Dangerous Dreams

This is the final chapter of this story. I promise that there is a sequel filled with the story of Severus and Ginny, and the growth of Hope... But, that is another story...Although this chapter gets quite intense, please believe me when I say it has a happy ending. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dangerous Dreams

Hermione slept fitfully. Her heart raced as she tried to break free from the chains of sleep that seemed to pull her ever tighter into the realm of dreams. She felt an odd pressure on her abdomen, and she tossed her head from side to side.

"No, please! Don't!" Her cries were frantic and hopeless. "Shhh... it won't do for you to make such a scene," the figure at the far side of the room said softly. "No one can hear you now anyway!" he added as he moved closer to the bed where Hermione was held prisoner through invisible bonds.

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"LUCIUS!!! DAMN YOUR ARSE! WAKE THE FRAGGING HELL UP!" The harsh words, followed by a fist pounding on the door, aroused Lucius from his peaceful slumber. Out of the bed in an instant, he grabbed his robes and was pulling them on when Harry cast a spell that caused the door to explode.

"What in the hell--?" Lucius started, but stopped when he noticed the younger man's appearance. Half of his face was covered in blood as the scar he had always borne had begun to bleed.

Severus and Ginny filed into the room behind Harry. Ginny carried a book in her arms while Severus held his wand tightly. Lucius cast a worried look in their direction before looking at Harry.

Harry moved past him and sat beside Hermione, who was lost to dreams. She lay motionless with no signs of waking. Reaching out, he took hold of her shoulders and began to shake her. "Hermione! Hermione, love, wake up!"

Lucius watched with growing fear from the end of the bed. Now that he was awake, he could feel the ominous presence of the Dark Lord in the room with them. Hermione's complexion had grown sallow, and her breathing was coming in fast gasps for air.

He stood frozen with shock and fear. This was his fault. If he had just kept his damnable hands off of her, this wouldn't be happening. "What have I done?" His voice shook with the weight of emotion he felt.Suddenly he felt a tug at the sleeve of his robe. Ginny stood beside him, the book of Merlin cradled in her arms. She held it out to him. " I am simply one of the Guardians. You are his descendant. The book will show you what spell you must use to cast him out."

His eyes widened as he took the book. "Cast him out?"

She nodded towards the bed, tossing a worried look in Hermione's direction. "He's found his way inside. Hope's poor little soul may already be fighting for survival." Her eyes again met his. "She needs her father's help."

Looking from Ginny, to Hermione, to the book in his hands, Lucius took a deep breath and opened it. Immediately, he recognized it as the book of Soul Summoning. It was used to call forth lost souls and send them into the light, or eternal darkness, depending on what kind of lives they had led.

Flipping through the pages, he stopped when he came to a section on ending possession. Would this work? A scream from the bed shot him into unquestioning action.

"Soul without form or shape. Give yourself over to the mold you take. Neither flesh, nor blood, nor solid of mass. "As you are weightless, so shall you be thin as air. I order your spirit to disperse from here!"

For a moment, nothing seemed to have happened. Then a sickly green light seemed to permeate from Hermione's abdomen, then float above her. It moved almost as a poisonous gas. Growing and changing into a thicker cloud, then taking form in the center of the room.

Because Voldemort's soul was sickly and cruel, his spirit looked much the same as the last body he'd had. Anger was evident in his features as he took in Lucius' appearance. "You're a disappointment to me, dear Lucius!" he spoke menacingly. "Severus, your betrayal wasn't enough. You had to poison Lucius against me, as well?"

Severus, who had been standing in the background, stared coldly at the spirit of the Dark Lord. "I did nothing of the sort!" He sneered as he fingered his wand, "You managed that feat all on your own. Brilliantly so, I might add."

Voldemort clicked his disembodied tongue and shook his head. "He was weak and not worthy of the society I plan to build!"

Harry, who had been sitting by the now awake and very shaken Hermione, stood and moved from the bed, aiming his wand at Tom. "How can you build any kind of society now? Surely, you realize your plan failed?" Aiming his wand, he shouted the curse. "Avada Kedavra!"

Both Lucius and Severus hit the ground as the curse flew straight through the apparition and hit the wall behind them.

"Harry!" Severus thundered angrily. "That curse won't work when he's already in spirit form!"

Lucius stood, and moved around the specter to get closer to the bed. Speaking softly, he began the curse he had found in the book that would lock Voldemort into the form of a Shade. It was a simple spell that could be used on spirits to keep them from ever being able to connect again to the mortal realm.

He doubted that it would work forever, but he had hopes that it would at least give Hope a chance to be born first. "Once you were man, whole and alive. Now, you are phantom, dead, and unbound. I bind you to this fate, which keeps you near! I bind you to this doom to see and hear! From this day forward, may you never again be! From now to forever, may you only a Shade be! No interference to life may you commit! May no one hear a sound that you omit!"

Voldemort narrowed his gaze upon Lucius as he spoke the sentencing that would seal his fate. He started to laugh, but stopped as he seemed to feel something. Looking down at himself, he could see his form growing fainter and fainter. It was almost as if he was vanishing, although he did not feel himself going anywhere.

He turned angry, crazed eyes on Harry. "Well, if I must become a Shade, then perhaps I can at least take you with me!"

With lightening speed, Voldemort hurled the Killing Curse towards Harry. Lucius dropped the book on the bed and moved to knock Harry out of the way. The curse hit him squarely in the chest, knocking him to the floor.

Harry turned disbelieving eyes to the man who had saved his life, then looked to Voldemort, who was barely there anymore. The evil wizard screamed angrily. "NO! Damn you, Lucius! I will have my revenge for this... I swear it! I swear it!" As he had spoken the last, his voice had begun to fade, as he, too, disappeared.

Hermione scrambled from the bed, mindless of her nightgown that left little to anyone's imagination. She knelt beside Lucius, holding him in her arms. "Lucius!" she cried. "Hold on, my love! You'll be alright."

There was a gaping hole in his chest where the curse had hit him. Blood seeped from the wound slowly, as if there wasn't much blood left to spill. Lucius looked up into Hermione's eyes and gasped for breath for a moment. Then, his voice was almost a whisper, "No, my love. I believe, this is where my part in this magnificent fairytale is over." He smiled. "It isn't my story anymore. But yours and Hope's." He sputtered for a moment and coughed.

Severus and Ginny both raced to his side. He moved to kneel beside his friend as Ginny sank to the floor beside Hermione. Harry crawled the distance between them, shaking his head. "You shouldn't have done that, Lucius. I didn't mean for this to happen."

Lucius offered him a weak smile before turning his attention back to Hermione. Reaching up, he ran a trembling hand down her cheek. "You have saved me from an existence that was far worse than death." He attempted a smile before continuing. "I never thought I would ever know love again. The Heavens know I didn't deserve it! But you not only gave me love. You also gave me back myself."

Hermione stroked his cheek, ignoring the tears on her own. "Shh... D-don't waste your strength."

Looking up to Harry, she begged. "Go to Dumbledore! He'll know what to do!"

Harry started to go but stayed as Ginny's eyes caught his, and she shook her head. When he mouthed the word, "Why?" she just looked back at the couple that was clinging to each other.

Lucius' hand was soft as he covered her mouth. When her eyes moved to meet his, he shook his head. "There's no time, my love." He wiped the tears from her cheek, then stared at his wet fingers. "I never thought I was worth the tears of another..."

As he spoke the last, his eyes took on an empty vacant expression. His hand fell limply to his chest. Hermione's eyes widened as she grasped him closer to her. "No! Lucius, no! Don't leave me! I can't do this without you! I-I have n-no idea how to be a mother! What if? What if I d-do it all w-wrong?" She sobbed, clutching his lifeless form to her, and rocking him gently as she cried. "I love you! Please..." Her voice broke, and she gave in to the tears. "Oh, please, don't leave me!"

Severus leaned back on his haunches and stared with unseeing eyes at his friend. He was gone. The knowledge shook him. It was too hard to believe. His eyes moved to Ginny who was sitting silently beside Hermione, hand pressed to her lips. Tears streamed down her own cheeks.

When her eyes met his, she saw the pain he was going through and reached out a hand to him. Severus immediately clasped it in his own. His eyes brimmed with tears that refused to fall, but the pain in his eyes spoke volumes.

Harry stood there helpless and bowed his head in shame. Lucius had saved his life. He felt as if he had caused Hermione's tears. Shaking his head, he whispered softly, "He shouldn't have sacrificed himself for me. Why did he do that?"

When the hand rested on his shoulder, Harry jumped as if he had been shot. Turning, he stared into a pair of crystal blue eyes that belonged to the most kindly pair of eyes he had seen since Dumbledore.

He held in his hands a wizard's staff that housed a crystal shard within the tip. His robes were a dark mahogany color that was trimmed in gold. His hair was ivory white and long, falling in waves down his back. His face, however, was beardless and smooth.

The wizard was elderly, but held a quality of youth about him that took Harry's breath away. He looked from the stranger to the others, who had yet to notice the newcomer.

When the wizard spoke, Harry felt all his fears just melt away. "Never question such a gift as the sacrifice someone makes for you. Just take the gift humbly and appreciate it for what it is."

The elder wizard then turned his attention to the young woman crying softly over her lost love. As he moved closer to them, he shooed Severus and Ginny out of the way. Going down on one knee, he took Hermione's hand in his own.

Startled, her eyes met his, and he smiled kindly. For a moment, he simply held her gaze before looking down at Lucius. Her gaze followed his. For several seconds, the two of them stared down upon Lucius. Slowly, the wound on his chest began to close, and Hermione gasped when it was completely healed.

When the first breath came, Hermione sobbed anew. His eyes fluttered open, and he gave the elderly wizard a startled look before turning to Hermione. He calmed upon seeing her and reached up again to wipe a tear from her cheek. "Don't cry," he whispered softly.

Severus was staring so hard at his resurrected friend that he gasped when Ginny threw herself into his arms and hugged him tightly. Coming back to himself, he returned her hold. For a moment, the two of them stood motionless in their embrace.

When Ginny made to pull away, Severus tightened his hold, and in an uncharacteristic gesture, kissed her forehead. Ginny stilled immediately in his arms and turned shocked eyes up to stare at him. His eyes held hers, and he smiled fleetingly as they stared at each other in silence.

Hermione looked from Lucius to the kind wizard. "But, how?" she asked simply.

The elder wizard smiled and chuckled. "My dear, I am Merlin. Did you really believe I would let my descendant come so far, only to let him die when he is finally, truly happy?" He scoffed. "Never!"

Hermione smiled gratefully and gazed down at the man she loved. "I'm so very glad to see you..." she said softly.

Lucius returned her smile. "And I, you!" he answered softly.

Merlin straightened. "So, now, there seems to be only one thing left to do."

Lucius looked back at Merlin, confused. "What is that?"

Merlin smiled. "Well, get rid of these scars, of course! They are such a nuisance, and I just don't think you need them any longer. You've learned your lesson, I think."

Lucius sat up and quirked an eyebrow in the older wizard's direction. "What lesson is that, pray tell?"

Merlin smiled as he moved to help Lucius find his feet. "That love is not something you win by looks or merit, but something that comes to you when you least expect it."

With a wave of his hand, Merlin seemed to just wipe the scars away from Lucius' face. His hand, that had been malformed since the incident, relaxed. His leg felt a slight pressure that, when released, straightened, leaving him once again whole and as beautiful outside as he had become inside.

Harry and Hermione shared a look, and he smiled at her when she turned to look at her healed lover. "I am happy for you," he said softly.

Hermione reached out to clasp Harry's hand, knowing he was feeling a little alone at the moment. "Thank you so much for being my friend, Harry."

Harry smiled and shrugged. "Well, I know one thing for certain." He laughed.

Severus released Ginny as he turned a questioning look in Harry's direction. "What's that?"

Harry laughed, "Ron's going to be buggered that he missed this!"

Merlin turned from Lucius to Ginny. "Now, I think we need to take the Chronicles back to where they came from," he sighed. "It isn't safe for them here because even though Voldemort has been turned to a Shade, he could still gain the knowledge to put himself back to form, if he found way to read over someone's shoulder as they read the Chronicles."

Severus looked between Merlin and Ginny. "You can't take them now. We need them to study!"

Merlin smiled. "Actually, Severus, I was going to suggest that you accompany Ginny back to Avalon to study the books there. No Shade can enter Avalon." He chuckled. "Not without destroying himself."

Severus tried to wear his best smirk and failed. "Well, yes, I suppose I must go back to Avalon with her, then."

Merlin nodded. "Very good decision."

Turning back to Hermione, he reached out a hand to place on her belly. Leaning down, he said softly. "Hello, Hope. I look forward to the day when you and I can play."

At Hermione's widened eyes, he returned. "What? You think I'm going to stay away now that you all know that I still live?" He rolled his eyes before turning and snapping his fingers. Suddenly, he was gone, and the room was left with no trace of him.

Hermione and Lucius just stared perplexed at each other for a moment before their expressions became open, and everyone knew they needed privacy.

Ginny cleared her throat and turned to Severus. "Yes, well, I should think we should stop by Hogwarts and let Dumbledore know what has happened. Then, we must be off."

Severus nodded and turned to lead the way from the room. "Yes, I do believe you are correct."

Harry stood there, looking at the two lovers who were lost to all but each other. "I fear I must go as well." He looked to the man who had saved him and felt pleasure in knowing Hermione was to be so well loved and protected. " Thank you, Lucius, for my life."

Lucius looked to Harry and smiled. "I should be thanking you, Harry. I may have saved you, but you alerted me to the danger to Hermione. Go rest, and we shall have breakfast served as soon as the sun breaks through the dawn."

When Harry exited the room, Lucius and Hermione were left alone. His eyes searched hers for a moment before he reached out to her. Immediately, she crossed over into his arms and returned his kiss with a desperate feeling. It left them breathless when they finally parted.

"I thought I had lost you," she whispered. "I don't know what I would have done... if..."

"Shhh..." Lucius interrupted. "It's over now, and I am going nowhere! You'll be sick of me by the time you're old and gray."

Hermione laughed, stroking his perfect cheek where the scar had once been prominent. "You're beautiful again."

He shook his head and grew solemn. "I am nothing without you. You make me whole, not my looks. They mean nothing if I don't have you beside me."

Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply. Returning her kiss, he lifted her up and carried her to the bed. Never again would either of them be alone. It was a vow they made that night and would stand behind for the rest of their lives.

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Fin....

A/N: This last chapter was so incredibly hard for me to write. I cried almost the entire way through it. My muse never lets me know where she is taking me when I sit down to write so I was actually believing he was going to die until she revealed to me that ... AHEM... He's the descendant of Merlin... And the couple was to have their happy ending. I hope that each and every one of you have enjoyed this little story as much as I have enjoyed writing it. Thank you to everyone who has stayed with me through all of it. I am so grateful for all of you!