Love's Journeys *COMPLETE*

Chapter 31- The Chamber of Light and the Wand of Godric Gryffindor


It was Friday morning and Marcus was still following Hermione and her friends around. He was still trying to find out what they were up to that night, but he still came up empty handed. That morning he had received an owl from Draco.


Dear Marcus,


So, the little mudblood is pregnant again and the child keeps her invincible. Hmmm. I could definitely use that information. I want you to keep on them. Find out what they are looking for. As soon as you know send word to me at once.


Draco


Marcus walked into the Great Hall where he stood in the corner once again. Everyone was mumbling and talking. After a few minutes Albus stood up. Once the hall was silent he began to speak.


“Today I have a great surprise and a treat for everyone. In light of the tragic events that have been happening over the year I have decided to cancel all classes for today. The rest of the faculty has agreed. So after breakfast seconds year and below are allowed to anywhere within bounds on the castle grounds. As for the third years and above, you are allowed to go into Hogsmeade as well as tomorrow. Enjoy your free day.” Albus said.


The hall erupted into cheers. Hermione turned to her husband. “Severus, why don’t we go into town for a little bit. Just to get out of the castle.” Hermione asked.


“I think that would be a good idea. I could use some time away from here.” Severus replied.


After breakfast Hermione and Severus returned to their chambers. They changed into more comfortable robes and began their walk to Hogsmeade. Marcus followed behind them. The air was fresh and clean and the feel of spring filled the air. Halfway to town Severus stopped walking.


“What’s wrong?” Hermione asked.


“Nothing.” Severus said smiling.


Before Hermione could utter one word he swept her into his strong arms and passionately kissed her. When he released her lips she was clinging to his cloak and completely breathless.


“Wow. What was that for?” she asked.


“For being my salvation, for becoming my wife, for staying strong and keeping me strong through everything we’ve gone through and most importantly for giving me the chance to have a family. Something I thought would never happen.” He answered as he held her tightly to him.


The happy couple stayed in each other’s arms till someone behind them coughed and interrupting their happy moment. Severus and Hermione looked up and found Albus and Minerva standing before them smiling at them.


“We didn’t mean to interrupt, but you two were blocking the road.” Albus chuckled.


“You could have walked around you know.” Severus said.


Hermione and Minerva began to laugh at the expression on Severus’s face. Soon the group of four was laughing their heads off as they made their way into the bustling town.


“How have you been feeling Hermione? Any morning sickness or anything?” Minerva asked.


“Just a little bit. It’s not as bad as some cases I’ve heard about.” Hermione answered.


“So, Severus, how does it feel to be a father-to-be?” Albus asked.


“I’m excited, scared, there are just so many things that are flying through my mind. The most important is will I make a good father.” Severus said.


“Severus, you won’t make a good father, you’ll be a GREAT father. I have complete faith in you my boy.” Minerva said.


“You think so?” he asked.


“Of course.” Hermione said as she rested her hand on his shoulder.


The rest of the morning the four spend in The Three Broomsticks. By lunch Albus and Minerva returned to the castle leaving Hermione and Severus alone. They walked around to the different shops. The students who saw them either moved out of their way or glared at Hermione. They stopped by Fred and George’s joke shop to say hi.


“So, where to now my love?” Severus asked as they exited the joke shop.


“I don’t know.” Hermione said.


“I have an idea. Hold on to me.” Severus said.


Hermione wrapped her arms around his waist. A few seconds later a swirling sensation surrounded her. She closed her eyes as the feeling of weightlessness swept over her body. When the feeling stopped she opened her eyes. She gasped at the sight before her.


“Where are we?” she asked.


“It’s a little cabin that I bought about ten years ago. I come here over the summer to relax. Do you like it?” Severus said.


“I love it.” Hermione exclaimed.


Before her was a cute little two story log cabin. Behind the cabin was a beautiful lake; to the left was a large rose garden. Off to the right was an orchard of trees. Severus took hold of her hand and led her into the cabin. Once inside she was again shocked. The cabin was stunning. The walls were white, with gorgeous tapestries of maroon, gold, and silver hanging from them. The furniture was done up in white and gold. All-in-all the downstairs of the cabin was very bright and cheerful. Completely the opposite of Severus. Hand-in-hand they made their way upstairs.


The upstairs was more like Severus. The hallway walls were a dark bare log walls. The tapestries were hunter green and silver. They walked into the master bedroom. There was a king size bed covered in green and silver silk sheets and a feather downed green comforter. There was a large fireplace facing the bed. There was a large crystal chandelier hanging above a desk in the corner. The bed had a canopy with sheer green curtains that were drawn around the bed. Hermione fell in love with the cabin.


“Oh Severus, this cabin is beautiful. I love it!” she said as she made her way around the bedroom.


“I’m glad because, I would like for us to move here once the school year and this trouble with Malfoy is over. It’s closer to Hogwarts than you think. Plus there are four other bedrooms. We could hire a nanny while I’m teaching and you’re at the university.” Severus said.


“You mean it?” Hermione said hopefully.


“Say the word and I’ll talk to Albus once we’re back about having Professor Sinstra take over as head of Slytherin house next year. That way I’ll be able to be there when our child is born.” Severus said.


“Oh yes! Yes!” Hermione cried as she flung herself into his arms.


Severus laughed as he caught his wife. They spent the remainder of the day at the cabin. About an hour before dinner they left the cabin. Instead of apparating Severus led her down a path that forked of from the one that lead to the cabin.


“Where are we going?” she asked.


“I told you we are closer to Hogwarts than you thought.” He said smiling down at her.


After fifteen minutes of walking they came up the lake at Hogwarts. They walked into the castle and down to their chambers to clean up for dinner. Ten minutes later they were seated at the staff table with Harry, Ginny, Lavender and Ron. Marcus of course was right there. He had written down the directions to the cabin. With an evil grin he listened intently on their conversation.


“Are you two ready?” Harry asked.


“Yes. When are we meeting?” Hermione asked.


“Fifteen minutes after curfew. Ron, Ginny and Lavender will already be with Dumbledore, McGonagall and Sirius.” Harry said.


“Where should we meet you Harry?” Severus asked.


“How about the main hall way. The rest of the staff said they would make sure no one would be there.” Harry answered.


“We’ll be there.” Severus said.


Marcus was starting to get really interested in what they were up to. He would just have to wait a few more hours to find out.


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After dinner he followed Harry, Lavender, Ron and Ginny into Albus’s office. Albus, Minerva and Sirius were there waiting. “Okay. Now that we are all here let’s go over the plan.” Albus said.


“Alright. Hermione, Severus and I are going to meet in the main hall fifteen minutes after curfew. From there we will head up to the top most tower. Once we have the wand we will come back here. From there we’ll make a plan.” Harry explained.


‘Wand? What wand? I will definitely have to follow them to find out. Once I do I will notify Draco.’ Marcus thought.


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Down in the dungeons Hermione and Severus were getting ready to meet with Harry. “Hermione,” Severus said as he sat on the edge of the bed.


“Yes Severus.” Hermione said as she finished tying her boots.


“I want you to be careful. We don’t know what if any safety precautions that Godric Gryffindor has placed on the chamber or around the wand. I don’t want anything to happen to you or our child.” Severus said as he took hold of her hands and pulled her before him.


“I will. You be careful as well. I wouldn’t be able to move on if anything ever happened to you.” Hermione said as she wrapped her arms around his neck.


The two held each other for a few minutes then left their chambers. Marcus followed closely behind them. They met up with Harry a few minutes later.


“Are you ready?” Harry asked.


“Yes. Let’s go.” Hermione said.


The three headed off for the tower to find the Chamber of Light. For an hour the trudged up stairs, winded through the many hallways then finally found the tower they were looking for. They walked into the tower and found the wall at the far right.


“Let’s do this.” Harry said.


He walked over to the wall and took out his wand. He tapped the wall four times. Severus and Hermione joined hands and stepped forward. They found the center stone and placed their joined hand upon the stone.


“Like the dawn chases away the night, light chases away the dark.” Hermione and Severus said together.


As soon as they finished the sentence the stones in the wall began moving. Severus and Harry pushed Hermione behind them. Marcus watched in shock as the wall opened up to revile a hidden chamber. Just like the book said there was a gold and jewel incrusted chest in the center of the room. The four of them entered the chamber. Harry slowly walked up to the chest. As soon as he placed his hand upon the chest it sprang open. Inside laid a mahogany wand. On the wand written in gold was GODRIC GRYFFINDOR. He slowly reached out and took hold of the wand.


“Now that we have the wand, let’s get it to Albus and figure out a plan of attack.” Severus said.


Hermione and Harry nodded. Marcus followed them out of the chamber. The three friends walked in silence. Finally they arrived at Albus’s office. Marcus followed them in. He wanted to know what that wand was and what it did.


“Did you get it?” Sirius asked.


“It’s right here.” Harry said as he held up the wand.


Just as he did the wand began to glow brightly. Suddenly there was a bubble that formed at the end and a picture of Marcus Flint formed in the bubble. Marcus paled. Severus knew exactly what it meant.


“Harry, Malfoy has used the wand to make Flint invisible. Use this wand to make him visible.” Severus whispered.


Harry nodded. He held the wand and said, “That which has been made invisible to sight make it visible once more.”


Suddenly Marcus Flint became visible once more.


“STUPEFY!” yelled Severus, Minerva, Albus, Ron, Ginny, Lavender, Hermione and Albus.


Marcus fell to the floor in a crumpled heap. Hermione grabbed the parchment and quill laying next Marcus. Albus levitated the unconscious Flint over to a chair. He quickly magically bound him to the chair, once he was bound Albus removed the spells. Marcus began to come too.


“Oh god. Look at this.” Hermione said.


Severus walked over to his wife and looked at the parchment. “He’s been following us. He knew we were going after the wand but doesn’t know what it does. No doubt he’s working for Malfoy.” Severus said.


Harry pointed the Wand of Gryffindor at Marcus’s throat. “Give me one good reason why I should let you live.” Harry hissed.


“I’ll…I’ll give you Draco Malfoy. I can tell you where he is. I swear it.” Marcus pleaded.


“I don’t need you for that. I will find him on my own. Dumbledore, what should we do with him?” Harry said.


“What have you told Draco Malfoy?” Albus demanded.


“I just told him that she was pregnant. I also told him about what happened in the potions classroom when the potion exploded. I also told him you were looking for something but I didn’t know what because you guys never said. That’s all. I swear.” Marcus answered.


“Minerva, send for the Auroras and have Mr. Flint escorted to the Ministry. We will deal with him later. In the mean time, it’s late. I think we should all get some rest. We will meet again tomorrow evening after dinner to come up with a plan.” Albus said.


Everyone agreed. They all waited till Marcus was taken away before they left. Severus and Hermione were the last ones to leave. “Albus, if Flint is telling the truth then Draco knows Hermione is once again pregnant. What do we do? There must be something we can do to protect her and our unborn child. I will not and cannot lose anything else to him.” Severus said holding Hermione tightly to him.


“I agree. I will have both the Auroras and Order members posted outside of your chambers at night. Then either myself, you or another staff member will escort Hermione to and from classes. Don’t worry. We won’t let anything happen to your wife and child. I won’t make the same mistake as the last time.” Albus replied.


“Very well. Good night Headmaster.” Severus nodded.


He and Hermione walked to their chambers. On the way down every little sound made Hermione jump. “It’s all right love. We’re almost there. Nothing or no one is going to hurt you.” Severus kept whispering to her.


Finally they reached their chambers. Severus closed, locked and warded the doors. No one was getting in unless he or Hermione let them in. Hermione sat on the couch and hugged her knees to her chest. Severus rekindled the dying fire. He saw the state of his wife and knelt in front of her.


“Hermia, what’s the matter?” he asked gently.


“Severus, he knows I’m pregnant. I’m afraid. What if he tries to get to me again? I would go mad if I lost this child. I wouldn’t be able to handle that pain again.” She said in a shaking voice.


Severus gathered her in his arms. “I know. Don’t be afraid. You will be guarded at all times. I want to say nothing will happen, but you and I know what Draco is capable of. All we can hope for the best and pray that the wand will take care of that son-of-a-bitch.” He whispered.


“I know. Let’s get some sleep.” Hermione nodded.


Severus led Hermione into their bed chambers. They stripped off each other’s clothes. They climbed under the sheets and snuggled deep into each other’s arms. Both needed to feel their bodies pressed against one another.


“I love you Hermione.”


“I love you too Severus.”


Together they drifted off to sleep. Their final thoughts were of each other and their child growing in Hermione. Both hoping for the nightmare with Draco to be over with and they could live their lives in peace.


T.B.C