Lendoren

The characters belong to Jo Rowling, the story to kelokelo, the translation to septentrion, and the betaing to Tanit

Chapter 27. Insufferable: why?

When the sun set, Marcus, who’d been looking out of the window for the whole afternoon, interrupted them and said, “Come and see.”

Albane dashed to the window. Harry, Ginny and Ron followed her, though they didn’t understand what it was about. Nothing had changed outside, the clearing was quiet, and they saw nobody coming. But Albane was watching above the trees, and a hint of a smile could be seen on her face. Then they all raised their eyes above the top of the trees, and they understood why she was smiling. Silvery forms had appeared in the sky. They were vague at first, but soon two unicorns could be discerned. They were unmoving, then they began to move awkwardly, and they were more and more graceful as time passed. In the end, they were chasing each other and clearly engaged in a dance of seduction.

The night had completely fallen when the forms disappeared. Everyone in the room were petrified, eyes turned to the window. Nearly all the Lendoren women had tears in their eyes.

“It was …” Ginny began

“Hermione and Erwin, yes,” Albane sighed. “They’d already begun to use their magic and the elements together. I hope they’ll join us for dinner so that they can tell us more about it.”

When dinner time came, Harry, Ron and Ginny didn’t know if they should be elated or despondent. They had learned so many things that afternoon they felt as if their brain would explode. However, Harry had realised that, if he was indeed the one who would have to face Voldemort - he had thought for a brief moment that others would bear the burden, but no, he was still the Chosen one for this - his fight wouldn’t be the hardest of all. His thoughts were turned to his chocolate-eyed friend and her black-eyed companion.

When Severus Apparated to the centre, he was welcomed with warm smiles that froze when they saw that he was alone. Marcus opened his mouth to speak, but Severus put a hand up to stop him.

“No, I'm not staying. I'll take some food and go back home. I believe that you have had your eyes glued to the Cercle the whole afternoon, I hope that you have found the show to your taste. Now, all I can say is that Hermione is exhausted, she needs to get her strength back and to sleep. You've told them everything, haven't you, Albane?”

“Yes, Erwin, but ...”

“I need to go back to Hermione."

He had taken some plates while he was talking, and Disapparated without notice. For the first time, Albane showed some sign of being annoyed at him:

“That man, he’s …”

“Impossible?” Ginny said.

“Annoying?” Ron whispered.

“Exasperating?” Harry added softly. “At least, we aren’t the only ones who find him - blunt.”

Albane shot them a dark look, then her posture relaxed and she smiled. “When I see him acting like that, I can easily understand that he isn’t your favourite teacher. When you don’t know better …”

Indeed, she had explained to them why the first six years of Harry’ and his friends’ life at Hogwarts had been spoiled by their Potions professor’s actions, whether in or out of the classroom.

"We could feel that Voldemort was trying to take possession of a body, but we didn’t know how he’d do it. That was a matter of worry for us, for we knew that the Dictator wouldn’t lose time in using him to further his own designs. Erwin’s mission was to protect Harry, of course, but I fear that the … bad memories that he’d retained from Harry’s father had altered his judgment. We didn’t pay much attention to it, and we were probably wrong for it, but we didn’t think it would take such proportions. It was only when Erwin had to explain why he didn’t want to make himself known to Hermione that we understood what had happened. Why didn’t he express his regrets at once? Because he isn’t accustomed to acknowledge his mistakes, as you already know, and because in the end, it was his behaviour that allowed him to be thought a real Death Eater by the Slytherin and Voldemort during all those years. The way he mistreated you, Harry, had left no doubt in Voldemort’s mind about Severus’ loyalties. Thanks to that, Severus has been able to spy for two years, and his information has been invaluable. It won’t erase your bad memories, but that’s an explanation.” Albane ended her speech in a soft tone.


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When severus joined Hermione before dinner, she was nearly asleep in the armchair. It prompted him to tell her, “Hermione! Don’t sleep now! You need to eat first!”

“I’m not hungry,” she managed to answer. She only wanted to snuggle up against him and sleep.

“Yes, my dear, we’re going to do all of this, but between snuggle and sleep, there’s the word ‘eat’.”

Hermione’s mental defences were non-existent, and it worried Severus. He took her in his arms, comfortably installed her against him, and fed her, alternating between tender words and authority. He knew she would rebel against the latter. It allowed Hermione, whose eyelids had a tendency to close without permission, to remain awake and eat what Severus considered just enough, though she thought it a gigantic meal. When Severus carried her to their bedroom, he found with stupefaction that she had fallen into a deep sleep before they reached it. She didn’t wake while he took her clothes off so that she’d be more at ease to sleep.

He hesitated a bit though when it came to her underwear, he didn’t know how she’d react when she’d wake up. However, he knew that he couldn’t sleep if but one fabric barrier remained between them. There never had been one since they’d become lovers, so why should they begin with such nonsense now that they were in their home? So he took off the rest of her clothes. She moved slightly, instinctively coming closer to the middle of the bed. He quickly undressed, grabbed a book, and lay down next to her for she was becoming agitated. As soon as she snuggled against him, she were quieter, her breathing became slow and deep, and a half-smile was seen on her lips.

Severus, on the other hand, only had the quarter of the bed, what with her wriggling, but one could sleep on a forty centimetres bed, couldn’t they? He just needed not to move. He sighed. He was a bit exasperated, as usual, but she really needed the sleep …

When she woke up, Hermione was surprised to see that the sun was already so high in the sky. Had she missed breakfast?

“Not only breakfast, but I fear you’re late for lunch as well, my dear,” Severus told her softly, propped against the door’s frame. “But I insist that you eat properly, so I took something for you.”

A tray appeared on the bedside table. The aromas rising from it titillated Hermione’s nose. She sat up straight, but one second later, she gripped the sheet to cover herself in front of a sardonic Severus.

“My dear! I seem to recall that I’ve already seen all of this. And this isn’t the first time that you have woken up in the nude in my bed, is it?”

“It … it’s not the same,” Hermione said, blushing. “When … we … well … you …”

"It’s easier when I’m near you, wearing the same outfit, and just after we’ve made love? Well, if it can help you to relax …”

He had approached the bed while he was speaking, and his tone told Hermione what his intentions were.

“What about my lunch?” Hermione protested weakly. She knew her own desire would give in to his determination.

“We’ll heat it up,” he whispered before he took possession of her lips.

Happy New Year to all of you.

Answer to reviews:

Citten: happy holiday to you too.

Mayken: thanks for your constructive criticism. I have someone who reread this translation, and perhaps should have a second person look over it. However, I don't have time to deal with a second beta on this one. I hope I've done better in the last chapters than in the first ones however.

Anon: thanks.

firewall: I ususally update on Sundays, but last week, I had some computer troubles, so I've updated before leaving for my parents' home. Thanks for your review.


johanna: Thanks so much. Here is the next chapter you were waiting for.