Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Torment Completed	By : Kvarta Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 31717 -:- 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
- 12
- 13
- 14
A/N: Dear readers, I know I was until now posting daily. Well, in next 10 - 15 days I am forced to post every 2 or 3 days. I am on business trip and not every place I’m visiting have good (or if at all) internet. So, I’ll post when I have conditions. When I return to my home, I’ll resume with daily updates. ^-^
Darkness stirs. Alive. But how? And why? What happen? Who won? And who has him? His motionless body. His mind was assaulted so maybe Dark Lord won. No, no! His walls are down, he has no protection and no strength to raise them. His walls are down, all of them. So not hell, just his mind. Oh, Merlin! Not his mind. Hell is preferable to that! Darkness stirs again…No! No! No! Not another memory!
The room is full of people. Four months after he received his mark, and his reputation is now built. Whenever he walks, they make a room for him. Monster! Dark Lord’s monster. Whispers follow him as he walks, shoulder to shoulder with Lucius. Lucius has a spring in his step. What did his friend, his brother, planning, what game he plays now? Bellatrix is courting Dark Lord, Rodolphus does not look happy. Dark Lord notice them, he looks…relieved
“Ah, Lucius, Severus! Walk with me. I have some good news for you, Severus.”
Lily! His stomach flips for a second, maybe they managed to kill Potter! Hope rises like a tide before he stops on it. He is not that lucky. His face is impassive as the emptiness settles in his stomach and his chest.
“My Lord” they intone unanimously and follow him
“Severus you are so versatile talented, this decision didn’t come easily to me.” Starts Dark Lord and he begins to worry “You are bored in raids, and I can’t blame you. After much deliberation, I decided that the best way is to follow your natural talents.”
“My Lord?” he is confused which is unfamiliar feeling to him
“I arranged a Mastery Apprenticeship for you. You will travel tomorrow, and learn under one of the best Potion Masters in the world.”
“My Lord!” he is…not happy, he does not feel happiness anymore, honoured, confused, worried “Does my Lord wish to send me away? Did I not served you well?”
“You did Severus, more than well. So well that I desire to reward you. This is my gift to you.”
“Thank you, my Lord, I will do my best not to disappoint.”
He glances at Lucius who is grinning. His face is calm, but he knows Lucius well enough to read him. He knew, hence the spring in his step. Lucius offered him the opportunity, but he refused. Mastery is costly and he does not have that money.
He could cry. For all the bad that joining Death Eaters brought in his life, he would never have his Mastery if he didn’t join them. And that hurts. Darkness caresses him, a gentle flutter against his face. Is he really crying? A female voice, tender, soft, whispering but he still can’t recognize the words. Not Lily! He knows now. So who? Medi-witch? Bellatrix – no, not her, she does not possess a tender bone in her body. Narcissa maybe? Darkness shifts again.
He is 21, almost 22 now. He stands on the doorstep of his home. When he opens a door big black bird swoops over his head and into the house, he follows. He should be still on the road but one letter from Lucius brought him back home early. Pregnant… not bothering to shrug his travel cloak he takes a parchment and scribbles two notes. Glancing at huge raven looking at him dispassionately, this bird is a first living thing that evokes any type of emotion in him, for a long time.
“Can you find a Dark Lord, Hades?” bird looks at him with reproach and looks almost insulted “Fine. Give him this. Then, find Lucius and give him this.” He transfigures note into a feather and tucks it in birds wing.
He regained at least some peace in the year of his absence, it felt nice to be far away from London, far away from her. Lucius letters kept him informed, he knew to what he is coming back. All too soon his mark burned, he frowns and summons his robes and mask…
…Another unfamiliar Manor. It does not matter, not to him. He is among first that arrive. Narcissa greets him and he is glad to see her face ‘She shouldn’t be here.’ Taking her by the hand, engaged in a small talk he leads her to the chair and offers her a seat, kneeling next to her on one knee. Covertly he presses a phial into her palm
“Hide it.”
“Thank you.” She whispers. her eyes are grateful and mild.
He raises and continues to linger next to her, scanning the room. Dark Lord enters, followed by still smitten Bellatrix and gloomy looking Rudolphus.
“Severus, welcome back!”
“My Lord.” He bows
“I am most satisfied with the report of your progress. And impressed with your bird, smart animal, did not take a liking of Bella.”
“My Lord?”
“It does not matter. You return in good time. I have plans for you.” Dark Lord bids him to follow his slow walk and he obeyed “I need a messenger, someone Dumbledore won’t hex at the sight. Someone he thinks he can…save.” Words are slipped like slow dripping poison “I need someone I can trust. And, through, I do trust my people in the inner circle, Dumbledore wouldn’t. you on the other hand… What is the matter, Severus?”
“I am the last person Dumbledore would want to save my Lord.”
“Ah, but he will, from me. He is ever the dreamer. Manipulative but naïve in s many ways. You see, for him is inconceivable that I would accept you, and he will try to sway you back under his wing.”
“My Lord?”
“By giving you a menial task, to carry a simple message, he will be convinced that you still struggle for my attention. Build the connection, let him sway you.”
“Yes, my Lord.”
“I want you to brew me a potion, and fast, as fast as you can. I already gave the instruction to Lucius. Use his resources for the potion.”
“Yes, my Lord.”
“That would be all for now.” Dark Lord dismisses him and he returns to Narcissa and Lucius.
“Severus! I was thrilled to hear of your return. You must come by for dinner and tell us all about your travels!”
“Are you sure you want my stories or my gifts?”
“When did you hear a Malfoy refusing a gift.”
“The Lord gave me instructions…”
“Then is settled, you will come tonight and be my guest until you finish your task. And, Narcissa will have company when I am on the raids.”
“You would leave me in the hands of another man!” Narcissa has appalled look on her face but gleam in her eye
“Not another man, Cissy, but in the hands of Severus.”
Bitterness. Resentment. Still, after so many years, he should have guessed it then. He is not that powerful. He has some talents but not the power they saw in him. If he did, she would still be alive. He would be dead. Blissfully so, relieved from the torment of his own mind. Removed, he was removed. Put to the side and used. Wrong choices. So many of them. Stop! Stop!! Stop it!!! Voice again. Soft, tender, worried. For him? Why?
~ S ~ S ~ S ~
Hermione sat on the sofa and rubs her eyes. What an odd dream. She must be suffering from the consequences of her attempt to wake him up. Not that she succeeded. And they were all mad at her. But, nobody was doing anything and she can’t let him die. Not because he is her professor, not because he is a hero, but because he made it. After that day, he was still breathing. And so many other weren’t.
What did Harry tell her? He can’t forgive him, not only because of mutual animosity but because of Dumbledore. Harry lost his faith in Dumbledore after he seen Snape’s memories. But, Dumbledore was always plotting and manipulating, that was nothing new. Or maybe it was, for Harry at least.
In the end, nothing mattered. The Light, the Dark, the Greater Good. Nothing mattered. They won the war on an account of selfish desires. Snape wanted revenge. Narcissa wanted her son safe. Malfoy…errr…Draco wanted out. Neville wanted revenge. Almost all kills that came from the side of Light were fueled by some sort of revenge or protection. Not a single grand idea won this war. And why this was started, also because of the small petty needs of common people.
No, he can’t die. No one should die because of megalomaniac needs for power and respect. Voldemort’s, Dumbledore's, or anyone else. She stands up and walks to the bed. He is still peaceful, sleeping.
“You have to wake up, professor. You have the rest of your life to enjoy, really enjoy. Please, wake up!”
She feels dizzy, stumbling she goes back to the sofa and lie down again.
~ S ~ S ~ S ~
They are sitting around the table in the Malfoy Manor, Lucius is laughing, which is a rare sight indeed.
“And you left him like that?”
“I did.” He replies though he is not laughing, not anymore
“Then how did he managed to remove it?”
“I have no idea, but his skin looked rather raw.”
“Oh, you are devious my friend.”
“Oh, you two.” Sigh Narcissa “Tell me, Severus, how many broken hearts you left behind.”
“I was there to study, when I was not brewing I was in the library. If librarian fell for my charms I can hardly help it, he was, if you must know, very old wizard.”
“We have to find you a woman, Severus. Some nice witch to settle down. You are in the right age after all.”
“I need to do something first, Cissa. But, I thank you for thinking of me.”
“Nonsense, Severus, after brewing this for me…you have our eternal gratitude.”
“You should have told me earlier. I do not understand why Lucius couldn’t brew it.”
“I tried…” Lucius looks uncomfortable “…and failed, four times.”
“You do know what this potion do? If you take it, that is it, one chance. Full proof chance, but you won’t be able to have any more kids.”
“It is better than not having kids at all.” Sigh Narcissa
“I told you Cissa, I would love to have an heir, but not at the price of your life.”
“Now my life, the life of our child won't be in danger. Severus, we owe you a debt of life, our child’s life. Now, if you will excuse me, I think I’m going to lie down.”
“Severus…” Lucius turns to him as soon as Narcissa leaves, he waves his hand
“Not another word, Lucius.” Lucius gazing at him for a long time before he nodded “You have the instruction for the potion?”
“I do.”
“What is it?”
“Draught of Despair” he nods, he knows of that potion. He feels excited, another challenge. A breath of life in his stale existence. Lucius gave him an odd glance. They continue to sit in the companionable silence.
Draco. Did he survive? It would be unfair if he didn’t. They traded everything for that one child. Peace. That was the only time when he was in peace. The female. She is still there. She is and she isn’t. In his mind. Like a small rock in a shoe, uncomfortable nudging at him. He is…annoyed.
- 12
- 13
- 14
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Torment *Completed*

Torment Completed