Hermione was still screaming in desperation when her feet finally found solid ground. For several long moments she let the fear and anger and frustration of the past few days tear through her, her cries of torment bringing Poppy and Minerva frantically to her side.
"Sweet Merlin! Hermione! What on earth –" Minerva gasped, grasping the younger witch by the shoulders and eyeing her with great concern. Hermione didn't appear to notice her as she continued to stare blankly at spot somewhere in the distance and she cast a panicked look at Poppy. Face set in a grim line, the mediwitch cast a diagnostic spell over her and searched her form for visible injuries whilst she waited for the results to appear. A few moments later the coloured runes sprang to life.
"She's fine," the Mediwitch breathed finally, visibly sagging in relief. "I swear, this week will be the death of me!" She took a shuddering breath and retreated to the safety of her office.
Seizing her arm, Minerva tugged Hermione towards a chair and gently seated her, rubbing her shoulder in concern. Finally, the younger witch seemed to startle from her reverie and blinked rapidly before offering a wan smile to her former Professor.
"Thank Merlin!" She breathed, pressing a hand to her chest and closing her eyes in relief. "Now you are here, I have to tell you that your parents –"
Hermione let out a long, shaky breath.
"I know."
"You know? Hermione –" the confusion in Minerva's voice was evident, and not wanting to waste valuable time Hermione ignored it.
"Are they okay? I mean, Dobby got them here okay?"
"Yes they will fully recover in time – Poppy has them under a dreamless sleep at present, until we can work out how we are going to explain all of this to them, and the Ministry! Now Hermione Granger will you please tell me what on earth is going on?"
"Greyback took my parents. He sent me a portkey – and I went, to save them. It was a trap."
Minerva recoiled in horror.
"I know, I know! It was foolhardy, stupid –"
"It was a very Gryffindor thing to do Hermione, but I needn't remind you of the danger of –"
"Spare me the lecture Professor! I've had quite enough of being treated like a child. I am an adult witch, and I am more than capable of handling myself!" She surged to her feet, her expression stony, her fists clenched so tight her knuckles showed white.
"I have to get back there! I cannot believe he sent me away like some troublesome student – how dare he make my decisions for me?"
"Who sent you away? For the love of Merlin woman, you're not making any sense! And you will not speak to me like that young lady, Gryffindor or no! I am your Head of House and –"
"Minerva, I am not the same Hermione Granger you once knew. Meek and mild, a bookish swot, afraid of saying anything to anyone! This past week has matured me in more ways than you could possibly imagine and I've learnt more hard lessons on life than the whole of my schooling here at Hogwarts! I've had my heart captured and held enthralled by my former Professor – I gave him all of me, all that was within my power to give and he took it all," she was pacing furiously now, her face set in hard lines, "Yet still he treats me like a child!"
"You are still –"
Hermione whirled on the older witch, "Do not dare to treat me the same Minerva! Severus is very well aware that I am now an adult."
"Barely –"
"I can assure you he did not view me as anything other than an adult witch, capable of making her own decisions when he bent me over his desk and fucked me into oblivion!"
The silence was deafening as her words reverberated and echoed down the wing, causing Minerva's face to flush and her mouth fall agape in shock. Hermione viewed her mortified face with annoyance. You old prude. What did she imagine young professors did with their women for goodness' sake? Perhaps she was jealous. Must have been quite some time since anyone ventured near those tartan skirts.
After a long moment, the older witch cleared her throat, averting her eyes from her former student in embarrassment.
"Spare me the lurid details of your sexual encounters with Severus and explain yourself this instant!" her voice was stony.
It was too late to back down now, despite the tendrils of regret beginning to creep through her veins. Minerva hadn't deserved that. She had been nothing but supportive and kind to her throughout her time at Hogwarts, and she had borne the revelation of her relationship with Severus with good grace and understanding. Hermione bit her lip before she responded.
"There isn't time. I need to get back there, to Severus and Ron –"
"Mr Weasley?"
"Yes! Where's Dobby?" She had briefly forgotten about her chaperone and cast about for him. He was standing still, his shocked face pale against the shadows where he hid. He stepped forward nervously, fiddling anxiously with his knitted bobble hat. He looked terrified.
"Yes Miss Hermy?"
Her face softened and she gave him a wan smile.
"This isn't your fault – but we have to get back to the cave immediately."
Dobby turned his eyes to the floor. "I am sorry Miss Hermy, but I cannot. Master Severus forbade me and I cannot disobey him."
"Argh!" Hermione snarled in frustration. "Dobby, remember Ron? My friend with the red hair? Well, he is going to die unless we get back there to help!"
"Master Ron is an Auror, Miss Hermy. He is able to defend himself, as is Master Severus. I is not able to take you back there. I am sorry Miss."
"Could you take me, Dobby?" the soft voice of Albus Dumbledore cut in.
The House Elf turned wide eyes upon the Headmaster who was approaching briskly and bowed low.
"Yes Sir, I is bound to serve you as Headmaster, Sir!"
"Then let us not tarry any longer," he looked to Hermione, "and we are taking Miss Hermy also."
Resigned, Dobby simply nodded before taking up both of their hands and disapparating them with a pop.
Minerva wearily rubbed her eyes as she turned back towards Poppy's office, muttering softly under her breath.
"On his desk, indeed! In all my days!"
XXX
With Hermione safely out of the way, Severus turned his attention back to the more pressing situation at hand. He couldn't afford any distractions. Casting a protego about himself he whirled about to find the young Weasley shrieking and cowering beneath the huge bulk of Fenrir Greyback who had already taken a nice chunk of flesh out of the Auror's upper arm. Blood spattered the floor and streamed from the deep wound, preventing Ron from scuttling back, his feet slipping ineffectually in the slick liquid.
"Bombarda!" Severus bellowed, directing the powerful spell at a rocky outcrop beside the gathered ranks of Fenrir's pack. The taunts and jeers quickly turning to howls of agony as the rockface crashed down onto them, crushing a good number of them and sending the remainder scuttling away into the lighter shadows that marked the exit tunnel.
Greyback snarled in rage and whirled on the wizard, his great fists swinging wildly. Severus anticipated the move and ducked awkwardly, his sluggish body slow to respond to his command and he felt a heavy claw swish dangerously close to his unguarded side as he crashed to the ground. In a moment he was back to his feet, crouched beside Ron who stared at him in horrified silence. He barely had a chance to look at the gaping hole in the auror's arm before he felt Greyback's approach. He pushed Ron hard, forcing him to lie flat as he put his own body between the trembling man and the enraged werewolf.
Fenrir's shadow crept across his face, drowning out the scant light in the cave and for a moment Severus struggled to make out his profile in the gloom. He whispered a Bright Eye charm and was greatly relieved it took effect immediately and in enough time to see a massive claw racing towards his exposed jugular. He flung himself backwards over Ron, who let out a pained "oomph" as he pinned him down against the rock. The razor sharp claws skimmed the delicate skin of his neck and he felt it open beneath them, allowing tiny rivulets of blood to race down onto his shirt.
Greyback laughed, sniffing the air with obvious delight.
"Oh to smell your blood Snape! The fire surges through my veins and fills me with desire to rip you apart – I will enjoy every moment of this!"
"S-s-snape?" Ron stuttered from behind him.
"Lie still, you have a severe wound which I need to put into stasis –"
In utter disbelief, Severus felt the unmistakeable prod of a wand just below his ribs.
"Y-y-you are under arrest!"
"You cannot be serious!" he hissed, not daring to take his eyes from the gloating werewolf before him.
"You are c-c-coming with me!" Ron wheezed. Through fear or blood loss, Severus was not sure, but the Weasley idiot really did not appear to be in any kind of condition to be taking him anywhere. Wandlessly, he flung a stupefy in Fenrir's direction, and was gratified to hear a pained howl as his shadow suddenly lurched away. He took the moment to face Ron and whip his wand easily from his hand.
"You are an idiotic and ungrateful bastard, Weasley! I should leave you here to die for your impertinence! Believe it or not, I am not your enemy!" he hissed. Ron regarded him with hate filled eyes, that were rapidly dimming.
"You don't deserve her," he mumbled.
Severus stilled, the statement sinking beneath his shields and causing the telltale stab of pain in the vulnerable place where Poppy assured him that he did indeed, have a heart. He took a deep breath.
"There is no one more aware of that than I, believe me."
"…if you let me live…I swear you will pay…S-s-snape…"
Before he could retort, Fenrir came lurching back, his left arm dangling uselessly by his side. It was badly broken, the bone of his elbow poking through the torn fabric of his leather jerkin. His teeth were bared in a terrifying snarl, saliva and blood dripping from them in equal measure. He halted a few feet from the two wizards, his functioning fist clenching and unclenching rapidly. Severus forced his rebellious body into a crouch, and brought his wand up to point between the beast's eyes. Greyback froze as Severus slowly straightened to his full height, his wand unwavering as he stepped forward to press it into the soft flesh between his eyebrows. Severus's dark eyes were full of hatred towards the abomination of nature before him, and his lip curled in distaste as he looked him up and down.
"You could have had a magnificent future under Lord Voldemort's command. You could have been recorded in history as one of the greatest and most intelligent werewolves in known history, but alas, you have succumbed to the inherent weakness of your race. Repeated inter-breeding throughout the years has weakened your gene pool and has resulted in a supremely stupid human / wolf hybrid which, to be frank, renders the whole of your breed completely and utterly expendable."
So focussed on the werewolf before him, Severus did not immediately notice the arrival of Hermione and Dumbledore accompanied by the trembling house elf, Dobby.
"Severus, lower your wand," Dumbledore ordered, his own wand pointed firmly towards his former Potions' Master.
Severus did not turn. "This is no place for an old man, Dumbledore."
"I quite agree, I merely wish to get Auror Weasley to safety."
Severus let out a bitter laugh, finally allowing his eyes to settle on his former Master. "Of course, do not let me get in your way." He gestured behind him to where Ron had mercifully passed out. His steely gaze faltering as he noticed Hermione for the first time. The briefest softening in his eyes gave him away before he forced his shields down and the tenderness vanished in the absolute darkness of occlumency.
"It is not the place for foolish women, either" he spat with disdain. He returned his attention to Greyback.
"You are an arrogant bastard, Snape!" Hermione growled.
"It has been said," he agreed. In his peripheral vision he saw Hermione approach Ron and kneel beside him. He could just see the unwavering figure of Dumbledore, wand still firmly pointed in his direction. In a choice of a rabid werewolf or his potions' master, spy, dare he say – friend? Dumbledore still chose to protect others before him. Did the mad old fool expect him to save the wretched beast? He could feel the darkness within him gathering, creeping through his veins like some insidious being. He had fought so hard since Voldemort's first fall to keep it at bay. But what was the point? He would never be free to love – he would always be bound to some master, destined to always be a pawn, never a loved comrade to be supported. No more. Decision made, with a deft flick of his wrist he delivered a powerful stupefy to Fenrir, sending him sprawling backwards into the dust where he collided against the rock wall and lay still. In a flash he whirled on Dumbledore, wand held before him. The older wizard looked shocked, but held his nerve, deliberately lowering his own wand.
"Severus, my boy –" he began, stepping slowly towards him.
A rush of emotion flooded Severus's senses and his hand quivered briefly, his emotionally starved soul desperate for the love and comfort in Dumbledore's voice, but unable to resist the rising darkness sparring against it. He slammed his shields down harder.
"Come back with us, I will protect you," another step forward. Hermione was hastily tying a tourniquet to Ron's mangled arm as Dobby hopped anxiously next to her, ready to take him straight to the hospital wing. The brief flash of emotion that she saw in Severus's eyes as Dumbledore approached tugged at her heart. Dumbledore took another step forward.
"Isn't this what you wanted, Old Man? The darkness in me has been a useful weapon for you, more valuable than the redemption of my soul. Repeatedly, you place the lives of others above my own in order to further your cause. Am I to serve you until there is nothing left of me to give? I stand before you, the dutiful Death Eater, the monster you have created." Severus's voice was icy, his gaze intense. The arresting planes of his face were accentuated in the shadows, the paleness of his skin radiant in the darkness. He exuded power from every taut line of his body. He advanced.
"For I have given it all, and yet you are still not satisfied. You would have me spare that foul creature rather than protect myself. But worse than that, you would bring Her, here, when you know what it could cost me. What it has cost me in the past. There is nothing in this world that I desire to own, no treasures I covet – I ask nothing of you, Dumbledore, yet you take all from me. The only thing I have ever yearned for, you use against me," he gestured towards Hermione's crouched form. He swallowed hard as he took in her eyes, bright with unshed tears. Her mouth slightly open in an exclamation of despair. He lowered his voice. "My achilles' heel."
"Severus – I," Dumbledore fumbled for the right words, and failed.
The younger wizard took another step forward, his gait becoming unsteady as he moved.
"Does my life mean so very little to you, Albus? That I am not permitted anything? I know that I cannot have what I crave, because I cannot keep it safe. I cannot keep her safe from the madmen who run my life!"
Hermione felt the tears roll silently down her cheeks as Severus stood before her, his voice thick with emotion. She felt a desperation to hold him, to run away with him and leave this whole mad world to sort out their own mess. Her heart was hammering in her chest.
"I don't know who is worse! Even the depths of his depravity did not stretch to sending me into the den of a werewolf on the brink of transition. Those ridiculous robes you wear hide a multitude of sins, Dumbledore, a distracting disguise for the darkness that marks your soul." He took another shaking step. His wand began to tremble. "It is not my darkness the world need fear, it is yours."
From this distance, Dumbledore could see the pain and exhaustion he was trying so hard to mask. The waves of cold energy raced over him as Severus sank deeper into his occlumency shields. Dumbledore chanced a worried look in Hermione's direction. She looked stricken but turned back to Ron and swiftly tied the bandage on his arm and allowed Dobby to apparate him away with a soft pop.
"Severus, you are occluding too heavily – you risk much of yourself! Please lower your shields, you are safe here now!" Dumbledore implored.
Severus regarded him silently for a long moment before his face creased in pain. As Albus reached for him, the pained expression contorted into a grimace and a bitter laugh cracked around the cave like gunshot. Before he could raise a hand, Albus Dumbledore found himself prone on the floor in a full body bind.
"Severus, no!" Hermione screamed, racing over to the stricken Headmaster. She too stopped in her tracks as her lover turned his cold gaze on her. The cold expression on his face caused her to choke and she found herself edging backwards. He took several quick steps and before she could move any further she felt his free hand close around her throat and found herself forced back hard into the unyielding rock behind her with a squeak. She felt a rush of déjà vu in that moment but couldn't place why.
"You might want to watch this Old Man," he breathed. With a causal flick of his wand, Dumbledore's bound form rose upright and turned in their direction.
Hermione found her heart hammering insistently in her chest as Severus stared deep into her eyes. She found herself wandering down the smooth, pale cheeks to that sensuous mouth and further south to the porcelain expanse of his neck. The raw gouges in his neck where Fenrir had grazed him stood in stark contrast to the brilliant glow of his skin. She felt a flutter in her stomach and reluctantly returned her gaze to his eyes. She could no longer see any trace of humanity in those endless obsidian pools, only icy cold darkness. It seeped from his person, making the hairs on her arms stand up as he leaned into her, pressing his long, lean form against her small frame. He continued to gaze into her eyes as he leaned forward, capturing her mouth with his own in a bruising kiss, his tongue demanding access. Hermione did not, could not resist this man and she gave herself into the sensation, revelling his sure and confident touch. When he finally withdrew, he fixed her again with those cold, dark eyes, the hand about her neck tightening. Dumbledore began to thrash and mumble. The binding spell was starting to weaken.
"Albus Dumbledore, there is something you should know," Severus did not take his eyes from Hermione as he spoke, his silky voice seducing her even as his hand tightened around her throat.
"There are many whom questioned your faith in the reformed Death Eater, Severus Snape. There are countless more who believed you to be a blind fool for trusting him to keep the darkness within in obeyance. You understood the extent of my power. I was feared by many. I still am, and rightly so. You were right to keep me close, under close observation. The temptation of the dark has been overwhelming these past few years and I can no longer deny it."
"You are a good man," Dumbledore managed to mumble, "Do not give into it Severus!"
The bitter smile that slowly stretched across Severus's face filled Hermione with a cold dread.
"Maybe I was, once. Dark magic is seductive, and it calls to me like a sweet temptress – like this young lady here. So willing and eager to please, so desperate for my touch. You know how it feels Albus, you were once very close to Grindelwald, were you not?"
At the mortified expression on Dumbledore's face that confirmed it all, Hermione began to feel distinctly ill. The reality of the situation was crashing down around her like so much rain. Severus was lost. Lost to the darkness, lost to her. Dumbledore had once been close to the most evil wizard, Gellert Grindelwald. Her whole world was tilting on its axis and she was powerless to stop it. She tried to speak but found Severus's hold on her so restrictive that no sound came.
"Severus, please! Release her! I command it!"
"You have no power to command me!" he roared, his eyes flashing dangerously, "The naysayers were right to brand you a fool Dumbledore, I serve Lord Voldemort and always have – how easy it has been to bewitch you all these years. Your misguided trust shall be your downfall, Mosmorde!" With a crack, the reviled symbol of the Death Eaters suddenly manifested in the vaulted cavern, the sickly green casting an eerie glow across the figures below.
As figures began to materialise all around them in swirls of black mist, Severus bent his head towards her once more and whispered breathlessly into her ear.
"I regret what must be, Hermione, but I cannot endanger your life."
Abruptly he released his hold on her, pushing her towards Dumbledore and she felt a familiar tug at her navel as a small hand slipped itself into hers and the cave whirled around her. The final image of her lover was emblazoned on her mind: of his face bathed in green as Death Eaters swarmed around him in their droves and she was instantly filled with utter despair. Severus Snape had returned to Lord Voldemort.
XXX