A Different Kind of Magic--UNDERGOING EDIT

I personally really like this chapter too, but I am not sure everyone will. I was going to write more but I will let the story unfold for itself. Thanks for reading! To my reviewer who guessed Fizzy Lifting Potion was from Willy Wonka you are correct. The "Balls to it!" reference was not the show you mentioned but was a good guess. The quote comes from Jim Royle of "The Royle Family" who gets pissed off on holiday when his family is playing clue and his wife and daughter don't know the rules. He upends the board and shouts "Balls to it!" It seemed very Severus at the moment they were playing chess and he accused Teddy of cheating.



Chapter 58- From the Heart


“I don’t understand,” Lupin frowned.

Snape pinched the bridge of his nose. It was giving him a headache to explain these arcane things to the boy’s dunderheaded father.

“Lupin, I despise repeating myself.”

“Look Snape, I don’t like you either but you are telling me something incomprehensible. I mean, I know about the healing but are you sure that my son is the object of this Prophecy and not just a figment of Malfoy’s deranged imagination?”

“Yes, that is correct,” he sighed wearily. There was no energy in him left for cutting remarks from all the excitement this episode had caused.

Hermione had, of course, managed to gather almost the entire Order by that night and a recounting was demanded. Spells were cast on him to determine what magic had been brought about. No one could identify it until Professor Flitwick arrived. A great look of wonder came over his face as his pudgy little arms flapped about.

“This is simply marvelous! I’ve read about it, of course, but scholars have let it pass into legend. It simply is too wondrous to believe!”

“What are you muttering about Flitwick!” he had demanded irritably.

The little man launched into a half an hour explanation of the history of magic among the Celts in wizarding Ireland and Scotland. The particular power wielded on Severus had been a little-known component of fabled elemental magic; that used by fairies and elves and those that lived on a different plane of existence. It was all a lot to take in at one time.

Remus continually muttered to himself, deep frown and worry lines criss-crossing his brow.

So that brought them to the current situation. Now that the full extent of Teddy’s power was more fully understood, the whole thing took on a new element of intrigue. With that type of power, Lucius could, presumably, have enough power to control the world if channeled properly. If Lucius had somehow discovered how the ancients had used ley lines to convert power, and move giant buildings and stones and across long distances without using foot, beast or cart, than he was a real power of darkness to be contended with. Dumbledore’s powers had rivaled a mere shadow of the type of power Flitwick was talking about.

“So is Teddy going to be safe at the cottage with just Snape and Hermione to protect him?” Remus exclaimed, pacing about the living room of the Burrow. “I mean, it wouldn’t be so farfetched that if Lucius has enough contacts, he could easily know where all the possible hiding spots are that Dumbledore used to hide Muggles at during the war.”

“True, my friend,” interrupted Minerva, “but we have little choice in the matter. There are few places more highly protected than the one they are at. Albus went to great trouble to secure its location from not only sight and sound, but magical detection as well. It is well guarded. Anyone natural magical person approaching from the outside with intent to harm that is not recognized by the wards will be incinerated if they try to attempt to breach the wards.”

“What about from the inside? From a traitor?” Remus glared pointedly at Rabastan.

Minerva patted his arm soothingly. “Again, the wards are only set to recognize certain people. You, Remus, are one, followed by Hermione and Severus, myself and Harry. Teddy can only go out or in with a trusted adult unless it’s an emergency. I have set a few more permissions, but I am not at liberty to discuss whom unless the need arises.”

“What about magical beings that are unnatural?” Hermione interposed.

Minerva pursed her lips. “There is a slight chance that a being of unnatural magical ability would be able to detect the magic and wards of the cottage but that scenario would be highly unlikely.”

Severus broke in. “So you cannot guarantee complete safety?”

“No, I cannot and I doubt you would do better under the circumstances.” Her no-nonsense tone earned a well-aimed sneer of disdain at making her reluctantly admit the weakness in the situation.

Eyes continued to wander around the living room. Each person unquestionably wondered who else had access to the house.

“What are we going to do about Teddy’s training?” Remus asked again.

“I told you, Lupin, I will take care of it,” Snape replied. Gods, the man was either thick or deaf tonight; or both.

“I don’t like it. How can I be sure you won’t teach him Dark magic?”

Severus flew from his chair and grasped Lupin by the front of his shirt. “I am not going to sit here and take your banal insults, Lupin,” he spat, getting a droplet on the other man’s nose. “Believe it or not, I would never harm your spawn. He is a prodigy the wizarding world has never seen in our lifetime, perhaps for millennia. I do not take on this responsibility lightly.”

“Take a wizarding oath,” Lupin calmly stated, prying the long, elegant fingers from his shirt.

“That is a marvelous idea,” Minerva intervened. “If it will keep the peace between you two, I am all for it.”

Severus was the first one to hold out his hand. A defiant Remus clasped his arm, digging into the other man’s skin sharply.

Hermione inserted herself between the two men opposite Minerva. “If he is to take the oath, I shall as well. There is more at stake here than ever before. It can only help to have more than one person responsible for his well being.”

Minerva stood on the other side of the two men and woman holding her wand aloft. “Will you, Severus Snape and Hermione Granger, to the best of your ability, guide and protect the magical education of Teddy Lupin, instructing him in the ways of the Light for the benefit of the Wizarding world?.”

“I will.”

“I will.”

“And will you look out for his best interests and protect him from any harm, even at the cost of your own lives?”

“I will.”

“I will.”

“And will you, Severus Snape and Remus Lupin remain civil to one another for the sake of the child until the matter of the Prophecy has been resolved?”

“I will.”

“I will,” Remus chimed in.

“You are bound by the wizarding oath which cannot be broken, under penalty of death.”

A ring of magic encircled the clasped arms and hands and then vanished. A small cheer escaped from the assembled group.

Remus continued to gaze into Snape’s bottomless eyes. “Thank you, Severus. That means a lot to me.”

“I am not doing it for you, Lupin, only for the boy.”

“Understood.”

Remus gave Hermione a tight hug and whispered his thanks in her ear.

A grudging respect passed between the two men as they separated and went to their respective seats.

Professor Flitwick gave Hermione a stack of books to look over about Druids and elemental magic.

After a bit more discussion, the group dispersed.

“That was a very noble thing you did,” Hermione commented once they were back at Cotswold.

“I meant what I said, Hermione. I did it for the boy.”

“I was touched. Honestly, you took an oath that you would die for him. That really impressed me.”

He turned on her then. “Do you think me incapable of emotion Hermione? Contrary to popular belief, there is not a heart of stone beating in my breast.”

“I didn’t mean that at all! It was just; I have never seen you do something so private and meaningful in front of a group of people.”

He sighed. “I’m a changed man. Loathe as I am to admit it, the past year and a half have irrevocably touched me in ways I’ve never imagined. I am still figuring out the man you see.”

“I’ll help you.”

He studied her intently. “I made another vow with Minerva in her office just before we came back.”

Her breathe caught. “You did?”

He nodded. “Yes. I promised to love and protect not only Teddy, but you, as well; to the death.”

Love and protect-

The professor saw her hesitation and wondered on it. She had been rather distant in some ways as they spent more time together at the cottage. While she was a wonderful conversationalist, brilliant with the boy and a good cook to boot, something was still off about her and he couldn’t place it. It wasn’t just the unpredictable attitude she had towards sex. It was something more that was beginning to irk him and he wanted to know what it was.

On a whim, he decided to try a little experiment to see how much of his ability had come back. He looked into her eyes and whispered, “Legilimens!”

He was making love to her for the first time after their escape from the Manor house.

Terrifying dreams rattled around her head as she slept.

She played with and hugged Teddy. Hermione told the boy she loved him. He loved her too.

Minerva was holding her as she sobbed.

Hermione struggled against that memory, trying to push him out of her mind. “Stop,” she whispered, why are you doing this?” She struggled but he held onto her arms tightly.

“Let me see.”

Minerva was holding her as she sobbed. A tale of heartache came tumbling out of her. Rabastan had been so kind to her while Snape was missing. Her heart had been broken at his disappearance and she was confused, lost. Minerva told her to choose.

He hissed, pulling her tighter, looking deeper. She visibly flinched but was unable to move.

Rabastan pulled her down onto his cock and she cried out, milking the sperm from his massive organ, crying out his name.

Snape suppressed an incredible urge to slap her.

She was overjoyed he had been found. Her hands lovingly caressed the book she had meant to give him.

Rabastan was taking her by force at Cotswold, her revulsion at the front of her mind, but the experience was banned to a dark corner of it. She refused to acknowledge the shame and betrayal she felt at having lied to Severus all this time.

Hermoine was flying around the room with a laughing Teddy after they used his Fizzy Lifting potion.

She ground herself on his hand in wanton abandon, thinking how much she loved him right at that moment, wishing he loved her as much.

He withdrew from her mind, leaving her body heaving with the strain of his intrusion.

“Why did you do that? You had no right! No right at all!” Her fists beat against his chest ineffectively, half-hearted sobs breaking from her breast.

He couldn’t really blame her for turning to another man. There had been so much going on; he was a fool to think she wouldn't turn to another man in his absence. It just hadn't been a consideration. He didn’t have a claim on her at that point in time. Anguish threatened to rage free in the form of physical violence. A shudder burned through every muscle as he steeled himself to stay still. The image was burned into his mind of her coming on Rabastan’s manhood. His stomach turned.

“Do you love him?” he whispered.

“No, I love you! You saw that!” she cried, throwing herself at him in supplication.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

She buried her nose in his shirt, refusing to answer.

“Hermione, I am not a patient man. If you refrain from answering the question, I will be forced to conclude you wish to be with him.”

“I made the decision to be with you. I didn’t want to hurt you. You had already been through so much pain.”

“So you imagined that what I did not know, would not hurt me,” he concluded, the ache a constant lump that made his throat constrict as the memory played itself over and over in his mind.

She nodded, such a simple gesture, but one which articulated that which could not be said with words adequately.

He lifted her chin, unsure whether to push her away or kiss her madly. “I want to forgive you but I do not know if I can. We are alike in many ways, Rabastan and I.” His eyes took on a haunted look. “More ways than I care to admit. However it does not excuse the fact that you lied to me. If you wish to me with me, in a more, permanent fashion, there can be no secrets between us.”

Those beautiful eyes were bright with unshed tears as they looked at his own in disbelief. “What are you saying?”

“You heard me.”

“I won’t keep any more secrets from you Severus, I promise.”

“And you are not allowed to share another man’s bed Hermione. If I find out you have been unfaithful to me ever again no excuse will ever halt the wrath you will see from leaving behind a broken heart.” His eyes burned into her soft brown ones that were filled with fear, relief, hope and love.

His heart clenched and unclenched furiously, the beating driving more than his blood about in his body. The old Severus Snape would have unleashed a tidal wave of fury on the hapless witch. He remembered his conversation with Remus not so long ago and his words about love and second chances. This was his chance to be happy with a woman he loved. Despite the knife that had twisted in his heart when he had viewed her memories he felt she deserved a proper chance free of curses, Rabastan’s coercion and the confusion of a missing lover. There would be no other if she were to fail him this time.
He pressed his forehead to the small, curvy witch’s in front of him and laid his heart bare.

“Hermione Granger, will you stand by my side as the witch that I love and adore. Will you be faithful to me in all things, mind, body, spirit and intent?”

“Yes!”

She flung herself into his arms and he carried her up the stairs to his bed, depositing her on it. He lay down on top of her and growled, “You’re mine, witch!” Where he proceeded to make love to her most thoroughly for several hours until they fell into an exhausted, sated slumber wrapped in each other’s arms.

He prayed to whatever deities were listening that he had done the right thing in overlooking her transgression and inviting her into his heart, for he loved her dearly and would never want to live without her. Wrapped in the young witches arms, the world promised to make everything all right.