Chapter 7

(2 months Later)

Sitting on the swing, I faced the riverfront, watching the rain fall.

I had an open book on my lap with several pieces of parchment next to me.

It was cold outside, but the warming charms I had surrounding the porch kept me warm.

I could hear my mother cooking through the open window. Dinner would include Harry, Ron, and Ginny.

Remus was already here with Teddy. Remus's voice and Teddy's gentle baby talk drifted out of the open window, both a soothing background noise.

I turned back to my book. It was filled with notes and dog-eared so much that I almost used magic so that it would make it perfect again. I would do it. Just not right now.

I would soon start talking to two people.

Neville and Lavender had been the first to agree. I have spoken with several people in the D.A and other adults.

Many had said no at first. But I tried to explain in further detail why it would be necessary. A lot of those reasons were due to emotional and mental problems.

Harry and Ron were the ones that I didn't think I could help. I already knew what was wrong with them. I was there for more than half of the things that hunt them.

Harry's was sadness and guilt. Sad because of the many lives lost and guilty because he thought it had all been his fault. He dealt with it by overworking himself and never being home to Ginny.

Ron was different. He kept everything bottled up and acted as if nothing had happened. He didn't like visiting home, but he was always trying to make his mother forget. He didn't go to the shop anymore either. Bill dealt with it along with Charlie, who always came on the weekends. Lee Jordan stayed at the shop with his girlfriend, Alice.

I could try helping them, but I felt like if I did one thing wrong, it would trigger them. I loved and wanted them to be happy, but I was part of the problem.

They had always relied on me for everything, and now I wasn't with them as much.

They knew what I wanted to do, but they only smiled and changed the topic. When it was time, Ron and Harry would find me.

I got up once I heard Ginny's voice.

Leaving my things outside, I went in to see Ginny holding a tray, which smelled divine.

"Hey, Ginny," I said as I moved over to her.

She grinned, "Hey, Mione, the guy's got held up by Kingsley, but they will be here a bit later."

They must be talking about the last places on the list of properties and hideouts I had given them.

Both boys had gone over the rails.

I hadn't told them of my plan to visit the Malfoy Manor to speak to Snape.

Once I did tell them, they'd gone pale with worry and anger.

Ron had yelled.

It reminded me of when he'd left us in the Forest of Dean.

But he'd stopped himself midway through his outburst.

Because he'd also remembered the previous time he'd yelled at me.

Even Harry had calmed down, neither of them liked to be upset with me.

Ron apologized and left my house with his shoulders hunched, but we all knew I would forgive him.

Teddy, who was strapped to Remus's back, was drooping all over his fist. He caught sight of me and flashed me a toothless grin. I winked back at him.

He had been teething these past few weeks, wanting to chew everything. Remus had come over one night with a crying Teddy. He hadn't known what was wrong and just handed me the toddler.

I had floo called Poppy when my mother had told me he was teething, but we didn't know if the muggle way would help him better than the wizardly way.

Poppy had brought over several things to relieve Teddy's symptoms. She had brought a toy that magically cooled down his gums and a few months worth of potions for him to take for the pain.

"He didn't come home last night. He fell asleep on the sofa in his office." Ginny commented idly, handing my mother a bowl.

"Oh, Ginny, I told him to stop doing that," I said as I leaned back against the wall.

Ginny sighed as she took off her coat, "I know. He told me that. At first, I got angry about it and almost hexed him. He does it less often now, but I feel left out, you know? I know you three are always together, I have nothing against that, but it still hurts."

"Ginny, just do what you have always done. Love him, but don't let him make you unhappy. Let him know that he's hurting you with what he's doing. He's an idiot, but so is your brother. It took me a while to realize that they need a little bit more effort than most guys. The war only made it worse."

She did smile then, "I know. I just wanted to nag for a bit. I love working with Madam Hooch and the first years. There weren't many kids so I know many of them personally. Gwenog Jones has sent me many offers to play as a chaser for her team. But I don't think I'm ready yet. I asked her to let me think for a while longer. I love quidditch but right now Harry needs me more. I know what you're going to say. No boy is worth halting your life, but I want to be here for him. I need him too."

It went unsaid as to why. We all knew why. We all felt the immense void that three people had once occupied.

"I know. Just don't wait too long." I said as I led her into the kitchen.

Mum was setting the plates of food on the table while Remus was trying to get Teddy into his high chair.

Ginny went over to help him. I was about to help my mother set the dishes when I heard the floo open.

Leaving them in the kitchen, I went back into the living room to see Harry dusting off powder and Ron stepping in.

"How did it go?" I asked as I took their coats off.

"We searched Carrow's old family home near Wales, but it was in shambles. It wasn't somewhere they could hide without it just coming down to them. We don't think they have been there in a long time. We still put upwards in case they decide to use it."

Nodding, I moved over to Ron, who had a dark look on his face.

"Ron."

He looked over at me but didn't answer.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

He shook his head, "Nothing, Mione, I'm just tired."

I rubbed his arm, "How's Molly?"

He shrugged, "Mum is hanging on by a thread. I don't know what to do anymore. Bill tries to talk to her. Pa is working hard as well, so he isn't home as much. He tries to be around her, but it's like they can't be in the same room together because mum cries."

Harry came over to our side as he slipped his arm around my shoulders.

"Maybe your mother could go see Molly? They both lost somebody, so they might be able to talk things through?" Harry said as he rubbed his thumb back and forth on my shoulder.

"I'll talk to mum about it later," I said as I tugged Ron closer to us for a bit.

We hadn't even stepped into the kitchen when an unfamiliar patronus came in through the open window.

It was a large mastiff, and when it spoke, a familiar voice rang out, "Malfoy Manor was attacked. I have taken them and Nott to Spinner's End." Snape's voice said before the mastiff disappeared.

Harry turned around to put his coat on while Ron left through the floo.

I didn't comment on Snape's patronus, which had changed from the gentle doe it had been to a large mastiff.

I turned around to see the others by the kitchen opening.

"I'm going to go with the. I'm not sure when we'll be back, so go ahead and eat."

Mother nodded, expression tight with worry, "Be safe."

Remus left first through the floo to follow Ron while Harry grabbed my hand.

"Snape took them to his place. I know where it's located since I've gone before. Hold on tight to me."

With a loud crack, we landed on a deserted street filled with large brick buildings cramped together.

The rain made it hard to see further down the street.

Harry let go of my hand and headed straight between the two buildings in front of us.

"It's this one," Harry said as he pointed to the one to the left.

There wasn't a light on, but we could see a slight glow in the window next to the door.

We walked over to it, and Harry opened the door.

I had my back to him to watch the street in case whoever attacked them had followed them.

I heard Harry talking to Snape, asking what had happened.

I looked once more at the deserted street before going inside and closing the door.

"They broke through most of the wards in the house before we realized that we were under attack. Nott had checked through an upstairs window and saw Yaxley and Dolohov trying to get in. He didn't see anybody else, but it looked like two others had been with them." Snape said.

"Ron already went ahead to let Kingsley know, and he will let us know what to do next," Harry said as he walked over to the window, trying to peer out even if it was futile with how dirty the glass was.

I looked around the room as we waited to receive word from Ron.

Malfoy and his mother stood by, talking in hushed tones.

Nott stood a few feet from them, wand at ready. He was staring at me, but nothing shone in his eyes except a bit of frustration.

Malfoy left his mother's side and walked over to Nott.

He leaned down to whisper something to Nott, gaze fixed on me.

I was tempted to raise an eyebrow in question but decided to ignore the urge.

Malfoy drew back and looked away from me.

Harry was still staring outside when Ron's patronus entered the room.

"Meet us at Mione's since Remus went back there. Kingsley is already there. We'll explain the situation there." Ron's voice rang out with a hint of anger in it.

He wasn't happy that we were bringing them to my house. I wasn't happy about it either. I didn't want them there, but it wasn't like we could stay here either.

To the Death Eaters who'd attacked, finding Snape's home wouldn't be hard.

"Hermione?" Harry asked with a frown on his face.

Everybody had automatically looked over at me when Ron had mentioned meeting back at my house.

"Let's go. I'll take Nott and Malfoy with me. Apparate outside near the willow tree."

Harry stared at me for a moment longer before nodding. He moved over to Snape and Narcissa.

"Hold on," he said as he held out both arms to both adults.

Even an idiot could see how uncomfortable he was with said contact.

With a loud crack, they left me alone with two boys who had once hated me.

I casually lifted my arms, forcing them to touch me first.

Malfoy looked down at my arm. The same arm his aunt had marked. I raised the sleeve of my jumper.

He stared intently at it.

"I still have nightmares of it. Some days it feels like she was still torturing me. Other days I forget it's there." The ugly word was deep in my skin. It looked like a tattoo that had been done by cutting it out and pouring ink on it.

It did hurt now and then.

He grabbed my marked arm slowly. "Does it hurt now?"

I looked up into his eyes, "Not right now."

Malfoy nodded as he pulled the sleeve down, "I'm sorry for the intrusion."

I only shrugged at him. Looking over at Nott, who had moved to my other side and gently grabbed my arm.

He wouldn't look at me as he did so. I tried not to acknowledge the fact that I was letting them touch me. I hadn't winced, cringed or even stopped them like I would have if it had been anybody else.

Pushing that thought away, I apparated us by the willow tree that was leaning out into the river. It was in clear view of the house.

When it was green, its heavy branches shrouded the inside, making it a private hideout.

One I used when I had needed to be alone.

Harry walked over to me as soon as we appeared and grabbed my arm.

Not too gently might I add?

Nott had let go instantly while Malfoy slowly let go.

"Are you okay?"

I frowned, "I'm fine Harry. We just talked for a bit."

Harry swallowed hard before letting me go, "Alright, sorry."

I raised my hand to his face, "I'm fine, Harry."

The rain had ceased, so I could look up at his face without fear of rain getting in my eyes.

He flashed me a smile before turning towards the house.

I walked beside him as the others followed us.

Harry grabbed my hand and pulled me close to him, "Sorry for overreacting to that. I kind of almost lost it when you didn't arrive right after."

I smacked him, "I was only talking to them. Malfoy asked me about something. We did not take that long. Bloody hell, Harry, it was just a few minutes." I reproached him.

Harry smiled, "I know, I know."

We walked up the stairs to the back porch just as the door swung open. Mother walked out with Ginny right behind her. Harry strode over to Ginny, who held out her arms.

Looking away from them, I turned towards my mother as she walked over to me. "We brought some guests mom."

She looked behind me at Snape, Nott and the Malfoys. She held out her hand to Snape, "Welcome, I'm Termaine Granger."

Snape accepted her hand, "I'm Severus Snape. I was Hermione's professor at Hogwarts."

My mother stared hard at him for a moment. She was still holding his hand when she gasped and flushed a pretty pink, "I'm sorry! Oh, yes, she did tell me about you. Thank you for looking after her."

Snape was still staring down at their hands with a slight frown on his face.

Mother let go of his hand as she moved on to Narcissa. I walked into the house as my mother welcomed the 'guest' in.

Kingsley was standing by the fireplace with Ron and Remus. Amelia Bones was here too. She was standing by the kitchen door and looking down at some pieces of parchment in her hands.

Once everybody was inside, Kingsley told us that they had gotten to the manor right in time to see Dolohov and the others still trying to break in. They had scattered as soon as they had heard others apparate in.

Bones had almost gotten Goyle, who had been there too, but he had apparated instantly.

"We don't think it's safe for you to stay at the Manor. Even if Severus can protect you three, they might bring more people next time. We have placed wards around the Manor to alert us if they come back." Kingsley said as he gave Snape and others a levelled look.

Amelia spoke up next, "We would take you to a safe house, but most of them have been destroyed or otherwise occupied." She turned to look at me. I knew what she was going to say before she even said it.

"If they could stay with you for a bit until we find another place to take them, we would appreciate it."

My mother cut in before I could say anything. "I don't mind, and we do have two guest rooms available." I didn't turn to look at anybody since I knew many eyes were on me.

Especially Nott's and Malfoy's. I kept my face carefully blank, as I took in what that meant for me.

They would stay here for the duration of however long Kingsley deemed it necessary, which could be days, weeks, or even months.

If they'd given me a moment to think it through, I could've offered a better alternative.

But instead, I said, "I don't see a problem with that."