What Is Left When All Is Said and Done

Chapter 11

While Hermione had never been the riding partner in Side-Along Apparition before and normally liked to catalog her reactions to new experiences, being pressed against the body of Severus Snape did not prove to be the best baseline reference. In fact, she was finding that the latter was turning out to be far more interesting than to her scientific mind than the former. Since she had been unprepared for what he had meant to do, her hands had gone up protectively and were now in contact with his upper chest. Even through the thick layers of fabric she could tell that this was a very well defined upper chest. It was different from how Ron had felt --, and with that thought her mind froze and her body stiffened. What was she doing comparing Professor Snape with Ron?

Oh, it's Professor Snape now, isn't it? What happened to Severus?

This is Professor Snape we're talking about here! The greasy git!

Didn't seem so greasy just now, did he?

A cough that she heard from above but felt under her hands as well gained her attention.

"You can let go now; we're in no danger anymore." Hermione realized that he had long ago removed his arms from around her, which left her leaning up against him for no other reason than to continue touching him. She was sure her cheeks and ears were burning red when she stepped away.

"I'm sorry, sir," she mumbled, unable to meet him in the eyes, which meant she missed his blush.

"Never mind that now," he said in a false gruff tone. Realizing what he was doing, he conceded, "I apologize for the manner in which we had to leave. Someone had just broken my wards, and I needed to get us out of there as soon as possible."

"I understand." Hermione looked her new surroundings. They were indoors, and though it was dark and she had only been in here once before, she immediately knew where they were. "The Shrieking Shack."

"Yes. It's a very lucky thing that Draco never found out about this passage onto Hogwarts grounds." It was brilliant; Hermione had wondered how they were going to enter Hogwarts, especially with Severus (oh, it's back to Severus again?) being on the most wanted list. Speaking of which...

"Those were Aurors back there, weren't they?"

"I can't be certain, but there's a good possibility that they were." He reached for a lantern on the ground that had fallen on its side. Hermione was too busy pondering the ramifications of what had happened at Spinner's End to question why he was lighting the lantern with a match instead of magic.

"But why did they come then? Surely if they knew where you lived --" Hermione brought her hand to her mouth as she gasped. "They followed me."

"I highly doubt that. As you pointed out, if they had followed you, I'm sure they would have interrupted us well before dinner instead of letting us enjoy a warm meal." He started towards the tunnel, and she followed him.

"Then how...?"

"Who else knew you were coming to me?"

"No one! Bill asked, but I didn't tell him."

"Well then, perhaps he or another one of the Weasley clan decided that the best way to find me was to find you."

"But you said --"

"I said you weren't followed, yes. I believe it was your spell that triggered it."

"My...spell?"

"It was my mistake. I had only guarded the house to cover any magic done by myself or Wormtail. I had not thought to include you in that ward. I had not" -- he paused here, but whether or not it was due to the exertion of moving a large piece of debris that was blocking their way she could not tell -- "intended on having you stay for dinner either."

"I...I'm --" Her apology was cut off with a sudden revelation. "Oh Severus, your house! Those books!" He turned around to find her looking at him in horror. A trace of amusement appeared on his face.

"The books are safe; I've warded them as well. I thank you for your concern over my library, however." Hermione could hear the not unkind mocking in his voice and chose not to respond. They made their way through the rest of the tunnel in silence and without further incident except in one case when she had tripped over something and almost fallen. He had heard her yelp and turned around just in time to catch her in his arms.

"Careful, Miss Granger." Looking up into his dark, inscrutable eyes, both her inner voices told her not retort back, "It's Hermione." Instead she merely answered, "Thank you," and dropped her hands from his as soon as she was able to. There is more than one type of danger you are dealing with here.

As they neared the end of the tunnel, Hermione paused. "Sir, how are we going to deal with the Whomping Willow? If we can't use magic..."

"Ah, but now we are on Hogwarts grounds, aren't we?" He levitated a small pebble and used it to press the knob that stopped the tree from thrashing around. Before leaving the cover of the tunnel, he blew out the lantern. She peered outside. The moon was bright tonight, and she had her doubts about crossing the great expanse of lawn that separated them from where Dumbledore lay without being spotted. If only she had learned the Disillusionment Charm. While she was certain he knew it, it was the type of spell you could only cast on another and not on oneself. As if reading her mind, he reached into his robes and brought out two sealed vials.

"An Invisibility Potion and its antidote. My own creation," he added with a certain amount of pride. "Take my hand," he said, thrusting it out to her. "I only have one vial of each, and the potion is permanent. It would not be good to become separated." She nodded and took his hand. His grip was firm and gave her confidence. He uncorked the first vial and drank half of it. She watched him disappear in front of her eyes. "Here," he said, and she felt him press the rest of the potion into her hand. She tilted her head back and drank the rest. It was tasteless but cold. The chill settled into her stomach and into her limbs. She looked down at herself, but all she could see was the ground beneath where she knew her feet were. It was a little disorienting and much different from being under the Invisibility Cloak, she realized.

When several seconds became even longer and still he had not moved or said anything, she voiced with trepidation, "Sir?"

"You'll have to lead the way."

"I --" Then she realized he didn't know where Dumbledore's tomb lay. "Yes, sir." She squeezed his hand to lend him some support. "Let's go."

She set a hurried pace towards the lake but knew he would have run faster if he could. As they passed the castle, Hermione looked up to see if she could see anyone. None of the windows were lit, but that didn't mean there weren't any eyes looking out of them. She trusted Snape's potion though and told herself not to worry. Hagrid's hut was also dark, but as they approached it, she could hear growling coming from inside. Fang!

"Severus, hurry! Fang can still smell us!" she whispered. Indeed, the growling had become barking and the light inside the hut had turned on.

"What's the matter now, Fang? Do yeh hear summat outside?" came the familiar voice of Hagrid. Snape and Hermione ran as fast but as noiselessly as they could away from the opening door. "Aw, there's nothin' out there, Fang. Come inside and hush up now."

They ran until they reached the white tomb. Even without the moonlight it seemed to glow. The two of them stood in front of it, hands still clasped, as they regained their breath. Certain that they were out of sight from prying eyes now, Snape popped open the second vial and took a sip. He held the rest out for Hermione, who finished the dose. Now that there was no reason to stay connected, both seemed a bit reluctant to break contact. Finally, Snape released his hand from hers.

"Time to see if your idea will work," he said pointing his wand at the tomb. "Mobilipetrus!" The top of the tomb started to slowly slide away and he guided it to land softly on the side. Hermione found herself unable to step closer and look inside. What if it didn't work? She wasn't used to facing this kind of thing without a plethora of research and preparation behind her.

Snape noticed her hesitation. He faced her and put both his hands on her shoulders. When she still would not look up at him, he brought a hand to her chin and tilted it up. "It's okay, Hermione. If it doesn't work, we'll try something else." His eyes, instead of being their usual cold and glittery were as gentle as she had ever seen them. They infused her with strength. She nodded and he let go of her. She raised her wand towards the tomb and chanted, "Accio Draught!"

With what sounded like a cough, a few drops of liquid came flying out towards her.

"Cover your mouth!" Severus ordered. She did as he said, and the liquid fell harmlessly against her sleeve. And then they waited with their breaths held for a sign.

It came. There was a cough, and then another cough. Both professor and pupil ran up to the tomb.

"Severus..." The voice was weak, but it didn't matter. Dumbledore was awake!

"Sir, Albus!" Severus reached in to help the older man up. "Oh thank God," he said, clasping him in an embrace. "I was so scared...so certain I had failed!" Dumbledore coughed again.

"Failed? What are you talking about?" He seemed to notice Hermione for the first time. "Miss Granger? What are you doing here?" Before she could say anything, Severus answered for her.

"It didn't go as planned, sir. Potter, he must have gotten some of the Draught from the lake into you while you were still in the cave."

"Yes, I do seem to remember --"

"It prevented you from coming back when you should have --"

"What's this? What day is it? How long have I been dead?"

"Sleeping, sir, you've been sleeping," provided Hermione. "And it's been over a week."

"Oh, in that case, I'm sorry I missed Bill and Fleur's wedding." He seemed to have regained more of his strength then and stood up on his own. "Was it very beautiful?"

"Sir, I don't think you understand. A lot more has happened." She paused then, and Snape finished for her.

"Ronald Weasley is dead, sir, and Potter. He's --"

"Dying."

"What?" Dumbledore roared, but the effect was lost as he stumbled and lost his balance. Severus cushioned his fall by catching him.

"Sir, we should get you to the Infirmary. There's no telling what damage has been done --"

"I'm fine!" he said, but ended the exclamation with a few more coughs.

"No, you're not, sir," added Hermione, "and I think you should do as Professor Snape says."

"Fine, fine," he said, as they both helped him stand up. "I never thought it would take my death for a Gryffindor and a Slytherin to work together." They each put one of his arms over their shoulders and all three walked back to the school together. It made for a lopsided trio, what with Hermione being at last half a foot shorter than the other two men, but neither of them seemed inclined to exclude her from the huddle.

"Now tell me what has transpired since I've been...sleeping."