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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
- 61
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- 63
@BlackRose "knowing that Severus is not in love with Lily means that there is a possibility of him moving forward" - true, so very true :), "While she never tried to take advantage of her knowledge of Severus’ memories, he could use them against her while angry. He has a very sharp tongue! " - Agreed, he is far more adapted to use and abuse the situation then she is.
To avoid further confusion:
Italic - Past, memories
‘Single quotation mark’ - inner monologue, thoughts
“double quotation mark” - actual speech
This is it, the moment of truth. He is kneeling and his knees scream in pain. This is vivid reminder that he isn’t young anymore. Even if he were young, after almost hour and a half in this position, his knees would be in pain. Even if he’s on the soft rug his knees would still hurt. But he isn’t. He isn’t young anymore. The cold uneven stone floor pressing at his knees, and they hurt. He knows why he has to kneel for so long. He knows what he must do. Despite Albus’s order. Suppressing the sigh he stores all the pain and all the hurt an fear behind his protective walls.
Someone enters the room. He can hear the footsteps, they are faintly familiar. But he keeps his eyes fixated to the spot on the floor. He won’t rise them without permission. A female voice, high pitched and raspy at the same time. Her laughter creeps against his nerves. He knows that he is in this position partly because of her. She whispers poison into Dark Lords ears, poison against him. Grim satisfaction creeps into his soul. This very well may be the last day he takes a breath, but even if it is so… he knows that she may live a thousand years and yet… never getting what she wishes. Not from the Dark Lord, not from other Death Eaters, not even from her husband.
He is not only half-blood among death-eaters. In fact, there are more half-bloods than pure-bloods among Dark Lord’s troops. But he is the only one in the Inner circle. He is the only one that sits among them as equal. And he is the only one Dark Lord trusted even more than her. Ever since her…punishment… she is seeking the way to destroy him. Maybe today is the day she will succeed, not because of her efforts but because his own resolve not to yield.
Her cackling laughter scrape against his nerves, like nails on a chalkboard.
“Poor, poor Snapey. Are you in trouble.” She singsongs against his ear, he can feel her husband's glare on his shoulders. If looks could kill… If… but he is still alive.
“Bella, you know better than that…” Dark Lord’s voice is cold and stern. She may be his pet dog but he has no real love for her. And her usefulness is no more than to stroke Dark Lord’s ego with her blind devotion.
“My Lord.”
“Do you have news?”
“We do, my Lord.” He can hear uncertainty in her voice and nearly cracks a smile
“Now, Bellatrix.” Dark Lord sound’s annoyed.
That is good and bad. The more she annoys the Dark Lord, his chances are better to remain in the high position he had until now. good in general, but not today.
“The boy moved at the safehouse, my Lord, but the trial will be held in a few days. We had our sympathizer in the position. Everything is set to be placed in motion at your order.”
“Do you have any news, Bella? All of what you told me I already know. For all your dislike of Severus, he had that information for me days ahead of you.”
“My Lord, he sits at that old man’s elbow. But he couldn’t know about our sympathiser…”
“And yet he did. Days ahead of you, Bella.” Dark Lord’s voice is cold and sharp as an edge of a blade “Anything else?”
“N…No, my Lord.”
“Leave.”
Shuffling. He can hear footsteps retrieving, growing faint and distant as they depart. He can feel Dark Lord’s gaze on him. His heart trumps few times fast and hard before he manages to take it under control and slow the beating to normal thruds.
“Severus, it seems that allegations against you are false.”
“Thank you, my Lord.”
“Bella did not forgive you…she is determined to bring you down.”
“I am aware of that, my Lord.”
“I expect nothing less from you, Severus. Perhaps…a reminder is in order. Maybe Bella forgot the lesson she learned that night. Punishment can only go so far before you need to…issue a reminder.” There is almost the gleeful tone in the Dark Lord’s voice.
“If my lord desires so…” he whispers, deliberate hesitation straining his voice. This is it, the moment of truth. Life or death?
“Are you opposing my wish, Severus?”
“No, my Lord, not even for a moment.”
“But…”
“If I may be…”
“Speak, Severus.” There is an undeniable annoyance in the voice of Dark Lord
“My position as a teacher, my Lord, as a Head of Slytherin House… I am in a position to influence children, my Lord. They spend more time with me than their parents. But, if their parents fear me, distrust me… it will reflect on their children.”
“And your influence will diminish.” There is a long pause before Dark Lord speaks again “I haven’t considered that. And I do have to admit, you were feared. Still are by many. And you did amuse me…”
One boney, cold finger curls up under his chin, lifting it. he meets Dark Lord’s gaze. He can feel pressure, slashing through his mind. It would hurt less if he pushes what the Dark Lord wants to see. And it would be his demise. No, he must let the Dark Lord rip the memories on his own. The pain is staggering, blinding, but he endures it. finally, he is alone in his mind once more.
“Very well, Severus. I accept your reasoning. You are, after all far more useful to me as you are now. I will, however, have to find you a replacement. Dolohov perhaps.” Dark Lord trails off
Dolohov. Yes, that name will infuse fear. Dolohov is a sadist. The man thrives on fear and pain he can cause. And he only hopes that if he ever ends up punished by Dolohov…he has poison ready on. there won’t be any survivors, at least not functional ones, with Dolohov. The voice of the Dark Lord snaps him back to reality.
“You did defy me, Severus. Spoken against my wishes. I should give you to Antonin as his first task… But, I do need you able to return to Albus once more.” Finger returns under his chin, raising his head once more. “You are still loyal to me beyond what other can comprehend. I can be merciful if I wish so. I am merciful.” The finger is gone and his head falls back down “But you did defy me.”
He takes a deep breath, relieved. He will live. Steadying himself for what is coming. He is almost grateful that he won’t have to stand up. Above his head, he hears almost gentle hiss
“Cruchio”
Pain hits him hard, mixing with the pain from his knees. Darkness…
~ S ~ S ~ S ~
She sat, jolted from her sleep, not by his memory as much as painful cry. For few moments she couldn’t figure out where she is or what is going on. This wasn’t a hospital but everything else reminded her of it.
Right. Malfoy Manor.
Hermione shook her head and jumped out of her sofa, running to the bed.
‘Don’t let it be, please, don’t let it.’ she prayed silently, jumping on the bed.
He is not shaking, at least not enough to merit holding him. tremors are not that strong. She can’t feel him. first time since the…mistake…she can’t feel him and that scares her.
His cries still reverberate against the walls, but that only means that he is alive.
‘Don’t let it happen again. Gods, just keep him awake. Please.’
It is dark, and she can’t find time or brain enough to cast the charm. Blindly, she presses her hand to his chest. They are convulsing.
“Bloody tremors.” She muttered, ghosting her hands over his body.
No reaction. He is not awake yet. She touched his face, it is wet with tears. Reluctantly she turns focus to his legs. When she touched his knees his cries enhanced. She breathes the breath of relief, at least she discovered the source of his discomfort and pain.
Sliding off the bed she casts the charm, conjuring the jars with bluebell flames, she charms them to float around him. Stumbling, slightly dizzy she takes one jar with pain balm, given to her by Matron. There was no need to use that balm until now. Scrambling back on his bed she flipped the covers and grumbled, charming his pyjama bottoms off. He is going to be mad at her, but she doesn’t care. Mad and yelling is better than in coma as far as she is concerned.
Taking a good dollop of the balm she rubs it gently, first into one than the other knee. She continues to massage them, rubbing. The cries slowly subside. Her heart still beats hard and fast against her chest.
She is angry. Mad at Albus for exposing him to this. Mad at Dark Lord for ever existing. Mad at him – for enduring all that. Lost in her thoughts and anger, he startled her when he suddenly spoke
“What are you doing, Grange?” his voice strained and hoarse. And Hermione thought it is the most beautiful sound she ever heard.
~ S ~ S ~ S ~
Reality returned to him, creeping into his brain. His throat is in pain, but that pales in comparison to the pain of his knees. The pain that slowly ebbs away under the cold feeling and tender pressure. Laboured puffs of cold air ghost over his this… His naked this. He wasn’t naked when he fell asleep!
He opened his eyes, alarmed. He's surrounded with floating jars with Granger’s signature source of light. He is most definitely naked. And the Granger is massaging his knees wearing a mask of terror on her face.
“What are you doing, Grange?”
She jerked back and gazed at him. Her features spilling from fear to an absolute delight in seconds. Suddenly, from being frozen and wide-eyed she blurred into motion. He released a puff of breath and a loud “Ugff” when she draped over him, squeezing him into a tight embrace.
“Thank Merlin!” she breathes in his neck
“Granger, get off me! What gotten into you? And why in Salazar’s name am I naked?”
She tensed and pulled back so fast with a flustered look on her face, he nearly chuckled at her reaction. He is more confused than amused.
“Right… I… Sorry… I….”
“I am expecting a coherent answer when I ask the question, Granger.”
“You were screaming and…”
“I do not scream, Granger.” He admonished
“Yes, you do.” The stubbornness of her face laced her voice “and you were screaming, and thrashing. You had mild post-cruciatus tremors, but not like before. and I… I… I was scared. You didn’t wake up. But you were crying and then I touched… your knees and…”
“And?” he raised an eyebrow
“You were in pain.”
“So you removed my clothes?” he is still unsure should he be angry at her or not. The sense of relief is overwhelming and he’s sure it’s not his.
“I… it was the only thing I could remember to do, I needed to put the medicine on your knees.” She frowned, then jumped to pull the cover over him. He nearly laughed when she blushed.
“So to add to my discomfort you had to jump on me, Granger?”
“You…I… I thought that you are in a coma again.”
“Now, why would you think that?”
“I… I suddenly woke up, thinking I’m at the Hogwarts Medical ward… that’s all.” She frowned “Do your knees still hurt?”
“No.”
“Good. I’m going to sleep now. Good night.” She blurted in a rush and slipped from the bed, vanishing the jars with light.
“Granger?” he used his classroom voice
“Yes, sir.” He could hear her sitting up
“You are a terrible liar.”
~ S ~ S ~ S ~
She lies awake, listening to his breathing until she's convinced he is asleep once again. Sitting up and curling against the side of the sofa she took one shuddery breath. Something changed. She can’t say what but something changed, she can feel it. Shaking her head she lie down again. She needs time to think. Time to sort through things, emotions… everything.
Thoughts swirl in her head. She has questions, but she can’t ask them. Well, maybe there is one person she can ask. Yes, that’s right. Tomorrow.
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Torment *Completed*

Torment Completed