Always

Chapter 7

The Snapes walked into the Great Hall together, with Bree in tow.

Hermione was stunned at the effort put into the decorations.

Snow fell slowly from the ceiling, the candles on either wall dimmed. The four house colours hung from the ceiling in strips. Glitter filled every inch of the floor in gold, red, green and silver.

The tables were covered with white tablecloths, filled with treats including pastries, grapes, savory treats, strawberries, chocolate cake rolls, sugar bombs, liquorice sticks, fizzy drinks, crackling candy and multi-coloured lollipops.

Food included drumsticks, boiled rice, poached potatoes, and onion soup.

Pumpkin juice waited for the students while the professors had fire whiskey.

Hermione smiled as Minerva and Albus came closer to greet them.

"Well don't you look marvelous," Minerva said as she hugged Hermione.

"Thank you, Professor," she said with a smile.

Severus nodded in greeting and excused himself as he saw a pair of seventh years leave the Great Hall in a hurry, looking rather too happy.

Hermione shook her head.

"Must he prowl after them all like a predator?" She asked as she watched him disappear, looking as if he were about to pounce.

"That's just Severus," Minerva answered knowingly,"he did the same at the Yule Ball if you remember?"

"I didn't notice. I wasn't on his target list," Hermione said as she reached for a grape.

"Oh, he enjoyed that evening, didn't he, Albus," Minerva said to the Headmaster.

"What? Oh yes, he gave out quite a few detentions if memory serves," the old man answered.

Hermione laughed, thankful she wasn't on that list that night.

***

Bree had fallen asleep in Hermione's arms, giving the ever eager Minerva the opportunity to steal her away, letting Hermione know very well that she would be taking Bree for the night, no negotiation.

"Fine," Hermione said, with a sigh,"but Severus and I get her tomorrow night."

"Deal," Minerva said as she took the slumbering toddler and headed to her quarters.

Strong arms wrapped around Hermione's waist.

"Where is our daughter?" He asked as he planted a kiss on her neck.

"Take a guess," Hermione said as she leaned into his embrace.

"Ah, I thought as much," he said as he turned his wife to face him,"in that case I would like a dance with my wife before the night is over."

"I will accept that request," Hermione said with a giggle.

They moved toward the dance floor, students moving as they passed, making a space for them in the middle of the floor.

Severus placed his arm around her waist, and took her hand on his free one. The tune slowed and they spun slowly around the floor.

Hermione placed her head on his chest, feeling his heartbeat as they swung around one another. Suddenly everything vanished, the students, the music, the room. It was only her and Severus.

She closed her eyes as they moved as one, claiming the floor as their own.

Students had stopped dancing, turning their attention to the potions master and his wife. Boys and girls alike were captivated by the graceful, slow movements of their professors.

Just as Hermione felt she could not be happier there was a loud bang!

Immediately, their attention was drawn elsewhere. Severus took her hand, moving her behind him. Students looked around, fear and terror obvious in their eyes.

"Everyone, move to the back," Severus said, his voice booming across the Hall.

Students hurriedly moved in the direction the positions master had ordered them to. Ginny grabbed Hermione, tugging her along.

Severus looked at Ginny with a pleading expression on his face.

"I'll take care of her, professor," Ginny said as she wrapped her arm around her friend's shoulder, following the other students.

Severus nodded, pulling out his wand and moving forward. Albus busied himself with checking on students, making sure they stayed orderly and safe. Professors joined the headmaster to form a protective circle around the group.

Hermione trembled, fearing for her husband's life.

"He'll be okay, Hermione," Ginny said as she rubbed her friend's arm.

"I hope so," Hermione said,"I hope so."

***

Minerva heard a loud noise, making her grab her wand. She checked on Bree. Satisfied that the young girl was still asleep, she moved towards her window.

Looking out, she did not see anything. She frowned. She knew something was wrong. She could feel it. Knowing she could not go help in the Great Wall, she got ready to defend the little girl sleeping only an arm length away with her life.

Suddenly green and red lights filled the air. Minerva rushed to her window. The made her truly fearful for everyone's safety.

She muttered protection charms on the door as well on Bree. If some bastard got in, at least they wouldn't be able to touch the girl.

She would die before she let that happen.

***

Everything was silent. Dark. Dangerous. Severus knew silence only meant trouble. He motioned for students to ready their wands. If they were attacked, he would not let them fend for themselves. He was grateful that Hogwarts still taught Defense Against The Dark Arts. Without it, these students would not last a second.

The seventh years moved to the front, having the most experience compared to the other students, the sixth years behind them, then the fifth years, and so it went until the first years were in a little circle in the middle, protected by the older students. On the outside of the circle, stood the professors, ready to attack.

Just when Severus was about to turn towards the Headmaster, a series of spells and curses flew through the air.

"Now!" Severus shouted as professors and students alike started casting counter curses and defensive spells.

Merlin, he hoped Minerva and Bree were safe.

A mere second later, the doors burst open, Death eaters flying in, smoke trailing behind them.

"God damn cowards!" Severus snarled as he fought off as many as he could, leaving only strays for the professors and students to take care of.

Bodies of death eaters, professors and students alike feel to the floor in a frenzy of red and green sparks.

Students screamed, huddling together, or running erratically in an attempt to escape.

Hermione and Ginny, trained for exactly this kind of situation, fought off quite a few death eaters, only stunning them or knocking them unconscious. They did not have the heart to kill them, not even with the amount of hate they had towards the Dark Lord's followers.

As if called, the death eaters suddenly disappeared, as quickly as they had arrived.

"Bastards!" Severus shouted after them, fighting with himself to stay and take care of his wife and whoever was hurt instead of going after the shits.

He turned to face his colleagues and wife as Hermione's face filled with terror.

"Severus!" She screamed as he was blasted forward, pain filling his body, and stripping his consciousness away...