A Living Secret ~ COMPLETED

Chapter 37 ~ The Plan

When the clock struck eleven and Hermione had not yet come out of her room for breakfast, a very anxious Harry knocked on her door.

”Hermione? Hermione are you all right in there?” he called, his green eyes full of worry.

What had Snape done to her? Had he hurt her? Why hadn’t she come out yet?

Hermione groaned as consciousness returned and she immediately became aware of the aching soreness between her legs. The witch sat up, hissing and wrapping her arms around her lower belly, her own scent wafting up to her nose. Not only did she ache but she was rank with pure sex. She wrinkled her nose.

”Hermione! Hermione you answer me or I’m coming in there!” Harry said through the door.

“No! I’ll be out in a few minutes, Harry,” Hermione called back.

“Are you okay?” the wizard pressed.

”Yes, Harry. I’m fine, just fine,” Hermione replied, easing over to the edge of her bed and resting her feet on the floor. Gods, did she ache.

”All right. I’ll be in the kitchen,” Harry said unnecessarily.

He wanted to see Hermione and make sure she wasn’t badly bruised and had all her body parts intact.

Hermione looked over at her nightstand and saw the bottle of potion the Professor left for her. But it was unlabeled. She picked it up and opened it, sniffing delicately. She frowned. It smelled awful. Knowing the Professor…or Severus, that meant it was very effective.

Hermione steeled herself, held her nose and tilted the bottle to her lips, swallowing the thick brown liquid down barely tasting it. When she released her nose however, the flavor made itself known.

“Arrrgh!” she gasped.

It was truly horrible. But soon all her aching stopped. Yes, the potion was horrible but powerful.

Hermione stood up and walked over to her wardrobe, grabbing a housecoat and some clothing out of her wardrobe. Sweats and a t-shirt would do. She also grabbed some underwear. She put the clothes on the bed, then put the housecoat on, tying it securely. She then retrieved her clothes, opened the door and peeked out, then hurried to the bathroom to take a shower.

As she bathed, Hermione relived her night with the Professor and felt a renewed burst of desire as she remembered how he was. He said the right words and…and fucked her just the way she dreamed he would. Gods, it had been so rough, but so hot…his black eyes staring down at her, hot and full of lust, his mouth locked to hers, his body plunging into her unmercifully.

“Oh Severus,” she sighed.

He even created an illusion of the Potions classroom for her. Hermione sighed again. Severus had understood what she needed and put forth an extra effort to fulfill her fantasy concerning him. Yes, there was something in it for him. Hermione’s body, her youth and her passion…but still it wasn’t required that he do what he did. He could have just given her the sex she craved without the bells and whistles. But he didn’t.

Hermione turned off the shower and stepped out, picking up a towel and drying her body. It felt more sensitive than she could ever remember as she drew the soft fabric over herself, her nipples hardening. It was because of the Professor, she was sure.

She hurriedly dressed, then exited the bedroom, knowing Harry was waiting on her, probably very concerned about her “morning after” state. She walked into the kitchen and found him seated at the table. He stood up when she entered.

“Are you all right, Hermione?” Harry asked, his eyes drifting over her body worriedly. Dobby brought over two plates of eggs, sausages, jam and toast, setting them down on the table as Hermione drew out a chair and sat down.

“I’m fine Harry,” she said, picking up her fork and diving into the eggs as if she hadn’t eaten for months.

Harry watched her inhale her food for a moment before he mauled his own eggs, turning them over and over with his fork, but not eating anything. He wanted to know what happened, even though it squicked him to think about the pale wizard shagging Hermione.

“All you keep telling me is that you’re fine, Hermione,” Harry complained, “I want to know…well…know more.”

Hermione’s fork froze in front of her mouth as she looked at Harry incredulously.

”You want to know more? Harry, I’m not a bloke. I’m not going to tell you what the Professor and I did last night,” she said to him.

Harry made a face that looked as if he were about to lose what breakfast he’d consumed.

“Ew. I don’t want to know what you did…just…just if he treated you…well…decent, I guess,” Harry said, “I just want to know he did, Hermione. I care about you.”

Hermione looked at Harry then sighed.

“He treated me just the way I wanted him to, Harry…and he was even…gentle. Is that what you wanted to know?” she said tightly.

Harry nodded.

”Yes. I just wanted to know he didn’t hurt you,” he replied, returning to his breakfast, his ears a bit red.

Hermione started eating again, thinking Harry would have a fit if he knew how rough the Professor had been with her. Oh gods…so rough, so strong…so…

Hermione clamped her legs together hard at the little pulse she felt between them. She wondered how the Professor was feeling this morning. Was he thinking about her?

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Severus awoke with an enormous hard-on and his thoughts turned immediately to the little Gryffindor witch he had ravished with such abandon the night before.

“Dear gods,” he groaned, rolling out of bed and heading to the bathroom. Maybe a good piss would help him deflate.

It did to an extent, but his cock remained half-mast.

”I can’t dwell on her,” he thought to himself as he showered and dressed for the day, “There are more important issues to focus on, such as how I’m going to get Potter into this stronghold and live.”

The revel was going to happen next Thursday, seven days from now. The Potions Master had a lot of planning to do. The final showdown between Harry and Voldemort was fast approaching. He had to come up with a definite plan while hiding some of the details, which both Harry and Hermione would definitely have issues with.

The reality of what he was facing helped Severus to momentarily push Hermione out of his head. He exited his rooms and started to walk into Voldemort’s throne room and address the despot when he saw the Dark Lord standing nude before his throne with his hands on his hips giving the high hard one to Peter’s latest female incarnation. The transformed wizard was bent over and grasping his ankles, Voldemort pumping into him with gusto.

“Yessssssss, Peter! Yessssssss!” the wizard hissed, slapping him on the ass as he pummeled him.

Voldemort required Peter to suck it up and not say anything when he fucked him in this manner. The fat little wizard’s voice didn’t change after all and ruined the illusion if he cried out. So the polyjuiced wizard was gritting his teeth and taking it in silence.

“Oh good gods,” Severus said to himself, backing into the corridor and quietly closing the door. That wasn’t something he wanted to see first thing in the morning…or any time for that matter. It seemed that this would be a good time to check on the potions he had brewing and consider his next course of action.

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Marcus Delaluci watched Ron’s footprints with a bored expression on his face. He’d been watching the boy for two days now with the Eradicator tracking spell, the small map constantly before him, yet not discernable by others. But Ron did nothing the least bit suspicious. He spent his days in classes and his evenings either in the Gryffindor common room or on the Quidditch pitch.

Still, Marcus kept watching. He had learned to be patient. Ronald Weasley was all he had right now. He’d keep an eye on him.

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By Friday night, Severus had formed a plan…a rather risky one that required giving Potter quite a revelation. He hoped the boy was strong enough not to let the information turn him into a whining, blathering idiot. He got permission to leave the stronghold under the guise of checking on Voldmort’s “surprise” and arrived at Godric’s Hollow and let himself in.

He found Harry and Hermione sitting in the living room, Hermione reading a huge tome with her feet curled up in the armchair and Harry polishing his wand. Both looked up at him as he strode in.

“Mr. Potter,” he said to Harry by way of greeting, then his black eyes slid toward Hermione.

”Miss Granger,” he purred at her, surprised by the very physical reaction he felt as he looked at the witch.

He forced it down and his reaction didn’t show as Hermione blushed and greeted him back. He strode to the sofa and sat down, Dobby appearing before him with a firewhiskey. Severus took the glass and knocked the amber liquor back, grimacing slightly then returning the empty glass to Dobby’s clawed hand. The elf bowed and winked out.

Both Hermione and Harry were sitting on the edge of their chairs and Severus looked at them both consideringly. Hermione looked as if she were about to burst as she stared back at him expectantly.

“Miss Granger, approach Mr. Potter,” the Potions Master suddenly said, “Stand beside him.”

Looking a bit perplexed, Hermione rose and padded across the room in her bare feet. She was wearing blue sweats and a blue t-shirt, her hair in a pony-tail. Severus’ eyes rested on her body as she walked across the room and forced himself to stay focused. Hermione stopped by Harry’s chair.

“Show him,” the Potions Master directed, his eyes leveled on the witch.

Hermione understood immediately and turned pale as Harry looked up at her stricken face.

”Show me what? What’s wrong, Hermione?” he asked.

“But…but Professor, the Headmaster said…” Hermione began nervously.

“I know what he said, Miss Granger. Unfortunately we cannot afford to follow his instructions if Mr. Potter is to succeed in destroying the last Horcrux and Voldemort. Now, show him! He needs to know,” Severus said, his face stoic.

With Harry blinking up at her, Hermione reached into her t-shirt and produced her signature stones. Snape’s stone began to glow, then Albus’ stone…then…

Harry stared at the dimly glowing crimson stone, his green eyes wide.

“Why is Voldemort’s stone glowing?” he asked in a stricken voice, barely above a whisper.

“You’ve been given a great gift that will protect you, Mr. Potter,” Severus said to him, “Each Horcrux you destroyed left you with a minute bit of its soul fragment. It was drawn to you because of your connection with Voldemort. When you go into his presence, it will most likely be a painful ordeal for him. Right now, the signature is weak. Most likely the addition of Nagini’s fragment will be enough for you to effectively curtail the Dark Lord and kill him,” Severus said.

Harry’s eyes shifted up to Hermione.

“You knew about this. Why didn’t you tell me I was sucking in Voldemort’s spirit?” Harry said in a low, accusing voice.

“Dumbledore said we weren’t to tell you Harry, because you might think you were being possessed,” she said in a small voice.

“So you hid it from me. You too, Hermione. I can’t trust you either,” he said darkly.

Severus rolled his eyes and stood up.

”This is exactly why you weren’t told, Mr. Potter. Albus knew you’d launch into the “poor me” syndrome, accusing everyone around you of plotting against you. You are still an idiot. The fact that my life is so tied to yours is a matter of constant aggravation for me. Now shut up. Miss Granger did as she was told. She followed instructions like she was supposed to do. Stop blaming her and listen to me,” the Potions Master said with a sneer.

“You have protection. Be grateful for it you dunderhead. It is going to get you into Voldemort’s stronghold without setting off his wards. The stronghold is protected so anyone without the Mark cannot enter without being discovered. I am working on the premise that since you issue Voldemort’s signature, the wards will not respond adversely to you. You should be able to enter without drawing undue attention,” Severus said.

“Without undue attention?” Harry said incredulously, “The moment I’m seen I’ll be hit with so many Avada Kedavra curses my corpse will probably be green.”

Severus looked down his nose at the boy.

”Will you stop talking and listen for once?” the wizard said in exasperation, “You are not going to walk into the stronghold as you are. You will be in disguise. A revel will be going on and everyone will be distracted, I assure you,” the wizard said. “I’ve arranged it so Voldemort will be…preoccupied…”

Here Severus’ eyes slid toward Hermione.

”And I intend to bring him another gift that will assure even greater distraction,” the wizard said as Hermione’s eyes widened.

Harry looked from Severus to Hermione, then his heart went cold as he realized what the Potions Master intended to do. He leaped out of the armchair.

“NO! NO WAY!” he yelled at the wizard, who stared back at him calmly, “No way you’re handing Hermione over to Voldemort! I won’t let you!”

Harry stood there defiantly, his chest rising and falling angrily as he stared at the dark wizard.

”How could you even think of doing this to her…especially after you…you…” Harry hissed at him, trying to find the words to express his feelings without being crude.

“What happened between Miss Granger and myself has nothing to do with the success of our mission, Mr. Potter. Albus drew her into this, and she will be utilized. She is as much a part of this situation as we are, and her presence is needed,” Severus said, “If you work quickly, she should emerge from this relatively unharmed.”

”No. I won’t risk her. I don’t see how you can either,” Harry said to him.

Hermione listened quietly, not saying anything, but an important question on the tip of her tongue.

Severus looked at Hermione, the look on his face sober as he eyed the witch. Was she up to this, or was she a coward? Now he’d know how much she was willing to sacrifice for the Greater Good.

“Miss Granger, I will not force you to participate in this mission…but know that your participation can mean the difference between success and failure. Voldemort’s life or Mr. Potter’s. It is your decision,” he said to her softly.

Hermione looked at Severus, then at Harry.

“No, Hermione,” Harry said despairingly as he saw the look in her eyes, “No, Hermione…don’t agree. I don’t want anything to happen to you because of me.”

Hermione blinked at him.

”Harry, it’s more than my life at stake here. It’s yours…and Severus’,” she said, using the wizard’s given name.

Severus didn’t protest this as he listened to her response. Hermione continued.

“Not only your lives but the Wizarding world’s very way of life. If Voldemort isn’t heavily distracted, you might not be able to kill Nagini and get the added protection you need to face him. This is crunch time, Harry. This is it. I’m your friend and I love you. I have to do all I can to help you. You’re risking your life for everyone. How can you ask me not to do all I can to help you succeed, to help you live? You can’t Harry. I have to do this. This is my part to play,” she said softly then looked at the Professor.

“I’ll do it. I’ll go to Voldemort when the time comes,” she said to the wizard, who nodded…approval in his eyes.

Harry fell back into the armchair, his head hanging. Then he looked up at the glowing red stone, then the blue one beside it and seemed to draw a bit of strength. He wasn’t alone in this. It was more than his fight…he realized that now. Many, many people were working against Voldemort’s evil…but he had always focused on himself as if it were him alone against the despot. But he wasn’t alone. He had dedicated people working with him. He drew in a deep breath then looked at Severus.

“All right. We all have to do what we have to do,” he said with conviction, “We all have to take risks. Tell me the plan, Professor. I’ll listen now.”

Severus nodded and sat back down, gesturing to Hermione to do the same. The witch stared at him as he described the scenario and how Harry would get into the stronghold. That same unspoken question nagged at her. Finally the wizard finished explaining and the witch looked at him.

“Professor, you stated you would be bringing ‘another’ gift to Voldemort, meaning me. That sounds as if I am not going to be the first gift,” she said, her voice quavering as her belly knotted up, “What is the other gift you are giving him?”

Severus stared at Hermione. Damn her. His eyes shifted toward Harry as he answered.

”Mr. Ronald Weasley will be delivered to him at the start of the revel,” the Potions Master replied.

Harry stared at Severus, his eyes turning wild.

“But he will torture him! Then kill him,” Harry said, horror in his voice.

”I will ask that he wait for my return before he…’gets started,’” Severus said smoothly, “The promise of another gift will stay his hand somewhat…though no doubt Mr. Weasley will suffer some pain during my absence.”

Harry started to protest, but realized it would do no good. Hermione was silent, though it felt as if her belly was full of stones.

“I know the idea of your friend possibly being martyred doesn’t sit well with you, Mr. Potter, but this is a war. Mr. Weasley longs to be of some use in the battle against Voldemort…he is going to get his wish. If he survives, he will receive the notoriety he longs for. Besides, if he were here, Mr. Potter…what do you think he would say if asked to do this?” Severus purred at the boy-who-lived.

“He’d do it, Harry,” Hermione said softly, “He’d be scared to death, but he’d do it if it meant you’d have a better chance of killing Voldemort. You know he would.”

“I’d feel better if he had a choice about it, Hermione, like you did,” Harry replied, “I wish we could let him know.”

Severus shook his head.

”Mr. Weasley hot-headedness and rage are needed here, Mr. Potter. He will be livid that I’ve ‘turned’ and will believe I’ve betrayed you all. The oath he’s taken will prevent him from revealing my true role, since it would interfere with the successful completion of your mission if he did so. He will come into Voldemort’s presence a raging maniac, if I know Mr. Weasley. That is precisely what we need. Voldemort will torment him psychologically first, loving his rage and inciting him even more before he strings him up. That will give Mr. Weasley some time. If we told him our plans, we would have to count on his acting abilities. I don’t believe he is a good Occlumens. The Dark Lord would know it was an act. This is the only way,” Severus said.

Harry absorbed this.

”How will you get to him? He’s at Hogwarts and the castle’s well protected,” Harry said to the wizard.

”It’s already been arranged,” Severus replied obliquely, “The less you know, the better.”

Severus felt that Harry might try to warn Ron if he knew exactly how he was to be retrieved. Hopefully the boy wouldn’t do it. It would ruin everything. Severus sighed inwardly. So much rode on this hot-headed young wizard. The gods help them all.

”I hope you don’t plan on using Draco. I know Ron’s watching for him. He won’t be able to do it,” Harry said, knowing Ron was most likely very on top of things concerning the blonde pureblood.

”I said it’s been arranged, Mr. Potter. Leave it at that,” Severus snapped at him.

Harry frowned but fell silent, brooding. Severus looked at Hermione.

”I wonder, Mr. Potter, if you would give me a moment alone with Miss Granger. I would like to speak to her privately,” the wizard said.

Harry gave him a black look, then looked at Hermione, whose amber eyes were resting on the dark wizard. There was heat in them.

”Sure. I need some pumpkin juice anyway,” Harry said, standing up and stalking from the room.

Severus watched him go, then turned his black eyes back on Hermione, letting them drift over her for a moment.

“Was the potion I left you…effective?” he asked her softly.

“Yes,” Hermione said shortly, flushing as the wizard who had fulfilled her fantasies addressed her.

“Good,” the Potions Master replied, “I was concerned the aftermath would be…a bit much.”

”No. No, I was fine,” Hermione said, sitting down in the armchair Harry vacated.

Severus nodded, then looked at her in silence for several moments as he figured out how to frame his next statement.

“Hermione,” he said, using her first name, “I wonder if I have satisfactorily assuaged your curiosity concerning me? Have I effectively doused the fire that burned so hotly for me, witch?”

Hermione blinked at him. Oh yes, he had satisfied her…but the fire…that still burned. But how to tell him that? Not knowing what to say, or what he wanted her to say, Hermione answered a question with a question.

“Do you want it to go out, Severus?” she asked him in a small voice.

Hm. So she was avoiding answering him. She was feeling him out. The wizard smirked slightly. Hermione was such a child still in some ways.

“Not yet,” he replied, “I find you…a very pleasant diversion. However, if we do not succeed in killing Voldemort, most likely last night will have been the last intimate encounter for both of us.”

Hermione blinked at him, then said, “Well, if that is the case, Severus, then I will die happy knowing that at least…at least I had the wizard I wanted for a little while. That I didn’t leave this earth without experiencing you. It was one dream that came true.”

Severus shook his head slightly. Him? A dream come true? Most people would describe him as a nightmare. But Hermione Granger was not most people. Severus was tempted to take her back to her bedroom and fuck her again. He could tell by the look in Hermione’s eyes that she would welcome it…but no. Not now. He had to keep his focus on what was to come. He had to turn her over to Voldemort. Continued intimacy might cause an internal conflict he didn’t need to be distracted by. The idea of doing it was already causing him some distress. There was a chance she could be raped before Harry finished killing Nagini, and he would have to watch it and not interfere. He didn’t want to see that happen to the witch. He was the only man she knew in the biblical sense. Severus found he didn’t like the idea of another wizard taking her.

It was silly. Stupid. Insane…but the idea of it made him want to hex something.

Hermione couldn’t tell what the wizard was thinking. Had she said too much? She probably sounded like a silly, love-struck idiot to the Potions Master. “A dream come true?” Had she really said that to him? Oh gods.

“I have to say, Hermione, that you are…more than I imagined you’d be,” the wizard said quietly, “I am glad that I decided to indulge you. You provided me with a much needed respite. Perhaps…when this is over…you might still hold that fire for me?”

Hermione’s mouth dropped open for an instant, but she quickly snapped it shut. Was the Professor asking her if she would continue with him if they survived? She wasn’t sure, so she gave an honest answer but not one that bound either of them to anything more.

“I think, Professor, I will always hold a fire for you. You were my first after all,” she said, blushing, “It’s said a witch never forgets her first.”

Severus almost chuckled. Almost. Hermione didn’t commit either herself or him, but let him know she still desired him. So, he did have something pleasant to look forward to provided he survived. The wizard rose.

“Very well, Hermione. Keep that fire for me,” he said, walking over to the chair and drawing her up, “I believe I will need your flame in the weeks to come.”

Hermione stared up at him, and the wizard bent and kissed her softly on the mouth.

“I will see both of you on Thursday. Be ready,” he said to her silkily, “Stoke your courage as well as your flame. Until then, Hermione Granger.”

The wizard turned and left, his robes billowing. Hermione stood there as if frozen, still feeling the warmth of his lips on her mouth.

Gods, she hoped they all survived. Hermione felt just a bit guilty that her reasons for wanting Harry to be successful weren’t completely for the sake of the Wizarding world. They were selfish as well.

She wanted to continue with Severus Snape.

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A/N: My last chapter before the move. I hope you enjoyed it. Things are about to come to a head…the face off is around the corner. I should actually and finally be moving this morning. I think in retrospect it was good I didn’t have to spend the weekend in the dark. Anyway, everyone be good or if bad, be very, very bad. Catch ya’ll in a few days. Thanks for reading. ****