is coming. Sooner rather than later. Let me know what you think! I appreciate your feedback!