Summary: Hermione figures everything out.
A/N: Thanks for reading! I am heading out on a cruise this coming week, so there won't be an update next weekend. But we'll be back on track the following weekend with Chapter 9.
Chapter 8
Hermione had spent an entire week poring over books in the library trying to find ways someone could separate a part of their soul without making a Horcrux. She hadn't found anything and suspected that Dumbledore had removed all the books referring to any kind of soul division. A trip to the Ministry was in order.
She Floo'd to the Ministry and headed to the library. Descending down the elevator, she smiled briefly at the woman who was riding along with her. The woman nodded and then stared straight ahead. Hermione shrugged it off. Finally, the elevator opened on the correct floor, emptying directly into the library.
She looked around it in wonder. No matter how often she had been here, the size and scope of the Ministry library always amazed her. It took up an entire two floors of the Ministry and held writings that went back to before the Founders of Hogwarts lived. The stacks seemed endless. If she was going to find what she was looking for, it would be here.
Thinking of what she wanted, she waved her wand and said, "Find." A cloud burst from her wand and showed the section of the library where the books she needed were located. Putting her wand away, she moved through the library towards the back, finally coming to the area where she would find her answers. She went to the shelves and started her search.
oooOOOooo
Several hours later, she had found that other than making a Horcrux, there were two ways to preserve a piece of your soul. One way was to connect it to a loved one through a complicated spell. The other was to pass it on to a guardian of some sort.
Hermione studied her notes and tapped her quill on the page she'd been writing on. She mulled over everything she'd discovered about soulmate magic and saving a part of your soul. Suddenly, it came to her. She knew what Severus had done.
Gathering her parchment, she rose, returned the books she'd been using, and left the library, heading back to Hogwarts.
Disappearing in the Floo, she exited into her sitting room. Eyeing her door, she moved out into the hallway and turned toward the painting that guarded her quarters.
"Dorlyth," she called.
The dragon had been curled into a ball sleeping. Smoke curled from the beast's nostrils as her head rose, and her eyes fixed on Hermione. Hermione waved her wand carefully and cast a Muffliato so they could speak privately.
"I need a piece of Severus' soul to bring him back. Do you know where I can find one?"
The dragon smiled. Hermione marveled at how despite it being a friendly gesture, it looked menacing.
"You figured it out," Dorlyth said with admiration.
"I had hoped that I had. Where is his soul?"
"As guardian of the Prince family, I have the ability to—how to explain it—shadow a family member. Though I'm here in the painting, I am aware of where the person is and what they're doing."
"Are you possessing the person when you do that?" Hermione asked.
"No, no. It's more that I'm a guest. I can't make them do anything. I'm more of a spectator. However, when that person is in danger, I have very specific abilities. I can give my charge strength, and in the case that they are defeated… I can capture their soul."
Hermione gasped. "You have all of Severus' soul?"
"No, part of his soul would need to go to the beyond. However, I am able to preserve the greater part of him."
"Severus said he couldn't tell me anything about his soul. You made him keep silent?"
Dorlyth snorted fire from her nostrils. "You accuse me of trying to hurt my charge?"
"No! I just want to understand."
Dorlyth calmed some before answering.
"In order for me to offer this gift, it must be done in complete secrecy. If anyone knew that I carried Severus Snape's soul, they would destroy me. When discussing this plan with Severus, I had to make him vow never to divulge where his soul would be saved so that the magic could be effective and protect him. You, Hermione Granger, are trustworthy and are trying to save my charge. I couldn't come out and tell you what I have, but now that you have figured it out and asked, I am able to tell you."
Hermione nodded, looking at the dragon with respect.
"How do I access his soul to bring him back?"
"When you are ready to proceed, I will transfer his soul to the wooden box with my carving on it. You will be able to use it to resurrect him."
Hermione reached out and stroked the dragon's neck, causing the beast to give her a wide-eyed stare.
"Thank you, Dorlyth. You are a faithful friend to Severus."
"And I will watch over you and your children with the same enthusiasm."
Hermione blushed. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Dorlyth."
"I look forward to your joining with my Severus. You are perfect for him, and your children will be glorious."
Hermione chuckled, although she knew she was getting redder by the minute. "Thank you," she said. "I'll let you know when I've gotten everything ready."
The painting swung open to let Hermione back into her quarters. She entered and sighed. She would need to exhume Severus' body and get the Acromantula venom before she began the ritual. She'd also have to convince Severus to make love to her before she moved forward with any of the plan. That was her agenda for tonight's meeting.
Every night for the past week they'd spent the night together, talking and growing closer. She had been surprised that staying up all night hadn't made her tired in the least. She'd asked Severus about it, and he explained that the potion left her physical body in a sleep state while she was with him, letting her rejuvenate despite having an active night with her soulmate.
She hadn't said anything to him yet about needing to consummate their bond. She'd wanted them to get to know each other better. Not that a week could divulge an entire person, but she felt they had grown closer.
Her other reason for not saying anything was that she feared Severus' reaction. It hadn't become necessary for them to seal their bond before now, so she felt that letting that particular subject slip for a while was fine. She just hoped that now that she had to talk to him about it, he would eventually see that it needed to happen before he resurrected or he'd never be able to come back to life.
Having learned how to see Severus when she wanted, she now just visited him when she felt like it, but their nights were always spent together. Heading to her bedroom, she readied for bed. Moving over to it, she settled under the covers and laid on her back. Concentrating on Severus, she materialized on the Hogwarts grounds, finding him sitting cross-legged under a tree, reading a book.
She approached and sat down beside him. His head came up, and he gazed at her, smiling shyly. He moved towards her as his arms came around her. He kissed her lovingly, and she felt complete. Opening her mouth, she let him enter and his tongue tangled with hers. She felt a jolt run through her body as they kissed. The bond they shared helped to increase their attraction to one another, and their passion increased even more as Severus' hand came up and cupped her cheek. It was a while before they broke apart breathlessly.
"You came early," Severus said as he gazed into her eyes.
"I wanted to see you. I spoke with Dorlyth."
He grinned at her. "That's my beautiful, intelligent witch. You figured it out."
She nodded. "So, I'm almost ready. I have all the ingredients except for Acromantula Venom, and I'll need to dig your body up. Hopefully, it will be usable."
"The soulmate bond should have preserved it," he advised.
Hermione nodded. "That's what I have found out through my research." She bit her lip. "There's one other thing that needs to happen before I can attempt to bring you back."
"What's that?" he asked as he kissed her cheek.
Hermione blushed and kissed him back. "We need to consummate our bond," she said finally as she gazed into his eyes.
Severus pulled back from her. "You mean now?"
Hermione nodded.
"No, we can't."
Hermione gave him a petulant look. "Of course, we can. There's plenty of passion between the two of us."
"Hermione, I've already explained that I don't want to do that because I'm dead and if this doesn't work, you will never be able to be happy with another man."
Hermione reached out and caressed his face. "Don't you understand, Severus? I only want to be with you. This bond is all-encompassing. If I can't be with you, then I honestly don't want to be with anyone else."
"But for you to spend the rest of your life without someone. You're young, Hermione. Barring an accident, you have a very long life ahead of you. Imagine how lonely you will be. I can't put that on you. I won't."
"It's my decision, too, Severus. If we don't do this, you will never be able to live again. I will be condemning you to not being able to be with me until I die. That's not fair either."
"I am used to life not being fair."
"Don't you think it's time that your life was fair for a change?" She pulled his face closer to hers. "Don't you understand? I want to be with you and no one else. If you can't be with me, I don't want anyone else. I'd rather wait until I can be with you in the beyond."
"Hermione…"
"Severus…"
He frowned. "Don't be impertinent."
She huffed. "I'm not. I just want you to see reason."
"How is it reasonable for you to be bound to a dead man for the rest of your life?"
"How is it reasonable that you give up your happiness on the false assumption that I will be alone for the rest of my life? This spell will work! I know it will. But if we don't bind ourselves as husband and wife, we will never have the chance to make it work."
She looked at Severus, pleading with him to understand. His arms came around her, and he pulled her into an embrace.
"I'm just afraid, Hermione. Afraid it won't work. Afraid I'll condemn you to a life of solitude." He held her close and hugged her furiously. "I just don't want that for you."
She squeezed him before pulling back. "I want to do this, Severus. I want to take this chance. I understand it may result in me never having a mate while living, but I am willing to make that sacrifice. The benefits if it works far outweigh the risks. I can't imagine my life without you."
He studied her face for a long time. Hermione waited, knowing he was resolving everything in his mind. She hoped he would agree to sealing their bond. Finally, she saw a determined look come over Severus' face. He rose from the ground and extended his hand to her. Pulling her up, he kissed her lightly.
"All right. We will do this. Heaven knows it's been hard not to shower you with my love whenever we are together." His arms came around her, and he looked at her devotedly. "I hope you're right, Hermione. I hope this works."
She kissed his nose and was surprised to see his cheeks color slightly. "I know it will."
"Come," Severus said as he took her hand and led her toward the castle. "Let us show each other how we really feel."
Hermione grinned at him, licking her lips as they moved toward the castle. Severus let out a low moan as he watched her, increasing his gate so they could get to his bed all the faster.
Before they knew it, they were there, kissing one another wildly as he gently laid her on the bed. Severus moved back and slowly disrobed her, pulling off her jumper first and then removing her bra. He admired her lovely form.
"Beautiful," he murmured as he reached out and caressed her breasts.
Then it was her turn to unbutton the buttons of his vest and push it off his shoulders. Then off came his cravat and shirt. Hermione admired his well-defined chest and the slight bit of hair that led under his trousers. Her hands traveled over his well-defined chest caressing a couple of scars that were there. She almost purred at how satisfying it was.
Leaning toward him, she placed kisses all along his chest and began working her way down. He pushed her back as he breathed excitedly. His hands reached out, and he pulled her close, their bodies touching each other. She marveled at his closeness and the softness of him. Her arms surrounded him, and she pulled him closer.
They continued to explore one another, and before long they were both fully naked.
"Beautiful," Severus murmured again as he captured her lips.
Hermione caressed his chest. His muscles were solid under her fingers. "You're gorgeous," she replied. "I can't believe you're mine."
"Yours…" His lips crashed down on hers again.
They kissed more intensely. Caressing each other all over, their arousal came to a head. Severus moved down and he licked her. She cried out and arched into him as he continued his ministrations.
"More," she commanded as he obliged by moving faster along her clit, licking her to abandon.
"Oh, Severus!" she cried.
He stopped, elicinging a cry of disappointment from Hermione. Moving up, his lips met hers and his tongue entered her mouth, worshiping it passionately.
"See how good you taste?" he murmured.
Her only answer was to move back up to his mouth and kiss him more fiercely.
They both moved together as one, feeling their magic mixing with one another. Slowly, Severus entered her and groaned.
"You feel so amazing," he uttered as he began to move within her.
Their passion mounted as they continued to move against one another. Their magic seemed to join and become as one as he moved within her. It blossomed within them, driving them to deeper heights. Before long they were both screaming each other's names.
"Hermione!"
"Severus!"
They were filled with light, and it exploded from them, filling the room and bursting from it. It seemed like the whole castle glowed with the bond they'd just created. It was the most intense thing Hermione had ever felt. As they slowly came down from their high, Severus pulled back slightly and kissed her forehead. He looked deeply into her eyes.
"We are one."
Tears filled her eyes as her hands came up and cupped Severus' face. "We are one," she repeated. "You are my husband."
"And you are my wife… forever."
"I love you, Severus," she told him huskily.
His eyes misted. "I love you too."
"I've been denying it, but I can't deny it any longer," Hermione explained.
Severus caressed her cheek. "I didn't want to tell you because I knew it would change everything."
"And we don't know if the spell will work… I didn't want to get our hopes up either."
"And yet, I find I can no longer keep it to myself." Severus kissed her. "I love you."
Hermione smiled. "I don't want to keep it to myself any longer either." She kissed him back.
"It's this bond. We can no longer keep things from one another," Severus explained.
"Well, I really didn't want to keep it from you, but it seemed the right thing to do at the time. I didn't want you to think I was lying or that I'd gone mad or something."
Severus gazed deeply into her eyes. "Do you think it will work?" he asked with a bit of trepidation in his voice.
"I do." She gazed back with determination. "It will work, and we will be together."
"Merlin, I hope so." He kissed her again, making her feel complete.