Seven

Riddle Me This

Author's notes and disclaimers found in Chapter One.

Chapter Seven

I never was, am always to be,

No one ever saw me, nor ever will,

And yet I am the confidence of all

To live and breathe on this terrestrial ball.(1)

"Are you sure this is the right consistency?" Penny asked, staring critically at the thick gloop through which she was dragging a malachite stirring rod.

"It's probably the honey." Hermione leaned toward the healer to take a look. She leveled her wand at the flame beneath the hammered bronze cauldron. "It should be easier when the cauldron heats up."

"No!" Alex Rosier interjected from his place at the end of the stone bench. Hermione paused and looked at him askance. He jabbed his finger at the papyrus he and Lucius had finished translating earlier but continued evaluating nuances of the complicated antidote they were brewing. "Lucius believes it's a multi-use potion and I concur. It's both topical and oral in application. Once you add the ground coriander seeds, Penny, you must halve the potion. The removed portion needs to cool sufficiently, and then goat's milk is added to it."

"We don't use the goat's milk in the cooked potion?" Penny put the earthenware jug back on the bench.

"It appears not," Lucius remarked, joining the conversation. He removed a pair of silver-framed reading glasses, and looked toward the end of the bench where Penny and Hermione stood concocting the potion he and Alex had translated. "According to the metut neter..." he indicated the papyrus, "...the method of preparation splits as the potion itself is split."

"Metut neter?" asked Penny. "Is that another ingredient?"

Alex smiled. "No. Lucius is referring to the recipe. It's a phrase roughly meaning words of the gods in hieroglyphs."

Penny glared at the blond, and Hermione scolded. "You needn't make this more challenging."

Contrition on Lucius resembled a sulk on anyone else, Hermione thought, but she picked up her pestle and ground the coriander seeds in her mortar. Grinding tiny balls wasn't the easiest of tasks as some of the seeds had a tendency to rise to the top of the deep-dished mortar, and then roll out altogether. "So, after we divide the potion, we add goat's milk to one half as it cools. Then what?"

Alex said, "You incorporate the goat's milk using five spoons."

"Five spoons? Serially, simultaneously?"

Penny suggested an egg beater.

"No." Alex looked at the papyrus under-glass. "It is five spoons, and it appears they're being used simultaneously."

"I suppose it isn't any odder than using coriander in powder, seed, and oil form," Hermione said.

Penny grunted as she dragged the stirring rod through the thickening potion. She added, "Or the precious metal the first scroll referred to turning out to be bronze rather than gold or silver."

Lucius reseated his glasses on the bridge of his nose and perused his translated notes. He then verified his translation against the second piece of under-glass papyrus. "Once the goat's milk is added, Hermione, I believe you store the topical portion in a pot covered by enchanted linen."

"Enchanted?" she asked.

"Moisture resistant."

"Oh," Hermione said. "That makes perfect sense."

"Does it?" Lucius inquired politely.

Penny answered him. "It won't leach any of the emollient properties from the topical ointment that way."

Hermione nodded, and finished grinding the seeds. She stepped closer to Penny. "Here. I'd offer to take over, Penny, but you're better at potions than I. I'll finish the ointment if you like, unless you'd like to punish Lucius and make him do it."

"Punish me? Whatever for?"

"Being difficult," Penny said as she carefully measured the ground coriander into the cauldron. "No, Hermione, you do it. Lucius can confirm the translation while we finish."

"Yet again," Lucius muttered as if greatly put upon, but he didn't mean it. He had as much vested in the antidote as anyone, and he bent to his task once again. Hermione rolled up her sleeves before retrieving the square of linen Alex had found in the local market when he'd acquired half the potions ingredients. When she glanced at Lucius, he was staring at her arm. Suddenly remembering where she was, Hermione silently cast a disillusionment spell on the scar carved into her forearm. As the word Mudblood disappeared, Lucius jerked his head up, and his gray eyes met hers for a brief moment before he looked away.

Hermione continued with her task, using her willow wand, touching it to the center of the natural linen square and nonverbally casting Impervius. Then she checked her notes and grimaced. "Are you sure we can't make Lucius do the frog liver?"

"Squeamish?" asked Lucius.

"A little," she admitted, and then summoned the jar of live frogs to her workstation.

Penny was using both hands now to stir the potion. It had thickened further with the addition of the coriander, but she glanced up at Hermione. "How did you manage in Potions class, then?"

"I was generally so busy keeping Neville from exploding cauldrons I didn't have time to think about it, but since I've left school, I rarely make my own. Besides, it helps to be friends with a potions master." She smiled and Lucius chuckled. Hermione retrieved the beaker of Nile water gathered specifically for this purpose, and checked her knife, testing its sharpness before setting it on the table next to her wooden chopping board. She then summoned a pithing rod from the second set of floating shelves hovering above the work-bench.

"Ugh," she said as she removed a frog from the jar. Her face was a mask of revulsion as she pithed the poor creature's brain before laying it out on her chopping board. She kept the frog in place with a Sticking Charm and then picked up her knife. "I really, really wish Severus were here."

"You want him to dissect your frog?"

"Among other things." Hermione deliberately chose to think about Severus as she sliced the frog's stomach from cloaca to neck, and opened the small amphibian to reveal its internal organs. Fortunately, the liver was easily found; although squeamish, Hermione was nonetheless deft and capable. Once removed, the liver was placed in the beaker of Nile water. "Only the one? I'd rather do them all at once."

"It's one for the whole antidote, and it must be freshly killed."

Alex said, "It was a better price for a dozen frogs rather than buying them one at a time. If we botch the potion this time, we'll have to do it again later."

"All the more reason not to botch it in this first attempt," Hermione said as she cast Evanesco and Tergeo on her work area and hands. "What's next?"

"I'm ready to halve the potion now," Penny said, relief coloring her words. "Lucius, will you help for a minute?"

"Certainly." He removed his glasses, slipped them in the breast pocket of his shirt and came to Penny's side. "How may I assist?"

"If you could levitate the cauldron so Hermione and I can do this," she said, directing him and pointing at the earthenware bowl. Hermione quickly placed the earthenware bowl under the lip of the cauldron, and in a smoothly coordinated move, they divided the potion with no spillage. Hermione then collected the carefully measured gill of goat's milk, placed it on the bench next to her bowl, and reached for the five spoons.

"Wait a moment, Hermione."

"Lucius?"

"This seems a ludicrous instruction. I do not believe our translation is accurate. No offense, Alex, for I was equally willing to let our initial interpretation stand; and yet, this seems too simplistic a solution. I'd like to consider it for a moment."

"We don't have much time, Lucius, the mixture is cooling as we speak."

He glared. "I am quite aware of the time, Penny."

"Wait!" Hermione exclaimed. "Did you say five spoons?"

"Yes."

"Please check the number."

"Why?" Lucius asked, as Alex bent over the papyrus and counted by touching the glass for each 'spoon' he saw depicted. "It's definitely five," Alex said.

"I think," Hermione said, looking at Lucius, "it isn't spoons. Rather the spoons are fingers. I think I have to 'stir' the goat's milk into this mixture with my hand."

"It's possible."

"It makes more sense this way. As the concoction cools, it will be harder and harder to incorporate the goat's milk. I think it might be impossible with a spoon, or even five spoons. But if I use my hand, it's not only possible, but it's easier."

Lucius eyed the dark brown paste. "Are you willing to take the chance?"

She knew he didn't mean the translation alone, but also the potion and this, their first opportunity to cure the four afflicted men. "If it doesn't work, then I will do all the frog dissection necessary until we get it right." She lowered her voice, "It makes sense this way."

He closed his eyes and she knew just how desperately he wanted to cure his son. His sigh was one of hope and disappointment. "There is no real need for haste. We will make this potion until it is perfect."

"I honestly think I'm right about this," Hermione said. "These recipes are practical."

"And your interpretation makes more sense." He nodded. "Shall I pour?"

"Yes, thanks." And Hermione laughed a little when he cast a Pouring Charm rather than using his hands to lift the goat's milk. She stuck her hand in the warm, viscous potion and began the process of incorporating a cooler liquid to a hotter, thicker mixture.

"If you haven't added the milk, Lucius, stop." Alex's face was practically flattened on the glass separating him from the papyrus. Hermione and Lucius looked at one another.

"What's wrong?" Penny asked, using a pipette to add three drops of essential coriander oil to the cauldron. Earlier, Lucius had questioned her use of the Muggle measuring device. Penny had replied, "I'm not Severus. I need to be exact; he does it by instinct and experience. I have to follow directions, and I don't want to take unnecessary chances." Lucius had apologized for doubting her and complimented her dedication.

But that moment had been swept under the carpet with each ambiguous direction, and now, Alex looked at his companions. "I don't think this is a goat."

Hermione groaned and stopped kneading the thickening mixture. "I know I said I'd do as many frogs as necessary, but I was hoping...."

Lucius stared at Alex. "Are you certain?"

"Unfortunately yes," Alex replied.

Lucius said not another word. He spun on his heel and departed the room. Penny, Alex and Hermione shared puzzled looks, and then Penny and Alex just stared at Hermione. "What?" she asked. "What did I do?"

"Nothing at all." Penny's tone was soothing. "We'll have to try again. Alex and I will clean up, and you go talk to Lucius."

Hermione held up her dripping hand. "I don't think so."

"You get along well."

"We have a common goal."

"It's more than that, and you know it." Penny's lower lip began to quiver. "Please, Hermione, I don't want to wait any longer."

Before Hermione could do more than raise her wand to clean her hands, Alex said, "I want to help, but I'm exhausted. Aren't you? We've been at this all night."

Hermione looked around the lab, at the mage-lights floating in the corners and hovering over each of their work areas. She then looked at the work-bench, at the cauldron now cooling because Penny had pulled it away from the fire. "You're right. I hate to say that, but you are." She and Penny exchanged a look. "I'll talk to Lucius," Hermione said, acquiescing to Penny's silent plea. "But then I think we all need to eat something and sleep for a while. After that, we can start again."

Penny nodded, and now that no one was racing to get the potion brewed, she drooped like a wilted hot-house flower.

Hermione turned toward Alex. "What is it if not a goat?"

"A cow. I'm almost positive it's a cow. We assumed it was a goat because goat's milk is so prevalent in healing potions, but the horns are different."

Hermione closed her eyes, felt the Boost elixir still humming in her veins. There was another full hour before she would crash, and crash hard. "Let's resume in twelve hours. That gives us all considerably more than a nap, and Alex, please acquire the cow's milk before then."

Penny nodded. "I'll clean this mess up and then check on the patients before I turn in. You know, Hermione, you should probably check on Harry, too."

Hermione gasped. "I forgot about Harry."

Alex's eyes were wide. "You forgot Harry Potter?"

"He isn't Harry Potter to me. He's just my friend." She unrolled her sleeves, and tucked her wand in the left sleeve for easy retrieval before departing to find Lucius and then Harry. Or Harry and then Lucius. Whoever she found first.

For the first time there was no magical barricade glittering in the forecourt, or blocking the hallway leading to the remarkable library. Hermione would always wonder what happened to the ghost sphinx, but she was gone.

Upon the arrival of the ghost council's imposing adjudicators, one had passed through the wall into the infirmary; two had immobilized the distraught ghost sphinx in a swirl of icy fog. The fourth ghost, speaking impeccable English, had politely but firmly ushered Hermione to the forecourt, asking no questions and answering none. The only germane comment she could elicit from him had been, "This is not the provenance of live ones. You may not interfere."

When the four had reconvened, they vanished as if they had never been, but they had also taken their prisoner with them.

As Hermione turned toward the hypostyle and the infirmary beyond she discovered how well sound carried in these corridors.

It appeared as if she had found Lucius and Harry. Together.

Oh, dear.

Considering his mood when he'd left the lab, Hermione was a little surprised Lucius was willing to talk to anyone at all, and wondered what he had to say to Harry. When she heard her best friend say her name, she stopped feeling even the slightest bit guilty for listening.

Lucius's sounded exasperated. "I know Hermione Granger is your friend, Potter. Is it so inconceivable that she might also be mine?"

"Oh, I don't know," Harry said, sarcastically. "You're only the man who released a snake whose entire purpose was to kill or eat Muggle-borns, and who, along with your cohorts, attempted to kill her at the Ministry – Dolohov almost did kill her – and then, when we were taken prisoner..."

"Merlin's bollocks! Are you going to repeat every skirmish during the last war?"

"Only those where you attempted to kill my best friend. I don't want you trying to worm your way into her good books. She's too soft-hearted for her own good."

"So you worry about her being friends with me? Do you think I would take advantage of her?"

"No! That's disgusting. You could be her father!"

Despite provocation over the years, Hermione had rarely been furious with Harry, but her temper rose as she listened. She knew what he was doing, but he had misinterpreted the situation.

Hermione stepped into the infirmary. Harry blanched as if she had hexed him, but Lucius smiled and said, "Hullo, darling. What took you so long?"

Hermione narrowed her eyes. "You," she said, pointing at Lucius, "go visit Draco. I will join you shortly."

Lucius smirked. "Yes, dear," he said before he stepped into the second room.

"And you..." Hermione stalked toward Harry. "What were you thinking?"

"Er ... of protecting you?" Mage-light glinted off his glasses, but the sheepish expression in his green eyes was discernable.

She huffed, her anger evaporating. "Harry Potter, you of all people should know I don't need protecting, and if I do, I'll ask for help."

"That's true," he said, perking up. "You did send me that Patronus."

"Yes, I did. And thank you for acting so swiftly. Do you know what the ghost council will do to the sphinx? She was as much a victim as anyone."

"And if you can't cure them?" Harry waved his hand to indicate the coma-induced victims.

"She will still have been Riddle's victim, but you're right. I won't be quite as sympathetic. If we can't cure..." She pinched her lips and could not finish the sentence or even consider failure.

Harry stood at Bill's bedside and looked at his brother-in-law's peaceful, scarred face where the curse still held sway. "It's rather sad all 'round, but it's their jurisdiction and we can't interfere. They officially thanked us for our intervention."

"Did they?" Hermione asked, and then, after a moment, "How long are you staying?"

"Until Bill wakes up."

"Harry..."

"No, Hermione. This isn't an official investigation, and I'm here as your friend and Bill's brother. Fleur's a basket case, and while we all understand why you can't talk about what's really happening here, I don't have that luxury. When I go home, I'll be taking Bill with me."

Hermione opened her mouth to argue with him, but then thought better of it. Harry could be incredibly stubborn about things, but he had been helpful. She could tell he was bracing himself for an argument. He had that angle to his head and he had crossed his arms. No doubt he held his wand in one hand, just neatly tucked along his forearm. So she did the last thing he expected. She agreed.

"All right," she said, and laughed his obvious shock, "but you get to do the frogs' livers."

There was a snort from the adjacent room, and Hermione ignored the fact Lucius was blatantly eavesdropping on her conversation. "You can stay with Penny and me, if you like. There's enough room."

"Isn't that a bit like flouting local customs?"

"I don't have to be as much of a stickler for custom as others, besides, you're you."

"Thanks, Hermione." Harry was entirely affable now that he'd got his way. "Where are you staying?"

"Next to the sacred lake, in a tent."

Harry choked. "Surely you're joking."

"No. Not really. It's a nice tent."

Harry laughed. "Oh, Christ! What git put you in a tent?"

Lucius appeared in the doorframe, his cheeks pink. He said frostily, "I was not aware of Miss Granger's dislikes when I made the arrangements for her accommodation."

"I told you I didn't mind, Lucius."

Harry was still laughing, and when he momentarily caught his breath, he asked, "She didn't hex you? She must really like you then." The impact of his latter statement drove the mirth from his face, and it was Hermione who laughed then.

Lucius sketched a bow in her direction.

Hermione waved her fingers at him, as if to wave away an annoying insect, but she said, "Alex is going to get the cow's milk for the potion and we'll try again later today."

"Why not now?" Harry asked. "It's barely noon."

"London time," she corrected him. "I haven't slept since yesterday, Harry, and I some sleep."

"If you're admitting it, Hermione, you're further gone than I thought. I'll walk with you, and then I can poke around the ruins while you sleep."

"I'd appreciate it," she said. "If you'll give me a moment."

"Of course."

Hermione walked to where Lucius stood. "I know you were angry before, but I honestly think we'll get the potion right on this next attempt. We'll be better rested -- you are going to sleep, aren't you? – and Alex will have re-evaluated the papyrus before we begin."

He inclined his head. "I will go to the flat shortly. I concur with your decision, and will allow myself to be swayed by your optimistic outlook."

Hermione smiled at him before she continued into the second room to stand next to Severus again. "I got the answer," she told the unresponsive man. "Thank you for your help." And without caring whether anyone saw, not even Harry, she leaned forward and brushed Severus' unresponsive lips with hers. Then she straightened and left the room. She didn't notice Lucius watching her, but Harry commented on it as they walked up the stairs leading to the Precinct of Mut.

"Lucius isn't interested in me, Harry. But I do think we might be friends one day."

"How can you say that?" He kicked a pebble down the incline; it bounced and rolled until it reached Isheru, and then disappeared beneath the green surface of the water.

Hermione said, "I believe he's changed."

"It's not that easy!"

"No. It isn't." They skirted the lake and Hermione directed them toward the small palm grove sheltering her home away from home. "None of it has been easy, Harry. For any of us."

"Bugger!" Harry swore.

"What? Momentarily puzzled by the seeming non sequitur Hermione looked around for what could have caused Harry's reaction.

"It is a tent," he said with disbelief while gaping at the cloth structure. "It's a fucking tent."

"I know!" Something about his expression set Hermione off, and she laughed until she cried, and then she waved her wand and the entrance magically parted for The Chosen One.

"It's a lot nicer than the one we used," Harry said while investigating the kitchen. "Hey, you've got beer. You hate beer."

"I don't hate beer." Hermione kicked off her shoes and padded across the carpet. "I just don't like it. Anyway, that's Cormac's."

"Then it's all right if I nick one." He pulled a can of Sakara beer from the cold storage unit.

"It's practically an obligation."

"Too right it is."

"Um. Harry, you should know Cormac's engaged to Penny."

"He isn't!"

"Really he is. And she adores him. So be nice. This has been really hard on her." Hermione thought of how horrible she felt about Severus being in a coma, and they weren't even a proper couple. Yet. Suddenly, a yawn hit her. "All right. G'night. I'll see you later. We're brewing in about eleven hours."

Harry crossed the room and gave her a one-armed hug. He pressed his cold and slightly beer-wet lips to her forehead. "Sleep well, Hermione."

"Thanks." She barely got her clothes off before crawling under the sheet, and she was snoring before she knew she was asleep.

As Harry had said he would, he was the one to gut the frog and excise its liver for the next antidote trial. Whether it was the sleep, the cow's milk, or the luck of the Chosen One, the second batch was perfect. Hermione's tasks had been to agree with Alex's reading of the hieroglyph for cow versus goat, and kneading the milk into the halved recipe.

When Penny chanted the last refrain of "Magic is effective together with medicine. Medicine is effective together with magic" the oral antidote was complete. In her hammered bronze cauldron sat a softly simmering magical potion whose color was closest described as honeyed amber with a greenish tint.

The entire second brewing process had been smooth and without incident. Harry and Lucius had been civil, Alex had been slightly awed by Harry's presence, and Hermione and Penny had been refreshed by a solid nine hours of sleep.

"Who goes first?" Harry asked as he handed the first of twelve vials to Penny for her decanting process. Hermione used her fingers to scoop equal portions of the salve into small pots whose screw-top lids had been lined with enchanted linen.

"They all do," Penny said. "There are enough of us to administer the potion simultaneously. Alex, however, is going to bed."

"How can you be so cruel, Penny," Alex said petulantly. "I've worked just as hard as anyone here."

"I suppose that's true, but you didn't get as much sleep as the rest of us, what with collecting the fresh milk." Seeing his stubborn expression, Penny shrugged. "All right. You can be our scribe, Alex, but first send a Patronus to Ayman with the good news."

In the end, Penny gave the first vial to Lucius, and Hermione smiled at him as she also offered him a pot of salve. "Remember you need to cover every bit of affected skin. I'm planning on making wide margins!"

Suddenly, Hermione wailed, and spun around, taking in the state of the lab.

"Hermione?" Lucius asked.

"Look at this mess. Severus will kill us if we leave it like this."

Lucius smirked. "We'll use it as incentive." He then turned and left the room, the vial and pot clutched tightly in his hands.

Alex and Penny followed him, but Harry hovered in the doorway as Hermione didn't follow. "You coming?"

"In a minute. I really can't do this to Severus, he'd be furious."

"All right. Want help?"

"No, it's all right. I won't be long."

"'kay," he said and turned in the direction the others had gone, carrying Bill's cure with him.

It didn't take long to put things away, clean the cauldron and other utensils and paraphernalia. Hermione left the remaining frogs in their magically sealed jar, and then grabbed her own vial and pot of salve.

When she entered the infirmary, Harry was asking Alex, "How long does it take?" while liberally coating Bill's face, paying particular attention to one of Bill's blackening scars.

"There is no literal translation of time for this. Our best interpretation was 'soon'." Alex was seated at the small desk in the corner of the room, dutifully recording the events.

Hermione passed Harry and then Penny who was gently applying the salve to Cormac's ear. "Give him the oral antidote first, Hermione, then apply the salve. As it's absorbed, keep applying it."

"All right," Hermione said. "How do you think it will affect the Dark Mark, Penny?"

"I don't honestly know, Hermione, but it's possible the salve will remove the Mark as well as the curse manifestations."

"Wouldn't that be ideal?" She thought of what the ghost sphinx had told her about the mark and its removal. Hermione hadn't mentioned it to anyone else yet. In all the hustle and bustle decoding the papyrus, brewing the antidote, and handling Harry and Lucius' interactions, Hermione hadn't remembered. Later, she would review the memory in a Pensieve, or perhaps let Severus watch it through Legilimency.

In the second room, Lucius was already working on Draco. The covers had been folded back to reveal Draco's chest, and Hermione winced to see how widespread the curse was. Angry fingers of shriveled, blackened skin had spread everywhere, from Draco's navel right across his pectorals, and there was even one long tendril of black that had spread into his armpit. Lucius, his mouth set, was diligently applying the salve, and didn't look up at her entrance.

"Do you want me to get you another pot of ointment before I start on Severus?" Hermione asked. Her reward was a glance and a swift smile.

"Thank you, no. If I need more, I can summon it from here. You've delayed your own reunion long enough."

"I appreciate that." Hermione stepped next to Severus, and mimicking the wand motions she had seen Penny perform numerous times, Hermione elevated Severus to a half-recumbent position. She popped the cork out of the vial and opened Severus' mouth before emptying the contents of the small bottle. She pushed his jaw up, shutting his mouth, and watched him convulsively swallow. Her eyes widened. "He swallowed it, Lucius! I thought they couldn't move."

"Penny terminated the healing coma. We're now waiting for the asphodel to pass from their systems. It is why we don't know how long it will take for them to awaken."

"Asphodel? Isn't that used in the Draught of Living Death?"

"Indeed. Severus restructured his elixir to include asphodel to work in tandem with the healing coma. He wanted to take no chances."

"He's very thorough."

"He is."

Hermione smiled at the affection in Lucius' tone, and then she set to work applying the second half of the antidote. She pushed the loose sleeve of the linen shirt Severus wore up above his elbow, revealing the ugly Dark Mark and the withered and blackened curse trails spreading across his forearm. Even though he'd been put into stasis the quickest of the four, it seemed the Dark Mark had accelerated the curse's progress.

Hermione rubbed the salve into his skin. It felt something like a badly darned sock, hard and ropy, and she applied a thicker coating over the toughest spots. She murmured as she worked. Only later did she remember what it was. "Nor is the earth the lesse, or loseth ought." Another scoop of ointment, another ridge of black to coat. "For whatso'er from one place doth fall, is with the tide unto another brought." She eased his arm out of her hand and then she unplaited his long hair. He would have hated it, she knew. "For there is nothing lost ... that may be found ... if sought."

"That was quite lovely, Hermione. If I am ever ill, I shall have you read poetry to me."

How she might have responded to Lucius' raillery was never to be known, and she certainly forgot. For at that moment, Draco awakened, and Lucius' inarticulate cry of joy brought tears to Hermione's eyes.

Draco's voice was dry and cracked when he spoke. "Father?"

Hermione was too busy watching Severus to look at Lucius, but she would never forget the sound of his voice when he said, "Draco?" nor would she ever, ever tell anyone that she had been present when the Malfoy patriarch had lost his composure and cried while gathering his son to his chest.

Fortunately, she didn't have long to dwell on the happy reunion taking place behind her, for between one breath and the next, Severus, too, had awakened, and Hermione bent her head to fulfill her promise.

My first displays the wealth and pomp of kings,

Lords of the earth! their luxury and ease.

Another view of man, my second brings,

Behold him there, the monarch of the seas!(2)

Once Penny was satisfied all four of her patients were recovering swiftly, black curse lines diminishing even as she flicked and swished her wand in a series of diagnostic charms, she agreed to release them from the infirmary. Draco and Cormac were instructed to take several days to fully recuperate, considering the length of time they had been held in stasis.

With little fanfare and a great deal of solicitude, Lucius took his son to his flat where he assured Draco that Chaucer waited to ply the young master with every luxury imaginable. Rather dazedly, Draco followed his father from the infirmary. Hermione wondered if Malfoy the younger had even noticed her presence.

However, before his departure, Lucius informed Penny that he had arranged for her and Cormac to stay in a hotel on Luxor's west bank until they returned to England. Apparently, he had heard Cormac coaxing his beloved to move the date of their wedding forward, and in a grand gesture, Lucius declared he would do his utmost to assist the course of true love. Penny was so effusively happy, she hugged the startled wizard.

It seemed to Hermione that Cormac's arrogance had taken a lethal blow as a result of his experiences in Egypt. When he left the infirmary to acquire a Portkey for the next morning, he thanked Hermione with more graciousness than she had ever seen in him.

Bill was last to awaken, but when he did, there was a flurry of activity. Harry assisted the curse-breaker to his feet, bringing him up-to-date in seven short sentences. Bill wobbled into the second room, where Hermione was applying an additional layer of salve to Severus' Dark Mark. Despite her sticky hands, the redhead grabbed her in the tightest hug he could manage.

"Thank Merlin, you're brilliant," Bill said before calling out to Harry that he would be right there so they could pack his things. Then with a nod to Severus, a quick word of thanks to Penny, he rejoined Harry. The sound of Bill's demands for additional information faded as the two left the infirmary.

Penny requested Severus remain for a multitude of analytic spells. Contrary to her earlier speculations, the salve had not removed his Dark Mark.

"I want to make sure you won't experience any negative side-effects of the Withering Curse," she said, "or as a result of the interaction between it and the Dark Mark."

Hermione sat quietly, savoring their success. She watched Penny plying her wand in a complex series of swirls over Severus and his arm.

Several minutes later, Harry returned for Hermione, ostensibly requiring her assistance. "You can help Bill sort out his things so we can head home."

"You're taking Bill home now?" she asked.

"The sooner the better."

She smiled, but followed Harry. "And you need my help to speed you on your way...."

As soon as Harry reached the subterranean forecourt, he rounded on her. "Were you kissing Snape?"

"Yes." Astonishingly, the direct answer derailed an indulgent diatribe on Harry's part.

"Oh. Well." He turned, and dashed up the stairs. "Come on!"

"What? Where?" Hermione followed, taking the steps two-at-a-time.

"I wasn't kidding." Harry burst into the scorching afternoon, but it didn't check his momentum. "We need to get Bill home as soon as possible. Fleur's water broke this morning. Ginny sent her Patronus."

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"You had enough going on at the time, but Hermione, we've got to get him home."

"Right." They sprinted the rest of the way.

In the tent, they found Bill's things flying through the air, shrinking as each was magically stuffed into a duffel bag Hermione hadn't seen before.

"What else do you need?" she asked.

"Nothing you haven't already done for me. You have no idea how relieved I am that you're methodical and question everything." Bill shook his head. "The covenant has held for so many generations, none of us even considered it." He crossed the room, steadier now. "It must be a Muggle-born thing," he said and tweaked her nose.

"Bill!" She batted at his hand.

He laughed, but sobered quickly. "Thank you for my life, Hermione."

"You're most welcome," she said, deeply touched by his sincerity.

Unexpectedly, the fire in the pot-belly stove burst into green flames and Molly Weasley's voice called out. "Harry? Are you there, dear?"

Before he replied, Molly could be heard speaking to someone behind her. "Fleur, calm down. Hermione promised to get Bill home. He'll be home."

Bill grinned, the scar pulling at his mouth made it a little lopsided. He grabbed a handful of Floo powder and tossed it into the stove. "I'm here, Mum!"

"Thank Merlin," Molly said fervently.

Bill leaned forward, but just as quickly pulled back because his wife's head suddenly filled the stove. "Beel? Ma chere? Is it you?"

"Yes, Pet," he said, soothingly. "I've missed you."

"Oh, Beel." Tears streamed down her beautiful face. "You must come home. I have waited and waited... but I cannot wait longer." Fleur spied Hermione over Bill's shoulder. "'ermione! You 'ave kept your promise. You've found my Bill, and ... and ... you will be godmother to our petit Louis, n'est ce pas?"

"Of course," Hermione said, and despite the emotional scene, she was smiling. She had done it. She had saved Bill. And Draco, and Cormac, and Severus.

Suddenly, Fleur cried out; her head disappeared from the flames.

Bill shouted, "Fleur?" He whirled toward Harry and Hermione. "I have to go. Now!"

Molly's head poked through the flames. "Oh, hello, Hermione dear. Thank you for finding Bill for us. Bill, we'll meet you at St. Mungo's. I suggest you hurry." And as quick as a golden snitch evading capture, the Floo connection was terminated.

Immediately, Harry adjusted his Portkey's destination to St. Mungo's reception room, asked Hermione to send him anything he had forgotten, and shoved the Portkey into Bill's hands. Together the brothers-in-law spun out of sight as the dark-haired Savior of the Wizarding World called out, "Portus".

Hermione remained behind to tidy up and call in a report to Bogrod.

Twenty minutes later, Severus came to find her.

Hermione offered him tea.

"Sit," she said, busying herself in the kitchen. "There's still some biscuits Lucius' house-elf brought."

"Chaucer?" Severus asked as he made himself comfortable on the sofa.

"That's the one." Hermione levitated a tray filled with tea things into the living room. She poured, doctoring Severus' tea exactly as he liked, and handed him the mug before she sat in the overstuffed floral chair facing him.

Severus stared at her. "He's notoriously shy."

"Really?"

"He disguises it with a churlish demeanor."

Hermione thought perhaps Severus wasn't talking about Chaucer at all. She sipped her own tea, and settled for staring back at Severus. "I can't tell you how good it is to see you."

Her comment might seem out of context, but it was clear from his expression, Severus had followed her train of thought as if he, too, had been a passenger.

His mouth quirked, but he controlled it. "It feels quite good to be seen, Hermione."

As she took a biscuit, she asked, "Is there anything you need, or want?"

"I want many things, but for now, I would settle for you explaining how you vanquished the sphinx."

Suddenly, she grinned. "I was right, you know."

"How so?"

"It was a basilisk," she teased him.

"Hermione," he said warningly. "Explain."

"It might take some time."

"Something I have in abundance."

And so she told him, and then offered to show him.

The ghost smiled. "The mark can be removed by an incantation. It is empowered by the desire of the caster." She reached for the pouch hanging from the belt at her waist, and withdrew a short, slender reed. The ghost waved it in an inward spiral. "This is the motion. Intent is what gives the incantation its power. The one who wishes to remove the mark must also say, kafir at the beginning of the spiral, so that the belief dwindles to nothingness at the end."

"Can you demonstrate?"

"It would not work for me. I still believe."

"I see," Hermione replied. "Thank you –"

Hermione was abruptly released from the spell and she fell against the back of her chair, staring at Severus' shocked expression.

"Is this true?" he asked hoarsely.

"I don't know. You're the only one who knows besides me."

He stared at his left forearm. "For more than thirty years this mark has dominated my life," he said. "Chained me to one master and yoked me to another, branded me in the eyes of our society, but now... This is a gift, Hermione, an extraordinary gift."

She said nothing, merely watched him digest this new possibility.

When he closed his eyes and leaned back against the sofa, Hermione stood and took two steps toward him. He opened his eyes and she held out her hand. He linked their fingers and tugged. She willingly folded onto the sofa, fitting herself against him.

Hermione said softly, "When you decide what you want to do with this knowledge, Severus, I'll be happy to help."

"Thank you." He said nothing for several minutes. "It is most peculiar. I've wanted to be rid of this thing -- practically since the day I was branded. And now, with the prospect of fulfilling that desire, I cannot say I deserve to be free of its taint."

"Bollocks!"

Severus wasn't now, nor had he ever been, afraid of her glare. "What?"

"If you want to flog yourself on occasion, I know a discreet shop where we can buy any number of whips and paddles," she said tartly.

"Hermione!" He appeared amused and shocked in equal measure, and he couldn't seem to gain control of his mouth. It wanted to grin.

She remained stern. "I'm not telling you when, or where, or even that you must, but Severus, don't let misplaced guilt make your decision."

His nascent grin disappeared. "Hermione..."

"It's no longer a theoretical discussion, Severus." After a moment, she conceded. "All right. We won't discuss it further."

"As if we haven't before," he said, wearied by the topic. "Ad nauseum, ad infinitem."

"Not in the last couple of years, at least. Give me some credit."

"True enough." Severus pulled her back to his side, where they spent several minutes finding the right position. Finally, when Hermione's head rested on his chest, he wrapped a curl around his finger, he said, "Tomorrow will be soon enough."

She nodded. "Good." And then she said, "I have several things to tell you."

"Oh?" She felt the tug on her hair and imagined he was straightening a curl, perhaps visually measuring its length. He asked, "More good news?"

"It's tempered, actually. Some good, some bad. Which would you like to hear first?"

"Are you leaving me?"

She sat bolt upright; the strand of hair wrapped around his finger pulled taut, but its pain was negligible. "Severus, no! Of course not."

A crooked smile curved his lips as he released her hair, pulling her down into a searing kiss. She was breathless when it ended. He said simply, "Then there is no bad news, so carry on."

Hermione thought she might be starry-eyed. "You're ... you're ... rather sweet, really."

"Say that again and I'll hex you," he threatened.

Hermione laughed. "I'll just think it very privately, then." When he resumed toying with her hair, she settled back against his chest. "Anyway, let me tell you my news," she said. "I've been given another assignment." She felt him tense, and continued quickly. "I'm to remain in Egypt as Gringotts' representative overseeing the exploration of the magical collegium."

Severus angled his head to nuzzle her throat, and murmured against her skin. "And I thought you were procrastinating to spend time with me."

She hummed in contentment, but said, "I wouldn't call it procrastination. I'm ascertaining your well-being after your ordeal. You are a colleague, are you not?"

"Indeed," he said softly.

Hermione sat up straighter, taking Severus' hand in hers. She thought she might be developing a bit of an obsession with his hands as she stroked her fingers over his knuckles and tendons and along the blunt tips.

"Gringotts' decision apparently coincided with Lucius' renegotiating the terms of the contract. I understand he cited recent circumstances to trigger an amendment stipulating an on-site curse-breaker, and I'm it." She felt him smirk even if she wasn't currently looking at him. "What?" she asked.

"Lucius likes you."

"No! And what do you mean "like"?"

"Get your mind out of the gutter, Granger. I did not say Lucius fancies you." He twisted the word 'fancies'. "I said like, as in he is fond of you." Severus' hands urged her to shift position, and when she moved, he rose to his feet. She angled her head to look at him. His tone was light, but the impact of his comment was anything but that. "I should have shagged you senseless long before this."

Hermione's eyes widened. "Yes," she agreed, and then, after a moment, she asked, "Why didn't you?

"I wasn't convinced you would be receptive."

"Surely it was obvious I cared."

"Cared, yes." His expression was inscrutable, but she knew him well. "But Hermione, you are passionate about many things, including your friends. How was I to know your feelings were more than platonic?"

"You could have asked," she said stubbornly.

"Do you honestly think I would jeopardize our friendship?"

She rose, and he sidestepped to give her room, but then she closed the distance between them and took his hands in hers. She stared at him. "We should've used Legilimency years ago!"

"Years?" Severus's voice cracked, but he didn't look away. "Surely not."

"Well, no. Not years. But only because I thought it was a hopeless case."

Severus didn't pretend to misunderstand. "Lily," he said and dragged his eyes from hers.

"Lily," she replied. Hermione's throat tightened, but she didn't relinquish her hold. She was determined enough to weather the storm, should there be one.

Severus stared across the room. It was clear he didn't see the organized piles of notes and journals, or the clutter in the kitchen. Hermione told herself every second of suspenseful agony was worth it if Severus was the reward for her patience. He didn't release her hands, but absent-mindedly stroked her wrist with his thumb.

Some time later, he sighed. "I loved Lily for a long time."

Hermione flinched.

Although Severus wasn't looking at her, he felt her reaction and pulled her tight. "I am a cautious man, Hermione. I loved once with my whole being. You know how that turned out. For twenty years, I was a pawn of competing masters, and carried a crushing weight of regret."

Hermione had never before understood the literal definition of bated breath, but she comprehended now in full measure.

"I don't give my heart easily," he said, and she felt his head angle so he could look at her.

She raised her eyes to his. "Have you?" she asked, faintly.

"Have I what?"

Hermione asked softly, "Given your heart?"

Severus' voice was deep, silken and played on her nerves like the finest of bows on a Stradivarius. "Need you ask?"

Her heart started again; it had been metaphorically petrified from the moment Severus had said a dead woman's name. With a little cry, Hermione pulled him to her, and their lips met in a rough but profound kiss. It gentled quickly, evolving into a more loving expression. When they finally caught their breath, she said, "I love you."

"I know." He smirked, briefly, but then sobered immediately. "And I you."

Cupping her face in his hands, he kissed her again, a mere grazing of lips. It left her breathless nonetheless.

"Shall we?" Severus asked, his lips quirked into a wicked smile she had never seen before.

"Yes," Hermione replied, and then blinked. "Wait. Shall we what?"

He arched one eyebrow rakishly, and replied, "Get to the shagging."

Hermione giggled. And then she laughed. She conjured her bluebell flames as she towed Severus toward her bedroom, thankful she had transfigured the cot into something larger that very first day. She sent the ball of fire toward the ceiling, but not too close.

Exhilarated beyond measure, Hermione was quite literally trembling by the time they reached the side of her bed. Neither was laughing any longer, but the mood had shifted to something more intimate and more complex.

Severus tucked his fingers in the loops of her jeans. His eyes were very dark, but she could no longer see them as he lowered his head and kissed her again. Their noses bumped, but they adjusted quickly. When Severus broke the kiss, he asked, "Are you sure?"

To answer him, Hermione pulled her wand and cast the only spell which corkscrewed into a woman's abdomen leaving a trail of purple sparks.

She grinned at him; he returned it with that wicked quirk of his mouth.

Severus removed Hermione's shirt with her cooperation, and then he tossed it into the corner. His hands smoothed down her arms, and suddenly Hermione's insecurities, few though they might be, swamped her delight. She attempted to pull her left arm from Severus' touch.

He frowned and released her, but when she reached for her wand, he said, "No, Hermione. You do not need to hide from me."

She paused mid-reach. "It's..." Unexpected and unwanted tears filled her eyes. "It's so ugly."

Severus lifted her left arm, cradling the forearm in his hand. Tenderly, he brushed his fingers over the scar Bellatrix Lestrange had carved with a magical spell-blade. "It is no uglier than the Dark Mark, and unlike me, you did nothing to deserve it."

"But you can remove the Mark now, Severus. It will be gone. And this..." she nodded at the word that had been thrown in her face since she was twelve.

"Hermione, if removing my Dark Mark leaves you in any doubt about my feelings..."

"No. No. I want you to remove it. I would ... I would erase this if I could." And even though his touch was gentle, Hermione scrubbed at the scar and avoided his eyes. "I hate it!"

"Hermione, look at me." Reluctantly, she did. What she saw in his face set her heart pounding. "We will find a way to heal this," he said, and she recognized truth when she heard it. "Then," he continued, "we will remove these remnants of war together."

"And if we never do? Never find a cure for this" she asked, indicating her forearm, yet she was coming back to herself, and her voice was stronger than it had been.

"Then I will wear the Mark for the rest of my life."

"No, Severus!"

He spoke over her, "I had expected it to be so. I never thought it would be possible to remove, and I have been resigned to that fate. Does it repel you?"

"I'm in love with you; the Mark doesn't matter."

"Do you think I'm less capable of looking beyond the superficial when I see you?"

"I'm being ridiculous," she said a little shakily.

"No, my love. Only human."

"I'm sorry."

"No need. It has been an eventful few days."

Hermione swallowed hard, forcing the remnants of her insecurity down, and she managed a laugh. "I'd say that was an understatement. But now that I have my heart's desire, I don't want to waste another moment." She flipped the buttons on her jeans, and shoved them and her knickers to the floor, leaving her clad only in her bra.

"Heart's desire?" he asked, his eyes caressing her body, leaving a trail of fire where he had gazed.

"Oh, yes," she said. Realizing that he might have a few insecurities of his own, Hermione stepped close and leaned forward to kiss him with burgeoning urgency.

When she moved to unhook her bra, Severus stopped her. "Let me."

His voice resonated deep within her, a frisson of anticipation swept down her spine, and goosebumps prickled her arms.

"Please," she whispered as she fumbled with the buttons on his white shirt.

Within seconds, she was naked while Severus was only half-dressed. Black hair dusted his pectorals, narrowing to a trail leading to his groin. His trousers were unzipped but had not yet gone the way of her jeans and his shirt. White pants showed in the gaping vee of the open zipper.

Hermione traced the waistband of his pants, and when she dipped her fingers toward the point of the zipper's vee, she brushed the hot, hard ridge of his growing erection. Severus pulled her closer. His voice was husky. "Touch me," he murmured.

Her answer was a gusting breath of excitement, and fingers slipping beneath the waistband of his pants. Severus' skin was silken to the touch, and she explored freely.

His breath rasped in her ear, and his hands, those deft, capable potions master's hands glided across her arms, her shoulders, her face, her back, and her breasts. One nipple was rolled until it budded in a tight peak, and then, his hand slid down, down, down, until his fingers threaded through the bushy curls at her pubis, seeking and finding the pulsing, overly excited bundle of nerves waiting to be set on fire.

Hermione cried out, and Severus covered her mouth with his own. Their tongues delighted in their dance, and suddenly Hermione was falling backwards, landing on the soft, transfigured bed. Fortunately, Severus had pulled back so they didn't end up biting one another's tongues as they landed.

He chuckled ruefully. "I have always strived for grace."

"I think you're very graceful. Fucking sexy."

His eyebrows rose in gratified surprise. "Sexy?"

"Very." Hermione barely recognized her own voice. "Let me show you."

He helped her remove his trousers and pants, and then her hands were everywhere. Within brief moments, Severus was between her legs, with Hermione guiding him to where she wanted him to be.

"So wet," he said as he slid home.

Hermione arched her back. "Yes." The word was an elongated sibilant sound of joy that filled the room.

She threaded her fingers through his long, lank hair. As Severus thrust unevenly, he bent to kiss her. Hermione wrapped her legs around his narrow hips, locking her ankles to keep him buried deep, and twined her tongue with his.

They found their rhythm, excitement and heat building between them. Hermione's fingers dug into his back as she rocked her hips, and Severus' strokes became faster. They were no longer kissing, but straining toward a release just beyond reach. Then, she slipped one hand between them, using her nimble fingers to press and encircle. Within seconds, white sparks dotted her vision and Hermione cried out his name.

Severus' thrusts were erratic now. His voice was hoarse. "Oh, fuck!" he shouted as he climaxed. He hung his head, his hair tickling her neck.

Hermione was happier than she had been in a very long time. After a minute, she said, "If you'd taken your own advice and shagged me sooner, we could have been doing this for months."

Severus laughed, and rolled to her side. "I'll make it up to you," he said.

"I'm counting on it."

She saw the sparkle in his dark eyes, and kissed him because she could. Then he raised one hand and silently summoned his wand. One non-verbal spell later and they were clean, still naked, and lying together beneath a sheet.

Severus stared at the canvas ceiling, watching Hermione's bluebell flames bob at the apex of the room. He suddenly asked, "What's the bad news?"

"Huh?" Hermione's brain was temporarily on hold. Fabulous sex had a way of doing that. She thought she might grow immune to it over time, but hoped reality would prove otherwise.

"You know," Severus said. "Good news, bad news. What's the bad news?"

"I thought you said ... Never mind." She grinned at him. "The bad news is I get to keep the tent."

Severus laughed. "You're not serious."

"I am indeed." She glanced at him through her lashes, watching as laughter morphed into a grin. Hermione adored his grin. It was wicked, and sly, and charming. Of course, it might also have to do with the placement of his left hand, but still.

"Then I know just who to see about a place to stay," he said.

"I thought you lived..." she frowned. "Aren't you staying with Lucius?"

He seemed to have an inordinate fondness for her hair, as he began to wrap a curl around a finger. "I've been staying with Lucius for months. In Draco's room. I packed my things before I came to see you."

Anticipation ghosted across Hermione's skin. "Did you?"

"I did. You know Lucius insists Draco live with him until he is fully recovered."

"Isn't that only a matter of days?" she asked, concerned despite the circumstances.

"Lucius will use the time to his advantage. Having lost Narcissa so recently..." Severus broke off, his expression pensive.

"He'll want to keep Draco close. I understand that." She glanced at him, only to find he was watching her fingers trail through his chest hair. "But why do you–"

"I would rather not accept Lucius' largesse indefinitely; yet, with the discovery of the library.... Just think, Hermione, how many other potions lie undiscovered in that archive." He glanced at her left arm, recalling his promise to her mind. "We have pursuits of our own," he said, "but nothing says they can't lie parallel to your official assignment."

"Nothing at all," she said, smiling brightly.

"While I am here, however, I'd like space of my own."

Hermione brushed a strand of hair out of his face, and Severus leaned into the caress. After a moment, he said thoughtfully, "There are two bedrooms here, aren't there?"

"Yes."

At her tone, he rolled away from her, angling his head so he could look directly into her eyes. "If you aren't ready to take that step, Hermione, I understand."

"Severus, I definitely want you." Hermione's voice was laden with meaning. "I had thought perhaps – if things went well -- we could use the second room for our own library."

That wicked grin flashed again, and as Severus rolled her over and nestled between her legs, he said, "I foresee things going very well."

"Me, too," she said and kissed him.

My step is slow, the snow's my breath

I give the ground a grinding death

My marching makes an end of me

Slain by sun or drowned in sea(3)

~o0o~

End Notes:

1. Another riddle found on multiple sites, including braingle.com. The answer is tomorrow.

2. This is the first stanza of the riddle Mr. Elton sends to Emma in Jane Austen's novel of the same name. The answer to the charade (as Mr. Elton would call it) was courtship.

3. It is a glacier. Another riddle found in multiple locations, including the daily riddle.com and braingle.com.

Please indulge my final nod to the genius of Severus Snape as a character and as portrayed by Alan Rickman. I have quoted a couple of sentences from Snape's opening Defense Against the Dark Arts lecture in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (page 177, American edition) in the Legilimency scene between Severus and Hermione. I have also quoted snippets from Edmund Spenser's The Faerie Queen: Book 5: Canto II. Many of you will recognize them from when Alan Rickman's character, Colonel Brandon, read them to Marianne Dashwood during her recovery in the film Sense and Sensibility.