Chapter 7
"I can't Severus, and you can't either; that much is plain. I am a fugitive now, quite as much as you are. The only option we have now is to clear your name so I can absolve mine as well. Then the ministry can restore your magic to you. I can't understand, why didn't they use that spell on you and the other prisoners as well. It would certainly prevent escape."
"Don't you get it, it wasn't the ministry." Severus kicked out at a nearby tree.
"But you said…" Hermione was cut off.
"Yes, it was aurors that came through here but it wasn't aurors that cast that spell. It was him." Severus shouted at her. "It had to be."
Completely speechless, Hermione stared into his eyes. Hurt and regret fountained in her chest. "Right now, we need to make a plan. Can he track us?"
"Maybe, but I don't know." Severus was drained of hope.
"Do you know the counter-enchantment for the spell he cast?" Severus shook his head mutely.
Hermione was physically and emotionally exhausted, she knew that she had to push past that. Opening her sack, Hermione took inventory. The scent of the clothes and other essentials made her a helpless prey to nostalgia. Life had been more simplistic, then. Catch and kill Deatheaters for the good of everyone. It hadn't been unselfish love that she had fought to be Warden. If she had been more concerned with Severus' welfare, she might have sacrificed her reputation and fought for Severus' release openly. To all the wizarding world, Harry worked harder for Severus' release than she had. How must it look now? Severus had tried to play by the rules, like her. One thing was certain, ultimately playing by the rules wasn't going to get them anywhere.
There were other Deatheaters or would-be Deatheaters that had escaped punishment, which was something she thought she might be able to remedy. As the new Warden she had suggested as much to the head of Magical Law Enforcement. She had summarily been told that wrangling the remaining Deatheaters wasn't her job. Maybe, she should have taken it upon herself anyway. With some hope if she actively began hunting the scum, they'd find Lucius. Finding him would be crucial to saving their own necks.
So completely sunk in her thoughts, she hadn't noticed that Severus had walked off. Returning everything to the pack, Hermione put it on under her hooded jacket, and went in search of her errant husband. Husband, she hadn't really thought of him in that way for a long time. The more she considered it, the more that time and place felt tangible. She grieved pointlessly, thinking about Severus' eventual fate and possibly her own. They had barely settled into a domestic life before everything happened. It had been a relief, when Lucius had taken command of Severus' affairs. She had never understood why, Lucius had come into her life, bringing with him: presence, a certain command and rational thinking, which at the time she had lacked.
It had been that softness that Lucius offered that ultimately made her forget the many wrongs of the past and find comfort. He had been very charming. Lucius was the one who directed Severus' legal counsel, that should have been enough to make her suspicious. No, they had been friends, at one time. She had been completely undone by Lucius' smooth manner and made insensible to his deception. Hermione couldn't be mad a Severus, it was her own fault that all sense had left her.
Lucius wouldn't be there, this time, with his smooth presence.
Hermione had to stop her morose thoughts, and pay attention. Still, ducking in the underbrush and watching her footing on the spongy forest floor, Hermione was at a loss. It had been bad enough that she wasn't sure where she was, let alone Severus; but for her to be unable to get in touch with her own ideal of who she was supposed to be. It was getting to be too much.
Outside of her musings, she could hear cursing and crashing through the young dense wood. Hermione's cautious instinct kept her from calling out, instead she pulled up her hood and hurried forward. What she had taken for cursing was a muddy squelching sound. Clear and untroubled a voice broke into her consciousness. "My dear, you had me so worried." Lucius stepped up behind Hermione surprising her. She froze in an instant. She knew he couldn't see her, but her displacement of the young trees must have denoted her outline.
#
Panting slightly, "Lucius. Thank goodness you found me." Immediately, she removed the hood and faced the man, relief, practised in her expression. Hermione was grateful she hadn't been running, wand in hand. She wrapped her arms around Lucius falling weakly into his embrace. "I never thought I'd see you again." The sincerity of her statement reflected truthfully in her voice. Her arms were tightly wrapped around the tall thin blond, when he held her back slightly to see her face, she jerked the wand from his hand. Stepping back with his wand in her palm, she slapped it against her knee breaking the fine bit of wood in two. "Thanks for finding us so quickly, saved us a lot of fuss." Dropping the fragments to the ground, Hermione surveyed her chances.
Unable to focus her energy, she could not summon the spare wand from her bag. Lucius was slightly taller than Severus and much better fed; even unarmed, the man posed a challenge. Armed with just enough bravado and sheer nerve Hermione asked, "are you quite ready to come along to Azkaban with me, sweetheart?"
Adopting a slippery smile, Lucius feigned innocence. "Hermie, you…this isn't the sort of place I'd usually set a picnic basket down, but I would certainly be glad to accommodate you, my dear." Reaching out toward her, Lucius hid his caution.
Adrenaline ebbing, Hermione was able to summon her open stiletto- which sliced smoothly through her pack, jacket and cut her palm upon retrieval. She switched the blade to her left hand seamlessly. Balling up the injured hand, blood poured from the tightly curled fist. Holding the stiletto close to her body at the ready, she knew Lucius would not advance.
Lucius permitted a frown to penetrate his lips, "darling, let me help you. There is obviously a spell on you." Seeing that she was not about to relent, Lucius cooed sadly, "what has Severus done to you?" Reaching out his hands as though to take hold of her, Lucius took a tiny step closer.
"Stand back, Malfoy." Lucius pouted slightly, at her cold tone. Hermione gripped the slim handle of the stiletto tighter. She choked back the anger, and regret.
Curving lips into a seductive smile, "that Dark Angel thing is so sexy." Moving his hand slowly down the length of his body, Lucius indicated his arousal with a direct and caressing touch. "Very sexy indeed. I'd be most eager to make you the benefactor of my affections, the rustic surroundings not withstanding."
Disregarding him, "where is Severus?" Hermione barked.
Lucius looked surprised, "you don't know where Severus is? Well, that certainly puts a different spin on things." Lucius' body stiffened, and he mastered the urge to look around.
Hermione on the other hand, did glance about for any sign of Severus. When she caught some movement out of the corner of her eye. Hermione fisted her injured hand into her pullover and sliced through both it and the strap holding her bag. She sliced through the bag itself and grabbed for the wand. She cast Muffliato, so Severus could approach without being heard. As Severus could not hear her, she spoke plainly and honestly, "Lucius, our time has past. Now is the time when you will give me back what you have taken from me." Before she could speak further, Severus tackled Lucius. There was an accompanying snapping sound as the larger, heavier man crashed into a sapling. Snape was all wiry flying limbs as he pounded-out his frustrated impotence on the blond.
Unable to modulate his voice, Malfoy pleaded for Hermione to stop Severus from killing him. This had an affect on Hermione, instantly she immobilized the men. Bloodied and dishevelled they both lay inert. Very calmly, she spoke to the furious men. "We are going to do this nice and easy. Severus, you and I are going to return to the Ministry of Magic to bring Lucius in on charges. You, Severus will not damage Malfoy further. I know that you are unhappy about it, and if you argue with me, I will have to take certain steps to ensure your cooperation. As for you Mr. Malfoy, you will be brought before the Wizengamot along with your wand, and your testimony shall be extracted from you. As for everything else, it will be as it will be. Malfoy's already pale face blanched further. She saw the source for Malfoy's shock when she moved him. He had been punctured deeply by the rough rigid stock of the young tree. Bleeding profusely, Malfoy lost consciousness as Hermione tended the wound with prodigious speed. Running several quick scans, she could see that Lucius' condition wouldn't worsen.
#
Severus got to a standing position and paced, scowling at Hermione. "You should have let me kill him." Growing angrier by the second, Severus worked himself up into a rant. "It's because you love him, isn't it. You love him, so he's off-limits. Leave his beauty intact." Severus raised his foot to kick Malfoy in the face when Hermione immobilised Snape's body. His mouth was free to vent his spleen, as he gracefully tipped backward landing on the soggy turf. "Wouldn't want to wreck his good looks. When you're back as Warden of Azkaban I suppose you'll want something nice to look at." His accusations were cut short when Hermione punched Snape in the stomach.
"How dare you say such a thing," she hissed, slightly dizzy from low blood sugar. "Just shut-up. I've had it with your mouth." Taking a rough seat on the forest floor, she withdrew from her pack a perfectly preserved Muggle snack cake. Discarded the cello wrap in her bag and gave the marginally suspect cake a sniff and squeeze. Sort of rubbery. She made quick work of the stale, cream-filled sponge cake. Pulling out both a calming draught and replenishing potion, she consumed them before getting to her feet. Well, I suppose, I can't forego this any longer. She grabbed Malfoy's wand pieces and stuffed them into her pocket. Mobilicorpusing the men to upright positions she grabbed each of their arms and disapparated.
Shouts of shock and some of terror erupted as Hermione entered the Ministry of Magic with the men. For protection, she cast a shield charm over them, to keep them safe as she took them to the Head of Magical Law Enforcement's office. Marching through the Department, in-between the cubes, she warned. "Don't even think about it," pointing her wand at a sad little security wizard. The aurors and hit wizards looked on with undisguised amusement, following her with their eyes obsessively.
Walking confidently up to the door, she knocked. "Madam Abner." Hermione pushed the door open. "Pardon me Nina, but this is urgent." She completely disregarded the fact that both the Head of the Department for Magical Law Enforcement and the younger Mr. Malfoy were trying to dress. Hermione cleared her throat hiding laughter.
Draco was put off-balance momentarily. "It's not like you don't enjoy Malfoy flesh, Granger." Draco stepped up to look at his father who was unconscious. "What have you done to him," voice full of outrage. Sneering at the likewise bound Snape. "Problems with Slytherins these days, Granger?" Draco jeered.
"Mr. Malfoy, leave. I'm here on official business." Hermione said calmly. The Head of the Department was less than poised when she affirmed Hermione's statement.
"I'll be contacting our lawyer, Granger." Malfoy shouted as he left.
"Do that, then." Turning back to the Department Head, "Nina, I need to bring charges before the Wizengamot. And of course, I will need to be debriefed, as to the break-out."
After hearing the abbreviated version the Head of Magical Law Enforcement, acknowledged her conflict. "Ms. Granger, given the situation; I cannot prove myself to be impartial. You see this will be a problem, therefore I concede your case over to Eleanor Branstone. She shall be the one to conduct the debriefing, interrogation and it will be she who hear your charges." Instantly wishing to distance herself from the sticky Malfoy situation Nina sent her patronus flying out the door.
Hermione turned away from Nina long enough to permit herself a triumphant exhale. If Eleanor was reassigned to the case then there still stood a chance for a fair trial. Circumstance be blessed. Hermione said in her blandest tone, "Madame Abner I only have one request." Nina nodded. "Please summon food. I am famished."
#
A crisp knock at the preceded Ms. Branstone instead of a sumptuous luncheon. Branstone did not close the door behind her but stood aside for several entering aurors. Hermione pleaded less than confidently, "is this really necessary?" The former Warden, Severus and Lucius were searched.
Severus was jostled and grit his teeth, "great plan."
"Mr. Snape, hold your tongue. You will have your say." Ms. Branstone promised.
Lucius tossed his hair. "Why am I being treated like some common criminal?"
Eleanor stepped up in plain sight. "Each of you will have an opportunity to have your charges read and serve as witness for your cases, respectively. I don't want any mistakes. You will be in a holding cell, while you wait your chance to be seen by the Wizengamot. Madam Granger will go first.
Hermione followed the auror with dignity and self-possession. Severus followed Hermione's lead, if reluctantly. A flurry of activity broke out when the former Warden, escaped prisoner, and Lucius Malfoy where led to the special transportation lift.
Bating Malfoy blithely asked her, "we could see about getting a cell together Hermione. It would make time fly by more quickly."
Unable to use his manacled hands, Severus threw himself bodily at Malfoy, head-butting the man. Blood poured from Severus' scalp and Malfoy's nose and mouth. The aurors were cautiously watching. Hermione privately thought that they were perfectly content to let the men kill each other. Hermione shook her head at the futility in saying anything to the two Slytherines. She did scowl at the aurors. "Do something, would you."
Like two toddlers deprived of their sweeties, they wrangled the men to their feet. Lucius and Severus were disheveled and thoroughly riled up. Hermione thanked the aurors sanctimoniously and turned her back on the bloodied men. Under her breath Hermione said, "it just never ends, does it?"
The lift banged to a stop at their destination, the Interrogation Cell Corridor. Hermione still had nightmares about this place. They hadn't needed to use particularly horrible methods of interrogation on her, but only because she had willingly submitted to exhaustive inquisition under Veritaserum. Still, the implements of torture swam menacingly in her consciousness. They could have used them, had they saw it as necessary. Would they be as kind this time?
#
They were made to step onto a circle painted on the floor. "Stand still, it will take less time." The aurors scanned them, removing loose articles, anything that could be used as a weapon and anything remotely magical. The prisoners were led away to individual cells.
Excellent mess you've gotten yourself into, Hermione chastised herself. Pacing the width of the four by six cell; she beat her fists against her sides. Truly alone for the first time in ages she could think about what had become of her life. Love. Obligation. She had been obliged to work with Severus in the beginning. Since that early time she had experienced all of the facets of the man. A man whose personal secrecy had protected yet hurt his past and future.
The hours stretched on. When the silence was oppressive, Hermione took to pacing so she could at least hear the sound of her own footsteps. Aware that she could be observed she kept her mouth shut.
Hermione laid on the cot. She was able to fall asleep easily due to the physical and mental exhaustion. The room was stale and slightly cool. She shifted in her sleep wrapping herself cocoon-like in her solitary blanket. There was a resounding knock on the metal door, which jolted Hermione into wakefulness.
"Ms. Granger, please come with me." An unknown Auror beckoned. She straightened her clothing as she followed him. They boarded a different lift than the one they had come down on. Hermione followed the Auror through a corridor stopping at an unmarked room with a plain door. "Here you are," the Auror held the door. "Ms. Branstone will be along shortly."
The room was comfortably appointed and warm. As a prison administrator she had never participated in the interrogation portion of pre-confinement, however it was obvious to Hermione that this was no interrogation room. When Ms. Branstone entered this time she was in possession of a mini-banquet fit for the Minister himself. "I am sorry you had to wait so long Hermione. As you know often our obligations supersede our time-allotments."
"Yes, of course." Hermione accepted her linen square, sliding it gracefully onto her lap. "Ms. Branstone, I'm ready to give my testimony at your convenience."
"Please, call me Eleanor." Ms. Branstone joined Hermione at the table, outfitting herself with a plate of food. She was very frank, "I'm not sure if you had a chance to read the Daily Prophet during your absence," Eleanor cleared her throat. "There was a moratorium on information to the Wizarding World regarding your whereabouts. I'm sure you understand when I say that the situation was more than delicate and still is. Having the head of Azkaban publicised as a person of interest in the Snape Escape put us in an awkward position."
"Indeed." Hermione was not surprised, after all the Ministry had a long history of cover-ups and outright crisis denial. "Eleanor, I assure you that I am prepared for debriefing at any time."
"There is a complication that you might not yet be aware." Hermione waited for Eleanor to continue. "The men have already been interrogated and we, by we I mean the Department Magical Law Enforcement; in the course of our investigation we have come to the conclusion, that while you bare significant blame for the Azkaban incident, you are of more importance to us than the need to take you to task. I won't lie when I say we were quite astounded when we discovered the breath and width of the assorted crimes and motivations. There are several things I'd like to ask you officially and some I am interested in on a more personal level."
Hermione broke through Branstone's prattle. "With all do respect, I am not really interested in a lot of circumlocution."
"The point is Malfoy, is or was your lover. Snape is not popular, and you are one of the ones who actively defeated You-know-who. These conditions are causing a certain amount of strife," Eleanor said. Watching the colour rise in Hermione's face she continued, "might I remind you that if you refuse to be a sport, there are significant charges that can be brought against you. I'm sure you do not wish to return to Azkaban the hard way."
"What is the official offer and what are the negotiable points?" Hermione wiped her mouth and folded her hands in her lap.
Eleanor slid a length of parchment off of the cart, handing it to Hermione.
Hermione was absorbed by the words before her. "You can't mean?" Eleanor was met with a hard stare.
"Yes, Ms. Granger. We do mean, every word." Eleanor crossed her arms waiting.