A Reckoning

Chapter 6 ~ A Reckoning

Severus and Hermione reappeared in one of the most depressing, rubbish-strewn areas the young wizard had ever seen. It was night, but Severus had a feeling that even in the bright light of day, all would be colorless and dull.

Rows of close, dilapidated brick houses stood side by side, bordering the cobblestone street. They were small, disheveled, obviously the former abode of mill workers, and extended back from the street in almost identical straight rows. Most of the sad little buildings were boarded up and abandoned. Bits of trash caught by the wind slid across the landscape as if alive and seeking shelter, places of rest. A tall chimney towered in the distance, moonlight causing it to stand out in relief against the dark, grayish sky. It was black and cold-looking, as if it hadn't seen heat for many, many years.

A river ran along the other side of the street, bordered by a railing, a flat, thin path following its undulations, serving as a middle ground between the stinking waters and steep banks overgrown with weeds and splattered with garbage.

Was this where the professor lived? No wonder she was so hard, so cold. How could it be otherwise, surrounded by . . . by this? It was terrible, depressing and bleak.

"Come on," Hermione said weakly, still holding onto Severus for support and walking toward the end of the street.

A cat yowled, then hissed. Then a dog barked furiously, giving the impression that even the animals in this place were angry and sullen.

A breeze from the river lifted the couple's hair as they walked slowly, Severus careful to keep a gentle hold on the injured witch. He noticed as they walked that most of the abandoned houses were attached . . . terraced with a small alley between them. And they also seemed to be connected to the homes behind them. Back-to-backs.

There were no front gardens on any of the houses. They opened straight onto the pavement. The air was ripe with the smell of spoilage, organic, the decomposition of something that had once lived. They approached a house at the end of the row, the very last one. It too was tiny, but unlike the others, it wasn't connected and had a bit of space around it. Beyond the house stretched dead barren earth, possibly a former building site, or with its slightly crater-like depression, maybe even a bomb-site.

Hermione pulled out her wand and murmured a complicated incantation, then opened the door. All was blackness inside, and the air was close, stale and cloying. Severus could smell old leather as he stepped inside.

Hermione flicked her wand, and a small candle lamp hanging from the ceiling lit up, casting a rather inadequate light. Severus blinked. They were in a very small sitting room, the walls covered in black and brown leather-bound books, and a ratty sofa, armchair and table clustered beneath the flickering light.

Hermione lived in a "two-up-two-down" style home, which meant there were two rooms on two floors. She didn't have indoor plumbing and used a communal lavatory when home, and her water came from a pump outside.

No wonder she stayed in the dungeons at Hogwarts. They were palatial compared to this cramped, sad dwelling.

"Help me to my chair," she said to Severus, who eased her over to the armchair, eyeing the uncomfortable looking lumps in the cushion before helping her down. Why didn't she move? This was awful.

Hermione looked up at him, the bruises on her face darkening now. She tried to smirk, but winced. She was stiffening up now.

"My ancestral home, courtesy of my Muggle father," she said softly. "My mum married a real prince."

Severus said nothing. Her father must not have been much of a provider to raise her in a place like this.

"All the grandeur has you at a loss for words, I see," Hermione lisped. "Well, don't get comfortable. In the kitchen, you'll find a large wooden tub with a bucket next to it. Take the bucket outside to the pump and use it to fill the tub."

Severus' large nose wrinkled. Surely she wasn't going to actually bathe in the water that came from the grounds here? It had to be filthy, judging by the river's scent. He looked at her hesitantly.

"Well, go," Hermione groused, leaning her head back in the chair and closing her eyes. Her aches were coming back. She needed to treat herself.

Severus walked into the tiny kitchen. There was a gas stove, a tiny table, tinier cooler and cupboards. Pots hung on the wall. A large wooden tub sat beside a wall. He dragged it to the center of the floor and looked at the bucket before drawing his wand. There was no way he was going to let the professor soak in filth. He pointed his wand at the tub.

"Aquis," he said softly, water shooting from the tip of his wand, slowly filling the tub.

In the sitting room, Hermione heard the sound of flowing water and grunted approvingly.

At least he wasn't a complete idiot.

* * *

Half an hour later, Hermione was soaking in the tub, a mediciny smell filling the kitchen as the herbs and potions she had Severus add to the water did their work. Severus sat at the small kitchen table, his dark eyes resting on the witch, who appeared to have fallen asleep. His job was to keep the water warm and not let it cool or the ingredients would cease to work.

Her bruises were lightening, however, and the swelling of her face was greatly reduced. Severus stared at her as her words came back to him.

"I've been through this before, Severus. Worse than this."

The young wizard looked upon the witch of his desires and got a very cold feeling inside. Hermione had been through this before, and by the cool way she'd handled it . . . without raging or falling apart, showed him she was used to being mistreated and abused by men, used to being used by them to slake their own desires without a thought as to how she felt.

He blinked at her . . . then the guilt set in.

He had used her too. No, he hadn't beaten her, but he had forced her . . . it wasn't planned, but still she had been unwilling to engage him and did so under duress. For Severus, it had been the pursuit and fulfillment of a fantasy, but now . . . now it was something so much worse. Now he was manipulating her, wanting sexual favors if he proved his brewing techniques viable. He knew they worked, and she had taken an oath that she would "keep him company" if he were successful. He would be successful.

In essence, he was raping her too, only in a way that seemed more "acceptable." If it wasn't exactly rape, it was definitely coercion.

Gods, what had he done? What could he do to fix this? He had to fix this, to make it up to the witch in some way. He had been a cad, worse than a cad. He had used Hermione just as much as any other man she came into contact with.

Severus realized something else as well. She said she had been a celibate for years. But that wasn't true. It couldn't be if she were engaging in sex.

The wizard's brow furrowed.

No. That wasn't correct. She'd been forced to have sex; that wasn't the same thing. She was celibate because she didn't willingly take lovers or have a relationship with a man. If she had her choice, she wouldn't have sex with anyone. And who could blame her?

And here he was, trying to force her into a short-term sexual relationship with him.

There was only one thing he could do. Release her from that portion of the oath. She wouldn't have to sleep with him. He still wanted to talk with her and learn from her, but he didn't want to force her into doing something she didn't want to do.

Severus really was a Gryffindor at heart.

Then there was the matter of the man who had raped her.

Severus pointed his wand at the tub and heated the water around the witch. She didn't stir. He placed his wand on the table, partially stood up and retrieved the blond hairs from his pocket, studying them with a frown.

They were very long, like a witch's hair. Could a witch have done this? No. He didn't think so, though there were a number of rather aggressive lesbians at the school. But he doubted any one of them would go for the professor.

"What is that?" Hermione's voice suddenly said.

Severus started, reflexively dropping his hand in an effort to hide what he had. Hermione's eyes narrowed. She felt much better now, and better meant she was back to her snarky self, not that she ever stopped being snarky, even when in pain. She stuck her hand out, shaking the water off of it before turning it palm upward.

"Give it here, Mr. Snape," she said, using her formal teacher voice and address.

Severus reluctantly handed Hermione the hairs.

"I found those in the bed. I was going to cast a spell to find out who they belong to," he said softly, "then we'll learn who did this and make him pay."

Hermione stretched the long, blond strands out, her jaw clenching.

"There's no need for a spell, Severus," she said darkly. "I already know who this hair belongs to. I know who raped me."

Severus' heart began to pound, and his face contorted murderously at this bit of news.

"Who?" he hissed with such vehemence Hermione's brown eyes turned on him, her mouth quirking unpleasantly.

"Oh, don't tell me you plan to avenge me? Dear gods, boy. That's all I need, you running off and getting yourself killed because of this. The very idea is ludicrous," she said to him disdainfully. "I swear, Gryffindors make my ass itch."

"But . . . but you were raped! Beaten! Professor, if I hadn't found you, you would have died! Whoever did this should be punished! Killed!" the wizard said angrily.

Hermione snorted.

"I wouldn't have died. I would have just been in bad shape until I made it here," Hermione told him. "It just so happened I had you to help me. It would have taken much longer without you to help me walk, fill the tub and retrieve the ingredients. But I would have survived . . ."

Here the witch's voice dropped to a near whisper.

"I always do," she said softly, her eyes becoming vulnerable for a moment.

Severus stared at her, unable to believe what he was hearing.

"You mean, you aren't going to do anything about this? Professor, that's madness! You've been assaulted, violated. Someone has to pay. Tell me who did it!" Severus demanded.

"No," she said calmly, "I won't tell you, Severus. It doesn't matter anyway. I doubt he will come back."

"You can't possibly know that. Whoever it was obviously Obliviated you! He could do it again if he gets the opportunity," Severus said, his black eyes hard.

"He won't," Hermione said with certainty.

"I want to know who it is, Professor," the wizard insisted. "What he did to you was wrong! You sound like you . . . you deserved it or something. No one deserves that."

Hermione looked at the young wizard consideringly. He was so passionate about everything. It was a bit annoying, really.

"You know nothing about me, Severus Snape," she said to him. "Nothing other than I was a spy for the Order, teach Potions and have a tree on my back because of my service. You think what happened to me terrible?"

She let out a little bitter laugh.

"It was nothing. Nothing compared to what I've been through, things that I still remember, things I have nightmares about. It was one man, Severus, one man who took what he wanted, then Obliviated me afterwards so I wouldn't have to remember the pain or the terror. In my case, that's an outright act of mercy."

Severus blinked at her. It was easy to see he still disagreed with the way she was handling this. Well, maybe some cold, hard facts would set him to rights.

"You have no idea what it was to be a Mudblood witch among the Death Eaters," she said coldly. "I was often given as a reward to groups of men at a time . . . and after I was tortured, my torturer was given leave to do what he wanted to me. All Voldemort ever told them was 'Don't kill her.' I could be raped, sodomized, beaten, kicked, cut, pissed upon, spit upon, covered in come . . . whatever they wanted to do to me, they'd do. Then I had to come back, take care of myself and give the Order what little information I had gleaned before I returned to Voldemort again. I've seen more cocks than a chicken farmer . . . and it was all done for the 'Greater Good.' I became used to it, Severus. Pain, humiliation and agony was the whole of my life for a long, long time . . . now bitterness and resignation."

Severus looked at her helplessly. Damn, what a horror her life had been . . .

"But . . . but . . ." he protested, but Hermione held up her hand and stopped him.

"What you have to see, Severus, is that I've only received a small dose of the past tonight, and I'm grateful for that because I know how much worse it could have been. It makes no sense for you to want to charge in and try to right the wrongs done to me. There's no way you can do it, Severus. Life goes on despite its unfairness. I've learned to live with it."

"But you shouldn't have to! You're no longer in service to anyone! No one should be able to just . . . just use your body without you wanting them to . . ."

Hermione's brown eyes rested on Severus coolly.

"Is that so, Severus?" she asked him in a mocking voice. "That's quite humorous coming from you, considering our situation."

Now, Hermione was quite aware that Severus was nothing like the predators that she'd dealt with most of her adult life, but she couldn't help tormenting the impressionable young wizard. Old habits were hard to break, and inside, she was miserable. As has been said before, misery loves company.

Severus' eyes became rather wet-looking.

"I . . . never meant to take advantage of you, Professor," he said, feeling nauseous. "I . . . I was just attracted to you . . . You were all I could think about. I just wanted . . ."

"I know what you wanted, and you got it, didn't you? Don't begrudge my rapist who did the same," she hissed cruelly. "And with you, it isn't over. You still want more, my feelings be damned. At least he took what he wanted and left."

It was as if she'd plunged a knife into the Gryffindor's heart.

"I release you!" Severus gasped, tears starting to fall from his eyes, surprising the witch. "I release you from your oath, Professor. You don't have to let me touch you ever again! I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry."

Severus dropped his head, covering his face with his hand and sobbing.

Hermione stared at him as she felt the swirl of magic that signified the conditions of the oath lifting.

"Oh, good gods," she sighed, slipping under the warm water surrounding her as Severus' shoulders shuddered uncontrollably.

Now she had gone from having a randy Gryffindor occupying her rooms to a contrite, morose and guilt-laden Gryffindor occupying her rooms . . .

. . . which was infinitely worse.

* * *

Hermione and a very contrite, silent Severus returned to Hogwarts, the Potion mistress showing no visible signs of her attack. Severus did attempt to make her at least take off one day from class, but she declined.

"As I told you, Severus, I'm used to this," she told him sharply.

He shut up and stayed that way until they made it back to the castle. His dark eyes looked around Hermione's ruined bedroom, his heart tight in his chest as he imagined the unnamed wizard attacking her and throwing her about.

No matter what the witch said, he still had murder in his heart.

"Go and check on the brewing, then go to bed," Hermione said to the young wizard. "I'll clean up."

Severus gave her a rather sad look, then left, saying nothing.

Hermione sighed again. She hoped he wouldn't be this way for the entire duration. It would be worse than fighting him off, which she kind of enjoyed in a twisted way. Despite her coldness toward men in general, Severus' attraction to her was something different . . . something other than pure lust. She knew that, and every woman liked to be thought of as desirable as long as that desire was a natural one. Even if they wouldn't admit it.

Still, she had been cruel to say what she had to him. He was young, inexperienced and hadn't meant to be controlling. He only wanted what he wanted. And he would never attempt to actually force himself on her . . . well, other than stealing a kiss. That was more of a testament to his courage than him being abusive. He knew to run when he was successful, not push forward.

Hermione sighed as she used her wand to put everything back in order. The last thing she did was pick up the rose. It had been still vibrant and strong earlier that day. She studied it, her eyes becoming just a tad wet.

For the first time since Severus produced it for her, the flower showed signs of wilting.

Now, Severus didn't actually create the rose from scratch. More than likely he had charmed it while still on the vine and conjured it at the proper time. It was impossible to create life magically. But what he had done was alter the flower and connected himself to it emotionally, giving it part of his life to sustain it. Part of his soul. Still an impressive bit of magic. The rose was a barometer as to how he felt towards the Potions mistress, what was in his heart.

Now it was fading. Most likely his guilt was making this happen.

Hermione let out another sigh. Gryffindors and guilt went together like dragons and dragonsbreath. Hopefully he would bounce back. If he didn't, maybe he'd at least hold it in so she wouldn't have to deal with it. She had enough on her mind.

Damn Lucius. She should have known he wouldn't just let her go without a last, horrible bout of abuse. But so much had gone on, and he had seemed accepting. Severus had a point. He could come back.

The witch cleaned up the study and then removed Lucius' signature from both the study wall and the Potions office. He wouldn't be able to lower her wards any longer, and she doubted he would make another effort to have at her without someplace private to assault her.

At last, it was over.

* * *

Severus returned just as Hermione was repairing the small table between the armchairs. He looked at Potions mistress, who scowled at him. There was none of the usual heat in his eyes, and he gave off a defeated air.

"The brewing is fine, Professor. I'm going to bed now," he said softly, then turned and entered his bedroom, closing the door behind him quietly.

If he had planned on testing the waters tonight, those plans had been tossed, most likely permanently. Hermione stared at the closed door for a moment, then retired herself.

In his room, Severus put his wand on the nightstand and slowly unbuttoned and removed his shirt. Then he checked his trouser pockets as he always did before taking them off. He felt around in his pockets, then stiffened.

Slowly, he drew out one long blond hair. There had been quite a hank of it, so he hadn't gotten it all.

Still dressed only in his trousers, the wizard sat down on the bed, laid the strand carefully on his nightstand and picked up his wand. He pointed it at the hair.

"Ostendo Alio," he breathed.

Severus watched as a fine mist rose from the hair, spreading over it, then coalesced, forming a ghostly, but familiar face.

"The bastard!" Severus hissed as he stared at the likeness of Lucius Malfoy, Draco's father.

The image faded, and Severus sat on the side of the bed, the expression on his face terrible. Draco's father had raped Professor Granger. It was hard to believe that someone as prominent and well-known as Lucius would commit such a terrible act.

But then again, the pureblood probably thought himself above the law. He was rich, charismatic and well-known. He had even managed to fudge the truth about his service to the Dark Lord and time in Azkaban, saying he'd only served the vile wizard because his family had been in danger and Voldemort promised to wipe out his entire line if he failed to obey him. Narcissa helping Harry also had helped to clear their family name.

But what he'd done to Professor Granger proved he was indeed a cruel monster.

He had to pay for it.

If Severus punished him, then he could make up for at least part of what he'd done to the witch.

Or that was what the boy first thought.

Then logic set in. If he killed Lucius Malfoy and was found out, he'd spend the rest of his life in Azkaban. It would be satisfying to see the wizard dead, but then his entire life would be ruined. He might as well kill himself since his life would be over.

Severus considered.

Yes, it would be better if Lucius was arrested, charged with rape and publicly stood trial for his crime against the witch, then locked up in Azkaban disgraced and found out. Knowing the bastard would be behind bars for years, maybe even the rest of his life, would be better than killing him. Then he could think about what he'd done and what it cost him.

Yes, that made sense. Severus removed his boots and socks, then stood up and removed his trousers and boxers. He climbed into bed, covering up, his arms curled behind his head as he looked up at the ceiling.

He'd go to Dumbledore tomorrow and tell him all he knew. The old wizard would advise him how to go about this.

* * *

Dumbledore's face was solemn as the ghostly face of Lucius Malfoy faded before him. His blue eyes were rather hard as they shifted toward Severus. He drummed his fingers on his desk consideringly for a moment. Fawkes let out a trill from his perch.

Severus, seated in a plush armchair in the Headmaster's office, waited anxiously for his response. After a moment, Albus spoke.

"Lucius Malfoy has always been of the lowest moral character," Albus said angrily, "so it doesn't surprise me he would commit such a crime against a witch he wanted. But . . . I must ask you, Severus, what does Professor Granger say about this?"

Severus' mouth turned down.

"She doesn't want to do anything about it, Headmaster. She says he won't come back and it's over, basically," Severus said, then added, "but he can't be allowed to get away with this!"

Dumbledore studied the young wizard. He knew how he felt, but it was up to Hermione to press charges against Lucius. If Severus went forward, the witch would most likely deny anything had happened at all, and then Lucius would go after the boy for attempting to "slander" him. Sadly, he addressed this possibility.

"Severus, this is hard to say, but I must say it. Stay out of it. If Professor Granger doesn't want to pursue this matter any further, her wishes should be respected," the Headmaster said to the Gryffindor, who looked at him incredulously.

"What do you mean, Headmaster? The only reason she's accepting this is because she's been mistreated all her life and feels powerless to do anything about it. She's . . . she's not thinking correctly. If Malfoy is punished, she'll get some closure. She's holding all of it in . . . feeling no one can help her. I want to help her," Severus said, his black eyes staring at the Headmaster, willing him to see things as he did.

"Severus, if you go to the Ministry with this charge, the professor can and probably will say nothing happened at all. If there is no victim, there can be no crime," Albus said gently.

"But . . . but I have his hair! How could I have gotten that?" Severus said, stretching out the hated blond strand.

"You could have acquired it from anyplace, Severus. At least, that's what his lawyers will say, and believe me, Lucius will have the very best lawyers to represent him even if Professor Granger pressed charges. And they will dig up every possible bit of her past they can in an effort to discredit her. I believe . . . I believe she and Lucius have a history. He used to visit her occasionally in the dungeons while she served the Order. I'm quite sure that will be brought up as well, that they had had an intimate relationship. Since Lucius is married, that would put Professor Granger in a bad light. It might even result in getting her sacked by the Board of Governors for her behavior. You wouldn't want that, would you?"

Severus stared at the Headmaster. He hadn't known about that. So, Professor Granger used to shag Lucius Malfoy. He thought she was celibate. How could she be celibate when she willingly slept with the pureblood? She was . . . his mistress at one time.

Still, even if that were true . . . she was still raped and beaten by him. The past has nothing to do with the present. Still, the Headmaster was right. If she wouldn't say she had been assaulted, nothing could be done. Severus knew she wouldn't. She wouldn't want her past to get out, even if she were a victim. No one would understand why she just hadn't left if she were so mistreated. More than likely, they would paint her as some kind of sexual deviant who enjoyed pain. Maybe they would even turn it around on her, saying he had abused her because that was what she liked. Then there was the possibility she could lose her job for being involved with a married man and seeing him on school grounds.

Severus sighed and shook his head.

"It's not fair," he said sullenly, defeated.

Albus looked at him kindly.

"Much in this life isn't fair, Severus. You know this firsthand from when Voldemort was in power. All we can do is choose our battles and make the best of it. In this case, my boy, I'm afraid the battle you wish to launch is already over. You have no army behind you," the wizard said gently. "I suggest you focus on your brewing and leave Professor Granger to deal with her demons. It's all any of us can do."

Severus looked at the wizard, his heart feeling heavy, like a boulder in his chest as he realized most likely that was what he would have to do.

* * *

Severus checked on his brewing, then returned to the Potions mistress' quarters. Hermione had noticed he wasn't at supper. She looked up at him as he entered through the wall. She was marking essays. They were all quite dismal.

"Where have you been, Severus?" she inquired of the young wizard.

"I went to see the Headmaster concerning a private matter," he responded. "I checked on the Polyjuice Potion. It should be ready in another five days. I'm going to go study now."

Hermione watched as the wizard entered his bedroom, closing the door behind him.

Well, at least he wasn't drooping all over, aggravating her with his remorse.

She returned to her paperwork.

* * *

In his room, Severus angrily paced back and forth. He still couldn't get past what Lucius had done to Hermione. She was the first witch he'd ever been intimate with, who ever connected with him. It had been wonderful. She had been wonderful. How could he let anyone mistreat her after what she'd done for him? Yes, he had manipulated her, but he knew that she had liked what he'd done to her. He wasn't trying to hurt her, but bring her pleasure, and he had done it.

Even if she didn't want him, he couldn't let Lucius get away with abusing her, beating her. He couldn't pretend it hadn't happened. Professor Granger might be able to push her rape out of her mind, but he couldn't.

And he wouldn't.

He'd find a way to make Lucius pay.

* * *

When Hermione retired for bed that night, she took a precursory glance at the rose, expecting it to be in rather bad shape.

To her surprise, all signs of blight were completely gone, and it looked as if it had just been plucked, the petals, stems and leaves vibrant and lovely as ever.

"What the hell is going on?" she said to herself as she studied the flower.

"Something is definitely going on with that wizard."

* * *

"I tell you, Harry, Granger's put a spell on him. I just know it," Ron whispered to Harry as they ate lunch in the Great Hall.

"He's acting just like her. He doesn't smile or hardly even talk. He won't fly with us, and he isn't even nagging at us about our work. Now, come on. Something stinks at Hogwarts. And it's Granger."

Ron was talking about Severus, of course. Over the past couple of days, there was a marked change in his demeanor. He was more brooding, silent, unwilling to enter into conversation. He seemed . . . distracted.

"Maybe it's just that he's kind of stressed. He has to go to classes, do his homework, brew the potions and make his rounds at night. That's a lot to do, Ron. He's probably just cranky," Harry offered as a possible explanation.

Ron snorted.

"The more work Sev has, the happier he is. You know that. He practically glows when exams come around. I'm telling you, Harry, something is going on down in the dungeons. Something that's changing him," Ron insisted.

Just then, Severus entered the Great Hall. The murmurs became hushed as he walked to the Gryffindor table. There was a rather dark aura coming off the Gryffindor, a sense of heaviness and . . . something indefinable that everyone felt.

Ron and Harry shifted over and Severus sat down. He didn't have his usual bursting backpack full of books with him. The wizard drew a plate of chicken towards him and didn't say anything to either Harry or Ron. Harry noticed his hair was looking a bit lank, not shiny as it usually was. It was as if he wasn't washing it, although he smelled all right.

"Hi, Sev," Harry ventured.

"Hi," Severus replied shortly, filling his plate as Ron stared at him as if looking for telltale signs of hexing or potion poisoning.

"Severus, we're going flying after supper tonight. Think you can tear yourself away from the dungeons for a couple of hours?" Ron asked him.

"No. Too busy," Severus answered him.

Draco Malfoy and his goons walked by, finished with lunch and on their way to Slytherin house to lounge a bit before the next class.

"Aw, come on," Ron pressed, "you aren't brewing constantly . . . Anyway, it's Friday. You don't have to do homework tonight. You have the whole weekend. Come on, Sev. It's not good for you to spend so much time around Granger. She's rubbing off on you. Sucking out all your joy like some greasy vampire."

Suddenly, it felt as if a small explosion went off in Severus' head.

"I SAID NO!" Severus snarled at Ron suddenly, his voice loud and angry. "Now leave me alone. I have more important things to think about other than wasting my time flying about with you two!"

The whole hall fell silent as his voice echoed through the hall. Hermione stopped eating, watching the pale wizard with interest.

Severus' black eyes darted about for a moment, and he scowled at everyone looking at him. Why were they all looking at him? He couldn't stand it.

The Gryffindor wrapped two pieces of chicken in a napkin, stood up and exited the Great Hall, his robes billowing as he stalked away, Harry and Ron looking after him.

"See? See, Harry? He's acting just like Granger. His robes are even billowing. It's some kind of transformation hex or something," he said in a low voice.

Both of them looked up at the dais at the Potions mistress. She was smirking at them.

"She knows we know," Ron hissed, ducking his head.

"She's just enjoying Severus yelling at you," Harry said. "She's a teacher. She wouldn't do anything to him other than take points or give him detention."

Ron shook his head.

"You're talking as if she's a normal teacher. She's not. She's a demoness in teacher's robes," he said, biting into a donut.

"Watch, Severus is going to go completely Slytherin on us. Mark my words," Ron said, his mouth full.

Harry looked a bit worried at this statement. Severus was acting snarky. He was always rather blunt, but not this much.

There probably was something going on in the dungeons.

* * *

Severus walked behind Draco and his housemates angrily. He really did have something to do tonight. The Polyjuice Potion would be completed . . . three weeks earlier than thought possible. Hermione was going to test it and see if it were viable. There would be no elation on his part when she announced it was. He had nothing to look forward to other than recognition for his accomplishment. That might have worked for others, but not for him. He had had another prize in mind, a prize that was out of reach now.

As he walked, he couldn't help hearing Draco talking to Crabbe and Goyle, bragging about his mum's vacation.

"Yeah, my mum's going to spend a week in the Riviera. Wining, dining, you know, enjoying herself. She likes to get away. Only dad's going to be at the Manor," the pureblood said. "But I'm sure he'll find some way to entertain himself."

Severus' brow furrowed as the Slytherins continued down the corridor. He unwarded the Potions office and let himself in, closing and warding the door behind him, then let himself into Hermione's study. He stood there for a moment, then made a decision.

He walked into Hermione's bedroom, then her bathroom, his eyes scouring her vanity. He saw what he was looking for.

Her hairbrush.

* * *

Severus stood by as Hermione fed the potion to a lab niffler to check to see if it was poisonous. The wizard said nothing as the niffler choked and scrubbed at its muzzle with its paws, a look of disgust on its furry, ferret-like face. But it didn't keel over.

Hermione rechecked the consistency, scent and color, then scooped up about a quarter cup of the potion, dropped a hair in it and offered it to Severus.

"Your brew, your poison," she said to him with a wicked smirk.

Severus eyed the bubbling brown potion then took it from her.

"Is it a human hair?" he asked her.

Hermione arched an eyebrow.

"Don't tell me you're worried about a repeat of your second year, Severus. Let me see, what did you turn into again? Oh yes . . . a cat creature," she grinned. "Well, it's not a cat hair."

"But is it human hair?" Severus asked her again, his eyes narrowed.

Hermione looked at the wizard. There was something very . . . angry about him.

"Yes, it's a human hair," she snapped, "whose hair we'll know if the potion works. Shaving three weeks off the process doesn't bode well that it will. I'm not going to risk being deformed in case it doesn't . . . so drink up."

His eyes resting on Hermione, Severus drank the brew down without making a face and set the empty glass on the counter. His skin began to pulse and bubble, his black hair writhing, graying and growing longer. Whiskers shot out of his chin and his already large nose remained long but became crooked and his robes changed to bright purple.

He looked down at his slightly wrinkled hands and pulled at his long white beard. He was the spitting image of Albus Dumbledore. He looked at Hermione, who noted there was no twinkle in those sober blue eyes.

"Well, it worked. You should turn back in about fifteen minutes," Hermione said to him.

"It is going to last longer than that," Severus said shortly in his own voice.

He was right. The transformation lasted for almost an hour, as long as a full glass of the potion.

"Incredible," Hermione breathed as he transformed back.

Severus didn't say anything as he began to fill bottles. If Hermione had still been under Oath, and hadn't been raped, he would have been overjoyed. Still, he was glad the potion was viable.

Hermione looked at him.

"What? No gloating that you proved me wrong?" she asked him.

"I already knew you were wrong. Why would I gloat?" Severus said rather coldly, focusing on the bottles.

Hermione blinked. Since their return, she hadn't seen the boy smile once. His entire demeanor had changed toward her and toward his friends.

"Severus, what's wrong with you?" she asked him.

Severus turned to face her with several bottles in his hand.

"Nothing I can't fix," he responded, handing Hermione the bottles.

She frowned up at him, then carried the bottles to her potions stores. As she stocked the potion, Severus slipped a bottle he had left on the counter into his pocket, then began to clean up his workspace, carefully Scourgifying the cauldron and putting it away.

Hermione returned.

"I am going out for a while," Severus said, looking down on the Potions mistress. "I'll set up the next brewing tomorrow."

His eyes had a certain coldness in them, as if his very soul was gone.

"Where are you going?" Hermione asked him.

"Just to walk about. Clear my head. Get out of these dungeons for a while," the Gryffindor responded.

Well, he had been spending almost all his time down here, either in his room studying or in the labs. He'd made no attempt to engage her in conversation at all, which was fine because she had quite a bit of work to do for her classes. She had expected him to be at least a little annoying, but the young wizard gave her a wide berth.

If it weren't for the rose, Hermione would have believed he'd lost his attraction for her. But the flower's constant state of bloom said otherwise.

"Be back by curfew. Midnight," the witch said, dismissing him.

Severus left without so much a word of goodbye.

"Hm, maybe I am rubbing off on him," Hermione mused as she headed for her quarters.

* * *

Severus walked out on the grounds and immediately walked around the castle. It was dark out, and a number of students saw him striding in the direction of the Forbidden Forest. He stepped between the trees and quickly Disillusioned himself, running for the main gate. Since it was night, his shimmer wasn't noticeable.

He let himself out the gate and warded it back, then cast a Silencing Charm around himself and did an experimental Apparition.

He arrived at his destination and looked around with satisfaction. Yes, he could Apparate here.

He took out the bottle of Polyjuice Potion and a small piece of parchment. He uncapped the bottle, then carefully took out the single brown hair it contained. He slipped it through the neck of the bottle, then after waiting a few seconds, drank the bottle down.

The transformation took.

He had to work quickly. It was nine o'clock now. He only had until midnight.

* * *

A knock sounded on the door of Malfoy Manor. A very timid-looking house-elf answered and invited the guest in.

"Waits here. I will retrieves Master," the little nervous creature said with a bow.

Presently, Lucius Malfoy strolled down the long corridor, dressed in silk black robes, his blond hair flowing and perfect, a look of surprise and delight on his face as he greeted his visitor.

"Hermione. You're looking . . . quite well," he said facetiously, kissing the back of the witch's hand. "It's been a while, I know, but I feel as if we've only been apart for . . . mere days."

The witch scowled at him but didn't speak.

"Why are you here? Is there something you want from me? Something you've . . . missed?" the wizard purred.

Suddenly, he was hit by a bolt of red light, his unconscious body grabbed and thrown over the witch's small shoulder.

From the shadows, the house-elves watched as their master was carried out the door. They said nothing. Not even to each other as they went about their business as usual.

They had been severely warned never to say anything about Hermione Granger to anyone, under the threat of a very painful death.

Not one of them would disobey that order, no matter who questioned them.

She was one of their master's secrets.

* * *

The pair reappeared in the Shrieking Shack, Severus slinging the unconscious wizard to the floor, his brown eyes narrowed with hatred as he pulled out his wand.

He quickly placed a Silencing Charm around the shack and a window darkening spell, then lit a torch in the wall. He stared down at Lucius with hatred and cast the Incarcerous spell on him, binding him tightly with ropes.

He studied the wizard as he waited for the potion to wear off. Lucius was so much bigger than the Potions mistress. There had been no need to beat her so badly. There was no way she was a match for him physically. He had done it out of cruelty, for his own twisted pleasure.

Slowly, Severus changed back into his normal form. The moment he did, he turned his wand on Lucius.

"Ennervate!" he hissed, staring down at the bound wizard as he roused.

Lucius struggled in the ropes.

"What is this?" he roared, looking up at Severus with murder in his eyes. "Snape! How dare you do this to me, you filthy little half-blood! Release me at once!"

"I should release you permanently," Severus snarled back at him, his heart pounding in his chest. "You raped Professor Granger. Raped and beat her."

Lucius stopped struggling immediately, his gray eyes narrowing as he looked up at the young wizard.

"You're insane, I haven't been near the wi..." he started to say.

"DON'T LIE TO ME!" Severus screamed at him insanely. "CRUCIO!"

Lucius screamed, his cry mingling with Severus' cry as the boy hit him with the curse. Severus had never before used it, but all that was needed for it to be invoked was a good amount of hatred. Severus was brimming over with it as Lucius shuddered and rolled in agony.

Severus released him, panting.

"You left your hair behind," the boy said. "I used magic to find out who it belonged to. It was you. You beat her and you raped her, you sick bastard."

Lucius gasped, still shuddering.

Severus stared at him, then pointed his wand at him again.

"Legilimens!"

Lucius desperately tried to slam down his Occlumency walls, but Severus was so driven that he forced his way into the pureblood's memories and watched as he sauntered into Hermione's room, telling her she still owed him.

A Life Debt? That's why she was with him before. He had saved her life, and he was taking advantage of her, the pig. But this time, the Potions mistress wasn't having it.

"I don't owe you anything, Lucius. That debt was cleared when I saved Draco's soul from being fragmented. Now, leave my quarters."

Severus watched horrified as Lucius used his cane to cast Imperio on Hermione and take her wand away, taunting and mocking her, then releasing her from the spell.

She ran, but he ran after her, catching her before she could reach her bedroom and slinging her across the study into one of the book-covered walls. He pulled off his robes, a taunting look on his face as Hermione, with a terrified look on her face, slid along the wall, seeking a way past him. She ran again, and again he caught her, slapping her, then throwing her toward the fireplace bodily, the witch landing on the small table, smashing it.

She grabbed one of the legs, attempting to defend herself as Lucius went for her again, bringing it down on his arm. He choked her, then punched her in the side of the face, then shook her like a rat, dragging her over the stone tiles and flinging her on top of her desk, scattering parchments, ink and quills as he tore her robes open, Hermione screaming as the fabric was ripped from her body.

She only wore a white bra and knickers underneath. Lucius roughly grasped a breast and squeezed it painfully as Hermione screamed and kicked and finally managed to grab his hand, sinking her teeth into it.

The wizard howled and released her, and she jumped up and ran, Lucius pursuing her, entering the bedroom before she could close the door, forcing it open and grabbing her by the hair, swinging her about and sending her flying into the mirrored dresser, the mirror cracking and Hermione crumpling over the edge of the wooden dresser, the breath knocked out of her as Lucius approached her again.

He grabbed her by her hair again, spinning her around.

"You bit me, you Mudblood bitch!" he seethed, slapping and backhanding her until she was nearly unconscious, then throwing her across the room into her wardrobe, which she clutched at desperately. It tilted forward from her weight and she barely managed to get out of the way, falling to the floor on one side as it came crashing down.

Then Lucius began to kick her, screaming obscenities and cursing her before dragging her to the four-poster and slinging her onto it. He unbuttoned his trousers as she lay there, face swollen, blood pouring from her nose, whimpering like a wounded animal.

"You want to bite, eh? I'll show you biting, bitch," Lucius growled, falling on top of her.

It was the most brutal act Severus had ever seen, Lucius beating, biting and raping Hermione, the witch crying out in agony as he sodomized her. Unable to watch anymore, Severus pulled out of Lucius' mind.

"You fucking ANIMAL! CRUCIO!" Severus screamed again, hexing the bound wizard until he frothed at the mouth.

Lucius lay there shuddering, and Severus felt a powerful urge to kill him, such a maddening urgency to take him out of this world for good . . . but he fought it. He pointed his wand at the broken wizard.

"Divesto!" he hissed, leaving Lucius naked, then removed the ropes.

The pureblood was in no state to defend himself. Severus didn't care. The Potions mistress wasn't either when this monster was on her.

"You like beating witches? Hurting them? Controlling them? Let's see how you like being controlled! IMPERIO!"

Severus raised the shuddering wizard from the floor and rammed him face first into the nearest wall with a sickening crunch, then slammed him into another wall, then another, using the spell to beat and punish the naked wizard, then dropping him to the floor.

"Crucio! "

"Imperio! "

"Crucio! "

"Imperio! "

"Crucio! "

"Imperio! "

Severus applied the Unforgivables mercilessly to the wizard, using them to punish and torture Lucius for his unforgivable crime against the first woman he'd ever been intimate with.

After sending him flying into walls and Crucioing the wizard until he shit, pissed and vomited, Severus put Lucius' head through a window and drew him back, the wizard's handsome face swollen, cut and bleeding profusely, his body battered, bruised and cut. One arm dangled uselessly, and his right foot was turned abnormally to the side. Severus threw him roughly to the ground and straddled his body, looking down at him.

"I should kill you, but I don't want your blood on my hands, you bastard. But I will do this . . . Enscripto Immundus!"

Lucius let out a misery-filled groan as white-hot pain covered his forehead.

* * *

There was another knock on the manor door. Again, the nervous house-elf opened it and was almost hit with Lucius' unconscious, naked body as it was flung through the portal, followed by his clothing. The wizard lay there, broken, unconscious and most definitely Obliviated.

The elf peered out at the shimmer descending the stairs. Suddenly a red light flashed in the sky, illuminating it brightly.

A call for the Aurors.

Then, the shimmer disappeared.

* * *

Hermione was still up, drinking a Firewhiskey in front of the fire and listening to Vivaldi on the Wizarding Wireless when Severus came in at exactly two minutes to twelve, sweaty, wild-eyed, paler than normal and looking scared to death.

He walked straight into his room, closing the door behind him and locking it.

Hermione, who had no more than glanced at him when he entered, simply shrugged and continued listening to the Wireless, enjoying the warm glow of Firewhiskey as it coursed through her. Only the fireplace was lit, so she hadn't gotten a good look at the Gryffindor when he came in; the light had been too low.

So she had no idea anything was wrong.

* * *

Hermione was awakened by the amplified sound of pounding on her office door. Groggily, she pulled on her housecoat and grabbed her wand. She glanced at Severus' closed door as she stormed through the study and out the wall into her office.

Who the hell was it on a Saturday morning? She yanked the door open with a snarl. The Daily Prophet lay on the floor before the doorway, and Draco Malfoy stood there, his eyes wet.

"Professor Granger, I need your permission to leave Hogwarts. Dumbledore isn't about, and my father is in St. Mungo's. Someone attacked him last night, and he's bad off," the boy said, his voice filled with terror.

"Your father's in the hospital?" she repeated slowly, her wand arm dropping.

"Yes, someone attacked him at the Manor. The Ministry is investigating now, but they don't have any leads yet. Can I go?" he begged her.

"Yes, you may go, Draco. I'll inform the Headmaster," Hermione said, feeling dazed and disconnected. She picked up the Daily Prophet as Draco sprinted down the corridor.

She opened it and read the headline:

"NOBLEMAN AND PHILANTHROPIST LORD LUCIUS MALFOY BRUTALLY ATTACKED IN HIS HOME BY MYSTERIOUS ASSAILANT"

Hermione blinked and absently closed the door, walking back into her quarters while reading the article beneath the headline. There was a picture of Healers carrying a sheet-covered Lucius out of his manor on a stretcher, surrounded by Aurors.

* * *

Lucius Malfoy, one of the Wizarding World's leading citizens, was brutally attacked in his home last night. The wizard was stripped, badly beaten and tortured by Unforgivables. Aurors were summoned to the Manor just before midnight, although it is a mystery as to how they were summoned since they could find no one on the premises other than the wizard's loyal house-elves. Narcissa Malfoy is away on vacation in the Riviera. She has been notified of the attack and is expected to return shortly to be by her husband's side in his time of need.

When questioned, the house-elves said they hadn't seen nor heard anything out of the ordinary the entire night and that Lord Malfoy had received no visitors they could mention. Because of the nature of Lord Malfoy's injuries, it is believed this was a crime of revenge for when he was forced into Voldemort's service and attended revels. He had not participated in these murderous occasions, yet the assailant broke his left arm, his right foot, and magically carved the word "RAPIST" into his forehead. All attempts to remove this writing results in great pain for the wizard. Healers fear it may be permanent.

"We will do all we can to track down Mr. Malfoy's attacker and bring him to justice. No stone will be left unturned," the Minister of Magic declared. "That such a fine and upstanding wizard would be attacked in his own home is criminal."

Unfortunately, the Healers at St. Mungo's hold little hope of Mr. Malfoy being able to help identify his attacker. All memories within the past two weeks have been Obliviated. To date, there is no way to restore them. We will keep our readers updated concerning the wizard's condition. Flowers, owls and cards may be sent to . . .

* * *

Hermione put the paper down on the small table next to the armchair as she heavily fell into it, shocked and dazed.

Someone had finally given Lucius a taste of his own brutality. Hermione wondered how it felt going down. She bet it had been bitter, very, very bitter. Of one thing she was sure, and that was whoever did this deserved a fucking medal, an Order of Merlin, First Class.

She sat there for a few minutes, feeling as if a great weight she hadn't known she'd been carrying was lifted. She felt light and free. At last, she saw a bit of justice.

She heard Severus' door click open behind her and watched as he walked by, barefooted and dressed in a black house coat, heading for her bedroom to use the loo. He looked tired and pale as he walked, not greeting her and avoiding her eyes as he passed through the door. His wand was sticking out of the robe's pocket.

Hermione looked after him speculatively. He certainly was a sullen little Gryffindor. She could hear him pissing even from the study. That was no surprise. That monster pipe he had between his legs probably spewed a lot of liquid. She heard the loo flush, then the water run in the basin. Severus Snape was probably the only wizard she knew who actually washed his hands after he pissed.

In a moment, he reappeared in the doorway, cast her a furtive look and headed back for his room.

"Just a moment, Severus," Hermione said.

Severus stopped but didn't turn around.

"Yes, Professor?" he said softly.

"Come here," she ordered him imperiously.

Severus walked back, hoping that she wouldn't keep him long. He wanted to go back to bed, maybe spend most of the day there. He didn't want to see anyone.

He walked around the chair, his dark eyes resting on the floor, rather than the witch.

Hermione studied him. He looked so contrite.

"What's wrong with you?" she snapped at him.

To her surprise, Severus jumped, startled.

Severus had never started at her snapping at him before. Her eyes narrowed as she looked at him.

"What are you so nervous about?" she inquired.

"I'm not nervous. I'm just . . . sleepy," he said in that same soft voice, still not looking at her.

"Why are you sleepy? It's after nine. You came in before twelve. You should have gotten plenty of rest," she said to him.

"I didn't sleep well," he replied, his eyes still on the floor.

Hermione was suspicious.

"Look at me!" she hissed at him suddenly.

Severus raised his eyes, and Hermione could tell immediately he was hiding something by the way they shifted. His eyes always shifted when he'd done something wrong. She'd caught on to that much while he was still a first year and tried to sneak Potions ingredients out of her class.

"You've done something," Hermione said in a low voice. "What have you done, Severus?"

The young wizard went immediately pale when she asked this. And that was hard to do since his skin was quite pale to start with. This did nothing but make Hermione even more suspicious.

"What did you do?" she demanded. "I can tell you've done something. Don't make me use Legilimency on you."

Severus frowned.

"You don't have any right to do that," he said to her sullenly.

"I have every right!" Hermione snapped back at him, sure now he had done something untoward. "You are in my rooms and my charge. I'm supposed to keep up with you. Now tell me what you're attempting to hide. You're doing a miserable job of it."

As Hermione spoke, the Prophet on her lap suddenly unfolded when she shifted in the chair. Severus saw the headline and immediately began to shake.

Hermione looked at him, then down at the paper, then back at him, her eyes widening in realization.

"It was you, wasn't it? You were the one who attacked Lucius, weren't you?" she hissed at him.

"No. I don't know what you're..." Severus began, still trembling.

"Don't bother trying to lie. If I were an Auror, you'd be arrested by now. Gryffindors can't hide anything, much less assaults," Hermione said calmly.

But she wasn't feeling calm. The crazy young wizard had actually attacked and overcame Lucius Malfoy. Then she realized he knew that Lucius was her rapist, and that's why the pureblood had it carved on his forehead. To show the world what he was.

Dear gods.

"Sit down, Severus," she said to the young wizard. "Don't worry, I'm going to help you deal with this . . ."

Hermione walked over to an area of wall and slid back a false front of books, retrieving a Pensieve from the niche behind it. She walked back over to him and placed it on his lap.

". . . And then, I'm going to kill you."

* * *

A/N: Thanks for reading.