15 Jan 1999
Severus rolled the phial in his hand a few times before setting it back on the table in his lab. After their meeting the night before, he'd drawn Mr Potter's blood so he could work on isolating the Dark Lord's magic from it. Hermione had asked if she could return to his rooms with him, but he had told her no.
As much as he wanted her with him, he needed to work on finding a way to separate the Dark Lord from Harry.
He felt as if so much time had passed since he'd first entered Hermione's mind and begged her to bite him so his blood would weaken the control Bellatrix had on her. In reality, it had only been a week. One week since everything he knew was tipped on its side. And less than two weeks since he discovered that the woman he loved was a Death Eater.
He couldn't put into words how thankful he was to know that she wasn't a faithful follower of the Dark Lord. The idea that someone as concerned about equality for all creatures could be a Death Eater didn't make sense and he was pleased to know that wasn't the case. There were things about her that were different than before, an inner strength he hadn't seen, but her essence was the same.
Draco not being a Death Eater in truth was a relief to him as well. He hadn't understood his godson's behaviour since the school year started. Draco had always been open with him and never hesitated to ask for help. The months of him all but shunning Severus had hurt him. He wasn't one to admit feelings often, but he loved Draco. And to watch his godson struggle with the task he'd been given, to not want his help, had been difficult.
And now it was up to him to find a way to help save Harry Potter.
Severus wasn't sure what would happen when they met with Dumbledore the next day. Hermione thought they should talk to a few more people, but he wasn't on board with the idea yet. So much of his time as a spy had revolved around keeping secrets that it wasn't natural to him to be so open with their plans. He had a feeling that Dumbledore would be bringing a few people to the castle to watch as Hermione was initiated into the Order. He was inclined to just carry on with their plans and just not tell the Headmaster anything.
The man's mental health wasn't stable and Severus wasn't sure they should be rocking the boat. If nothing else, he thought they should talk to Minerva. She was second-in-command in the Order and she needed to know what was going on with their leader. Dumbledore had not wanted Severus to tell anyone about the strength of the curse on his hand, but the time had come to take matters into their own hands.
Pushing thoughts of the Headmaster to the side, he carefully opened the phial of blood and placed a drop of it on the slide for his microscope. It was time to see what was going on in Harry's blood.
Severus bit back the annoyance as Draco, Harry, and Hermione walked into his private lab. He knew he needed to work with them on bringing down Voldemort, but his lab was his sacred space and he didn't like the idea of having other people in it. Or at least having Mr Potter in it. He hadn't wanted to invite them, but Hermione had insisted they be transparent and wanted Harry to see the process. Severus thought that she was using that as an excuse because she wanted to see it.
"Touch nothing," he snapped, sneering at Harry.
Hermione rolled her eyes at him but took a seat at the stools he had conjured for them. He hated that she was in his sanctuary and he couldn't interact with her like he wanted to. Being around her and not touching her was not something he was enjoying. If it was only them and Draco, he wouldn't worry about it, but he knew they couldn't let Harry know what was going on.
"What have you found, Professor?" Draco asked before Severus could address them.
"I believe I have found the Dark Lord's magic when I look at Mr Potter's blood," he told them. "I would like to show it to you and tell me if you notice anything."
Severus took a drop of blood and placed it on the microscope then tapped his wand against it so the image would project onto the wall. He had taken a sample of blood from both Weasleys so he could verify what normal magical blood looked like and because he wanted to make sure that Miss Weasley did not have any of the Dark Lord left in her. He knew she had been possessed, but he wanted to make sure that she was no longer infected with the man's magic.
Fortunately, her blood was as clear of outside influence as her brother's. She had been young when she'd been possessed and children were resilient. The magic in her blood and her magical core would have corrected themselves over time until she was free from all physical associations with the Dark Lord's magic.
"If we look at this sample from Mr Weasley, you will see that it looks normal." He pointed out the red blood and white blood cells. "Now watch what happens when I add this bacteria to it."
Taking a small dropper, he placed a tiny amount of live bacteria. The amount he added was more than the white blood cells could fight, but he pointed out how the white cells began to move and surround as much of the foreign substance as possible.
"And now, watch what happens when I add a bit of this antibiotic potion to the blood."
Taking a small eyedropper from the phial, he placed it on the slide. The effect was instantaneous. The white blood cells started to move faster, attacking the bacteria with vigour and the centre of them seemed to harden. They had a slight mauve tint to them which he explained was the colour of Ron's magic.
"Is the colour of your magic individual to each person?" Hermione asked.
"Within reason," he told her. "Everyone's magic is slightly different, but the colour is so light that they can look similar. Especially in families."
He pulled the slide from the microscope and replaced it with a sample of Hermione's blood. Going through the same process, he moved towards the projection on the wall after adding the potion to it.
"Do you see this?" he asked, pointing towards the white blood cell that was tinted blue with the faintest hint of sickly yellow around the outside.
"Why are hers two different colours?" Harry asked. "Is that Voldemort's magic?"
"That is correct Mr Potter. Hermione's magic was only blue when I sampled it before. Looking at this, we can see that the magic in her blood is not all her own anymore. If I were to show you mine or Mr Malfoy's you would see the same yellow tint."
"And what about mine? May I see it?"
Severus nodded and walked back to the microscope, taking Hermione's sample out and adding Harry's. Even without adding the bacteria, Harry's blood was different from Hermione's or Ron's. He had more white blood cells, they were moving faster than the other samples, and they were attacking some of the other cells in his blood.
"Are you sick, Potter?" Draco asked and moved his stool away from the boy.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Is that Harry's blood attacking itself? Or do you think that's the Horcrux?"
"I think you're correct in assuming that is the Horcrux, Miss Granger. That or Mr Potter has an auto-immune disorder that we have not diagnosed, which I highly doubt."
Severus added the drop of bacteria to the sample and like the other blood, his white cells began to attack the foreign sickness, but it was clear to see that they were still attacking some of the healthy cells as well. When he added the potion, Harry's white cells changed to a greenish-yellow tint.
And not all of the white blood cells were attacking the bacteria, they were the ones attacking the healthy cells as well.
"Wait," Harry said, standing up and moving towards the projection. "Is his magic attacking my body?"
"Yes. I think that might be why you told Madam Pomfrey you were sick a lot before coming to Hogwarts. Your body was working on trying to fight off the foreign magic in your body and not able to function as it should have. I also think it may be causing damage to your magical core. Dark Magic is hard on your core until it is matured and you have been exposed to it non-stop for over seventeen years. But I think if we can isolate the Dark Lord's magic and destroy the Horcrux those issues should be resolved."
"How would you do that?" Draco asked.
"Magic is normally passed down," Severus told them. "If I were to look at your blood and your parents or another relative, I would see enough similarities to know you were related. Yours is the same colour as your eyes, a trait passed down from the Malfoy and Black bloodlines."
"But Harry doesn't have any magical relatives that are living," Hermione said.
"That might not be true."
"What?" Harry said, his voice a mix of shock and excitement.
"Don't get your hopes up, Mr Potter," he sneered. "If I'm correct, your magical relative is one degree better than a hag and not nearly as good looking." Draco snorted and Severus cut him off with a sharp look. "You already know that I attended school with your mother. What you don't know is that she and I were friends before we started Hogwarts. We grew up in the same town — different sides of the proverbial tracks — but we met when we were nine and your aunt Petunia was eleven. We spent time together almost every day and until we had a falling out after our O.W.L.s, I spent most of the summers with her family.
"Your grandmother, Iris, was a wonderful woman and could tell a story like no one else. Soon after meeting your family, Lily invited me to her home and I confessed to her that I was a wizard since I knew Lily was a witch and would be going to Hogwarts. Iris instantly believed me and told me that she long suspected that she was magical. She had memories of her mother performing magic, even though she could not."
"So my grandmother was a Squib?" Harry asked.
"I'm not sure if she was or if she lost her ability to perform magic. Iris was born in London in the nineteen-thirties. Like a lot of children, she was evacuated to the countryside during World War II along with her mother and younger brother. Her father was in the R.A.F. and did not go with them as he was on the continent fighting. When they arrived in Devon, a man picked them up and on the way to his house, they were in an accident and Iris was the only survivor. She was given to a local family who already had too many children and they did not treat her well. Her father never returned from war.
"There have been studies done that show that magical children who have gone through large trauma before their first signs of magic lose the ability to ever use it. I believe this is what happened to Iris."
The silence in the room was palpable. Severus didn't say anything more, allowing Mr Potter time to sort through his emotions. It wasn't until Hermione put her hand on his back that the boy finally spoke.
"So, if Iris was magical, that means that my mum was a half-blood, not a Muggleborn, and aunt Petunia would be a Squib? Can you see magic in Squibs?" Harry asked.
"You can," Severus answered. "Squibs can't perform magic, but unlike Muggles, if they take a potion, it works on them. They have magic in their blood, they just can't access it. A lot of Squbs give birth to magical children."
"So if you were to get a sample from Harry's aunt…?" Hermione trailed off.
"Then I might be able to see what her magic looks like and, if she was a Squib, I could compare her magic to Mr Potter's. Between that and the samples we have of the Dark Lord's blood in our bodies, I should be able to do what needs to be done."
"So, how do we get his aunt's blood?" Draco asked. "Just ask for it?"
"I don't think Aunt Petunia would give it to you," Harry said. "She's… not very trusting of the magical community."
"Tuney has been a cunt since we were children, but I know how to get what I want from her," Severus said. Normally he watched his language around his students, but when it came to Petunia Evans, he couldn't help himself. He couldn't think of any other words to describe her. "I will need your help, Mr Potter. The house is protected. No one with a Dark Mark is supposed to be able to find it."
"So I have to go with you?"
"No. I think I would be able to go whilst the Headmaster is out of the castle next. I'm sure there are intention wards around the property that I will have no problem getting through since I won't mean you any harm."
"I'm going too," Hermione said, leaving no room for Severus to argue. "I have some Weasley products I'd like to leave in that house."
Severus nodded but internally smirked at his witch. He might be glad she wasn't a Death Eater, but he loved her dark streak. Plus, he supported her desire to get back at the people who had neglected and half starved her best friend. The spawn of Potter or not, no child deserved that.
16 Jan 1999
"How are you feeling?" Harry asked her.
Hermione had snuck into the boys' dorm early in the morning and crawled into bed with Harry. He had woken up, told her it was too early to be functioning on a Saturday and proceeded to wrap himself around her like he was a vine before falling back to sleep. It was the first time she had ever done it and she was pleased that he hadn't questioned her. She had faded in and out of sleep until the sound of his dormmates getting ready for the day woke them.
"Anxious," she admitted. "I don't know how Dumbledore will react, and I don't know who all will be there."
"I was thinking about that. I think that Ron, Ginny, and I should be there too. We can fit under the cloak if you think he won't let us in, but if something happens, we will support you. And Snape will be there with you. Has Draco decided?"
"He is not going to join the Order either. Professor Snape is going to work with us so that the next time we are summoned, we should be safe. I don't think it will be until Easter so we have time."
Harry hugged her tighter. "I don't like the idea of you facing Voldemort."
"I know you don't. And I am not looking forward to being around him again. But as long as I play my part, he won't question me. He… likes me, for lack of a better word."
"Will you tell me why?" Harry pulled back to look into her eyes. "I know you haven't told me everything, but you can. I'll listen."
Hermione's heart felt full at Harry's words. She wanted to tell him everything, but she wasn't sure how he would react. She wasn't ashamed of her sexual acts, but she knew Harry was raised in a different home environment than she was. She could only imagine the things he heard in that house and what they had taught him to believe about women who had multiple partners. Harry wouldn't abandon her if he found out about the things she'd done, or had done to her, with the Dark Lord, but he didn't need to have that visual in his head.
"There are things I did under Bellatrix control that, whilst I am not ashamed of the acts, I am not pleased with who I did those things with," she explained. "Some of those things made the Dark Lord happy."
"Are you okay? I know you said Professor Snape has been helping you, and he does seem nicer lately, but is it enough? I don't know if there are therapists in the magical world, but if there are…" Harry trailed off.
"I couldn't see one if I wanted to. Too many secrets to keep. And Professor Snape isn't too bad. We've grown closer this year."
Before Harry could answer, Ron's voice sounded. "Oi! Harry, you up? Don't want to miss breakfast."
They shared a laugh as Harry checked to make sure the dorm was empty so Hermione wouldn't have to see Seamus, Dean, or Neville changing. Ron smiled when he saw her and hugged her before she left to change out of her pyjamas. It was going to be a big day and she knew she needed to go down and eat before she faced it.
Walking into her, thankfully empty, room, she opened her wardrobe and looked at her clothes. Her jumpers were all hanging and her jeans folded neatly. She pulled out one of the drawers and saw the leather trousers and lace top she'd been given from Bellatrix and ran her fingers over them. That is what she wanted to wear, but wasn't ready for the questions people would ask if they saw her in it.
Stripping off her pyjamas, she put the lace top on and paired it with her tightest pair of jeans before slipping a jumper on. She might not be ready to be seen in her outfit, but she could at least wear part of it next to her skin so it gave her the strength she needed.
Hermione left Ginny, Ron, and Harry at breakfast as soon as she saw Severus leave the Great Hall. Nodding to Draco as she passed the Slytherin table, she made her way to Snape's office.
"Enter," he called and she opened the door, closing and warding it behind her as soon as she made sure he was the only occupant.
"Hi," she said quietly.
He opened his arms to her and she pressed herself against him, burying her nose in his chest and allowing his scent to calm her. His hand drifted under her jumper and when he landed on the lace underneath, he stepped back slightly and she allowed him to pull it over her head. Her nipples hardened in the cold air of his office and his eyes flashed to them momentarily before focusing on her face again.
"Wearing some of your armour, I see." He ran his finger over the lace on her stomach and she shivered at his touch.
"It makes me feel powerful," she admitted. "This Hermione doesn't take shit from anyone."
Wrapping his hands around her waist, Severus picked her up and sat her on his desk, settling himself between her thighs. He tipped her chin up with his finger before kissing the sensitive skin below her ear.
"There aren't two Hermiones," he whispered, his voice low and husky. "There is just one of you. You choose to take shit from people, or you choose not to. You've stood toe to toe with the Dark Lord and his followers and they all respect you. There is nothing you can't do."
"What if he kicks us out of the school?"
"He won't. He'll be convinced that he can change our minds and he'll want to keep us close. Especially with Mr Potter on our side."
Severus stepped back and she instantly missed being in his arms. He was still between her legs, but she wanted to be wrapped in his embrace again.
"Harry wants to be there. Ron and Ginny, too."
"He'll never let them in."
"They'll be under Harry's cloak. He thinks that it is important to tell Dumbledore his plan himself because he doesn't think the Headmaster will believe us."
Severus was quiet for a moment and Hermione knew he was thinking about the pros and cons of Harry being in the office with them. Personally, she thought it was a good idea. The more people on their side right away the better.
"I hate to admit it but Potter is probably correct." Severus sighed. "Merlin only knows why, but Albus seems to think the sun shines out of the boy's arse. Now," he moved closer to her and tipped her head up so she was looking into his eyes, "what do you need so you're ready for this evening?"
"You," she whispered.
Her hands fell to her chest and she ran her fingers over her hardened nipples. Severus' eyes followed their path and he stepped closer to her. Lifting her legs, she wrapped them around his hips, trapping him.
"You'll be the death of me, little witch."
"Maybe. But you'll die a very happy man."
Their group was silent as they rode the spiralling staircase up to the Headmaster's office. Hermione wished she could hold Severus' hand but knew it would raise too many questions with Harry and Ron. Ginny would probably make some comment about how romantic it was and Hermione didn't want to deal with that either.
When they reached the landing at the top, she could hear voices through the door and paused before opening it to see if she could discover who was inside.
"That's my mum," Ron said. "And I think Remus."
"...can't believe you are allowing children to join the Order, Albus," Molly was saying. "Hermione is of age, but Hogwarts University or not, she is still in school."
"Hermione has proven that she is old enough to fight. She will explain when she gets here," Dumbledore answered.
Not wanting to listen to their conversation anymore, Hermione knocked on the door. She could understand Molly's point in the discussion. In reality, all of them were too young to fight in the war, well past the age of adulthood or not. But the reality was that no matter how young they were, they were already fighting and had been for years. Being an official member of the Order didn't change that fact.
"Enter," Dumbledore called.
As soon as she entered, Molly wrapped her in a hug before stiffening slightly. Hermione looked up to see that her eyes were trained on Draco. Deciding to get past the awkwardness as quickly as possible she cleared her throat.
"Before we begin, let me start by saying that I trust Draco completely and that Harry, Ron, and Ginny all know that he is here and trust him as well," Hermione said. She thought she heard a huff from the direction of her friends under the Invisibility Cloak but she ignored it. Her friends might not trust Draco as much as she did, but they knew he was on their side now.
"Of course, dear. I just wasn't expecting him." Molly let her go and reached out her hand to Draco. "Hello, Draco. Lovely to see you."
Draco looked from Molly to Hermione and then to Severus. When Snape gave a slight nod of his head, he moved forward and shook Molly's hand. "Hello, Mrs Weasley. How do you do?"
"Such nice manners."
Hermione tuned Molly out as she began to fuss over Draco and Severus. Instead, she greeted the rest of the people in the room. Arthur, Tonks, and Remus all hugged her whilst Kingsley and Professor McGonagall shook her hand. She asked after Crookshanks and Remus told her that her cat was loving living in his forest cottage where there were plenty of mice and gnomes to chase but he missed her. Mad-Eye was nodding hello to her when the Floo flared green and Fleur stepped out. She rushed forward to greet Hermione, kissing her twice on each cheek.
"Sorry I am almost late," she said. "Bill was called into work as I was leaving the bank."
"Is everything okay?" Arthur asked, moving to hug his soon to be daughter-in-law.
"He is fine. There was a tricky curse on an old chest. I was able to remove the first few layers but the last one required two people and needed to be said in Arabic. Bill is working on it with a contact from Egypt because I am not trained to do it yet."
"I didn't know you or Bill spoke Arabic," Hermione said, impressed. She knew Fleur could speak a variety of languages but had never heard of Bill speaking anything but English.
"The more languages you speak, the more work you get. That is why I decided to stay in England after the Triwizard Tournament. I wasn't as familiar with English spells. If you ever wanted to learn to cast in French, I could teach you since you already speak the language."
Before Hermione could agree to lessons from Fleur, Dumbledore clapped his hands twice and the room fell silent. She moved away from the Order members and went to stand between Draco and Severus.
"We all know why we're here," Dumbledore began. "Miss Granger and Mr Malfoy here have been through some things that have made me realise that they are ready to join the Order of the Phoenix. Miss Granger, would you like to tell everyone what happened to you over the summer?" When Hermione stiffened, he continued. "Not the details, my dear, but a summary."
Hermione felt Draco place his hand on her lower back and she gathered her strength. Clearing her throat, she began.
"After I returned home last summer, I knew my parents were in danger. We made plans and they left the country. Within moments of their car driving away, Bellatrix Lestrange captured me and took me to Malfoy Manor."
Molly's loud gasp made Hermione stop and she turned to see the Weasley matriarch glaring at Dumbledore, her hands on her hips. Hermione could practically feel Ron and Ginny stiffen under the cloak in reaction to their mum's stance. It was the one she used when you were about to be torn down. She glanced at Severus to see that he had a smirk on his face. Clearly, he was ready to see someone go off on the Headmaster.
"But you told me they were protected," Molly hissed at Dumbledore. "I asked about the Granger's protection after the Triwizard Tournament and you told me it was taken care of. They were unprotected this entire time?"
"Well, Molly dear you have to understand that–"
"I don't have to understand anything. I already understand that you kept Harry under round the clock protection when he couldn't be found at his aunt and uncle's, or could have been living at the Burrow or any other Order house, but you lied about giving protection to two Muggles! What would you have done if they were attacked? Just apologise to Hermione? It's your fault she didn't have protection there and that is why Bellatrix was able to find and capture her. Did you even put the wards up around her house that you said you did?"
Hermione answered before Dumbledore could. "There were no wards around my house when I arrived home from school. I placed a few when I got there, but they wouldn't have kept her out."
"But, you were at the Burrow just two weeks after returning home," Arthur said, steering the conversation back to Hermione's story. "What happened when you were taken to the Manor? I can't imagine they let you go."
Hermione told them about being drugged by Bellatrix and then being given the Dark Mark. She left out the ceremony she had gone through but didn't hold back when telling them that Draco had also been Marked and they had killed Amelia Bones and Emmaline Vance as well as other things she had done as a Death Eater. Molly and Fleur were openly crying, Tonks was gripping Remus' arm, and Arthur, Kingsley, Mad-Eye, and Professor McGonagall all looked like they were ready to murder someone.
"And how is it that our spy never noticed you at any Death Eater meetings?" Mad-Eye spat. "Surely he knows what you look like after over seven years of being your professor."
She felt Severus stiffen beside her but she spoke before he had the chance. There was no way she was letting anyone talk about him whilst in her presence. "He was sent away before I was inducted, then whenever there was a chance he would be at the Manor whilst I was there, I was in disguise; I had to wear my mask, and never spoke. The closest he ever got to me what during Yule, which is when he discovered my identity."
"And when did he disclose your new status to Dumbledore?"
"If you have a problem, Moody, feel free to come out and say it to me. Otherwise, you can listen to the story like the rest of the room. I don't need your opinion on what has happened in my life."
"Alright, girly. I have a problem with your whole story. You're saying that Bellatrix just happened to find your Muggle house, capture you, turn you and a Malfoy into Death Eaters then just let you go." Draco snorted from beside her and Moody focused both his eyes on him. "Got something to say, sonny?"
Draco stood tall and steady next to her as he began to speak. "First, her name is Hermione or Miss Granger, not 'girly'. She is a woman, not a child and she deserves respect from you. Second, my name is Mr Malfoy to you, not 'sonny'. Third, you seem to be under the impression that my aunt is stupid and would be unable to figure out where Hermione lives. She may be crazy, but she's smart. The number of times she eluded you in the first war should be proof enough. Fourth, just because Professor Snape is a spy, does not mean that he's at every Death Eater meeting."
"If he's a spy," Moody shot back, ignoring everything else Draco said. "What proof do we have?"
"I've seen proof enough," Hermione said, "and so has Dumbledore and Harry. If you have doubts, I suggest you ask them."
"Well, I don't have Mr Potter here to back up your story."
"I suggest you take another look around then," Harry's voice came from near the door and everyone gasped as he pulled the cloak off him, Ron, and Ginny. Molly rushed forward to hug her children, but Harry stepped out of the way. "I trust Hermione completely. I also trust Draco and Professor Snape."
"What is the meaning of this?" Dumbledore asked, his voice sharp. "Miss Granger, you said you would not tell Harry what happened."
"I said as an Order member I would follow your instructions. I am not an Order member. And after the things I have learned recently, I am not sure I will become one. You've been keeping things from Harry and the Order. Things they have the right to know." Hermione looked around the room. "Your plans put every single person here at risk and you don't have the decency to tell them the whole truth. You're willing to sacrifice lives because you don't want people to know what's really going on."
"So you're going to join Voldemort because I haven't told you everything?"
"Absolutely not. There aren't just two groups in this war. It isn't the Order versus Death Eaters. This is about fighting for our freedoms. This is fighting for what's right. And that's what I'm going to do. Being a member of the Order isn't the only way to do that."
"Hermione's right," Harry joined in. "There may be two sides, but there are more options than just Voldemort or you. I know what I am, what's inside me. What you neglected to tell me."
"You told him?" Dumbledore yelled at Snape.
"I didn't have to, Dumbledore," Snape answered back coolly. "You don't think it's possible there are other ways he could have found out?"
"Found out what?" Remus asked, talking for the first time. "What is Harry talking about?"
"That is none of your concern, Remus."
The room went quiet at Dumbledore's declaration.
Hermione bit back the growl at his rude words to her friend and she saw Tonks stiffen. "Are you going to tell them anything? They have a right to know what the stakes are."
"No one has a right to know anything. I am in charge of the Order and you will do as I say if you want to be a member." Dumbledore slapped his hand on his desk and Hermione had to work to stay calm.
"I am not going to join a group that is led by someone who refuses to tell people the truth, or only tells a few people half-truths."
Remus cleared his throat. "Well, if I am not needed to witness Hermione being inducted into the Order, I think I'll be heading out."
"You're choosing the wrong side, girly," Moody snarled at her. His magical eye moved from her to Harry "Tie yourself to filth like Snape and the Malfoys and all of you will be rotting in Azkaban before you know it."
Moody pushed Remus out of the way to exit through the fireplace first, which was probably a good thing because she could feel how much most of the room wanted to hex him. Remus waved goodbye to her and then was followed through the Floo by everyone except McGonagall, Fleur, and Mr and Mrs Weasley. Kingsley sent Severus a pointed look before he stepped through and she made a note to ask him what it was about. The tension in the room was as thick as custard and Hermione couldn't wait to leave. Adrenaline was coursing through her body and she knew she would crash soon and she didn't want to do it in Dumbledore's office. She didn't trust him not to meddle with her mind when she was weak.
"I think the students should be heading back to their dorms," McGonagall said.
"May we have a few moments to speak with our children?" Molly asked.
"I would also like to speak with Ginny," Fleur said. "Bill wanted me to pass along a message to her."
McGonagall cleared her throat. "We can speak in my office. Come along."
Ron, Ginny, and Draco left with them, but Harry stayed behind, coming to stand next to Hermione. She gripped his hand and he squeezed hers in return.
"There is still much to be done, Severus," Dumbledore said. "Do you intend to leave the Order without a spy? What about Draco's safety and his orders?"
Hermione felt Severus roll his eyes even though his expression did not change. "I'm still loyal to the goals of the Order. I'm still loyal to you. But I can no longer tolerate your requirement for blind obedience. I will still report back to you, Albus. Draco and Hermione will still act as if nothing has changed. Draco will still be acting as if he is following the Dark Lord's orders. But we will not be following your orders alone. We know what needs to be done. We are still on the same side. But we will be operating with transparency in our ranks."
"We don't want to split from you," Hermione said. We want to work with you. I gave you the chance when Remus asked what they should know and you refused. Can't you see you're going about this all wrong? People will follow you if you trust them."
"And what will you call yourselves? The Second Order of the Phoenix?" Dumbledore's face was full of a twisted kind of humour.
"You can call us Phoenix Reborn," Harry answered. "Because we are stronger this time around."
"You can't do this on your own, Harry."
"It's not like you've been with me every time I've faced him, Headmaster. And I won't be on my own. I'll have Hermione by my side. And Ron. And Ginny. And Draco. And Professor Snape. And others will join us. We're strong because we trust each other and we won't let anyone face this alone."
With that, Harry turned on his heel and walked out of the door. Severus placed his hand on Hermione's lower back and steered her from the room, keeping himself between her and the Headmaster. They were halfway down the spiralling staircase when her knees went weak and she fell back against his chest.
He pushed her back up so she was standing on her own and leaned down to whisper in her ear. "Only a few more moments then you can fall apart, little witch."
A/N: I am not a scientist, doctor, or a lab tech so I apologise if I messed up the whole blood thing... I tried.