Chapter 40

Thanks to Lilith Kayden for being a fabulous beta. You go, girl!

Chapter 40

Severus knocked on Hermione's door. He heard her call for him to come in. Opening the door, he looked around, but she wasn't in the sitting room.

"Back here in the bedroom," she called.

He hurried to the bedroom and found her standing in front of a mirror, putting an earring in her ear. He caught his breath at the sight of her.

Hermione had put her hair up in an elegant twist with a spiral curl framing each side of her face. Her dress was floor length and made of a dark burgundy embroidered taffeta material. It accented every curve before sweeping out into a drop-waist skirt. The sleeves were full length and ended in points at her wrists.

Severus came up behind her and encircled her waist with his arms.

"You look ravishing tonight, my dear," he told her.

She smiled at him as she finished placing the long diamond earring into her ear. With her outfit complete, she turned and inspected her date. Severus wore black dress robes. The jacket was left open, and he had a dark gray dress shirt on underneath. A black bow tie finished off the outfit. She smiled her approval at him.

"I don't think I've ever seen you look so sexy, Severus," she commented as she looked him up and down, admiring everything about his outfit.

He grinned at her and took her arm. He led her out of her room and out of the castle.

Everything was set for the raid. When Lucius took Hermione to have his 'private' conversation, Severus would slip away and open one of the fireplaces at Malfoy Manor to the Floo network. He was hoping to use the one in the second floor study. The room was large enough to conceal a raid party until everyone had amassed. They would attack the party guests before the Ministry could realize what had happened and send reinforcements. Hopefully, they would capture anyone who controlled the Ministry or who would be a threat when Lucius was removed from power.

Severus and Hermione talked strategy as they walked to the Apparition point, making sure that every possible angle had been analyzed and that there would be no mistakes. Finally, they Apparated to the Malfoy's and joined the party.

There were quite a few people there...all of them Malfoy supporters. Severus had explained to Hermione that most of the people with whom Lucius surrounded himself were former low-level Death Eaters who had escaped conviction because of uncertainty as to whether they'd been Imperiused or not. Other supporters had been powerful people who had sympathized with the Dark Lord, but had kept a low profile during the war. Evidently, Lucius had spent a good deal of time fostering friendships with these people, who all were as power hungry as Lucius himself.

Hermione perused the room, noticing that Lucius' body guards had dressed up for the occasion and were all wearing black dress robes with bow ties. She rolled her eyes at them. Lucius spotted Severus and Hermione soon after and made his way over to them with Narcissa.

"Severus, Hermione, how wonderful for you to have made it tonight!" he exclaimed as his eyes ate up Hermione in her dress. He stared at her excitedly, seeming to be a rabid wolf. She smiled at him, playing her part.

"Thank you for the invitation, Lucius," Severus said. "Narcissa, you look lovely as always."

Narcissa smiled at Severus and told him thank you. She then glared at Hermione, not uttering a word to her.

"Well," Lucius said brightly. "Make yourselves at home. The buffet is in the corner over there. Help yourself. We need to excuse ourselves and greet more of our guests. I will see you later."

The last part was directed at Hermione. She smiled broadly at him, hoping he thought she was excited about their up-coming rendezvous. Narcissa glared once again at Hermione as she was turned and directed toward the entryway. The host couple wandered off to welcome another couple who had just walked in.

"Be careful, Hermione," Severus whispered. "I think Lucius would have ripped that dress right off you with his eyes alone, if he could have gotten away with it. He's not one to be told no."

Hermione stiffened. "Will he try to force himself on me?"

"I don't know," Severus said truthfully. "He might."

Hermione frowned. She had a bad feeling about this whole operation, but Severus had been positive that everything would go as planned. She certainly hoped so. Even if it didn't, though, Severus was too thorough to not have five back up plans to help them escape with their lives if necessary.

They went over to the buffet and picked at the offerings for a while. Draco wandered up to them eventually.

"Severus, Hermione, it's nice that you could come," Draco drawled to them.

Hermione raised her eyebrows at him, not expecting to be on a first name basis with the man who used to sneer at her and call her names. Of course, it made sense. If he was an Order member, then they must have some sort of tolerance for each other.

"How are you, Draco?" Severus asked.

"I'm fine. I'll keep the guards occupied when I see my father take Hermione out of the room," he said in a low voice.

"I'll just need a couple of minutes to sneak upstairs," Severus said.

Draco nodded and brought his drink up to them in a mock toast. He withdrew and began to mingle with other guests. Before long, Lucius was headed for them, sans Narcissa.

"Here he comes," Hermione whispered to Severus.

"I love you. Good luck!" Severus whispered back quickly before Lucius got within earshot.

"Ah, there you are!" Lucius said jovially. "I don't believe, Hermione, that you have ever had the pleasure of seeing the art gallery."

"No, Lucius, I haven't," she replied.

"Well, you must come and see it. You don't mind, Severus, if I steal your date away for a few minutes?"

Severus felt like punching him in the face, but only nodded calmly. He watched as Lucius led Hermione back into the depths of the house. After they had disappeared, Severus searched the room, looking to see if anyone was eyeing him. He saw Draco joking with the two guards closest to him. He scanned the rest of the room quickly. No one seemed to be paying him any attention so he slowly slipped away, heading for the stairs. With a quick glance behind him, he rapidly ascended them and entered the first room he came to... the upstairs study. It was empty. He sealed the door and warded it so no one else could enter. Rushing over to the fireplace, he began to connect it to the Floo network.

oooOOOooo

Lucius took Hermione by the arm and led her down the hall. The art gallery was in the back of the house, well secluded from prying eyes. He opened the door, stepping aside to let Hermione through. She entered and gave a genuine gasp. Never had she seen a finer collection of artwork anywhere except in a museum. Hanging on a dark red wall were several Monet's, a Degas, a Van Gogh, and two Rembrandts, and that only made up the left side of the room. There were several huge sculptures that stood in the center of the room, blocking some of the other artwork that decorated the expanse. She wandered over to a Monet.

"I just love Monet," she told Lucius.

"He is my favorite," Lucius answered.

She smiled at him.

"Of course, none of these works can surpass the beauty in front of my eyes right now." Lucius said, his eyes looking at her lustfully.

Hermione beamed at him. Inside she felt like throwing up, but she pushed it down and kept her demeanor light. She decided to walk around the gallery, taking as much time as possible to put off his advances. She slowly circled the room. The Muggle artists near the entry gave way to magical ones. As Hermione made her way around the room, she realized that almost all the paintings were moving. She stood in front of an avant-garde piece by an artist she'd never heard of.

"That's my pride and joy. My father did it...under an assumed name."

Hermione looked over at Lucius. "Really?"

He nodded.

"Do you have any other works of his?"

"Yes, I do. They're all really ugly, but I like this one very much."

Hermione studied the red and green swirls on the canvas. They moved about hypnotically. "I like it too," she replied.

Lucius stepped closer to her and put his arm around her waist.

"Hermione, I am glad you chose to join me tonight."

Hermione looked at him tentatively.

"I have one concern, Lucius."

"What's that?" he asked.

"What about Narcissa?"

"She won't bother us."

Hermione turned to look directly at Lucius. "I mean, I don't usually have affairs with married men. What will your wife say when she finds out about us?"

"Who says she has to find out about us?" Lucius said as he kissed her neck.

"Lucius, I thought you said you loved me."

"I do," he continued as his lips moved up toward her cheek.

"Then you are going to leave Narcissa?"

Lucius stopped kissing her and drew his head back so he could look at her.

"I have no intention of leaving my wife."

Hermione looked angry. "Then what exactly are your intentions?" she said with her voice raised.

"I intend to make love to you in my art gallery."

He came in closer, but she put both of her hands up to stop him.

"I have no intention of having sex with you tonight!"

Lucius narrowed his eyes at her.

"I thought I had made myself clear the other day," he said brusquely.

"Lucius, I came here to find out exactly what you want from me. As I said, I have strong misgivings about starting anything with you, as you are a married man."

"There are lots of married men who get their pleasure elsewhere," Lucius drawled.

"Look, I am not interested in being someone's fling. I want a long term relationship. It seems that you are not willing to get involved in one, so I believe that this meeting is over."

She began to walk to the door, hoping that she hadn't taken it too far and that he wasn't going to let her just walk out of the room without a fight.

"Wait!" Lucius said urgently.

She stopped and turned around. He crossed the room and stood next to her again.

"What if I did leave Narcissa?"

"You just said you didn't want to do that."

"I know, but I do love you, Hermione." Lucius looked her up and down, with a possessive look. He stroked her hair with his hand. "I have wanted you for as long as I can remember. I would do anything to have you."

She softened her stance and looked at him. "How do I know you're not just stringing me along?"

"I guess you'll just have to trust me," he grinned slyly at her.

oooOOOooo

Lucius had no intention of leaving his wife. He wanted Hermione so badly, however, that he would say almost anything to have her.

"Lucius, I want you to know I am not some harlot who will wait for you indefinitely to break up your marriage. Be honest with me. Do you have any desire to leave your wife?"

He hesitated for a moment before telling her, "I will do anything to possess you, Hermione."

"And you would want to marry me?"

He nodded. He would tell this witch exactly what she wanted to hear until she was his entirely.

"If you want me badly enough, divorce your wife and marry me. I will play second to no one."

Lucius stepped closer to her. "You drive a hard bargain," he said lustfully.

Lucius' devious mind worked quickly. He would move slowly, until she could resist him no more, and then she would be his. His mouth closed on hers, and he kissed her possessively. Groaning, he pulled her to him and held her tightly. Forgetting his intention to move slowly, he devoured her mouth and pulled her even closer. He would not release her until he'd convinced her to let him do as he wished with her.

oooOOOooo

Hours had passed. At least it had seemed like hours to Hermione. She actually didn't know how long they kissed, but it had seemed that time stood still. Lucius' thin lips were doing things to hers that only Severus had a right to do. Where was he? Why was it taking Severus so long to rescue her?

Suddenly, the door burst open and in flew Severus. Lucius and Hermione pulled apart as Severus drew his wand.

"I wondered what the two of you could be doing in here!" he said angrily, playing the love-sick fool, according to the plan they had worked out beforehand.

Lucius looked at him blandly and said, "Oh, Severus, don't make a big deal. The woman has just decided she wants something a little spicier in her life."

Hermione backed off and withdrew her wand silently.

"Stay away from her, she is mine!" Severus ordered.

"That's not what she says," Lucius taunted.

Before Severus could say or do anything else, two of Lucius' goons burst through the doors, wands extended. One of them began dueling with Severus, and the other raced toward Lucius.

"The Manor is being attacked!" the guard cried before Hermione could stun him.

She sent a spell flying at him as he said that, and the man fell to the floor.

As quick as lightning, Lucius had spun around, his wand drawn, and fired a shot towards Hermione. She blocked it deftly and sent one of her own. They sparred and conversed at the same time.

"So, your attention to me has been a ruse to attack my home!" he yelled and shot off a spell.

Hermione ducked. "Of course it was, you conceited prat!" she yelled back. She sent another hex flying. It missed him.

"You are no better than your busy-body counterpart. She was always trying to put her nose in where it didn't belong. You and your boyfriend will pay dearly for your treachery!" he spat at her and ducked another spell.

"Try your best, Malfoy," she shouted.

They stopped talking and continued fighting. It was a fierce battle, with both of them dodging and shooting spells at one another. Severus was dueling with the other man, but they were also not getting anywhere. Severus and Hermione moved around the room and were soon almost back to back. The second guard had, by now, regained consciousness and had rejoined the fight. They all started fighting randomly; shooting spells at whoever came into view.

Severus and Hermione were outnumbered, and they knew it. Severus grabbed her and turned over a table to hide behind. They shot at all three of their enemies, but only Severus seemed to fell one of them. Lucius screamed as he saw his favorite body guard fall to the floor in a mass of blood, a victim of Severus' Sectumsempra spell. Lucius, in his anger, shot a spell at Severus, and the table shattered into a million pieces. Taking advantage of Lucius' rage, Severus rose and sent a curse towards him.

Lucius reacted quickly and shielded it. Hermione shot a spell from her crouched position, but it flew over Lucius' head. He sneered at her, but aimed his wand at Severus' chest. Distracted from the imminent danger, Severus had turned to the remaining body guard and deflected a hex from him. Before Hermione could do anything, Lucius had shot the Killing Curse directly at Severus. It hit him on the side of his chest and sent him flying to the ground. Hermione screamed and looked back at Severus. He was lying flat on his back staring vacantly into the air.

Two things happened to Hermione in that instant. The first was that her mind went a bit insane. The other was that her magic went right along with it. Her vision tunneled until all she could see was Lucius Malfoy. Great green flashes spurt from the tip of her wand as she quickly rose. Without realizing it, she shouted Avada Kedavra at Lucius.

Green light shot from her wand and surrounded everyone in the room but Severus and Hermione. The two figures that were standing dropped to the floor like stones. Hermione lowered her wand and stared blankly at them... seeing nothing and registering nothing in her mind. Slowly she came back to sanity. She had killed them both with one curse. She looked down indifferently at her hand, which still held her wand. She didn't even remember casting the curse. Then her foggy brain processed why she had been so upset. Coming back to her senses, she wheeled around and raced to Severus.

She knelt beside him and shook his shoulders, "Severus! Oh, no, Severus!"

His vacant eyes still gazed skyward. His chest was eerily still. Fear settled in Hermione's heart as she shook Severus, but his eyes didn't clear, nor did he move.

You can't be dead! We have too much to live for. Memories of the happiness she had felt when she had returned and had been wrapped in his embrace flooded her mind. In reality, Severus' arms lay by his side, but she felt them around her. His eyes stared blankly ahead, but she felt them pierce her soul. His lips were immobile, but they seared hers with a fervent kiss.

She stared down at Severus' still form. Her hopes for the future bled out of her. There would be no happy ending for them. There would be no marriage or family. There would be nothing but loneliness. She threw herself on his body and sobbed.

"No! No! You can't be dead! No! We haven't even had any time together. You can't leave me, Severus. Please... please, wake up!"

Her sobs turned to wails. She covered his body with hers as her tears flowed down her face and seeped into Severus clothing. As she moved to look at him again, the necklace she'd worn since that Christmas in the past dangled from her neck and touched the one he now wore openly on the outside of his robes. She pulled back and fingered his. One Heart had been inscribed on it. Hers read One Mind. Her heart and mind seemed to dissolve into nothingness as she stared down at the only man she'd ever loved. They were one. How could she go on as only half a person? How could she exist without him by her side? The rest of her life extended before her. Endless days, bereft of any happiness, stretched out ahead of her. Misery and grief filled her future. The man whom she adored would never be with her again. She could not fathom how she could exist like that. She didn't want to.

"Why must we be torn apart whenever we come together? Severus, please..."

Her tears and sobs continued as she gripped Severus in a tight embrace. She would never let him go. She would not leave him again. She had deserted him for twenty-five years! They had been kept apart from each other, neither being able to feel complete without the other. All that time, utterly wasted! She would not let him go. She would not leave him again!

Merlin, why did it have to end this way? They were supposed to be happy, finally. Now she just saw pain and heartache stretched out in front of her with no end in sight. Her life was over. He was gone, and he had taken her life with him. Please, someone come and wake me from this nightmare, or it will never end! Better yet... kill me too...

The enormity of what had happened came crashing down around her. She was alone. Her life had gone. Her entire being yearned to join him... wherever he was. But fate was cruel, and she would endure. Simply existing... never fulfilled. She would never see him smile at her again, never feel him hold her or kiss her. She would be alone... utterly alone... forever.

"No!" she screamed again and again. "No!"

After becoming hoarse, she felt two hands pulling her up and away from Severus. She shot a look around and saw Harry holding her, tears streaming down his face as well.

She struggled to get out of his grasp. "No, Harry! I won't leave him. I won't leave him again!"

She broke free and fell back on Severus still body, sobbing hysterically.

"I won't leave you again, Severus. I won't leave you again!"

She cried it over and over again. She begged him to come back to her, but he didn't stir. She refused to leave him, but her cries went unheard. Severus Snape was no more.

A/N: Next up: Are you in the beyond? I think you are!

A big hug and cyber applause will go to anyone who can figure out how this will have that happy ending. There have been a couple of clues as to how this might work out, but they are somewhat subtle and happened in previous chapters. Good luck. I'll be hiding away in a cave in the mountains of Wyoming while you ponder this. Don't look for me. The area is vast and filled with coyotes... and moose... giant moose. Moose that trample down marauders looking to take out their wrath on a poor fanfic author. Consider yourselves warned.