Vigésimo primero

Forbidden Obsession

Vigésimo primero

"Time for what?" asked Hermione, trying to maintain her composure despite the pain of the Dark Mark.

"The Dark Lord is calling us," snapped Draco. Wearing Death Eater robes and holding a silver mask, he was still grasping his left forearm.

"I am not leaving this castle. I refuse to assist Voldemort, therefore I would be useless," she said in her Know It All tone. Draco's eyes narrowed. Clearly he was not in the mood.

"Who said you are to be useful tonight? Maybe you are just the entertainment," he sneered. Grabbing her by the wrist, he led her into the corridors. The pain crept along her arm, intensifying and she cringed.

"The Dark Lord will make the pain equivalent to the Cruciatus if you resist and if that doesn't work, he will then go after Snape," sneered Draco, who was also cringing from the pain." Realizing the pain would not cease until they were standing before Voldemort, so reluctantly she went with him.

Walking quickly to the edge of the grounds, she asked, "Do you know how to Apparate?"

"No. It's not required. The Dark Lord will take care of it for us. All we have to do is get to a location where Apparation is possible." Before taking the final step off Hogwarts grounds, he turned to her and said, "Don't fuck this up, Granger." She looked at him, startled. They crossed the boundary together and both disappeared into the night.

Hermione found herself being led to a small grove of trees, away from a group of assembled people who she assumed were Death Eaters. Draco quickly searched the ground. Picking up a set of robes and a silver mask, he handed them to her.

"Put these on," said Draco. The tone of his voice was different, indicating just how serious the situation was. Hermione did so, without dispute. He then led her to their place in the circle of Death Eaters.

Hermione's eyes scanned the group, noting that there were more than fifty members present, each in identical robes and masks. Regardless of the attempt of anonymity, her eyes narrowed in on Severus. Her connection was strong enough that she could have located him blindfolded. He gave only the slightest nod of his head, acknowledging her.

The Dark Lord Apparated into the middle of the circle, and every single Death Eater dropped down on one knee. Hermione had no intention of doing so, but had no choice as Draco grabbed her arm and forcefully brought her down with him.

"My faithful servants," hissed Voldemort, intentionally glaring at Hermione, showing her the irony of how he was in control and not Severus. "Once again, you answer my call," continued the Dark Lord, slowly walking the interior of the circle. "Rise. The time is nearing when we no longer require meeting in such limited numbers." Hermione's stomach tightened as she realized there were many more Death Eaters than those present. She didn't realize their numbers had increased so dramatically.

"It was Muggle-loving fools, like Dumbledore, who risked revealing our magical world to Muggles," hissed Voldemort. "It was Muggles who prosecuted our ancestors for being a part of the magical world. It was Muggles who tried to destroy our magical world. Now the Mudbloods and the wizards and witches of Muggle parentage are the ones who threaten to destroy our world once again! But, with their destruction, there will be nothing standing in our way to continue our mission of protecting the wizarding world. Our enemies are Muggles! Wizards and witches with Muggle parentage are our enemies!" Hermione's anger seethed, but she fought the urge to lash out. The consequences would be too great. "These Mudbloods cannot be trusted," he spat, walking straight to Hermione.

Grabbing her by her hair, he jerked her roughly to the middle of the circle, causing her to fall. Pulling her to her feet, he ripped off her mask, exposing her identity. Murmuring could be heard throughout the circle as the rest realized who she was.

"According to Severus, this Mudblood can be trusted..." Voldemort slowly circled her. "...and even though I trust Severus...I want proof." His servants chanted in support. Turning to face Hermione, his eyes narrowed. "Tell me, where do Severus' loyalties lie?"

Knowing her facial expression could betray her, she took a page from Severus' book and narrowed her eyes, glaring back at the Dark Lord. She was very aware of Voldemort's use of Legilimency, and this frightened her because she was not prepared for him. As a part of the DA's training, Harry had told her how to guard against Legilimency by clearing her mind, but she had never been tested. She had never been properly trained in Occlumency.

Voldemort's methods in finding the truth began with breaking his victim's concentration.

"Crucio!" he cried. Hermione dropped to the ground, screaming with pain. Severus attempted to go to her, but two sets of hands belonging to the Death Eaters on either side of him held him back.

Hermione thought her head and chest were going to explode from the intensity of the curse. It felt as though her skin was being peeled from her body and her bones were being crushed. She was gasping for breath as the pressure and pain on her chest intensified. Just when she was ready to beg for death, the pain stopped.

"Now, Mudblood, where do Severus' loyalties lie?"

"With..." she was breathless, but forced the words out. "With...you." Voldemort slowly shook his head.

"That is the answer we were all expecting you to say, but I want the truth – CRUCIO!"

Again Hermione screamed as her body shook violently from the curse. Severus dropped to his knees while witnessing her torture. His anger rising, but he forced himself to control it. The hands holding onto him kept their grip, preventing him from getting any closer. He could have easily fought them, but he knew to maintain his position with Voldemort.

When the curse was taken off this time, Hermione was near unconsciousness. Her breathing was staggered and beads of sweat rolled down her face. Rolling onto her back, she looked up at the stars of the night sky and an image flashed back into her mind – the night Remus had bitten her. She remembered naming the stars, trying to stay awake and she remembered, Severus is going to kill Remus and then come and save me. He will save me.

"Why?" a voice asked her. "Why would Severus save you?"

Why? I remember. I remember the night I found him, lying on the ground. He fed from me. He fed from me and he allowed me to live. He is going to kill Remus, as ordered, and then save me. He needs me.

"But he did not kill the werewolf, why?"

His survival is dependent on mine. If I die, he dies. He left Remus for dead when he came searching for me.

Again, the voice asked her a question. "Who does Severus serve?"

He is faithful only to one –

Her thoughts came back to the present, realizing Voldemort had been in her mind. It was too late. Using Legilimency, he saw the answer. She tried to get to her feet, but he placed his boot on her shoulder and shoved her backwards. As her head hit the ground, she bit her lip.

He leaned over her, sneering, "Who? Who is Severus faithful to?" Licking the blood from her lip, she sighed.

"You," she hissed. "He is faithful to you." Voldemort stood up and backed away. Satisfaction was written on his face.

"The Mudblood speaks the truth," he announced. The Dark Lord then walked over to Lucius and Bellatrix. "Don't ever doubt him again," he hissed dangerously. Lucius and Bellatrix murmured a quick apology, but Voldemort did not stay to hear it.

Voldemort nodded to the two Death Eaters who were holding onto Severus. They released him and he immediately went to Hermione's side. Scooping her up in his arms, he Disapparated with her.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Are you feeling better?" he asked. He was sitting in a leather lounge, holding Hermione close to him. She was sipping on a warm cup of tea that contained a strong healing potion. She nodded yes and leaned her head back into his chest. She could feel his guilt and it pained her.

"This is not your fault, Severus," she said. She sat up and turned to face. "I will not allow you to take blame because of the choices you have made." He was still amazed at how she could interpret his feelings, but in return he knew it was a lie. He could have prevented this, all of this – if only he had...Allowed her to die? Allowed himself to die? He didn't know anymore.

Hermione sensed his confusion. Placing her cup of tea down, she turned further around so that she was straddling his lap.

She looked into his eyes and saw his pain. Smiling, she wrapped her arms around him and held him. She took a deep breath and sighed. Words would not bring comfort, but perhaps her love and understanding would.

"Severus, how did you become a vampire?" she asked. She felt him tense up, and realized her question touched on some deeper emotions. She sat up and looked at him, refusing to withdraw her question. She wanted to know. She wanted to understand. "Will you please share with me?"

He closed his eyes for a moment. Her voice was sincere and Severus knew her interest was genuine. He had never shared his story with another but, for her, he would make the effort. He opened his eyes and looked at her.

"I will tell you, Hermione, but allow me to get a drink first." She slid off his lap, allowing him to get up. As he poured himself a glass of bourbon, Hermione sat down in the chair. She pulled her knees up to her chest and waited for him to begin. She was in no rush and would allow him as much time as he needed to share his story. Severus sat down in the leather lounger next to hers and sipped on his bourbon.

"I was four years old..." he began, taking her back to his childhood.

"Severus, you must concentrate!" growled his father, leaning down and backinghanding his son. Severus' little head snapped to the side, but made no sound. "Now try it again!" snapped his father. He father towered him, dominating him and Severus didn't dare look up at him. Instead he forced himself to concentrate on the spell.

Severus tried to keep his eyes open, but he was so tired. The last thing he saw was his mother leaning over him. The last thing he heard was her asking for forgiveness...

"It was my mother who turned me into what I am," whispered Severus. Hermione looked up at him. Her tears fell freely down her face. "My father was not her life mate. She was in an arranged marriage. There was no love. She never told him what she was. He discovered it by accident. He thought he could beat it out of her..." His words trailed off.

The glass of bourbon he held was empty. Hermione got out of her chair and crawled back into this lap. His pain was hers and even though he still did not cry, she cried for the both of them.

~TBC