Breaking the News

Disclaimer: I don't freaking own it!

Author's Notes: I am sooo sorry it took so long to update. But, well, I hit a gigantic brick wall on this road- it's called Writer's Block. So I'm just going to start typing and hopefully it'll go somewhere. And if it doesn't I can certainly go back and redo it. Well, here we go!

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Just as they thought, Remus was absolutely thrilled. He told them that, of course, Hermione could no longer go anywhere without a member of the Order- an experienced member- accompanying her. She conceded and leaned back into Draco's arms. It feels good to know that I never have to see Him again... she thought.

"So who's going to take Hermione's place?" Harry asked.

"Nobody!" she cried vehemently, "Remus if you plan to make somebody else do this then I'm not backing down. I already told you all that I will not have anybody else go through that!"

"Yes, of course Hermione. I wouldn't dream of sending anyone else to the hands of that vile creature. Especially after seeing what it did to you," he said, looking down at the floor with sad eyes.

"Oh, I'm sorry Remus. It's not your fault. I knew what could happen, but I just didn't think it would. It's nobody's fault," she said, looking pointedly at Snape, who was looking entirely too tired lately. He had even been acting civil toward her in class and out.

"We know, but we can't help but feel responsible," Remus replied.

"Well, stop it," she said, sounding much like Molly Weasley, "I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself."

"No she's not," Harry said, grinning.

"But we are," Draco added, matching Harry's grin.

"Shut up!" Hermione said in a falsely reprimanding tone.

"I'll tell Voldemort that his... server... will no longer be with us," Snape said.

"Wait... won't he be terribly angry?" Hermione asked, and he nodded, "But- he might hurt you... and I don't want that."

"It's my duty as your protector and as spy," he said, "I have to."

Hermione sighed. Damn all men and their insufferable honor! Suddenly the door flew open and Dumbledore stormed in looking thoroughly- er... pissed.

"What is it, Albus?" Minerva asked.

"This... this... this STUPID ministry!" he bellowed, "They're demanding that Hermione be turned over to her remaining relatives!"

"Well, what's wrong with that?" Harry asked.

"They live in SPAIN!" Dumbledore replied, "She would no longer be able to attend Hogwarts!"

"Isn't there some other way?" Minerva asked.

"Well, one of the staff members would have to take over legal responsibility for her..." Dumbledore said, looking around the room.

"Well, I'll be most happy to do just that!" Minerva said, smiling brightly, "I've always wanted a daughter."

"I'm afraid that's impossible. I, myself, offered to adopt her. Fudge says that anyone over the age of forty is too old and therefore unfit to take over the obligations of a child," Dumbledore said bitterly.

Hermione sighed and looked around the room. Every member of Hogwarts staff was over forty!

"I'll adopt her," a masculine voice said and they all turned to it's source.

"Snape?" Harry and Ron both exclaimed before they could stop themselves.

"W- Severus? Are you feeling okay?" Minerva asked.

"Yes, I'm perfectly healthy," he said scathingly.

"If you're doing this because you think you're bound by honor or something, then don't," Hermione said, "The last thing I want is to cause someone else's unhappiness."

"And what of your happiness, Miss Granger? Are you to have none?" he asked.

"Well... others come before myself," she said, "Always."

"I assure you, Hermione," he said, stressing her name, "that nothing would make me happier."

Hermione felt the long held tears suddenly well up all at once and come spilling forth. She ran over to him, embracing him tightly, before turning and running from the room, leaving everybody stunned and thoroughly shocked.

"She gets a little... emotional..." Harry said.

"Yeah, like in fourth year when we stopped fighting and then she hugged us and called us stupid at the same time?" Ron laughed.

"We'd better go after her and calm her down," Draco said, and they, too, left.

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"Hermione! Wait!" Draco yelled and she halted.

"I'm going back to the room," she said.

"Well, we're coming too," Harry said.

"Yeah, we ran all the way here!" Ron said, breathlessly.

"Alright... I don't know why I did that..." she said, walking with them, "He probably thinks I'm a freak."

"No... just a little unstable," Draco said, chuckling, "Which, apparently, you've been since you got here."

Hermione laughed. These guys are great... I'm so glad I have them with me...

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"Milord, she is not coming back," Severus said, "I'm sure."

"Where is she?" Voldemort asked, seething with his anger.

"We do not know..." Severus replied.

"Well, FIND HER!!! Bring her to me!!!" he screamed, "First one to find her, gets her first."

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So? Wow... that came easier than I thought... lol. Voldemort is a little weird... okay maybe a lot! Well, Review as always! D'accord... a'bientot!