Black Orchid

Disclaimer: Not mine just playing with JK\'s Toys

Chapter 5 Uncovered

Before they had left, they had to write a very long and detailed letter to both Draco and Severus. Ginny was going through a photo album picking out certain photos that she wanted to include in the letter while Hermione actually wrote their explanation out the best way she could.

Dear Draco and Severus,

Where to start in trying to explain why we have lived a lie for so long. It started innocently enough. We had a run- in with Theodore Nott in the San Diego airport. He didn’t catch us and we immediately caught the next plane headed out so that he would think we were still in America. Once we were in Australia, getting settled was harder than we expected.

First we had to get jobs and get into school with false identification. No small feat, I’ll have you know. But we did manage to do it. Many times we sat down to try to think of a way to let you know that we were alright but nothing came to mind with chance revealing where we were and that would have defeated the whole point of sending us away.

I must confess that we were still a little miffed at being sent away in the first place. You took our choice away from us and while we are aware that it was for our own good. I (Hermione) was not a child, yet I was being treated as one. That was part of not telling you where we were. Childish, I know in hindsight; merely angry at the time.

Remember the pendants we left you? Well they are protection talismans and Portkeys to us. Somehow we thought you would figure that out from the letters we left but I guess you never did. For the longest time we hoped you would and find us, but after a while we just gave up and started living out lives as best we could here.

We have enclosed some pictures of our life here including the biggest reason we were afraid to come back. We lacked an explanation then as we do now. Please find it in your hearts to consider forgiving our selfish and irresponsible actions. We have missed you both so much and would very much like to have you back in our lives.

Here are the notes and a sample of the Cruciatus Curse Cure. Severus, by the time you read this we will have given you a proper dosage. Yes I know it hasn’t been tested but we watched your last attack through the mirror and felt it would be best for us to try to relieve your agony as soon as possible.

Love Always,
Hermione and Ginny
P.S Our names are still the activation words for the port keys.

Once the letter was complete, both women walked to the Floo. Ginny had something similar to a smoke bomb in her hand but instead of smoke it would release a non-toxic sedative that would put Draco under for about 8 hours. All the sedative would do to Severus was put him into a deeper sleep, which would make pouring the potion down his throat a little awkward. But it was better than to chance him fighting them. Or worse, for him to wake up and demand answers they weren’t ready to produce yet.

The sedative quickly took effect, and they watched through the mirror as Draco slumped over in the chair he was sitting in. Once they were convinced that he was completely out, they cast bubble charms on themselves and entered their office through the Floo. Ginny checked both men’s pulses before nodding at Hermione to start. Hermione angled Severus’s body semi-upright and massaged his jaws to release. She then pulled the stopper out of the potion vial and poured a third of it down his throat taking the time to rub his throat to make sure he didn’t choke..

Certain that he had enough, Hermione laid him on his back, tucking the blanket around him tenderly. She made eye contact with Ginny.

“It’s done. I am just going to leave the letter, notes, pictures and the vial on the side table next to Draco. They should see it when they wake up. We’ll be able to monitor everything from home.”

Ginny nodded and headed back to the Floo taking the time to run a finger lightly over Draco’s cheek as she passed him.

“What will we do if they can’t accept us?”

Hermione tightened at her question but managed to answer.

“Then we will continue as we have. Our life isn’t that bad here. It would just be better with them in it. I hope that they can understand it.”

With those words, both of them went home through the Floo to watch from the other side of the mirror. All they could do was hope that the cure would save Severus and that the men they had loved would forgive them.

The next morning Draco woke with a stretch and a yawn, feeling very refreshed for the first time in days. He felt a little guilty for falling asleep while watching over his godfather. As his thoughts drifted to Severus, so did his eyes, and he was relieved to see the other man still sleeping peacefully. The lines of pain he usually wore were gone and his hands were relaxed. Draco also noticed that the blanket was tucked in differently than before, and he guessed that the girls had been back and done something

Looking around for some sign of them he saw a large envelope and a potions vial on the side table. Grabbing the envelope, he ripped it open and scanned the letter. When he got to the pictures, all the colour in his face was washed away. Roughly, he went over and shook Severus.

“Wake up. You have to see this!”

Severus roused, staring at his godson with bleary, flat black eyes. He yawned and pulled himself up to a sitting position. His eyes grew wide as he noticed the movement didn’t make his body ache. Draco shoved the papers and pictures into his lap and watched his godfather intently. Severus read over the letter and slumped into the couch as he looked at the pictures.

“Oh Merlin, this changes things now doesn’t it?”

Severus’s face was unreadable as he read the letter again. Then he set it aside to look over the other notes.. Minutes later he collected the whole package and stood up. Grimly he spoke to Draco.

“We need to get this cure to Hogwarts to start production on the cure. Then we’ll deal with this new wrinkle.”