For the next two weeks Hermione, Ron and Harry redoubled their efforts to study and put 'their all', into their exams. Hermione, despite bursting into tears at the drop of a hat, managed to do very well, as expected. Ron and Harry also did well, Ron having now, hardly anything to do with Hermione apart from an acknowledging grunt, whenever she came near. This, Hermione got used to; she knew it would take her friend's a long time to get used to her relationship with Professor Snape, if they ever did, but at least they didn't hate her for it; they just didn't understand. She hardly understood herself; all she knew was that being with him felt amazing and she didn't regret a thing, even though it had got her into so much trouble. She ruefully admitted to herself that if she could have done anything differently she would have been much, much more discreet!
Once the hard slog and the extraordinarily hard exams were over, there wasn't much for all the seventh formers to do apart from laze around in the sunshine, walk around the grounds or play the odd game of quidditch and wait for the end of term. School finished for the summer on a Monday, the week after and there was a leaving ceremony and party scheduled for the Friday before.
On the day of the ceremony, Hermione had stood on the specially erected stage in the Great Hall and had been watched by students, teachers and parents like all the rest of her friends, to receive her scroll and a handshake from Dumbledore. Her parents had been brought to the school, like all the other muggle parents, with a special portkey, to allow them entry for the day. They had hardly closed their mouths once during an impromptu tour, that Hermione and others had given their curious parents, after having permission from the teachers. They simply couldn't believe the room of requirement and her mother had squealed like a young girl, when things that she had thought of just appeared before her. Her 'Trekkie' obsessed Dad had said it was like the holographic suite on Voyager, to a look of derision from her long-suffering mother!
The day over Hermione had said goodbye to her, by now tearful, but extremely proud parents, promising to see them as soon as she could. They knew that she had some sort of important work to do once she finished school, that she couldn't talk about and they accepted it, albeit a little sadly. They had missed out on a lot of their little girls growing up and Hermione knew that they would want to spend some time with her before she flew the nest for good. She reassured them, though, that once she had her apparation licence she could visit them whenever she liked, so they needn't worry.
Once all the parents had left, the hall was transformed into a ballroom for the seventh years leaving party. It was going to be formal dress, but it certainly wasn't going to be a formal party, as a couple of live witch and wizard bands had been lined up to play.
Hermione sat on her bed doing her makeup in a mirror, which she had bewitched to light up and float in front of her as she worked. Ginny had done her hair and done a wonderful job too, bringing some of it up on top and leaving curled strands to fall around her face and rest on her shoulders. Ginny was also attending the ball, as seventh years could bring anyone from 5th year upwards if they liked and Ginny being her best friend apart from Harry, Hermione had decided to take her. It wasn't necessary to take a date if you didn't want to, so Harry and Ron had decided to just go together and see what happened when they got there.
Her makeup finished, Hermione stood up and looked critically at her reflection, in her long mirror this time, turning this way and that. Her dress looked sensational on her, it had a fitted, strapless bodice and long skirt flaring out from the waist down to the floor. The fabric was dark green taffeta, perfectly complimenting her skin tone and reddish-brown hair. With it she wore a simple jet choker and matching earrings.
Ginny wore a long black creation that was also strapless but fitted all the way down and had a split that went half way up her leg. The top was decorated with a delicate flower pattern made with tiny pearl like beads and she had a bag to match. Once they were both ready, they made their way down to the Great Hall with all the others. As they walked, Hermione thought how wonderful everyone looked and she also felt sad, like all the others probably did, that this was the last time they would be together like this, as soon their lives would be taking them on different paths.
Even though she felt sad, a feeling of excitement grew in her belly, as she knew that all the teachers would also be attending the ball and she hoped against hope that Severus would be there too. She had fantasised that he would stuff convention and rules, sweep her off her feet and dance with her. She could live in hope! She desperately wanted to talk to him, to discuss what they were going to do after she left school. She knew that it wasn't going to be easy for them to see each other, but they had to try, as she felt what they had was too good to just to let go.
As they walked into the Great Hall everyone opened their mouths in wonderment. Living in this school for as long as they had and having seen many amazing thing's, could not have prepared them for what they saw this time. The room was decorated in all the house colours, with banners on all four sides proclaiming the names. The ceiling above them was coloured with a beautiful sunset, red, gold and orange with a dark sky peeping through sparkling with stars. In fact stars seemed to sparkle everywhere and the effect was quite dazzling, but beautiful. The floor looked like grass and the walls were all moving with different scenes, magical snapshots from the previous seven years, most people were gathered around their various house walls, looking and laughing at themselves in their younger days. On one wall above the moving scenes, words were projected, which said:
"The sunset of your childhood is now upon you
Do not let the grass grow under your feet
And always reach for the stars, no matter how far away they seem"
Hermione and Ginny spotted Harry and Ron by the refreshment's table and made their way towards them. Harry greeted the two girls with a smile, but Ron only said hello to his sister. Hermione didn't know what she was going to do for the next few weeks, as she was due to join Harry and the Weasleys as usual in the Order headquarters at Grimmauld place. It was going to be very awkward, but she had to be there for Harry. Harry was still a little awkward around her, but she had managed to convince him he could still rely on her and trust her completely with his secrets and that she would never let him down when it came to her support, no matter what.
After they had eaten a little and had a drink, they stood up with everyone else to watch the first band come on. They were new on the music scene and called themselves 'Goblin rebellion', they were certainly different, but Ron already loved them and began bopping his head and singing as soon as they started their first song. After a rather shaky start they went on to do some really catchy numbers and soon got everyone up on the dance floor, even some of the teachers. Not Severus though, he sat with Dumbledore most of the night having what looked like a very serious disscussion, sometimes waving his hands about and looking quite angry. Hermione kept glancing in their direction every now and again, curious as to what they were talking about. This eventually earned her a raised eyebrow from Dumbledore, making her look away hurriedly again.
After Goblin rebellion, it was the Weird Sisters turn to play and they came on to much cheering, hooting and clapping from the assembled crowd. The Weird sisters had made it big now in the wizarding world and were only staying for couple of songs, as they had to go to a big concert in Australia. Even Hermione liked them; she didn't usually like this type of thing as she preferred classical or more down-tempo types of music, the sort of thing she had been brought up with. This had led to much conflict between her and Ron, as he liked to listen to loud, grungy rock bands.
The night drew on and it came time for The Weird Sisters to leave and it was the turn of a woman calling herself 'Hydra' and her band 'Senarius' to take to the stage. Her voice had a beautiful haunting quality to it and she sang torch songs and love songs, to give a chilled out end to the night and couples paired off to dance together to them. Hermione kept turning down boys asking her to dance; she kept hoping against hope that Severus would relent and just come and ask her. It was nearly 1.00am and he had now finished his conversation with Dumbledore, but was looking fidgety in a corner. The dance finished at 1.30 and Hermione was bored of sitting on her own, but she just couldn't seem to find the courage to approach him or could she? Ron was dancing with Lavender; a choice Hermione had felt he had picked just to annoy her. He knew very well that Hermione disliked the gossipy girl intently. Harry had been asked to dance by a rather confident Padma Patil; she was now well known for not taking any prisoners, if she liked a boy she let them know about it, not in a slutty way, she just didn't mess about.
Harry's jaw had dropped when he had seen her in front of him. She was wearing a very low cut gown, in light blue which sparkled almost as much as the room and looked absolutely stunning. Harry had just got up when asked and gone to her with out a word, holding out his hand, which she had taken with a smile. He had then stayed with her the rest of the night.
Ginny was dancing with Seamus Finnigan, much to Ron's annoyance, as the lad had by now earned himself quite a reputation as a ladies man. He had more notches on his bedpost than any other boy in his year and wasn't too fussy about whether the girl was the same age as him or what house she was in, as long as she was willing! Ginny was too clever to fall for his charm though and kept slapping his hands whenever he tried to sneakily slide them down to her bottom.
This left Hermione alone, feeling sad, Severus had hardly even looked in her direction all night, but she had half expected it. She had by now resigned herself to the fact that he was not going to ask her to dance and was debating whether or not to just go over to him, when Neville nervously approached. Neville had filled out in all the right places now, if a little chunky around the middle, but he still looked better than he used to. He was more confident in general, but still shy around Hermione and she knew it was because he secretly fancied her.
"Erm, would you like to dance?" he'd asked, smiling hopefully
Hermione had just nodded and got up taking his proffered hand. At first she kept him at arms length, feeling a little uncomfortable in his unfamiliar arms, but as the music went on she began to relax and thought, "It's only Neville for God's sake! He's not going to try anything is he?"
He smiled and when she smiled back, he dared to pull her closer, Hermione thought she would allow him this privilege and did not object. She couldn't bear to look at him too much though, as he now had a rather soppy look on his face, instead she preferred to look out into the room. It was then she spotted Severus, he was almost invisible at the outer edge of the room in his dark clothes, but her sharp eyes caught him. He was moving slowly towards the doors and left out of them swiftly and quietly. Butterflies flew around in her tummy then, she knew this was her chance to talk to him and she had to take it. She didn't have time to go to Ginny and explain, so after apologising to a very disappointed looking Neville; she followed her lover out of the door.
Leaving a few moments after Severus, left her hurrying to catch up, but she didn't want to call him; she didn't want to attract attention or risk him telling her to go back, not until they got to his destination. She trotted along the corridor after him, as quickly and quietly as her high heeled shoes would allow, her dress swishing around her legs as she went, expecting him to go to in the direction of his office.
But he wasn't going to his office; instead he seemed to be heading for the outside,
For some fresh air maybe? She guessed, then hope flared within her; outside they could be assured of some privacy at least, as long as they were far away from the school buildings, as she guessed quite a few students would be making good use of the bushes around the old castle tonight.
She heard the doors opening in front of her, headed in their direction and in a couple of minutes, she reached them herself and had walked through them into the warm night air. But once the doors had shut and the darkness closed in around her, Hermione began to feel nervous; she had not been outside on her own, much, since the attack, as she had still been too afraid. Though her panic attacks had been calmed by a very effective potion, given to her by Madame Pomfrey and powerful witch though she was, she still felt vulnerable.
She had hardly seen Severus for the whole three weeks of the exam time, apart from in the distance, or occasionally at mealtimes in the Great Hall, during which they had exchanged glances and nothing more. Even though he had kept his distance, she still felt love for him and wanted to be with him, believing that they really could take their relationship further and make it more serious.
Fear now clenching her belly and making her shiver, even though it was a warm night, she nevertheless followed her lover down the long pathway that led to the road outside the school. Where was he going, to Hogsmead maybe? It could be anywhere, as, as soon as he got out of the gates he could apparate anywhere he liked.
She quickened the pace, so as to catch up and now she was well away from the school, she at last felt confident enough to call him. He was just reaching the pig shaped gate heads when she opened her mouth
"Severus! Severus! Wait!" she shouted breathlessly, hitching up her long dress in order that she didn't trip over it and really wishing she had some flat shoes on.
He looked around then and stopped, then started to walk back up towards her
"Hermione! What are you doing here? Go back at once! Now!" he barked
"No! I won't go back! I want to talk to you!" Hermione retorted, losing her footing slightly, her high heels slipping on the gravel
"I haven't got time for this now, I have to go! Now get back up to the school!" He replied, stopping his approach
But Hermione kept on going toward him, asking her wand to light up on the way.
"Get back now! That is an order! And put that light out! Do you want the whole school to know that we're here?" He said, sounding agitated.
Still, she ignored him and once she was standing directly in front of him, he shook his head, looking angry, but Hermione wasn't perturbed. Lifting up her wand to better see his face, she looked him straight in the eye, looking angry herself for a moment, then she dropped her head. When she looked up she had a much softer, sadder expression
"Oh Severus, I've missed you so much! I just want to talk to you, can't you understand that? It doesn't matter anymore, I'm no longer a student now, well practically! Please don't tell me to go" and as she said the last words, she launched herself forwards, holding him in a tight hug, wrapping her arms around his middle. She buried her face in his chest, enjoying the closeness that had been denied her for so long.
"It is not that!" He said, grabbing her arms as if to push her off, then stopping suddenly. She looked up, her face still lit by the wands eerie light and he looked down directly into her eyes, shaking his head sadly, then he sighed.
"Why did you come here? You should have stayed at the ball with your friends, where it was safe" he said, his voice much softer now
"But I always feel safe with you Severus" she said lovingly, smiling
He merely shook his head, then leaned down to kiss her, but pulled away after a just a few seconds
"I must to go, please go back now," he said, sounding a little colder again and this time he did push her away.
She stood there for a moment, not knowing whether to run off in a huff or persist in her previous mission, but a quiet popping noise behind her disracted her from this train of thought, making her stop dead to listen.
"Ahh! How touching! What a tender moment we have stumbled upon!" Said a voice, suddenly behind them. That voice sent a cold shiver down Hermione's spine, she knew immediately whom it was and whipped round, backing up slightly. Fear then consumed her whole body as she saw Lucius Malfoy and several other deatheaters, walk out of the shadows and approach them.
"I thought the arrangement was to meet outside Hogsmead!" Severus asked angrily, pulling Hermione to his side, protectively.
"Huh! Someone must have tipped off the Ministry, the place was swarming with Aurors!" Lucius replied through gritted teeth, "but we have a little informant of our own, so we were warned just before we walked into a trap!" he added, smiling
Severus merely looked at him expressionless for a moment, maybe thinking what to do next.
"So, you're still fucking the mud-blood then?.. Huh! That's not showing much loyalty is it Severus? Considering what she did to Draco! Well, no matter, I have often thought about what I'd like to do the bitch if I got hold of her and now here she is!" Lucius said, his eyes narrowing and a malevolent smile creeping across his face.
Hermione felt Severus holding her even tighter and she also gripped him fearfully.
Her heart began to pound in her chest and her breaths came in sharp gasps, as the realisation dawned, that she could be in serious danger.
"Your son deserved everything he got, after what he did Lucius!" Severus retorted angrily
"Strange how you've changed your tune since you've been with her isn't it? I thought you were just having a bit of fun with her, but it's more than that now though isn't it?" he said coming closer and fixing Severus with an icy stare. "Well, You're going to have to decide were your true loyalties lie Severus. If you let us take her then that will be the end of it, I will know you are a true Slytherin and loyal follower of Voldemort, but if you try and stop us...My suspicions about you will then be justified. I have long suspected that your heart is truly not in our cause, but just thought that it was your way not to reveal how you really feel about anything." He backed off slightly, obviously waiting for his old friend to take in what he had said. When Severus didn't answer for a moment he added
"Well what is it to be Severus? Are you going to let us take her and give her what she deserves or are we going to have to take you to face Voldemort, to tell him what a traitor you are?" Lucius sneered, then he smirked obviously enjoying the fact that he'd really put Severus on the spot.
Hermione looked from Lucius's face to Severus's, wondering what he was going to do. Giving her to them would mean he did not have to give himself away as a spy, to be seen to want to protect her could mean his cover would be blown and the order would no longer have their one and only deatheater informant. Worst still, they could hurt him or even kill him, as well as her. She sincerely wished that she had listened to him now and gone back to the school when he had asked. She closed her eyes, waiting with baited breath for his answer.