The Half-Blood Prince and the Pure-Blood

Disclaimer: Don’t own anything you recognize! This story is for fun only, nothing more!

Summary: Why did Severus kill Albus? Was there more to everything? Here’s what really happened. (My take anyway) R/R

The Half-Blood Prince and the Pure-Blood

Chapter 5

The day after Voldemort summoned them, Hermione, Severus, Draco and Narcissa made their way up the walk to Number 12 Grimmwauld place. The house appeared and the four quickly entered. They found Remus Lupin waiting for them.

“Welcome.” Remus greeted.

“Remus!” Narcissa cried.

Narcissa ran to her old friend and they hugged each other tightly. Hermione and Severus smiled as they watched the two friends. Even Draco smiled nervously.

“Oh Cissa. It’s been so long.” Remus said tearfully.

“We can catch up later. Now we must see the Order.” Narcissa said.

The five then walked into the kitchen. The entire Order was present. When they entered everyone fell silent. Minerva approached them with a warm smile.

“Thank Merlin you’re safe.” Minerva said.

“It’s good to see you too Minerva.” Severus said.

Hermione couldn’t hold back. She rushed foreword and hugged her Head of House. Minerva tearfully hugged Hermione back. They stayed that way till Harry stepped foreword.

“Hello Hermione.” Harry said quietly.

Hermione released Minerva and faced her best friend. The two just stared at each other. Severus, Narcissa and Draco knew that if Harry could forgive Hermione, she would finally find some resolution for all that had happened. Harry and Hermione ran toward each other. They hugged one another as if they would disappear and second.

“Oh Harry. I’m so sorry. Please don’t hate me. I just couldn’t tell you. Please forgive me.” Hermione cried.

“Sshh. I know Mione. I know. It’s all right.” Harry whispered as he rubbed her back.

As Harry held Hermione he looked over at Severus. Their eyes met. Harry gave a nod and mouthed ‘Thank you.’ Severus knew what Harry was thanking him for and simply nodded back. A few minutes later everyone was seated.

“First off, on behalf the Order of the Phoenix we would like to say we’re sorry. For believing you as traitors. We should also like to beg your forgiveness.” Minerva said.

“We accept Minerva. We were expecting your reactions. We had to convince the Dark Lord that we were truly faithful to him.” Severus stated.

“We also have news. Voldemort is planning two simultaneous attacks. Voldemort, myself and Severus are to lead the attack on Hogwarts. While at the same time, Bellatrix, Amycus and Alecto will attack the Ministry. As to when, Voldemort has not yet said.” Hermione added.

“So now what?” Tonks asked.

“Now, you tell Scrimgeour and have him begin to prepare the Aurors. The Order must call on all of its allies. Send some to the Ministry and the rest to Hogwarts.” Narcissa answered her cousin.

Everyone seemed to agree. For two hours they planned strategies and made plans as to who would go where. Once the meeting was over. Draco, Hermione, Narcissa and Severus stayed with Harry, Tonks, Minerva and Remus for drinks.

“Is it true about Lucius? That he’s dead?” Tonks asked her cousins.

“Yes. He’s dead. Voldemort had him killed for attacking the Weasleys without permission.” Narcissa answered.

“Who killed him?” Harry asked.

“I did.” Hermione answered quietly.

Nobody spoke. Hermione got up and left the room. It was Harry who spoke first.

“What has she had to do for that bastard!” Harry demanded.

“She’s his confidant Potter. As well as the executioner. If someone displeases the Dark Lord, it is Hermione who kills them.” Severus replied.

Harry got to his feet and went to find Hermione. He found her sitting on the bench in the backyard. She had her head in her hands crying. Harry sat beside her and gathered her into his arms. All he could do was hold her as she cried.

“Sshh. It’s going to be all right. Everything will be all right.” he whispered.

For thirty minutes she cried into her best friend’s shoulder. Harry looked down and found her asleep. Harry gathered her gently into his arms and carried her inside. As he headed upstairs he ran into Severus.

“This way.” Severus said.

Harry followed his former potions professor up to the second floor. They entered the room Severus and Hermione would be using for the night. Harry gently placed her in the bed and Severus tucked her in.

“Sir, can I speak to you in private please?” Harry asked.

Severus followed Harry down the hall into Harry’s room. Severus sat in the chair at the desk while Harry sat on his bed.

“What did you want to talk about?” Severus asked.

“I just wanted to say thank you. For being there for Hermione and protecting her. I also think it’s good news that you two are in love.” Harry answered.

“Actually, Hermione has protected me more than I protected her. As for your approval of our love, I know how much that will mean to her. I know she was relieved when Mr. Weasley gave his approval.” Severus said.

“None the less, thank you all the same. I’m just glad someone has been there for her through all of this.” Harry replied as he held his hand out for Severus to shake.

Severus reached out and took Harry’s hand. In that moment respect and understanding passed between the two. Severus bid Harry good night and joined Hermione in slumber. It was well after midnight when a shrill scream echoed through the silent house.

“NOOOO! STOP! AAAAHHHH!”

“Huh? Hermione? Hermione wake up.” Severus said as he jerked awake.

“NO! LEAVE HIM ALONE! NOOO!” Hermione screamed.

“Hermione! Wake up!” Severus cried as he tried to hold her down.

A few seconds later Draco, Harry, Narcissa, Remus, Tonks and Minerva burst into the room with their wands drawn. They froze at the sight of Severus struggling to hold Hermione down.

“Potter! Remus! Help me!” Severus yelled.

The two ran over and helped Severus hold the screaming and thrashing Hermione down. Just to keep her from hurting someone or even herself.

“She’s having a nightmare! We’ve got to wake her up!” Severus yelled over his lover’s screams.

“LET ME GO! NOOO! SEVERUS!” Hermione screamed.

The three Wizards tried to wake her, but with no success.

“NO SEVERUS! YOU CAN’T DIE! DON’T LEAVE ME! NOOOO!” she screamed as she jerked awake and tried to sit up.

“What’s going on? Where am I?” Hermione asked in a frightened voice as tears fell from her eyes.

“Sshh. Calm down love. It’s me, Severus. You’re at Grimmwauld Place.” Severus answered as he gently wiped the tears from her face.

Remus and Harry moved away as Hermione threw herself into Severus’s arms. Severus simply held her, whispering soothing words to try and calm her.

“Can we do anything?” Tonks asked.

“Could…I…have…some tea?” Hermione stuttered as she faced her friends.

“Of course. We’ll meet you in the kitchen.” Minerva replied.

Everyone left for the kitchen. Minerva set about fixing tea and some biscuits. Draco wore a worried expression. As did Narcissa.

“Draco, what is it?” Harry asked.

“Her nightmares are getting worse. We had been at her birth parents manor a week when the nightmares started. It scared the life out of mother and I. We thought it was just a random dream. But when they continued, Severus started putting a silencing charm on the room so we wouldn’t be disturbed.” Draco answered wearily.

“But they’ve never been this violent. I don’t think.” Narcissa said sadly.

Silence filled the room. Minerva had just placed the tea and biscuits on the table when Hermione and Severus entered the kitchen. Severus eased the still terrified Hermione into a chair beside Harry.

“Here you are dear. This will help calm your nerves.” Minerva said gently as she sat a cup before Hermione.

Hermione’s hands were shaking so bad, Severus had to help her drink the tea. Ten minutes later she seemed to have finally calmed down.

“Feeling better?” Tonks asked.

“A little.” Hermione answered.

“Maybe it would help if you told us what your nightmare was about.” Remus said.

“I…I saw…Avery…killing…Severus.” Hermione stuttered.

“Was this during the final battle?” Harry asked.

“No. Severus and I were…were…walking on the…grounds at my parents property. We turned and there was Avery. He pulled out his wand and yelled the…Killing Curse. He then apparated away.” she answered brokenly.

“That’s ridiculous love. One, Avery wouldn’t face the both of us. He’s not brave enough. And two, no one but you and me, or someone who’s with us can find the property, let alone set foot on the grounds.” Severus said calmly.

“I know, but still. He could follow us.” Hermione replied.

“Hermione, your parents were the brightest witch and Wizard I had eve met. Unless you or Severus actually brought someone to the manor, no one could enter the property. Even if they followed you.” Minerva said.

Hermione had finally calmed down enough to go back to bed. Severus let out a deep sigh once he was sure she was upstairs. He was worried. Very worried.

“Professor, is there anything we can do to help her?” Harry asked.

“Honestly I don’t know Harry. Since this whole shit started, she’s been tough as dragon’s hide. Now, it’s getting harder for her. The day she was called to kill Lucius, she came back crying her eyes out. Ever since, I’ve watched her slowly begin to fall apart.” Severus answered wearily.

Ten minutes later everyone returned to bed. Severus climbed into bed and gently pulled Hermione into his arms. Hermione curled up against him before settling back into sleep.

“Don’t worry love. Now that we’re with our friends, everything will be all right.” Severus whispered as he held her tight.

Severus kissed her forehead and drifted off to sleep. Everyone at 12 Grimmwauld Place slept peacefully the rest of the night.

T.B.C