A Shadowy End

“Hello boys.” Hermione said through clenched teeth.



The boys jumped out of their chairs and glared at them.



“Where the bloody hell did you come from?” Harry asked.



“Did you enjoy making fun of us?” Ginny asked, her voice dripping with venom.



“We don’t know what you’re talking about Gin, all that killing must have gone to your head.” Ron said with disgust.



“Killing huh? Is that all you think we trained for?” Hermione asked. She was glaring at the boys as though she would like them to drop dead.



From inside the bubble, Severus was grinning wildly.



“If I distinctly remember Harry, you said and I quote, ‘if it weren’t for that brain of hers, she’d have nothing going for her.’ Do you really find me that repulsive?” Hermione looked at him with distaste.



“Well it’s true, you’re a pitiful excuse for a woman. And now you’re a murderer.” Harry said glaring back.



Ooh, wrong thing to say Potter, you blabbering idiot! Snape thought.



“Well let us show you what we’re really capable of then, dear!” Ginny said as she moved to block the exit from the library.



“What? What are you girls on? Do you think violence is the only answer? You’ve betrayed our trust and our friendships, you FREAKS!” Ron said sputtering.



“We saved your lives you ungrateful little shit. How long would you have lasted if you both took on Voldemort all by yourselves? You would have died in a matter of seconds. You’re not ready for this; you’ll never be ready for the horror that is waiting for you! I can’t believe that you of all people would turn against Hermione and I, you’re an ass Ronald Weasley.” Ginny was spat out.



“And you’re a disgrace to the Weasley name! You have shamed us all! I won’t grieve you when you die because that is what will eventually happen. You will be dead and forgotten and no one will care. I hope it sooner than later.” Ron went to go push past his younger sister but was stopped with a shattering blow to the face as she punched him, hard.



“Ginny!” Harry covered his mouth in mortification. “Have you lost your damn mind? I could forgive your lapse in judgment when you shacked up with this,” Harry gestured at Hermione, “but this completely unacceptable. You can’t go punching your brother.”



“Really Harry? And I thought you were happy for us? Was it a lie? Do you just want me for yourself, you jealous bastard? I can’t believe that you would insult my girlfriend who I might add is has been one of your best friends for years and then you turn on your friendship. We were always shaky at best with our friendship but Hermione was your true friend. One day you are going to realise that you lost one of the best things in your whole life. You will never have me, I don’t love you and at this moment I don’t even like you. You are dead to me Harry James Potter.” Ginny turned and made her way to the door. "By the way, my GIRLFRIEND is the most gorgeous, sexy and attractive witch I know. Don't ever speak about her like that again or you will feel my wrath." Ginny declared before she stormed out the room.



Hermione looked on with tears in her eyes. Her friends had truly abandoned her. She had never felt so alone before. She watched as Harry picked up Ron and healed him with his wand.



“You alright, mate?” Harry asked.



“She broke my nose.” Ron said in disbelief. He looked up at Hermione and glared. “You’re the one who has turned her against us. You are to blame. I will never forgive you Hermione, as long as I live, I will never forgive you. You might as well be Voldemort himself. You’re evil and pathetic. And you will die alone with no one to care for you.” The boys gathered themselves up and left the room.



* * * *



Severus looked on from inside the bubble. His heart went out to those girls, willing to put their lives on the line to save those fucking idiots. He wondered briefly if all that killing really did send them insane. But he knew otherwise, they were determined and truly believed that they could bring down Tom Riddle. And with his help, they would. Granted, he had his own reasons for helping them, wanting mostly to be free of the Dark Lord to pursue his own life, finally.



He also knew that those girls loved everyone so fiercely that they were willing try anything that might save them even if it meant dying in the process. It was just such a shame that everyone in this house didn’t seem to care that their shunning them was breaking their hearts.



Severus heart lurched as he watched Hermione sink to her knees, her body wracked with sobs. He knew now that underneath that hard exterior was a fragile mind that needed caring and love to survive.



Severus stepped outside the bubble and sank to his knees next to her.



“Hermione?” He asked hesitantly sighing inwardly, gods how he hated when women cried; he had no idea how to deal with things like this. “Hermione? Why don’t you and Ginny come stay with me at Spinner’s End? That way we can go over the plan and be in privacy without being disturbed every few minutes. Besides it would be nice to get away from all this for a while, don’t you think?”



Hermione took a deep breath, “thank you Professor but wouldn’t Tom be suspicious if he knew you had us in your manor?”



“He doesn’t even know it exists. I made a duplicate of the manor and placed it somewhere else, this one, the duplicate, is set behind a waterfall and embedded in the rock face. Albus doesn’t even know where it is. You’d be completely safe.”



“I would like that. I’m sure Ginny would too.” Hermione said with a small smile.



“I’ll inform Albus while you go and get packed. Remember to bring everything.”



“All right and thank you Professor,” Hermione leaned up and gave him a quick peck on the cheek before she left the room.



Severus stood dumbfounded and slowly raised his hand to his cheek. She kissed me! He thought. What the bloody hell was that for?



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A/N: OK, so the cliffee didn't last long, but I just had to write the next chapter.