Previously on Returning To His Roots: Chapter 18

Feeling the movement emboldened Draco who moved his hand to Hermione's breast and his lips to hers. They were both caught up in the sexual tension when a slight noise from the Apparition area caused them both to jump up wand in hand.

Draco motioned for Hermione to stay back, but she rolled her eyes taking step for step with him.

Draco shook his head as he let out a soft sigh of exasperation thinking, I never should have told her I thought she had the heart of a goddess. It's gone to her head. They made it halfway to the back when a tall figure stepped into the light.

Hermione lowered her wand and rushed across the room to tightly hug the figure. "Brendan"

"Hermione," he chided. "Some decorum please. You left this address lying on your table. Feeble wards wouldn't keep a gnat out." Turning to Draco, he said. "Mr. Malfoy."

Draco who had lowered his wand when Hermione ran across the room was standing with his mouth hanging open in amazement only managing to croak out. "Professor?"

"I haven't been a professor in years Mr. Malfoy. Now please take me to Mr. Nott before we get any older."

Standing there gazing at his obviously not dead godfather and old professor, Draco finally snapped to attention. After a glance in Hermione's direction, Draco raised his arm pointing down the hall. "Yes sir. This way sir."

As Brendan followed Draco down the hall, his cranky reply floated back to Hermione. "Have your ears failed you Draco? I am no longer a professor or a sir. Call me Brendan."

//

Returning To His Roots: Chapter 19

Hermione followed Draco and Brendan to Theo's room. In the short time it took her to reach the room, Brendan already had his wand out running it over Theo.

"Whose home am I in?" Asked Brendan looking from Hermione to Draco.

"Mine sir…..Brendan. There is a room set up for you down the hall."

Brendan nodded in Draco's direction. "Ah. You've left home then Draco? I can't imagine Narcissa is pleased with that."

"Mother and father are in France. They aren't aware as of yet that I've purchased a home."

"Really?" was all Brendan said. Although he had cast a somewhat suspicious glance in Hermione's direction.

Hermione blushed, but was more worried about whether either man could smell the whiffs of sex she imagined were emanating from between her legs rather than old prejudices.

"Well Draco. This may be your home, but we will follow my rules. No one in or out except for you and Hermione. I have my reasons. That's all that needs to be said except I am to be called by my name, Brendan Eilson.

Draco was quick to elaborate on who else was involved. "Blaise Zabini is involved as well. He will be coming….." Draco replied letting the rest of the sentence drift away.

"A few more and we will have to throw a party." Brendan responded sarcastically. "That's it. After Mr. Zabini, no one else."

Hermione rolled her eyes which didn't impress Brendan at all.

"I have been on the receiving end of quite a few eye rolls Hermione. I'm not impressed."

Draco fixed his eyes on the floor so Hermione couldn't see the smile that had appeared on his face. Brendan didn't mince words. Even for his good friend Hermione.

Not to be outdone, Hermione shot a cheeky answer right back at Brendan. "I'm not trying to impress your irritable arse."

Brendan smiled at Hermione's response. "Please remain civil in front of Draco. He is not aware I have acquired the ability to take a joke or smile for that matter."

"That is still being debated." Hermione answered good naturedly moving closer to Brendan to see what was going on.

Brendan glanced at Hermione. "Stay back please. I have not determined what is in Mr. Nott's blood. Bloody St Mungo's healers." He spit. "Their answer to everything is blood replenishing spells. Which rarely, if ever, cure anything. Kingsley really should allow a few healers to learn alternative magic. I actually like that term. Sounds so much better than dark magic or Voldemort's magic. Even if they never used it, being able to recognize it and stabilize a patient would be very helpful. I know your zeal for lost causes Hermione. This might be something to take in front of the Minister."

"Very funny Mr. Eilson. What was that you just did to Theo?"

Brendan stood up straight. "There is not going to be a quiz so please stop questioning me. In fact, I would prefer you both step out of the room and close the door behind you. If I am to save Mr. Nott, I need to concentrate."

Then, out of left field Brendan asked Hermione if she would be staying the night.

"What kind of question is that Brendan?" Hermione huffed angrily. "No. I don't plan to stay the night."

Brendan looked at her curiously as if wondering why she was getting cross. "Sorry. I assumed. This will be a long process. You might as well be on your way. Get some sleep. Hopefully, I'll have news for you tomorrow evening."

Hermione calmed a bit once she realized Brendan wasn't casting aspersions. "I think that's a good idea." With a quick glance at Draco, Hermione added. "And stop assuming Brendan. I'll see you after work Draco."

"I'll walk you to the Apparition Point." Draco volunteered ready to follow Hermione out of the room.

"Goodnight Brendan."

"Goodnight Hermione," replied Brendan, never looking up as he continued pulling ingredients from the stores in his leather bag.

At the Apparition Point, Draco whispered that he looked forward to finishing their conversation. Hermione blushed, agreeing she did as well.

/*/

Once Hermione had Apparated away. Draco spent a few minutes savoring what had almost happened between them wondering if there was always going to be something or someone keeping them from moving forward.

Back in the bedroom, Draco found Brendan in a right snit which caused him to inquire if everything was alright.

"I would have given you more credit and I would have been wrong. Of course everything isn't alright. Mr. Nott is lying here at death's door over something which appears to have been invented by your lovely Aunt Bella." Brendan had drawn out the name Bella so it sounded like B-eh-eh-ll-a.

This is not the way this is going to go, thought Draco. I'm no longer a whiny Slytherin in awe of his professor. "I'm more than aware of Theo's condition as I'm aware that my aunt was anything but lovely. I am simply inquiring why you are having a Snape tantrum."

"So. My entitled, arrogant godson has grown into a man who would challenge me. Well Mr. Malfoy. Let me explain. I am frustrated that a subject has to go through what Mr. Nott is going through because most people are still afraid of their own shadows. We weren't very friendly, but I found Minister Shacklebolt to be a fair and reasonable wizard. Has no one thought to approach him about things of this nature? It wouldn't have to be bandied about, but would serve a very important purpose if certain healers took some specialized training."

"That's all well and good Br-en-dan. However, what matters now is Theo. If you'll save your outbursts for another time, my mate will probably be the better for it."

Draco turned to walk out of the room, but Brendan stopped him with some choice words. "I understand you are under a great deal of stress so I will overlook your show of poor manners. Do not let my new name fool you. I still do not take cheek from anyone. I'll need a place to set up my cauldron. I will also need you to brew a potion for me. The list of ingredients is laying on the dresser in the corner. Be precise with the measurements. The brew, if correctly done, will be a steel gray in thirty minutes. Thank you. My next step is intricate, delicate and bloody. I suggest you remain with your cauldron."

Draco looked over the list then carefully summoned each ingredient from the small leather bag before leaving the room closing the door behind him. Configuring one of the pots Hermione had brought with her into a cauldron, Draco began to work.

/*/

Ten minutes into the brew, Blaise landed in the Apparition area calling out as he headed for Theo's room. "How is Theo holding up?"

Draco called back. "In the kitchen Blaise."

"Why are you in the kitchen? Brewing up a love potion I'll bet." He said answering his own question in a very soft voice so Hermione couldn't hear.

Blaise's furrowed brows and nonsense statement told Draco his mate was confused about what was going on. "Of course I'm not brewing a love potion. You're talking rubbish. I'm brewing a Molding potion for Brendan."

"Brendan? He asked looking around dumbfounded. "Did he send an Owl?"

With an exasperated sigh, Draco started at the beginning. "Brendan arrived early. He is in working on Theo and has asked me to brew this potion. Obviously to save time. Actually, I feel flattered that…" Draco stopped not wanting to spoil the surprise. "Have a drink. I have twelve clockwise stirs left in this rotation. I can't stop right now."

Blaise stood there with his mouth hanging open. "Well that's nice. Did he arrive while…before you and Hermione…..?"

Huffing as much as he could without throwing off his stirring rotation, Draco glared at Blaise. "Brandon did not interrupt anything. Hermione was not here for my pleasure. The brew is ready. A perfect steel gray. Enough of your banter Blaise. Come through. I want you to meet Brendan."

With his wand, Draco carefully guided the cauldron towards Theo's room knocking lightly on the door. Draco's body blocked the door as he brought the cauldron through so Blaise really couldn't see Brendan who had his back turned directing where Draco should place the cauldron.

By the time Blaise was fully into the room, Brendan had turned to face him. A shocked Blaise took two involuntary steps back calling out Brendan's old name. "Professor Snape. Is that you? It can't be. You're…."

"Dead?" Brendan finished scornfully. "I would think even the Italian playboy could distinguish the difference between one being dead or alive. For all intents and purposes, Severus Snape is dead and has been reborn as Brendan Eilson."

Blaise stood there with his hand on his heart stammering.

"For Merlin's sake Mr. Zabini, buck up. Your unintelligible mutterings sound like those of a deranged twelve year old. May I suggest you go pour yourself a drink. Draco can fill you in. I have a plaster to see to. Please remove yourselves from the room. I'll be out in forty five minutes or less. At which time, you may gawk at me all you wish."

Their heels hadn't cleared the door good before Brendan slammed the door shut. They also heard a small clicking sound which meant he had locked the door.

"Have I really seen who I think I've seen?" Blaise asked incredulously.

Draco, who was long over the shock of seeing their old Potions Professor nodded. "Yes Blaise. You have. Hermione and I didn't get to discuss it in depth. The gist of it seems to be that Hermione saved his life in the Shrieking Shack, but didn't know he survived as the place burned to the ground a short time later. Long story short. Hermione went to University in Seattle WA where she ran into the newly invented Brendan Eilson. They bonded over her saving his life. That's a rough explanation. Hermione will have to fill you in."

Blaise finished his brandy and poured himself another. Speaking in a low voice, he assured Draco he had no intention of going through any shite with Snape.

Looking into his glass, Draco smiled before offering an acid reply. "If you don't want problems with Brendan, I suggest you do not call him Snape anything. Not professor. Not Mr. And especially not sir. He's touchy. Most importantly, he has asked…..ordered really, that his new identity remain pristine and stay within this house. Truthfully Blaise. As long as he heals Theo, I could go a lifetime without mentioning his name."

"Alright. Alright. I get it. His old or new persona doesn't get mentioned. Fine." Blaise raised his third glass of brandy to his lips shaking his head. "Fucking amazing. Leave it to Hermione. I didn't know she went to Uni in the states, but then she was here one day then gone the next. Much like yourself Draco."

Draco wasn't listening to Blaise ramble. He'd thought of something else. "That goes for Ginny as well. I know you two don't keep secrets from each other, but this is different. Do not reveal any of this to her."

Blaise sat quietly for several minutes before replying. "Agreed. I will not tell Ginny any of this. I suggest you adjust your wards to receive only yourself, me and Hermione. You know Ginny. If she gets wind of the fact Theo is here, she'll want to check on his progress. We wouldn't want her Apparating in and come face to face with Brendan. It would be all over London in a matter of hours."

Both wizards guffawed.

Turning serious once again, Draco asked Blaise if he'd gotten a glimpse of Theo. Blaise shook his head. He hadn't seen Theo because Brendan had a magical curtain pulled around the bed.

Draco nodded. "Odd, pulsating thing. I saw it."

Blaise and Draco talked for another hour hoping the door to Theo's room would open and they would receive an update. Which didn't happen. As Blaise stood to go, he remarked quietly. "Even though Sna….. Brendan isn't a healer per se. He is the best we could have asked for.

Draco agreed.

After Blaise left, Draco was unsure of what to do. He didn't want to go to bed only to find a huffing, puffing Brendan standing over him having expected Draco to stay awake to assist him. Instead of wondering, Draco knocked on Theo's door only to hear Brendan's voice coming from the room at the end of the hall which had been assigned to him.

"I have done all there is to be done for tonight Draco. I suggest you get some sleep. I sometimes have a hard time sleeping. Do not be alarmed if you hear me moving about the house. I have adjusted the wards down as tightly as feasibly possible. Just in case Miss Weasley decides to come calling. You'll have to correct them in the morning. Goodnight."

Stopping off in the loo, Draco stood over the toilet shaking his head. Brendan had probably heard every remark he and Blaise had uttered. Shrugging as he closed the door to his new bedroom, Draco mumbled. "What's done is done." It felt good to be able to talk about the fearsome Severus Snape without expecting some kind of retaliation.

Sitting on the side of the bed removing his socks and shoes, Draco realized Hermione wasn't the only person who knew Snape was alive living under the pseudo name Brendan Eilson. His father obviously knew. Otherwise, why would he tell him to ask Miss Granger? So many fucking secrets, thought Draco remembering why he'd had to step away from his first big case.

Draco laid down still fuming over sneaky shite.

/*/

Hermione went home, had a small snack, had a short soak, but still found herself unable to sleep. She had seen the look Brendan gave her when he thought she was consorting with Draco. The old, prejudiced dog. He would get an earful when she got him alone. Then she smiled into the dark. Brendan still had a few what could be called prejudices, but he could care less if she was consorting with Draco. He was probably more worried that mother Malfoy would have a stroke because her only child had up and moved out of Malfoy Manor while she was off enjoying herself.

Dozing off, Hermione mused to herself. "Get used to it Mrs. Malfoy. Because if I have my way, Draco will either be at the townhouse with me or at my flat with me. And it all got started while you were on holiday."

Another thought briefly crossed Hermione's mind as her eyes closed. She didn't know the answer because she'd never asked or tried to discuss it. Harry realized she had stayed behind for a few minutes with Snape that night in the Shrieking Shack, but things had moved so rapidly from there they couldn't do anything but live in the moment. After the war, they were so battered and bruised. No one wanted to discuss any of the horror that had just ended. Deep down, Hermione thought Harry knew she had done something. Just what. He probably wasn't sure. She knew he would be the one person who wouldn't bat an eye if he ran into the old Severus Snape or as he was now known, the new Brendan Eilson.

By the time the last threads of thought crossed Hermione's mind, she was asleep.

/**/

Wednesday morning, Draco, Hermione and Blaise were up very early at their respective homes.

As early as it was for Draco, Brendan was up appearing as though he'd been up for hours.

Brendan started right in. "No offense Draco. Before you begin the idle chit-chat you think will put me at ease, don't. I may have changed some things in my life, but I have not changed that much. Regarding Mr. Nott, I'll save you time. Owing to the fact he was in very good shape before being attacked, I was able to contain a curse which should have killed him by now. How he responds to the next step will tell the story. Thank you, by the way, for a well done potion. Back to Mr. Nott. I commenced with step two during the early morning hours. He's not dead so there is hope."

Draco stood there amazed. For a wizard who wasn't interested in chit-chat, Brendan had certainly said a mouthful. The part about Theo didn't sound all that promising, but as Brendan had said. Theo wasn't dead.

Waving his wand to summon a tea setup, Draco was startled when Brendan stuck his head back through the door. "Please tell Hermione I appreciate the full larder. However, she would do well to remember I am at my most gracious when I have access to lemon soufflé cake."

Draco almost laughed out loud. Lemon Soufflé Cake? But for the second time, Brendan returned to the doorway to make a remark. "If she can manage it." Then adding in a slightly pompous tone. "Which she always does."

Draco had his tea and a piece of toast before going to the shower where he turned the water on full blast and had a good laugh over lemon soufflé cake.

After he dressed, Draco conjured a quill and a piece of parchment to write a very simple note to Hermione.

Hermione,

Brendan wants Lemon Soufflé Cake. Pronto.

Draco

Draco was still laughing to himself when he stepped into the floo.

/*/

Blaise was eager to get to the Ministry and meet up with Draco to learn if Brendan had made any progress with Theo. He was thinking he and Wil had been seriously wounded and come through fine so Theo should as well. At least he had come through fine. Wil had only sent a short thank you note to Draco without mentioning how he was getting on. Blaise also wondered what was so different about the curse Goyle had cast on Theo. Shaking his head, Blaise admitted it was a stupid thought. At the party, Goyle had been cursing people indiscriminately. At Theo's, he was cursing to kill as evidenced by Padma's death.

As he stood there going over things in his mind, Ginny came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Perfect job last night Mr. Zabini. You made my little honey pot very happy."

Blaise turned with a wide smile on his face to place a kiss on Ginny's lips. "You say that as if it was the first time Miss Weasley. I have it on good authority that I curl your toes every time we shag."

Suddenly serious, Ginny looked into Blaise's eyes and whispered. "That wasn't a shag. Last night we made love." She kissed him before walking towards the bathroom. "By the way. How's Theo doing?"

What should he say? He didn't want to lie, but he couldn't tell the truth. So he opted for a bit of both. "Theo has been moved to a private place (the truth), and has a specialist in spell damage working on him (almost the truth). We are hoping for the best. I will keep you apprised of what is going on. Now I must get to OTS." Leaving a kiss on the back of Ginny's neck, Blaise walked over to the floo and stepped in.

/*/

Hermione's nervous energy had woke her very early. She'd had breakfast and three cups of tea before 7:00 am. She began to wander from room to room debating whether she should make an early morning call at Draco's place. Giving her hair one last stroke of the brush, she decided not to. She might catch Draco in his boxers and never want to leave. Then there was Brendan. All thoughts of making an early morning visit disappeared. She'd get into the office early to make sure all Rebecca's work was up to date.

Planning to go straight to Draco's house after work, Hermione slipped an extra outfit into her bag. She was ready to face the day. She was at the door before she remembered the gift she had ordered for Brendan. Wrapping it securely, she placed it inside her bag on top of her extra outfit. After which she was really ready to get to work.

As much as she respected Kingsley, Hermione mumbled her usual nonsense about not having a floo connection to the Ministry because she wasn't an actual Ministry employee.

"Leasing a premise is not fun." She said out loud as she turned into Apparition.

The office was very still as it should be at 7:30 in the morning. Hermione put her things away before walking down the hall to Rebecca's old office only to be surprised by Gloria who popped up from the desk.

"Good morning Hermione. I'm just clearing up a few things that were left on Rebecca's desk. Hope I'm not overstepping. The office isn't open yet so I'm not shirking my duty. I figured Terry and Justin could use a bit of help until they get another assistant."

"Good morning to you Gloria. Thank you for taking the extra step. Since you have this covered, I'll go take care of my own work. Thanks again."

It was now 7:45. Employees were beginning to arrive. Justin waved as she passed his door quickly informing her he and Terry might have found a replacement for Rebecca.

"That's great Justin. Stop by my office later this morning. We'll discuss it. You and Terry may know what you want, but I know what I don't want."

Hermione arrived back at her desk just in time to watch a piece of mail flutter to her desk. She had just opened the envelope when Terry stopped at her door.

"Good morning Hermione. I understand Justin and I will be sitting with you this morning."

"That you will Terry. I look forward to hearing about your choice."

"Alright. We'll see you around 10:00. Later then."

Hermione pulled the message from the envelope and had to throw her hand up to her mouth to stifle a laugh. Brendan wanted Lemon Soufflé Cake. Pronto. The nerve of the git. Like she could magically reach out to Portland and get one. Which, of course, she had. As soon as Brendan agreed to come to London, she had placed a rush order for a Lemon Soufflé Cake to be delivered….pronto.

Hermione put the note back into the envelope and placed it in her purse, on top of the cake.

/*/

Brendan spent a good part of every hour glancing out the window. Not because he feared being discovered. But because, contrary to what he told Hermione and the others, he was home and wanted to take as much of it in as he could knowing he could not stay. Dreary? Sometimes. Misty? Yes. Familiar? Yes. Did he miss it? Some days. Yes. However, he wasn't about to return to a place where…

Little did Draco know he had slipped out during the night. There was no way he could be within Apparating distance and not visit Lily's grave. No way. Brendan cleared his throat and headed to Theo's room. He was acting like some sentimental fool.

Brendan gazed at Theo who was lying so pale and still. So still, in fact, it reminded him of another time and place. Theo looked as pale as the McGurdy woman Bellatrix had Imperiused and brought to the Malfoy dungeons to torture. Even for a seasoned Death Eater such as himself, it had been a gory, bloody spectacle which he hadn't ever forgotten. He could still hear Bella's hideous cackle. For her, torture was fun.

Bella had had two specific spells for Muggles and Muggleborns. One she called, Dying On Their Feet which allowed a cursed Muggle to live, sometimes up to a month, experiencing pain which increased in intensity the closer he got to death. Bella often laughed about how the Muggles thought they had gotten away with their lives. The other she called Dead Muggle was exactly that. Once cursed, the person made it to his bed, but never left it and was dead usually within three days. Bellatrix loved to know they were suffering.

Theo hadn't had any bleeding episodes during the night which was a positive thing. There were still several more hours before Brendan could check on how much of the foreign object lodged in Theo's liver had been absorbed into the plaster roll. It was a process. Each four hour session removed a bit more of the of the object. They were now on the third session with a good part of the object gone. Brendan thought two more sessions would get the object to the point where he could use a cauterizing/healing spell to clear it up completely. The rest would be up to Mr. Nott. Brendan thought if everything went well, he could be back in Oregon by Friday afternoon. But only time would tell.

For lack of anything else to do, Brendan used the time to prepare several additional plaster rolls. Plaster rolls weren't by definition, plaster. They were more of a jellylike substance which adhered to a body part. But Brendan was determined he wouldn't call anything used to save a life, jelly. Bloody jelly was something spread on biscuits.

Brendan covered what he hoped would be the last three plasters he'd have to prepare. Then, he once again gravitated towards a window.

Brendan had gotten lost in thought. It was fifteen minutes past time to replace Theo's plaster. As he lifted the flap of skin covering Theo's liver, Brendan was pleased to notice the putrid green film which had entirely covered the liver in the beginning had been reduced to the size of a Galleon. It was clear this would probably be the last plaster. With most of the poison out of his system, Theo would more than likely wake on his own. If not, there were simple spells Brendan could use to wake him.

After applying the plaster, Brendan cleared up the area except for several pain and nausea potions. He would leave it up to Draco to transform the cauldron back to its original shape.

Then he had a sandwich and a cup of tea.

/*/

Draco spent most of the day in the field with OTS T4 collecting evidence. When they returned to the office, each man began working on his specific task. Draco was charged with overseeing wands. It would be up to him to identify the wand owner, check for last spells cast, secure the items then log everything into the evidence book. It was a simple job which had irritated Draco a bit. He was checking wands on a basic case when he should have been top agent on the LeClair case. A crock of shite as far as Draco was concerned. Five wands had taken him less than two hours.

By the time Draco turned in his materials to Team Leader Harry, it was after 5:30. Draco left the T4 office to find Blaise whom he hadn't seen all day.

"Come on in Draco," said Blaise gesturing to a chair. "How was your day?"

"Deplorable," replied an aggravated Draco. "I'm on wand duty. What the fuck is that?"

Leaning back in his chair, Blaise stared at his mate. "That good eh? I know you're just venting so I'll ignore your poor attitude. It isn't the fault of anyone here. You know that."

"I'm not dense Blaise. I do know that. You asked me how my day went and I told you. If you don't want to know, don't ask."

Blaise dropped his pen on the desk. "I'm not your whipping boy Draco. You'd do well to keep that bull shite to yourself. Have you heard anything about Theo? I had planned to accompany you home to check, but I believe I'll pass. You can update me tomorrow." Then he had picked up his pen and looked down at the papers in front of him.

The two men sat in silence until Draco apologized. "You're right mate. I'm being foolish. If I should be angry with anyone, it's with my parents. My apologies. Next time, I'll shout at myself in the mirror of the loo."

Blaise smiled. "That will do. Are you sure wands are the only thing bothering you? You seem a bit tightly wound."

"I need to check my desk," said Draco rising from the chair. "Shall we plan on leaving here in about an hour?"

Blaise wasn't offended by Draco ignoring his question. The wizard needed a shag or a witch and a shag. Someone who would rub his back when he went into one of his Malfoy rants. "Fine. See you in an hour."

/*/

Hermione landed in Draco's home close to 6:30 to be met by a beaming Brendan. "It would seem my time here is just about at an end. Theo has responded quite well. The object formed when Goyle cast the curse is nothing more than a spot. At 7:.00 pm, I will apply the blood cleansing and replenishing spells and close up the opening I made."

Hermione was chuffed. If things went as Brendan hoped, Theo could be waking up within the next few hours. In decent shape.

Brendan continued his explanation. "Mr. Nott's head will feel as though it's coming off his neck. He'll need a strong pain potion for the first several hours. Then a simple hangover potion can be used to relieve the pain and nausea. He should take loads of water and be very careful not to strain too much when he uses the toilet. Why aren't you writing this down?"

"Careful Brendan." Hermione sniped back at him. "Your Snape is showing."

With a glare at Hermione, Brendan rebutted waving his arm through the air. "Really? Whatever might be showing, you will need to make notes. I do not want anything to go wrong at this late date. So stop giving me cheek, pull out your quill and start writing. I'll return in a moment. I want to get the cleansing and replenishing spells done."

With a huff, Hermione summoned quill and parchment from her purse to begin jotting down Brendan's instructions. She had written maybe five lines when Blaise and Draco stepped out of the floo.

/*/

After greeting Blaise and Draco, Hermione went to the kitchen to warm up dinner while Brendan explained to them what he had explained to her. From the kitchen, she could hear the joy and relief in both men's voices.

Hermione was happy she had been able to help, but a bit anxious at the premature celebrating. Until Theo opened his eyes and spoke, to her it was still touch and go. She was quiet throughout dinner which made Draco and Blaise a bit uneasy.

"You're quiet for someone who was instrumental in getting Brendan here."

/*/

As soon as Draco called attention to her somber mood, Hermione realized she was putting a damper on the celebratory mood. Turning on her brightest smile, she explained she was just trying to decide when to present Brendan with his gift.

"A gift. Lucky man." Blaise cheerily volunteered. "Although I think it is Theo who should be giving the gift."

Hermione was about to make a smart retort when she stopped. The three wizards tensed up waiting for her next move.

No one had said anything, but Hermione shushed them anyway. "I heard something. I think I heard Theo."

Brendan, Draco and Blaise all jumped up at the same time while Hermione remained behind not wanting to be embarrassed if she was hearing things.

A whoop from Blaise made her run across the house to Theo's room.

Theo had his eyes open and was speaking his first words in days. "What in bloody hell hit me? My chest feels like I've been stomped on by a bloody Norwegian Ridgeback. And my head…."

Suddenly, they could see it in Theo's face. He was remembering.

Theo tried to sit up, but didn't get his head more than five inches off the pillow before falling back. His face a mask of pain. "Fucking Goyle actually cursed me. That filthy, little, bloodsucking tosser. I will kill him. Oh my gods! Padma was lying on the floor. Where's Padma? Where's my wife?"

Brendan stepped forward with a dropper in his hand. "You are barely healed Mr. Nott. Please do not put yourself in distress. You'll need to take this calming draught to relieve your anxieties."

Even through in excruciating pain, Theo pushed Brendan's hand away asking again about Padma.

"Evidently, we will have to do this another way," said Brendan turning back to his stores. With one quick move, he rubbed a salve like concoction across Theo's forehead and just as quickly some across his chest.

"Ah!" Theo cried out as Brendan touched him.

"I apologize for having to calm Mr. Nott down the hard way, but thrashing around and trying to sit up could set him back by days."

The salve took effect immediately. Theo laid there calmly, barely able to move, eyes pleading for someone to tell him the truth.

Hermione backed out of the room followed closely by Brendan when tears appeared in Theo's eyes. No wizard for any reason wanted to be seen crying. Draco closed the door behind Hermione and Brendan so he and Blaise could explain it all to Theo, in private.

/*/

Hermione walked straight to the loo when she left Theo's bedroom. She wasn't crying. Theo had been saved. But she was upset over knowing what was to come. Theo would find out his wife was gone. Killed by a fucking maniac. Looking in the mirror, Hermione took several deep breaths then washed her face before joining Brendan in the living room.

As they sat there, they heard a muffled howl come from Theo's room. Then silence. He'd obviously been told about Padma then either Blaise or Draco had silenced the room.

/*/

To make conversation, Hermione told Brendan about the gift. "This may not be the time, but after you agreed to come to London. I pulled major strings to get you this gift. I want you to have it while you are here." Summoning her purse from the kitchen counter, she pulled out the wrapped package and handed it to Brendan.

"I believe I know what this is Hermione. You never fail me. However, shall we save it until later Mr. Nott feels better? And he will feel better."

Hermione nodded giving Brendan a sad smile as she softly replied. "Of that I have no doubt."

/*/

The two friends sat there making desultory conversation. Hermione asked Brendan if he'd like some tea which he declined. They went back to making desultory conversation until Hermione quietly told Brendan she thought she should leave the wizards to themselves.

Brendan nodded. "I'd leave them as well, but I cannot desert a patient. I will give them a little more time. Then I will have to check on Mr. Nott. I'll be here through tomorrow evening at least so I will see you before I leave. I'll say it now so I won't have to say it front of Draco and Blaise who need never know you've turned me human. Thank you for calling on me. I actually miss using the skills I once had so sharply honed. I'll speak with you tomorrow."

"No need to thank me Brendan. I did it for Theo. I'll see you tomorrow."

Hermione started for the Apparition area, but turned back to say a last few words. "Blaise and Draco would have been devastated." That was all she said before walking quickly to the Apparition area and Apparating out.

/*/

Severus allowed Draco and Blaise exactly thirty minutes before knocking on the bedroom door. "Coming in. I need to check on Mr. Nott."

The salve Brendan had rubbed on Theo had worked wonders. The salve was something Brendan had invented way back in the dark days of Severus Snape. It consisted of a calming draught and pain reliever. But it was only a short term remedy.

A grieving Theo was sitting upright and had moved his head very slowly towards the door to gaze at Brendan. "Thank you Brendan. So much in one night. My beautiful Padma is gone, I was steps away from death's door and a ghost stands before me in the flesh. Excuse me for not shaking your hand. Perhaps tomorrow."

Brendan was all business as walked over to the dresser. "Draco. Blaise. You'll have to leave. I need to be sure Mr. Nott hasn't slid backwards with all this moving around and sitting up. If he follows my instructions, he'll be able to get out of bed and walk around for a bit tomorrow."

Digging into his stores once again, Brendan turned with droppers in one hand and the salve in the other. "Which do you prefer Mr. Nott? Your skin is still quite sensitive. May I recommend the drops."

Before Theo could respond, his head lolled to the side and he began to slump over. Draco and Blaise both started for their mate, but Brendan all but shouted at them as he dripped three drops from a blue dropper and three drops from a red dropper down Theo's throat. "Out now. I will not see my work go to nothing. Out. Do not come back before tomorrow evening."

Draco and Blaise took a last look at Theo before heading quickly out the bedroom door. As before, they heard the lock click behind them.

/*/

"I think we overworked him Blaise," remarked a gutted Draco. "His color…."

"I know." Blaise said cutting across Draco. "It was going back to gray. He can't have come this far to…to…die on us. Brendan will get him sorted. I'm sure of it. I need to get going. Ginny will be wondering where I am. I'll see you tomorrow. Hermione seems to have left for the night. Brendan will have to fill her in tomorrow."

Thoughtful witch thought Draco, not wanting to see us at a our low points.

Then he sat there feeling like an idiot for pushing Theo backwards. Why had he and Blaise kept talking? The news would have been the same if they had waited a day. After all Theo's been through, if…

Draco didn't want to think about if. He didn't want to think at all.