Diana slowly lowered her wand and Severus mimicked her movement. In a split second, while Severus' guard was beginning to die down, she lifted her wand again and threw spell after spell towards him. He quickly deflected her attempts and glared at the woman as the last spell was blocked. His temper peaked, and the wand in his hand was still raised.
She backed up into the table at the center of the room. Noticing the rattling on the table, Diana grabbed the porcelain plate closest to her and threw it as hard as she could. It barely missed Severus' head and just as he noticed what she was doing, a wine glass flew towards him and shattered right below his feet.
He managed to dodge the rest of the silverware flying at him. He advanced forward and before she could grab another item from the table, Severus pinned her arms to her side. She managed to free a hand and took the opportunity to slap him across the face. Severus brought her arm back down and tightened his grip, Diana began to spew angry words which only frustrated him more. Finally, he had enough.
Severus grabbed the back of her neck and murmured a silent spell making her fall limp in his arms. He held her up as her knees gave out. Lucius let loose of Hermione's arm allowing her to run into the room now that the coast was clear of rogue spells. She immediately paced to her cousin and asked Severus to help bring her to another room to lay her down. Lucius examined the woman in Snape's arms and took note of how similar to Hermione she was. Her features are softer and face rounder, hair sun-kissed with golden streaks, and complexion slightly tanned with porcelain smooth skin. From his years of living in the wizarding community, he would be able to tell this woman was a witch based on her impossibly smooth skin. Something only a witch with access to quality potions would be able to achieve such skin. He snapped out of his haze as quickly as he fell into it and turned on his heel to lead down the hall. It would be better if they were in a room that didn't have two of its walls as windows, privacy would be the best in case.
As they walked with Lucius leading the way, Severus readjusted Diana in her arms to cradle her. Just as they were entering a sitting parlor close to the breakfast room, Diana awoke slowly and began to open her eyes. The first thing she saw was the multiple black buttons of an overcoat and while her eyes started slowly moving up the chest that carried her she saw the same man that effectively kidnapped her. She rubbed her eyes hoping to get rid of the foggy brain she had. The spell was quickly wearing off thanks to her constant intake of protective potions since re-entering Britain. Severus didn't notice her stirring at first. Only when she started to regain clarity did she start to push against Snape's chest to get away from him.
He didn't let her go at first but when she started to spew threats of cursing him he lowered her to let her out of his grasp.
"To say that she is combative would be an understatement," Snape said to Hermione, turning on his heel.
She smirked and moved past him to get closer to Diana.
"I would appreciate it if someone could explain what is going on..." Diana was starting to be physically tense, jaw clenched and eyebrows expressive as she approached Hermione."...I sure feel I am owed an explanation. I have been trying to find your parents and yourself only to find the house empty and not a trace of your existence in both muggle and wizarding towns. Not a single reply to my letters and in the middle of a damn war."
Lucius made his way towards Severus; Diana noticed the movement.
Severus spoke "We were running short on time. I had to get us out of there as quickly as possible. Other death eaters were about to enter her home. I did not have time to explain."
Diana stared at her kidnapper and gave him a deadly look. "You do not just grab people and apparate. I apologize but in my defense, you are a stranger that barged through my door and demanded I come with you. Britain is not a safe place for any wizard or witch, excuse me for erring on the side of caution."
"I apologize that the circumstances called for it," Severus responded. Both stared at each other for a brief moment before turning her attention to the blond man beside him.
Lucius approached her and reached out his hand as a sign of goodwill. Diana looked at his hand and back to him, hesitatingly shaking his hand.
"I am Lucius Malfoy, welcome to my home. I apologize for the turn of events today but this was a desperate measure as you were targeted by the Dark Lord for capture. On behalf of the Order, we have decided to bring you here for your safety."
Hermione noticed Diana's tenseness. She could tell she had a million questions but kept quiet. Hermione felt guilt for her stress as this was her fault. The only reason she was targeted was simply that she was her relative, this shouldn't have involved her.
"How did they know who I am or where I was? My name was redacted from the ministry because of the nature of my research in the States. No one here should know who I am." Diana closed her eyes and took a breath. She only snapped her eyes open when she heard Snape speak.
"I overheard your name during the attack planning meeting, I mentioned it to Miss Granger and she recognized your of the death eaters are ministry members and have access to all files regardless of their classification."
Hermione interrupted to elaborate "Severus and Lucius are spies for the Order. I can vouch for them. You can trust them, Diana."
Diana let out a fatigued exhale. The situation both infuriated her and saddened her. She didn't want to be involved with any of this. This is why she moved so far away, to avoid the danger the wizarding communities in Great Britain were facing. The situation was laughable. Hermione took her hand and suggested they go to the kitchen for a cup of tea hoping this would help diffuse the palpable tension in the room. Diana agreed and before leaving the room she patted her pocket to make sure her wand was still on her.
Quickly, she walked alongside Hermione down the lavish halls until reaching the kitchen. Lucius and Severus silently followed.
Severus stood in the quiet room watching Diana approach the fireplace to light the fire below the cast-iron kettle hanging in the fireplace. Hermione placed a few leaves of dried sage and lavender hanging above the window to brew in the water.
Diana turned around and looked around the room to find teacups. She spotted them right next to Severus in a cabinet beside him. Strolling over and taking four cups slowly from the open cabinet she told Snape "I apologize for my behavior earlier. I can be a bit short-tempered."
"No apologies are necessary. The situation is less than ideal. I should be the one apologizing for my... less than civil methods."
Diana nodded in acceptance of his apology. Before turning back to place the cups on the table she whispered "Touch me without my permission again and I will hex you so badly you will be begging for mercy. "
They stared at each other for a few seconds before she made her way towards the small table and took a seat across from an already seated Hermione and Lucius. Severus sat in the only available seat next to Diana.
"Miss Granger never indicated she had a magical relative. Nor do I remember a Granger at Hogwarts before her arrival" Snape inquired.
Diana saw the kettle start to boil, taking out her wand and commanding the kettle to pour water into the cups.
She replied to Severus in the meantime, "No one other than my parents and Hermione knows. Once she started to display signs of magic for a while, my mother insisted to hers that we have constant play dates. Naturally, we connected and I showed her little spells here and there, taught her a few things I was learning while I attended my private studies."
She took a sip of her drink.
"I was not allowed to attend Hogwarts. My mother and grandmother did not see it as a fit place for my education. When I was done with my education, I completed my NEWTS and pursued potioneering. I was employed by a private pioneer that required the utmost secrecy and relocation to the States. I told Hermione about my employment and made her vow to never reveal my identity for our family's protection. I should have kept closer contact with her and my connections here as she and the rest of the damn community got involved in something rather sinister here."
"So you are the reason she is quite the know it all," Severus smirked.
"That is partially my fault. She was a rather inquisitive kid, always asking to borrow my texts or asking endless questions. Perfectly fine to be curious."
She turned to Hermione and asked" So would you like to explain to me what is going on now or later? Perhaps in clearer terms?"
Hermione took a large sip of her tea.
"How did you get involved in this mess?" Diana questioned more compassionately. Hermione didn't know how to answer that question. She could be blunt and explain the whole situation or could graze through the not-so-savory details, regardless it would most likely infuriate her.
Hermione looked over at Severus and Lucius for a brief moment trying to decide if she wanted to lay down the truth of the whole situation. On one hand, it would be easier and quicker to put her in a safe house until the end of the war without an ounce of information but on the other hand, Hermione couldn't bear to hide the truth from her cousin especially since she was now a target. Severus noticed her hesitation. He stepped forward and took a seat in the armchair situated across from their seat.
He stepped in for the hesitant Hermione. "Over the last few years, the Dark Lord has gained many powerful followers and they have started to raise hell in wizarding Britain. You know of Harry Potter I assume?"
She nodded her head.
"And of Horcruxes?"
She nodded again.
"The Dark Lord split his soul into multiple bits and created many of these Horcruxes. Over this past year, Potter, Miss Granger, and their companion Weasley have been searching for these items. The Dark Lord has caught on to their search and stepped up their attacks to take over the wizarding community."
Hermione interjected before he gave away a detail she preferred not to disclose to Diana, "Harry, Ron, and I have been searching all over the place for these items. We managed to find a few but got caught. I was separated from them and long story short ended up here with Lucius" Hermione looked over at Lucius and back to Diana.
"Right now, Harry and Ron are with Lucius' son Draco, searching for the rest of the Horcruxes. We communicate with them on occasion to keep tabs and help out. Lucius and Severus are acting spies for the Order, and have been passing along information when necessary. Technically I am Lucius' hostage but he has been a complete gentleman. Severus found out about a raid to kidnap some people and I overheard your name."
Diana glared at her young cousin not because she was mad at her but because she got tied into a mess of a situation. Although she didn't appreciate being roped into this, she was glad she knew where Hermione was and now felt like she had to assist.
"So what now? I assume I can't return to my home here, would I be able to go back to the states?"
"I'm afraid not. They monitor both arrivals and departures. All long-distance apparition points are monitored heavily and you would get spotted in an instant." Lucius interjected. Diana leaned back in her chair. She took a deep breath to stop any outbursts.
A moment of silence fell over the room. Everyone looked defeated. This was not even close to what they expected to happen during this battle against Voldemort. It was far beyond what they anticipated and none of them knew what to do next.
Severus excused himself and asked for a word with Lucius. He agreed and followed his companion out of the room and into the corridor out of earshot from the kitchen.
"Do we contact the order to find her a safe house?" Severus asked.
Lucius took a moment to think. The circumstance was beyond what he anticipated. There was no circumstance that he could think of that would be suitable for either Hermione or Diana. If Diana stayed here he would risk exposing her to other death eaters during the regular meetings within the manor or the risk of harboring a target without informing the dark lord. It wouldn't do nor would it be possible unless he wanted to risk the safety of Hermione and Diana as well.
"She cannot stay here. It will be too dangerous for both herself and Hermione. I cannot risk it with the number of death eaters that come during meetings." Lucius said. He roamed his brain for a second longer before suggesting "She would be safe in your home perhaps?"
Severus was taken aback by the suggestion.
"And how did you come to that conclusion?" He said with obvious irritation in his voice.
"No one would dare step into your home. Death eater nor order member. Perhaps she could assist you with your potion making considering she is a skilled potioneer?" Lucius suggested.
Severus did not respond. He turned on his heel and back into the kitchen he went. Hermione relocated herself next to Diana while the men left were gone. Both whispering to each other, Hermione reassures her cousin that this would turn out fine.
Diana turned her attention to Severus. Lucius following into the room shortly after. Severus avoided her eye contact while standing at the head of the table but she kept her gaze glued on him. She was still hesitant about the dark-haired man but couldn't help but feel some sort of gratitude towards him for bringing her back to Hermione. He went out of his way to retrieve her and essentially save her from god knows what type of torture at the hands of the Dark Lord. Although a selfless act, she was still cautious.
"It will be safer for everyone involved if you return to my home," Snape announced.
Diana put down her tea, "I can't stay here?" She turned to Hermione with a silent fear in her eyes.
"Lucius tends to be the meeting ground for the death eaters. The risk of another death eater seeing you here would...end badly for everyone involved. "
"And the risk of me being found at your home is better?"
"My home is warded and protected from anyone but myself and welcomes visitors. Additionally, my address is given only to a select few and trusted people. I can assure you that it will be a safe environment."
Diana stood from her seat and around to stand next to Hermione.
"Will it be possible for me to check in on Hermione now and then?" She kept her gaze locked on Snape, chin raised.
He nodded and kept silent.
She took a deep breath and sighed right after. The day was catching up to her and it was starting to give her a migraine. It was hard to just accept the situation let alone be a part of it. It wouldn't do her any good to be irritated and cause a scene but her goal wasn't to be overly involved. The pacifist in her refused to actively throw herself into this war but she had little family other than Hermione left.