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

Chapter 53 ~ Alliance

“Eloise Hedgeberry?” Albus said to the wizard sitting in front of him.

“Yes, Headmaster…Fenrir turned her. Now she needs protection,” Remus said soberly.

Albus looked at him, an eyebrow raised.

“She’s not the only one. Fenrir must be furious you took her,” the old wizard replied.

“I imagine he is,” the werewolf replied, “But I was the smarter wolf.”

“Indeed you were,” Albus said, his eyes washing over him, “But I sense there is more at issue here.”

”Yes, there is Headmaster. Eloise does not want to be arbitrarily sterilized. Since she is a citizen of the muggle world can they force her to do it?” Remus asked him.

Albus looked thoughtful.

“I believe they cannot Remus. She isn’t a citizen of our world and has her own rights according to the laws of muggle England. I believe it is illegal to sterilize a woman against her will there, so it cannot be imposed here, though they will try to convince her to have it done,” the Headmaster said. “Does she want children?”

”I think it is the idea of someone else deciding whether or not she can have them being the issue,” Remus said, “I’m quite sure actually having children is the last thing on her mind right now. Besides she is in her thirties I believe. For a muggle that is late to have a child.”

Albus shook his head in negation.

“No Remus, it’s not. Muggle women are known to have children as late as in their late forties, when they are better established,” he replied.

Remus looked a bit perplexed by this.

“But they age so quickly, Headmaster. At age sixty they have lived over half of their lifetime and start to become frail,” the wizard said, thinking how hard it would be for muggle female to keep up with children, particularly young adults who got into all manner of trouble.

“That will not be the case with Miss Hedgeberry. Becoming a werewolf has added years to her life. She will live as long as any of us. Her aging will slow,” the Headmaster replied, “And her childbearing years will lengthen.”

Remus absorbed this. Apparently for muggles there was some benefit to becoming a werewolf. Dubious benefits, but benefits nevertheless.

“But there is another issue. A fertile werewolf bitch will cause problems in the village,” Albus said. “None of the other females can breed.”

Remus shook his head.

“I don’t think she will want to stay in the village, sir. Currently she is with Rubin Fezwig,” he replied.

“Ah Rubin. Almost a contemporary of mine. A Hufflepuff I believe…very hardworking. A shame what happened to his son,” Albus said. “But he knows how to keep werewolves away. Still, Eloise will have her cycles. You know what happens when she goes off her period just before transformation Remus,” Albus said, his expression grave.

Remus reddened slightly.

“She goes into heat,” he said hoarsely.

“She will have to be locked up securely or she will go in search of a male, and not be particularly selective if there aren’t many available. You have to explain it to her before it happens,” the old wizard said.

“Me?” Remus responded, his eyes wide.

“Who else? You took her from Fenrir. You have part of the responsibility to help her adapt to her new form and life. You can’t very well let it come on her when she’s unaware. She won’t know what’s happening to her,” Albus told him.

Remus looked quite out of sorts.

“I…I suppose you’re right, Headmaster,” Remus said.

“I am right. Now you need to take her down to the Ministry and get her registered as soon as possible. If there is any issue about her sterilization, have the Ministry contact me. I’ll set them to rights,” Albus said as Remus stood, leaned over the desk and shook his hand.

“Thank you, Headmaster,” he said, “I appreciate this.”

“It is my pleasure to help someone in such a strange and difficult situation, Remus. However, please be careful. Fenrir is a vindictive sort to say the least. He will be out for blood…possibly from the both of you if he thinks she has taken you for a mate,” Albus said.

Remus snorted.

“There’s no chance of that happening, Headmaster. She’s an alpha female. I’m not dominant enough for her,” he replied.

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that Remus. She is still human as well. It could be her human preferences would override her animal instincts where you are concerned. I believe it would do you good to have a mate, Remus. Someone to care for and to care for you.”

Remus looked at the wizard for a moment and opened his mouth to say something, but thought better of it.

“Goodbye, Headmaster,” he said instead.

“Goodbye, my boy,” Albus said, his eyes twinkling.

Remus exited the office, Albus looking after him thoughtfully.

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After breakfast, Severus returned to his lab to give his purple potions a few stirs, then returned to Hermione’s rooms, letting himself in. Hermione was gone, but Volaria was there, reading with her brow furrowed. She looked up when he entered and jumped a bit guiltily.

Severus had been dealing with naughty students for years and knew the signs of wrongdoing the moment he saw them. He strode over to the witch, who was sitting in one of the armchairs.

“What are you up to, Miss Ruddle?” he asked her sternly.

“Nothing,” she said in a small voice. Her blue eyes flicked over to the book lying on the table reflexively.

Severus noticed this and picked up the book, reading the title.

“Advanced Charms, Miss Ruddle? You barely have the rudiments down pat. I think Hogwarts has the makings of another overachiever on its hands,” he said with a little sneer, “You have to crawl before you can walk, Miss Ruddle. I think it best you learn the basics before you try anything else.”

He closed the book, put it back on the table and turned to leave. Volaria, her heart pounding, called him.

“Professor Snape…I’d…I’d like to talk to you about something. Something very important,” she said.

Severus looked at the girl.

“You have Miss Granger to listen to your problems. I don’t have time to be burdened with what ails you, Miss Ruddle,” he snapped at her.

“But sir…she won’t listen to me. She’s too…too stubborn,” Volaria said desperately.

Severus’ eyes glittered at her. It was true. Hermione was stubborn…but this little chit shouldn’t be making that observation. It was disrespectful.

“Miss Granger has the deplorable habit of listening to any and everyone’s problems, Miss Ruddle. I’m sure she can fit yours in. Now good day,” he said, walking toward the door.

“I want you to teach me a spell,” Volaria cried out.

Severus froze, then slowly turned.

“I am not the Charms Professor, Miss Ruddle. Professor Flitwick can teach you what you need to know,” he replied.

“Not this charm, Professor. It’s not taught at Hogwarts, and the books don’t explain well enough. I can’t figure it out on my own,” she said.

Severus studied the witch. She was a Ravenclaw. She couldn’t be that stupid could she?

“If it isn’t taught at Hogwarts, Miss Ruddle, there’s a reason. Students…aren’t…supposed…to learn it, “ he said in a low “are you a complete idiot?” voice.

“But I need to learn it sir. And you are the only one who would understand why. Hermione won’t,” she said.

Severus stared at her, curious now.

“And why do you think I would understand when Miss Granger wouldn’t?” he asked her.

Volaria swallowed.

“Because you know what danger is,” she said, “What it really is. What can happen. Please…just let me tell you why I want to learn the spell,” Volaria pleaded with him, “And if you don’t think I’m right, then I won’t ask you again. Please Professor.”

“You have thirty seconds,” he said, folding his arms.

Volaria didn’t waste them. When she was finished, he studied her for a minute or two, saying nothing. Volaria stared back at him, her eyes desperate and hopeful.

“I think, Miss Ruddle, I may have underestimated you, as well as the Sorting Hat. You would have done well in Slytherin,” he said, giving her a small smirk.

Volaria didn’t dare smile. She continued to stare at the wizard, waiting.

“You’ve made a good case. Yes, I will teach you the spell,” Severus said, “And you will not breathe a word to anyone about it. Do you understand me?”

”Yes sir. Thank you, sir,” she said.

“I will let you know when we can begin,” the wizard said, heading for the door, “And get back to second year charms. I don’t want you turning the simplest swish and flick into something deadly when it comes time to teach you. I’ve enough bumblers to deal with without adding you to the ranks.”

Actually, Severus didn’t spend much time with the students as he used to, thank to Bartholomew, but the sentiment was still the same.

”Yes sir,” Volaria said, nodding vigorously and picking up the Advanced Potions book to return it to the shelf.

Severus gave her one more penetrating stare, then exited, warding the door securely behind him.

She certainly reminded him of Hermione in her younger years…but Volaria was much more logical, not to mention more in touch with how ugly the world really was.

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Hermione was in the lab, peering at several cages. Six pair of malevolent eyes stared back at her hatefully from scaly little hideous faces. A couple of Dark Pixies hissed at her flicking their tiny forked tongues in and out.

Even though she made them, Hermione couldn’t help shuddering a little. She had to strengthen the dampening spell around the cages. The little creatures grew in power and could toast a witch or wizard if they got the opportunity. It took her hair catching on fire for Hermione to realize it.

The little bastard that flamed her was the first one she planned to test the anti-elixir on. The offending Voldie-pixie looked at her balefully, its tiny purple scaly hands clasping the bars of its cage as it stared out at the witch

Hermione had carefully made several batches of elixir, all with readjustments and gradual decreases in the ratio of venom to agistani blooms. Hopefully that would be the key to the reversal. The visual changes in the elixir were that instead of being black and thick, it was now a crimson color. Hermione knew that Voldemort had black blood. The crimson color was very near the color of human blood…not that it made a difference really, but Hermione hoped the healthy blood red was a sign the elixir could be cleansed from the body and the effects reversed.

She waited a few minutes more for Severus, then when he didn’t show…she went ahead and prepared to dose the first Dark pixie.

She added a bit of anti-elixir to a purified beaker. Next to the beaker, on a piece of parchment, rested a sterilized eyedropper. Next to that, a large hands-free magnifying glassed was bolted to the counter. And next to that was a pair of thin, magically fire-resistant/bite resistant gloves Hermione had charmed herself because the dragonhide glove were too thick for the careful work she had to do.. These new gloves ran up to her elbows and offered better protection. A Dark pixie bite was probably very painful if not fatal. They certainly looked malicious enough to kill.

Hermione picked up the cage and positioned it so the door was facing her. The pixie within immediately fluttered back to the far end of the cage. It seemed the elixir made them more intelligent than normal pixies, who wouldn’t know they were about to be taken until the door was actually opened. This pixie seemed to know beforehand that Hermione was up to no good. It watched, red eyes glittering as Hermione checked her ponytail to make sure there were no loose strands. Then she pulled on the gloves and frowned at the pixie.

“Flame me, will you?” she said with a grimace as the pixie threw up its small hands and flamed at her as she opened the cage. She had to grab the creature with its arms pinned to the side to keep it from using its defenses.

The creature was less than cooperative, darting around the cage like a big, horrible hornet, hissing and biting at her hands, flaming her again and again. Most pixies ran out of flame after the fifth or sixth shot and had to rest and regenerate their power, but the Voldie-pixies seemed to have an endless amount of powerful shots.

“Hold still damn it!” Hermione cursed through gritted teeth as she tried to grab the pixie, which flew back and forth quickly, hissing and flicking its tongue.

She didn’t notice Severus had quietly slipped in and was watching her with a mixed look of disgust and amusement on his face. Gods, the creatures were hideous and really did favor Voldemort.

Finally Hermione just batted it hard to the floor of the cage in aggravation, knocking it out.

“Oops,” she said, but grabbed the little bugger anyway. Severus grinned. Such violence from Bleeding Heart Hermione.

“Now I’ve got you. Wake up,” she said, holding the creature loosely in her fist, walking over to the sink, turning it on and flicking a little water in its face.

After a moment or two the pixie roused, realized where it was and tried to sink its teeth into Hermione's hand with a hiss of rage. It couldn’t get through the glove. Its shoulders wriggled as it struggled to work its way loose.

“I’ve got you now,” Hermione said with a nasty grin.

She was enjoying this way too much. Severus shook his head as she walked back over to the counter and carefully drew a bit of elixir into the dropper and fed it to the pixie, which made a valiant effort not to take it. Alas, she was bigger than he was and forced the tip into the creature’s mouth and made it swallow by not withdrawing it until she saw its throat muscles work and a look of disgust cross the tiny, homely face.

The creature began to shudder strongly, and Hermione placed it on the counter, well back from the edge, grabbed her parchment pad and muggle pen and began taking notes.

She watched as the creature shuddered, then began to convulse horribly, twisting about, its face contorted in agony. It changed color, becoming slightly bluer, and its skin began to drop scales. The red eyes dulled for a bit, then black blood burst from its nose and mouth and the creature fell still.

Hermione continued to observe it, in case it revived. But it didn’t. Still there were some physical changes before it succumbed. She picked it up and carried it to the cutting board for dissection.

“That was quite a grisly display,” the Potions Master said.

Hermione looked up at him, startled.

“How long have you been here?” Hermione asked the wizard, wiping her gloved hands on her lab coat self-consciously.

“Long enough to see you resort to violence to catch the pixie,” he said, smirking, “One would think you’d handle your test subjects more…delicately.”

”It pissed me off,” Hermione said, her nostrils flared, “But there were some changes in the creature before it died.”

”The burst of blood is normal in the original transformation…it occurs when the human blood transforms. It could mean that the transformed blood is undergoing a reversal as well,” Severus said, looking down on the dead creature as Hermione pulled off her charmed gloves and put on a pair of latex ones.

She picked up a box of pins and a scalpel and set them next to the cutting board as Severus peered at the other pixies.

“Quite the transformation,” he commented as the creatures flamed at him ineffectually, “Bloodthirsty little buggers.”

“They’d as soon fry you as look at you,” Hermione replied as she slid the pixie’s body under the magnifying glass and made the first cut in the it shoulder, eventually creating a “Y” incision that allowed her to peel the skin back and see the ribcage and internal organs. She fell silent as she threw herself into her work, muttering from time to time as she examined the creature. It was as if the Potions Master wasn’t even there.

Severus had expected this however, and spent his time reading her research notes and checking in on the cobras who looked no worse for wear, greeting him with hisses and spread hoods as he entered their enclosure. They were getting bigger, probably due to Hagrid’s overfeeding.

He left the enclosure to find Hermione meticulously cutting organs out of the pixie and carefully removing them with tweezers.

“I am making a new batch of purple potion,” he said to the witch, who grunted at him.

“It will be ready tonight,” the wizard continued.

“Umm, hmmm,” Hermione responded, completely focused on the pixie.

“I’ve hung a few rope restraints, installed a pillory and a whipping post in my bedroom for a bit of bondage action,” Severus said, “I figure I will wear pewter chain mail and a black leather loin cloth for easy flip-up access. Is that all right with you?”

“That’s just fine, Severus,” Hermione said absently.

The wizard smirked. Hermione was lucky Severus wasn’t into causing her pain beyond his sex otherwise his rooms would be sounding like Father Christmas’ workshop right now.

But the witch was in her element and really had made some progress.

“I’ll be going now Hermione,” Severus said to the witch, who was now staring through her magnifying glass and turning over a small organ that looked like a liver with a thin pointed wooden dowel.

“All right,” she said, not looking up.

“I’ll be returning with food in a little while. You will eat it,” he said with a note of warning in his voice.

“Yes, yes…ok,” she said, a bit of irritation in her voice as she worked. Her hair was starting to frizz.

It was definitely time to go. The amount of time between Hermione’s first hiss of irritation and an all out tantrum over being interrupted was quite a small increment. Severus beat a rather hasty retreat, although there would be no avoiding the tantrum when he returned with food and drink and tried to make her eat. Most likely he would have to carry her out of the lab bodily.

He thought he wouldn’t mind that. The thought of Hermione squirming against him was quite…yummy.

The wizard walked up the long flight of stairs, heading for his lab again.

There was still a bit of stirring to do as far as the purple potion was concerned, though the gods knew when he’d get to test it out.

He made no attempt to tell Hermione anything about tonight. It wouldn’t have registered. He’d tell her after he made her leave the lab tonight at a decent time

She certainly wouldn’t do it under her own steam.

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A/N: Hmmm. Volaria and Severus working together? A sneaky pair to be sure. Lol about the bondage items. Thanks for readi