The Colubridae Snake

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~o 58 o~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Colubridae Snake

Hermione had been amazed at Severus' ability to defend her and all the students as they had huddled together in terror in the street or ran madly in search of cover. Not that she hadn't been trying her best to do the same while defending the innocent, but it had been chaos, and the shop personnel blocking access to their shops while firing curses recklessly and without even aiming, as far as she could tell, exasperated the intensity of the situation. She had witnessed Severus take aim at Runcorn, his body tense and his expression determined. She rolled to her side and clambered to her knees, firing off a defensive charm at the shop assistant in the doorway of the shop nearest her. Why the people of the shops were behaving this way frightened her, but she could only come to one conclusion: they were under the Imperius Curse. They simply had to be.

Runcorn fired again, and she lunged back, executing a shield, but she slipped on something pliable and thick in the mud. Hermione barely had time to realize it was an arm belonging to a girl with dark curly hair as she tried to gain her footing while protecting herself from the onslaught of spells. His fierce attack was making Hermione back away across the street, and she was beginning to become afraid for her life. She heard Severus snarl, "Impedimenta," the same time Harry shouted "Expelliarmus." She watched in horror as the spells collided; the intensity of the magical force made a resounding static pulse that sent those standing on the street flying backward and falling to the ground, herself included.

Hermione rose quickly, feeling a sharp twinge in her ankle that she ignored. Her thoughts were jumbled as she defended herself. She'd read about the phenomenon effects of the Priori Incantatem that could happen when two wands with the same core connected... but she still didn't understand why the Priori Incantatem had occurred, unless Severus' and Harry's wands were 'brothers' and they had aimed for each other. Surely Severus and Harry wouldn't actually fight each other, unless... Did Harry and Severus know their wands shared cores from the same source? Was it possible Fawkes had bestowed Ollivander with another tail feather?

She fired off a series of defensive charms at Wesley Gogarty, who ran Palladium Books, and Melania MacFusty, who owned Melania's Magical Gifts For All Occasions, while at the same time, rolling to duck the spell that Runcorn fired at her. She lunged again, barely missing Runcorn's curse, and dodged a spell from Wesley again, wondering why the kindly wizard book proprietor would be trying to curse her.

She finally managed to back away from the center of the street, finding a spot at the corner of Chaldean Arithmancy and Accounting, glad to have a solid wall to put at her back when a voice, cold and malicious, said, "Hello, girlie," behind her.

Before she even had the chance to turn or run away, she felt a strong hand grasp her arm, pulling her back against a hard male body. The next instant, a hand clasped her neck, his ring biting into her skin, and she felt the unmistakable yanking sensation behind her navel indicative of a Portkey's activation. In front of her, just before being sucked into the transportation void, she saw Runcorn holding a pair of glasses with a malicious gleam in his eyes and a satisfied smirk. The next instant, as soon as they'd landed on solid ground, the wizard holding her Apparated, sucking her into the squeezing-tight stream through space and distance with him. No sound came from her throat as she screamed, "Severus," in the suffocating transportation stream.

"Who are you?" she gasped, heaving and puffing to fill her lungs as soon as they landed in a dark space of roughly hewn stone. Fire ignited in several iron braziers behind the wizard, throwing the cavern into light, illuminating flowstones, stalactites and stalagmites, the last two creating eerie shadows and dark spaces. Hermione was unceremoniously shoved to the ground, and she immediately thought of her wand, realizing she no long held it as her body became immobilized.

"Don't you know me? We have quite the history, you and I," the wizard standing over her said mockingly.

She looked up at him, surprised she could move her head. He crossed his arms with a look of pure hatred in his brown eyes as she gazed at him. He looked like a younger version of Antonin Dolohov... but scruffier, his face sharply angular, and his body thin in old robes that hung on him.

"No?" he taunted when she didn't immediately reply, looming over her threateningly. "Well let me enlighten you." His gaze swept over her with cruel a sneer. "Dragen Dolohov, at your...well, I'd say service, but it's you who will be serving me."

She heard the sound of boots on gravel and rough stone approach. "There you are," a male voice called out and a moment later, Devon Runcorn appeared, walking around some calcium carbonate formations and a dripstone column.

"Where have you been?" Dragen asked.

"Had to kill an Auror trainee first," Runcorn said with a smirk, his eyes glittering, making a large lump drop into Hermione's stomach.

Her first thought was, Ron! Oh no, please not Ron.

"So what do we do with her?" Runcorn asked contemptuously.

"She's entertainment until the real prize arrives," Dragen said with delicately intoned sarcasm as he made the braziers on the other side of the cavern ignite, casting the cavern in brighter light, illuminating thick iron bars that stood in the mouth of a deep hole or tunnel in the far wall and making what appeared to be a sinkhole or pit in the floor near the other side become more evident.

Hermione mentally screamed for Severus, although she didn't utter a sound.

There was a grunt and throaty gnarl from something behind the bars, and a snarling growl came from the pit, making Hermione's stomach turn in fear.

Runcorn laughed, a grating, savage sound as Dragen gave her a nasty smile, the murderous glower in his eyes undiminished as he glared at her.

~S~

"She was right here," Harry said, pointing past the students who were clambering to their feet or helping classmates stand, many of whom had been hit during the fight.

Severus turned, surveying the street. They escaped – by Portkeys. Portkeys are traceable. These wizards are seasoned fighters and survivors. They won't stay where they've landed... He turned to Blume and asked, "The fifth; who was the fifth?"

"I don't know. I saw an oblong spot receding," Blume turned and pointed, "right there – at the corner of Packard's shop. Whoever it was took someone with them, and they were the first to leave."

"Whoever it was took Hermione!" Harry said, his voice rising to almost shouting as he gaped around in near panic. "Cast the Portkey Tracking Charm and let's go..."

"Go to where, Potter?" Severus snarled in his best 'angry teacher' voice. "They know that Portkeys can be traced – they'd have Apparated by now – to God knows where."

Potter's mouth snapped shut. "Wha' – did one of them take Hermione?" Ron asked as he and Cho and approached.

"Isvinete, I ask for knowing, who vould takes Her-mi-oninny?" Hermione's Bulgarian friend asked, his wand held ready in his hand.

"It wasn't Runcorn; he wasn't close enough," Ronald said definitively.

"I know that. He was in the street, facing her," Severus snapped. He turned, searching his mind for any probable location. His mind kept telling him west-southwest, but that could be anywhere. It would be someplace that he knew, he was certain of it. If one of these men took her to Dragen, he'd want him to come find her. Well, they would certainly regret if he did.

Harry had pulled out a small leather book and opened it, revealing a magical tablet. "One of the Hackeny twins..."

"Tyrone. Thomas escaped," Ronald interjected as Severus stared at the site Blume had pointed out as if by pure willpower he could see where she lay bound and immobile.

"...Phillip Selwyn and Devon Runcorn – they escaped..." Harry continued as if uninterrupted, checking the names on his tablet.

"I heard Edward Scunthorpe and Phillip Brixton were captured," Cho said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Catthouse and Finnigan got Ezekiel Stroup and Gordon Pikes, and I suppose you can add Justin Ferkle to your list."

Harry nodded, marking his tablet. "That leaves Dragen Dolohov, Jamie Dafoe and Gaspard Serkis as our fifth – they are the only other Death Eaters on my list."

Severus catalogued the list. Dafoe was an idiot, Serkis a politician... Dragen was the only possibility, and he'd most likely planned the attack. They'll want to keep her alive. Severus was certain about it; he knew with absolute conviction so far she was unhurt. Hermione, he mentally shouted. I'll kill them, I swear it to you. If they hurt one hair on your head – I'll kill them!

Severus saw Miss Warwick bandaging a third-year's leg with Hermione's scarf. He walked over and snatched it from her, growling, "Give me that." He swept a small circle over the student's leg with his wand as he conjured a splint for the injured girl. "Miss Warwick, take Miss Hinckley to Madam Pomfrey." He turned away, staring down the street, southwest toward the Magical Pastiche & Potpourri.

"So we've narrowed the fifth person down to Dragen Dolohov, Jamie Dafoe or Gaspard Serkis," Ginevra stated. "Which still doesn't help us find Hermione."

Hermione's scarf was soaked and muddy. Severus fisted it in his hand. Normally, he could feel her when he wanted to know where she was. Where are you? Where did he take you? He looked up in the direction his intuition indicated, facing west-by-southwest. The little voice in his head said, "Ireland." The more he thought about it, the stronger it became, "Cave... in Ireland." The urge, like a faint persistent tug pulling at him, was telling him where she was. Of course, the Bond – our Bond.

"Headmaster Snape," Kazimir said, trying to get Severus' attention, but Severus' focus was elsewhere.

Ireland had many caves with a range of geological foundations and passageways, but he knew it would not be one underwater. Like before; open your mind and let it tell you. "Fermanagh, Ireland," Severus said as the thought came to him, the direction of his intuition getting stronger the harder he focused on wanting to get to Hermione. He turned to face the others. "She's in a cave in Fermanagh, Ireland."

"How could you...?" Cho asked as Harry and Fairley all stared back at him in absolute disbelief.

"It's the Bond, isn't it?" Ginevra asked, and Severus nodded as he considered his next move.

Apparating to her – he'd arrive in a trap. He knew with absolute certitude that she was in a troll's lair in Fermanagh, Ireland. "Fairley, will you and Blume come with me?"

"Yes, of course," the Auror replied, moving to his side, and several voices all jumped in at once, shouting, "I'm going," "I'm going, too," and "Take me with you."

"Pochakaite molia, I vill go," Kazimir said as Ronald declared, "I'm going – it's Hermione – ve have to!"

"We can't all go," Harry said as he turned to Ronald. "Severus can only take two of us..."

"Three," Severus interjected. "But I'm leaving now."

Harry was saying, "So if he takes Fairley, me and Cho," but Ron shook his head, "then you can follow using the Deluminator." Ronald's eye widened as he reached down and dug around in his pocket.

"Then me and Sparks will go with Weasley," Blume stated. "Then we can all coordinate once we get there."

But Severus wasn't listening, having suddenly felt a sharp, stabbing pain in his chest. Hermione! He had to go now! "We're wasting time she doesn't have," he ground out forcibly, cutting off Blume, making the wizard on his left side look at him in annoyance. Severus grabbed Fairley's wrist and Blume's arm, the two Aurors standing closest to him, as he quickly and deliberately focused his determination on the destination the Bond was urging him to. Fairley's arm relaxed as Blume moved closer, both men preparing for the strangling sucking sensation of side-along Apparition. From the corner of his eye, Severus saw Harry grab his sleeve, and he mentally nodded, preparing for the extra energy of Apparating with three grown wizards.

"Not without me, you don't," Severus heard a female voice say in the back of his mind, but Severus was already turning, releasing his magic and letting the Bond take him to Hermione in the same manner he used to allow the Dark Mark to teleport him.

Normally he didn't mind the suffocatingly cold squeezing sensation of the transrelocation stream, but he could feel the additional strain of the added weight as he shot through the long distance.

They arrived on an uneven rocky surface in a dimly lit area. Jets of curse lights and spell projection bursts came at them a second later. Fairley fell immediately, and Severus and Blume barely had time to erect their shields. Behind him he heard Harry call out, "Ron! Expelliarmus," or "Ron, Impedimenta," repeatedly as he cast his spells, mimicked by Ginevra.

They were boxed in. "Ginevra, stop parroting Potter and defend yourself," Severus snarled. Four. There are four sources – five Portkey residual locations. Where the fuck is Hermione? The voice in his head told him to run down the passageway to his left, but he concentrated on the wizard to his right as Blume took charge of the one on Severus' left side, and he hoped Harry and Ginevra held on long enough against the two behind him until help arrived.

~H~

If Runcorn had thought that his Cruciatus was unbearable to the point of breaking her, he was mistaken. Well almost. But his curse held nothing compared to the vengeance she'd felt under Bellatrix's wand. Still Hermione's body ached; the ropes binding her cut deeply into her skin as she writhed and screamed in pain, and when she heaved and gasped to draw air into her lungs, her body protested and spasmed excruciatingly.

"Enough," Dragen said. The ropes binding her torso and arms loosened, but only long enough to give her a flicker of hope before they tightened around her wrists and forearms. She felt herself hoisted up, pulled by her bound ankles and by both wrists as the ends of the ropes shot out to imbed themselves securely into the rock and a speleothem that rose from the floor. The ropes tightened, suspending her helplessly over the pit. Her head fell back, and if she twisted her head slightly, she could see down a short ways into the dark void below her. She could smell something awful coming from the direction of the bars, a horrible combination of mildew, moldy socks, excrement and urine.

"So which shall it be...?" Dragen asked, his voice trailing off. "Oh, I know." Dragen cast a few Slicing Hexes at Hermione's jumper, tearing it to expose her to his cruel gaze, then flicked his wand at the cave ceiling, making sharply pointed straw stalactites rain down on her, some of the tubular stalactites cutting and stabbing her skin, and the beast below her bellowed in annoyance as Hermione cried out helplessly.

Her eyes widened as the beast down in the dark hole clawed the walls and snarled in hunger, and she could hear the sounds of sticks or bones and the crystalized shards crunch under the beast's feet.

~R~

Ron watched in horror as his sister lunged for Snape's robes and vanished along with the others. He clicked his Deluminator restlessly as he waited to hear his name called. He hated this part, the waiting. All around him the Aurors were wrapping up the scene from the fight while Cho, Seamus and Kazimir waited anxiously beside him. "As soon as I hear my name, the ball of light will appear, and I'm leaving, no waiting," he told them.

"We know how it works, Ron," Seamus said with a roll of his eyes as Cho nodded solemnly, ready to spring into action.

"Can you carry four?" Kazimir asked, and Ron looked at him stunned. "Four. Can you Apparate four?" the Bulgarian said, making a gesture that indicated the group.

"I've only ever done three, never four," Ron admitted as Sparks looked up when Cattouse and Brodes approached MacNaughton in the middle of the street. "Those two are Imperiused – in fact all of the shop assistants seem to be Impriused," MacNaughton was saying. "None of them recall anything. One minute they were helping customers, then the next thing they know, they felt compelled to herd everyone out of their shops and start firing on people."

Kazimir nodded and pulled a gold medallion on a double chain from his tunic, snapped it in half, and handed one half to Cho. "This vas gift for Her-mi-oninny and her fiancé. I can follow this. Ve use them in Bulgaria to, kakvo, how you say... come vith you – no..."

"I get the idea. What do I do?" Cho asked as Bill Weasley limped up to the group.

"Hold it," Kazimir said to Cho, making a fist, "and think to have me come vith your magic." Cho nodded, putting the chain over her head.

"We were waylaid on South Court between the Hog's Head and the second hand shop," Bill Weasley said. "John Dawlish is down, but Richard Maygora is taking him to St. Mungo's. Is Macmillan all right? I saw him go down."

Ron inhaled in anticipated fear of the answer, clicking the Deluminator in nervous habit as he watched Auror Cattouse shake his head. "He didn't make it. They were fighting for keeps, mostly using the some nasty curses or the Killing Curse."

Ron!

The sound of his name caught Ron off guard for a second, distracting him as Cho said, "He always said that fighting Dark wizards was the most important thing we were doing, even back at school," beside him, wiping a tear from her cheek.

Ron!

Ron inhaled as he heard his name, but his thumb slipped on his Deluminator, "He could be quite pompous at times, but his heart and loyalties were in the right place," Seamus said sadly, turning to look at Ron and Cho. "He would've made a good Auror."

Ron!

He clicked the Deluminator again, seeing the ball of light emanate from the top. "This is it," he breathed. "Get ready." Cho and Seamus grabbed onto him as the ball of light touched his chest and sunk into his heart. Ron turned on the spot letting the ball of light take him to Harry and his sister.

~S~

The loud crack of Apparition filled the chamber just as Severus and Ginevra fired their spells, followed immediately by Harry's Stunner, then Blume and two Death Eaters simultaneously fired, filling the passageway with cracks and blasts. Immediately he heard Miss Chang, Weasley and Mr. Finnigan shout, "Expelliarmus," at the same time. Summarily, Severus fired a Blasting Curse at the location of the wizard he'd been dueling. Rock blasted from the corner, but beside him, Blume took one in the chest and fell to his knees, then toppled over.

Severus turned, fired another Blasting Curse, the same time Weasley yelled, "Expelliarmus," and Mr. Finnigan shouted, "Impedimenta." The resulting blast sent rock and dust flying through the chamber as Severus cast the strongest shield charm he could to protect the young people standing with him. "Where the hell is Sparks?" he snarled, turning and casting a nasty curse in the other direction.

"He's with Hermione's friend," Ron shouted as Cho, said, "He's coming with Kazimir Maschke." Ginevra and Finnigan all tried to disarm the two wizards still fighting them. One Death Eater was cornered in an alcove in the direction that Severus needed to go, where he could feel Hermione's presence, but the Death Eater had a huge rock formation to duck behind. The other was still firing from a dark recess or crevice in the rock wall in the other direction.

"On three, blast those bastards," Severus snarled. He took aim, "Three!" and cast a Whipping Curse at the space behind the rock as the others divided and bombarded the wizards with spells. Severus took off running, not caring if his boots made thunderous clomps on the cave floor. He had to get to Hermione. He heard someone running after him and hoped it was one of the trainees.

He veered with the curve in the wall, moving cautiously around some stalactites and stalagmites, watching the darkness fade, indicating a light source, and moved closer to the rock and calcium carbonate formations, hearing heavy breathing behind him. Up ahead, Hermione screamed. The light grew brighter, illuminating more of the passage the closer he got. Severus added a Cushioning Charm to his boots and moved forward along the flowstone and around a large stalactite and stalagmite. He stopped when he saw the glimpse of a brazier up ahead in the gap between a speleothem formations and a thick dripstone column.

"Why are you stopping?" Potter asked, taking cover behind a stalagmite.

"Never rush in blindly like a cowboy – that only works in America," Severus sneered as softly as he dared. Hermione made an agonizing scream again, and it sent a knife through Severus' heart.

"They are torturing her," Potter hissed, keeping up with Severus as he moved forward more cautiously along the calcium carbonate formations and flowstones.

Severus lowered his voice magically so only Potter could hear him. "Very astute. Now hush and do as I say." Severus strained to listen for sounds, any indication of how many people were up ahead. He heard a man's humorless laugh, followed by a male voice saying, "Crucio," then another scream by Hermione, but he had no idea if it was the same wizard or not or how many there were.

"My turn," another amused but impatient male voice said that Severus recognized as Runcorn.

Not good. He liked to torture and he was a good fighter.

"We don't want her dead, idiot," another male voice said, but not one Severus could immediately identify.

"I know that," Runcorn said.

Two. But there could be another. Severus grabbed Potter's tunic as the boy tired to rush past him for the gap between the calcium carbonate formations and the dripstone column. "Wait! And learn," he hissed softly. "I can feel Hermione – I can feel her pain. I could take us directly into the chamber in an instant, but it will alert the men in there. I only hear two, but there could be others. They will have the advantage – they will try to kill us, but they will kill her first."

Potter nodded in understanding. Severus turned his head slightly, still watching the gap for shadows. "If we do this and there are three, she's good as dead. If there are only two..."

"But we have the element of surprise," Potter interrupted.

"No, we don't. They are expecting us. It will only take them one, maybe two seconds to realize, and then they will fire. Don't disarm. I know you think that is your best option but it's not. Use the Defensive Charm or the Stunning Curse and cast it with every ounce of magical strength you have, and fire it repeatedly until your opponent falls. You understand me? Be unrelenting."

"Yes," Potter said, nodding.

Severus turned his entire focus on the chamber ahead. "And silence your shoes."

He felt, not heard, Potter comply. The boy was learning. "What's keepin' the others?" he heard Runcorn ask as Hermione screamed again, making Severus' teeth clench and his chest hurt in response. "They should be here by now."

"Probably busy," the second male said as Severus moved cautiously toward the dripstone column. "Had enough, Mudblood? Maybe we should we try something different?"

~H~

Hermione's head fell back as Dragen's Cruciatus stopped. Tears ran down her face into her hair, and her body spasmed cruelly as it hung stretched out over the pit. By now she'd identified the creature below. The beast had been moving around the sides of the pit, snapping and snarling in frustration, it's growls increasing in hunger as it tried to reach the 'meal' suspended above him. Hermione had caught glimpses of two extremely sharp, golden horns, a flattened nose like a bull's and sharp teeth for rending flesh. A graphorn.

Her screams had also awakened the creatures (since it turned out to be two of them) behind the bars, a pair of mountain trolls, the female much smaller than the more aggressive male, possibly a father-daughter pair. The female seemed resignd to the cage, sitting hunched up beside the bars, but the male was not, reaching his arm through the bars or trying to pull them apart. Runcorn took delight in firing Static Jinxes at the pair, especially the male, just to provoke them.

Hermione tried to relax, as much as she could stretched out and suspended as she was. In her pain-addled mind she pleaded, Severus, please help me, as Dragen paced along the pit, admiring his handiwork. She thought she could feel him, sense Severus approaching, but each time she dared hope, fresh tears fell from her eyes.

"It's too quiet," Runcorn said, sounding bored as he cast a fireball at the cage, making the trolls leap back in fright. "Maybe I ought to go check."

"No," Dragen snapped. "If they enter the cave from the mouth, the Devil's snare and Acromantulas will dispense with them. If they Apparate, our brothers will kill them on sight. We just have to wait."

"We just have to wait," Runcorn mimicked. "I'm tired of waiting."

But Severus will be ready, he'll expect a trap, she thought. In her heart she could feel him as if he were near, close somehow. He found me before, she kept reminding herself. At the Malfoy's when Draco took me there; at the park before I was attacked. He even knew it when I went to his house – our house – before the Death Eaters attacked us. She tried to call out to him again, but it came out as a whimper.

"Trying to call your Bonded mate?" Dragen taunted her. "Here let me help you. Severus – oh, Severus." He whistled as if calling for a dog. "Severus – here traitor." He whistled again. "No?" He turned to look at Hermione, his cold eyes glittering mirthlessly. "Oh well, and I had such hopes for a reunion." He raised his wand, and her body tensed in fearful anticipation. "Crucio..."

The pain hit almost immediately, but somewhere in her mind she thought she heard Severus' angry voice say, "Sectumsempra," and Harry's, "Defendinfestus," and the pain ceased. Well, eased off considerably, replaced with excruciatingly severe muscle spasms since in her position her body could not curl up as the muscles tightened in contractions.

Dragen's sarcastic droll of, "You came," was cut off by Severus' "Defendinfestus," and Harry's, "Stupefy," and Runcorn's "Avada Kedavra," and the sound of rock exploding.

Instantly, the sounds of rapid spell blasts echoed all around her, dust rose and fell, bits of stalactites and broken chunks of rock fell and flew about. Hermione simply closed her eyes, unable to do anything to protect herself, fearing the worst and praying that Severus be all right and win this. A few times she thought she heard Ginny, as unlikely as that was, but it was Severus' voice that sent a thrill and tremendous fear through her.

Hermione tried to watch, having to blink frequently because of the dust and flying debris. A spell hit a large stalactite above her that broke loose, and she reflexively turned her head, fearing the impact, but Severus deflected it, then cast a series of curses at Dragen as the two wizards fought to the death. Severus was magnificent, teeth bared, his body moving and dodging like in a martial arts movie with his wand arm moving so fast it was like watching fencing in fast motion. Dragen was slashing and paring, ducking and shielding, blocking and lunging. Hermione saw a huge slice cut across the Dragen's back, blood oozing out and soaking his clothes.

She could hear Harry fighting Runcorn, but couldn't see them, although the troll, probably the male, was excited over the fight.

"Hermione, are you...?" she heard Ginny ask in a hushed voice. "Hang on. Let me see if I can do anything about your jumper. Intexeresarcire."

Hermione could feel a few shards of the straw stalactites catch as her jumper seemed to come back together, prickling and tickling her irritated skin. "Well, mum could do better of course, but at least you won't be flashing your breasts at my fiancée."

"Shards," she hissed. "Dragen showered me with straw stalactites." Beside her, Dragen tried to curse her, but Severus blocked the spell and countered with a horrible hex of his own.

"Shards – oh, why didn't you say so?" Ginny exclaimed softly. "Accio shards," she said.

Hermione felt many of the shards extract, some tearing away from her skin, but she managed to suppress crying out by clenching her teeth and lips tightly together, making only a, "Ggh," and a hiss.

"Okay, to finish fixing your jumper." Hermione looked down as Ginny said the incantation, "Resartextum," and the jumper tightened again, but now it was quite bloody. "Now for the ropes..."

"Gin, wait, the..." Hermione sucked in her breath, her eyes widening as she felt the ropes vibrate and her body sagged minutely. "Gin, be careful, the graphorn," she hissed, hoping that Dragen didn't notice.

"Almost," Ginny said, keeping low so that the men fighting didn't see her.

Suddenly, Dragen fell flat on his face, and Severus turned, his arm coming down to a slash at someone on his left as he hissed, "Sectumsempra." The next minute, only the troll's and graphorn's snarls could be heard over the thrumming cadence of her heartbeat.

The ropes sagged more, and Hermione inhaled in fright, hearing the beast leap up to try to get her. "It'll get me," she cried out in fear.

"Not if I can help it," Severus said as the ropes gave. For one split second, Hermione panicked, but then she realized she was floating. "Well done, Ginevra," he said, and she could almost hear his smile of approval.

"It's Ginny, Severus. Ginny," her friend said adamantly as the ropes fell away from Hermione's body and Severus righted her in mid air. "When you call me Ginevra, I swear I feel like I'm in trouble."

Hermione floated to Severus and into his arms. "I've got you," he said, holding her to him as she wrapped her arms about his neck and hugged him back fiercely.

"You came for me," she sobbed in relief, unable to stop the tears that flowed freely.

"I'll always come for you," he said and kissed the side of her head. "Don't ever doubt that I won't."

"I won't, never again," she replied, clinging to him. He loosened his arm, letting her stand, but her ankle, the one she thought was sound, gave her a sharp twang, and she wobbled with an inhaled hiss at the pain.

"Hermione?" Severus asked as his arm quickly tightened about her to support her weight, his dark eyes full of concern as Harry asked, "Is she all right?"

"My ankle, I think it's broken," Hermione said, holding onto Severus while trying to lean on her better ankle, ignoring the sharp twinge. "Both might be, actually."

"Then let's get you back to the school, shall we?" Severus said as he swept her up in his arms.

Hermione saw Kazimir and Ron making their way toward her and smiled at her friends; they had all come to save her.

"Kak si, Priiatel?" Kazimir asked, his expression showing deep concern as Harry moved to the side, allowing Severus to carry Hermione to the passageway entrance. Hermione noticed Ron's ears turn bright red as he watched Severus carrying her. All of her friends had worried expressions, and she realized she must look a fright: covered in dust and dirt with her sweater soaked with her blood.

Seamus entered the chamber, saying, "Sparks and Cho took the other four to Azkaban. He sent me to..." He paused as if interrupting something. "Is Hermione all right?"

"I'm fine," Hermione said, laying her head on Severus' shoulder as he said, "She'll be fine," and turned to look at her.

"I'm fine. It's just an ankle," Hermione added offhandedly, not wanting to worry him. "Madam Pomfrey can fix it in a jiffy, right?

Severus smiled, the worry in his eyes still unabated. "Yes." He turned to the others. "Harry, if you'll escort Gin-ev – Ginny to the castle, I'm sure Ronald and Mr. Finnigan can handle these two. I'll notify your superiors as soon as I arrive at the gates. You all did exceptionally well. Thank you." He looked at Kazimir. "Mr. Maschke, if you and your lady friend would like to come up as well, I'm sure accommodations can be made."

Hermione hugged him. "Thank you," she said and kissed his cheek. He smiled at her again, a faint flush rising on his face, as he turned to leave.

"Wait!!" Hermione exclaimed, and everyone stopped to look at her. "Dragen said there is Devil's snare and Acromantulas at the entrance of the cave. In case you need to remove them. I thought you should know."

Seamus' smile turned into a wide grin. "Ron and I can take care of that," he said, "Can't we, Ron." But Ron had paled at the mention of the giant spiders.

"Anything else," Severus asked with a quirk of his lips.

Hermione shook her head. "Just take me home, Severus," she said, hugging him tightly.

One side of his mouth curved upward, and he adjusted her weight in his arms before Apparating. They arrived at the school gates. Aurors Brodes and MacNaughton strode up to Severus, stowing their wands as they approached. "Professor McGonagall ordered the Heads of Houses to make an accounting of all of the students. They are all accounted for – the injured have either been sent up to your hospital here or to St. Mungo's," Brodes told Severus. "Considering the spells cast – we were lucky. There were a number of casualties but only four dead that I know of."

Hermione's heart sank like a lump at the pronouncement, but she remained quiet. This is all my fault. If I'd been more vigilant, no one needed be hurt – or killed.

Severus' comment was equally as hard to hear. "Fairley was killed the moment we arrived, and Blume was hit; I don't know his condition. I left Seamus Finnigan and Ronald Weasley in charge of taking Runcorn's and Dragen's bodies to St. Mungo's morgue. I know they will also need help dispensing with some Acromantulas and Devil's snare."

"I'll notify the Aurory," Brodes stated, pulling a disc from his pocket.

Hermione listened as Severus instructed Kenneth Brandstone and Hagrid to secure the gates. "I expect Potter and Ginny to be along shortly, as well as Kazimir Manshke and his lady friend."

"All right, Headmaster, sir," Hagrid said, still smiling wanly but watched Hermione in the headmaster's arms with a look of deep concern in his eyes. "I'll wait to let them in."

"I'm all right, Hagrid," Hermione tried to assure him. "It's only a broken ankle and some deep scratches, after all. I'll be fine."

"I'm going to take Hermione up to Madam Pomfrey. I'll be available later for a statement," Severus told the Aurors and then looked up at the castle. "Hermione, hang on." The next minute she felt a great heaving sensation, as if Severus had jumped into the air, but found herself clutching nothing but smoke even though she could still feel Severus in her arms and could make out his face in the smoke plume. The oak doors opened as they approached, and they sailed into the Entrance Hall. Severus landed easily, the smoke dissipating, leaving him standing there holding her firmly. The startled students still lingering about all parted quickly as Severus carried her up the stairs.

"Where did you learn how to do that?" Hermione asked in awe.

"Where else – the Dark Lord. And yes, someday I will teach you how to do it," he said.

"What happened?" Madam Pomfrey demanded as Severus entered her hospital wing, carrying Hermione.

"Death Eater attack in Hogsmeade..."

"I know about the attack," Madam Pomfrey said, indicating the rows of occupied beds. "I've been dealing with the injured students all afternoon! I meant, what happened to you, Mrs. Snape?"

"Dragen had Hermione suspended by ropes over a graphorn pit, and I suspect Runcorn may have had a hand in her mistreatment," Severus stated as he carried Hermione to an empty bed. He jerked the curtain closed as the matron walked up to Hermione. "It's a broken ankle."

"I see that," the Healer said, casting a series of mending charms on Hermione's ankles. "All better. A few potions and a good night's rest, and you'll be right as rain." She turned to face Severus. "I don't suppose she'll be staying here?"

He shook his head. "No, I'll tend to her. You have your hands full. If you need an assistant, I'll approve the funding."

The matron turned to Hermione. "You're to stay off your feet for a few days, young lady – no walking at all." She turned to face Severus. "St. Mungo's sent two Healers, and the worst cases have been transferred," the matron said. "Now for you; are you in anyway injured?"

"Cuts, scrapes and bruises, but nothing that I cannot tend to myself," he replied as she swept her wand over him, casting diagnostic charms. "Or allow my fiancée to. We were quite lucky."

"I'd hardly call today's events lucky," the Healer admonished him, although kindly. "I'll be sending you a few potions as well." She lowered her wand. "Severus, how many more?"

Severus shrugged as he scooped Hermione back up in his arms. "With the six we got today and Dragen and Runcorn dead, there won't be any more resistance. It's over."

Hermione could have cried with relief as she buried her face against his neck and held onto him tighter. "Thank God," she sighed as Madam Pomfrey said, "Thank goodness," and returned to her duties.

Severus carried Hermione up to their rooms. Hermione gasped at the large bouquet of white roses, fragrant snapping stock, white carnations and Lover's daises in a hand-painted vase standing next to a large pink and silver stripped box from Persephone's Secrets and a small gold gilded box on the coffee table. "What is all this?"

"Gifts," Severus said as deposited her carefully on the sofa. "It is Valentine's Day after all, and I was informed that such tokens are," Hermione cupped his face before he stood up, "expected..." He leaned down to kiss her.

When he ended the kiss, he turned and snatched the card from the flowers.

"Then why are you frowning?" she asked, reaching for the card. He let her take it from his fingers. Written on the card in a very formal scrip were the words:

Happy Valentine's Day, my dear

Severus

She turned to look at him. "For a wizard who doesn't do flowers, that's twice now you've given me some." She tugged on his hand, drawing him down to her. "Thank you," she said, trying to kiss his cheek, but he bristled. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," he replied, still glaring at the flowers. She gave his hand a light squeeze, and he turned to face her. "They're not from me."

"But if not you, who...?"

He turned his head. "I suspect Lucius had a hand in it."

Hermione looked at the roses. They looked familiar, and the Manor did have a lot of white roses in the gardens. "But why would Lucius send me flowers under the pretext that they are from you?" she asked.

"He..."

"Doesn't think you to be capable of romantic gestures?" she asked, and he turned his head away. "Severus," she said softly, running her hand down his arm as she leaned forward, trying to make him look at her. "You are quite romantic, more so than I'd ever have guessed." His head snapped in her direction, and she smiled. "You show me how much you love me every day and in so many different ways." A blush rose on his pale skin. "You make me very happy."

His shoulders relaxed, and he leaned back into the sofa. "Open it," he said, indicating the other gifts.

The small box contained a perfume bottle with an ivory camellia on the cap. The perfume was named 'Morgana's Lace', and she took the cap off to smell the fragrance. It was a delicate soft misty floral with hints of fern, lily, night jasmine and peach. "It's lovely. Thank you."

He took the bottle and dabbed a bit on her wrist, waited a few seconds, then inhaled.

"Well?"

"It's pleasant, but I prefer the way you normally smell," he said softly.

She playfully swatted his arm lightly, and he recoiled in indignation. She opened the large box and ran her fingers over the lovely robe and night slip inside. "They're lovely."

She set the box aside as he turned, pulling her into his arms and leaning her back against the sofa to kiss her. "Thank you for my gifts," she breathed before their lips met.

He pulled her closer as he leaned over her. "You're welcome," he purred and brushed his lips against hers. His kiss was soft and tender, and his hand cupped her face gently, his fingertips caressing her cheek. She sighed, trying to increase the contact, to deepen their kiss, but he seemed persistent on driving her mad with light sensual touches and kisses.

"Ah-hem," Ginny coughed at from the doorway, and Severus pulled back quickly. "I thought we were expected."

Harry, slightly flushed, seemed to find the doorframe fascinating.

"You were not," Severus, replied. "Yet. I expected..." The box with the lingerie disappeared behind the sofa when Ginny tugged on Harry's arm as she entered the sitting room. "Mispy," he called out softly, still blushing, "put that in the bedroom, please."

"Kazimir and Tatiana are in your office," Harry said, pointing his thumb over his shoulder. "I could give him a tour of the castle if you're, er, busy?"

Hermione watched in amusement as Severus closed his eyes as he exhaled, then looked up at her friends resolvedly. Only five or six months ago he'd have snarled at them to leave; now he was actually trying to be social with them. His fingers tightened on her hand. "No, I have delayed speaking to Professor McGonagall about the raid long enough. Why don't you have tea here while I meet with my Heads of Houses."

He turned to Ginny and gave her a rather pointed look. "Hermione is to stay off her feet, Ginny, be sure she doesn't walk." Ginny nodded as he stood. He looked down at Hermione's hand, still clasped with his own. She knew he was reluctant to leave but knew that he had a duty to the school as well. "I won't be long."

"Take as much time as you need. I'll be here when you come back," Hermione replied, giving his fingers a slight squeeze. His lips curved into a smile as he let her fingers slip from his. "I'll be fine. If I need anything, Ginny and Harry are here, and the house-elves will come if I call. I'll be fine."

He nodded and turned, nodded once to her friends, and hurried from the room. She watched him go, and then smiled at her friends.

"Still doesn't like demonstrative acts," Ginny said, coming to sit by Hermione as Harry followed Severus out to get Kazimir and Tatiana.

Hermione shook her head. "No, but it's all right. Thank you for re-knitting my jumper," she said, plucking at her jumper as she looked down at the mess it was in.

"It can be replaced," Ginny said with a shrug. "I'm glad you're all right."

"Priiatel, kak si, you have me very vorried," Kazimir said as he entered the sitting room, followed by a stunning Bulgarian girl and Harry. "I find this. Sapoviadai. Is this your vand, no?" he asked, holding out a carved vine wood wand.

"Yes," Hermione exclaimed, almost jumping up to hug him, except Ginny clamped a hand down on her shoulder, making her sit. "Where did you find it?"

"The cave," Kazimir said. "I have to give credit to your friend, Veasel-ly; he find it, vhen ve search the vizards who hurt you." He squatted down to be eye level with her. "A ti? Are you good?"

"I'm good. Our school Healer, Madam Pomfrey, mended the bones, but she said I can't walk for three days," Hermione replied as Mispy brought in a tray with a tea service and plates piled with sandwiches, fruits, little cakes and tarts. The elf snapped her fingers and four chairs appeared before she popped out.

~*~

Kazimir and Tatiana had been overwhelmed by Severus' offer to remain in the castle for the next two days while Hermione recovered. Kazimir showed Severus and Hermione two Healing charms used by the Quidditch medi-wizards for strengthening mended bones and for strengthening ligaments and tendons, and he and Severus discussed potions used in sports injuries, several that Severus was already familiar with. When Kazimir used the charms on Hermione's ankles, she felt an immediate improvement, but Severus still insisted that she not walk for the rest of the night.

Tatiana and Hermione took little time at all to become fast friends, but then Tatiana had heard so much about Hermione through her fiancée. Kazimir and Tatiana had chosen to dine with Hermione and Severus in the Headmaster's tower the first night, rather than brave the Great Hall, but they did accept a tour from Harry and Ginny following dinner, leaving Hermione alone in Severus' very helpful and extremely talented hands.

Severus even allowed Harry to spend the night in a guestroom and for once didn't set forth the admonition of old-fashioned propriety, both of them knowing that Ginny would slip into his room anyway.

The next morning, after a most pleasant lie in of being awoken by a very amorous Severus, Hermione asked Dezzy to invite her friends to have breakfast with her and Severus in the eating room, as Kirsch called it, since Severus wouldn't allow her to leave the Headmaster's suits.

"Maschke and his fiancée as well as the Potter's – spare me," Severus growled against her breast. "I'd prefer breakfast in bed."

"But they are our guests," Hermione said, trying to make him look up at her.

He relented and sat up. "Expect me to exact revenge for this interruption," he said, reaching for his pants.

"If it is anything like the payment I had to remit last night and this morning for the inconvenience of yesterday's rescue, I'll be happy to oblige," she responded cheekily, still feeling a glow from this morning's lovemaking.

Severus pushed her back down on the bed and leaned over her. "Impertinent witch," he said and kissed her soundly. "I've half a mind to exact more payment on that right now."

"Which would have to be a quick one since we're expecting company soon," she pointed out as she slid her hand down his body and cupped him. "But you seem up for the challenge."

He grasped her wrist with a hiss as she raked her fingers up his length. "Wench." He nipped at her breast and sucked on her nipple, releasing it with a pop. "Later. I don't do 'quickie'."

She laughed as he rolled off her, and she reached for her night slip at the foot of the bed. Severus turned, snatched it from her hands before she could put it on and leaned down to kiss her, stroking her breast as he did so. "I don't know why you'd buy me this if you won't even let me wear it," she said, looking up at him from beneath her lashes.

"For the fun of taking it off you," he purred. "Get dressed. You've got company coming."

"We've got company coming," she corrected him.

He stood up and crossed his arms, her night slip still clutched in one hand, the silky fabric framing one side of his semi-erect penis tantalizingly. "Harry Potter and your Bulgarian Quidditch buffoon are not..."

"Kazimir is not..." she started to say, then threw her pillow at him. "You're making fun of my friends? I thought you were starting like them?"

"I like Ginevra well enough, and I tolerate Harry and your other friends, but I've yet to change my opinion of Mr. Maschke."

"You're still jealous of Kazimir?" Hermione asked while scooting to the edge of the bed. She remembered how horribly jealous he'd been of her friend over Christmas.

He turned to pick up her potion off the bed side table, but the moment she swung her legs over the side and sat up, he rushed forward and pushed her back onto the mattress. "Where did you think you are going?"

"To get dressed," she said, hating being an invalid. She cupped his face, drawing him back down to her and kissed him. "You have nothing to be jealous of. I love you," she implored when he broke off the kiss. She stared up into his dark eyes, trying to convey to him how much she loved him.

"I do, too," he admitted softly and turned to the wardrobe to hide his blush.

She smiled, even after everything, he still sometimes found it hard to tell her. He called for Dezzy to help her as he turned away. She watched him walk to the wardrobe as she drank her potion, surprised at the savory, celery seed and herring taste.

Hermione hated asking for Dezzy's assistance dressing, although she had to admit the quick bedside bath was a nice gesture on the elf's part, but she didn't like being treated like a helpless baby, especially with Severus watching her amusedly. When she was ready, Severus insisted on carrying her to the sitting room. Moments later, Harry and Ginny arrived with Kazimir and Tatiana.

Kazimir inquired after Hermione's ankle and did a quick diagnostic charm over both ankles, then repeated his healing charms, which tickled her this time around, especially in her left ankle. "You should be able to valk," he announced, but Severus insisted that until Hermione was cleared by Madam Pomfrey, she would be staying off her feet.

When Kirsch appeared, announcing breakfast was served, Severus picked up Hermione and led the group to the dining room.

The small dining room in their family suite must have been expanded because it seemed spacious even with the table enlarged to seat the three couples. Hermione and Ginny chatted with Tatiana while the men conversed at the other end of the table. When the owls carrying the Daily Prophet converged on the windowsill, the conversations turned serious, mostly about the articles in the paper about the previous day's raid.

Of the Death Eaters, Dragen and Runcorn were pronounced dead. Seymour Wilkes unconscious with a bad concussion and wasn't expected to survive. Both Maurice Geissler and Phillip Brixton had been arrested, pending trial. Brixton, who'd wept openly in relief that the horror was now over, was receiving little sympathies from the reporter. Phillip Selwyn, Thomas and Tyrone Hackney, Edward Scunthorpe, Justin Ferkle, Ezekiel Stroup and Gordon Pikes were all arrested, and facing multiple charges and a life sentence in Azkaban

Wesley Gogarty, who ran Palladium Books, and Melania MacFusty, who owned Melania's Magical Gifts For All Occasions, William Sprague, a shop assistant in Scrivenshaft's, Christopher McCrum, one of the shop assistants in Zonkos, Amy Williams, a seamstress at Gladrags, and James Darney, the wizard from the post office, all gave testimony to having been put under the Imperius and begged the public to forgive their actions. Hermione hoped that the public would forgive them and they'd not lose their jobs over the incident.

Hermione was very disheartened to read that three students, Peter Blatty, Byron Stewart and William Hughes, and Auror trainees, Imelda Drake and Ernie Macmillan were dead. Seeing Ernie's name particularly stung. The paper mentioned that there were six students who had been critically cursed and were lying in the Dai Llewellyn ward and Spell Damage ward at St. Mungo's: Tadashi Takara, Wilberforce Wevernthrall, Samuel Bowdern, Hester Mott, Deborah Halloran and Kaitlin Farley, who had been very badly hurt, but were expected to recover. However, unfortunately Hester Mott and Wilberforce Wevernthrall wouldn't be returning to Hogwarts this year.

Kazimir was quite concerned about the remaining Death Eaters, and the girl's conversation paused when Severus and Harry reassured the Bulgarian that the last remaining Death Eaters had been captured.

"I heard you mention yesterday, Harry, that there are two more," Ginny stated. "Jamie Dafoe and Gaspard Serkis."

"So there are these two more...?" Kazimir asked, turning his attention from Ginny back to Harry and Severus.

"Dafoe is a simpleton; he turned himself in right after he heard that Dragen failed. Serkis will be found, he has few connections left who would support him," Severus stated. "It's only a matter of time. Cecil Selwyn has already given a statement as to where he thinks he might be hiding, since Serkis and his brother, Phillip, had been friends. He wants to completely distance himself from all of the Dark Lord's followers."

"Isvinete, vhat of this voman Rita Skeeter mentioned, Elladora Vilkes – vife of one of the Death Eaters caught yesterday. She say this voman vas forced under coercion," Tatiana said.

"When she was arrested in conjunction with her husband's suspected connections, Elladora Wilkes, broke down, crying hysterically and admitting that her husband forced her to accept the Mark," Harry said. "She claimed that her husband had told her that the Dark Lord would kill her children if she hadn't. Not many in the Wizengamot believe her."

"The last remaining few are mostly supporters. They will want to appear cooperative," Severus said assuredly, his gaze shifting to Hermione with a small smile and back to the Bulgarian pair. "Most will turn on each other. It's all clean up from here on out, no more serious skirmishes."

Tatiana and Kazimir glanced at each other. "If it will make you feel more comfortable, I can assure you that both this school and the Malfoy's residence are adequately protected," Severus stated. "I can put in a word with Lucius Malfoy, but I know that he is quite honored to have you reside with him until you have settled."

"Da," Kazimir said with a nod. "He is a kind vizard. He is helping my Tatiana find a home for us vile I have practice vith the Chudley Cannons."

"May I ask why you chose the Cannons," Ginny asked, trying not to be rude, but Hermione could tell her curiosity was getting the best of her. "They've had the worst record of the league."

Hermione almost giggled at watching Severus suppress his chagrin at the turn of conversation by taking a long sip of his orange juice, which she mimicked with a lift of her eyebrows.

"They are... how you say... rebuild the team around me and Bartholommeo," Kazimir said.

Hermione smiled when she saw the corner of Severus' mouth twitch in response before he casually set down his goblet, his face a prefect mask of cordial interest.

"Brian Cadwallader is a fine Chaser – he and Casper Gorder – ve vork vell together. Bartholommeo and Fritz Quarks are the Beaters for next season. They fly vell; they are very aggressive."

"I'd heard that Fritz Quarks was hired when Jenkins injured his knee," Harry said, and Kazimir nodded. "And that Nittle may get his job back, but as second string."

"Yes, the Cannons' managers vant to keep Nathan Nittle; he has done better since his arm grow back, but Jenkins is to be retired. Chayse Martin and Theobald Stromber vill be alternate Beaters, and I know the owners vant to hire two more alternates for Chaser. The Keeper, Heathe Wrinds, is replace by, I'm not sure I am to say," he paused, but Tiatianna nodded so he continued, "John Quicke, he vill be first string. And ve vill have a girl Seeker, Malila LaCourse, but she is not announced. Ve hope to change the team's motto back to 'Ve shall conquer'."

"So you'll have a whole new team next year," Hermione said, wondering how Ron felt about that. Maybe later she'd ask Kazimir to sign a poster for Ron. He'd like that.

"Da," Kazimir said. "Ve vill."

Hermione glanced up at Severus at the head of the table and smiled at him, and he gave her a minute lift of his eyebrow and turned his attention to their guests, pretending to be interested in the Cannons, and Hermione knew that life with him would consist of many meals like this one. It warmed her heart.

~ T B C ~>

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~o0o~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author's notes:

I chose the title, the Colubridae Snake, because of the Slytherin Death Eaters vs. the good Slytherin guys theme in the opening. The Colubridae snake family includes about two-thirds of all current snake species and is found on every continent except Antarctica. While most colubrids are mostly harmless, a few are venomous snakes, such as genus Boiga, which can produce medically significant bites, while the boomslang, the twig snakes and the Asian species of Rhabdophis are in fact poisonous and have caused human fatalities.

Speleothems is a generalized term for the incredible formations that form in a cave, like stalagmites and stalactites, flowstone, and the crystal formations. Speleothems are typically formed in limestone or magnesium limestone caves. Speleothems are sometimes named for their resemblance to man-made or natural objects.

I want to thank Arabellabloodgood, my alpha-reader, Proulxes for adding a bit of British flare to my chapter, and my beta, FramkQ, for giving this a read and helping me clean up all my mistakes. I really appreciate it very much.

GE-TPP: Thank you also to Jay for my beautiful banner. I really love it!

My Bulgarian comes from an online site. All mistakes regarding the words I chose are my own: http://www.linguanaut.com/english_bulgarian.htm

I created two new spells and the incantation for the Defense Charm using my favorite Latin translator.

Defendinfestus: Defendo, or actually I used defendi, which according to my favorite Latin translator means: [to repel, repulse, ward off, drive away, to defend, protect] with Infestus, Latin for [aggressive, hostile or dangerous,] to make up the incantation for the Defensive Charm, since HPLexicon didn't have it.

Intexeresarcire, Resartextum – the spells Ginny uses to repair Hermione's jumper came from combining these two Latin words:

Intexere/intextum [to weave in, plait in, interweave; to weave around, wind around]

Resarcire/resartum [to patch up, mend, repair, restore]