—————H—————

"You did what?" she snapped, glaring a warning at a smirking Sirius before turning back to her tired husband.

They were in the headmaster's office, Hermione behind the desk as if she belonged there, Severus collapsed in a guest chair, with Sirius standing beside him.

She knew the portraits were all there for the show, except one, and frankly, she didn't care. The moment they'd returned with a pop, Severus had almost collapsed until Sirius seated him, she was worried about what might have gone wrong. Then Sirius and Severus told her what had happened in the Chamber of Secrets.

"Fiendfyre, wife. I shouldn't have to repeat myself."

"Are you out of your mind, Severus? Curse fire! How did you know you could control it?" she asked, crossing her arms and resting them atop her belly.

"Because I did, Hermione. This may have escaped your notice, but I'm skilled and adept at Dark magic. One might even go so far as to say that I'm a Dark wizard," Severus said in such a blasé way that she realized just how exhausted he was.

"I suppose you are, just a bit," she conceded, and when Sirius shifted, her eyes were drawn to him. "Were they really inert?"

"It pierced the cup, Kitten, but nothing happened. Whatever power the basilisk possessed is long gone now," he said regretfully.

She nodded. "Then it's more important than ever to find the Room of Hidden Things."

"The room of what?" Severus asked, palming his forehead.

"I managed to get Dumbledore to talk while you were in the chamber. I think it might have been the baby finding my kidney an amusing spot to kick or my sheer annoyance at him. Either way, he confessed he hid the fangs in the Room of Hidden Things."

"I've never heard of it," Severus said.

"Nor I," Hermione sighed. "Which makes me wonder if he was pulling my leg, but still, it's better than his silence."

"Now's not the time to think about it," Sirius said gently. "We need sleep, Severus especially."

"Right," Hermione conceded. "You're right, Sirius. It's just... frustrating. We're so close in so many ways."

"What if that's also where the diadem is?" Severus asked absently. "We've checked everywhere we could. We know it's here. Albus may not have noticed it when he hid the fangs, or maybe he merely wanted to have one more thing for the Boy-Who-Lived to do: search for the diadem."

"How long was Dumbledore expecting this whole thing to drag on for?" Sirius muttered. "Because if we can't find everything...."

"Let's not think about that tonight," Severus said as he got up from the chair on shaky legs. "I need sleep."

As Severus headed to their chambers, Hermione turned to Sirius with a slight grin. "Harry would have made it through, I'm sure," she assured.

"You think so, Kitten?" he asked.

"I believe so," she said. "But then, perhaps I don't know him as well as I thought."

Sirius snort-laughed before heading to the door. "I don't think any of us know the teenagers as much as we'd like to."

He left, and as Hermione watched him leave, she couldn't help but agree with him. Even if she would never say it out loud.

—————A—————

"Welcome witch," Fred said, and Aurora rolled her eyes and shook her head, trying not to smile. "Owl trainer?"

Aurora shook her head again, but this time the smile broke through. How could it not?

Everyone had stayed in the tent, which seemed like a brilliant idea at first, until they remembered there were only three beds. Ron had to stand watch, so he gave up his, but it didn't really solve the problem with an additional three people.

A quiet conversation consisting of nothing more than stares and facial twitches happened between the twins and then George volunteered to keep their younger brother company. Lee crashed.

And Fred?

Fred was with her. He had tossed off his jacket, vest, and tie. He'd unbuttoned his cuffs, sleeves rolled up. He'd undone his collar and top button, had kicked off his shoes and socks, but that was the extent of his undress. And Aurora had changed into her usual nighttime fare: a large Gryffindor Quidditch jumper and black sweats.

Fred was stretched out on his side, head propped up on his arm, looking down at her as she lay on her back, tucked as close to him as possible. Her arms lay across her stomach and behind her head, and instead of getting the sleep she really needed, she was talking to him. They had a silencing charm around them to not disturb the others, all snoring as they were, but they still tried to keep their voices low out of habit.

She was tired, they both were. The twins and Lee had been trying to find safety and a good place for shelter all day and had one less person to keep watch.

But still they pressed on, keeping themselves awake talking about anything and everything they could think of.

"Why are we doing this?" she asked him.

"Why? Gotta start thinking of the future. Your dad's got one down, you lot have one ready to be destroyed. We're getting our dragons in a row. Oh, Dragon-Keeper. Could introduce you to our brother Charlie."

"You know, great as that sounds, I'm almost as good with animals as I am with plants."

"Yes, right. There was a reason I didn't want to give you a pygmy puff." Fred smirked, and she giggled. "All right, then. Writer."

She pursed her lips. "Suppose that's a possibility. But I think I might have to be desperate."

"Snake charmer," he said, eyebrows twitching. She smacked him gently on the chest, and his free hand snuck out and captured it. "Bad idea that. Don't much like the idea of you out there charming snakes."

"Imagine what my father would think, then," she said, mimicking his expression as she shifted her fingers to interlock with Fred's.

"Ah, see, there. Head of Slytherin's daughter. No snakes to be charmed then."

"What do you see me doing? Honestly?"

He stroked his thumb against hers, eyes peering into hers. "Honestly? Honestly, I think it depends on what you want. If this whole hunt for Dark things and destroying them is something you like, Curse-Breaker. You could go into politics, if peacekeeping's your thing. Must be good at it, Ronniekins hasn't killing anyone yet. And... and if you wanted to be creative, you could come work with me."

"I'm not going to be your shopgirl," she retorted with a smile.

"You know, never did say shopgirl. Might not have your brother's potions instinct, but I know your charms are good. I bet you could dream some up, given a chance."

"I'd expect to be made a partner," she teased, feeling a little bit worried with the way he tensed.

All the air seemed to leave Fred's lungs.

Aurora blushed. "Sorry, that's... sorry. Politics, you say? Suppose I must be good at those, bridging house rivalries and the like."

Fred laughed mirthlessly. "Could be Minister of Magic, skills like that."

"Oh no," she said firmly. "Couldn't pay me enough for that. Suppose it's a toss-up, really. I sort of like the idea of Curse-Breaker. But then again, going into business with you and George would be interesting. If for no other reason than the look on Ron or Leo's face when I tell them. Or I suppose I could go into business against the pair of you, make some competition for you."

"Well that'd never work. You're witty, darling, and quite intelligent, but you're missing the spark of mischief."

She giggled. "Then why bring me in?" she challenged.

He brought her hand to his lip, kissing her knuckles. "Because you're witty and intelligent. And a joke shop should appeal to everyone in some way. Be hilarious to sell something with the Snape name on it, too, you know."

"I bet," she conceded, stroking his thumb again. "But we need to get through all this first."

He shook his head. "No idea how much I want—" Fred cut himself off with a yawn that instantly transferred to Aurora. "Blimey."

"No," she groaned afterward, feeling her eyes grow heavy. "I don't want to sleep."

"Probably should, though," he said, slipping his hand from hers. "Would do us no good to be tired."

"No," she agreed, smothering another yawn as Fred shifted, tucking the arm that had been supporting his head beneath the expanded pillow. "It's my turn for watch tomorrow night."

Fred hummed in agreement. "Wouldn't be smart to yawn on the show, either."

This time, Aurora hummed as her eyes felt too heavy to stay open. "Fred?" she whispered his name, forcing herself to part her lids to see him. "Kiss me goodnight?"

He reached out and gently cupped her cheek, sliding across the pillow to very delicately place his lips against hers. Aurora's eyes shut and she nearly cried with how sweet it was. How wonderful. How it very much tasted like goodbye. She remembered goodbye kisses from Fred, and it had the same flavor.

She didn't want that.

So Aurora put her hand on the back of his head and pressed back a little more firmly. A promise. Words she couldn't bring herself to say, lest they be reduced to impulse in the climate of war.

And she thought maybe he understood that when his own tactic changed.

But then it faded, and she was getting hazy, certain that they were about to fall asleep just as they were.

—————H—————

"Hello and welcome to this evening's episode of Potterwatch," Lee introduced the show, and the Room of Requirement was utterly silent.

"And we have a very special treat this evening," one of the twins spoke, and Hermione glanced at Neville as he stared at the wireless. It was an accidental habit that had started the moment Fred had asked Severus for his approval. Every time Potterwatch came on, Hermione would covertly watch Neville. But he never showed anything other than focus on the show, and it seemed nothing had changed after their discussion the other day.

The twin continued, "While on our own adventures, finding exotic locales and interesting guests to bring you news and advice, we stumbled across someone very special."

"Uh, hi everyone," Harry's voice came through and the room was in uproar. Hermione quickly silenced them, shifting a bit on the edge of her seat.

"Now, in case you don't know this man's voice, let us say he's quite... Undesirable," the twin joked.

"Number one, even," Lee added.

"So, Mr. Undesirable, what do you have to say to everyone listening?"

"Er," Harry started. "Well, I want to start off by thanking everyone who is currently fighting the rebellion. I know it's hard, and I know things look bad, but... they're going to get better. Second, try to trust more. It was a mistake I made earlier in my life, trusting the wrong people. Instead of listening to words, look at actions. And, er, third... third is, uh... don't wait. We're keeping up-to-date with what's going on, we're listening to this show. We hear and know of so many people gone before their time. So, don't wait to tell anyone anything you've been meaning to say. Take the leap. Because there's a chance you might not be able to again."

"Wise words," the twin said. "And so, we leave you here tonight—"

The air went silent. Hermione met Neville's eyes as understanding quietly dawned between them. Understanding and fear.

—————A—————

"Does the dark still bother you?" Fred whispered in her ear as he held her from behind. Aurora was keeping watch, as she was supposed to. Everyone else was inside the tent, George and Lee hosting the show, Harry speaking on it. Maybe Draco and Ron would join in, too. But it left them alone outside. And while, perhaps, not the politest way to sit, Aurora couldn't complain about being seated between his legs with his arms wrapped around her. She was warm and content, enjoying his presence.

"Yes and no," she replied, her hands on his. "It's... it's hard to describe. It still makes me nervous, I still don't like it much. But there's so much more to be afraid of. I've faced more frightening things."

"Yes, you have," he agreed, pulling a hand out from beneath hers and brushing her hair away from her neck. "Done things I could never do."

"Anything I could do, you could do. Maybe not better, but."

"Eh," he said, and she laughed, hearing his own chuckle. "Though I admit, much as I want to think I would have been there at the Ministry, not sure I would've gone."

"Why not?"

He shrugged. "Well, for one, I knew who Mione was. And I wouldn't have believed You-Know-Who had her."

"I knew who she was, too. All Harry kept saying was that she looked different."

"Well, I suppose in that case, I would have gone," he relented, brushing all her hair to one side. "But I didn't plan on running. It never even crossed my mind that we might have to, not until we saw that mangy lot hovering outside the shop. You volunteered right from the get-go, ready to go, no idea where you'd be or—" He stopped short, and Aurora frowned. She felt his fingers graze her cheek. "Rory, when did you get this?" he said, running a finger along her cheek.

"When I pissed off a Carrow. He wanted to beat Gin for something I said, and I told him if he touched her I'd have Dad kill him. It was her or me. He was smart for once."

He gently kissed her scar. "That was stupid."

"She told me as much." She smiled, and she felt him grin as well. "Fred, I—"

The snap of a twig made them both get on their feet, wands drawn, Fred's back to hers. Aurora strained, trying to listen and hearing a rustling. Cold dread fell over her as someone tinkered with the wards. She looked over her shoulder at Fred and he nodded, running into the tent.

Aurora stayed, trying to add strength to the wards. She closed her eyes, focusing her energy, hearing as the boys quickly packed up behind her. Draco would pack the tent with a few swishes of his wand. Harry would double check the hip pouch with the Horcrux was secured to him. Ron would then grab the bag that was the tent and shoulder it. But there were others, too, and she didn't know how long it would take the twins and Lee to pack up their equipment.

Her wards were failing. Pissed off, Aurora pushed more of her energy into them. They would not be caught like this. They would not be caught by Snatchers because her wards failed! It was probably her fault they'd found them, all because she'd let Ron convince her to steal some butterbeer.

There were three attacking the protections, and while she pictured the idiots from the night before, they hadn't seemed terribly bright, so they probably couldn't dismantle complex spells.

There was sweat on her brow and she was starting to fatigue. She hadn't been of age long, and while it was starting to show that she had her parents' power levels, they weren't fully matured yet. Her knees were trembling.

"Rory, let them fall," she heard Fred beside her.

"Can't," she said through gritted teeth.

"Aurora, let them fall, we have you," he said, more forcefully.

She peeked up at him, seeing him standing by her protectively, wand drawn. He said we, though, and she looked to the other side to see Draco watching her.

The wards were weakening, blurring, sporadically showing a half dozen Snatchers very close by.

"Everything's packed, drop the wards," Fred said again.

"Not until you three get out," she demanded, beginning to feel dizzy.

"We can't, Rory. They've got their own wards up," Draco stated. "Drop them. We need to run."

She patted the pockets of her jacket, feeling the items she placed there. "On three. One... two... three!"

It was violent. The wards falling so suddenly while they were being attacked caused a slight magical backlash. Fred, presumably Lee and George, as well as Draco and Ron shot out spells the moment they could toward the Snatchers. Aurora withdrew the Instant Darkness Powder she had in her pockets and threw it, creating a wall of black in front of them.

They turned and ran, Aurora already out of breath. She reached into her pockets and withdrew the oddly shaped grey-tinted bottle. She paused for a moment, turning and throwing the bottle off to the right, angled away from them, then kept running. The screams released as the bottle broke sounded eerily like their own, and she smirked when she thought she heard less footsteps behind them.

Something grazed her leg, burning, but she pushed on. She noticed they were stopped up ahead, Fred saying something to Ron in a shout she couldn't hear over the pounding of her heart. She jumped a fallen tree limb, her leg burning when she landed, her wrist burning with a message. She was nearly there when she felt something hit her back. Then she was paralyzed, unable to move. Ron had her around the waist just as someone grabbed her leg.

They Apparated.

Aurora heaved a bit when they landed, fighting desperately against the blackness. She wanted to pass out, but something told her not to. She tried to focus on her surroundings. Grimmauld Place. What a stupid place to Apparate to.

"Oh Merlin, is that a hand?! Whose hand is that?" Ron exclaimed, too loud since he was near her ear.

"I think it's one of the Snatchers'," Draco replied, and the room began to spin. "Was still inside the Apparition wards when he grabbed Rory. But why's there so much—"

"Shit!" Harry exclaimed, and she heard and vaguely felt the boys moving her.

"S-s-s my leg, isn't it?" she asked, her jaw trembling. She was going into shock, shaking. She didn't dare look down, she didn't want to make it worse.

"It's ... it's not so bad," Ron tried to say, though he looked a bit green.

"We should tell your parents," Harry suggested, but she shook her head.

"S-s-s just a Sp-Splinch, isn't it? Bloody hell, it's cold," she said, shivering.

"You got hit with a slicing hex before we left. Apparition messed with it a bit," Draco said, a touch pale. "I, I don't know what to do right now."

She shivered. "Warming charm. Dit-dit-dittany. S'in my bag," she instructed. She wasn't sure who cast the warming charm on her, but it didn't help as much as she'd hoped. She tilted her head up, for apparently she was laying on a sofa, and tried to see who was getting the potion. Aurora made the mistake of seeing her leg and very nearly wretched. She could see a bit of her leg bone. "S-stop," she huffed. "Dittany... not going to help."

"What do we do?" Harry shouted.

"We could use Reparo ," Ron suggested.

"It's not meant for skin, it'll scar," Draco retorted.

"Don't care 'bout a scar," Rory said, her vision going fuzzy. "Going to blackout, can't-can't stay—"

....

She screamed as hot pain shot through her body, pulling her out of unconsciousness. Aurora let off a litany of words she'd heard her father use on rare occasions, usually in his Cokeworth accent that only came out under the pain of cauldron burns, which had three figures in her blurry vision rear back from her.

"Oi, you kiss my brother with that mouth?" she heard Ron say.

"You try having half your leg ripped off then laced back together again," she panted, looking down at her red and raw leg. "What did you do?" she asked, fatigue making her voice heavy. She could make out Harry and Draco down by her feet, not far from Ron, who was down by her leg.

Ron shrugged. "I cast a Reparo ."

"Which was stupid," Draco snapped.