When All is Lost One is Found

Chapter 89: Echoed Whispers

When All is Lost, One is Found

Author: Rinoaebastel

Chapter 89: Echoed Whispers

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and gain no profit from this fanfiction other than writing practice. JK Rowling owns Harry Potter.

AN: This story may contain scenes taken from the Harry Potter movies and books, but it's not exact dialogue, just rewording of dialogue or omission. It is not marked.

Power. He felt power. Not because he was dominating Potter like this, but because his gaze no longer had as strong an effect as it used to.

He kept his face void of any expression even though there was a rage inside him. It would be so easy to kill the brat. His better judgment and the fate of the world prevented him from doing it.

But barely.

He kicked Potter's wand out of reach. "If you're going to use my own spells against me, at least do them effectively." He let his voice calm into a tone that would freeze the blood of most wizards.

Potter's eyes widened and he paled. It must have been devastating and disgusting to know that what he'd learned from the book came from the mind of a man he despised. From his hard work. From his notes. He'd hated that the boy had gotten his personal notes, but the look on his face trumped his dislike with that fact.

"N—no..."

"Yes, Potter," he said and let a menacing grin come to his lips. "The half-blood prince is me."

"I..." Potter cut his words when the tip of his wand moved closer to Potter's head. One spell and he could make the boy suffer to the point he'd wish for death.

"Stupefy!"

His wand moved up by instinct, preparing his counterattack, but the spell never hit him. It struck Potter and he fell unconscious.

He looked in the direction of the attack and saw Granger running towards him. She was dirty and her hair was more tousled than its usual organized mess.

He lowered his arm and waited. She stopped a step away from him.

He was confused. Why would she...?"

"You were angry. I had to do it," she said.

"He's your friend, Granger." He heard the shock in his voice.

She glanced at Potter then back to him. "You're both safer this way." She took his hand. He knew he should've pulled away from her, but he didn't have the will to do so. "You need to go, but... I want to go with you."

He opened his mouth but the words wouldn't come out. Instead, he made an odd noise in response. How could she want to come with him when he'd just murdered a man?

"Please, take me with you."

Her request was mad.

"You know that's not possible." He should've been stern and said no, but he just couldn't bring himself to do that. Not with her.

"Severus, you'll be alone." She sounded on the verge of tears, and studying her eyes, he saw her voice indeed matched her gaze.

Alone.

He was always alone until she came into his life. Then something clicked in him and he made peace with the fact that he wanted to accept and take her with him. But wanting to do something and actually having the common sense not to do it were what made a desire fine to have. It wouldn't be fine for either of them, if he agreed to it.

"Potter needs you with him. Think straight, Her—Granger."

She pulled her hand away and nodded. He missed the warmth for only a second. She took a step closer, her hands went into his hair, and she pressed her lips against his for the second time that night.

And for the second time, shock, warmth, and the desire to hold her forever overtook him.

His arms surrounded her in his black cloak, as if he were a bat wrapping her in dark wings, and he responded to the kiss with more fervor than what occurred earlier.

When they pulled away, she was trembling outwardly just as much as he was inwardly. Her cheeks were flushed and her lips were red.

"Stay safe," she said. "Contact me if you can do it without putting yourself in danger."

He let himself smirk. "I'm already in danger."

She pouted for a second and then let a little chuckle leave her. "You know what I mean."

"Yes," he said. "I know."

Her face turned back to a concerned expression. "Severus, I mean it. I...I couldn't bear it if you..."

"I will contact you if I can, I promise."

They stared at each other, neither wanting to walk away. Seconds later, some screams in the distance made it necessary. "Goodbye, Mis—" He frowned. Then took a deep breath. "Hermione. Goodbye, Hermione."

She smiled while holding back tears. "Goodbye, Severus."

He forced himself to turn and let a façade of darkness and evil cover his expression. Then he apparated away, leaving the place he'd called home for so long. But he'd still have his good memories of this place.

And the whisper of his name on her lips would echo in his mind forever.

AN: Hermione breaking the darkness...but she is too having moment of weakness...Hope you liked it and let me know what you think. See you on 8th