Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the plot on this fanfic and a couple
or more characters you certainly won't find in the HP books so when I say
anything I mean anything! Heck, I don't even own this computer! I'm just
renting it until I get my own. So please bear with me if my updates are
slow? ^___^;;;
Spoilers: You'll know 'em when you see 'em! ^o^v!!!
Author's Note: Enjoy!!! ^__~*
Chapter Two: Dark Savior
Eight p. m.
Kinda late for a fifteen year old to be wandering around Paris alone but Hermione was okay on that. She really hadn't meant to stay out so late but she was too engrossed in checking out the Parisian night life all by herself that she forgot the time. It was one of the advantages of being alone in a strange city. She could stay out as late as she wanted and dance in the cozy little bistros that littered the city's corners and just live a life that was far from what her fellow Hogwarts students would have expected from her. Now though, she had to go back to the hotel. Crookshanks was going to worry about her and that cat was dangerous when he's annoyed.
Her cat reminded her of her link to the magical world and speaking of which, her mind brought her back to the odd experience of meeting the French Minister of Magic. Why was Jannes talking to him? What wasn't he telling her? Questions upon questions that lead only to one path.
Harry.
At another time, Harry would have welcomed any form of story that involved his parents and she would have been planning on how to tell him when they met again. But now... she wasn't so sure what his reaction will be provided that he just lost Sirius... She couldn't imagine the pain he must be in right now. But no. Being pitied was the last thing Harry needs. Right now, he'll need to be strong and she'll be there to help him. She wished she could cheer him up though, if only for a while...
Drat.
Hermione was so busy thinking that she didn't even notice the dark clad figures coming at her from behind. It was only when the crystal she was wearing proceeded to glow crazily, as though warning her, that Hermione looked around her in alarm and saw a pair of dementors swooping down at her. It was only when she noticed the unusual darkness of the surroundings, even with the street lights on, that she focused on the things around her. What she saw chilled her blood.
"What the..."
Hermione dodged as one of them glided towards her and tried to catch her. She fumbled in her pocket but clutched no familiar length of wood. Damn it! She forgot her wand at the hotel! How could she be so stupid?! What were these things doing here?! And why were they targeting her?!
It was a good thing that she carried the birthday present she made for Harry. She held on to it tightly. So far, so good. At least now she knew that her calculations were correct. The little crystal was doing what it was supposed to do. But that didn't mean that the dementors can't come near and give her a kiss!
She dodged another glide from one of the dementors and ran until she was cornered between a wall and the Seine. She looked behind her, at the glistening waters of the river. Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. Oh God, what now?
"Expecto Patronum!" a silver mist of indefinable shape came out of nowhere much to Hermione's surprise. The two dementors screamed and, as they were hit by the Patronus, they turned into a pair of bat like creatures and flew away.
She barely saw the fleeing dementors when a someone hit her with a spell from behind, "Expiratium Respirato!", Hermione was thrown forward, surprised.
Breathing heavily, Hermione knelt down on the pavement, trying to keep breathing as her lungs seemed to burst and contract. It was then that she noticed a pair of black boots in front of her. She looked up.
She saw before her a girl wearing a pure black, flowing coat dress with a high neck and long sleeves that hid most of her hands until only her pale fingertips were seen. She was also wearing a pure black cloak and her long black hair was flowing around her. She had no wand. Her face was covered with a glamour that blurred her whole face beyond recognition.
Who was she? A Death Eater?
She tried to speak but the curse that Death Eater threw at her made speaking impossible and breathing, laborious. She was blacking out!
The girl just looked down at her for a few moments before turning around suddenly and pointing her fingers at the general direction of the square. "Seni Stupefy!"
Hermione was astonished when she saw a pair of black garbed men in Death Eater masks fall down on the pavement from the edge of the cherry blossom trees after a red thread of light shot out of the girl's fingers.
What the... Was that wandless magic she just saw?!
As she stared, the girl knelt down beside her and took out a very small vial from her sleeve. Taking her face, the girl force fed her the contents and calmly forced her to swallow despite her protests. The liquid tasted bitter and had a cucumber aftertaste. And damn but she hated cucumbers.
After making sure that she swallowed whatever that vile concoction was, the girl took hold of her hand and placed something cold and round in her palm and then whispered one word in her ear...
"Requiem..."
Before Hermione knew it, she felt that stomach lurching pull relative only to a portkey. Too late did she wonder where the magical transportation device was going to take her. She could only hope it would be somewhere safe...
***
Remus Lupin took another long pull off his smuggled bottle of firewhiskey as he stared at the empty fireplace in front of him. It's been a common place for him for the last two months now. Since the death of the last of his friends...
He almost choked on his drink as he remembered Sirius' shocked look as he stepped back from Bellatrix and found no purchase for his foot. He could still feel Harry trying to pull himself from him as he screamed Sirius' name over and over and over again, refusing to believe the inevitable...
Remus swallowed another long gulp and tried to drown the tears away. He wanted to forget the fact that he was alone now. He wanted to block all feeling from his body. Tried not to miss the feeling of camaraderie and the seething loneliness that burned the back of his eyes even as it burned the core of what was left of his heart...
They were all gone...
He refused the shock— that was coursing through his blood— entry from his brain. He knew it would come to this someday. That was the reason why he didn't want anyone to come too close all those years when Sirius was still in Azkaban. It was the reason why he never attempted to deeply befriend anyone else after James and Lily died. He was filth. And the darkness of his blood will forever be with him. He was destined to be alone, he knew. It just didn't occur to him that he'll be the only one left behind at the end. Usually, in their school years, he always thought that he'll be the first to go. Him and Peter, actually. He, who wanted to die already to prevent hurting others and Peter, who they all thought was too weak to survive. Who'd have thought that they'll be the only ones left to fight it off in the end? He was sure of one thing though, the next time they see each other, it will be one Marauder less in the world and only one more left— if not entirely wiped out. It would be for the best he guessed. It would pave a way for the new generation. Too bad he couldn't see it. Not that he cared to be alive but he hoped he could stay standing long enough to avenge Sirius, James and Lily. All he could do now was to show Harry he could be strong enough for two if needs be. Harry needed him now. Like him, the boy was all alone.
At least the boy still has friends...
Shaking off the self pity that was trying to overwhelm him, he took a long pull off the firewhiskey and looked up as a resounding flutter echoed across the walls above him.
He saw Hedwig drop on the dining table with a note attached to her leg. Brow furrowing, Remus placed his drink down on the dining table and reached for the letter. He saw Hedwig flinch as he did so, before remembering her duties and forcing herself to stay still. Remus smiled bitterly. He knew no animal could stand him since they all knew what he was. They could all sense the danger that was him. It hurt when he was seven, it only hurt worse now that he was thirty six...
Muttering an apology to Hedwig, he carefully took the letter from her and read the letter. The contents made him stand up in alarm.
Remus,
Voldemort wants Hermione dead and he's going to try to kill her tonight! Help her, please!
Harry
It could be another mistake. Another trap set by Voldemort so Harry would come out in the open again. Maybe it was another false alarm. But Harry wouldn't send a message if he were sure, he'd have gone pelting after Hermione so he could try to save her!
"What's that Remus?!" Bill asked as he entered the kitchen followed by the other male Weasleys minus Percy. "I saw Hedwig fly in."
Remus took a deep breath and got his wand ready before passing the letter to Arthur. "I have to go. It's worth checking out. Do you know where Hermione is spending her vacation, Ron?"
Ron paled and glanced at the letter anxiously. "I think she mentioned something about Paris..."
Remus nodded. "I'm going to—"
A thud from the hallway alerted everybody and, with wands raised, they all went out to the corridor. They were shocked to find Hermione's form slumped over the wooden floors of number twelve Grimmauld Place.
"Hermione?!" Remus hurried to hold his former student.
"Help me..." she croaked, heaving heavily.
"Hermione! It's me! Remus!" he shouted over his rising panic.
His voice finally seemed to penetrate her weak and frightened brain and she opened her eyes to see the silver gray eyes of Remus Lupin looking back at her. "P-professor Lupin?"
"You're here! In Grimmauld Place!" Remus' arm held her shoulders and he carried her in his arms towards the kitchen. "Merlin above, what happened to you?!"
Hermione swallowed as she leaned into Remus' arms. "I- I was attacked by a couple of dementors... And Death Eaters... I think..."
"Then Harry was right," he mumbled, numb, as he sat her down on one of the chairs. "I'll get you some chocolates."
"No, I wasn't affected by the dementors. I got hit by a curse from behind. I had a little trouble breathing a while ago, but I'll be fine. I think that disgusting thing worked!" She told him, breathing deeply.
A hoot sounded off from one of the cupboards before a fluttering of wings echoed across the walls and a flash of white flew across the room to land on her shoulder as Mr. Weasley called out for his wife.
"Hedwig? What are you doing here?" she looked up all of a sudden. "Harry... Is Harry here?"
"I'll take her, Remus." Mr. Weasley cut in when Hermione was sitting on a chair. "No, dear. He sent us Hedwig telling us that you were in trouble. Remus was on his way out to try and locate you when you suddenly popped out of nowhere!"
"What happened?" Charlie asked as he looked over the young woman with his wand.
"I-"she breathed in deeply as Bill muttered a spell that immediately made her feel drowsy. Her eyes started to blur.
But before Hermione could say anything else, Mrs. Weasley came and cut in and elbowed everybody away from her. "There now, Hermione needs to rest. We can all take this up at the next meeting but, right now, all of you, leave her alone! Goodness, what happened to her?!"
"But, Mum—" Ron protested, looking at Hermione anxiously.
"Don't be a git, Ron, can't you see Hermione needs to sleep?!" Fred told Ron impatiently.
"She's had a long night already." George snapped at him.
Hermione smiled tiredly at them before her body gave out and she fell off her seat. Charlie caught her just in time.
"Hermione!" Ron, Fred and George cried in unison.
"I'm... I'm alright." She said weakly.
Bill nodded. "Don't worry, it's just something to help her sleep. She'll be alright."
Hermione tried to answer but her body still felt weak. Damn, what was in that spell of Bill's?!
Mrs. Weasley understood the signs. "It's alright, dear, your body is looking for a way to replenish your strength. You'll need to sleep it off for a while. Better come with me, Charlie, let's get her to bed." Mrs. Weasley called to Charlie who followed her out of the room with Hermione in his arms.
Those were the last words she heard before allowing her mind to close off and seek some peace, still clutching the ring in her hand...
Remus stared after her with his brow furrowed. Now what in Merlin's name just happened?!
***
Minutes after the discovery of the two stunned Death Eaters in the square, the door to Hermione's hotel room burst open and a Death Eater howled his fury to the empty room. Crookshanks hissed angrily at the strangers but jumped out a window and watched, seemingly relieved that her human was nowhere in sight.
"Find her!" he shouted to the others.
The others scurried to obey him, not knowing that Hermione was already miles away. The Death Eaters rummaged through the whole hotel for half an hour before one of them emerged from the bedroom.
"I found a wand! It's hers, I think." He called out.
"OF COURSE IT'S HERS, CRETIN! HER PARENTS ARE MUGGLES! SHE'S THE ONLY WITCH IN THIS HOTEL!" the leader howled. "We'll take her wand! She'll be looking for it sometime."
Crookshank's eyes gleamed with fury when he saw his mistress' wand being manhandled by the evil smelling human. As the wand was being handed over to the leader, the oversized, ginger cat sprang into action, digging his claws into the Death Eater's hand until he yowled in pain and let go of the piece of wood. Crookshanks immediately took advantage of the situation by launching itself on the wand and grabbing it with his mouth. Amidst furious shouts and a flurry of red and green blasts of light, he sprang to the window and found himself on a deserted alleyway.
Crookshanks looked around himself, lost, yet still faithfully holding onto Hermione's wand. He had to find Hermione! He was about to go out of the alleyway when a cage sprang out beneath him. He yowled angrily.
"Shut up. Do you want them to hear you?" ordered a soft voice from the darkness.
Crookshanks quieted down and narrowed his eyes at the stranger now sitting beside his cage. He knew that smell. He knew this girl.
"Good. You're beginning to convince me that you're as clever as your mistress claims." The voice said again. "Now, if you promise to be good, I'll let you out and I'll find a way to get you back to Granger."
Crookshanks felt no fear from or for her so he obeyed. Seconds later, he was gently cradled in a soft pair of arms and he and the girl Apparated off. The next thing he knew, he was propped onto the steps of a familiar looking building.
"Keep her safe, cat. There are a lot of things I want to know from that girl." The strange girl whispered to him before Apparating off again.
Crookshanks sat down on the steps and placed Hermione's wand in front of him, patiently waiting for someone to open the door so he could go back to his mistress' arms...
***
"Ah... good haul tonight, vouldn't you say so?"
Severus tried to keep the disgust from showing on his face or voice. All he wanted to do right now was to rip the bloodied robes off of his back and burn them in a fire pit. And then follow them in it.
He tried to keep his eyes from the knife still dripping blood all over his black boots of three days worth of killings. He cringed as he remembered the delicate throats of his victims, pureblooded and Muggle born alike, as they yielded easily to the whims of the elaborately decorated dagger.
"Are the delegates from France back yet?" he asked instead, wondering if they had succeeded in eliminating Granger. He hoped not.
Of course, she was Muggle born but she also shows promise. And, unlike his companions, he was a true Slytherin. He can see promises in every little thing and then string them along according to his use. And Granger, although he was loathed to admit, has her obvious uses. He just hoped no Ministry fool got to her first.
Though the members of the Order were ready as he'd hoped, no one was prepared for the idiocy of the Ministry officials who zoomed in after each or during a battle and getting caught in the crossfire, and then, conveniently blaming the incidents of their incompetence on the interference of Order members. If he could have Fudge around the neck for a few seconds, he'd make sure the bloated pig would have to get a new windpipe!
"Not yet, though I am surprised they are not back yet. They are supposed to be some of the best." The Death Eater who was speaking to Severus said. "But I still think ve are better, jah?"
Severus knew better than to reply. He knew all too well that this was a ploy so he would confide in the Bulgarian foreigner. He'd bet his bottom sickle that the man talking to him was from Durmstrang. He saw the techniques the man used while they were out on the field tonight. And then afterwards, when they picked up an unsuspecting group of Muggle girls...
"Hmp. More likely, they have failed the Dark Lord. Too bad I can't be here to gloat. I am needed... elsewhere." Severus nodded to his companion who nodded back. Severus then walked off up the manor entrance hall and, as soon as he found a suitable spot, Apparated off to Grimmauld Place.
Out of sight of Muggles and foes, Severus made his way quietly towards number twelve. He had one last stop before turning in and getting some rest done. And a large dose of Dreamless Sleep potion to ward off the memories... and the nightmares that were sure to follow the events of tonight. Dawn was almost upon him when he reached the doorway to headquarters. The sight he met there stopped him in his tracks.
Curled up comfortably on the top porch step, still faithfully holding on to it's human's wand was a familiar, squashed faced, bow legged, ginger cat that exclusively belonged to none other than the only purely Muggle born witch ever to cross the threshold of this house. When it saw him, it sat up, sniffed in his direction and purred at him, then proceeded to scratch at the door to show him that it wanted to go in as well.
"So she's alive then or are you the only one left?" he asked it coldly.
The cat mewed angrily at him and glared with it's big yellow eyes. Practically ordering him to carry it into the house! Severus got the message.
"Fine then." Then muttered, "Stupid cat..."
Severus took out his wand and muttered a word that opened all the magical locks on the door, a worried scowl on his usually cold features. He was so anxious, he didn't even stop to hesitate when he entered headquarters, which was strange enough.
Ever since it was established as the Order of the Phoenix's headquarters, he's spent as little time in here as possible. For one thing, it was filled with people who either despise him but hiding it because of his usefulness to the cause or those who fear him because of the mark on his left forearm, for another, because this was the home of one of his most hated enemies. The now deceased Sirius Black. The third being that he couldn't stay long enough to place a certain amount of value on the place because Voldemort might read it on his mind some day. Either way, he knew he wasn't wanted here. But he had to be here. There were things that the Order needed to know. Thoughts of the deceased could wait. He needed to report his recent discoveries to Dumbledore and find out anything about Hermione Granger's fate.
He easily slipped through the door, narrowing his eyes at the big, fat, orange cat when it refused to move past him into the house and was practically demanding him to carry it. He knew enough about familiars not to concede so, with a sigh, he picked up the monstrosity and went in.
When he crossed the threshold, he could see that several key members were already there and talking amongst themselves. He winced inwardly at the uncomfortable silence that followed his arrival, much like the response he got whenever he entered a classroom. Everyone was eager to hear his report, it seemed, although none knew he'd be arriving tonight. Dumbledore must have been anticipating him. He clearly saw confirmation in the old wizard's cheerful blue eyes.
Dumbledore smiled at him kindly and patted a seat next to him which Severus took quickly and looked around coldly. The ginger monster jumped off him and streaked upstairs, probably to find its mistress. As soon as he took a seat, Remus Lupin passed him a steaming cup of strong, hot, chocolate which he accepted with carefully guarded gratefulness. The warmth and sweetness gave him some much needed relief.
"I realize you are tired, Severus, so we had better get this over with." Dumbledore began when he had at least three sips of the sweet liquid.
Severus scowled. "I suppose you were there to pound Fudge about the recent Muggle killings?"
Dumbledore's face darkened slightly. "He is shaking in fear but he still wouldn't give up his position."
"Incompetent fool." He muttered and then he looked around from behind his mug. Around him were, Remus Lupin, Emmeline Vance, Daedalus Diggle, Fred and George Weasley, and Arthur Weasley. "What are all of you doing here anyway?"
Daedalus scowled at him. "We just came back from fetching Harry from the Muggles. I suppose Molly's tucked him in hours ago."
Severus didn't even bother to hide a sneer. Remus remained indifferent but Fred and George bristled. They were easily ignored and Severus spoke to report. "The Dark Lord may be physically exhausted from your last battle with him but it seems that Lucius has scrounged up a whole lot of new recruits overseas before he went to Azkaban. You were all probably surprised by their apparent number even though Mcnair and the others are now in jail."
"Not for long it seems," Daedalus said bitterly. "Malfoy's been claiming he was put under the Imperious."
"Surely nothing a bit of Veritaserum can't work out." Emmeline commented.
"Not if he tries to bribe his way out." Daedalus answered. "You all know how close they were. All those donations..."
"So tell us," Remus started calmly, his worry hidden behind it. "Why did they pick Hermione?"
"Pettigrew." Severus answered grimly. "The little rat claimed that she was the reason why Potter succeeds in foiling him."
Remus paled a bit and ran a hand over his face but aside from that, his face showed nothing. "I see."
Severus crushed the empathy he suddenly felt for the damn werewolf. "Aside, of course, the fact that she's muggle- born and all and one of the most—"
Dumbledore raised his hand all of a sudden to stop him from speaking and waved the same hand over all of them. Snape instantly knew that the old man just cast a Noli me Vedas version of the Disillusionment charm. A far more potent and powerful kind of Confundus. It made them seem in a different world together and just peering out of a window instead of being in the same room. All of them stayed silent and, in no time at all, the kitchen door opened and in came Granger followed by Potter who seemed to be thinner and paler than before.
Spoilers: You'll know 'em when you see 'em! ^o^v!!!
Author's Note: Enjoy!!! ^__~*
Chapter Two: Dark Savior
Eight p. m.
Kinda late for a fifteen year old to be wandering around Paris alone but Hermione was okay on that. She really hadn't meant to stay out so late but she was too engrossed in checking out the Parisian night life all by herself that she forgot the time. It was one of the advantages of being alone in a strange city. She could stay out as late as she wanted and dance in the cozy little bistros that littered the city's corners and just live a life that was far from what her fellow Hogwarts students would have expected from her. Now though, she had to go back to the hotel. Crookshanks was going to worry about her and that cat was dangerous when he's annoyed.
Her cat reminded her of her link to the magical world and speaking of which, her mind brought her back to the odd experience of meeting the French Minister of Magic. Why was Jannes talking to him? What wasn't he telling her? Questions upon questions that lead only to one path.
Harry.
At another time, Harry would have welcomed any form of story that involved his parents and she would have been planning on how to tell him when they met again. But now... she wasn't so sure what his reaction will be provided that he just lost Sirius... She couldn't imagine the pain he must be in right now. But no. Being pitied was the last thing Harry needs. Right now, he'll need to be strong and she'll be there to help him. She wished she could cheer him up though, if only for a while...
Drat.
Hermione was so busy thinking that she didn't even notice the dark clad figures coming at her from behind. It was only when the crystal she was wearing proceeded to glow crazily, as though warning her, that Hermione looked around her in alarm and saw a pair of dementors swooping down at her. It was only when she noticed the unusual darkness of the surroundings, even with the street lights on, that she focused on the things around her. What she saw chilled her blood.
"What the..."
Hermione dodged as one of them glided towards her and tried to catch her. She fumbled in her pocket but clutched no familiar length of wood. Damn it! She forgot her wand at the hotel! How could she be so stupid?! What were these things doing here?! And why were they targeting her?!
It was a good thing that she carried the birthday present she made for Harry. She held on to it tightly. So far, so good. At least now she knew that her calculations were correct. The little crystal was doing what it was supposed to do. But that didn't mean that the dementors can't come near and give her a kiss!
She dodged another glide from one of the dementors and ran until she was cornered between a wall and the Seine. She looked behind her, at the glistening waters of the river. Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. Oh God, what now?
"Expecto Patronum!" a silver mist of indefinable shape came out of nowhere much to Hermione's surprise. The two dementors screamed and, as they were hit by the Patronus, they turned into a pair of bat like creatures and flew away.
She barely saw the fleeing dementors when a someone hit her with a spell from behind, "Expiratium Respirato!", Hermione was thrown forward, surprised.
Breathing heavily, Hermione knelt down on the pavement, trying to keep breathing as her lungs seemed to burst and contract. It was then that she noticed a pair of black boots in front of her. She looked up.
She saw before her a girl wearing a pure black, flowing coat dress with a high neck and long sleeves that hid most of her hands until only her pale fingertips were seen. She was also wearing a pure black cloak and her long black hair was flowing around her. She had no wand. Her face was covered with a glamour that blurred her whole face beyond recognition.
Who was she? A Death Eater?
She tried to speak but the curse that Death Eater threw at her made speaking impossible and breathing, laborious. She was blacking out!
The girl just looked down at her for a few moments before turning around suddenly and pointing her fingers at the general direction of the square. "Seni Stupefy!"
Hermione was astonished when she saw a pair of black garbed men in Death Eater masks fall down on the pavement from the edge of the cherry blossom trees after a red thread of light shot out of the girl's fingers.
What the... Was that wandless magic she just saw?!
As she stared, the girl knelt down beside her and took out a very small vial from her sleeve. Taking her face, the girl force fed her the contents and calmly forced her to swallow despite her protests. The liquid tasted bitter and had a cucumber aftertaste. And damn but she hated cucumbers.
After making sure that she swallowed whatever that vile concoction was, the girl took hold of her hand and placed something cold and round in her palm and then whispered one word in her ear...
"Requiem..."
Before Hermione knew it, she felt that stomach lurching pull relative only to a portkey. Too late did she wonder where the magical transportation device was going to take her. She could only hope it would be somewhere safe...
***
Remus Lupin took another long pull off his smuggled bottle of firewhiskey as he stared at the empty fireplace in front of him. It's been a common place for him for the last two months now. Since the death of the last of his friends...
He almost choked on his drink as he remembered Sirius' shocked look as he stepped back from Bellatrix and found no purchase for his foot. He could still feel Harry trying to pull himself from him as he screamed Sirius' name over and over and over again, refusing to believe the inevitable...
Remus swallowed another long gulp and tried to drown the tears away. He wanted to forget the fact that he was alone now. He wanted to block all feeling from his body. Tried not to miss the feeling of camaraderie and the seething loneliness that burned the back of his eyes even as it burned the core of what was left of his heart...
They were all gone...
He refused the shock— that was coursing through his blood— entry from his brain. He knew it would come to this someday. That was the reason why he didn't want anyone to come too close all those years when Sirius was still in Azkaban. It was the reason why he never attempted to deeply befriend anyone else after James and Lily died. He was filth. And the darkness of his blood will forever be with him. He was destined to be alone, he knew. It just didn't occur to him that he'll be the only one left behind at the end. Usually, in their school years, he always thought that he'll be the first to go. Him and Peter, actually. He, who wanted to die already to prevent hurting others and Peter, who they all thought was too weak to survive. Who'd have thought that they'll be the only ones left to fight it off in the end? He was sure of one thing though, the next time they see each other, it will be one Marauder less in the world and only one more left— if not entirely wiped out. It would be for the best he guessed. It would pave a way for the new generation. Too bad he couldn't see it. Not that he cared to be alive but he hoped he could stay standing long enough to avenge Sirius, James and Lily. All he could do now was to show Harry he could be strong enough for two if needs be. Harry needed him now. Like him, the boy was all alone.
At least the boy still has friends...
Shaking off the self pity that was trying to overwhelm him, he took a long pull off the firewhiskey and looked up as a resounding flutter echoed across the walls above him.
He saw Hedwig drop on the dining table with a note attached to her leg. Brow furrowing, Remus placed his drink down on the dining table and reached for the letter. He saw Hedwig flinch as he did so, before remembering her duties and forcing herself to stay still. Remus smiled bitterly. He knew no animal could stand him since they all knew what he was. They could all sense the danger that was him. It hurt when he was seven, it only hurt worse now that he was thirty six...
Muttering an apology to Hedwig, he carefully took the letter from her and read the letter. The contents made him stand up in alarm.
Remus,
Voldemort wants Hermione dead and he's going to try to kill her tonight! Help her, please!
Harry
It could be another mistake. Another trap set by Voldemort so Harry would come out in the open again. Maybe it was another false alarm. But Harry wouldn't send a message if he were sure, he'd have gone pelting after Hermione so he could try to save her!
"What's that Remus?!" Bill asked as he entered the kitchen followed by the other male Weasleys minus Percy. "I saw Hedwig fly in."
Remus took a deep breath and got his wand ready before passing the letter to Arthur. "I have to go. It's worth checking out. Do you know where Hermione is spending her vacation, Ron?"
Ron paled and glanced at the letter anxiously. "I think she mentioned something about Paris..."
Remus nodded. "I'm going to—"
A thud from the hallway alerted everybody and, with wands raised, they all went out to the corridor. They were shocked to find Hermione's form slumped over the wooden floors of number twelve Grimmauld Place.
"Hermione?!" Remus hurried to hold his former student.
"Help me..." she croaked, heaving heavily.
"Hermione! It's me! Remus!" he shouted over his rising panic.
His voice finally seemed to penetrate her weak and frightened brain and she opened her eyes to see the silver gray eyes of Remus Lupin looking back at her. "P-professor Lupin?"
"You're here! In Grimmauld Place!" Remus' arm held her shoulders and he carried her in his arms towards the kitchen. "Merlin above, what happened to you?!"
Hermione swallowed as she leaned into Remus' arms. "I- I was attacked by a couple of dementors... And Death Eaters... I think..."
"Then Harry was right," he mumbled, numb, as he sat her down on one of the chairs. "I'll get you some chocolates."
"No, I wasn't affected by the dementors. I got hit by a curse from behind. I had a little trouble breathing a while ago, but I'll be fine. I think that disgusting thing worked!" She told him, breathing deeply.
A hoot sounded off from one of the cupboards before a fluttering of wings echoed across the walls and a flash of white flew across the room to land on her shoulder as Mr. Weasley called out for his wife.
"Hedwig? What are you doing here?" she looked up all of a sudden. "Harry... Is Harry here?"
"I'll take her, Remus." Mr. Weasley cut in when Hermione was sitting on a chair. "No, dear. He sent us Hedwig telling us that you were in trouble. Remus was on his way out to try and locate you when you suddenly popped out of nowhere!"
"What happened?" Charlie asked as he looked over the young woman with his wand.
"I-"she breathed in deeply as Bill muttered a spell that immediately made her feel drowsy. Her eyes started to blur.
But before Hermione could say anything else, Mrs. Weasley came and cut in and elbowed everybody away from her. "There now, Hermione needs to rest. We can all take this up at the next meeting but, right now, all of you, leave her alone! Goodness, what happened to her?!"
"But, Mum—" Ron protested, looking at Hermione anxiously.
"Don't be a git, Ron, can't you see Hermione needs to sleep?!" Fred told Ron impatiently.
"She's had a long night already." George snapped at him.
Hermione smiled tiredly at them before her body gave out and she fell off her seat. Charlie caught her just in time.
"Hermione!" Ron, Fred and George cried in unison.
"I'm... I'm alright." She said weakly.
Bill nodded. "Don't worry, it's just something to help her sleep. She'll be alright."
Hermione tried to answer but her body still felt weak. Damn, what was in that spell of Bill's?!
Mrs. Weasley understood the signs. "It's alright, dear, your body is looking for a way to replenish your strength. You'll need to sleep it off for a while. Better come with me, Charlie, let's get her to bed." Mrs. Weasley called to Charlie who followed her out of the room with Hermione in his arms.
Those were the last words she heard before allowing her mind to close off and seek some peace, still clutching the ring in her hand...
Remus stared after her with his brow furrowed. Now what in Merlin's name just happened?!
***
Minutes after the discovery of the two stunned Death Eaters in the square, the door to Hermione's hotel room burst open and a Death Eater howled his fury to the empty room. Crookshanks hissed angrily at the strangers but jumped out a window and watched, seemingly relieved that her human was nowhere in sight.
"Find her!" he shouted to the others.
The others scurried to obey him, not knowing that Hermione was already miles away. The Death Eaters rummaged through the whole hotel for half an hour before one of them emerged from the bedroom.
"I found a wand! It's hers, I think." He called out.
"OF COURSE IT'S HERS, CRETIN! HER PARENTS ARE MUGGLES! SHE'S THE ONLY WITCH IN THIS HOTEL!" the leader howled. "We'll take her wand! She'll be looking for it sometime."
Crookshank's eyes gleamed with fury when he saw his mistress' wand being manhandled by the evil smelling human. As the wand was being handed over to the leader, the oversized, ginger cat sprang into action, digging his claws into the Death Eater's hand until he yowled in pain and let go of the piece of wood. Crookshanks immediately took advantage of the situation by launching itself on the wand and grabbing it with his mouth. Amidst furious shouts and a flurry of red and green blasts of light, he sprang to the window and found himself on a deserted alleyway.
Crookshanks looked around himself, lost, yet still faithfully holding onto Hermione's wand. He had to find Hermione! He was about to go out of the alleyway when a cage sprang out beneath him. He yowled angrily.
"Shut up. Do you want them to hear you?" ordered a soft voice from the darkness.
Crookshanks quieted down and narrowed his eyes at the stranger now sitting beside his cage. He knew that smell. He knew this girl.
"Good. You're beginning to convince me that you're as clever as your mistress claims." The voice said again. "Now, if you promise to be good, I'll let you out and I'll find a way to get you back to Granger."
Crookshanks felt no fear from or for her so he obeyed. Seconds later, he was gently cradled in a soft pair of arms and he and the girl Apparated off. The next thing he knew, he was propped onto the steps of a familiar looking building.
"Keep her safe, cat. There are a lot of things I want to know from that girl." The strange girl whispered to him before Apparating off again.
Crookshanks sat down on the steps and placed Hermione's wand in front of him, patiently waiting for someone to open the door so he could go back to his mistress' arms...
***
"Ah... good haul tonight, vouldn't you say so?"
Severus tried to keep the disgust from showing on his face or voice. All he wanted to do right now was to rip the bloodied robes off of his back and burn them in a fire pit. And then follow them in it.
He tried to keep his eyes from the knife still dripping blood all over his black boots of three days worth of killings. He cringed as he remembered the delicate throats of his victims, pureblooded and Muggle born alike, as they yielded easily to the whims of the elaborately decorated dagger.
"Are the delegates from France back yet?" he asked instead, wondering if they had succeeded in eliminating Granger. He hoped not.
Of course, she was Muggle born but she also shows promise. And, unlike his companions, he was a true Slytherin. He can see promises in every little thing and then string them along according to his use. And Granger, although he was loathed to admit, has her obvious uses. He just hoped no Ministry fool got to her first.
Though the members of the Order were ready as he'd hoped, no one was prepared for the idiocy of the Ministry officials who zoomed in after each or during a battle and getting caught in the crossfire, and then, conveniently blaming the incidents of their incompetence on the interference of Order members. If he could have Fudge around the neck for a few seconds, he'd make sure the bloated pig would have to get a new windpipe!
"Not yet, though I am surprised they are not back yet. They are supposed to be some of the best." The Death Eater who was speaking to Severus said. "But I still think ve are better, jah?"
Severus knew better than to reply. He knew all too well that this was a ploy so he would confide in the Bulgarian foreigner. He'd bet his bottom sickle that the man talking to him was from Durmstrang. He saw the techniques the man used while they were out on the field tonight. And then afterwards, when they picked up an unsuspecting group of Muggle girls...
"Hmp. More likely, they have failed the Dark Lord. Too bad I can't be here to gloat. I am needed... elsewhere." Severus nodded to his companion who nodded back. Severus then walked off up the manor entrance hall and, as soon as he found a suitable spot, Apparated off to Grimmauld Place.
Out of sight of Muggles and foes, Severus made his way quietly towards number twelve. He had one last stop before turning in and getting some rest done. And a large dose of Dreamless Sleep potion to ward off the memories... and the nightmares that were sure to follow the events of tonight. Dawn was almost upon him when he reached the doorway to headquarters. The sight he met there stopped him in his tracks.
Curled up comfortably on the top porch step, still faithfully holding on to it's human's wand was a familiar, squashed faced, bow legged, ginger cat that exclusively belonged to none other than the only purely Muggle born witch ever to cross the threshold of this house. When it saw him, it sat up, sniffed in his direction and purred at him, then proceeded to scratch at the door to show him that it wanted to go in as well.
"So she's alive then or are you the only one left?" he asked it coldly.
The cat mewed angrily at him and glared with it's big yellow eyes. Practically ordering him to carry it into the house! Severus got the message.
"Fine then." Then muttered, "Stupid cat..."
Severus took out his wand and muttered a word that opened all the magical locks on the door, a worried scowl on his usually cold features. He was so anxious, he didn't even stop to hesitate when he entered headquarters, which was strange enough.
Ever since it was established as the Order of the Phoenix's headquarters, he's spent as little time in here as possible. For one thing, it was filled with people who either despise him but hiding it because of his usefulness to the cause or those who fear him because of the mark on his left forearm, for another, because this was the home of one of his most hated enemies. The now deceased Sirius Black. The third being that he couldn't stay long enough to place a certain amount of value on the place because Voldemort might read it on his mind some day. Either way, he knew he wasn't wanted here. But he had to be here. There were things that the Order needed to know. Thoughts of the deceased could wait. He needed to report his recent discoveries to Dumbledore and find out anything about Hermione Granger's fate.
He easily slipped through the door, narrowing his eyes at the big, fat, orange cat when it refused to move past him into the house and was practically demanding him to carry it. He knew enough about familiars not to concede so, with a sigh, he picked up the monstrosity and went in.
When he crossed the threshold, he could see that several key members were already there and talking amongst themselves. He winced inwardly at the uncomfortable silence that followed his arrival, much like the response he got whenever he entered a classroom. Everyone was eager to hear his report, it seemed, although none knew he'd be arriving tonight. Dumbledore must have been anticipating him. He clearly saw confirmation in the old wizard's cheerful blue eyes.
Dumbledore smiled at him kindly and patted a seat next to him which Severus took quickly and looked around coldly. The ginger monster jumped off him and streaked upstairs, probably to find its mistress. As soon as he took a seat, Remus Lupin passed him a steaming cup of strong, hot, chocolate which he accepted with carefully guarded gratefulness. The warmth and sweetness gave him some much needed relief.
"I realize you are tired, Severus, so we had better get this over with." Dumbledore began when he had at least three sips of the sweet liquid.
Severus scowled. "I suppose you were there to pound Fudge about the recent Muggle killings?"
Dumbledore's face darkened slightly. "He is shaking in fear but he still wouldn't give up his position."
"Incompetent fool." He muttered and then he looked around from behind his mug. Around him were, Remus Lupin, Emmeline Vance, Daedalus Diggle, Fred and George Weasley, and Arthur Weasley. "What are all of you doing here anyway?"
Daedalus scowled at him. "We just came back from fetching Harry from the Muggles. I suppose Molly's tucked him in hours ago."
Severus didn't even bother to hide a sneer. Remus remained indifferent but Fred and George bristled. They were easily ignored and Severus spoke to report. "The Dark Lord may be physically exhausted from your last battle with him but it seems that Lucius has scrounged up a whole lot of new recruits overseas before he went to Azkaban. You were all probably surprised by their apparent number even though Mcnair and the others are now in jail."
"Not for long it seems," Daedalus said bitterly. "Malfoy's been claiming he was put under the Imperious."
"Surely nothing a bit of Veritaserum can't work out." Emmeline commented.
"Not if he tries to bribe his way out." Daedalus answered. "You all know how close they were. All those donations..."
"So tell us," Remus started calmly, his worry hidden behind it. "Why did they pick Hermione?"
"Pettigrew." Severus answered grimly. "The little rat claimed that she was the reason why Potter succeeds in foiling him."
Remus paled a bit and ran a hand over his face but aside from that, his face showed nothing. "I see."
Severus crushed the empathy he suddenly felt for the damn werewolf. "Aside, of course, the fact that she's muggle- born and all and one of the most—"
Dumbledore raised his hand all of a sudden to stop him from speaking and waved the same hand over all of them. Snape instantly knew that the old man just cast a Noli me Vedas version of the Disillusionment charm. A far more potent and powerful kind of Confundus. It made them seem in a different world together and just peering out of a window instead of being in the same room. All of them stayed silent and, in no time at all, the kitchen door opened and in came Granger followed by Potter who seemed to be thinner and paler than before.