AN – I own nothing!

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Chapter 45

"So you've seen the symbol Harry?" King Richard asked. Severus, Lucius and Harry were seated across from his desk in his study.

"I've seen it in my dreams yes," Harry replied.

"But you don't know who wears it?"

"I'm sorry sir, but I don't," Harry replied. He wished that he knew though.

"What do we do now your Majesty?" Severus asked. "Hermione needs to have more protection around her."

"How do we do that if we need to keep her real identity a secret?" Lucius asked. "We can't have royal body guards around her when she is in public or in school. People will wonder, most especially Voldemort himself."

"Then more people will have to know about our secrets," King Richard replied. "The rest of the Hogwarts staff have to know."

"And what of the Weasleys?" Lucius asked.

The King didn't say anything, but just looked at Harry. He wanted to hear his opinion.

"Not Ron," Harry said. "Maybe just Arthur. Molly, I'm not so sure."

"What about the youngest one, Ginerva?" Lucius asked. "Isn't she very close to Hermione? One that also can be trusted?"

Harry nodded. "Ginny will be okay with it. There is no problem with telling her either."

"Then I will invite everyone tomorrow for lunch, as they will know the truth," King Richard said. "Classes are about to start next week, and we have to be ready and more cautious and protective over Hermione."

Lucius glanced over at Severus. "How is she?"

Severus sighed. "Everything is starting to take its toll on her. She's emotionally unstable as it is. All the stress and pressure, it isn't too good for her, most especially now since she is with a child."

"Madam Pomfrey will have to check up on her health tomorrow as well," Lucius suggested.

"I will contact Albus then and tell him of the news and our plans," King Richard said.

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Severus walked towards Hermione who was seated right next to the graves of both her parents. After searching the castle for her, and failing to find her, he started to worry. It was Alfred that informed him of her whereabouts. She wasn't alone though, one of the royal guards stood nearby and watched her like a hawk.

When the guard saw Severus approach, he bowed his head and then departed. Leaving both Severus and Hermione behind on their own.

From the corner of her eye, Hermione saw a person sit right next to her on the ground. Without glancing over at the person, she knew that it was Severus.

"What are you thinking about?" Severus asked as he watched Hermione remain silent and deep in thought for a few short minutes.

Hermione shrugged. "Are you mad at me Severus?" Hermione asked. She was unable to feel his emotions yet again. "Are you mad at me for wanting to stay with them, and not be here with all of these problems?"

"I understand why Hermione. I understand why you want to be with them, free from everything here on our world. I will not lie to you however when I say… I am not happy with you wanting to be with them."

Hermione nodded and just stared at the ground between her knees.

"Am I not worth it to you Hermione? Do you truly want to be with them and leave me alone, after all that we have been through together?"

"I don't know if I can go on like this Severus," she answered softly as she looked at him for the first time since his arrival.

"I have sacrificed enough for you, and will continue to do so until I die Hermione. I would die for you!" he stated in a very serious voice. "That's how much I love you."

"I know how much you love me. I am not questioning it."

"But you don't love me enough, that's what you're trying to say."

"Do not put words into my mouth Severus," Hermione snapped at him.

Severus shook his head. "If you could've stayed with them, you would have, it's simple. You would have left me without question, so apparently, that leads me to conclude that you don't love me enough." He couldn't deny the pain that he had felt in his heart. As he stood up, he brushed off the dirt and grass off his clothes.

"Sev-"

"Don't Hermione," Severus cut her off. "I will have to get to Hogwarts and talk with Albus. Not to mention, I would also have to start brewing potions for the infirmary stock before the school year starts. I will leave you be and see you soon."

Hermione's mouth gaped open as she tried to say something as she watched him walk away. She wanted to call out to him, but nothing came out. It would have been useless. She sighed to herself and turned her head to look at her parents tombstones.

She started to hate herself. She was getting more cowardly ever since her parents died. Her father was supposed to be a very powerful wizard, and yet he couldn't defend himself from Death Eaters. What more her?

Other than that, she also thought that she was getting more and more selfish towards her own self. Everything was revolving around her, and almost everyone around her, most especially Severus was at her beckon and call. He had given her so much, while she had given him so little. Maybe he was right about her. Maybe she didn't love him enough.

As she stood up, she looked around. Thankfully, no one was present and no one could see her. She walked meters away as fast as she could before anyone else could see her. Then, into thin air, she vanished.

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AN – Where could she have gone? Lastly, I do not appreciate flaming. So please, do not flame me or my story. Review!