After the executions, Draco's former classmates, Nott and Goyle, were delivered to Grawp at Azkaban for incarceration. Pansy Parkinson's mother was brought to Malfoy Manor to be questioned before she and her daughter were released. Draco, Viktor, and Hermione went back to Lestrange Castle to search it thoroughly. Toddy accompanied them to bring the bodies of the executed men and Dolores Umbridge. The bodies were arranged to look as if Umbridge had killed the four as they were drinking. The search of the castle produced several interesting things. In an upper bedroom were several of Snape's books and the parchment Hermione had last seen in Rolanda Hooch's possession. The Lord's bedroom, which the Dark Lord had been using, yielded a notebook of planned campaigns and notes on his followers' behaviour. Hermione hurriedly made a copy for the Order. It was getting very late when they sent Toddy back to Malfoy Manor and returned to France.
The three met with Harry when they returned to discuss the findings at the castle. He reported that Ron had been left under guard, but his parents were keeping a watch on him as well.
"I think he is very torn up about this whole thing. He asked for Lavender repeatedly. She says she will see him tomorrow. I think she wants to talk to you both before she sees him. She has been pining for him, that I do know. Gin tells me she was nearly hysterical when she overheard your parents talking about Ron trying to kill them. Now, what is this about a parchment?" Harry asked.
Hermione pulled the parchment out of her pocket and spread it on the table. She pointed to the written spell at the top and the list of names underneath. "This is the spell I used today on Umbridge. I had only seen it on this before. Professor Hooch said it evened the score. I didn't understand that it rebounded the killing curse back onto the person who cast it. It set a wall of golden light in front of Viktor and reflected the spell back. Harry, this is the way to kill him. I wonder why Snape had it?" Harry took the parchment and looked at it, then handed it back to her. She went to fold up the cloth and saw faint traces of writing on the back. Flipping the parchment over, she saw Snape's writing coming into focus on the back. His precise scrawl formed words that none of them could quite believe.
iDearest wife. You must guard this until Potter is old enough to use this to defeat Riddle. I know going back to his side will endanger me, but I have no choice. Albus has decreed that my charade has to be played out, even unto my death, if necessary. I am responsible for the well-being of both Potter and Draco. Narcissa's Unbreakable Vow may yet be the death of me. You have stuck by me all these years without fail. I beg of you to stand by in this. Severus/i
Hermione looked at the three men and said, "When I saw this, she had been crying. It was just after Dumbledore's murder. I thought that was why she was crying. What if he is still playing out his charade, as he calls it?"
Viktor and Draco both started to speak at once. Draco motioned for Viktor to proceed.
"The Parkinson girl said Snape had to see to 'family' business. Could that mean Professor Hooch is still alive? She also said his house. Where is his house?"
Harry spoke up, "Spinner's End, it's in the factory district of Manchester. I saw it in the Pensieve. Do we go there first or to the Riddle house? Tomorrow. I'd like to have this all done with before the solstice."
Hermione spoke very softly, "I think we need to go to Spinner's End. If Professor Hooch is ill or injured, we could help her and find out what is going on with Snape."
Viktor and Draco exchanged glances before both said, "Agreed. Spinner's End, it is."
They committed to meet in the morning to discuss other things before going off to bed.
Once in their room, Viktor noticed that Hermione was showing signs of delayed shock. He ran warm water into the tub and stripped his dazed wife out of her clothes and into the warm water. He purposefully used his sandalwood soap to wash her, knowing that the scent would calm her. He kept up a litany of soothing words as he slipped into the tub with her. As soon as her shaking stopped, he gently began questioning her.
"You haven't done that before, love, have you? You did it to protect me. Hush, sweetheart, it is just a delayed reaction."
Her words shocked him. "No, Viktor, I have killed before. It was the pure, unadulterated hate I felt towards her. I never felt that way before and it scared me. The thought of losing you scared me, too. I want this to all be over, as Harry does. I want to be able to wake up in the morning and not have to think about whom we might lose that day. I want to be able to have a baby and not worry if it will grow up safely."
"I want that as well, my love. I want to go back to playing Quidditch for a few years before any children we have are old enough to need their father's guidance on important matters such as which book to read or which colour to wear. And I warn you now, I want a big family. Now, let's get out of the tub and into bed." He waggled his eyebrows at her and she giggled.
In the bedroom, she snuggled close to him, running her hands over his body as if to reassure herself that he was unhurt. He was getting aroused and she captured his erection in her hands before she moved to take him in her mouth again. She gently eased the foreskin back as she licked the head. Her hand was squeezing him and rubbing up and down the shaft as she suckled him. His groans of pleasure urged her to continue, using her other hand, she gently cupped the sac at the base and massaged it.
His hands were busy, as well. Caressing her side and her breasts as he flicked his thumb over her clit and she gasped. When she gasped, he used the opportunity to flip her onto her back. He knelt over her and spread her thighs wide. He bent and kissed her passionately and then began to slide down her body, kissing and nibbling all the way. The slight stubble of his beard scratching across her nipples was almost painful. The heat of his mouth intensified the pleasure she was feeling. One hand slid lower to the curls at the juncture of her thighs. He tickled the soft skin all around her vulva and then slid two fingers into her as he began assaulting her clit again with his Quidditch roughened thumb. She arched against him, whimpering with need. Her hands were clenched in the bedclothes as she begged him to make love to her. He slid lower and parted the damp curls so he could lick the tightly furled bud of her clit. He brushed it with the stubble on his chin and she cried out. She was thrashing mindlessly now. He increased the tempo of his fingers and brought her to climax, before sliding himself fully into her warmth. He placed her legs over his shoulders and drove deeply into her repeatedly. He could feel her tightening around him, he flicked her clit again with both thumbs, and she bucked as another climax took her. A few more thrusts and he reached his own climax.
Afterwards, he gathered her close and they fell asleep, satiated. Dawn brought the first bad cold snap of the year. Viktor got out of bed to light the fire and closed the drapes on the windows. The house-elf brought coffee for Viktor and tea for Hermione.
"Is it possible that Snape hasn't really gone to the Dark? Could he still be acting the spy? If he is as damaged as Madam Lestrange said, he could be a loose cannon, Hermione," Viktor asked.
"His obsession with me may have something to do with my continued protection of Harry. He is equating me with Lily in that capacity, maybe. I just don't know, Viktor. But I may have an idea..." She jumped out of bed and dressed hurriedly.
"Come on, Viktor, we have to find Percy. He may know something about this." She was out the door and heading for the stairs by the time Viktor reacted. He threw on clothes and a jumper and ran after her.
She had cornered Percy Weasley at the breakfast table.
"Percy, what can you tell me about Rolanda Hooch? Where did she come from? What is her history?" Hermione had some bee in her bonnet about Hooch, Viktor realised.
"You know, that is an excellent question, Hermione. Madam Hooch has been at the school for years. She had a niece that was a student when Harry's parents were there. Madam Hooch's health got quite bad in recent years. She went away for a couple of years to some sort of health retreat, just before I started at Hogwarts When she returned she was much better and resumed teaching. Why? Is there a problem?" Percy was confused. So was Viktor.
Hermione grabbed Viktor's hand and headed for the small salon. "She is somehow connected to Harry's mother, Viktor. That's the only explanation that makes any sense. We need to talk to Minerva and Moody."
"You have made some sort of guess about this, haven't you? Why do you think Minerva and Moody will answer your questions?" Viktor asked.
"Because the person I know as Rolanda Hooch is, in fact, her niece who I have a hunch is actually Mary MacDonald, Lily Potter's best friend. It explains so much. What I know of Mary is that she was a beater for the Gryffindor Quidditch team and that she disappeared after James and Lily were killed. It all makes sense. Oh, Viktor, it all fits." She stated most emphatically.
"But how does this help us with Snape, love?" Viktor asked.
"Because, if he thinks I am Lily, it makes it very easy to get him to take me to Mary. Bellatrix's interrogation said that he was not right in the head after being subjected to the Cruciatus for so long. There is an experimental potion... one to alleviate the effects of repeated Cruciatus. It was what Snape was working on for Neville's parents. I copied the formula from his notes one day. I think if Draco and I work on it together, we might arrive at something workable. In addition, if that works, we can remove his Dark Mark the same way we did Draco's. I think he is trying to keep spying on the Dark Lord, but is hampered by worry for his wife. If it is Mary, he will feel doubly guilty because he is confused about what time period it is. He may think it is still the first war. We have to talk to Minerva."
"Very well. If we must roust them out of bed, so be it." Viktor opened the door and spied Minerva across the room. "They are awake, love. I'll go talk to Alastor while you speak to Minerva."
Walking quickly, Viktor arrived at Minerva's side and told her Hermione wanted to speak with her. The older woman brought her cup of tea with her as she entered the salon. She took a seat and looked at Hermione expectantly.
"Minerva, I need to ask you about Rolanda Hooch and Mary MacDonald. Was Madam Hooch Mary's aunt?"
The piercing look Minerva gave Hermione said that the question was far more involved than Hermione had first thought. She changed tactics, immediately.
"You know that Snape married Mary, don't you? Was it their idea or another manipulation by Dumbledore? Minerva, Snape was subjected to the Cruciatus for an extended period after Hogsmeade. According to reports from some Death Eaters, he hasn't been right in the head since. Pansy Parkinson said Snape had gone back to Spinner's End to tend to family business. If he is still on the side of the Light, we need to know that so we can get him some help. If Mary is ill or injured, he may be stretched to the breaking point. Please tell me," she asked.
"Yes, Mary has been impersonating Rolanda for years now. Rolanda is still alive, but her eyes have failed. Mary has been taking care of her at Spinner's End. They came to Albus with the plan themselves. I think they have grown to care for each other. At least I hope they have. Do you remember your second year, how Professor Hooch was gone for awhile? Mary lost a child that year. It nearly killed Severus. Having to watch his daughter being raised as some else's child was bad enough, but to lose his only son..."
"Wait, what do you mean he had to watch his daughter being raised as someone else's child? Who is his daughter?" Hermione was confused now.
"Mary and the girl lived with Rolanda's sister and her husband. When Rolanda's sister died in a freak accident..."
"Oh, Merlin, Minerva, it's Luna isn't it? Ginny always wondered why Luna did so well in Potions class. I'm right, aren't I?"
"Yes, Luna is their daughter. Severus was always exceptionally proud of Luna's accomplishments. He was nearly hysterical when she went with you all to the Ministry fifth year. He was also very thankful that she was sorted into Ravenclaw. Mary was worried that Lupin would look at Luna and see her younger self in her daughter. But Remus never paid much attention to Luna. Do you think Snape is still following Albus' instructions? Could he really be that mentally off balance?"
"And beyond that, Minerva, how are we going to tell him that his daughter has married and is expecting her own child? At least she married his favourite Slytherin. Merlin, what a muddle. We are going off to Spinner's End today to see what is going on. I guess I need to tell Draco who his in-laws are."
"I think Draco may know more than you give him credit for, Hermione. Severus knew Draco wasn't meant to be a Death Eater. He may have been urging the boy to defect long before he did." Minerva said.
"I need to get Draco into the potions lab as soon as possible, anyway. He and I have a potion to brew, an important one. One that may bring Snape back to himself." Hermione followed Minerva out of the salon and ran upstairs. She knocked on the Malfoys' door and Draco appeared somewhat groggily.
"I need you in the lab downstairs, we have a potion to brew as quickly as possible. You can order some of Viktor's Turkish coffee from the house-elf," she said.
"Five minutes. I need five minutes to get dressed and I'll be there. Would you order me the coffee?"
She nodded and headed back downstairs. Viktor accompanied her going down the stairs to the lab.
"I will send tea and coffee down as well as breakfast. Will you be warm enough? Take my jumper. It is colder down here. Set Warming Charms before you start brewing, please, love. I'll see you as soon as you finish." He nodded to Draco, who was just arriving at the door.
"What are we brewing, Madam Krum? And why is it so urgent?" He was still only half-awake. He grabbed the coffee cup a house-elf handed him and downed the strong black brew quickly.
Hermione thanked the house-elf and set her tea on the closest lab table.
"An experimental cure for the Cruciatus, Draco. One your godfather was working on that last year before Hogsmeade. I want to see if we can perfect it. Oh, yes, what do you know of Luna's family, Draco? Here is the formula, let's get the ingredients together." Hermione was gathering cauldrons and brewing equipment as she talked.
"This is the one Severus was working on? He said it wasn't perfected yet. That's why it didn't work for Mother. What are you going to add?" Draco was curious now.
"Two ingredients Snape would have sneered at: Phoenix ashes and a drop of Felix Felicis. The same ingredients I used to remove your Dark Mark, almost. I only have a limited amount of the ashes so we must be careful. About Luna's family, Draco?"
"Oh, right. I know there is some mystery about her mother. Both parents are dead. Why? Here are the ingredients." Draco was more intent on helping with the brewing than his wife's family.
"Draco, what would you say if I told you that Luna is not who you think she is? The Lovegoods were her aunt and uncle and Rolanda Hooch is another aunt. Her father is your Head of House and his wife, Mary McDonald Snape is her mother. You are going to make Snape a grandfather and I am not too sure he'll be thrilled." Hermione had blurted the whole thing out because she was annoyed with Draco.
Draco's reaction was not what she expected.
"How the bloody hell did you figure that out? Of course, I knew it. But no one else was supposed to. Wait... that parchment... you handed it to Potter, didn't you? And it was his touch that brought the writing on the back to the surface. Then you asked a few questions. I'm not mad, but I want to be the one to tell her. Is this potion for Uncle Severus? He asked me to get Luna away and hide her. He may not have intended for us to fall in love, but it happened. Hell, yes, I want to heal him. He saved my life more times than I can count. Let's get this potion done." He was fully awake and energised at last.
The potion took only two hours to brew. They had made enough for three doses of it. Hermione set two of the doses into the stasis drawer, marked for Alice and Frank Longbottom. The third she gave to Draco to hold.
"I plan on using the same ritual to remove his Dark Mark as I did yours. So, you are going to have to carry the Felix Felicis as well. Draco. You, Luna, Mary, Harry, and I will be in the pentagram. I plan to bring him here to do it. He'll need to be watched by Poppy for a few days if the potion isn't fully successful. I want you to tell Neville what we have done. When Harry beats the Dark Lord, Neville can use this on his parents. I hope to hell it works."
"Only you would have thought of adding the Phoenix ashes. It will work, I am sure of it. I'll tell Luna and drop a word in Longbottom's ear as well. The solstice is in five days. That would be an auspicious time to see the Dark Lord defeated." Draco grinned at her as he sauntered out the door.
As Hermione followed him up the stairs to the ground floor, Lavender Brown rose from the bench in the hallway where she had been waiting.
"Hermione, Is it true? Ron was under the Imperius, wasn't he? He knew you considered him more of a brother. We... we were trying to make... to build a relationship. Then he was completely different, suddenly. I didn't know what to think." She looked so sad, so hopeful, that Hermione hugged her and sat down to talk to her.
"Lavender, he was under the Imperius. Umbridge had cursed him one day in Diagon Alley. When she died, it released him. He is still trying to catch up and is very, very embarrassed about the things he did. I think it would be okay, if you want to see him, I'll tell Charlie. I know you love Ron. I think maybe he loves you, too." Hermione hoped Lavender had asked because she did love Ron. She continued, "Come on, we'll go up and tell Charlie right now. You can see Ron right after."
Lavender smiled shyly at her and said, "I'm glad you got back with Viktor. Even at the Yule Ball, we could tell he loved you. Thank you for what you are doing. You are so much smarter than I am, than Ron is, too. He really would have driven you crazy."
"Oh, well, he is okay for a brother type person, but you're right. The two of you are much better suited to each other. Shall we go upstairs and talk to the second oldest Weasley boy?"
They walked up the stairs to the first floor, where Draco sat with Luna and Minerva. Moody nodded at Hermione and Viktor appeared at her side as they climbed the next set of stairs.
Charlie and Bill Weasley were standing in front of a closed door at the very end of the hall. When they saw Viktor, Hermione, and Lavender approaching they un-spelled the door. Hermione said quietly, "She has permission to visit him whenever she wants. I don't think he is going to try to get away. You two go on back to your families. We'll take it from here."
She exchanged a glance with Viktor as she sent him a thought. i'Go in first and tell him she's out here.' /i
Viktor opened the door and spoke to Ron, who could be heard abjectly apologising for his actions.
Viktor knew what Hermione wanted, so he said, "Weasley, you had no control over what happened to you. We know that. Do you want to see Lavender? She is outside the door with Hermione."
"You mean she'll actually talk to me? I thought she wanted nothing to do with me. Yes, please Viktor, may I see her?" Ron sounded tired and unhappy.
Viktor opened the door and Lavender rushed past him to throw her arms around, Ron who was sitting in a chair by the fireplace. The two embraced and Viktor closed the door.
His chuckle as he took Hermione's hand prompted her to ask, "What? I just wanted to get her back with him. They are good for each other. She'll make sure he won't get into any more trouble. Yes, I admit it, Vitya, I want him paired off, and not thinking there is even a remote chance I would ever leave you for him." She had to laugh at the raised eyebrow and smirk she saw on Viktor's face.
"If we are going to Spinner's End today, it should be soon. Draco and I will go with you. Kingsley and Arthur have gone to watch the Riddle home. They will notify us if the Dark Lord leaves," he said.
Harry insisted on coming with them, bringing the parchment with him. They arrived in the old, scruffy area just off the river, not far from the abandoned factory across a field from Spinner's End. After a bit of discussion, Hermione Disillusioned everyone, except Draco. They approached the street carefully from the field.
Hermione hissed at the others to stop. "There is someone in the back garden. Listen!"
They could hear the creaking of a tree-hung swing and a familiar voice naming off potion ingredients as well as the snip, snip, snip of someone cutting something.
They carefully made their way to the front of the house. Draco stood in the shadow of the empty house next door and sent a Patronus message to Snape, saying he needed to talk to him. In seconds, a small owl fluttered to Draco's shoulder. The message tied to his leg was terse.
iKnock three times, thrice and gain entry. /i
Draco waited for five minutes and then approached the door. Harry, Hermione, and Viktor were right behind him. He knocked three times, waited a minute and three times again, another minute and three times again.
The door flew open to reveal a haggard, gaunt Snape who now had wide swatches of gray at his temples.
"Draco, what has happened? Come in and close the door behind you." His voice was strained.
The four started into the house, but only Draco made it into the room.
"Uncle Severus, I brought friends with me. They are Disillusioned right now, but I need to have you talk to them. Will you let them come in?" Draco was almost pleading.
"Not Crabbe and Goyle? What other friends do you have these days? As long as they are not here to harm me or mine, they may enter." He flicked a hand at the door and the three were able to enter at last.
Hermione removed the Disillusioning Spell from Viktor to see what Snape would do.
"Hello, Professor. I am glad to see you. Draco and I have to ask you a few questions." Viktor said calmly.
"Krum, did Igor send you? I cannot help him." Snape was confused as to why Viktor was there.
Hermione removed the Disillusioning on herself and Harry at that point.
Harry stepped forward and handed the parchment to Snape. He touched the man and asked, "Will you tell me what this means, Professor?"
Something must have gotten through to Snape, because he touched Harry's scar and said, "Lily's son, all grown up. I tried to protect you when you got to school." He was only vaguely the old Snape.
Hermione stepped forward to stand at Viktor's side. Snape looked at her strangely for a moment, as if he did not quite know who she was.
At that moment, the door to the stairway opened and a woman came into the room. She looked a great deal like Rolanda Hooch, only younger, with blonde hair instead of grey. She was carrying a toddler with his thumb stuck in his mouth.
"Severus, what is going on?" she asked, frightened for the child.
"Hermione turned to her and said, "We have come to offer you healing for Professor Snape. The last few Death Eaters have been executed. All that remains is the Dark Lord, and we now know how to defeat him. Professor, I copied your notes on the potion you were working on for the Longbottoms. Draco and I brewed it today with two new ingredients added in. I believe it will nullify the after effects of the Cruciatus, and return you to full health."
Snape just looked at her, dumbfounded. Draco took the phial out of his pocket and handed it to Snape. Mary moved to stand next to him. She drew out her wand and spoke a spell, "Elementi Manifestare!"
The list of ingredients in the potion appeared, written on the air. She looked to Hermione and Draco before asking, "The Phoenix ashes and the Felix Felicis are the only additions? Truly?"
At Hermione's nod, Draco pulled up his left sleeve and showed Snape his unmarked forearm.
"She removed my Dark Mark, Uncle Severus. Trust her. Harry, and Viktor have moved the Order to the continent. Please, come with us now. You don't have to spy anymore. We want to heal you."
Snape looked at the four young people and then at his wife. "Mary, Lily's boy won't hurt me. I know it. We must pack and go with them. Give Emrys to me. I will ..."His voice trailed off as he held the little boy.
"Draco, you stay with him. Harry, Viktor, and I will help Madam Snape." Hermione said softly.
"Oh, thank you, Hermione. I knew eventually you would figure it out. I'll need to get Aunt Rolanda ready to go. There are trunks in the cupboard at the end of the hall. Will the potion really heal him?"
She was talking as she packed clothes for the child, Snape, and herself. There wasn't a lot to pack.
Hermione asked a question abruptly, "Should I pack his books, Mary? You'll never have to come back here. I promise. Let me go ask him. I'll get Draco to give him the potion. Then I'll pack the books and keep an eye on him while Harry and Viktor help you pack. Oh, right. I need to tell you. I married Viktor a couple of days ago. We know about Luna. She is safe and happy. She and Draco were married yesterday. Minerva and Alastor are going to be very happy to see you both."
Mary's answering smile was radiant. "Yes, please, pack his books that are on the shelves downstairs. The others are still at Hogwarts in the Potions office. There aren't many here. When we leave, I am going to burn this house to the ground. It depresses him something awful. I want him back to being the Severus I love. Now you go pack the books and I will get Harry and your Viktor to help me with Aunt Rolanda."
Hermione raced down the stairs to find Snape drowsing on the sofa with his son in his arms and Draco trying to organise things.
"Hermione, he has a lab in the basement. I'll go pack that up. Should I give him the potion now? I think maybe, we should wait to give it to him, until we can follow it up with Dreamless Sleep. That way, he can do most of the healing while he sleeps. Are you going to do the books? There really isn't a lot here for four people living in this house. I am worried about him. He looks so bad." Draco gnawed at his bottom lip as he looked at Hermione.
"Yes, I am packing the books. Harry and Viktor are finishing off the upstairs. I want us all out of here in less than two hours. Don't pack cauldrons or phials. Just ingredients and his notebooks. Unless there is something you know he wouldn't want to lose. And find the cage for that owl, while you are down there. We'll get him back to France and heal them all. We have to, Draco. We owe it to him."
Slightly under an hour later, they were ready to go. Harry was carrying the boy, Emrys. Viktor had miniaturised the trunks and put them into Hermione's bag. He had Rolanda Hooch between him and Hermione. Draco was helping Snape. Mary shooed them all out into the back garden and watched as Harry Disapparated with her small son. Viktor took Rolanda's hand in his and Disapparated them back to France. Draco did the same with Severus. Hermione and Mary were the only ones left when Mary drew a box of matches out of her pocket and lit the dry grass around the back step to the house. The flames were licking at the doorway when Hermione took Mary's hand and turned into the Disapparation. Mary spoke as they began their journey. "Good riddance."