A Maid in the Devil's Manor

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to JKR. All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
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Chapter 41 ~ The Demonstration

Once outside the Ministry, Severus walked by a newspaper stand and saw the photo of Hermione walking toward the Ministry flanked by the Aurors on the front page of the morning edition of the Daily Prophet. He paused but didn’t stop. The newspaper would be at his Manor. He could read it later. He had other things to do. He apparated.

He reappeared just inside the door of the Manor. He could see the wall was open to the lab areas and apparated down to the lower levels.

Reappearing in the hall with a crack of thunder, Severus walked to the main lab. Eli was in there, leaning against a counter, his little arms crossed, grinning slightly as perplexed Aurors searched the pristine labs, trying to find some evidence of the work that went on there. One Auror had the cage of nifflers, who were chattering and very interested in the goings-on. An Auror walked up to Severus.

“We can’t find any evidence of a project here,” the Auror stated.

Severus pointed at the cage of nifflers. “You have the lab animals,” he said shortly. “When Miss Granger was taken into custody, she was experimenting on those creatures. As you can see, we have several of them. They wouldn’t be here if they weren’t being utilized.”

“Yes, but…there should be other evidence,” the Auror said, looking around the lab.

“We run a clean ship,” Severus replied, “Once the project was completed, the labs were cleaned for our next project. There was no way of us knowing the Ministry would be gracing us with a visit.”

The Auror looked at Severus. He knew they had been duped and all of the work that could have been claimed by the Ministry had been destroyed. But there was no proof of this. They could only take the nifflers, who looked to be untouched.

“What about that room of plants in there?” he asked Severus. He was referring to the Ecolab. That is Miss Granger’s Ecolab. A swamp environment she was studying,” Severus said.

“Did it have anything to do with the project?” the Auror asked Severus.

The Potions Master looked at him evenly.

“Isn’t it your job to figure that out?” he said, “There’s nothing in that room but plants, small animals and bugs. You are welcome to take what you like from there if you think it will help you.”

The Auror frowned at the Potions Master. He didn’t feel like listening to his Aurors complain about catching bugs and frogs, or digging in the mud for plants. They had the nifflers. The Ministry would have to take that. The labs were clean. There was nothing they could claim.

Turning from the Potions Master, the Auror summoned his co-workers and told them the search was over. They all piled into the lift, nifflers included and after ascending to the main floor, left the Manor and disapparated back to the Ministry.

Eli handed Severus the paperwork the Aurors had given him when they arrived. Severus looked at it and put it in his robes pocket.

“How is the Miss,” Eli asked, his ears slightly flattened.

“The Miss is fine. I will be bringing her home tonight,” Severus said to the elf. “And I need you to make us a fine dinner on the veranda. Something special. Something that is conducive to the…in-outie,”

Eli’s ears went straight up at this command from his Master. The elf blinked up at him.

“You means sir…” the elf said in a soft squeaky voice.

Severus nodded at the elf, which began dancing about with joy at his Master’s coup with the Miss.

“Don’t worry Master. Eli and the other will make all beautiful for the in-outie! Miss will be pleased. Master will be pleased. House elves will be very pleased!,” Eli said, still hopping about in elfin glee.

“All right, Eli,” Severus said, “but no enhancing of emotions, or other manipulations of our persons. I am quite sure we will not need ‘help’.”

Eli smiled at the Potions Master.

“No sir. We knows our Master needs no help with the in-outie. Our Master has waited long for the real in-outie, not the usual. It will be good for Master. He will come back to himself with the Miss. He will keep the Miss, “ the elf said sagely, his wide eyes meeting Severus’ directly.

Severus looked down at the elf, surprised at his statement. But he didn’t question him.

“I am leaving it to you, Eli. Be prepared for our return this evening. She will be tired, so have a bath prepared as well. Make it nice for her.” Severus said, apparating to his Potions Lab.

Eli rubbed his little hands together. He and the other elves would do their best to make the atmosphere perfect.

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Severus removed two bottles of elixir from their hiding place, and wrapped them securely in velvet before depositing them in his robes pocket. One for the demonstration, and one to be left with the Ministry to keep with the paperwork. It would make no difference if they tested the elixir or not. By this time Soledad would have assigned the rights to Hermione and himself.

It was after eleven now. Severus departed his Potions Lab, resealing the door and warding it, then headed down to his study. He would relax, take a short nap and prepare himself mentally for the task ahead. He had no doubt that Malfoy was on pins and needles waiting for this afternoon’s event. The blonde wizard had dreamed of exacting revenge on Severus, and now it appeared he would be able to do it legally and in full view of the public. He was probably hard as a rock with anticipation.

Severus fixed himself a cognac and sat down in the armchair facing the fireplace. He took a sip of the drink and immediately thought of Hermione the night she wanted to “tie one on” and told him how she wanted to hire a male prostitute to take care of her needs. Severus’ dark eyes glowed with desire. After him, she wouldn’t think of such a thing again, he’d make sure of it. He fully intended to make the witch fall in love with him tonight if he could. He would be thorough, meet her every need real and imagined. He didn’t know how many lovers she’d had, or how good they were to her, but he wanted to leave no doubt in her mind that he was the best lover she had ever experienced. He knew what pleased women. The very things he longed to do to Hermione. He sipped his brandy, feeling himself tightening at the thought of the witch in his arms, lost to pleasure, saying his name over and over. That was what he wanted. That was what he would have tonight.

Severus finished his brandy, set the glass down and rested his head against the back of the armchair. In a minute or two, he was asleep.

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Hermione had been returned to her room. Tonks brought her another ham sandwich and a glass of cold pumpkin juice. She told her that news of the demonstration had spread and there was a crowd outside clamoring to get it to witness it. So the Ministry was going to open a few seats to the public.

“But, they are hoping that the demonstration goes badly,” Tonks said, “Otherwise they will have to admit they drove the best Spells Mistress in the history of the Ministry away. And Severus, my gods…they already owe him big time. If this demonstration goes good, they will go down in history as the administration that tormented, abused and defamed one of the greatest wizards in wizarding history. They aren’t interested in ending the killing curse. They are interested in covering their own asses. Gits.”

Hermione listened to Tonks as she ate her sandwich. A public demonstration. Her belly went tight as she thought of Severus in the middle of the amphitheater, with the majority of the audience hoping that the curse would kill him. But then, she knew that when he survived, he would receive the accolades and respect he deserved. And later on, something else he deserved. She blushed furiously. Hermione was no shrinking violet when it came to sex. She had a healthy appetite, and was quite physically expressive and explorative, just as she was with everything else. But the Potions Master’s intensity was something that she’d never experienced with another wizard. Yes, the desire would be there, the hunger to mate, but with Severus there seemed to be a deeper promise. He wasn’t like her other lovers, who wouldn’t hesitate to act on her desire for sex. Severus had waited. She knew he wanted her, but he waited because he wanted her to be focused on him as someone desirable, not as a release. No other man had shown so much restraint. She knew tonight would be special. They just had to get through this demonstration.

After about half an hour, Tonks left Hermione. She was on crowd control for this afternoon’s demonstration and had to be briefed. Kingsley was sent to St. Mungo’s to escort several healers back. They would be on stand-by in case anything went wrong. But actually, if anything went wrong, a coroner would be more effective.

Hermione tried to nap, but her stomach was bothering her. She always got nerves before important events. Although Severus would be out there having the curse cast on him by that bastard Malfoy, she would be in the path of the blast as much as he. One thing she felt good about, was that her blast had been extended, whereas Malfoy would probably just blast him. The curse killed instantly. Sustained blasts weren’t necessary. The elixir showed itself able to protect the user from repeated blasts for up to an hour, before it needed to be taken again. She was sure the demonstration would not last longer than that.

The minutes ticked by slowly, and Hermione sank into a kind of light doze. Suddenly the door was opened and an Auror came in.

“Time for the demonstration, Miss Granger” he said. Hermione rose, walked up to the Auror and stuck out her wrists to be bound. The Auror shook his head.

“I’m not about to walk in that demonstration having bound the witch that found a way to stop the Killing curse,” the Auror said, taking her by the arm, “It’s bad enough they won’t let me give you your clothes. Let’s go, Miss Granger. Destiny awaits.”

Hermione gave him a small smile. She knew he too, was an Order member. She wondered how many of the Ministry’s Auror’s were members of the Light. Policy stated they couldn’t be part of any other organization, but many Auror’s joined secretly, tired of the Ministry’s politics-based decisions when it came to the protection of the wizarding world.

Hermione was taken down a series of back corridors to the amphitheater, which was a one-story high oval with tiers enclosing an arena. The room had to have been magically enlarged and was filled to capacity with murmuring Ministry officials, news-wizards and ordinary witches and wizards. The board itself sat in an enclosed booth at ground level, the Minister of Magic having a higher seat than the others.

Hermione was escorted to a seat in a roped off area, and was the only occupant besides the Auror. She looked around. She saw Albus, Minerva and Madam Pomfrey seated just behind the board members. Albus winked at her, and she gave him a wan smile. Seeing the headmaster there in support of her and Severus made her feel a little better. People were pointing at her and whispering. She looked straight ahead. Suddenly a man walked into the arena. The crowd went silent as the wizard put his wand to his throat and invoked the Sonorous charm to increase the volume of his voice.

“Good afternoon board members, officials and guests. Today we are going to witness a demonstration of a potion created by Miss Hermione Granger and Lord Severus Snape. It is known as the Sarracenia Elixir or the Killing Curse Deterrent. It is purported to stop the dreaded Avada Kedavra curse.

At this statement, the crowd began to murmur again. The wizard held up his hand for silence.

“Our demonstrator of the potion is Lord Severus Snape,” the wizard said, turning to look at a small door on the right of the arena. It opened and Severus walked out. A few jeers rose from the audience. The Potions Master ignored them as he walked to stand next to the announcer.

“And the wizard who will be casting the curse is our own board member, Lord Lucius Malfoy,” the announcer continued. A door on the left of the arena opened, and Lucius Malfoy walked in, holding his wand by his side, waving at the audience.

“What a twit,” Hermione breathed, her eyes hard as she watched the blonde wizard cross the arena to the announcer. He stopped next to the announcer and glared at Severus, who returned the favor.

The announcer continued.

“The demonstration will consist of three castings of the Avada Kedavra curse by Lord Malfoy on the person of Lord Snape. After three successful results, the potion will be declared effective and ready for licensing and distribution. In the event the potion fails, Lord Malfoy will not be held responsible for the resulting death of Lord Snape.

The announcer turned to Severus.

“Lord Snape, are you willing to stake your life on the purported ability of the potion you’ve created? This is your last chance to withdraw from the demonstration,” he said to the dark wizard.

"I am willing. The potion works,” Severus replied. Lucius gave a delighted and evil smirk at his response. The announcer turned to Lucius.

“Lord Malfoy, are you willing to accept the death of Lord Snape by your hands if the potions is not effective? This is your last chance to withdraw,” he said to Lucius.

Lucius’ cold gray eyes swept over Severus with undisguised hatred.

“I am most willing to accept the death of Lord Snape at my hands,” he replied.

“Very well, gentlemen. Please take your positions. A distance of thirty meters is sufficient. I will give you your instructions and you will follow my directives. Is that clear?”

Both men nodded and walked to their positions. The crowd was silent and watchful as it looked down on the three men in the ring. The announcer walked a good distance away from the two wizards, who faced each other with stony expressions. Lucius’ wand hand was twitching.

“Lord Snape, please present your potion,” the announcer said.

Severus removed the bottle of elixir from his robe pocket and held it up for the entire crowd to see. There was some slight murmuring, but it soon fell back to silence.

The announcer continued.

“Lord Snape, uncap and consume your potion,” he directed.

Severus opened the bottle and tilted it to his lips, drinking the entire contents. He returned the empty bottle to his pocket, and stood there a moment. Then he nodded at the announcer. His black eyes shifted to where Hermione was sitting. The witch was wide-eyed and leaning forward in her seat. He looked back at Malfoy, who was almost shuddering with his desire to cast the curse.

The announcer took another few steps back and said, “Lord Malfoy, cast the first curse.”

Lucius raised his wand at Severus, hatred dancing in his gray eyes.

“Avada Kedavra!” he shouted, throwing his wand are forward and sending a blast of deadly green light towards Severus. The crowd started screaming as the blast enveloped the wizard, whipping his robes and hair about. Lucius smiled in satisfaction as Severus slumped slightly and ended the curse, fully expecting the wizard to drop to the ground.

He didn’t. Silence filled the entire amphitheater.

Severus lifted his head, and looked directly at Malfoy, then straightened to his full height.

“That’s one,” he said, looking at the wizard.

The crowd went wild. Hermione exhaled a breath she didn’t know she was holding. The announcer called for silence. It was several minutes before the crowd calmed down.

Lucius was red-faced and trembling with rage. This couldn’t be. He’d get him this time.

The announcer asked Severus if he were ready. The Potions Master nodded, his eyes never leaving Lucius’ furious face.

“Lord Malfoy, cast the second curse,” the announcer directed.

Lucius flung his wand arm forward viciously.

“AVADA KEDAVRA!” he screamed, sending another bolt of green light to surround the Potions Master. He held it longer this time. Severus stood in the blast and his knees buckled. Lucius released the spell, panting this time…waiting for Severus to go down.

The Potions Master wavered a bit, then straightened with an effort. Again, he looked at Lucius as spectators rose out of their seats, cheering and stomping.

“That’s two, Lucius,” he said, giving the wizard a slight grin. His blasts were nothing compared to Hermione’s.

Lucius turned purple with rage. The Potions Master was not dead yet. Damn him! The blonde wizard summoned up all the hatred in his black soul for the next casting. The man had to die.

The announcer looked at Severus.

“Are you ready for the final casting, Lord Snape?” he asked.

Severus nodded, bracing himself.

“Lord Malfoy, please cast the last and final curse,” the announcer said.

Lucius stepped forward and flung his wand up at the hated wizard standing in front of him.

“AVADA KEDAVRAAAAA!” he roared, flinging the stream of light at Severus with all the hatred he could muster. The light enfolded the Potions Master, who was whipped about by the force of the curse. Lucius held it for almost a minute, perspiration streaming down his snarling face. Severus fell to his hands and knees. Gasping, Lucius ended the curse.

Severus’ arms and legs were shaking as if they were about to give out. His hair hung in a curtain around his face. The crowd was completely silent as they watched the wizard, waiting for him to finally collapse.

Hermione was standing up now.

“Get up, Severus!” she cried, “Get up!”

The Potions Master turned his head to look at her, panting heavily. In the stands Albus Dumbledore stood up.

“Yes, Severus, get up!” he shouted across the arena. Minerva joined him, also calling on the Potions Master to rise. Pomfrey joined them. Slowly the entire audience started to pick up the chant.

“Get up! Get up! Get up! Get up!” they chanted at the Potions Master, cheering him on.

Severus listened to the people cheering for him in amazement. He managed to get a leg up and push off the ground. The chanting was almost deafening now as the audience stomped in time to the chant. Only the Ministry board and officials remained seated.

Slowly Severus rose and stood to his full height, panting but erect. The crowd broke out in a great roar of approval. Aurors appeared in the arena, punctuated by thunder.

Severus looked at the enraged Lucius.

“And that’s three, Lucius. The curse is beaten,” he said.

“NOOOO!” screamed Lucius, “AVADA KEDAVRA!”

He shot another stream of green light at Severus as the crowd gasped in horror. It hit the Potions Master, but only for a split second. The Aurors took Malfoy down immediately with several stunners. The Potions Master buckled a little, but survived the final blast fine.

The announcer spoke.

“Lord Severus Snape has successfully demonstrated the properties of the Sarracenia Elixir or Killing Curse Deterrent. It has been proven effective and will be added to the registry of Spells and Potions. Congratulations Lord Snape, you and Miss Granger have made history today, and the entire wizarding world is in your debt.”

The crowd went wild as members of the audience broke from the stands and flowed over the arena toward Severus, shouting and screaming his name. The Aurors surrounded him, holding the crowd back until they could apparate him to a safe room in the Ministry. The Aurors all shook his hand enthusiastically. He felt like his arm was about to fall off by the time they finished with him. His discovery was going to cut their losses immensely. Many Aurors were killed by the Killing curse. Now they had a better chance of capturing rogue Death Eaters, thanks to him.

“Where is Miss Granger,” he asked one beaming Auror.

“She’s back in processing. The board dismissed the charges immediately. She ought to be out in a few minutes. We’ll bring her to you as soon as she’s ready to go, sir.”

Severus sunk down into the single folding chair the room, as Aurors continued to enter and leave the room, thanking him. Suddenly they left. Several members of the Ministry board walked in, their eyes round. Severus sat back in the chair and eyed them.

“Lord Snape, we…we just want to congratulate you on your amazing discovery, and extend our deepest apologies for suspecting you of passing information to the rogue Death Eaters. It was truly an unfortunate misunderstanding. Is there any way we can make this up to you?” a red-faced official said to him.

“No,” the Potions Master replied shortly. The board members looked at each other helplessly.

“Ah, Miss Granger’s record has been expunged of all charges made against her, and her good standing in the Spells Industry has been restored, “ the wizard offered hopefully. “We are willing to offer her job back, with a substantial pay raise and a higher position than she currently occupies.”

“As far as I’m concerned, you can all go stuff yourselves!” came a familiar female voice from behind them. The board members turned to see Hermione standing in the doorway, her hands on her hips, scowling at them.

“I wouldn’t work for this bigoted, narrow-minded, discriminatory institution again if you offered me a million galleons a year!” she spat, walking through the group of wizards and taking Severus by the arm.

“Come on, Severus, let’s get out of this madhouse,” she said to him.

The Potions Master rose and slipped his arm in hers.

“Gentlemen,” he said, arching an eyebrow at the silent board members as Hermione continued to scowl at them blackly.

Holding Hermione against him tightly, Severus disapparated.

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A/N: Yay! They did it! The demonstration was a great success! Huzzah! Now, my drooling little readers…we move into the orchards. Whew, I’m so glad this story is almost over. ;D Please review.