A/N
Thank you to everyone who has followed/reviews and favorited!
Chapter 4
Severus never claimed to be a brave man. He could leave that to the Gryffindors in his life. Writing out his action they may seem heroic, brave or maybe even selfless. But Severus Snape, above all else, was a self-preservationist. Even his attempt to save Lily was an act of self-preservation. She was the tether that kept his life from complete darkness. He would have gladly let James and Harry Potter be killed if she would be spared. She would have hated him for it and he came to terms with that fact years ago.
Hermione Granger was a whole different storm. She was a lot like Lily but with trademark cunning only seen in the likes of Slytherins. Choosing to save her that night of the battle was his reprieve.
His redemption.
Even he, who lost everything could see that a world ruled by Voldemort was not one worth living in.
The woosh of the Floo Network alerts him to a guest.
"Godfather, I must have a word with your ward." The last heir of Malfoy drawls.
Severus raises an eyebrow. "Do you have the ingredients?" His dark eyes narrow at his godson.
With an eye roll, Draco sighs. "Of course, I have all the shite you asked for." Crossing his arms he says. "By the way, it was bloody expensive."
Amused, the black-haired professor snorts. "Oh? Was there no Death Eater discount?" He scoffs under his breath. "Bloody entitled purebloods."
"Hey, just because I am helping you, good guys, doesn't mean that you can treat me like your Gryffindor ponces." Draco spits out. Semi amused. Semi annoyed.
Clicking heels announce her arrival and both men automatically straighten their backs.
"Been a good boy, Malfoy?" Hermione sashays her way towards the blonde boy, taking the bags away from him quickly. A large grin finds its way to her face.
"Of course, I have a pretty swot to keep happy." He smirks and she rolls her eyes, looking down into the bag. "So this will kill the bastard?"
Murmuring she says. "The unicorn hairs combined with dragon hide will induce hysteria." Severus Nods.
Draco looks on confused. "So what does the mean?" He eyes his two companions.
She ignores the blonde. "Severus, will you be able to do the spell?"
He nods but looks stricken. "Haven't you found another way?" She shakes her head and Severus looks away. Hermione places a small hand on his. With a small smile, he acknowledges her action.
"What the fuck is going on, Granger?" Draco begins to shake. In a whisper, he says, "Did you have me buy this fucking shit for you to go off and kill yourself?"
She stares at him blankly. He stares right back. This woman he tormented in school. This woman he grew to admire. Her company he just learned to love. His redemption. His eyes look to the ground.
"Draco, it's not like that." Her voice exasperated. She already spent days convincing Severus. Even then, the potion master still wanted to add a fail-safe. "Draco, look at me." She puts her hands on his cheeks. "Things can't be fixed here. In the time. In the era." She looks to Severus for strength.
"The potion will cause hysteria, we are hoping to unleash my uncontrollable magic. Like what happens to us when we are kids. We want chaos. Severus will then shoot me with a spell we created. It is essentially a tempus spell combined with apparition." She takes a deep breath. "I have to try Draco. I have to fix things."
Draco's eye are wide and groans. "Let's just kill him in this time. Let's just start over. Why sacrifice yourself, Hermione?" He grabs her hands and their eyes meet.
"Stay."
Hermione feels her heart race. Staying means death. Staying means no future. Brown eyes meet icy grey. "There's nothing here anymore, Draco. Even if he dies. The world is in shambles"
Draco mouths to her. "I'm here." Severus puts a hand on Hermione's waist.
"She's going to succeed. And we are going to trust her. Believe in her, Draco."
Draco finds his voice and croaks out. "You need to be under emotional stress for this to work, yes?"
She nods.
"Then let us do this at the next dinner." He pauses at her confused face. "Aunt Bella is back." Hermione pales and rubs at the D in "mudblood." The word still felt like a burn. Forever carved into her arm. Forever a part of her.
"You're brilliant, Draco" in a whisper. She reaches out for his hand with her left and for Severus' with her right. She still missed her Gryffindor boys but these Slytherins were a close second. Looking to her right she locks eyes with Severus, she mouths the promise she made to him.
"Lily lives."
He nods at her. "Lily lives."
A/N
Here comes the chaos! Let me know what you guys think and stay tuned. Dinner with Voldy is next.