A/N: I got some nice feedback from the last chapter. I'm glad you enjoyed it! I'm trying to write ahead at the same time as I edit the written chapters for posting, and I've been struggling a bit. So if there's a bit of a gap between the next few chapters and this one, it's just because I'm trying to figure this stuff out. Anyway, enjoy!


Chapter Twenty-One

When Hermione entered the Headmistress's office, she wondered faintly if anyone else had travelled in four different magical ways in under an hour, and if the knotting of her stomach would ever cease. Portkey, Apparition, Flight, and now Floo... next they'll want me to climb onto another bloody dragon.

Minerva McGonagall rushed forward and threw her arms around Hermione, holding her tightly as she fussed over her. "Oh my dear, are you all right? I am terribly sorry this has happened! I cannot apologize enough for this brash oversight of mine, I never dreamed you'd find yourself in such danger here-"

Hermione pushed herself out of her headmistress's intense grip and frowned. "Professor, I don't blame you! I was being careless, and they found a loophole through the wards, that's all it was." The floo re-ignited as Snape made his way into the office behind her. "You aren't responsible for the actions of a group of criminals," she concluded.

"She is responsible for her student's safety, however," quipped Snape from the hearth, where he was brushing soot from his robes. "Or have you delegated that bit of the job elsewhere, Minerva?"

Hermione turned to glare at him. "Don't take your anger out on her- no one could have seen this coming!"

"I could have seen this coming!" he snarled, stepping forward. "That's why I recommended she drop you from the oaf's class from the start. The forest isn't safe, any idiot knows this!"

"Hagrid isn't an oaf!"

"Enough, you two!" a voice from behind the headmistress's desk barked out. When she turned, Hermione saw the minister stepping forward, his face pinched in irritation. "Sit down and shut up before I silence the both of you. Minerva, could you kindly arrange for some tea?" As the headmistress walked to the side to call for a house elf, Kingsley gestured sharply to the chairs sitting in front of the desk. "Sit. Save the bickering for after our discussion."

Properly chastened, and embarrassed she was caught in an argument by the minister of all people, Hermione hurried to sit down in one of the two chairs in front of the large desk. Snape stormed over to take the chair on her left, his robes grazing her ankle as he all but fell into it. She chanced a glance at him- he seemed to be glowering at the portrait of Albus Dumbledore, who looked to be deep asleep. She turned away, leaving him to his brooding.

Kingsley strode behind the desk once more, standing just to the side of the chair Professor McGonagall took shortly after. No one spoke as tea was delivered and passed out, and Hermione sipped hers cautiously, looking over the rim at the gathering around her. She had expected more people, honestly. But it was quite early, and it was incredibly sudden, so she supposed it made sense.

Kingsley Shacklebolt paced behind the desk, his teacup drained and set aside. "Let's start from the beginning, then," he spoke as he moved. "Miss Granger, you said you were attacked near the Forbidden Forest?"

Snape, teacup ignored, continued to study the portraits with a frown. She turned her attention towards the minister. "Yes, sir." Clearing her throat, she continued, "I had almost reached the thestral herd when I felt a... presence... nearby. I had thought to check Harry's map, but I had left it in my dormitory..."

McGonagall smiled supportively towards her. "Don't you worry about the what-ifs, Hermione. Just tell us what happened."

She nodded. "Right, well..." pausing to rub her still aching forehead, she frowned. "The thing is, I don't know if I can explain it satisfactorily. I don't fully understand it myself."

"What are you on about?" Snape, who had given up his staring contest with the wall of portraits, turned his attention towards her. She shrugged.

"Remember when I told you that I received protective items for my birthday?" He didn't so much as nod, but his eyes did narrow in interest. She raised her wrist, exposing her bracelet, now looking far worse for the wear. "One of those items was this shield bracelet."

Snape's hand reached out, but paused before touching it as if thinking better of the idea. She unclasped the bracelet and laid it upon the desk, and the three around her gazed down at its damaged features; the protective stone was cracked down the center, the shield charm itself looked as if it had been hit repeatedly with a tiny hammer, and where it once emanated a strong magical aura, now there was nothing to feel. The trinket had done all it could for her.

Snape did touch the bracelet then, running a long, thin finger down the crack in the stone. "Explain," he ordered, eyes still focused on the damaged piece of jewelry.

She took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "The shield bracelet was supposed to work by me raising my arm and saying the incantation 'Protego.' I was told it also had passive protection magic, so spells wouldn't be able to hit at full efficiency."

"Magical items like this are not cheap," commented McGonagall, looking from the bracelet to her. "You said it was a gift?"

"Ron gave it to me," she whispered, looking down at her hands. Even now, in this setting, it hurt to talk about him. She had almost stopped wearing the bracelet entirely, the reminder of his gift growing too painful, but logic had won out- and she was now eternally grateful it had.

Kingsley asked, "And what significance does the bracelet hold to the events of this morning?"

"Before I could react," she explained, "MacNair had cast a spell at me. I don't know exactly what happened, but somehow the bracelet acted on its own, raising my arm and..." she paused, eyebrows knitting in confusion. "I don't know if this is something it can do, but it seemed to... pull magic out of the air to strengthen the barrier. It was the strongest shield spell I had ever seen."

She met Snape's eyes when she added, "I'm not entirely sure what spell it blocked, but I'm almost certain it was the Cruciatus."

"Impossible," he dismissed with a frown. "The Unforgiveables cannot be blocked by a simple Protego."

"That's the thing, though," she said eagerly. "It wasn't a simple Protego." Turning to face him better, she continued, "I have a theory on what happened, but I'm not sure it's possible. I think the wards sensed that I was in danger, and boosted the shield bracelet while I was under their protection. I've read about how responsive wards of that size can be, and as one of the ward casters I believe it recognized me."

"It's still an Unforgiveable spell, Miss Gra-"

"It's Hermione," she interrupted with a pointed look, "and I know that! But you of all people should know how familiar I am with that particular curse, and it wasn't the only time he cast it on me. When I used the bracelet as intended, the curse went through it, but it didn't hurt as much; it was terribly unpleasant, but it was tolerable."

"How many times did he cast it on you?" McGonagall frowned deeply in concern, and Hermione grimaced.

"At least two more times after the first attempt."

Kingsley growled and muttered something under his breath, before asking, "Did he cast anything else?"

"He hit me with a few stunning spells- they weren't very effective."

"Clearly," Snape muttered, and McGonagall shushed him harshly.

"Could you elaborate, Miss Granger?" asked Kingsley. "What do you mean they weren't effective?"

Snape answered in her stead before she could find the words. "She's exhausted- physically and magically. She could barely stand on her feet when I saw her in Hogsmeade, and she passed out while waiting on you."

"You act as if I keeled over," she retorted with an eye roll. "I fell asleep on your couch, I didn't pass out."

Snape scoffed. "Oh, my deepest apologies-"

"Do you think you two are able to continue this discussion without bickering constantly?" Kingsley snapped, and Hermione blushed furiously.

"I'm sorry, sir," she said quickly. "Yes, of course."

"Don't mind him," smirked McGonagall. "He's been snapping at everyone lately."

"I'm just trying to figure out what's happened!"

"What's happened is a student of this school was once again put in an unnecessarily dangerous situation!" Severus stood and began to pace, his billowing robes accenting his agitation with every step.

"Severus, sit down and stop being so dramatic." When he ignored the order, McGonagall turned towards Hermione. "So you were attacked near the Forbidden Forest. He cast what was quite possibly the Cruciatus curse at you, when your bracelet interacted with an outside force of magic and repelled it. He cast both stunners and successfully hit two additional Cruciatus curses at you, which caused you to become drained. Is that accurate?"

Hermione thought of the summary, and added, "The second stunner only grazed me- I blocked most of it. The first one caught me by surprise. After that, I really only had the strength to defend."

"How did he get you to Hogsmeade?" Kingsley seemed to have lost some of the irritation he was holding, focusing intently on Hermione's recount of events.

"He had a portkey. And a two-way mirror, I think. He was communicating with someone through it. The next thing I knew, I was in an alley in Hogsmeade. Master Snape was there, and the other two death eaters as well."

Kingsley turned to Snape then. "How did they pacify you?"

Snape glared in his direction. "By using blackmail and and cornering me in an apothecary." He sighed, placing his hands on the back of his chair. "They made it abundantly clear that Hermione was in danger. I went more or less willingly."

Ignoring the pleasant chill up her spine at hearing her name, she looked up at him in surprise. "You did?"

When he met her eyes, she could see the pain of helplessness in his black orbs. "If I had offed them, how would I have found you?"

The intensity in his stare sent her heart racing.

When he looked away, Hermione released the breath she was holding. He put himself in danger for her. He got himself injured for her. She watched his profile as he answered Kingsley, explaining the rest of the events from the alley, and those thoughts that had been plaguing her all night- those thoughts that had distracted her so disastrously this morning- began creeping unwittingly back into her mind.


When Severus had finished regaling his companions of the events of the morning, he fell back into his seat next to Hermione and rubbed his forehead. What a nightmare of a situation this was!

The guilt that he had been suffering under since the first attack- the guilt that had lessened fractionally the closer he and Hermione had grown through their letters- had come back tenfold. Their friendship only made it worse. He knew her, now. Knew her kindness, her passion, her joy- she was the last person that deserved this sort of nonstop attack on her life. And to know that he was the cause of it killed him, more than it had ever done before.

He glanced her way through the curtain of his inky black hair. She was worrying her bottom lip, a habit of hers he was well familiar with, and twisting her fingers in her lap. She was nervous, but when she spoke, he heard an anger too familiar to him- a furious resentment and frustration.

"So what happens now?" she asked, and he almost laughed at the force of her words. "Will I be forced to drop Care of Magical Creatures? Will I be restricted to the walls of Hogwarts? Will I at least be able to freely roam the halls, or will I be assigned an escort?"

Minerva leaned forward, briefly meeting his eye before turning her attention to her student. "That is something we need to discuss. It is clear that they have found a way into the school grounds through the Forbidden Forest, and if they can access the grounds, what will stop them from entering the castle?"

"Aren't there protections against such things?" Hermione argued, and Severus sneered despite himself.

"A fat lot of good that did in your third year," he all but snarled. "Didn't keep Black out of the school, did it?"

"But he was an animagus. I thought-"

He shook his head. "His soul was still his own. It wouldn't have mattered what form he took; he may have fooled the dementors, but the wards would have triggered regardless."

"But-" she frowned, trying to piece it all together. "But Sirius' intent was not to harm a student. Wouldn't that make a difference?"

Minerva answered her. "We can't be certain of anything, I'm afraid. It's not a risk that seems worth taking."

Kingsley interrupted her next words. "Miss Granger, you have to consider the fact that you are quite a large target in the middle of a school full of children. Is your education truly worth the risk to the student body?"

Severus leaned back sharply as she threw herself out of her seat. "You want me to drop out of school?!" she shouted, her eyes as wild as her unruly hair.

"I didn't say that," Kingsley answered slowly. "I am only speculating aloud the risks of allowing you to remain at the castle."

"Hermione, please sit," requested Minerva, and he watched as she took a few calming breaths before stiffly returning to her seat. The Headmistress leaned forward and in a gentle voice assured, "there is no reason for you to drop out of Hogwarts. Even if you were to leave the castle, we have dealt with remote education in the past. It would not be difficult to arrange it for you as well."

Severus leaned forward as he considered that, resting his elbows on his knees. "It could work," he agreed softly, "if we found a safer place for her to stay."

He noticed a pained expression cross her face for the briefest of moments before she schooled her features. Recognizing the signs of a mental shield in the dullness of her eyes, he frowned. "Hermione?" he asked quietly, and his questioning gaze was met with a blank stare.

"There is nowhere else," she whispered.

"How is that possible?" he asked. "Your friends-"

"Grimmauld Place has been compromised for months," Kingsley answered for him. "Even if we could re-enact the Fidelius charm, there are risks with Potter and Weasley coming and going as often as the ministry requires them to, not to mention the fact that it would undoubtedly make their job significantly more difficult."

"The Burrow, then-" he suggested, but Hermione was shaking her head.

"Mr and Mrs Weasley are in Romania," she explained. "Most of the Weasleys, at that. I don't think they had planned to be back before Christmas."

Severus raised his eyebrows at Minerva across from him. This did pose a problem. "Are we certain the castle is not safe?" she implored, looking to each of them in turn. "I understand I am a liability, I understand I could be putting others at risk, but that's only if we know they can enter the school. And we don't know that they can-"

"Miss Granger," started Kingsley, but she cut him off, standing once more.

"Surely we could put up some additional protections?" she asked, and he heard the edge in her voice. Was it panic? Fear? Anger, perhaps? "There's only about a month until winter holidays, anyway. If we can keep them out for that long-"

"Hermione-"

"NO!" Her shout was a sharp and desperate cry, and he could see her shield crumbling as rage spread through her body. "No, this is unacceptable. This is my last chance to finish my education, and I'll be damned before I let some revenge-happy criminals ruin this for me! They've taken so much from me already, they can't take my education as well! I won't- I can't-"

He watched her with uncertainty as she wiped angry tears from her eyes. "No one is taking your education from you, you silly witch," he told her softly. When her head flipped around to look at him he added, "Sit down and breathe. You have every right to be angry, but it isn't solving anything right now."

As she sat and took a deep breath, he met Minerva's stunned expression, her eyebrows raised. "What?" he mouthed, and she gestured towards Hermione with a nod of her head and gave him a pointed look. He rolled his eyes. Now was not the time to be questioning his dealings with weepy students.

Kingsley eyed Hermione with unease and spoke up. "We'll table this particular topic for now. Severus, let's focus on you."

With an exaggerated sigh, Severus rubbed his face with his hand. "What about me, Minister?"

"It's well past time to discuss your safety as well."

"We've already discussed it." He put as much warning in those four words as possible, gritting his teeth as he met the other man's eyes.

Kingsley shook his head. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to insist on you laying low now. We can't risk your life unnecessarily."

"Must I remind you of all the reasons I cannot agree to this?"

The minister waved his concerns away. "Your obligations, I know. We can function without you, Severus. The plea bargain is finalized with the Malfoys; they'll speak as freely enough to us as they have to you. As for your invaluable insight, I can always come to you myself."

"My potions-"

"You act like you're the only one who can deliver potions, Severus." Minerva met his glare with a raised eyebrow. "We can arrange for the sensitive brews to be collected and delivered for you. The rest I can collect via Floo."

"And where do you intend to lock me away?" He knew the look in the minister's eyes; his mind would not be swayed this time.

"I would not ask you to step so far out of your comfort zone," answered Kingsley. "Your home would suffice, under the Fidelius."

Severus sighed and rubbed his eyes. He supposed it could be worse; how often did he leave his house, anyway? In the past month he could count a total of 4 trips, two of those being potions related and another a trip to Azkaban. "If I agree to this," he asked wearily, "will you at least understand that I do not wish to do this indefinitely?"

"How long can you give us?" Kingsley asked, and he shifted in his seat, giving the question some thought.

"I am willing to re-evaluate the situation come the new year," he finally answered.

The minister simply nodded and stared thoughtfully at the wall.

A moment's silence spanned amongst the group, each member lost in their own thoughts, when Kingsley nodded and said, "Right. Severus, I would like Miss Granger to join you."

"What?!"

It would have been quite comical, the reactions of both himself and Hermione mirroring so well, had it not been for the absurdity of the request they had just responded to. Minerva's face pinched in an effort not to smile, and he turned a stony glare her way.

"It makes sense," she said. "Hermione shouldn't remain in the castle, and there are no other safe places for her to go."

"Surely there's somewhere-"

"Anywhere we could send her, we'd be sending her alone," Kingsley interrupted. "I cannot afford to lose even one of my men to act as guardian, and unless you would rather accompany her somewhere else, I've made my decision."

Hermione glanced his way, and for a moment he could see the shock in her eyes before she turned towards Kingsley. "Sir," she asked, "surely there's a way to keep me here?"

A soft clearing of a throat caught the room's attention, and when Severus looked up at the source he scowled. "Albus," he greeted unaffectionately. "What can we do for you?"

"It's lovely to see you again, Severus." The painting's eyes twinkled as he smiled pleasantly. "If only it were under better circumstances."

He sneered, and Minerva turned more fully towards the painting. "I assume you have a reason for interrupting us, Albus?"

"I do." The painting turned to meet Hermione's gaze, and he continued, "It is wonderful to see you, as well, Miss Granger. I must say, your theory about the wards reacting with your bracelet was quite ingenious. I do believe you are correct in your assumptions." Hermione's cheeks flushed at his words, and as much as Severus knew she loved to hear that she was right, he scoffed.

"Get on with it, Albus," he growled. "We don't have time for pleasantries."

The portrait waved its hand dismissively. "Forgive me for seeking a bit of friendly conversation. But yes, let's get to the point of this discussion. Unfortunately, Miss Granger, while the castle is well guarded, there will always be ways around the protections. While I think it highly unlikely an attack would take place in the castle itself, I also had not anticipated the possibility that Sirius Black could have made it as far as the boy's dormitory, or the fact that Death Eaters could have found their way in at all." He paused, looking at the collective listening to his every word, and continued, "if these men are desperate- and I can only imagine they are, having failed in your capture not once but twice- I'm afraid it would be wisest to take every precaution."

Severus caught Hermione's wide-eyed stare and held it for a long moment. "I have no room," he spoke finally, looking at Kingsley once more. "Should she be forced to sleep on the sofa?"

Minerva snorted. "Oh, if only we had access to highly talented transfiguration and charms spellcasters that could add on to your home for you for free."

"Hogsmeade doesn't allow private additions-"

"Hogsmeade answers to the ministry," Kingsley interrupted. "If I tell them to look the other way, they'll do it."

"Besides," added Minerva, "your home will hardly be noticeable under the fidelius. If you hate the addition that much, we'll put it back to sorts when this is all over."

"When is this all to take place, then?" he snapped. "Am I to relinquish control of my life immediately, or may I have a few moments?"

"Severus-"

"Piss off, old man- this doesn't concern you!" he shouted at the portrait, rising to pace once more.

"Severus, please, be reasonable." Minerva rose from her seat and frowned his way, and he turned on her in annoyance.

"'Be reasonable?' You're the one suggesting I take a Hogwarts student into my home, while she's still a student, as if it's a normal thing to ask of me!"

"What part of this situation is normal?" she countered. "Where else could she possibly go that would be safer?"

"I'm sure we could make Grimmauld Place-"

Hermione stood, slamming her palms on the desk in front of her as she did so. "Do I get a chance to speak for myself?!" she shouted, turning towards him with a glare. "Or are we still under the assumption that I'm an underage child in need of a guardian?"

"And what could you possibly add to the discussion?" he argued. "Have you come up with another solution, or are you going to continue lamenting over your eviction from the castle?"

Minerva made to scold him, he was sure, but Hermione stepped forward at that moment and shoved a finger in his chest- the act shocking him into silence- before hissing, "Stop snarling at me like I'm a first year in your classroom. You didn't scare me then, and you're certainly not scaring me now. I'm lamenting? Listen to yourself!" She took a step back, her arm sweeping towards the other two people in the room. "They're not wrong, this is the safest plan. If you don't want me there, I'll understand, but you're arguing against what is truly the only thing you've claimed to want for me- my utmost safety!" She paused, holding his gaze, and added, "You're right, we can probably make Grimmauld Place safe enough. But it isn't the safest place for me. And I certainly don't wish to make Harry's and- and Ron's job harder for them."

A pregnant pause filled the room as Severus studied Hermione, standing before him with her chin raised defiantly. He searched her eyes, looking for any sign of wavering, and when he saw her determination held firm, he looked away, running both hands over his face.

When he dropped his hands, he looked over at her uncertainly. "You would choose to stay with me over your friends?" he asked in disbelief.

She nodded. "I trust you," she said softly.

All the more fool is she, he thought to himself sourly before turning from the group as a whole. Could he do this? Could he agree to his house being altered, to sharing a space with a former student? Could he himself sit idly by? "Before I agree," he addressed the wall, "I want to go over the specifics." He turned around then, eyes shifting from face to face. "Who would be Secret Keeper?"

Kingsley nodded towards the woman at his side. "It makes the most sense for Minerva to take that role, if she would be willing. It would allow her access to you both, to deliver Miss Granger's schoolwork as well as anything you may need, Severus."

"I would be honored," the Headmistress spoke without pause.

Severus continued. "What of the potions that need be delivered?"

"I can always send Hagrid," she responded, and Severus opened his mouth to argue, but she cut him off. "He's in Hogsmeade the most out of anyone, Severus, and he's a member of the Order. It just makes sense."

Grumbling, he rubbed his neck and eyed Hermione. "Are you certain about this?" he asked again, still finding it difficult to believe that she would so readily agree.

"I told you, I trust you." She gave him a tired smile. "Besides, it's only through the holidays. I wouldn't want you spending them alone."

He snorted at that, accepting her good graces with an amused smirk, before letting out a long, exaggerated sigh. "Fine," he finally relented. "When do we start the preparations?"


Hermione entered her common room in a state of trepidation, and was relieved to find it empty. She had no energy for more conversation at this moment. Her four-poster taunted her, a heavy reminder of the fatigue that weighed her down, but there was far too much to do. All of her belongings had to be packed, letters needed to be written, and if she was lucky she had hoped to arrange for some private talks with her professors about her remote classwork. All while maintaining as much of a mental shield as possible, because in order to get through the day she was going to need every bit of her attention focused on her tasks and not what had happened that morning. There would be time to come to terms with it all later.

As she knelt by her school trunk and started to sort out her belongings, she debated on only bringing her beaded bag- but no, her trunk could be organized so much easier, and she was told it was best for her not to leave anything behind. She carefully arranged the items already inside the trunk first, before adding her school books and supplies in the open spaces. The drawer full of letters was emptied next, her nightstand after that, and she hurried to the bathroom to collect her toiletries.

If she took her cauldron out she had enough room for her clothes, so she put the heavy potions tool in her beaded bag- she wasn't sure why she had even brought it this year, and was regretting the fact that she had. But no matter, without it, her clothes fit easily, as long as she shrunk the bulkiest of items. The only thing left was the blanket from Mrs Weasley.

She rose to fold it, and her eyes laid on the Marauders Map, still open and still displaying the whereabouts of everyone on the grounds. Slowly, she sat next to it, glancing over the map as she thought back to that morning. Would she have seen MacNair, if she had looked closer? If she hadn't been so distracted, could she have avoided this attack?

Her fingers traced over the lines until she found the correct location. No, she saw with relief, there wasn't enough of the forest marked to have been able to display his name. Unless he had come closer to the edge, she would not have seen him. It gave her little comfort, but it relieved some of her anxiety surrounding her lack of vigilance.

Standing up, she promptly cleared the map and folded it again, sliding it into the pocket she usually carried it in. Quickly, she folded the blanket, set it in the trunk, and closed it. Next, she eyed the desk, where a quill, inkwell, and stack of parchments were left out waiting for her. She owed it to Harry and Ginny, at least, to tell them what had happened. McGonagall promised to hand deliver the letters for her, and had explained to her that if she wished to continue correspondence with them, it would have to be through her- owls would not be a permitted way of communication during her stay.

Her stay in Snape's house. Was there truly no better place for her? Oh, part of her was thrilled, but it was a part she was desperately trying to keep buried. Her relief at not being forcefully sent to Grimmauld Place was selfish, she knew, but at the moment she didn't care. There were very good reasons for her not to go there, and thankfully they were sufficient enough that she didn't have to bring up the fact that no, she did not want to stay with her best friend and his best friend, who was now her ex boyfriend- what a terrible dynamic that would be! She would feel isolated all the same.

Another feeling tried hard to emerge past her exhausted mental shield, but she was forcibly ignoring that as well. She could feel sorry for herself another time- she couldn't afford to get distracted by self-pity now. She was well aware of how isolated and alone she was about to be; it would do her no good to dwell on it.

Sniffing, she rubbed a tear from her cheek and sat at the desk. The sooner she could write these letters, the better.


A/N2: As always, please review!