The Order
After placing a ward upon his daughters bedroom, Severus woke up Hermione with a trail of kisses along her collarbone. In those first few seconds, when the world was still hazy from sleep, Hermione actually thought that the last twenty-four hours were a dream. That Ron was alive, still fighting the good fight. Then it all came flooding back. She shoulders tensed again as she removed herself from the bed.
The couple made there way silently down the corridors to Minerva's office were they would be joined with Remus, Elizabeth, Ginny, Molly and the rest of the Weasley family. Hermione hadn't expected to see any other familiar faces starring back at her when she entered the office. She in fact saw three; Draco who had Ginny sitting at his feet by the fire; Neville, he had grown considerably tall and stout since Hermione had seen him last, but he was still meek. Finally, there by the fire, in the middle of the Weasley twins Fred and George, was her old crush. The once captain of the Griffindor Quidditch team was deep in conversation. There, absorbing all the heat he could from the fire was Oliver Wood.
She felt nothing for him, no skip of her heart. However she could feel Severus' grip on her tighten. Had he known about her crush on the quidditch player. Could she still fill Severus with jealously even though she had his wedding band on her finger and him constantly in her thoughts. She squeezed her hand tightly in return. That was her first take. Her second take on the situation saw the grown men covered in battle wounds. Draco's arm was broken, as was Oliver's nose. Neville looked particularly unscathed considering, however he had been home a month. There was someone missing at this reunion.
"Harry?!" Hermione asked to no one in particular. "He is ok isn't he?" Hermione asked being led to the only empty seat. Serverus sat down and eased her onto his knee. Severus briefly glanced at Oliver. How smug he looked standing there. He was the kind of guy that could snap his fingers at any girl he wanted and they would bow down before him. His eyes were firmly on his Hermione, and Severus didn't like it one bit.
"He's in surgery Hermione." Molly explained, her eyes were raw. Not doubt she had been crying all day, only relenting because of the mass company. Her husband had a tight hold of her shaking hand. His eyes were also raw. There family was now down by two, Percy to the dark side, and Ron, by the hand of the dark side. "He'll be fine."
"If he doesn't die of a broken heart!" Draco muttered. His head in his hands. "How has Andromeda taken the news?" He looked to Hermione.
"He came to see her last night." Hermione explained. A muggle would have normally sent her to the doctors and asked for a head examination, however she was talking to wizards who's houses were filled to the brim with ghosts. The castle in fact had many spectre inhabitants. The news of Ron's appearance provided comfort to the mourning group. "He said he loves us all."
"Seems she was his favourite as well." Draco smiled. "Bloody Ron. Just you wait mate!" Draco chuckled to himself. After a moments silence the meeting began.
"Beauxbatons has been invaded. All our troops have been brought home. We only have a matter of time before he comes here to attack. I do believe he thinks Harry is dead-" Minevra explained.
"No he doesn't." Hermione contradicted. "Voldermort can feel Harry's heart. He knows Harry's alive. That scar is more than a mark Minerva; it's a connection." Hermione explained.
"He had his chance." Draco was reliving the events of France. "He could have killed Harry, why didn't he?"
"Because he wants Harry to brake himself. Harry is our only hope." Remus intervened. "If Voldermort kills him while he's down, there will be a revolt. If he allows Harry to destroy himself, he'll destroy everyone. They will give in to him.... Minerva I've said it before, and I'll say it again; the boy is only human. He has never accepted his role as a hero and because of that we've had false hope in the boy-"
"With all due respect; you did not see him fight." Draco blazed. Standing weakly from his seat. "He was what kept us going."
"And when he fell the walls of Beauxbaton crumbled." Remus explained thoughtfully.
"They crumbled because we have cowards like you staying here, hiding behind your position at the school." Oliver attacked, looking at both Remus and Severus in turn. That struck a nerve with both men, but also Hermione. How dare he attack her husband and her step-father. How dare he announce what she had been thinking about herself. As the fight erupted, Molly was reduced to tears, Ginny tried to pull Draco back down and Severus had placed Hermione on the chair as he stood.
"Silence!" Minerva said calmly over the heated crowd that had gathered in front of her desk. Of course Severus and Remus were not cowards. The two men, on separate occasions had turned to her to ask if they could join the fight. She had refused both men. To the shock of Hermione Minerva explained this to the party. Her husband had felt as helpless as her. "This is not a time to point fingers or throw stones. We are here to find out what you know. What you have found out. I hear that you, Neville were taken captive by a death eater."
"Yes." Neville looked to the floor. "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is about to go under a transformation before he comes here to Hogwarts. I didn't hear what, but it requires a sacrifice and will make him unstoppable." Neville whimpered at the reminder of the conversation he overheard between two death eaters. It had been Ron who had saved him from their clutches. Neville had asked Ron what he could have done to ever repay him. Ron's request was to name the baby after him. He intended to do just that.
The group stayed eerily silent. Hermione knew what had to be done. She alone was the only person who could do it. Severus, who had remained standing up, felt her worry about what she was about to suggest. He knew what she was about to suggest and hoped she would have second thoughts.
"The problem you all have-" Hermione startled everyone with her sudden outburst. "-Is that you look to Harry as if he is Dumbledore. And you are disappointment that he hasn't reached you expectations." Hermione paused. "The only way we can win this war is if we can get Albus back!"
"Hermione we've been through this before." Minerva sighed. "If he doesn't want to be found there is no magical method that-"
"I'm going to look for him." Severus worst fear was coming true. He knew this day would come when Hermione would want to look for Albus and tell him he was forgiven. However he had hoped it would be after the war when they could do it together. Severus would have to remain at Hogwarts to look after Andromeda while Hermione went on this journey.
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A/N: Another short chapter. But chapters 6 and 8 are long so you have them to look forward to.
QueenBonnie: Do you still want more? lol I know I'm evil and that why everyone loves me. *grins* As you can see by this chapter and the one that will be posted tomorrow, people aren't getting to grieve. I love Andromeda. I love the name. Don't know why. Don't think I'd get away with calling my child it though.
Crimson Regret177: That was very mean Vody! *Sobs* Ok, ok, I'm giving in. You win! You will have Ron back.... By the end of the story. hehehehehehehehehehe (Doesn't mean he's going to be alive though) hehehehehehehehehehe
NeopianClayniac: I love the sound of your story and I can't wait to read it. Let me know when you post it! As for the name, as you wish. It's a cool name and I'd be glad to use it. Is there a reason behind the name?
bunnyrabbit228: All I'm going to say is every name has a meaning. Find somewhere that will tell you the meaning of Andromeda. hehehehehehehehe *death eathers tell me I'm cruel and I should join them*
strega-in-progress: Ur reviews are not bad, and I still say you don't need your story beta read. Your English is just as good if not better than mine. As for Sweet Sev, sorry to say, we may see some of the bastard back in later chapters. I would love him to be the father of my baby too. lol.
SiruisBlacksgirl4eva: They have been short haven't they? As I've said cpt 6 and 8 are longer. Mainly because 6 is two chapters together and 8 is what I've been working on all day. Hope you like this chapter.
poetrychik: The thing I love about writing in a young character is that she doesn't have to be consistent. She can be intelligent beyond her years one chapter and a complete child another. It works because children are like that. I just hope she's realistic as I don't know many four year olds. She's based on my six year old niece Daisy.
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Her hand went lovingly to his face. He recoiled from her touch. "Stop being so selfish!"
"You're leaving us because you feel trapped and I'm the one being selfish. That's rich Hermione." He paused. "I feel trapped too. But I'm still here, I'm still fighting the only way I know how. I'm not turning my back on us-"
"This isn't about us!" Hermione retorted. "This is about the world our daughter has to grow up in; I don't want her to become the next Harry Potter."
After placing a ward upon his daughters bedroom, Severus woke up Hermione with a trail of kisses along her collarbone. In those first few seconds, when the world was still hazy from sleep, Hermione actually thought that the last twenty-four hours were a dream. That Ron was alive, still fighting the good fight. Then it all came flooding back. She shoulders tensed again as she removed herself from the bed.
The couple made there way silently down the corridors to Minerva's office were they would be joined with Remus, Elizabeth, Ginny, Molly and the rest of the Weasley family. Hermione hadn't expected to see any other familiar faces starring back at her when she entered the office. She in fact saw three; Draco who had Ginny sitting at his feet by the fire; Neville, he had grown considerably tall and stout since Hermione had seen him last, but he was still meek. Finally, there by the fire, in the middle of the Weasley twins Fred and George, was her old crush. The once captain of the Griffindor Quidditch team was deep in conversation. There, absorbing all the heat he could from the fire was Oliver Wood.
She felt nothing for him, no skip of her heart. However she could feel Severus' grip on her tighten. Had he known about her crush on the quidditch player. Could she still fill Severus with jealously even though she had his wedding band on her finger and him constantly in her thoughts. She squeezed her hand tightly in return. That was her first take. Her second take on the situation saw the grown men covered in battle wounds. Draco's arm was broken, as was Oliver's nose. Neville looked particularly unscathed considering, however he had been home a month. There was someone missing at this reunion.
"Harry?!" Hermione asked to no one in particular. "He is ok isn't he?" Hermione asked being led to the only empty seat. Serverus sat down and eased her onto his knee. Severus briefly glanced at Oliver. How smug he looked standing there. He was the kind of guy that could snap his fingers at any girl he wanted and they would bow down before him. His eyes were firmly on his Hermione, and Severus didn't like it one bit.
"He's in surgery Hermione." Molly explained, her eyes were raw. Not doubt she had been crying all day, only relenting because of the mass company. Her husband had a tight hold of her shaking hand. His eyes were also raw. There family was now down by two, Percy to the dark side, and Ron, by the hand of the dark side. "He'll be fine."
"If he doesn't die of a broken heart!" Draco muttered. His head in his hands. "How has Andromeda taken the news?" He looked to Hermione.
"He came to see her last night." Hermione explained. A muggle would have normally sent her to the doctors and asked for a head examination, however she was talking to wizards who's houses were filled to the brim with ghosts. The castle in fact had many spectre inhabitants. The news of Ron's appearance provided comfort to the mourning group. "He said he loves us all."
"Seems she was his favourite as well." Draco smiled. "Bloody Ron. Just you wait mate!" Draco chuckled to himself. After a moments silence the meeting began.
"Beauxbatons has been invaded. All our troops have been brought home. We only have a matter of time before he comes here to attack. I do believe he thinks Harry is dead-" Minevra explained.
"No he doesn't." Hermione contradicted. "Voldermort can feel Harry's heart. He knows Harry's alive. That scar is more than a mark Minerva; it's a connection." Hermione explained.
"He had his chance." Draco was reliving the events of France. "He could have killed Harry, why didn't he?"
"Because he wants Harry to brake himself. Harry is our only hope." Remus intervened. "If Voldermort kills him while he's down, there will be a revolt. If he allows Harry to destroy himself, he'll destroy everyone. They will give in to him.... Minerva I've said it before, and I'll say it again; the boy is only human. He has never accepted his role as a hero and because of that we've had false hope in the boy-"
"With all due respect; you did not see him fight." Draco blazed. Standing weakly from his seat. "He was what kept us going."
"And when he fell the walls of Beauxbaton crumbled." Remus explained thoughtfully.
"They crumbled because we have cowards like you staying here, hiding behind your position at the school." Oliver attacked, looking at both Remus and Severus in turn. That struck a nerve with both men, but also Hermione. How dare he attack her husband and her step-father. How dare he announce what she had been thinking about herself. As the fight erupted, Molly was reduced to tears, Ginny tried to pull Draco back down and Severus had placed Hermione on the chair as he stood.
"Silence!" Minerva said calmly over the heated crowd that had gathered in front of her desk. Of course Severus and Remus were not cowards. The two men, on separate occasions had turned to her to ask if they could join the fight. She had refused both men. To the shock of Hermione Minerva explained this to the party. Her husband had felt as helpless as her. "This is not a time to point fingers or throw stones. We are here to find out what you know. What you have found out. I hear that you, Neville were taken captive by a death eater."
"Yes." Neville looked to the floor. "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is about to go under a transformation before he comes here to Hogwarts. I didn't hear what, but it requires a sacrifice and will make him unstoppable." Neville whimpered at the reminder of the conversation he overheard between two death eaters. It had been Ron who had saved him from their clutches. Neville had asked Ron what he could have done to ever repay him. Ron's request was to name the baby after him. He intended to do just that.
The group stayed eerily silent. Hermione knew what had to be done. She alone was the only person who could do it. Severus, who had remained standing up, felt her worry about what she was about to suggest. He knew what she was about to suggest and hoped she would have second thoughts.
"The problem you all have-" Hermione startled everyone with her sudden outburst. "-Is that you look to Harry as if he is Dumbledore. And you are disappointment that he hasn't reached you expectations." Hermione paused. "The only way we can win this war is if we can get Albus back!"
"Hermione we've been through this before." Minerva sighed. "If he doesn't want to be found there is no magical method that-"
"I'm going to look for him." Severus worst fear was coming true. He knew this day would come when Hermione would want to look for Albus and tell him he was forgiven. However he had hoped it would be after the war when they could do it together. Severus would have to remain at Hogwarts to look after Andromeda while Hermione went on this journey.
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A/N: Another short chapter. But chapters 6 and 8 are long so you have them to look forward to.
QueenBonnie: Do you still want more? lol I know I'm evil and that why everyone loves me. *grins* As you can see by this chapter and the one that will be posted tomorrow, people aren't getting to grieve. I love Andromeda. I love the name. Don't know why. Don't think I'd get away with calling my child it though.
Crimson Regret177: That was very mean Vody! *Sobs* Ok, ok, I'm giving in. You win! You will have Ron back.... By the end of the story. hehehehehehehehehehe (Doesn't mean he's going to be alive though) hehehehehehehehehehe
NeopianClayniac: I love the sound of your story and I can't wait to read it. Let me know when you post it! As for the name, as you wish. It's a cool name and I'd be glad to use it. Is there a reason behind the name?
bunnyrabbit228: All I'm going to say is every name has a meaning. Find somewhere that will tell you the meaning of Andromeda. hehehehehehehehe *death eathers tell me I'm cruel and I should join them*
strega-in-progress: Ur reviews are not bad, and I still say you don't need your story beta read. Your English is just as good if not better than mine. As for Sweet Sev, sorry to say, we may see some of the bastard back in later chapters. I would love him to be the father of my baby too. lol.
SiruisBlacksgirl4eva: They have been short haven't they? As I've said cpt 6 and 8 are longer. Mainly because 6 is two chapters together and 8 is what I've been working on all day. Hope you like this chapter.
poetrychik: The thing I love about writing in a young character is that she doesn't have to be consistent. She can be intelligent beyond her years one chapter and a complete child another. It works because children are like that. I just hope she's realistic as I don't know many four year olds. She's based on my six year old niece Daisy.
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Her hand went lovingly to his face. He recoiled from her touch. "Stop being so selfish!"
"You're leaving us because you feel trapped and I'm the one being selfish. That's rich Hermione." He paused. "I feel trapped too. But I'm still here, I'm still fighting the only way I know how. I'm not turning my back on us-"
"This isn't about us!" Hermione retorted. "This is about the world our daughter has to grow up in; I don't want her to become the next Harry Potter."