Chapter 42. Protect Her

Every nerve on the witch's form tingled as she pressed her naked form against Snape's. She forced herself to keep her fingers from running over his chest and starting something he likely wasn't recovered enough to continue. Biting her lip, she nuzzled into him and breathed deeply, ridding herself of her growing hunger for him. She relished in the comfort of Snape's arms, but with her mind coming out of the lusty fog, she remembered there was more to her late-night visit than just a shag. Hermione knew she had to tell him what her friends had discovered earlier that day. Keeping her eyes closed, and held him just a bit tighter, feeling his grip on her waist tense as well.

"Severus, I-" she started, feeling her breath being taken from her lungs as she tried to come up with a way to break the romance.

"Yes?" He asked, his voice danced with a touch of worry.

"Dumbledore told Harry he knew where another Horcrux was," she started, exhaling. "He says they'll be going to retrieve it at the end of the month, after exams." Severus sat up, forcing Hermione too as well. The witch studied his features. His eyebrows had narrowed, his lips pinched, and his nostrils flared. He was deep in thought, sending butterflies into her abdomen. "Is it bad? Will they be alright?"

"Horcruxes are what has been keeping the Dark Lord from death. It is how he has managed to return after so many defeats." Severus explained. "Though I imagine he explained that to you."

"Harry? Some, but he didn't explain it well. I would have gone to the library for more information, but I haven't really had a change since I spoke with him." Hermione sighed, beginning to wonder about where she would even start to look for that information. It was dark magic, that much her friend had confirmed, so it wouldn't be an easy find.

"There won't be anything in the books you would regularly seek out," Severus explained. "However, there might be something left in the restricted section, perhaps. That is, after all, where the Dark Lord first read about them. I imagine, though, that Dumbledore rid the school of any mention of them, after finding out that was what he was looking for." The air was getting heavier between them. Even the mention of such dark artifices was sucking the joy out of their reunion.

"When did he find that out?" Hermione asked. She has gotten bits of information out of Draco when he came to visit, but nothing much. He mostly spoke of schoolwork, words of gossip from around Hogwarts that he deemed interesting enough for her to hear. Anytime she asked for updates on her friends he would avoid answering or simply state that he didn't care enough to learn about the Gryffindor's comings and goings. This has bothered her in the moment, but she noticed a trend that he would quickly change the subject to her child, which always worked to deter her. Looking back on it, she wished it hadn't been so easy to distract her from her line of inquiry.

"No long ago. In April." Severus answered. Her heart sunk. Two months wasn't, objectively, that long ago, but to her, it was ages ago. Locked away she had no access to the answers she craved. She had been engrossed in the updates of her own growing foetus, but not what was leading up to the war. Her friends needed to be prepared, they needed her help and support. Instead, she had been locked away.

"When Harry used the liquid luck to talk to Slughorn," she added, hoping it helped her seem as though she had known all along. The fib made her uneasy when Severus looked at her with surprise. "He mentioned it when he was explaining what Horcruxes were," she clarified. Defeated, she let her posture fall and hugged her midsection. "Oh Severus, I've missed so much. How can so much happen in the few months that I've been away?" Tears pricked at her eyes.

Severus leaned forward a bit and wrapped her in his arms, pulling her into his chest. She readjusted and held him back, holding onto the one solid thing in her life. "Events happen so slowly at the beginning of a war, then all at once, it seems." His effort did little to comfort her. Of course, everything happened all at once when she wasn't around to experience it.

"Was it like that the first time then?" She asked in a small voice.

"Yes." He stated. The silence that extended after his answer made her uneasy, daring her to fill it. She didn't have much to say. Her friends had offered her little answers, Draco even fewer. She was in the dark as far as everything in the present was concerned.

"How did it start?" She asked finally, hoping the past might shed some light on coming events. He didn't answer at first, so she sat up again to look at him. His dark eyes looked down to where she had been, seeming fixed on his hands as he tried to come up with an answer.

Severus exhaled, a pained expression falling over his features. "I'm sure it will all come out in the end."

-x-

It was oddly familiar, sitting in the common room with Harry and Ron, reading through their notes and texts in preparation for their exams. The nostalgia of it was comforting, wrapping around her like a warm hug. Too warm perhaps. The summer air seemed to hang off her shoulders, though Hermione suspected it was mostly just her as the other students seemed to be relaxed. She debated conjuring up a small blizzard just over herself, but that would draw too much attention. Instead, the witch just adjusted her blows and tied her hair back off her neck. It was slightly cooler but didn't make as much of a difference as she would have liked.

Her eyes trailed over, taking in the golden wallpaper and cosy features of the room before landing on Ron who was glaring are her abdomen with clenched teeth. Hermione coughed and adjusted in her seat uncomfortably.

"Have you had a chance to go to the library yet, Hermione?" Harry asked, not looking up from the book he was reading from.

Hermione pulled her attention away from Ronald and returning to thumbing the pages of her own text. "I've spent a great deal of time in the library, you know me, but was there something I was supposed to be looking for, in particular?" Her voice was shaky as she tried to slow her heart rate. Nervousness bubbles up in her stomach as she hoped Ronald would keep his promise to keep her secret between them while they studied.

"Well, if I'm going to be searching for Horcruxes, I thought I ought to see what other information is out there," Harry barked back, catching Hermione at a surprise. "Sorry," he mumbled, but Hermione's nerves didn't settle.

"Yes, that makes sense," she replied with a shrug, burying her nose back in the book. After a heavy pause between them, Hermione coughed, folding the book on her lap. "What do we know so far?"

"You have to kill someone to split your soul," Ronald chimed in grimly.

"Voldemort has no shortage of people he's murdered, so he could have any number of Horcruxes," Harry replied, the image of Cedric popping to the forefront of Hermione's thoughts.

"Wouldn't you reason that you would have to make one intentionally? Or wouldn't every wizard who had ever killed someone have a Horcrux out there," Ronald proposed.

"Good point, Ronald, I'm not sure." Hermione mused as she wished she'd had gone to the library and searched around as Harry asked. "There might be something in the restricted section, I can look after supper," the witch offered.

"Well we know he's made a few, a ring, and his diary. Those were both intentional," Harry listed. He had long put down his text and was staring through the floor in front of him. His brows were narrowed as he was deep in thought. The coldness radiating from him reminded Hermione of the mess she'd gotten herself into and how it pulled her so far from her dearest friends.

"And the one you and Dumbledore are after," Ronald added, pulling Hermione from her pity.

"Right. He mentioned seven in the memory with Slughorn, Voldemort did," Harry stated, his forehead so crinkled that she thought he might end up with permanent trenches above his brows.

Hermione could feel her throat tightening, something she had come to expect in any emotionally charged situation. "Do you really think he really made seven?" Her voice cracked as tears threatened her eyes. She tried not to picture it; seven souls being ripped from this world. The images of the people she loved most flashed before her, ending with a lingering view of Severus. Every day he faced the reality that Voldemort may decide to kill him for being disloyal. Before killing him, Voldemort would pry through Snape's memories, likely finding out about her and their daughter. Voldemort wouldn't even blink taking her life, he had proven that before Easter. Anyone who stood in his way was fair game. The thought churned her stomach.

"I don't know," Harry paused. Biting his lip, he sat back and turned to face them. "Dumbledore mentioned that one can only rip their soul apart so many times, so I can't imagine he would have gone any further." There was something comforting in that thought, that there can only be so many Horcruxes to find instead of it turning into an unending search.

"What do you suppose would happen if he did?" Ron blurted out, interrupting Hermione's train of thought. The question did intrigue her. What would happen if Voldemort split his soul into more than seven pieces?

"I suppose he'd die and have to come back as he has before," Harry reasoned. The thought of Voldemort dying of his own experiment gone wrong felt a little like justice to her, but he was obviously still alive.

"Do you think you're ready, Harry?" Hermione asked, looking at her friend who was gripping the edge of the sofa so hard his knuckles were white. "To help Dumbledore find the remaining Horcruxes?" she finished. She could not imagine being the one to hunt for Horcruxes with Dumbledore. Enough damage had been done with the diary.

"I imagine I'll know what I'm in for a bit better after we try for the next one," he shrugged, letting go of the couch and leaning back. Hermione could tell he was forcing himself to relax as figured out what to do with his hands. He settled on grabbing for his book and shoving his nose into it.

"Yes, I suppose," Hermione sighed, leaning back into the cushion. Instinctively, she placed her hand over her stomach but quickly pulled away when she felt the tingle of the glamour on her fingers. Her eyes darted to Ron who was no longer looking at her but instead focused on their best friend.

"It wouldn't hurt to have a bit of training," the redhead offered, sitting up a bit straighter and turning to his friends. Harry dropped the book into his lap at the suggestion and perked up too. "And since Umbridge isn't here, do you think we could practice a bit?" Hermione could see a little bit of joy and mischief returning to the ginger's cheeks, making her smile.

"Snape's just as much a prick teaching Defense as he was Potions," Harry laughed. "But at least we're learning practical stuff."

"Yeah, at least he's good for something," Ron added, equally pleased with their assessment. Hermione was a bit jealous, that her friends got to learn so much from the man she loved while she was locked away for her own good. They had obviously come to respect the man, even if just a little, for his teaching skills. Though, she mused, I suppose the comparison helped his position.

"I'm choked I missed so much of it," Hermione added, nearly under her breath. She wanted to take it back the moment she said it, sucking the joking air that has come between them in the conversation. The witch held back a wince as she examined the faces of her friends which had fallen. There was a moment of silence while no one made eye contact with Hermione, making her cheeks flush red with awkward embarrassment.

"We should practice," Ron determined.

"I don't think that's a great idea," Hermione added, thinking immediately of the risk to her unborn child. Once again, she wished she hadn't said anything as she took the wind from her friends' sails.

"Why not?" Harry asked, his face twisted. "Usually you'd be the first person to suggest extra study time before a big test." He was right. Hermione would have loved to get in some practical studying before an exam, and duelling was one of the best ways to show your knowledge.

"Just because well-" Hermione bit her lip trying to come up with a good enough excuse, but drew a massive blank. "We've got studying to do. Exams to write. Wouldn't want any of us getting hurt before exams," she said weakly. It was a pathetic excuse since that very prospect had not stopped her before when they trained under Dumbledore's Army.

"Or before you go on your Horcrux hunt with Dumbledore," Ron came to her aid. She released a breath she was not aware she was holding and tried a smile.

"If you get hurt because of silly practising, then you'll be no use to Dumbledore on your search," Hermione added, doubling down on Ron's excuse.

"Yeah, I suppose," Harry resigned. Silence once again vacuumed the air between them, quickly filled by the chatter of first years stumbling through the entry to the common room. They paused, staring at the trio before scurrying off somewhere else. Hermione half-wondered if they were running away from her, given her supposed ties to Malfoy. It wasn't as though first years would give up the chance to talk to the Harry Potter.

Ron was the first to break the silence, "should we get onto Transfigurations?" Hermione nodded, and Harry agreed under his breath as they each pulled out their texts. Hermione's heart sunk a bit. There weren't going to be many more times like these with her friends.

-x-

Hermione took every second possible to write her Arithmancy exam. It wasn't tough or that she hadn't studied, but it felt safe to be in the confines of the study room. The classroom had filled in quickly, students showing up that had skipped many of the classes, and the spot she had been saving for Draco was quickly taken. It was only minutes before the exam was to start that the blond strolled into the room and took his spot at the very front. He hadn't even looked at her as he passed, but she was quickly taken up with writing that she didn't even notice him leave.

As she walked out the door, her arm was snagged, and she gasped loudly as she was pulled into an alcove. "Shh!" Draco said, pressing a finger to her lips as she stared at him wide-eyed. Her heart was still pounding in her chest as she reeled from the shock. "So, uh, how d'you think you did?" He asked casually, removing himself from her mouth. Hermione exhaled, calming herself before she looked around. Most of the students had filed out of the upstairs hall, likely to head to the Great Hall for dinner.

"I would never dare say I aced it, but I feel I did rather well, why?" She asked. He was acting a bit suspicious, pulling her into an alcove, shushing her, showing up late to an exam. It wasn't like him. Sure he gave everyone else the bad boy treatment, pretending to be rebellious, but she knew he cared deeply for his education and wouldn't dream of showing up moments before an exam started. There were more traits like hers than not in the boy, she had quickly realised during their time together.

"No reason, I felt the same," Draco smirked down at her, the playful nature of his expression only worried her more. "I must have had the best study partner in the entire class." His flattery sent a chill down her spine she wasn't expecting. Draco's face quickly changed when she didn't respond, and he took his lower lip into his teeth. "Listen there's something I have to tell you, something you have to know," he said in a low tone.

"What? What's wrong?" Hermione's anxiety bubbled up inside her. He squinted, as though he was having a hard time coming up with the words. He fumbled a bit, trying to come up with something, only adding to Hermione's frustrating. "Just spit it out!" She commanded, digging her nails into her palms with worry.

"I can't tell you," he exhaled. Nausea nearly overcame the witch as she grasped for the answers he wasn't giving her. "It's for everyone's safety that they don't know. I want to tell you. The best I can do is give you this-" Draco pulled out his family ring from his pocket and took her hand gently in his. Hermione closed her fingers around the ring in her palm and felt the cool metal dig into her skin. "My father says it protects people, I- I need you to be safe, Hermione." He broke their eye contact but continued to hold her hands in his.

There was something immediately comforting about the ring, confidence easing her anxiety and allowing her a smile. "We may not be together, Draco, but you're a wonderful friend," her voice made the blond look up at her. A forced smile twisted his lips and he nodded. "I'll keep this safe for you, and when this is all over, and we're safe again, I'll give it back to you." He didn't seem bothered by the prospect of ever getting his ring back.

"Just… No matter what happens, I need you to stay safe, Hermione," the cryptic nature of his comment made her furrow her brows in concern. He sighed against, relaxing his shoulder and leaning forward to place a kiss on her forehead. "If anything happens, you need to get out of Hogwarts, as fast as you can. Take Weasley and Potter with you, they'll protect you."

"What is this about, Draco?" She asked as he released her from his grasp. Instinctively, she placed his ring on her index finger. The ring seemed to morph perfectly to the size of her finger and stay put. He moved to walk away, but she grabbed his arm and held him there, eliciting a sigh of defeat. "What are you talking about, Draco?" She asked again, her voice hardening as she dug in her heels to keep him from running away.

"There's a war coming, Hermione, I can feel it. And- and given my bloodline, I- I doubt I'll be on the right side of things," the blond explained. Hermione's face fell as she recognized defeat in his expression. She wanted to hug him, to pull him close and tell him that everything was going to be alright, that he didn't have to be on the bad side, she could protect him, but she remained silent. "Potter and Weasley will protect you, they'll forgive you for being my friend, my girlfriend, whatever, I promise." With that, he tugged his arm from her grasp and stormed off, leaving her alone in the alcove.

She stood for a moment, in the echoing hall, staring off after Draco. He had long since let her field of vision but something kept her frozen in place. The encounter replayed in her mind over and over. There were so many unanswered questions she had for the boy, and she couldn't even pin down one. He had given her a ring, threatened her with war and then left, as though she would simply trust him. I do trust him, she determined, clenching her hands into fists to feel the ring tighter against her. She knew that logically, she should have been worried by what he said and having to run at a moment's notice as he suggested, but the feeling of calm was almost magical. There was absolutely something protective in that ring he gave her.

Allowing herself back into her body, she determined that the encounter left her less than hungry and that the Great Hall would be far too packed to prove any more relaxing than her exam. She had made plans with Ronald and Harry to meet up after their evening exam, but the pull to her bed was stronger than any promises she'd made.

-x-

Her eyes fluttered open after a completely blank sleep. Hermione stared at the roof of her dormitory for a long while before swinging her feet off the bed and onto the cool floor. Sitting up, she noticed her roommates had already packed their things and left, likely to catch the send-off breakfast before the summer break. With a flick of her wand, she too sent all her items flying into her trunk, picking up a pair of jeans and a light green t-shirt from the case to swap for her pyjamas. With another pass of her wand, she glamoured her stomach again, hiding the growing baby inside of her. She stepped into her sneakers, then walked down the stairs, her half-kneazle following down after her.

The common room was mostly empty, save for Ron, Ginny, Dean and a third-year who seemed to be trying to flirt with Dean. Hermione's focus was quickly drawn to her friend who had his arms around Ginny. The girl was pink and wet as though she had been crying, her hair a mess on her head as though she hadn't had time to brush it. Hermione strode over to her friends, kneeling next to the couch and placing a comforting hand on Ginny's leg. The younger witch immediately noticed the ring on Hermione's index finger and frowned. "Malfoy gave you his family ring? What's next? An engagement?" Ginny spat, ripping herself from her brother's embrace. Ron puffed out his cheeks and leaned away from the interaction.

"No- He's-" Hermione stuttered, standing up and almost tripping as she stepped back into the coffee table. "He's going away. I won't be seeing him for the summer. He wanted me to-"

"To what? Wait for him while he's off shagging other witches?" Ginny hiccoughed as she fell into another fit. It was clear that Ginny's feelings had nothing to do with her judgements over Hermione's love life. Hermione approached Ginny cautiously, daring to give her a hug. The younger witch easily melted into it, pulling on Hermione's t-shirt and covering it with tears and snot. Hermione tightened her grip just a bit, hoping to provide any comfort she could, having wished many times to be held as such when she cried.

Ron stood up, placing a hand on his sister's shoulder. Hermione looked up at him, and he offered her a solemn expression. "Harry left this morning to go on that hunt with Dumbledore."

Sorry for the long hiatus, even with the pandemic I find myself with very little time. I hope you're all keeping well and that you're safe.