A Ghostly Curse

Disclaimer: If you recognize it, then rest assured it isn’t mine. I am only borrowing the characters… JKR takes full credit in developing them!

A/N: I want to thank all of you that have taken the time to leave me reviews. I love hearing from all of you. If I had the patience then I would always leave responses to the reviews I receive from chapter to chapter like some of the other authors do, but I am a dolt when it comes to that… Anyway, it isn’t my talking back to you that you really want anyway, right? Now, on with the chapter!!!


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Ch 7 - If Not a Kiss


After Hermione had exhausted herself trying to find a cause to Draco’s malady and turned up nothing, Lucius had become emotional and disappeared. When he left so abruptly, she sank dejectedly into the nearest chair.

This wasn’t supposed to happen. Draco wasn’t what they were looking for. Why couldn’t they have found Lucius’ body first? Then perhaps he would have been better equipped to deal with the discovery of his son.

Hermione looked at the wand held loosely in her hand. She had searched for signs of every enchantment she could find with it and had gained nothing. What if it wasn’t a spell? What if, instead, it was a potion.

The very thought made Hermione ill. Closing her eyes, she rubbed her temples absently. Not now. I was just getting the pieces of my life back together… I wasn’t ready to let them know I was back! Not yet.

Even as her mind argued with her logic, she knew that her ex-husband was the best choice to confide in. With a sigh, she rose and walked to the fireplace. As if the room knew that she desired to open up the Floo network, the powder was sitting in readiness on the mantle.

Disgusted with the pain that filled her at doing this, she took a pinch of the powder and threw it in the flames. “Severus Snape, Hogwarts Dungeons.”

The flames turned green and after a moment, his head appeared in the grate. “What is the meaning of th-- Oh, Her--uhm. I mean, Madam Granger.” His voice had faltered once he saw her. Recovering himself, he asked quietly, “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

Groaning, she looked away. “This is no pleasure, Severus. If I could have thought of any other way I wouldn’t have bothered you.”

The corner of his mouth lifted just the tiniest bit before he asked, “Is everything alright in London? I lost track of you after you moved away. Ginny tried several times to locate you, but the owls always returned with her letters unopened.”

Well of course not! I was still too miserable to let myself be positive about any news she might have. she thought irritated. “I am no longer in London, Severus. I recently moved back when the Ministry offered me a position.” She waved her hand in dismissal of any question he may ask before he could ask it. “I recently acquired Malfoy Manor” She ignored his quick intake of breath, adding, “Anyway, I have come across a situation that I regret requires a second opinion.”

At his blank look, she sighed. “Would you and Ginevra please come to dinner tonight? I have something that needs your attention urgently.”

Severus stared at her for a few moments before asking in a soft voice. “Would you prefer that I came alone?”

Looking sharply at him, she shook her head. “No! I do not wish to dine alone with you, Severus. Ginny is your wife now. She was also… is… She is my friend as well. She may be able to even help if we cannot resolve the problem on our own.”

After a moment, he nodded. “Very well, Hermione. When should we arrive?”

Closing her eyes, she answered, “I’ll expect you at seven.” With that, she turned and walked away, not caring if he closed the Floo or not. Without so much as a backwards glance, she quit the room. The last thing she wanted was to have her ex-husband come into her new home. But she simply saw no other choice.

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Lucius had watched everything, even though he had been unable to look at his son any longer, he couldn’t seem to take his eyes off of Hermione. He knew when he watched her approach the fireplace what she had been thinking. He hated for her to have to summon the man who had hurt her so badly, but he agreed with her train of thought. If anyone could figure out what was wrong with his son, Severus could.

When she made her way back to the main floor of the manor, he followed. He should call back his form. If only so she would know that she wasn’t alone. But he just couldn’t seem to do it. He wanted to see how she was without him near. Was she comfortable in his home? What would she do now? It was only one in the afternoon. Would she take a break and eat?

When she simply continued to her rooms, he paused, wondering. Once inside her chambers, she called out, “Mud?”

In an instant the elf was beside her. “Yes Mistress?”

She was so weary, she didn’t notice the odd look Mud sent toward the space to the far side of the room. “I’m going to take a bath and lie down for a few hours, Mud. Professor Snape and his wife are coming to dinner tonight. They should be here at Seven. Would you make sure I am awake by five?”

With a nod, Mud agreed. “Yes, Mistress. Mud will make sure feast be prepared for Mistress and her company for tonight, as well.”

Nodding, Hermione walked toward the bathing chambers. “Thank you. I wasn’t expecting to be inviting them here yet, but I just don’t have a choice.”

Watching after her until she was out of sight, Mud then turned an accusing eye in Lucius’ direction. “Why is Master Lucius not letting Mistress Hermione know he is here?” The small elf whispered.

Lucius was looking toward the bathroom door, an expression of longing on his face. “I was only watching over her, Mud.” Pinning the house-elf with a severe look, he whispered, “Now, go tend to things and leave us be.”

With a huff the little elf popped out of the room. He knew the master was smitten with Mistress Hermione. It was obvious to anyone that cared to pay attention. Poor Mistress. She wouldn’t have a chance if Master ever found his body.

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Hermione settled into the tub, sighing at the feel of the hot water relaxing her sore muscles. She lounged, enjoying the large tub. She had washed her hair and shaved her legs. Of course, she could have just spelled the leg hair away, but for some reason she preferred the Muggle way on this. It reinforced in her mind that she wasn’t lazy.

Feeling a little more positive about the coming evening, she placed some ginger-vanilla flavored soap on a sponge and began washing her body. When she began running the cloth over her breasts she could have sworn she heard a groan, but covered her response to knowing Lucius was there by just continuing to wash.

She considered calling him on his tendencies to be a peeping tom, but decided instead to give him something to really make him groan. She began slowly tracing the curve of her thigh with the sponge, making sure to lift her leg in such a way as to give him barely a peak of the pink flesh of her nether regions. She bit her lip to keep from laughing when she heard him curse softly under his breath.

It turned her on to know he watched. Knowing he was being affected by what she did, she moved to her knees, and rubbed the sponge slowly back and forth over her mound. She began to hear his breathing becoming harsh and she relished it. With abandon, she dropped the sponge and returned her fingers to the now tender flesh.

As her thumb rubbed slowly over her swollen flesh, she felt his hands embrace her and move to pinch her nipples. Gasping, she leaned back and felt his flesh against her own. “How is it you can do this?”

She heard his low chuckle. “I can make you feel me, or I can make you see me. Which do you want?”

Her hand let go of her own flesh and moved behind her to feel him. “I want to feel you, Lucius. I need to feel you!” As her hand closed over his shaft, his hands became almost brutal as one reached down to clasp her woman-flesh and the other continued to lavish attention on her breasts.

He licked at the flesh of her neck drawing a groan from her when he bit into her tender skin. He tugged gently before whispering, “Severus will see that, Hermione. He’ll wonder which wizard has marked you as his own. But we won’t tell him, will we? It‘ll be our little secret!”

Moaning, Hermione grasped his cock and began working her hand over it slowly. “No… I won’t tell him anything you don’t want me to. I promise--” her voice broke off in a cry as he slipped two fingers into her hot moist flesh. “Oh, Damn it, Lucius! Fuck me!”

Clicking his tongue at her, he questioned, “Such language from my proper young witch? What would your ex lover say?”

Growling, Hermione lifted her ass closer to his shaft, while leaning forward and placing her hands on the edge of the tub. “I don’t care what he says, Lucius. He has his wife. Let him fuck her! I need to feel you!” she gasped as she felt his fingers beginning to pump into her faster. “Please?”

When he grasped her hip and positioned himself at her entrance, he hissed. “I can only feel this on a detached level.” He spoke as he thrust into her, pulling a hissing gasp from her. Moaning her name in a grieved voice he stilled within her for a moment, “You feel like heaven, even with my lost sense of feeling!” He began thrusting in earnest, making her scream out her pleasure.

Too soon, the energy left him and he felt himself slipping away from her. “No! Lucius, don’t leave! I need--” Then she felt the total loss of his touch as he shimmered before her for a second, panting as if in pain. “I - can - do---- no more.” He looked miserable.

His eyes held hers and she found herself wanting to comfort him. “I’m sorry, Lucius. I didn’t think--”

“No,” he waved his hand in dismissal. “I wanted this. I-- want it so bad.” he rolled his eyes before muttering, “It makes me that much more determined to find my body!” When he let his gaze roam over her bare flesh, he graced her with an almost animalistic smile. “Take your nap… Because once I find my body, your naptime won’t be used for sleeping!

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Severus Aparated himself to the gate of Malfoy Manor and stared up the walk. It didn’t look much different. He felt a pain at the loss of his friend. He had never thought that Lucius would kill Narcissa. He wasn’t certain he believed it now either.

After a moment, Ginevra popped in beside him. She cast a hesitant glance at the manor before turning a questioning gaze to her husband, a protective hand covering her belly. The slight roundness was just beginning to show. “Are you sure she really wants to see me too?” She shook her head. “I have no wish to pour salt in an old wound.”

Severus looked at his beautiful wife and found himself smiling. “Ginny, She asked for both of us to come. I’m sure she wants it.”

Ginny nodded, looking away. “She was so hurt before. I don’t blame her for hating us.”

Clasping her hand and tilting her chin up to look at him with his free hand, he whispered. “She didn’t love me. In the end, she was freeing both of us from being miserable.” He shook his head. “I had no wish to hurt her either. Had Potter lived, you would never have known of my affection. As it was, I waited nearly a year after his death to admit my feelings to you.”

Ginny shrugged. “Those things didn’t make it hurt her any less, Severus. She could lie to us all she wanted that it was okay with her, but her eyes told me the truth. She never could lie to me.” She turned to the gate as it began swinging open. “I doubt she can now, either.”

As they neared the grand door, it swung open to allow them entrance. Exchanging baffled looks, they entered only to find themselves alone. Before they could question what happened, Hermione made her appearance.

Walking down the spiral staircase, she greeted them. “Thank you for agreeing to come.” when she reached the ground level, she looked at Ginny and offered her a smile. “I wasn’t sure you would.”

Overwhelmed by how warmly her once best friend had greeted her, Ginny broke into tears. Throwing herself into Hermione’s arms, she whimpered. “I was so sure you’d never forgive me! Oh, Hermione, I’ve missed you so much.

Wide eyed, Hermione returned her friends embrace and felt all her grudges from the past slip away. With a sigh, she admitted. “I wasn’t sure I could forgive you either.” she answered. “But I’ve done a lot of soul searching and I’ve decided that I didn’t need a man who only settled for me cause you were out of reach.” She smiled at Severus. “So, when is the baby due?”

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A/N: I really think Lucius is doing her good! He’s helping her think about other things besides the pain of her past. Man! I do hope she finds his body soon! Otherwise, he’s going to have one huge case of Ghostly Blue Balls!!!

Okay… Once again… It’s that time… Reviews… Now, if you just help me keep my Muse from starving, then she’ll keep the creative energy flowing!