Chapter One – Revelation:
Darkness swelled in the sky, its primary colour was the deep, dark raven shade; in a way it polluted the sky just like it had polluted the Magical World. Voldemort's followers, Death Eaters, had adjourned the goodness from The Ministry and over-taken for themselves. They had been buying their way in for over five years; only now had they gained superiority.
Hermione Jean Granger was sat in 'Hogwarts: The School of Witchcraft and Wizardry'; more specifically in Albus Dumbledore's extensive and collectic style office.
Dumbledore himself loomed over her, as well as Severus Snape...
Hermione and Dumbledore were both seated at the Headmaster's desk. Whereas Severus, on the other hand, was stood with his back against the wall with his arms folded. He was imitating a young, sulky teenager, as he did not want to be there and had clearly been rowing with Dumbledore before Hermione had arrived. She had walked in on Severus stood facing Dumbledore with his shoulders hunched, and Dumbledore pink in the face.
"Good evening, Miss Granger," Albus' cheerful tone beamed, sounding a little annoyed from whatever had occured between the two wizards earlier. Hermione included her head to meet her Headmaster's gaze.
"Indeed, Sir. How may I be of assistance at this time of night?" Hermione began to quiz her Headmaster. Hermione, herself, was no stranger to sensing a tense atmosphere - which had identified the issue here.
'What is going on between Snape and Dumbledore?' She queried in her mind.
"Now, I do not wish for you to panic - or tell anyone else of anything we may speak of tonight," Dumbledore announced, shooting a stare at Severus as the teacher gave a mocking smirk.
The older wizard cleared his throat and put his attention back on to Hermione:
"Our spy here, Professor Snape, has uncovered some information for us," Dumbledore began.
"Okay... Of course I am aware whom Professor Snape is, and where his true loyalties lie. What has this 'information' got to do with me, Sir - if you beg my pardon?" She asked, up to her old tricks, again.
"Please precede, Severus..." Albus encouraged his Potions Master to reveal his true findings. Severus sighed that was almost a growl, rolling his eyes and stepping away from the wall to swift cooly over to the desk, his cloak flowing with his movements.
"The Dark Lord believes that...Muggle-borns should be kept separate from pure-bloods and half-bloods," Severus started, resting his hands on the desk and standing at the side of Dumbledore.
"I am not one hundred percent sure what he will do...however your family and yourself are at a risk..." He continued and paused, the look that Dumbledore was giving him indicated that there was more to be said. Hermione's smiling face dropped into a Severus-like-scowl; it was clear she had a thought brewing within her mind. Before she had chance to speak, Dumbledore blurted out:
"That is not all, Hermione. What Severus fails to mention is he will be looking after you." Dumbledore beamed a smile in Hermione's direction, giving her a small fragment of hope. "And, we have moved your parents to a Safe Keep House, Severus and yourself will be placed in one of them very soon..."
Hermione's mouth flew open; it became a perfect 'O' shape, before she looked awkwardly over at Snape.
Severus looked very embarrassed, and also angry at the fact that he was so embarrassed about it all, he turned his head to glare at the wall, those familiar piercing black eyes, staring down the wall. Hermione stood up to eye Severus in a closer light, while still keeping her distance from him.
"So, how long have I got to collect my things, Sir? My parents' safety...Are they protected?" She anxiously began to worry; she really had not expected any of this to transpire.
"Would half an hour be alright?" Severus asked, lifting his head to look at her.
"Your parents are safer than they would have been without our protection, I can take you to see them if you would like that?" He added, showing a little softer side to him, the girl was bound to be frightened to death after all. Hermione nodded her head in response to his words.
"Half-an-hour will suffice, thank you, Sir. Yes... I would like that, if it does not appose to their safety." Hermione responded, as if it was a business like mode. She then left to pack her belongings, feelings rather sad that she had to leave Hogwarts.
XXX
Severus was stood by the school gates when she arrived; still wearing the look of annoyance, which he had donned previously that night when he encountered with the girl.
Of course it had to be him that was stuck with the know-it-all, on a permanent basis until the war was over. He knew this wouldn't work, that one of them would end up killing the other if they didn't die in the war. There was no backing out of this now though, Dumbledore would see him dead if anything happened to the girl.
Hermione approached her Potions Professor gingerly; she did not want to provoke him into making a snarky comment at her, of insulting her intelligence if/and when she did speak out of turn. She did not perceive the predicament to be the most joyous, but she appreciated not being on Grime Reapers' list of The Dead.
"I am ready... when you are, Sir," Hermione prompted him with a gentle narrowed his eyes for a moment as he spoke:
"Have you Apparated with someone before?" He asked, curiously. Hermione nodded her head.
"Once, I was on my own, you know... Practicing for my licence, and I ended up Splinching myself." She confessed her cheeks crimson with embarrassment. She refused to look into his eyes.
Ignoring most of her answer, he took her hand and apparated them both to the Safe House, where her parents were staying.
It was a small house, on its own near a cliff overlooking the sea. The waves could be heard overlapping the cliff's edge - closer to the ground. It was a peaceful area, and this made the house seem almost deserted, it was so isolated from anywhere else. There were several features that could be viewed in the bleak twilight sky: a large balcony overseeing the lapping waves; a wooden deck, which surrounded the house like a fortress of protection; and also curves, not just jagged straight lines. It was clearly a usual house.
He let go of her hand, quicker than the speed of sound. Severus lead the way to the front door of the house. Hermione buried her hand - the one Severus had hold of moments ago - into her denim jean's pocket out of nervousness.
"Is this where you and I will be residing?" Hermione questioned him further, she would have put the house somewhere in the location of Sussex; it looked as if it had at least three bedrooms.
"Not exactly; your parents are here, though," Severus replied as he opened the front door for them both.
"It's getting late, we will sleep here, for the night, and then head to our Safe House first thing," he spoke again, as he switched the lights on and took off his coat.
"Choose any room, I don't really care which one I stay in," he added bluntly. Hermione smiled softly, before flinging her coat off – she then was faced with two figures, which looked rather like her. One of the figures was male, and the other female – they both had the same shade of chocolate brown hair, that Hermione had, had the male had blue eyes, whereas the female had the honey brown shade.
"Mum, Dad!" Hermione shrieked in an excited tone, as she saw her parents lent against the narrow door frame. They enveloped her into a bear hug for a few minutes.
"It is lovely to see you can, Severus." Hermione's Mother, Jean, announced as to include Severus into their family reunion.
"Likewise, Mrs Granger," Severus replied with a small smile before turning to the kitchen to make a brew.
He decided to give the family some time together, going upstairs and onto the balcony where he leaned against the wooden support rail and looked out at the sea, sighing heavily and pulling out a packet of Muggle cigarettes. Soon, Hermione's parents had heading to get an early night's rest. So, this left Hermione on her own; she was up-to-date with everything Severus had done for her parents and herself so she went to find him. Hermione had searched the whole house to find him, and then she caught a glimpse of a small light on outside – on the balcony. Building up the Gryffindor courage - she had embedded within her – she pushed the door open and stood by his side. Her eyes glued on the curling dragon of smoke, which was coming from Severus's cigarette.
Since when has he smoked? Hermione questioned herself.
"Hey…" Hermione announced her presence. Severus tensed in shock as his sudden silence was broken. He dropped the cigarette on the floor and turned to face her.
"Bloody Gryffindor," he mumbled, looking a little embarrassed. Hermione rolled her eyes at his words, she had established he was embarrassed, but did not ponder on the fact for too long.
"Sir, you know my name's Hermione." She giggled softly, "It would be like me calling you 'bloody' Slytherin," she added with a soft laugh. "I would just like to thank you." Severus gave her his most 'not amused' look and crossed his arms.
"You're welcome. Now, run along to bed and allow me to enjoy what little peace I will have left until this war is over," he replied as he turned his back to her and stared out at the sea again. Hermione repeated the action of rolling her eyes at him and like a toddler she headed off to a large double bed and got undress into her nightwear.
Back on the balcony Severus was staring at the sea as if it had offended him, his eyes were fixated on the waves.
Why me, why Granger? He thought to himself.
He'd heard Minerva and Albus talking about this before. Albus had actually approached him, this had been Minerva's idea – but the more he thought about it the more it didn't make sense.
She'd kill him if any harm came to her favourite little Gryffindor, she even knew he and Hermione had never seen eye-to-eye, so out of every member of The Order, why the hell did she choose for her precious, golden Gryffindor girl to be put with the bastard of a Potions Master?
Severus himself was no longer safe, he'd pledged a promise to the Malfoys to succeed Draco's task to kill Dumbledore - had the boy failed - and instead he disowned Draco, and had managed to remove the vow. He closed his eyes tightly as he recalled that night at the tower of the castle.
Potter never meant to kill the boy, but he had his Father's temper and had charged into the blonde haired Slytherin in order to save Albus.
Oh, how Harry was lucky that Severus was there to help fight off Bellatrix and Greyback to give the boy and Dumbledore enough time to escape; otherwise the three of them would've been killed. He'd managed to kill Greyback at least, but Bellatrix escaped, as fearless as the mad woman was, she knew she was no match for Severus Snape; he was after all, Voldemort's Wing Man for a reason.
He rolled up a sleeve to trace his fingers over the Dark mark, which he had managed to disconnect to him only on a temporary basis. The skull no longer smiling, as it sensed he was a traitor to the Death Eaters.
Yes, Severus was probably equally as wanted as Potter right now, but for some annoying reason: Dumbledore and McGonagall had given him the responsibility of Hermione Granger.
XXX
The orange sunlight filtered through Hermione's curtains, announcing it was day time; seven a.m. Hermione refused to open her eyes, and shut them more tightly. Sudden thoughts flooded her mind:
Severus Snape, why on earth would he keep me safe – is he gaining from this in somehow? He seems very reluctant to strike a conversation with me.
Hermione opened her eyes fully now. What little she knew of Severus Snape, was what Harry had mentioned to her. Severus and he had come to some sort of 'mutual' understanding. A flashback appeared in Hermione's mind:
Harry and Hermione sat opposite one another, Hermione's legs crossed. Harry's blue eyes were piercing Hermione's honey brown ones.
"Hermione, look, last night… You know I was not in Gryffindor Tower? Something happened. I need to tell you." Harry announced in a scared tone.
"Go on, Harry," Hermione encouraged him to continue speaking.
"Well, something happened – Draco's dead… I need to tell you about Snape, though. He and I both, we came to an understanding. He is on our side, Hermione, he betrayed Voldemort in front of my eyes last night. Then, now-now I know why he treat me like he did. He has had a very difficult upbringing, my Father bullied him and he had… Just-just understand he is a good man!" Harry exclaimed.
Hermione was drawn out of her flashback by a knock at her door. It was her Father. "Hermione, breakfast is ready love," her father's voice beamed from behind the door. Hermione nodded and replied with: "Coming, Father."
She scurried to get dress quickly; she braided her hair and had just enough time to place a small amount of eyeliner on. She then took a place at the table and began to eat the food her Mum had prepared for her; she noticed Severus was not at the table.
"Where is Professor Snape, Mum?" She asked. "Oh he's out on the balcony dear, he spends a lot of time up there," her mother replied.
"I think he wants to give us all some time together," her father added as he took a seat next to her at the table. "Quite a...interesting fellow isn't he?" Her father added. Hermione smiled back at her Father, and simply nodded at his words.
"He is rather intriguing. All the years I have known him, and not really known him – as juxtaposed that sounds; it is true. His voice is miraculous though, deep and intriguing – he used to be able to stop wrong-doers with just a whisper." Hermione replied with a small giggle at her memory. She began to nibble at her toast. Little did she know, Severus Snape was listening into their conversation…
Severus floated into the room, he had the elegance of a swan and the slenderness to not be heard enter. He missed his billowing robes brushing against his feet; they gave him false security and an loom of mystery, while implying he was bat-like. Severus ignored all of them, even though he had heard them speaking about them, he was used to it.
He put his empty mug on the sink and turned to face the table the Granger family were sitting at. "We need to be off in an hour," his velvet voice spoke as he left up the stairs again. Hermione spent the next forty minutes with her parents, before she went to grab her things; she waited at the bottom of the steps for Severus to come down. She had said goodbye to her parents, and was staying out of their way to ensure that she did not see them cry. She felt a little sad she had to leave them, but knew it was for their own good. Severus slowly made his way down the stairs, moving slowly and quietly as he saw Hermione sat on the bottom step with her head in her hands. He felt a part of him hurt, understanding how the girl must be feeling.
As he approached her, he cleared his throat. "Are you ready?" He asked, in a soft tone. Hermione met his eyes briefly and then nodded; she was not in the mood to speak, so felt it appropriate to nod. It did not take Severus a second to grasp her, by the waist, and then they were off. The filmier, sickening spin occurred and suddenly they were at their Safe House.
Hermione's eyes were met with mass amounts of greenery and foliage. She opened her eyes wider to see they were in a forest, and Severus still had his arm around her waist; he awkwardly lingered there for a moment – not that Hermione minded – but, he moved his arm eventually, he looked rather washed out. Hermione looked around to see the Safe House, it soon met her eyes – it was largely constructed out of vast boulders, timbre and glass. In its own right it was rather quaint and beautiful – in a charming way. Hermione smiled softly, "It is rather beautiful and very peaceful here." Hermione smiled at Severus. "Shall we get you inside, you look unwell." Hermione replied with concern. Severus' face was paler than usual as he swayed and was clearly struggling to keep his balance.
He met her eyes and nodded, feeling bile at the back of his throat. Hermione placed her arm around his waist – not able to carry him – and guided him the house to sit down on the sofa; she then returned with a glass of water for him.
"Perhaps you should rest, Sir?" Hermione suggested softly, before placing a blanket on him. Severus collapsed onto the sofa and gracefully drank some of the water, he rolled up his sleeve to reveal the Dark mark which was wriggling and causing him this illness.
The skin around the mark was pink and Severus started to break into a sweat, breathing and panting hard. Hermione knelt down at Severus' side, feeling utterly helpless. She had a small amount of Healing knowledge; she had gained it from Poppy Pomfrey in her fifth year, and sixth. Hermione placed a Cooling Charm on Severus to stop the sweating and to cool the temperature of his body. She then moved to collect a few potions from Severus' back – she knew he would have a medical kit full of them. She passed him a Sleeping Draught and a Pain Relief potion. After a while, Severus started to breathe a little steadier before he dropped the glass of water and passed out.