Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Doing it for the Order Complete	By : Desert_Sea Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 72673 -:- Recommendations : 6 -:- Currently Reading : 4
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any other characters/things/places created by J.K. Rowling. I make no money from my fan-fiction.

Chapter List
- 19
- 20
- 21
A/N: Another quick one to keep things moving. DSx
Kvarta – ‘btw advantage of living with Slytherin is - you give him idea, he takes it up a nodge ;)’ – hahah, lucky girl! ‘What maniacal muse you are using now?’ – I know, she’s driven me mad trying to get chapters up before I return to work. ‘Sex scenes are hell of a hard to write’ – aren’t they? I’ve - copped a bit of flack on occasions for writing smut but it is seriously the hardest thing to write – thank goodness I learned from the master, OracleObscured ;) ‘Pls tell me he's not in trouble!’ – I’d like to but . . . :/ ‘Oh, yeah...he is following her?’ – always. ‘But my cookies starting to burn, I'll make it up to you after the holidays, promise!’ – send me a cookie and I’ll forgive you ;) BTW I never expect reviews so don’t feel obliged – I just really appreciate them. xx
OO – ‘But now, a day later, I'm not sure exactly what it was that made me love it.’ – I’m even like that after I’ve just read a chapter. It’s just a general vibe :). ‘The interaction with someone her own age was a nice change too.’ – thanks, I agree that it’s needed. ‘You had me with hefty, but you made laugh giddily with twang.’ – I absolutely thought of you when I wrote that! ‘See, I was right. Escape :)’ – you’re always right! ‘But I was ready for it. I knew it was coming.’ – here fishy, fishy, fishy :) ‘Draco was delightfully despicable and that made it all the more satisfying when Snape slammed him into the wall’ – those Malfoys don’t have the most endearing personalities in this one. I’m still struggling to hate them though. ‘whole body hat hated’ – haven’t you heard of a ‘body hat’? They’re the latest thing (don’t know what I was thinking there).
Serine – I’m afraid the intensity has only just begun . . .

Chapter 20 – Defying Orders
Hermione was half-asleep when she heard a sharp tap on her window. Her heart instantly leapt . . . and then sank—there was no way it was him. Unless he’d flown up on a broomstick. And why would he do that? She still lunged out of bed to check, tripping over a pile of books in the dark and drawing an angry snort from Lavender.
There was an owl at the window. Pushing the glass back, she allowed the bird to flutter past in a gust of cool air. When it landed, she noticed that it held something in its claws—her wand.
Severus must have sent it. No note. Nothing more.
He must have taken it from Draco. But what had happened after that?
Draco had mentioned a vow. Was Severus really supposed to protect him? Was that another part of the decree?
Her relief at having been saved at the last moment was tempered by a deep sense of foreboding—she couldn’t shake the feeling that something bad had happened to him, even worse that what he’d been trying to protect her from.
She’d done as she was told and returned to her room, looking as normal as she could under the circumstances. But she’d desperately wanted to see him—to make sure he’d returned safely to his chambers.
Retrieving her wand, she cast Lumos and used it to quickly locate a piece of parchment and quill.
She scrawled a note.
S,
Can I see you?
H.
As she watched the owl disappear into the night, her fingers clutching the windowsill tightly, she willed a rapid response . . . even though, deep down, she sensed that none would be forthcoming.
***
It was impossible. She’d tried every unlocking charm she knew and still couldn’t break into his chambers. Either he wasn’t in there or he didn’t want to see anyone. Both scenarios were highly concerning as this was the fourth time she’d tried to visit him in the past two days.
There had been no response to her owl, nor had he attended the Great Hall for meals. A heavy sense of dread had taken up residence in the pit of her stomach—something was definitely wrong.
She would give it one more day. They had Potions class in the morning. She would work out a way to speak to him then.
***
“Miss . . . uh . . . Granger?” Professor Slughorn peered at her from the blackboard. “Would you care to take a seat?”
She had stopped in the classroom doorway and the remaining students were attempting to squeeze past.
Hermione scanned the room. Draco was missing.
“I . . . I just realised I forgot something. I’m sorry, Professor,” she mumbled before turning and hurrying out the door.
***
“Professor McGonagall.” Hermione burst into the older woman’s office. “I’m really sorry to barge in like this but I need to speak with you—urgently.”
The older woman pursed her lips before removing her glasses and placing them on her desk. Looking at her seriously, she finally sighed. “We’ve been expecting you, Hermione.”
Standing, she skirted the desk before heading for the door. “Follow me.”
Hermione pursued her in brisk strides to Professor Dumbledore’s office. He opened the door before they knocked, ushering them inside.
“Where’s Professor Snape?” Hermione asked as soon as the door was closed, looking anxiously between them.
Professor McGonagall turned her gaze to Dumbledore, who bowed his head before moving over to the window. He raised his watery eyes into the grey morning light. “Professor Snape is in a bad way.”
Hermione clutched her arms around her stomach, shaking her head. She’d known it.
“What happened?” she gasped, trying to quell the threat of tears.
“He was summoned . . . by the Dark Lord.”
A wave of nausea hit her.
“It appears that Lucius Malfoy accused him of placing Draco’s life in danger. He also claimed that Severus was being protected by the Order . . . and that a certain member of the Order was ensuring that the enchantment was being fulfilled in a manner inconsistent with the Muggle decree.”
A certain member?
“What did the Professor say?” she whispered.
“He denied it . . . under torture.”
Of course he did. She quickly brushed a tear away.
“Can I see him?”
Dumbledore turned to look at her, a concerned frown creasing his brow. “I don’t think that would be wise at this time.”
What had they done to him? She wiped an anxious hand across her mouth.
“And Draco?”
“I understand that he is being cared for in Malfoy Manor. He incurred serious injuries after failing to comply with the decree . . . but was spared death. He has been given one last chance to prove himself.”
Hermione stared at the ground in silence.
“I’m sorry, Hermione, you have done so much to ensure the Professor’s safety. I’m sure he would be immeasurably grateful.”
The words came to her as though spoken from a vast distance. What did he mean?
“So what happens now?” She addressed the Headmaster directly, worried about the insinuation.
“Madam Pomfrey is doing all she can to assist his recovery.”
“Yes, but what then? Have they finished with him? Are they going to let him be?”
Dumbledore inhaled deeply before fixing her with his blue gaze. “The Dark Lord has insisted that Professor Snape attend the next ‘gathering’ . . . to prove that he has not been involved in such deception.”
Her stomach began to twist.
“What proof do they require?”
“They require him to bring the Order member who has been named.”
Hermione suddenly crouched down, putting her head in her hands. She felt Professor McGonagall’s hand on her shoulder. “I’m fine,” she rasped.
After a few deep breaths she looked up. “And how did they expect him to convince this member to attend?”
“I believe a compliance potion was indicated.”
She swallowed, trying to keep her voice steady. “What was his response?”
Dumbledore paused to regard the window once again. “He has chosen to attend alone.”
“Alone? Meaning . . . ?” Hermione glanced between the two. “That he’ll be executed?”
Dumbledore stroked his beard as he continued to gaze out the window. “There comes a time in a man’s life where he must be afforded the dignity to make such a choice.”
“Dignity?” Hermione leaped up, clenching her hands into fists. “Is that what you call it? Sending him to the slaughter?”
“He would not accept the alternative of going into hiding. It is not a life that he is prepared to live.”
Would he do it if he was with her?
Hermione clenched her jaw in defiance. “And yet there is another option that seems to have been ignored.”
Dumbledore looked to Professor McGonagall, an expression that suggested this was exactly why they hadn’t informed her of what had transpired.
Hermione crossed her arms. “I could attend with him . . . as requested.”
“Now, Hermione.” Professor McGonagall approached her. “Do you understand what happens at these gatherings?”
“Yes.”
Minerva looked at Dumbledore for support.
“You wouldn’t be protected. Who knows what they would do to you.”
“Professor Snape will be with me.”
“But there is very little he could do. He will be under the most intense scrutiny.”
“And that’s why I will go. The scrutiny will be on him.”
Professor McGonagall sighed, shaking her head. “They will expect you to have taken a compliance potion. Is that what you are prepared to do?”
“No. I’ll pretend.”
“Pretend?”
“Pretend to be compliant.”
McGonagall’s eyebrows jumped up in incredulity. “As much as I respect your determination and courage, Hermione, compliance is not a strong Gryffindor trait.”
“I’ve been practising.”
The older woman frowned in confusion.
“Professor Snape has . . . helped.”
A glimmer of understanding captured her wrinkled features and she blinked rapidly. “I really don’t know about this. Albus?”
Professor Dumbledore appeared equally concerned. “Hermione, you would be putting yourself in grave danger.”
“And isn’t the Wizarding World worth that? Isn’t Harry? The Order? Professor Snape?”
“In my duty of care to you, I just don’t think I can allow it.”
“You haven’t always been so concerned about my well-being, Professor. You of all people should be able to see that this is for the greater good.”
Dumbledore looked at her resignedly, a deep sadness pulling at his features.
“I want to know where this gathering will take place.” Hermione stated firmly. “And you mustn’t inform Professor Snape of my intentions. Otherwise you put us both at risk.”
She focused on each with grim determination.
“I’ll need the information before Friday.”
And she was gone.
- 19
- 20
- 21
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Doing it for the Order *Complete*

Doing it for the Order Complete