Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Torment Completed	By : Kvarta Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 31713 -:- Recommendations : 3 -:- Currently Reading : 8
Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction. Harry Potter is owned by J.K. Rowling. This story is purely for entertainment purposes, no money is being made from it.

Chapter List
- 42
- 43
- 44
A/N: @BlackRose "Yay, you’re back! I was worried." - thank you :) Sometimes my work can be demanding and prevent me from posting, but never for too long :), "You’ve done worse!" - I agree, but it all depends on a point of view
To avoid further confusion:
Italic - Past, memories
‘Single quotation mark’ - inner monologue, thoughts
“double quotation mark” - actual speech
Warning: Angst, suicidal thoughts, discomfort...I feel compelled to WARN you all. I know many of you like Hermione starting to fight back, but she is not yet balanced, and I guess that many of you won’t like her this way. So, I’ll leave this warning until she is ‘out of the woods’ so you may skip these chapters if it's not your cup of tea.
He was gazing through the window, a pale patch of winter sky looked depressing, but he didn’t mind it, in a way it reflected how he felt...never-ending and bland, but instead of pale grey nothingness he was a white searing pain. Oh, no! It wasn’t physical pain, physically he never felt better, if he exempts the muscle atrophy, but even that was advancing nicely.
No! The hell he was in, surpassed even what he could devise in his most vile of moods. Surviving the war was never in his plans and he acted accordingly, setting his affairs in order, giving away all his possessions...and yet he was alive now. He nearly sneered at the thought, he could end this years ago if he only approached the matter from the right angle, if he didn’t allow Albus to manipulate him so...and the worst of it all, he allowed it. He saw through Old Man’s quips and nips on his soul, he willingly allowed to be constantly reminded, tortured by the never-ending well in the form of Albus, refreshing his memories. If he made a poison, like so many others he made in his life, no one could save him. But, he didn’t. He refused to be cursed with another successful murder, even if the victim would be himself. So he tried in many different ways, and always woke up.
’Maybe that is my true punishment? Life, or rather no escape from life.’ That would be too cruel of a punishment, even for a monster like he was.
His recuperation was another form of punishment. His broken mind and weak body robbed him of his magic. Oh, it was still there, just unusable, taunting him, mocking him. Will he ever manage to regain his control of it?
’To what end?’ he wonders idly, surely, where he plans to go, he won’t need his magic. The flow of memories will stop. His mind was a bottomless pit of pain. Hidden, sometimes even forgotten, snippets of his life haunted him now, oozing out of every corner of his mind. He hoped that he will end his existence before he has to face them once more. And now he had to control his mind, subdue it into not thinking when Lucius was around. Lucius wasn't that skilled but he didn’t want to take any chances. And Granger, she had full access to his most secret memories, lucky for him, she was unskilled and didn’t know how to use the advantage she gained.
Granger was biggest of his trials, a Sphinx positioned between him and what he desired the most, only he couldn’t get past her. He was usually highly adept at solving puzzles but this one was particularly tricky. He didn’t count on being blocked by so many obstacles. If she just didn’t have to play a bloody hero, he would found the way to crawl out of her clutches and conjure his magic...it wouldn’t be painless but it was a means to the end. Now, however, he was stuck. No matter that she was one entangled in his mind, he was stuck, forced once more to put himself behind for the sake of others.
He will have to find the way and separate himself from her, from Malfoy's, from Poppy, just for a little while, it would be enough. Before that, he has to force Lucius to see the reason and let Draco breathe. The boy was smart and resourceful, stubborn at the times, but he reminded him of his mother more and more with each passing day.
’What am I going to do with Granger?’ the thought injected itself rather suddenly. But that was the question. She was a nuisance on more than one front. She refused to have her own quarters, she politely rejected Lucius’s offer to use the entire Manor, she even refused to step out into the hallway more than once a day to talk with Potter. If she took a chain and chained herself to his wrist, it would have been less blatant. It was clear as a sunny day...she refused to move away from him even for a little bit. With his strength, her paranoia grew. Now she was placing monitoring charm on him every night with heightened sensitivity. Every time he would move her eyes were on him.
He could not get rid of her, much to his dismay. She invaded his space rather thoroughly, even in the ways she wasn’t aware of. She was in his head quite literally and figuratively. His awaken senses detected her in a way they should not. Certainly, her entire demeanour helped in that tremendously and thwarted his plans. He had to battle her intentions and surprisingly himself. Rarely in his life, things caught him by surprise like this.
The surprises lined themselves one after another after that horrid moment in the Shack. Him being alive. Him being proclaimed as a bloody hero. His body reacting! Now, that was something he could not foresee. After her death, he died too. For years he was a shell, just a step above Inferi, but at this point his body decided to rebel, showing him that he is not as dead as he thought himself to be. Her flicking that blasted spell at him was now regular morning occurrence. As of lately, even sometimes during the day she had to use it. And if all of it wasn’t humiliating enough, the unlucky occurrence would happen when he awakes from his rest. His memories, should he be happy that at least during the day she wasn’t present to witness them? But, it was even worse, not all...
The sharp sound of knocking rasped through the room snapping him out of his revery and suspending a soft scratching of the quill against the parchment. Her head jolted up. The door open and elegant form of Narcissa slipped into the room. She looked tired but gave him one warm smile.
„Can I have a moment of your time Severus?“
„Of course.“ He replied and Granger jumped to her feet
„Good day, Mrs Malfoy. I’ll be out of the room in a second...“
„There is no need for that.“ Replied Narcissa, her tone of voice even „I have nothing to discuss with Severus that cannot be heard.“
Granger girl frowned but nodded, he nearly snickered. Narcissa either missed the point or didn’t care about girl’s opinion of her. Granger returned to her corner and barricaded herself with the only defence she could think of, the book. Narcissa glided to the bed and lowered herself on the edge of the bed.
„You look better.“ She stated simply, voice still even with underline of tenderness
„As oppose to what?“ he asked gruffly and Narcissa smiled, this was their private joke
„Shhhh, not in public.“ She replied with a mocking tone
~ S ~ S ~ S ~
Her ears strained, try as she may, but she could not concentrate on the reading, she was listening to the conversation. It was surprisingly mundane, ranging from household management to weather. It appeared that Narcissa was just bored and sought a conversation company.
She turned the page and paper rustled loudly. They didn’t pay attention to her. The conversation was stirred to Draco, by Snape no less, which surprised her given that she was in the room.
„Did you talked to him?“ he asked
„I did. But I will tell you the same thing I told him – I won’t talk to Lucius about it.“ Narcissa sounded a bit defensive
„Nor you should. I was thinking that he needs support, not a messenger.“
„Even if he does, he won't find one in me.“ Narcissa’s voice was harsh now „Lucius isn’t unreasonable, they should learn how to communicate. More than that, Draco has to learn to stand on his own.“
„I support your attitude, Cissa, but don’t forget...“
„You think I can? That I would ever be able to forget, Severus?“
„No, of course not.“
„It was a nightmare with no escape, and though I did what I could to protect him, protect all of us...there was no escape. And because of that, he needs to learn or it will bring him to his knees. He is not just Malfoy, he is Black as well.“
„Is he the next in the inheritance line?“
„Yes, along with Potter and Lupin.“ Replied Narcissa, to her the woman didn’t sound bitter or hateful when mentioning the names, not like her husband, softer than her son.
„Goblins will have a fun time dealing with that bunch.“ Chuckled Snape and she nearly raised her head.
The jolt of jealousy travelled through her. He was so relaxed, so affectionate with Narcissa, not to mention polite. He was always so cross when he talked to her, so callous. It hurt. Now, more so than before while she was his student, now when she knew what she suspected before, that he, in fact, can be affirmative, caring and gentle to some.
Narcissa laughed quietly „Luckily, not one of us will be there to see that.“
„Oh, I’d love to see that, even as a ghost.“
„You are incorrigible, Severus.“ Narcissa laughed „But, let's get to the matters in more foreseeable future.“
„And that would be.“
„Annual event at Malfoy Manor.“ She replied smoothly and Hermione focused her attention on the conversation even more than before
„Ah.“ Snape didn’t sound surprised or thrillers for that matter „I am afraid, this year I will be indisposed.“ He drawled
„That minor detail didn’t escape me...“ Narcissa’s smooth tones had a tingle in them that set her on alert, the woman had a plan, one that Snape won’t like it
„I don’t want them parading in and out the room, Cissa. Don’t force me to...“
„To what?“ Even if she didn’t see, she could easily imagine Narcissa’s brow travelling up only based on the tone of her voice „Miss Granger.“ She jumped, this was unexpected, and peeked over the edge of the book „This concerns you as well, so you may stop pretending to read and join the conversation.“
„Mrs Malfoy, I am here strictly as professor’s nurse...“
„Come now, Miss Granger, if you can call him Snape in the face, you certainly can in front of me.“ Woman’s voice was amused but cold, she gaped „Miss Granger, do not assume, ever, that I am not informed what is going on in my own home. If...we put that aside...I see that you made the good use of the book I sent you...yet...did not adopt what you read.“
„Mrs Malfoy...“ she started but Snape cut her off
„Granger!“ his tone almost as dark as his eyes, Narcissa raised one hand in the air to stop him, not moving eyes from her
„...I am grateful for the book, it is, indeed, interesting read, especially for someone in my position. But the simple fact is, I need to be easily mobile to assist pro...ummm...Snape. This Muggle attire, however inappropriate is highly functional to that end.“
„I see, well, can I inquire if you plan to be in that...attire...even during Malfoy Annual Yule Ball?“
„As I told you, I have no plans of leaving Snape’s side.“
„Wish as he may, some guests will come to greet him.“
„In that case, I will dress accordingly.“ She replied, not less insulted but at least not inraged like she was before
„Thank you, Miss Granger.“ Narcissa tilted her head slightly „May I ask how did you like the book?“
„Oh, I loved it!“ she slipped in the pattern she always had when discussing the book or any bit of knowledge „It explains so many things! They should hold curses in Hogwarts for Muggle-borns.“
„I’m glad you agree, Miss Granger.“ Smiled Narcissa pleasantly, her face brightened making her beautiful and vibrant „If you have any questions, I will be more than happy to answer them.“
„As a matter of fact, I have. Several.“ She took a stack of parchments and Snape groaned
„Severus!“ dragged Narcissa with amusement „Miss Granger, would you like to join me for a cup of tea in my salon while I answer at least some of your questions.“
She was torn, this was her chance to ask for additional, referenced books, but she doesn't want to leave Snape alone. She glanced at him, fidgeting on her spot and Narcissa sighed
„In the name of Merlin, Miss Granger, he won’t run away. He would if he can but..“ she pointed her hand at glaring Snape „Very well. Misty!“ called and the elf popped up „Bring Draco, now.“
Moments later, Misty re-appeared with baffled Draco next to her
„Mother, is everything alright?“ he asked, she was confused again, Draco sounded worried and affectionate, he approached his mother in haste
„I am fine, Draco. Miss Granger agreed to keep me company for a cup of tea, would you be a dear and keep Severus a company, if he needs anything Misty will take care of it.“
„Certainly mother.“
„Thank you, Draco. Come, Miss Granger, if you would follow me...“
She nodded to the Snape and Draco, clutching her parchments, and followed Narcissa. Her emotions in disarray, the state of high paranoia being the dominant one. ’What are they planning now?’
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Torment *Completed*

Torment Completed