Love's Journeys *COMPLETE*

Chapter 11- Plans, Sorrows, and Nightmares


Christmas Day was very somber for Hermione and Severus. After a painful night of healing for Hermione and telling Harry good bye as he returned to The Borrow, Hermione was allowed to leave the hospital wing with Severus. Severus sat down beside his distraught fiancée.


“Severus, this was the final straw. I don’t think I can handle much more of these…these games. I’ve been, kidnapped, raped, beaten, threatened, lost my parents and lost a baby all because of the fucking son-of-a-bitch Draco Malfoy.” Hermione paused as she took a shaky breath and tears started to fall from her eyes.


Severus remained quiet. He knew she still had more to say. He reached up and gently brushed away her tears, giving her time to continue. “I want him to suffer. To feel all the pain and anguish he has caused us Severus. I want him dead. I want Draco Malfoy to die!”


Severus just held her and let her cry. “I know baby, I know. I want him to suffer. I want him dead just as much as you do. All of us do.”


He himself felt his own tears begin to fall down his cheeks. Severus and Hermione just held each other, their tears mingling with each other both taking comfort in the presence of the other.


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Albus watched the couple from his office where he was meeting with Remus, Moody, Sirius, Minerva, Arthur, and Kingsley. “They are in such pain right now. I wonder if they will ever fully be over this.” Albus said as he closed the magic window and faced the group once more.


“I never knew that Miss Granger and Severus were together.” Kingsley said sadly.


“I had an idea but I didn’t know their feelings ran this deep.” Moody said.


The seven members of the Order had been called together once Hermione was released from the hospital wing. They were also filled in on the relationship between Severus and Hermione along with the news that Draco Malfoy had caused Hermione to lose the child they were expecting.


“We have to do something. I mean Hermione could have been killed in that fall. Of course with the way she has got to be feeling, I’m sure Hermione would welcome death over the pain that she and Severus are feeling.” Sirius said.


“I agree. Both of them have lost and suffered too much. Three times Severus has almost lost Hermione. The first time was when Malfoy kidnapped her, the second was when she had that relapse from her injuries, which she could have died from and the third time was when Draco pushed her down those stairs.” Remus said then paused to sip his tea.


“Then there’s Hermione. She’s lost her innocence, her parents and now this child which she and Severus both wanted. How much more can they take, especially Hermione.” Remus asked.


The others nodded in agreement. “Albus, how can we protect them from something we can’t always see entering the castle? I mean, the Aurors and Order members couldn’t get to her in time to save her from Malfoy this last time. What do we do?” Minerva questioned quietly.


“I have an idea. If we can somehow drag Draco Malfoy out into the open, then maybe we can get that wand from him. Without the wand he won’t be as strong. We could defeat him then.” Albus said.


“How do we lure him out?” Arthur asked. ‘Please tell me we aren’t going to use Hermione as bait.’ He thought to himself.


“I will need to discuss that with Severus and Hermione. I will do so in a few days. Right now they need time to heal before the new term begins. For now, return to your festivities; once I have talked with them and if they agree, we will proceed with the plan. Good day and Merry Christmas.” Albus said as he rose from his seat.


The others all stood and bid Albus good day and merry Christmas as well. Once the door was closed behind them Albus entered his personal library, spread over the tables were books and parchments. Albus sat himself at one of the tables and began to pour over the many books and pieces of parchment on the table.


“I swear my children, Malfoy will pay for the pain and agony he has inflicted on you.” Albus said out loud as he once more opened the magic window to check up on Hermione and Severus.


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At the Borrow Arthur called Harry and Ron into the kitchen, along with Molly. “Ron, has Harry told you what has happened and why he was called?” Arthur asked.


“No dad. Harry said he was waiting till you returned from meeting with Dumbledore. What has happened? Are Hermione and Severus alright?” Ron demanded.


“Unfortunately no, the day that Hermione fainted, when you came back from the funeral, she and Severus found out she was a month pregnant. The baby was Severus’s. Later that day Hermione asked Severus to marry her. He agreed. A few days later she was leaving Remus and Sirius and heading back to their chambers when Draco showed up. The Aurors and members of the Order sensed his arrival and ran to help her, but they didn’t make it in time.” Arthur took a breath then continued.


“Draco shoved Hermione down the stairs leading to the dungeons. Severus as well as Remus and Sirius heard her scream as she fell. Severus found her knocked out at the bottom of the stairs. He, Remus, and Sirius took her to the hospital wing. There they found out that the fall caused Hermione to lose the baby. Harry what happened after Severus was told?”


“Well Poppy told Severus in private then he started yelling that she was lying and ran off. I ran after him. I found him in his sitting room throwing anything he could get his hands on. He even turned his desk over. He then dropped to the floor breathing heavily. I just knelt beside him and that’s when he told me about the baby. I could only put my hand on his shoulder. We returned to Hermione’s side two hours later.” Harry replied sadly.


By now Ron looked beyond furious and Molly was sobbing at the thought of Hermione losing her and Severus’s child. “Ron, I know you are angry, we all are. But Hermione and Severus will need your support when you return. Albus has a plan, if it works we should be able to find and bring Malfoy to justice. I promise.” Arthur said placing his hand on Ron’s shoulder. All Ron could do was nod his head.


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Back at the dungeons at Hogwarts, Hermione was lying against Severus’s strong chest. She was awake, listening to the gentle sound of his heart beating and his slow rhythmic breathing. She sighed sadly.


‘I want Draco’s head on a silver platter! He will pay for everything he has done to me and Severus. I swear on my parents.’ Hermione thought angrily.


Hermione was so lost in her own thoughts that she didn’t even hear the slight ring from the classroom, the ring that told them when someone had breached the wards that had been placed. A second later a hand slammed over her mouth and jerked her away from Severus, causing him to awaken.


“HERMIONE! Let her go you fucking bastard!” Severus yelled at Draco as he reached for his wand.


“Ah…ah…ahhh. If you want your precious little mudblood to live you won’t do that.” Draco said as he held the wand of Slytherin at Hermione’s throat.


Severus froze. ‘What do I do? I can’t just stand here and do nothing!’ Severus thought as he dropped his arm back to his side.


“Now, that’s better. I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of the baby. It’s a shame. I told you I wouldn’t make it that easy for you Severus. It would seem I’m holding all the cards now, doesn’t it.” Draco taunted.


“Let Hermione go Malfoy! I swear I’ll kill you myself if you hurt her!” Severus screamed.


“I don’t think so. You see, this mudblood caused my family pain. Pain I intend to cause her. So she knows what it’s like to lose those that she loves and cares for. Say farewell to your little whore Severus Snape. ARVADA KEDAVRA!!!” Draco yelled as he pointed the wand at Severus.


“SEVERUS!!!!!! NOOOOO!!!!!!” Hermione screamed as she watched her love fall to the floor dead.


“Now, it’s your turn mudblood. Arvada Kedavra.” Draco said pointing the wand at Hermione.


“NOOOOO!!!!” Hermione screamed.


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“Hermione! Hermione! Hermione, love wake up. Please.” Severus pleaded as he tried to wake up his fiancée.


Hermione jerked up sitting, her eyes wide open and tears flowing down her cheeks. She looked all around her. “Where’s Draco! Severus? Severus! You’re alive!” she cried as she threw her arms around his neck.


“Sshh. Of course I’m alive. What happened? Talk to me.” He whispered softly into her ear as he stroked her hair.


“It…it was terrible. I dreamt that you and I were lying on the couch. I was thinking and then someone covered my mouth. I was jerked away from you. It was Draco. You yelled at him to let me go. He had the wand of Slytherin pointed at my throat. You were reaching for your wand when he told you if you wanted me to live you wouldn’t.” Hermione paused, but didn’t release her hold on him.


“He said that I caused him pain so he was going to make sure I felt that same pain. He pointed the wand at you and yelled the killing curse. I watched as you fell to the floor dead. He then turned the wand on me and again said the killing curse.”


“Oh Hermione, it was just a nightmare. I’m right here. I’ll never leave you, I swear on my life. Besides, I can’t leave the future Mrs. Severus Snape, now could I?” Severus said lifting her face so she was looking into his eyes.


“You still want to marry me? I figured after losing the baby you wouldn’t want me anymore. I thought you only said yes because I was pregnant.” Hermione said sadly.


“What gave you that idea? I was going to ask you to marry me today. But you beat me to it and asked ‘ME’ to marry ‘YOU’. I love you Hermione. I wanted to marry you, pregnant or not. You being pregnant was just an added bonus to the woman I love.” Severus whispered as he looked deep into her eyes.


“I wanted that baby so much Severus, so very much.” Hermione said.


“I know. But hey, we can always try again. We will have the opportunity to have children again. I swear we will.” Severus promised as he hugged her close.


While she wrapped her arms around his neck he reached into his cloak pocket and pulled out a green velvet box. Quietly he opened it and removed the silver and emerald ring. The ring had belonged to his mother. Without her noticing, he gently slipped the ring onto her left ring finger. Hermione felt his fingers gliding over her left hand. When he pulled his hands away she felt the ring he had slipped on her finger. She pulled back and looked at the ring.


“Oh Severus! It’s beautiful!” She gasped.


“It only adds to your beauty. Now, we are officially engaged. I will protect you. Always and forever.” He smiled.


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“Oh Harry. What are we going to do? Severus and Hermione must be so heartbroken.” Ron said from his seat next to Harry. The two were sitting outside in the backyard talking.


“They were. The looks on both Severus and Hermione’s faces broke my heart. They both wanted that baby especially Severus. With Hermione he has finally been given a second chance at happiness. If we don’t stop Malfoy, his second chance will be taken from him, just as Voldemort took away his first chance.” Harry responded.


“I hope whatever plan Dumbledore has, that it will work.” Ron sighed.


“Me too, for both Hermione and Severus’s sakes.” Harry said as he stared up at the twinkling starts above. As he gazed on the stars he saw one streak across the sky. ‘Please grant Hermione and Severus peace and happiness. Allow them a long and prosperous life together.’ Harry wished.


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“Sirius, what are we going to do? I mean, Severus and Hermione are in so much pain, but there’s nothing we can do.” Remus growled.


“I know. Damnit! This is so frustrating!” Sirius yelled as he slammed his fist into the wall.


“Surely the two of them can’t take anymore heartaches, especially Hermione. She has suffered the worse. I fear for her mental state when this whole thing is over.” Remus sighed sinking into the chair behind him.


“Severus will help her. Plus she has all of us. She will be fine.” Sirius replied as he too sank into a seat of his own.


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“Hermione, my dearest, let’s try and get some sleep. We can open our gifts tomorrow.” Severus said gently as he rose to his feet from the couch.


“Okay.” Hermione nodded weakly as she too rose to her feet.


Severus gently took her into his strong arms and carried her to the bedroom. After they quickly changed and Severus placed the wards around the rooms, Severus gently eased her fragile body under the sheets. He started a fire then climbed in beside Hermione. Hermione curled up against his lean muscular body. Feeling his arms wrap tightly around her, she knew she was safe.


“Here, drink this.” Severus said handing her a small vile.


Hermione downed the potion and handed the vile back to Severus. A few seconds later she drifted off into a dreamless sleep.


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“So, you think you can save her? You against all the powers of Salazar Slytherin? I think not.” Draco taunted as he and Severus circled each other. Lying unmoving on the floor a few feet away was Hermione.


“I will kill you myself you sick fucker!” Severus hissed as he advanced upon Malfoy. Draco leapt away. Smiling evilly at Severus, who whirled around and whipped out his wand. “ARVADA KEDAVRA!” Severus screamed.


The jet of green light flew at Malfoy. Suddenly he leaped out of the way and Severus watched in horror as the curse hit Hermione. Her screams echoing through the room and in Severus’s ears.


“Well, it seems you have done my job for me. Thank you.” Malfoy said grinning as he vanished.


“Hermione? Hermione! No! What have I done?” Severus whispered as he dropped to his knees and cradled Hermione’s dead body in his arms. Tears falling from his eyes, splashing against her cold lifeless cheeks.


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Severus jerked awake. His eyes flew open. Quickly adjusting to the dim light, he noticed the warm body beside him. Hermione. ‘She’s alive! It was just a dream! Thank gods it was just a dream.’ He thought running a trembling hand through his ebony locks. “I love you Hermione. I would never do anything to hurt you. I swear.”


Hermione moved closer to his welcoming arms. Severus held her tighter than normal. The dream still fresh on his mind, he stayed awake simply holding her and listening to her sleep. Afraid what would happen if he closed his eyes.


“When will this nightmare end?” Severus asked of any of the gods who may be listening.


T.B.C