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CHAPTER FIFTEEN - PARTIAL FREEDOM
For days, the both of them tried to come up with ways to escape, but each plan was as improbable as the next. Hermione mostly stayed on bed rest, only moving to take other potion-medicated baths to help heal her wounds. She had a few nightmares about Bellatrix initially, but they went away quickly, Severus woke her up frequently to stop them. Between the skelegrow and the baths, Hermione's ribs healed fairly quickly, although she definitely wished either of them had a wand for magic. Or that the spell in the wards that blocked their magic didn't exist. Bellatrix had been thorough. They were in bed early one morning, Hermione deeply craving tea, fiddling with the notes in her hand when an idea came to her.
"I think… tell me if this is possible." She moved on the bed, so she was leaning sideways against the headboard, facing Severus. "These notes obviously still contain residual magic. We both can feel it. Since you sent the notes, it should be your magic that is in them. Can we use that to escape? The next time Bellatrix comes, we can try; she lowers the wards when she does."
"And how do you expect us to use residual magic from a piece of paper?" He cocked an eyebrow, his tone just a touch derisive.
"You're powerful. I know you can do wandless magic, but the magic in this paper might give you the boost you need in such a short amount of time."
He stared at her a long moment. "That might work. We would have to plan well."
She smiled at him, "I'll check my schedule, I'm awfully busy lately.'
He stared at her a moment more then snorted. "I'm glad you can find humour in this situation still."
"Well one of us has to," she said with a snarky tone, eying his serious face and body language.
So they made their plan as June came to an end and July started, giving them less and less time to get out and start writing the notes. It was at the end of those ten days when he decided Hermione needed to know what he did, there was a strong possibility one of them might die in the process. As they sat in bed that night, nibbling on the last of the food, Severus decided it was time.
"Miss Granger I have something to tell you in the event that this doesn't go all according to plan."
"What is it?"
"Mr. Potter is a horcrux."
"I'm sorry, what?"
"When the Potters were killed—" she swore his voice tightened when he said that, "And the Dark Lord tried to kill infant Potter and failed, a piece of his soul went into the boy."
"So, Harry must die." He nodded. "That's what the prophecy means!"
"Yes."
"And he has to know…"
"Yes."
Hermione felt tears pushing at her eyes. "Oh no, poor Harry."
"Can you tell him?" His voice was firm.
"Yes, when or if it comes to that."
"Good."
SHSHSH
The next night Hermione felt the wards shift and she went to make her move but Severus stopped her and held a finger to her lips.
"She brought the Dark Lord. I must play my part." He whispered in a rush.
"What about me?"
"Stay out of the way but if he requets to see you…"
"I'll come."
"Severus Snape, come to your master." The call came from downstairs.
Hermione looked at Severus in panic. "Would it help if he thought you had cowed me?"
"Yes, fine. Stay here."
For the first time in ages, Severus pulled on his long billowing cloak over his clothes and headed down the stairs. Hermione looked after him, terrified, slinking down against the top of the railing where she could hear but not be easily seen.
"You are thin, Severus. Has Bella not fed you?"
"No, master."
"Tsk, tsk Bella. Have I not taught you the fine balance of keeping a prisoner strong enough to torture, but weak enough not to fight back?"
"Master, I didn't—"
"Think?" Voldemort finished for her. "Yes, you aren't the best at it." There was a silent pause. "So, Severus, tell me, why has Bella brought you here?"
"My lord, she believes that I am a traitor."
"I see. Now why might she think that?"
"She caught one of Potter's friends following me."
"She was trying to get to him! Didn't even hex—" Clearly, Voldemort had cut Bellatrix off.
"Is the girl here?"
"Yes, sir."
"Get her." The Dark Lord commanded.
Hermione heard footsteps and Severus appeared at the bottom of the stairs, his face looked bored.
"Get down here, wench."
"Yes, sir." Hermione called and quickly made her way down stairs, facing Severus.
He turned away from her and headed back towards the Dark Lord and Bella. Hermione followed with her head down. She heard sniggering from Bellatrix.
"Come here, mudblood."
Hermione did as Voldemort bid, approaching him and, on a whim; she kneeled down at his feet.
"You seemed to have trained her well, Severus."
"She needs to know her rightful place." Severus sneered.
"Tell me, mudblood, why were you following him?"
"He killed Dumbledore, sir, I wanted revenge."
"Hmm... And now?"
"It's not my place to seek vengeance. I do as Master Snape demands."
There was silence above her bowed head for a moment. A whisper she couldn't make out.
"Bellatrix, leave them here another few days. Let Severus out after that." Voldemort ordered.
"And the filth?" Severus asked casually.
"If you wish to claim her, your pet may come with you. Otherwise we leave her here and forget about her."
"Yes, sir." Out of the corner of her eye, Hermione saw Severus bow low as he spoke.
Both Voldemort and Bellatrix left. Hermione waited what seemed like a long time, kneeling on the floor after they left. Finally, she stood up and faced Severus. Slowly he seemed to release his breath and gain some color back in his skin.
"Claim me?"
"Yes. I can claim you as mine which means up to certain point you are safe, and it means that no other Death Eater can go near you or speak to you without my permission. You would be under my protection."
"I see." She wasn't sure what to think about that. It meant she would get to live, but she would be Severus'… what - pet? - until the war was won or for the rest of her life. "Would you be willing to do that?" She asked quietly.
"If it is what you want, yes. I'm not fond of the idea of leaving you here to starve to death."
"Okay then, is there a process for this, or?"
"No. Once I take you out of here with me, it will become public knowledge among the Death Eaters quite quickly."
"Thank you."
He only nodded. There was no need to tell her anything else yet, they might make it by with just that basic knowledge. "I'm going back to bed."
"I'll come with you."
Hermione followed him up the rapidly darkening staircase and wondered what it would be like, practically being owned by Severus Snape. She couldn't imagine a lot changing, at least not in private. She supposed this would do for now. They stripped down to their sleeping clothes, Hermione slipping into the bathroom to change out of her jeans into a pair of sweatpants and a tank top. She slid under the covers on her side of the bed and examined her arm. She didn't think it would ever really heal.
"I think that will scar forever." Severus commented dryly.
"I'm just hoping the wound closes eventually. It still bleeds sometimes." She slid her arm under the blankets, covering it.
Her eyes trailed across the space between them to his left forearm. They would both have permanent marks they would hide forever.
Severus watched her out of the corners of his eyes. At first drawn to the horrid carving on her arm but then his eyes trailed up her arm to her shoulder, her elegant collarbone, the spread of her pale chest over the dark, small muggle top; the soft press of her relaxed nipples against the cloth. He inhaled sharply and turned his eyes away. Honestly, something was wrong with him, he had to get out of this thrice damned house.
SHSHSH
A few days later the wards were removed, and Bellatrix entered, followed by Narcissa Malfoy. Severus went down the stairs first, with Hermione trailing after him, all their things packed into her bag. Bella eyed her with disgust.
"Do you claim her?" Bella asked, "Otherwise I'm leaving the bitch here."
"I claim her." Severus said a bit more fiercely than he meant to.
"Fine. I'm only here to drop the wards. Narcissa will take you to get a wand. We destroyed yours." Bellatrix spun on her heel and left.
Severus stepped forward and greeted Narcissa with a friendly handshake and then her eyes traveled to Hermione. "I hope you are thankful for what Severus has done; he's saved your life for now." Her tone was surprisingly kind although firm.
Hermione ducked her head. "Yes, ma'am."
Narcissa didn't reply but Hermione got the feeling she was satisfied with that answer and she waited while Severus followed Narcissa and Hermione fell into step close behind him, momentarily afraid they would lock her in there anyway. Narcissa hooked her arm through Severus' own then motioned towards Hermione.
"May I?"
Severus nodded and only then did Narcissa grip Hermione's upper arm. So, even other women of the Death Eaters couldn't touch her without Severus' permission. Hermione liked that, it was a better guarantee for safety than anything else she had heard so far. With a stomach jerking crack that Hermione had nearly forgotten about, they disapparated away from the house before Hermione even got a good look around.
They appeared in a dark corner of a place Hermione didn't recognize but a quick peek down the way told her it was a wizarding place, and a dark one at that. Hermione immediately felt out of place in her jeans and t-shirt and tried to meld back into the shadows.
"Collect a wand from Gregorovitch's and then apparate back to the Manor, the Dark Lord wants you staying there for a time."
"Understood Narcissa, thank you."
"Before I go…" Narcissa waved her wand at both of them then disappeared with a crack.
Severus no longer looked like himself, a bit shorter and wider with a slightly pooched stomach and deep purple robes. His hair was a short, slightly wavy blonde, his nose smaller and his thin lips were a bit thicker, more elegant than severe. Hermione was taller as well, also a bit rounder. Her hair was perfectly straight and nearly the exact greying brunette color as McGonagall's. Her eyes were less round and bright green. Her nose had been given a more roman look and she wore pale blue robes.
"Where are we?"
"Wizarding London, the dark part. Come, the glamour wont last long." She trailed after him as he made his way to a wand shop.
The front of the shop was a rather violent shade of lavender and must've been a secondary shop to Gregorovich's main shop. Early as it was in the morning, the street was empty and a tall, lanky man unlocked the doors for them, locking them back up behind Hermione as she trailed in.
"They said you lot would be coming. I get to let you choose a wand. Ya get thirty minutes 'fore I boot you out for the real customers, eh?"
To Hermione's shock, the lanky man walked to the back of the shop and left them alone. The disguised Severus approached the shelves and pulled out boxes, holding wands and putting them back. Eventually, Severus found one but watched as Hermione struggled ten minutes more before finding her own. Severus cleared his throat loudly and the lanky man appeared again. He took the box that Severus held, made a note in a book and passed it back.
"Pine wood, phoenix feather core, ten and a half inches." He did the same with Hermione's making a note and handing it back. "Beech wood, dragon heart string, nine and three quarters."
Severus thanked the man and they returned to the dark corner from where they started, their glamours falling away to reveal their regular selves.
"I'm allowed a wand?" Hermione asked.
"Not exactly, but the fool in there doesn't know that. Put it away unless you really need it, don't let anyone know you have it."
"Yes, sir."
As soon as Hermione had her new wand good and hidden, Severus gripped her shoulder and they cracked away. Hermione lost her balance a bit when they landed in what appeared to be dilapidated gardens that were once grand. Severus caught her and helped her balance before they started up the walkway, Hermione following hesitantly behind. They reached a set of lavish double doors and Severus pushed them open to a large sitting room.
"Welcome to Malfoy Manor, Miss Granger."
…
I did a lot of research on woods types and some on cores and I just wanted to let you know why I chose what I did! Their wands-
Hermione's:
Beech Wood- The true match for a beech wand will be, if young, wise beyond his or her years, and if full-grown, rich in understanding and experience. Beech wands perform very weakly for the narrow-minded and intolerant. When properly matched, the beech wand is capable of a subtlety and artistry rarely seen in any other wood, hence its lustrous reputation.
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Dragon Heart String- As a rule, dragon heartstrings produce wands with the most power, and which are capable of the most flamboyant spells. Dragon wands tend to learn more quickly than other types. While they can change allegiance if won from their original master, they always bond strongly with the current owner. The dragon wand tends to be easiest to turn to the Dark Arts, though it will not incline that way of its own accord. It is also the most prone of the three cores to accidents, being somewhat temperamental.
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Severus':
Pine Wood- Pine wands always choose an independent, individual master who may be perceived as a loner, intriguing and perhaps mysterious. Pine wands enjoy being used creatively, and unlike some others, will adapt unprotestingly to new methods and spells. Many wandmakers insist that pine wands are able to detect, and perform best for, owners who are destined for long lives, including Garrick Ollivander who had never personally known the master of a pine wand to die young. The pine wand is one of those that is most sensitive to non-verbal magic.
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Phoenix Feather- This is the rarest core type. Phoenix feathers are capable of the greatest range of magic, though they may take longer than either unicorn or dragon cores to reveal this. They show the most initiative, sometimes acting of their own accord, a quality that many witches and wizards dislike. Phoenix feather wands are always the pickiest when it comes to potential owners, for the creature from which they are taken is one of the most independent and detached in the world. These wands are the hardest to tame and to personalise, and their allegiance is usually hard won.
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Also, is it Severus' or Severus's? Someone help haha.