Love...War...What's the Difference *COMPLETE*

Love…War…What’s the Difference?

Plans

The next morning, Albus made the announcement. “Last night, our Head Girl was attacked and nearly killed by an unknown assailant. At the moment, her condition is still critical. Because of this attack, these new rule will be instated.

“Every student must be in their houses by nine. No one is to wander the corridors alone after sunset. If you seek medical attention after curfew, tell your house prefects and they will escort you to the hospital wing.

“The professors will be patrolling the grounds and castle, as will the ghosts. Professor Snape will be assisting Madame Pomfrey on Miss Granger for a time, so his classes will be covered by Mr. Black. If anyone sees or hears anything suspicious, report it to a professor at once,” Albus instructed.

Everyone began whispered conversations. The Gryffindors were outraged and began rallying behind Ron, Harry, and Ginny, offering moral support. The only house that showed no emotion was Slytherin. Pansy looked over and her eyes locked with Ron’s. She quickly finished her meal and left the hall.

“Pansy,” Ron called out as he caught up with her outside Professor Binn’s classroom.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I’ve been listening, but I didn’t hear anything,” she said.

“I know. Look, with Malfoy out, he’s probably told Voldemort what you did. You’re not safe in Slytherin,” he stated.

“What do I do?” she asked worriedly.

Ron just grabbed her hand and hurried down the corridor. He was bound to keep Pansy safe. He never told anyone, but for the past two years, he’d had a crush on Pansy. Now, he was in a position to try and start a relationship with her. They didn’t stop until they reached Albus’ office.

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All day, Severus stayed at Hermione’s side. He only left to go to the bathroom. His meals were brought to him and a second bed had been placed next to Hermione’s so he could get some sleep.

“How’s she looking?” Severus asked Thomas.

“She’s looking good. But we’ll know for a fact after tomorrow,” Thomas answered.

“I won’t lose her. I should never have left her,” Severus said.

“Professor Snape, whoever did this to your wife probably would have done the same thing to you had you been there. Your wife is unusually strong. I have no doubt that she will make a full recovery,” Thomas reassured Severus.

“Thank you,” Severus smiled gratefully.

A few minutes later, Albus, Harry, Ron, and Lucius entered the room. “Severus, can we talk?” Albus asked.

Severus nodded. He followed the four wizards out of the room and into Poppy’s office. After a silencing spell had been cast, Ron was the first to speak. “Professor, I have a plan that, if you agree, will keep not only Hermione safe, but you as well,”

“I’m listening,” Severus replied.

“Okay, will, it was actually Pansy who thought of this. What if we pretend that Hermione didn’t make it. Then Pansy and I could pretend to attack and kill you. She and I go to Voldemort and say we’re on his side,” Ron explained.

“How is she going to explain turning on Draco?” Severus questioned.

“She’ll say Draco was getting in her way,” Harry answered.

“Where will Hermione and I go?” Severus inquired.

“I own a house in Nottinghamshire. You and Hermione will go there with Lucius. He will stay there until Hermione is up and moving around. Then he will return here,” Albus stated.

“Professor, this is a good idea. If Voldemort thinks you and Hermione are dead, he’ll get cocky. Plus, imagine the look on his face when the two of you show up at the battle the last week of May,” Harry added.

Severus remained silent. He agreed it was a good plan. Plus, it would give Hermione ample time to recover from her attack. He turned his eyes to Lucius. “What do you think?”

“Do it Severus. Mr. Potter is right. Voldemort will get cocky and maybe even a bit sloppy,” Lucius said.

“We’ll do it,” Severus replied.

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The next evening, Severus sat at Hermione’s bedside reading. Thomas was taking a quick shower when Hermione began to wake up. She let out a moan and slowly began to open her eyes.

“Ugh. What…what happened,” Hermione groaned.

“Hermione? You’re awake!” Severus exclaimed as he got to his feet and sat on the bed beside her.

“Yeah. The last thing I remember was pain in my back and then everything went dark,” she answered.

“Do you remember anything before that?” he questioned.

Hermione fell silent for a few moments. Slowly, her brain unfogged and the events of the night she was attacked came back clear as day.

“Yes. I was just about to climb into bed when someone grabbed me. I called out and she whispered in my ear, ‘You’re husband will be so upset. But he’ll join you soon.’ I glanced in the mirror and saw it was Draco’s mother. Then I felt the pain and must have passed out,” she explained.

“Well, good evening Mrs. Snape. I’m Thomas McRenyolds. I’ve been helping take care of you,” Thomas smiled as he reentered the room.

“It’s okay. He’s a friend of the Order,” Severus replied when he saw Hermione’s face at being called Mrs. Snape.

“I’ll go get Poppy, then notify Albus you’re awake,” Thomas said.

Fifteen minutes later, Albus arrived and Hermione told him about who attacked her. Then Albus filled her in about Pansy’s plan and how she and Severus would go into hiding. Hermione agreed instantly.

“All right. Tomorrow, make the announcement that I died. Tell Pansy and Ron that the night of my funeral, to stage the attack on Severus,” Hermione stated tiredly.

“I will. You get some rest. The next week is going to be tiring for you,” Albus nodded as he patted her leg.

Finally, Hermione and Severus were alone. “I’m so relieved that you’re going to be all right. Thomas was pretty confident that you would make a full recovery. Looks like his intuition was right,” Severus sighed as he held her in his arms.

“I’m glad I’m going to be all right too. At least you and I will be together,” Hermione smiled as she snuggled into his embrace.

“Just rest love. By this weekend, we’ll be safe and we can focus on getting you recovered,” he whispered.

“I love you Severus,” she sighed.

“I love you too Hermione,” he said as he kissed her.

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Pansy’s plan went off perfectly. Hermione’s death was announced on Tuesday at breakfast. The funeral was set for Wednesday. Minerva created a look-alike dummy that was placed in the coffin. Severus convincingly played the part of only a grieving professor perfectly.

The night of the funeral, he, Lucius, Ron, and Pansy staged the attack. They made it look as if Pansy and Ron had caught Severus by surprise as he was grading papers. Thursday morning it was announced that Severus was dead. Pansy and Ron were missing, as was Harry’s invisibility cloak.

Severus’ funeral was on Friday. Friday night, Severus, Lucius, and Hermione were smuggled out of Hogwarts to Nottinghamshire by Albus, Sirius, and Remus. The group arrived at the house with no problems.

“Everything you will need will be provided for you. Use no magic. We can’t take any chances,” Albus instructed.

“Once we hear from Ron and Pansy, we will let you know right away,” Remus added.

“Don’t worry about us. Just take care of yourselves and keep up the pretenses,” Hermione said.

Albus, Remus, and Sirius bid them goodnight and left. Lucius turned in for the night, as did Hermione and Severus. As the couple laid in bed, Hermione turned and faced her husband.

“How long will Lucius be here?” she asked.

“At least a month. Poppy and Thomas agreed you should be fully recovered by then,” he answered.

“Hopefully this will work,” she sighed.

“It will. It just has to work,” he said.

The couple held each other as they fell into a peaceful sleep. Both dreaming of the day the war ended and they could live their lives happily together.

T.B.C.