Chapter 23

(England, 1995)

The excitement was too much and too sudden that she opened her mouth to voice her thoughts when his deep coarse voice filled the air. His eyes having caught what she had felt.

"But, I don't think you're up to it. At least your body isn't. I also don't think either one of us is ready. We still have many things to speak of." Severus said, his voice deep with a need that matched hers. She groaned but agreed. Her body agreed with them as well. She turned to her side once he slid off of her and felt him hesitate.

A second later she felt him stir and finally lay behind her. He settled in and lifted his hand and trailed it down her arm. She gave an involuntary shiver, his touch wasn't helping her body calm down. She wanted to ask him questions but she was already feeling drowsy and couldn't keep her eyes open. His hands stilled, making her frown. She had liked his touch and it was actually helping her go to sleep.

"What is it?

"Have you ever done any of this before? With Weasley or Potter?"

For a second she thought she had heard wrong and blinked a couple of times in shock. Ron? Harry? She would have turned but his arm snaked around her waist halting her movement. She gave a sigh and replied in a slightly irritated voice.

"I have never done anything with anybody. At least not romantically speaking. I have laid in bed with Harry on occasion but not like this. It was mostly for comfort and him needing somebody. I was never confused about that. Believe me, I have never wanted to either."

His breath tickled her throat as he shrugged. His form of apology of course. She sensed the change in the shields that protected her head before he spoke once again.

"How does your magic feel? Do you still need me to shield you?" he asked, his voice sounding weary. She was surprised at the level of trust he had in her to allow such detail to escape. She cherished it and answered him honestly. "I feel fine, I haven't called it up with or without a wand and I have been careful to rest. But I don't think I'm as bad as I was when we arrived. Why?"

But she already knew even without him saying anything. He wanted to check the healing period from the time she had come back from the memory to now. She was curious about it too. He waited in silence for a couple of seconds before withdrawing his own shields. They faded, leaving behind only her mind, bare and alone. She threw that thought away and focused her attention on her magic.

She forced herself not to reach out to him and tentatively brought up her shields without uttering a word. It was either go big or die. Her magic didn't respond at first, sending a hint of panic down her spine. Without Occlumency shields she now felt naked. It left her unsettled but it was pushed back when she felt a tug in the center of her chest. She gasped as it spread all over her body in a wave of heat. Her magic felt and tasted different from her. It was hers yet not like before. Now it held a taste to it that whispered of older ancient magic.

Shocked but not surprised since she had known that the Sphinx hadn't been completely truthful with her or the others about the changes that would occur. Severus turned her onto her back and braced his arm so that he loomed above her with a dark scowl, showing her his concern in his own way. Hermione bit back a smirk and used her thumb to smooth it out. He glowered at her in silence. She huffed and shrugged her shoulders.

"It's nothing. Really, I just wasn't expecting the difference in my magic but I should have. I think I'll be good enough tomorrow to try and completely lift my shields backup but for tonight I will sleep without anything protecting my mind."

His frown was gone but his eyes still spoke volumes to her. She felt him check the link between them just to make sure she wasn't hiding anything from. She only raised an eyebrow at him. Only when he was satisfied did he settle back down to her side. His warmth soon lulled her to sleep, her mind completely open to the dream that was just around the corner.

….

Hermione flawlessly slipped right into the dream-like state. A dream that didn't feel like one as she found herself staring at a wild hair beauty, a woman that stared up at Hermione with complete adoration. Mad adoration actually. The young woman accepted a cup, with a badger on it as Hermione watched in confusion. Why would she be dreaming of her? Of this? Hermione watched the woman handle it with care. She didn't understand why so she looked closer at it. It was a gold cup. The cup wasn't just a regular one either. It was important. Hermione stared for a solid second before surprise colored her emotions.

The Hufflepuff Cup!

Last known owner had been Madam Hepzibah Smith. Or at least that's what the books had said about her. Hermione glanced around, wondering why exactly she was dreaming this. She watched in curiosity as two figures walked out of the large room. She noticed that they seem to be hunched over, their posture far different to that of the woman in front of her. But she couldn't turn around, as her gaze could only focus on what the body she possessed could see. Trying not to think too deeply about whose body it could be helped but not much. The room they stood in was large, the ceiling high but aside from the large chandelier in the center, the room looked old and bare. No chairs, no tables. Nothing to give her a clue as to where she could be.

"I will make sure that nobody takes it from me, my lord. I'll kill anybody who dares to even think of it." The dark-haired woman said as she caressed the cup lovingly. Her tone ringing with truth.

"Bella, do not lose it. It is worth more than anything in this world."

His warning rang clear in the empty room, his threat sending warning signals down Hermione's back. But it did not seem to faze the woman in front of them. She only smiled and hugged it closer, her hands clutching it tight against her breasts.

"I'll hide it will. Nothing will happen to it as long as I live. It will be very well guarded in that place," Bella said, her voicing ringing with truth. "Filthy goblins, I'd kill them all but they are useful for certain things. But I won't just leave it up to them."

"Do what you must Bella, but remember that if something does happen to it…Well, there is no need for me to explain it now do I?"

The woman seemed to finally quiver but to Hermione's disgust and fascination, it wasn't in fear. Whoever this Bella was, had something else in mind as to what he had intended.

"Now, fetch me your cousin before you leave. The young Black. I shall ask him something."

Bella straightens up to her full height and turned on her high heeled shoes and made her way to the double doors, the swing to her hips natural. But Riddle didn't stare.

No, he planned.

….

Her eyes snapped open and instantly shut them as she became blind with the early morning sun shining through the window beside the bed. Her sense of smell kicked in a second later. The smell of bacon filling her nose and making her stomach growl in hunger. Hermione rubbed her eyes as she slowly sat up. She realized instantly that she was alone in bed and that she had hogged the blankets. They were currently tangled around her legs as she tried to get off the bed. She managed to get off the bed and walked into the bathroom to take care of urgent needs.

Once she was done she walked into the kitchen where Severus stood, his back to her as he fixed something on the table. The food made her stomach talk in troll language, making sure to announce her entrance to Severus. He didn't turn around as he set down a jug of juice. But did send her warm feeling down the link. She smiled and slipped around him to grab the plate of bacon and set it down on the table.

"Morning. I see you cooked. Good, I don't know how to cook well. Just enough to get by." she said as she stole two strips of bacon before she finished talking. He only raised an eyebrow and sat down on the small table she had sat on the day before. She pulled out a chair and sat down as she chewed the bacon slowly. Debating on how to bring up the dream. She grabbed a plate and served herself some breakfast. They ate in silence. It wasn't awkward or anything. It was comfortable. To sit across him without saying anything was relaxing. Or at least it would have been if there was nothing to discuss. Severus knew her a bit better than she had thought as he spoke up casually but with an undertone she was coming to understand as worry and not anger.

"I left you to sleep a few more hours. I woke at dawn and went ahead and bottled a few potions. But I now see that I should have stayed with you. What happened, Hermione?" he asked as he set his fork down and sipped his juice.

Hermione grimaced at the use of her name, her emotions really out there since she wasn't using any type of barrier between them and her usual emptiness wasn't there to buffer her emotions. She rubbed her eyes once more as she leaned back in her chair. She waved her hand towards the dishes and sent them to sink. She was prepared to feel some sort of backlash but was surprised when nothing happened. Her magic really did taste different. It wasn't like before. To put it to test she used her own wand and almost dropped it when the vines on it moved downwards towards her fingers.

It felt like she was bonding anew with it. She knew the wandlore history to her type of wand but she had never heard of anybody experiencing this type of reaction to their own wand. She hissed as it thrummed with power that almost burned her. Severus's hand came into view and watched her bond with it. His own wand was in his hand in case her wand rejected her.

But it was all for nothing. The next few seconds it calmed, the vines moving of her skin, leaving behind white tangled vine marks. Severus touched them with his wand and whispered several charms and spells. She flexed her fingers to test them but they felt fine. Severus finished and stepped back with a frown on his face once again. He seemed to do that all the time.

"You are getting the tendency to get marked almost every day. What am I going to do with you, Miss Granger?"

Hermione smiled and rubbed the white marks on her right hand. "These marks are going to be hard to hide when we get back. Even I know that I won't be able to take any potions to de-age myself. I'll have to constantly apply charms and spells to hide everything. Which could lead to a number of problems that I really don't want to think about? At least my wand still wants me," She laughed as his frown turned into a glare. He leaned back against the sink and watched her silently. She really wasn't scared of his glares. He knew that but it didn't seem to stop him from doing so.

Wanting to avoid the main topic at hand, she stood and cleaned the rest of the table away as she avoided his gaze. Preparing her thoughts weren't helping so she went ahead and told him what she had dreamt. The instant she mentioned it his face went blank with a familiar stare making its way across his face.

"I'm pretty sure that it wasn't just a dream. It was a memory. Carried by the locket he must have been wearing at the time. I'm sure he was since it could have been the only way. I wonder if he felt the destroying of it," she paused as he reached for the hand to trace the marks once more. "There was a woman there. A very pretty woman. Wild hair and a bit obsessed with Riddle."

"Bellatrix Lestrange."

She raised an eyebrow. He knew her. Severus let go of her hand and gestured for her to follow him. He walked out of the kitchen and headed downstairs towards the basement. He didn't elaborate on who this woman was as they walked into the room. It was clean, no cauldron out much less on. The room was a lot cooler than the rest of the house and she felt it to the bone since she wasn't wearing anything but his shirt and slippers. She resisted the urge to rub her arms and leaned against the door as he moved about the room. His stance radiating his dark mood. One that she had only ever tasted years ago. Years to her at least.

Severus finally turned to face her as he turned on a candle in the center of the room. His eyes flashing with the candlelight and casting his face with shadows that seem to flirt with his features. She ignored the slight challenge in his eyes as he watched her. After a minute, he sighed and closed his eyes as his jaw ticked a couple of minutes before speaking.

"His most loyal follower. The instant she set eyes on him she became obsessed. His power and stand in life cemented it for her. She is Narcissa and Andromeda eldest sister. All three of them are Sirius Black's cousins. The remaining females aside from the young one. She is older than me and joined Riddle before me too. His most loyal servant. Bellatrix had already graduated by the time I attended Hogwarts but I knew her from Lucius and Narcissa. But they too graduated a year or two later after I began attending. The scene you describe is one I familiar with. Although I didn't know about the cup. But I do know that soon after Regulus died after meeting with Riddle." he said. He turned his face away from her and she noticed that his hands were balled up into tight white-knuckled fists.

Not being able to stand his silent torment, she made her way to him. He didn't turn to look at her as he stayed still. She cupped his face and coerced him to face her. "What is it that has you in this state? This woman means something." she hesitated, her mind fighting her hard against images she didn't want to imagine. He seemed to freeze before letting out a curse so blue it made her momentarily speechless. He grabbed her arms, his large fingers holding her tightly and shook her. "Not like that! Never like that! I wasn't interested ever. Not that it mattered."

Now he had her full attention as he held her gaze. "She was mad about Riddle. It was understandable in the beginning before he practiced darker magic. He was handsome but cold. He didn't seem to be able to process emotions like the rest of us. Eventually, I found out why. He was conceived under the love potion. Anybody born under the influence of it can't ever love or even understand it. Bellatrix didn't know that. She didn't care. Even when she married. He was all she ever thought off. But he did teach her dark magic."

"She was psychologically psychotic?" Hermione questioned.

"Yes, she was. She was brutally imaginative. It showed when she became part of the group that tortured Neville Longbottom's parents. Alice and Frank, both who were really good aurors and part of the Order. They were captured by Bellatrix and others after Riddle fell. She was sentenced to life in Azkaban along with her husband, her brother-in-law, and Barty Jr." he solely stated. But she know understood a bit of his helpless anger.

"The attack on them. You couldn't have known."

"I didn't want to know. I didn't want to believe that he was gone. I couldn't. In one night it all went to hell and everyone scattered. But not them. They were true followers. By the time I found out their plan, they had already had hours with them. I led the aurors to them." he glanced away but she forced him to look at her again.

Willed him to look at her.

"I understand. I do."

They stood there in silence, his words still ringing inside of her skull. She was relieved and embarrassed. Relieved that nothing happened between them but also embarrassed at the childish response she had. After a couple of minutes, they regained their composures and sat down on the stools. Hermione leaned forward on her elbow and gave a large sigh. She was feeling fine now but even human bodies had limits and she knew her own well enough by now that she figured that she was ready for the next Horcrux. Although she had planned to heal while they stayed here, she realized that things needed to be set in motion and now wasn't the time to rest. Her body would just have to deal.

"We'll deal with the issue of the cup after I get rid of the ring. I feel like this one is a lot more dangerous than the locket had been. It will give me enough time to recover and get a bit more done before we get back. I really need to plan ahead."

Severus watched her carefully for a couple of seconds before raising an eyebrow. "And you think your body is ready for another thrashing?"

Hermione slumped forward. "I'm not particularly looking forward to it if that's what you're wondering. But I do know that I need to get rid of the ring before we get back. It's just a feeling. Plus I won't have time to recover if I decide to do it back at Hogwarts." She could see that he understood her reasoning but it obviously wasn't what he had wanted to hear.

They settled in the bedroom for what was coming. Just in case she had the same reaction as before. Hermione sat on the bed, wand out of reach just in case she attacked Severus. The ring lay in front of her. It looked harmless but it was from that. She was sure that it didn't matter where she cut just as long as her blood touched it. She unwrapped the bandage from around her already wounded arm.

It had stopped bleeding sometime in the night but as she pressed into the wound, the skin split. It was so fragile that she didn't feel the split. He had reapplied the paste to numb the wound. She was grateful he had. She watched as blood oozed from the wound. They had placed the ring in a bowl so that none of her blood seeped into the bed.

The gold color of the ring was dull, the black stone engraved with a strange symbol but she became distracted as she watched her blood once again slid down her wrist and towards the ring. It dripped on it for several seconds. She reached for the ring and wrapped her fingers around it before giving a deep shudder as a shadow of memory slithered across her mind. Overflowing everything with darkness and a scream so loud her ears popped.

….

Hermione woke with tremors wracking her body and soul. She coughed up blood, or at least that was what she thought it was, and fought against the hands holding her. She bit her tongue in a stifled scream and whimpered as her chest grew heavy once more. A second later she had a moment of complete peace as she opened her eyes to stare up into dark obsidian eyes. They anchored her like nothing else, pushing the pain back and giving her the strength to block out the worst of it.

Severus lifted her up as she clung to his arms like a child. He maneuvered them around until he was leaning against the headboard and she lay across his chest.

"Drink this," he whispered against her temple as he brought up a phial. It touched her bloodied lips but a second later he somehow got her mouth clean of any blood and she sipped the liquid. It soothed her throat and settled her stomach. She lay there silently as he wrapped her arm in a fresh bandage, the blood cleared away in an instant.

It didn't burn, the paste still doing its job.

The memory had been so real. So very real. The taste of death had been addicting. It had brought her peace. She shivered as the thought slipped through her mind. She realized that she wasn't alone in her head. More like she had forgotten.

"Leave it be for now. Just rest. I'll hold it back. Sleep."

So she slept.

….

His resting face was so relaxed. He lost a few age lines when he slept. She had woken up to find herself still in his lap and not only that but sprawled across his chest. Hermione didn't want to move off him but she had needs that required the bathroom. She startled when his voice filled her head.

"Go but don't take too long. We have much to discuss."

Instantly her face flamed red. Merlin. She slapped his chest and felt him rumble before pushing her off his body. She winced as her body protested her movements. It wasn't as bad as it had been the first time around but she still moved like she was ten years older.

After taking care of her needs she washed her face with cool water and stared at herself in the mirror. Instantly she noticed her eyes. The gold in them really noticeable. She moaned softly as she stretched, her back popping and joints protesting all the movements. Her mouth tasted horrible, the lingering taste of blood forcing her to wash her mouth two times before walking out of the bathroom. She changed into some slacks and a loose blouse before going to look for him. He had probably used the other bathroom to clean up.

Hermione found him in the kitchen heating up what smelled like soup. "How long was I out this time?" she asked. She grabbed a bit of bread and bit into it as she watched him turn off the stove. He picked up two bowls and filled them with a hot soup that smelt like potato dumpling soup. Her favorite. He sat down after checking her arm once more and shrugged.

"You were gone for about two hours before waking up and falling into healing sleep. That was yesterday. It's almost dinner actually but I haven't left the bed much either so we'll have an early dinner instead. Drink the potion again and change the bandage again after we're done eating." he replied as he sat down to eat. They ate in silence, the window above the sink open; she could see the sun setting and feel the cold breeze swirl in from outside.

The soup didn't upset her stomach so she finished her portion and drank the potion right after. She grabbed the new bandages and set to work as Severus cleaned up. Her body felt better except for her back. It felt like all her muscle were knotted up. The slight tremors in her body wouldn't stop and would probably take a couple of hours to ease up. She looked up at Severus and answered the question he had been wanting to know. Even though he was protecting her mind he hadn't read it.

"The soul used to make the Horcrux was Tom Riddle Sr. His biological father. But it wasn't until later that he spoke with a professor about the possibility to make more than one Horcrux," she waited for him to process that before telling him the worst part. He nodded for her to continue.

"He wanted to make seven. He was thinking of that as he made the Horcrux. He wanted seven pieces of his soul in different objects and the first one was the diary that Harry destroyed in our second year. But I have a feeling that he did create seven of them. And I just destroyed the third one. If I'm correct, the Hufflepuff Cup is another one. But something feels off. I'm not sure what but I know that he will eventually feel us hunting him and he will fetch the other Horcruxes." She knew she was right. It was a really strong gut feeling.

Severus agreed as he passed her another potion. It was one of the ones that Halima had given her when she had first visited. It helped with tremors caused by dark magic. She winced as it burned her throat. It was bloody vile. She resisted the urge to bring it up along with the soup. Closing it, she had handed it back to him and waited for the tremors to leave her body slowly. The last one sent a ripple of pain before vanishing completely. She really didn't like the potion but it worked. But she couldn't use it every time. If taken more than once in a two month period it would make the drinker an addict. She really didn't want to risk it.

"We have to speak with Percy and Madam Bones. We need to move things along. I have a plan but I have to send a note to the others about what we have done so far but that can wait till we return." she commented as her mind wondered. She really had to speed things up before Riddle found out what they were doing. Not that he would ever suspect them. No, he would blame the Order and that was just fine. Let the old man take some heat. She also had to watch out for that pink toad when she went back. But for now, they needed to find Percy.

An hour later they were ready to head out, Severus decided to change up his look a bit since people in the Ministry knew who he was. He looked slightly younger with short cropped hair and tan skin. He left his eyes the same color but changed his nose. Something she rubbed in at one point and he retaliated by sending a jinxing spell. She glared at him as she pulled her cloak on. She wasn't at one hundred percent but close enough. Not that she expected to get into a duel anytime soon. But Amelia Bones would be a tough woman to go up against and Hermione would need all her strength.

Hermione hadn't changed anything but her hair, which now lay straight down her back with bangs although she did hide the scars on her right hand. She slid on fake glasses and pulled the hood of the cloak up. It was dark now, the sky full of stars that would have been hard to see in the city lights. It was also a bit colder now that the sun was gone so they both wore warm clothes under their cloaks. They walked outside to a small clearing that was hidden in a few tall shrubs. Severus didn't say anything and just wrapped an arm around her waist. She smiled at his play of indifference and wrapped her arms around him. He sent her a sneer but didn't say anything.

He apprated them to London, near the hidden entrance that only wizards used. It wasn't long until they made their way down an elevator with their visitor's badge. It only took a minute before they were delivered to the Atrium. Hermione had already sent a notice to Percy with the shared notebook so she wasn't worried about searching for him. He was working late either way. But they had taken precautions since not many worked late on Mondays, unlike Percy. Severus stayed behind her as they made their way down the dark hallway. A few others were departing as they arrived. Nobody looked their way as they walked. She saw Percy standing a bit to the side talking to an older woman.

It could only be Amelia Bones. Susan Bones aunt.

Hermione knew that she was a pureblood but not one like Lucius Malfoy. More along the lines like Neville's grandmother. Madam Bones was the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, had a seat on the Wizengamot. But that was everything that everybody else knew.

Severus kept his distance from her as they came to a stop in front of Percy and Madam Bones. Percy did a double take, his eyes narrowing as he looked her over before stiffening. His gaze shot up to hers and connected their link. The mark on his inner thigh allowed them to connect much easier. She smiled and quietly sent him a "yes" look. He nodded and turned back to Bones. "Madam Bones, if we can take this to my office," he said, his pose and voice full of respect.

Madam Bones cast a lingering look at them before nodding. They passed the security man named Eric Munch. Hermione gave him the extra wand she carried under the name Elizabeth Smith. Just like before. Severus had somehow produced a wand that wasn't his and registered it under the name Elliot Ainsworth. Hermione would have chuckled at such a name but abstained from doing so. She would ask him later about the name. They walked in silence behind the other two and walked into Percy's office after taking a lift. His office wasn't what she expected.

It was very large, with a window showing the current weather the Ministry had programmed. Instead of night time, it was midday. The sun shining in through the window. They took off their cloaks once they walked in. Hermione set hers on the chair closest to the window and sat down after taking the folder that Percy passed her. Hermione smiled as she met the gaze of the woman across from her. Severus sat to her left while Percy leaned back against his desk. He watched Hermione like a hawk. She wanted to smirk but again, held it back. Now wasn't the time.

Hermione watched as Percy glanced nervously around the room, she knew what he was thinking. She didn't even have to look to know that Severus had seen it too. She instantly felt his wards and spells surround the room. Soundproofing it. Hermione flicked her hair back and pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose. They helped in hiding the gold in her eyes. "Madam Bones, I know you don't know me and frankly I don't know you either except for what the public already knows. But I want you to hear what I say first before making any decisions. I ask only for your time." she said, her hands perfectly folded on her lap.

Madam Bones face remained blank, her eyes sharp. She gave a small nod, letting her know to continue. Hermione wasn't one to be discouraged and smiled. "I actually don't know how much to tell you since you are in a position with power. That is why I am here. I'm also here because I want you to help us. You will inevitably become Ministers when Fudge steps down. Ah, yes, everybody knows that the position you have is a great help in being elected Minister. That alone will also gain the attention of somebody who will wish to remove you."

Hermione noted the way her jaw clenched, her own eyes narrowed but Bones didn't break. No, she held it in. "I also came to tell you that yes, Voldemort is back. Dumbledore and Harry Potter are correct but Fudge is trying to cover it up and he will use the one person in connection to both of them. Sirius Black. I know it will happen," she paused, her hands still linked in front of her and decided to go ahead and follow her gut once again. "I'm neither with Dumbledore or Voldemort. Or should I say, Tom Riddle? I don't like what either man are doing or will do eventually. War is coming and nobody wants to believe it. Fudge will lead many to die and the first to go will be those that already have power and side with Dumbledore."

The folder she had set aside now came to attention as she grabbed it and passed it to Bones. She opened it and Hermione watched her face, reading her closely. The folder contained the truth of what Fudge didn't want the public to know. What Dumbledore had been hiding for years. The corruption that filled the Ministry. Every little dirty secret Hermione had found out. All except for the most important thing. The Horcruxes. But bones didn't need to know that. It was something Hermione was dealing with already.

Bones closed the folder after a few minutes of reading everything. Her face was a bit paler than it had been but it was her eyes that warned Hermione. This woman was strong-willed alright. McGonagall hadn't been wrong when warning Hermione about her. Bones cleared her throat and cast her a curious but firm look. "May I ask, how did you come by all of this information. It could be considered treason as well as blackmail."

"It would only be treason if I was wanting a position of power, Madam Bones. As for the latter, it won't come to that. I don't want to blackmail anybody. That isn't the way to accomplish any trust between us. Believe me, I do want the respect of a strong individual like yourself but there is much at stake here. It isn't about me or anybody specifically. It's about saving the lives of many people. I will fight to the death for those I want to protect. I don't want power. I already have that. But somebody needs to be in the Ministry already with their own power. As for where I got all of this...well that I can only tell you after." Hermione replied, her tone even, not giving anything away.

Severus sent her an amused smirk through their link as he shifted in his seat. His posture anything but carefree. Percy shot Hermione a look but didn't say anything. But she did feel his surprise and a hint of respect. She leaned back and waited for Bones to pick through what she had said. She had said everything she had wanted to say. Now it was up to Bones to decide. The woman in question passed the folder back to Percy, never taking her eyes off Hermione.

"I don't see what you gain in telling lies but who are you exactly? I understand the concept of secrecy but I need to know if you're working alone and how long has this been going on." Bones stated, her tone letting Hermione that she wasn't going to agree or disagree with her until she had everything she wanted. A very understandable reasoning too. Hermione looked over at Severus. He knew what he had to do. He dropped the charms and revealed himself. He sent her a disgruntled sneer and faced Bones. The only reaction they got was one of pure surprise.

"Why? Severus? But Dumbledore defended you years ago!"

Severus's sneer turned hateful. A look that Hermione hadn't seen in weeks. It surprised her. He just shrugged his shoulders but kept the sneer. "I was and still am his spy. Riddle is back and raising an army of beasts, wizards, and anybody that gets blackmailed to his side. He is planning things and some are already in motion. Dumbledore is hiding his own plans even from me. But he is detained by Fudge and his own demons. The only person that Riddle is threatened by is Dumbledore. While they fight each other we are doing what we can to save as many lives as we can. I agreed to side with her because we already lost so many in the first war. All because Albus didn't want to act first. You, Amelia, out of everybody else, lost almost everything. I trust her and will follow her. I hope you do too."

Bones continued to stare in surprise before regaining her composure. She sent Hermione a mystified look before summoning a blank mask of indifference. "You are asking a great deal from me. Not only would I betray the Ministry but also the beliefs that I have stood by for decades. I ask you to give me time and when I do decide I shall let Severus know since even I can see that they both conceal your true identity, Miss Smith."

Hermione leaned her head to the side in acknowledgment. She was a very smart woman. She liked her already. She pulled out a galleon and handed it to her. "I have heard that powerful witches and wizards are hard to control and to read but to be extra careful, please carry this with you at all times. It will protect you from the mere brush of another's mind but make sure nobody finds out about us. I let him show himself to you and I'm letting you retain your memories of this but only because he asked it of me. I will like a response in a weeks time. Now, if you will excuse me, I must go."

….

They arrived back at Hermione's villa, they had packed up everything from Severus's house and decided to leave. It was better this way so that Hermione could call in Sirius and Remus. They were bringing somebody else with them, somebody she needed to talk to.

She had showered and was now in a long loose sweater that fit her a bit loosely, the ends of it reaching her thighs. Under it, she wore soft leggings. She hadn't dropped her glamour but did have every scar on her body covered. Except for the slash mark on her back. No magic or potion worked. They had tried even though they had known.

The villa had been really cold but now felt warm with the large fire on. She loved being here. With Severus too. He had disappeared into her lab and hadn't reappeared in hours. It was late at night now, the sun only a few hours away from rising. Hermione already felt her body weakening so she knew she was pushing herself. But things had to be done before she could rest. She sipped some tea as she settled herself on the rug by the fire. It warmed her and sent her into a slight daze. She sometimes felt like she had bitten off more than what she could chew. But having Severus by her side had helped.

It reminded her that he still had his shields wrapped around her and she worried that he was pushing himself to protect her. She jumped when he spoke from above her. "Foolish girl. I'm not pushing myself to do anything. I have been doing this for too long to feel the strain you do." he stated as he pulled her up from her comfortable spot.

She lifted her face to his and pecked his chin, causing him to raise his eyebrows. She smiled wickedly. "We are about to have guest over. As much as I want to snog the shite out of you I must restrain myself from doing so. Drop the shields. I'll be fine."

Hermione loved that he didn't question her like he once would have and dropped them. She felt a rush of loneliness but brushed it aside as she examined her mind and magic. Everything was in order but she didn't want to push herself just yet. He let her go gently into the armchair nearest to the fire and walked out of the room. They had already discussed that he would not be seen since she didn't want others to know of him yet. Too many already knew.

At least for now.

She didn't have to wait long before the wards around the villa let her know that she had a few guests coming in. The door opened a second later, revealing Sirius and Remus. She smiled in welcome and stood up. They both looked a bit taken aback at her appearance. She still wore Elizabeth Smith so it was understood. Sirius grinned while Remus only nodded politely.

But Hermione had already looked past them and towards her guest.

Xenophilius Lovegood. Father of Luna and the owner of The Quibbler.

…..

Sorry for the long wait. I'm busy with my friend and her baby who we were just able to bring home. Things have been stressful around here and I couldn't write. I hope you all understand.

Vanee

Angel897, leonix2009; Thank you for reading! Hope you like this chapter as well.

ZoeyOlivia; The baby will need a lot of help so I'm just glad to help her.

Kpop392as; Don't worry, she did clean it or at least that's what I want to believe :)

AlexasixT, Ayeshalestradi; Thank you, guys! Please enjoy this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. I actually wrote it out in a journal.