There was one thing Greyback really loved about Muggles and that was their complete and utter trust in strangers. It was a charming trait really, to naïvely believe that everyone was as honest and trustworthy as themselves. It had certainly made this task much easier. He watched dispassionately as the two Muggles were tossed into the makeshift pen in the darker side of the cave, their bodies tangling up on the hay strewn floor, heads lolling to the side. They were both unconscious. Admittedly he had been a bit over enthusiastic when they had welcomed him into their home freely and he had taken the opportunity to subdue them both by smashing their heads together. He hoped he hadn't accidentally killed them, that would be most unfortunate. As he watched, the male began to stir, a quiet groan escaping him as he tried to open his eyes. Greyback motioned for his men to come away and he moved to crouch beside him, grabbing him roughly by the hair and jerking his head up. The man scrabbled to his knees, his eyes springing open in shock.
"Welcome back, Mr Granger."
The man struggled in Greyback's grip as he tried to get a look at his wife who still lay sprawled motionless amongst the hay.
"Is she –" he stuttered.
Greyback gave her a quick glance before shrugging his shoulders, "She's breathing, for now." He smiled as a look of alarm passed over the man's face and he renewed his struggle.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Greyback snarled, tightening his grip and jerking the man's head up further. "I often forget my own strength when I am irritated, and that doesn't always work out well for lower breeds such as yourself."
"Who are you?" he gasped.
"I could be the last person you see before you die if you continue to be difficult" He gave his best smile, and chuckled to himself at the look of horror that crossed the face of Hermione Granger's dad as he took in the lethal set of razor sharp teeth. "Now, you and your woman shall remain here as my guests until your daughter sees fit to attempt to rescue you, Mr...?"
"It's Iain, and what do you want with Hermione?" the man's face hardened and Greyback felt a brief flicker of admiration at his bravery, or stupidity – whichever it was.
"She has got herself involved with someone I'd very much like to teach a lesson to. What better way than to take away something he has been enjoying?"
The man renewed his struggles, jerking his shoulders and twisting his head, "No! Not my daughter!"
Greyback held him at arm's length and let him struggle against his iron grip. Within a few moments he tired and slumped down in defeat.
"Now that we're agreed, I will get a message to your daughter. She needs to really believe it though, so I've been thinking and I think it would be more effective to send something she would recognise." Greyback offered another smile, as he released his hold and the man collapsed to the floor in an untidy heap. "So I thought to myself, I wonder if these two carcasses have anything special about them – and guess what? I found a very interesting mark on your shoulder."
Iain's eyes opened wide in horror and he scuttled back across the floor until his back hit the unyielding stone of the cave behind him and he could move no further. Greyback ushered two of his men back into the pen, and they seized the trembling man by both arms and hauled him to his feet.
Greyback reached into the pocket of his dirty leather coat and withdrew a rusted, but sharp knife. He advanced slowly, twirling the knife between his fingers. He licked his lips in anticipation.
"Which I think your daughter would recognise as yours straight away. But I can hardly let you go, now that you are here! What kind of host would that make me?" He laughed, a cold and grating sound that echoed off the cave walls around them. "How are you with pain, Iain?"
Iain struggled hopelessly against his captors but could do nothing except accept the futility of his situation. He narrowed his eyes at the advancing werewolf and forced himself to look him in the eye.
"Go fuck yourself!" he snarled.
Greyback only chucked as he tore the shirt from Iain's back and brought the blade to rest against his skin.
"Better find something for him to bite down on, I'd hate for him to lose his tongue as well!"
As a stick was rammed into Iain's mouth, Greyback pushed the blade deep into the flesh of his shoulder and began to cut around the tattoo in a sawing fashion. As agonised screams filled the air, Greyback could only laugh heartily as he continued his butchery of Hermione Granger's dad.
XXX
By midday, the rain was hammering down so hard that Hermione could barely see the whomping willow from where she sat ensconced in the window seat of Dumbledore's office. She hadn't felt like leaving after Ron's dramatic departure and Dumbledore had been content for her to stay despite the tongue-lashing she had given him. As she sat and watched the raindrops weave their way down the pane she thought again of Severus. If only she could see him, see for herself that he was okay then this enforced separation wouldn't feel so permanent. The last time she had seen him she had thought it would be the last. Struggling to draw a breath without the energy to even open his eyes – she had felt certain that she would be too late, and that the next news she heard would be that he had died. She certainly hadn't expected to be unceremoniously dumped, without a word. Her heart ached with the loss and the hurt and the betrayal. Did he even care for her at all? Sighing, she turned her eyes from the window to look upon Harry who sat with both elbows resting on his knees, deep in thought.
"Harry?"
He didn't look up, "Yes?"
"He'll calm down, and when he does he will realise what a complete idiot he has been. You know Ron, always quick to temper, but he usually comes to the right conclusion in the end."
"I'm not sure this time 'Mione. I don't think I've ever seen him this incensed – it's like I don't even know him anymore," he shrugged, finally turning his eyes to her, his brow creased in concern as he took in her dishevelled appearance. "Are you okay?"
Hermione bit her lip to stop it from trembling, but she couldn't stop the tears before they began to cascade down her cheeks and a stifled sob escaped her. In a moment, Harry was pulling her into his arms, smoothing her hair as she sobbed against him.
"This has been a traumatic few days for you, you need to let it all out – then you need to rest," he murmured against her head. She nodded mutely.
"He'll come back, we just need to find a way to get him back safely."
Hermione pulled back from him, wiping the tears from her face and clearing her throat before trying to find her voice.
"I gave him everything, everything! I saved his life, Harry, and he just left me without a word. He could've been dead and I would never have known! I can't believe I was so stupid to think a man like that could find it within himself to love someone, to even care about another! He's made a fool out of me."
"To give him some credit, I doubt he remembers much of the past few days, having spent much of it dying, and although I had serious reservations about you two starting a relationship, once I saw you together I realised you had something special."
"That makes it worse, can't you see? We were happy before the attack – there was no reason for him to leave!" Hermione cried out in distress.
"Okay, but he has been forced to leave Hogwarts, not necessarily you. Why would he, if you were happy together? Have you thought that maybe he's trying to protect you?"
"I don't need protecting! He knows that! I'm quite capable of looking after myself without needing him to fall on his sword!"
"I don't know what to say then Hermione. Maybe we've all been played for fools, maybe he has played his part too well and we are the ones who are wrongfooted and his loyalties really do lie with –"
"I can assure you, they do not." Dumbledore interjected quietly. They hadn't heard him enter the room and both jumped in surprise as he suddenly appeared beside them.
"I trust Severus implicitly."
Harry gave him a sharp look. "If he is alive and well, why hasn't he made contact with you directly, or with Hermione? No explanation – nothing!"
"I understand how this must look to you both, and especially you Hermione, but there is a great deal at stake here – including Severus's life. I do believe he has little choice in the current situation, if Lucius Malfoy is to be believed, and if that means he must stay away from Hogwarts then I do feel it is what must be done for his own safety. Imagine if he were to be caught visiting you here? His loyalty would immediately be called into question and that would have serious repercussions for his life, and for our greater objective."
"He could still send a message, an owl – a patronus!" Hermione cried, exasperated.
"Can he even produce a patronus?" Harry interrupted.
"I can vouch that he is able to produce a corporeal patronus," Dumbledore replied carefully, avoiding Harry's questioning gaze. Hermione looked up sharply, her interest piqued. This was news to her. She had assumed, as someone marked with dark magic and forced to use it on a regular basis that he would be incapable of producing one.
"If that's true, what form does it take?" she demanded.
"I am not at liberty to divulge that information, it is a personal matter that I am sure Severus will discuss with you at the most appropriate time."
Hermione narrowed her eyes. "There's something you're not telling us, isn't there?"
"Miss Granger, I will not betray Severus's trust on this matter." He replied firmly.
There was an awkward silence as Hermione glared daggers at the old Headmaster, who offered her a rueful smile before retreating to his desk. Harry cleared his throat.
"So, I guess we leave it there?"
"No Harry, we will not 'leave it there!' Severus may think it acceptable to keep me in the dark, but I for one, do not! I am more than capable of producing my own patronus."
Dumbledore looked up sharply from his parchment, quill paused mid-word. "If you feel anything for him, I strongly suggest you do not attempt to contact him. To do so would place him in grave danger." His voice was steel, his expression hard. "You must be patient, he will find a way."
Harry saw the retort forming on his friend's lips and the ferocious look on her face and he swiftly intervened, wrapping an arm around her and half leading, half dragging her towards the door.
"Thanks Professor," he mumbled as they stumbled out into the hallway. Hermione rounded on him, her face a storm of fury.
"He's hiding something, Harry!" she raged.
"He's always hiding something! Look, let's go somewhere where we can talk privately. We will find a way to resolve this one way or another."
Hermione nodded, resigned, and followed her friend back towards the main staircase. They had barely made it down the first flight when a panicked and flustered Neville careened into them, almost knocking them to the floor.
"Woah, Neville!" Harry cried as he tried to recover his balance. "What's the –"
"Hermione! It's your parents – " he gasped, bending double as he tried to get his breath back. He pushed a small black box into her hand. As she stared down at it, it began to speak.
"Hermione Granger, I have your parents. They will die at 7 tonight if you do not meet me. Use the portkey within the box and do not bring anyone else."
She didn't recognise the voice, although it sounded vaguely familiar. She ignored Harry's restraining hand as she tugged the lid off the box and all sounds faded away to nothing as she stared in confusion at the object within. As realisation dawned, her mouth fell open in horror and she let it fall to the floor, her shrill screams echoing around the stairwell as she threw herself into Neville's arms.
As Neville awkwardly received and tended to Hermione, Harry peered past them to look down into the box. There, amongst a bedding of bloodstained hay, lay a hunk of flesh tattooed with the word 'Hermes' and a small image of an owl. He swallowed back his rising nausea as a memory sprang to mind of a conversation he had had with Hermione many years prior when he has asked about her name.
"My dad has a bit of an obssession with Greek mythology so when it came to naming me, he won the battle against my mother and called me Hermione, after the Greek messenger God, Hermes. He even got it tattooed on his shoulder just after I was born."
As the memory faded, Harry finally lost the battle with his stomach and lost his lunch right there on the stairs.
XXX
Severus drew a trembling hand across his brow as he fought the fatigue wracking his body. He had taken enough Pepper-Up to sustain a fully grown Hungarian Horntail and yet he still felt as weak as a kitten. It would help if he could just eat something, but he struggled to keep anything down at the moment. He suspected Hermione had been right, and he really did need a thorough checkup as something didn't feel quite right. However there was no time for that now, he couldn't afford to waste time attending to himself, not now that his position was so precarious. Voldemort's absolute lack of patience was well known and already he was displeased with his progress, despite him only just returning from the dead himself.
It had been a frustrating day in the lab. He had made little progress on producing a stable base for the potion, and whilst keen to study the impact of adding the Dark Lord's blood to it, he was loathe to waste it in a failed attempt. He eyed the small vial containing the blackish liquid momentarily. Although He would have to study the effects of adding it sooner rather than later so perhaps he could spare one drop, for research? To evaluate its impact on other ingredients.
He reached over and plucked the little vial from where it sat in the otherwise empty rack. Summoning a clean silver cauldron, he uncorked the vial and carefully drew out a single drop and let it fall into it. Seeing the blood run down the side of the polished silver reminded him of his own and brought to mind his miraculous recovery from his deadly illness. Hermione had realised the potential to save his life by administering the lycanthropy cure, and it had worked, as it had on his test subjects during initial trials. By eliminating the virus from his body, it had no longer warred with the dark magic in his mark, allowing his body a chance to recover. He swiftly unbuttoned his left sleeve and rolled it up to his elbow, revealing the stark black of the mark against his pale skin. He stared at it for a long moment before returning his eyes to the blood that rested in the cauldron. Voldemort seemed to believe that branding a werewolf with the dark mark would cause its death – through a fatal reaction between the virus and the dark magic – and Severus could attest to that having almost died himself from the same reaction. But, the dark mark was also laced with Voldemort's blood. Blood magic enhanced the efficacy of the spell used to bind the receiver to their master. So, the question was, did the virus react to the magic, or to the blood? It was worth certainly worth checking out.
Intrigued, he summoned another cauldron. Then, he turned his wand to the tattoo on his arm and murmured an incantation. A thread like cord appeared between his wand and his mark and it glowed black and silver as he carefully siphoned a tiny amount of the latent dark magic out. It stung, and he had to be careful not to take too much for fear of alerting Voldemort to what he was doing. Wincing, he carefully placed the shimmering thread into the second cauldron.
His mind was racing ahead with possibilities as he summoned the vial containing a sample of the yellow lycanthropy virus and carefully deposited a single drop into the first cauldron containing the blood. There was a sharp hiss and crackle as the two substances met and he watched in fascination as the two substances appeared to roll over each other, apparently warring for domination. For several seconds they merged and de-merged, hissing and crackling before the yellow substance was finally overcome by the darker blood and eventually lay still where the blood slowly leeched into it, assimilating it into itself.
Now to test the magic.
He carefully placed a second drop of the virus into cauldron containing the thread of dark magic, watching closely as the liquid enveloped it. For several long moments, he watched intently for any signs of a reaction. Nothing. No reaction at all between the virus and the magic which meant that it was the blood that caused the fatal illness.
A single drop of Voldemort's blood was sufficient to cause rapid death in a fully grown, adult werewolf. The pieces began to click together rapidly in his brain as he processed the ramifications of this information. If he were able to produce a potion containing a potent enough dosage of the lycanthropy virus to overcome the trace of Voldemort's blood contained in a Death Eater's dark mark, he effectively had an instantly lethal way to kill them all – provided he could get the potion into them willingly. That's it! Voldemort had given him the perfect solution – he wanted a strengthening potion, and that's what he would give him, except it would be laced with the virus. If he could make the invigorating effects of the potion strong enough to give him a sense of increased vitality and power, he was pretty certain he could lock the virus within the potion until it reached a fatal level and could be released with a simple incantation. If the potion promised strength, Voldemort would be sure to want repeated doses, and would likely want his army dosed too.
He allowed himself a smile as the full ramifications hit home. With luck, he could continually dose Voldemort and his army with the virus, creating a time bomb within them, which he would detonate at the most opportune moment. Even if someone detected the deception and killed him, it would not matter. He would ensure the incantation was made by someone. After all, there was no cure for lycanthropy, was there? At least not one he was prepared to share, that is.
He quickly vanished the cauldrons and all evidence of his experiment and was just turning to leave the lab when a sharp pop alerted him to the arrival of a house elf.
"Dobby?" he whispered, casting an immediate muffliato and a locking charm on the door. He took in the elf's appearance, he was shaking violently.
"Master, Sir – Harry Potter sent me to say that Miss Hermy needs you, that she is in terrible danger and you must go to her!" he babbled in a rush, his huge ears flapping crazily around his face as he continued to shake with anxiety.
"Calm. Down. Explain." he intoned.
Dobby looked at him with big eyes round with shock and took a shaky breath. He tried again.
"Miss Hermy has gone from the castle to somewhere unknown!"
"When?" he barked, advancing towards the nervous elf and grasping him around the shoulders.
"Just now Master, Sir!"
"Can you take me there, Dobby?"
"Yes Master, Sir – elf magic is very strong, I can track the portkey she used, sir!"
"Which was what?"
"Master? Dobby does not -"
"What type of portkey was it?" Severus was quickly losing patience. He really didn't need to be dashing off on rescue missions when his health was so poor, but he couldn't let her face whatever danger she had gotten herself into on her own. If Harry had taken lengths to inform him, and not Dumbledore it must be serious. They must know the situation he was in now, that leaving Malfoy Manor was incredibly risky. The elf shook his head repeatedly in disbelief, looking horrified.
"It was a mark Master, Sir! It was a mark on skin. It was disgusting."
"Skin?"
"Yes Master, Sir! A piece of flesh! Harry Potter said it was taken from her father."
Severus stared silently at the elf for several long seconds before hastily summoning his travelling cloak and fastening it about his neck.
"Take me to her Dobby, now."
XXX
Ron was still seething, pacing angrily around his living room when a magnificent silvery hyena bounded up to him and the intimidating voice of his superior boomed out.
"Auror Weasley, I've just received notification that an illegal portkey was just activated within Hogwarts. I have traced the destination and want you to attend and apprehend the offender and bring them in for questioning. I have issued a temporary portkey which will be delivered to you shortly by express owl. Waste no time Weasley, this could be a lead to Snape."
The hyena vanished in a puff of silver smoke and he barely had time to process the information before a silver owl swooped through his open window, depositing an old boot on his rug before soaring back out of the same window. He groaned in despair at the portkey and thought, not for the first time, that he really wasn't cut out for this. Attending Hogwarts to capture Snape in a calm, well ordered way was completely different to throwing himself into an unknown situation Merlin knew where! Knowing Snape for the devious bastard that he was, it was probably a setup. He hastily strapped a third wand to the ankle holster on his left leg, fastened his auror cloak about him tightly and placed a hand on the portkey.
XXX
The moment Hermione appeared at her destination she knew she was in trouble. She had materialised in a dark, dank cavern lit by flickering moss fires and an overpowering smell of rotten meat and in the gloom she could just make out several hulking figures in the distance, crowded around what looked like some form of animal pen. They didn't appear to have noticed her arrival, and she quickly disillusioned herself, casting a muffliato at her feet and beginning to edge slowly closer, keeping her back to the cool stone and moving from shadow to shadow. As she got closer she could make out two still forms lying prone within the pen and her heart began to race uncomfortably as she realised it was most likely to be her parents. The lack of movement from them told her she had to get them out of there fast, but the pen was surrounded by rock on two sides, with the remaining two sides blocked by very hairy, heavy set men. She didn't think they could be wizards, and before she could make an educated guess, an even heavier set man strode into the cavern and her heart sank in despair. She would know that terrifying face anywhere: Fenrir Greyback. She pressed herself further back into the shadows and whispered a tempus charm. Six forty-five. She had fifteen minutes to come up with a plan to get her unconscious parents, and herself to safety before Greyback made good on his promise. Think, Hermione, think!
In another area of the cave, more or less opposite Hermione's disguised position, a tall, dark figure materialised alongside the much shorter form of a house elf. So quiet was their apparition that neither Hermione, nor the werewolves noticed them. The apparition, whilst very smooth, had done nothing to quell the uneasiness in Severus's stomach and he staggered slightly, taking a series of deep breaths to regain control of his rebelling body. After a moment, he straightened and surveyed the area. He counted five of what he could only assume were lesser members of Greyback's pack, and Fenrir himself. Had he not been a wizard, he would not have liked the odds, but knowing as he did the base stupidity of werewolves, and Greyback in particular, he felt somewhat assured that he might be able to pull this off without blowing his cover. He turned to Dobby, wordlessly casting a muffliato over them as he did so.
"Dobby, I need you to help me get Hermione's parents out of here. I will create a distraction to allow you to apparate into the pen. Once there, take them to Hogwarts and straight to the hospital wing."
"Yes Master, Sir! Shall I take Miss Hermy too sir?" Dobby was looking over Severus's shoulder in a darker patch of shadow and as he followed the elf's line of sight, he noticed a slight rippling of the air which indicated a disillusioned object or person. Hermione.
"No, I will deal with Miss Granger. Legilimens!" he breathed, raising his wand and pointing it at the shimmering patch of rock. He could tell it hit its mark as the shape shifted in surprise. He tentatively pressed against her mind and found her defences down. She was a remarkable witch by all accounts, but she was not a natural occlumens. He entered briskly.
Within her mind, he found her standing on a rocky outcrop, arms folded across herself as the wind buffeted her hair. A small village lay nestled in the rolling hills below as storm clouds gathered above their heads. She turned her head slightly in his direction without turning her body. He noticed with a pang of regret, how lovely she looked in that moment, with her hair a wild tangle about her face, her slim, lithe form encased in those close fitting jeans he had come to love. Her voice was cold when she spoke.
"So you are alive then?"
"Evidently."
"After all I gave you – after I gave all of me, you leave without a word? After I saved your life, Severus." She shook her head in disbelief. "What are you doing here?" She couldn't keep the hurt out of her voice and it wavered.
"Miss Granger, you need to leave. I will ensure your parents' safety and get them to Hogwarts."
"Back to Miss Granger now, are we?" She whirled to face him, her face a storm of emotions, eyes ablaze with anger.
"This is not the time. You are in grave danger and you need to leave. Now." He insisted, refusing to acknowledge how his heart was thudding painfully in his chest.
"I can handle this Professor. Return to your Lord, your true master." She turned her back on him again and he stared at it in frustration. Insufferable witch.
"If you do not leave immediately, I will have no choice but to –" He was cut off as a loud crack of apparition echoed around the cavern and a figure materialised in the centre. He withdrew from Hermione's mind and crouched down into the shadows. Six heads snapped up and within seconds, the figure was surrounded on all sides, but not before Severus had spotted the distinctive uniform of a Ministry Auror. Brilliant. Just brilliant.
Hermione was fuming as she stared in utter disbelief at the audacity of Severus Snape and the stupidity of Ron Weasley. She could just see Severus's tall form crouched in the darkness off to her right, but it was the uniform clad form of her former friend and lover Ron, that troubled her the most. Merlin only knew how he had found himself here of all places, and she didn't trust in his skill as a wizard or an Auror not to get himself or all of them killed. Before she could make a move, the werewolves surrounding the young Auror were suddenly blasted by a protective arc of blue light that she recognised as an offensive protego. Wow – Ron really had worked on his skill. When the spell rang out a second time, in a perfect arc around him skittling them all to the floor this time, she finally drew her eyes back to Severus and saw he had his wand pointed firmly in Ron's direction. Flicking back to Ron, she could see him struggling to draw his wand from some sort of holder strapped to his chest. A quick flick from Severus and the holster came undone and the wand flew into his hand.
"Lumos maxima!" he yelled and before Hermione or Severus could do anything to prevent it, the cave was flooded with blinding white light, illuminating both of them for all to see.
"Terminus!" Severus shouted, advancing quickly towards the terrified auror and stripping him of his wand. "Of all the imbecilic things you have done, Mr Weasley, this is by far and above the most stupid!" He pocketed the wand and turned to face a snarling Greyback who was just collecting himself up from the floor, his hands curling into fists as he stalked towards them. Ron could only look in utter terror between the enraged werewolf and the tall, dark wizard who had made his life at Hogwarts so hellish. He was startled at how different the man looked although he was moving somewhat gingerly and not with his usual grace. Greyback stood within an inch of Severus's face.
"Welcome to my humble home, Snape. You should make yourself comfortable as you may be here some time."
Severus raised an eyebrow. "Really? Well in that case, we ought to lay some ground rules. The first being that I don't take kindly to flea ridden mongrels sticking their faces in mine. I suggest you take a step back before I introduce you to the business end of my wand." His voice was pure venom as he eyed the pitted and scarred face before him. Greyback chuckled before taking a step back and surveying his territory, gesturing to his men.
"See how he disrespects me in my home!" Moving faster than Severus could have predicted for a creature of his size, he swung out with his fist, making a solid connection with his jaw and snapping his head back violently. For a moment he saw stars, then he could taste the blood from his split lip and he spat a mouthful onto the floor.
"Leave him alone!" Hermione shrieked, cancelling her disillusionment and pointing her wand firmly at Greyback, who gave her a wide smile in return.
"Well, well, well! Snape's mudblood!" he gave a grunt of laughter.
To his credit, Ron looked utterly derailed by the realisation of who Hermione's new man was.
"Snape?! Hermione – Professor Snape?" he growled, his own fists bunching up into fists by his side. "I'm going to kill you," he hissed under his breath as he glared at his former teacher.
"Highly unlikely." Severus snorted.
"At least we have something in common!" Greyback offered as he regarded the exchange with interest. "Seems even the ministry are after you Snape!"
Ron produced his warrant, hand shaking as he held it up. "I hereby give notice that I, Auror Weasley, will be taking Severus Snape into my custo –" he got no further.
"Do you really think you are capable of detaining me?" Severus jabbed a finger in Greyback's direction. "This vile incarnation has been attempting to do the same since the unfortunate day our paths crossed but he hasn't even come close!" He opened his arms out to the side, "But by all means, Weasley, if you wish to detain me, go ahead."
Ron stared bug eyed at Severus for a long moment before he flipped his second wand from its sleeve holster into his hand and the unforgiveable burst from his mouth before he could stop it.
"Crucio!"
There was a scream as the curse burst from his wand and shot towards Severus and suddenly Hermione was there, putting herself before him and taking it in her chest.
As she hit the floor and felt her body begin to twitch and writhe she wondered why there was no pain, just a curious fluttering across her chest and stomach before her body relaxed and the horrified face of Ron Weasley came into view.
"Merlin Hermione! What were you thinking?! I could have killed you!" His face was ashen, eyes wide in horror at what he had done.
"You cast an unforgivable," she whispered.
"I –" he stuttered. Behind him, Hermione could see Severus gingerly raising himself from the floor, his face tightly controlled, his eyes blacker than she could ever remember. He was heavily occluding, she realised.
"Enough of these parlour tricks! Thaxen, Verun, Jamel – get Snape, and as for the rest of you, you'd better pray for a fast death. Harsen, Vienen and Flotic – kill them." Greyback waved a lazy hand in the general direction of Hermione.
It was at that moment that Dobby took to be the opportune moment and he grabbed arms from both of Hermione's parents and apparated them away with a crack. Greyback whirled towards the sound and was dismayed to find his pen empty. He roared with rage and turned back to Snape.
"Lost something?" he smirked.
Greyback stared at him angrily before allowing himself a small smile. "Nothing of importance, it is you I wanted, Snape."
Severus stared coldly back at him.
"You are a fool. What do you think the Dark Lord will do to you when he finds out you are taking me away from his orders?" he drawled. His head was throbbing from the effects of the short burst of crucio. It has been weak, but enough to cause him a little trouble in his current state of health and his legs were swiftly turning to jelly beneath him.
Greyback let his eyes run over the wizard before him as his pack seized Hermione and Ron. He squinted in the gloom, and detected a trembling in the man's limbs, an unsteadiness in his breathing. The man was sick. At least it would make this easier. He didn't profess to know much about magic, but he did know it wasn't nearly as effective when the witch or wizard was in poor health.
"You alright Snape? You don't look too well to me," Greyback grinned, sauntering closer to where Severus stood, no longer able to conceal the unsteadiness of his long limbs.
Hermione struggled against her captors to twist her head in Severus's direction and she had to concur with the werewolf, he really did look unwell. She felt panic rising in her chest and she struggled harder, turning to look at Ron, who stood placidly between his captors, looking defeated. Whether through the knowledge that he had failed in his mission again, or because he had cast an unforgivable on Hermione or even because he couldn't handle the truth of who currently occupied her bed – Merlin only knew, but one thing was for sure, Ron was going to be completely useless. She huffed in frustration and returned her gaze to the confrontation before her.
Severus's face was ashen in the gloom, and he looked to have lost more weight. He held his wand out before him in defiance, even as the remaining werewolves surrounded him on all sides. He still exuded power and his dangerousness was etched in the taut lines of his body. It was enough to make the werewolves wary, and they edged around him nervously, eyes flicking between his face and his wand.
"No, I am not well. Another reason why you should not be pursuing this course of action. If something happens to me before I complete my work, you and the rest of your dogs will be put down." Severus snarled irritably as he tried to steady himself.
"You think I am not capable of fending off a mere wizard? I am the mightiest of werewolves, stronger than any before me!" Greyback spat, "The greatest chief my kind have ever had! I will rip you, and all those like you to shreds and then we shall feast on your heart!"
Severus raised an eyebrow.
"You ignorance is clearly as great as your strength. You are no match for me, and especially not the Dark Lord."
As expected, the werewolf reacted angrily, surging towards Severus and giving him the opportunity to cast a flare about him, the brilliant blaze of light forcing his attackers to whirl away, howling as the light burned their eyes. He threw up a shield around him as Greyback thundered into him with force, driving him to the ground. Unable to penetrate the shield, the werewolf threw several ground shaking punches into it, each time driving Severus further back across the floor, before a savage blast of purple light slammed into Greyback and threw him across the cave when he clattered through the wooden pen and smashed it to pieces. As he struggled to his feet, Severus saw the remaining werewolves scuttling back away from him, eyes wide in fear. He could feel his magic crackling across his skin and sparking from his wand. He ignored the cowering beasts and strode towards their chief who was clambering to his feet, showering the ground with splinters of wood. He spat blood onto the floor and gave him a bloody smile.
"Cowards! Always resorting to magic instead of the honourable way!"
"I am using the gifts nature gave me, just as you are using yours."
Hermione renewed her struggle against her captors and as she finally managed to work an arm loose, she dropped to the ground and whipped her wand from where it lay on the floor. Before they had realised she had slipped from their grasp, she had rebounded a strong stupefy between them and they crumpled to the ground, senseless. Ron merely gaped at her as the werewolves holding him backed away as Hermione pointed her wand at them and stupefied them as well.
"That was brilliant," he murmured.
She gave him a withering look and strode forward to stand beside Severus. He stole a sideways glance at her and she met his eyes briefly. They were still darker than she had ever seen before, and she was greatly concerned at what must be causing him to occlude so heavily. He gave her a grim nod and returned his gaze to Greyback.
"Now, Hermione and Auror Weasley are going to return to Hogwarts, and I am going to return to Malfoy Manor. I suggest you rethink your position before the Dark Lord comes looking for you. He will hear of your treachery."
"I'd rather die than let you go Snape!" he growled, throwing himself forward, fists raised. Severus took a sidestep and Greyback stumbled past him, almost tripping and going to his knees. As he regained his balance, the pale face of Ron Weasley looked out from behind him. His wand was pointed at Severus's chest. Hermione gasped in horror.
"Severus Snape, you are hereby detained by order of the Ministry, anything you wish to say in your defence should be recorded via pensieve at your arrival at the department of justice. I order you to surrender your wand, and should remind you I am licensed to use lethal force against you should you resist."
Severus chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. He twirled his wand between his fingers, staring idly as the patterns revolved. Hermione's face was fierce as she stared in total shock at her former lover.
"I cannot believe you are doing this!" she hissed. Ron did not look at her. His wand was shaking.
Greyback started to clap slowly.
"So Severus, what shall it be? A fight with me to the death, or a kiss from the dementors? Or I could make short work of this little pup and feed him to my followers. Same for the female."
Severus stared at him. "Let them go, this quarrel is between us and us alone."
Ron gulped nervously, his eyes flitting between Severus and the great werewolf. "I've already arrested him, he's mine!" He raised his wand and pointed it at Greyback's muscular shoulders.
"Don't be an idiot, Weasley," Snape hissed.
"I'll fight for him, so you should back down," Ron ground out, trying to sound braver than he felt.
Severus rolled his eyes. Damned Gryffindors. Ignoring Ron, he gestured to Greyback.
"You've neglected the third option."
Greyback's smile faltered as a small form apparated beside Severus and seized hold of Hermione's hand. She jerked in surprise and tried to free her hand, realising she was about to be removed from the situation, very much against her will.
"No – Dobby, no! Let me go!" she cried.
"I is under strict orders Miss Hermy," the elf said firmly.
"From whom?" she hissed.
Severus turned to her, his eyes now returned to their normal hue, but swimming with pain. He took a shaky breath as he ran a hand down her cheek, the feel of his skin against her electrifying. He searched her eyes for a long moment.
"You?" she whispered.
He nodded slowly.
"Let me stay –"
He did not reply, and instead turned away, an incantation forming on his lips. The world suddenly slowed as she felt Dobby's hand tighten around hers. As the world began to spin she saw the darkness of the cave suddenly burst into colour as spells exploded all around. The last thing she saw was Severus striding toward Greyback, as the werewolf turned on Ron and his shrill screams filled the air…