Life Begins Anew

AN Albus is still the same

Chapter 80 Rescuing Her Order

Hermione made her way to the Great Hall to find the remnants of her Order, cursing that fact that her husband thought that she had brought him back to life. Git! She seethed as she entered and saw ten Aurours had rounded up the survivors of her Order, guarding over them.

"What is this?" She demanded.

"Go away Miss. This is Ministry business." One huge Aurour told her as he pointed his wand at her.

Hermione felt a tug on her robes as she looked to Felicia. "Let it go Hermione. Albus promised redemption and we need to see him."

Hermione allowed herself to be dragged away as she told the Aurours. "This is not over by a long shot."

She looked around the hall and saw Albus and Kingsley together in conversation as they approached them. "Headmaster, you gave them your word that you would clear their record and give redemption." Anger apparent in her voice.

Kingsley looked to her. "You are the leader of the Order of the Raven?"

"I am."

"Hermione you do not understand. Quite of few of your Order are murderers that we have been trying to catch for years. Most are beyond redemption." Kingsley replied in his deep voice.

"Hermione, they will have their chance in court." Albus replied. "Their sacrifice will be acknowledged, but it is up to the Wizenmagot in the end."

"So you misled them Headmaster." Hermione looked up to him. "When I was made a pawn in all this I promised a clean slate as I understood that was what you offered them."

"I told them that they had a chance, nothing more." Albus replied.

"That was not the instruction that Headmaster Black gave me. He told me full redemption." She told her Headmaster.

"Then he was mistaken." Albus smoothly replied back. "The Wizarding world would not understand if they were let go with a clean slate."

"And what of Severus Snape?" Are you going to let him go free considering all that he has done for you with your Unbreakable Vow?"

Albus looked to the young witch, not liking how this conversation was going. "He will have his time in court and he will be exonerated with the evidence."

Hermione looked to the two wizards for a moment. "Two hundred took up your promise Headmaster and there is only forty left. They should have all died. Then they would have truly been free." Hermione pulled Felicia to her as she walked away.

"Felicia it was Headmaster Dumbledore who approached you? What was his exact words to you?"

"He said that if I got together a group of wizards and witches from the criminal element of the Wizarding world to fight against He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named then their record would be wiped clean and they could have a second chance with a clear record."

"Bastard!" Hermione snarled. "Still manipulative. Nothing has changed."

"What are you going to do Hermione?" Felicia asked. She was curious of how strongly she stood by her Order. She was a young witch full of innocence and it hurt her to see the hurt of betrayal on her face.

Hermione thought for a moment. "Felicia, I think that I am about to become a criminal. Suppose I break my forty witches and wizards out of this castle. Do you know of a place that they could go so that they could disappear while I rally the cause?"

Felicia looked to the young witch pleased. She was not going to abandon them. "I do Hermione." As she pulled out a parchment and wrote down the address of an Unplottable place.

"Most of your girls survived Felicia and not wanted. Take them and leave the castle to distance yourself away from me."

Felicia looked to her. "Good Luck Hermione Granger."

Hermione looked to the Madame as she replied back. "It is Hermione Snape Felicia."

Felicia looked to her in amazement. Snape had been a client of her for years and his absence from her business clicked into place. "Be well Hermione. Based on your last name I imagine the escape of a few criminals will pale when the word gets out about who you are married to. Give me an hour to depart this castle with my girls."

Hermione walked around and noticed Harry, Ginny, Ron, Arthur, Neville, Pansy and Luna together and approached them.

"I have a favor to ask of you and I will understand if you turn it down as it has nothing to do with you."

Harry looked to her and saw her troubled look as he hugged her as the others circled around her. "Tell us your request Hermione."

She quietly revealed her role as the Leader of the Raven and the fact that forty of her followers were arrested under the Ministry and the false promises from Headmaster Dumbledore.

Arthur looked to her in shock. "Is this true Hermione? Most of those fought with me with side by side. I was wondering why they were under guard. I can't believe Albus would go back on his word."

"It is Mr. Weasley. There is more to the Headmaster than what is seen." She sadly answered back. "I promised them full redemption. Now I find that is not true. I just want to get them to a safe place so that they can disappear again. I gave my word. But if you join me you will be criminals as well. I need help but I understand if you turn me down."

Arthur thought for a long moment. "I will help you Hermione." He turned and addressed her friends. "You lot do not need to be involved in this understand? You have the rest of your life to live and do not need to get into trouble. I am only helping Hermione because she is a witch that knows what it means to give your word.

Arthur pulled Hermione aside. "You need to talk to Bootstray. I learned a lot about him when I was in Sanctuary with you. He is an ex-assassin and should be able to give us some ideas."

Hermione nodded her head in agreement. She should have thought of it.

They both looked up as a loud argument was heard and looked over to see that it was coming from where her Order was located.

"No Minister!" The Head healer over her group shouted. "I will not have these moved to Azkaban. They are stable and need rest. Merlin! Put them in that filthy place while healing and you give them a death sentence. Here they still until I release them and there is nothing that you can do about it."

Arthur looked to Hermione. "Kingsley will move quickly, but it will still be a couple of days at most before he can find a way to overrule the healer."

Kingsley looked in surprise as quite a few of the survivors approached him with their wands drawn. He noticed that Harry, Ron, Neville, and Pansy joined the group.

One wizard who looked like he should be in bed trembled as he held his wand out. "I do not care what they did before, but two of those saved me. Move them before it is time Minister Shacklebot and I will kill you and join them in Azkaban."

There was an angry murmur of agreement from the rest of the group.

"I promise that they will not be moved until the healer allows it." Kingly told them as he hurriedly removed himself from wand point and left.

The group cheered and promised that they would keep an eye out for them.

Hermione felt that she was being watched and saw that Headmaster Dumbledore looking at her. She sweetly smiled back at him and went to Pansy. "Pansy, do you fancy a visit with Draco? I can get us into where he is."

Pansy looked to Hermione. "Can you do that? The Aurours outside the Infirmary said no one was allowed to enter."

Hermione held out her hand and showed her the wedding bands. "I can and there is nothing that they can do to prevent me legally."

Pansy was not sure who was located in the infirmary and she had to ask. "Who are you married to Hermione?"

"I am married to Professor Snape. Still want to go?"

"You bet!" Pansy happily replied as they made their way out of the Great Hall. She stopped for a moment and looked at Hermione. "Did he Imperio you?"

Hermione just laughed as they made their way to the Infirmary

Albus and Kingsley watched the Slytherin and Gryffindor leave the Great Hall arm in arm.

"Albus, I believe Hermione. Is the reason you deny it was because you did not arrange anything with the Wizenmagot before you offered redemption?"

The Headmaster's silence confirmed it.

&&&&&&&&

Bootstray looked to the bed containing Severus Snape. It had been 24 hours since he had taken the potion and had not moved once, his sharp features softened in his unconsciousness.

He sighed as he sank back into his bed. He was fully healed but yet they would not release him from the infirmary. He was worried about Sara. He knew that the Master's Quest was completed as he felt the release of their Bond. He wondered how long it would be before he was called back to the Guild. He prayed that Jacob would forget him, realizing that he did not miss being an assassin and now that Slightly was gone….

A loud argument began at the entrance to the Infirmary that pulled him away from his musings.

"No one is allowed Miss. Granger. Why you say you are his wife, I'll never know." The Aurour yelled back. "He is a murderer and deserves to see no one."

"Just check the list Aurour. You will find my name on it." Hermione told him.

He glared at her as he pulled out the list. He did not bother to check it before taking over because he was sure that no one would to visit him. He looked at it and there was only one name on it.

He opened the door to the Infirmary and casually asked the witch as she passed through with her friend. "Did he Imperio you?"

"That was funny the first time around, and now it is not. You better treat me with respect. I do know Minister Shacklebot quite well."

The Auror said nothing as he closed the door behind them.

Draco looked up from the Daily Prophet, his grey eyes widening in surprise as he saw Pansy walking towards him with joy in her eyes.

He jumped out of bed and rushed to greet her, grabbing her up and hugging her. "Pansy I heard that you survived. But they will not allow visitors here. How did you get here?"

She pointed to Hermione. "Did you know that she is married to Professor Snape?"

Draco looked to Hermione as he drew her into his arms as well. "Spousal privilages Hermione. Very clever. Thank you for brining Pansy along." He pulled his witch to him and made his way to the opposite side of the Infirmary as he kissed his witch.

Hermione watched the couple for a moment and looked to her husband. She was surprised to see him unconscious and felt guilty at the harsh words that she had told him when she left his presence. She approached the bed and held his hand as she looked to him.

"He took the potion Hermione." Bootstray called out. "He should be coming out of it soon."

Hermione nodded and laid her husband's hand down on his chest and approached Bootstay.

Hermione sat down and told Bootstray of her delima.

"Your given word Hermione. I understand the importance of that as I gave Sara my word." He looked to the witch. "I will help you. You have a place that they can go to?"

She pulled out the parchment that Felicia had given to her.

"We will not need Arthur as the both of us can do what you require." Bootstray replied.

Hermione once again felt as she was being watched and turned to look into the obsidian eyes of her husband.

"How much have you heard Severus?" She quietly asked.

"Enough to know that what you plan will get you chucked into Azkaban." He darkly replied.

"I must do this Severus. Look into my mind and see." She sat down on a clear spot on her husband's bed and looked to him.

Severus looked into her eyes and found himself within her mind as he viewed the conversation with the Headmaster. Manipulative bastard! He was told full redemption as well.

He sighed as he left her mind and addressed her. "Gryffindor values coming out wife?" He sneered to her.

"No Severus, I gave my word." Hermione quietly replied. "You know what that means."

He looked to Bootstray. "You better make sure she does not get caught."

"Of course Severus. I am an assassin after all and this will be easy." He replied as he told them of his plan.

&&&&&&&

The Great Hall was dark and silent as Hermione and Bootstray approached her Order. Hermione silenced the healer that was sleeping on the cot "We have taken out the Aurors guarding this group. Do you stand by your words that you would take care of them? I'll release the charm if you promise not to scream."

The young healer nodded as she looked into a black mask with the beak of a raven.

"Who are you?" She whispered out.

"I am the leader of this group. We are the Order of the Raven. You see how the Ministry came down and confined them? These witches and wizards risked their lives based on a promise that Albus Dumbledore gave them. A promise that their criminal record would be wiped free and he chose not to honor his word. These are the last of two hundred wizards and witches that pledged to fight against Voldemort."

Hermione chuckled as she saw the witch shudder. "He is dead. No reason to fear a name. Now, I am about to take them away from this castle to a safe place where they can heal and disappear with time if I am unsuccessful at clearing their name. I heard your argument with Minister Shacklebot. Are you willing to go with them and make sure they heal?"

The healer gasped out in shock. She was treating hardened criminals?

Hermione looked to her. "You have treated them in a weakened state. What do you think of them?"

The Healer thought for a moment. "Most only thought of their family and nothing else. They seem to be good folk."

"The most dangerous of my Order died in the battle. With the exception of one or two murderers most are petty criminals. You will be safe as they will see that you want to heal them. You do want to help? I am taking them away no matter what your choice is."

The healer stood up and noticed another black clothed form with the same mask. "Merlin help me." The Healer whispered. "I will always stand by those under my care."

Hermione stood up and pulled the healer towards the group. "What is your name Healer?"

She looked to the masked form. "I am Hope Abbot."

Hermione looked to the witch as she removed her mask. "I am Hermione Granger. Is Hannah is your sister?"

One of the Golden Trio. She felt better of her decision already. "Yes, Hannah is my younger sister." She replied.

The masked figure called out. ""Hermione, we must leave now."

She nodded as Bootstray incanted a spell and Hope found herself in a strange hall with her charges.

The masked figure approached her. "All the potions you require are here. You merely have to call out what you need."

Hermione looked to Hope. "Take care of them and I will be back soon."

&&&&&&&&

Bootstray arrived back at the castle with Hermione. She had passed out and he looked to her with concern. He realized that the witch had not had a bit of rest since the battle. He looked and saw that her forced glamour had faded, revealing her round belly. Cursing, he placed her form at the entrance to the Infirmary as he called back the spell that befuddled the Aurours and rushed back to his bed.

The two Aurours looked to one another for a moment confused as they noticed the unconscious witch before them. One grabbed up the still form and entered calling for Madame Pomphrey.

Poppy rushed from her chambers hearing the call and recognized Hermione Granger still form. She told the Aurour to place her on the empty bed next to Severus and began to diagnose her. "Her magical signature is low." She muttered to herself as she noticed Severus observing her.

She looked to Severus. "She is your wife from what I hear and I assume the child within her is yours. She needs your magic now or you will lose the child within her."

Severus jumped up and grabbed Hermione's limp hand. "Foolish witch. This is what you get for caring and I would not have you any other way." He brushed his lips against her cheek as he focused his magic into her as Poppy looked on.