Disclaimer: See Chapter 1. A/N at end.

Some Scars Never Fade

WendyNat

Chapter 21

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It took only minutes to bring down the wards that Harry and Kingsley detected, but to Severus it seemed like an eternity. He crouched beside Viktor, fists clenched tightly as he waited. Finally, Kingsley gave the signal and the groups split up. The first group, lead by Tonks, entered the Manor house while the second and third groups remained outside. The Chief Auror waited for Severus and Viktor to join the group before giving Severus a concerned look.

"I expected some sort of response when the wards were broken," Kingsley said.

Severus nodded slightly. "Do you think there could be hidden wards?"

To his left, Harry shook his head. "No, I've got a lot of experience with this type of thing, Snape. I sensed no other wardings in place, I even checked for the most obscure ones. That's what took so long."

"Mr. Potter was our best ward-breaker, Severus. He's got a sixth sense when it comes to security measures. I think you can be assured that they are no others," Kingsley said in a low voice.

Ron Weasley nodded. "At any rate, we should hang back for a minute or two, make sure we can stay in contact with Tonks' group before we head in."

Suddenly, Viktor put his hand up. "Vait a second." His eyes lost focus for a moment as he grabbed the chain hanging around his neck. An instant later, he looked at the others. "They just found Crabbe, Tonks says. He is in a room next to a Potions laboratory - he's stunned. and there are signs of struggle. Hestia has told her it vas definitely vere Hermione vas vorking on the potion - there are still cauldrons."

"No sign of anyone else?" Ron Weasley asked, his face tense. Viktor's eyes snapped out of focus again.

"No," he said, letting out a breath. "Kingsley - should ve go-"

"Yes, come on. Everyone, cast your Disillusionment charms," the Chief Auror said, his deep voice low as he gave the instructions. Turning to the final group of Aurors, Kingsley handed a smooth flat stone to Katie Bell. "Auror Bell - keep your people here until you hear from me. You are aware of how to use the communication stone, correct?" Katie nodded. "Good. Under no circumstances are you to break your position without orders from myself, Auror Weasley, or Auror Tonks."

Katie nodded again. "Yes, sir." Heading back to her group, she guided them into a more concealed position near the edge of the property.

Kingsley turned back to his group. Severus, Harry, Ron, and Viktor Krum. Eyeing Viktor, Kingsley said, "Mr. Krum - you may stay here with Katie's group if you wish - this isn't your respons-"

"I am going." Viktor looked at Severus. "She is my friend. And Tonks is in there - she vill be keeping contact vith me using the bracelet. No one else can use the linked chain."

Kingsley nodded sharply and, with no further words, the group entered the Manor.

It took them no time to find the Potions laboratory that Hermione had described - it was, indeed, in the stone-walled basement of the Manor house. They quickly moved past the still-bubbling cauldrons and to the adjoining room. Harry stopped dead in the doorway, causing Severus to almost plow into him.

"Out of the way, Pot- Dear Merlin." Severus said, his voice trailing off as Harry moved aside and he saw the wreckage in the room. A huge wooden cabinet had been completely destroyed, its wood left in a pile of splinters and jagged broken boards. as he moved closer, he saw with a lurch that some of the boards were colored with what appeared to be blood. He cast a quick glance at Crabbe, lying prone in the center of the room, and took in his unmarred skin. A wave of fear-tinged fury rushed through Severus as he realized the most likely source of the bloodstains.

"Oh, 'Mione." he heard someone say - he was unable to tell whether it was Potter or Weasley. He shook his head, brows furrowed in thought. Had she overpowered Crabbe - even injured as she must have been? Where had she gone? Why didn't she contact him again, if she had overpowered Crabbe?

"We should keep moving, people," Kingsley ordered. Severus and the others nodded and turned to follow the Auror when suddenly, Severus stopped. A glint of something had caught his eye. bending down, he found the source.

Her necklace. He picked it out of the wreckage and held it tightly, his hand shaking. If she had left the area under her own power, she surely would have stopped to gather the pendant and. his eyes, which had continued to search the debris, saw a round, unbroken length of wood. her wand. Reaching out his other hand, he grabbed it. Vaguely, he realized someone was kneeling beside him.

"Come, Snape. Ve vill find her." Glancing at the dark-haired wizard next to him, he nodded and they both stood.

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Oh, Gods.

Hermione's head pounded, and a metallic taste in her mouth was causing her stomach to roil. Everything was still black, dark. she could hear someone's voice, but it sounded as if it were coming from very far away.

Slowly, she realized why everything was still dark. Open your eyes, woman, she thought, starting to smile until she felt a sharp pain. Bitch must have hit me again, split my lip. At the thought, everything came back to her. Crabbe.Narcissa. her eyes flew open wide and she raised her head.

To see cool eyes staring back at her. "Awake, little Mudblood? We really must do something about your laziness." Narcissa chuckled. "Now - you will tell me, won't you? I may even heal you a bit as a little thank you."

"Tell you what?" Hermione asked, her head spinning.

The smile on the blonde woman's face grew colder still. "Don't tell me Crabbe addled your mind that much. the Polyjuice, Mudblood."

"But - why?" Hermione couldn't stop herself from asking. It seemed important to her, for some reason, to know why the woman needed it so badly. It's the one piece of the puzzle that made no sense.

Narcissa frowned, shaking her head. "You really are quite dim, girl. I thought at first that my Draco was exaggerating, but it appears he told the truth. I shouldn't have doubted him. My clever, beautiful son." She stared at Hermione for a moment, obviously contemplating her answer. "Well - I suppose it won't matter if I tell you. I'm going to." Narcissa stopped herself before continuing, "Obliviate you, either way."

Hermione felt a wild urge to laugh at that. She had no doubt that the other woman was planning to kill her, either way. She must be getting rusty with the whole intrigue thing - imagine, almost saying it out loud! Hermione thought with amusement. Belatedly, she realized that the other woman had begun talking.

"-remember the whole Crouch incident your little Potter friend was involved in? Barty Jr.'s only problem was having to keep that Muggle-lover Moody alive. I'm not sure if you know this or not, Mudblood, but Polyjuice requires a living donor. If the donor is dead, their life force is not available to allow the magical link when the hair is added. Thus the potion cannot create the link to the donor's DNA." Hermione stared at the other woman in amazement, shaking her head. "The link is only needed when the donor's hair is added, once the potion has absorbed the information it needs from the donor, the link is broken."

Hermione stared at her. Her left eye was a bit blurry, for some reason. "I've never seen anything about that. how did you-" she stopped at the evil smirk on Narcissa's face. Oh, Gods. I wonder how many Muggles she went through before she figured that out.

"Ah - so you can figure some things out on your own, then, Mudblood. Do you really think Crouch would have left Moody alive if it wasn't necessary? So much easier to kill him and then cut off all his hair and other ingredients. You don't need much to brew the Polyjuice - one shaved head can give you a lifetime of doses if you cut each individual strand into sections. Now do you see why I want the Manere?"

Hermione answered dully, "After making enough batches, you'll use the Manere to preserve it and then kill the donor." She almost giggled. It was just like one of her father's cheesy detective stories. the bad guy tells all, sure of his victory, only to have his plans foiled. I hope her plans get foiled. Her vision was going blurry again. dark spots bursting behind her eyes.

A slow clapping sound roused her. "Very good, Mudblood. I had to lead you by the nose, but you finally caught on."

The fuzziness in Hermione's head threatened to overwhelm her again, and she clung to the conversation like a lifeline. Stall her. stall her. Severus had to track her down soon. "So. like Crouch you said. who's going to take Draco's place in Azkaban? You?"

Another peal of laughter caused her to wince. "Just when I think you're not completely unintelligent, you open your mouth again." Narcissa stared at her in amusement for a moment. "Renovo, of course. The heir to the Malfoy estates? You've heard of him, correct? Quite convenient, don't you think? The useless squib will give his life for his cousin - his more deserving cousin.

"Once I have enough Polyjuice, we'll do a switch. Some fast-acting poison, and when the guards find the body in the morning, Draco Malfoy will be officially dead. They won't bother to investigate far. my beautiful, clever son. he's been working on his downward spiral for months now, ever since I heard the first reports of this potion that you're working on. They won't be surprised when they find his body."

Narcissa frowned. "It would, of course, have been much easier if the plant potion had worked. if he had been released. then we would have had more time to work on the Manere ourselves before killing Renovo - I wouldn't have had to bring you - with your filthy blood - here. But this plan is beginning to appeal to me more and more. Renovo and Draco really do resemble each other, you know." Hermione watched as the blonde woman's eyes took on a faraway, dreamy look. "After a year or two of keeping Renovo's appearance, slowly selling off the estate pieces over time, Draco and I can leave and resettle somewhere else. The States, perhaps. We'll have enough money to support ourselves in the way we deserve." Narcissa's voice trailed off when they heard a sound on the other side of the door. "Crabbe?"

Hermione closed her eyes, not wanting the other woman to sense her burst of hope. Please be Severus. or Harry. Merlin, just be anyone other than Crabbe.

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"You know, Kingsley - I'll bet my new broomstick that the wards were tuned to Crabbe - that's why there was no reaction when we brought them down," Harry commented in a low voice as they made their way down the hall.

"That's a good guess, Harry. Have you sensed any interior wards yet?" Kingsley asked.

"No, none."

Severus shook his head. They had searched through four rooms now, and found nothing. The basement - dungeons may be a better term, he thought wryly - was set up rather oddly, almost like a maze. Tonks' team had found Renovo Moreau in one room - stunned and bound. He had already been taken to St. Mungo's. Where is Hermione? And First? He silently prayed that she had not been taken to another location.

"Vait!" Viktor's urgent voice stopped them in their tracks. "This vay - Tonks thinks she knows vere she is." Turning the opposite direction down the corridor, Viktor lead them to where Tonks was located. They walked quickly along the hallways and around so many corners and twists that Severus quickly lost track of where they were. Finally they came to a room containing the first Auror group. 

Tonks nodded a greeting before turning and pointing to an interior door, almost invisible in the dim light. Leaning close to Kingsley, she whispered, "I cast an auditory enhancement charm on myself - there are voices in there. One is Hermione's. I don't recognize the other. though it sounds familiar, somehow." Severus' head shot up at that, and he stared urgently at Kingsley, who nodded.

"Just two voices?" When Tonks nodded an affirmative, Kingsley turned to the others. "Quietly, people. Mr. Potter - your cloak would be a good idea at this point - it's likely the kidnapper will try to use her as a shield. You stay next to me when we enter - once we're inside, move to the back of the kidnapper. Be ready." Harry nodded, his face hard as he threw the cloak over his head and disappeared. "Weasley, Potter - I want you two in first, with me. Yes, Severus - I know you want to go first, but I need you to stay back with Viktor and Hestia - enter after everyone else is in." Kingsley gave him a meaningful look, and he nodded reluctantly. They would need someone strong to bring up the rear, in case things went poorly.

At Kingsley's signal, Kingsley and Ron burst through the door, followed closely by Remus and an Auror that Severus didn't recognize. He heard a woman's voice shriek something, and then Weasley's warning voice, "Stay back, people - she means it."

And then, Harry Potter's voice, yelling "Petrificus Totalus!" Tonks slipped through the door before Severus could react, and his heart froze when he heard her gasp.

"Oh, Dear Merlin. isn't she dead?" Tonks' voice came from the room. Hermione! Severus leapt to the doorway, his heart frozen. He was vaguely aware of the other two beside him, moving just as quickly.

"Severus." When he heard Hermione's voice, broken and weak though it sounded, his heart seemed to begin beating again. Pushing the others out of his way he stopped short, his heart freezing once more when he saw her bruised and bloody form. "Thanks for that pendant. best gift I ever got." her slurring voice trailed off as she slumped forward, the bonds around her holding her limp body to the chair.

"Gods be damned," Severus cried out, rushing forward to assist Harry in untying her. Together, they brought her up from the chair. Viktor threw off his cloak and laid it down on the floor and the two men placed her on it gently. Whipping out his wand, Severus readied himself to cast the few healing charms he knew when a hand fell on his shoulder.

"How about you let me handle that, Severus?" Hestia said. "I've got a bit more experience with the stronger healing charms." Severus nodded and stood, making way for the black-haired witch, not taking his eyes from Hermione. After a few moments, Hestia said in a strained voice, "Someone - floo Poppy. Now."

Kingsley sent the unnamed Auror to find a floo connection. Severus flicked his eyes to meet Hestia's, and she shook her head, saying, "She'll be all right. but there's some internal bleeding that I don't want to mess around with. Don't worry, Severus." He nodded, his eyes moving back to Hermione's pale, blood-streaked face. Her split lip had been healed, as well as a majority of the bruises that had mottled the left side of her face. She'll be all right. thank Merlin. but who dared to do this to her? His hand was clenched tightly around his wand, knuckles white.

In a strange echo of his own thoughts, he heard Viktor's voice say, "Voo has done this? I do not think this vun could haff done that much damage. Vas it that scum in the other room?" The Bulgarian's voice sounded surprisingly menacing. Severus looked away from Hermione at the other man's words, and his gaze fell on the kidnapper, who was currently petrified on the floor.

"Dear Merlin." he breathed, his eyes wide. "Narcissa. but." From beside Viktor, Tonks looked at him and nodded.

"I know - it was a shock for me, too. Kingsley - did you bring." Tonks trailed off when Kingsley nodded and pulled a small clear vial from a pocket of his robes. Ron Weasley immediately bent down and pulled the wand from the petrified woman's hand, grunting slightly with the effort.

"Thank you, Mr. Weasley," Kingsley said in his deep voice. "Now - this is not standard procedure, people. If anyone has any objections to the use of Veritaserum with this suspect, please speak up now. Otherwise." He waited for a moment. When no one spoke, he nodded to the blonde woman. "Auror Weasley, please release her from the spell." As soon as Ron broke the spell, Narcissa leapt to her feet. Kingsley raised his wand. "I would stop if I were you, Narcissa. If you cooperate, we may allow you visitation with your son during your stay in Azkaban." Narcissa's eyes darted around wildly and her shoulders slumped when she apparently realized there would be no escape. Severus, rather than relaxing, grew tenser as he watched. He didn't trust Narcissa. Kingsley continued, "Very good. Unfortunately, my dear woman, you have proven yourself to be quite untrustworthy. As such, I am going to ask you to stay still and open your mouth."

Narcissa nodded and Kingsley moved forward. Severus' hands clenched even tighter around the wand as he stared at the woman who was, without a doubt, the mastermind behind Hermione's kidnapping and the attacks on Nathan and Hestia. "Watch her, Kingsley," Severus growled. Remus gave an answering growl beside him and the two men shared a knowing look.

Their suspicions were confirmed when, as Kingsley tilted the vial to administer the serum, Narcissa's hand shot out and knocked the potion out of his hand. The vial shattered on the stone floor at the same moment two voices simultaneously cried out, "Petrificus Totalus!" Severus shot a glance at Remus and gave him a respectful nod. The man had quick reflexes.

Kingsley shook his head in disgust. "Foolish woman. Severus, can you unbind just her head?" Severus immediately complied. "Thank you," Kingsley said casually, fishing out another vial of serum from his robes. "Now, my dear, we'll try this again." Bending down, he gestured to Harry and Ron to hold her head and jaw still while he allowed three drops of the potion to fall on her tongue.

Kingsley conjured a comfortable armchair and sat, smiling coldly at the woman on the floor. "Tell me your name."

Her jaw clenched with the effort to hold back the words, but she could not overcome the potion's control. "Narcissa Black Malfoy."

"Tell me how you faked your death."

"I found a Muggle woman. I gave her Polyjuice. I killed her with a poison. I wrote a note. I warded the room and left using a Portkey." Narcissa's eyes had taken on the familiar glassy sheen of a person under Veritaserum.

"Who attacked Hestia Jones, and why?"

"I did. I used Polyjuice to look like Crabbe. It was safer for him to be suspected than for Renovo, if things went badly. I was searching for the notes on the Manere and lycanthropy cure. I needed to know how the Manere worked with the DNA so I could adjust it for the plant stripping potion and the Polyjuice."

"Why did you need the Polyjuice adjusted?" This question was from Hestia. Kingsley shot her a quelling glance, but then nodded in acquiescence when she returned his gaze without flinching.

"So that Draco can become Renovo until everything is sold off and we can leave the country. It will be too hard to keep Renovo alive for that long - he is beginning to show side effects from the Stunning spells. Once we have the Manere adjusted, we can kill him."

Hestia looked at Severus questioningly. He nodded slowly. "That's why Crouch kept Moody alive - the person must be alive when the body part is introduced to the potion - a short-term link is created between the living person and the potion, allowing the transfer of the individual's information." Hestia's eyebrows shot up as she turned back to Narcissa.

Kingsley rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Who attacked Nathan Blanchard, and why?"

"Vincent Crabbe and I did. After we saw the article in the Daily Prophet, we realized he would be a good source for the notes we needed. It worked. We found the notes."

Kingsley frowned. "You had the notes, then. Why did you need to kidnap Hermione?"

"The Daily Prophet article after I sent the letter to the Ministry. We couldn't get Draco released they way we wanted. Crabbe wanted Goyle released, also, so we tried the letter first. It didn't work - we read what the Mudblood and the Traitor said in the article about the pufferfish eyes. Plan A was useless. We had to move to Plan B, and that meant we had to kidnap the Mudblood. She would be easier to control than the Traitor. She was easier to get to than the Traitor."

"What was Plan B?"

"The Mudblood would adjust the Manere for the Polyjuice. I would take Polyjuice to look like Crabbe. I would take Renovo somewhere remote and use Imperius on him. Then I would Portkey us to Azkaban before the Aurors could send anyone to investigate the Unforgivable. The guards know us, they're used to seeing us, they leave us alone with Draco. They don't check Renovo for a wand, he's a squib. I would give Renovo my wand to carry. I would give the guards an unregistered wand to keep. We would give Draco the Renovo Polyjuice. We would give Renovo the Draco Polyjuice. I would use my wand to shift the bars, letting Draco out and Renovo in. I would give Renovo the poison. We would leave. I would have a large supply of the Renovo Polyjuice with Manere - Draco would become Renovo as often as necessary. We would sell everything off over the next two years and leave the country. I would be with my beautiful son again. I would be with Draco again."

The room was silent. Harry and Ron were staring at Narcissa in disbelief. Severus frowned.

"And what were you going to do with Hermione?"

"Let Crabbe have her. He was angry that Plan B wouldn't let him have his friend Goyle back. I promised him the Mudblood in exchange. But he ruined things, he took his gift too soon. I came back early from my errands and found the idiot on top of her - about to rape her. I was angry. He had already damaged her, her skull was broken. I stunned him and left him there to deal with later. The Mudblood was getting to be too much trouble. I brought her to this room to question her, to make her tell me how to brew the Manere adjustments. Then I could kill her." Severus felt a chill at the casual way she said the last statement.

Remembering her comment about Crabbe, Severus' fists clenched tightly. Crabbe had been the one to hurt her, he had been the one to try to. he turned to face Kingsley. "I have business with Crabbe."

"Severus." Kingsley began, then he saw the set look on Severus' face. Flicking his eyes to Hermione's face, the Auror's expression visibly hardened as he took in the dried blood, the pale skin, the hint of bruises still mottling the flesh. He turned to Ron and Harry with a meaningful look and said, "Go with him, Weasley, Potter. You know what to avoid." Ron and Harry nodded. "And - Mr. Weasley." Ron stopped and turned to catch Kingsley's eye. "Be sure to clean up afterwards." Severus raised one eyebrow and gave Kingsley a grateful nod while Ron and Harry grinned wickedly. The three men left the room.

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Ron waved the wand, frowning when he felt no warmth spread from his hand. Handing it to Harry, he said, "Here - you try it."

Harry gave it a test wave, and he shook his head. "I felt a little something, but no sparks."

Ron grinned. "A little something is all we'll need, Harry." Harry gave Ron a look. "You know how to cast Prior Incantato Evanesco, right? It doesn't take a lot of magical energy, so even a non-perfect wand can cast it." They heard a gurgle from Crabbe as another hex from Snape hit him.

"That's a rough one," Harry said, wincing a little until he remembered Hermione's condition.

"Engorgio, cast down there. wow. Coupled with a slicing hex. he sure is imaginative, isn't he?" Ron remarked to Harry. The other man nodded. They both watched with satisfaction as Crabbe writhed on the ground at Snape's feet.

"A lot more imaginative than our little hexes. It was rather nice of him to let us go first," Harry said, running one hand through his hair.

Ron nodded, grinning again as Crabbe wailed once more. "He's not so bad of a guy, really." A scream from Crabbe tore through the room, and Ron smirked. "Well, I suppose old Crabbe down there may not agree."

"I suspect so, Ron. You know, I think he may have let us go first to give himself some time to cool down. He was really going to cast an Unforgivable on him, wasn't he?" Harry asked. The red-haired wizard next to him nodded slowly. "Good thing you stopped him. It would've shown up on the tracker in an instant. would hate to have a bunch of Aurors popping in here. Hermione would never forgive us if he was sent to Azkaban."

"That's why Kingsley sent us with him. I liked the way he put it - what was it he said? Oh, yeah - You know what to avoid. Heh," Ron said, chuckling. He winced as Crabbe's forearm let out a loud crack. "Bone-breaking hex. Man, I really hate that sound."

Harry's eyes darkened. "Did you see Hermione's head? The skull was definitely cracked, and I'll bet anything her jaw was broken, too."

Ron's expression mirrored Harry's for a moment. "I know. And all the blood. and you heard what Narcissa said. He tried to rape her." Ron's face went red with anger and he stepped forward, watching with satisfaction as Crabbe sobbed in pain. "I've got the urge to ask for another shot at him, but I don't think I'd do as good of a job as our former Death Eater friend."

All of a sudden, Crabbe let out a high-pitched shriek that didn't end until he ran out of breath. "What was that one?" Harry asked in a low voice. Ron shrugged.

"Flagrare Caro, Mr. Potter. It doesn't cause any permanent damage. Mr. Crabbe, at this moment, is recovering from the sensation of being boiled alive," Severus said in a casual voice. His black eyes glanced at the writhing man dispassionately before he continued, "It's really quite similar to Cruciatus, but it is a blood-sealed spell of my father's family. And, as such, it is not traceable." 

"Wicked," Ron breathed, watching as Crabbe sobbed on the floor, whimpered pleas bursting from his lips at irregular intervals.

"Indeed, Mr. Weasley."

There was a soft knock at the door. With a questioning glance at Severus, who nodded, Ron grabbed his wand released the silencing spell. "Be right there," he said loudly, motioning for Harry to perform the cleansing spell on their wands.

Harry raised Narcissa's wand and pointed it at each wand in turn, whispering, "Prior Incantato Evanesco" each time. As soon as Harry handed Severus his wand, Ron went to the door and opened it.

"Hello, Tonks, Viktor."

"Ron, Harry, Severus - Poppy's here, and she's gotten Hermione stable. She'll be fine with some rest. Poppy wants to take her back to Hogwarts now," Tonks said, her eyes dancing with malicious glee when she saw Crabbe on the floor, still moaning and writhing. Glancing up at Viktor, who nodded at her unspoken question, she raised her wand and said, "Petrificus Totalis."

Severus looked at her with a raised eyebrow and she mirrored the gesture. "I didn't want to stun him - then he wouldn't be able to feel his. punishment. anymore. This way, he can think about what he did a little longer," she said with satisfaction. Viktor stood smiling beside her. "Come on, everyone." Ron clapped her on the shoulder and they left the room, not looking back at Crabbe, who lay petrified, tears trickling from frozen eyes.

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"So all of this was just to get Draco out of Azkaban. A mother's love, twisted into something horrid and misshapen," Susan said, shaking her head. "It's so mind-boggling! I can't believe it. I'm serious!" she insisted, staring at Hermione, who was rolling her eyes. "You have to admit that it's just such an improbable story. if I bought a detective book like this, I'd toss it into the fireplace because it was so unbelievable!"

Hermione laughed, wincing when the movement caused her head to ache. Reaching out a hand, she plucked the flask of headache relief potion from the bedside table and took a long swallow. With a sigh of relief, she sat back against the pillows and smiled at her friend. "You know, I think you've said that before. only last time it was a romance novel," Hermione commented.

It was a later that same night. The moment the group had returned to Hogwarts, Harry had floo'ed the Longbottoms to let them know Hermione had been found. Susan refused to wait until morning to see her, and so they had rushed to Hogwarts immediately. Everyone else had left the infirmary except for Neville and Susan, who had arrived a half an hour before. And Severus, of course.

Severus raised an eyebrow as he returned to the bedside and handed her a glass of water. "Romance novel?"

Hermione grinned and gingerly shook her head before taking a sip of the water. "It's a long story, Severus."

"Very long," Susan said, giggling. Severus looked at the two women suspiciously before taking a seat.

Neville shook his head. "Give it up, Severus. Once they start giggling, it's impossible to find out anything. Well, anything coherent, at least." Susan smacked his arm playfully.

"Indeed," Severus commented wryly. Reaching out one hand, he touched Hermione's hair, an uncharacteristically tender look on his face. She looked up at him and gave him a faint smile. Susan and Neville shared a knowing glance and stood.

"Well, we'll let you get some rest. It's been a long few days for you two," Susan said, leaning down to kiss Hermione's cheek. "I'm glad to have you back, sweetie. We'll see you again in the morning."

Neville nodded. "We're staying here tonight, Dumbledore's orders," he said before bringing one of Hermione's hands up to his lips for a chaste kiss. "Sleep well, 'Mione."

"I will. Thanks," Hermione said, waving as her friends left the infirmary. Grinning up at Severus, she said teasingly, "Alone at last."

"Indeed," Severus repeated, bending down to kiss her softly. Before he could back away she grabbed both sides of his head and held him in place, deepening the kiss as she scooted closer to him.

Finally pulling back slightly to breathe, she whispered, "I missed you so much."

"Gods," Severus said, pressing his forehead to hers. She realized with a jolt that his hands, which were gripping her arms gently, were shaking. "I was so worried. and there was nothing I could do."

"You kept the pendant on. You did what you had to do, and then you found me. And I'm fine, truly fine," Hermione answered gently, wrapping her arms around him and pulling him onto the bed. He sat carefully on the edge, resisting her efforts pull him down beside her.

"You need to rest, Hermione. This bed is most definitely not wide enough for both of us. And Poppy's right beyond that door," he pointed out, extricating himself from her grip and standing. She scowled at him before swinging her legs over the side of the bed. "Hermione. you're supposed to stay in the bed," he said sternly.

"A woman can't use the loo?" she asked crossly, standing and making her way to the bathroom. She concentrated on walking steadily, and for the most part was succeeding. She hid a smile as she heard him moving behind her. Waiting for me to fall, so he can catch me, she thought fondly. She wasn't planning on falling that night, however.

No, she had other things in mind.

He waited outside the door while she used the bathroom. As she stood at the sink and washed her hands, she grinned at herself in the mirror. Poppy's handiwork was evident - no bruises could be seen in the candlelight, and her other cuts and abrasions had been healed easily. Other than a lingering headache, which the potion had taken care of, she was as good as new.

Smiling to herself, she moved to the bathtub and chose a mixture of vanilla and sandalwood foams. The tub filled quickly and quietly, and as she stripped her clothes off she shivered with anticipation. This tub wasn't as large as the one in their chambers, but it was intimate, and that was exactly what she had in mind. Just what the doctor ordered, she thought with a stifled giggle as she lowered herself into the water.

"Um, Severus? I need your help in here," she called out, smirking when he immediately opened the door and scowled at her from the doorway. "Come in, or at least close the door - you're letting all the good steam out."

"You are incorrigible," he stated flatly. His pretense might have worked if not for his quite evident arousal. He had removed his outer robes and wore just a shirt and trousers. She lifted an eyebrow and nodded.

"Mmm. A good description. Now, come here and help me, Professor Snape."

"And what, precisely, do you need help with, Miss Granger?" he asked in a silky whisper, moving into the room and shutting the door.

"Can you wash my back?" she asked innocently, holding up a sponge. Then, a wicked grin appeared on her face. "Or my front?"

Severus rolled his eyes. "Gryffindor seduction techniques," he muttered, shaking his head. "As subtle as a hippogriff."

"But far more effective," she purred. He stared at her for a moment, a small smile playing on his lips. Finally, just when she thought he might refuse in truth, he pulled out his wand and locked the door.

"I can see that you do need some assistance, Miss Granger. May I offer my services?" he asked with a raised eyebrow. She smiled widely and held out her hand. With another wave of his wand, he was unclothed and walking towards her. Just before he stepped into the water, he waved his wand one last time and cast a silencing charm. "Now, Miss Granger," he said, lowering himself into the water behind her. "Tell me exactly what you require."

"Mmmm," she moaned, leaning back into him as he picked up the sponge and began to wash her stomach and chest. "I think you're doing quite splendidly for now. Do continue, Professor," she breathed.

"With pleasure."

Some time later, when they returned to the bed, they were surprised to see it had been transfigured - it was now wide enough for them both to sleep on. "Who." Hermione began before Severus cut her off with a chuckle.

"Madam Pomfrey, I believe," he said, pointing to the note on the bedside table. It was in Poppy's handwriting.

I'm glad to know you're feeling better, Miss Granger. I hope your bath was satisfactory. I took the liberty of transfiguring the bed appropriately - I hope it meets with your approval.

~M. Pomfrey

P.S. I am glad someone in this castle knows the appropriate use of silencing charms.

____________________________________________________________________

Latin Notes:

Prior Incantato Evanesco: Shaky Latin for Prior Incantation Disappear or Erase

Flagrare Caro: Shaky Latin for Flame Flesh

A/N: I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Poppy strikes again. the parallel was too delicious to resist. But I couldn't see Severus forgetting the silencing charm, so I had to change it a bit. Anyhoo - please read and review! Most likely only one more chapter to go, just some loose ends that need to be wrapped up. Thanks to everyone for their reviews and feedback - it makes it so much more fun to write when those reviews come in!!

The point tally is at the end of the Author's Notes, FYI.

Keket Amunet - Thank you! I'm glad you liked the "big reveal" in the last chapter. And another thank you for your comments about my comments. sheesh, now I'm the one who's up too late tonight ;). I'm glad you appreciate my responses - I want people to know I really read and value the reviews, which I do!! You're very welcome, and thank YOU for taking the time to review!

Chantal9 - Thank you - I'm glad you liked the twist!

Jinxd n cursed - Hope you enjoyed the chapter - thanks for reviewing!

Louise Luvgood - Yep - Draco's "raving" was one of the clues, when he kept talking about being with his mother soon ;).

Lizzie - Thanks - I'm glad you liked it! Am honored to be on your list ;)

Denise Ruth - Thank you for reviewing!

Tally Sheet: Laura won (by individuals) and Slytherin won (by House - everyone seemed to want to be Slytherin, though. hmmm ;) ). Estrilda gets extra kudos for being the first person on any site to guess that it was Narcissa at the Last Battle using Polyjuice.

Adultfanfiction

20 points

2004/01/01 - Laura (Slytherin) - Guessed that it was Narcissa at the Last Battle using Polyjuice. Also guessed that Narcissa is still using Polyjuice to "be whoever she needs to be at any given time so that she can get her son out of prison."

15 points

2003/12/17 - Estrilda - Guessed that it was Narcissa at the Last Battle using Polyjuice (First reviewer to do so on any site)

5 points

2003/12/17 - Deb (Slytherin) - Guessed that it wasn't Draco at the Last Battle - but no mention of who it was ;)

2004/01/25 - Deb (Slytherin) - Guessed that First was a "Malfoy, still not 100% on which one though"

Fanfiction

15 points

2003/12/22 - Katie - Guessed that "it's really Narcissa Malfoy using Polyjuice"

5 points

2003/12/13 - Louise Luvgood - Guessed that Crabbe was the guard at the Moreau Greenhouse

2003/12/17 - Louise Luvgood - Guessed that it was not Draco on the battlefield (would have been more points, but also guessed that it was Renovo)

2003/12/01 - Louise Luvgood - I think it is Narcissa - would have been more points but she stated that I didn't say what happened to her and recanted after the next Author's Notes about her death being mentioned in Ch2 :).

2004/01/25 - The great and masterful Yoda - Guessed that they were going to use the extended Polyjuice on an unsuspecting victim to exchange them with Malfoy

LordandLadySnape

None! Tsk, tsk, people ;)