The Hepatic Hex

Hello everyone,

Firstly I feel the sudden urge to apologize. Am currently in a really snarky/snaky mood and can\'t help shake the feeling that it may (or not) come across in this chapter.

*sighs* Some important points to note about this chapter. 1. I have a bizarre fascination with violent, crazed former Roman Emperors 2. Akermanis is an AFL player for the Brisbane Lions Football club (formally of Fitzroy--the club not Aker) 3. This may be a shorter chapter but it should answer some of the questions you may have. Didn\'t feel right to embellish this one for embellishments sakes...I hope this makes up for the length..

Thank you:

Rilla: here it is, quite impressed with myself with how quickly I manage to get it up *self gloating grin* I hope you like it.

Daya: My new Vodka drinking bunny..I mean buddy. In answer to your request to make use of my copywrited *snort* Quasi- princess git retort. Yes, yes you may, all I ask in return is a few Polaroid’s of the reaction. I have to agree that that certain one syllable word is effective.. I was wrong to overlook it in favor of it’s lengthier counter-parts. Keep the sarcasm flowing freely, and the Vodka, and the wit, and the sarcasm and the Snapey goodness, and the Vodka, and the smartassmionmione, and the sarcasm, and the Vodka and…Well I think you understand…Later!

Red: Thank you, I do try. Hope this answers your questions (if not then I have truly failed and shall take the liberty now of putting my head through the wall to save time later)…

Lady Aidil : OMG! Do you have any idea how afraid of heights I am…this pedestal is sooo bloody high, I have currently got my eyes closed hoping to hell that I don’t fall off. Never in my life have I received such high praise, I fear I am going to get all sentimental now. I will (no sarcasm here) cherish what you have said for a very long time…Am honored to share such a title with such a brilliant author as Rilla…Thank you, doesn’t seem to say it properly, but thank you.

Kiri:*pokes tongue out childishly* How does it feel then…pretty good from where I am…petty vengence indeed…I live for nothing else..:smirk: still love ya though!

Now on to the story!!!

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Chapter 21

“I trust you received my owl earlier Severus?” De la Rosa said in a menacing tone while advancing slowly towards Snape, an equally menacing grin on his face.

‘Yes I did you sub rate Potions Master of doom, bloody quasi-Nazi, insane bloody deranged freaky headed…What the hell is a Nazi??\'

Outwardly Snape merely nodded, gaping like a fish, his brain apparently deciding that speech hat hat moment was an unnecessary optional extra, especially so at the point he remembered the contents of the post in question.

****Flashback***

The owl flew in through Dumbledore’s open office window as he waited with Hermione to leave for Russia. Snape didn’t recognize it and as such was surprised when it dropped its load (ahhh..parchment that is) in his lap. He cringed inwardly when the owl flew off without requesting food.

Well that’s a positive sign’ Snape thought.

He didn’t know how right that thought was though until he read the letters content…

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Severus Snape, my dear old friend,

It has been sometime since my family has heard from you, over 20 years I do believe. We had, quite frankly, given you up as dead. Imagine our surprise then when we find out Artemis’ best friend is not only acquainted with you, but believes herself to be in love witu, au, and from what she has relayed, you with her.

I find this more than a little interesting considering – well I am quite sure you would understand why. In case you have become completely forsaken of your once inspiring faculties, I have taken the liberty of including a small reminder of why I find this whole situation – very interesting indeed.

I shall be in touch again soon. Actually now that I know where you have been hiding, I may even drop in for a frienvisivisit. I am looking forward to it quite a bit actually I must admit.

Archibald De la Rosa.
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Snape had been on the verge of out right panic when he read De la Rosa’s letter. The momentary thought to burn the accompanying parchment now what would that achieve Severus, you know it won’t be destroyed, it can’t be – like the Terminator, it is indestructible, it will always come back as whole as ever…wait – what the hell is a Terminator?’was overwhelming. Even though he believed he already knew what the contents of the attachment would be, he knew he really should take a peek – just to make sure he wasn’t mistaken.

Damn.

Why did he always have to be right? Just once in his life he would like to be proven wrong, right now would have been good.

Only once though mind you.

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I, Terwillager Finkle, Registrar of Bonding for the Ministry of Magic, do hereby witness, recognize and announce the contract authorizing the arranged bonding of Severus Caligula Snape to Artemis Helana De la Rosa.

In agreement of the guardians of each aforementioned party, formalized bonding shall occur 7 days post Artemis Helana De la Rosa’s magical coming of age.

This contract is approved by the Registrar of Bonding and is legally binding.

In keeping with the traditions of our ancestors, failure of either party to fulfill this contract or intentional sabotage of the magical oath of said contract, by way of unapproved marriage to another party or bodily harm resulting in death to the other party in an attempt to negate the magical binding of the contract, unless specifically approved of by the opposing guardian, shall be punishable by the Ministry of Magic by traditional means.

In the Bonding act of 1654, said means are outlined as:

Banishment from the world of magic

Death, and

Transformation of offender into the creature homogenously known as a ‘house elf’, who forthwith is indebted into the servitude of forsaken family.

The offended guardian may choose any combination of aforementioned means, which shall be instigated and monitored, through the offender’s lifetime, by the Ministry of Magic.

This contract was signed by Nero Maximus Snape and Archibald Akermanis De la Rosa on Walspurgisnacht eve, 1978 and became magically binding from that time, in my presence.

T.Finkle

Registrar of Bonding
Ministry of Magic
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At that time Snape did panic, Hermione was glaring at him though, so he hastily stuffed the parchment away and said “Just some personal correspondence from an old acquaintance, nothing to worry about.”

***End Fashback****

“I do believe we have much to discuss old friend.” De la Rosa started.

‘Friend? We were never friends…I don’t have any friends you over-bearing, weakminded…’

“Perhaps we should sit sown for this Severus...”

‘No I don’t bloody want to sit down, I don’t want you here, or anywhere for that matter. I will not sit down, I will not sit down’

Snape sat.

‘Damn brain, damn body not paying attention.’

“So then, where to start hey Severus?”

Snape gulped again…..

…..Hermione had spent the remainder of her afternoon learning the ritual she would need to perform. It wasn’t that complicated really, an incantation here, some foolish wand waving there and a couple of liquid specific engorgement and stabilizing spells sprinkled throughout. She had spent her time after familiarizing herself with the ritual reading through a Dark Arts text, researching whether or not her suspicions on how to avoid a painful life of celibacy were feasible.

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--In warlocks, during the time that the physical body dies, their magic dies with them. Once they rise with their new life, their physical body remains stable in the state it had been prior to their actual physical death….

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“It will work I am sure of it!” Hermione said excitedly.

Deciding that this was the option she was going to pursue, she sent off her owl to the person she needed to help her fulfill her plan. It meant that she would continue to live without the magic she had been born with, that she had fallen in love with, but it meant she would be able to live a somewhat normal existence with Snape. Although there was other less appealing aspects of heoiceoice, she would deal with them appropriately as needed. It may be a Dark choice, but her desire to be with the man she loved overwhelmed any moralistic doubts she held.

Once again she allowed herself to fantasize about their future together. There would be no children, but that really didn’t bother her as much as she thought it would. As long as he accepted her decision, and she prayed that he loved her as much as she did him so that he would accept, then nothing could sway her mind, nor cause her to regret her actions.

Hermione was quietly brought from her musings by the Headmaster who walked into the Owlery.

“It is time my child.” and without looking at her, turned and retreated through the door.

Hermione sighed as she stood, stretching and gathering the tomes that were scattered on the hay that covered the Owlery floor. She turned and momentarily paused to watch the sunset, making sure to note every color, every sound and every emotion she was experiencing. Tonight her life would change forever. She didn’t want to forget a moment of the event.

Sighing once more she turned from the sunset and walked from the room, closing the heavy woodenr qur quietly behind her.
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currently starving for affection...

Shem *smirk*