The very next morning Hermione was in her bedroom, throwing her things in her magical backpack messily.
Ginny was standing behind her with crossed arms. "You are rushing things. The Wizengamot gave you a second opportunity."
Hermione shook her head. "I don't want it."
"Neville called again. He wanted so much to attend the first meeting…" Ginny began but Hermione cut her through.
"Thank heavens he didn't."
"This stubbornness will destroy you. Balances with the Wizengamot are very thin." Ginny made an attempt to reason with her.
"I am well aware." Came the stern response.
"You don't seem to be taking this seriously." Ginny took hold of her arm.
Hermione looked at her angrily. "I am running away from my life. I am leaving everything behind. You think that I don't understand the seriousness of my situation?"
"So many people are risking their lives for you." Ginny pressed her lips.
A sparkle of uncertainty appeared in Hermione's eyes, but it was only for a brief moment. "I know."
"If you disappear you are going to let down all the people who are trying to help you." Ginny rejoined.
Hermione pushed a pair of jeans hard into her bag and looked away. "Don't try to burden me with guilt."
Ginny raised her hand. "Neville has already written down his name in your applications. Who knows what Snape did in order to offer you more time with the Wizengamot and Harry is on the Minister's case every day."
"You think the Minister is trying to find out the truth?" Hermione looked up.
"Yes." Ginny frowned- "Don't you?"
"Maybe he is simply trying to keep everyone happy. Muggles and Pure-bloods alike." Hermione tilted her head.
"Kingsley is on your side as is Harry and Snape." Ginny's brows wrinkled.
"Snape was the only one who proved he was on my side. He was there for me…he stopped the hearing. He scared Malfoy away." Hermione's tone was stern.
Ginny crossed her arms. "It was Harry who alerted our Professor Hermione. If my husband hadn't spoken, Snape wouldn't have bothered."
Hermione scowled. "No matter what Harry said, Snape was not obliged to act in this manner towards me."
"Alright then. You recognized how much he helped you and yet you are willing to make a run for it?" Ginny pressed her lips testily.
Hermione remained silent.
Ginny shook her head. "That man stuck out his neck for you Hermione. Harry cannot figure out what he said in order to get you out of that dangerous situation. He answered to them for you and asked them to give you several days to rethink the propositions. When the Wizengamot realizes that you made a run for it they are going to turn to him for answers."
Hermione sat heavily on the bed and pushed her voluminous hair out of her face. "I have to speak to him."
"And tell him what?" Ginny sat next to her.
"Tell him how grateful I am about his intervention and warn him that my disappearance might cause him a lot of grief." Hermione looked at her friend gravely.
Ginny cupped her hand. "Snape won't ever agree to a meeting with you. Better allow Harry to notify him of your intentions…."
A deep frown formed on her brow. "His group is the only one that might have a chance to find out the truth. Maybe I can help them and repay Snape for his help."
Ginny's lips came up in a lopsided smile. "Help the Keepers? What sort of help do you think those Dark Wizards need from the likes of us?"
Hermione crossed her arms defensively. "You make it sound like we are useless."
"In their area of magic I think we all are." Ginny tilted her head.
Hermione looked at her silently for several moments before sighing. "I don't know Ginny. Maybe you are right. I am just grasping at straws, because I don't know what else to do."
Ginny squeezed her hand. "Stay with us, attend the Wizengamot and choose Neville just to shut them up. Then let us all meet with the Keepers and see what we can do to help each other."
Hermione buttoned up. "No Ginny I am not appearing before them again and I am not choosing a husband just in order to keep my given rights to freedom."
"So next best choice is to run away." Ginny deducted coldly.
"The best resistance was always underground." Hermione smirked and closed her bag.
"They will figure out you are gone the moment you leave your apartment. They already have a trace on you." Ginny's eyes filled with shadows.
"I know." Hermione shook her head.
"You won't be able to use your magic if you walk out this door."
"I know!" Hermione rebuked in frustration.
"You cannot check in a hotel, you cannot use public transportation, you cannot eat in restaurants. Where in the name of heaven will you sleep?" Ginny rejoined.
Hermione sighed and looked at her. "I will find a Muggle place."
"You don't have any muggle money and you can't go to Gringotts either."
"Maybe I can hide in your basement for a while?" A spark of hope appeared in Hermione's eyes.
Ginny shook her head dejected. "That's the first place they will suspect."
"Possibly, but without a warrant they won't be able to get in." Hermione rejoined.
"The Wizengamot will have one within the end of the day." Ginny wised.
Hermione stood up quickly and started fussing about. "Then I will find another way. I will Ginny."
Ginny came close. "You are going to freeze out there my dear and we won't be able to find you without an activated magical trace."
Hermione turned around and without warning hugged Ginny tightly. "Trust me please. I will find a way, but I will not compromise my dignity. Enough is enough."
Ginny cupped her cheeks. "At least wait until Harry can speak with Snape again. Maybe he has a way to help you."
"Speak with Snape, but I will not remain in my house. I am under surveillance Ginny…." –Hermione shook her head- "I don't deserve to be treated like a common criminal. Take Crookshanks please. You are the only one he trusts."
Ginny's eyes welled. "You idiot."
Hermione smiled bitterly. "I have to go."
Ginny drew her in a fierce embrace that Hermione reciprocated. "Please be careful out there."
"Trust me I will."
"How will we be able to get a hold of you if we get news from Snape or Kingsley?" Ginny pulled back to see her face.
"I will send a non-traceable message to you the moment I settle down." Hermione smiled.
Ginny's gaze was heavy. "How about your job?"
"It's as good as gone if I fail to appear before the Wizengamot and you know it." Hermione's smile didn't wither.
"You are absolutely crazy." Ginny grinned.
Hermione's brow lifted knowingly. "Of course I am."
"I hope Kingsley and Harry have a plan for you or that Snape gets you under his wing, because girl you are suicidal and I am unable to make you see reason." Ginny noted.
Hermione's eyes darkened. "I know exactly what I am getting myself into Ginny even though it may seem that I am not. When Lucius appeared at the hearing I froze. I recognized the vengeance in his eyes. The Wizengamot spoke of how great his lineage is. They gave him the opportunity to present himself before everyone else. You think they will allow me to choose Neville? They will find a way to bind me to Malfoy and I'd rather die than allow that nightmare to take place. I will take my chances with the unknown."
Ginny's countenance plunged and she pressed Hermione's hands. "You are not alone in this…."
Hermione's lips curled up in a sad smile. "I know."
-.-
Two hours later found Hermione seriously dozing off under the afternoon grey skies. She was sitting on a bench across from a bistro. She was in no mood to eat and she still had to find a place to sleep for the night.
She kept thinking about Ginny and Harry...their joined lives, their home, their jobs, the safety they lived in. She touched her backpack and cringed. Her whole life was tucked in there and as of today she was well on her way to becoming a fugitive. Ginny's words kept replaying in her ears. Maybe choosing Neville was the lesser of all evils. He could offer her safety even if it was temporary.
Besides she felt so tired of everything at that moment. Many years now she had been fighting for so many causes without thinking about herself. Even the job she chose as a nurse was selfless. Always sacrificing herself for others. She remembered the destroyed signatures that took her so many years to gather and her heart squeezed hard. All that effort for naught. Destroyed in a frenzy of anger and ignorance.
Hermione felt a bitter taste spreading in her mouth and stood up. She picked up her backpack and looked around. There was no point in dwelling in the past. The first fight has undoubtedly been lost, but that didn't mean that she would lose the war. She had allies…people who were willing to help and she was not going to stay idle for long. The first thing she had to do was find somewhere to stay for the night and contemplate her next steps.
She began walking down the empty street with renewed courage as the clouds in the sky became heavier by the minute. As she was lost in thought she didn't realize that the sound of her boots upon the pavement was echoing loudly in the dark alleyways. As time went by people retreated in their abodes, away from the threat of those heavy clouds and the night which was coming fast. When she realized how empty those streets were and that the stores were closing for the night she felt a tentacle of apprehension climbing up her spine. She scowled and hid her chin at the lapels of her coat.
By the time she reached the most desolate part of that district in order to find a quiet place to settle down away from prying eyes, the wind had picked up speed and the sky looked menacing. The dense clouds were moving quickly above the city. Her eyes darted down the street. She seemed to be the only one outside apart from an old lady who was rushing to hide from the incoming storm.
An unbidden shudder rushed through her. Something was amiss….something she couldn't pinpoint. Before she had the chance to settle down her nervousness in order to search for a Hostel, a rather loud thump made her look up. She held her breath and tried to distinguish where it was coming from.
"What in the name of Merlin?". She walked a few feet and then turned towards the dark alley. She raised her brows and waited breathlessly, praying to see a cat jumping out of a bin. After several moments of silence, her heart begun settling. Just as she was about to leave, thinking that she made a mistake a snappish voice spat a curse and that was followed by a muffled scream. Her heart froze for a brief moment before adrenaline shot through her veins.
Her lips drew back and her eyes thinned as she tried to distinguish who was there. At the back end of the alley, hidden in the shadows she could hear struggling and muffled moans. She turned towards the street eager to see if there was anyone else to help her. When she realized that she was alone in this, she drew her wand.
-You could be walking to your death…what the hell are you doing? –
She told her mind to shut up and took a step forth. Suddenly she felt her burning brow being cooled down by rain. She slouched and approached as quietly as possible. The sounds of a violent struggle were now much clearer as she came closer to a set of large wheeled garbage bins.
Hermione tightened her grip on the wand and slowly peeked over.
One man was holding a girl by the elbows while another was trying to lift her legs up. She was blindfolded and gagged. When she made an attempt to be released, a punch landed on the side of her head making her moan in pain.
Hermione's back crawled with anger and the last thread of fear fled away. She raised her wand and stood up. "Let her go!" She commanded, surprised at how calm her voice was.
Everyone froze for a few moments.
"Get the fuck out of here, before you take her place." One of the men spat at her.
Hermione braced herself. "I said, let her go!"
The man who was holding the girl by the legs released them and turned to her. "Put that silly thing down, before you hurt anyone. Maybe we can all have some fun together. There is no need to argue." He slowly drew his wand while his comrade, who wore a black hood, remained silent.
"Let this woman go before I call the Aurors!" Hermione took a step forth.
The shorter of the two laughed heartily. "She is a feisty one, isn't she? Maybe she'd be a better choice for our experiments …" -then he turned to her- "Are you a Mud-blooded bitch?" he asked.
Hermione felt her fur rippling with anger and lift her wand in order to send the signal that would inform the Ministry, but she wasn't quick enough. Before she even had the time to open her mouth both men launched an impressive attack with dozens of offensive unspoken spells towards her that found her unprepared.
When Hermione managed to catch her breath she parried several of them skillfully. However they were not allowing her to get on the offensive. When her opponent began sending her one deadly spell after the other she launched a defense that diffused all his spells to the ground and that gave her a small opening that allowed her to run towards the woman. She knelt down and tried to find a pulse. Nevertheless those few seconds were enough to prove destructive, as a dark fire-bolt fell upon her hip. She cried in agony and her legs gave way.
She felt her wand slipping from her fingers and the pain numbed her mind. She didn't hear the next fiery spell being cast, but she felt it striking her shoulder-blade. The cry that erupted from her chest resounded in the alley.
Tears filled her eyes as she tried to crawl away from them. Her fingers felt the wet stones for any trace of her precious weapon when a fist of steel landed on her cheek violently. A white light covered her vision and a bout of nausea paralyzed her. She rolled around coughing and spitting blood. Her mind was screaming that they were beating her to death and that she had to get up, she had to fight...but it was of no use.
The only thing she could see was a dark spot at the middle of her blurry eyesight, which was becoming larger and larger until it engulfed her whole.
She never had the time to hear several cracks of apparitions all around her.
-.-
"Hermione! Hermione talk to me!" Harry shook her hard.
"They have to be moved to the hospital, Sir. They are both heavily wounded from Dark Magic." Maxine looked up. She was kneeling next to the other woman who was also unconscious.
Harry pulled Hermione's head protectively onto his lap. He gazed up at Snape trembling. "No…You know she cannot go to the hospital. We talked about it this morning." He said in a low tone.
Snape winced as he looked at the dying traces of the portal the criminals used to escape. Then he approached Harry who was holding Hermione tightly. He came down to one knee. "She's heavily wounded Potter. She needs medical attention."
Harry grasped his forearm tightly. "You know the Ministry fired up the traces on her the moment she left her home and deactivated her magic. If they find her she will end up in prison."
"She needs a doctor." Snape rejoined with composure.
Harry looked at the Keepers who were trying to reactivate the portal. His Aurors were close to arriving and he didn't want them to see Hermione. "You can heal her! She was attacked by dark magic."
Snape pulled back in disbelief. "No."
"Please! My men are going to be here soon and they don't know the value of silence as well as the Keepers do." Harry hissed.
"If you don't want to take her to a hospital, take her to your home." Snape pulled his arm free.
"It is the first place they are going to search!" Harry spat and caressed Hermione's cold cheek.
Snape's black eyes darted down to her.
"You can help her. You have the knowledge!" Harry's whisper was pleading.
The older man's countenance closed up tight. "What you are asking of me is impossible."
"They will never search your place. You are unapproachable even for the Wizengamot. It is the safest place she can go to. Your knowledge in the Dark Arts will help you hide her and also heal her. Please…." Harry spoke with a passion that made Snape pause for several moments.
His hands became tight fists.
"You may have a cruel reputation, but you always had our back. You always tried to do the right thing. Please help her…..help her like you did with the Wizengamot and I shall forever be in your dept." Harry was panting from the effort to convince his former Professor to act out of character.
Snape looked around him and the tension was visible in his features. Then he turned to Harry and pursed his lips. He came down to one knee once more and looked at Granger's bruised face. He reached under her and pulled her from Potter silently.
Harry's face lit up. "Thank you…" He whispered.
Snape eyes thinned in a silent warning and he stood up with Granger still unconscious in his arms.
"What are you doing Severus!?" Maxine scowled and came over to him quickly.
"Keep your voice down." He warned her and looked quickly at his men who were busy with the portal.
"What the hell do you think you are doing?" Maxine looked bothered.
"I think that is blindingly obvious." He retorted and quickly walked away from his team and Potter.
"This woman must be taken to a hospital!" Maxine rebuked.
He stopped and turned around. His fiery eyes stalled her onslaught. "I will take care of her. Now do you mind?"
"I do, but you don't seem to care about my opinion." Maxine raised her brow angrily.
Snape turned his back to her and sped up. The moment he turned the corner and got ready to apparate she stopped him. "Wait a moment now!" She demanded.
He looked at her. "Let me go…this woman needs my attentions."
"And so do I, but lately you don't seem to care much about my needs." She rebuked.
His silence spoke volumes, as did his dark eyes.
"Now let's try this again. Do we tell the Ministry there were two women here attacked today and that one of them was the Army Nurse?" Her brow remained arched demandingly.
Severus' nose flared.
"Do I tell them that you took the Army Nurse in your home and hid her from the Wizengamot?" A clever smile appeared on her lips.
Snape looked at her coldly. That is when Granger stirred in his arms and his eyes turned to her. Unreadable as always they held the girl's face for several moments. Then as if deciding on an internal debate he looked up. "Come here." He whispered at Maxine.
Her smile was smug as she came on tiptoe to offer his lips a soft kiss. He tightened his arms around Granger as Maxine deepened the kiss for a fiery minute, before breaking away. Then she wiped the side of her mouth and tilted her head satisfied. "That's what I am talking about love…" She whispered.
"You are not to speak to anyone about this. This woman was not here today." He rejoined.
Her eyes held a playful tint as she smiled. "That kiss held a lot of reassurances …I felt it. After that I'll do anything you want if you promise to repeat it."
He gazed at her emotionlessly. "Go back and write a report about this portal. Try to trace which level it originated from and inform me if you find anything. When you are finished go back to your husband. I will talk to you in the morning."
Maxine pursed her lips and humphed. "I shall do everything, but I will rethink about the last part. I might come by your house later to help you with her."
"I assure you, there is no need." Snape replied dryly and turned around. A loud crack left Maxine behind to look at the empty place testily for a few moments. Then she turned around and walked back to the alley, which was now full of Aurors, in order to take over the investigation.
-.-
Back in Snape's home, all the candles came alight as he laid Granger on the couch. He stood back and looked carefully at her bruised face. The angry strikes of the fire-bolts had singed her pants and her shirt at the point of impact. He could see the black skin underneath that was still smoldering. He took off his coat and knelt next to her. Then he checked for her pulse and closed his eyes as he counted silently. He exhaled hard and sat back on his shins. He felt too old and too tired for this.
"What in the name of heaven are you doing in my home, Miss Granger?" He whispered and pulled his hair away from his face.
After a few moments of silent observation he stood up quickly and moved deliberately towards his cupboards in order to pull out clean towels. "What in the name of hell am I doing to myself?" He muttered as he dropped them at the table and went to fill a bucket of clean water.
-.-
