When All is Lost One is Found

Chapter 86: Lull Before the Chaos

When All is Lost, One is Found

Author: Rinoaebastel

Chapter 86: Lull Before the Chaos

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.

He was focused down at his papers, the light growing darker the longer he worked. Looking up and out the window, he saw that darkness had taken over the sky much faster than he estimated it would. The headmaster was still not back. He'd tried to be oblivious to the situation by putting all his focus into grading the exams. He wanted to distract himself from his upcoming task and keep from thinking about a certain witch. And it worked for short periods. He was surprised at the results so far. While the majority of them were poor, very few were failing grades.

He flipped to another exam and groaned. Hermione's exam was in front of him. Taunting him into thinking about her. His eyes closed. He could almost recall the mysterious fragrance surrounding her. With a little more time, he'd be able to—

"Severus!" The door slammed open and swung back shut just has hard, increasing his heart rate in an instant and making him shoot to his feet. "Death Eater's in the castle! We need your help. We are under attack! There are some order members...."

His ears went deaf. His heart had stopped as his brain questioned how Malfoy had done it without anyone noticing until they were inside.

And Albus was gone. He knew it was likely for this very reason. The old man knew Malfoy would take advantage of the opportunity.

The time had come.

He looked at Flitwick. He couldn't have the man around when this happened.

He was tempted to not do his task, but when Granger's face flashed in his mind, he realized he had to. He had to do it for the future, so she'd have a peaceful existence.

He lifted his wand and pointed it at the small professor as the bile rose in his throat. He hated this. No one should suffer with Dumbledore's plots, but if he did it like this, it would be more believable. Transforming him into a traitor in front of everyone.

At least he had done a good job as a spy. No one knew his true motive or alliance. He could feel proud of that.

"Severus, what are you—?"

The professor fell, with eyes of betrayal focused on him. A look he'd long grown used to seeing, but never ceased to haunt him.

He moved from his desk and walked to the door, his heart hammering with each step. He felt a disturbance in the castle now. The place was calling for its master and screaming in agony at the intrusion.

Why hadn't he sensed a disturbance in the natural wards of the castle? He felt a tiny hint of pride that Draco had managed what he had.

The door opened before he could reach the handle.

He almost gasped when he saw it was Granger and the Weasley girl.

His witch had the best, and worst, timing.

"What are you doing here?" His question was only for his witch despite the other presence eyeing him in silence.

"You know why."

"Flitwick is inside," he said. "He . . . fainted."

Her gaze never left his, and he saw understanding in it. "Fainted...I—I see."

"You two should tend to him and stay here." His throat felt dry as he spoke.

Maybe he could keep her safe this way.

"It's time?" she asked, her voice shaking.

"Yes." From the corner of his eyes, he could see the Weasley witch frowning. She looked from him to Hermione with a confused but stern expression. "I have no options now."

"I kn—I know." She looked down at the ground, took a deep breath, and looked back up at him. "I know."

He closed his eyes and bowed his head, his hair brushing the side of his face with the action. He wanted to have more time with her, but accepted it wasn't possible anymore. The time had been too short. He'd had only a taste of true joy and happiness. He was about to speak to her, to say goodbye, when something pressed against his lips. It was accompanied by a gasp that was not Hermione's. A hand entangled in his hair and his eyes shot open.

She was... Hermione was kissing him. Her grip was strong, determined, and he found himself unable to keep his hands from resting on her hips. He pulled her closer to him.

For a moment, he allowed himself to forget what he had to do and fell into the sensations of the present. It was only a light kiss, but held more passion in it than any other kiss he'd experienced.

He wanted it to last forever, but that wasn't to be. He pulled away from the kiss and saw a glistening on her cheeks. Her eyes were closed.

Each teardrop seemed to cut into him.

His fingers pressed softly on her hips, and he pushed her away.

He wanted to push her further away and pull her closer at the same time. He dropped his guard so easily with her at a time when it was detrimental to do so.

What had transpired here would be a gift from her that he would cherish until he died.

He even had forgotten that the Weasley was girl staring at them with wide eyes and an open mouth.

It was careless of his witch to do this when that girl was there, but he couldn't be angry with her.

A frustrated growl, transformed his face into a snarl, making the Weasley girl flinch. Hermione opened her eyes, looking at him with an expression that made his insides tremble.

He would probably never know what it truly was. He didn't have time to find out. The plan needed to be implemented.

"I must go." His voice was filled with determination but his gaze couldn't break from her until she nodded.

"Stay safe."

He nodded. He'd do his best. He wanted to stay and fight with them, protect her, and damn Dumbledore's plan to hell.

His heart pleaded with him to stay, but he forced himself to walk past her.

Then he stopped.

As if propelled by an unknown force, he turned around in the same way he did when he was about to scold a student, but this time it was for an oh so different reason.

She was facing him, watching with concern and something else that he wasn't willing to ponder. He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. It wasn't a lingering kiss, nor was it romantic, but it was full of purpose, and enough for the intelligent little witch to know for sure that he didn't reject or regret her actions.

Then, with renewed energy, he started to run, his cloak billowing after him.

AN: So... heh... at the end it was her the one who had to do it. Hope you liked it and let me know what you think! And yes... something is twisted for future thingys. See you on 28th