Disclaimer:- I neither own nor earn anything from the world of Harry Potter. I only claim my plot; anything you recognise is the property of JK Rowling and associates.
sSs
A/N:- There is a description of Penelope's attack in this chapter, I always like to warn people about things like this, it is only short, but fairly vivid if you wish to skip it.
hHh
Chapter Eighteen - Steps Towards Recovery
It was a sleepy teaching staff who collected for breakfast the next morning. Predictably there were several members missing, most notably Bill Weasley. If it hadn't been for the fact that his students had OWL's and NEWT's in seven weeks, perhaps he would have taken some leave, as it was he thought that keeping busy was probably the best course.
Luna had arrived at the hidden sanctuary and collected James, Albus and Lily to take them to have breakfast with her, Frank and Xanthia, so the only people left were Bill, Penelope and the still sleeping Ginny. At seven o'clock Bill knocked on Penelope's door. "I've brought you a cup of tea, Ellie?"
"Come in, Bill," he heard and opened the door. He'd actually brought a tray with tea and toast for two on it. He was hoping that if he ate with her, perhaps they could both manage to force some food down. Placing the tray on the dressing table, Bill sat on the edge of the bed.
They had been friends for three years now, ever since his divorce really. Bill was uncertain when his feelings towards her had started to change, he only knew that being friends was no longer enough. Unfortunately, now was not the proper time to admit that.
"Ellie, something's happened last night, and I need to tell you, okay?" He watched her still sleepy cornflower blue eyes open further in something akin to alarm. Sweet Merlin she's beautiful, sitting there all sleep tousled. Her pretty blond curls cascading around her face and shoulders. Her clear creamy skin… oh my lord man, get a grip.
He shifted his position, and crossed the leg nearest to her over the other when he felt an opinion from further south air its views. This is your brother's wife… and you've got to tell her he's dead. This is no time to ignite your inappropriate crush on your best friend… and she is my best friend too. "Ellie, it's Percy," he managed, before he heard a gasping sob.
"He's not here is he?" she asked timidly, but grabbed Bill's arm in a strong grip. "I don't want to see him." He watched her expression change and tears start to threaten.
"No, Ellie… no, shh." Bill picked up the hand off his arm and placing it in both of his, he stroked it. "It's nothing like that." He looked down at their joined hands, "Ellie… he's dead," he told her after a moment.
"Oh…" she opened her mouth like she'd been going to say something more and then closed it again. There were silent tears starting to trickle down her cheeks. "I'm not crying for him," she asserted wiping at them. "I'm crying for me, I'm an awful person," she looked back up; her eye lashes wet and clumped together, "because I didn't want him to come back, he'd changed so much the last few years," she said as her tears increased, "that's one of the reasons why I was leaving him."
"I know," Bill smoothed, "and you're not an awful person." He handed her a handkerchief he'd conjured. "The Aurors think what happened to you was inflicted by the same people who killed Percy."
"What happened to him?"
"The investigators think it was the killing curse, and that it's not related to the Harry Potter investigation."
"So, why?"
"Oh I don't know," Bill sighed. "Percy was stupid sometimes in his diplomatic dealings. The Aurors think it was someone who took offence at being sold off to the highest bidder, they messed him up a fair bit before they killed him, I reckon he was associating with some dangerous people." Bill hesitated before he asked, "Do you remember anything about your attack?"
Penelope shivered, "No, not much more than I told the Aurors. I remember going to have a bath. I knew Percy would want to go as soon as he got home. He always did, so I thought I'd get ready before he got there," she glanced up at Bill, before adding, "I've always hated being rushed."
Bill nodded, "Where were you going?"
"Another ministry function, something for the Russian ambassador, I believe." She swallowed slowly and cleared her throat. "I poured myself a glass of wine from the open bottle that was in the cooling cabinet and got into the bath."
Bill noticed that she blushed a little as she told him this, and he remembered pulling her naked body from that same bath, and laying her on the floor to heal her wrists as best he could. A wave of nausea hit him as he remembered the blood, but he was brought back from that recollection by her soft voice continuing.
"I remember feeling really heavy, and I couldn't keep my eyes open. Even when I heard footsteps, I couldn't open my eyes," a little sob escaped her as she recalled what happened next. "It was like I had no control over my body, even when I felt someone holding my forearm under the water. I think they had gloves on… and then sharp pain at my wrists, one then the other and still I couldn't move…" and she was crying again.
"It's all right, you've said enough." Bill patted the hand he still held. He wanted to do more, but felt really helpless. Anything past this was straying into dangerous territory, he had to keep telling himself this was his dead brother's, wife. "They drugged you, that's why you couldn't react," Bill soothed.
He finally gave in after another moment, and took her into his arms. They both sighed, but after a time Penelope said, "I'd like to go home, Bill. If Madam Pomfrey says it's all right, would you take me to my parent's house, I need to be away from everyone for a while."
"Sure, Ellie." Bill closed his eyes, dragging in the scent of her through his nose so he would remember it. She was being wise, of course she was, it was too soon. "As much as I want you here with me, I can see you're doing the right thing."
"I know Bill… may I tell you that some time in the future," she drew back and looked into his hazel eyes, "I'll be ready to hear what you're not saying. But right now, everything's too raw, even if having your arms around me feels very right, it's all wrong. I hope you understand."
"Yeh, but if you ever need me… you know," he watched her nod.
Penelope had settled by the time Madam Pomfrey came to check on her, and Bill was back in the kitchen. "I think you're strong enough to spend some time up today. Have a shower and so forth," the Matron told her, staying in bed under the circumstances will only make you more miserable.
This had tears snaking their way down Penelope's cheeks again, but she nodded. "I know, poor Molly must be heartbroken," she agreed. "Madam Pomfrey, I want to go to my parent's home. Bill has said he will take me, if you're happy for me to do that."
The matron nodded, "Yes, physically you're fine now, and time away will help a great deal. I'll organise a supply of sleeping potion and recommend some people who might be able to help you," Poppy patted her arm.
"Thank you, I appreciate that."
xox
Molly bustled in while this was going on, it was obvious from her red-rimmed eyes she'd been crying, but she was putting on a brave face now, and was feeling that industry was the best cure for pain. "Where are the children?" was her first question.
"Luna Longbottom came and collected them for breakfast," Bill replied.
They both watched Poppy Pomfrey shutting Penelope's door and moving to Ginny's. "I've advised Mrs Weasley to shower and get dressed but I wish to see her again before she leaves," she said to Bill as she passed through.
Molly was asking Bill questions about Penelope as they followed the matron into Ginny's bedroom, and there was much whispering and muttering. "She should be here with us," Molly was saying, "she was Percy's," her voice faltered, "…wife."
Bill sighed. "Yes, mum, and she's just lost her husband, cut her a little slack. She only wants a bit of breathing space, you know as well as I do that their marriage was far from ideal. Just let her be, ay?"
While all of this was happening, Poppy examined the Runes floating above Ginny's bed and drew her wand. She spoke a Rennervate type spell and they watched Ginny's eyes flutter. She raised her hand to her forehead shakily and she whimpered. "The light," she mumbled. Poppy dulled the light further, "What happened?" Her green eyes blinked vaguely.
This snapped Molly out of her Penelope induced diatribe. "Can't you remember, Gin?" she asked, instantly concerned.
"Not much," she replied, she still hadn't opened her eyes properly. "Really tired," was the only other thing she mumbled, and closed her eyes again.
Poppy turned to Molly to try and soothe her. "Don't worry, it will take time. The fact that she spoke to you and was not concerned about her environment are good signs, she's apparently recognised your voice as she didn't ask who you were." She squeezed Molly's arm, and turned back to her patient. Checking her vital functions, she then infused another thick nutrient rich brew directly into her stomach. "We'll try again later," she assured Molly.
While Molly was still stroking her daughter's arm, Poppy moved back out into the living area. She was quite cheered to see a dressed Penelope sitting with Bill having a quiet cup of tea when she came into the kitchen.
xox
It was still relatively early for the rest of the castle. Severus and Hermione had sat up talking, as trying to sleep seemed futile, an oppressive mood seemed to have gripped the castle, even though most residents didn't know the full extent of matters. Both were looking forward to getting away at the end of term.
Having been unable to sleep, they decided that an early morning walk to clear their heads was in order. As they wandered the well worn path around the lake, they failed to rest at the tree where Hermione usually stopped; even though it had become somewhat a favourite of them both lately. Instead they walked further around to a spot Severus knew they couldn't be seen from the castle.
There was a small grove of trees here and at this time of year they provided a hidden nook were you could simply sit and watch the lake, or partake of any other activity with privacy assured by the greenery and a few simple charms.
Severus led Hermione to the lush grassy knoll of sweet smelling summer sedge. He cast a spell that allowed them to feel the luxurious texture of the grass but not the early morning dew or chill, and he sat her amongst it while he ensured their privacy. Stepping outside his established aura of protection, he summoned an elf and ordered coffee, fruit and toast. Figuring they could get another hour of alone time before they were required in their classrooms, Severus got straight down to business when he stepped back into their sphere of protection. They wouldn't get another chance to be alone until this evening, and tonight after dinner was the first of their joint extra Potions classes.
While Severus was being so industrious, Hermione simply sat and watched him. She knew he was up to something, and seeing he was going to so much trouble to ensure their privacy, she was certain it had something to do with her being naked, or nearly so.
This morning, as had always been his habit, he went to great trouble to suggest to her what she might like to wear after their joint shower, and today it had all been things that opened down the front. She didn't always take his suggestions, but often she did, because she knew his Slytherin brain was working out things to their best advantage.
With the direction of her thoughts in mind, she was not surprised to see him cast a stasis charm on their breakfast, shirk off his outer robes and frockcoat and come and kneel beside her. She was reclining propped up on her elbows, and she watched him with interest as his long dextrous fingers made short work of the buttons on her blouse and parted the material. He did the same with the front closures on her undergarments, and immediately lowered his tongue to her breast, flicking the nipple of one until it was hard and craning upward, begging for more attention.
Once he had achieved this he left his fingers to play with it, while he performed the same ritual on the other. His other hand was not idle either; it had started from the bottom buttons on her skirt and opened it up to three buttons from the top.
Once he had her laying all open in front of him, his eyes perused her languidly. "You are so beautiful all spread out for my enjoyment," he commented heatedly.
His tongue then went back to work slithering down her body. Hermione arched up off the ground when his tongue took a broad swipe on reaching his goal.
She felt his tongue teasing her, just its tip flicking across her clit, like it had on her nipples. Her hips lifted off the ground again, and she grabbed at hand-fulls of the sweet smelling turf beneath her. The aroma of the bruised grass mingled with the other scents of summer around them, making a heady cocktail in the early morning air.
Severus chuckled wickedly as his witch came undone around his tongue, and as he listened to her pleasure he released himself so he could satiate himself within her welcoming body as well.
They both moaned when he plunged into her, holding himself still a moment to savour the feel of her around him, before withdrawing and thrusting back in once more. As he set up a steady rhythm, his mouth found hers again and he kissed her deeply. Their bodies singing with sensation, Hermione's squeals of delight mingling with the sounds of the breeze and the birds. They both loved expressing their love outdoors when given the opportunity, and this morning especially it had made them feel refreshed and ready for a long day, after little sleep.
xox
The next week was very busy. Ginny finally woke completely, three days after Percy's funeral. Poppy Pomfrey had said she might wake to the sound of one of them, and she'd woken spontaneously to the sound of Lily crying for someone to let her out of her cot.
It was Molly who happily discovered her daughter, on arriving at the infant's cry. Her joyful gasp of Ginny brought Bill to the room as well.
The change in the Runes then also brought the Matron; she had a linking spell set on them with the second set in her office, and there was an alarm that detected any changes. Of course, Ginny moving around and managing, with her brother's help to sit up a bit made the alarm go off and had the ever watchful Matron arriving to see what was happening.
This time Ginny was wide awake, and it didn't take her long to start asking questions. She waited patiently while Poppy examined her, and gratefully accepted the cup of tea Molly brought her.
So it was with her children snuggled around her and her second cup of tea in her hands, Molly, and soon Arthur, started to fill her in on what was happening.
Ginny found it difficult to believe that she and her children were finally safe. It all seemed so surreal, and after the children had been sent out to eat their breakfast with their Uncle Bill, even more bizarre when she was told by her father what had happened to her, who had saved her and who had actually delivered her to the hospital.
"When can I see them?" was Ginny's next question.
"We'll see if I we can organise something," Arthur said.
"Great," Ginny announced, "But I really need the bathroom and a shower."
"Perhaps a bath this time, Gin?" her mother told her.
Any further discussion was then drowned out by little Lily crying excitedly from the doorway. "Mes too, nanny, mes too. Pease, mes bath with mummy."
Molly nodded, and picked up the little girl who was still rambling on about baths, while Ginny tried to get out of bed.
The redhead found she was incredibly weak, "You know, I think making it to the loo is about all I'm going to manage at the moment anyway. I'm already tired again."
She made it to the bathroom unaided, and while she was sitting on the loo, panting from her exertions, and while she had privacy she examined herself to take in any damage. Critically looking down the front of her nightie, she noticed her ribs were showing, and the baby which had been just over six months along before her problem, was now a very prominent bump.
Her breasts which Harry had always been very picky about were still perfectly formed, but looked smaller. She laughed quietly, suddenly realising when this baby was born she wouldn't have to go another round with the painful body moulding spells she'd had after the other three children.
That had been so humiliating, she really hadn't thought there was anything wrong with the way she looked, but she'd learned the first time that if she defied him, that defiance meant things got painful. She had never been a submissive witch, but her husband forced her to be, and she'd hated every second of it. Of course once she'd had James, he used the infant to keep her in line, instead of his flogger. If she did the wrong thing… she shivered, and flushed the toilet.
While she was washing her hands, she muttered, "Better not think too much on that, I always managed to keep them safe." Although, examining her state of mind in general, all she found she felt, was profound relief. After having been told that Harry and Ron had been under a dark curse all these years; she was actually thinking it could have been a lot worse.
The scary part was that she wasn't certain how much longer she could have kept James from his father's wrath. He was getting very outspoken with regard to Harry's offhand treatment of her and Albus and Lily, and she'd purposely left him with George after the incident at the Leaky Cauldron.
She sighed, she couldn't believe she was a free woman again, or for that matter that she'd been coerced into marriage in the first place. Why hadn't anyone noticed? 'Mione would have; that probably why they stopped me from seeing her. They've been terrible to her, and still she came when I was in trouble. I want to see her as soon as I can.
She looked longingly at the bath. She definitely would be having that bath later, and a decent meal. All-in-all really, it could have been a lot worse she thought as she managed to make it back to the bed. Molly came back with a breakfast of porridge and toast, but she couldn't finish it before her eyes were closing once more.
xox
The same day Ginny had finally woken completely, the big news was that Harry and Ron had been sighted in Knockturn Alley, but had disappeared from sight when they had seen the Aurors approaching. They knew the Alley so well, after spending years arresting criminals there. They also most likely had people who were either willing to hide them, or that they were forcing to do so.
They seemed to have gotten wind that Ginny was still alive, because Kingsley had been expecting them to arrive at the Ministry grandstanding about how the two ex-death eaters had killed Ginny Potter. The fact that Harry in particular hadn't, told them that he knew he'd look like a fool if he did.
So he'd obviously found out that she'd been saved. That information could only have come from one person, as far as any of them were concerned. So, regardless of who had killed Percy, he had been in contact with Harry and Ron and hadn't told Kingsley. This had been confirmed by Remus who had arrived in time to see Percy exiting Knockturn Alley in a suspicious manner the night before his death.
Further inquiries had netted Remus his first clue, after lots of dead ends. A friendly contact had told him he'd seen two redheads and a guy with black hair and glasses in a heated argument at the back of the Slippery Witch, a seedy pub deep in the alley. However, when he'd followed it up the trail had gone cold very quickly.
So, this led to more questions of overlaps in the two cases, and Kingsley conceded that even though they now suspected that the Russian diplomatic party had had been responsible for the attack on Penelope and Percy's murder, it looked like Percy was on the take with Potter as well.
The truth be known, he almost had to have been for Harry's indiscretions not to have been noticed. Witnesses losing their memories and other such things would have had to have been covered up or buried in paperwork by someone.
xox
Lucius continued to come in and help with Ginny's children, and was starting to become quite domestic. After that first accidental time he had filled in several more time, and now that Ginny was actually awake, he was over the moon, because they were getting on beautifully.
It was three days after the sighting of Harry and Ron when Ginny was strong enough to receive more than single visitors, then a full week before a meeting that included her erstwhile friend and Professor Snape could be organised, with their full schedule they were very busy.
Ginny was currently sitting with her legs up on the lounge, and even though it was a warm day, she was wrapped in a blanket. Her mother had left everything ready for tea, but she'd had to go home, and Lucius was sitting with Ginny while doing his marking. Ginny laughed at the look on his face.
He shook his head and sliced through another sentence with ruby ink. "Idiot," he muttered under his breath, making Ginny laugh louder.
"You're getting just as bad as the Potions master," she laughed at him. Ginny had eagerly accepted the position as Lucius assistant, which he'd offered the day after she'd managed to stay awake.
She was already fascinated with him from the day in the Leaky Cauldron, and had hoped they would meet again, so this was perfect. It surprised her how quickly she had become very fond of the blond wizard. She sighed and looked back to him on hearing him speak.
"Who do you think showed me how to mark this twaddling bilge that passes off as an essay?" he cackled, and put a line through another sentence.
Ginny snickered at his comment, and thought back to their first meeting. She remembered how she'd accepted the assistant's position. "Yes, Professor Malfoy, I'd like that," she'd told him.
That was when he'd offered for her to call him by his name. "Lucius," he'd smiled slightly, and her stomach fluttered in remembrance. "Please call me, Lucius," he'd said.
Ginny returned the smile. "Thank you, Lucius. I'd love to be your assistant."
Lucius bowed his head politely. "Wonderful, I'm looking forward to… working with you," he smoothed.
At this point Ginny had blushed at the way he'd said, 'working with you'.
He had chuckled, "Has anyone ever told you that you blush exquisitely?" his voice had smoothed. She'd shaken her head. It had been a long time since anyone had noticed she was a woman. She was pulled from her recollections by the door opening.
She watched Lucius straightening his papers as he stood. Ginny knew it was not going to be an easy meeting, but she hoped it would have a good outcome.
Hermione was very nervous, and had slipped her hand into Severus' on the way to the rooms. As she'd expected, she found the comfort she was looking for as his hand squeezed hers in silent support.
Ginny watched Lucius greet his friends, a nod to Severus and a kiss on the lips for Hermione. She wondered about this, but didn't say anything. Once they were all seated with tea and Molly's boiled fruitcake, Bill left them, knowing he could trust Lucius to stay with Ginny while he finished his marking and then collected the children.
After initial silence, Ginny was first to try and speak, but she had no idea what to say. "I'm so sorry," she finally blurted out. "I couldn't help you. I never stopped wanting to be your friend, but I couldn't."
Hermione had been studying her lap. "I can't tell you it's all right," she said slowly, and glanced up at her erstwhile friend, "because it's not." She had one of Severus' hands in a death grip. "We've both been through hell, and I don't know how to get over that."
"Do you think we can?" Ginny's voice was quivery. "I know it's no excuse, but once James was born, he used my little boy against me, then Albus and Lily." She had tears trickling down her cheeks, "I had to keep my children safe, 'Mione. Please tell me you understand," she pleaded. Lucius moved to the lounge to offer support to Ginny, and once he had her small hands in his, he did not want to give them up.
"I'm trying to, Gin," Hermione replied, "it's just hard… you know?"
Ginny gave her a watery smile. "Yes, I know it is, but we will try… won't we?"
"Yes, Gin… we'll try." However, after she'd said this there was a pause, and Hermione gave Ginny a considered look before taking a deep breath. "But any reconciliation has to include Severus and Lucius unconditionally. I know you have accepted Lucius and I'm pleased, but we cannot move forward even a baby step if you harbour any of your former husband's malice towards Severus. I'm not trying to make things difficult, but I want it plainly said. If you want me to be your friend, it's both of us or nothing. Severus and Lucius have supported me unerringly since they've known about this situation, and I love them both..." she snuggled into Severus and reached over the coffee table to momentarily pat a smiling Lucius on the knee, "both… in different ways, but both."
"I understand, 'Mione, and I wish I could have also supported you." She looked to Severus, nodded and smiled. "I thank you, sir. It is because of your efforts that I am still here, and that we know what is actually wrong with those who have caused us all so much pain." Ginny sighed and stifled a yawn as she finished talking.
Severus nodded in return, and said, "I understand, but it's silly if you call everyone but me by their given name. You are on staff in a roundabout way, please call me Severus."
Ginny smiled, "Thank you, Severus," but her yawns were becoming more pronounced. "As long as you call me Ginny," she added
Hermione watched Severus nod and even try to smile a little, but she also saw how tired Ginny had become, and said, "Severus and I have an extra class to prepare for now," and they rose to leave. Hermione came around the coffee table and kissed Ginny's cheek. "I'd like to assist in caring for you and the children, if you will let me."
"Of course I'll let you, thank you, I'd like that," Ginny said, looking relieved. "I'll tell Bill when he comes back, and he can add you to the roster."
Hermione and Severus then went off to their lesson preparations, and this left Ginny and Lucius alone. Ginny was really too tired, but she was determined to stay awake.
Lucius had also seen how tired she was. "I think you need to rest again now," he told her. "Curl up there and sleep, I have some papers still left to mark," he told her with a great deal of distaste. "These little heathens have appalling grammar and little interest in my subject, but I'll continue to mark their abysmal efforts." He gave a put-upon sigh, and Ginny laughed.
"Well perhaps when I'm able to stay awake for more than half an hour at a stretch I'll take the odious job off you."
"I can't wait," he grinned, starting to rise from the lounge before he was tempted to kiss her, like he'd been thinking about it ever since he'd sat down with her.
Her hand caught him before he'd straightened properly, "Lucius?"
"Yes, Ginny?"
"Thank you."
"My pleasure, my lady." He playfully tapped the end of her up-turned nose lightly. "Now, lay that pretty head on the pillow and sleep."
Ginny's smile went with her to peaceful slumber, and when he heard Bill and the kids coming. Lucius quickly diverted his attention back to his work, instead of gazing at the witch he was quickly falling in love with.