When Hermione was put gently down in a large chair in Albus Dumbledore's office, she was past caring what was going on. Professor McGonagall handed her a blanket and sat in the chair next to her, while Albus made them all cups of thick, steaming hot chocolate from some contraption he had next to his desk.
"Where's Harry?" Hermione asked, pulling the blanket more tightly around her. She suddenly felt freezing cold and was having difficulties stopping herself shivering and spilling her drink.
"He's sobering up under Madam Pomfrey's care," Minerva told Hermione, her tone disdainful. "We found him stumbling around the hallways, muttering to himself."
"But the sobering potion works almost instantly," Hermione said, confused as to why Harry wasn't here for her to cling to, and feeling slightly suspicious.
"Madam Pomfrey has decided to teach Harry a lesson," Albus said, with an amused half smile. "This version of the potion will leave him with his hangover, but works much more slowly."
Hermione winced on Harry's behalf. She was secretly glad she didn't have to deal with Harry's marriage proposal that night. Finding out Severus was still alive had been energy sapping enough for her, without trying to explain to Harry why she wasn't prepared to walk down the aisle with him.
"He was muttering something about marriage as Poppy bundled him away," Albus said with a grin. "Poppy was most worried that he may be proposing to her."
If only, Hermione thought, cringing.
"Sir, I have to tell you something," Hermione said, suddenly feeling more awake. "I saw Severus tonight. He's not dead, sir. Lucius has him and I think he is being forced to make Healing potions for the Death Eaters, for them to use during the battle. He's okay, but we've got to get him out of there, before something happens to him."
Hermione waited for a moment for the professors to react to the news. When neither of them did anything more than send her a sad smile, her face suddenly developed a glower worthy of Professor Snape himself.
"You knew," she said. It was a statement, not a question. "You knew, and yet you left me to believe he was dead."
Minerva gave Albus a pointed look that plainly said, 'I told you so.'
"I knew, yes," Albus said, sounding tired. "But as there is no way to rescue him, I thought I would spare you the waiting and the uncertainty. It was enough that you lost him once, what was the point in me letting you lose him again? There is no hope, Hermione. There is no way to get to him without shortening his life still further."
"But there must be a way for us to get into the Malfoy Manor," she said, incredulous that Albus would give up on Severus that easily. "Or we can send Aurors. I think it's got past it mattering if Severus' cover is blown."
Minerva gave Hermione a thoughtful look at her use of the Potions Professors first name. Hermione suddenly realized that Albus hadn't even confided in the deputy headmistress about her and Severus' situation and felt grateful to the old and understanding Wizard. Grateful, but still incredibly annoyed that he hadn't bothered to inform her of Severus' situation. It was Albus withholding information like this that got them all into trouble and Harry nearly killed on countless occasions.
I'd have thought he'd have bloody learnt by now, her annoyed and tired inner voice snarled.
"I have been through all the options with the members of the Order," Albus said, his kind eyes understanding but sad at the same time. "Lucius Malfoy has so many early warning devices that we have never managed to get anywhere near his house without being detected. Severus would be dead in minutes. As would he be if we ordered a search of his house."
"Why didn't you try to rescue him when he was here tonight?" Hermione asked, feeling a surge of anger and helplessness almost overwhelm her. Why weren't they doing something, anything to help Severus? There had to be something they could do.
"They were only detected a minute before they all left," Albus said, looking somewhat guilty.
"They could have killed us all in our beds," Hermione said in horror.
"The rest of the castle has many more early warning devices than Severus' chambers," Albus explained. "Severus needed to have less restrictions on his part of the Floo network, and they came through Severus' own house into the castle. Although I will admit that tonight has urged me to put up even more wards, and I will see to that after we have finished here."
"So that's it, is it? You're giving up?" Hermione asked, suddenly getting to her feet. She started frantically pacing and Albus watched with a small smile, remembering Hermione pacing in this exact way less than three months ago in Severus' own living room. If he'd known then what throwing those two together would cause, would he still have done it?
"We have covered every possibility, Hermione," Minerva said gently, feeling mildly dizzy at all the pacing.
"Unless there is something you can add that we haven't already thought of?" Albus said, quietly. "As I recall, you and your friends are very good at thinking outside the box."
"Severus was usually the man to plan these sorts of rescues," Minerva told Hermione, suddenly fighting back the tears. Hermione's agitation seemed to be infectious.
Hermione stopped mid-stride and stared at Minerva, a look of dawning realization on her face. Minerva half expected a comedy light bulb to pop up above Hermione's head.
"That charm, sir," she said, turning to Albus. "The one you used on Severus and I at the start of the term? The protection charm?"
Albus and Minerva both nodded, both of them realizing what Hermione was suggesting.
"Put it back on us. I could hear his thoughts. It might still work." Hermione looked at Albus, desperate for this to work, if only so she could talk to him and feel close to him again.
"That isn't a good idea, Hermione," Albus said, quietly. "Severus is no doubt being subjected to tortures such as the Cruciatus Curse. In your condition, subjecting yourself to such a link could harm your baby."
"There must be a way to change the spell somehow? To make it less physical and more mental."
"Or I could do it," Minerva said. "You could cast the charm on me. Then I could at least ask Severus if he wants us to try getting in to the Manor to save him, at the risk of ending his life."
"I'm afraid it wouldn't work, Minerva," Albus said, looking uncomfortable and amused all at the same time. "You and Severus do not share the same connection that Hermione and Severus do."
Minerva looked puzzled and Hermione looked nervous, guessing what might be coming.
"The protection charm goes by the name Protego Amor, which I am assuming renders everyone else at Hogwarts unable to use this incredibly inventive and useful charm."
"But Protego Amor means 'protect love'," Minerva said, looking puzzled. "Why is Hermione the only candidate for such a charm? I mean, I know Severus tolerates Miss Granger far better than most of his students, but I am sure that doesn't mean she's his life's love, or anything so ridiculous."
Hermione's eyes widened and Albus shot her a knowing look.
"I think you are taking the words too literally, Minerva. Severus and Hermione don't necessarily have to be in love for it to work. They just have to have shared the act of love itself. Which makes Hermione the only person in Hogwarts who this charm can be performed on. Unless there's something you haven't told us about Severus and yourself, Minerva?
At Albus' teasing grin, Minerva shot him a sour look. Then her eyes widened and she gaped at Hermione.
"Now Minerva, there are extenuating circumstances. Don't go overreacting and scaring Hermione any more than she's already been scared tonight." Albus gave Minerva a warning look.
"That would be difficult," Hermione said, faintly. This was all getting a bit much. All she wanted was to save Severus. They managed to rescue countless people from situations much worse than this – why couldn't they rescue Severus, who had done so much for the Wizarding world with no real recognition.
"You do not have to be in love for the charm to work," Albus was still saying. "However, when one or more of the people involved are experiencing strong feelings about the other, the spell is much stronger."
He shot Hermione another knowing look and added, "Usually the spell works just when one of the pair are in danger, but when there is real love involved, they are able to hear each other's thoughts, or feel what they are feeling, merely through being near each other. Or through something as small as merely thinking about each other."
Hermione's eyes widened again, remembering how she had heard Severus almost everywhere she had gone towards the end of being under the influence of the charm.
"Put the spell on us again, Albus," Hermione said, her voice determined. "Or put it on an object, so if Severus gets hurt, I can just remove the object to distance myself from him again."
"An interesting idea, Hermione," Albus said thoughtfully. "Depending on the object, the spell might just become amplified enough to connect you both, even over the huge distance separating you now."
"Miss Granger," Minerva said, finally finding her voice again. "I realise I am very much in the dark here, but is talking to Severus really worth risking your baby? You don't even know that it will help. Severus is a good man and does not deserve to die, but he has always known what risks his work has involved. It is not up to you to risk so much for him."
Hermione stopped pacing and dropped to her knees next to her Transfigurations Professor's chair. She looked Minerva in the eyes, holding her gaze.
"I want my child to know its father," Hermione said, her voice quiet, but determined. "And I want to give Severus a chance to love something that won't get taken away from him. He needs a second chance at life and this child could give him it."
Hermione got to her feet, oblivious to the warm smile Albus was giving her.
"Besides," she added, brightly. "It's my turn to save his life."
"Know its father…?" Minerva was still trying to digest what Hermione had told her, in her own roundabout way. "Oh my God."
Shooting Albus an almost amused smile, which she thought was amazing given all the strain she was under, Hermione met his eyes again.
"If you don't put that charm on Severus and I, I am going to find a way to do it myself," Hermione said, firmly.
Albus got to his feet and opened a small drawer in his desk.
"On the night that Severus came to me, after his mother and sister had been murdered," he said, addressing Hermione. "He left this with me for safe keeping."
He lifted his hand to show a deep red stone, surrounded by silver, hanging from a thin silver chain. Hermione looked at it, unable to take her eyes from it.
"That's… beautiful," she said, almost hypnotized by it.
"It belonged to Severus' mother," Albus explained. "Every man in the Snape family was to give it to the woman they loved, and it was fabled to bind them for eternity. Severus' mother refused to wear it, but always carried it with her. His father had betrayed her too many times for her to want to be bound to him."
Hermione nodded. She knew enough from both Harry and Severus to know that Severus' father hadn't been a nice man, to say the least.
"I will put the charm on this necklace," Albus said, placing the necklace in her hands and lifting his wand. "The stone will amplify the charm, hopefully enough for it to connect you both."
"I can't possibly wear this," Hermione said, shaking her head. This wasn't right.
"You are merely borrowing it, Hermione," Albus said, before he closed his eyes and began chanting words that Hermione could barely catch, let alone decipher.
Hermione felt her hands tingle and the stone in her hands grew warm, until she had trouble keeping hold of it. When Albus finally opened his eyes, he took the chain from Hermione's hands and stared at the stone in the center.
"You may be too far apart for this to work," he said, his voice grave. "Do not put too much hope into this, Hermione."
Both Albus and Minerva watched Hermione as Albus fastened the necklace around her neck. Immediately Hermione felt a shiver of power flow through her body.
Severus? Can you hear me?
Hermione reached out with her mind and her eyes widened in panic. She couldn't feel him. She couldn't hear him.
Severus?
She felt something far away and closed her eyes while she used her mind to grope for it. He was there, she knew he was.
"Severus?" she said out loud, panic in her voice. Albus and Minerva exchanged sad smiles.
"I didn't hold much hope, Hermione," Albus said, gently. "He is quite a long way away."
"There may still be a way we haven't thought of, Miss Granger," Minerva said, just as gently.
"No. I am not giving up on this," Hermione growled as she whirled around to glare at the two Professors. "I am going to talk to him and then I am going to get him back. Now for God sake, have a little faith and leave me alone for a minute."
Severus, I know you can hear me. Come on, help me prove Albus and Professor McGonagall wrong. Please.
Hermione? Severus' voice was faint, but she could still hear the confusion and disbelief in his voice.
Miss Granger to you, Hermione thought back to him, with a smile. You're still my professor.
Alas, Miss Granger, he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm and getting stronger, I do not think I'll be getting around to giving you your final grade.
Gallows humour, Hermione said with a fake cheerfulness to her voice. Joy.
There was silence for a few seconds and Hermione started to panic.
Severus?
I'm here, he answered, his tone almost shy. Are you… real?
Real? Hermione raised her eyebrow.
There's a chance that I may be imagining this. Your voice. You. It's dark and I can't see or hear anything. Sensory deprivation can do that to someone.
Not in that space of time, Hermione said, her eyes widening in pained sympathy. Besides, you were in your chambers not an hour ago. The darkness can't have got to you already.
It can when I've been in it nearly 24 hours a day, for a week, Severus said sounding more broken than she'd ever heard him before. We ran out of ingredient for the potions they wanted me to make, so I was locked up for a while as punishment. Because of course it is my fault that they don't have even the most basic…
Severus? Hermione interrupted him mid-rant. I'm real.
It's that infernal charm of Albus' isn't it? he asked, pulling a face, then wincing as it made the cuts on his face sting. You somehow convinced him to put it on us again?
From quite a distance with you, Hermione said. Got to admire the power of that man.
You can't save me, Hermione, he said, the voice in Hermione's mind quiet, but resigned. So please don't try.
That's what people keep saying, Hermione said back to him. And it's really starting to irritate me. I'm going to save you, if only to prove everyone else wrong.
That's my Hermione, Severus said, with a chuckle. Stubborn and brave to the end.
That's my Severus, Hermione said, mimicking him, trying to ignore the way her heart leapt when he'd called her his Hermione.
Thank you for letting me hear your voice again. Severus smiled a sad smile into the darkness. Now end this spell and get on with your life. You've got NEWTs to study for and I'll come back and haunt you if you don't get a top grade in Potions.
I am saving you. It's my turn.
Severus' laugh sent a warm feeling through Hermione's body. God, she loved him.
Hermione, it was truly a pleasure knowing you.
I'm not bloody leaving you alone to die, Hermione growled mentally. I am going to save you. Now if you could just think of some way for me to do that, I'd really be very grateful.
What do you think I've been spending all my time doing in here? Severus asked, his tone sarcastic. Crocheting bobble hats? Writing my memoirs? No, I've been thinking. For hours upon hours, apart from the times they have me slaving over hot cauldrons with shoddy materials to work with. There is no way to save me. Nothing that won't just get me killed quicker.
You seem to have a death-wish, Hermione pointed out. And it's irritating.
I'm irritating? Ten points from Gryffindor for being cheeky to a professor, Miss Granger.
You can't do that, Hermione protested. Can you?
At the answering chuckle, she opened her eyes and took in the expectant looks on Albus and Minerva's faces. They had been watching her face as she had 'talked' to Severus and Minerva was having to actually bite her tongue to keep from asking Hermione questions.
"What did he say?" Minerva asked, unable to help herself. "Is he alright?"
"Can he really take points from Gryffindor from where he is?" Hermione asked, looking hugely irritated.
Albus laughed and twinkled at Minerva.
"I think he's alright, Minerva," Albus said, smiling.
I am not bloody alright! Severus' voice snarled in her mind. She could almost see his scowl.
Hermione's eyes widened.
"Can you hear what they're saying?" she asked, out loud. Minerva and Albus raised their eyebrows in an almost identical fashion.
Yes. And you can tell Albus that I'm stuck in one of Malfoy's dungeon cells and it's cramped, dark, damp, uncomfortable and fucking freezing. I am most certainly not alright.
"Severus sends his love," Hermione said, giving her Headmaster a grin. "Now I'm going to go and get some sleep, then I'm going to work out a way to save Severus."
She walked out of Albus' office, after shooting both Albus and Minerva a smile.
"She's certainly in a better mood," Minerva said, quietly. "Let's hope they can put their minds together and find a way out of this mess for Severus. Merlin! I can't believe they've been sleeping together…"
Albus nodded and put his arm around Minerva's shoulders.
"Much like when we fell in love, don't you think Minerva?" Albus said, smiling. "I pretended I didn't want you, right up until the day you were going to marry that idiot."
"So I married a different idiot instead," she said, affectionately.
Albus twinkled at Minerva. "It will work out," he said, with confidence he mostly felt. "Their paths are mapped out for them and I don't see Severus not being around to see how his daughter grows up to be just as headstrong and powerful as her mother."
Minerva's eyes lit up. "It's a girl?"
Albus twinkled some more.
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Sorry it took so long – had a lot on my mind recently.
The next chapter is just waiting to be checked and should be online tomorrow and Chapter 29 is mostly written. Again, I'm really sorry for my disappearing act. x
