Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Forbidden Rapture	By : Marionne25 Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 49900 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 8
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and am not making money from this story.

Chapter List
- 25
- 26
- 27
Author's Notes:
I'M ALIVE.
Surprisingly, yes, I am still alive despite all these tiresome everyday I presently live due to my graduation recital preparation.
Hope everyone else is doing alright.
Sorry that i did not have enough time to post these past days.
Anyway, here is a post and I promise you that you might or might not cry.
Also, I am not found as well at A03 website. And I'm nearly done in updating the chapter there to match with the ones posted here.
How is everyone?
Hope you are all well.
I've watched BATB for like 4 times already and am not and will never get tired upon watching it.

Please do tell me what you think of this chapter =)
Reviews and comments are most welcome.

Ines - I'm alive and I'm alright. I do nee that hug and that 'check up on you if you're still a ok' kind of thing. Yes, i'm such a mushy and clingy of a friend. Haha. Hope you're alright.
Practice is exhausting and draining the life out of me. But this is the life of a music major.
I can't wait to graduate.

Catch up with all of you.

Lots of love
xx

Twenty Five
The Urduja's Dark Curse

“Hermione?” called his voice. “Hermione? What’s taking you so long in there? I need to get in.”
“Just a moment!” her small voice answered. “I’ll be out in five minutes!”
“Hurry up. I need to leave soon.”
“Yes, sorry!”
Hermione flicked her hand several more times as the sparks from her hand were slowly dying away.
She was able to do it from time to time but apparently at the moment, she was losing it.
She was losing her magic.
It has been about a year and a half since she last held her wand with her.
The last time she has ever held a wand was the time when Snape came home in his dying predicament back then.
Hermione had the chance to use the wand to ward themselves in the house, lit the grate and that was it.
The moment Snape had woken up the following day with the ability to move and about again, he had kept his wand away from her.
Hermione had asked him time again for her wand. But he had said that she did not need the wand in the house. There was no need to use magic nor use of it for protection as he had all the magical protection covered for the both of them.
He had warned her that the use of her wand might enable certain magic that could dangerously have them – or rather her – traced by the Death Eaters and the Dark Lord.
Hermione was disbelieving but she also did not want to get them into trouble – after all the time and the things they’ve been through.
But Hermione was Hermione Granger.
She had argued with him more times than she could count and remember about her magical powers at the verge of dying if he kept suppressing her magic.
Snape would always have the same savage answer and tell her that keeping her wand away was different from completely suppressing her powers.
There was no need for her to use magic since there was nothing for her to be afraid of because he was there and there were no tasks at home that needed a wand.
Snape had told her that she was well and free to use advance wandless magic.
Hermione couldn’t argue with that.
Despite her previous lessons with Harry since their D.A meetings and the summer they spent at Grimmauld Place, her wandless magic wasn’t that strong.
At the time for which they have been ambushed, her wandless magic was only truly developing by then and a long time with no true, attentive and consistent practice of it would surely escalate the skills back to zero.
When she began suspecting that Snape seemed to have no intention of giving her back her wand, she had secretly decided to practice wandless magic again.
She had been practicing but she had noticed that the development wasn’t up to what she had expected nor at the same effects and standards as before.
She also had a hunch that Bellatrix’s curse upon her had dearly affected her magic.
But she was determined to use her every last bit of magic she still has and not let it just die.
However, lately, she was beginning to be very worried.
Without Snape’s knowledge and whenever he wasn’t around, she tried to use magic on her own even just for lifting her books or making the bed to ensure that he does not trace her use of wandless magic.
But for the past weeks that she uses the bathroom to secretly practice her wandless magic, it seemed very wayward and off.
It troubled her and she knew that she couldn’t turn to Snape about it in fear that he would get mad the moment he finds out about what she has been doing.
She turned to her books instead. Until she had noticed that none of the books she had at home has the contents she needed.
She checked twice and thrice already until she realized that her hunch was correct.
No single book in the selections and collections Snape had and Snape had given her had absolutely any content at all that would hold any information about and or even on development of wandless magic.
Every book were about potions, histories and other books on magic but all that required her to use a wand.
She began to fear the realization that Snape was seriously trying to suppress her powers.
But why?
Why, when he has helped her to seal the curse of Bellatrix?
Why, when he even took good care of her?
Why, when despite all they’ve overcome, their relationship seemed to be a serious one?
Should she ask him about it?

“Hermione!”
“I’m coming out!” Hermione called out quickly closing the faucet and opening the door.
Snape was standing close to the door way and was staring curiously at her sweating forehead.
“What’s going on?” he asked her, his black eyes observing her.
“Nothing.” Hermione breathlessly said. “Sorry. I was removing the tangled part in my hair.”
Hermione touched her hair but had quickly walked away from the doorway.
“I’m making breakfast. Are you going to eat?” she quickly asked him.
Snape’s lips curled as he stared at her.
“Yes?” Hermione asked him again.
“I’m in a hurry.” Snape replied. “I need to bring the batch of potions today.”
“What time are you coming back?” she curiously asked, fishing about if she could possibly practice longer the moment he leaves.
“Around noon or after.” Snape simply said as he entered the bathroom.
Hermione stared as his eyes carefully moved around the room as if searching for something.
“Have you taken your potion?” he suddenly asked her.
“Potion?” Hermione asked slightly lost.
“Yes, your potion, Hermione.” Snape said with a firm tone.
Hermione only stared until she realized what he was talking about.
“Yes.” she quickly answered. “Yes, I’ve already had. This morning.”
“Are you sure?” he asked her.
“Yes. I’m sure.” Hermione irritably said. “Would you like me to down in another cauldron full of it?”
Snape’s black eyes glinted at her hinted sarcasm. He raised a brow at her.
“I’m asking you properly.”
“I’m answering you honestly.”
Hermione crossed her arms as she irritably stared at him.
“It’s for your own good.” Snape said and this time his voice was softer, kinder.
“I know.” Hermione answered turning away before she could not stop herself from saying something uncalled for.
But Snape suddenly reached out for her hand.
Hermione looked back at him in deep thought.
Snape’s fingers slowly began to gently caress her hand.
“Sev-“
“I have a half hour to spare, actually.” Snape whispered as he slowly began running his other hand down her neckline.
Hermione tugged herself away from him but he wouldn’t let go.
“Join me for a shower?” he asked her running his nose gently around her neckline.
Hermione inhaled sharply and again, moved herself away from him just as he leaned forward to kiss her.
Hermione pushed him away and Snape gripped her hand tighter.
“I’m hungry.” Hermione firmly said. “I want to eat some breakfast.”
“Maybe I can help with that?” Snape asked in a laced tone.
Hermione’s eyes flashed in anger.
Snape stared at her with the same glinting eyes at her obvious defiance.
“Go take your shower.” Hermione spat at him. “You’ve disturbed me out of that because you said you were in a hurry.”
And with that, she quickly turned away from him before he could pull her back inside with him.
She wasn’t in the mood.
No, not when she was angry with him and seething at the idea and realization that he might have been purposely suppressing her magic all these time.

“You’re renovating?” Lupin asked as his eyes roamed around the kitchens.
“Yeahp.” Harry happily said as he laid down the large platter of spaghetti that Mrs. Weasley had brought with her.
“How long would it take?” Lupin curiously asked as he helped Hermione unpack a large package of bread and cheese that she had taken out of their foyer.
“A few days or weeks.” Harry simply said grabbing plates and handing each to everyone in the room.
Hermione was silent as she sliced bread for each of them and had taken the cheese and had began slicing them as well and grating the rest over the pasta.
Harry kissed her over the cheek as he took the platter of pasta that Hermione finished with some cheese.
Lupin was quiet but he was closely observing the pair and was taking mental notes around the decorations of the kitchen.
“Why did you change into black marble table?” he asked Harry as Mrs. Weasley finished the tea she was boiling and had begun serving everyone.
Harry stared up at him halfway to another mouthful of pasta.
“Is there anything wrong with black marble?” he asked him placing down his forkful of pasta. “Or anything wrong with the choice of colour?”
Lupin’s eyes momentarily moved to Hermione.
She had suddenly looked away from him and had resumed into her cheese-slicing method.
“Nothing.” Lupin simply answered. “I just never imagine you’d buy a black marble table.”
“Yeah, well there are needs and demands of change in décor.”
“Needs and demands?” Mrs. Weasley suddenly asked him.
Harry turned to her and Hermione saw the hidden scornful look over his eyes.
“Yes.” Harry quietly answered. “I just want a new sight around the house especially Hermione is now here with me. Right?” he asked turning to her. “Right, ‘Mione?”
“Right.” Hermione answered out of the corner of her mouth as if she was ashamed of agreeing with him.
Lupin took a few sips from the tea and was quietly eating his pasta while observing how Harry seemed to be over joyous about something while Hermione was the opposite.
“Harry, we were planning another dinner within the week at the Burrow.” Lupin said smiling at him. “Would you and Hermione be able to come and join us?”
“Depends on the date. When is it?” he asked him as he started slicing a couple of apples from across the table.
“We’ll set it on the date you and Hermione are free. So when are you?”
“We don’t have a schedule the coming week yet.”
“Alright. Give me your schedule two days from now perhaps?”
“Perhaps.”
Lupin looked at him as he continued to sharply slice down the apples over the counter with his eyes completely focused on the work.
“Harry.”
“What?” Harry suddenly spat at him looking up with the knife in his hand.
Hermione stared up at him as well as the other people around the room.
They were looking at him with an alarmed look on their faces.
Harry swallowed and coughed a little then he gently put the large knife down and shook his head.
“What is it, professor?” his voice was suddenly gentle as he asked Lupin.
He didn’t blink but he was forcing a smile over his face and was avoiding all the eyes averted at him.
Lupin only stared back but out of the corner of his eyes he could see Hermione eyeing him then Harry in such a certain way as if she was sending him some message.
“We can talk about your schedule two days from now. I’d really like to prepare a dinner at the Burrow.”
Harry only nodded at him and then he quickly finished slicing the apples up.
The moment he was done, he tossed the large knife over the sink.
“Where are you going?” Hermione asked him as she and Mrs. Weasley finished setting up the table.
Harry ignored her completely as he removed his kitchen apron and headed for the door.
“Harry, where are you going? We’re about to eat-“
“I’ll be back in a while. I forgot something important upstairs.” Harry said as he ran and swept out of the kitchen.
Hermione and Lupin listened intently as his heavy footsteps carried him out of the hallway and up the stairs and they heard him enter their room and bang the door loudly behind him.
Lupin stared around the room but the people who did not seem to notice what Harry has just done as he left the kitchen.
He slowly stood from his chair and walked towards Hermione with a sober look over his face.
“Hermione.” Lupin gently said. “Hermione enlighten me with some things.”
Hermione looked up at him once but she wasn’t sure if she wanted to entertain those questions.
“Yes, professor?” she asked obviously avoiding his gaze.
Lupin stared at him and knew immediately that Hermione was troubled about something.
“How are things at home?” he casually asked her but Hermione wasn’t stupid to not know that there was something in that.
“Fine.”
Lupin watched as she continuously placed napkins next to each plate over the table.
“How are you and Harry?” he asked her.
“We’re alright.” Hermione quietly said.
It was obvious through the way she moved around the kitchen that she didn’t want to talk about it.
And Lupin had known these two since they were young to know that something wasn’t right.
“Your relationship?” he asked slowly.
“We’re doing alright, professor.” Hermione said as she turned from him and picked up a basket of loaves from the other side of the kitchen.
Lupin continued to stare, watching her carefully still.
“Hermione I must speak with you in private.” Lupin quick said as he saw people began pouring inside for dinner.
Hermione nodded at him.
But Lupin wasn’t content.
Seeing that Harry was still nowhere in the room, he quickly crossed the other side to where she was and had secretly grabbed her wrist.
Hermione looked up at him in surprise.
“I must speak with you, privately.” Lupin said out of the corner of his mouth, carefully eyeing people around them incase they can see them.
Everyone was occupied with Mrs. Weasley’s delicious cooking.
Hermione looked up at him with such reluctance and fear in her eyes.
“Professor Lupin, we can probably talk when-“
“I spoke to Draco.” Lupin whispered as quietly as he could. “He sent me a note, Hermione.”
The bowl of fresh greens in her hand almost toppled over at his words if he wasn’t able to grab it with his quick reflexes.
A look of fear and relief both appeared in her face.
“Professor Lupin – we can’t – Harry-“
“I’ll find a way.” Lupin whispered as they heard Harry coming down the stairs and calling out for her.
“But professor-“
“Make Harry go to Diagon Alley this week Hermione. I’ll make a way for it to happen. Bring him to Diagon Alley.”
Before Hermione could further say anything, Harry had arrived in the room but did not notice the two of them at the corner as Lupin quickly turned away and was looking excited over a large meat pie that Mrs. Weasley had made.
Fleur and Bill had entered the kitchen from the living room and had first reached Hermione when they asked for extra pair of plates for the two of them.
Harry noticed nothing unusual as he took his usual seat and had ushered Hermione to sit next to him.
Hermione nodded as she handed Bill and Fleur a pair of platters and utensils.
She slowly said next to Harry with her eyes constantly glaring up at Lupin who has not stared back at her way as dinner progressed.
He acted and dined with all of them as if there was no words spoken between the two of them.
Hermione decided that she should be doing the same and so she focused into serving Harry every meal she could reach and ensure that he would be happy the whole time in order to avoid whatever unusual and peculiar there might be around the room for him to suspect on anything.

Snape groaned loudly as his muscles over his shoulder blades were stretched and flattened out to the point that he felt as if Hermione was trying to kill him with the massage she was giving him.
“You should not overwork.”
“I only needed to deliver those potions at the Apothecary.”
“They’re not even paying you well there and you’ve told me that the owners are quite rude.”
“They’re clients and they’re still paying.”
“I don’t think you deserve to be treated that way.”
Snape stretched out and slowly turned to her but Hermione pushed him back to lay on his stomach.
“I’m not yet done.” he heard her snap at him as she lay over across his back with legs folded at either side of his waist.
“I have a feeling you’re venting out your anger on them on me.”
“I’m not.” Hermione irritably said.
Snape scuffled a smile and a laugh.
“Nothing’s funny.” Hermione said and she purposely and painfully deepened her fingers against his skin.
Snape groaned again but he actually enjoyed that pain he had just endured.
“I like and appreciate the idea you worry for me.”
“Well would you rather that I don’t?” she asked in return.
Snape moved again to face her but she forced his face flat over their bed again so she could continue to massage him thoroughly with the home-made oil he created for occasions like that.
“Hermione-“
“I’m just saying they should pay you well over your hard work.”
“We’re not getting hungry here, Hermione.” Snape reasoned out.
“I did not say we are going to poverty.” Hermione said. “I’m just worried they’re abusing your talents and skills and underpaying you.”
“Life is not fair, Hermione.”
“Yeah.” Hermione said. “I know.”
Snape turned and this time, Hermione was unable to do anything about it.
He knew that tone too well.
He faced her and saw that her expression was somewhere between a cross of sadness and anger.
“Sweetheart, come here-“
“Turn back, I’m not yet done-“
“No, come here. Please.” Snape gently whispered reaching out for her oil-stained hands.
He slowly turned back to her and letting the large towel that covered half his body fall back from the bed.
Hermione stared at him as he reached for her hand.
He gently began to kiss her hand, her forearm and then the inner of her arm again.
Hermione breathed heavily as he ignited the same fire in her that he did so every single time they did this.
“Severus-“
“I don’t want you to worry about me.”
Hermione stared as he moved and advanced towards her.
He looked down at the beauty that fate has gifted him.
“Hermione, I want you to worry about nothing. I am here and I will take good care of you and everything you need in life.”
She looked up at him and nodded but she looked very unconvinced and Snape knew of it.
He moved closer her and held her face in his long hands.
“Look at me.”
“I just don’t want them giving you a hard time and making you suffer when we both know you’re better-“
“Hermione, look at me, please.”
Hermione looked up at him and Snape saw the worry in her eyes.
He smiled at her.
“You are the only thing I need, nothing else. I do not care what the world is around us. Do you?” he asked her.
Hermione bit her lower lip.
Snape knew she was considering the question and considering if she was going to tell truth or not.
“Hermione-“
“I know.” she answered and a tear fell.
“Hermione?”
“If you don’t care about the world then let’s go back.” Hermione said.
Snape moved his hands but she quickly took and held them.
She held his gaze with a pleading expression.
“Please, let’s go back. Let’s go back. If you don’t care about them – about the world around us then we should go back- Severus, we should just-“
“I can’t bring you back. Not now – not yet –“
“You told me that – Severus, please, please.. I’ll do anything. I’ll tell them about us – you need not to worry, I will explain everything to them and they would understand-“
“No.” Snape said firmly. “No, they wouldn’t understand, Hermione.”
He withdrew his hands from her and moved away from the bed gabbing the towel.
Hermione quickly grabbed his arm. He looked back at her crestfallen face.
“I want to go back.” Hermione cried at him. “Please, let us go back.”
He sighed heavily and stared at her with the same grave expression over his face.
He gently grabbed her hand and placed it away from his.
“I can’t bring you back.” Snape whispered with finality in his tone. “I can’t. Not yet.”
And then he slowly moved away from the bed and entered their bathroom.
Hermione was left crying silently on the bed as she listened to the door that closed and the water that began flowing from their shower.

“You’re home early.” Hermione said as she opened the door for Harry.
He did not look like he was in the mood.
“Lunch is ready but I’ll grab another plate for you. I’ll add a bit more pasta-“
“I’m not hungry.” Harry replied as he removed his cloak and hanged it up.
Hermione stared as he walked down their hallway and straight to their living room.
He pointed his wand at the hearth and warmed the room.
“A drink?” Hermione offered reluctantly.
Harry shook his head and was quiet.
“Harry, is something wrong?” Hermione slowly asked unsure if she should even be talking to him.
Harry shook his head as he removed his shoes. He sighed heavily.
“The court has moved the trial again.” Harry said. “We don’t have to go downtown today.”
“Oh.” Hermione said wondering the reason for it and if she should ask Harry.
“They only moved it for two days.” Harry said looking up at her.
“Well then we have a free afternoon.” Hermione said with a small smile at him. “Do you want to go to Diagon Alley?” she asked him.
Harry looked as if he did not hear her as he sank himself on his favourite armchair.
“I’m not sure. I’m very tired.”
“I was wondering if you would like to go to the café we passed by the other day. I’d like to read a book there or something. Or maybe tomorrow?”
He sighed heavily and loudly.
It was obvious that Harry did not like her offer.
“How about wedding plans?” Hermione said walking next him and sitting herself by the armchair.
Harry removed his glasses and stared down at her form that was kneeling next to the armchair.
She looked up at him with hopeful eyes.
“Wedding plans?” he asked.
“Yes.” Hermione said with enthusiasm that was almost as believable as her excitement at the prospect of it.
Harry looked at her as if disbelieving.
“We haven’t picked up certain decision on certain things. I have the wedding notebook with me and you can check-“
“How about I’ll grab a shower and you get me some wine and then we go out tomorrow?”
Hermione stared at him and knew that she wasn’t supposed to give him any alcoholic drink.
But Lupin needed her to bring him to Diagon Alley within the week and this seemed to be the only chance.
“Alright.” Hermione said with a forced smile. “I’ll get you what you need and you take a shower. I’ll prepare your clothes?” she asked him.
Harry only nodded at him as he began rubbing his temples through his headache.
Hermione stood up to leave but Harry grabbed her hand.
“Yes?” she asked.
“I’m sorry I’m not feeling that well today to go out.”
He looked genuinely sorry and Hermione only nodded at him.
“I’ll put out the best wine from your storage, Harry. I’ll prepare your clothes upstairs too.”
Harry stared at her and kissed her hand.
Hermione couldn’t help but see the Harry she loved long before.
“Hermione, I love you.” Harry whispered. “You do know that, right?”
“I know.” Hermione whispered back withdrawing her hand.
She quickly turned away before Harry sees that tears had begun running down her face, swallowing hard as she made her decision to use the secret way Lupin taught him on how she could send him a message that the plan was on tomorrow.

“You’re still awake.” whispered a deep voice and an enchantment being uttered.
“I told you that tomorrow would come and I would still be up because of my worries.”
Hermione had been half asleep when she heard it.
Snape was removing the wards off from around the spacious room and the enchanted cage he had placed her in.
She weakly looked up from her fetal lying down position and looked behind her.
He was standing by the cage with a very frustrated look over his face and a bandaged right hand.
“What happened to you?” she curiously and sleepily asked as she moved herself nearer the side of the cage where he was.
Snape looked up at her and was obviously surprised that she was still awake.
“It’s two in the morning, Miss Granger.”
“I couldn’t sleep.”
“I see.” Snape said staring at her with an exhausted expression over his face.
He moved about to hide his hand when he realized that she must have seen it already the moment he entered the room.
He sighed heavily and sat on the floor with his back against the nearest wall and buried his face in his hand.
Hermione noted that he was wearing a pair of black pants, shoes and a long-sleeved black sweater.
“You’ve been at the outside world?” Hermione asked him. “At the Muggle world?”
Snape could only nod at her.
He met up with Narcissa at one of her chosen luxurious inns to talk or rather to talk him through what he was supposed to do.
“Have you eaten?” she asked him quietly.
“I’m not hungry.” Snape sighed slowly looking up at her. “Have you finished your meal? Are you still hungry?”
“I’m not very hungry but I tried eating.” Hermione nodded at the tray at the end of the cage.
Snape knew that she would obviously lose her appetite.
“Any fevers today?” he asked her.
“Just this afternoon. It lasted an hour or so.”
“And the marks?” he slowly asked staring at the glistening deep-cut like marks across her.
Hermione shook her head as she stared down at the form of it along her skin.
“Burns from time to time. The potion you’ve given me helps to ease the pain and puts me to sleep.”
“I’ll make you enough potion tomorrow to relieve you with the pain and help you endure. I’ll bring you a Sleeping Draught now if you want-“
“Don’t go-“ Hermione suddenly pleaded walking to the cage’s barrier that separated her from Snape.
Snape’s heart was breaking.
How was he supposed to tell her in that state?
It was two in the morning, he was exhausted and she was not only sleepless but also restless.
His black eyes met hers and knew that she was still waiting for an answer – to everything.
Narcissa had advised him already and he knew what to do but wasn’t so sure how he was going to do it.
He wasn’t even sure how he was going to tell her.
He was supposed to tell her earlier today but the Dark Lord had summoned him and that took away the time, the hours he should have spent earlier that evening to tell her everything.
How the hell was he to bomb-drop the news at that hour?
But did the hour really mattered to him or was he being a coward?
No, he wasn’t a coward.
And no matter what time he tells her everything, the result would surely be the same.
“Is something of the matter?” her soft voice broke his trail of thoughts.
Snape looked at her and stared at her poor physique.
It had been weeks and weeks now – maybe a month or two or so?
She had thinned than he had ever seen her, her eyes sunken deep in her restless nights and he knew that she was constantly worried about her loved ones.
She kept her questions minimal these days but he knew that she was still deeply troubled and knew that she cries every single night about them.
He kept her alive and well and away from everyone as it should have been but he did not expect to be burdened this deeply.
“I think you should go to sleep now.” Snape whispered staring at her tired face.
“I think there’s something you want to tell me.” Hermione said staring curiously at him. “Or something you should tell me.”
Snape did not say anything. He only quirked a brow at her.
“It’s late, Miss Granger. If I have something to say maybe it can wait until the morning-“
“It can’t.” Hermione said and she moved closed to the edge of the cage. “You need to tell me what happened about today.”
Snape stared at her in slight confusion.
Did she just use wandless magic on him to see his thoughts?
“I’m not a mind reader, professor.” Hermione suddenly said. “I also don’t go through other’s minds without their permission.”
Snape looked at her and she both sounded and looked hurt.
He was also slightly offended on her commentary as he knew she was mentioning how he would sometimes go through her thoughts and memories without her permission.
“Miss Granger-“
“It’s just on your face. Your expression. You looked very tired and yet you look as if you want to tell me something. The last time we talk you told me you would find answers and I think you have found.”
How intelligent this girl was.
And how deeply he was about to break her heart.
Hermione moved closer to the glass of the cage and stared at him through it.
She placed her hand over the glass and stared at Snape with longing and hope.
Snape sighed heavily and placed his hand over hers at the other side of the glass.
“Please tell me.” Hermione pleaded with a tear falling at the side of her face.
Snape stared at her and slowly nodded.
Her eyes slightly widened but she waited patiently for the answers she had been waiting.
Snape nodded at her and he took out his wand and pointed it over the enchanted cage.
The glass and magic encasing Hermione slowly dissolved and Snape stepped through it.
He nodded for her to sit back on the floor and Hermione was just as surprised when he did the same.
They sat opposite one another in silence for quite some time.
“Miss Granger..” Snape slowly began as Hermione kept herself quiet, patiently waiting.
She had promised herself that she would listen to everything first before any questions as she felt it would be easier that way.
“Hermione..” Snape then said, his voice a bit more gentle and warm this time.
And this was what also slightly worried Hermione.
She knew that his tone was always either impatient, aggravated or cold.
Hearing it to be as warm and as gentle might be signs that he was really about to bring her bad news.
“I’m listening.” Hermione whispered back preparing herself. “Just tell me everything.”
He sighed heavily again as if he was bearing the world in his hands.
It was really now or never.
“The marks over you as we’ve already talked before might be caused of the Urduja Curse.”
She only nodded silently aware that he was closely watching her.
“I’ve already verified that the fact that it is indeed the Urduja Curse.”
“Go on, professor.”
Snape observed her – how brave she really was.
He knew that she had her doubts and suspicions about what was to come and what the curse could do but she was as patient as ever.
“The Urduja Curse has been created a long time ago – originally designed as some sort of protection. But its use and imperative compositions have been changed and manipulated through time.”
“By Dark Magic.”
“Yes.” Snape answered knowing whose Dark Magic it has originally come from.
“I’ve never read about it.”
“You would never have found anything at the castle to give you information about it.”
Snape shifted slightly from his position on the floor as he continued.
“The Urduja Curse was manipulated by Dark Magic through time, thus, also varying the effects and the results it caused on the people it has been casted upon.”
“And Voldemort saw it fit to use that on me.”
“Hermione, not particularly on you-“
“Please continue.” Hermione said unwilling to give in to the warm voice he used as he said her name.
Snape stared at her and knew that she was listening despite that her tone has slightly changed.
“The Dark Lord felt that he was losing the war.” Snape slowly revealed and a ray of hope shined in Hermione’s eyes for a very short moment.
“And?”
“And the Dark Lord thought that if worse comes to worse that it does happen – he must take certain measures. Should he perish, his enemy, his rival – Harry – should also suffer and not meet that happy ending he deserves. He did not want Harry to be happy. Not ever.”
“And what does that have to do with the curse and with me?”
“The Urduja Curse has been enhanced by Dark Magic. The Dark Lord has saw it fit that should he – in the most unwanted circumstance – perish in the hands of Harry Potter, he should still reign and continue the pain he would cause her. The curse was now meant to harm anyone that Harry Potter has been close with.”
“I don’t understand.”
“The Dark Lord created the curse for Harry. The original plan was that should he not succeed in killing the boy and die at the process of it, the curse was meant to be administered to Harry.”
Hermione did not say anything but tears were not forming again in her eyes – tears of sorrow and hatred.
Snape continued despite her facial expression and her clenching fists.
“He wanted his Death Eaters – one of us atleast – to use the curse on Harry. But there were two things that were not yet accomplished by the Dark Lord when the ambush happened.”
“What were these things?”
“First was that he has not given the right order to have the curse used and secondly, he has not chosen who amongst his most faithful Death Eaters should use the special enchantment he has created.”
Hermione looked up at him with curiosity.
“The curse was specially made. Therefore, in his favor of dramatics, he wanted to bestow the special task to one of his in his chosen time and to his chosen Death Eater alone.”
Hermione’s eyes narrowed as she tried to understand what he had just said.
“One of you rebelled.” Hermione whispered. “One of you has rebelled against his wishes and has used the curse on the night of the ambush-“
“Bellatrix Lestrange had taken matters in her own hands. He wanted to kill Harry – all of you – but she was most desperate to get her hands on the boy. He wanted to make sure that Harry suffers whether he dies that night in the Dark Lord’s hands or not.”
“But then if the Dark Lord did not give-“
“Bellatrix is not just faithful to the Dark Lord. She is a crazy and obsessed woman. She thinks that being a step ahead of the Dark Lord – by deciding to put Potter’s head on a golden platter to offer him, he would be pleased. But Harry escaped and was remained unharmed that night of the ambush.”
“I was with Harry that night.”
“The enchantment was meant for Harry. I’m not sure if it was an accident or if she had meant it. But in her desperation to cast it, she has then sent the curse to you instead of casting it upon Harry.”
“But why did I not die?” Hermione quickly asked. “Should I have-“
“The curse was not meant to kill the bearer. The curse was meant to kill the ones the bearer loves.”
Hermione stared at him for a moment, comprehending the curse’s effects and the results it would have had if Bellatrix successfully executed the curse on Harry.
Snape quietly stared at her knowing how fast her brains must be working at that moment.
And then Hermione gasped.
He looked at her change of emotion.
She placed her hand over her mouth, her breathing slightly changed and her eyes wide as fear crept all over her.
“Bellatrix.. that woman.. she has.. professor – if the –“
“The curse’s main effect was to hurt the ones you deeply love and not the other way around. Death in the most painful way possible would be casted upon anyone who literary dwells anywhere near the bearer – anyone whom the bearer loves and cares for deeply.”
“You’re lying.” Hermione whispered unable to really take in everything as reality was now crashing on her.
Snape grabbed her hand to still her next to him. H saw it fit to tell her everything now that the moment has arrived.
“If the Dark Lord has lost the war, he wanted one of his most loyal allies to cast the curse on Harry so that even if he wins the war he can never be happy. He will never be happy for if he was cursed anyone who comes across him, anyone who literary comes near him – anyone he has ever cared for and has loved so deeply would die in his very hands.”
Hermione stared at him as tears flowed from her eyes.
“It was the most cruel of all the possible curses the Dark Lord could ever think of. He wanted Harry to regret his victory. He wanted him to be as alone as he ever was.”
“So if the curse.. if it has.. “ her eyes were transfixed over her hands and down at her clothed body where the marks were hidden beneath.
Snape saw the alarm and fear creeping all over her at the realization.
“That’s why I needed to be isolated?” Hermione said almost shouting at him.
“Yes.” Snape said remorsefully. His black eyes continued to hold hers.
Hermione opened her mouth but no words came out and only tears.
“But no, it can’t – how – how would it – how close should they not be around – “
“A breathe away, an inch, a touch, a glimpse – your mere presence in a perimeter – in the same room, the same location- the slightest bit of your essence – a Patronus or any form that has come from you that would-“
“No! That’s insane – no curse – no, it can’t be- you’re lying! It cannot – I can’t- that’s insane-“
“Miss Granger-“
“Is this why – why I cannot see them – professor Snape but there must be a way – I cannot and you-“
Hermione was at loss for words as she could almost not express her words clearly in the fear and panic rising inside of her.
Her eyes were wide as she pointed at him.
“But you – you, professor – you’ve been with me all this time – you’ve been – you’re alright! You’re not – if you tell me I should be isolated away from all of the people I love and care for because they’re going to die then you – why are you not – I’ve cared about you too- I do care about you-“
Snape almost missed all the others words she had spoken as he only heard the last ones she had.
“The Dark Lord’s wit and magic is beyond what you can understand Hermione. He saw it fit to ensure that all parts of the enchantment was perfect.”
Hermione shook her head at him as she slightly shifted and moved from him.
“The Dark Lord used the enchantment’s original purpose – as protection. He made sure that all of his precious allies – Death Eaters – would remain immune to the curse for whatsoever reason he may had in his mind.”
Hermione shook her head disbelievingly.
“So that’s just it? You won’t be harmed? No matter how close I am to you – how close you get to me – you will remain unharmed because – because you’re one of them?”
“I’m not one of them.” Snape sharply corrected her with his black eyes glinting.
“I don’t under-“
“I am a Death Eater but I am not one of them. Being a Death Eater has given me the magical privileged to be immune to the curse’s effects. That does not mean my loyalty is with them. There is a difference.”
Hermione seemed not to hear nor care about what he had just said.
“But how long?” Hermione asked him urgently. “How long do I have to endure this? It was created, it was even manipulated – then there certainly - there must be a way out of it.”
Snape stared at her and it was time for the fear in his eyes to show.
Hermione caught that glimmer and she quickly moved back towards him.
She grabbed his hand to her shaking ones.
“There is a way – there is – there is a counter-curse, a way to break it or put away the curse, yes?”
Snape stared at her and knew that his answer would only further break her heart.
“Hermione, listen. It’s not that easy-“
“It’s not – but there is a way – there should be – tell me, tell me please that there is a way-“
She looked as desperate and as helpless as he had ever seen her.
“There is a way.” Snape slowly revealed to her. “But it is not easy and I’m not even sure it would work.”
“You’re a powerful wizard, professor.” Hermione cried pressing her hands over his. “Dumbledore thought so. That’s why he tasked you to protect me, to protect Harry – all of us-“
“Hermione, listen-“
“No, no!” Hermione cried at him. “No, you listen to me!” she grasped his arm painfully.
Snape closed his eyes and let her cry before him.
He could be physically there but he knew that he would never be enough to comfort her.
And this was just all at the tip of the iceberg.
“Professor Snape.. professor, please.. please – there is a way and you know there is – tell me what it is-“
“Hermione, I cannot just – there is but – there might be– but it not sure of – I’m not even-“
“Please, please try.. whatever it is.. whatever you have to do – whatever I have to do – let’s do it, please. Please tell me there is a way out of here – I cannot – I can’t stay – I can’t leave them – not Harry, not ever-“
Snape stared as she moved her head closed to him as she pressed his hands desperately.
Her unstoppable wailing echoed all throughout their basement.
She cried next to him at the floor, begging him with all her remaining strength.
“Please.” Hermione slowly looked up at him. “Please, professor Snape.. please don’t let this happen. Don’t let this happen to me. Please don’t let it harm me.. please.. There is a way and you can..”
“I cannot guarantee. But I am already trying to seal the curse.. but you need to understand it would take time. It’s not easy – it’s not just Dark Magic, Hermione. This is very – it is embedded in you, it was created to cause deep pain – it would take more than –“
“Whatever it takes-“ Hermione cried at him and she flung her arms around him. “Please, please help me.. please, help us.. I cannot stay here. I don’t want to stay here. I cannot remain isolated from Harry or from any of them..”
It felt like an eternity as Hermione cried in his arms.
He was reluctant to touch her or embrace her but he did place his hand gently over her back and moved it gently in his attempt to comfort her.
“Please help me.” Hermione cried looking up at him with all the pain, trust and hope in her eyes.
“Hermione-“
“I’ll do anything – everything - that is necessary for the curse to break.”
Snape closed his eyes and sighed at her. He firmly held her hand in his.
“Years, Hermione.” Snape’s soft voice whispered as he held her gaze. “Do you have seven years of patience?”

Hermione was nervous as she stood outside the café of Diagon Alley.
The day had come and gone and she was able to send Lupin a message for their plan today.
Harry was nowhere suspecting as he joyfully went to Diagon Alley that morning.
He had sent a note to Kingsley that he would not be reporting that day because he needed to tend to his wedding plans with Hermione.
She waited outside the café as Harry entered the place looking for a table for them as it was very full that morning.
Her eyes looked around, back and forth across the street and down the alley looking for any sign of whatever Lupin’s plans were.
She had made sure he got her message but standing there right now, she wasn’t sure if it was even a plan that was on-going.
“Hermione?” Harry called out as he walked out of the café.
“No seats?” she asked him.
“There isn’t any-“ Harry began but he had stopped as he looked over her shoulders.
Hermione quickly turned and saw Bill and Fleur crossing the street and heading towards the café.
They were animatedly talking to one another that they barely managed to see the two of them until Harry walked up to them.
“Harry!” Bill greeted patting him over the shoulder and nodding at Hermione whom Fleur excitedly embraced.
Hermione looked behind them and back across the street but Lupin was nowhere in sight incase this was what he has planned.
“What are you doing here?” Harry asked them.
“We made reservations.” Bill said kissing Fleur’s cheek and nodding towards a bouquet of roses she was holding.
“What’s up?” Harry asked them curiously.
“We had a little fight-“
“Little fight?” Fleur repeated with an angry look. “He made me wait three hours at ze-“
Bill placed his hand over her mouth and embraced her playfully.
“Small argument. Had to make it up to her and she was begging me to make a reservation in this café weeks ago – a duty I have neglected.”
“You have seats?” Harry quickly asked looking back at Hermione. “Do you mind if we-“
“Yes, ofcourse.” Fleur said with a smile towards Hermione. “Come, come. I’m hungry. I heard ze pastries here as perfecte!”
Bill and Harry looked at one another as Fleur pulled Hermione inside of her with excitement all over her face.
“You’d think they’re the ones dating?” Harry happily suggested as Fleur reached their reserved seat at the corner of the room.
Bill only laughed and followed Harry through the crowded café.
The two women were excited as they browed through the menu and Bill ordered to strong cups of coffee for himself and for Harry while Fleur ordered a couple of cakes, two glasses of special milk shakes and then a couple more of appetizers.
“Hungry?” Harry asked holding Hermione’s hand across the table.
Hermione smiled back at him and merely nodded.
Her eyes roamed the café back and forth, looking for Lupin or for any sign of his presence.
Their talking had passed for almost an hour already.
Hermione had let Harry forget their task of listing down some things for their wedding as Bill seemed to catch Harry’s attention with his dragon adventure stories that he has not yet told him and Fleur was very occupied in telling Hermione stories of her life back in Paris, France and how the food there was still what she missed the most.
She was halfway to finishing another croissant when Fleur had suddenly grabbed her drink and had toppled it over the table and all over Hermione’s dress.
Hermione squealed and Bill and Harry quickly turned the two women’s way.
Some people stared back at their direction.
Bill quickly grabbed a napkin and threw over at Fleur’s direction to wipe the slight amount of drink that stained her beautiful blue outdoor dress.
Harry moved across the table to hand Hermione his spare napkin when Fleur quickly grabbed Hermione’s arm.
Hermione looked up at her apologetic face as she gripped her hand painfully.
“Fleur-“
“Go to the washroom. This drink is made of fruit and milk – it would certainly stain your dress and might damage-“
“No, it’s alright-“ Hermione said reaching for the napkin Harry was handing her.
Fleur pierced her arm painfully and she cringed.
Harry was too occupied in telling the waiter to give them another glass of Fleur’s drink and to help clean the area of the table that has been drained with the drink to notice Bill and Fleur staring at Hermione in a different way.
Hermione stared back at Fleur who was piercing her arm.
“Go to the washroom.” Fleur repeatedly said. “I’m sure the ladies room would be able to help your needs – “
“But it’s alright – I can just-“
“Hermione, I said, go to the washroom.”
Hermione looked up at her and there was something in her expression that made her heart skip a beat.
Her hand quickly let her go and when Hermione looked up at Bill, for the briefest of moment he quickly eyed her and signaled her to go to the washroom.
“I’ll go to the washroom-“ Hermione stuttered looking around at the two as Fleur stood up to let Hermione pass.
Harry stared at the mess around them and Bill was making sure that he was too occupied with the waiter to notice that Fleur was already openly urging and pushing Hermione out of their table to go towards the ladies’ room.
Hermione walked as fast as she could out of their table without really understanding what was happening.
She was startled and was in too much haste that she almost did not notice a waiter carrying a tray filled with order for another table swiftly walking her way.
“I’m sorry!” she gasped as the waiter almost tripped upon seeing that he was about to hit her.
Hermione swayed aside and had nearly knocked herself over another table until a hand came out of nowhere had grasped her.
The pair of hands had painfully clutched her around the waist and around the mouth and she was literary dragged back at the very end of the café towards the ladies’ room.
She was pulled and pushed inside the ladies’ room.
A whisper of a charm and locks clicked closed.
Another whisper of a spell and the lights dimmed around them.
Hermione opened her eyes and was about to scream again when her visions cleared and adjusted to the dimmed light.
“Draco!” she whispered in a faint whisper.
Draco raised his wand to his lips and stared at her.
Hermione stared at him with such a disbelieving expression all over her.
Her heart pulsed fast and her hands were shaking at the sight of him.
“Are you alright?” he quietly asked, slightly alarmed at seeing her facial expression.
But Draco was no longer able to hear her answer.
A pair of arms had painfully tugged at him, flinging it over and around him.
And then tears of relief were heard inside the small room and Hermione’s soft sobs painfully echoed upon his ears.
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Forbidden Rapture