Just a little short chapter but something big is coming. Stay tuned and I promise I will not be long in posting it.
Severus had to fight against the urge to roll his eyes. A party? What small fraction of the faithful remained was on the brink of war with a group that last the minister of magic quoted in the last council meeting had more than tripled in numbers. They were in need of strategy not celebrations.
Of all the ill-conceived notions he heard from his master over the years, this may have not taken the cake so to speak, but it was definitely in the top three.
As usual he bowed low and backed out of the room as ever eager to get away from the man and his madness.
The man was too prideful not to gloat and this party would serve that purpose.
The raven-haired man stomped the corridor running through scenarios in his head. He hastened his pace when he saw Hermione step from a room heading in the opposite direction.
He softly called out to her bringing the young woman to a stop. She turned her smile beaming and she swiftly walked toward him. He bowed slightly and she playfully rolled her eyes.
"You don't have to do that profess...Severus." He raised his eyebrow at her, and she grinned.
"Do you have a moment?" he looked serious; Hermione stopped smiling and nodded before leading him to a small drawing room.
She hurriedly closed the door.
"What's the matter?"
"You must convince the Dark Lord that this celebration should not happen."
She sighed, "it's just a party if you don't want to come you don't have to, you have a choice."
"Do I Ms. Granger?"
Her lips formed into a thin line. "I can't convince him; his mind is made up."
"Then you must try again."
"Severus it's just a party; Tom has assured me that he has the best protection. I couldn't be safer here in the castle."
He approached towering over her, his lip curled slightly in disgust.
"Has your position in this new world, in your husband's regime," he drawled out the words, "caused you to become dense? Have you forgotten the significance of the chosen date for this grand celebration?" He stared at her.
Hermione looked confused before it dawned on her. The chosen date for the festivities was the day everything changed. The day the Dark Lord came into power, Harry's death. She felt a wave of nausea hit her.
How could she have forgotten so easily.
She brought her hand to rest on her belly; the young mother refused to be shamed into wanting happiness.
"I am trying to find happiness Severus. Like you and Ginny." Tears threatened to spill over, and she rubbed her belly for comfort.
"Just like you Severus I am trying to forget the screaming."
His face softened; he couldn't blame his former student. At times, he would wrap himself in Ginevra's arms and forget, he knew how pretending could keep the mind from slipping into insanity.
He sighed heavily, "Hermione, I didn't mean to upset you. You deserve to be happy, but this celebration doesn't need to happen."
She shook her head trying to remove any unpleasant thoughts, "it's just a small gathering," she whispered.
"A small gathering Ms. Granger is one thing inviting half of the wizarding world is another. It cannot happen. Not with the increasing threats against your life."
"What threats? I haven't heard anything. Surely, Tom would have told me."
She bit her bottom lip; she was beginning to worry.
"The Dark Lord has been keeping you in the dark. In your condition, he does not want you to worry. I believe it is more out of denial than actual concern for your emotional state."
"I don't follow."
"There are those that want to deliver a significant blow to your husband, and unlike the Order, Ms. Granger, the Resistance takes no issue with killing innoncents. That want to rid the world of the Dark Lord at all costs."
"I'll try." She nodded stepping around him, he reached out and grabbed her arm.
"I don't think you understand the severity of the situation. This new organization isn't only made up of former Order members and survivors. It is made up of former Dark Lord supporters that have buyer's remorse and neutrals that have grown tired of his lordship's lack of keeping promises. The stakes are higher than ever before. He has more enemies now, more than ever before. Please, do more than try." He released and she nodded one final time before leaving the room.
Severus stood looking at the spot she had vacated. No, he wouldn't hold any ill will toward his former student how could he.
Severus left the room and continued toward his destination. In the beginning, walking these halls would cause him great stress. He remembered the many promises he had made Albus. The old man had been the father his own was not. He stopped and breathe in deep, he would not carry the baggage of regret home. His family didn't deserve his misery.
He had lain awake listening to the steadiness of her breathing as he caressed her arm. He had been angry when she initially told him about the Resistance. Not that she had needed to; when she slept, she wasn't much of an occulumus and he had easily known.
He knew everything.
He knew of her love for the boy and how even after bearing him three children her affection for him would never compare to his memory. Harry Potter, her one true love, she still saw him as a martyr and himself the traitor.
Severus wanted to help her; everything in his being knew better of it but his love for her would not allow him to disappoint her. He thought himself a foolish old man for wanting this young woman to fall in love with him. He couldn't tell her everything.
No letting his guard slip and allow her in though would put her and his children at risk something he vowed he would never allow to happen. He wouldn't lose another love to this mad man.
He had made love to her twice that night and afterwards he had held on to her, never wanting to let her go; he wanted no doubt that this what was in his arms was real. Ginevra wasn't the memory of a dead woman, just then he realized she was more like him than anyone.
She had lost her love, just like he had.
He sighed turning his attention from her and the peaceful sleep that alluded him.
The Dark Lord even when faced with danger was as flamboyant as ever.
He recalled the day's earlier conversation; Severus had to hide his frustration.
He had to clench his jaw to keep from snorting out loud and the honor of helping to plan the festivities had been bestowed upon him and his wife.
He decided to wait for daylight to make the announcement.
Ginny looked grim when Severus gave her the news.
"Why does he insist on putting her in danger?" she shook her head as she placed the napkin in her lap.
"What is he trying to prove?"
Severus sigh was heavy, "the Dark Lord is still trying to prove his is untouchable, invincible."
"Yes, but can't he find other ways to prove his point besides dangling Hermione like a carrot if front of the Resistance's face? It's madness."
Ginny stabbed at her eggs.
"I understand Ginerva but it's the Dark Lord's way. His taunting rivals that of any spoiled child with a new toy."
Ginny took a sip of pumpkin juice, "well, if it's a party he wants planned then we'll plan a party." she smiled at Severus her eyebrows raised.
He raised his glass to her, "now that's the spirit, darling."