Always

Chapter 2

"It's not that I don't understand, it's that I don't like it."

Hermione had her hands planted firmly on her hips.

Dumbledore, Severus and Minerva and Hermione stood in the Head office.

Severus ran his hand through his hair.

"I told you she would go against it," Severus said as he looked at the headmaster.
"She doesn't have to agree," Dumbledore said softly, "it's for your own safety, Hermione."

Hermione groaned.

"I'm not a child anymore. I don't need everyone protecting me," she argued.

"My love, we simply have your best interests at heart. We have no idea who is responsible for this," Severus said, gesturing to the parchment on Dumbledore's desk.

Minerva sighed. Things were starting to look better until that arrived. She picked up the note and read the words to no one but herself.

'We will be watching, we will be waiting...'

"It's just someone messing around!" Hermione said, frustrated.

"With what has happened over the last while, I highly doubt it," Severus said,"you know the threats we've faced since we've been together. We have to take everything seriously until we know there's no threat."

Hermione spun on her heel and stormed out, slamming the door closed behind her.

Severus slumped into one of the chairs. He was tired, worried and pissed off.

Their honeymoon was cut short thanks to that damn note. A few words. That's all it took. A few words to ruin their happy ever after before it even began.

"Severus?"

He looked up.

Minerva watched him with sympathetic eyes.

"What is it?" Severus groaned.
"She will come to understand," Minerva said.
"You don't know her like I do," Severus said.
"Yes," Minerva answered,"I do. She was my little cub before she was your wife."

Severus sighed. He nodded.

"You're like a mother to her. The only one she has. Speak to her?" He pleaded.

"I will," Minerva said with a smile as she laid her hand on his shoulder.

Dumbledore cleared his throat. The two professors looked over to him.

"Do we know who did this?" Dumbledore asked, gesturing to the note.

Severus straightened.

"Perhaps. We can not be sure, but I have an idea," he answered.

The headmaster nodded.

"Look into it. Quietly. Do not let Hermione know, not anyone besides Minerva and I."

"It will take me away from Hogwarts," Severus said.

"Where will you go?" Dumbledore asked.

"To Malfoy Manor."

***

Hermione searched for something to grab onto. Something to tell her where she was. Something to help her. Anything.
It was pitch black. Not a sound came to her ears. She was alone.
"Sev?" She whispered.
No answer.
"Sev?"
She stumbled slowly.
Not knowing where she was, or how she got there was frightening.
Surely she should remember coming here? Wherever here is.

She tripped over something and fell to the ground.
Her head was spinning. She had landed hard. She felt around for whatever she tripped over. Her hand found something. Something cold, yet soft.
It felt like...it felt like a someone and not a something.
She traced her hand along until she found it. The face. It was a someone. But who?