Chapter 15

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

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Severus had just Apparated to the trees that surrounded Malfoy Manor when he heard Hermione's mental scream. It took all his discipline not to run blindly inside.

Harry had been taught the spell and was keeping him visible for now. Since Severus could not use his pocketed wand, Harry was shielding him. Harry, Ginny, Luna, and Neville furiously shot spells at the wards on the gate. The wards were strong, and fire-like sparks flew everywhere. The wards glowed red hot but held.

Severus shouted, "Harry, let the spell on me go and then try Antonitum. You must know the spell; it was in my Potion's book.

Harry fired off the spell, and the wards fluctuated. It was then that Ron appeared above the house. He flew at the edge of the wards and threw fireworks and bombs of color, blinding light, and darkness. People, presumably servants, were running here and there confused by the noise and light.

Ron dodged the spells that were being fired at him. Ginny and Luna deflected some of them, as well. It was their job to keep Ron in the air and safe.

Harry shot off another spell he'd learned from Snape's book. Though not related to potions, Snape had scribbled a number of spells inside the back cover. "Aculeatus fluminious," he cried, running forward and firing off protection spells before him.

Severus followed the younger wizard and felt the pain in his lungs from his exertion.

Then Ron lobbed something at the wards that hit them with a deafening crack, causing them to burst into sight like a bubble over the entire mansion. They watched as it ate the top of the bubble and worked its way down the sides and met up with the flames of Harry's spell. Then it was gone, and so were the wards. Ron flew into the garden surrounding the house and fired off stunning spells and body binding spells. The others ran from the trees into the gardens, and servants or perhaps friends fell in their wake. Severus saw Neville go down, but he got to his feet and kept running. Luna, small and pale as she was, seemed almost camouflaged in the pale flowers in the garden; she ran with little interference. Ginny was hit in the shoulder with a stun spell and fell. She cried out and then called, "I'm okay, go! Go! Harry saw her get to her feet, and he ran to catch up with Severus who was ahead now. Not stopping, not caring that he did not have any protection, Severus ran and dodged spells. As he went, he tore the clothing from his body until he was invisible.

"I will not be noticed," he called to Harry. He'd already told Harry this plan and the route through the house.

Harry picked up Severus' wand.

Several of Lucius' friends ambushed Harry as he came into the house. As he fought them, he saw a door open and shut at the other end of the room. He stunned the two men and followed through the door; the kitchen Severus had described was before him. A house-elf stood with her hands up, not trying to fight. He stunned her anyway and ran past her. He could hear his compatriots' fighting and their cries of pain. He prayed that everyone would be safe.

The dungeon stairs were steep and dark, but he flew down them. Invisible, Severus had the obvious advantage of surprise, but since he was naked and unarmed, he was vulnerable. Harry knew for Hermione's sake he had to keep Severus alive. But he encountered more armed wizards and had to backtrack up the steps. He hid behind a curve in the stairwell and darted out to fire spells.

*****

Hermione shoved Lucius as his hands groped her body, and she heard the fabric of her robe tear.

She brought her knee up and managed to strike soft, warm flesh, and he cried out and let her go momentarily. She pushed past him and ran for the door, but he grabbed her ankle, and she fell. She landed on the stone floor face first and hard enough that the breath was knocked out of her. Blood ran from her nose, and she had several broken teeth.

She clawed her way across the floor, kicking at Lucius and trying to dislodge his hand.

"No you don't, you filthy Mudblood," Lucius spat out.

He crawled up her body and held her pinned to the floor. He was stronger than he looked, and he turned her over and tried kissing her again. She fought him, biting whatever came close, and tasted his blood on her tongue. He struck her face with the flat of his hand, and Hermione saw stars. He twisted her breast, and she screamed with pain. He was attempting to force her legs open, and she knew he was fumbling to open his own robes.

"Severus!" she cried again aloud and in her mind.

She was so intent on fighting Lucius that she did not see the door open. Suddenly, Lucius was lifted off her and flung against the back wall of the cell. No sooner did Lucius hit the floor than he was plucked into the air and flung by the invisible force to the other side of the room. Lucius' wand fell from his hand, and Hermione lunged for it. "Pertrificus totalus," she screamed. She saw Lucius' body stiffen; yet it was held up. His neck was twisting in an obscene manner.

"Severus! No, please don't kill him. Please! No more killing. He's a broken, deranged man!" Hermione went to the place where Lucius hung and grabbed Severus' arm.

"Please, let him go! I need you to hold me. Please, Severus," she cried, tugging against him.

Lucius was flung to the floor, and Hermione felt Severus' arms go around her. She sagged to the floor, and he followed her. He felt the cold floor against his naked backside but pulled Hermione into his lap.

"I'm here, I'm here," he said, trying to soothe her.

"Severus, you came!" She was nearly hysterical and clutching his arms so tightly he knew he would be bruised, but it didn't matter. Every inch of him hurt already.

"Hermione, are you alright? He didn't..."

"No." She trembled. "He didn't have time." She realized that Severus must be naked, and she found herself giggling a bit hysterically.

Severus, astounded and scared, wondered, Has she lost her mind?

"I finally got you naked, and here we are in a dungeon. I knew you'd come, Severus." She sought and captured his lips for a kiss.

She exclaimed, "I love you, Severus."

Severus said, holding her tight afraid of losing her again, "I love you, too."

As soon as the words were uttered, a blinding light burst from his chest. Severus appeared layer by layer from the inside out: his heart, then lungs, then skeleton, muscle, and flesh. Each layer built itself before their eyes.

He stared at his arms, which were clasped around Hermione's body. She was looking wide-eyed into his face as he appeared.

"You're the most handsome man I've ever seen," she gushed, tears flowed from her eyes.

It was at that moment that Harry burst through the door. He came to a dead stop and stared at the naked Severus on the floor holding Hermione in his lap. He saw the blood and the torn clothing and the joyous smile on Hermione's face.

"Harry," she asked, "What are you doing here?"

At that moment, the rest of the rescuers piled in the room, pushing Harry further in. They all stood stunned. Ginny was holding her shoulder. Neville had a goose egg-sized bump on his forehead. Luna's hair was ragged, and a cut on her face bled freely.

Ron looked worn but whole. "Bloody hell, a naked Snape!"

Hermione's mouth was open with astonishment, and then she started to giggle. She started to pull away from Severus, thinking she should get her weight off him. He had to be in pain.

"Madam Granger," he said in the driest, most sarcastic voice he could muster, "do not move an inch. Potter, give me my wand," he commanded. "Now, please stop gaping at me and give us some time alone. Oh, and by all means, take Mr. Malfoy with you."

Everyone was trying hard not to laugh at his obvious discomfort as he clung to Hermione, using her as a cover.

Harry handed Severus' wand over with a snicker and got a scathing look in return.

"Fifty points from Gryffindor, Mr. Potter!" he said, but his eyes crinkled in a smile.

"Yes, sir." Harry smiled back. "Ron, help me with Malfoy. They stripped his upper robes off and dropped them by Severus. He nodded gratefully, holding Hermione closer.

Ron and Harry grabbed Malfoy under the arms and dragged him from the room. The others followed. Ginny reached out to squeeze Hermione's shoulder. She winked at Hermione as she shut the door behind them.

Hermione felt Severus sag beneath her, and she pulled away and stood, scooping up the robe as she went. She held it out, and he slipped it over his head as he struggled to get to his feet. His hands smoothed the sides, and he felt something in a pocket and pulled it out.

Hermione gasped with happiness. "My wand." She took it from his hand and held it close.

Severus raised his wand and spoke softly, and Hermione felt her nose and her teeth repair. He staggered, and Hermione said, "Severus, please sit a minute." She pushed him to the cot and went on her knees before him. "Do you need to go back to St. Mungo's now?" she asked.

"No, just let me look at you." He smoothed her hair with his hand and touched her bruised face. He bent forward and kissed her deeply and then drew her up beside him and wrapped his arms around her. "I thought I might lose you. I'm sorry Hermione. I should have gotten here sooner."

"I'm okay," she said, trembling against his side. "He didn't have time to hurt me, and I gave him a mean groin kick."

Severus smirked at her. "Remind me never to get on your bad side. Perhaps you didn't need me at all."

"Oh, I needed you. I was about to lose the fight when you got here." Hot tears burned her damaged skin.

They sat holding onto each other, each thinking what could have happened.

"How did you get the old DA group together? I can't believe Ron came, and he's not trying to tear you apart for being involved with me. He may have no use for me, but I know this has to be hard for all of them."

"Yes, but we were united in a common cause. We all love you, Hermione. I think your friends want you to be happy, and they were willing to accept the idea. Once they see you are truly happy, they will all accept me."

Hermione touched his face and kissed him again, "I suppose you really do love me, Severus. You're visible."

He smiled tenderly at her. "I suppose I do." He laughed, hugging her tightly and rocking her against him. "I was so scared, Hermione."

"I was, too," she whispered against him. "We really need to get out of here."

He nodded. "I just need to muster up my dignity. Appearing naked before Potter and the others was really quite horrible."

Hermione stood and drew him to his feet. "You were only partially naked. I covered the important parts, which by the way, looked quite impressive," she teased and saw him blush.

"Yes, you did," he grinned, embarrassed and in pain, feeling the strain of the day in his body. He literally ached everywhere. He groaned as he took a few steps. "If I didn't hurt so much, I'd pick you up and swing you around. I'm so happy right now." He groaned again.

Hermione laughed. "I'll take your word for it." She used her wand to quickly repair her robes and clean them. Then she slipped herself under his arm and let him lean on her as they made their way painfully to the door.

Outside the door Harry stood waiting patiently, wand at the ready. He slipped under Severus' arm on the other side and slowly they made their way up the long, winding dungeon stairs. When they came into the kitchen, Ginny held Severus' clothes. The room was vacated, and Hermione helped him dress. She tightened the chest brace and saw that it helped him.

The DA group was met in the entry by a group of Aurors who had taken custody of Lucius. He sat scowling, his eyes shooting daggers at Hermione and especially Severus.

"She was good, Severus," he taunted. "Mudbloods sure have fire in them."

Severus lunged at him, and his fist made contact with Lucius' nose before he was pulled away.

Lucius screamed, "This isn't over. I have another line of attack. You won't know when it's coming, but it will come. Mark my word, traitor."

Harry held Severus. "Let it go; he's just trying to get one last dig. Let's get you back to St. Mungo's, sir. We need to get Hermione checked out."

Severus had been struggling, but he stopped. "You're right, Harry. Thank you." He looked around and found Hermione being held up by Ginny and Luna.

He pulled away from Harry and held his arms out to Hermione. She came into his arms, and they kissed, in front of their whole company and God.

Ron had a scowl on his face, and Harry and Ginny stood in each other's arms grinning.

Neville and Luna watched with dopy smiles on their faces.

The company of rescuers, Severus, and Hermione Apparated back to St. Mungo's.

Antonitum: lightning bolt

Aculeatus fluminious: fire lightning

Lisa, thank you for the awesome beta job you are doing for me. You Rock!!!

Becky, thank you for your help and feedback.