Disclaimer:- I neither earn nor own anything from this story except my plot. Harry Potter and his world are the intellectual property of JK Rowling and her associates.
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A/N:- This chapter has been partially betaed, so please forgive any mistakes, as they will all be mine. I just wanted to get this posted as it's been far too long since I've updated it. I'm sorry for the length of time between updates, I've been going through some personal stuff, and it kind of took over.
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Chapter Twelve – Twenty-four Hours of Reckoning
The remainder of the day went quickly, and it was just on dinner time when Harry returned to The Burrow. Ginny was waiting for him on the porch, and she hurried to him and wrapped her arms around him.
"Do you know what that dickhead of a brother of mine was actually planning?" she cried, burying her head in his shirt. "Mum and Dad are speechless," she said, her voice muffled against his shirt.
"What?" Harry asked, winding his arms around her. He'd found himself asking that same question a lot today.
Ginny looked up at Harry and there were tears in her eyes. "He'd been planning to marry 'Mione too."
"What, as well as being…" but then he found he couldn't find any word other than, "Fuck!"
Ginny seemed to understand and she snuggled closer. "Harry, I can't be near him at the moment, can we go to Grimmauld Place for a bit, please?"
Harry nodded. "Where is he now?" he asked because Harry completely understood Ginny's position, and he knew that he could not be trusted near Ron at the moment either.
"He's asleep again, and I've already packed our stuff. I've told Mum what I was hoping that you'd agree to going to our place," and she looked up at him with wide brown eyes.
Easily giving in, Harry kissed her. "I do agree, wholeheartedly," and he turned and started leading her towards the gate.
"The little shit doesn't deserve…" Ginny started, but she couldn't finish that thought and she shook her head.
They continued towards the edge of the yard in silence, but then Harry spoke as he slung an arm around her shoulders. "How did you get him to admit it?" he asked as he walked her out of the yard. Silence greeted him, and he stopped her and looked at her. She was blushing. "What did you do?" he inquired, his voice stern.
"Umm… well," and she examined his left shoulder very studiously, avoiding his direct gaze completely.
"Gin?"
She sighed. "It was one of George's experiments… I only gave him a little… in his tea… you know…" and her words trailed off, but eventually her eyes came to his. "I didn't expect anything like what tumbled out of his mouth though."
"Yes, it appears that you did get more than you bargained for, and George's experiment sounds very much like a kind of Veritaserum," Harry told her.
"Oh," Ginny huffed. "I was just trying to help. I was so angry with him."
"I know, love, but if I understand things correctly where that potion is concerned, people tell you things under its affects that they would have never revealed under normal circumstances. Therefore, he may have said what he said against his own will."
"Oh," she repeated, seeming to start to realise her blunder.
"Look, what's done is done, let's go to Grimmauld Place anyway. Perhaps it's time we moved out on our own in any case, and it will actually be nice to have some privacy," Harry replied, waggling his eyebrows.
Ginny batted his chest and blushed prettily. "Mm," she replied, still slightly mortified by what had happened. She was pleased that her mother had not objected to them moving to Grimmauld Place, although when she was thinking straight again it might be different, and she would definitely go home the night before her wedding… and really, it was their business anyway, it was not like they'd chosen to wait until their wedding night to consummate their relationship. Their magic had been very clear about the fact that they were meant to be together.
She was still justifying it all as she felt the pull of Harry's apparition, and she contentedly snuggled closer to him.
xox
Meanwhile, after going back to Andie's and having a well-earned shower following all the dust and dirty of the Shrieking Shack, Hermione was in the library at Hogwarts as Ginny and Harry were settling into Grimmauld Place. The Gryffindor witch wanted to research what to expect tonight in the ritual to bring back her former professor, so she'd asked the headmistress if she could return and do some research, as Draco had gone back to his mother's apartment.
However, she was having a lot of trouble concentrating on her task. In truth, she'd wanted some occupation rather than having nothing to do while she waited for the evening to arrive. Of course, there was another reason too, she wanted to be with Draco, and while she did not begrudge Narcissa her son's support, she couldn't help wanting him with her too.
The afternoon wore on, and as it became evening, Hermione continued to force herself to read silently through the volume she'd chosen on this rather personal type of magic. To tell the truth she was rather taken back that Albus Dumbledore had taken it upon himself to enact this spell as it meant that at some point he'd taken possession of something physical—most probably a single strand of their hair—to entwine the four of them and invoke such powerful magic.
In another way it was sweet that he'd taken the trouble to do that, he must have truly cared for Professor Snape to do it, and that sent her mind off on another tangent. This had been an act of love towards a person who had not deserved his fate for all the work that he'd put into helping them win, and it gave her a warm fuzzy feeling. However, it was not quite enough of an injection of warmth for her to forget how this same man had left the defenceless baby Harry on the doorstep of hostile relatives with some vague explanation of blood protection as his excuse. She'd researched that one years ago, and whilst it did provide some protection, it was not strong protection, although, she guessed that if Voldemort and his minions had believed it did, then it had done its job.
Hermione stretched and scrubbed her hands over her face, and that was when she noticed that it was starting to get dark outside. These long summer evenings were pleasant here at Hogwarts, and she gazed out the open window at the darkening sky as a sigh left her lips watching the school owls heading out of the owlery to hunt for the night.
She smiled, as her eyes followed the birds swooping and diving, and playing on the thermals. They appeared as carefree as everyone was here during summer, and she sighed softly. If only she could capture that feeling for herself at the moment. She so wanted everything to work out, but on top of what was happening with this ritual tonight, her future was really still in doubt. What would happen if she was wrong about Astoria being pregnant? It was unlikely that she was wrong, but still…
With another sigh, Hermione straightened in her chair and gasped as her back instantly told her she'd been sitting for too long. She was just looking at her watch to check the time when she was disturbed by Nearly Headless Nick.
"Excuse me, Mistress Granger, the Headmistress wishes to know if you'll come to her office for supper."
She smiled at the ever-polite ghost and started tidying her books and papers. "Thank you, Nick, I'd like that. I'll be there directly," she answered.
"Very good," the ghost replied, inclining his head, and making it wobble precariously on his shoulders. "I shall inform her," and after steadying his head and adjusting his ruffled collar he glided around in mid-air to leave.
The Gryffindor witch watched him sailing off, out of the library, and that was when it hit her what they were really going to do tonight. They were reviving someone who had not deserved to die in the war. Well, none of those who'd died had deserved their fate, but this man especially hadn't. It really was the professor and not Harry—something her and Harry had discussed—that had won them the war. Certainly, Harry had struck the definitive blow, as it was always destined that he should, but it had been Snape who'd prepared the way for him to do it. As far as she saw it everyone else's contributions—whilst they'd been important—had only been support for these two main players.
Hermione was very proud of what they'd accomplished, but she was magnanimous enough to see the whole picture for what it was too. Sure, her and Ron, as well as others may have been top tier support, but that was not as important as Harry and the professor had been, and with that thought she finished packing up and started out towards the Headmistress' office.
xox
Finally, it was approaching midnight, and it appeared that while Hermione had spent the afternoon researching the spell with a fair scattering of other thoughts creeping into her mind, Minerva had been far more practical. In true motherly style she'd thought of everything; she'd even arranged for Healer Pye, the healer who'd managed to save Arthur Weasley's life after his encounter with Nagini, to be in attendance.
Therefore, with the moon high in the sky, the three witches the spell spoke of, the school medi-witch, Draco, and Healer Pye all paused before the Whomping Willow, and Minerva sent the spell towards the knot in the trunk that stilled its thrashing.
In truth, Draco's presence was not strictly necessary, but Hermione knew that he was here to support his mother, and she was very happy that he was. Andromeda was also there for her sister, having come back to the castle for the night to assist. Teddy was sound asleep in a transfigured bed in the corner, and Andie was occupied with her potions.
Minerva had planned everything out to the finest of details, she'd even modified the Hogwarts wards so that her medical team could apparate straight to the hospital wing as soon as they'd stabilised the professor enough for travel not to be life-threatening to him.
The group entered the Shrieking Shack, while Andromeda set up her lab to brew whatever might be needed, and everyone else stood back, fairly close to where Hermione remembered them hiding near the entrance the day of the Final Battle. Then as the great tower clock chimed the first strike of midnight, Minerva placed the brooch that presumably contained some form of Snape's essence—probably the hairs that she'd postulated earlier—in the centre of the space that Hermione and Draco had cleared earlier.
All three witches drew their wands and stretched their wand arms up, forming a living triangular pyramid in doing so, and they closed their eyes and chanted together. "Spirit to spirit, flesh to flesh, solidify the one we choose as our best," and then each witch added their personal wish.
"Like my son," Minerva stated.
"The love I thought I lost," Narcissa murmured, her voice unsteady and a tear escaping her control as her emotions rolled over her as she enunciated her dearest hope.
Hermione felt the elder witch's distress through the spell link, as she added the words, "To be my teacher," to finalise the spell, and she wished that she could have comforted her in some way. This woman had been good and kind to her recently, and that had been unexpected but very welcome.
The magic took over as the spell played out, and as the great clock's last strike was echoing off into the night their wands linked and a bolt of pure white magic shot straight down towards the floor and into the brooch. Pieces of brooch splintered and there was a loud thunk on the floor within the confines of their spell.
A rasping gurgling sound had reality crashing down over Hermione quickly, as that had been the sound she'd heard as she'd vainly tried to staunch the professor's blood loss the day of the battle.
Hermione took Narcissa's hand in hers for comfort for both of them, as just like her elder the Gryffindor witch froze in place. They were both looking on horrified as the wizard at their feet suffered so horrifically.
This made Draco swiftly move forward, pulling the two witches out of the way, spinning them around and standing in front of them so they were shielded from the worst of it by his body, as he watched Minerva, Poppy and Augustus go into action. It did not take them long to have the raven-haired wizard stabilised and moved.
At this point, Minerva stepped forward and guided Poppy and Augustus' apparition up to the hospital, leaving the others to walk up.
"Well, I guess that's that," Hermione stated softly. She was somewhat relieved, but very conflicted. It had occurred to her earlier this evening while she was considering everything else that she perhaps should tell Harry what they were doing, as she knew that her friend would have loved the opportunity to perhaps see Dumbledore. However, it appears that he would have been more than a little disappointed with tonight's outcome because Professor Dumbledore had not come back with the Potions Master. Hermione was pulled from her thoughts by Draco kissing her temple.
"Come on, love, we'll take Mother up to wait with Aunt Andie," Draco said, noting how deep in thought Hermione was as he placed his arm around her waist to guide her.
Hermione glanced up at him, and she smiled hearing him using the less formal contraction of his aunt's name. It highlighted for her—despite her other thoughts—exactly how far this wizard had come since she'd first become friends with him after his parent's trial. "Okay," she murmured, happy to allow him to just lead her as she snuggled into his side.
Soon though, Narcissa was hurrying ahead of them, and they slowed their pace, giving the blonde witch her space as she rushed up to the castle.
"So, what's got you so deep in thought?" Draco murmured as soon as his mother was out of earshot. "Did that scene upset you?"
Hermione, who was well aware that Draco's fingers were—and had been since he'd placed his arm around her—toying with the underside of her breast as they walked along, glanced up at him. "No, not really, yes it brought back an awful memory, but I didn't see much thanks to you," and she reached up and kissed him, but she quickly pulled away again as he tried to deepen the kiss. "Among other things," she continued, "I was thinking how pleased I was that Harry didn't turn up tonight."
Draco's mouth chased hers. "Yes," he said, planting another kiss on her lips. "I saw the look of excitement on his face when we told him why we were cleaning up this afternoon," he replied, as his fingers kept up their intriguing rhythm against her flesh. "I thought he'd be the last person who'd wish my godfather back," he told her, continuing to kiss her mouth.
Hermione found herself quickly succumbing to the seductive movement of his fingers, but managing to continue to get her brain to think around her need for Draco, she snorted softly. "Yes, you're probably right there, although, he has realised what an important role the professor played in his ultimate victory. No, I think he looked excited because he wondered if Professor Dumbledore might appear again," Hermione related, her voice becoming airy and needy, and that was when what had started as a tender kiss of thanks for his thoughtful actions, quickly grew into a statement of need and want, and Draco's fingers slid up under her shirt to cup her breasts as they started snogging passionately.
"Merlin, I want you," Draco sighed, and his fingers moved, slipping inside her bra. His fingers danced over her nipples softly twisting and pulling on them, as he pushed his erection up against her, his mouth still lathing hers with kisses. "I wish we could just go home. I'd love to see you spread out on my bed," he declared.
Hermione wanted that too, more than anything if she was honest, but Narcissa had warned them earlier that afternoon that it would be best if they refrained from being physical until after Draco's examination at St. Mungos. "Magic can leave a strong signature on an intimate partner," she'd told them. "And we want to make certain that it is that nasty air-head who's in the wrong here, not either of you," she'd advised them sternly.
Now, Hermione knew that Narcissa's warning would only pertain to the mixing of certain fluids, and that she'd been putting it delicately knowing that they were both intelligent enough to get the message. She groaned in the back of her throat. "I want you just as badly, but until tomorrow morning's over, we can't jeopardise our future happiness for a quick grope in the forest."
Her words made him see sense. "You're right," he said, resting his forehead on hers, his breathing ragged. "I love you," he whispered, his hands leaving their delicious torture on her breasts to rise up and cradle her cheeks.
She instantly missed his attentions, but happily affirmed his declaration. "I love you too," she murmured. "Now, we best walk up to Andie's room. I'll take Teddy home to his bed, and you support your mum."
As much as he hated to admit it, Hermione's logic was faultless, and he exhaled a long breath. "Yes, you're right."
She snickered. "I know I am."
Holding her head steady he nipped at her lips with his teeth playfully. "Always the know-it-all, love," he chuckled, licking the spot where his teeth had nibbled a moment before.
She laughed. "You bet your sweet blonde head I am," and pulling away she took his hand and started leading him. "I know what's best for both of us," and she turned, starting to walk backwards as he followed her by their joined hands. "And what's best for us is to be together, Draco Malfoy, so I'm not letting anything spoil that ultimate outcome."
"Agreed," he laughed, pulling her into a tight hug. "I really do love you."
She laughed. "So you've already said," and she grinned against his neck. "And I love you," she responded into his ear. "Come on," and she suddenly pulled away and took off at a run, seemingly trying to expel some of her pent-up arousal.
They made it up the remainder of the drive very quickly and fell, laughing, through the giant front doors.
xox
Those at Hogwarts were not the only ones having a rather late night. Arthur and Molly were still discussing their youngest son's most recent disreputable behaviour.
"We really should go and visit Mister and Mrs Brown," Molly said, pouring more tea.
"Yes, you're right," Arthur replied, watching the dark liquid coming out of the spout of the teapot and instantly thinking that he was going to need to get up through the night to get rid of the copious amount of liquid that he'd ingested tonight. "We should go there tomorrow, and between the four of us work out how to help the pair of them the most."
Molly sighed. "Who would have thought that Ronnie would be the first to give us a grand baby."
Arthur smiled, but then shook his head as he said, "They're straight out of Hogwarts, they'll need all of us to start with."
"Yes, that they will," Molly agreed.
There was silence for a time as they drank their tea, but then Arthur inhaled to speak once more. "I remember Sean Brown, he was the year below us, love," he said. "A decent chap if I remember correctly," he continued, and fell back into thought again. After a time, he added, "But I don't remember any Mavis in our year, or the surrounding ones."
"No," Molly agreed, yawning. She got up from the table and collected the cups, setting them to wash in the sink. "I think it's time to go to bed," she added tiredly.
"Mm," Arthur concurred. "I guess we'll find out in the morning."
"Yes," Molly agreed as they started up the stairs to their bedroom. "We'll send them an owl first thing tomorrow."
"Agreed," Arthur replied.
The house was especially quiet tonight with only one of their brood at home, but it was kind of nice too, and as they walked Arthur slipped his arm around Molly's waist.
She cackled softly. "Hoping to get lucky?" she laughed.
He leant over and kissed her temple. "I'm already an incredibly lucky wizard, Molly Wobbles, but I'm not going to say no if you're offering."
Molly's cackle turned into an amused laugh. "You have opened with better lines than that."
He tickled her side, making her laughter grow. "Shh, don't want to wake Ron, love."
"No," she snickered. "Imagine how traumatised he'd be, knowing that his parents still fool around."
Leaning in for a kiss, Arthur replied, "And may we keep doing so for many years to come."
"Here, here," Molly agreed, returning her husband's kiss as they turned into their bedroom.
xox
Back at Hogwarts, the majority of Severus' healing was complete, and the still unconscious Potions Master was resting comfortably, unaware of the stir that his arrival had caused.
Augustus Pye had gone, and Minerva, Poppy and Narcissa were standing at Severus' bedside in one of the private rooms reserved for teachers chatting softly. Draco had left for the town house he shared with his mother after he'd assisted Andromeda to clean up her lab.
"So, Healer Pye was satisfied with him?" Narcissa asked, hovering closer to the bed than the other two.
"Yes," Poppy answered. "Very much so, he'll be weak tomorrow most likely, but able to function a little."
"Good to hear," Minerva offered.
"For Merlin's sake, bugger off and let a man sleep," came a mumbled, but distinctive voice from beside them.
The three witches looked towards Severus. He hadn't opened his eyes, but he was scowling softly, and all of them smiled.
"Welcome back, Severus," Minerva said, placing a hand on his arm and squeezing gently.
"Yes, we'll leave you in peace, you know the routine if you need me," Poppy added, and she and Minerva left their younger companion alone with him.
"Hello, Severus," Narcissa said softly.
Snape's dark eyes finally opened. "Hello," he replied, a smile ticking gently at the corner of his lips.
Leaning forward, she touched her lips to his. "I have missed you, Sev."
He raised a shaking hand to her cheek. "As have I you," he replied. "So tell me, is Lucius…" but his sentence trailed away as the effort to speak became too great.
"Shh," Narcissa murmured, stroking his face. "He's in Azkaban, will be for the rest of his life, and by next week my divorce will be final."
Severus smiled. "Good to hear," and his eyes fluttered closed again.
"I'll come back tomorrow?" but she framed it as a question because she was uncertain of things, something she did not like to be.
He reached out and grasped her hand. "I'd like that, Cissy."
Smiling, she squeezed his hand and started to leave. "Good night, love."
"Night," he mumbled, he was too exhausted to say anymore, and his breathing turned into the longer rhythm of sleep again almost immediately.
