Ginny, her long flaming red hair stuck to her head, cradled her son in her arms, crying from exhaustion and ecstasy. She looked from the small baby that smile sleepily at her to Harry, who was cradling her second baby; a girl. Harry was feeling uneasy. something was wrong, Severus had gone to get cigars to celebrate the birth. However he should have been back by now. Handing the baby to the new father he made his excuse and went in search of Severus to give him the good news. Would they become the new Fred and George? It would be interesting to find out. A shame they would never know their uncle Ron. Being left alone, they could address an important matter. Ginny's mother had gone to owl the rest of the family while McGonagall had gone to address the school.
"We need to think of names Ginny!" Draco whispered to the mother of his children. Ginny nodded weakly. "How about Ron-" Ginny shook her head.
"Jonathan; It's his middle name. Remember Neville has promised to name his kid after Ron." Ginny smiled. "How about Dillon for her." Ginny nodded at the second baby.
"Dillon?!" Draco sounded it around his mouth. He liked it, "Jonathan and Dillon Weasley." Draco nodded.
8o8o8o8o8o8o8o8
Harry was in a world of his own as he came to the main entrance, thinking about how he had accepted a life without children; as long as he had Ron he would be content, after all Ron was so childish at time, it would have almost been the same as having a child. His blood running cold at the sight that stopped him in his tracks. Crumpled in a tangled heap were Hermione and Albus Dumbledore. Aware of a new presence, Albus opened his eyes wearily. Harry rushed to his side, easing the light Hermione from the weak man.
"Harry?!" Dumbledore questioned gravely. "Is it you my dear boy?" He felt Harry's face. His hands were rough and there was only a small glimmer of life left in his eyes.
"Yes professor." Harry checked the man over, he didn't seem as injured as Hermione. Hermione looked as if she had been through years of torture. "What has happened. She went to find you-"
"I found her. She's been missing, Oliver is dead." Dumbledore whispered as his focus moved from Harry to the red head that had appeared behind the-boy-who-lived. "Ronald Weasley?!" Dumbledore smiled. Harry's heart sank. Was he loosing him after everything Hermione had been through, after what everyone had been through.
"Ron died professor. A few months ago, by the hands of a death eater." Harry's heart bled. He hated telling people about what happened.
"I most certainly am not dead." A voice came from above him. Harry spun round to be greeted by his lover. He was there; alive, in the flesh. Wearing robes of deep purple that Harry had never seen before. Behind Ron was a bewildered Severus, cradling a sleeping Andromeda. It had been too much for the little girl. "Well, at least not any more." Ron smiled widely. "Hello Harry."
"Wh- How- Why-" Harry attempted to find his voice. Ron hugged him to prove that he was real. "What's going on?"
"I'll explain soon. First we need to get Hermione seen to." Ron brushed passed Harry and scooped up the skeleton. "We'll take her to your chambers Severus. Ginny can't see her like this. However it might help moral if they see Albus. Perhaps you could take him Severus?" Ron took charge. Severus looked at him blankly. Ron looked at him, his eyebrows raised "Take Andromeda with you."
"As you wish." Severus was not about to argue with an until recently dead man. Of course Ron had his reasons and when Severus, Albus and Andromeda had left earshot he began to climb the stairs, Hermione in his arms.
"Have you noticed?" Ron asked Harry. Who fell bewildered in step with his lover. He looked blank. "Look at her!" Harry looked, and she looked older. Not the few months that she had been away, more. So much more.
"Where has she been Ron?" Harry asked as they reached her quarters. Placing her lightly on the bed, Ron sat Harry down to explain.
"Have you heard of Ocularis?"..............
The world was black, the air was damp and clung pungent smell of rotten corpses. Hermione couldn't move for the crippling pain, she could feel the posion etching it's way round her system. It had already done it's job. Her baby was dead. She had briefly heard of Ocularis, the Eye of Hell. Her thoughts moved to her surroundings. Would, Could Alisha really have sent her there? Hermione wept thoughts returning to her painful stomach, she had lost her baby. What would Severus say? He would be broken hearted and surly he would blame her. After all it was her fault. She should never have left him. She could fell the cold slimy floor on her back. not much was known about the place called Ocularis. Not many got back to tell the tale, and all who returned had been there so long they were immediately sent to hospital for mental treatment. It was a fate worse than death.
"Hello dear." An old voice filled the darkness. A kind and loving voice, slowly bring itself and a dim light to join the voice. Hermione tried to adjust her eyes to the dimness. "I'm Trinny." An old woman came into view. She had grown up in Ocularis. Her skin was oily and stretched over her now deformed skull. She had been beaten to that shape. Hermione felt like weeping for her. There was such beauty in that voice. And those eye; blue with the slightest hint of purple. Hermione thought as the old woman bent down and put her face directly above Hermione's. The woman smelt of the air. It clung to her clothes.
"I'm Hermione." She offered, standing. Hitting her head on the low slimy roof. "How long have you been here?" Hermione questioned as the woman lead her out into a bigger cavern. The woman's leg was broken and she was hobbling on in.
"Oh, I wouldn't know. All I know is; not long has passed in the old world. I am probably older than my parents now." She giggled softly. "I get to see them." She said for no particular reason.
"Who sent you here?" Hermione followed her down a steep set of stairs.
"I don't remember." The woman replied light heartedly, leading Hermione into a room full globes. Trinny didn't remember? Hermione didn't want to forget anything. Not Severus, not her daughter, not the woman who had sent her there. Was her life always to be about revenge and war?
"How do you get out?" Hermione questioned, examining a globe. Almost like a storaball, the world she once belonged to was being projected inside the globe. "Trinny, how do you get out?"
"I've never tried. After a while, you will forget what you miss. You will like it here."
"I don't intend on forgetting. I have a life outside. I have a job to do, a duty! I need to find a way out."
"Now why would you want to do that?" Trinny kneeled as a sinister man came into view....
Hermione had been awoken sharply by her memory of Ocularis and her meeting with the Juggernaut . He had tortured her until Albus had rescued her months after she had gone missing. Trinny had been killed trying to save Hermione from the Jester. The hammer that had caused her face to be disfigured. That was half way through Hermione's stay, and until her last second there, she didn't come across another person. Coming into focus, she found herself in the arms of a man who she remembered. His intoxicating sent giving her a sense of security. Once she had felt comfortable in those arms. Now they pulled out her heart. Even though she wasn't aware of how much time had passed she could still smell her on him she thought as she inhaled his sent. She hated that Alisha had touched him, and he had touched her back. She pushed him away. He sat perched on the side of the bed. However the chair at the side that was draped in a blanket and the table that was littered in food and medicine told her she had been asleep for days. He moved back in to hug her, assuming she was still foggy from sleep.
"Don't touch me." She looked around to find it was noon and the sun was pouring into the window of her old home in the castle. It hadn't changed, not that she expected it to. She pulled herself from the tangled sheets and attempted to stand. She was unsuccessful and crumbled to the floor. He went to pick her up. "DON'T TOUCH ME. Never touch me." She was so angry with him. His touch still burnt her with passion and she would easily forgive him. She didn't want to be that weak. He couldn't win her back without an effort. He would win her back, wouldn't he? If she denied him now, would he turn to Alisha?
"Hermione-" He disturbed her thoughts.
"No! Don't Hermione me." She pulled herself up onto the bed. Her legs had become dead weights. "How could you do this to me?!" Hermione cried, her fragile head meeting her slender fingers.
"I'm sorry." Severus bowed his head. "Nothing happened between me and Hero- Alisha. I promi-" Hermione stood defiantly, feeling returning instantly o her legs. Her anger gave her motivation. If she couldn't move he could pin her; if he did that. he would be forgiven. She looked at him, sitting on the bed, full of worry. He did still care. That was never in doubt. Perhaps he loved her too much. One loves and one is loved. Hermione reminded herself. Perhaps she was the one who was love. Still didn't excuse him, even if she had blinded him by leaving.
"I don't care how far you got. I would have forgiven you for cheating on me; if it was your weakness, If it was in your nature to act that way. But you are more than that Severus, you don't bow to any woman. You never even bowed to me!" Severus knelt instantly at her feet. Pulling at her silk covered legs.
"I've always bowed to you. I bowed to make you stay, I'm bowing now." Severus wiped away a shed tear. She held him in such contempt. "I will bow forever. You are my Goddess."
"Then why didn't you trust me?!" Hermione whispered removing his arms from her legs. That was what had hurt her most. The reason he had cheated on her was that he had thought that at the very same moment she was doing the exact same thing. "I don't blame her. It's your own fucking fault you're weak. If you trusted me; your eyes would never have wandered." Hermione spat retrieving a set of summer robes from the top drawer of the chest. Severus angered at this, stood and moved behind her.
"You left your ring-" She spun round, blood rushing to her head caused her to collapse in his arms.
"I left it to show our daughter I'd be back. I wouldn't leave my most treasured possessions; you, Andromeda or my ring." Hermione whispered into his chest. "But my ring has nothing to do with your doubt."
"You sent me a letter telling me you were running off with Oliver-" He was about to recount all the incidents that had happen to make him doubt her. Realising the moment it sliped from his mouth what had happened. It was all part of Hero/ Alisha's plan.
"When?!" Hermione questioned harshly as she noted Severus' droop. He knew what he had said was wrong
"Valentine's day-"
"Oliver was killed Christmas Eve Severus. I was in Ocularis for Valentines. Well actually, I've been in Ocularis for ten Valentines. I've been trapped there for TEN YEARS Severus, while only a matter of months have passed for you." She allowed him to process the information. "I came to you for help. Do you remember a hallucination you had?" He nodded slowly. "That WAS me. But you wouldn't allow me to tell you what I wanted; you only let me tell you what you wanted to hear and I couldn't control it. If you didn't have that doubt in your mind, I would have been out five years ago." Hermione shouted wondering if Trinny would also be alive. After all it was returning from the globe Hermione had knocked it over and alerted the Juggernaut. Trinny explained profoundly it was her. She lost her life while Hermione got a broken arm. One that had reset wrongly and would need to be broken and reset. "The hurting thing is; in those ten years I never once questioned your fidelity. I never had any doubt you would betray me. But you had it before I left." She had not known about how close Severus and Alisha were until she arrived in the hall. Severus wept as Hermione pushed her self from him. "You can't deny it can you?"
"I had every intention of winning you back. I may have signed the divorce papers; but I-"
"The road to hell is paved with good intentions Severus. You didn't need to win me back!" Hermione brushed his cheek. He made to kiss her, she flinched and turned her head. That kiss would be damning. "You DIDN'T need to win me back.... Aren't you going to ask about our baby? Surly that would have convinced you that I was faithful." Severus looked at her blankly. Then it clicked, he rubbed his hands over her stomach. She had been pregnant. "She took him away from us!"
"He?! We had a son?" Severus' memory came flooding back. "The paperweight." He whispered absentmindedly. "A storaball. I remember-"
"- A little too late Severus." Hermione cried. "I tortured myself for those years with your reaction. I thought you would blame me for his death. You were the one thing that kept me alive-"
"Believe me Hermione. I've been in hell these last few months." Severus begged. "I thought that you had-"
"No. That would be me. And I was there for a hell of a lot longer." Hermione dried her eyes.
"What going to become of us?" Severus questioned desperation in his voice. He could not love without her. He was still determined to win her back.
"There is no us." Hermione regretted what she said. There was still an us; it would just take time. It would never be the same. She knew deep in her heart that Severus no longer trusted her. And the most stabbing thought of all; did he ever?
"Mommy!!!!" Andromeda disturbed the couple, followed by Ron.
"Andromeda." Hermione scooped the little girl up in her arms. Hermione couldn't handle the weight of the child and collapsed onto the bed, crying openly. "You my dear are a sight for sore eyes. You haven't changed a bit." Hermione looked over the girl in the pale green robes. It had been three days since Andromeda's birthday.
"I'm sorry I couldn't get you out mommy. I'm sorry you were all alone. Daddy told me it was just a dream and I forgot." Andromeda cried, remembering her dream from the day of her birthday.
"It's ok sweetie. I went to someone else. Dumbledore." Hermione shot Severus a look of pure venom he had awoken their daughter when Hermione was telling her valuable information for getting her out. "And he came and saved me. I was back for your birthday like I promised," Hermione smoothed down the girls hair. Her eyes raised to the man she thought had been Harry. She lost her voice. "R- R- R-"
"Hey." Ron smiled joining his friend on the bed. "Missed me?" Hermione flung her arms around the mans neck. "Guess so." Severus felt awkward being there at the reunion. He hated that his wife.... That was the problem. He'd signed those damn divorce papers. She was no longer his wife. She was just Hermione Granger, mother of his daughter.
"You jerk!" Hermione smiled thumping him. "You bloody jerk. Coming to my daughter as a ghost to say goodbye!" Hermione smiled at the thought. It seemed so long ago but the memory was still clear. "How- Why- Huh?"
"Ask Andromeda." Ron hugged his niece who was blushing furiously.
"Voldermort got him back." Andromeda smiled. How Hermione had missed that smile. "He said he respected me because I didn't show him any fear. I asked him if I could guess what he was turning himself into. He said if I guessed correctly, he would grant one wish. I asked that he would bring back Ron. He did."
"But honey, how did you know what he was turning into?" Severus knelt down beside her.
"I told her." Hermione explained.............
"And how do you know what he's about to turn into?" Minerva asked once the Order meeting had began and Andromeda's story had been retold by Hermione. There in the room with Hermione and Minerva were Albus, Severus, Draco, Remus, Harry and Ron. Neville was on his way from his home in London, as Hermione had sent him an owl requesting his help. Molly and Elizabeth were looking after Ginny, Andromeda and the two new babies.
"Because in Ocularis you know all." Dumbledore explained for Hermione. Everyone in the room fell silent. They all had heard of Ocularis, and none of them would want to ever go there.
"And what is he turning into?"
"He's not turning into anything." Hermione answered. "The unity of the two great houses will bring down a great lord. The prophesy still stands." Severus heart skipped a beat. There was still a chance for them. "He's commandeering a stone statue of -"
"-A lion!" Severus finished his heart fell. The prophesy was not about them.
"Merlin. He will be indestructible." Minerva whispered.
"We haven't much time but there is still hope!" Hermione answered with a quick glance at Severus. Was that hope for the war, or hope for them? Severus could only guess.
A/N: Not too sure about this chapter. I know where I'm going though, and there probably won't be more than five more chapters. (Then you'll have to wait until the summer because I really need to revise. I might try a Labyrinth Fic next. Or I might write up my Jurassic Park Fic before I attempt another HG/SS Fic)
strega-in-progress: You got a flame? For what story? What actualy gets said in a flame? My story is fascinating, awww shucks blushes profoundly About the studying; you should spend time in our study room our boys use it for anything but studying. lol (Including playing football with a bottle)
bunnyrabbit228: He admired the fact that she didn't fear him. I need to develop that a bit more though.
Crimson Regret177: Glad you didn't see it coming. lol
poetrychik: Yep, she did. But she does still love him.... hmmmm, idea for the second half of the next chapter. Thank you.
NeopianClayniac: There was your names. Hope I was quick enough
queenbonnie: Hope there was enough light in this chapter. Yep, they ain't together. But it will end with them together, I promise. I'm sorry I made you eat your desk. and chocolate is the best. Have you tried a Mars Delight? mmmmmmmm I'm addicted
frozen-poptart: I think I will start saying HOLY NOODLE in school, it's such a wicked phrase.
Anarane Anwamane: Awwww, Shucks thank you.
Once again no Preview. But I am about to start the next chapter which I will post as soon as possible.
"We need to think of names Ginny!" Draco whispered to the mother of his children. Ginny nodded weakly. "How about Ron-" Ginny shook her head.
"Jonathan; It's his middle name. Remember Neville has promised to name his kid after Ron." Ginny smiled. "How about Dillon for her." Ginny nodded at the second baby.
"Dillon?!" Draco sounded it around his mouth. He liked it, "Jonathan and Dillon Weasley." Draco nodded.
8o8o8o8o8o8o8o8
Harry was in a world of his own as he came to the main entrance, thinking about how he had accepted a life without children; as long as he had Ron he would be content, after all Ron was so childish at time, it would have almost been the same as having a child. His blood running cold at the sight that stopped him in his tracks. Crumpled in a tangled heap were Hermione and Albus Dumbledore. Aware of a new presence, Albus opened his eyes wearily. Harry rushed to his side, easing the light Hermione from the weak man.
"Harry?!" Dumbledore questioned gravely. "Is it you my dear boy?" He felt Harry's face. His hands were rough and there was only a small glimmer of life left in his eyes.
"Yes professor." Harry checked the man over, he didn't seem as injured as Hermione. Hermione looked as if she had been through years of torture. "What has happened. She went to find you-"
"I found her. She's been missing, Oliver is dead." Dumbledore whispered as his focus moved from Harry to the red head that had appeared behind the-boy-who-lived. "Ronald Weasley?!" Dumbledore smiled. Harry's heart sank. Was he loosing him after everything Hermione had been through, after what everyone had been through.
"Ron died professor. A few months ago, by the hands of a death eater." Harry's heart bled. He hated telling people about what happened.
"I most certainly am not dead." A voice came from above him. Harry spun round to be greeted by his lover. He was there; alive, in the flesh. Wearing robes of deep purple that Harry had never seen before. Behind Ron was a bewildered Severus, cradling a sleeping Andromeda. It had been too much for the little girl. "Well, at least not any more." Ron smiled widely. "Hello Harry."
"Wh- How- Why-" Harry attempted to find his voice. Ron hugged him to prove that he was real. "What's going on?"
"I'll explain soon. First we need to get Hermione seen to." Ron brushed passed Harry and scooped up the skeleton. "We'll take her to your chambers Severus. Ginny can't see her like this. However it might help moral if they see Albus. Perhaps you could take him Severus?" Ron took charge. Severus looked at him blankly. Ron looked at him, his eyebrows raised "Take Andromeda with you."
"As you wish." Severus was not about to argue with an until recently dead man. Of course Ron had his reasons and when Severus, Albus and Andromeda had left earshot he began to climb the stairs, Hermione in his arms.
"Have you noticed?" Ron asked Harry. Who fell bewildered in step with his lover. He looked blank. "Look at her!" Harry looked, and she looked older. Not the few months that she had been away, more. So much more.
"Where has she been Ron?" Harry asked as they reached her quarters. Placing her lightly on the bed, Ron sat Harry down to explain.
"Have you heard of Ocularis?"..............
The world was black, the air was damp and clung pungent smell of rotten corpses. Hermione couldn't move for the crippling pain, she could feel the posion etching it's way round her system. It had already done it's job. Her baby was dead. She had briefly heard of Ocularis, the Eye of Hell. Her thoughts moved to her surroundings. Would, Could Alisha really have sent her there? Hermione wept thoughts returning to her painful stomach, she had lost her baby. What would Severus say? He would be broken hearted and surly he would blame her. After all it was her fault. She should never have left him. She could fell the cold slimy floor on her back. not much was known about the place called Ocularis. Not many got back to tell the tale, and all who returned had been there so long they were immediately sent to hospital for mental treatment. It was a fate worse than death.
"Hello dear." An old voice filled the darkness. A kind and loving voice, slowly bring itself and a dim light to join the voice. Hermione tried to adjust her eyes to the dimness. "I'm Trinny." An old woman came into view. She had grown up in Ocularis. Her skin was oily and stretched over her now deformed skull. She had been beaten to that shape. Hermione felt like weeping for her. There was such beauty in that voice. And those eye; blue with the slightest hint of purple. Hermione thought as the old woman bent down and put her face directly above Hermione's. The woman smelt of the air. It clung to her clothes.
"I'm Hermione." She offered, standing. Hitting her head on the low slimy roof. "How long have you been here?" Hermione questioned as the woman lead her out into a bigger cavern. The woman's leg was broken and she was hobbling on in.
"Oh, I wouldn't know. All I know is; not long has passed in the old world. I am probably older than my parents now." She giggled softly. "I get to see them." She said for no particular reason.
"Who sent you here?" Hermione followed her down a steep set of stairs.
"I don't remember." The woman replied light heartedly, leading Hermione into a room full globes. Trinny didn't remember? Hermione didn't want to forget anything. Not Severus, not her daughter, not the woman who had sent her there. Was her life always to be about revenge and war?
"How do you get out?" Hermione questioned, examining a globe. Almost like a storaball, the world she once belonged to was being projected inside the globe. "Trinny, how do you get out?"
"I've never tried. After a while, you will forget what you miss. You will like it here."
"I don't intend on forgetting. I have a life outside. I have a job to do, a duty! I need to find a way out."
"Now why would you want to do that?" Trinny kneeled as a sinister man came into view....
Hermione had been awoken sharply by her memory of Ocularis and her meeting with the Juggernaut . He had tortured her until Albus had rescued her months after she had gone missing. Trinny had been killed trying to save Hermione from the Jester. The hammer that had caused her face to be disfigured. That was half way through Hermione's stay, and until her last second there, she didn't come across another person. Coming into focus, she found herself in the arms of a man who she remembered. His intoxicating sent giving her a sense of security. Once she had felt comfortable in those arms. Now they pulled out her heart. Even though she wasn't aware of how much time had passed she could still smell her on him she thought as she inhaled his sent. She hated that Alisha had touched him, and he had touched her back. She pushed him away. He sat perched on the side of the bed. However the chair at the side that was draped in a blanket and the table that was littered in food and medicine told her she had been asleep for days. He moved back in to hug her, assuming she was still foggy from sleep.
"Don't touch me." She looked around to find it was noon and the sun was pouring into the window of her old home in the castle. It hadn't changed, not that she expected it to. She pulled herself from the tangled sheets and attempted to stand. She was unsuccessful and crumbled to the floor. He went to pick her up. "DON'T TOUCH ME. Never touch me." She was so angry with him. His touch still burnt her with passion and she would easily forgive him. She didn't want to be that weak. He couldn't win her back without an effort. He would win her back, wouldn't he? If she denied him now, would he turn to Alisha?
"Hermione-" He disturbed her thoughts.
"No! Don't Hermione me." She pulled herself up onto the bed. Her legs had become dead weights. "How could you do this to me?!" Hermione cried, her fragile head meeting her slender fingers.
"I'm sorry." Severus bowed his head. "Nothing happened between me and Hero- Alisha. I promi-" Hermione stood defiantly, feeling returning instantly o her legs. Her anger gave her motivation. If she couldn't move he could pin her; if he did that. he would be forgiven. She looked at him, sitting on the bed, full of worry. He did still care. That was never in doubt. Perhaps he loved her too much. One loves and one is loved. Hermione reminded herself. Perhaps she was the one who was love. Still didn't excuse him, even if she had blinded him by leaving.
"I don't care how far you got. I would have forgiven you for cheating on me; if it was your weakness, If it was in your nature to act that way. But you are more than that Severus, you don't bow to any woman. You never even bowed to me!" Severus knelt instantly at her feet. Pulling at her silk covered legs.
"I've always bowed to you. I bowed to make you stay, I'm bowing now." Severus wiped away a shed tear. She held him in such contempt. "I will bow forever. You are my Goddess."
"Then why didn't you trust me?!" Hermione whispered removing his arms from her legs. That was what had hurt her most. The reason he had cheated on her was that he had thought that at the very same moment she was doing the exact same thing. "I don't blame her. It's your own fucking fault you're weak. If you trusted me; your eyes would never have wandered." Hermione spat retrieving a set of summer robes from the top drawer of the chest. Severus angered at this, stood and moved behind her.
"You left your ring-" She spun round, blood rushing to her head caused her to collapse in his arms.
"I left it to show our daughter I'd be back. I wouldn't leave my most treasured possessions; you, Andromeda or my ring." Hermione whispered into his chest. "But my ring has nothing to do with your doubt."
"You sent me a letter telling me you were running off with Oliver-" He was about to recount all the incidents that had happen to make him doubt her. Realising the moment it sliped from his mouth what had happened. It was all part of Hero/ Alisha's plan.
"When?!" Hermione questioned harshly as she noted Severus' droop. He knew what he had said was wrong
"Valentine's day-"
"Oliver was killed Christmas Eve Severus. I was in Ocularis for Valentines. Well actually, I've been in Ocularis for ten Valentines. I've been trapped there for TEN YEARS Severus, while only a matter of months have passed for you." She allowed him to process the information. "I came to you for help. Do you remember a hallucination you had?" He nodded slowly. "That WAS me. But you wouldn't allow me to tell you what I wanted; you only let me tell you what you wanted to hear and I couldn't control it. If you didn't have that doubt in your mind, I would have been out five years ago." Hermione shouted wondering if Trinny would also be alive. After all it was returning from the globe Hermione had knocked it over and alerted the Juggernaut. Trinny explained profoundly it was her. She lost her life while Hermione got a broken arm. One that had reset wrongly and would need to be broken and reset. "The hurting thing is; in those ten years I never once questioned your fidelity. I never had any doubt you would betray me. But you had it before I left." She had not known about how close Severus and Alisha were until she arrived in the hall. Severus wept as Hermione pushed her self from him. "You can't deny it can you?"
"I had every intention of winning you back. I may have signed the divorce papers; but I-"
"The road to hell is paved with good intentions Severus. You didn't need to win me back!" Hermione brushed his cheek. He made to kiss her, she flinched and turned her head. That kiss would be damning. "You DIDN'T need to win me back.... Aren't you going to ask about our baby? Surly that would have convinced you that I was faithful." Severus looked at her blankly. Then it clicked, he rubbed his hands over her stomach. She had been pregnant. "She took him away from us!"
"He?! We had a son?" Severus' memory came flooding back. "The paperweight." He whispered absentmindedly. "A storaball. I remember-"
"- A little too late Severus." Hermione cried. "I tortured myself for those years with your reaction. I thought you would blame me for his death. You were the one thing that kept me alive-"
"Believe me Hermione. I've been in hell these last few months." Severus begged. "I thought that you had-"
"No. That would be me. And I was there for a hell of a lot longer." Hermione dried her eyes.
"What going to become of us?" Severus questioned desperation in his voice. He could not love without her. He was still determined to win her back.
"There is no us." Hermione regretted what she said. There was still an us; it would just take time. It would never be the same. She knew deep in her heart that Severus no longer trusted her. And the most stabbing thought of all; did he ever?
"Mommy!!!!" Andromeda disturbed the couple, followed by Ron.
"Andromeda." Hermione scooped the little girl up in her arms. Hermione couldn't handle the weight of the child and collapsed onto the bed, crying openly. "You my dear are a sight for sore eyes. You haven't changed a bit." Hermione looked over the girl in the pale green robes. It had been three days since Andromeda's birthday.
"I'm sorry I couldn't get you out mommy. I'm sorry you were all alone. Daddy told me it was just a dream and I forgot." Andromeda cried, remembering her dream from the day of her birthday.
"It's ok sweetie. I went to someone else. Dumbledore." Hermione shot Severus a look of pure venom he had awoken their daughter when Hermione was telling her valuable information for getting her out. "And he came and saved me. I was back for your birthday like I promised," Hermione smoothed down the girls hair. Her eyes raised to the man she thought had been Harry. She lost her voice. "R- R- R-"
"Hey." Ron smiled joining his friend on the bed. "Missed me?" Hermione flung her arms around the mans neck. "Guess so." Severus felt awkward being there at the reunion. He hated that his wife.... That was the problem. He'd signed those damn divorce papers. She was no longer his wife. She was just Hermione Granger, mother of his daughter.
"You jerk!" Hermione smiled thumping him. "You bloody jerk. Coming to my daughter as a ghost to say goodbye!" Hermione smiled at the thought. It seemed so long ago but the memory was still clear. "How- Why- Huh?"
"Ask Andromeda." Ron hugged his niece who was blushing furiously.
"Voldermort got him back." Andromeda smiled. How Hermione had missed that smile. "He said he respected me because I didn't show him any fear. I asked him if I could guess what he was turning himself into. He said if I guessed correctly, he would grant one wish. I asked that he would bring back Ron. He did."
"But honey, how did you know what he was turning into?" Severus knelt down beside her.
"I told her." Hermione explained.............
"And how do you know what he's about to turn into?" Minerva asked once the Order meeting had began and Andromeda's story had been retold by Hermione. There in the room with Hermione and Minerva were Albus, Severus, Draco, Remus, Harry and Ron. Neville was on his way from his home in London, as Hermione had sent him an owl requesting his help. Molly and Elizabeth were looking after Ginny, Andromeda and the two new babies.
"Because in Ocularis you know all." Dumbledore explained for Hermione. Everyone in the room fell silent. They all had heard of Ocularis, and none of them would want to ever go there.
"And what is he turning into?"
"He's not turning into anything." Hermione answered. "The unity of the two great houses will bring down a great lord. The prophesy still stands." Severus heart skipped a beat. There was still a chance for them. "He's commandeering a stone statue of -"
"-A lion!" Severus finished his heart fell. The prophesy was not about them.
"Merlin. He will be indestructible." Minerva whispered.
"We haven't much time but there is still hope!" Hermione answered with a quick glance at Severus. Was that hope for the war, or hope for them? Severus could only guess.
A/N: Not too sure about this chapter. I know where I'm going though, and there probably won't be more than five more chapters. (Then you'll have to wait until the summer because I really need to revise. I might try a Labyrinth Fic next. Or I might write up my Jurassic Park Fic before I attempt another HG/SS Fic)
strega-in-progress: You got a flame? For what story? What actualy gets said in a flame? My story is fascinating, awww shucks blushes profoundly About the studying; you should spend time in our study room our boys use it for anything but studying. lol (Including playing football with a bottle)
bunnyrabbit228: He admired the fact that she didn't fear him. I need to develop that a bit more though.
Crimson Regret177: Glad you didn't see it coming. lol
poetrychik: Yep, she did. But she does still love him.... hmmmm, idea for the second half of the next chapter. Thank you.
NeopianClayniac: There was your names. Hope I was quick enough
queenbonnie: Hope there was enough light in this chapter. Yep, they ain't together. But it will end with them together, I promise. I'm sorry I made you eat your desk. and chocolate is the best. Have you tried a Mars Delight? mmmmmmmm I'm addicted
frozen-poptart: I think I will start saying HOLY NOODLE in school, it's such a wicked phrase.
Anarane Anwamane: Awwww, Shucks thank you.
Once again no Preview. But I am about to start the next chapter which I will post as soon as possible.