My Double Agent

Chapter 34 - Hearing the News

May 1, 1998 it was Friday night, Severus Snape was in his office reading the The Daily Prophet while Crookshanks slept happily in his lap. Soon Draco and Astoria came through his fireplace and looked at him worriedly. Severus looked at them confused, "What now?"

"They broke into the vault this morning...", Draco answered.

"WHAT?!", Severus stood up causing Crookshanks to fall on the floor and meow, "What happened?!"

"According to what Bellatrix has been screaming about, the wizard police almost had them until they jumped on the back of a dragon and set it free. No one know where they are now."

"I'm sorry, did you say they rode a dragon?!"

Draco and Astoria nod as they sat down on the loveseat. Crookshanks took his opportunity and jumped into Astoria's lap and she started to pet him. Severus smiled and then laughed, "The Dragon... thats smart..."

"Right? Just wait till you see the front page tomorrow, the photos they got of them on the dragon is crazy.. I saw some of the press selling photos.", Draco chuckled.

Severus nodded, kind of wanting to see his wife riding a dragon. He then sits back down and worries slightly, "I hope she's ok..." 
As if on cue, a letter flew into the window and an owl screeched as it flew away. Severus looks at the letter, "It's from Ms. Lovegood... why would she write me?"

"She knows the truth about all of us.", Astoria informed.

Severus opens the letter and his eyes widen, "She... Hermione is here... all three of them... are here...."

They all look at each other in horror. Astoria looks down to Crookshanks, "This is it. We're fighting tomorrow." Draco scoots closer and hugs her while Severus slumped into his chair. Was he ready for this fight, was Hermione? It took every ounce of self control to not run through the castle and look for her right then and there. Just knowing she was in the same building as him was torture. 

~

Hermione was sitting in the trophy room with a bunch of students. She couldn't believe she was finally back at Hogwarts. Harry was embracing Ginny while Ron embraced Lavender. Hermione looked to the ground and frowned, how she wished she could embrace Severus right now. Soon Ginny walked up to Hermione and looked at her, "I heard about what happened."

"Ginny- I am so sorry...", Hermione starts apologizing but gets stopped by Ginny.

" I know you two didn't do it on purpose. Don't worry, you're my best friend."

Hermione smiled at her as tears formed in her eyes and they hugged. Hermione was so happy Ginny didn't hate her. But then Hermione cried, what if this was the last hug she had with Ginny? Once everyone learned the truth about her, would she loose them all? Ginny caressed her hair as she cried, "I know, you've been through a lot in the last year." 

"Sorry...", Hermione sat up and wiped her eyes away. She smiled at Ginny. She looks over to Lavender who was so happy to see Ron again. She'd never seen Ron so happy in her life. Ron whispers something into Lavenders ears that causes her to smile and kiss him deeply. Hermione wondered if he'd actually proposed in that moment. 

Slowly throughout the night more and more members of the Order of the Pheonix arrived through the painting. Once The Weasley's arrived they ran over to Ron and hugged onto him tightly. Molly was crying so hard, she could barley talk. She couldn't stop kissing her son all over his face. Normally, Ron would have argued or complained, but he couldn't help but cry and smile at his mother. Lupin and Tonks arrived and instantly ran to Harry and hugged him. Ginny walks back over to Harry and stood next to him as Harry explained their plan.

Hermione walked to the back of the room and sat in the corner to be alone, she wished she could see her parents again. She looks to the floor and cries again, she didn't want to fight in the morning. Luna sat nest to her and held her hand, "What will you do?"

"I- I don't know..."

"Harry is going to confront Snape Infront of the whole school..."

"I know."

"Are you going to be able to stand by and watch?"

Hermione covered her eyes and cried more leaning onto Luna's shoulder. Luna hugged her tightly and they sat there for awhile. Neville Longbottom approached them, "Excuse me." Hermione wipes away her tears and sits up. Her and Luna look up at Neville, "Yes, sorry."

"I- uhm. Luna."

Hermione looks at Luna. Luna smiles, "Yes Neville?"

"I wanted to tell you that, if we live tomorrow, I'd really love to take you out on a date."

"I'd love to."

Hermione couldn't help but smile as Luna stood up and pecked Neville on the cheek. Luna looked back at Hermione, "Will you be ok if I talk with Neville?"

"Yes, go for it.", Hermione smiles as they walk away.

Hermione was left alone in the corner again as she watched everyone talk to each other. She looked down at her finger and fiddled with it. She wanted nothing more then to run through the castle and find Severus in that moment. But, she knew she couldn't. She sighed as she leaned her head against the wall and fell asleep.

Around midnight, Hermione was woken up by Ginny, "Hermione, it's time. Snape just called all the students into the great hall."

Hermione's heart skipped a beat and she nodded, "Ok, you guys go on ahead, I'll stay back with the Order."

Ginny nods and hugs her before joining the other students. Hermione stood in the trophy room as she watched Harry leave with the student's and blend in using Neville's robes. Ron walked up to her, "You ready?"

"No. Are you?"

"Hermione- I don't think any of us are."

Hermione looks up at Ron and they hug. Hermione cried softly as they embraced for a while. They pull away from each other and Ron hold's her hands, "You've always been like a sister to me. Never forget that."

"And you've always been a brother. Thank you Ron." She smiles at him still crying. 

Neville looks to everyone, "It's time."

Hermione took a deep breath and they all made their way to the Great Hall.