Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended
Just a Stranger

Summary: A SS/ HG Fic. What if Hermione makes a deadly choice? The consequences ripple thoughout the magical world. Can anyone save her or their world?
An: This story has obvious Catholic or religious overtones. While I understand that not everyone is catholic, it's also at the same time not preachy. I hope. In addition I have no beta reader. So I am apologizing now for all my errors.


Sharp pain splices into his conscience as he jerks wake in his chair. Hastily glancing about, Severus recognizes that he is in his potions classroom. Running a tired hand over his face, he blinks his weary eyes. Bloody hell. I must have dozed while grading these essays.

Stretching his muscles to work out all of the kinks, Severus looks over to the calendar hanging on the castle wall. Twenty fourth of December, if I were to believe my dream tomorrow night the Granger house will be attacked.

"Don't be stupid," admonishes Severus as he pushes back his chair. "It was just a silly little dream. Nothing to be concerned about." Getting up, Severus stacks the rolls of parchment into neat piles preparing to head to his chambers.

"Severus!" aguishly shouts Lucius. Startled Severus gasps and jumps rapidly glancing around. Clutching his chest he notices the bright green flash flickering on the ground.

Rushing into his chambers, Severus snaps, "What?"


Elsewhere

"Ginny!" erupts into the silent night.

Gasping. Clawing at the restricting weight, two boys jerk awake. Rapidly blinking their eyes to adjust the darkness, they move in a hurried fashion.

"Where are my babies?" shrieks a frightened Molly Weasley.

"Mummy!" cries Ginny from within the house. Rapid footstep along with doors being slammed open, didn't help the two boys when their door was thrown open. Nearly blinding them with the light from the hall.

"Mum," shouts George from the hallway. "What happened?"

Scrambling out of bed, Harry had this gut wrenching nagging feeling that something was wrong. Swallowing the large lump in his throat Harry looks around. The worrying feeling only gets stronger.

"I have to get to Hermione," whispers Harry softly.

"Yeah," agrees Ron, clearing his throat.

"We have to go get Hermione!" shouts both Ron and Harry, slightly desperately.

"Don't be silly," dismisses Tonks. "It's three in the morning, all you will do is scare her."

"But..." starts Ron as Harry says, "We're her best…"

"You're not going anywhere," growls Moody. "Now I don't know what has everyone up in a tizzy…"

"We'll get Hermione," shout the twins. Seconds later two loud pops were heard.

"They never listen," growls Moody as he stumps down the stairs.


Elsewhere

Two loud pops erupt in the silent house, startling the sleeping girl on the couch. Choking back her screams of fear, Hermione bounds off the couch slapping both Fred and George as hard as she possibility could.

"This is what you get for scaring me so," grunts Hermione as her hands continue their assault. "What is heavens name are you even doing here?"

"We're here to collect you and your parents," answer the twins in union as they pin Hermione's hands to her side. Seeing her flinch from their words, Fred forces Hermione's hand around a tiny ball. Seconds later, she disappears into thin air.

"Gotta love'em," whispers Fred as he heads up the staircase.

"Yeah," laughs George. "But I wouldn't want to be mum right now for the world."


12 Grimmauld Place
London

The room sharply pulls into focus as Hermione crashes onto the ground. Rapidly blinking she takes a looks around her as two sets of arms lift her off of the floor.

"Hermione!" shout both Harry and Ron giving her a tight hug.

"Get off," grunts Hermione as she attempts to break out of their grip. "Where are Fred and George? My parents! Where are my parents?"

"Calm down," instructs Moody.

"Calm down!" erupts Hermione. "Don't tell me to calm down! I was taken from my parent's house in the middle of the night! Something is wrong and I don't know where my parents are! And you're telling me to calm down!"

"Hermione!" bellows her father gaining her attention. "We are right here." Running to her parents, Hermione embraces them.


Hogwarts
Library

Choking back a sob, Hermione gently places her book down on the table in front of her. Whipping her tears with the back of her palm, Hermione struggles to maintain her composure. Why are they shutting me out? What did I do to them that was so bad that they're not even talking to me?

Standing near the entranceway is a tall elegant man with straight long blonde hair. Narrowing his piecing icy blue eyes as a nasty smirk appears on his face. Using his finger he points to a book located in the restricted section of the library, before slashing his hand in Hermione's direction. Snapping his fingers, the blonde haired man disappears into thin air.

The open book slams down in front of her, giving her a start. The book slams down on Hermione's table with a loud thump, startling her.

Peering around the library Hermione notices a young man with dark black hair. Giving him a small friendly wave she doesn't notice that the pages of the book flip until they settle on a different part of the book. The man smiles gently at her before heading out of the library.


Hogwarts
Dinning Hall

Rushing into the dinning hall, Hermione races up to the teacher's table clutching a book to her chest. Huffing, Hermione slams down the book feverishly pointing to a page. Taking several deep breaths she kept trying to talk.

"Miss Granger," demands Professor McGonagall. "What is the meaning of this?"

"Sirius Black," huffs Hermione jabbing the page with her finger. "Is alive. We can save him. It says so right here!"

Examining the book, Professor McGonagall's eyes widen. "It appears you might be correct, Miss Granger. Let me bring this up to the headmaster. By the way, where did you get this book?"

"It landed right in front of me," truthfully answers Hermione as she goes to join her friends at the Gryffindor table.


Headmaster's Office
Hogwarts

Peering over the book, Albus sucks on a lemon drop. "It appears that Miss Granger is right. If these directions are correct, we can retrieve Mister Black from the veil."

"But where did she get the book?" questions Severus slightly agitated.

"She said the book landed right in front of her," answers Professor McGonagall.

Stalking around the room, Severus ponders the mystery. Stopping in his tracks, he slowly gives out one of his rare smiles.

"Severus!" admonishes Professor McGonagall. "Stop that. You're starting to scare me."

"If that's all it took," sneers Severus.

"Children!" interrupts Albus. "Can we get back to the matter on hand?"

"Albus, why don't we have Hermione work on this?" suggests Severus. "If will keep her out of the coming battle."

"Oh!" gasps Minerva. "That's a splendid idea."

"But she will be invaluable to Harry," argues Albus.

"How can you claim that she's invaluable and keep her out of those secret meeting you have been having with Misters Potter, Malfoy and Weasley?" demands Severus. "She'll get killed within minutes."

"Fine, fine," grumbles Albus. "She'll work on this, while the rest of us work on getting everyone else ready for the final battle. Perhaps Minerva would be willing to supervise this project?"

"Of course Albus," agrees Minerva.


Christmas Eve
Hogwarts

Dinning Hall


Sitting at the teacher's table, Severus barely contains his wince. Damn Black! Why did she have to rescue him anyways? Turning his eyes away from the barking mutt of a man at the other end of the table, Severus focus them on the magnificent job Professor Flitwick did on the Christmas decorations this year. I think he has out done himself this year. It's a beautiful night outside; maybe I'll get some piece when I'm no longer around him.

"As if," snorts Sirius. "Who would possibly want that job?" More laughter greets Severus's ears. "Why thank you Hermione. You really shouldn't have." Turning his head, Severus watch as Sirius rips into the gift that Hermione has given him as Remus gently lays a hand on a fresh set of dress robes. It's about time he got a new set. Well, his second set once he opens his gift from me.

"Well," shyly says Hermione. "It's not just from me, it's from my parents also."

"Oh!" gushes Remus. His hand was still laying on his new robes. "Hermione."

"Well, my parents thought you could use some new robes," explains Hermione. "The chocolate is from Harry, Ron and me. Enjoy."

"I will," laughs Remus. "Thank you. And thank your parents from me."

"Will do," states Hermione as she walks back over to the Gryffindor table.

Gritting his teeth, Severus fights down the urge to hex everyone is sight. Well let's give the mutt and the wolf gifts. Clenching his fists, Severus glares at the laughing group at the Gryffindor table. I bet she has given everyone else gifts.

"RONALD WEASLEY!" shouts Hermione looking angry. "Don't you touch my radio again!"

"But Hermione," whines Ron reaching over to the silver box. "How does it play?"

"It plays just like a regular radio, Ron!" states Hermione agitated.

"Don't touch it!" snaps Draco swatting Ron's hand away from the radio. At Ron's loud whining, Draco rolls his eyes as Ginny kisses Draco's cheek. Well that one relationship that seems to be surviving her brothers. Severus watches as Hermione lifts up another Christmas package, this one is wrapped in silver paper with two thin green ribbons.


"Oh. One of this days about twelve o'clock this old bird is going
…" an old woman's voice booms from the radio as bright vibrant white light floods the dinning hall. Blinking hard, Severus watches in fascination as what looked like a muffed three-year-old little girl approaches him.

"Daddy!" screams the angry girl. "Daddy! Sebastian took my dolly again!"

"Ah," groans Severus shocked as the girl comes closer.

"Make him give it back!" she shouts. A tall shoulder length black haired young man walks into the dinning hall holding a ragged little doll. "Sebastian is bad!"

"Shannon," gently coheres Sebastian. "I was just fixing your doll. You broke her arm again." Holding out the doll, Shannon does running towards it. Only to be scooped up into Sebastian's arms. "Got you."

"NO!" bellows Shannon. "I don't wanna go to bed!" Turning his attention to the beautiful brown haired woman who was walking towards him with a welcoming smile on her face, Severus feels his breath start to hitch.

"Good night," whispers the woman gently to the kids as they leave the room. Turning her focuses her liquid cinnamon gaze on Severus. Moving steadily closer, she tilts her head in a questioning manor. "Severus? Are you alright?" Lightly touching his hand, Severus jumps back startled at the touch.

"Professor Snape, are you alright?" asks Hermione looking at him with concern in her eyes. In her hands was the silver gift. Giving her a slight nod, Hermione presents the gift to him. "This is for you," whispers Hermione with a slight flush to her cheeks.

"Thank you," whispers Severus watching Hermione smiles before walking back to her table. Turning his head a flash of gold catches his eyes. Turning his head, he notices the woman from the bus leaning up against the wall, a knowing smile on her face. Within seconds the woman becomes transparent then fades away into nothing.


"What if God was one of us; Just a slob like one of us; Just a stranger on a bus; Tryin' to make His way home?"
sings out of the radio.

The End