Disclaimer – (See prologue)

Well, I don't really have anything to say, except for thank you all for the reviews! Well, let's get on with the story!

Chapter 15

As soon as Harry, Ginny, Hermione and Ron fell out of the fireplace and into Dumbledore's office they were flanked by at least ten Aurors. They really were taking all of this seriously and for the first time Hermione realised just how serious their situation was. Nerves found their way into her stomach when she thought about how little time they had left.

Dumbledore was sitting at his desk, the ever present twinkle in his eyes had dimmed somewhat. He greeted each of them and he warned them all not to venture outside the castle. He sent them to their old common room to unpack when all the order members showed up. Hermione knew they had things to talk about, mainly about what they had to do next week. Well, she needed to sort out some form of defence with her friends.

They walked up to their room, the Aurors surrounding them as they walked. In a way, Hermione was glad they were there. She felt safer, even though she was capable of taking care of herself, but she doubted she would be able to take on twenty death eaters alone. She wasn't that arrogant.

They made it into the common room, the password given by one of the Aurors. The room was the same as it always had been. It felt so familiar, like home. Hermione smiled. Yes she was home, but for how long? She immediately frowned at this thought. She looked at her friends who had placed themselves in front of the fire. She couldn't stand the thought of loosing them. There had to be a way for all of them to escape next week's battle unscathed.

She sat herself down in her favourite chair by the fire. Ron seemed excited to have the whole common room to themselves.

"Just think, we could even have our own bathroom on a different floor. Knowing them," Ron motioned to the Aurors, who were checking the rooms, "they would probably sleep in the first two dorms, you know so if anyone breaks in, they'd be the first to hear."

Harry smiled at Ron. Ron was so caught up in his daydream that he didn't notice Ginny sliding closer to harry, placing her head on his shoulder. Hermione noticed the couple and sighed. She missed Severus already. She wished she could see him. But how would she manage to get there without being accompanied by Aurors.

"Guys, I'm going to unpack, is anyone coming?"

Ginny nodded and stood up. Hermione looked at the boys.

"What about you two? Are you going to unpack?"

Harry sighed and stood up. "Might as well, are you coming Ron?"

Ron stood up and the two went off to find a room. Ginny and Hermione went up to the fifth floor.

Hermione took out her trunk and returned it to its normal size. It didn't take long for her to unpack. The last item she took out was the time turner. She couldn't wear it yet, so she placed it in a drawer, hiding it from view. She sat on her bed and waited for Ginny to finish.

When Ginny finished she turned to Hermione.

"Are you alright? You've been really quiet."

Hermione forced a smile and replied, "I'm fine, Gin, just worried you know?"

"Yeah, I know, me too. I'll be helping Madame Pomfrey and I'm not sure if I can cope with all the injured at once."

"You will be ok. I think we need a plan, you know, something to help us."

"I know, we should talk about it later, when we've settled in more."

"You're right. I'll talk with them tonight, after dinner. I'll think of something, I hope."

"You always do, Mione. I'm sure whatever you think of will work out fine."

"Thanks. Let's go back into the common room and see if dynamic duo have finished unpacking!"

Ginny giggled and followed Hermione downstairs where they found Harry and Ron playing a game of chess. The Aurors were in a group in the corner of the room keeping watch over them. Hermione sighed in annoyance. If this is what it's going to be like for the rest of the week then she would go crazy.

Ron had beaten Harry and was now playing against Ginny. Harry and Hermione laughed at how serious Ron was while he played.

"Harry, do you mind if we all had a talk later?"

"What about?"

"Next week," she replied but quickly carried on when she saw his face, "I mean, we need to sort out a strategy. Something that will keep us all safe. What do you think?"

He seemed to think for a minute before replying, "I think it would be best if we talked. At least that way we will have a clearer idea of what we can do."

Hermione smiled. "Thanks, Harry. I know how you must feel about this, but I don't think I'll ever be able to understand."

"I wouldn't want anyone to understand. It's difficult to explain but I can't wait until next week. If I win or loose, I will find peace. But I'll also loose either way. Killing him won't bring my parents back, but if I die, I'll never see Ginny again. Does that make sense?"

"Yeah. I do. But don't think about it like that. If you kill him, you avenge your parent's death and you'll be with Ginny. Try not to think of it in a negative way."

"I can't help it, Mione. Maybe when it's over, I'll understand it better."

"You will have us to help you understand, you know that?"

"Yeah, thanks Mione," Harry replied, smiling slightly at her.

They looked over at Ginny and Ron. Ginny was loosing, badly, and Ron was not giving her any mercy. When he finally won he sat back with a smug grin. Ginny was so frustrated with him that she picked up a broken chess piece and threw it at him.

"OW! You are such a sore looser, Ginny!"

"And you are so annoying when you win!"

"Hey, I can't help it if I'm good at the game!"

"Come on, guys, stop fighting," Harry tried to calm them down. But the two Weasleys didn't listen. They were looking at each other, both angry.

Hermione stood up. "Come one you two! It's only a game. There is no reason for you two to be so childish!"

Knowing Ginny hated being called childish she sighed and turned to Ron and said a forced, "Sorry."

Ron shrugged. "It's alright."

There was silence for a while which was broken when Ron's stomach growled loudly. He looked over to the group of Aurors.

"Oi, is it time for dinner yet?"

One of them checked their watch and then nodded. They all stood up and clambered out the portrait hole. They made their way down to the Great Hall, guarded by a wall of Aurors.

Hermione hoped Severus would be there. Even if she couldn't talk to him, it would be nice to see him.

They entered the Great Hall to find everyone already there. One long one had replaced the four tables. They sat down and to Hermione's delight, she sat next to Severus. She felt his hand grasp hers under the table and gave it a quick squeeze before letting it go.

Hermione looked around in confusion. "Professor Dumbledore, where are our supporters? Shouldn't they be here by now?"

Dumbledore smiled kindly at her and replied, "I'm afraid they couldn't make it. Their transport was delayed. They should be here tomorrow evening."

"Oh."

Soon everyone was eating and talking to each other. Hermione took the time to sneak a glance at Severus, only to find him looking at her. She smiled at him and she saw the corners of his mouth twitch upwards slightly. She looked around to find that everyone was in a conversation and her friends were further down the table from her, with three Aurors separating her from Ginny.

She decided to take a chance and turned back to Severus.

"I've missed you," she whispered.

He looked around quickly before replying, "Me too, I didn't realise how hard it would be."

"I know. It's like I know I can't see you, so it makes me want to see you all the more."

He laughed quietly. "Will you try to find a way to see me tonight? I'll understand if you can't make it. It is risky, after all."

"I'll try, but I can't guarantee anything. The Aurors are watching our every move. But I will find a way to communicate with you tonight. I'll let you know what I find tomorrow."

"Ok. Do you still have your Head Girl chambers?"

"I think I could. Why?"

"You can use the floo in there."

Hermione smiled. "Oh. Well, I'll have a look later on. If I don't see you tonight, it just means that I couldn't get out."

"I know, and I'm not getting my hopes up."

His hand grabbed hers again and this time he didn't let go, until it was time for everyone to go back to their rooms.

Well, that's all I could think of for now. It will only be a couple more chapters, then this part will be finished. I'll probably wait a day until I post the next part. I'll let you all know what it will be called in the last chapter. Well, review, please.