Chapter 22

Monday November 7

Hermione was whistling when she donned her pretty department robe in front of the mirror. She walked into Emma's room to prepare her to go. She leaned against the crib and looked at Emma saying,

"Good morning, mummy's precious. Guess what? I'm going back to work today, and you're coming with me. Nana Weasley has just the place for you!" Hermione said picking the baby up and cuddling her. Emma reflected Hermione's good mood by kicking her legs and waving her arms.

"And back to the dungeons I go," Severus declared from the doorway. "Kiss me woman, before you leave," Severus said seeing Hermione put Emma in her stroller.

"Certainly," Hermione said. They lost themselves to each others mouths until the sound of cooing and gurgling was heard.

"Ahh yes, I love the sounds my ladies make," Severus quipped scratching his goateed chin. "Please take care love, enjoy the day," Severus said.

"I will! Have fun with the dunderheads!" Hermione called out as she apparated with the stroller. Severus stepped through the floo and arrived at his former private chambers. It was time to go to breakfast. When he strolled through the side staff door, he was startled by an eruption of clapping and the shouts of,

"Congratulations Professor!" from the student body and staff.

"Many thanks," Severeus said taking a seat and a cup of coffee. "Dunderheads," he mumbled under his breath.

When Hermione had dropped Emma off at day care, she went to her department. Her return was greeted warmly with hugs and smiles.

"I have my lab partner back," Tim said.

"Any progress on that potion base?" Hermione asked. And on that note, everyone got to work. Hermione was surprised hours later to see that it was lunctime. She got a boxed lunch from the cafeteria and went to the day care. Three other witches were at a table eating. So far, Emma was the only baby there.

"Don't worry dear, we are slated to meet five clients today," Molly said. She was feeding Emma a bottle of breastmilk Hermione had pumped.

"Would you like me to feed her?" Hermione asked.

"No no dear, you eat. I love holding a baby again," Molly said. The week flew by and Hermione and Tim stammered in exitement Friday morning when they made a breakthrough on the protection potion base that eluded everyone for years. They triple-checked their findings and were bursting at the seams to announce the discovery at the department meeting.

At the meeting, Tim and Hermione were tapping their feet and grinning at each other until it was their turn. When it was, Tim said, "Hermione, you have the honors."

Hermione stood, held up a file and a vial of clear potion. "We did it. The base is a success," she stated.

Matthias stood up. "Hermione, are you sure?"

"Positive, here check for yourself."

Matthias stood, read the file then manipulated the potion in the vial. He looked to everyone then nodded. The group erupted in cheers and hoots. Some, like Hermione, were hopping up and down in celebration. At that point, Severus was looking through the door window, holding Emma, baffled at the sight before him.

A potions party? Severus wondered. He saw all fifteen department members laughing, clapping each other on the shoulders, cheering and looking like there was a party on. He had to see what was going on, so he walked through the doors to the happy group.

"Sev! Guess what?" she asked kissing him then taking Emma. "We did it! The potion base is a success!" she exclaimed. "Come and meet everyone!"

When the work day was over, the Snapes left the ministry and apparated back home.

"I hate to rain on your parade love, but Albus said there is an order meeting tonight," Severus said.

"Oh," she said with a sigh.

"I already contacted your parents and they would be happy to watch Emma while we attend," Severus assured her.

At just before seven p.m., Hermione tearfully said goodbye to Emma and the couple apparated back home.

"We have a little time before the meeting," Hermione said. "I need some cheering up," she suggested.

"And what can I do to cheer you up my dear?" Severus said unbuttoning her shirt.

Hermione did not answer but pushed him back onto the couch. She straddled him, kissed him then started suckling his neck. She unbuttoned his pants, pushed them down on his hips and stroked his hardening erection. He tore her shirt off, a button tagging him in the eye. She kissed the eye and lowered herself on to him. She groaned as she rode him slow and deep. Her head was back and her eyes were closed. Severus massaged her breasts and let Hermione work her magic, marveling at the sight of her losing herself. She leaned forward and grasped his shoulders, nails digging into his shoulders and impaled herself harder and faster repeatedly on him. Severus took hold of her hips and bucked up as he came with shout and shuddered and gasped as Hermione's orgasm over took her and she cried out as well and rode the climax out. They panted for a few minutes until Hermione looked at the clock and complained,

"Do we have to go?"

At the Order meeting, the proceedings of the last meeting were reviewed and a mission was announced. Severus and Hermione looked at each other.

"Miss Snape, Miss Malfoy, could you come here for a moment please?" Albus asked. He took the women into a small room adjoining the dining room. Severus, two aurors there and Tonks were called by Minerva to get their part of the mission.

Ten minutes later, Hermione and Ginny emerged from the room. Severus overheard Hermione say, "--I'll go as a blonde. And don't worry, you will have the cape."

For the safety of memebrs and mission secrecy, no one was told of each other's missions. They simply left for them. Hermione went back to Severus and kissed him.

"What do think of me as a blonde?" Hermione whispered in his ear.

"What?" Severus asked.

"You'll see. Be careful tonight, I love you," she said kissing him again. Draco was heard talking.

"Ginny, I don't like this, not at all." Draco declared.

"Draco, I'm not going to be in any action, if there even is any. I'll just be standing watch with Harry's invisibilty cape. I'll be careful, I promise," she said kissing him.

Two hours later, after chasing a wily deatheater around Britain, the group of Severus, two aurors known as "Brown" and "Timmons" and Tonks were crouching behind a short stone wall at the end of a small town.

"He should be here," Tonks whispered pointing to the two-story house. It looked somewhat run-down and and an occasional rowdy voice was heard.

"And what is here exactly?" Severus asked waving at the building.

"That, dear cousin, is a house of ill repute," Tonks said.

"A brothel? We've been chasing a deatheater for hours all over Britain to end up at a brothel?" Severus asked wryly.

Tonks transformed herself into a seedy looking prostitute and the aurors donned heavily tattered hooded robes. They handed Severus one.

"Keep your hood over your face as much as you can and keep your eyes and ears open," Tonks admonished. Severus rolled his eyes. How long had he done this?

The four entered the house. Some prostitutes were lounging around tables, some were at the bar and one of them started playing an old battered piano in the corner, badly in need of tuning.

"Whiskey," Severus growled to the barkeep who plopped down a dirty glass in front of him. He tossed a galleon on the bar. He heard a familiar tune from the piano and turned his head towards the sound. Peeking out from under the hood, he looked to the hooker. She had long blond hair, a skimpy red dress, too much lipstick but when he got to the eyes, he stopped breathing.

It cannot be! he thought incredulously.

The hooker looked at him and winked.

Hermione! In the name of all the.. /i Severus screamed to himself.

The "hooker" next to him put her hand on his arm. "She know's what she's doing Severus," Tonks said under her breath.

Severus left the bar and took a seat at a table where he could keep an eye out for the one they had been chasing and Hermione. She was playing the hooker part well. She flirted, winked and made suggestive gestures to the males in the room. Severus scowled when one of the men approached Hermione, tipped his hat and asked her a question.

"Honey, that ain't enough money," Hermione cackled demurely. The crowd laughed and Hermione rolled her eyes. Another hooded man walked in sat with his back to Severus. He sat for a minute, ordered a drink and looked at Hermione. He went to the piano, removed the hood to reveal the face of Henry Caulfield. Hermione faltered a bit on a chord she was playing then stopped when he got to the piano.

Calm yourself Hermione, it's almost over. He's the one we've been after. Severus thought, wishing Hermione could hear his thoughts. As if she could, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

Henry Caulfield said something and Hermione got up from the piano and the two went upstairs. Severus thought he saw a distortion in the air behind Hermione and Henry, and it occurred to him that it was someone under an invisiblity cloak. After ten minutes, Severus could wait no more.

Tonks the hooker sat down at the table and said softly, "We're about to move."

Severus and Tonks heard banging and yelling from upstairs and felt their medallions vibrate.

HERMIONE! he thought desperately.

Ten minutes earlier

Hermione saw Severus scowling as Henry Caulfield approach the piano. She took a deep breath when he got there.

"Might I have the pleasure of your company for a while?" Henry asked politely.

"I ain't cheap hun," Hermione said. She had never felt more ridiculous in her life. Or livid at the sight of the man standing before her.

Cleverest witch my ass! Hermione thought wryly.

"Of course. Will ten galleons suffice?" Henry asked. Hermione heard groans of dissapointment from the other hookers.

"My room is upstairs," Hermione said demurely. She looked one last time at Severus and turned to the stairs.

"Lead the way," Henry said with a wave of his hand.

She felt someone poke her arm and knew it was Ginny there under the invisiblity cloak.

In the room, Hermione stood by the bed and Henry sneered at her then cast a locking and silencing spell on the door.

"Sir, we won't be bothered, all that aint' needed," Hermione said.

"Oh it is I think," Henry said and crossed the room in a second and put a hand around Hermione's throat and pushed her hard against the wall.

"What kind of a fool do you take me for?" Henry snarled.

Uh oh. Hermione thought.

"Mrs. Snape, how many of you fools are in this fine establishment this evening?" Henry sneered loosening his grip but still pinning her against the wall.

"Enough, I assure you," Hermione growled, eyes glaring with hate. She kicked at him, getting him in the shin.

"Fiesty, aren't we?" Henry said. He reared back and landed a hard punch to her stomach. The room was spinning for Hermione as she tried to get her breath back. She winced as a stabbing pain shot through her side.

Damn, there goes a rib! she thought.

"The last time I was having fun with you, this time however," he slowly put his wand between her eyes, muttered a spell and she changed back into Hermione.

She didn't flinch or blink but kept looking straight at him. Suddenly the window flew open. Henry shut it with a wave of his wand.

"Now, where were we?" Henry said. "Afraid?"

"You wish. If you are going to do something, just shut up and do it, your insipid bantering is giving me a headache," Hermione growled.

His grip moved up to below her jawline. He whispered "diffindo" and Hermione felt her neck stinging. Henry let go and stepped back. Hermione put her hand to her throat.

He cut my throat! she thought before her knees gave out. She was lightheaded and was trying to press on her neck to stop the flow of blood. She felt very tired and put her head down, and drifted into unconsciousness. At that moment, Ginny appeared from under the cloak and screamed,

"EXPELLIARMUS" and Henry flew through the door, shattering it. From the hallway floor, he cast a stunning spell at Ginny as she tried to get to Hermione. It grazed Ginny's foot and she went down, dragging herself to Hermione. The aurors arrived and bound Henry, but the damage had been done. Severus and Tonks rushed into the room with wands out and Severus dropped his when he saw Hermione unconscious on the floor with her throat cut. He fell to his knees in shock. Ginny was beside her sobbing, using a sheet from the bed to try and stop the bleeding.

"Oh my God," Tonks exclaimed.

Tonks ran to her and cast a skin-closing charm on her throat to close up the gash. That action might save her life.

"Severus! Wake up! She's dying!" Tonks shouted at him. She grabbed the nearest object and threw it at him.

He was startled out of his shock. He knelt by Hermione and held her hand. All four of them apparated to St. Mungo's. Seconds later, some of the staff was surpised by the sudden appearance of three people grasping the hands of an unconsious woman. There was blood everywhere. One of them was Connie, Harry's fiancee.

"OMIGOD! What happened?" she shrieked kneeling beside her. "I just saw her last week!"

"We need to get her to the trauma room, NOW!" a doctor shouted while taking her vitals. A stretcher was wheeled to her and Severus placed her on it. His medallion was barely vibrating.

Hermione, hang on! he thought. Ginny was still on the floor sobbing for Hermione while Connie helped her to her feet.

Harry, Ron, Draco, Albus, and Arthur arrived at the trauma doors. Ginny was covered with Hermione's blood, sitting on a bench shivering. Draco heard a whimper behind him and saw Ginny.

"Ginny! What the hell? Are you hurt? Is the baby alright!" Draco exclaimed. He cast "scourgify" on Ginny.

They heard an urgent voice from the room shout, "Keep pumping it into her, her system is shutting down!"

"Where's Mione?' Ron asked worriedly. They all looked down to their medallions that had stopped vibrating.

"Hermione!" Harry yelled.

"We're losing her, hurry!" the doctor shouted.

Severus completely lost it at that point. "NOOOOO!" he screamed. He punched the wall then grabbed a chair and flung it down the hall. Albus and Harry were trying to restrain him. He shook lose of them snatched a rack of magazines and threw it too. Breathing heavily, he looked at them like a crazed man then slumped his shoulders, put his head down.

"I can't lose her, I won't make it," he said through a sob.

"You have Emma," Albus said gently. "And Hermione's not through yet."

Their medallions started to barely vibrate again.

"We got her back! More blood, now!" the doctor shouted.

"I was five seconds too late!" Ginny wailed.

"Gin, it's not your fault," Draco said wiping his eyes.

Severus and Albus were sitting in chairs that hd escaped his wrath. Albus was talking quietly to Severus who would occasionally nod his head. An hour later, the doctor emerged from the trauma room.

"She's in a mild coma, but she will live. I've never seen some one lose so much blood and live, remarkable," the doctor said.

He walked to Severus. "You can see her now, but try not to be alarmed at the various things you see attached to her. They are necessary at this point to keep her stable. She's in no pain. Hopefully her system will be operating on it's own soon, and we repaired her broken rib," the doctor assured him.

Severus trudged into the room where she was laying. There was a tube attached to her arm with blood replenishment potion hanging from a bag. There was a tube down her throat to help her breath. As before, her beautiful honey brown eyes were slightly open, fixed at a point on the ceiling. They had cleaned her up and you couldn't tell that anything was wrong with the exception of the bandage around her throat. Her feet twitched and her chest rose and sank suddenly. He held her hand and kissed her forehead.

Just hours earlier, she was celebrating at work. She was feeding and playing with Emma. We made love on the sofa like there was no tomorrow. he thought then looked up to the ceiling at the last thought. Like there was no tomorrow. If she's not in my life, there is no tomorrow. Severus thought. Then he felt very selfish and foolish.

There was Emma. Tomorrow lived through Emma. What would Hermione think if she knew I was thinking this? For shame Severus. She's hanging on for you, for Emma. Severus thought.

He heard frantic voices from outside. It was the Grangers and Molly. He gently put Hermione's hand down and went outside. Diane was holding Emma. He rushed to the baby and held her tight. The baby kicked and waved her arms as her dad cuddled her then went to a chair and sat down, talking softly to her and rocking her. That was too much for Ginny who started crying again. The doctor led the Grangers into the room to see Hermione. Diane wailed loudly. Henry Granger barged from the room marching to Albus and yelled,

"Why does this keep happening? She's only twenty one years old and has a baby for crying out loud! What is going on!" Henry snarled in Albus' face. Albus was not upset or taken back nor blinked an eye. He could certainly understand the Granger's anguish.

"If you calm yourself, I will tell you everything from the beginning," Albus said quietly. "I should have a long time ago, let's go for a walk. Mrs. Granger, you should hear this as well."

Diane had joined Severus and they were talking quietly. She got up and joined Albus and Henry and the three walked down the hall. No one knew the anguish that Albus was feeling; he blamed himself for the whole night. Yes, they had captured a top deatheater, but at what price? A precious wife and young mother was barely surviving. A half hour later, Albus returned with the Grangers.

"We know now. She does this so Emma can have a future," Henry said to Severus. Diane was still quietly surprised at what Albus had just told them.

"There's nothing more that can be done here tonight. Why don't you all go home," the doctor said. The others nodded and reluctantly walked away.

"Severus, we'll take Emma to your home and stay with her as long as you need. Stay here in case she wakes up," Diane said.

"The password for the front door is 'bookworm'," Severus told them before Albus apparated the Grangers away. He walked back into the trauma room where the nurses were preparing Hermione for the trip to the recovery ward. A few months ago when everyone saw Hermione wheeled from a room after having Emma, they again saw her wheeled from a room, this time clinging to life.