Doppelganger

A/N JK owns Harry Potter and I make no money from this fan fiction.

A/N To address any that might have felt anger that Harry murdered the Marked students. If you remember in the previous chapter it was not him and the Doppelgangers that did it. Remember the reluctance mentioned. Maybe that was one reason why they are here in the first place. I would like to remind you that it is AU and in desperate times comes desperate measures. Remember Albus' words as he said in chapt 37:

Minerva saw the hard look in his eyes as she whispered. "And what will we do with the ones that are discovered Albus?"

"We do what we must Minerva. After all we are fighting for the very existence of good and cannot let the Darkness take over the world."

Onto the story…..

Chapter 40 Reflections of the day

Earlier …

Severus bowed at the throne of Voldemort and waited for the command to rise.

"Rise Severus. So the castle kicked you out." Voldemort stated as he tapped his wand against the arm of his throne.

Severus rose as he replied. "Yes My Lord as it is known that I have your Mark and as the castle purged those with the hidden Mark it decided that I should leave as well."

"At my side once again Severus and we will be victorius. And you rescued young Brody from death as well."

"My Lord I was only able to save him as the Mudblood told me that she requested to interview him as she knew his relation to you." He humbly replied as he felt the Dark Lord slip into his mind.

"They will pay for your humiliation Severus and for the murder of those of mine at Hogwarts. The Potter brat has sent a message that I should come and get him and that I shall now that I have the Ministry firmly in hand and the old goat dead and most villages taken over. There is nothing that can stop me now." Rising up from his throne and walked down to stand beside Severus as he pressed his wand to his Mark.

Two of the Inner Circle appeared and immediately bowed and waited for their Lord's command.

"Rise and remove your mask." Watching as Draco and Bella removed the mask and stood waiting. "Follow me." He commanded as he walked to a door and entered a room with table sitting in the middle of the room bearing a model of Hogwarts and the surrounding forest. "You three will plan and mark the positions that my army will fill in three weeks time. Listen to Severus as he has over twenty years knowledge of the layout of the castle and the grounds."

"Your will My Lord." They intoned as one as they watched him leave.

HGSSHGSSHGSS

Present…..

Harry and Ron found Hermione that night at the Astronomy tower stroking Fawkes who was perched on one of the battlements as she observed bright lights moving within the forest.

"Thought I would find you here Hermione as I remembered you would come here to think when we were at school together." Harry spoke as he wrapped an arm around her as he kissed her cheek. "What a day that it has been."

"You could say that Harry. I wonder where he is." Hermione softly spoke as she continued to look over the grounds.

Ron stepped beside her. "Are you talking about Snape? I for one am glad to see him gone. He is probably with Voldemort where he belongs. I for one have never trusted him."

Hermione turned to him in anger. "How can you say that Ron? He rescued my parents and killed Lucius Malfoy. He could have killed Melody but allowed her to escape."

Ron huffed. "I don't know why you defend him Hermione. I don't know who he treated worse when we were in school. Both you and Harry were treated open targets for him."

Harry spoke. "Hermione…." He warned noticing anger in her eyes.

"It's okay Harry. He has to know." Hermione replied as she Dissillusioned the ring on her left hand and held it out. "I am married to him Ron. I have seen him come back from Voldemort beaten and barely alive for not giving Voldemort the information that he wanted. And I am here because he saved me by giving an incantation that was meant to save him."

"Married to that snake?" Ron shouted out. "Did he Imperio you?"

"No Ron. I held feelings for him since the Sixth year and I pursued him when I returned. He was reluctant at first and pushed me away." Hermione replied as she spoke the charm to hide her ring again. "Five years have passed and you have Melody and she loves you. We both have what we want."

Ron sighed as he wrapped an arm around her. "I'm sorry for my words Hermione and if you are happy then that is all that matters in the end. We all have found our love and I hope that after everything is done that we survive and grow old together."

"What do you make of the lights in the forest Harry?" Hermione asked as she changed the subject.

"Our forces are gathering Hermione. But in the future those lights will change and they will be those of our enemy." Harry cryptically replied.

Ron looked to his best friends. "Harry I need to see Melody."

Harry looked to the red head. "Go Ron as everyone is here now as we wait."

Ron squeezed Hermione's shoulder as he left.

"Hermione Mr. Potter is in our planning room and Albus altered some things before his trip to the Veil and I do not know the meaning of some symbols and we were hoping you could shed light on them."

"Why not go to the Ancient Runes professor Harry. She would know it."

"She's not of the Order Hermione. What if it was something profound? No it's best for you to see and if you do not recognize it, then I know you could find out what they mean quickly.

They walked the halls as students gave them a wide berth. "They've been doing that for some time. I think they are afraid of me."

Hermione sensed his confusion at the student's actions as she realized the reason. "Think about what you recently announced Harry and I think that will answer your question."

His paced slowed as he suddenly exclaimed. "My announcement that I killed the Marked students in the school! But I did not do that. The Doppelgangers did."

"Yes Harry but you followed Mr. Potter's order and told them you were responsible. You have to look at from their point of view. They think that you would kill them if they got in your way. It's all a matter of perspective. As they further their training they will realize that you did what you had to do. Just keep stressing to them that their training is life or death."

They arrived at the Room of Requirement and a door opened up to them revealing Mr. Potter examining the board.

"I found Hermione where I thought she would be and she has agreed to look at the symbols Mr. Potter."

Mr. Potter moved aside as she observed the board. In the lower corner there were two runes next to the Doppelgangers name and a dotted line connecting to that of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Ginny Weasley, and Luna Lovegood. A line connected vertically from that to her name.

Hermione noticed her husband's name next to the word "Snake" and saw that one of the runes matched the doppelgangers listed next to his name. A diagonal dotted line connect to the same group as the Doppelgangers.

Merlin she recognized that one but was unsure of the other. "I'm not sure Harry. I think I know one of them. I'll go to the Library and confirm them as I know they are of Norse origin."

"Let me know as soon as you find out Hermione. They must be important as I do not think Albus would have drawn them otherwise." Harry spoke. He did not remark on her troubled look for he knew her well. She was hiding something.

"Tomarrow Harry. I need rest and I promise I will have your answer by lunch. I bid you all good night."

She wandered the halls deep in thought with no destination in mind as she found herself at the entrance to the potions classroom. She entered and sat down at her assigned spot from years ago and closed her eyes as memories from those long ago classes rose to the forefront.

"You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potionmaking," he began. He spoke in barely more than a whisper, but she caught every word - like Professor McGonagall, Snape had everyone's attention. "As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses... I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even put a stopper death -."

"Turn to page 394…" Suddenly realizing his voice silky and alluring as it intrigued her. It was then that her fascination with her professor really began.

In the Defense class that he covered for Professor Lupin she really noticed him for the first time other than academics. She even invistagated his history, what little of it there was. The only thing she found was that he attended Hogwart's and the court records clearing him of being one of Voldemort's followers during the first war. She was drawn to him more.

She missed him as tears formed as she reflected the actions of being unceremoniously tossed over the gates as the students mocked him. If only they knew what his true role was. And it seemed based on the runes on the board that he was destined to die. It was probable seeing that he was assigned to take out the snake. She gasped out, the sound echoing in the empty classroom as she suddenly realized why the castle chucked him out.

"Hermione Snape!" A voice called out, drawing her away from her memories.

She opened her eyes and saw a portrait with a man wave to her. She walked up to it and recognized Salazaar Slytherin and waited for him to speak.

"He left you a letter and it is on the desk of his study." Salazaar told her observing that she had been crying. "I believe you know why your husband had to leave. As for the way I am truly sorry but the castle can be vengeful at times and it did not appreciate the words he thought to it during his time as temporary Headmaster. It will anger Tom Riddle that he was treated that way and drive him to action." Leaving the portrait he occupied.

Hermione looked to the entrance to his chambers as she wondered why Salazaar Slytherin spoke to one of unpure blood. Maybe it was because she was of his House now. He said there was a letter. She gathered herself and entered her husband's chambers and at his desk noticing the letter along with bottle of Old Ogden's and an empty shot glass.

She poured herself a drink and drank it down feeling liquid warm her. Sitting down she opened the letter and saw that neat script that belonged to her husband.

Hermione,

Salazaar promised that he would tell you of this letter as I will have departed this castle. Albus told me that I would be going back to Voldemort to continue the task given to me. I suspect that you will have realized it by time you read this. Beautiful witch I thank you that you gave me your love. I have lived more in the short time that we had together and I want you to live and not dwell on me as I will die. Do not cry as I have always known that I would not survive and your love will enable me to do what I must. Farewell Hermione and when your time is due I will wait for you at the Veil and welcome our joining once again in death.

She cried for him as she pictured him writing the letter and drinking from the glass left on his desk. His sacrifice and all that he did and when he found someone who truly loved him for what he was he was forced to turn away and go to his death. Oh Severus! She thought as she felt an outpouring of love leave her in a bright flash and travel throughout the castle.

Everyone in the castle paused at what they were doing as they felt a wave of true love pass through them, some crying at the pureness of the feeling.

Fawkes sat on the battlements of the Astronomy tower and trilled softly as he felt the wave of magic. She was coming into her power as the Light. There was still hope.