Lendoren

Disclaimer: everything you recognise belongs to Jo

Story by kelokelo, chapter translated by septentrion and beta’ed by Tanit

Chapter 31. The Hogwarts Defences.

When time came to leave the Silvery Circle, Hermione felt her heart becoming heavy. She’d spent marvellous moments there. Moments of pride for her magic, which had grown in power, moments of pure passion with Erwin, moments of laugh with Harry, Ron and Ginny. Erwin had insisted that they christen every room in their chalet; Hermione had sometimes felt a bit ashamed, and feared that someone would come into their chalet without warning. He had had to persuade her with his own “means”, and she had to admit that the rugs in front of the fire were indeed more than soft enough for their naked and intimately joined bodies.

She would fondly remember those moments of pure tenderness, pure love near the silvery falls at Christmas Eve. And what to say about her blush on Christmas morning, when Harry had asked her about the gifts she’d received.

“It’s … it’s private.”

Ginny had stomped on Harry’s foot to keep him silent, for she’d seen Hermione’s embarrassment and had a better idea than the boys about Erwin’s attentiveness; hence she guessed that his gifts to his lover were probably inspired by said attentiveness. She’d always talked a lot with Hermione at Hogwarts, and her friend had confided her, not in so many words but clearly enough, that Erwin and she made love every day. So, if Hermione was blushing so deeply, it could only mean that Erwin’s gifts weren’t only for Hermione’s benefit. His small smile at that very moment confirmed the hypothesis. However, her legs weren’t long enough to reach Ron’s feet when the latter protested, “Hermione, you’ve always received personal gifts for Christmas, so why are you making a mystery of it now?”

“Ron!” Hermione cried, blushing even more, though it seemed physiologically impossible, while Severus cocked an interrogative eyebrow. “I’ll make a mystery of them if I want to!”

“I didn’t know,” Severus softly said aloud, “that you’ve already received this kind of gift for Christmas, Hermione.”

“Oh, no. You aren’t going to take part in his games, are you?” Hermione moaned.

“I thought that you spoke about everything with Harry and Ron?”

“Ginny, please!” Hermione begged her friend.

“Ron, leave Hermione and her gifts alone. I’m sure you’d be the one blushing if I were to describe them to you.”

That did the trick, Ron understood that Hermione’s gifts could indeed be very, very personal this year, and a blush started to creep up his own face. Severus’s smirk widened. He wasn’t embarrassed if Ginny knew about his gifts to Hermione. They were a lover’s gifts, nothing else. His eyes met Ginny’s ones, but the younger Weasley remained unfazed.

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Hermione was started out of her reverie by Severus who was snaking his arms around her waist, as was his habit, and whispering in her ear, “Did you like your holiday, my dear?”

“Very. Too much, maybe,” she sighed.

“Why?” he asked, concern in his voice.

She’d learned to read the different tones of his voice. Said tone would have been qualified of hard before the holidays, but now, she heard his well concealed concern.

“Because it’ll be difficult to go back to Hogwarts, to attend lessons, to do homework, to be separated from you during the day.”

“Just come back to your rooms more often, Hermione. And nights will belong only to us, without lessons, without homework …”

He was peppering her neck with small kisses while talking to her, and tightened his hold on her.

“Days will be long for me too, my dear, especially when you’ll be wearing my gifts.”

Hermione couldn’t help her blush. But when would she be able to think of their status as lovers without blushing? That was turning into an annoying habit.

“I hope never.” Severus, from behind her, was bursting out laughing. “You’re adorable when you’re embarrassed and snuggled against me, trying to hide your blush from me. This situation allows me to take even more advantage of you.”

He’d turned her to face him while talking, and he put his lips on hers. The more the seconds passed, the more feverish the ballet of their tongues became, and their bodies got closer. Desire had taken a very powerful hold of them once more. Severus couldn’t prevent himself from swearing when someone knocked at the door of their chalet. He glanced at the clock and noticed with chagrin that it was time to go back to Hogwarts.

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As soon as they were back at school, Hermione felt something different in the Hogwarts walls. She couldn’t find the right words to express her feeling, but she thought she perceived different magical auras inside the walls themselves. She turned to Severus; he was looking at her attentively.

“What is it?” she asked. “Another secret?”

“That’s Hogwarts defences, Hermione, nothing more, nothing less. We expected you to feel them one day. It’s probable that you’ll have to reinforce them soon. We expect an attack from the Dictator on the school defences. He knows that I’m at Hogwarts, that Harry is at Hogwarts, this year is the best moment to attack.”

“But, how will I do that, to reinforce Hogwarts defences?” Hermione stammered.

“You feel them, thus you can strengthen them. It isn’t more complicated than manipulating air or water. You can do wonders with both of them, so it shouldn’t be a problem. But you’ll do it only if I can’t keep them up alone.”

“Why? Are you afraid that I’ll do something stupid?” she growled.

Harry, Ron and Ginny bent their heads. Those two were really gifted for quarrelling. Any innocuous remarks could start the bonfire. Harry and Ron had admitted during those Christmas holidays that their cantankerous Potions Master truly loved Hermione, and that their friend was equally in love with the dour teacher. They really seemed very happy together. What the two boys couldn’t wrap their minds around was the regularity of their arguments.

“Hermione,” Severus resumed, exasperated, “when will you stop taking everything I say personally? It’s tiring in the long run!”

“Well, why don’t you explain?”

“We want you to remain hidden from the Dictator as much as possible, and before you yell at me again, let me tell you something for the last time: you’re the most qualified person to fight him, that is on condition you take me with you. But our aim is to unsettle him, to push him to come here as the Victor. He’ll just do that if he thinks he’ll only have to fight me. He knows that I alone cannot take him down. However, he knows that it’ll be a lot more difficult to face the both of us. He isn’t a coward, but not unlike Voldemort with Harry, he’d rather do without confronting us. As long as he feels like he has the upper hand, he’ll make mistakes, which will be to our advantage.”

Hermione felt both relaxed and anguished when she heard this. Harry knew how she felt: just like him. But he also knew it was easier for him since he had Ginny with him. He was waiting to confront Voldemort serenely, but with determination. He’d do his best when the time comes. And if it wasn’t enough, well …. That’s why Harry came closer to Hermione, put a hand on her shoulder and told her, “You’ll grow accustomed to it, even to this, believe me. You’ll be as ready as me when the time comes. Leave the details for the great strategists,” he said while pointing to Severus, “let them hatch diabolic plans. You very well know that we’ll go head first into troubles like we did the six previous years, and that all those meticulously prepared plans will be shattered.”

Hermione stared at him with gratefulness in her eyes, while Severus looked upset at the idea that Potter might be right. He had the premonition that the trio, or quartet if you counted Ginny, would surprise everyone once more. He simply said, “Just tell me if you run into trouble. She doesn’t stand a chance alone against the Dictator,” he said, watching Harry in the eyes. “Only us together have a chance to win.”

“I know,” Harry answered quietly. “But you won’t have time to choose if you’ll play the professor’s part or Erwin’s part.”

“Don’t try and take advantage of it!” Severus replied. “This could cost you a lot!”

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The days went by at Hogwarts, punctuated by lessons, homework, work on their magic. Severus and Hermione trained on being discreet. They now managed to link themselves, even when they were physically apart from each other. McGonagall had the fright of her life when she saw a splendid fire-made unicorn coming out of the hearth in the teachers’s room, and gambolling around said room. Her cry made Severus jump, lose his concentration, and the rug where the unicorn had been standing sported a burn. Hermione made fun of him about this more than once, especially when he wasn’t up to par with what she expected from him.

Answer to reviews:

meghan rose: thanks very much for your kind words. At least, this addiction isn't life threatening.


firewall: I hope you enjoyed their return to Hogwarts. Things will begin to get toughter soon.
I've enjoyed my friends' wedding very much, it was a lovely time to meet people whom I like.