The Change

A/N: I am sorry it has taken me so long to update this story. Too many things going on and I wanted this chapter to be good. So without further ado, Chapter 17. Also for the long wait, blame my muses and my keyboard dying. Didn't get a new one until Christmas.


Chapter 17


Hermione and Severus were laying in bed, both sleeping soundly. Hermione suddenly jumped up as Severus cussed at being woken up out of a dead sleep, also hissing at the pain from the Dark Mark burning. When he raised his head, Hermione was standing over him, his Death Eater robes in her hands.

He allowed her to help him get dressed, knowing this was it. Within minutes, Ginny, Bellatrix and Narcissa would arrive to stay in Snape Manor until after the battle.

With Hermione being pregnant, it was up to Narcissa and Ginny to keep Bellatrix in the manor and away from the battle. The three knew that would be a feat in it's own, due to the fact the woman wanted to fight.

Severus stood with his mask in his right hand, taking Hermione's in his left.

"Now remember my love, Bellatrix will try to trick you. Do not leave her alone for a minute, unless it is the bathroom. The elves are at your disposal and if the war turns to their way, wards will sound in the manor, only being activated by myself, Lucius or Draco as a last resort. The elves will escort you to a safe place."


"I want to go, Severus. I want to be by your side as a wife should be. Bella and Narcissa should be there by Tom and Lucius' side. Not protecting me. I should be there."

Severus shook his head. "No. I can't risk you and the baby. Before I met you, I had nothing to live for, now, I have my family to return to. We have went over the plans throughly. There is no option not covered. I can't have you there fighting, I would be worried and unable to concentrate on the battle. Besides, Kingsley will be there waiting. It will be up to him to get everyone together and not allow stragglers."

Hermione cocked her head. "Kingsley? He's part of this?"

Severus smiled. "Who do you think cleared my name over Ronald's death? He was the one who checked my wand. It will be fine and by the afternoon, I will be home."

He gave Hermione one last hug and then apperated out of the manor. He didn't stop to look back, knowing he would want to stay if he did. "Please for once my wife, listen to my requests"
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Ginny was the first to arrive, followed closely by Narcissa and Bellatrix. Hermione quickly ordered breakfast and the four sat in the sitting room, having their meal and conversing.

"I can't believe Tom ordered me to stay out of the fight.", Bella sighed.

Narcissa hid a smile behind her teacup. "Sister, we were needed here to protect Hermione and Ginny. While I know, one of us could have taken care of them both, it makes it easier for two to be here. We have sat at the meetings and know that every angle is covered. Let us enjoy this day for by this afternoon, Potter will be in our grasp."

"In our grasp?", Hermione echoed.

Bellatrix nodded with a half smirk. "Tom has plans for Potter that doesn't include him being dead. You should know by now that he isn't an evil man, he just has certain views. Potter dying was never in the plans. Though I can't say much for who will die, all I know is that there will be deaths. Did Severus tell you about the wards?"

"Yes. He said that they would only be activated if the fight went towards the other side and only as a last resort. The elves will take us someplace safe. What plans does he have for Harry?"


Narcissa and Bella exchanged a look. "That, I am afraid, we can't tell you per Tom's request. I am certain that Potter will choose Tom's choice over death. That's all I can tell you. Don't fret, Hermione. It will work out fine in the end.", Narcissa gently said to ease her worries.

Ginny looked out the window. "I miss Draco."

The other three laughed and decided to go swimming to try to pass the time.

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Molly was in the kitchen, cooking breakfast when the pops of numerous arrivals, startled her. Kingsley ran into the door.

"DEATH EATERS! THEY ARE ATTACKING!"


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Tom fired a spell towards the house, making the Burrow sway on it's foundations. He smirked as he saw the lights coming on through the house. "REMEMBER! NO HARM IS TO COME TO POTTER! I WANT HIM ALIVE!"
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The Order ran out of the Burrow and froze at the amount of black cloaked figures, standing around the house and in the meadow. You couldn't even see the grass, there was so many. Molly looked around and lifted her wand. "PROTECT HARRY! THAT'S WHO HE WANTS!"

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Hermione was sitting in one of the lounge chairs beside the pool whenever Narcissa spoke again.

"Hermione?"

"Yeah, Cissy?"

"I don't trust Bella. I know she will try something. She might be my sister but she is way too calm to just have accepted Tom's order."

Hermione looked over. "Severus has warned me not to leave her alone for any period of time, except for the bathroom. I have made Ginny aware also."


Narcissa looked at Hermione. "Can you keep a secret?"

The younger girl nodded. "What's wrong?"


The blonde let out a breath and smiled. "Let's just say that your child will have a playmate, close to it's age."

"Your pregnant?", Hermione whispered.

"Yes. I wanted to tell Lucius but I didn't want him to be distracted during the battle. I know he would have worried. Did I do wrong?"


Hermione patted her hand. "No. During the past few months, I have gotten to know Lucius. Your fears are justified, he would have been worried about you and the baby and not be able to concentrate. You can tell him at the celebration tonight. You know, a few months ago, if someone would have told me I would be married to Severus, pregnant with his child and friends with your family and the Death Eaters, I would have had them admitted for observation. Now that I have gotten to know you, I know everything I was told was a lie. So, your sure I can't find out what is going to happen to Harry?"

Narcissa laughed. "Nice try, Hermione, but no. My lips are sealed."

Hermione laughed also. "Can't blame me for trying."

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The battle was in full swing and Lucius felt himself being shoved down to the ground and a body fall on top of him. "Don't say I never did anything for you cousin.", Tonks whispered in his ear. "Harry will be out to face Voldemort within the hour. The Order has their own set time frame. Now struggle with me and stun me."

"Thank you.", Lucius whispered and stunned her after a fake struggle.

He then ran over to Tom and told him what Tonks had passed on. Tom nodded in understanding, leaving Lucius to go back to the battle.

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The girls had gotten out of the pool whenever Bella decided she wanted to take a bath. Hermione assigned a house elf to her for assistance and let the woman go into one of the guest bathrooms. "I'll come check on you later, Bella. Have a nice soak."

"Thank you, Hermione. I will."

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Thirty minutes later, Narcissa looked around the room. "Hermione? Where is Bella?"

"Oh. Taking a soak."

The three looked at each other and ran up the stairs to the guest room. When Narcissa finally got the door opened, the elf was tied to the toilet.

Narcissa groaned. "Tom is going to kill us."

"Not us, just me. I can't believe I forgot.", Hermione groaned, covering her face with her hands.

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The battle was in full swing whenever Harry finally came out. They had held out as long as they could and the Dark Side noticed all the Weasley's around Harry. Tom rolled his eyes at how easy they were making it, only to freeze in mid step as Arthur Weasley pitched forwards on the ground, not moving.


Within minutes both Lucius and Tom knew who was behind it. The voice that carried over the sounds of battle was clear to anyone who had heard it before.

"INNY MINNIE MINEY MO! WHICH ONE OF THE WEASLEY'S IS NEXT TO GO??" , the sound of the cackling laugh, had Tom gritting his teeth in anger.

"Lucius?"

"Yes, Tom?"

"Once all of them are dead. I want you to bind her to a tree and take her wand. She has defied my orders for the last time."

"Yes, Tom.", Lucius answered and continued to watch as Bellatrix killed one redhead after another.

The last to fall was Molly and as soon as she did, Bella found herself, bound up and floating across the grounds. She knew then she was caught.

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Harry looked around in somewhat shock as his stand in family laid dead around him. What had started with Arthur, had quickly moved to Fred, George, and then Molly. He had no idea where Ginny was and even Hermione being still gone, had the Light Side at a disadvantage. The thoughts of running or fighting, ran through his mind and as he turned to run, he found not one but five wands shoved into his face.


The battle instantly froze as Tom walked over to Harry, a smirk on his lips. "My, my. Harry Potter. Without your guards, you were helpless. Now be a good little boy and come with us quietly, if not, we will kill everyone. Is your life more important than theirs? Would you fight and watch them die?"

Harry felt tears come to his eyes and shook his head. "You promise, that they won't be harmed and everyone will be let go?"

"Of course. What do you take me as? A wizard who goes back on his word?"

"Fine, no more killing."


Lucius and Severus grabbed Harry's arms and removed his wand from his hand. Tom turned to his followers and nodded. "COME! WE HAVE WHAT WE WANTED!"

Harry watched in shock as the dark robed figures turned, walking away. Tom released Bellatrix from the tree and grabbed her arm tightly.

"You have disobeyed me. What if they would have found Hermione?", he hissed at the woman. "You will be punished, Bella. Mark my words."

Harry's eyes went wide. "Did you say Hermione? Is she hurt? Is she well?"

Lucius glared at Harry. "Do shut up. You will see her soon enough."

Harry sighed in relief and groaned as he felt the ground drop out from under him as they apperated away.

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Severus walked in and pulled off his mask, shaking his head. "Tom is mad. Bella didn't get out in time and he found out she was there. Needless to say, her punishment will be sever."

"Harry?", Hermione whispered.

"Being held in Malfoy Manor Dungeons as we speak. Nothing has been said to him but he has figured out that you are alive, due to Tom's words to Bella. Nothing for us to do but wait and sleep. He will call for us in the morning I am sure. Come, let's go to bed."
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A/N: Yeah after much thinking, I decided not to drag the battle out. This story really isn't about the battle but more about Hermione. I had to write it in. The rest of the chapters will concentrate on the time after the battle. Hopefully, the next chapter won't take too long to get out.