Time as a Healer

Severus stood perfectly still and closed his eyes momentarily. It had been a trap, his brain so clouded by his feelings – yes, he acknowledged to himself, feelings for Hermione. How could he be so foolish?



‘You are very quiet, Severus.’ He heard the voice dangerously close to his ear.



Severus fell to his knees and bowed his head. ‘I apologise, My Lord. I was taken by surprise.’



‘Losing your touch, perhaps?’ The voice was quiet.



Severus took a breath and prepared himself.



‘CRUCIO!’



The fake Voldermort aimed at Severus, who arched his back and cried out in agony. He had not endured this in over 5 years and its absence had heightened his sensitivity. His body shook in pain as Voldermort held the curse for a few more seconds. Without warning, the curse was removed and he collapsed hard onto the ground, panting and sweat trickling down his face.



Hermione was sobbing, her shoulders trembling as she heard him cry out. For a moment, it was the only sound in the room.



‘So…here we all are at last. I have been waiting… so patiently waiting. And watching….’



Voldermort walked over to where Hermione was sitting and pulled the hood slowly from her head. She blinked quickly, her eyes adjusting to the dimly lit room. She gasped as she saw Severus, his body on the floor, still recovering from the curse, his eyes closed.



‘You didn’t see me, of course…. I can be very discreet when I want to be…’ he whispered in her ear and she shuddered as his breath ran across her skin. He lifted her hair and let it slip slowly through his thin fingers.



There was a pause. Hermione looked to her left and gasped in horror. In a crumpled heap in the corner of the room were the remains of a body. There was very little flesh clinging to the bones and it appeared as if some of the toes had been scraped away. On a rudimentary table beside it, a cauldron was bubbling away and the smell was unmistakeable to her. Despite the circumstances in which she found herself, she couldn’t stop the smug smile as she recognised the Polyjuice potion.



‘Who are you?’ She whispered softly. He hadn’t hurt her, yet.



‘You can call me Lord Voldermort…for now…’ he laughed an evil laugh and his fingers stroked her cheek.



She shivered a little and he hissed.



‘You did not always shrink away from my touch, Hermione.’ He snapped at her and walked around to face her. He bent close to her face and she flinched as his thin mouth bent to brush her lips with his own.



Severus had pulled himself into a sitting position and pushed himself to the wall. He was still shaking slightly and bile rose in his throat as he saw the Voldermort bending over Hermione. He acted quickly and quietly pulled out his wand. With a sharp flick, he sent a stunning spell, hitting his target squarely in the back.



Hermione gasped as she saw Voldermort freeze before her. She lifted her hands and feet and pushed him hard, watching with satisfaction as he fell hard onto the floor in front of her.



Severus stared at the figure in disgust. Voldermort would never turn his back on an enemy.



‘Incarcerous!’ He muttered and thick, black ropes bound the imposter tightly.



Severus pulled himself to his feet and walked quickly over to Hermione, releasing her ropes and bindings with his wand.



‘Severus…’ she stuttered, but couldn’t finish her sentence. His face was blank and he didn’t catch her eye.



‘I want to question him before the others get here.’ He stated. It wasn’t a request.



Hermione nodded and pulling her own wand, she pointed at the figure.



‘Wingardium Leviosa’ She murmured and guided the tied up form to the chair. Severus moved the figure to an upright position and cast wards and a silencing charm around the cellar.



‘Ennervate.’ Severus pointed his wand at Voldermort and instantly, he came to, struggling with the bindings and hissing as he stared at them.



Severus waved his wand and conjured two chairs. He and Hermione sat opposite the figure, neither of them speaking.



‘I believe Miss Granger asked you a question….’ Severus asked him very quietly. ‘I suggest you answer her….’



He ran his wand slowly through his fingers and Voldermort’s eyes went wide.



Hermione couldn’t help but laugh. ‘Some Voldermort you are…. Forgetting to disarm your opponent. He would never have made that schoolboy error, would he Severus?’



Severus smirked at her conversational tone. ‘Indeed, Miss Granger.’



‘Damn you, witch…’ Voldermort hissed.



Severus sat forward in his chair and placed his wand beneath Voldermort’s chin, pushing slightly upwards.



‘I will thank you to show some respect…’ he hissed.



‘Like she has shown you, you mean?’ There was laughter in Voldermort’s eyes and Severus shrank back a little.



Hermione held her breath. Who is he? She stared at him and with a small gasp she realised the Polyjuice potion was starting to wear off.



‘Explain yourself.’ Severus snapped, removing his wand and standing to pace the room.



Voldermort looked Hermione in the eye and with a gasp, her hand flew to her mouth. She recognised him immediately.



‘You!’ She whispered.



‘Ha!’ Voldermort laughed bitterly then stared at her in sudden comprehension.



‘He doesn’t know, Hermione…does he?’ He whispered slowly as he looked from her to Severus.



Hermione looked at him in horror. ‘Doesn’t know what?’ She said slowly.



‘He doesn’t know… about Sam…’ he whispered slyly.



‘Oh gods!’ Hermione gasped. ‘How did you…. Please…don’t say anything…Viktor, please…’



Severus spun around and came in close, staring at the slowly changing features before him.



‘Krum?’ He muttered and looked at Hermione puzzled. She nodded and tears started to well in her eyes.



‘I’m so sorry, Severus…’ she murmured.



Krum laughed. ‘And the baby? His bastard child? He knows none of it?’



He was shaking now with laughter as Hermione started to tremble uncontrollably.



‘Viktor, stop it!’ She screamed and pulled out her wand, pointing it shakily at his head.



‘Expelliarmus!’ Severus aimed at her wand and caught it neatly in his hand.



Hermione looked at him, her face pale.



Severus was staring at them, trying to fit together their conversation. His blood was running cold.



‘Forgive me, Miss Granger, but I am intrigued. I would very much like to know what the hell Krum is talking about. Particularly as it would seem to concern me….’ His voice was soft and low and anger flashed in his eyes.



Hermione was shaking and sat in her chair slowly, her mouth open in shock.



Severus walked towards them and sat back in his chair opposite a definitely more recognisable Viktor Krum. He aimed his wand at his heart.



‘Tell me everything….’ He said softly. Hermione started to cry and put her head in her hands.



Krum smirked. ‘You haf been taken for a ride Professor… she is good at that.’



‘Get on with it…’ Severus pushed the wand into Viktor’s chest, his eyes glittering sharply.



‘I will… but first, I haf a question. Where haf you been for the last 5 years?’ His eyes narrowed as he looked at Severus.



‘What has that got to do with this?’ Severus snapped at him.



Krum laughed softly. ‘Everything….’



‘I have been travelling…collecting Potions ingredients mostly, recuperating from the war…’ He said flatly.



‘Wrong….’ Krum whispered. ‘You haf been living in a Victorian house just outside London…. With her.’ He nodded in Hermione’s direction.



Hermione had stopped crying. She was in total shock and couldn’t look at Severus; she just sat with her head down.



‘I know this… I haf been watching. It was a shock, to see her living with her Potions Master. I didn’t believe it myself at first. I always promised I would come back for you, after the war, Erminony, did I not?



Hermione nodded, staring at her feet.



‘I kept my promise… but already another man’s feet were under your table…and another man’s cock in your pussy…obviously’ He stared at her stomach and she put her hands around it protectively.



‘Ridiculous…’ Severus snorted. Hermione looked up at him and their eyes met.



‘I’m so sorry…’ she mumbled again. She didn’t know what else to say.



With a start, they jumped up as the door of the cellar was blown inwards and Harry, Seamus and Ginny entered, their wands held forwards as the dust settled.



Severus brushed himself down a little and glared at Harry.



‘Here is your Dark Lord. I hope you will not call on me again in the foreseeable future.’ He stepped around the debris and out of the cellar.



Ginny looked around and shouted with a cry.



‘Hermione!’



Under a pile of rubble, her body twisted and chestnut hair splayed around her head, Hermione lay unconscious.







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Love and Passion, causes all sorts of shit, doesn\'t it? Please R & R...thanks :)