The Flight from Hell.
Chapter 1 – The Great Escape.
The sound of the battle raged in the grounds of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Both sides were taking heavy casualties and Dumbledore regrouped his troops during a lull in fighting to re-assign the roles of their fallen comrades to other Light Side fighters.
"Misses Granger, Weasley and Lovegood to the Castle, try to hold off the attackers. Fall back when necessary, this isn't a suicide mission" the Headmaster informed them.
"Yes Headmaster" Hermione, Ginny and Luna all ran towards the castle prepared to take a stand to protect their school.
The attack had finally come during breakfast on Monday. Professor Snape had managed to give his intelligence to the Headmaster of a date but not an exact time. Dumbledores Army were ready to defend with Harry Potter and the Weasley men by his side at the front. All 4th year and below students had either been sent home or to safe places in Wales as a precaution. This left students from years 5 through 7 who were prepared to defend Hogwarts from Voldemort.
The battle against Voldemort and his Death Eaters was an inevitable outcome after all the years of covert attacks and Ministry denial. The only Aurors present were Order of the Phoenix members and comrades they had managed to convince to take a stand with them. Many ex students still loyal to the Headmaster had also rallied to the side of the Order when called.
By the time the girls had made it to the front entrance of the castle the sound of the battle had restarted. The students that had remained inside gathered towards the girls to ask about the outside war. As trained DA members the three girls divided up the remaining students and organised three vantage points within the castle as part of their defence strategy.
Hermione's group hid in the hallway leading to the Headmaster's office under a dillusionment charm. When the Death Eaters breached their corridor the fearless Gryffindor screamed a battle cry then took off to lead the attackers towards her hidden comrades. As the first group of Death Eaters passed the students they were ambushed and brought down. Wands were confiscated and a teleportation spell used to transport captured prisoners to a makeshift jail facility in the Shrieking Shack.
Just when Hermione thought her group was secure a new wave of invasion came down the corridor. This time there were too many attackers to safely stop and Hermione found herself being chased by a large brute of a man who continuously fired off volley's of spells at her trying to bring her down. She stumbled rolling onto her back with a sprained ankle and watched the gloating Death Eater approach her chuckling maniacally.
"Got you now bitch, I'm gunna make you squeal" he reached for his belt and started to unbuckle his pants. Hermione scuttled backwards on her back propelling herself along the corridor with her good foot whilst looking desperately around for a means of escape.
The man leant over her as she tried to push him away. He panted heavily and slapped her face hard.
"Play nice bitch so we can both enjoy this" he hissed at her. His pants down around his knees she saw his cock pop out of its confines and went limp waiting for the inevitable.
"Good girl" he grinned kneeling over her and fumbling to undo her cargo pants so he could continue his humiliation of the fallen enemy.
Finding her last reserve of energy Hermione reared up her knee and cracked the man resoundingly in the crotch. He screamed and fell on top of her in a dead faint and the breath was knocked out of her lungs in a large whoosh.
"Get off me you filthy fucker" Hermione grunted as she tried to shove her assailant aside. Finally freeing herself she called her wand from across the corridor and slowly got to her feet. Testing the damaged ankle whilst leaning heavily against the wall she turned to see her fallen attacker with his wand trained on her and an evil glint in his eye.
"You're dead bitch" he hissed out from the floor as he cast the Crucio curse at her. Hermione screamed in pain as she was flung at the wall and knew there was more of that to come. Desperately she tried to scuttle away limping on her one good leg and wishing for a safe haven as she saw him regain his feet and start to amble after her clutching his crotch with one hand and his wand in the other.
Turning a corner just 10 paces ahead of her Death Eater pursuer she cried "Please save me castle, deliver me to safety – I'll do anything, anything!"
A door appeared and she grabbed the handle and flung herself inside before collapsing in pain as the darkness of oblivion swamped her senses.
& & & &
"Wake up Missy" a small hand tried to shake Hermione awake. "Please Missy, wake up" it pleaded.
Hermione groaned and was barely able to squint at the form beside her.
"Winky" she groaned.
"No Miss I is being Petal, I am not knowing Winky" the House Elf said.
Trying to move caused too much pain in her battered body and she groaned in agony.
"Is Severus here" she moaned.
The Elf looked at her for a moment trying to make up her mind before she replied "Petal will get Master Severus for missy." She clicked her fingers and disappeared with a pop. Hermione lapsed into unconsciousness once again.
& & & &
She felt hands exploring her. Gentle hands testing her pulse and holding her whilst the person listened to her breathing. Trying to open her eyes she groaned "Severus?"
The hands immediately released her and she felt alone. Once again she moaned his name "Severus."
"Yes, it's me. Stay calm I'll take you to the Hospital wing" a male voice told her. She recognised him, it was her hero, then darkness again.
& & & &
The Medi-witch ran her wand over the prone girl on the bed checking her with a range of diagnostic spells. She was dirty, disheveled and covered in blood. Her tests showed that not all the blood belonged to the girl. The Headmaster had been summonsed and while she awaited his arrival the Medi-witch undressed the girl and put her in a clean hospital gown casting a cleansing spell to take off as much filth as possible.
"Madame Pomfrey" huffed Albus Dumbledore as he entered the Hospital wing "Where is this girl that Mr. Snape has told me about?"
Poppy Pomfrey stepped back to allow the Headmaster to see the girl on the bed.
"I haven't finished all my diagnostic spells as yet Headmaster, she is still unconscious at present."
He looked at the girl lying so very still. She had short cropped brown hair with a hint of a wave and slightly tanned skin. Her face was bruised and her lip cut and swollen.
"Tell me what your tests have found Poppy" he asked in a concerned voice.
"Strained muscles, sprained wrist and ankle, bruising, cuts to the shoulders and back. Some fresh whip marks on her back and legs. Bruising to the neck that look like finger marks. She was splattered in blood and not all of it was hers. No identification papers. Some distinctive tattoos and body piercing."
"Tattoos Poppy?" Albus asked.
"Yes Albus, most unusual as well" she raised the gown slightly on the left buttock to show an inverted pentagram and three interlocked gold rings with the letters H R H one inside each ring.
"HRH" Albus commented "I wonder what that means"
"There's another one too." Poppy stated "Up here on her shoulder".
Albus helped Poppy roll Hermione onto her side and the gown was pulled aside to show a most colourful tattoo on her left shoulder blade.
"Oh my" Albus said in a surprised voice "I never" he touched her shoulder tracing the outline of the tattoo. Leaning closer he lowered his glasses to look at the detail of the design.
"It's a beautiful rendition, very well done" he commented aloud.
"Do you recognise it Headmaster" Poppy asked.
"Yes indeed I do my dear, it's a miniature of Godric Gryffindors sword."
& & & &
When classes finished for the day Severus Snape found himself again in the Hospital wing standing beside the bed of the mystery girl who seemed to know his name. She had been cleaned up and was sleeping peacefully on her back. Lying on the white sheets in a white gown he found her most beautiful and angelic. He reached out his hand and ran the back of his fingers down her cheek.
"We still don't know who she is" the voice of Poppy Pomfrey announced her presence.
Severus jerked back his hand as if burnt and spun to face the Medi-witch. "Madame, I didn't know you were here" he said in a surprised voice.
"Calm down Mr. Snape" Poppy soothed "She asked for you earlier." She looked at the sleeping girl and shook her head "No clues of her identity I'm afraid."
Severus found himself taking her hand in his. "She's wearing a wedding ring and a Medi-bracelet - did you check the bracelet?" he asked.
Poppy acted surprised "A Medi- bracelet, what's that?"
"A Muggle identity bracelet, it's worn by allergy sufferers or people with medical conditions." He lifted her wrist to show the other woman. "Her next-of-kin details are probably in there too"
A shocked sound came from Poppy at this missive "I've never seen one before, how do we open it" she tried to remove it from Hermione's wrist with little success.
"Don't try to pull it off, it's supposed to stay on no matter what happens" he took out his wand and pointed it at the bracelet "Reveal" he pronounced.
A scroll of parchment popped into the air and unrolled floating down onto the bed coming to rest on Hermione's stomach. Severus picked it up and scanned the information it contained.
"Hermione Jane Granger. DOB 19 September 1979. That's got to be an error" He commented.
"Let me see" Poppy asked. Severus handed her the parchment.
"Talking about errors, it gets worse. I think you'd better get the Headmaster Mr. Snape" Poppy's face had paled and she held the parchment to her chest protectively.
When Severus Snape left the hospital wing Poppy looked down at the sleeping girl "You're going to cause quite a stir my lass" she said with a wry smile "quite a stir indeed."
& & & &
Albus Dumbledore entered the Hospital wing after hearing about the discovery of the identity paper retrieved from their mystery girl's bracelet. They couldn't keep her in the school indefinitely as she needed to be reunited with her family and this was now possible.
Poppy silently handed the parchment to him. He looked at her over his glasses before reading the document.
"You said you don't know this girl Mr. Snape" he directed his question at Severus.
"No sir, I've never seen her before this morning"
"Are you absolutely sure my boy?" he asked.
Severus looked at Hermione intently, lifting her hand in his and gently caressing the back with his thumb. The gesture was not lost on the Headmaster and he looked sideways at the Medi-witch before returning his attention back to the Slytherin student.
"No Headmaster, I'm certain" he concluded carefully placing her hand back on the bed.
"Well" the Headmaster started "According to this document" he wafted the paper in the air "you are listed as her spouse and next of kin."
& & & &
It was not uncommon for Severus Snape to seek out solitude in the castle. He was a loner and preferred to keep it that way. Tonight he sat alone in the Astronomy Tower staring into the nothingness of space wondering exactly what was going on in the world. Who was Hermione Granger and why was he listed on her ID as her spouse?
If this was a joke then it was a cleverly planned one. She might not even be a witch, maybe she was a plant by someone who thought it would unnerve the unlikable Slytherin boy. He hoped it would all become clear when the girl regained consciousness. The strange thing was, he thought he wouldn't mind being her husband. There was a comforting feeling surrounding the idea, when he held her hand he felt part of something greater and no longer alone. Whoever she was he would protect her until she was reunited with her family, he felt certain that he should do this for her to repay her for the feelings he was having. For the first time in his life he felt needed by another person.
& & & &
Friday and Saturday came and went. Severus studied alone in the Library as Hermione slept alone in the Hospital wing. He visited her each evening and read aloud from one of his textbooks. Perhaps the sound of his voice would help her wake up. Occasionally the Headmaster would drop in or Madame Pomfrey would look in on her patient but otherwise Hermione and Severus were left alone together.
It was near curfew and Severus put his books away before rising and stretching out his body. "At least you're a quiet companion to read with" he quipped at the sleeping girl "I'll see you tomorrow Princess" he leant over and kissed her on the forehead before turning to leave. He didn't hear Poppy Pomfrey sigh as the door closed behind him.
Running her diagnostic checks over the girl again Poppy noted her bruising had faded and the scratches and cuts on her body had healed.
"You should be right by tomorrow" she told the sleeping figure "Then we'll find out who you are."
& & & &
Back in the Slytherin Common Room Severus had his evening shower before returning to his single room. Unlike other students he had been granted his own room so that he could pursue his potions experiments securely without the chance of others interrupting him. He enjoyed the solitude and the chance to have an area that was just for him. Sharing a room was something he had never really enjoyed and the opportunity to use the spare visitor's room was a rare delight.
He pulled on his plain blue pajamas and crawled into bed. The lights went out and he lay back and thought about the last week and how he felt about it all. Whoever Hermione Granger really was he felt an attachment to her and whenever he held her hand or kissed her forehead he felt a small rush of energy flow into his body.
Sighing he closed his eyes to settle into sleep. "Severus" he bolted upright and looked around the room bathed in moonlight.
"Who's there?" he asked the darkness. No answer came. Thinking it was a dream he lay back down and pulled the blankets up to his neck and stared up at the ceiling. Soon his eyes shut again and he drifted off into sleep.
When he awoke with a start it was early light and he noticed straight away the erection in his pants. Not that there was anything unusual about that, it was the dream that awoke him that was unusual. His first thoughts were of a succubus, the woman seduced him slowly and then told him how much she loved him. Touching his lips he could still feel the tingling of her kisses and his body was bathed in a light sheen of perspiration. When he was in 4th year one of the 7th year girls had had sex with him as a dare but this had been nothing like that. He felt different, alive and tingling all over. For a Monday it was a good start to the day and he smiled broadly as he got up to ready himself for breakfast.
& & & &
Remus Lupin was one of the Marauders of Hogwarts School. Although normally a quiet young man, Remus had made friends with James, Sirius and Peter on his first day at school. He didn't always approve of their hijinks but he often went along with their plans just to be part of the group.
He came downstairs from the boy's dorm and walked over to the lounge in front of the fireplace to await his friends. Generally they were late risers but giving them a few minutes before he went down to the Great Hall was one of his rituals.
There was someone asleep on the lounge. Moving closer he saw the someone was a girl in a plain black robe, she was lying on her back with her arm thrown up over her head having a rather pleasant sleep. He noticed the small smile raising the corners of her mouth.
Moving closer Remus decided it would be best if he woke her before the room was bombarded with noises when the younger students finally got up.
"Miss" he began "Miss wake up" he gently touched her shoulder and shook her. A strange feeling coursed through his body like he had been given a mild electric shock. Standing up he looked at his hands but didn't notice anything different. When he looked back down at the girl he noticed her eyes were open and she was regarding him cheerfully with a smile gracing her lips. Nice lips they were too. He couldn't help but smile back.
"Remus" she said, "how are you?" She then sat up and yawned heartily stretching her arms up over her head.
This threw him off guard and he stepped back. He certainly didn't recognise this girl but there was a strange déjà vu from the touch and her smile reminded him of someone.
"What?" she asked, looking at his surprised face. Her hands immediately flew to her hair and she smoothed down the short style "Do I look that scary?"
Hermione then offered him her hands "Help me up love and we'll get something to eat. I'm famished."
Remus continued to stare at the girl, but finally took her extended hands and helped her up from the lounge.
"How did you get in here" he asked, "Did McGonagall tell you the password?"
"No, I ran into Sir Nicholas and we both spoke to the portrait. It seems the castle recognises me even if everyone else is having a vagueness episode" she laughed and led Remus out of the room smoothing down her robe as she went. "So why are you staying in the dorms" she asked, "I expected to see Harry and Ron, not you."
Remus didn't know how to respond to this question. He didn't know this girl's name even though she seemed to know him. Whoever Harry and Ron were he wasn't sure, but maybe they were downstairs already. Perhaps she was a cousin he just didn't remember and his mother told her to find him when she came here. Too many questions for so early in the morning, coffee was needed before he went any further.
& & & &
The rest of the walk down to the Great Hall was relatively quiet. Hermione walked with Remus and had her hand resting in the crook of his arm. Her touch was soothing and he felt relaxed and at ease in her company. They walked into the Great Hall and Hermione looked around, first up at the teachers table and then over at the Slytherin table. There were three people at the table eating quietly and she steered Remus over towards them.
"No" he said stopping only when he noticed where they were heading "That's the Slytherin table."
At this pronouncement the three people looked up at them and one of them smiled slightly at her.
"Severus" she said, "Look, I'm up!"
"So I see" he replied whilst eyeing Remus. "I see you've also made a friend."
He rose from the table and walked over to the couple. Hermione released Remus' arm and extended her hand to Severus. He took it and kissed her knuckles.
"I see you've met our mystery girl Lupin?" he said. "This is Hermione Granger."
"Ah" Remus replied "I feel that I should have known her name but somehow it slipped my mind."
Hermione looked from Remus to Severus and back again. She couldn't understand why they were treating each other in such a standoffish manner. "What's wrong with you two" she asked, "You're not acting like friends."
"What" they both said in unison looking disgusted at the suggestion they should be friends.
Hermione laughed and grabbed both boys pulling them bodily towards her. With one arm around Severus' waist and the other around Remus' she formed a conduit and her memories of the Remus and Severus from her time flowed out of her and into the two boys. She smiled at them both and was very pleased when a minute later Severus smiled at Remus.
Remus smiled back and offered him his hand in friendship. The handshake turned into a manly hug and back slap which was observed by the faculty members that had just arrived for breakfast along with a good proportion of the Gryffindor and Slytherin 7th year students.
"Is that your mystery girl Albus" Minerva McGonagall asked "is she cursing everyone?"
"I'm not too sure my dear, but now that she's up I think we'll have to take her in for questioning" Albus replied.
"You'd better do something before we have a love-in on our hands" added Horace Slughorn.
The rest of the faculty nodded in agreeance. "I've heard of the Lion lying down with the Lamb, but surely not with a Snake Minerva" Albus whispered.
Just as the faculty was turning to head to their table Lucius Malfoy strode in for his breakfast. He observed the chummy way Severus and Remus were talking and decided to intervene "What the fuck's going on here" he hissed at Severus whilst simultaneously knocking Remus off balance and into the wall. He grabbed Hermione by the arm and pulled her into his chest.
"Hello doll, I'm Lucius" he purred.
Severus attempted to intervene and rescue his new friend but before he could Lucius had disappeared with a small pop.
"Lucius!" Narcissa Black said looking around the hall "Lucius stop playing games!" She strode up to Hermione "What did you do with my boyfriend?"
Hermione looked at the young Narcissa Black and placed her open palm on her cheek. Narcissa went rigid and her eyes unfocussed. After a minute she blinked and smiled at Hermione and said one word "Draco."
"Yes" Hermione replied as she bent down and scooped up a large white ferret putting it in Narcissa's arms.
Narcissa idly stroked the ferret's head as she watched Hermione and Severus help Remus up off the floor. She put him inside her jumper and sat down to her meal. Lucius the ferret popped his head out and helped himself to a piece of toast off of her plate. "Good boy" she crooned.
& & & &
When the students rose to go to their classes The Headmaster intervened and asked Hermione to stay behind. Severus and Remus both waved goodbye to her and went their respective ways.
"It's time we worked out what exactly you are doing here my dear" Albus said as he examined her face, "Your bruises and cuts have healed well I see."
"Yes Headmaster, I feel quite well today. Thank you" Hermione replied. She noticed Professor McGonagall looking at her and said "How are you today Professor?"
"Quite well my dear" Minerva said "Will you please accompany The Headmaster and I up to his office?"
"Of course Professor, I'm as eager as I'm sure you are to find out what happened to me."