Hermione awoke the next morning in her own bed, although not by her own choice had she returned to her room. She had wanted to stay with Severus, to make sure he was okay, but he had reminded her that the next day would be Monday. Reluctantly she had left him, kissing him once more and making him swear he'd stay in bed.
She smiled now as she got out of bed and prepared for the day. She was still concerned about her family, but a part of her knew they'd be safe.
Hermione ran a brush through her hair, checked her bag for her homework, and left her room, heading to the Great Hall for breakfast. Glancing up at the staff table, she saw Dumbledore talking to a less than interested Severus, who seemed to be contemplating his breakfast. Hermione wondered if he was alright but he glanced up and gave her the briefest of smiles before looking over at Dumbledore.
Hermione sat down as Severus nodded at Dumbledore.
"Yes, he summoned me again last night."
"And yet he makes no demands of you?" Dumbledore frowned slightly and Severus glanced back out at Hermione, watching as she talked with her friends.
"I do as I'm told," Severus said, lowering his voice, "and I go where he tells me. He has yet to seriously take advantage of my position here, only to occasionally ask me if Potter is indeed still here."
Dumbledore's frown deepened and Severus looked at him.
"Perhaps he's expecting you to stash the boy away."
"Perhaps," Dumbledore agreed, his gaze troubled as it turned to Harry.
Severus sighed and stood. "I have to get ready for class," he muttered, excusing himself and leaving through the staff door.
He stalked through his classes as normal, the only difference being that he looked forward to his N.E.W.T. class, if only to see Hermione.
For her part, Hermione acted as she normally did, copying down his instructions and silently arranging his ingredients in the order that they would be used.
He signaled for the class to being and sat down at his desk to grade the homework that had been handed in at the beginning of class.
The students worked in near silence until Severus glanced at his watch, marked his final grade, capped his ink bottle, and stood.
"You should all be on or past step four, so stabilize your potions and carefully place them in the storage closet, then come up as I call your name and collect your papers."
When Hermione came for her paper, Severus carefully pointed his wand at her pocket, nodding briefly at her as she turned and walked away.
He watched her closely as she packed her things up, stuffing her working quill into her pocket. And then she paused, frowning slightly as she glanced down at the pocket. The frown became a smile and she looked up quickly, making eye contact with Severus for just a second before looking over at Neville, who had commanded her attention.
The bell rang shortly after and the students filed from the room, Hermione glancing back at Severus as she left with her friends.
They separated at the entrance to Gryffindor tower, Hermione heading to her room to drop her things off before dinner.
As she dropped her bag to the floor, she reached in her pocket again, smiling as she pulled out the perfectly formed white rose. Severus had put it there, she didn't doubt that, and her stomach fluttered as she brushed the soft petals.
"Hermione!" a faint voice called from outside her room. "Are you coming?"
"Yeah," she called back, setting the rose gently on the desk, pulling off her robes, and leaving the room to walk with Harry and Ron to dinner.
As they sat down at the Gryffindor table and started loading up their plates, Hermione glanced up and down the table and frowned.
"Where's Dean? And Seamus?" she asked, looking across the table at Harry and Ron. Ron frowned slightly and shook his head.
"I dunno. McGonagall took him with her as we were going into the common room. Seamus went with them."
As if on cue, Seamus entered the hall, looking distraught. Spotting Hermione, Harry, and Ron, he walked over to them, taking the seat beside Hermione.
"What is it?" Hermione asked, turning in her seat to face him.
"McGonagall said his house had been destroyed," replied Seamus, his face white. Hermione gasped and Ron dropped his fork with a loud clatter.
"Is his family okay?" Harry asked, setting his own fork down.
"McGonagall said she wasn't sure. An Auror was there to take Dean." Seamus was visibly shaken and Hermione placed a comforting hand on his back; she knew he and Dean were very close.
Having lost their appetites, Hermione, Harry and Ron stood and walked with Seamus back to the common room.
"I'm sure his family is fine," Hermione said bracingly. Seamus nodded.
"I hope so."
"How about some Exploding Snap?" Ron suggested. "I'll run upstairs and get the deck."
The four of them played a rather half-hearted game, barely smiling when the deck exploded and singed only one of Ron's eyebrows.
Hermione went to her room to get her homework and soon after the boys followed suit; homework was better than worrying more and more about Dean and his family.
When Neville entered the common room and asked why they hadn't been at dinner, Hermione told him and his face grew ashen.
He joined the four of them in waiting and the hours stretched by; soon the other students began filtering away to bed and by midnight, Hermione, Harry, Ron, Seamus, and Neville were alone.
Even Hermione had given up on homework by this time, as the worry ate away at her and she sat on the couch in front of the fireplace, staring into the flames. Beside her, Neville kept dozing off until his head dropped right onto Hermione's shoulder and he began to snore lightly. Hermione was debating whether or not she should wake him when the door to the common room opened and Dean and McGonagall entered.
Hermione stood quickly, waking Neville, who sat up with a snort, noticed Dean, and got to his feet as well.
Dean and McGonagall both looked surprised to see the five of them still up.
"Seamus told us," Hermione said in a small voice.
"We were worried," Harry added as he and the other boys stood to come stand next to Hermione.
"Is everything alright?" Neville finished. Dean smiled faintly, though he still looked troubled.
"They weren't home when it happened," Dean replied. "They're all safe. But our house is gone." He frowned slightly. "I wanted to stay, but mum said there wasn't any point, that they were fine and I shouldn't miss school."
Hermione sighed, relieved, as did the others, and some of the tension left the room.
"I think you should all head to bed now," McGonagall said gently. "It's late." Nodding briefly at them, she left the common room.
"Thanks," Dean murmured when she had gone, gazing around at the five of them.
"We couldn't not be worried," Hermione said softly, hugging Dean. He smiled at her and then at the others. They all said their good nights then and the boys headed for their dormitory while Hermione left for her room.
The next day, during afternoon break, Harry, Hermione, and Ron were seated in the Great Hall, as it had begun to snow again outside.
Hermione was immersed in a rune translation and Ron was scribbling away on his Defense Against the Dark Arts homework. The only difference between their feverish work was that Hermione's had been assigned that morning and wasn't due for two days; Ron was rushing to finish his before class.
Hermione broke her concentration momentarily to look up at Ron, gazing at him beadily.
"You know, if you'd done that in the four days you had to do it, you wouldn't be so stressed right now."
Harry snickered into his Charms book and Ron grunted.
"Don't nag me, Hermione," he mumbled. Hermione rolled her eyes and turned back to her translation.
Not too long after, a bell rang, signaling the end of break. Ron sighed and scribbled a final few bits on his parchment before blowing heavily on it and rolling it up, following Harry and Hermione from the Great Hall and up to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.
As Professor Rutland spoke, Hermione only half listened, her mind on the rose up in her room and Severus. What with the concern over Dean and his family, she hadn't gone to see him and as there was no Potions today, Hermione found herself missing him.
"Miss Granger?" Professor Rutland said, breaking into Hermione's daydream. "Do you have an answer for us?"
"Every six weeks," Hermione replied automatically, having vaguely heard the question.
"Very good, five points to Gryffindor."
The professor continued with his lecture and Hermione sank back into her thoughts, scribbling a note down here and there.
After dinner that night, Hermione changed from her school clothes into jeans and a long sleeved shirt and made her way down to the dungeons. She slipped into the Potions classroom unnoticed and went back to Severus's office to head down to his chambers.
He wasn't there when she arrived, but she knew he was still up in the Great Hall and would probably have hall duty.
Selecting a title from his numerous bookshelves, Hermione situated herself on the couch, the large book open in her lap.
She didn't know quite when she fell asleep but she was aware of when she awoke sometime later when Severus removed the book from her lap.
"How long have you been down here?" he asked, reshelving the book.
"Since after dinner." Hermione sat up and stretched, looking up at Severus.
"I had miscreant duty," he said, coming over to sit beside her.
"Miscreant?" Hermione repeated, smirking. Severus looked at her, mildly amused.
"Thank you for the rose," Hermione said softly and Severus smiled as though pleased with himself. Hermione grinned and kissed him.
"I suppose I should go. I just missed you."
Severus nodded and kissed her again. "Good night then."
Hermione smiled at him as she left the room, heading through the silent castle back up to her own room.
Before long, Hermione had begun spending more and more time in Severus's chambers at night, doing her own homework or helping him grade papers.
January faded into February with no noticeable change in the weather and Hermione continued to slip away to Severus.
A week before Valentine's Day, Hermione was on her stomach on Severus's bed, her Defense Against the Dark Arts book open in front of her and her quill poised over her parchment.
Her essay wasn't going to write itself, but her mind was elsewhere, the words in the book blurred as her eyes unfocused.
"Is something wrong?" Severus asked, looking over at Hermione from where he sat on the couch, grading papers.
"What?" Hermione murmured, blinking and looking back at Severus.
"Normally you're scribbling away by now, getting small ink spots on my sheets, but so far, it sounds like all you've written is your name. So what's wrong?"
Hermione sighed and set down her quill, rubbing the spot between her eyes.
"That poor Ravenclaw's family," she murmured. Severus set down his own quill and nodded.
"Yes," he agreed softly, turning his eyes to the fireplace.
"I've been thinking about it all afternoon," Hermione continued. "Ever since the meeting."
Severus glanced at Hermione. Perhaps it hadn't been particularly wise for Dumbledore to allow the head students to attend the meeting about the Ravenclaw girl's family, as the head boy, also a Ravenclaw, had turned a deathly pale color when he heard what had happened; it seemed he and the girl were friends and at the end of the meeting, Hermione had pulled the boy aside and whispered a few words to him. He nodded, though he still looked rather ill, and thanked her as he walked from the room.
Hermione followed soon after, looking worried and she stared at Severus now with the same expression.
"Are you worried about your family?" he asked quietly.
"Of course I am," Hermione replied, sitting up on the bed and crossing her legs Indian style. "The girl's parents were Muggles, how can I not be concerned?"
Severus capped his ink bottle and walked over to sit beside Hermione on the bed, pulling the edge of the sheet from her hands before she ripped it, she was wringing it so hard.
"I'll talk with Dumbledore tomorrow and we'll see about getting protection for your parents."
Hermione continued to look worried and Severus took her hands in his, raising them to his lips. She smiled slightly and leaned forward, fitting into Severus's arms like it was the most natural thing in the world.
The next day, as Hermione and the others were learning complex cleansing charms in Charms, Professor McGonagall entered the room, striding to Professor Flitwick's desk. They spoke briefly and then Flitwick nodded, glancing over at the table where Ron, Hermione, and Harry were working. The classroom fell silent and Ron and Harry stiffened next to Hermione as McGonagall approached their table; Hermione felt as though her stomach was full of ice.
"Please come with me, Miss Granger. There's nothing wrong," McGonagall added, correctly reading the fearful look on Hermione's face. "The Headmaster wants to see you."
Hermione nodded, feeling only slightly relieved as she gathered her things and followed McGonagall from the room.
They walked silently and soon reached the gargoyle entrance to Professor Dumbledore's office. McGonagall muttered the password and together they stepped onto the revolving staircase.
When they reached the top, McGonagall pushed open the door and Hermione gasped at what she saw.
"Mum! Dad!" she exclaimed. They turned and smiled at her, coming to hug her. Dumbledore was standing behind his desk and Hermione noticed Severus standing off to the side.
"Please, everyone, sit," Dumbledore said, conjuring up three more chairs to add to the two already present. McGonagall took the chair closest to Dumbledore, while Hermione sat between her parents. Severus situated himself on the other side of Hermione's father, casting a sidelong glance at the man and shifting very slightly in his seat; all eyes turned to Dumbledore as he sat behind his desk.
"I'm sure Hermione has fully informed you of the situation with our world and Lord Voldemort?" Dumbledore began, gazing at Hermione and her parents.
Mr. Granger nodded, his glasses glinting as they caught the light of the candle on Dumbledore's desk.
"Yes, she's told us plenty," he replied.
"And has she told you about Voldemort's attacks on Muggles and the families of Muggle-born witches and wizards?"
Hermione's father nodded again and Dumbledore glanced at Severus.
"Professor Snape has been acting as a spy for our side, and is fairly close to Voldemort. Severus?"
Severus cleared his throat, sitting up a little straighter.
"Lord Voldemort has expressed an interest in harming those particularly close to Harry Potter, and Miss Granger, as one of Mr. Potter's closest friends, is an especially prime target, owing to the fact that she is not of pure blood lineage. That is, a wizard father and a witch mother. Voldemort and his supporters express a strong hatred of Muggle-borns and their families, and attacks on Muggle-borns and their families have been slowly but steadily increasing." Severus paused here a moment, glancing at Dumbledore. "To be blunt, Mr. and Mrs. Granger," Severus continued, "your lives are in danger."
Hermione heard her mother's breath hitch and squeezed her hand.
"Hermione is safe here," Dumbledore said gently, "but we feel it would be best if the two of you went into hiding. When Hermione finishes term, she will be properly taken care of, but will not be able to join you."
Mr. Granger frowned. "How come?"
"As important as Harry is, Hermione will also play a vital role in the destruction of Voldemort," Dumbledore replied softly.
Hermione's parents remained silent and Dumbledore stood.
"Perhaps if best we leave you to discuss things," he murmured. Severus and McGonagall followed him from the room and Hermione's parents rounded on her.
"What does he mean, you're a vital part?" her father asked.
"I'm not sure, but I'm not going to doubt him." Hermione looked back and forth between her parents.
"Please do it. I can't bear the thought of Voldemort and his cronies harming you."
"How exactly would we go into hiding?" Mrs. Granger asked. "Wouldn't they just find us?"
Hermione quickly explained the Fidelus Charm.
"Your location would only be revealed if the Secret Keeper chooses to reveal it," she finished. "You'll be perfectly safe."
"But what about you?" Mrs. Granger asked gently.
"I'll be safe. Trust me." Hermione tried to smile at her parents as she fought the tight feeling in her throat.
"What if we refuse?" Mr. Granger said suddenly, standing. "What if we just take you home, right now, away from here, away from Harry."
"John, please," Mrs. Granger began quellingly. Hermione was shaking her head.
"I'd be in more danger at home. You'd be in more danger with me there. This is what's best, Dad."
Mr. Granger's expression softened as he looked down at his daughter.
"Look at what all of this has done to you," he said softly, sadly. "You've grown up too fast."
"Oh, Daddy," Hermione breathed. "I'm still me. I'm still your little girl. I'll always be your little girl. But I have to stay, and you have to go. This is my responsibility, to help Harry and everyone else, and I can't pull you both down with me."
Mrs. Granger gave a quiet sob, still seated beside Hermione, and Hermione looked at her.
"Don't cry, Mum. It's not good bye forever."
Mrs. Granger pulled Hermione into a tight hug and then looked up at Mr. Granger. Hermione looked up too.
"You really trust this Dumbledore fellow?" he asked gruffly. Hermione nodded.
"Alright then. We'll go."
Hermione smiled and stood, wrapping her arms around her father.
"Thank you," she whispered.
She called the professors back in and told Dumbledore the decision.
"Very well. Mr. and Mrs. Granger, if you'd like to eat dinner here with Hermione tonight, while we make arrangements for you both..." Dumbledore smiled gently and Hermione's parents nodded.
"Splendid. Hermione's room, perhaps? I'm sure you'd like to see it. I'll notify the house-elves."
Hermione nodded and led her parents from Dumbledore's office.
Mrs. Granger delighted in seeing Hermione's room while Mr. Granger just stared around, taking it all in: the bits of parchment on the desk, quills and ink bottles alongside. Hermione's spare robes hanging on the closet door. Several other small touches that would've told him this was his daughter's room had he not been told.
Hermione took her parents on a tour of the castle, up to the Astronomy Tower and down to the dungeons, outside to see the lake and greenhouses, still covered in snow, and then they returned to her room for a quiet dinner.
Not long after they finished eating, Dumbledore entered the room.
"It's time," he said gently. "Hermione, you'll have to stay here."
Hermione nodded and Dumbledore stepped outside to allow Hermione and her parents to properly say their goodbyes.
Hermione hugged them both and told them she loved them.
"Hopefully it won't be too long," she said bracingly. Mr. and Mrs. Granger nodded, then they both kissed her before turning and leaving the room.
Hermione stared at the door for a moment before sinking onto her bed. She was still sitting there hours later when she heard a voice outside in the hall.
"Of course I don't know the password, you silly twit," the voice snapped. The portrait called to Hermione, sounding highly affronted.
"Professor Snape is here to see you, dear."
Hermione glanced at the clock, startled to see that it was nearly midnight.
"Let him in," she called back. The door swung open and Severus entered the room, muttering something about portraits not knowing their job. Hermione had to smile at his irritation. He sighed and looked at her.
"Are you okay?" he asked, sitting beside her on the bed.
"Yeah." Hermione sighed. "I assume everything went okay?"
Severus nodded. "It did."
"And it would probably be foolish to ask where they are."
Severus nodded again. "It would. I don't even know, and if I did, I couldn't tell you."
Hermione said nothing, just scooted closer to Severus and rested her head on his shoulder. His arm wound its way around her waist and he kissed the top of her head, settling into the silence.