{"id":92,"date":"2008-03-30T12:38:09","date_gmt":"2008-03-30T11:38:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/juno-magic.fancrone.net\/blog\/the-apprentice-and-the-necromancer\/part-11\/"},"modified":"2010-12-15T09:52:27","modified_gmt":"2010-12-15T08:52:27","slug":"chapters-101-110","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/juno-magic.fancrone.net\/blog\/junofanfic\/hp-fanfic\/the-apprentice-and-the-necromancer\/chapters-101-110","title":{"rendered":"Chapters 101-110"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcThe Apprentice and the Necromancer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 by JunoMagic<\/h2>\n

Chapters 101\u00e2\u20ac\u201c110<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n

Fair and Foul<\/h3>\n

Andromeda Tonks-Black sat at the desk in her study and stared morosely at the pile of parchments in front of her. Little Teddy had finally fallen asleep, and Draco was still at Grimmauld Place. She had permitted him to stay out as long as necessary, and she doubted that his interpretation of \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcnecessary<\/em>\u00e2\u20ac\u2122would bring him back before she had to leave for work again in the morning.<\/p>\n

She didn’t know what bothered her more about the day’s events: That Harry Potter, the hero of the wizarding world, had not trusted her to pass a fair judgement in the case of Severus Snape and Hermione Sn\u00e2\u20ac\u201dHermione Granger<\/em>, that the damn boy had likely been right <\/em>in his fear concerning her fairness\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6or the heartbroken expression in the young woman’s eyes after the guards had taken her\u00e2\u20ac\u201dhad taken him<\/em> away.<\/p>\n

Damn. <\/em><\/p>\n

Hermione had looked as if the guards had taken her husband<\/em> to Azkaban. A husband she could<\/em> and did<\/em> love deeply.<\/p>\n

But if that was the case, if the woman truly loved<\/em> Snape\u00e2\u20ac\u201dnever mind that he was an ex-Death Eater, ex-spy, ex-traitor and possibly a murderer, never mind that he probably deserved to rot in Azkaban for the rest of his miserable existence\u00e2\u20ac\u201dthen how could the Chalice of Neith have reached the verdict it did? Supposedly it was impossible to manipulate the Chalice.<\/p>\n

But of course it had also been supposedly impossible<\/em> for Voldemort to come back and reclaim a corporeal existence.<\/p>\n

oooOooo <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcPercy, I need the Chalice of Neith in my office. Along with the complete documentation of its properties and treatments.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcNow?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Percy gaped as his boss glared up at him from the dying embers of the Burrow’s kitchen-fire.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcYes,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 was the terse reply. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcNow. And someone needs to come over and watch Teddy. Draco’s still at Grimmauld Place.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

oooOooo <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcAndromeda’s really examining it?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

Draco nodded. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcShe has the Chalice in her private office now, along with the complete documentation and every single scrap of parchment that mentions the Chalice even in passing. She’s put in a request for a curse breaker and<\/em> an Unspeakable. \u00e2\u20ac\u2122 He swirled the firewhisky contemplatively in his glass. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcShe had to magically expand her office to accommodate the files. So yes, she is really<\/em> examining the Chalice. Which means two things: one, she thinks the verdict is wrong. And two, we need more time.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcThe only thing we don’t have,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Hermione said bitterly. Harry had been true to his word. He had arranged an appointment with Shacklebolt and wrangled an audience for her on the day after the trial. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcShacklebolt has agreed to see me\u00e2\u20ac\u201din three weeks.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

She curled her fingers around her own glass of firewhisky, but its flickering liquid fire did nothing to drive the chill from her hands. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcI’m scared that will be too late. Or too soon.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcYou talked to Healer Mugwort, didn’t you?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcShe\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Hermione swallowed hard. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcThe worst case scenario she gave me was a week. Not two. Certainly not three.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcHe’s a skilled Occlumens<\/em>, maybe the best alive. That will help. And the castle<\/em> at least hasn’t given up hope yet. It put me into some very nice guest quarters. But it’s very obvious that they are only that\u00e2\u20ac\u201dguest quarters.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

Draco gave Hermione an encouraging smile. He had arrived at Hogwarts in the morning. As far as the wizarding world and the press were concerned, he was about to take up his apprenticeship in transfiguration with Alberic Switch along with the position as Head of Slytherin House. Only a few people in the Order and at the Ministry knew that he had only asked for temporary leave until Christmas.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcHave you tried summoning a Patronus<\/em> and sending it to him?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

Hermione lowered her gaze to her glass again. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcI’m afraid at the moment I’m running rather low on happy memories. Or at least I can’t concentrate enough to summon more than a silvery blur or blob or something. Whatever it is, it’s not my otter.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcHmm.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Draco raised his glass towards the fire, suddenly very interested in the shades of the flames in his glass. After a while he sighed. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcI’ve never been able to conjure up a Patronus.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcYou’ve changed a lot,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Hermione said abruptly. It was true. Even a year ago, she wouldn’t have believed that Draco Malfoy would ever be something like a friend to her or Harry. And now he was\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6both, or as close to an ally that the difference was negligible. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcWhy?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

He raised his eyebrows at her sudden change of topic, but did not reply with one of the insults that had been his trade-mark retort to unpleasant questions in past years. Instead he shrugged and stretched his long legs towards the fireplace. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcThe War, of course. Living with Aunt Andromeda. But most of all\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 He sighed contemplatively over his whisky. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcTeddy.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcTeddy?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcYes. I’m an only child, I never had anything to do with babies before. Go ahead and laugh\u00e2\u20ac\u201dDraco Malfoy having his epiphany over a dirty diaper should<\/em> be worth at least a grin.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

When she didn’t react at all, he continued. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcTeddy’s already showing amazing control of his metamorph-magical talents, did you know that? Just a few days ago I was looking at some old photographs with him. Pictures of his father and his mother. And the next thing I know, Teddy’s transformed himself to look exactly like his father. Down to that ratty moustache.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

He glanced over at Hermione. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcPeoplecan<\/em> change, you know. Thankfully. Harry’s changed as well. He’s better about not being perfect Potter nowadays. Easier on my nerves.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcDo you actually enjoy politics?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

Draco shook his head. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcNot really. But it’s something I’m good at, something I understand. Allegiances and keeping up appearances. Harry’s a quick learner, though. He won’t need my help much longer.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcAnd then what?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

He shrugged. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcTrying to prove to the world that I’m not the foulest git alive? I really don’t know. Time will tell, I suppose.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The Risks We Take<\/h3>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcAlina, slow down. I didn’t get what you’re trying to tell me at all.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

The small pale face contorted with anguish. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcI can take you to Professor Snape, I think. I think he’s going to some place where only Necromancers can go. It’s not Death, or not quite. I think it’s where those students were that I put to sleep with that bell. Only I can go there, too, in my sleep, only I’m not really sleeping when I go there. And I’ve been thinking about it. And practicing. It works almost every time now. And I can take you with me. I think. I hope.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

Hermione inhaled with a gasp, pressing suddenly icy hands to her face. That<\/em> was the reason why Alina had insisted she had to return to Hogwarts early?<\/p>\n

In her mind she went over what she knew about Necromancy\u00e2\u20ac\u201dfrom her own studies, from Harry’s course material and the few conversations with Severus. She did not know much.<\/p>\n

There were two dimensions to Death, a subjective and an objective dimension. Necromancers had power in both. The Realm of Death itself consisted of the River of Death with its nine Gates and precincts. Beyond the Ninth Gate lay True Death, from which no one except the Peverell brothers had ever returned. The banks of the River of Death were obscured by everlasting mists, the Mists of Dreams. While this fog did not form the dreamscape of ordinary slumber, it was a place that Muggles and wizards alike could reach, in coma or nightmares.<\/p>\n

Necromancers could go there voluntarily, even without the aid of magical bells or whistles. That was how Severus had woken the students Alina had put to sleep.<\/p>\n

Would it be dangerous? Of course it would be. But would it be too<\/em> dangerous? Hermione bit down on her lower lip, trying to assess the risks she had taken as a First Year, as a Second Year\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6fighting Voldemort.<\/p>\n

But they were not fighting a Dark Lord now. Was it worth the risk nevertheless?<\/p>\n

oooOooo<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hermione needed a whole day to lift Severus’ wards from the bell.<\/p>\n

Then, at last, they were ready.<\/p>\n

Alina rang the bell only once. A sweet, low sound floated in the air of the bedroom.<\/p>\n

One moment Hermione was staring at the curtains of her bed, the next she was surrounded by darkness and drifting mists. But she wasn’t alone. A small, but surprisingly strong hand was holding her right hand.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcIt worked! You’re here!\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Alina’s voice sounded oddly muffled, but ecstatic all the same. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcProfessor Snape is here somewhere, I know he is. We’ll find him! Come on, Hermione!\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

oooOooo<\/strong><\/p>\n

They literally stumbled over him. He was lying on his side, near the edge of the river. From the corner of her eye, Hermione could just make out the glittering surface of whirling currents in the distance.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcSeverus!\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 She dropped to her knees.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcDon’t let go, Hermione,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Alina cried and clasped her hand more strongly. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcI don’t know how to find you and bring you back if you let go.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

Hermione nodded, but her attention was on the man in front of her. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcSeverus!\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 She reached for him. He felt strangely fragile and thin in this land of dreams than in life. When he opened his eyes, his gaze was unfocused and dazed.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcSeverus,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 she whispered.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcHermione.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 He blinked at her. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcI could never dream of you before. And I wanted to see you so much. What does it mean that you have come to me now? Is this the end, then?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122
\n He smiled at her, relief softening the harsh lines of his face. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcHad I known that I would be able to see you again, I would not have hesitated so long\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcSeverus, no!\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 She bit back a sob and clutched at him desperately with her left hand. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcNo! Don’t say something like that. Don’t even think it!\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcHermione?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 He frowned as he began to realise that she was not a vision or a hallucination. Black fire flared up in his eyes. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcWhat are you doing here? How \u00e2\u20ac\u201c\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 His gaze fell on Alina. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcYou promised<\/em> not to come back! And you not only disobey me, but you endanger my wife as well? Merlin! Hermione, don’t let go. No matter what you do, don’t let go of Alina.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcI’m sorry, Professor,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Alina mumbled. Hermione almost winced at how tightly the girl was squeezing her hand. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcBut I had to. Hermione’s been so worried.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcSeverus, she’s right. I have an audience with the Minister in two weeks. Andromeda is working on the Chalice. She’s convinced that something went wrong. We’ll get you out. Severus? Do you hear me?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

He had trouble focusing his eyes, and even in his dream he was shaking with weakness.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcSeverus!\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Hermione cried, wrapping her arm around him, pulling him as close to her as possible. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcDon’t you dare<\/em> to give up! I’ll come for you. And I expect you to be alive and<\/em> sane when I do.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

To her surprise, his lips twitched into the faintest echo of a smile. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcYou’re quite bossy sometimes, do you know that?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

Hermione sniffed primly. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcHow else am I supposed to keep you safe?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcNot at all, you foolish, foolish woman.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 But already he was reaching for her, trailing tender fingertips over the lines of her face, temples, cheekbones, jaw line, chin. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcVery well,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 he murmured. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcI shall do my best to stay alive for you. And sane. If you cannot wake me when you come for me, Alina should be able to call me back.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

He turned to Alina. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcBut for Merlin’s sake, do not<\/em> ring that bell again on your own. And don’t attempt any other bell you might have found. You could have killed BOTH of you.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

But then his arms wrapped around Hermione and he whispered into her ear, \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcStill\u00e2\u20ac\u201deven if this is just a dream, I’m glad to see you\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6to feel you\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6even if it’s just one last time.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Eureka!<\/h3>\n

Sometimes Percy Weasley thought he must be a changeling left at the Burrow by mistake. Contrary to his rowdy, boisterous family and the cheerful chaos they called home, he preferred quiet and order. He liked records, documents, and files. He was obsessed with details. He enjoyed knowing the rules and following them. In short, he had little in common with his family.<\/p>\n

However, there was one thing he and his father agreed about: \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcNever trust anything that can think for itself if you can’t see where it keeps its brains.<\/em>\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

Percy didn’t. Even though he contemplated leaving the wizarding world to study Muggle computers for a while. Or maybe because<\/em> of that. He had never forgotten Tom Riddle’s diary.<\/p>\n

He loathed<\/em> the Chalice of Neith.<\/p>\n

It was a cheap way out, as he saw it. Meting out justice, arriving at the right decision ought<\/em> to be hard, in his opinion. It was a difficult duty. It shouldn’t be shunted off to magical devices. Of course human beings (wizards and Muggles alike) made mistakes. No matter how much they wanted to do what they thought was right. And didn’t he know that? But magical items were not infallible either. And the idea that the Chalice was \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcimpossible to manipulate<\/em>\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 only made him more suspicious. If there was one thing he’d learnt from growing up with Fred and George, then it was that anything <\/em>could be manipulated. It merely took longer to manipulate some things.<\/p>\n

After two weeks of sleeping at the Ministry, Percy Weasley was one of three living experts on the Chalice of Neith. The other two were his boss, Andromeda Tonks-Black, and an Egyptian Muggle, a specialist for ancient mythology at the university of Cairo.<\/p>\n

Now it was late at night on September 2, 2000. And Percy was blinking wearily at the piece of parchment in front of him. Therefore it took a while for him to notice what exactly he was looking at.<\/p>\n

Or rather, what he was not<\/em> looking at.<\/p>\n

A moment later, a scream shattered the late-night quiet of the Ministry offices of Justice Andromeda Tonks-Black.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcEureka!\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Percy Weasley yelled. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcI FOUND it!\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

oooOooo<\/strong><\/p>\n

A double period with Gryffindors and Slytherins in the Potions dungeon had never been a pleasant experience for Hermione as a student. Things had not improved during her assistantship. And facing the Advanced Potions class of the new Seventh Years was only Potions Horror \u00e2\u201e\u00a2 advanced to the power of seven, as far as she was concerned.<\/p>\n

I should not even be standing here,<\/em> she thought miserably. She was acutely aware that she didn’t have the knowledge and the experience necessary to prepare a class for their NEWTs. Of course she knew their lessons’ plan by heart. She’d even dared to write down some ideas for possible improvements on a piece of parchment. But that didn’t change the fact that she’d woken three times last night from nightmares that involved students asking her questions which she couldn’t answer.<\/p>\n

But most of all, this class\u00e2\u20ac\u201dmore than any other class\u00e2\u20ac\u201dreminded her of her husband. It was the class she’d never had with him, something she still regretted. Hermione bit down on her lip and straightened up, drawing her shoulders back.<\/p>\n

Until Severus came back, she would simply have to do the best she could.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcGood morning, ladies and gentlemen. Professor Snape is temporarily absent from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Until he returns I have the honour to teach this class. Please open your books so we can discuss your schedule.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

oooOooo<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcHermione, you should sit down,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Minerva advised. Her gaze strayed to the shelf with her whisky bottles.<\/p>\n

Hermione swallowed drily. It was not a good sign if Minerva was considering to offer her a fortifying dram at two pm on a school day. She took a deep breath and perched on the edge of one of the leather wingback chairs in front of Minerva’s fireplace.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcThey’ll be here in a minute.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 The Scottish burr in the voice of the Headmistress was more pronounced than ever.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcDid\u00e2\u20ac\u201ddid they\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Hermione didn’t dare to finish the sentence.<\/p>\n

But the flicker in Minerva’s eyes was answer enough.<\/p>\n

oooOooo<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcWHAT?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Hermione yelled and jumped to her feet. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcWHAT?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

The lines around Andromeda’s mouth deepened. But Percy Weasley glowed and beamed. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcI discovered it last night.
\n \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcRegistry Office weddings became legal in the year after Voldemort’s first downfall. It was a time of complete chaos. The Ministry was a mess, worse than now.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 He flinched at the glare of his boss, but continued all the same. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcI have the relevant documentation right here,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 he thumped a fat pile of parchments, \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcand<\/em> we’ve got pensieved expertises of the curse-breaker Ewan Grant and the Unspeakable no. 007.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

He glanced at Andromeda in order to ask her permission to continue with his explanation. All he got was a curt nod. Andromeda had taken it upon herself to present his findings in a short summary to the Headmistress, Harry and Hermione, but she seemed to prefer to leave the explanations to her assistant.<\/p>\n

Percy took a deep breath and continued, trying to ignore how hot his cheeks suddenly felt.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcWhen the Chalice pronounced your marriage null and void, the judges\u00e2\u20ac\u201dand everybody else, really\u00e2\u20ac\u201dassumed<\/em> that the verdict said you married Severus Snape only to keep him out of prison.That<\/em> would have been obstruction of justice, a crime in itself, a reason to revoke his probation, and the beginning of his life sentence in Azkaban.
\n \u00e2\u20ac\u2122As it turns out, this was not the case at all!
\n \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcThe Chalice could not pass a correct verdict on the legitimacy of your marriage, because it simply did not know<\/em> that Registry Office marriages are legal to start with. It was never updated with that information. It was still working under the assumption that only magical marriages performed according to the old rites are legal. And\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Percy cleared his throat. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcAll of those\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6demand consummation of marriage during the wedding night.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Sad News<\/h3>\n
\n

MURDERS IN AMERICA<\/strong>\u00e2\u20ac\u201dFIVE FAMILIES WIPED OUT<\/strong><\/p>\n

Five families of Muggle-born wizards discovered dead at campsite in Yellowstone Park.<\/em><\/p>\n

On Thursday, September 7, five wizarding families were discovered dead in their tents at a small campsite in a remote corner of Yellowstone Park. Three women\u00e2\u20ac\u201dCamilla Perkins, Hestia Silverman, Jenny Thomson\u00e2\u20ac\u201dand two men\u00e2\u20ac\u201dJames Orbison and Peter Radcliff\u00e2\u20ac\u201dwere graduates of Salem Academy. All of them had married Muggle.<\/p>\n

Every year they spent a holiday together, camping in a national park together with their children and familiars.<\/p>\n

Along with their parents, five children and an unborn baby were killed. Three of them were already confirmed to have magical abilities. Two children, currently attending Salem Academy, have survived the tragedy.<\/p>\n

The Secret Service of Sorcerers (SSS) has examined the site of the crime, so far without any results\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

oooOooo<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcAll members of the staff except Madam Pomfrey and Mr. Filch are needed in the staff room after breakfast, please!\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 The face of Headmistress McGonagall was very pale and her voice was shaking slightly, as she hurried towards the High Table five minutes too late on Friday morning.<\/p>\n

Hermione exchanged a worried glance with Draco. The bowl of steaming porridge in front of her suddenly looked a lot less appetizing than mere seconds earlier. But Minerva McGonagall sat down without a word or a glance at her colleagues. Whatever had happened would have to wait until the meeting.<\/p>\n

Gritting her teeth, Hermione drizzled honey over her porridge and began to eat. She needed her strength, with a full school-day ahead of her, complete with the horror of Advanced Potions, the Little Monsters aka the new First Years and two Study Groups to supervise in the afternoon. But it was hard to keep eating as if nothing had happened, when each time Minerva McGonagall tried to stir her tea, she trembled so hard that her spoon crashed noisily against the porcelain.<\/p>\n

oooOooo<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcLadies and Gentlemen, professors.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Minerva inhaled deeply. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcI have sad news.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

Hermione started, clapping her hands to her mouth to suppress a scream. It couldn’t\u00e2\u20ac\u201dit mustn’t\u00e2\u20ac\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcThe parents and siblings of two of our students were murdered last night.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

Oh God.
\n It’s not Severus.<\/em>
\n Oh God.
\n Killed?
\n Not Severus.<\/em> But\u00e2\u20ac\u201dkilled?<\/p>\n

Hermione’s hands curled convulsively around the armrests of her highback chair.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcJust before breakfast I was informed by the Head of the Office of Aurors that the families of Alyah Beiond and Barret Cruddace have been killed.
\n \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcArdashir and Felicity Beiond and their two twin sons Koroush and Mehrdad, Anne and Phillipp Cruddace and their baby-daughter Vera are dead.
\n \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcFelicity was Muggle-born, as were Anne and Phillipp.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Minerva McGonagall’s hands shook slightly as she put the parchment down that obviously contained the official notice of the murders. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcThere is\u00e2\u20ac\u201dagain\u00e2\u20ac\u201dno trace of the killers, although the Aurors arrived at the Beiond household at a time when\u00e2\u20ac\u201dwhen\u00e2\u20ac\u201dthe bodies were still\u00e2\u20ac\u201dstill\u00e2\u20ac\u201dwarm.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Minerva’s voice was very quiet. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcAlyah and Barret are in the Hospital Wing at the moment. Alyah has distant relations in Iran. Barret has a Muggle uncle in Cornwall. It will take some time until everything is settled regarding the funerals and their guardianship. I ask all members of the staff to provide as much assistance they can. I will inform the students before lunch. Before the newspapers arrive.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

oooOooo<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hermione was scared.<\/p>\n

She was well prepared. But then she was always<\/em> well prepared.<\/p>\n

She was still scared.<\/p>\n

She had the complete documentation of the updates of the Chalice of Neith. She had the expertises of Ewan Grant and the Unspeakable 007, as well as Percy Weasley and Andromeda Tonks-Black to back her up.<\/p>\n

But she was still <\/em>scared.<\/p>\n

Harry met Hermione at the visitors’ entrance of the Ministry and escorted her to the Minister’s office. Percy accompanied them, carrying a last-minute stack of folders for Hermione. Both wizards assured her that nothing could go wrong. She did trust them, after all. Hermione tried to smile at them and failed miserably.<\/p>\n

She was still scared.<\/p>\n

She had to go to the audience with the Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt, on her own. A life depended on the decision of the Minister. On how she presented their case. And not just any life. The life of her husband.<\/em><\/p>\n

She was so horribly, horribly scared.<\/p>\n

oooOooo<\/strong><\/p>\n

Her feet sank deeply into the lush Persian carpet in the Minister’s office. The watch-wizards scowled at her, their wands at the ready. Then Shacklebolt was there, splendid in pin-striped robes and turban. But he smiled at her readily and grasped her hand to squeeze it reassuringly. He was still tall and dark. But he didn’t look as friendly as she remembered him. There were lines in his face she didn’t recall and a hard light to his eyes. But his voice was as pleasantly deep and rumbling as when they were introduced in the months before Voldemort’s defeat.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcPlease sit down, Hermione. And now tell me what in Merlin’s namehas been going on in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

Hermione sank down on the chair he indicated and inhaled deeply. Now or never.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcSir, it’s really a huge misunderstanding. The verdict that sent my husband to Azkaban was not correct, because the Chalice of Neith was not appropriately updated concerning all wizarding laws. Therefore it based its decision on the wrong legal premises. Please, sir. You need to issue a pardon. You need to release my husband from Azkaban.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

Shacklebolt frowned. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcExactly which laws are you referring to, Hermione?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

Heat crept into her cheeks. She concentrated on the blue letter-weight on Shacklebolt’s desk. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcThe changes made in the 1982 ‘Magical Marriage and Divorce Bill’<\/em> were never put into the Chalice.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcWhat changes were that?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Shacklebolt asked.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcThe ones that didn’t require consummation of marriage according to the old rites for Registry Office weddings.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Hermione couldn’t meet the Minister’s eyes.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcHermione. Are you trying to tell me that the Chalice of Neith sent Snape to Azkaban because you’re still a virgin?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Grateful Dead<\/h3>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcThis,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Shacklebolt said solemnly, \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcis a ministerial pardon. It is irrevocable. Your husband will be free tonight.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

She stared at the scroll. Three heavy seals dangled from the parchment: small and red, the official Ministry seal; medium-sized and blue, the Minister’s personal seal; and last but not least, huge and golden, the seal attributed to Arthur Pendragon, irrevocable, and infused with mythical and magical powers.<\/p>\n

Kingsley gazed at Hermione with his cocoa-coloured eyes. His voice was smooth as honey. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcI do understand that magical law and wizarding society required a trial for Severus Snape. After all, he did<\/em> kill Albus Dumbledore and was present at other murders, if perhaps not directly involved. But whatever Severus Snape has done, whatever he had<\/em> to do\u00e2\u20ac\u201dwithout him, we could never have defeated Voldemort.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

The Minister sighed. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcI cannot express adequately how sorry I am that your marriage was used as a reason to put him into Azkaban. This is a perversion of justice unworthy of the wizarding world.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

Shacklebolt straightened. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcI assure you, the Chalice of Neith will be put where it belongs now: into a museum<\/em>.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

A knock sounded at the door. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcThat will be Harry. I assume you’ll want to go to Azkaban right away in order to retrieve your husband.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 The minister’s eyes darkened with sympathy, as he continued, \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcI’ve given orders that the costs for any medi-magical services you should require will be covered by the Ministry.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcThank you, Minister,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Hermione whispered. She felt dizzy, light-headed with relief and fear.<\/p>\n

oooOooo<\/strong><\/p>\n

So this was Azkaban.<\/p>\n

A dreary rock in the North Sea, frozen and weather-beaten, the epitome of hopelessness. And that was an improved<\/em> and cheerful <\/em>Azkaban, an Azkaban without<\/em>Dementors as guards. But Harry could sense their presence all the same, in the cold that seeped into his bones, his heart and his thoughts within mere seconds after his arrival, in the way the colours faded around him, leaving only black and shades of grey, grief and guilt.<\/p>\n

He shoved some chocolate into his mouth and another piece into Hermione’s hand. He tried to remember what Lupin had told him, just a few years ago at Hogwarts, about how bad memories made the effects of Dementors worse.<\/p>\n

Harry had even more bad memories now than he’d had back then.<\/p>\n

He glanced at Hermione. White-faced and shaken, she was clearly carrying her own share of horrible memories by now.More than her share,<\/em> he thought bitterly. Quickly he reached for her hand and squeezed it hard, as they followed a watch-wizard in the grey robes of Azkaban to cellblock C.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcJust a few minutes, and we’re out of here, Hermione. Poppy, Mugwort and Alina are waiting for us at Hogwarts. Everything will be okay.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

Hopefully.<\/em><\/p>\n

oooOooo<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Hermione<\/p>\n

Hermione dashed into the cell as soon as the guard tossed open the heavy iron door. A moment later, Harry heard the sound of choked sobs, and Hermione appeared again, her eyes wild and blurred with tears.<\/p>\n

His heart tightened. She <\/em>really loves Snape, <\/em>he thought. She truly does. Just the way I love Ginny. <\/em>Shit. Who’d have thought that’s possible.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcHa\u00e2\u20ac\u201c Harry\u00e2\u20ac\u201dI\u00e2\u20ac\u201dI need your robes, and I\u00e2\u20ac\u201dI can’t get him up on my own.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

She was trembling all over. Harry was out of his robes and holding them out to Hermione the moment he stepped into the cell.<\/p>\n

He blinked, trying to make sense of his surroundings\u00e2\u20ac\u201dand stopped dead.<\/p>\n

The cell was icy. A crenel high in the left-hand wall was the only window, just wide enough to let in wind and rain and almost no light. The stones of the walls and the floor were dark and damp. Snape lay on the floor in the farthest corner of the tiny room, curled into ball, unconscious, intermittent shivers chased over his skin. The man was completely naked and rail-thin. Bruises darkened his back, his ribs, hips and thighs.<\/p>\n

Obviously Dementors were not the only beings you needed to be scared of in Azkaban.<\/p>\n

A fine rage was beginning to simmer in Harry’s blood. He’d never liked<\/em> the man who lay in the corner of this dungeon. But he owed him so much. And no one, no one<\/em>, deserved to be reduced to\u00e2\u20ac\u201dto this\u00e2\u20ac\u201dthis husk, this shell of a human being.<\/p>\n

The watch-wizard’s smirk was not lost on him. Harry glared at the guard and was gratified to see how the swarthy man wilted under his stare.<\/p>\n

Harry strode over to Hermione’s side. She had dropped to her knees next to her husband and was carefully wrapping him into Harry’s robes now.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcIf you support him from the left, and I from the right, we should manage,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Harry suggested. Hermione nodded shakily. Between the two of them, they eventually got Snape up, if not exactly on his feet.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcToo bad you can’t use wand-magic in here,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Harry muttered. The corridors and stairs to the Apparition point seemed endless. But at last they arrived. Harry narrowed his eyes at Hermione. If she wasn’t able to Apparate safely, they needed more help.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcAre you all right?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 he asked. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcIf you don’t feel up to it, we can get more help. It will only take a few minutes.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

Hermione inhaled a shuddering breath, clutching the lifeless weight of her husband closer. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcI’m\u00e2\u20ac\u201dI can do it.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

Suddenly her eyes grew round as she really looked at Harry for the first time since they had entered the prison. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcYou’re wearing a ‘Grateful Dead’<\/em> t-shirt to Azkaban???\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

Harry glanced down a the ratty t-shirt that hung haphazardly over his Levis 501 and grinned. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcNot my idea. Duds has developed a weird sense of humour lately. He seemed to think it would be an appropriate statement.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcWait a minute, Harry\u00e2\u20ac\u201dDudley Dursley <\/em>gave you a t-shirt of an American rock-band to wear to Azkaban today?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

Harry’s grin broadened. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcYep. He did.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

He tightened his grip on Snape and reached for Hermione’s free hand at the same time.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcLet’s get your husband home, shall we?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Not Good At All<\/h3>\n

They arrived with a CRACK at a discreet spot just beyond the gardens of Hogwarts. Headmistress McGonagall, along with Madam Pomfrey and Healer Mugwort, were already waiting for them. Alina stood a few feet away, small and pale, her hands clutching the smallest Necromantic bell to her chest.<\/p>\n

With Harry’s help Hermione lowered her husband’s tall frame to the ground. Snape did not gain consciousness or react in any way to the change of his surroundings. He simply lay on the damp green grass in black robes that were much too short for him. Now and again a wrenching shudder gripped his body.<\/p>\n

Healer Mugwort and Madam Pomfrey moved towards Snape at once, their wands drawn, their expressions grim, Hermione took a step back. Desperately, she twisted her fingers together. A sudden shiver ran down her spine and made her tremble. Suddenly a strong hand gripped her elbow and steadier her. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcTake a deep breath, girl,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Minerva McGonagall’s voice admonished her, the deep roll of her r’s betraying the fact that the Headmistress was not as composed as she appeared to be. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcYou brought him back.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

Hermione swallowed hard and exhaled deeply. But her knees remained wobbly. In front of her, the two witches finished their diagnostic spells. When Mugwort flicked her wand, Severus’ body obediently lifted to float in the air, with Harry’s robes trailing on the ground below him.<\/p>\n

Madam Pomfrey stepped up to Hermione and Minerva. Her face was set in grim lines.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcHe’s alive, but we cannot wake him. You’ll need the help of that little girl to bring him back from wherever he escaped to.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 The Hogwarts matron cast a sympathetic glance at Alina. Then she turned to Hermione and spoke in a lowered voice. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcHe’s suffering from dehydration, malnutrition and hypothermia. He was beaten up and raped. However, if<\/em> we can bring him back, I don’t think he has sustained any life-threatening injuries. His mental state is of course a different matter.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

Hermione just stared at the lifeless form of her husband as it hovered above the green grass. She’d never noticed before how lush and green the grass still was in September. Her fingernails bit painfully into her palms.<\/p>\n

Next to her someone inhaled deeply. She looked up and realised that Harry was still there\u00e2\u20ac\u201dand he was looking positively murderous. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcThat guard,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 he ground out between gritted teeth. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcHe’ll wish he’d never<\/em> been born.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

Madam Pomfrey sniffed appreciatively. But Mugwort met Harry’s eyes squarely. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcIf his guards had been Dementors, Mr. Potter, your friend’s husband might even be dead by now. What kind of guards did you expect in a place like Azkaban? Teddy-bears? And now I suggest that we get going.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

oooOooo<\/strong><\/p>\n

Healer Mugwort turned to Hermione and reached for her hands. Her grip was strong and solid. Hazel eyes met Hermione’s without hesitation. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcHe has suffered through worse before. And he is no longer alone. He may not be able to show that, but it will<\/em> make a difference.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

Hermione nodded mutely. She wanted to believe the Healer’s words. But she felt so horribly helpless.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcHere,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Mugwort said and pressed a jar of bruise balm into Hermione’s hands. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcWe’ll treat his injuries while he’s floating around in limbo. Then you and that little Necromancer can bring him back.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

oooOooo<\/strong><\/p>\n

He was fragile under her fingers. She could count his ribs. His skin felt like paper, thin and dry. Her gentle ministrations seemed to leave more bruises instead of healing the ones that already disfigured his body.<\/p>\n

It was strange to touch him in such an intimate manner while he was unconscious. Especially as he had been so careful not to expose himself to her like this before, always keeping back, always withdrawing whenever they had come too close.<\/p>\n

But Madam Pomfrey and especially Healer Mugwort made it easier. Both women kept up a running commentary about what they did and why\u00e2\u20ac\u201dsalves to ease bruises and lacerations, inside and out, spells to fuse together broken ribs and charms to warm his body slowly. Curiously enough they used a Muggle device to combat his dehydration: an IV that serenely floated midair next to the four poster bed.<\/p>\n

The healers were very matter-of-factly and confident in what they did. They never seemed to notice his nakedness, his helplessness, the tears in Hermione’s eyes or her shaking hands. That helped. And disconcerting as it was, it also helped that Severus remained unconscious and unaware the whole time they treated him.<\/p>\n

oooOooo<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcAlina?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Hermione’s voice echoed in the corridor. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcWe need you now.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

Alina jumped, her heart racing. It had been awful to wait in the corridor in front of the entrance to the private quarters of her Head of House. Every now and again one of her friends had peeked around the corner at the far end of the hallway, but none had dared to come closer. Rumours were flying faster than eagle-owls between the Houses. By now there was probably no pupil in Hogwarts who didn’t know that Professor Snape had been brought back.<\/p>\n

Alina nodded and clutched her bell closer. They’d talked about it and decided that it would be best if Alina put Hermione to sleep so they could both go and look for Professor Snape, because Hermione was more likely to find him. But only Alina could bring him back. The really tricky part was that they couldn’t risk to ring the bell where Professor Snape might hear it, because they didn’t know what it would do. So they had to do that in Hermione’s quarters. The Headmistress had even bespelled Hermione’s bedroom, to keep the sound of the bell Ranna contained. Once Alina and Hermione were asleep, Healer Mugwort would look in on them, while Madam Pomfrey would guard Professor Snape.<\/p>\n

Alina took a deep breath. Hermione looked awful. Her face was white. Her lips, too. Her hair was as wild as her eyes.<\/p>\n

She looked so horribly scared<\/em>.<\/p>\n

It wasn’t good if adults looked that scared. Not good at all.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Hold Me in Peace<\/h3>\n

The darkness was not as frightening as before. Now Hermione knew what to expect. But the river was closer this time, its rushing voice strangely spellbinding. Alina’s grip tightened painfully on her hand as they wandered the banks of the River of Death.<\/p>\n

oooOooo<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcSeverus. I’m here. You’re free. Please open your eyes. We’ve brought you home. You’re at Hogwarts now. We’ve got a ministerial pardon. You’re free. Please wake up. Severus? Do you hear me?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

oooOooo<\/strong><\/p>\n

Far away he heard her voice. He remembered when he’d heard it first. Just a little while ago, it seemed. It had been higher then, a child’s voice, raised in an eager question. Distantly he marvelled at the miracle of time that had taken away the foolhardy, nosy, annoying child and left a woman in its place, a courageous, intelligent, annoying <\/em>woman.<\/p>\n

You’re free.<\/em><\/p>\n

But there was her hand<\/em> on his and he could feel her frantic pulse. And at her side, he sensed the presence of another Necromancer\u00e2\u20ac\u201dthe girl, Alina. So young, so horribly young. Already so strong. With no one to teach her. Damn<\/em> that coward Quirrell.<\/p>\n

Free.<\/em><\/p>\n

Weariness flowed over him, threatened to tow him under. Deep darkness beckoned beyond the cold, swift currents of the river. Velvet skies and blazing stars. Soothing silence.<\/p>\n

Free.<\/em><\/p>\n

Lips pressed down on his mouth. Soft and hot. Gentle and demanding. Fire raced through his veins. His heart thumped in his chest. An awkward, one-armed embrace tethered him to existence. Salty tears that dripped onto his neck reminded him of his thirst. A thirst that no river could slake, least of all the one he lay next to.<\/p>\n

He opened his eyes. She was lovely even in this shadowy realm. She was his<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcHermione.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

oooOooo<\/strong><\/p>\n

The noise of the river faded. Mists enveloped her. She felt incredibly light. She could have floated away.<\/p>\n

Insistent hands kept tugging at her. Annoyed, Hermione opened her eyes. Alina was pulling at her arm as if she was trying to wrench it from its socket.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcI’m\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 She shook her head and blinked lids heavy as lead. Her voice sounded blurred as if she’d had too much to drink. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcI’m awake, Alina. Stop that.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

She managed to prop herself up on her elbows. Suddenly someone was at her side and helped her sit up. Healer Mugwort.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcLooks like we’re all back,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Hermione rasped and shivered. Her clothes were damp and her skin cold, as if she’d taken a walk through the foggy hills around Hogwarts.<\/p>\n

Mugwort raised an eyebrow. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcSo I see. Drink this.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

The healer put a vial to Hermione’s lips. Hermione swallowed obediently. It was Pepper-Up, the bite unmistakable and not entirely unpleasant. Heat flowed through Hermione’s body and cleared the cobwebs from her mind. She sat up and swung her legs over the edge of her bed. Alina crawled across the bed to sit next to her like a small black-and-white kitten.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcI’m okay, Alina,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Hermione said softly and reached for the child. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcAnd\u00e2\u20ac\u201dProfessor Snape will be all right, too. Thanks to you.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

She drew the girl against her. Hermione could feel how Alina was shaking. She bit down on her lip, torn between the need to rush to Severus’ side and to comfort the girl who had saved him\u00e2\u20ac\u201dhopefully.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcAlina, Hermione has to go and see to Professor Snape now,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Mugwort said calmly. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcAnd I need to take a good look at you<\/em> and make sure that you’re all right after this little adventure.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

oooOooo<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hesitantly, Hermione opened the door. Poppy Pomfrey was bent over the still form of the Potions master. With her left hand she was taking his pulse, while performing a diagnostic spell with her right. When she noticed Hermione hesitating on the threshold, she nodded towards her.<\/p>\n

Hermione inched into the room, chewing nervously on her lower lip.<\/p>\n

At long last Poppy straightened up. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcHe is asleep now. Normal, ordinary, healthy sleep. His condition is stable and his physical injuries should heal within a few days without lasting consequences. As for the rest\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 She cast a pitying look at the still form of the black-haired man. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcLet him sleep and heal. Be with him. Stay calm.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

Hope for the best. Be prepared for the worst.<\/em><\/p>\n

But the Hogwarts matron did not say that. She just smiled encouragingly at Hermione and briefly squeezed her arm, as she brushed passed Hermione on her way to the door.<\/p>\n

oooOooo<\/strong><\/p>\n

He looked alien among the warm earth colours that dominated his bedroom, all stark contrast of blacks and whites. Black hair, fading black bruises, black pyjamas. White linen, sallow skin. Severus lay on his back, perfectly still, his lank hair spread out on the pillow. His breaths were shallow, but unforced and comforting in their regular rhythm.<\/p>\n

For a long moment Hermione simply watched her husband breathing.<\/p>\n

You’re back,<\/em> she thought. You’re free. You’re safe. And oh God, how much I love you.<\/em><\/p>\n

She took a deep, relieved breath. But the inhalation turned into a face-splitting yawn. The excitement of the last weeks changed into exhaustion and came to rest on her shoulders with a heavy weight.<\/p>\n

Still yawning, Hermione crept around the bed. She extracted her nightshirt from underneath her pillow and unfolded it. Today the objects that lay inside made her smile. She circled the bed once more and carefully laid Severus’ wands on his bedside-table within easy reach.<\/p>\n

With another yawn, Hermione put on her nightshirt. She crawled under the covers. The linen felt good on her skin, clean and crisp. She slid towards Severus. Although his perfume had faded from his skin, she could still smell the base notes of the fragrance she’d come to associate with him. Spicy, earthy. Complex. <\/em>Hermione felt a slow smile curl up the corners of her mouth. Complex indeed.<\/em> As she listened to the soothing sound of his breathing, a deep sense of peace settled on her. She snuggled closer and put her arms around her husband, to hold him while he slept and healed.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Wake Me<\/h3>\n

Hermione woke first. She woke slowly. For the first time in weeks she didn’t startle awake, jumping from nightmares into wakefulness with nausea wrenching her stomach and her mind reeling. Instead she became gradually aware of warmth and darkness. She lay with her eyes closed. A subtle scent of spices enveloped her, and the soft sound of breathing drifted to her ears.<\/p>\n

Suddenly her heartbeat quickened and her stomach tightened.<\/p>\n

She opened her eyes.<\/p>\n

oooOooo<\/strong><\/p>\n

They lay on their sides, facing towards the middle of the bed. Her left hand and his right hand were stretched towards each other, almost touching, but not quite.<\/p>\n

Hermione sucked in her breath and tried to calm the nervous beating of her heart. She could feel her rapid pulse inside her throat.<\/p>\n

He was here. He was<\/em>\u00e2\u20ac\u201dTears sprang to her eyes as the events of the day before replayed with horrifying clarity in her mind.<\/p>\n

Azkaban. By the time they had reached cellblock C, it was an effort to move. In spite of the chocolate Harry kept pressing on her at random intervals. She’d felt so weak that all she wanted to do was to lean against the cold, damp walls and slide down to the ground. In the narrow gloom of a winding staircase mounting the next step had turned into such a supreme effort she didn’t even have the strength to cry.<\/p>\n

At that point it occurred to Hermione that she counted her erstwhile Boggart as one of her happier moments by now. This thought was so bizarre it dispelled her stupor sufficiently to be able to ascend the last steps.<\/p>\n

And then there had been no time to think anymore at all.<\/p>\n

She blinked away her tears and looked at his face as he slept. Always thin and bony, his face was gaunt now, the cheeks hollow, his eyes lying deep in the skull. The lines in his face, that cut into his forehead between his eyebrows and that bracketed his mouth formed deep crevices.<\/p>\n

OH GOD, the way she had found him in that cell. A silent scream rose in her mind. To see him like that, nude, exposed, abused, helpless, after what she knew<\/em> had happened to him before\u00e2\u20ac\u201dbut knowing, knowing is not seeing\u00e2\u20ac\u201dher whole body tensed at the memory. Involuntarily her left hand brushed against his.<\/p>\n

He opened his eyes. For a moment Severus stared at her in confusion. Then he stilled, his body coiled, ready to spring, as his gaze focused, black and piercing as ever. Hermione bit down on her lip until it hurt. Her eyes were brimming with tears, but she didn’t even dare to blink. A tear escaped, sliding from the corner of her right eye down to the pillow. Another flowed down to her left nostril.<\/p>\n

Severus exhaled softly. With his breath, the tension drained from his body. He regarded her with glittering eyes.<\/p>\n

Unsteadily he moved his right arm. He frowned at his weakness. His expression turned to one of intense concentration, as he brought his hand up to her face. Gently he caressed her cheek and nose, his index-finger and middle-finger slightly curled. In the air above him, the IV followed his movements like a strange, translucent buoy.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcSurely you do not cry for me?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 His voice was harsh and hoarse, almost like during the first days of his recovery in the previous year. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcI’m here, Hermione. I’m here.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 He coughed painfully. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcFree, I presume.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

She nodded vigorously.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcIf not,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 he grimaced, stretched stiffly and glowered at the IV, \u00e2\u20ac\u02dccompletely unharmed.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

Her eyes spilled over in a flood of silent tears. He dropped his hand to hers, covering her fist with his hand. Curling his long, slender fingers around hers, he forced her fist open, until he could take her hand.<\/p>\n

For a long while they lay in silence, as Hermione cried and Severus held her hand.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcI wasn’t there, Hermione. Whatever they did\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 A dead look settled in his eyes, leaving them as hard and uncompromising as obsidian. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dc\u00e2\u20ac\u201c they did it to an empty shell.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

Hermione winced. Her fingers intertwined with Severus’, holding on tight.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcBut,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 her voice was thick with tears and suppressed horror. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcBut this, this body, that is<\/em> you.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcIt is now<\/em>.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 He caught her gaze. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcBecause you<\/em> and Alina woke me. It wasn’t then<\/em> and there.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

A frown creased his forehead. The skin tightened around his eyes, until the veins at his temples shone through the pale skin with a blue-green shimmer.<\/p>\n

The evidence of pain in her husband’s face overcame her emotional turmoil. Hermione sat up. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcPoppy’s left several things for you. Calming Draught and a Pain Potion, more bruise balm and something\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Hermione concentrated on the duvet, trying to discern the individual threads that made up the fabric. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dc\u00e2\u20ac\u201c something to heal\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6inner lacerations and prevent infection.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

Hermione got up quickly and moved to his side of the bed, picking up the Pain Potion first. Following her movements, Severus turned onto his back. Judging from the way he narrowed his eyes, she thought that this position must be more uncomfortable. She bit down on her lips and uncorked the phial. Knowing better than to try to just feed a potion to a Potions Master, she held the small glass bottle out to him so he could smell it. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcIt’s from your own stock.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

He nodded, his lips thinning at his increasing discomfort. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcMake that two doses, please.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

She did. To her surprise and apprehension, he also accepted the Calming Draught, a triple dose of it. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcI have not succumbed to substance abuse, Hermione,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 he commented, when he noticed her surreptitious glance at him. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcBut due to\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6my way of life I’ve acquired an unfortunately high threshold level for many medicinal potions.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

When she picked up the pots with the salves, he shook his head. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcIf\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 He scowled at her. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcIf you could maybe help me to the bathroom. I would\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6much prefer to do that<\/em> myself.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Slake My Thirst<\/h3>\n

Hermione hovered near the door, discomfited and worried. He had needed her help to reach the bathroom. Even so their progress had been slow and unsteady. She nervously sucked on her lower lip. She understood his need for privacy. But what if he collapsed in the bathroom?<\/p>\n

Her stomach roiling, she paced. Window, door, window. Door.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcHermione? I\u00e2\u20ac\u201dI think I need\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 She winced at the undertone of bitter disgust in his voice. But she didn’t hesitate for a second and simply opened the door, keeping her head down.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcCan I help you with something?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcI am\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6a little stiff.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

She snorted, taking refuge to sarcasm. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcAn understatement if ever I heard one.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

She looked up, meeting his familiar scowl. His forbidding expression made her feel better instantly. Freshly showered, his hair still damp, Severus sat on a thick green towel that covered the toilet lid, holding onto the washbasin with his left hand. He was wearing only his pyjama bottoms. The bruises on his front had faded to pale shadows, while the ones on his back still stood out in stark contrast, green and black splotches on sallow skin.<\/p>\n

His eyes glittered dangerously. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcWould you prefer me to whine and wail?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

But the corners of his mouth seemed to twitch ever so slightly.<\/p>\n

Hermione raised her eyebrows. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcYou? Whine and wail? As if you’d ever. But it’s good to hear you gnash your rather formidable teeth and snarl at me again.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

She stepped forwards and took the jar from him. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcAllow me, please.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

Wordlessly, he leaned against the washbasin, placing his forehead onto his arms. His black hair fell forwards like a curtain, hiding his face.<\/p>\n

Hermione scrutinized his back. She swallowed hard.<\/p>\n

Each vertebra was clearly outlined, pale skin stretched tight over the bones. The graceful curve of his ribs was painfully visible. The bruises and contusions had dulled compared to the previous day, but the discoloured marks that liberally spattered his back still indicated clearly that someone had done his level best to beat Severus Snape into a pulp. Hermione took a deep breath and scooped up some bruise balm. When her fingers made contact with his skin, Severus gasped and flinched.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcSorry,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 she cried, afraid she’d hurt him even with that light touch.<\/p>\n

But he shook his head. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcNo, no\u00e2\u20ac\u201dit’s all right. Go ahead.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

This bruise looked like the imprint of a boot. Others, at his lower back, must be marks left by fingers clawing at his flesh. The spots near his neck might be wand marks. But the bruise balm was strong. The contusions faded visibly right under her fingers. Severus’ breathing grew easier with each careful stroke. Indeed, judging from the way his breathing evened out, he seemed to enjoy her touches. Hermione began to lose herself in her task, rubbing and stroking with gentle, soothing fingers. She barely noticed when she was done, and medicinal ministrations turned into caresses. Only when he shivered under her hands, she jumped, mortified.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcI’m sorry, you must be cold, you need to go back to\u00e2\u20ac\u201c\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

For the first time since she’d begun, he raised his head. He captured her gaze. His black eyes were burning, his cheeks were flushed, his lips slightly parted. He licked his lips slowly, before he spoke, enunciating each word carefully, \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcI am not cold.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

Even more embarrassed, Hermione dropped her gaze\u00e2\u20ac\u201dand brought her head up sharply, when she was confronted with unmistakable evidence that he was indeed not feeling cold at all. He reached for her and clasped his hands around her wrists, drawing her towards him, until she was barely an inch away. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcNot cold at all.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

His hands slid around her waist, almost circling her slight girth. Now it was her turn to gasp. The blaze in his eyes intensified, but he made no move to pull her closer still.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcUnfortunately you are right. I think I should go back to bed.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 A wry smile flickered over his lips and he groaned, obviously suppressing a yawn in spite of his arousal. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcAnd just to sleep, I’m afraid, for the time being.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

Although her heart was pounding and her insides were almost liquid with desire, Hermione nodded. She lowered her head towards him and brushed her cheek against his. Their sighs mingled, soft and desirous.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcSleep, dearest, and heal, and wake again to the sun’s smiling.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcIf I just wake to your smile,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 he murmured, his voice blurring with fatigue, \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcI’ll be content.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

oooOooo<\/strong><\/p>\n

When Hermione woke the next morning, she found him watching her. She allowed herself to become mesmerized by his intense black stare\u00e2\u20ac\u201dshe enjoyed the way his gaze caused an instant jolt of desire to erupt within her. Something changed in the depth of his eyes. As if a new spark struck smouldering embers. Her heart seemed to skip a beat before it resumed a frantic rhythm that pulsed in every fibre of her body. He shifted closer to her, until they lay just an inch apart. Like a wave, the warmth of his body flowed against her.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcAre you sure?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 she asked worriedly.<\/p>\n

An elegant black eyebrow quirked with amusement. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcShouldn’t I <\/em>be asking you<\/em> that question?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcHmpf.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Her hands crept up to hide cheeks that burned with embarrassment, just to be curled away by long and nimble fingers.<\/p>\n

She gasped at his touch. But she was still concerned. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcAre you really sure that you\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

He scowled a little, but the effect was ruined by the way his lips were already parted, ready to kiss her. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcTrust me, Hermione. A man knows<\/em> if he is able to do what I have in mind to do to you now.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 His right hand slid into her curls and to the back of her neck, pulling her closer. Closer. Closer.<\/em> Until he was only a breath away from kissing her.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcI feel a terrible thirst for you, Hermione. I cannot wait any longer.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcThen don’t,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 she breathed.<\/p>\n

A heartbeat later his lips covered hers.<\/p>\n

oooOooo<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

oooOooo<\/strong><\/p>\n

In Your Love<\/h3>\n

(Part 2 of “Slake My Thirst”)<\/h4>\n

When Hermione’s lips parted in a soft sigh, Severus deepened the kiss, sliding his tongue inside her mouth. Gently he teased and twirled in liquid caresses, while his fingers massaged the back of her neck, rubbing the base of her skull in tiny circles.<\/p>\n

He seemed to enjoy her hair, because he thrust his hands into her riotous curls, and twisted and twined them around his fingers in endless strokes and swirls.<\/p>\n

She felt as if she was floating, when he drew away from her lips at last. A small sound of protest escaped her. She couldn’t get enough of his kisses. They were the strangest mixture of silk and steel, soft and demanding at once. Hermione inhaled deeply. He smelled of sweat and bed, and the special fragrance of his home-made shower-gel and perfume underneath: vetyver, nutmeg, cypress, rosemary, bergamot. Her stomach quivered, desire and delight squeezing her insides in desirous anticipation.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcI love the way you smell,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 she whispered.<\/p>\n

Her hands went to his face, cupping his cheeks, smoothing his skin, trailing the lines that the ordeal of the last weeks had deepened so harshly. His hair was tangled and slick after a day and a night spent in bed, but she couldn’t care less. She drew herself up on her knees, so she could reach him better, while his hands travelled down to her shoulders, to her waist, stroking her, kneading her. With a quick, determined movement she slid onto his body, carefully steering free of his erection\u00e2\u20ac\u201dyet.<\/p>\n

For a moment she halted, hypnotized by his fathomless black eyes.<\/p>\n

Then she bent down. First she brushed a feathery kiss across the bridge of his nose, wishing to ease the frown-line there. Then she moved lower, exploring his nose with her lips until he sneezed and glared at her.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcStop that,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 he growled.<\/p>\n

He narrowed his eyes and squeezed her sides with a clever twist of his long fingers. She squealed and squirmed. The movement shifted her lower and her giggle turned into a gasp as she felt him pressed against her. For a moment neither stirred. The grip of his hands around her waist loosened. If she had wanted to, she could have moved away.<\/p>\n

But she didn’t want to.<\/p>\n

Desire coiled and uncoiled inside her, tightening her womb in anticipation. She could feel how the sensitive places between her thighs were growing slick with need. Hermione inhaled deeply, then pushed down lightly, nerves and need spurring on her Gryffindor courage. A moan from Severus was her reward. She lowered her head again. His eyes were so black that she couldn’t make out where the pupil ended and the iris began.<\/p>\n

His lips beckoned, the fragile curves of his upper lip, the fuller softness of the lower. He had such a sensitive, expressive mouth, Hermione decided. But all too often tight or thin with anger or unhappiness. She slid her lips over his, barely brushing skin against skin. His hands moved along her hips, her thighs, to the hem of her nightshirt. Emboldened, she nipped at his lip. His hands moved underneath her shirt. Now it was her turn to moan.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcLet me see you,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 he murmured, his voice rough. He bunched up the fabric around her hips and pushed it higher. Obediently, she lifted her arms. His hands stroked upwards and to the front of her body, until they cupped her breasts, the silk of her nightgown spilling over his hands and arms. Quickly she reached down and pulled the shirt completely over her head.<\/p>\n

She was not prepared for the expression on his face.<\/p>\n

Nature and necessity had conspired to force Severus to carefully guard the fa\u00c3\u00a7ade he presented to the world. Hermione was used to his countenance appearing enigmatic or unreadable, with the various shades of darkness that his eyes presented to the world and the slightest movement of his lips the only signs that might on occasion betray his thoughts or feelings.<\/p>\n

Now, suddenly, the veil had lifted, and his emotions played painfully clear over his face.<\/p>\n

Need.
\n Desire.<\/p>\n

And something she couldn’t define, something infinitely more gentle, almost like tenderness mingled with disbelief.<\/p>\n

Hermione leaned into his touch, pressing her breasts more fully into his hands. Severus groaned and involuntarily kneaded the sensitive tissue, until Hermione arched her back and gasped in surprise at the powerful feelings that surged through her body. Suddenly she did no longer want to sit above him. She needed more. More of his scent, his lips, his hands on her body. More.<\/p>\n

She wanted to feel him closer, preferably all over her.<\/p>\n

As if he had read her mind\u00e2\u20ac\u201dand he might have, after all\u00e2\u20ac\u201dhis hands slid to her sides again. Gripping her firmly, he pushed against her, while turning around at the same time. A moment later she lay on her back on the duvet, with Severus lying halfway across her. His erection pressed against her stomach, hard, insistent, and hot even through the fabric of his pyjama bottoms. Her stomach quivered, as she realised that he would soon be within her. Her heart thudded almost painfully.<\/p>\n

But she had no time to grow nervous, since he was already kissing her again, slowly, sensually, sliding over her lips, her jaws, down her throat, along the wide angle of her collarbones. When he twirled his tongue around her suprasternal notch, she distantly registered that it was her voice which was producing those high-pitched sounds of pleasure.<\/p>\n

Further down: kisses for her breasts. Chaste at first, then his clever tongue toyed with one nipple while his hand massaged the other breast. The lightest touch of teeth. And a pleased, predatory smile at her choked moan.<\/p>\n

Reaching her navel, he raised his head. When he was sure that she was really looking at him, he gave her a wicked grin and bent down, puffing and blowing into her navel until she convulsed in a helpless spasm. But he allowed her no respite. His fingers reached down and found the curls above the apex of her thighs. Hermione fell back on the bed with a powerless gasp. His fingers moved in slow circles, gradually drifting lower, while his mouth returned to her collarbone, travelling upwards this time.<\/p>\n

Instinctively Hermione spread her thighs to allow Severus easier access. At first his fingers feathered over her, scarcely grazing her skin. Her flesh seemed to pulse with her need for him. He kissed her the moment he slipped one of his long fingers between the wet folds of her sex. He began to slide his finger along the curve of her, brushing her mouth with his at the same time, in a twofold seesaw motion. The intensity of the dual caress was almost too much, and she barely recognised her voice as she chanted his name.<\/p>\n

Then his adroit finger found what he’d been looking for: the tiny pearl of her clitoris. Round with arousal, it was sensitive to the lightest touch. Hermione discovered that just as Severus could stir a potion to perfection, he could do the same with her desire. He teased her with silken caresses, slowing down and speeding up in a completely unpredictable rhythm that was driving her out of her mind.<\/p>\n

She needed three attempts until she managed to rasp, \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcSeverus, please!\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

She didn’t even know what she asked for. That he stopped teasing her and started fucking her? Or that he would keep torturing her with his hands, his lips and his tongue and the spicy scent that went straight to her head?<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcVery well,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 he sighed against her lips. His voice was hoarse, intense, tense. For a moment he cupped her pulsing flesh. Then he brought the pad of his thumb down on her swollen nub. The broader surface, the slightly rougher skin, an infinitesimal increase in pressure\u00e2\u20ac\u201dher body tensed against him, coiled\u00e2\u20ac\u201dready\u00e2\u20ac\u201dthe salty taste of desire flooded her mouth\u00e2\u20ac\u201dand\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6Her release pulsed helplessly against his thumb. She arched against him, she cried into his kiss, she shuddered in his arms.<\/p>\n

He gave her no time to recover her equilibrium or to grow apprehensive. With a swift movement he stripped off his pyjama bottoms and positioned himself over her. She had just a moment to look down and see him, hard, erect, a drop of white crowning his tip, before Severus lowered himself between her thighs.<\/p>\n

Then she saw only his eyes, felt his lips\u00e2\u20ac\u201dBefore a short, sharp pain ripped through her womb, making her cry out in shocked surprise.
\n He didn’t move, just held her close and watched her, until she caught her breath and relaxed in his arms again.<\/p>\n

Hermione met his black eyes and felt herself flush again, even at this singular and significant moment.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcThat was it?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 she asked, her voice breathless.<\/p>\n

He inclined his head slightly.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcThat was it,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 he agreed, his voice throaty, his eyes glazed with concentration.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcOhhh,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Hermione sighed.<\/p>\n

With that exhalation her body seemed to adjust to his presence within her and she wanted\u00e2\u20ac\u201dneeded\u00e2\u20ac\u201dto move. Instinctively she bucked against him, a tiny spasm that created a new kind of friction within her. She gasped with delight.<\/p>\n

Taking his cue, Severus lowered his head and kissed her once more, in a slow, demanding kiss, before he began to move within her. His rhythm was slow, almost soothing, but inexorable. Once the initial pain receded, Hermione’s universe almost imperceptibly shifted and changed.<\/p>\n

She’d never felt like this before. Filled. Complete. One half of a whole.<\/p>\n

Then there were his arms around her, his hands stroking her, his lips on her mouth, and again and again his eyes, so deep, so dark, but not cold anymore, no, not even dark in the ordinary sense of darkness, but filled with a strange, primeval fire\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/p>\n

His steady thrusts assaulted the coherence of her thoughts, fraying her consciousness, until all that was left was a gentle, rocking motion, an ever increasing need for proximity, his breath at her throat, his scent enveloping her, and somewhere, far away, sweet sighs of pleasure that couldn’t possibly be hers\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6Until she had no knowledge anymore of where she ended and where he began\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/p>\n

His rhythm claimed her.<\/p>\n

Soon he was the only thing left of the world. There was only his rhythm inside her, the delicious friction that brought her closer and closer to that last, painfully sweet moment of tension again\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/p>\n

Black eyes\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6Black hair\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6In sweaty tendrils\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/p>\n

Those beautiful lips.
\n That spot.
\n OH GOD.<\/p>\n

\"Hermione<\/p>\n

She convulsed around him, clinging weakly to his body as she cried out in her delight. But he held her tightly, as he silently thrust into her.<\/p>\n

Again.
\n Again.<\/p>\n

She could feel it as he spent himself within her, deep thrusts dissolving into slow, languid movements. At last he sank down on top of her. A moment later he made a move as if to roll off. But she twined her legs and arms around him, unwilling to let go, unwilling even to let him withdraw from her body.<\/p>\n

Only when the sweat grew cold on their bodies and Hermione shivered from the cold, Severus slipped out of her body, soft now, smaller. Just as it had caused her pain when he had sheathed himself within her first, she now experienced a curious pang of pain at losing his touch from within her. As if only with him inside her she could ever be complete.<\/p>\n

Somehow they managed to shift and squirm without letting go of each other until they lay in each other’s arms under the duvet. Hermione turned onto her right side. She twined her left leg around his. Her left arm went over his chest. Her head nestled into the crook of his arm. It couldn’t be at all comfortable for Severus, but he did not protest, and merely tightened his hold on her. Thus they fell asleep.<\/p>\n

At peace with each other.
\n At peace with the world.<\/p>\n

At last.<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Curiouser and Curiouser<\/h3>\n

She lay curled up at his side, her left leg slung across his, her arm stretched over his chest, her head nestled into the crook of his arm. As if she wanted to make sure he wouldn’t disappear. The lion’s mane she called hair flowed all over him. He didn’t even have to tilt his head to inhale her scent. Vervain, and she’d been using the Muggle variety of her bathing lotion again.<\/p>\n

His body ached all over, inside and out. His mind<\/em>\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6He remembered one of the sayings Dumbledore had been so fond of.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcTo the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.<\/em>\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

A proverb that was wrong on so many levels. But it was the term \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcwell-organized<\/em>\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 that bothered him this morning. His arm wrapped around Hermione’s bony shoulders. His hand dipped into the wealth of her curls, playing with the recalcitrant strands until his fingertips found the gentle curve of her neck.<\/p>\n

Severus felt a self-deprecating smile tug at the corners of his mouth. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcWell-organized<\/em>\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 and \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcin love<\/em>\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 <\/em>were mutually exclusive terms. He’d watched enough love-struck couples over the years to know this for a fact. And\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6he did <\/em>remember how it felt. Distantly.<\/em> From days long gone and never completely forgotten. But the memory had changed, he realised. To the way you fondly remember the flickering flame of a fine candle as you sit entranced, ensconced, by the warmth of a roaring fire. He frowned. It seemed you were not safe from maudlin tendencies when you were in love even at his age.<\/p>\n

His fingers strayed to Hermione’s temple, brushing away a clump of curls, so he could reach her sensitive skin. She sighed at the touch of his lips and moved closer, pressing her curves against him, while her hand slipped into his pyjama.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcGood morning,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 she murmured. Her voice was throaty, hoarse with sleep.<\/p>\n

Inwardly he cursed himself. She was exhausted, he should have let her wake on her own. But before he had a chance to say something, her hand crept carefully downwards. The sleepiness seeping out of her brown eyes even as he was watching. Instead they were beginning to gleam with an amber fire.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6need<\/em>\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6desire<\/em>\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6love<\/em>\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/p>\n

He pulled her on top of him, his hands framing her precious face. He traced her lips with his finger. A wide, generous mouth, the lower lip distinctly fuller. For once she was not chewing on it, but parted her lips lightly under his touch.<\/p>\n

He lifted his head a little. She bent down. Their lips met.<\/p>\n

oooOooo<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcHow are you feeling now?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Hermione asked afterwards, once more clinging to his left side like a bushy-haired human burr.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcNot so bad now,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Severus murmured, although he felt utterly exhausted. The residue of pain in newly mended bones as well as the ache of assorted bruises and lacerations were increasing from a steady throb to insistent agony. But he did not feel bad. He was much too\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6he blinked. Happy?<\/em> It seemed such an alien concept. But he supposed he might be, or nearly. Safe. Sort of<\/em> sound. At home with the woman who loved him. With the woman he<\/em> loved.<\/p>\n

Hermione propped herself up on her right elbow and looked down at him. She didn’t hesitate anymore before touching him, but simply brought her hand up to his cheek. Gently, she trailed her fingertips around his face. Her touch was infinitely tender when she smoothed the lines of pain that he knew bracketed his mouth.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcLiar,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 she said softly. Then she slipped from the covers and circled the bed. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcThere’s still enough Pain Potion left for a good dose.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Hermione squinted at the jar of the bruise balm and at the Sunshine Salve intended for lacerations and more\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6interior injuries. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcI might have to Floo up to Poppy and get more of this.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcI trust you will dress before you do so,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 he commented.<\/p>\n

Hermione grinned at him impishly. Dressed only in naked skin and curls\u00e2\u20ac\u201da riotous cloud around her head, a tamer triangle above the apex of her thighs\u00e2\u20ac\u201dshe looked very much like an imp: mischievous and wild.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcMaybe I will. Although Poppy’s seen me naked before and I’d be quicker back in bed with you if I didn’t bother.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcIn that case, ask her for some cough potion as well, so we can start treating your incipient pneumonia well in advance.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

oooOooo<\/strong><\/p>\n

Harry frowned at himself as his feet were automatically taking him to Draco’s office. When had the Ferret become the one he turned to as a friend and confidant at the end of every other day?<\/p>\n

Before he could knock, Draco’s smooth voice was already calling out to him, \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcI’m almost ready\u00e2\u20ac\u201dcome in, Potter.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

He slouched into the room and threw himself into the visitor’s chair. Draco was momentarily invisible behind a wobbling stack of parchments that was being levitated towards a big shelf of square compartments that were labelled according to the various sections of the Office of Magical Law Enforcement.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcSo how’s your boss taking the disappointment?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Harry asked as he watched Draco separate the results of his daily labour into the appropriate cubby-holes.<\/p>\n

A scroll stopped midair and started jittering, as Draco turned to Harry.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcThat’s just it,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Draco said at last. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcYou’d have thought that Umbridge would be livid at the pardon, right? But she’s not. She acts as if she couldn’t care less that Snape’s out of her reach for good now. But she’s still gloating at having defeated you<\/em> in court.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcCuriouser and curiouser,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 commented Harry, idly rubbing his scar. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcThe dog did nothing at night-time. I don’t like that.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcYou and your Muggle quotes.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Draco rolled his eyes, but his voice held no rancour. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcHow about some drinks in the Leaky Cauldron?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcYou just want to flirt with Hannah,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Harry accused his friend.<\/p>\n

Draco grinned unrepentantly. \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcAnd if I do? Besides, Ginny might show up, too, once she’s finished at the Prophet.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

oooOooo<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

\u00c2\u00ab Chapters 91\u00e2\u20ac\u201c100<\/a> oooOooo<\/strong> Chapters 111\u00e2\u20ac\u201c120 \u00c2\u00bb<\/a><\/p>\n

\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcThe Apprentice and the Necromancer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 by JunoMagic Chapters 101\u00e2\u20ac\u201c110 Fair and Foul Andromeda Tonks-Black sat at the desk in her study and stared morosely at the pile of parchments in front of her. Little Teddy had finally fallen asleep, and … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":194,"featured_media":0,"parent":77,"menu_order":11,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"chapter.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-92","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/juno-magic.fancrone.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/92","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/juno-magic.fancrone.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/juno-magic.fancrone.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/juno-magic.fancrone.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/194"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/juno-magic.fancrone.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=92"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/juno-magic.fancrone.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/92\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8731,"href":"http:\/\/juno-magic.fancrone.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/92\/revisions\/8731"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/juno-magic.fancrone.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/77"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/juno-magic.fancrone.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=92"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}