A/N Oh look! I can write a long chapter. Simply amazing if you ask me.
Anyway, I will try to make it a happy ending, and yes the end is within
sight. Now, onto this sequel business. I will agree to write a sequel
if…that is if, I get at least 25 reviews asking for one. That will give me
enough time to come up with a decent plot. And yes I did change the rating,
basically to cover my arse. I'd rather be safe than sorry.
Lucius Malfoy burst through the doors of Voldemort's rooms to find his Lord looking over a old and battered book. Voldemort looked up from the yellowing pages, giving Lucius a calculating look. He apparently was trying to think if it was better to punish him now, or what to see what he had to say first. Lucius of all people should know the consequences of acting before thinking.
Lucius dropped down on his knees. His breath was coming in short gasps and beads of sweat trickled down the sides of his face. He lowered his gaze from Voldemort, trying to brace himself against the pain that would surely come from his report.
"My Lord..." Lucius wheezed. "She has been...tainted by Snape."
Lucius began to tremble from fear of what may happen to him now. The prophecy had been compromised because of his negligence and his son's stupidity. Instead of the blow he awaited, a hollow laugh met his ears. Lucius looked up questioningly. Voldemort was indeed laughing, but why?
"My Lord?" Lucius asked, unsure of what to do.
"So she has overcome her fear then?" Voldemort eyed him with an unknown look. "She has finally crossed that final bond." He said a bit more quietly to himself. "This is absolutely perfect!" Voldemort began to laugh again, and put the book he had been reading aside. Lucius looked at his master in bewilderment.
"I do not understand my Lord." Voldemort stopped laughing again, and looked down upon Lucius as though he were lowlier than a muggle.
"You wouldn't, would you Lucius." Voldemort stood, causing Lucius to stumble back on his knees. "You think everything has been undone. You think that my plans have been all for not, but you are wrong Lucius. This...incident, only makes the prophecy even more true. The events are in place and I will be victorious!"
*****
Hermione again lay awake in Severus' arms, but this time he was awake as well. Hermione smiled against his bare chest remembering what they had just done. She couldn't for the life her believe she had been so afraid of this. The warm paths Severus' hands had made over her bare skin still lingered, and she blushed at the thought of where his hands had gone. Hermione smiled even broader, thinking of how her own hands had not been stationary.
"What are you smiling about?" Severus asked in a sleepy tone. His voice rumbled through his chest, making Hermione laugh at the feeling on her cheek. She propped herself on her elbows. Her brown hair falling in disheveled curls around her face. Severus had to keep his control, and not take her again from that innocent, albeit knowing look she was giving him.
"You know very well what I'm smiling about." She said poking him lightly in the chest. Severus smiled crookedly at her before pulling her face down to his and kissing her more roughly than he had intended to, but she returned in eagerly. Hermione moaned into his mouth as he broke the heated kiss. She looked rather sulkily when he laid back down, and bit her lip in disappointment.
"Will you not do that!" Severus bellowed shocking a squeak from Hermione. "Do you have any idea what that does to me?" He asked as she bit her lip again. Apparently it was an act of nervousness, or she knew exactly what she was doing. She released it slowly and then ran her hand down his chest lightly, getting a short gasp from him in return.
"No. Why don't you show me?" She said coyly. Severus growled at her before flipping her onto her back and kissing her fiercely again.
That night they were none too gentle.
*****
Severus and Hermione eyed each other from the corners of their eyes as they sat at the small table that had been put in place of the house tables. Only the staff and a very select few students stayed for summer. Mainly Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, though neither were students any longer. When they had arrived back at Hogwarts Dumbledore had greeted them with the good news that Hermione was to become Professor McGonagall's assistance. Even though Potions was by far Hermione's favorite subject, Dumbledore believed that Severus and herself would not be able to control themselves any longer. In a way he was quite correct. Ever since their first time they hadn't been able to keep their hands from lingering over the other.
Hermione smiled as she felt a gentle pressure over her knee. Hermione dropped her fork with a loud clatter as Severus' hand traveled further up her leg. Harry looked up from talking with Flitwick to give her a very disgusted looked when he saw the blush creeping across her cheeks. He looked over at Severus, who seemed calm and in control. He eyed Harry with a cold look. Harry shrugged and turned back to the tiny Professor that had continued to talk without notice of Harry's wavered attention.
Dumbledore entered the hall a bit late today. As he walked pass Hermione and Severus however he stopped a put a hand on Severus' shoulder. Severus looked up slowly, his hand never leaving Hermione's thigh. How on earth can he keep a straight face? Hermione thought wildly as she herself tried to keep from gasping at the waves of heat that went through her body. Dumbledore saw the blush that had spread over her cheeks and smiled kindly.
"Severus, if you would be so kind as to continue that after the wedding. I'm sure Hermione is having a hard enough time concentrating on anything else, without you provoking her." Hermione blushed an even deeper red. She hated how he always seemed to know everything, and why did he have to know that?!
Even after Dumbledore had sat down, Severus still had not let go. In fact he had continued to torture her with calculated movements that caused her to shiver every now and again. Finally unable to think of anything else Hermione grabbed his hand and held it still. She turned very casually in her chair and scowled at him. Severus only smiled and finally removed his hand. She had to keep a clear head. Only three more hours and then everyone would be there for their wedding.
*****
Three hours later Hermione stood in the middle of a large room with her Mother, Ginny, and Mrs. Weasley. They kept rushing around fixing little things on Hermione. At least that was what had been happing for at least an hour now. She hadn't even had a chance to look in the mirror yet. Her Mother and Mrs. Weasley had helped her into her dress. Ginny had fixed her hair into a mass of curls on the top of her head, with a small diamond crown in the middle, and now her Mom was finishing her make up. Mrs. Weasley and her Mum started to sniff and dab their eyes with handkerchiefs.
"Oh, Hermione! You looked wonderful!" Ginny exclaimed pulling her to the five mirrors in the corner of the room. Hermione covered her mouth in astonishment. She had never believed she could look like this before. It looked like she belonged in a fairytale. She was living a fairytale wasn't she? A pretty young maiden finds a tall, dark and handsome man, only to be taken away by the evil wizard, but saved by true love in the end.
"This will just knock Snape's socks off...and maybe a few other things." Ginny grinned devilishly when Hermione turned to scowl at her.
"Ginny!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed from behind. "You shouldn't say such things." Her face suddenly changed to look that resembled her daughter's. "Besides, I'm sure Hermione will want to help Severus with his clothing."
"Molly!" Now, Hermione's mother was in on this. "You know very well Hermione will be the one out of her clothes first."
"MUM!" Hermione shouted in horror. She could handle taunts from Ginny and Mrs. Weasley, but her own mum? That was just too much. Her mother gave her a rather stern look.
"Oh, don't you think I don't know about those kind of things. How do you like you were born?" Her mother looked to the enchanted clock on the wall. "Oh, my goodness! We need to get you down to the grounds!"
There was a many scurrying of feet as the three women rushed around Hermione and in the wake of their confusion almost forgot the bride.
*****
Down by the lake the staff and the rest of the guest sat in their respected places. A wizard's wedding was not entirely different from a muggle wedding with a few slight differences. The guests for one, sat in a circle around the couple to represent the eternal bound they were to enter. Everything else was mostly rituals from the past. Exchanging vows and rings, a silken cord binding their hands, and of course the kiss.
Severus brushed a small blossom from the arm of his dress robes. A simple gesture to anyone else, but a nervous one from him. It was quite difficult for him to stand down here while Hermione was up in one of those infernal towers. Dumbledore walked over to him, a sunny smile planted across his aging lips. Minerva McGonagall seemed to be traveling in his wake, the silver box containing the rings and cord in hand. Dumbledore and Minerva stood on each side of Severus beneath the golden arch.
"Severus, something of the most importance has come to my attention." Albus said, with his smile in place, thought his tone told Severus there was something gravely wrong. Just as Dumbledore was going to continue Draco Malfoy walked down from the castle and took a seat among the staff. Severus looked quickly to Dumbledore.
"Mr. Malfoy came to me while Hermione and yourself were indisposed of. He believes there may be an attack after the wedding." Severus nodded. "As long as the circle remains unbroken, then everyone here is safe." Dumbledore said more quietly before walking over to meet Remus and Sirius. They talked quickly so that Dumbledore could return to Severus, for the ceremony was to begin any moment now.
A harpist began to play 'The Scent of Heather' and Severus had to use all of his willpower to not turn and watch Hermione walk down to him. When he could finally feel the heat from her body he turned to look at her. She smiled at him making him smile in return, though right now he could care less about the wedding and want to just be alone with her again. They both seemed to pay little attention to whatever Minerva was saying, and kept their eyes locked on one another. Unfortunately they had to be shaken from their reverie in order to exchange vows. Severus began, first by taking the silver and emerald ring from Minerva.
"Hermione, you came to me at a time when I was lost. You are my light, and I shall forever shelter you from the rest of the darkness within our world." He gently put the ring around her finger and then looked her in the eyes.
She looked as if she were about to cry. She took a deep breath, trying to keep the tears back. That could wait for later. Hermione in turn took the silver and ruby ring from Minerva. Hermione held his hand in her own small, soft hand, gazing lovingly into his eyes.
"Through my life I thought I would never find love. It was always a constant dream, but never reality. Then you came into my life and helped me live the dream. You gave me the love I so desperately needed. So to you, I give y heart, my body, and every breath of my soul." Hermione slipped his ring over his finger and smiled when she heard many of the woman sniff at her declaration.
"Severus, if you would please take Hermione's hand in yours." Minerva said taking the silken cord from the box. Hermione and Severus held each other's hand, their rings glinting in the sunlight. She wrapped the cord around their wrists.. "By the Great Goddess, and all her glory I bind these to people by their love." She tied a small bow over the tops of their hands, and shouted. "So mote it be!"
The cord dissolved in to their hands and then giant sparks of gold and silver shot through the air causing those who were there to shout and cheer. Severus leaned over and kissed Hermione, sending more sparks of green and red to be mixed with the gold and silver. The shouts grew louder and louder, until they became screams of horror. Hermione and Severus broke apart in time to see a bubble of gold be cast around the circle of people there. All of the wizards assembled drew their wands as the Death Eaters approached the golden bubble.
The Death Eaters enclosed their circle within a circle, yet they did not try to break the protection spell. It was if they were waiting for something. The ranks suddenly parted to allow Voldemort in.
"TOM!" Dumbledore shouted, his eyes filled with a power Hermione had never seen before. The air around her former Headmaster crackled with the power he possessed. Voldemort shook his head and laughed.
"Albus, how good to see you." Voldemort touch the tip of his wand to the bubble, which hissed in protest. "Quite clever this. It seems a little bird must have given us away." Voldemort looked through the people until he found Draco standing by Harry, Severus, and Hermione. "A little stool pigeon."
He tapped his own dark mark sending a bolt of dark energy to Draco. Draco clasped on the ground struggling to breathe. Hermione knelt down beside him, chanting something beneath her breath. Voldemort watched with interest as a blue cloud surrounded Draco and Hermione. As soon as they were engulf the connection he had with Draco was severed. Voldemort smiled when the cloud finally left and the girl was panting in exhaustion.
"You should not have done that." Draco whispered to her. Hermione smiled weakly at him.
"I couldn't let him kill you. After all, you saved me more than once, so now my debt is paid." She said hitting him lightly in the shoulder. Harry and Severus helped her up from the ground, but she brushed them away and began to walk to the edge of the bubble.
"Hermione, what are you doing?" Draco, Harry, and Severus shouted in unison.
"What I should have done when I found out I could." She shouted over her shoulder.
"Is she speaking in riddles now?" Harry asked Severus.
He shook his head, worry filling his eyes. She wasn't strong enough to do that yet. She can't risk herself now, not when... Severus shook his head and ran after her. He could at least give her the extra magic she would need. Hermione stopped in front of where Voldemort was standing.
"You want Voldemort?" Hermione asked eyeing him with scorn. Voldemort merely smiled. Hermione mirrored his smile before she reached through the bubble and took hold of the front of his robes. The bubble sparked and cracked against her skin, but it did not burn. Her smile grew wider at the fraction of surprise that flashed across Voldemort's face. She yanked once hard, and he fell through and inside. He was alone, with his Death Eaters on the other side. The men outside the bubble began to walk around murmuring to themselves.
"My, history does repeat itself." Hermione cooed. "Now, where have I heard of this before? Oh, yes, Harry entrapped you before and you were defenseless without them."
She nodded in the direction of the men circling, but Voldemort did and said nothing. He was unable to. Hermione was slowly trapping him within himself. He would be able to hear and see everything, but not act. His prison would be his mind. Severus' hands fell onto her shoulders, and Hermione was relieved to feel an extra boost of power. She had started to lose her concentration, but with Severus there she could finish what she had started. Voldemort's body gave a violent jerk, and she knew her task had been completed. Hermione let go of him and he slowly fell to the ground, motionless. The Death Eaters suddenly began to leave in horror at their Master's down fall. Hermione fell backwards into Severus' arms as Dumbledore released to golden bubble and the aurors and the other wizards there started to round up the men who were fleeing. Harry and Dumbledore took Voldemort's shell of a body away as Severus scooped Hermione up.
"Some wedding." She smiled sleepily. Severus smiled back at her and kissed her lightly on the lips.
"Perhaps we should go home." He whispered. The chaos around them had lessened and they were no longer needed. Severus apparated them back to his home. Their home.
When they arrived Severus took her to their bedroom where he made sure Hermione was comfortable and warm. She made to protest, but he silenced her with a quick kiss.
"You need your rest. " He said gently. " You have to stay strong for her you know." Hermione looked confused, but was too tried to ask what on earth he was talking about. Severus laid there for a few moments until Hermione had fallen asleep. "Goodnight Hermione. " He said kissing her again. "I'll explain everything tomorrow, and then we can start on looking for a name."
Lucius Malfoy burst through the doors of Voldemort's rooms to find his Lord looking over a old and battered book. Voldemort looked up from the yellowing pages, giving Lucius a calculating look. He apparently was trying to think if it was better to punish him now, or what to see what he had to say first. Lucius of all people should know the consequences of acting before thinking.
Lucius dropped down on his knees. His breath was coming in short gasps and beads of sweat trickled down the sides of his face. He lowered his gaze from Voldemort, trying to brace himself against the pain that would surely come from his report.
"My Lord..." Lucius wheezed. "She has been...tainted by Snape."
Lucius began to tremble from fear of what may happen to him now. The prophecy had been compromised because of his negligence and his son's stupidity. Instead of the blow he awaited, a hollow laugh met his ears. Lucius looked up questioningly. Voldemort was indeed laughing, but why?
"My Lord?" Lucius asked, unsure of what to do.
"So she has overcome her fear then?" Voldemort eyed him with an unknown look. "She has finally crossed that final bond." He said a bit more quietly to himself. "This is absolutely perfect!" Voldemort began to laugh again, and put the book he had been reading aside. Lucius looked at his master in bewilderment.
"I do not understand my Lord." Voldemort stopped laughing again, and looked down upon Lucius as though he were lowlier than a muggle.
"You wouldn't, would you Lucius." Voldemort stood, causing Lucius to stumble back on his knees. "You think everything has been undone. You think that my plans have been all for not, but you are wrong Lucius. This...incident, only makes the prophecy even more true. The events are in place and I will be victorious!"
*****
Hermione again lay awake in Severus' arms, but this time he was awake as well. Hermione smiled against his bare chest remembering what they had just done. She couldn't for the life her believe she had been so afraid of this. The warm paths Severus' hands had made over her bare skin still lingered, and she blushed at the thought of where his hands had gone. Hermione smiled even broader, thinking of how her own hands had not been stationary.
"What are you smiling about?" Severus asked in a sleepy tone. His voice rumbled through his chest, making Hermione laugh at the feeling on her cheek. She propped herself on her elbows. Her brown hair falling in disheveled curls around her face. Severus had to keep his control, and not take her again from that innocent, albeit knowing look she was giving him.
"You know very well what I'm smiling about." She said poking him lightly in the chest. Severus smiled crookedly at her before pulling her face down to his and kissing her more roughly than he had intended to, but she returned in eagerly. Hermione moaned into his mouth as he broke the heated kiss. She looked rather sulkily when he laid back down, and bit her lip in disappointment.
"Will you not do that!" Severus bellowed shocking a squeak from Hermione. "Do you have any idea what that does to me?" He asked as she bit her lip again. Apparently it was an act of nervousness, or she knew exactly what she was doing. She released it slowly and then ran her hand down his chest lightly, getting a short gasp from him in return.
"No. Why don't you show me?" She said coyly. Severus growled at her before flipping her onto her back and kissing her fiercely again.
That night they were none too gentle.
*****
Severus and Hermione eyed each other from the corners of their eyes as they sat at the small table that had been put in place of the house tables. Only the staff and a very select few students stayed for summer. Mainly Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, though neither were students any longer. When they had arrived back at Hogwarts Dumbledore had greeted them with the good news that Hermione was to become Professor McGonagall's assistance. Even though Potions was by far Hermione's favorite subject, Dumbledore believed that Severus and herself would not be able to control themselves any longer. In a way he was quite correct. Ever since their first time they hadn't been able to keep their hands from lingering over the other.
Hermione smiled as she felt a gentle pressure over her knee. Hermione dropped her fork with a loud clatter as Severus' hand traveled further up her leg. Harry looked up from talking with Flitwick to give her a very disgusted looked when he saw the blush creeping across her cheeks. He looked over at Severus, who seemed calm and in control. He eyed Harry with a cold look. Harry shrugged and turned back to the tiny Professor that had continued to talk without notice of Harry's wavered attention.
Dumbledore entered the hall a bit late today. As he walked pass Hermione and Severus however he stopped a put a hand on Severus' shoulder. Severus looked up slowly, his hand never leaving Hermione's thigh. How on earth can he keep a straight face? Hermione thought wildly as she herself tried to keep from gasping at the waves of heat that went through her body. Dumbledore saw the blush that had spread over her cheeks and smiled kindly.
"Severus, if you would be so kind as to continue that after the wedding. I'm sure Hermione is having a hard enough time concentrating on anything else, without you provoking her." Hermione blushed an even deeper red. She hated how he always seemed to know everything, and why did he have to know that?!
Even after Dumbledore had sat down, Severus still had not let go. In fact he had continued to torture her with calculated movements that caused her to shiver every now and again. Finally unable to think of anything else Hermione grabbed his hand and held it still. She turned very casually in her chair and scowled at him. Severus only smiled and finally removed his hand. She had to keep a clear head. Only three more hours and then everyone would be there for their wedding.
*****
Three hours later Hermione stood in the middle of a large room with her Mother, Ginny, and Mrs. Weasley. They kept rushing around fixing little things on Hermione. At least that was what had been happing for at least an hour now. She hadn't even had a chance to look in the mirror yet. Her Mother and Mrs. Weasley had helped her into her dress. Ginny had fixed her hair into a mass of curls on the top of her head, with a small diamond crown in the middle, and now her Mom was finishing her make up. Mrs. Weasley and her Mum started to sniff and dab their eyes with handkerchiefs.
"Oh, Hermione! You looked wonderful!" Ginny exclaimed pulling her to the five mirrors in the corner of the room. Hermione covered her mouth in astonishment. She had never believed she could look like this before. It looked like she belonged in a fairytale. She was living a fairytale wasn't she? A pretty young maiden finds a tall, dark and handsome man, only to be taken away by the evil wizard, but saved by true love in the end.
"This will just knock Snape's socks off...and maybe a few other things." Ginny grinned devilishly when Hermione turned to scowl at her.
"Ginny!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed from behind. "You shouldn't say such things." Her face suddenly changed to look that resembled her daughter's. "Besides, I'm sure Hermione will want to help Severus with his clothing."
"Molly!" Now, Hermione's mother was in on this. "You know very well Hermione will be the one out of her clothes first."
"MUM!" Hermione shouted in horror. She could handle taunts from Ginny and Mrs. Weasley, but her own mum? That was just too much. Her mother gave her a rather stern look.
"Oh, don't you think I don't know about those kind of things. How do you like you were born?" Her mother looked to the enchanted clock on the wall. "Oh, my goodness! We need to get you down to the grounds!"
There was a many scurrying of feet as the three women rushed around Hermione and in the wake of their confusion almost forgot the bride.
*****
Down by the lake the staff and the rest of the guest sat in their respected places. A wizard's wedding was not entirely different from a muggle wedding with a few slight differences. The guests for one, sat in a circle around the couple to represent the eternal bound they were to enter. Everything else was mostly rituals from the past. Exchanging vows and rings, a silken cord binding their hands, and of course the kiss.
Severus brushed a small blossom from the arm of his dress robes. A simple gesture to anyone else, but a nervous one from him. It was quite difficult for him to stand down here while Hermione was up in one of those infernal towers. Dumbledore walked over to him, a sunny smile planted across his aging lips. Minerva McGonagall seemed to be traveling in his wake, the silver box containing the rings and cord in hand. Dumbledore and Minerva stood on each side of Severus beneath the golden arch.
"Severus, something of the most importance has come to my attention." Albus said, with his smile in place, thought his tone told Severus there was something gravely wrong. Just as Dumbledore was going to continue Draco Malfoy walked down from the castle and took a seat among the staff. Severus looked quickly to Dumbledore.
"Mr. Malfoy came to me while Hermione and yourself were indisposed of. He believes there may be an attack after the wedding." Severus nodded. "As long as the circle remains unbroken, then everyone here is safe." Dumbledore said more quietly before walking over to meet Remus and Sirius. They talked quickly so that Dumbledore could return to Severus, for the ceremony was to begin any moment now.
A harpist began to play 'The Scent of Heather' and Severus had to use all of his willpower to not turn and watch Hermione walk down to him. When he could finally feel the heat from her body he turned to look at her. She smiled at him making him smile in return, though right now he could care less about the wedding and want to just be alone with her again. They both seemed to pay little attention to whatever Minerva was saying, and kept their eyes locked on one another. Unfortunately they had to be shaken from their reverie in order to exchange vows. Severus began, first by taking the silver and emerald ring from Minerva.
"Hermione, you came to me at a time when I was lost. You are my light, and I shall forever shelter you from the rest of the darkness within our world." He gently put the ring around her finger and then looked her in the eyes.
She looked as if she were about to cry. She took a deep breath, trying to keep the tears back. That could wait for later. Hermione in turn took the silver and ruby ring from Minerva. Hermione held his hand in her own small, soft hand, gazing lovingly into his eyes.
"Through my life I thought I would never find love. It was always a constant dream, but never reality. Then you came into my life and helped me live the dream. You gave me the love I so desperately needed. So to you, I give y heart, my body, and every breath of my soul." Hermione slipped his ring over his finger and smiled when she heard many of the woman sniff at her declaration.
"Severus, if you would please take Hermione's hand in yours." Minerva said taking the silken cord from the box. Hermione and Severus held each other's hand, their rings glinting in the sunlight. She wrapped the cord around their wrists.. "By the Great Goddess, and all her glory I bind these to people by their love." She tied a small bow over the tops of their hands, and shouted. "So mote it be!"
The cord dissolved in to their hands and then giant sparks of gold and silver shot through the air causing those who were there to shout and cheer. Severus leaned over and kissed Hermione, sending more sparks of green and red to be mixed with the gold and silver. The shouts grew louder and louder, until they became screams of horror. Hermione and Severus broke apart in time to see a bubble of gold be cast around the circle of people there. All of the wizards assembled drew their wands as the Death Eaters approached the golden bubble.
The Death Eaters enclosed their circle within a circle, yet they did not try to break the protection spell. It was if they were waiting for something. The ranks suddenly parted to allow Voldemort in.
"TOM!" Dumbledore shouted, his eyes filled with a power Hermione had never seen before. The air around her former Headmaster crackled with the power he possessed. Voldemort shook his head and laughed.
"Albus, how good to see you." Voldemort touch the tip of his wand to the bubble, which hissed in protest. "Quite clever this. It seems a little bird must have given us away." Voldemort looked through the people until he found Draco standing by Harry, Severus, and Hermione. "A little stool pigeon."
He tapped his own dark mark sending a bolt of dark energy to Draco. Draco clasped on the ground struggling to breathe. Hermione knelt down beside him, chanting something beneath her breath. Voldemort watched with interest as a blue cloud surrounded Draco and Hermione. As soon as they were engulf the connection he had with Draco was severed. Voldemort smiled when the cloud finally left and the girl was panting in exhaustion.
"You should not have done that." Draco whispered to her. Hermione smiled weakly at him.
"I couldn't let him kill you. After all, you saved me more than once, so now my debt is paid." She said hitting him lightly in the shoulder. Harry and Severus helped her up from the ground, but she brushed them away and began to walk to the edge of the bubble.
"Hermione, what are you doing?" Draco, Harry, and Severus shouted in unison.
"What I should have done when I found out I could." She shouted over her shoulder.
"Is she speaking in riddles now?" Harry asked Severus.
He shook his head, worry filling his eyes. She wasn't strong enough to do that yet. She can't risk herself now, not when... Severus shook his head and ran after her. He could at least give her the extra magic she would need. Hermione stopped in front of where Voldemort was standing.
"You want Voldemort?" Hermione asked eyeing him with scorn. Voldemort merely smiled. Hermione mirrored his smile before she reached through the bubble and took hold of the front of his robes. The bubble sparked and cracked against her skin, but it did not burn. Her smile grew wider at the fraction of surprise that flashed across Voldemort's face. She yanked once hard, and he fell through and inside. He was alone, with his Death Eaters on the other side. The men outside the bubble began to walk around murmuring to themselves.
"My, history does repeat itself." Hermione cooed. "Now, where have I heard of this before? Oh, yes, Harry entrapped you before and you were defenseless without them."
She nodded in the direction of the men circling, but Voldemort did and said nothing. He was unable to. Hermione was slowly trapping him within himself. He would be able to hear and see everything, but not act. His prison would be his mind. Severus' hands fell onto her shoulders, and Hermione was relieved to feel an extra boost of power. She had started to lose her concentration, but with Severus there she could finish what she had started. Voldemort's body gave a violent jerk, and she knew her task had been completed. Hermione let go of him and he slowly fell to the ground, motionless. The Death Eaters suddenly began to leave in horror at their Master's down fall. Hermione fell backwards into Severus' arms as Dumbledore released to golden bubble and the aurors and the other wizards there started to round up the men who were fleeing. Harry and Dumbledore took Voldemort's shell of a body away as Severus scooped Hermione up.
"Some wedding." She smiled sleepily. Severus smiled back at her and kissed her lightly on the lips.
"Perhaps we should go home." He whispered. The chaos around them had lessened and they were no longer needed. Severus apparated them back to his home. Their home.
When they arrived Severus took her to their bedroom where he made sure Hermione was comfortable and warm. She made to protest, but he silenced her with a quick kiss.
"You need your rest. " He said gently. " You have to stay strong for her you know." Hermione looked confused, but was too tried to ask what on earth he was talking about. Severus laid there for a few moments until Hermione had fallen asleep. "Goodnight Hermione. " He said kissing her again. "I'll explain everything tomorrow, and then we can start on looking for a name."