A/N: Sorry it's been taking me so long in between chapters. Life keeps getting in the way. Thanx for all the reviews! My husband laughed when he read them. He didn't think that many people were interested. Neither did I to tell the truth. You guys are awesome.

Disclaimer: Not now, not ever.

Chapter 7:

"GINNY! Help me please. He's right behind me!"

Hermione apperated into the kitchen of the Burrow. Ginny was in the living room curled up on the couch with a romancy novel. When she heard Hermione's voice in the kitchen she jumped up and ran in to help her.

"Oh my God Hermione! You're as pale as a ghost! What happened?" Ginny exclaimed when she saw Hermione's fear stricken face.

Hermione trembled as she sat in the chair Ginny pulled out for her. "He almost found me Gin. He came to the Island looking for me. He would have found me if he hadn't run into that accident first. He was knocking on the door when I left. He'll most likely trace my apperation trail and follow me here. Please Gin, you've got to stop him long enough for me to get to my parents house. I'll go find them from there. There's no way he can find me in the muggle world." Hermione's eyes were wild as so looked pleadingly into her best friends eyes.

"Of course I will," Ginny said "You go now and when he comes I'll shoot him for Grimmauld Place or somewhere like that. Don't worry, you'll be fine."

Hermione gave her friend a big hug and then headed for the apperation point. Right before she left Ginny called out "Wait!"

She turned around to face her with a questioning look in her eye.

"I just had a quick question" Ginny said. "Do you ever plan on letting him find you, or are you going to be on the run forever?"

Hermione looked thoughtful for a few moments before she answered "No I'll never let him find me. When I'm ready, I'll go find him."

"All I needed to know. Now you go and I'll distract him if he comes here."

"Thank You Gin. Tell Harry and Ron hello for me when you see them. Bye."

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Back in Peel Isabelle was just letting Severus in the door. "I'm looking for Hermione Granger, is she here?" he asked as he peered around.

"No she's not dear." Severus deflated. "But come inside for a moment I want to talk with you." Isabelle said gently as she pulled him inside and led him to her couch.

"Now, do you know why she's hiding from you?" asked Isabelle.

"Not really to tell you the truth." Severus confided. "All I know is we had a little squabble a few days before she left. Every thing was just fine before that."

"Well, she told me that she felt you were too controlling. From what I've seen of her in the few weeks she was here she is a very independent woman. You can't expect her kind to follow you around on a leash. Now I know this is probably none of my business, but I just thought you deserved to know. She doesn't plan on letting you find her until she's ready." Isabelle told him sympathetically.

"I know she doesn't want me to find her but I won't feel good until she's back in my arms. It would probably kill me if I never saw her again."

"Indulge me dear, how you two became so close?" said Isabelle

Severus thought hard for a few moments before answering. "We actually met at a masked ball. We fell in love without realizing who the other was. When we did it took us by complete surprise. I had to struggle with myself before I finally would except her. We've been together for almost two years now."

"Have you been close in the past? Or has this been a calm relationship?" Isabelle questioned him.

"Isn't that a rather personal question?" Severus responded.

"Of course, but I was just curious to know if there was more of a tie that would bring you back together, or if there was not much to hang on to when you're apart."

"Well I must admit we were as close as two totally engrossed lovers could be. I do believe we have a lot to hold us together when we are apart."

"Just be careful my dear." Isabelle counseled. "Don't chase her too hard. You might drive her farther from you."

Severus stood to go. He muttered the tracking spell to trace where Hermione had disapperated to. Before he left he turned to Isabelle.

"Have you ever met Albus Dumbledore by any chance?" he asked.

"Of course I have." She replied. "He's my brother."

"I thought so." And with that he left.

A/N: How's that? Hope it's not to much of a cliff hanger. Just so you know something VERY interesting is going to happen next chapter. Don't forget to review! Thanx, Cill