Love...War...What's the Difference *COMPLETE*

Love…War…What’s the Difference?

A Double Attack

As Severus said, he and Hermione grew closer as they worked on her project. She began brewing her potion the next class. In the evenings when she wasn’t tending her potion, she was helping Severus with his potion.

“The next set of ingredients don’t need to be added until Christmas Eve,” Severus said as Hermione finished stirring the potion.

The couple began cleaning up the lab. As Hermione stood at the sink washing the scalpels, pastels, and mortars, he thought about the conversation he had with Albus earlier that day.

“Hermione, what are you doing Saturday night?” Severus asked.

“Nothing except coming down here. Why?” Hermione replied.

“Would you like to have dinner with me in Hogsmeade?” he questioned.

“Are you asking me out on a date?” she smiled as she faced him.

“Yes,” he said.

“I would love to,” she answered. “But what about us being seen together? Won’t it get back to Voldemort?”

“The Headmaster has taken care of that. Plus, where we’re going, no Death Eaters are allowed. The owner is in the Order and an old friend of mine. The people who go to his establishment keep to themselves, so we won’t be the talk of the town so to speak,” he explained.

“Is there a dress code?” she asked.

“Semi-formal will do,” he said.

“I have the perfect thing to wear. Well, I better get going. I have a test first thing in McGonagall’s class and I need a full night’s sleep,” she smiled.

Severus walked her to the door. They shared a passionate kiss good night before she headed back to her room. Severus let out a blissful sigh. He couldn’t wait till Saturday night.

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“Will you calm down man. You’re going to wear a hole in the floor,” Lucius laughed.

“I can’t help it. I want tonight to be perfect for her,” Severus sighed.

After Hermione removed Lucius’ Dark Mark, he completely changed. It was as if Hermione had not just removed the mark, but all the evil and darkness that came with it. Harry and Ginny had seen the change and believe him immediately.

“It will be. Just be yourself. That’s who she fell for,” Lucius said.

“You’re right. Well, I had better start getting ready then,” Severus nodded.

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In Hermione’s room, Harry sat on her bed smiling as Ginny finished Hermione’s hair and Hermione put the finishing touches to her makeup. “So, is he picking you up here or what?” Harry asked.

“The Headmaster gave me a special portkey that will take me to his office. Severus will meet me there. Then we’ll take the teacher’s stairwell to the grounds,” Hermione answered.

“There you go girl,” Ginny smiled.

Hermione removed the towel from her neck and stood up. She turned and faced Harry. His eyes widened and his mouth fell opened. He couldn’t believe he was looking at his best friend.

“Wow. You look beautiful Hermione,” he said.

“He’s right. Professor Snape is going to be knocked out of his socks,” Ginny added as she went to stand next to Harry.

“Thanks. Well, I better go. I don’t want to be late,” Hermione said.

She sprayed on a bit of perfume, grabbed her purse and cloak, her wand securely hidden in her cloak, then touched the portkey. A second later, only Harry and Ginny were in the room.

“Come on. Let’s get to dinner,” Ginny laughed.

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Albus and Hermione were talking when Severus arrived. Hermione stood up and faced him. Like Harry, Severus’ eyes widened and his mouth fell open at the sight of Hermione in her navy blue dress.

“You’re going to catch a fly Severus,” Albus chuckled.

“I’m sorry. You just look so beautiful,” Severus said.

“Thank you. You look very dashing in that suit,” Hermione beamed.

“Well, you two have fun and be careful. Please don’t be out too late,” Albus smiled as he left the office.

Severus extended his arm to her. She placed her arm in his and off they went. They walked in a comfortable silence from Albus’ office to the carriage that was waiting for them on the grounds.

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“Okay, we wait till dinner is over, then make our way to the village. Tonight, we show Potter and the Order that no one is safe,” Draco whispered to Blaise and Pansy.

“Um, why are we attacking them? I mean, they haven’t done anything to us yet,” Pansy asked.

“Are you flaking out?” Draco demanded.

“He betrayed us Pansy. For that you know the penalty. As for the mudblood, she’s Potter’s best friend and is associating with Snape. Need I say more?” Blaise hissed.

Pansy fell silent. She knew not to piss off Draco and Blaise. She had learned that lesson the hard way the summer after their fifth year. “I…I’m not going. Look, what if someone starts asking about you? Besides, I would only get in the way,” she said.

“You’ve got a point. You just stay in the common room. It shouldn’t take long,” Draco agreed.

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Hermione and Severus had a wonderful dinner. Hermione told him stories about her childhood and her parents. Severus told her about his mother and how he fell in love with potions.

“I’ve had a wonderful time tonight Severus,” Hermione smiled as she pushed away her dessert plate.

“As have I. For the first time in a long time, I feel like a normal man. Not a spy or tool being used in this war,” Severus said as he reached across the table and took her hand.

“You are just a man. A brilliant man who stole my heart,” she replied as she squeezed his hand.

Severus settled the bill, and the couple left. They would take a portkey back to castle and then he would walk her back to her room. They had just turned onto the main street when it happened. Three men grabbed Severus while two grabbed Hermione.

“Hermione!” Severus cried as he struggled against his captors.

“Get the fuck off me!” Hermione yelled as she too tried to get free.

Simultaneously, the five men proceeded to beat Hermione and Severus. Both tried to fight back, but it did very little. Severus caught a glimpse of Hermione falling to the cobble stoned street. He suddenly felt an anger wash over him that he had never felt before.

“Aaahhh!” Severus roared.

The three men beating him, suddenly went flying into the other two who were beating Hermione. Painfully, Severus rose to his full height and pulled out his wand. When he aimed it at the attackers, he found them gone.

“Shit. Hermione…can you…hear me,” he hissed as he dropped to his knees beside her.

She let out a groan, but didn’t open her eyes. Severus knew she was hurt bad and needed Poppy right away. He pulled out his portkey and held on to Hermione’s arm. They were transported back to Hogwarts.

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“She’s lucky. Her worst injuries were two broken ribs, and her left arm was broken in two places,” Poppy said.

“She fought back and I tried to get to free to help her, but I failed,” Severus sighed.

“Severus, this isn’t your fault,” Lucius insisted.

Poppy handed Severus a vial of green liquid. He downed it and instantly began breathing better as his own broken ribs healed. He then buried his face in his hands.

“I gave her a necklace that was suppose to offer her protection. It didn’t work,” Severus said.

“Albus, Lucius, I’m afraid you two need to leave. My patients need rest,” Poppy instructed.

The two wizards patted Severus’ shoulder, then left. Poppy handed Severus a pair of pajamas. He took them and entered the bathroom to change.

‘Hermione could have been killed tonight. How could I have been so foolish! I can’t and won’t let anything happen to her,’ he vowed as he changed. He then exited the bathroom.

“Severus, you and Hermione will be in here. I pushed the beds together. Now, get some sleep. She’ll be just fine,” Poppy said reassuringly.

“Thank you Poppy,” Severus replied as he kissed her cheek.

Severus climbed into the bed beside Hermione as Poppy turned out the light and exited the room. Gently, Severus pulled Hermione into his arms. “I love you Hermione,” he whispered as he drifted off to sleep.

T.B.C