Chapter Two Explanation

Slightly and Donovan arrived in a lit cave with sparse furnishings and found Harry sitting on a ratty couch Daily Prophet folded on his lap, glasses in his hand crying silently.

Donovan moved forward. "Harry…." He began.

"Severus explained what happened Donovan. Why are you even here?" Voice breaking. "Hermione is dead because of you. She was buried in a paupers grave with no one to mourn her!"

"He didn't tell you I created a Port Key that rescued her and sent her in time and provided the Dark Lord a copy of her body created with a large bone?" He knew Severus was angry but damn him for not telling the young man about his actions. Such a Slytherin Slytherin reaction.

"Severus did not stay long telling me he would be unavailable so he can keep Erin safe. I gave him money to help him and said best not to contact him unless lives were at stake."

Slightly moved and stood next to Donovan. "I brought Donovan to you because of the Unbreakable Vow between us. Listen to him."

Harry motioned them to sit across from him. "I'm listening."

Donovan finished his tale, showing how he could control his Dark Mark and hide it from view.

"You're sure there are hundreds and we may be infiltrated? Merlin how can we fight this?"

Donovan responded. "I can teach you a countercharm that will reveal the hidden Mark. Call four that you can trust explicitly plus a new member."

Harry pulled himself together and placed his hand in his pocket, turning the coin in his pocket. "I'll have to move after this."

Luna, Neville, Molly, Arthur, George, and Jonathan Wentworth arrived.

Harry rushed to Ginny. "Where are our children." He whispered in her ear as he hugged her. They decided that being apart would be safer for his children's sake.

"Padma's watching them Harry." Ginny whispered in his ear.

Harry released his wife and spoke to the assembled witches and spoke. "I've been alerted to a danger and Donovan is here to test a theory. All here have proven themselves to the Order and I trust each and every one of you. Reveal your left arm."

Everyone revealed their left arm out and waited, watching Donovan tap his wand for a moment and moved to the next.

Jonathan kept his arm out and felt the wand touched his arm and screamed out in pain, hearing everyone gasp out in shock when the Dark Mark revealed itself.

Jonathan pulled his wand out but found himself on the floor, with a short pock marked wizard standing over him. "I suggest you talk now or I will make you and I will not use magic."

Arthur stood over the wizard. "You helped me while I was Minister and can't believe you are Voldemort's man!"

Jonathan did not show any remorse. "I'll not talk at all. Kill me!" He demanded.

Slightly used his wand and levitated the bound wizard. "You'll die my friend but not before you tell me all that is intimate. We are going to become very close my friend."

Slightly looked to Harry. "Do you have a room I can use Harry?"

Harry pointed to the door that led to the forest. "No but we are in a remote place. No one should hear his screams."

Slightly chuckled Harry's hint to the bound wizard.

"Stay for a moment Slightly. I need to call someone to see this." Harry asked turning his coin to call another of the Order.

Severus appeared. "Harry I told you…" Pausing when he noticed the assembled witches and wizards.

"Donovan!" He hissed. "Traitor!"

Donovan stood his ground. "You never gave me a chance to explain Severus and you should have told Harry how I protected Hermione."

Severus glared at the wizard for a moment and turned to Harry. "What do you wish of me?"

Harry pointed to the bound wizard floating behind Slightly. "Donovan revealed a hidden Mark on that one and I thought you could help Slightly out."

Severus turned and looked to Slightly. "Why not? I've not talked to Slightly for a while."

All watched as Severus followed Slightly and the bound wizard.

"Donovan, teach us the charm so we can clear our ranks." Harry commanded.

All gathered around the handsome wizard as he explained the counter-charm and allowed him to practice on his arm until they got it right.

After an hour Donovan pulled his arm back. "You've mastered it."

Another hour passed and the gathered watched Slightly and Severus arrive back.

Slightly looked to the group. "I have a different Mark from the others as I am Voldemort's Assassin. After a nice long chat with our friend he revealed that his Mark was not special as all receive the same. So it will be hard to find it as all of Voldemort's followers have the same."

Arthur looked to Slightly. "What happened to the wizard Slightly?"

Severus interrupted Arthur's words. "We took him to a place that he will not tell our secrets."

"Where is that Severus?" Arthur demanded.

Slightly chuckled. "The only logical place Arthur. We sent him to the Veil."

The room quieted realizing the two killed the wizard.

Severus pulled several phials out of his pocket and laid them on the uneven table between the ratty couches. "Sleeping Draught. Slip this and then use the charm you've no doubt been practicing on Donovan. If you cannot kill them, bound them up and leave it to me."

"Or me." Slightly interrupted. "I will take care of what your conscience cannot. That is my skill after all."

Each of the called took a phial up.

"We'll work together and clean our cells of the traitors." Arthur murmured out with a steel hard glint in his eyes.

Harry watched them leave, leaving Slightly, Donovan, and Harry in the lit cave in silence.

"I'm leaving this place Severus. Donovan is not the traitor you suggested and I'll talk to you later about why you lied to me Severus."

The three wizards watched Harry shrink up the meager furnishings and food in the cave and placed them in a mole-skin pouch. "I wish you luck and Slightly can find me if you need me."

They watched Harry leave the cave remaining silent for a while staring at one another.

Severus used his wand and changed a rock to a chair and sat. "Slightly, there is something that you did not tell the others."

Slightly sighed and changed a rock to a chair and sat as well. "Severus, I am to bring you and Erin to Voldemort. We need to address that. Both of you or one or my life is forfeit and you lose a spy if you decide otherwise."

Donovan remained standing. "I don't care what you decide but I must see Erin."

"Slightly told me everything Donovan and I'm sorry I doubted you. But you are a danger if I take you to her. The Dark Lord uses the Mark to track his followers when he is interested in them. He will not take note of Slightly for he is trusted but he can track you and will since he knows of your relationship. We need to take care of that."

Donovan looked to his arm. "Are you suggesting…"

Severus barked out. "Yes Donovan, you will lose your arm but I can grow it back in a week. You will go in hiding with the rest of us. It is the only way I will allow you to be with her."

"Whack away Severus." Donovan growled out.

"Remain here and I will be back. Then we will address Slightly's dilemma."

A loud crack sounded out indicating Severus's departure and Donovan turned to Slightly.

"What do you think he meant, taking care of your dilemma?" Donovan asked.

Slightly looked to him. "You know his history. What do you think?"

HGSSHGSSHGSS

Sebastion watched his mother sleeping in the bed, slipping another Sleeping Draught in her tea when he brought the food in. He could not afford to ask her questions as the last time it proved fatal.

Severus strode into the room and watched his wife sleep. "You've learned this time Sebastion."

Sebastion ran his hand through his hair and watched his father for a moment. "What are you going to do this time Father?"

Severus sat down next to his soon. "We've lived this so many times Son. I will tell her the truth and then she can decide. When will she come out from the potion?"

"About an hour Father. I was able to adjust the portion when I made the sandwiches." Sebastion replied. "I suppose you will want me away when she wakes. I don't understand why she does not remember."

Severus sighed, knowing her arrivals hurt him because they remembered and she did not. He was close to her while growing up.

"I've explained the paradox Donovan created many times Sebastion. I know you understand it."

Sebastion sighed. "I do but it does not help. Years pass between her arrival and always thrown back into this moment of time remembering despite how old Ibecame. Hidden away with contact of those of the Order. Not a normal childhood you know."

Severus placed his hand on his son's knee. "I know it's been hard on you but if we succeed this time you will be you own man and not tied to destiny, as will I for better or worse."

Sebastion stood up. "I'll leave it to you then. Good luck."

Severus watched his son leave, shoulders hunched in defeat. He sat in the chair watching Hermione sleeping. Gods she was so young compared to him at this time. Always the same when life changed when he lost her to time.

He closed his eyes remembering the past.

HGSSHGSSHGSS

Severus arrived back, not saying a word, pulling a Goblin made sword, a few phials of potions, and a bowl containing a thick green past and placed them on the low rickety table in front of them.

He turned to Donovan. "Explain your actions concerning Hermione Donovan!" He growled out.

"I gave her a Port Key but it is more than that Severus. I always intended it to be used for Erin, but seeing Hermione there trapped made me act. When she activated my Port Key she was thrown forward in time, but time infused to her being as well. Depending on what she thinks, time will reverse and it all begins again. Remember it was created for Erin in case she fell to Voldemort's court. I thought that she would be the one to turn the tide but it's up to Hermione now."

Slightly sounded out. "Should not be that bad Severus. Now tell me of my fate."

Severus said nothing and pointed to the phials on the table. "Drink red, blue, then green. That will help you while I remove your arm. We'll wait five minutes."

The three wizards stood in awkward silence while Severus watched Donovan intently, watching his eyes glazed over and fall to the floor unconscious.

He indicated to Slightly to pull the wizard's arm out and grabbed the sword, testing its weight. Soon the deed was done and Severus applied the green paste to the stub of his arm.

Slightly picked up Donovan and placed him on the tattered couch. Making sure the wizard was deep in sleep he turned to Severus. "We've plans to discuss."

Severus closed his eyes. Hermione lost in time and he needed to have hope and the slight pockmarked wizard in front of him was his hope.

Snapping them open, he spoke. "We will discuss them when Donovan is safely away. The Dark Lord did not give you a timetable." He growled out.

Slightly sat down. "We have nothing but time, according to Donovan."

Mid-week into Donovan's recovery Hermione appeared. She looked worn and scarred. "Severus!" She shouted out.

"Hermione! What?" Severus began.

She placed her finger on his lips. "This point in time has happened so many times. What you think is wrong. Go with Slightly and turn yourself in." She pleaded.

Shit. He was going to tell Slightly not to report back. "You're sure of this Hermione. Donovan explained his Port Key."

She moved to him and kissed him deeply and broke away. "A curse Severus despite the fact it saved my life. Just do as I say. I've lived this moment so many times. Please listen to me this time."

He watched her move away from her. "Erin! Is she safe? Do we succeed? What of our son?"

Hermione touched his cheek. "Maybe all will be well this time."

Severus opened his eyes hearing his witch stir. He took small hand in his. "I hope you're ready for this Hermione as we discuss time."

Hermione looked to her husband in confusion. "Please tell me what the Hell is going on."

Severus spoke and she listened to the story. When he finished, he watched her intently.

Silence in the room held for minutes before her husband pulled her out of the bed and hugged her tightly, sobbing out. "Oh Hermione you are here! You did not disappear."

Hermione allowed Severus to hold her, sobbing into her shoulder and wrapped her arms around him. When she went back in the past she remembered. It was only in the future she did not.

She knew it was opposite for them. They remembered in the future and not the past.