Disclaimer: See chapter 1.
Author's Note: Flashbacks written in italics.
Chapter 9: To Envelop Her Weakness
As autumn cooled rapidly, their quarters in the dungeons grew colder, as early as late September. Hermione took to casting a Warming Charm on the floor before getting up in the morning, and adding a heavy dressing gown and warm slippers. Severus did the same, in spite of being used to the chill.
"I don't know how you stand it down here," Hermione said, teeth chattering as she built up the fire.
"I've grown used to it," he said, tapping the kettle to heat the water right away. "Besides, it's wonderful in the summer."
"True," she agreed, adding another log to the fire. "But I need to find a more effective Warming Charm."
He poured water over the tea leaves, leaving the brew to steep, and went to kiss her. "How's that?" he asked.
"Hmm, not bad," she said. "But is it long lasting?"
He chuckled. "Perhaps. But you should have your tea. Isn't there a staff meeting this morning?"
She sighed. "Yes." She took her tea into the bathroom where she put her hair up. Severus got dressed and made toast. It was easier to eat here than to hurry to the Great Hall, eat, and then rush to the staff meeting.
Hermione put on heavier robes than usual. The chill in the dungeons was starting to spread to the rest of the school, like it always did.
During the staff meeting, teachers were assigned to patrol corridors for the next month, and the chaperones for the upcoming Hogsmeade weekend were chosen. Hermione and Severus drew the short straw. "Drat, I was hoping to visit Ginny that weekend," said Hermione. "Oh well."
That evening, Hermione stretched and rubbed her neck when she finished marking papers, wincing at the knots in it.
Severus, reading Potions Monthly, saw her grimace. "Come here," he said, putting the journal aside. She sat down at his feet and he carefully felt her neck. "What have you been doing with yourself?" he asked, starting to work on one of the knots.
She hissed softly at the pain. "Just normal work," she said.
"How's the rest of your back?" he asked.
"Achy, but not bad," she said. "The usual."
"When was the last time you saw a Healer about this?" he inquired.
"April, I think," said Hermione, arching into his hands. "Bloody hell," she gasped.
"This one's very bad," he said. "Breathe. I need you to relax." He carefully worked the knot out and then moved to massaging her temples. "You have a headache, too, don't you?"
"Of course," she said. "But this is helping."
"What did the Healer say?"
"Hmm? Oh, just the same as usual. After-effects from Cruciatus, exacerbated by stress, overwork, weather, or illness, they can relieve symptoms but not the cause. Muscle relaxants, pain reliever, and massage. Mine's unusually bad, et cetera, et cetera."
He sighed. "You'd think they'd come up with something better, given all the people who suffered during the war. Here, lie down on the floor, and I'll see to your back."
"Thank you," she mumbled into the rug.
"You were doing this two nights ago for me," he said sternly. "I'm only repaying the favour."
"Bollocks," said Hermione. "I don't think repaying favours works so well when you're married."
"Depends on the favours," he said.
"True that," Hermione replied, then fell silent as he slowly worked his way down her back, dealing with knotted muscles.
Severus was remembering how Hermione had acquired this particular problem. His was a result of having been tortured by Voldemort numerous times to prove his loyalty. Hermione had been tortured, too.
At the beginning of the Easter break during Hermione's seventh year, she had gone home to visit her parents, who were under guard. When word came that she had never arrived, Dumbledore had immediately summoned Severus.
"I think it quite likely that she has been captured by Death-Eaters, Severus," he said. "I need you to get her back, at any cost. She knows too much for us to leave her in his hands."
Severus had agreed. They were planning their last offensive, the attack that would hopefully destroy Voldemore once and for all. They were too close to fail now. "At any cost, sir?"
"Even if you expose yourself as a double-agent," said Albus. "Please."
He felt the Dark Mark on his arm begin to burn. "I am being summoned. I would guess that Miss Granger has been delivered to the Dark Lord."
He left, arriving at the headquarters to find Voldemort very pleased. "We have Potter's Mudblood whore," he informed Severus. "Once we have what we want from her, I want you to return her to the school. The old fool must not know that we have the upper hand."
Severus bowed his head. "As my Master wishes," he said, realizing that this was the perfect opportunity to get the girl out without tipping his hand. Hermione's wand was handed to him, and he pocketed it.
One of the Death-Eaters flung Hermione onto the floor in front of Voldemort. He paced around her, watching, waiting to strike. Eventually he did. "Crucio!"
Hermione screamed and writhed on the ground. When he let up, he said, "Welcome, Miss Granger. I suppose you know why you are here?"
She didn't respond. "Ah, you are going to be troublesome, aren't you?" He looked at her appraisingly. "Bellatrix!" he snapped.
"Here, Master," she said, making her way through the crowd.
"Interrogate the girl," he said, with a wave of his hand, returning to his seat. "I want to know Potter's plans."
Bellatrix's mad face flushed. "With pleasure, my lord," she said. Gleefully, she aimed her wand at Hermione and shrieked, "Crucio!"
Severus kept his face impassive as he watched. Fervently he hoped that Hermione would not break. If she did, the entire Order would be in grave danger. After an hour, Hermione passed out.
"Severus, revive her!" Voldemort snapped.
He went to her, knelt, and said, "Rennervate."
Hermione's eyes opened. She saw him, and her expression was suddenly filled with relief. She didn't say anything, but as Bellatrix roughly shoved him aside to continue torturing her, she appeared to be even more determined.
Two hours later, after she had been revived several more times, she screamed, "All right, I'll talk!"
Severus felt a chill fall over him until he heard her babbling one of the most outlandish plans he had ever heard. Voldemort listened, a cold smile playing about his face.
"Severus, check to see that she tells the truth. I won't sully myself by performing Legilimency on a Mudblood."
Enormously relieved, he took Hermione by the shoulder, and said, "Legilimens!" As he entered her mind, he saw that she had been studying. At the forefront of her mind was a conversation of months ago between her, Weasley, Potter, and Dumbledore, discussing the intricacies of the plan she had just related. It was one, he recalled, that had been quickly discarded. Good girl, he thought to her.
Thank you, sir, she replied, her mental voice somewhat faint after what she had just endured.
He released his hold on her as if sickened, and turned to Voldemort. "She speaks the truth, my lord. She has memories of conversations with Potter, Dumbledore, and others, making these plans."
"Good," said Voldemort shortly. He nodded to Bellatrix, who cast Crucio again. "Severus, take the Mudblood back. Make certain, by any means necessary, that she will not reveal what has happened here tonight. Bellatrix!"
The witch reluctantly dropped her wand. Severus pulled Hermione to her feet. She couldn't stand, and he made a show of distaste at having to support her. As they left the room, Bellatrix shot one last curse at Hermione, who screamed and stumbled.
Severus turned. "Bellatrix, I would prefer to be able to deliver the chit back to Dumbledore in one piece, so that I could continue to make myself useful."
"Enough, Bellatrix," said Voldemort. "You have done very well tonight."
Severus knew, as they left the house, that Hermione would not be able to go straight back to the school without everyone knowing what had happened. Nor would she be able to easily endure Apparating the long distance back to the school. She was swaying already. "Miss Granger, I need you to stay conscious for just a few more minutes. Miss Granger!" He groaned with frustration. "Hermione!" Her eyes focused on his face. "Stay awake!" He took a deep breath, and apparated them to Spinner's End, which was much closer.
They arrived in his sitting room, and then she fainted. He carefully placed her on the sofa, draping the afghan across the back of it over her prone body. Then he went to the fireplace, starting a fire and adding a pinch of Floo powder, then murmuring another spell. This one made the Floo undetectable to outside watchers.
"Albus, I need you at my home immediately," he said once he had contacted the Headmaster. He pulled out of the fireplace to let Albus step through.
He took one look at Hermione and asked, "How long?"
"Three hours," said Severus. "She told them a plan that had been discarded ages ago, but that still sounded somewhat plausible."
Dumbledore looked shaken. "After three hours of torture? I never thought she would be able to..."
"No, nor did I. It seems we have underestimated Miss Granger. She will take several days to recuperate from this."
"Yes," said Albus, thinking. "She isn't supposed to be back at school right now anyway—it's the holidays. Severus, can I trouble you?"
He sighed, but he had already had a good idea that this would happen. "I'll look after her," he said. "She shouldn't be moved right now."
"Do you have everything you need?"
"I'll make a list," said Severus, going to a nearby table.
Hermione stirred and opened her eyes. "Professor?" she said, seeing Dumbledore.
"Miss Granger," he said. "It is good to see you alive."
A faint smile touched her face. "Thanks...to...Professor Snape."
"He will be looking after you here until you are well enough to return to Hogwarts. You should be back by the end of the holiday."
"My parents?"
"They're fine. I had them moved. They are safe. I will assure them that you are well."
Severus handed Dumbledore the list. "Make sure to send food, too," he said. "I hadn't planned on being here for several days."
"Of course," he said. "Miss Granger, I hope you feel well soon." He stepped back into the fire and vanished.
Hermione winced as her muscles spasmed. "I never thought about...after the Cruciatus curse."
"The after-effects can be quite severe, Miss Granger," he said. "I'll go fetch a potion that will help a bit."
He brought a phial of a muscle relaxant, and made sure she drank it. Then he made tea, propped her up with a few pillows, and gave her a cup of ink-black tea, well-sweetened. "It will help with the shock," he said.
She sipped slowly, hands shaking slightly. "Thank you, sir. Thank you for getting me out of there."
His expression was bleak. "Don't thank me. I didn't get you away before you were tortured."
"I knew you wouldn't be able to," she said. "I heard him—telling you to take me back to the school. I knew that meant I would get out alive, so I knew I could make it through anything else."
He was stunned by her response. It was what he would expect of a trained soldier, not a young woman of Hermione's years.
She fell asleep shortly after that, but woke later when her muscles began to spasm again. "Breathe through the pain, Miss Granger," said Severus. "Breathe, slowly, in and out. It will help you relax."
She closed her eyes and did as he bade her, and eventually her shaking ceased. "Why is it so bad?"
"Several reasons," he said. "You have never been tortured before."
"Unless you count my parents making me wear braces on my teeth," she said.
He raised an eyebrow. "Was that a joke, Miss Granger?"
"Even dark humour helps," she said. "What else?"
"You are unused to torture, and most people's first encounter with Cruciatus is relatively short. You withstood three hours of it. Additionally, the Dark Lord had Bellatrix torture you because she is far more skilled with the curse than even he is."
"How so?"
"The curse does not depend only on the strength of the wielder, but also how much pleasure they derive from causing pain. While the Dark Lord enjoys causing pain to others, especially if they are Muggle-born, Bellatrix is unique in her ability to relish suffering. That causes any torture done by her to be far worse. She is far less interested in the goal of the torture, only in causing pain."
Hermione closed her eyes. "I wondered why it was worse from her than it was from him." She sighed, wincing slightly at all the aches in her body. "I didn't read much about the after-effects of Cruciatus, just about coping with it while it was happening."
"You read up on it?" Severus told himself that he shouldn't be surprised—this was Granger after all.
"I knew I was a target," she explained. "I knew it would be easier for them to catch me than Harry, so I decided I should be prepared. I read about Legilimency and Occlumency, and how to do those, and then figured out what I would tell them if I was captured. And I read about the Cruciatus curse, and I read some Muggle books about torture techniques and how to endure them."
Severus stared at Hermione. He had never seen anyone more able to put theory into practice in a difficult situation than her. "You are undoubtedly worth at least ten of both Potter and Weasley," he murmured.
She smiled weakly. "They aren't that bad, Professor. You just never get to see their good sides. But thank you for the compliment."
"You are a remarkable young woman, Hermione," he said. "You did far better than someone with more experience might have. Now, you should sleep again." He handed her a phial of Dreamless Sleep.
During the last battle, Harry reached Voldemort more swiftly than he had planned, and it was over quickly. Hermione, seeking out fleeing Death Eaters, was cornered by Bellatrix Lestrange, who was furious.
Severus heard Bellatrix's shrieks and Hermione's screams. He raced across the battlefield, hexing anyone in his way.
Hermione, caught in pain, heard a familiar voice snarl the killing curse. The pain stopped. Severus was stooping over her, and lifting her to her feet.
"Are you all right, Miss Granger?" he asked. She bent over to pick up her wand and put it into her pocket and nearly toppled over. He wrapped an arm around her. "Come on, let's get you to the infirmary."
"That was worse than last time," said Hermione. "She was more upset."
His mouth curved in a grim smile. "She'll never torture anyone again," he said.
They made their way slowly towards the castle. Hermione had to stop every few minutes to breathe and relax to keep her body from tensing and convulsing. Harry and Ron were waiting.
"What happened, Hermione?" Ron asked.
"Bellatrix Lestrange," she said as Severus handed her over to the boys. "Professor Snape saved me."
"Thank you for allowing me to dispose of Madam Lestrange," he said. "I had been longing to deal with her for quite some time."
Hermione smiled. "I aim to please, Professor."
He looked down at Hermione. "Feeling better?" he asked. She sat up and stretched.
"Yes, Severus. Thanks." She pulled him close for a kiss. When she pulled back, an odd smile played about her lips.
"What?" he asked.
"Just thinking how funny it is that we decided to marry for pragmatic reasons—and given the way we are together, I don't think anyone would guess that."
"Well, I can think of a few pragmatic reasons for something," he said, kissing her.
"Oh really?" she asked when he released her.
"Yes, I believe so." He stood, and scooped her up into his arms, heading for the bedroom. "Pragmatically speaking, I believe our bed is a better place for this discussion."
"I would have to concur," she said.
Later, as they lay tangled together, relaxed and happy, Severus, without thinking, said the words that had been on his mind for some time. "I love you."
Hermione moved closer to him. "I know. I love you, too."
His arms tightened around her, and he found that neither of them needed to say anything else for the moment.
