Chapter 5
"I have an invisibility cloak, so we have no need to wait till nightfall." Primus said as they were cleaning up their lunch dishes.
"Ok, I will go upstairs and finish packing. Would you be able to find Crookshanks and Puffy for me? They are always sneaking off somewhere." Hermione said as she dried her hand on a dish cloth.
"Of course," Hermione wanted to scream in frustration. Ever since they had met in the kitchen that morning he had been stiffly polite to her and it was making her crazy. With a sigh, she turned and left the kitchen trudging up the stairs to her room.
She was already packed, because she had never really unpacked in the first place. Hermione smoothed down the quilt on the large bed and walked slowly around the room committing everything to memory. Looking at the bed brought back memories of her first night there, and also of the night he had come to 'rescue' her from Puffy. Hermione didn't want to forget the time that she had spent with Primus, because even though they had fought a lot, the time she had spent in the manor was special, at least to her it was and she didn't want to forget a moment of her time there.
She had only been in the Manor for a short time, but she felt so attached to it and to its mysterious owner. She felt more for him than she was ready to admit. The thought of leaving him made something inside of her feel as if it were tearing.
She felt tears of sadness well up in her eyes and hastily rubbed them away and bent down to rummage through her bag when she heard Primus come to a stop at her door. He knocked softly and Hermione cleared her throat.
"Come in," she said as she fastened the bindings on her backpack and stood. She was thankful that there was not trace of the sadness she felt in her voice.
"Are you all ready to go?" Primus asked quietly, in his arms he held a purring Crookshanks and on his shoulder sat Puffy, contently humming. Hermione nodded and shrunk her bags so that they fit easily in her robe pocket. Primus walked over and put Crookshanks and Puffy in the travel cage with out a hint of protest from either animal.
"Now that was amazing," Hermione said.
"What was amazing?" Primus asked, straightening up sounding puzzled.
"You are the first person ever, who has ever been able to get Crookshanks into his cage without receiving some form of injury." Hermione laughed softly and shook her head.
"What can I say; I am just a loveable sort of person I suppose." Primus said dryly and Hermione could tell by the sound of his voice that he was smirking at her.
"And so modest as well," Hermione said sarcasm evident in her voice as they turned and left the room.
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Carefully Primus placed his invisibility cloak over the two of them as well as a silencing charm, so that if anyone was wandering near his home they would not be heard. Silently the crept away from the house and into the woods walking to the place that Primus had made safe for Apparation. Though they had left through the rear of the home, Primus knew that several of the wizarding children that lived near by would dare each other to come up and touch the door of the decrepit outer of the manor, and he believed that one could never be to careful.
When they reached the Apparation spot Primus took off the invisibility cloak and shrunk it before placing it in one of the pockets of his robe.
"Where do you want to go?" he asked.
"To Harry's house, he will know that I'm back and it is far easier to go there first than to my house and then back there. Besides I don't think that my house would still be standing." Hermione said looking sad.
"You are right about that, they would have been angry when they didn't capture you and destroying your house would have consoled them a bit." Hermione looked a little disappointed that he didn't sugar coat it, but it was most likely better to hear it now than to find her home in ruins and be unprepared.
"If you give me the co-ordinates to Potter's house, I will apparate us there." Primus said as he took hold of her hand and took out his wand from the inside of his robe.
"It will be much easier for me to apparate us there, besides you can't apparate us into Harry's house. We need to go to apparate in a park that has a special area Dumbledore himself designed so that no muggles will ever come across us." Hermione handed him Crookshanks cage and took out her wand, closed her eyes and gave her wand a whirl. With a resounding crack they were gone.
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"Where are we?" Primus asked, looking around.
"We're in London, I need to walk to Harry's house, but it isn't that far. Besides, if I know Harry he will be waiting out the front of his house for me." Hermione took Crookshanks cage from Primus and looked up at him. "Well I guess that you will be going now," Hermione said sadly lowering her head.
"No," he said and Hermione's head snapped up, confusion written all over her face. "I wish to speak with Dumbledore and Severus." A wide grin split Hermione's face and she almost jumped up and gave him a hug, but restrained herself just in time. While he wasn't staying because of her, he was still staying with her a little bit longer, and for reasons she didn't want to explore she was happy. She tried to hide the enormity of the smile that lit her face but found that she couldn't.
"Great, come on then." Hermione led him through the streets trying to remain as inconspicuous as possible, however that was not easy with the pair wearing robes that no sensible muggle would be wearing.
"We are to conspicuous dressed like this, but it will have to do," Primus said as they passed a muggle couple who were walking hand in hand. Hermione glared at the woman and the couple hastened the steps to pass them more quickly.
When they finally reached Grimmauld place Hermione instantly saw Harry pacing out the front of his house, waiting for her to appear. Harry looked up and smiled and yelled behind him,
"Ron, call Dumbledore and Snape. Hermione is here!" With that, he took off and ran straight for them catching Hermione in a rib-cracking hug.
Harry released her and before she could catch her breath she was attacked by a flame headed Potter and a flame headed Weasley.
"Oh, Hermione we are so glad that you are safe!" Ginny said when she had finally let Hermione go.
"I am, thanks to Primus. Now I think that it is best if we get inside, Harry, you shouldn't be out here." Hermione said and Harry, Ginny and Ron walked ahead while Hermione waited for Primus.
"We are about to go into Harry's home. When we get there, I will ask you to be silent until we get into the kitchen because all hell will break loose if you're not." He just nodded and followed Hermione. When they had finally reached the kitchen and had the door firmly closed behind them, the kitchen exploded with sound and the three in front of Hermione exploded with questions.
Hermione held up a hand and waited for them to be quiet. She smiled up at them all and motioned for them all to take a seat, just as they had done so Professor Dumbledore and Snape walked in together.
"Ah, Miss Granger it is good to see you all safe and well again." Dumbledore said with a smile.
"It's good to see you again Professor, and you Professor Snape." The latter nodded at her, acknowledging her words but his black gaze was focused on Primus.
"I believe that you must be Primus," Dumbledore said, looking at the hooded man that was sitting beside Hermione.
"Yes sir," Primus said, speaking his first words since they had apparated. Dumbledore extended his hand for Primus to shake and Primus shook it..
"I would love to have a word with you Primus," Dumbledore said and Primus rose from his seat.
"As would I, that is why I escorted Hermione here. I would also like to have a word with Severus as well." Primus turned his gaze towards Snape who nodded and the three left the room so that they could speak in private.
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"Primus, Severus has respected your wishes and not told me of your true identity. Firstly, I would like to thank you for all of your help this past year, the information that you have passed on to Miss Granger has been invaluable." Primus nodded and under the hood his lips curled in a half smile.
"I think that I am flattered that you have chosen to go by the name Primus," Severus said dryly.
"I was sure that I was the only one who knew that your middle name was Primus and in a pinch it was the first thing that I could come up with." Primus said. "Professor Dumbledore I would like to tell you who I am, it would make things easier, though I would hope that you will keep my identity from Potter and the rest," Dumbledore nodded at Primus. He already suspected who the cloaked man in front of him was but did not want to place any pressure on him. "I am Draco Malfoy." Dumbledore nodded, his blue eyes twinkled and Draco was a little bit miffed that he did not appear at all surprised.
"You may remove your hood if you wish; I have placed a locking spell on the door that not even Miss Granger could break." Dumbledore said and Primus lowered the hood oh his cape. He ran a hand through his long blonde locks and gave a sigh.
"You don't really appreciate the feel of air on you face until you have it covered for over four days," Primus said dryly.
"Now that I can see your face again I must admit that it is a little hard to keep calling you Primus." Dumbledore said, his blue eyes twinkling. "Now we have many things to discuss........"
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"Look, I have told you I didn't know where I was. Primus apparated us to his home, he never told me where we went. We stayed there for the past few days after he rescued me. I really can't give you any more information. And before you ask again, I really don't know who he is." Hermione said. While Primus was talking with Dumbledore and Snape, Harry, Ginny and Ron were questioning her about her time spent with him. Ron was becoming increasingly frustrated with her answers, especially when she couldn't tell them who he was.
"You're telling me that you have no idea who he is? You lived with the man for the past four days and you never once saw his face?"
"The only part of his face I have seen is his jaw, when I tended a cut that he had there after saving me, and that is it." Hermione looked up gratefully when Primus, his hood back in place, reentered the room with Albus and Severus.
Hermione looked at Harry pleadingly and he took pity on her.
"Hermione, you are going to stay in your room here, since you can't go home. Primus will you be staying also?" he nodded at Harry who nodded back. "Good, Hermione the room next to yours is free if you want to go up and freshen up." Hermione smiled at him.
"Thanks Harry, come on Primus." She picked up Crookshanks cage and led him out of the kitchen and up the stairs to the bedrooms.
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"Well this is the room that Harry said that you could use, if you need me for anything my room is next door." Primus nodded, and Hermione turned away. When she went to open the door to her room she turned and Primus was still standing where she left him, watching her leave.
"I don't think that I ever thanked you properly for saving my life, I do appreciate all that you have done for me, and the risks that you placed on your own life to do so. Thank you Primus," with that she walked back over to him, partially moved the hood of his cloak so that she could kiss him on the cheek. After she had done this, she blushed bright pink and almost ran back to her room, shutting the door firmly behind her. In the hallway Primus stood still as a statue, one hand raised pressed to his cheek where her lips had been only seconds before.
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Harry had decided that Hermione and Primus could do with a rest for the afternoon; they had been through a lot in the last couple of days. But they were having a celebratory dinner and they, being the guests of honour, had to attend.
Harry walked quietly to Hermione's room and knocked on the oak door.
"Hermione are you awake?" Harry was startled when Hermione instantly opened the door.
"Yes I am, come in." Hermione frequently stayed with Harry and as such, she had made the room to her liking. The room was comfortable and feminine and was a contrast to the bedroom at her own house, in that it did not have a single book lying around.
"Where having a few members of the Order around tonight for a feast of sorts to celebrate your return, so I just thought that I would let you know so that you could get changed or freshen up or whatever it is you girls do." Hermione and Harry shared a laugh.
"I think that I will have a shower, thanks Harry. And thank you for letting me stay here, I still can't believe that they destroyed my house." Hermione looked so forlorn that Harry had to give her a hug.
"Oh cheer up Hermione, besides tomorrow you can go and have a look at all of the things that Ron managed to salvage from your house. It is a good thing that you had all of those charms on you belongings otherwise, nothing would have been saved."
"See and you always laugh at me because you think I'm paranoid!" Hermione mock frowned at Harry and he laughed at her.
"Well I am going back down stairs, Ginny wants some help, her mum is here and I left them arguing over what was going to be cooked tonight." Hermione laughed.
"Ok Harry, Primus and I will be down in about half an hour?" Harry just nodded and left her room.
Hermione checked over her appearance in the mirror and tried to flatten her hair a little bit, but as usual, it refused to obey.
Hermione walked over to Primus' room and knocked lightly.
"Come in," came his deep voice and, for reasons that she could not fathom, took a deep breath before opening his door.
Primus was sitting on an armchair in the corner of his room reading from a book that Hermione did not recognise.
"Harry just came up to see me, there is going to be a feast tonight with some of the members of the Order. I was wondering if you wanted to come?" Hermione was nervous and again she did not want to look too closely at the reasons.
"You're asking me?" He said softly, placing the book he had been reading in the folds of his robes.
"Yes, I can understand if you don't want to come, that is if you don't feel comfortable. But I would like you to." Hermione said quietly, still standing in the doorway to his room.
"Of course I will come," he said simply and Hermione smiled.
"Great, we can go down together at a half past, if you would like. I am going to shower before the feast. Each room has their own bathroom if you would like to shower also." Hermione felt oddly formal with Primus, almost as if she had to be on her best behaviour with him.
"Thank you Hermione, I think that I will have a shower," Primus stood from his chair and turned towards his bathroom dismissing Hermione and she turned and left, going back to her room.
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Half an hour later Hermione stood outside of Primus' room once more about to knock. She had showered and washed her hair, letting it dry naturally in soft waves with the help of a glamour charm that Ginny had taught her while she was at Hogwarts. She was wearing simple purple robes that she had left at Harry's house from the last time that she had stayed there.
As she was about to knock Primus opened the door, giving Hermione the fright of her life.
"Merlin's marbles!" Hermione gasped and Primus laughed at her, a deep rumbling sound that made Hermione's heart flutter in her chest.
"Is that the worst that you could come up with?" Primus said dryly. Hermione smiled ruefully at him. Hermione blushed, acknowledging the patheticness of her curse but she couldn't bring herself to utter worse.
"Old habits die hard I am afraid," Hermione turned and walked down the hall, expecting Primus to follow her, which he did after placing a complicated locking charm on his bedroom. Hermione was right, old habits did die hard and he did not trust Harry and Ron no matter what Hermione thought of them, and he didn't put it past them to try and sneak into his room while they were eating.
As soon as they reached the kitchen Hermione could hear chatter coming from the other side of the wooden door and smiled.
"Harry said that a few members would be here tonight, but from the sounds of it we have a full house," Hermione's smile grew wider as she opened the door and one person rushed towards her and enveloped her in warm hug.
"Tonks! It's great to see you again," Hermione laughed at she looked at the now purple haired witch in front of her.
"Hermione, you gave us quite a scare, and the way you popped into the meeting, that was spectacular really!" Hermione laughed but was instantly swept into another hug, this time from a shorter rounder woman with flaming red hair.
"Mrs. Weasley, I can't breathe," Hermione managed to choke out her face turning purple.
"Oh dear, it is fantastic to see you!" gushed Mrs. Weasley, but Hermione was instantly pulled away by Mr. Weasley.
"Good to see that your alright dear," he said and Hermione held up her hands.
"Good to see you to, but I must insist no more hugs for the moment I need to catch my breath after Mrs. Weasley's hug." There was laughter all around and each member that could come came up to her one by one to welcome her back.
Mad Eye Moody stood in the corner his eye fixed on Primus who had remained unnoticed by all the others in the room. Severus Snape noticed this and quickly walked over to the old man before he could blow his cover. Dumbledore also noticed this and walked over to him, the wise old man knew that Mad Eye would take the news better from him than from Severus. After Mad Eye received the news he was not happy at the new guest, but as promised to Dumbledore he would not say a word. Though it didn't stop him from keeping his eye rained on Primus for the rest of the evening.
The evening progressed without incident, that is if you did not include the part where Mrs. Weasley sprouted bright yellow feathers after eating one of Fred and George's Canary Creams. And of course the subsequent hexing, that Mrs. Weasley gave her twin sons after she had shed all of her feathers. Hermione could not have been happier with how the evening went, that was until he looked over to see where Primus was only to find him in deep discussion with Professor Snape in the corner of the room. There was only one other person she had seen to talk to Snape in that way and everything finally fell into place. Hermione knew who Primus really was and if she were truthful with herself, she would admit that she had always known who he was, right from their very first meeting. Only now, she would have to talk to him about it, and see if he would reveal the truth.
"Oh, you know Remus, Gin, he is a little slow at coming forward and I am more than happy to wait." Tonks and Ginny were discussing the slow progress of Tonks and Remus' relationship, Hermione was standing with them but was not following the conversations in the least.
"You may just have to speed things up yourself Tonks," Ginny said smiling at the older witch. Hermione was looking over at Primus and Severus and as soon as Severus was called away by someone Hermione excused herself from Tonks and Ginny and made her way over to him.
As she walked away Ginny and Tonks shared a knowing glance and a smile.
"Primus, can I please have a private word with you?" Hermione asked and before he could answer she took a hold of the sleeve of his robes and briskly walked out of the kitchen.
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"Primus, I know who you are," Hermione said quietly. His head snapped up and she could feel his eyes boring into her own.
"Really?" he drawled, not sure if she did or was just saying that she did. Hermione began to pace back and forth in front of the fire organising her thoughts before she began to speak.
"I don't know how I didn't work it out sooner, but then maybe I always did know but I knew deep down that I didn't want to face that reality. But I guess when you think about it, it's quite obvious. The way that you interact with Professors Dumbledore and Snape, or perhaps I should say your level of comfort with Snape, no one but you would be able to call him Severus and get away with it. The only reason I didn't work it out earlier is because I didn't want to." Hermione paused waiting to see if he would say anything. After a moment he did.
"Well then, who am I?" He asked, not really surprised that she knew who he was. They had once been friends, albeit reluctant friends in the beginning, they had still been friends and had grown quite close there for a while.
"You're..."
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Hey All!
I am sooooooooooooo sorry that it has taken me this long to update! I'm still not happy with this chapter but I thought that it was well past time for me to update! I did put up a small note letting you know that I wouldn't be updating for a while but I'm not sure how many people got to read it!
I just finished writing it and I hope that it makes more sense than the original version of it did. Let me know what you honestly think, I need all the feedback that I can get!
I hope that this chapter makes up for my absence! I promise that my next chapter will be up a lot sooner!
My beta Trinka has disappeared! If you are out there e-mail me! Lol!
Because I can't get a hold of Trinka this chapter is unbetaed so sorry if there is an abundance of mistakes in here! Also if Trinka isn't going to be my beta anymore, I am going to need a new one so if there is anyone out there that is interested let me know! You should know the e-mail by now!
Thanks!
Spaced Out Space Cadet
P.S. I have started chapter six, so I promise to get that out to you soon! I start my Easter break on Good Friday, I have a week off so I have some extra time to write then! So I will update A LOT sooner than I did last time!
Well a big thank you to all who reviewed!!
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"I have an invisibility cloak, so we have no need to wait till nightfall." Primus said as they were cleaning up their lunch dishes.
"Ok, I will go upstairs and finish packing. Would you be able to find Crookshanks and Puffy for me? They are always sneaking off somewhere." Hermione said as she dried her hand on a dish cloth.
"Of course," Hermione wanted to scream in frustration. Ever since they had met in the kitchen that morning he had been stiffly polite to her and it was making her crazy. With a sigh, she turned and left the kitchen trudging up the stairs to her room.
She was already packed, because she had never really unpacked in the first place. Hermione smoothed down the quilt on the large bed and walked slowly around the room committing everything to memory. Looking at the bed brought back memories of her first night there, and also of the night he had come to 'rescue' her from Puffy. Hermione didn't want to forget the time that she had spent with Primus, because even though they had fought a lot, the time she had spent in the manor was special, at least to her it was and she didn't want to forget a moment of her time there.
She had only been in the Manor for a short time, but she felt so attached to it and to its mysterious owner. She felt more for him than she was ready to admit. The thought of leaving him made something inside of her feel as if it were tearing.
She felt tears of sadness well up in her eyes and hastily rubbed them away and bent down to rummage through her bag when she heard Primus come to a stop at her door. He knocked softly and Hermione cleared her throat.
"Come in," she said as she fastened the bindings on her backpack and stood. She was thankful that there was not trace of the sadness she felt in her voice.
"Are you all ready to go?" Primus asked quietly, in his arms he held a purring Crookshanks and on his shoulder sat Puffy, contently humming. Hermione nodded and shrunk her bags so that they fit easily in her robe pocket. Primus walked over and put Crookshanks and Puffy in the travel cage with out a hint of protest from either animal.
"Now that was amazing," Hermione said.
"What was amazing?" Primus asked, straightening up sounding puzzled.
"You are the first person ever, who has ever been able to get Crookshanks into his cage without receiving some form of injury." Hermione laughed softly and shook her head.
"What can I say; I am just a loveable sort of person I suppose." Primus said dryly and Hermione could tell by the sound of his voice that he was smirking at her.
"And so modest as well," Hermione said sarcasm evident in her voice as they turned and left the room.
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Carefully Primus placed his invisibility cloak over the two of them as well as a silencing charm, so that if anyone was wandering near his home they would not be heard. Silently the crept away from the house and into the woods walking to the place that Primus had made safe for Apparation. Though they had left through the rear of the home, Primus knew that several of the wizarding children that lived near by would dare each other to come up and touch the door of the decrepit outer of the manor, and he believed that one could never be to careful.
When they reached the Apparation spot Primus took off the invisibility cloak and shrunk it before placing it in one of the pockets of his robe.
"Where do you want to go?" he asked.
"To Harry's house, he will know that I'm back and it is far easier to go there first than to my house and then back there. Besides I don't think that my house would still be standing." Hermione said looking sad.
"You are right about that, they would have been angry when they didn't capture you and destroying your house would have consoled them a bit." Hermione looked a little disappointed that he didn't sugar coat it, but it was most likely better to hear it now than to find her home in ruins and be unprepared.
"If you give me the co-ordinates to Potter's house, I will apparate us there." Primus said as he took hold of her hand and took out his wand from the inside of his robe.
"It will be much easier for me to apparate us there, besides you can't apparate us into Harry's house. We need to go to apparate in a park that has a special area Dumbledore himself designed so that no muggles will ever come across us." Hermione handed him Crookshanks cage and took out her wand, closed her eyes and gave her wand a whirl. With a resounding crack they were gone.
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"Where are we?" Primus asked, looking around.
"We're in London, I need to walk to Harry's house, but it isn't that far. Besides, if I know Harry he will be waiting out the front of his house for me." Hermione took Crookshanks cage from Primus and looked up at him. "Well I guess that you will be going now," Hermione said sadly lowering her head.
"No," he said and Hermione's head snapped up, confusion written all over her face. "I wish to speak with Dumbledore and Severus." A wide grin split Hermione's face and she almost jumped up and gave him a hug, but restrained herself just in time. While he wasn't staying because of her, he was still staying with her a little bit longer, and for reasons she didn't want to explore she was happy. She tried to hide the enormity of the smile that lit her face but found that she couldn't.
"Great, come on then." Hermione led him through the streets trying to remain as inconspicuous as possible, however that was not easy with the pair wearing robes that no sensible muggle would be wearing.
"We are to conspicuous dressed like this, but it will have to do," Primus said as they passed a muggle couple who were walking hand in hand. Hermione glared at the woman and the couple hastened the steps to pass them more quickly.
When they finally reached Grimmauld place Hermione instantly saw Harry pacing out the front of his house, waiting for her to appear. Harry looked up and smiled and yelled behind him,
"Ron, call Dumbledore and Snape. Hermione is here!" With that, he took off and ran straight for them catching Hermione in a rib-cracking hug.
Harry released her and before she could catch her breath she was attacked by a flame headed Potter and a flame headed Weasley.
"Oh, Hermione we are so glad that you are safe!" Ginny said when she had finally let Hermione go.
"I am, thanks to Primus. Now I think that it is best if we get inside, Harry, you shouldn't be out here." Hermione said and Harry, Ginny and Ron walked ahead while Hermione waited for Primus.
"We are about to go into Harry's home. When we get there, I will ask you to be silent until we get into the kitchen because all hell will break loose if you're not." He just nodded and followed Hermione. When they had finally reached the kitchen and had the door firmly closed behind them, the kitchen exploded with sound and the three in front of Hermione exploded with questions.
Hermione held up a hand and waited for them to be quiet. She smiled up at them all and motioned for them all to take a seat, just as they had done so Professor Dumbledore and Snape walked in together.
"Ah, Miss Granger it is good to see you all safe and well again." Dumbledore said with a smile.
"It's good to see you again Professor, and you Professor Snape." The latter nodded at her, acknowledging her words but his black gaze was focused on Primus.
"I believe that you must be Primus," Dumbledore said, looking at the hooded man that was sitting beside Hermione.
"Yes sir," Primus said, speaking his first words since they had apparated. Dumbledore extended his hand for Primus to shake and Primus shook it..
"I would love to have a word with you Primus," Dumbledore said and Primus rose from his seat.
"As would I, that is why I escorted Hermione here. I would also like to have a word with Severus as well." Primus turned his gaze towards Snape who nodded and the three left the room so that they could speak in private.
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"Primus, Severus has respected your wishes and not told me of your true identity. Firstly, I would like to thank you for all of your help this past year, the information that you have passed on to Miss Granger has been invaluable." Primus nodded and under the hood his lips curled in a half smile.
"I think that I am flattered that you have chosen to go by the name Primus," Severus said dryly.
"I was sure that I was the only one who knew that your middle name was Primus and in a pinch it was the first thing that I could come up with." Primus said. "Professor Dumbledore I would like to tell you who I am, it would make things easier, though I would hope that you will keep my identity from Potter and the rest," Dumbledore nodded at Primus. He already suspected who the cloaked man in front of him was but did not want to place any pressure on him. "I am Draco Malfoy." Dumbledore nodded, his blue eyes twinkled and Draco was a little bit miffed that he did not appear at all surprised.
"You may remove your hood if you wish; I have placed a locking spell on the door that not even Miss Granger could break." Dumbledore said and Primus lowered the hood oh his cape. He ran a hand through his long blonde locks and gave a sigh.
"You don't really appreciate the feel of air on you face until you have it covered for over four days," Primus said dryly.
"Now that I can see your face again I must admit that it is a little hard to keep calling you Primus." Dumbledore said, his blue eyes twinkling. "Now we have many things to discuss........"
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"Look, I have told you I didn't know where I was. Primus apparated us to his home, he never told me where we went. We stayed there for the past few days after he rescued me. I really can't give you any more information. And before you ask again, I really don't know who he is." Hermione said. While Primus was talking with Dumbledore and Snape, Harry, Ginny and Ron were questioning her about her time spent with him. Ron was becoming increasingly frustrated with her answers, especially when she couldn't tell them who he was.
"You're telling me that you have no idea who he is? You lived with the man for the past four days and you never once saw his face?"
"The only part of his face I have seen is his jaw, when I tended a cut that he had there after saving me, and that is it." Hermione looked up gratefully when Primus, his hood back in place, reentered the room with Albus and Severus.
Hermione looked at Harry pleadingly and he took pity on her.
"Hermione, you are going to stay in your room here, since you can't go home. Primus will you be staying also?" he nodded at Harry who nodded back. "Good, Hermione the room next to yours is free if you want to go up and freshen up." Hermione smiled at him.
"Thanks Harry, come on Primus." She picked up Crookshanks cage and led him out of the kitchen and up the stairs to the bedrooms.
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"Well this is the room that Harry said that you could use, if you need me for anything my room is next door." Primus nodded, and Hermione turned away. When she went to open the door to her room she turned and Primus was still standing where she left him, watching her leave.
"I don't think that I ever thanked you properly for saving my life, I do appreciate all that you have done for me, and the risks that you placed on your own life to do so. Thank you Primus," with that she walked back over to him, partially moved the hood of his cloak so that she could kiss him on the cheek. After she had done this, she blushed bright pink and almost ran back to her room, shutting the door firmly behind her. In the hallway Primus stood still as a statue, one hand raised pressed to his cheek where her lips had been only seconds before.
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Harry had decided that Hermione and Primus could do with a rest for the afternoon; they had been through a lot in the last couple of days. But they were having a celebratory dinner and they, being the guests of honour, had to attend.
Harry walked quietly to Hermione's room and knocked on the oak door.
"Hermione are you awake?" Harry was startled when Hermione instantly opened the door.
"Yes I am, come in." Hermione frequently stayed with Harry and as such, she had made the room to her liking. The room was comfortable and feminine and was a contrast to the bedroom at her own house, in that it did not have a single book lying around.
"Where having a few members of the Order around tonight for a feast of sorts to celebrate your return, so I just thought that I would let you know so that you could get changed or freshen up or whatever it is you girls do." Hermione and Harry shared a laugh.
"I think that I will have a shower, thanks Harry. And thank you for letting me stay here, I still can't believe that they destroyed my house." Hermione looked so forlorn that Harry had to give her a hug.
"Oh cheer up Hermione, besides tomorrow you can go and have a look at all of the things that Ron managed to salvage from your house. It is a good thing that you had all of those charms on you belongings otherwise, nothing would have been saved."
"See and you always laugh at me because you think I'm paranoid!" Hermione mock frowned at Harry and he laughed at her.
"Well I am going back down stairs, Ginny wants some help, her mum is here and I left them arguing over what was going to be cooked tonight." Hermione laughed.
"Ok Harry, Primus and I will be down in about half an hour?" Harry just nodded and left her room.
Hermione checked over her appearance in the mirror and tried to flatten her hair a little bit, but as usual, it refused to obey.
Hermione walked over to Primus' room and knocked lightly.
"Come in," came his deep voice and, for reasons that she could not fathom, took a deep breath before opening his door.
Primus was sitting on an armchair in the corner of his room reading from a book that Hermione did not recognise.
"Harry just came up to see me, there is going to be a feast tonight with some of the members of the Order. I was wondering if you wanted to come?" Hermione was nervous and again she did not want to look too closely at the reasons.
"You're asking me?" He said softly, placing the book he had been reading in the folds of his robes.
"Yes, I can understand if you don't want to come, that is if you don't feel comfortable. But I would like you to." Hermione said quietly, still standing in the doorway to his room.
"Of course I will come," he said simply and Hermione smiled.
"Great, we can go down together at a half past, if you would like. I am going to shower before the feast. Each room has their own bathroom if you would like to shower also." Hermione felt oddly formal with Primus, almost as if she had to be on her best behaviour with him.
"Thank you Hermione, I think that I will have a shower," Primus stood from his chair and turned towards his bathroom dismissing Hermione and she turned and left, going back to her room.
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Half an hour later Hermione stood outside of Primus' room once more about to knock. She had showered and washed her hair, letting it dry naturally in soft waves with the help of a glamour charm that Ginny had taught her while she was at Hogwarts. She was wearing simple purple robes that she had left at Harry's house from the last time that she had stayed there.
As she was about to knock Primus opened the door, giving Hermione the fright of her life.
"Merlin's marbles!" Hermione gasped and Primus laughed at her, a deep rumbling sound that made Hermione's heart flutter in her chest.
"Is that the worst that you could come up with?" Primus said dryly. Hermione smiled ruefully at him. Hermione blushed, acknowledging the patheticness of her curse but she couldn't bring herself to utter worse.
"Old habits die hard I am afraid," Hermione turned and walked down the hall, expecting Primus to follow her, which he did after placing a complicated locking charm on his bedroom. Hermione was right, old habits did die hard and he did not trust Harry and Ron no matter what Hermione thought of them, and he didn't put it past them to try and sneak into his room while they were eating.
As soon as they reached the kitchen Hermione could hear chatter coming from the other side of the wooden door and smiled.
"Harry said that a few members would be here tonight, but from the sounds of it we have a full house," Hermione's smile grew wider as she opened the door and one person rushed towards her and enveloped her in warm hug.
"Tonks! It's great to see you again," Hermione laughed at she looked at the now purple haired witch in front of her.
"Hermione, you gave us quite a scare, and the way you popped into the meeting, that was spectacular really!" Hermione laughed but was instantly swept into another hug, this time from a shorter rounder woman with flaming red hair.
"Mrs. Weasley, I can't breathe," Hermione managed to choke out her face turning purple.
"Oh dear, it is fantastic to see you!" gushed Mrs. Weasley, but Hermione was instantly pulled away by Mr. Weasley.
"Good to see that your alright dear," he said and Hermione held up her hands.
"Good to see you to, but I must insist no more hugs for the moment I need to catch my breath after Mrs. Weasley's hug." There was laughter all around and each member that could come came up to her one by one to welcome her back.
Mad Eye Moody stood in the corner his eye fixed on Primus who had remained unnoticed by all the others in the room. Severus Snape noticed this and quickly walked over to the old man before he could blow his cover. Dumbledore also noticed this and walked over to him, the wise old man knew that Mad Eye would take the news better from him than from Severus. After Mad Eye received the news he was not happy at the new guest, but as promised to Dumbledore he would not say a word. Though it didn't stop him from keeping his eye rained on Primus for the rest of the evening.
The evening progressed without incident, that is if you did not include the part where Mrs. Weasley sprouted bright yellow feathers after eating one of Fred and George's Canary Creams. And of course the subsequent hexing, that Mrs. Weasley gave her twin sons after she had shed all of her feathers. Hermione could not have been happier with how the evening went, that was until he looked over to see where Primus was only to find him in deep discussion with Professor Snape in the corner of the room. There was only one other person she had seen to talk to Snape in that way and everything finally fell into place. Hermione knew who Primus really was and if she were truthful with herself, she would admit that she had always known who he was, right from their very first meeting. Only now, she would have to talk to him about it, and see if he would reveal the truth.
"Oh, you know Remus, Gin, he is a little slow at coming forward and I am more than happy to wait." Tonks and Ginny were discussing the slow progress of Tonks and Remus' relationship, Hermione was standing with them but was not following the conversations in the least.
"You may just have to speed things up yourself Tonks," Ginny said smiling at the older witch. Hermione was looking over at Primus and Severus and as soon as Severus was called away by someone Hermione excused herself from Tonks and Ginny and made her way over to him.
As she walked away Ginny and Tonks shared a knowing glance and a smile.
"Primus, can I please have a private word with you?" Hermione asked and before he could answer she took a hold of the sleeve of his robes and briskly walked out of the kitchen.
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"Primus, I know who you are," Hermione said quietly. His head snapped up and she could feel his eyes boring into her own.
"Really?" he drawled, not sure if she did or was just saying that she did. Hermione began to pace back and forth in front of the fire organising her thoughts before she began to speak.
"I don't know how I didn't work it out sooner, but then maybe I always did know but I knew deep down that I didn't want to face that reality. But I guess when you think about it, it's quite obvious. The way that you interact with Professors Dumbledore and Snape, or perhaps I should say your level of comfort with Snape, no one but you would be able to call him Severus and get away with it. The only reason I didn't work it out earlier is because I didn't want to." Hermione paused waiting to see if he would say anything. After a moment he did.
"Well then, who am I?" He asked, not really surprised that she knew who he was. They had once been friends, albeit reluctant friends in the beginning, they had still been friends and had grown quite close there for a while.
"You're..."
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Hey All!
I am sooooooooooooo sorry that it has taken me this long to update! I'm still not happy with this chapter but I thought that it was well past time for me to update! I did put up a small note letting you know that I wouldn't be updating for a while but I'm not sure how many people got to read it!
I just finished writing it and I hope that it makes more sense than the original version of it did. Let me know what you honestly think, I need all the feedback that I can get!
I hope that this chapter makes up for my absence! I promise that my next chapter will be up a lot sooner!
My beta Trinka has disappeared! If you are out there e-mail me! Lol!
Because I can't get a hold of Trinka this chapter is unbetaed so sorry if there is an abundance of mistakes in here! Also if Trinka isn't going to be my beta anymore, I am going to need a new one so if there is anyone out there that is interested let me know! You should know the e-mail by now!
Thanks!
Spaced Out Space Cadet
P.S. I have started chapter six, so I promise to get that out to you soon! I start my Easter break on Good Friday, I have a week off so I have some extra time to write then! So I will update A LOT sooner than I did last time!
Well a big thank you to all who reviewed!!
Weirdo-Loser-Freak – HEY!! I hope that you're feeling better!
Slytherin Sweetie Pies – Hey Magic Chic! Glad you liked it!
Jenny – Thanks, you will just have to wait till chapter 6 to see if you are right!! Lol! I hope that I haven't made it to obvious!
Scholz03 – Hey!! I think that most people do know who he is but I like to keep people guessing, even if my attempts at mystery aren't that successful!
Shedraconis – Thanks! I hope that I have a good holiday to! Thanks for reviewing, and I love a good war and romance story too! :)
Headmaster Cromwell – Thank you for the invitation and at the moment I am too busy for something like that but I will consider it. Thank you.
Lazbug – Thanks for the review!
Meg – Remember I have a reason for everything.......
Jules37 – How right you are! I still had to type most of chapter 5 but I think that I posted it quicker than normal! Or well, I hope that I did! Lol! And as for Ron...... hehehe! I am going to have soooooo much fun with that!
Hopelessromantci2 – Hey! Glad that you liked it, hope that I answered some of your questions.
Alka – I will do my best, I am a sucker for a happy ending after all, but remember all war stories, if you want them to be realistic, have to have a little tragedy in them! And thanks, I hope I have a good trip as well! Lol!
Varada Ducal & Smashing Sugar – Thank you both!! What an honor! :) I appreciate the invite and I will chech it out and get back to you! :)
Mesmer – Well chapter 6 will reveal more! I do hope that this was long enough for you!! It took me AGES to type up! So I do hope that you like it!
Azn-sweetie – Thanks for the review, and I shall!
Dawn1 – Hey! Thanks, there will be more on the dark knight fantasy! I promise, I always wanted a dark knight myself!! White knights seemed far too good! Lol! Thanks for reviewing!
Serpiente-oscua – Love the new name!! Thanks for reviewing! I hope that you like this chapter, and what other story do you want me to update?? This is the only one I have going at the moment! Lol! Talk to you soon!
Aka-whatever1213 – Thank you sooooo much!! I am definitely taking that as a compliment! Thanks again!! :)
Shedraconis – heheh! I hope that I didn't make you wait to long!
Skitzy – Hey!! Thanks for the review! Thanks for the birthday wishes!
Scholz03 – Thanks for the birthday wishes! :) I hope that you like this chapter!
Armmonde – Thanks, I am glad that you are enjoying it, and I am trying to keep in as much suspense as I can!
Hallie Walker – Thanks! Fluff is good, and there will be more soon, and not just between our two foremost characters!
Fairylightbabe89 – Hey! Thanks for both of the reviews! I will try to make the chapters longer... but no promises!