Torment *Completed*

A/N: Still not beta edited and running only on Grammarly so...

Hermione hugged her tea. The noise in the inn didn’t do a thing to silence the fear that screamed at her in her head. Luna was across her, humming at the book she read. She nearly jumped at the sound of Luna’ voice.

“We should be going,” she looked at Hermione and smiled. “To the train station.”  

“I know.” she nodded, getting up.

They finally reached the Kings Cross, then the Platform. Once they were in the compartment Luna smiled at her again.

“Don’t worry Hermione, everything will be fine.”

“Why would you say something like that, Luna.” she asked.

“Because you are not fine.” Luna blinked at her, her voice sounding like she believed Hermione didn’t know the state she was in.

“Luna…” she tried, sometimes it was hard talking to Luna, like now.

“Your head is full of Wrackspurts. It was like that since we meet at the inn.”  Luna tilted her head.

“I don’t think so…” she tried, but Luna just kept on talking.

“Did you had a fight with Professor Snape?”

“Luna, he isn’t a professor anymore. And no, I didn't have a fight with him. I could have had a better holiday but…”

“He is a good man, you know. Professor. A bit on a stubborn side, but good. You shouldn’t be mad at him.” Luna kept on.

“I’m not mad at him, if anything, I’m mad at Draco and Malfoy Sr.” she snapped.

“Really?” Luna blinked, tilting her head to the other side. “Oh, well then. I think I will read some more.”

“Yeah, good idea.” she nodded.

Hermione felt like she escaped the nose around her neck. Talking with Luna when she was like this was impossible. And when she isn’t like this?

She was afraid, afraid that he will be angry, infuriated by her. That he will send her away. She really asked nothing of him, but she would love to see him well. Well, and happy and healed.

I would like to be his apprentice as well. She sighed. The train lulled her frayed nerves, and she dozed off.

It was late at evening when she finally climbed to her room. From the train, they went straight to the Dinner, and then they sat in the Common room, exchanging small gifts and chatting.

The truth was, Hermione was afraid, reluctant to stay alone with her thoughts and her fears.

On the window she noticed two siluets, the birds squabbled, so she rushed to let them in. What is going on?

Hades flew into the room and sat on her table extending his leg with a scroll attached to it. Royally looking owl stayed on the window till extending its foot with a note.

With a sigh, Hermione took the scroll from Hades who flew to her shoulder, she winced when his talons dug into her flesh. Taking the note from the owl she offered it a treat. The owl looked at her, insulted, turned and left.

She raised her palm to Hades. “Are you too proud to take a treat?”

Hades pecked the strand of her hair, squawked directly in her ear and took both treats, moving to the table so he could break them apart and eat in peace.

Hermione wondered if she will see this bird ever again. Hades grew to her heart. Same as his owner.

Blast, I won’t cry. I am stronger than that.

Hades finished his treats and squawked at her again, flying through the window.

“I guess you don’t have to wait for the reply.” she sighed, closing the window.

The room was freezing now, but she barely noticed. She opened the note first, Draco’s handwriting.

“Next time at least have the guts to kill me by yourself. Did you have to tell him? What did you tell him? I want to know how long I’m going to live after lying- to Snape of all people.”

She smirked, she will reply to him, in the morning. With trembling hands, she unfolded the scroll. Familiar spidery letters, in black ink instead of red. Still, same angry lines, written with determination.

“Miss Granger,

I expected more from you. At the very least, I expected you to make a difference between typical adolescent situational infatuation and love. How disappointing. Considering you are unable to see the difference on your own, I will take upon myself to point it out.

I consider this matter concluded, not to talk about it anymore. 

Or ever again.

Among all that rambling, for which I’m grateful I could skim over instead of being forced to listen, I understood that you expect to be relieved of your duties.

I do hate to repeat myself, and sadly I learn now that even with you it is a necessity.

You made a commitment and I expect you to follow through!

I do not recall receiving your letter of resignation. And I won’t accept one, not after this. As you said- this is your problem and do not dare to drag me in it.

You are still my Secretary.

And you will remain in that capacity until you assume the position of my apprentice. In that time you will help me choose a new Secretary and teach it what you know.

As my Apprentice you won’t be able to fulfil that duty. And before you ask, as I told you before, I don’t need your gold. However, I would require payment in other means. The terms of your payment will be arranged in the contract.

S.S.”

She read the letter twice, unsure should she laugh or cry. The fact that he took her love and dismissed it twisted her heart. But, it was a blessing in disguise, no matter how painful it was, he still wanted to have her around him.

Better yet- he wanted her to be his apprentice.

Hermione flopped back to the bed, laughing and crying at the same time.  

The Great Hall was empty when Hermione walked to the breakfast, it was early, too early for other students but she had a plan. The only other person in the room was Luna. She sat across Luna and filled her plate.

“You look better.” said Luna not lifting her eyes from the book

“Thank you, I think.” Hermione scrunched her nose.

“Not happier, but better.” Luna continued.

“Are you keeping tabs?” snapped Hermione.

Luna raised her eyes, a serene look on her face didn’t change. “Maybe.”

“Well, don’t. Look, you are my friend, but I do not appreciate you prying.”  Hermione sighed.

“Oh, I’m not. But it is sometimes very hard to miss.” shrugged Luna.

“Hrmp.” groaned Hermione.

She had better things to do than lead this conversation with Luna; it was one battle she couldn’t win. Tucking in her breakfast fast she waved at Luna and dashed to the Library.   

“Madam Pince,” she whispered. “Could you, please, help me.”

“Isn’t a bit too early to be here, Miss Granger?” asked Madam Pince.

“It is, but I need some books, and I don’t know where to find them, without using magic. If you gave me…” she started.

“School rules are school rules, Miss Granger. What do you need?” sharp face of Madam Pince hardened, but Hermione sighed in relief.

“Well,...”

It was nearly evening; she missed her classes and lunch, but she finally found all that she was looking for. Hermione entered the hospital wing, it was blissfully empty. 

“What is it girl?” asked Poppy, entering the main room.

“I need to have a talk with a portrait that is here, Matron. If it’s not too much trouble for you.” she placed her best smile.

“It is trouble, considering how your last chat went.” huffed Matron.

Hermione’s heart speeded up, palms slicking. It was imperative that she talked to that bloody portrait. She took a deep breath, ready to argue, but the woman from the portrait cut in.

“I’ll talk to her. I’ve been waiting to hear the apology.”

“Well, good luck to you, Patricia.” huffed Matron. “Very well, girl, you have twenty minutes, use them wisely.”

Once they were alone, Hermione turned to the portrait. “If you are hoping for the apology - don’t, you won’t get one. And if you continue to follow me, I’ll find the way to remove the protection and I will burn you.”

“Aren’t you the feisty little witch? Threatening me won’t get you any information you might need.” the woman smirked.

Only now Hermione noticed the resemblance, it was mild, but it was there. She schooled her face in a hard mask.

“I don’t need information, I know all I need to know. Including why you stocked me. During holidays I had a nice little chat with Estelle Prince. I have a message for her.”

“And that might be?” Patricia raised an eyebrow.

“Stay off.” hissed Hermione. “I will protect him. I will protect him even if I had to find and destroy every single Prince portrait that is.”

“You, girl are not part of the family, so why would you care? You do not understand…” said Patricia but Hermione had no will to listen to her lectures.

“Maybe I didn’t before, but Narcissa Malfoy took good care that I learn. I do understand.” Hermione narrowed her eyes. “I am his Secretary, and it is my duty to look for his best interest.”

“His and the family name.” Patricia corrected her.

“His.” Hermione fisted her hands, itching to hex this portrait once more, she widened her stance. “His family was nowhere around when he was manipulated, played like a pawn in the game of chess. Sacrificed for their twisted ideals. His family betrayed him, abandoned him. You lost your right to demand.”

“And yet, what is it to you? Or are you willing to change the position from Secretary to Madam?” there was a trail of hope in Patricia’ voice and Hermione smirked, taking pleasure in her next words.

“No, I won’t marry him. But if he does not want to be married to anyone else, I’ll do my best to ensure he gets the peace he wants.”

“You love him.” Patricia opened her eyes, small crinkles around them were the only indication of a smile.

“Yes, and because I do, I’ll make sure that he gets what he wants.” she said.

“If you do love him, then his willingness isn’t the issue, you could still get…” Patricia tried.

“You don’t get it. Love isn’t selfish, it isn’t about getting what you want, it is respect. It is seeing the person you love happy. And I’ll do everything in my power to see him happy. I do not care about your family line. Severus had his heart crushed, he still loves her. And if he wants to spend the rest of his life  with the memory of her, then I’ll make sure he does that.”

“Is that so?” a woman’s voice was hard once more.

“Just give the bloody message to his grandmother. I don’t care about your family line, and she has no idea who am I.” hissed Hermione and turned on her heel.

“If you told him, maybe he’d be more open…” Patricia called after her.

“You really don’t know him, even if you had years to know him, really know him. He knows. And it changed nothing. So, back off.” she replied not turning to face the portrait again.

In a way she was happy. Admitting to herself that she felt relieved, she won’t have to watch him marrying off a woman just because they were matched. This way he was safe, she won’t go against his wishes, and he was free to find love again- That, she could support.

~ S ~ S ~ S ~

Estelle frowned, why did Patricia call her to return here? Patricia looked annoyed by something.

“I had a chat with that rude girl.” started Patricia.

“Miss Granger. Yes, she is feisty.” smiled Estelle.

“Yes, she told me you talked to her.” bitterness clear in Patricia’ voice.

“I did. Did you call me to tell me that?” Estelle felt annoyed.

“No, I have a message for you, from the girl. Back off.” said Patricia.

“Oh?” Estelle raised an eyebrow, this was getting interesting.

“The daft rude child is in love with him, that much your source got right.” bitterly said Patricia. “What he failed to say is that the girl is determined to go against her heart and to respect his wishes.”

“Good.” Estelle smiled.

“Didn’t you heard me? He knows she loves him and it appears that he rejected her.” snapped Patricia.

“Good girl.” Estelle widened her smile, nodding. “That is the woman he truly needs.”

“Ellie, did you lost your mind? I just told you that we need to look for the next in line.”

“We will do no such thing.” Estelle sharply replied. “The next in line is too far below to be of any worth. This girl is exactly what we need, and a bit of time.”

“Estelle?” Patricia sounded confused.

“I did not renounce of my daughter just so I could alienate my grandson now.”  she replied sharply. “This girl is just the right for him.”

“He…” started Patricia.

“He isn’t raised with us, he isn’t indoctrinated with the wrong ideas. He is not beaten into obedience like the rest of us. I never should have to allow my husband to rule our lives the way he did.” Estelle all but spit the words. “He is different, more strong headed, more his own. He needs a woman who can deal with him as his equal.”

“Then why you so opposed to that other- whathernamewas, Muggleborn from his neighbourhood.” Patricia asked

“She was always bad for him. She wanted to rule him, change him to fit her narrow eyes.” Estell sighed.

“And this one isn’t? She is a better match, but…”

“Trust in magic, cousin. This girl is willing to sacrifice her love for him. She is the one. And if my grandson doesn’t see her for what she is- then he does not deserve her.” Estelle smiled.

“The girl rejects our efforts.” Patricia sounded smug.

“As she should. Young Malfoy is correct in one thing, it’s not the girl we should worry about, it is he.”

“And how do you plan on coaxing him?” Patricia raised an eyebrow.

“I don’t. Malfoys did their duty. I’ll leave all to the fate and to the magic. He is beyond our influence.”

Estelle stood up from the chair.

“Are you going? I thought you said you are releasing Malfoys…”

“Oh, I am, but they don’t have to know it- yet. They are by far better company than this stuffy place.” Estelle smirked, walking away. For the first time in years, hope was on the horizon.

~ S ~ S ~ S ~

Severus suppressed the growl. Why is this creature even here?

He watched Isabelle making a slow walk around the room. She came for a visit and he was trying to get rid of her for the past hour. By the surprised look on Lucius’ face, he deduced that her showing up wasn’t his idea.

Isabelle reached his nightstand and run her fingers over the box on it.

“Are you even listening, Lord Prince?” she asked.

“I do my best not to.” he mumbled. “I’d say it’s about time for you to go.”

“Oh, you don’t enjoy my company?” she smiled a fake seductive smile.

“No, obviously.” he hissed.

She took the box and opened it. “Such lovely jewels, I remember them hanging around the neck of that Muggleborn…” Isabelle squealed when he yanked the box from her hand.

“Leave.” he hissed, anger bubbling beneath his skin, magic crackling in the air around him.

“But…”

“N. O. W.” he narrowed his eyes, using his most menacing voice.

She palled and backed, leaving the room with a scared face. This is going to be a nasty article in the Prophet tomorrow. He placed the box back on the nightstand.

He should have returned it to the vault. But oddly they comforted him. A piece of memory, something to hold on to. The loneliness he felt… It wasn’t there when she was here, but it was now.

As always, his freedom came with the price.