Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Torment Completed	By : Kvarta Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 31744 -:- 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
- 65
- 66
- 67
A/N: @BlackRose "Dog! Really Severus!" - hehehehe, well you do have to admit Hermione does have a tendency of a bulldog to bite down and do not let go, especially when she set er mint to something. It doesn't have to be a bad habit, but it is a poor choice of words from him. "I wonder what memories Harry is afraid Severus would/could use against Hermione?" - mostly, Harry referred to memories of their extra-cuticular school activities ;).
To avoid further confusion:
Italic - Past, memories
'Single quotation mark' - inner monologue, thoughts
"double quotation mark" - actual speech
Hermione flexed her hands. Snape was in a foul mood. Harry’s apology apparently wasn’t received well. They went through a usual set of exercises for hands and legs in the pool. Gulping audibly she turned to him.
“Snape…”
“Granger…” he hissed, narrowing his eyes at her
“What is the matter with you?!” she snapped, “You told me yourself, you are not my professor and that we are not friends. I call my friends by their name, my professors by their title. Until you decide what are you… I have no other option but to call you Snape.”
She was frowning at him, refusing to budge down, but inside all alarm bells turned on.
‘Gods! What is wrong with me, he could feel annoyed by any number of things, or for no reason. So why did I had to bring this up now?’
Snape glared at her. His nostrils flared. She was sure, if he had the strength he would pick her up and tossed her out of the pool, but not before he shakes her like a rattle. His voice, when he finally spoke, sounded like and menacing hiss
“As I recall, Granger, I did give you permission to call me by my given name.”
“For just one evening.”
“Yes. And after that evening you continued and I did not retract that permission... thus extending it.”
“Then, why can’t you call me by my name? I have a name, you know?”
“It was hard to miss given that I read it during the class call for six bloody years.”
“Funny, I had a feeling you thought my name was either Granger or know-it-all.”
“It is too early for your hormonal outbreak this month, Granger.”
“I hate it! Alright? I hate it when you call me like that. It is the constant reminder of what... I’m sure you of all can understand that. I can’t change my last name. I don’t want to change it – but to be called by it all day, day in – day out… And they may never... Just…STOP!”
“Now, that is the reason I find valid. Very well Gran…Hermione. Can we get out of this pool now?”
“Ummm, actually, I had an idea for another exercise, if you feel up to it?”
Snape glared at her and she sighed, maybe he can go along with her plan if she explains to him what she had in mind.
“It should help you gain more strength in your legs. It requires that you lean your hands to the edge of the pool, I’ll remove the charm from the water. You just move our legs as if you are walking, for as long as you feel comfortable. I’ll be next to you and with water holding your weight…”
“I am aware of the physics.” He grumbled darkly, she gazed at him “Well?”
Realising that he was waiting for her help she moved. He couldn’t hold on for long, but she counted these few minutes as a small victory. In time his strength will grow in his legs, the same way it returned slowly but steadily into his arms.
~ S ~ S ~ S ~
His muscles screamed in pain, trembling under the skin. The jitter of exhaustion he could not prevent. He welcomed that pain, and the slumber after they reached the room.
…The school was empty, no students, no teachers. But there was Albus and Hagrid and elves, so he had to be in school now. A pleasant visit, for once, even if he had dark news. Now that he had an encumbrance of that rat, sniffing around his home. He often wondered if the rat was sent to spy on him or he was supposed to keep an eye on the rat. The line was thin and blurry.
His mood darkened with various brewing tasks he had for the Dark Lord. He went on for days hoping that his potions won’t be discovered for what they were. Even if there was little chance for that with Lucius in the prison. That was another thing, his friend, his brother was rotting in Azkaban. Bellatrix her husband and her brother in law took permanent residence in the Manor. Their presence preventing him to properly take care of Narcissa and Draco. He shuddered at the thought of those he held dear in the hands of a lunatic Bellatrix was now. Not that she ever was same, but now she could scare monsters bigger and worse even than him.
He hated every time he had to bow his head and stay quiet during the meetings. Dark Lord was not known for mercy, and Lucius’s failure was to be paid tenfold by his family. He reached the Headmaster's office and Albus looked at him with anticipation
“Ah, Severus! What news have you brought me?”
“Grim, Albus. The Dark Lord has a task…”
“What is he demanding of you now?”
“Not for me, Albus. For Draco.”
“Young Malfoy? I thought he refused to take to his lines anyone still in school.”
“Draco’s circumstances changed.” He hated it. He was the boy’s Name Keeper. And even if the duty of the role did not apply to him with the boy’s parents still alive, he felt protective. And powerless.
“What is young Malfoy told to do?”
“To kill you.”
“So, the Malfoy family is punished. It is rather ingenious if you think about it.”
“Are you still claiming that you are nothing like the Dark Lord, Albus?” he allowed irony and dark accusation to colour his voice
“I am.” Replied Albus “But it is. I could let young Malfoy carry on his task, protect the boy and die. Or... I could defend myself and condemn our student and his mother to certain death. In which case he would burden someone else with a task.”
“Indeed.” He failed to see what was so amusing or fascinating
“It is quite a puzzle, Severus, but puzzles are to be solved and we will solve this one. Do not worry, between two of us, I am certain we will find a solution to save your young protégé and hopefully myself.”
“You are aware if Draco fails who is his next choice? It is enough that only even family member doesn't know I am informed of the task given to Draco.” he huffed annoyed.
“I am surprised he didn’t ask you already.”
“He might, but you forget…I still report to you and not to the Order.”
“Ah, yes. There is that.”
“So, have you any messages for him?”
Albus gazed through the window, he sighed
"Before I grow old and all the feathers fall off Albus, would be acceptable.”
“I am going for the time being to the trip.”
“Where?” he asked realising Old Man’s game
“I can’t tell you that, it is…ah, sensitive information. One, with which, I’m afraid I can’t trust anyone, even you, my dear boy. But, shall I prove successful in my endeavours, we will tip the scale of war to our side. Go, Severus, rest as much as you can during summer break.” Albus replied mildly, turning to him and watching him with fatherly affection.
He nodded, hating every moment of that game, the “dear boy” Albus used only in these moments, but mostly his own life….
…He was reading, nearly three weeks passed and not a word from Albus. The Dark Lord was getting restless. Words flowing in front of his eyes, not really forming into coherent meaning. Owl pecked at the window and Pettigrew let her in. The bird refused to give the note to the rat, landing on his chair instead.
He removed the note. Pettigrew was dusting, trying to glare behind him into the note. He read the lines before incinerating the note and spreading the ashes over the tea-table.
“You, clan this.” He barked an order to the rat and called “Misty!”
Elf popped and gave a dirty glare to the rat.
“What Master Snape wants?”
“Take me to school.”
Misty grabbed the hem of his robe and blinked them directly into the Headmasters office. Even if the note was plain, reading just “I returned to Hogwarts.” all the all arms start ringing in his head. It was not the first time Albus went somewhere, but he never before notified him of his return.
Now, the Old Man sat slumped in the chair, looking tired and beaten down. The room still tingled from magic. One hand blackened as he rested it on the table. He hastily approached the man.
“You old fool!” he hissed
“Quite right, Severus. Through I had to try.”
“Try what? Kill yourself?”
“No, sadly that task will fall into the hands of another. In my arrogance, I thought myself stronger than a curse.”
“Indeed.” He mumbled casting a charm after charm, his concern growing with each flick of his wand
“If I succeeded, Severus…well, what is done - is done. I'm afraid this does complicates things. For you and young Mister Malfoy.”
“Malfoy is my concern, Albus. And I am but a chess piece.”
“Do you really see yourself that much expendable, Severus?”
“And you do not? I made my peace with my destiny, Albus, long time ago. It is not a question of if but rather when and how. Stand still now, let me see what I can do.”
“Did he asked you yet?”
“As you knew he would.”
“I am sorry, I know it had to be hard on you…”
“Do not flatter yourself, Albus.”
“No, never when it concerns you.” Albus smiled tiredly “At least this makes things easier, don’t you think?”
“No, I do not think that. But, it is not for me to think about such things… unless I’m asked to do so.”…
…He was pacing in his room in Hogwarts. He did not return home after he tended Albus. He knew that the Dark Lord will summon him soon, but he needed few moment of solitude. He needed to sort out through things. He knew what they expected of him from both of them. He just wasn’t sure if wanted to follow the orders. It was not that death or murder bothered him, he had enough blood on his hands. It was not that he held Albus close to his heat. It was not that with committing the act with which he would sign his own death, no matter who won. He was simply tired of the game they played. He hissed as his arm burned…
…”Yes, Albus, I can see your point. Explain to me one thing…how did you envision for me to convey the message to the Potter? Shall I call him for tea and scones?”
“I am sure that you will find the way, Severus.”
“The boy hates me – as much as I dislike him, I might add – can you imagine what his reaction will be after I kill you?”
“I have no doubt that you will find the way, Severus.” Repeated Albus tiredly but sternly, blue eyes shone with cold determination “I know you will do whatever it takes to give the message to the boy.”
He leaned against the wall and closed his eyes. That was not the way he imagining he would die. Bitterness gathered in his throat constricting it. The irony of all ironies, to die from the hand of Potter.
“Between two of you, Albus, Muggle idea of Hell starts to look like a very appealing vacation destination.” His voice was low and bitter
“Are you religious, Severus?”
“No, but even if I were once… it would have been taken away from me, a long time ago.” He sighed, turning to walk out of Albus’s office…
~ S ~ S ~ S ~
Hermione sat in her bed, eyes wide open. He was still sleeping. Harry, she has to talk to Harry.
‘Dirty, manipulative Old Man. How dared he! How the bloody hell he dared?!’
It wasn’t just what Severus had to allow to happen, it was Harry. How would Harry felt once when the truth was out? What would it do to Harry if he killed Snape and then learned all that they knew now?
She bit her lips in silent anger. Wasn’t Dumbledore cared for Harry at all? For any of them? Or were they all expendable, pieces on the chess board as Severus said? The new comprehension and understanding washed over her. He may have been unfair, and bully in the classroom and favour his own house above others. He may have been many things. But even Snape was not deserving such blatant use of his life, such soulless approach to his own existence. If not his life, he deserved at least that his death meant something. He did not deserve to be an instrument that would destroy Harry, once the world was free from Voldemort. None of them deserved to be sacrificed with such lightness.
Damn that Old Man!
- 65
- 66
- 67
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Torment *Completed*

Torment Completed