The Hepatic Hex

Hi, everybody….

This chapter signals the beginning of the end…as there are only a handful of chapters to go I am currently opening myself up for enticements *cough bribes cough* to have Hermione and Sev find happiness…Money and alcohol are most acceptable but would much prefer Sev served on silver platter…or my bed…or desk…or shower…I think you get the idea…I suppose though reviews in the end MAY sway me…

That is not to say that they won’t be together in the end…I just enjoy screwing with your security blankets…can’t give away the ending…so actually the question you should ask yourselves is…Can she really be that much of a bitch??… The short answer to that is yes…yes I can be…but will I????

This chapter did sooo not want to be written…many broken family heirlooms and abused bottle of shiraz can attest to that…So please excuse me if it is utter trash…

Kiri: Glad to see I can surprise someone other than myself…Am immensely curious about what you thought his interest in the De la Rosa’s was...as for your final comment…would have thought by now that you new me well enough to not jump the gun…*evil plotting grin*…then again…with my mood swings you never can tell…

Alia: I give you this: With patience the mulberry leaf becomes a silk gown (Chinese proverb)…thank you for once again by calling me by my fav. Pet name…*smirk*…evil indeed…

Tigress: My Sweet you will have to do much, much more than that to freak me out. Patience my pet, all shall be revealed soon enough…as a side note I believe the correct term in my case is prostitute – not whore.. (ahhh that is in reference to reviews in case anyone doesn’t understand…)…Would sell my soul for them….that is if I were still in possession of one….*evil gesture*

Rilla: Why does he need to get out of it???…Would quite enjoy seeing the looks on everyone’s faces if he didn’t…Yes I am that cruel…*big cheesy grin*

Daya: *Ss* Rs* Red hot poker hey??? Sounds quite arousing to be honest… If you are trying to threaten or intimidate me it would be more effective to ship Aragog over here..*shudders* urgh! Faint at the sight of spiders *shudders* …rapidly losing the ability to be smart arse…I won’t say anymore…*waves*… no…I am not very original I know…*smirk*

Stay well all

Shem xxx
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Chapter 22

Hermione took her time returning to the dungeons, absentmindedly sliding her hand across the stone walls of the castle along her way. As she approached the bowels of Hogwarts, a gradual echo of murmuring, a song of voice upon voice, layering into a growing crescendo of emotion built up around her. Some of the voices were calm, debating the reason of their summons; others were tinged with the unmistakable quiver of fear over their fate, and all qualities in between filled in the middle octaves. When she descended the last flight of stairs and rounded the final bend leading to the Potions classroom, Hermione knees started to go weak and her legs trembled as the full impact of the whole dire situation flooded her senses.

The entire school body and all the members of the Order of the Phoenix had been eredered for the administration of the cure. It had been decided the remainder of the population would be dispensed with the remedy at the Ministry of Magic after its success had been established. The existence of the cure, as a pre-emptive tactical move by Dumbledore against Suzie Owen and the remaining Death Eaters, had not been made public knowledge.

Hermione had to force herself to remain calm as she fought to stay on her feet and not collapse from anticipation as she slowly walked by the single file of victims. All the composure she had managed to manufacture though abandoned her when she spotted Harry and Ron at the front of the queue at the door of the Potions classroom. Against her better judgment she bolted the rest of the way down the corridor and threw herself into the arms of her baffled friends. Slowly the tears she had been trying so desperately to hold back began to run down her face. She eventually started sobbiysteysterically into Harry’s shoulder while Ron ran his hand over her thick hair. The stunned comfort of the boys quickly turned into paranoid concern for their friend as they realized that her display of emotion was far too intense to be relief over the discovery of a cure.

“What…what is it ‘Mione?..You should be happy, it is because of you that the cure was found. You’re going to be legendary. Ron and I are so proud of you.” Harry tried in comfort. Ron nodded eagerly along side him.

Hermione pulled herself from Harry’s strong embrace and looked him in the eyes. The three of them had always seen each other through the most difficult situations. They had drawn their strength from each other in the past to overcome any obstacles in their way. Hermione realized that she didn’t want any of that to change at the most critical moment of her life. Opening the heavy wooden door she took one of their hands in each of hers and guided them into the Potions classroom silently. They followed without hesitation.


“Hermione?” Dumbledore spoke in a questioning voice.

“I need them here with me to do this Headmaster”. Hermione replied. Dumbledore nodded to her in silent understanding.

“Do what Hermione?” Ron asked in a confused tone.

“Just pe ste stay here guys. I need you but please don’t question me now, and please don’t try to interfere when I begin the ritual.” Hermione replied, shaking and teary eyed.

“What… what ritual Hermione?. What the hell is exactly going to go on here?” Harry demanded

“Please Mister Potter. I understand Miss Granger\'s desire to have you present but if you cannot contain yourself, I will make you leave to ensure that the ritual is not disrupted. Everything will be explained to you at a more appropriate time.” Dumbledore stated firmly.

Harry started as though he was going to make a scathing reply but thought better of it seeing the desperate silent plea in Hermione’s eyes. She turned from him once she could she he was once again in control and faced Dumbledore.

“Is..will Sev- Professor Snape be here?” Hermione asked ignoring the looks of disbelief on her friend’s faces.

“Of course I will be here Hermione.” Snape said quietly from the doorway of his office. Relief washed over Hermione’s face upon hearing his voice, but was quickly replaced with confusion at the pale and drawn expression on his face. Despite his attempt to look stoic and impassive, Hermione could see fear etched into his very soul through the dark pools of his eyes. But there was something else there too, something she couldn’t place. They held each other’s gaze for a long moment, oblivious to Madam Pomfrey entering the room and the quizzical looks shared between Harry and Ron over the whole situation. It was the appearance of a familiar face from behind Snape that caused Hermione to break their connection.

“Mr De la Rosa?” Hermione asked stunned, completely missing Snape’s cringe at the appearance of the man.

“Hello Hermione my dear.” Archibald De la Rosa said as he extended his arms to her. Hermione ran and embraced him eagerly.

“What are you doing here?” She asked anxiously.

“Artemis and I thought that the fastest way to get you her sample would be for me to bring it to you personally.” De la Rosa explained.

“Thank you. For everything.”

“No. Thank you Hermione. We all owe you more than could possibly imagine.” De la Rosa replied.

Hermione smiled warmly at him, if not brightly before turning once more to look at Snape. He tried desperately to look as indifferent as always, but to Hermione at least, he failed miserably.

“Let’s get this over with then,” she announced confidently after a moment of silent contemplation passed trough the group.

Hermione approached the far side of the classroom where a run of 20 large silver cauldrons had been placed. Each cauldron was linked to the next with copper pipes that would siphon the precious magic from the initial one Hermione would fill, spreading it between the 19 remaining. Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey had calculated that only one quarter of one cauldron would be necessary to cure the entire school population and Order members, the remainder would be sent to the Ministry for the general population. Taking one final deep breath Hermione assumed her position and began the incantation of the spell.

From the moment she began, the magic of the ritual filled the room so that it was almost tangible. The six witnessing the custom were engulfed in warm reassurance from the Earth magic, made acutely sensitive by the Dark magic and sorrowful by Hermione’s own magic. It was a combination that reflected the full spectrum of emotion of the human persona. The poweoodeooded through them filling a previous unknown void within each. It was beautiful, erotic, exhilarating and dangerous all at once.

Hermione however experienced an acutely different gamut of sensation. She felt fear, she felt pain and suicidal depression. She felt anger and frustration, angst and dominance. As each cauldron filled and the cool liquid magic spilled from the copper pipes, the energy within her drained ten fold. An inner battle began within her. She was in fear; if she stopped there would be no more. She felt pain and depression; if she ceased then she would feel euphoria. If she stopped the anger and frustration would become peace and security, angst would become contentment.

If she stopped dominance would become acquiescence.

She could not stop.

Telling herself it was the dark magic manipulating her, she would not stop.

She closed her eyes to increase her concentration as the emotions she was experiencing escalated to the point she had to drop to her knees to continue. Herce bce began to waiver, her wand shaking violently in her hand. Just at the point that she believed she would die, a strong set of arms wrapped themselves around her and a deep velvety voice broke through her turmoil.

“Hermione, that’s enough. Stop and come back to us my love. It is done.”

Hermione’s body convulsed slightly while Snape held her. Her face was sallow and her lip bled from the force of concentration she had been trying to maintain. Dark shadows of exhaustion were apparent under her eyes, which once she fluttered opened were no longer the rich cinnamon they once had been. They were now a vibrant gold. Her hair too had changed and was now straight and streaked with gray. Her breathing was shallow as she grabbed onto Snape and pulled herself to her feet.

“Oh Sweet Merlin Hermione!” Harry swore.

Trying to focus on those in the room around her, she had to squint against even the dull light of the dungeons.

“Wwwhat?” She slurred once she found her grounding. Harry conjured a mirror for her in reply not meeting the intensity of her new eyes. Hermione eyed him suspiciously before looking at her reflection. Tears, sadness and anger welled up within her. She stared at herself, gawping sadly at her reflection. Her bottom lip began to quiver, but she fought bravely to still the tears that welled in her eyes. She threw the mirror violently against the stone wall opposite her and starred menacingly at Dumbledore. He looked more distraught and miserable than she believed she had ever seen, Madam Pomfrey and Ron were crying silently and Archibald De la Rosa sat at Snape’s desk with his head in his hands, shaking in disbelief.

Snape wrapped himself tightly around her, holding on to her as though she would die if he let go, completely uncaring that Dumbledore and De la Rosa were the only people at that point aware of their relationship. It didn’t matter anymore. He no longer had the right to care about his reputation and privacy, not when Hermione had just given everything she was for the rest of the world. His heart swelled in pride that this brilliant witch had chosen him. Let the world know, for truly he had nothing to be ashamed of. Archibald De la Rosa, Potter, Weasly, the idiots at the Ministry and anyone else who may care could go to hell as far as he was concerned. He was not going to give her up now. Not ever.

After a moment Hermione regained her composure and drew herself up to her full height.

“Well then. Don’t bloody just stand there like there is nothing to do. You have what we need. Start giving it out!” She snapped.

Everyone in the room was taken so completely off guard by her demand that they all jumped to attention and began the greatest mass vaccination the wizarding world had seen.

Hermione stood silently in a darkened corner of the room watching each person receive the cure. She saw them come in exhausted and drained and leave refreshed and radiating with their new magic. It had worked. She gained much satisfaction when an hour later after the last of the Professors and students had been vaccinated to know that her life had amounted to something. That she had done something meaningful for the world and people she loved so dearly. Finally, the room emptied to once again only be occupied by the six who were present during the ritual.

“It’s your turn now Hermione.” Madam Pomfrey stated approaching her.

“No.” Hermione replied in a whisper that was almost unheard by those surrounding her.

Almost but not quite.

A collective, roaring “WHAT?” from all directions caused her to flinch.

“I said no. I don’t want the cure.” She reinforced her words by raising her chin proudly.

“What are you talking about Hermione? You will die without it.” Snape retorted.

“It won’t matter soon.” She replied refusing to meet his eyes.

“What do you mean child?” Dumbledore prodded gently.

“I mean I am going to do what I have to. My priority is to protect the ritual now. I don’t need magic for what I will be doing.”

“You. Will. DIE. Without it Hermione!” Snape hissed at her.

“I am aware of that thank you. I have made my decision.” Hermione’s voice only faulted slightly by the end of the sentence. Before anyone could protest Hermione launched herself into Snape’s arms and kissed him passionately. Both ignored the gasping that echoed around them and momentarily Snape thought she had changed her mind. It was not to be though. With some resistance she pried herself from his embrace and whispered while cupping his face and looking deep within his eyes.

“I love you more than my life. I told you once that I would give it for you if need be. Please forgive me.”

With one more desperate kiss, Hermione ran from the room, past Harry and Ron who stood gaping and speechless. Snape was also momentarily at a loss until he fought his way back into reality. Not pausing to explain the scene that everyone had witnessed, Snape went in pursuit of her. She had reached the Great Hall by the time he spotted her, running as though the Devil himself was on her back. The entire school population had gathered in the hall for celebration after they had received the cure. The music and revelry stopped abruptly however at the sight of the despised Potions Master bellowing in hot pursuit of the Head Girl.

As Hermione reached the gates of Hogwarts, several things happened at once.

Hermione caught sight of Snape chasing after her, pleading for her to stop.

Snape saw Hermione remove a handkerchief from her pocket and disappear.

The student body that had come outside in curiosity of the scene gasped as 150 Death Eaters and a slight fair-haired woman apparated INSIDE Hogwarts boundry line.

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Shem xxx