LIFETIME MATE

Chapter Twelve


August slowly evolved into October, where the leaves on the trees changed into vibrant colors indicating fall was indeed here. It was close to Halloween, about the fourth week into October, when Hermione received an owl from Harry, telling her that there was a meeting at Grimmauld Place.

She phoned her parents and arranged for Katrina to stay with them for a day or two. Kat flooed her way there by herself then phoned her mum telling her that she arrived okay. Then Hermione grabbed her jacket and flooed her way to the meeting.

When she arrived Harry, Ron, Severus and Dumbledore were already there. They were waiting for a few more people before the meeting was to begin. She got up to get herself a cup of tea and refilled cups around the table to fill in some time.

“So how was your date with Chase?” Harry asked to start the conversation around the table.

“It was nice, we’ll be meeting again next month.” Hermione replied smiling.

“Yes, Harry has told us of this Chase fellow. Sounds like a nice enough man for you. Have you told him about Katrina yet?” Dumbledore asked, his eyes twinkling behind the half moon spectacles.

“No. Not yet.”

“Well, in time. Things always have a way of working out.” Dumbledore stated, getting a look from Harry.

Within a few moments, other members of the Order of the Phoenix appeared. There was Molly and Arthur Weasley, Bill and Charlie Weasley, Fred and George Weasley, Remus Lupin, Moody and Tonks.

Dumbledore stood up to address the group. “Thank you for coming everyone. There are a few members missing, but they will be made aware of our plans. We decided to hold this meeting away from the Ministry because we feel that Lizette may have a spy somewhere inside. Now, Severus has some news and perhaps a plan to finally catch Miss Riddle.” He motioned to Severus, then sat down.

Severus stood up and nodded to Dumbledore respectively. “Thank you Albus. Now, yesterday I received an owl directly from Lizette.” He waited for the information to sink in. “It appears that she did not know that I was a spy for the light side and was actually against her brother. She has asked me to join forces with her.”

“What if it’s a trap?” Tonks asked.

“It may very well be, but this may be the break that we need to apprehend her. I thought I would go to the meeting and have people back me up.” Severus suggested.

“There’s a few trusted Aurors that Ron and I have befriended that would gladly volunteer for this.” Harry said with Ron nodding in agreement.

“Sounds great. Just be careful who you put your trust in.” Moody suggested, always the cautious one.

“Where are you supposed to meet?” Hermione asked.

“In a clearing through the forest by the remains of Malfoy mansion.” Severus replied, putting his hand on Hermione’s shoulder.

“We should be prepared for an ambush of some kind.” Moody suggested.

“The Aurors could use a ‘disillusionment charm’ and surround the area well before the meeting.” Harry suggested.

“And I can scope out the area by air in my animagi form.” Ron suggested.

Hermione stood up. “I’m going with you.”

“It’s too dangerous Hermione.” Severus said.

“Look. She took away someone very important to me. I intend to do this, with or without your consent. And anyway, Harry and I, as our animagi form could scout the ground. Harry’s wolf sense and my tiger sense together should be able to detect anyone hiding if they’re going to attack.” Hermione stated, arms crossed, with a very determined look in her eye.

Harry stood up. “She’s right, with our sense of smell and hearing, we should be able to detect them. We could go with Severus then split up before the clearing. Ron from above can signal if he sees anything suspicious.”

“I would also suggest Severus wear some kind of muggle bullet proof vest, or if there is a way to ward off the bullets.” Hermione suggested, glad that Harry backed her suggestion up.

They continued to plan out their strategy, making back up plans just in case, throughout the night. The next morning, Hermione and Harry went home to explain some of what was going on to Ginny, Braeden and Katrina.


The went to pick up Kat first from Hermione’s parents house with some clothes to spend a few days with Ginny, then went on to Harry’s place. Harry and Hermione felt that Kat and Braeden needed to know the risks and that they would hopefully catch Riddle. Ginny and the kids took it quite well.

“You’re going to come back mum. You are a smart witch.” Kat said hugging her mum tight.
“I will try Kat.” She looked her in the eye. “You know I need to do this right?”

“Yes. I don’t like it, but you need to do this for you and father.” Kat reassured her.


Harry and Hermione were to leave the next day, Halloween day. Harry spent the time with Ginny and the kids, while Kat stayed with Hermione that night, sharing the same bed.

The next morning tsaidsaid their goodbyes. Hermione hugged Ginny close. “Take care of Kat for me.”

Ginny hugged her best friend tight. “Kat is a part of my family too. Of course I’ll take care of her. You’ll be back Hermione.”

Harry and Hermione apparated to Grimmauld Place to await the rest of the Order. They say at the kitchen table, Hermione tapping her fingernails on the table. Harry reached out and grasped her hand. “Hermione, it will be over soon.”

“I know Harry. I need to do this but part of me is thinking that I’m being selfish, not thinking of Kat first.” Hermione said.

“I don’t think you’re being selfish ‘Mione. You’re doing this for Kat too you know. Riddle is a menace, if she finds out that Kat is a Malfoy, she could be in danger too.” Harry rubbed her knuckles with his thumb, reassuring her. “Dumbledore has put very strong protection charms on both you and Kat to avoid detection from Riddle, but there are always ways past that. We need to do this.”

“Thanks Harry. It still doesn’t make it any easier though.” Hermione said, her upper lip smiling half-heartedly.

The rest of the day, witches and wizards came from all across the country to help in the cause. Moody did the ‘disillusionment charm’ on the Aurors then they went ahead to take their position in the forest. On the outskirts of the forest, close to the meeting time, Harry and Hermione walked along side Severus on all fours, in their animagi forms. They were just about to enter when Severus kneeled down to look at his two former students.

“Do you sense anything?” They stood still and quiet, then shook their heads. “Harry, I have your wand with me, same as yours, Hermione. Please be careful.” He looked up to see Ron soaring in the air in his eagle form. No signal saying that he’s detected anyone yet.

Harry and Hermione split up and made their way deep in the forest, hunting their prey. They would stalk on, stop and listen, then would keep going, crouching low to the ground.

When they came close to the clearing, Harry and Hermione crouched low in the bush. They watched Severus come into the clearing, his one hand in his cloak, clutching his wand. At the screech from the eagle high above, everyone was on alert, as Lizette Riddle in a long burgundy cloak and about twenty death-eaters apparated into the clearing.


“Ah Severus. I’ve heard so much about you. Do you know why you are here?” Lizette asked him, smiling evilly.

“Yes. I imagine you want me to join your pathetic excuse for the dark side.” Snape said snidely.

Hermione’s muscles tensed and her adrenaline was running high as she prepared for attack. Her hate for this witch, making her blood boil. She watched as the death-eaters circled around Severus and brought out their wands, as did Lizette, with also a muggle automatic handgun.

“How dare you! I know you betrayed my brother, along with Potter. I will enjoy watching you die Snape.” Lizette cried.

Just then a large grey wold walked to Severus’s side. “What’s this? You think a lone wolf can intimidate me?” Lizette screamed pointing her wand at Snape.

“No. But.....” The wolf materialized into a tall black haired wizard. Lizette’s face grew pale as she recognized him and his scar. “....I believe Mr. Potter may.”veruverus said as he handed Harry his wand, smiling smugly.

Just then one of the death-eaters attacked Harry and Severus, who side-stepped it easily. Lizette aimed her wand at Severus and Potter. “Cruc......”

She didn’t finish the curse as she looked to her right to see a large orange tiger coming full speed towards her. She fired her muggle gun at the beast, trying to kill it, then fired again, but too late. The tiger leapt on her, knocking her onto her back, the full weight of the tiger making it hard for her to breath.

Riddle had dropped her gun and her wand and was trying to push the tiger off. The tiger stuck it’s claws deeper into Lizette, making her scream out in agony. The tiger bit into Lizette’s arms until they fell lifeless to her sides. In one final lunge, the tiger opened it’s jaws and bit into Lizette’s neck, puncturing the artery. It smelled and sensed the lifeless body. The witch was dead. The tiger nudged the body with it’s nose, then ran back into the bush.

Severus stood at Harry’s side, dueling and fighting with the death-eaters, but alwareware of what Hermione had done. The surrounding Aurors becoming visible in the fight. “Harry, I’m going to find Hermione.” Severus said as Harry dodged a flash of green light.

Severus followed a trail of blood deep into the forest, fearing the worst. What he found, he would not easily forget. Hunched against the tree, Hermione lay on her side in her human form. He came closer, noticing the blood that soaked through her clothes. He brushed her hair from her face, trying to wipe some of the blood from her. “Hermione.” He shouted.

Hermione slowly opened her eyes. “Is she dead Severus?” She asked weakly. He nodded. “I’ve never taken another human life before, but....I would not hesitate to try to take hers again if need be.”

She tried to sit up with the help of Severus and flinched in pain. She clutched her side. Just then Ron and Harry rushed in and knelt beside her.

“Hermione, are you okay?” Harry asked worriedly, taking in the blood that was all over her.

She nodded. “I think so. Just feel really weak.”

Severus saw her clutch her side and gently moved her hand. He pulled the shirt up at the side to see a very deep gouge by her ribs. He gently put his arm under her legs and picked her up. “She’s been shot, and looks like she’s lost a lot of blood. I’m going to apparate right to Hogwarts.”

Harry and Ron nodded and watched as Hermione clutched Snape’s robes in pain, then lose consciousness. “Take care of her, we’ll be there shortly.” Harry said determined, as Severus disappeared with their closest friend.