From Hell

Chapter 22

By Pigwidgeon37

The Three Fates are satisfied, because the knot has somehow undone itself.

Perfume-makers need fine noses, and new-borns need names.

For he has delivered me from all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes. (Psalm 54:7)

Fawkes the phoenix stared curiously at the group of people filling Dumbledore’s office. The Headmaster, obviously feeling quite in his element, had conjured some additional armchairs, and currently he, McGonagall, the two Weasleys, Mad-Eye Moody, the Malfoy couple, Black, Harry and Draco were sharing a sumptuous late supper accompanied by a few bottles of wine. Arthur Weasley had already been informed about the lucky outcome of their mission, and Dumbledore had dispatched a House Elf to the sixth-year girls’ dormitory to ensure Ginny wouldn’t stay awake all night, fearing for her mother’s life.

“Before I forget,” Lucius said, putting down his glass and searching through his pockets, “I wanted to give you this.” He handed a roll of parchment to Dumbledore. “Black, you can give him yours, too.”

Black shot him a murderous look, pulled out another roll of parchment and, with visible reluctance, put it into the Headmaster’s hand.

“Should I read them now?” Dumbledore asked, eyeing what was left of the roast beef longingly and in apparent anxiety it might be gone when he had finished reading.

“Not really,” Lucius replied. “I can just as well tell you what is written inside. But you should keep them in any case.”

“Tell me, by all means,” the Headmaster said. He sent the letters towards his desk with a flick of his wand and speared two slices of roast beef.

Lucius cleared his throat. “To make a long story short, Black here and I have agreed that the boys may spend the rest of the school year away from Hogwarts.  Don’t growl, Black, we have agreed, haven’t we?”

Black harrumphed and poured himself another glass of wine.

“Interesting,” said the Headmaster, “Am I right in supposing that this… er, unexpected decision has something to do with Draco and Harry’s newfound feelings?”

Lucius explained about the problem with—or rather without—an eventual male heir.  “So, we do not seem to have another choice,” he concluded. “And it certainly won’t harm them if they take a break from school.”

McGonagall shot Harry a worried look. “Are you sure this is what you want?” she asked.

“Yes,” he replied around a mouthful of cold chicken pie, “Pretty sure.”

Dumbledore nodded, deep in thought. “Very well. Now, if you don’t mind, Lucius, I would like to hear what happened to Severus and Miss Granger.”

Both Black and Harry’s heads turned in Malfoy’s direction. “Hermione?” they asked in unison.

“You could have chosen a more appropriate moment for asking,” Lucius said, rolling his eyes. “They don’t know.”

“I thought you all had a Veritaserum binge!” Moody growled.

He was rewarded by an haughty glare. “My dear Moody, you should know that it compels you to tell the truth, but by no means to spill forth all your little secrets.”

“Well, if it had that effect, I guess you’d still be sitting there,” Moody said and chuckled.

“Very funny. Well, Albus, to answer your question, I don’t have the faintest idea. As you can imagine, we searched for Severus but with no result.

Considering that he does not seem to be dead, the safest guess seems to be that he has gone into hiding in the Muggle world. Concerning Miss Granger, I’m exceedingly sorry, but I… er, lost her. She came to my house, demanding to see Severus—although I honestly have no idea why…”

“I see,” Dumbledore muttered, “Well, it makes sense, don’t you think so, Minerva?”

“It certainly does. Although I cannot imagine how on earth they met… However, the question is: how can we find them?”

“We cannot find them unless they want to be found,” Dumbledore replied quietly.  “And, considering that they now have a wand—Voldemort’s wand is undetectable, isn’t it, Lucius?”

Malfoy, who had the distinct feeling he was missing important parts of the conversation, merely nodded.

“Just as I thought. I think it might be a while until we see them again. Let us hope they’ll at least write…” the Headmaster said, nodding in an oddly satisfied way.

<><><>°<><><>

“Severus, are you quite all right?” Hermione asked. The after-effect of the counter-spell had left her rather dizzy but now she had recovered sufficiently to be worried about Snape, who had merely slumped into a chair and was still sitting motionlessly, his eyes closed.

She bent over him to check his pulse. It was strong and regular. He has really nice hands, she thought, still holding his wrist. Such long, elegant fingers.

And he definitely looks handsome with that ponytail. The nose… well, there’s no point in denying it is a little big. Then again, it goes well with that angular face… I think I shouldn’t think too much about his lips. Neither too full nor too narrow. Just, well, perfect. I can’t say I’m disgusted. On the contrary. I’m bloody attracted. Strange enough, I do recognize the feeling. That’s how I felt about Sirius, back then… But that was a different lifetime. And in this lifetime, I’m doubtlessly attracted by Severus…

Snape slowly opened his eyes and took a deep breath. With it, a full dose of Hermione. Fighting the rising panic, he closed his eyes again immediately. I knew it, he thought, I bloody knew it! She’s sweet, and obnoxious, and bright… and pretty, even with that ridiculous blonde hair. And her scent… Merlin help me—I am attracted. I knew it! I knew it would happen, and still I let myself be persuaded to cast the counter-spell. And now I’m in the shit up to my eyeballs.

Exactly what I wanted to avoid. Great work, Severus, congratulations! The moment you touch her she’ll remember how you assaulted her down in the dungeons. She’ll scream and run…

That was the moment when Hermione told her scruples to take a hike and slowly lowered her mouth to his. When their lips touched, both opened their eyes.

“Have a seat,” he muttered and pulled her down to sit on his lap.

For the next few minutes, they remained on the chair, deepening the kiss and tentatively exploring each others’ bodies with not-quite-steady hands.

“Don’t you think we might take this to somewhere more appropriate?” Hermione asked, breaking the kiss but still clinging to his shoulders.

“This and appropriate do definitely not belong in the same sentence,” he replied. “I must admit, however, that I’m sorely tempted… Blast it!” he spat, making her jump with shock. “No, not you! I was merely thinking how unjust it is that I have to take all the reasonable decisions, while you…” He looked into her eyes. “This should not happen, Hermione,” he said, rather weakly.

“Do you have an idea how very convincing you sound?”

“You can’t have it all, my dear. All my energy is being used for controlling my baser instincts.”

“And there I was, thinking that your baser instincts merely caused you to hurl insults at defenceless Gryffindors.”

“Don’t tell me you are talking about yourself.”

“Depends. When it comes to your sex-appeal, I think I don’t have any defences at all.”

“You are feeling like this just because I happen to be here,” he tried his best patronizing tone of voice, “If you were less adrenaline-soaked, you wouldn’t feel that need… or rather, you would feel it, even if you were sitting on Lucius Malfoy’s knees…”

“And pigs fly,” she grinned. And kissed him again. “Severus,” she said, shifting slightly and peering down, “Is this… uh, is it what I think it is?”

“Yes,” he ground out.

“So this is the effect I’m having on you?”

He blushed. “I think we have no reason to doubt the rather obvious cause-effect relation here.”

“Would you mind if I told you that I’m having a strange, but pleasant feeling between my legs and in my lower belly? Kind of hot and tingling…”

Snape closed his eyes and let his head loll against the backrest of the chair.  “Hermione, if you are trying to make me come in my trousers, let me tell you that you have almost achieved your goal.”

“It gets worse when you touch my breasts,” she continued, completely unperturbed, but taking advantage of his exposed throat to plant a series of kisses under his chin. “It feels like a dense, hot spider’s web, spanned out over my whole body—”

“Merlin help me, but this is definitely too much!” he said and got up, taking her with him. “You are driving me mad, shameless creature!”

“Bedroom?” she asked, sneaking her arms around his neck.

Snape swallowed. “Very well,” he croaked, “The bedroom then. Although I’m sure we are going to regret this.”

<><><>°<><><>

Lucius shook Alastor Moody’s hand, completely unimpressed by the old Auror’s venomous glare. “Good night, Mr. Moody,” he purred, “And rest assured I will not tell the Ministry about your unauthorized visit at my house.”

“You…” Moody growled, trying to stare him down but failing. “You made that Faunus Draught, don’t you think—”

“After all, what importance do such petty little details have among heroes?”

Lucius said nonchalantly and went over to kiss McGonagall’s hand.

When the Weasleys and Malfoys had left, the latter with Harry in tow, and Black had been assigned a guest room near Gryffindor Tower, Dumbledore, Moody and McGonagall remained in the Headmaster’s office for a nightcap.

“Cheers!” Moody barked and downed the whole glass. “Yes, thank you Albus, a refill is just what I need. So, do you really think Severus somehow met that Granger girl?”

“I am practically sure he did. After seeing those footprints, there is little room for doubt. At least they have a wand now…”

“Oh, but Albus,” McGonagall chimed in, “What if he takes off the Coelibatus Spell? Granted, he did not attack her of his own volition, but he is still quite young, and so is she, just think—”

“A good shag has never done anybody any harm, Minerva,” Moody interrupted her.  His own eye was giving her a definitely lewd look, and the magical one remained fixed on her chest. “You know, Minnie,” he said pensively, “For your age—no offence, eh?—you’re in really good shape.”

The deputy Headmistress became slightly flustered. “Alastor, really, I—”

“You know what, my dear friends?” Dumbledore said, smiling at them, “I am really tired, and tomorrow will be a long day, what with the Ministry and all…” He vaguely waved his hand. “Therefore I suggest that you continue your bickering… or whatever it is you plan on doing… somewhere else. I definitely have to go to bed now.”

The other two nodded dutifully, got up and bid him good night. Dumbledore’s smile became a broad grin when he saw that Moody’s hand was resting on McGonagall’s posterior when he herded her out of the door.

<><><>°<><><>

London, 10 January 1998

Dear Albus,

As you might already have wondered about my present whereabouts, I thought I ought to write to you, even though this is a letter of farewell. I suppose that you are much more worried about Miss Granger’s whereabouts, though. So let me first give you the good news: Miss Granger is at this very moment sitting opposite me at the breakfast table, ingesting obscene quantities of food and insisting that the metabolism of an Animagus is different. She further insists that I tell you about her refusal to return to Hogwarts (this would be the bad news, by the way). I tried, believe me Albus, but the girl is more stubborn than a battalion of mules. Instead, she wants to stay with me and finish her schooling elsewhere.

Regarding the matter from an objective point of view—which is difficult, given my current predicament—it is important that she finish her training; where is of secondary importance. Maybe you, being the wise old wizard you always pretend to be and occasionally are, will agree with me. But I doubt her parents will be very happy with her choice. However, I do hope you will understand that I cannot possibly drag her back against her will; after all, the girl is almost of age according to both wizarding and Muggle law. All I can do is therefore to ask you whether you would sacrifice yourself, pay a visit to Mr.  and Mrs. Granger, and tell them some story (the more absurd the better, Hermione says) about this whole missing-business having been a ruse to fool Voldemort. I give you my word that, on her eighteenth birthday, we will show up at her parents’ and present our most humble excuses.

Speaking of Voldemort: You might want to send a few Aurors to the cottage I told you about—they are in for a nice surprise. They will notice that his wand is missing. I will send it to you by express owl as soon as possible. The decision about its future fate is, of course, up to you.

I am truly sorry that you will have to hire a new Potions teacher (even though it is partly your fault), but you will already have become aware that I do not intend to come back. The quill almost refuses to write the words, but Sirius Black has always been quite a skilled potions brewer. You might consider him as a temporary replacement until you find somebody less infantile and more suited to teaching. To clear his reputation should not be a problem after the Aurors’ visit at Voldemort’s place.

For the time being, this is all. I promise to let you know periodically whether all is well with me—or rather, I suppose I should say ‘us’ by now, paradoxical as it seems. Hermione keeps nudging me, for she wants to add a few sentences.

Good bye, Albus, and… well, thank you.

Severus

Dear Headmaster,

I know I’m asking a lot, but please go to my parents and tell them what Severus asked you to tell them. Much as I miss Hogwarts, I really cannot return. But I already promised Severus, and now I promise you, that I will finish my schooling, only somewhere else. Still with good grades, but certainly without the Coelibatus Spell (we took that off, in case you had any doubts). Once I have graduated, we might even return to England, who knows? But we will certainly come to visit you next summer. Please give Professor McGonagall a hug for me and tell her not to be too angry. She will be glad to hear, though, that I honed my Animagus skills.

I’m enclosing a letter to my parents (please give it to them) and another one for Harry, Ron and Ginny.

Thank you for everything!

Yours sincerely

Hermione Granger

<><><>°<><><>

Dear mum and dad,

I’m so sorry that we had to upset you so much, but it was necessary to fool Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters. They had come to our house, so it was more than likely they might come after me sooner or later. Professor Dumbledore, who will give this letter to you, has arranged for me to finish school elsewhere (for security reasons, I can’t tell you where). I will write to you regularly, and come to see you in the summer, or in September at the latest.

Love

Hermione

<><><>°<><><>

Dear Harry, Ron and Ginny,

Right now, I can’t write too much. I only wanted to let you know that I’m safe and that you don’t need to worry about me. If everything goes as planned, I should be able to see you in summer or early autumn. Harry, Ron, please do study for the N.E.W.T.s, they are really important. Ginny, I’m sorry for having been so horrible to you at Christmas, but I really was under a lot of stress. I truly hope you’re still my friend.

Have a wonderful school year, and good luck to all of you.

Love

Hermione

<><><>°<><><>

Hogwarts, 11 January 1998

Dear Hermione,

I chose an extra-strong owl, so chances are it might actually reach you, wherever you are. There’s such a lot of good news—I don’t know where to start.  Okay, I’ll start with the bad news: Harry is gay, he seems to have discovered it during the holidays, and he’s fallen in love with DRACO! Can you imagine THAT?  OK, he’s my friend, and so maybe I’ll get over it. Not enough with that, he’s staying at Malfoy Manor for the rest of the term. I thought I was going to be pretty lonely, what with you and Harry gone, but—BEGINNING OF GOOD NEWS: Snape isn’t here anymore, and Dumbledore has hired Sirius Black instead. He’s the coolest teacher we ever had, pity you can’t share the experience with us. And… I know it sounds stupid, but I think I’m in love. Hannah Abbot—would you have guessed? She’s such a nice girl, and… well, the rest isn’t really interesting, for you I mean. I suppose you already heard the news that Voldemort is gone.  They got all the Death Eaters, including Wormtail, so that’s why Sirius can teach here. I think I’m a bit incoherent. Never mind. It seems that Malfoy, that abominable hypocrite, actually played an important part in capturing Voldemort, so you can imagine… Order of Merlin, First Class, but at least Sirius got one, too. I suppose I’ll wait until they have reduced all this complicated business to a ten-liner in our History of Magic textbook, then I might actually understand it.

Bye, Hermione, I hope you’re happy wherever you are. And I have your word for meeting next summer!

Yours

Ron

<><><>°<><><>

Six months later, in Grasse/ Provence (France)

“Monsieur Grappa?” The secretary waited patiently at the entrance of the laboratory until Severo Grappa (accent on the last syllable) had put down the vials and turned towards her. She would never have dared to rush the newest acquisition of Fragonard, makers of fine perfumes since over 70 years. Monsieur Grappa had quite a temper at times and, considering the salary the enterprise paid for the services of his large but undoubtedly fine nose, it was certainly not advisable to anger or irritate him. The likes of Mr. Grappa were as rare as black diamonds and did not have to stay unless they were fully satisfied with their working conditions.

“Yes?” he said, “This better be important, Mathilde.”

“Mademoiselle Granger is here,” she trilled. As she had expected, Grappa’s frown disappeared immediately.

“Show her into my office,” he said, “And tell her I’ll be with her in a few minutes.”

After cleaning up carefully and switching off his computer—it had taken him long enough to learn how to handle the damnable device, although by now he grudgingly admitted it had its merits—he took off his white lab coat and left the laboratory for his office. Hermione was perching on the visitors’ chair, visibly on the brink of bursting.

“Look!” she said, her voice squeaky with excitement, and held out a thick roll of parchment.

Monsieur Grappa raised his eyebrows. “A good day to you too, Hermione.”

“Don’t be such a bastard, Severus! Look at it! Please!”

His face split into a malicious grin. “What about ‘Hallo, Severus, nice to see you’ and a welcome kiss?” It was still terribly difficult to resist her when she pouted.

“I won’t kiss you unless you have a look first!”

“All right,” he sighed, “Let us see then.” He unrolled the parchment. “Diplôme Supérieur de Magie, École de Sorcellerie de Beauxbâtons…Ten out of ten in every subject. Miss Granger, you are truly brilliant. And a Cum Laude in Potions… and another one in Transfiguration… look, there’s one in History of magic, too… and the Animagus registration… well, done, my love. Truly well done.”

<><><>°<><><>

Mr. and Mrs. Lucius Malfoy

What an appalling pseudonym, Severus. But you will come, won’t you? For old times’ sake…

T H E    E N D