Somewhere in the Middle

Going home -

Draco and Greg sat with their wands trained at the front door. An hour had passed since Hermione fell asleep. Draco was starting to worry, and was beginning to wonder if he needed to develop a contingency plan to get home.


Greg cut into his thoughts apparently thinking along the same lines. “The Zabini’s have an estate somewhere in the Orkney Islands. We could head there, the manor is under the fidelius; but I am sure one of the many Zabini’s will be milling about.”


Draco contemplated this information for a moment before addressing his friend. “Greg, that’s over seventy islands. I was able to heal the gash on Hermione’s back, but she still has a lot of bruising and I think she may have fractured some ribs. We can’t fully heal her without charms, and I’m not sure if it is safe to use magic. I don’t know how the Order was tracking her, or if they have a means of tracking us. They did see us with her.”


Greg seemed to be digesting what Draco had said. Greg’s intellectual portfolio was lacking in many areas but Draco knew that he did have his strong points- which happened to be in wizard and muggle geography as well as magical landmarks and centres.


“The islands are small though, Draco, I could scout them out and come back for you two. I’m pretty sure their manor is on the Mainland. Blaise was complaining about the muggles visiting The Ring of Brodgar during the winter solstice.”


Draco nodded. “We should give them a little more time, and try to think of something else to prevent us from separating- safety in numbers, right?”


They both feel back into a compatible silence, staring at the door willing it to open. Neither was keen on separating and leaving the other to fend for themselves. The Order was known to attack fast and hard- hell, they started out as a group of five, and were now down to two.


~oOo~


Albus Dumbledore was furious, how could they let them get away. Simple instructions really, how hard could it be two capture a witch who was not fully trained and her mother- whom happened to be magically neutered!


Albus paced back and forth as he waited for most of the members to clear out, he needed to get in touch with Severus. He was in the position to deliver the girl to him, of course that would mean losing his spy.

I’m sure I could convince someone else to spy. Perhaps I can convince the young Malfoy when the school term starts.


He needed to regroup, sending Alastor a message to dismiss the extras; he prepared to address the core members of the Order.


Remus sat at the table waiting for their leader to address them. He was struggling to maintain his façade of grief, fighting the giddy feeling that bubbled up inside him at the thought of Arthur’s death. The occasional sniff coming from Molly didn’t help his situation.

I wonder how she will respond once she realizes the extent of her husband’s misdeeds.


Remus watched as Ron paced back and forth, the occasional mumbling of bitch and mine coming from him. This promised to be an interesting show. Weasley tantrums, while annoying, did tend to be extremely informative while they ranted about whatever instigated their ire.


Remus adjusted himself to get a better view of Kingsley. In his opinion Kingsley seemed the most malleable in his opinion of Dumbledore. He could often see the conflict of emotions in his eyes; Remus couldn’t help but wonder how Albus acquired his allegiance.

Ahh, here is our great and wise leader now.


Albus Dumbledore cleared his throat at the front of the room. Anger seemed to radiate from him, losing Arthur was an unacceptable blow as far as the old wizard was concerned. Arthur was the perfect second in command. His opinions were completely in-line with his own, no out-side intervention was needed to gain his compliance- people tended to trust the deceptively mild-mannered man who had enough ambition to make Salazar himself envious.

With a deep resigned sigh Albus began, “Molly, I can’t begin to express how sorry I am. Arthur was a great wizard and he will be sorely missed.”

He allowed Molly a moment to pull herself together. Albus couldn’t help thinking her hysterics’ were a bit over-done.


How long should I let this go on… 1- c-a-u-l-d-r-o-n, 2 -c-a-u-l-d-r-o-n…

Albus continued his mental count to ten before gently clearing his throat, “I am extremely disappointed, how hard can it be to collect one witch!”


Ron was the first to jump up, “That one witch happens to be a bloody menace. She attacked me like a muggle. This is your fault Headmaster, you should have been there, you promised her to me… and now – now they have her. You want us to go find those stupid treasures of yours- HOW in the hell do you expect Harry and I to find this crap without her! Harry is moping around enough; I’ll never be able to get him to search without her! He’s not going to cooperate at all- him and his hero complex, and you- you know what Headmaster? I’ll have to go along with it; he’s already called my friendship with her into question.” Slamming his hand on the table, Ron continued, “I want her, and I want her bound to me as soon as we find her! She is the key to restoring my family’s name- you owe it to my father- and she will comply with us when she returns- I don’t care if I have to shove my bloody dick in her mouth in front of the entire Order she will not argue.”


“Ronald Weasley!” Molly jumped up from the table, not sure who this violent, vulgar man was that had replaced her sweet boy.


“No, Mum, I get Hermione, and she will be bound to me and I will do as I see fit to keep her in line.”


Molly let out a loud sob, Dumbledore taking pity on the women interrupted before her son could continue, “Very well, Mr. Weasley. I think it is time to have Severus show his true allegiance. We will have him deliver Miss Hermione Nott, to us.”


Molly gasped, how could Arthur keep this information from her? Albus leveled his eyes at her, almost daring her to say something. After he was sure Molly was going to keep quiet he continued, “Alastor, I believe you should retrieve Harry this week - for his own safety of course. Molly, I believe Ginerva will provide him with an adequate distraction.”

Molly’s eyes went wide, was she what exactly did he mean by distracted?

If he thinks he’ll be giving my daughter away he has something else coming to him.

Molly was utterly appalled, no wonder there were no women in on these meetings.


The meeting closed, Remus met Alastor at the door and walked out with him. When they were a safe distance from the house he handed Remus a backpack. “ I found this while doing my sweep of the area after everyone cleared out. There is some interesting reading in there, and I believe it belongs to Hermione.”

Remus nodded, “I’ll make sure it finds its way back to her.” He nodded to the Auror and apparated away.

~oOo~


Greg Goyle jumped as the door knob to the cottage turned. Severus Snape’s head peered in the door only to be greeted by a wand being pointed directly at his nose. Greg’s wand did not falter, “Tell me something only you would know.”


Snape smirked at him, “You will be spending the entire term in detention if you do not remove you wand from my person.”


Greg lowered his wand. “Alright then sir, guess only you would know that.”


Snape entered the small cottage with Lucius in tow. Raised an eyebrow to his godson when he saw him on the bed with his niece snuggled up against his side.


Lucius looked at his son, if he was common he may have made some sort of remark like, that’s my boy; but since he’s not common he settled for sending his son a smug look.

Seeing his father’s expression Draco thought that if he was common he may have given his father a high five, but since he’s not common he just gave his father a smirk in response.


Snape rolled his eyes at the idiots.


Draco looked at his godfather, “The potion kit left here was worthless, there was pain potion and dittany. I was able to heal the gash on her back, but she probable needs a blood replenisher.” He motioned towards the bloody shirt and jumper on the floor. “I think she may have broken a few ribs, we were afraid to use any magic, some bruise paste may be helpful as well.”

Snape nodded, pulling a potion kit out of a hidden pocket in his robes, “I have blood replensher and bruise paste.” He looked over to Lucius, “I think we should wait on healing charms. I don’t think we are being track by anyone, but I really don’t want to take the chance.”

Lucius nodded in agreement.

A small voice interrupted them, “can we use wandless magic?”

Draco, looked down at the witch, he could feel small spatters of wetness falling on his chest. “You, alright.”

Hermione shook her head. “No, my whole body aches.”

Lucius looked at her, sizing her up with his eyes. “Hermione, neither Severus or myself can cast wandless healing spells. I know your uncomfortable; we are going to go to the Zabini’s, and we will heal you more thoroughly there.”

She twisted her head so she could see him better without lifting it from Draco’s chest. “I can do the wandless charm. If someone can help me.”

Snape stepped forward, handing her a potion. “Pepper-up, wandless magic is draining. What do you need us to do?”

She drank the potion taking a second to allow the smoke to clear from her ears. “Help me lay flat.”
Draco gently shifted out from under her, supporting her head as he assisted her in laying flat on the bed.
She took a second to gather herself, the stretching of her bones and muscles excutriatingly painful. After a couple attempts at taking a deep breath she unbuttoned the shirt up to her breast line, being careful not to expose herself to the group.


“I just need a hand.” Severus Snape approached and asked, “What do you need?” She looked at him, confused for a second before she graced him with a small smile. “Literally, I need a hand.” He looked at her a little oddly before pacing his hand in hers. She lifted his hand and laid it over her rib cage, placing her own hand on top. “Mum says this tingles a bit.”


Hermione closed her eyes in concentration and focused on channeling her magic through Snape’s hand. She did not say any incantations, only focused on healing and her bones mending together. A soft blue glow engulfed the two of them. The rest of the group looked on in awe.

Severus Snape’s face lit up with a goofy smile, he certainly would not describe the feeling as tingles. It was positively euphoric. He could feel her pure magic coursing all through his body, he felt the magic enter through his hand, roll through him like a wave, and then course out through the same hand. He could do this all day long.


He heard a small sigh come from Hermione, and then the connection was broken. He stood staring at her, no words to express what he felt. After pulling himself together a bit Severus asked, “How did you do that?”


“All people have a magical core, similar to a wand. I channeled my magic through you. When I am feeling stronger, I don’t need a conduit; but last night was draining, and I am still very tired.”

Draco was still staring, “Why were the two of you glowing?”


Hermione sat up, her muscles sill ached. Severus kneeled down at her feet and started applying bruise paste to her legs.

Hermione looked at Draco, he could tell she was in teaching mode, he had seen that expression on her face many times when trying to explain magical theory to her idiot friends. She began her explanation. “The basis for creating a wand is very simple; that is not to say making a wand is easy, there are a lot of factors to take into consideration. But the basic structure is a magical core, which is the conduit, it channels the magical energy. Then there is the wood of the wand which is the insulator; it contains the magical energy within the wand.” She paused a moment before continuing, “it’s only a theory, but I would have to gather the glow is from the lack of insulation being that Professor Snape or any human is not made from wood.”

Greg snorted, “That’s for sure we all know Snape is made from pure snark.”

Hermione eyes went wide and she looked at her Professor, he only rolled his eyes and continued applying the bruise paste. Lucius and Draco laughed at the comment.

Severus asked, “Why healing spells, you always had your wand while on your little adventures?”


She shrugged and then added, “I can do some minor charms and a weak shield.”

Severus nodded to acknowledge her, he had some suspicions as to why she could do wandless healing. It was no small feat to accomplish. Most witches and wizards did not have the ability to cast wandless magic consistently. The ones who could almost always developed healing skills last. Healing required an extreme amount of concentration with wand, and that only magnified without one. If his suspicions were correct, there would be hell to pay.


Lucius was having a very similar line of thought, he looked over at his son and could tell Draco was trying to puzzle everything out. He had Draco training in wandless magic, it required a great deal of magical energy. He watched as Draco eyed her shrewdly, his jaw clenched, and concern lit his eyes. Yes, he puzzled things out.


Lucius mentally sighed, he wanted to laugh out-loud. His thoughts traveled to all of the complaints his son has had about the young witch over the years. Lucius had similar problems with his Cissa, he was enamored with the witch in his youth, and she would not give him the time of day. So acting out in a very un-Malfoyish manor he behaved poorly towards her. Till this very day he could not figure out how someone smaller could appear to be looking down her nose at him. Although now, when she would give that look to other people, he had to fight the urge to smile. It was Tom who suggested one evening that maybe Lucius’s energy would be best focused on wooing the witch, instead of making her miserable. Lucius scoffed at him at the time, but he was very happy that he did indeed follow the man’s advice. It would seem as if he would be having a similar conversation with his son. Or perhaps Draco was realizing this on his own.


Lucius’s mental musings were interrupted by Severus speaking, “We are going to head to the Zabini’s by broom. They have a secure Floo that we can take back to the manor.”


The group made its way outside the cottage. Lucius handed Hermione a broom, she did not move to take it from his grasp, she just look at him as if he had two heads.


Draco smiled, “Front or back, Hermione.”


She walked over to him, and without saying anything straddled the front of his broom. Severus raised his eyebrows curiously, Greg seeing he surly Professors expression commented, “She likes his muscles, says he has a lot of them.”


Severus noticed Draco’s attire for the first time snorted and commented. “Nice outfit, Draco that look suits you.” The sarcasm in his voice could not be missed.


Draco looked at this Uncle, “Yeah, well it beats listening to mum, if I were to forget them.” He gathered his robes around Hermione and secured her against his chest, one arm around her waist the other on the broom handle in front of her, and kicked off the ground.


They flew much slower this time, both Severus and Lucius recognizing the technique Lucius used with Cissa when they traveled by broom. Lucius had never been able to figure out if his wife was truly afraid of flying, or if she was afraid that the charms she used to keep her hair in place would not hold.


Hermione peeked her head out of the cocoon Draco created for her, and took in the view. She was enjoying this, the relaxed pace with Draco hold her securely in place, it was nice. Draco seeing her seemingly relaxed decided to encourage her a bit.


“It’s a lovely view isn’t it.”


She leaned her head against his shoulder and nodded, and he could see she had a small smile on her face. “When everything seems like it’s going to shit, I like to fly – it helps clear my head and put everything into perspective.”


She relaxed a little more against him. “I can see that. I have never really flown for any reason other than necessity, and it’s always the only form of travel available.”


They continued to make the rest of the journey in compatible silence. Severus and Lucius flanking the two young men. When they reached the Zabini home, Severus took her hand and pulled her into the Floo with him, he was not taking any chances on losing her.

~oOo~


In the travel room at Malfoy Manor, Isabella sat with her father, Theo and Alex Nott, Elena Goyle, and Narcissa Malfoy. She was glad that Gregory Goyle Sr. thought to leave the room, stating it may be a bit over whelming for Hermione to be greeted by so many people. He left his wife to wait for the arrival of their only son.


When they shot out of the flow, Severus maintained his grip on Hermione helping her to maintain her balance. Hermione was practically bowled over by her mother. “Hermione! Oh, I was so worried.” Her mother had her in a tight grip, and was crying softly.


It was a few moments later that her mother let go.


Both Elena and Narcissa gathered their sons into their embrace. Both women were surprised when their sons shook their head as they tried to lead them from the room.


Theo and Alex stepped forward as Isabella approached them. “Hermione, this is your father, Alexander Nott and your brother Theo.”

“Hermione, my Hermione.” Alex Nott stepped forward to embrace her, she stiffened a bit as his arms wrapped around her; but she did manage to keep herself from pulling away. This was not the man she remembered from the Department of Mysteries. He pulled away from her and cupped her cheek, “I am so sorry, my dear. We have been searching for you for years. We tried everything we could think of to find you.” She went rigid when he touched her cheek , half expecting to be slapped. She did believe his sincerity; the tears rolling down his face made it very hard not to, she just was not use to such affection from adult males.


Theo stepped forward, his eyes penetrating her own. Once he seemed to find what he was looking for he took her hand, “Welcome home, little sister,” his deep voice soft and soothing. Only the sniffles from the women in the room could be heard.


Hermione’s mother took her hand and walked over to the only other male that she did not recognize, “Hermione, this is my father and your Grandfather, Thomas Riddle.”

To be continued….


a/n

So, I actually have her reaction to Tom all typed out, problem is I could not figure out a good place to brake the chapter if I continued. The relations will be explained in detail (promise) in the next chapter.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to review, they really are inspiring!