Doppelganger

The stage is set for a rescue and Severus reveals the Dark Lord's command concerning her parents. Please review good or bad.

Chapter 30 Rescue Part 1

The day went by quickly and he soon found himself at dinner as he watched Hermione sit down next to her fellow apprentice.

Hermione noticed Alice's nervousness. "Alice, don't blame yourself about Rosemerta's death and Lord Malfoy trying to capture me. How were you to know that he would show up?" She whispered to the young witch.

"I would have never suggested going out if I had known he was there Hermione. I didn't even know he escaped as I knew we captured him." She whispered back realizing that Snape must have Obliviated the Mudblood.

"Let's talk right after dinner. I see that this is bothering you and it's obvious you feel guilty about it." She told the mousy witch as she thought bitch you planned it and should be right to worry and if not for Albus I would have ratted you out.

Severus felt the sting of her thoughts. "Hold your roar Lioness after all you knew it was going to happen. I did warn you." Watching as the two witches finished their meal and left through the staff entrance.

Hermione led Alice to one of the unused classrooms and warded the door behind her as the witched grabbed her and began to cry.

She patted the apprentice thinking that she was quite the actress. "There was an attack where he was being held and I should have told you he was on the loose. We kept it secret as it would be a blow to everyone to find out he had been rescued. I can't blame him as Voldemort tried to kill me five years ago and was unsuccessful and I have the scars to prove it." Lifting up a portion of her robes and revealing the scars of Malfoy's whip. "He gave me these at the command of Voldemort and I am glad that he is dead. I hope the Veil sorts him into the hell that he deserves."

Alice looked to the hideous scars. "Thank Merlin the Order arrived to save us. And Snape! He saved us! Maybe he is not the bastard that you previously thought."

"You're right Alice. He did save my life. I'll have to think about it."

"And Harry? Is he well? I worry about him as he should not have died from your Disarming charm."

"He is Alice and I'll tell him about your concern when I see him next. The charm caused him to pass out from exhaustion as he was fighting earlier and his heartbeat was so low that Moody thought he was dead. He never was and Snape's Pepper Up potion fixed him up."

Hermione released the traitor. "I have to be off now or Professor McGonagall will punish me if I am late to my apprentice training."

Alice looked to her. "Thank you for telling me this. I feel better now." She replied with feeling as two apprentices parted ways.

"You handled that quite well. I am sure that the Dark Lord will know of it soon. She suspects that I Obliviated you and I told the Dark Lord that I did. I award you a BAFTA." He sent out as he made his ways to his chambers.

"How can you stand these games Severus? It really stresses me out." She sent back.

"Welcome to my world Hermione. Now that Minerva knows of our status I am hoping to meet with you more." He sent.

Hermione walked into the Transfiguration class. "I hope so Severus."

HGSSHGSSHGSS

Severus met with the Deatheaters watching the Grangers and found out that they planned to kill them at their practice as the muggle headlines would scream about the death at their place of business.

"Think about it First Knight. Our Lord commanded us to make it messy and they never leave their house except to go to work and their work is in a busy place in town." One said.

"And we'll destroy that place as well and will draw more attention of the muggle press. I need to make her pay for the death of Goyle!" Another Deatheater spat out.

Severus recognized the voice of Crabbe as he replied. "Well planned and I am sure our Lord will reward you." He thought for a moment. "Most muggle people take off time during lunch. Make sure that you strike at 12 pm. And your only target is the Grangers."

"As you command First Knight." Crabbe replied.

HGSSHGSSHGSS

Severus posted the day of the attack as study time in the Library for all his classes and cleared his absence with the Headmaster.

Albus listened to his plans. "You're cutting it close Severus. I take it Hermione knows nothing about this?"

"She does not and I do not understand why as we know all of our thoughts and feelings." He replied as he explained the Dark Lord's command. "I have arranged for Hermione to accompany me on rounds tonight. Then we will plan."

Albus looked to his Potions Master. "I will tell Minerva something to explain her absence on Friday."

"Don't bother Albus. Minerva found out about us a couple of days ago. Just tell her the truth as I am sure that Hermione will tonight."

Hermione made her way to her Mistress's chambers and found Minerva sitting at her desk. "Hermione this came for you just a few minutes ago. It's from Severus."

She opened and read the contents. "I have patrol with him tonight. It says we need to discuss something important."

Minerva pulled her watch out. "There is two hours until that time apprentice and that does not get you out of your work." Handing Hermione a paper containing list of assignments. "I expect the first two to be completed before you leave."

Fifteen minutes until the posted patrol time Hermione entered Minerva's common room and handed the older witch her assignments.

Minerva glanced through them pleased. "Even managed to complete two extra Apprentice. Run along to your patrol and arrive back before the students are up and about."

"Of course Mistress. I would hate to think that I am losing sight of my responsibilities." Exiting the door and found Severus waiting for her, his dark obsidian eyes unreadable.

"Tonight's patrol starts at the Infirmary where I have to get an update on any residing there. Follow me Apprentice Granger." He sneered as students walked past giving a sympathetic look to the unlucky woman.

"Of course Professor Snape." She stuttered in fear as she rushed to keep up with him.

They walked into the Infirmary into a buzz of activity as they heard a boy moaning in pain.

Poppy forced another potion into the disfigured boy's mouth. "Tut, Tut Mr. Greystone. This is for pain and very soon I will get you back to rights."

"Stay Apprentice." He commanded as he walked to the bed and watched Poppy work on his Slytherin.

After about ten minutes Poppy rose and stretched and noticed Severus standing beside the bed. "Professor Snape I was just about to send Apprentice Dyson after you."

"No need to Madame. What is going on with Mr. Greystone?"

"Alice stay out here and watch over Mr. Greystone while I talk to Professor Snape in private."

The apprentices watched as the professors walked into the office as Hermione walked up to the bed.

"Get out of my sight Mudblood!" Greystone muttered as he succumbed to the sleeping potion.

"Merlin what happened to the boy Alice?"

"I can't tell you but it involved a duel and he lost."

Hermione eyed the student then looked around. "There is no one else here. Madame Pomphfrey already released the dueler?"

Alice looked to her. "The other boy did not even have a scratch. What in the world are you doing with Snape? I thought you hated him."

"The hateful man comes barging in my Mistress's chambers with a note for from the Headmaster stating that I accompany Professor Snape on patrol tonight. A hateful face appeared on Hermione's otherwise relaxed one. "I will have words with the old man as I will not tolerate this as I am a Transfiguration apprentice and not a Potions one."

They both jumped up as the office door banged open as they watched the witch and wizard talking.

Alice whispered into Hermione's ear. "I have not seen him this angry in ages. I feel sorry for you."

Severus suddenly broke away from Poppy and walked past the apprentices as he snarled out. "Apprentice Granger we still have duties to perform."

HGSSHGSSHGSS

They walked the fastest patrol ever in the history of Hogwarts as Severus needed to get it done so he could address his house.

They arrived at his chambers and Hermione sat down in a chair watching as he went to a bookcase and pulled out a small book with a dark black cover with the insignia of Slytherin colorfully adorned on it.

"Hermione I need to take care of my house and then we need to talk. Call Sassy for tea while you wait for me." Throwing open the door leading to the Slytherin Common room as he began to yell. The door banged the wall and slammed shut behind him.

Severus finished with his house and walked back in noticing that Hermione had fallen asleep in the chair. He gently shook her awake as she sat up. "I'm sorry for falling asleep." She muttered as she felt him pick her up and place her on the sofa in a sitting position.

She watched as he walked over to his Liquor cabinet and heard the clinks of glass.

Severus handed her the smaller glass. I want you to drink this in one go Hermione. We have something very important and dangerous to discuss and I do not need your Gryffindor brashness to come out as we need to be Sytherin in this.

She watched him drink his drink in one go as he watched her sniff the glass before drinking it down and chuckled as she immediately began to cough.

He watched her recover and as soon as he saw her body relax he gently grabbed her hands and held them as he looked into her eyes. "The Dark Lord has commanded the death of your parents. I am sorry."

Hermione shot up as tears began to run down from her eyes. "We must do something Severus and now!"

He pulled her back down onto his lap and held her tightly in his arms. "And I will Hermione. This is part of a plan to allow me to get close to you so that I can bring you to the Dark Lord."

She calmed down as she listened to him explain the plan and the Deatheaters currently watching her parents and the decision that the attack would take place at their office.

"Now Lioness we plan." As he conjured up a parchment as he began to list the Granger's habits as Hermione talked about her parents.

After two hours he felt that they had an acceptable plan that should be safe for everyone involved. He stood up and pulled his watch out noticing that it was late. "You have to get back Hermione as Minerva will be concerned."

Hermione yawned and lay down on the sofa. "She gave me leave to stay with you as long as I do not get noticed by the students when I leave. Lay with me Severus as I need to feel your presence beside me tonight."

He wandlessly enlarged his sofa and removed his outer robes and wrapped himself around her and they soon fell asleep.

AN BAFTA is British Academy of Film and Television awards. Next is the rescue.