Of Men and Spells

Chapter Seventeen – Of Men and Spells

As the first beams of cold winter sunlight filtered into the small room, the young woman's eyelids began to flutter. She emitted a contented, cat-like purr and stretched languidly, slipping free of the covers. Her companion didn't even stir, so deep was he immersed in his own dreams, a relaxed smile still visible on his lips. She got up and peered out of the dusty window, watching the first snowflakes dance in the soft breeze.

For the first time in a long while, she was completely at ease with the world around her. Sure, thoughts of her beloved parents still infiltrated her dreams, but the despair was gone. It hurt; however, she wasn't alone anymore.

Severus rolled onto his stomach mumbling incoherently. His hand moved searchingly over her vacated spot on the mattress. He looked adorable, Hermione thought. His hair was a mess, his lean body tangled up in the white cotton blankets – it was a picture that made her smile.

Hermione had fantasised about him since their first potion-induced kiss. She was ashamed of herself at the time. How could she like him after what he had done?

"Hermione, come back to bed!"

The yawned request of the naked man in the bed drew her thoughts away from the stressful past. It was of no importance now.

She moved to his side and sat down, her hand moving to stroke his strong back. "It's late already," she said, checking the little clock on the nightstand. "You can stay in bed, though. I'll take a quick shower before I get you some breakfast. I hope they are all having a lie-in today. I don't feel like meeting people."

Severus turned to face her, struggling with the covers as he tried to move into a sitting position. "Why don't you stay in bed with me? I'm not hungry anyway."

"I can't, if they are up they might wonder were I am."

"I'm sure Molly can come up with something," Severus countered, taking hold of her waist to draw her against his chest.

"I don't think Mrs. Weasley really likes this arrangement. She may have defended my choice to the others, but I see the way she looks at me. It's the same look she gives Fred and George when she's disappointed in them," Hermione mused.

"Well, she wanted you to marry one of her cubs," Severus replied, his right hand combing through Hermione's wild curls. "And there you are, settling for a dark, anti-social bastard. A man who killed..."

He didn't finish because Hermione had two fingers pressed against his lips. He could see the concern and regret sparkling in her eyes as she shook her head slowly. "I know you had a reason," she told him simply. He nodded; if she could forgive him his past, he'd try to forgive himself.

"Well, I'm off to the bathroom." Hermione smiled, ruffling his dark locks in an affectionate way. He scowled, but the effect was not the same without the voluminous black robes. A quick peck on the lips was all he got for his efforts before Hermione walked out of the room still quite naked.

~o~o~o~

After a refreshing shower, Hermione dressed in some comfortable and warm clothes Molly Weasley had provided. The old house was drafty, and no magic seemed to be able to keep it warm.

As she rummaged through her drawers, she realized that she had virtually nothing left. Everything had been in her parents' house, apart from a few books and her school uniform. Severus watched her silently, a slight frown on his face. She didn't know if he was aware of her thoughts or if he was just cranky that she wasn't coming back to bed. She didn't ask; he'd tell her if something bothered him.

She kissed him before she left, with much more passion than earlier, and it seemed to appease him. He let her go without a fuss.

Slowly she walked down the stairs, listening for signs of the others. If she was really lucky, she could grab enough breakfast for two and eat with Severus.

Luck, however, was not on her side. Harry was already at the table, helping himself to kippers and toast.

"Morning," Hermione greeted. Harry nodded, keeping his eyes fixed on his lap. "Are you alright?" She asked. It was disconcerting to see him like that. He had seemed detached lately. "Harry," she carefully grasped his shoulder, it worked to turn his focus away from... she didn't even know from what.

"Oh, morning, 'Mione," he said as if nothing had happened. "The others are all outside, putting up extra wards and trying to fix the roof. You should get yourself something to eat before Ron smells all the food."

Hermione grinned. That was the Harry she remembered and loved. Whatever it was that occupied his thoughts lately obviously had nothing to do with her or Ron.

Knowing that her friend's suggestion was a rather good one, she filled her plate and helped herself to a huge mug of coffee. She'd take the cup with her later, so that Severus could have his daily dose of caffeine.

She had just settled back down when Ron entered, greeting them with a loud rumbling stomach. As his eyes moved from the delicious breakfast to Hermione, he flushed a deep crimson. She was puzzled, but didn't comment.

The color had barely drained from Ron's face when they both reached for the pitcher of pumpkin juice. The redhead drew his had away as if stung, muttering apologies and trying to avoid her eyes.

"What the hell is wrong with you this morning?" Hermione asked exasperated.

Ron was saved from answering by the arrival of his sister. She had a murderous look in her eyes and her face was almost the same color as her brother's, though for a different reason.

"Did something happen to you?" Hermione asked carefully.

Ginny just shook her head. She grabbed a plate and some toast before she started buttering it with more force than strictly necessary.

"Are you sure you are alright?" Hermione inquired. Why were they all behaving so oddly?

"No, I'm bloody well not alright," Ginny ground out through clenched teeth. "I didn't sleep much last night."

Hermione, completely missing the dirty look the other girl gave her, forged on trying to be helpful. "You should have taken something for it. I'm sure there's some sleep draught in one of the bathroom cabinets."

"And you," Ginny countered, rising from her chair and pushing her still full plate away. "Should remember to cast a Silencing Charm the next time you decide to play with yourself."

That said, she stormed from the room.

The rest of the meal passed in an awkward silence, all three friends pretending that nothing had happened, though their flushed faces told a different story.

As Hermione climbed the stairs back to her room, she silently thanked whoever would take credit for it that Severus had been relatively quite last night. And she vowed to remember the spell from now on.

~o~o~o~

The next week passed without a repeat of the breakfast incident. The boys had calmed down, though Hermione caught Ron looking at her strangely now and again. Ginny, on the other hand, was still giving her the cold shoulder. She avoided her as much as possible.

There was, however, no time to think about it. The research they had done so far had brought no new information. The Black library was extensive, but the tomes held more Dark Magic than was healthy. The only one of them able to read the books for any length of time without getting sick was Harry. Well, and Severus, though the boys, of course, didn't know that he helped.

McGonagall had brought dozens of tomes from the Restricted Section, though nothing provided an answer. It was highly frustrating. They needed clues as to where the remaining soul pieces could be, and even more importantly, a way to destroy the one already in their possession.

Harry, Hermione noticed, had developed an unhealthy attachment to Riddle's award. He carried it everywhere he went and could often be caught tracing the engravings with trembling fingers.

Today, the house was full of people. Bill had announced that his wife was expecting, and Molly had insisted on an impromptu celebration. Hermione was happy for the Weasleys, though she knew that she'd not see much of Severus that day.

Before dinner, she moved down to the kitchen hoping to smuggle a plate up to her room. It was risky with so many people about, but she didn't know if she'd get a chance later.

She let out a relieved sigh as she pushed open the door. The table was already set, and Molly was the only one in the room.

"I wanted to get something for him, if it's alright with you?" Hermione asked carefully.

Molly pointed to one of the filled plates on the table. "You can take that one," she replied gruffly. "It would have been Percy's, but he has a prior engagement."

Without waiting for more to follow, Hermione disillusioned the plate and dinner and left the kitchen. She could understand Mrs. Weasley's disappointment, but that didn't mean she had to be rude.

When she arrived in her shared room, Severus was in the shower. She could hear the water hitting the tiles in the adjoining bathroom. Knowing that dinner would start soon, she left the meal on the table.

~o~o~o~

Dinner was a noisy affair. It was no wonder, considering that most of the people present were Weasleys. A lot of toasting and backslapping preceded the actual eating, and Hermione saw that even Harry was cheery and smiling.

The puzzled looks on Fred and George and their inquiry after Percy's whereabouts went unnoticed in all the hubbub.

The peace was, however, not to last. Hermione had just taken the first bite of her roasted chicken when a heavy crash and male shout of disgust was heard.

Immediately alert, people went for their wands and hurried up the stairs, a panicky Hermione on their heels.

Harry was the first to reach the door. "There is someone in Hermione's room," he said, his voice cold.

Before she could say anything to explain, he had melted the door away with some unknown spell.

"YOU!" Harry shouted. "I'll kill you."

"No!" Hermione moved as fast as she could. "Harry, no! You don't understand!"

"Stay back, Hermione! This is something between him and me!"

"No, I won't," Hermione tried to reach Severus, but Harry blocked the door. "You can't kill him! He saved my life!"

"He is a murderer!"

"Severus, tell him the truth!" Hermione pleaded. "I can't lose you, just tell him!"

"I... he wouldn't believe me, my love," Severus voice sounded resigned and defeated. It made Hermione's heart clench. The other people around them stood motionless and stared at the scene wide-eyed.

"Well, he has nothing to say," Harry mocked. "Let's see how you can cope with pain, shall we."

"NO!"

"What the hell?!" Harry exclaimed. The moment he had readied himself to throw a hex at the man he hated more than anything in the world, a sharp pain seared through his right shoulder.

"Expelliarmus!" Two voices shouted, and Harry's wand flew from his loosened grip.

Feeling that the immediate danger was gone, Crookshanks released the shoulder of the dark-haired young man and trotted into the bedroom.

Hermione hurried past him not even sparing her friend a glance. "Severus!" She screamed and threw herself into his arms and sobbed. She could have lost him.

In the distant she heard a familiar voice ushering Harry down the stairs. "No," the boy argued. "I want answers first!"

"Now, Harry, we have to get your shoulder fixed..." Remus' coaxing words were interrupted though as Severus decided to speak.

"The headmaster was dying, and he knew it well. All I could do was slow the curse that was eating away at him. You saw his blacked hand, didn't you? There is magic in this world much darker and older than you can imagine," he paused, his gaze travelling slowly over the faces of all those present.

"Albus' greatest fear was dying at the hands of an enemy. I only did what he wanted me to do. It is not my fault he is dead. I only released him, like he asked me to."

"That you did, my boy." All faces turned at the sound of the familiar voice.