Chapter 15: Snape's Maddening Task

AN: As for the chapter title, just some fun I'm going to have in this chapter. It was written before the kiss chapter was submitted, and not sure if anyone wants anything to come of what entails here. Let me know in your fabulous reviews. It may seem a bit silly, but there needs to be some fun during the holidaze! More drama will come after their holiday break. Or perhaps sooner…

Hermione went on to tell more about her bothersome cousins; how they always made fun of her bookish ways and how she apparently attended a school so unknown that it likely wasn't worth going to.

What Hermione didn't know was that at that very moment some Deatheaters, who had found out more than enough about Hermione Granger, muggle-born witch extraordinaire, had been trying to track her and her family ever since the holidays began. And now they had found out where her family was, not knowing that Hermione was at the protected and heavily warded Burrow with the Weasley family.

Northern France

Severus Snape apparated into the foyer where Drs. Granger and Granger-Johnson were having afternoon tea with their family. (note: He was brilliant enough to this without having been there).

The family looked up in shock, several cups fell to the hardwood floor with a lout clang, one or two shattered at the impact. Brittney and Skylar, along with a younger girl (another of Hermione's cousins) screamed. The other men started to stand, ready to fight whoever the intruder was.

"What the…" Mr. Granger's brother started to ask, but he was cut short.

"Mr. and Mrs. Granger?" Too many heads looked up at the Professor. Only two looked like Hermione enough to gain his immediate attention. "We have to get you all out of here. Now." He said fiercely.

More pops came as Remus and Tonks appeared into the room, thanks to a trace spell on Snape which also took them longer. Without warning, they took everyone and apparated them all to Order Headquarters, Grimmauld Place and helped get the confused party under control. It took some more time, but finally Severus had the attention he needed. Remus, Tonks, and several other Order members including Arthur Weasley had given the group some calming tea.

He looked around the room and found eight frightened people: Hermione's parents; her uncle, his wife and their three children; and Hermione's grandfather. He wondered how many memory charms would later be needed, but that was up to Albus. Perhaps they would have to retain their memories, at least until the war was over.

"I don't know how many of you are aware of this, but Hermione Granger is a student at Hogwarts School for Wizards and Witches. Not only that, but she is considered the brightest witch of her age; one of the brightest in nearly a century."

He paused as the new guests gasped, all except for Hermione's parents, although they didn't know the last piece of information about their daughter. They beamed with pride, despite still feeling a bit frightened and confused.

Severus Snape glared when one of the young women, Hermione's cousin Skylar, scoffed at his statement. "It is true, and you would be wise not to infuriate Hermione. She knows far too many curses and hexes and has had her share of battles in our war."

Not even Harry or Ron knew this, but Hermione had been there at the Ministry during their fifth year, an unknown and disguised face wounded during the episode. And she'd faced a few Deatheaters in two other instances, to which Snape had only known about from the Order.

"Our world is currently in a war, a war which directly effects muggles like yourself." Severus continued.

"That's non-magic folk, like us," Mrs. Granger explained to the group.

Severus nodded. "There's a Dark Lord who wishes to rid of all non-magical born witches and wizards, and muggles all together. No doubt some of you have read of random attacks that went unexplained, where people were tortured and killed."

"What…what has Hermione to do with all this?" Her grandfather asked.

"For one, simply for existing. Also, her brilliance…and her friends."

The others looked at him in question.

"Her alliance with the Dark Lord's number one enemy, Mr. Harry Potter, makes her a direct target, and they no doubt are at the château we just took you from in order to kill her and your entire family."

The room gasped. The small girl in the group started to cry softly, her father took hold of her in his lap to calm her. Brittney and Skylar were in shock again, while Hermione parents simply absorbed the information in horror. They had heard Hermione tell them some details, but didn't know the extent of it nor Hermione's direct involvement.

"You will need to stay here for an unknown length of time until we can ensure your safety back into the muggle world. We have other guests, Mr. Potters family," with this Professor Snape inwardly groaned, "The Dursley family."

Brittany got over her shock fast. "As in Dudley Dursely?" She couldn't stand the boy whom she and her sister had met on countless occasions, and the two groaned at having to spend time with him and his family in the dark and dusty old place. The two looked around them as if for the first time since their arrival, noticing the state of despair of the old mansion.

Severus nodded, a slight gleam in his eyes. He didn't like the two silly looking girls, and took comfort in their, well, discomfort.

The younger girl, Katerine (he had heard the girl's father call her this name), intrigued him. He wondered if she would be receiving her own owl next summer. He would have to ask Minerva or Albus while she was still in the Order's care. Perhaps she would be better off returning with the group to Hogwarts rather than her own school.

Later,

Arthur Weasley took a deep, long breath. The day was finally over, and what a day it had been! They had learned about the attack on the Grangers through a surprising source – Draco Malfoy and his mother, Narcissa. Lucius had told the two in confidence, and now his own wife and son were being transported to a safe house similar to Grimmauld Place. At least I won't have to be there, Arthur thought to himself. But now I have to go home and explain things to Hermione.

He sighed. He wasn't looking forward to the task, his wife and he had immediately grown fond of the girl, no, young woman. They had also seen the beginning of a relationship develop between their youngest son and Hermione, who at that very moment were taken a stroll out by the small lake on the Weasley property. He had already had a private conversation with the girl parents, letting them know that she was having a good time and in no danger at the Burrow. Quietly he apparated to the Burrow.

It was another nice out, but the weather hinted at a storm coming. Hermione and Ron took advantage of the night by going for a stroll down by the lake. It had been Ron's idea, and the two of them really hadn't had any alone time since the night before Christmas.

As they settled on a small bench, made for two, Ron hesitantly brought his arm over Hermione's shoulders. She smiled at him. He was just leaning over to kiss him when she stopped him.

"Ron,"

"Sorry…I thought…bugger!"

"No, I don't mind, really, it's just that there's something I need to know before we continue…this."

A warning went through Ron's head, and his face turned red. "What is it?"

"You…are you, or were you dating Susan Bones before we left on break?"

"Huh? What makes you think…"

"I saw the two of you together…frequently."

Ron sighed in relief. He also remembered the last conversation he had with Susan before they boarded the train. He had seen both Hermione and Ginny board, and how Hermione looked back at him with a look he couldn't define. Was she jealous? He thought. If only Hermione knew they were talking about her.

"Ron, since you're going home for the break, I thought I might remind you what we talked about in the library the other day." She'd told him.

"What? About Hermione?"

Susan nodded, then glanced at the girl in question. The two girls caught each other's eye, but then Hermione quickly boarded and was out of sight.

"Yes. I want you think about it…Hermione. She's the one that's here right now. Not Maria. What you have with Maria is based on your letters…but Hermione, she's here. She's physical. You've gotten to know her, her presence. You may think you know Maria, but knowing her in person might be very different. Think about it." She then hugged him and went over to her friends, some who were staying at Hogwarts over the holidays.

And Ron had thought about it, especially right after Hermione had arrived at the Burrow. He'd taken the leap to bring his feelings for Hermione forward and her into his life.

Ron shook his head out of the memory. "Hermione, Susan is my friend. She already has a boyfriend, someone she knows from home. We talk…about him and…other things."

"Like me?"

Ron blushed. "Yeah…like you." He leaned over to finally kiss her again. Like before, everything that wasn't them simply went away. He was lost in her lips, her arms that circled around his neck, one hand reaching to play with his hair. He tightened his hold on her, not too much, and she simply melted into him.

Arthur sighed for what seemed like the hundredth time that day. He was standing just outside the kitchen door, and could see the two in an embrace down by the lake. Telling Hermione could wait, he'd give them an hour before calling to them.

The next morning Brittney and Skylar were ogling a young man in the fitness room at Order headquarters. He is sooo…gorgeous! They both thought.

Oblivious to the two gaggling women, Victor Krum continued his workout. He was used to it. Victor was thankful that his request to keep in shape was met by transfiguring a dusty old workroom into a gym, as he still played Quidditch professionally and needed to keep in shape. He had become an Order member soon after Hermione's terrible ordeal at the Department of Ministries after her fifth year at Durmstrang. He still did not know why she had gone, she hadn't known anyone else involved. It was the reason for some of their arguments; how she seemed to shut him out on some very important matters.

When he was done, Victor gave a polite greeting to the two young ladies and went to shower before breakfast. He rolled his eyes as he heard them sigh.

He was the last person to join everyone at the table, but was pleasantly surprised, yet worried, to see that he recognized some of the latest arrivals.

"Mr. Granger! Mrs. Granger!" He said as they rose to greet him.

"Victor, how lovely to see you." Mr. Granger said as he shook the man's hand. Mrs. Granger gave him a quick hug, leaving everyone else in wonder. The Dursley's just glared.

"You…you know him?" Skylar said to her uncle.

Ignoring her, Victor couldn't help but ask "How is Mione?"

"She's having a wonderful time at Hogwarts."

As they reacquainted themselves, Brittney turned to her sister. "Oh, don't even tell me that's the same Victor Hermione dated for two years!"

Dudley snickered at the two, then he went to eating the large pile of goodies stacked in front of him.

Hermione trodded down the stairs of the Burrow late in the morning. Usually she was the first one awake, having already spent a couple of mornings talking with Molly, who she bonded with over coffee before the matriarch started breakfast. She had been up late the night before, Mr. Weasley telling her and Ron what had happened. Bill and Charlie, as Order members, had sat in their father's den with the group as well.

While Hermione thought she would have liked to be with her family at this time, she was secretly glad she was at the Burrow. She felt at home here, and Ron provided wonderful comfort for her and her tears. She missed Katerine, however. She loved her younger cousin, whom she simply called Kat, who was more like Hermione than she was like her sisters.

Ron got up from the table when he saw her and gave her a small peck on the cheek. The twins snorted playfully, the others just smiled.

"How are you feeling?" He asked, the others looking up at her as he did.

"Better." She replied, then looked around at the table. She could tell everyone, minus Percy who had returned to his flat the other day ready for work, was worried about her. They had been filled in on what happened the night before. Ginny had stayed up talking with her, after Ron and Harry said goodnight to their two girls, until after two in the morning. "At least I know everyone is all right, I don't know what I would have done…" The words faded from her lips. She couldn't think any more what ifs.

A short silence followed, some turned their eyes down toward their plates. She knew they could tell what she had been about to say. She sat down and helped herself to some eggs and bacon slices, as well as some juice. A cup of strong coffee also helped complete her breakfast.

Arthur left for the Ministry as soon as he finished, while Charlie and Bill soon headed off to Order Headquarters. "Hermione, would you like to see if we can arrange for you to come with us tomorrow?" Bill asked.

Hermione nodded eagerly. She wanted to see that her family was all right for herself. "And Ron, too?" She asked, then smiled at the boy seated next to her. Ron blushed.

"We'll do that." Charlie promised. "Although things are rather tight, they might not even let you go." He added, not wanting her hopes to get up.

As soon as the two apparated from outside, the twins left for their shop, promising Molly that they would be picking up things for the New Year's Eve bash to be held at the Burrow. "Not too much liquor," She yelled out at them as they left from the kitchen door.

Fred and George laughed. "Just enough, mum!" They said together as the door closed behind them.

Hermione looked around the table. "So will anyone else be attending the party?"

"Some of dad's friends," Ginny told her.

"And some from Hogwarts," Ron added. "Dean, Seamus, Neville, their respective dates, and some others who graduated when Fred and George would have. Some of Charlie and Bill's friends, too. Oh, yeah…I invited Susan and her boyfriend."

Harry and Ginny looked up as they were both finishing off the last bites of their breakfast. They were surprised when Hermione responded with "Lovely!" Apparently she knew something they did not. Perhaps Ron had told her about this "boyfriend" of Susan's.

Ginny frowned as she got up to put her plate in the sink with the other dishes, wondering who the other "dates" were. She knew Neville would likely invite Parvati, but who were Dean and Seamus bringing?

AN: I know, I know, I probably messed up on a couple of facts but was too into writing to go check. At least I have now corrected some misspellings. Also, I know Hermione asked about Susan too late, but I wrote the later scene first and didn't think it fit yet.