Severus had no interest in returning to England. The damp climate wasn't the issue. It was the media circus of which he was an unwilling victim. At least one article a month detailed his lonely search for a new purpose or his growing association with darkness. He couldn't understand what fascinated them. He frowned at the letter from Lucius. The man was detailing all the security measures he was setting up for the upcoming event. There was no avoiding this wedding. He didn't want to be a sideshow at the main social event of the season, but seeing Draco step into his future would be worth it. Staring at the letter wasn't distracting enough. He looked toward the rest of his post with an odd anticipation.
It sat there on his table. It looked innocent, and he supposed it was. Just a gift from the woman that had given him back his life. He fingered the blue ribbon on the white package. He wondered where Hermione was at the moment.
He whispered a quick spell from his spying days and flattened his hand against the package. The spell made him queasy for a moment, but then his vision blurred and he was seeing something far away.
It was a bright day. He could see Hermione with a group of women and a basket of standard medical potions. She was dressed in a vibrant blue robe and a smile bloomed on her face as a child approached. He watched her bend down, and saw the necklace he had given her fall free from her collar to swing in an erratic circle.
He frowned as the vision slipped away. She'd looked lovely. Her wandering life suited her. She looked happy.
He looked down at the package and opened it. A rare tea. He held up the canister and smiled. A small note was folded and charmed to stick to the top of the lid. His name was scrawled across it in her familiar quill strokes.
Severus,
I hope this finds you well. I am putting the skills you instilled in me to good use here. I was very impressed with your work in Amsterdam.
I must thank you for my lovely necklace. I wear it most of the time now. I hope you are enjoying your life.
Try adding one dram of this tea freshly brewed to a common pain potion. It's rather remarkable, but I can't explain it.
Thank you again,
Hermione
Severus sat back and stared at the canister of tea. It was an overture. He smirked. He wild have to try her experiment and let her know of his findings. He nodded his head and plucked up the innocent looking tin.
"She needs protecting." Narcissa glanced toward her sister as they prepared the dueling room for a bit of sport. "Severus shows no signs of coming round anytime soon, and should something happen..."
"Don't dwell on the negative possibilities. We aren't at war any longer." Andromeda frowned and looked up and down the wall before casting a cushioning charm to cover it. "We will figure out a way to keep our girl safe."
"There's a way, but I wanted to talk to you first." Narcissa took a deep breath. "I want to adopt her. Well, I want to adopt her with Lucius."
"She's a woman grown, Cissa." Andromeda turned and faced her sister. "What would be the point?"
"The protection of our house would extend to her." Narcissa smiled and waited for the meaning of her words to sink into her sister's brain.
"Our house?" Andromeda leaned against the newly cushioned wall and blinked. "The House of Black? How is that possible?"
"Our father was a shrewd man." Narcissa shrugged. "He knew with Bellatrix not producing an heir and your choices that I wasn't much of a catch."
"That isn't true." Andromeda shook her head and pushed off the wall. "You were as lovely then as you are now."
"Abraxas asked father why he should tie his son to a possibly barren sister of a blood traitor." Narcissa closed her eyes and swallowed. "Father convinced him to hold to the betrothal agreement by getting Uncle Orion to grant heir status to my second child should his sons fail to supply an heir."
"Hermione is older than Draco." Andromeda looked up at her sister with an alarmed expression gracing her symmetrical features.
"She would legally become our child on her adoption date. She would hold status as our second child." Narcissa grinned. "I think Sirius would have appreciated my choice."
"I think Sirius may pop back through the veil to kiss you." Andromeda slid down the wall and let her dress fall in graceless bunches around her.
"She can reinstate you officially." Narcissa settled demurely next to her sister. "She travels all the time. You could sit the family seat in the Wizengamot."
"She's bonded to Snape. She holds the title Lady Prince." Andromeda frowned.
"Yes, it's a bit ponderous and sounds ridiculous. She also doesn't hold the title until she is properly wed to Severus." Narcissa grinned. "When Sev decides to remove his head from his arse, I'll be the one negotiating her contract. She will be Lady Black."
"She has to sign the paperwork." Andromeda smirked at her sister.
"That's why we will set Lucius and Draco on her. She adores them both." Narcissa grinned and her eyes twinkled. "She'll sign the papers and be happy about it.
Hermione took a deep breath and stepped into the large cavern. The whole room was carved with ornate symbols and figures. The magic was so strong, she could feel it thrumming through her.
Buckbeak wouldn't be back for her for several hours. She had time to do a little exploring. She felt her necklace warm against her skin and pulled it free of her shirt.
It caught the light and scattered it about the walls. The carvings glowed blue.
"Goddess." Hermione whispered. "The magic is still active."
A wind blew through the sight and some of the walls were traced through with golden lights revealing a deeper set of carvings. Hermione spun around and took in the chamber. There were several open doors leading into the temple complex. It was the find of a lifetime.
She clutched the intaglio in her free hand and closed her eyes. The magic of the stone and the temple flowed all around her, and she felt something change inside her.
She felt blessed.
The scars on her arm flared with heat, and she glanced down to see them heal. She fell to her knees and enjoyed the hot trail of tears sliding down her face.