Ch. 5: Gone away…

Hermione watched Snape's retreating back. She had no real idea of where he was going but it seemed to be important. When she heard him leave threw the front door she began to explore the kitchen further. Everything was relatively simple. Although it had no dishwashing machine, everything in the kitchen was top of the line. The only thing that really upset Hermione was that she wouldn't be aloud to use magic unless Snape was there. Too much magical activity in a house that wasn't used very often, bot to mention the house of a wanted man, would surly bring someone to the door, something neither she nor Snape need or wanted.

After looking for what felt like hours Hermione found the cloths washer and dryer and was happy that he had thought to purchase one. Although none of them looked used. Upon looking in the fridge Hermione decided that she would need to go grocery shopping in the morning. There was nothing in it; it hadn't even been used.

Hermione sighed and began to realize how tired she was. Closing the fridge door she turned and backtracked her way to her room. She decided that she was going to make a map of this house.

SS

Severus slipped into Grimland place as quietly as was possible under the circumstances. The one thing he hadn't counted on Potter coming down the stairs just as the door opened. When he turned he was met by a wand pointed at his chest. All he could do was look form the boy to the wand and back again. Severus had never figured that Harry could be quiet enough to sneak up on anyone, but no he had, and much to Snape's dismay it just had to be him.

" Who are you and what do you think you are doing in my house?" The young man asked. Severus didn't answer. So Harry asked again. Severus decided that the only safe way to get out of this was to give the boy the letter and get out while he was distracted.

' Here's to hoping' Severus thought to himself. Without saying a word he handed Potter the letter and waited for his chance. Apparently luck was on his side tonight. After harry grabbed the letter he took a few step's back and gave Snape all the room he needed to escape.

He was out the door in a matter of seconds. Harry yelled and went after him. Severus took one final look ever his shoulder and disapperated.

HP

Harry watched the figure disapperate. Still standing out side he realized that the person was, or had been at one point in time, a member of the Order of The Phoenix. Harry couldn't shake the feeling that he shouldn't have given the stranger any room. He knew the stranger, but how exactly he wasn't quite sure.

Harry turned around and headed back into the house, stopping only when he had re-locked the door and was now leaning in it thankful for the coolness against his back. Harry opened the letter; read it a few times and them cursed himself for letting the man leave. Dropping the letter as he screamed and cursed.

Harry,

Please don't do anything foolish. I know that Hermione is missing and I know where she is. I can not tell you although I would love to. Just trust my judgement. Unfortunately I will most likely be dead or worse by the time you receive this but please trust him when he returns.

All my love,

Remus Lupin.

It took hours to calm Harry down enough for him to speak a coherent sentence. All he said was a name, so quietly it was almost impossible to hear him.

" Snape." He whispered with all the hatred he could muster.

HG

Hermione sat in the study of the enormous house when Severus walked in. Hermione barely even noted his presence, but did ask why he looked so worried. He answered her by simply giving her one of his ' don't ask any questions' looks and she quickly gave up. It wasn't at all hard to ignore his surly attitude. She quickly became immersed in her book once more.

Both parties continued to ignore eachother; that was of course until another unexpected visitor decided to interrupt Hermione's reading a Severus' sulking. Severus quickly stood but k his years as a spy help him to conceal the terror he was feeling.

Hermione, however, nearly jumped out of her skin. As quickly and quietly as she could she hurried up to the second floor and ran into the first room she could find; while Severus walked slowly to the front door. It was his house after all, he could take all the time he wanted to open the door.

' What now?' Severus asked himself as he opened the door. He'd had enough of unwelcome surprises this night and wasn't willing to welcome more. " Narcissa?" Severus could tell that he looked quite startled. Only once before had the women come to him in the dark of night and that time had almost caused his exposure as a spy for the order. He wondered what he would be risking this time, hell what did he care hiding Hermione was going to cost him his life. Severus stepped aside to let her in, only then did he notice the cloaked figure behind her.

" Severus" she began but was cut off.

" What is it now Narcissa? And who, pray tell, is this" he asked venomously pointing at the man behind her. At least that is what he concluded but a simple look at the figure. The person was almost a foot taller than Narcissa, almost matching himself in height.

" It is Draco. I need you to hide him Severus, at least from the ministry. They have been coming around the house too often. I can't hide him there forever Severus! I'm starting to worry that The Order might decide to show their faces at my hone as well. Merlin knows what they would do to get their hands on him. Please Severus" the women began to plead.

" Don't worry Narcissa I will take him." Severus answered. ' I am already risking my life for one person why not add another.' He added to himself.

Narcissa allowed the relief to show on her face. " I will make sure The Dark Lord knows that Draco will be here with you. Will he be here in this house or Spinner's End?" she asked.

It took Severus a moment to answer that question. He couldn't leave the boy here and he was in just as much danger at Spinners End as he was at home. The Order members knew everything about his home and would have no trouble finding the boy there. He was now in a tight spot. One that he knew would be almost impossible to get out of.

" He will stay here." Severus said with a sigh, " But I am hiding another person in this house but I am afraid the only one of you I am willing to tell him Draco. You need not know Narcissa. You are already in a tight spot and I do not wish to complicate things for you further."

Narcissa simply looked a Severus in confusion. But she let it go. Severus was risking a lot by hiding her son, more so than she was willing to tell him, and she wouldn't question him. " Well then I think it is time for me to take my leave." She said wearily turning to her son, " Good bye darling Severus will keep you well even though you resent being treated as a child." With quick kiss on her son's cheek she gave him one last look and walked out of the door.

Draco watched his mother leave. She had been right. He needed to hide away until the war was over and they had won and he did despise being treated like a child, but he had learned the last time that Severus Snape was as good as his word. Feeling Severus watching him Draco began to remove the cloak he wore. Still looking at the floor Draco pushed the piece of cloth into Severus' out stretched hands.

" So Severus, what is it that you didn't see fit to tell my mother? Going to just hand me over?" Draco finally looked at hid Godfather with a malevolent smile. Severus knew that the last part was a joke it was the first question that bothered him.

" I want you to take and unbreakable vow. What I am going to tell you is simply out of necessity. If I could take you back to Spinners End and be sure you would be safe believe I would. But The Order members know everything about my home and it is a risk I can not take."

" Let me get this right, you are hiding something of great importance that no one else can know about and your only telling me because… why? What are you afraid that I will find it and tell someone?" Draco asked with a perplexed look.

" I am not afraid you will find it/ I am afraid she will find you." Severus stated simply.

" She?"

" Yes she young mister Malfoy. But first the unbreakable vow."

" Why?"

Severus looked at the boy as if he had gone insane. " Because boy," he made a point to stress the word boy, " I will not have you ruining things for me. Even if I have to kill you myself I refuse to let another living human being ruin my life any more than our speeches already have." Severus answered coldly making Draco's blood run cold.

Draco looked Severus in the eye for only a moment but quickly turned his glance to the ground. He knew that if he did not do as Severus was telling him there was a good chance Severus would find some other means of hiding him. Draco did not fancy being locked up until it was safe for him to leave again. Nor did he fancy being tossed to someone else as if he were a dog.

" Okay. Fine. I'll do this. If that is what you ask. I owe you this much." Draco said after what had felt like an eternity. When he looked back up as Severus he noticed a smile smirk, one he had seen many times, none of those times had he been looking at him. It was the smirk Severus saved for Harry Potter and Draco questioned his decision knowing Severus would never allow him to back out of this one.

Severus walked to the bottom of the stairs and Called out a name that made what little color was left drain for Draco's face. Granger? Had he heard Severus correctly? His questions were confirmed when the Gryffindor know-it-all appeared at the top of the steps.

Hermione looked up from the step's and suddenly stopped. Draco Malfoy was standing only ten feet away from Snape. ' What the hell is going on?' she thought to herself. Slowly she began to walk down the stairs again her eyes never leaving Malfoy. She listened intently to what Snape was telling her. When the full meaning hit her she gave Draco and evil smile that even Voldemort would have been envious of.

" This going to be fun." She hadn't even known she had said the thought out loud until she received a scowl from Snape.

" You two will not be having a go so long as you are in my mother house. Is. That. Clear?" Severus responded to Hermione's empty boast. Both children nodded their heads knowing that there was a snowball's chance in hell that it would be possible. Neither of them decided to point this out to Severus however.

Hermione watched as Severus explained to Draco what was to be done. He didn't feel the need to explain to Hermione; after all she wasn't called the smartest witch Hogwarts has ever known for nothing.

Hermione watched as Draco took and oath not to tell a single person that she was here. As he agreed to protect her at all costs. As he promised to give all that he was into ensuring that not even The Order would keep him form ensuring her safety. Hermione stood there looking down at the two men in awe. Both of them were protecting her and for what? The only answer she could find was nothing. They both had nothing to gain and everything to lose.

HP

" Harry please." Molly Weasley pleaded, " Remus said she was safe. Snape risked a lot to ensure that we received his message. We have to trust what Remus has said dear." Molly looked down at the table quickly. Watching Harry pace was starting to make her a bit woozy and she was afraid she would soon be falling out of her seat.

" No!" Harry all but yelled, " Snape has her and Merlin knows what that bastard is doing to her. He could have given her over to Voldemort by now. We have to do something."

" Harry darling there is nothing we can do. Hermione can take care of herself." Molly said as she got up and walked to the kitchen door, " We have to trust them Harry. We have no other choice this time." Molly hurried up the stairs plainly stating that conversation was over, but not before Harry heard a single lonely sob from her retreating back.

Now Harry stood alone in front of a dying fire. Knowing there was nothing he could do. If he had ever felt like a helpless child it was at this moment in time. His best friend… was gone and he didn't even know where to start looking. Pictures of Hermione dead passed in front of his eyes. Pictures he had seen one million time or more. Harry Had never ever thought of what would have happened if Ron and Hermione had never befriended him. But now more than ever, he wished they hadn't.