Hermione returns to the Manor and is back under Lucius' control, and the only one who can help her is helpless to do anything. Will Severus be able to stop Lucius in time to save Hermione?
Murder, Magic, Mayhem, and Madness
The Christmas Hols
Hermione had arrived at the Manor not knowing what to expect. She'd only packed a small bag since she already had plenty of clothes in the wardrobe of her room. Her book bag, on the other hand, had been magically enhanced to contain all her books and the ones Severus had lent her, plus her quills, pads of parchment, Alchemy and Arithmancy tools, and her inks. The reception she'd given Lucius when he'd met her at King's Cross had been lukewarm, both from her irritation with him and a sick, queasy feeling that had started while on the train, but he'd handled her indifference with a stoic air. He'd led her to the Apparation area, and once they were standing in the foyer of the house, he had forcibly turned her to face him, demanding to know what her problem was.
They were having their first real fight. Her discovery of the spells on her ring and his slipping her a philter had infuriated her, and now she was demanding an explanation. His attempts at platitude were not taken well, and she'd recoiled. "It's like being drugged, Lucius. I know you thought we were sharing that dream, but you obviously didn't have the same dream I did, so how am I to believe you? I cannot be in a marriage that isn't based on trust!"
"Trust," he snarled venomously. "You speak of trust when I know you were consorting with Severus Snape! You cannot deny it; our rings let me know." He smirked at her stunned reaction to his words and held up his hand, showing her his ring. "Yes, love, the connection of our rings."
"Why are you wearing your wedding ring already? We're not married yet," she said, astounded, staring at the matching band on his finger.
"And a good thing too or I'd not have learned of your infidelity," he sneered.
"I can't do this. I just can't live like this!" Hermione tried to Apparate to the Burrow and felt the wards hit her like slamming her head on into a brick wall.
Lucius laughed, a cold, humorous laugh. "Sorry, love, I reset the wards as soon as we arrived. You're going nowhere until we talk about this."
Hermione turned away from him and ran to the Floo, only to realize that the Floo Powder pot was missing.
"Don't bother trying," he called out from the hall. "You cannot Apparate from the property. The gate is locked and warded as well."
She stormed past him, ran up to her room, and barricaded herself in, ignoring Lucius' attempts to get her to talk to him. She cast a silencing spell at the door to block his voice so she didn't have to hear him try to reason with her through the door and cried.
~oo0oo~
Lucius was losing his patience. Hermione had changed. Sure, she had been sick the first night back, and had been sullen the next morning, and she was behaving so childishly about the chocolates. Thank Merlin, she hasn't discovered that the potion is also in her mead. That would have been an unmitigated disaster. The affects of elixir were always perceived as simply being erotic dreams, which were dismissed by the drinker when they awoke. It was also quite addictive.
He sat in his study, trying to read, but couldn't concentrate. Hermione was upstairs in Narcissa's old room, revising and working on her essays. When she wasn't upstairs, she was in the library, revising. Pookie had even taken to delivering Hermione's lunch to her rather than set a place for her at the table. Lucius was livid about it, but did nothing. Now was the time to exercise patience and self-control, not take his fiancée in hand. He knew that his Āganbiholden was still in effect since Hermione didn't outright disobey him, but she wasn't as enthralled with him as she'd been before. He'd been spiking her pumpkin juice with small amounts of the mead so that she'd be under the Rhwyd Cyffoden Elixir's effects, but her reaction to it wasn't nearly as he'd expected it to be. He considered using the Nexinlaquare Curse, but chose to wait. If she doesn't start to come around, I'll have to. I'm too close now to have everything fall apart.
~oo0oo~
Christmas Eve, Lucius had brought Hermione's parents to the manor. Hermione had rushed across the room into her father's arms and then hugged her mum. Her first question had been, how they were, and the second had been, "How did you get here?"
Her father had laughed, and said they were 'fine,' as Lucius had tried to direct them to the drawing room before dinner. Her parents had explained how Lucius and three wizards had appeared in their lounge with the most incredible and unbelievable story. However, the one man had given them a strange drink, and another had preformed a series of spells and their memories had been restored. Herminoe had learned that her parents had been furious with her, until Lucius and Mr. Rustenburg had sat down and explained about the extraordinary danger they had been, but for their daughter's actions. Mr. Winston had explained that Hermione had been singled out as major threat to the 'dark side' of the war, and about Tom Riddle, aka Voldemort. Once her parents had heard that and fully understood what great lengths Hermione had done to protect them, they'd become thankful.
Lucius had proudly told Hermione that he'd remembered her deep sorrow regarding her parent's absence from their impending wedding, and so he'd arranged to have a Healer and a wizard from the Magical Reversal office of the Ministry fly with him and his solicitor to arrange for the return of the Grangers. Hermione was deeply moved by his gesture. It was in such conflict to how he'd been acting that it actually confused her. Lucius had lovingly caressed her shoulder, and had told her that he'd done it to make her happy. The usually large dining table had been shrunken to seat four spaciously, and the five-course dinner had been excellent. The Grangers had told Hermione of their time in Australia, and had listened in rapt attention to her tales of the war and Lucius' version of his.
When Hermione brought up the subject of her engagement, both of her parents had seemed rather fond of Lucius, even approving of him as a son-in-law. After a long evening, Lucius had escorted the Grangers to their cottage. Hermione had stood at her window, staring out at the darkness, trying to come to terms with everything she'd learned in the last four days and to sort out the conflicting actions of her fiancé.
Hermione had once again awoken, feeling exhausted after a restless night of those livid dreams of Lucius. As usual, they had been so vivid, so realistic, she felt as if they were real. However, for some reason this morning, her memory of the dreams had been clearer, more coherent than they had been before. She was almost certain that Lucius had actually been in her room, touched her while she'd slept, but the door was locked from the inside and the ward she'd paced had still been intact.
She hurried downstairs, hoping to see her parents again, but found Lucius, sitting by himself in the family room. "My parents?" she asked, not even trying to hide her disappointment.
Lucius had risen upon seeing her, but stopped short, letting out a deep sigh. "I was hoping that you and I would have some time together before we went to the Burrow to see your friends."
"We?" she asked, taking step backward. "I am going. For the weekend. I told you—you'd said you didn't mind…"
"Hermione," he said with deep regret in his voice as he stepped forward with his arms held out to hug her. Hermione stepped back, and he dropped his arms. "Your mother wanted to see her sister. They are planning to spend the morning with them, and dinner with your father's brother. They haven't seen them in a year and a half and felt that they had some explaining to do. I thought that this would be nice, just the two of us. Please come, sit." He motioned toward the chairs situated in front of a fireplace and a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. Hermione watched him as he picked up something from under the tree and walked over to her. "I know we had a row, but I still do love you."
"I don't have anything for you," Hermione replied as she opened up a flat square box. She gasped in surprise at the gorgeous diamond wreath necklace and diamond earrings lying on the dark green velvet.
"They were my mother's," Lucius said, lifting the necklace and placing it around her neck. He produced a mirror for her to see how they looked on.
The elegant necklace lay perfectly at the base of her neck but was too extravagant with her nightgown and dressing robe. "It's too much, Lucius. I can't accept this!"
He leaned down and kissed her, his lips so familiar to her already. "You might as well get used to it; you're to be a Malfoy in nine days. Happy Christmas, love."
~oo0oo~
Hermione arrived at the Burrow with Lucius in tow. Hermione was warmly welcomed while Lucius' greeting had been lukewarm. Ginny managed, with the help of her brothers and Mr. Weasley, to scurry Hermione away upstairs to her room. Seconds later, Harry and Ron slipped in, and began grilling her with questions as they tried to figure out how her relationship with Lucius had come about. Finally, Hermione simply started at the beginning and told them everything. Harry's and Ron's reactions to each part of her story were so close to what she'd anticipated their reactions would be, it had made her feel better. Nevertheless, telling them all the good and bad things Lucius had done only confused her more about Lucius' motives.
Christmas dinner at the Burrow, in Hermione's opinion, was better than the fancy formal dinner on Christmas Eve at the manor. She'd loved seeing her parents, but the dinner at the manor had been reserved and polite compared to the rambunctiousness of the Burrow. Hermione wished that she were able to share this dinner at the Weasleys with her parents as well, surrounded by her friends. She knew for certain that her parents would have loved seeing the Weasleys' wizarding home and been part of the festive cheer. Of course, Mr. Weasley would have loved nothing more than an evening with the Grangers, asking questions and showing her dad the things in his shed.
After pudding and presents, Lucius told Hermione that it was time to go. Hermione flat out refused, stating defiantly that she was staying.
"You didn't pack, my dear," Lucius said smoothly.
"I've got everything right here," Hermione replied happily, brandishing a small, beaded purse, which had seen much better days.
Finally, Lucius relented rather than make a scene. He kissed Hermione in front of everyone, and whispered, "I'll be seeing you tomorrow, my dear," before he vanished with a loud crack from the front step.
~oo0oo~
The next morning, Ginny and Luna surprised Hermione by taking her to Aunt Muriel's for a bridal shower. Every girl Hermione was friendly with at school had been invited as well as her friends from her previous years. Fleur and Gabriel had come as well as the ladies of the Order. The large parlor was full of fairy lights and bouquets of roses set among Aunt Muriel's Christmas decorations.
Since all her friends knew that Lucius had everything needed to furnish a home, Hermione's gifts had been more personal: books, fancy parchments, stationary, elegant quills, lace, expensive and exotic potion ingredients, perfumes, lingerie, and bath and body products.
At dinner, Ginny helped her mum with the meal while Hermione, Harry, and Ron caught up a little. Feeling slightly guilty about doing so, but knowing she had to, Ginny added some of the antidote to Hermione's stew and slipped some of the Detoxifying Potion into her pumpkin juice, just as she'd done to Hermione's drinks at the shower. Ginny watched Hermione as she ate, her gut clenching as Hermione toyed with her food between bites. Hermione finished her juice, but hadn't finished all of her stew. Ginny hoped it had been enough.
That night, Hermione had tossed and turned on her cot. She woke up sweating, her limbs shaking, feeling cold. She had a nerve-wracking pain in nearly every joint and severe cramping. She wanted to get a pain potion, but didn't have any with her. Her whimpering woke Ginny from a sound sleep.
Ginny sat up when she realized something was wrong with Hermione. She gasped at seeing Hermione sitting hunched up on her cot, rocking back and forth, crying. "Hermione, what's wrong?"
"I have to go back," Hermione said, her voice thick with anxiety. "I need a pain potion. I have to see Lucius..."
"Back, why?" Ginny asked, quickly crossing the room to sit next to her. Hermione was trembling and her pajamas were damp with sweat. "You look awful!"
"I'm sick. Ginny, please, I need… I need…"
Ginny scurried over to her wardrobe. "I have something that will help, but… Hermione, it could upset your stomache, but you will feel better," she said as she dug out Severus' antidote and Detoxifying Potion. She handed Hermione a dark brown bottle. "You only need a mouth full of each," she started to say, but Hermione had uncorked the bottle and took a deep swig of the Detoxifying Potion. Ginny handed her the other bottle, watching Hermione scrunch her face at the taste of the antidote.
Ginny sat holding Hermione. She knew that she'd been having severe headaches and cramping, and it was apparent that Hermione had been losing weight, but Ginny had thought it was due to the pressures of N.E.W.T.s, the riddles, threats, and murders around the castle last term, her extra prefect duties, and possibly her relationship with Lucius and her upcoming wedding. She'd noticed that Hermione had quit eating many of her favorite snacks and anything fried, opting for more vegetables and meats at mealtime. But since returning to the Burrow, Hermione definitely had been showing signs of a loss of appetite, and she'd been edgy and frequently irritable.
Severus had told Ginny that she couldn't give Hermione a pain potion the same time as the antidote because of a potion interaction, but at that moment she really wanted to. Hermione's tremors increased, she felt hot and she complained that she felt nauseated. But Severus had been adamant when he'd gone over his instructions. He'd told Ginny what to expect, what to look out for and assured her that the withdrawals would pass.
"Shh, you're just sick. You've come down with something. It'll pass. Give the potions time to work the bug out," Ginny said soothingly. Eventually, Hermione fell asleep in Ginny's arms. She continued to hold Hermione, stroking her hair, listening to her whimpers and mentally cursing Lucius.
~oo0oo~
By morning, Hermione was really sick. Ginny managed to get Hermione to drink more of the antidote and Detoxifying Potion by convincing her that her illness simply needed to run its course. Mrs. Weasley had worried for Ginny's wellbeing, but Ginny assured her mum that whatever Hermione had wasn't contagious. Nevertheless, Mrs. Weasley insisted that everyone in the house take the Flu-Prevention Potion just in case.
Ginny spent most of her day up in her room with Hermione, trying to comfort her friend. She tried using cold compresses to keep Hermione's fever down and made her drink fluids and her mum's onion soup as much as possible, just as Snape had instructed. She knew she would have to tell her mum what was really going on eventually, but Ginny wanted to talk to Hermione about the drugging first before she told anyone else, and at this point she'd have to wait until Hermione was more coherent and herself to do so. Still, Ginny felt helpless in her efforts to help Hermione with the withdrawals from the elixir.
Mrs. Weasley checked on the girls frequently and assisted Hermione with a bath that afternoon. While Hermione soaked in the bath, she talked to her older brothers, pleading with them to stick around the house just in case, and begged them not to ask why. For some reason, Bill and George promised to stay, Bill even offering to take Hermione to St. Mungo's. "No, I have the potions she needs. Headmaster Snape and Madam Pomfrey told me what to do, but I'm—I'm afraid of what Lucius Malfoy will do," she said.
"Sis, what's going on?" Bill asked.
Ginny sighed. "I think—I'm not sure—but I think Hermione was give a philter, and she's going through withdrawals," she admitted then looked up at Bill with the biggest sad-puppy-eyes she could muster, allowing him to see her concern. "She has to stay here, until she's coherent, then she can tell me who did this to her."
"We'll be here as much as we can, sis," Bill promised and George nodded.
She hugged both, never loving her brothers more, and hurried up to her room to change Hermione's sheets.
Ginny gave Hermione another dose of the antidote and detoxifier that evening, hoping that it was actually doing Hermione some good. But Hermione looked worse, if that was at all possible. Even her mum was deeply concerned.
By Monday, Hermione was feeling a bit more like herself, but she was lethargic and had slept until noon. Shortly after lunch, Lucius arrived, demanding to see his fiancée. Ginny stayed up in her room with Hermione, trying to cool her with a cold compress as she'd listened to the raised voices of her mum, dad, Bill and Lucius as they argued.
Ginny sat on Hermione's bed, cradling her in her arms as she heard Lucius forcing his way through the house. She heard the door to Bill's room open and close, then Charlie's and the twin's just before Lucius entered her bedroom. He swept across the small space quickly to where Ginny sat holding Hermione and leaned forward, his wand between them. "Inswano," he said softly with slight twist of his wrist as he leered down at her, "dwyn yn gaeth, Miss Weasley. Now let me have my fiancée."
Mrs. Weasley appeared at the door, reprimanding Lucius angrily, but Lucius simply ignored her. Hermione started to protest, and he pointed his wand at her, but out of Mrs. Weasley's view from inside the doorway. "Nexinlaquare." He slid his wand into his pocket and turned to Mrs. Weasley. "If she was this sick, I should have been informed immediately, or she should have been sent to St. Mungo's. What were you thinking?"
"I simply thought it was a flu," Mrs. Weasley said worriedly, finally stepping into the room.
"You will trust me and tell no one about this. You will trust me," Lucius said softly to Ginny as he brushed Hermione's hair from her forehead as if feeling her temperature.
Ginny nodded mutely and moved back as Lucius leaned down to gather Hermione in his arms to lift her.
"You'll tell no one anything of your suspicions," he said softly before he swept Hermione up into his arms.
Ginny only nodded again, wishing she'd confided in her mum earlier. Lucius carried Hermione from the room, his robes swaying dramatically, and Ginny fell back on her bed and cried.
~oo0oo~
Lucius carried Hermione up to his room instead of the one she'd been using. Hermione had struggled against him when they'd arrived and he had barked at her to, "Knock it off," and she'd quieted. He stripped her of her offensive Muggle pajamas and dressed her in a silky dressing robe. He was through denying himself. He couldn't actually penetrate her, he needed her maidenhead blood to seal the marriage bonds, but he could and would enjoy her. He strode down to his private library to retrieve a bottle of mead. Those people actually mistook Hermione's withdrawals from the elixir as flu symptoms. How ironic. It actually worked in my favor, but now I have to be careful to control the girl. He only had four large bottles left from his last batch, but it didn't matter. She'll have one every night except the night of the rehearsal. By the time of the wedding, she'll want me so badly, she'll be all over me like a whore. He smirked as took the stairs two at a time to return to his waiting witch.
~oo0oo~
Severus paced the sitting room, waiting for a reply to his owl. Hermione had been gone nine days, and he hadn't had any news since Monday. He knew that Hermione had visited the Burrow on Christmas and stayed trough the weekend. Severus had carefully instructed Miss Weasley on what to do and how to help Hermione detoxify from the elixir. He'd sent Miss Weasley home from school with several bottles of the antidote and the Detoxifying Potion. He knew from her first letter that Miss Weasley had been giving Hermione doses of the potions in her food and drink just as he'd instructed. He also knew that, although she'd given Hermione a dose on the train, she'd waited until the bloody bridal shower to begin the detoxifying. Why, he couldn't fathom. Her second letter had informed him that Hermione was suffering from severe withdrawals. Severus had written back that Hermione's symptoms were normal and expected, reassuring the girl to continue with his instructions. In actuality, Severus had been surprised by the severity of the withdrawals, knowing that Hermione must have been taking more of the Rhwyd Cyffoden Elixir than he'd thought.
He had lent Miss Weasley a book on potions which were combined with alcohol in the brewing or distilling process and a book on how to discover said potions and make antidotes as well. The potions that were created in the brewing or distilling process were the type to enhance the effect of the alcohol on the drinker's inhibitions and add some magical influence as well. Severus had hoped that Miss Weasley would show the books to Hermione. But I should have had word by now. He strode down to his office, ignoring the comments from the portraits and rifled through his morning correspondences. Damn, nothing. Did the girl forget how to use a quill? I gave her a bloody owl. There are no excuses… He swore loudly making all the images in the portraits flinch or jump. Lucius found out. Would he have had the audacity to actually go to the Burrow with her? He and Mr. Weasley have had a long standing distrust of each other, surely he wouldn't be entertained as a guest in Weasley's home?
He decided to go for a walk and think things out, if not clear his head, before he gave into the urge to start breaking things. The Headmaster's office had a lot of valuable magical gadgets and things to break. He'd wait until the next day, then he'd owl her again.
~oo0oo~
Ginny, Luna, Amanda, and Margery stood in their places as the wedding consultant walked everyone else through their paces. Luna watched Hermione intently without any sign of her wistful or dreamy expression, which was unusual for her. Hermione followed every direction given to her and stood next to Lucius, and listened to everything the coordinator said. In all outward appearances, Hermione had looked every bit the excited, nervous bride.
Mr. and Mrs. Granger likewise listened to everything with looks of pure amazement on their faces. They followed the coordinator's directions perfectly and had performed their parts in the ritual without a hitch. Professor McGonagall practiced her entry with the Grangers, and mimed her role of the breaking of the bread with only the slightest bit nervousness.
The wizards acting as groomsmen were all from families who had been well known before the war, but had taken an inactive part after Voldemort's second rising. The best man, Chester Olsen, had been a friend of Lucius' since their school days. Mr. Olsen handled the passing of the challis with ease.
Following the rehearsal, Hermione never left Lucius' side. At the formal dinner, instead of sitting at the head of his table, Lucius had arranged for two chairs with higher backs than the others, to be placed at the center of the table. Mr. Weasley was seated at one end of the table with Mrs. Weasley and the minister at the other end. Even though Ginny was seated next to Hermione, Hermione's attention was focused on Lucius and Mr. Olsen, who sat on Lucius' right, as she listened to the two wizards talk of their old days in school.
Ginny was certain that there had been something in the drinks served with the white chocolate mousse cake, because immediately following, only Mr. Olsten wasn't too tired to stay. Ginny had tried, unsuccessfully, several times to pull Hermione aside throughout the evening, but every attempt to do so had been thwarted by either Lucius, Mr. Olsen, or the coordinator.
~oo0oo~
Lucius had watched Hermione's friends at the rehearsal with a calculated eye. Miss Weasley was proving to be a hard witch to control. He'd had better luck with the other two, Miss Amanda Featheredge and Miss Margery Woozencraft, but the Loony one, Miss Lovegood, he had no idea if his spell had worked on her at all. Deciding that it would be good to have the girls near, Lucius had suggested that Hermione owl her friends and invite them to the manor for the day.
He stood now at the doorway, watching the four girls enjoying each other's company as they finished lunch in the solarium amongst Narcissa's magical plants and ferns. Only the Lovegood girl hadn't chosen to come. Lucius swept into the room, gave Hermione a gentle kiss and sat down. "I've only a moment, love," he said smoothly as his kitchen house-elf brought in the tray of tiny deserts. "Are you girls having a good time?" He picked up a tiny éclair as they all affirmed that they were. Not that he'd expected them to say anything else considering the spell. He laughed softly and kissed Hermione's cheek. "I'll be in my study, love, if you need me."
"All right," Hermione said, smiling as she watched him go then turned to her friends again.
He stopped at the doorway a moment to watch them before turning to go.
Severus stood at the gate to the orchard, annoyed that his Patronus kept flying off south instead of at Miss Weasley's window. That could only mean that she was elsewhere, somewhere south of Ottery St Catchpole. The house itself was dark. He'd assumed that at least Molly would be home, but she'd been gone all morning and afternoon. Arthur was tied up at the Ministry, out handling some magical crisis or another. Percy Weasley was little or no help, and Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley were on Auror training exercises. Severus swore softly and turned to leave. It would do no good to even try going to the Manor; Lucius wouldn't be cooperative, not with him.
~oo0oo~
He hadn't seen or heard from Hermione for twelve days, not that he'd really expected to, but he had hoped she'd write him, or at least send a Christmas card. There was still no word from Miss Weasley either. Severus knew that he wouldn't be able to get on the grounds of Malfoy Manor nor would Lucius allow him to see Hermione if he did. He paced his sitting room, growing more irritable by the second. He had to do something; his instincts told him something—everything was wrong. He went to his office to check the incoming mail. Still no word from Miss Weasley and the wedding is tomorrow! The girl had promised to write and inform me of what was happening. He'd found out that Molly and Arthur had gone to visit Bill and his wife to see their grandbaby and wouldn't be back until Saturday for the wedding.
"Severus?" Dumbledore asked from his frame. "What's wrong, son?"
"Hermione, Dumbledore, I'm worried for the girl," Severus snapped. "Phineas, please go to your other portrait and ask Pot-Harry Potter to meet with me. Now if possible—at the Burrow. Tell him it's a matter of urgency. Have him to send his Patronus with his reply. Dumbledore, Everard, are you capable of finding the Minister?"
"Oh, course I am," the sallow-faced wizard replied. "If he went into the office today, I can find him."
"I will try as well," Dumbledore said, rising from his chair.
"Good," Severus stated. "Tell him to meet me at the Burrow. Tell him I have strong reasons to suspect that Miss Granger is in grave danger and being forced into… No, scratch that last. Tell him that Miss Granger is in danger and, I suspect, being drugged for illicit purposes. But get him to meet me at the Burrow."
"No specifics then, my boy?" Dumbledore asked, as Everard walked out of his frame.
"Just see that you convince him to come to the Burrow. If my suspicions are correct, I'll need him," Severus stated as he headed for the door. He literally flew to the school gates and Apparated as soon as he could. He arrived in the orchard and ran for the house. I should have done this sooner, he berated himself as he knocked on the door.
George answered, wiping his hands on a towel. "Professor Snape, what an unexpected surprise."
"Mr. Weasley, this isn't a social call. I need to see your sister, please," Severus said, pushing his anxiety down to gain control of his voice.
"Sure, come on in," George replied. He turned and asked Percy to go get Ginny, then offered Severus a drink, adding, "Is there anything wrong?" when Severus declined.
"Mr. Weasley, I must ask you, how long did Hermione Granger stay here after Christmas?" he asked.
George told him that Lucius came to get Hermione last Monday and told him about Hermione's illness. Severus wasn't surprised; that was the last time he'd heard from Miss Weasley. Lucius would have been quite concerned about Hermione extending her stay, and must have been very concerned that her withdrawals had been so bad.
Percy came down, saying that Miss Weasley refused to come down, something about not wanting to talk to anyone. Severus was interrupted by a knock on the door, announcing the arrival of Harry Potter. Severus told Harry about his suspicions that Miss Weasley was under the Imperius.
Harry and George ran up the stairs to Miss Weasley's room while Percy tried to tell them that it was impossible for Miss Weasley to be Imperiused. "If my sister was under the Imperius, I'd have noticed. As secretary of the Undersecretary of the Minister…"
"Would it hurt for me to check?" Severus cut him off as Harry and George forcibly half carried, half dragged Miss Weasley down the stairs. Severus moved forward quickly, and Miss Weasley recoiled in fear, trying to run from him but Harry and George corralled her, preventing her escape. His first attempt of freeing Miss Weasley elicited an, "I told you so," from Percy, which Severus ignored.
After casting a few detection spells, Severus revealed the presence of the Bewitching Curse, a deviation of the Imperius developed by Lestrange. "Finite Inswano," he said, watching as Miss Weasley stopped struggling against Harry and her brother.
"Oh, thank you!" Miss Weasley said as she hugged Harry and George then rushed over to Severus and hugged him saying, "Thank you," repeatedly.
Severus grasped her arms and set her on her feet. "Miss Weasley, contain yourself. Tell me when did Lucius cast this spell, and why haven't you written me?"
Miss Weasley started to tell him but was interrupted by a knock on the door announcing the timely arrival of Minister Shacklebolt.
~oo0oo~
Lucius watched Hermione sleep. They'd engaged in every type of foreplay imaginable without him actually penetrating her. The closest he'd come was to tease a finger at her opening, smirking as she'd tried to slide her hips down and take his finger into her. She had climaxed so many times she had started to beg him to stop, and he'd climaxed twice. It didn't leave him satiated, but he only had one more day to wait, and then he'd take his fill of her. He picked up his wand and swept it over her abdomen, uttering a detection spell. He smiled at the results. She's fertile. Not only will I finally have her, feel her heat around me, but she'll conceive. Perfect. He got up to go shower and have a drink before bed.
~oo0oo~
Severus walked into the garden and stared. Hermione was actually going through with it. Kingsley, Harry, Hagrid, Mr. Daryl Rolfe, Mr. Zander Anderson, Mr. Arnold Dorsey, Mr. Abhay Khalsa, Miss Amy Groves, and Mr. Gayan Greenwich were right behind him.
"If there is any due cause why this man and this woman should not be joined in holy magical bonding, speak now or forever hold your peace," the minister said, looking up at the assembled guests.
Severus took that as his cue.
Kingsley and Harry were fast on his heels as Severus strode down the aisle. "There is a very good cause. Hermione Jane Granger is in love with me. Lucius Malfoy has bewitched her, ensnared her by use of the Rhwyd Cyffoden Elixirand the Nexinlaquare Curse. I also believe he has Mr. and Mrs. Granger both under the Imperius." He stopped halfway to face Hermione, Lucius and the minister.
The people sitting in the rows witnessing the wedding turned back to the front to see Lucius' look of rage and Hermione's expression of shock. Ron, Neville, George, Bill, and Mr. Weasley jumped to their feet, with identical looks of outrage.
"Besides, I love her. I loved you before, Hermione, but I wasn't ready to love anyone. So I drove you away. But I love you," Severus continued, letting his true emotions show in his rich, silky voice.
Hermione was staring at him as if he'd just confessed to being the Dark Lord incarnate. "You what?"
"I love you," he said resolutely. "If you're going to marry anyone, it will be me."
Lucius and his best man drew their wands and Severus, Kingsley, Arthur, Harry, Ron, Neville, and the Aurors drew theirs as those in the rows began scrambling to the sides to avoid being caught up in a wand fight.
T B C ~
~~oooo0oooo~~
Author's Notes:
Do I have to say that Lucius was arrested?
In regards to dates: the train for Christmas hols left on Sunday, the twentieth of December. In 1998 Christmas was on a Friday, and in 1999 New Year's Day was on a Friday, so the wedding was set for the second of January since I didn't want it to be the day after Christmas, even though Hermione had stated earlier in the story that she wanted a December wedding. And yes, Severus was right, the wedding is the day before the students board the train to return on Sunday, the third of January. Just chalk it up to Lucius' manipulations, setting the date as he wanted it to be and not really informing Hermione of that little detail until later.
Āgan was taken from , under the translation for own. It is derived from the Middle English for owen, from the Old English āgen. {bef. 900; (adj.) ME owen, of āgan: to possess}
Lucius' saying 'dwyn yn gaeth' was found on the internet
Inswano was invented from the Welch:swyno, which means ravish as in bewitching, I believe. swyno [swyn-] (v.) bewitch, charm, enchant, beguile, fascinate, hypnotize, ravish. I found it on the same site as above.
My Latin comes from the site: .
The spell Nexinlaquare was created by combining the following words:
necto nectere nexui and nexi nexum: which means to tie , bind, fasten; to fetter, enslave; to affix, attach; to put together, devise.
inlaqueo –are: which means to entrap, ensnare.
Many thanks to my betas, Pookah and MadBrilliant, for helping me clean up my many mistakes. I really appreciate it more than you can possibly know. I'd be ashamed to show my story to anyone without your invaluable help. And to era1960 for being there when I needed to bounce ideas and have a second opinion, thank you for being a friend.
