Chapter 14

This story becomes very adult in future chapters. Minors, please do not read this story.

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Hermione blushed, and Severus glared at the visitor.

Neville stammered and pointed toward the door. "I can come back later..." He started to back out of the room.

Hermione pulled away from Severus and got out of bed. "Severus, look who's come to visit." Her eyes begged him to be nice.

Severus closed his eyes and opened them. "Mr. Longbottom, it's good to see you again."

"You too, sir," Neville said halfheartedly.

Severus laughed. "I doubt it. I was not a favorite teacher of yours...nor anyone else, I'm afraid."

"Well, sir, you had other, more pressing concerns in those days," he said.

Severus cocked an eyebrow at him, surprised the man was so generous.

Hermione said, "I saw Neville in one of the hallways here and told him how I found you."

"Indeed," Severus said. "Did she also tell you she and I have been bound together by a spell?"

Neville nodded. "Yes, sir. I'm glad to see you're still alive."

"Are you really, Mr. Longbottom?" Severus asked.

Neville took a deep breath and said, "Yes, sir. Your true work for the Order was a relief to discover, and we owe you a great debt of gratitude."

"Thank you, Mr. Longbottom. Come sit for a little while and tell me what you've been doing since your NEWTs."

He held out his hand, and Neville shook it, relieved it was solid. Neville sat in the chair and told Severus about his studies, his work, his wife, and his children.

"Congratulations," Severus said with genuine feeling. He studied the man's face. Neville looked older than Hermione did; yet they were the same age. "I would be interested in talking to you about your work and your experiments sometime. Once I am free of this spell, I will need to work. I used to supply St. Mungo's with potions on occasion. I will need a supply of herbs and other ingredients. Perhaps you will be able to assist me."

Neville stood, held out his hand again, and they shook hands. "I would be happy to help you, sir."

Severus smiled at him. "I look forward to our discussions, Mr. Longbottom."

"Neville, sir," he said, stepping away from the bed and placing a hand on Hermione's shoulder for a short squeeze as he turned to go.

"Severus then, Neville," Severus said.

"Goodnight, Severus." He nodded at Hermione, and a smile broke out on his face. "It really is good to have you back, sir." He headed away, anxious to tell his wife about his encounter.

Severus patted the bed, and Hermione rejoined him, giggling. "Poor Neville. He must have heard me teasing you."

"No doubt. He's matured so much. He looks older than you, Hermione," Severus observed. "I've heard kids will do that to you," he murmured.

She laughed at first but then sobered and whispered, "Yes," softly.

Severus heard the wistful note in her voice and filed that away for another time. Tired from the happenings of the day, he fell asleep.

Hermione listened to his steady breathing then let herself sleep.

*****

They woke when dinner was brought in, and Hermione was served dinner as well. Severus was able to feed himself and slowly went through a dinner of solid food.

Minerva came in as they were finishing dinner. Hermione climbed back into the bed and sat up against the back, and Minerva took the chair. "Severus, you're looking good. What have the healers said?"

Severus filled her in.

"Good, you should be home before you know it!" she exclaimed, rubbing her gnarled hands together.

"Home," he said dryly. "I wasn't aware that Hogwarts was my home."

"Well they say home is where the heart is," she said happily.

"My heart is encased in an impenetrable shell at the moment," he said with annoyance.

Hermione's eyes teared up, but Severus didn't see it.

"Hogwarts is your home, Severus. It will be until you want to leave. I know this appointment is not what you may want nor richly deserve, but all my positions are filled right now. But Filch is old, and he needs help. Poppy needs potions of a more difficult nature, and Hermione is very busy with her classes. If you stay on and help out, we would be most grateful. If a position opens, it is yours. You are... more than capable of taking most our classes."

"Except music," he said distastefully.

Hermione sat up and said suddenly, "I need to go get some of my class work to grade, Minerva. Can you sit with Severus till I come back?" She was gone before either of them could say anything.

Severus glared after her. "What happened? Women can be so fickle."

"If you weren't such a lout, you'd know Hermione loves you. You have to be more careful about what you say."

"What did I say this time?" he asked, truly baffled.

"You should have said, 'Yes, Minerva, home is where Hermione is.'"

"Bloody Hell," was all he said. "She knows I care for her."

"Does she? Have you told her? I know you enjoy having her take care of you. I know you enjoy her touch. If you love her, you need to tell her."

Severus grimaced. "I don't know if I can love, Minerva. I desire her, yes. I enjoy her company, but love..."

"Well, I don't believe you will truly be free until you can figure that one out."

"I know who did this to me. That bloody, old wizard is still controlling my life. If this hurts Hermione, I will shred his portrait to ribbons that will not heal themselves."

"You're the only one hurting Hermione right now, Severus," Minerva said sternly.

With a bit of difficulty, Severus turned his back on her and sulked.

Minerva smiled ruefully at his back, drew a book from her pocket, and settled in to read.

Hermione moved quickly down the hall, trying to distance herself from Severus and the whole mess. Damn that man. What else did she have to give him for him to see how much she loved him? Was it really so impossible for him to see that he could love her back? Granted, he'd been horribly injured twice now. Was that making him resent her? Did he feel nothing but entrapment? She was certain he cared for her. She'd seen it in his eyes. Yet he was unable to allow her to have the satisfaction of hearing it come from his mouth. Was he truly not capable of the words? Worse of all, was it only lust? Was getting in her knickers all that was important to him?

Suddenly, she realized who had orchestrated this whole thing. She nearly slapped herself on the forehead. Albus Dumbledore. That bastard, playing with Severus' life like that!

A coin sitting in the middle of the hall caught her eye, and she absently bent and scooped it up. She knew instantly she was in trouble. The tug of a Portkey caught her, and the hospital vanished around her."

"Severus!" she screamed aloud and in her mind.

*****

Severus bolted out of a light sleep. "Hermione! She's gone!" He was struggling to get out of bed. He felt hands pressing against his chest.

Minerva cried out, "Severus, what are you going on about? It must have been a dream."

"No, someone has taken her! A Portkey, I think." He could feel her shocked thoughts filtering into his mind.

Minerva went to the door and called for help.

Barnamais was sitting at the station outside Severus' room. He came and tried to restrain Severus. "Sir, you're not strong enough. Please lay back down, or we will have to restrain you."

"You will not keep me from finding her. It has to be the Malfoys. They hate me, and they are the only ones who know I'm here. Please, Hermione cannot fall into their hands. Lucius can be truly vindictive."

Minerva said, "I'm going to send for Potter. I don't care what he's doing. He would want to be here for you and Hermione."

Severus sat back. He wouldn't let them restrain him, but he would leave here as soon as he was able. As much as he loathed the idea of Harry Potter coming to the rescue, he would not waste valuable time with his resentment. "Please, Minerva, call him, and call Poppy, too. I need her here."

Within an hour, not only was Poppy there, but Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Neville, Luna, and Ginny stood there ready to storm Malfoy Manor to see if Hermione was there.

There was yelling, arguing, and frustration. Severus insisted he go along, and the rest were dealing with the fact that not only was he alive but he was involved with Hermione. Finally, Minerva put two fingers in her mouth and whistled so loudly that everyone clapped their hands over their ears and turned to stare at her.

"Now, children, shut the bloody hell up! It appears to me that you're all men and women. Mr. Potter, you're an Auror, so you're the leader now. Organize this thing, and everyone else listen to him. Mr. Potter, there's nothing in this world that will stop Severus from going. So, you need to include him and help him when possible. He's weak, but I know he would rather die than not be a part of this rescue."

"But he's not strong enough; if I take him and he dies, Hermione will kill me," Harry complained.

"If you don't, he will go anyway. Severus knows his way around that house. He knows where she's likely to be kept."

"This is probably a trap for him anyway."

"I'm lying here, Potter. You can speak to me directly," Severus said scathingly.

Harry turned and looked him in the eye. "I'm sorry, sir. This is all just a shock. I knew you were here, but this threat to Hermione has spoiled the chance to sit with you and talk. You have my utmost respect."

Severus nodded. "I suppose you have forgiven me, since you've named a son after me." He tried to smile, but it came out a grimace.

Harry smiled back at him. "Do you think you can make this trip and be more of service to the rescue than a hindrance?"

"Yes, there are potions I can take for any residual pain. I feel at least 90% healed. Harry," he said, looking the younger man in the eye, "I have done far more in worse condition. I am strong enough."

Harry smiled reached over and squeezed his shoulder. "Alright, sir. You tell us how we are to begin this rescue and keep you from becoming a victim as well."

While Barnamais and Poppy worked over him with spells and potions, he laid out their plan and got up and dressed. A tight brace was placed around his chest to help support his lungs. Spells of protection were placed over and through the garment.

Minerva worked with charms on the others as they girded themselves and prepared to go to battle. There was little talk between the friends, who hadn't seen each other in years, and Ron spoke to no one. He glared a lot at Severus.

Severus just glared back. Finally he had a moment with Ron close and no one else. "Weasley, you have no right to judge who Hermione cares for. You made your choice and walked away years ago. Respect her enough to let her make her own choices. She will be safe with me, and she will be happy. She hasn't been happy in years."

Ron stared at him a moment then nodded.

"Good, Mr. Weasley, Ron. You will use your skills as a Quidditch player and create a diversion from your broom. Some of those crazy bombs and distractions from your brother's shop should do the trick."

"It sounds like fun, sir," he said. "I'll go get what I need now. Tell me where you want me to meet you."

Severus gave Ron the area and time he expected him to be there. He watched the younger man leave and for the first time was impressed by Ron Weasley. He watched the others as they readied themselves, and he realized that they were not much younger than he was. They had years more experience than when he had known them before. Harry had a strength and power about him now. He was a well-trained wizard.

Severus felt ready, and he said, "Let's go."

Healer Barnamais said, "Severus, Godspeed. I do expect you to come back here for a checkup and treatment when you have found and rescued Madam Granger."

"I will thank you. Be alert for us; we may have injuries," Severus instructed.

The group reached out to the Portkey and was gone.

******

When Hermione woke up, she saw she was in the same room in Malfoy Manner that she had been held in all those years ago. How long had she been out? It might have been minutes or hours; she had no way to tell. She ran to the door and pounded on it. "Draco, help me? I know you don't want to do this."

There was a nasty voice from the other side of the door. "Draco's not here. Scorpius and he went to the Wizengamot, Mudblood. No one is here but my friends, my house-elves, and me. No one will help you. You and Severus will not be allowed happiness...not when Narcissa is dead. She was my life, and she could not bear the disgrace of this family; she wasted away. Her death ended my life, and now you will pay. I will kill Severus when he comes to save you. He betrayed my family."

Hermione pulled away from the door as if she was burned. "Oh God, Severus help me." She whispered to the empty room. He couldn't come. He wasn't able, was he? But then she knew he would come. He would come even if it cost him his life.

She went to sit on the cot in the room. She pulled her knees up to her chin and rested her forehead on her knees. She started to tremble, and she felt hot tears on her face. Lucius was a monster, and Hermione knew he wanted to get back at Severus for his betrayal. Lucius would never take responsibility for himself and his fall from the wizarding world.

The door lock clanged and then opened. Lucius stood staring down at her, and it was obvious he was drunk. His eyes were red, and his hair hung limp and dirty. She was surprised to see him so unkempt. He'd always been such an immaculate man.

Hermione tried to remember some moves she'd learned in the self-defense class she had taken one summer at a Muggle school. She wondered where her wand was. She felt naked without it.

Lucius loomed over her, and she felt steel fingers on her arms. He dragged her to her feet and pressed his wet lips against hers.

Hermione pulled away and screamed, "Severus!"

Lisa, thank you so much for the awesome beta work you are doing for me. I could not do without your help.

Becky, thank you for all you do.