Love's Journeys *COMPLETE*

Love’s Journeys


Chapter 16- The Test of a Lover’s Sanity


Severus woke up the next morning lying in the cot next to Hermione. He looked over at her bruised and broken body. As he watched her take shallow breaths fresh tears came to his eyes. “Hermione. I’m so sorry this happened to you. I wish I could go back and prevent this. Please come back to us. I need you to fight and come back.” He clutched her hand tightly in his. As he said this he swore he felt her hand tightly slightly around his.


In the Great Hall word of the attack had already spread throughout the school. At the Slytherin table Pansy, Crabbe, and Goyle seemed pleased with themselves for their handy work. “Look at them. They seem rather smug about what happened with Hermione.” Remus said to Sirius, Minerva and Albus.


“I agree. Albus what do we do?” Sirius asked.


“I’m going to be talking to them once breakfast is over. We will find out the truth. If they refuse to answer me truthfully I will have Severus give them the truth potion and make them talk.” Albus replied solemnly.


At that moment the morning post came in a letter was dropped in front of Pansy. It was from Draco. “What does he say?” Goyle asked.


Pansy pulled out the letter and showed it to them. It read:


Dear Pansy, Crabbe and Goyle,
I am very pleased at your handy work. When I used my window to look in on the mudblood I was quite impressed. It seems she will be out of commission for a while. That gives me the perfect opportunity to get the job done and kill the little mudblood and that traitor Snape. Wait for further instructions. I will need your help again to get Snape away so I can finish the job. Then Snape will die as well.


Draco Malfoy


“I can’t wait to get my hands on Snape. The traitor has to die.” Crabbe said smiling evilly.


“I agree. We will do as Draco says. We wait for his instructions.” Pansy said as she folded the letter and placed it in her pocket.


The delivery of the letter did not go unnoticed by Remus. ‘I’ll have to watch those three. They will no doubt they will try to hurt Severus and give Malfoy the chance to finish off Hermione. I can’t allow that.’ Remus thought as he finished his breakfast.


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“Severus, you have to eat. You can’t chance not taking care of yourself as well. When Hermione comes too she’s going to need there by her side. She will be in for a long and painful rehabilitation.” Poppy said as she placed a hand on his shoulders.


“You’re right. I just can’t stand to see her this way. Poppy, I’m returning to my quarters to shower and eat. I’ll be back in an hour or two.” Severus agreed quietly.


“Very well Severus. I’ll watch her for you. If there is any change I’ll send for you immediately.” She sighed.


Severus nodded, leaned over and kissed his wife on her forehead, then swept out of the room. The students were still in the Great Hall so he didn’t encounter anyone on his way to their quarters. He walked into the bathroom, stripped off his robes and climbed under the hot shower. His tired muscles began to relax under the pulsing water. He rested his forehead against the cold shower wall.


‘I can’t handle this anymore. The next time Hermione will be killed. If that happens I will die myself. After that fucking son-of-a-bitch Draco dies at my hands.’ Severus thought as he slammed his fist into the wall.


Sirius had just entered the potions classroom when he heard the sound of glass breaking in Severus and Hermione’s sitting room. Drawing his wand he quietly made his way into the room. The sight before him broke his heart. There was Severus crumpled on the floor his face buried in his hands and a bottle of Fire whisky broke against the wall. Sirius put away his wand and knelt beside his friend. Sirius gently pulled the broken Potion’s Master into his arms in a brotherly embrace.


“Everything will be all right Severus. We will protect Hermione.” Sirius said.


“Protect her? I couldn’t even protect her from being nearly beaten to death at the hands of Draco’s cronies. I can’t protect the woman I love from anything Sirius. It’s my fault she’s in danger. My love is causing her pain. Maybe I shouldn’t have married her. I love her so much but my love is killing her.” Severus cried.


“Severus! Stop, listen to yourself. It’s your love for Hermione that’s giving her strength. It will be your love for her and her love for you that will get the two of you through these dark times. She needs you to be strong now. You can’t give up. If you give up Hermione WILL die!” Sirius yelled as he forced Severus to look at him.


Severus looked into his friend’s eyes, tears flowing down his cheeks. “Sirius, I…I don’t think I can do this. My soul feels like it's dead without her, seeing her laying there in the hospital almost dead because of my love for her.”


“STOP THIS RIGHT NOW! Before Hermione and you fell in love she was a target. You and she both said so! It wouldn’t have matter if you and her fell in love or not. Malfoy still would have tried to kill her. Being with you has helped protect her.”


Severus leapt to his feet. “HELPED HER?! She was kidnapped, raped, beaten, lost her parents and our unborn child! Now this! During all of those times I should have been at her side but NO! I left her alone! How could she love a monster like me! A monster of the dark! I have let her down ever since we fell in love Sirius! It would serve me right if when she wakes up if she divorces me! I deserve a life of solitude for what I have done to the one and only woman I could and will ever love!” Severus yelled then collapsed to his knees in tears once more.


Sirius walked to the fireplace and called for Minerva to get to the dungeons right away. Sirius once more took his broken friend into his arms and waited for Minerva to appear. A few minutes later Minerva burst into the room.


“Severus? What’s wrong son?” she asked as she knelt beside Sirius and Severus.


“I’ve failed her Minerva. I’ve failed as a lover and a husband. I don’t deserve to have the title of Hermione’s husband. She deserves better than me. I’m destined to a life of solitude. She’s going to divorce me when she wakes up. I know she will. And I deserve that.” Severus sobbed as he clung to his Godmother.


“Severus, she won’t leave you. Hermione loves you and will not leave you. You’re wrong about something though.” Minerva started.


“W...what?” Severus whispered.


“You do deserve her. You of all people deserve happiness in your life. Hermione told me as we were heading to meet the train yesterday that you are her light in these dark times. She has gotten her strength to fight and survive from you. She would never leave you. She loves too much to do that. Be strong Severus. Why don’t you get something to eat and return to Hermione’s side. She needs you now more than ever.” Minerva replied as she stroked his hair soothingly.


Sirius just patted Severus’s shoulder. Severus finally rose to his feet and moved to the couch as Minerva sat beside him holding him tenderly in her arms. Sirius quickly ordered some food for Severus. As Severus ate Sirius and Minerva watched him closely. Once he was finished Sirius returned to the classroom while Minerva escorted Severus back to Hermione’s bedside.


“Thank you Minerva. I don’t know what I would have done without you.” Severus said as he hugged the older witch tightly.


“I hope you never have to find out. Now, just stay at your wife’s side. I’ll be by later to check on you.” Minerva smiled as she kissed his forehead as well as Hermione. Then she left the couple alone.


“How is the boy holding up Minerva?” Albus asked as he met up with Minerva on the way to her classroom.


“Oh Albus. His very sanity is being tested. Just like Sybil predicted. He’s so sure that Hermione will divorce him once she’s well. This has to stop. Neither one of them can take much more.” Minerva answered sadly.


“I agree. They will pull through. I know they will. We will stop Draco Malfoy and end their pain and suffering. I have to go. I’m meeting with Miss Parkinson and Misters Crabbe and Goyle. I’ll let you know what I find.” Albus said as he headed for his office.


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Albus entered his office and found Pansy, Crabbe and Goyle waiting for him. “It has come to my attention that you three have been in contact with Draco Malfoy. I also have a notion to believe that you three were the ones that attacked Miss Granger. Now, I’m giving you three the chance to tell me the truth or I will summon Professor Snape and have him administer the truth potion and make you tell me.”


“We aren’t saying anything. You have no proof.” Pansy said as she crossed her arms across her chest. Crabbe and Goyle smirked.


“Very well, I will give the three of you three days to tell the truth. Until then you three are under house arrest. You will not leave your common room. You meals will be brought to you as well as your lessons. When you three are ready to tell me the truth I’ll be waiting until then, you will be given the truth potion in three days. Dismissed.” Albus ordered.


Pansy, Crabbe, and Goyle went straight to their common room. They knew better than to test Dumbledore. Once in the common room Pansy sat down and began to write a letter to Draco. Once finished she sent it to him by use of her owl.


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Draco was sitting in front of the magic window. He had gotten a nice little laugh at the sight of the vile Potions Master in pain and agony. Just then an owl swooped in and dropped a letter in his lap. He quickly opened it.


Draco,
We have a slight problem here. Dumbledore suspects us. Myself, Crabbe and Goyle are under house arrest. In three days we will be given the truth potion. If that happens He will know the truth. What do we do?

Pansy


“That meddling old bastard. Well, I’ll just have to get them out. Can’t let them figure out everything just yet. Let them continue to guess what my plans are. They will never stop me from my mission.” Draco snarled as he went to the fireplace.


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Severus sat at Hermione’s side all morning. At lunch Harry and Ron came by with a bouquet of flowers for Hermione. “How is she?” Ron asked as he sat beside Severus.


“Hermione is at least she is breathing on her own and off that damned machine. I guess that’s an improvement.” Severus said, never taking his eyes off of Hermione.


“And how are YOU holding up?” Ron asked again.


“I have failed her in every way Ron. She deserves better than me. I’m not doing so well. I fear that my love for her is killing her.” Severus answered sadly.


“You’re wrong. Severus, listen to me. You and Hermione belong together. She gets her strength from you and you get your strength from her. You need each other. You must stay strong. Hermione needs you to be strong now. For her and for yourself.” Ron stated as he placed his hand on Severus’s shoulder.


“Listen to Ron Severus. Everything will be fine. You’ll see. Hermione will get better and we will kill Draco and you two will be free of your nightmares and your fears.” Harry added as he too rested his hand on the older wizard’s other shoulder.


“Thank you. Both of you.” Severus nodded. ‘Hermione, I will fight. I will stay strong for you. I love you.’ He thought as he held Hermione’s hand tighter within his own. “I love you Hermione.” Severus whispered as he gently brushed his lips against the wedding ring on her finger.


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Back in the Slytherin Common room Pansy, Goyle and Crabbe sat and waited for a response from Draco. All of a sudden the fire place came to life and Draco’s face was in the flames. “Draco, what do we do?” Pansy asked.


“Step through the flames. You three will be of better use to me near me than there at the school.” Draco replied.


They looked at each other then one by one they stepped through the fire and left the school to aide Draco in his evil doings. Once in Draco’s hiding place the four began to plot on how they would get near Hermione and Snape to kill them.


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Later that evening Dumbledore entered the Slytherin common room. He looked around but there was no sign of Pansy, Goyle or Crabbe. "Miss Boulstrod have you seen Miss Parkinson and Misters Goyle and Crabbe?” Dumbledore asked.


“Not since this morning Headmaster.” She answered.


Dumbledore quickly left the room and headed to the hospital wing where Remus, Sirius, and Minerva were visiting Hermione and Severus. He entered the wing and went straight for Hermione’s room. “Albus, what did you find out?” Remus asked.


“They said nothing. I gave them three days and placed them under house arrest. I have just come from Slytherin. They are not there. I fear that Miss Parkinson has contacted Draco and Draco has managed to get them out of the castle and taken them to where he is hiding.” Albus replied sadly as he sat next to Sirius.


“Now what? With those three helping him we will have to keep our eyes peeled even more. There is no doubt in my mind that Draco will try to finish the job and kill Hermione and Severus. We can’t let that happen.” Remus demanded as he took hold of Hermione’s right hand.


“We won’t let that happen. I will increase the spell I cast that will alert us to Draco’s presence to include those three. I will also ask for more Aurors and Order members to guard Hermione and Severus.” Albus assured them.


Severus jumped to his feet and ran from the room. “I’ll go.” Remus said as Minerva and Sirius both rose to follow him.


They nodded and Remus followed Severus. He found Severus Kneeling at the edge of the lake. “Severus?” Remus asked gently as he knelt beside Severus.


“I can’t do this. Remus, find a way to get in touch with Malfoy. I’ll surrender to spare Hermione’s life.” Severus said his voice ragged with emotion.


“No. I won’t let you. If you die then Hermione would be heartbroken.” Remus argued.


“But she would be alive!” He looked at the werewolf. “I…I’m sorry. This is just too much. The danger is increasing here. I only want Hermione safe.” Severus sighed.


“I know. We all want her and you safe. We will find a way. Remember what Sybil said. The light will win in the end. We will find a way. Now, let’s get back to your wife.” Remus replied as he wrapped his arm around Severus’s shoulder and steered him back to the castle.


T.B.C