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The Quickening	By : Desert_Sea Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 32428 -:- Recommendations : 4 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any other characters/things/places created by J.K. Rowling. I make no money from my fan-fiction.

Chapter List
- 25
- 26
- 27
A/N: Wow, it seems like the cliffhanger made people a little jumpy. I decided to get this chapter out quickly to answer a few of the burning questions and to open up a few more . . .
Bitchandmoan: I appreciate you taking the time to point out individual highlights. It helps me to improve my writing. I’m glad you enjoyed the return of the EP potion.
ObviouslyLost: Great to hear from you. I’m really glad you are enjoying. I can promise this won’t be 200 chapters, but I have an idea in the works so hopefully can deliver something else in the coming months.
OracleObscured: Your reviews are a piece of art in their own right. Yes, you picked the roaring silence on the tower. I have totally appropriated two lines from your review into this chapter – as I said an artwork. Crucibles and butter . . . in my experience they have never been used for such but, hey, if it works. There was a lot of butter in your review by the way, and crucibles, will they make it into chapter 14 of GP? If my chapters get you writing, then your reviews (and everyone else’s) get me writing. I’m not sure how many times I can say thanks but here it is – thanks again.
LoveyReader: I love honest criticism so feel free to let me know. I wonder if this chapter will live up to your expectations.
Severus1Snape: Hahah.
LeWyKi: You are more than welcome. I loved the musical interlude. It is not that far from my intentions actually. I’m sure no one would have picked up on it but the ‘Hello little girl’ line comes from the Virginia Wolf character in one of my favourite films, ‘The Hours’. The clinical detachment from the innocence of childhood that this represented was my reason for including it. Sorry for the waffly answer but, hey, now you know your instincts were right.
WrathofSlytherin: What a buzz to receive your review. I can’t believe I’m the first one in that many years. Wow! Thanks for the heads up about posting on other sites. I am an absolute newbie at any of this stuff and I wasn’t aware of the regulations around things or even what else exists so I will definitely look into it. If you have any other suggestions please let me know J
Chapter 26
Where was she? Severus stood in his chambers. He was too worried to even pace. She was always punctual. Always. She cared about that facet of decency nearly as much as he did. So why was she twenty-eight minutes late? He stared at the door, counting the buttons down his frock coat with his fingertips in a nervous habit he thought he’d shaken. Where in Merlin’s name was she?
Had she lost track of time? She’d been understandably distraught when she’d left but had assured him that she just needed some fresh air. What had she said? ‘A new perspective’. He should have followed her. He was supposed to be a spy for fuck’s sake. Gritting his teeth, he looked at his watch again.
A noise in his bedroom drew his attention. Striding to the door, he threw it open and was immediately confronted by a hostile owl. The creature squawked in his face before dropping a letter on the ground and swooping back through the bedroom window. Severus glanced about, both his instincts and training told him that he had good reason to be worried.
The red envelope by his boot mocked him. Face down it was innocuous. But he had the sense that opening it would release something that could never be recaptured. He knew it must be done but paused to draw a deep breath, savouring his final moments of ignorance before cautiously bending down and picking it up.
The first thing that struck him was the scent. It was a perfume that percolated through to memories that he had well and truly buried. He tapped his finger on the stiff edge. No name. No address. Grasping it in both hands, he tore the envelope open. Inside was a small card inscribed with only a handful of words—ominous in their brevity.
I have something of yours. Come to MM.
V.R.
Severus’ hands were shaking and his heart was trying to escape through his throat. Something of his? She wasn’t something of his. And she certainly wasn’t something of theirs, whomever they were. Clearly this person saw Hermione as nothing more than a possession. He rubbed his hand over his waxen face, the sense of foreboding anchoring itself inside his chest.
MM? Well it didn’t take a genius to work out that that referred to Malfoy Manor. But V.R.? He had no idea who that was. He didn’t know anyone with the initials V.R. did he?
And then there was the smell, the scent that returned to him, transforming as it melded with his memories until his nostrils were filled with the toxic stench of poison.
Then it hit him. The sudden realisation stole his breath away and his heart shattered, the card spiralling from his fingers like the first splinter of its imminent collapse.
Gods no!
He had received such a letter before. Over ten years ago. Perfumed. Signed V.R. The memory shrivelled his stomach to such an extent that he had to swallow hard to stop himself from vomiting.
It could be no other. Violetta Rosier. Half-sister of Bellatrix Lestrange and Narcissa Malfoy.
He’d only met her on one occasion. But that meeting had been sufficient to demonstrate to him what she truly was. A monster. Her depravity made even Bellatrix look sane. Severus collapsed onto the bed, remembering that Voldemort, himself, had rejected her attempts to join the inner sanctum – she was too unpredictable, too unhinged even for him. My God! Hermione!
Severus stifled a sob with his fist. He’d never been more afraid in his life. Afraid of losing her—the one shining light in his pitifully bland and paltry existence. He had no plan, no strategy and, perhaps, no hope. But if he was going to lose her, he would rather go too, than stay in this miserable world a second longer.
***
Within minutes, Severus had apparated to Wiltshire and was striding up the bleak walled walkway to Malfoy Manor. He hadn’t told anyone where he was going and had left only a brief note, to be delivered to Professor McGonagall if he failed to return. His wand was hidden beneath the folds of his cloak and he grasped it so tightly that it was slick with sweat.
She’d better be here. And she’d better be okay.
The door opened even before he’d reached it. The starkly contrasting black and white figure of Lucius Malfoy stepped onto the threshold, silver-headed cane in hand.
“Severus, Old Chap. What an indescribable pleasure it is to see you.”
“Where is she?”
“Of whom do you speak?” Lucius cocked his head in mock puzzlement.
In a flash, Severus had drawn his wand and jabbed it into Lucius’ throat. “Don’t . . . fuck . . . with . . . me.”
Lucius grinned and knocked the wand away with his cane. “All in good time,” he chuckled. “There is someone who wants to meet you first. In fact I think you already know each other.”
Severus allowed his wand hand to drop slowly back to his side.
“And if you wish to see the mudblood again,” Lucius continued, the mirth in his eyes suddenly frosting over. “I suggest you hand me that wand. Right. Now.”
Severus glared at the hand that Lucius extended to him. He’d known it was inevitable but having nothing to combat what was waiting for him felt worse than stupidity. It was suicide. But then an image of Hermione, alone and scared and possibly worse swam into his mind. He needed to find her. And to have any chance of that, he needed to be inside.
He slammed the wand into Lucius’ hand, who winced briefly before pulling his mouth into a sneer.
“And so it begins . . . “
The manor was unusually dark, with most of the heavy drapes drawn, adding an eeriness to the naturally sinister ambience of the place. Voldemort had been present the last time he had been in attendance and he couldn’t shake the sense that his vile malevolence still permeated the walls.
They climbed the echoing marble staircase in semi-darkness and arrived at a door that was ajar.
“After you,” Lucius gave a sardonic bow before knocking the door open with his cane.
Severus entered the large room which was lit only by candles and the modest blaze within the fireplace. A lone figure reclined on a chaise lounge, their form in stark relief against the flames.
“Severusss.”
The familiarity of her voice immediately made his skin crawl.
Rising slowly, the silhouette approached him with a seductive swagger but it was only when she was within a few feet of him that her face was illuminated sufficiently to see. She’d aged. But it was still unmistakably her.
“Violetta.” Severus over-pronounced the ‘ta’ at the end.
It was his attempt to diminish her just a little. And it worked.
Her eyes flashed in response and her lips, coloured deep mulberry, pursed imperceptibly before she lifted her chin, reasserting her dominance.
“I’m flattered that you remember me,” she purred.
“I certainly remember you.” She reached up and trailed her mulberry fingernail along the ridge line of his jaw. “How could I forget . . . one of the best fucks of my life?”
Severus’ jaw clenched. All he wanted to do was forget.
She continued to gaze up at him as she made a slow circle around his stock-still frame, trailing her fingers over his chest, shoulders and back before returning to stand before him.
“But one thing I don’t remember, Darling,” she gushed. “Is how absolutely stunning you look.” She reached up to curl a lock of his hair between her fingers.
“Don’t you agree Lucy?” She looked at Lucius who had been leaning on his cane, smirking the entire time.
“Stunning,” he agreed with a nod of mock servitude.
“Mmmm.” She licked her lips and raised a salacious eyebrow as if she had just tasted the most delectable morsel and was hungry for more.
“I believe you have something of mine.” Severus spoke firmly, not wishing to be drawn into the provocative babble that he knew she could speak ad infinitum.
She sighed and her smile dropped away. “I see. We must deal with the business before the pleasure.”
Instantly, she snatched a wand from the nearby table and flicked it to ignite a host of lamps around the room. Severus could finally see properly but his stomach was still roiling at her previous suggestion, confident that they had two very different views on the definition of ‘pleasure’.
“Let us sit.” She gestured to the chaise lounge and two chairs by the fire.
She took up her position on the lounge and Severus sat opposite, finally taking in the fullness of Violetta Rosier. She had to be at least ten years older than he, although she was still attractive—if one had a thing for nefarious beauty and a body that was glamoured to within an inch of its life. Her long greying hair was streaked with a similar deep purple hue to the rest of her accoutrements which, considering her name, gave her a sense of parody—if only she were remotely amusing. Which she wasn’t.
She wore mauve satin lingerie that accentuated her well-shaped breasts and, as she sat smiling at him, stroking her inner thigh with her long nails, he noted the vampiric contours of her eye teeth. It seemed appropriate, as he remembered her as an insatiable sexual parasite—a relentless nymphomaniac with a penchant for sadism.
“You are correct.” She continued to stroke herself. “I do have something of yours. Something quite delicious as it turns out.”
Severus tensed and grasped the arms of the chair.
“Oh look at him Lucy. I think he cares for the little slip of a thing,” she chuckled darkly. “Don’t worry I haven’t touched her. Yet. Although if I had to wait any longer for you, I was going to have a . . . taste.”
Severus wondered how long it would take to break her neck with his bare hands. But Lucius had his wand out, casually tapping it on his knee as he watched their interaction.
“As you know. She possesses something quite remarkable. Something we all seek,” Violetta lifted her hand from her thigh to draw it down the length of her cheek.
“And what would that be?” Severus glared at her with undisguised hate.
“Well, the fountain of youth, Darling.” She held out her hand to indicate that it was obvious.
“Glamours and potions can only go so far as you know. But to have an eternal source—a wellspring of youth to dip into whenever . . . I . . . like. Well that is something very special.”
Severus’ heart was knocking a hole through his chest.
“It’s only superficial,” he said out of desperation. “Only skin-deep.”
“Aren’t we all?” she laughed.
“And what’s your interest?” He spat at Lucius. “Not pretty enough?”
Lucius smirked. “One can always do with a . . . lift.”
Severus’ could feel himself gasping for breath. “What do you intend to do with her?”
“There are no limits to my intentions,” she answered with cool honesty. “Clearly, the more contact I have with her, the better the outcome.”
“You know you won’t get away with this,” he ground out, digging his fingers into the arms of the chair. “You’ll be hunted down.”
Violetta waved a dismissive hand. “I’ll hide her away in a tower where no one can ever find her. You know the story. She’ll be mine.”
Severus looked desperately at Lucius who shrugged nonchalantly. “Who’s going to believe that we stole her? I understand that she has engaged in some, shall we say, ‘questionable’, behaviours. She ran away before anyone could discover the truth.”
The world was spinning. Severus couldn’t make sense of it any more.
“So what do you want with me?” he finally muttered.
“Well that’s the interesting part.” Her purr was back as she stood and sauntered over to him. “It so happens that I would be willing to give up an opportunity for eternal youth for you to fuck me like you mean it.”
His chest was crushing in.
She straddled him and nestled herself into his lap. “I am giving you the opportunity to earn her back.” She ran her fingers down his cheek. “I’ve never met a man that can satisfy me. There’s only one who’s ever come close. And he’s sitting right under me. So I thought it might be fun if we make this into a little game. You have two days. And if I raise the white hanky first, you get the little girl back. But if you fail. She stays with me. Forever.”
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- 27
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The Quickening