Chapter 71: Into The Woods

The Base Of Wolfsback Summit, Uncharted Forest, Unknown World...

Beaming rays of unrestrained golden sunlight made it almost unbearably hot as Severus Snape, Hermione Granger, Remus Lupin, Tonks, and Draco made the trek back toward Hogwarts Castle. While it was true the five of them had been members of the wizarding community and could easily have employed a means to apparate back to the castle, but a wrench was thrown into their plans for immediate return via wizarding magic as The Ministry had placed barriers on all Half-blood territories in the wake of the toad-faced shrew Dolores Umbridge's new reign at the Ministry Of Magic.

A well timed letter from Dumbledore via a messenger owl had given explicit instruction to the traveling group that the borders between the wizarding world and the territories of the Half-blooded creatures such as The Werewolves had been tightened and territory restricted by the employ of barrier guards. Snape had been in a foul mood ever since getting the notice from the Headmaster. In his mind, every moment he had been around his witch without that plant in their collective systems is a moment she was in unseen danger of his ever warring inner beast.

"I should have killed that sorry plump pink toad myself." he growled in annoyance.

"I would have paid to see that." added Draco in agreement of his Uncle's take on Dolores Umbridge.

"I believe I would have let you." said Lupin also having a vast amount of hatred for the Half-blood hating harpy.

"Now boys." said Tonks moving swiftly beside her werewolf lover. "It's not nice to talk that way even about something as disgusting as Umbridge."

"She's a fucking nuisance is what she is." hissed Snape feeling his aggression build to the point where his eyes were becoming reddened.

"Severus." said Hermione once more urging her lover to keep himself calm.

Upon noting her ample concern, Snape agreed to let it go.

"I'm sorry." he replied. "The toad-faced harpy makes my blood boil wizarding and beast alike."

"I suppose it's something you and your other half can agree on." said Tonks with a smirk.

Hermione shook her head.

It was nice to see that Tonks was back to her usual frequently amused self. She had come around since Lupin had decided to stick around for her and the baby. There was even talk of marriage between the two of them as a new way to start the future they'd have together. The young witch had been quite happy for the two of them given how far they've come as lovers and now they were to be married and welcome a new life into the world.

The news had put her in quite a positive mood as she looked over her own werewolf lover noting his poised frame and wide steps. He'd make a decent father given how much he does care for his students despite not outwardly showing it in terms of affection. His love for her and Draco had been clue enough that he had all the makings of a father despite not wanting children. She supposed some people were just born to care for others and even though no one but her and the Malfoys seemed to care for him, Severus had developed all the right traits for being a father figure.

As she walked, Hermione toyed with the idea of that being the initial reason for Hircine choosing him to lead his werewolf army as an Alpha. The ancient father of man-beasts had been called The Father by his creations and as such someone possessing father-like qualities seemed to be as much apart of the selection process for leadership as any.

Snape suddenly stopped walking bringing the entire group to a halt.

"We set up camp here for the night." he said in a stern tone as if he expected anyone to argue with him. "The witches need rest and there is ample room to hunt."

Everyone seemed to be in agreement with him despite not having much choice in the matter.

Like before, Hermione set to work getting the tent up, Draco and Lupin went out in search of firewood, and Tonks rested her feet a bit at Snape's urging. It made her smile to note just how protective of her he had become since finding out she was carrying Remus Lupin's child. She supposed it was more to do with him seeing her as apart of his "pack" and as such she had fallen under his radar of protection and so had the unborn child.

Snape had gone to mark the range or territory to keep away wandering were-beasts and set wards and traps to ensnare possibly patrolling barrier guards. One could never be too careful when out in the wild and he wasn't going to take a chance with Tonks being pregnant.

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The Tent, Uncharted Forest, Unknown World...

Sizzling meat had gotten the attention of Hermione Granger as she did her best to focus on a book she had taken from her trusty knapsack. For much of the afternoon she had been lying on her belly enjoying a few pages from the apparently muggle produced novel in the peace and quiet side of the tent she was due to share with her lover and current Potions Professor.

Draco had gone in search of water with Lupin.

Tonks was resting comfortably in her own bed on the other side of the enormous tent Hermione had constructed. The reason for the sudden onset of sizzling meat had been Severus applying a good amount of skill to supper for the night.

Unable to resist the urge to venture toward the pleasant aroma, Hermione closed her novel and made her way toward here her lover had been slaving of a hot fire and slowly cooking a large rack of venison. She was further surprised to note that he had managed to cook three before the scent had overpowered her and she was forced to follow it.

"Smells wonderful." she said breaking the silence and getting his attention.

Snape looked up from his fire and treated her to a small smile before returning to working the meat.

"It'll be done soon." he said in reply as he continued to roast the often tough to chew but flavorful meat. "Get some rest until then."

Hermione nodded noting that he had indeed known best in this situation.

As she made the journey back to their side of the tent, she noted that hardly anyone had been pressed to argue with Severus these days.

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The Table, The Tent, Uncharted Forest, Unknown World...

The tearing of steaming hot animal flesh and constant chewing had accompanied the clanking of silverware against plates as the group of weary and hungry travelers enjoyed the freshly hunted venison among other available delights at the table. Hardly anyone bothered to chat or look up from their respective portions of the meal given how they enjoyed it.

Snape had been the most aggressive in his consuming of his meal managing to clean his plate and take in another rack of venison before becoming full and retiring from the table in a bid to check his wards and mark his territory once a gain.

Draco had been so full his only effort had been to leave the table and crawl into bed on his side of the tent.

Tonks had been given much of the organs from the deer in a bid to promote health for the baby at Snape's urging, she had not been a real fan of liver but as everyone noted, there was no arguing with Snape and his apparent father knows best attitude following their departure from Wolfsback Summit.

Lupin had ensured everything had been cleared away and the tent was neat and tidy before taking Tonks to retire for the night on his side of the tent. Hermione had been left to go back to her reading as she awaited the return of her werewolf lover following his latest inspection of their territory. It had been an all together average afternoon for her as she slowly succumbed to the lull of sleep despite wishing to wait up for her wizard.

Something of a welcome change of pace following the minor scrapes they all had gotten into to ensure a secured alliance with the Werewolf Army. Being back at Hogwarts would no doubt bring about a different sort of change and the urgent need to ingest The Rivermist Plant had been at the forefront of both hers and Snape's minds.