Escape from the Darkness: Chapter 13

Hermione closed her eyes, collapsing on her bed. Luckily, all Beauxbatons students had their own rooms. It had been a trying day, not because her classes were difficult (they weren't, once she got past the language barrier, which she had already learned to deal with), but because they were not at Hogwarts. The only thing that she was grateful for was that the year would soon be over. She had friends here, but it wasn't the same as back at Hogwarts.

None of her friends here even came close to comparing with Harry and Ron. The smartest people in her year were also the snobbiest. And none of the people who were friendly to her had ever had an intelligent conversation with her.

Hermione frowned. Now she was the one being stuck-up. It wasn't as though she had deep and thought-provoking discussions with Harry and Ron. But she missed them so much. None of her friends here would ever have that effect on her.

Everything about Beauxbatons made her yearn for Hogwarts. Not just the students, but everything. The teachers. The building. The weather. And most of all, the classes.

Every time she had Potions, she thought of Severus. From the moment she walked into the classroom, the aroma of the ginger, belladonna, and all of the other ingredients brought him to mind. She would go to her seat, waiting for him, daydreaming of him. But he never came, and she realized that her stupid fantasies were just that—fantasy.

Hermione kept imagining how it felt to be held in his arms, listening to his heartbeat as she lay against his chest… but then she would wake up and remember where she was. She was a so far away from him. Would they ever see each other again? They probably would, but they would be forced to act as if nothing had ever occurred between them.

The two of them were in more danger from Voldemort than nearly everybody else in the wizarding world. If he was found out as a spy, Voldemort would surely be out for blood. As for Hermione, not only was she a Muggle-born witch, but she was also the best friend of Harry Potter. Everything about her was a strike against her in the eyes of the Dark Lord.

She was uncertain of how the war against Voldemort was progressing. Soon after she left Hogwarts, she had received a letter that said 'Potion Administered.' Hermione had been elated upon receiving it. It had been unsigned, but it was obvious who it was from. She and Severus both knew of the possibility of having an owl intercepted. As much as Hermione had wanted to write to Severus, it was too risky. If their correspondence had been discovered, Severus's work for the Order of the Phoenix would be exposed and he would be killed.

Hermione still worried about him a lot. She hadn't heard from him since that note, nor had she written anything to him. She had received a few notes from Ron, and Harry, who always made sure to mention that all of their professors were doing well. It made Hermione smile; she knew that Harry only added that to reassure her about Severus in secret.

She wasn't sure whether or not Harry had mentioned anything about her relationship with Severus to Ron. Presumably not, since most of Ron's letters consisted of descriptions of how wonderful Harry was or what amazing thing Harry had done. Although Harry and Ron had never explicitly mentioned anything to her, Hermione was perceptive enough to see what was happening with the two boys. It was obvious that Ron fancied Harry as much as Harry fancied him.

At least they were happy…

However, nobody's future was certain, and they all knew that, had known for the past few years. Voldemort and his followers could strike at any moment. And it was possible that there would be casualties. What if something happened to Harry or Ron? Or Severus...

For the first time in her life, she was looking forward to the end of her schooling. Then she would be able to go back to Britain, back to those who she loved.

And not just those at Hogwarts. It had been over a year since she had last seen her parents and she missed them desperately. She had written to them to let them know that she was finishing the remainder of her education in an exchange program in France. It hurt to lie to them, and was further proof of the rift that had been growing between them over the past few years. There was no place for her family in the magical world and none for her in the Muggle world. Because of that, little could be done to prevent them from growing apart.

Luckily, there were only two weeks left of school. Then she would be finished here. Hermione was very upset that she would miss taking her N.E.W.T.s and that she would instead be forced to take the French leaving exam. There was only one test that covered a several subjects, which she knew wouldn't be nearly as enjoyable as the Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests. She had spent the past six and a half years preparing for them, but all of that work had gone to waste.

Hermione's eyes shot open when she heard a tap on her window. Her heart began pounding when she saw that it was a Hogwarts school owl. Harry and Ron always used their own owls, so she knew that the envelope that was tied around the owl's leg wasn't from them. Could it be from Severus? However, as she looked at her name on the outside of the envelope, she realized that it wasn't in Severus's handwriting, but a formal and feminine script. She recognized it from the positive comments she always received on her Transfiguration essays. She fumbled with the letter, he hands shaking, and tore it open. McGonagall would only be sending her a note for something serious.

Dear Miss Granger,

After much discussion with the Headmaster, we would like to present you with the opportunity to take your N.E.W.T. examinations with the other members of your class. If you choose to do so, you will be exempt from your Beauxbatons final exam. Please inform me of your decision at your earliest convenience.

Yours sincerely,

Professor M. McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

Hermione gaped at the parchment in front of her for several seconds. This had definitely been unexpected. She had assumed the worst when she realized that the letter was from Professor McGonagall. But this was… well, quite the opposite.

She scribbled a quick reply, then sent it back with the owl. Hermione paced the room for a few minutes, not knowing what to do. She was anxious to get out of here as soon as possible. If only McGonagall would respond already! However, it had been less than ten minutes since she had written the letter, and the owl had to go all the way to Scotland and back. It would be awhile, at least a few days, before she received McGonagall's response, but she wanted to go now. Finally she began packing everything in her room. At least she could be prepared. Then she collapsed onto her bed, resolving to spend the remainder of her time at Beauxbatons studying for her N.E.W.T.s. She had already been doing so for fun, even though she was certain that she would never get to take them. But now, she only had a few days! It was necessary to dedicate all of her time to her schoolwork.

Hermione went to bed that night with a smile on her lips. She was finally going home.

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

"What did you think of the Potions exam?" Harry asked her, with a triumphant grin on his face after their last test at Hogwarts.

Hermione frowned. "I did okay on everything… except for that last potion. It was supposed to turn teal, but mine turned turquoise!"

"Aren't they the same—?"

"No, they're not!" Hermione interrupted him, exasperated. She had been hoping for a perfect score of that particular N.E.W.T., but she still was unsure of her score. She wanted Severus to be impressed with her, and hoped that doing well would be a reflection of his skill as a teacher. Certainly, his methods weren't the greatest for some students. But even in her first few years, before she had begun to think of him romantically, he had secretly been her favorite professor. He was the only one who hadn't showered her with compliments, the only one who challenged her.

It had been two weeks since she had arrived back at Hogwarts, much to the pleasure of Harry, Ron, and the rest of her friends. She found out that her instincts about Harry and Ron were correct, and was absolutely delighted at that. Another big piece of gossip around the school was the Fleur Delacour had gotten back together with Bill Weasley. None of them had expected her to do it, but it was a relief to both Hermione and Ron. Maybe Fleur actually had a heart after all.

The classes had already been over for the year, and the days since her return had been devoted to studying and testing. She hadn't had Potions classes, nor had she spoken to Severus. He was at every meal, his eyes barely leaving her face. And she was constantly looking back at him, too. Anybody who was watching them would have known that something was going on. But, everyone was so absorbed in their own affairs, with N.E.W.T.s, O.W.L.s, and other final exams to study for.

Her thoughts were on him nearly all the time. She wanted to see him, to feel his arms around her. But it was forbidden. If only they could try once again to keep it a secret? But they had tried that once, only to be discovered by her Transfiguration professor. Thank goodness it hadn't been anybody else. 

Two days before the Hogwarts Express was set to leave, she still hadn't packed anything, since she didn't have any idea where she could go. She supposed she should speak to Professor McGonagall about that, but Hermione had been putting it off. There was an advanced spell hiding her parents' location from Voldemort, but it was possible for her to be followed from the Hogwarts Express. Therefore, it wouldn't be safe to go to them until the war was over. And according to what she had learned from Harry, Voldemort would strike at any moment. Harry had told her that Voldemort had been getting weaker, although he didn't have any theories as to why. But Hermione knew, and it comforted her. She was beginning to have hope that the Dark might be defeated. On the other hand, she knew that an attack was imminent. And that scared her.

It suddenly occurred to her that the impending battle against the Dark Lord might result in fatalities. Several people had been killed, and anybody could be next. And that included her. And Severus…

Of course she had thought about that before. But it hadn't really hit her until this moment. Severus might die. I might die, she thought with a shiver.

Quickly slipping into her cloak, Hermione rushed to the dungeons.

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

Severus sighed as he bottled up his latest potion for Madam Pomfrey. He hadn't made anything challenging or interesting since the Life-Draining Draught. He brewed the same potions, day in and day out. That would probably never change until the day he died. And neither would anything else. From the moment she had left, his life was back to its normal state before she had walked into it. It had no purpose or meaning to it anymore. Except to defeat the Dark Lord. But ever since he had used the potion, all he could do was wait. Why did it feel like his entire existence had consisted of nothing but waiting?

The moment he had heard that Hermione would be returning to Hogwarts, he was elated. Unfortunately, Albus and Minerva had both warned him against his relationship with Hermione, forcing him to promise not to seek her out. She was still a student after all. There was, however, a part of him that expected her to come to him at some point. But it had never happened. And he was now beginning to comprehend that it probably wouldn't, since she would be leaving here in a few days. Five months was a long time and he knew that anything could happen. Maybe she had met somebody else. It was also possible that she realized just how wrong her relationship with him was. Whatever the reason, she hadn't spoken to him in the entire two weeks of her return. This caused him to sink even further into despair than he already was.

Severus nearly growled when he heard a knock at his door. Many of the Slytherin students had been visiting him throughout the day to say goodbye to him. This had included a distressed Draco Malfoy, who was having second thoughts about taking the Dark Mark. Severus had been attempting to teach his Slytherins that it was possible to live a life different than the one their parents imagined for them and that there was always a place at Hogwarts for them if they were thrown out of their own homes. He had been forced to remain silent about his own position as a spy, and was glad that at least one of his thick-headed students might be saved. Well, three, actually, since Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle followed everything Draco did. Severus was confident that they would make the same choice as Draco; if only he made the right decision.

The banging on the door became more insistent. Severus had been hoping that the person on the other side would just go away if he ignored the knocks, but that hadn't happened. He stalked over to the door, ready to yell at whoever was disturbing him. He slammed it open. And froze. It was her. His first impulse was to yell at her for stringing him along.

However, his anger evaporated when he saw the way she held her robes tightly around her trembling shoulders, the urgent look in her eyes. She was one of the strongest women that he had ever met, yet she seemed so fragile at this moment. "S..Severus," she said, her voice cracking. "I was going to wait until after everything was over, but I can't do it," she cried.

The effect her appearance was having on him was making him feel like he was in a very good dream. The emotions he was experiencing as he pulled her into his arms were absolutely surreal. But, the moment she brought her mouth to his woke him up from his reverie, stirring up the passion that had been absent in his life for the past few months. He no longer felt dead inside.

"Hermione." He murmured her name as he held her, stroking her hair and kissing her face.

After a few minutes, she pulled back and gave him an embarrassed smile. "I'm sorry, Severus." He shook his head. "We shouldn't be doing this. If they find out about us—"

"They won't," he said bluntly.

"Severus—"

"Trust me, Hermione."

The expression on her face as she stared at him suggested that she believed him. Or that she really wanted to. She looked at him hopefully for a few moments.

"What's been happening with Voldemort?" she finally asked in a shaky voice. "Harry seems to know almost as little as I do."

He took her hand and led her to the sofa in his sitting room. After he conjured two cups of tea, he sat down next to her.

"We have very little information about when and where they're planning to strike. But we do know several things. First of all, their main target is Albus Dumbledore."

"Dumbledore?" Hermione interrupted. "What about Harry?"

Severus held up his hand, wanting to silence the know-it-all within her. "With Albus out of the way, Voldemort believes that he can have easier access to Harry Potter. And he's right about that."

"But how does he think that he can actually kill Headmaster Dumbledore?" The moment the words left her lips, she gave him a horrified glance. "You're not…?"

"He expects me to do it."

She seemed shocked. But he knew that it made sense. Severus was the only Death Eater who had access to Albus Dumbledore. And it was just like the Dark Lord to send another person to do his dirty work, including killing the only wizard he feared.

"But what happens when you don't?" Hermione asked. He averted his eyes. He didn't want to tell her that Voldemort was beginning to suspect him, that the bouts of Cruciatus had become more frequent, and that he might be cursed with Avada Kedavra the next time he was summoned. "Severus?" she said tentatively after he hadn't responded.

"He'll kill me." He said it brusquely, trying to hide his emotions. But he knew that it was obvious. Severus was afraid. And so was Hermione. She was stroking his hand mindlessly, staring at some fixed point a few feet away.

"I'm scared, Severus," she said, her voice cracking.

He didn't speak for several minutes. He wanted to reassure Hermione, and to be strong for her sake, but it was impossible. He was at a loss for words. The situation that they were presented with was horrific. People were going to die. And they would end up being two of the main targets.

Hermione had her head buried in his chest, and he kept his arm around her, brushing his fingers up and down her back. He was so content like this. If only they didn't have the Dark Lord's reign to worry about.

"Marry me, Hermione," he suddenly said. She sat up. The moment the words left his lips, he regretted saying it. Of all the ridiculous things he could possibly do or say… His timing was absolutely atrocious. What had even possessed him to say it out of the blue like that? Getting married when there was a war looming was foolhardy. This was definitely one of the worst proposals he could imagine. He briefly wondered if he should use a time-turner to take it back. This type of this was supposed to be saved for a special time; it was supposed to be romantic. Severus Snape had to be the most unromantic man in the entire wizarding world.

Hermione was looking at him strangely, her face unreadable and pale. Conflicting emotions were present on her face. Well, he certainly didn't blame her. It had to be one of the most unexpected things anybody had ever said to her. Before she could answer, there was a banging at the door.

Both of them jumped. "This had better be important," Severus snarled. He seized the door open and was confronted with a very distraught Draco Malfoy. "What do you want, Malfoy?" he asked in a voice that was usually reserved for Gryffindors.

"Pr-professor Snape, my father just contacted me." He actually looked frightened. His eyes shifted briefly to Hermione, and then back to Severus. When Severus made no move, Draco continued. "He called you a traitor and said that the Dark Lord wants to kill you. Father told me to be ready for an attack on Hogwarts."

Severus shuddered, a fearful look on his face. It was bad enough that he was now exposed as a spy, although he had been expecting that to happen eventually. He was mentally prepared for that. But not for a strike on Hogwarts… Severus swallowed nervously. "When will it be?"

"Tonight."