Dark Days

Dark Days Chapter Seven – ‘Till death do us part

Hermione sat with her head in her hands gazing out at the trees and lake, spread out before her. It was perfectly still, almost as if it was not a view from a window at all but a muggle oil painting in a museum. The past few days had felt like months. She was emotionally drained, feeling almost as weary as she had after the awful battle in Scotland. Her mother still refusedtalktalk to her, and was treating her stay at the Weasley’s like a holiday rather than a semi-permanent relocation.

She felt arms slide round her waist and pull her backwards into a broad chest. She closed her eyes and nuzzled into his neck, feeling tiny fleeting kisses at her temple.

“You look tired,” murmured a husky voice.

“I am,” she replied, “I was hoping my mum would have come round by now, but she still refuses to believe anything. She won’t even see me.”

“Give her time Hermione, she’ll come round. She’s in shock.”

“But why is she blaming me?”

“Who else can she blame? She’s never met Voldemort, he’s nothing but a name to her, your father may have brought her here as well as you, but it was at your asking. In her eyes, it’s you who has uprooted her life; all that she’s ever known and replaced it with a confusing and scary life.”

“Did I mention that I was moping? Wallowing in self pity? Sense really has no place here logic-man!”

“I apologise.”

“You’re forgiven!” She turned then and wrapped her arms around his neck for a searing kiss.

* * * * * *

Mr Weasley and Mr Granger were seated at the kitchen table of the Burrow which was covered with dentistry equipment. Mr Granger was explaining their uses to the great delight of Arthur Weasley. Both were enjoying themselves tremendously, Arthur was absolutely fascinated and Lawrence Granger was flattered at having such an attentive audience. Molly Weasley had long since given up trying to get them to talk of something else and was only hoping that they didn’t suggest experimenting on her or anyone else for that matter. Mr Granger may have experience of this sort of thing but it looked awful to her, and much as she loved her husband she wouldn’t trust her as near as five miles with some of those devices in his hands.

“So what’s this for?” asked Arthur then.

“Well you see that’s for filling in holes in people’s teeth to stop them hurting. You pack it into the hole with this,” he held up a long hooked silver instrument.

“How about a demonstration?”

Molly blanched making ready to run. But then Arthur pulled out his wand and conjured up a perfect model of a mouth, lips, tongue, teeth and all. Lawrence gasped appreciatively and proceeded to show Arthur how the task of filling a tooth was accomplished. Molly breathed a great sigh of relief and promptly left the kitchen, deciding that they would be occupied for quite some time and that they were probably best left to their own devices. Going into the sitting room she flopped into a threadbare armchair for a well earned relax. Mrs Granger was already their, perched on a stool gazing absently out of the window into the yard.

“Are you okay Helen?” Molly asked voice full of concern.

Mrs Granger turned, a rather forced smile on her face. “I’m fine thank you Molly. Where are Arthur and Lawrence?”

Molllledlled her eyes, “Practising dentalry in the kitchen.”

“Dentistry,” corrected Helen automatically.

A white Owl flew in through the open window then bearing a letter addressed to Mrs Weasley.

“Hello Hedwig,” she greeted the bird rather surprised to see her.

The letter was off Hermione asking if it would be convenient to come down the next day to visit her parents. Molly took a quill off the mantelpiece, scribbled a quick reply, gave Hedwig some water and owl treats from Errol’s bowl and let her out through the window again.

Helen Granger had gone back to staring out of the window, ignoring what was going on around her.

“That was a letter off Hermione,” announced Mrs Weasley carefully.

Helen’s face hardened. “What can she have to say?”

“She’s coming to visit us tomorrow.”

“Oh.”

A long silence followed in which Molly fidgeted uncomfortably, unsure of what to say next.

“Would you like a cup of tea?” asked Helen, “I think I could do with one.” Without waiting for she walked into the kitchen and began to get out cups and teabags.

* * * * * *

Harry and Cho were sitting c comfortably in Hermione’s room as she and Severus made tea in the small kitchenette to on side of the room. Harry wasn’t at all happy about the arrangement but he was putting up with spending time with Severus for Hermione’s sake. And because Cho had nagged him into it. Ron was still refusing to have anything to do with Severus and was rather awkward around Hermione too.

“When are we going to tell them?” whispered Cho to Harry then.

“Tell them what?”

“You know what!”

“Oh that.”

“Yes ‘Oh that!’, what else would I mean?”

“I don’t know. Don’t you think we should wait till Ron’s here too?” he asked.

“Ron come and spend time in the same room as Severus? Do you think that’s likely to happen anytime in the next century?”

“Maybe not. Shall we tell them now then?”

“I think we should,” said Cho a happy smile on her face. “After all, the sooner everyone knows the sooner we can plan it all!”

Hermione and Severus came back in then laden with mugs of tea and a large plate of cakes. Harry and Severus’ faces seemed to set into a rigid sort of wariness.

“Not interrupting anything are we?” asked Hermione.

“No not much,” replied Harry which earned him a dig in the ribs from Cho. “Ow!”

She pulled ues ues at him as he made a pathetic ‘you wounded me’ face. Hermione and Severus exchanged curious glances and helped themselves to cakes.

“Actually,” said Cho in a mock icy voice, “We have something to tell you both.”

They paused and looked at each other adoringly, before turning back to face Hermione.

“We’re getting married!”

Hermione squealed and slopped hot tea down her front which she barely even noticed. “Oh Harry! Cho! Oh Wow!” She got up and pulled Cho up into a hug. “When did this happen? How long? When’s the ceremony?”

“He asked me three weeks ago, just before that…that battle in Scotland.”

“Awwww!!”

The two women began to babble excitedly then while Severus and Harry looked on in amusement.

“Congratulations,” said Severus shortly to Harry over the chatter of excited women.

“Thanks,” said Harry. Then he suddenly grinned. “Look I know we can’t stand each other, but you seem to love Hermione…”

“Yes I do, very much.”

“Yes well…maybe we should puide ide our differences, for her sake, and agree to be civil to each other. Most of the time at least.”

Severus smirked, “Most of the time?” He paused, “Agreed.”

They were interrupted just then as Hermione pulled Harry up into an excited hug and kissed him soundly on the cheek. “I’m so happy for you both!” Tears began to roll down her cheeks.

“Hermione what’s the matter?” asked Harry then full of concern.

“Nothing’s the matter you goon! I’m happy!” She sniffed.

Harry rolled his eyes in exasperation, “Women!”

Cho pulled her tongue at him again and he pulled her forward into a tight embrace. That started Hermione crying again, she’d only just ghem hem under control. She felt a hand at her arm then clutching a handkerchief. She took it gratefully from Severus and dried her eyes.

It was some time later after many more hugs and tears that Cho and Harry left, leaving Hermione and Severus alone.

“I can’t believe he’s getting married.”

“Neither can I,” Said Severus in a voice that plainly meant, ‘Who’d want him?’

“Be nice.”

“Yes dear.”

“I heard you agree to be nice to each other you know!”

“Really then I hope you noticed the ‘most of the time’ part,” he smiled mischievously at her. “Any way I’m surprised you noticed. I thought you were too absorbed in ‘Awww’s’ and ‘wows!’ to be able to notice.”

She poked him in the ribs and grinned. “Well I did!” She became serious then. “Thank you!”

“Youwelcwelcome.”

Something tapped on the window then, Hermione opened it and Hedwig flew in. Hermione offered her the remnants of a sticky bun which she ate with great relish.

“Who’s that from?” asked Severus.

“Molly Weasley,” said Hermione sitting down. Hedwig hooted softly and flew back out of the window in search of Harry. Severus sat down beside her as she read. “My dad’s teaching Mr Weasley all about muggles,” she laughed. “They’ll be having the time of their lives.”

“What about your mum?”

“I don’t know. I’m going to see her tomorrow; hopefully we can sort something out.”

“Do you think that’s likely?”

“I don’t know,” said Hermione slowly. Severus put his arm around her and drew her to him. She leaned against him and they sat in silence as the room gradually darkened around them.

* * * * * *

The weeks past and Harry and Cho’s wedding drew nearer. The days were becoming colder and the leaves on the trees were tug reg red and gold and falling to the ground in lazy spirals. Hermione and her mum were finally beginning to speak again. The complete destruction of the village where they had been living may have had something to do with that as she had finally seen that Hermione had been right all along.

The night before the wedding Hermione and Cho were in London with a group of friends for her Hen-night. Harry was having his Stag-night here as well, but Hermione and Ron were doing all they could to keep the two groups apart.

The restaurant the girls were in was lit with candle-light and soft music echoed softly from the vaulted ceilings. Their table was covered in rose petals and by now littered with empty bottles of mulled mead, wine and tequila. Ginny was slumped sideways and giggling hysterically while Lavender recounted a slightly slurred tale about her boyfriend Seamus. Hermione and Cho were still relatively sober and Cho was beginning to feel nervous.

“Got butterflies?”

She nodded, “More like birds, too big and vicious for butterflies!”

“You’ll be fine.”

“I know! I’m just so excited!”

Hermione grinned, “Come on, we’re done here anyway, time to move on.”

“We going already?”

“Just away from here! The Weird Sisters are playing at a club a few streets away; we’re off to dance away what’s left of your single life! Ladies,” she called to the others, “Time to move on, the club awaits.”

* * * * * *

Morning dawned bright and early. Far too bright and early for Hermione’s liking. Against her better judgement she’d had rather a lot to drink last night and this morning she could definitely tell. She shook Cho awake who was asleep next to her, “Come on! Time to get married.” Cho jumped out of bed almost instantly.

“Oh my god my dress! What did I do with my dress?”

“It’s hanging in my wardrobe along with the bridesmaid dresses.”

“What about the others? Where are they? They need to come and get ready we’re going to be late!”

“Cho clam down! Its okay we have plenty of time. Ginny and Hannah will be here soon.”

Even as she said this, the door opened and Hannah Abbott came in followed closely by Ginny. They too looked slightly tender this morning. Cho for some reason looked radiant; nervous but radiant.

Ginny, Hannah and Hermione carefully pulled on the long gold dresses that they were to wear in their capacity as bridesmaids, and the gold robes that they pulled over the top were translucent, showing off the beautiful dresses beneath. Cho herself wore no robe but a long flowing dress of Ivory silk with tiny gold embroidery at the hem and waist. Her hair they piled on top of her head so that it cascaded down one shoulder and pinned it there with gold clips and beads that glistened in the light. All of a sudden she felt perfectly calm.

* * * * * *

The Great Hall was packed with people chatting happily. Harry thought that this was very inconsiderate as he paced up and down at the front. It was all very well for them, but what about him? He’d never felt so nervous and Ron wasn’t any help, lounging at his side and grinning.

“Calm down Harry, everything will be fine,” said Dumbledore then. He was to perform the ceremony and had just appeared behind Harry as he had a wont to do. The doors at the back of the Hall opened and a sudden hush came over the gathered people. Harry’s heart began to thump even harder. Music began to play from somewhere high above and Cho, radiant and smiling calmly stepped into the centre of the doorway, standing perfectly still for a moment to allow the crowd to gaze at her perfection. Harry’s heart left his chest and was now residing in his throat. He had never seen anyone so beautiful.

Next thing he knew Hannah had stepped out in front of Cho and began to walk sedately down the aisle scattering golden petals as she did so. Cho glided behind her, her feet hardly touching the ground. Ginny and Hermione came behind her, bunches of roses in their hands.

Neither Harry nor Cho remembered much of the ceremony afterwards. Harry could remember Mrs Weasley crying and Sirius looking on proudly. He remembered everyone cheering as Dumbledore pronounced them to be married and Mr and Mrs Granger’s astonishment as a hundred Filibusters Fireworks went off inside the hall. Then he and his new wife left the hall to a marquee outside where the house-elves had provided a feast.

The dancing and feasting went on all night. The house-elves had excelled themselves with the food and the wine flowed freely. Toast followed toast as one person toasted the bride and groom, then someone else toasted Dumbledore, Dumbledore toasted Sirius, and Sirius toasted the Weasley’s. The toasts got gradually more and more slurred and ridiculous until someone finally proposed a toast to owl owl Jupiter. No-one seemed to mind and merrily joined in. And nobody noticed when halfway through the night a glowing couple of newly weds slipped out of the marquee and disappeared into the castle.

* * * * * *

Hermione lay sleeping peacefully in her bed. Her dreams were pleasant and she smiled as she slept. Severus was stood beside her bed dressed for travelling, his face contorted with pain. “I’m so sorry Hermione. I have to go,” he whispered. “I don’t want to do this but I have to, it’s my duty. One day soon I’ll return and I hope you can forgive you for not telling you my plan beforehand. I love you!” He bent to kiss her lightly on the cheek before turning and sweeping out of the room. Hermione shuddered in her sleep then, pleasant dreams turning to nightmares and she huddled into a ball, never waking.

Severus left the Hogwarts grounds, cast one last longing glance up to the castle and apparated away.

* * * * * *

Voldemort was smiling. Everything had gone to plan. The island had not been hard to take. Hard hadn’t even come into it! The dementors had joined him willingly, happily and the twelve foot walls of Azkaban were no more. They had crumbled like dust before him. His faithful followers had been released and joined him once more. It had been a very good night all in all. And to top it off he had the opportunity to play a wonderful game with people he hated. He did enjoy messing with people’s minds and thisticuticular game would strike right at his enemy’s heart. It may serve no real strategical importance, but it’d be fun.

He felt arms snake round his waist and teeth bite into his shoulder.

“The man you wanted is here My Lord,” said Jai’mea huskily. “Shall I show him in?”

“Yes, it would be rude not to.” He pulled her round from behind him and bent to kiss her, biting through her lower lip. “Get him for me now will you.”

She left the room and he smiled. “Let the games commence!” His laughter rose through the night sky and chilled the bones of those that heard it.

* * * * * *

Mr and Mrs Granger were happily drinking coffee in the kitchen of the Burrow. Molly and Arthur were at Hogwarts to talk to Dumbledore, but they had declined the invitation to join them, preferring to have a few days to selvselves. It had been pleasant, but it would be good to have company again now.

“Do you think we should start to look for a new house Lawrence?”

“Why do you ask that? Why not stay here?”

“Well Molly and Arthur have been very kind but I really feel like I’m imposing on them, maybe we should consider moving on, going back to the muggle world as they call it.”

“Do you think that would really be safe? You’ve seen what’s happening out there, at least here we can keep abreast of what’s REALLY happening and not what our newspapers think is happening.”

“Well there is that, but we should at least try to get jobs so that we can pay for our keep out of that. We really shouldn’t use up all our savings, and I know they say that we need not pay them at all, but we must give them something…”

He words stopped abruptly as a flash of green light filled the room. Mrs Granger fell forwards on to the table, her mouth still open as if to continue her sentence.

“Helen?” called Mr Granger. “Helen!!” He shook her but she did not stir. “HELEN!”

“She won’t wake up,” called a mocking voice from the corner. A black figure stepped forwards his face still hidden in shadows.

“Who are you?” asked Mr Granger in a fearful voice.

“I think you know who I am.”

“What have you done to my wife?”

“I’ve killed her!” the man laughed, a sound filled with no feeling nor remorse. “Well maybe killed is too soft a word….murdered might come closer.”

Mr Granger backed away, silent tears poured down his face. “Why!?”

“Felt like it.”

Lawrence grabbed a kitchen knife “You filthy bastard!” He began to move towards the intruder knife held high.

“Oh I don’t think so! Expeliarmus!” The knife flew out of Mr Granger’s hand and clattered on the floor, and then ropes bound him tightly and dropped to his knees.

“What do you want from me?”

“I want you to die, like you wife did. He moved to stroke her face, pretty wasn’t she?”

His captive squirmed on the floor trying to break loose from his bonds. The man pulled thdy udy up and held her against him.

“Put her DOWN! You filth! Get your fucking hands off my wife!”

“Sure.” He let go and the body dropped to the floor. Mr Granger squirmed over to her and managed to sit up next to her, hovering there protectively.

The intruder kicked him in the face knocking him backwards making his nose bleed. Then he propped him up against the kitchen cupboards, “I want you to watch something.”

Moving back over to the body of the dead woman ippeipped open her blouse. “Fine body your wife had.”

“Get off her!” Lawrence sobbed.

“Oh I don’t think so.” With that he waved his wand to gag Mr Granger. “She’s still warm!” He bent down and kissed her roughly on the mouth. Mr Granger was sobbing, agonised tears flowing down his cheeks as he watched this man run his hands all over his wife’s body. But when he began to fuck her it was too much. It was a strength born of desperation maybe that allowed him to struggle to his feet and knock him off Helen’s body.

“Look’s like you’ve got some fire in you after all\" he laughed as he fastened his trousers shut. \"Enjoy the show?” He kicked him back to the floor and removed the gag.

“You sick twisted bastard! What the hell have we ever done to you?”

“Done? Nothing, but that’s all you’re good for you muggles. And now I think I want you to die as well. The question then is whether or not I let you die quickly and quietly like she did….or should I have some fun first?” He smirked, “Crucio!”

Mr Granger screamed, writhing on the floor. Halfway down the street Arthur Weasley stopped. “What was that?”

“What was what dear?” asked Molly.

“I heard a scream.” He stopped. “It’s gone now.”

Back in the house Mr Grangers was lying gasping on the floor. The stranger was talking to him but he couldn’t hear what he was saying.

“Crucio!” The searing pain came back. It flooded through his whole body. A thousand agonising needles. He screamed again.

“There it is again!” said Mr Weasley.

“I heard it too,” said Molly her eyes full of fear. “The Granger’s!”

“Oh God! Molly run!” Together they began to run towards the Burrow.

The man leaning over Lawrence smiled. “Well sir it’s been fun. But really it’s getting late and I really must be off.” He bent down and pulled the gasping man up by his hair. “I’ve enjoyed our meeting, especially your wife!”

Mr Granger spat contemptuously in his face, earning himself a slap in the face.

“As I was saying. It’s time for me to go but smile; you’ve now lived out your marriage vows to the last. ‘Till death do us part!’ Remember?” He kissed Mr Granger fiercely, laughed and walked away. The killing curse was cast behind him almost as an after thought. “Morsmorde!” he murmured then and walked out of the front door.

The Weasley’s saw their house fill with a green light and the dark mark appear over their home.

“Noooo!” screamed Mrs Weasley.

They reached the gate to see a man sprawling against the door frame. They stopped in astonishment.

“Severus?”

The man smirked, bowed and disapparated before their eyes.

“Arthur was that?”

“Yes…..”

“But…but how?”

“I don’t know.”

The sight that met them inside was one of horror. Helen lay still mostly undressed on the floor and Lawrence was slumped against the cupboards covered in bruises and a small pool of sticky blood on the floor beside him.

“Oh God!” cried Molly and turned away from the horrific scene. Arthur pulled her to him and she sobbed into his shoulder.