A/N: Ahoy mates! I can't wait to see Pirates of the Caribbean 2, oh man! Yarr, you scurvy dogs.
Oh yeah, this chapter's so long because it will be the final one. Unless I do a little epilogue, this is it folks! It's been fun.
DISCLAIMER! I am not JKR. She is good at writing. You've seen mine. Just do the comparison, and you will see that this is nothing compared to that. Except I didn't really like book 6, it was like reading an extra-long FanFiction gone terribly, terribly wrong.
XII
"Professor McGonagall!" Ron yelled up the stairs even as he, Ginny and Harry raced up them. They skidded to a halt in front of her desk where they found Remus waiting with her for them talking to Albus Dumbledore's portrait. He turned to them and exclaimed,
"Hello lads! And Ginny, too. Find out the whereabouts of Hermione?"
"She's with Snape at Malfoy's cottage in some forest. I have a picture of it in my head, and the closest point we can Apparate to. Unless you can do a Portkey there, that's all we have." Ron said, breathless from running up the stairs and shouting.
"I suppose it's a good thing Albus taught me to do a bit of Legilimency. He said it might come in handy sometime in the course of being the Headmistress of this school," said McGonagall.
"I could probably pry Nymphadora away from Molly long enough to create a Portkey. That would be best, I think, especially if Hermione is in no shape to Apparate," mused Remus, "I'll go right now." With that, he tossed some Floo powder into the fireplace and called out The Burrow.
Professor McGonagall lifted a heavy bowl out of a cabinet and set it on her desk.
"Mr. Weasley, perhaps we should put the memory into a Pensieve. That would make it much easier for Miss Tonks to access, and would save you an invasion into your mind," Professor McGonagall supplied.
Ron shuffled his feet. "I've never put a memory into a Pensieve before, can you teach me?"
"Certainly. You simply concentrate on the memory, touch your wand to your temple, and it should be a silver thread on the tip of your wand, which you deposit into the Pensieve. After Miss Tonks views it, you will of course be able to retrieve it."
Alright, that seems simple enough… Ron concentrated hard then touched his wand to his temple. A silvery wriggling thread was on the end of his wand when he drew it away from his head, and he put it into the Pensieve. A few moments later, Tonks and Remus came out of the fireplace.
"I hear you need the services of an Auror," Tonks said cheerfully, "Something about a Portkey to go save Hermione, right?"
"The location is in the Pensieve in front of you, Tonks. We mustn't lose any time if we are to rescue Hermione. Severus may not be loyal to Voldemort, but he may be forced to do something unspeakable to her on His orders."
"I'm gone," said Tonks, sticking her hand into the Pensieve. She took it out moments later, and shook her head. "I wish I could go, but I know you all would jump me for even trying."
McGonagall sent her a questioning look and Tonks slapped Remus on the back of the head. "You seemed pretty proud of it at the Weasley's! Well, Minerva m'dear, I am pregnant, and this loveable idiot of a werewolf is going to be a daddy."
"That's wonderful! I'm so happy for you two." Professor McGonagall's face lit up with a smile. "Perhaps we should have a cup of tea while the rest are off to retrieve Hermione."
"Wicked! No offence, Weasleys, but your mum was driving me crazy. Though I'm sure her advice is all awesome, as all her kids turned out great," said Tonks.
"All but Percy," Ron muttered, and Tonks whacked him on the back of the head.
"Hey you, just because he's working for the Ministry doesn't mean he's a complete prat. I'll have you know that the only reason I can make this Portkey is that I work for the Ministry. I'm an Auror, remember? And we learn how to make Portkeys in training. If you don't register them with the Ministry, technically they are illegal but I can wiggle my way out of it by telling them I used it to get to Hermione. And if they don't buy it, they fire me, which is fine by me, since I'm going to be raising a kid. I would like to see his or her first birthday, after all," she said. "Plus, I've talked to Percy a few times around the Ministry. He's getting married to Penelope Clearwater, did you know that? He only took the promotion from Fudge so he could make more money, because Penelope's parents wouldn't let him marry her if he couldn't support her. I guess that didn't come up around the dinner table before you guys all deserted him, eh? He really misses you all, I can tell. He was just doing what he believed in, and now that there is overwhelming evidence to show how stupid Fudge was, I'm pretty sure he can see he was wrong. Maybe you should talk to him."
The whole room was silent after that. Tonks added,
"I'd appreciate you not telling your mother I knew that and didn't tell her. She would yell at me until she turned blue."
Ron and Ginny looked at each other and nodded. Yeah, not only would she yell at Tonks, she'd probably kill the messenger, thought Ron. Everyone else nodded too.
"So, time for that Portkey! Shouldn't we get some sort of back-up, or will this lot be alright?" Tonks asked.
"Could you possibly get Arthur, and ask Molly to come to tea with us? I promise I won't mention anything about Percy, and we three can talk Order business to keep off the baby topic," asked Professor McGonagall.
"I'll just make the Portkey. Remus, go on."
He rolled his eyes and simply said, "Yes dear." That reminds me of Dad, thought Ron.
Tonks pointed her wand at a scrap of parchment on McGonagall's desk and with a little wave of her wand she said, "Portus." The parchment glowed briefly then returned to its innocuous appearance.
"I wonder what would happen if you tried to use two Portkeys at once?" Harry asked.
"I imagine it would be similar to splinching when you Apparate. I would advise against trying to find out," said Professor McGonagall.
"Just wondering."
Dad, Remus and Mum stepped out of the Floo at that moment.
"Hello Arthur and Molly! It has been quite some time since I've seen you," called Dumbledore from his portrait. The two newcomers stared at his portrait, apparently speechless.
"Arthur, before you go please know this: Severus had to do what he did, and I made sure he did. It was part of an Unbreakable Vow. I will tell you more upon your return, or one of the fine gentlemen you are travelling with will relate the facts to you. I tell you this so that you do not attack Severus should you run into him at the cottage where Hermione is being held." Dumbledore said, and then made a shooing motion with his hand. "There is no time to lose, hurry now."
Everyone but Mum, Professor McGonagall and Tonks grabbed the Portkey. Ron felt a tugging behind his navel, and suddenly they landed in Malfoy's front hallway with a loud thud from all the bodies hitting the floor.
Hold on Hermione, I'm coming! I love you, please be ok…
• • •
Severus heard a loud thump come from somewhere downstairs. Damn! I sincerely hope that isn't a Death Eater. Or anyone coming to seek vengeance for Dumbledore's death, Severus thought worriedly. I suppose I could go check, she's quieted down. He smoothed the hair on her forehead and shifted her to lie down in the bed. She didn't stir and Severus let out the breath he had been holding. Impulsively, he smoothed the curls on her face away and kissed her forehead. He gripped his wand tightly as he started towards the door. He stopped just before he opened the door and Disillusioned himself. It isn't that effective, but it's better than nothing. Unless Greyback is here, then he'll catch my scent. At that he shuddered, put a Silencing spell on his feet and left the room.
He crept down the hall and got to the stairs. He looked down them to see a motley collection of people standing in the hallway. Oh hell. Arthur Weasley, Remus Lupin, Ginny Weasley, Ronald Weasley, and Harry Bloody Potter were all standing there attempting to organize themselves. Lupin stopped mid-sentence, turned to look directly at him and said,
"Someone's on the stairs. Alright, whoever you are, show yourself, or I will hex you." He took a step forward, sniffed again then asked, "Is that you Severus?"
Severus sighed then removed the charm.
"I assume you're all out for my blood. Go ahead, dismember me. Albus deserves his revenge. I offer no defence; just get it over with relatively quickly."
They all looked rather confused.
"As tempting as that is, that's not actually what we're here for. Where's Hermione?" Potter asked. The werewolf rolled his eyes and said,
"Dumbledore told us about the Vow, and that he actually wanted you to do it. There's no need for such dramatics, Severus."
He told them? Of course, his portrait is now hanging in Minerva's office, Severus thought. He nodded his head in the direction of the stairs and said,
"If you will follow me, I'll lead you to Miss Granger's room. I will ask someone to be Disillusioned outside the door however, just in case a Death Eater shows up. If Voldemort plans on coming I will know," and pointed to his left arm. The group trooped up the stairs after him. He stopped outside the door.
"Miss Granger is recovering from a temporary memory charm that I had to place on her so that she would be unable to tell anyone any pertinent information about the Order or Potter or whatever they might ask her about. She is unconscious right now, but she may awaken at any time, with her mind still flooding with memories. I am hesitant to bring more chaos into her recovering mind," Severus cautioned.
"You sound like you actually care, Snape," Potter said incredulously.
"Maybe it's because I do, Potter. Why does everyone automatically assume that just because I have a foul temperament that I hate everyone that I come into contact with?" asked Severus. I'm not a completely heartless bastard.
Miss Weasley piped up. "In his defence, sir, you haven't been very kind to Hermione in the past. It's not like we have any reason to believe that you like any of us Gryffindors very much."
"Aside from the fact that I have repeatedly saved your lives?" replied Severus disdainfully. "It doesn't matter. I would prefer that at least Arthur and Lupin guard the door. If you cannot control yourself, I will ask you to leave the room. When she is fully recovered, take her with you when you leave."
"Will you not come with us?" Arthur asked.
"What do I have exactly? A death sentence no matter which way I go. No one will believe the testimony of a portrait when I am arrested for Albus' murder, and I will be tortured and killed when the Dark Lord returns to find Herm– Miss Granger is gone. My death will be drawn out and painful, so I choose being tortured into insanity then Avada Kedavra over having my soul sucked out by a Dementor." Severus said bitterly. What do they think I'm going to do? I cannot return, and I certainly will not survive here. Even if I left, the Mark would burn until I returned just to make him end the agony.
"Dumbledore wouldn't want you to have killed him just for you to die. He always has a plan hidden within a plan with a back-up plan, all of which he tells no one about. He most likely has some form of proof that would get you off the hook." Potter protested.
"Why do you want me to live so badly?" Severus exclaimed.
"Why do you want to die so badly?" Potter shot back. Don't you know the answer to that question, idiotic boy? For one, I killed Albus Dumbledore! Dunderhead.
There was a deep silence. Then Lupin and Arthur Disillusioned themselves. Ronald and Ginny went into the room, followed by Severus then Potter. Miss Weasley sat on Potter who was in a chair across the room, and Weasley knelt immediately at Hermione's side and held her hand. Severus looked at them with disdain, then felt Hermione's forehead: ice cold.
"Weasley, I'm sure you will leap at a chance to get closer to Miss Granger. Her body temperature is getting quite low, and casting magic on her at this stage will do more harm than good." Severus said.
Without taking his eyes off her, he nodded. Severus helped to lift her and settle her against his chest when he was seated in her bed. Looking at Hermione in Weasley's arms caused a ripple of something unpleasant (Jealousy? Sadness? He wasn't sure) in his heart. She sighed and snuggled into Weasley, but reached for Severus' hand as he conjured a chair beside her. The group sat in relative silence for a long moment, with only the sound of their breathing disturbing the quiet.
"Hey, she feels warm again," Weasley whispered.
• • •
Hermione felt the torrent of sensations slowing down, and opened her eyes again. She felt arms around her, and someone was holding her hand. She coughed, and looked around the room.
"Harry! Ginny! Severus! Where's Ron?" she croaked.
"Miss Granger, your astounding abilities must need more time. When have you known Weasley, Potter, and yourself to be apart when one of you is injured?" Professor Snape's voice was unusually gentle. She felt the arms squeeze her, and she turned her head.
"Hey." Ron's voice was shaky, and he looked like he was barely holding back tears.
"Oh Ron," she said, and he kissed her softly on the lips.
"I thought you… I thought… Oh Hermione, I missed you so much." He buried his head between her neck and her shoulder, and she felt the tears he tried not to shed wetting her skin.
"Wait a minute, you just complimented Hermione, and didn't shred her to bits for calling you by your first name," Harry said, "Are you feeling alright, sir?"
"You just referred to me respectfully, are you sure you aren't the one who is ill?" Professor Snape shot back. Ron scrubbed his eyes and stood up, Hermione still in his arms. Hermione squeaked and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Don't worry, I won't drop you. I could never hurt you," he whispered. Hermione glimpsed the professor's face and he seemed slightly pained by the sight of the two of them, but the blank mask reappeared when he realized she was looking at him.
"Ok, let's get out of here. My dad's got the Portkey," said Ginny, and the group opened the door to see… nothing.
"Arthur, we're still Disillusioned, and Hermione's awake," said Remus' voice from the general vicinity of the stairs. Both men reappeared and Mr. Weasley held out the parchment.
"Everyone grab on. When everyone's got hold, I'll say the password."
Everyone but Professor Snape had at least a finger on the parchment, or was holding onto someone who was touching the parchment.
"Sir? Why aren't you coming?" Hermione asked, still in Ron's arms. What's going on… she thought.
"I will stay here, and face the Dark Lord's wrath for allowing you to escape."
"That's just silly. Come on, there's plenty of room for you to grab a corner of the parchment."
He stood there motionless for a moment, but reluctantly reached into the centre of the group and grasped a corner of the parchment with his left hand. His face contorted with pain and his right hand gripped his left arm.
"If we are to leave, do it soon, or the Dark Lord will be in the house and we will all die!" he groaned.
"Weird Sisters Rock," Mr. Weasley said, and Hermione felt the familiar pulling sensation as they Portkeyed to the Headmistress' office.
They landed haphazardly on the floor as Mrs. Weasley, Professor McGonagall and Tonks all looked over from where they were laughing over their tea.
"Hermione!" the three women started speaking at once.
"How are you dear?" "What have you been doing?" "Wotcher, I hope you didn't need too much saving. Want some tea?"
"She has just regained her entire memory, she is understandably tired." More exclamations followed this statement by Professor Snape, but he ploughed on. "She has not been harmed physically, I made sure of that. However, some chocolate would not go amiss for her. As for myself, I suppose I will be a hunted man by all sides, and will go mad from this bloody Mark burning!" He was still gripping his arm.
"I am to assume there is no way to take the Mark off?" asked Professor McGonagall.
"Short of me dying, no there is no way to take it off. It is more than a mere tattoo," he said through clenched teeth, "He seems to be rather infuriated with me."
"It's more than a tattoo, right? And there is a snake in it?" asked Harry, "Maybe I could talk to the snake."
"You are too important to the war to tangle with the Dark Arts to save my pathetic life," he gasped, and would have fallen to the ground had Remus not grabbed his shoulders to keep him upright. Someone placed a chair underneath him to sit in, and Hermione motioned for Ron to put her down. She walked over to him and gently pried his right hand off his left arm, and examined the stark black symbol burning on his arm. The skin around it was red and puffy, and there were nail marks in his arm where he gripped it.
"Are you sure you can't… cut it off?" she asked timidly.
"The skin of the tattoo, or the arm?"
"Either."
"I'm not sure it will help either way, because as I say, it is more than just ink in my skin. If it stops the pain…" he trailed off, apparently unable to speak.
She helped him to his feet, put his left arm carefully around her shoulders and Ron came over at her beckoning motion to put his right arm around his shoulders.
"Let's get you to the Hospital Wing," Ron said, and threw Floo powder into McGonagall's fireplace.
Arthur called out that they were walking up to the Hospital Wing just after they stepped in the fire.
As they stepped out of the fireplace, Madam Pomfrey was walking out of her office. She shrieked and reached for her wand when she saw Professor Snape.
"No! Don't!" Hermione cried.
"Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley are you insane? That is…" Madam Pomfrey sputtered.
"We know who it is, and if you go talk to Dumbledore's portrait you'd know the whole story, but suffice to say that there's more to the story and he's not evil, now help him!" Hermione said in a rush.
"He's lucky that I have to help everyone when they're hurt, or I'd hex him so fast…" She helped him onto a bed, and Hermione sat in the chair beside it. Ron stood behind the chair with his hands on Hermione's shoulders.
Severus let out a choked sound that could've been a laugh.
"You're… all talk, Poppy. Couldn't… hex me worse than… this," he panted.
"His Mark?" The teenagers nodded. "I don't see how I can help, short of lopping off the arm." They looked steadily at her. "You're joking right? There has to be some other way."
"Well, Harry offered to talk to the snake, but the professor told him not to. As they're walking up here, we either wait around with him in excruciating pain, or we try to take off the arm, or burn off the Mark."
"Haven't tried… using caustic potion… might burn off…"
Hermione shushed him, saying, "Save your strength, don't talk."
"You… never stopped… in my class."
"I wasn't being personally attacked by Voldemort in class either. So shush."
"Acromantula venom… basilisk venom… if Potter wants a mission to go on for me… get one of those… if it doesn't get the Mark off, at least it will finish me off."
Ron finally spoke up: "Alright sir, I've tried to be quiet here and let Hermione take control, because let's face it, she's better at that than I am. But if you die now, she will be blaming herself for not saving you. So shut up and live, Professor."
Professor Snape looked mildly startled.
"Didn't know you had it in you, Weasley. Gryffindors…" he trailed off.
The others burst into the Hospital Wing at that moment. Harry and Ginny came over, and Harry, ignoring the professor's cry of protest, started to speak Parseltongue to the snake on his arm.
"Madam Pomfrey, can you go to Professor Snape's private stores and grab some basilisk venom, or acromantula venom? I think we're still going to need it." Hermione asked, and ignored her muttered comment about who was the medi-witch in the wing.
"Whoa, the snake is moving around!" Ginny said as she pointed to it.
Harry paused his hissing to tell Remus to grab a knife and cut the surface of the professor's skin where the snake's head was, and to have a bowl ready, then continued hissing eerily. Remus returned and cut Snape's arm. Immediately, black ink mixed with blood poured from his arm into the bowl, and the snake seemed to be wriggling out of Snape's arm. The ink drained from the rest of his tattoo through that diagonal gash in his arm. Madam Pomfrey returned through the Floo with vials of clear liquid, but by that time the ink had almost all drained out of his arm, and it was mostly blood that was pouring from his arm. She immediately pulled out a Blood Replenishing potion and made Professor Snape drink it. Once the Mark was gone, Madam Pomfrey wrapped his arm up in bandages to stop the bleeding.
"Why's he asleep?" Ron asked.
"I put a sleeping potion in the mix with the Blood Replenishing potion so he would finally get some rest. You did well, everyone. There will be no repeats of you lot taking care of someone without me to supervise, but as I can't speak snake, I suppose I couldn't have helped in this case," Madam Pomfrey admitted.
Hermione stood up and turned to Ron. She wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered,
"Thank you for helping me. I know you don't like Professor Snape…"
"He protected you when I couldn't, how could I let him die? Plus, you would've blamed yourself, and I don't want you to be hurt so badly when it's not your fault. I love you so much, Hermione. I had no appetite when you were gone, can you believe it?" he said, trying to lighten the mood.
"Really?" she teased. "Ron, I love you. It was so odd, because I could feel that I was missing someone, but I couldn't remember anything so I wasn't sure if maybe I was going crazy. Now, I didn't get a proper greeting when we were at the cottage –"
Ron cut her off, his lips capturing hers in a breathtaking kiss.
Fin.
And there it is! The End!
I borrowed the idea of Harry talking to the snake in the Dark Mark on Snape's arm from Abraxan. Her stories, The Refiner's Fire and The Time Of Destiny are amazing! Read them.
I'll be back again, maybe with this fic, definitely with other fanfiction about Harry Potter. Wow I can't believe I finished my first ever fanfiction story! YAY!
