Circle of Love

They all sat down in the sitting room, Harry and Ginny on the couch and Draco and Hermione in the chair in the corner. Molly's eyebrows raised when she saw the blond haired boy pull her into his lap and she settled her head on his shoulder. She had questions, but decided to wait until Remus and Severus could answer.

“Now I'm going to get-” Molly started to say when the door flew open and a dark robed figure entered and fell to the floor with a groan.

Severus Snape had returned.


The occupants of the room jumped up quickly in shock.

“Quick Harry! Levitate him to the empty bedroom near the stairs! Malfoy and Hermione- go to the potions room and get extra blood replenishers and pain potions!” Molly Weasley ordered after swiftly checking over the form laying on the carpet.

“What can I do to help Mum?” Ginny asked while watching Harry move the fallen Professor out of the room; Draco and Hermione moved with a sense of urgency towards the Potions room.

“You can stay here out of the way, Ginny.” Molly said and hurried to follow Harry out of the sitting room.

Ginny sat down with a huff on the couch. She crossed her arms across her chest.

“Why does she always have to treat me like a child?” Ginny asked to no one in particular.

“One day soon she'll see you as an adult Miss Weasley.” Albus Dumbledore said from his portrait.

“Professor! In a few months I will be legally an adult. And I have seen so much because of you-know-who, I can't be shocked. Really!” She exclaimed back at her former headmaster.

“She's your mother and you are the youngest and her only daughter; you are going to have to prove it the most by actions not words. Why don't you help by going to the kitchen and preparing some tea for them when they are done patching up Professor Snape?” Albus suggested with a twinkle in his eye.

“Fine,” Ginny grumbled and went towards the sitting room door and then turned abruptly back to the portrait. “Thanks Professor.”

****

Harry gently lowered Severus to the small bed and looked to Molly for more directions. He had been deeply shocked at the condition the professor had returned in. There were bruises on his face, and judging by the abnormal angle of his nose it was broken.

“Get his robes off, Harry.” Molly ordered pulling her wand out to check on her patient's condition. While Harry hastily undid the numerous buttons on the sleeves, Molly ran her wand over Severus's body and mumbled spells. As he undid the last button, a hand reached up and grabbed his with a small groan.

“Hands off me Potter.” Snape said scathingly, “And get out.”

“Now Severus, Harry's helping me. Stop moving and making your injuries worse.” Molly said with a soothing voice.

“I don't want him here.”

“Too bad. Don't make me cast a silencing charm on you.” Molly replied in a no-nonsense voice. Continuing her wand movements she took his temperature and other vitals she needed. Harry finally pulled the robe off after the dark haired wizard had released his hand.

“You have a broken nose, two broken ribs and your knee cap it busted. How you ever Apparated back in this shape boggles my mind.”

“It was that or die in a field full of mice.” Severus bit back with a gasp as Harry pulled the shirt off his back, taking freshly formed scabs with it. The blood slowly oozed from the new cuts that had been created on his back. Harry watched in horrified fascination, noticing the old ones that criss-crossed beneath the fresh ones.

“Close your mouth Potter- you're letting the flies in.” Snape said to Harry, angry that he was being exposed for him to see. Harry snapped his mouth shut and seemed to be recovering from his momentary shock.

“Voldemort did this?” Harry stated rather than asked, his eyes still transfixed onto the cuts.

“What do you think?” Snape said sarcastically.

“The Dark Lord shows his love this way to his most faithful,” Draco said quietly from the doorway. He and Hermione entered the room with arms full of potions. They set the vials carefully on a table near the bed.

“Just what I wanted, a room full of Gryffindors,” Snape mumbled and closed his eyes.

“Don't forget the Slytherin,” Draco reminded him and conjured up a bowl of warm water and a few cloths.

“True,” Snape conceded.

“Help hold him up Potter.” Draco walked over to the bed with a damp towel and started wiping the blood gently off his mentor’s back until the cloth turned crimson. Hermione stepped closer and, wrung out a fresh one and exchanged it with Draco for the stained one. She could tell by his skilled movements that he had done this before, and marveled at the fact he had escaped that world intact.

Molly began to heal Snape's bones with spells. When she had done all she could on that front, she started pouring potions down the unwilling patient's throat. She avoided his hands as they batted at hers and managed to get the final vial of blood replenisher into him.

“You should be fine in a few days, just keep your weight off that leg,” Molly said, healing work done. Her mind now burned with questions about what happened, but held them back until the children were out of the room.

“Thank you,” Severus said after Draco coughed gently. He gave the young wizard a glare. Draco smirked back.

“Why don't you three go to the Professor's room and get him some clean clothes please?” Molly requested.

“Sure,” Hermione answered for the three of them and they left the room.

“What happened Severus?” Molly asked.

“We had a trap set for tonight and we caught three Death Eaters, and I fortunately made my escape. Tonks was hurt by one of them, and Arthur took her to St Mungo's. While Voldemort was pleased I escaped from the Order's clutches, he was not pleased that the three dunderheads I chose to join me didn't. Their failure caused this.” Snape gestured with his hands and winced with pain the movements caused in ribcage.

“Not so much moving around, Severus. Give yourself the time to heal.” Molly said and turned to see the others return with fresh clothing for the Potions master to wear.

“Thank you,” Severus said and took the offered items from Draco. Harry and Hermione stood in the doorway still, both unsure of what to do.

“Anything else sir?” Hermione finally asked.

“Privacy would be nice.” He growled out to them all, again noticing Potter's emerald green eyes staring at the scars along his back. He had hated the initial shock the boy portrayed, and hated even more the pity he had seen in his eyes. Draco caught his eye and he nodded for him to stay.

“You need help Severus, or you'll rip open your-” Molly said in a motherish voice.

“I'll help the Professor,” Draco said when Molly made no move to leave. Molly huffed a little and left.

“Damn mollycoddling Gryffindors,” Severus mumbled when Draco and he were finally alone in the room. He painfully swung his legs off the bed and tried to stand. A steady hand from Draco was all that kept the spy from falling to the floor.

“Mrs Weasley is correct sir, take it a bit easier on yourself.” Draco said and held the garments for Severus to put on.

“You also? The little lioness softening you?” Severus spat out in pain as the the shirt scratched at his cuts.

“I've grown to respect her, as you wished. She's shown me that all that I have believed in my life has been one great big FAT lie. There really isn't anything differently in our magical capabilities. Blood has nothing to do with it. Intelligence and how you use it does.” Draco finished with the buttons on the sleeve of the shirt. He hadn't brought a robe, Severus didn't need the weight of the cloth smothering his cuts.

“Your intentions are honourable?” Severus asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Of course,” Draco said after a moment's hesitation, not fully admitting how deep the feelings were getting for him. He wasn't too sure how Snape would accept it. The older wizard gave a curt nod in response.

“She's more of a target now, regardless of you. Your helping her against your own father has brought you both much attention. Make sure she never leaves here on her own, either you or Potter should be with her.” Snape warned him.

“Understood sir,” Draco replied, and watched the professor settle back down on the bed, dressed finally. He wondered how many times the older wizard would return in that state, and feared one day he would never return.

“Professor Lupin has been in a state since his transformation, and no one can get in there but you.” Draco said, changing the subject off his feelings for Hermione. They were too new to him for even him to understand.

“I will check on him. His bond with Tonks was tested tonight. She was injured out in the field tonight.” Severus felt every day of his thirty-seven years tonight. This had to have been the worse 'treatment' he had received from the Dark Lord yet. He was reassured of his decision in getting Draco out from under both Lucius's and Voldemort's hands was the correct one. In this Narcissa would have been well pleased with him. His one time of seeing the Dark Lord punish Draco physically had been enough to grate his nerves raw, and the sight of Lucius not caring his own blood- his own son- was being beaten to join the Death Eaters had made Narcissa's sacrifice all the more poignant to him.

“My cousin lives?” Draco asked, all thoughts driven away. The two had forged a small familial bond, to the surprise of many.

“Yes, hopefully Arthur or Shacklebolt arrive soon with news. For now, it's time to nurse the werewolf.” Severus looked down to his knee and gingerly moved it. He loved magic, what would have taken months in the Muggle world took very little time to heal in the Wizarding world. The pain made him wince and he thought better of standing on it as it was.

“Draco join the others and tell them I'll be up with news on Lupin soon.” Snape told him.

“Are you sure you won't need my help sir?” Draco asked.

“Just go Draco.” Severus ordered, tired from the day's activities. It was late and all he really wanted to do was climb into his bed, a nice tumbler of Ogdens to sooth his nerves. Draco made to say something else, but Severus raised his eyebrows in a challenge. One look was enough for the boy to understand and he turned without another word and left, a small click of the door the only sound.

“Accio wand!” Severus shouted and watched it return to him. Holding it firmly he casted a small support spell on his knee so he could stand up and walk. He looked regretfully down at his ruined robes, glad his closet held more. He had no desire to cast a repair charm on them. He'd burn them later.

“Severus get back in that bed,” Molly said after opening the door to check in on him.

“Excuse me, I need to check on Lupin before I turn in for the night. Unless of course you can get that blasted door to open for you?” Snape said and limped through the door and walked down the hallway slowly.

“You are in no condition-” Molly stopped when Severus turned and raised his hand in a silence motion to her.

“Let me be the judge of what I can do. Go back to the children.” Severus ordered and turned back around to painfully walk down the stairs. “Ward the sitting room doors so no one can enter or leave but me. No matter what you hear, no one is to come near the Room of Requirement until morning.”

Molly watched with frustration and threw her hands up. Damn stubborn wizards don't listen- ever! She thought and walked back towards the sitting room. Maybe he'll fall and- never mind.

“Mum I made tea for all of you,” Ginny smiled when her mother entered the room and offered her a teacup. Molly warded the sliding doors as instructed, and for good measure casted a silencing charm.

“What a thoughtful thing to do,” Molly said and gave Ginny a hug before taking one. Her daughter was growing up and she just wanted to hold her tight and not let go. With everything going on, she was losing the precious time of her childhood. Molly sniffed into her teacup and realized her daughter was a woman, and could see that Harry thought so also.

She noticed that Draco and Hermione were off to the corner near the fire, talking in low tones and ignorant of the others around them. She was absolutely amazed at this, and saw Draco touch Hermione's hand without even realizing as they talked.

Molly looked to Dumbledore's portrait. He just smiled at her, a piece of candy in his hand.

She turned to where Harry and Ginny sat now, sipping their tea, and smiled with maternal love. No better a choice could her daughter have made in her eyes. Harry Potter was more then just 'The Chosen One', he was one of those that she could call son by adoption and maybe when this conflict was over, son by marriage. No one could replace Ron in her heart, but Harry's own spot was deeply chiselled in.

****

Severus Snape made his way down the stairs to the Room of Requirement. The charm made his leg stiff and he feared he'd tumble and break his neck. He could just imagine the celebration those upstairs would have over that. He snorted and made it safely to the bottom.

“Lumos!” He said lighting up the darkened hallway. He pulled back the flap and grimaced at Remus's condition. Tonks by unspoken agreement had always been off Auror duty on full moon nights since she and Remus had moved in together, and tonight had been her first time away in months.

Wolves mate for life, and werewolves had that instinct also. Whether Remus or Tonks had realized that fact or not, he had. He was pleased for Lupin, he'd led just as lonely a life as he had, but not by choice. Not many women wanted to date a werewolf, but in the circle of Slytherin his Death Eater status had a certain cache to it. The only one that had ever interested him was Lucius's wife Narcissa. So he had chosen to be alone rather than worry the risks his life could bring a witch- or the risks she would bring to his status.

Remus leaping at the door didn't faze him, he'd been in the company of other werewolves before. He was more concerned that the Wolfsbane potion didn't seem to be controlling him as well as it should be. Another matter to analyze this month.

Severus touched the knob and muttered the counter spell and waited. If the Room deemed it safe for him to enter it would open. He turned it with the half wish of it keeping him out, but wasn’t surprised as it clicked open. Severus pushed it and the sounds that were contained to the room now washed over him. Remus growled and snarled and made to leap at him, his teeth clicking at his face. The chains kept him just inches from Severus, and the dark wizard held his ground.

The fur around Remus's shackles were matted with dried blood, and Remus howled before settling to the floor in a crouch. He shook the chains towards Severus as if to ask him to unlock them.

“You look like something the cat dragged in old man.” Severus said finally with a snort. Remus growled low and then whimpered.

“Tonks was alive when I left them. You have to trust Arthur and Shacklebolt, they'll take very good care of her. They'd have been here by now if she wasn't okay.” Severus watched Remus settle down onto the mattress.

“You know I have to bind you to treat you.” Remus nodded his understanding. “It seems emotional state has an effect on the potion. I will have to adjust it and we can test that.” Severus commented then cast the binding spell.

“I know you hate this Lupin,” Snape conjured a bowl of water and raised the bed to a height where he could treat Remus without bending his knee. He took a cloth and wiped at the blood with a surprisingly gentle touch. “You've probably left scars on your wrists by doing this.” Severus kept talking, and his voice soothed the animal inside Lupin that was active tonight. He poured a disinfecting potion over the wounds before wrapping some bandages around them to keep the chains from chaffing more. He was glad dawn was breaking soon. He was tired and he knew Remus was ready to head to St Mungo's.
.

“I'll go tell them you are fine, and we all can get some rest.” Remus nodded and his eyes closed. Severus stepped back and cancelled out the binding spell. Remus opened his eyes briefly and looked at him before rolling into a ball and falling asleep.

Severus closed the door and the Room resealed itself to intruders for the rest of the night.

****


Molly poured herself another cup of tea and added some sugar, stirring it restlessly. She hoped Arthur would arrive soon. She worried about him, and knowing Tonks had been hurt tonight made her fret all the more. She loved her husband, and in her eyes he was a hero. Every year that passed made her fall more in love with him, and she hoped that her children found the same abiding love they had.

She was worried for Hermione. She had known Ron had not been the best choice for her; but they had loved each other. Ron had been more of an doer, while Hermione was a thinker. She would have welcomed her to the family with open arms if they had married though. She was the second daughter of her heart.

What was she doing with that Malfoy boy though? He'd only end up hurting her. He seemed to have changed, but by how much? She'd have words with Remus and Snape later. This little romance would have to be nipped in the bud.

She hoped Severus would hurry up. They were all tired and she could see Ginny practically falling asleep with her head on Harry's shoulder. They were so cute together. She sighed and tried to remember her and Arthur at that age- then decided maybe locking Ginny away till she was forty might be a good idea. Another topic to discuss with Arthur.

The door opened and Snape stepped in. Poor boy looks tired, Molly thought.

“Lupin is fine, and his wounds are superficial. I suggest everyone get to bed now, as dawn will be breaking soon. Molly I'm sure Potter can find you a room if you plan on staying the night.” Severus said.

“Yes if there isn't an empty one I can share with Ginny.” Molly smiled tiredly and set her cup down.

“Come on mum, there is one near mine.” Ginny stood up and Harry took her hand. The three of them left.

“Night,” Harry said as an afterthought, looking at Hermione when he said that. He was still upset over her acceptance of Malfoy into their little circle, and still mistrusted him. He hoped the outward changes reflected the inside, or he'd kill him before he allowed him to hurt Hermione. Letting go of his hatred was going to be hard, but if he wanted to make his best friend happy, he'd suffer for it. Silently, for now.

Harry had his own worries to fret over. Talking to Arthur Weasley was the uppermost of them. Somehow he now knew that maybe Arthur wasn't going to be the problem but Molly. He kissed Ginny good night at her door and hugged Mrs Weasley before slipping into his own room. Maybe he should have asked Hermione to make one of her famous lists of pros and cons for the upcoming conversation.

Harry slipped under the covers and fell asleep almost instantly; dreams of the future dancing in his head.

****

Snape had left the sitting room as soon as he had made his announcement. Draco and Hermione watched the door slide shut behind them all; leaving them almost alone. Neither were ready to part company, but knew it was time. Draco stood up an offered his hand, smiling down at her when she took it. He pulled her and into his arms and kissed her.

“Shall I walk you to your room?” Draco asked, pulling back slightly from her at the cough from the portrait.

“Sure, good night Professor sir.” Hermione said and turned to smile at the portrait.

“Night you two.” Albus Dumbledore said and watched the two leave him to sleep. The sight of those two brought him some hope that maybe in the future there could be unity between the Houses.

Draco and Hermione arrived at her door and she turned to look at him. She reached to brush a stray lock of blond hair out of his face, and let her hand caress down his cheek before it settled on his shoulder. She prayed no one walked out of their door as Draco's face drew closer to hers and they kissed. She felt his hands on her and his body brush against her when they pulled her to him. For a brief moment she forgot everything but them and the sensations he was bringing to her. She fell back against her door as he pressed closer and moaned slightly when he pulled away, burying his face into her neck. She felt his breath on her neck and the small nibble before he broke away.

“Good night, Hermione.” Draco said, still not letting go. He felt her move regretfully against him when she turned and opened her door.

“Draco would you-” The sound of an opening door down the hallway startled Hermione and she grabbed him by the hand and pulled him into her room. She didn't stop to think or look for who it was but just closed her door quietly behind them.

Draco looked around, a bit surprised by Hermione’s actions. Books were strewn everywhere in the otherwise clean room. The bed was covered in a red bedspread and the pillows had golden cases. The pictures his mind conjured up as well as the feelings it stirred when he looked at that piece of furniture led him to believe that right now it was a really bad idea to be alone with her.