AN: I'm sorry for the delay. I had a server case of writers. I hope you enjoy chapter 10!
Chapter 10
Informed and Summoned
~*~
Severus stood in front of the Grangers' home. The last time he came was with Albus and Minerva to leave Hermione in the hands of John and Jane. He looked up the starry night sky swearing under his breath at Merlin. Severus took a deep breath and knocked on the front door. He shifted on the balls of his feet waiting for someone to answer the door.
'Get a hold of yourself Severus. It isn't like you've killed their daughter. You only have to marry her. Damn it Merlin!' he was snapped out of his thoughts when he saw the door open.
John was shocked to see the man that had dropped off Hermione to them seventeen years ago. He quickly stepped aside without a word. Severus stepped over the threshold. He closed the door behind him with a soft click. Jane walked down stairs just in time to see Severus wall into the house.
"Oh dear heavens is Hermione ok? What's happened?" Jane asked timely.
"Mrs. Granger, she's fine. Nothing has happened." he told her gently as possible. "I do have an important matter to discuss with you."
John nodded and he lead him to the kitchen. Severus quietly sat down at the table. Jane poured three cups of tea and joined the men at the table.
"Now, what is the matter you wish to discuss Professor?" Jane asked and took a long sip of tea.
"Seventeen years ago when Master Merlin placed his daughter," John raised a brow. "I'm sorry your daughter into my arms as her Dark Angel within doing so I didn't just become her guard. I became the Lady's betroth." Severus informed the couple.
"Excuse? Betrothed? As in marriage?" John said in shock.
"Obtusely, that's what betrothal means."
"Don't you be smart with me young man." John hissed. "This is my daughter we're talking about here. You have no right to marry my daughter. Protect her that's fine."
Severus rose from his sit and placed both hands on the table and lean forward. He stared John in the eye and said dangerously low tone, "I am bound by a magical contract. We have no choice." he pulled out the book the Firer had given him. He slammed it down on table. "I suggest you turn to page 364, Mr. Granger." he told him in his best strict teaching tone in hope to scare the man. He sat back down in his chair.
John only stared back at Severus not threatened. He only opened the book to page 364. Jane leaned over to read along with her husband. Severus sat back with his arms crossed his chest.
The book read:
A Betrothal is bound by a magical contract and must be wed during the woman's twentieth year. If the contract is not preformed by the twentieth year she will be band from the wizarding world and her magic will be magically stripped from her soul.
John and Jane looked up at the Potions Master with shock. Severus only raised a brow at the couple and sneered at them. "Now do you have it through your thick skulls. This is Master Merlin's only living remaining heir. He brought her here for a damn good reason!" he took a deep breath to get his anger under control. "Now, you must be present at the ceremony. I suggest you read up."
"Very well. I will not see my daughter become so unhappy." Jane said. "But you better show her respect. If not I will come there and kill you."
"Not if the Dark Lord beats you to it." Severus whispered and unknowingly rubbed his left forearm where the dark mark laid hidden under his sleeve. "I will never intentionally cause her harm." he told them. Severus quickly grabbed his left arm when it painfully flared to life. "I must go." he quickly left out the back door his black robes blowing behind him.
Jane and John looked at each other. They wondered what made the young man leave so suddenly. He voiced his thoughts. "He's hiding something. I don't like it. He just grabbed his left arm and left."
"Oh come now John. It isn't like he's a death eater." Jane told him and set the plates for supper.
~*~
Severus stood among his fellow death eaters wondering what Voldemort's plan was this time. It had been awhile since he had called a meeting.
Voldemort stood up and walked down the steps from his throne. "I have wonderful news my death eaters. I have gotten my hands into the Ministry." he hissed. He stopped in front of Severus. "But something else has caught my attention. Something that has great power. Or should I say someone has of a great power."
'Shit he knows. Damn it Potter.' Severus thought to himself.
"A rumor of many years. A rumor that had turned to legend and that is now true. One of our very own has been guarding for seventeen years!" Voldemort struck Severus across the face. "The soul heir!" he struck him again. "The one and only Lady of Babylon!" Voldemort pulled out his wand and said, "Curio!" and a red light shot from the end of his wand.
Severus fell to his knees in pain, but he did not scream. He curled up in a ball. He gasped when the curse intensified.
The Dark Lord lifted the curse. "I had to enter Potter's mind and there I found the information. Curio!" and a red light once again shot at the spy. He lifted the curse. "Now, Severus you have disappointed me. Sectumsmepra." Severus flinched at each slice that was made into his body. "Now, my spy I want you to go back to Hogwarts and bring her to me." Voldemort hissed.
"As you wish my lord." Severus gasped out of pain and he vanished back to Hogwarts.
~*~
Severus pushed the doors opened and fell down onto the stone floor. He laid there breathing heavily and in pain. It had been awhile since he was put under both curses. He turned his head to the side and watched the blood soak the stone floor. Severus pushed himself up with shaky arms on to fall down hard on the floor.
"Damn it." he swore and squeezed his eyes shut at the pain of his switching muscles. "I have to get to my chambers." he whispered to himself. "Get up."
Hermione saw Severus fall to ground and he swore under his breath. She ran over and quickly knelt down next the man. "Professor." he turned his head and saw Hermione.
"Get away from me girl!" Professor Snape hissed dangerously when she tried to help him from the floor. "I'm not in need of your help!"
"Severus please." Hermione begged with tears in her eyes. "Let someone help you for once in your life."
He pushed himself up on his knees and Hermione wrapped her arm around his waist. He limped onto his shaky legs. He told her to take him to his chambers. She nodded not wanting to argue. They slowly made it down to dungeons.
~*~
Hermione helped her professor into his bed and he painfully laid down on the mattress. She slowly began to unbuttoned his robes. Severus pushed her hands away. He told her to get out and leave him. Hermione pushed away his shaky hands and unbuttoned his bloody robes. She pushed them back from his body.
Severus body was sliced all over his chest and bleeding heavily. He never wanted Hermione to see him at such a state. He didn't want to see the worry and pain in her beautiful bright brown eyes.
Hermione summoned a bowl of water and wash cloth. It landed neatly on the bedside table. She waved her wand and his pants were removed but his boxers were all that remained. She checked for broken bones and found none. She sighed grateful that.
Hermione sat down on the edge of the bed and she rang out the wet rag and gently began to remove the blood from his chest. "What happened Severus?" she asked quietly.
"He knows who you are." was all he said.
She nodded and continued attending to his wounds. Severus and Hermione turned to the doorway and saw the Headmaster. Albus eyes twinkled at the couple. He walked into the room and the spy told him what happened from when he went to inform the Granger family to the death eater meeting.
"I knew this would end up happening. But did Harry listen. No!" Hermione snapped and threw the rag into the bowl and rang it out angrily.
"I must place you under death eater protection. You and your family Hermione. I will not have you be touched by the others."
"Well, I'll you in good hands Severus. Get some rest my boy." Albus left the couple alone.
Severus slid over and lifted the sheets. Hermione took off her shoes and slipped into the bed. He wrapped his arms around her and they fell into deep slumber.
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