Chapter 14: Enter - the Dark Lord?

"What?" Hermione and Snape exclaimed in unison.

"You understand don't you," Dumbledore continued, "what your child will mean to our world? You must keep him safe. Not to mention the disastrous consequences you two will have if you are found out. No, best not arouse any suspicions until classes are well over."

Hermione and Snape looked at one another sadly but secretly agreed with the Headmaster.

"Besides, Hermione you have your N.E.W.T.S. to study for, and Severus, you have your to plan. Not mention this will be a prime opportunity to see if you can survive separation."

It was all too much. They had just broken through to each other, and now they were being asked to abstain from even the appearance of familiarity. Who knows what walls they would have rebuilt when semester was finally over.

Sybil's eyes rolled up, not that anyone noticed until she began to speak in a wheezy, gruff voice. "One and one shall mend a rift. One and one will part and drift. Two and two will make it known. Two and two will not be shown. Three and three the world will fear. Three and three will build a tier. Four and four our saving grace. Four and four no time or place." And then suddenly she was herself again, blinking as if woken from a restless sleep. "Terribly sorry," she said awkwardly, "did I dose off?"

Dumbledore smiled kindly at Sybil and shook his head. "Yes, my dear, but it's quite all right we know how exhausting divination is for you." She nodded appreciatively and then motioned to the door.

"Mr. Potter will be at your offices soon, Albus," she said mysteriously. "I expect you should be there." Dumbledore nodded and turned to the couple.

"You are expected to have detentions today so take tonight as your last. Take care you aren't discovered." With that he bid Sybil a gracious ado, kissing her hand and making her, if Sybil could be said to, blush.

As the party departed a beetle flew from the window, small, inconspicuous… but deadly.

Harry Potter approached the office of the headmaster cautiously, even after all this time.

But the kindly old voice still welcomed him, and he still entered.

"Yes, Mister Potter, what can I do for you." Dumbledore asked with a smile.

"I've had the dream again, headmaster, and my scar was hurting worse than ever." He sat and Dumbledore nodded. "Only this time… there… there was something new… disturbing even… makes me question the dream… I dreamt of Professor Snape."

"Well that's not unusual, Mister Potter," the Headmaster said kindly, "he's haunted your nocturnal activities often enough. Remember that dream you had about your NEWTS consisting of hanging over a cauldron and trying to add the right ingredients to trun it from disfigurement to water, but not having your wand and all the ingredients being in little pockets in your robes?"

"Not like this… this is rather embarrassing." Harry stumbled, trying to find the right words. "I dreamt that I had snuck into the dungeon to snog… someone… and he was already there, snogging someone else. "

Dumbledore had to fight back a giggle, and for him that was quite the feat.

"I'm sure it's relevant somehow," he said cryptically. "Did any other new things happen?"

"Ginny Weasly is now a part of the scenario," Harry whispered.

"Tell me everything, Harry, from the beginning. Leave out a word and I'll deny you any lemon drops." The Headmaster smiled, but his eyes didn't twinkle.

Harry began as he always did. "I'm in a bright room. All white and lit by something I can't really see. I have this feeling of freedom, of escape, and then suddenly everything becomes dark. It doesn't even fade into dark, it just… is. When my eyes adjust I see everyone, the Order. You, Professor Snape, Tonks, Lupin, just everyone. Snape's been found out and he's crying about something. Some horrible thing has happened. Ron is sitting on the floor in a defeated heap. And Hermione is huddles in the corner. She won't let anyone near her. Snape, of all people tries, but she just rounds on him, angrier with him then the lot of us. And now Ginny is between Ron and me."

She's standing over me with this sad smile as I sit there. She's bleeding badly and I feel like I'd give anything, everything if I could make her better, somehow. But she smiles, still, and says 'I'll be fine as long as we tell Ron'."

Dumbledore looked at Harry with wide eyes, but quickly regained his composure. "Am I correct, Mr. Potter, in assuming you and young Miss Weasly have developed a relationship?" Harry nodded. "And Ron doesn't know about it?" Again Harry nodded. "Harry I want you to make me a promise."

"Of course," Harry said.

"Don't tell Ron about your relationship until I give you the go ahead. Lie if you have to, but keep it hidden at all costs." Harry gawked.

"Professor, you don't know how hard it's been already, I don't know if I can do that."

"You promised, Harry." Dumbledore said sternly. "Until I say." Harry, at last and reluctantly, nodded.

Soon after he left, confused and scared.

"What are we going to do?" Hermione asked. "Six weeks without you… I don't think I'll live."

"Really, Miss Granger… You're being a hopeless romantic." Snape said teasingly. "You lived your life just fine before I came into it and you will live it when I am not in it." She sighed.

"And you won't miss me even a little bit?" She asked sadly.

"I imagine I will at some point," he replied only half teasing.

They retired to his quarters for the rest of the night, Hermione returning to her own bed with a made up story she and Severus had planned about her detention. He even took of 10 House points for good measure…. As much as it hurt her to admit it, it was the only convincing way.

She snuggled into her blankets that night both empty and full, both cold and warm. What had Sybil's prediction meant…. She just wasn't any good at puzzles. And so as she drifted off to sleep, her mind was filled with the best and the worst her thoughts had to offer.

It was dark, and cold, and brilliant. Young Malfoy had come here to pay his homage and give his news, and he had been very fortunate with each one. Yes, they might have a few years before the dark lord could launch a full out assault… but that didn't mean he couldn't mess with their lives now…

Disclaimers: I don't own them, I don't take credit for them, and I make no money off of them.

A/N

I thought I'd start getting into the different dimensions of this story. And I tried to make it longer for you. Don't get used to it now, I write what I can and post it right away so you at least get a little bit of a fix.