Chapter 35: Back in the Game
Hermione had recovered from her melt down and started back up the week in the classroom, she and Severus waited anxiously for word of the battle and she got bigger as her pregnancy progressed. Finally June was upon them and they hadn't been summoned so they called Bella and Lucius who said they had the same problem. Hermione expressed her concerns to Albus and he said that they should just wait; He knew that Harry wanted a go at him but now all of their theories were thrown apart because they thought that he would attack prior to his graduation so that he was easier to get to, but sadly they had been wrong. July 31st arrived with Hermione in her final months of her Pregnancy with the battle weighing heavily on her mind. This particular night in July, the Wealsey home had been invaded and Molly, Arthur and their family along with Harry almost didn't get out in time, they all apperated to Hogwarts grounds where they ran up to the headmaster's office informing him of the events that transpired; Moody, Shacklebolt, Emmeline Vance's family and families of those in Dumbledore's Army had been attacked and all sought refuge in Hogwarts.
"We were lucky to get out," George said.
"Yeah how did he know he was at home with us?" Fred asked
"its obvious isn't' it?" Ginny asked, "Harry has been with us for seven years, why would this year be any different."
"I don't understand Albus, why attack us, he knows that we will go down fighting and not give up Harry's location."
"I don't know Kingsley; this is something we will have to talk about and…"
"He is trapping you all." Came Hermione's voice from the corner, no one had noticed her.
"Hermione what are you talking about?" Ron asked.
"Think about it Ron, every single one of us has a deep emotional tie to the Great Harry Potter, he wants to torture harry. I agree with Gin, I don't think he knew where Harry was, he just wants him to think that all of your deaths is his fault, therefore drawing him out of hiding." She moved over and took a chair, now looking very pregnant, "Now this is all starting to make since."
"What is MIone?"
"He said that the battle would be when a new month dawned, Harry your and Neville's birthday is on the last day in July, he is going to finish what started seventeen years ago today, tomorrow."
"Hermione this is quite a conclu…" Severus clamped his arm as Hermione reached up to her burning chest. "Albus we are being summoned." He transfigured his cloak into suitable attire as well as Hermione's before helping her off of her seat.
"And so it begins," she said as he took her out via portkey.
"My loyal followers welcome, this evening at the stroke of midnight will begin a day full of blood and pain, today I will kill the great Harry Potter." He sneered.
"My lord, I have a suggestion," Hermione said.
"Hermione what are you doing?" Her mother hissed.
"Madam Snape this isn't the time to guess."
"Sir I can hand deliver Potter to you, something no one else in this room can do."
"I fail to see how but please enlighten us."
"Sir, the old fool trusts me to take care of Potter during the war; therefore he will not hesitate to leave him in my care. Let those fit enough to fight take the first flanks of the Order and their followers and then when you feel that you can enter the school without a problem, you summon me and I will lead Potter right to you."
Voldemort thought about this for a moment, "This plan could work, Lucius!" the blonde knelt in front of the snake, "You are to lead the first flanks of death eaters right to the gate, fight and distract them let them lead you into the great hall, you will have the greatest advantage there. Hermione you are to return to the school, Severus, you are to stay, and go tell Dumbledore that you are to protect Harry since you are not fit for battle."
"Yes my lord."
"Good now I will allow you to go." She bowed and without a second thought, she apparated outside the gates and went straight for the office where she knew the order was hiding out. She burst through the door.
"Headmaster, you have fifteen minutes to strategically place the order at the two entrances of the school and leave Harry in this office alone with me." She quickly and breathlessly explained the plan to them and they all rushed off to their positions and they sat and waited until a large thunder rolled throughout the school.