The Hepatic Hex

Chapter 15

Hermione was making her way to the Headmaster’s office the next day. Snape was striding in front of her, determined to keep a respectable distance between them so as not to raise suspicion about their relationship. Hermione didn’t mind though, she enjoyed the fact that their relationship was a secret. It made it seem mysterious and wrong, it made her feel powerful and that she was in on the best kept secret in Hogwarts History, that is, the sour Potion Master indeed had a heart, and it belonged solely to her. She smiled inwardly at the thought before trailing the morning’s events over in her head.

Hermione had been sitting ie Gre Great Hall for breakfast scanning the weary faces that were surrounding her. The mysterious liver ailment that was plaguing everyone was starting to show noticeable symptoms of tiredness and loss of appetite. Hermione was no exception. She couldn’t bring herself to eat so had concentrated on forcing down a mug of hot chocolate infused with vitamins and nutrients that the Headmaster had instructed the house elves to create. It ensured that those without an appetite would receive their daily requirements.

The Headmaster had also that morning exposed the truth to the student and staff body about the liver curse. Disbelief, anger and fear had swept through the hall at his revelation. Students and staff had started demanding to know what was being done to find a cure. When his plea for patience without explanation had gone unanswered, rebuked by even the students, he had informed everyone of Hermione and Snape’s research into finding a cure.

The Headmaster’s revelation seemed to have the calming effect he had desired and the pandemonium that had been bubbling, subsided. That is from most people, Harry and Ron though grilled her on what Dumbledore had meant when he had said that she was working with Snape. She had sighed, put down her mug and looked them angrily in the eyes when she had readied herself to reply. Before she had been able to though, a dark shadow had spread across the table in front of her. When she turned she saw Snape sneering at the two young Gryffindor boys, obviously unpleased after hearing their comments about Hermione and himself. He again rescued her from an awkward situation by informing her that the Headmaster had requested they attend a meeting with him immediately in his office, all the while glaring at Harry and Ron. Hermione was secretly amused at this but merely nodded her head in acknowledgement, and without as backward glance at her friends, followed Snape out of the hall.

As Hermione made her way through the winding corridors to Dumbledore’s office she once again allowed her thoughts to stray. This time it was to replay everything that had happened to her in the last 24 hours. First Snape had kissed her, actually almosne mne more than kissed her before Dumbledore had sprung them. Then there had been the confessions they had both made about their undeniable feelings for one another. Dumbledore’s acceptance and encouragement after that had left her speechless, but radiantly happy. Snape’s admission about his first wife being a vampire had caused her unmitigated humor but filled her with reassurance and hope that they may indeed be able to find a cure for the curse if things went today as she hoped they would.

She had returned to her rooms that night feeling completely content and relaxed for the first time since she had realized that she was in love with Snape. She had taken, as she said she would, a long hot bath in which she had fantasized about what her life could be like if, no when, she coted ted herself, they found a cure. Hermione had also written a very long letter to Artemis detailing the position the wizarding world was in and instructing her friend to stay well away from anyone from Hermione’s world.

Hermione had also enthusiastically informed Artemis about the real revelations of the day, Snape’s identity as the Professor who had been asking after her, and their joint confession of love. She had described in great detail all the emotions she had felt when Snape had kissed her and the dreams and desires she had held for them once the wizng wng world was cured. She knew that Artemis would be ecstatic for her when she read the letter, so it had been both a surprise and a disappointment when Hermione had not received a reply from her friend that morning. ‘I wonder why she hasn’t replied. Oh God’s I hope she hasn’t fallen ill as well’.

Hermione was brought out of her musings when she and Snape reached the gargoyle guarding Dumbledore’s office. Snape suddenly spun around quickly to face Hermione, his black robes engulfing them both. He scanned the hall to see that they were alone before smiling at her and pulling her to him and engaging her in a passionate good morning kiss. All to soon for Hermione’s liking, he broke away and gave the gargoyle the password, which moved aside to let them pass.

Dumbledore beckoned them in at Snape’s knocking on his office door.

“Good morning Severus, Miss Granger. I trust you both got some sleep at some point last night?” Dumbledore said with his eyes sparkling at them.

“Don’t bloody look at me like that Albus, being oh so great and omniscient like you are you very well know that Hermione returned to her rooms shortly after you left last night.” Snape growled at him. Dumbledore chuckled at his demeanor.

Snape guided Hermione to the settee in front of the Headmaster’s desk and poured them both a cup of tea as Dumbledore began to speak.

“I have created the portkey that you require to get to Lilliana in Russia. It is timed to self activate in about an hour and will return you about three hours later.”

“I am sure that will be plenty of time for us to discover whether or not Lilliana will be willing or able to help us.” Hermione said.

“Hermione,” Snape looked at her questionably, “I don’t quite understand what you are trying to achieve with this expedition.” He said.

“Well there are a couple of angles we can approach this from Severus. First, I need to know whether or not, during you relationship with Lilliana, if she ever tasted your blood.” Hermione asked almost tentatively.

Snape scowled at her. “That is a very delicate question Hermione, and personally not something I really want to disclose to you.” He finished gruffly.

“I’ll take that as a yes then Severus.” Snape sneered at her and looked as though he was going to shoot back with a scathing remark but Hermione continued before he had the chance. “The reason I ask is that if she can remember what you tasted like back then, she may be able to distinguish any variances in your blood now.”

Snape slumped back in his seat and murmured something unintelligible.

“What was that?” Hermione asked.

“Nothing dear.” Snape replied morosely.

“You mentioned that there might be more than one way for Lilliana to distinguish the problem Hermione, what else is there?” Dumbledore inquired intrigued by the whole situation.

“Yes Headmaster. As Severus would already know from the work we have done together, the liver plays a vital role in metabolism and the dispersion of nutrients throughout the body. For example bile, which is produced from the breakdown of red blood cells within the liver, aids in fat or lipid absorption and break down in the digestive process. It is my hypothesis that Lilliana should be able to tell us whether or not there is any notable differenceour our metabolism. This in itself would not offer direct answer, but it will give us a new starting point in any case.”

Just as Hermione finished speaking an owl she didn’t recognize flew into Dumbledore’s office and drooped a piece of parchment in Snape’s lap. It flew away without requesting food, which was odd. Snape raised his eyebrows as he picked up the letter and read its contents. As was the usual for Snape, his face let nothing away as to the essence of the note, and stuffed it away in an inner pocket of his robes.

“Just some personal correspondence from an old acquaintance, nothing to worry about.” Snape said in reply to Hermione’s questioning glare. Inwardly though he was more nervous than he had ever been in his entire life.

“Good to hear my boy.” Said Dumbledore. “I also have made some headway into the problem of Suzie Owen.”

“How so Professor?” Hermione asked him with a puzzled expression.

“I have managed to track down some old texts on cosmic magic and I am currently searching for the curse that Suzie Owen may have used to unleash the curse we are fighting. Fortunately for us, Parseltongue is not used commonly in cosmic incantations. Once I have found any relevant passages, I will be calling on Mr. Potter to translate them for us.”

“Of course Potter would have to be the only other known Parselmouth in existence.” Snape voice was infused with malice as he said this and Hermione turned on him.

“What is your bloody problem with my friends Severus? No, wait it doesn’t matter, just get over it what ever it is. Harry and Ron are my best friends and I really would prefer that you at least try to be civil to them for my sake.” Hermione snapped at him. Snape sneered at her but she waved him off, causing Snape to pout in a sulk.

Dumbledore chuckled at the banter between the two.

“What do you find so amusing old man?” Snape said with his black eyes blazing.

“Nothing Severus, nothing except that I do believe that Miss Granger is going to be the best thing that has ever happened to you.” Dumbledore finished in a laugh.

Snape snorted at this earning him a glare from Hermione.

“It is time for you to both take hold of the portkey in any event.” Dumbledore instructed them. Snape and Hermione stood and grabbed onto the feather, which had been charmed into a portkey. Dumbledore only had time to wish them well before the portkey was activated and Snape and Hermione disappeared from his office with a pop.