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Torment Completed	By : Kvarta Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 31744 -:- Recommendations : 3 -:- Currently Reading : 8
Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction. Harry Potter is owned by J.K. Rowling. This story is purely for entertainment purposes, no money is being made from it.

Chapter List
- 118
- 119
- 120
A/N: Thank you all for your support, kudos, comments, and klicks. And thank you for your patience, I know that my updates lost their rhythm, but I can’t get my life in order enough to find time for regular writing.
I went behind my beta’s back again. So, all mistakes are mine as always.
Hermione tried not to blink. Blinking would only cause more tears to roll. She promised herself, she won’t influence him. Even that kiss- it was too much, but she had to…
I was angry and I…
She blinked again, trying to stop the flood of tears. The movement drew her attention, and she shook her head.
This is just my mind, playing tricks on me.
Severus stood at the door, his hand gripping the handle.
Merlin! Bugger…
She tried to shove the jewels out of the sight before he notices them. She didn’t plan on crying or making a scene. All she wanted was to pack them, to leave them behind. But once her eyes set on the sparkling stones, she couldn’t stop the tears. Not only memories but all her hopes, everything she dreamt of over the years… These stones, trapped in a crafted gold, embodied every bit of her desires. Parting with them, leaving them behind was a symbolic gesture of ripping off her own heart and leaving it behind.
He didn’t return the kiss. He doesn’t want me… Not now.
Hermione sharply inhaled a whiz of air.
When did he move?
Severus was kneeling next to her, his hands uncharacteristically cold, when he freed the blasted jewels from her grip.
Say something! Anything! Her brain panicked. “I… I was just packing them, to… I wouldn’t take them with me… And, I already left the…”
“It would be rather pointless…” Severus’ voice was quiet, still flat, his eyes fixed on stones.
Loud squawking cut his words. Hades flew in through the open door and whooshed over his head, hitting him on the back of the head with a wing. The bird landed on her shoulder, and Hemione winced twitching from pain when talons dig sharply in her shoulder. Hades ignored her, screeching loudly, his neck elongated toward Severus. The bird jumped on the floor and crooned angrily tugging on the jewels in Severus’s hands, trying to return them to her lap. Hades’ feathers ruffled, wings wide, flapped agitatedly, scratching them both.
Severus first shook out of the surprise. He waved an annoyed hand at the bird that still made a racket.
“Hades! That’s enough!” Severus hissed at the bird.
Hades ignored him, squawking even louder, his flapping frantic.
“Get lost you feathery pest if you do not wish me to pluck you,” Severus growled at Hades, trying to shove him aside. Hades squawked and snapped his beak leaving a bloodied gash on his hand. The bird started to crone in a low half-annoyed half-sorrowful tone.
“Will you go away and let me handle the matters?” Severus narrowed his eyes at the Hades, who finally stopped making noise.
The bird waddled to the bed and jumped on it, rocking from one claw to the other, observing both of them.
Hermione blinked, her mind finally clearer, if only from confusion. That was before she realised that Hades was trying to prevent her from going. Even the bird wanted her to stay. Everyone wanted her to stay- except him. Tears rolled again, there was nothing she could do to stop them.
“Will you stop that?” Severus turned to her with a frown. “You will only provoke him to fuss again.”
“I…” Hermione hiccuped. I would if I could, she thought bitterly.
“As I was trying to say, before I was rudely interrupted,” Severus continued, glancing at the Hades. “It would be pointless to pack these, only to unpack them for the dinner tonight.”
“Dinner?” Hermione echoed, feeling lost.
“Draco just delivered the invitation...” Severus replied calmly.
“But I thought… You wanted me gone…” Hermione mumbled. Even after six years at his side, he could still make her feel ignorant and confused.
“I see that you won’t fair well if you take every one of my mood swings to your heart.” Severus sniffed disapprovingly. “I thought you smarter than that.”
“But I…” Hermione desperately tried to say something, but her brain drew a blank.
“If you forgot, I didn’t. We had an agreement, Miss… Hermione. Or should I consider that agreement cancelled?” Severus raised one eyebrow.
“I… You never said a word. I thought you wanted me gone…”
“When did I say something like that?” Severus straightened his shoulders. “I did, however, gave you the right to change your mind.”
“I-I don’t want to impose… I don’t want to be another obligation for you.” Hermione breathed out. Tears stunned to halt, threatened to roll from her eyes once more.
“If my memory serves, I told you I had far less acceptable tasks and obligations to fulfil.” Severus sounded insulted.
“Yes, but…” she tried again.
“What do you expect from me, Hermione?” Severus narrowed his eyes at her. “To profess love. To expect such drivel from me is unrealistic, and that is a very generous statement.”
Hermione recoiled on those words, but Severus continued to speak as if he didn’t notice.
“You cannot in a right mind expect of me- that. I can tell you I thought you smart enough to hold a conversation interesting. Bearable enough that I don’t find your company appalling. Trustworthy enough to place all my business and my home in your hands. Valuable enough to stand by and protect you. Compatible enough to find your closeness pleasurable, desirable even. I do not have the desire to hurl when I think of you as my lifelong partner. In fact, I thought you quite capable of enduring all my moods, able to deal with my nature. Through, that one is questionable at the present moment. And no one can accuse me of being one for moonlight strolls, candle-light dinners, and soppy words of love. That is not in my nature. Now, the decision is yours. If you wish to hold on to that bargain, I presume that you will need these.” Severus raised the jewels to her eyes. “If you have them on you by the time we go to dinner, I’ll consider our arrangement valid and we will progress accordingly.”
Hermione felt lightheaded, from the lack of air most probably, considering she forgot how to breathe during Severus’ speech. She barely noticed that he placed the jewels back in her hands.
She watched Severus standing up, his knees cracked loudly. He turned to Hades with a growl.
“Make his kind of tantrum once more, and I promise you- I’ll have a drawer full of raven feather quills.”
Was he… what was that?
Hermione blinked. He was out of her room before Hermione even sorted through all he said and match the words with meanings. She gasped, leaning on the bed. Hades waddled to her and plucked at her hair, crooning.
~ S ~ S ~ S ~
Severus rushed through the hallway and into a small room on the first floor, fitted with a large portrait over the fireplace, one armchair and accompanying tea table. There was only a cupboard with liquor and nothing more in the room.
He poured himself a glass of wine with a shaking hand and sat heavily in the chair. He didn’t drink. He rarely took even a gulp, but the heaviness and slosh of wine gave him much needed grounding.
He went into her room to negotiate her stay. To remind her of her duty. How did he end up pouring his soul out? Opening his heart and all but confessing to the girl.
That blasted bird- that’s how, his mind supplied. And her tears.
He was ready for her anger. He prepared to argue. He was not ready to see her packing or her tears. Her tears always affected him, more so if he was the cause. And he still didn’t know, wasn’t sure…
“Ahem…” came a cough from the painting above the fireplace.
“What do you want?” Severus didn’t raise his eyes to meet the image of his grandmother.
“I hear that your Apprentice passed the test,” Estelle said.
“She did.” Severus kept his eyes on the flames.
“And why do I hear she is packing to leave the Mansion?” Estelle asked in a tight voice.
“The decision is hers.” Severus focused on flames, gripping his glass tighter.
“Won’t you even try to do something?” Estell persisted.
“To do what? We had an agreement... Either she wants to go through it or not. There is hardly anything I can do.” Severus growled.
Must she twist the dagger in my heart?
“Some would say that a bit of seduction can go a long way.” Estelle gave a small cough.
“And some say that dusty old portraits shouldn’t meddle.” Severus finally raised his eyes to meet his grandmother’s frown. Did they paint her with that frown? “You’ll have your answer by tonight.”
“You left her to decide without even saying one warm word to the girl?!” Estelle hissed at him. “On what she should base her decision? I got to know the girl quite well. She loves you. She is stubborn, but she is not one for self-torture.”
“No, she’d rather torture everyone around her, and she does it rather naturally, oblivious of her actions,” Severus grunted through clenched teeth.
“She does not know…” Estelle tried to say something, utterly stupid judging by the start.
“If she knows me at all, she’ll understand. She’ll know…” Severus cut her off.
“Even the most persistent heart needs a tender word or reassurance from time to time.” Estell raised her chin.
“Words. They are cheap and deceitful. If she is that dull to need words… If she didn’t realise by now…” he spat the words.
“She might have, then again she might have not. Your words are only empty if your deeds lack. Think of that, you- mule.” Estelle raised from a chair and walked off the frame.
Severus growled.
He said what he had to say. He opened his heart and soul to her. Now, all he could do is to wait.

What seemed like a sensible decision only a few hours ago, now seemed like a very elaborate form of self-torture. He was standing in the entrance hall waiting for Hermione to come down the stairs.
His ears perked up at the soft sound of rustling material, even before he noticed the silhouette, clad in simple but fitting forest green robes. Involuntarily his eyes fixed on the neckline, searching. The high neckline of the travelling cloak and long sleeves obscured from his sight what he was trying to see.
Severus took one slow breath, steeling himself as she approached. He offered his hand, and she took it.
Nothing, not even the glimmer…
They didn’t utter a word to each other. Not in a hallway, and not in the carriage on the way to the Malfoy Mansion. Severus clenched his teeth to prevent a torrent of words that swirled around his head. Questions that threatened to escape. Hermione didn’t even look at his direction, her eyes fixed on the ground.
Narcissa greeted them in front of the Mansion. He forced himself to a polite greeting.
“Congratulations Hermione, I’ve heard the good news. You are turning into a hermit, Severus.” Narcissa smiled at him softly. “You have to visit more often. I’ll take your cloak, Hermione.”
Severus turned his head so fast that his neck cracked a bit. He bit hard on his inner cheek.
Thank you, Merlin!
Hermione stood next to Narcissa, smiling. An overly elaborate and unfitting necklace on her neck. He didn’t have time to ponder on the sight, Narcissa scolded him.
“Honestly, Severus, you could have gifted her something for daily use. This is a nice set to have on formal occasions, but it is too much for a family dinner.”
He barely heard the words over the rush of blood in his ears. He fought to maintain his expression blank, while his muscles tried to force a huge smile on his face.
“You are correct, Narcissa. The mistake I plan to rectify as soon as possible.” Severus forced the words through sandpaper in his throat.
“Well, I am glad to see you both here,” Draco called behind them. “Tsk, you still have a lot to learn Bucktooth.”
“Am I, now?” Hermione turned to Draco. “Well, a good thing your manners are impeccable then Ferretface.”
“Oh, you two. Those who don’t know you would say that you are still mortal enemies.” Narcissa laughed.
“Narcissa, please, do not insult me.” Hermione glanced at Narcissa with a smirk.
“Never. I have far more style than to be friends with her.” Draco crinkled his nose. “But I would not break her delusions.”
“What delusions?” Hermione asked sharply.
“Well, you were my witness, and I wouldn’t blame you…” Draco waggled his brows.
“You, Ferretface, don’t know charity even when is right in front of you.” Hermione clucked her tongue.
“…” Draco sputtered, and Hermione raised her hand.
“Stop, your good manners are showing. Let us make this evening polite and somewhat civil.”
Draco narrowed his eyes at her and shook his head, a small smile at the corner of his lips. Severus raised an eyebrow at Draco, daring him to continue with his teasing. Draco shook his head and walked in the Sunroom's direction.
Severus offered a hand to Hermione and Narcissa, realising too late that his palms felt wet from sweat. Hermione gave him one smile, a glint in her eye spoke volumes.
I guess I deserved that.
The dinner was pleasant if unexpectedly crowded. Zabini came accompanied by Longbottom. Potter in a company of his wife. Lovegood showed up with a tall and lank scruffy looking bloke, who turned out to be a descendant of a famous Newt Scamander. Minerva was only one without the escort.
Cheers and relaxed conversation about anything and nothing, playful banter between Draco and Hermione dragged the younger guests into a mock rivalry argument. Astoria and Narcissa chewed his ear off after Hermione smugly referred them to him over her choice of jewellery.
I deserved that too.
All in all, the evening could have been worse. But only on the way back home, the realisation finally settled. She accepted him. For once in his life, the witch he loved returned the sentiment. And he realised it in the carriage when Hermione quietly mumbled.
“I’d prefer a small bonding ceremony. You?”
“Never thought of it.” Severus replied while his brain tried to perform a few trapeze tricks, one of it- to catch his intestines that joined on a trapeze act. “I agree, small and private is the most sensible.”
The surreal situation only enhanced with the fact that apart for hands they didn’t even touch. He wondered if he could make advances.
She kissed me today… But was it… Oh, bollocks! Just play it by the ear. I didn’t think this through.
“Severus are you sure…” Hermione looked at him, her eyes guarded.
He just nodded. Way to go, Severus. Mess it up the way only you know how.
He wished that she would start talking. Silent Hermione was scary, he realised. As long as she would talk, regardless of what she would say, he knew she was fine.
You are a bloody idiot.
Once before she gave him a silent treatment, and even then, he wanted to jump out of his skin.
Is she mad at me?
But she didn’t appear angry, if anything, she was withdrawn, too much subdued for his liking. The words of his grandmother echoed in his head. They arrived home and Hermione gave him one tired smile.
“Today was… I’d like to get some rest.” Hermione said, blushing.
He mutely nodded, certain that if he opens his mouth something utterly wrong will come out of them. He followed her upstairs. They reached the door of his room, and when she continued to walk, he stopped her.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“To my room.” Hermione blinked at him.
“I believe these are your quarters from now on.” Severus pointed at the door.
Hermione widened her eyes. Severus prayed frowned to hide the nervous jitters. He felt as if he was a teenager, clumsy and insecure.
“But I thought…” Hermione stopped talking, her blush deepening. “Did you place the bed for me in there?”
“No, I can arrange if that is what you want,” Severus replied stiffly. What did you expect?
“A-ummm, no. I mean, I thought you would not want to… You know, with me.” She blushed, lowering her eyes.
“Did you heard a word of what I said today?” He snapped, hissing words while his brain screamed at him.
You bloody idiot!
“I did, but I… In four years, you didn’t show any interest, any indication that you’d actually…” Hermione tried to explain.
“Neither did you.” He replied. Great, just continue to act like a petulant dunderhead.
“I followed your example.” She whispered.
“We were bound by the contract, Hermione. A contract that had a clause preventing such behaviour on my part. Even if you initiated anything, I would be bound to decline.” Severus shook his head, did she even read the bloody contract? “As you pointed out today, the contract is no longer valid.”
“I-I…” Hermione stammered, a blush flushed her skin in a deeper shade of red and she bit her lip.
“My apologies,” Severus sighed. “This was inconsiderate on my part. I’ll instruct elves to restore your old quarters…” He started, angry at himself, pointedly ignoring a boulder-like heaviness that formed in his chest.
“No, it’s not… I don’t mind, it just took me by surprise. And I- well, I thought that you couldn’t wait to get rid of me from your sleeping room. I thought, even if we-you go through your promise, that you would insist on…” Hermione tried to say something, but all Severus could see was a confused and insecure young woman.
She wasn’t refusing him or berating him for his lack of any tact or decent behaviour. If he was hearing her words correctly, which Severus found questionable- But, on an off chance that he understood her correctly, she thought he would not want her in his bed.
Or maybe not in my vicinity at all…
She kept on stuttering and her continuous string of words yanked him out of his thoughts.
“M… Hermione…” he tried, but she kept on trying to form a full sentence. Severus huffed, barking much sharper than he wanted to. “Do you ever stop talking?”
Hermione closed her mouth and frowned, a blush on her cheeks changing shade to an angry red. She mumbled something he couldn’t hear.
“Bloody hell, witch. Will you allow anyone else to say a word or do I have to glue your tongue to the roof of your mouth just to say something?” Severus snapped.
Her demeanour shifted from awkwardly confused to dangerous and determined.
Good, this is good. I know how to deal with that.
“Now then, as I was trying to say- You know how I hate repeating myself, so pay attention. When I was tricked to accept this bloody house, the last name, and the title- I signed myself to the obligation of finding a spouse and eventually producing an heir. The old ways set aside; I find you quite acceptable in that regard. If my memory serves, even in the bedroom we are not as incompatible as I might have thought. I’d even say what we shared was pleasant, or at least not unpleasant. You had-have potential to be… I did not see it as fair to drag you through the mud that is my name, the one I lived with most of my life. And I hoped that you will choose the option far better for yourself. As for me…” Severus stopped unsure what to say next without revealing too much.
“Once I told you that I love you,” Hermione’s voice was quiet. “I still do, that didn’t change.”
“You have abysmal taste, or maybe we should have checked your head. You had potential… You are young, bright, and pleasant looking. For me, you are the best option. More than I could ever hope or deserved from life. And I am still a Slytherin, all morality aside- I am not one to pass the opportunity when presents itself. If, what I offer can satisfy you…” Severus slowly picked through words feeling like a teenage dunderhead with his palm sweaty and his heart pounding. This is not a declaration of love, you stupid wanker, he thought angrily.
“And what is that you offer?” Hermione tilted her head, her eyes wide.
“Professional support, decent conversation, respect, honesty, faithfulness and sexual compatibility.” Severus stopped his lips to tug into a small smile at her gasp over his last words. “If you can live with that, with me the way I am- the only matter to resolve is whether you wish to share my living quarters, or would you prefer your own.”
“What part of I love you is unclear to you? But it feels awkward, you know?” Hermione mumbled.
“No more or less than it was when we were in the Malfoy Manor.” Severus nodded, giving his best to present calm demeanour. “Can we now stop standing in the bloody hallway and go to sleep?”
“I- mhm.” Hermione nodded, blushing.
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Torment *Completed*

Torment Completed