The Secrets Weigh Heavy
The forest around them seemed to close in, the shadows deepening as Snape led them through the winding paths of twisted branches and underbrush. Hermione kept her wand tightly clenched in one hand, the other wrapped around Harry's waist to support him. She could feel every tremor of his body, every unsteady step, but he refused to slow down, his jaw set with stubborn determination.
Ginny trailed behind, her gaze darting nervously between the trees. Every snap of a twig, every rustle of leaves made her flinch, her wand raised and ready. Hermione couldn't blame her. After what they'd just been through, every sound felt like a threat, every shadow a potential enemy.
Snape moved ahead of them with the silent grace of a predator, his black robes blending almost seamlessly into the darkness. He didn't speak, didn't even look back to check if they were following. But his pace was measured, steady, as if he knew they would keep up. As if he knew they didn't have a choice.
After what felt like an eternity, they reached a small clearing. The moonlight filtered through the canopy, casting eerie patterns of light and shadow on the ground. Snape stopped abruptly and turned to face them, his expression inscrutable.
"We'll rest here for the night," he said shortly.
Hermione blinked, taken aback. "Here? But—we're still exposed, they could—"
"They won't find us," Snape interrupted, his voice cool and assured. "I've cast wards around the perimeter. We're safe."
Hermione wanted to argue, to demand more answers, but exhaustion weighed her down like a heavy cloak. Harry was barely conscious, his head lolling against her shoulder, and Ginny looked like she was on the verge of collapse.
"Fine," she muttered, sinking to the ground and easing Harry down beside her. He let out a soft groan, his eyes fluttering shut.
Ginny hesitated, then knelt beside them, her expression worried. "Harry? Is he—"
"He's just exhausted," Hermione said quietly, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead. "He'll be all right."
Snape watched them in silence, his gaze flicking between Harry and the girls. Then, with a faint huff, he turned away and began gathering dry twigs and leaves, his movements efficient and precise. Hermione stared at him, confusion warring with suspicion.
"Why are you doing this?" she asked, unable to keep the edge out of her voice. "Why are you helping us?"
Snape didn't look up. "I told you. The Dark Lord wants Potter alive, and I intend to ensure that he stays that way."
"That's not an answer," Hermione shot back. "You could have let us get caught back there. You could have—"
"I'm aware of what Icouldhave done, Miss Granger," Snape snapped, his voice sharp. "But I didn't. So instead of wasting time questioning my motives, I suggest you focus on keeping your friend alive."
Hermione flinched, stung by the harshness in his tone. But before she could retort, Ginny spoke up, her voice quiet but firm.
"Why did you join them?" she asked, her gaze fixed on Snape with an intensity that made him pause. "The Death Eaters, I mean. Why did you—"
"That is none of your concern," Snape said flatly.
"Isn't it?" Ron pressed, leaning forward. "You—you saved us back there. But if you're really on our side, then why—"
"I am not on your side," Snape interrupted coldly, straightening and turning to face her. "Do not make the mistake of thinking that I am your ally, Mr. Weasley."
Ron flinched, but didn't back down. "Then what are you?"
For a long moment, Snape simply stared at her, his expression unreadable. Then he sighed, a sound that seemed almost… weary.
"I am a servant of circumstances," he said softly. "Nothing more."
The words sent a chill down Hermione's spine. She glanced at Ginny, who looked just as unsettled, then back at Snape.
"Then what now?" Hermione asked quietly. "What do we do?"
Snape looked down at them, his gaze lingering on Harry's pale, unconscious face. "You rest," he said, his tone curt. "We'll move again at first light."
"And then?" Ron pressed.
"And then," Snape said, his eyes darkening, "you go somewhere safe. Somewhere Voldemort can't reach you."
Hermione frowned. "But thereisn'tanywhere safe. Not anymore."
"There are places he doesn't know about," Snape murmured, almost to himself. "Places he—"
He broke off abruptly, his expression closing off. Without another word, he turned away and began setting up a small, carefully controlled fire. Hermione watched him for a moment, her mind spinning.
She didn't trust him. She didn't understand him. But right now, they didn't have a choice.
Beside her, Harry stirred, letting out a low moan. Hermione's attention snapped back to him, her heart clenching.
"Harry?" she whispered, leaning over him. "Harry, can you hear me?"
His eyes fluttered open, hazy and unfocused. "Hermione…?"
"I'm here," she said softly, her voice breaking. "I'm right here."
He blinked slowly, his gaze shifting to Ginny, then to Snape. His brow furrowed in confusion. "What… what's going on?"
"It's okay," Hermione murmured, smoothing his hair back gently. "We're safe, for now. Just rest."
Harry's eyes drifted shut again, his breathing evening out. Hermione let out a shaky breath, relief flooding through her.
But the knot of fear and uncertainty in her chest didn't loosen. Because as much as she wanted to believe they were safe, as much as she wanted to believe they could trust Snape—she couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning. That whatever lay ahead would be even more dangerous than what they'd just faced.
Snape glanced over at her, his dark eyes gleaming in the firelight. "Get some sleep, Miss Granger. You'll need your strength."
Hermione hesitated, then nodded slowly. "Okay."
But even as she lay down beside Harry, even as the warmth of the fire lulled her into a fitful doze, one thought kept echoing in her mind.
How safe were they?
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The crackling of the fire filled the silence of the clearing, the warmth pushing back against the chill of the night. Hermione drifted in and out of sleep, her mind a chaotic whirlwind of images and memories: Cedric's lifeless body, Bellatrix's maniacal laughter, Harry collapsing under the force of the spell. She wished she could shake the images away, but they clung to her like shadows.
Suddenly, a sharp sound pierced the stillness, pulling her from her restless slumber. Hermione jolted upright, instinctively reaching for her wand, her heart pounding in her chest.
"Relax, miss Granger," Snape said, his voice low and steady as he placed another log onto the fire. "You're safe."
"Safe?" Hermione echoed, her voice hoarse. "You call this safe?"
"You're not in immediate danger," he replied curtly, his tone leaving no room for argument. He turned to face them, the firelight dancing across his sharp features. "But we need to discuss what comes next."
Harry stirred beside her, blinking slowly. "What's happening?" he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep.
Snape looked between them, his expression unreadable. "You both need to understand the magnitude of what you're facing. This is not just about survival; it's aboutunderstandingthe enemy."
"Enemy?" Ginny echoed, her brow furrowing. "You mean Voldemort?"
"Yes, but more specifically, the nature of his power," Snape said, his tone clipped as he stepped closer to the fire. "The Dark Lord has created a series of Horcruxes."
Hermione frowned, the unfamiliar word swirling in her mind. "Horcruxes? What are those?"
"They are objects that contain pieces of his soul, Me and the Headmaster have been been searching and conducting research on the potential locations and objects of weight in regards to the Dark Lords horcruxes" Snape explained, his voice heavy with gravity. "In order to achieve immortality, he has fragmented his essence and hidden it within various items."
Harry's eyes widened as he absorbed the implications. "So he can't be killed as long as those Horcruxes exist?"
"Precisely," Snape replied, his gaze piercing. "This task is going to be in your hands as well as it is key to the survival of the Order and the innocents affected. If we are to defeat Voldemort, we must first locate and destroy each Horcrux."
"But how do we find them?" Ron demanded. "Do you know where they are?"
Snape's expression darkened. " Me and Dumbledore have had our suspicions, but nothing at all concrete. The Dark Lord is clever, and he would not have chosen obvious locations."
"Why are you telling us this?" Ginny asked, skepticism lacing her voice. "What's in it for you?"
"Knowledge is power, miss Weasley," Snape said tersely. "And power is the only thing that can ensure your survival. Whether you choose to believe my intentions are noble or not, the truth remains: if you do not understand your enemy, you will not survive him."
"Is this why you joined the Death Eaters?" Harry asked, his voice laced with anger. "To learn his secrets?"
Snape's jaw tightened, the air thick with tension. "I joined for reasons you cannot comprehend. But that is not the focus of our conversation. We must devise a plan to find these Horcruxes before it's too late."
Hermione felt her heart racing. "What do you need from us?"
"I need you to focus," Snape replied, his eyes narrowing. "And think about what you know of Voldemort's past? Any objects of significance he might have used or cherished? That is what you most focus on for the time being" He said tersely "Riddle was an exceptional student," Snape said, a glimmer of something—perhaps grudging respect—crossing his features. "He was obsessed with the Dark Arts and sought to uncover the secrets of immortality. It's likely he would have chosen items that held personal significance to him."
"Like his family heirlooms?" Hermione suggested, a flicker of understanding igniting in her mind.
"Correct," Snape nodded. "He prized his past, but he also possessed a strong connection to power and legacy. Consider the objects associated with him: like his diary"
"And how do we destroy them?" Hermione asked, her mind racing with possibilities. "What do we use?"
"Each Horcrux has its own vulnerabilities, and we are not entirely sure the methods one would need to take to destroy them other than basilisk fangs, which potter used to destroy the diary" Snape said, his voice growing more serious. "But the general rule is simple: they must be destroyed beyond magical repair. "
"Basilisk venom?" Ron echoed, a spark of hope igniting in his eyes. "Where would we even get that?"
Snape's expression turned thoughtful, his gaze distant.
Hermione exchanged a glance with Harry and Ginny, her heart pounding in her chest.
"What if we say no?" Ginny asked, her voice steady.
"Then you will fail," Snape replied, unflinching. "And when that happens, Voldemort will come for you."
Silence fell among them, the weight of his words hanging heavily in the air. Hermione felt the tension twisting in her gut, a knot of uncertainty and fear. But deep down, she knew they had no choice.
Snape studied her for a long moment before nodding slowly. "The path ahead is fraught with danger, and I will not hold your hands, I have my own missions of importance."
"Fine by me," Harry said, determination flashing in his eyes. "Just tell us what to do."
"Very well," Snape said, his voice a low growl. "First, the order will need to gather information. It is imperative that we discover all that we can about the Horcruxes and their locations. We will need to utilize order connections—friends, family, anyone who might have information about Voldemort's past."
And as they settled down for the night, the fire flickering in the encroaching shadows, she couldn't help but feel a sense of hope, because at least they had a plan.