The Change

Thank you so kindly for your reviews.

Yes, Sampdoria, this is the chapter you have been waiting for. Sorry not to update sooner.

Thanks sis for supporting me in this story.

My usual beta is really busy with real life so I have decided not to have this story beta'd for now. So excuse the mistakes.

I guess I also need to say that this story will not be rushed. Truthfully it can't be. I just hope that the bunny sticks around till the end, unlike my other stories that I have on my hard drive that aren't finished.



Chapter 2


Hermione poured the tea as Severus sat in the chair, the tips of his fingers together. She sat the cup down in front of him and then sat down on the couch, leaving him to arch an eyebrow. Finally after a long silence she spoke.


"Just how long are you expecting to stay, Professor?"

Severus chuckled. "Are you absent minded or do you just choose to hear what you want to? I hate to repeat myself, Miss Granger, but I will do it just this once, for you.

I am going to remain until you tell me exactly what transpired for you to have that huge bruise on the side of your face. I know you didn't just walk into a wall or even fall down the stairs at Hogwart's. I can wait forever but I am sure you will get sick of me soon enough. Now, who gave you that bruise?"

Hermione stood with a sigh and walked over to the mirror, her gaze locking with his own through the reflection. "It was Ronald.", she whispered, while gently stroking the bruise.


Severus' gaze hardened. "And why?"

Hermione turned, facing him. "Because. I told Harry, in which Ronald, overheard that I was done. I wasn't fighting for no one. I am so sick of the war, the bickering and constantly having to look over my shoulder. I'm sick of being used. I'm just sick of it all."

She sat back down on the couch. "I won't fight for the light, I won't fight for the dark. I won't research spells or potions. I just want a normal life." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Is that so much to ask for? Not to be part of the " Golden Trio ?"

Severus looked at the top of her head. "Miss Granger? Why did you spit Potter's name with such disgust?"


Hermione raised her eyes to him. "He didn't stop Ronald from doing this. He said I should have kept my mouth shut and that I should have just went to the Burrow. They expected me to marry Ronald and stay with Molly. Even if I was pregnant by the time of the battle, I would have been expected to fight anyways. They already had the summer planned out for me. I was to research spells and they would be having their fun. I was to be a prisoner in that house until they deemed it right for me to go out. I can't live like that so I picked here to keep the entire lot away from me. Do you blame me?"

Severus shook his head. "No, I don't. Do you need anything while you are here?"

Hermione shook her head in return. "No. Just to be left alone. And you know what the saddest part of this whole situation is? I was actually going to marry him."

Severus looked at his watch. "I must go Miss Granger. Remember to keep your door and windows warded. If you need a place to stay, you are more than welcome to come to my home. I have empty bedrooms."


"I am fine sir, but thank you for offering. Who knows, I might take you up on that one day. Have a safe journey sir."


Severus nodded and walked out the door, smiling to himself when he heard the wards being placed and the door lock engage. The wizard then wrapped his cloak around him and went to the apperation point and vanished from sight, all the while, the smile remained on his face.


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Severus went back to Voldermort and allowed him to see his findings. Once he was finished, Voldermort raised his head. "This could work to our advantage, you know. Now that Miss Granger is no longer part of that group, it would seem they are wide open. As I requested Severus, be her friend. If I am correct in my thinking, she has none currently. Once that side hears of this, they will be in an uproar. I am sure that they will want to find her and demand an explanation as to why she did what she did."


Lucius snorted in a very un-Malfoy manner. "Like they would believe her. Weasley senior thinks his children can do no wrong. I have witnessed it too many times that I have cared to. He also thinks Potter can do no wrong so naturally this whole situation will be Miss Granger 's fault."


Voldermort nodded again. "Do you think she will take you up on your offer of your home, Severus?"


Severus shrugged. "I don't think so, unless something happens to where she will have to seek shelter elsewhere. Other than what happened and what I was told, she seemed to be better than earlier today. But then again, she always was good at hiding things. I can understand her point though, not wanting to battle any longer. The young girl has been through so much danger being their friend that perhaps she is sick of it all. I honestly don't look for her to be at the final battle and without her help, they are, as the muggle saying goes, screwed."

Draco was looking out the window, deep in thought. "What now Hermione? Will you let uncle in? From the rage in his eyes, he is prepared to die for you, it seems. I feel sorry for Weaslebee when he does confront him about hitting you. Even if you are a muggleborn, you don't deserve that." He stood and excused himself, then went to his room to sleep.


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Molly Weasley 's mouth was opening and shutting like a fish out of water. No one knew where Hermione was at. The Order sat around the table, each one as shocked as the one next to them.


"So no one knows where she is?", Arthur asked.
"No one.", replied Minerva. "I asked Severus earlier to check the dungeons because Miss Granger wasn't on the train and I hadn't seen her leave Hogwart's yet. I am sure that if she was down there, he would have told us..."


"Told you what, Minerva?", Severus' deep voice questioned as he stepped into the room.


"As to if Miss Granger was in the dungeons or not. You did check, right?"


Severus sat down, his eyes staring straight ahead, meeting her gaze. "I did check and she wasn't there. Pity though, I might have scared her if she was."


His eyes then shot up towards Harry and Ron. "Didn't you two see her this morning? After all you three are constantly joined at the hip."

Harry blushed red and Ron shrugged. "We saw her late last night as she was going to bed. I figured she was on the train already. She wasn't acting out of the ordinary so we didn't question her."


Severus arched his eyebrow. "Funny though that you two didn't wait on her as usual. I would think you two would be the first to realize something was wrong."


Harry faked a yawn. "Well I guess the research is put on hold till we find her. I mean there isn't many places she could have went. Her family home was sold after her parents were murdered. She was supposed to come back to the Burrow, the same as every year since their deaths. I'm going to bed, there is nothing else to do here tonight."


Tonks nodded as the children walked upstairs. "So how do we find her?"

Severus stood up. "Miss Granger will be found when she wants to be found. Maybe the young witch just needed a break. She just graduated and maybe on a whim, decided to take a vacation. We don't know when Voldermort will attack so maybe she just took some time. Best not to push someone, they might rebel against you. I am leaving now before I am missed. If I see her, I will report back to the Order."


As he walked out the door he smirked. "If they try to find her, she will seek shelter in my home. I bet they won't find her there, my wards will prevent it. Thanks to those two dunderheads, you lost the best weapon against Voldermort. . That was his last thought before he apperated back to Malfoy Manor to tell Voldermort what he had heard and was soon on his way home.

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Voldermort looked up at Lucius. "I want her watched. If they are even close to finding her, I want to know. I am sure it won't take those idiot's long to find her."

Lucius nodded as Voldermort stood up. "Anything else?"


Voldermort shook his head. "No. As for the "matchmaking" you are accusing me of, that will play out in it's own time. Severus has already made the first move. I could feel his anger as Miss Granger told him what was going on. Have a nice night everyone."


The room slowly emptied and the manor was finally silent as the occupants went to bed.