Harry twirled the smooth ebony wood between his fingers, noticing for the first time the intricate pattern carved into the handle of the wand. He didn't recognise the design, nor had he come across another wand with such fine detailing as this. Opening his palm, he let it rest there for a moment, noting how well weighted it was as it remained there, perfectly balanced. A wand designed for precision. He gripped it tightly again and held it before him, marvelling at the way the light reflected off the polished wood giving it the appearance of obsidian. It really was beautiful, Snape's wand. Dark and complex – it was almost an extension of the man himself.

"Remus, do you know much about Snape's wand?" he murmured, not taking his eyes from the polished surface.

"A little, I'm sure Dumbledore would know much more than me." Lupin laid the book he had been reading back onto his desk and leaned forward to view Harry with interest, "Why do you ask?"

"I've never seen one like it before. It's incredible."

"It certainly caused some interest when he arrived at Hogwarts with it, especially amongst the staff."

Harry looked up with interest. "Why?"

"Whilst a fairly common choice of wand material, it is unusual to find an ebony wand in this length." He held out his hands and as Harry placed the wand gently in them, he gave it a gentle flex. "11 inches, slightly yielding, which is puzzling in itself. Ebony wood is by nature, unyielding and strong. It is a common choice amongst Aurors and professional duellists due to its superior strength in combative magic and its resilient properties. It is also common amongst Slytherins."

"So Snape had a slightly longer wand than the norm, and he was sorted into Slytherin house so I don't see why that would cause that much interest." Harry shrugged, his eyes fixed to the wand once more. It was almost as though the wand had bewitched him, he could feel it calling to him.

"It didn't. What caused a bit of a stir was that it has a dragon heartstring core." Remus passed the wand back to Harry and rose to his feet, moving to stand beside him and leaning back against his desk. "A dragon heartstring core in combination with an ebony wand of this length is an immensely powerful combination. Severus was somewhat of a prodigy in his school days, he still is really, and a wand of this design is most suited to an intelligent, quick learning mind."

"Okay – so its powerful, but honestly, how is it any different from mine, or Dumbledore's?"

Snape's wand suddenly twitched in Harry's hand and he felt his magic spark in response. He felt a strange compulsion to handle the wand, to cast with it, but the rational side of his mind reminded him it was extremely poor etiquette to use another's wand. But still…

"Harry," Remus was in front of him now, both hands on his shoulders shaking him to get his attention, "this wand is incredibly powerful and carries a strong affinity for the dark arts! In the wrong hands this wand could be capable of destruction of epic proportions! Dumbledore was alarmed at first, and he even consulted Ollivander, concerned whether Severus would be able to control a wand like this at such a young age."

"And?" Harry was having a hard time drawing his eyes away from the polished ebony. He felt a strong desire to clasp it to his chest and run from the room. To be alone with it…

"Ollivander didn't make it. I don't know if Dumbledore ever found out who did. But Ollivander was able to confirm one thing – that it is uniquely suited to Severus, and Severus alone. That wand," he gestured to the black wood in Harry's hand, "is fiercely loyal and will not switch allegiance, even upon disarmament or defeat. It was due to this that Dumbledore felt it safe to admit Severus to the school in possession of that wand – he most have seen something in him that reassured him that he would be able to resist its temptation, and with no other to wield it, it is effectively useless. It is the only wand known to defy wand lore."

"Surely that's impossible?" Harry could not hide his disappointment. He felt an affinity to it, like a siren song luring him to his death, it whispered to him…

"Apparently not. Like I said, Dumbledore knows much more than I." Remus gently prised the wand from Harry's possessive grip and gave him a rueful smile. "I cannot allow you to become seduced by the dark arts, Harry, and therefore we must return this to its rightful owner." He held up a hand as Harry made to protest, mourning the loss already.

"How?" he grumbled.

"It has only just occurred to me, and why we didn't think of it before Merlin only knows! House elves, Harry, House elves!" he broke into a wide grin before turning his head up and calling out loudly.

"Dobby!"

XXX

Severus was also thinking of house elves. Nursing a black eye and lamenting the absence of his wand to enable him to heal it, he still sat on the floor with his back against the bed in the same position Greyback had left him in after knocking him senseless. Narcissa had returned, fretting about him anxiously until he had ordered her, quite rudely, to leave. Lady of the Manor and all that pompous Malfoy etiquette be damned. He could not abide any more fussing, at least not whilst he remained in such a pathetic state. His patience was almost completely exhausted, his frustration at his weakness and the chaotic mess inside his mind was finally getting to him. He had to do something, and that meant getting his wand back.

His silent prayer was answered almost immediately by the soft click of a house elf apparating into the room and he was immensely relieved to see the familiar face of Potter's house elf, Dobby.

"Master Severus, sir, Dobby has been sent to return your wand to you, sir," he bowed his head, great ears flapping about him as he reverently offered the ebony wand out to him.

Murmuring a soft Accio, Severus closed his eyes in relief as his trusted wand flew obediently to his hand and settled comfortably into his grip. He smoothed his thumb over the intricate pattern as he had thousands of times in his 27 years of ownership and he felt a welcome spark as the wand greeted his magic cordially. When he opened his eyes again, Dobby was still in a bowed stance, his empty hands still held out before him.

"Dobby, thank you."

The house elf slowly raised his head and nodded gently, relaxing his arms and letting them fall to his side, "You is most welcome, sir, Master of Potions, sir." He stood there expectantly, eyes huge, waiting to be dismissed.

Severus regarded him thoughtfully for a moment. "Dobby, I wonder whether you might be able to help me with something?"

"Dobby would be most honoured sir!" He gave another bow, a large grin plastered across his face.

"Help me onto the bed, and then I'd like you to deliver a message for me."

XXX

The cold air was biting as she stood huddled in her cloak, and she pulled it closer around her as she waited. Her breath was creating little clouds in front of her. In the distance she could see the lights of the castle, Dumbledore's office in particular shining brightly like a beacon of hope in the darkness. She followed the outline of the castle across to the Astronomy tower and then down to the great stained glass window of the Great Hall, still lit from beyond by the thousands of floating candles within as lingering students finished their evening meal. Her friends were probably still there. She hadn't told anyone about her summons, she hadn't dared lest someone follow her. It was risky, the sender had been anonymous and Dobby had refused to divulge any information. In the end, her curiosity had won and as the request had been simple and within the protective grounds of Hogwarts so she had felt no need to raise concern. However, her heart felt differently and was beating a frantic tattoo in her chest as she waited in the darkness.

She was startled by the sudden crack of apparition a few feet to her left and she whirled towards the sound, heart suddenly in her throat, wand drawn. A tall, cloaked figure straightened and turned towards her and noting the raised wand, offered both arms out to the side in a gesture of peace.

"Who are you?" she whispered, her voice sounding ridiculously small in the darkness of the forest. The figure did not respond, but instead took a slow step towards her, pausing as she raised her wand again in warning.

"I said, who are you?"

The figure reached an arm up and gently pushed the cowl of the inky cloak back, revealing a face she knew so well and had been longing to see for what felt like an eternity. A choked sob escaped her and she ran, wand falling to the floor in her haste as she threw herself into his arms. She felt his hand come up to the back of her head and bury itself in the unruly curls in a gesture so familiar it took her breath away. Sobbing, she pushed her face into his, claiming his mouth with a ferocity she could not restrain. He kissed her back with a fervour, relishing the contact and warmth as she clung to him desperately. After a long moment, she withdrew, breathless, and pressed her forehead to his. She took a shaky breath.

"Severus," she breathed, eyes full of wonder as she took him in. Complete, whole, human. "It worked." Of course it had worked – Severus had devised the potion himself, tested it.

Obsidian eyes met honey.

"It would appear so," he replied, "There is much I don't remember, but I can only assume you managed to get the lycanthropy cure to me?."

She searched his face, concerned.

"What is the last thing you remember?"

His face crinkled in concentration as he struggled to recall the events of the past few days. It was still all so muddled, and he found it almost as frustrating to deal with as his physical condition. He was a man used to order, every aspect of his life strictly controlled – being in his current situation was almost unbearable.

"I remember very little and it is…confusing. I am sure my memory will return in time."

Flashbacks of the past few days suddenly assaulted her like a raw wound reopened and she whimpered in despair. "It was terrible –"

Sensing her distress, he nodded in understanding. "There are only so many ways one can become infected with werewolf blood and judging by the impressive claw marks across my chest I can only assume I was mauled by one. It must have been quite traumatic for you."

Hermione whimpered again, her eyes glassy with unshed tears, "You have no idea, Severus," she whispered, leaning into his embrace once more. "I thought I had lost you – we all did. It has been a very difficult time, not least with McGonagall and Dumbledore at each other's throats."

He pulled back and searched her face seriously. "She blames him?"

"Yes, and she is right to! I think I'm finally starting to see the real man behind that kindly façade."

Her face was so full of revulsion Severus was taken aback momentarily. "His methods are…questionable, but he makes choices for the right reasons, most of the time."

"Not this time! He's sly and manipulative and a coward! He damn near sent you to your death!" she seethed. "I never thought I'd see the day when I'd ever see him differently from the kind old wizard with the star spangled robes – but now that I do I can't believe he fooled me for so long!"

Severus snorted. "He didn't get the better of Grindelwald by acting like a children's entertainer and pulling fluffy rabbits out of hats, Hermione! This is war, it is no time for sentimentality."

"Why do you do his bidding? What do you owe him that means you'll do anything he asks of you?"

"Now is not the time to discuss it. When the time is right, you shall know, but not before," his voice was firm, his black eyes unflinching.

Hermione recognised that look and knew the conversation was closed, there was no point in pursuing it further. She noticed at that moment he was slouched over slightly, his left arm curling around his chest protectively. It was the same shoulder that had been broken in his fight with Remus.

"You're in pain. Let me help –" She looked about for her wand and saw it discarded some feet away. As she reached for it a hand clamped around her free arm and held her back.

"No."

His eyes searched hers for a long moment, full of intensity and then suddenly his mouth was on hers, his hands working their way under her robes, releasing the catch on her cloak and pushing it from her shoulders. She moaned as he moved his mouth to her neck and planted feathery kisses down towards her breastbone where his clever hands had already released the buttons of her blouse and were now making progress across her breasts. She could feel magic sparking beneath his skin, his touch electric, blazing a trail wherever it made contact with hers. She moaned again as he pushed her to the floor. Instead of the uneven, bracken strewn ground her back met a warm, cushioned surface as he pressed against her. His hands roamed over her fevered skin, weaving magic as they went and she was utterly lost, sensations bursting throughout her body as he traced runes across her breasts and stomach. His mouth returned to hers as his fingers worked further downwards, his tongue tangling with hers as he deepened the kiss. He continued with the runes and she felt magic tingling across the little patterns as he worked. For several moments he repeated the same pattern and in her enraptured state, she dimly registered that it might be deliberate. She made to pull away from his kiss, a question forming on her lips but was silenced as those expert hands divested her of her remaining clothing. He paused then, and on raised elbows looked down at her, the dark pools of his eyes full of emotion.

"I love you," he whispered. Knowing what it must have taken for him to say it, Hermione gave him a brilliant smile, "I love you, Severus," she replied before he reclaimed her mouth once more and pushed into her with a pleasured moan. For several long minutes, there was no sound except for their fevered lovemaking as they writhed and tangled together on the forest floor, driving each other beyond all sense and reason until they collapsed breathlessly against each other in a tangle of limbs.

As they gazed up through the canopy above their heads, Hermione nuzzled into his chest and rested her chin against his collarbone. She traced her fingers across his lean torso, feeling the gently defined muscles below the skin, his wiry strength. She also felt the great rents in his chest where Remus had injured him so gravely and felt him flinch as she touched the still raw skin. She paused over his heart, feeling the rapid beat beneath her fingertips and glanced up at him in concern. His face was creased in pain, and his breath was coming in short pants. Worried, she scrambled to her knees and leaned over him. His eyes were scrunched shut, his face pale.

"Severus, what's wrong?"

He gritted his teeth in pain, "I'm told my recovery may take some time. Do not concern yourself, I shall be fine."

"I didn't think – I should've –" Hermione babbled.

"Do not fuss, witch." He growled.

"Severus, you need someone to check you over, after all you've been through –" Hermione began, already replacing her clothing and looking about for her wand.

"No," his voice was firm as he gripped her wrist tightly. She winced, and he loosened his grip. "Hermione, I cannot stay, the Dark Lord –"

"Please," she whispered, "Don't go back! We will find a way to keep you safe –" she pleaded.

Severus closed his eyes and took a deep breath before pushing himself to a seated position and replacing his clothing with a quick flick of his hand. He turned to look at her, his face set.

"It is not an option, I am no coward, Hermione. This is my fate, I chose this life and I will follow it through." His silky baritone was cold, firm.

"Severus, please –" she reached out a hand to him and he shrugged it away as he rose to his feet, one hand clasped to his heart. He staggered slightly.

"You heard me, Hermione, do not ask me to repeat it. Return to the castle, tell no-one of my visit – not even Dumbledore." He rasped, reaching out to support himself on a nearby tree. Hermione stepped towards him and she recoiled in shock as he backed away from her.

"Severus, Dumbledore can protect you! He's the only person in this world who can right now!" she implored. She stepped closer.

"You endanger me speaking of this!" he hissed, "You endanger yourself – and I will not allow it!"

Her face was a mask of pain. It hurt him to look at her, so he turned his face away.

"This was a mistake," he hissed quietly, "I should not have come here."

Hermione recoiled as though burnt. "You don't mean that, we just made love – I love you!" she cried, hurt etched across her face. The crushing honesty in her face was agony to behold and he cursed himself that he had allowed himself to let down his guard, that he had let her get so perilously close to his heart. He had put her in danger with a foolish belief that he would be allowed to love again without fear of her getting hurt, but he had been wrong. Greyback knew about her now and that meant she was in grave danger. He would not allow the same fate to befall her, and if that meant sacrificing his one chance at happiness, so be it. Rapidly hauling up his occlumency shields, he hardened his expression.

Again, she reached out to him and this time he pushed her hand away.

"It was a parting gift, nothing more. Do not fool yourself with dreams of romance, Hermione. I am a hard man to love – I am a bastard, a murderer –" he advanced on her, straightening to his full height, his black eyes glittering menacingly, "I've done terrible things, I will do countless more. I do not deserve your love, I do not want it." He hissed. For the love of Merlin, Hermione, heed me!

Horrified, Hermione began to back away from him.

"You don't know what you are saying! You are unwell, let me fetch Poppy –" she pleaded.

He laughed bitterly. "Ah yes, it is inconceivable to you that a man could lie with a woman just to satisfy a primal need! It's a dance as old as time Hermione! Men like me are cruel creatures, we take but do not give in return. I do not need your affection, I do not need caring for. I am a forsaken man, I ruin the lives of innocent people! You are beautiful, intelligent but so naïve. Leave me, before I take you down to hell with me!" His face was full of anguish now.

"No! You are not yourself Severus, you said so yourself! You are sick!" she folded her arms across her chest and refused to move back. "I'm going to get help –" she began, raising her wand, the first syllables of a spell on her lips when suddenly she was forced back hard against a tree, one hand around her throat. She gasped in shock as the air was forced from her lungs in a whoosh. Severus leaned into her face as her mouth opened and closed like a fish, his eyes fierce, the contours of his face set in hard lines. He seemed to consider something for a moment before forcing a bruising kiss to her lips. Magic crackled around his hands and face as he released his hold and moved back.

"Why couldn't you just do as I asked you?" he whispered, eyes searching hers as she continued to gasp for breath, "I regret it Hermione, but this is for your own protection." Her eyes widened in horror as he raised his ebony wand and pointed it at her face.

"Obliviate!"

There was a flash of white and then Hermione went limp, falling bonelessly into his arms. He lowered her gently to the ground, pushing the unruly curls back from her face as he gave her cheek a final caress.

"You deserve so much more, Hermione," his voice was hoarse with emotion as he raised his wand to the sky and shot a locator charm into the night. He waited for the red marker to form before casting a warming charm and a protective shield over Hermione's prone form and apparating away with a thunderous crack.

XXX

As Severus landed in the gardens of Malfoy Manor he staggered and lost his balance, falling to his knees and face planting the low stone wall that bordered the rose garden. Blood exploded from his nose as he collapsed onto his side and he cursed loudly in frustration. Flopping onto his back, he forced himself to look up at the night sky. The same sky under which he had just obliviated one of the only women he had ever loved. It is for the best his mind told him helpfully. But by Gods, it hurt. Merlin, it killed him to do that to her. He really was an unspeakable bastard.

"Interesting place for a nap, Snape?"

A grizzly face loomed into view above him, blocking his view of the stars. He blinked rapidly, trying to clear his vision.

"Fuck off, Greyback," he replied coolly.

"Losing your finesse, I see," he dragged a dirty finger through the blood streaming from Severus's nose and brought it to his mouth, sucking it clean. "Mmm…delicious!" The werewolf offered him a grin, leaning in closer to him, sniffing intently.

"Interesting perfume though," he licked his lips and revealed his teeth, "Hope Malfoy knows you have found someone to mate with, other than his lovely wife, that is." He stopped as the point of Severus's ebony wand poked hard into his neck.

"Now, now Greyback! It would be most unfortunate if you were to be hideously maimed having accidentally startled a powerful Death Eater in the dark one night, wouldn't it?" he growled, "Now kindly remove your mangy ass from my face before I unleash some of my pent up frustration on you and insert my wand somewhere you will find most unpleasant."

Greyback narrowed his eyes warily. This particular wizard was one to be feared, and he was not one to be reckless. He would get Snape soon enough, but for now he would back off.

"Remove that pathetic twig from my neck before I ram it down your throat, Snape!" he growled, spittle landing in little flecks on Severus's cheek as he spoke.

As the two faced off, Lucius came to stand beside them both, hands on hips and looking exasperated.

"Merlin above Severus! Where the hell have you been? Please don't tell me you've been out here wrestling werewolves when you are supposed to be resting? The Dark Lord will have my hide if he hears you are well enough to be fraternising with the hired help when you should be brewing potions for his worldwide domination," he gave Greyback a disgusted once over, "I mean, if you have some dark fantasies you wish to indulge I'm sure I can find someone down Knockturn Alley who would be more than willing –"

"Snape here likes a Mudblood, Malfoy. Not many of them down the Alley these days!" Greyback sniffed heavily again, "And it smells to me like he has already had his sport for tonight." The werewolf sprang to his feet, surprisingly agile for his size. He gave Severus another of his wide smiles, showing off his impressively sharp teeth before sauntering off into the darkness, turning only to give him the finger.

Lucius gave his friend a sharp look, "Severus?"

Severus let his head drop back to the ground. "Not now Lucius."