Never the Two Shall Meet

I awake as the sun lights the sky. I feel more refreshed than I have in weeks. It doesn’t take long for me to remember what was to happen though.
I get dressed quietly so as not to wake my roommates. Heading to the Dungeons knowing that they were empty so no one was likely to notice me. I sneak into Severus’ office, I just need to be around his things.

I walk around touching everything in reach, thinking of all the times I had been in here with him. We made love in his classroom just a few nights ago. But that hadn’t been the first time. No, that had been in here. We were so impatient we barely made it in the door before he pushed me up against the wall. It had been rough and exhilarating at the same time. It lasted only a short time before we were both too spent to move, sliding onto the floor to rest.

I sit at his desk, absentmindedly opening and closing drawers as I reminisce. It wasn’t until I opened the very bottom drawer that I noticed anything. Snapping out of my memories I bend down to take a closer look. His smiling face is looking up at me. Pulling the photo out I sit back and stare at it. He smiles at the camera briefly then turns to kiss me, holding my hand up so you can see our matching rings. I’m next to him laughing at how carefree he was that day.

Looking at my left hand I whisper the counter spell, making my once hidden ring appear. It shines brightly in the dim light. After staring at the picture and my ring for a few minutes more I carefully tuck it back in the drawer and repeat the spell, watching as the ring flashes into non-existence again. Soon the time will come when I no longer have to hide it. When we will be able to proudly display our wedding photo. I need to be patient a little bit longer. Maybe if I keep telling myself that I will believe it.

Hoping no one has gone looking for me I sneak out of the office, back up the stairs and into the Hall. Thankfully everyone was to busy too notice. Dumbledore was at the Head Table explaining what was going to happen. The younger kids all looked very frightened, until they were told they would be taken safely out of the way. Hardly able to disguise the relief they felt at the news.

All the Order members were spread out around the room waiting for Dumbledore to dismiss the students so they could work on getting them out of the school.

“Now if you will, all students not of age please step to the front of the room. Any student who is of age that does not feel they would be able to assist please join the others, and do not worry we will not judge you. I am not going to force you to do anything. This is a voluntary mission.”

This is followed by the scraping of the benches as more than half the students rise from their seats to join the throng gathered in the front.

“Thank you ladies and gentlemen. Hestia, Elphias, and Sturgis will split you into groups and take you to your parents. The rest of you please remain seated for a few more minutes. Professor Lupin is here and will go over some things with you. Thank you again for your co-operation.”

As he spoke a witch and two wizards separated from the group to lead the students out of the Hall. It was as I turned my head to watch them go that I noticed Ginny still sitting beside Harry. Even from were I sat at the end of the table I could see the tears in her eyes as she clutched him close. They were talking quietly, but I knew what was wrong. I have been feeling the same way for so long. With one last embrace Harry manages to get her to stand, ready to follow the others out. She leans toward Ron giving him a quick hug. Then tearfully pulls away. Luna Lovegood takes her hand to lead her out. I know Luna doesn’t want to leave any more than Ginny but since she is not of age she has no choice in the matter.

As the two girls approach where I am sitting they stop to hug me.

“Please take care of yourself Hermione,” Ginny says. “Make sure Ron and Harry don’t do anything stupid.”

“We will be waiting to hear from you all,” Luna adds in her misty voice.

“Stay safe! Don’t come out until you hear from us. You understand?” I tell them, with a pointed look at Ginny.


“I know. I’ll be staying with Luna until it is over, since my whole family will be here. I just can’t bear the thought of any of you not coming home.”

“We’ll be home soon. Your Mum has been planning a victory party for months now and we can’t disappoint her,” I smile encouragingly. “Now you better go. We’ll see you soon.”

Luna finally manages to tug her out the door. I glance around at the twenty or so students left, wondering what was going to happen tonight. I watch as Lupin steps up to the front of the room.