Love's Journeys *COMPLETE*

Love’s Journeys

Chapter 9- Disaster Strikes Again

November quickly turned into December. For Hermione and Severus it was the happiest month of their lives. Even though they were still under the threat of being attacked by Draco Malfoy, they didn’t let that get them down.

“Are you going home or staying here for Christmas Hermione?” Harry asked as he, Ron and Hermione were sitting in the library studying for their end of the term exams.

“I’m staying here. Plus mum and dad are going to visit my grandparents in Italy. I can’t really tolerate my mother’s sister and her kids. I’d rather put up with Mr. Filch than put up with my Aunt Lydia and her three kids. What about you two?” Hermione said giggling slightly.

“Well, we’re going to The Borrow. Bill and Charlie will be able to be home this year. The whole family will be there. This is the first time in about 5 years that everyone has all been together.” Ron answered.

“Mrs. Weasley invited me over so I won’t be alone. What with Sirius staying here and all.” Harry added.

The trio continued on with their study clear up until dinner. As they were half way through dinner they heard the sound of an owl flying into the hall.

“That’s weird. Owls don’t usually deliver at night.” Ron said as the owl swooped down toward the Gryffindor table.

The brown barn owl dropped a letter right in front of a very surprised Hermione. She slowly picked up the letter and turned the envelope over in her hands. She cast a glance up at Severus who looked just as surprised as she did.

“Open it. Maybe Malfoy has given up.” Ron said jokingly.

Hermione giggled and shook her head as she opened the letter.

Dear Miss Hermione Granger,
It is my sincerest regret that I tell you this. Two days ago your parent’s home was attacked by Draco Malfoy. We were able to retrieve your mother from the home and transport her to St. Mungo’s Hospital. Your father I’m afraid was already dead when we arrived. Your Mother passed away early this morning. I am very sorry. Since you are of age you need not worry about guardianship.
If there is anything I can do at this time to help you, please do not hesitate to ask. I extend my deepest condolences.

Sincerely,
Arthur Weasley
Minister of Magic

Hermione just stared at the letter. She re-read it, and then she read it a third time, then a fourth. After the fourth time the tears began to fill her eyes and her body began to shake.

“Hermione, what is it?’ Ron asked getting worried.

When she didn’t answer Harry cast a worried glance up at the staff table trying to catch Severus’s glance. Their eyes locked and Severus saw something was wrong. A second later Hermione jumped to her feet and ran from the Great Hall. Ron and Harry started to go after her but saw that Severus had already made his way out of the hall.

“What was in that letter Harry?” Ginny asked.

“I have no idea.” Harry answered glancing at Ron from the seat across from him.

Outside the hall Severus followed Hermione, who was running like the hounds of hell were after her, down toward their rooms. About ten minutes later Severus found Hermione lying across their bed crying her eyes out. He quickly rushed to her side and took her into his arms.

“Oh, Hermione. What is it? What’s wrong?” Severus asked as he held her trembling body tightly in his arms.

All Hermione could do was hand him the letter she received from Mr. Weasley. Severus read the letter. His blood began to boil. He held Hermione tighter to him and kissed the top of her head.

“I am so sorry love. I wish there was something I could do for you.” Severus whispered as he rocked her back and forth in his arms.

A few minutes later he found Hermione had cried herself to sleep. He gently placed her under the covers and wrapped them tightly around her to ward off the chill. Before he walked out of the room he lit a fire to keep the bedroom warm then headed out to the sitting room with the letter in his hands. He found Ron and Harry waiting for him, along with Sirius, Remus, Minerva, and Albus.

“What happened?” Minerva asked.

“Draco went to her parent’s house. Her father died at the house and her mother died at St. Mungo’s.” Severus answered as he dropped into the armchair.

“Oh no, poor Hermione.” Minerva gasped.

Everyone else wore expressions from shock to pure hatred. Sirius stood up and walked to the window. Everyone could tell he was furious.

“Damnit! Albus, what do we do? Draco’s getting desperate now. He knows he can’t get back into this school without being detected, so now he’s trying to lure her out.” Sirius growled.

“I don’t know what we can do. He’s using magic that I haven’t seen since I was a Professor here at Hogwarts teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts.” Albus answered.

“Will she be all right here?” Remus asked.

“Yes. She’s staying here with me. Her parents were planning on going to Italy, but Hermione decided not to go. I won’t let her out of my sights the entire time.” Severus said angrily.

After everyone said good night and to give their condolences to Hermione they all left. Everyone except Sirius. Severus dropped his head to his hands as he sat down on the couch. Sirius placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

“I feel like this is all my fault Sirius. Like I’m failing her. I swore to protect her, but I couldn’t even protect her from the heartbreak of losing her parents at the hands of that…that…bastard!” Severus said.

“Severus, you couldn’t have know this was going to happen. There’s no way. The important thing is that you be there for Hermione now when she needs you. Be there to comfort her, hold her, and love her. That’s what she needs. She needs you to be strong.” Sirius replied as he wrapped his arm around Severus’s shoulders.

“You’re right. I just feel so helpless right now.” Severus sighed.

Just then Hermione entered the room. Her beautiful face all red and puffy from crying. Sirius rose to his feet and pulled her into a warm hug.

“Hermione, I am so sorry. Is there anything I can do?” Sirius whispered as he held her.

“Thank you. There’s nothing you can do except find Draco and make him suffer.” Hermione replied.

Sirius released her, bid her and Severus good night then left. Hermione walked over to Severus and curled up in his lap wrapping her arms tightly around his neck as she buried her face into the crook of his neck. “Why? Why my parents? Why didn’t he just come after me?”

“He’s trying to draw you out. He knows he’s not getting back in this school without someone knowing. But we will find him and he will pay.” Severus said as he stroked her cheek gently. She nodded and just clung to him taking in the warmth and the protection that his arms offered to her. “How about I order you some food? You didn’t finish your dinner and I know the next few days are going to be rough for you love.” Severus said in a voice barely above a whisper.

“S…sure. I would like that.” She replied.

Severus gently placed her on the couch while he ordered her some food from the kitchens. Two minutes later Hermione was eating her dinner while Severus sat beside her. Once her dinner was finished she just curled up in his arms. Severus held her tight. “Let’s get some sleep my love. It’s a good thing tomorrow is Sunday. You can rest.” He suggested.

Before Hermione could stand Severus swept her into his strong arms and carried her into their bedroom. They changed and climbed under the covers. Hermione once more found herself crying her eyes out. All Severus could do was hold her and tell her he loved her and that it would all be okay.

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Severus woke up before dawn the next morning. He looked down at the lovely Gryffindor in his arms and prayed that the events of last night were jus a horrible nightmare. When he turned to grab his wand from the nightstand next to the bed he saw the letter.

‘It wasn’t a dream. Oh Hermione. My love, I wish I could have spared you this pain. Draco will suffer for everything he’s done to you. I swear by Salazar Slytherin he will.’ Severus thought as he tightened the hold on Hermione.

Hermione began to slowly wake up. She shifted in the arms of her lover. As her eyes fluttered open she saw that Severus was watching her. She wrapped her arms tighter around his waist.

“Please tell me last night was a nightmare. That my parents are alive and are getting ready to go to Italy.” She said hopefully.

“Hermione…I…I” Severus couldn’t bring himself to finish his sentence. Hermione nodded and buried her face in his chest as fresh tears fell from her brown eyes. Severus sighed as he buried his face in her hair as he felt the pain that she was going through. “It will be all right my love. I’ll take care of you. I’ll always be here. So will your friends.”

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“Poor Hermione. I hope she’s going to be all right.” Lavender said as she hugged Ron.

“I know. She’s been through so much. First Malfoy tries to attack her in New York over the summer, then he tries to rape her here at school, he then kidnaps and rapes her, and now this. What more can happen?” Harry said sadly as he held Ginny tightly to him.

“Maybe she should come with us to the Borrow.” Ginny said.

“No. It would be best if she stays here. Dumbledore and the other teachers can protect her. Plus I don’t think she’d be comfortable being around the family right now.” Ron answered. The other three nodded.

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In the staff room the other professors were having a meeting as well. “Now, in case the rest have you have not heard, I have some sad news. Last night Miss Granger received an owl from the Minister of Magic. It told her that Draco Malfoy attacked her parents. Her father was dead by the time help arrived and her mother died at St. Mungo’s Hospital. We all know the terrible tragedies that Miss Granger has been through over the past 4 months. She needs our support.” Albus said.

The other professors were shocked and very saddened at this news. “Albus, what can we do to help her?” Filius asked.

“The best thing is to be patient with her. Whether or not she will be in classes tomorrow or not I have no idea. I have not spoken with her or Severus yet today. If she doesn’t go to classes tomorrow there’s no doubt that Severus will want to stay by her side. If that is the case, Sirius, would you be willing…”

“If Severus decides to stay with Hermione if she chooses to not be in class tomorrow I’ll cover his classes.” Sirius interrupted before Albus finished his question.

Albus nodded his thanks. The faculty stayed talking about ways they could help Hermione and Severus through this time of grief.

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“Hermione, please sweetheart you have to eat something.” Severus pleaded with her.

“I’m not hungry Severus.” She said as she lay in their bed with her back facing Severus.

Severus sighed. He knew he was going to need help with this. He quietly left the room and called for Harry and Ron. Twenty minutes the two young men entered the sitting room.

“What’s wrong Severus?” Ron asked.

“It’s Hermione. I can’t get her to eat. She needs her strength. I was hoping the two of you could get her to at least try and eat something.” Severus answered.

"We’ll try.” Harry nodded.

He and Ron headed for the bedroom where they found Hermione laying under the covers. The two looked sadly at each other. It broke their hearts to see their best friend in pain like this.

“Mione. Mione, it’s Ron. Hon, you need to eat. Please.” Ron said.

“Ron’s right. You need your strength. If not for us at least do this for Severus.” Harry pleaded as he sat beside Hermione on the bed.

Hermione turned to face her two best friends. She saw the pleading in their eyes. Finally she sat up and faced them. “Fine. I’ll grab a quick shower. Have the food ready when I get out to the sitting room. Give me about fifteen minutes.”

As Hermione headed for the bathroom Ron and Harry went back to the sitting room. “Well?” Severus asked.

“She said to give her fifteen minutes and to have the food ready. She’s in the shower.” Ron answered.

Severus sighed gratefully. “Thank you. I can’t believe how strong she is being. I mean after everything that has happened.”

“I know. Ginny wanted her to come with us to The Borrow. We told Ginny it would be better for Hermione to stay here. I know Hermione wanted to tell Ginny the truth. That way Ginny could help when Hermione is not seen around too much. But now with all that’s happening…” Ron’s sentence faded off.

“I know. I wouldn’t mind if your sister knows. She is trustworthy.” Severus said as he finished ordering Hermione some food.

Ten minutes later Hermione emerged from the bedroom and sat beside Severus as she started to eat. Hermione and Severus spent most of the morning and early morning inside his chambers.

“Hermia, love why don’t we go for a walk; just you and I. It would do you some good to get some fresh air.” Severus said as he knelt in front of Hermione who was sitting on the couch.

He leaned up and touched his forehead to hers. Hermione looked into his deep black eyes. Leaning forward slightly she touched her lips to his in a soft kiss.

“Let me grab my cloak.” She nodded as she rose to her feet.

The two soon found themselves wandering through the gardens, a fresh blanket of snow on the ground. Severus kept his arms draped over her shoulder while she kept her arm wrapped around his waist. They finally sat down for a bench. The very one they sat on the month before after the Quidditch match.

“How are you feeling my love?” he questioned gently.

“I hurt inside. I feel numb.” She answered. Severus held her close. Wishing there was something he could do to take away her pain, but he knew there was nothing he could do but comfort her and be patient.

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That night Albus came by to visit Hermione. “Hermione, we need to know if you want your parents buried or cremated. I know this is sudden, but we have to get the preparations in order.” Albus said sadly.

“I guess I’ll have them cremated. I remember them saying that they wanted to be cremated and have their ashes scattered over the hill where my father proposed to my mother.” She replied quietly.

“It will be arranged. Now rest. If you want to take tomorrow off, the other professors have agreed it will be fine.” Albus agreed.

“No. I’ll go to classes tomorrow. I need to stay busy Professor Dumbledore.” Hermione stated as she yawned and rested her head against his shoulder.

“Albus, I think she needs to get her rest.” Severus whispered.

Albus nodded and took his leave. Severus picked up the now sleeping Hermione and carried her to the bedroom. He climbed in to bed besides her, started a fire, placed up the wards around the room, then he placed his head atop of Hermione’s and laid listening to the sounds of her breathing.

“If anyone is listening up there, you know I’m not a big prayer. I just pray that you watch over my darling Hermione. Please, please help her get through this. Don’t let the light that burns in her eyes go out. I couldn’t face the darkness that would follow in its wake.” Severus whispered. He hoped the gods were on Hermione’s side.

T.B.C