Disclaimer : J.K.ROWLING!!
A/N: Finally!!! The last chapter of this story!! Thank you all for reading it!!! LOVE YOU!! Yes, there will be a sequel...
Chapter 23 : The Last Chapter
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"Snape??? Is that you??"
"Really, Black... Couldn't save yourself this time?" Snape sneered, handing out a hand to him. "Next thing I'll know the werewolf will be needing help from me too..."
Sirius took his hand and pulls him for a hug. Severus went in shock for a moment before struggling to push him away.
"Thank goodness you're back!! Oh Merlin!"
"Get off me! Unhand me this instance, you mutt!" Severus struggled again.
Sirius let him go with a smirk on the face.
"You know you like it. Admit it, you mush. You miss me, don't you..." Sirius smirks again while Severus scowls.
"Not in my entire life will I ever miss you... get lost." Severus sneered but deep inside he knew he did miss the mangy, old mutt.
During their school days, they were enemies. That was what people thought. They were actually friends though. They knew that by teasing and taunting each other, trying to get each other into trouble, their friendship remains the same but Severus did hate James though. He knew that the rest in the Marauder Gang were innocent, 'cept for Peter, who Severus knew had a Dark Aura around him every time he walks past. James did repent afterwards but Severus did not believe that. If James repented, then Albus would have stopped eating Lemon Drops. And as for Sirius... well they did get along well with each other. That is because they are related. Second cousins that is... but nobody knew that. Well, he can go back to have his usual fights with him again. Suddenly, Severus pushed Sirius to the ground in lightning speed, catching Sirius by surprise and ending up face down on the ground.
"What ever the hell was that for!!?" He hissed. Severus pointed to their front and saw Bellatrix with her crazed look back on. She didn't see them as they had fell in a nearby bush that covered them from view. Sirius had realization dawn on his face.
"That's the second time I saved you, Mutt... That too from a couple who wish to see you dead." Severus move to kneeling beside him but never letting his gaze falter from Bellatrix, who was now dueling with two of the Order members.
"And for that, I thank you, you miserable git." Sirius frowns and turns to his side. "How did you... become you again? I mean... the last thing I knew was that you got hit by lightning and then you fell to the ground... and I thought you were dead..." Sirius asks.
"It takes more than a lightning strike to kill me..." Severus turns to Sirius and smirks. "You know that..."
Sirius smiles back.
"True... But then... seriously. How?"
Sirius saw Severus frowned for a moment before his eyes widen.
"Hermione... She is here. I remember..." He turns to the spot where Hermione used to be. "She was there... and she was mumbling something... I saw her mouth move and then the lightning strike..." Sirius's eyes widen.
"She probably cast the counter curse on you!"
"I'd better go find her... The counter curse has a deadly consequence to it... She has to pay the price for casting it." Severus frowns in concern. Sirius saw this and tilted his head in question.
"You know about the consequence?"
"Yes..." Sirius frowns.
"I thought you didn't know about it... You should have told us that you knew about it! Would have saved Hermione's time."
Severus turns to glower at Sirius.
"I would have told you if I had my mind intact, wouldn't I?" Sarcasm flew out.
Sirius gave a smug look.
"It's Dark Arts. The last I heard about it was a case fifty years ago. The one who cast the counter curse had a terrible end to it." Severus said.
"What happened?"
"Disappeared..."
"What?" Sirius asked.
"Disappeared... Suddenly. Just 'poof'... Gone. I just hope nothing happens to Hermione." Severus turns to the spot where Hermione was.
"Hmmm... no wonder Dumbledore kept saying 'Before it's too late.' Well you had better go find her. I'll stay here and take care of our beloved cousin..." Sirius got up and went on. Before he could run off, he felt a tug on his robes and he stop in his track. He turn to hiss at Severus but saw that he had a smile on the face.
"Thanks for everything... cousin..." Sirius smile and smack him on the back.
"Welcome back..."
With that, Sirius ran out and sends a hex towards Bellatrix.
"Here, Trixy trixy trixy... Cuzzy Siri is here to play with Trixy..." Sirius defended himself as a flash of blue light flew to him.
"Don't call me that!!" Bellatrix roared and send a few more hexes, which Sirius managed to deflect.
Severus knew that he was not in need and rand off to the clearing where Hermione once was. As he goes by, he sends a few flying hexes and curses before reaching to the place. He look around to find Hermione on the ground, not moving.
"Hermione!" He scramble towards her and pick her up onto his lap. He shook her a few times, calling out for her. A few while later, he saw her eyes flutter open and her gaze took in an unfocused look.
"Hermione? It's me... Hermione..." He gave a few taps on her cheek until her focus was on him and gave her a warm smile. "Hello there, Gorgeous..."
Hermione's eyes widen and hugs him hard.
"Severus! Oh, Severus! You're back! Oh, Severus!" She pulls back to look into his eyes. "I thought you were dead! I thought you were dead when I saw the lightning strike you and I was so shock and every thoughts went through my mind I mean I knew I cast the spell right and the book didn't tell me anything about lightning strikes... and... and-" She stops when Severus started to chuckle."
"You're babbling again, Miss Granger. Five points from Gryffindor." He smirks.
Hermione gave out a choked sob and lunge towards him. 'Her kisses are still sweet as cinnamon. Just the way I like it...' thought Severus as the two started to deepen their kiss. They stayed on for a few moments 'til they felt that they need air to breathe, foreheads resting against each other.
"Oh Severus... I miss you so much."
"I missed you too... Merlin knows how much I've missed you." Severus nuzzle his nose against hers. They pull back to look at each others eyes and smile.
"Thank you so much... for being there for me..." Severus said.
"It's no problem... After all, you are mine to keep. I'm here for you... always." Hermione smile.
"And I'm here for you too..." Severus smile before frowning. "The consequence... did it happen? Do you feel weird or whatsoever?"
"Nope... After casting the counter curse, nothing happened except for little dizzy spells which is probably normal for me..."
Severus frowns.
"Normal?"
Hermione stuck her tongue out and gave a small smile. Severus saw this and he knew Hermione was hiding something from him.
"What is it that you're not telling me?"
"Well... Erm... I... Severus, watch out!!" Hermione push Severus go aside as a green light flew towards them. They saw that the battle has gone on much more worse as fire started to ablaze in the Manor and people running around, trying to either take shelter or fight the other. Severus grab Hermione by the arm and pulls her aside.
"Listen, I need you to stay here for the moment. You can tell me whatever it is later, alright?"
"No! I'm going with you..."
"No, Hermione... No. I have to go and put a stop to this. Put a stop to Bellatrix and Lucius..."
"Wait! Lucius is not dangerous. He is just doing what Bellatrix told him to. He is innocent." Severus frowns.
"What? Hermione... He kidnapped you..."
"I know... he did that so that he could let me know what's going on."
Hermione saw the frown deepen and she knew she had his attention.
"Bellatrix has Draco somewhere and she ordered him to keep us both alive... for the resurrection of Voldermort. Lucius didn't want Voldermort to resurrect... so he tried to kill me and erased your mind so that you wouldn't remember anything about yourself. Unfortunately, his plan failed and Bellatrix found out about it. She threatened him and changed her plans. He was supposed to hand me over to Bellatrix but instead he made me a deal. He said he will help me, if I would help him with Draco... and I agreed. Severus... Lucius is innocent." Hermione put her hand on his forearm, looking straight into his eyes.
Severus scowled before nodding.
"Fine... then let me go and finish Bellatrix instead. Stay here and don't move..." Severus gave her a final kiss and ran off to battle. Hermione stood up and took out her wand.
"Since when have I ever stayed away from a fight...?" And off she went for battle.
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Severus ran to where Sirius and Bellatrix was fighting and sent out a hex.
"Confundus!" Bellatrix ducked and the spell hits one of the Death eaters. Bellatrix smirks at Severus as he stood by Sirius.
"Hello, Sevvy..." she hiss.
"Hello, Trixy..."
"Don't call me that!"
"Aw... why not, Trixy. After what you have done... I guess the name does suits you... Tricky Trixy..." Severus points the wand at her.
Bellatrix saw the wand point and backed up.
Suddenly, she started to cackle out loud. Both Severus and Sirius frowned in surprise, look at each other and then at her back. She kept on cackling and laughing, stamping her foot and thumping her fist on the ground. Everyone around stopped whatever they were doing, watching her cackle like a mad woman. Severus's wand hand did not falter one bit.
"I guess she went mad..." Sirius said.
"When has she never been mad?" Severus said.
Bellatrix looks up at Severus and tsked.
"Pity... pity... Sevvy... Why waste your time with me. Now she will never come back to you... never again!" Bella started cackling again. Severus regained his grip on his wand.
"What do you mean?"
"Never again! She will be lost! Never again!! It's too late now! Too late!"
"Who! What's too late! Tell me!"
"She will never be back... She... and your unborn child... Never. NEVER!! IT'S TOO LATE!" Bellatrix started to cackle again as Severus look at her in fear.
Unborn child? She?
"Who is it, Bellatrix. TELL ME, WHO!"
Bellatrix sat up and look at him with a sly smirk on her face as she hisses out the words...
"Hermione Granger will be lost forever... She and your unborn child. HA HA HA HA HA!!!" She cackled.
Severus, taken in by shock, pointed his wand at her and roared.
"Stupefy!!!"
The near blast spell made Bellatrix fall back with a thump, not moving an inch. A few sounds of thunder indicated that some had either Apparated in or Dissaparated out from the scene. Severus and Sirius turn to look at what's happening and heard a 'pop' sound behind them. They turn to see Bellatrix gone from her place.
"No!!!" Severus roared and fisted his hair. He turn around to see Death eaters running amok as they tried to dissaparate out while fighting the Order members.
"Hermione... she's... pregnant?" Severus muttered to himself.
No wonder... That was what she was trying to tell him. That was what Dumbledore was trying to tell him. Hermione is pregnant... with his child. His Child... That was what Bellatrix wanted! His unborn child... to be used for Voldermorts' resurrection. Hermione... Hermione!!
"We didn't know, Severus... We didn't know she was pregnant..." Sirius said.
"Hermione! Where is she!!"
"I thought she is safe now... since you went to look for her... right?"
"I did... but knowing how much in danger she is right now, I have to go and find her... knowing her, she is not where I told her to be..." Severus had his head in a muddle so he didn't know what he had just said. And that caused Sirius to be confused.
"What?"
"I said... never mind... I have to go." Severus ran to where he had ordered for Hermione to stay put. And he was right, she was not there.
"Oh fuck..." Severus swore and ran to find her. He found her fighting alongside with Harry and Ron.
"Hermione!" He shouted.
Hermione heard her name being called and turn to see Severus running towards her from afar. She waves at him and smiles.
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A slow wind started that turned into a gale around them. Trees started shaking violently as the wind howl and thunder struck.
Severus stops in his tracks and watches everything in slow motion. His face twisted in horror as he saw Hermione double over and a look of confusion on her face. Both Harry and Ron turn to see her breathing hard, holding her stomach. They tried to touch her but was thrown aside by an invisible force. Severus remember screaming her name as he ran towards her. The winds making his robes billow around his legs.
Severus felt a force push him back as he watch Hermione starting to grow transparent slowly, a look of horror on her face as she looks up to Severus.
"Severus!!"
"Hermione!! No!!" Severus tried to run to her again but was pushed back onto the ground. He roared in anger, got up and tried over and over again, trying to grab her.
Hermione handed out a hand and doubled over again as she felt the pain in her spread through her body. She raised one hand to her view and saw that she was beginning to be invisible. The thunder struck above her.
Both Harry and Ron were imitating what Severus was doing, screaming her name while trying to get through the barrier. A few pops was heard and in came Albus Dumbledore into view. Severus turn and gave a look of plea to him. Dumbledore look at him, a look of sadness on his face, shook his head slowly. Severus gave him a glare which could have turned Neville into a toad and tried to get pass the barrier again. The winds howl into his ears as he rushed forward.
"Hermione!" He rush forward and felt himself being pushed again. "No!! No!! Hermione!!"
"Severus!!" She screamed. Once again, thunder struck.
Severus watch in horror as he saw lightning struck, saw Hermione slowly disappear into thin air, her screams being drowned out by the winds, disappearing along with her, her tears evident on her face... and then... silence.
Severus stood there, dumbstruck. Nobody dared to move. Nobody dared to even breathe loudly. Severus panted, his eyebrows raised, wide eyed, watching the spot where Hermione once used to stand. He frowned, stumbled forward slowly to where she was and look down on the spot, still panting. He crumpled, kneeling to the ground and grabbed fistful of the ground. His face contorted as he closes his eyes and bend forward, gritting his teeth and anger on his face.
With all his might, he pulled his fist out of the ground, making a few of the contents fly out from where it was... He bent backwards and roared out in anger.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!..." His voice erupted through the night like thunder.
He fell forward, started punching the ground and started to sob out loud, his body shaking as he cry. Angry sobs through screams of anger. Everybody stood around him, tears in their eyes, nobody dared to comfort him.
Severus had his eyes still closed as he cried out to the ground.
"Why..." He said, through gritted teeth. "Hermione... Why... Why is this happening to me...? Why take her... Take me instead, not her, she is innocent, take me instead!!" He look up to the dark sky and sobbed out. "Take me... Give Hermione back and take me... please... I love her... please... She has my child in her. Please... Give her back to me... I'll do anything! Take me! I'll do anything but just... please... Please give her back... please... please..." His whole body shook as he burst into tears again, kneeling forward in prayer like posture, his tears seeping through the earth where Hermione once stood.
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Severus sat back in his chair as he marks the paper in his classroom that night. It has been three months now. Three months since he went back to Hogwarts.
Three months since Hermione disappeared into thin air.
After her disappearance, everyone started to treat him differently. They knew he didn't want their pity but he needs support. So they became more civil towards him. Severus has been quiet and more sarcastic, more harsh towards the students and no one knew what the reason was but those who knew understood his reason for doing so. He went back to Hogwarts to teach Potions instead, secretly trying to concoct a potion that might bring Hermione back. It has been three months now and still nothing.
Severus rubbed his temples as he felt his headache grew more painful. He didn't think that the new batch of students would be even more worse than Longbottom. He went through the papers and sigh. He has to go through the whole module again now.
He got up and went to his chambers, a flick of the wrist and the fireplace came to live. He moved back into his old chambers, thanking Sirius for keeping up with for the past few months, saying that he is a nuisance in the home of the Blacks and insisted in going back to Hogwarts. Sirius knew that that wasn't the real reason Severus wanted to movie out. The rooms around did bring him lots of memories of Hermione.
Severus took off his robes, shoes and unbutton his cuffs and few buttons on the shirt. He landed down on the bed without much grace and sigh. He place an arm over his eyes and breathed in deeply. Moving into his chambers was a good thing, since there wasn't any memories of Hermione being in his chambers before. As he lay there, he remembered Hermione's laughter. The tinkle in her laugh that always make him smile even if he was angry at her, her voice soothing his inner demons. He remembered everything about the past, her voice a haunting memory, lingering in his mind.
"Stop scowling or you'll remain that way forever..."
"Oh Severus... I missed you so much."
"Severus... try the cookies! I made it..."
"After all, you are mine to keep..."
"No, I will not tell you..."
"I'll always be here for you..."
"Severus! You sodding git!"
"Severus... I love you."
Severus sat up abruptly on his bed, panting hard as he hear the last words keep lingering in his ears. He covered his ears with both his hands as he try to drown out the words, but failed.
"I love you..."
"I love you..."
"Severus..."
"I love you Severus..."
"Severus..."
"Severus..."
"Severus!"
Severus snap his eyes open and look up to see Sirius panting in front of him.
"How did you get in here?" He scowled.
"Never mind about that. She is back! We found her... She is in the infirmary now... She is back, Severus, She's back!!" Sirius smile through his pant. Severus went wide eyed and ran past Sirius, not waiting to put on his robes or shoes, knowing who 'She' is.
Severus ran through the castle, barefooted, unbuttoned shirt and pants. If students were to see him run that way, they would have went to Madam Pomfrey, claiming to have hallucinations about their Feared Potions Master running through the hallway... but Severus didn't care. She is back! She is back! His thoughts keep saying out as he ran towards the infirmary.
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The door to the ward burst open as Severus ran into the infirmary.
"Where is she?" He panted.
He saw Remus pointing to a ward and he ran to it. He flick the curtains open and gave out a long sigh of relief.
Lying there was a sleeping Hermione.
He gave out sobs of relief and sat down by her, holding onto her hands, fearing as though she would disappear again. He turn to see that the room was filled with those who knew what had happen. It was the look of sadness on Dumbledore's face that made him frown in question.
"Albus? What's wrong?
"Severus... You have to know something... Hermione..."
"What's wrong? What? Did anything happen to her? Something happen to my child? What?" Severus interrupted but stop when Albus raise a hand to him.
"Nothing bad has happened to her nor the baby... but there is something you have to know."
Severus waited for Dumbledore to finish whatever it was he was to say when he heard shuffling from his side. He turn to see Hermione's eyes flutter open and stretching her body. Hermione's eyes focused onto him and she smile, making him smile back.
"Hello there..."
Hermione tried to get up on the bed, with Severus helping her up and sat up, looking straight into his eyes.
"I missed you... Merlin knows..."
Hermione just smile sweetly and lean into his arms. Severus wrap his arms around her and sigh out.
She is back... She is back...
"I missed you... Don't ever do that to me again... Never again, you hear me? Promise me that you'll never leave me again... Promise me that you'll stay by my side... Promise me, Hermione." He pulls back to look into her eyes only to be surprised to see tears in her eyes. "What's wrong, Hermione? Tell me... what's happened? Why are you crying? Tell me..."
"Severus..."
Severus turn to Dumbledore.
"Severus... Hermione can't speak... she lost her voice. I guess that was what her price was..."
Severus stared at Hermione wide eyed, her tears rolling down her face.
"You mean... nothing? You... your voice..."
Hermione shook her head and started silent sobs. Severus bowed his head for a while before embracing her again.
"Now, there there...shhh... Don't cry. Never you fear. I'll be your voice from now on... I'll find something for you... I'll get your voice back Hermione... This I swear. I, Severus Snape, solemnly swear to find any way means necessary, create anything with my talent of capabilities, to get your voice back... I will..."
Hermione felt the power envelop them before she started sobbing into Severus embrace.
Hermione lost her voice, because of Severus. Now... it's his turn to help her out, no matter what happens... He will do it.
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The End...