Star-Crossed Lovers

Disclaimer: I by no means own the characters of Harry Potter. They belong to J.K. Rowling. Nor do I own the lines from Star Wars Episode 3. They belong to the ever brilliant and talented George Lucas. I’m merely borrowing them.

Summary: Severus is different. Because of this Albus has taken it upon himself to protect him. Even from the love of Severus’s life Hermione Granger. Will they ever be able to be together? R/R

Star Crossed Lovers

Chapter 3

One week after Remus warned her and Severus about Albus, Albus called Hermione into his office. Hermione hid her worry and fear. Luckily, her robes covered the evidence of her pregnancy.

“Hermione, I wanted to meet with you because there is something we need to discuss. I know you are aware of the Order’s plans to send you away during the battle. If you remain in England, Harry will be unable to focus on his task.” Albus said.

Hermione let out a sigh of relief inside. Outside she made no change in her facial expression.

“I know. I was think of going to Italy. My Aunt Isabella left me her cottage. It would be the perfect place.” Hermione replied.

“Yes. The war has not yet left the shores of England. You would be safe there. I was thinking of sending someone with you. Just in case though. Do you have any suggestions my dear?” Albus asked, hoping she would not ask for Severus.

“Actually yes. Remus came to speak with Severus and I last week. He volunteered to come with me. If that is all right with you.” Hermione answered.

“Yes. Remus would be a fine choice. I think it best that you and Remus leave before the end of the month. Severus will continue on the potion. I understand you two have nearly completed it.” Albus said.

“Yes Albus. All that’s left is to add the final ingredients. Why should Remus and I leave so soon? Surely the battle isn’t that close at hand?” Hermione asked worriedly.

“I fear it is. The battle will probably take place in two maybe three months time. That is why you must leave. I suggest you notify Remus and arrange a meeting. So you and he can make the necessary arrangements.” Albus answered.

Hermione nodded. She got to her feet and left. She made her way to the dungeons. After Hermione left Minerva stepped out of the shadows. She wore a disapproving frown upon her face. For once she did not agree with Albus in his decision to protect Severus.

“I guess Remus and Severus were telling the truth. If Hermione and Severus were together she would have asked for him to come with her.” Albus said in relief.

“Albus, are you sure you are doing the right thing concerning Severus?” Minerva asked.

“Yes. Minerva, the man doesn’t recognize his own strength. He could kill Hermione with nothing more than a thought and a clench of his fist.” Albus answered.

Minerva sighed. This was a never ending battle between her and Albus. Down in the dungeons Hermione found Remus and Severus talking. She quickly told them what Albus had said. Severus was scared.

“Hermione, promise me you will be safe.” Severus said.

“I will be fine my love. You just concentrate on the potion. Remus will be with me and he can notify you about the baby or if anything goes wrong. Since you cured him of being a werewolf he is no longer a threat.” Hermione said gently.

“Hermione is right. By her choosing me, Albus now believes what you and I have told him. Once this war is over, I will help the two of you escape the country. Albus will not permit this. Even with Voldemort gone.” Remus added.

Severus nodded. He still didn’t like the idea of being separated from Hermione again. Especially since his vision was getting stronger with each passing day. He was terrified at the thought of losing Hermione and perhaps even their child.

That night at dinner, Albus announced to the Order about Remus and Hermione leaving at the end of the month. The members seemed relieved that Hermione would not be alone. Throughout dinner Severus and Hermione carefully watched one another. Both knowing the next two weeks were going to be taxing on them both.

“Don’t worry Hermione. Moony will take good care of you.” Sirius said.

“I know Sirius. I just hate not being able to help.” Hermione said sadly.

“You are helping by staying alive. This world needs you Hermione.” Sirius said as he rested his hand gently on her shoulder.

“I’m feeling a little tired. I will turn in for the evening. See you all in the morning.” Hermione said.

Severus watched her closely. He could tell she was tired and looked a bit pale. He and Remus shared a worried look. An hour later Remus and Severus, who was wearing an invisibility cloak went to Hermione’s chambers. They found her laying on the couch sound asleep. Severus gathered her into his arms and carried her to the bedroom. With a wave of his hand she was dressed in her night gown.

“Severus?” she asked quietly as she woke up.

“Sshh. I’m here. So is Remus. Are you all right my love?” he asked worriedly as Remus entered the room.

“I just feel so tired. I don’t understand why.” she answered.

“It’s the stress Hermione. This is not good for you or the child. Tomorrow you should stay here and rest. I will help Severus with the potion.” Remus said.

“Remus is right. Your health and the health of our child is more important to me. I will inform Albus in the morning. Or better yet, Remus can. He can say he came in to check on you and noticed you seemed a little run down and recommended you to stay here and rest.” Severus added.

Hermione nodded as she yawned. Severus stroked her hair and told her to sleep. Slowly Hermione drifted off to sleep. Remus sat in a nearby chair.

“Severus, who has been giving Hermione her check ups?” Remus asked.

“The same wizard who married us. He is a trained medi-wizard. He says everything is fine with her and the baby. I don’t understand why she is feeling so weak.” Severus answered.

“It is the stress Severus. She doesn’t want to leave you here. She is afraid you won’t return to her.” Remus replied.

“That is the same fear I have. I have been having this vision of Hermione dying in childbirth. You were there telling her to save her strength, but she can’t and dies. I hear the sound of our child, but I do not know the child’s fate.” Severus sighed.

“Severus, Hermione won’t die. I will make sure of it. The location of the cabin is near a small Wizarding community. A good friend of mine is a medi-witch. I have already contacted her about the situation. She will come and stay with Hermione and I. She can be trusted.” Remus said at Severus’s sharp glare.

“If you trust her that is good enough for me.” Severus said.

“Come on Severus. It would not be good if someone were to come here and found you here. We must leave.” Remus said sadly.

Severus gave his wife a gentle kiss before donning the cloak once more. He and Remus extinguished the lights and quietly left Hermione’s chambers. That night Severus slept fitfully. His dreams plagued with death. The death of his wife and child.

“Where’s Mione?” Harry asked at breakfast the next morning.

“She’s is getting some much needed rest. I went to speak with her last night and found her asleep on her couch. The poor girl has been working so hard on the research and potion. I told her to spend the day in her rooms and just rest. She started to argue about the potion, but I told her that Severus and I would come see her this afternoon and keep her up to speed on it.” Remus answered.

“When is she going to learn. She did the same thing during our 7th year. Remember Harry?” Ron asked.

“Yeah. But that’s Hermione. Work, work, work.” Harry answered.

That day Hermione kept her word. She had her breakfast and lunch brought up from the kitchens. She stayed in bed and rested. When Remus and Severus came by after lunch, she felt much stronger and the color had returned to her face.

“You feeling better love?” Severus asked as he sat beside her.

“Much. I’m still a little tired, but feeling a lot better than I did yesterday.” Hermione answered with a smile.

“Good news. Severus has completed the potion.” Remus replied.

“Oh Severus! That’s wonderful! I’m so proud of you.” Hermione said as she hugged him and kissed him.

“The glory should go to you. You did the research and started the potion. I merely helped a little.” he said.

“How about we both share the glory. I couldn’t have finished it with out you.” she suggested.

“I like that idea.” he said.

“Hermione, with the potion done, I think Albus will try to convince us to leave by this weekend. For some reason, he is hell bent on getting you and Severus separated.” Remus said sadly.

“I feel that as well. We will just have to agree. Severus, I know you hate this, but so do I. We have to keep Albus from finding out about the baby. I’m beginning to show more, and soon I will not be able to conceal the fact that I am pregnant. He will know immediately that you are the father.” Hermione pleaded as Severus got to his feet and began to pace.

“I know. All I want to live my life with you and our child. I know Albus means well, but he’s only making things worse for me. I honestly wonder if he was ever trying to help me in the first place.” Severus growled.

“Severus, you can’t mean that?” Hermione gasped.

“Hermione, ever since I came to Hogwarts, Albus had manipulated my life! I’m tired of playing his games!” Severus yelled.

The vase of flowers Remus had brought for Hermione shattered. Hermione let out a surprise scream. Severus froze. He saw the look of terror on his wife’s face. He dropped to his knees and buried his head in his hands.

“I’m sorry Hermione. I didn’t mean to. I was just so angry about everything.” Severus whispered.

Hermione climbed out of bed. Her fear quickly vanished. She walked over and knelt in front of him and took him in her arms. Severus clung to her desperately.

“I know Severus. It’s all right. I was more surprised than anything. You told me that when you get angry is when you can least control your powers. That was the first time I had ever seen you lose control of them.” she whispered.

Remus watched the husband and wife. His heart went out to them He made a vow to himself that once this war was over, he would help them and their child get away from everything. Remus trusted Albus, but also knew Severus was right. Albus was more of a threat to Severus than an aide.

“Severus, we need to go. We need to tell Albus the potion is finished. After dinner I will bring you here to spend one last night with Hermione. I fear Albus will want Hermione and I to leave as soon as possible.” Remus said.

“Remus is right. Go. I will see you tonight.” Hermione whispered.

Severus nodded. He stood up, helped Hermione to her feet, gathered her in his arms and carried her back to bed. Severus and Hermione shared a tender kiss. Remus patted her shoulder and the two left. Hermione laid back down and began to cry. She feared what Albus would tell them when they told him about the potion.

T.B.C