Sight

Chapter 13

Hermione looked at Snape, whose eyes had returned to their blank state. She was positive Sirius didn't know the whole story of why Voldemort had been at Godric's Hollow- the scene she had just witnessed would have never happened otherwise. It was just as well; Harry didn't need to know how Voldemort got part of the prophecy in the first place. It was unnerving how much she sounded like Dumbledore, but her friend had a penchant for acting on his temper that would do them no favours. The Order needed to be undivided. She watched Snape's hands as Sirius told them about the Prophecy, white and tense, gripping the edge of his desk. By the time the Dumbledore entered with a soft knock and invited them all up to his office, she was almost in a trance.

Half an hour later, six free Order members emerged from the Headmaster's office. The Ministry, faced with overwhelming facts (like the appearance of half a dozen Death Eaters and Voldemort himself, who had apparently dueled with Dumbledore while the Order stormed the Department of Mysteries), had been forced to concede that Voldemort was back, whether they did anything about it or not. Dumbledore had apparently also been able to convince them that Sirius Black was innocent. Hermione supposed having scared of Voldemort must have done wonders for his credibility.

Sirius, on the other hand, had been able to convince Dumbledore to induct them into the Order, picking up from where Snape left off in getting him to tell Harry about the prophecy. Harry was positively beaming. The only thing he hadn't been thrilled about was that he still had to spend half his summer with the Dursleys, but Dumbledore had explained that there was work to be done on Headquarters that required it to be empty. After July, they would all be moving in to Grimmauld. Hermione couldn't keep the smile off her face- things were better than they had been at the end of any other year, minus the little complication that was Voldemort. No-one was dead, for starters. Sirius was free. Harry had an adult who cared about him and could be there for him like family. And they were no longer being treated like children while taking the responsibilities of an adult. If only Dumbledore could have been right in treating us as children... But Voldemort certainly won't, so we can't afford to act like it.

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There was less than twenty four hours left until they would be leaving Hogwarts, and Harry and Ron were making the most of the weather and their freedom, playing quidditch. They had asked Hermione to join them, but flying made her feel nauseous. Instead, she had opted to walk around the Black Lake. It was so serene... She came to rest in the shade of a tree at the far end. She could see the Forbidden Forest stretched out before her, and the road to Hogsmeade...

"Hermione."

She whipped her head around. None of her friends said her name in that soft, silky way, and none of her professors used her name at all. Except...

"I never thanked you properly for saving me."

"We never thanked you for saving us for five years."

He smiled, offering her his hand to help her up. She accepted, releasing it once she was on her feet.

"I'm glad you made up Sirius."

"Like I said, there are more important things." He looked at her, and there was something she couldn't place in his gaze. "Am I correct in assuming you were the one that stopped Mr. Potter from storming the Ministry?"

She nodded.

"He will need you. So will the Order."

Do you? "I'll be seeing you this summer, then?"

"Perhaps."

"Ten weeks is a long time. Don't be a stranger. Don't-" get killed. She stopped abruptly, causing him to crash into her. She seized his elbows to steady herself, taking a deep breath when she realised she wasn't going to fall. They were so close- "Don't get killed." His grasp on her arms tightened.

"I'll do my best."

His attempts at humour were not making her feel any better. "Take care of yourself. Please."

As if he couldn't help it, he gathered her in his arms, and she shivered in his embrace. "Take care, Hermione." And then he was gone, Hermione left looking over the Black Lake as billowing robes made their way away from her.
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"You wished to see me, Headmaster?"

"Yes, yes... Canary Cream?"

Severus shook his head. "Is this about Miss Granger?"

"Indeed. It seems... With magic as old as this, there are certain, shall we say, side effects that may come into play."

"May? Or will?"

"Let's say there is a high probability they will."

"What sort of side effects?"

"It is entirely possible that the next time she touches you, she will see the new additions to your, how shall we say, life reel, without any conscious desire to do so."

Severus rubbed his temples, his elbows resting on his knees. "So I am incapable of keeping secrets from her? What about Occlumency?"

"You are incapable of keeping important secrets from her, ones that make an emotional impact. I do not imagine you will have any trouble concealing the colour of your socks."

"I see." A pause. "Will she lose consciousness again?"

"No. Severus, you do understand the importance of this? One touch from Miss Granger and we may have access to the plans of Voldemort's Inner Circle."

"You already have access to those plans. Besides, under no circumstances should she be allowed that near to any Death Eater. There is little the Dark Lord would not give to posses such a weapon."

"Indeed. I was of course referring to the personal plans of your brethren, but I agree with you that she should be protected."

"How touching to see you not putting children at unnecessary risk for a change."

"Now now, Severus... There's no need to take that tone with me. Keep an eye on her, will you?"

The younger wizard kept his silence.

"Now, there's something else I wish to discuss-"