I know... Worst Story Updater Award goes to me... Really Sorry for the inexcusable delay... Exams, exams and exams...
Thank you Philosophize, Anotherboarduser, Artur Hawkwing 1, discb, Onyx Obsidian, Nigelcat1, Saki-Hime, Goundry, Debanjan B, Natalie, Mini pony lover, dem bones and guests for your encouragement... Lots of love to you guys... You guys rock!
Here goes the next chapter... Please R&R...
I do not own Harry Potter. I'm just a fan of our Queen...
Somewhere in a cave
Hermione could hear footsteps nearby. She looked up to see Ron, back in his original form, walking towards her.
"Ron.. Please.. Why are you doing this?"
"I should be asking you the same. Why are you doing this? Why not me? You know I love you."
Hermione tried to discreetly accio her wand. She wasn't expertly able in wandless magic, but tried her best to stall Ron enough to concentrate.
"I loved you Ron, but as a friend. The kiss... I thought we would die... And it made me realize that we're not meant to be. Ron, stop this madness. You know deep down that you don't love me either."
"But why Harry? I'm not famous or rich enough for you?"
"Ron, you know I don't care about those petty attributes. I love Harry for who he is. I just realized that I've fallen in love with him. I love you too Ron, just not like him..."
The slap Ron placed on her cheek echoed loudly within the cave.
"You are mine. Do you understand? YOU ARE MINE! You cannot escape from me."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that, Ronald."
"Oh really? I don't see your Chosen One in shining armour anywhere..."
"You forgot Weasley..."
Within seconds Hermione's bonds had broken and she pointed her wand directly at Ron's chest.
"I'm not a damsel in distress."
Hermione petrified Ron and tied him up for good measure. She grabbed her beaded bag and was about to figure out how to break the anti-apparition ward when a resounding 'crack' was heard. Hermione turned towards the source and found herself knocked out of breath by an object wound around her waist!
"Dobby!"
"Dobby has come to take Harry Potter's Grangy back to Harry Potter!"
Hermione gently returned the hug and placed a kiss on top of Dobby's head which caused his blush to rival his red woolen hat! Dobby grabbed her hand and took hold of Ron's tied up body and they disappeared with another 'crack'.
At the Hall
Harry was pacing back and forth. 'What's taking Dobby so long?' Harry almost tore his hair in desperation.
'Crack'
There, in front of him, stood Hermione with her wand pointed towards Ron's stiff and tied body while holding Dobby's arm.
"Harry!"
He ran towards her and wrapped her in his arms.
"Gods Hermione! You have no idea how worried I was. I was devastated. I didn't know what to do. I would have gone mad... hmph!"
Hermione placed a hand on Harry's mouth and smiled through her tears.
"Harry, I have to tell you something. I don't think I will be able to forgive myself if I don't let you know how much I… I..."
Hermione started shivering frantically. Her eyes went wide and she let out a horrified scream.
"Hermione, what's wrong?"
Harry felt her fall limp in his arms. He tried to shake her unconscious form but to no avail. He looked past her and found Ron standing with his wand pointed at Hermione's back.
"Don't look so shocked Potter. I have Voldemort's power running in me. Let's see how you save her now."
"YOU BASTARD! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HER?"
"Figure it out yourself. By the way, this isn't over."
With that, Ron disapparated away.
Harry sat down on the floor cradling Hermione in his arms. Her skin was turning into a tinge of sickly green.
"Harry Potter must find Dark Lord's body first."
Harry looked up towards Dobby reluctantly and asked him why.
"Weezy is not the real Weezy. Weezy has dark magic in head. Harry Potter much come with Dobby to save Weezy."
"I can't just leave her like this."
"It's ok Harry. Miss Granger will be fine."
Harry looked straight at those twinkling, piercing blue eyes.
"Promise?"
"I swear. Now Severus, you know the procedure. Detect and contain, then provide the solution. I'll accompany Harry with Minerva, Kingsley and Alastor, just in case. Rest of you may go take rest or try to find your families."
Harry placed Hermione on a conjured cot. With a nod towards Snape, he left with Dobby and the group. The Weasleys, Lupins, Sirius, Snape and Hagrid remained in the Hall. Neville and Luna, along with Mrs. Longbottom, helped the others to find beds or portkey to their homes.
Snape set to work, muttering incantations and making complex wand movements. Suddenly, he stepped back looking worried.
"What did you find Snape?" Sirius asked with as much civility he could muster. After all, old habits die hard…
"Sanguinem curse!"
"In English, Snivellus."
"Severus?"
Every pair of eyes turned towards the couple who had just entered the Great Hall. The man looked like an older version of Harry while the woman had flaming red hair and emerald green eyes.
"Lily?"
"Severus!"
Lily Potter ran and wrapped her arms around Severus Snape. It was an unusual sight to behold.
"Oh you brave brave man! I can never thank you enough for looking after my son. Oh Severus, I'm so sorry..."
After standing like a titanium statue over-petrified by a basilisk, Snape patted her back awkwardly.
"Great! How come I'm not getting hugged by hot intelligent women?"
"Well Padfoot, do you want me to patronus call Minerva?"
"Do that and you'll be missing your antlers, Prongs."
"Guys, give it a rest."
"You stay out of this..."
"Yeah, stop being a lunar eclipse!"
"ENOUGH! James! Be serious!"
"No way, he can never be as sexy as me..."
"SIRIUS!"
"Alright alright! Sni..Severus, please tell us what's wrong with Hermione and how to cure her."
"She's been hit with an ancient blood curse. Only a pureblood can cast it and it poisons the blood not protected by the magic of one's parents. Since both her parents are muggles, Miss Granger is in danger. She needs to be bond to a magical person. A husband or a guardian."
"Ok, problem solved. I, James Potter, hereby undertake the guardianship of..."
Sirius lunged towards James and knocked him to the ground before he could utter another word.
"What the..."
"Sirius did the right thing... for once.."
"What do you mean Lily? I was helping my son's best friend for heaven's sake!"
"Umm... James... If you took up her guardianship, she would be your daughter. And that would make her Harry's...?"
"Sister. So?"
"I don't think Harry would want that..."
"Why not? She's been by his side for 7 year... Through thick and thin. Why wouldn't he want her as a part of his family?"
James Potter looked thoroughly bewildered, Lily was exasperated and Sirius looked amused.
"Really Lily, you chose this guy as your husband?"
"You know Sev, I'm actually reconsidering..."
"Ok fine! I will just let her die then!"
"That won't happen. I, Severus Tobias Snape, hereby undertake the guardian of Miss Hermione Jean Granger. She is to be my heir and I swear to take her under my protection as her father. So mote it be."
A flash of white light was emitted from Snape's wand which engulfed Hermione's body. Her condition improved drastically and her breathing turned normal.
"Oh! OH! You mean, Harry is in love with her?"
"Happy late realization Prongs! And congratulations..."
"For what?"
"Your future daughter-in-law is a SNAPE!"
A/N: Pleaaaaaaassseeeeee Review... I'll give you a cupcake ;-)