Chapter 5: The Mystery Man's Engagement Ring
Hermione sat at Severus' desk feeling much better knowing that he was going to be safe and somewhere she knew was safe for him. Hermione didn't want to leave his office but knew that she would. She had no clue as to what was happening on the floors above nor did she want to know. She did what she said she'd do; she'd help Severus and Draco a hiding place until it was time to fight the big battle. She was surprised that her mother actually agreed to risk having the danger into her house. She loved Harry, yes but she also loved Severus. She had to help them but had to choose one over the other. Hermione knew that Harry could hold his own even with Ginny, Ron, Neville and Luna. The only ones Severus had was Hermione and Draco, with the help of Dumbledore and her parents that was five people. Severus and Harry were both on the same side, even though Harry didn't believe it.
Severus…such a vile name yet sounds so sweet to come from her mouth. Hermione was in awe, he wanted to marry her and she said yes. She was so ecstatic that she was going to get married to Severus Snape. She just hoped her mother would approve of him. She would be Mrs. Severus Snape.
Eventually, Hermione fell asleep in the office chair, head rested against the large oak desk. She didn't know when everything would blow over nor did she care.
Hermione having quite a wonderful dream when she was awoken by a large pair of hands shaking her shoulders.
"Hermione, wake up! It's over, come on. Everyone's in the Hospital Wing." the redhead whispered.
"Mmmm……what did you say?" Hermione yawned, sitting straight and stretching her arms over her head.
"Everyone's up in the Hospital Wing and that it's over."
Ron and Hermione left the office and was walking to the Hospital Wing in silence when Hermione broke the silence. "Is Harry alright?"
"I don't know. He hadn't shown up at the Hospital Wing when I left for you." Ron said, opening the door for Hermione.
She looked around the Hospital to see Flitwick still lying down, and Neville was sitting up in a bed whilst Madam Pomfrey was trying to coax him to take a potion. Lupin, Tonks, and Ginny standing around another bed which was vacated by someone unnoticeable.
At the sound of the large doors closing everyone turned to Hermione. Ginny immediately ran to Hermione, throwing her arms around her. Hermione hugged back but stared at the lifeless form Lupin and Tonks were sitting by. Ginny noticed this and spoke. "Greyback attacked him. He'll never be the same again. Lupin was saying that he will not be a full werewolf but he will have some characteristics of one. Mum and Dad are on their way. I would suppose Flure is coming along too. What if she doesn't want to marry him now that he's…different. He will be so heartbroken. If you'll excuse me, I have to go find Harry and bring him back up here." With that, Ginny was out of the Hospital.
Hermione made her way into the chair next to Bill. Ron sat next to her and Lupin and Tonks were sitting opposite to them. "He will be alright, won't he?"
"Yeah, he'll be alright. He'll never look the same; he'll have all of those scars forever. I mean, yeah they'll fade a little but they'll always be there." Lupin explained. "I'm kind of envious actually. He will not transform. He will never have to go through the pain every month. He's lucky."
It wasn't long before Ginny had returned with Harry right behind her.
Hours went by and everyone was in and out of the Hospital Wing, checking on Bill. Fleur never turned away from him when finding out of his condition. Tonks practically confessed her undying love for Lupin and Mrs. Weasley and Fleur had kind of came up with a truce. Over all, it was a productive yet mournful night.
After Dumbledore's funeral, Hermione packed her trunk to go home. It was already decided that she, Harry and Ron were not going back to Hogwarts the next year, even if it did reopen. They would look for the rest of the horcruxes and destroy them. They would also visit Godric's Hollow beforehand. But first, they would have to attend Bill and Flure's wedding.
Hermione was sitting in the kitchen with Ginny. She had just been told by Ginny that Harry had broken it off with her. It was kind of disappointing but Hermione knew that Harry had a good reason to not be with Ginny.
"You know, Hermione, I think that you and Ron would be absolutely perfect for each other." Ginny stated.
"I…uh…I don't think that we would be right for each other. Sorry, but Ron's…it's just…well…"
"He's not mature enough for you. I understand. Just give him some time. He'll grow up someday."
"I can't wait forever for him. What if I find someone else, get married to them, have children with them, and then that 'someday' comes along? I'll already be with someone else! What if I'm already with someone else? What if I'm already engaged to someone?"
"You're engaged to someone?" a voice said from the kitchen doorway.
Hermione and Ginny turned to see Ron followed by Harry walk into the kitchen and sit across from the two girls.
"Who are you engaged to, 'Mione?" Harry asked, looking nervously over at Ron.
"Nobody. You were listening, weren't you?" Hermione asked, looking from Harry to Ron. They both nodded. "Ron, I'm sorry. I'm-"
"No need to explain, Hermione. I understand I'm not mature enough for you. You want somebody who's mature and smart enough for you. I'm obviously not in that category. But as your friend, I would like to know who he is." Ron explained, sounding a bit hurt.
"I told you guys that I'm not with anybody!" Hermione hissed defensively.
"Oh really? Then why are you wearing an expensive engagement ring?" Ginny asked, holding Hermione's left hand up to show the ring that Severus gave her. "Is there something that you'd like to tell us?"
"I cannot tell you who he is yet. Not yet. When the time is right, you all will know. I promise." Hermione said looking at her three friends.
"Fine. You don't have to tell us and we won't badger you about him." Ron spat sourly.
"Thank you. Err…I sent a letter to mum saying that I would be coming home for a bit later today. Is that alright?"
"Yeah, I think that before we do anything we should take a week long break. We've been through a lot and have a lot more coming ahead. So, we need to rest up."
"Good, I better get my trunk and go. I told mum that I would be home for dinner this evening."
After Hermione got her trunk, she stood in the living room of the Burrow and said her good byes to everyone and apparated home.
A/N: Thank you very much for the reviews. Sorry that I haven't updated lately. I've been quite busy moving my bedroom and I ended up packing all of my fan fic stuff in the bottom of my trunk and just got it all out today. Hope you like this chapter. I hate it but I'm hoping to get somewhere with this. Thank you again for the reviews. I'll try to review sooner. And for those who are reading my other story as well as this one, I'm working on another story although I will not get it posted until I'm done with DDWL. Thank ya bunches!
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