Disclaimer: Harry Potter is not mine. Anything you recognize from JK Rowling's books is not mine. Anything you don't recognize is either mine or a typical fanfiction plot device. The Call of the Blood and the concepts associated with it are my creations – please email me if you wish to use them or a derivative of them in a story.
Partly inspired by the Marriage Law Challenge on WIKTT. See Chapter 1 for full disclaimer. Author's Notes at the end.
Warning: This fic is SS/HG and includes character death, descriptions of abuse, and adult situations.
Cloak of Courage
WendyNat
Chapter 17
------
"So, you think you may be able to turn air into something, then?"
Hermione nodded. "If there's a way I can section off a gas – such as air - I think there's a way to compress its mass and then create a solid object using Transfiguration. It's similar to liquid Transfiguration… in theory, at least."
She glanced around the bookstore, still curious as to where Severus had disappeared. When she had finished browsing the Transfiguration shelves, Kingsley Shacklebolt had appeared and started a discussion with her. As fond as she was of the dark Auror, she had been understandably frustrated when he had proven so stubbornly reticent on the whereabouts of her husband.
"It's fascinating. What- Ah. Here he is, now," Kingsley said. "Did you complete your errand, Severus?" Hermione turned to see Severus standing beside her.
Severus nodded his head sharply and raised an eyebrow when Hermione asked, "Errand?"
"Ollivander." Before she could ask any other questions, he said brusquely, "Are you finished here, then?" Hermione looked at him oddly before nodding. She could ask him more about it later, when they were safe from prying ears. There were quite a few questions she had about the strange wandmaker.
"Well, then. I enjoyed our discussion, Hermione – and I really think you're on to something there." Catching Severus' eye, Kingsley cleared his throat. "I have some more browsing to do, but I'm sure I'll see you both again soon – have a good day, Severus, Hermione."
"Goodbye, Kingsley," Hermione said brightly. Severus simply nodded in farewell. As she and Severus made their way to the door, she recognized a young man standing in front of the Dark Arts section, a stack of books next to him. He looked up as they passed and sucked in his breath when he caught Severus' eye. Adrian Pucey – a Slytherin that had graduated the year before. She was confused at the strangely fearful expression on his face when he saw his former Head of House. She shook her head slightly. Apparently even some members of his own house had issues with the fearsome Professor Snape.
Severus was strangely quiet the rest of their time in Diagon Alley, not even protesting when she insisted on venturing into Muggle London to pick up some more Muggle physics texts. Had Hermione enjoyed clothes shopping more, she would have been tempted to see how far his silence would stretch and drag him into a couple of Muggle clothing stores. As it was, she completed her purchases quickly and they headed back to Hogwarts.
She wasn't sure if he was in one of his more acquiescent moods – the type she and Ginny had labeled as part of "the Act" – or if he was simply distracted. When she had spoken to Ginny last, they had come up with the Act to explain those times when Hermione knew he was acting out of character for himself, presumably to make her feel more comfortable. She wasn't sure how long he would be keeping it up, so she didn't share her observations with the man himself… no need to hasten the end of the niceties, such as they were. Though, to be honest, she liked his "normal" self just as much… if not better.
When they were safely ensconced back in their private rooms, Hermione sat next to Severus on the couch and decided that the direct approach would be best. He was relaxed and off-guard… there was no better time than now.
"Ollivander is the third person, isn't he?"
Severus stiffened next to her. "So I'm right," Hermione said triumphantly. Severus nodded reluctantly, a scowl forming on his face. Hermione bit back a smile. "Don't look so irritated, Severus. Not all Gryffindors are as thick as you like to think."
"Apparently."
"What does he do for the Order?" From his expression, she suspected he had expected a different question. For a moment she thought he wouldn't respond, then he spoke.
"He doesn't work for the Order precisely. He simply… assists us, for the moment. We are… friends, I suppose, Ollivander and I."
"He assists…" Hermione took a deep breath and said, "Those parchments he gives you… are they lists of people who've had to get different wands?"
His head swung around at that, a speculative expression on his face. "And what gives you that idea?"
Hermione sat back in the cushions and regarded him for a moment before answering. "What he said to me, the last time I was there. It made me curious, so I asked Minerva about wands… if people needed to switch wands out as they get older and begin to specialize in certain fields."
"You didn't think to ask me?" His voice held a note of anger, and she placed a hand on his arm to forestall the building tirade.
"Not by design, Severus. It just came to my mind when she said something about wand movements the first day I apprenticed with her. I was going to ask you that day when we got back from Diagon Alley, but you were in a mood."
"A mood," Severus repeated flatly.
"A snit, a temper... Whatever it was, you were in it. And I hadn't become used to you yet – it was just the day after our handfasting. Now, I'd just ignore your snit and ask anyway."
"I see. So you are used to me now?" He turned to her with a small smirk and she felt her heart surge in her chest.
"Well… let's just say I'm used to your snits now."
"Are you?" he murmured, moving closer to her. "Well, I'll have to think of some other things to do… to keep you on your toes…" Wrapping his hands around her waist, he hauled her into his lap and brought his lips to hers. As the kiss deepened, she shifted on his lap so that she was straddling him.
Some time later, she pulled back and smiled slightly, putting her hands on his chest and holding herself away from him momentarily. "I wasn't through with my questions." Her voice was slightly breathless.
His eyes narrowed for a moment, only a slight quirk of his lips betraying his amusement. "And I thought I was distracting you sufficiently."
"That's difficult to do."
"Apparently," he murmured, taking her wrists and pulling her against him again. Her chuckle turned into a low moan as he nuzzled her neck, his tongue darting out to caress that sensitive spot under her ear…
"Severus…"
"Mmm?"
With what she felt was a supreme show of willpower, she pushed away again. "Later – I promise. After I get my questions answered."
He let out an irritated breath and pursed his lips. "You promise."
"Yes. You do trust me, right?" she asked lightly, a small smile on her face. She was unprepared for his sudden stillness and the strange look in his eyes as he studied her. The silence seemed to grow louder, if that was possible, until she felt compelled to speak. Before she could open her mouth, however, he uttered a single word.
"Yes."
Realizing that something momentous had just occurred, she nodded solemnly, unaware of what to say next. He saved her from the decision by asking, "So, what were these questions that you're so determined to ask?"
"All right. Ollivander gives you a list… how much can that help? How many names could be on the list? It's only people with unicorn hair cored wands, right?"
Severus raised an eyebrow at the barrage of questions. "There are only a few names on the list. Two or three a month, lately. Which is a great deal more than normal."
"Because of the recruitment efforts?"
"Correct. You are also correct that only unicorn hair wands need be replaced, and then only when the caster has reached the Darker spells." He sighed then, and from her perch on his lap she saw a line form between his brows. "Every name that I can get is useful – I can prepare, keep an eye on those close to turning to the Dark Lord. Depending on the person, it is sometimes possible to stop them before they join his forces." A scowl grew on his face. "That is rarely effective, of course."
Hermione nodded. "Because only the Dark Lord can offer them what they're seeking… a chance to further study their obsession," she said slowly.
"Very good." A split second later, she was yanked against him again, his mouth on her neck, his hands moving down her body.
"I'm not sure if that was my last question…" she protested half-heartedly even as she leaned into his touch.
"It was," he growled into her skin, nipping her collarbone lightly.
"All right."
-------
Just after curfew that evening, a dark shape swept silently through the dungeon corridors. Severus kept to the shadows, ready to pull in against the wall if necessary to allow his victims plenty of time to further incriminate themselves before he made his presence known. A wicked smile grew on his face at the thought. He had always enjoyed his nights on hall duty – catching unsuspecting couples attempting to find some privacy, swooping down on the wayward students who had lost track of time… Now, however, he just wished for it to be over with quickly so he could return to his chambers… return to Hermione…
Hearing a familiar voice ahead, Severus pulled back into the shadows, casting a quick Disillusionment charm for good measure. If it was who he suspected… yes. Moments later, Draco Malfoy and Gregory Goyle appeared, and he mentally congratulated himself for adding the charm when they stopped immediately in front of the spot he was hidden to continue their discussion.
"Draco – it's just crazy. Granger doesn't like you! She'd never lea-"
"Look, Goyle, I know that that chance is gone now," Draco replied, a strangely hollow sound to his voice. Severus' eyes narrowed at the tone in the young man's voice and he peered at the blond boy speculatively. So Draco had truly been interested in Hermione, then? Intriguing. "Father's plan was worth a try. It just didn't succeed this time… Snape swooped in and ruined things. That's all."
"Yeah. Well, your father's plans haven't been going too well in general, have they? That whole ring thing didn't work out – she looked happy as ever the next day." Severus raised an eyebrow at that. So Goyle did think on his own on occasion… something to keep in mind.
Draco laughed, cold and condescending. "Goyle, Goyle… this is why you have me to do your thinking for you. She was putting on an act – it bothered her a lot more than she was letting on."
"How would you know?" Draco's face grew thunderous at the challenge and Severus was immediately reminded of Lucius. The two did look remarkably alike.
"There are some things going on in the background that you aren't aware of, Goyle, for good reason. Father and I have a spy of our own, someone Granger thinks is her friend." Severus' lips tightened. He had figured as much, after seeing Viktor and Draco so deep in conversation at the last full meeting. At least that's confirmed now, he thought.
"Oh."
"Right, get it now?"
Goyle just shook his head. "I don't know Draco – you should just forget about her. I know you've been obsessed since she hit you back in third year, but give it up. Let her and Snape alone. You're messing with stuff that's too big for you." She hit him in third year? I'll have to ask her about that later…
Draco's wrist shot out and he grabbed the other boy's collar. "Too big for me?" With a mocking laugh, Draco released his friend and stepped back. "You have no idea what you're talking about, Goyle. Father has it all planned out. She'll stop trusting Snape, his plans fall through, and he'll get moved down while Father and myself are moved up. It's simple. And then… if I want a little reward to go along with it, who's going to stop me?"
"Snape."
"He won't know. I told you – Father and I have it all figured out… Come on. It's after curfew. Wouldn't want Snapey to find us out in the corridors," Draco said with venom.
"He's probably busy with- um. Never mind."
"You're finally showing some sense, Goyle. Keep it up." Their voices faded away as the boys left the corridor.
-----
Friday of that week, Severus' Dark Mark burned immediately following dinner. Hermione looked up at him when he hissed and he nodded. "I'm being Summoned." Quickly he gathered his things and, as had become almost custom, caught Hermione up in a long embrace.
"Floo Albus. And don't wait up this time – it's another recruitment initiation, and I'll likely be out late."
"I worry."
"No need, for this meeting," he said curtly, frowning. "Go to sleep." She nodded reluctantly and he gave her a quick kiss before activating the Portkey.
Less than an hour later, Severus stood with his fellow members of the Inner Circle, watching as the recruits came up one by one to speak with the Dark Lord. He noticed Rodolphus swaying slightly on his feet next to him and smiled behind his mask – he wasn't the only one bored this night. Abruptly, he sobered as he recognized one of the recruits.
Adrian Pucey. Damn, Severus thought, gazing at the trembling boy who was just now walking up to be presented before the Dark Lord. He remembered seeing the boy just the week before in Diagon Alley, the day he had spoken to Ollivander. In the Dark Arts section. Perhaps that was why he had looked at him so nervously that day…
Pucey had been a good student, and a good Chaser. His family had been one of the few that opposed the Dark Lord during the previous war, though they had done it quietly so as not to arouse the Dark Lord's attention. Severus had been certain Pucey would not be one of the Slytherins who succumbed to the temptation. Suddenly, an unwelcome thought occurred to him… perhaps the boy was one of Dumbledore's fools? Thinking to play a dangerous game? Damn Dumbledore for not telling him, for not warning him! This child had no place here.
Seething inwardly, he missed when Pettigrew announced the boy's name and presented him officially to the Inner Circle. As Pucey's gaze swept over to him, he swiftly averted his eyes… but not quickly enough. Severus was horrified to hear the boy's inadvertent exclamation – "Professor Snape?!" He closed his eyes briefly before turning his head to where the Dark Lord stood. The expression in those cold red eyes clearly told what would occur next.
The boy would die.
Loose tongues were not dealt with kindly, and for such a new recruit to make a mistake of that magnitude – to blurt out the name of one of the Inner Circle… the boy would die. And Severus, the wronged party, would likely be the one expected to do the deed. It was an honor, to be able to slake the thirst of the Call in such a way…
He was inordinately relieved when Lucius stepped forward and brandished his wand. "Allow me, my Lord." Then Severus realized the man's intentions when Lucius sent off a volley of curses and hexes that caused Severus to wince. Blood seeped along the ground, and he could feel the answering stir deep within him. Damn Lucius… it was a clever ploy… Lucius knew the Dark Lord would call upon Severus to finish the deed, and the combination of an Unforgivable with the freshly spilt blood would cause the Call would rise within him strongly… it would be near to impossible to handle for the next few hours… and he would have to return, to face Hermione… No, Lucius was not a fool…
The Call was hungry… emotions running high… the boy's cries weakened and finally the Dark Lord held up a hand. "Stop, Lucius. This is Severus' right."
"Yes, my Lord." Before Severus could react, Lucius - with an evil glint in his eyes – bent down and plucked the boy from the ground, shoving the bloodied form towards Severus. The boy, too weakened by the hexes and blood loss to gain his footing, fell against Severus heavily and grabbed at his robes, one hand almost dislodging his mask.
Blood seeped through Severus' robes, soaking into his shirt… hot blood… pulsing with life… with magic… the Call surged within him, almost uncontrollably… With a growl, Severus pushed the boy away, grimacing as the grasping hands pulled at his robes and hood. The boy was almost lifeless, but not quite yet.
"I saved the final blow for you, Severus… answer it. Answer the Call," Lucius said magnanimously, as if he was personally bestowing a gift rather than simply obeying the orders of their Master. Severus was unable to stop himself, unable to avoid the Call with the smell of fresh blood in his nostrils… the warmth of it soaking through his shirt to caress his skin… he raised his wand and uttered two words.
Avada Kedavra.
A green flash and the power surged in him… he felt as if he owned the world… he closed his eyes to savor the feeling… the Call sang in his blood… burning… ringing… wanting more… demanding more…
"It has been long since you fed it, then, Severus?" Rodolphus asked him quietly. Severus' eyes shot open and he nodded, taking a shaky breath before readjusting his mask and pushing his hair – pulled free by the grasping hands of the now-dead young man – back underneath the hood of his outer robes. He watched numbly as Lucius dragged the body off to the side, close to where Nagini rested. The large snake normally preferred live victims, but freshly killed were also acceptable. Belatedly, he realized Rodolphus had continued speaking, "-shouldn't let it go so long…"
Swallowing past the dryness of his throat, he answered, "I know, friend. But recent… circumstances… have required it to be so. I do have some outlets, of course, but it has been long since I cast one of the three." Beside him, Rodolphus nodded in understanding. Years in Azkaban had almost driven the other man insane from the unanswered demands of the Call – his wife had not been so lucky. Bellatrix's sanity left her long before she left Azkaban.
Severus concentrated on keeping his breathing steady as the rest of the recruits were brought forward one by one. Though they had not heard what transpired behind the silencing charm, they had all seen the disciplining of the now-dead young man and more than one watched wide-eyed as Nagini savored her meal of the evening. Needless to say, the rest of the proceedings went smoothly and quietly.
-----
The blood was still wet, though it had cooled, when he was finally able to Portkey back to the Shrieking Shack and then directly to Albus Dumbledore's office. He strode to Dumbledore's desk in a fury.
"Severus! How-"
"Damn you, Albus – you didn't tell me! Again! Why not? Do you know what I had to do this evening? I would have avoided his gaze, not allowed him to see my eyes. Pucey recognized me, Albus! And spoke my name – aloud! He was in my House just last year!"
The older wizard lowered his head for a moment before answering. "Severus – I would have told you if I could. I was unaware of the boy's final answer… I received the owl moments after you left." Severus did not answer, just shook his head and stood before the Headmaster's desk, breathing shallowly. Albus' eyes narrowed. "And really, Severus - if he was that careless he would have died eventually."
"But not by my hand!" Severus yelled, whirling away from the desk to pace the floor.
"Severus – calm yourself. You did what you had to do – you were the tool, not the instigator."
"Don't you understand? Once the Call is fed with blood… with death… it is like a living thing… an Unforgivable… it's the one shot of whiskey that pushes a recovering alcoholic back over the cliff's edge…"
"Well, how fortunate it's a weekend night, then, and no students to deal with. Here." There was a dull thud as Albus placed a bottle of Firewhisky on the desk. Severus stared at him incredulously. "I know, Severus – after your father… I know you don't normally drink. But it may help deaden it. Moody says-"
"Damn him, too, Albus!"
"Just take it. Keep it, share with company…" Dumbledore's voice trailed off and he looked at Severus seriously. "Be careful."
Severus knew instantly what the Headmaster was referring to. "She should be asleep, Albus. I wouldn't injure her, even so. I am not that far gone…"
Or was he?
Bind her to you.
Not injure her, precisely…
Severus squeezed his eyes shut and clenched his fists… the Call was awake… it was more than awake… Not tonight… Merlin, not tonight… she has to be asleep… I can't resist it…
Albus' voice cut through his internal ravings. "I know you won't hurt her, Severus. I daresay you've grown rather fond of young Hermione?" Severus opened his eyes and shot him a venomous glare before resuming his furious pacing. "Well, deny it if you will. But it wouldn't surprise me – she's intelligent, quite lovely, and rather more like you than you'd prefer to admit."
"Yes, yes, Albus." Severus stopped, breathing heavily. The smell of the blood from his shirt was keeping the Call awake, and right now it was screaming for sustenance. Like an addict who has a taste of his poison after a long dry spell, it was at times like these that he was at his weakest. He had to get out of the blood-soaked robes and shirt… "I will give you a list of the names as soon as I'm able to use my Pensieve. Now - I must go."
"Go, child." Severus nodded and pivoted on his heel. "Wait – take it, Severus. Keep it for later, if you wish, but… please. Take it with you." Severus turned to see Albus holding the Firewhisky bottle out and he reluctantly took it from the older wizard. "Good night, Severus. If you need me on Monday for your classes, just floo me. Or owl me, if you'd prefer."
With no further comment, Severus slammed through the door and whispered a quick Disillusionment charm to allow him to travel the corridors in secrecy. It was well after curfew, but that didn't stop the more adventurous students…
It took him only minutes to reach their rooms. Stopping just inside the door with a sigh of relief, he yanked off his boots and socks, tearing off his outer robe. He could still smell the blood… it was soaked through his robes, his shirt… the blood from his former student… the darkness in him gradually uncoiled as he continued to breathe it in – he shook with the effort to hold back the Call…
With a growl, he strode into the study and ripped off his shirt, throwing both it and the robes into the fire. The fire sputtered and coughed for a moment before resuming its former strength, consuming the clothing until only shreds remained. Severus let out a shaky breath and leaned against the wall beside the hearth. His arms flexed as he clenched his fists, resisting the urges…
At the feel of warm hands on his bare back and he jumped and spun around, jerking away from her touch.
BIND HER TO YOU.
The words thundered in his mind, no longer a seeping whisper, but a command… an overt command from the Call… and the Gods help him, but he wanted to… his fists unclenched and he almost reached for her before he realized what he was doing.
No!
Gods, no, she has to get out… I can't resist it with her here... can't hold back… the darkness uncoiled further, attempting to reach out for her through his own body.
Mark her.
No! It would ruin everything… all his careful work…
Finally finding his voice, he said callously, "Get out. I told you not to wait up. Go in the bedroom. Sleep."
"I wanted to see… how are you? Wa-"
"Go to bed."
Hermione shook her head, moving closer to him. As he backed away he could see the confusion in her eyes. "Severus, let me help you…"
The darkness in him wanted to answer her – it screamed to reach out and grab her and use her… the blood mating ritual… bind her to him… share the Call… hear the Call… Bind her to you…
NO!
She was too used to her gentle lover, he had been careful to keep the darker side, the Call of the Blood, from trying to rise up and claim her… iron will.
Iron will.
Have I ever told you, Severus? Have I ever told you how in awe I am, how much admiration I have, at your ability to turn your back on the Call? To resist it? It is a testament to your will, your strength…
A testament to his will, indeed… his iron will… Well, tonight the iron was brittle and weak… and the touch of her fingers on his bare skin almost his undoing.
"You can't help."
She frowned at him. "I can – I'm not sure what happened at the meeting, but you're obviously… not happy with it. Let me help take your mind off of things. I can help distract you… from the Call…"
He moaned inwardly… She wants it… let her distract you… let her feed it… bind her to you… No! It would ruin all of his manipulations, frightening her… driving her away… but it was calling… more than just the Call, her body, his own desire, uncoiling within him, waves of need coursing through him… A red haze formed at the edges of his vision… Bind her to you…
With a snarl, he grabbed her arms and pushed her against the wall. He stopped, his arms trembling, as he fought against himself. "NO! Not tonight, Hermione – the Call… you have to get out of here. I can't…"
Leaning down, unable to stop himself, he kissed her hard, his teeth cutting into her lip. At her gasp of pain he pulled the tattered shreds of his control back around himself and pulled back.
"Do you see?" he whispered harshly, gripping her upper arms tightly. "I cannot give you… your gentle lover is not here tonight Hermione – I'm warning you – I can't… I can't hold back tonight… the Call… it's…" His voice trailed off as he watched her eyes, losing himself… his blood sang… his traitorous blood, urging him to take her, to push her to the edge… to tarnish her innocence… the red haze grew thicker… Damn it! The Call was strong. He closed his eyes, turning his head away from her as he forced the words out: "I don't want to hurt you."
"You won't, Severus. Just let me help you with this – I'm stronger than you think."
Unconsciously his hands tightened on her arms and his breathing increased, his arousal almost overtaking him. If she stayed much longer, all of his careful planning would be for naught – she would see him as he truly was and no amount of manipulation would change it… if he marked her, if he bound her to him… with blood… He pulled back, dropping his arms. "Go, get in the bedroom." She didn't obey, and to his horror she moved closer to him, pressing herself against him. It was all he could do to gasp out, "Gods, woman – get out of here!"
"No, Severus."
The red haze was returning, her chest heaved and he thought he would lose all control as the iron of his will shattered. "GET OUT! Go in the room, LOCK THE DOOR!" His fingers gripped her arms hard as he shoved her away. She gasped, fear coming into her eyes at last. One slender hand rose and rubbed at her upper arm, where the marks of his fingers stood out lividly against the soft skin.
He felt a cold chill go through him at the sight. His father… he was no better than his father… NO, I will not be like him, I won't… the Call will NOT take me, he thought fiercely, his blood running cold. She had to get out… get out before… I will NOT be like you, Father! he screamed silently, black eyes flashing.
"GET OUT NOW! GO IN THE ROOM, DAMN YOU!!!!" he screamed at her.
She fled.
As the door closed, he reached over and picked up the bottle of Firewhisky that Albus had given him and stared at it a moment. The Gods be damned, I will NOT BE LIKE HIM! his mind screamed as he turned and hurled the bottle into the fireplace. It made a huge shattering sound, the flames shooting up as the enchanted alcohol fed them.
Letting out an inarticulate cry of rage and lust, he stumbled to the fireplace. He pressed his forehead against the cold marble, his hands clenched in fists against the wall above his head… he breathed deliberately, concentrating on regaining his control... trying to summon the strength and will that Dumbledore was so sure he had…
Gods, the temptation to shatter her innocence was too great. He had frightened her when he let his control slide just that small amount. All of his plans, so close to ruin… He pounded the marble with his fists, clenching his eyes shut. He hadn't let his control slip this much since the incident in the Shrieking Shack with Sirius Black… the Call had been strong that night… it was even stronger this night… but it was no longer urging him to seek blood and death… it was urging him for blood, still, but of a different sort…
Bind her to you.
Mark her.
He didn't know how long he stood there, just breathing, before he felt familiar warm hands once again on the bare skin of his back. He tensed and straightened, the red haze returning as the darkness took over – the temptation… how long could he fight it? He would soon be lost… Damn it all! He had warned the girl, and despite all his words and actions she foolishly thought to tempt the Call of the Blood…
In a coarse whisper, he said, "I warned you, Hermione. What we've already done is nothing compared to what I want to do… what I'm driven to do… after what happened tonight… I told you, when emotions run strongly… when an Unforgivable is cast…" His voice grew more ragged as he forced the words out. "The Call is too strong in me right now, I won't be able to hold back. Why are you doing this?" His trembling hands were still clenched into fists against the wall as he turned his head to fix his black eyes on her.
He immediately regretted it… she had changed her clothing, against all logic or reason… she now wore a thin satin gown held up by tiny straps… straps that were begging him to tear them apart… His eyes trailed down her body, the blood rushing in his ears as he followed the length of pale satin to where it stopped mid-thigh.
"I am going to help you, Severus," she whispered, moving her hands up to his shoulders.
He shook his head, turning to face the wall once more, his control hanging by a mere thread… a thread which was becoming remarkably frayed… "I warned you…"
Some things cannot be controlled.
"Yes, you did," she said in a confident voice. He could imagine how she must look, determination in her brown eyes, her chin raised rebelliously. "I'm here anyway. I'm your wife, Severus. Remember? Remember the vow? Will you share each other's pain and seek to ease it… I swore, Severus. Let me help you… let me help to ease the pain..."
Something within him snapped at her words.
Like a striking snake, he whirled around and grabbed her, shoving her against the wall, pressing his body into hers. Next to them, a log in the fireplace snapped, sending off sparks. "I can't…" He kissed her hard, a shock running through him when he felt her hands move up to tangle in his hair.
"I can't…" Gods, how he wanted her… how he needed her… he needed her to satisfy the lust – the bloodlust, the Call – the urge…
…blood bonds… blood magic... possess her… bind her to you…mark her…
…it was taking him over…
She should have stayed in the room, not simply changed into this gown that did nothing but represent a fantasy image of purity waiting to be debauched. Near defeat, he rested his forehead against hers, trying desperately to regain some modicum of control.
"I want to help you, Severus. I want you. I want this."
With a growl, he pressed his body against hers, letting her feel his arousal through the flimsy fabric of her gown. His voice ragged, he said, "I can't hold back, don't you understand – I'm compelled to… why, Hermione? Do you open yourself up to the pain? Do you understand?"
"I want to help you; I'll do whatever I can to take your mind off of this – to ease the Call for you. And – the Gods know, I want to feel the full measure of you… all of you, all of the passion I know you possess… it can't all be reserved for anger. Not all of it," she murmured, kissing his cheeks and lips, little kisses fluttering over his skin, igniting his blood.
"Much of it is," he said, his breath harsh and uneven.
She shook her head. "Not all of it." She moved one of her hands, laying it against his cheek.
"Why? You open yourself freely to the pain?"
Her voice was husky as she replied, "Anything. I don't want you to hold back – I've told you that before, Severus, and I meant it – I want this… I want you…"
"Why?" he repeated, lowering his mouth to her neck. Between hard kisses, he whispered feverishly, "Why would you do this? Why? I won't hold back... I can't hold back tonight… the Gods know… I will take you, I will mark you… I will bind you to me… I will claim you for mine… Is that what you want?"
"Yes, Gods, yes!"
"Why?" he snarled.
"Because I care about you… because… Oh Gods," she moaned as one of his hands moved lower, roughly pressing against the apex of her thighs. "Because I love you, Severus. You. All of you, not just the gentle lover like you said earlier – not just the… the act you put on for me… I want to finally see all of you, I want - I need - to experience it all…"
He pulled back and stared at her incredulously as she continued, her mouth centimeters from his, her voice low and thick with need, sultrier than he had ever heard it before, "I want the man that screamed in murderous rage when Sirius Black escaped… I want that passion directed against me… I want the bastard, the sarcastic tongue, the temper, the fury, the need… I want all of the man that I love… I want all of you."
He stared at her a split second more as her words sunk in. It wasn't just his manipulations… the act he put on for her… clever, clever girl, to have seen through that… This amazing, fierce woman actually wanted him… it was incredible… she wanted this… something inside his chest began to burn and as the last tattered shreds of his control blew away he lowered his head to kiss her passionately, forcefully. His hands reached around her body to grip her backside, pressing her pelvis hard against his, pulling her away from the wall. His mouth left hers long enough to say, "I will mark you as mine… Vocatus respondebitur."
"Yes, oh, Gods, please," she moaned, giving a little scream when he leaned down and threw her over his shoulder, carrying her to the bedroom.
The most basic feminine part of her reveled in the prospect of being utterly and completely taken by this man, this dark, dangerous, passionate man… she would finally feel his full measure, experience all parts of him. Her heart sped with excitement and desire as he threw her down on the mattress and pounced on her, kissing her demandingly before he pulled back and gripped the thin fabric of her nightgown with hands and teeth, ripping the material in a surprising show of strength.
She felt a hot jolt of arousal shoot through her as the fabric tore, as she looked into his manic eyes… He was unbridled, wild, his control gone, and it was the most incredible, thrilling experience to see this side of her husband – a man normally so cool, calm, so ruled by his intellect. Finally she would see the true Severus… the passionate, angry, intense man whose anger was a fright to behold… whose emotions were so strong he kept an iron grip on them at all times…
She moaned again as he kissed her neck roughly, teeth grazing, his hands moving in great hard motions down her body, pausing to pinch her nipples and roll them between his fingers… she arched into the feel and moved her hands to the smooth skin of his back, letting her nails dig in as he bit her neck with enthusiasm. The pain spun her arousal out of control and she distantly wondered if there were something wrong with her – he was biting and sucking at her neck like a vampire, and she wouldn't be surprised if blood had been drawn - but her arousal just kept spiking and she could feel herself running wet.
She felt herself run even wetter when he snatched up the shredded remains of her gown and sat back on his heels, grabbing her wrists and binding them together with the length of satin. Oh, Gods… He kissed her roughly and then pulled her higher on the bed, pushing her onto the pile of pillows at the head of the bed and tying her hands to the headboard. He then backed away and slid off the bed, standing and watching her with smoldering eyes as he quickly peeled off the remainder of his own clothes. Then, he climbed back on the bed, bringing his mouth to her breasts.
After a few minutes, during which she couldn't stop herself from pressing into him as far as possible, he lifted his head and gave her a deep kiss, his tongue exploring her mouth with abandon. Then he trailed his lips to her ear, where he bit into the soft earlobe – she let out a squeak at the sensation – and said in an urgent voice, "I have to taste you. I have to mark you. Do you agree to this?"
"Oh, Gods, YES," she panted, twisting her bound wrists, her unbound legs twining around him. "Please…"
She watched with burning eyes as he moved down her body, exploring with everything at his disposal – fingers, hands, mouth… Vaguely she realized that he was murmuring things under his breath as he moved inexorably farther down…
Eventually he reached the place she most wanted him to touch, and her legs parted farther in welcome. "Please…" she moaned as he hovered over her, his lips moving with unheard words.
Finally he buried his head between her legs and his fingers gripped her hips tightly, holding her down. At once both familiar and unfamiliar… She moaned and twisted, her bound hands keeping her from moving too far, the pillows giving her the perfect vantage point…
Suddenly, one hand moved from her hip to between her legs and he turned his head to suck and kiss her inner right thigh. He looked so erotic – his head between her legs, eyes closed, enthusiastically working his mouth over her skin as his hand pleasured her, his long black hair spilling over her thighs…
Again she heard him murmuring – it sounded like an incantation – and then she watched in shock as he bit into the soft, sensitive flesh of her inner thigh. She screamed as the pain lanced through her leg, her hands straining frantically against their bonds. What did I get myself into? She was unable to hold back another shriek as he bit harder into the flesh, breaking completely through the skin. At the same time he continued the ministrations of his fingers, and beyond all comprehension she began to feel her stomach tighten… the only thing holding her back from full release was the scorching pain in her thigh. What in the Gods' names… Oh… Oh, Gods… her thoughts shattered as the pain began to sharpen to a point, somehow heightening the pleasure she felt…
Severus continued to murmur as he pulled back and licked at the injured flesh – she could see dark blood welling from the circle of wounds. He did mark me, oh, Gods… she thought, throwing her head back with a loud moan when his fingers found that spot inside her, her splayed legs trembling as she hovered on the edge.
Oddly, at the sound of her moan he pulled his hand away. The bite mark was beginning to grow strangely warm, and when she looked down she saw that he was tracing a pattern across it, the blood that welled from the punctures coating the tip of his finger as he whispered. An unnatural feeling of heat overtook her thigh, radiating from the bite, and a shock of desire hit her so strongly that she growled and wrestled against the restraints holding her hands from where they wanted to be.
He raised a bloody finger to her nipples, coating them with crimson… and then he brought his finger back down to wipe some of the blood over her folds. The entire time, he continued with the soft murmuring.
"What-" she began, swallowing her words when he suddenly moved his mouth back to her center, sucking and pulling, tongue working furiously. As he moved, his left cheek was being painted with red from her thigh and for some reason the sight excited her almost beyond endurance.
He pulled back slightly, one hand rubbing the bite mark, and caught her gaze. "Come for me, Hermione," he commanded before bringing his mouth back against her.
Pure heat began to radiate from the bite mark, mingling with the heat from where Severus' mouth was working its magic, and it soon overwhelmed her… she screamed, back arching, legs shaking, her entire body shuddering as she came harder than she ever had before… he continued his attentions until she fell back against the bed, breath coming out in panting sobs.
Severus pulled his head back and watched her with heat in his eyes as he drew a finger slowly over the mark. He moved up her body, licking her nipples clean before raising his finger to her mouth and wiping the blood across her bottom lip. Her breathing began to increase again as she saw the pure lust in his eyes – eyes that were, finally, unguarded and open… passionate, burning with want… with need. She slowly brought her tongue to the corner of her lip, tasting the blood he had left. It was warm, tingling…
He groaned loudly then and crushed against her, his tongue licking the rest of the blood from her lips before his mouth pressed against hers in a scorching kiss. He pulled back and stared at her, his eyes raking her body greedily as he reached up and untied her hands. Her eyes were drawn to his left cheek, where some of his hair was caught in the drying blood, and she gasped as a fiery jolt ran from the mark on her thigh to her center.
Bringing his eyes back to her face he moved into position between her legs, which immediately wrapped around his hips even as her arms wrapped around his back.
"You are mine – mine," he murmured and she threw her head back, screaming, as he took her. His eyes, shining black and burning, bore into her as he moved.
This was so much more… so much more intense than ever before… his grunts and growls… the unrestrained movement of his body… the pain from her leg somehow turning to a sharpening point of pleasure, echoing the feeling growing in her center as he angled his hips just so…
She cried out again as she felt a great tension building in her… the bite on her leg was burning hotter and hotter, and as the tension built it became almost unbearable…
"Hermione… draw my blood…" he ordered breathlessly, the hot air from his mouth warming her cheek and forehead as he moved over her. She instantly obeyed, digging her nails into the sweat-slicked skin of his back, bringing her teeth to his shoulder and biting down. She was hesitant at first, until his growl of appreciation sparked something within her – without restraint, she bit into him ferociously, tasting his blood in her mouth… her own blood sang in response… "Kiss me," he commanded, and she moved her mouth from his shoulder to meet his lips, sharing with him the taste of his own blood.
Inconceivably, as his lips touched her bloodied ones, his movements came harder and faster even than before, and she felt herself spiraling out of control, her blood singing louder in her veins, a warmth spreading from the heels of her feet up her legs… He continued his rhythm even as he brought a hand to his shoulder, wiping some of the blood up with one finger – a finger that he then brought down to the bite mark on her inner thigh. Between movements, he swiped the bloodied finger across it.
The burning heat intensified tenfold and she opened her mouth, gasping silently as his eyes locked with hers, as she saw his lips moving… oh, Gods, it is an incantation. Suddenly, the pain in her thigh shot through her, the heat spreading from that one spot… no, the two spots… spreading through her veins like liquid fire, and a scream tore from her throat as the pain and pleasure hit her hard, her entire body shuddering, her nails dragging deep marks across his back, her legs shaking, lungs burning as she gasped great gulps of air… and then she heard his answering roar – the sound seemingly causing the very walls to vibrate. Then, the liquid fire traveling through her veins reached her head and everything began to go black… before she lost consciousness, she distantly hearing him whisper, "Ad Sanguinis Vocatum Responde.
"Mine, mine…"
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When she awoke, she was in the bathtub, a gentle hand rubbing her with lather. "Severus?" she whispered. She felt a rumble through his chest, and realized that she was leaning against him. Turning her head slightly, she looked up at him. "What-"
"I thought you would appreciate it if I washed the blood off before it dried," he said softly.
"Mmm," she said in appreciation as the hand cleaned her breasts. "Good thinking." She sat silently for a moment, leaning against his chest, enjoying the feel of him washing her. "Severus… that was… it was amazing."
A rumbling chuckle. "I'm glad you approved… I was concerned that you wouldn't find such things… appealing."
She snuggled against him then. "Rest assured that I found it very appealing." They sat in silence for a time until she mustered the energy to ask, "What… what was the incantation about? And the bite on my thigh?"
He went still for a moment before wrapping his arms around her. "I marked you."
"Evidently that has some sort of significance beyond what I originally thought," she said. "Was it… is it blood magic?"
"Yes."
She sat for a moment in silence, pondering her next words. "Does it have anything to do with the Call?"
"Yes." His voice was short and clipped, but not unkind, and his hands rubbed her skin soothingly. If nothing else, the episode had made him more relaxed around her.
"Is it dangerous?"
"No, it was designed as a… protective measure," he said softly. "It is a very ancient incantation… the blood mating ritual… we are bound, now, by blood." He pressed his face into her hair, breathing deeply before he said, "I warned you."
"And I'm glad I ignored your warnings," she said, smiling lazily. Lifting her leg, she inspected the bite mark and gasped in shock. It had healed completely, leaving an uneven circle of shiny silver scars, but that wasn't what had shocked her. In the center of the circle there was what appeared to be a blood-red tattoo of a wyvern with a dagger beside it… identical to the symbol that appeared on Severus' seal. "It's your seal…"
"Yes."
"A protective measure, you said? I guess I should thank you. And, Severus," she said, pulling away and facing him.
"Mmm?" he asked, his eyes already roving over her body greedily.
"Don't ever hold back again," she whispered huskily. There were other questions she had, other questions she would ask, but not right now. Snaking her arms around his neck she captured his lips in a deep kiss. A kiss that he enthusiastically returned.
A/N: My sincere apologies for this being late – I am recovering from a kidney infection last week which completely drained my will to live (much less write fanfic). Am now on Cipro and feeling much better, though I still get tired easily. Anyhoo – I hope you enjoyed the chapter – it was a big one plot-wise and relationship-wise (which is why I didn't want to rush it). Please review and let me know what you thought!!
Special thanks to YsM for her Latin translations:
Ad Sanguinis Vocatum responde - Answer the Call of the Blood
Vocatus respondebitur - The Call will be answered.
Fanfiction.net readers – Originally the entire chapter appeared here, but due to new Fanfiction.net regulations I have edited it down. The full version can be found at ashwinder.sycophanthex.com and adultfanfiction.net.
Serpens Potio – Thanks for the review! Yep, the three are now officially Severus, Moody, and Ollivander.
Tasya – The Blood Rites is the "Payment Offered, Blood Accepted" thing that Hermione caught a glimpse of in an earlier chapter. The blood mating ritual is what occurred this chapter (and I'm biting my fingernails hoping it doesn't get me kicked off ff.net!)
Witch of Darkness – Hope this chapter answered your questions on the wand changing.
Mistress Nymphadora – Thanks for the review! There are so few Slytherin students to choose from… lol!
LeMasque, Innogen, Arafel2, Ankle, Sola Bela, Dakota, Jamie, CaretoDream – Thanks for reviewing!
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