Highland Rose

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

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

Highland Rose

Chapter 12

September began. While Dageus taught classes and tried to get closer to Chloe, Hermione began teaching Severus the history of the Brodie line. She also told him why Voldemort wanted the Brodie line’s secrets.

“About ten centuries ago, a man named Cien Brodie fell in love with a woman named Bernadette. The only problem was, he would have to watch her age and die. He loved her so much, that he began working on a way to either make him mortal like her, or him immortal like him.” Hermione read, as she held up a large journal.

“Was he successful?” Severus asked.

“Yes. He not only found a way to make her immortal, but he also found a way to make himself mortal. Once he found the solution, he told her the truth about him being immortal. He gave her a choice. To either become immortal with him or for him to become mortal like her.” She replied.

“What did Bernadette decide?” Severus inquired.

“She chose to become immortal with him.” She answered.

“Wow. I can’t believe your ancestor created a potion to make someone immortal.” He said in shock.

“Now you see why Voldemort’s want the secrets of this castle.” She sighed.

“So, you’re immortal?” He questioned.

Hermione just nodded. She closed the journal and reached for another. Severus could tell she didn’t want to discuss her little family trait, so he dropped it for the time being. He was fascinated by her families’ history. Before sealing up Granger Castle, all the journals, scrolls and other texts had been moved to Castle Brodie. Severus was learning a lot more about Hermione by the more her read about her family.

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“Dageus?” Chloe asked as she entered his classroom.

“Chloe? Did you need something?” Dageus asked with a smile.

“Yeah, I have a potion I wanted to brew and wanted to know if I could use your labs?” Chloe answered.

“Sure. When did you need them?” Dageus questioned.

“Is right now all right?” She asked.

“Right now is perfect. Come on, I’ll show you to them.” Dageus smiled.

As Chloe looped her arm through his, they both felt a bolt of electricity shoot through them both. They shared a shocked look, but kept walking toward the labs.

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“Anything?” Lucius asked as Bella stepped foreword.

“I found out that the mudblood’s Uncle has taken Snape’s place at Hogwarts. Granger Castle is completely sealed and emptied. Whatever secrets were there, are now gone. My guess is, that the mudblood and Snape have them. Probably in Castle Brodie.” Bella sighed.

“Where is Castle Brodie?” Lucius growled.

“No idea. Perhaps the Dark Lord knows. After all, he wants the secrets of both castles.” Bella replied.

Lucius nodded. The two stood up and made their way to the throne room to speak with Voldemort. Hopefully, he would have some idea as to where to look for the castle.

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After three hours of work, Dageus and Chloe had finally finished the potion and were currently cleaning up the lab. Both not sure what to make of the connection they felt toward one another. Finally, Chloe spoke up.

“Dageus, I know you’re a Druid, so am I. What I want to know is, do you feel this strong pull toward me?” She asked.

“You feel it too. By god I thought I was the only one.” He sighed.

“What is it? I know it’s more than your blood calling to mine.” She questioned.

“This is just a guess, but I think it maybe because we are soul mates. My twin brother and his wife, Gwen, felt the same thing. So did my niece and Severus. As I said, it’s just a guess.” He answered.

“Hmm. You could be right. My father was a Druid and he felt the same thing with my mother. Even though she was a witch, she felt some kind of connection with my dad. Perhaps, you could ask your brother.” Chloe suggested.

“Drustan is dead. He was killed in July by Death Eaters. So was Gwen. Only myself and my niece Hermione are the only ones left in the Granger line. Hermione alone is the last of the Brodie line.” Dageus said sadly as he turned away from her.

Chloe sighed and walked over to him. She gently placed her hand on his shoulder. He turned and faced her, tears filling his golden eyes. Chloe just pulled him into her arms and hugged him.

“I’m so sorry for your loss.” She whispered.

Dageus just held her. For several moments they hugged. Dageus absorbing the comfort she was offering. Chloe felt his pain, having lost her own parents to the Death Eaters. Ten minutes later, they returned to Dageus’s study.

“Earlier, you said Hermione was the last of the Brodie line. Wouldn’t that make her the most powerful Druid in the family? I mean with the Brodie and Granger blood flowing through her.” Chloe asked.

“Yes. When she and Severus discovered they were soul mates, he didn’t know that she was half Brodie. He didn’t know until the Death Eaters attack Granger Castle and killed Gwen. It was Lucius Malfoy. As I’m sure you know, the only way to kill a Brodie is to decapitate them.” Dageus answered.

“Hmm. Severus is a lucky man. I met him once, five years ago. I could sense he was a powerful Druid and a powerful Wizard. Him and Hermione will no doubt create powerful children. Plus, their connection is probably extremely strong as well.” She added.

Dageus nodded. The two just sat there and began talking. Chloe told him of her family, of her travels, and her love of nature. Dageus in turn told her of growing up with Drustan and their best friend Circien, how the three of them were always getting into some scrape or another, and how much he missed them both. The more they talked, the closer they grew. Chloe and Dageus both knew there was no doubt. They were meant to be together.

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Hermione stood on the back porch. Severus was sound asleep in their room. She had quietly snuck out of bed and gone outside, despite the thunderstorm that currently raged around her. She didn’t even care that she was soaked to the bone.

“Mother, I’m so scared. I don’t know what to do. Should I give Severus the option of becoming immortal? I don’t and can’t loose him mother. What should I do?” Hermione asked the raging sky.

Lightning flashed and thunder rumbled. Tears began to fall from her honey amber eyes. She knew she wanted to spend the rest of her life with Severus, but with her being immortal, it left her confused. Would he want to become immortal as well, or would he want her to become mortal like him.

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Severus rolled over and found Hermione missing. He jumped to his feet and hurried downstairs. He searched for her for half an hour before he spotted her silhouette illuminated by a bolt of lightning on the back porch. He rushed outside.

“Hermione!” He called.

Hermione turned and faced him. It broke his heart to see the pain in her eyes. He rushed toward her, gathered her in his arms, and carried her back into the house. He quickly lit a fire, stripped her of her wet clothes, and wrapped her in a heavy blanket from the back of the sofa. Slowly she began to warm back up.

“What’s wrong? What were you doing out in this storm?” He asked worriedly.

“I…I…was just…thinking.” She answered tearfully.

“About what?” He questioned.

“You.” She said.

Severus just looked at her in confusion. He saw that she was still shivering. He sat beside her and pulled her into his arms and held her close. He stared into the fire as he held her. Pondering what she meant about her thinking about him. Fifteen minutes later, he looked down and found her sound asleep. Gently, he carried her back upstairs and climbed into bed, holding her tight.

“Don’t worry about me Hermione. I’m not leaving you. No matter what.” He whispered.

T.B.C