Love's Journeys *COMPLETE*

Chapter 33- The Spell is Broken But Sleeping Beauty Still Sleeps


Severus awoke the next morning after a fitful night’s sleep. Hermione laid still and quiet curled up in his arms. He found Harry sitting up watching him.


“How did you sleep?” Harry asked.


“Not good. How’s Hermione?” Severus sighed.


“She hasn’t had another attack. Poppy left about an hour ago. She said that Hermione and the baby are fine.” Harry answered.


Severus nodded and leaned against the headboard as he held Hermione closer to him. Minerva slowly awoke and looked at her godson. She leaned over and placed her hand upon his left hand.


“Severus, are you ready for tonight?” she questioned.


“Yes. I won’t let Malfoy win. He’s not going to take my wife and child from me.” Severus stated.


Albus, Minerva and Harry left the chambers while Severus stayed at Hermione’s side. He was glad he had no classes that day. After lunch there was a gentle knock on the door. “Come in.” Severus called out.


He watched the door open and Sirius stuck his head in. “Mind if I come in?”


“No, please have a seat.” Severus replied pointing at a chair beside the bed.


Sirius walked in and took a seat. He reached out and gently took Hermione’s hand in his own. He looked up at Severus and saw the emotions flash in the wizard’s eyes. Fear, helplessness, anger, hate and a thirst for blood. Malfoy’s blood.


“Is there a way to save her?” Sirius wondered.


“Harry found something. It has to be done on a full moon. We are waiting till nightfall. I only hope that it works. If I fail Malfoy will kill her and our child.” Severus said.


“If anyone can save Hermione it’s you my friend. Everything will be fine. Besides, I’m sure Remus, James and Lily are watching over you and Hermione. It will be fine.” Sirius smiled softly.


Severus only nodded. He and Sirius sat talking. Sirius, like Severus, had the day off. It was around lunch when Sirius decided to leave.


“Severus, I’m going to head off. I have a few more papers to…” Sirius started but was interrupted by a scream from Hermione.


“NOOOO! NOT AGAIN! SEVERUS HELP ME!” Hermione screamed.


“Sirius, call Poppy!” Severus yelled as he tried to restrain his trashing wife.


Sirius ran from the room and called for Poppy. Once he called her he ran back to Severus. What he saw filled him with fear. He saw Hermione floating above the bed screaming and thrashing in pain.


“STOP! MALFOY PLEASE I BEG YOU TO STOP! SEVERUS WHERE ARE YOU!” Hermione screamed.


“HERMIONE!” Severus screamed and reached for her.


Then all of a sudden Hermione stopped screaming and floated back down on the bed. Sirius rushed to the bedside. Before he could speak Poppy ran into the room and began examining Hermione.


“Is she all right?” Severus demanded.


“Out! Something has happened to Hermione. The baby is fine but she’s not. Out! I need room to work.” Poppy ordered shoving them out of the room.


Severus and Sirius reluctantly left the room. Sirius rushed to the fireplace and called Albus. Once done he turned to Severus. “What happened in there?”


“It’s…it’s Malfoy. He has Hermione trapped in a dream state. If we don’t stop him he will kill her and our baby. I fear he may have succeeded in killing Hermione.” Severus stuttered then broke into tears.


Albus entered the sitting room and found Sirius holding a crying Severus. He rushed to the two men. “What’s happened?” he asked.


"Something happened to Hermione. I called Poppy. She kicked us out. She said something has happened to Hermione. The baby is fine but she’s not.” Sirius answered.


“She’s dying. I know it. It’s all my fault.” Severus cried.


Before Albus could speak Poppy entered the room. “She’s slipped into a coma. The baby is fine though. I’m not sure if she will wake up.” Poppy reported sadly.


“No! No!” Severus screamed.


“Severus, remain calm. We can still save her. Tonight is our only chance. You must stay focused on the mission tonight.” Albus said softly to the broken Potions Master.


“Albus, is there any chance of beating Malfoy?” Severus asked brokenly.


“There is a chance. You and Hermione as well as your child will be safe. I swear on my life.” Albus said.


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Word of the change with Hermione reached Minerva, Lavender, Ginny, Ron and Harry. By dusk they were all in Severus’s chambers sitting around the bed. Harry and Ginny were trying to sooth Severus while Lavender and Ron prayed he would be successful.


“It’s time Severus. Now remember. Focus only on your wife. Once you find her you must break the connection between her and Malfoy. Understand?” Albus instructed.


“Yes sir. I’m ready.” Severus said.


Severus took several calming breaths then cleared his mind of everything but his beloved Hermione. The world around him began to shift and swirl. Suddenly everything became clear. When he opened his eyes he found himself in a dark hallway. He drew his wand and began to make his way down the hall to the door at the end. After what seemed like an eternity he reached the door. As soon as he touched it the door swung open.


Inside he saw Hermione lying on a bed unmoving. Standing beside the bed was Draco Malfoy. The Wand of Slytherin was pointed at his wife and a green beam was encircling the bed. Quietly Severus made his way to the bed. He then pointed his wand at Draco’s hand and whispered a spell. A beam of light shot from his wand and connected with Malfoy’s hand.


“AAAAHHHH!” Malfoy screamed and dropped the wand. The beam surrounding the bed and Hermione vanished.


“Don’t move you fucking bastard or I will kill you myself. Release my wife and child! NOW!” Severus screamed as he pointed his wand at the back of Malfoy’s head.


“Well, well, well. Severus. You kill me it will do nothing. I am merely an illusion. So, you’re here to rescue her. Take her. I’ve done my job.” Malfoy said.


Before Severus could even blink he and the wand were gone. Severus rushed to Hermione’s side. “Hermia, I’m here to take you home.” He whispered as he gathered her in his arms and left the room.


Suddenly reality began to shift. When Severus regained his bearings he was back in his chambers sitting beside the bed where his wife lay. “You brought her back. The spell is broken.” Harry said as he lowered the Wand of Gryffindor.


“Why hasn’t she woken yet?” Severus demanded.


“I’ve sent for Poppy. She’s on her way.” Minerva said.


Poppy entered and immediately began to check on Hermione. After a few minutes she sadly faced the group. “She’s still in a coma. I’m sorry Severus.” She said.


Severus dropped to his knees and screamed. “AAAHHHH!”


His screams of pain, agony and anguish echoed throughout the halls of Hogwarts.


T.B.C