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Making sure the boy who lives, actually does...	By : h0lden Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 9115 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 11
- 12
- 13
Chapter 12: Dumbledore's Army

It was a cold panic that gripped Hermione then. One that made her breath leave her and make her stomach drop. The feel of the pointed edge of Severus' wand was the constant reminder that this wasn't a joke. Was it? She tried to peer into his face.

"Sever-"

"Now."

Hermione sensed the violent anger in his voice, and shakily reached for her wand. She knew it would be powerless against him, and resolutely reached into her robes, retrieved her wand and gave it to him with a shaky hand.

"Step into the tunnel." Snape ordered again, nudging her sharply with his wand. Hermione's strength was quickly leaving her at the sudden realization that she'd been duped. And how hadn't she seen it coming? He was Severus Snape! The man had grown up to be a Deatheater! And then a bitter Potion's master! How had she been so blinded by her teenage lust?

"Seve-" she tried numbly, moving to turn and face him, but feeling the wands sharp point stopping her.

"Do it." Severus rasped in her ear, digging the wand harsher into her back. His hand came to pinch the back of her neck lightly as she cried out softly.

"Now."

Hermione didn't dare turn then -and really couldn't- but she heard the menace in his voice. How utterly stupid of her to have let emotion rule over everything else. How stupid it was of her to believe that Severus would change. He used her then, and he was using her now. How could she have done this to herself?

She stepped tentatively into the tunnel, her eyes widening in fear as she did so. She expected a giant werewolf to come rushing down the tunnel at them, jaws snapping, saliva dripping. It wouldn't matter that she knew it was Lupin, for it wouldn't be. It would be a shell of a werewolf with Lupin trapped inside, and utterly defenseless against his own body.

"If you're worried about that flea bag," Severus said airily, his wand still cutting into the small of her back. "We took care of it before the dance even started. You see, your little friends may have fooled me once...But I refuse to be shown up again."

"We?"

"Lucius, Draco and I."

Draco. He'd been in it as well. He hated her, he hated Hary. She felt the angry tears welling up within her. Her hands were at angry balls at her side, she clenched them so tightly she believed they would bleed.

"You unfeeling bastard."

"Now now," Severus mocked, "No need for such language. We had a fun run, didn't we Granger?"

Hermione didn't answer, the words alone mocking her affection for him. She'd been so naive to feel something for him. To fool herself into thinking anyone could care for a bookworm like her. She was so very violated then.

"I know your type Granger. Naive, innocent, smart..." he sounded so bitter as he spoke. "You try and make yourself in the world through books and knowledge, you think that will give you the power. But it doesn't Hermione, I showed you true power. Power over you in the Potions room. Power over you in my kisses and words. You wanted me then, you would have given it all to me. That's the kind of power I have."

"Severus," Hermione said shakily, infuriated at the words he'd spoken. "It wasn't your power that tricked me. It was my own."

"What?" Severus said, stopping them both and twirling her to face him. His wand was still trained on her and she gave it a fearful look before looking into the young man's troubled eyes. "You don't know what you're talking about yillyilly little girl."

"It was my heart that deceived me Severus. It wasn't your 'power' that ruled me these past few weeks. It was my heart." Hermione was almost choking on the emotion within her. "Your kisses and words helped, but it was initially my heart that led to my constant affection for you. My heart that knew what you were really like; your knowledge, your gazes. The way you didn't want me to get hurt in class that day. Don't you see? It was in your gentlest of moments that I adored you, that I felt...oh what does it matter?"

Severus looked to her down turned face in moderate confusion, his wand still aimed at her. She had felt something for him greater than he could have expected or imagined. This was slowly making his chest tighten, forcing him to speak the words that rang through his head.

"You love me?"

Severus managed to make out, the faint flush on her cheeks confirming his notion. He felt an overwhelming urge to comfort the then, but stopped it instantly the moment it passed through his mind. What kind of weak fancy was that? How could she love him?

Instead his forefinger touched under her jaw lightly, guiding her face up to meet his eyes. He needed to see the truth. He saw the anger, pain and betrayal in those dark eyes almost mirroring his own, and he felt his stomach dropping. He was about to speak when Hermione jerked her head away, knocking a small tear down her cheek as she whispered angrily.

"I never said that�Don't touch me."

Snape's hand recoiled and lay at his side, feeling humiliated for even trying to search for something more. Not that it mattered if she did care for him. She was silent and obeyed slowly as Severus' ordered her to turn and continue walking down the tunnel to the shack.

"Why are you doing this?" Hermione finally uttered weakly, her cheeks moist with fallen tears. "Have you actually hated me all along? Was this all a trick to humiliate or hurt me?"

"Shut up." Severus said darkly, his grip on her arm growing weaker. Hermione struggled with him, pulling and trying to break free. She knew what awaited her in the Shrieking Shack was more than she'd be able to bear. She was beyond terrified.

"This isn't fair." She loudly exclaimed, frustrated as she wrenched from his grip a moment until she was facing him, flat against his torso. Her dark eyes pleaded with his as as she looked up to him, the trust she had felt so readily was gone and all that was left was the clinging hope that he'd come to his senses.

She wanted to make him see what she felt; she wanted to make him realize what he was doing. She couldn't dissuade him from being a Deatheater, for she had mucked up History enough as it were. But she needed him to stop this, for if she wasn�t alive in the future...it wouldn't matter if Harry was. Who would be there to help him with the Chamber of secrets? Or the Sorcerer's stone or any of his adventures that she�d aided him in? Who would be there to help him with homework? To comfort him when all Ron wanted to do was talk about Quidditch?

It was then that she realized the three of them were more than a team, the three of them together made a single being. It was only the three of them with their differing skills that would take down Voldemort, and she'd be damned in a dodgy teenager was going to stop her. But what could she do? She was powerless against him and his maddeningly tight grip on her neck.

"Please don't do this." Hermione begged softly, burying her face in his chest and wrapping her arms around his narrow waist in hopes that he'd stop this sick game.

"I'm begging you Severus. Whatever you have planned for tonight, don't go through with it."

Severus looked to the top of her head and held in a small sigh of confusion. He had been so ready to do this to her the moment he'd seen her dancing with James. He'd even been ready to go through with it as he danced with her, his mind on the evening tonight. But now with her arms around his like that night not so long ago, he felt himself growing weaker to his anger.

"You don't understand." He finally whispered onto to the top of her head, reluctantly letting his chin rest on the top of it as she pulled him tighter to her. He didn't dare put his arms around her for fear of losing all resolve. "I have to do this."

"Why?"

"The Dark Lord...Lucius. It's expected of me." Severus held his wand firmly in his hands, expecting that she was trying to worm her way out of tonight's activities by sobbing to him. But she was different, she was more betrayed than vengeful and he could see it.

"I don't know what to tell you." Hermione said powerlessly, "All I'm asking is to let me go. I've done nothing wrong. And Harry...let him go as well. We've done nothing to harm you...we've done nothing..." she broke off, the anxiety of the situation overpowering her as she let her head rest on his chest in submissive despair.

Severus tried to remain stoic though his heart ached as he felt her shaking body against his own. It was so much easier to pillage when the victims were faceless...but Hermione was real flesh and blood to him. She was knowledgeable and patient and sweet. He had been intimate in emotions as well as physicality, and that had never happened with any girl.

He wanted to let her go, and tell Lucius and Draco to shove it, but he knew the real conclusion. If he did so, it would mean his life. They would take him to the Dark Lord, and it would mean the end of him. He would die at the hands of the Master he'd just begun to serve loyally.

But now, looking into Hermione innocent brown eyes, Snape felt a pain rip through him like none other. She loved him. It was a mystifying, cutting sensation that went through his chest at the realization, and actually made him wince as she gripped onto him. Her cheek was against his rough cloa she she hugged him to her tightly, hoping to make him feel what she was going through.

But she really needn't have bothered, for he'd already made his decision.

"Go."

He suddenly whispered the word iher her ear, seeing as she dragged her face from his cloak and sniffled lightly in shock. She gazed at him, wondering if she'd just imagined what he'd said. His eyes locked with her's intensely, darkening with the weight of his words.

"I said go. Now you silly girl."

"But Harry-" Hermione started, her heart beating rapidly as Snape gripped her upper arms, dragging her face to meet his as he stared down her preconceived ideals of some sort of rescue for her friend.

"Worry about yourself Hermione." Severus hissed venomously, giving her a striking kiss before pulling away. The kiss was passionately overwhelming, she responded deeply as the fleeting moment passed. Somehow he knew this would be the last they saw of each other.

Hermione however was torn. She would either leave Harry to his inevitable doom and just pray he made it out alive, or she would join him and hope that a miracle occurred for the both of them.

Before she'd even a chance to think over any option, the door leading from the Shrieking Shack to the tunnel swung open. Severus gripped her arm, and she felt the doom enter her belly swiftly.

She had chosen her fate.

"Ah, Severus." Lucius said with sadistic glee as his eyes scanned the two figures. "I see you've brought the entertainment for the evening."

"I have indeed." Severus said stonily, grasping Hermione and dragging her struggling body into the shack. Her heart was leaping into her throat, she felt herself completely shocked and horrified at the fate she was to endure, even though she had no idea what it was.

Hermione was dragged into the decrepit shack, looking quite similar to her adventure there in her third year. She glanced around in wild fear as she was dragged in by the one man she'd trusted and who'd tried to give her freedom.

There was Harry, poor Harry, magically bound to the wall with Draco pointing his wand at him, a sinister smirk on his pale face. Hermione felt the anger and fury welling up inside of her, reaching her fingertips and toes with a crackle.

"You traitor!" Hermione screamed, as Draco looked over, a glint in his light eyes. He gave her a once over, seeing that she was sobbing and trying to wrench free from Severus. He sneered at her happily, for once having the upper hand on Potter and Granger.

"I was never on your side to begin with Mudblood." he spat, his attention back to Harry as the dark haired boy struggled, trying to move in his restrictedness. He seemed off kilter, almost drugged.

"Shut up girl." Lucius said disgustedly, spitting at her as she ducked. She tried to kick at him but found herself moving almost in slow motion. She felt her stomach bottoming out as her eyes met those of Severus. His eyes which once held such warmth were now cold; emotionless for he was now a Deatheater.

"Where's Pettigrew?" Severus asked lazily, scanning the room for the pudgy teen. "Didn't he say he wanted a hand in all of this?"

"Don't know." Draco answered absently, "He's a horrid spy anyway. He's dead weight. Good riddance."

"Tie the Mudblood up there." Lucius ordered lazily to Severus, looking around the shack in moderate interest. He looked over to Draco, calling his name in a loud timbre. "Is the werewolf taken care of then?"

"Not for good." Draco answered with a shrug, his pale face almost beaming. "But perhaps when he's changed back."

"Brilliant." Lucius said with an approving nod to his son. He swiftly made his way over to where Hermione and Severus stood. Severus bound her magically to the wall, never meeting her eyes as she glared at him.

What was I supposed to do? Came a voice in her head that startled her as Severus murmured something under his voice. I gave you your freedom, but you chose to be the eternal Gryffindor. You just had to save your friend. You can't blame me Hermione, it was all you. I gave you a chance.

"I'd never betray the ones I love." Hermione growled, realizing that Snape had entered her mind. She'd forgotten how powerful he was at Occulemency at this age. It was easy to forget that he wasn't the miserly Professor back at Hogwarts, but now viewing the sneer on his lips she was surprised to note that the appearance was striking.

She felt her ankles and wrists being bound magically, and held in a sob as Snape's eyes pooled over her, taking a lingering look over the young woman before sighing deeply, his jaw clenched firmly.

"Severus." Lucius said in a singsong voice from the other side of the room, dragging his attention there momentarily. "I've decided to have a change in plans."

Severus took a deep breath, taking one last look at Hermione's face before coming over to his blonde comrade. Lucius was grinning sinisterlis gis grin taking up almost his entire face. He whispered something into Severus' ear and Hermione viewed as Snape's eyes went cold. He pulled away from his smirking face, shaking his head jerkily.

"You never said that." Severus said agitated, shooting a look at Hermione and then looking back to Lucius. He was paler in complexion now, as if it were possible. His eyes were widened, a face that Hermione had never seen before. "You said.-

"I lied." Lucius scoffedterrterrng hng his friend with a vicious sneer. Suddenly his eyes narrowed on his taller, darker comrade in the dark army. "What's your problem anyway Severus? Gone soft for the Mudblood?"

"Of course not." Severus answered with a grimace as Hermione looked to him. She tried to look neutral, but found it hard when having her heart torn out and stepped upon. "I'm just surprised."

"What's going on?" asked Draco from the other side of the room, his wand poised a few inches from Harry's nose. He looked almost hurt at being left out of the decision making, for he had a large hand in the capture of the two moronsnd bnd before them.

"The Dark Lord wants a sacrifice tonight." Lucius sneered angrily, looking Hermione up and down with a wicked grin that had her shaking. Lucius smirked at Draco and then looked back to Hermione, letting his eyes caress her body as he finished.

"And we're going to bring him his favorite...a Mudblood one."

*

"Where are those brats?"

Snape was muttering angrily to himself, swooping down the careening halls with his billowing cloak. His dark eyes were narrowed even further, his disdain for this mission evident.

They'd slipped by a second before he'd whirled back to see them. How foolish to have turned his back. Hadn't he learned anything as a spy? Never underestimate your opponent! He only prayed that they hadn't gone off to start shagging...he didn't know what he'd do if he got a dream of that.

He'd been rushing about the castle a good five minutes, his mind completely void of where they might be. Evidently new History was being made, and he wasn't even privy to his memories! Already they were clouding, almost as if erased and he couldn't see the new copy.

His pale face was growing gray with sickness, an inner malady that none could remedy. He was responsible for these children, no matter what house. He was a Professor, a mentor to some; he was the mature and responsible one in this entire debacle.

If something happens to them...if something happens...I don't know what I'm going to do.

Snape was also worried about coming to his student and ordering they come back. Would they be eager? Would they consent? He may be a powerful wizard, but taking on three nearly adult wizards with powerful wands? He wasn't naive.

There was the tug at his stomach though that kept shaking One One that told him wordlessly that trouble was afoot. He knew that something wrong was happening, something of a detrimental nature. All he knew was that he needed to get to those brats immediately before something went completely wrong.

But where were they?

He allowed himself a moment to collect his thoughts, and sat on a large bench outside a classroom. There he let his hands cradle his head as he closed his eyes in concentration. Nothing came to him. Not even one little hint.

He'd been on the bench a good five minutes when a sound came at his right. Immediately his head darted up, his dark eyes scanning the hallway before falling on a darkened figure. He felt his blood boil as two familiar eyes peered back out at him from the shadows, uttering the name he'd loathed for so long.

"Snivellus?"

* * *

"You can't do this!" Hermione squealed in terror, looking from one paace ace to the other. "You'll never get away with it! Why, our school-"

"You don't go to Longbottom Academy." Lucius sneered with a flippant wave of his hand as Snape's eyes fell to the ground. "Severus told me everything. No one will miss you. No one even knows you�re here."

Hermione looked to Severus in hopeless betrayal, her eyes shining with fury. So, Severus had told thveryverything. Every encounter they'd had she was sure, every stupid, sappy thing she'd said to him in confidence. She was probably ridiculed a thousand times behind her back, and stupid and naively she gone back to him.

"How could you?" she uttered lowly, not bearing the thought of meeting those now hollow eyes. Eyes she'd cherished, lips she'd kissed, skin she'd felt against her own. All a lie. He probably wasn't even going to let her go before...it was all an act and she'd been stupid enough to fall for all of it.

"Now," Lucius said with a glowing smile shot at his two friends as he swayed around the room. "All we need to do is put a binding spell on that one-" at that he pointed a hand at Harry, "And we can leave him here with the werewolf,e wee we've released it and left of course." he snickered awfully to himself as Draco joined in, their off tune cackles making Hermione wince.

Harry's once calculating eyes were dim, his glasses smashed in places, blood trickling from an unseen wound in his head. Hermione frantically tried to meet his eyes, to wordlessly give him strength, but Harry was past that. They'd surely done something to him.

"And what of the Mudblood?" Draco sneered from where he stood, letting his eyes meet with Hermione's. She knew that this is what he'd been planning the moment they stepped back into the past. The revenge he'd always wanted, the Father he'd always adored.

"Draco's from our school too!" Hermione shouted, wriggling in her unseen bounds. "What are you going to tell them then?"

"We're very powerful in the Dark Arts Granger." Lucius said with a mirthless chuckle. "Especially Severus here. Why, we've already spiked the punch bowl at the dance with a certain potion I've been working on, under Severus' tutelage no less. In a matter of time, you and Finnegan will be only a memory...and then? Nothing at all."

"You wouldn't." Harry said in a daze, his pupils growing and shrinking at an alarming rate. The two Malfoy's let out small snorts as they tsked at the piteous Harry.

"Oh, but we did." Draco said with a sneer. "And it's only a matter of time before the Dark Lord rules all. With me on their side...and access to certain...secrets." He gave Harry a knowing smile then, "It'll be only too easy to take down these pathetic Mudbloods like Granger over there."

In a mere second Draco had already cast the binding and silencing charm on the now limp Harry, much to Lucius' pride. He gave the blonde boy an affirming nod, accompanied by a proud smile. Why, if he ever had a son, he internally vowed he'd name it after this brilliantly vicious young man before him.

"NO!" Hermione howled, trying fruitlessly to free herself.

Severus gave a cold look to Draco before looking back to the puzzling Lucius Malfoy. He seemed to be deep in thought, walking over to Hermione and ducking as she tried in vain to spit at him. Her hands were gnarled into useless claws, and she tried in vain to scratch at him as he grinned.

"Hmmm." he sighed softly, "What to do with this pathetic creature? Evidently we can't kill her yet. That'll be the Dark Lord's job."

Hermione shook visibly, her eyes falling shut as she tried to still herself. She'd need her energy if she was going to attempt to fight the Dark Lord. Not that she'd even get the chance. She was wandless and getting weaker by the moment.

All that could go through her mind was Severus' betrayal. Why hadn't he stopped all of this long before? It didn't occur to her at that time that Severus' betrayal meant a fate worse than death, all that she could feel or see was deceit on his part and it cut her deeply.

"We'll need a simple numbing and binding spell for transport to the headquarters." Lucius finally said airily, coming to stand next to his taller and darker counterpart. The two of them exchanged dark glances before he finished. "So I believe the answer is clear. You're the most clever when it comes to spells Severus."

"Why don't you do it?" Severus said with a dark and fodinoding shrug, trying to appear bored about the entire situation as his mind frantically searched for an out. "I'm really not up to it tonight."

"But you're the only one who does it right." Lucius sulked, looking more and more like a spoiled child. He refrained from stomping his foot, but instead crossed his arms and frowned. "You get the highest marks in all the classes and tests. You know you're the only one that can do the spell correctly!"

"And if I refuse?"

Lucius' eyes widened at the words, his hands curling into balled fists at his side. He'd never heard such words from a friend he trusted more than anyone at the school.

"I can't imagine why you would, Severus...but if the Dark Lord finds it has anything to do with affection for a certain Mudblood...I can assure you, the consequences will be severe."

"Of course." Severus said with a small nod, "What was I thinking?"

Hermione's heart skipped then, realizing that Severus was trying to formulate a plan. But sadly, unlike the older Snape they all knew and despised, this younger Snape didn't quite have what it took in the craftiness department. He wasn't polished in the ways of treachery, and most of all he was still confused as to whom he was fighting for and against.

She's always showing you up....she went to the dance with James...didn't even give you a good reason. She wouldn't want you. She was lying about caring for you.

"Sbeinbeing so spineless and do it!" came Lucius' jeer, prompting Severus to act. He looked to Hermione again, but she was unsure of what the look he wore truly meant.

She can't love you. She couldn't possibly want to be with you. She's much to noble, much too charming, much too...everything yave ave up a long time ago!

"Please don't Severus..." Hermione whimpered gently, her chocolate colored eyes penetrating his own as he faltered, his lips shaking.

"Please...I-I love you."

The words rushed out of her mouth before she'd even been able to stop herself. This was her heart speaking, not her mind. She felt so open, so vulnerable in front of him now as Lucius snorted from a few feet away, his wand still trained on the group at the side.

"Love from a Mudblood? Ha! That's rich!"

Severus blinked rapidly, looking to Hermione in utter confusion. As soon as she'd spoken those words he found himself shaking all over, knowing he couldn't possibly go through with it even if he wanted to. But something lingered...something that told him he had a duty

Hermione nearly cried out as she saw the cold acceptance flashing into his eyes. Seeing the pale hand that shakily made its way into his cloak and pulled out his wand. His lips were in a thin, determined line as he looked to her with a glassy seal over his usually expressive eyes.

Severus pointed the wand at Hermione then as she let out a gasp. Lucius were a few feet behind giving her a devilish smirk over the tall Severus' shoulders. Hermione saw that Draco had turned his back, covering his ears as well. What a coward.

Hermione prepared to take it like a warrior, like part of Dumbledore's Army. She let her head look skyward, waiting for the inevitable lash of sensation that would mean her doom. A lone tear slipped down her cheek at Severus' betrayal as she looked into his cold eyes.

"Colligo Placidus!"

Severus called out loudly, and Hermione almost expected to see a flash of green coming out to envelop and numb her. She closed her eyes and when feeling nothing, opened them once more. A mere green sparkle had fizzed at the end of the wand in Snape's hand.

She saw Severus giving a perplexed look at the wand in his hands, shaking it a moment and sputtering to himself. The spell hadn't worked? Coming from him of all people? Something was wrong. Severus stood stonily, looking up to her as if angry. Then, just as Hermione thought she'd lost all hope in him, he let out a small and surreptitious wink. It was so quick and fluid, she�d almost believed she�d imagined it.

She was confused at the altercation and then viewed as he held up the wand in front of himself, as if trying to see what the problem was with it. As he did so, Hermione viewed the wand he was using and held in a gasp.

It was her own wand.

He had been using her very faulty wand that could barely cast a healing charm, let alone a paralyzing and binding charm! He'd planned it all along! She suddenly wanted to throw her arms around his neck and hug him for his ingenious move, for Lucius could barely cast spells himself! They were momentarily saved, buying some time.

Lucius came over to Severus from behind, shaking his and and looking to the darker boy. He looked from Hermione back to Severus and gave his friend a quizzical look.

"It's not working." Severus said in a calm voice, flipping Hermione's wand around in his hand as if inspecting it. "It must be the shack. We have to leave it. We must get them somewhere else before we depart."

"This wasn't the plan!" Lucius bit off angrily, looking to his friend with a furious gaze. Suddenly his steely eyes saw the wand in Severus' lean, pale fingers. He plucked it out of Severus' grip before he'd had a chance to protest. Hermione and Severus watched as Lucius looked at the dark brown wand, his features suddenly becoming stormy.

"You stupid dolt!" Lucius said angrily, throwing Hermione's faulty wand from his grasp as his eyes met that of Severus'. "This isn't even your wand!" He came close to rigid young man, so close that their noses almost brushed against one another and his breath fell onto his cheeks.

"You better not be playing me Snape. You know I'm horrid at these types of spells and its the only way to get them out of here. You purposely used this wand to buy them time. The only question is why?"

"I must have dropped my own on the way here." Severus said coolly, flicking a speck of dirt off of his robes, looking utterly disenchanted with the blonde man in front of him. "I took hers before we came into the tunnel. Nothing more, nothing less. There's nothing I could do about it."

"Fine." Lucius said with a furious look on his features. Hermione could tell he was trying to formulate another plan, anything that would please his master. "Draco!" he suddenly called, as the blond boy looked over. "Leave that rag doll over there. We're in need of your assistance here."

"Sure." Draco said as he ambled his way over to the two figures. "What do you want me to do exactly?"

"Are you any good at casting binding and paralyzing spells?"

Severus' heart quickened at the words, he hadn't expected that Draco was good at anything but brownnosing. Why, he didn't even go to classes all that often! How could he know spells at all?

"Using this boy now, Lucius?" Severus said nervously, keeping his face neutral.

"Somewhat." Draco said nervously, not wanting to displease his father. He knew what was to come. He'd have to kill of Hermione Granger. Sure he hated her, sure he wanted her dead, but he didn't want to be the one almost killing her! What if someone found out and he went to Azkaban?

"Well," Lucius said with a sneer to Severus who was silently stewing about. "Go on then."

"You want me to bind and paralyze Granger?" Draco said weakly, his pale skin becoming shiny with sweat. He let a quivering hand go back into his robes as he pulled out his wand. "No problem."

"Good."

Draco looked to Hermione; locking eyes with her a moment and feeling himself choke up. It wasn't that he cared for her, or even wanted to see her alive. It was the thought of helping in taking another human life...one that he'd known and teased for seven years.

This suddenly wasn't a fun little plot anymore, it was a plan. If he cast this spell, Hermione's fate was decided, and it would be, by him. Draco felt himself growing faint, the room spinning and his knee's trembling as Hermione's eyes locked on his own. He couldn't fail his father again.

Please Draco. she internally begged, her eyes flickering over to Severus a moment. He looked so solemn, and she knew he'd tried his best. Do what's right for once in your life...

"Uh... C-colligo." Draco whimpered, his wand shaking madly as Severus watched on in horror. He'd done all he could for her. He couldn't risk his own death as well. At the tender age of eighteen, Severus believed he had a long life ahead of him.

"Pl-pl..." Draco stammered on as Lucius fumed beside him a few inches. Sweat trickled into Draco's vision, his skull feeling as if it were too small on his neck. The world was spinning and his heartbeat pounded in his ears, drowning out Lucius' screams.

"What are you waiting for?" Lucius shrieked angrily, his normally pale face going a sickening purple shade. "KILL HER!"

Snape's eyes were still locked with Hermione's and he felt a trickle of sweat go down his left temple. He viewed her shaking body as she tried not to sob, her eyes telling all that he needed to know. He was shaking from the internal battle, for what could he do?

"Do it you twit!" Lucius screamed.

What was most mystifying was Draco. The boy she had hated for a better part of seven years was actually struggling with himself. He'd gone a horrid yellow color, his hand holding the wand beginning to shake as Hermione looked to him. She should have known he was all talk. He could barely kill a fly, let alone another human being.

"Well if you're not going to do it!-" Lucius said angrily coming up to his friend, brandishing his wand and shoving Draco out of the way roughly. He'd come to the conclusion that him trying was better than nothing at all.

"I will!"

Before Lucius could even begin the spell, his wand was knocked from his hand in a sudden purple shock from the other side of the room. He howled and gripped his palm, blowing on it loudly and peering at the figures in the doorway to the tunnel leading into the Shrieking Shack.

It was that tall, familiar man from earlier this evening. Why, he bore such a striking resemblance to Severus! He darted a look at his friend then, who was gaping at the man like a fish out of water. Severus was beyond confused, why it almost looked like his father come back from the dead.

Hermione's heart sang as she viewed Professor Snape. His cold eyes, his constant frown. He was here! It didn't matter than she normally couldn't stand him, for now he was her shining hero!

"Professor!" She called in loudly, her eyes filling with thankful tears as he looked over to her. She saw the panic in his eyes a fleeting moment before he looked back to Severus and Lucius gaping at him in confused horror.

Sirius stood outside the door as well, holding onto the round Peter Pettigrew who was squealing and trying to break away from his death grip.

"Remus told me to keep an eye on you." Sirius said with a grin to Hermione as she looked to him gratefully. "I suppose it's a good thing I did."

Evidently they'd forced Peter to tell them where Hermione and the rest of them were and in turn, he'd shown Professor Snape the way. Strange to think that they'd actually come to an agreement the two of them, normally constant rivals.

"You pathetic traitor." Lucius hissed angrily, gripping his hand still and glaring. "Just wait until the Dark Lord hears of your deceit!"

Suddenly Professor Snape grasped Sirius, letting his hold of Peter loosen enough for the little worm to go crawling over to his new friends and comrades. He bowed at Lucius' feet, kissing the ground in front of him as Severus looked over in dull shock.

"Forgive me Malfoy!" Peter sobbed, tears making their way down his ruddy cheeks as he wailed. "I couldn't help it! They were going to tell everything to Dippet if I didn't come! I was trying to save you!"

Lucius didn't answer, sensing now that with this adult in the room, things had changed dramatically. Azkaban was suddenly more real than he'd ever thought possible. In a fleeting moment of panic he looked to the roomful of people.

"Run." Severus said simply, "Malfoy, Snape, Pettigrew. Get out of here. I'll deal with the rest of these ones. Speak of this to no one or you won�t even live to regret it."

The three of them gave Snape a scrupulous look. He looked very powerful, nearly towering over all of them in a large black cape. Was he a fellow Deatheater? They supposed so. Before they could say anything Snape had moved from blocking their escape route out the tunnel.

"GO!"

They didn't need to be told again, and in a sudden fluid march the three of them began rushing for the tunnel entrance, scrambling to get away. It was Severus who lingered last in line, looking to Hermione over his shoulder willfully.

Hermione locked her eyes with him, knowing it was the last time she'd ever see him. She felt a welling within her, a sob starting in her chest as she gazed at him one last time. The young man she'd loved and lost twenty years before she was even born.

She couldn't be certain, but she swore he mouthed the words, I love you. before he ducked into the tunnel, scurrying after his comrades, surely wondering who the tall, bat like man was that had saved them.

"What are you doing?" Sirius yelled frantically, trying to break free of Snape's grip on his arms then. "You're letting them get away! Are you mad!?"

"Alieno." Snape said with a lazy swish of his wand pointed at the now stoic face of Sirius. The boy stopped struggling in his arms, suddenly shaking his head and blinking as he shot a dazed look at the Professor.

"Where am I?" he asked Snape, rubbing his eyes and looking to him in shock. "I was just at the dance."

"So you were." Severus said, ushering him out to the tunnel entrance as Sirius in a daze, allowed himself to be guided while Professor Snape continued to speak. "It seems that you and Potter were up to your usual pranks. Honestly, when will you two grow up?"

"Uh-" Sirius said confused, looking ahead at the tunnel and frowning in confusion.

"Brilliant reply. I thought as much." Snape sarcastically replied with a grimace, "Now, go back through the tunnel and to your tower before I get Headmaster Dippet and tell him what you've done."

"What have I done?" Sirius asked shaking his head, his blurry eyes not quite accustomed. "And who are you?"

"Enough questions you annoyingly pompous brat." Snape snarled, pushing him into the tunnel. "Get a move on." He finished with, closing the door to the tunnel and sealing Sirius off.

He then whirled around to Hermione, releasing her from her binds as she fell to the ground, her wrist and ankles aching. She winced as she rubbed the sore spots, looking to the three figures a few yards away.

Draco stood shakily looking to Snape who coolly ordered him to step forward. Draco did so, his will suddenly bent. He was in a cold state of shock after what had gone on. Before he could speak, Snape had grasped him by the back of the neck roughly -emitting a yelp from Draco- and they were gone.

Hermione gaped at the empty space a moment, about to move over to Harry when suddenly Snape reappeared before her, looking sullen and miserable as usual. He eyed her a moment before looking over to Harry's limp form on the ground a few feet away.

"What happened to Potter?" Snape asked rudely, not stopping to see if she herself was hurt. He went to the side of the lifeless Harry, his green eyes glazed and opened wide.

"He's been paralyzed." Hermione said as she limped her way over to him, not noticing as he watched her. "I know the counter curse if-"

"Just stand there Granger, I think I know what I'm doing." Snape spat out, muttering the spell and Harry was suddenly gasping for air. He made it to a sitting position, coughing and sputtering before his eyes focused on the man standing beside him, looking down with such a cold gaze.

"Professor Snape."

"Potter."

Harry suddenly looked to the near empty shack, his eyes widening further as he struggled to stand. Snape made no attempt to help him. He shakily turned, seeing it was just the three of them left.

"What happened?" he asked groggily.

"I let them go." Snape said rudely, looking to the two students with distaste. His eyes were on Hermione a bit longer than protocol, but he soon snapped out of it. His voice took on that of an authoritative Professor, and he began speaking again. "And now-"

"You what?" Harry asked quietly, much to Hermione's surprise. She'd expected Harry to lose it. Instead he was just swaying, tilting and staring at Snape hardly as he spoke in a quite tone. "But they tried to kill us."

"I had to let them go you foolish boy." Snape snapped angrily, glaring at Harry as if it were old times. "If I alter too much in this time, it will alter the future. You may not care that much Potter, but you might not even exist in the future as it is."

"I think they will." Hermione said softly, remembering Lily and James at the dance, their hands intertwined sweetly. Snape rolled his eyes at her remark, but was admittedly grateful for he had seen it all. He�d seen a lot actually, most pointedly himself and Granger. He tried not to think of it.

"Let's go Potter." Snape said moving to the shaking boy, seeing the way the boy's eyes were rolling back into his head. This was troublesome, and not a normal side effect from the counter curse of a paralyzing spell. He frowned deeply, a crease in his forehead deepening, and he noticed then that Granger was staring at him, her brows furrowed.

"I'll be back for you Granger." Snape promised lightly, glancing her over before disappearing with his hand lightly on Harry's shoulder. With a pop they were gone in mid air, leaving Hermione in the shack alone with her thoughts.

How Snape had changed. No longer was he the smooth faced, brooding young man she'd passionately kissed in the dark confines of classrooms. He was stern, cold and rude. Her Severus was gone, not replaced with an older, more bitter model named Professor Snape.

Hermione remembered Severus tonight. He'd tried to save her. He wasn't completely evil...he had some good in him. She'd seen the yearning look in his eyes and felt her heart shatter. He wouldn't have killed her. She saw her fallen wand on the floor and picked it up hurriedly, putting it in her pocket and sighing shakily.

"I love you too, Severus." Hermione said shakily to herself as the tears trickled down her cheeks. She could imagine Severus nodded solemnly back to her, his dark eyes burning into her own. His kisses and embraces would no longer give her comfort.

A small popping sound emitted from behind her as she stood shakily, her arms at her side. Professor Snape stood towering over her, looking to her none too pleased.

"It's time to go."

Hermione nodded, turning back to face Professor Snape in earnest. "I-I know sir."

She felt the tears welling up in her eyes, but she held them back. She saw that Snape was regarding her with a strange look on his face. One that she'd never seen before. She didn't know why, but the words spilled from her down turned lips as she looked to him.

"But, I don't want to go back Professor."

"Excuse me?"

"I can't." Hermione said shakily, the fresh tears now slipping down her reddened cheeks and onto her robes. "I just can't...I don't expect you to understand-"

"You're right." Snape snapped harshly, a look of boredom now masking his face. "I don't."

He suddenly reached out his hand, looking to her with confusion in his dark eyes. "We must be going now Miss Granger. The Headmaster is quite anxious to speak with you."

"B-but-" Hermione started, her dark eyes shining with anguish. How could she explain to him that she'd fallen in love with Severus? That he was her match in every way? That being torn from him like this was torture, and that the knowledge that she was going to be ripped from him forever was unnaturally cruel?

He'd laugh at her. He'd mock her for feeling such sentiments. Instead she was speechless, not even meeting his eyes as the silent tears fell. Snape watched in moderate agitation, for he'd never really viewed her crying like this before. Arguably, he had seen a few tears starting in her eyes when he made fun of her teeth that one year, but other than that it had mercifully been seven sob avoided years.

"Miss Granger." he said sternly, looking to her warily. "We must take our leave immediately. Take hold of my hand and we shall be on our way." he held his hand out to her, waiting for her to grasp it.

She didn't make a move to grasp it, and with a decidedly exasperated sigh he moved forward and grasped her limp body in his arms, his hand on her shoulder as protocol.

He was surprised to feel as she suddenly turned and wrapped her arms around his middle until he was almost breathless. She holding onto him tightly as he grasped the port key in his other hand, a twist occurring behind their navel.

Looking down on her, he felt his body tingling as if he were a teenager in lust again. It was the same feeling as in the dream; he wanted to embrace her back but stopped himself. Evidently this was a side affect from the time travel.

Looking down at her pale cheeks pressed against his chest, and her arms tightly wrapped around him, Snape couldn't help but realize things had changed dramatically and the only question was...

How could they ever change back?

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Author's notes: FINALLY! The chapter that's been weighing on my mind is over...now...onto bigger and better things. How will Ron react when he sees Hermione has changed? How will Snape react for that matter? What's wrong with Harry? What's in store for Draco? All these questions and more, answered....well....whenever I write the damn thing! cheers. holden.

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Making sure the boy who lives, actually does...