A/N: Sorry it had taken so long to update….School is evil…but guess what? We are doing a Halloween play in drama… and we get to write our own scripts! It's REALLY fun! Anyways…on with the story….
Chapter 12: Back to School
Hermione and Snape made their way towards the dungeons. The most critical part of their plan was about to take place. Hermione's death was to be announced, by Dumbledore, in front of the whole school. She had neither seen nor talked to any of her friends since the day before she left, and Hermione found that she was missing them terribly.
"What if it doesn't work?" she asked, knowing the answer.
"It will," Snape echoed her thoughts, squeezing her hand,
"But, if needs be, we can always kill you for real…" He turned to Hermione and smiled. She, knowing that he was only trying to help, managed a feeble smile in return, but seriously, she was shaking. She had no idea what Voldemort would think when he heard of her death, or whether he would believe Snape when he told the Dark Lord. As they reached Snape's room, Hermione entered and gasped.
"Ladies and gentlemen….may I have your attention please!' Albus Dumbledore's voice was just sober enough to have the chattering stop at a dead halt.
"I am extremely sorrowful to announce the death of one of your classmates." he paused, for affect as well as for himself,
"As you all know, Miss Hermione Granger went to the campus of one of our many colleges around this area. She was to get a scholarship to go there. It is our belief that while Hermione was out searching the forest area, a group of Death Eaters stole her and murdered her. We only hope that the body will return to us soon."
As Harry heard the new, his heart cried out in sorrow. Tears welled up and began trickling down his face. His best friend was dead, dead. There was no way around it, and no way to deny it. He turned to Ron, who, like Harry, had tears in his eyes.
"I can't, can't-" Ron started, but could not, would not, dare say the horrendous truth: Hermione Granger was dead.
As food appeared on their plates, the students began eating in a somewhat awkward silence. Even Draco Malfoy, who's witty remarks were well known, had nothing to say about his biggest female rival. Everyone was stunned into silence, and everyone felt that they had had some sort of connection with Hermione, even if they had never laid eyes on her. After their meal had finished, Dumbledore announced,
"A memorial service will be held on Sunday, anyone who wishes to come, may."
Hermione was asleep in the bed that her and Severus were to share. Severus was watching her. She had liked his surprise, he mused noting the changes that he had made in his room. The new kitchen gleamed with all the splendor of a new home. He had magiked it to look totally brand new, as well as everything else in his apartment. His bed was now a double, and the fire place was certainly bigger. Hermione's eyes had nearly fallen out of her head when she had seen, he smiled to himself as he drifted off into sleep.
When Hermione awoke, she felt a sense of loneliness. She knew she had Severus, but it wasn't the same. No more laughing with her friends, nagging them to do their homework…Oh Merlin! she mused their never gonna get their homework done! She knew that the plan was hers, yet now she really didn't want to go through with it.
Severus Snape, hearing his fiancé wake, looked towards her. When he saw the tears, he reached out and put his arms around her. "What's wrong love?" he asked, not knowing what could possibly upset her.
"I-I won't be able to see my friends!" she stammered…knowing that she sounded ridiculous.
"Well, you have me…" he started, but that only made her weep worse. He knew that Harry and Ron could never know, lest Voldemort get a hold of them, but he could not help but to feel sorry for her.
"Oh, don't worry about it," Hermione said, wiping her tears, "This was my idea in the first place, it's helping everyone, I'm being selfish…yes I am" she added when Severus began to protest,
"And you have a class to teach in tow hours!"
Shit! Severus though, I do, don't I…
Severus though,"I know, but I'll be back soon afterwards…" he told her as he moved to get into the shower.
"SHUT UT!" Professor Snape shouted at the Slytherins and Gryfindors who were entering his class room, all of them talking loudly. "This is NOT social hall, not SIT DOWN!" he had no idea hwy he was in such a bad mood, maybe it was because Hermione was miserable. All he knew was that he did not have the patience to deal with a bunch of chattering students.
"Now, if you are all done, we will be doing a forgetfulness potion today. The ingredients are listed on the board," he said pointing towards the black board and the chalk that had begun to write, " you will be expected to finish the potion by the end of class, no questions asked. NOW GET TO WORK!" Harry, glancing at Ron, saw that his best friend was in no mood to be yelled at. Red faced and spitting mad, he stood up.
"Weasley, what do you think you are doing?" Ron, however, said nothing and just walked out.
Snape, knowing the reasons for Ron's actions was forced to defend himself, "Twenty points from Gryfindor and thirty more for anyone who even thinks about following him."
With that, Harry now paired with Neville, as well as the rest of the class, began working on their potions.
When Snape was finished with his classes, he headed strait towards his rooms. He carried an arm full of homework for Hermione, and wondered how she could possibly manage to do all of it. When he returned, he found her reading by the fire.
"Your homework." he said, laying the books on the floor by her chair.
"You Mr. Weasley walked out on my class today." he stated.
"He didn't!" Hermione exclaimed, throwing her full attention to her fiancé.
"Yes, sadly I could not commend his bravery…I took twenty points from his house-"
"But that's not-" Hermione began and Snape had to smile. That girl would never change…
"And I added another fifty for your bravery."
"Oh," was all she could say.
As Lucius made his way towards his master's chambers, he sighed. I wonder if that Granger brat is dead…probably not, well the Dark Lord will take care of her…
"Enter!" Voldemort shouted and he saw the figure of Lucius emerge.
"What news on the girl?"
"I don't know." Lucius stated, fearing his words.
"What?" came Voldemort's voice. It was a voice that could make anyone cringe, and would have grown men begging on their knees.
"Severus used force and made us leave before we could complete the task. I think he's-"
"I know very well what you are thinking Lucius. I think it's time we called in our favorite Death Eater."