The 'dark shadowy figure' was not totally random. He/She/It will make an appearance in this chapter. Also, I suppose I could try to write erm...sex scenes... but that would mean I would have to read the 'M' fics and I would not be writing from experience or anything. If adult stuff is what you were looking for in this story, sorry, not gonna happen.
Also: Katherine...you were completely right! How irresponsable and idiotic of me to forget. I went back and changed that sentence in the first chapter, now it should make sense.
The rest of their day continued in cuddling, kissing and post-coital activities. By four o'clock, Hermione finally tore herself from the bed. "I'll take a shower and then I should head upstairs, I completely forgot that Dumbledore wanted to speak with me this morning." She pecked Severus on the lips and cleaned herself up in the shower. Looking over her naked body in the mirror, she was appalled at the number of love bites that he had left on her. Each one made her blush another shade deeper, and she put a concealing charm on those that were visible when she wore clothes. Of course there were others...Severus marked his territory, and did it well.
Finally she reached the Headmaster's office. Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, Harry and Ron were all seated around the large desk. "Ah, Miss Granger, thank you for gracing us with your presence. It is only four o'clock," Dumbledore's eyes sparkled as he teased Hermione. "Where have you...and Severus been all this time?"
"I was rather tired, and I overslept," Hermione knew it was a feeble excuse but she hoped it was believable. "I could hardly sleep and did not shut my eyes until eight or so this morning. Severus should be here any second." She prayed the meeting would not last long, as the concealing charm would only work for about two hours.
Surely, within thirty seconds of Hermione's arrival, Severus swept in. The two barely acknowledged each other. They had decided that now was not the best time to inform the world of recent events, there were much more important matters to deal with. Hermione recounted her story of the past day's happenings, and Dumbledore sat pensively for a moment before stating:
"I believe that you did the right thing in getting her out of there Severus. I'm proud of you my boy. But Hermione is not safe for long. She has about thirty-six to forty-eight hours until the cloning spell wears off. What are we going to do then? It far, far too risky to sneak her back into the Death Eater's headquarters to perform another spell..."
"Well, we could hide Hermione here," Ron suggested, not able to look Hermione in the eyes. He had suspicions as to what had happened with her and Snape...
"No," Harry immediately disagreed. "Voldemort and his lot know that this is the first place Hermione would go to. They'd come here right away."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled and everyone knew that he had a plan. "Actually Harry...if they came here, we would be on our own territory therefore having an advantage."
Professor McGonagall looked shocked at Dumbledore's idea. "B-but that would mean that h-he would come here" she stammered.
Severus looked at the woman like she was a bumbling idiot – which she was momentarily. He was standing in the corner, not in close proximity to Hermione (very contrary to where he really wanted to be). He rolled his eyes and snapped, "Obviously Minerva. But the point is we will be expecting them. Although we only have two days, we can prepare ourselves I do believe. Most of the Death Eaters are not as nimble as they used to be, and they are lacking youth recruits. If we had some well-trained, young Aurors or even graduates who are willing to volunteer, we might stand a chance."
After
another hour or so of talking, a plan was formed. Within the next
twenty-four hours, Severus would return to visit Hermione II to make
sure that everything was functioning properly. Beginning immediately,
Dumbledore would summon every able-
bodied witch or wizard on the
good side. The six of them said their goodbyes and parted ways.
Severus was heading to the Death Eater's cave immediately while
Hermione returned to his chambers.
Upon entering the dark rooms, Hermione noticed something was strange. There was an acutely feminine smell in the air, like a cheap flowery perfume. She certainly did not wear such a tactless scent. So why did Severus's chambers suddenly smell so much of it? She drew her wand out of her pocket and tiptoed around the sitting room, looking for anything that was out of place. The disgusting smell grew stronger as she approached the dining area. Suddenly she saw it – a bright red robe peeking out from behind the door that led to the bathroom. Her heart leaped into her throat – why was someone, a woman no doubt, here in Severus's chambers? What if some Death Eater had discovered that she was missing?
Silently she approached the door. Obviously whoever it was had not noticed her presence, for there was no movement from that spot. Finally, just a hair's width from the door, Hermione pushed it open. The sight that she was greeted with scared the living hell out of her.
The crimson robed clothed a slightly haggard (yet still beautiful) Septima Brass. Her shiny black hair was tangled and her robes were wrinkled. She had dark circles under her eyes, but Septima still radiated super-model beauty, at age 35. Hermione gasped as the other woman looked up at her. "You're not Severus," Septima hissed. And pounced.
As the two women rolled around Severus's hardwood floors Septima spat, "You bitch! I have been here since last night! I saw you with him!" She punched Hermione's nose, causing it to bleed.
Hermione rolled on top of Septima, straddling her stomach. A strong punch to the jaw was accompanied with. "Why are you here?" She continued to pound Septima's face.
Finally, Septima pushed Hermione of off her and stood up. "I want Severus," she blurted, gasping for breath. "I sat there last night, listening to you two all night long. You make me sick, you Mudblood filth with your dirty paws all over Severus. I am going to kill you now and he will be mine, all mine!" She drew her wand and began, "Avada Ke–"
"Expelliarmus!" The shout rang loud and clear throughout the chambers. As the wand flew out of Septima's hand, both women turned. A glowering Severus was standing at the entrance to the dining room. "Accio wand," he snarled, eyes shining with fury. Septima's wand floated gracefully into his hand.
Septima and Hermione were a sorry sight. Both sported multiple bruises and scrapes on their faces, while Hermione's nose was still bleeding and Septima had a split lip. Severus gave both women a once-over before he growled, "Septima. Get out now, and I am ever forced to lay eyes on a disgrace such as yourself again, I wish you luck in the afterlife." He threw her wand at her, and she Disapparated immediately.
He turned to Hermione. "What happened here? I came back from the cave to find you two rolling on the floor punching the living daylights out of each other!"
Hermione swiped blood from her face with her sleeve. "I came back here and she was hiding behind a door. I confronted her and she attacked me! She said I stole you from her and tried to kill me!" The sheer horror of realizing how close to death she just was mad Hermione break down and cry. Severus quickly moved to hold her in his arms, letting her sob on his shoulder. "Why me?" she whimpered. "Why is it so bloody important that I die one way or another?" It broke his heart that he could not answer her desperate question.
A few minutes later when Hermione had cleaned herself up and regained her composure, they set off to find Dumbledore to discuss Severus's visit to the cave. Upon finding the man, Severus explained his discoveries. "The clone has been treated as expected, she has many lesions and bruises, but as horrid as it may seem, that is a good thing. It means that nobody suspects anything is amiss with her. I gave her a strengthening spell, so I bought us two more days. Albus, if you can complete your part our plan should go off without a hitch."
Long into the night, the planning and searching continued. Albus managed to find seventy-six witches and wizards available to fight. Hermione and Severus began brewing potions and all that was left to do was wait for Voldemort's Death Eaters to storm the castle.
A/N: I watched the Chamber of Secrets on ABC last night, and it showed behind the scenes footage and interviews for the Goblet of Fire. It made me super excited to see it in November, looks to be another spectacular movie!
