Disclaimer – (See prologue)
OMG, over 200 reviews! I love you guys! (Gives out all kinds of Harry Potter stuff)
I know what you mean about the chapters dragging, which is why this will be the chapter that will lead up to the battle. The actual battle will be in the next chapter, which will be the end of part 1.
I also forgot to mention that if Hermione goes back, she will be in her old body, it would be hard for her to explain why she suddenly aged four years!
Chapter 17Hermione woke up earlier than she normally did. She couldn't sleep at all last night. When she did drift off she woke up soon after. She was anxious to find a shielding spell for Ron and she only had one day to do it in. She spent most of the night going over in her head the books from the library that may be relevant.
Finally at six the next morning she gave up trying to sleep and pushed back her covers. She quickly showered and changed into a pair of jeans and a fitted top. When she got downstairs she found that no one was up yet, not even the Aurors. That suited her just fine. She was getting annoyed with them, following her around all the time.
She quickly wrote a note to her friends, telling them where she would be and left it on the table. She walked down to the Great Hall to find it almost empty. There were a few of the supporters seated around the hall. She spotted Severus up at the Head Table. He hadn't seen her but she didn't mind. The less people who saw her the better. She really didn't want to explain why she was there without Aurors surrounding her. She sat down at a table and picked up a slice of toast. She also had a cup of coffee to liven her up a little. She normally didn't drink it, but she didn't want the lack of sleep catching up with her. She had some serious researching to do and she couldn't afford to waste a minute of the day.
One day. That was all they had left to prepare, and prepare she would! She was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she didn't notice Severus sitting next to her.
"What are you doing up so early? Not to mention alone," he whispered into her ear, smirking when she jumped slightly.
She turned to face him, smiling slightly when she realised who it was. She hit his arm lightly and replied, "Don't scare me like that! I couldn't sleep last night. When I got up this morning no one else was up and I was hungry. I'm not exactly going to get jumped without their protection."
"You know it is just a precaution. Like Albus said, those supporters over there, he hasn't met every one of them. One or more of them could be a spy for the other side. We can't afford to have Potter killed before this war even starts. We also don't want his closest friends being harmed." He gave her a meaningful look.
"I understand, but I'm sick of being followed by them. They don't talk, just follow my every move. They even tried to follow me into the bathroom! It's just creepy."
"I know, but they are just doing their job. I'm sure they hate doing it, but it will only be for one more day."
"Thank goodness! I don't think I could put up with it any longer. What are you doing today?"
"Poppy needs more potions, so I'll be busy with them all day. What about you?"
"I'm going to try to find a strong shielding charm Ron can use. He'll need to cast it on the three of us, so he will need one that is strong, but one that won't drain his energy quickly."
"I don't think that would be possible. However, he is young and in good condition, so a shielding charm wouldn't effect his energy for at least an hour. If you want, I could find something to keep his energy levels up."
"Really? You don't have to, I mean, you will be busy with the other potions."
"If you remember, they all require a break in between them. I'll look for one then. I might even have one already made, but I'm not sure. I'll let you know if I am successful later tonight."
She smiled up at him. "Thank you, Severus."
He returned her smile, but it turned into a scowl when he noticed Harry, Ron, Ginny and the Aurors entering the hall. He looked back to her and whispered, "See you later," before standing up and walking back to the Head Table.
Her friends sat around her, the Aurors giving her an annoyed look. Ron spoke up.
"What did that git want, Mione?"
"Oh, he was just asking me why I was alone. He was just annoyed that there wasn't any Aurors with me."
Ron looked up at the Head Table and back at Hermione, an angry look on his face.
"What does he care? He doesn't even like us!"
Hermione was about to reply when Harry cut in.
"You know what he's like. He just wanted an excuse to have a go, right Mione?"
Hermione smiled at Harry, relieved and replied, "Yes he did. Just leave it Ron, ok?"
Ron sighed before returning to his normal self and piled his plate up with food.
"So why did you go off on your own, Mione?"
"I woke up early and you were all still sleeping. I was hungry and I didn't think it would cause so much panic."
"Well, if you hadn't left that note, we would have been worried. The Aurors were annoyed though."
Hermione laughed. "I really don't care, Gin. They are driving me crazy. I just wanted to go somewhere on my own for a bit."
"I know what you mean. I can't even go to the bathroom without them waiting outside the stalls for me!"
Hermione burst out laughing. "When they tried that with me, I just shouted at them. Now instead, they check the bathroom first and then wait outside the bathroom for me."
"Now why didn't I think of that?"
"Well, now you know for next time!"
Ginny laughed along with Hermione. They talked amongst themselves for a while longer, until Dumbledore interrupted everyone.
"As you all know, Lord Voldemort plans to attack the school sometime next week. Well, unfortunately, I have been informed that he has moved up the date," there were hushed whispers at this, "he has decided to attack tomorrow morning." At this there were panicked cries throughout the hall.
Hermione looked at Harry, who had a blank expression across his features. Dumbledore spoke on once everyone had calmed down. "I would advise everyone to spend this day wisely. Do not waste it. That is all." He sat back down and the hushed whispers continued through the hall once more. A few people looked towards Harry, sending him sympathetic glances, which he ignored.
"Are you ok, Harry?"
He looked up at Hermione and replied, "Of course. It had to happen sooner or later and I'm just glad it's sooner. I don't think I could wait for another week like this. It's been torture."
Hermione smiled at him. "Well, if you want, you can help me find a good shielding charm for Ron."
"Sure, we all will. You need all the help you can get."
"Thanks, Harry."
They set off for the library soon after and spent a good few hours looking through books Hermione suggested they find.
There were a few spells they could use but most of them were dark magic and others required blood. That was something Ron wasn't prepared to do and no one could blame him. They had asked all the professors for help and Madam Pince suggested a few from the restricted section.
They all set to work, skipping dinner – much to Ron's disappointment. They had finally found something. It was a hard spell, but it would last for hours. The only problem was that no one could pronounce the words. Hermione wrote them down and decided that Dumbledore might be able to help.
They made their way up to his office (the password was lemon drops). He was happy to help them with the pronunciation. He spoke the words and Ron repeated them, with Hermione jotting reminders down next to the actual words.
They practised the actual spell in the room of requirement. Ron failed the first couple of attempts, but as the day wore on he improved. He had finally managed to cast it around the three of them perfectly, and had the Aurors cast some hexes at them to see if Ron would be able to take it.
He lasted for a quite a while but they stopped, figuring it was best not to tire him out before tomorrow. They made their way down to dinner at six, all feeling better about their chances tomorrow. They ran into Severus in their journey to the Great Hall.
"Miss Granger, may I have a moment?"
She nodded and told them to go on without her.
"What is it?"
He pulled a couple of vials out from his robes and handed them to her.
"They are the strengthening potions I mentioned earlier. One vial should last for hours, but the extra one is just a precaution."
"Thanks, but what do I tell Ron? He doesn't know about us."
"Just tell him you brewed them the other day, but you forgot to pick them up."
"Ok, thanks again. You didn't have to."
"I would do anything to ensure your safety, Hermione."
She smiled and they both entered the Great Hall together.
She gave Ron the potion and they all bought her lie of how she made them. She thought Ron looked happier at the thought of being able to have more energy.
Later on, when everyone was asleep, Hermione was talking to Severus via parchment. They both couldn't sleep so they were confiding in each other.
'Promise me you will be careful tomorrow.'
'Hermione, I have already promised that!'
'Oh, sorry.'
'It's ok, I know how you feel….'
He appeared to have trailed off.
'Are you ok?'
It took a while but then he replied:
'I've been summoned again.'
Well, the next chapter will be the last one. I'll let you know the name of the follow up in an author's note. Until next time… review!