Saving Grace

Disclaimer: I do not own anything

Authors Note: ok, I’m back after a long absence. I came down with a bad case of writer’s block because I actually had the whole next chapter written, and then my hard drive crashed. I spent the summer avoiding re-writing it. Now that its fall I decided to just bust my way through and skip the chapter. That’s right. I skipped ahead in the story. Im sorry to everyone who really wanted to see the whole “meeting the parents” scene and all of Hermione’s dark arts training. I will probably do flash backs and the like but it should not be too hard to follow the story. In any case I am really excited about what I am writing now a days so I hope you guys are too! Please, please, please review and let me know what you think. As always, a million thanks to my beta – GeminiScorp.

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Saving Grace
Chapter 13

When the spinning had stopped and her vision had cleared Hermione found herself standing outside of a decrepit wrought iron gate. A gravel drive wound up a hillside to an imposing mansion with windows all aglow. She looked around her to see nothing but dark scraggly woods. Behind them the overgrown road disappeared into absolute blackness. They stood together but not touching, gaining their bearings.

Severus turned to her. He looked her up and down, making sure she looked perfect. ‘I damn well better’ she thought to herself, ‘he spent long enough dressing me.’

She was wearing a black silk, floor length dress. The neck line was high in the front, with the material draped over her shoulders to reveal a bare back all the way to her butt. A slim diamond chain wrapped tight around her throat and then trailed down along her spine. A diamond and white gold serpent wound itself around her right wrist while her wedding ring adorned her left hand. Her hair was bound in a loose bun at the back of her head, a matching white gold snake holding it in place. Though she normally preferred to wear minimal make up Severus had encouraged her to be as dramatic as possible tonight so she stood with heavy grey eye shadow and crimson lips. To stave off the encroaching winter chill she wore a pitch black fox shawl. Severus complimented her in his impeccably tailored black dress robes. She had convinced him to tie his hair back and in her own opinion thought he looked imposingly sexy.

At the end of his inspection Severus nodded, then he quirked an eye brow and smirked. Reaching forward he slid his hand past the fur and grazed his thumb over a silk covered nipple.

“Cold?”

Hermione blushed and swatted his hand away. “Cheeky bastard.”

Severus smirked again and walked up to the gate. The metal twisted to form a demonic looking visage. It spoke in a rusty rasp, “Password?”

“Let the Dark Lord Reign” Severus answered.

The gothic gate ground open. Severus offered Hermione his arm but she shook her head. “No, I’m going in there as Hermione. Not as Severus’ wife.”

Severus stepped back abashed. He watched as she turned away from him and readied herself. With one steadying breath a calm and dangerously cold air surrounded her. Her eyes narrowed and her lips pursed into a cruel pout. Squaring her shoulders she started up the drive and Severus could do nothing but follow in her wake.

Hermione tried to see inside the Manor windows to prepare herself for the viper pit awaiting her but all she could see was the flicker of candle light. She could hear a string quartet playing smoothly and soft voices but nothing distinguishing. The doors stood open and as she and Severus crossed the threshold and loud voice rang out. “Professor and Mrs. Severus Snape.”

The few people in the foyer fell silent and stared and a distinct hush could be heard within the adjoining ballroom. Hermione pretended not to notice as she looked around and took in the manor. The interior of the house was as grand as the exterior was shabby. The walls were covered in lush gold and forest green and candles floated above the heads of the guests. The ceilings were vaulted high above them and the floors were polished mahogany. Hermione felt she had never been in a more beautiful and glamorous place.

Edgar McClaw, the Deputy Minister of Magic, walked forward, holding his hand out to Severus.

“Severus, good to see you.” He gave a tight smile.

“And you Ed. May I present my wife, Hermione?” Hermione did not smile, and neither did Edgar.

“Charmed.” The man said coldly, before turning on his heel and walking away. Hermione was not surprised, but the snub stung. ‘I am a mudblood crashing their party,’ she thought, ‘but they’ll see, just wait…’ She smiled to herself and turned to Severus.

“Would you please go get me a drink? I think I’ll go find Draco.” Severus nodded, impressed that she was not scared/afraid to negotiate the party alone. He assumed that she was terrified and was just doing a damn good job of acting cool.

But it/that was not so. Hermione was thrilled. She felt like she was being put to the test and was dying to prove herself. She wanted to be stared at. She wanted everyone to notice. It would make it all the sweeter when she had risen above them. She felt powerful and deadly.

She strode confidently into the ballroom. Couples swirled about the floor in a synchronized waltz and people milled about the perimeter chatting. In many ways it was like any other fancy party but the dark and sinister crowd gave the festivities a menacing tone. Her cursory glance did not find the Dark Lord himself but she spotted Draco across the room. He was flirting with a sultry slip of a girl in a slinky, wine colored dress. He spotted her over the girl’s head and walked away without so much as a ‘by your leave.’ Hermione smiled in spite of herself. He made a beeline for her and could not stop his jaw from hanging.

“Hermione, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.” His voice husky with feeling. She smiled and leaned forward for the traditional kiss but he jerked backward and took up her hand instead.

“This,” he whispered as he kissed the back of her fingers, “is all I deserve of your radiance.”

Hermione blushed. “Draco, stop it.”

“I can’t, you are incredible. Truly.”

Hermione smiled in true pleasure and kissed his cheek. Taking his arm and leaning in close she whispered, “So, tell me who’s here.”

They spoke in hushed tones for a while, Draco pointing people out surreptitiously and divulging tiny bits of gossip with each name.

“That, over there, is Cassandra Kettle. Been with The Dark Lord since the second coming, killed her own husband for not taking the mark. At three o’clock is Dennis Picter. Has the absolute worst temper. Snapped up a half blood Parisian fashion model when the marriage law was passed. Poor girl hasn’t been seen in weeks.”

“And who was that sexy little thing you were talking to when I came in?” Hermione asked nonchalantly.

“Rachel Tismond. She is the whore of north London, but Father has me courting her.” Draco replied bored.

“As least she’ll be good in bed then.” Hermione quipped innocently.

Draco looked at her surprised, then smirked “I see where your head is at.”

Hermione blushed, embarrassed. It was true. She had to keep telling herself not to stare at the hallow of Draco’s throat, revealed by his black shirt debonairly unbuttoned at the top. Ever since he had stepped close to whisper into her ear she had been desperately trying to focus on his words, and not on the beautifully masculine cologne he wore.

Severus saved her from further embarrassing herself. “Draco, thank you for keeping my wife company in my absence.”

Draco nodded to her husband, “Professor.” Severus nodded in return and handed Hermione her drink. She sipped it absentmindedly and let the taste of high quality gin wash over her tongue.

“That, is a damn good martini.” She said plainly. Both men looked at her.

“Is it? Hmm, I think I’ll go get myself one. Hermione, Severus.” Draco bowed slightly to the pair and walked off.

Severus took a sip from his tumbler and narrowed his eyes. “Please refrain from flirting with other men, Hermione.”

“Jealous?” She asked, a bit shocked.

“Possessive,” he replied and grabbed her waist, pulling her close and kissing her neck.

“Severus! That’s disgusting and unfit for civilized company. Compose yourself.” A harsh female voice broke the moment.

Severus growled against Hermione’s ear and pulled away to face Bellatrix.

Sirius’ murder had the same expression once worn incessantly by her sister – as if she smelled something entirely rotten. She looked down upon Hermione as if the younger woman were a piece of dung.

“How you can taint yourself with such a disgusting creature?” She asked with venom in her voice.

“Well, normally I wouldn’t, but he is an incredible fuck,” Hermione replied with a smile and glided off.

Severus laughed in surprise. “Honestly Bellatrix, try not to be such a bitch – it is a party. Lighten up,” he said casually before following Hermione.

“That was bloody brilliant, love,” he whispered in her ear when he caught up with her.

“I try.”

For a while, they stood together and sipped their drinks. Severus took over for Draco and began pointing out people of interest and giving bits of their histories. He was more concerned with the specific dangers each person posed rather than their drama, however. Waiters in sharp tuxs with long dress tales circulated through the guests offering small delights and occasionally one of Severus’ friends would approach to say hello. While everyone was politely respectful to Severus, they ignored, or at best, offered a terse greeting to Hermione. She didn’t mind, she knew that soon enough she would have them licking her boots.

Hermione’s confidence came from the endless studying she had been doing with Severus. It seems that her natural proclivity for excellence was not limited to light magic and she found herself breezing through book after book of dark spells. She thoroughly enjoyed the powerful thrill that whisked up her spine every time she used/cast one. Dark magic was simply more fun than light magic she had discovered. Where as every light spell required specific words and motions, dark magic was primarily about the intention. It was an art of style and not precision.

Hermione had been getting few hours of sleep each night, staying up late and waking early, diving into the mountains of forbidden knowledge that were suddenly available to her. She knew it was worrying Severus, that her eagerness was scaring him. But she didn’t care, she felt like her powers had been stagnant for years and were suddenly growing again. Her wand hummed now when she touched it, itching to be used. Her power filled up her skin and sometimes she felt that she was aglow with it. She was desperate to practice her newly acquired skills out in the open, she was tired of practicing behind closed doors.

Shortly after Hermione had finished her drink and was debating getting another, Lucius strode up looking rather like a stately peacock in his dark sapphire robes.
“Severus, good to see you. And Hermione! You are the most beautiful woman here.” He gave her the kiss of greeting and Hermione found herself not resenting it. She was glad to see a friendly face. “How was your honeymoon?”

“Very nice,” they answered in unison bored tones. Lucius raised an amused eyebrow.

“I’m sure it was. Severus, have you noticed that Greyback had the audacity to come tonight? Waltzing around as if he were civilized. I wish The Dark Lord would trust his war to thinking wizards rather than animals.” He quickly added, “But who am I to question his wisdom?”

“Who indeed? Greyback does have his uses.” Severus answered non-commitedly.

“Yes, just not at a party.” He said slyly and winked at Hermione. He was about to say more but the candles suddenly dimmed. Following the cue, the music abruptly stopped. Everyone fell quite and turned to the raised dais along one of the walls. All at once a great wind swept the hall, ladies dresses were whirled about them as the gust passed. It seemed as if the wind was pulling all the shadows from the room and as it blew, it grew darker. A wispy dark specter gained density on the stage until the wind died and the Dark Lord stepped forth from the blackness. His white pale face shown like a moon over his shadowed body, his eyes looked more like stab wounds than what they were. One hand swept over the crowd as he looked at his minions.

“Welcome, my children.” His serpentine voice oozed over those gathered. Hermione felt her body prickle in goose bumps. Her breathing was fast and shallow. “I hope you are enjoying yourselves thus far, but let me assure you, the true festivities have yet to begin.” His face contorted into an evil grin. “I have hosted this gathering so that my followers may mingle and savor a bit of what is to come once this war has been won. Does the Dark Lord not dote on his children?” The crowd clapped calling out, “Yes, My Lord!” and, “Thank You, My Lord!”

Voldemort nodded and urged them to be quiet with his hands. Once all was silent he continued. “Before this evening’s entertainment begins, there is one piece of business that must be attended to. As it involves two beautiful young women, I trust that my followers will not mind it breaking up the party a bit. Now then, Miss. Rachel Tismond and, Mrs. Hermione Snape, if you would…”

Hermione felt the weight of everyone’s stares more than the reassuring nudge from Severus. She took a deep breath and lifted her head high before marching through the crowd that parted like the red sea before her. Rachel, the sexy, raven-haired girl already stood to the Dark Lords side as Hermione climbed the steps to them. The two women stood side-by-side, facing Lord Voldemort.

Hermione thought that she would be terrified once actually faced with the king of all evil, but she wasn’t. All she felt was exhilaration. Even as she felt his hot stare rake her body and mind she held firm and steady. After a moment he spoke again. “I have the good fortune of having two witches desiring to join my forces tonight. Miss Rachel Tismond, the daughter of Death Angel, Lewis Tismond and Death Eater, Marie Tismond. And, Mrs. Hermione Snape, wife of Beloved Severus Snape.”

After introducing them to the audience he turned to them and lowered his voice slightly, although Hermione was sure everyone gathered could hear him still. “Now then, a place at my side must be earned; I do not allow wit-less sycophants the honor of my mark. As is my custom, I will set each of you a task. If accomplished I will grant you the greatest reward you will ever receive: a place in my ranks. Are you ready?”

Hermione and Rachel nodded simultaneously.

“Hermione, your task is to torture and kill Rachel. Rachel, your task is to survive.”


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Authors note: mwahaha nothing makes a good comback like a cliff hanger. just you guys wait, the fight/party is gunna be awesome! please review!!!

-Demos