AN – I own nothing!

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Chapter 4

Severus stared right in front of the fireplace and gulped down the firewhiskey from his glass in one go. He then placed the glass on the mantle in front of him heavily and sighed. From the corner of his eye, he could see his bedroom doors. They were closed, but he knew what was happening inside. Lucius no doubt was tucking in the sleeping princess.

It was Lucius's idea that Hermione sleep in his quarters. He stated it was best for her. Severus's chambers had the strongest wards in the castle, and no one really liked going down to the dungeon area. It was also better than for her than to stay up in the Gryffindor tower were there were a number of students around. Even though Severus wanted to object to the idea, a part of him didn't want to.

"Want another glass Severus?" Remus asked. He was seated in Severus's couch also deep in thought, having his own round of firewhiskey as well.

"No," he answered in a sigh. He couldn't stop thinking about he just said yes to. To what dammit? Why did it seem as if Hermione was scared to death if he said no? What was the fucking question? He had to get some answers.

"She's sound asleep," Lucuis said right after he closed the door silently.

"She'll probably wake up in after lunch. The draught that she drank was a strong one," Severus informed Lucius.

"I know you have some questions-"

"Damn right do!" Severus interrupted through clenched teeth. He turned on his heels and faced the blond haired wizard. Before he could continue, his front door opened and in stepped in Draco Malfoy in his Slytherin colored pajamas and a plain white shirt. Following a step behind him were Albus and Minerva.

"Father?" the young wizard questioned, as his body froze stiffly.

"Draco," Lucius just greeted him, not taking his eyes away from Severus.

"I swear I didn't do anything!" Draco finally said. He then nervously watched as Albus and Minerva stood nearby him and just looked at him. "It was Potter, Weasley and Granger! They were the ones who threw hexes and Crabbe and Goyle-"

"Enough Draco!" Lucius finally said, looking his son in the eyes.

"Father I swear..." Draco then saw a different look on his father's face and in his eyes. Normally, he would be angry if got into trouble into school. Now though, he seemed sad. "Something's happened?" He looked at everyone around the room. They all had the same expressions as their father. Surprisingly even his godfather, Severus, had the same expression.

"It's happened Draco," Lucius said sadly.

It took a few seconds for Draco to understand his father's answer. When it finally registered, he gasped. "Where-where is Hermione?" he stammered. He could feel the tears start to build up in his eyes. Again, the other four were shocked. Draco knew too?

"In the room sleeping," Lucius replied pointing towards the bedroom.

"How is she?"

"Not well."

"Does mother know?"

Lucius shook his head. "I'll inform her tonight as soon as I get home."

"Who did it?" Draco then asked.

"Dolohov and Lastrange."

"I'll fucking kill them!" Draco said through clenched teeth. He then turned around, and punched the wall behind him thrice, not caring that his knuckles bled.

"There will be a time for that," Lucius said calmly.

"What now?" he asked leaning against the cold stone wall.

"This is the last week of the school year. I'll have to make arrangements for the funeral which will be this weekend," Lucius answered. "Hermione will have to stay here for the time being. We will all go to the funeral."

Draco nodded.

"In the mean time, I want you to keep an eye on Hermione. Do not get so close to her when others are around Draco, our cover will be blown," Lucius continued.

"I know father," the boy snapped at him.

"Go now to bed Draco," he told him.

Draco nodded and then walked to the door. Before he opened the door, he stared at his godfather, Severus. Afterwards, he then looked at his father. "He doesn't know yet does he?"

"This weekend Draco," Lucius said sharply.

With that, Draco left the chambers of Severus, shutting the door loudly.

"Merlin help me," Lucius muttered as he wiped his hand up and down his face a few times. He hesitated for a moment before he began to speak. "First of all, I would like to give my sincerest apologies with regards to how I have acted towards you through the years."

"It is quite understandable Lucius," Albus replied. "You are a double agent for the royal family, along with your family, if I'm not mistaken?"

"That is correct headmaster," he nodded.

"Albus please," he corrected. "What else is your relationship with the princess?"

"Princess Hermione is my goddaughter. She and Draco grew up together actually."

"What the bloody hell were you two talking about?" Severus slightly hissed as he walked towards Lucius. When he stood right in front of him, he continued, "What was I going to say no to? Or may I remind you, I said yes instead."

"It is not for me to answer-"

"Don't play with me Lucius!"

"I am not Severus!" he countered back. "After everything that has happened tonight, you think that would lie to you?"

"I want answers," Severus hissed.

"And you will get them," Lucius said. He then turned to face the others. "All of you will have answers by this weekend from King Richard himself. Can I have your wizard's oath that you will speak of this to nobody else?"

"Yes," they answered simultaneously.

"Very well then. I will have our transportation arrangements made, as you may know, the castle of the royal family is kept secret from the public. Travel is only done by portkey."

"And what of Princess Hermione?" Minerva asked.

"Severus will take care of her," Lucius replied as he turned towards the wizard. He received an arched eyebrow in question. "Don't worry, Draco will help you. Just keep her safe Severus, that is all I ask." With that, he bid farewell to everyone and left to go home to Malfoy Manor.

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Severus watched the sleeping form of Hermione a few feet away from his bed. He stood there for minutes, after getting himself ready for a night's rest, if possible. The more he stared at her form, the more the questions in his head demanded answers. Something then caught his attention.

"Mum… Dad…" Hermione started to whimper. "No! No! No!" she then cried allowed as she started to toss her head form left to right, her arms too started to flail.

Severus then moved towards the bed swiftly. He knew damn well that Hermione was having nightmares. Worried that she could hurt herself of whatever else more, he slid right next to her and wrapped his arms around her.

"Hush, hush," he repeated into her ear several times. "You are safe Hermione. You are safe." Sooner than he had expected, Hermione started to calm down, and her breathing evened out. He continued to hold her for a little while longer. Was it because it felt so natural for him to hold her, or that he wanted to make sure that the demons that she was fighting were gone for the night?

Severus pulled back a bit, and brushed away the stray curls away from her brow. With his thumb, he gently brushed off the cold clammy sweat away. He then bent forward and brushed his lips against her brow as he inhaled the sweet scent of vanilla and strawberries in her hair.

"Sweet dreams princess," he murmured against her temple, before kissing it ever so lightly. Slowly, he unwrapped his arms around her, and slid out of the bed. He walked towards the doors and opened it. He looked at Hermione's sleeping form once again, and decided it was best to leave the door open just a bit so that he could hear her if anything was to happen. He shook his head and headed to the couch, where he was to sleep.

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AN – That's all for now. I loved all your reviews, and would love to receive more.