Mosaics
Part 7

It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and wisest might err. –Gandhi

Tapping his fingers against the desk, Severus stared at the low window that graced his office. It was almost Samhain and Lucius' invitation to his annual party of depravity was sure to come soon. The lack of post had begun to unnerve him.

The past month had proven to be one of the quietest since Voldemort had returned to power. It was his ploy to throw the public off, to let them assume that the incident in the Ministry of Magic was all a lark. Still, except for the request of a few minor potions, Severus had not been summoned at all. Even the training of the new recruits had been assigned to another.

Scratching another red mark on the fifth year parchments he was grading, he heard a small tapping on the window. Swiftly, he flicked his wand; the window opened. The exquisite Chinese owl soared over his desk and dropped his letter. Grimly, he slit open the envelope and his eyebrows raised in surprise. Lucius had sent out a short note informing Severus and apparently everyone, as it seemed to be a form letter, that no festivities were planned this year for Samhain.

Relieved not to have to endure another of Lucius' depraved parties, a gnawing suspicion took root. Lucius was pre occupied with something and that was never a good sign.

"Lucius…"

Narcissa moaned, her nails digging deeply into her husband's arse, as he thrusted harder and harder into her. Their mouths met in a flurry of kisses and nips, the building explosion consuming them…

"NOOO!"

The door to the bedroom flew open, Morana standing there her face twisted in anguish. Quickly moving off Narcissa, Lucius grabbed a robe and hurried over to her.

"How could you?" Morana wailed. "In our own bed, Marius, how could you?"

"Shh, mother," Lucius crooned, putting his arms around the old woman. "Father is not here, only me and Narcissa. Remember Narcissa?"

Wild eyed, Morana stared at Narcissa, who was glaring back. "Slut, whore!" she hissed. "Get out! Get out!"

"Lucius, get her out of here before I do something," Narcissa said coldly, pulling the silk sheets up around her flushed body. Speaking soothingly, Lucius led his mother out of the bedroom, closing the door behind them.

Snarling, Narcissa summoned a house elf to bring her some tea. She was still seething as she sipped the steaming liquid, waiting for Lucius to return. Finishing her tea, she sat with arms crossed.

The door opened and Lucius came in smiling. Light reflected off the gold mask, making him seem like a macabre mime. Pulling off his robe, he slid into bed and kissed her neck. "She's asleep and shouldn't bother us again. Now where were we?" His lips trailed up her neck to her face. Narcissa turned away.

"Narcissa," he said, a hint of anger in his voice.

Narcissa turned icy eyes on him. "That woman needs professional help. St Mungos has a floor…"

"Never!" he hissed, his jaw set. "I will not send her to another place like the one Father put her in."

Narcissa's mouth tightened. "Either she goes or I do."

Lucius' eyes narrowed dangerously, then he laughed. "Darling, you do realize I would never let you leave." He stroked her cheek, chuckling when she bit his finger hard. Slowly he wiped the droplet of blood across her lips before his descended on hers in a ravishing kiss.

Pushing her back on the pillows his hand roamed over her breasts, twisting one nipple gently, as he parted her mouth and stroked her tongue. "I will move Mother to the east wing tomorrow," he said huskily in her ear as he pulled her ear lobe into his mouth and sucked on it. "And will flay the skin off that lazy elf for allowing her to interrupt us tonight."

Pushing on his shoulders, Narcissa squirmed until she was straddling him. Her eyes glittered in the light from the candle on the bed stand. "She had better stay clear of me, darling," she purred, moving down his body, "or you will be burying her." Lowering her head, her mouth enclosed over his erection, teeth nipping hard.

Lucius laughed and buried his hands in her hair, muttering his encouragement.

"You have a really nice play of light there, Miss Granger," Professor Trelawney commented. "May I suggest you are ready to move on to oils for the next project?"

"Yes. I would like that," Hermione said smiling. It had surprised her when Sybill Trelawney walked into the arts class over the summer. She had almost been ready to leave, but had decided to give it a chance. Now, she was glad she had. Professor Trelawney was well versed in the arts and a very accomplished artist in her own right. She had shown some of her works to the class, blushing at the praise.

The art class had been reintroduced for anyone interested, to be held every other Saturday morning. It had gained popularity and over three dozens students were now standing behind easels in the large Transfiguration Classroom.

Hermione had missed the last class because she had been so drained from working with Dumbledore. The training had gotten easier and she only woke with a mild headache now. She had not met with Dumbledore last night for it had been rescheduled for tonight. It would be the first time she would be training with Professor Snape.

"Ready?" Ginny asked as she rolled up her charcoal drawing. Smudges of black graced one cheek and her chin. They climbed the stairs chatting about how good the drawing class had been.

"I can't wait for Halloween. George and Fred promised they were going to send me a box of their new Spook 'Em treats. I got some yesterday," she said holding out small orange marshmellowy treat shaped like a jack o lantern.

"What does it do?" Hermione asked cautiously.

"Watch," Ginny popped the candy in her mouth and chewed. Her mouth stretched and widened until it looked as if her face would split. Grinning she looked identical to the carved one on the candy, complete with an inner yellow glow. After a minute she made a small popping noise and her face returned to normal.

Hermione laughed. "They are clever but still I do not think I want to try one. Fred and George's idea of fun can be a bit too overwhelming."

"They have a vampire shaped one, a hag, a bat and a ghost," Ginny said. "Listen, I want to drop by Mum's office and give her this." She rolled her eyes. "You know how she is."

They approached Molly's office and paused. A faint sound of someone crying came from behind the door. Hermione rapped softly. "Molly?" Pushing the door open they saw Mrs. Weasley, sitting at her desk, wiping her eyes.

"Ginny, Hermione," Molly waved them in. "How nice to see you."

"Mum, what's wrong? Has something happened to…"

"No, no, nothing like that, dear. It's just an old woman's foolishness."

"Would you like to talk about it?" Hermione asked gently.

Molly smiled at them then blew her nose on a large handkerchief. "Nothing to worry about. I just got a letter from Penelope." She tried to smile. "She is such a dear thing. We have been keeping in contact and she came to see me my last weekend off."

"I didn't know," Ginny said, with a slight pout. "How come you never told us?"

"Because, it is between us women," Molly said firmly, "and that is why I shouldn't be telling you now."

"What are we? Toads?" Ginny replied.

"Molly, if you want to talk about it, we will keep it to ourselves," Hermione assured her.

Molly motioned for them to have a seat. "You know how Percy is. Still saying Arthur and Dumbledore are wrong even after the incident last summer. It has been so quiet that people are beginning to believe it was just a hoax." She sniffed. "And then he and Penny having to get married," she shot Ginny a look. "It just breaks my heart."

"But they were going to be married soon anyways," Ginny said.

"Yes, but I, your father and I were hoping that they would wait until this mess with …you know was settled and perhaps Percy would come back to us." She looked teary again. "The worse thing is--oh I shouldn't, you are too young to understand."

"No we're not," Ginny said firmly, Hermione nodding in agreement.

"Well, then, when I met with Penny she was so upset, poor thing. It seems Percy has been working late, coming in sometimes early in the morning. She is afraid he," color rose in her cheeks, "may be seeing another woman."

"What?" Ginny gasped. "Not stick to the rules Percy. Come on, Mum. You know better."

"That's what I told her, dear. Percy may have issues with us but he is a hard worker and he probably is working late. I think she finally believed me."

Hermione could tell that Molly needed to hear reassurance herself about Percy. "Ginny is right. Percy would never do something like that. He was always mad about Penny." She swallowed hard. He is just busy being a Death Eater.

Molly smiled. "Yes, of course you are right. It's just I miss him. Penny has assured me that she will make sure to do all she can to convince him to make up with Arthur before the baby comes." A dreamy look crossed her face. "I have already knitted over a dozen booties," she said sheepishly.

Hermione and Ginny laughed.

Ron tossed and turned, punching up his pillow then throwing it to the end of the bed. Sighing, he reached for his trousers. Quietly he dressed and tiptoed out of the dormitory. There was no use trying to sleep. He had been taking dreamless sleep potion all week but Madame Pomfrey had been adamant that he not take it for more than three nights at a time. 'The body needs to dream. It allows your mind to work out things that need to be addressed.'

Well, he didn't fancy working out his dreams. It terrified him to close his eyes. Maybe if he could just walk, walk until he was exhausted then he could go to sleep and not dream. Pushing on the portrait door, he slipped out into the dark hall.

He walked cautiously through the corridors, heading up the stairs, hoping he wouldn't run into Filch or Mrs. Norris or even worse Snape. Hearing a noise, he flattened himself behind a suit of armor and peeked out. A familiar girl was moving down the hall and as she passed, he had to clap his mouth with his hand to keep from gasping. Hermione. Curious, he wondered what she was doing skulking around this time of night. Slipping out from behind the armor he followed her, waiting to see what she was doing.

"She's late."

Albus smiled at Severus' grumbling. "Your watch is fast Severus, I still have two till."

"When are you going to tell her?"

The smile left Albus' face, replaced by a tired, world-weary one. "There is no hurry. Miss Granger is highly unlike to run into Voldemort even if she were not under the protection of the school."

Severus snorted. They had had this disagreement several times already. "And when it is too late to correct the fact that she has none of the memories that I so willingly share with the Dark Lord, what excuse will you give to those who mourn her death? Be sure to give us a proper burial, won't you?"

"Miss Granger will be told when the time is right."

"Just like you decided with Potter?" Severus said acidly, knowing he was pushing Albus too hard. The old man had to realize that some things are better laid on the table.

Dark fury burned in the pale blue eyes. "Severus, you cannot possibly understand…"

They turned at the sound of the trapdoor being lifted, a forced smile gracing Albus' face. "Hermione, how are you this evening?"

Cheeks flushed and panting slightly, Hermione hugged her cloak tighter to ward off the chilly night wind. "Sorry. I had to wait for everyone to leave the Common room."

"Not at all, you are right on time," Albus said, snickering under his breath at Severus' sour look.

"Professor Snape," Hermione said politely, noting the look of disdain he was giving her.

"Now then," Albus said brightly. "I think we shall begin."

Ron followed Hermione to the West Tower, the place many students went to snog or so he had heard. His stomach lurched. She couldn't be betraying Harry, not Hermione.

Waiting several minutes after she had gone through the trapdoor, he carefully climbed the stairs and edged it open a crack. Peeking through it, he was surprised when he saw Dumbledore, the Headmaster unmistakable in his sky blue robes and cloak. Snape too?

Curious, he tried to figure out what they were doing.

After exploring spells she and Professor Snape could do together, Dumbledore flexed his fingers and winked at them. "Excellent, just excellent. If you aren't too tired, Miss Granger, I would like to give a go."

"I am not tired, Headmaster," she assured him. Actually she had done little but allow Snape to tap into her power, strengthening his. His display of power had amazed and frightened her. Powerful balls of fire had filled the dark night, walls of liquid lava had erupted from the ground far below them and stones had melted from streams of fire from his hands.

"Now then, I want to experiment with some of the elemental magic I possess while drawing from your power, Miss Granger. If you would be so kind as to take Professor Snape's hand and conjure a protection field around us."

Hermione slid her hand into Severus' and one in Dumbledore's. A faint blue shimmer surrounded them. Dumbledore looked heavenward and a sound of rushing winds filled the air. She gasped as she saw a huge whirlwind heading for the forest though well above the ground. Trees swayed and creaked as it passed overhead.

"Do not be afraid. I am going to maneuver it onto the tower!" Dumbledore shouted above the roar. She faintly heard a curse from Snape as the twisting monster hovered directly over their heads. Lower and lower the funnel descended and she looked up into the eye of the tornado, feeling faint at the awesome power of it.

"Bloody Hell!"

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Ron's head emerging from the trapdoor. Her vision was clouded by the darkness of the funnel. Feeling the twisting winds yank her feet from the stones, she heard above the roar Dumbledore's voice. "Oops…."

Blackness swirled around him and his only thought was Hermione, not to let go of her. The force of the whirlwind was being kept from ripping them apart by her shield though he could feel it weakening. In slow motion, he felt it fading and then the world broke apart as she was swept away. "Hermione!" he roared as he doubled over as something struck him in the gut. Then there was nothing and he was falling, faster and faster towards the earth. Cursing he reached for his wand and found it no longer in his sleeve.

Suddenly he was plunging beneath liquid ice, his body sinking and his mind going numb with shock. His lungs were burning with from the lack of oxygen when his feet struck solidly, bending his knees painfully. With all the strength he could muster he pushed off and rose towards the surface.

His head broke through the icy water and he took deep gasping breaths. Wiping his long hair out of his eyes he looked desperately around. In the faint moonlight he saw a still figure floating face down not far from him. Trying to still the dread that filled his mind, Severus swam over to Hermione and turned her over. She was not breathing. With his arm around her neck, he swam towards the outline of a darkened bank. With great effort he flung her onto it and scrambled out, shivering in the damp cold air.

Growling with frustration as he slapped her cheeks, Severus pressed his ear to her chest. She was not breathing but there was a faint pulse. "Hermione, you will not die, do you hear me?" he commanded, as he pressed down on her chest below the ribs. Hermione made a gurgling noise and began to cough, water flooding out of her mouth. Rolling her onto her side, Severus grew weak with thankfulness as she spewed and coughed water up.

Finally she quit coughing and he reached down to stroke her damp hair away from her face. "Hermione," he said quietly. "Are you ready to sit up?" He was shaking with cold and knew they must find warmth soon or risk hypothermia. Slowly he helped her to sit up and then to her feet.

"Where are we?" she whispered, clinging to him as she swayed.

"Merlin only knows," he said irritably. "If we are lucky somewhere on the grounds of Hogwarts but knowing Albus' foolishness he has probably sent us to the wilds of Romania." In the faint light Severus could make out thick woods and he steered them towards them. Finding a fallen tree, he sat her down. "Do you have your wand?"

Hermione felt on her body and realized her robes had been torn from her. "My wand was in my robe pocket," she said fearfully, her teeth chattering. "Don't you have yours?" His violent cursing confirmed that he didn't.

A small ball of flame appeared in his hands. "Don't move." He walked into the woods and came back within minutes carrying an armload of branches. Setting them down he tossed the ball of fire into them and they exploded into a roaring fire. Another ball of flame was in his hands and he repeated his trek into the forest twice more before sitting down beside her. Holding the flame close to her face he examined her. Her lips were tinged with blue and she had a nasty cut above her left eye but looked unharmed otherwise. Her small frame was trembling so violently that she seemed in danger of falling off the log.

"Take your jumper off," he told her.

"What?"

"This," he grabbed the end of the sodden garment and yanked it up, "will be the death of you and Albus will skin me alive for allowing you to catch pneumonia." Severus pulled the sweater off roughly.

Blushing Hermione crossed her arms over her breasts and shivered though the heat from the fire was now much warmer against her skin without the heavy wet jumper. Standing, Severus divested himself of the heavy robes, his cloak had been jerked off him, and unbuttoned the linen shirt. Spreading them over the branches of the tree they were sitting on he turned his attention back to the fire and a fiery serpent appeared.

"Albus, you idiot. We are alive for now and unfortunately without wands. Where we are I haven't a clue. I suggest you locate us before we freeze to death."

With a wave of his hand the serpent disappeared in a flash of blue flame.

"What do we do now?" she asked through chattering teeth.

"We wait." He stretched out his hands towards the fire, feeling the heat flow through his upper body. Plucking at his wet trousers, he thought about removing them also. "Are you getting warm?" He turned to look at her. Those damn Muggle denim things looked twice as heavy and he was about to suggest she remove them when there was a pop in the fire. The fiery serpent hissed in an otherworldly voice.

"Severus, thank the gods. I have your wand and am sending Fawkes. Stay put."

"As if we were going anywhere," he muttered sarcastically taking a stick and poking it in the fire.

"Professor?"

"What is it, Miss Granger?" he snapped, suddenly very aware they were alone. This was the first time they had been truly alone since the incident last summer. No longer did she seek him out when she had nightmares and it was for the best. It was easier to settle back into the routine of being her teacher, not her confidant. Since the beginning of term he had vowed to be harsh with her, to push her farther away. His admonishment to Lupin had unnerved him. It would never do to feel anything but a cool protection for her. The elemental magus status had forced them together tonight outside of classroom and formality.

Also, there was the matter of the visions he shared with Voldemort, the ruse of having her under his influence with dark magic only heightened his awareness of her, that soon he would have to tell her regardless of Albus' desire to keep it from her, and she would hate him for it.

"Do you think we are safe here, wherever we are?" Her voice sounded small and he turned to look at her. The soft firelight reflected on her pale skin turning it rose and orange. The mass of tangled hair tumbled around her face, sticks and leaves stuck throughout. She still kept her arms tightly wrapped across her chest in a protective stance and a wave of irritation filled him.

"Again, I do not know," he snarled returning his gaze to the fire. "We are capable of protecting ourselves if attacked. You depend too heavily on your wand and that can be a dangerous thing."

"I didn't say I was afraid," she said huffily. "I just was asking a question."

"Has there ever been a time in your life you did not ask questions, Miss Granger?" He smirked, thinking of all the times she had practically bounced off her seat in class, her hand waving frantically and how many times he had to ignore her in favor of his own house.

Another loud pop in the fire drew his attention. This time it was Dumbledore's head that appeared in the fire. "Severus, I have some rather odd news."

"Out with it Albus."

"It would seem that Fawkes was unable to locate your position. Has Miss Granger conjured a protection field unknowingly?"

Hermione looked puzzled. "No, I don't think so."

Albus smiled kindly turning his to look in Hermione's direction. "Concentrate a moment if you would, just to be sure."

Nodding, Hermione closed her eyes. Watching her carefully, Severus and Albus waited. She opened her eyes and shook her head. "I don't believe so however…I think there is a powerful magic here." Hermione looked at Severus questioningly. "Can you feel it?"

Severus looked startled. "No, I have felt nothing."

"Could you explain, Hermione?" Albus urged.

Hermione looked thoughtful and rubbed her arms. "I don't know how to explain it, I just feel it. Something ancient and yet familiar."

"Is it evil?" Severus was on his feet looking around warily.

"No, I don't believe so. It…feels neutral." She blushed. "Sorry I can't tell you anything else."

"But you have," Albus said excitedly. "Severus, Hermione, I beg your patience. I must attend to something." With a pop he was gone.

A long string of curses erupted from Severus. Sitting back down, he grimaced and held his side.

"Professor, you are hurt." Concerned, Hermione stood up and bent down to get a closer to look at the angry purplish welt on his side. Severus stared through hooded eyelids at her. Her arms were no longer covering her chest and the thin wet cotton bra did little to hide her hard nipples and Severus couldn't stop himself from staring. A soft hand on his injury jerked his attention away from her chest.

"Bloody hell, woman!" he lurched away from her.

Men. "Stop being so touchy I just wanted to see how bad it was."

"I will live," he snarled. "That is unless you are determined to prod me to death."

"Oh for goodness sake!" Hermione had forgotten how cold she was and that it is a shirtless professor she is talking to. Right now, she felt like she was trying to deal with Ron or Harry.

Severus smirked slightly. The flush in her cheeks and fire in her eyes was good to see. It meant she would be all right and it mattered to him. "If you insist, but not there. Here," he pointed to his elbow that had gotten scratched in the forest.

Hermione stifled the urge to roll her eyes as she pulled his arm towards the light of the fire. "I am afraid you will live," she said a bit testily. "Now your side?"

Although his legs were numb and his feet frozen and they were in gods knew where, Severus began to feel more relaxed than he had in weeks. His dark eyes glittered in the firelight and Hermione blushed under his intense stare.

Did she still have nightmares of Lucius? How had she reacted to anymore unbidden
desires?

The image of Potter flashed through his mind and he clenched his fists. Of course, if she had sexual urges Potter would be more than happy to help her with them, damaging her further, of that Severus was positive. A possessiveness rose up in him and he saw she was frowning. He smiled slyly.

"I do believe I have another injury, here." He pointed to the corner of his mouth.

Hermione's eyes widened. "Let's see." Her small fingers gripped his chin and turned his face up. "I don't see, ah yes, a faint bruise. Again you shall live."

"Perhaps a closer look then, it seems to hurt."

Bending closer, Hermione looked, worried that maybe it was worse than it seemed. She was startled as his hand slid into her wet tangled hair and brought her face down to his, his lips grazing hers. Severus pulled back his eyes on hers searching for something and she understood. This would not be him teaching her a lesson, but between them. Hermione studied him a moment then tentatively lowered her face.

Severus knew there was no turning back. He wanted to kiss her, had wanted to do so for weeks. Tonight she was no longer his student, she was Hermione and he wanted this. Gently he kissed her, slowly and questioningly, and he was rewarded as she returned the kiss with the same inquisitiveness.

What are you doing? Beyond the obvious problem of crossing boundaries, nothing could come of this, not now, not ever. But even as he argued with himself, his arm wrapped around her, his long fingers splaying on her back, urging her down, until she was sitting on his thigh. His tongue traced a slow line across her upper lip before sliding between her lips as she parted them for him and her hands moved up to his neck.

Calloused fingers brushed across the scars on her back, soothingly tracing the contours of each ridge as his mouth caressed hers. He felt her tremble at his touch yet he continued, accepting her scars as part of her as his were a part of him. A flame erupted in the pit of his stomach and Severus knew he must end this delicious torment he had initiated and reluctantly broke the kiss. Pressing his forehead against hers, he stared into her warm brown eyes tempted to delve into her thoughts. Her breath was warm and quick against his face and she parted her lips as if to speak when a flash of gold and a loud pop caused them to jump apart.

A large scarlet phoenix beat its wings lazy, staring at Severus with velvet eyes as Hermione quickly scrambled off his lap. "Fawkes," he addressed the bird. "Have you brought us our wands?" A smaller pop erupted in the blazing campfire and Dumbledore's head appeared once more.

"Severus, Hermione. I have enchanted Fawkes to act a Portkey to return you to the castle. Yes, I know that it is against the law to use a living creature but it was necessary and I will explain later. When you are ready, just grab his tail and I shall see you here." With another pop, he was gone.

Severus looked at Hermione. What do I say to her? Deciding that saying nothing was the best option, Severus gathered his cloak and shirt. "Here," he handed her the linen shirt. "It is drier." Blushing, Hermione quickly put it on. "Are you ready?"

"Yes."

Grasping her tightly around the waist, his skin recoiling as the still wet garment touch it, he closed his hand tightly around Fawkes tail. With a flash of fire, they were gone.

AN/Thanks to jkrazed for stepping in to beta this chapter as my regular beta Ozratbag2 is having computer woes. Thank you the reader for the wonderful reviews. They do feed the writer.