Life Begins Anew

Chapter 64 Return From The Holidays.

Ginny cleared the dishes from the dinner table, listening to her brothers Charlie, Percy, Fred, and George laugh and joke together. They had decided to stay until school started to help their dad out. She placed the dishes into the sink as she thought about Harry. How she missed him.

She went back dinner table wrapping her arms around her father. “Dad, I have to go and pack for school. Will you be okay?” She asked with concern.

“Ginny, if I had a choice you would not be going back. More so that Snape is the Headmaster. Promise me that you will be careful.”

“Dad, it’ll be okay.” She brushed her lips across her father’s cheek as she made her way up to her room.

&&&&&&

Severus held Hermione’s hand and kissed it as he led her to the edge of the clearing, absently filling her in on what was happening in the Wizarding world. He frowned as she told him about the death of John Donaldson.

“I feel responsible Severus! I promised him.” She sobbed out.

He looked to her as he pulled her within his robes. “It is Fate Hermione.” He whispered to her as he kissed her twig entangled hair. “Remember what you said about the stars and insignificant witches and wizards?”

He pulled a twig out of her hair. “You are beautiful wife. And I have missed our Bond and you.”

“How can you say I am beautiful Severus when I look like a wild one?” She asked, suddenly self-conscious of her appearance.

“I find the wild, woodsy sight of you very appealing.” He huskily replied as he captured her lips, kissing her deeply.

She sagged in his arms, his kiss releasing all the emotions that she had held in for so long come out as she began whimper. She was a leader, expected to be strong and did what was expected of her, pushing down the emotions of fear, helplessness, anxiety, and the constant fear of her impending death, whimpering as she realized she did not have to hide anything from her wizard and let it all out.

Severus held her up as he whispered. “Hermione let it out. I am here for you and will take it all away, at least for the short time we are here together in the calm before the storm.” He wrapped her tightly within his robes as she clung against his body, reassured by scent of him.

&&&&&&

Ginny placed the last of her school uniforms and books into her trunk. She picked up her most treasured photo watching their first kiss. Bless Colin Creevy and his camera. She watched Harry’s initial surprise, and then giving into her unexpected kiss during the celebration of their victory over Slytherin.

She sighed as she placed it back onto her dresser. It would be foolish of her to take it with her, considering the current leadership of the school. She wondered how her love was faring and decided to check her Mum’s clock in hall.

Ginny arrived at the front door just as Percy began to leave.

Percy hugged her. “Be careful Ginny.”

Ginny hugged her brother. “You as well Mr. Assistant to the Minister of Magic.” Laughing out.

The whole family saw Percy off and walked into the living room as Ginny glanced at the clock. “Dad!” She shouted out in surprise. “Look at the clock! Why does it show him as “safe” when it should show him “travelling”?”

Arthur looked to his daughter, pushing back the alarm that he felt in her observation as he followed her gaze to the clock and looked to it.

“I’m not sure Ginny. The clock was attuned to your mother. Maybe it froze at the time of Mum’s death.”

His children nodded to him as they made their way into the living room while Arthur stared at the clock.

Once he was alone he took the clock down and examined it. The clock was not attuned to Molly, but to the family and those that were added to the family. Percy must have stolen the original and made this replica when he visited last on Christmas eve.

Arthur sighed as he placed the clock back onto the wall. He was sure that his son had already given He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named the clock and told of the special properties. There was no redemption for his son now as he had broken the trust that he extended out to him, despite his alignment. He was not his son any longer, but the enemy.

&&&&&&&

Severus broke away from her and hissed. “Get rid of them!” As he pointed his wand to himself and whispered “Natura Abscondere.” Blending into his surroundings.

She heard the call from Harry and Ron and walked to them.

“Hermione, come join us.” Harry grabbed her up. “Free from worry for two days.” Hugging her and placing a kiss on her cheek.

She looked to them. “Harry, I just need time alone and unwind. The baby is taking more from me and I just need to rest on my own for a day. I promise I’ll join you in the morning.” She told them as she conjured up a tent from a piece of parchment.

Harry looked to her doubtfully. “If you’re sure….”

Hermione walked to the tent. “I’m sure. Find a way to explain it to the group.” She walked into the tent without a backwards glance.

Harry and Ron watched her enter the tent, noticing the abrupt dismissal. Pregnant witches. Who knew what went on in their head? They went back to the tents to explain Hermione’s disappearance.

She fell upon the bed fully clothed and slowly drifted to sleep as she saw her husband enter and sit on the bed next to her, feeling his hands gently remove the twigs from her knotted hair.

Removing the last twig from her hair, he stood up and removed his outer robes and observed her. The last twenty days had taken their toll on the witch.

Severus slipped in bed next to her and gathered his wife into his arms. He had 18 hours until he had to be back at the school, and he would make sure that he would make that time count, drifting off to sleep next to his wife.

&&&&&&

Minerva made her way to the Headmaster’s office to report on the retrieval of the muggle-borns. As she approached the gargoyle, it called out to her. “The Headmaster is away Minerva.”

Minerva nodded and left the entrance. She would brief Snape at the staff meeting tomorrow as she was not going to be at his beck and call if he did not bother to let her know when he was away. She made her way back to her chambers to grieve the death of Hermione Granger, brightest witch of her age to grace Hogwarts in twenty years in private.

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

Severus woke up and felt Hermione stir from sleep. “Stay Hermione.” He commanded as he went to the back part of the tent conjuring up a large bathtub and filling it with warm water and herbs that would draw out any toxins residing in her.

He pulled her up from the bed and began to remove her dirty, tattered clothes revealing her naked body. “As I said before witch, you are most beautiful.” Picking her up and placing her into the tub.

She sighed as she settled into the warm water. Whatever he had added to the water made her feel relaxed as if all of the strain and stress was drawing away from her body. She happily sighed in relief as she sank deeper into the tub. This was almost better than…

Severus knelt down beside the tub looking to her. “And what would that be Hermione?”

She had forgotten that he could sense her thoughts through the Bond. “Err….”

He chuckled as he continued to watch her. “It is a healing bath Hermione, the herbs designed to remove the stress and pains from your body. As the toxins leave, you feel euphoria, as if you are truly feeling life for the first time. I think one hour of soaking should heal you.”

She looked to him. “You could join me. There is more than enough room for two.”

He placed his hand into the water, silently incanting a heating charm causing steam to rise from the water, smelling a whiff of the herbal blend filling the room. “No Hermione. This blend was designed just for you. I’ll be back in one hour. There are a few things I need to take care of. Stay soaking until I retrieve you.” He stood up and left her to soak, feeling slightly relaxed from the scents filling the room.

Severus stepped outside the tent and Apparated away.

&&&&&&&&&

Harry and Ron stepped into the wizard’s tent and blinked at the flash from a camera. He saw Colin standing there with his camera grinning.

Colin grinned to them. “Something we can have if we grow old and survive. But I need to go to the girl’s tent so they can have something to remember.”

Harry grinned as he patted Colin’s shoulder. “Come on Colin, I’ll escort you. Besides I need to talk to the girls.”

They stood outside the tent as Harry called out. “Are you decent? I need to talk to you.”

He blushed as he heard the girls titter as he recognized the voice of a particular witch that was known to be a bit forward. “You could come in Harry and find out for yourself!”

Harry replied back irritation evident in his voice. “Josephine, you know that I am a wizard already spoken for.”

He heard the witch call back out. “We are all decent. No need to be put out as I was just winding you up.”

Harry entered the tent with Colin trailing behind him. He noticed that the girls had taken advantage of the downtime, dressed in new clothes and looking fresh.

“I just wanted you to know that Hermione will not be here tonight. She needs time to herself to mourn Mr. Donaldson’s death. And Colin here wants to take pictures so that you will have something to remember if we get the chance to grow old.”

He left the tent shaking his head at the witch’s excitement of having their picture taken. He was glad that he was spoken for, as he understood his witch only.

&&&&&&&

Severus retrieved Hermione from the tub, drying her body with a soft towel that he brought back and then wrapping her into a thick bathrobe. “How do you feel Hermione?”

“Refreshed and I feel that I can take on the world. Or that I can take on one particular wizard that I have missed.” She looked to him knowingly.

He led her to the table not remarking at her challenge. “I went to your neighborhood and purchased your favorite food.”

She looked at the take away boxes from her favorite Chinese restaurant. “Severus, you did not need to.” As she sat down to eat.

He began eating Lo Mein, watching the joy evident in her face, observing that she did not eat very much. He realized that the rations that she had been eating were a bit short, as very little food filled her.

Hermione finished her meal and looked to him. “And now Severus, I wish to be re-acquainted with you.” Standing up and removing the bathrobe and approached him, lust evident in her eyes.

Severus pushed back his chair, admiring his wife’s body as he began to unbutton his vest and removed it. She sat on his lap and began unbuttoning the buttons of his shirt as she whispered in his ear. “Severus, I think it is time that that I heal you of the stress that you are feeling.” Wiggling her ass against his hardening cock.

“Gods witch. Please do!” He moaned out, rubbing her ass with a free hand as he held her to his lap with the other.

Hermione removed his shirt and traced the fresh scars on his chest. “You’ve acquired a few more since I last saw you.” She murmured as she traced the fresh scars as her finger traced downward.

“Yes...” He hissed out in pleasure. “But I assure you there is no damage down there. Care to check?” He purred out as he kicked off his boots.

She nipped his ear and whispered seductively. “I suppose I should. After all, I would not want to miss any part that needed healing.” Removing herself from his lap as she unbuckled his belt and began to unbutton his trousers. “Is there any part of your clothing that does not have buttons?”

He chuckled as he pulled off his trousers and briefs at the same time. “Only one and you will not have to worry about it.” His cock springing up at the release.

“Well, there seems to be no damage. Let me look further” She whispered as she firmly wrapped her hand around his weeping member eliciting a moan of pleasure from him.

She flicked her tongue at the head of his cock, his body shuddering at the contact. She began to go down on him, taking in his ample girth fully.

Gods! He thought. Being with the witch made him think that maybe a place called heaven actually existed. He watched her bobbing head and stopped her as he stood and picked her up into his arms.

“It seems there is no damage witch.” Feeling the heat from her body as he walked to the bed and gently laid her down and placed himself at her entrance. “Heal me Hermione.” He whispered as he entered her and they both felt their bond flash in joy.

He began to make love to her slowly, relishing the feel of her velvet touch. “Hermione, I remember you now.” He groaned out in passion as he began to thrust deeply into her, listening to the squeels of pleasure from his wife.

“Harder Severus!” She moaned out.

He chuckled as he complied. “I see that you are still bossy.”

“No!” She panted out. “Just sure of what I need and that is you wizard!” She panted out as she felt her orgasm begin.

He buried his cock deep within her as her orgasm triggered his release. “Hermione!” He shouted out as he came, feeling her walls clamp down on him as she rode out her orgasm.

Severus felt her body still as they both panted. “It seems that you have healed me Hermione.” Kissing her fully and tasting the taste of him on her lips. He rolled off her and gathered her into his arms. “Sleep witch and know that I am here, and I will protect and love you always.”

Hermione sighed at the words and snuggled against him as he played with her brushy hair. He listened to the deep breaths that she took, indicating that she had fallen into a deep sleep. He soon followed her, thankful that he once again had a chance to love her before his impending death.

&&&&&&&

Ginny and her father arrived at Platform 9 and ¾ and looked to the column.

“Ginny, don’t do anything foolish at the school. I have already lost one son, and do not wish to lose you as well.”

“Dad, Ron is still alive! I feel it.” She replied in concern.

“Of course.” He replied. “Go on now and owl me when you get there.”

He watched as she went through the column and disappeared. He looked for a moment as he made his way back to the Ministry of Magic.

Ginny entered the train and immediately noticed the silence within the carriages. As she made her way down, the only sounds coming from the carriages filled with the students of Slytherin.

She bumped into Draco Malfoy. “Weasley! Surprised to see you here.” He sneered to her as he jabbed his elbow into her as he went past her.

“I could say the same for you Malfoy!” She snarled out as she made her way past him and entered the carriage containing Neville and Luna.

Neville looked to her as she sat down. “Did you see the Daily Prophet listing the names of the dead muggle-borns?”

“No, Neville. Dad stopped his subscription after Mum’s death.”

“Oh Ginny!” He moaned as he gave her his copy listing the deaths. Her eyes focused on the name “Hermione Granger” As she began to cry.

Neville hugged her as he whispered. “Harry Potter is still alive. We still have hope.”

“But Hermione!” She wailed out.

Neville and Luna hugged her as she continued to sob, releasing her grief at the fact that her best friend was dead.

She looked to her hand still concealing the engagement ring that Harry had given her, remembering the concealing charm that Hermione had placed on it, her words ringing out that it would not be revealed until Hermione’s death. Her friend was alive! Ginny allowed herself to be comforted by her friends, keeping the knowledge to herself.

“Do you really think that Harry is still alive Neville?” She asked

“Yes Ginny I do.” Neville replied as he pointed to the Daily Prophet. “That rag of a paper would have dedicated a whole issue to the fact. It ran a lengthy article on the worthiness of Snape becoming a Headmaster, and we all know who was on the train under the mask of a Death Eater.”

“Neville I told you that Headmaster Snape is not the enemy.” Luna dreamily replied. “His aura did not reveal it. Besides, he knocked us out and Disillusioned us when the Death Eaters came to the castle. If they would have seen us sitting outside the Room of Requirement, we would be beyond the Veil now.”

“Oh Luna!” He sighed as he put her arm around her and kissed her cheek. “I really don’t know how to take some of the views you have of people sometimes.”

Ginny looked to the pair in surprise. “You two are a couple! When did that happen?”

Neville chuckled. “After we regained consciousness in front of the Room of Requirement. We spent a lot of time together during the holidays.”

Ginny looked to them. “I’m happy for you.”

They sat in silence, listening to the click-clack of the carriages as they travelled toward Hogwarts.

&&&&&&

Severus woke and sat up in the bed as he absently played with the hair of his wife. He was thinking about plan 1A and if the Order could truly arise from the ash. He felt Hermione sit up as she looked to him.

“Deep in thought, Love?” She asked him.

He looked to her. “Yes Love. Soon you will be in sanctuary and will not be safe, though the word suggest that.” He left the bed and began to dress. “Remember what I said about us being in the calm of the storm? The Dark Lord is moving quickly and the Final Battle will arrive soon.”

He watched as she stood up and helped her dress. “With Albus not returning to his portrait, you are Plan 1A.”

Hermione looked to him in shock. “How…?”

He silenced her. “It will be revealed to you soon. Hermione, I must leave you now as I will soon become the most hated Headmaster in Hogwarts history to date. I am sure that fact will be stated in “Hogwarts: A History” for at least the next century.”

He chuckled at her distressed look. “It is my fate Hermione. But at least two wizards and the most beautiful witch in the world will know otherwise. And that thought will comfort me in the end.”

Severus gathered her into his robes and kissed her. “Now witch, go and see if the coast is clear as this tent can be seen. Most of your fellow students would be distressed if they saw me appear.”

Hermione peeked outside the tent and motioned Severus forward. “All clear my love.” She softly told him.

He looked to her for a moment. “Hermione, break down the phials of Felix I have given you and hand them out to your group just in case.”

She watched as he left the tent, turning his heel as he Apparated away.