Mirror, Mirror

Mirror, Mirror

Chapter 21 – A Hard Day’s Night

It all belongs to Rowling, except what you don’t recognize.


“I came as soon as your owl arrived. How is he?” Said Remus, adjusting his visitor’s pass to St. Mungo’s.
“Molly must be a wreck.”

“Bill’s in bad shape, but they think he’ll pull through. It was a very nasty curse breaking gone wrong. A special medical team Apparated them directly from the Canary Islands.” And then Harry pointed down the hall and nodded. “His partner.”

Lupin saw a girl, actually a woman, wearing torn, filthy khaki shorts and a matching top. Her hair, which looked to be normally a very curly honey blonde, was all different lengths and smoldering. Her face was sooty and there were bandages around her head, coming down over part of her face and covering one eye. “My Gods, shouldn’t she be in a hospital bed?” Remus didn’t wait for Harry’s answer but went straight to her.

“Excuse me, Miss. Should you be up?” He put a hand to her arm in concern, but drew it back when he saw it had been bandaged up like the rest of her face and head.

“Just try to stop me,” she snarled, and then put her hand to her mouth. “I’m sorry, I thought you were one of them damned nurses trying to make me go back to bed.”

Remus chuckled. “It seems then that might be the place for you. You do look rather banged up.”

“Oh, quite, well you should see the other chap.” She laughed and then made a face, “Ouch, my ribcage is all burnt as well. I shouldn’t laugh.”

“Oh, dear.” Remus was becoming more concerned by the moment. “Um. Madam?”

“It’s Miss. Miss Sweetwater. You can call me Crystal.”

Remus felt breathless, “You are beautiful!”

She glared at him. “Are you some sort of pervert? Look at me! I’ve been spat upon by a giant venomous acid-breathing spider, most of my hair is burnt off, I may be blind in one eye and my curse breaking partner is clinging to his life… and, and for two Knuts I’d throw it all up and become a Nursery School Teacher.” Big tears welled up in her eyes, which she brusquely wiped away with the back of her non-burnt hand.

“I’m sorry. Miss, I mean, Crystal. I’m sure Bill will pull through, the Weasleys are very tough you know, and you’ll heal just fine and your hair will grow back and… oh blast, I don’t know how to say this to a complete ngernger, but would you like a hug?”

She stopped and studied him with her mild, periwinkle blue eyes. Then, very slowly, she nodded. “It’s been a really, really bad day. Yes, I could use a hug. Just on the non-burnt side, please.”

Remus gingerly took her into his arms. The smell of spider acid was rather strong on her, but he was glad that he could be of service. Now that he’d seen her, he was quite certain that if it were at all in his power, she would indeed one day be his wife.


&&&

“Harry, come to bed,” said the red haired Witch with the Louisiana accent.

Harry was hiding in the bathroom. He was more afraid than he’d been since the final battle with Voldemort. He poked his nose out and there she was on his bed, in a black teddy, which was more lace than actual fabric. He didn’t want this evening to go wrong, but well, she was a terror. Lavender had always been a rather strong personality, but this Witch, well-- she had studied with the Vodoun Queen of New Orleans herself and it showed!

“Harry, I’m counting to three…” She smiled wickedly. “You British Wizards are just so damned coy… All right, one…”

“Champagne?” Harry popped out of the bathroom, well aware that he still had his socks and jockey shorts on. “Wouldn’t it be nice… be nice if I ran out and got us a jolly bottle of—“

Delilah looked taken aback. “Are you sure you’re the guy that did in that evil feller, Moldervole?”

“It was Voldemort, and yes, it’s in the history books and encyclopedias with a picture of me. I might have one about—“

In one catlike move, she was off the bed and next to him. “And you’re not gay? I’m mean, sometimes it’s hard to tell with you British types what with all your fancy talk and fine manners. I’m more used to the Cajun men, they’ll sweet talk ya, sure, but then they’ll come across,” her thin, elegant hand with her blood red painted nails swept down and over Harry’s genitals.

“I’m straight,” said Harry, his voice coming out about two octaves too high.

Delilah was on her knees pulling off his underwear with her teeth. “Hmmm. You’re different. What they don’t circumcise men here?” She grabbed hold of him and Harry gasped as her tongue whipped out and encircled the head of his cock, pushing back the foreskin.

“Oh, Gods, Delilah, couldn’t we take this to the bed?” he gasped.

She smiled. Harry couldn’t help but be amazed at how pale her skin was in contrast to her so red lips. She got off her knees but continued her grip on Harry’s erect penis pulling him along behind her. He felt a little ludicrous in his white cotton socks and his pants pooled down around his ankles. But as soon as he reached the bed he shook off the underwear and peeled off the socks while his lips were riveted to hers. She hadn’t let go of his cock, which was profusely dripping and jumping with each heartbeat. Her hand was rhythmically pulling and pushing bringing him very close to a climax.

“Delilah, could you stop that! You’re going to make me come in your hand, really I don’t need that much stimulation.”

“Oh, no?” she drawled. “Well, that’s good to hear then, because I just wanted to get your motor runnin’ while you returned the favor?”

Suddenly Harry found himself on the bottom with Delilah on top. She undid the crotch of her teddy and hoisted it over her head. She brought her red bushy triangle up to his mouth. It was at this point Harry realized that he was in way over his head! He’d spent most of his life being trained as a weapon against the forces of dark. He was a fighter not a lover, and in fact the times he’d been shagged he could count on his fingers. Gently, he parted her labia and began to use his tongue there. He’d never performed cunnilingus on a woman before. Well, it wasn’t his fault, he thought, No one ever asked him to before!

She ground her mound over his face and he used his thumb to play with her clit while licking and kissing the wetness between her legs. She had her hands in his hair, massaging his scalp and he had to admit it felt rather nice. In fact, he didn’t mind this at all, being dominated by this incredibly assertive woman. It was scary, but scary nice. Suddenly, she was pulling away from his mouth and he gave a little scream as she brought her cunt down over his very solid, almost aching erection.

Her green eyes met his green eyes, and she very slowly wet her crimson lips. “Ready for the ride of your life, Sugahbear?” Harry swallowed and nodded. His eyes rolled up as he felt her grasp his balls in her hand and she took him to her first of their many orgasms of the evening.

Two hours later, he lay there in a pool of sweat and other bodily fluids and thought about his life. He’d been the hope of the Wizarding world. He’d faced down Dementors and Death Eaters and all other sorts of assorted horrors. But tonight he’d met his match. He belonged to her now. And if she wanted to put him on a leash and walk him down High Street Hogsmeade with nothing else on but a studded collar and an idiot’s grin, he’d do so.

&&&

The three Wizards met in the dark, dank alley that ran between Knockturn and Diagon. Snape kept his breathing steady and his face neutral. Harry and Remus were equally stern.

“Are you sure this is it?”

“Almost certain. I’ve studied the Silver Heather notes of the final battle, which my counterpart had left me. Sirius had gone up against Wormtail and destroyed him. In our realm, Sirius had died at the Battle at the Ministry.” Harry took a moment to swallow down the bile. For Hermione’s sake and for the sake of finally ridding their realm of any influence of Tom Riddle, he’d made an uneasy alliance with Snape. Still, even after all these years, it hurt and the hatred would flair.

“In addition, my own instincts as well as information coming from the Alliance of Ex-lycanthropes indicates that Wormtail has gone to ground here, pretending to be a familiar at this rather dubious pet store.”

“Can you actually detect him?” asked Snape.

“Yes. I smell him quite clearly, along with something—“ Remus’ face took on a sneer which reminded the other two Wizards that the curse was never actually lifted, “which I would describe as a Voldemortian stench.”

“Well, then,” said Harry, “on my mark. Now!”

Snape pointed his wand at the door and it vanished into purplish smoke. Harry and Remus rushed in and there, amid many cages, was one with a fat, oily rat missing a paw.

Harry recited an incantation that was part blessing and part hex. The rat squealed loudly and then a strong wind blew up. Snape and Remus both joined in on the chant. The rat shimmered and, still squealing, began to desiccate and blow away. There was an echo of a man’s scream fading into their ears and then silence, except for a dorkinrking a few shops down from them.

Harry collapsed onto his knees and both Snape and Remus helped him get back on his feet.

“Harry? Are you all right?”

The younger wizard nodded. “I’ve been learning some rather amazing things from Delilah, not all just fun and sex you know.” He grinned. “Severus, can you check your arm?”

Snape pulled up the sleeve of his robe. “It’s gone.” There was no emotion in his voice, but Remus noticed something wet trickling down from Snape’s eye. The tear glistened in the candlelight.

Harry clapped Snape on the shoulder. “Well, I know Hermione will feel much better!”

“Good-O!” said Remus, “Anyone for drinks on me at the Leaky Cauldron? I’m up for a celebration.”

“No, thank you,” said Snape. “I didn’t tell Hermione what we were doing. I didn’t want her to worry.”

Harry started to laugh. “Well, the fat will be in the fire. How are you going to explain the mark gone missing then?”

Snape glared at the younger Wizard, “I’ll think of something. It’s not your problem, is it?”

“I think she has you whipped,” said Harry continuing to laugh.

“Oh, really,” replied Snape. “And when are you leaving for your new job with the Aurors in that mosquito ridden, humid swamp, what do they call it, oh yes, New Orleans.”

“Quite, her visa was up and—“ Harry blushed, “right, well…”

“So neither one of you two can get away? Not even for just a pint?” Remus shook his head sadly.

“I didn’t say that. Of course, Hermione would—“

“Delilah just doesn’t like to go to sleep by herself—“

Remus laughed. “Well, I think I’ll give Crystal a shout on the floo and ask her to join me. I hate to drink alone.”

Harry and Snape both Apparated their separate ways, while Remus, whistling a Twisted Sisters tune, went loping off to the Leaky Cauldron.


&&&

Snape Apparated to the Hogsmeade cottage that he now shared with his lover, Hermione. He felt nervous, but then again that had become a normal state of existence for him. He really wasn’t used to being in a relationship. It felt a bit like trying to walk across a stable filled with Hippogriff dung while balancing a large caldron filled with bubotubor pus on one’s head-- not to say it couldn’t be done while maintaining one’s dignity.

He was going to show her that the mark was gone. And maybe she’d want to marry him then. It wasn’t that he’d already had asked and she’d turned him down, or anything. He just wanted to solidify their relationship a bit before tricking her into saying yes.

Returning to work at St. Mungo’s, she was in the middle of her final rotation before becoming officially licensed as a Medi-Witch. She had been assigned to a Dr. Falco. Hermione really respected the Wizard and was continually singing his praises. However, Snape had met the man once and found him to be the most egotistical horse’s arse he’d ever met.

The irony that she was doing her psych rotation at the same time as living with a torture survivor was not lost on either of them and at this point he was quite overwhelmed by the number of potions she was prescribing for him to take daily, as well as being kept active brewing them in their lab out back. It did keep him busy while waiting to hear whether the New DADA professor at Hogwarts would sufficiently recover from his infected Grindylow bite to actually return to teaching after the Christmas Holiday break. Snape was keeping his fingers crossed for the man, either death or permanent disability would do. Nothing personal, of course, but now that he finally had his foot in the door, he didn’t want to lose out on the position.

He entered the living room to find her sitting on the couch reading MediWizarding Today. He swiftly kissed her on the cheek before massaging her neck and shoulders. She purred and held onto his hand, “That was lovely.”

“Tough day then?”

“Oh, no just wonderful. They are talking about giving Dr. Falco a peerage for the way he handled the Gilderoy Lockhart situation a few weeks back.”

“Well, I know that you hold him in very high regard.”

Snape removed her shoes put her foot in his lap. He started massaging it.

“Oh, that feels wonderful,” she said not even looking up from her journal.

Snape’s mind worked quickly. He’d massaged her neck and now her feet, from feet it was directly up the leg to her Delta of Wonders and then he’d have her in bed. Only problem was, when would he display the dark mark’s disappearance to her? He was busily massaging her when Hermione, seemingly reading his mind, used her toes to tease him into an erection. He swallowed and allowed himself to moan in response to her tease.

The tightness was always there in his chest. It never really ever left, except during sex and it’s afterglow. It was only in those times that he was certain that she wanted him, that she loved him. All the other times, he just ached, uncertain of her love, uncertain that she would really be there. She was so young, how could he trust anything that she said or did?

She was smiling at him, lingling him with her toes playfully and he wanted to play with her, too. Still, he needed to get it out of the way, to show her.

Without saying a word, he pulled up the sleeve of his robe and watched as the shock spread over her face. Then with a little laugh she launched herself at him and covered him with kisses. He put his arms around her, again reassured for a little while that she would not change her mind about him.

She pulled away and looked at him, stroking his face with her hand. “How?”

“Harry Potter of the Silver Heather realm. He was able to figure out the differences in the final battle and why in one world all things Voldemort had disappeared while here the rot seemed to linger.”

“Harry did this for you?”

“Oh, yes,” said Snape with a sick twisting in his gut, “wonderful chap, right?”

Hermione burst into peals of laughter. “Oh, the look on your face. I love you, so much!” She kissed him and then led him to bed. He didn’t mind making her laugh, not if it had the right result. And in this case, it had.

He had a sudden inspiration. Between the emotionality of his having lost the Dark Mark and his giving her a thorough shagging, she was bound to agree to marry him. He’d just have to make sure he really pleased her in bed. Oh and add in some love poetry as well. Snape nodded to himself. Yes, yes, it just might work...


&&&

“Push, Mommy, push harder—“

“Now, Sarah, leave Mommy alone, please don’t annoy her.”

“Arrrrgh!” yelled Hermione and held onto her husband’s arms a bit tighter. The contraction passed and she slumped back against her husband.

“Mommy, he was crowning! I saw his hair.”

“You’re doing fine, Hermione.” Said Neville Longbottom their midwife. “I’m pretty sure it will only be a push or two more. Perhaps you would like to switch positions, Dr. Snape, so you can catch your son.”

Snape merely glared at his former student who blanched.

“Oh Hell and Damnation, not another contraction, it’s coming.” Hermione let out a roar and Sarah started hopping from foot to foot.

“I see his head. I see it—“

“Reach down and touch it, you’re doing wonderfully,” crooned Neville.

“Arrrrgh,” and then the head was out. Snape continued to hold her up as she squatted. And then Neville stood up and took over.

“Go ahead, go catch him.” He said gently pushing Snape away from her back. And then he supported Hermione as Snape, pale faced and silent, went neelneel between his wife’s legs.

“Oh Bloooooody—“

“Keep pushing, Hermione,” said Neville in his quiet, reassuring manner.

“Oh, shut the fuck up, Neville—“

“Right—“ said Neville blushing furiously.

With a nasty sucking sound, the baby slurped out of her and into his father’s waiting hands.

“I see the baby. I see the baby,” droned Sarah turning pale with excitement.

“That’s right, Dr. Snape, wrap him in the towels.” Neville moved from where he’d been supporting Hermione while she squatted and helped her sit back, supported by pillows. He came forward and checked the baby, “Right, ten fingers, tens toes and one forked tail. Ooops, no tail, just a little midwifery joke there.”

Snape brought the baby up to his wife and she looked at her son with exhausted pride.

“We did it, Hermione,” Snape said, breaking his silence. He’d been so afraid throughout it all that he couldn’t speak. He was certain she’d die and his baby would die that it would all go just horrendously wrong. After all, it was Longbottom attending!

“Yes, love,” said Hermione watching her husband and again grateful for his love and support. She knew he’d been terribly afraid to have the child away from St. Mungo’s, but he had trusted her. It had taken a long time to win that trust and she’d always keep it safe. She’d learnt her lesson.

She put the babe to her breast and sighed as he latched on.


A/N: Anyone up for an epilogue, or are we all happy campers now? Also, it’s my son’s birthday today, so I thought the little homebirth thingy was rather appropriate.

Big shout out now to my wonderful reviewers, thank you all so much for keeping me company and encouraging me so much: Deb, Glinda, Snapeaholic, Deblovesdragon, Nesscafe, Idamae, LittleBird, Andriana, Jkrazed, FriendlyQuark, AlphaRyoko, Anon, Nocturnus, Hawaii and Crudedly.


And thank you, Sheila, for the times you’ve read my stuff and held my hand!