Disclaimer: I own the plot and Saerry Snape.  Everything else is JKR's.

Harry Potter and the Dark Defenses

Chapter 40 ***Rages and Returns***

"YOU JUST LET THEM LEAVE?!"

Dumbledore watched Hermione with a calm gaze at the angry witch raged at him.  Draco and Ron were pulling on her arms, trying to calm her and keep her from launching herself at Dumbledore's throat at the same time.

Hermione howled, "HOW COULD YOU?  WHAT IF THEY GET KILLED!"

Dumbledore calmly replied, "I have full faith in Harry and Severus' abilities."

"FULL FAITH MY . . . ."

Hermione's voice trailed off as Ron snarled, "Dormio."  She fell backwards, asleep, and was caught by Draco, who gave Ron a look that was half glare, half relief.

"Nice job Weasel."

"Same to you Ferret."

As the two glared at each other Madam Pomfrey suddenly ran into the room, eyes wide.

"Albus!"

Dumbledore blinked.  "What is it Poppy?"

"Their back!  Black, Weasley, and Snape are back!"

Everyone in the office looked at each other and Ron said, "They did it.  They saved them."

Draco shifted Hermione in his arms and said, an edge of worry in his voice, "'But did they save themselves' is the question we should be asking."  Ron glared at him but said nothing.

Dumbledore rose and said, "We can only hope the battle was won.  For now all we can do is make sure Sirius, Ms. Weasley, and Ms. Snape are alright."  With that he led Madam Pomfrey out of the office.  Ron and Draco glanced at each other then followed the two down to the hospital wing.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

As soon as they got there they saw a battered Sirius, Ginny, and Saerry lying on hospital beds.  Madam Pomfrey walked over to her patients and began to heal what she could, starting with Saerry, who was the worst of the three because of her broken ribs.

Draco laid Hermione down on a bed and pointed his wand at his wife.  "Enervate."  Hermione moaned and opened her eyes.

"What happened?"

"Weasley put you to sleep.  Ah, and Black, Weasley, and Saerry are back."

Hermione sat up quickly and looked over at the other occupied beds.  Suddenly there was a noise from outside and they heard Mad-Eye Moody yell, "HOLD IT RIGHT THERE SEVERUS!"

Ron, Hermione, and Draco looked at each other then ran out of the hospital wing.  When they skidded to a stop in the entrance hall they saw what was going on.

A ring of Aurors, wand out and faces set in stony gazes, surrounded a battered looking Severus Snape, who was scowling furiously at them.  But the thing that made Ron, Hermione, and Draco gape in awe was the person who Snape was holding up.

Harry Potter lifted his head and peered blearily at his friends.  "Hello again," was all he said before he sagged in Snape's arms.