In an Alternate Universe

Chapter 27 ~ Advice

Hermione and a very contrite, silent Severus returned to Hogwarts, the Potion mistress showing no visible signs of her attack. Severus did attempt to make her at least take off one day from class, but she declined.

”As I told you, Severus, I’m used to this,” she told him sharply.

He shut up and stayed that way until they made it back to the castle. His dark eyes looked around Hermione’s ruined bedroom, his heart tight in his chest as he imagined the unnamed wizard attacking her and throwing her about.

No matter what the witch said, he still had murder in his heart.

”Go and check on the brewing, then go to bed,” Hermione said to the young wizard, “I’ll clean up.”

Severus gave her a rather sad look, then left, saying nothing.

Hermione sighed again. She hoped he wouldn’t be this way for the entire duration. It would be worse than fighting him off, which she kind of enjoyed in a twisted way. Despite her coldness toward men in general, Severus’ attraction to her was something different . . . something other than pure lust. She knew that, and every woman liked to be thought of as desirable as long as that desire was a natural one. Even if they wouldn't admit it.

Still, she had been cruel to say what she did to him. He was young, inexperienced and hadn’t meant to be controlling. He only wanted what he wanted. And he would never attempt to actually force himself on her . . . well, other than stealing a kiss. That was more of a testament to his courage than him being abusive. He knew to run when he was successful, not push forward.

Hermione sighed as she used her wand to put everything back in order. The last thing she did was pick up the rose. It had been still vibrant and strong earlier that day. She studied it, her eyes becoming just a tad wet.

For the first time since Severus produced it for her, the flower showed signs of wilting.

Now, Severus didn’t actually create the rose from scratch. More than likely he had charmed it while still on the vine and conjured it at the proper time. It was impossible to create Life magically. But what he did do was alter the flower and connected himself to it emotionally, giving it part of his life to sustain it. Part of his soul. Still an impressive bit of magic. The rose was a barometer as to how he felt towards the Potions mistress, what was in his heart.

Now, it was fading. Most likely his guilt was making this happen.

Hermione let out another sigh. Gryffindors and guilt went together like dragons and dragonsbreath. Hopefully he would bounce back. If he didn’t, maybe he’d at least hold it in so she didn’t have to deal with it. She had enough on her mind.

Damn Lucius. She should have known he wouldn’t just let her go that way without a last, horrible bout of abuse. But so much had gone on, and he had seemed accepting. Severus had a point. He could come back.

The witch cleaned up the study and then removed Lucius’ signature from both the study wall and her potions office. He wouldn’t be able to lower her wards any longer and she doubted he would make another effort to have at her without someplace private to assault her.

At last, it was over.

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Severus returned just as Hermione repaired the small table between the armchairs. He looked at Potions mistress, who scowled at him. There was none of the usual heat in his eyes and he gave off a defeated air.

”The brewing is fine, professor. I’m going to bed now,” he said softly, then turned and entered his bedroom, closing the door behind him quietly.

If he had planned on testing the waters tonight, those plans had been tossed, most likely permanently. Hermione stared at the closed door for a moment, then retired herself.

In his room, Severus put his wand on the night stand, slowly unbuttoned and removed his shirt. Then he checked his trouser pockets as he always did before taking them off. He felt around in his pockets, then stiffened.

Slowly, he drew out one long blonde hair. There had been quite a hank of it so he didn’t get it all.

Still dressed only in his trousers, the wizard sat down on the bed, laid the strand carefully on his nightstand and picked up his wand. He pointed it at the hair.

”Ostendo Alio,” he breathed.

Severus watched as a fine mist rose from the hair, spreading over it, then coalescing, forming a ghostly, but familiar face.

”The bastard!” Severus hissed as he stared at the likeness of Lucius Malfoy, Draco’s father.

The image faded and Severus sat on the side of the bed, the expression on his face terrible. Draco’s father had raped Professor Granger. It was hard to believe that someone as prominent and well-known as Lucius was would commit such a terrible act.

But then again, the Pureblood probably thought himself above the law. He was rich, charismatic and well-known. He even managed to fudge the truth of his service to the Dark Lord and time in Azkaban, saying he only served the vile wizard because his family was in danger and Voldemort promised to wipe out his entire line if he failed to obey him. Narcissa helping Harry also helped to clear their family name.

But what he’d done to Professor Granger proved he was indeed a cruel monster.

He had to pay for it.

If Severus punished him, then he could make up for at least part of what he’d done to the witch.

Or that was what the boy thought.

Then logic set in. If he killed Lucius Malfoy and was found out, he’d spend the rest of his life in Azkaban. It would be satisfying to see the wizard dead, but then his entire life would be ruined. He might as well kill himself since his life would be over.

Severus considered.

Yes, it would be better if Lucius was arrested, charged with rape and publicly stood trial for his crime against the witch, then locked up in Azkaban disgraced and found out. Knowing the bastard would be behind bars for years, maybe even the rest of his life would be better than killing him. Then he could think about what he’d done and what it cost him.

Yes, that made sense. Severus removed his boots and socks, then stood up and removed his trousers and boxers. He climbed into bed, covering up, his arms curled behind his head as he looked up at the ceiling.

He’d go to Dumbledore tomorrow and tell him all he knew. The old wizard would advise him how to go about this.

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Dumbledore’s face was solemn as the ghostly face of Lucius Malfoy faded before him. His blue eyes were rather hard as they shifted toward Severus. He drummed his fingers on his desk consideringly for a moment. Fawkes let out a trill from his perch.

Severus, seated in a plush armchair in the Headmaster’s office, waited anxiously for his response. After a moment, Albus spoke.

”Lucius Malfoy has always been of the lowest moral character,” Albus said angrily, “so it doesn’t surprise me he would commit such a crime against a witch he wanted. But . . . I must ask you, Severus, what does Professor Granger say about this?”

Severus’ mouth turned down.

”She doesn’t want to do anything about it, Headmaster. She says he won’t come back and it’s over, basically,” Severus said, then added, “but he can’t be allowed to get away with this!”

Dumbledore studied the young wizard. He knew how he felt, but it was up to Hermione to press charges against Lucius. If Severus went forward, the witch would most likely deny anything had happened at all and then Lucius would go after the boy for attempting to “slander” him. Sadly, he addressed this possibility.

”Severus, this is hard to say, but I must say it. Stay out of it. If Professor Granger doesn’t want to pursue this matter any further, her wishes should be respected,” the Headmaster said to the Gryffindor, who looked at him incredulously.

”What do you mean, Headmaster? The only reason she’s accepting this is because she’s been mistreated all her life and feels powerless to do anything about it. She’s . . . she’s not thinking correctly. If Malfoy is punished, she’ll get some closure. She’s holding all of it in . . . feeling no one can help her. I want to help her,” Severus said, his black eyes staring at the Headmaster, willing him to see things as he did.

”Severus, if you go to the Ministry with this charge, the professor can and probably will say nothing happened at all. If there is no victim, there can be no crime,” Albus said gently.

”But, but I have his hair! How could I have gotten that?” Severus said, stretching out the hated blonde strand.

”You could have acquired it from anyplace, Severus. At least, that’s what his lawyers will say, and believe me, Lucius will have the very best lawyers to represent him even if Professor Granger pressed charges. And they will dig up every possible bit of her past they can in an effort to discredit her. I believe . . . I believe she and Lucius have a history. He used to visit her occasionally in the dungeons while she served the Order. I’m quite sure that will be brought up as well, that they had an intimate relationship. Since Lucius is married, that would put Professor Granger in a bad light. It might even result in getting her sacked by the Board of Governors for her behavior. You wouldn’t want that would you?”

Severus stared at the Headmaster. He hadn’t known about that. So, Professor Granger used to shag Lucius Malfoy. He thought she was celibate. How could she be celibate when she willingly slept with the Pureblood? She was . . . his mistress at one time.

Still, even if that were true . . . she was still raped and beaten by him. The past has nothing to do with the present. Still, the Headmaster was right. If she wouldn’t say she had been assaulted, nothing could be done. Severus knew she wouldn’t. She wouldn’t want her past to get out, even if she were a victim. No one would understand why she just didn’t leave if she were so mistreated. More than likely, they would paint her as some kind of sexual deviant who enjoyed pain. Maybe they would even turn it around on him, saying he had abused her because that was what she liked. Then there was the possibility she could lose her job for being involved with a married man and seeing him on school grounds.

Severus sighed and shook his head.

”It’s not fair,” he said sullenly, defeated.

Albus looked at him kindly.

”Much in this life isn’t fair, Severus. You know this first hand from when Voldemort was in power. All we can do is choose our battles and make the best of it. In this case my boy, I’m afraid the battle you wish to launch is already over. You have no army behind you,” the wizard said gently. “I suggest you focus on your brewing and leave Professor Granger to deal with her demons. It’s all any of us can do.”

Severus looked at the wizard, his heart feeling heavy, like a boulder in his chest as he realized most likely that was what he would have to do.

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Severus checked on his brewing, then returned to the Potions mistress’ quarters. Hermione had noticed he wasn’t at supper. She looked up at him as he entered through the wall. She was marking essays. They were all quite dismal.

“Where have you been, Severus?” she inquired of the young wizard.

”I went to see the Headmaster, concerning a private matter,” he responded, “I checked on the Polyjuice potion. It should be ready in another five days. I’m going to go study now.”

Hermione watched as the wizard entered his bedroom, closing the door behind him.

Well, at least he wasn’t drooping all over, aggravating her with his remorse.

She returned to her paperwork.

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In his room, Severus angrily paced back and forth. He still couldn’t get past what Lucius did to Hermione. She was the first witch he’d ever been intimate with, who ever connected with him. It had been wonderful. She had been wonderful. How could he let anyone mistreat her after what she’d done for him? Yes, he had manipulated her, but he knew that she had liked what he did to her. He wasn’t trying to hurt her, but bring her pleasure and he had done it.

Even if she didn’t want him, he couldn’t let Lucius get away with abusing her, beating her. He couldn’t pretend it didn’t happen. Professor Granger might be able to push her rape out of her mind, but he couldn’t.

And he wouldn’t.

He’d find a way to make Lucius pay.

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When Hermione retired for bed that night, she took a precursory glance at the rose, expecting it to be in rather bad shape.

To her surprise, all signs of blight were completely gone and it looked as if it had just been plucked, the petals, stems and leaves vibrant and lovely as ever.

"What the hell is going on?" she said to herself as she studied the flower.

"Something is definitely going on with that wizard."

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A/N: Thanks for reading.