Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Bon Jovi.

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Chapter 46: One Wild Night

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Hermione finished her long braid and brushed it over her shoulders so it rested down the length of her back as she studied her appearance in the mirror. She wore black pants and a black long sleeved shirt covered with a pair of black robes supplied by Dumbledore. These robes were light, fitting and ideal for combat situations.

She moved quietly over to the couch preparing herself for the long night ahead. She pulled the combat boots Tonks had given her towards her and started the slow process of tying the laces. The door to the chambers opened and Sirius stepped in dressed in similar gear to Hermione

Hermione froze midway through tying her boots, just to stare at the creature that had just walked into the room.

"Wow," she said, taking in his appearance, Sirius was breathtakingly handsome practically twenty four seven but right now he made Hermione's heart flutter more than ever, black was definitely Sirius, black from head to toe, his shoulder length hair swept behind his ears.

Sirius grinned at her as she resumed her boot tying without taking her chocolate eyes off him, their silver mates trailing their way down the length of Hermione.

"Wow yourself," Sirius said with a large grin.

Hermione smiled and stood, boots firmly tied in place, and pirouetted for the dark haired wizard.

"Makes me consider doing this more often if I get to see you in that," he said, moving forward and placing his hands on her hips.

Hermione laughed, her brown eyes sparkling. "I'd rather not have you risk your life on a rescue mission, just to see me dressed like this."

"Good point," he said grinning giving her a kiss. "Remus is waiting for us in his chambers, I said we'll meet him there."

Hermione nodded and picked her wand up of the table before walking out of the room with Sirius and heading for Remus' chambers. It had been two weeks since Tonks had woken up and Kingsley had a lead on the whereabouts of Professor Snape. Dumbledore had assigned Hermione, Sirius and Remus to attempt a rescue.

They met Remus stepping out the door dressed in similar clothing as the couple, before gently closing it behind him.

"How's Tonks?" Sirius asked his friend, Tonks was staying in a spare room off the side of Remus' chambers while she recuperated from her injuries.

"She's fine, bored out of her mind, which isn't hard to achieve for her, but she's fine," the amber eyed wizard answered with a small smile.

Sirius nodded. "We should get going then, you ready?" he asked turning to Hermione.

Hermione gave the two a nervous smile. "As ready as I'll ever be."

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Hermione apparated to the designated spot in the middle of a dark wood, just outside the anit-apparating area, and heard two distinct pops a small distance away. She walked ten meters to the left and found Sirius and Remus meeting each other in a clearing.

"Fifty meters south Kingsley said there should be a trapdoor in the ground," Sirius started in a quiet whisper. "No matter what, we stick together Remus has the portkey to activate for when we find Snape, we need to try to get as far as we can undetected, Kingsley wasn't too sure on how many Death Eaters there will be."

Sirius nodded at the other two and started to head south, Hermione behind him, Remus bringing up the rear. The crescent moon shone a pale light on the overgrown bush as the group made their way quietly through the shrubs under the high canopy, a shallow layer of snow making none of its usual crisp sound under their enchanted boots. They stepped over a pile of square stones that appeared to be lined up in a row; Hermione glanced around the moonlit clearing and put two and two together, if Snape was here he was in the dungeons of a castle or fort long lost in the ancient histories of muggles and wizards alike.

Sirius held up a hand to stop and signalled Hermione and Remus to stay put. The next thing they saw was a sleek black canine slowly pick his way across the barren ground nose down, seeking his target. Padfoot stopped and sniffed eagerly in a single spot; Hermione and Remus looked at each other before checking the surroundings for any unwanted foes. The coast seemingly clear, the pair stood from their position and moved swiftly to the Animagus pawing at the ground. Remus brushed away the layer of cold snow and revealed, like Kingsley had said, a trapdoor bolted shut from the outside world, Sirius morphed back into his human form as Remus waved his wand.

"Alohomora," he said quietly, the padlock sprung free and the trio took one last look around the clearing before opening the door and slowly making their way down the narrow staircase, Remus took the lead now, Sirius left to close the heavy wooden door behind them.

The steps were thin and old, Remus checked each one before risking his weight on the rotting wood. The narrow passage was dim with the faint flicker of candles further towards the base, for the time being Remus trusted his eyesight in the poor lighting rather than risk using his wand, presently held tightly at his side.

As they neared the end of the passage Remus slowed and just listened, using his keen senses to pick up any danger. Not hearing any movement the sandy haired wizard poked his head around the corner and looked in each direction before pulling his head back into the darkness and turning to his companions.

"There's no one there," he said almost inaudibly.

"Left or right?" Sirius asked.

"We'll go left, I can smell more moisture that way, it'll lead deeper underground where it's colder and wetter." he said before adding with a solemn expression, "that's where they'll have Snape."

"Lets go then," Hermione urged, speaking for the first time since they left Hogwarts.

"Right," Remus said, stepping out cautiously into the corridor and heading to the left, Hermione right behind him, Sirius flanking the two.

A piercing scream from elsewhere in the dungeons rocked Hermione to the bone as it echoed off the damp walls.

"Lets find Snape shall we?" Sirius muttered. "The sooner we get out of this place the happier I'll be."

Hermione couldn't agree more but concentrated on keeping up with Remus' increased pace. Ten minutes of walking found the group at the top of another staircase, this one made of the same stone floors they had just been walking along.

"I guess we're going down," Sirius whispered looking behind him to check they didn't have a tail following them.

Remus started to walk slowly down the slippery stairs, his combat boots keeping a firm grip on the mossy stones. About thirty steps down a scent reached his senses causing him to stop suddenly.

"What is it?" Hermione asked raising her wand slightly more. "Death Eaters?"

Remus shook his head. "Blood," he muttered back, almost to himself than his companions. "Lots of blood."

Another piercing scream filled the dungeons once again, cutting into the deathly silence.

"Somehow I don't think were alone," Sirius whispered from behind Hermione. "Keep moving Remus, we need to find Snape and get out of here."

Remus nodded and kept moving, increasing the speed of his pace once again, Hermione and Sirius staying as close to him as possible. They reached the bottom of the stairs a few minutes later and Hermione shivered involuntarily at the sudden chill in the air, the water dripping down the walls the only sound to break the silence.

"This way," Remus instructed, speeding up his pace as he caught a familiar scent. They almost bypassed a dark room before Hermione caught a glimpse of a pale hand in the flickering candlelight of the corridor.

"In here," she said, spinning around and moving into the room. "Lumos" Hermione said, casting a lighting charm before gasping at the sight before her as another tortured scream arose from further away. Severus Snape lay in the back of a cell, face down and naked in a pool of blood.

"Oh my God," she whispered, moving across to the bars separating the group from the prisoner fighting back the gag reflex that crept up her throat as the smell reached her.

"Merlin," muttered Sirius taking in the sight Snape.

"Alohomora" Hermione muttered pointing her wand at the lock. Nothing happened.

"Professor Snape," she called through the bars, the still wizard didn't respond.

"He doesn't look like he's breathing," Remus said in a hushed voice as he resumed Hermione's attempt at unlocking the cell.

Sirius moved to the door to keep a look out for any Death Eaters as Hermione lay down on her stomach on the filthy floor and desperately tried to reach through the bars to grab the long slender fingers, all she needed was to get him close enough to include him in the portkey.

A loud alarm filled the dungeon and Sirius turned back to the others. "They're onto us. You best hurry with that Moony."

Sirius raised his wand as the first Death Eaters rounded the corner sending stunners at him. He sent back a few of his own before ducking back into the room, Remus stopped in his attempts to open the cell and stood by his friend to help fight. Moments later the room was filled with flashes of coloured light as the Death Eaters closed in on the group, Hermione still desperately trying to reach the Potions Master.

"REMUS," Sirius yelled over the din. "GET THE PORTKEY READY, I'LL TRY TO HOLD THEM OFF."

A loud explosion to the left rocked Hermione and she pulled her hands in to cover her head as a piece of stone hit her in the side, she cried out in pain and could vaguely feel the warmth of Sirius press over her as he protected her from the flying debris.

Sirius looked around, the door had caved in. They were safe for the time being while the Death Eaters picked their way through the rubble.

"We need that portkey Remus," he said getting to his feet, his friend, picking himself up off the ground where he'd been thrown.

"I'm getting there."

"Sirius help me," Hermione pleaded as she tried again to frantically reach the man in the cell, she pushed down the cold feeling that Snape hadn't moved the entire battle.

Sirius joined Hermione on the floor, spread along the rest of the length of the bars as he stretched his arm through, trying to grab hold of a pale hand. He felt his robes become moist and didn't realize until it caught his eye in the light that he was reaching through a very large pool of blood.

"GOT IT," Remus yelled as the Death Eaters broke through.

"NO!" Hermione shouted stretching her hand out in vain to the limp form. She was taking him back to Hogwarts, dead or alive.

"HERMIONE WE HAVE TO GO!" Sirius yelled standing up. "YOU CAN'T DO ANYMORE, IT'S TOO LATE"

He grabbed her other hand as red and blue spells were sent their way and placed it on the portkey, himself and Remus already each with a hand on it.

Hermione tried one last attempt at the body before she felt the bittersweet tug of the portkey returning her home.

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The group landed just outside of the hospital wing where Remus had set the portkey to take them. They were silent. Each knowing what they'd found, none wanting to voice the truth.

Hermione stared down at the hand that had tried to reach Snape. "I was so close," she whispered. Sirius looked at Hermione for the first time since they had arrived back at the castle, she had a hand on her side, the other, held out in front of her, covered in blood that wasn't hers.

"There was nothing you could do," Sirius said gently. "We need to get you checked out." He said, leading her into the ward, Remus going ahead to wake Madame Pomfrey.

Hermione felt the pounding of her heart as the blood rushed to her head, her vision blurred and the last thing she remembered was Sirius calling her name as he caught her in his arms.

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Hermione woke to two pools of silver looking back down on her.

"Sirius?" she asked quietly.

"Yeah," she felt him squeeze her hand and smile down at her.

"How long have I been out?"

"A couple of hours, I think Madame Pomfrey just put it down to exhaustion, but she hasn't spoken to me yet, she was waiting for you to wake up." He whispered, not wanting to disturb the students staying in the wing, the sky was still dark but dawn was poking its head around the corner, he reached up and brushed away a wayward curl and cupped her cheek. "You're going to give me a heart attack every time you faint, you know that?"

Hermione smiled, ready to point out that she had merely collapsed, not fainted, but Madame Pomfrey walked briskly into the petitioned room.

"Ahh, you're awake, how do you feel?"

"A little light headed, but I'm ok, can we go back to our chambers?" Hermione asked sitting up slowly, she was more than ready for a long hot bath.

The Matron nodded. "In a moment but I have some news for the both of you, I suggest Sirius, that you sit down."

Sirius eyed the nurse warily before sitting on the edge of Hermione's bed. Madame Pomfrey took a deep breath before turning to address Hermione.

"Were you aware, my dear, that you were two weeks pregnant?"

Hermione gasped before silence filled the air. A flash of joy passed through Sirius' grey eyes before realization of what Madame Pomfrey had said hit him. He reached out and pulled Hermione closer.

"I sincerely hope you that what you mean by 'was two weeks pregnant' is that we are now three weeks pregnant?" he asked, his voice catching in his throat as he waited for a reply.

Madame Pomfrey shook her head sadly, tears glistening in her eyes. "I'm sorry…"

Hermione let out a loud sob and buried herself in Sirius dirty robes as the tears fell. Sirius rocked her gently resting his cheek on her head as they both grieved for their unborn child.

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Sirius and Hermione made their way slowly back to their chambers as the morning light shone through the windows, Sirius' arm supported around her waist steadying her each time she blindly stumbled across the stone. Sirius was still dressed in the same clothes as the night but Hermione had a hospital gown on with her outer robes from the previous night wrapped loosely around her to keep her warm.

When they entered their chambers Sirius lead her to the bathroom where he sat her on the edge of the tub and turned on the water.

He knelt down in front of her and took her hands in his. "I love you," he whispered.

Hermione smiled at him sadly. "I love you too."

Sirius leaned forward and gave her a soft kiss. "Let's get you cleaned up huh?"

Hermione nodded and began to take off the dirty robes, trying to ignore the large amounts of blood that had soaked through them. Once the grimy robes and hospital gown were off Hermione stepped into shower to rinse off the red stains still on her skin, ignoring the trains of blood running down her legs. She let the warm water run down her hair to untangle her messy braid before Sirius helped her step into the welcome warm water of the bath.

The black haired wizard fumbled around the small bathroom cupboard for the lavender body wash Ginny had given Hermione for Christmas, he located the bottle and ignored the shaking of his hands and he pulled it out.

Hermione had layed down and had her head resting on the soft pillow at the end of the long bath. Sirius picked up and sponge and knelt down beside her again.

"Sit up love," he said quietly. "I'll get you cleaned up."

Hermione obliged and sat forward allowing Sirius to spread the soft soapy bubbles over her skin, ridding her of the reminders of the previous night. He worked on her back first before the sponge reached her tender side where she'd been hit by debris. Hermione winced and Sirius looked at the large bruise sadly before meeting Hermione's eyes.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

"Wh.." Sirius voice got caught and he cleared his throat. "What for?" he asked.

"For this," Hermione said looking down at her bruise.

"It's not your fault Hermione," he said as she avoided his eyes. "Look at me," he murmured gently lifting her chin. "I do not blame you, we didn't know ok, it's not your fault," he repeated.

Hermione nodded as tears pooled in her eyes again.

"I would give you a hug," Sirius said with a smile. "But you're all nice and clean and well…" Sirius indicated to the dirty robes he still wore, his sleeves rolled up to the elbow.

Hermione smiled slightly as Sirius leaned in and gave her a long soft kiss which soon became mingled with salty tears. When they broke, Sirius wiped her tears away and smiled at her as she took the sponge from his hands and begin to finish washing, giving the black haired wizard leave to rid himself of his own bloody robes. He deposited them in the ever growing pile of fabric and stepped into the shower, washing away the filth from his skin. There was no conversation between the pair, the silence of the room was deafening as no words could describe the shock they were in.

Hermione lay back down in the tub and closed her eyes, listening to the sound of Sirius' breathing as he stepped out of the shower stall and pulled on a pair of long pyjama pants.

A few minutes later Sirius knelt back down and dipped his fingers in the now cool water. He ran his finger tips along Hermione's hairline causing the witch to open her brown eyes.

"Lets get you dried off," he said, pulling her to her feet and wrapping her in a towel, knowing she was exhausted both mentally and physically Sirius used a drying charm before helping Hermione into her soft pyjamas. He braided her long hair again and led her back to the bedroom, the pair climbing exhaustedly into bed. Sirius held Hermione tight against him as she drifted off into a deep sleep.

"Love you,." Sirius whisperd. "So much," he kissed her temple as he felt himself relax and sleep overtake him.

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Sirius and Hermione had a few hours of undisturbed sleep mostly due to fatigue but after that they both tossed and turned restlessly for the remainder of the day. Sirius was getting ready to give up trying to sleep when he heard a knock at the door. He looked over to see Hermione awake and gave her a quick kiss.

"Wait here," Sirius said gently, climbing out of the bed.

Sirius walked to the front door just wanting the long night to be over, whoever was here could come back later; both he and Hermione needed to be alone.

Sirius wish however didn't seem to be coming true anytime soon as he opened the door and took in the sight of the bloody and bruised boy standing at the door. He barely managed to catch the student as he collapsed into his arms.

"Hermione!" Sirius called, and he struggled under the weight of the unconscious teen.