A/N: The world of Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling. I am just having fun
playing with her characters. This story is rated R for a reason. You have
been warned. I also have this story listed on Whispers, Adult Fan Fiction
and Lord and Lady Snape websites.. In case it gets deleted here.
Chapter Twenty
"Headmaster, I wondered if you had seen Hermione at all today?" Severus asked as he entered the old man's office and moved towards the desk. Albus looked up quizzically at the younger wizard his expression calm and collected.
"She did not tell you?" Albus asked with a raised eyebrow. "She is spending the Easter with her parents and brother. Poppy informed me soon after she self-discharged from the hospital wing." Dumbledore told him and watched regretfully as Severus' heart visibly dropped.
"No she did not tell me, Albus, but then why on Earth would she? After all, we have been estranged from one another for a month now and I can't see that changing anytime soon." Severus sighed and threw himself into one of the seats in front of Albus' desk. "I do not know what to do with her Albus. She knows it was not I in that photograph and yet she remains angry with me. I keep her away from Frontera as much as I can and know she can fight the curse but yet she does this to me, runs away as soon as school is out and she is free to go."
"Then why don't you go to her, Severus?" Albus asked. "You will never win her back moping around at Hogwarts for the next three weeks."
"What would be the point, Albus?" Severus asked completely disheartened by the whole situation. "She wants nothing to do with me for most of the time."
"She can break the curse if she doesn't come into contact with Frontera for a period of time. Am I correct?" Albus asked him.
"Yes, I do believe so, Albus. I have also noted she is better at breaking through if she is lost in research as well. She must channel her thoughts into her research so much that she is able to concentrate enough to break through the curse for a short time." Severus replied, thinking about the events over the last week. He couldn't believe it was already a month since they had split up. "And I did notice in Hogsmede last week that she could break the curse even with Frontera by her side. I assume it must be his loss of contact with the book or perhaps his own loss of concentration."
"Then, you must go to Hermione. You must not let her be visited by Frontera or anyone in possession of that book. In fact go and bring her back here, Hogwarts is a safe enough environment, particularly with all of the students out of the castle. It would be a perfect setting for you to discuss things." Albus suggested to him. "She can always visit her parents again once this is all over."
"Fine, I will do as you suggest. I want my wife with me anyway, whether we fight constantly or not, I want to be able to keep an eye on her." Severus replied as he stood up and his mind began to form a new plan for his mission.
"Very well, Severus. If you need any assistance then just let me know. If you are not both back in the castle within two days I will send an owl demanding you both return immediately." Dumbledore told him.
"Thank you, Albus." Severus nodded to his mentor and old friend.
"Good luck, my boy." With that Severus turned on his heel and left the office. He wasn't going to pack anything; he had his wand for whatever he would need. He summoned his travelling cloak though and once outside of the Hogwarts grounds apparated directly into the Granger's spare bedroom, just as he had done when he had been checking on Peter's progress months ago.
~~*~~
Hermione had poured her heart out to both of her parents. She had arrived well before the Hogwarts Express would since she had apparated. Her parents still had an hour before they would have to leave for Kings Cross in order to pick up Chris from the station.
"So, you and Severus are definitely getting a divorce?" Peter asked completely aghast at what she was telling them as they all sat in the livingroom. Hermione was currently wrapped in her mother's arms on the couch while her father sat opposite in an armchair.
"It does appear so, dad." Hermione mumbled blowing her nose for the umpteenth time that afternoon.
"You don't sound too happy about this though." Amanda observed although it was not necessary to say it out aloud for anyone could see this fact as plane as the nose on a face.
"Well obviously, I have no real wish to break up with him." Hermione said as the tears brimmed in her eyes again.
"Then why apply for the divorce, Hermione?" Peter asked completely and utterly confused. "It was you, who applied, wasn't it?"
"I told you, I am mad with him and we've been separated for a month now, and yes it was me who filed for the divorce. I only have so many months in which to do it from the time of marriage." Hermione told them both as she began to lose her temper- she had been grilled for the last hour by them as it was.
"Yes, and you've said that several times now, love. What your mum and I want to know is why you are angry at him?" Peter asked, this was like drawing blood out of a stone and it was completely unlike Hermione to be closed off like this. "Is he having an affair?"
"No." Hermione said, although she had thought that this had been the case for a few brief moments just over one month ago.
"Are you having an affair?" Peter asked, hoping that he would get a reply in the negative.
"No."
"Do you love him?" Peter asked again.
"Yes, I do," Hermione said looking down at the rings on her finger; they were the proof after all and would only disappear if she ever lost her love for him.
"Does he love you?" Peter asked feeling like this was a game of twenty questions and starting to get tired of it already.
"Yes, he does." Hermione told them one hundred percent certain.
"Then what is wrong? What is the problem?"
"I don't know." Hermione said more distraught this time. Amanda held her tighter and rubbed her back.
"Was it a mistake to marry him?" Peter asked sitting forward in his chair.
"No, I love him so much and we have known each other since I was eleven. It's not like we rushed anything, and we are having a baby together."
"Well, I'm pleased to hear this, Hermione. Your mother and I did try to instil in you the importance of marriage and adherence to its vows when you were younger. Although you did not have a conventional marriage by our books you should still hold marriage in such a high regard." Peter admonished.
"I do, dad. I do hold marriage in high regard." Hermione told him, feeling like a scolded child again.
"Hermione. Is he being violent towards you? Abusing you in any way?" Amanda asked gently.
"Certainly not! He would never degrade me in such a manner, mum. He's not like that, he respects me."
"Hermione. Why are you here and not with Severus then?" Amanda tried another approach after a long pause.
"I was told to come and stay with you." Hermione replied quietly and simply.
"Who told you to?" Peter asked confused at the entire situation although now he felt like they were getting somewhere.
"Layton," Hermione muttered indistinctly.
"Layton did you say? Who's Layton?" Amanda asked looking at her daughter.
"A friend. a student," Amanda and Peter both raised their eyes and looked at each other. Why was a student telling a teacher what to do?
"Tell me about this Layton person." Peter said frowning as Hermione looked up at him finally with swollen red eyes.
"What do you want to know, dad?" She asked as she breathed deeply and tried to calm down, crying was very exhausting and she was still not one hundred percent since she had been discharged from the infirmary that morning, and her mended ribs were still a bit sore.
"Anything. why is he telling you what you should do?"
"He can, that's why. He's very powerful and. scary when he's angry. He told me to come here so I would be away from Severus and able to think more clearly." Hermione told them as she gulped.
"What right does he have to tell you this?" Amanda demanded. "When we were at school, and I do know your world is different but we never back chatted any of our teachers and certainly never even dreamed of giving them orders. We'd have been suspended at the very least."
"He is always there for me." Hermione's eyes seemed to glaze over and she replied without any concern and as if that was an answer to it all. Just then the livingroom door opened and a dark figure stepped in, an ominous and commanding presence against the light coloured walls in full wizard teaching robes.
"Please forgive me my intrusion into your home Peter and Amanda but I have come for my wife." Severus said as he looked at her and noticed the state she was in, his heart was melting but he could also see the glazed expression in her eyes and knew she was currently being controlled.
"Leave. Now," she spat at him, her voice very low and dangerous sounding.
"I will not." Severus retorted as Peter and Amanda looked between Severus and Hermione at a complete loss.
"Well, good," Peter said shifting in his seat to look up at Severus. "Because quite frankly we are at a complete and utter loss as to what is going on here. As far as we can see there should be no problems between the two of you. Neither of you are having an affair and you both love each other." Peter said getting straight to the point. "So, Severus, please do come in and make your self at home and tell us all about it."
"Thank you, Peter," Severus said taking the empty armchair.
Hermione began to get up. "I'm leaving."
"Sit back down this instance, young lady. You are not going anywhere!" Peter demanded in a tone that Hermione had not heard since she had been in primary school. Hermione opened her mouth to retort but closed it immediately at the look in her father's eyes and settled back onto the couch. "And now perhaps you could enlighten us as to why someone called Layton should have the authority to tell my daughter, a professor, to stay away from you and the school over the Easter holidays." Peter asked raising his eyebrows and waiting for an answer from his son-in-law.
"It is indeed a long story, Peter." Severus said with a sigh.
"Well, in that case, we will leave you two to it and we'll be back in about four hours when you will hopefully be able to fill us in on everything." Severus looked puzzled as Amanda stood up as if they were getting ready to leave.
"We have to pick Christopher up and it take's us an hour and a half to get to the station with the horrendous London traffic." Peter explained.
Severus thought for a few moments, Hermione would refuse to come back to the castle tonight by the looks of things, and he could do with Chris being here to help explain things. He made the decision. "I will get Chris from the train and bring him back here directly. Stay with Hermione and I will return in a few minutes. He will be helpful in giving the explanations you need."
"Very well, thank you, Severus." Amanda said as she sat back down again and pulled her daughter towards her for another hug and to stop her from glaring at Severus anymore. With the blink of an eye Severus popped out of view after one long and compassionate look at his wife.
~~*~~
Apparating directly onto the Hogwarts Express Severus cast his invisibility spell and then a location spell in order to find Chris. It turned out he needed the next carriage down and so he set off along the corridor, avoiding students as they trundled past him oblivious to the fact they were so close to their evil Potions Master. It had been nearly thirty years since he had last been on the Hogwarts Express but he did notice that nothing about it had changed whatsoever.
Severus finally reached the correct compartment and knocked on the door, which opened a second later with one of the Weasley's poking his head out before being roughly pushed back in by an invisible force. Severus released his invisibility spell and managed to startle the group of six Gryffindor first years who all gasped at his sudden appearance. Chris quickly recovered and grinned at his brother-in-law before he quickly realised it was too odd an occurrence for him to show up like this and automatically deemed something was very wrong.
"What's wrong, Professor?" Chris asked standing up unsteadily as the train banked slightly. Severus steadied him with his hand.
"Where is your trunk, Mr. Granger?"
"Here, Sir." Chris indicated a compartment underneath his seat where his trunk was sticking out.
"Do you have anymore luggage with you?"
"No, Sir. What's wrong?"
"We can't talk here," Severus said extracting his wand and reducing the trunk in size and pocketing it. He then moved over to put an arm around Chris. "We are going to double apparate, focus on me and nothing else." Chris nodded and Severus held him closer before he heard voices outside of the compartment door.
"Granger's in this one." Someone said in the corridor.
"Good, give me the book." Severus heard Layton Frontera's voice and threw a quick locking spell at the door to buy them some time. He turned to the others in the compartment.
"If anyone asks, I was not here and you've not seen Chris. Understand?" There were five nodding heads and Severus turned back to Chris and gripping him tightly he apparated them both off the train and into the Granger's spare bedroom.
"Wow," Chris said rocking slightly before being overcome by a wave of nausea and sitting down heavily on the spare bed immediately so as not to fall over. "That was amazing, and I can't believe how quick it was!"
"Are you alright, Chris?" Severus asked as he kneeled down in front of him in concern.
"Yes, quite alright now, Severus," he said putting his head between his knees and breathing deeply. "Would you care to enlighten me as to what is going on?"
"Certainly," Severus said and told him all that he needed to know. "So, will you help me to explain things?"
"Of course, come on and let's get this sorted out." They left the room and headed down into the livingroom.
~~*~~
Stepping into the lounge room Chris quickly ran and hugged both his mum and dad in greeting. He had not seen them since Christmas and he did miss them terribly being away from home and at such a young age.
"Christopher darling, how are you? It's good to have you home, you are looking quite well." Amanda said as she embraced her son when Hermione let her go.
"Yes, welcome home son. Your mother and I have missed you around here of late. It's been a great deal quieter," Peter said with a slight chuckle.
"It's great to see you both as well, and you too Hermione. I missed you this morning- I had to leave the hospital wing to get packed." He said apologetically.
"Hospital?" Amanda asked looking down at her daughter with a puzzled expression.
"I was having some tests done to make sure my son was alright." Hermione said as she lovingly patted her stomach.
"And is he?" Severus enquired from the doorway where he had stayed back so that Chris could be greeted by his parents. Amanda and Peter both looked up at him. He looked quite foreboding in his black teaching robes and they could both see why Hermione had described him as very strict and unapproachable when she had been his student back in her own Hogwarts days.
"I told you, you are to have nothing to do with him, Snape. Therefore you can mind your own blasted business." Hermione snapped as her expression darkened again and Amanda gasped in surprise at her sudden change in demeanour. Severus simply stared at her and bit the inside of his cheek so that he wouldn't snap at her.
"Hermione, surely you won't keep your child from his father." Peter asked in astonishment as well.
"Yes, I have been told to." Hermione replied with an edge to her voice.
"By who?" Severus demanded immediately, blood boiling under his skin. Hermione ignored him and Chris cowered noting the imminent eruption of his professor and brother-in-law.
"Who told you to do this, Hermione?" Amanda asked soothingly.
"Lay-Layton did." Hermione told them with a stutter.
"Alright, Christopher, sit down along with you Severus and tell us what is going on, particularly with this Layton fellow." Peter instructed. Christopher was heading for the empty armchair before Severus stopped him and steered him towards the seat on the couch by Hermione; it was probably best not to be so close to her when she was still being controlled.
"I think some refreshments while we talk, and Christopher is surely hungry. Shall I get something to eat sorted out before you begin, Severus?" Amanda asked; it was getting close to teatime after all.
"Please, allow me, Amanda." Severus said as he withdrew his wand and conjured tea for five and sandwiches with biscuits and cheese." Amanda gasped; she had not seen this kind of magic before.
"Is this real?" Amanda asked quite dubious as she looked at the array of foods from different angles.
"Of course it is, mum. See?" Chris said as he helped himself and began munching on a tuna sandwich. Everyone followed his example and helped themselves. Before Severus began to tell Hermione's parents what had happened he placed strong privacy wards up around the room.
"I must stress that this information is not to leave this room." Peter and Amanda both nodded. "This started just after the students returned after Christmas break. There is a dark book in the control of a student called Layton Frontera. We did not know who actually controlled this book until about a week ago but we knew it was within the school." Severus began as he got himself comfortable.
"What is this book?" Peter asked as he took a sip of tea and then a bite of his own sandwich.
"It's an Ancient tome that was written by an early Egyptian dark witch. It is very dark magic indeed and will be controlled by one person alone. The person in control will pass the book to others so that when they touch it some sort of bond will be formed between them and the tome. Their magic will slowly be seeped from them each time the owner controls them, it will be sucked into the book, turned dark and given back to its owner, making him truly powerful." This was a lot to take in and Amanda and Peter both listened intently to Severus' explanation.
"So, this book is in our children's school right now and with some kind of crack pot student in control of it?" Amanda demanded quite concerned for the children and in particular, Christopher.
"It's not easy to find, mum, and now that we know who has it we've been watching him like a hawk." Chris interrupted.
"Then why can't the book be taken away and destroyed?" Peter asked.
"The one in ownership of it right now has had it for some time and has control of a great number of people. The book gives its recycled dark magic back to its owner making him more powerful. I can tell you its last owner was Voldemort, and I know you are aware of what he did." Peter and Amanda both gasped.
"So, its owner is this Layton fellow?" Peter asked after a pause so he could collect his thoughts.
"No. he-he wouldn't, he's too caring. too. he's always there for me," Hermione spoke up in defence of her 'friend'.
"Hermione, he has control of you. He has told you not to tell anyone he has the book and therefore you will obviously defend him. We know he has it though, we are certain of this fact." Severus told her bluntly.
"Oh, and have you seen it yourself?" She snapped not bothering to look him in the face as her own began to turn red in anger.
"No, but he is showing all the signs of being in control of many students, he had the means to acquire the artefact itself and. there are many points going against him. You cannot defend him here. You yourself have admitted that he made you show the tome to one of your classes, and he mentioned the curse to you in Hogsmede last week." Severus countered raising his voice as he spoke; he was slowly beginning to reach the end of his tether. Hermione looked at him clearly irate.
"What do you know of my conversation with Layton in Hogsmede?" She demanded.
"We were there spying on you both, Hermione." Christopher told her.
"So, you are on his side now as well? You, my own brother are against me?" Hermione asked spinning to face Chris.
"Not at all, Hermione. I am on no one's side here. I just want everything back to normal." Chris defended and Hermione just glared at him feeling quite betrayed.
"You are wrong. You only want to hurt Layton as you see he is close to me." Hermione retaliated after a second or two.
"That is not true and deep down you know it," Severus spat through clenched teeth as he tried to regain his composure.
"Severus, can it be destroyed?" Peter asked, trying to stop the argument in its tracks.
"We think so, but we must get it away from this student first." Severus replied.
"How will you do that?" Peter asked again.
"I really do not know. We have a team working on the problem. The Headmaster is casting counter curses to combat the control, a team of researchers are looking at ways to bind the magic and others are. well working on different parts of the plan." Severus said, not willing to give too much away, especially considering that the information could fall into Frontera's hands through Hermione.
"So, why has the Headmaster not performed the counter spell on Hermione?" Amanda asked.
"He did," Hermione said simply. Amanda looked confused; Severus had said she was still being controlled.
"It didn't work due to Hermione's pregnancy." Chris spoke up again and took his sister's hand in his own, squeezing lightly in a comforting gesture; she turned to him and glared again, slowly releasing her hand.
"Yes, once this bastard is out of me I will be as right as rain again," Hermione stated sarcastically to which she received many shocked stares at her name calling.
"Hermione, I have asked you not to refer to our baby as a bastard child." Severus warned clenching both his hands and teeth again.
"Yeah? I asked you to leave me alone and call me Professor Granger from now on as well. I guess we can't have what we always want," she hissed back at him. Severus closed his eyes and counted to ten slowly.
"Well, this doesn't seem to explain the problem between you two." Peter said pointing at them both.
"The book turns whoever touches it to the dark side. It also depletes their energy levels until all magic has gone and the subject dies." Severus said quickly.
"Dies?" Amanda gasped in horror and pulled Hermione close to her.
"Yes." Severus said gravely. "The problem between Hermione and my self is quite a complicated one." Severus told them of the secret admirer, the hate mail and the spell, which went awry.
"So, she doesn't believe this photograph anymore?" Amanda asked.
"I am still here, mother," Hermione said looking up at the woman beside her as she moved and winced at the pain in her chest, which had suddenly decided to return in full force due to the way she had been sitting. "No, I don't believe it was him in the photo."
"Then why are you still angry at Severus." Amanda asked her daughter.
"I-I." She shook her head and started to cry uncontrollably with her head in her hands.
"Hermione, I understand that you are being controlled by Frontera and he wishes you to be angry with me but I've done nothing wrong." Severus implored.
"I know, Sev-Severus. I can't fight him. for long." She said as she fought with all her might to break the curse and rubbed her eyes.
"Christopher, swap seats," Severus said standing up quickly and moving into the now vacant seat beside Hermione. He pulled her into a tight hug. "We will get this sorted, my love but we must return to Hogwarts. Will you come with me?" He asked urgently before Frontera managed to get control of her mind again, he must be quite powerful now if he was able to control her outside of the school and therefore with a greater distance between them both.
"Yes, love." Hermione said sniffing loudly. "I'm sorry about this mum and dad. I can't." Hermione couldn't hold him off any longer and lost control of her mind back to Frontera as her eyes glazed over again. She quickly moved out of Severus' embrace and pushed him away from her forcefully. "Get off me, Snape! I told you never to touch me again."
"Alright, calm down." Severus said holding his hands up in surrender as she abruptly stood up and turned to face him.
"Lay another hand on me and I will kill you," she threatened in a menacing voice and pulling out her wand, pointing it directly at his chest much to Peter and Amanda's utter shock. Severus had had enough and stood up as well.
"Go on, do it." He told her as he moved forward so that her wand was digging into his chest and he held her glare not backing down one iota. The hatred flashed in her eyes and she took a deep breath before starting the incantation.
"Avad. avada. ked-ked," Her hand dropped the wand in shock and she covered her face with her hands. "I-I-I. sorry, sorry, Severus. No, nononononono." She cried furiously, shaking her head and dropping to the floor on her knees. Severus slumped down beside her and pulled her into another embrace as Hermione's parents and brother all looked on with slack jaws and completely speechless at what they were seeing.
"Sshhh, sshhh. You are able to fight him for longer now. You are coming back to me more quickly. Hermione, listen to me," Severus said as her sobs quietened down and she forced her face up to his. "You could not have cast that spell on me. You have no magic, he has seeped it all into that book of his." She was still shaking her head.
"I tried to though. please forgive me." She said as her voice cracked and she gulped in large lungfuls of air as her hands came up around Severus' back and she hugged him tightly.
"We must go. I will keep you all informed as to what happens. I will take Hermione back now while she is still relatively in agreement." Severus told the family of onlookers.
"Take good care of our daughter, Severus." Peter told him.
"I will. Christopher, please explain whatever I have missed."
"Okay, Severus. Take care." Chris replied. "I'll see you soon."
With that Severus pulled out a galleon from his pocket and after whispering an incantation to make it into a portkey he touched it and then blinked out of the Granger's livingroom and directly into the hospital wing.
~~*~~
"Poppy!" Severus yelled as soon as Hermione and he landed on the floor of the hospital wing. Within seconds she was bustling out of her office and over to the couple.
"What happened?" She asked disturbed by the fact Hermione was back in the hospital wing again so soon.
"Hermione is exhausted, she is right now able to fight the curse but not for much longer I fear." Severus explained as he held Hermione close to him; she was already drifting off into a fitful sleep.
"Pop her into bed, Severus. She has already had quite a trying day." Poppy said sighing in relief that she had not been injured again.
"What do you mean?" Severus asked as he lifted Hermione from the floor.
"She hasn't told you?" Poppy enquired.
"What, Poppy?" Severus demanded as he placed his wife onto the bed indicated and she moved slightly to get her self-comfortable.
"She was attacked this morning but refuses to tell me who did it; she ended up with two fractured ribs. She self-discharged from my care soon after and under strict orders not to, she apparated home to her parents'."
"And you saw fit not to inform me, her husband of this event!" Severus raged before turning to Hermione and noticing her eyes had opened at his explosion. "Hermione, who attacked you this morning?"
"She asked me not to tell, and I have to maintain my patients' confidentiality at all times. Now let me examine her." Poppy pushed him aside and withdrew her wand, passing it over Hermione and taking observations as she went before Hermione had had a chance to say who had given her the injuries.
"It was Frontera, Severus." Hermione whispered with fear clear in her eyes. Severus took her hand in his own and gently squeezed.
"He will pay, my love." Severus vowed; he would make that boy pay if it was the last thing he ever had the pleasure of doing. He was disturbed in his thoughts as Hermione pushed his hand away from her own and started to glare at him; she had lost control yet again.
After a few moments Poppy spoke. "She is exhausted, and in some pain with her ribs. I will give her some analgesia and a dreamless sleep potion."
"Fine, when she has settled I will visit with the Headmaster," Severus replied as his mind reeled at the news that his wife had received more injuries. For now Hermione was safe and sound and at least he was now aware of who was to blame for the abuse she had received. "Let me know if she requests to leave again, Poppy and under no circumstances is she to leave or receive any other visitors other than myself or Albus."
"Very well, Severus." Poppy replied and Severus left the hospital wing with Hermione still pinning him with a glower.
Chapter Twenty
"Headmaster, I wondered if you had seen Hermione at all today?" Severus asked as he entered the old man's office and moved towards the desk. Albus looked up quizzically at the younger wizard his expression calm and collected.
"She did not tell you?" Albus asked with a raised eyebrow. "She is spending the Easter with her parents and brother. Poppy informed me soon after she self-discharged from the hospital wing." Dumbledore told him and watched regretfully as Severus' heart visibly dropped.
"No she did not tell me, Albus, but then why on Earth would she? After all, we have been estranged from one another for a month now and I can't see that changing anytime soon." Severus sighed and threw himself into one of the seats in front of Albus' desk. "I do not know what to do with her Albus. She knows it was not I in that photograph and yet she remains angry with me. I keep her away from Frontera as much as I can and know she can fight the curse but yet she does this to me, runs away as soon as school is out and she is free to go."
"Then why don't you go to her, Severus?" Albus asked. "You will never win her back moping around at Hogwarts for the next three weeks."
"What would be the point, Albus?" Severus asked completely disheartened by the whole situation. "She wants nothing to do with me for most of the time."
"She can break the curse if she doesn't come into contact with Frontera for a period of time. Am I correct?" Albus asked him.
"Yes, I do believe so, Albus. I have also noted she is better at breaking through if she is lost in research as well. She must channel her thoughts into her research so much that she is able to concentrate enough to break through the curse for a short time." Severus replied, thinking about the events over the last week. He couldn't believe it was already a month since they had split up. "And I did notice in Hogsmede last week that she could break the curse even with Frontera by her side. I assume it must be his loss of contact with the book or perhaps his own loss of concentration."
"Then, you must go to Hermione. You must not let her be visited by Frontera or anyone in possession of that book. In fact go and bring her back here, Hogwarts is a safe enough environment, particularly with all of the students out of the castle. It would be a perfect setting for you to discuss things." Albus suggested to him. "She can always visit her parents again once this is all over."
"Fine, I will do as you suggest. I want my wife with me anyway, whether we fight constantly or not, I want to be able to keep an eye on her." Severus replied as he stood up and his mind began to form a new plan for his mission.
"Very well, Severus. If you need any assistance then just let me know. If you are not both back in the castle within two days I will send an owl demanding you both return immediately." Dumbledore told him.
"Thank you, Albus." Severus nodded to his mentor and old friend.
"Good luck, my boy." With that Severus turned on his heel and left the office. He wasn't going to pack anything; he had his wand for whatever he would need. He summoned his travelling cloak though and once outside of the Hogwarts grounds apparated directly into the Granger's spare bedroom, just as he had done when he had been checking on Peter's progress months ago.
~~*~~
Hermione had poured her heart out to both of her parents. She had arrived well before the Hogwarts Express would since she had apparated. Her parents still had an hour before they would have to leave for Kings Cross in order to pick up Chris from the station.
"So, you and Severus are definitely getting a divorce?" Peter asked completely aghast at what she was telling them as they all sat in the livingroom. Hermione was currently wrapped in her mother's arms on the couch while her father sat opposite in an armchair.
"It does appear so, dad." Hermione mumbled blowing her nose for the umpteenth time that afternoon.
"You don't sound too happy about this though." Amanda observed although it was not necessary to say it out aloud for anyone could see this fact as plane as the nose on a face.
"Well obviously, I have no real wish to break up with him." Hermione said as the tears brimmed in her eyes again.
"Then why apply for the divorce, Hermione?" Peter asked completely and utterly confused. "It was you, who applied, wasn't it?"
"I told you, I am mad with him and we've been separated for a month now, and yes it was me who filed for the divorce. I only have so many months in which to do it from the time of marriage." Hermione told them both as she began to lose her temper- she had been grilled for the last hour by them as it was.
"Yes, and you've said that several times now, love. What your mum and I want to know is why you are angry at him?" Peter asked, this was like drawing blood out of a stone and it was completely unlike Hermione to be closed off like this. "Is he having an affair?"
"No." Hermione said, although she had thought that this had been the case for a few brief moments just over one month ago.
"Are you having an affair?" Peter asked, hoping that he would get a reply in the negative.
"No."
"Do you love him?" Peter asked again.
"Yes, I do," Hermione said looking down at the rings on her finger; they were the proof after all and would only disappear if she ever lost her love for him.
"Does he love you?" Peter asked feeling like this was a game of twenty questions and starting to get tired of it already.
"Yes, he does." Hermione told them one hundred percent certain.
"Then what is wrong? What is the problem?"
"I don't know." Hermione said more distraught this time. Amanda held her tighter and rubbed her back.
"Was it a mistake to marry him?" Peter asked sitting forward in his chair.
"No, I love him so much and we have known each other since I was eleven. It's not like we rushed anything, and we are having a baby together."
"Well, I'm pleased to hear this, Hermione. Your mother and I did try to instil in you the importance of marriage and adherence to its vows when you were younger. Although you did not have a conventional marriage by our books you should still hold marriage in such a high regard." Peter admonished.
"I do, dad. I do hold marriage in high regard." Hermione told him, feeling like a scolded child again.
"Hermione. Is he being violent towards you? Abusing you in any way?" Amanda asked gently.
"Certainly not! He would never degrade me in such a manner, mum. He's not like that, he respects me."
"Hermione. Why are you here and not with Severus then?" Amanda tried another approach after a long pause.
"I was told to come and stay with you." Hermione replied quietly and simply.
"Who told you to?" Peter asked confused at the entire situation although now he felt like they were getting somewhere.
"Layton," Hermione muttered indistinctly.
"Layton did you say? Who's Layton?" Amanda asked looking at her daughter.
"A friend. a student," Amanda and Peter both raised their eyes and looked at each other. Why was a student telling a teacher what to do?
"Tell me about this Layton person." Peter said frowning as Hermione looked up at him finally with swollen red eyes.
"What do you want to know, dad?" She asked as she breathed deeply and tried to calm down, crying was very exhausting and she was still not one hundred percent since she had been discharged from the infirmary that morning, and her mended ribs were still a bit sore.
"Anything. why is he telling you what you should do?"
"He can, that's why. He's very powerful and. scary when he's angry. He told me to come here so I would be away from Severus and able to think more clearly." Hermione told them as she gulped.
"What right does he have to tell you this?" Amanda demanded. "When we were at school, and I do know your world is different but we never back chatted any of our teachers and certainly never even dreamed of giving them orders. We'd have been suspended at the very least."
"He is always there for me." Hermione's eyes seemed to glaze over and she replied without any concern and as if that was an answer to it all. Just then the livingroom door opened and a dark figure stepped in, an ominous and commanding presence against the light coloured walls in full wizard teaching robes.
"Please forgive me my intrusion into your home Peter and Amanda but I have come for my wife." Severus said as he looked at her and noticed the state she was in, his heart was melting but he could also see the glazed expression in her eyes and knew she was currently being controlled.
"Leave. Now," she spat at him, her voice very low and dangerous sounding.
"I will not." Severus retorted as Peter and Amanda looked between Severus and Hermione at a complete loss.
"Well, good," Peter said shifting in his seat to look up at Severus. "Because quite frankly we are at a complete and utter loss as to what is going on here. As far as we can see there should be no problems between the two of you. Neither of you are having an affair and you both love each other." Peter said getting straight to the point. "So, Severus, please do come in and make your self at home and tell us all about it."
"Thank you, Peter," Severus said taking the empty armchair.
Hermione began to get up. "I'm leaving."
"Sit back down this instance, young lady. You are not going anywhere!" Peter demanded in a tone that Hermione had not heard since she had been in primary school. Hermione opened her mouth to retort but closed it immediately at the look in her father's eyes and settled back onto the couch. "And now perhaps you could enlighten us as to why someone called Layton should have the authority to tell my daughter, a professor, to stay away from you and the school over the Easter holidays." Peter asked raising his eyebrows and waiting for an answer from his son-in-law.
"It is indeed a long story, Peter." Severus said with a sigh.
"Well, in that case, we will leave you two to it and we'll be back in about four hours when you will hopefully be able to fill us in on everything." Severus looked puzzled as Amanda stood up as if they were getting ready to leave.
"We have to pick Christopher up and it take's us an hour and a half to get to the station with the horrendous London traffic." Peter explained.
Severus thought for a few moments, Hermione would refuse to come back to the castle tonight by the looks of things, and he could do with Chris being here to help explain things. He made the decision. "I will get Chris from the train and bring him back here directly. Stay with Hermione and I will return in a few minutes. He will be helpful in giving the explanations you need."
"Very well, thank you, Severus." Amanda said as she sat back down again and pulled her daughter towards her for another hug and to stop her from glaring at Severus anymore. With the blink of an eye Severus popped out of view after one long and compassionate look at his wife.
~~*~~
Apparating directly onto the Hogwarts Express Severus cast his invisibility spell and then a location spell in order to find Chris. It turned out he needed the next carriage down and so he set off along the corridor, avoiding students as they trundled past him oblivious to the fact they were so close to their evil Potions Master. It had been nearly thirty years since he had last been on the Hogwarts Express but he did notice that nothing about it had changed whatsoever.
Severus finally reached the correct compartment and knocked on the door, which opened a second later with one of the Weasley's poking his head out before being roughly pushed back in by an invisible force. Severus released his invisibility spell and managed to startle the group of six Gryffindor first years who all gasped at his sudden appearance. Chris quickly recovered and grinned at his brother-in-law before he quickly realised it was too odd an occurrence for him to show up like this and automatically deemed something was very wrong.
"What's wrong, Professor?" Chris asked standing up unsteadily as the train banked slightly. Severus steadied him with his hand.
"Where is your trunk, Mr. Granger?"
"Here, Sir." Chris indicated a compartment underneath his seat where his trunk was sticking out.
"Do you have anymore luggage with you?"
"No, Sir. What's wrong?"
"We can't talk here," Severus said extracting his wand and reducing the trunk in size and pocketing it. He then moved over to put an arm around Chris. "We are going to double apparate, focus on me and nothing else." Chris nodded and Severus held him closer before he heard voices outside of the compartment door.
"Granger's in this one." Someone said in the corridor.
"Good, give me the book." Severus heard Layton Frontera's voice and threw a quick locking spell at the door to buy them some time. He turned to the others in the compartment.
"If anyone asks, I was not here and you've not seen Chris. Understand?" There were five nodding heads and Severus turned back to Chris and gripping him tightly he apparated them both off the train and into the Granger's spare bedroom.
"Wow," Chris said rocking slightly before being overcome by a wave of nausea and sitting down heavily on the spare bed immediately so as not to fall over. "That was amazing, and I can't believe how quick it was!"
"Are you alright, Chris?" Severus asked as he kneeled down in front of him in concern.
"Yes, quite alright now, Severus," he said putting his head between his knees and breathing deeply. "Would you care to enlighten me as to what is going on?"
"Certainly," Severus said and told him all that he needed to know. "So, will you help me to explain things?"
"Of course, come on and let's get this sorted out." They left the room and headed down into the livingroom.
~~*~~
Stepping into the lounge room Chris quickly ran and hugged both his mum and dad in greeting. He had not seen them since Christmas and he did miss them terribly being away from home and at such a young age.
"Christopher darling, how are you? It's good to have you home, you are looking quite well." Amanda said as she embraced her son when Hermione let her go.
"Yes, welcome home son. Your mother and I have missed you around here of late. It's been a great deal quieter," Peter said with a slight chuckle.
"It's great to see you both as well, and you too Hermione. I missed you this morning- I had to leave the hospital wing to get packed." He said apologetically.
"Hospital?" Amanda asked looking down at her daughter with a puzzled expression.
"I was having some tests done to make sure my son was alright." Hermione said as she lovingly patted her stomach.
"And is he?" Severus enquired from the doorway where he had stayed back so that Chris could be greeted by his parents. Amanda and Peter both looked up at him. He looked quite foreboding in his black teaching robes and they could both see why Hermione had described him as very strict and unapproachable when she had been his student back in her own Hogwarts days.
"I told you, you are to have nothing to do with him, Snape. Therefore you can mind your own blasted business." Hermione snapped as her expression darkened again and Amanda gasped in surprise at her sudden change in demeanour. Severus simply stared at her and bit the inside of his cheek so that he wouldn't snap at her.
"Hermione, surely you won't keep your child from his father." Peter asked in astonishment as well.
"Yes, I have been told to." Hermione replied with an edge to her voice.
"By who?" Severus demanded immediately, blood boiling under his skin. Hermione ignored him and Chris cowered noting the imminent eruption of his professor and brother-in-law.
"Who told you to do this, Hermione?" Amanda asked soothingly.
"Lay-Layton did." Hermione told them with a stutter.
"Alright, Christopher, sit down along with you Severus and tell us what is going on, particularly with this Layton fellow." Peter instructed. Christopher was heading for the empty armchair before Severus stopped him and steered him towards the seat on the couch by Hermione; it was probably best not to be so close to her when she was still being controlled.
"I think some refreshments while we talk, and Christopher is surely hungry. Shall I get something to eat sorted out before you begin, Severus?" Amanda asked; it was getting close to teatime after all.
"Please, allow me, Amanda." Severus said as he withdrew his wand and conjured tea for five and sandwiches with biscuits and cheese." Amanda gasped; she had not seen this kind of magic before.
"Is this real?" Amanda asked quite dubious as she looked at the array of foods from different angles.
"Of course it is, mum. See?" Chris said as he helped himself and began munching on a tuna sandwich. Everyone followed his example and helped themselves. Before Severus began to tell Hermione's parents what had happened he placed strong privacy wards up around the room.
"I must stress that this information is not to leave this room." Peter and Amanda both nodded. "This started just after the students returned after Christmas break. There is a dark book in the control of a student called Layton Frontera. We did not know who actually controlled this book until about a week ago but we knew it was within the school." Severus began as he got himself comfortable.
"What is this book?" Peter asked as he took a sip of tea and then a bite of his own sandwich.
"It's an Ancient tome that was written by an early Egyptian dark witch. It is very dark magic indeed and will be controlled by one person alone. The person in control will pass the book to others so that when they touch it some sort of bond will be formed between them and the tome. Their magic will slowly be seeped from them each time the owner controls them, it will be sucked into the book, turned dark and given back to its owner, making him truly powerful." This was a lot to take in and Amanda and Peter both listened intently to Severus' explanation.
"So, this book is in our children's school right now and with some kind of crack pot student in control of it?" Amanda demanded quite concerned for the children and in particular, Christopher.
"It's not easy to find, mum, and now that we know who has it we've been watching him like a hawk." Chris interrupted.
"Then why can't the book be taken away and destroyed?" Peter asked.
"The one in ownership of it right now has had it for some time and has control of a great number of people. The book gives its recycled dark magic back to its owner making him more powerful. I can tell you its last owner was Voldemort, and I know you are aware of what he did." Peter and Amanda both gasped.
"So, its owner is this Layton fellow?" Peter asked after a pause so he could collect his thoughts.
"No. he-he wouldn't, he's too caring. too. he's always there for me," Hermione spoke up in defence of her 'friend'.
"Hermione, he has control of you. He has told you not to tell anyone he has the book and therefore you will obviously defend him. We know he has it though, we are certain of this fact." Severus told her bluntly.
"Oh, and have you seen it yourself?" She snapped not bothering to look him in the face as her own began to turn red in anger.
"No, but he is showing all the signs of being in control of many students, he had the means to acquire the artefact itself and. there are many points going against him. You cannot defend him here. You yourself have admitted that he made you show the tome to one of your classes, and he mentioned the curse to you in Hogsmede last week." Severus countered raising his voice as he spoke; he was slowly beginning to reach the end of his tether. Hermione looked at him clearly irate.
"What do you know of my conversation with Layton in Hogsmede?" She demanded.
"We were there spying on you both, Hermione." Christopher told her.
"So, you are on his side now as well? You, my own brother are against me?" Hermione asked spinning to face Chris.
"Not at all, Hermione. I am on no one's side here. I just want everything back to normal." Chris defended and Hermione just glared at him feeling quite betrayed.
"You are wrong. You only want to hurt Layton as you see he is close to me." Hermione retaliated after a second or two.
"That is not true and deep down you know it," Severus spat through clenched teeth as he tried to regain his composure.
"Severus, can it be destroyed?" Peter asked, trying to stop the argument in its tracks.
"We think so, but we must get it away from this student first." Severus replied.
"How will you do that?" Peter asked again.
"I really do not know. We have a team working on the problem. The Headmaster is casting counter curses to combat the control, a team of researchers are looking at ways to bind the magic and others are. well working on different parts of the plan." Severus said, not willing to give too much away, especially considering that the information could fall into Frontera's hands through Hermione.
"So, why has the Headmaster not performed the counter spell on Hermione?" Amanda asked.
"He did," Hermione said simply. Amanda looked confused; Severus had said she was still being controlled.
"It didn't work due to Hermione's pregnancy." Chris spoke up again and took his sister's hand in his own, squeezing lightly in a comforting gesture; she turned to him and glared again, slowly releasing her hand.
"Yes, once this bastard is out of me I will be as right as rain again," Hermione stated sarcastically to which she received many shocked stares at her name calling.
"Hermione, I have asked you not to refer to our baby as a bastard child." Severus warned clenching both his hands and teeth again.
"Yeah? I asked you to leave me alone and call me Professor Granger from now on as well. I guess we can't have what we always want," she hissed back at him. Severus closed his eyes and counted to ten slowly.
"Well, this doesn't seem to explain the problem between you two." Peter said pointing at them both.
"The book turns whoever touches it to the dark side. It also depletes their energy levels until all magic has gone and the subject dies." Severus said quickly.
"Dies?" Amanda gasped in horror and pulled Hermione close to her.
"Yes." Severus said gravely. "The problem between Hermione and my self is quite a complicated one." Severus told them of the secret admirer, the hate mail and the spell, which went awry.
"So, she doesn't believe this photograph anymore?" Amanda asked.
"I am still here, mother," Hermione said looking up at the woman beside her as she moved and winced at the pain in her chest, which had suddenly decided to return in full force due to the way she had been sitting. "No, I don't believe it was him in the photo."
"Then why are you still angry at Severus." Amanda asked her daughter.
"I-I." She shook her head and started to cry uncontrollably with her head in her hands.
"Hermione, I understand that you are being controlled by Frontera and he wishes you to be angry with me but I've done nothing wrong." Severus implored.
"I know, Sev-Severus. I can't fight him. for long." She said as she fought with all her might to break the curse and rubbed her eyes.
"Christopher, swap seats," Severus said standing up quickly and moving into the now vacant seat beside Hermione. He pulled her into a tight hug. "We will get this sorted, my love but we must return to Hogwarts. Will you come with me?" He asked urgently before Frontera managed to get control of her mind again, he must be quite powerful now if he was able to control her outside of the school and therefore with a greater distance between them both.
"Yes, love." Hermione said sniffing loudly. "I'm sorry about this mum and dad. I can't." Hermione couldn't hold him off any longer and lost control of her mind back to Frontera as her eyes glazed over again. She quickly moved out of Severus' embrace and pushed him away from her forcefully. "Get off me, Snape! I told you never to touch me again."
"Alright, calm down." Severus said holding his hands up in surrender as she abruptly stood up and turned to face him.
"Lay another hand on me and I will kill you," she threatened in a menacing voice and pulling out her wand, pointing it directly at his chest much to Peter and Amanda's utter shock. Severus had had enough and stood up as well.
"Go on, do it." He told her as he moved forward so that her wand was digging into his chest and he held her glare not backing down one iota. The hatred flashed in her eyes and she took a deep breath before starting the incantation.
"Avad. avada. ked-ked," Her hand dropped the wand in shock and she covered her face with her hands. "I-I-I. sorry, sorry, Severus. No, nononononono." She cried furiously, shaking her head and dropping to the floor on her knees. Severus slumped down beside her and pulled her into another embrace as Hermione's parents and brother all looked on with slack jaws and completely speechless at what they were seeing.
"Sshhh, sshhh. You are able to fight him for longer now. You are coming back to me more quickly. Hermione, listen to me," Severus said as her sobs quietened down and she forced her face up to his. "You could not have cast that spell on me. You have no magic, he has seeped it all into that book of his." She was still shaking her head.
"I tried to though. please forgive me." She said as her voice cracked and she gulped in large lungfuls of air as her hands came up around Severus' back and she hugged him tightly.
"We must go. I will keep you all informed as to what happens. I will take Hermione back now while she is still relatively in agreement." Severus told the family of onlookers.
"Take good care of our daughter, Severus." Peter told him.
"I will. Christopher, please explain whatever I have missed."
"Okay, Severus. Take care." Chris replied. "I'll see you soon."
With that Severus pulled out a galleon from his pocket and after whispering an incantation to make it into a portkey he touched it and then blinked out of the Granger's livingroom and directly into the hospital wing.
~~*~~
"Poppy!" Severus yelled as soon as Hermione and he landed on the floor of the hospital wing. Within seconds she was bustling out of her office and over to the couple.
"What happened?" She asked disturbed by the fact Hermione was back in the hospital wing again so soon.
"Hermione is exhausted, she is right now able to fight the curse but not for much longer I fear." Severus explained as he held Hermione close to him; she was already drifting off into a fitful sleep.
"Pop her into bed, Severus. She has already had quite a trying day." Poppy said sighing in relief that she had not been injured again.
"What do you mean?" Severus asked as he lifted Hermione from the floor.
"She hasn't told you?" Poppy enquired.
"What, Poppy?" Severus demanded as he placed his wife onto the bed indicated and she moved slightly to get her self-comfortable.
"She was attacked this morning but refuses to tell me who did it; she ended up with two fractured ribs. She self-discharged from my care soon after and under strict orders not to, she apparated home to her parents'."
"And you saw fit not to inform me, her husband of this event!" Severus raged before turning to Hermione and noticing her eyes had opened at his explosion. "Hermione, who attacked you this morning?"
"She asked me not to tell, and I have to maintain my patients' confidentiality at all times. Now let me examine her." Poppy pushed him aside and withdrew her wand, passing it over Hermione and taking observations as she went before Hermione had had a chance to say who had given her the injuries.
"It was Frontera, Severus." Hermione whispered with fear clear in her eyes. Severus took her hand in his own and gently squeezed.
"He will pay, my love." Severus vowed; he would make that boy pay if it was the last thing he ever had the pleasure of doing. He was disturbed in his thoughts as Hermione pushed his hand away from her own and started to glare at him; she had lost control yet again.
After a few moments Poppy spoke. "She is exhausted, and in some pain with her ribs. I will give her some analgesia and a dreamless sleep potion."
"Fine, when she has settled I will visit with the Headmaster," Severus replied as his mind reeled at the news that his wife had received more injuries. For now Hermione was safe and sound and at least he was now aware of who was to blame for the abuse she had received. "Let me know if she requests to leave again, Poppy and under no circumstances is she to leave or receive any other visitors other than myself or Albus."
"Very well, Severus." Poppy replied and Severus left the hospital wing with Hermione still pinning him with a glower.