Love's Journeys *COMPLETE*

Chapter 21- Worrying, Worrying, and More Worrying


Severus and Hermione entered Albus’s office. They found Arthur Weasley, Moody, Minerva, Remus and Sirius there waiting for them. They sat down in front of the desk.


“I know the two of you have seen the front page of the Daily Prophet. Already I have received dozens of letters from parents demanding that I fire you Severus.” Albus sighed sadly.


“No! You can’t fire him!” Hermione cried as she leapt to her feet.


“Hermione, calm down.” Severus said as he gently pulled her back to her seat.


“Like Albus, I too have received letters. People are demanding that if your marriage is true for it to be annulled and you taken to Azkaban Severus.” Arthur added.


“Arthur, Albus, if we take Severus away Draco will get to Hermione. He is the only reason she hasn’t been killed yet.” Remus argued from his seat next to Hermione.


“Remus, I don’t like this anymore than you do. We have to do something. If we don’t, the public will.” Arthur said.


“You take him away and I will quit! Both here at Hogwarts and with the Order!” Remus hissed menacingly.


“I agree with Remus. I will not stand by and let Severus be sent to Azkaban and their marriage annulled because they fell in love! I won’t stand for it! I will fight you Arthur and you too Albus if I have too, but you are not sending my godson to that place and leaving Hermione alone!” Minerva cried as she stood and rested her hands on Severus and Hermione’s shoulders.


“Arthur, is there not anything we can do to clear this up and show everyone that they truly love each other and that no crime has been committed? I mean Hermione is of age. It was her choice to be with Severus. She knew the rules as did he, but it was their choice.” Albus asked hopefully.


“Well, there just might be a way. We could have them both take the truth potion and tell the governors of the school and have a reporter there. If we can prove that Severus and Hermione made the choice of being together of their own free wills, then the Ministry can do nothing about it. Look, I hate to use the truth potion on you two, but it is the only way to prove this.” Arthur sighed.


“I don’t care what it takes, anything to keep my husband away from that god awful place and not have our marriage annulled.” Hermione said.


“I agree. I am not going to prison for falling in love and marrying the only woman I could ever love. I’ll do it.” Severus nodded as he and Hermione clutched each other’s hand.


“Very well, I’ll go to the Ministry and set everything up. I will send you an owl when everything is ready. I am so sorry about this. We will have your names cleared. I won’t let Severus go to Azkaban. I swear to you Hermione.” Arthur said as he rose to his feet and walked out the door.


“Albus, you wouldn’t really fire Severus would you?” Remus asked.


“Of course not. I was the one who gave them permission to see each other. They have been very discreet. The only people outside of the faculty that know are Harry, Ron, Ginny, And Lavender. All four of them are trustworthy.” Albus answered.


“Albus, what if, I mean, even with the truth potion, what if we can’t convince the governors. What will happen?’ Severus questioned.


“Then, I’m afraid you’ll either be removed from the school or sent to Azkaban. Along with having your marriage annulled. This is exactly what Draco Malfoy wants.” Albus replied.


Hermione began to gasp for air. ‘Breath Hermione! Breathe! But I can’t lose Severus! I’ll kill myself if they take him away from me!' her mind screamed at her. Hermione clutched her chest and began heaving in deep breaths of air.


“Hermione! Hermione, breath baby. Come on honey. Just breathe.” Severus said as he tried to calm his hyperventilating wife.


“I…can’t…breath. No…air.” Hermione gasped.


“Severus, we have to calm her down. She’s hyperventilating. It’s all this stress.” Minerva stated soothingly. “Come on Hermione. Just listen to me and Severus.” She added softly.


Hermione began gasping more as strangled sobs racked her body. Suddenly she went ridged and slumped into Severus and Minerva’s arms.


“Hermione!” Severus cried.


“She just fainted. The stress over everything that has happened over the past 3 months has just finally caused her to overload. Get her back to your rooms and put her to bed. I’ll get Poppy and send her to you.” Remus said.


Severus nodded and scooped his unconscious wife into his arms. He started for the door when Albus stopped him. “Severus, it might be safer if you just flooed back to your chambers. We don’t want the students to see her this way.” Albus suggested.


“You’re right Headmaster.” Severus agreed.


He walked to the fireplace while Minerva grabbed some floo powder and sent him and Hermione back to their chambers. Severus went to the bedroom, magically changed her into a loose fitting nightgown and waited for Poppy. Ten minutes later Poppy entered the room. She quickly checked Hermione then turned to Severus, who was going crazy wondering if she was alright.


“She’s fine. I don’t want her to be over excited. I suggest she have a few days off to relax. I’ll talk to Albus and see what we can do. Maybe we can have Sirius come and keep her company while you teach. She can study and do her assignments here in your chambers.” Poppy instructed then left the room.


Severus sat at Hermione’s side when there was a knock at the door. “Come in.” Severus called.


Harry walked into the room, followed by Ron. “What happened? Is she alright?’ Ron asked.


“We had just got finished meeting with your dad. She started hyperventilating then fainted. I brought her back here. Poppy just left. She wants Hermione to stay here in our chambers and relax. She was going to see if Sirius would stay with her while I teach.” Severus explained.


“Sirius will do it. How did your meeting with Mr. Weasley go?” Harry questioned.


Severus quickly explained that many people wanted him either fired or sent to Azkaban and his and Hermione’s marriage annulled. He also told them about the truth potion and that would be their only shot at staying married.


“They can’t do that! Dad won’t let that happen.” Ron said.


Before Harry or Severus could speak a weak moan came from the bed. “What happened? Where am I?” Hermione asked weakly.


“Take it easy, all the stress about the newspaper article and everything. Poppy wants you to stay here in our chambers and relax. All of your lessons will be brought to you. While I’m teaching she is going to see if Sirius can come and keep you company. This will just be for a few days.” Severus answered as he took her hand in his.


Hermione nodded. For about an hour the four just talked about anything other than the problem at hand. Right before lunch Ron and Harry left and gave Hermione and Severus some time alone.


“Oh Severus. When will the two of us be left alone so we can have a normal marriage and think about having a family?” Hermione cried as she buried her face into her hands.


Severus gently pulled her into a warm embrace and rocked her slowly. “Everything will work out. Arthur will do everything in his power to help us. Plus Albus will testify for us if we need him to. Along with Harry, Ron, Sirius, and Remus. And of course Minerva. It will be okay. Now let’s eat lunch and go for a walk in the gardens. I know a secret way there so we won’t be seen.” Severus whispered into her ear.


Hermione nodded. She headed for the bathroom to wash her face and freshen up. When she came into the sitting room there was already a try full of wonderful food and two glasses of wine. The couple sat and ate their lunch in a comfortable silence. Once their wine and food was finished they headed for the gardens. Severus pulled Hermione over to a bench and into his lap. They sat there just holding onto each other and hoping everything worked out in favor of them.


T.B.C