Payton and James watched the group vanish with a small pop. Payton had tears in her eyes and he raised his arm around her shoulders to comfort her.
"It will be all right, Payton," he whispered into her ear.
She nodded weakly.
"I fear that I won't see them again," she shuddered.
James looked at the point were Hermione, Severus and Draco had stood mere seconds before. They had found a spell, which allowed them to follow the path Arden and Savannah had traveled. He turned Payton around so that he was able to look into her eyes.
"They will come back. A Death Eater, a hero, and Hermione Granger. What could go wrong?"
She smiled trough her tears.
"You're right. Jamie?"
"Yes?"
Her eyes were pleading.
"Hold me."
He took her in his arms and held her tight. Her body fitted perfectly into his and his chin rested on her head.
"Always," he replied with a smile.
Her arms went around his body and she pressed herself closer to him. After a few moments he lifted her up and carried her into her former bedroom. He laid her down on the bed and went to leave when she stopped him.
"Please stay," she whispered.
James nodded and joined her on the bed. He stroked her hair while she drifted into an exhausted sleep.
Sometime later Payton awoke. For a moment she wasn't sure where she was or what had happened but then she remembered. She turned around and faced James, who was sound asleep next to her. She took the opportunity to study him.
His black unruly hair fell lightly into his handsome face. She raised her hand and brushed a lock out of it. Her hand rested on his lightly scratchy face with needed a shave. Payton had to admit that she liked the feeling of his beard against her fingertips.
Her index finger traveled from his brow over his cheek to his soft parted lips. She traced the contours of his mouth. Suddenly, he stirred and opened his eyes lazily.
"Hey," he smiled at her.
"Hey, yourself." Her finger went over his jaw to his throat until her hand rested on his broad chest. He covered her hand with his own and squeezed it.
"You should go back to sleep. You need the rest." He had already closed his eyes, but his thumb still caressed her hand.
She moved closer to him.
"I don't need to rest," she whispered against his ear.
His breath stopped and all he could manage was to whisper as her sweet smell surrounded him.
"What do you need, then?"
Instead of an answer she just kissed him. The moment her soft lips touched his he was lost. Careful not to frighten her, he pressed his mouth closer to hers.
Payton parted her lips as she felt his tongue gently asking for entrance.
Soon they were lost in the sensation of breathing in each other's scent and tasting each other's taste.
His hands traveled to her chest and he gently squeezed her breast through the thin fabric of her shirt. She moaned in response and started to unbutton his shirt. She slipped it off his shoulders and stroked his smooth skin. She smiled against his chest as she felt his hands under her shirt, exploring her own skin.
His hand reached behind him and he murmured two spells before discarding his wand and returning his hands to her breasts.
All her clothing had vanished and there was just the feel of skin against skin as she pressed herself harder against his strong body. Payton could feel his arousal lying against her leg and she reached down to cup his throbbing member with her hand. His sharp intake of breath told her that she was doing it right.
She closed her eyes as she felt him close his mouth around her nipple and start sucking it.
James let his hands glide up and down her sides while his mouth alternated between her erected nipples, softly sucking and licking them.
"Aren't you going to tell me that this is a bad idea and that we are going to regret this?" She asked him teasingly.
His head shot up and he met her eyes with a desire filled gaze of his own.
"Not in one million years."
"Good!"
He smiled and captured her lips in another lustful kiss, before his mouth began exploring her sweaty body. He kissed her breast one last time and her tummy before he started nibbling on her belly button. She shivered under him and her hands stroked his back while he kissed his way further south.
"Ohh god!!"
He parted her lips and his tongue gently licked her open folds. James savored the taste of her and increased his stroking. Payton was now helplessly shifting on the bed. She felt her arousal reaching a climax and she called out his name as the waves of her orgasm rolled over her.
James continued licking her until he felt her start to relax again. He kissed his way back up and looked into her eyes.
"That was amazing," she said breathlessly.
He smiled and bit her earlobe.
"That was just the beginning," he promised.
Past
To say that Albus Dumbledore was surprised as the three people appeared in his office would be an understatement. He had been working at his desk when suddenly Hermione, Severus and Draco appeared before him. At first, he was at loss for words but he soon recovered.
"How can I help you?"
Hermione still felt a little unsteady and sat down on a nearby chair.
"I am in search of my son and his friend," Severus said.
"Ahh, yes I see. The young Arden Snape and Miss Malfoy. They are indeed here, safe and sound."
So there he is. The married potions master of Hogwarts, and Miss Granger and Mr. Malfoy.
A wave of relief washed over them.
"We are here to bring them back."
The headmaster nodded. He turned to one of the portraits and asked him to get Savannah, before he returned his attention to the trio.
"I need to inform you that Mr. Snape isn't in Hogwarts at the moment."
"What?" Hermione rose from her chair. "Where is he? Where is my son?"
How very interesting. Severus and Miss Granger. I wonder...
His thoughts were interrupted as the door opened and Arden Snape ran into the room without knocking. The look on his face was one of pure shock when he saw the trio with the headmaster.
"Mum? Dad?" Before he could mutter another word, Hermione had ran to him and embraced him strongly.
"Arden! Are you all right? Oh god, I was so afraid." He returned her embrace and closed his eyes as he breathed in her familiar scent.
"Mum, I'm all right but I can't breath!" She instantly loosened her grip on him.
"I'm sorry," she smiled through her tears.
Severus watched the little reunion with relief. He didn't know what he would have done if something had happened to his son.
After a few more hugs Hermione let go of Arden. Severus walked over and both men shared a quick embrace.
"I'm glad you're okay, my son."
Arden just nodded and smiled at Draco, who returned it, but suddenly Arden remembered why he was here.
"Professor Snape sent me here. Voldemort - he has Miss Granger."
"What?" All four adults in the room were stunned. And then, everyone spoke at the same time.
"I have never been a prisoner to Voldemort," Hermione stated.
"Why did I send you back? And what have you to do with Voldemort?" Snape snarled.
"How did he get her out of Hogwarts?" Albus wondered.
"That's so wrong," Malfoy added.
"QUIET!" Arden bellowed, very much like his father.
"We don't have time for that. Headmaster, Snape said that he needs your help to rescue her. I can apparate you to his hiding place."
Severus and Hermione looked astonished at her son. There was no question that he wasn't any longer the boy he used to be. He was now a man.
"We need to get her out of this, without blowing Snapes' cover," Draco added.
After a few minutes of silence, Severus spoke again.
"Where exactly is she?" he asked Arden.
"She is alone in a room. Voldemort gave her as a present to Lucius Malfoy and yourself. You bought her a little time because you said to Malfoy that it would be more fun when she would be awake."
Severus closed his eyes.
I can't even imagine what it must be like for me to see her like this.
His grip around Hermione's shoulders tightened and she tried not to vomit. The thought of her 17-year-old self in the hands of Voldemort and Lucius Malfoy made her sick.
"You will return to Snape and tell him to send Lucius back in the room with Hermione," Severus said.
Draco and Hermione started to argue, but he just raised his hand to silence them.
"When Lucius is alone with her, my younger self needs to be with Voldemort so that when we rescue her he will be safe."
Understanding dawned in their eyes. It was a brilliant plan.
"How will you know where she is?" Arden asked.
Severus snorted.
"I have been a spy longer than you have been alive, Arden. I believe I'm quite capable of doing this."
Arden nodded.
"Yes, Sir."
"Go now. We will follow in 10 minutes. That should give you enough time."
Arden turned around; ready to leave, when a hand on his arm stopped him.
"Be careful," Severus said his voice thick with emotion.
The moment Arden vanished, Savannah entered the room. As she spotted her father, tears started to flow down her cheeks and she flung herself into his outstretched arms.
"Dad! I'm so glad. I..."
"Shhh... It's okay, pumpkin. I'm here."
He rocked her in his arms and let her cry on his shoulder.
"I will bring you home," he promised.
Arden reappeared before Voldemort seconds later.
"Ahh. I see you are back. I hope the old fool didn't spoil your mood," the dark lord said.
"He almost did, master."
"Go and have a fun, little one."
Arden bent his head before he hurried towards Snape.
After he had found him, he immediately told him of the plan. Severus listened and nodded in agreement after Arden had finished. Afterwards, he went straight to Lucius.
"Severus, my friend. Have you worked up some appetite?" Lucius asked with a grin.
"Lucius, I thought that you would like to start. You have been the one to catch her after all."
Lucius patted him on the back.
"That is really a generous offer, old friend. Thank you."
Severus just nodded. He saw that Arden was talking again with Voldemort and walked towards them.
"Severus, why aren't you enjoying your little present?"
"Lucius was the one who had been able to catch her, Milord. I wanted him to have the first row."
Voldemort nodded in approval.
"I just spoke with your son. He seems to be a very intelligent young man, Severus."
"I hope so, Milord," Snape answered.
"I think we should go and have a little talk. Follow me."
Arden and Severus followed Voldemort out of the room.
---
Malfoy entered the room Hermione Granger was held prisoner in. He had to smile as he observed the young witch from the doorway.
"I?m going to enjoy this, little witch." He walked towards her and let his hands wander over her body. "Its time for you to wake up." Before he could make another move, he felt the tip of a wand at his throat.
"One word and you will be dead immediately," Snape snarled into his ear. "Take his wand."
After Draco had taken his father's wand, he and Severus ended their invisibility charm.
"Severus? Draco?" asked a perplexed Malfoy.
"Indeed, Father. You are not going to do this," Draco said.
Lucius had just enough time to admire the future form of his heir before Draco raised his wand. Adava Kedavra were the last words he heard.
"You shouldn't have done it. After all, he was your father," Severus said quietly.
"Just by name, my friend. Just by name," Draco replied.
Severus squeezed Dracos' shoulder for a moment before he turned around to help Hermione.
He tried to banish every emotion in his soul as he took her beaten body in completely. He flicked his wand and the chain vanished. He captured her in his arms before she could touch the ground. He put his robes around her and lifted her.
In that very moment, two Death Eaters entered the room. They were carrying two women. As they saw Lucius lying lifeless on the cold floor, they dropped the women and raised their wands, screaming charms at Severus and Draco. Because of the soft figure in his arms, Severus wasn't able to cover fast enough. He was hit in the shoulder. Hissing, he tried to remain upright.
Draco waved his wand.
"Petrificus totalus!" He screamed.
The Death Eaters immediately fell down, motionless and stiff.
"Are you all right?" Draco asked with concern.
"Yes," Severus hissed through clenched teeth.
Draco looked at him closely. He could tell that his friend was lying, but he just nodded. "Then let's go."
They apparated back to Hogwarts and went immediately to see Madam Pomfrey.
Snape decided that they had enough time to free Hermione.
"If you would excuse me, Milord, I believe I will join Lucius."
Voldemort nodded with a smile. "Have fun, my follower."
Snape bent his head and walked away.
He entered the room and immediately took in all details. Lucius Malfoy was dead and two Death Eaters were motionless. Turning on his heels, he returned to Voldemort.
"My Lord, the girl, she's gone and Lucius, he is dead," he announced.
"What?" Voldemort rose from his throne and stormed into the room followed by Snape.
---
After Madam Pomfrey had taken care of Hermione, she went over to take a look at Severus. The poor man was lying on the bed unconscious. He had been since he had laid the girl down on a bed. He was paler than usual and she could see the pain in his eyes.
"Do you know what curse hit him?" She asked Draco.
"No, everything happened so fast." She nodded and continued her investigation.
A second later, Hermione ran into the room. Her face was pale as she immediately rushed to her husband's side.
"What happened to him?"
"We don't know yet, dear. I need to take some samples and do some research," Poppy replied.
Hermione just nodded and sat down on the chair next to his bed, holding his hand in hers.