A Song for Severus ~ (Not Update, but Edit)

Chapter 49 ~ A Return and a Visit

Hermione walked quickly down to the Potions office, unwarded the door, entered then replaced the ward. Severus had added her signature so she would have no problems entering his domain. Other than Hermione, only Albus could gain entrance, since he was Headmaster. And Filch if there was an emergency that threatened the well-being of the castle itself. Wards would drop for the caretaker automatically in that case, no matter how powerful. It was part of Hogwarts’ magic.

Hermione opened the private entrance and entered Severus’ rooms quietly, the wall sliding back down. The study was completely dark. The wizard had not even lit the fire when he returned. Maybe he was overtired and went straight to bed. It wasn’t like him, but still that’s what could have happened.

Hermione tiptoed through the darkness toward the wizard’s bedroom, relying on her knowledge of the study’s layout to keep from bumping into anything. She didn’t want to light her wand. If the wizard was indeed asleep, she would let him rest. So far it looked as if he was. A dim glow came from his bedroom, the door slightly cracked.

Hermione approached it, and slowly pushed it open. She started to enter the room when she was suddenly grabbed roughly and pinned against the wall, two powerful hands grasping her upper arms.

“Light,” a silken voice said.

The torches grew brighter and Hermione found herself staring into the narrowed eyes of the Potions Master. A very naked Potions Master. Severus released her arms.

“Hermione, you should know better than to creep around my rooms,” the wizard chastised her, “What if I had struck first? Why didn’t you use your wand? I couldn’t see who was in my study.”

The Potions Master had awakened when he heard the wall go up, got out of bed and looked into the study. When he saw no light he ducked back to catch whoever was in his rooms. It could have been anyone, possibly seeking to filch one of his beloved books, thinking he was still away.

“I…I didn’t want to disturb you if you were sleeping,” the witch said, her eyes glistening. It was so good to see him, even if he were angry.

Severus smirked at her.

“If you didn’t want to disturb me, witch, you would have waited until morning to come and see me,” he said to the witch, releasing her arms and staring down at her.

Hermione couldn’t say anything to this statement, so addressed something else.

“I just wanted to see if you were all right,” she murmured.

“Oh. So you were doing a bed check,” the wizard said.

“Yes,” Hermione replied, “A bed check. To see if you were in one piece.”

Severus eyed her.

“There is only one problem with that,” he said, suddenly sweeping Hermione into his arms and striding with her over to his four-poster. He tossed her in and climbed in behind her.

“In order to check a bed, Hermione, you need to be close,” he purred.

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A rather disheveled Hermione returned to her rooms shortly before 6 am. Volaria was sound asleep as the witch walked past her with a rather gap-legged gait. Damn, she was tired and sore. Severus didn’t have any purple potion in his medicinal stores or his potions stores. He had to brew more. Unfortunately, Hermione didn’t find this out until after the fact and had to deal with the aftermath of her “bed check” on her own. Luckily, she did have a bottle or two in her own bathroom. She wasted no time opening her cabinet, grabbing both bottles and drinking them down one after the other. Her inner aches eased and she let out a sigh of relief. She looked at herself in the mirror. Her hair was all tangled and she had shadows under her eyes.

She couldn’t blame Severus for that however. She was already in that condition when she came to his rooms, but the wizard was so glad to see her he didn’t care about that. He just wanted her. She was the most beautiful woman in the world at that moment, wild hair, shadows and everything. He did comment that she needed to eat a bit more after their first round. He could feel her ribs as he gripped and twisted her about. Severus liked Hermione a bit rounded. She wasn’t fat…just thick. Healthy, not frail. She always lost weight when she worked on something important to her, and without Severus shoving food at her for the past week, she really hadn’t been eating well or regularly.

Well, he was back now and no doubt would make sure she took care of herself.

Hermione stripped down and got into the shower. Severus tried to convince her to shower with him, but she had enough. The man was insatiable. She was lucky to escape walking as well as she did. But Hermione was certain of one thing as she soaped her body…the Potions Master had missed her terribly.

And he had.

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After breakfast, Severus reported to Albus and told him all the details about the competition, skimming over the revels. They both knew what went on there, but Albus was glad to know there weren’t many victims this go ‘round.

“Soon it will all be over, Severus,” the Headmaster said, “Now has there been any word on Bellatrix or Voltaire?”

Severus shook his head.

“No Headmaster, but knowing Bellatrix, she is aware the competition has started. I believe she plans to wait until the challengers are mostly defeated, then will appear before the winner is chosen, attempt to dispatch them and place Voltaire on the throne. It is the most expedient way to accomplish the matter, and a way to be sure those who covet the throne enough to fight for it are dead,” the wizard said.

Albus nodded.

“So the Order must be ready to move on the day of the final competition between the two strongest Death Eaters,” the old wizard said.

“Yes sir…but only if Bellatrix and Voltaire present themselves. Otherwise we will have to wait,” Severus replied, “The competition will be settled in approximately three weeks. Friday will eliminate half of the opponents, next Friday the remaining Death Eaters will face off until only two remain standing, then the following Friday those two will face off to see who is the strongest. The winner will take the elixir and the loser will be kept as back up in case the first dies. Hopefully we will have them before that occurs,” Severus said.

Albus nodded.

“I think then it is time to make you a port key destination, Severus, since the time is growing close and we do not know when Bella will appear. All members of the Order will be put on notice and required to appear when they are needed. We have been training for this for several weeks and Kingsley believes they are ready. Hopefully the element of surprise will be on our side,” Albus said.

The Order had an ingenious weapon created by Fred and George Weasley. Apparently the twins were wizards at creating gadgets good for things other than jokes. They created an item called a “Track-a-Port” specifically for the Order. Even the Ministry didn’t have it. The Track-a-port cast a spell on a living individual rather than an object, then could be used like a port key to transport the user to the individual, circumventing any wards. Once Severus was designated a “destination” several track-a-ports could be keyed to him. This way, Order members could appear instantly when contacted.

The method of contact would be very simple. Hermione had come up with it as a student. It appeared to be a coin but could be used to summon others. In this case, it was modified. When Hermione created it, it was used to summon members of an illegal Defense Against the Dark Arts club, providing the date and time to meet. The Order’s version was much simpler. It would warm in the pocket when invoked, then the members would know to use the track-a-ports within ten seconds of invocation. It took quite a bit of practice to pull this off. The Order members were a lot like America’s “Minute Men” of history. All Severus needed to do was let them know by the coin when Bellatrix and Voltaire appeared and the attack would begin.

“I will focus on Bellatrix when the time comes, Headmaster,” Severus said meaningfully.

Albus’ eyes darkened. He would have to try to restrain and capture Voltaire, hopefully without killing the boy.

”And I will do my best to take Voltaire without too much injury,” the Headmaster said.

Snape was doubtful that could be done. No doubt the boy was full of himself, just like his father and would rather die than be overcome. But he didn’t say anything to discourage the Headmaster. Albus hated taking lives for any reason, though he had been forced to do just that over the years. But each time there had been no other way. He had even offered Grindelwald mercy, but the dark wizard would not give in. So Albus destroyed him, yet there was no victory in his eyes. Neither was there celebration on the part of the wizard when he heard that Voldemort was dead, though he made no attempt to stifle anyone else’s joy. Life was just precious to the old wizard, and any life cut short was a life mourned.

Albus was such a Gryffindor.

The old wizard looked at Severus sadly.

“On another note, Severus, Draco has lost someone quite dear to him in your absence. A young woman named Malina Pascal. She died tragically in a magic carpet accident. The witch was very close to him and he is in mourning,” the Headmaster said.

Severus didn’t say anything, but felt for Draco. Malina must have been the witch he was secretly seeing. He said she was angry about his disappearances and he often had to go looking for her when he returned because she would hide. The Potions Master was of the opinion that this was the couple’s foreplay, the way Draco’s eyes glittered when he said he had to hunt for her then seduce her back to his manor, if not outright carry her off. He seemed happy he had her however. The Potions Master understood how he felt. It was good to have a loving witch to come home to after their missions.

Severus couldn’t imagine how he would feel if anything ever happened to Hermione. It would seem as if the sun went out. He’d be thrown into darkness, a deeper darkness than he had ever experienced before…because now he knew what it was to love. Without it, his despair would most likely take him over.

He sat there in silence for several more moments, then asked, “Where is Draco now?”

”Most likely at his manor,” Albus replied, “He buried her on the grounds. I have no doubt he is spending every possible moment at her graveside.”

”I see,” Severus said shortly.

He wondered if Draco would be in any condition to attend the competition tomorrow night. The Potions Master was counting on him being there in case anything happened. Severus rose.

“I believe I will go to the Manor and pay my respects, Headmaster,” the wizard said.

Albus nodded.

“Yes, I think Draco needs company…a sympathetic ear. He has become a bit of a loner these past few years, and because of his status, he can’t openly talk about his feelings for a witch who was a muggle-born,” Albus said, “But you…you can understand Severus.”

The Potions Master nodded soberly. Yes, he did understand.

He bid the Headmaster goodbye and used the floo to return to his rooms. He walked over to his liquor cabinet, selected an unopened bottle of Ogden’s, then with his wand wrapped it in parchment with a green and silver bow.

He then apparated to Malfoy Manor to pay a visit to Draco.

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Severus arrived at the manor with a crack of thunder, walked up the stairs and knocked on the heavy doors. He waited.

“Excuse me, sir,” a voice squeaked behind him.

Severus turned to see a house elf bobbing before the stairs.

The Master is in the rose garden. Follows me, please,” the elf said.

Severus walked back down the stairs and followed the elf around the manor. He saw Draco sitting on a bench, looking down at a fresh grave. A few early roses surrounded the area. He strode over. Draco looked up at him with reddened eyes.

“Hello Professor,” he said shortly.

“Hello Draco,” Severus replied, looking at the headstone and reading the words. The Love of My Life. He looked back at Draco who had returned to staring at the mound of earth.

“I heard what happened, Draco. You have my sympathy,” the Potions Master said.

Draco didn’t answer him. How could the Professor have sympathy? He didn’t know what it was like to have someone like Malina then to lose her.

“May I join you?” Severus asked him.

Draco slid over and Severus sat down next to him.

After a minute or two of silence, Severus spoke.

“I understand she was a muggle-born,” the Potions Master said.

Draco looked at him with a scowl.

“Yes. Yes, she was a muggle-born,” the blonde wizard replied as if daring the Potions Master to say anything untoward about that.

“Amazing women, muggle-borns,” the Professor said.

Draco blinked at the Potions Master.

“And how would you know, Professor?” the wizard asked him, frowning.

Severus looked Draco in his eyes.

“Because, Draco…I am involved with a muggle-born witch myself,” he said, “And I too have to keep it a secret for the time being.”

Draco looked at Severus in amazement.

“But…but…I thought,” the young wizard said, his gray eyes flicking down to the Potions Master’s loins for a moment.

Severus smirked.

“I’m afraid rumors of my impotency have been greatly exaggerated,” he said quietly.

Draco smiled slightly at this. He assumed like the rest of the Death Eaters that Severus really was impotent. Then he sobered.

“Who is the witch you are involved with Professor?” Draco asked him, curious now. For the first time since Malina’s death he was interested in something other than his loss.

Severus looked at him for a moment, then sighed.

“Hermione Granger,” he said shortly.

Draco sat up straight…his eyes wide. He couldn’t have heard what he thought he did.

“Hermione who?” the blonde wizard asked.

“Granger. Hermione Granger,” Severus replied, his nostrils flared a little at having to repeat himself.

Draco stared at him.

“Granger? How in the world did you get involved with her? You hated her. She was such a show-off know it all!” Draco said incredulously.

Severus looked at him.

“If you really want to know, Draco…we can go inside, open this bottle of firewhiskey and exchange stories about acquiring our witches,” the Potions Master said, “Providing that what we say stays between us. I’d like to know how you met Miss Pascal as well.”

Draco looked at Severus, then at Malina’s grave, then at Severus again. He’d like to talk about Malina. And Granger? Oh, he’d LOVE to hear how this came about. He stood up.

“All right, Professor, but you tell your story first,” he said to the wizard.

Severus rose. He had never talked about Hermione to anyone. He might need this as much as Draco did.

“Done,” he said.

Together Draco and Severus headed for the Manor, the flowers on Malina’s grave bowing lightly in the breeze as if seeing them off.

Perhaps they were.

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A/N: I think Severus is the best thing for Draco right now. Thanks for reading.