A/N So, I have one thing to say about this chapter: A lot of things can happen in a single chapter... Hope you like it! I love this one the best by far, so enjoy!
Safire led Hermione, who was following swiftly behind, towards the clearing where Snape and Hagrid were. As they hurried through the trees, Hermione had allowed Safire to lead since the Frences obviously knew these parts well. After winding through brambles, ducking under overhangs, and squeezing through tight places, Hermione was so turned around she would surely be lost by now had it not been for Safire. She was still surprised at how easily Safire had agreed to help her. She thought she would put up a much bigger fight, or show more resistance. Instead, it hadn't been hardly any trouble, for which Hermione was grateful. Professor Snape couldn't afford any more delays. As the setting became more familiar, an agonized groaning met them. Safire pricked her pointed ears, while Hermione strained to hear where it originated from.
"That sounds like…" she couldn't bring herself to say it. She just hoped it wasn't what she thought. Suddenly realizing Safire had continued walking and was already several paces ahead of her, she hurried to catch up. Safire flashed a quick glance at the Gryffindor before focusing again on the road ahead of her. They continued on for another ten paces or so and stepped into the clearing. Hagrid was crouched at the edge, not far from where they appeared, watching the surrounding shadows. As they came in his sight, he leaped up, prepped for battling anything, but he quickly relaxed when he recognized Hermione. Then he spotted Safire sitting at her side.
"Yeh found it!" he exclaimed.
Safire snarled and Hermione translated. "She doesn't like being called 'it', her name is Safire."
Hagrid nodded. "O' course, but we gotta hurry, Snape looks pre'y bad, he's not got long." He gestured towards the still motionless mound of robes a few feet away. "What yeh goin' to do?" he inquired.
Hermione didn't answer, instead crouching near the unconscious Potions Master and beckoning Safire. She obliged and inspected the nasty wound. She hissed softly, her eyes widening at the sight. "It's been very long since it happened. If it took us that amount of time to get back here, then it was more than twice that, making it about…" Hermione consulted her watch. "About forty minutes. Would it still…?" Her eyes pleaded with the Frences to say it would work, despite the lengthy delay.
Safire looked thoughtful before she replied, her words measured and slow. "If the wound is still open, it should work. His body might not take it though. If that happens…" she trailed and Hermione gasped, realizing what she was saying. "If that happens, he would die within ten minutes."
Hermione was shocked to feel a hot tear roll down her cheek. Quickly wiping it away, she said, "Let's hurry then. Do you know what to do? Because I'm not sure I do…"
Safire nodded her furry head and stepped assertively over to stand over Snape. Lifting a front paw, she bared her pointed fangs and, with a sharp jerk, sliced her paw open, blood spilling slowly from the cut. She held her paw over the spider bite in Snapes arm and Hermione watched with bated breath as a few drops of crimson blood dripped onto his skin, soaking into the wound. Safire watched as it disappeared, then stepped back to sit by Hermione, who was waiting apprehensively for something to happen. "It should start working, if he takes it…"
It was then Hermione's breath caught in her throat. Steam was starting to vent from Snapes body, and a moment later he seized, his back arching, his breath coming in rapid gasps. His eyelids flickered open, his eyes rolling wildly in their sockets. His mouth gaped and a thick, cloudy liquid formed on his face and arms in sheen. Hermione stared in horror and half stood as he slowly went limp, his breath shallower than before. His mouth closed and, to Hermione's complete unreserved horror, his chest stopped rising and his black eyes stared blankly into space. Safire buried her head in her paws, soft whimpers emitting from her throat. Hagrid bent his head in grief while Hermione stared in shock and wretchedness.
Silence hung heavily in the air.
After a moment, Safire lifted her head and whispered quietly, "I'm so sorry…"
"It's not your fault, Safire. You—you couldn't have done anything about it. I just wish I'd had the time to—to thank him for…" Hermione froze and Safire stared at her concernedly.
"Thank him for what?" she asked with wide eyes.
"I—I for saving my life all those years ago, that's it!" Hermione jumped and grabbed her wand, then it hit her. "I don't know the spell."
"Wha' spell ar yeh talkin' abou'?" Hagrid suddenly asked. "I'm kinda lost 'ere."
Hermione sighed and explained. "In my fourth year, Ginny woke me, late in the night, because she saw red sparks in the Dark Forest and thought someone was in trouble. So we told Harry and Ron and went to check it out. Turns out it was a couple of Death Eaters, and started attacking us. One of them killed Ron and started dueling Harry. I took the other one, and Stunned him, but then Harry blasted the first one, who threw me against a tree. Suddenly I couldn't move. I—I think my spine was broken. All at once they started retreating. I saw a cloaked figure heading our way, but as the last Death Eater started running away, he said the Killing Curse at me, and…" She paused, replaying the awful memory. "Then I woke up, and found myself in Kings Cross station. No one was there. It was glowing brightly, and…I think I was dead, because Snape suddenly appeared out of no where and told me that was where people who die go. Then he just kind of, I don't know, brought me back to Hogwarts."
"I've heard of that spell!"
Hermione stared at the excited Frences next to her. "You do? Do you know how it goes?" Her excitement was infectious, as Hagrid was looking brighter as well.
Safire cocked her head and nodded slowly. "I think so… the caster chants 'Sivrisedeth' and… I'm afraid my memory is slow… and must, I guess you could say, bond your soul with the soul of the one who died… I believe… forgive me, I can't think," Safire apologized.
"That's fine, Safire, that's all we need." She turned to the lifeless corpse and took a deep breath. "Will you help me if I need it?" she asked.
"Of course," Safire said, and Hagrid nodded agreement.
She nodded and sat on the hard, cold ground next to the Potions Masters' unmoving body. Hesitating a moment, she looked up. "What if something goes wrong? Will…will I die too?"
Safire shook her head. "If anything goes wrong, which is highly unlikely, you will just be pulled from his soul and return here. He would remain…dead."
Hermione gulped, but before she could hesitate any longer, she rested her hand over Snapes', shocked at how cold it was. Lifting her wand, she flicked it in a complex pattern, and began the incantation.
"Sivrisedeth… Sivrisedeth… Sivrisedeth…" A thin tendril of emerald magic spilled from the tip of her wand, swirling around hers and Professor Snapes body.
"Sivrisedeth… Sivrisedeth…" She continued chanting, her voice growing weaker.
"Sivrisedeth…" She stiffened as a few wisps of magic entered her mouth and scurried down her throat, sending chills through her body.
"Sivrisedeth…" A strange burning started in the center of her chest, and she doubled over as the throbbing exploded into white hot pain.
"Sivrisedeth…" It spread through her until she was sure she would never make it out of this alive.
"Sivrisedeth… " Suddenly she gasped as the magic seeped out of her mouth again, bright bluish silver now.
"Sivrise—" Her vision and voice faded without warning and the last thing she saw was the bizarre sapphire magic sinking into Professor Snapes' chest.
Hermione slammed down on hard ground. She sat up, shaking the stars from her eyes, and gasped. She was at Kings Cross! She'd done it! Now to find Snape…
"Miss Granger, what are you doing?"
Hermione whipped around and gaped. There he was, standing in front of her. But as she stared closely, she realized something that turned her blood cold. She could see right through him! "Professor! I—I was just… you died… and I didn't want to have to explain… so I just…"
"Let me guess," Snape sneered. "You decided to use the Soul Binding spell." He glowered at the young girl in front of him. "Do you not know anything? If that is the spell you used, I say congratulations." His voice dripped with undisguised sarcasm. "You are now a Dark Magic user."
Hermione's heart sank to her feet and a small cry escaped her. What had she done?
"I'm sorry Professor, I—I didn't want you to…" she broke off. "I came here to bring you back, like you did, three years ago…"
"You remember that?" Snapes face took on a peculiar expression. "Why? Why would you want to help me?"
Hermione glanced at her feet in discomfiture. "I don't want you to die…" she muttered quietly.
The dark man in front of her froze, though not enough for her to realize. "What was that?" he whispered sinisterly, though he had heard her clearly.
Hermione glanced up at him. "I said—" she broke off. She could barely see the Potions Master now. He was fading fast… "I just need to get you back, we don't have long!" her voice was desperate. "Can you tell me how? I didn't really think that far ahead…"
Snape snarled but explained. Hermione nodded and slowly held out her hand for him to take. He did so resentfully, locking their fingers cautiously and causing her to flinch. Hermione stifled the urge to yank her hand away and muttered the reversing spell. "Reternixist… Reternixist…" She focused on them returning to their own bodies as the breeze picked up. It swirled around the two, causing their robes to tremble around wildly. Suddenly they were lifted off their feet. Hermione subconsciously gripped Snapes hand tighter, but he didn't protest; instead, he allowed himself a smirk at her fear and inexperience.
They once again traveled through the void, and once again slammed down hard upon returning. But something was wrong. Snape sensed something, or rather, lack of something. It caused a shiver of anxiety.
Professor Snape came to first. He sat up groggily and blinked a few times to clear his vision. Abruptly a bolt of pain erupted from his shoulder, causing him to start falling back again. A burly arm caught him and helped him to his feet.
"Yeh'll be a'right, Professor," came a distant voice. "Nasty cut yeh got 'ere, yeh nearly left us."
Snape pushed the arm away, bracing himself against a thick tree as he waited, a second time, for his vision to clear. When it did, he cringed at the throbbing in his shoulder. He scanned his surroundings, and it was then he realized he was still in the Dark Forest, in the same clearing as before. Hagrid was standing a bit to his left, watching him concernedly. And on the ground next to the half-giant was…
"Oh, great Merlin…" Snape muttered as he stared at Grangers' unmoving body. Their interaction a few moments ago came rushing back and he realized she should have come to by now. Then he remembered the… feeling moments before coming to. Hagrid, unfortunately, caught him staring and explained.
"She was gonna bring yeh back, we tol' her wha' could happen. She didn' listen, only cared 'bout gettin' you back 'ere" He paused.
"Yes, so good to see you well, Professor Snape. Or, at least, as well as I've seen you."
Snape started at the females' voice coming from behind him. He turned his head and stared. "Are you a Frences?" he managed.
The golden creature lifted her head. "Yes, I am Safire. Hermione has told me so much about you. You were fortunate to have such a bright girl as your student."
"Wait, I was fortunate? She still is my student isn't she?" Snape watched the Frences quizzically.
Safire bowed her head sadly. "Yes, was. She got you out alive, but she… she couldn't handle the strain of the spell. It was too much for her."
Snape shook his head. "No, she's just taking a while to recover." He was trying to convince himself as well as them. "She'll come around."
But Hermione didn't stir. Her form was perfectly still, almost peaceful. Snape had trouble grasping the fact that she really was gone. He considered using the Soul Binding spell to bring her back, but using it more than once in a certain era of time could kill them both, permanently. Suddenly, he realized he needed to see Dumbledore. Turning to Hagrid, he asked if he would carry her there. When Hagrid agreed, Safire stepped up. "What about me? Hermione and I agreed that if I helped save your life, she would keep my presence here a secret. And now, she needs me, and I would ask if I could join you in telling Professor Dumbledore. I would be most grateful, and I might have something in return for your allowing me."
Snape opened his mouth to refuse her help when her words sunk in. "Very well," he said emotionlessly.
Hagrid bent down to scoop Hermione into his arms, and Snape turned away, not bearing the sight of her lifeless body hanging limp. She had saved his life, and died in doing so. It was his turn to return the favor. He led the way from the forest, Hagrid and Safire right behind. As they stepped out onto the front lawn of Hogwarts, Ginny and Harry came running over. Snape snarled in annoyance. "Fifty points from Gryffindor for—"
"No, sir, please, where is Hermione?" Ginny begged. "It's past midnight, she said she would be back before—" Her words froze in her throat as Hagrid appeared. "No, no…" Ginny and Harry backpedaled at the sight of their friend, dead. The redhead didn't even look at Snape as Hagrid approached. Harry, on the other hand, stalked up to Snape.
"You—you bastard! How could you let this happen! I swear, when I get my hands on you—" His face was a scarlet and his hand reached for his wand, aiming it straight at Snapes face. "You'll pay, Snape!" He snarled furiously. To Snapes horror, Harry's skin started turning a darker shade and fur sprouted on his arms. His eyes turned a bright yellow and his pupils narrowed like a cats'. The Xi'an was emerging…
"Harry, don't!"
Ginny grabbed his arm, pulling him away from the Slytherin Head of House before a spell could be cast. "It's not his fault Harry! It was Hermione!"
Harry reeled on her, yellow eyes blazing. "What? Hermione wouldn't kill herself! Have you gone insane?"
Ginny saw the changes coming over her friend, but she was trying to make him see reason to notice. Her eyes begged desperately with her friend, trying to make him understand. "Hagrid just told me everything, Harry. He said that Hermione gave up her life willingly."
"Why?"
"To give Professor Snape his life back. She did it willingly, Harry, try to understand!"
"Understand what? That she died for that—that arrogant git? I can't believe that. She hates him, she told me herself."
"Well, obviously things have changed!"
Harry stared at Ginny with shock, surprise, and above all, hurt. "You don't mean that, do you?" he asked; his voice was suddenly shaky. "Do you really think that?"
Ginny nodded sadly, her eyes sympathetic.
Harry stared blankly into the distance, his eyes betraying his feelings. His hands dropped to his side and he clenched his teeth. The fur on his arms and face disappeared, to Snapes relief. "I trusted her. I trusted her! And she does—this? How could she…" He trailed off and wheeled around to stalk back to Hogwarts where he quickly disappeared through the front doors.
Professor Snape had been watching the conversation unfold with mixed emotions. So, Granger had said she hated him. That surprised him. She never hated any of her teachers, but now…Why should he care if she hated him? Every other student did; so why did he feel so bad for making her, of all people, the insufferable know-it-all, hate him? He shook himself mentally. No time for going soft or having feelings. He pulled himself from his thoughts and watched as Ginny stepped forward to stand next to Hagrid.
"Please, tell me what happened," Snape caught her whisper. Before Hagrid could answer, however, Snape intervened.
"Miss Granger is in critical condition, Miss Weasley; we are on our way to see the Headmaster. If you would like to delay us and lower her chances, you may. Otherwise, I suggest you return to your dormitory."
Ginny glared at him a moment before following Harry. Snape sighed resignedly. When would those incompetent Gryffindors going to learn? He had already missed his chance at docking fifty points—each—for being out so late, but now he was also trying to save ones life. He kicked himself mentally. It was the girl, she was warping his character. The Dark Lord had asked for her, and now that he was fulfilling his stipulation, he found himself reluctant, for no apparent reason. Was he…? No, the prospect was too preposterous. Of course he wasn't. He just didn't want to see an innocent child tortured. She's a teenager, Severus, his subconscious mind chided him. He pushed the thought away. Child, teenager, there wasn't a difference. Besides, if he was going to continue this…sedition for the Dark Lord, he would have to do whatever was asked. No exceptions. He sighed at his complicated life. How he wished he was younger, still a student at Hogwarts, no uncertainties but classes and schoolwork, occasionally O.W.L.'s or N.E.W.T.'s at the end of term. Instead, he relented to Voldemort's rule. The day he became a Death Eater was the day his life turned inside out. No more holidays, breaks, or any type of relaxation. Only days filed with the dread of torture and murder under Voldemort's command. How he hated that life.
"Are yeh comin'?" Hagrid's call jolted Snape to the present. "She ain't getting' any better." The half-giant had started off again, Safire balanced dexterously on his shoulder, and was patiently waiting for Snape. The dark man swept over to join them with his usual scowl, and they continued on to Dumbledore's office. Hurrying down the hall, Snape was glad it was late; otherwise, he would be receiving curious stares from every viewpoint.
Upon arriving at the stone gargoyle guarding the Headmaster's quarters, they found they were not the only visitors at the time. A young girl with long wavy blonde hair was pacing near the entrance. She suddenly stared, frozen, as Snape and Hagrid appeared. She seemed to be a first or second year, and she quickly hurried away at the sight of the Potions Master stalking towards her.
They stopped in front of the gargoyle and Snape muttered, "Licorice wands," hence the password. As the stone moved to the side, they started up the spiraling staircase. Arriving at the door to the Headmasters office, Snape rapped three times on the smooth wood and stepped back.
"Yes?" Dumbledore opened the door and was surprisingly alert for one so late at night. Upon seeing the two Professors, he quickly beckoned them in, having not seen Hermione yet. "What might I ask, do I owe the pleasure of your visit at this—" He paused when Hagrid passed near him to enter the room. "Oh, my, what happened?" He hurried to shut the door and return to his desk, where, as was apparent, he had been previously sorting Ministry papers. "Please explain, Severus."
So he did. From the moment they entered the forest, to that moment. When he stiffly explained that Hermione had given her life to save his, Dumbledore had mixed emotions. First was, of course, surprise. The second was most peculiar, amusement. Why should he be amused at a student dying? For the most hated teacher in Hogwarts, at that. He was even more surprised when Severus explained the means used to do the action. Dark Magic should not be used by students, he thought, interested. But she couldn't have known what it was, his subconscious mind countered. Instead of arguing the futile in his mind, he returned to Severus' explanation just as he was relating his carefully thought plan to revive her. "It is an interesting idea," he commented with a thoughtful look. "But the probable side effects are almost not even worth it. Why take that chance?"
"Because she is needed," Snape snapped; his usual fathomless expression quirked slightly and he quickly reposed himself. "The Dark Lord has found… need… of the girl. He has entrusted me with the undertaking of turning her over to him. His reprimand for failure is torture or, most likely, death." Dumbledore noticed a faint glimmer in Snapes eye. Fear?
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" he asked. "If you follow through with Voldemort's order—" Snape flinched at the casual use of the name "—and take her to him, do you know what his plans with her are?"
Snape inclined his head and stared fiercely at the aged wizard in font of him. "No, the Dark Lord never explains them with anyone."
Dumbledore nodded slowly, then, noticing Hagrid starting to look uncomfortable, he smiled grimly. "If you want to leave, Hagrid, you may."
"I think I will, if yeh don' mind." Hagrid stood and left the room.
"Severus, if I may suggest, there is a way to bring her back, but with dire consequences on your behalf." Dumbledore was cautious to bring it up, but his face was set.
Snape looked interested, but he quickly hid the fact. "Why do you say that, sir?"
Dumbledore smiled grimly and explained. "There is a spell, a rather rare spell that can reunite the soul with the body, thus returning life to the deceased." He hesitated before continuing quietly. "However, the one wanting to cast the spell must give something up. Something every witch and wizard has. They must surrender their magic."
Severus gaped openly at the Headmaster, a rare thing for the secluded professor. "What are you saying? If I bring her back, I will have no more magic? What if I refuse to give it up?"
"Severus, in casting the incantation, you would use every drop of magic in your being. There is no choice in the matter. If you wish to do so, you know the cost."
He narrowed his eyes at the wizened man before him. "And you expect me to give up my magic for her?" He snorted derisively. "I highly doubt that!"
Dumbledore sighed and closed his eyes in resignation. "Very well. But, there is a way to reclaim your magic once you perform the spell. If you would even remotely consider the possibility of casting it, I will tell you. If not, I see no need to do so."
Snape curled his lip. "Very well, I shall consider it. Now, tell me!"
To his surprise Dumbledore chuckled. "Impatient, impatient, are we? Very well, I said I would, and I will follow through. The one, and only, I might add, to regain your magic once giving it up is very easy for some to accomplish; for you, though, I should think differently," he added with a twinkle in his eye. "If I am to explain it, I must tell you where the spell came from; else you would not understand the origins of this… cure."
"About a hundred and seventy years ago, a witch named Delacroix Shadoz produced this complex charm. She was sixteen at the time. Her only friend, Savvy Remun, was ruthlessly murdered by the killing curse when they were attacked by a wizard escaped from Azkaban. Heartbroken at the loss, she started putting together a spell that would hopefully bring her back. When young Delacroix felt she had accomplished her desire, she took her wand and, with a very intricate series of movements, she performed the spell. Instantly, she felt herself weaken, and she fell unconscious. When she awoke, her friend was no where to be seen. She went to cast a spell that would help her find Savvy, but she found she could not remember the words to perform it. Distraught she set out to find Savvy the old fashioned way. When she did find her friend, she kept the fact she could not use magic to herself. Eventually, Delacroix was forced to tell her, and after that, Savvy decided she couldn't be with a witch that could do no magic, so she left Delacroix. They never saw each other again."
Severus rolled his eyes. "How does that tell me how I'm supposed to get magic back, should I choose to do this spell?"
Dumbledore shook his head amusedly. "Listen, Severus; I have not finished. Several years passed. Delacroix soon forgot completely about witches, wizards and magic. She lived in a small shack near the ocean, and saw no human life for almost ten years. Then, one day, she had a visitor. She was just waking up one sunny morning when a knock on the door nearly caused the now twenty three year old to pass out. She opened the door to see a man about her age standing there, smiling. He asked for Delacroix, and, shocked, she admitted him in. He introduced himself as Jakob Tehran, and they talked for hours. She asked him to come back. He did, the next day. In fact, he came back every day for the next four months. One night, as he was getting up to leave, Delacroix realized she had come to fall in love with young man that so insistently visited. Jakob seemed to realize this, as he told her that he too had fallen in love with her. The moment he said those words, Delacroix felt a tingling in her, and she suddenly felt alive again. When Jakob left, she hurried to her bedroom and retrieved her long forgotten wand. With a flick, she cast the unlocking spell on her bedroom door, and to her surprise and pleasure, it worked. Her magic had returned." With a barely audible sigh, Dumbledore stopped. "Does that explain it, Severus?"
Snape made no reply. After a moment, Dumbledore glanced up to look at him. The dark man had his hands clenched tightly, his eyes narrowed, and his lips pulled taut. After a moment, he turned his gaze to the window, where the sun was just rising, casting faint rays across the Potions Masters' face. "Are you saying," he began stiffly, "that in order to regain my magic after the spell, I have to love someone?" He spat the unfamiliar word.
"Someone has to love you, and tell you with their own words," Dumbledore corrected mildly. "But yes, you must love them in return, truly love them."
Snape turned his head away. "No one could ever… love… me. I'm too ruined, too dangerous, evil. The risk is great, but not great enough. I cannot do this." As the words left his mouth, he knew he was being selfish. Her need was far greater than his own; she was dead, for Merlin's sake! What was magic compared to life? Then he shook himself. "Headmaster, isn't there some other way? This can't be the only possibility, there must be another."
Dumbledore shook his head. "I'm afraid not. It's this way, or no way."
Snape sighed; he was right, there was no other way. He knew what he had to do, but how would he respond to the outcome? Would Granger be grateful or spiteful? Either way, he had to do it. The Dark Lord was counting on him to bring the girl to him.
"She doesn't have much longer." Dumbledore's caution jolted him. "What have you decided?"
Snape lifted his head. "The Dark Lord needs her for reasons unknown, and I'm sure Mr. Potter would have a fit. I—I'll do it."
Dumbledore seemed pleasantly surprised at his choice in the matter. "Very well, when you wish to begin, you flick your wand like so—" he demonstrated "—and say the incantation." Dumbledore then recited a series of complex words that felt strange in Snapes mouth, but he grudgingly complied. After a moment of perfecting the movements and words, Snape was ready.
With slow, jerky movements, he knelt beside the lifeless body of Hermione Granger. As he looked into her glazed eyes, he realized she would be very grateful, for she had died to save him; now, he was giving up his magic, his life, to save hers. And for what? To hand her over to the Dark Lord, who would most likely torture her senseless then eventually kill her. He realized he couldn't waste time thinking about that.
Taking a deep breath, he readied his wand. With a flick, he began chanting slowly the enchantment. When he flicked his wand the way Dumbledore had portrayed, he was shocked at how his mind grew fuzzy all of a sudden. But he continued. He continued the irreversible spell that would change his life. Forever. A silvery strand of powerful magic curled from the tip of his wand, swirling around in the air. Eventually, the strand turned to a stream, with turned to a gushing flow that seemed to suck the very life from his body as it curled around above Hermione. Its dazzling radiance mesmerized him for a moment, and his voice started to grow weary after chanting for so long. After a mere ten seconds of this, Severus felt he could contain the spell no longer, but he pressed on, determined not to fail. He could not fail.
He could not fail.
When the magical ribbon went from flowing to a mere trickle from his wand, the lights of his being twisted, whirled and shimmered through the air before centering and plunging down to vanish in the center of Hermione's chest, causing her to glow faintly. As Severus watched faintly, she drew in a massive, shuddering breath, her eyes blinked open, and his wand crumbled to dust in his hand.
A/N Please review!