Life Begins Anew

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Hermione made her way up to Gryffindor completely exhausted. Sara had certainly put her through her paces with the spell that she was required to learn. It was very complex and she did not allow her to leave until Hermione had proven that she could cast it correctly.

The Fat Lady allowed her entrance and she was surprised to see Harry and Ron up, looking intently at parchments and not noticing her arrival.

“Finally boys! My constant nagging has finally paid off and now you are studying. My work is complete.” She tiredly told them as she fell into a chair close to them.

Her friends looked to her guiltily and then noticed Hermione’s ragged appearance. “What in the name of Merlin did Professor Snape do to you?” Harry asked concern in his eyes.

“Nothing really Harry. You know how she despises tardiness. I am thankful enough that she decided to reverse her hexes before allowing me to leave. They were quite painful.” Hermione picked up a parchment from the table and began to read it, curious as to what would keep them up so late. She read the rest of them and looked to her friends.

“So, planning on tracking and spying on Malfoy? These plans are actually quite clever but I do have one question for you.” She looked to Harry. “You said that Voldemort was satisfied. Maybe Malfoy has already completed whatever was required and he will not do anything to draw attention to himself.”

Ron sputtered. “Hermione, you think that this is useless?”

“No Ron, I am just saying we need an additional plan. Harry, I think we need to call a meeting of Dumbledore’s Army. Think about it.” She hugged them both and made her way into her room, falling upon her bed fully dressed and immediately fell asleep.

&&&&&&&&&&&

Severus paused as he cleaned up his workspace from his brewing session. He suddenly realized that he could not feel his bond to his wife, sensing in his mind that the red box was closed. He tried to open it, but it refused to budge. Walking out of his lab and towards his chambers he searched to think of the last he had felt it. He then realized that it was after he began brewing his potion. He walked over to the floo tossing in the powder and stated “My wife’s chambers.”

Entering, he noticed his wife asleep in her clothes, lying on top of the covers. What in Merlin had his sister done to her, noticing the exhaustion in her face. He grabbed her arm and silently sent some of his magic to her. Noticing color appear back to her cheeks and deciding that she was not in any danger, he left her room deep in thought.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Hermione woke up feeling refreshed wondering how as she only slept for four hours previously. She expected to wake up in a horrible mood and look. Checking herself in her mirror, she was pleased at the image reflecting back as no one would question her state. She made her way down to breakfast.

Harry and Ron greeted her as she sat down between them. Harry leaned down and whispered to her. “Use the coin and summon the DA for 7pm and meet at the Room of Requirement. I know it has been a while since we met, but at least we will know who we can depend upon the most.”

Severus looked down from the Head Table watching his wife pull a Galleon from her pocket and then after a moment she turned it over and placed it back into her pocket. He wondered if she would miss the usual greeting that he normally sent her across their bond.

As Hermione placed the coin into her pocket, she suddenly noticed that she could not feel her husband along their bond. It was as if it was disconnected. She looked up to her husband and noticed that he was discretely tapping his head. She looked into her mind and saw that the emerald green box containing her bond was closed. Try as she might, the box would not open. Looking back at her husband, she shook her head.

&&&&&&&&&&&

Sara watched her Advanced Slytherin/Gryffindor class sit down and look to her. “We have practiced offensive and defensive skills with one another since the beginning of school. Now is the time to test you individually and see if you have learned anything.” She walked over to the door that suddenly appeared and opened it. “Each scenario is different for each student. If you succeed, you will exit that door. If not, you will suddenly find yourself seated back at your desk. Now, who will go first?” She coldly asked. No one volunteered. “Gryffindor bravery not present today? I understand the snakes not volunteering.” She chuckled. “Good for you Gryffindor, at least my lessons have pushed the thought of caution to your head. Very well, starting from the left, come up to my desk and pull a number out of the hat.”

The students slowly came up to her desk and pulled out a number, fear clearly showing in their faces.

“You will need nothing but your wand. Now who is number one?” She asked with a dark mirth in her voice.

Neville Longbottom slowly approached his professor and handed her his number. He stood at the door for a moment to gather his resolve and then walked through the door. Neville exited the door ten minutes later and walked to his seat and laid his head on the table, brushing off the cheers of success from his fellow Gryffindors. Everyone noticed this and the room became silent.

“Next!” Professor Snape coldly commanded. Draco Malfoy walked up and handed his number to his professor with a smug look. He walked through the door without a backward glance and found himself seated at his desk two minutes later. He looked frightened.

“Did not go well for you Mr. Malfoy?” Professor Snape asked. Draco did not bother to respond.

“Next!” Sara commanded. And on it went. Most of the students found themselves at their desk versus walking out of the door.

Soon it was Harry’s turn and he went through the door. He found himself in Voldemort’s Throne room and saw Ginny, Ron, and Hermione tied up and being beaten by large group of Deatheaters, heavy boots cracking bones as they continued to kick into his friends. Voldemort looked to him. “You know you could save them Harry Potter.”

“How?!” He spat out.

“By merely dying. You want to save them don’t you?” Voldemort’s red eyes rested on him.

Harry pointed his wand at the Dark Lord and shouted. “I will kill you and they will not be harmed!”

Voldemort chuckled as he pointed his wand at his nemeses and whispered “Avada Kadevera” And Harry fell down dead. He got up and walked out of the door, clearly shaken and disturbed and sat at his desk, eyes closed with his right hand pressing down on his scar to help the pain go away.

Sara looked to Mr. Potter as she stated. “Miss. Granger, you are the last.”

The potions master seated in the back looked in concern toward his wife as she stood up and handed her number to his sister and entered the door.

Hermione found herself back at her desk twenty minutes later wailing. “I could not save him no matter how I tried!”

The room was completely silent, other than the soft crying of Miss. Granger.

“You are forbidden from talking to one another of what you experienced. You will write of your scenario and put down what you would do differently. This is an exercise of your own resolve and you cannot discuss it with any of the Hogwart’s staff. This is something that you must explore on your own. It may save you someday. Class dismissed!”

Sara watched as the students quickly gathered their belongings and quietly left her class.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Professor Snape looked to his Advanced Seventh Year Gryffindor/Slytherin class as they sat down, noticing the potion ingredients lying on their desk. “Can you figure out what we are brewing today?” He spat out.

Draco glanced down and then became excited, sitting up straighter and raising his hand along with Hermione.

“Mr. Malfoy. Please enlighten the dunderheads in this classroom.”

“Sir, the ingredients indicate that we will be brewing is Felix Felicis otherwise known as liquid luck.”

“Ten points to Slytherin for the correct answer. The use of this in testing and sports is expressly prohibited and can result in time at Azkaban if used in these venues.” He pointedly looked to the Golden Trio as he continued. “I chose this potion for my advanced classes to brew as it is a complicated potion and it tests the brewing skills of a student. It requires two days to brew.”

Hermione watched her husband point his wand at the chalkboard and the instructions appeared. “One student will copy the instructions and I will ask for the copy at the end of class. This is a Class A controlled potion and the instructions are not easily available as it is illegal for anyone other than a Potion Master to possess them.” He noticed the excitement of the students. “Begin!”

Severus glanced down at his students watching their actions. Even Longbottom was paying close attention to his partner and the brew. At least there would not be a cauldron mishap today. He chuckled inwardly. He wondered who would be the one to try and steal the instructions this year. The snakes knew better than to try and outsmart their own Head of House.

The students looked up nervously as they noticed their professor stand up and walk among them, looking to their brews. For once all potions were perfect for their stage observing the golden sheen that they should be at. He walked to his classroom entrance and stood waiting for the bell to ring.

“This will need to brew overnight. Partners will come up and hand me their parchment. I warn you now that I will know who is trying to take out a copy. It would not brook well to test me on this. Slytherin, approach me!”

The Slytherins lined up and handed the required parchment as they departed the classroom.

Professor Snape looked disdainfully to the remaining students. “It is always Gryffindor that try this stunt. I wonder how many I will catch this year? Approach me!” He snarled out. He simply looked to the students as quite a few of them turned in an additional copy other than the required one. He said nothing as they passed, surprising the students. Ha! So much for Gryffindor bravery.

“Mr. Finnigan twenty points from Gryffindor and detention with me tonight! Hand it over.”

Seamus glared at his professor as he handed over the extra copy and left without a word.

“Stay a moment Miss. Granger.” He snarled at her as Ron looked to the professor in anger.

“Care to comment Mr. Weasley?” Ron looked to Professor Snape as Harry dragged his friend out of the classroom.

Hermione stood to one side as she watched Severus ward the door and motioned for her to follow him to his chambers. He opened his door and waited for his wife to enter before he followed her in, closing the door behind him.

Severus turned around and looked to his wife. “Your scenario was about me?” He softly asked her.

Hermione rushed to Severus and unabashedly cried as her husband held her tightly, whispering his love for her.

&&&&&&&&&

Hermione entered the Room of Requirement and noticed Harry, Ron, Neville, Ginny and Luna waiting for her. “Is this all?” She asked with disbelief.

“It is Hermione.” Harry replied. “It seems that with Professor Dumbledore back, the rest see no need to attend.”

He then began to outline his plan as his fellow witches and wizards listened closely.

&&&&&&&&&&&

Hermione ran her patrol after the meeting not having the heart to take points or detention. She gave warnings and moved the guilty parties toward their House. Not ready to go back to her House, she decided to visit the Astronomy tower.

Walking up the winding stairs, she wondered about her bond. Had it went away, or was it closed off completely due to some possible danger? She sighed in frustration as she pushed open the door and walked to the edge of the battlements and looked to the stars. She was on edge because of the defense test that she had failed earlier. Did that door give a glimpse of a possible future? It seemed so real.

She had found herself in the Forbidden Forest, and followed the tortured screams that sounded out in the still night. She fought several Death Eaters along the way, managing to defeat them and found herself at the edge of a clearing. Hermione immediately dropped to the ground as she noticed Voldemort standing with Lord Malfoy and Sara Snape.

Voldemort stopped his torture on the ragged form and looked to the clearing, red eyes narrowing. “So good of you to join us Mrs. Snape, or should I forgo the formality and call you Hermione?”

Hermione stood up and walked into the clearing, her body shaking and stood next to the form that was moaning on the ground.

“Severus, shame that you did not introduce me to your filthy wife. Is she the reason that you betrayed me?” Voldemort inquired of the bloody man. Not a sound was heard.

“Stubborn as always Severus.” Voldemort sneered to him as he turned his attention to Hermione. “You have a choice Mrs. Snape. Finish my torture of your husband and kill him and I promise you I will release you with no rape or mutilation. Refuse….” He pushed his wand to his arm and ten Deatheaters immediately appeared and bowed. Hermione did not miss his meaning.

Hermione pointed her wand down to her husband as she heard him growl out “Do it Hermione!” She saw his bloody, pummeled face and broken nose and saw the desperation in his eyes. Pointing her wand suddenly at Voldemort she silently thought “Avadera Kadevra” as a green light bounced of the Dark Lord and struck Lord Malfoy, killing him instantly. Suddenly she was wandless as she heard Sara call out “Expelliarmus!” Catching Hermione’s wand and coldly chuckled.

Hermione found herself kicked to the ground next to her husband. He clutched her hand and whispered “Lioness, you must learn the right time to fight a battle or walk away for another day. Do not let your love drive you to reckless acts. Do you understand?”

They both looked up to Voldemort and saw his wand pointing at Severus. “Avada Kadevera!”

Hermione felt the grip of her husband’s hand slacken as he died and began to scream as she felt the hands of the Deatheaters pick her up from the ground. Suddenly, she found herself seated at her desk.

“Lumos!” She muttered as she pulled out a parchment and began to write about her test. One thing was certain; she would heed the Test Severus’ words.


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Severus looked to his Advanced brews simmering on the workstations and was silently pleased that they were correct though on his face was an ugly sneer. He was debating on distancing himself from his young wife, but with the bond closed off to her, it would hurt her and he did not want that. She was already going to have so much going on for that to weaken her. He would address the lack of the bond with her after class.

He walked to his desk and glared at the arrival of his students. Instructions appeared on his chalkboard as he bellowed out. “Same rules as yesterday. Begin!”

Looking down from his desk, he noticed that Hermione was pale and drawn. Glancing over to Draco, he noticed the same look on his godson’s face. What in Merlin was behind that door? He then realized that his whole class was in a similar state.

Whatever it was that was affecting them did not hamper their brewing skills as he called time and the students silently filled a phial and walked to the professor’s desk and turned it in. He looked to the remaining cauldrons and pointed his wand and the cauldrons vanished.

“I will look these over and you should know your grade in a few days. I am sure I will be disappointed once again.”

Suddenly Miss. Granger toppled over in her chair as she felt a Stinging Hex hit her from behind. She stood up and turned around glaring at the smug face of Mr. Goyle as she fought the pain of the hex.

Thankful for the rash acts of Mr. Goyle he looked to the pained Gryffindor with disdain. “Miss. Granger, clumsiness can be a disaster in potions. Stay behind so I can address the matter. Hand your parchments in before you leave. Class dismissed.”

Severus watched his students leave noticing the drawn wands of Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley in their hands as they managed to fall behind Mr. Goyle as he left the classroom. He immediately placed a silencing charm on his classroom and chuckled.

“And what, dear husband has you chuckling with glee?” Hermione asked him in a pained voice.

He flicked his wand at her releasing the hex as he replied. “Your knights in shining armor in the form of Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley are addressing Mr. Goyle’s infraction to you right outside my door. If I do not hear anything, I cannot address it.” Severus turned to her. “I’m sorry about this act. Mr. Goyle will get off lightly compared to what would happen if I addressed him. Soon the madness will play out and I will allow no one to even send a tickling spell your way.”

Hermione walked over to his desk as lunch suddenly appeared and grabbed a bowl of fruit. “I think that is a little extreme. A tickling spell after all?”

He held her hand as he began to eat. “I did tell you that I am a possessive wizard my dear.”

They ate in a comfortable silence, enjoying being alone together.

Severus vanished the tray and looked to her. “Any thoughts about our bond Hermione?”

“It is one of two things. Either our Bond is broken or it senses such a danger to both of us that it has disconnected us until that danger passes.”

“I assure you that the Bond is not broken. I long for it and miss the touch of your mind. It has a steadying effect on me. You have a healing effect on my soul. I do not know if I will be able to commit the acts that I must do.”

“Perhaps that is why the Bond has shut us off from one another. We will have things to conceal from one another to ensure our safety.”

Severus stood up and walked behind her. Leaning down and whispering into her ear. “Remember my love for you Hermione. In the days that come remember that is a sure fact in your life. Nothing is more sure then the love that I feel for you and our growing daughter.” He reached down and placed his hand upon her stomach, hoping that his words eased her doubt.

She breathed in the spice and sandalwood scent that was her husband and sighed, content to be alone with him for a few precious moments of their chaotic life, leaving the double-agent acts and secrets behind to think of at another time.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Harry, Ron, Hermione, Neville and Luna met at the bathroom of Moaning Myrtle. After all, no one ever went there as the ghost was most adamant of wailing out her demise to anyone that entered.

“Harry!” Myrtle screeched as she came out of her toilet and realizing that people was in her bathroom. “I’ve not seen you since the Prefects bathroom. What as show you gave me!” Winking naughtily in Harry’s direction.

Harry coughed. “Well Myrtle been busy you know, trying to stay alive.”

Myrtle wailed “All anyone talks about is life. Life is unfair!” They heard the water in a stall splash as Myrtle left.

“Well that should keep her busy. Status report on the Slyhterins?” Harry asked his friends.

Everyone told Harry that there had been no change as their targets went directly from dinner to Slytherin and did not leave before breakfast.

Harry sighed. “Hermione is right. Whatever plans Draco has made have been completed. We must watch him. I have a feeling that whatever Draco is involved with will happen before the week is out. We have two days.”

They left, Ron carrying Harry’s invisibility cloak to do his shift.

&&&&&&&&&&&

Hermione entered the Head Boy/Girls common room and noticed Draco sitting on the sofa, his head resting in his hands as he sobbed.

“Draco..” She softly said as she sat down next to him and lightly touched his shoulder.

He sat up and looked to her. “Your scenario involved the Headmaster?” She asked.

Draco did not bother to reply as the vow from Professor Snape took hold. “And yours involves my godfather?” He asked.

She looked to him sadly as he motioned for her to sit closer and wrapped an arm around her. “Hermione, we are both seriously fucked in all this.” He told her.

“Yes Draco, the Fates are especially cruel to both of us.” She took his hand as both sat, drawing strength from one another because of a subject that they could not talk about.

After a while Draco stood up and looked to her. “If you survive and I do not, will you clear my name?”

She looked to him. “Yes Draco Malfoy, I will let the world know of your sacrifices.” She felt the majiks swirl about her, sealing the vow that she had taken.

“If it was another world Hermione, I feel that we could have become great friends. We could have learned from one another.”

“Draco, there will be time for that after everything is said and done.” She said with emotion in her voice.

“I hope so Hermione.” He replied as he held her hand. Draco stood up, releasing her hand and looked down to her. “Remember my words about Weasel and Potter.” He paused at his door. “Good Bye Hermione.” He entered his room without a backward glance.

Hermione looked to him in thought. He had given her his final farewell.

AN I k now there are some reference the liquid luck takes six months to brew. Two days situated my story so sorry about that. This is AU after all. Next Deatheaters enter Hogwarts.