Hermione lingered at the edge of her protection spell for what seemed hours to Harry. The dry autumn leaves crackled against one another in the oncoming winter breeze.

Poor Hermione. She must be really torn up about Ron, he exhaled as he packed up the tent to give her some time before they had to apparate.

Rather than introspection, Hermione was reaching out to Severus. She knew it could be risky to grab him at an inopportune time, but he had to know the situation. "Severus…" she tentatively pressed forward.

Headmaster Snape was seated at the front of the Great Hall in that moment, attempting to eat dinner. But like much of his students and staff, the Carrows had put him off his tea.

"Severus…"

Hermione… it must be something drastic for her to reach me at this hour, He thought to himself. Communication may have been precarious, but multitasking had always been a part of his function. And, as he was loathe to admit, he was far too worried for one seasoned spy. He mentally reached his hand out to hers in affirmation.

"He's gone."

"Potter? …No, of course not. It must be Weasley."

"Ron couldn't handle the locket. Do we leave him behind? I'm worried about his safety."

He felt a twinge at the sorrowful concern in her voice, "And they call me a coward. Did the boy once stop to think about your safety?"

"…"

"You must change your location, I'm hearing too much word about where you are now… Try not to worry, Hermione: I will check up on Mister Weasley. Now if you'll excuse me, his sister is trying to set fire to my robes. Much like some other insufferable Gryffindor many years ago." She could hear his wry smile.

The connection was closed as a cold wall descended. Oh, Severus. She gave a worried sigh. Wait a minute, did that mean he knew?!

Harry's hand wrapped itself around hers. Smaller than Snape's, but its warmth afforded her comfort. She held it tighter as they looked at each other in confirmation. She trusted that Ron would be safe, he'd probably be back with his mum in the hour. It was time to go. The two vanished with a clap of thunder.

More and more students were growing so bold as to try things against the Carrows and their new Headmaster. Hermione could identify. If she were there and knew nothing of the things her lover had done, she would have hexed him along with everyone else. Torture was the chosen recourse of the administration. What the students did not know was that Severus was just as tormented by the discipline as her classmates were; if not more so when it was by his hand. He would go easy, but he had to make it look damaging to those watching. Which often meant hitting the right area for blood spray. He reached out to her that night about curses boarding on the Unspeakable. She could hear something in Severus' voice that made her scared. At times, she knew, he felt winning this war was not within his grasp; that all this violence was for naught. That they could never surmount the terror that was Lord Voldemort. She reached out, before the Dreamless Sleep took him, and replayed the memories of that perfect night they made love. Love was stronger than hate. Love would win this war. She would make sure of it.

From Severus' reports she could understand his complaints about rash decision making. Not everything is as it seems. But her world was as it seemed, confined to one canvas tent with a demonic locket around her neck and a morose looking Harry Potter. Suddenly, there was a rare break in the droning radio discussions that afforded enough time for an old song to play. She could hardly hear the music through the miserable whispers at her throat. That was when Harry once more held out his hand and asked her for a dance. She accepted, albeit not gladly. As their feet moved inexpertly back and forth, trying not to step on another's toe, she closed her eyes to recall the time she had danced with Severus' honed body at Slughorn's ball. That night seemed forever ago. His body had been so different from Harrys; towering, intimidating, sensuous, adult. What would he think now that his lover was in the clutches of a Potter? She laughed out loud at the thought, the absurdity of her love and the similarities of the two separate lifetimes. She continued to smile as Harry twisted her left and right. The way he spun her almost made her forget the hell they had chosen, but the music was dying and the voices were calling as she lay her head on her friend's shoulder and swayed into the darkness.

It was near Christmas when Harry suggested that the two go to Godric's Hollow. She'd almost suspected that Voldemort had planted the idea in Harry's mind himself. But as mad as she thought he was, as daft as the idea must have been; he was right. They weren't going to find any leads in the forest. Severus couldn't afford them any information. Asking the Dark Lord where his soul was would simply make his journey to hell faster, in his words.

She sighed in reluctant acceptance of the idea. Both teenagers were seemingly orphans in this time of family cheer. How she wanted to kick Ron for his supposed happiness. He probably had that stupid monogramed sweater on right about now, enjoying a second helping of pie. "You know what Harry, let's go," she huffed. At least they could pay their respects to his family. Hers didn't know she'd ever existed.

"Hermione, I beg of you: Do. Not. Go." Severus' tremulous voice echoed through her. "We do not have forces stationed there, but I do not see why it wouldn't be a well-laid trap."

"I'm sorry, Severus. It may be our only chance at finding the remaining horcruxes. I know it's dreadful… I hope you'll forgive me." With that, the wall was up.

Foolish, foolish girl! His hand swiped the Firewhiskey from the mantle, sending it shattering on the stone floor. He could see her lifeless body, lying in the same place where he'd once cradled Lily. The very thought sent him clattering to his knees. What could he do? Now he was the one in a trap. He couldn't draw any attention to the girl or the Death Eaters would be upon them in an instant. He must remain in the castle, but his soul was miles away from his body.