Disclaimer: I do not own anything relating to Harry Potter.
Because I didn't do so on my first chapter, I would like to give special thanks to my dear friend, Xiilnek, who I would like to give credit to, for helping with my story. Who has reread I've written, to giving me ideas, correcting any mistakes, or giving me any kind of suggestion. Thank you! I would also like to thank those who have given my story a change and has added me to your alert list. You're all wonderful!
I've altered some events to fit and suit my purposes. If anything that didn't happen in the books, or supposedly couldn't happen, well…that's probably me ignoring that fact because it suits what I want to happen.
Lastly, I'd really appreciate if you would review my story. Any thoughts or suggestions would be taken in consideration. Lord only knows how hard it is to write a story until you tried! Enjoy everyone, and thank you again!
Snape didn't know what he was going to do. He was now in charge of the insufferable know-it all. For years he had to teach a class with her on the edge of her seat and her hand in the air over half of the time. He really didn't want to spend anymore time with her, other than the classes he was forced to deal with her. Pacing back and forth in front of the hearth he didn't see the cloaked figure slip into the room. Then his mind slipped back to when they bumped into each other. The feel of his arm around her waist, her chest against his, the look in her eyes.
"I see we have something on our mind tonight." an amused voice said from the shadows in the room.
Whipping around to face the new presence, Snape let out a frustrated sigh. He's heard that voice for many years and right now just wasn't one of those times he welcomed it. "Lucius, how very good to see you." he replied dryly.
Snickering Lucius stepped out of the shadows and into the light of the fire. He walked around the sofa, observing the room in mild distaste while sliding the edge of his serpent cane along the back of the sofa. His eyes observed the green and gold décor of the room with the slight touch of silver. It definitely didn't have the elegance of Malfoy Manor.
"Now Severus, is that anyway to great a dear friend?" a sly smile spread across his face. Lucius had moved to the wall with the bookshelves. Every now and again letting a fingertip brush over the binding of one, letting his eyes slowly scan over the titles of the books.
"To what do I owe this visit?" Snape leaned against the side of the fireplace, regarding Lucius with an inquiring eye. He didn't want to listen to what Lucius had to say; knowing Lucius, he'd suspect what was on his mind. From the looks of it, he already did.
Pulling a book off of the shelf, Lucius thumbed through it absently. There was a small spark in his grey eyes as he looked up at Snape. "The Dark Lord called me last night after the meeting. Just me. He's starting to suspect that someone's loyalty lies elsewhere. To prove my loyalty to him, I'm to find this traitor by Christmas. My family is at stake Severus." he said somberly.
Snape pushed away from the fireplace with his hands behind his back. Walking around the room slowly he contemplated the situation. Lucius had always been one of the only people he's ever considered a close friend. "We'll think of something, don't fret. As long as Narcissa and Draco stay here or wherever the Order has protection, they will be fine." Lucius nodded his head in acceptance.
Slipping the book back onto the shelf, Lucius made his way to the drawing room door. "Speaking of not fretting, try not to worry yourself too much over the Gryffindor Princess, Severus." Glaring at Lucius's retreating form, he could hear chuckling.
...
The dark mark was flying above her house. The screams pervaded the air, while the smell of death clung to the night breeze. Chaos reigned in the house in front of her. Horror washed over her as the evil laughter floated to her ears. Finally getting a hold of her terror she slowly made her way up the front steps of the porch. The front door was cracked open, but a faint glow of light could be seen.
A morbid curiosity spread through her. Slowly pushing on the door, it silently crept open. She didn't know what to expect, but she couldn't seem to stop walking into the dim foyer. The light was coming from her left from the library. Taking slow hesitant steps, she reached the doorway. A few candles were lit on her father's work desk and a small fire was blazing in the fireplace. Slipping into the room she looked around. A small shiver ran through her limbs. The room felt so empty, cold, and impersonal.
Back tracking her steps she cautiously went back into the foyer. A drawing room was to her right, but the room was eerily dark. Pulling out her wand she lit the tip with a spell and stepped into the room. She wasn't prepared for what she saw. A startled scream escaped her lips, leaving her breathless. She couldn't control the violent tremors coursing through her body. Falling to her knees she knelt by the bodies of her parents, tears streamed down her smooth white cheeks. Desperately trying to wake her parents up, not wanting to believe that they were dead. She couldn't think straight. She didn't want to think, she wanted to just die.
An insane laugh floated back into her ears along with a deep masculine one. She couldn't think. All she could do was kneel there gripping her parent's hands screaming.
Hermione woke up screaming with Ginny leaning over the edge of her bed and shaking her. "Hermione! Hermione! Wake up, it's a dream." The red head kept shaking Hermione until her eyes flew open. Ron and Harry came running through the bedroom door rumpled and wearing their pajamas.
"Bloody hell! What was all that screaming for?!" Ron exclaimed.
Hermione curled up and whimpered lightly. Breathing heavily while the cold sweat started to fade away. Harry sat on the edge of Hermione's bed, softly running a hand over her tangled brown hair. "Hermione, are you okay? What's wrong?" Hermione quickly wiped away the tears she felt running down her cheeks.
The screaming brought more people to the bedroom door. Mrs. Weasley rushed in and pulled Hermione into a comforting hug. Snape leaned against the door frame watching the activity in the room with Lucius looking over his shoulder. The attacks on Hermione had already begun, but mentally. He watched her try to calm her breathing down. He noticed that her eyes were a soft hazel color with tears swimming around. The rise and fall of her chest began to slow down, when Lucius cleared his throat slightly, he turned his eyes elsewhere.
"Miss Granger, you'll have to tell us what exactly this dream you had was about." Snape spoke quietly from the doorway.
Hermione looked up quickly to the sound of her old professor's voice. It was the first time she noticed him standing there in her doorway. His black eyes were penetrating. His hair laying flatly against his white cheeks. He was still dressed in his black robes. She heard another noise and looked over Snape's shoulder. When she saw Lucius Malfoy standing there she sucked in a quick breath. Seeing her eyes go wide Snape let out an irritated sigh.
"Stop staring at him like he's going to throw the killing curse at you any moment and tell us what you're dream was about." he sneered.
Hermione felt her anger start to rise. She straightened up and slide out of her bed. "I dreamt…I dreamt of my parents."
"No reason to be vague with us, Miss Granger. After all, we're here to help." Lucius said while looking down his nose at her.
Snorting at Lucius's not so comforting words she turned quickly to Mrs. Weasley. In an annoyed voice she exclaimed, "There are two Death Eaters in the house and I'm supposed to feel safe?"
Ignoring her outburst Snape grabbed her by the upper arms and stared down into her eyes. Biting out each word between gritted teeth, "The dream, Miss Granger, the bloody dream."
Hermione caught her breath as Snape held onto her arms. She let out a shaky breath. "I was outside of my house. It was dark, there was screaming and insane laughter. I went up the steps to the front porch and saw the glow of a light in the foyer. I pushed open the door to go into the house. I just couldn't seem to help myself. To the left, I entered my father's library, that's where the light was coming from, but there was no one there." Pausing for a moment she closed her eyes and took a deep breath and continued on. "I went out and lit the tip of my wand and went into the right room, which happens to be the drawing room. It was eerie, and as I moved forward, my parents' lay dead on the floor. I could do anything but fall to my knees and scream as I was consumed by grief. Then I heard the laughter again. It…felt so real, professor." she finished in a small voice. She was looking up at him with pleading eyes.
Snape nodded and let go of her. He knew what was going on. From the looks of it, so did Lucius. The Dark Lord was trying to get to her through her dreams. It was his idea to try to scare her out that way. The dreams would only get worse.
Ron went up to Hermione and pulled her into a tight hug. He leaned down to lightly whisper something in her ear while the tips of his ears turned pink from embarrassment. Snape gritted his teeth as Hermione nuzzled into the comfort Weasley was giving her.
"Children," Snape snapped, "I do believe it's time for bed. You can continue your puppy love sometime tomorrow."
He watched as both Hermione and Ron both turned a dark shade of red and jumped away like the other were poison.
"Severus is right, off to bed with the lot of you!" Mrs. Weasley piped up.
Ron and Harry said their goodnights as Mrs. Weasley shooed them out. Snape ran an assessing gaze over Hermione one last time and slipped out. She wouldn't have another dream tonight, probably not for the next few nights for that matter, but she would eventually need to be able to control them.
...
The next morning Hermione woke up with the sun shining in her eyes. Mumbling to herself as she stumbled towards the bathroom. Thirty minutes later she was showered, dressed, and making her way down to the kitchen for breakfast. When she walked in, the first thing she noticed was Weasley's and Malfoy's at the table, along with Harry and Snape. The second thing she noticed was the tension. You could almost here it crackling. Hermione took a seat in between Harry and Ginny, which she ended up sitting across from Draco.
Conversation was strained for the most part. Hermione was filling her plate when Draco spoke to her.
"So, Granger, that was you screaming like a bloody banshee last night, was it?" Draco smirked.
Hermione felt her anger level rise. This just not the way she wanted to start her morning. Glancing at Draco she bit her tongue and nodded. She felt his grey eyes travel over her face, searching for annoyance. Once he didn't detect any, he kept going.
"What more do you expect from a Gryffindor? Letting a little nightmare scare her so that she screams until everyone's ears are bleeding." he baited.
Hermione had had enough of Draco's mouth. She'd been dealing with it for years, but more so over the past few months of summer since the Order had taken his family into their protection. Slamming down her fork she pushed back her chair, gripping the end of the table and leaned over it, menacingly looking at him. "One more word, Draco Malfoy, and I swear I'll turn you into a frog!" she bit out in a strained voice.
What little conversation buzzed around died the moment her chair scratched against the floor. She felt a hand on her shoulder to her left, urging her to sit back down into her seat. Sighing softly she sat back down and picked her fork back up.
Harry and Ron both narrowed their eyes onto Draco. They waited to see if he would make a smart comment before going back to shoveling their food into their mouths.
Lucius was silently amused to the confrontation that just took place. "Draco, was that necessary to harass your hostess?" Lucius asked in a quiet tone.
"No, sir." Draco responded obediently.
"Then I suggest you apologize to Miss Granger." Snape watched the exchange and smirked at the look on Hermione and Draco's face. They were staring at Lucius like he'd just sprouted another head. Turning his head, he raised a blonde eyebrow up at his son.
Clearing his throat, Draco turned towards Hermione. "Granger," he began in a tight voice, "Sorry."
Harry and Ron both sat there silently snickering to Draco's apologizes. Breakfast felt like an eternity to get through. When it was finally over and Mrs. Weasley was cleaning up, Harry, Ron, and Hermione raced from the room.
"You'd think he'd learn some bloody manners by now." Ron grumbled as they made their way into the drawing room.
"Forget it, Ron. We need to focus on the horcruxes." Hermione said as she slid onto the window seat, looking out over the plaza.
Harry shoved his hands in his pocked and stared out of the window with Hermione. "We've looked all over here. I'm sorry to say it, Hermione, but I don't think you're right when you say there is one in here somewhere. Don't you think we would have found it by now? We've been here all summer and have searched ever nook and cranny. We need to get out of here somehow and search somewhere…anywhere!" He was tired of being cooped up in Grimmauld Place.
"And if we get out of here, just where are we going to search? What are we looking for? Have you thought about any of this, Harry, or any of the consequences?" She studied his face. He was trying hard not show his surprise. "I hardly thought so. Can you think of anything that you and Dumbledore discussed that might lead to a horcrux? Harry, what would we even destroy them with?!"
"I don't know! Okay? I just don't know, Hermione!" Harry was beginning to yell, and by the look on Ron's face he didn't like it.
"Back off, mate, she's just asking questions we should of thought about it."
"Sorry." Harry told Hermione sheepishly.
"Right, no worries. I've suspected, but wasn't too sure about this, but since we need a lead to follow, any kind of lead, I'm going to voice it; what about the four houses?" she questioned.
Both boys looked at her with a confused look. "Houses? Hermione, there is only one house, and we're in it right now."
"Oh! Do pay attention, Ronald! I meant the four Hogwart houses. Lucius gave Ginny the first horcrux. If Voldemort felt safe and at home in Hogwarts, why not use items from there?" she replied excitedly.
"Hermione, you're a genius!" Harry beamed down at her.
"School starts in three weeks, are we just going to wait, or chance it and go?" Ron asked.
"We wait." Hermione answered. "Harry, is there anywhere Voldemort lived before Hogwarts, that you know of? Did Dumbledore mention anything to you?"
Harry had a puzzled look on his face. Then it lit up with excitement. "The orphanage!" he cried. "Dumbledore showed me a memory of the time he went to the orphanage when Voldemort lived there."
"Do you think he left something there?" Ron asked.
"It's worth a shot, we don't have any other leads." Hermione answered.
"Right. We'll go there tonight. We can't chance anyone knowing or following us. We'll meet down in the front entrance at midnight." Harry decided. Ron and Hermione nodded.
What the three weren't aware of was someone was outside in the hall listening in. The figure let out an exaggerated sigh and stalked down the hall.
...
That night at midnight, Hermione crept down the stairs as quickly and quietly as she could without waking anyone. Two tall cloaked figures waited for her in the Entrance way. Slipping her hood over her head, she followed them onto the doorsteps outside. At a brisk pace they walked through the plaza in the shadows to the apparating point.
Harry and Ron each grabbed one of Hermione's hand and disapparated to their destination. The first thing Hermione noticed were the cliffs they were standing next to. She could hear the waves crashing softly below as the smell of salt water wafted through the air. The stars were visible and bright. Letting go of Harry and Ron's hands she reached a hand into her cloak and pulled out her wand. In front of them stood a tall grey building that was in desperate need of repairs.
She started to take a step forward when a hand reached out and gripped her free hand.
"Hermione, maybe you should walk between me and Ron, just incase something isn't right." Harry suggested.
"I do not need to be treated like a child, Harry!" Hermione snapped.
She started to walk to the doors to the building, leaving Harry and Ron to look at each other with an exasperated look on their faces before following. Climbing the steps to the building a violent shiver coursed through her body. Hermione stopped on the top steps, wanting to turn and walk away. Something just didn't feel right. Taking a deep breath, she reached a hand out and grasped the cold handle. Pulling lightly on the door, it started to open.
"Who leaves the front doors to a building unlocked?" Ron asked. "Maybe something is wrong around here. Hermione, let me and Harry go in first."
Hermione swung around to confront Ron. "Ronald Weasley, I swear, if either of you treat me less than competent again tonight because I'm a female, I'll hex you!"
Harry gave Ron a quick look and slipped in the door before Hermione. Sighing loudly she didn't say anything but followed with Ron behind her. They walked into a narrow hallway with old dark grey wood surrounding them. From the main door there was a staircase to the right about six or seven feet away. On the left was a door, which made the hallway so narrow.
Harry looked over his shoulder and whispered, "No splitting up at any point."
Hermione and Ron both said, 'okay', and walked through the hallway behind Harry. They made their way to the door on the left. Placing a hand on the door, Harry slid it down slowly, letting his hand trace over the wood to the handle. Twisting the knob, he pressed it open slowly. A small creak filled the air to reveal a dark office where they Headmistress or Master worked.
The room was the same old dark grey wood that made up the hallway. Dust coated everything in the room. Each lit the tip of their wand while going towards a different spot in the room to search. Hermione went to the desk, making sure not to drag her hands along any surface. Opening the middle draw she found old pieces of blank parchment and quills. Closing the drawer, she knelt down in front of the drawer to her left. Pulling it out, she found old files. Quickly sifting through them, she found nothing of importance. Finally making her way to the right one, she determined that the desk didn't hold anything.
Harry had been looking over the bookshelf. Pulling on books to see if there was a safe behind any. Ron searched behind paintings and anywhere else he could. Hermione was standing when they heard a harsh howl pierce the air. Gasping she twirled towards the window.
"Quick, put out your wands!" Harry exclaimed.
The three wands went out. Quickly moving back away from the window, Hermione made her way to where Ron and Harry now stood. There were footsteps out in the hall. Hermione's breath caught. Someone was out there and making their way to the room. Another howl filled the air, it was closer. Reaching out a shaky hand, she grasped Ron's, squeezing it tight. Taking a deep breath, she realized she was letting herself panic, then made herself let go.
A familiar insane laugh filled the air that sent a sickening chill through their bodies. "Come out, come out, children, we know you're in here." Taunted Bellatrix LeStrange. "You can't get away without us seeing, we just want to play a little game." Another laugh filled the air. This was not starting to look good.
...
The three men apparated right on the cliffs.
Looking around, Lucius turned his nose up in disgust. "What a lovely and quaint place." he said sarcastically as he eyed the tall grey building they stood in front of.
Snape scanned the stretch of land they stood on. The cliffs were right behind them, the orphanage in front, woods to the left, and to the right, a road that veered off to somewhere they couldn't quite see. A light in a window to his left caught his attention.
"It seems," Snape began "That our charges are in that room there."
A howl filled the air. All three men tensed to the sound. Something wasn't right, and apparently the three in the room thought so too because the light on their wants went out. Watching the front of the building three figures slipped in the doors. Snape's blood ran cold. They had to get them out without anyone seeing him or Lucius. Pulling their hoods up, they heard another howl. It was getting closer.
...
"Harry, Ron," Hermione whispered in between them. "The window."
"What the bloody hell do we want to look out a window for, Hermione?!" Ron asked exasperated.
Gritting her teeth Hermione glared at Ron. "To climb out, you git." she bit out annoyed.
Quietly hurrying to the window, Ron and Harry charmed it open. Motioning for her to come over, they slowly lowered her out. Backing up out of their way, she bumped into a solid body. Two hands gripped the top of her arms from behind. She jumped and gasped, dropping her wand to the ground.
Trying to pull out of the firm grip, she felt a warm breath on her skin. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up. "My, my, my. What have we here? Smells like a mudblood." Slowly the man ran the tip of his tongue along the shell of her ear. Whispering softly, "Taste like a mudblood."
Hermione made a small cry of distress. Ron was already had just crawled out of the window, hearing her make a noise, he turned around. Frozen to the spot, the color drained from his face. Inside the room where Harry still was, there was light pouring out. There was an argument going on in there, spells were being thrown.
Hermione disregarded everything around her except the terror growing inside of her. Closing her eyes, she took deep calming breaths to try to clear her mind. She needed to do something, Ron sure wasn't helping.
"Let her go!" Ron cried angrily, raising his wand with a shaky hand.
"And miss my chance to get a taste of this delectable treat?" she felt the man's breath caressing over her skin again. He let out a harsh howl. Ron looked like he wanted to faint now. He was clearly distressed. The moment the man howled, they both knew who he was. Fenrir Greyback tightened his grip on her as he started to back away. Abruptly they stopped, causing Hermione to slam back against the werewolf.
"Let her go, Greyback." came a calm venomous voice.
Two tall black figures had their wands pointed at Fenrir from the sides. The werewolf was momentarily distracted from her, so here was her chance. She brought up a foot and swiftly slammed her foot back against his knee.
A shout of pain came from the werewolf, letting her go she moved forward. Before she could get more than two steps, the man to Fenrir's left grabbed her arm and pulled her up against his body. Hermione felt a tremor of pleasure, like she had felt this body before. The other black figure threw a hex at Fenrir, but he'd launched himself at them man.
"That Gryffindor pride you, Potter, and Weasley keep showing is going to get you killed one of these days, Miss Granger." the man whispered harshly into her ear.
Hermione stiffened against Severus Snape. A myriad of feelings ran through Snape at once. Her body was held firmly against him. He could feel her back against his front, one minute soft, the next she was tense. The soft brush of her hair against his face and the smell of her almost sent him over the edge. They had to get out of here, and fast.
Fenrir had taken off, leaving Lucius muttering about getting his robes dirty from the filth on the ground. Snape let go of Hermione as Ron hurriedly came forward with her wand and slipped it in to her hand. Taking her into a fierce hug, Severus sneered, "You almost got her killed, Weasley."
Ron pulled away and flushed. "I had everything under control, Professor."
"Not likely. You hardly know what end of your wand to use."
Before they could say anything else, Harry was being thrown out of the window, and Remus followed suit by jumping out.
"Right. Got the three, best be going." Remus said quickly as he helped Harry up and started to run and drag him to an disapparating point.
Lucius followed suit by forcing Ron with him, and Snape grabbed Hermione's hand and pulled her quickly behind them. Bellatrix could be heard cursing them as they ran, with Death Eaters coming out of the house. The last thing Hermione saw was a flash of green light coming at them before Snape pulled her against his chest and disapparated.
Well! I hope that was somewhat to people's standards. For being my first story I feel good about it. Thanks again for those who have reviewed and for adding me to their alert list! I'll try to update quickly each time I post. I'm kind of blindly walking through this story line. My friend tried to get me to make an outline before I started…but do I listen? Nooo. .
By the by, I debated heavily about this cliff hanger/ending, but it keeps people guess. )
Shannon .