A/N It only took me four reviews to realize that I couldn't leave
everyone hanging for the next couple of days. To the few that reviewed to
the last chapter; Thank you controlling your emotions to the chapter. But
if you remembered at the bottom of 'Death Comes to Us All' I said things
are not always what they seem. Okay, without further delays here is
chapter 12. I must apologize if it's a bit sappy. It will get better.
"You both have failed me!" Voldemort roared. Draco and Lucius cowered under their master's unmoving face. The rage that filled his eyes would undoubtedly be brought upon them soon. Voldemort pulled his wand from his sleeve and pointed it at Draco. "The youngest Death Eater to have joined my forces. Blinded by emotions, much like his father." With much speed the wand turned to Lucius. "Crucio!"
Lucius' body began to spasm in pain. Voldemort sneered at his form and motioned for Draco to follow him, leaving Lucius to his punishment for failure. Outside on the grounds of Malfoy Manor. Voldemort pulled something from his pocket and held it tightly in one of his slender hands.
"Your father's mistake has cost be dearly boy." He hissed and opened his hand. There within his palm was a small blue crystal. The light that shone within its center was dimming and becoming as black as Voldemort's soul. "This is Hermione's life."
"Why is it changing color?" Draco asked, his only concern being Hermione and not whatever cruelty that would befall him for his outburst.
"You see young Malfoy, when Hermione is healthy and well this crystal is a deep sapphire blue, and as she grows sick or weak the color fades.' Voldemort paused examining the stone. "And if she were to die the stone becomes black." As if pushed by his words the stone was thrown into a deep coal color. Only a very faint blue showed on its edges now.
[pic]
Severus' tears slid from his face and onto Hermione's where they mixed with her own. He couldn't lose her. Not now, not when he had finally found her. Severus had stopped rocking Hermione's still form and now smoothed the hair from her cold, pale face. she looked as though she were sleeping. A sleep she surely would not wake from. slowly Severus bent down and touched his lips to hers. Surprisingly they were still warm and as soft as they had been but moments ago. He again sat up to look at her.
"Severus?" A soft voice from behind startled him. Severus spun his head around to see Duvessa walking cautiously towards him. Once she had reached his side she gazed sadly down at her daughter.
"I waited eighteen years to find her." She said quietly sitting down next to Severus. Duvessa placed a hand lightly on Hermione's face and smiled faintly. " Severus, I want you to take good care of her."
With that said Duvessa put her hands on Hermione's chest. A small glow appeared around Duvessa as she began to chant in the fae language. The flow of her words mixed with a gentle hum from unknown source. Severus' eyes widened as the glow of Duvessa's skin collected to her hands. The balls of blue remained there for only a moment before they shot into Hermione's chest. Severus looked up at Duvessa. She was no more than a fain blue outline of what she had been. Neither mortal nor ghost. Hermione's body quivered for a second and then she took a deep breath refilling her lungs after the ten minutes she had visited death.
"Take care of her." The gleaming form of Duvessa then disappeared in bright burst of blue sparks.
[pic]
There was a sudden blast of light from the crystal that caused both Voldemort and Draco to back away from it. The light subsided to a dull glow allowing them to once again see the stone. Draco's let out a sigh of relief. The stone was a deep sapphire blue. Voldemort smiled evilly.
"It seems my plans are not ruined after all."
[pic]
Dumbledore and Poppy burst through the Great Hall running to a laughing and weeping Severus. Hermione had yet to open her eyes but she was breathing. That was all that mattered at the moment, she was alive! Dumbledore and Poppy helped Severus bring her to the infirmary where Poppy started to tend to Hermione. She of course shooed Dumbledore and Severus from the room so that she may work. Once outside in the hallway Severus explained what Duvessa had done, and how Hermione had started to breathe again. Dumbledore was thrilled Hermione had survived that ordeal, but now they had to sit and wait to see what would happen now.
After several hours of pacing in the hallway Poppy finally allowed them into the ward. Her face did not give away anything and Severus prepared himself for the worse, though he would not be able to continue on if Hermione had slipped from him once again. Severus walked around the curtain to she a very disheveled, but very alive Hermione. Her eyes were a bit glazed over and tried looking, but she was alive! Severus very nearly ran to her side and gathered her into his arms. Hermione placed her arms around his waist and returned the almost crushing embrace. He pulled away suddenly and looked her into her loving eyes, annoyance reflected in his own.
"Don't you ever do that again!" He said kissing her lightly on the lips. Hermione smiled weakly.
"I won't." She said in a strained voice. "Madame Pomfrey said I'm the second ever to survive the Avada Kedavra curse." Hermione stated proudly. Severus wanted to scowl at her, but could only smile. "Severus," she stopped to take a deep breath before continuing, "I meant what I said. I do love you."
Severus thought his heart would burst. He hadn't felt love for anyone until Hermione and to know she loved him in return was almost too much. He once again captured her lips with his own. It was just as Hermione had felt earlier that night. Her heart pounded in her ears as she melted into the kiss. Severus' arms encircled her, pinning her to his chest. He would never let her out of his sight again.
[pic]
Hermione stayed in the hospital wing for the next week so Madame Pomfrey could keep a close eye on her recovery. Though she did miss her graduation, she was not alone for one second the entire time she had in the ward. Harry and Ron were the only students allowed to stay for the summer so that they may visit her and spent most of their time at her bedside. She enjoyed it immensely. Hermione wasn't sure how to tell them at first about her and Severus, but when she did they didn't react the way she would have thought. Harry was very accepting to her love of Severus, while Ron accepted it he made it clear that he didn't have to like it.
Many of the Professors also came by to see her . Professor McGonagall of course was one of her visitors as was Hagrid. Dumbledore did stop by every now and then. On the last day she had top spend in the infirmary Dumbledore had managed to disable the necklace Voldemort had put on her, but they didn't yet know how to take it off.
"Don't you fret. We'll find a way soon." Dumbledore said walking out of the room with her. "It won't do you any more harm though."
'Thank you Headmaster." Hermione gave him a small smile. The thought of having to keep the necklace on for the rest of her life was none too appealing, since it was a constant reminder of what Voldemort wanted her for. "Where is Severus?" Hermione asked as they walked into the Great Hall, where the Professors were sitting down to eat lunch.
"Right here love." Severus whispered wrapping his arms around her waist gently. Hermione let out a sigh of content at the feel of his arms around her. Dumbledore smiled broadly at them before sitting down by Harry. Severus and Hermione also joined the table, their fingers intertwined.
"Hey, Mione' you want to go take a swim with us?" Ron asked stuffing the last of his ham sandwich into his mouth. Hermione smiled at him. Some things never changed.
"That sounds like fun, and I could do with a little flying practice since last time, I believe I was pulled in and lost my wings." At this she looked at Severus who made a half smile while taking a drink.
"I thought you hated heights...did you say wings Hermione?" Harry asked looking quite confused. Hermione laughed, a laugh that sounded wonderful to her own ears. It had been so long since she laughed. Everyone had left the Great Hall, except for Hermione Harry, Ron, and Severus. They were just finishing up lunch when a large black falcon dropped a parcel in front of Hermione.
"Who on earth would send me mail?" Hermione wondered aloud as she picked up the thin box. Harry, Ron and Severus watched her attentively. Carefully she opened it to reveal her wand. Hermione dropped it in shock.
'What is it Hermione?" Ron and Harry asked simultaneously. Hermione opened and closed her mouth, unable to form words.
"Voldemort." She squeaked.
A/N For those of you that wish the story to end now and have a squeal, speak or forever hold your peace. Or I could finish it up in a few more chapters, because unfortunately all things must come to an end, so be prepared.
"You both have failed me!" Voldemort roared. Draco and Lucius cowered under their master's unmoving face. The rage that filled his eyes would undoubtedly be brought upon them soon. Voldemort pulled his wand from his sleeve and pointed it at Draco. "The youngest Death Eater to have joined my forces. Blinded by emotions, much like his father." With much speed the wand turned to Lucius. "Crucio!"
Lucius' body began to spasm in pain. Voldemort sneered at his form and motioned for Draco to follow him, leaving Lucius to his punishment for failure. Outside on the grounds of Malfoy Manor. Voldemort pulled something from his pocket and held it tightly in one of his slender hands.
"Your father's mistake has cost be dearly boy." He hissed and opened his hand. There within his palm was a small blue crystal. The light that shone within its center was dimming and becoming as black as Voldemort's soul. "This is Hermione's life."
"Why is it changing color?" Draco asked, his only concern being Hermione and not whatever cruelty that would befall him for his outburst.
"You see young Malfoy, when Hermione is healthy and well this crystal is a deep sapphire blue, and as she grows sick or weak the color fades.' Voldemort paused examining the stone. "And if she were to die the stone becomes black." As if pushed by his words the stone was thrown into a deep coal color. Only a very faint blue showed on its edges now.
[pic]
Severus' tears slid from his face and onto Hermione's where they mixed with her own. He couldn't lose her. Not now, not when he had finally found her. Severus had stopped rocking Hermione's still form and now smoothed the hair from her cold, pale face. she looked as though she were sleeping. A sleep she surely would not wake from. slowly Severus bent down and touched his lips to hers. Surprisingly they were still warm and as soft as they had been but moments ago. He again sat up to look at her.
"Severus?" A soft voice from behind startled him. Severus spun his head around to see Duvessa walking cautiously towards him. Once she had reached his side she gazed sadly down at her daughter.
"I waited eighteen years to find her." She said quietly sitting down next to Severus. Duvessa placed a hand lightly on Hermione's face and smiled faintly. " Severus, I want you to take good care of her."
With that said Duvessa put her hands on Hermione's chest. A small glow appeared around Duvessa as she began to chant in the fae language. The flow of her words mixed with a gentle hum from unknown source. Severus' eyes widened as the glow of Duvessa's skin collected to her hands. The balls of blue remained there for only a moment before they shot into Hermione's chest. Severus looked up at Duvessa. She was no more than a fain blue outline of what she had been. Neither mortal nor ghost. Hermione's body quivered for a second and then she took a deep breath refilling her lungs after the ten minutes she had visited death.
"Take care of her." The gleaming form of Duvessa then disappeared in bright burst of blue sparks.
[pic]
There was a sudden blast of light from the crystal that caused both Voldemort and Draco to back away from it. The light subsided to a dull glow allowing them to once again see the stone. Draco's let out a sigh of relief. The stone was a deep sapphire blue. Voldemort smiled evilly.
"It seems my plans are not ruined after all."
[pic]
Dumbledore and Poppy burst through the Great Hall running to a laughing and weeping Severus. Hermione had yet to open her eyes but she was breathing. That was all that mattered at the moment, she was alive! Dumbledore and Poppy helped Severus bring her to the infirmary where Poppy started to tend to Hermione. She of course shooed Dumbledore and Severus from the room so that she may work. Once outside in the hallway Severus explained what Duvessa had done, and how Hermione had started to breathe again. Dumbledore was thrilled Hermione had survived that ordeal, but now they had to sit and wait to see what would happen now.
After several hours of pacing in the hallway Poppy finally allowed them into the ward. Her face did not give away anything and Severus prepared himself for the worse, though he would not be able to continue on if Hermione had slipped from him once again. Severus walked around the curtain to she a very disheveled, but very alive Hermione. Her eyes were a bit glazed over and tried looking, but she was alive! Severus very nearly ran to her side and gathered her into his arms. Hermione placed her arms around his waist and returned the almost crushing embrace. He pulled away suddenly and looked her into her loving eyes, annoyance reflected in his own.
"Don't you ever do that again!" He said kissing her lightly on the lips. Hermione smiled weakly.
"I won't." She said in a strained voice. "Madame Pomfrey said I'm the second ever to survive the Avada Kedavra curse." Hermione stated proudly. Severus wanted to scowl at her, but could only smile. "Severus," she stopped to take a deep breath before continuing, "I meant what I said. I do love you."
Severus thought his heart would burst. He hadn't felt love for anyone until Hermione and to know she loved him in return was almost too much. He once again captured her lips with his own. It was just as Hermione had felt earlier that night. Her heart pounded in her ears as she melted into the kiss. Severus' arms encircled her, pinning her to his chest. He would never let her out of his sight again.
[pic]
Hermione stayed in the hospital wing for the next week so Madame Pomfrey could keep a close eye on her recovery. Though she did miss her graduation, she was not alone for one second the entire time she had in the ward. Harry and Ron were the only students allowed to stay for the summer so that they may visit her and spent most of their time at her bedside. She enjoyed it immensely. Hermione wasn't sure how to tell them at first about her and Severus, but when she did they didn't react the way she would have thought. Harry was very accepting to her love of Severus, while Ron accepted it he made it clear that he didn't have to like it.
Many of the Professors also came by to see her . Professor McGonagall of course was one of her visitors as was Hagrid. Dumbledore did stop by every now and then. On the last day she had top spend in the infirmary Dumbledore had managed to disable the necklace Voldemort had put on her, but they didn't yet know how to take it off.
"Don't you fret. We'll find a way soon." Dumbledore said walking out of the room with her. "It won't do you any more harm though."
'Thank you Headmaster." Hermione gave him a small smile. The thought of having to keep the necklace on for the rest of her life was none too appealing, since it was a constant reminder of what Voldemort wanted her for. "Where is Severus?" Hermione asked as they walked into the Great Hall, where the Professors were sitting down to eat lunch.
"Right here love." Severus whispered wrapping his arms around her waist gently. Hermione let out a sigh of content at the feel of his arms around her. Dumbledore smiled broadly at them before sitting down by Harry. Severus and Hermione also joined the table, their fingers intertwined.
"Hey, Mione' you want to go take a swim with us?" Ron asked stuffing the last of his ham sandwich into his mouth. Hermione smiled at him. Some things never changed.
"That sounds like fun, and I could do with a little flying practice since last time, I believe I was pulled in and lost my wings." At this she looked at Severus who made a half smile while taking a drink.
"I thought you hated heights...did you say wings Hermione?" Harry asked looking quite confused. Hermione laughed, a laugh that sounded wonderful to her own ears. It had been so long since she laughed. Everyone had left the Great Hall, except for Hermione Harry, Ron, and Severus. They were just finishing up lunch when a large black falcon dropped a parcel in front of Hermione.
"Who on earth would send me mail?" Hermione wondered aloud as she picked up the thin box. Harry, Ron and Severus watched her attentively. Carefully she opened it to reveal her wand. Hermione dropped it in shock.
'What is it Hermione?" Ron and Harry asked simultaneously. Hermione opened and closed her mouth, unable to form words.
"Voldemort." She squeaked.
A/N For those of you that wish the story to end now and have a squeal, speak or forever hold your peace. Or I could finish it up in a few more chapters, because unfortunately all things must come to an end, so be prepared.