Chapter 18

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1 please.

Thanks go to ladyinthecloak and to Charmed_Nay for reading this over!

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Severus stood on the hill facing the dawn with his head thrown back, his eyes closed, and his arms extended. The cool wind blew about and lifted his black locks, tossing them this way and that. If Hermione had been simply a Muggle who happened upon him, she might think him to be a sorcerer--someone able to summon the sun at his command. It was truly a sight to behold, and even being a witch and practicing magic didn't stop her from feeling awe. She felt a slight pull, as if she were being lured to him by an invisible rope. Slowly, she made her way to him, and he made no move when she stopped at his side, just continuing to breathe in the fresh morning air, saying nothing.

Her heart began thumping quickly, and she could feel a powerful rush flowing through her body. So much that she closed her eyes against it and steadied herself by tossing out her arms as he'd done. The sensation was unlike anything she'd ever felt before; it was everything good: like the satisfied feeling after the peak of an orgasm, happiness, adrenaline.

Power.

I could do anything I want. I could own the world.

Knowledge.

I can bring back the dead.

Possession.

Severus Snape belongs to me--never Lily. Mine. Mine.

Hermione shook her head, stumbled, and fell on her arse, feeling as though a spell had been broken. "What the...?" she mumbled.

"Did you feel it, too?" Severus asked quietly, head still tilted towards the sky.

"Is that how you feel all the time?"

It was then that he looked at her, and from the angle she was sitting, she gasped slightly and began to blink away the vision before her. The way the sun's dawning light haloed around his head was brilliant, though it left his face in the shadows, and for a moment or two, she thought that his eyes had been completely black--as they were when he'd first returned to her from the Otherworld.

"Your eyes..." she began, but then she realized that they were normal--whites included. "For a moment there, I thought I saw--you know, black eyes, like a demon, like when you first came back."

"I'm no demon, Hermione."

She took his outstretched hand and allowed him to pull her up. "I know that," she said softly, "but for a moment there, Muggle things I remember from my childhood, before I learned the truth about magic, came to mind." Hermione nestled against his chest and inhaled his fresh, woodsy scent. "I felt so powerful just now."

"Yes, well, considering I'm supposed to be the next Dark Lord, you are very powerful indeed, considering you have my heart. So many men have fallen because of the woman at their sides."

"Do I?" She'd wanted this confession for a while, had even heard it before. He said things, and she believed him, but later, upon reflection, it always felt as if he hadn't truly said anything at all.

"Don't you?"

"Severus! Stop that!" she said, annoyed. "Can't you just be honest with me?"

"I thought I was being honest. What's got into you? You seem shook up."

She shook her head. "I don't know. I just feel edgy about going to the Malfoys' home."

"Have you decided on it?"

"Yes, I will go with you."

He nodded. "Good." A light kiss was placed on her forehead. "Now tell me... what did you feel just now?"

Slightly embarrassed, she diverted her eyes and pretended interest in his chest, rubbing her face against the soft fabric of his robes. What would he think? "Besides powerful and feeling as though I could do anything I put my mind to, I felt very possessive of you. Jealous even."

"Jealous of me?"

"No. Of... Lily."

His arms tightened around her even more. "You are my life now, Hermione. Don't think about her."

"It's hard not to sometimes. She's in a place I want to be." She pushed away from him, feeling unreasonably angry. "I don't want her there! You should want only me. You should love me."

"And I do. There's not a woman alive that I would dare look twice at."

She shook her head sadly. "See? Not a woman alive." With a sigh, she added, "That says it all, doesn't it?"

When she turned to go back down to their home, he roughly grabbed her shoulders and halted her progress, his lips against her ear. "You gave me what she never would. You have my loyalty. Dead or alive, Hermione. It's you."

Her stomach tingled as his tongue flicked over her earlobe and dipped behind it. "Oh..."

His hands were upon her, each fondling a breast, fingers caressing her nipples through her blouse. When she felt his stiff erection grind against her, she moaned and felt her center heat and dampen.

"Do you want me to prove it to you? Shall I show you what you never seem to hear?"

"Yes, yes, I do."

And then she was being lowered to the damp hillside grass, a comfortable invisible barrier keeping her from actually touching the ground, and he was behind her, lifting her robes and skirt. The only thing she could concentrate on for a moment was the chirping of a bird in the distance, causing her to wonder if it watched them and what it thought.

"Ah, Severus," she cried out as he slid into her from behind, making her bury her head against the pillowy cushion beneath her as she used her forearms to steady herself and pushed back against him, wanting all of him inside of her. The bird was forgotten, and the only thing that mattered was the powerful wizard behind her, what he was pouring into their frantic coupling--all heat and passion and wild abandon.

The beat of her heart thrummed in her ears and was joined by the beating of his--oh the lust she felt, the need! She would never get enough of him, never wanted to be away from him! How had she lived without him all her years?

"Hermi... ohhh-ne," he cried out, finding culmination and slowly chasing away the aftershocks with spastic thrusts until he was done. He slumped over her, putting his weight completely on her back, nosing away the hair on her neck and placing kisses and nibbles on her heated flesh. "That is what you do to me."

And though she hadn't had an orgasm, she felt completely sated and reassured in her relationship. What she'd been feeling while they'd coupled had been what he'd felt at the same time. Such was the way of the bond. Hermione simply sighed and grasped one of his wandering hands in hers, bringing it to her lips to kiss it. "I don't know what's got into me. Those things I said, I shouldn't have."

Severus moved off of her, flicking his wand lazily to clean them before pulling up his underpants. "Sometimes a relationship is all-consuming." He smirked down at her and smugly said, "It feels good to be needed in such a way, I must admit."

"It does, doesn't it?" she said while fixing her knickers.

"Come. Let's spend a quiet day together before we have to prepare for the Malfoys."

"All right. I was thinking of expanding the garden. Interested?"

"Quite."

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Dotty looked around the dark room suspiciously. "Rita? Are you here?"

She'd spent the last eight hours thinking about the woman's invitation before finally coming to a decision. She did need the money to help with raising her child, and she definitely needed to leave England. It seemed to be the only way to raise the child without having his name tainted by her actions. Things would have been different if her brother hadn't disappeared. She might have been inclined to do more with her life. Losing her parents and then him so close together had been horrible, something she wasn't certain she'd recovered from.

There was a thud outside the door, and the crack beneath it filled with light as someone neared. With a creak, it opened. "There you are," Rita said.

"What happened to you?" Dotty asked, gaping at Skeeter.

The other woman looked terrible--dark circles under her eyes, hair a mess, and clothes rumpled. "This," she spat, "isn't the easiest of places to live, but it's Unplottable, so Aurors won't find me. It'll have to do." She grinned then and flicked her wand at a nearby lamp, instantly bringing light to the dank room. "Decided to help me, have you?"

Cheeks reddening, Dotty said, "Now, see, I don't want you to think badly of me, but you're right I do need the money."

"Excellent. I have a plan."

"What plan?"

Rita smirked. "A plan to destroy the Snapes, that's what. I'll have that little bitch sorry she ever messed with me." She pointed to her face. "Having the word BITCH spelled out on one's face can make her bitter, don't you think?"

"I wouldn't like it either, come to that."

Growling in disgust, Rita said, "You sure are dotty, aren't you? I expect that's why it was easy for that--what was that?" Rita looked around in a panic, pointing her wand here and there.

"I don't like being made fun of, Rita."

"Did you hear that? Shuffling... footsteps."

"As I was saying, I hope you won't think badly of me, but I decided to turn you in for the reward."

"You what?!"

Before Rita could level her wand on the woman, a jet of red light shot at her, seemingly from thin air, causing her to fall in a Stunned heap. Harry Potter revealed himself, placing his Invisibility Cloak aside. "You did a good thing, Miss Dearborn," he said.

"I hope they'll give me the reward money. Do you think they will?"

"Yeah," he said with a nod. '

At that moment, Kingsley Shacklebolt and Ron Weasley burst through the door.

"Got her?" Ron asked. "Oh, bloody hell, it smells in here! What's that stench?"

"Good work, Harry." Kingsley then nodded at Dotty. "You've done a good thing. This cooperation will go a long way with clearing your name."

"Thanks, Minister," Harry said.

"I'm right glad to hear it," Dotty replied. "I'll be wanting to leave soon, so..."

Still holding his nose, Ron asked, "'So...' what?"

"Er, she's concerned about the reward money for Skeeter's capture."

"We'll settle up on that first thing in the morning when Gringotts reopens," Kingsley said.

The woman smiled brightly for the first time, feeling as though things would be fine after all.

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"Severus, look at this!" Hermione said excitedly, handing him the newspaper.

He took it, and his expression changed to one of amusement. "I'll be damned."

The Evening Prophet

Rita Skeeter Found, Sent to Azkaban

Minister Shacklebolt released a statement earlier this evening informing us that Rita Skeeter, illegal Animagus on the run, has been apprehended, thanks to a tip by Dotty Dearborn. You'll recognize this woman's name as the one who'd accused Severus Snape of fathering her child (see page 3 for more details). Skeeter is being charged with not registering her Animagus form, fleeing a Ministry summons, conspiracy to harm others, bribery, and resisting arrest. Other charges may be added after further investigation....

Severus tossed the paper aside and smirked as the Rita picture on the front cover tried to break away from the two Aurors escorting her out of the Ministry. "I hope she gets what she deserves."

"So do I."

Hermione grinned, but the nervousness in the pit of her stomach made itself known, causing her smile to falter. "I guess we'd better go," she said softly.

"You have nothing to fear, my wife."

"I just hate being in the same room--with either of them!"

"This is a necessary sacrifice on your part. Remember the plan and stay the course."

She nodded. "You know I will."

An arm slid around her waist, and she felt the slight tug of Disapparation. Taking a moment to compose herself, she stepped away from her husband. "Ready."

With a hand at the small of her back, he guided her up the back path to Malfoy Manor.

The door opened immediately, and Hermione was surprised to see that Bozzy wasn't greeting them. Her eyes took in Narcissa's poised stance, unmussed hair, and artfully made up face.

"Good evening, Severus," she said, adding, "Hermione," as an afterthought.

"Narcissa," he said, bowing slightly. "I hope we aren't too early."

"Not at all. Come in."

Following her husband and the haughty woman, she glanced around, noticing that nothing had changed since she'd last been there. Since I practically moved in here, she thought bitterly, and then remembering why she'd come to the Manor--not just to help Snape but because she'd thought Ron had betrayed her--she felt her pulse quicken as anger and adrenaline set in. What I wouldn't give to hex Lucius.

"All right?" Severus asked, disrupting her thoughts.

"Yes," she answered, voice clipped.

"We'll get right to it," Narcissa said, "as Lucius will likely retire earlier than normal." She shrugged. "He's trying that new Dreamless Draught you brewed for him. I do hope it works. He's utterly stressed out--even losing some of his hair, though he'd never admit it."

Hermione's head turned slowly, and she met her husband's dark eyes. He'd not told her about brewing anything for Lucius. He seemed to know what was on her mind, for he mouthed "later" quickly. Would the draught work for Malfoy? Why was Severus undermining her by doing this... secretly at that.

"You may sit next to Lucius," Narcissa said, nodding to Hermione. "I'll take the chair next to Severus."

"I think not. I'll sit with my husband."

The woman blinked and then smirked. "Of course, if you must."

"I must," she bit out, seating herself in the chair Narcissa had been standing behind. She dared not look at the man who sat a couple of chairs away at the head of the table. She preferred to have a bit of wine first. "I shouldn't trust their food or drink," she muttered.

"What was that, my dear?" Severus asked, taking his seat and leaning towards her.

"Nothing."

"I assure you it's quite safe," he said, as though he'd heard her after all. "This will pass soon enough."

"I hope so." She took a tiny sip from the wineglass that appeared before her.

That's when Lucius chose to speak. "Long time, no see, Hermione." He chuckled. "And what's this? No greeting?"

She closed her eyes and counted to ten as she pretended to wipe the corners of her mouth. When done, she looked at him and nodded by way of greeting. "I'm not feeling well this evening."

There. That should be enough. She hadn't been rude or hostile, as she wished to be, so hopefully things would progress and he might take the hint that she didn't feel up for conversation.

"Pity. You live with a Potions master, and he's not given you anything for your malady? What is this world coming to?" His next words were addressed to Severus. "Can you not take care of your wife?"

Severus' eyes narrowed slightly. "I believe what goes on in my home is none of your concern."

"I agree," Narcissa piped up. "So, Hermione, how's married life?"

Hermione didn't appreciate the lilt of the woman's lips and knew she was being baited. "If I didn't like it, I'd be elsewhere," she said, glaring slightly. "What's your excuse?"

"I beg your pardon!" Narcissa sat back as if she'd been slapped. "Do you presume to think there is something wrong with my marriage?"

"I don't presume anything. Just asking a question." Now it was Hermione's turn to smirk, and even though she felt the warning tap of Severus' hand beneath the table, she couldn't help adding, "You were off in France while your husband was--"

"Aren't we supposed to be dining?" Severus blurted, interrupting Hermione.

An angry Narcissa scooted back in her chair and coolly said, "I shall be back in a moment."

Once his wife had left the room, Lucius turned his cold grey eyes back on Hermione. "I should think you'd not bring up such things... as we discussed."

She then wondered if Narcissa truly didn't know the extent of what had gone on, but surely she did. "You're right," she agreed.

"Excellent. Now then..." His voice trailed off as his eyes strayed to the tip of his cane, which was casually placed on the table. A long strand of blond hair lay curled on top of it. He quickly flicked the hair to the floor and cleared his throat, though two slightly red splotches burned on his cheeks. "I... am famished."

His demeanor had changed completely. It was as though the hair had reminded him that he wasn't the man he used to be--not when he lived through nightmares and worried about his old master returning from the grave. Hermione felt smug. He deserved what he got. She might eventually forgive him, however unlikely that might be, but she would never forget. Ever.

Crack!

"Bozzy's mistress is feeling unwell," said the elf. "Dinner is being waiting while Bozzy's mistress takes a moment to herself."

With that said, he was gone with another crack.

"I shall go and check on her," Lucius said shakily.

"No, I'll do it," Hermione offered. "I was the one who was ugly." She made certain her voice sounded sincere, wanting to leave the room and be away from Lucius. And deep down, she did feel a little guilty, but not very much.

"That might not be a good idea," Severus said.

"No, I think she should. Cissy would appreciate it," Lucius said, widening his eyes at Severus.

Hermione hadn't missed the gesture and knew the man wanted a word with her husband. She stood. "Is she in the master suite?"

Lucius regained a little of his composure and said, "Yes, you remember the way, don't you?" There was a lewd look in his eyes.

She didn't waste her breath replying, and any newly developing guilt she'd felt was washed away. The man would never change. He'd always be an arrogant, hateful git who thought himself above punishment. Once she left the room and walked a few steps away, she doubledback to listen at the door. Unfortunately, she heard her husband's silky voice say, "Muffliato."

"Damn it," she whispered.

"Come here. I want to show you something." It was Narcissa.

Hermione followed the woman to a small tapestry and then slipped behind it into a small room. She realized immediately that the room was placed there for spying on those dining. She could clearly see Lucius and Severus, and amazingly, she could hear their every word. "But his spell..."

"Doesn't work in here."

"Does Severus know about this room?"

"I think not. I'm the one who made this. I doubt even Lucius knows." Her voice was soft, but it quickly turned cold. "I wouldn't share this with you, but I don't appreciate that you feel you can come into my home and treat me disrespectfully. I want you to hear what they say. I want you to know that your life isn't perfect, as you'd like to believe. As you think you are!"

"I never said that--"

"Be silent," the woman ordered, nodding to the men. "Listen to what your husband thinks of you."

"Yes, well, you'll have to work on her attitude, Severus. She seems a little testy still."

Severus snorted. "She's a pain in the arse, especially lately. Always griping about something."

"Harpy."

"Indeed."

Both men chuckled and raised their glasses to their lips for drinks.

The blood drained from Hermione's face. Of course she knew that Severus was playing a part in front of Lucius, but she didn't like being spoken about in such a way. And then there was the small part of her that wondered if he wasn't speaking the truth.

"However do you keep her in line?"

"Ah, but you see, she's quite passionate."

"Mmm. That she is. I could feel it beneath the surface, but she wouldn't give in to me." He took another sip of wine. "You must have something I don't."

"But of course," Severus said with a smirk. "And then there is the bond. I won't take all the credit."

"So things are working out just as you planned," Lucius said smugly.

"As we planned," Severus said.

"Right you are."

"The potion should be ready by the next blue moon."

"Which is...?"

"Five Saturdays from next."

"Excellent." Lucius shifted a little and asked, "Severus, have you not felt a presence lately?"

"Are you on about the Dark Lord again? I've told you no. He's dead."

Lucius nodded. "I detest feeling this way."

"I don't blame you." Severus placed his empty glass on the table and tapped it with his finger to have it refilled, though he didn't pick it back up. "I've gained Potter's trust, so that shouldn't be a problem. It seems he wants to be my friend." He snickered lightly. "Troublesome brat."

"Now, now, don't tell me that boy is the reason you truly chose dear Hermione as your mate, and here I thought you'd gone sentimental because she reminded you of Lily Evans."

"Lucky for us she's quite close to him, isn't it?" Severus said, eyes glittering. "That's a plus, of course, but my desire for her is much deeper than that."

"And when she realizes what you're doing? What will you do then?"

"She's already coming 'round to my way of thinking. The bond between us is deepening each day--only a few words or actions on my part convinces her to go along with me."

Hermione backed away from the glass. It was true, wasn't it? He was not lying to Lucius. He couldn't be. She thought about his words earlier.

That is what you do to me.

Was she nothing more to him than a possession after all? Where were the words of love? Why hadn't she realized it at that moment? If he loved her, he would have showed her in a different way. He would have placed her down gently and slowly made love to her, bringing her to culmination and whispering words of love in her ear. Instead, he'd frantically taken her from behind--possessing her, marking her as his. Lust. Not love.

Oh God! My first instinct was right! she thought as more of his words came back to her, slapping her in the face.

There's not a woman alive that I would dare look twice at.

And now he planned to use Harry for something. What potion was he brewing? And he'd wanted her to stop her revenge on Lucius! He was even trying to help Lucius escape the dreams.

"Oh, no," she whispered.

"Oh, yes," Narcissa said quietly, causing Hermione to remember she was not alone.

She looked at the woman and cringed. It was obvious that the woman enjoyed causing her pain. "Haven't you done enough to me already?" Hermione said softly, moving towards the exit.

"You are nothing. Just a filthy little Mudblood whore who's a means to an end. I'm sure Severus' little infatuation with you will eventually run its course, and when you're no longer useful, you'll be cast off like the dirt you are."

Hermione slapped the woman instinctively, wanting to hurt her in the only way she could. When she made to leave the room, Narcissa stopped her with a raised wand and threatening glare.

"I can't let you leave with this knowledge. I wouldn't want you to give away my secret."

Reaching for her own wand, Hermione quickly found herself disarmed. "You wouldn't dare!" she yelled.

"Of course I would," Naricssa said, moving closer. "Before I do this, I want you to know that I burned everything in the room you slept in while you were here. I made Lucius get checked over by the family physician, too. No telling what little diseases your lot might carry."

"Nothing worse than yours," Hermione retorted, trying to think of a plan.

Smirking, Narcissa said, "Did you enjoy fucking my husband? How did it feel to have someone like Lucius in your bed? Did it make you feel special?"

"It was nothing to write home about."

"Just so you know, he said you were quite boring, lying there and not even trying to please him. I told him, 'What more would you expect from someone like that?' He did mention you were much better whilst under the influence of a potion... Pity you thought yourself to be dreaming."

"You're disgusting! How could you let your husband do such a thing?"

"It's for the greater good. Once Severus is in place, the Malfoys will be right where we should be."

"Nothing but puppets once again." She sneered. "And what about Draco? How could you do that to him?"

"Do what? He's been sick! Lucius and I were trying to help him," she said indignantly.

"Do you believe your own lies? Or are you believing the lies of your husband?" Hermione edged closer, noting the woman was shaking with rage.

"My husband would never hurt Draco purposely."

"Keeping him drugged and making him take vows are not painless! It's got him so bloody confused, he's lost a piece of himself! You know it's bad when it's a relief to see him acting the prat he used to be! That is your fault. What kind of a mother are you?"

"You insignificant, little bitch! You're nothing and will never be anything! You'll never know the bond a mother has with a child!"

"I will indeed! When I'm good and ready, and I bloody well won't treat him like you've treated Draco!"

"Severus will never give you children. He just wants your body only--for whatever ridiculous reason--but he wouldn't want you to soil the Prince line by birthing dirty heirs! His Muggle father tainted it enough already!"

"After hearing that," she nodded to the window, which was darkening and blocking off her view, "I wouldn't want him to! Sod all of you!"

Narcissa raised her wand higher and began to mouth the words of her spell just as Hermione lunged for her.

"Obliviate!" she shouted.

Hermione tripped and slid on the floor, hitting her head as she did so. "Ohhhh, that hurts," she moaned. "What happened?"

Narcissa looked at her through narrowed eyes before extending a hand down. "You seem to have hit your head. I found you snooping around in here. What are you looking for?"

"I don't know. I thought I could find you and apologize for what I'd said."

"And you dropped your wand on contact with the floor. Here." She handed it to Hermione. "Our husbands are waiting for us. Come."

Hermione placed a hand on her head and rubbed the swelling bump. "I don't feel like eating, I don't think."

"Perhaps Severus can get you something. I'm sure we have a selection of pain potions here."

"Ladies," Severus greeted. "What took so long? I was about to search for you."

"Ah, no need to fib, my friend. We were about to ask Bozzy to find you," Lucius said, eyes glinting.

"Your clumsy wife slipped and hit her head," Narcissa said. "I found her in one of the paths to our dungeons. Snooping, I expect."

"I wasn't snooping! I told you I was looking for you."

"As I said before, you know the way," Lucius said. "Curious, that."

"Hermione?" Severus asked, seemingly worried. "All right?" He stood and touched her head gently, moving her hair out of the way to place his fingers at the source of her pain. "Are you hurting?"

"I think I might Disapparate home instead of staying for dinner. I just don't feel well." The bump seemed to have grown.

"We can leave."

"No, stay. Enjoy whatever they've planned for dinner. I'll take something at home. Really." She hadn't wanted to be there in the first place.

"I'll walk you out then."

She looked over to Lucius and Narcissa. "I appreciate the invite. Perhaps some other time."

"Perhaps," Lucius said.

Narcissa added, a wicked smile upon her painted lips, "Do be more careful in the future."

Severus helped her out of her chair and guided her outside. "Are you sure about this? I could Side-Along you."

"I'm fine."

"I don't want you to get Splinched."

"I said I'm fine," she snapped.

"Very well," he said brusquely, eyeing her oddly. "I shall see you in an hour or so."

She Disapparated before he could incline his head to kiss her.

Sadly, she looked around the grounds of the home she'd been sharing with Severus. How she had loved it there. "And I won't be here... you bastard," she mumbled tearfully, thankful that Narcissa's curse had missed her when she'd slipped. "What a fool I've been!"

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AN: Well, that's not good, is it? Haha