The Truth is Hard to Swallow

A/N: Yes, yes, I know I have other stories that people are patiently waiting for to be updated. Honestly, I have tried to add to them, but I am not satisfied in the slightest with anything that is coming out lately. Therefore, I have decided to what my Muse tells me to do. This is angsty and sad and has some romance and all that stuff. Hopefully, after I get this angst out of my system, my humor will return and we can return to the land of Just the Four of Us? I really want to write that story, but I don't want to post crap, either, although some may argue that the story is already bad.

I have used Professor Snape in this story and I am playing with his character. I know JKR said he is a `deeply horrible person', but even horrible people can find redemption and a softer side. This version of Professor Snape is a little OOC, but I don't think he is a totally different character all together. As always, let me know what you think, I appreciate every single review I get, good or bad. Thanks for taking the time to read.

THE TRUTH IS HARD TO SWALLOW

PART I(A)

***

Hermione clutched the parchment in her hands. Her vision was blurring with tears. Damn Dumbledore to Hades! Why does he have to take everything away from Harry?

The parchment stated in no uncertain terms that Hermione had to cut off her relationship with Harry. He didn't give her a solid reason. He just said that not having her would save him in the end. Hermione was uncertain as to how isolating from love would save him in the end, but she trusted Albus, even if the situation was less than ideal.

Hermione crumpled up the offending parchment, and made her plans carefully. In the end she decided to give Harry one last night of joy, before she wrenched his heart out, while it was still beating in his chest. She just hoped that Albus knew what he was asking of them and that she and Harry would be together in the end.

***

Hedwig delivered a letter to Harry during lunch. He had been searching for Hermione, but he couldn't find her.

“Hey, girl, what have you got there for me?”

Hedwig dropped the parchment envelope in front of Harry, and waited patiently for Harry to feed her some of his bacon. Harry's face lit up instantly upon seeing the fine lettering on the front of the envelope: it was Hermione's.

Hedwig hooted. “Oh, sorry girl. Here you are,” Harry handed her some bacon, “now off to the Owlry. I'll be up to see you soon.” Hedwig flew off and Harry tore into his letter.

“Hey, Harry, what have you got there?” asked Ron with a mouth full of mashed potatoes.

“A new broomstick!” Harry rolled his eyes. “What does it look like, Ron?”

“Shut up, Harry!”

Harry turned his attention away from Ron and back to the letter:

Harry,

Meet me in the Room of Requirement as soon as you get this.

Love,

Hermione

Harry didn't give his plate a second look as he bolted from the Great Hall and made his way to the rendezvous point.

***

Hermione paced the length of the Room of Requirement. She was nervous and afraid. This had to be perfect. Harry had to have something to hang on to. Hermione was just going over the last bit of hints she planned to drop, to let him know that the rest was all a ruse, when Harry walked in the door.

Hermione let her eyes wash over him. She wanted to memorize him as he was when he was happy. Her eyes focused on his smile. She was sure that she wouldn't see it again for sometime. She feared that he would never again smile for her. “Hello, Harry.”

Harry looked around the room and noticed that it was a very romantic setting. There was a large four-poster-bed adorned with red silk sheets, and a roaring fire that provided the only light in the room. “Hello, Hermione. What's this all about?”

“Can't a girl spoil the man she loves?” Hermione asked coyly.

“Well, yeah, but, last weekend, you said…”

Hermione put her finger to Harry's lips. “I know what I said. But, I changed my mind.”

Harry kissed Hermione on the lips, pulling her body in close to his. No matter how close she was to him, it wasn't close enough. Harry had the feeling that if he let her go, she would leave him.

“I love you, Hermione.”

“I love you, too, Harry.” Her eyes were pleading with him to remember that, and to never doubt her love for one millisecond.

“Tell me, what made you change your mind?” he whispered.

“My love for you.”

“Who am I to question that? Shall we?” Harry took Hermione by the hand and led her to the bed. He was going to savor every moment they had together. He would live this night like it was his last.

***

The first time they made love was clumsy and awkward. Hermione was determined to make this a night Harry would never forget. A night that would prove to him that she loved him, despite what tomorrow would bring. Harry was basking in the afterglow of his orgasm, clinging tightly to Hermione with his legs wrapped up in hers.

“Harry, what do you say that we keep practicing this until we get it right?”

“Are you sure, you seemed like you were in a lot of pain,” Harry's voice was full of concern.

“I'm fine. Trust me.” Hermione spoke the last phrase as if it applied to all situations and not just the one at hand.

Harry allowed himself to be pushed into the mattress as Hermione straddled him and started to kiss him. “I am going to devour every inch of you, Mr. Potter.”

“Then, shouldn't you begin a bit lower?” he teased.

“Harry, just close your eyes and enjoy, every tedious second of the time we are spending together.” Each command was punctuated with a kiss. By the time she finished speaking that sentence, Harry could feel Hermione's breath over his chest. He took a deep breath. His hand reached under her chin and forced her to gaze into his eyes.

“You are so beautiful.”

Hermione blushed. “And you are devastatingly handsome.” Hermione let her hands wander over Harry's bronzed flesh, her hands trying to memorize the curve of each delicate muscle. “I love you, Harry.”

Hermione kissed Harry's lips softly, and then directed her attentions to other portions of his body. She licked a trail down his stomach, stopping just short of the thick thatch of pubic hair, then kissing her way back up to his lips. Harry grinned at her. “You little tease.”

Outwardly, Hermione gave Harry a coy grin. Inside her heart was ready to burst. He has now idea what tomorrow has in store for him. Hermione returned to pleasing Harry, to showing him just how much she loved him. She hoped that this night would be enough to carry him through the next agonizing patch of his life. The seconds rapidly grew into minutes, the minutes dissolved into a quarter hour. Hermione could tell that Harry was growing anxious.

“Don't make me wait for you any longer,” Harry begged breathily as Hermione teased his body with her hands, lips, and tongue. Hermione did not reply. Instead Harry managed to reposition both of them so that he was the one on top of Hermione. It was his turn to worship her body with kisses. He started at her lips, lingered over her breasts, and then stopped.

“Harry, you can't stop there…”

“Oh, but I can,” he said in a sardonic tone. “I just won't”

Harry and Hermione found pleasure in each other that night, that they would never find anywhere else…

***

The next morning Hermione found herself waking in her own bed. She hoped that everything that had transpired the day before was nothing more than a dream. Her stomach churned as an owl dropped a parchment on her chest as she struggled to sit up. The writing on the envelope belonged to none other than Albus Dumbledore. A lump formed in Hermione's throat as she got out of bed and pulled on her familiar school robes. She steeled herself to face the worst day of her life.

***

Harry had barely slept all night. His thoughts were only on Hermione. He couldn't believe that she loved him so much. Harry couldn't keep himself away from Hermione for another second. He leapt out of bed and threw on his school robes, and prepared himself to enjoy the best day of his life.

***

Hermione had left Gryffindor Tower before anyone else had made his or her way down into the common room. She found a deserted corner of the castle and tried to make herself cold enough to push Harry away, when she wanted nothing more than to hold him close to her.

“Ms. Granger, isn't it a bit early to be plotting the Trio's next great adventure?” asked a silky voice laced with venom. It was Professor Snape.

“I would hardly call what I am planning a great adventure,” she said, not even bothering to look at him.

“Professor Dumbledore has told me of his suggestion, Ms. Granger. He wants to make sure that if you decide to follow through, there will be no mistakes.”

Hermione released a bitter laugh. “Suggestion? You know better than anyone that any suggestion offered by Albus Dumbledore is a direct order, and to defy it would bring about dire consequences.”

“So, I do, Ms. Granger.” Professor Snape paused. “Professor Dumbledore, has sent me to give you this,” he held out a vial with a shimmering blue liquid, “it is a potion that will allow you to project the necessary emotion to be…erm…convincing.”

“I don't want it.”

“I don't care. You will take this. You cannot back out…. Tell me, Ms. Granger, that Hogwarts' star pupil is not stupid enough to consummate a relationship on the eve of its planned end.”

“Does it change things. Does it mean I don't have to do what Albus has planned for me?”

“I don't know. You had better come with me. Time is of the essence, foolish girl.”

“I am hardly a girl, Professor Snape, and I resent…”

Professor Snape held out a hand to stop Hermione from talking. “Your lectures may work on Potter and Weasley, but trust me I have no desire to hear the prattling of a teen-aged witch, who may have single handedly destroyed the fate of the whole of wizard kind. Now before you utter another syllable, I think we should be safely ensconced in the privacy of Professor Dumbledore's office.”

Hermione didn't say another word as she followed Professor Snape to the familiar stone gargoyle statue.

***

Harry raced into the Common Room and waited by the foot of the stairs to the girls' dormitory for Hermione to emerge. It was almost time for breakfast, and still no Hermione. Harry was getting anxious. What if I hurt her? What if she can't move? What if someone snuck into her room in the middle of the night and cast an Unforgivable on her? Without any further thought, Harry attempted to run up the stairs and into the girls' dormitory. He forgot about the security feature, and before he knew it, he was lying sprawled out on the foot of the steps with on Ginny Weasley laughing at him hysterically.

“You, of all people, Harry!” scolded Ginny, as she reached out her hand to help him to his feet.

“I kind of forgot about that,” Harry stated in an embarrassed tone as his hands ran through his unruly hair.

“Who were you looking for?”

“Hermione. She hasn't come down yet. I have been waiting all morning for her and…”

“Well, I hate to tell you this, Harry, but you've been waiting for no reason. She isn't in her room.”

Harry was puzzled. He was the first person in the common room, and he and Hermione always met to walk with Ron to the Great Hall for breakfast. “Well, I had better get Ron then, you know how he is if we're late to breakfast…”

“Do I ever! See you later, Harry.”

***

“Well, Ms. Granger, this little incident, certainly changes things a bit.”

“How so, Professor Dumbledore?”

“How is Harry supposed to believe you don't love him, if you consummated the relationship only yesterday?”

“That was my point, actually.”

“We'll just have to Obliviate him.”

“NO!” shouted both Severus and Hermione at the same time.

“Severus, I would think that you of all people would understand why this MUST be done,” said Professor Dumbledore in a very calculating tone. He was trying desperately to regain control of the situation.

“Albus, I will not allow you to destroy this. I owe him that much. If I can't save the boy from death, I can at least try to make sure he has a satisfactory life.”

“Love will not save him, Severus.”

Hermione made a noise of discontentment and indignation. “How can you say that, Professor? Love is what saved him in the first place.”

“He does not need to have his head in the clouds when he needs his feet firmly planted on the ground in order to kill Voldemort!”

“Albus,” said Severus in an even tone, “ you cannot use the boy as a pawn. He will not be able to channel love, if he feels abandoned by the one person he loves above all others.”

Hermione couldn't believe her ears. Professor Snape was actually defending Harry to Professor Dumbledore, she had to restrain herself from commenting on the situation.

“Severus, do not meddle in things you do not understand. Give the girl the potion, and take her to the Great Hall. It will be done this morning.”

Professor Snape lost all composure. “You, Albus, are the one meddling in things you do not understand. You had me convinced that having someone else to care for would only get in the way of my work for the Order.” He paused as his breath hitched in his throat. “Now, I have nothing left to live for. I was a fool to let you do that to me, and I will be damned if I allow you to do it to anyone else, even if it is, Potter.”

While Professors Snape and Dumbledore were arguing, Hermione managed to sneak out of the office. She would tell Harry what plans were afoot and together, they would come up with a solution.

***

As he glanced over to the High Table, Harry noticed that both Professors Snape and Dumbledore were still not in the Great Hall. It made him wonder why his scar wasn't hurting. If they were both missing at the same time, it usually meant that Voldemort had something in the works, and he would have to sort it out.

“…the chasers on the perimeter?”

“…”

“Harry?”

“Huh?”

“Did you hear a word I said?” asked Ron with a mouth full of scrambled eggs.

“Sorry, my mind was elsewhere.”

“She's probably in the Library researching or doing the extra, extra credit assignment. Honestly, I don't know why you worry…”

Before Ron could finish his sentence, Hermione plopped herself down in her usual seat, next to Harry and across from Ron.

“Ronald Weasley, I know your mother taught you to swallow your food before you speak! Disgusting.” Without stopping to take a breath, Hermione turned to Harry. “We need to talk, it is very important.”

Harry and Hermione both got up and made for the doorway. “Where are you two going again? Honestly, I am going to have to find new friends if you keep sneaking away like that!”

Ron was ignored, so he went back to eating his breakfast. He pulled Harry's plate over to him, for good measure.

***

“Severus, if you don't give her the potion, then I will.”

Professor Snape held the vial of the blue potion in his hands, dangled it away form his body, and let it drop to the ground. “Evanesco.”

“Go get another vial, Severus, it is not wise to play these games with me.”

“There isn't anymore. It takes 3 years for it to brew and ferment properly. And, Albus, it is not wise to play games with other people's lives.” Professor Snape turned to speak to Hermione, but she was not there. “Does she still have her Time-Turner?”

“No. I had better find her, and make her see reason.”

“Albus, let them alone, or, I'll…I'll… tell Minerva what you've been up to. She has never quite forgiven you for depriving her the pleasure of planning my wedding!”

Professor Dumbledore opened his mouth to say something, but no words came out. Professor Snape smirked and then stalked his way from the office down into the dungeons to teach his first class of the day.

***

“What is it, Hermione?”

“I want you to understand that what happened last night was because I love you. I would have wanted to have last night even if what I am about to tell you wasn't true. I don't want you to be upset with me. I love you.” Hermione couldn't bring herself to look Harry in the eye.

“It can't be all that bad, Love. I know you love me. I love you, too. Whatever this is, we can work through it.”

Hermione nodded and stared at her shoes for a few moments before she worked up the courage to tell him what she needed to tell him.

“Well, I got a letter from Dumbledore…” she began and relayed the entire tale to Harry.

Harry stared at her blankly for a few moments. “Snape, defended us to Dumbledore?” he asked with disbelief.

Hermione opened her mouth to answer, but the voice of the Potions Master cut in. “I did indeed, Potter. Do not let this incident give you any illusions of my true feelings for you, I still can't stand you! But you both need to come with me. Dumbledore is out to find a way to make more pawns in his war game, you'll need to be protected. I have the potions in my office.”

“Why are you helping us?” asked Harry.

“Because you have a chance to win this war for all of us and be happy at the same time. Someone deserves to come out of all of this in tact, and I do owe your father.”

“But the broom, first year?”

“Fine, then don't take my help. Dumbledore will not relent. He is only temporarily thwarted. You two are going to need to pull off one hell of a show for that meddlesome old man if you want to come out of this alive, Potter.”

Harry looked to Hermione, who signaled with her head to follow Snape.

***

“Albus! You will not interfere in that boy's life. You have trained him and he is strong. You will not destroy him!”

“Minerva…”

“What, Albus? I seem to recall a certain wizard who defeated Grindenwald having quite the love life in the midst of that war, and he managed to survive to a ripe old age and become a pain in everyone else's bloody arse!” she scolded through gritted teeth.

“This is different, Harry has never known love before…”

“And whose bloody fault was that? There were wizarding families all over the world who would've taken that boy in and raised him, but you insisted on leaving him on that doorstep!”

“I thought it would…”

“Whatever you thought, does not matter now. Harry grew up to be an exceptional young man despite the lack of happiness he has had in his life. I swear to Merlin, Albus, if you destroy that relationship between those two, I'll…I'll…”

“You'll what, Minerva?”

“You already know what happened to the last person who decided to cross me…”

“You wouldn't do that to me…”

“Don't think I won't! Mrs. Norris has been wanting some company for quite some time and Argus has mentioned wanting a new pet, and seeing as how you like to meddle so much I think it would be a perfect job for you.”

Albus sat at his desk and rested his head in his hands. Everyone was against his depriving Harry of happiness and love. For once in his life, Albus was going to have to give in. “Fine. I'll leave them alone. But, no blame had better be found on my doorstep when they are both dead.”

“Albus, no one would blame you. It doesn't matter if they are together or not, the love Harry has for Hermione makes her a target, the target, actually.”

“Don't you have a class to teach, Minerva?”

“Right."

***

“Are you sure we can do this, Harry?”

“No.”

“What other choice do we have?”

“I know at this moment I would like to march right into Dumbledore's office and give him a good telling off for trying to run my life. He has already made a weapon out of me, sentenced me to sacrifice my own life so the wizarding world can be safe, why is he so intent on making sure I die alone.”

“You are going to live, Harry.”

“But what if I did die, Hermione, what would you do then?”

Hermione just stared at him. It took all of her restraint not to haul off and smack him in the face.

“I won't discuss this with you Harry. You are not going to die.”

“I could.”

“Dumbledore wouldn't spend all this time training you and honing your ability to continue as an Auror if he thought you were going to die at the end of all of this. He wouldn't waste his time,” she said in a tone that was very persuasive.

Harry knew she was only trying to convince herself that what she said was true. “Hermione, there is something I have to tell you.” Harry took a deep breath and prepared to tell her a secret he had kept for almost two years. “There is a prophecy.”

“A real one, or some hooey that Trelawney spouted off in Divination?”

“When we were in the Department of Mysteries, the prophecy is what Voldemort was after. I know what it said though, and it looks bleak for me, Hermione.”

Hermione blanched, maybe this would still be the most horrendous day of her life. “What did the prophecy say, Harry?”

“Well, I haven't memorized it word for word,” he lied, “but basically it says that Voldemort and I cannot both live at the same time. At least one of us has to die. But I truly believe that I am going to have to die in order to kill him. When I got to battle him, I am not going to return.”

“The prophecy can be interpreted. Is there any way you can get a copy of it? I could research it and…”

“Hermione, stop. I love you, but what we have now, is all we have. I am going to die and soon. I can tell.”

“Harry! You aren't going to die, stop being so stubborn.”

“You are the one who won't listen to reason.”

“Reason? What you are saying isn't reasonable. You have already given up the fight before you step on the battlefield!”

“I haven't given up, just accepted my fate.”

“Fate is dynamic, Harry. It changes. Each choice you make determines your fate. Our lives aren't mapped out for us.”

“I have a prophecy, I live by it and I will die by it.”

“You should fight by it!” Hermione looked at Harry and studied him. Somehow, she had failed to notice the man he had become, before this point in time. His jaw was clenched in anger, his body was tense, and his eyes were cold.

“Hermione, accept this and let me live happy or walk away now. It is my life and I will bloody choose to die the way I see fit. I couldn't choose how to live my life, but I will decide how I will fight my battles and with what purpose!”

Neither Harry nor Hermione said a word for a long time. “I can't accept that, Harry. Why won't you fight to live?”

“I never said I wouldn't.”

“Well, at least, I'll be fighting at your side, it will give you a reason to stay alive,” she said in a confident tone.

Harry grabbed Hermione by the shoulder and made sure he was looking directly into her eyes. “You won't be fighting next to me. You won't be on the battlefield. If I have to worry about you, then I can't do what I have to do. That is my final decision, Hermione.”

“And who are you to make decisions like that about my life?”

Harry didn't answer her. He merely kissed her on the forehead and walked away, with Hermione staring after him.

***

Professor Snape sat in his office, his first-year Double Potions class had not gone well. Two students had blown up their cauldrons, and one student managed to produce toxic fumes by adding crushed nettle wings to quartered holly berries. He had spent most of his morning in the Hospital Wing, helping Madame Pomfrey administer treatment to the class. On top of that, right before the explosion occurred, Fawkes had delivered a note to Snape, there was to be a meeting about this morning's incident. No, Professor Snape was not having a good day at all.

***

Hermione sulked all day. Her conversation with Harry early in the morning had brought her to a level of angry that she never thought she would experience. She loved Harry, and he loved her, she could understand why he might want to protect her. However, there was no excuse for his need to tell her what to do. Hermione Granger was her own person, she made her own decisions, no one could make her do anything she didn't already want to do. Hermione decided sometime in between Ancient Runes and Herbology that she and Harry were going to sit down and have a good solid argument, and that he was going to see things her way.

***

Ron sat in between his two best friends in their usual corner of the library. The tension was so thick, it held him captive in his seat. There was no way he was going to escape it. He spent the better part of a half an hour looking from one friend to the other, studying them, instead of the notes Hermione had loaned him for History of Magic.

Finally, Harry noticed that he was being studied, and he snapped. “Ron, what in bloody hell are you doing? The notes aren't written across my forehead!”

“I could fix that you know,” quipped Hermione, “I have a projection spell right here.”

“That was cute, maybe I could project my reasoning into that thick skull of yours so you could understand why you are not fighting next to me!” replied Harry.

Ron just watched the scene in front of him play out for a moment before he said anything. He knew he wasn't known for his keen sense of understanding when it came to things of an emotional nature. “What is going on between you two? You were fine yesterday, and now all of a sudden…”

Hermione cut him off, “All of a sudden, your best friend is acting like a chauvinist pig, and refuses to let me do what I have to do in this war.” Her reply came in an even tone. This was not the place she had wanted to have this argument, but now that the topic was broached, there was no turning back.

“That isn't, true!” yelled Harry. He paused for a moment and took a deep breath. He was pulling himself in check. He realized he was in the library, and he did not feel like incurring the wrath of Madame Pince. He pulled his wand out of his robes and muttered a silencing charm around their table. He cleared his throat before he spoke again. “Hermione, that isn't true. I do want you to do your part. I just don't feel that your part is marching on the battlefield next to me. If you are next to me I am not going to be able to focus long enough to do what I have to do.”

“You mean kill yourself, you selfish arse!”

Ron's jaw dropped. “Kill yourself? What is she talking about, Harry?”

Harry didn't even have a chance to reply before Hermione started to answer the question for him. “Well, you see Ron, Harry has this idea that in order for Voldemort to die, he has to die to. He is stepping out on the battlefield without the desire to fight to live.”

Ron turned to Harry. “Are you fucking insane, Harry? You can't go out there thinking you are going to die or you will die,” he yelled.

“But, Ron, there is a prophecy…” started Harry

“From who, Trelawney? So she gets a few things right, but those things are interpretive. Haven't you learned anything from that class?”

“But I just know that I am going to die when I face him for the last time.”

“Bollocks, Harry,” said Ron, “you are not going to die, unless you want to die. You did not survive him all this time just so you could die in the end.”

“I disagree with you,” Harry said in a matter of fact tone.

“See, Ron, he won't listen to reason,” chimed Hermione. “He is content to leave me here all alone without a second thought and he expects me to sit here and do nothing while he goes off on his suicide mission.”

“Well, Hermione, I don't really want you out there either. But don't worry, I'll be next to him…”

“No, you won't Ron. Neither one of you are coming out there with me. I am going to go at this alone. It will be sooner than you think, and neither of you will know about it.”

Both Ron and Hermione just stared at Harry in shock. Hermione was the first to speak. She stood up and shoved her things into her book bag as she said, “You and your bloody hero complex. When you grow up, then you can come talk to me. Until then you can just bask in your own glory. Honestly, you are getting as bad as Malfoy!”

“Take it back, Hermione.”

“No.” And then she stormed off to her dormitory, where she spent the remainder of her night avoiding Harry.

“Mate, you didn't mean what you said, did you? You are going to let me come with you, right?”

“No. This isn't your destiny, Ron. It's mine.”

“Fine. You do what you need to do. But you shouldn't do this alone. Hermione and I would gladly go with you.”

“I need you to stay here and take care of her. I can't do what have to do if I know she isn't going to be alright.”

Ron just nodded his head as he returned to his studying. If I had just kept my head down, none of this would have happened.

***

Albus Dumbledore sat in the chair across from Severus and said nothing. The silence was making Severus nervous.

“Did you call me to your office for a reason, Albus?” asked Severus.

“Yes,” said Albus, and nothing more.

Severus was silent for a few moments. “Well, are you going to tell me?”

“No.”

“Then what am I doing here?”

“You'll see.”

“Oh, bloody hell, I have other things to do, Albus.”

“I realize that Severus, you are a man of patience, exercise it!”

“Sorry, I seem to have forgotten myself.”

“We all do dear boy.” Albus rooted around in his pocked for something, and then presented it to Severus, “Lemon Drop or Licorice Wand?”

Severus took a licorice wand, they were after all, his favorite candies, and settled into the chair. He had no idea what was going to happen tonight, but he knew he would definitely be where he was for a long while.

***

Hermione was pacing her room in an effort to work off the anger that had embedded itself in her person. She was trying to see things from Harry's perspective, but it didn't do anything to make her less upset with the situation. Hermione began shouting at Crookshanks, after all, he was male!

“Who does he think he is? Hmm? Just because he is the bleeding Boy-Who-Lived, doesn't mean he can tell me what to do!” She stopped and glared at her familiar.

“Mrrrrow,” was the only reply the cat could give.

“Oh, so your on his side then? You think I should give him a handkerchief as a sign of my affection for him while he gallantly fights the demons that threaten my way of life, is that it?” Hermione glared at the cat.

Crookshanks hissed at her and hopped down from the bed. He ran from the room as fast as his four legs could carry him and Hermione was alone with her thoughts and her anger.

“Men!” she exclaimed as she fell onto her bed.

***

Harry and Ron had packed up their homework and returned to the boys dormitory. Upon entering the Common Room, both boys scanned their corner for Hermione. Neither were surprised to find that she was not there.

“You know, Harry, you were kind of hard on her. I mean, you of all people should know, that Hermione can't be told what to do.”

“I wasn't trying to be a grand arse, Ron. I just want you two to be safe.”

“We understand that, but as long as you care about us, then we aren't safe. No matter what you do, we know you care about us. Therefore we are in danger because we care about you.”

“I wish I didn't have friends. I should never have let you sit with me in that compartment on the first day.”

“Mate, you don't mean that. I figured being your friend would be dangerous, but what is a little danger when there are so many grand adventures to be had?”

Harry managed a weak smile. “Just promise me that you will take care of her.”

“No.”

“Th..What? Why not?”

“Because, you need something to live for. Live for her. She deserves to have you, Harry. If you don't return than she will be all on her own.”

“But…”

“Conversation closed.” Ron paused. “Let's go off to the kitchens and see if we can get some treacle tarts. All that studying has made me lightheaded.”

With that, the boys gathered Harry's Invisibility Cloak and headed off on of their more benign adventures.

***

“Severus, you were right. I shouldn't have interfered. In your life or Harry's.”

Severus almost choked on his tea. He had been sitting in silence with the Headmaster for almost three hours when the he heard those words. “I accept your apology,” he said in a shocked whisper.

“You may go, Severus.”

***

TWO MONTHS LATER

***

Harry and Hermione had not been on speaking terms since their falling out in the library. Ron had played mediator, trying in vain to get one to see the other's reasoning and have them at least compromise. The three of them were sitting in the Great Hall, having lunch.

“Ron, could you please ask Hermione, if she would pass the Pumpkin juice?”

“Ron, would you please tell Harry, that there is a jug of Pumpkin juice next to him, and there is no need for me to pass him this one.”

Ron had reached his limit. “All right you two, I can't take this anymore!” he yelled.

Harry and Hermione looked at Ron, stunned, he rarely yelled.

“You two are my best friends, and I want them back. I can't take this bickering over something so stupid and foolish. If you two don't make up and compromise, then I am not going to talk to either one of you, until you talk to each other. I am not you interpreter, messenger, or translator. If you have something to say to each other then say it! I am done with this.” Ron stormed out of the Great Hall, hoping that this is what was needed to mend the `Golden Trio'.

Hermione stared at Harry while he played with the food on his plate.

“What?” he asked.

“I've missed you.”

“Me, too.”

“I'm sorry,” they both said at the same time and smiled.

“Hermione, I shouldn't have tried to tell you what to do. I should have…”

“Harry, I should have listened to you more. You were just trying to protect me. But you have to understand, that I don't need protecting.”

Harry frowned a bit at that, but it passed quickly. “Let's go find Ron and tell him the good news. I am sure he'll be delighted to have lost his job as `middle man'.”

PART I (B) TO FOLLOW

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THE TRUTH IS HARD TO SWALLOW

PART I(B)

***

After Ron left the Great Hall, he stalked off toward the Lake. He needed a walk to think about all the things that had been going on for the past two months. He needed to think about the possibility of Harry dieing, he had never really thought about if before. Ron was distracted by images of Harry's hypothetical death and all the scenarios that could bring it about. As a result, he wasn't really paying attention to where he was going and his course led him past Hagrid's hut and to the edge of the Dark Forest.

Ron saw something familiar moving in the brush, “Ginny, what are you doing in here?” he called as he ran after his sister.

***

Harry and Hermione were relieved that classes were over for them after lunch, as it was Friday. They spent the remainder of their day searching for Ron. No one had seen him since he stormed out of the Great Hall. They searched every possible place they could think of. There was only one place left, and neither liked the idea of having to go into the Dark Forest.

“Maybe, we should go to Dumbledore,” said Hermione.

“I think we should go after him, he is our friend,” replied Harry.

Just then, Ginny came around the corner. “Hermione, have you seen Ron, he borrowed my Transfiguration book and I need it to do my homework.”

“We were just looking for him, but you can go and get it from our dormitory. It is on his bed,” said Harry in a flat voice.

After Ginny stalked off Hermione and Harry shared a worried glance with each other. “We really should go to Dumbledore,” said Hermione as she began to lead the way to Dumbledore's office.

Harry had no choice but to follow.

***

Ron was becoming irritated. He had called to Ginny at least fifty times, and she hadn't even turned around. He just kept following her deeper and deeper into the Dark Forest. The light kept getting weaker as the cover of the trees became thicker.

“Ginny, c'mon, lets go back to the castle. There are spiders in here, great big hairy ones. Please Ginny!”

Then Ginny turned around, and Ron was shocked. “Stop, complaining. We are almost there. If you don't hurry, we'll be late.”

“Bbbbut, you're not Ginny!”

“You're a quick one! Hurry up Weasel,” said the Ginny imposter as she stupefied Ron and dragged him to their destination.

***

“Are you sure?” asked Dumbledore in a serious tone.

“Yes, Professor, no one has seen him since he stormed out of the Great Hall. We've searched the entire castle,” replied Hermione.

“Well, I think we should assemble search parties to check the grounds. You two should go back to your dormitory at once. We will alert you when we find Mr. Weasley.”

“Sir, if you send us back to the dormitory, then we are just going to use my Invisibility Cloak to look for him ourselves. You best keep us where you can see us,” said Harry in a tone that left little room for argument. It was clear that his mind was made up.

“Very well. You two can go with Hagrid to search the Dark Forest.”

“Thank you, Professor,” said Harry and Hermione before they left to meet Hagrid at the front gates.

***

“'Arry, you and `Ermione make sure you stay close, don't want cha getting' lost along with Ron there,” directed Hagrid as the group made their way into the Dark Forest.

“Don't worry, Hagrid, we won't go anywhere until we find Ron.”

“You remember the signal for trouble? Dumbledore'll be keepin' an eye out for it.”

“Yes, a red spark from our wands,” answered Hermione.

“Good, good, now let's get along.”

Hagrid led the two teenagers deep into the Dark Forest. They walked for what seemed like hours before they noticed anything out of the ordinary.

“Hagrid, look, there is a light up ahead,” whispered Harry. He was familiar with the creatures of the Dark Forest and had no intention of rousing any of them from their peaceful slumbers.

“Right, then, you two stay back, an' I'll go an' investigate. Keep `n' eye out, an' if you see anythin' bad at all, run an' send up your sparks,” whispered Hagrid before he made his way toward the light.

“Be careful, Hagrid,” warned Hermione.

Harry and Hermione watched as Hagrid went deeper into the woods. The silence was shattered by the sound of breaking twigs and the sound of someone's raspy breathing. Harry readied his wand and nudged Hermione to do the same. They stood back to back and surveyed the area. “Who's there?” called Harry.

There was no reply, but the breathing got closer to them. Hermione didn't even think as she lifted her wand to sent red sparks into the air. Help was on the way, but it would take a few moments for anyone to get there. Hermione heard the faint whisper, “Harry, help me,” called in between the raspy breathing.

Hermione turned around and felt her stomach churn and bile rise into her throat. She turned her head away and pulled Harry's robes. “Harry, look,” she whispered, the horror evident in her voice.

***

“Albus, red sparks are coming from the forest,” called Professor Snape.

“Can you Apparate there?”

“Not without splinching myself. We had better hurry.”

“Hagrid will protect them.”

Professor Snape ran into the forest, not quite sure what it was he would find waiting for him. He muttered under his breath as he was running, “Please don't let them be dead.”

***

Harry saw the sight before him, and swallowed back the vomit that was crawling up his esophagus and fought the tears from coming to his eyes. Ron was lying on the ground with cuts and wounds all over his body. There was blood everywhere.

“Oh, Merlin, Ron, you're so pale, what happened?” Harry tried to concentrate on his healing spells, but nothing was working.

“Ginny…”

“Ginny is fine. She is in the castle. She's a little irritated you didn't return her Transfiguration book, but she is ok,” stammered Harry. He would say anything to keep Ron awake while help was on the way.

“No, Ginny, forest, not Ginny,” he said in-between shallow breaths. Ron's breathing was becoming more labored.

“Did you see who it really was?”

“Are you and `Mione, ok,” he asked, evading the question.

Harry nodded his head, and asked Ron again, “Did you see who it really was?”

“Keep her safe, Harry,” Ron said before he coughed up blood. His eyes rolled back in his head but he passed out.

Hermione ran to Ron, quickly feeling for a pulse, “He's still alive.”

***

Madame Pomfrey worked tirelessly to save Ron after he was brought to the Hospital Wing by Professor Snape. All her efforts were in vain and Ron died of his injuries.

Professor Snape was the one who took on the burden of telling Harry and Hermione, Ron was no longer with them. There was a time when he would have relished such a task, just to see the pain in Potter's face. Now, however, he dreaded having to utter those words.

Harry saw Professor Snape coming before Hermione did, her head was nuzzled in her shoulder. Harry nudged Hermione and wrapped an arm around her waist. He had a feeling that the news was not going to be good.

“Well?” asked Harry as a lump formed in his throat.

“I am sorry, Potter, but Weasley didn't make it. His wounds were treated with some kind of potion that did not allow them to heal with the aid of magic. He lost too much blood to heal on his own. He never woke up and the pain was controlled.”

Hermione couldn't speak. If Harry hadn't been holding her up, she would have collapsed on the floor. Hermione was not one who usually allowed her emotions to get the best of her, logic was her ally, however, in this instance, there was no logical explanation.

“Thank you, Professor. When will Mr. and Mrs. Weasley be here to collect him?”

“They should be arriving by Floo momentarily. I would ask that you please alert Ms. Weasley to the recent turn of events.”

“Would it be all right if Hermione and I saw Ron's parents when they came?”

“I don't see any reason why not. Potter, retrieve Ms. Weasley. I'll stay here with Ms. Granger, she really isn't in any shape to run about the castle.”

“Yes, Professor.”

As Harry ran towards Gryffindor Tower, so many thoughts were floating around in his head, especially the idea of Professor Snape treating him and his friends, no friend, like they were worth something.

***

Hermione sat in a shocked silence with Professor Snape to watch over her. Professor Snape was the first one to break the silence.

“You realize that you are the only target remaining, do you not, Ms. Granger?”

Hermione nodded wiping tears away with the sleeve of her robe.

“Here, take this,” said Professor Snape as he handed Hermione a black handkerchief. “I am sorry for you loss, Ms. Granger. Can we trust that you won't do anything foolish?”

“What would I do, Professor?”

“People in your situation have been known to commit suicide in such situations,” he said matter of factly, in a very even voice.

“And leave Harry alone? He needs me in order to defeat Voldemort. And furthermore, if anyone is on a suicide mission, it is Harry.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Harry is planning a suicide mission to defeat Voldemort. He doesn't even plan on fighting to save his own life.”

“That is just foolish nonsense. He is having you on so you won't follow him onto the battlefield.”

“I can't lose both of them,” Hermione said as she abruptly stood up. She took a step forward and fell to the ground in a cold faint.

***

Harry had a difficult time getting to Ginny. He didn't even bother to attempt to climb the stairs to the girls dormitory, he had learned his lesson the first time. He did however, scream up the stairs until a third year girl he didn't really know came to yell at him.

“Please get Ginny Weasley,” he pleaded.

The girl disappeared from view and a few moments later a very perturbed Ginny came down the stairs.

“Harry, I'll have you know, that my Transfiguration book was nowhere in that room of yours. And by the way it is a bloody mess. Don't you ever let the house elves in? I know how Hermione feels, but …” Ginny stopped talking when Harry put a finger to her lips to stop them from moving. “Harry, what is it?”

“You need to come with me, Ginny.”

“I am not coming with you anywhere until you tell me what is going on. I am tired of being left out of the loop. I am always the last to know everything!” Ginny shouted.

Harry took Ginny's hand and led her to one of the overstuffed sofas in front of the fire. He looked at her for a few moments before he opened his mouth to say anything. “ Ginny, I really don' t know how to tell you this, so I am just going to come out and say it. “Ron's dead.”

All the color drained from Ginny's face as she dropped Harry's hand. She didn't say anything for a few seconds while the news washed over her. “What,” she felt breath catch in her throat, “What happened, Harry? Were you there?”

“We aren't sure who did it. But he was severely injured and magic was used to keep the wounds from being healed. He bled to death. Merlin, Gin, this is all my fault, if he was never my friend…”

“Harry Potter! You stop that right now. This is not your fault. All of us who care about you would make the same sacrifice Ron made! Don't you dare go blaming yourself for this,” Ginny scolded. “Now, if you are done blaming yourself, would you mind taking me to where he is?”

“C'mon, your parents should be here by now.”

***

“Ms. Granger!” called Professor Snape, “Ms. Granger, can you hear me?”

There was no response. Professor Snape felt for a pulse, and was glad to see that her heart rate was normal. He scooped her up and took her into the Infirmary.

Mrs. Weasley was sitting outside of the curtained area where Ron's body lay, when she saw Hermione carried in by Professor Snape, she fell into hysterics all over again.

“Don't tell me that they've gotten her, too. My entire family, it's all falling apart.”

“Molly,” started Professor Snape, “she is fine. She just passed out. I am guessing it was just too stressful. She was there when he was found.”

“Oh, the poor dear. Where is Harry, Severus?”

“He has gone to get Ginny. They will be along shortly,” he replied as he set Hermione in one of the hospital cots. “Poppy! Come quickly, Ms. Granger has passed out.”

Harry and Ginny entered the Hospital Wing just as Professor Snape called for Poppy. Immediately, Harry was torn. He didn't know where to go first. Fortunately, the decision was made for him, as Mr. and Mrs. Weasley pulled Harry and Ginny into a tight embrace.

Harry pulled away and grasped Mrs. Weasley by the shoulders, “ I am sorry, Mrs. Weasley, this is all my fault. I…”

“Nonsense. This is not your fault. I am just glad to know that you are safe. Ron saw you as a brother and I see you as a son. Blaming yourself will do nothing to honor his memory.”

“I miss him already, Mrs. Weasley,” said Harry as he stared at the floor.

“I know, we all do,” she replied as she began to cry again.

Harry left the Weasleys to themselves to deal with the beginnings of their grief, while he went to check on Hermione.

“Honestly, I am fine. I just haven't eaten very much today and with Ron…”

“Ms. Granger,” came the stern voice of Madame Pomfrey, “lie back and let me finish my examination. I am not letting you out of my sight until I am one hundred percent certain that you are healthy.”

“But…”

Harry stood behind the privacy curtain, “Hermione, please do what she says, I couldn't stand to lose you, too.”

There were no more complaints coming from behind the curtain and Harry settled himself into the chair he conjured. Harry put his head in his hands and thought about all the things that happened to him in the past couple of months.

Harry was pulled from his thoughts by the sound of an Eagle owl flying in through an open window. It landed on Harry's shoulder and waited patiently for Harry to remove the rolled parchment from his foot.

Harry unrolled the parchment and the owl flew off. Written in what Harry could only conclude was blood was : The Mudblood is next, and after her… you!

Harry stared at the ominous words on the parchment. His first instinct was to run off, collect his things and go to fight Voldemort before anyone else he loved was hurt. His planning was interrupted by someone snatching the parchment from his hands.

“Albus,” called Professor Snape, “it was him.”

“That comes as no surprise. Are you sure, Severus?”

“I would recognize this handwriting anywhere, Albus,” Professor Snape was interrupted by a burning sensation in his forearm. “I am being called.”

“Go, report to me when you return.”

“As always, Albus,” he replied as he headed to the Apparation point outside of the school.

Harry had watched the scene play out before him. He changed his mind about leaving and in that moment resolved to stay and defend all that was dear to him. He would not run. He was going to train and fight and have the life that Voldemort was so desperate to take from him. One death among the Golden Trio was quite enough for him.

***

Hermione was struggling to understand the words that were coming from Madame Pomfrey. Individually the words held meaning, but when strung together, it was complete and utter nonsense.

“Madame Pomfrey, I think that lack of sleep is finally getting to you. What you are telling me is impossible!”

“If I had a knut for every girl who told me that, I wouldn't need this ruddy job. I assure you that lack of sleep is exactly what got you into this situation, Ms. Granger.”

“Do the test again.”

“I can do the test from here until the end of the world and the results would be the same.”

“I refuse to accept that for an answer.”

“Well, your refusal of acceptance is not going to make you any less pregnant!” shouted Madame Pomfrey.

All of a sudden the privacy curtain around her bed had been pulled back to reveal a very shocked looking Harry, Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Snape, and Weasley clan.

Harry didn't say a word. He looked at Hermione and then ran out of the Hospital Wing as fast as his legs could carry him. The universe was playing cruel trick on him and toying with his emotions.

Hermione watched as the doors to the Hospital Wing slammed shut and waited for the explosion of emotion around her. Instead, she was faced with a cold silence. Everyone was staring at her.

Professor Dumbledore was the first one to speak. His voice was calm and level, but the twinkle was gone from his eye, “Who is the father, Ms. Granger?”

“You know who the father is, Professor.”

“This is what I was afraid of. You have no idea what you have done, what kind of leverage you have given the enemy against Harry.”

“Albus,” chided McGonagall, “don't say anything you will come to regret. Maybe this is the second prophecy coming to pass…”

“I'll hear nothing more of prophecies, Minerva,” began Professor Dumbledore. “Ms. Granger, you need to make a determination as to what you are going to do with this child. Keeping it, is not in your best interest, however.”

Severus bit his tongue. Things were getting even more complicated. Every action the Headmaster took of late, destroyed his opinion of the man he had come to trust and love as a father.

Nothing more was said. Hermione eventually made her way back to Gryffindor Tower after Madam Pomfrey gave her countless vials of potions.

***

Hermione couldn't sleep all night. The thought of killing a child because it had the potential to muck up some grand war strategy had, to say the least, wrecked her mood. Deciding that trying to force herself to sleep was not in fact the best course of action, Hermione pulled on her dressing gown and made her way to the common room. There was so much to think about, not the least of which was the loss of her friend. She was still in shock over that revelation. For now, it seemed he was just in the infirmary over night or longer, recovering from their last grand adventure. Hermione gave a startled gasp as she descended the last step leading into the common room at the sight of Harry lying on the floor in a crumpled heap, sobbing.

Hermione's first reaction was to run to him, comfort him, and ease the pain. However, a nagging voice in the back of her mind told her to let him be for a moment. She knew he needed to cry. She knew he blamed himself, but it wasn't his fault. It wasn't fair that everything Harry loved was taken away in the end. Seeing Harry there, a sobbing mess, only gave Hermione yet another reason to keep the child that grew with in her. Harry's child she reminded herself as her hand rested upon her abdomen unconsciously. Hermione let Harry cry for a few more minutes, before she silently made her way to him.

“Harry,” she whispered.

It took Harry a moment to turn around and face her. He wiped the tears from his eyes and straightened his glasses before he looked at her. He didn't want anyone to see him like this; an utter and complete mess. “Sorry, I didn't see you there. You shouldn't be up, Hermione…”

“I couldn't sleep. I just keep thinking about everything that has happened and I can't make my mind quit.”

“I know what you mean. I've been down here for a few hours. I was under my Invisibility cloak when you came back from the infirmary. I am sorry I ran off like that, I just …”

“Harry, I know. I wish I could've run away, too,” she paused. “We need to talk, Harry.”

“I know. Are you all right, do you feel ok? Do you need to throw up or something? I'd be glad to hold your hair back,” Harry babbled. Hermione was touched by his caring nature.

“I am fine, I don't need to throw up, and if I do I'll be sure to call you to hold my hair back,” she said in a light tone.

“I love you, Hermione.”

“I love you, too, Harry.” She reached out to grab his hand and pulled him up on to the couch so they were sitting next to each other. “I don't know quite how to say this, so I am just going to come out and say it. Dumbledore wants me to get rid of the baby.”

“NO! You can't…” Harry's face turned white. “Who does he think he is. I'll lose everything by the time he is done with me. Please, don't, Hermione.”

“Harry, love, calm down. I wasn't planning on doing anything of the sort. But if I don't do something to keep it from him, there is no telling what will happen to me. I won't be of any use to you if I am expelled. And if I get expelled, my parents will, oh Merlin, my parents.”

“We'll have to sneak off to be married. If we're married there isn't anything anyone can do to keep you away from me.”

“Harry, I…, are you asking me to marry you just because we got pregnant?”

“No. I was going to do it anyway, but, well this just changes things a bit. And we'll need to talk to Snape, too. I know he'll help us. I just don't understand why he's doing this now…”

“I just think he has finally grown tired of Dumbledore's bloody meddling. I know I have.”

“What is Ron going to say?”

“Nothing, Harry, he's dead,” Hermione reminded in a gentle tone.

“Dead. Everyone I love ends up dead. I should send you away…”

“Harry James Potter, you are not sending me anywhere. Did we or did we not just waste the past two months of our lives having the same argument?”

“I know. I just…”

“You aren't going to lose me, Harry. I'll be damned if anyone is going to take anything else away from you. You are going to have a family now, is that a good enough reason to come home from battle in one piece?”

“Yes. I'll fight for us Hermione, all three of us.”

“Harry, I miss him already.”

“I know. If I hadn't have been such a prat then he wouldn't have left and he would be alive.”

“I had a hand in that argument, too. I wish I still had that Time-Turner, so we could save him.”

“I killed my best friend, how can you stand to look at me?”

Hermione pulled Harry close to her and caressed his hair as she spoke in his ear, “You haven't killed Ron. A Death Eater killed him to get to you. This is not your fault, Harry. You won't help anyone if you keep blaming yourself for all of the bad things that happen. Ron wouldn't blame you for this, and he would give you a swift kick in the arse for believing it. Don't do this to yourself.”

Harry was silent for a quarter of an hour as he let Hermione hold him.

“You never answered me, Hermione.”

“Yes.”

“Yes?”

“Yes, I will marry you.”

“But I killed Ron. If you stay near me …”

“Then I will always be happy. Ron is dead. There is nothing either of us can do to change that. We have to honor his memory and move on. There will always be a gap where he was and we will always miss him. Ron had a role to play, as we all did. Your job, Harry, is to make sure that he did not die in vain. You have to make his death mean something.”

“I'll think about that.” Hermione looked at him as he gave himself back over to the silence. “We have to go to Snape first thing in the morning.”

“That may prove to be difficult, he may not have returned from being summoned.”

“We'll find out. Now when are you supposed to go and … follow Dumbledore's suggestion?”

“Monday morning. I am supposed to Floo to St. Mungo's.”

“That gives us two days to work something out.”

***

Professor Snape Apparated to the site of the Dark Revel. He hated these `events', they never ended well.

“Ah, Severus, so good of you to join us. You do know how I hate to be kept waiting,” hissed Voldemort.

Professor Snape bowed down to Voldemort and kissed the hem of his robes. “I am sorry, my Lord, I was retained by the Headmaster. There was a death at the school and all of the Faculty was required to attend to the boy's family.”

“Ah, yes, how are the Weasleys holding up?” Voldemort laughed. “One less mouth to feed, they should thank me for what I've done!”

“I agree, my Lord.”

“I am sure you do. Come, come, you are just in time to enjoy the rewards of the day's successful mission.” Voldemort turned his attention away from Severus and to the assembly at large. “Lucius, come forward, my servant.”

“Yes, my Lord?”

“We've yet to hear the details of today's victory. Please enlighten us.”

Lucius smiled and took his place at Voldemort's side as he began to recount in gory detail the murder of one Ronald Weasley, with great joy. Severus hung on to Lucius' every word and exercised a great deal of self-control to keep from using the killing curse on him. He could hardly keep himself from going back to Hogwarts.

***

Albus was pacing in his office, following the path he had worn down in the carpet over his tenure as Headmaster. He was worried about so many things. He had one dead student, one pregnant student, and one hero who was, he was certain, destined to live in greatness. As far as Albus Dumbledore was concerned there was no reason for Harry Potter to start his family before he vanquished Voldemort. The boy would have plenty of time to be happy when this ordeal was over.

As Albus was pacing, there was a knock at the door. He cringed. Albus knew that knock, it was not good. He padded over to the door and slowly opened it, bracing himself for any hexes that may or may not be aimed directly at him. “Hello, Minerva, dear,” he said in the most cheerful tone he could muster.

“Don't you `Minerva, dear' me, you old coot! What in blazes do you think you are doing ordering that poor girl to drink that awful potion? That is her decision, Albus!”

“That child will give Voldemort the leverage he needs to destroy Harry!”

“Or, it could give Harry the power he needs to kill Voldemort. You do not know how the prophecy is supposed to play out, you are no Seer, Albus. Leave them alone. Let them decide what to do. What ever happens will happen, you cannot control everything.”

“So, you'd allow your protégé to become the laughing stock of the wizarding world. You know how unwed mothers are viewed.”

“Fortunately for us, there is a member of the Wizengamot who is qualified to perform handfastings, Albus,” said Minerva in a commanding tone as she turned to walk out of the office.

“Minerva, I cannot condone this. Harry's life will be ruined.”

“His life was ruined far before he and Ms. Granger consummated their relationship. I daresay, you should worry about how to break the news of Mr. Weasley's death to the rest of the school before you do anymore meddling in the lives of any more people.”

Professor McGonagall left her office before Professor Dumbledore had any time to respond to her.

***

Severus stood off to the side at the Revel. He only spoke when necessary and kept all of his conversations brief. He was waiting to gain an audience with the very popular Lucius Malfoy, the hero of the day. Hero my arse! “Oh, hello, Lucius, I just wanted to congratulate you on your accomplishment.”

“Well, I can't take all the credit, Draco did help considerably.”

Severus had to keep himself from reacting to that news. “Really, I thought he turned his back on all this,” he said gesturing to the room around him. “It was the worst mistake he could have made.”

“That is the beauty of it dear Severus, I had him steal hair from his beloved girlfriend, Ginerva, I think he called her, and used Imperius on him to make polyjuice potion. He used his persona to lure the boy to me. I made Draco kill him. That won't sit to well with the tart now, will it. I'll get my son back.”

“Brilliant, Lucius, brilliant indeed,” complimented Severus. After all the bloody work I have done to keep the boy away from him.

“Thank you. Say, do you think you could bring Draco to the Manor this weekend? I would love to tell him the news, to see his face.”

“Do you think I am going to be able to get him away from Dumbledore? He has claimed sanctuary. The boy is untouchable and under the Fidelius charm. I haven't seen him since he turned. How you got him at all is a miracle.”

“I used the girl, Severus.”

“The girl.”

“She is still linked to Voldemort from her experiences with the Diary. She cast the Unforgivables and forced him to make the potion, even supplied her hair for the potion, and let Draco out of the castle.

“Impressive,” he smirked. “I best let you get back to your celebration.”

“Yes, we can't have our most useful spy fall out of favor with Dumbledore.”

***

Ginny Wesley crept down to the dungeons to the secret room where Draco had been living for the past two months. She was glad that Dumbledore had opted not to make her Secret Keeper, she didn't know who it was, however, just that she could get to Draco when she wanted to.

Ginny entered the suite of rooms Draco occupied and screamed at the sight before her. Draco was lying on the floor, passed out, and drenched in blood. Ginny screamed. Her first reaction had been to run for Madame Pomfrey or Professor Dumbledore, but then she noticed the clump of red hair in Draco's fist and left without ceremony to tell Harry and Hermione what she had discovered.

***

Severus breathed a sigh of relief as the gates of Hogwarts came into focus. He had lived to be useful another day, and had not had to suffer the Cruciatus. Thank Merlin for small miracles. Severus was certain that his position in the inner circle was not jeopardized. Now to share his valuable information with Albus.

Severus' progress to the Headmaster's office was halted when he was almost toppled over by Ginny Weasley. He really did not want to see her at present, considering the information he just heard.

“Seventy points from Gryffindor. What do you think you are doing out here after curfew. Just because your brother met an unfortunate end this evening does not mean that you can wander freely throughout the castle, Ms. Weasley.”

“Sir, I, need to see Dumbledore.”

“I can tell when you are lying. You were going to find Potter and Granger. What happened?”

“I can't tell you.”

“Can't or won't.”

“I can't, the spell.”

Immediately, Severus began to piece together the information. He himself did not know where the boy was, but he knew the Headmaster would know.

“Come with me, Ms. Weasley.”

Ginny had to run after Professor Snape in order to keep up with his long strides. He was in no mood to be trifled with, she knew that. The gargoyle moved before Snape could say the password, the Headmaster had been expecting him.

“Ah, Severus, what did we find out.”

“We need to get to Draco now, something has happened.”

Albus nodded as he walked over to the Floo, “Remus Lupin.”

“You let that mongrel protect Draco Malfoy?”

“It is of no consequence, I'll have to Obliviate you anyway. You won't remember who the secret keeper is.”

A few moments later, Remus Lupin stepped through the fireplace. “Yes, Headmaster.”

“We need to get to Draco.”

Remus nodded and led the way down toward the dungeons.

***

A/N: I have been working on this piece for about a week now. I had intended for it to be a one shot drabble, however, my Muse had other plans for it. It seems like this is going to be a longer story… I have the outline all planned out, so I know what is going to happen, but this seemed like a natural place to break. I hope to update with this story often, but I am about to begin work on my MA in English, so I don't know how much time I am going to have to do this. Let me know what you think.

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