The Hepatic Hex

Chapter 16

Hermione and Snape appeared at the edge of a forest in Vladivostok, Russia. It was dark and cold and caused Hermione to unconsciously move towards Snape for both comfort and warmth. He responded immediately by putting his arm around her and drawing her to him. Snape led them away from the forest and into the blackness of the early winters night.

“Do you know where we are headed Severus?” Hermione asked uncertain of her safety in the foreign country.

“Yes love, I visited this place, Lilliana’s family home, many times while we were together. It is only a short to to their estate.” Snape replied while comfortingly rubbing her arm.

“What about her Severus? I mean, she is a vampire, do we have anything to fear from her?” Hermione asked.

“No, well I don’t and because I don’t then you won’t either. Even though Lilliana and I divorced many years ago, the split as I mentioned when this whole thing bro brought up, was amicable. Although, we haven’t seen each other in over 20 years, every now and then we exchange owls. She has since remarried and is very happy from what she has told me. You, my dear, have nothing at all to fear. She has been at me for years just like Dumbledore to find someone. For that reason she will be pleased to meet you anbelibelieve happy to help us.” Snape kissed her lightly on her head as he finished.

Hermione was calmed by Snape’s reassurances and the two walked the remaining distance to the Van Dien residence in silence. As they rounded a bend the moon came out from behind the heavy clouds that were threatening to release a heavy fall of snow. The light from the moon lit up the pathway they were traveling on and Hermione was able to take note of the handsome mansion that they were approaching. It was smaller than she had been expecting, butchedched her anticipation of foreboding. As they approached the heavy cypress doors and Snape rapped with the ornate brass knocker, Hermione took a depth breath to compose herself.

The door flung open and Hermione thought it had done so independently until she heard someone click their fingers causing the torches lining the dark entry hall to burst to life. Once the glare of the flames died down Hermione found herself standing before the most beautiful and regal woman she believed she had ever seen and immediately became self-conscious. ‘Please don’t tell me that is Severus’ ex.’ Hermione wished. There was no doubt about it though when the woman ran into his arms.

“Severus. My God’s what are you doing here. It’s been so long.” The woman exclaimed in a deep throaty voice. ‘She can’t sound that sexy all the time can she?\' Hermione thought.

Snape embraced her willingly for a moment before pulling away and wrapping his arm around Hermione’s shoulder. Lilliana gesturhem hem inside and closed the door to protect them from dropping temperature before Snape spoke.

“Lilliana, it is good to see you again my dear. You look as stunning as you always did. May I introduce to you Miss Hermione Granger, my love and colleague.” Snape said proudly.

Lilliana turned to take in Hermione just as Hermione drank in Lilliana. The vampire was tall and statuesque. She had waist length black hair that framed her beautiful face and high cheekbones perfectly. She had piercing green eyes that had flecks of gold through the irises. Lilliana’s lips were full and colored blood red, and her dark scarlet robes accentuated the perfect proportions of her lean but curvaceous body. Hermione felt like an ugly duckling next tolianliana and she couldn’t fathom what Snape must have wrong with him to have called her beautiful when the world possessed beings like Lilliana Van Dien.

Lilliana broke out in a wide smile after a moment and, much to the surprise of both Snape and Hermione, embraced Hermione warmly.

“Hermione it is such a pleasure to meet you. Severus has been alone for such a long time. Ever since we-“ Lilliana gasped and put her hand over her mouth at what she was about to say. Snape laughedher.her.

“Lilliana, it’s okay. Hermione knows about what happened between us and she is far too much of an intelligent witch to let a relationship I had 20 years ago-before she was even born,” Hermione scowled at him for that comment “make her insecure.” Hermione felt guilty over her previous thoughts when Snape finished and managed a small smile to cross her face.

“Excellent. It is such a pleasurable surprise to have both of you turn up here tonight. Please come into the drawing room I have a gorgeous bottle of 1876 pinot noir I have been saving for a moment like this. Won’t you join me?”

Hermione spoke for the first time. “I regret Ms Van Dien that neither Severus nor I will be able to accept your offer. The reason for our refusal has also to do with the reason for our visit I am afraid.”

“What ever do you mean Hermione? And please call me Lilliana.”

“Thank you Lilliana. I will try my best to explain the situation to you, but it will take some time.” Hermione finished.

“Then please sit, I have four hours before I leave with my husband for our nightly hunt. Until then, I am all yours.” Lilliana replied.

Hermione and Severus sat together and after a short moment Hermione began retelling the entire events of the past few days to the vampire. She told her of the death of Lord Voldt ant and the rise of Suzie Owene toe told her about the murder of all Medi-witches and wizards in Great Britain except for Madam Pomfrey and the problem of the liver curse that everyone in their community was now reported to be suffering from. Lilliana’s eyes widened in disbelief as Hermione told her of all the known the wizarding pathological tests and the muggle urinalysis, failing to diagnose the problem.

“And tha why why we have come to you. Lilliana you are truly our last hope.” Hermione finished.

“I don’t understand exactly what you think I can help you with. I know nothing about the liver…” Lilliana started.

“No, Lilli, but you do know blood. We were hoping that you might be able to taste me and tell us if you notice anything different to the way I did 20 years ago, or if there has been any notable change in the taste in general.” Snape replied.

“Oh, I understand now. Of course I can do that for you. Even after all of these years I still remember what you taste like Sev. However, this is quite an intimate request. Hermione are you okay with this?” Lilliana asked while looking at Hermione with concern.

Hermione smiled brightly bat hat her for her consideration. “Thank you for asking Lilliana. Yes I am fine with it. I have complete faith in both you and Severus and am secure in my relationship with him. I am aware that this process can cause arousal in the host, but coming to see you was my idea. Although it is truly not needed, I do gmy cmy consent for this to happen. Without it, Severus and I may not have a future together anyway.” Snape smiled and kissed Hermione lightly when she had finished speaking while Lilliana beamed at the young witch in awe of her maturity despite her lack of experience.

‘I wonder if Severus knows that Hermione is a virgin?’ Lilliana mused. Her animalistic senses had identified Hermione as such from the moment she was in Lilliana’s presence.

“Well let’s get on with it then shall we?” Snape said to break the silence as he stood and undid the buttons on the right cuff of his frock coat.

Lilliana stood also and looked once more at Hermione for silent permission to proceed. Hermione nodded slightly at her and she slowly lifted Snape’s wrist to her mouth. Snape winced when her teeth broke the surface of his skin, but the pain was only a fleeting ache, which was quickly overcome with the first tingling of arousal. As Lilliana tasted him, Snape willed himself to stop the groan of pleasure he felt wanting to surface. He had forgotten what it was like to have Lilliana drink from him. He felt her lips and tongue caress the wound she had made, preventing it from clotting until she had finished. As he began to lose blood, he became heady with a familiar but long forgotten desire. His mind began to stray to the early days of his passion filled relationship with Lilliana when he noticed a movement out of the corner of his eyes. Hermione. Quickly he composed himself, and Lilliana, sensing the disort ort he was experiencing, pulled her mouth away from him.

Snape’s wrist healed immediately by itself as Lilliana, with a troubled look on her face, licked the remainder of his blood from her lips. Snape noticed the appearance distress on her face and quickly asked her if she had discovered the problem.

“Maybe.” Lilliana replied. “I need to ask you question though before I can be sure.”

“Go ahead.” Hermione answered for Snape.

“Severus,” Lilliana started “have you been having any problems of late performing magic?”

“A few, but that is to be expected I suppose with a degenerative illness such as the one I am infected with. You know that physical exhaustion impairs the ability of a witch or wizard to perform magic.” Snape replied.

Hermione listened intently at Lilliana’s question and Snape’s response, wondering why on earth the vampire would ask such an inane question, before the answer pounded to the front of her mind.

She stood suddenly with fear written all over her face. “No.” she whispered turning to Lilliana. “You can’t be implying what I think you are, you just can’t be!” She said in a frantic hush. Lilliana studied her closely before nodding her head solemnly. Snape on the other hand looked from one woman to the other in confusion.

“Lilliana what exactly did you discover?” He inquired through narrowed eyes.

The vampire turned back to him and spoke quietly. “Severus, have you ever wondered why we vampires choose to feed on Muggle blood rather than magical blood?” Lilliana asked him.

“No I can’t say it has ever been something I have troubled myself with. Why do you ask?”

“Magical blood is a rich delicacy. It is like an over spiced meal. We can consume it in small amounts, but too much of it can be rather off putting. Muggle blood on the other hand is sweet and light. Vampires can consume as much of it as they like without feeling adverse consequences.” Lilliana explained.

“Alright I understand but what has this got to do with anything?” Snape asked beginning to get the trademark Potions Master venom back into his voice.

“Your blood is turning sweet Sev. It no longer contains the overpowering spice of magic.” Lilliana replied sadly. Snape looked at her stunned trying to comprehend what she had told him. He then turned to Hermione who had silent tears running down her face. She walked quickly over to him and embraced him for a long moment before speaking.

“I am so sorry Severus. It didn’t even occur to me that this could be the problem. The liver is known for carrying out over 500 different functions, some of which haven’t fully been identified by Muggle science yet. One of those is the production of magic in witches and wizards.” Hermione told him reluctantly. “I can’t believe that I didn’t think of this sooner. I feel so Goddamn naïve.”

“Love it is not your fault. Obviously, this curse was cast to be as inconspicuous as possible and that is why all of our previous testing has failed. The question is, where we go from here.” Snape said while embracing her.

“We need to activate the early return charm on the portkey and get back to Hogwarts now Severus. We need the let the Headmaster know so he can help us in our council to find a remedy.” Hermione said. “Lilliana I am so very grateful to you for you assistance and am sorry that I cannot stay now to get to know you better. Please understand urgeurgency we must leave with.” Hermione said as she embraced the vampire.

“Of course I do. And I pray that you find the cure quickly Hermione. When you do, as I am sure that you will, please come back to visit with Severus, I would very much like to get to know you as well.” Lilliana said as they pulled apart.

Lilliana then embraced Snape for a long time, silently prayihat hat ythiything would work out for him. They pulled apart without the need to say anything to each other.AfteAfter one last long moment of silence between the three, Hermione activated the portkey, and she and Snape returned to Hogwarts.