AN: Sorry for the delay! I'm back in action with this fic and am thinking of writing another. gasp I do hope to be nicer to Hermione in the new one though...maybe.... :D
Disclaimer: Me no own. JK Rowling own all.
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Last Chapter: (Snape) "According to this and my sources, you are carrying 'it'"
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Hermione felt like she had been momentarily knocked speechless by Snape's conviction and began to come to terms with what he was saying.
"But it doesn't mention me at all. So how did they know...?"
"This isn't the entire prophecy, Miss Granger. I happened to hear the last bit. The first part must make a mention of you and the father," Snape said, then slipped the parchment back up his sleeve.
Dumbledore, having been strangely quiet through Hermione and Snape's exchange, flexed his fingers in front of him. He quietly regarded both before finally speaking.
"How did Voldemort come across this information?" His light eyes fixing upon Snape.
The Potion's Master turned slightly ashen. "Do you remember the young witch, Megan Hollowell? She was kidnapped about a year ago."
Hermione's eyes widened at the name. She had been in the Order meeting called to discuss Megan's kidnapping. Most agreed that Voldemort had taken her in order to keep an eye on her. Some speculated that he was waiting for her to make her third and final prophecy. Hermione recalled that the whispers around the table were discussing her first two, one of hope and one of despair. The last promised to offer both.
A sigh escaped Dumbledore's lips. "Yes, we feared Voldemort had taken her for her ability to tell the future. This prophecy is hers then?"
"I found out too late that the Dark Lord had her imprisoned, waiting for the last prediction. From other DeathEaters, I discovered that it was September 2nd that she finally prophesied. After three more days of questioning, Megan Hollowell was disposed of."
An even darker cloud settled down upon the Hospital Wing at such news. The same sadden expression reflected on all three's faces, though Snape looked much more in control of his emotions. A loud rap on the door broke the brief quiet, which Madam Pomfrey, having been sitting off to the side, quickly jumped up to answer.
In walked a man with sandy brown hair and shining gray eyes, who surveyed the strange gathering with a mixture of confusion, excitement, and even worry. He quickly greeted and hugged Madam Pomfrey before nearly running over to the bed with its curtains slightly drawn.
Snape snarled as Remus Lupin stood next to him, reminding Hermione of a dog regarding an intruder. She felt a brimming happiness at seeing her old DADA professor. His robes still appeared worse for the wear, but he looked less haggard, most likely due to Snape's steady improvement of the Wolfsbane potion. Remus also seemed to be having a hard time standing still and not rushing to Hermione.
"You're early, Remus. I wasn't expecting you for another fifteen minutes," Dumbledore said, deciding to ignore Snape's behavior.
"The vampires in Wales weren't as hard to convince as in Scotland. We got done earlier than anticipated," Lupin replied, his eyes fixed on Hermione. They revealed his thrill at seeing her and the underlying anxiety.
He quickly diverted his attention to the woman in the bed, sitting on the downy mattress beside her. "Hermione, where have you been? What's happened?"
Hermione opened her mouth to respond, but found she couldn't bring herself to say anything. Like a fish, her mouth hung open slightly as she continued to stare at his face, full of concern and worry. She felt herself begin to shake and tears over came her again. A rough, warm hand grabbed hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
"Dumbledore, what's going on?" Remus asked softly, his hand still holding Hermione's quivering one.
"It's a quite a long story, Lupin," Snape said.
"I wasn't asking you, was I?" Remus shot back. He gave Snape a stare even the other man could have been proud of if it hadn't been directed at him.
"This isn't the time," Dumbledore voice came calm over Hermione's hiccups. "Remus, I need you to take Miss Granger under Order protection. She cannot stay at Hogwarts under the current circumstances. It could prove dangerous for her and the other students."
Hermione was now resting her head against Remus' shoulder, still sniffling slightly. His hand patted her back in a comforting manner, while he whispered soothingly. She felt her breathing slow down and quietly thanked Remus in her thoughts. Yet Hermione could still feel her heart begin racing as she thought of leaving Hogwarts and the questions that were soon to be asked.
"What did he do to her?" he whispered, as if hoping she wouldn't be able to her him.
"He impregnated her, Lupin, if you really want to get down to it," Snape spat.
"That is enough, Severus! Please, leave me to deal with Miss Granger and Remus, alone," Dumbledore said. His eyes flashed behind his half-moon glasses and they gazed icily at Snape as he left in a huff of billowing robes, throwing glares back at them.
Instead of being repulsed as Hermione predicted he would be, Remus only grasped Hermione tighter. She finally let herself relax for the first time since she had awakened, in her former professor's strong, safe hug. He hadn't turned her away. Hermione breathed easier as she felt the acceptance, she never thought would come.
"Now," Dumbledore continued, "Voldemort did as Snape said. I fear he will come back for Hermione. That's why I need you take her some place safe."
"But, Albus...why--?"
"I'm sorry, Remus, but we don't have the time for questions. I have a folder here concerning the matters and when Miss Granger feels the time is right, she will also fill you in."
"Headmaster..." Remus tried again.
Dumbledore held up a hand. "Voldemort is planning as we speak. Hermione needs to be hidden as soon as possible. Do you know of a place where both of you could hide until she can give birth?"
Hermione felt her mouth go dry at the mention of giving birth. People had always regarded her as a strong woman, but she felt herself give a shudder in Remus' hold at the thought.
The movement was not lost on the werewolf, and he glanced down in concern, before answering, "My parents' house has been vacant for years and is in a Muggle town. I doubt that would be the first place he would look."
"Good, very good." Dumbledore clapped his hands and a plain manila folder appeared in one hand while a small black bag in the other.
Remus untangled a hand from Hermione to take the folder. He eyed the bag with a sense of dread. His werewolf senses did not like whatever was in it. Gently he pushed Hermione up off of him, looking into her red eyes, "How about living with old Lupin for a bit?"
She bit her lip, before slowing nodding in agreement. Hermione braved a strained smile, "Sure."
Looking a little too happy for the occasion, Dumbledore rubbed his hand together, smiling down on them. "Well that's all set then. Now Miss Granger, you're luggage will be coming later on tonight when we have the time to gather everything. Remus, more information will be coming your way tonight, also. Keep your eyes open."
Slightly confused at those words, Remus clutched the folder and nodded. This had to be one of the more cryptic missions he ever had to do. Keep your eyes open? Looking over at Hermione's tear streaked face, he felt a strange mix of relief and rage.
Remus had been one of the many looking for her and hope had disappeared after five weeks. Now here she sat, back with them. Yet not the same. A growl came up at the thought of Voldemort. Sick bastard. Remus would make him pay.
Dumbledore beckoned them to stand. Remus slid off the white sheets and put out a hand to help steady Hermione. She swung her legs over, feeling them begin to throb with pain. Wincing slightly, she put pressure on them and stood. Hermione swayed, immediately thankful that Lupin had a hand out to keep her up.
"Now, since the Floo network is no longer in service, you will have to travel by Disappearing Dust. I'm going to throw it over you and Remus; you'll need to concentrate on your parents' home. Miss Granger, it's just best that you hold tight to him and keep your mind blank. Don't need you two splitting up."
The same thought ran through Remus and Hermione's mind. Wasn't Disappearing Dust outlawed? As if reading their thoughts, Dumbledore said, "It's my special version of it, no need to fear." With that encouraging statement, he scooped a bit of black, sparkly powder from the bag and threw it into the air.