Circle of Love

Hermione huddled behind a patch of bushes near the druid circle. She had wanted to run somewhere, anywhere but for an odd reason didn't want to leave Draco alone. The circumstances of Narcissa Black-Malfoy's death had never been widely publicized, so Draco's announcement that his father had killed her had shocked Hermione.

Hidden, she watched Draco as at first he called her name, then looked for her and then gave up and sat with his back against a stone pillar. Hermione never thought she'd feel pity for the blond-haired Slytherin, but she did. She could never imagine her father killing her mother; she could never fathom the thought of actually seeing it happen as Draco so obviously said he had.

Hermione gasped in surprise as the form of Severus Snape finally appeared at the druid circle. She didn't know whether to come out of hiding, or stay silent in case her fears of Snape's guilt were true. Erring on the side of caution, Hermione watched as the two Death Eaters argued, unable to hear their words.

“Draco, where is Granger?” Snape towered over the young wizard crouched by the dead fire. “I give you one simple task and already you have failed it!” The elder wizard said, not allowing Draco a chance to speak.

“Well?” Snape's eyebrow arched with his familiar sneer.

“The mudblood ran off about an hour ago.” Draco sullenly said.

“Why?” Snape spat back.

“Well, sir, we argued-” Draco tried to explain. But was interrupted by the snort from his former teacher.

“Draco, I haven't long to stay here and I don't know when I will be able to return for you both.”

“Professor, I did as you asked--”

“If you had, Draco, Granger would be here and not--” Snape spied something, someone far off in the distance, and he smirked. “No matter, you are now charged with finding Granger safely. I will be back hopefully in a few hours. Do not disappoint me again.”

Draco watched as Snape pulled something from his pocket. “This is Granger's wand. Return it to her.”

“Professor! You can't mean to leave me--”

“Oh yes, Draco. I do. You will be happy to know I have punished your father. Pity he lives though.” With that Severus Snape activated his portkey and disappeared.

No, thought Hermione. Professor Snape left Malfoy here? She watched as Draco kicked at the dirt. Then she noticed what he held in his hand. My wand! Hermione stepped from behind her bush and started walking back towards Draco.

“You!” She shouted. “You had my wand all along! Give it to me!” Hermione hurled herself angrily at Draco.

“Ouch, Granger! Let go of my arm.” Draco exclaimed as her nails dug sharply into the arm still holding her wand. As she let go, he scrambled farther from her. “Professor Snape was here, and we would have been home if you hadn't run off. He gave me your wand to give it to you.” He sneered and held her wand high above his head as Hermione made jumps to retrieve it.

“Well then give it to me!” She made another futile jump before she folded her arms across her chest and stared at him. She watched as Draco tucked it into his pocket and laughed. She acted instinctively, slamming her fist into his jaw. The force behind her punch pitched him to ground to writhe in pain.

“You filthy mudblood!” Draco hissed through his teeth and aching jaw. He sat up and wiped the blood from his cut lip, wiggling his jaw carefully. “Not broken, at least.” He mumbled to himself.

“My wand?” Hermione reminded pointedly.

“Here!” Draco threw it to the ground at her feet. He held his own wand defensively pointed at Hermione.

Hermione kept her eyes on Draco as she slowly lowered down to grasp her wand. “Thank you,” She said. “When will Professor Snape be back?”

“Maybe a few hours, maybe days.”

“We could start walking, there has to be a village somewhere at the end of that dirt path.”

“Granger, we stay put. Professor Snape's orders.” Draco relaxed a bit to sit down and lean upon a stone pillar.

“What did he say?”

“To find you, stay here and give you your wand. Oh, and he punished my father.” Draco smiled at the thought. He fiddled with a chain in his pocket as he waited for Hermione's reaction.

“Fine, I'll give this another twenty-four hours. Why we just can't Disapparate from here I don't understand.” Hermione plopped down on the ground a few feet away from Draco.

“This, Granger, is Snape's safe point of escape. There are wards placed to prevent Apparition to or from here. I imagine it's less visited by Muggles as evidenced by lack of Muggle trash lying about. We arrived here by portkey, as Snape did just a little while ago.”

“I could make a portkey!” Hermione exclaimed. “I could set it to Hogwarts.” Her mind set into wheels of motion.

“True,” Draco nodded. “Are you authorized to?” He smirked.

“No,” Hermione toyed with the thought, “I'll give Professor Snape an hour to return.” Not willing to break rules and get her wand snapped.

Draco waved his wand and conjured up a glass of pumpkin juice and a sandwich. Granger has her own wand now. He took a careful bite as his jaw still hurt, he gave her a look of reproach.

****


Remus entered number 12, Grimmauld Place. It was for the most part empty, and he was glad. He avoided the sitting room as the draped body was still there awaiting the funeral set for tomorrow afternoon. That should not have happened, he sighed.

The smell from Snape's makeshift Potions laboratory was horrendous. Remus knocked on the door.

“Enter,” Snape called from within.

“Little early on the Wolfsbane?” Remus asked, and gave a startled look to see six different cauldrons bubbling with the same potion inside.

Snape stirred and added ingredients to each potion down the line.

“I need you to call Tonks, Shacklebolt and the Elder Weasleys here now.” Snape added the last of the aconite to the first pot.

“Severus-” Remus started to ask but was interrupted by Snape's impatiently raised hand.

“I don't have a lot of time, Remus. Go and contact them now please.” Snape added the last of the aconite to the second cauldron.

“The children--”

“Draco and Granger are fine, Remus. Do as I asked, while there is still time.” Snape added the last of the aconite to the third cauldron.

Remus sat down and wrote three notes and attached them to an owl and sent them off. “No reply, Smidgey. Hurry, I'll reward you with treats when you get back.” He shooed the owl off.

Remus returned to the laboratory to see Snape capping the vials. He was truly amazed at the skill with which the Potions master excelled at. Not many could brew all six vials of a difficult potion at the same time.

“They here?” Snape looked up at Remus.

“Soon, give the old owl time. Now, why six vials?” Remus asked. Something was definitely wrong, and he didn't like it. The sense of urgency and purpose Snape was portraying worried him.

“Just as a precaution. This is a double Portkey to where the children are. After the meeting I want you to get them.” Snape handed him a coin. “To get there, say 'Druid' to return say 'Order'.” He explained hurriedly.

“What is going on?” Remus inquired as they walked to the sitting room to await their company. He was beginning to feel angry at all the secrecy.

“When the others arrive, I don't have the time or inclination to explain this twice.” The arrival sounds of the others made Snape breath in relief. Hopefully there was time to get all the needed plans set before he was to do as ordered. So far, the Mark on his arm stayed quiet as he awaited the summons.

“Wotcher, Remus.” Tonks said as she ran up to him and kissed his cheek. Shacklebolt, Molly and Arthur followed behind her.

“Save that for later, Tonks.” Snape watched as Molly and Arthur looked at their drape-covered son. “I think we can retire to a different room, perhaps, to the kitchen please.” Snape turned without another word and walked out brisquely.

“He's being mysterious.” Remus said to the questioning looks and urged them to follow.

“Tonks and Shacklebolt I need.....” Snape's words trailed off as the Silencing charm was placed around the room.


****


A troubled Remus Lupin arrived at the druid circle an hour later to see Draco and Hermione sitting there with sullen looks on their faces. Hermione jumped up at the sight of him.

“Professor?” She was happy that it was him and not Professor Snape that had come to get them.

“Hermione. I've come to retrieve you both.” Remus a put a comforting hand on her shoulder and squeezed it gently, re-assuring her that she was safe.


“Where's Professor Snape?” Asked Draco.

“He's busy with a mission from Voldemort. Ready?” He asked as he held out the coin. “Touch this and I'll activate it.” Remus watched as they touched the Portkey. “Order!” He said and they disappeared from the ruins.


****


Severus Snape apparated into a field near Lestrange Manor and made the short walk to a cottage on the grounds. He opened it's door and made his way through the passages to another door and knocked.

“Enter!” A voice said from within. Snape silently pushed opened the door to see Voldemort in his chair with Nagini curled about his feet. The candles on the wall shined an eerie light about the Dark Lord's face, making it seem more monstrous than usual.

“My Lord, “Snape said as he knelt before Voldemort. He kept his eyes lowered and his thoughts hidden. Hopefully his plans had been followed exactly as ordered.

“Are you ready to proceed with the attack, Severus?” He gestured for Snape to stand. Voldemort was about to begin his assaults and he rubbed his long fingered hands in an evil glee, envisaging the plan. Starting with the Muggle parents was fitting.

“Yes, my Lord. My wand has been itching for such enjoyment.” Snape sneered evilly. He would savor tonight's actions.

“Go, then. May my Mark shine brightly tonight!” Voldemort cackled. He watched as Snape disapparated from his sight.

“My Lord,” Bellatrix stepped out from the shadows and bowed before him. Her long black hair drifted down her back.

“Follow, and observe. Do not interfere. Bring me back a report.” The Dark Lord waved his hand and she too left the room.

****

Remus and the children arrived at a safe point just near number 12, Grimmauld Place. Hermione looked shocked as she watched as Draco followed behind Remus to the door.

“Professor, he's a Death-” She started to say.

“Not now, Hermione. Remember not all is as it seems.” Remus stopped her. The young witch was in for even more surprises, and he hoped it wouldn't break her.

She walked behind them, a frown marring her face. They entered the former Black family residence and Hermione was immediately pounced on by Harry and Ginny. She hugged them both in turn and immediately her interrogation by her two friends started.



****


Severus Snape strode out of a small park near his destination with determined steps. He was the Dark Lord's assassin, and this was just another job. He hesitated only for a second before raising his hand to knock loudly on the door.

“Professor Snape, what brings you--” Harold Granger started to greet the somber man.

Snape pushed Harold Granger into the room forcefully and slammed the door shut with a bang. From inside two flashes of green light could be seen through the picturesque window.

Snape stepped outside the door a few minutes later and set the house ablaze. He looked to the moonlight sky with his wand pointed.

“Morsmordre!” He shouted, a smirk of pleasure on his face. Snape had seen the spy, just as he had suspected. Bellatrix, He thought, Take the sight of this back to our 'Lord'.

The Dark Mark shone brightly, floating above the burning house to signify the actions of the night. Its green glow mingled with the reddish-orange of the flames as they crackled and popped, slowly eating away on the grand structure


In the shadows nearby, Bellatrix Lestrange stood, seething with anger. Snape had performed as ask. How she hated him.