Disclaimer – (See prologue)

Wow, over 100 reviews, thank you all so much!

OMG, Angela Danton, you are completely right about the dates. I'm sorry about that, but I'm kinda crap with working the dates out and stuff! Well, I can't change it because I delete the chapters after I post them, sorry! God, I'm stupid! Thanks for pointing it out to me though.

DisFordiana77 – That's exactly how I imagine him, tall, dark and handsome! So you're not alone! Lol

Like I said before, I can't go into graphic details with Severus and Hermione, you can't write about what you haven't experienced!

Chapter 13

After lunch was over, the meeting was officially in progress. The table was cleared and any cheerfulness displayed earlier had disappeared, to be replaced by total seriousness.

Dumbledore was going over the basics of what to expect the next week.

"All of our supporters will be gathering at Hogwarts and I suggest that it will be a lot safer for all of you to stay there as of tomorrow. It will be much easier for everyone to get in some last minute practice at the castle. The wards are still up and the children are all at home for the holidays. However, it will be as crowded as ever, due to our supporters. Like I said yesterday, there are over one thousand of them from different countries. We also have the Aurors staying with us. I would like for everyone to be prepared for anything next week and use this remaining week wisely. I expect everyone at the castled tomorrow no later than ten a.m. Any questions?"

Everyone looked around the room expectantly. Harry timidly raised his hand. Dumbledore smiled at him, "Yes Mr Potter?"

"I was just thinking, sir. Can we trust all of these people? I mean, we don't know them. What if some of them are spies?"

"Well, I do know most of them. The ones I don't know are friends who have been asked to help. I'm not saying that they are all trustworthy, but I think it is too late to be worrying about such matters, I'm afraid."

"Where will we be staying? In our common rooms?"

"Yes. All the Aurors will be spread about the castle and the larger group of highly trained ones will be staying with you four. They have been ordered to keep an eye on you."

Harry seemed to tense at this and replied angrily, "I don't need to be watched like a child you know!"

Dumbledore raised a hand to calm him down. "Harry, in case you didn't notice, you are the only one capable of stopping Voldemort. You need to stay safe and I know you don't like it, but we can't take any chances. Besides, they are the best Aurors. I'm sure they won't mind giving you helpful tips."

Harry sighed in defeat, knowing it was useless to argue. Hermione felt bad for him. He looked so much older than he was. He hasn't had what you would call a relaxing, safe childhood. They were always in danger when they were at school. Everything must have finally taken its toll on Harry and it showed.

Hermione would be relieved when it was over. She just prayed that there would be a minimum of casualties on their side.

Dumbledore stood up, indicating that the meeting was over. Everyone filed out of the kitchen. Most of the occupants went to pack, so they wouldn't have to rush about the next morning.

When Hermione finished packing up her things she looked around the room to see if she had missed anything. She looked under the bed and found a discarded picture there. Frowning, she picked it up. It was very dusty and she guessed that she forgotten it when she left for university four years ago.

She wiped it clean and studied it. It was a picture of her, Harry and Ron on their graduation night. They smiled up at her and waved up at her. She smiled back, remembering the night perfectly. She laughed when she remembered Ron nearly making himself sick with the amount of food he consumed that night. She squinted when something in the background caught her eye. Severus was standing by one of the small tables. He had a slight smile on his face and he was looking at the back of the Hermione in the picture.

She sighed and placed it in her bag, before shrinking it down and placing it on her bedside cabinet.

She wished she were still a student, with only homework to worry about, instead of preparing for a war that was just under a week away.

She rose from her bed and wandered down the hall. Dumbledore stopped her, as she passed his room.

"Ah, Miss Granger! May I have a word?"

"Sure, what is it?"

He motioned for her to come in. He closed the door and turned to her.

"There is something I would like to ask you. You don't have to do it, but just hear me out first."

"Of course, sir."

"Well, you are the only one with experience in using a time turner, you see. If something should go drastically wrong next week, I would like you to take this and go back to four years ago."

"You mean, if Harry dies next week, you want me to go back to four years ago? Why not just go back to that start of the battle?"

"Because you can do so much more in another four years than in a few hours. You can choose to go down different paths and you can come up with a decent plan to help Harry live."

"But what if Harry lives, but someone else close to us dies? Can I still use it then? I mean, I can make sure Harry succeeds, but I could also save that person."

"If you feel the need to do so then, yes. But as long as you make sure Harry doesn't die the second time. This time turner is different from the one you have used. It will take you back four years and your past self will disappear, so you don't need to worry about bumping into your old self."

"I'll do it. But what happens if Harry doesn't win the second time?"

"Don't think about that. You will have four years to come up with a sufficient plan. You are a very bright witch. You won't fail, I have faith in you. When you do come up with a plan, just let me know. Thank you for agreeing to this Miss Granger."

"No problem, sir, I just hope it won't come down to using it."

He walked over to a drawer and pulled the time turner out. It was slightly larger than her old one, probably because this one goes back further. He handed it to her.

"Keep it with you at all times."

"I will, sir, thank you."

She turned around and made her way back to her original destination. Severus' room. She walked in to find him sitting on the edge of his bed, his head in his hands. She closed the door quietly.

"What's wrong?"

He turned to face her and tried to smile. "Nothing, love."

She frowned and walked over to him, sitting down next to him. "Liar, tell me. Please."

He sighed and took her hand. "Nothing ever gets past you, does it? I'm just worried. For the first time in my life, I have something to loose. It scares me."

She squeezed his hand reassuringly. "I'm not going anywhere. I promise you. Don't worry about me. Just worry about yourself. You're the one who is deceiving you-know-who."

"I know. I can't help but worry though. You'll be a main target next to Potter. Just be careful."

"I will be. Now stop this worrying, it won't do us any good. Have you finished packing?"

"Almost."

"Well, I'll leave you to finish."

She stood up to leave, when suddenly she was sprawled out on the bed with Severus on top of her grinning mischievously.

"I can think of much better things to do!"

She laughed at his actions as he leant down and captured her lips in a possessive kiss.

Another chapter done! I hope you like it, review! More cookies AND Severus dolls to anyone who does!