A.N.: Phew, the weekend gave me enough time to finish another chapter for you. Thank you for all your encouraging comments. They always cheer me up and motivate me to write, at least a bit very day.
Chapter 46: Pent up frustration
When Hermione finally made it back to her room, she was tired to the bone. The duelling lesson had gone so much better than the one yesterday, but it was still one of those days. She was sweaty and achy all over and couldn't wait to sink into the warm bath tube, before letting Hurry rub her back. Unfortunately, the latter wasn't to be.
"Hurry," Hermione called the little elf while fastening a white fluffy dressing gown around her waist.
"Hurry is happy to serve," he chirped eagerly, after appearing next to her a moment later.
She smiled fondly at the enthusiastic servant. "I know. Could you maybe rub my back again? I'm all achy again and…" but she didn't continue, as she saw the unhappy expression on the little guy's face. "What's wrong?"
The little elf shuffled his feet with hanging ears. "The master has forbidden Hurry to touch mistress in that way again. Master says it is not appropriate for a house-elf to enjoy such liberties."
Hermione stared at the elf in disbelief for a moment, before her temper began to rise. "Liberties? Liberties?" she asked, her voice more and more transforming into a shriek. "This is not a liberty, you've been helping me."
The little servant nodded with a sad expression on his face. "Master says, that he will gladly take care of your needs, should you find yourself in need of another backrub," Hurry continued, staring at her with huge green eyes and Hermione didn't know whether to laugh because of the ridiculousness of that offer or to cry because of the unfairness of it all. She'd never let that thing touch her bare back, rather she would lie in her bed moaning with pain all night.
She sighed. "I will not ask him to rub my back or any other part of me, not ever," she bit out, before taking another pain potion from her nightstand. After that one there would only be two left for her, but she'd have to get through the night somehow. Thanks to Severus she at least would not be in pain, which meant that she would only have to deal with the loneliness. But maybe thinking about the twins would help. It was at least worth a try.
"Alright Hurry, you can go then," she said with a sigh, stepping out of her dressing gown, before changing into another male nightshirt. But this time she transfigured it into a comfortable pair of pyjamas beforehand. If that man was only providing her with unsuitable clothing, then she'd have to take things into her own hands. Finally, she stepped to the bed, fishing the shrunken Prophet out of the dress she had worn for breakfast.
"Alright Professor," she said, stepping next to the big tank she had prepared for Professor Umbridge. "I've brought you some reading material. I'm not a fan of the Prophet, but maybe you can appreciate Rita Skeeter's articles." With that, she carefully placed the little newspaper on one of the stones, next to the artificial mini-pond she had transfigured for the toad. She felt a twitch of shame for keeping the poor woman locked in this thing, but it was this or the dungeons. And here Hermione could at least have an eye on her.
With a sigh, Hermione crawled into her bed, closed the curtains and cast a silencing charm. Having the toady woman staying in her room was creepy enough. Hermione didn't need her watching or listening to her sleep as well.
ssssssss
"What did she say?" Voldemort asked, as soon as the elf appeared in front of him in the throne room. He had instructed the annoying creature to only show itself, when his lioness had asked for its particular services again, only to find out, that she would be disappointed in that regard.
Wringing its little hands the ugly thing squeaked: "Mistress said, she will never ask Master to rub her back or any other parts of her, not ever."
For a moment he just stared at the little menace in disbelieve. But house-elves did not lie to their masters, they were physically incapable of doing so. He felt his anger rise, but he tried to contain it by balling his hands to fists. The girl let those low creatures touch her, but not him?
He must not hurt the elves, he told himself, his prize was unfortunately very protective of them, but Merlin he wanted to. Maybe another Death Eater meeting was in Order. There he surely would find the chance to punish someone. He'd just have to make sure, that the throne room was properly warded and muted.
ssssssss
"I do have a surprise for you," Voldemort told her, as she had nearly finished her breakfast. Hermione had been in a grumpy mood all morning, savouring her bacon and eggs without saying a word or even looking up at the man that robbed her the comfort of a good back rub. But now she looked up at him with a cold expression on her face.
"If it isn't pain potions or a hot water bottle I don't think I'm interested," she told him matter-of-factly before continuing to eat. He didn't answer right away, but Hermione could still feel his eyes resting on her.
"You're upset," he stated calmly. "Why?"
Hermione stared at the man in disbelief. "You've robbed me the one way I discovered to find a bit of comfort," she explained with small narrowed eyes, but the man didn't seem too intimidated by it. Instead, he looked at her with an understanding smile. Which only seemed to feed her ire.
"There are other ways, my Dear, you just need to let me take care of you," he said with a small smile that she didn't find comforting at all.
"No." Hermione didn't have to think long. The thought alone that those spidery, cold fingers touched her, made her skin crawl. There was no way in hell she'd ever allow that.
For a moment she was almost sure the man would snap, as the vein on his temple suddenly started to pulse. But no such thing happened. Instead, he just looked at her with a slightly disappointed smile. "Well, that's a pity then. But maybe I can find another way to cheer you up. Come with me, then I'll show you the little surprise I prepared for you."
Hermione looked at him with a contemplative gaze. It probably wasn't a good idea to anger that man further. He was a crazy megalomaniac, after all. "Alright, show me your little surprise then," she said getting up from her seat with a sigh. He, too, got up from his seat motioning for her to follow him outside of the room. Where were they going anyway? Well, she guessed she'd find out.
He brought her into his study. Hermione hadn't been to the room since she had given Professor Umbridge her detention, which made her question why he had brought here again. The answer was found on the table. There was a bid jar with a little bug in it that Hermione remembered very well. She had kept it in an unbreakable jar for weeks, after all.
"That's Rita Skeeter," she said carefully, as she stepped next to the desk, to watch the angry insect look for a way out of the container.
"Indeed. How do you know she's an Animagus?" Voldemort asked her with a curious expression on his face.
Hermione smiled. "I deduced it last year. As I said, Miss Skeeter and I do have a history together. She wrote about me last year – extensively – and sometimes even about things she could not have known." Like kissing Victor, Hermione added in her head. "At the end of the year, I finally caught Miss Beetle here. I kept her in an unbreakable jar for some time, in the hope that it would teach her a lesson. Didn't do much good though…"
The man looked at her with glowing eyes. "Well, Miss Granger. This could be your second chance teaching that woman a lesson. Would you like that?" Hermione thought for a long moment. She wanted this woman to stop destroying lives and spreading lies. But how was she supposed to do that?
"She needs to be taught a lesson," Hermione agreed carefully, before staring at the colourful beetle that seemed to get more and more agitated in its prison. Merlin, now it wasn't just one infamous woman Hermione needed to punish and protect at the same time, but two. And suddenly Hermione knew what to do with her. "But maybe I am the wrong person teaching it to her." She said with a devilish grin that he couldn't help but find sexy.
Without further explanation, she grabbed the jar from the table and carried it into her room. Voldemort followed her, but Hermione ignored him for now. Instead, she walked in front of Professor Umbridge's tank, where she opened the lid and said to the toad:
"Hello Professor. I do have some company for you." She held the jar up, pointing at the beetle sitting in it. "This is Rita Skeeter. She's our guest now, too. You might remember her from the article I left for you earlier."
The toad stared at the beetle for a long moment, before it jumped next to the tiny newspaper that Hermione had left for her earlier. Hermione nodded. "I thought you might enjoy some company in your confinement. And to be frank with you, Miss Skeeter could be really in dire need of some detention. She simply won't learn her lesson." With that, she dumped the agitated Animagus into the glass tank, before hastily closing the lid again. It wasn't a moment too soon, as the little insect immediately tried to make an escape. "I'm sure the two of you will get along splendidly." The toad croaked, before slowly walking towards the beetle while focussing it hungrily with its yellow eyes. Hermione could only hope, that Professor Umbridge would not try eating her. The house-elves kept their new pet well-fed after all. This way she kept them both close and as safe as possible. Plus they did deserve to be punished.
"I do admire your creativity, my Dear," Voldemort admitted with a slight smile on his lips. "Well? How did you like that little surprise? Are you feeling better, now?"
She did indeed, though she'd never admit that in front of him. She did however reward him with a cruel little smile. It's not like she could keep antagonizing the man until he snapped at her.
ssssssss
It was the second time this week that the Dark Lord called him, which was highly unusual. Today the man had at least waited until his classes were finished for the day and Severus had managed, to correct at least some of those dunderhead's essays. Because work started piling up for him, now that he had also agreed to teach Occlumency to his godson. Thank Merlin the boy had more talent and patience than Potter.
Severus rose from his desk with a heavy sigh. It would probably be another nightshift for him, but it couldn't be helped. Grabbing some more of the pain and cramp relievers he had brewed for Hermione he donned his travelling cloak and took stored his Death Eater mask in a pocket sewn to the inner side. It was barely a minute later, that he left his chambers to make his way to the apparation point. Only a few more minutes, than he would know what the Dark Lord needed him for this time.
"Ah, Severus, my loyal servant," his master greeted him as soon as he entered the throne room.
"Master," Severus greeted back, sinking down to one knee. "How can I be of service to you today?"
The Dark Lord smiled, before motioning for him to stand up. "I do need your brewing expertise again, my friend."
The Potions Master nodded. "Of course. I already took the liberty of bringing some more of the pain potions for Miss Granger, as I was not sure how long those I prepared for her would last her," he explained, earning himself a pleased smile from his master.
"Very good. This is not what I called you here for, though. The potion I need this time is a bit more experimental. You'll probably have to invent it from scratch."
Severus stared at the man in surprise, but deep down he could feel the uneasiness starting to rise. This didn't sound good. "An experimental potion? Are you sure, my Lord?"
His master looked at him for a long moment and Severus realized that it probably hadn't been wise to question his master. He cursed inwardly. But suddenly his master's face turned into an approving smile. "I do appreciate your honesty, especially considering that the last experimental ritual went wrong. It restored my body and mind, but this body is a disgrace for a Dark Lord. This is why I want you to brew a potion that will restore my old body and if possible rejuvenating it a bit."
Salazar's hairy balls! The man had lost his mind, Severus thought, keeping a neutral face. How was he supposed to achieve that? His head started making quick calculations and the first arithmantic equations came to his mind. It could work… "To construct such a potion I will need time, my Lord. And some of the ingredients I'll need might be hard to procure."
His master nodded. "Of course. Do not worry my friend. There is no haste and through my connections, I'll be able to supply you with anything you might need."
Severus nodded thoughtfully. "That depends. The easiest and safest way to do it would be using something from your past. As you do want to restore your old body it needs to be something frequently used during the time before your transformation. Considering you want to de-age yourself, the item should preferably be from the age you want to go back to."
The Dark Lord looked at him with an analysing expression. "I understand. Do make your calculations my friend. In the meantime, I'll try to procure with the item you've asked for."
Severus bowed. "It will be done as you say, my Lord."
"I know it will," the man in front of him said with a self-satisfied smile. "You're one of my most faithful servants. I have total confidence in your abilities."
Severus sighed inwardly. That was the problem. He was good and the Dark Lord knew it, which would only give him so much time to stall the inevitable. The Dark Lord in his old body… The man had been full of charm and charisma in Severus' youth. The thought of having this version of him stay in a house with Hermione made him shudder. The girl was the reason why his Lord ordered him to make the potion in the first place, Severus had no doubt about it. And that realisation terrified him more than he could ever express.
ssssssss
He leaned back on his throne with a satisfied little smile. The plan was set. Severus Snape would not disappoint him, he never had. The man was brilliant, a true potions prodigy, and he was devoted to him. It might take the man some time, but in the end he'd figure out a way for him to get what he desired. He would be young and handsome again, with his Queen on his side. Sooner or later he'd make her immortal, too then she could be at his side forever. They would rule the world together – forever. It would be magnificent.
But first he needed to find an item that could be used for the potion. Something that he had frequently touched in his old body and that was still available to him. There was his wan, of course, but he would only give it up as a last option. There had to be something else… and suddenly he knew it. A victorious smile graced his thin, pale lips as he remembered a certain necklace, hidden away in a cave, protected by an army of Inferi. When he had first found it, he had carried it around his neck for weeks. He was the heir of Slytherin, after all, and he had finally found what was truly his. Only later he had decided to make it a Horcrux. The ritual had taken him months to prepare. He could get the necklace and move the soul piece somewhere else. Then, he could give the locket to Severus. It would be a worthy base for his renewed body.
Lord Voldemort smiled. It was a brilliant plan. Now it was only a matter of time until the Gryffindor lioness would be truly his. No one had managed to resist his old charms in his past, after all.