Highland Rose

Disclaimer: I don’t own anything you recognize. I also borrowed a few characters from the awesome writer Karen Marie Moning. This story is for fun and fun only. Please don’t sue.

Summery: Hermione Granger is a special witch indeed. When her family is threatened, the Order is called in. Through all the danger and chaos, can Hermione and Severus come together? R/R

Highland Rose

Chapter 9

Hermione joined her parents, her Uncle, and the Order members in the courtyard. They only had to wait a few moments before Lucius, Bella, Dolohov, and McNair appeared. The four Death Eaters stood glaring at the group before them.

“Leave. Now!” Drustan ordered.

“You can’t beat us Druid. We will take your castle and that pretty little daughter of yours. Our Lord will rule the Wizarding world.” Lucius snarled.

From the shadows, Severus’s blood boiled. He knew what would happen if Voldemort got his hands on Hermione. He would torture her before he killed her. He couldn’t and wouldn’t let that happen.

“This is your last warning.” Dageus hissed as he stood beside Drustan.

“Prepare to die.” Bella snarled.

The fighting began. Drustan and Dageus used their Druid magic to deflect spell after spell. Hermione and the Order members withdrew their wands and began firing spells and curses of her own. Gwen used her own Druid magic as well. The fighting came to a standstill.

“Back inside!” Drustan yelled.

The Granger family and the Order turned and ran back inside. They had just locked the door when Severus emerged from the shadows.

“What now?” Sirius asked.

“We use our weapons. You eight stay behind us.” Gwen answered.

Hermione and Severus shared one last look before he retreated to the shadows behind them. A few moments later, the four Death Eaters burst through the door. When they saw the Granger family standing with weapons, they put away their wands and conjured swords of their own. The fighting continued.

Hermione and Dageus were fighting with Dolohov and McNair, while Drustan and Gwen faced off with Bella and Lucius. Severus was using all of his restraint to keep from jumping out of the shadows to help Hermione.

“Aaaa!” Dolohov screamed as Hermione slashed her sword across his chest.

“See you in hell.” Hermione hissed.

A second later, Dolohov’s head rolled across the stone floor. She then turned her attention to Dageus and McNair. A second later, Gwen and Drustan’s screams were heard. Hermione froze.

“Drustan!” Gwen and Dageus screamed as Bella ran her sword through Drustan.

“Dad!” Hermione screamed as she watched her father fall to the floor.

“Ugh!” Dageus cried out as he grabbed his arm.

Hermione rushed toward McNair. A second later the man fell to the floor, a pool of blood forming beneath him. While Hermione was tending to her Uncle, Severus saw Bella approaching Hermione. Without thinking about his own safety, he jumped out of the shadows.

“Avada Kedavra!” Severus yelled.

The curse went flying toward Bella. At the last second, she dove out of the way. Her dark eyes locked with Severus’s.

“Traitor! You’ll die next!” Bella yelled.

“Think again.” Hermione hissed.

Bella turned and just managed to dodge Hermione’s blade. Remus and Sirius moved foreword and jerked Severus back behind them. Severus watched as Hermione expertly wielded her sword against Bella.

“Ugh.” Gwen cried as she staggered back from Lucius, glancing at the wound on her stomach.

“Ha. Ha. Ha. What the…” Lucius gasped.

Everyone but Hermione and Bella watched as the gash over Gwen’s stomach began to heal immediately. It was then that Severus understood what Drustan and Dageus had meant about Hermione telling him when she was ready. Her mother was one of the last immortal Druids. Hermione and Gwen were the last of the Brodie line.

“You’re a Brodie.” Lucius growled.

“So what if I am?” Gwen taunted.

“Aaahhh!” Bella screamed as she dropped to the ground.

Hermione rushed to her Uncle to see how bad he was. Gwen and Lucius continued fighting. Hermione helped Dageus to his feet and walked him over to Albus and Minerva. They eased him down and began healing his arm.

“I’m fine. Ow! Hermione, go help your…” Dageus started.

“Ooohhh! Aahh….” Gwen started to scream.

Hermione spun around just as Lucius’s sword finished slicing off Gwen’s head. Hermione’s eyes widened in shock and anger.

“NOOOOO!” Hermione screamed.

She clutched her sword and ran at Lucius. She furiously began the offensive. Lucius tried to fight back, but was unsuccessful. Hermione’s blade slashed his right arm, then across his chest. Lucius managed to get to his feet and flipped away. He rushed to Bella, took her hand, activated a port key, and the two vanished. Hermione dropped her sword and ran to her mother’s dead body.

“No! Mum! Noooo!” She cried.

Severus ran to her side and gathered her into his arms.

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Voldemort glared down at Bella and Lucius as Wormtail and Goyle began healing their wounds. Five minutes later, Bella and Lucius knelt at their master’s feet. Voldemort stood up and began to circle the two.

“You have failed me.” Voldemort hissed.

“It…wasn’t our fault.” Bella said.

“Oh? Then whose was it?” Voldemort questioned.

“My Lord, the mother is, or was of the Brodie line.” Lucius said.

“What did you just say?” Voldemort asked, his red eyes glowing.

“She was a Brodie. I discovered it after I slashed her across her stomach. The wound began healing instantly. She is dead now. I decapitated her, which is the only way to kill a Brodie.” Lucius explained.

“This is not good. Now, I have to come up with another plan of attack. As the last of the line, the mudblood will be even stronger.” Voldemort hissed.

“There’s more. Severus was there. He yelled the killing curse at me. He was protecting the mudblood.” Bella added.

Voldemort spun and faced them. Lucius nodded his head that Bella spoke the truth. Voldemort spun on his heel and stormed from the room.

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Back at Granger Castle, Hermione had been moved into her room and given a sleeping potion. Severus sat in a chair at her bedside when Dageus entered the room. He pulled up a second chair and sat beside Severus.

“What happens now?” Severus questioned.

“I suggest that you and Hermione retreat to Castle Brodie. You have exposed yourself and now you are in danger as well. You and Hermione will be protected within the walls. I will seal up Granger castle and return to Hogwarts with Albus and Minerva. I will be taking over for you as the Potions professor.” Dageus answered.

“I don’t like the idea of going into hiding.” Severus grumbled.

“Believe me, Hermione’s not going to like this anymore than you. The only reason I know she will do this, is because she is the only one who access the magic within Castle Brodie. The night you all arrived, that’s what she and Gwen were referring to.” Dageus explained.

Severus nodded. At least he would be with Hermione and he could protect her. Dageus patted Severus on the shoulder and left the room. Severus kicked off his shoes, climbed into the bed, gathered Hermione into his arms and held her tight.

“No matter what happens, I will always be there to protect you. I swear. I love you Hermione.” Severus whispered.

Slowly he drifted off to sleep. Hoping that come dawn, she would be feeling somewhat better.

T.B.C