A/N: Hey guys, I'm posting Severus's chapter early because he's winning by far. I'm 110% that his spot won't be taken by the other 4 characters.
So it looks like the next chapter will be Lucius's first chapter. Afterwards, it'll be Barty Crouch Jr. Then it's Draco and finally, Lord Voldemort's.
Thank you for all of your votes :) Enjoy Severus's first chapter!
Italics represents the character's thoughts!
Severus leaned against the wall and observed the others. He noticed his godson, Draco fidget nervously as he eyed Hermione Granger.
Next, he saw Barty Crouch Jr.'s eyes glimmer with insanity. The man flicked his tongue in and out with anticipation, beaming like the madman he was.
Granger isn't going to choose that crazy lunatic, is she?
Severus turned his attention to his friend, Lucius who was equally perplexed by the situation. The platinum blond merely sipped from his goblet while signaling Severus with his grey eyes.
Wait. What? You want me to take her?! That bloody incorrigible know it all?
He scowled at the contemptible idea and glared when he heard Lucius chuckle. His gaze fixated on Barty as the man took a step closer - too close - to Hermione.
Lord Voldemort tugged on Hermione's chains and his pale skin glowed red from the blazing fire. The Dark Lord gave a high laugh as he said, "It seems none of my men want you, mudblood. Perhaps I should just kill you now, before you waste more of my precious time."
Barty seemed delighted by his Lord's suggestion as he rocked back and forth on his feet.
Fuck. Is Riddle going to kill Granger now?! Even though I...
Severus cursed under his breath before stepping forward. Hermione seemed repulsed by what was about to happen and seemed almost as if she would take Voldemort up on his suggestion. She was about to open her mouth to protest when Severus gave her icy glare. Chilled to her toes, her mouth clamped shut.
His voice was barely audible as he drawled, "I will take her."
Draco's eyes widened at his godfather's announcement while Lucius smirked with pure satisfaction. Barty hissed angrily.
"Yes, perhaps that would be suitable," Voldemort responded, thoughtfully slanting his red eyes at Severus. "As... recompense for my previous indiscretions towards a loyal servant."
Voldemort sighed dramatically before passing her chains off to Snape. "It would have been fun to hear your scream as you died. What a pity."
Severus's masked face hid his inner rage.
I refuse to keep my eyes off her. I won't cause another person to be killed. Again.
Lily...
When Severus took the chain out of Voldemort's cold hands, Hermione could feel the perpetually cold links jangle lightly as ownership passed to him. She saw her ex-professor's eyes become shadowed and wisely kept her mouth sealed.
Lucius clapped his hands together as Severus led the Gryffindor away, his entire body a vision of impassiveness and hers trembling with anxiety. The other men hesitated, but slowly joined in. Barty refused to applaud until Lord Voldemort also began to applaud.
Damn him. Lucius is having too much fun with this. They all are.
He didn't bother to look behind him, knowing what he would see would merely piss him off. Severus stealthily guided Hermione towards his private chambers, located on the highest floor. He didn't want anyone to see her on the way; he refused to subject Granger to further humiliation.
Unfortunately, a single house elf witnessed the two of them before he could cast any spells and slither away. Severus could feel his blood pulsing in fury.
How DARE he, a filthy house-elf, see Hermione in this state?!
He hissed, "Sectumsempra!"
The invisible dagger hacked the creature's large, floppy ear off. The wound began to bleed heavily, and the house-elf screeched in pain as he quickly lost consciousness and collapsed from the blood loss.
Hermione's face whitened at the sight of the oozing blood as she recalled the gruesome battles where she was forced to watch her friends and comrades die one by one. She could feel her chest tighten painfully and her breaths became ragged. The scent of blood, the sight of death, and the sound of the screaming elf violently jostled her memories. Memories rapidly flooded through her mind as she was painfully reminded of the war.
"How dare you!" she screeched.
Severus was bewildered by the roaring lioness. He had never even suspected that Hermione would raise a hand against him, but his right cheek nonetheless stung sharply and dripped warm blood.
What - ? Did she just... hit me?
It took him a few minutes to understand what happened as he looked into Hermione's blazing brown eyes.
Despite her current situation, she's still willing to fight? What would happen if she encounters other Death Eaters? I can't possibly lock her in my room for the rest of her life. That would make me as insane as Barty Crouch Jr.
Severus wasn't certain if Granger's fiery behaviour made him angry or worried.
He quickly looked around to check if there were any spectators of her temper. Once he knew that everyone else was still celebrating downstairs, he forcibly dragged Hermione to his quarters.
As he quickened his pace, he became more paranoid of Hermione Granger's strong personality traits.
She will undoubtedly wreck havoc on the other Death Eaters and stupidly get herself killed. What will happen when I'm not around... what would happen to her if I left her during a mission? Riddle's moods are fickle as fuck. Last time, he promised that he wouldn't kill Lily Evans, but he murdered her anyways. Who is to say that he won't repeat his actions - after all, Riddle was going to annihilate her earlier….. Shit. Why did I have to take her under my wing?
He snarled when she fought back along the way to his room.
I mean look at her now!
Severus flung her on to his bed, the moment they entered his chamber. Casting a powerful muffliato, he rounded on her.
"YOU STUPID GIRL, DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I HADN'T - " he cut himself off, unable to control his temper for a brief moment. He then turned and sighed, his shoulders slumping from, it seemed, the weight of the world.
We'll have to make a blood bond. It's the only way to protect her.
He looked at Hermione with sad eyes as she stared at him, eyes wide with bewilderment. He brought out his wand and pressed it against the palm of his hand. He gritted his teeth as the old scar protruded from his skin and began to prickle. Nevertheless he continued the ritual as he nonverbally casted a slicing charm.
"What are you doin-" Severus violently grabbed for her hands, "let go of me!"
"Hold still," he rumbled, "we're going to make an edited version of the bond of blood."
Hermione ignored his words, not knowing what he meant, and pointlessly kicked and scratched the impatient wizard.
Severus's body tensed at her attacks and he held back a groan. Overpowering the weakened witch, he slashed her palm as gently as he could. Her dark blood spilled from the cut and Severus immediately squeezed their hands together.
Seeing her about to protest violently, he continued, "It's for your protection. With that stupid Gryffindorish rashness of yours, who knows what kind of danger you'll put yourself in?"
She paused, utterly stupefied. Severus sighed, knowing that she still viewed him as a dirty traitor to the Order, as well as the man who had indirectly - or directly, how would she know? - killed off all her friends.
The two could feel their blood merge; the sensation made their bodies tingle with magic. Together, they inhaled and exhaled heavily as their magical energy seeped away. Beneath him, Severus could see Hermione's face relax and her eyelids close. Fatigue was mounting in his body as well, but he forced himself to roll off of Hermione and slowly stand up. She had fallen asleep in his bed. He blinked a few times and pulled his black duvet over her slight form.
Severus exited his quarters, only to find his friend grinning outside.
Lucius smirked. "You look like you had a lot of fun."
He briskly walked past his friend but Lucius remained hot on his heels.
The blonde pointed at his scratches. "I mean, look at you. Granger must be a wildcat in bed, giving you all those scratches and leaving you exhausted. I'm envious."
Severus growled. "You know I didn't have sex with Granger."
His friend winked and said, "No need to be so grumpy. Why don't we head to my chambers to... discuss what's happened."
I might as well follow him… it's not like I can sleep in my own bed now.
They arrived at Lucius's bedroom and Severus lazily relaxed onto the leather sofa, facing the roaring fire.
Lucius's voice became serious as his the light hearted facade he used publically faded away. "What were you thinking, performing that blood bond on her?!"
Severus glared up at Lucius as the blond paced back and forth behind him. He watched Lucius run his fingers through his long hair.
Lucius complained, "Do you know how shocked I was when I saw our old scar resurface?! Blood magic is not something to be scoffed at. You must know how significant that bond is; now no Death Eaters can call her a 'mudblood,' since she shares your life blood for the rest of her life!"
"I know," Severus muttered as he closed his tired eyes. "I have my reasons."
Obviously. That's exactly why I did it. my blood will protect her socially and physically. I won't allow anyone to harm her as long as I live.
Lucius gulped down another glass of wine before sighing and lying on his bed. He gave Severus permission to stay through his silence, knowing Severus would reject the idea of sleeping with Granger that night.
Severus could soon hear Lucius snoring in the dark. The potions master raised his arms above his head and stared at his palm, clenching it several times.
Staring at the new scar, he whispered into the dark. "I have to protect her."
Please review! It's one of the few things that makes me happy. I love reading reviews and my readers' voices/opinions. I hope you look forward to reading Lucius's first chapter, which will be published next. :)
Note: Lucius does not have a blood bond with Severus, they have a blood oath instead. Their shared scar only acted up because of the mere presence of blood magic, not because it was the same kind of blood magic.