Chapter 90: Chapter 89: The Precipice Of War
The Study, 12 Grimmauld Place, Muggle World...
Hermione had left Severus to his brewing and ventured into the study for something to read. The tension lingered all throughout the household as everyone did their best to enjoy the few quiet moments of the time they had together, the giants being involved in the upcoming war had put everyone on edge as they attempted to get on with their day in the wake of such devastating news. The stakes concerning this battle with Voldemort could not have been higher given all they stood to lose. Remus Lupin had been on the verge of becoming a father and did not want his child to have to suffer under the regime of the so called dark lord a second more than it had to. There was also concern over Tonks, whom he had loved more than anyone he had ever known. He knew if something were to happen to the rather impulsive young witch that, that would be the end of him.
Harry carried the weight of the world upon his young shoulders, being the one set to take on the despot alone when it was all said and done. The immense burden of what was to come had been nothing compared to what he had endured all these years. From the loss of his parents to the loss of people he had come to love in the wizarding world, and deep down his fears of losing everything else to the despot were more profound. There wasn't a moment where he did not think of Sirius Black and how Bellatrix LeStrange so callously murdered him and the blood boiled within his very veins. It didn't help that Snape lived in place of Sirius nor that he seemed to delight in the fact that the true master of Black Manor had perished during the last encounter with Voldemort's death eaters.
Ronald Weasley had been concerned for his family, he had not experienced the losses that Harry Potter had and he didn't wish to. There was also the lingering bitterness from Hermione Granger choosing their dreaded werewolf Potions Professor as a lover in place of himself after all those years as well as her knowledge of his feelings for her. She seemed to disregard everything just to be in bed with the shape-shifting git and the sting of rejection had only served to embitter him further.
Snape had his own concerns as he attempted to keep himself busy.
He had known all too well that once the war got underway, he was going to be exposed as being a Hound of Hircine and with Umbridge's new policies, he would be banished from the wizarding world due to the vast fear of werewolves like him.
The Potions Professor found time to steal a few moments with Hermione, it had been decided that he'd head off to regroup with the other werewolves and get ready for the upcoming battle for Hogwarts and the wizarding as well as the muggle worlds.
He pulled her into the study and closed the heavy oak wood door behind them.
The weight of the world seemed to have been pressing down upon them as they stood in relative silence for a few moments.
"They said you were suppose to be leaving...to go to the wolf summit to organize the werewolves." said Hermione showing that she had been well informed for the time being.
Snape sighed walking over toward her as she leaned against the old dust and book covered desk that had once belonged to Sirius and Regulus Black's father.
"That is correct." replied the raven haired wizard moving toward her and letting his long pale index finger trail along her smooth delicate arm. "We have to be prepared to take on the giants...minimize the casualties, get the young to safety...the works it seems."
Hermione had been saddened to hear that he'd be leaving her again, it seemed he had just come back to her only to be ripped away from her again.
"I don't want you to go." she said almost bitterly.
Snape grabbed her and pulled her close to him.
The scent of jasmine that lingered in her bushy brown hair made him smile as he kissed her on the top of the head.
"I haven't got much of a choice." he said reasonably.
"I know." she replied being quite realistic about their situation. "I know...but...I...I wish I could be selfish and keep you all to myself."
"I wish the same of you." he replied holding the young witch closer still. "But this is what we already knew to be the outcome of this war."
Hermione nodded trying her best to keep herself from being overwhelmed by her own emotions. She wanted to be strong for him, she wanted to appear to be tough and have it all together, at least for his sake but it wasn't to be.
It was as if a dam had burst and the tears started streaming down her cheeks before she could stop them.
"Severus." she said fearful of what might happen to him in the wake of his leaving, the last time he had been gone came back to her in vivid flashes and only intensified her fears for his safety. "Severus don't go."
The Potions Master sighed.
"You know that I have no choice in this matter." he said softly. "Let's not be foolish witch, this was a long time coming."
"You'd better come back to me." she suddenly demanded not liking this upcoming separation one bit. "Severus Snape,. I will hunt you down and scream your head off if you get yourself killed out there."
Snape smirked.
"Such a pushy little lioness." he said amused. "I shall endeavor to take your words into consideration...but I could ask the same of you witch...this world means nothing to me if you are not in it."
"I'll be here." she replied meeting his obsidian gaze.
After a moment of silence, Snape pulled her into an intensely passionate kiss.
"I love you witch." he said looking into her heat flickered amber eyes.
"And I love you." she replied.
The young witch pressed her lips into those of her wolfish lover's once more before he pulled away. He had gotten halfway to the door when she suddenly stopped him and leapt into his arms. They shared a final series of passionate exchanges before Snape let her down and took his leave of her.
Already Hermione Granger could feel the weight of this war bearing down on her once again as the tension and anxiety set in. It wouldn't be long before the fighting began and the blood shed would begin again.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone