Chapter 11-The Power of Blood
Halfway through November on a Friday evening, Severus and Draco were enjoying a pleasant cup of tea together when the Dark Mark burned. They were in Severus' private chambers and Draco had decided to keep an extra set of his Death Eater robes with his Uncle. Just in case. As Severus hurriedly got dressed, Draco floo'd the Head Boy's Room to retrieve his mask, told Hermione to inform Dumbledore where him and Severus were off to, and of course to kiss Ginny goodbye. They slipped out of the castle unnoticed and pressed their wands to the ugly, writhing mark.
"My Lord," they said together as they bowed at the feet of their 'Master.'
"My ever faithful and loyal subjects. How goes it at Hogwarts? Any news of plans?"
"My Lord," Severus humbly replied, "Dumbledore believes you will strike at the end of the school year. His preparations will not be completed until March. What I gathered from him is that he believes that by then he will have found a weakness to exploit."
"Good, good. Let the old fool think I have something he can use to maim me. Draco, do you have any news?"
"Yes, my Lord, that filthy mudblood," he spat venomously, "believes that as long as all of Potter's friends stick together, they can defeat you. Nevertheless, she is starting to see things my way. I believe that is will be possible to convert her."
"Which nasty little children would she be referring to?" the Dark Lord all but purred.
"The same that tried to confront you at the Department of Mysteries, my Lord. The youngest Weasleys, Luna Lovegood, Neville Longbottom, the bitch, and of course, myself."
"Hmm. I foresee no danger from them. Their feelings make them weak. Since you are accepted among them, do spread some discord for me. Confirm her loyalties; I may have you bring her to me soon. You may rise, Draco."
"Yes, my Lord."
"Severus, continue gathering information from that old fool. You should also spread discord among the friends during your potion classes."
"Yes, my Lord."
"Rise, Severus. Draco. You and Severus will accompany me on a walk."
They bowed and replied, "Yes, my Lord." As they rose together.
"The day after fall exams are completed. That is when the Final Battle will take place. Severus and Draco, I need you to convince Dumbledore to have everyone at the Qudditch Pitch. Make up something like a faculty/student match to 'uplift' everyone's feelings. I don't care, but it must be concluding by eight o'clock that evening. Do you understand me? I will call you in three weeks time to solidify the plans. You may return to Hogwarts." He said as he waved his hand at them carelessly.
"As you have commanded, my Lord. It will be done." Draco and Severus gladly apparated back to the Forbidden Forest.
They returned to Severus' quarters in silence and quickly removed their vile robes. They both hated what the robes and masks represented. Severus went off in search of the Headmaster and Draco called the group of aforementioned friends to the potions classroom. He knew Hermione would already be there waiting patiently.
And again, as the last person arrived, Hermione put up the wards, keyed so only the Headmaster or Professor Snape could enter without setting off an unpleasant and somewhat nasty hex. They all sat in a circle. It would have been preferable to meet outside, but it was cold with a bitterly whipping wind today.
Draco stood; they had never seen him so serious, no trace of the fun-loving Draco could they find in his face or eyes. "Hermione, you were right, the Dark Lord will be striking the day after exams are completed this term." He paused and sneered, "There is good news though. He isn't looking to create a blood bath so he is giving us time to secure the other students; the only blood he craves is all of yours. He remembers those who have defied him. He still harbors aggression towards all who ruined his plans for the prophecy at the Department of Mysteries in fifth year." He sent the words the Dark Lord had spoken regarding Hermione only to her and she acknowledged his warning with a simple look.
They sat still, completely shocked. With the exception of Draco, Ginny, and Luna, the others had been convinced that Hermione possessed no Divination skills. They had been present when professor Trelawney told her she had no aura for that art. But she was right!
"It has been a few weeks since you informed us of your plan, Hermione. Ginny and I decided that being bonded would help. Harry and Ron, Luna and Neville, have you four made your decision yet? If so, Hermione would you please do the bonding today?"
Hermione was glad she had brought her athame with her and nodded.
Harry and Ron looked at each other and Harry responded to Draco's question with a "yes." Luna and Neville shot each other a similar look and Neville answered with a shy "yes." Draco nodded to Hermione.
Hermione stood. "This is permanent." She hesitated. "If you are killed in battle, you other half will fall ill. You may or may not be able to recover, but your brothers and sisters of the blood will show you the way back to life. You may even be able to find love again. And I do stress the word may. Are you all prepared for this sacrifice?"
Ginny replied," You aren't the only one capable of research, Hermione," she said softly. "Luna and I looked up the effects and we all agree that this is the best course of action. After all, true love is what has protected Harry so much all these years."
Hermione gave them all a piercing gaze and they eventually all squirmed under her scrutiny. "As long as you fully understand and accept the terms. This is slightly different from the other ritual. I will draw a line across both hands. You will clasp hands and kiss for the duration of the spell."
They nodded and went to stand next to their significant other. "We are ready," the three couples intoned gravely as one.
No one saw as Professor Snape slipped into the classroom silently; Draco had told him that they would all be here. He had caught Hermione's words and automatically understood what was about to take place. "Miss Granger," he drawled, "what about your love? Shouldn't you invite him to participate?" He rumbled smugly.
Draco, Ginny, and Luna shot him warning looks. They knew he was her love and it was wrong for him to bait her so before she was to perform this spell.
Hermione's eyes shot up and she glared at him. She lowered her eyes. Severus noticed she looked paler and thinner as if the pressure of all of this was directly affecting her. "No, Professor Snape, he would not bond with me. He can admit his love while in a dream-like state, but has not heart enough to say those words openly. Rejection is not something that is useful for this spell." Hermione almost started crying, she consciously squared her shoulders; she had thought she had no more tears to cry one week after Halloween. She had been wrong.
"My condolences," he replied insincerely. He was still smarting that he wasn't the one she loved, even though he knew it was impossible.
"Professor Snape, if you are to be present for this, please refrain from speaking. This is for the protection of the others; I can protect myself. I don't need the man I love to sacrifice anything more; he sacrifices enough without me adding to his burden load." She said lowly, brutally professional, her anger was rising in response to his bitterness. She wished she could soothe him, but he would never allow it.
She raised her head and none of the emotions racing through her could be discerned. Her face was wooden, just like it had been before they had participated in the brother/sister bonding ceremony. "Please step forward in turn." She said almost harshly; it was harder each day for her to control her anger, but hopefully the energy required for this ceremony would bled her anger a little.
Severus made his way to his desk and sat down to watch. His attention was not focused on what was about to happen. He had the feeling that before he had fallen asleep Halloween night that his mind had registered something, but he couldn't for the life of him recall what it possibly had to deal with.
The couples ignored him and followed Hermione's instructions. Draco gave him an angry look; he would be fussing his bloody godfather out later this evening.
"Clasp hands and being the kiss." Hermione commanded quietly.
They did as she bade them.
Hermione sank to her knees and lifted her arms towards the heavens.
Blood calls to blood.
Hearts call to hearts.
With this power, we will now start.
Love can bring us together,
This is what we wish to impart.
If ever we are in danger,
If ever we face a plight,
Our hearts can call their mate
To give us new light.
From this moment on,
We are never alone,
Night can never conquer the day,
As long as our hearts are still strong.
Blood calls to blood.
Hearts call to hearts.
There is no power that can snuff out our love,
No power can deny what we now start.
As we will, so mote it be.
There were a few slight differences in the way this ritual affected them. This time, the couples could feel their partner's hearts beating as one with their own; the only sound and feeling in their world. The love they felt for each other lifted them off the ground. As they broke their kisses, they were slowly lowered back down.
Hermione dropped her arms. She didn't bother attempting to stand. Her heart seemed to be breaking all over again; she was so envious of the love each of them possessed. She bowed her head and silently wept. Her body racked with pain. The spell had bled her anger, but it seemed to have bled her heart as well. She knew the others were trying to talk to her, but she couldn't hear them. The only noise she heard was the thundering of her single heartbeat. For the first time, since the day her parents died, she felt completely and utterly alone. Blackness engulfed her and she surrendered to the absence of pain, the absence of loneliness, the absence of everything it offered.
The others had felt her pain and were trying to ask her how they could help. She collapsed into a heap on the floor. They all moved toward her, but Professor Snape got there first; they hadn't even seen or heard him move. He gently scooped her up, held her protectively against his chest, and headed toward the Hospital Wing. They all followed him; running to keep up.
Severus was silently cursing himself and her the whole way to Poppy. He shouldn't have baited her; it was a very childish and stupid thing to do. She should have known better than to perform a blood ritual like this; it was much more powerful than the other one she had done. True love was an extremely powerful thing. 'Damn it Mia,' he thought ferociously, 'if you loved me, I would have bonded with you tonight. It wouldn't have taken so much out of you if you were being bonded as well.'
Poppy better know how to handle this; somebody had better know how to handle this or there would be Hell to pay. He wouldn't lose her now, not like this.
Severus kicked open the doors and loudly called for Poppy. She was there almost instantaneously. "Blood magic; stupid chit didn't have someone to ground her as she preformed the love-binding for three couples."
Poppy gasped; she had never faced anything like this. Nor could she believe that Hermione would recklessly endanger her life. "Severus, the only thing that can help her is having the ones who love her near, sending all their love for her to her. Lie her down on the bed; I'll go get more chairs."
"We don't need more chairs, Madam Pomfrey." Draco said before Poppy turned away. Everyone looked at him questioningly.
She gave him a stern look and opened her mouth to dress him down.
Draco interrupted her, "Hermione knew this was a possibility. I know what to do." Draco drew his wand a muttered the same variation of the silencio charm Hermione used to keep their meetings private to create a dome around them along with a disillusion charm to conceal their actions from prying eyes; and quickly replaced his wand.
Poppy gave him a scathing glance and spun out to get the Headmaster, muttering to herself about disrespectful students.
"Everyone, gather in a circle around her. Uncle Sev, please sit next to her and hold her hand. Don't give me that look, Sev. You're one of the few who can ground her. She trusts you without any reservations." Professor Snape shot his godson a poisonous look, but complied. This was going to be hard for him.
Draco continued as if nothing significant had happened. "That's right, each person beside their other half. Weave your fingers together. Focus on the things about Hermione you love and say the words with me; you'll know them once I start. Uncle Sev, you are the only exception: focus on what draws you to Hermione; do not say the words. Okay. Everyone ready?"
They all nodded and raised their interlocked hands to the sky.
Blood calls to blood.
Like calls to like.
Our combined power now help us do right.
Our sister is in danger,
Our sister faces a plight,
Give her our strength,
Do not give her to the night.
She is not alone,
Night will not conquer day,
As her brothers and sisters,
We now show her the way.
Blood calls to blood.
Like calls to like.
Our combined power now rejects this plight.
As we will, so mote it be.
Instead of causing them to sag with weariness, like they expected, they all felt renewed. They dropped their arms. Hermione still wasn't moving other than to breathe. They all looked towards Draco. He nodded; there was a part that had yet to be completed.
"All my Gryffindors, go head off McGonagall. Luna, talk to the Headmaster and explain what happened. Yes, I know. She'll be fine soon; but you have to leave for the next part."
"But," all the boys started to protest. Ginny and Luna who, courtesy of their research and conversations with Hermione, knew what was next and pulled the boys forcibly out of the ward to do their assigned tasks.
Severus appreciated Draco dismissing the others. He sat stiller than a statue. He couldn't breathe; why wasn't she waking? What part was left to done? Didn't the handholding enable her to come back?
Draco broke the silence, "Uncle Sev, you have to kiss her." Severus shot him a stunned look. Draco rolled his eyes. "You don't to kiss her on the lips. Kiss either her forehead or her cheek. You grounded her; now you have to bring her back here."
Severus stood, bent over, and brushed his lips over her cheek; he hoped Draco didn't notice how he lingered there for a moment. She would never willingly submit to his touch; he would enjoy what little contact this allowed. Then he straightened, whirled around, and marched back to his dungeons. Why had his godson made him be the one to ground her? He thought he recalled from his days of briefly flirting with blood magic that only someone the person loved could ground them and bring them back. No doubt, Miss Granger had altered that aspect of the spell. That still left him with how? And why? He decided that some research was on order. 'I wonder if I can find those books.'
Hermione opened her eyes in time to see him vanish out the door, she knew he didn't like to display any kind of affection and he had to do so to help her in front of his godson. Draco took her into his arms and let her weep. Even with the strength of her brothers and sisters, she felt she had no strength at all. The torrent of tears would not be controlled.
They stayed like that for hours and luckily, no one dared to disturb them. Hermione fell asleep enfolded in her brother's arms and warmed by his love. Draco remained awake; Hermione needed him too much for him to abandon her in any form. Sleep for him could wait. Draco sighed; at least tomorrow was a Saturday.