AN. Death of a major player and it is a bit grphic but not too repulsive and you are warned. This chapter is M and JK owns Hary Potter and I make no monies and write for my enjoyment and hopefully my dear readers as well.
Chapter 25 Sacrifice and Wedding
"Severus, what the fuck have you done?"
Severus read past the initial use of vulgar muggle profanity shocked that his friend would use it, noting that he needed to go to Teltown, Ireland and meet up.
Severus placed the missive down on his desk and fell deep in thought. Lucius had not contacted him in months. He recognized the place as a traditional place of Hand-Fasting by Pure-bloods as their society recognized Tailtiu watching over ceremonies that he was not privy to.
He pulled his timepiece out of his robes and glanced at it. Just enough time to meet Lucius and be back for the evening meal.
Standing with the parchment clutched in his hand he turned his heal and Apparated away.
HGSSHGSSHGSS
Hermione arrived back and watched the students head into the doors of the castle waiting for all to enter before following behind them and went to the Gargoyle guarding the entrance to the Headmaster's office. "Professor Granger to see Headmaster Snape."
The stone gargoyle opened it's eyes and spoke in a gravelly voice. "Headmaster Snape is away. If your inquiry is urgent than see Deputy Headmaster Flitwick."
Hermione turned away from the gargoyle and moved toward the stone stairs leading to the dungeon worried of Severus's well-being.
HGSSHGSSHGSS
Severus arrived outside Teltown finding Lucius standing dressed in a long green cloak with a fur collar, holding the cane he always carried when in public.
Lucius motioned to Severus to follow him and melted into the woods.
They walked together for thirty minutes in silence before they came to a clearing and approached a stone alter.
Lucius placed a hand on the stone alter. "It is here that all of the Lords of the House of Malfoy have married here with Tailtiu to bless the Joining. I married Narcissa here and Draco married Astoria here. My sweet Narcissa is to the Veil, murdered by my own hands and Draco took his life because of my beliefs. Beliefs I forced on them,, foolish that I was when young and now again."
Sunset caused deep shadows to form from the trees to the clearing. "Rumours led me to you years ago Severus Snape and I took that angry young man and melded you to Voldemort. Worthy Slytherin that was shunned by a Mudblood and I used your anger to my advantage, paving your way and pleased when you grew to your natural disposition in potions to become one of the greatest Potions Masters of our time, but no one recognizes it because of how you used your knowledge."
Severus became irritated. "I know my history as well as you Lucius. What is your point?"
Lucius sighed. "I am going to tell you a story of a young couple newly gathered into Voldemort's ranks. Rudolphous LeStrange and Bellatrix Black. They joined early in and quickly moved up and garnered his notice. Both were fanatical and Rudolphous asked Voldemort to marry him to Bellatrix and the request was honored."
"You bore me Lucius. The point being what?" Severus growled out.
"You think of Bellatrix being crazed and demented and you know she shunned her husband for Voldemort for you have always known here as such. She was a sensible and sane Pure-Blood and very innocent when she joined the ranks. It was after Voldemort married them that she began to change. It took time mind you."
Severus waited for Lucius to continue.
Lucius growled out. "Voldemort married many couples during his reign and yet Bellatrix remained constant. There were many Deatheater witches of the Inner Circle but yet all that was left was Bella. He used his Magiks and they were drawn to him, shunning their husbands and in time he killed the witches drawn to him through the Bond that couples allowed him as the witches were not worthy of him. Yet Bella remained, her loyalty changing her, twisting her as the Binding from the Dark Lord and Dark Magiks. Haven't you ever wondered why there were so few witches in the ranks?"
Severus remained silent, growing alarmed at Lucius's revelation.
Lucius knew his friend and chuckled sadly. "I met with Voldemort and he told me of your request to marry you to the Mudblood and unknown Majiks woke me up Severus. I fell back to his weaving and it was a haze but I am my own wizard again."
Lucius traced a finger on the stone alter lovingly. "I am always thankful that I married Narcissa here as he had no power over her. But you Severus? You damn Hermione Granger and she does not even know it and you did not as well. Why are you marrying that witch?"
Lucius waited for Severus to respond and was met with silence from his friend.
"It matters not Severus, only that I have warned you. He has a new Inner Circle and an Assassin. I know that you have not been called as I have gathered them. You and I are forfeit in time but I have made my plans Severus. I will not be a pawn any longer. " Jumping on the stone alter and laid down on it.
"I pray to Tailtiu to watch over you despite your plans."
Severus moved to his friend when he noticed a large serrated knife pulled out and held in the blonde wizard's hand.
Despite his quickness, Lucius sliced his neck and threw the knife down.
"No more and I will meet my Narcissa in the Veil if allowed to. Hold my hand Severus for the blade is charmed. There is no going back."
Severus held Lucius's hand while he used his other hand to pull his wand out.
"How you held your deceit to him I'll never know Severus. I hope you can do it again for I am not a man to do that." Lucius gasped out despite the blood shooting out from the slit on his neck. "I see your wand Severus. Forget about saving me for it will not work. Focus on saving your witch." Lucius muttered out.
"Damn you Lucius for leaving me alone." Severus howled out, tightly holding the dying wizard's hand.
Lucius gasped out. "No Severus for I protect you. I could never hide my thoughts from the Dark Lord as you do."
Severus watched the blonde haired wizard bleed out, blood pulsing out of the wound slow until it oozed out to a trickle.
"Severus, I see Narcissa and Draco along with Death. Death beckons to me and I want to go. They are beautiful." The dying wizard whispered out.
Severus fell down, continuing to hold Lucius's hand. "Go my friend and be well in the Veil. If allowed I will meet with you, Narcisssa, and Draco when my time comes. Thank you for the warning."
"Severus, I'm sorry…" Lucius panted out, eyes rolling back in death.
An elf suddenly appeared, Severus recognizing the Head Elf of the House of Malfoy. "Goes Master Snape. I'se be commanded to take care of my Lord."
Severus watched the elf touch a clawed hand to the body of Lucius and disappeared.
Severus fell to the ground crying, sobs sounding loud in the stillness of the clearing while the translucent forms of Narcissa, Draco, and Lucius watched along with DEATH.
DEATH spoke to Lucius. "It is rare that those passed to the Veil arrive with me to escort one. Lord Lucius Malfoy you are honored and I take you to the Veil."
Lucius watch his friend cry over his death. "Be well Severus Snape." Grabbing DEATH's hand and allowed the Dark Spectre to move him on.
Severus stilled when a bright light flared and a translucent woman bathed in white light appeared and floated to him.
"Such love for the wife from a man filled with Darkness. It was his redemption Severus Snape, along with true remorse of past acts. You had the remorse and love for one that saved the day in the past. I wonder if you have the right amount of love for the future and if the witch you choose has the same."
Severus stood up shaking and watched the beautiful woman float to the stone alter and touched her hand to it and the blood slowly sank into the stone until it disappeared.
"His sacrifice has strengthened the Magiks of this place." The witch murmured and watched the pale wizard in front of her.
"Are you Tailtiu Lady?" Severus whispered out.
The woman bathed in white laughed, causing his soul to surge and felt warmth spread through his body.
"I go by many names Severus Snape. Tailtiu, Dao Zing, Athena…there are too many names to keep track of. You will know me as the Mother of Magic. Not a name but more of my being as I have never revealed it to those that I have appeared before in the millennia of my existence on this world. One of your friend's sacrifices tonight was to protect you so you are worthy of the knowledge as most think I am a myth."
The Mother of Magic looked to Severus as she began to fade and spoke in a light, lilting voice "Remember my words Severus Snape for I have given you a tool and power because of them."
Severus was left alone in the darkness of the clearing pondering the Mother of Magic's words.
HGSSHGSSHGSS
Hermione and the staff were already seated at the Head Table when Severus arrived through the staff entrance and took his place with sharp words to the hall to "Eat up!" The food magically appearing as always and everyone dug in without notice to the Headmaster's words.
She watched him from the end of the table where she sat next to Hagrid as they were the less tenured of the staff and noticed that he did not eat, instead sipping from a mug as he gazed out to the students in front of him.
Hermione grew worried when Severus placed his mug on the table and left without a word, black robes billowing as he left the hall through the staff entrance. She glanced at her fellow professors and noticed none of them were concerned of the Headmaster's sudden departure. Their reaction did not help the feeling of trepidation that she felt.
She finished her meal and left the Hall going to her classroom for the open hour she allowed after dinner seven days a week for students to come in for additional assistance. Most of the time it was older students of all Houses asking clarification of assignments or the topic of the day but tonight she found ten First Year Hufflepuffs waiting for her patiently at the door to her classroom.
She pointed her wand to the door, opening it up and motioned the students to go in and be seated. Taking her place at the podium she asked what they would like to work on sensing this was a group with a purpose.
"Professor Granger we would like to work on preparing ingredients and sharpen our skills with the knife." Ken Kennsigton replied in response.
Hermione smiled. "Excellent as you must master this skill if you want to continue on with portions and have them come out exactly as intended. Gather around my desk young witches and wizards." Using her wand to move the papers, phials, and quills to a table in the back of the classroom before calling a house elf to bring uncooked vegetables and watched the elf place it on her desk before disappearing. "Let's start on carrots. Notice how I use my knife on the carrot which is thick and not easy to slice. Notice my angle for this is the equivalent to Norman's root which is used in most medicinal potions."
Severus slipped into Hermione's classroom un-noticed and watched her instruction. She was a natural in her cutting skills and watched her interactions with the first years. He watched her explain the difference textures, changing the angle of her knife based on the different vegetables she was using. He sat back feeling a sense of pride as despite his treatment of her in the past, her teaching of the basic skills were paramount in success of a potential Potions master.
Hermione placed her knife down and watched the ten students do the same. "Well done and we will be cover more tomorrow. Off to your House for it will be curfew soon."
She moved to place the chopped ingredients in a bowl to send to the kitchen when she heard the departing students greet their Headmaster sitting next to the door as they left.
"HeadmasterSnape a pleasant surprise." She exclaimed, conjuring up a towel and wiped her hands quickly and placed the towel on her desk waiting for a response.
Severus pointed his wand and closed the door to the classroom and locked it moving to his witch, closing the distance between them until she was in his arms and he held her close. "A Bond ties us together Hermione and we have been together because of it and I whispered words to you. Do you love me Hermione?"
The Bond thrummed and she sensed his doubt and pulled him to her and kissed him passionately. The kiss lasted for minutes and she drew back looking into his black eyes. "I do love you Severus Snape with all that I am. Why do you ask it because you deep down you know the truth of it. Do you doubt it now knowing that if I went to another would result your death? "
Severus pulled away from her. "I do not doubt it." Shoulders hunched in resignation.
Hermione observed him. "What happened tonight Severus?"
He remained silent and Hermione reached out and gently grasped his hand and pulled him to the door leading to her chambers and led him in.
He looked to her warm brown eyes. "I just...just." He stuttered, feeling out of his comfort zone.
"No words are needed Severus." Hermione murmured as she unbuttoned his outer robe and flung it away revealing the silk white shirt that he wore and worked on the buttons before pushing it away from his shoulders revealing his chest and kissed the scars on his chest.
Silk white shirt hanging down from his trousers he grabbed her up and kissed her. Time stopped. The world stopped when he caught her lips in hers and kissed her. He remembered the words and knew that he loved the witch in his arms.
He laid her on the brown carpeted floor of her chambers and pulled her robes away from her while falling next to her.
She pulled his trousers down, removing the trousers and silk shirt away. "Love me Severus Snape." She demanded sensing it was important to him.
He kissed her deeply while moving on top of her and thrust into her feeling warm velvet walls wrap around him and moved slowly. Oh this was heaven he reflected as their previous encounters were fueled of a desperation to forget heinous acts and confirm that they were alive for another day.
He needed this to count. He needed to throw the Mother of Magic's words back that he and Hermione did not have the love needed to save the day again.
"Oh Severus!" Hermione moaned out, her body encouraging him to increase the pace. "Faster Sev!"
"No Hermione, feel what we have together. A Bond yes that is to be sure but we have not just enjoyed one another. I want…"
She adjusted her position allowing him a deeper depth and he grunted in surprise at the wave of pleasure that swept through him, his tempo increasing without notice. "You are wicked Hermione."
His increased pace and the depth that fell into her pushed his limit and soon he gave up and let his body react to hers as they danced the age old dance. But this was a new dance to him, feeling the love that he held for the witch beneath him.
"Oh Severus! This is…This is..." Hermione stuttered incoherently.
He felt her orgasm, walls tightening around him and he continued toward his own release and they met at the same time, each holding onto one another as their life depended on it and he shouted out "I love you Hermione Granger!" Her declaration of the same as the both rode the wave of pleasure and completion of their release.
He pulled away and fell on the floor next to her sweat soaked body closely to him, reaching over to pull his discarded outer cloak around them.
"For better or worse sweet witch." He murmured to her, pulling her close to him and watched the amazement in her eyes as she snuggled closer to him before falling asleep in his arms.
Tomorrow she would be his wife by Dark Binding but he would protect her and not allow Voldemort to take her over.
HGSSHGSSHGSS
He waited for her outside of the Staff Entrance allowing her to finish her meal and felt guilty about not telling her the repercussions but some things were best left unsaid.
Hermione arrived and he grabbed her hand and led her toward the entrance of the castle. "Tonight we will be married in front of Voldemort. Do you trust me?"
"Are you sure he will not kill me on sight Severus? We do have a history you know and he is not one to forget."
"I know you are scared Hermione but we have worked on your Oclcumency skills. Don't hide your feelings for him because I feel he will expect it. Instead focus on what you think of me and hide our Bond."
They arrived outside the gates. "Deep breaths and calm your fear." He stated in a calm voice.
"Do you think this is for the best Severus?" Hermione whispered and took his hand noticing he dressed in the thick black robes and mask of a Deatheater.
"I do." He lied. Despite what Lucius revealed this was the best that he had to protect her. He pulled her to him. "We can do this Hermione. Remember last night."
Hermione took deep breaths and calmed herself. "Okay Severus, let's do it."
He wrapped his arm around her waist after pushing the tip of his wand on his Mark for a few moments and arrived in front of Voldemort,
"Rise Severus and find before you my Inner Circle to recognize your marriage to this." Voldemort pointed a long bony finger to the bowed witch in front of him. "What you see in her I do not know but I am honored that you requested me to marry you to her because I promised not to harm the witch that you chose even if she is not worthy of you."
Severus remained silent.
Voldemort rose from his throne and walked down to the two. "Rise Hermione Granger and look at me." He commanded.
Hermione rose and looked at her feet.
Voldemort traced a long finger along her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. "You hide your fear well my dear. Tell me have your allegiances changed, knowing that Severus Snape is mine?"
"No they have not." Hermione growled out. "We have an understanding."
Voldemort chuckled. "I would be disappointed if you tried to lie and kill you on the spot. Most interesting that you would bed him knowing he is mine and mine alone." Slipping into her mind, finding the fascination for him after her husband passed to the Veil. She did not hold back the hatred she felt for him and the thoughts of what she thought of the Dark Lord.
"Perhaps there is more to you than meets the eye Mudblood. Grab his hand!" He commanded.
Voldemort pulled out a dark ribbon from his robe and wrapped it around their held hands.
"Bound to me you are Severus Snape and you are before me, bringing a witch to Bind.
Voldemort chuckled placing the tip of his on the black ribbon and incanted a dark spell. "She is yours and mine Severus Snape. Make sure she does not get in my way." Waving his wand in a complicated movement and Vanished the couple away from him noticing Slightly standing at the back of the room watching the proceeding with interest.
Voldemort walked over to him. "Where is Lucius Slightly?"
"Lord Lucius Malfoy has passed to the Veil. The Healer was leaving when I arrived and told me that he passed of natural causes. A heart attack to be precise My Lord. Aurors were there as well, the one in charge being Harry Potter. I was able to pass myself off as a messenger to not garner his notice of me."
Voldemort's red eyes narrowed. "He saw you in your true form Slightly?"
Slightly fell to the floor and bowed. "Lucius knows my true form as does his House Elves so there was no reason for disguise. I failed you my Lord."
"Rise Slightly. This just pushes my plans forward. Capture two relatively powerful wizards and keep them separate from your guest. It is time for us to die my friend. Go now and let me know who our lucky wizards are."
Slightly rose. "Your will my Lord." Hurrying out of the room.
Voldemort turned and walked back to the thirteen masked forms standing behind his throne. "My friends you will hear of my death very soon but you will know it is a lie as you Mark will remain Dark upon you, our pact never ending. You will melt into the background until you are contacted again." He pointed to two. "You both stay behind as I have a task for you."
The two remained as the others disappeared and listened to their Lord in interest at their Lord's words nodding for a moment before leaving the room.
HGSSHGSSHGSS
Hermione picked herself up groaning because she fell hard on her arse and found her husband standing next to the gates of Hogwarts, watching her with a small smile on his face. "You knew that was going to happen." She accused.
Severus moved to her. "I suspected that he would not want us hanging about. Remember his greeting Hermione? The Inner Circle gathered to watch and no mention by him that I am part of that. I don't think I am even a member of the Outer any longer but I am sure he will call me and tell me exactly of my place in time."
Hermione looked back in fear realizing the snub of Voldemort to her husband. "What does that mean for us?"
Severus pulled rings out of his pocket and handed one to her. "It means that we are married." Grabbing her left hand and slid the thin gold band on her left ring finger and held out his left hand for her to do the same.
As soon as the ring was on his finger he leaned forward and kissed her deeply, feeling her arms wrap around and responded back eagerly.
Coldness wrapped around them and they broke away finding Ron watching them and clapped his hands in silence. "Congratulations but I'm here to let you know that the Head House Elf of the House of Malfoy has been waiting for you, banging his head against the gargoyle guarding your office Headmaster Snape. The gargoyle is not amused of the blood that is on it."
Severus wrapped his arms around Hermione's small waist. "Let's save the elf Hermione before the gargoyle loses its patience." Turning his heal and Apparated them to the gargoyle guarding his office.
He found Sassy watching the elf rubbing her hands in worry and watched the elf hit the gargoyle and fell away. Growing concerned at the amount of blood on the gargoyle and floor, he snapped out . "Cracklin stop this at once! Keep it up and you will die. What is your command that you are causing my gargoyle distress?"
Cracklin picked himself up dazed and handed the now bloody envelope to the wizard. "My Lord directed that I deliver this in person in the event of his death." Falling on the floor unconscious as Sassy rushed to Craclin and picked up a clawed hand, looking to the fallen elf in worry.
Severus observed Sassy. She liked this elf, knowing she was shunned by all of the male elves of Hogwarts because of his intervention. "Sassy escort him back to Malfoy Manor and make sure he heals to serve the House of Malfoy once again with honor. Take as long as you need."
Sassy smiled a toothy grin."My thanks Headmaster. I'se make sure he heals." Picking Cracklin up and disappeared with a snap of her clawed hand.
Hermione used her wand to clean the blood of the gargoyle and the floor smiling at the gargoyle words of thanks.
Hermione watched Severus tuck the bloody envelope into a pocket in his robes. "You already knew of Lord Malfoy's death ."
"Yes I was there when he passed to the Veil. This missive no doubt contains instruction on how to pass the news to Lady Astoria now that Lucius is away to the Veil as he hid her and Draco's son. I will deal with this morning as it has been a busy day and all I want to do is sleep with my wife in my bed in my chambers."
Hermione smiled sure that he had things well in hand and turned to the gargoyle protecting the entrance. "You heard the Headmaster's wishes."
She watched the stairs appear and grabbed her husband's hand and led him up the stairs barely missing the gargoyles reply on congratulations of their marriage.