"Both of you sit and listen."
"Sir you must let me explain this to Harry before discussing what went on in the Headmasters office." She looked him in the eye and he was unnerved by the depth of her look he felt she was looking straight into him. Severus nodded and looked away.
Hermione started to explain what had transpired that night at the revel and by the end of it Harry was wide eyed. 'Oh the know-it-all has silenced the Gryffindor hero, well done. Hmm it shouldn't have that much effect he should be relieved at not being the one to kill the Dark Lord.' Severus was pulled from his reverie by Harry jumping up.
"Mione how the hell does he know it is one of the best kept secret around. I mean there can't be a traitor, can there?" he looked very confused but not as confused as Severus was.
"Miss Granger are you going to tell me that you were aware of this?"
"Of course Professor," She answered distractedly "Harry you were present at the meeting with the Head, or was that your clone? Reagan has placed the Headmaster under a blood imperious and is controlling him now. He has if I am not mistaken called upon the blood bond to delve deep into Dumbledore's mind and that is how he found out about me."
"Mione you have to leave now he's gonna come soon to get you."
"I know" she sighed and looked up, "Harry go and get ready you have to go quickly I'll call a meeting when we get to the house. Oh but can you please notify attackers? Ok?"
"Well…I suppose but hurry up we don't have much time. I'll come back in twenty minutes is that long enough?" "Yeah that's fine Harry but instead of coming back just activate the emergence portkey we won't be coming back anytime soon." He walked over to her and put his arms around her and gave her a kiss "Ok meet you there."
He left via her portrait and she noticed the strange look Severus was giving her. "Oh grow up Professor we're just friends. Anyway I have my suspicion that Harry bats for the other team, though he hasn't realised it yet." She smiled slightly at that, yes she had her plans for Harry!
Severus' face registered the shock he felt but he quickly hid it.
'Oh what a mess everything is! Now I'm hunted by the dark and the light could my day get any worse?' Hermione was confused and a bit pissed off with the way things had worked out. 'Well I'd better pack if I'm ever going to be ready.' Looking round the room her eyes fell upon her Professor who was shifting in his seat trying not to show his pain. 'The spell must be running out.'
"Sir" "Severus" she looked at him "Sir?" "I said call me Severus, after tonight you might as well as I am no longer your teacher." He looked resigned to his fate and just shrugged at her nonplussed look, he immediately wished he hadn't done that as it set sharp spasms of pain up his body.
"Right well Severus drink this." So saying she waved her wand and a cup appeared in her hand then said, "Accio reguvi" a small blue vial sped through the air and fell into her outstretched hand. She poured the contents into the mug and handed it to him.
"Miss Granger" "Hermione" he nodded in accordance and continued, "If you are trying to poison me you really should know better! Also it should be clear to you that no potion can have a permanent effect to release someone from the after shock of the cruciatus, as it is no magic way works as well as a week not moving in bed."
"Severus after tonight do you really think I'm going to try and poison you and I am well aware that no magical means alleviates the pain but that will be taken care of in due course." Seeing the look on his face Hermione started getting impatient with her reluctant patient. "SEVERUS YOU WILL DRINK THIS IF IT IS THE LAST THING I MAKE YOU DO!" she bellowed. Having being at the receiving end if her anger earlier that night he wished only to comply with her wishes but he found it hard. All his years as a spy had conditioned him to be wary of anything strange. Taking advantage of his indecision Hermione jumped forward and poured half the warm liquid down his throat and held his mouth shut. Severus spluttered for a bit before bending to her will and swallowing.
'Strange, I wonder what's in it. Hmm lets see lemon and, and something else that's sweet curious. Well at least I'm alive that should be a bonus.'
Severus wore a pained look on his face when he looked at Hermione "What is in this drink you know full well that all magic aid is useless against the cruciatus curse and would be dangerous with what the Dark Lord did to me."
"It's muggle so I don't reckon that you've heard about it." Hermione had a smug look on her face, "add to the fact that I added my own things to it and it will really baffle you so don't try to analyse it and finish it instead. "Well just this once but when I am well again I will demand a full explanation." He pouted and started to sip the rest of the drink so that she didn't pour it down his throat again as it was rather hot. Satisfied that he would drink up Hermione started to pack her things and then shrinking them to fit into her pocket. 'His recovery is going to be a long one and he can't do it here. Hmm I could…Hermione girl what are you thinking? Well I mean he can't stay here and Dumbledore is a very powerful wizard, yes he will have to come with us.'
Going into the bathroom she pointed her wand at the small cupboard above the sink and moved it is a complicated pattern. It sprang open and she emptied it of all the little potion vials that it contained laying them carefully on the counter to her side. They all had neat labels written by her and were different colours as they should be. Looking towards another cupboard she opened it, this time without a spell. This one was pilled high with muggle remedies like aspirin, lemsip, plasters and such like considering them she decided it was better to be prepared than sorry so she piled them next to the vials. From under the sink she removed a small box, taking it she placed it next to her supplies. Opening it up it revealed an expandable interior for carrying potions supplies and other small things. Carefully she placed all the items into it then shut it and locked it with her own brand of locking charm. Looking carefully around the room she made sure she had forgotten nothing and moved back into the main room with her small box. Laying it on the floor she went into her bedroom and after picking a few delicate photograph frames up waved her wand above her head and watched as the room packed itself up leaving no trace that someone had lived in it this year. When all her belongings were neatly packed into one small box she muttered "exfolin", the room quickly filled with a purple mist which removed all physical and magical trace from the rooms. Severus looked up and asked 'Hermione I have yet again to ask what spell you are performing for I have never heard of it.' 'Yes well I think that you will be hearing quite a few like it as I am teaching myself the art of spell craft.'
'SPELL CRAFT!!' Snape bellowed 'But that is preposterous it is one of the most dangerous things to teach oneself. Have you not heard of Luna's mother and how she died!' He looked horrified and Hermione had to laugh at his reaction which just caused his scowl to get even deeper. 'Severus I am sure Luna's mother was caught by a volatile potion that went wrong, not spell craft. But you are right it is dangerous which is why you should stay away from it!' He spluttered but as they didn't have time to waste she just dragged him to his feet and placed him in front of a portrait of Merlin. 'Right now you may just want to hang onto me as this will be a somewhat hectic journey.' Just as she finished speaking they heard a loud banging on her door and Dumbledore's voice carried to them, 'Miss Granger open this door at once I am out here with my brother and we wish to clear a few matters up.' There was none of the old headmaster they all knew and loved, no this man was not Albus but rather the voice of Reagan. With tears prickling her eyes she grabbed Severus and pointed her wand at Merlin while chanting her spell;
Great Houses four
I call thee from thy rest
Hogwarts stone I request a door
Aid me in my quest
Courageous Gryffindor
Lend strength to your cub
Loyal Huflepuff
Take alliance with Godric
Wise Ravenclaw
Give wisdom to my present deeds
Cunning Slytherin
Help me remove yours from a deadly snare
Great Houses four
Unite, form one
To aid the flight
Of Hogwartians
Stones of Hogwarts open NOW!
Spells woven deep
Rend a tear in our walls
But only allow my desperate spell
Stones of Hogwarts open NOW!
A bright light shone out of her wand and hit the wall breaking off into hundreds of tiny strands.
A deep voice suddenly came from all around them cowing them but she stood tall and faced it.
"I AM HOGWARTS, PAST AND PRESENT. WHO DARES MAKE SUCH A REQUEST OF ME? WHO WOULD RISK THEIR VERY BEING TO OPEN SUCH A DOOR?"
'I Hermione Granger the last true founders heir.'
Next to her Severus gasped and drew back from her wondering how this was possible.
'CHILD WE SEE YOU AND ACKNOLEDGE OUR HEIR BUT THIS IS ENOURMOUS REQUEST. WHAT DO YOU OFFER IN RETURN?'
Taking a deep breath she turned her face upwards and spoke 'When the world has been rid of the Dark Lord and all his true followers I offer my body, my soul if you will also grant me your powers.'
'THIS IS A GREAT SACRIFICE ON YOUR PART FOR WHOM DO YOU FIGHT CHILD?'
'I fight for all those to weak to protect themselves, I fight for those standing alone against this darkness I fight for justice and peace and I fight for love and hope.'
'TO LOVE SO YOUNG, YET YOU WOULD STILL DIE WHEN THIS IS DONE IS A GREAT GIFT. BUT WE CANNOT GRANT YOU MORE POWER FOR TOO MUCH CAN TAINT ANY SOUL.'
'Then only grant me power over Hogwarts to protect those inside and make it a safe haven for those outside. What more can I give you?'
'YOU SPEAK MORE CLEARLY NOW CHILD. YOUR LIFE SHALL BE DECIDED UPON WHEN YOU HAVE CONPLETED YOUR TASK. TO STAY BOUND TO THIS WORLD YOU MUST CEMENT YOUR LOVE, YOU MUST HAVE SOMETHING TO GO BACK TO. DO YOU UNDERSTAND CHILD? BUT ALSO KNOW THE POWER OF HOGWARTS IS ALREADY WITHIN YOUR GRASP AND WE WILL NOT BEAR A WEAK HEIR SO FIND IT!'
'Thank you great ones when this is done we shall talk again.'
'OO SO NOW YOU WOULD GIVE US ORDERS! YOU ARE BRAVE! BUT LET US RECONVENE AS YOU SAY LATER. HOLD YOUR FRIEND FOR THIS WILL NOT BE EASY THE FIRST TIME.'
Sighing Hermione looked over at Severus and beckoned him over. Slowly he approached her. He was about to say something when a bang came from the door and both Dumbledores' tumbled in looking furious. Grabbing his hand Hermione touched Merlin and they felt themselves getting sucked into it leaving Albus hopping up and down.
They landed in a sprawled mess outside two very large and ornate doors leading into a small mansion. Harry Potter was sitting on the steps waiting for them with and odd look on his face.
A/N
Well now that is the end of Chapter four so what do you think? Maybe I am laying it on Hermione a bit too much too early eh? Well please review though I would prefer no flames but rather constructive criticisms!