Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Bound	By : goldhorse Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 126120 -:- Recommendations : 15 -:- Currently Reading : 31
Disclaimer: JK owns HP. Not me. I also don't own any quotes you might recognize. I make no money doing this, I just get the plot bunnies to quit interrupting my sleep.

Chapter List
- 23
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- 25
Hermione stormed into the DADA classroom, her entire body shaking with rage and adrenaline. Snape jumped out of his chair, dumping a bewildered Celeste in the floor. She barely blinked as the woman transformed back into a wolf and jumped around the desk to see what was going on. Hermione collapsed in the floor, her nerves shot.

“What in Merlin’s name is going on here?” Snape hissed as he stalked around the desk.

About that time, Draco came careening into the classroom and slammed the door shut, throwing up a locking charm. He slid to the floor and grabbed Hermione in a bear hug, thankful she was unharmed. He was shaking as well. It had taken everything in him not to kill Cornfoot for trying to capture Hermione but he’d managed to do it, laughing as he walked off. He rocked his wife back and forth, sending calming thoughts to her.

“Will someone tell me what happened?” Snape bellowed.

“That bastard Ravenclaw Cornfoot grabbed Hermione and pulled her into an alcove. He was going to force her to take a love potion and then obliviate her,” Draco said flatly, still trying to comfort his wife.

“What?” Snape hissed, his eyes narrowing in anger. “Where is he?”

“Petrified in the corridor just before the transfiguration classroom. He’s got a few broken ribs which he deserved.”

“Show me,” Snape said softly.

Hermione took a deep breath and stilled Draco’s rocking movements, turning so her blood father-in-law could look into her eyes. He whispered the spell and watched as she was accosted and the ensuing scuffle. When he pulled back, he was shaking in barely contained anger. “He’ll be expelled before class begins.” He released Draco’s spell and stormed out of the classroom, slamming the door behind him. Draco locked it again.

Celeste transformed back and sunk to the floor in front of the shaken couple. “How are you?” She asked softly, her French lilt oddly comforting.

“I’m fine, he didn’t hurt me. I’m mostly mad at myself for letting my guard down,” Hermione mumbled.

“We can’t be on our guard all the time. Even Melody and Harmony get ambushed, if you remember.”

The couple shivered, remembering all too well the recent dramatic entrance Melody had made. Since then, she’d been the talk of the school. She only taught the fifth years and up but almost everyone loved her. Even some of the Slytherins had started to respect her. She’d proven that she was knowledgeable and tough. Having a vampire as a friend didn’t hurt either.

“Well, we still have a while before class begins,” Celeste said softly. “Why don’t you two open up those valentines you had me deliver? Although, if you were going to leave so early, it would have made more sense to exchange them yourselves.”

Hermione blushed. “I didn’t plan on leaving early but all those bloody valentines were driving me insane!”

“The thrall?” Celeste asked softly.

“That and those dolls. Remind me never to do that again.” Hermione grimaced.

Celeste chuckled softly. “It was certainly entertaining, reminded me of that night at the club. You two danced beautifully together.”

Hermione smiled, remembering that night well. Up until its horrible end, she’d had the best time of her life. “Someone else danced beautifully as well if I recall correctly.”

Draco snickered as Celeste blushed as red as her hair. They’d rarely seen Celeste in her human form, even now when she was practically staying at the castle. In one conversation they’d had the week prior, she said she’d felt like a third wheel, especially since the twins were married now. Severus offered to let her stay with him until she recovered. She was still sickly, the blood helping heal the after effects of the gut twisting curse but not returning the weight she’d grieved off.

From what little interaction they’d had with her, they knew that she was a very soft spoken woman. She didn’t raise her voice, tried to stay out of the way, and was generally easy going. Still, they never forgot how she looked that night as she ripped a man’s limbs off with her sharp fangs. She was a warrior and would defend herself if needed.

Draco thought she’d be a perfect match for his godfather. Her soft demeanor was a picture-perfect contrast to his harsh one, a balancing force rather than an abrasive one like Melody’s. Her loyalty was unquestionable as well. She’d pledged her help in the war against Voldemort the second the twins had returned from the dead out of nothing more than loyalty to them. Severus needed someone loyal and strong. The fact that she was a daywalker didn’t hurt either.

“What exactly did I interrupt this morning?” Hermione asked softly. She’d calmed down enough to realize that Celeste had been perched on Professor Snape’s lap when she stormed in.

Celeste’s whole body flushed and she ducked her head, trying to make herself as small as possible. For a moment, they were afraid she would turn back into the wolf again. After a few minutes, she cleared her throat. “We’ve, um, decided to give it a try,” she whispered and Hermione squealed in delight, clapping her hands. “I take it you approve?”

“Merlin yes!” Hermione laughed and launched herself at the redhead. “I’m so happy for you two.”

“Hey now,” Celeste chuckled as she hugged the enthusiastic brunette back. “We said we’d give it a try, not get married tomorrow.”

“I don’t care! You two deserve someone to make you happy, for however long you decide to try,” Hermione said definitively as she pulled away and settled back into Draco’s arms.

“Well, thanks for that. Harmony was a bit more than ecstatic when she found out. Severus was surprisingly resigned about her congratulations. I suppose he’s used to her antics by now. I can only imagine how hard Melody is going to tackle me when she finds out.” Celeste half laughed, shaking her head at the thought of her exuberant friend.

“She’ll probably bust all of our ear drums out,” Draco grimaced but had to laugh a bit. He knew the woman would be beside herself with joy. She’d only been after a girl for Severus for six years now.

“Well, we’ll have a little reprieve until she finds out,” Celeste said softly.

“Why?” Hermione asked curiously.

“She’s working at the club all this week. I imagine she’ll come straight from there.”

“What’s she doing?” Draco asked.

“Entertaining. Sampson pays really well and they’ve been a bit behind on their bills lately. It’s also why she decided to take the temporary position here. It’s a pittance really, but she has a hard time keeping any other jobs. Muggles find her too odd, she’s ostracized herself from the wizarding world, and the Ranch hasn’t been doing well since they weren’t able to work it correctly. Harmony can’t work because she gets horrible migraines every time more than one person touches her so she does all the books for the Ranch. Melody’s always been the one to get extra jobs when they needed the money.”

“How horrible! How come they never said anything?” Hermione asked in shock.

“They’re proud women,” Celeste said, fondness in her voice. “I admire them for that. They’re also very generous, took me in the second they found out I had to live at my brother’s clinic to keep from being attacked. I’ve tried to pay my keep but they refused so I repaid them with my protection and my loyalty. It’s the only thing they’ll accept.”

“They’re good people,” Hermione said softly, remembering how welcoming they were after their rocky beginning. “I’m glad they’ve decided to help us. We’ll need it.”

“That you will. Harmony has seen some very disturbing things lately, which is why she braved the world to show up this morning. Melody was a bit put out because she left the show early but she understood. You’ve got to stay on Harry to get that memory from Slughorn. Short of touching the Dark Lord himself, it’s the only way we’ll know how big of a problem we’re looking at.”

“Can’t she just touch Slughorn?” Draco asked.

Celeste shook her head. “She’s tried. The man has modified his memories and blocked them somehow. She can tell his future but the past is a jumble of truth and fiction. Besides, he won’t stay still long enough for her to find the truth.”

“Bugger,” Draco spat.

Celeste chuckled. “I believe that’s the word for it. Now, we’ve wasted enough time that class will be starting in a few minutes. Best get to your seats.”

The couple sighed, wishing they could just disappear for the day. Draco got up and helped Hermione stand to her feet. He planted a passionate kiss on her lips and then let her go, unlocking the door as he trotted to his desk. Celeste sighed, noticing the beautiful white glow from the couple. “I’ll never get tired of that. It’s beautiful.”

Hermione blushed and made it to her seat just as she heard the sounds of a few of her classmates coming in. Celeste transformed back into her wolf form and bounded over to her corner of the classroom to wait patiently. She loved watching this class. There was no telling what would happened when you mixed two rival houses and two professors who mixed together like oil and water. The wolf snickered, causing the arriving students to jump in fear. They’d never gotten comfortable with her even though Melody explained that she was a pet and not a wild animal.

“Hey Hermione,” Harry said softly as he plopped down in the desk beside her. “You missed quite the scene this morning. Apparently, Parkinson tried to slip a love potion into Malfoy’s pumpkin juice. I guess he noticed it because he switched glasses with Crabbe. Parkinson ran out of there like she’d been set on fire!”

Hermione’s eyebrow rose and she shot a look at Draco, who sniggered and shrugged. He’d had more important things on his mind in the past few moments. Merlin he wished he’d done more than petrify Cornfoot, the bastard. Seeing that Snape hadn’t arrived yet, he took out her valentine and returned it to its original state. Hermione’s eyes widened and she quickly looked away. What could be that embarrassing?

To my dragon,

I read somewhere that absence from the one you love is healthy only in theory. I happen to agree. Slip these on and meet me in the ROR after “detention”.

Y.W.

Draco cocked his head and looked underneath the letter to see a pair of green silk boxers lying neatly folded in the box. He quickly replaced the letter and shut the box, bursting out laughing as he shrunk it down and pocketed it. He’d garnered a few stares but he just shrugged them off. ‘You bet your cute little arse I’ll be there,’ he thought and smirked when Hermione blushed horribly.

Trying her hardest to fight down her embarrassment, she took out Draco’s valentine. Harry had struck up a conversation with Ron about what they thought today’s class would be over. Inside the envelope were a beautiful card and a small lump of green velvet.

To my lovely lioness,

Trying to express my feelings for you has proven somewhat difficult so I thought I’d let a muggle poet do it for me. I believe her name was Browning.

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of being and ideal grace.

I love thee to the level of every day's

Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.

I love thee freely, as men strive for right.

I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.

I love thee with the passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.

She’s hit on something you know. I find myself more in love with you every day which is somewhat silly I think. It isn’t much, but unshrink the box enclosed. Wear it as a promise. I promise that one day we won’t have to hide anymore. Until that day, I’ll be waiting for you in the shadows.

Y.H.

Hermione wiped the tears forming in her eyes and returned the green velvet box to its normal size. Inside was a beautiful ruby and emerald bracelet. There was white and yellow gold Celtic knots between the tiny gemstones. The clasp looked like her wedding ring, the one she kept disillusioned from all those who didn’t know it was there. She smiled brightly and placed it on her left wrist, right over the golden Celtic knot that signified her marriage to Draco. She usually kept makeup on the mark but she knew it was there.

“You okay Hermione?” Harry asked, worried when he saw his friend in tears. She quickly put the card back in its envelope and stuffed it into her bag.

“I’m fine Harry!” She said brightly, her voice wavering only a bit. “Look what Sam got me.” She held out her left hand for inspection.

Harry whistled and smiled. “He must really like you.”

“He does,” she said softly and then looked around, noticing that class was supposed to start two minutes prior and they still had no professor. She leaned in and whispered in Harry’s ear. “Did you get your girl anything special?”

Harry flushed and his glasses fogged up. She suppressed a giggle when he had to take them off and clean them. He slipped them back on his face a bit slowly, obviously buying himself some more time to regain his composure. “I got her a charm bracelet. I hope she likes it,” he whispered back.

Hermione was just about to tell him that Ginny would be thrilled but Snape came billowing into the room with a loud crack of the door slamming against the wall. He’d perfected that move it seemed. “Miss Granger, my desk now,” he barked out.

Eyes widening, she scuttled up to the front of the room. He lowered himself into his chair hastily and began scratching something on a piece of paper. “Miss Granger, your assailant has been dealt with in an appropriate manner. He has been expelled pending a formal investigation of the event. A pensieve will be requested to make sure there is no false testimony. You will go to the Headmaster’s office after this class to have this done. Any questions?” His voice was soft but she knew that everyone in the room was listening.

“No sir.”

“Take this with you when you go,” he said, flicking his wand a few times and thrusting the piece of parchment he had been scribbling on at her. She took it and glanced at it. He’d written instructions for retrieving a memory along with the same notation she recognized to be a spell to reveal more words. She’d seen the same symbol in Melody’s journal. “Take your seat,” Snape snapped and she nodded and hurried to sit down.

“You were attacked!” Harry hissed into her ear.

She was about to reassure him when the door thudded open again. Melody came skidding in, Alex hot on her heels. Her cloak was hanging loosely on her shoulders, revealing the same outfit she’d worn when they’d gone to Fangs and Thangs over the holidays. Her eyes were tinted a very pale green, still not having recovered their color from her previous scuffle but she assured them that her eyesight was returning steadily. The class gasped loudly at her appearance.

“Professor Bach, exactly why is your attire more suited to painted woman than that of a professor?”

“What?” Melody asked, distracted as she wrestled her sunglasses out of her cloak pocket and then she froze and clasped her hand to her chest, meeting nothing but skin. “Oh for fucks sake. Alex!” She snapped. The vampire smirked and waved his wand, transforming her risqué clothing into a black nun’s habit. She felt her throat again and huffed. “Hardy har fucking har,” she growled and he waved his wand again, this time giving her a pair of black trousers and a black tee.

“Your explanation, if you’d please,” Snape drawled.

“Have you ever heard the muggle expression ‘singing for your supper’ professor?” Melody asked curtly.

“I might have,” Snape said blandly.

“Yes, well some of us actually have to do just that,” she huffed and glared at Alex. “Vampy here was supposed to remind me to change before we left.”

Alex looked at her with large innocent eyes. “You said you were late and you had to get here yesterday.”

“Oh! Go back to your coffin!” She screeched. Alex bowed low, flashed his fangs at the class which caused them to flinch, and zipped out the door.

“Singing for your supper then?” Snape drawled smugly.

“Yes. Believe it or not, my name is not an irony. I can carry a tune quite well thank you,” she snapped as she felt around in her cloak pockets for something.

“Are you a singer at a bordello?” He asked, his eyes narrowed.

“No!” She barked. “It’s fucking three a.m. in America. I was at a night club, Sampson’s night club to be precise and he asked me to give you a kiss for him.”

“How dare -“ Snape hissed.

“Oh keep your robes on; you know that vampire is half crazy. Besides, Victor would rip his throat out for daring.” She huffed and stomped her foot when she couldn’t find what she was looking for. She whipped off her cloak and turned it upside down, shaking it. “Shit, where is that damn wand?”

Snape sat in his chair fuming as he watched Melody practically tear her robe apart looking for her wand. Finally she got fed up and dropped it, growling. She stuck her hand out and yelled, “ACCIO MY FUCKING WAND!” The cloaked trembled a bit and suddenly, a rather thin wand came flying out and landed in her hand. “Thank you.”

“Are you quite finished?” Snape asked in a deadly tone.

“Yes, get on with it,” Melody said as she bent down and snapped her cloak off the floor, carrying it to the back of the room and dropping a pat on Celeste’s head. She froze and looked back down at the rusty colored wolf. Her hand slapped over her mouth and her eyes went wide. She nodded her head up and down, as if asking a question and the wolf barked once. “Yes!” She squealed and then stopped when Snape glared at her. She smirked widely and bowed to him, motioning for him to start. When he turned around, she did a little victory dance that made everyone chuckle.

Choosing to ignore Melody’s antics, Snape plowed on. “We’ve been studying intent on and off through the past week and a half. Today, we will transfer the intent you used on the dolls into a shield charm.” He droned on for a few minutes explaining that they’d be casting the charm non-verbally. “Now, who’d like to demonstrate against Professor Bach?”

Everyone in class except for three raised their hands. They weren’t about to try to fight her, especially with a wand now. That was a new addition and it only made her focus that much stronger. Snape suppressed a smirk. He didn’t think that his students be so enthusiastic for long. If she didn’t win over his Slytherins after today, she never would. “Miss Parkinson,” he drawled, watching the spiteful girl flounce to the front.

Melody sauntered over to the middle of the room and took the most relaxed stance the class had ever seen. Her wand was limp in her hand, her head tilted to the side, her leg cocked, and her shoulders slumped. What no one noticed was that her eyes were narrowed underneath her sunglasses; extreme concentration could be read there. She was terrified that she was fixing to destroy her new wand and so she was trying to cast as lightly as possible.

“On three, Professor Bach will cast a simple tickling jinx and you will cast a non-verbal shield charm. Any questions?”

“I have one,” Melody said softly.

Snape pinched his nose in frustration. “Yes.”

“What’s the spell for a tickle jinx?” She asked softly.

Snape’s eyes snapped open in surprise. The class gasped as Melody ducked her head. “It’s rictusempra!” He snapped and she nodded. “Are you quite ready?” Melody nodded again. “One, two, three!”

Both witches flicked their wands, one a good strong movement and the other a lazy twitch. Pansy flew into the back wall and fell down on the floor, laughing hysterically. Everyone in the class was gaping like a fish at the sheer power of the spell. Melody quickly flicked her wand again and the poor laughing girl started gasping for air, thankful to be shot of the jinx.

“Next?” Snape drawled smugly. He looked around at all the stunned faces and smirked. “No one? I guess I shall have to pick the next person.”

“How in the bloody hell did she throw her across the room?” Ron blurted out.

“That will be five points from Gryffindor for speaking out of turn and five more for language, Mr. Weasley!” Snape snapped. “As for how that happened, never underestimate your opponent. Even simple spells can be harmful if carried out with enough intent.”

“Are you okay Miss Parkinson?” Melody asked softly. The black haired girl gave her a malevolent glare and nodded.

Melody looked toward Snape who muttered that Pansy was fine. Melody nodded stepped back a few feet. Ron raised his hand this time and Snape sighed harshly. “Yes, Mr. Weasley.”

“How do you block that?”

“Simply match the intent,” Snape drawled. When Ron shook his head, he growled. “Professor, take your stance,” he snarled. Melody smirked and resumed the same sloppy stance she’d used before. “Give me a bit of credit Professor,” he drawled smoothly. She shrugged and straightened up just a bit. She was still leaning back, her leg cocked and her wand held limply. Snape simply cocked an eyebrow and nodded.

Melody barely flicked her wand and Snape responded in kind. A bright spark of light bounced off of his suddenly formed shield and she flicked it away when it came back to her. They continued batting the spark of light back and forth, her using a simple repelling charm to send it up against Snape’s shield over and over again. Finally, Melody gave a sudden twist of her wand and the spark disappeared.

“Any questions?” He drawled smugly. A dozen hands rose in the air.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

“Good grief, I thought I’d never get out of there.” Hermione harrumphed as she plopped down in a chair in the DADA classroom. She’d been in Dumbledore’s office the majority of the day, giving testimony and practicing how to give a pensieve memory. Snape had written instructions on how to block out her connection with Draco so no one could tell.

“Did you get everything squared away?” Snape drawled, not the least bit ruffled by her nonchalant entry.

“I think so. They’ve charged him with malicious intent and he’s been expelled,” she said exhaustedly. They’d asked her so many questions she had to ask for tea because her mouth had gone dry.

“And Draco?”

“He has detention with you for a week for hexing a student in the halls. Still, it was a light slap on the wrist because he inadvertently stopped an attack on a student.”

“Where is he?”

“Giving a written statement of his whereabouts to the aurors. He should be headed down in a second.” She closed her eyes and concentrated on listening through Draco’s ears. She heard the aurors thanking him for his cooperation and leaving.

“Have you eaten dinner?” Snape asked softly.

“No.” Hermione sighed. “I didn’t want to face the firing squad. I’d rather have a few moments peace right now.”

Snape smirked. “Dobby!”

The tiny house elf entered the room with a crack. “How can Dobby bes of service sir?”

“Dinner for four,” Snape said softly. Dobby bowed so low his ears flopped on the ground and cracked out.

“Four?” Hermione asked.

“Celeste and I haven’t eaten either.” Just then, a wolf came padding out from under the desk and Hermione’s eyes watered with the strain of keeping her laugh in. “Get your mind out of the gutter child! She merely likes the bed I’ve laid there for her.”

“You mean to tell me that she spends her time alone with you as a wolf?” Hermione said, almost biting her tongue in half to keep from chuckling. Dobby showed up just then with a loud pop and set out four trays on Snape’s desk.

“Is there anything else sir?” Dobby asked.

“No,” Snape said blandly and the elf bowed and popped out again. “Celeste still prefers her wolf form outside of my chambers.”

Celeste morphed into herself at that time and nodded her head. “I’ve lived as a wolf for six years. It’s a hard habit to break.”

Hermione shrugged, still not entirely believing them but decided to let it go. Draco came strolling through the door then. When she looked back, Celeste was back in her wolf form. She shook her head in amusement. Apparently, she really did prefer her wolf form.

When they were finished with their meal, Dobby came back to clear away the dishes. They’d just walked over to the work bench to check on their potion when a knock to the tune of ‘shave and a haircut’ sounded out on the door.

“Come in Melody,” Snape drawled.

Melody sauntered into the room followed by a surprising accompaniment of Alex, Harmony, and Philippe. Philippe immediately crossed the room and gave his sister a hug, swinging her around. “You look better,” he said softly and she nodded her head.

“To what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?” Snape drawled.

“We’ve got to hash a few things out tonight Sev,” Melody said softly. “I know the kids have something planned after detention so we thought we’d square some of it away now before Harry and Ginny come down.

“What’s there to work out?” He asked soberly as he looked over at the potion. It was a ruby red color with pearlescent tendrils of smoke rising from it, in other words, perfect.

“We’ll start with the easiest first,” she said, pulling out her wand and summoning several chairs that arranged themselves in a circle around his desk. “That little stunt this morning worked. Slytherin isn’t going to try to ambush me anymore.”

Draco snorted. “I could have told you that. They thought you were bloody brilliant.”

Melody grinned. “That was the point. Slytherins appreciate power and now they know I have it.”

“They also know you have a penchant for dressing like a tramp,” Severus growled.

Melody sniffed. “Believe it or not, that was a complete accident. Sampson insisted I do another full set and I couldn’t exactly refuse him, he offered me double pay.”

“How deep of a hole are you in?” He said softly.

“Actually it’s how close we are to getting out. At the end of this week, we’ll be dead square and I can stop working three jobs,” Melody said confidently.

“Three?” Snape spluttered.

“Yes three,” she sighed. “Here, the club, and…themaypole,” she mumbled out.

“ARE YOU INSANE?” Snape screamed, pounding his fists on the desk.

“I believe we’ve already established that,” she snapped angrily.

Snape turned and pointed at Alex. “How can you be okay with that?”

“Considering she won’t tell me what it is and she threw a sunlight hex at me the one time I tried to follow her, I’m not sure how else I’m supposed to react,” Alex groused.

“So you’ve not told him,” he said softly.

“Them. You’re the only one that knows about that place Sev, well except for Miss Omniscient over there, and if you know what’s good for you, you’ll keep it that way,” she said, her voice like a deadly storm.

“You’ll stop working there or I swear to Merlin I’ll tell them and damn the consequences,” he threatened.

“You would too, wouldn’t you?” She asked, her voice wavering a bit. “You don’t give a shit about how we survived all these years at all. Working there kept a roof over our heads but you wouldn’t know anything about true fucking sacrifice would you?”

“You know I do,” Severus said softly. “I know what it does to you as well. You’re better than that.”

“I know that!” She snapped. “When we’re square, I’ll never have to see that place again.”

“They’ll see you.”

“No they won’t,” she said fiercely, taking a golden barrette out of her cloak. Severus eyed it as she sat it on the desk. “I’ll give it to you Monday and you can do whatever you like with it. Burn it for all I care.”

“I’ll hold you to that,” Severus whispered.

“I’d expect nothing else,” she acknowledged as she put the barrette back up. “Now that you’ve made me feel like utter shit, let’s move on shall we?”

Snape sighed heavily and got up. He stalked around the desk and yanked her up from her chair. Alex made to protest but a warning glance and a stinging hex from Harmony stopped him in his tracks. Snape picked her up and plopped her on his desk, forcefully bending her head at an odd angle so he could reach a spot near the back of her head. His fingers dug through her hair and pulled out a miniscule braid. It was black and red, a perfect mixture of their hair. He tapped his wand to it and it glowed a rich golden hue.

He leaned down to whisper directly into her ear. “You are closer to me than a sister. Why would I not care that you’re selling yourself to the scum of the earth?”

“It glowed Sev,” she whispered. “It wouldn’t if I was.”

“You work there. It’s enough.”

“I sit behind a thick sheet of magically enhanced Plexiglas with a glamour barrette attached to the very strand you hold in your hand. It pays the bills,” she said, tears running down her face.

“You are much too special to be a cheap release,” He whispered. He knew that everyone in the room save Philippe knew what he was saying and he didn’t care. “Don’t let the darkness fill you.”

Melody smiled grimly. “Only that which I want, Sev. It’s taken its toll but it will never take my self-respect.”

“Promise,” Snape hissed.

“On my very life,” She agreed softly.

Snape released the strand and held her closely as she sobbed into his chest. Hermione sat with her mouth hanging open. She didn’t want to know what that place was but curiosity was getting the better of her. Draco shifted uncomfortably. He knew exactly what it was so he opened up the connection and let her see the disgusting images that were imprinted on his brain.

Hermione gasped in horror as images passed through her mind. The May Pole was a place where criminals and many Death Eaters congregated. They provided all sorts of deviant activities including prostitution, pornography, and even allowed their patrons to have free reign over the girls that worked there. This included killing them.

He showed her a scene of what he believed Melody had done. It was one of the safest jobs in the place, if there could be such a thing. She acted out fantasies put in a pensive with a complicated magical spell that created lifelike replicas. Since it was all an illusion, she was never actually harmed in any way but the horrible images had a way of working into a person’s psyche. Some even went mad from it. How on earth had she found a place like that?

“We will talk when we get home,” Alex said softly.

“Enduring it is enough, Alex,” Snape said in a low voice. “Do not punish her any further.”

“Why though?” Alex asked in a strained voice. It was clear that his question was directed at Melody.

“Survival,” she said softly. “Besides, you pick up some extremely useful information there. It’s part of why we know as much as we do. If I could remain unaffected, I’d stay just to see what I could overhear. Tongues are much looser when you’re blind for some reason. Who’s the blind squib girl going to tell?”

“So tell,” Severus said softly, stepping back and sitting in her chair.

“First things first Sev. That Parkinson chick is very bad news. She’s written home to tell her big bad Death Eater daddy all about her new teacher. It’s an interesting tale. You’ll have a hard time explaining to your Master all about your blind lover who is immensely powerful but hides it, Sev. She’s also going to complain that her fiancé is neglecting her. She’s sure that you’ve thrown her over for another woman instead of working on your assignment for your Master, Draco.”

“And how did you garner this information?” Snape asked, his tone pensive.

“I may or may not have accidentally on purpose entered her mind when she was trying to strike me dead with her pitiful glare during class.”

“Did she feel you?”

“Absolutely not. You know I’m better than that. She’s also planning on slipping you more potions Draco. You were very lucky to have caught it this morning. From now on, I’d avoid meal time where Parkinson is involved.”

Harmony cleared her throat. “May I touch you for a moment?” She asked and Draco nodded. Harmony shuffled over and merely held a finger to his chin. She nodded and sat back down. “Your idea to push her off on Nott is solid. I’m almost sure he’d go along with it. Besides, that would take some of her ire for you out of the picture.”

“Well, that’s settled then,” Melody said softly. “There’s still the matter of Severus’s hidden lover.”

“Give me some time to come up with something,” Severus said contemplatively. “I’d like to say the truth would work but I’m not so sure.”

“Which part of the truth?” Melody asked, her head cocked.

“Well, Lucius is aware that you and I were lovers many years ago, before the Dark Lord fell even. He never felt the need to mention it. As you know, he took a perverse pleasure in the fact that you were underage at the time.”

Melody snorted. “Oh yes, no need to remind me about that. Still, how did I wind up blind some seventeen years later?”

“Some sort of potions experiment gone wrong?” Hermione offered helpfully. “It would explain why you couldn’t restore your sight. Most other ailments can be cured easily with magic.”

“It’s a solid plan. What about the fact that you haven’t mentioned me in six years?” Melody asked.

“The truth,” Snape said plainly. “Albus charged me with watching over Potter and so I didn’t have enough time to keep a lover, especially one in another continent.”

“Fair enough. As far as my appointment in your class?”

“Dumbledore offered Melody the job first,” Draco said, worrying his lip in thought. “He’s always scrambling every year to find a new DADA professor, especially since the position is cursed. He got blown off because she was still pissed off at you for dumping her. When he went on holiday, he charged you with finding her, thinking she could help you prepare us for war. Then she just couldn’t resist you. The Dark Lord loves when you have a huge ego like that.” He shuddered.

Melody’s eyes twinkled in delight. “That is the most ingenious tale I’ve ever heard. All in favor?” Everyone raised their hands. “Good. My story is set then. Hopefully, Parkinson will get a good paddling for being a whiny little bitch. Next, we discuss horcruxes. Yes Hermione, Harry is a horcrux. You splinter your soul by killing another individual and then you place it in an inanimate object, well usually. Albus is certain that Slughorn knows how many we’re after. He’s also sure that if there are more, they will be in those priceless artifacts that Riddle coveted as a young man. I’m sure Harry’s regaled you with those tales.”

Hermione nodded. “Riddle liked artifacts that belonged to the founders and were of great value. His diary was a bit of a stray from that though.”

“Mmm, but that ring that Albus destroyed wasn’t. That was the Gaunt’s ring. It was also a horcrux, as evidenced from that curse on his hand that you cured,” Melody explained. “We need Harry to get that memory. Slughorn is soft towards him, a combination of guilt and greed I imagine. I’d say imperious Potter to get it but he’d throw it off.” She chuckled and then frowned.

“Harmony feels that something bad will happen the beginning of next month but doesn’t know what it is. Be on your guard. She also felt that Dumbledore was going to consume another poison before we can get Merlin’s potion down him. She’s advised him to carry a bezoar with him. Hopefully it won’t interact with the potion. Can you research the effects it would have if that were to happen?”

“It will take a while,” Snape said softly.

“Good thing I have detention until the end of the year then,” Hermione huffed. “I’ll research it during that time if it’s alright with you professor.”

Snape nodded. “It will be fine. At least I won’t have to hear Potter moaning about how Draco Malfoy is an untrustworthy bastard.”

Draco sniggered.

“I swear,” Melody said, exasperated. “If I wasn’t certain that boy was as straight as an arrow, I’d think he had a crush on you. Still, Hermione, you’d better work on a good story for when Albus consumes that potion. Perhaps Draco and Albus can work out a speech about how he has no choice? It gets Draco off the hook and then Harry won’t be angry at you for defending him.”

“I’ll speak with Albus about that tomorrow,” Snape said.

“Excellent. Now for my information. As you know, Lord Moldy Shorts has been looking for Harmony and I for years. They’ve pretty much got us nailed down; they just don’t know it yet. Harmony traced that muggle back to the Death Eaters. There’s only two muggles left who know who we are. Alex has arranged for them both to have accidents come nightfall in the states. Luckily, they haven’t given the Death Eaters our descriptions yet, just a pseudonym we give our muggle employers.

“It took me a while and a lot of pureblood geneology charts but the Death Eaters in charge of searching are Dalhart and Romanov. However, they answer to two others who I just found out about last night. If they were to suddenly disappear, we’d have a world of shit on our hands. Rodolphus and Belatrix LeStrange are not to be fucked with.”

“Merlin,” Draco said shakily. “Now what?”

“Like I said, the muggles are going to have accidents. They’ll forget all about us…permanently. Then we’ll leave it to them to sort out,” Melody said confidently. “Things get worse though. Crabbe and Goyle have been sent over to try and speak with the American League of Vampires and they sound interested. Alex has never joined but has agreed to look into it and spy if we need him too. Most of the league is made up of ordinary muggle vampires, not wizards, so they wouldn’t suspect a glamour.”

“What is he offering them?” Snape asked, his attention completely on Melody now.

“What else? Unlimited blood. They get the muggles that are captured for food, no hunting and no hiding. Still, there’s even more bad news. I saw that werewolf Lupin’s sire there as well. He’s not only rallying the English werewolves to fight with Voldemort. He’s getting the American ones too.”

“Blast!” Snape said, upset at all the plans he wasn’t aware of.

“Told you I got good info,” Melody said, smiling timidly. Her brow furrowed a bit after a moment. “Still, if Moldy Shorts is employing American creatures, what do you think his next move is?”

“What are we going to do tonight Brain?” Harmony muttered.

“Same thing we do every night Pinky, try to take over the world!” Celeste answered, causing a few chuckles to sound out.

Draco and Severus were thoroughly confused. “Oh Sev, you have crawled under a rock.” Melody sniggered at his vacant expression. “We’re going to tie you and Draco to a couple of chairs and make you watch a marathon of muggle cartoons.”

Snape snorted. “I highly doubt that.”

“Oh come on, it’ll be fun, just like old times. Hell, I’ll even be able to see them this time!” Melody pleaded.

“And just when do you suppose we do this? We have plans to make!” Snape snapped.

“But you didn’t say no,” Melody said smugly. “Remember, you can get so lost in the day to day that you lose sight of what’s important. It’s neither here nor there right now though because you have about twenty minutes left before Harry and Ginny show up. You also have a small contingency of Slytherins behind the door right now who are trying to dismantle my wards so they can listen in to our conversation.”

“Who?” Snape sneered.

“Let’s see,” Melody squinted and concentrated hard. “Looks like Parkinson, of course she’d be the leader. Then there are the witless wonders Crabbe and Goyle. Looks like Nott is there but he’s more interested in Parkinson’s backside than the wards. Bulstrode is there as well, surprising since she’s usually very passive. Oh, no wonder; she’s got a thing for the twin dolts. She’s going to be sorely disappointed when she finds out which way they swing. Interestingly enough, Zabini is with them but he doesn’t look to be actually trying to crack the wards. His aura is confusing. Draco, explain Zabini’s philosophy on the Dark Lord.”

“He’s more of a fair weather flyer,” Draco said thoughtfully. “He only agrees with the pureblood propaganda to stay on his housemates’ good side. I’m pretty sure he could care less about blood status, seeing as how he doesn’t even know his own. He’s more interested in what’s in it for Blaise rather than choosing a side for moral purposes.”

“Hmm. Doesn’t know his father, eh?” Melody said softly. “You’ll be interested to know that Blaise is a half blood and his mother is a black widow for sure. Good grief. Anyway, he has a bit of loyalty to you for some reason and is only agreeing to back them up because he’s curious. I’d be extremely cautious of him but I don’t think you’ll have to worry about him throwing you under the bus so to speak. He’ll be more interested in trading his secrecy for something of equal value to him. He’s the ultimate opportunist. Harmony?”

“Agreed. I also think Nott could be an asset as well. Between him and Zabini, if you strike the proper deals and don’t let too much information slip, you’ll have yourself some powerful allies. They’ll take care of Parkinson for you and you can keep them on a certain maniacal madman’s good side as well as putting a good word in for them after it comes out that you’ve flipped,” Harmony said, closing her eyes.

“Great,” Melody said. “There’s only one other order of business and this one is going to be a doozy. In fact, I’m pretty sure I don’t want to be here for this but I lost the damn coin toss.”

“What is it?” Snape said tersely.

Melody sighed heavily and looked over at Harmony. The blond nodded stoically and turned around to lay her head on Philippe’s shoulder. Alex ducked his head and crossed his arms, hiding the fact that his fists were clenched in anger. Seeing everyone’s reaction, Snape turned around and glared at Melody, his arms crossed expectantly. He cocked an eyebrow.

“Fine,” Melody bit out. “It’s a damn good thing that we’ve worked out my back story Sev because it’s going to come in really fucking handy when Moldy Shorts demands to see me.”

“WHAT?” Snape roared in outrage.

“You heard. Anyway, he isn’t going to harm me, per se but we’ll have more in common than a braid in my hair and a dead blood bond. You’d better be a damn fucking good actor Sev because you are going to have to sell it.”

“What do you mean?” He asked tersely.

“Your master will call you within the next few weeks, before Easter break that is. He will have heard enough about me to insist on meeting me. He will have also found out that I am tutoring Potter under your tutelage but we haven’t figured out how yet. However, I assume that part will be revealed as soon as Harry runs into that band of nosy nitwits outside.

“Somehow, you must convince him of my undying loyalty to you, rocky past aside. The students are all suspicious of how I can get around so well if I’m blind. They’ve all seen my eyes thanks to my fuck up this morning too. I don’t know how we’re going to get around this one Sev. I’m not going to be a whore for a band of Death Eaters.”

“Never,” Snape hissed.

“So, we have to come up with some reason as to why I can’t be inducted the way a female normally is into the Death Eater ranks, and I’ll be inducted. I won’t have a choice Sev, you know that. I’m a half-blood technically because I can trace my heritage to Merlin himself but that puts me on very thin ice. I’ll become a spy as well. It’s not ideal and he can never know who I truly am. We’re a bit lost on this one Sev, especially since it’s my own fate and you know we can’t fight it. The rules still apply. I’m also certain that I’ll lose my vision if he brands me.”

They all sat in silence for a few minutes until Hermione had a thought. “What if it was a fidelity bond of some sort?”

“What?” Snape asked, intrigued.

“Well, I remember when I was researching in the restricted section when Draco and I first were, well, mind bonded. There was a whole shelf full of books on the uses of bonds. There was one kind of fidelity bond used to enslave women back in the Dark Ages. It was barbaric. One of the senses was taken away from the victim. Then a fidelity bond was forged along with a pledge made by the new owner of the victim. The pledge agreed to share their missing sense. The victim would have to remain completely faithful in loyalty as well as sexually or they would die.”

“Continue,” Snape said when she paused for a bit.

“Well, what if that accident was no accident? What if you did it on purpose to take away her vision and then you evoked the fidelity bond and pledge. She stays faithful to you alone and she is granted with being able see shapes and shadows, enough to get around. It would explain why she was so enraged that you dumped her six years ago and why she was so easily swayed to come here with you.”

“And why, pray tell, would I subject her to that?”

Hermione took a deep breath and sought comfort from Draco for what she was about to say to Snape next. She just hoped he didn’t blow up and try to hex her. Draco was in awe of her thinking and agreed to step in, should she need it.

“Well sir, the woman you were involved with before her didn’t exactly stay loyal to you did she?” She said softly and cringed. Snape remained oddly silent so she mustered up the courage to continue. “You were a new Death Eater back then, immersed in the Dark Arts. It would have probably been second nature to forge such a dark bond. I would think that You Know Who would appreciate your deviousness in that matter, especially since Melody was underage at the time.”

The room was uncomfortably silent for a long time until Snape finally spoke up. “Daughter,” his voice cracked. “That has to be the most brilliantly thought up and believable lie I’ve ever heard in my life. I do believe my son has rubbed off on you.”

Hermione’s jaw dropped open in astonishment. She’d never had such a high praise from the professor in her entire life. “Thank you sir.”

“Wow,” Melody breathed. “That still means that I could be forced to perform in front of his evilness although it will only be with you Sev. I…Alex?”

Alex took a deep and steadying breath. “If it keeps you alive, we’ll work through it.”

Melody nodded, viciously wiping a tear from her eye. “Celeste?” She asked, her voice small and unsure.

“If you think that I would risk your life over that, you’re wrong. I understand if it comes to that and we’ll get past it.”

Melody nodded, blinking heavily. “Alright,” her voice cracked. “Enough thinking about that for now. We’ve got a couple to teach and by Merlin if Potter pisses me off tonight I’m going to hex him a new asshole.”

Everyone broke out in timid laughter. “Is Harry far enough along to start controlling his magic now?” Harmony asked softly.

“He’s good enough at blocking me that he could keep his dreams protected. He doesn’t know it, but I placed a mental block in there until I could get him up to snuff. Can’t have Moldy Shorts seeing that we can block the killing curse now, can we? Anyway, he’s good enough we can tell him the extent of his powers when he masters them now. I also think we should teach him to become an animagus. It will keep him focused while also giving him an outlet. He’ll also be able to avoid capture better as an animal.”

“What is he?” Hermione asked softly.

Melody smirked. “A stag.” She cackled when she saw Severus sneer. “He’s got a second form too, one which he shares with Ginny, a dog.”

“A dog?” Draco choked out.

Melody chuckled. “Dogs are faithful, loyal, devoted, trusting, and protect their loved ones. It describes their future bond beautifully. If it helps, Ginny’s other form is a horse, the same as her patronus. However, you must not tell them; they have to find it on their own. Now, no more talk, they’re coming down the hallway now.”

“Just one more thing,” Draco said as he got up to move all the way across the room.

“What’s that?” Melody said, returning all the chairs back to their places.

“Why exactly are you all here?” He asked as several shouts were heard and Potter knocked at the door.

Melody grinned. “To fuck with the Slytherins? What’s my favorite saying?”

“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” he and Hermione said in perfect unison.

“Exactly.” She nodded. Then she waved her hand and suddenly, her entire party was in sparkly outfits a bit more conservative than hers this morning. She motioned for him and Hermione to sit down at the very back of the class and then conjured a few microphones and a few instruments including a set of drums. She nodded at Snape who took down the charms and then sat behind his desk with his arms folded.

“Come on Celeste,” she said softly. “We need a third.”

The timid red head nodded and stepped over towards the front of the class behind one of the microphones, her sequined cape covering her features. Suddenly, Alex crashed a beat on the drums and Philippe pounded out a tune on the keyboard. Melody grinned and started singing as the door cracked open.

Can't seem to get my mind off of you

Back here at home there's nothin' to do

Now that I'm away

I wish I'd stayed

Tomorrow's a day of mine that you won't be in

The students in the hall stared open mouthed as they watched their professor sing her heart out. When she got to the chorus, Harmony and Celeste joined in and the students forgot all pretenses of trying to stay hidden and swung the door wide open. The girls were in perfect step as they danced around and sang.

Vacation

All I ever wanted

Vacation

Had to get away

Vacation

Meant to be spent alone

When the song ended, Melody cackled and clapped her hands happily. “Told you I still had it you miserable old bastard!” She yelled and then turned around when she heard the snickers of the students.

Snape snapped out of his chair and stormed over to the now seriously frightened students. “What are you all doing out here?” He bellowed, his face like thunder. Harry and Ginny pointed to the clock on the wall. “Potter, Weasley, get in here now and start writing your lines. As for the rest of you…” he said, his voice dropping.

Harry and Ginny scuttled in and took the first seats they could find, digging out a quill and parchment. They didn’t know if Snape was serious or not but they didn’t want to mess with him right now. They had barged into his classroom without permission. Real detention didn’t sound all that appealing.

“We-we’re s-s-sorry Professor.” Nott stuttered. “We we’re just…um…going to…um…”

Snape merely crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. Nott fell silent. Everyone else avoided looking at their livid teacher. “Detention tomorrow tonight with Filch, every last one of you. Don’t let me catch you out here lurking again.” He spun around and slammed the door in their face, silencing and locking the door again.

Melody knelt on the floor, holding her sides while she roared with laughter. Tears streamed down her face as she hiccupped to recover. Snape merely stalked back across the classroom and gracefully sat down to wait her out. Celeste, feeling terribly uncomfortable, ducked her head and went to sit beside her brother in the corner of the room. Finally, Melody gained control of herself.

“That,” she wheezed. “Was masterful. I’d wager at least one of them peed their pants.”

“Are you quite finished now?” Snape drawled as if he hadn’t a care in the world.

“With singing,” Melody said, waving her hand and vanishing all the instruments. Everyone’s clothing returned to normal. She sighed. “I can’t strain my voice anymore or I won’t be able to finish out the week.”

Hermione and Draco sat at the back of the classroom and silently watched everything. They had thoroughly enjoyed the musical number and the terrified faces of their classmates. Now they watched as Harry and Ginny sat frozen with confusion and a bit of fear. They’d never seen the playful side of Snape or the truly mischievous side of Melody. It was quite amusing to see their reactions. They also didn’t want to draw attention to themselves. Harry would be livid the second he saw his friend.

“Well, that was fun,” Melody said as she walked over and sat down on Snape’s desk, blocking his view of his students. “What do you say we have some more fun? It’s Valentine’s Day after all, a day for lovers and cupids and crazy stalkers.”

Harry started when she said that last part. “Where’s Hermione?”

Melody pointed to the back of the room where Hermione had started making a list of the books she’d need to check out for her research later. “Don’t be too hard on her Mr. Potter. She’s been interrogated all day long; she doesn’t need anyone else drilling her.”

“She was attacked!” He said, outraged.

“Only a little,” Melody said offhandedly and Harry opened his mouth to protest. “Oh shut up Potter. Some lovesick Ravenclaw dragged her into an alcove and tried to force feed her a love potion. She’s a little hellcat though, popped him in the eye and swept his feet out from under him. Then he ran into your pal Malfoy over there who hexed him just for the hell of it before he knew what was going on. Your meek little friend smashed two of her petrified assailant’s ribs before she stormed off to speak with Severus. Now, you know the story and Headmaster Dumbledore has taken care of everything. Her attacker has been expelled, Malfoy will be serving detention for the next week, and we all lived happily ever after. Satisfied?”

Harry merely shot Hermione and Malfoy a look that said this wasn’t the end of it and nodded to the professor. Draco smirked and pulled out a piece of paper, making a list of books at the manor he’d like to get to help Hermione with her research. He had a weeks’ worth of detentions now, might as well make the most of them.

“Now, as I was saying, how about some fun?”

“Yea right,” Harry grimaced.

Melody sniffed. “Now, now Potter. My favorite saying in the world is ‘all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.’ I happen to agree with it. So, if you can prove to me that you’ve improved in your occlumency lessons and that you are more in control of your powers, then we’ll move on to something that is extremely fun.”

“Like what?” Harry asked, curious.

“Like becoming an animagus.” She smirked when his eyes widened in shock.

“But, but doesn’t that take years?” He spluttered.

“Not necessarily. If I heard correctly, your father and his cronies found their forms by third year. You’re a few years late by their standards.”

“And you can help with that? Isn’t that transfiguration though?” He asked, confused.

“Do I seem to have a problem with transfiguration?” Melody sneered as she took a quill off of Severus’s desk and transfigured it into a hand giving a very rude sign. Then she transfigured it into a tiny little fox, made it run across the desk, and then turned it back into a quill while Harry watched with his mouth open. “Now Potter… do you think you can do that?”

“Wow,” He breathed. Ginny nodded her head in agreement.

“Exactly,” Melody said haughtily. “Potter, you do want to be an animagus don’t you?” Harry nodded. “Then prove it!” she said, jumping off the desk.

“LEGILIMENS!”

AN: Hello Everyone. The poem was brought to you by Elizabeth Browning (Sonnet 43) and the song is Vacation by the Go Go's.

Thank you all for your terrific reviews. I'm glad the dolls went over okay. I was worried about them but the image of Snape playing with a doll was too good to pass up. I also prefer a strong Hermione. I mean, this is the girl that decked poor Draco in third year (not that he didn't deserve it). Who's ready for animagus Harry?

As always, let me know how I'm doing and if you find any errors.
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