Ensnaring The Senses

Severus looked into the mirror hanging over the small dresser in Hermione's childhood bedroom. He'd been surprised to find out that she hadn't chosen to live here when she had been pregnant or after when Cissa was born. She'd chosen Draco's mansion, and for some reason it was making him oddly jealous.

He looked over to the blue frilly canopy bed and sighed. Least she is sleeping, Severus thought as he sat in a comfy well used recliner by a bookcase bursting with books. He reached for one, not caring the title; just hoped it was boring enough to make him sleepy.

Lunch and dinner had went well with the elder Grangers once Harold had accepted their relationship, but Severus had been startled by the sight of all the pictures of Draco that littered the walls of house. Draco feeding Cissa, Draco dancing with Hermione at some party, Draco and Hermione snuggled together on the couch with him rubbing her back.

Severus knew that nothing had really happened between Draco and Hermione, but still the pictures bothered him. They were of what he should have been doing. Regrets, I've had a few. Ran through his head. He slammed his mental walls down firmly on the thoughts.

He opened the book and quickly closed it. Somehow a book entitled “So You're a Muggleborn and Expecting” wasn't something he needed to read at the moment. Her parents were in a room just a few doors down, and though silencing spells worked wonders in situations likes these; he just couldn't picture fooling around in a laced covered bed.

Severus got up with a sigh, he was tired; but his mind kept running in restless circles. He slid underneath the covers beside Hermione and almost jumped as her arms wrapped around his chest.

“About time,” She murmured while snuggling her face into his chest. He could feel the warmth of her breath as she drifted back to sleep. He kissed the top of her head and closed his eyes, letting his mind drift back into the past once again.

Draco and Severus stood at the outskirts of a small town in Bulgaria. It was a week after the Final Battle and there had been rumors of Death Eaters in the area and now here they were. Other Order teams had been dispatched to other places, but they had chosen this assignment because it was Lucius and Bellatrix they were after.

Both were dressed in black, and Draco had a dark hat on; covering his blond hair. Silently they followed the trail up into the woods, the path strewn with leaves and broken twigs that they stepped carefully to avoid.

With wands clutched and at the ready, they entered a clearing. Severus had done detection spells, and couldn't find any traps. A silent spell hit Severus, dropping him to the ground; stunned and bound, he lay there helpless. His mind screamed in frustration as he saw Draco fall with him, and the face of Lucius Malfoy standing over him chilled him to the bone.

They had walked into a trap, and for the first time he had underestimated his prey. Bellatrix strolled from behind a tree, twirling her wand.

“Hello brother, fancy meeting you here. And with my traitorous son no less.” Lucius said and kicked Severus in the ribs, the sounds of breaking bone filled the silence. Lucius walked over to Draco and stared down at him with contempt.

“You disappointed me Severus. Worse then my own son. You had me fooled for years on your true allegiance. Was it you or my cheating wife that turned my own son against me-- Against Our Lord?” Lucius bent down and ran a finger across Draco's cheek in the mockery of a loving caress.

“I never trusted him, Luci- you should have believed me!” Bellatrix said and stepped over to stand by the elder Malfoy's side. Her eyes glowed with the madness caused by watching Voldemort die and the death of the Toujours Pur dream she craved.

“Well like flies they have arrived in our web, dearest sister. Now to step B,” Severus watched in horror as both pointed their wands at Draco. Spell after spell hit the young wizard, making him writhe in pain against the bonds that held him.

“Enjoying the show, Snape?” Bellatrix asked and turned to look him in the eye. “Watching your dead lover's son in pain and die has to hurt, and hurt you more then your own death.” Her manic laughter filled the air. Severus struggled and could only watch.

“Oh Luci, I think Snape is upset. Sectumsempra.” Bellatrix flicked her wand with a swish and Severus felt the pain of a hundred knives cut across his skin.

“Bloody hell Trixy! Finite Incantum.” Lucius shouted, “He bleeds to death too soon and he'll miss the full show.”

Lucius had spelled his eyes open, and Severus watched in agony as the young man he considered his son was hit by every painful spell the two Death Eaters could cast. He saw the young wizard finally pass out with pain, his blood pooled around him.

Severus felt the bonds loosen slightly, and reached his hand into his pocket and activated the charm within it. It's silent call reached out to other Order members, and he prayed it would not be too late for Draco.

The two Death Eaters returned to him. His mind accepted his long due fate and he stared into their eyes with hatred.

“Don't fret brother, I'm allowing Draco to live- for now. His cut wounds run deep, and the other spells have probably taken his mind away. He'll be no better than the Longbottoms.” Lucius laughed, “I thought that knowledge would hurt you more then him actually dying. He's the last in the line, he'll create no little blood traitors with anyone now. Crucio!” Lucius shouted, and sneered while watching his old friend writhe with the pain.

The thunderous sounds of apparition were heard in the field. Severus almost sighed with relief, but instead groaned as both Bellatrix and Lucius disapparated from the scene. He lost consciousness with the worried look of Harry Potter his last vision.


Hermione awoke to the mumbles and stirrings of her lover beside her. He seemed to be locked in a nightmare. The only intelligible words she understood were 'Draco', 'Lucius' and a long drawn out 'No'. Hermione quickly grabbed her wand and casted a silencing charm before attempting to awaken him.

“Severus.” Hermione whispered and shook his shoulder lightly. Her touch and voice woke him with a start. Severus was still trapped in the nightmare and reflexively grabbed her, rolled them over till she was pinned beneath him; his wand pointed at her neck.

“Where are they?” Severus demanded, his eyes still unfocused from sleep.

“Where are who Severus?” Hermione asked, alarmed at how he still had her pinned and his wand digging into the flesh of her throat.

“Lucius and that witch-- Bellatrix!” He whispered harshly.

“Dear they have been dead for twelve years now. Remember?” She reminded him and felt his grip loosen with her words. He groaned and rolled off her, laying back on the pillow beside her.

“Yes. I'm sorry love. The nightmare of that night- the night Draco was tortured- comes back to me, trying to make me go crazy or remember something.” Severus said, rubbing his face his hand before drawing it through his already mussed hair.

“Have you looked at it in a Pensieve? Maybe if we did it together it would not hold the power it does over you,” Hermione asked and kissed him on the chin. His arms went around her and held her close. She scooted up and kissed him again on the lips and he returned it before pulling back.

“Maybe later Hermione, after Umbridge's trial.” Severus replied, and she kissed him again; rubbing against him.

“Make love to me.” She asked.

“Not here, love. Your parents-” Severus protested and then got lost in her kisses.

“Silencing charm is up Sev, and they sleep like the dead.” She said before he rolled her over and they got lost in the moment.

~*~

“Good morning you two!” Harold Granger said, looking up from his Sunday morning paper. He held up his cup of coffee and pointed with it to perking pot of fresh on the counter.

“Morning Dad.” Hermione said with a kiss to his the top of his balding head and made a cheeky hand grab at his plate for the blueberry muffin sitting there. He playfully slapped at her hand, dropping his paper to his lap.

“Hermione,” Severus said her name and looked at her reproachfully.

“What? Dad always has my muffin on his plate.” Hermione replied taking a huge chunk out of the muffin in one bit. Harold laughed at Severus' confused look.

“Have some coffee and a muffin. Helen made them before heading off to the shower. Church is in an hour if you'd both like to join us.” Harold said and set his cup down, placing his napkin on his plate. He saw the look Severus gave Hermione at the word 'church' and laughed again.

“Be back down in a few.” Harold kissed Hermione's cheek.

“I am not going to a Muggle church Hermione, the times my father forced me as a child left a bitter taste in my mouth.” Severus told her, making a gesture with his spoon before stirring his coffee.

“Our minister happens to have a witch for a sister, Severus. You'll find it refreshing.” Hermione's giggles filled the air.

“I didn't bring appropriate clothing-”

“You're a wizard Severus, use your wand.” Hermione reminded him needlessly.

“Do you really want to go?” Severus asked with a sigh of resignation.

“Yes, and he'll be the one performing the Muggle ceremony like Mum craves. I'm going to get ready, come on.” Hermione laughed again and listened to Severus mumble as they ascended the stairs back to her bedroom.

“I am not going to enjoy this and I am not having a Muggle ceremony....” His words trailed off as he slammed the bathroom door. Hermione heard the running water and picked up his clothes to first scourgify and then transform them into a suit. She laid them across the bed and waited for him to come out.

“At least you left them black Hermione,” Severus said and watched her close the bathroom door before picking up his wand and transfiguring the suit to suit his tastes. He lengthened it and widened the hem to slightly billow as he walked. He gave his snarkiest grin before dressing.

Hermione stepped from the bathroom already dressed and ready to go. She took one look at Severus's alterations and laughed.

“Severus not every article of clothing you wear needs to flow.”

“You don't need to laugh at me either. And you said to use my wand.” Severus smirked before tucking his arm through hers.

The Grangers climbed into the front seat of their car and waited as Severus arched his eyebrow at Hermione, sighed and then climbed in.

“You owe me for this one,” He whispered and tucked his long legs uncomfortably into the small space.