disclaimer: No...I do not own any of the characters from Harry Potter. J.K. Rowling is a genius!
Thanks again for continuing to read and being patient for my updates! Almost done with the next chapter as well... so not too much longer! ;)
-boots-
Somewhere several miles north of the village of Ottery St. Catchpole, the first rays of morning light kissed the snow that blanketed the small garden in front of the Lovegood house. Luna Lovegood sat at her window, tracing a finger steadily along the glass, observing the little icy patterns in the morning frost as if they contained a hidden message. She rested her forehead against the cool windowpane and dreamed languidly about what the future held for her and the little baby growing beneath her skin. Had this happened to any other young woman, they would have been at the very least a bit panicked. But Luna had accepted her "condition" with her usual calm confidence that everything would somehow fall into its appropriate place. Neville Longbottom, on the other hand, had been quite rattled by the whole idea of fatherhood. Luna smiled as she thought about Neville. After his initial shock had subsided, Neville had become increasingly protective and far more sure of himself than anyone had ever seen him. There was no doubt in her mind that Neville would make an excellent father. She tenderly ran a hand over her stomach, which was hardly showing any signs of her little passenger yet.
"Hungry…"
Luna pulled a fluffy blue robe over her pajamas and padded downstairs where she met her father in the kitchen. This morning was particularly frigid and Luna was anxious for a warm cuppa.
Xenophilius Lovegood, who was still quite ignorant to Luna's condition, peered at her over the top of the Quibbler. "Toast?"
She nodded and was just about to sit down when she suddenly felt very dizzy and momentarily lost her balance.
"Are you quite alright?" Mr. Lovegood stood awkwardly, clearly concerned.
"Yes- I'm fine" Luna responded dreamily as she sat down at the table.
"Yes, well… can't be too careful with those wrackspurts flitting about this time of year" He smiled at his daughter and tended to the tea.
Luna's eyes rolled back in her head and her breath hitched roughly as her whole body suddenly lurched forward onto the table.
"The severer of darkness will be saved by a lion…" her voice was low and guttural.
Mr. Lovegood dropped the teapot as Luna's body continued to undulate as if under a strange trance.
"And the lion may be spared the sting of death by an invisible shield while the great serpent will be struck down by its own venom. The lion will lie in wait and wake when the frost has once more thawed… and returned."
Luna's body quieted and she smiled up at her father as if nothing odd had happened at all.
"Is there any jam left?"
Hermione could barely breathe. Her whole body felt numb and from time to time she seemed to black out altogether. She struggled to free herself but to no avail; her own limbs rebelled against her force. The Dark Lord loomed over her body to begin the spell that would assist him in draining her blood. He smiled at the helpless girl, writhing on the table, knowing that it would not be long before she lay silent and still- nothing more than a cooling corpse.
"Why are you doing this?"
The Dark Lord chuckled. "Surely you are clever enough to figure that one out all by yourself, girl"
"He will come for me" she weakly managed through shallow breaths.
"Your precious professor? I think not. But perhaps he'll harvest your remains for ingredients once I'm done with you."
"You're wrong" she smiled a little deliriously and began to fall into a deep sleep. The Dark Lord raised his wand and began.
"Verus in altari cruor est…"
Severus Snape mumbled the password and slipped through the portrait into the tiny hidden room where the vanishing cabinet stood in the corner. Even with Lucius's wand, breaking through the wards would require all of his concentration. They were incredibly complex and the Potions Master knew that there simply wasn't time for error. A passing thought of Hermione's lifeless face broke his focus and he found himself momentarily unable to continue. He took a deep breath and summoned to his mind an image of Hermione smiling at him the way she had when they had discussed muggle literature. He would not fail Katrina again. Hermione would live. With renewed vigor, he set back to work on the cabinet.
"I'm going with you"
Severus pinched the bridge of his nose and exhaled roughly. "You will stay here with the others, Mr. Potter…I'll not have you displaying foolish heroics while Miss Granger's life is at risk-"
"I'm going with you"
Severus turned to Harry menacingly; his stare shrouded the boy like some omen of death. "Do not assume, Mr. Potter, that the Dark Lord is powerless in this state. You would be wise to -"
"You're wasting time" Harry bit out quickly, his eyes boring into his professor's.
The wizard's eyes darkened and he hastily turned back to the cabinet. If anyone could have seen his face, they would have seen that for the first time in a long time, Severus Snape was scared. It was vital that it end. The war, the revels, the servitude to a madman... the darkness; it would end today.
Some small part of the Dark Lord's mind was uneasy – the piece of him that could never be replaced by fostered parts – the piece of Tom Riddle that remained like some unsightly stain upon his soul. He took in Hermione's features - soft curls cradling an even softer face. She looked like he had in his youth- dark eyes, long fingers and something naturally aristocratic about her slightly upturned nose. But her mouth was distinctly her mother's.
"Katrina" The name caught in his throat and caused his voice to crack a little. This piece of Tom Riddle was still vulnerable to human emotions- to memories of a woman he once loved more than life itself. A woman who tried to stop the inevitable darkness that would one day consume the man she had loved. Tom gently brushed a stray hair away from Hermione's sleeping face. He had heard much of the little mudblood witch over the years- showing up purebloods left and right with her effortless aptitude for magic. It all made sense now and he couldn't help but feel a small swell of pride in this quiet moment between father and daughter. But the bitter, dark creature he had become surfaced quickly to the forefront of his mind and he retracted his hand from her face in disgust. Hermione's blood had been the cure for his broken body all along. The magic that flowed through her veins was powerful and he licked his lips greedily at the thought of draining it from her little body.
He reflected on Katrina once more- her laugh rang out like a heavy bell in his mind. Her beauty- her poise… her determination. She haunted him in that moment- taunted him from the face of their own child… their flesh…their blood. Tom Riddle set his hands on the table to steady himself. A feeling swelled from deep within his chest and the monster inside him recoiled, unsure of what this building sensation could be. But the man in him knew it was regret. A single tear worked its way through his scarlet eye and the infamous Dark Lord bowed his head in acceptance of this emotion. He was tired. He missed Katrina and he hated the world he had created without her in it. Hermione was the only living evidence of his soul- the only physical manifestation of the love he was once able to feel. It was then that he noticed the necklace. The twin snakes. He touched the girl's face yet again and thought about the woman who gave her life so that this brilliant and beautiful girl might live. This girl… their daughter. That word had never seemed so important before this moment. Tom Riddle bent low over Hermione and placed a single kiss on her forehead.
"I'm so…"
The vanishing cabinet clicked into place and as the door flew open, Harry Potter stood boldly before him- wand at the ready with fire in his eyes. "What have you done to her!" He motioned to what appeared to be a lifeless Hermione on the table.
Severus rather casually stepped into the room and for a moment all time seemed to stand still. Tom stared at Severus and backed away from his daughter until his back was pressed firmly against the wall. Severus felt altogether unnerved by this. For the first time, Lord Voldemort seemed so human.
"Answer me!" Harry demanded.
The dark wizard said nothing and tilted his head to watch as Snape approached the girl and retrieved two vials from his sleeve. Holding one under her nose, he caressed her cheek ever so lightly with the back of his hand.
"Finite" His throat was dry and his breath hitched as he observed the cauldron next to her was nearly filled to the brim with her blood. Severus, who usually maintained an impenetrable mask of indifference, looked like he was going to be sick.
The Dark Lord's eyes narrowed in understanding.
"You… you love her" he laughed.
Severus said nothing but drew his wand up defensively. Hermione's eyes fluttered open and Harry ran to her side.
"You're pathetic Snape" The words dripped like venom from his tongue.
"You're the pathetic one!" Harry spat indignantly, pushing his way past his professor.
Again Severus said nothing but raised his wand and in one brisk movement, Harry was tossed roughly to the other side of the room.
The Dark Lord bowed his head almost gracefully and brought up his wand. Tom Riddle was most certainly gone.
"Stop looking at me like that" Draco Malfoy sat propped up in a very uncomfortable chair. He had been given some potions to ease the pain of his broken body but would likely require spellwork and plenty of Skele-Gro to repair the damage. Tonks would be transporting him St. Mungo's once she had finished up her report with Kingsley Shacklebolt. In the meantime, it was up to Ron Weasley to keep him company.
"I've got some Drooble's in my pocket if you want" he offered weakly.
Draco rolled his eyes and turned to watch as the aurors took his father away. A part of him felt relief at this. It felt as if they were removing a piece of his own soul that had begun to rot away. He watched his mother – the way her delicate hands fidgeted with the lace of her dress. He hoped he could be strong enough for both of them. And as they locked eyes and he saw her smile timidly- Draco knew that his mother was finally free. He thought about Hermione. What did the Dark Lord want with her and why had his father and godfather been charged with protecting her as a baby…and who on Earth was Katrina?
"Chocolate frog?"
"Do you always carry this much candy around in your trousers Weasel?"
Ron, who had been feeling around his pocket for a Fizzing Whizbee, suddenly thought better of it and shrugged, clearing his throat.
"So…about what size sweater would you say you wear then Malfoy?"
"I beg your pardon?" The blonde boy cocked his eyebrow and glared at Ron.
"Well…it's just that…it's Christmas time…"
Draco gave him a searching look, unsure of how to respond.
"My mum… she makes these sweaters every year- perhaps you've seen them…she knits the first initial of…"
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Well… you and Hermione…you know...you're-"
"We most certainly are not! I'm not interested in Granger like that!"
It was now Ron's turn to look curiously at Draco. Was it possible Draco didn't know that they were in fact cousins?
"I meant… well…the two of you are…"
At that moment Thomas Crowe approached Draco stiffly and sat down.
"You're part of the Order aren't you…like Snape…" Draco did not loo at him directly.
"Yes" Thomas replied unevenly. "I'm sorry… you… I mean…I'm sorry about your father"
Ron looked back and forth between the two boys. There was an awkward pause before he finally got up and left them alone to talk.
"Why did you come here? What were you and Granger doing here?"
Draco sighed heavily. "I heard them talking about how you couldn't be trusted…I …I thought they were going to kill you"
Thomas was stunned. He wasn't used to having people fret over him in such a way and he was admittedly unsure of how to react. "It was stupid of you, you know…coming here..."
"You're telling me" Draco winced. "I'm not terribly big on pain"
The two sat in silence for a bit before Thomas carefully placed a hand on Draco's shoulder.
"Your father…when I was young…he...he killed my father"
Draco opened his mouth to speak only to have Thomas stop him abruptly.
"You and your... mother have made me feel… connected…for the first time in my whole life…thank you". The words felt very foreign in his mouth and he knew he had perhaps been a bit blunt but he felt a great weight lift from his heart. He also felt that for the first time, he had a true friend.
Draco held out his hand, which the other boy silently accepted.
"Oi- Weasley…" Thomas called to Ron. "Got any more Droobles?"
Albus Dumbledore stroked his beard thoughtfully. Much was about to change. His eyes twinkled as a very worn out Remus Lupin approached him, with more than a slight limp in his step.
"You knew all along- didn't you?"
"I have no idea what you mean dear boy" The old wizard smirked.
"What do you intend to tell young Mr. Malfoy then? He ought to know she is his cousin-"
"How do the muggles say it, Remus… let's.. ah, yes… let's let the chips fall where they may…"
Ron had joined the two Slytherins and the three boys now sat in relative harmony; enjoying their sweets… even if it was in silence. The werewolf cocked his head, in typical canine fashion, and eyed the boys across the room. He thought about James and Sirius and a lump formed in the back of his throat. Would this really be the end of the darkness that had loomed over them all for so long? Could things ever be as peaceful as the three students he now observed? His eyes wandered over to the vanishing cabinet and he furrowed his brow in worry.
"How long should we wait? What if they can't get back through the cabinet?"
Albus placed a confident but gentle hand on Remus's shoulder.
"What if they're already dead…" Remus continued "what if…"
"Now, now Remus… a great many men have 'what iffed' themselves to an early grave…I shouldn't like for you to be among them… who would I get to fill the DADA post at such short notice?" Albus beamed at the timorous werewolf.
"Now then…" The Headmaster abruptly turned his attention to Neville Longbottom, who had been careful to stay out of the way in the aftermath of the battle and was now quietly sitting by the only window in the room.
"Morning already- is it?"
Neville jumped a little at the Headmaster's voice behind him and stammered a barely audible reply. The young man looked tired, Dumbledore thought to himself.
"Mr. Longbottom…I really must thank you for your vigilance. Without you, we might never have found Miss Granger and Mr. Malfoy in time."
Neville didn't say anything, only nodded in recognition of the old wizard's words. He was thinking of Luna. He wanted more than anything to be with her right now. And in this moment, he didn't care who knew their secret. He needed to touch her; to know that she was safe. He needed to be with his family.
"You know… Neville… your parents would be very proud of the young man you've become." Dumbledore peered at him over the rims of his spectacles.
"I'm not so sure about that sir" Neville mumbled guiltily.
"I am" the Headmaster smiled. "I can't imagine what it must feel like…"
"Sir?"
"To have a piece of your heart forever go walking around outside of your body…"
Neville stared at the Headmaster with a questioning look.
"That's what I have heard having a child is like."
At this, Neville's eyes grew wide and he began to stutter a bit. Dumbledore's eyes shined like polished glass.
"I… I…"
"What is it my boy?" His voice was tender and reassuring.
"I… that is… we… that is… Luna and I…"
The Headmaster suppressed a smile.
"We're… Luna and I are to have a baby this Summer sir and I love her and I don't care who knows about it and she's everything to me and it's probably a girl in which case we're thinking of naming her Angelica"
It suddenly got very quiet. Everyone in the room had turned to hear Neville's confessional rant and were shocked to say the very least. It was as if someone had slipped the poor boy veritaserum. Oddly enough, Neville felt a certain sense of relief rather than embarrassment.
"What are you lot all gaping at then?" Tonks was the first to break the awkward silence as she walked over to Neville and playfully punched him in the arm. "Merlin's beard! He hasn't got spattergroit! He's having a baby!" She punched again for good luck.
"Congrats Longbottom!"
Severus lurched forward; dodging and lunging about the room. The Dark Lord flung curses at him swiftly and the powerful magic from his wand splintered the air with darkness. Severus knew this would be a duel to the death, but she was worth any and all risks. He had to know that Hermione would be safe from this evil that had plagued the Wizarding world for too long; the same evil that had twisted his younger self into the mangled and bitter man he now was. Above all else, he had to keep his promise to Katrina.
"Give up, you fool" The Dark Lord hissed. "It's over"
Severus blocked another curse and sharply swung his wand overhead, casting such a fierce blasting curse that he, in fact lost his own balance.
"I should have known you would betray me in the end, boy… but then, you always did have a soft spot for little mudbloods…" The Dark Lord hissed and regained his footing. "Crucio!"
Severus barely dodged the hex as he ducked behind the cabinet. "She 's your daughter, you maniac…" Severus noticed a mirror on the far wall and quickly charmed it to turn slightly to the left so as to create a distraction, which he hoped would give him the advantage he needed to strike.
Sure enough, the light reflecting off the mirror caused the Dark Lord to turn his head if only for a moment. Out of the corner of his eye, the Potion's Master saw Hermione bring a hand up to rest on her forehead. She was weak but alive.
"Sectumsempra" It was almost a whisper but his intention was crystal clear. The Dark Lord screamed in agony as the curse worked through his body. Deep bloody cuts appeared haphazardly along his arms and cheekbones.
Hermione could hear muffled sounds and see flashes of light in her peripheral vision but she was still quite disoriented from the loss of blood. Her back ached and it felt as though she was laying on something. She reached under her back to find a small vial, snuggly nestled between her body and the table. Observing the brassy color of the substance, she assumed it might be a blood-replenishing potion. She carefully uncorked the vial and brought it to her nose. It smelled of unicorn's milk and something she couldn't quite decipher. Severus watched as she cautiously examined the potion before drinking it. A slight smile played upon his thin lips; he had taught her well.
"You mutinous half blood!" The Dark Lord lunged at him and Severus drew up his wand with a snap, roughly throwing his old master against the opposite wall with tremendous force.
Hermione stood up from the table, gripping the sides of it for balance. Severus knew it would take a few minutes for the potion to take effect. He had to get her out of there.
"Miss Granger…get to the cabinet, the Order is waiting for you"
"I can't leave you and Harry here" she motioned to a very unconscious Harry Potter slumped over in the corner like some forgotten toy.
His robes billowed as he strode over toward her and Severus set his face in the most intimidating scowl he could conjure.
"Hermione…" He was nearly an inch from her face and he longed now more than ever to reach out and touch her. "Please"
Severus wiped the sweat from his forehead with a free hand and silently implored her with his eyes. Hermione reached a hand up to his gaunt face and pushed a few strands of limp black hair behind his ear. She tenderly ran her thumb along his jaw line until she reached his lips. Severus lowered his gaze, unsure of what he should be feeling for her.
"Please" he repeated.
Hermione lifted his chin up and stared deeply at his cold face. Her chocolate eyes were flecked with the most beautiful gold and honey tones. Severus realized that he had never really looked so closely at them before and he found that he was grateful for this quiet moment in the midst of the Dark Lord's madness. He had never wanted to kiss any woman the way he wanted to kiss her at that moment.
"Avada Kedavra"
The room pulsed with dark magic and Hermione's eyes suddenly reflected an all too familiar green glow and then... a blinding light enveloped them both. Severus felt a tight pang in his chest and the very last sound Severus Snape heard was a shrill scream before his body hit the stone floor.