Harry Potter and the Alucinor Dicio

Disclaimer: I don't own him, Rowling does, I'm just playing with him for a while!

Chapter 15- Danger in Hogsmeade

The Saturday of the Hogsmeade weekend dawned bright and sunny, with a hint of snow in the late November air. Harry was looking forward to this trip to Hogsmeade, as it was his first alone with his girlfriend, Hermione. They were to be alone in the morning, then they were meeting Ron and Luna in the Three Broomsticks in the afternoon. Afterwards, Harry planned on speaking to Rowen, hopefully convincing her to see reason about the whole Snape situation.

Harry met Hermione in the common room, and she was surprised to see he was carrying his broom with him. She looked at it curiously, but she greeted him with a kiss on the cheek before mentioning it.

“ Harry, what on earth do you have your broom for? We can take the carriage to Hogsmeade you know!” Hermione teased him. Harry smiled at her mysteriously, taking her hand and leading her downstairs without answering. On the way down to the entrance hall, Dobby ran into them, handing Harry a satchel, and bowing low before disappearing. Hermione watched this, curious, but Harry would only wink at her, grab her hand again and lead her outside.

It took Hermione only a moment to realize that Harry wasn't heading towards the Hogsmeade carriages. She was too busy trying to figure out where they were going, when Harry stopped so suddenly that she ran into his back. Harry turned and caught her in his arms, laughing at her.

“ You should pay more attention, Miss Granger! Alright, let's get on then.” Harry indicated that she should sit on his broomstick in front of him. Hermione merely stared at him with widened eyes. “ I know, 'Mione, you don't care for flying, but I want to show you something. Trust me?” Harry looked at her with pleading eyes. Hermione sighed softly and climbed on in front of Harry, but turned to face him, so she could wrap her arms around his waist for support, and not have to see how high they actually were. Harry chuckled at this, but kicked off, and they rose into the air together.

Hermione knew that Harry was flying at the slowest speed possible, so as not to scare her, and she smiled appreciatively into his sweater. She had no idea where they were going, but after a few short moments Harry landed, and she looked around. They were on a clearing on the mountain beside the school. You could see the school from here, and the quidditch pitch in the distance. The view was beautiful. “ Harry, it's so nice up here, how did you find it?”

“ I came here to clear my head a lot last year. You and Ron were both busy with Prefect duties, and I found it in the beginning of the year. It's been a while since I've been here though, as I couldn't get here anymore after that horrid women locked up my broom.” Harry smiled at Hermione as he spoke, and started unpacking things from the bag Dobby had provided. He took out a blanket, laying it down and casting a heating charm around it. Next he pulled out several containers which clearly held the makings of breakfast.

“ I wanted to have some, uh, just us time, I guess. We're hardly ever alone, and I kind of have been sucking a bit at the whole 'boyfriend' thing” Harry said sheepishly. Hermione sat on the blanket and smiled at him.

“ You have not! We're both busy Harry, I understand that. But thank you for doing this, it's just what I need today, much better than Hogsmeade.” She leaned over and placed a soft kiss on his lips. Pulling back she stared into his eyes, her face glowing with happiness.

“ Well, we'll still go to Hogsmeade, we do have to meet Ron and Luna after all. We'll just leave a little later.” Harry grinned at Hermione and proceeded to heat their food. They ate, while talking about school and training – Hermione was very excited to try Astral Projection tomorrow evening - and also about how to approach Rowen when they spoke to her in Hogsmeade.

After they finished eating Hermione cleared the food away with a flick of her wand, and they lay back on the blanket, enjoying the sunlight and fresh air. Hermione snuggled into Harry, cold despite the heating charm, and they stopped speaking for while. Harry could not imagine a more perfect day, he was so happy that Hermione was his. He could still scarcely believe it sometimes, that she loved him, even after all he had put her through last year. Harry looked down at her. Marveling that he could be this lucky. For a short while he could let go of the thoughts of his final battle with Voldemort and just be in the moment with Hermione.

As they got up to pack and go back down, as they had to meet Ron soon, Hermione looked at him. “ Thank you Harry, this has been perfect.” she smiled at him as they got ready to get back on his broom. “ Maybe we can do it again, sometime?” she questioned softly. Harry looked down at her and nodded, smiling. With that they took off, and Hermione once again wrapped herself around him, burying her face in his sweater. Once they landed, Harry took a quick moment to run in the school and drop off his broom. Once back outside he grabbed Hermione's hand and they headed towards the carriages.

They saw Ron and Luna at a table as soon as they walked into the Three Broomsticks. They had their heads bent together and were laughing softly at something. Harry and Hermione walked up to the bar to order a round of butterbeer's before going over to greet them.

Ron got up to say hello and they all sat down, drinking their butterbeers and talking. Harry could tell that Hermione was really trying to hold her tongue several times when Luna would mention heliopaths or some such thing. He was very proud of her for making the effort for Ron and squeezed her thigh gently under the table to let her know. She looked at him and smiled. After a while Ron and Luna got up, Luna saying something about going to the tea shop to 'have her way with Ronald'. Ron blushed beet red at this, mumbling a goodbye to Harry and Hermione, before following her out rather quickly.

Harry and Hermione burst out laughing the instant they left. They were discussing how red Ron's face had turned, “ I didn't think that particular shade was humanly possible, Harry!” , when they were interrupted by Rowen. She glanced down at the two of them, smiling slightly.

“ Hello Harry. I was wondering if the two of you could join me for a walk? I feel a sudden urge to see the Shrieking Shack.” Harry, nodded, a little confused by her brisk tone, but they got up and followed her none the less. Rowen didn't say anything else to them until they were in view of the Shack, where she turned to regard them seriously.

“ I know it was you Harry.” she stated in a voice of steel. “ On Wednesday? Did you honestly think I wouldn't realize that me giving you the password the very same day that I was curiously locked in a closet might be connected? I don't know what you are on about Harry, but I want you to stop.”

Harry looked down, feeling slightly ashamed, but prepared to defend his actions if need be. “ I'm sorry about tricking you, but I'm not sorry for why I did it! You love each other, and I know that being with him would make you happy! Now I'm not particulary his biggest fan, but I don't hate him anymore. More to the point I care about you, I know you are miserable! Why can't you just forgive him?” Rowen looked torn between being touched that Harry seemed to care so much, and wanting to smack him for interferring.

“ You are so your mother's son! I can handle it myself. I might not be perfectly happy right now, but if or when Severus and I work towards a reconciliation, we won't need your assitance to do it!” Rowen snapped at Harry. Hermione just watched from behind Harry, close enough to show support, but trying not to get in the way.

“ Really? Well, pardon me for thinking that you wouldn't have been able to have that discussion if I hadn't locked you in a room together! Pray tell, when were you planning on approaching him?” Harry gave back as good as he got. Any reply Rowen was about to make, however , was cut off by the sight of Snape himself apparating near them, a wild panicked look on his face.

“ Rowen! Thank Merlin! The village is under attack by Deatheaters!” As one, Harry, Hermione and Rowen turned to look in the direction of the village. They saw smoke rising and felt slight tremors in the earth every now and then.

“Ron!” Harry stated to try to go down the path, only to be grabbed by Snape. He fought against his hold, “ I need to get down there! Ron, Luna, Neville.. my friends are down there!” He screamed at Snape.

“No they aren't Mr Potter! Weasley and Longbottom rounded up the students immediately and lead them through the Honeyduke's passage!” Harry sagged in relief briefly, before Rowen grabbed him and Hermione and started shoving them towards the Shack. Harry looked at her, confused, resisting.

“ No! I need to help! Rowen, you can't go there alone!” he protested loudly, but he was silenced by the look in Rowen's eyes.

“ You will go in there, Harry! You aren't ready yet. Besides, I'm not alone, I have Severus here with me! Harry, go!” Harry looked as though he were about to argue again, but he was cut off by Snape.

“Potter, if you won't think of your own safety and what it means to everyone, think of Miss Granger!” Harry started, realizing Hermione was with him, and he couldn't knowingly endanger her again. He sighed shooting a look over his shoulder.

“ Be careful, please.” He said this to Rowen, and grabbed Hermione's hand and ran for the shack and the secret passage.

“Destroy the passage behind you!” He heard Rowen shouting. Destroy it? How will they get out? He could hear the shouting of voices coming. Harry looked back only once, when they were at the door, to see Rowen and Snape shooting off jets of light towards a group of Deatheaters coming up the hill. He and Hermione ran inside, opening the trap door to the passageway, and running in.

“Lumos”, Harry muttered giving them light to find their way. “ We can't destroy it, 'Mione. How will Rowen and Snape get out?” Hermione shot him a look.

“ Harry, we have to! They saw us come in here, and if they found a direct path to Hogwarts.. Rowen will be fine! She's very powerful Harry. Besides, Snape is with her and you know he'd die for her if he had to!” Hermione shouted all this over the sudden commotion outside. Harry still hesitated, however, so Hermione pointed her wand past him shouting “ABOLEO!”, and the passageway was caved in behind them. “ I'm sorry Harry!” she cried as she dragged him behind her , through the rest of the path. When they reached the top, she cats a freezing charm on the whomping willow, and they ran towards the castle.

They were greeted in the entrance hall by Hagrid, who enveloped them in a huge hug. “ Glad to see your alrigh' Harry! The rest 'o the students are in the Great Hall. I'm looking after them, as the rest 'o the teachers are down in tha village.” As Hagrid spoke he ushered them into the Great hall, where Harry was relieved to see his friends.

Ron ran up to them. “ Harry! You got here okay! I thought Snape was going to kill me when I said that I saw you walking with Rowen towards the Shack!” Ron gave Hermione a relieved hug, and slapped Harry on the back.

“ Ron, I'm so proud of you and Neville getting all the students out through the passage! It was really quick thinking!” Hermione beamed at Ron, who looked flushed, muttering that it was nothing. The Hall fell silent, as they waited. Harry could only think about what was going on down in the village, worried about Rowen, and his other teachers. Hagrid tried to keep the students occupied, but mostly everyone just sat , silently waiting for news. Harry realized now, how truly hard it must be on people like Molly when he ran off into danger. Hermione settled herself beside him, taking her hand in his, and refusing to let go. After what seemed like forever, Dumbledore appeared at the entrance, his face grayer than they had ever seen it. He spoke to Hagrid briefly, and nodded for Harry, Hermione and Ron to follow him. Ron decided to stay behind with Luna, but gave Harry's shoulder a supportive squeeze before he went out.

Harry knew , by looking at the Headmaster's face that it was bad. He gripped Hermione's hand tighter in his, trying not to remember when Sirius had died. Dumbledore headed towards the hospital wing, and it was some time before he spoke.

“ Hogsmeade has been secured, Harry. There was some damage to the surrounding buildings, a few fires, but altogether fifteen Deatheaters were caught. Many more escaped, however.” They reached the hospital wing doors, where Dumbledore stopped. “ Rowen is fine, Harry. She did suffer a few minor cuts and whatnot. She's inside with.. Severus.” Hermione gasped.

“ He's not.. Is he alright Professor?” Harry asked quietly.

“ He will be fine, Harry, but he was quite severely injured. He will need some time to recover.” Dumbledore motioned for them to go through the doors. When they did, Harry immediately spotted Rowen standing outside a door. Her face was dirty and scraped, and her red hair, normally long and smooth, was in a tangle around her face. When she saw Dumbledore, she started towards them.

“ Poppy kicked me out. Said I wasn't helping any. Can you..?” Dumbledore nodded , and started to head towards the room that held Snape. He turned back halfway there, however.

“ I have not told them yet, Rowen. .. If you could?” At that moment Dumbledore looked every year of his age. Rowen's face lost some color as she nodded in his direction. She turned to face Harry, and motioned for them to sit down at the row of chairs lining the hall.

“ I'm so sorry for yelling at you earlier, Harry. I know you were only trying to help, and now Severus is- he might not- I've been so stupid!” Harry gave Rowen an awkward hug with his left arm, as Hermione still had a tight grip on his right.

“ What did Dumbledore want you to tell us?” Hermione asked, her face ashen. Rowen's own face tightened in response. She looked at the floor, as if struggling for the words.

“ Minerva..” Rowen's eyes filled with tears as she spoke. Hermione let out a choked little sob. Harry looked down, trying to stop himself from crying.

“ Is she- is she dead?” He forced himself to ask. Rowen looked up as he spoke.

“ No, Harry. But she's been removed to St.Mungo's. She was very seriously injured and we don't know if she'll make it. Albus is almost beside himself, but feels he cannot leave the school.” As she spoke, Dumbledore stepped out of the room and headed towards them.

“Poppy has said that he should be fine. He will need to be here for a week at least to properly heal. He is asleep right now, but he is allowed visitors. I must go contact the Order, as I believe we will need a few supplementary teachers for a short while. Moody can take over DADA for a week, Rowen, while you can take over Severus' potions classes. I will have to teach Transfiguration myself in the interim.” Dumbledore looked very tired as he spoke.

“ Perhaps Remus could come here to take care of Gryiffindor head of house duties until Minerva can return. He could also cover any classes, sort of as a floater should you need time to go to London. Also, Albus, I think it would be best to put off winter term exams, and release the students a week early for Christmas break. “ Dumbledore nodded along with Rowen as she suggested these things. He left the hospital wing to go contact Remus and Moody to come to the school.

Rowen stepped into Snape's room, and Harry and Hermione followed, for support. Snape was laying in the bed asleep, his face covered in bruises and a rather large cut healing on his forehead. Rowen sat in the chair beside him.

“ You two should go to the Great Hall, Hagrid will need help calming the students down. I should be there- but I don't want to leave him. Harry, I believe we will be having quite a large crowd at Grimmauld Place this year. You should have Ron owl his mother so Molly can start preparing. Also, Hermione, perhaps you should owl your parents to let them know what your plans are. You won't be able to go home this year, I'm afraid. It's too dangerous.” Rowen sighed as she thought of things that needed to be done. Harry laid his hand on her slumped shoulder.

“ We'll take care of it, don't worry. Hermione was planning on staying at the Burrow for the holidays anyway, as her parents have a conference over Christmas. You just.. stay here, we'll go see what we can do for Hagrid and Dumbledore. Hopefully Remus and Moody will arrive quickly. Try to get some rest.” Harry gave her a hug, and took Hermione's hand to lead her out. The last thing he saw as he looked back was Rowen, sitting beside Snape's bed, her head in her hands as her body shook with silent cries.

A/N: Review please. Because I am clearly insane and reviews are my meds! Lol Thanks for reading!