The End of Time
Chapter 26 of 31
quaffswinegailyAnd then he kissed her.
ReviewedThe End of Time
Disclaimer: I’m not an author, merely an unpaid copy-cat.
The toe of his boot struck her again and again. Trying to protect her face with her arms triggered her muscles into agonising cramps from the after effects of the repeated Cruciatus Curses. Hermione bit her lip, not wanting to give him the pleasure of hearing her scream. A quiet whimper escaped as he kicked her viciously, causing her to spasm again in pain.
“Liar!” he yelled. “You know nothing, Mudblood.”
Seeking solace, Hermione looked towards Severus. The young wizard lay sprawled on the floor, terror etched on his face. A sense of outrage blossomed in her chest. She licked her swollen lip, tasting the metallic tang of her own blood. A small huff of defiant laughter bubbled up. “You’ve seen my memories, Tom Riddle. You have seen what I have seen.”
Voldemort spat on her and kicked her again hard, forcing the breath out of her lungs in a painful rush.
With an agonising cough, blood trickled out over Hermione’s lips. She drew in a shuddering breath.
“Only a coward kicks a woman when she is down.”
She wheezed and coughed again, bloody mucus trailing from the corner of her mouth.
“Enough!” shrieked Voldemort, halting the swing of his foot. Then, he drew his leg back further, kicking her even harder before bending over her. Hermione flinched as he pointed his wand in her face, threatening her. His long fingers twitched where they clenched around the wand’s handle. “I’m done with you, stupid witch.”
“You will not win,” she whispered, her voice strained.
Breathing hard, he turned his back on her, leaving her lying sprawled on the floor. “I never want to see her again. Snape, get rid of her... permanently.”
No! Frantically, Hermione’s eyes sought Snape’s face. “Severus?”
One of her eyelids was rapidly swelling shut, and the other eye would not stay focused. His features blurred and shifted so she could hardly see him. Trying to lift a hand to his panic-stricken face caused a flare of pain in her muscles.
Mercifully, Severus enveloped her in his strong, gentle arms, hugging her close and murmuring into her hair. He smelled of blood and fear, but still, underlying it all was his own soothing scent. Her eyes drifted shut.
Don’t let me die here. Not like this. Give me the Portkey, Severus. I can’t hold on much longer.
He kissed her tenderly.
He kissed me. Severus!
She was gone.
*
Severus rocked backwards and forwards with his hands covering his face.
“Fuck! What have I done? Where have you gone? I’m so fucking stupid. I couldn’t protect you. I’m so sorry. I deserve to die.”
Searing, white agony surged through his left forearm. As Severus clutched at his arm, his fingertips chilled where they touched the clammy skin.
My love’s gone.
Silver-white light blazed through his mind. Unheeding, Snape toppled face forward onto the floor.
*
The witch’s lifeless form slammed onto the floor when it reappeared, and her head bounced off the stone flagging as she landed. After a brief twitch of limbs, her body lay unmoving.
The sickening thud roused Snape back to consciousness. His neck screamed with cramp as he turned his head to see her ruined shape lying on the floor beside him. Stiffness slowed his arm as he reached a trembling hand to touch her tangled curls.
“Charmaine,” he whispered hoarsely, “you shouldn’t be here.”
Pushing himself up to sitting made Snape’s head swim. He swayed slightly as he rose to his knees.
“You can’t stay here, love.”
Carefully, he lifted her into his arms, cradling her drooping head.
With a crack of Disapparition, they were gone.
*
Pain pounded through her head, increasing as she tried to open her eyes. Attempting to raise her hand generated jerking spasms in her muscles. Her breath hissed out through clenched teeth. A dull ache in her ribs increased sharply, stabbing her as she tried to breathe in again. Pursing her lips, she breathed out cautiously, closing her eyes tight.
*
Severus felt the soft breath brush across his cheek.
She’s breathing.
With great gentleness he cleared her wild hair from her face, cupping it between his hands. Tenderly, he kissed her forehead.
“You’re alive.”
*
He kissed me. She smiled inwardly as she slipped back into oblivion.
*
Carefully, he carried her up the narrow stairs at Spinners End and laid her on his bed. With a quiet spell, he removed her dirty, torn clothing and covered her battered body with his soft bedcover.
Summoning a bowl of clean water, he started the painstaking job of cleaning and healing her. His hands moved smoothly as he applied unguents and dressings to open wounds. He hummed under his breath as he worked intricate spells to heal the contusions as best he could. Finally, he dripped a couple of drops of a fortifying potion onto her tongue.
She lay unmoving, her breathing scarcely shifting her chest. Eventually, it became less ragged and more regular as Severus finished his ministrations.
Pulling a comfortable chair up beside the bed, he settled down to wait. There was nothing more he could do now. As he took her hand in his, he rubbed his thumb over the back of her knuckles before lifting her fingers to his lips and kissing them.
*
She could feel the weight of his hand resting on top of hers. A frisson of magic tingled at the contact. It was a small thing, but it made her heart soar. He was still there.
She tried to open her eyes but could not. Her eyelids were still too swollen and felt leaden.
Her mind drifted again, conjuring a vision of his dark, searching eyes gazing down on her, watching over her and protecting her.
*
As he watched, his mind settled and cleared. The blazing white lights and fuzziness faded as his memories rearranged themselves and came into focus. He remembered her now.
This was not the young, newly qualified witch, Hermione, whom he had recently sent back in time. This was the feisty, smart woman he had fallen in love with all those years ago. This was Charmaine. Observing the fragile witch lying on the bed, he realised this was his Charmaine. He wanted to touch her, to reacquaint his fingers with the feel of her.
Leaning closer, he breathed in. Underneath the overbearing smell of medicinal herbs was the subtle scent of her. How he loved that smell; it reminded him of warm summers, cold winters, flying and laughing. It reminded him of Remus.
With some sadness, he remembered the last time he saw Remus. His staunch friend died in his arms, and his last words were thoughts of love. Tell her you love her. Tell her I love her. I love you, Sev.
This was the witch. This was her. Leaning closer still, Severus whispered in her ear, “Remus wanted me to tell you he loved you.”
He was surprised by the soft sigh he heard. Looking at her face, he noted the slight curve of a smile on her lips.
“Mind you, he said he loved me too. The daft wassock,” he muttered.
The curve of her lips increased. That had to be good, even though her eyes remained swollen closed. He smiled.
*
Hermione smiled.
He said Remus loved her. She knew that. Remus told her often enough. The daft wassock also told Severus he loved him, usually after they had been out to the pub together. He was so open and affectionate, and she loved him dearly.
Unable to open her puffy eyes, she could only imagine the two wizards. The memories of Lupin’s vibrance were fresh, so were images of a young Snape. She could visualise his lithe young limbs, his bright eyes, and his youthful grin. The thought made her smile more.
Snape’s voice penetrated the brain fog which enveloped her. It was so familiar and soothing, but the timbre had changed. There was a deeper, huskier quality. What was wrong with him?
A/N: Thanks, Sunny33, for all your help.
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Latest 25 Reviews for A Man's Best Friend
353 Reviews | 7.7/10 Average
Damn so he came back cured of the love that he had,but stilled loved them as a friend.I am not sure I understand how he was cured from being dead...did he not really die cause of the Blaze? I loved the story,felt a little rushed at the end,but it was supposed to be a one shot right!! Great work thanks!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Thanks for taking the time to read to the finish and review. I wrote this story three years ago, so perhaps would take more time on the ending now. Maybe one day I'll revisit it.
I think they could have been a triad. Do you ever write those stories? You would write a great one I know!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
I haven't yet. Maybe one day.
i like the older Snape and I am sure Hermione does too!!Great story!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
He matures rather well.
If he had lived would Lupin have been thier third? I would like to think so...I LOVE this story!!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Perhaps... or maybe not...
i love the way you incorporate canon and fanon!!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Thank you very much. I appreciate your reviews.
poor Severus and poor(Hermione?)
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Indeed.
I never liked Lily, a real friend would have forgiven!! I hate the fact Severus never recoved from her loss and went to his death alone on a dirty floor...Thank goodness for fan fiction!!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Fan fiction just lets us explore other options.
i was not expecting the unicorn to hurt our Severus!! I think it is for the good in the long run!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Here's hoping...
Hermione?
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Really?
Response from deedeebug95 (Reviewer)
Hahaha!
oMG, this really could have happened this way!! Poor Severus this is breaking my heart
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
It's certainly a possibility.
like the start of this!! How dare they shave Severus' hair!!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
I know. Oily and lank though it may be at times, we do love his hair.
If the professor knew how the dance went, why would she not be prepared to be kissed by Severus? It seems odd that a professor would dance this dance with a student. Obviously she has some kind of magical sight that Severus can pick up on when he touches her. Legilimins? Could they have gotten away with a kiss on the cheek? She should chastise Snotter for trapping her and Severus and taunting him right in front of a teacher. I know I need to just buck and deal with the tragedy that is Silly Lily Evens the idiot girl who has no ability to judge character and Severus Snape. I still don't like it though. F the Gryffindors. I hates them all!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
I'm sure they woudn't have let them go with just a kiss on the cheek.
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
I'm sure they woudn't have let them go with just a kiss on the cheek.
Lily is such a little airheaded dolt! She has no common sense! She knows Severus better than that! She should know he wouldn't say such a thing! And that Snotter deserves to be killed by Voldemort. The world is better off without his kind of riff raff. I know that sounds stinky, but I'm a fat, greyheaded, crotchety and cantankerous old broad so I get to say things like that.
"That little whiper snaper probably smokes dope like all them other little pimply faced reprobates! All those young people are are on dope, damn it!" 
That's the mood I'm in and it's late. So I'd better go to bed before I do or say anything else antisocial. 
If you knew the week I've been having you'd understand.
Some little wanker stole my car and got it impounded for driving with no licence and for possession. He also just happens to be married to my idiot, enabling daughter who makes excuses for the little A-hole. I have no idea who raised these damn kids of mine!
Just freeking kill me now before I ever have to live with with any of the ungrateful leeches. I'll have bed sores and a wet diaper all the time.
I could totally kick that drunk, skinny little ass of his if I wanted to, you know... he's a little putz and I weigh more than he does. All I have to do is knock him down and sit on his face until he suffocates. He just better hope I don't cough, sneeze or laugh while I'm at it! Oops! it's too late. There I went and said something else antisocial. Somebody make me go to bed! I have to work tomorrow so I can buy diapers and wipes for my spawn's babies.
If you have to have kids, for the love of god don't have girls! Drama Drama Drama! I'm just warning you now. Kids are over freeking rated.
It's time for sleeping pills. I can't believe how late it is and I'm still up bitching... 
Now you know why I read Harry Potter fan fiction. In my head magic is fixing everything right now and Snape thinks I am the sexiest thing he's ever seen!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
I hope this manages to take you away from real life dramas, if only for a short time.
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
I hope this manages to take you away from real life dramas, if only for a short time.
What special gift does she have? Oooooo, I know! She must be a werewolf! No wait. She does't smell of dog. But maybe she just knows how to keep the smell away. Hmmmmm. Touching Snape's face would have been OK if he had been a 4th grader but, teenager? Does she uderstand teenage male hormone function? Or should I call it a disorder? Just kidding. When I was a girl I didn't know what not to do around boys. I don't think I got wise until my mid 30's. I'm thinking she must be at least that old, however or she wouldn't have been thinking the things she was thinking. Women at the bottom of the hill wouldn't notice such attributes. Interesting.
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Teenage male hormones... does anyone understand them?
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Teenage male hormones... does anyone understand them?
Hmmmm. She wants to let Severus know that Lupin is a Werewolf? I sincerely hope she isn't the one behind the prank that almost killed the young Severus.
Why would Dumbledore want the two boys to work together? Training them for something? Are you saying that the speech on the first day of potions isn't Severus Snape's original work?
I am very surprised he would use someone elses speech, but I guess if she turns out to be someone he truely admires I suppose he might use it to honor her. Maybe it caught his interest so well that it inspired him for life and he uses it hoping to inspire other young people the way he was. I guess we will find out. Black is such an arse! No wait, worse, he's a vulgar dick head.
I take it we won't be super attached to Sirius Black in this story. That's fine with me. I read for the love of Severus Snape and the love of Snape/Granger romance.
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Hopefully all will become clearer as the story moves on.
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Hopefully all will become clearer as the story moves on.
Bummer! They shaved his beautiful long black hair. Hasn't the poor man suffered enough assault to his dignity? I wonder why they let him out of Azkaban for the funeral? Is it to humiliate him? Is he out of Azkaban but under house arrest with guards? It must be shocking to Hermione to see Snape sobbing. I guess you'll tell us how he survived the war. An ausicious beginning!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Thank you. I hope you enjoy the rest of the story.
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Thank you. I hope you enjoy the rest of the story.
This has got to be one of the most gorgeous convoluted twisty exciting mind bending epic stories I've ever read!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Thanks very much. I'm delighted you enjoyed this and appreciate you taking the time to leave a review.
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Thanks very much. I'm delighted you enjoyed this and appreciate you taking the time to leave a review.
I started reading this just before bed time, telling myself that I'd only read a chapter or two then off to bed... its now 5:30AM and I just finished! I just couldnt stop reading! I loved it. I really enjoyed every word! Great job and I look forward to reading more from you!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
I'm absolutely delighted. Thank you very much. Now, go and get some sleep!
What a fun roller coaster! Thanks for posting it where we can read it.
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
You're most welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it. And thanks for taking the time to stop and leave a review.
Charming story! I've definitely never read anything like it. I love the Portkey idea, and how the story flowed between the past and the present. Thanks.
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Thanks for reviewing. This was my first ever long fic. I hope you enjoyed it.
I'm not sure if I loved the story more or the A/N! Fabulous write;)
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Thanks very much. I really appreciate your review. A/N: must remember to give everyone squishy hugs for reviewing...
Thank you for a happy ending - Severus & Hermione wedded, and Remus brought back, as well as Remus finding another special person to love and share/continue a new life with! I can't believe you intended this first to be only a one shot - thank Merlin's Beard that you got carried away or we all would never have had this wonderful, creative adventure in our ff lives - big heartfelt thanks! Looking forward to more of your multi-chaptered works as well as all others!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
It was a one shot, but the darned thing wouldn't lie down. Normally I struggle to string more than a couple of words together, so this was a bit of a one off. Thanks very much for your encouragement. Cheers, qwg
Ah-ah, Quaffie. I told you quite a few chapters back that you couldn't kill off Remus and you told me to get some new specs or something of that ilk because your prologue dictated that the lovely werewolf had shuffled off his mortal coil or pelt or whatever. Hmmmph. I'd like you to know lassie that I have 20-20 vision....and hindsight and can see through walls too. I enjoyed this ending but I secretly thought that Remus was going to end up with Harry. No??? Anyway thank you for a wonderful story. I have thoroughly enjoyed both Remus and Severus' and indeed our banter over the last few months and look forward to hearing from you again in the near future. Best wishes, Love Ali xxxxx.
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Fie on you, and your xray, 3D, perception... glasses... thingies. It was very tempting to set Remus up with Harry, or in a threesome, but Jo was looking a bit left out. And being a true Aussie sheila used to wrangling crocs and dingoes, I reckoned she'd be able to manage his scrawny, flea-bitten hide.And the bloomin' happy ending fairy took over...I'm away to sink into the slough of despond, or onto the couch, or anywhere out of this infernal summer heat. Thanks for all your edifying reviews.Cheers, qwg
So glad this was more than a one shot! I've loved every minute of it. I'm really loving this unicorn magic. You should explore it more in future stories. Beautifully written and one of my favorite fics.
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
I'm very glad you liked it. The story just kept expanding - in some part due to sunny33, who read the original, and never made a comment, but the look on her face just said 'crap ending, write some more' - so I did (but not exactly what she wanted).As for more unicorns - not sure if I trust the mutant horse much - we'll wait and see.Thanks for all your lovely reviews.Cheers, qwg
Yay for you! Your first long fic and it went out on top. This was an even better ending than expected. I have to have my happy ending, always, and I knew you would let Severus and Hermione end in that fashion, but I was so pleased to find that they were able to have their friend back, even if it was through a portrait. THEN, you went and did one better by bringing him back for real. I, for one, am pleased that this one-shot got carried away. Feel free to let that happen again ...
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Darn! The happy ending fairy got a bit over exuberant, didn't she? I'll have to go and think up something evil she can't tamper with. I hope you enjoyed the read. Really, it shouldn't have worked - a story about a time travelling poisoner, a dead werewolf and a hard drinking wizard with memory defecit. What a load of tosh!Thanks for all your wonderful reviews, they are much appreciated.Cheers, qwg