Galactic Love

Summary: Hermione and Severus are called to return to Corusant. What happens when Anakin and Voldemort join forces to kill Hermione and Harry? Can the Jedi council and their friends save them? R/R

Galactic Love

Chapter 9

Ron and Bellatrix stood in the shadows near the speeder. Ron had been watching the building and knew Hermione and Severus were always the last ones to leave. Full night had fallen, and the crowd of Senators were growing thinner by the minute.

“Where are they?” Bella hissed.

“Be patient. There they are. Remember, just stun them. Lord Vader wants them alive and unharmed,” Ron growled as Alleena and Dax exited the building.

As Dax started to help Alleena into the speeder, Bella struck. She hit them both with a stunning spell. Ron swung Dax over his shoulder, while Bella grabbed Alleena. They climbed into their speeder and flew off.

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“Hermione,” Harry said as he and Severus entered the guest quarters Hermione was using.

“I just know we’ll never see them alive again,” Hermione whispered tearfully.

The two men sat on either side of her as her tears began to fall. Hermione buried her face in Severus’ chest as he wrapped his arms around her. Harry just sat there rubbing her back trying to sooth her.

“Sshh. It’s going to be all right,” Severus replied softly.

“He’s right. Don’t worry,” Harry added.

“I led Alleena to her death. I never should have let her and Dax do this,” she cried.

Severus continued to hold his friend while Harry began stroking her hair. Fifteen minutes later, Severus gathered the now sleeping Hermione into his arms and carried her to the bedroom. Harry began pacing, his brown robe fluttering behind him. After passing the trials, Harry had adopted the tan and brown Jedi uniform that Obi-Wan and Mace wore.

“I feel helpless Harry. How can we assure her they will come back alive, when we don’t even know if they will?” Severus sighed heavily.

“I wish I knew Severus,” Harry answered.

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Anakin looked down at the two decoys. For the past twelve hours, they had been tortured at the hands of Voldemort’s Death Eaters, but Dax and Alleena refused to give anything away. An hour after they were brought to him, it was discovered they weren’t the real Hermione and Severus.

“I’m assuming she and Severus learned the decoy trick from Padme Amidala. Well, like dear Chancellor Amidala’s two decoys Corde and Dorme, you two will die,” Anakin smiled evilly.

Anakin nodded to Voldemort. Voldemort signaled to three of the Death Eaters. Bella, Macnair, and Dolohov. Voldemort and his remaining Death Eaters followed Anakin and Ron out of the room, the screams of Alleena and Dax echoing behind them.

“You failed. You said we would Snape and Granger,” Voldemort snarled.

Anakin faced Voldemort, his face twisted in rage. “You try my patience Wizard. I said I would get them and get them I will,”

Voldemort trembled as he watched Anakin and Ron storm away. Ron fell into step beside Anakin. They walked in silence to the small balcony and looked over the city. The stars dimmed by the bright lights of the city.

“I failed you Master,” Ron stated.

“No Lord Sideious. I should have foreseen this. I had forgotten that both Hermione and Severus used decoys from time to time,” Anakin replied calmly.

“Master why them? How will capturing them destroy your old Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi?” Ron asked.

“All will be revealed in time my apprentice,” Anakin answered.

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Hermione walked through the aisles of the Jedi archives. She had loved the room as a child and spent a lot of her time reading and studying the lore of the Jedi Order. Now as an adult, she still found them calming.

“Sleeping you should be milady,”

Hermione spun around. “I’m sorry Master Yoda. I just couldn’t sleep,”

“Worried you are,” Yoda said.

“I feel Alleena and Dax are dead. I feel responsible. I shouldn’t have let them do this,” Hermione sighed as she sat in one of the chairs.

“Be careful of your feelings. Used against you they could be,” Yoda advised.

“Master Yoda, are they still alive?” she asked.

Yoda closed his eyes and reached out with the Force. “Difficult to see. The dark side surrounds them,”

Hermione nodded. “How am I suppose to conceal my feelings? There are too many people I care about involved,”

“You must let go of all you fear to loose. You must not mourn those who join with the Force, but celebrate them. Mourn them do not, miss them do not,” he replied.

“What if I can’t?” she whispered.

“Then vulnerable to the dark side you will be,” he sighed.

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Harry stood beside Mace and Obi-Wan as they looked down at the mangled bodies of Dax and Alleena. The bodies had been found by a Padawan who immediately rushed off to find Obi-Wan.

“Who could have done this?” Obi-Wan asked in horror.

“Death Eaters. This is their style,” Harry sighed as knelt beside Alleena.

If he hadn’t just seen Hermione sound asleep, he would have thought he was looking at his best friend‘s mutilated body. He closed his eyes as he stood up once more. He was trying to think of how to tell Hermione.

“Oh no. Not Dax,” Severus groaned as he and Solan walked up. Severus dropped to his knees beside his friend and body guard.

“I’m sorry brother,” Solan whispered as he placed his hand on his brother’s shoulder.

“Does Hermione know?” Severus questioned.

“No,” Mace answered.

“Let…let me tell her,” Severus said.

“I’ll go with you. She may need to be sedated,” Obi-Wan added.

On unsteady legs, Severus began walking towards Hermione’s room. Obi-Wan could feel that the news of Alleena’s death would devastate Hermione. He knew how close the two were and hoped she would find the strength to persevere. Outside her room, Severus took a deep breath before he and Obi-Wan entered.

“Hermione,” Severus called out.

Slowly, Hermione came out of her bedroom. Instantly Obi-Wan knew something was wrong. “Hermione, you’re pale. What’s wrong?” he asked as he and Severus rushed over to her.

“I don’t know. I feel so weak,” she answered quietly.

“Hermione!” Obi-Wan cried out as Hermione collapse into his arms.

“Get her to bed. I’ll go get a healer,” Severus instructed.

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In the living room, Harry paced while Yoda sat beside Obi-Wan. Severus and Solan stood staring out the window as the sun began to set. The five men were concerned, after all, Hermione had seemed fine at lunch. Just then the healer exited the bedroom with a solemn face.

“How is she?” Harry demanded.

“Extremely weak I’m afraid. If you hadn’t got me when you did Senator Snape, it could have been much worse,” the healer said.

“What do you mean?” Severus questioned.

“Senator Granger was pregnant,” the healer stated.

“Was?” Solan replied in confusion.

“Yes. She last the child. If she had been any further along, she may very well have died as well. She will need to rest for the remainder of the week. She is remarkably strong and will make a full recovery. She will still be able to bear children, which she seems quite relieved to hear,” the healer explained.

“Can I see her? Please. I need…to talk to her,” Severus pleaded.

“Very well, but not for long. The Senator needs her rest,” the healer sighed.

“Senator, stay here you will. To the Council the rest of us will go,” Yoda replied.

As they left, Severus and Obi-Wan’s eyes met. Severus could see the pain and fear in the Jedi Master’s eyes at the loss of his unborn child and almost losing Hermione. Severus nodded and turned to enter the bedroom. He gasped as he saw how pale and fragile Hermione looked. He quietly walked to her side and sat in the chair beside the bed.

“Hermione, it’s Severus,” he said.

“Severus? Where’s Obi-Wan?” she asked.

“He’s heading to the Council now,” he answered.

“I never knew I was pregnant,” she whispered sadly.

“Sshh. I hate to add to your burdens, but…”

“They’re dead aren’t they?” she questioned tearfully.

“Yes. Look, you just rest. I’ll stay right here till Obi-Wan comes. I promise I won’t leave you till then,” he promised.

“Thank you,” she sighed as her eyes closed and she fell asleep.

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Bella hurried up the stairs of the building. Her black hair and robes flying wildly behind her. She burst into the room and found Anakin, Voldemort, and Ron sitting at a table discussing something.

“What is it Bella?” Voldemort demanded.

“I have news. The Granger was pregnant,” she gasped.

“What do you mean was?” Anakin asked.

“She lost the child and nearly died herself. If I may Lord Vader, now is the time. She is weak and helpless. Let me do it, let me take her now. If I get her the others will fall,” Bella begged eagerly.

Anakin pondered this a moment before speaking. “Very well, but Lord Sideious will accompany you. If you find the opportunity to get Severus as well, do it. I want them brought here alive and unharmed,” he ordered.

“It will be done Master,” Ron bowed.

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Obi-Wan sat on the sofa with his head buried in his hands. He had returned from the Council and went strait to Hermione’s quarters, but couldn’t bring himself to face her. Harry walked over and sat beside him.

“Why aren’t you in there with her?” Harry asked.

“I can’t Harry. I can’t see her just yet,” Obi-Wan answered brokenly.

“Obi-Wan, I know you’re hurting but she needs you. You give her strength and she needs that now more than ever,” Harry said.

Obi-Wan looked at the young man. He could see wisdom beyond Harry’s years reflecting in his emerald eyes. It was also at that moment Obi-Wan realized the disturbance he had been feeling over the past few weeks was coming from Harry.

“You’re right. I will go see her in the morning,” Obi-Wan promised.

“Good. Now why don’t you get some rest. Severus and I will stay here with her,” Harry smiled.

Obi-Wan nodded. Harry watched as the Jedi Master got to his feet and entered the guest room next to Hermione’s. He only hoped that Hermione and Obi-Wan could get through this tragedy together.

T.B.C