~ Chapter 22 ~
Two days later, the majority of the group surrounded McGonagall's desk to look over a stolen floor plan of the Ministry. One of the few remaining workers had grabbed the detailed record before they left and handed it over to her cousin to aid in their plan. Professor Snape was leading the conversation alongside Sniderfield, and occasionally Harry would speak up, but Snape soon brushed him off. Hermione started to find it funny that Harry was saying complicated words and long sentences to show off his intelligence to his ex-professor, who scowled at him and did his best to speak over him whenever he spoke.
The past two days have been filled with awkward silences between Snape and I. Most of the silence was his doing, but she still found it rather amusing. He wasn't being cruel or spitting out venomous words, however, he seemed to be more conscious of her person now. She wanted to hold his hand more, however she'd decided to wait to try it again. I don't want him to explode. Penny had briefly hinted that his reaction to her touch wasn't because he was repulsed by her, so she saw that as a good sign.
She watched the variety of people point at the map and put forward their ideas. At the moment, it looked like they would be heading in at night thanks to a tip off from one of the other workers remaining there. Apparently, a lot of Lucius' men, including the Malfoys, reside there at night — clearly too scared to abandon the Ministry.
Hermione decided not to get involved with the complex talk. She already felt it was her fault that Lucius was doing all of this, but she knew better than to voice that opinion.
Ron kept sending her smiles from across the room whenever she caught his eye, but she dismissed him. She'd reconcile with him after the Ministry was back to normal. There's too much to focus on.
"So we've established that we'll go ahead with the attack at night," McGonagall said. "We should now decide our groups."
"Do you think groups would be wise?" An Auror asked.
"Going together in one big group will put all of us in danger immediately, so we need to go into the Ministry in separate ways to cause Lucius and his friends to split up."
Sniderfield started to count everyone in the group. "There are twenty of us all together, and three of us are Aurors, so we should split up into three groups."
"Why not four groups?" a young woman asked. "Each will have five people so every group has the same amount."
"But we should have a professional in each—"
Hermione cut off Sniderfield. "There are people in this room who fought in a war; I assure you they can handle themselves without an Auror."
"I didn't mean to offend you, Hermione, you are a war hero, so of course you can handle yourself."
"I was trying to be discreet, but I meant that Professor Snape is more than capable of leading a group," only Hermione saw his eyes widen slightly, and she couldn't fight the smile from her face.
Snape has more experience than anyone in this room, even though it contains Harry. I have faith that he could lead all twenty of us.
A few people cast suspicious looks his way, including McGonagall. Snape held his head up high under everyone's scrutiny and awaited Sniderfield's comments.
"Very well," Sniderfield glanced at Harry. "You can lead the fourth group."
"Let's sort out who's going with who," Harry said. "Hermione do you want to be in my group or Ron's?"
"She'll be with me."
Everyone turned to look at Snape, including Hermione. The demand in his voice caused something to flutter in her stomach, and she immediately sat up straight in the chair.
Harry narrowed his eyes. "I don't think that's wise—"
"I'm going with Professor Snape."
McGonagall cleared her throat. "Let's not make a big deal out of this; Hermione you should go with Harry or Ron, it's for the best."
"And how do you justify that?"
Everyone focused on their exchange, and Hermione heard Snape sigh loudly. Why was it that she couldn't have a conversation with the Headmistress? Oh, that's right, it's because she always has to insult Professor Snape.
McGonagall glanced at Snape with a sigh. "I just think it would be better, for both of you."
"It's my choice," Hermione said. "And I wish to be with Professor Snape."
"I guess there's no changing your mind then," McGonagall didn't look pleased with her decision, and Hermione knew that she wouldn't push her view any further while they had an audience.
Sniderfield clapped his hands together. "Right, let's sort out the groups."
An hour later, Hermione followed Snape back down into the dungeons thinking over their plans for tomorrow night. I can't believe it's happening so soon. There was nothing she wanted more than to know that the Malfoys would be put away for their crimes.
They walked into his quarters and Hermione expected him to disappear from her sight; he'd done it a lot more since she held his hand, but to her surprise, he took off his robe and readied his wand in his hand. He turned around with a fierce look on his face, leaving her to stare back in bemusement.
"Sir?"
"I propose that we have a duel," he said. "I want to see if you need some more practise."
"I can handle myself," she replied meekly.
"I don't doubt your ability to defend yourself, but you and I have been away from fighting for a while now," he stepped closer. "Both of us need practise."
There was no offence taken by his suggestion to practise, she just felt unprepared for what was to happen tomorrow. People might die. Hermione thought about Ron immediately. I have to talk to him, right now.
"Professor, I need to go and talk to Ron," Hermione didn't give him a chance to respond as she fled the dungeons to find him.
It didn't take her long to find both Ron and Harry in the Entrance Hall. "Wait!" she called out, then they turned to look at her.
Even though she wanted to brood over things further, now wasn't the time to do so. I have to make sure they know that I love them both, just in case something bad happens tomorrow.
Ron moved towards her first, and before he could open his mouth to say something, she threw her arms around his neck. "I'm not mad," she whispered in his ear.
He stilled briefly but soon wrapped his arms around her. "I'm sorry for what I did."
She shook her face in his neck. "I forgive you." Hermione pulled away with a smile. "I just want you two to know that I love you."
Harry laughed and nudged Ron's arm. "She's getting all sentimental on us."
Hermione crossed her arms. "Tomorrow will be tough on all of us, and I don't think I could survive without letting the pair of you know that you mean everything to me."
"Nothing bad is going to happen, 'Mione," Harry pulled her into his arms. "We love you too."
"Speak for yourself mate," Ron chuckled when Hermione hit his arm. "Yeah yeah, I guess I love you too."
"Good!" She grinned at them both. "After this is over we should do something together. It's been so long since we've been around one another without talking about serious things."
"I could do with a holiday," Harry suggested.
"That sounds great," Hermione began to calculate a plan in her head.
Ron laughed. "Shouldn't have suggested that, Harry, she'll owl us a detailed plan by tomorrow."
"Shut up!" she exclaimed with a blush. "I have to go now, but I'll see you tomorrow." They both responded with a "goodbye" and watched her disappear towards the dungeons.
Hermione opened the door to Snape's office with a smile on her face. She greeted him with beaming words, but her smile faltered at the sight of him glaring at her from his desk.
"Sir?"
"I did my best not to forcefully assert rules upon you, but I thought I made it very clear about going places on your own."
Her eyes widened at his dull tone. He's angry with me, very angry. She approached his desk and sat down opposite him.
"I'm sorry, sir, I just had to make sure everything was OK with Ron and Harry," she explained. "My head got all fuzzy and I acted impulsively; I didn't mean to run off like that."
"It doesn't matter if you didn't mean to do it, you still did it," he tapped his fingers on the desk. "Disobedience may cost you your life tomorrow night."
Anger flared up inside of her, but she managed to stop her flaming words from exploding out. There was no point in arguing with him right now; there was too much that could go wrong tomorrow and she didn't want her last memories to be of them fighting.
"Again, I apologise," she said. "The thought of something happening to me or Harry and Ron tomorrow made me want to tell them that I love them."
His jaw tightened. "Your love confessions couldn't wait until tomorrow?"
"I wouldn't call them love confessions, sir, they both know that I love them but I wanted to say it to them just in case something bad happens."
Snape's eyes locked with hers. "You feel as if something will happen to you tomorrow?"
She shrugged. "There's no way to know the outcome."
"Is there anyone else you wish to confess your love to, or will you just continue to run off whenever you feel like it?"
Hermione narrowed her eyes at him. "Have I upset you?"
"No," he inhaled through his teeth. "However just because things will be ending tomorrow, doesn't mean you can act like you're no longer in danger."
Hermione reached across the desk and grabbed his hand. She recalled the last time she'd done it, but this time it wasn't about discovering whether she felt something when she touched him, now, she wanted to give him comfort.
He looked away from her and stared at their joined hands. "Why are you doing this?" he asked.
"The only other person I want to confess to is you, Professor Snape."
His eyes darkened as he looked back into her eyes. "Excuse me?"
She used both her hands to grab his own and squeeze it tight. "You've done so much for me — some may consider it too much — and I need you to know how much you mean to me. I know that hearing this will be hard for you because of the boundaries between us, yet, I don't care if it makes you feel uncomfortable. I wouldn't be where I am right now without your guidance. Just thinking about the numerous outcomes that could have occurred scares me, but I know that this was the best option for me — you are the best option for me. The thought of something happening to you tomorrow terrifies me, which is why I have to tell you that you mean the world to me, even if you don't believe it or do not care to hear it, I'm selfish enough to force it upon you."
Hermione smiled then let go of his hand. She looked away from his blank stare and focused on Penny. Thoughts of her and Snape being intended souls caused her to frown; it was a ridiculous fantasy that she shouldn't latch on to since it would only end up in heartbreak for her.
Snape cleared his throat and got to his feet. Hermione expected him to flee to his bedroom like last time, but he took out his wand with a sigh. "Get up. It's time for you to practise your shields and fighting spells."
Hermione followed his orders and they spent most of the evening duelling. They ate dinner in silence and he muttered a 'goodnight' to her before he disappeared to his bedroom for the night. Hermione was left alone on the sofa to watch the flames fizzle out in the fireplace. Her mind fell silent as she gazed up at the plain ceiling and stroked the scar on her left wrist.
She hoped that tomorrow would bring about the end of the Malfoys, and she could only pray to whatever was out there that she would make it through the fight with everyone she loved.
AN:/ Hello! Thank you for your response to the last chapter, all of your reviews made me smile! Now, the next chapter will be the 'fight', and I may release it in a couple of hours - it depends on how much you all want it, so let me know (just kidding, I really want to release it before Christmas Day, so I'll probably do so shortly) - It isn't going to go as you all think (might not even take place at the Ministry, who knows? (oh...I do :D)