Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Bound	By : goldhorse Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 126052 -:- 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
- 31
- 32
- 33
“Remus dear, are you sure you don’t want more tea?” Molly asked.

A haggard Remus politely declined. The matronly redhead had scarcely left him alone since she’d arrived. She wanted to know everything about his developing relationship with Tonks but they’d gotten off track when Alex and Severus bolted through the door. Knowing that they had moved too fast for Molly to recognize who they were, he’d fudged a little. He told her that Alex had taken Severus upstairs to patch him up after his meeting. Molly wasn’t buying it easily though.

Suddenly, a bear patronus filed into the room. “Lupin, I believe we’re in need of an extra set of arms and a strong back.” Alex’s voice permeated the room. The bear disappeared leaving a grave faced Remus and a shocked Molly.

“Who was that?” Molly asked flabbergasted.

“That was Alex,” Remus said softly. “I’m sorry Molly but I must cut this short for tonight. He needs my help.”

“What on earth for?” Molly asked, getting up and inviting herself along.

“Molly, it’s very complicated. I’d ask that you stay out of it,” Remus said as politely as he could.

“Remus Lupin, I will do no such thing. I want to help!”

“Trust me Molly, the only help they need is an extra set of muscles for a few moments,” Remus said, trying to placate her.

Molly refused to take the hint, insisting that she could help. Knowing that there wasn’t a thing he could do to convince her, he settled for knocking loudly and announcing himself. “Alex, it’s Remus and Molly. May I come in?”

“Damn that nosy old chit,” Severus hissed and angrily threw a cloak over Hermione to obscure her face.

Alex chuckled. “I’d say it’s rather amusing. I want to watch her eyes bug out of her head when she sees us with her precious Hermione.”

“That is not funny,” Severus growled, cleaning Draco’s robes and throwing them over him. “That woman is the biggest gossip I’ve ever met.”

“She just wants to help Severus,” Alex chided as he carefully threw a cloak over Melody. He winced when she flinched. Her back was still much too tender for his liking but they needed to get the children back to school before someone went looking for them.

“Enter,” Snape growled as he dropped the wards. Remus made sure he walked in first and blocked the door for a few moments to give them a bit of extra time. Severus pointed to the couple on the bed. “They can’t be separated for more than a few moments.”

Remus nodded and walked to the opposite side of the bed. He scooped Hermione up like a child’s doll, careful to make sure her hand stayed clasped with Draco’s. Severus had lifted the boy at the same time and they began the painfully slow trek to the door. Alex gently picked Melody up and cradled her with as much of her weight on her front as he could spare her. The sleeping spell wasn’t enough to keep her out and she cried out in pain.

“Damn it to fucking hell!” She wailed.

“I’m so sorry sweetheart,” Alex apologized profusely. “I’m afraid it can’t be helped.”

“Can’t a girl get some sleep?” She moaned.

“You can when we get back to the school.”

“Fine,” Melody breathed out and then stiffened when she saw a flustered Molly at the door. “Um, Alex?”

“I know all about it. It’s something we’ll have to figure out later,” he answered, knowing who it was she saw.

“Melody, is that you?” Molly asked wide eyed.

“In the flesh,” Melody croaked and then let out a hoarse laugh. The laugh turned into a pitiful cry.

“Oh dear are you alright?” Molly asked, reaching up to touch her shoulder.

“DON’T!” Melody yelled and Molly snapped her hand back and began apologizing.

Severus and Remus had just managed to maneuver the couple out the door but Severus called for a stop. “Molly, she’s been through enough tonight without you fussing about like an overbearing mother hen!” He was stretched to the limit.

“Sev,” Melody said quietly. “Don’t let the darkness fill you.”

Severus stopped short in his tirade and blinked a few times, realizing that he’d told her the very same thing only weeks ago. “Only that which I want.”

Melody smiled and turned to face him. “Promise.” Alex zoomed across the room so she could touch her hand to his cheek.

“On my very life,” Severus said softly and leaned in to nuzzle her hand for a moment.

“There’s my bat,” she whispered and then patted his face before laying her head on Alex’s shoulder. “Take me away Vampy. You two have them?”

Both Remus and Severus nodded and began their awkward descent. When they reached the stairs, the turn proved difficult and the cloaks slid off of the couple. Molly gasped loudly. “What on earth!”

Melody cursed like a sailor. “Put me down Alex.”

“You’ll fall,” Alex chided.

“I really don’t give a flying fuck now do I?” She snapped and he begrudgingly complied. As soon as her feet hit the floor, her legs wobbled and she nearly collapsed. Alex caught her underneath the arms and she winced. Molly was still babbling on.

“SHUT THE FUCK UP YOU NOSY OLD TWAT!” Melody bellowed. Everyone in the room froze.

Molly fell silent for a moment, completely taken aback by Melody’s shift in attitude. “What is going on?”

“War is going on Molly,” Melody said. Her voice betrayed her weak frame. “No one is supposed to see what you are seeing now. That’s why Remus has been politely trying to get rid of you for Merlin knows how long today. If it had been me, I’d of stupefied you and shoved you through the damned floo but he’s much too kind for that and I’m admittedly more than a little bit of a bitch.”

“Why is that boy here?” Molly asked, trying not to be cowed by the livid blind woman.

“That boy is trying his damnedest to protect those he loves and I’d say he showed more bravery tonight than any boy his age and certainly over half the people who have decided to fight this war.”

“Hermione,” Molly choked.

“Is also the bravest girl I’ve ever met. Only your Ginny comes close to her,” Melody said softly, deciding to indulge the woman. It never hurt to have too many allies.

“Is Ginny-“

“No,” Melody snapped, cutting her off. “Ginny is not involved in this little téte-a-téte but she knows it’s happening and I’m sure she’s worried sick for her friend.”

“How does she know?” Molly asked, her anger beginning to surface.

“Your daughter is very special Molly. I wasn’t lying when I said that,” Melody said quietly.

Molly paled. “No. You couldn’t.”

Melody chuckled. “I’m not trying to exploit her. I’m training her Molly. She needs to be able to use herself properly. That’s the entire reason for my involvement.”

“Train her how?” Molly asked in confusion.

Melody sighed and leaned against Alex. “This might take a moment. Let’s all go to the study. Sev, Remus, you two can put those two on the sofa and figure out how to get them through the floo and then to the hospital wing because I’m pretty sure you couldn’t fix everything.”

In short order, everyone was sitting down on sofas. Melody had cried out in pain before Alex put an extra cushioning charm on the soft sofa and then numbed her backside so she could sit comfortably for a moment.

“What happened to you?” Molly breathed.

“The same thing that happens to everyone who is lucky enough to garner a meeting with his highness, king of the scaly skin,” Melody snorted.

“You, you’re a, you,” Molly stuttered.

Melody sighed and uncovered her arm. “I’m the newest forced recruit into Scaly Skin’s ranks.”

Molly recoiled when she saw the hideous tattoo on Melody’s left arm. Melody quickly recovered it but Molly could barely stand to look at her. “Why are you here then?”

Melody gave a wry smile. “Only the best spies are marked dear,” she said cockily and Molly snapped her head up. “That’s right. I might not be a double agent like Sev but I’m still on the right side.”

“Not a double agent?” Molly asked confused.

“I’m not a member of the Order,” Melody clarified. “Nor will I ever claim to be. I will, however, do what it takes to end this thing. I hate him just as much as you do. You can trust me on that,” she said bitterly as she gently caressed a particularly painful mark on her chest.

“So you are training Ginny?” Molly changed the subject and Melody was thankful to be taken out of the dark place she’d fallen into. It would do no good to be ensconced in her bitterness.

“Yes. I’m training her, Harry, Hermione, and that boy, as you so eloquently put it,” Melody sneered.

“Why not Ronald?” Molly asked indignantly.

Melody chuckled wryly. “Your Ronald is too busy sucking face with his girlfriend but it might please you to know that he is getting some basic training in too. However, we both know that Ginny is much more…special…than he is in certain areas.”

“Why does she need training for that?” Molly huffed.

“You’d be surprised at what a bit of training can do for someone like Ginny. She’ll be a tremendous asset to be sure.”

“She won’t be fighting!” Molly screeched.

“Oh Molly. Keep squawking and sticking your head in the sand and you’ll be no better than an ostrich.”

“How dare you!” Molly screeched.

“I dare because I’m right. Whether you want her to or not, she will fight Molly. I have a feeling they’d make her fight even if she tried to avoid it. It’s much more productive to give her the skills to succeed.”

“How do you know your right?” Molly screeched. “How can any of you trust her?”

Melody smirked and raised her hand. She wiggled her fingers and Molly was rendered mute. “You should know that just because I’m a small blind woman doesn’t mean that I’m not powerful in my own right. Albus begged me to train those children personally. I’m sure you can trust him. Now, the way I see it, you have two choices. You can keep your trap shut tight and we’ll be on our way. If you insist on questioning my loyalties or flapping your gab about those two brilliant children over there, I will not hesitate to oblivate you. Don’t think I won’t. You have one minute to think it over. Choose wisely.”

Melody flicked her fingers again and removed the silencing spell from Molly. The portly woman gaped like a fish for a few moments before she regained her composure. “You’re fighting against You Know Who?”

“Yes. Forty-seven seconds Molly,” Melody said casually and looked at the wrist watch on Alex’s arm.

“What do they have to do with it?” Molly pointed to the couple on the sofa.

“I’m afraid I’m unable to answer that but suffice it to say that they are essential in the plan and they would die were it to get out that they’d been seen together. Thirty-two seconds Molly.”

“They would die? Why?” Molly asked in shock.

“Let’s just say that they know things no other person should know and if it got back to someone scaly with red eyes, they wouldn’t live to see the next sunrise. Fourteen seconds.”

“They couldn’t possibly know something that important,” Molly scoffed.

“You’d be surprised how valuable and damning information can be. Four seconds.”

“If someone were to get this information…” Molly whispered.

“The war is forfeit,” Melody said softly. “Time’s up. What’s your decision?”

“Just one more question?” Molly asked.

“One and one only.”

“How did Remus get mixed up in this?”

Remus smiled. “Albus asked a favor of me some time ago and I was happy to help. Molly, you must know that I don’t know everything that’s going on and I don’t care to but this is important. I believe it to be the key to winning the war.”

Molly nodded. “Very well. I’ll keep silent. I can help you know.”

Melody smiled. “I’m sure you can. However, we’ll need your solemn vow of silence. It’ll give us peace of mind and should you be captured, it’ll guarantee the safety of this information. Do you agree?” Molly nodded warily. “Did she nod?”

Alex waved his hand in front of her face. “Yes she did.”

“Stop waving your hand in front of my face damn it,” Melody snapped. “I just can’t see movements like nodding.”

“Just checking,” Alex sighed.

“You’re not blind?” Molly asked.

“Depends on the day,” Melody said evasively. “Now then, Sev, Remus, can you seal the bond? I’m afraid I’m a bit too weak to make it stick.”

“Of course,” Remus answered immediately. Severus merely nodded and they administered the vow in short order.

“Is there anything I can do to help?” Molly asked when it was over.

“Possibly. How far is Malfoy Manor from the Burrow?” Melody asked Severus.

“Around 160 kilometers.”

“So about the same distance as from here to there then,” Melody said, chewing this information over. “Would you let Hermione stay with you this summer Molly?”

“Of course! She’ll need to come for the wedding anyway,” Molly offered. “But won’t her parents worry?”

“I think they’d be happy that she has a safe place to go,” Melody said ambiguously. “Just…don’t get upset if she has midnight visitors.”

“I see,” Molly said a bit stiffly and looked over at Draco with a scowl.

Melody snorted. “You need to get over your prejudices Molly. You can’t judge every book by its cover.”

Molly’s eyes widened in shock. “How?”

“I am very sensitive to moods Molly. You can’t hide things from me. Now, we must be off. I figure if we can stuff those two in together first and then follow afterwards, it should work. Wouldn’t you say so Sev?”

“I think we need to wake them first. Otherwise, we’ll crush them on the exit,” Severus mused.

“Okay, why don’t we-“ Melody was cut off by the sudden violent onset of Draco’s convulsions. “Oh, poor kid. How many has he had?”

“This is only his second one,” Alex answered softly.

“Did you happen to time how long he held him under?” Melody asked as she stiffly rose and made her way over to the sofa to see if she could help.

“Half an hour I think. She was almost delirious by the end,” Alex murmured.

“I’d imagine so but you should have seen him,” Melody said in awe as she knelt down beside them and made sure they were touching. Hermione was awake, tears streamed down her face and she trembled in pain. “He never made a sound.”

Hermione finally realized that Molly was in the room with them and watching with a horrified look on her face. She pulled back away from Draco and they both screamed out in pain.

“Don’t do that!” Melody snapped. She grabbed Hermione’s hand and placed it firmly on Draco’s forehead. “Molly’s agreed to remain silent. Now, let me see what I can do. Sev, Alex, either one of you happen to have some muggle morphine on you?”

“You know I always carry some on me but he’s already had pain potions,” Alex answered curiously.

“I know that but you know very well that the pain potions don’t help much. Morphine won’t react badly because it is chemical in makeup and not magical. It’ll make him feel a bit fuzzy and he’ll need it. Sev, did you bring that headache paste?”

“Yes but why do you need it? It isn’t his head that’s the problem,” Severus said, grabbing for his bag.

“Well, his head is probably feeling like it is about to explode but that’s not what I’m after it for. Alex, start an IV and give him 15mg of morphine. Sev, grab that headache paste and a muscle relaxer. Mix them together and then give them here.”

“Are you insane?” Alex gasped.

“How many times are we going to go over this? Yes, I am insane. Now do it because he’s not going to stop any time soon!”

“What are you going to do to him?” Hermione choked out.

“The morphine will take some of the pain away until I can get him rubbed down. When you mix the headache paste in with a muscle relaxer, it works exactly like muggle Botox,” Melody explained trying to pry a pair of gloves out of a box she’d plucked from the bag Alex produced.

“That will fry all of his nerve endings!” Alex gasped. He’d just managed to start an IV in the contorting boy. It was a good thing he was so fast because it was rather difficult to stick a moving target.

“That’s the idea,” Melody said softly. “The cruciatis works because it explodes not only soft tissues, organs, and bones, but the nerve endings as well. Everything but the nerve endings can be repaired instantly with magic. Nerves must regenerate on their own because as you know, healing doesn’t put much emphasis on the neuromuscular system but rather healing the core and the vital organs. A nerve regrowing potion doesn’t work because there are still nerves in place. Someone seriously needs to come up with a happy medium, but that’s a story for another day. So, rubbing in the magical Botox will negate the need to inject him and it works instantly. No more nerve endings means no more signals for the muscles to spasm. The muscle relaxer also helps the muscles to rest.”

“He won’t be able to control his limbs though,” Severus said softly.

“It’s that or let him suffer this for another week or two Sev,” Melody said sadly. “Once the nerves are fried, we let his muscles rest overnight and begin regrowing them tomorrow morning. Typical regrowth takes about twelve hours. He should be able to cope by Monday.”

“How in the hell did you come up with all this?” Alex asked in awe as he slowly pushed the morphine into Draco’s veins.

“Well, the mechanics I learned from a combination of your and Philippe’s medical school texts. I spent more time in your damn office in the last six years than out of it.”

“And its execution?” Severus drawled and handed her the vial he’d mixed up.

“The pole,” she muttered. “A morphine and Botox cocktail and a boot in the ass is the standard procedure.” Severus’s jaw tightened in anger. “Don’t start Sev. At least I learned something.”

“How to take a curse and not show any symptoms, how charming.”

“Shut it,” Melody snapped and put on the gloves. “Molly, leave us to our work now please.” She said softly as she grabbed her wand and waved it a few times over the jerking boy on the sofa. She levitated him onto the floor, going slowly so Hermione could still touch him. Alex finished pushing the morphine and taped up the port just in case he needed to use it again.

“But-“ Molly started.

“Molly, I suggest you not try her,” Severus drawled. “Especially with that wand in her hand.”

“I have a wand too,” Molly sneered.

“Yes but the last person to face that particular wand looks like she rolled in razor blades,” Severus said smugly.

“That insane bitch deserved it,” Melody sneered. “She tried to snap my neck in two. I should have just killed her.”

“Counterproductive,” Severus stated blandly.

“Fine. I’ll just rip her magical core out of her,” Melody sniffed and began disrobing Draco.

“In due time. I’m sure that’s a fitting punishment,” Severus snickered. “Now Molly, do you really want to try her patience?”

Molly had turned white as a sheet and shook her head no. She hastily made her retreat.

“Finally,” Melody said and put her wand away, preferring to use her hands. She snapped and Draco’s clothes disappeared. She took a good amount of the paste and worked it into Draco’s arms which were curled and jerking hard enough to break bones. Amazingly, the tremors stopped in one arm when she was done with it. The other arm had the same reaction.

Spurred on by the treatment’s success, Alex and Severus both donned gloves and helped her coat Draco’s body with the paste. They were careful to avoid his bits, not wanting to render him impotent on accident. They were done in minutes and Draco breathed a sigh of relief.

“I feel numb,” he rasped tiredly.

“You’ll feel that way until tomorrow sweetie,” Melody explained softly. “You don’t have any nerve endings left to feel anything.”

“But I want to feel her,” Draco said, cutting his eyes over to his wife who was slumped over the couch with her fingers touching his forehead.

“You will soon enough. For now, back to school and we’ll all get a nice rest in the hospital wing,” Melody said comfortingly.

It was decided that Hermione would levitate Draco with her through the floo and then they would follow. It wasn’t quite the success they’d hoped because she collapsed shortly after they arrived but she managed to crawl out of the way before getting crushed. The trek to the hospital wing was uneventful but the few stragglers in the halls did give the three men carrying cloaked figures very odd looks.

“Hermione!” Harry hissed when Remus set her down on the bed. The werewolf merely nodded his head and showed himself out of the wing.

“Harry, what are you doing here?” Hermione asked softly.

“That wanker McLaggan cracked my skull. We lost,” Harry growled and rubbed the bandages on his head.

“I’m sorry I missed it,” Hermione whispered.

“How are you?”

“I’ll live,” she said weakly and then looked down at Draco. Snape had just set him on the bed and removed his cloak.

“He looks terrible,” Harry said softly.

“You don’t look so good yourself Potter,” Draco sneered.

Harry merely snorted and rubbed his bandages again. “I swear, I’ll bludgeon him to death with a beaters bat the next time I see him.”

Draco chuckled. “I think I’d like to see that.”

“So did, um, everything go okay?” Harry asked softly.

“We’re alive. I’d say so,” Melody said, letting out a muffled cry as Alex set her on the next bed.

“Are you alright?” Harry asked, his eyes widening when he saw the shaking woman trying in vain to lie down on her stomach.

“I will be,” she growled and unbuttoned her cloak. She viciously tried to yank it off and then gave up and buried her head in her hands.

“Shhh, love,” Alex said softly as he knelt down and helped her lie flat on her stomach. “Would you like me to numb it completely?”

“Yes please,” Melody said in a small voice. “But there’s a few spells already in place and they aren’t working.”

“That’s because they are only partial,” Severus said softly. “If I take them off, you’re going to hurt a lot worse.”

“Wonderful,” Melody grumbled. “Just do it.”

“Wait,” Alex stopped him. “Let me undress her first. Feeling those clothes on her back is just going to make it worse. Besides, I’m going to use the numbing paste so it will last longer.” Melody sighed and buried her head in the pillow, nodding her consent. He removed her clothes with a wave of his fingers.

“MERLIN!” Harry yelled.

“Harry?” Ron called from across the room. “You alright mate?”

“Um yea, I’m fine Ron. Just, um, stubbed my toe,” Harry stammered. “Be there in a sec.”

“You idiot,” Draco hissed.

“What happened?” Harry whispered softly. He was staring at the marks that were still on Melody’s back. Alex hadn’t been able to heal them all but he’d managed to close all of her wounds.

Melody cried out in pain when Alex gently smoothed some numbing paste onto her thighs. “Entertainment,” she hissed out.

Harry shook his head, fighting back tears. “And you just let them?”

“No,” Snape drawled. “I did it.” He walked over and gently brushed his finger over Melody’s cheek, wiping away a stray tear that had managed to escape. Then he bent over and grabbed some numbing cream and began working it into her abused upper back and shoulders.

“How could you?” Harry hissed angrily.

“There was a choice Potter,” Melody growled. “We could have just all died. Besides, I got what I went for.” She lifted her arm so he could see the Dark Mark and then put it down.

Harry gapped a bit before he regained his composure. “So it was either this or death?”

“Sounds about right,” Draco groaned as he tried to turn over on his side. He had no control over his body.

“Harry, help me turn him,” Hermione sniffled.

“What’s wrong with him?”

“He doesn’t have any nerves left and all his muscles are practically useless,” she said softly and pushed his right shoulder back as Harry lifted his left one. They finally maneuvered him around to face her and they both huffed from the strain.

“Why?” Harry asked bewildered.

“The cruciatis is a nasty curse Potter,” Melody said softly. “If we didn’t remove his nerves and deaden his muscles, he would have experienced tremors for weeks. No one should be held under for that long.”

“How long?” Harry whispered.

“Half an hour,” Alex said absentmindedly as he worked paste into Melody’s bum. She cringed for a while and then relaxed.

“Merlin, how in the world did he not go insane?” Harry asked softly.

“I had company,” Draco said remorsefully as he looked over to Hermione. A single tear drop fell from his cheeks in frustration. He’d caused part of Melody’s pain and all of Hermione’s. He couldn’t even hold his wife and he knew she needed comforting.

Hermione smiled softly and helped him drape his arm over her waist. She planted a tender kiss on his forehead and then shifted so she was facing him. Her eyes drooped from exhaustion. Harry shook his head at the display. He was floored by everything.

“Harry, who are you talking to?” Ron asked. His voice was much closer. Panicking, Harry looked around frantically for something to cover them up with. Snape scoffed and wiggled his fingers. They were instantly covered with a sheet.

“Um,” Harry started to call and then jumped a foot when Ron walked out from behind the separator curtain.

“Blimey!” He yelled when he saw Melody lying on the bed with Alex hovering over her. Snape looked over and growled low in his throat.

“Damn it, is this everybody gets a free show day?” Melody grumbled.

“Weasley!” Snape snapped. “Get back to your bed!”

Ron reddened and tried to avert his eyes but was having a hard time keeping them away. “What happened to her?”

“That is none of your concern, is it Weasley?” Snape sneered and stalked over to him. “Now I suggest you get over to your bed or I’ll give you detention with Filch for the rest of the year!”

Ron paled and then started stepping back, only to trip over the edge of the bed Draco and Hermione were on. He took the sheet with him, uncovering them. He managed to catch himself on the corner and looked up in time to see Hermione yank Draco’s cloak hood over his face. “Hermione?”

“Hi Ron,” she said meekly as she struggled to sit up. Draco’s hand was heavy on her waist and was inhibiting her movement.

“Weasley! Out!” Snape snapped and Ron fumbled backwards, knocking Harry on his arse. He turned around to help him up and tripped over Harry’s sprawled legs. He hit the ground with an oomph. Seeing them both fall, Hermione reacted instantly and sprang up from the bed.

“No! You’re too weak!” Draco cried and watched impotently as her legs crumpled beneath her. Alex zoomed around the bed and caught her underneath the arms. She and Draco both cried out in pain from being separated. Making sure not to touch her with his hands, he sat her on the edge of the bed and directed her to put her hand on Draco’s leg. They both panted from the strain.

Melody started cackling. “Oh this is like a three stooges movie.”

“Shut it,” Snape snapped and rubbed the last part of her back down before he vanished the remaining cream from his hands.

“I will not,” she huffed. “Take this damned thing off my neck.”

“As you wish, Madame,” Snape drawled and then ran his fingers over the back of the collar. A buckle appeared and he gingerly slid it off. “Better?”

“Much,” Melody agreed. “Now, clothes if you don’t mind.”

“No clothes,” Alex said, vanishing the cream from his hands and walking back around. “A sheet and a cushioning spell at the most.”

“Fine, get on with it. My ass is cold!” Melody snapped.

The boys were still in the floor trying to untangle themselves and get up. Unfortunately, they were having a hard time of it and seemed to keep bumping into each other and falling down again. If either of them would have looked up, they would have seen Snape flicking his fingers every so often to keep them in their clumsy state. When Melody was covered, he finally let them get up.

“Blimey, I’m sorry mate,” Ron said, trying to catch his breath. The poison and the stumbling had weakened him quite a bit.

“It’s alright,” Harry said, clutching his head. “Better lay down.”

“Hermione, what are you doing here?” Ron asked as he gained his balance.

“Just a bit under the weather,” she said softly, inwardly cringing in anticipation of his next question.

“Who’s that?” He asked, his eyes narrowing. He walked over to get a closer look.

“That is also none of your concern Weasley,” Snape drawled and smoothly placed himself in between Ron and Draco. “Now, 50 points from Gryffindor for failing to follow instructions and detention with Filch for a week as soon as you get out of here. Get to your bed.”

Ron gave one more hurt glance to Hermione before stumbling back to his bed. Harry gave her an apologetic look before he too went to his bed. Hermione closed her eyes and let the tears fall. The look of hurt on Ron’s face had cut her like a knife. She could hear Draco trying to console her in the back of her mind but it was Snape than drew her into an embrace, much to her shock.

“Stay strong,” he whispered in her ear before he helped her to lie down again. “Rest. You’re both too weak to do any good tonight.”

“But what if-“

“I’ll handle it,” he reassured her. “Do I need to give you a dreamless sleep potion?”

Hermione thought about it a moment and then nodded her head. The last thing she wanted was to have nightmares of her horrible day. “Can he have one too?”

Alex cocked his head as if remembering something. “I don’t think it will interfere, do you Severus?”

Severus ran over all the ingredients of all the potions and spells they’d used on Draco that day to see if there would be a negative reaction. “No, I don’t think so.” He reached into his nearby bag for two dreamless sleep potions. He handed one to Hermione and then helped Draco drink the other one down.

“Thank you,” Hermione said softly as she handed Snape back the vial.

He merely nodded and then turned to Draco. “Your muscles should work when you awake. We’ll begin regrowing the nerves then. Unfortunately, it’ll be painful.”

Draco gave a wry chuckle. “I think I can handle it.” He stopped short and gave a horrified look to Hermione. “Um, is there any way to…?”

“I’m afraid not,” Snape answered, knowing he was asking if they could spare Hermione any further pain.

Draco merely closed his eyes in acceptance and pain. “Gods I’m sorry,” he whispered to her.

“Why?” She asked, truly puzzled. “It’s necessary and it’s something we’ll both have to get used to.”

“Can’t you be selfish for once?” He growled.

She chuckled. “Not about this. Goodnight my dragon. I love you.”

“Goodnight little lioness. Merlin I can’t help but love you.”

Snape wrinkled his nose at their sappiness which earned him two amused giggles. He shook his head and went to sit down by Melody. Alex checked her vitals and then rubbed his throat. “You need to hunt,” Severus said softly.

“I do but it can wait,” Alex waved him off.

“Go. I’ll keep the first watch. Sleep will elude me for a long while yet,” Severus said with a heavy heart.

Alex walked over to him shaking his head. He placed a cautious hand on his shoulder. “You did what had to be done. It’s over now.”

Severus snorted. “Hardly.”

“Well, one step at a time then. No one blames you. Quit blaming yourself,” Alex whispered softly.

“How can I not? You see her.”

“Yes. Her heartbeat is still strong. She wasn’t subjected to unforgivables or forced to be a whore,” Alex said sensibly.

“But she was,” Severus growled angrily.

“Can’t rape the willing Sev.” Melody said softly, interrupting their conversation. Severus huffed. “Sev, you look at me.”

Severus refused to meet her eyes. Taking his cue from Melody, Alex placed his hand under his chin and forced him to look at her. His eyes were filled with self-loathing and remorse. Even though she couldn’t see them, she could see his aura. It practically pulsed with his guilt and sorrow.

“Sev,” she said softly. “I love you.” He took a shuddering breath and tried to look away but Alex held him tight. “No, don’t hide from me. We go way back Sev. You’re not that man anymore. You actually never really were. You forget how well I can see you. That first night, when I first laid eyes on you, I could see your soul. It was beautiful, tortured, and cracked. I watched you grow but never truly heal. It’s finally starting to. I marvel at it every day. Please don’t let this consume you. Please?”

“I vowed to never hurt another person I…cared for,” Severus whispered. “How can –“

“Stop!” Melody yelled and then realized what she’d done and gave a faint smile as an apology. “You didn’t truly hurt me Sev. I mean, yeah, physically it hurt like a son of a bitch but I could feel the care in your strokes. You did everything you could to make it as easy as possible. You are not a monster Sev.”

“I am!”

“No monster could ever care that much Sev. Please, I forgave you before the first strike. Forgive yourself and let’s move on from here. We’ve got a war to win and I’d care to do it beside my very best friend. Please?”

“It’s not that easy,” Severus argued.

She flashed him a bright smile. “It never is. We’ll take it one day at a time. Now, give my husband a kiss and come lay down with me. I’m cold and you’re a better blanket. Besides, he needs to hunt and he can’t if he doesn’t think I’ll be protected.”

“I will do no such thing!” He snapped and tried to struggle out of Alex’s iron grip.

“Fine, Alex kiss him and then put him in bed.” Melody grinned wickedly.

Alex chortled and leaned in to give Severus a kiss. The dour man’s eyes narrowed in anger as he struggled to move. Alex sat in his lap to keep him still and then tilted his head to the side. He gently scraped his fang across the fighting man’s jawbone and then kissed him on his pulse point. Smirking wickedly, he jumped up and then moved out of Severus’s striking distance. “Now, lay down.”

“I ought to hex you both into next week,” Severus muttered darkly.

“If you were going to you would have already done it,” Melody said smugly. “Now please, lay down with me. Alex really does need to hunt and I know he won’t leave until I’m happy.”

Severus hissed angrily and stripped his robe off. He sat down and viciously yanked his boots off and then ripped the sheet off of her.

“Hey!” She shrieked, suddenly chilled. “Put that back!”

“Serves you right you bossy old bitch,” Severus groused.

“Who are you calling old you mangy hoary bat?” She fired back. “And why are you still wearing clothes?”

“I prefer to remain decent.”

Melody cackled loudly. “That’s rich. Seriously, off with them. Keep your boxers on if it bugs you but I honestly don’t think I can take all that fabric rubbing up against me right now, numbing cream or not.”

Severus’s face grew dark. She tapped him on the arm and shook her head, silently telling him not to go to that dark place. He sighed and stood up to strip out of his clothes. “This bed is tiny.”

She pointed to a now fast asleep Hermione and Draco. “They’re doing it.”

Snape looked over and noticed that they were both teetering precariously on the edges of the bed. He enlarged it so they could rest comfortably and then enlarged Melody’s bed as well. He climbed in and carefully arranged her to drape over his body and use his chest as a pillow. She snuggled into his warmth and wickedly stuck her freezing feet in between his calves. He flinched but begrudgingly allowed it. Alex chucked and then covered them both with a sheet, making sure to put another cushioning charm on Melody’s back.

“Play nicely children,” Alex smirked. “I’ll go back to the states to hunt. It’s too dangerous to do so here. I also promised Philippe and Harmony I’d give them a report as soon as you returned. I’m a bit late on that but hopefully they’ll understand that I’ve been a bit preoccupied.”

“Tell Celeste as well,” Severus drawled.

“Was she not in your chambers?” Alex asked in surprise.

“No, she said she was returning home to keep Harmony company.”

“Alright. I’ll probably see her there then. If I’m not back before sunrise, she needs the scarring cream on the whip marks every three hours. The last application was an hour ago so two hours from now. You’ll need to rub her down with an antiseptic before. She’s also due a pain potion then as well.”

“Anything else?” Severus drawled with a quirked lip.

“Yes. Don’t start anything fun without me,” Alex joked and then laughed when he saw the offended look on the sour man’s face. “You’ve got to learn to smile more man. If you need anything, just pick up the mirror. Night.”

“Night Alex,” Melody called. Alex leaned over Severus and gave her a peck on the lips. Then he quickly pecked Severus on the lips as well and dashed out of the door before he could react.

“If he wasn’t already dead, I’d kill him,” Severus muttered darkly.

“Oh you liked it and you know it,” Melody chided.

“It’s over,” Severus said sternly.

“Oh alright,” Melody sighed. “If you want to be a spoil sport about it.” She yawned and then nuzzled further into his chest. “Night Sev. Try to get some sleep at least.”

Snape sighed and kissed the top of her head. “I’ll try.” He listened as her breathing slowed and changed to a deep and even cadence. He knew if he slept, the nightmares would find him. Not even a dreamless sleep would touch it. Instead, he settled for listening to the sounds of the night and reflecting on Melody’s pleas that he forgive himself. After a long while, angry whispers reached his ears and he paid close attention to them.

“What was all that about?” Ron asked angrily.

“I honestly don’t know,” Harry sighed.

“Why is Hermione in here?”

“She said she was a bit under the weather. You saw her yourself. She didn’t have the strength to stand,” Harry answered patiently.

“Who was that with her?”

“No clue,” Harry said lightly.

“I’m going to find out!” Ron said angrily. Severus could hear the sounds of sheets rustling.

“Stay here Ron. Snape will crucify you if you go over there!”

“That git is probably asleep by now,” Ron brushed him off. Footsteps sounded out.

“No Ron. Just leave it,” Harry begged, jumping out of bed and trying to block his way.

“Why should I? Do you know what’s going on then?”

“No, but this time I think we should leave it alone.”

“I think that cracked skull has gotten to you mate. Aren’t you the one who always wants to know what’s going on?”

“Well yes but I don’t think you should try Snape right now. He looked positively livid.”

“Yeah what’s all that about anyway? Did you see her back?” Ron asked thoughtfully.

“Yea, it’s bad,” Harry said softly. “No Ron, wait!”

Ron walked around the curtain with Harry hot on his heels. Ron grabbed the sheet and was about to pull it off when he was stopped by a clearing throat.

“Well, well Mr. Weasley,” Snape drawled, anger radiating in his voice. He hadn’t had enough time to get out but sat up, cradling Melody as best he could. “It seems as though you have short term memory problems. I believe I told you to get back to your bed.”

Ron jumped back in horror at being caught, his voice weak. “I just wanted to know who Hermione was here with.”

“And I told you that it isn’t your concern,” Snape said sternly. “You now have detention for two weeks. Would you like to go for three?”

“I…no,” Ron squeaked. “I just wanted to know.”

“Get used to disappointment,” Snape drawled. “Now, back in bed.”

Draco groaned softly. “Sleep.”

Ron looked over at the bed in horror. “It’s a bloke?”

Severus growled. “Bed.”

“But there’s a bloke with her in bed!” Ron protested.

“Sev,” Melody growled, wincing as she moved a bit. “For the love of Merlin, if you don’t shut him up I’m going to lose it.”

“Oh please do,” Severus drawled.

“Don’t tempt me,” she moaned. “What time it is?”

Severus grabbed his pocket watch from the table. “Time for your treatment now.”

“Can’t we skip it? I don’t want to move.”

“No we can’t,” Severus said sternly and then looked over to Weasley who was still gaping and pointing. Potter was trying his best to manhandle him back to bed.

“BUT THERE’S A BLOKE IN HER BED!” He yelled almost hysterically.

“No! Not again!” Hermione shrieked bolted up in bed screaming.

“Hermione?” Harry pushed Ron aside and tried to comfort her but she was viciously fighting against him.

“Back off Potter,” Snape snapped and slid out of bed as easily as he could. Harry flew backwards and held Ron back who was calling Hermione’s name over and over again. Draco started screaming as well but he was unable to move.

“Shut UP Weasley, you’re making it worse,” Snape growled and dug around in his black bag, ignoring his state of undress.

“What’s happening?” Harry asked.

“Bad reaction to dreamless sleep,” Melody said softly, wincing as she sat up and wrapped the sheet around her to preserve her modesty. She gingerly placed her feet on the floor and then hoisted herself up, faltering a bit.

“Sit down before you kill yourself,” Snape snapped, still digging furiously through his bag.

“You need a hand and I’m the only one here Sev,” Melody said sternly. “Potter, help a girl out yeah?”

Harry jumped and let go of a gaping Ron to help Melody walk the few steps over to the screaming couple’s bed. She reached under the covers to place her hand on Draco’s forehead, knowing that he couldn’t fight her. “Legilimens!” She said sharply and then cried out and let go. “Shit. They’re stuck.”

“Where?” Snape murmured as he pulled out several vials from his bag.

“You know exactly where,” she said and rubbed the bridge of her nose. “Only it’s worse this time because they both have a visual now.”

“Is it full sensory?” He asked, digging further down.

“No, thank Merlin. It’s just the visions and the emotions.”

“Right,” he said and grabbed several more vials. “It’s going to take all of us I’m afraid. I can take care of him since he can’t move but I think Potter and Weasley will both have to hold her so you can pour these down her.”

“Alright but they’re flickering pretty bad Sev. If they break for a second we’re looking at a very large problem,” Melody said, squinting to get a closer look at their auras.

“Cast a sticking charm,” Severus said distractedly as he lined up several bottles.

“You’re brilliant,” Melody said brightly and cast a sticking charm so that the couple’s hands stayed intact. She was thankful that Hermione instinctively grabbed onto Draco. “Now, Weasley, Potter, I need you to contain her and hold her still so I can get these down her throat. She’s stuck in a nightmare and this is the only way to get her out.”

“Why?” Ron asked in confusion as Harry positioned himself behind Hermione so he could grab her in a bear hug.

Melody sighed and motioned for him to move. He started and held his hands up to make a grab for her arm. “Dreamless sleep does exactly as the name implies. It stops the cycle of sleep that produces nightmares. However, sometimes it’s faulty. The dream still comes but the potion kicks in to shut it down. The vision stalls and they are stuck in a perpetual nightmare. So, we give the antidote for the original potion, several different relaxing potions, and then enter their mind and yank them out. Then we give some more potions to shut down the dream cycle so it doesn’t happen again. On three, grab her and don’t let go.”

Melody gave the countdown and the boys practically tackled their screaming friend. She struggled fiercely. Finally, they got her arm pinned to her side and Harry grabbed her in a tight bear hug. Melody directed Ron to hold her head still and pry her mouth open. She and Severus poured the potions down at the exact same time. When they were done with the first course, they each placed their hands on the couple’s temples.

“LEGILIMENS!” They screamed together. They were plummeted into the couple’s dreams. Suddenly, Melody was back in the Dark Lord’s meeting place. Draco was convulsing on the floor as the Dark Lord continued to hold him under the curse. Severus had landed in the bedroom of Grimmauld place to see a shuddering and screaming Hermione. Melody and Severus called their names and they snapped to attention. “It’s just a dream. Come with me,” The adults pleaded. The teenagers complied.

Hermione opened her eyes to see a frightened Ron holding her head. Draco looked into the worried face of his godfather. “What the fuck was that?” He asked, frightened. “Hermione?”

“I’m here,” she said weakly. “You can let go Harry.”

Harry released her and walked around the bed to look into her face. “Are you okay?”

“I think so.” Her voice quivered from fear and shock. She tried valiantly to keep her tears at bay.

“Oh shhhh, sweetie it’s okay. You’re back now. You’re safe. No more pain, I promise,” Melody said softly as she pulled Hermione into a hug and painfully rocked her back and forth. “It’s over. It’s all over.”

“It was so horrible,” Hermione whimpered.

“Hermione?” Draco asked worriedly.

“She’ll be fine,” Severus reassured him. “It was quite the shock.”

“What the fuck was that?” Draco asked again and tried to squeeze Hermione’s hand. He was unable to and let out a frustrated growl.

“Calm down,” Severus said sternly. “It’s only been a few hours.”

“So then what the fuck was that?” Draco asked angrily. He could hear his wife sobbing and was unable to do anything about it. He was confused and scared and felt utterly helpless.

“You switched experiences,” Severus said softly, hoping he wouldn’t have to explain further in front of Weasley.

“How is that possible?” Draco asked in astonishment.

“More than likely, walls were relaxed,” Severus said evasively.

“Speaking of walls, can you get these memories out of my head?” Draco asked curiously.

Snape nodded and took out his wand. He placed it to Draco’s temple and gently pulled a string of Nott’s memories out of his head. He put them in a spare vial he conjured and then capped them off. “Is that all of them?”

Draco closed his eyes and searched his mind in case one of them happened to stray. He could feel Hermione’s fear and shock and surprisingly some guilt. Then he realized that she was staring into Weasley’s shocked face. His stomach flipped over. “That’s all of them.”

Snape nodded and slid the bottle into his bag. “You’ll need a few more potions and then you can go back to sleep.”

Draco snorted. “Yeah right.”

“No, you two need sleep right now,” Melody said softly. “Come on, bottoms up.”

They drank down their potions and grimaced at the taste. Suddenly, their eyelids fluttered shut. Hermione fell back but Melody managed to just catch her before her head hit the cot. She lowered her to rest on Draco’s outstretched arm and then undid the sticking charm on their hands. She levitated all the potions bottles back to Severus who stuffed them in the bag as well.

“What was that last potion?” Harry asked.

“Instant deep sleep,” Melody answered, drawing the sheet back over them. “Does exactly what the name implies.”

“Will they be okay?” Harry asked worriedly.

“As soon as they get some sleep they will,” Melody said, patting his shoulder and then pointing to her bed.

Harry walked her around and helped her sit down. Severus strode back over to her and helped Harry lay her down on her stomach, removing the sheets to expose her tender flesh. He splashed an antiseptic on and then covered her with the scarring cream where it was needed. Finally, he handed her a pain potion which she guzzled down. Satisfied she was taken care of, he cast another cushioning charm and covered her up. Then he seemed to realize his state of undress and put his trousers on hastily.

The entire time, Ron stared at the sleeping couple with a dark look on his face. They’d forgotten his presence, too preoccupied with getting the couple situated and then sorting Melody out. “It’s Malfoy.” He said angrily, startling the other three people who were awake.

AN: Dun dun DUN!!! Hello everybody! Sorry for the cliffhanger but it had to be done. I hope I got this one out a bit quicker. Now that my thesis is done and I have a few days before next term, I can get cracking on this thing. As you can see, things are starting to get a bit hairy. Thank you to everyone who reviewed, I actually read them all again right before my presentation. I'm sorry for such a horrible last chapter but it had to be done. Voldemort can't very well force them to play with kittens, now can he? As far as email updates... I check my email maaaaybe once a month so I might not be very quick about that. LOL. As always, keep reviewing and let me know how I'm doing and if you find any errors. Until next time... Love you guys!
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