Chapt 5 Time to the present
Ron arrived in the room where Hermione and Severus lay sleeping and floated in a corner watching them. The older man looked peaceful, the first time in almost two decades.
Hermione muttered a moment before moving closer to her husband, wrapping the cover tighter around her.
Severus woke at the movement noting the chill in the air. "Go down to the kitchen Ron and I will join you momentarily." Whispering out to not wake Hermione.
Severus waited until the room grew warmer and sat up, gathering his trousers and put them on along with the white silk shirt.
Walking to the stairs he stepped quietly and moved to the Kitchen where Ron waited. Ignoring the ghost, he moved to the Muggle electric kettle and took a few minutes to make a mug of tea for himself before sitting at the table.
"It's been a few years since we last talked Ron." Severus murmured. "I thought you were released to the Veil."
Ron looked sad. "It was only a week ago Severus. Time is in flux because of Hermione's forays into both the past and the future. You wonder why I was placed here and my time is now drawing to a close. Everything changes with time but a ghost is a constant, remembering everything."
Severus looked confused and snarled out. "I am not addled in mind. I last saw you five years ago after an Order raid that ended up with ten deaths on our side and a loss. The Order has never recovered from it."
"Hermione's arrival is at a proper point for time Severus because term ends at Hogwarts and you are free for the summer. Bring Harry and Slightly here after you close the school up. It should take you two days and you have made a habit of not residing at the castle, leaving Hagrid as the care taker so Voldemort wil not take notice of your absence. I'll see you in three days."
Severus sat in the empty kitchen, sipping his tea, thinking of the ghost's words. Time is in flux and that means it is changing. Thinking further he realized his cottage was the only fixed point.
Moving upstairs he walked into his bedroom and found Hermione still sleeping. He observed her and found more grey in her hair than his. She aged in the short time he was away from her.
He woke her. "Hermione I have to get back to the castle."
Hermione woke slowly and sat up, looking around in confusion. "Severus? How can you be here? Voldemort called you to meet him and Slightly told me you were going to be detained indefinitely, meaning he is onto you."
He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "I'll be back in two days Hermione and I will be free to talk. Do not leave the cottage Hermione. You must promise me this one thing. I have plenty of food and books to keep you occupied. Promise me Hermione!"
She was taken back on his insistence. "I promise I will not even go outside Severus if it is so important to you."
"That's my witch." Reaching down and picked up his tunic and buttoned it up, pulling his wand out and pointed it to him to smooth out the wrinkles. Moving to the wardrobe he pulled out his dark black cloak and placed it on his shoulder and adjusted it, noting alarm on his wife's face.
"I know you are confused Hermione just as I am. I'm off to attend to Graduation and shutter the school for the summer. I promise you I will be back." Severus silkily replied, hoping his voice calmed her.
He looked at her, always beautiful to him and decided to try the Bond and thought for a moment. "Time has no meaning to me sweet Hermione when I see you and know I love you more and more each day that I find you are beside me."
Hermione smiled. "I feel the same as it seems I spend time with you and not and I love you Severus. Please be careful."
"Always sweet witch." Severus replied before turning his heel and Apparated away to the castle.
HGSSHGSSHGSS
Severus arrived in his office at Hogwarts, early rays of the morning shining out through the window. "All of you out now except for Albus!" Snarling out in anger.
The portrait of Dily's Derwent Headmistress of Hogwarts 1741-1768 murmured. "He knows now." Leaving her portrait with a whispered word of luck.
Albus pulled his half-moon glasses off and placed them on a table next to him. "You know the portraits know everything Severus."
Severus stood in front of the large portrait that hung on the wall behind his desk. "I know and you Ex-Headmaster of Hogwarts placed here to guide current and future Headmasters of Hogwarts. Why did you not tell me?
"Dear boy if I told you, you would forget so why distress you? Hermione is back?" Albus calmly replied.
"Yes!" He snarled. "She arrived to me at the same age I was when I married her and in a span a hours she is the same age as me now!"
"Time Severus. Time is coming into a balance of things as forces unknown interfered with it." Albus somberly replied, stroking his beard.
Severus fell into his chair. "How many times has she died?" He demanded before calming down. "How many times have I died? How long has this been going on?"
"You both have died too many times to count and Voldemort always wins in the end. As for the time, its been about two hundred years."
"And Harry Potter, what of him?"
"Defeated every time." Albus calmly replied back.
Severus slumped back in his chair. "So there is no hope then? How long has this been going on?" He demanded.
"In the past Harry Potter defeated Tom and in the future it was assumed he would do it again and always met with failure. I suggest you find someone else. Think of everything you have experienced." Standing up and left his portrait before another question could be asked.
The certificates appeared on his desk and he moved to sign them. Damn portrait was of no help.
Moving to the Great Hall for breakfast he entered and took his seat in the middle of the Great table and looked to his colleagues. Thank the Gods they were like yesterday and not aged.
Not bothering to go to the winged podium he called out. "For those of you graduating today, enjoy Hogwarts for tomorrow you must find a place. A place within the Ministry or our society and dedicate yourself. A place where Magic is might and all lessor beings exterminated so we take our rightful place. They would use us and we cannot afford it. Now eat up witches and wizards and remember our place is at the top and as soon as the Muggles are exterminated we go forth to a brave, new world never having to hide!"
Loud cheers erupted in the hall as platters of food appeared and the students tucked in happily.
Severus did not bother to eat and instead looking at the small group of witches and wizards, remembering ten years ago the last of the Muggle-born witches and wizards were taken care of.
The day went by and at the end of it he handed out the diplomas to the graduating class, hearing all of them speak in reverence of Minister Binns and told him they took the Mark and willing to serve.
He went to his chambers after that and slept fitfully, worrying of Hermione.
The next day all of the Professors accompanied the carriages as required to Hogsmeade and watched the students depart on the train.
Severus remained with the Professor of Dark Arts Study along with Discipline hopped on and shouted their farewells.
He remained with the group he Owled and motioned for them to walk with him. Once away from the village he led them into the forest and found them waiting for him to speak.
"How many of you are still loyal to Dumbledore, to what is right?" He growled out.
The group remained silent.
"No eloquent reference to our Minister so I'll hazard a guess that it is all of you." Severus spoke in a low silky voice.
He placed his hands behind his back and continued. "I am as well though I doubt you believe me based on the last twenty years. But the time has arrived. Time is at a flux and still now allowing the final fight. Gather those in the resistance I know other than the Order of the Phoenix. Very soon you will see the signs and contact me discretely. Have a good summer."
The small staff watched in disbelief when their Headmaster walked away, not forcing Legilimens as he did in the past.
Pomona wrung her hands in worry. "You noticed our colleagues firmly seated with the Minister is not here."
Filius squeaked out. "Something has changed."
The half giant rumbled out. "I know ya never cared fer him, but I believe Severus. I'll contact the Centaurs as he has a bond with 'em." Leaving the group.
Bathsheda Babbling motioned the group closer to her. "I've studied the runes every night. Last night there was a change that I could not believe. Listen to what I have for I have guided you in the past."
The Professors huddled together and listened.
Filius looked to them. "We are in then? Contact those we know?"
Septima of Arithmancy looked to her friends. "Can you feel it, the Majiks all in flux, working and not? I'll gather my contacts and contact the Headmaster discretely for the numbers say it is time."
All agreed to help despite the price.
HGSSHGSSHGSS
Two days later Severus arrived at his cottage and found Hermione in his study reading a book. He was pleased that his core group of professors agreed to attend later that day. It was sooner than expected.
He moved to her and kissed her cheek. "What are you reading Love?" Settling in the leather chair next to hers.
"Time." Hermione replied. "I feel out of sorts."
"You've no idea." Severus drily replied.