I Will Always Find You

AN: Not much to say, just wanna thank Sunflower for Beta work. Thanks darlin'! Disclaimer: See chapter one. Reviewers: Wow! I've never been in the triple digits before! LOL Thanks you guys!! angel: LOL I had inspiration because you guys are so sweet to stick with the story and reveiw for me! Luv you too! I hope you like this chapter! mysticsong: Thanks. I agree. LOL It would be hard to write this if she was dead. Now that u mention it, that does remind me of Sister Act. LOL I love that movie. The nun you mentioned has the most beautiful voice! JTBJAB: I don't think he'll have much to say about it. He doesn't have a problem with it, and they haven't done anything to get themselves into trouble.... yet. LOL TaintedAngel: LOL Patience my dear, patience. Actually I don't know what is going to happen. hee hee!! just kidding! Hanna Delacour: I'm glad you like it. Always nice to see someone new! Yes, Voldemort is going to be more than a little pissed off; but I think our intrepid hero Severus is quick enough to come up with a good story to placate him. LOL Tithen: That's cause I have fifty thousand ideas floating around my head at any given time, and I have to lock on to one when I can. LOL Seriously, I have like four other story ideas blooming in my head right now and It's driving me insane because I want to finish this story first. LOL I'm a quick study...well most of the time. LOL Thank you so much for the tips. They really are helping me a lot! Cristie: I'm glad you enjoyed it. I enjoyed writing it. I thought it would be a good ending too; but I want to get some nice juicy lemons in here and also deal with the Voldemort issue. I thought Narcissa would be a good canidate for my story because you know less about her than you do Severus from the books, so I thought I'd elaborate on her personality. Bree: LOL Thank you. I agree. I like my men Just as snarky as the next girl; but I thought he should be just a little on the sweet side in this one. Only with Hermione of course. I don't think I could see him snuggling up to anybody else. Not that I'm knocking other pairings, mind you. I just happen to be die hard Severus/Hermione shipper. LOL Kayree: *Blushing, Blushing some more!* LOL Thank you very much. You're too kind! Hope you like ths one! Shadowknight: LOL I'm glad my spelling and whatnot isn't too atrocious. I try and go over my chapters once in a while to see if I can catch mistakes. I know what you mean about spelling and grammar in stories. It's a killjoy when there are too many mistakes in a story. I can't even read them if the mistakes are too numerous. That's why I try and keep them at a minimum in my story. I know how distracting they can be. slytheringriffindor21: I'm glad you like it. Yeah, I wanted Hermione to stand up to Lucius and show him she wasn't weak like he supposed. fraser: Thank you honey. Snapes_lady_in_waiting: I don't have much time. I'm very busy. I'm trying to give you guys something when I can, so if it's a little lacking in detial I'm sorry. Chapter 18. Frustration Severus was not at all happy. He was in the middle of a circle of death eaters being crucioed by them one at a time. Voldemort called for them to stop after they all had had a turn. "Now Severus, do you understand my displeasure at losing Lucius?" "Yes Lord," Severus gasped, wisely remaining in his position on the ground. "I had no other choice, Lord. If I had refused to help the old man I might have lost my job. I thought it would be more important for me to keep spying than for Lucius to stay free." "And why is that Severus?" He knew his answer was very important. It would determine wether he would be allowed to live or not. "My lord, Azkaban has made Lucius very unstable. If I hadn't assisted in his capture he might have given us away. Not on purpose of course, he was loyal; but his views had become skewed. He was no longer thinking rationally." Voldemort sank back into his chair to think on this a second. Then he looked back down. "You are sure of this, Severus?" "Positive my Lord. He would certainly have got himself if not all of your followers captured." Voldemort nodded. "Then you have done the right thing." He could not sense any deception in Severus, and was satisfied. Severus got up and limped back into his place. The meeting continued. "Now that we have lost Lucius, we will need another to take his place in battle. I had planned for him to stand at my side along with Severus. I believe I will have Bellatrix take his place." Bellatrix bowed low, managing to contain her excitement. "Thank you my Lord. I am honored beyond words." The rest of the meeting was just a rehashing of battle tactics, and planning. Severus was still in pain and was relieved when they were all dismissed. He was surprised to find Hermione waiting for him in his sitting room when he got back. She already had prepared a healing potion for him and tea for both of them. "You should be in bed." he admonished with no real feeling. He was actually quite glad to see her. "I know. But I wanted to make sure you got back okay. I was worried." It hadn't been two hours after they got Hermione back to the castle when he'd been summoned. She'd just gotten away from her friends and came down to visit him. He'd reprimanded her then too, saying she should be resting and not traipsing about the castle. She'd just told him to shut his gob and kissed him senseless. He'd gasped and backed away from her when his arm had begun to burn. She knew what was wrong and said, "I'll wait for you here." "No," he'd replied. "I don't know how long I'm going to be gone, or what shape I'll be in when I get back. You don't need any more stress." She hadn't given any more argument; but he'd had a sneaking suspicion she wouldn't listen to him anyway. He'd been right, and now here he was, letting her take care of him. She helped him take off his heavy death eater robes and he told her just to toss them in his bedroom. He'd put them away later. When she had accomplished this, she gave him his potion and a cup of tea the way he liked it. When he was comfortable on the couch she went to the fireplace and told Dumbledore he was back and safe. The Headmaster thanked her and asked her to have Severus report to him when he was feeling better. Severus watched her from the couch, and sipped his tea. The girl really was nothing if not efficient. He also like the view of her rear end while she was in front of the fire place. She turned around and saw him looking. "What?" "Oh nothing, my dear." She shook her head and came to sit with him on the couch. "Feeling better?" "Yes." He set his teacup down and pulled her into his embrace. "Gonna tell me what happened?" He sighed. "It wasn't all that bad really. I was crucioed of course, to show the Dark Lords' displeasure that Lucius is gone; but I made my argument, and it was accepted." "You didn't use the pensieve this time." she noted. He'd told her all about his activites with the Drak Lord earlier in the evening. Little did he know he'd have to go to Voldemort's side later on. "I'm one of the most skilled Occlumens in the world. I only use the pensieve as a precaution. From the severity of the pain when I was summoned, I figured that it would serve me well to be prompt." She nodded. "I was worried about you." "It will work out, love." he assured her. "I hope so. I don't want to have to worry if you're coming home or not." He smiled down at her. "You won't have to. Not after the battle. Our side is stronger." She nodded and they sat in silence for a little while before he sent her off to her rooms (through the floo network) after a sensual kiss. "Oh, sure, send me off after you do that." Hermione griped teasingly, as she grabbed some floo powder. He chuckled. "More will come soon enough, my lady. Now off to bed with you." When she had gone, he set off for the Headmaster's office, walking instead of using the fireplace. He didn't think his constitution could take flooing at that moment. Dumbledore was waiting for him and for once let him knock before calling for him to come in. Severus went in the office to find Dumbledore inspecting some paperwork, no doubt from the ministry. He noticed the headmaster was looking tired, and some of the twinkle had left his bright eyes. "Anything wrong, Headmaster?" "It seems there have been some attacks tonight." Dumbledore sighed. "Yes?" Seveus was confused. He'd heard nothing about attacks at the gathering. He wondered if they had been ordered by Voldemort or not. "Yes," the Headmaster confirmed. "No casualties; but people are getting panicked. I've got five sets of parents who are removing their children from school this week. I assume they will be going into hiding." Severus nodded. "They're scared. When we defeat the Dark Lord things will go back to normal." "One can only hope," Dumbledore replied. "Now tell me, what went on tonight?" Severus described what had taken place at the meeting and Dumbledore listened quietly. When he was finished the man nodded. "It's as I expected, really. He can't afford to lose you as well as Lucius. He'll take his chances with you until he has proof that you're not loyal to him." Severus nodded, having come to this conclusion himself. "We just have to prevent that from happening. What have you done about Mrs. Black?" "I'm having Molly and some of the others brick up her alcove. There'll be several layers of magical insulation between her and everything else, so she won't be able to hear us and hopefully we won't be able to hear her," he grimaced. Severus nodded. He hated that portrait. Always going on about mudbloods and traitors and the like. He'd be glad when they were rid of her. He just hoped that the spells would work and hold. They coudn't afford to let her give away any more information about the order. They really didn't know if she had any other portraits besides the one at Malfoy manor, so they weren't taking any chances. Dumbledore had to go to the Ministry the next morning, so he dismissed Severus, thanking him. Severus wondered that he hadn't commented on Hermione being in his private rooms; but thought maybe the old man had enough to deal with and didn't want to waste the breath on reminding him to be discreet. He went back to his rooms and went to bed, falling into a fitful sleep. ~' Hermione was really worked up. It had been a few weeks since she'd got back from her ordeal and she seldom saw Severus alone. They were usually in class, or at lunch with Sera on Saturdays. She was still grading for him; but he was in and out of the classroom, dealing with different things. When she did get him alone, she'd grab him and snog him senseless. But that was as far as they ever seemed to get, because he was always being called away to do something. Hermione understood that the battle was drawing closer and they needed to prepare, doing the first through fifth year finals early, and things like that; but she was exceedingly frustrated. "I need him, and I need him now," she whined to herself in her rooms. She ws lying sprawled on her bed where she had thrown herself after storming into her room. She had just come up from his quarters. They had been kissing and Hermione felt that maybe this time they'd get a little further. She's been just about to start unbuttoning his waistcoat when they heard someone clear their throat. Dumbledore had been in the fireplace, looking to speak with Severus. She had groaned in frustration and stomped off through his office and the classroom to go back to Gryffindor tower, the two men watching her go in amusement. "What in the hell could he have possibly had to do at eleven thirty on a Satuday night?" Hermione speculated. She was getting very irritable lately and even the famously clueless Ron had noticed. She was going to be very unpleasant until she was able to have more of Severus. Crookshanks leapt lightly on the bed, padded his way over to her and stared her right in the face. They were literally nose to nose. Hermione laughed, letting the cat take her mind off of her sexual frustration. "What do you want, Crooks?" "Mrrrow." the cat half purred. "A snack?" Hermione suggested. The cat jumped off the bed and went to his bowl. Hermione sighed, remembering that she was out of his treats. She'd have to go down to the kitchens and get something from the house elves. "I'll have to go get some treats from the kitchen Crooks." she told him, getting up. "I'll be back in a few minutes." She left her rooms and went quietly through the common room and out the portrait hole. She got to the kitchens quickly and as expected, the house elves were happy to give her something for the cat. A few of them were up at any given time during the night. They were always ready to serve. Hermione was still scandalized by how some of them were treated; but had realized that the creatures actually did like serving people. The house elves had forgiven her after she had stopped leaving little hats and socks around Gryffindor tower and now were always happy to see her. "Hello Miss, what you be wanting?" Asked one of them. He had a lumpy little nose that looked like it had been stuck on his face like a bit of clay. His eyes were large and watery, and his mouth wide. His ears were small and pointy like a cats with tufts of hair coming out of the tops, making him look something like a bobcat. Hermione smiled at him, "Hello, I was just wondering if you might have some scraps for my cat. I'm out of his treats." "Of course we is having scraps for Miss' kitty! I is getting them right now!" She smiled as the elf scurried away. Soon he was back with a small bag of scraps for Crookshanks. "Thank you very much. And I'm sure Crookshanks thanks you too." Hermione said earnestly. "Miss and the kitty is most welcome." The house elf bowed to her and she waved, leaving the kitchens. As soon as she stepped out of the door and shut it someone spoke from behind her and nearly scared her out of her skin. "Well, well, what are we doing, Miss Granger?" Not giving her the chance to turn around, he wrapped his arms around her and began to kiss her neck. Shuddering at the feeling of his lips, she stuttered, "M-my cat was hungry and I... Ohhh!" He'd decided that he'd like to suck on her earlobe instead, and taken the sensitive bit of flesh in his lips, nibbling a little. "Like that, my sweet?" He whispered devilishly. "Oh yes," Hermione breathed. Abruptly he let her go and she turned around to face him. He smiled down at her wickedly and she felt her knees getting weak. "If you'd like to continue this, come to my quarters after you feed your cat." He gently caressed the side of her face, down her neck to her chest. Then he was gone in a swirl of black robes. After Hermione got her breath back, she went to feed Crookshanks. Needless to say, she'd never reached her rooms so quickly before. ~' Severus hoped he was doing the right thing. He'd noticed her tension, and how upset she had been earlier in the night when they had been interrupted by Dumbledore. If he was not mistaken she had been about to start undressing him. He wanted her badly, and he was hoping he was reading the signs correctly. He thought her recent bad mood had arisen from being abused so at the hands of Lucius; but after seeing her little tantrum earlier, he began to realize that it might have been coming from sexual frustration. She'd been more and more agressive as of late, initiating kissing and the like. She was getting much bolder, caressing him and driving him to the point of madness. He was also frustrated by everything that was going on and the fact that they hardly ever got to see each other; but tonight he would make the time. It would be just the two of them, all night. He'd blocked his fireplace from intrusions, (after telling Dumbledore of course) and he was planning on fully warding his rooms so they would not be bothered. The only one who would be able to get in was Fawkes, and the phoenix would only do so if it were an emergency. He reached his rooms and began quickly preparing for her arrival. He was going to make sure she had a wonderful night, whether they made love or not. AN: Let me know what u think!!