Chapter 7-Serious Business: Blood-bonding
September passed without any more incidents and the majority of October passed the same way. Hermione found Professor Snape was good company. Oh no, not nice and pleasant, but good company. They had gotten in the habit of discussing theories over tea while whatever potion they were working on was simmering. Hermione found herself respecting and admiring him more everyday. Professor Snape was a very private man, but his black sense of humor came out the more time they spent together. Hermione giggled when she thought about the first joke she heard from the 'dungeon bat.'
FLASHBACK
"Today, Miss Granger, we will begin making the Polyjuice Potion for our friends. You will find all the ingredients necessary on the desk. Please begin."
Hermione nodded. This was simple, she hadn't brewed the Polyjuice since her second year, but she remembered it very well.
Severus sat back and watched as Miss Granger slid across the floor gracefully. He had suspected that when some of his potion ingredients went missing five years back that Potter had been responsible. As he observed Hermione, he knew that she must have taken them. Potter didn't have the brains to successfully brew that potion. He thought for a moment. Wait…Hermione's transformation hadn't been human, had it? He remembered dropping off some potions for Poppy and hearing someone cough badly and then exclaim 'Damn fur balls!' He smirked. It had been Hermione who changed into a cat. He rubbed his hands together gleefully…he was going to have fun with this.
"Is this potion so easy that is does not require your full attention?"
Hermione continued to add the ingredients and answered without thinking. "This potions is easier if you have brewed it before. I've known how to properly brew this potion since my second year."
Severus grinned and simply said, "Meow."
Hermione looked toward him, horrified. Then he surprised her yet again by laughing. Wow, that was a wonderful sound. A full, rich, deep laughter that took decades from his face. Hermione started to smile and then a thought hit her, Severus didn't have many things in life to make him smile and laugh. She made the decision that she would aide him in enjoying life. Even if the jokes were at her expense. It would be well spent to see him laugh again.
END FLASHBACK
Today, however, Severus had made the claim that he was busy with other things so she was taking the opportunity to brew an original potion without having to answer too many questions. She didn't realize that he was in his private lab with the door open so he could listen. Dumbledore and himself still didn't know how Draco and Hermione had bonded and Severus hoped eavesdropping would produce some results. Draco was helping her, perfect.
"Hey, Hermione, luv, why are you brewing a lust and forgetfulness potion?" Draco asked, concerned. He needed to know what Hermione had planned because he had a feeling that he wouldn't be too happy about it. Severus' attention was jarred. What was she brewing it for?
"Look, the Halloween Ball is coming up soon, in six days, correct?"
"Yes…"
"Do you know what will happen to me if I am ever captured?"
Draco looked bewildered. What did have to do with this potion? He decided to keep him mouth shut and just nodded.
"Wait a minute, Harry, Ron, Neville, Luna and Ginny are on their way down here. I'll explain everything when they get here."
Right on cue, there was a knock on the door. Draco went over and opened it to find the said persons standing there. As soon as they entered, Severus felt a very strong variation of the silencio charm go up. He moved to the doorway of his private lab. No one noticed him as he slipped silently into the classroom and leaned against the wall.
She motioned for them to sit while she quickly bottled the potion and placed it with her bag. Draco noticed that she was nervous. Her hand was shaking ever so slightly as she cleaned her cauldron and set aside the ingredients.
Hermione cleared her throat. She knew what she had to say and in what order she needed to say it, but it certainly didn't make it any easier to do. "I have a lot to tell all of you and not very time in which to do it. I have a question for you all…Do you trust me?"
"Yes," six voices rang out, even Severus mouthed the word.
"Do you trust me?"
They all looked puzzled, but replied as one, "yes."
"Do you trust me?"
Ron burst out, "Hermione! We already answered that!"
"Ron, please its important. You'll understand in a moment."
"Do you trust me?"
"Yes." Severus stopped for a moment…she had made them reply three times. What was she up to? His heart stopped for an instant. The power of three in spell casting. She had to know the power of the affirmative answer to that question.
"Before I can explain anything else, I need to share with you what I've been hiding since the day Mum and Dad died. If you do not choose to be in my presence afterwards, I won't blame you."
All present, including Severus shot her a look of confusion and bewilderment.
She sighed, placed her wand with the rest of her belongings, and walked toward them. "No one has actually seen what took place. I'm going to take you all into my memory of the events."
"But, hon, you don't have a pensive." Harry pointed out.
"That's one thing I have to show you all, Harry. I don't need a pensive."
She raised her arms, her hair whipped around her due to an unseen and unfelt wind. It was a particular feeling, sort of like using floo powder and a portkey rolled in one and suddenly it stopped. They looked around, they were still in the potions classroom, but superimposed over it was Hermione's memory.
An eternity passed, yet no time passed at all. Hermione dropped her arms and lowered her eyes. They were hurtled back to the potions classroom. What would their reaction be? She was so scared of losing her only friends.
Draco was the first to recover. Actually, Severus was, but he remembered as he opened his mouth she didn't even know he was there. Draco smiled, "Well it makes sense. You floated in and out of consciousness for days."
Ginny butted in, "That's what you have been researching. Isn't it?"
Hermione nodded. "Do any of you wish to leave?" She asked softly.
"NO!" All of them chorused, even Severus shook his head no.
Hermione sank down into a chair, she was immensely relieved. She gestured for them to sit as well. They complied and Hermione was surprised to notice how quiet they were.
"As you have seen, I have been gifted in a rare way. Unfortunately, Lucius Malfoy knows." She looked at their faces and laughed. "No, he doesn't know what I am capable of, none of the Death Eaters present can recall who did that to them, but he knows that Morgan le Fay's blood, very diluted of course, runs in my veins."
With the exception of Severus and Draco, all of them gasped in astonishment. She continued, this part was harder to say.
Her face was uncharacteristically wooden, her emotions were not even apparent in her eyes while she asked this question, "Do you know what will happen to me if I am ever captured?"
Ginny and Luna were the first to catch on as to what Hermione was trying to tell them and as one they shuddered. Everyone glanced toward where Ginny and Luna were sitting then refocused on Hermione. Asking with their eyes, what on earth did this have to do with anything?
"Make no mistake, if I am captured before my preparations are complete, I will go mad. Mudbloods," she hissed nastily, "are raped and tortured for a long time before they have the luxury of being obliviated or being killed. However, they have special plans for me and the power my blood contains. Death is the only option they will give me in the end and it will not be a quick one." She ignored their protests and simply raised a hand to silence them. They became as silent as her first class had been when they started their first potion. "There is another problem with this besides the obvious."
She paused, this was bound to make the faint a little green. "A virgin's blood is very powerful, and very dangerous in the wrong hands."
"What's that got to do with you?" Harry and Ron exclaimed together. Neville blushed a brilliant burgundy color and looked down to the floor. Severus twitched at this news…Draco wasn't?
"Draco, pull up your right sleeve," she ordered as she rolled up her own. She motioned for him to hold out his arm, Draco obeyed. "Do you see these identical scars?" Ginny, Harry, Luna, Neville and Ron nodded. "We are bonded as brother and sister."
Somewhere deep in Severus' heart jumped for joy! She wasn't his godson's girlfriend after all. He ignored that part of himself, she was still a student, and continued to listen as Hermione talked on.
"This is one reason I called you here tonight. Draco and I found out that, in the event harm comes your way." She rolled her eyes as everyone smiled and started snickering. "Okay, rephrase: when you are in dire need, you can call out to your brothers and sisters of the blood and they will know where you are and how badly you are injured."
Where was she going with this…Severus stopped, of course! This would help protect them in the Final Battle and in any other situations this group was bound to get caught up in.
"Draco, you will be bonded to Harry, Luna, Neville, and Ron seeing as how you're already stuck with me." Draco nodded. He had known this was coming.
"Ginerva." Ginny flinched at the use of her full name and looked in Hermione's eyes. "You will be bonded to myself, Harry, Luna, and Neville since Ron is already your brother." Ginny inclined her head. She understood the importance of this.
"Harry." Harry also met her eyes. "You will be bonded to myself, Draco, Ginny, Luna, and Neville." Harry looked at her questioningly; he noticed she didn't mention him and Ron being bonded as brothers.
"Luna." The Ravenclaw stared into Hermione's eyes and nodded solemnly. "You will be bonded to myself, Draco, Ginny, Harry, and Ron."
"Neville." Neville stood even straighter if possible. He had grown a lot since their incident in the Department of Mysteries at the end of fifth year. "You will be bonded to myself, Draco, Ginny, Harry, and Ron."
"Ronald." Ron winced, she sounded so much like his Mum when she said that, but he looked up at Hermione expectantly. "You will be bonded to myself, Draco, Luna, and Neville."
"Do all of you agree to this?" She asked, hesitating for a heartbeat. This was very powerful magic that was irreversible.
Draco spoke the question on Severus' mind. "Why am I not being bonded with Ginny or Harry with Ron or Luna with Neville?"
Hermione did the last thing they expected from her. She giggled. They stared at her. This was not like Hermione. She controlled herself quickly. "How else are you three couples supposed to snog and shag if I do that to you? It would make it extremely awkward and almost impossible." She burst out into laughter once more.
Severus was stunned. What? Draco and Ginny? He was horrified and yet the more he thought about it (he didn't want to linger on it), the more it made sense. The youngest Weasley was a fiery individual, smart too; Draco always did enjoy challenges. He smirked; anyone could have seen Harry and Ron or Luna and Neville coming. His smirk faded…then who exactly was Hermione making the lust and forgetfulness potion for?
Hermione finally pulled herself off the floor and smoothed her robes as she stopped laughing. "Do you agree to allow me to do the bonding?" She asked in her most serious tone.
They nodded. Hermione must have a plan to help the cause if she was pushing this so hard. They were ready to sacrifice whatever necessary if it would help destroy Voldemort once and for all. After all, they didn't have much more to sacrifice…they had already given up their childhood and innocence.
She went to her bag and drew out an athame. "Please hand me your wands." They did so. "When I cut your arm, please step to each individual you are to bond with and press arms together. The lift your arms to the heavens. Does everyone understand?" They nodded as they rolled up their right-hand sleeves and stood.
When the cuts we complete and their arms were lifted, Hermione sank to her knees and lifted her arms as well.
Blood calls to blood.
Like calls to like.
With this power we claim this right.
If ever we are in danger,
If ever we face a plight,
We can call on our brothers and sisters
To lead us back to the Light.
When we appear to be all alone,
And the night conquers day,
Our brothers and sisters
Can show us the way.
Blood calls to blood.
Like calls to like.
No power now can reject our right.
As we will, so mote it.
They all fell to their knees as the blood magic, in all its power, rushed through their veins. Breathing heavily, one by one they rose to their feet and promptly sank into a chair or plopped onto a desk. Hermione calmly passed everyone back their wand. The wounds made by the cuts had healed themselves at the conclusion of the spell.
Severus sank to the floor as he felt the power consuming the room. He was once again surprised. Hermione had definitely done her homework. Blood magic was very powerful and potentially dark. She altered the words just enough to stop it being dark. Very smart move.
Hermione waited until they were comfortably seated. There was so much to say. She dragged herself back to her feet. It was better to do this standing up rather than sitting down. "You are probably wondering how all of these subjects are connected. Please," she begged, "bear with me for a few more moments. Draco, what was the question you had for me before the other got here."
Draco cleared his throat…he had a feeling he really wasn't going to like where this ended up. "I asked you why you were brewing a lust/forgetfulness potion."
Severus, who had begun to sink into his own thoughts came back fully alert to what Hermione would say.
"You six are blessed, to love someone who loves you. I have had a crush on someone since my third year. I had always admired and respected him, but he chose to take certain actions I viewed as heroic and self-sacrificing that year in particular." She was going to be very careful describing him, she had noticed Professor Snape as soon as she had pulled everyone into her memory.
She, once again, raised her hand to stifle their protests. They all looked indignant. "I believed it to be nothing more, but as time passed the feelings didn't fade, they grew." She laughed softly. "Do you want to know how a figured out I actually loved him?" They nodded. "I read a book."
Hands flew to mouths as they tried to cover their laughs…a few fake coughs were managed and then they straightened. Even Severus had to suppress a chuckle. He too calmed himself. This was important.
She smiled at them. "Yeah, the bookworm read a book about love. Technically it wasn't about love," her face flushed scarlet, "but I realized that in order to be in love with someone, passion has to be there. He makes me more angry than anyone I've ever met. One minute he has me fuming and the next laughing. He is my match in every way. If I hadn't loved him before, I would have fallen head over heels the first time I heard his laugh and saw his smile. He doesn't smile nearly enough…"
She shook her head, as if to replace memories she didn't want surfaced or revealed at the moment. "He will, however, never feel the same about me. Hence the potion. I want my first act of sex to be an act of love; not just for me, but it adds power to the blood. This variation is colorless, odorless, and the only taste is a hint of chocolate. Otherwise it is undetectable."
Jaws hit the floor at the implications of her statements hit them full force. This potion wasn't technically legal and if she was caught making it undetectable she would face expulsion or worse.
"Hermione, luv, can you at least tell us who he is? Why are you so certain he does not return your affection? Maybe we can help." Draco had a sneaking suspicion on whom her affections were towards, but he wanted to see if he could get it out of her now.
She sighed and dropped onto the desk closest to her. "No, you can't help me in this. As to why I don't believe he reciprocates well, there are several reasons. He's older, he will never see me as more than a 'silly girl,' he's too respectable to sleep with students, and he doesn't know I'm twenty as of yesterday." Her hand clasped to her mouth, she was horrified. She had said more than she had intended.
She was immediately flooded with questions from all directions. All of a similar nature.
"Is it someone at Hogwarts?"
"You feel in love with him because he has a nice laugh? Are you crazy?"
"Gods, Hermione, is he a teacher?"
"Which teacher? Lupin or Snape?"
"Snape knows how to smile? I guess he is human after all!"
"How are you twenty? You just turned seventeen a few weeks ago!"
Severus was shocked. It had to Lupin…he was back this year as the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. He had been here Hermione's third year. Oh, bloody hell. Part of his heart sank; again he suppressed that part. Blocking off his emotions as best he could. This was a mess! What, did he hear someone ask if he was an option? What was that comment about him being able to smile for? Whoa! He wondered where Miss Weasley and Miss Lovegood had come up with those absurd notions.
"No more information about him; that is solely between the two of us. Just know that I will act after the Halloween Ball this Friday, and I have a meeting with Headmaster Dumbledore later tonight. He may understands my reasons, but he probably won't agree completely with the methods. Yes, I am crazy, look at all of you. You crazy people are my friends! Yes, Professor Snape knows how to smile, ask Draco. Professor Snape is his godfather. About my age, I didn't return my time turner to the Ministry after third year. I still use it from time to time and will surrender it to Professor McGonagall at the conclusion of my actions Halloween Night if necessary. If not, I will return it to the Ministry before graduation."
She was going to get Dumbledore's permission to haul off and shag Lupin! The world must be ending; Dumbledore was finally going to be driven insane by his students. This was unacceptable! How could she even approach the Headmaster with an issue like this; especially to get his permission to use an illegal and potential dangerous potion!
"I will tell you one last thing before I release the wards. The next day, I will probably spend crying. The man I choose will have no memory of a night I'm sure I will never forget." And with those closing words, she absently flicked her hand and walked her friends to the door.
Draco paused in the doorframe and leaned closer to whisper in her ear. "He is your match, probably more that you realize. He cares for you, even if he doesn't accept it yet. He'll be more affected by you than the potion, Hermione." He noticed Sev slumped, unmoving, beside the private lab and decided to bait him a little. "Don't be too rough on him. It might confuse him to find bite and claw marks and not know where they came from." He said loud enough for Severus to hear.
Hermione punched him in the stomach, lightly, she knew who Draco was really baiting. "Get out of here! And don't worry," She smirked confidently, "I already have that part figured out. I do know a few good healing charms."
She closed the door behind Draco and walked over to Snape. This situation had been unexpected and potentially embarrassing. She extended her hand to him and innocently asked, "Need help getting up, Professor Snape?" Her brown-eyes twinkled mischievously.
"I can do it just fine, thank you." That little prat. She was enjoying catching him off guard. "I'll escort you back to the Headmaster's Office. I'm sure you have plans to finish." He stated coldly.
Hermione grabbed her things and exited behind Professor Snape. It didn't occur to her until she was drifting off to sleep that he had not forced her to turn over the lust/forgetfulness potion.