Disclaimor: All things Harry Potter belong to J.K. Rowling.

Thank you Corazon for all your help and advice with this story and beta reading it!

Chapter 38

Over the next couple of days the 7th year class took their N.E.W.T.s while the other years took final exams and the 5th year class took their O.W.L.s. Once all the tests were over, the teachers went into hiding almost to grade the tests. There was one week before graduation, the week before Dumbledore sent owls to the members in the Order of the Phoenix, and a few Aurors, retired and active to ask them to show up at Hogwarts discreetly through a secure and private entrance Dumbledore arranged. Everyone was to meet in the training room. Dumbledore had chairs set up for everyone to sit. All of the Hogwarts teachers and staff were present.

The three teams and Severus stood in the back of the room in the shadows so no one saw them. Everyone was soon seated and waited. They talked softly amongst themselves, all trying to figure out why Dumbledore called them. About 50 people were present total. The Weasley family was all there including Bill from Egypt and Charlie from Romania. Alastor Moody, Arabella Figg (5th year D.AD.A. teacher), a few others that could be recognized as Aurors and a few Unspeakables.

When Dumbledore stepped up to a podium that had been brought in for this occasion, silence fell over the crowd. Anticipation for what was to come could be felt by all present.

"Thank you all for coming. I know all of you are wondering why I asked for you to be here. Everyone in this room here today is some one I trust. All of us are joined together against one person, Voldemort," wincing and cringing spread through the crowd, "for the past three years he has gained a following in his Death Eaters. While the Minister of Magic does not announce it publicly everyone here is aware of the Dark Lord's activities. Since Voldemort has been back, I have had a spy among his Death Eaters. Professor Severus Snape. Last year we gained another spy, Draco Malfoy."

Gasping and shock was common reactions at the two names.

Dumbledore waited until silence reigned over again, "With the efforts of both men and numerous tortures," Hermione felt Severus tense against her and she squeezed his hand, "they have found out crucial information from Voldemort. He plans to attack Hogwarts itself."

Surprise and shock again.

"Voldemort plans to attack on Graduation day at 4 pm," Dumbledore stated.

"But that's only a week away," a faceless voice shouted.

"Yes it is. There is only one person that can defeat Voldemort because he used this person's blood to bring life to him again. That is Harry Potter."

"The boy-who-lived can do it!" another voice shouted.

"I have confidence that Harry can do it. But he will need our help in defeating the Death Eaters. That is why I have asked you all here today. A plan has been set up to help Harry defeat Voldemort but more support is needed in capturing the Death Eaters. Three teams have been focused and training on Harry and Voldemort's battle. Each team is a designation of Team 1, 2 and 3. Harry and Hermione Granger will be fighting Voldemort himself. They are team 1. Hermione has the power to shield Harry from powerful curses and this will enable Harry to use his wand against Voldemort. As most of you probably know Voldemort and Harry's wand are brothers. While Harry and Hermione are fighting Voldemort, another team, team 2 will include Remus Lupin and Sirius Black who will be fighting Death Eaters and protecting them."

At the name of Sirius Black, there were more gasps of surprise.

"Albus, is Sirius Black loyal to you?" one of the older Aurors asked.

"Yes and he is innocent. Peter Pettigrew killed the Muggles and faked his own death in framing Sirius."

"That's good enough for me," Richard Reese, the older Auror said. The rest of the crowd took Dumbledore's word.

"Team 3 will consist of Ronald and Virginia Weasley and Draco Malfoy, they will be fighting Death Eaters, also protecting Team 1. Professor Severus Snape will be working with all three teams. I'm asking all of you here today to help us capture the Death Eaters and put an end to Voldemort's reign of terror. Teams of 2 or 3 will be made for all those willing to help. Together we can win," Dumbledore finished.

Voices started talking at once. The Weasleys quickly spotted Ron and Ginny and came over to them. The others stayed where they were watching the commotion.

"Hi Mum, Dad," Ron and Ginny chimed together.

"Ron, Ginny, I'm proud of you two but what are you two thinking?" Molly Weasley scolded.

"Mum, we're helping Harry," Ginny said.

"Oh I know. Oh Harry I wish you didn't have to be the one to fight Who-Know-Who," Mrs. Weasley hugged Harry close, "And Hermione, you are all putting yourselves in danger." Soon all four Gryffindors were somehow being hugged by Mrs. Weasley.

Once they could breath again they stepped back.

"Mrs. Weasley, I assure you they are all prepared. They have been training since January," Lupin said, trying to soothe the mother.

This surprised the elder witch but she smiled and said, "Good." The other Weasleys started in on the conversation. Almost everyone was involved, except Severus. He watched and stayed behind Hermione, closer than most people realized, but no one noticed, as they were all too busy talking.

Hermione took the time to tease him though, she was involved in the conversation while her hands were behind her back drawing patterns on Severus' abdomen, occasionally slipping lower to rub against his groin. Severus stepped the littlest bit closer and pressed his erection into her back. Hermione continued to chat but there was a smirk on her lips. Severus would tease Hermione silently with little touches under her robes so others wouldn't see and he would tell her things telepathically to turn her on and build the desire within her.

After a while everyone discreetly left the way they came even the students, excluding Hermione. Everyone decided to go outside and play Quidditch because it was one sport where they could include Draco. The other professors went back to scoring exams, leaving Severus and Hermione alone.

"Your chambers," was all Hermione said before leaving. Severus went to his chambers; he knew Hermione was invisible ahead or behind him. He could sense her. Severus left his door open but was standing next to it within a second the door was closed and Hermione was visible.

Severus instantly took Hermione into his arms and forced her up against his door. With a mumble of a spell, both sets of clothes disappeared.

Hermione gasped as his mouth covered one of her nipples and his hand massaged the other. She didn't know how it could be all happening so fast but the sensations he was giving her by his demand and need of her were driving her wild. Her hands drifted down his body to his erection and she stroked him slowly and she felt him throbbing in her hands.

Severus teased her outer lips for a while before plunging two fingers into her, making sure she was ready. Not being able to wait any longer he pulled her legs up around his hips, driving his body into hers at the same time. A few quick thrusts and he felt her body begin convulsing around him. He controlled himself to look at her as the tidal wave of emotions washed over her face. His heart swelled with love.

"Severus," Hermione whimpered against the salty skin of his neck, while her head rested on his shoulder. Her arms wrapped around him tightly.

"I'm here Angel," he reassured her. He waited patiently letting her rest before he continued. But he only could wait a few moments before his body moved rhythmically in and out of her.

Hermione felt new life spread through her form starting in her centre. Within minutes she was moving against Severus, matching his thrusts. Pressure was building within her soon, demanding release.

He was close, so close but he controlled himself until he knew she would be with him for the journey. The two moved as one grinding hips, mouths locked together chest rubbing bare chest. Severus felt her start to clamp around him and he let his control go. He thrust hard and fast into her to go over the edge himself.

Small tremors rippled through Hermione and they soon escalated into full blown convulsions. And she felt herself explode into million tiny of pieces. The moment of rightness and completeness followed as always when she was with him. She let her body drape on him, she was too tired to move.

After his mind numbing experience, he eased Hermione to the ground again but knew she would be too relaxed to walk to bed. He picked her up underneath her knees and shoulder and pressed her tightly to his chest while her head resting on his shoulder. He walked to his bedroom and set her in the middle before he joined her and covered them with the duvet. He pulled her close, letting her head rest on his chest and he probed a leg between her to entwine them. Both were soon asleep for a short nap before the real world intruded on them.

~~~~~

It was the day before Graduation, the students would find out if they did graduate. At breakfast, all 7th years were told to appear so the N.E.W.T.s results could be given out. The Head of Houses passed them out much to Severus' chagrin. The scores were passed out quickly. Ron was worried he might have done badly from getting nervous, but Harry knew he would do all right. Hermione hoped she got the highest. Ron and Harry did good, Draco did a little bit better, they found out later and Hermione received the most N.E.W.T.s in 20 years. She received 1 more point than Severus did in Potions and she teased him about it later that night.



To Be Continued...