Troubles and Traitors

I owe a huge thank you to my beta, Amsev, her for all her help and support. Thank you for your infinite patience with me, because without your help, this would still be a mess!

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Troubles and Traitors

~MoM~

Ron arrived at the Ministry for Auror training ahead of Harry. Harry had spent the night in Ginny's room and Ron knew that Hermione had never shown up, so he assumed she'd spent the night in Fred's room. The memories of last night were still a little vague from all the champagne punch he'd had, but one thing stuck in his mind clearly. Hermione had kissed him passionately and then rejected him again for Snape. He remembered seeing Ginny talking to Snape, but then when he'd confronted her, she had the nerve to lie to him about it. So Snape comes to my house to collect Hermione and meets her at the garden gate that leads to the apple orchard, does he? Hermione or Ginny could have told Kingsley or either Mr. Lerman or Mr. Darthmyer about that, and Snape would've been arrested, then she'd be free of him. But no, Ginny and Hermione are protecting him. Why? "Why choose Snape over me?" he mumbled as the lift opened.

As his luck would have it, Mr. Darthmyer came walking in just as he'd spoke. "Weasley?" he asked, stunned. "Who chooses Snape over...? You're talking about Ms. Granger, aren't you?"

Ron's ears turned red. "Yes, sir. She, er, won't... We were dating before she cast the Moon-Song Curse, and well, I still fancy her."

"We know that already, son." Mr. Darthmyer crossed his arms and looked sternly and expectantly at Ron. "All right, give. You'd better tell me what you know, trainee. As an Auror trainee, you're obliged to assist any ongoing investigation if you discover pertinent information." He continued to stare at Ron until the lift opened again. "Son, if you're hiding something... Come with me. I'll give you a note for your training instructor."

Ron's shoulders slouched. Mr. Darthmyer was an accomplished Legilimens and taught the trainees how to perform Legilimency when the subject came up in their curriculum. He followed Mr. Darthmyer to his office cubicle. Pictures of Snape, Thornison and MacTavish decorated every flat surface. But the most shocking thing was seeing Rita Skeeter sitting primly in Mr. Lerman's cubical directly across the aisle. Auror Lerman was listening attentively to Rita, but looked up as Ron and Mr. Darthmyer approached.

"Ah, good," Mr. Lerman said, smiling. "Darthmyer, we have a solid lead on Snape."

"Yes, he sends an owl to Hermione Granger-Snape to tell her when and where to meet him," Rita said proudly. "Then he takes her to Malfoy manor for their tryst."

Mr. Darthmyer leaned against his desk, looking at Rom. "Is this true, Mr. Weasley?"

Ron squirmed inside. "Yes, it is. I think," he said. "The git picks her up at the garden gate. He was there last night, talking to my sister, only she wouldn't admit it to me."

"She was under the Imperius, I believe. Don't know for sure, I didn't hear him actually cast the spell, but Mrs. Potter was indeed befuddled. She looked like she was Imperiused," Rita said smugly.

"Well, that surely puts some wandlight on the matter, doesn't it?" Mr. Lerman asked with a grin. "Well done, trainee. I'll put a good word in with your instructor. You best be off now, unless you have anything else to add?"

"No," Ron said, shaking his head. "It's as Mrs. Skeeter said. I don't know anything more than that. Snape owls her, and Hermione goes down to meet him. I don't know where he is, except that one time Snape took Hermione to Malfoy manor, and I think before that he took her to an inn in Ottery St. Catchpole."

"Never the same place twice," Mr. Darthmyer said, drafting a short note. "Smart man. You can go, Mr. Weasley. Thank you for coming forward."

Ron left for training class, crumpling the note in his hand, his gut tied up in knots and his thoughts warring between guilt at what he'd done to Hermione and the hurt and anger he'd felt earlier, which by now was losing to the guilt.

~H~

Hermione woke up a bit confused with a pounding headache and a smiling George sitting on the side of her bed, holding a mug of hot tea spiked with Headache Potion. They ate breakfast in his flat, discussing everything that had transpired, and Hermione listened to him tell her what he knew about the Moon-Song Spell. It seemed that most wizards considered the spell to be a curse since it was usually witches who used the spell to entrap unknowing wizards as Bonded mates. However, like Ginny and Luna, George was completely convinced that everything would work out all right in the end. She just needed to keep her chin up and to give Snape time to adjust and get to know her better. Hermione argued that she'd known him for six years, to which George reminded her it was as his student, pointing out there was quite a big difference from seeing someone as a kid you had to teach, to a woman you had in your bed. He left her to ponder what he'd just said while he went to open the shop, telling her she had free run of his place or she could come downstairs and talk to him if she wanted more advice.

After a long bath, she joined George downstairs in his workroom, talking and listening to more of his advice while they made potions together. The day seemed to fly quickly, and by late afternoon, Hermione was glad she'd stayed. When George announced that he was going to close the shop, Hermione bid him farewell. She used Diagon Alley's Apparation point to return to the Burrow, feeling better about their situation and looking forward to dinner with her friends.

She had walked as far as the shed when she saw Snape leaning against it, looking furious. Taking a deep breath, Hermione walked over to him, expecting to have him confront her, but instead he grasped her arm roughly and Apparated her to a terrace overlooking a magnificent garden. "Stop it, you're hurting me!" she exclaimed as soon as her feet touched solid ground. She knew instantly he'd brought her back to Malfoy manor.

"Where were you last night?" Severus snarled.

"At a party with my friends," she said angrily, yet trying to keep from cowering under his dark stare. He looked livid with her.

"I told you to meet me," he snapped.

"I must have forgotten," she snapped back. "Why are we back here?"

"This is where I have been staying. What I want to know is why you were sleeping with George Weasley," Severus snarled accusingly.

Hermione gasped in shock. "I wasn't – I didn't! I had too much to drink, and I slept it off in Fred's old room!" she exclaimed earnestly, astounded by his accusation, but he glared at her in disbelief. "It's the truth! I didn't sleep with George."

"You expect me to believe you?" he asked, reaching out to grip her chin. "It would be so easy to know everything."

"Then look!" she said angrily. He stared at her and she stared back at him her eyes locked onto his dark ones as she waited for the invasion of her mind. She knew he would see how snockered she had been and that she hadn't shagged George, but he might see Ron snogging her, and she hoped he would delve through the images from that night long enough to see her refute him before breaking contact.

"You would allow me to, wouldn't you?" he finally asked, releasing her. "You are too open, too trusting. I can always tell when you are lying to me, Miss Granger."

"Well, apparently not if you still think I was sleeping with George. He's a friend. And he was being a good friend to me last night and this morning. Why are we back here?" she asked, hoping to change the subject.

"Why do you think," he said, pulling her toward the door of the manor. Hermione tried to withdraw her hand, and he stopped, turning to face her. "Perhaps you'd prefer we do this in the garden, then? I seem to recall you liked doing it under the pergola. Or possibly you'd like to do it in the rose garden or on a garden bench perhaps?"

"No," she said blushing, becoming frightened by his anger.

"Then come along," he said with a slanted smile that sent chills through her as he pulled her along with him into the house.

"What about dinner?" she asked, her hunger fading as the uncertainty of what Snape intended to do to her grew.

"Dinner?" he said with a smirk. "You couldn't face my friends for breakfast, but you'd like to dine with them for dinner?"

Hermione shook her head and he reached out and cupped her chin, looking into her eyes again. "That wasn't what I meant, I am expected for dinner at the Burrow," she replied.

"Possibly you'd like to share dinner with me in bed then, my dear?" He turned before she could respond. "If you are hungry, we can eat after."

He led her up the same stairs as before. "After?" she asked as she trudged up the stairs, trying to keep from tripping, following him down the same corridor and to his room.

He opened the bedroom door, ushering her inside. "Yes, after. Why do you think I brought you here?"

Hermione turned and swallowed as she stood watching him, unsure of what she should do. "I suppose you didn't bring me here to talk," she said curtly.

"No, I didn't," he said as he closed the door behind him.

He leaned against the door simply watching her. "I don't suppose you would care to try talking?" she asked as she chewed on her lower lip, nervously.

"You want conversation. What would we talk about?" he asked her. His eyes were riveted on hers as he began to peel out of his robes while she stared at him. "Did you want to discuss the newly discovered potion for the cure for Langerdousy Fever, perhaps?" His robes fell to the floor, and he stepped away from them, leaving his boots behind as well, and started to peel his shirt off. "Or possibly you'd like to tell me how a witch such as yourself, who was touted to be the brightest witch of her generation could be so insipid as to brew the Moon-Song potion, say the rhyme and complete a ritual that would enact the curse, which bound you to me?" He dropped his shirt to the floor as he took another step toward her, his eyes still riveted to hers intently. "Because I'd really like to hear you explain that so that I can possibly understand it."

"I had no idea it would bind you to me," she said defensively. "I merely thought it would confirm who my wand mate – my soul mate was. I had no idea it would be you. I thought you were dead until I saw your face in my dream, and Luna told me you had to be alive; otherwise, the spell wouldn't have connected us together."

"Luna? Do you mean Luna Lovegood? You took her advice and did the spell?" he asked as he undid his trousers, letting them fall to his ankles. "Really, that is absurd."

"She is my friend," Hermione replied, still feeling defensive. "She, Ginny and I did the spell, and yes, it did not turn out as I thought it would. I certainly would never have imagined it would bond you and me."

"Well, it did, didn't it? So now you have me, all of me. I suppose you are regretting your actions now, aren't you?" he asked, his dark eyes roaming down her body as he spoke.

"It was a surprise, yes. I'm not sure how I feel about it, to be honest. To be truthful, I keep wondering..." She backed up a step, not realizing that she had matched his advancements by her own retreat, literally backing toward the huge bed.

"Yes," he said, staring at her intently.

"Why you keep coming to get me," she said, feeling nervous. "I don't know why you bring me here if I'm – if this Bonding is so distasteful to you?"

"You are now my Bonded mate. We are now a couple. I suppose the fact that I do want you is a mystery," he said with a curl of his lip. "Do you wish to remove your clothes, Hermione, or is that going to be my job as well?"

Her eyes raked down his naked body; her breathing hitched as her eyes fell on his engorged penis protruding from his dark pubic hair. The fact that he wanted her wasn't what made her nervous, it was the way he was acting, as if he wanted to ravage her. Nervously, she began to unbutton her silk blouse as he watched her, not sure where to put it once it was off.

"Drop it," he instructed, taking another step toward her. The blouse fell from her fingers as she took another step backwards. "Your bra." Hermione swallowed and unhooked her bra, letting it fall to the floor as he took another predatory step toward her. "Your skirt."

Her heart raced in her chest as she nervously unfastened her skirt letting it fall to the floor. "You really want to do this, make love to me?" she asked, and Severus stepped forward, making Hermione try to move back in retreat, her motion stopped suddenly by the edge of the bed as he pressed forward.

"Hmm, nice," Severus growled in appreciation and advanced on her. "Yes, I want to. Does that so surprise you?" He grabbed her and pulled her into his arms as his mouth descended on hers. She gasped under the rapacious and insatiable kiss, and he immediately deepened the kiss, bending her back onto the bed. His hands swept down her body swiftly, hooking his fingers into her knickers, breaking contact with her as he pulled them from her, making both her shoes fell to the floor as well.

"Yes," she admitted.

He parted her legs wide with his knee and settled between her thighs as he leaned back into her. "Well, I do."

Hermione wrapped her legs around him, allowing him to press against her warm moist lips, his penis already trying to stab its way into her. He flicked at her nub a few times and then thrust into her in one plunge, burying himself in her. She hissed at its intrusion, her back arched as he filled her, and he pulled back, then thrust into her roughly. She clenched the soft duvet in her fists as he moved, her eyes closed and her lips pursed tightly to keep from crying out.

"Argh, this isn't going to work," he said, still buried inside of her.

Hermione looked up, perplexed. "Pardon me?"

"I feel like I'm raping you," he growled, letting her legs fall.

She didn't know what to say. "Oh, um, should I – um..."

"Yes, you should." He propped himself on his arms as he leaned over her, looking down into her soft brown eyes. "I'm not used to inexperienced women."

"What should I do?" she asked, suddenly ashamed with her inexperience.

"Groan – moan – don't hiss," he said. He pulled out, bringing one leg up, then the other to rest on his stomach, and entered her again. She felt folded in half as he thrust into her, feeling him push deep inside her with each stroke, and she looked up at him, watching him as he moved into her. He was still rough, his movements hard and forceful, and she clenched her teeth so she wouldn't cry. His hands gripped her hips tightly and she hissed softly. He stopped and looked at her, his expression questioning.

"It, um..." she started to say but refrained, not wanting to anger him.

"What?" he snapped.

"You're too rough, it still hurts," she confessed, fighting back the feeling of wanting to cry.

He dropped his head and sighed. "Move up on the bed," he instructed. Hermione moved onto the bed until she rested against the pillows. Severus laughed, tossing several of the pillows to the floor, until only one pillow remained behind her head, holding the last one by her side. "Lift your hips up." She complied, and he placed the pillow under her bum and spread her legs apart again.

He leaned down and licked her, making Hermione gasp as his tongue stroked her sensitive nub. He continued to suck, lick, and roll it with is tongue as she lay there gasping from the sensations that he made, sensations that were growing, intensifying until she began to whimper and moan. He gripped her hips to keep her from squirming away from him, his soft chuckle adding electrifying vibrations. The intensity grew and peaked, then rose and peaked again as she cried out, her hands clenching the covers of the bed again.

He rose, his mouth slowly trailing kisses back up her body as he repositioned himself and entered her in one smooth thrust. This time the intrusion felt good rather than forced, and Hermione arched her back, driving herself up on him. He grabbed her hips again as he began to move inside her. She tried to press herself up on him each time he pushed deeper into her, clenching her hips as she tried desperately to match his rhythm and he smiled. He pulled her toward him, grinding into her, and his strokes became ardent again, his pace faster than she could match, but she didn't care. Suddenly he stopped, his hands tightening on her as he thrust once more and held himself inside her, his breath a sharp hiss, his body shaking. She watched him as he relaxed, a look of satisfied completion on his face. He yanked the pillow out from under her and fell onto the bed beside her.

Hermione watched him, unsure what to do. Is he done? He turned his head looking at her, his expression unreadable. She decided to pluck up the nerve and ask him. "Severus, why is it so different from the dreams? Ginny and Luna told me it's like the dreams for them."

"You discuss our sex life with... Of course you do." He turned his head to look up at the canopy above them. "They lied," he said, his voice deep and soft. He turned his head back to her, scrutinizing her face. "I told you, reality isn't the same as in dreams. This is real, this is how it is."

It wasn't what she wanted to hear. Another thought suddenly came to her, pregnancy. I could get pregnant. "Severus, there is something I think I should ask you," she said softly.

"What is it now?" he asked, his eyes closed.

She cringed at his tone. "I was wondering if you could give me, or lend me a book, so I could make an effective Contraception Potion for Ginny and me?"

"You've got to be kidding?" he snarled, rising on his elbow to look at her, his dark eyes flashing dangerously. "You aren't using one?"

"Not really. Well, one, but it's apparently not a very effective one," she said. He shook his head and growled in annoyance, so she tried to explain. "I don't have one in my school books. Ginny knew about one Mrs. Weasley's books she'd used, but it's apparently not all that potent. Ginny said that her mum had Ron while she was using it, and possibly her as well..."

"Of all the insipid... idiotic," he snarled in a scathing tone. "How could you be so irresponsible? Well, yes, you could be – can't you? Why didn't you say something sooner? Do you want to have a baby?" He glared at her venomously, sitting up and turning on her, his face contorted in anger. He rolled off the bed, swearing as he reached for his robes. "Stay here, I'll be back," he snapped as he redressed so he could go fetch a Contraception Potion. "I'll not be siring children, witch. How dare you! You trap me in this Bonding, and now you want to trap me with fatherhood. I won't have it." The door slammed behind him, leaving Hermione alone in stunned silence.

His last words played over and over in her mind. This is how it will be with him. I trapped him in this; he doesn't want me – doesn't want children with me either. He feels trapped! She fell back onto the bed and began to cry.

~L~

Lucius stopped at the door to ask if Severus and his new wife would be joining them for dinner. The papers all keep claiming his new wand mate is Hermione Granger, which Severus won't confirm – nor deny. Nevertheless, whoever she really is, Narcissa is anxious to meet her and had postponed dinner in hopes that Severus would bring her down. He raised his hand to knock and stopped as the sounds of crying once again emitted from the girl inside. What the fuck? He dropped his hand at the same time Severus entered the hallway. "Your young lady seems to be crying again," Lucius said casually, confronting Severus in the foyer. "Surely you haven't lost your touch? One would think that you are abusing your wand mate. If she goes to the Ministry with abuse complaints, they would add those charges to your already extensive list of criminal acts."

"I have not been abusive," he said, hating to be questioned regarding his actions toward Hermione. "The witch hasn't been taking her potions, exactly. I'm going to have to lend her this book, if that's all right, so that the insipid girl can brew a proper Contraception Potion."

One gracefully curved, platinum eyebrow rose slightly as Lucius regarded his friend. "And you don't want to brew it for her?"

"No, I do not." Severus crossed his arms, holding the book against his chest. "She's fully capable of brewing it herself. Besides, apparently she needs it for her friend as well."

"I take it you don't want kids?" Lucius asked with a smirk.

"No, I don't want kids," Severus stated firmly. "I've had enough dealings with kids from teaching, dealing with their stupidity starting at age eleven, through puberty and up until they supposedly reach adulthood. I don't need to start dealing with children in nappies!"

"It's quite different when it's your own child," Lucius stated, his smirk relaxing into a grin.

Severus's dark eyes narrowed slightly. "You had house-elves to change Draco's nappies as well as a governess and an au pair, if I recall."

"I'll gladly acquire you au pair if you need one?" Lucius offered graciously.

"No, thank you," Severus said smoothly, masking his annoyance. "I won't be requiring one."

Lucius knew Severus too well not to notice the subtle hints in his pose. "I know that this arrangement has you out of sorts, but really you should reconsider your actions."

"Reconsider what exactly?" Severus asked sharply.

"Look, we've been friends for years. You know that Narcissa and I were matched with a Pairing Charm. I do know what you are going through," Severus snorted in derision, but Lucius wasn't to be deterred. "Severus, you know that there has to be some compatibility, some shared commonalities between you two if the spell connected you. I know you, you're angry about being ensnared like this, but you've got to come to terms with it..."

"Are you through?" he snapped angrily.

"No, I'm not," Lucius said firmly. "But I see that I'll have to speak to you about this when you're thinking more rationally."

Severus's arms dropped to his sides. "No, I don't need your advice..."

"Yes, apparently you do." Lucius took a step back in order to show supplication and avoid a true fight. "Try and play nice, Severus; you may really regret it later if you don't."

"I'll try and not break my toys, Dad," he said, turning to go.

"That's a start," Lucius said, disappearing to the other side of the house.

~S~

Severus hadn't wanted to hear what Lucius was telling him, but he was right. That alone infuriated him, but he didn't have the inclination to worry about Lucius or his meddling or what the Ministry would think about his relationship with Miss Granger. Actually it's Mrs. Snape now, isn't it? Shite, Lucius is right. He entered the room and walked over to sit on the bed, removing the vial from his pocket. For better or for worse... "Hermione, here, drink this." She rolled to face him, tears streaking down her face. "You should have asked me to brew this for you. I would have, you know."

"I didn't think to ask you. I thought I'd find it in my books," she said, and he sneered at her ignorance, then softened his expression. She took the vial and swallowed the potion.

"Here is a book on potions for feminine needs. There is also a very good Pain Relief Potion and one for menstrual cramps in there, as well as for other things women are concerned with. It is Narcissa's, so take it and copy all the potions down, and I'll get it from you later." She took the book, opening it to examine the pages as he removed his robe and climbed up on the bed. Hermione sat up, quickly scooting away from him. "Come here," he urged her.

"No," she said, shaking her head.

"Look, I was harsh and curt with you, but really, are you truly satisfied?" he said soothingly, using the deep silky drawl that women usually reacted well to. Lucius says to play nice – I can play nice.

"What do you mean?" she asked, and he wanted to laugh at her.

"Come here and sit on me like you did in the dreams, Hermione." She looked at him warily as he pulled her up on to his lap. He encouraged her to straddle him, talking down all her protests. "That's it, now relax and feel." His fingers found her clitoris easily, and he began to stimulate her, watching her emotions war on her face. Her small hands pressed down on his ribs, and his own desires for her grew. "Touch me," he said softly as he guided her hand down to his stiff penis. Her fingers touched him so gently it was almost maddening. Well, that's just one more thing I'll have to teach her. "Ease yourself down on me," he said in his smooth drawl.

Hermione watched him as he positioned his penis at her entrance as she tried to balance herself over him. "Like this?" she asked as she situated her body and lowered herself down on him.

"Yes, just like that." His lips curled up in an amused smile as he held her hips and pulled her down, thrusting up into her. Merlin, she feels good. "Okay, ride me. Rock your hips until you find a motion that feels good." Gods, she makes me sound like her bloody professor. "Come down on me, adjust your legs so that you are comfortable. That's it, now lift yourself up," he instructed and she complied. "Lower, and rub yourself against me." He gripped her hips showing her what to do and her eyes widened. "There, now, that's better, isn't it? Do you like this?" he asked as she moved herself on him.

"Yes," she replied and blushed.

Her reaction was amusing. "There you go, keep going, it will happen, just keep going," he urged her. He reached down and fondled her as she moved on him. Eventually her body relaxed more, and he could tell she was finally getting the hang of it. Her breasts were bouncing nicely and her head tipped back. "That's it, Hermione feel it, take what you want."

It wasn't too long before she began to tighten on him, her movements were not as controlled, as she began losing focus, with her impending climax. He gripped her hips to help her, thrusting up each time she clenched down on him. His own body was tightening again, his nads straining as he watched her face. Her expression when she was close was erotic, driving his own need to possess her. She started to moan loudly, her breathing became heavy, and he knew she was close. He strained to hold himself until she was near the edge, stimulating her clitoris to push her toward climax. Finally, she tightened, her muscles squeezing down on him, and she began to quiver. That's it, witch. Merlin, you're tight, he thought, caught up in the moment, focused on the tightening of his testicles and letting go of his own release, pushing up into her as his come shot out of him. She collapsed on top of him, and he turned with her so that she lay in his arms.

After a while she stirred, and he moved to sit up. "So, are you going to come down and have dinner with me here, or do you want me to take you back to the Burrow?"

She looked up at him, her brown eyes showing her discomfort. "I'd rather not see the Malfoys, if you don't mind."

"Then back to the Burrow it is. Get up and get dressed." He rose and summoned his clothes, watching in amusement as she collected hers and sat on the bed to dress. She picked up the book and followed him to the foyer, stepping into his arms to be Apparated back. "So, if I asked you to meet me again, day after tomorrow, will you actually show up?"

"Yes," she said, refusing to meet his eyes.

"It won't be bad, Hermione. It will just take some adjustment to get used to each other." He cupped her face, wishing he dared read her mind. "Given time we may even like this."

She nodded, looking up at him with trust in her eyes. "I'm willing to try."

He laughed to himself, thinking how easy she was to manipulate. "Let's get you back to the Burrow," he said as he Disapparated. They arrived in the apple orchard, and he held her a moment before kissing her. "Go on then. I'll see you day after tomorrow," he said softly. She nodded and turned to go. He stood watching as she walked to the garden gate, turned to wave at him and then disappeared around the house.

Severus turned to walk back into the trees so his Apparation wouldn't be noticed from the house and found himself facing three wizards, wands drawn.

"Hold it Snape," a squat, square-faced wizard called out as a tall lanky-looking wizard said, "Stop right there," from his other side.

A muscular dark-skinned wizard in front of him was sneering while brandishing his wand at Severus's face. "We've got you now, STUPEFY!"

Bloody hell, his mind swore, reaching for his wand before his mind went blank.

~ T B C ~>

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Author's notes: