Chapter Sixteen
In which mostly good news is received
Hermione couldn't believe what she was seeing in the mirror. It wasn't herself, looking very rumpled and tired. It was Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall and Harry and Ron. The latter two were staring at her with slightly relieved and somewhat smug smiles. She watched Harry move his mouth and grin at the headmaster who nodded slowly. Hermione narrowed her eyes as she realized that she could see them and not hear them and that they obviously could see her too.
"This is incredible!" she laughed aloud, tears springing to her eyes as she saw their faces. They were glad and hopeful tears.
"What the devil are you going on about?" asked Severus irately from the bathroom.
The door opened as she turned.
"You have to see this!" she said, striding toward him and grabbing him by the arm as she hauled him toward the mirror. "Look!" she told him, throwing an arm around his midsection as she pulled, not wanting him to stumble.
Severus was feeling momentarily annoyed by Hermione's behavior, but that was forgotten as he saw colleagues and students in the mirror. He could not remember the last time he felt so elated and relieved. He laughed aloud and squeezed Hermione's shoulders.
"You old devil! I should have known you'd find a way to get to us!" he laughed, wagging a finger at Professor Dumbledore.
The headmaster gestured to his ears and shook his head, looking very amused all the while.
"He can't hear us." said Hermione.
"Bother!" said Snape.
"They're only laughing, dear. Not saying much at all." said the mirror.
"Can you talk to them too?" asked Hermione excitedly.
"Of course. I am a magical looking glass, after all." it said a bit primly.
"Tell them to get us out of here." said Severus, who was beginning to calm down again.
They saw Albus and Minerva look at one another. Severus had known them both long enough to detect worry in those glances. Dumbledore's lips moved.
"He said that they are working very diligently on the problem and inquires about the health of Remus Lupin and Ginny Weasley."
"They're fine." said Hermione.
She could see the relief very plainly on the faces of McGonagall and Ron in particular.
"Remus! Ginny! Get in here right now!" Severus blasted into Hermione's ear. She winced, but chuckled at the same time.
The people on the other side of the looking glass were laughing as the mirror had no doubt told them what happened.
The door squeaked open, and the pair practically ran as they entered the room. They looked very worried, although Ginny seemed to be blushing slightly too. Hermione beckoned them closer with her free arm.
"Take a look!" she encouraged.
"This is wonderful! I can see the headmaster and Minerva! And Harry and Ron as well. This is a pleasant surprise." Remus laughed.
Ron and Ginny waved to one another with huge, matching grins plastered on their faces. Ginny could have sworn that there were tears in her older brother's eyes. She watched Ron move his lips.
"He says that he is very glad to see that you're all right, Ginny." the mirror told her.
"Thank you." she replied.
"Do you have a plan to get us out of here?" Remus asked.
"They have an incantation." said the looking glass. "But they can only take one of you through each mirror. Oh, dear, that doesn't sound good."
"What?" asked Snape and Hermione.
"They can only take one of you through each looking glass."
"But that shouldn't be a problem. There are at least four mirrors within the wards." said Remus.
"No, they mean special looking glasses, like me, enchanted by the Founders themselves to rescue students or professors or any hapless person inadvertently brought into the demon realm." the mirror answered.
"How many are there?" questioned Severus, nervously tightening his grip upon Hermione again.
"I am the only one they know of for certain, but there should be four others in the castle, as one was broken. You see, the Founders didn't want us to be used lightly or for visits between realms to occur for unsavory purposes." said the mirror, interpreting for Dumbledore.
They were silent for a few moments. Then Hermione spoke.
"Severus, you should go. You've been hurt, and you are in need of medical attention. Remus and I can maintain the wards without you."
"The hell I will! I won't leave you here with possibly no chance of escape." Severus objected, looking down at Hermione with a horrified expression on his face that he could not conceal.
Despite the gravity of the situation, her heart pounded as she realized that he was refusing to leave her in spite of the painful wounds he had received and the fear that he had confessed to feeling. But she earnestly wanted him to go to safety. She wanted to know that he would be all right.
"Severus ..." she began.
"No, none of us are leaving unless all of us can. Together or not at all. That's the only way that we can all survive this mess." said Remus, who wanted nothing more than to send his lovely Ginny back to the world where they belonged.
The mirror, obviously continuing to translate for the two groups, told them, "The headmaster says that none of you should give up hope. The search for the other mirrors is not over yet."
"Good." murmured Remus.
"And he wants to know how badly Professor Snape has been hurt."
"Hardly more than a scratch!" assured Severus, looking into the concerned eyes of his friend and colleague.
"More like a dozen rather deep ones from a very large demon." said Hermione with a little too much honesty. Snape glowered at her. "But he seems to be recovering." she added.
"Professor McGonagall wants you to be sure that you are taking care of yourself." said the looking glass.
"Tell her ..." Snape began to say, but looking down at Hermione he changed his mind and in a softer voice said, "Tell Minerva that I am being taken care of quite well. Thank you very much."
Minerva raised her eyebrows and looked at Hermione and Severus more closely, noticing that they had their arms around each other.
"Indeed." said the mirror, echoing Professor McGonagall.
Harry and Ron both looked rather surprised as they realized what the mirror and McGonagall were saying.
"The headmaster says that they must get back to work and that they will contact you periodically to keep you all well informed and apprised of their progress. He also warns the four of you not to attempt anything risky and to keep your chins up until they can get you out of there."
"Thank him for us." said Remus.
"I did." said the mirror as the four people on the other side of the looking glass waved to them and walked away.
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A/N: Sorry for the last chapter being a cliffhanger!
Artemis: I hate to admit it, but I think I might envy Ginny too. Thanks for the review!
Elfmoon87: My weekend is getting better. Thanks! I really appreciate the review!
Black Sparkles: Thank you for reviewing!
coolchicgirl16: Cliffhangers are bad things, but it was such a good opportunity. Thanks for the review!
Aqua Child: Good guess! Thanks for reviewing!
Pidgie: Thank you very much for the review!
plastic: I enjoyed all of your insightful comments, especially the one about robe colors (I like green and blue a lot, but I though house colors would be nice). I don't think I know the author you mentioned. I got the idea for the chapter titles (and I've done this before) from the television show "Friends" which use the phrase "The one with ..." for episode titles. This is my variation on that. Thank you very much for reviewing so many chapters!
JoeBob1379: I am sorry that you had trouble reading chapter 15. It sometimes does that, though I don't know why. I like the idea that a magical mirror would have an attitude. I'm glad you liked the kiss. I worry sometimes that I don't write them so well. Thank you for the reviewing!
Witchy-grrl: Snogged? *giggles* I like that word. It's so cute. As for the other pairing, we will have to see, won't we? Thanks for reviewing!
HunnySnowBunny: I left it there because I am a mean person. Thank you for the review!
Helen: I'm glad you liked it! Now, patience! Thank you!
Rosmerta: Escape? I'm not making any promises. The odds are against them, don't you think? I am pleased that you think Snape was in character there. Men are fascinating. Thanks for the review!
Yukito Forever: Thank you!
In which mostly good news is received
Hermione couldn't believe what she was seeing in the mirror. It wasn't herself, looking very rumpled and tired. It was Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall and Harry and Ron. The latter two were staring at her with slightly relieved and somewhat smug smiles. She watched Harry move his mouth and grin at the headmaster who nodded slowly. Hermione narrowed her eyes as she realized that she could see them and not hear them and that they obviously could see her too.
"This is incredible!" she laughed aloud, tears springing to her eyes as she saw their faces. They were glad and hopeful tears.
"What the devil are you going on about?" asked Severus irately from the bathroom.
The door opened as she turned.
"You have to see this!" she said, striding toward him and grabbing him by the arm as she hauled him toward the mirror. "Look!" she told him, throwing an arm around his midsection as she pulled, not wanting him to stumble.
Severus was feeling momentarily annoyed by Hermione's behavior, but that was forgotten as he saw colleagues and students in the mirror. He could not remember the last time he felt so elated and relieved. He laughed aloud and squeezed Hermione's shoulders.
"You old devil! I should have known you'd find a way to get to us!" he laughed, wagging a finger at Professor Dumbledore.
The headmaster gestured to his ears and shook his head, looking very amused all the while.
"He can't hear us." said Hermione.
"Bother!" said Snape.
"They're only laughing, dear. Not saying much at all." said the mirror.
"Can you talk to them too?" asked Hermione excitedly.
"Of course. I am a magical looking glass, after all." it said a bit primly.
"Tell them to get us out of here." said Severus, who was beginning to calm down again.
They saw Albus and Minerva look at one another. Severus had known them both long enough to detect worry in those glances. Dumbledore's lips moved.
"He said that they are working very diligently on the problem and inquires about the health of Remus Lupin and Ginny Weasley."
"They're fine." said Hermione.
She could see the relief very plainly on the faces of McGonagall and Ron in particular.
"Remus! Ginny! Get in here right now!" Severus blasted into Hermione's ear. She winced, but chuckled at the same time.
The people on the other side of the looking glass were laughing as the mirror had no doubt told them what happened.
The door squeaked open, and the pair practically ran as they entered the room. They looked very worried, although Ginny seemed to be blushing slightly too. Hermione beckoned them closer with her free arm.
"Take a look!" she encouraged.
"This is wonderful! I can see the headmaster and Minerva! And Harry and Ron as well. This is a pleasant surprise." Remus laughed.
Ron and Ginny waved to one another with huge, matching grins plastered on their faces. Ginny could have sworn that there were tears in her older brother's eyes. She watched Ron move his lips.
"He says that he is very glad to see that you're all right, Ginny." the mirror told her.
"Thank you." she replied.
"Do you have a plan to get us out of here?" Remus asked.
"They have an incantation." said the looking glass. "But they can only take one of you through each mirror. Oh, dear, that doesn't sound good."
"What?" asked Snape and Hermione.
"They can only take one of you through each looking glass."
"But that shouldn't be a problem. There are at least four mirrors within the wards." said Remus.
"No, they mean special looking glasses, like me, enchanted by the Founders themselves to rescue students or professors or any hapless person inadvertently brought into the demon realm." the mirror answered.
"How many are there?" questioned Severus, nervously tightening his grip upon Hermione again.
"I am the only one they know of for certain, but there should be four others in the castle, as one was broken. You see, the Founders didn't want us to be used lightly or for visits between realms to occur for unsavory purposes." said the mirror, interpreting for Dumbledore.
They were silent for a few moments. Then Hermione spoke.
"Severus, you should go. You've been hurt, and you are in need of medical attention. Remus and I can maintain the wards without you."
"The hell I will! I won't leave you here with possibly no chance of escape." Severus objected, looking down at Hermione with a horrified expression on his face that he could not conceal.
Despite the gravity of the situation, her heart pounded as she realized that he was refusing to leave her in spite of the painful wounds he had received and the fear that he had confessed to feeling. But she earnestly wanted him to go to safety. She wanted to know that he would be all right.
"Severus ..." she began.
"No, none of us are leaving unless all of us can. Together or not at all. That's the only way that we can all survive this mess." said Remus, who wanted nothing more than to send his lovely Ginny back to the world where they belonged.
The mirror, obviously continuing to translate for the two groups, told them, "The headmaster says that none of you should give up hope. The search for the other mirrors is not over yet."
"Good." murmured Remus.
"And he wants to know how badly Professor Snape has been hurt."
"Hardly more than a scratch!" assured Severus, looking into the concerned eyes of his friend and colleague.
"More like a dozen rather deep ones from a very large demon." said Hermione with a little too much honesty. Snape glowered at her. "But he seems to be recovering." she added.
"Professor McGonagall wants you to be sure that you are taking care of yourself." said the looking glass.
"Tell her ..." Snape began to say, but looking down at Hermione he changed his mind and in a softer voice said, "Tell Minerva that I am being taken care of quite well. Thank you very much."
Minerva raised her eyebrows and looked at Hermione and Severus more closely, noticing that they had their arms around each other.
"Indeed." said the mirror, echoing Professor McGonagall.
Harry and Ron both looked rather surprised as they realized what the mirror and McGonagall were saying.
"The headmaster says that they must get back to work and that they will contact you periodically to keep you all well informed and apprised of their progress. He also warns the four of you not to attempt anything risky and to keep your chins up until they can get you out of there."
"Thank him for us." said Remus.
"I did." said the mirror as the four people on the other side of the looking glass waved to them and walked away.
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A/N: Sorry for the last chapter being a cliffhanger!
Artemis: I hate to admit it, but I think I might envy Ginny too. Thanks for the review!
Elfmoon87: My weekend is getting better. Thanks! I really appreciate the review!
Black Sparkles: Thank you for reviewing!
coolchicgirl16: Cliffhangers are bad things, but it was such a good opportunity. Thanks for the review!
Aqua Child: Good guess! Thanks for reviewing!
Pidgie: Thank you very much for the review!
plastic: I enjoyed all of your insightful comments, especially the one about robe colors (I like green and blue a lot, but I though house colors would be nice). I don't think I know the author you mentioned. I got the idea for the chapter titles (and I've done this before) from the television show "Friends" which use the phrase "The one with ..." for episode titles. This is my variation on that. Thank you very much for reviewing so many chapters!
JoeBob1379: I am sorry that you had trouble reading chapter 15. It sometimes does that, though I don't know why. I like the idea that a magical mirror would have an attitude. I'm glad you liked the kiss. I worry sometimes that I don't write them so well. Thank you for the reviewing!
Witchy-grrl: Snogged? *giggles* I like that word. It's so cute. As for the other pairing, we will have to see, won't we? Thanks for reviewing!
HunnySnowBunny: I left it there because I am a mean person. Thank you for the review!
Helen: I'm glad you liked it! Now, patience! Thank you!
Rosmerta: Escape? I'm not making any promises. The odds are against them, don't you think? I am pleased that you think Snape was in character there. Men are fascinating. Thanks for the review!
Yukito Forever: Thank you!