Doppelganger

Chpt 10 Securing The Muggle World

Severus and Albus left the hidden chamber to allow Hermione to rest as they travelled back to the remote cottage. Entering they found magical and muggle still in a deep sleep.

"You have already given Voldemort the potion?"

"Yes Albus just before I arrived here. I had no choice and barely managed to brew extra for these without notice."

"Why do you think he commanded it Severus? After all it has been two years since you provided him the answer on doppelgangers."

"I think it has something to do with the arrival of Major Granger. Two weeks ago I was sent out to retrieve Lucius and Bellatrix as they had not arrived back from a mission that he sent them on. I was only told to bring them back and handed a port key. Imagine my surprise at finding them locked up and wandless in a muggle jail cell. Their mission was to kill General Potter and Major Granger and they failed. The arrival of Major Granger must have made him to decide to take the potion."

"Major Granger was much like young Miss. Granger. Willing to sacrifice life for the greater good."

"No one is ever willing to die Albus." He sneered to him. "They both had no choice and a victim of circumstance. Miss. Granger was going to die no matter what she did. She had no choice but to accept it. And Major Granger? What choice did she have after that vision? I was with them both as they realized that they had to die. They were not proud of it headmaster and did not snub their nose at death proud to be a sacrifice. They resigned themselves to it as .." Punctuating the words as he glared at the headmaster in anger.

"I sometimes wonder if you truly realize of meaning of sacrifice." He muttered out as he felt a slight pang of guilt about the death of Major Granger. He had given her the Euphoria elixir purposely so that she could make the sacrifice to bring back his Hermione Granger. The vision sped the decision along.

"And what of your continuing sacrifice Severus?"

"Totally different as you well know." He growled out as he thought about the day that Lily died and going to the headmaster and being manipulated into a vow to protect Harry Potter. "I was damned no matter what decision I made."

Their conversation ceased as they noticed General Potter became conscious and stood up looking around. "Where is she?"

Severus rose and picked up the letter and handed it to him without saying a word.

General Potter looked to the man seeing no emotion as he sat down and began to read the letter.

You are reading this letter because I have decided that the magical being Hermione must live . You saw and heard the vision. Even if you drink the potion it would do no good if I lived. I have known for almost a week that I would have to make a life or death decision. You know that there is only one decision to make. I must die as I could not live knowing that my selfishness to cling onto life would eventually destroy the world that we know. You are soldiers and understand sacrifice.

I admit that I am frightened over the whole prospect. I feel like I am back at the desert after Harry and Neville was wounded and I was alone and decided to man the machine gun rather than sit back and see if I would be captured and live. Besides I have sensed that I was living on borrowed time after I awoke from the coma.

This magical world seems to just sit back and let things happen with few that stand up and say no. Help the Light take up the fight Harry. You know how to do it. You are a leader of men.

Severus Snape a foundering ship has found its way and will make it to port.

Please tell Miss. Granger not to feel guilty for my death as I know that she will. She has a kind soul.

Look to the sky. Those two stars should merge and be one.

Farewell. I believe in you all and I know that you will be successful.

Hermione

The others had gained consciousness and watched as General Potter removed his glasses as he wiped a tear away as he handed the letter to Sergeant Longbottom.

Sergeant Weasley read the letter and handed it to Professor Snape as he shouted out "No!" and rushed outside the cottage with everyone following behind him.

They looked up into the sky and saw that the two stars did become one, it brightness shining out in the night sky.

Ginny Potter hugged her brother as he told her. "I should have told her that I cared for her. It's too late now."

"We need to see her." Sergeant Longbottom quietly spoke out. "We need to take her home."

"Very well then." Albus produced the length of rope and indicated that everyone hold it.

They arrived suddenly at Professor Snape's chambers and watched as he revealed a door and motioned them inside.

The muggles immediately went to Major Granger's still body as the magical went to Hermione's bed amazed that she was alive as she looked to her visitors. They shouted out their joy as she looked to her friends.

"Be quiet." Hermione whispered to them as she pointed to the bed next to her containing the still form of Major Granger. They became silent as they watched their doppelgangers grieve over their companion.

General Potter picked up the lifeless hand of Major Granger. "You did not have to die alone major. I would have understood and I promise you that I will do my best." Kissing her hand as stood beside her bed as his wife wrapped her arms about him.

Severus approached him. "She did not die alone general. When the soul of the witch Hermione Granger was transferred she spoke as if she was talking to someone named Timothy Reese. She spoke out not to call her danger and then professed her love for him."

Sergeant Longbottom spoke. "Private Reese. Everyone knew that he held affection for her but would never say anything because she was an officer."

Albus spoke to the room. "We must leave Miss. Granger to rest as Professor Snape takes Major Granger to the infirmary so her disappearance can be explained." Pulling out a length of rope and holding it out. "Grab hold as I am going to take you to the best place in the castle to hide you."

&.&.&.&

Severus bowed down to Lord Voldemort as he noticed a member of the Outer Circle standing in front of the throne.

"You bring news of the muggle Severus?" He asked.

"Yes My Lord. The old goat directed me to bring her to his office and when I entered her room she was slumped at her desk. I took her to the infirmary where she was pronounced dead."

"Rise Severus. Tell me what you know of the muggle having two magical signatures?"

Severus recognized the light tone of voice of the Dark Lord. It meant that he was about to get tortured.

He rose and looked to Voldemort. "My Lord I have not heard anything concerning that. After all Madame Pomphrey does not tell me the specific conditions of patients. I assure you that I would have reported to you immediately if I heard about it."

Voldemort pointed his wand and lovingly whispered "Crucio" as Severus succumbed to the unforgivable.

&.&.&.&

General Potter looked to everyone as he ate his meal. This room was a marvel as it catered to his every wish. Harry Potter had explained to him that it was a magical room that was known as the Room of Requirement. He noticed the door had no exit and inquired of it to his doppelganger. The young man merely shrugged and told him that it probably was the headmaster's wish that they remain here.

Everyone finished their meal and the room changed into a comfortable living room with large comfortable couches.

General Potter looked to Harry. "I have told you my story. It seems that we are destined to fight together and we need to know more about one another."

Harry looked to the older man as he began to tell him his life story beginning with the letter.

&.&.&.&

Severus managed to make it to his chambers and fell down on the cold hard floor. He had not been tortured this badly since Voldemort came back. He tried to reach into his robes for the potions that he would need and could not even move. He growled at the inability to help himself.

A shadow formed over him. "What do you require Severus?"

He thought he recognized the voice. "Potions in my robes." He gasped out. "Green, blue, then red."

The shadow dug into his robes and pushed the phials to his lips coaxing him to drink them down.

He looked to the shadow for a moment as he faded away into unconsciousness. "My Hermione." He whispered out to the shadow.

&.&.&.&

Ginny Potter looked to her husband after the magical told them their story. "What do we do now Harry?"

"We take Hermione home and I will retire from the army and come back here." Looking to the two sergeants. "I can arrange for your discharge as well if you want."

Sergeant Longbottom looked to the general. "After we take the major home I will marry Luna and return back to fight."

"Not without me Love." She told him

"And me." Ron replied.

"It's decided then. Neville can I speak to you for a moment?" Pulling him aside. "I have a plan while we are in the States." Whispering to him his plans.

"I am with you sir." Neville replied.

&.&.&.&

Albus sat in his office deep in thought. The magic should appear to his guest in a week if the book was correct. Major Granger's letter made him think about the last five years. His plans have been to wait for Harry to destroy the Horcruxes. Unfortunately this enabled Voldemort to strengthen his position more within the ministry with his followers. Maybe it was time to attack. It's not like they had sat around and did nothing. Information was painstakingly gathered and they knew who most of his upper level members were along with a list of safe houses.

He was pulled from his musings by a floo call.

"Headmaster Professor Snape has returned and is not well."

"Step back Miss. Granger and I will come through." Tossing the floo powder in.

He entered Severus' chambers and knelt down beside the prone form and ran a diagnostic spell.

"He is fine Miss. Granger. I see that he has taken his normal potions." Pointing his wand "Reinervate"

Severus opened his eyes and pulled himself up and saw the Headmaster and Miss. Granger watching him.

"Leave us Miss. Granger." He demanded.

"I don't think so Severus. Foundering ships meet again as one has made it to port and my name is Hermione." Waiting a response to her words.

He said nothing s he looked into her eyes seeing her resolve. And those words. How did she know them as he knew that she had yet to read the letter left by Major Granger? He would have to meet with her privately soon.

"There is a spy at Hogwarts Albus. Another that bears the Mark as I. I was told nothing of Major Granger's check up at the Infirmary yet the Dark Lord was questioning me on it as a member of the Outer Circle looked on. I know that it isn't Poppy. Who do you suppose it is?" Watching the headmaster closely for a reaction.

He chuckled as Albus sounded out in shock. "Poppy's apprentice Alice!"

"Yes Albus. And it explains why your attacks to the Dark Lord has failed as you took her along to attend the wounded on your attacks. She is passing everything you tell her to the Dark Lord." He replied.

"She must remain in place or Voldemort would be suspicious of her removal so soon after your arrival back to the castle. I must talk to our guest and arrange Major Granger's return home." Albus made his way back to the fireplace. "Miss. Granger as soon as you feel ready I will take you to your friends. I am sure they have questions for you."

Hermione watched the headmaster leave and turned to Severus. "Thank you for saving me Severus."

He looked to her not trusting himself to speak. Tending her body over the last five years had awakened feelings for the witch that he tried to deny. The same feelings that ended in disaster 25 years ago for another witch that he could not save.

She walked back to her room. "We will talk soon Severus."

&.&.&.&.

General Potter thought that his retirement party was going well. Even the President attended speaking a few words about his service before leaving to attend to other business. He made his rounds talking to his guest as they told him how much he would be missed. Soon he found himself in front of Major General Riddle.

"Harry do you think you could pull yourself away for a few minutes?"

"Certainly Sir." Allowing the general to guide him into an unoccupied room as he grabbed a couple of glasses of vintage wine from Sergeant Longbottom's serving tray.

General Riddle looked to the younger man. "Make sure you remain silent about the desert Harry. My star is rising and if I feel you are a threat I would hate for your wife to become a widow."

"The reason I am retiring is to get away from you and protect my family. How do you live with yourself general?" He asked in anger.

"Very well I assure you Harry." Riddle replied as he made plans to get rid of the upstart. His retirement was going to make it easy.

Harry handed him a glass of wine. "Good luck in your plans as I know there is no way to stop them." He toasted him as he drank down his wine.

General Riddle drank from his glass. "It's a shame that Major Granger died so soon after her recovery." Implying that he had something to do with it.

"I agree general. How they missed the blood clot in her brain I will never know." Remembering her funeral and how her death broke her parents. As per her last will and testament she was buried in her family plot with a small service held at her graveside with only family and townspeople present. Then everyone went to the town hall and reminisced her life with drink provided by her estate guided by her wish for her wake to be one to celebrate her life and not her death.

Her father had driven her Camaro to the wake and shocked everyone when he handed the keys and title to 17 year old Brent Jacobs. The young man had begged her to sell the car to him for the past five years. "Her will directed that you should have it as you will appreciate the car as much as she did." Holding the young man as he sobbed into his shoulder.

Harry was brought out of his thoughts by the general's words.

"Remember it Harry. The same might happen to you as I remember that you were severely wounded in the battle as well."

"I'll make sure to keep in touch with a doctor." Harry drily replied as he watched General Riddle leave the room and he went back to the party.

&.&.&.

Harry, Ginny, Neville, Luna, and Ron boarded an airplane two days later to take them back to England.

Neville handed him a newspaper. "Sir this article will interest you."

"It's Harry Neville as I am no longer in command of you." As he read that Major General Tom Riddle recently died in his sleep of a heart attack after the announcement that he was to become the next Army Chief of Staff.

Harry looked to Neville. "It's a shame he died before he could take up office."

Neville said nothing as the aircraft took off taking them to their new home as he held the hand of his new wife.

Harry sat back in his seat and relaxed. The untraceable poison that Professor Snape had given him worked as promised.

AN. Loose ends are tied and now it will be time to take the fight to Voldemort. We find out more of Severus' feelings for Hermione.

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