Bound to Him

by georgesgurl117

At the behest of Lord Voldemort, Severus Snape is forced to commit a deplorable act against one who should have been under his protection. Bound by Dark Magic, he and Hermione Granger must learn to trust one another and themselves as they work together to thwart the dark plots surrounding them.

92. With Fire

A/N: I'm sorry it's taken me this long! It was my first year teaching new things at a new place, so I was barely treading water the whole time. I hope you can forgive me enough to let me know what you think! Thanks for your continued patience and reviews!

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Bound to Him

Chapter 92

"Still with me?"

Head resting on the sofa, Hermione grunted yet refused to open her eyes.

"Fuck." Severus hurriedly applied dittany to her shoulder.

Draco leaned over him. "Is she alright?"

"The crate in the bathroom – bring me a Blood-Replenisher. Quickly." As the blond darted away, Snape pulled himself up from the floor to sit beside the girl on the sofa. Cradling her head against his chest, he stroked her pale cheek. "You're alright, Hermione. You lost some blood during Apparition is all."

"Here!"

"Sit down before you fall down." Severus took Draco's proffered vial and coaxed Hermione into consuming its contents.

Draco dropped into the wicker chair. "You said I was fine."

"I said you were not concussed and that your skull was unfractured. Apparating in that condition could've been fatal for you, which would prove fatal for me when your mother found out. Once the adrenaline wears off, however… I'd advise taking a pain reliever with you to bed."

When color finally returned to Hermione's face, Severus exhaled in relief. At his prompting, she turned so he could reach her injured hip. Glaring at Draco to look away, he pushed down her jeans just long enough to heal the shallow cut the boy's final hex had made.

"Headache?" he asked later.

Hermione groaned in confirmation. "The room's stopped spinning, though."

"We'll take what we can get," Severus grumbled.

"I'd like to take a shower if I can get that," she whispered. "Please?"

"When I feel you can handle another Apparition, we will go."

"I can handle ten of those."

"Perhaps we start with handling ten minutes' rest." At her begrudging acceptance, Snape extracted himself and moved to the bathroom. After washing his hands, he turned toward Draco, who had followed him. "If this is about your mother, I –"

"No, I believe what you said happened."

The spy raised an eyebrow.

"Mum said his ring only warned, but Lucius made more of the pain than she did. Obviously, he was lying."

He distrusts his father more than he trusts me. Severus opened the medicine crate. "If not that, then what?"

Draco glanced toward the sitting room. "It's not right what he did to Granger. The things he said."

"Of course not."

"I thought he was going to…" The boy gestured in discomfort.

Severus grimaced. "Had he, she'd be dead. For now, he recognizes she's worth more to him alive."

"He said –"

"I have a fair understanding of what was said." Snape handed him a pain reliever and bruise paste. "You'll need these in the morning. If you need assistance –"

"I'll summon the elf." Draco tucked both in his pocket. "Think the Weasleys will survive?"

Surprised, Snape paused in the doorway. "If they're as devious as I recall, they stand a solid chance."

The blond nodded slowly. "At least Bellatrix wasn't there after dinner."

"Christ, she'd have Avada-ed her on the spot," Severus sighed. "Consequences be damned."

Draco snorted in disdain, then cleared his throat. "You're going with Granger? Can you tell her I'm sorry? You know, when she's… better."

Severus nodded, then met the boy's gaze. "You did well tonight, Draco."

XxxxxxxxXxxxxxxxX

Under the scalding spray, Hermione scrubbed her head so violently, she was certain her hair might come out in clumps. Surprisingly, it had not already fallen out after being caressed by pure evil.

When the bathroom door opened, she whirled around, snatching her wand from the shelf. She had to catch herself against the wall when her foot slipped.

Severus held up a hand. "It's just me."

Wand clattering to the tile floor, Hermione covered her face and backed under the water again.

Severus retrieved her wand to prevent her stepping on it and returned it to the shelf. As he withdrew, she caught his hand. Taking in her pleading gaze, he began removing his clothes. He placed his wand beside hers and joined her under the spray.

"Good gods! How do you not have third degree burns?"

As he adjusted the temperature, Hermione scrubbed at her arms. "I need to get him off me. I can still feel him…"

The wizard smoothed his hand over her hair, then tucked her under his chin when she moved into his chest. Her quivering melded with the rage vibrating through him. "I wanted to rip his fucking hands off."

The witch hiccoughed at his growled confession. "Please… get him off of me."

"What can I do?"

Hermione stared at his chest. "I don't want to feel him. I want to feel you."

He moved her wet hair out of her face. "Where?"

"Everywhere," she whispered.

Kissing her forehead, Severus reached for the soap. As he lathered it over her skin, Hermione leaned into his touch. Her eyes fluttered shut, and she gradually relaxed as he gently massaged her breasts, down her sides, and over her hips. Eventually, she turned around, and he swept her hair over her shoulder to rub her back.

When his fingertips brushed the side of her breast, Hermione felt as though cold water had been dumped down her back. Biting her lip, she willed herself to remain calm. It's Severus. You're fine.

As his hands moved down her arms, however, the witch lurched forward and then backed against the tile. She dismissed his apology with a frustrated head shake. Clenching her shaking hands into fists, she took a few breaths. "Just not from behind, okay?"

At his nod, the witch returned to his protective hold.

"He's not here," Severus murmured. "I won't let anyone else in."

Tears dripped down her cheeks, and she tightened her embrace. The couple stood together for several minutes, letting the water cascade over them, before her hands began to wander. They inched down his back, coming to rest atop his muscular bottom.

"Severus?" Hermione peered up at him.

"Hmmm?"

One of her hands trailed over his hip to the front, where it traced the length of his cock. "I want to feel you inside, too."

XxxxxxxxXxxxxxxxX

Clutching the blankets to her chin, Hermione watched shadows in the darkened bedroom. "Severus?"

"Mmmph?"

"How much did you hear?"

The wizard rubbed his face before turning over in bed. "Flashes. Whatever your thoughts lingered on. It wasn't entirely coherent, but enough to understand."

"Oh."

Severus stared at her still form, not wanting to touch her without invitation. "You've nothing to be ashamed of. What he said to you…what he did to you was deplorable."

"Thank you." Hermione glanced over her shoulder at him before returning to her sentry. After several minutes, she whispered, "Severus?"

"Yes?"

She tightened her grip on the blankets. "Will you tell me when you've been with her?"

Severus swallowed hard. "I swore to you, nothing happened."

"Tonight," Hermione turned over to look at him. "But what about next time?"

"There won't be a next time."

"You don't know that."

After pulling himself up to sit, the wizard met her eyes. "It will not happen again."

Hermione shook her head in agitation. "You can't make that promise!"

As if punched in the stomach, Severus dropped his eyes to the bed.

"You can't tell me what the Dark Lord is or isn't going to demand because you don't know!" she pressed. "So, if it does happen… I would like to know."

"Why?"

"Why? Because I don't want to feel like you're going behind my back with her! I don't want to feel like you're lying to me about sleeping with someone else."

"Fine." Severus exhaled deeply and slid to the edge of the bed. "Should it occur, you will know."

"Thank you." She frowned. "Where are you going?"

"The restroom, if that's permitted."

"Of course, it is," Hermione murmured. "Why wouldn't it be?"

Shaking his head, Severus stalked to the bathroom. He cast a Muffliato after shutting the door, then released a shuddering sigh. He gripped the vanity's edge and glared at himself in the mirror. What kind of man are you? You can't even promise not to fuck someone else.

"You're not a man," he snarled at his reflection. "You're a fucking puppet."

Disgusted, Snape shoved away from the sink. He repeatedly slammed a cupboard door before dropping onto the edge of the tub and holding his head in his hands. He was losing control – what little of it he had managed was rapidly slipping away from him. What happened that night was his fault; it had to be. The Dark Lord sensed his affection for Hermione and wanted to ensure his prized mutt had not been pulling at his leash.

Expelling an angry breath, he snatched up his pants from the floor.

And you almost fucked everything! Had it not been for Narcissa, he would have failed the Dark Lord's test. What would the Dark Lord have done with that information? How much would it have cost the Order? What would he have done to her?

You're too close. Severus angrily wiped at a tear on his cheek. You're losing sight of the big picture. You can't afford to lose sight. Not now. It will all have been for naught if you do.

He took a few minutes to steady his thoughts, then relieved himself and washed his face before returning to the bedroom.

Hermione's eyes snapped from the other door to him. "Are you alright?"

"Fine." The wizard slipped back under the covers and tugged his pillow beneath his head. "No one is coming through that door. If Minerva has need of us, she'll send a Patronus."

The girl nodded but did not relax.

"Would you like me to get you a sleeping –"

"No!" she winced at her own shout. "Sorry. No, I wouldn't."

"If you change your mind…"

Hermione fiddled with the sheet, listening to his breathing and the wind outside. After a while, her gaze drifted to the wizard. She needed to be distracted and wanted to feel safe, connected, and whole. "Severus?"

"Mmph?"

"Are you asleep?"

He exhaled, "Clearly not."

"Do you think we could…you know?"

XxxxxxxxXxxxxxxxX

Fire erupted through his arm, ripping Severus out of a deep sleep. "Fffuhh—"

All but falling out of bed, he struggled out of the tangled sheets and snatched his wand from the bedside table. He searched the floor for his clothes before remembering he had disrobed in the bathroom.

"Sev'rus?" Hermione peeked out of one eye.

Snape clutched his burning arm and stumbled into the bathroom. Given the rage behind the summons, there was no time to dither about finding his errant pants and sock, so he dressed in what he could find.

Hermione, half awake, dragged the bedcovers with her as she followed him to the sitting room. "Severus?"

The wizard pulled on his robe. "You should go back to sleep."

"You'll come back?"

Severus nodded with more confidence than he felt, then hustled through the office to the Apparition chamber. Taking a deep breath, he buttoned down his mental defenses and hissed as he pressed his wand into his Mark.

Once at Malfoy Manor, he strode into the dining room. "My Lord?"

"Legilimens!"

Snape grabbed a chair to stay upright as the Dark Lord ripped through his head. Noting the tyrant was snatching at snippets from the evening prior, he forced out fabricated memories with Narcissa. When those were batted away – along with an edited memory of criticizing Draco's performance – he realized the thread of interest was his night with Hermione.

He's checking alibis. Promising to apologize to Hermione later, Severus pushed forth enough images to prove he had been more pleasantly occupied in the hours since he left the Manor.

Satisfied, Voldemort released him and turned to Bellatrix. "Your accusation stands unfounded."

"It had to be him!" she slapped the table.

Severus feigned confusion as he glanced between the two.

Voldemort stood from his chair. "He's been sullying himself in Muggle –"

Ah, so he did take that comment personally.

"—since I released him! He was nowhere near Diagon!"

"What happened?" Severus mouthed to Rabastan, who merely shook his head.

"Check his wand!" Bellatrix trailed after the Dark Lord, gesturing at Snape. "Check his wand! It had to be –"

Voldemort backhanded the witch to the floor; the resounding slap startling all wizards present. He leered over her as she covered her cheek in shock. "I checked his fucking head, you cunt! You think he can lie to me? He couldn't even find his fucking pants for fuck sake!"

Severus winced, while Lucius and Rabastan bit back snorts.

The Dark Lord sent an ornate teapot careening to its demise against the wall. Noting Snape's quizzical expression, he snatched up the Daily Prophet and tossed it at his head.

Catching it awkwardly, the spy unfurled it to see the Dark Mark boldly emblazoned over the Weasley's burning shop. Well done, Lupin.

"I thought…" Severus trailed off.

"Oh, do continue," Voldemort snarled, reclaiming his seat. "It's high time someone started thinking!"

"I know this is your fault," Bellatrix hissed at Snape.

Severus sat beside Lucius and leaned over the back of his chair. "You made it quite clear I was not invited to your little soiree, and our Lord – "

"It's not mine."

"No?" he cocked his head. "Have we checked your wand? We all know you have a history of acting rashly when aroused."

Crossing her arms, she raised her chin. "I wasn't there."

Fuck. Snape arched an eyebrow at her smug grin. Where the fuck were you, then?

Bellatrix squealed as a strong Stinging Hex hit her breast.

"Oh, don't hold the man in suspense, Bella," Voldemort growled.

The witch swayed to her feet. "I paid a little visit to Spinner's End. Such a dismal, filthy place needed a good scouring."

Severus felt his stomach drop into his pelvis. In his mind, flames lit up the night sky, devouring rowhouses as his neighbors screamed. Whether those were impressions from her memories or his own imagination, he was uncertain. Given her penchant for Fiendfyre, he doubted she limited her scouring to his own house.

Bellatrix pushed out her bottom lip in a pout. "Is Sevvy worried about his Muggles?"

He forced himself to keep composure under the Dark Lord's scrutinizing stare. "My books…"

Voldemort smirked in amusement.

"I've spent a lifetime building that collection –"

"If they were that important, pity you didn't fireproof them."

Snape knocked his chair sideways. "And what fucking ward protects against a deranged bitch wielding Fiendfyre?"

Bellatrix narrowed her eyes as he stalked toward her. "Such rage over a couple moldy books?"

"They were rare. Centuries-old knowledge of forgotten magicks, and you torched them!"

"If that's true, you're hardly worthy to hold that knowledge," she glared up at him. "You're hardly better than that beast your slag mother laid with."

With a dangerous glint in his eye, Voldemort leaned forward. "I personally gifted him with several of those tomes."

Bellatrix flinched. "Then he should've taken better care of them, my Lord, instead of leaving them lie about."

"Go on, Severus," the Dark Lord gestured. "Punish her however you see fit."

Tightening his fists, Snape stepped back. Though he wanted nothing more than to rid her of her head, he needed to keep his. "I will not allow my personal grievances to hinder your efforts, my Lord."

"How commendable. In lieu of satisfaction, you may have the contents of Lucius's library in compensation."

While Lucius scoffed, Severus managed not to vomit. "Too gracious, my Lord."

"Return to your mudblood, my son," the Dark Lord stood. "Let her soothe your ails, while I air my personal grievances."

With a stiff bow, Severus escaped the room with Bellatrix's screams following him down the corridor.

XxxxxxxxXxxxxxxxX

Having taken efforts to disguise his appearance, Severus apparated under a bridge on the southside of Cokeworth. Thick smoke choked him, and the sky was orange. Though the fire had not made it yet to this section of the river, it was likely only a matter of time.

Casting a few charms to help him breathe, the wizard followed the river northward several blocks before turning east. The air became hotter and denser with smoke, and the emergency sirens grew louder as he approached his neighborhood.

Reaching the crest of a hill, Severus came to a sudden stop. Burned out brick skeletons of homes were silhouetted against flames that snapped and snarled at the sky. The fire stretched several blocks in all directions; at the center stood the blackened hull of his childhood home. Muggle firetrucks uselessly battled the magic-fueled flames, while a handful of Aurors – who undoubtedly had been watching his home – were having marginally better luck.

The loud screel of an ambulance broke through his shock. Gripping his untraceable wand, Snape strode forward.

XxxxxxxxXxxxxxxxX

Tonks happily stretched out alongside her husband. "I like having mornings with you."

"Is it still morning?" Remus rubbed his face.

The witch squinted at the clock, then threaded her leg between his. "For another half hour."

"You're hungry, then?"

Tonks snorted against his chest. "Of course, I am. But I could be convinced to wait a little longer if…"

Remus lifted his head. "If?"

His wife slid atop his hips and leaned down to kiss him.

"Am I convincing you, or are you convincing me?" he chuckled.

"Yes," she purred against his lips.

"Tonks?"

"Ommph – shit." The witch raised her head to face the bobcat Patronus.

"If you're not busy, could you come up to the suite?"

As his wife reached for her wand, Remus squeezed her hips. "You are a bit busy…"

Tonks smirked and kissed his nose before casting her own Patronus. "I'll be up in two shakes, love."

He sighed deeply but let her go.

"Well, get your trou on," she instructed while dressing.

"She asked for your company, not mine."

Tonks tossed a clean shirt at him. "And I'm asking for yours, dimwit."

Remus slipped out of bed to dress. "I'm not going to receive a lecture about this later?"

"Are you going to behave yourself?"

Buttoning his shirt, he pressed his lips to her forehead. "I will behave."

"Good. You're in charge of arranging brunch because I'm starving."

XxxxxxxxXxxxxxxxX

"Do you mind I brought a stray?" Tonks gesturing to Remus. "He got in late, and I –"

"No, that's fine," Hermione held the door open for them. Though she was not entirely comfortable with Remus, she understood the desire to keep one's partner close.

"Severus is…"

"Summoned." The girl sank back on the sofa. "Again."

Tonks clucked in understanding and sat beside her. "Just now?"

Hermione shook her head. "Before eight."

"You've been on your own all morning?" She raised her eyebrows at Remus, who quietly sat in the armchair.

"I didn't want to bother you. I'm sorry I –"

"Hey, no!" Tonks touched her knee. "Don't apologize. I told you to call me."

"I tried not to. I thought I could handle it." Hermione wiped at her tears. "He said he'd be back. But he's still not back."

"Have you tried contacting him?"

"I can't. The risk if… I can't distract him if he's in trouble."

"Was he concerned when he left?"

"How would I know?! He was rushing about getting dressed and hardly looked at me. And when he did…," Hermione shrugged, "he had to have been working on his shields, so I probably wouldn't know even if he thought he was going off to die!"

"Don't say that." Tonks slipped her arm about Hermione. "There's no reason to think that's a possibility."

"It's always a possibility!"

"Hermione."

"What if he was wrong? What if there was a way to tell that he was the one who taught Remus the spell?"

The Auror shared a nervous glance with her husband, who had paled. "I don't think that's likely. We've analyzed what we can of the cast marks, and the magic appears identical."

"You've analyzed them, or potentially comprised Aurors have?"

Tonks let out a puff of air. "Well, there is that…"

Hermione covered her face before standing to pace. "It's my fault! I kept him up all night. He needed to sleep, and I wouldn't let him. He's so tired, and I kept waking him up because I couldn't sleep, and if he can't hold his shields…"

"Shhhh…" Tonks hopped up and caught her by the shoulders. "It's not your fault, Hermione. I think he's had enough experience with keeping it together after sleepless nights."

"I should've let him sleep! I should've known he would need to be alert. I shouldn't have bothered him."

Tonks guided her back to the sofa and held her. "He's going to be fine, Hermione."

"Then why isn't he back?!"

"I don't know… but I wager he'll be back for the meeting this afternoon. Afterward, you can put him to bed. I'm sure McGonagall would let him take the evening off."

Hermione wiped her face.

"How much sleep have you had?"

She shook her head. "Two hours?"

With a grimace, Tonks slid closer to the end of the sofa and had Hermione lay down. She stroked the girl's hair while sharing a concerned look with Remus. "How did last night go?"

Hermione curled up and pressed her face into the Auror's thigh. "I don't want to talk about it."

"That good, huh?"

XxxxxxxxXxxxxxxxX

"The Weasleys, of course, are still at the Aurory, providing testimony," Minerva explained, following discussion of the night prior. "I've been told injuries were minimal, so that had best be the truth, gentlemen."

Moody snorted, while Tonks patted her husband's leg. "I checked mine over thoroughly. All clear."

Kingsley smirked at Remus's embarrassment. "The boys' shop is a total loss, but the damage to the rest of Diagon is mainly cosmetic. I think they underestimated how many bystanders would be there and willing to help, so there was less risk of our being discovered."

"Thank heavens for miscalculations on their part," Minerva crossed her arms. "Remus, well done you - front page of the Prophet."

Remus grimaced. "Severus deserves most of the credit. He planned it out for me – timing, location, and escape."

Hermione peeked at him, surprised by his admission. He had not spoken ill of Snape – at least not in her presence – all day. When Remus gave her a tense smile, she briefly returned it, though her stomach was still in knots.

"Where is Snape, then?" Moody grumbled.

Minerva caught Hermione's eye before adjusting her position. "He was here overnight in case we needed him. He was summoned shortly after the Prophet was delivered this morning but has not returned yet."

"Is that concerning?" Kingsley asked.

Of course, it's bloody concerning! Hermione closed her eyes. Tonks squeezed her arm both as a means of support and a reminder of their audience.

"Any uncertain absence of our members is concerning," Minerva argued. "Riddle could not have been pleased by –"

The sound of an arrival in the Apparition chamber silenced the room. Mostly.

"About bloody time," Moody muttered.

All eyes locked on the door as Snape stepped through, and his appearance prompted everyone to stand. His face was pink and partly blackened with soot, which had streaked with drips of sweat. His hair was lank; clothes, rumpled and dirty. An acrid burning smell wafted through the room as he moved to the Headmistress.

"Severus?" Minerva studied his face while accepting the folded newspaper he handed her.

Snape retreated to the corner where he rested his elbows against the bookcase and heaved in several breaths.

Tonks grabbed hold of Hermione when she shifted.

Losing an internal battle, Snape assaulted the bookcase, knocking shelves loose and sending books to the floor. The three Aurors drew their wands but remained in place when Minerva held up her hand. She then handed the newspaper to Aberforth, who glanced at it briefly before passing it onto Kingsley.

When Remus received the copy of The Cokeworth Forum, he held it so those near him could see. Hermione gasped at the aerial photo of several blocks of rowhouses on fire under the bold headline Cokeworth Burns.

Despite the still Muggle photo, Tonks stated, "Fiendfyre."

Having exhausted his energy, Severus collapsed to his knees amidst the books.

Hermione instinctively moved toward him but was held back by Tonks. Realizing her slip up, she exclaimed, "He's injured!"

"Let Poppy handle it," Tonks warned. "It isn't safe."

"What?" Hermione eyed the brandished wands about the room – including Minerva's – and noticed how Kingsley stood protectively over Poppy as she knelt beside the injured wizard. "He wouldn't…"

"Not intentionally," Remus grunted.

Hermione's question was cut off by Poppy barking a list of supplies for her to fetch. While doing so, she supposed Poppy had sent her instead of an elf to give her a moment of privacy to collect herself. Basket filled, she took a deep breath. Severus is back. He's alive. He's going to be fine. Don't screw this up.

The young witch returned to the Head Office, where Snape was protesting care.

"Severus!" Minerva snapped. "Those marks are characteristic of someone trying to seize control of Fiendfyre. It won't matter what wand you used! One glimpse of your arm, and they will know you helped extinguish it. How the hell will you talk your way out of that?"

Relenting, Severus sank against the broken bookshelves. He stripped out of his frock coat when instructed and stared up at the ceiling as Poppy rolled up his sleeve. Jagged burns wrapped their way nearly to his elbow.

"Good Lord," Minerva winced up at Hermione. "I hope you thought to grab a pain potion."

"I did!"

"Give him that now," Poppy pushed up his other sleeve to reveal a similar burn. "This is going to take several treatments to keep from scarring."

With his hands occupied, Hermione had to help him take the pain potion. She gently stroked his cheek before stumbling back to watch Pomfrey work.

"Five confirmed dead," Moody read.

"Nine," Severus wheezed. "I heard nine. Three children."

"What the hell happened?"

The spy gulped in air. "Bellatrix never went to Diagon. Never intended to."

Aberforth frowned. "Why Cokeworth?"

"His home," Tonks gestured to Severus. "Does she mean to pin this on you? Destroy evidence, take out the Aurors on watch, kill some Muggles?"

He wiped his face on his shoulder. "I don't know… if she can think that fucking far. I don't… I should've seen this."

"Don't you dare," Minerva chided. "Don't you dare take ownership of this."

"This happened entirely because of me!" Severus struggled to his feet. Given the wrappings on his arms, however, Minerva and Poppy had to help him stand. Kingsley and Remus moved in to guide him to the sofa.

"Why should you have –"

"Not now, Alastor," Minerva hissed.

Snape used his arm to wipe sweat from his eyes. "She didn't name Ottery St. Catchpole; Rodolphus did. She was set on exterminating vermin with Fiendfyre, but the Dark Lord made it clear wiping out Wizarding families was not an option."

"Why Cokeworth?"

"She's always hated that I was Marked, and now…" He shook his head. "I knew she was searching for my home; I knew she still questions my loyalty; I knew she wanted to punish me, to trap me into revealing my treachery to the Dark Lord. I should have fucking seen it!"

The air crackled and snapped with angry magic, and two nearby teacups exploded into shards of porcelain.

"Happy, Alastor?" Minerva growled.

XxxxxxxxXxxxxxxxX

The sitting room and bedroom were empty when Hermione arrived that evening, so she checked the bathroom suite. Fortunately, she caught Severus preparing to undress.

"You can't shower!"

The wizard turned to her with a vacant stare, then glanced down at his arms. "It's worn off."

"Which is why I have to apply more," Hermione held up the tin. "Poppy says you need it applied every six hours to make sure it doesn't scar. You should be able to shower tomorrow."

Heaving a loud sigh, Severus slumped past her to the bedroom. He stripped off his shirt and tossed it away in disgust. "If you could cast the cleansing and deodorizing charms again, then…"

Hermione nodded, knowing he had to be magically exhausted. After the meeting, Tonks and Remus had taken him to the Room of Requirement to release the excess magic crackling out of him through dueling.

After casting the requested charms, she climbed beside him on the bed and reapplied the salve. When she had replaced the bandages, she cleaned her hands then touched his jaw. "I'm so sorry."

Snape turned his head away.

"Have I done something wrong?"

"No." He kept his eyes on the floor.

Hermione lowered her hand to her lap. He had done everything she asked of him that night – or that morning, really – to support her, but she did not know how to return the favor. He was not making it clear what he needed.

You could ask him. She fiddled with the tin. "Can I get you anything?"

"No."

"Is there something I can do?"

Severus shook his head.

The witch frowned, an unsettling feeling in her gut. "Would you like me to leave you alone?"

There was a slight pause before he nodded.

"Alright," Hermione tried to keep her voice steady and calm. She touched his shoulder before gathering her supplies and slipping off the bed. "It isn't your fault, Severus."

His dark eyes briefly met hers, and the dullness within them frightened her.

"I'll be back in six hours. Unless you prefer Madam Pomfrey?"

He shook his head.

Hermione paused near the door. "You are going to sleep, aren't you?"

XxxxxxxxXxxxxxxxX

"What do you need?" Snape asked, staring at the bedroom wall.

Minerva sighed from the doorway. "I thought you'd be asleep."

"How?"

She settled on the end of the bed and patted his foot through the duvet. "I know it's hard. I can get you a potion –"

"No."

"Then perhaps you'd like to talk."

"I'm sure that will make everything better."

"It cannot hurt." Minerva squeezed his foot. "Hermione is worried about you."

Severus shivered and pulled the blanket tighter. "I'm not going to off myself."

"While I appreciate hearing that, it doesn't alleviate our concerns. With what you've been through today…"

"What I've been through," he snorted. "I was gifted a library today."

Minerva stared at his back. "Severus. You were a victim in this, too."

"No."

"No one here blames you for this." When he did not respond, Minerva ducked her head. "I know you feel responsible, but it's not your fault that psychopath targeted you."

"I antagonized her."

"I suspect she's antagonized just by the breath in your lungs," she countered. "It isn't your fault that you didn't predict her intention – she could have just as easily gone after any number of targets, Muggle or otherwise. Short of performing Legilimency, which absolutely would have backfired, there was no way to know."

"Her mind's too fractured for reliable Legilimency."

"Gods, don't tell me you've tried." At his loud sigh, Minerva covered her eyes. "Jeezus, Severus. Do not repeat that."

"Not intending to," Severus grumbled. "Fucking nightmare carnival ride that."

The witch snorted in spite of the situation, then rubbed his calf. "So how could you have known? Beyond a shadow of a doubt, how could you have known? And what could we have done without risking everything?"

Severus tipped his chin to his chest and squeezed his eyes shut.

Minerva studied the tension in his shoulders. "Let it out before it builds."

"I've already embarrassed myself enough today, thank you."

She narrowed her eyes. "At the meeting? Good gods, Severus. You have nothing to be ashamed over. Not one person in that room thought poorly of your reaction – not even Alastor. You fought Fiendfyre for hours, and I can only imagine the horror you witnessed."

He winced.

"No one could have returned entirely in control of their emotions, of their magic." She blinked back tears. "Remember what you did today, Severus. You put your safety, your freedom at risk to help the very men who are hunting you bring about an end to the terror. You saved lives."

"The number's just going to rise."

"As they go through the wreckage, yes, and some may succumb to injuries," Minerva took a deep breath. "But what would that number have been had you not intervened? Without your help, it could have taken hours longer to bring it under control. How much further would it have spread?"

Severus glared over his shoulder. "And what if I had been there instead of…"

"Instead of?" She raised an eyebrow. "Instead of taking care of Hermione?"

He turned his face into his pillow.

Minerva thwacked his foot. "Answer the question."

"Fine," he snarled. "Would you like to hear that while they burned, I was getting off?"

The witch folded her hands in her lap. "Severus, the two events were not related. Regardless of hindsight, you could not have known. There is nothing wrong with enjoying intimacy when you can. Given the utter shitstorm we're only beginning to weather, I frankly encourage it."

At his continued silence, she cleared her throat. "Do you blame her?"

"Of course not," Snape growled. "My decisions and mistakes are mine. I don't blame her for anything."

"She said you sent her away."

"Because I would like to be alone."

Minerva smirked sadly but remained in her seat.

Staring at the wall, Severus pulled the blanket tighter. After several uncomfortable minutes, he whispered, "I wanted to watch it all burn. The whole fucking place."

The witch raised her eyes from her hands. "Recently?"

He shook his head.

"When you were younger?" She sat taller. "Because they didn't help you with your father?"

"Why would they have?" Severus exhaled. "They'd have had to stop terrorizing their own children to assist the peaky little freak down the street."

Minerva felt as though a rock had lodged in her throat. "I'm so sorry for that."

"I visualized it so many times…"

"You were a child, Severus. A child who was incredibly hurt and left to suffer alone. Those who were meant to protect you… Merlin, you had every right to be angry." She took a moment to find her voice again. "Regardless of whatever thoughts you may have had as a child, you did not manifest this now."

"I almost fucked us all."

"I don't believe you did anything of the sort."

Severus huffed. "I lost control…"

"We've already discussed this."

"… in front of the Dark Lord."

Minerva rubbed her cheek. "You're still alive and in play, so I presume you recovered."

"He believes me angry over destroyed books."

"Ah, I imagine this is where the library comes in."

He nodded. "At this rate, I'll have Lucius's liquor collection before the month is out."

The witch smirked. "In that case, just keep in mind who your friends are."

"I'll be sure to provide you a menu."

"Bless you." Minerva then sighed at the nudge of the wards. "Kingsley's back. I'll have to leave you be after all."

"Thank the gods," Snape exclaimed, then later cleared his throat. "Minerva?"

She stalled at the door. "Yes, love?"

He pressed his lips together before answering, "Could you possibly procure me some clothes?"

"You don't…" Minerva eyed how tightly he had wrapped himself in the bedclothes.

"I didn't think to bring a change, and I'd rather not deal with that insipid elf."

Minerva dipped her head. "I'll find you something."

XxxxxxxxXxxxxxxxX

Knowing she would be unable to sleep anyway, Hermione volunteered to tend to Severus in the middle of the night. She spent her evening attempting to be productive, but frequently ruminated over Voldemort, Fiendfyre, or her unrequited feelings. Afraid she would be unable to mask her emotions, she largely kept herself sequestered to the Hospital Wing.

Realizing she had been staring at the clock for nearly an hour, the witch shook her head. She slid off her stool and walked out to the main infirmary, where she paced in front of the windows until it was nearly time for the next dose.

Once in the Head suite, Hermione was relieved to find Severus asleep. Loathe to wake him, she waited a few minutes before approaching. When he stirred at her touch, she reassured him. "It's me – Hermione. I'm just changing your bandages."

Closing his eyes, Severus rolled onto his back. She treated his right arm, then climbed onto the other side of the bed to treat his left. While the Fiendfyre marks had already faded to a faint pink, the Dark Mark stood out in inky contrast, taunting her.

"Had I offered you my mark instead of his… would you have begged for it? They all do. Every…last…one begged for their bonds. Begged to serve as an extension of myself," Voldemort murmured against her ear as he stroked her thigh. "Even Severus. You should've seen the snivveling, pathetic whelp he was, so desperate for any scrap of affection, any morsel of recognition, before I made him the man he is now. Before I invested in him, reformed him, granted him some of my own power."

The Dark Lord clucked in amusement. "Perhaps that brings us some consolation, hmm? When you take him inside, you will feel me…"

Snape groaned in his sleep, jolting Hermione from her memory. Heart racing, she accidentally smeared the healing salve over her cheek. She cursed her inattention and quickly finished her task.

When the Dark Mark was hidden beneath a tightly wrapped bandage, the girl expelled the deep breath she had been holding. Gathering up her supplies, she hustled into the bathroom and cast a Muffliato. She sank onto the edge of the tub and wrapped her arms about herself.

Why are you such a mess? Hermione squeezed her eyes shut, trying not to cry. What Voldemort had done to her the night before was hardly anything in the grand scheme of things, and her overreaction could have ruined everything. All he did was touch you and whisper in your ear; it isn't like he tortured you! If you can't handle that, what use are you? What if Severus had been too tired to Occlude? What if he had collapsed in exhaustion while fighting Fiendfyre? What if he's Summoned before the burns heal? Is it any wonder he wanted you to leave? How could you possibly help him?

Eventually, the witch cleaned herself up and tried to clear her mind. She, too, needed sleep, or she was liable to make things even worse. Planning to return to the Hospital Wing, she stepped back into the bedroom to ensure Severus was still sleeping.

Half an hour later, she remained leaning against the bathroom door jamb, watching his chest rise and fall.

Though she knew the wizard wanted to be alone, Hermione did not. Not with the Dark Lord still whispering in her head, not with the ghostly impressions of his fingers on her body – and the thought of telling Tonks or McGonagall details of what transpired made her want to turn inside out.

Promising herself that she would leave before he woke, Hermione crawled onto the open side of the bed and curled up.

XxxxxxxxXxxxxxxxX

Hermione glanced up from her book when Kingsley appeared from amongst the stacks. Brow furled, she watched his approach.

"Afternoon," the tall Auror greeted. "Mind if I join you?"

She paused at the question. He had never previously sought her out; in fact, she could not recall conversing with him on her own. "Erm… No, I don't mind. Please."

Taking a seat across from her, Kingsley studied the assembled books. "Wandlore & mythology? Personal interests?"

"No. I mean, most of it is fascinating, but it isn't exactly the time for hobby research."

He smiled thinly. "I didn't mean to imply you were wasting time."

"No, I know." Hermione fished under her notebook to find her copied book list, then held it out to him. "Apparently Mrs. Malfoy had the elves take note of…You-Know-Who's reading habits and gave it to Professor –sorry, to Severus, who –"

"Passed it along to you," he finished.

"Sort of. I have the time, and I like this sort of thing."

"Once upon a time, so did I," the Auror smirked. After a tense moment, he set down the list. "I only have a moment before I need to return to the Aurory. I wanted to speak to you privately, Hermione, and I hope not to cause any offense."

Her eyes widened as she recalled him winking at her after the twins' teasing. "If this is about my Patronus, I'm not…"

"No, no," he smiled, shaking his head. "I think nothing more of it than perhaps we both have surmounted great challenges in life."

The witch sighed in relief. "You've researched your Patronus?"

"As I said, I used to have the time for that sort of thing. Similar Patronuses may suggest an affinity, but nothing says that affinity must be romantic in nature." Kingsley touched his earlobe. "And forgive me, but you're not exactly my type."

"Oh."

"It's nothing against you," he assured. "You're an attractive, talented young witch; anyone would be lucky to have you as a partner in life."

Hermione shrugged off the comment; her life partnership had been anything but lucky. "So, what did you want to speak on?"

"This is a sensitive subject, and you may feel it not my place, but I think it needs to be addressed." Kingsley steepled his fingers on the table. "I don't have much time, so I'll be blunt: Do you have feelings toward Severus Snape?"

Her breath caught in her throat. "What?"

"I've noticed how you watch him during meetings… and at breakfast this morning."

Oh, no, no, no. Hermione's eyes burned as she held onto the sides of her chair. "I was just concerned about him."

"Understandably, but I've a feeling that concern may have deepened into something more." At her silence, he continued, "He's an intelligent, powerful wizard, and I think we've all been surprised by the magnitude of what he's accomplished and survived. It's undoubtedly attractive, in a dangerous, intriguing way."

She swallowed slowly.

"I also realize you've been spending time with him in the lab. Proximity can breed–"

"We haven't…" She shook her head. "Nothing has happened between us."

Kingsley nodded. "I believe you, and I haven't observed anything from Snape that suggests otherwise."

Of course, you haven't. Hermione dropped her eyes to the table.

"Look, I did not bring this up to embarrass or shame you. I only mean to provide you some friendly advice."

"Which is what? Stay away from him?"

Kingsley sighed and rubbed his head. "If you were older and he less…embroiled, shall we say… I would not be as concerned about the match."

"There isn't a match," Hermione huffed.

"At present. But Snape is still a man, and you are…"

"And you, my dear, are the pudding," the Dark Lord purred.

Exhaling slowly through her mouth, Hermione tried to focus on the Auror's awkward speech.

"…well, at some point, he's going to realize what he has in front of him," Kingsley explained. "I am not your father, and you are an adult, who must choose your own path in life. Just keep in mind that Fiendfyre isn't the only thing that can burn."

She frowned. "What does that mean?"

"Snape is under unimaginable pressure and faces unthinkable horror on our behalf. Regardless of his intentions, he may hurt those around him. You saw this when he returned the other day. He may not be able to help it; eventually he will lose control."

Severus, pajama-clad, seethed, "I thought I would be free of this godforsaken world long before they started to fall, but apparently, I was wrong… I'm running out of time."

"It's no doubt tempting to want to be there to help him pick up the pieces; take care it doesn't destroy you in the process."

Hermione wiped at her eye and cleared her throat. "I see. Thank you for, erm, your concern."

Kingsley stood and placed his large hand on her shoulder. "I am not telling you what or what not to do, Hermione. I only ask that you think carefully before pursuing anything."

The witch nodded and watched him leave. She stared at her notes a while before pushing out of her seat. The Room of Requirement and its unsuspecting training dummies were calling her name.

XxxxxxxxXxxxxxxxX

Severus absently rubbed his thumb over his coffee mug while staring at Lupin's newspaper. The question 'Where Is Ollivander?' was emblazoned across the front.

He had been certain that Dumbledore would have sought to protect the wandmaker as soon he learned the Dark Lord was focusing on wands. If Dumbledore had not swooped in to hide the man away, had the Dark Lord done so? Ollivander was alive, but for how long and in what shape?

If the Dark Lord did have Ollivander – or even if he were looking for him – he would not appreciate the public attention. While the Council was agreed that tying the Death Eaters to the missing wandmaker and framing them for his burgled shop was a good idea, Snape was not confident in how the Dark Lord would react. He could lay low, accelerate his plans, or retaliate.

Fuck, he might even take credit for it.

"Severus?"

He shifted his gaze to Minerva.

"Are you alright?"

Severus shrugged and sipped his coffee.

"That's not an answer, young man."

"Yet it's the only answer you're getting."

Remus snorted from behind his paper. He then folded it and picked up his teacup. "I don't think either Severus or I have felt young in twenty years."

Snape rolled his eyes, certain there was a dig against his relationship with Hermione embedded within the comment.

"Yes, well, it's been at least forty for me," Minerva countered. "Oh, good morning, Hermione!"

Severus tracked the girl as she moved to sit between Poppy and Hestia. Noting the dark circles under her eyes, he felt guilty for all but abandoning her the past two days. He was convinced, however, that asking her for space was kinder than letting her deal with the fallout of his deadly miscalculation. It was enough that Poppy had goaded her into handling most of his treatments.

"I have a letter from Harry," Hermione revealed. "He wants me to come round after the Dursleys leave and Ron is back. I guess Ron went back to the Burrow after the attack."

Remus nodded. "Molly summoned him home. He claims he'll only last a few days there."

"I'm sure. She actually expects he pick up after himself."

Minerva smirked. "Well, as long as all goes to plan, we will have the Dursleys into their safehouse by Monday."

"Wait," Hermione set down her toast. "If Ron's at home, is Bill there, too? Or is Harry on his own?"

Remus waved her off. "He was preparing for bed when I left last night, and I was going to return after Dora left for work."

As the girl frowned in concern, Snape cleared his throat. "By my count, Miss Tonks left two hours ago."

"Hush, Severus," Minerva sighed, stifling Remus's retort. "Potter can handle himself for a few hours."

"Yes, because leaving Potter unsupervised following what he's undoubtedly interpreted as a direct assault on himself has never gone poorly," he drawled.

"Remus, perhaps –"

"On it!" The wizard downed his tea, snatched another sausage, and hurried from the room.

Minerva pinched the bridge of her nose. "Thank you, Severus. You have a point."

"Mm." Snape then flicked his eyes to Hermione, who smiled at him over her teacup.

XxxxxxxxXxxxxxxxX

"I'm surrounded by idiots!" The Dark Lord slashed his wand, upending the tray of sandwiches onto the only Death Eater foolish enough to nibble during the tirade.

Severus raised an eyebrow as he stepped into the parlor.

"You!" Voldemort shoved the front page of the Daily Prophet in front of his face. "What do you know about this?"

The spy stared at the 'RANSACKED!' headline and again feigned surprise. "I don't…"

"You don't know! They don't know! No one seems to know anything!" The tyrant stomped away, then turned back. "That little slut of yours – what does she know?"

"I'll find out, my Lord." Severus stepped back and moved to the side of the room. While pretending to contact Hermione, he noted who was present and pondered why the Lestranges were not. He took some amusement in Goyle, Sr. picking –and less than stealthily eating – the sandwich remnants out of his robes before Voldemort impatiently snapped.

"Well?!"

Severus approached the Dark Lord so he could speak quietly. "My Lord, they think it was you."

"What?" he snarled.

"Granger hasn't heard everything, but the Order are panicked enough to speak carelessly in her presence. They think you now control the wands and tried to prevent discovery of it by killing the Weasleys." He paused and narrowed his brow as if he were listening to something. "The wards?"

"What about the fucking wards?" Voldemort hissed.

Severus shook his head. "Apparently, the Aurors claimed living wards were in place. But that would mean –"

"Ollivander's alive!" the Dark Lord stalked away, rubbing his head.

"If the wards were still in place," Severus mused, "how could the wands have been stolen?"

Voldemort tilted his head in contemplation. A moment later, he waved the spy away and retreated to an armchair by the fire.

Keeping an eye on the brooding despot, Snape claimed the empty chair next to Lucius. "Where's Yaxley?"

Lucius smirked. "Twitching in a pile somewhere, I presume."

Severus raised his brow. "He'd no answers?"

The blond slowly shook his head.

"And Bella?"

Lucius snarled. "Giddily left an hour ago."

Fuck.

XxxxxxxxXxxxxxxxX

Severus burst into the Head Office to find Minerva and Moody in discussion. "The Dark Lord doesn't have Ollivander."

"Took you long enough," Moody sneered.

The spy ignored him. "He thinks Ollivander ransacked his own shop and went into hiding. He's searching for him."

"Why?"

"I don't know."

"So useful."

Severus rolled his shoulders. "I do know, however, there isn't presently a leak on that investigation – apart from ours, of course."

Minerva stood up. "How do you know?"

"Yaxley had no answers, which means his moles had no answers."

The witch cheerily snapped her fingers. "I'll let Kingsley know when he stops by."

Severus leaned against the back of a chair. "Nymphadora isn't on watch tonight, is she?"

"At Azkaban?" Minerva glanced at Moody, who scowled and asked, "Why?"

"I think the Dark Lord wants to distract from the Ollivander story. The Lestranges were absent, which likely means they're up to something. I have no proof beyond that, but what would be bigger than Ollivander's absence?"

"An Azkaban breakout," Minerva sank back in her seat as the portraits tittered.

"So, I'll ask again: Is Miss Tonks on tonight's roster?"

"Of course, she damn well is!" Moody snarled, rising to his foot. "Her shift's already started."

Minerva raised her head. "Alastor, where are you going?"

"To fetch her bloody wolf and head for the North Sea," he answered before slamming the Apparition chamber door shut.

Severus nervously met her gaze. "If I'm wrong…"

"Dear gods, I hope you are. But I trust that gut of yours." The witch approached him and patted his shoulder. "You did well, Severus. Now, go get something to eat and see if you can't manage an hour's rest or two. I'll check in with Poppy and Hermione to ensure they're ready as well. I have a feeling we're in for a long night."