The End or the Beginning

Part 3 of a Trilogy. Betrayal. The Phoenix disbanded. Loves separated and lives lost. Voldemort has become Minister through disguise and deception. Can Good triumph or will Darkness descend after consuming one of the Light? Read Back and Return to understand the final of this series.

AN: Binns makes his move to fully control of the Ministry of Magic. Donovan betrayed the Order and his love Erin. Hermione takes a port key and ends up….where?

Chapter 1. Disoriented

"Mother you are ill. Please tell me what I can do. He promised that you would arrive here. I've been waiting for you."

Hermione stood for a moment and promptly passed out.

Hermione slowly woke up in a large bed feeling woozy. What the Merlin happened? She remembered taking the port key from Donovan and a young man who looked alarmingly like Severus called her mother.

She groaned out and tried to sit up and felt a firm hand push her back down on the bed.

"You hit your head when you fell. I've a Calming Draught for you and we can speak more."

The face in front of her was blurry and felt a phial pushed to her lips. Struggling she felt herself held firmly in place. "I promise you are safe and this potion is safe." Silky voice whispered to her.

She stopped her struggle. Severus?

Hermione felt the phial pressed to her lips and she drank down the contents, tasting the Calming draught mixed with….a Sleeping draught. "This is more than a Calming draught…." Falling to sleep.

The young man looked down to the sleeping witch with remorse. "I'm sorry for that but it's for the best." Pulling his wand out and pressed his wand to a mark on his left forearm and sent a message.

HGSSHGSSHGSS

Binns chuckled at the news that Hermione Snape took her life. With her out of the way things would be so much easier. Still there was the matter of Snape and his Bride to attend to. He looked down to the bowed figure. "Find Snape and my Bride and bring her here. If there is resistance, kill Snape but do not allow harm to befall the witch."

"As you command My Lord." The bowed form stood up and left the Minister's office. Walking through the Ministry, he sensed he was being followed. He recognized the steps of his pursuer. He tracked him enough weeks on his own. Exiting the Ministry he turned and nodded behind him before moving to Knockturn Alley and walked down the dirty cobbled patchway, glaring at all those that approached him. Soon he was to the better part of Knockturn alley and knocked on the door in a special way and watched it open, his smiling witch greeting him with open arms. "Leave the door open for we have a visitor Julia. He is safe and of the Order."

Julia led him to the sitting room and flicked her wand towards the kitchen and guided a silver tea service and placed it on the low table in front of them.

Donovan walked in and found a beautiful red headed witch holding Slightly's hand looking worried.

"A pleasure to meet you Julia." Donovan spoke and sat down across from the couple.

Julia hesitated. She did not recognize the handsome wizard sitting across from her. "I don't understand Slightly. The Order of the Phoenix is in hiding. Why is he here?"

Slightly kept his hand in his robes holding his wand. "Just the question to ask Julia. Why have you met up with me Donovan?"

"Voldemort has asked you to find Severus and Erin. I knew he would for you are his assassin. I need you to vouch for me."

Slightly barked out a laugh. "Why would I need to vouch for you? Everyone in the Order knows that Erin loves you and trusted more than I."

Donovan looked down to his feet. "I was until I revealed this." Pulling up the sleeve of his Ministry robes and revealed the Dark Mark.

Slightly shot up and whirled his wand out. "Traitor!"

Donovan held out his hands showing he was not armed. "Just like you Slightly."

Slightly heard resignation in the man's voice but kept his wand pointed to him. "You better explain yourself Donovan and make it quick. My witch is scared and I will protect her."

Donovan explained that after he was rescued and went back to work he was pulled into the Minister's office and tortured until he agreed to Voldemort's words that things would go a lot better for Erin if he took the Mark and joined him.

"I did it for her Slightly just like you agreeing to the Unbreakable Vow to protect your witch." Finishing his story.

Julia gasped out. "Slightly you shouldn't have done that!"

Slightly put away his wand. "That happened well over a year ago Donovan. How did you hide it from Erin?"

Donovan closed his eyes and the Dark Mark faded away. Opening his eyes he looked to the couple looking at it in shock. "There are hundreds like me Slightly. All mixed in every part of Wizarding world. All waiting for the command to take over. I went to Erin and Severus and told them how I protected Hermione but they Aparated away before I could explain. I'm sure that the Order of Light is infiltrated. With that being said, the Order of the Phoenix is at risk. I need to warn them. That Unbreakable Vow should be telling you to help me as there is a threat."

Slightly shot up feeling compulsion. "Damn you Donovan! You knew this would happen." Growling out.

"You can locate Harry Potter. Take me him so I can get his acceptance so I can meet with Erin and Severus and explain everything." Donovan pleaded.

"I have no choice Donovan just like you know. I am the only one that can reach Harry. Grab a hold of my hand."

Donovan did as he was told and took hold of the short wizard's hand.

Slightly spoke softly to Julia. "I'll be back as soon as I can Julia. You'll be safe here I promise." Tucking his free hand into his robes and grasped a small watch and thought for a moment thinking of destination.

Julia watched the two fade slowly until they disappeared. "Be safe Slightly." She called her elf Daisy to her. "Move my things to the Summer House Sassy. I will be leaving this place and you will be going with me this time.

Daisy looked to her Mistress in fear. Those were code words from years ago. "I'se do as commanded Mistress."

She sat down and poured herself a cup of tea from the silver tea service. She would wait for Slightly to return before leaving, not trusting the words of the handsome visitor.

HGSSHGSSHGSS

Hermione was in the world of half- awake, half asleep and heard muffled voices.

"Are you sure of the dose Sebastion? I told you that she has a high tolerance of both from the war."

"I've read the book you gave me on addictions and brewed accordingly Father. She'll awake in two hours."

The older wizard glanced to the bed. "She is waking now. I'll not fault you for it Son, because it is difficult to brew mixed potions without prior testing."

Both men turned and watched the witch stir.

"Go make some sandwiches Sebastion and take your time."

Sebastion smirked at his father for a moment before leaving, closing the door behind him.

"Cheeky boy." Severus growled and turned his focus to the witch on the bed.

"It's a bad dream. A young man who calls me mother and looks like my husband." Shaking her head and sat up, room coming into focus and found her husband looking to her with concern.

"Severus! We must run! Donovan gave me a Port Key. All is lost and he is a Deatheater!" She shrilled out.

"I know Hermione. We are safe here." Pulling her small hand into his large one wrapping long fingers around it before pressing his lips and held it, shuddering and holding back a sob.

Hermione grew alarmed. "Severus…." She began and really looked at her husband. He looked older and grey streaks showed along with black. He looked….worn.

"Severus, I don't understand." Hermione started and felt her husband release her hand when the door opened and the younger wizard walked in carrying a tray containing sandwiches and a tall glass of orange juice and placed it on the bed stand next to the bed.

Severus glared at the young man and growled out. "I told you to take your time Sebastion."

"Sorry Father. I know you have been waiting years for this moment and did not want to miss it." Sitting in the chair next to Severus.

"You are too much like your mother Sebastion." Severus growled out, anger lacking in his voice.

Hermione looked confused. "He called me mother and you father. You're older…you look worn out." Patting her belly and found it flat and firm. "Oh Gods Donovan put me in the future!"

Both wizards watched her close her eyes and mutter. "Calm yourself Hermione. There is a logical explanation for this."

Sebastion watched his mother collect her thoughts. "It's going better than last time Father."

"So it seems Sebastion."

Hermione opened her eyes and looked to the younger wizard watching her expectantly. He was a spitting image of her husband except the nose was like hers along with his eyes for they were of a warm brown color versus obsidian. He looked relaxed while her husband sat in his chair tense.

"This is not right Severus. I feel it."

Severus sighed and stood up. "Eat your food and rest Hermione. I know that you are tired and your magical signature is low. I promise that I will explain more when I come back for I can't risk being away from the school for a long period of time. Sebastion will watch over you protect you if need be. You will not answer any of her questions Sebastion."

"Of course Father. I remember the last time."

She watched Severus leave, wearing the dark robes from long ago when he taught potions at Hogwarts.

Sebastion cut her question off and handed her a sandwich. "Eat your food Mother. Father will be back as soon as he can and only he can answer your questions."

Hermione ate the sandwich and observed the young wizard that was her son. What the hell was happening to her?

AN I wonder as well.