Summary: Escape from Malfoy Manor

A/N: Thanks for all your comments. Enjoy the next installment.

Chapter 10

A week or more had passed, and the dreams had continued. They occurred either by the lake or in his sitting room. She'd appear and he'd take her hand if they were by the lake. The weather in his dreams belied anything happening in the real world. It was always sunny and warm when she appeared.

As they were walking, Severus stopped and reached down, plucking a sprig of flowers from a small patch on their path. He handed it to her.

"Do you know what this is?" he asked as he handed the small, blue flowers to Hermione.

"They're Forget-me-nots, aren't they?" she replied as one finger caressed the bunch of flowers.

"And what Potions are they used in?" he tested.

She smiled. "Despite their name, they're not known for wit sharpening."

Severus smirked and nodded, encouraging her to continue.

She looked down at them. "They're so delicate and beautiful," she mused.

She glanced at Severus and blushed. He felt his heart constrict within him. Shaking off his sappiness, he scowled at her.

"I didn't ask for a description of them, Miss Granger."

She huffed. "It's Hermione," she said in frustration as she looked at the flowers. "They're most well known for their use in the antidote to Veritaserum."

"That's correct." He sighed. "But in this case, I am giving them to you because of their name."

She looked up at him quickly. "You don't want me to forget you?"

He nodded but said nothing more.

Hermione laughed which made Severus annoyed that she was being so flip.

"I could never forget you, Severus," she said as she smiled at him.

His prickly attitude softened at her smile.

"They're lovely. Thank you," she said softly.

oooOOOooo

It was late, and Severus was about to get ready to retire when his arm burned with the Dark Lord's summons. It was a little late for such a call. Usually, the Dark Lord met earlier in the evening if he wanted to discuss business. He hurried and stood, grabbed his mask, and threw on his robe. Disapparating from his room directly to Malfoy Manor, he arrived to chaos.

The Dark Lord was shooting a Cruciatus curse at Bellatrix. Severus' eyebrows rose. He couldn't ever remember a time when Bellatrix had received punishment from the Dark Lord. Lucius, Narcissa, and Draco stood ramrod straight nearby, all looking fearful that they would be next. Two dead snatchers lay on the floor in the background.

What on earth is going on? Severus thought.

Bellatrix writhed on the floor. The Dark Lord released the spell and turned to Lucius and sent the Cruciatus at him as well. Lucius fell to the floor and screamed. The curse lasted a while before it was released. The Dark Lord spared Narcissa and Draco. He then turned to Severus and the other assembled Death Eaters. Fury was in his eyes. He extended his arms and motioned at those who were felled or writhing in the room.

"Your foolish comrades let Harry Potter and his friends escape! They were here–in this very room–but a House-Elf saved them!"

"My Lord!" Bellatrix cried. "I had the Mudblood in my hands. She was suffering until that stupid Elf came!"

Voldemort sneered at her. "It doesn't matter, Bellatrix. The end result still saw Harry Potter escape! Crucio!"

Releasing the spell, he turned back to the others. Eyeing each of the men standing before him, his eyes narrowed. "Go," he said. "Find them!" he screamed.

Everyone Disapparated almost in unison. Severus appeared in Hogsmeade. Everyone had designated areas they were in charge of when a search was warranted. Severus looked up and down the street. It was deserted. He lowered his wand and took some deep breaths.

His thoughts went to Potter. What stupid thing had he done to wind up at the Manor? The two dead Snatchers were evidence enough that the fool had said the Dark Lord's name and had given their hiding place away.

Hermione… Lestrange had said she'd suffered.

Merlin, is she okay? What happened to her?

He continued to breathe deeply so he could control his emotions. He only let his emotions loose like this when he was alone, but he couldn't wallow on them, or he would not be able to hide his fear from the Dark Lord when he returned to report on his search. Shaking himself, he put his worry out of his mind, slammed up his Occlumency shields, and began to patrol the small town.

An hour later, he was before the Dark Lord again.

"I'm sorry, My Lord. I did not find them in Hogsmeade."

He braced himself for the Cruciatus he assumed would come.

"Go, Severus. At least I can trust you to not be foolish. If you say they're not in Hogsmeade, then they're not."

Severus bent low. "Thank you, my Lord."

He rose and Disapparated back to his room. Throwing his mask on the floor, he reached for his bottle of Firewhiskey. He didn't drink often, but tonight was one of those nights he needed a way to relax, and this was the only way he could think of.

He sipped at the drink as his mind raced. He was worried about Hermione... a woman he really didn't even know well. Still, he felt trepidation and worry about her well-being. Had she been harmed beyond healing?

Sighing, he downed the rest of his drink and threw his glass against the wall in frustration. It shattered. He was disappointed to find it didn't make him feel any better. He Evanesco'd the mess and retired to his bedroom. He hoped he could get some sleep tonight. His mind was notorious for racing whenever he tried to go to sleep after a meeting such as the one he'd just left.

oooOOOooo

Severus finally fell asleep and dreamed. He was standing in his room, staring into the fireplace. He nervously waited for his friend to appear. At long last, he heard her behind him. Severus turned around and saw her standing there before him. She looked like hell.

Her hair was a mess, her face was drawn, and she looked like she was holding in her pain. She shuddered as he looked at her.

"Hermione," he whispered before rushing to her.

His arms surrounded her, and he held her close to him.

"Are you all right?" he asked, emotion filling his tone.

She shook her head, which was against his chest. He squeezed her tighter and rested his chin on top of her head. He held her like that for a little while before gently pushing her away from him and looking into her eyes.

"Come sit down and tell me what happened," he said.

She nodded. He led her to the sofa where they settled in. Facing her, he motioned for her to go on.

"How do you know anything?" Hermione asked.

"The Dark Lord was not happy. He summoned all of us to search for you. Bellatrix was… vocal."

Tears filled Hermione's eyes. "She was brutal. She Crucio'd me over and over again."

Severus reached into his robes and pulled out a vial. He handed it to her.

"This is my own creation. I find it helps when the Dark Lord has been especially heavy-handed with his curses."

Hermione looked cross. "How can he torture you? You're his best follower."

"It's a type of control, Hermione." He held out the potion. "Here, take it."

She reached out while her eyes went up to his. Their hands made contact, and he felt as if he should grasp her hand and never let go. The feeling was instantaneous, and before he knew it, she'd withdrawn and was downing the potion. The tension and pain in her face and body relaxed, and she gave him a little smile.

"I can't believe that worked. Thank you," she said.

"You doubt my prowess in brewing?" Severus asked sharply.

"Of course not. It's just… Never mind."

He decided to let the matter drop. "Were you hurt in any other way?"

Her eyes were large and filled with tears as she gave one single nod. She reached out to her left arm and pulled up her sleeve. Severus saw the word Mudblood carved into her wrist. He grimaced as he took her wrist in his hand.

"That cruel bitch," he spat. "I will kill her the next time I see her!"

"No, Severus, no. You mustn't do anything. If anyone suspected you…" The tears spilled over and down her cheeks. "I couldn't bear it if you were hurt."

Severus looked at Hermione and marveled at her. No one cared about him or if he got hurt, but she did. Seemingly more than she cared about herself being hurt. As he gazed into her eyes, he felt an affinity towards her. Feeling drawn to her, and without thinking, he pulled her to him and kissed her. She opened her mouth to him, and he entered.

Bliss.

And then he came to his senses. He pushed her back.

"I'm sorry! I shouldn't have done that. I apologize."

"Severus! It's okay. I… I wanted you to kiss me."

"Impossible," he said softly.

Hermione came up to him and caressed his cheek. "I've been denying that I have feelings for you for a while now."

Her lips met his again. His arms came around her, and he let her kiss him. It felt like heaven. He pulled her closer and deepened the kiss, reveling in her closeness.

"Severus," she murmured as he ravished her with his mouth.

"I'm sorry," he said as he kissed her neck.

"I'm sorry too. Sorry, we didn't do this ages ago."

Severus pulled away from her and chuckled. "You are a Gryffindor through and through."

She smiled at him. Severus took her arm and lightly traced the word on her wrist.

"It's made with Dark Magic, Hermione. I don't know if I can heal it. Does it hurt?"

Hermione had sobered as he examined her arm. She nodded. Taking his wand, he waved it over the wound.

"What did you do? The pain is gone."

"Another spell developed in the service of the Dark Lord."

"Thank you, Severus."

He looked up at her. "I'll try to heal it if you'd like."

"Please. It's hideous."

"I don't know if this will work or not, but it will do no harm."

She nodded. He took his wand and started tracing the word with it.

"Vulnera Sanentur," he chanted. "Vulnera Sanentur, Vulnera Sanentur."

Hermione watched as the marks knit together. She looked up gratefully at Severus when he was done.

"Thank you. It's hardly visible. Bill said it would never heal."

"Weasley?"

She nodded. "We escaped to his home."

"Was anyone else hurt?" Severus asked.

"Dobby was killed by Bellatrix's knife."

"I'm sorry."

She was in his arms again, and he was holding her tightly. "I'm sorry you lost the Elf. I'm sorry you were hurt. I'm just… sorry, Hermione."

She nodded into his chest. He rested his chin on her head again and just held her. She didn't cry but seemed to be comforted by his nearness. Who would have thought any woman would be comforted by him? He had to admit having her so close made him feel cared for. Perhaps he could have her in his arms through this whole debacle of a war. He pulled her tighter. They stayed like that, silently enjoying the others' presence for a long time.

Finally, Hermione pulled away from him.

"I should go."

She kissed him lightly before standing up. "I'll see you tomorrow," she said. "Be careful."

"I'm not the one who was attacked by a madwoman."

She shook her head at him before disappearing.

Severus opened his eyes. His mind was racing with everything that had happened in his dream. He knew it was just a dream, but he couldn't help wondering if Hermione was hurt badly in her encounter with Bellatrix. Despite it only being a dream, he couldn't help wanting that closeness with someone. If Hermione was anything like she was in his dreams, he wanted that closeness with her.

He closed his eyes and chastised himself. Why was he always drawn to the impossible woman? Could anything ever be easy for him?

Turning over, he fluffed his pillow and went back to sleep.