Our Paths Cross Again

Author’s Note: Hermione is going to be a bit dark. This doesn’t follow with OTP or HBP. Sirius Black is alive and in my story Severus is a pure blood. Just so you know.

Disclaimer: I don’t own anything you recognize. So please don’t sue.

Summery: It’s been six years since Hermione left Hogwarts. She’s been doing a secret mission for the Order. Suddenly she and Severus are thrown together. Will they be able to work together or will they end up killing each other? R/R

Our Paths Cross Again

Chapter 12

The holidays passed. Hermione finished the potion and now, they just had to wait for Voldemort to make his move. It was the second week of January and there was a Hogsmeade weekend that Saturday. Hermione had planned on going to the village. There were a few things she needed.

“How were your classes?” Hermione asked as Severus entered her sitting room.

“Same as always. Long and tedious.” Severus sighed as he sat down in the arm chair across from her.

“Are you chaperoning the Hogsmeade trip on Saturday?” she asked.

“Yes. Unfortunately.” he grumbled.

“Well, I’ve got a few things to pick up in town, so I’ll keep you company.” she said.

Severus gave her a smile. They just sat and talked till it was time to go up for dinner. Hermione sat in between Severus and Minerva that night. Hermione remained quiet as she ate. Minerva kept trying to engage her in conversation. Severus noticed that Hermione’s jaw was clenching as she chewed. She was getting annoyed.

“Hermione, you used to be so full of life. Always had a smile or laugh. I miss the old you my dear.” Minerva said sadly.

Then it happened. Hermione exploded.

“DAMNIT MINERVA! I’M NOT THAT GIRL ANYMORE! THAT GIRL IS GONE AND HAS BEEN FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW! I’M SORRY YOU DON’T LIKE THE NEW ME, BUT THIS IS WHO I AM NOW AND WHO I WILL REMAIN! SO FUCKING LIVE WITH IT!” Hermione screamed.

The whole hall fell into a stunned silence. Hermione threw her napkin onto the table, stood up so quickly her chair fell back and stormed out of the Great Hall. Nobody spoke. Minerva looked as if she was about to cry. Albus wore a shocked expression. Severus decided he had better follow. He quickly left the hall.

He found Hermione sitting in front of the fire. He slowly approached her and sat in the chair next to her. He would let her speak first. The minutes ticked away. Half an hour later she spoke.

“Why can’t people just accept who I am now? Why does everyone think I was completely sheltered from everything?” she asked.

“I don’t know Hermione. You’ve changed. Even I thought you had been sheltered. It wasn’t until our last night in the cottage that I realized, you were in fact a seasoned veteran. You’ve probably seen and experienced just as much of this war as anyone in the Order.” he replied.

“I wasn’t lying back there. The Hermione everyone knew and remembered from school is gone. Oh sure you’ll see a glimpse of her here or there, but that’s it.” she said as she stood up and began pacing.

“I understand. Probably better than anyone. When I was a student here, I was quiet. The only time I caused problems was when Potter and Black were around. After I joined the Death Eaters, I completely changed. I became cold and distant. I was only around people when I had to be.” Severus explained.

Hermione sighed and nodded. She walked to her liquor cabinet and pulled out a bottle of Jameson whiskey. She also grabbed two glasses and returned to her chair. She poured her a glass, the did the same for Severus. After downing her first glass and pouring a second, she began speaking once more.

“All I want is for this war to end and then be left alone. No one telling what to do or how to act. No more looking over my shoulder waiting for a Death Eater to jump out and attack. I just want to live a quiet and peaceful life once this is over.” she sighed.

“Join the club. That’s all I want as well.” he said.

Hermione gave his a smile and placed her hand over his. The finished their drinks, but remained in their chairs just holding hands and watching the fire dance. The next morning Hermione sat at the head table. Minerva, wisely, didn’t say a single word.

The week passed slowly. Saturday dawned cold and grey. Hermione walked with Severus and the students as they made their way into the village. Albus had placed members of the Order throughout the village. Just in case the Death Eaters tried anything.

“I’m heading to get some new quills, ink and parchment, then to the book shop. I’ll meet you in front of the Three Broomsticks in say an hour?” Hermione said.

“That will be fine. Be careful. I’ll meet in in an hour.” Severus replied.

Hermione headed in one direction and Severus went the other. Hermione had just left the supply shop when someone grabbed her. Hermione didn’t hesitate. She quickly flipped the person over her shoulder. The Death Eater went flying into a nearby flower cart. Everyone nearby began screaming and started running.

“You’ll pay for that bitch.” the Death Eater growled as he got to his feet.

“Bring it on.” Hermione said.

The fight began. Meanwhile Severus had just exited the Apothecary and was walking down the street when he heard the screams. He looked down the street and saw Hermione fighting three Death Eaters. He took off running, but the crowds were blocking his way.

Hermione pulled out a dagger and grabbed the nearest Death Eater. She slammed the dagger into his stomach and dragged it up. The Death Eater’s insides spilled out onto the street. She tossed the dying Death Eater away and went after the next one.

She swiped the Death Eater across the neck and he too fell to the ground, his blood pooling underneath him. The final Death Eater snapped his fingers and three more Death Eaters appeared. Hermione new this wasn’t good, but she wasn’t going to give up. If she was going to die, she sure as hell was going to go down fighting.

“Severus, what’s going on?” Kingsley asked as he, Tonks, Remus and Sirius quickly joined him as they headed for Hermione.

“Death Eaters. Hermione’s fighting them alone. Down there.” Severus answered as they pushed through the throng of terrified people.

By the time they got to Hermione’s location, five Death Eaters lay dead on the snow covered street and Hermione lay motionless on her side near them. Severus rushed to her side and felt for a pulse.

“Is she alive?” Remus asked worriedly.

“Yes. Barely. We have to get her back to the school.” Severus answered as he gathered her into his arms.

“I’ll take you. The rest of you, take care of this mess.” Sirius instructed.

Sirius pulled out a port key, Severus touched it and a second later the three disappeared. They reappeared in the hospital wing. Poppy was changing the sheets on a cot and rushed to their side as Severus gently placed Hermione on the cot. Sirius and Severus stepped back and let the medi witch get to work.

“I’ll go get Albus.” Sirius said.

Severus could only nod. For two hours Poppy worked on Hermione. By the time Minerva arrived and told him that Albus was speaking with Kingsley, Severus was pacing. Sirius came back a few minutes later. Just then Poppy walked over, wiping her hands on her apron.

“How is she? Is she going to be all right?” Severus demanded.

“I don’t know Severus. There was some kind of poison on that dagger. Luckily it was counter acted by a simple potion that works against most poisons. I’m honestly surprised the only injury she had was the stab wound in the back. That and a few bumps and bruises.” Poppy answered.

“Then what did you mean by you don’t know if she will be all right?” Sirius asked.

“Hermione has slipped into a coma like state. I don’t know when she will wake up.” Poppy replied grimly.

Severus’s heart stopped beating for a few seconds. His legs started to turn to rubber and he quickly sat down before he fell down. It was then that Albus entered the hospital wing. Poppy quickly filled him in on Hermione condition.

“I see. Minerva, Severus, Sirius, please come with me.” Albus said.

Severus didn’t want to leave, but knew he had to go with Albus. They made their way to Albus’s office. Remus, Kingsley and Tonks were there, as was Ron and Harry. Once everyone was seated Albus began.

“For those who don’t know what’s going on, there was a Death Eater attack in Hogsmeade. Hermione fought off six Death Eaters killing five. It was the sixth Death Eater that got her. Hermione is in the hospital wing and is in a coma like state at the moment.” Albus began.

“Is she going to wake up?” Harry demanded.

“Poppy feels she will, we just don’t know when. Now, what I’m about to describe is going to be quite gruesome. I know many of you here believe Hermione has been sheltered from this war for the passed six years, but that is not true. Kingsley, Tonks and Remus told me how they found the five Death Eaters. One was completely gutted, a second had his throat slashed, a third had his head completely severed from his body and the last two were found with their heads turned completely around.

“These acts were done by Hermione. No one but Hermione knows what all she has done in the passed six years. All I know about has been her research. I know that she has gone on missions if Death Eaters had been spotted anywhere near her and I also know that she has engaged in fights with them as well. Tonks also found this. It was next to where Hermione was laying.” Albus said as he placed the object on the desk.

Albus tapped it with his wand. Suddenly an image of Voldemort appeared. A few seconds later his image began talking.

“Hear me Order. Your pathetic mudblood has caused me nothing but trouble. She has killed more than a hundred of my followers and for that she will pay for it with her life. You can try to protect her, but you will all fail. One day, I will succeed in killing her.” Voldemort’s image said then vanished.

Severus’s blood had turned to ice. He knew when Voldemort had his eyes set on killing someone, they usually died. With the exception of Potter. Everyone in the room was talking at once. Finally Albus let out a shrill whistle and everyone fell quiet.

“From now until this war is over, Hermione will not leave the school grounds without someone from the Order with her. She has finished the potion. Once she awakens, I will ask her when I can administer the potion to the Order. According to Hermione, two drops is all it will take for the potion to work.” Albus said.

Albus quickly told Kingsley, Tonks, Remus, Sirius, Ron and Harry to go and fill the rest of the Order in. Five minutes later the meeting was over. Severus stood up and quickly left the office. Minerva watched in surprised while Albus smiled softly.

“What’s with him?” Minerva asked.

“He is in love my dear. Him and Hermione have fallen in love. I just hope that they will have a chance to be together once this war is over.” Albus answered.

Minerva looked surprised and shocked. Severus re-entered the hospital wing, but Hermione was gone. Poppy told him she was now in a private room so the students wouldn’t see her in her condition. Severus walked into her room, conjured a chair, sat beside her and took her hand in his.

“Please Hermione. Wake up. I need you. Don’t give up. Fight this and come back to me. I love you Hermione. Please wake up.” Severus whispered.

He then leaned over and gently kissed her lips. He stayed at her side all weekend. Only leaving to go to the loo. He was afraid she would wake up and he wouldn’t be there when she did.

T.B.C