Chapter 132: A Promise To Keep

{A/N: Here's Another Update...sorry for the slight delay...had business in the real world to contend with...Not to mention a lingering cold and holiday festivities...Happy Holidays...}

My Thanks To All My Readers And Reviewers...Enjoy-S.S

{"I heard that you're settled down...That you found a girl and you're married now...I heard that your dreams came true...Guess she gave you things I didn't give to you...Old friend, why are you so shy?...Ain't like you to hold back or hide from the light...I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited...But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it...I had hoped you'd see my face and that you'd be reminded...That for me it isn't over...Never mind, I'll find someone like you...I wish nothing but the best for you too...Don't forget me, I beg...I'll remember you said,..."Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead...Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead"..."} Someone Like You, Adele

The Temple Of Vaermina, Unknown Location, Wizarding World...

A slight chill ran down the steel spine of Severus S. Snape as he stood before the darkened temple of Vaermina. During his last visit he had been nearly killed by the twisted enchantress, but given his lack of magic and already weakened form it wasn't a surprising outcome in the least when she turned her aggression upon him. What had been the shock of the day had been Bellatrix herself. She had gotten between him and certain death with no regard for her own safety when she defied her own former master. The Potions Master's fists had been balled as he reflected on her final moments with unyielding rage. As the storm of he warring emotions boiled to the surface, he felt a delicate and comforting hand upon his shoulder. For a moment he had forgotten that he had not been alone in this place of horrors and that his bushy haired wife insisted upon joining him on this final venture, for Narcissa's sake.

"Severus." said Hermione softly as she rested her hand upon his shoulder.

Snape gritted his teeth as the images continued to play over in his head.

"I'm fine." he muttered rather bitterly.

"You don't sound like you're fine." she said observing his tense behavior.

Snape glared at Hermione, his cold obsidian gaze meeting her warm amber eyes and softening only slightly.

"I-I apologize." he said letting out a breath he had not known that he had been holding. "This place is just..."

"The last place you saw her alive." supplied the bushy haired witch.

Snape nodded.

He didn't expect Hermione to understand. She had hated Bellatrix after all.

"It's fine." said the bushy haired witch. "I know that you will always have special feelings for her...she was the mother of your child after all..."

"It seems you are competing with two ghosts in place of one I'm afraid." said Snape with a smirk.

"Lily didn't know what she had." said Hermione rolling her eyes. "Her loss...and don't even get me started on Bellatrix...the only reason I am allowing this venture is to put Narcissa's mind at ease so she may bury her sister."

"And that makes you the most understanding witch of your age." said Snape smoothly.

"And it makes you the most indebted wizard of the century." she countered.

Snape's mood seemed to lighten a bit due to their banter.

"Not to worry Mrs. Snape..." he said wrapping his arms around her. "I am after all a one witch...wizard."

Hermione did her best to pout but was poorly matched against her husband's invasive passionate kisses.

"Come on." said the bushy haired witch pulling away from him. "Let's go retrieve your lost lover."

Snape smirked as a thought crossed his mind that he believed concealed.

"That's not going to happen, in this life or the next." said Hermione shouting behind her as she made her way toward the temple.

"A wizard can dream can't he?" asked Snape still not wishing to give up on his fantasy.

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Inside Vaermina's Temple...

The place had been as dark and dangerous as Snape recalled during his last visit. The power the enchantress exhibited didn't seem all that threatening when they stepped inside. He could make out the various splatters of blood that lined the inner sanctum. He didn't doubt that his own had been amid the red slashes as he ventured further finding the broken and blade riddled body of Bellatrix LeStrange.

He had not been prepared for the sadness that over took him, despite knowing she had been much happier where she currently resided. Hermione placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry Severus." she said softly.

Snape sighed.

"This has been a long time coming." he said noting her reckless lifestyle.

"Indeed." agreed Hermione despite not wishing to upset him.

Without a word Snape levitated Bella's battered body toward him taking care to remove the various blades by hand after she came to him. He had been silent in his work moving as effectively as he would had he been brewing a potion. His obsidian eyes never left the deceased witch's body noting the careful preservation this location provided. He supposed in some respects, she had shown as much care with handling his body and he was simply reciprocating.

He wrapped her in transfigured silk and both he had Hermione exited the ruined temple with Bellatrix in tow. The three of them arrived at Malfoy Manor much to the shock of a grieving Narcissa Malfoy whom had been seated in the sitting room when they arrived.

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Malfoy Manor, Wizarding World...

Snape entered the house with Bellatrix finding Narcissa in the sitting room easily. Hermione had been right behind him as he layed the deceased Bellatrix out on the sofa. Lucius had emerged from his study to note the commotion. Narcissa had not said a word as tears of bitter grief racked her. She had been pleased to see that Severus at least thought of Bella enough to retrieve her battered form from the temple so she could be buried among family.

"T-Thank you." Narcissa managed when she composed herself.

Her sorrowful dark eyes meeting the equally sorrowful eyes of Snape.

He nodded without a word. It seemed she knew the depths of his connection to her elder sister had been as deep as the one he shared with her. If not deeper given all that they experienced together.

"Are you going to be okay?" Hermione asked Snape as they made their way to the floo.

Snape took one last look at Bellatrix LeStrange.

"Of course Mrs. Snape." he replied meeting Hermione concerned amber eyes. "I was simply keeping an old promise."

"And now?" asked Hermione forever inquisitive about the nature of her husband's feelings for anyone especially Bellatrix LeStrange.

"Now...I plan to put your mind at ease." he replied wrapping his arm around her waist and ushering her into the floo.

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

A few days later... Bellatrix LeStrange was given a proper funeral and layed to rest in the Malfoy family crypt along side her only child Regulus Sebastian Snape. In attendance were Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy,Draco Malfoy, Scorpius Malfoy,Severus Sebastian Snape, Hermione Jean Granger Snape, their three children: Phaeron Severus Sebastian Snape, Sidney Snape, Shiloh Snape, Lily and Albus Severus Potter.