Deliver Me

SUMMARY: SS/HG, Dr/GW, RW/BZ (in this story Blaise is a GIRL) tangled in a web of lust & loathe, romance is bittersweet - love & could there ever be trust? WARNINGS (I don’t write disturbing things, but it’s better to warn you anyway, just in case): Mental/emotional torture, one attempted rape and some medium violence. COMPLETED/EDITED/EPILOGUE ADDED – A/U – started after the release of GoF, contains some OotP, most everything after is disregarded in order to preserve the ongoing story.


Epilogue


Lucius looked down at the baby sleeping in the crib as he hugged his wife close to him.

“I would have never believed it,” he whispered softly to Narcissa, trying not to wake the baby.

She gave him a small laugh and rested her head on his shoulder.

“Lucius, she’s lovely,” Narcissa said. “But can you believe it? A Malfoy with red hair!”

He rolled his eyes at her. “Don’t remind me,” he replied sharply, “at least she’s a pureblood though.”

“My beautiful little granddaughter,” Narcissa cooed at the sleeping baby.

Narcissa looked up at her husband and gave him a light kiss over his lips, “Don’t worry about it Lucius, Scorpius has your lovely blonde hair, my dear.”

“Our beautiful little Corona Borealis,” Lucius smiled looking down at the infant once more.

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“Are your parents still with our daughter?” Ginny Malfoy asked her husband walking into the study at Malfoy Manor.

“I assume so,” he replied glancing up at her from his desk.

Ginny walked over to Draco and sat on his lap. “I do wish they would spend some time with Scorpius right now instead, he’s wearing me out.”

Draco laughed, “Like father, like son. Where is my little boy?”

“If you must know, he’s chasing Brinny around in the other study on his toy broomstick,” she said rather sadly. “I hope he doesn’t make too much of a mess.”

“That’s what house elves are for, dear,” Draco told her.

“Don’t say that, that’s so pureblood of you,” she snapped.

“Would you expect anything less of me?” he inquired pulling her down for a kiss.

“Hardly,” she answered as his lips brushed hers.

He smirked, “Let’s go spend some quality time with my boy.”

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“Rose Weasley, you get back over here right now!” screeched Blaise Weasley.

A small little girl, with flaming red hair, jade eyes, outline in the deepest black, with a small amount of freckles across her nose appeared in front of her mother.

“Yes, mummy,” the little girl squeaked.

Blaise put her hand on her hip, and beckoned her daughter in the direction of Rose’s brother Hugo. The little boy was sitting on the kitchen table and crying.

“Are you going to tell me what you did to him?” Blaise asked firmly.

The little girl twisted her mouth and wrinkled her nose. “Well,” she said quietly, “he started it.”

“I don’t care who started it,” Blaise said, “how many times have I told you, it’s impolite to hex your brother!”

“I’m sorry, mummy,” Rose said half-heartedly.

“Sorry for what?” Ron asked, walking into the kitchen to find his wife scolding his daughter, and their son crying on the kitchen table.

“Merlin’s Ba—Merlin! What happened in here?” Ron asked speculatively.

“Your daughter hexed your son!” Blaise snapped.

“He looks fine to me, what’d she do?” Ron said not comprehending the situation.

“Rose, why don’t you tell your father what you did,” Blaise urged.

Rose looked at her feet, “no.”

Ron bent down to his daughter’s height, “Rose, darling, what did you do? I promise I won’t yell, just tell me what happened.”

She gave a dainty little shrug, and started to retell the story to her father.

“I was playing on Hugo’s Nimbus, and he came over and told me to get off. So I told him ‘no,’ and then he said girls could never fly as good as boys. And daddy I got mad, you know I’m a better flier than him,” her little voice had a hint of venom in it.

Ron arched an eyebrow and prodded her to continue. He did know his daughter was an excellent flier, much better than any of the boys her own age that was for sure.

“Well, I started thinking about how it’s not fair that boys think that girls are bad at flying, and I thought about how it wouldn’t be possible for Hugo to fly anymore,” she said rather pleased with herself.

“Rose, go on, tell your father what you did,” Blaise urged.

“Well, I thought about it hard enough, and Hugo…” her little voice trailed off.

She smiled devilishly, “Hugo, grew a tail!”

Ron’s eyes widened and he looked at his wife flabbergasted. Blaise was now sitting on a chair by the table with a crying Hugo in her lap.

“You mean to tell me, she used wandless magic to hex her brother?” he said incredulously.

“Yes,” Blaise replied, “I’m as astonished as you are.”

Blaise saw Ron smirk before turning to their daughter.

“Go apologize to him, now,” Ron told his daughter firmly.

Rose narrowed her eyes at her father. “Daddy, he started it!” she squealed.

“I don’t care who started it Rose, no more hexing your brother, now go apologize,” Ron told her again.

Ron watched as Rose approached Hugo and muttered an apology.

“And?” Ron pushed.

Rose tip-toed to Hugo and gave him a kiss on the cheek to show that there were no hard feelings. Though her parents doubted she meant it that much.

Blaise looked over to her husband. “Go on,” she told him.

With a swish of his hands, Ron made Hugo’s tail go away.

“I’m so glad I have an Auror for a husband,” Blaise laughed.

“Me too,” he responded sheepishly before picking up Rose and whisking her into his arms.

“Am I going to be punished?” she asked.

“For something that bad, you know you will be,” Ron told her.

He smiled at her and said, “I think spending tomorrow at Hogwarts helping Hargid give Fluffy a bath, is more than punishment enough.”

“No!” she screeched.

“Yes,” Ron said, trying not to laugh. He was remembering the last time she hexed Hugo, and was sent to give Fluffy a bath. Fluffy not only enjoyed Rose’s company, but told her so by drooling all over her and licking her from each one of its heads. By the end of Fluffy’s bath, Rose smelled worse than the three-headed dog and needed a bath herself. Being her mother’s daughter, Rose hated to get dirty and had a fit.

Hugo finally stopped crying, and his mother ordered him and Rose to their rooms to get clean up and get ready for dinner.

Watching them go, Ron started to laugh.

“What?” Blaise asked not amused at all by the situation.

“I was just thinking that there is no need to wait for the Sorting Hat to figure out where Rose should be placed,” he said.

“Why is that?” Blaise questioned again, walking over to him. Ron put his arms around her waist and pulled her closely to him.

“She’s definitely her mother’s daughter,” he joked, “we have a little Slytherin on our hands.”

“True,” Blaise paused and thought about it some more, “I must tell you though, I think Hugo’s going to end up in Gryffindor though.”

“Yes, I would imagine so,” Ron agreed. “Why do you think so?”

Blaise laughed, “You should have seen him earlier, and he refused to tell me she hexed him. He was trying to be all brave and noble about it. He swore it just happened. I think he was trying to save her from another bathing session with Fluffy.”

“Always the noble Gryffindor,” Ron smiled bending his head down to kiss his wife.

“Always the cunning Slytherin,” Blaire smirked kissing her husband.

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Hermione Snape found her husband in the main library of Snape Manor sitting on the floor teaching their youngest child, Ptolemy, about constellations.

Ptolemy was a slender, tiny boy. He looked everything like his mother, except he had the deepest black hair, and the deepest black eyes like his father.

“To what do we owe this pleasure” Severus said glancing up at his wife who held a stack of mail in her hands.

“Well, Severus, I’ve come to tell you and Ptolemy that we are invited to a Quidditch themed birthday party this weekend,” she smirked knowing how much her husband hated parties, much less children’s Quidditch themed ones.

It wasn’t that Severus hated Quidditch, or parties, he just didn’t like the social aspect of it. He absolutely hated, what he called, parading around like a sappy buffoon and complimenting ridiculous parents on their insufferable children; many of the parents of whom he had taught at Hogwarts.

Severus groaned and Ptolemy clapped his hands in delight.

“Can I take my toy broom, mummy?” he asked expectantly.

“Yes, darling of course. You know Uncle Harry will be very excited to see the latest enchantments we’ve put on it,” Hermione said sweetly.

Severus arched an eyebrow and glared at his wife. He had quite the idea of just whose birthday party it was.

“And whose party is it?” he asked.

“Albus Severus’ of course,” Hermione smirked.

“Oh he’s a darling boy!” Came an exclamation from the doorway. A tall, pale, and exceedingly exotic looking, but beautiful girl came walking through the door. She had long straight black hair. She was closely followed into the room by a boy. He was taller, and looked nothing like her. He had thick curly, short hair, light brown eyes and a very pleasant demeanor about him.

“I love cousin Albus Severus,” she said, “he’s simply the cutest.”

The older boy rolled his eyes at his sister.

“Oh please, Gaia, you’re just saying that because he adores you,” the boy huffed.

“You’re just jealous, Apollonius, that children don’t flock to you as they do to me,” she scoffed back at him.

Hermione watched her two oldest children argue, and smiled at Severus. Their two oldest children, Apollonius and Gaia, were fraternal twins. Gaia ended up in Slytherin, just like her father, and Apollonius ended up in Gryffindor as she did. Their temperaments, however, were very different.

While, Gaia enjoyed reading immensely, and was rather pleasantly talkative, most of the time, Apollonius was the opposite. He was on the Quidditch team at Hogwarts, and Hermione had often heard him described by others are the ‘strong, silent type.’ To her understanding he had many friends, including Victorie Weasley and other Gryffindors like Teddy Lupin. And for every topic Gaia would rattle on endless about and bombard anyone within listening range with questions, Apollonius, would tell her to shut up. The strange thing was, to the unseeing eye, Gaia had the appearance of a strong silent Slytherin, while Apollonius had the appearance of a outgoing Gryffindor.

In the case of Ptolemy, however, he seemed to be the perfect blend between his mother and father.

Severus continued to watch and listen to Gaia and Apollonius argue getting frustrated. “Will the two of you please cease that despicable banter,” he hissed.

Ptolemy jumped at the sound of his father’s stern voice, but was calmed down when not a moment later, Severus rubbed his youngest son’s back. It was Severus’ way of letting his youngest know, that Severus hadn’t lost his temper. Ptolemy was still too young to understand the different types of emotions around him.

The twins fell silent, but continued to glare at each other.

All of a sudden Gaia’s mood seemed to pick up, she turned to her mother with sparkles in her eyes.

Knowing that look all too well, Hermione narrowed her eyes.

“Gaia,” she prodded.

Gaia smiled wickedly, “Well, since you asked.”

Apollonius exhaled loudly and cocked his head towards his sister.

“I know the real reason Apollonius is cranky about going to Albus Severus’ party,” she stated triumphantly.

“Do you now?” Apollonius snarled crossing his arms.

Severus and Hermione exchanged looks and Ptolemy giggled. Apparently, their children were in a little secret together.

“Well, it’s because Lily’s going to be there,” Gaia said giving her best Severus-like smirk.

“Oh please, Gaia, I can’t stand Lily Potter. And besides, you’re just excited about going because you can’t wait to snog James Potter again!” the words flew out of Apollonius’ lips faster than he would have liked them too.

“What?” Severus bellowed at his daughter.

“Apollonius, I loathe you,” Gaia snarled at her brother.

Apollonius smiled arrogantly.

“Daddy, you know we’re dating,” Gaia said.

“Yes, but dating shouldn’t mean he’s touching you!” Severus hissed.

“Oh c’mon daddy, it’s not a big deal,” Gaia said nonchalantly.

“Did you know about this?” Severus hissed at Hermione.

“Severus, please,” Hermione said sternly, “You were their age once.”

Severus glared at his wife, then he glared at his daughter. His daughter may have had most of his looks, been in his house, and had his intelligence, but Gaia certainly had her mother’s personality. Hermione and Gaia were both glaring back at him.

Severus’ glare turned into a smirk, and made a soft chuckle shaking his head. He watched the two women’s faces go from anger, to confusion at his sudden change in demeanor.

Pleased that her father dropped the subject, Gaia smiled sweetly at Apollonius.

“You’re impossible,” Apollonius said silkily to his sister.

“Come Ptolemy, let’s go into the garden, we can work on your flying skills,” Apollonius continued, taking his little brother by the hand, and guiding him out of the library.

Gaia gave a dainty huff, turning to her mother, “You know he’s just mad because Lily is always trying to get his attention, and he secretly likes it.”

Gaia turned on her heels and strolled out behind her brothers.

Severus arched an eyebrow at his daughter’s remarks, but stayed silent. He beckoned Hermione over to sit with him on the floor. He had been sitting by the fire reading with Ptolemy when the rest of his family had slowly poured in. It was midwinter and the grounds of Snape Manor were covered in snow. He had made an enchanted piece of land in the garden, which remained warm and green, for his boys to use recreationally, so he wasn’t at all worried about them going outside to practice Quidditch.

Severus conjured up, another blanket on the floor and a few more floor pillows as Hermione joined him.

“Interesting stuff, eh?” she remarked snuggling to Severus’ embrace.

“Indeed,” he said dryly.

“I’ve missed you,” she said quietly against his neck.

Severus looked down at her and kissed her forehead.

“I know you have to travel for business every once in awhile, but this time it was too long Severus,” she continued. “With the children away at school, and Ptolemy taken care of by the house elves for most of the day, I’m lonely when you’re not here.”

He pulled her closer to him. She wished he would say something.

“Severus?” Hermione asked.

“Yes, love?” he answered as they both continued to gaze into the fire.

“Can I ask you something?” she said.

He knew all too well where this was going, some things never changed.

“You may always ask me questions, as you know I never deny you anything,” he said silkily. Severus turned to her and removed her hair from the nape of her neck. He laid her down further on the pillows and nuzzled the spot under her ear which he knew drove her crazy.

He heard her moan and melt against him. Severus smiled and kissed his wife on her mouth.

“Hermione,” he said softly.

She looked up at him under lidded eyes, “Hmmm.”

“You wished to ask me something,” he stated, moving his free hand down her body.

Hermione’s eyes widened, “Severus, don’t do that! What if the children come back?”

He smirked and moved his face closer to hers. She felt his cheek graze hers as he whispered to her. “I think they know how they were conceived. Well, two of them anyway,” she felt his tongue flick her ear.

He could fell her body stiffen in outrage at his remarks.

“Severus!” she exclaimed.

He chuckled deeply and kissed her nose. She was still rather adorable when she was angry.

“Darling, I have an idea,” he said softly.

Hermione continued to glare at him, her lips thinning.

“Next time I travel,” he said, “why don’t you come with me?”

Severus felt Hermione’s body relax against his, but he knew her too well, to know she wasn’t completely placated just yet. He could almost hear the wheels turning in her head and he knew exactly where her next set of thoughts went.

“Ptolemy will come too, of course,” he said. “Hermione, you know I wouldn’t leave my son in the care of house elves for days at an end. No he will accompany is, I would not have it any other way,” he continued watching her face soften and a smile creep to her lips.

“Oh Severus, I do love you so,” she murmured pulling him down towards her for a kiss.

“Who knows,” he said between kisses, “on my next trip, we might just make another Severus Jr., except of course, this time, actually get to name him Severus Jr.”

Hermione giggled against his lips.

“I think Harry took care of that for you,” she said, “besides Albus Severus absolutely adores you. And you’re so good with him, darling.”

Severus smiled. Yes, though he had some to some sort of mutual respect with Harry and things had worked out for the best. He must admit, it was Albus Severus who caught his eyes. Harry’s son was the same age as Ptolemy and Severus enjoyed spending time with the two boys. Severus hated to admit it, but even Harry knew, Severus loved Harry’s offspring as if they were his own, especially the youngest.

“Does that mean ‘no,’ to making another Severus Jr. on my next trip?” he asked his wife gently.

“Well, Severus, if you ward the door, we could start now,” Hermione said huskily, letting her tongue dart out of her mouth to lick his bottom lip. A technique he had taught her many years ago, and it always was his undoing after.

“Yes,” he growled lowly, “but not now. I foresee Ptolemy walking through those doors any moment asking for dinner.”

Hermione sighed, “Yes, I foresee that too.”

Severus laid back into the pile of pillows bringing Hermione with him to cuddle.

“Love,” he whispered snaking his hands down her body again, “after dinner however, that’s another story.”

He roughly pulled her against him, so that her hips were in line with his. “See darling,” he sexily hissed, “I’m always aching for you.”

Hermione moaned and kissed her husband soundly.

They snuggled closer together and continued to watch the fire. Hermione could feel her eyes closing on her. Between the warmth of the fire, the warmth of Severus’ body, the softness of the many blankets and pillows, not to mention her husband’s amazing scent she could never get enough of, Hermione felt very comfortable.

She felt her eyes getting heavier, as she felt Severus adjust his body’s position to accommodate her soon-to-be sleeping-self. He did know her too well.

“I love you,” Severus said softly cradling her to him.

“I love you too,” she muttered falling asleep in his warm embrace.

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Fin.

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A/N -- I started writing this story a very long time ago, and at some point around Chpt. 21 I stopped writing and never updated. A few people kept encouraging me to finish the story, and I eventually did. It's not the epic ending I was originally planning on writing, nor it is drawn out into a larger epic story, as I was originally planning. Somewhere in the middle of my writing, my plans changed and I just decided to keep the story focused on SS & HG; that's how I ended it too. The writing style changed over the course of the story too, and this is mostly due to the fact that I matured as a writer, and a story I started five years ago in one distinct style, turned into another. I hope you have enjoyed what you have read, and are happy with the outcome.

Also, I recently decided to go back to the very beginning of the story and try to make everything flow more, by editing and BETA-ing a whole lot more.

Thank you for the lovely reviews, and encouragement to finish the story.

xx.