Author's Note: Okay, so I am going to keep both story lines. I will definitely keep the war of the houses going. I will also being doing the Friday of Draco being Hermione's slave. It's coming I swear! Also, Mags may be finding a new love. (It is SO NOT Snape. That would just be creepy!) Since I have already played with Ms. Rowlings' timeline in this story, I may be bringing Mr. Oliver Wood back. I dunno yet.
Disclaimer: See previous chapters.
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Mags and Mione hopped onto the brooms they had summoned and flew for a bit to clear their heads. It had been a very long night. They flew in silence, then with a wave Mione flew back to Gryffindor tower to give her cousin time to deal with Michael's death all over again.
As Mione flew in and landed gracefully in her bedroom a smooth voice spoke up from the shadows, "Glad to see you are over the fear of flying."
She jumped, not expecting anyone to be in her room, "You know Draco you do have your own room. And remind me to change my password to get in here will you?"
He stepped out of the shadows, "Oh I see and you though you could just drop your little bombshell and new get questioned about it again?"
Hermione looked into his eyes and saw wonder, confusion, and hurt. He was actually hurt she had not told him!
"Draco, we need to talk I think."
"You are quick Mione! Why not tell me? I have told you things no one else knows. Why couldn't you trust me?" Draco asked sitting rather dejectedly on her bed.
Hermione walked over and sat next to him, "We were never to tell anyone. It was a need to know basis. Hell, half of our squads never figured it out until we were actually in battle. Then came that last battle and we just walked away. I can honestly say I have not really missed it too much! Draco, can't you see? Now that Hogwart's knows it is only a matter of time until the rest of the world knows and then everyone at this school is in danger! DO you think I would really have brought this onto the school if I had a choice at all?"
Draco looked at her, at the concern in her eyes. The love, the worry, the pain, the loneliness, and the agony. He did the only thing he could to show her he was still there by her side. He lowered his lips to hers and kissed her gently. Like she was something rare and precious that could break or vanish at any moment. He savored her trembling lips against his. The way she leaned into the kiss. He wrapped his strong arms around her to protect her – at least for a moment from the scary outside world.
Hermione sighed and leaned into his kiss. He made her feel all warm and tingly. She really liked that feeling. She snuggled into him as his arms wrapped around her. She wanted top be taken care of herself for once and not always have to be saving the world. And he seemed to get that. That she spent almost every moment of her life taking care of the world, and that all she wanted, no NEEDED, was someone to take care of her. They fell back onto her bed and continued to kiss and nuzzle. They caressed each other and tickled, and played. Not another serious word was to come out of their mouths that night.
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Mags flew in silence. The feel of the cold night air rushing past her. The light of the moon making her seem not of this world. In her mind all she could she was the body of the boy she had loved, broken and dead. Already robbed of his possessions by scavengers. Her anguished cry filled the night as she turned and headed back to Hogwarts. She had not even gotten to say goodbye. Since sleep was not an option, she decided to go and play in the potions classroom. Maybe try her hand at some of her original creations and see if she could not get them even better.
She was rather surprised to see a light on when she got down there. Snape had had a meeting after dinner and was not expected back until tomorrow. So, who was bold enough to come down here when he was gone? She peeked in the door and what she saw stunned her. There was Professor Severus Snape, with his sleeves rolled up and there plain, as day was the Dark Mark. Her eyes narrowed and she slipped in as she whispered, "And another one bites the dust."
"So, this why all the black and long sleeves. And here I thought you were just fashion challenged." She said, as she revealed herself from the shadows, "I bet you were really put off tonight learning your little helpless student teacher could knock your smug ass all the way to Azkaban. Well, as I said tonight at dinner. I have been a very long time without a good fight. Think you could take me?" as she pointed her wand at him with cold eyes.
Snape's head had shot up at her voice, and then looking down he cursed when he saw the meaning of her anger. No student was ever to see his arm. And she was new so she didn't know! Shit, this was not his night!
"Listen little girl do not stick your nose in where it does not belong." He snarled summoning his wand.
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Draco let his mouth taste the sweet skin of her neck as her soft but strong arms wrapped around his neck pulling him closer. She was still so sweet! He could feel himself falling and there was nothing he could do to stop it. He wasn't sure he would if he could.
"Hermione I need to tell you something."
"Yes?" she replied pulling back a little to look in his eyes.
"You are addictive you know that?" he teased.
She giggled and snuggled closer letting her eyes close in exhaustion, " Yeah, but what a way to go!"
So, they fell asleep. The battle weary warrior falling asleep in the arms of her former enemy. And the former enemy protecting her in his arms.
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Several stories below a small battle was growing. Hexes and curses were flying in the e potions room. The rest of the faculty was in the corridor. They were waiting for the right time to barge in. Actually, they were waiting for them both to stop to catch their breath. Being hit by a curse on accident does not make it any less painful or annoying. Snape and Mags were yelling curses, hexes, and insults as fast as they could. Minerva and Albus were up front watching, as a sixteen year old held her own then starting wearing down a man more than twice her age. Just then, she got his wand and was preparing to send him to Azkaban. Finally, Dumbledore spoke up.
"Mag dear, he is on our side."
"But professor he has the mark!"
"He was once on the other side, but then he lost someone very dear to him, and became a spy for us. He is on our side." Dumbledore repeated, gently placing a hand on her wand and lowering it.
Her green eyes were full of confusion as she backed up slowly, looking at everyone like they were mad as hatters before sitting at a workstation.
"My apologies Snape. I do not say those words often. Enjoy them. Now will someone tell me why I am not sending him to Azkaban?"
Snape got up slowly and painfully, "Remind me to never piss you off. The love of my life was killed because she made me 'weak'. I loathe him for taking her life and not mine. So now I work to destroy him."
Mags looked at him and groaned, "I am never going to get the joy of sending you to Azkaban am I?"
Snape shook his head in what could only be termed as amusement, "Not today anyway. You are amazing by the way."
With a sad sigh and tired eyes she stood up, "Wait till I don't hold back and am mad as hell. Then I am bloody brilliant as you English people say." And with that, she left the room.
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The next morning Mione got up early to wait for all of her friends to come down so they could talk. They had to be made to understand! They just had too. Then she saw Harry's black head, and Ron's fiery red one. Soon followed by Lavender and Ginny. The four came to a halt when they saw Mione in the common room with breakfast. They all silently sat down and waited for Mione to speak.
"I just wanted to say I am sorry for not saying anything. I was trying to keep everyone safe. I swear I never meant to hurt any of you!" She finally said with fear in her voice.
Harry and Ron exchanged looks, "You realize that this secret means you owe us at least a month of helping us come up with new and improved ways of maiming and killing ourselves for Divination."
Ginny grinned, "Oh, and I think this means a really stupendous Christmas all around. I am thinking…something sparkly…"
"I think this means pool party and Mione's over the summer. After all she owes us." Lavender said with a smile. Then all four of them jumped on top of a giggling Hermione and they all hugged her. Hermione's eyes filled up with tears at her friends' reactions. So she and Draco were okay and so were her friends. This was all going to be okay.
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Mags sat straight up with terror in her eyes. It had happened. Hogwarts was attacked in the middle of the night. By the way people were dressed it was several years in the future, maybe two. Her body was shaking and covered in a cold sweat. She covered her face in her hands and sobbed. In her dream Hogwarts had fallen… Then she sat up straighter. But it was only a dream. And her dreams did not ALWAYS come true. Besides, as long as she and Mione were alive they would protect this school with all they had. She quickly got up and got dressed she was going to be late. As she darted through an out door corridor to get the dungeons faster she ran straight into someone. She looked up into deep brown eyes and a sweet smile. When he spoke his Scottish accent came through.
"Sorry about that Miss. I have not been here for a while and I forgot students barrel through these halls like crazy," He took her hand and helped her up, "My name is Oliver Wood. I play Quidditch professionally. I was hurt and now I am back here to recuperate and help Madame Hooch. Now it seems I am rambling. You are?"
Mags grinned at him, "My name is Maggie Granger-Smythe. I was an American student who graduated early. I am student teaching with Snape for this term. Nice to meet you. WAIT! Oliver Wood, you are the fanatic everyone keeps comparing Harry to!" she blushed after realizing what she had just said and then she turned and darted off again.
Oliver's eyes followed her and a grin formed on his lips, "I have to know more about her…"
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Later that afternoon, classes were dismissed early for the cookie bake off. The now familiar sight of intermingled houses was a sight to see. Each group were handed recipes and enough materials to bake three batches. They had three hours to get hem bake and at least one batch decorated. The bell rang and they were off. Draco and Hermione decide to split the work. Hermione baked the cookies and Draco went to work on the frosting. This turned into an interesting situation.
"Mione taste this and tell me if it is sweet enough…" Draco asked about twenty minutes into the contest.
She opened her mouth for what she thought would be a spoon but instead it was his finger covered in the sweet concoction. All she could do was look in his eyes and nod. They stayed that way until Mags walked by and cleared her throat with a twinkle in her eye, "Hey now! Baking! Remember?"
Mione stuck her tongue out at her cousin as she blushed and went back to her baking. Draco's pale cheeks suffused with color as he went about adding color to the frosting to later decorate the cookies with. Mags giggled as she walked over to another workstation.
Up by Madame hooch Oliver Wood watched the bouncy young woman as she wandered around, trying to help those who simply had never baked in any way before. His dark eyes followed her around until Dumbledore's deep voice broke through to him.
"She is a puzzle isn't she? So young and yet so powerful. It is amazing that she is still so amazing untouched by the world."
"Powerful? How do you mean sir?" Oliver asked tearing his eye away from her.
"I forgot you were not here last night. She is one of the Valkyries. A most powerful witch."
Oliver's eyes widened as they sought her out again. This time she was trying to keep Pansy from shoving poor Neville's head into the oven. She got them back on track and looked up and their eyes met. Electricity seemed to flow between them. She smiled at him and he saluted her with two fingers. She curtsied and went back over to bug Mione and Draco. Swinging by to check on Harry and Goyle, poor Harry! Goyle seemed to eat as much dough as he made…
Three hours sped by quickly. Soon it was time for tasting and judging. The votes were tied. Up until the last four groups. Gryffindor /Slytherin won by two votes. Oliver and Mags were used as deciding voted since they had no house ties at the moment. Draco pulled Mione off to the side and nuzzled her neck, as they were announced winners. Then he picked up some left over frosting and threw it at her. She gasped in outrage and threw some back at him. Soon the entire school was involved in the fight. All left over food was used to wage war. Finally, a piercing whistle was heard over the roar of the battle. There stood Mags and Oliver both covered in frosting and armed… with three vats of frosting.
"Start cleaning now, or we will attack,"She announced with a death glare as she looked at her hair which had taken some much frosting.
Oliver was covered in flour and frosting and muttered a cleaning charm on them both. Then they left the group who was already muttering charms. On her way past the scoreboard Mags charmed it to say 5-0 G/S vs. R/H.