Disclaimers: Please refer to chapter one for full disclaimer write-up.
When Living is No Longer EnoughChapter Nineteen
"Oh no! Gods no!" she cried out in an anguished voice riddled with grief and despair. "It can't be… they can't be… I mean they aren't?" she tried to connect her thoughts to form a coherent question but her mind was simply too distraught to cooperate and work in tandem with her mouth. She looked up at the Headmaster helplessly as she waited for him to confirm her worst fears.
Albus looked sadly at the young woman before him. Delivering this type of news was always difficult but to have to deliver it to someone whom he cared so deeply for was heart wrenching indeed. He noticed with satisfaction that Severus had immediately gathered her into a comforting embrace and was softly stroking her hair as she waited for the final word on her parent's condition. 'Good boy,' he thought to himself in silent praise for the young wizard who such a short time ago would have shied away from such a gesture. 'She's going to need the additional strength and comfort in the days to come' he noted sorrowfully.
"Hermione, I am truly sorry to say that the attack on your parent's home resulted in your father's death. However, a couple of Aurors from the Ministry were able to arrive in time to save your mother," Dumbledore told her gently as he peered anxiously over the rims of his spectacles in sympathy and concern.
"My mother?" she asked trying desperately to latch on to some small ray of hope that all was not lost.
"Yes child," he confirmed patting the small hand that was absently clutching Severus' handkerchief so tightly that her knuckles had turned a deathly-looking shade of white. "We took the liberty of warding your parent's home when it seemed that Lucius Malfoy had developed an interest in your relationship with Severus. I alerted the Ministry at the first sign the wards had been disturbed and they sent Aurors to the house. I am just sorry that I couldn't have done more."
Snape had flinched when the headmaster mentioned the wards in connection with both himself and Lucius Malfoy. The potion's master knew of the additional protection for Hermione's parents as he and the headmaster had decided the arrangement back when Lucius had issued his first round of threats. 'One more thing that I am responsible for,' he thought with despair as he looked at the tear-stained face of the woman clasped within his embrace. 'Lucius is using her to get to me,' he continued his internal monologue knowing in his heart this act had been orchestrated by Malfoy Sr. himself. Whether Lucius had been one of the Death Eaters at the Granger's home was yet to be determined but Severus was willing to bet every last galleon he owned that Malfoy was behind this evening's attack. However, now was not the time for such reflections he told himself and forcefully pushed back thoughts of Lucius to an abandoned corner of his mind. There were more immediate concerns and those concerns centered on Hermione. He silently vowed that he would be there for her in whatever capacity she required although he doubted his effectiveness in helping her to deal with such a loss. After all, he had spent far too many years isolating himself from people and their various emotional situations to pretend, even to himself, that this would be a subject in which he had any hope of excelling. However, he was determined he would try if it meant easing her grief even in the slightest degree. For her, he would try. He was brought out of his contemplations when he heard Hermione ask the Headmaster if her mother was still at the house.
"No my dear," the older wizard replied kindly with a fatherly smile on his weathered face. "Harry took her back to the Ministry and she will be moved to a secret location until everything can be straightened out."
"Harry?" she asked, the confusion plainly written across her face.
"Yes. Harry was one of the Aurors to answer the call and it was he who saved your mother from the killing curse," Albus informed her.
"What of the Death Eaters?" Severus asked hoping that the Aurors had managed to capture at least one of them. It wasn't likely that any of the Death Eaters would voluntarily hand over any useful information but Severus had an ample supply of veritaserum on hand that he would gladly donate if it would bring them any closer to tracking down the individuals responsible for this evening's events.
"They managed to evade capture and Harry felt that seeing to Mrs. Granger's immediate needs took precedence over pursuing the perpetrators," Dumbledore answered.
"I have to go to her," Hermione announced rising from the confines of Snape's embrace.
"Hermione," Severus began only to be interrupted by a very distraught but determined witch.
"Severus, I know that you don't want me to leave the castle grounds but this is my mother. She's just lost her husband in a most frightening way to a group of Death Eaters that attacked them for no apparent reason and completely without warning. She's been whisked from her home to the Ministry of Magic where she will undoubtedly be grilled for hours on end and forced to relive the specifics of the attack. She's in a world that is totally foreign to her and surrounded by people she's never known and will have a difficult time relating to. I have to go to her. Especially since this is my fault," she finished and stared determinedly at Snape and Dumbledore. "I will go to her."
"Yes my dear, you will go to her," Albus assured her "Severus can accompany you to your rooms and assist you in gathering a few things that you will need. I will make arrangements to see that you are reunited this evening with your mother and you may stay with her during the course of the next week while we make arrangements for your father's funeral and your mother's future safety. Agreed?"
"Agreed," Hermione said quickly and began heading for the door.
"Albus, she cannot go," Severus protested and sent her an apologetic look when he saw her grief-stricken face turn to him in disbelief. "Forgive me Hermione but this is exactly the type of action that Lucius would expect. He will count on you returning to your home to comfort your mother and he will not hesitate to take advantage of the opportunity to harm the both of you."
Hermione opened her mouth to answer Snape's concerns but quickly closed it again when she heard Albus' voice take over.
"That is why she will be housed in a secret location for the better part of her visit. I will arrange to have an Auror accompany her at all times and for additional security measures to be taken when the time arrives to return home and tend to those matters that need to be settled. In the meantime, I suggest the two of you move quickly in gathering any personal belongings which Hermione might need during her visit while I contact the Ministry and make the necessary arrangements." Having said all of this, the Headmaster gave the young witch a final sad but reassuring smile and exited the dungeons. There were many arrangements to be made before he would allow his charms professor to leave the safety of Hogwarts.
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"I do not like this," Severus declared sullenly knowing that his objections would be overruled. "It exposes you to potential danger and I could not bear it if something were to happen to you."
Hermione carefully placed her bag of toiletries in the suitcase and closed the lid before turning to sit on the bed next to a very agitated potions master. "Severus," she said softly trying her utmost to hold her tears in check. "I know that the risk is there and I give you my word that I will be careful but please try to understand that this is something that I absolutely must do. I could not live with myself if I sat idly by and let her cope with everything on her own."
Snape looked into the petite face of the woman next to him drinking in the sight of her delicate facial features, the earnest expression in her eyes and the tell tale signs of pain that her tears had left in their wake. He gave a mental sigh and accepted that this was something that she needed to do, a situation that must be faced. He accepted it but he didn't like it. She would be too exposed to the whims of a maniacal Lucius Malfoy and he wouldn't be there to protect her if something were to happen. A thought that threatened to make him physically sick to his stomach.
"I understand your need to return home to comfort your mother Hermione. I expect nothing less from you and I've known you long enough to know that nothing anyone could say or do will stop you from going through with this," he said pulling her against him and stroking her hair. "Just remember that there are those of us who need to see you arrive back at Hogwarts safe and sound. You must be cautious. Accept nothing at face value. Question everything and if the answers seem wrong or there is the slightest doubt in your mind in any given situation then return to safety immediately. Please do not allow that damnable Gryffindor courage to lead you into trouble."
That sentiment actually elicited a small chuckle from the witch as she reached up to bring his face down to meet hers in a long kiss filled with as much love and reassurance as she could express. "I promise that I will be a good girl professor," she told him with a smile. "Thank you for understanding that this is something that I have to do. I know you're not comfortable with my decision but I really do appreciate your support."
He gave her a small smile accompanied by a nod of the head as he stood up and tugged on her hand to pull her to a standing position next to him. Pointing his wand at the suitcase she had just finished packing, he murmured a brief incantation and watched as the bulky piece of luggage almost instantaneously was reduced to the size of a small matchbox. "Let's go," he said handing her the suitcase that she quickly placed in a pocket located on the outside of her robes. "Albus should have finished making the necessary arrangements by now."
Several minutes later found the couple seated in the headmaster's office listening to a listing of arrangements that had been made within the past half hour.
"Now, you will travel by floo from Hogwarts directly to the Ministry of Magic where you will be met by an Auror and taken to see your mother my dear," Dumbledore told her quietly. "I have made arrangements to have your classes taken over for the next week which should give you time to work with the Aurors to relocate your mother and attend your father's funeral. We will expect to see you back at Hogwarts by next Sunday. Will these arrangements be satisfactory?"
"Yes Albus and thank you. When do I leave?" she asked quietly as she nervously clenched the fabric of her robes.
"You may leave now child. Ministry officials are already awaiting your arrival," he informed her smiling kindly as he crossed the room to stand next to the fireplace.
She turned to give Severus one final look of reassurance that she would be careful and lightly squeezed his hand to reaffirm her earlier promises. Seeing a nod of his head and feeling his own fingers tighten in response around her hand she turned to the headmaster and grabbed a handful of floo powder from the small jar he held out. Tossing the fine powder into the fire she waited for the flickering flames to change to their familiar emerald green color and stepped into the fireplace. "Ministry of Magic" she said clearly stating her destination and almost immediately disappeared from their sight.
"I hope we won't come to regret this Albus," Snape told the older wizard once Hermione had left the office.
"As do I my friend," the headmaster agreed. "As do I."
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Hermione arrived at the main arrival room of the Ministry of Magic in a flurry of robes and soot. Stepping out of the fireplace she immediately began brushing the soot from her clothing and hair momentarily forgetting that she was supposed to be met by one of the Aurors assigned to the case.
"Hermione!" a familiar voice called running up to her to throw two long arms around her shoulders and pull her tightly into a friendly hug.
"Harry?" she exclaimed immediately recognizing the voice and the tousled head of black hair. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm the Auror assigned to your case," he told her quietly and brushed away the lone tear that was making its way down her cheek. "I'm so sorry 'Mione. I really am. I tried to get there in time to stop the attack but we could only save your mother. I'm so sorry."
"You were the Auror that blocked the killing curse that was aimed at mum?" she questioned, shocked by everything that was happening but so very thankful to see a familiar and friendly face.
"Yes, one of the Death Eaters was in the process of uttering Avada Kadavra and I managed to throw a hex that knocked him off balance and caused his curse to be deflected from your mum " he answered taking her hand and guiding her out of the arrival room and throughout the corridors of the Ministry building. "When the call came through from Albus there were several of us on hand but I insisted that I would be part of the team that would answer the call. I think they knew from the look on my face and the tone in my voice that I wasn't going to settle for 'no'. We left a couple of minutes later but it was too late to help your dad. I'm sorry 'Mione if I could have done anything more believe me I would have."
"I know Harry and I'm very grateful that you answered the call. For one thing, you saved mum and for another she knows you. I'm sure it helped her to see a familiar face after everything that had happened."
"Hermione, do you have any idea why the Death Eaters targeted your parents? I mean, do you think it might have something to do with the fact that you and I are friends?" he asked cautiously not wanting to add to her pain but knowing that the questions would have to be asked throughout the course of their investigation.
"Well it's always a possibility but I don't think so. I mean if that were the case I would imagine that they would have chosen to do so a long time ago," she said wondering how she was going to tell Harry her suspicions and what his reaction was going to be when he heard them.
"I suppose you're right although I guess we really don't have any way of knowing for certain," he replied thoughtfully. "Any ideas?"
"Just one," she replied deciding to take the plunge and tell him about her relationship with Severus. 'It's going to come out sooner or later so I might as well let him know on my terms rather than have him hear about it from someone else' she thought wryly.
"Yes," the boy-who-lived prompted.
"Well, you see it might have something to do with my relationship with Severus," she answered nervously. "Ever since Voldemort discovered that he was spying for Dumbledore he's really been a target and well since Draco's death Lucius has really been out to get him because he blames him for the fact that Draco turned to the Order instead of remaining loyal to Voldemort. Malfoy believes that was what eventually got Draco killed and he holds Severus responsible."
The boy-who-lived quickly turned into the boy-who-was-floored. Harry didn't quite know what he expected his long-time friend to say but he knew that whatever he had been anticipating didn't even remotely resemble the words that had slipped past her lips. "Umm, Hermione" he began tentatively unsure how to put his fears into words. "When you say your 'relationship with Severus' you are referring to Snape right?"
"Yes," she answered warily as she tried to gauge his reaction as he put the facts together.
"Right," he said as a knot began to form in the pit of his stomach. "Umm, by relationship, you mean a working relationship right?"
"Not exactly," she muttered and nearly laughed when she looked up to see the stunned expression plastered on his face. It was quite priceless really and for the first time in her life she wished that Colin Creevey were still following Harry around waiting for golden moments to catch the boy wonder in action. 'Oh what I wouldn't give to have a picture of this,' she thought to herself with more than a touch of amusement. "You see, Severus and I are dating but unfortunately Lucius Malfoy caught wind of the fact and has made a few threats hinting that he wouldn't have a problem using me to get back at Severus. So it's possible that Malfoy was behind the attack."
"Right," he repeated yet again not knowing what to say in the face of her revelation.
"Oh come on Harry," she cried in exasperation, her nerves already frayed as a result of the events of the evening. "Is that really all you have to say? I mean I know this must come as a bit of a shock and all but I'm sure you must have questions or something."
"A bit of a shock?" he asked incredulously. "Well what do you want me to say Hermione? I mean correct me if I'm wrong but this is SNAPE we're talking about here! You remember, the one who single-handedly made us miserable on a daily basis for seven years. I think the only thing that would have shocked me more is if you had looked me in the eye and told me you had fallen for Filch!"
"Really Harry that's totally disgusting!" she exclaimed and couldn't prevent the shudder that ran through her body at the thought of doing anything with Filch much less… that!
"They continued their trek through the building in silence for the next few moments when Harry turned to her with a serious expression on his face. "Does he make you happy 'Mione?" he asked quietly.
"Oh Harry, he's everything I could ever want. He's amazingly brilliant and funny, in a very sarcastic way of course, and he makes me laugh and we can talk about things for hours without getting bored. And Harry… he really cares about me you know? It's like I found a part of myself that was missing only I never really knew that it was missing" she exclaimed with barely suppressed passion but stopped abruptly. "I'm sure that must sound silly but it's true."
"No "Mione it doesn't sound silly at all," he answered sadly thinking back to his relationship with Ginny. 'Merlin I miss her so much!' he thought wondering if the ache in his heart would ever fade. "I think it's great that you've found someone to care about who cares about you in return. I just never pictured Snape as being that special someone in your life, that's all."
"I know what you mean," she muttered with a small smile.
"Hermione?" he asked as they came to a stop before a set of double doors. "Could you just do one small favor for me?"
"Anything Harry," she readily agreed wondering what her friend had in mind.
"Just don't tell Ron about you and Snape for a while okay? I mean, he's had a lot to deal with lately and I think this might just push him over the edge."
"Deal," she agreed as they entered the room where her mother was sitting at a long conference table. The older Granger that so closely resembled her daughter sat across from an Auror with her head cradled in her hands. Her grief and despair were so tangible that one felt they could almost touch it if they just took a moment to reach out and try. Suddenly Hermione temporarily forgot everything as she ran over to her mother and lovingly embraced her. It was a long time before their tears finally began to subside…
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He missed her. He never thought he could miss anyone so much that he would actually feel a physical ache when deprived of that person's absence for any length of time. However he now suffered the knowledge that such a condition were not only possible but also a confirmed fact. He tried everything he could think of to keep his mind occupied but to no avail. She invaded his thoughts during his lectures in class, throughout his meals and especially when he was working on their project. But if he thought the days were bad he was dismayed to find that nights were by far the worst as he lay awake in bed reminiscing over the times they had spent together. If he had to go much longer without touching her or hearing the lilting tones of her voice or seeing that special smile she reserved especially for him he would go totally, completely and thoroughly insane.
'Damn Lucius Malfoy,' he thought to himself for at least the thousandth time that week. Severus had managed to keep himself busy but his mind continued to drift back to the chestnut haired woman who had become such an intricate part of his life in such a short time. 'Or maybe it was a long time' he mused. Perhaps his subconscious had recognized her importance to him long before he even considered the notion of allowing himself to acknowledge the fact.
She was due to return to Hogwarts the following day. He had spoken with her by floo a couple of times throughout the week and even received an owl outlining the details of her father's funeral. She had told him of Harry's assignment to stay with her and while he would never be a card carrying member of the Harry Potter fan club he was thankful that she was in the company of such a close and trusted friend. They had managed go through her parent's belongings keeping those things that her mother retained sentimental attachments to and had even been successful in establishing a new identity and home for Mrs. Granger. All in all it had been a very busy week for Hermione and Severus knew she was looking forward to returning to the peace and familiarity that Hogwarts offered. He hoped that she was also looking forward to returning home to his company as well.
Releasing the wards that guarded his rooms, Snape stepped into his chambers and was immediately assaulted by the sense that something was different. Resetting the wards he kept his wand out in a defensive position as he surveyed the room. It only took a moment before he noticed the medium sized stone pensieve that rested on the dining table. He walked over to the round basin while cautiously glancing about to assure himself that he was indeed actually alone. 'The house-elves must have delivered it,' he thought as he cautiously reached for the small piece of parchment that rested next to the object in question. Unfolding the note he was quick to notice that the writing was that of a standard dicto-quill and therefore would render identifying the sender by matching writing samples a complete impossibility. His blood ran cold as he read the few words neatly printed on the paper.
Severus,
Consider this a small down payment for all that I owe you.
No other information could be gleaned from further examination of the parchment or the message but Snape knew that the sender could be none other than Lucius Malfoy. Taking a deep breath he dipped the tip of his wand into the shimmering liquid and was instantly transported into the pensieve to discover the contents of the memories contained within.
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It was dark and the smell of must and dampness permeated his nostrils. A few small candles were placed about casting distorted shapes that flickered ominously against the cold, stonewalls of his current location. 'I'm in a dungeon,' he thought certain that the dungeon was located deep in the bowels of Malfoy Manor. He had seen it enough during his own days as a Death Eater to be familiar with the feel of the place but he knew that Lucius would be certain to leave no distinguishing marks that could be traced back to him should someone other than Snape view the pensieve. Severus looked down and noticed that he was standing next to a small workbench that was covered in various instruments including scalpels, syringes, knives and extraction tools. A sense of fear began to rise up in his chest and he felt his breathing becoming increasingly labored with each passing moment spent within the memory that was being played out before his eyes.
He looked to the corner of the workbench and was surprised to see a copy of the Daily Prophet in which the date had been circled in crimson ink that made one think of freshly spilled blood. Even more surprising was the fact that the date circled was today's date.
The constricting feeling in his chest became stronger as he heard a small noise off to the corner of the room. Reluctantly he turned to face the source of the noise and nearly gasped in horror at the sight displayed before him. Standing next to the wall holding a very large whip in one hand stood the masked form of a Death Eater and next to him, chained to the very same wall was the petite body of Hermione Granger clad only in her tattered undergarments, her bruised and bloodied form hanging limply supported only by the manacles that held her captive.
A deep maniacal laugh emanated from the throat of the unidentified Death Eater as he raised the whip and brought it forcefully down to his intended target. The only thing Severus was conscious of was the sound of the whip as it lashed across her torso and the piercing scream of pain that was wrenched from the woman before him.
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TBC