Love's Journeys *COMPLETE*

Chapter 20- The Secret is Out!


Hermione and Severus woke up early Saturday morning. After a shower and a quiet breakfast the husband and wife team began to dress for the Quidditch game. It was half an hour before the game was to start when they began to leave their chambers. At the door leading out Severus stopped Hermione.


“Honey, are you sure you want to go to the game? It will be very difficult for you to be watched with all the people there.” Severus asked as he held onto her shoulders.


“Severus, I’ll be right by your side the whole time. Not to mention that Remus, Minerva, Sirius and Dumbledore will be there watching me as well.” Hermione said as she rose on her tiptoes and kissed him on the tip of his nose.


Severus just sighed and held the door open for her. ‘It’s pointless to try and argue with her. Once her mind is made up there’s no changing it. But that’s what I love about her.’ Severus thought as a small smile played at his lips.


The couple reached the teacher’s box five minutes before the game began. Hermione sat in between Severus and Minerva, with Albus in front of them and Sirius and Remus behind them.


“Ah. Hermione, Severus, How are you two doing this morning.” Albus asked as they took their seats.


“Fine Headmaster.” Hermione said.


“Welcome to this morning’s Quidditch match. Ravenclaw verses Hufflepuff. The teams are warmed up and ready as Madame Hooch steps out onto the field. The bludgers and snitch are released. The quaffle is up in the air and the game begins!” announced Colin Creevey, the commentator for the matches.


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As the match went on Draco, Pansy, Crabbe and Goyle snuck onto the pitch. From their hiding place they spotted Hermione sitting beside Severus.


“How do we get her? Look at all the Aurors, Order members not to mention those meddlesome professors and her friends.” Pansy stated.


“That’s where Crabbe and Goyle come in. I want the two of you to distract the Aurors and Order members. Once they are distracted Pansy and I will go after Granger and the traitor. Now, move into your positions and when the game is over start with the plan.” Draco instructed as he led Pansy toward the teacher’s box.


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Remus was enjoying the game when his heightened sense of smell picked up on something. “Hermione, are you wearing perfume?” Remus asked as he whispered into Hermione’s ear.


“No. Why?” Hermione answered.


“I think that we have some unwelcome guests. Down at the foot of the stairs.” He said.


Hermione quickly grabbed Severus’s arm. Severus looked down at his wife and found her looking deathly pain. “What’s wrong? Hermione, answer me.” He said worriedly as he wrapped his arms around her.


“Severus, I think Draco and Pansy are here. I caught a whiff of perfume and asked Hermione if she was wearing any. She said no. They are at the foot of the stairs.” Remus said.


At this point Albus, Minerva and Sirius as well as the other professors heard what Remus said.


“What do we do?” Professor Flintwick asked.


“We have to let them make the first move. Let Malfoy and Pansy think they have a shot.” Hermione said.


“No! I’m not risking Draco get a hold of you again.” Severus cried.


“Severus, you will be at my side. He wants you too, remember. Sirius, Remus, and Minerva will be right behind us. Hold back a bit. Wait for them to move first then go after them. If Crabbe and Goyle are here no doubt they are the decoy for the Aurors and Order members. We have to let them know as well.” Hermione said confidently.


“I agree with Hermione. We have to pretend like we know nothing. This maybe our only chance.” Albus nodded.


Reluctantly the other professors agreed. Albus used a quick spell and sent word to the Aurors and Order members there at the game. The game continued with Ravenclaw winning. The final score was Hufflepuff 90 and Ravenclaw 200.


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“All right, the professors will be coming down in a minute. Snape is always the last one.
He and that mudblood will be the last ones. We move behind them and then strike.” Draco said as he drew the Wand of Slytherin and Pansy drew her own wand.


The professors crowded out. Draco and Pansy didn’t notice that Minerva, Remus, and Sirius weren’t with the others. Soon they spotted Severus and Hermione making their way down the stairs. Severus and Hermione were separated from everyone else. Draco and Pansy following close behind. Minerva, Sirius, and Remus watched carefully as they silently followed Draco and Pansy. Draco knew they were being followed but didn’t care.


“Now.” Draco whispered to Pansy.


“STUPEFY!”


“EXPELLIARMUS!”


The two spells flew at Hermione and Severus. Severus heard the whisper of Draco right before the spells and threw himself and his wife out of the way. At the same moment three voices each yelled out a curse. Draco used the power of the wand to block them and disappear. Pansy was hit and fell to the ground.


“Are you all right Hermione?” Severus asked as he helped her to her feet.


“Yes. Are you?” Hermione asked. Severus nodded.


Within minutes Pansy, Crabbe and Goyle were taken to the hospital wing for any medical treatment that they may need then were carried off by the Aurors. Severus and Hermione were sitting in the Headmaster’s office.


“How did they get here! I mean, how did we not know that they were here!” Severus cried. “If Remus hadn’t smelt Pansy’s perfume they would have gotten Hermione and me! I am not about to lose my wife to that fucking bastard again!” Severus roared.


“Severus, please calm down. I think I know how Draco got in without us knowing. The spell is over the castle. Since we were outside the spell isn’t as effective. I apologize to both you and Hermione. I should have thought about this before but I didn’t. I am sorry.” Albus said.


“It’s all right Albus. No one was hurt. Besides, Draco won’t try that again. We just have to keep our eyes open more. Draco must be getting desperate.” Hermione said as she gently placed her hand on Severus’s shoulder.


“She is right. We will be more careful.” Minerva agreed.


The meeting was dismissed and Severus and Hermione headed for their chambers. Once there Severus began to pace while Hermione went and fixed them some tea. She returned to the sitting room, sat on the couch and watched her husband. Anger written on his face.


“I can’t believe Albus didn’t think about have the spell include the Quidditch pitch! He knows you go to the games! If Remus hadn’t been there we never would have known and you could have been taken or worse killed right there in front of my eyes!” Severus bellowed.


“Severus, darling calm down. Nothing happened.” Hermione said as she walked over to her brooding and angry husband.


“I don’t want to lose you. I love you. So very much.” Severus breathed, gathering her tightly into his arms and held her tightly.


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That evening as the castle slept only one person remained awake. Harry Potter. He quietly snuck out of his room and into the Gryffindor common room. He walked up to the large fireplace where dying embers glowed. He looked for the hidden cabinet that Godric Gryffindor had told him about. After twenty minutes he found it. Hidden on the left hand side of the fireplace. He simply placed his hands over the wall there and it opened up to him. Inside sat a large leather bound book. The book had the sign of Gryffindor encrusted on the front. Slowly he picked up the book and carried it over to the couch. He lit one of the lanterns on the table and opened the book.


‘Godric Gryffindor, one of the four founding members of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. May the finder of this book be of pure courage, devotion, love and strength. With the knowledge of the contains of this book come great responsibilities.’


Harry began to flip through the pages. Looking for something, anything to help and save Severus and Hermione. ‘Today was a close call. Malfoy is getting desperate. If Remus hadn’t smelt Pansy, they could have been killed.’ Harry thought angrily.


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Just as dawn was approaching Harry decided to finish looking through the book with Hermione and Severus. They would meet after breakfast. He quietly snuck back to his room, hid the book in his trunk and decided to go ahead and get dressed since he was awake anyway. After grabbing a shower and dressing Harry was sitting in the common room reading a book on Quidditch moves when a still half asleep Ron Weasley entered the room.


“Mornin’ mate. Ready for breakfast? I’m starving.” Ron said.


“Let’s go. I have to talk to Hermione.” Harry said.


As they walked toward the great Hall Harry began to feel a little guilty. He hadn’t told Ron about the Wand of Gryffindor. He wanted to but he, Hermione and Severus had decided it would be best if fewer people knew about the wand or the book. The two entered the hall and sat down at their table. Hermione entered five minutes after the boys. Severus was already seated at the staff table.


“Hey Mione.” Ron and Harry greeted.


“Morning.” Hermione replied as she began to fill her plate.


While Ron was stuffing his face Harry leaned over and whispered in her ear. “I found the book. I’ll meet you and Severus after breakfast.”


Hermione nodded. She cast a look up at Severus. When their eyes locked she cast a sideways look at Harry then nodded her head. Severus raised his goblet to her in a salute to let her knew he understood. Halfway through breakfast the morning post came. Hermione unrolled her copy of the Daily Prophet. When she looked at the front page her face lost all color and she thought she was going to faint.


“Mione? Mione what’s wrong?” Ron demanded when he saw her pail and get stiff as a board.


Hermione pushed the paper in front of them. The front page read:


Hogwarts Professor Severus Snape Weds Student Over New Year’s


The Daily Prophet was informed that over the New Year’s Professor Severus Snape, Potions Master at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry married seventh year and Head Girl Hermione Granger. It is believed that Professor Snape has somehow bewitched Miss Granger into marrying him.


Severus Snape was a Death Eater turned spy. Even though he helped defeat He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, one still wonders where his loyalties truly lie. The Minister of Magic, Arthur Weasley was unavailable for comment, but we intend to find out the truth. If found guilty of cohorceing a student into matrimony, Snape will no doubt be sentenced to time in Azkaban Prison.


Hermione’s head immediately turned to the staff table, her eyes widened in fear. Severus’s eyes too were wide. All around the Great Hall whispers were heard. No doubt talking about the story and wanting to know if it was true.


“Hermione, are you really married to…to…him?” Neville Longbottom asked.


Hermione jumped to her feet and ran from the hall. She ran full speed down to her and Severus’s chambers. She threw herself onto their bed and cried.


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Back in the hall Severus was still in shock that he didn’t notice his wife run from the hall. Sirius did. “Severus! Snap out of it. Worry about this later. Hermione just left the hall ALONE! Go to her. We don’t want to take any chances. Especially after yesterday.” Sirius said shaking Severus from his bewilderment.


Severus quickly looked at the Gryffindor table. Hermione was gone. He quickly rose from his seat and left to make sure she was safe. He found her lying in their bed crying. He sighed in relief that she was safe and sound, walked over to her and gently pulled her into his arms.


“Oh Severus! What do we do? They wouldn’t really send you to Azkaban would they?” she sobbed.


“Sshh. It’s alright. No doubt Arthur will be here to talk to us soon. Everything will be fine. I’m not going to Azkaban. They will just have to kill me if they think they are taking me away from you.” Severus whispered as he held her tightly to him.


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Two hours later Hermione had calmed down and was drinking a cup of tea when there was a knock on the door to the sitting room. Severus went to the door and found nothing there.


“Who’s there?” He demanded reaching for his wand.


Harry pulled off the invisibility cloak that belonged to his father. “Sorry Severus. I had to make sure no one saw the book. Or me.” Harry answered.


Severus led him to the room. Severus took his seat beside Hermione.


“Who do you think told the Prophet about you guys?” Harry asked.


“Draco no doubt. He must have somehow found out we were married.” Severus answered.


“Maybe not. What if this is a trick. To get you fired. Or to get you taken to Azkaban. If you are taken away, that leaves me alone. He would have no problems getting me then.” Hermione offered.


“Hermione’s right. This could all be some trick. I’m sure Dumbledore and Mr. Weasley will have everything straightened out.” Harry agreed as he knelt in front of Hermione and rested his hand on her knee. “Don’t worry. We won’t let them take Severus from you.” He added.


“Thanks Harry.” Hermione said as she leaned down and hugged him. Severus nodded his thanks to Harry.


Finally they got to work on the book. They spent two hours reading through the book, but so far came up with nothing.


“Let’s take a break.” Severus announced.


“Sounds good.” Harry sighed, leaning back in his chair.


Severus entered his kitchen and returned with three cups of tea. The three sat around in a comfortable silence for twenty minutes. Each thinking. All of a sudden Albus’s head appeared in the fireplace.


“Severus, Hermione. You there?” He asked.


“Yes Headmaster.” Severus said.


“The two of you come to my office now. Arthur is here. We need to talk.” Albus said.


“We’re on our way.” Severus nodded.


Albus vanished and the three rose to their feet. Harry slipped back under the cloak and accompanied Severus and Hermione to the Headmaster’s office. When Severus and Hermione stopped Harry whispered good luck then continued on to Gryffindor tower.


“Ready love?” Severus asked as he looked down at his wife.


“Let’s get this over with.” Hermione answered somewhat worried and nervously.


Severus leaned down and kissed her gently. “It will be all right. I swear it. Everything will be fine.” He whispered.


Severus faced the gargoyle, said the password and they stepped onto the moving stairs. All too soon they were standing in front of Albus’s door. They took a deep breath then Severus knocked.


“Come in.” Albus called out to them.


T.B.C