The Change

Thank you all for your reviews. I appreciate them greatly. It makes my day to see that people are still reading this. And for those who have been jumping to conclusions about the story, I hope this next chapter will clear things up.


Chapter 16


Severus walked into the manor and looked around for Hermione. She had left the meeting slash celebration earlier, claiming to have a headache.

He searched through the manor, finally checking the bedroom. There he found Hermione sitting in a chair, staring out the window.


"Hermione? What's wrong?", he asked concerned.


Hermione slowly turned to look at him, her eyes reddened from crying. "Severus, I have to know something."

He walked over and kneeled in front of her, his dark robes mixing with her light blue dress. "What is it love?"

She took a deep breath and looked into his eyes. "Did you get me pregnant to keep me out of the battle?"

Severus laid his head on her lap and then looked up. "No, Hermione. Our child was not planned but that does not mean I love him or her any less. The only thing that was planned was the wedding, even though you knew nothing about it. I wanted you to have my name, in case something happened. Never think I did this on purpose. I love you too much for that."


He stood and pulled her up, holding her in his arms. "I'm scared, Severus. I know that there will be deaths but I don't want one of them to be you."


Severus laid his head on the top of her own, then slowly led her over to the bed. After he sat her down, he laid down, pulling her to rest against him.

"I know you are scared love. I would be lying if I said I wasn't. This battle has to happen. We have been planning it so long that we are prepared for any type of situation that arises. This is why we are attacking the Burrow. There is limited space there. By attacking soon, they will not have time to plan."


Hermione raised her head with a soft smile. "Soon. The full moon is soon. That means Remus won't be fighting."

Severus kissed the tip of her nose, his hand resting on her stomach. "Indeed. Remus won't be there and neither will Tonks. She stays with him during his transformations. That's two out from their side. With Ronald being dead and Ginny being with Draco, that's four in total. Charlie will be, as they say, unable to attend the battle. As long as we keep Tom and Harry separated at first, the battle will go as we plan it to go. There are many more death eaters than you know, my dear. We will be the winners."


Hermione laid her head on his chest. "One thing confuses me. Harry or Tom must die."


Severus shook his head. "No, Hermione. If one dies, the other one does. Trust me, we have plans for Potter. He will not be killed, nor will he be abused. Well, not really abused but you must remember how he treated you before. Tom isn't just interested in winning the battle, oh no, he is interested in so much more. Killing Potter would be too easy. We just need to take out the important players in the battle. Now please, calm yourself. This isn't good for our child."


Hermione laughed. "You always know what to say, Severus."

He smiled back. "I try to know. Sleep now my love, I must check in with the Order and give them false information. I will be home before you wake."

He waved his wand, dressing her for bed and kissed her gently. He then tucked her in and changed his own clothes, then apperated out to the Burrow.


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In Malfoy Manor, Lucius was looking at Tom, a smirk on his face. "Your sure about this, Tom?"

Voldemort smirked. "I am very sure. This will be worse than just killing him. No matter how he acted in the past few months, he was her friend at one time. I think him dying would hurt her more than what we have planned. This way, Potter is kept within our grasp and he becomes important to us. I have asked Severus only to tell Hermione that Potter won't be killed in the battle, not what we have in store for him. He may fight it at first but he will soon come to enjoy it."

Lucius nodded. "I do believe you are correct. This is a better way. But what if he refuses?"

Tom arched an eyebrow. "Severus does have some very extensive potions. I am sure that there are a few that will override his fears. Though, the two choices are clear. He would do well not to fight. If he does then how will he ever look her in the face again?"

Lucius smiled. "That is true, my Lord. Allow me to pour us a drink to toast this newest plan."

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Severus sat down in the chair, looking around the Burrow. Minerva looked at him with a sigh. "Still no word yet about Miss Granger?"

He shook his head. "Not a one. I have searched all the holding places he would keep a prisoner. I even went through Malfoy Manor. Miss Granger seems to have vanished from the face of the earth. And before you ask, I haven't seen or heard from Miss Weasley either. One would think the two of them were together. They both vanished around the same time. But it is unknown.

I do know that Miss Weasley is not with Lord Voldemort. I will keep an ear out for word of their residence. Now, about the meeting tonight.


He is planning on attacking in a couple of weeks. That should give the Order enough time to meet a few more times and get the fighters in order. I have held him off as long as I can."


Arthur looked up. "Do you know where he is planning on attacking?"


Severus shook his head. "No. That will not be revealed until the last second. I will have just enough time to send a warning, perhaps. Every time I think he has the area of attack planned, he immediately changes his mind.

I slipped out unnoticed. When is the next meeting so I can attend? I have been neglecting to do so."


Minerva frowned. "We should have one tomorrow night, just to throw him off. I will send out owls to every one and floo calls. Go Severus, before he finds out your missing."


Severus nodded and walked out to apperate back to Malfoy Manor. The sooner this battle happened, the better.
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He quickly delivered the message to Tom and then left to go home to Hermione. Tom sent out a call to all of his followers. They would attack tomorrow night and this fight would finally come to an end.

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A/N:

Yes, I know it is short but I am in the middle of packing to move the first as well as taking care of everything else. I will try to get another chapter up before I move or shortly afterwards. Hopefully I won't be offline too long and cause this story to suffer.

Be happy though, this story will not end with the battle. It will continue on past that point. Wish me luck with moving.