Chapter 17: The Rescue

Severus took in Hermione's blood-spattered, half-naked appearance as he moved into the room.

Harry slipped in behind him. He was afraid Severus would murder the man, and he didn't want Hermione to have to deal with the consequences.

Severus heard Alan screaming, "You bitch. I'm going to flay you into little pieces."

Severus raised his wand and was about to blast the man when Harry grabbed his arm.

"Severus, think of Hermione. She needs you. Please see to her. I will take care of this worthless piece of shite. A life in Azkaban will be worse than a few minutes of painful death." He flung a spell at the injured man, and Alan was bound and gagged.

Severus stared into Harry's green eyes and finally nodded. Turning, he pulled his jacket off and went to his knees. A pool of blood was spreading across the floor. In the dim light, he saw a knife protruding from Hermione's side. Her breathing was labored.

"Hermione!" he cried. He raised his hand, and it was covered in her blood.

"Potion," she gasped.

Her words woke Severus from his shock, and he looked at her neck. The bottle was missing.

"Harry, look for a small bottle on a chain!"

"There's one around this snake's neck." Harry grabbed the bottle, breaking the chain and cutting Alan's neck in his haste to deliver the bottle to Severus.

Severus pulled his chain from his neck; his hands were shaking. He only registered that Ron had entered the room and was hauling Alan away. He heard the thud of fists against flesh, but he did not care. If Hermione died, the man was dead.

"Harry, you must open Hermione's potion and add mine. My hands are shaking, or I would do it. Please, hurry."

He watched as Harry did as he was told. Then he took a deep breath, steadied his hands, and reached out.

"I can give it to her," Harry said.

"No, it must be fed to her by her lover's hand." He took the bottle from Harry and held it to the light. The liquid inside was sparkling.

Hermione's eyes met his and she gasped, "I love you." Then her eyes closed, and her chest stopped rising.

Severus pried her lips open and poured the elixir in her mouth. His other hand massaged her throat muscles. He then grasped the knife and pulled it free. He pressed his hand over the wound.

Harry was sobbing next to him, holding one of her bloodstained hands in his. "Is it too late?

Harry glanced at Severus' face. It was deathly pale.

Seconds ticked by...each seeming to last an hour...and then Hermione took a deep breath, and her eyes fluttered open.

Severus sagged in relief. He lifted his hand and saw that the flesh had healed itself. He bent and bathed her face with tears and kisses.

Hermione was crying and trying to cover herself as he gathered her to him and held her tightly.

Harry pulled the sheet from the bed and draped it around her.

"Leave us," Severus said, looking up and seeing that Remus and Tonks had joined Harry and Ron in the room.

"Shouldn't we get her to a Wizarding hospital?" Harry asked.

"She will be fine. Please, Harry," Severus said, holding her to him.

"Let's go. Severus knows what he's doing," Harry said. He grabbed at Ron's arm and pulled him to his feet and through the door. The others followed, leaving the couple alone.

"Hermione," Severus whispered, "are you okay? Did he...?"

She shook her head as she clung to him, feeling the safety of his strong arms. Finally she stammered, "I need to bathe."

He nodded, wanting the stench of the man off her as much as she did. He drew her to her feet and supported her around the waist as they walked slowly to the bathroom. He laid a towel over the toilet seat and sat her down gently. In the light of the bathroom, he could see healing bruises and a few bloody scrapes. Her face was puffy where Alan's nails had cut her. It took an iron will not to leave her and go kill the man. But Hermione's need outweighed the need for revenge...at least for now. And he knew he was a different man now. Hermione's love had changed him.

As the tub filled, he gently drew the torn gown over her head and incinerated it with his wand. He picked her up and lowered her into the warm water. Hermione sat quietly, not looking at him or reacting to anything around her. Shock. He wished he'd taken the time to bring other potions. They had been on holiday, and he'd allowed himself to get out of the habit of carrying an arsenal of potions in his pockets. He took a warm cloth and soap and gently started to wash her. He cleaned the blood off her face and healed what damage he could with his wand. The potion was working inside out. He told her over and over, "I love you Hermione. You were so brave." He caressed her back gently with his hand. He soaped her hair and rinsed it. Then he Banished the dirty water and refilled the tub with clean water. She had started to cry again, and when he went to push her wet hair back, she laid her face in his hand, pressing a kiss there.

"You came," she whispered.

"Of course I came. I'm sorry I wasn't here earlier. But I knew my brave, wonderful girl would best him somehow. You did him some real damage."

"Severus, if he had..." She couldn't finish. "I had to pretend to want him. I had to touch him. I'm sorry."

The thought chilled him, but he took her face gently and turned it so she could see his eyes. "You have nothing to be ashamed of. You did what you had to. I'm so proud of you." He kissed her forehead as he reached for a big towel and helped her out of the tub and dried her off. He was just beginning to wonder what he would dress her in when there was a knock at the door.

Tonks called out, "I have a robe Hermione can wear."

Severus opened the door, and Tonks handed the robe over. "Does she need medical help?"

Severus took the robe and said, "Thank you, Tonks. She's okay. A pain potion and Calming Draught would be a good idea. And it would nice to have some Dreamless Sleep just in case. Is there another bedroom?"

Tonks nodded and said, "Yes, down the hall. I cleaned it. This one, too." She gestured over her shoulder with her thumb. "Harry and Ron took Alan to Azkaban. He'll be lucky if he's not missing some of those damaged parts by the time they are done."

Severus nodded, clearly exhausted. "I'll bring Hermione out in a minute. I want to take her to the other room."

"I'll send Remus for the potions, Severus."

He nodded, turning back to Hermione, who was sitting wrapped in the towel with tears running down her face.

"I need my mother," she said. Her voice was flat.

He got back down on his knees, pulled the towel away, and helped her into the robe. It was soft and warm.

"Hermione, I don't think you will be able to travel right now. Please, let me take you to another room here in the house so you can sleep. I know that Harry will come back soon, and I will ask him to go get your parents. Do you think they will come by Portkey?"

"Yes."

He picked her up, and she buried her face in his neck. "I'm sorry, Severus," she said.

"There is nothing to be sorry for, Hermione. I would do anything for you. I'm sorry I wasn't able to get here sooner." The words seemed flat and empty.

He found that Tonks was waiting for them. She held the door open and warmly rubbed Hermione's arm as Severus carried her past. He noted that the room was now clean, and the shutters were open, making the room look totally different. But he still carried her through the room and down the hall. He saw Lupin standing in a doorway and nodded as he passed. He heard Tonks give him the potions order, and then there was the sound of Apparition.

The other room had a large four-poster bed. All personal effects were gone. It had the look of a hotel room that was clean and ready for an occupant. The bed covers were turned back, so he placed her on the bed. She held tightly to him and said, "Please don't leave me."

Tonks had followed him into the room. "Severus, stay with her. I will bring the potions when they come. I asked Remus to bring some dittany as well."

"Thank you, and please thank Remus for me," Severus said. He watched Tonks nod and leave the room and close the door behind her.

Severus drew his wand and called out, "Expecto Patronum." The big, fat otter danced around the room and then vanished.

"I promised your parents I would let them know when I found you."

Severus slipped into the bed and pulled Hermione close. He could feel tears running down his neck.

"Do you want to talk about this, Hermione?" he asked softly.

"No," she whispered, clutching him tightly. "Just hold me."

He felt her tremble against him, and he felt at a loss to comfort her. He wasn't sure he liked that she needed her mother and not just him. But he tried hard to understand. His mother had never been much of a comfort to him.

He prayed Remus would come soon with the Calming Draught. He must have gone to a local apothecary since he hadn't left by Portkey. He continued to caress her and whisper soothing word. Eventually, Tonks knocked at the door.

"Come," he called.

Tonks came in, and Severus glimpsed Remus behind her.

"Severus, I have the potions," she said. "And Harry and Ron just came back. They would like to see Hermione for a moment.

Severus asked, "Do you want to see them?"

She nodded. Her eyes apologized to him because she needed to see her friends.

"Send them in. Remus, thank you, for getting the potions." He'd never been friendly to the man, and now he saw all the old history was nothing in the light of them all working together to help Hermione.

Lupin nodded, bowing his head slightly and backing out of the room.

"Tonks, give me a few minutes with the potions and then send the men in." Severus took the pain potion and had Hermione drink it. Then he gave her the Calming Draught and watched as the trembling abated. "Better?" he asked. He began to spread the dittany on her wounds.

"I feel better," she said, but tears still leaked out of her eyes.

The rest of the golden trio appeared at the door, and he motioned them in. He started to pull away saying, "I'll leave you."

"No! Please don't leave me, Severus."

He settled back beside her. He felt better that she did not send him away.

Harry and Ron went to the other side of the bed and knelt down. They reached out, one taking a hand and the other touching her shoulder.

"Hermione, are you alright?" Harry asked. His voice wavered as he took in the bruising that was still visible. He watched the flesh on her face heal under the dittany.

Ron seemed to be seething inside and didn't trust himself to say anything. Severus wondered if it was because of him or the situation. He smirked; maybe it was both.

"I'm sorry, Harry, Ron, that I didn't tell you about Severus. It just happened, and I wanted to keep him to myself." Her fingers tightened on Severus' hand. "I have never been so happy in my life. I have been a coward about sharing him with you. I didn't want to lose your friendship."

Ron found his voice and said, "It doesn't matter. We are here now. Severus called us immediately to help. That tells me he's changed, and I have eyes. He lives for you." He glanced up, and his eyes met Severus'. "You'd best continue to take good care of her."

In any other circumstances, Severus would have laughed at his threat. But he only nodded and said, "With my life."

Hermione sat up to hug each young man, and then she turned back, sliding into Severus' arms and laying against his chest.

Severus said, "Gentlemen, maybe you can come back later. She needs to sleep. Harry, will you and Ron go to Australia and get Hermione's parents. I think Tonks will have gotten Portkeys from Kingsley.

Harry said, "Of course. Sir, I can't say seeing you two in the paper wasn't a damn shock. It did make me angry only because I wasn't told. I know what you did for me, and I appreciate it. I also figured Hermione was old enough to know what she wanted. And I know you only commit yourself when you have given your heart. I can see she is in the best of hands." He smiled at Severus and then turned.

Ron said, "Same here, sir." He nodded and followed Harry out the door.

Hermione whispered against his neck, "Amazing."

Severus said, "Your friends have finally grown up. Now, sleep, my love. I will wake you when your parents come."

He settled down into the bed against the pillow, and Hermione snuggled up against him and fell asleep, lulled by the Calming Draught. Severus held her close and was surprised to feel tears leaking down his own face. He continued to lie there, awake and alert, as he caressed her arm and murmured over and over, "I love you, Hermione."

As the silence grew, he had to deal with all the rage inside. Years ago, he would have used Sectumsempraon Alan and watched the man's life blood seep into the bed and carpet. As he lay there, he found that he might be able to commiserate with the man. If he loved Hermione as much as Severus did, what would it do to him if she were with another man? Would he revert to the horrible man he'd been before her love had changed him? Granted, a lot of the things he'd done had been war or under the orders of two powerful men. But he knew in his heart he'd enjoyed his early days of being a Death Eater...until Lily had died, and then it had all become a nightmare that stretched until Hermione had reached out that night to take his hand. He knew he would eventually have to help her accept that Alan had changed because of her rejection. He finally let himself sleep.

*****

It seemed like he had barely closed his eyes when the door flew open and Hermione's parents came rushing in. Hermione roused quickly at the sound of her mother, and then both women were crying and clutching at each other. Severus moved away and faced Paxton.

"Severus, thank God you got to her." He came close and asked, "Did he...?"

"She says no." Severus ran a hand through his hair.

Paxton nodded. His eyes were full of tears.

Severus said, "I will be in the kitchen."

Hermione called, "Severus."

He went to her and said, "Please, if you can talk to your mother, talk. I promise I will not leave the house." She nodded, flashing him the tiniest of smiles. He squeezed her hand and moved away, seeing that her father had taken his place on the side of the bed to envelope both his women.

June was saying, "I thought we'd lost you just when we got you back. Hermione, darling..."

He closed the door and sagged back against it. He felt utterly spent, and a pressure was building inside. He tried to find comfort in the fact that he had his Hermione back. He knew things would take time now. Alan had destroyed her peace for now. He'd seen enough victims to know there would be consequences for both of them.

Harry appeared in the door that led to the kitchen. "Tonks made some strong coffee; it might do you good."

He nodded and pushed himself to his feet. He swayed a bit, and Harry stepped forward and grabbed his arm, steadying him. Suddenly, he knew he could not go into the kitchen with everyone there. He pulled Harry into the other bedroom. He fell to his knees and was able to pull his wand and cast a silencing charm before ragged cries tore from his lips. He didn't know how long the pain tore at him, but he finally realized Harry had a hold of his forearms. It wasn't a hug but an anchor...just what he needed. He saw Harry had tears in his eyes, too.

"I do not know what I would do without her," he found himself babbling. "He's damaged her. He didn't rape her, but she will never have that freedom of spirit she has always had."

"You don't know that, Severus. Hermione has a huge capacity for forgiveness. You just have to be patient and loving. I can see she already depends on you to be there for her. It would be far worse if she was withdrawing from us all...especially you, sir."

Severus freed one hand and rubbed it across his tear-stained face. "I will have all the patience she needs." He struggled to his feet with Harry's help. "I should wash my face."

He left Harry standing there and went into the bathroom, splashed cold water on his face, and then dried his face slowly on a towel. He waited a good 10 minutes for the redness to fade some, and then he came out to find Harry waiting for him.

"Thank you, Harry. Your mother would be very proud of the man you have become."

Harry smiled at him and said, "Thank you, sir."

"Severus," he said, giving the young man permission to call him by name.

"Severus," Harry repeated, "come have that cup of coffee. It should revive you a bit. Your spoon will stand up in it." He tried to laugh at his joke, but it fell like sand on his tongue.

Severus nodded with understanding and followed him to the kitchen.

******

Hermione clutched her mother tightly and cried for a long time. Finally she fell quiet and just held on; her grip was so strong that June knew she would have bruises, but she didn't mind. She held Hermione close, stroked her hair, and cooed soft things mothers say to babies as they comfort them.

Paxton sat by feeling utterly useless...not even brushing away the tears that fell down his face.

"Paxton, please go get us some tea. A nice cup of tea might help us settle our nerves."

Hermione was lying with her head against her mother's breasts.

"Okay," he said, glad of something to do. "Are you okay, my girl?" he asked as he stood.

Hermione nodded and said, "Thanks, Daddy."

Paxton smiled; she hadn't called him that in years. "Anything for my girl."

Severus was just sitting down at the table when Paxton came in the door. The man looked years older than he had that morning. Severus started to stand. "Is Hermione okay?" he asked.

"She's fine, Severus. Have your cup of coffee. June's got her. As much as a woman can love you, there's nothing like a mother to soothe a body."

I wouldn't know, Severus thought bitterly, but he understood. He was eternally thankful that they had made up only days ago. He picked up the coffee that Lupin had set before him and smiled weakly at the woman and men who sat trying to not intrude on his space. They all still feared the man they used to know.

Paxton asked, "May I have two cups of tea for June and Hermione?"

Tonks said, "Mr. Granger, sit. I'll take the tea to them. Have some tea or coffee yourself. There are some chocolate biscuits here as well. She put the cups on a tray, poured the tea, and gathered a couple chocolate biscuits to take to the women.

Paxton sat, placing his face in his hands for a moment to collect himself, and then turned to Severus and said, "I've never been grateful for the magic before. Without it, we would have lost her. It might have taken weeks for you to all track her down the...what is it you say?...the Muggle way."

Severus said, "Even then, it was not fast enough. She had to practically save herself. If we had been delayed any longer, she would have gotten out of there on her own." He didn't tell him about the knife or the potion. "I'm sorry, sir. I failed her. I did not keep her safe."

"Severus," Paxton said, "You could do no more than you did. What you all did is a miracle in my world. I'll not hear about failures. Hermione survived the worst, and she's returned to us. She's tough, and she will come out of this. She's worried about you, Severus. She's worried you won't be able to look at her the same."

Severus' brow creased and he said, "She is not changed in my eyes. I only feel more love for her."

Tonks came back in and said, "Severus, Hermione wants you."

Severus stood and looked at the others in the room. "Harry, Ron, can you go back to Hermione's place and repair the damage? I don't want her to see it like that. Remus, will you please go see Minerva and explain what's happened. Ask her if we can come there. I think Hermione might feel safer inside the wards of Hogwarts."

Remus nodded and said, "Of course, Severus." He kissed his wife and said, "I'll get Teddy from your mother's and take care of him till you come back."

Harry and Ron stood. "We will get right on it, Severus," Harry said. They went out the door.

Severus turned and went to the room Hermione was in. When he opened the door, June looked up at him with a small, tear-filled smile. "She's asleep," she whispered. "Come and take my place."

He slipped under Hermione, and she moved out the other side.

---

Lisa, thank you for your beta work. I appreciate your help.