Disclaimer on Chapter 1 – Don't own them, just enjoy playing with them!
Time Does Not Heal All WoundsWendyNat
Chapter 17
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"Yeah, Neville – I think tomorrow night will be a good time to begin the ritual," Harry winked. He could see Susan sitting next to Neville and did not want to speak more plainly. He had never been good at anticipating how a woman would react to certain things, and he certainly didn't want to get Neville in hot water. Not before the ritual, at least.
Neville nodded, grinning. From the fire he could see Susan shoot Neville a questioning glance and Neville shrug innocently in response, and he cleared his throat. "Um – I think maybe you ought to check on 'Mione, Susan. Let her know Viktor's okay."
"Is he okay, Harry? We all knew how head over heels he was for Hermione."
Harry shrugged, then remembered they couldn't see his shoulders. "He's okay. He's upset, and I had to use the Reparo charm on a few of my knick-knacks this morning, but considering what he's just been through – he's doing okay." Susan nodded and left his line of vision for a moment. She returned with her traveling robe. Harry said, "Thanks, Susan. She's been alone all night, and I know the guilt is probably eating her up. She was dreading the conversation."
"I still think she's nutters," Neville stated. Susan rolled her eyes and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"Bye, guys. I'll just go straight to the office from Hermione's place, Neville. See you tonight. Thanks, Harry," Susan said, and then swept out of the room.
Neville rubbed his hands together and turned back to Harry. "So – tomorrow night's the night?
Harry nodded, and answered, "Yeah. It was really good of them to break it off on a Thursday night – gives him time to kick things all day Friday, then be ready for a good Saturday night… none of us even have to miss work the next day! I'll have to thank 'Mione." Seeing Neville's expression, he held his hands up, then remembered once again that Neville could only see his head. "I'm just kidding, Neville, relax. I feel for the guy, I really do. It was a bad situation – no one really at fault, which makes it harder. It'd be easier if he could just hate her."
Neville nodded. "Yeah. I can't imagine how he must feel. She did the right thing, though."
"Yeah. Listen, Neville – we'll all meet at the Leaky Cauldron tomorrow night around seven. Sound good?" Neville nodded and Harry's face disappeared from the flames after they said their goodbyes.
Still kneeling in front of the fire in his study, Harry looked over at the Bulgarian lying on his sofa. They had both fallen asleep in the study after consuming mass quantities of Firewhiskey the previous evening. Harry wouldn't be surprised if Viktor slept until after lunchtime, considering. He stood up from his position on the floor and left the room to complete his morning routine.
When Viktor woke, Harry had finished preparing a light lunch and had a hangover remedy waiting. Harry watched the other man sit up with a groan, and winced in sympathy. "Here," he said, handing the hangover cure to Viktor. With an appreciative nod, Viktor opened the vial and quickly drank the potion, making a face at the taste.
"Thanks, Harry."
"No problem, Viktor. Now – bathroom's that way." Harry pointed. "And the guest room's that way," he said, pointing again at another door. "Why don't you get cleaned up, then we'll run back by your place to pick up some stuff."
Viktor stood, running a hand through his black hair, and made his way to the bathroom. He was in and out quickly, and they apparated to Viktor and Hermione's house. Harry noticed the man next to him tense as they made their way through the house to the bedroom, where Viktor quickly began pulling clothes from the wardrobe and packing them in a conjured suitcase.
Harry left the room and wandered around, wanting to give Viktor some privacy. When he passed through the kitchen, he saw a note on the table and walked over to it, curious. It was in Hermione's writing, and simply stated that she would be staying at Hogwarts and to owl her there if anyone needed to contact her. He nodded to himself. That makes sense, he thought. He imagined she wouldn't want to be surrounded by sad memories any more than Viktor did… and he had a good idea just where she'd be staying while she was at Hogwarts.
Then, something else occurred to him. She was sure to have taken Crookshanks, but what about… Harry walked into the den and saw Frederick roosting on a perch. He coaxed the owl to him and grabbed Frederick's cage. Better bring him with us. "You want to stay with me for a while, keep Hedwig company?" he asked the owl, who hooted in response. "I'll take that for a yes," Harry said, grinning. He made his way back to the bedroom, carrying the cage.
Viktor had finished packing and was standing in front of the window, staring out blankly. Harry felt another wave of sympathy. He could well remember how torn up he had been when Hannah had left him, and they had not even been married. Putting the cage down, he walked up behind the other man and put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "C'mon, Viktor, let's go. I've got Frederick – I'm sure Hedwig will like the company."
Viktor nodded, and turned from the window. Walking to the bed, he picked up the suitcase and shrunk it down so that it would fit easily in one of the inner pockets of his robes. He gestured for Harry to precede him from the room. When he reached the door he turned and paused. He swept his eyes around the room one last time, a thousand images of memory bombarding him. Closing his eyes, he silently let go of the images and shut the door behind him.
* * * * * *
"Albus said I could use them as long as I needed to," Hermione said, glancing absently at her notes. They were preparing multiple cauldrons of the Manere base in preparation for the following weeks' work. Hermione already had some ideas about appropriate additives to test, but she silently acknowledged that adjusting the quantities would take a great deal of time. And a great deal of the base, she thought wryly.
Severus nodded. "You do know he means that, of course. There is no rush to find other arrangements, Hermione." He looked down at his hands, idly twirling a stirring rod in his long fingers. "In fact…"
"Yes?"
"Our two chambers could be connected easily enough." Severus looked up and stared at her intently.
She was a bit confused. "Connected? But, surely Albus-"
"Was the one who mentioned it to me," Severus finished with a half smile. "Quite innocently, of course, and in passing."
Hermione frowned. "I wish I knew how he finds things out so quickly. Maybe he should be the Divination professor rather than that old fraud Trelawney!"
Severus snorted. "He doesn't use tealeaves, Hermione. He uses the portraits."
"The portraits?"
He smirked. "Something the Gryffindor Know-It-All never figured out?" She smacked his arm playfully and he grabbed her hand, pulling her close. "The portraits can travel from frame to frame – distance is no object. And he has quite a collection of nosy, gossipy characters hanging in his office."
She looked up at him, brow slightly furrowed in thought. "You know, I think I remember Harry saying something about that Phineas Nigellus portrait running an errand for Dumbledore once. That makes sense. There are probably portraits in the Ministry offices, aren't there?" He nodded. "And we have a couple… I mean, Viktor and I had a couple of wizarding portraits in the house that his parents left us – him."
Sensing her tension, Severus pushed her into a stool and stood behind her, massaging her shoulders. She sighed, letting her head fall back onto his chest. "I'm sorry. I guess I'll keep having those slip-ups for a little while longer. It still feels so… unreal."
His fingers smoothed her hair back from her face and neck, and she snuggled back against him gratefully as he returned to massaging her shoulders and neck. When his hands suddenly stilled she made a noise of protest. He chuckled and said, "This isn't the best angle for a massage, my dear. Wait just a moment-" Walking over to the cauldrons, he added the final ingredient for the base and adjusted the flames. He then turned and pulled her from the stool, holding her hands in his. "Now, we have approximately twenty hours to wait while the base simmers?" At her nod, he smiled. "I believe I owe you a proper massage, in my chambers, immediately." She smiled back at him and willingly allowed him to lead her from the room.
She stopped immediately upon entering his chambers, which she had never seen before… in real life. Looking at Severus with an eyebrow raised, she commented, "Well, I guess I know at least one other dream that wasn't just a dream." The room they had just entered was comfortable and attractive, with dark wood bookshelves lining three of the walls. The fourth wall boasted a glowing fireplace with a heavy mantle, and a thick patterned rug lay before it under two comfortable chairs.
He put his arms around her waist and leaned down to kiss her. "I could not have you in reality, Hermione – if all I could have were your dreams, then I wished to make them memorable."
"But this is no longer a dream," she said, looking up at him. A mischievous smile formed on her lips. "And I believe I still owe you a punishment for being a naughty Legilimens. Now, what should it be?" She pretended to contemplate, tapping her finger against her mouth. "I believe we'll begin with a full body massage, as you were planning. I'm still feeling a bit tense."
"As you wish," he said, the corners of his mouth quirking in a smile. He led her into the next room, which she also recognized from her dream. The four-poster bed was beautifully carved and the stone walls were draped with colorful tapestries. She smiled, taking it all in.
"Not quite what I expected."
"No?" he murmured.
"Well, I guess I expected more black," she said. He raised an eyebrow, and she added, "For Merlin's sake, man, even your handkerchiefs are black! Who would think you'd have these gorgeous tapestries in your bedchamber?"
Severus smirked. "Well, it was either tapestries or portraits, and with Dumbledore's spy gang…" Hermione shuddered, and he laughed. "Exactly. I had no desire to be questioned about my snoring habits by the Headmaster."
"I quite see your point."
He nodded, and summoned a small vial of clear potion from the other room. At his prompting, she slid onto the bed, lying on her stomach with her arms over her head. With a whispered word from Severus, she was unclothed and she hummed at the feel of the velvet comforter against her bare skin.
A few minutes later, all the tension had drained from her body under his talented hands. And this is just my back and shoulders so far, she thought, feeling a flutter in her stomach as his hands began to lightly knead her sides. As his hands moved slowly up her ribcage, she felt herself begin to tense again, this time in anticipation. She sighed with pleasure. When she felt his feathery touch against the swell of her breasts, her back arched involuntarily and she heard his breathing quicken.
She turned over slowly and met his eyes. Wordlessly she reached up and began unbuttoning his shirt while he trailed warm hands over her torso. The intensity of his stare took her breath away. Finally divesting him of his clothes, she pulled him down and entangled her fingers in his hair, holding him close and breathing in his scent.
He rolled them over slightly so that he could put his arms around her in a crushing embrace. Pulling back after a moment, he looked into her eyes and brought his lips to hers.
It was much more intense this time. It's real, now. It's real, she thought contentedly. A warmth was spreading over her body under his hands, which had resumed their explorations. Her own hands were running along the warm skin of his back, stopping for a moment when she felt a long smooth scar running from under one shoulder blade across his back to end just over his kidney. I remember every mark on his body, this is definitely new. From the Last Battle, maybe? She made a mental note to ask him about it later, and then the feel of his lips on her skin drove all thought from her mind.
* * * * * *
"How exciting!" Tonks exclaimed, smiling at her friend. Hestia smiled back, running her hands through her hair.
"Yes, he is," Hestia said with a wide grin. It was Saturday night, and Remus had had to stay at the Hogsmeade property to entertain the man who had arrived that day in preparation for next week's administration of the lycanthropy cure. Hestia had decided to invite her old friend for dinner at the Leaky Cauldron to catch up.
Tonks smacked her arm, laughing. "You know what I meant, Hestia! I'm so happy for you… I know you've had your eye on him for a long time." Hestia nodded. "I'm completely and utterly jealous," Tonks said, sighing dramatically.
Hestia shook her head. "Come on, isn't there anyone you're attracted to?"
Tonks shrugged, looking away for a moment. "Yes, a few people, actually… but no one takes me seriously, you know."
Hestia leaned forward. "You have to make them take you seriously, m'dear." She lifted an eyebrow, and Tonks flushed slightly.
"Hestia, I just can't flirt the way you do. I'm not comfortable doing it… I feel like a fool," she said, shaking her head. "Merlin, it's roasting in here," she commented, standing from the table and taking off her outer robe, which she folded and draped over one of the empty chairs. Hestia smirked when she saw the shirt her friend was wearing.
"Bulgarian National Team, hmm?" Hestia raised her eyebrows. "Still a fan, then? Even though that hottie Krum isn't playing for them anymore?"
"Of course!" Tonks exclaimed, shaking her head. "My goodness, Hestia – loyalty is everything in Quidditch! You don't just stop loving a team when they're not winning – that's not a true fan!"
A voice behind her agreed. "Exactly, Tonks." Tonks turned around in her seat and, seeing Harry, brightened.
"Hi, Harry! Sit down, we have two extra seats here," she said. When Harry politely refused, Hestia caught her friend's eye and shook her head.
"Oh, come now, Tonks. Do you mean to tell me you still aren't reading the Daily Prophet?" At Tonks' confused look, Hestia shook her head again and addressed her next comment to Harry. "You go on back to your male bonding, we'll stay over here like good little girls. I suppose you're fueling up with food before you hit the town?"
Harry nodded. Seeing Tonks' confused stare becoming more pronounced, he filled her in. "Hermione and Viktor have gotten divorced. Two nights ago. Me and some of his other mates are meeting here to help him take his mind off of it all. He came with me, but wanted to check out the Quidditch shop so I'm stuck here waiting for the other guys."
Tonks flushed again, and stammered, "O-oh. So, they divorced? What – why?" Hestia threw her a shrewd look.
Harry looked at her. "Well, it's a rather long story, but here's the short version: It has to do with a misunderstanding from years back and a certain big-mouthed fellow with a lightning bolt on his forehead telling Hermione the wrong information. She married Viktor as a result, and then found out the truth a few weeks back. She broke the lightning bolt fellow's nose, cried a lot, made her decision, and got divorced." Tonks' eyes were wide. "The official version is that they disagreed about having children, so that's what the Daily Prophet was spouting off about."
Hestia shrugged. "I knew the truth. I was with them at the conference – you could've seen the sparks flying from across the room. Poor Viktor didn't have a chance."
Tonks' eyes were still wide. "So – she's back with Severus, then?" Harry nodded, and she breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm glad – he was so broken when she had to leave. I've never seen him like that – he's normally quite the bastard and he didn't even snap at anyone for a full month. I felt awful for him." She paused for a moment, and then casually asked, "So… how is Viktor taking all of this? He seemed to be rather smitten with her, really. If… if he'd like a woman's perspective, I'd be happy to lend an ear." Hestia gave her a knowing look, which she ignored.
Harry looked thoughtful. "You know, Tonks… I may suggest he take you up on that. I remember how… supportive… you were when Hannah left me." Tonks smiled at Harry, who noted that her cheeks were slightly pink. Hmmm. So Tonks has a thing for Viktor? She is a Quidditch fanatic, and right good in the… His thoughts were interrupted by Ron's approach. He said his goodbyes to the two women and joined the other men gathered at the bar. He definitely felt more hopeful about the whole situation. He had been concerned when Viktor seemed to withdraw even further over the last two days, and Tonks could be just what Viktor needed to help him through this.
Viktor had returned, and it appeared that everyone else was present. "Well, it looks like we have everyone – our table is over there," Harry said, leading the way to a large round table at the far side of the room.
An hour later, the men were having a great time. They had even coaxed a few smiles out of Viktor, and he appeared to be relaxing a bit. Harry noted a certain lady from across the room continue to cast glances over at their table. Then, Oliver began to talk about the female Quidditch referee that he had met at a league meeting, and Viktor tensed up beside Harry. Leaning close enough so that the others couldn't overhear, Harry whispered, "Are you doing okay, Viktor?"
Viktor nodded, and replied in a low voice, "Yeah. Just, hearing Oliver speak about that voman he has met… vat vill happen, Harry? How long until I meet somevun?" He shook his head. "I don't even know how to approach a voman anymore – I haff been… out of the field for too long."
Harry caught Tonks' eye from across the room and gave a small smile. "I think it may happen sooner than you think, Viktor," he said, nodding his head covertly at the women's table. "I think she's interested…"
Viktor looked up, and met Tonks' eye. He smiled a little when she blushed and looked down, seeming to be suddenly shy. "Hmm. She is varing a nice shirt."
"You should talk to her, mate. She's a good person. And a huge Quidditch fan."
Viktor shook his head. "I don't know, Harry. I vouldn't know vat to say… I vould look like a fool."
Harry shook his head. "No, you wouldn't. Trust me, Tonks is interested. I was talking to her before you got here."
Viktor's eyebrows shot up. "That is the Tonks voman?" Harry nodded.
"She's a good person, Viktor. She helped me out a lot when… when Hannah left me." Viktor gave him a narrow-eyed stare. "Not – not just like that, Viktor! I mean, we talked a lot, she has a great listening ear."
Viktor shook his head. "Thanks, Harry, but… it's not fair for me to think about becoming involved vith somevun else right now… I'm still too wrapped up thinking about my vife… my ex-vife… I vould not vant anyvun to haff to deal vith all of that."
Harry grinned. "I don't think she wants to get involved, per se. I think she's just what you need..."
Viktor cut him off. "Not now, Harry. It is truly too soon." Harry shrugged and nodded, and they rejoined the conversation. Harry pretended not to notice when Viktor's gaze repeatedly drifted to Tonks' table, his eyes thoughtful.
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Author's Notes: Hope you enjoyed the chapter! Thanks for all of the reviews! Most likely only one more chapter after this one. I have some more ideas but they stray from the original plot of this story. Therefore, I have plans for a sequel of sorts, dealing with the Manere and Lycanthropy potions and someone's plot to use their research for "evil," and how this evil person is stopped. If there's enough interest, I will begin it when I'm through with this one.
Maddy-Riddle – Thanks! Glad you liked Hermione's mother.
Deb – Thanks! I'm glad you liked that line – it was one of my favorites ;)
Spaz141 – Thank you, I appreciate your review. Divorce is like a death of sorts, your mother sounds very wise.
KdarkMaiden – Thanks for the review :)
Rilla – LOL @ channeling your mother… I was channeling my mom, too ;)
K80 – Thanks – Yeah, I thought it would be too much to have Hermione race to Severus immediately after signing the divorce sheet Thursday night. No real big bumps in the road for our favorite couple, not in this story, at least ;)
Baboon – That was Hermione's reaction – Eww! My mom said that about one of my boyfriends and I was as shocked as Hermione was ;). Am only planning on one more chapter after this – must take care of Viktor.
Anarana Anwamane – Thanks!
Keket – Thanks – no major conflict left, just one more chapter. Sequel will have some of the adjustment issues, but I thought it would be good to end this story soon since the major conflict is now over.
Electryone – Thanks! I had a similar experience, definitely helped me write Hermione's emotions realistically (I hope).
LJ Yolo – Thank you, I was trying very hard to get the emotions to come across realistically.
Kyo88 – Thanks!
Raclswt – Thanks!
Honor – Thank you for the review! Karkaroff I just mentioned as knowing more dark curses than even Severus himself… I thought that would be in keeping with a scared, weasely character to learn a bunch of hexes. I wasn't saying he could take Severus in a duel, but Severus would want to be ready if someone trained by Karkaroff in all the nasty little hexes were to approach him. Sorry if that didn't come across well.
Shem – Thanks! Sorry if the lemons are only lemon juice, but I may add to them on aff.net when I get a chance. If you beg nicely. ;)