The Fleeting Hours
"Now, be good for Nan and Granddad." Hermione hugged her sobbing daughter. It was three in the afternoon and there was no sign of Severus. In fact Hermione hadn't seen him since she'd left his arms twelve hours previous. Andromeda had become increasingly irate at the thought of leaving without saying goodbye to him.
"I'm not going." Andromeda allowed herself to be picked up by Hermione. "Have I upset daddy?"
"No honey. No doubt it's something I've done. Don't worry yourself my sweet. You'll be back in no time." Hermione angered at the thought that had crossed her daughters mind. Would Severus be so petty as to take his anger of Hermione out on his daughter. Where was he? "Mum." Hermione handed Andromeda to Remus. She then hugged her mum. "You do understand don't you?"
"This is no place for me. Yes. I understand my sweet." She smoothed out Hermione's curls. "Hopefully, when we get back you and Severus will be ok?!" She asked lovingly.
"I honestly don't know mum. I'll try. That's if I ever find him." Hermione looked at her watch. "You'll have to go. The train leaves in an hour and I need to go and get Neville and finish this potion."
"He's coming isn't he. I can feel him coming close." Elizabeth whispered as if she were to say it out loud, Voldermort would appear. Hermione shot her a curious glance. "I got a letter of invitation to Hogwarts; school of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Her mum revealed to Hermione's shock. "Your Grandparents wouldn't let me come. This is my world as much as yours. I wouldn't let you fight otherwise."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Hermione questioned.
"If I did. You might of thought I was allowing you to come here to fulfil my desire. My dream. I wanted you to make up your own mind, choose your own path." Elizabeth kissed her daughter. "I'm so proud of you my dear."
"Go!" Was all Hermione could choke out between her sobs. Albus had joined her at the gates and pulled her into and fatherly hug as the three figures disappeared.
"Hermione. Are you ready to fight?" Albus asked.
"Yes." Hermione answered.
"Then I must leave." Albus excused. Hermione looked up to his eyes. There was determination hidden beneath the dullness. "We have left a dear friend in the darkness. It is my duty to bring him back."
"We need you here. Hagrid will still be there after the war!" Hermione couldn't believe he was doing this.
"Yes. But I might not be here to go and save him." Albus reasoned.
"Then I will save him. You can not leave us now." Hermione choked on new found tears. "We will not win."
"What benefit have I been to you? I have destroyed your marriage and have had you tortured for ten long years. I have provided no useful information, and your plan of attack does not involve me. Hermione. This war would have been won long ago had you all not been blinded by the need of me. I'm not that great man you all think I am. I'm that pathetic fool you tried to kill."
"I forgive you!" Hermione cried. "I forgive you. Don't leave us."
"Those words would be best used on someone else dear child. Wouldn't you agree." Dumbledore smiled weakly. "I will be back Hermione. This is something I have to do."
"Take someone with you." Hermione begged. She knew it was in vain. "Promise me you'll be back!" Albus kissed her forehead. That was promise enough.
"You and Severus have a wonderful daughter." Albus smiled. "Perhaps she would benefit with a sibling?"
"Stop pushing old fool. I forgive Severus! I love him too much not to." Hermione smiled, her heart skipping a beat at the thought of Severus. "He won't forgive himself. I can't help him there Albus." Hermione pulled at one of Albus' golden buttons. "I want nothing more to have more children with him. He's always wanted a big family. I would give him everything he wants." Hermione allowed a tear to fall down her face. "I would give my life to save him."
"You did my dear." Albus brushed away the tear. "He would have died if you hadn't returned. You should have died in Ocularis. You know that. By saving your own life. You saved Severus." Albus hugged Hermione once more. "I must leave. Before it's too late."
"How long do we have?" Hermione questioned.
"Enough time to finish the potion and escort yourself to the pub and sober up your husband. It appears he is trying to find his redemption in the bottom of a glass of firewhiskey." Hermione made for the gates. Albus stopped her. "Don't worry yourself. Harry and Ron are looking after him. Go finish the potion and then see to Severus. Good luck my child."
Severus hung over the bar, nose dipped into the glass. humming to himself. Ron and Harry sat either side of him. From time to time having to right Severus when he fell to one side or the other. When Ron and Harry fist appeared, Severus tried to throttle Ron. Only calming when he was told if he didn't desist he would be bared. Of course, Severus hadn't given them an intelligent reason to his need for drink. One excuse had been that Hermione had forced them down his throat.
"Another." He said as he downed his seventh glass. Everything was hazy. He didn't want another. He didn't want anything. That was a lie, he wanted Hermione.
"Hermione is going to kill us. You realise this." Ron insisted as he waved away the bartender. "No need to worry about he-who-must-not-be-named. Hermione will see to it that we die a horrible and painful death."
"Hermione?" Severus stood. "Where?" He collapsed. Harry picked him up and led him to a table in the corner, away from prying eyes. "My Hermione's a great woman." He pulled Ron into a hug. "Sex is mind blowing." Severus inhibitions had been shot. His sex life was usually private affair between Hermione and himself. Now he didn't care who knew. "Never failed me once. And I must admit. I'm great too." Harry couldn't help but stifle a laugh. "Never had any complaints. In fact she's burst my eardrums a few times-"
"-Enough!" Ron squealed. The thoughts of Hermione, however new to him. Just weren't right. He saw her as a sister.
"He's out of it completely." Harry reasoned with Ron. "Hermione will kill him if she found out we knew about her -"
"- And she's a good mother." Severus said on more of a serious note. "I was an only child, I didn't see much of my mum.... Or my dad for that matter. But Hermione. She said we could have a big family. That we will spend as much time with them as possible." He cried. "Why would she want to start a life with Oliver." He then turned to Ron. "Or you! Your gay. Why would she want you?!" He poked Ron. "He's your boyfriend." He them poked Harry. "Can't you be content with that? You want my wife to have your children?!"
"Shit!" Ron put his head in his hands. "I know what this is about." Ron went red at the thought of explaining everything to Harry. "I kissed Hermione last night. It meant nothing. We were talking about when we thought we loved each other. Of course this overgrown bat here didn't stay to listen to the rest of the conversation." Ron pinned him the seat as he tried to stand.
"Who are you calling an overgrown bat; fairy boy!" Severus giggled. It was the first time they had ever heard Severus giggle. Highly amusing. He then went on to steal Ron's nose. All Ron could do was play along.
"Can I have my nose back please?" Ron monotoned. Severus giggled further.
"It's still on your face silly Billy." Harry laughed at the childish tone that had been emitted from Severus. "SILLY BILLY!" He shouted. Looking extremely pleased with himself until Hermione appeared before the trio. "Uh Oh! Ickle Hermione is mad." Severus cupped his hand around Harry's ear. "She's even better in bed when she's mad." Though the hand had been to conceal the conversation from Hermione. The entire pub heard. Hermione reddened with anger and embarrassment. Ron and Harry took it as their cue to leave.
"You're an embarrassment." Hermione slid into the booth. Sitting opposite him. "You realise you hurt our daughter today?" Severus hit his head on the table. He had forgotten. "Is this how you are trying to win me back? Am I supposed to be charmed that you are acting like a child?" Hermione removed a vile from her robes. "Take this." He did as he was told, and waited for it to take effect. "You really have changed. Why are you making this so hard. I have forgive you. I love you. And you are throwing it all away. What have I done now for you to do this. I thought we'd gotten somewhere."
"Daisy, Paige and Quinn." Severus answered.
"Oh god," She realised how that must have looked. She knew right then that he had not stayed further than the kiss. "trust. It comes back down to trust." She held her forehead. "I did think I would end up with Ron. Only because I was settling for him. Not that I loved him. Not like that anyway. I didn't think I would find someone who loved me. Not like you do." She held his hand. "Stop torturing yourself please. There are plenty of people out there to do it for you."
"I love you Hermione." Unfortunately that wasn't what she wanted to hear. That, she already knew. She had wanted more from him. What if he could never say it? Luckily she became side track by the re-entrance of Ron and Harry. Both out of breath and alarmed.
"The Hogwarts Express." Ron panted. Both heads of Hermione and Severus shot up. "It's been attacked."
"Andromeda!" Severus sobered.
"They are coming." Hermione nodded in acceptance.
A/N: Little short because as I said it was originally part of the previous chapter. Anyway how did I do? Has Severus suffered enough? Probably only 3 or 4 more chapters left.
poetrychik: I will try my best. lol
bunnyrabbit228: I hadn't thought about that. Originally she was just going to hide away in Elizabeth's home. But you've given this chapter a new direction. hands over as many tissues as you need
Crimson Regret177: I can't wait to start the new one either. Only it will definatley have to wait until after my exams. lol. Any ideas? Any storyline you would want me to follow. (No time turner fics. Tried it and I can't do it. lol)
strega-in-progress: I would be in hell too if my computer broke. Ignore all flames that you get. They are jealous people who have nothing better to do. Labyrinth, oh yes. I think that although it may be wrong; I love David Bowie! lol
Anarane Anwamane: It's ok. Lol. My story will probably make more sense to you that way seeing as most times I'm half asleep when I'm writing it.
Next Chapter: The battle commences!