Circle of Love

“So Professor Snape how did you manage to not kill my parents?” Hermione asked as the last plate of chocolate cake disappeared into one of the Weasley Twins' stomaches. Fred (or was it George?) burped loudly.

“George Weasley!” Molly exclaimed.

“I'm Fred, mum.” The twin rolled his eyes at Molly.

“No, I'm Fred!” The other exclaimed to further confuse the issue.

“You both can clear the table, hurry now.” Molly laughed.

“Professor?” Hermione reminded him of her question.

“Your parents are alive, no further explanation needed, Miss Granger.” Snape stood up to go to his Potions room. Hermione followed him. “Go back to the others and they'll give what ever answers you need.” He opened the door but turned back to look at her. “Tomorrow you and Draco will be learning some complex potions that are needed for Order needs. Unless you plan on returning to Hogwarts soon.”

Hermione's mind perked up on the words 'learn' and 'complex', pushing her question to the back round of her mind. “I was thinking of staying here a few weeks this morning before you returned my parents to me. If Professor Lupin had been willing to tutor me, that is. But now, I probably should return with Harry and Ginny.”

“Your choice, Miss Granger. Remember that you can't reveal your parents being alive to anyone at Hogwarts. One slip and it gets back to The Dark Lord, and all of us will be endangered.” Snape entered the room and almost had the door closed when Hermione asked.

“What complex potions, sir?”

Snape sighed with exasperation, “One being the Wolfsbane potion, a Cruciatus counter I have been working on, and some medicinal ones. None of these potions are in your seventh year curriculum.” Snape raised an eyebrow as he waited her answer.

“I will talk it over with Professor Lupin and the others, sir.” Hermione bit her lip in indecision.

“Both of us are already tutoring Draco, I'm sure you won't be a bother. Plus we are adding Potter and Miss Weasley to this also. You four will be getting extensive DADA training for the upcoming battle as all of you are woefully unprepared. Good night, Miss Granger.” Snape closed the door.

Damn, he didn't answer me! Hermione thought as she went back to the sitting room full of wizards.

Behind the door, Severus Snape was damning himself also. This had been Remus's idea, and while it was a good one, he wasn't sure he could handle all the teenage raging hormones that were about to upset his quiet laboratory. He shuddered at the thought.


“Okay, who will be explaining to me what happened? Professor Snape refused to answer me.” Hermione looked around the sitting room at the faces that looked with guilt back at her. None of them had liked deceiving her, but now faced with explaining, none knew where to begin.

Draco sat quietly in a corner, trying to look absorbed in the book he had his nose in. Snape still had not released him from his oath so he couldn't answer. He silently laughed at the brave Gryffindors being stared down by the small witch as one by one she made eye contact with them. He stood up and walked out of the room.

“Mum? Dad?” Hermione turned to her parents.

“Hermione I really have no clue what happened. Neither does your mum. We saw Professor Snape enter and then we were in the-- what is it called, dear?” Harold looked at his wife.

“I think the Weasleys called it the Burrow.” Said Jane.

Draco heard the murmurs of conversation coming from the room as he walked down the hall. He stopped at the Potions door and knocked.

“What is it, Draco?” Snape opened the door and looked down at the blond haired wizard with exasperation.

“Sorry to intrude, sir. But I was hoping you would release me from the Oath now.” Draco watched his former teacher's eyebrow raise in thought.

“You're released.” Snape answered as a charge went through both of them, signifying that the magical bound ended.

“Thank you, sir. Good night.” Draco nodded.

“Good night.” Snape closed the door with a click and magically locked it.

Draco walked back to the sitting room, if no one else had answered the small lioness, he was about to. Wonderful, he thought as he entered. What happened to the braveness of the Gryffindor house? He sat back on his chair and picked up his book.

“Malfoy?” His head lifted up as Hermione said his name. Draco felt a small bit of pain as if she had slapped him. Last night's encounter with her in this very room had confused and confounded him, but he had still held hope that it had improved their relationship. Guess not, he thought regretfully.

“Yes, Granger?” He said over the top of his book, acting as if he didn't understand what she wanted.

“Would you perhaps like to tell me?” Draco looked into her eyes as they pleaded with him. He sighed as he closed the book and set it on a table.

“I can only tell you what Professor Snape told me..” Draco words trailed off as if she and those in the room saw rather then heard what Snape had told Draco at the druid circle.

“I made Lupin six Wolfsbane potions in case this planned failed and I couldn't return to the headquarters for a time. While doing this I asked him to contact Tonks, Shacklebolt and the elder Weasleys to discuss it. After they arrived I explained to Tonks and Shacklebolt I needed them to go to the Grangers' house and be there for when I arrived. If they had not been there and ready to do what was needed, I would have been forced to kill the Grangers. I sent Remus to get you and Miss Granger while all this was going on.” Snape looked into the fire he had set and watched as the flames crackled as it consumed the small pieces of wood in it.

“But sir, what happened in the house?” Draco asked him.

“I'm getting to that, patience Draco.” Snape said. “The Dark Lord has never been trustful of his minions, even his most favored. I knew tonight would be a test of my loyalty and I was correct; for your aunt Bellatrix was in the shadows watching my every move for any sign of duplicity. I pushed Harold Granger into the house as he opened it and slammed the door behind us. In the house stood the Grangers and Tonks and Shacklebolt. With relief they had brought what I had requested and given the Grangers the explanation. In two cages stood the poor hapless creatures I was destined tonight to kill; bunnies, a white one and a chocolate brown one. Without hesitation I pointed my wand and watched as the killing curse hit them both, one by one. At the moment each curse hit one a Granger was disapparated out under the cover of its blinding green light. I then set the house ablaze to hide my deceit and left; setting the Dark Mark over the blazing house for the world and your aunt to see.”

“And that is what happened that night. Professor Snape used two bunnies in place of your parents.” Draco stood up and walked out of the room. “Rather a brilliant plan,” He said as turned back to slide the doors closed. “Don't you think?” Click.


“Why was that so hard?” Hermione looked around the room at her friends.

“Well dear, we all thought the bunnies would upset you.” Molly said.

“He could have used house elves--” One of the twins started to say but stopped when Hermione glared at them.

“Professor Lupin, mum and dad may I please talk to you?” Hermione asked.

“Sure, dear.” Said Harold and all four of them walked off to a corner.

“I was thinking of this this morning. Now it's for different reasons.” Hermione began. “I would like to take a few weeks away from Hogwarts and stay here and learn some new potions from Professor Snape.”

“Won't you get behind in the rest of your classes, Hermione?” Jane asked.

“Well, I'm hoping that with Professors Lupin's and Snape's help I won't. Both of them are excellent instructors.” Her eyes pleaded with her mum's. “I've already studied farther ahead, so really I won't be missing much. From what Professor Snape said Harry, Ginny and Malfoy will be here as well as the professors and Tonks. This would benefit me as well as them scholastically. Please?”

“Well,” considered Harold, “If Lupin and Snape agree to this, we will.”

“We've already got a small curriculum set.” Smiled Remus. “This house is warded and hidden from the Death Eaters so they will be physically safe.”

“Ok, we agree then.” Harold said after Jane nodded. “From what Mrs Weasley said, we will be living at the Burrow for some time. So if you need us, Hermione, we will be -just as you wizards say- a floo call away.” The Grangers assured their daughter.

“Thanks, Dad.” Hermione kissed her dad's cheek. “And Mum,” She added as she hugged her mum and kissed her cheek.

“You both ready to return to the Burrow, Mr Granger?” Asked Arthur. “Ginny and Harry will be returning tomorrow to stay, Hermione. It's a good idea to get advanced help.” He nodded towards Hermione.

“Don't be too hard on Draco, Hermione,” Remus told her as the house emptied of its visitors. “He was under a Wizard's Oath till tonight. We all have wanted to tell you, and almost slipped a few times.”

“I know,” she nodded. “Professor Snape would really have killed them if he had had to?”

“Yes, dear. Be glad his plan worked as perfectly as it did.” Remus threw an arm around her shoulder. “Off to bed, girl. Tonks and I have to go pick up her parents. It's going to be a busy night.”

“Night, sir.” Hermione hugged him and walked up the stairs. As she passed Draco's door she stopped and looked at it, wondering if she should talk to him.

She raised her hand and knocked lightly on the door. If he was asleep she didn't want to bother him. The door opened slowly.

“Yes, Granger?” Draco smirked.

“I just wanted to thank you. Good night, Draco.” Hermione turned away and he placed his hand on her arm.

“You're welcome, Her-my-oh-nay.” His eyes twinkled at her as Draco deliberately mispronounced her name.

“It's Her-mi-oh-nee.” She reminded him, “Good night, Draco.”

“Good night, Hermione,” Draco pulled her closer and kissed her cheek. He felt her pull from his arms and walk away. She stopped at her door and turned back to look at him. With a shy smile she entered her room and closed the door.