Legacy

I do not own anything in the Harry Potter world. I am just using characters and situations to sate my own morbid imagination.

Legacy

Chapter 7

It has been a long three days.

Remus ran his hands through his graying hair tiredly. He was returning to his room from his latest visit to the infirmary. Hermione was still unconscious, though she was healing well. The details of her condition had somehow leaked out and it had rocked the very foundation of Eredita. Numerous witches and wizards had stopped by, whether they were inner circle or outer circle members, only to be turned away by a very cross Hannah Abbott.

Lucius had only visited once, and he kept himself scarce. The only person that had regular contact with the Malfoy patriarch was Severus Snape. The former nemesis of the Marauders was tight lipped regarding Lucius’s visits, but Remus was able to ascertain that Severus was highly disturbed with something and it had to do with the elder Malfoy. He had a sinking feeling that even more pain would befall the unconscious witch and his heart ached for her.

He absently whispered the password upon reaching his room and entered his comfortable quarters. He froze upon seeing his partner, teary eyed sitting quietly on his plush couch.

“Remus, I need your help.”

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Severus Snape was angry. Very angry. He paced his laboratory, his steps full of repressed fury, every once and a while stopping and glaring at the ancient tomb that lay open on his desk. He really, really, wished that Lucius had never approached him with such a deceptively innocuous request the other day. He growled lowly. Hadn’t Hermione been through enough?

“Alright there?”

His head snapped in the direction of the door and found Harry leaning against it, arms crossed. The-Boy-Who-Lived’s expression was blank, but Severus could see the signs of weariness on his face.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” He snarled.

Harry smiled grimly. “Because you are pacing like a caged animal and have been isolated for the past two days.”

Severus let out a bitter laugh. “Oh, I’m just peachy.”

The emerald eyed wizard didn’t even flinch at the hateful tone of his former Potions Professor. “I can see that.” He said mildly.

The onyx eyed man allowed himself a small smile. “Yes, well, you were always one who loved to interfere.”

Harry shrugged. “It’s part of my charming nature.”

Severus snorted at his partner’s statement. “Indeed.”

“So what’s eating you?”

He stopped his forceful rotations around the room, sinking into his desk chair wearily. He knew it was better for him to be outright honest with Harry, but he couldn’t help feeling as if what he wanted to reveal to his partner would upset the balance, not just between them but in everything.

“I have found the potion.”

Harry’s gaze darkened as he asked cautiously. “For what?”

Severus sighed deeply. “To undo the Adiunxi Fortuna.”

“Why?” Was all Harry asked in dread.

Severus winced before answering. “Because Lucius asked me to.”

Silence engulfed the two men, the implications all too obvious. The spy looked closely at his companion. He knew that Harry’s quick mind would understand the meaning behind his words. He waited for the explosion that would surely come.

The green-eyed wizard sighed. “When?” He asked abruptly.

“Tonight.”

“Will it harm Hermione?”

“I do not know.” Severus replied quietly.

Harry sat silent, contemplating the circumstances. “You swore an oath?”

“I did.”

There was no way out of this. Lucius Malfoy being the slippery eel he was, had extracted a Wizarding Oath before his request had become clear. To sever the Adiunxi Fortuna bond, was a heavy decision, one that carried a heavy price. The bonding ritual had never been severed before so there was no written accounting of the effects. A most worrisome fact.

“Why would he want this, particularly now? Doesn’t he realize how much Hermione needs him?”

Severus watched in silence as Harry started to pace the lab floor anxiously. He could literally feel the anger seeping out from the younger wizard.

“My friend, my best friend is lying unconscious in the infirmary from the torture those damn muggles put her through, and now her partner wants to leave her floundering by herself. What has possessed the man to make such a selfish decision? Isn’t Hermione entitled to her own opinion on severing the bond?”

“He regrets becoming bonded to her in the first place. I cannot give Hermione a choice in the matter. Such was part of the oath I swore.” Severus replied quietly.

“So?” Harry roared. “Do you think that she was pleased to be connected to that pure-blooded son-of-a-bitch?! She has dealt with the bond just as he has. And now he’s not allowing her a choice in the matter?!”

Severus sighed. “No. Everybody who was involved with the bonding choice knows how unhappy the two of them were when they found out they were each others partner. For fate to pick them to be a perfect match, well it was laughable at best.”

“Yet, they work very well together. They are a powerful team, and we all know how Lucius likes power, so the question remains, why?” The emerald eyed wizard asked in frustration.

Severus closed his eyes briefly. “I believe it is because he loves her and is deeply afraid of that fact. So he has chosen to sever the bonding in the hope that it will also undo any feelings he has for her. The circumstances of her condition upon her rescue brought his deeper feelings to the forefront. Malfoy’s don’t lose control. They can’t lose control. Everything they own or hold dear will suffer for any lapse in judgment they may have.”

Harry sat down heavily. “Voldemort.”

The onyx eyed wizard nodded. “Lucius Malfoy has to walk a very fine line. Any strong disturbance could tip the scales and then we all could be in for some serious problems.”

“I see your point. Did he tell you this or was it your uncanny knack for reading people that brought you to this conclusion?”

Severus snorted. “What do you think?”

Harry rolled his eyes. “Of course he didn’t tell you. Malfoy’s can never let go of their damn pride to admit weakness.” Suddenly, the image of Lucius’s form on the floor outside of the infirmary doors came to mind. The blond bastard really did love Mione, and it was hopeless. Against his will, he felt a part of himself softening in sympathy for the older wizard’s plight.

“Why did you swear an oath without finding out what you were agreeing to?”

The Potion Master shifted in his seat. “Because I was arrogant and thought I knew what he wanted. He allowed me to see false images in his mind, to which I stupidly fell for. I assumed he wanted my assistance with the images I saw. I was wrong and agreed to the oath before he even voiced his request. Unfortunately, I owed him a debt and this is my repayment. I cannot undo my oath, no matter how much I wish otherwise.”

Harry raised his brow at that. Severus was not known to make mistakes of such magnitude, if any at all. He was curious to know what his partner had seen in Lucius’s mind to make him cause such a blunder. It had to have been something that affected the Potion Master as well. He would find out what it was, in due time.

The flames roared in the laboratory’s fireplace. Remus’s head appeared his expression grave. “We have a problem. It concerns my partner and I would like it if the two of you could join me in my quarters. I have already summoned Ron, Fred and George and they are on their way.”

Harry quirked his head in curiosity. “I’ll come. Severus is in the middle of something very important and cannot join us at this time. He’ll follow when his task has been completed.”

“Very well.” Remus disappeared.

The green-eyed wizard strode towards the door. He stopped before exiting. “If this harms Mione in any way, I will wipe the floor with Lucius. I am certain that Ron would enjoy the chance to knock him around as well. As for you, well, you I cannot hold accountable. I do not wish to be in your shoes when Hermione finds out what you did behind her back. In the future, please refrain from making foolish oaths, and if I were you, I would avoid Lucius Malfoy like the plague.”

With that he swept out of the room leaving Severus gob smacked at the leader of Eredita’s tone. The Potion Master allowed a small smile to creep over his face.

Well done Harry. Well done.

He turned his attention to severing the bond. He really was not looking forward to this. If this harmed the Lioness, well, he would be more than happy to join Harry and Ron in planting his fist in Lucius’s face. He did not want to think about how angry his close friend would be for betraying her.

“I’m sorry Hermione.”

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Draco watched from his seat in the shadows the sleeping form of his friend. The hospital wing was dark with only the pale moonlight illuminating Hermione’s face. Ron had left a while ago to go to Lupin’s room, something to do with the Weaselette.

Earlier, he had seen his godfather conversing with Abbott. The medi-witch had handed a vial to Severus and he quickly left the infirmary without a glance at Hermione’s prone form. The silver eyed wizard found that odd considering the close friendship between the Lioness and the Potion Master.

A slight figure entering the infirmary drew his attention. His eyes narrowed as he watched the dark figure swiftly cross the room to Hermione’s bed taking at seat at the unconscious witch’s side. The raven hair and golden eyes of Seren was revealed in the moonlight. She reached out and brushed a few strands of hair from Hermione’s face before reaching for her hand.

“Thank you for helping me.”

Draco was not sure if she spoke to the Lioness or him so he remained quiet.

“I do not know what they would have done if you hadn’t attacked that muggle scientist. I am only sorry I could not help you in return.”

She laughed softly. “My brother was most displeased when I told him everything that happened. Nickolai wanted to go back and rip their throats out.”

“You were so brave. I don’t just mean with the whipping, but with the heinous attack on your person. While that horrid man w..w..was using your body, you kept silent, refusing to scream.” Her voice broke.

“You saved me from that very fate. You took my punishment on as yours. I cannot thank you enough for what you sacrificed.” She said quietly.

“Nickolai, my brother, wants me to return home. I have refused. An offer has been made to me by Harry Potter and Ron Weasley to join your order, Eredita. I have accepted. I told them all that had transpired and they were not happy as I’m sure you can imagine. You have very loyal friends.”

She fell silent all the while smoothing Hermione’s hair back from her pale face. Draco watched in fascination at her gentle movements.

Suddenly, Hermione began to thrash causing Seren to leap back in surprise. Draco quickly was at the curly haired witch’s side. He grasped her arms in an effort to keep her from harming herself.

“Help me. Grab her legs.” He ordered Seren as Hermione’s thrashing got more violent. Wide-eyed, Seren hurried to obey. Tremors wracked the petite witch’s body and tears streamed steadily from closed eyes. A low keening sounded in her throat.

“Hannah!” Draco shouted, worried. “Abbott, get your arse over here!”

Hermione’s eyes shot open and a terrible scream of pain and rage escaped her throat leaving Draco’s ears ringing. He quickly released her and motioned for Seren to do the same. Stepping back, they watched as she thrashed around, her limbs trembling.

The doors to the infirmary opened and Hannah rushed in quickly followed by Severus Snape.

“Lumos.” With a wave of his hand the entire infirmary was brightly lit. The Potion Master hurried to Hermione’s side where Hannah was trying to sooth her distressed patient.

“Draco, floo Remus. Tell him to have Potter and Weasley get their arses down here now!” Draco ran to the fireplace to follow his god father’s instructions.

Seren watched the proceedings with concern. Something else was going on here. She stepped further back, picking a spot where she would not be in the way.

“Severus, what is happening?” Draco asked in a near shout to be heard over Hermione’s screams.

Severus was wrestling with the thrashing figure of the petite witch. “Your damned father! He had me swear an oath to sever his bonding with Hermione. This is the result!”

Draco reeled back in shock. “WHAT?!” He roared as Harry, Ron and Remus came running through the infirmary doors.

“Damnit Abbott! Get the fucking draught down her throat!”

“I’m trying you git! Hold her still!”

Harry and Ron rushed to help hold their friend down to no avail. Her screams and thrashing only got worse. It was Seren who realized what was wrong.

“Stop! Her reasoning is messed up. She thinks she’s back in the prison!”

Severus catching on, swiftly petrified Hermione. Hannah quickly poured the calming draught down her throat. Unfreezing her, Severus stepped back. Hermione immediately curled into a ball a low keening sound escaping her. Slowly, she calmed down and entered a dreamless sleep.

Harry looked to Severus who only nodded at his unasked question before turning his attention to Draco. “Where is your father?”

The blond haired wizard inwardly flinched at the cold tone of Harry’s voice. “I don’t know.”

Remus stepped forward. “What happened?”

“I’ll tell you what happened! Lucius Malfoy is a right bastard! In pure trickery he extracted a Wizarding Oath from Severus to reverse the Adiunxi Fortuna bond.” Harry snarled.

“I did not know it was possible to sever the bond,” Remus said stunned.

“It is. It took a lot of research, but I was able to find the reversal spell. Unfortunately, there was no accounting of the effects the severance would cause as it had never been performed before.” The onyx eyed wizard said wearily keeping his eyes on Hermione as Hannah checked her vitals.

“Let me get this straight. Lucius had you take an oath to sever the bond between him and Hermione while she was still recovering from the torture the muggles did to her.” Ron said in a deceptively calm voice.

“Correct, Mr. Weasley.”

“Why?” The question came from Seren who had been listening closely. “Why would he do this now?”

“My father does not share his reasons for doing anything.” Draco muttered.

Silence enveloped the group as they trained their eyes on the sleeping witch. One question echoed in the minds of all present.

How much more could the witch take?

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Far away in an expensively decorated bedroom in an oppressive manor, a wizard lay writhing against his silken sheets. Fire shot through his blood as his muscles convulsed causing him to thrash about in an effort to escape the all encompassing pain.

Tears streaked down his face and his artic colored eyes were bloodshot. A scream tore from his throat as another wave of fire coursed through his limbs.

“HERMIONE!”

The movements stilled as the prone figure of Lucius Malfoy lay in his sweat soaked sheets slipping into the welcoming darkness of oblivion.

Somewhere in the manor a clock tolled signaling the midnight hour.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


Drop me a line if you can. Reviews are most welcome.

Thanks for reading!

F.L.