Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Torment Completed	By : Kvarta Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 31717 -:- 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
- 74
- 75
- 76
A/N:
@ BlackRose "And what is this nonsense about Muggle women being more timid!" - it was more said to tick off Lucius, but also, Snape almost abandoned Muggle world in early 70's where the majority of women was less aggressive and the idea of a perfect wife and housewife was still strong. So his perception of Muggle woman vs Which is a bit distorted by that fact. "Cissa is the only one that makes sense" - in more ways than one, she was signalling Severus to what Hermione interrupted. "Slytherins are more complicated than chemistry" - hahaha, chemistry is fairly simple once you learn all forumals ;), "I’m glad that Hermione got in the way of all these plans." - are you sure? Tell me that after this chapter ;), "Now what the hell is he planning now?" - oh this is nothing new, in fact...this is something quite old :D
To avoid further confusion:
Italic - Past, memories
'Single quotation mark' - inner monologue, thoughts
"double quotation mark" - actual speech
Two weeks. Two weeks after the whole mess with the Minister and Malfoys. She was expecting much more. More fuss, more yelling, more of something. Maybe this was the way Slytherins dealt with the problem? In a lack of better explanation, she could call it a ‘cold shoulder treatment’. The whole situation puts her teeth on edge. She is...well...antsy as Harry would put it.
Nothing changed and everything changed in those two weeks. It was annoying. Or was it her head, playing a trick on her? With a sigh, she placed the book on the table. She wasn’t reading it anyway. Dark tones and the smell of books and parchment linger around her. A balm to her frayed nerves.
Media uproar lasted only a day or a two, then the whole incident fell into painful neglect. She wrinkled her nose, displeased with the outcome. It seemed that no one cared if Aurors abused their power to molest Death Eater family when Ron had a new paramour. Even the new Werewolf Law wasn’t that much of an interest. Minister plastered Lupin’s name over it and public swallowed it without complaint.
In a way, she expected more. Not from media and not from the general public but from Malfoys and Snape. She was on her toes for days on end, careful and ready to clash with Malfoy senior. That clash never came – she didn’t even saw him for almost ten days after the incident. And even then he glared at her with contempt, ignore her apology and hobbled off.
Snape ignored her as well. Well, as much as he could given the circumstances. Narcissa never changed a thing in the way they interacted. Draco….he was another story.
She raised her head and glanced in a direction of a huge wing-back chair, facing the fireplace. Sneaking her hand down she carefully touched her pocket. Few lumps meet her palm under the material of her jogging suit. Few balls of Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder gave her some measure of comfort. She started carrying them around after she noticed that Draco is following her.
She never gave too much thought what he was doing or where he was going. She never cared what either of Malfoys did when she wasn't around. It was a mutual silent agreement between both parties that they didn’t interact too much. Narcissa, again, being an exception. But ever since that day, Draco was popping up at every corner, like Jacko-from-the-box.
He was here now, reading. They rarely talked, but he would…linger. It was never a good thing to get a tail in a form of a Malfoy. Lucky for her Fred left her with a box of goodies she could use in case she needed them. It gave her some measure of comfort.
She hunched over the book, faking reading, toying with a quill in her hand.
Three days after the incident, Minister came by. They voted the Law. Her task was to find all still active laws, all past laws and to give suggestions how to change them – for the better. The Minister advised her to look for solutions in Muggle minorities law. To her surprise, Malfoy library had even Muggle law books.
Malfoy library was heaven! Big almost as Hogwarts library. Composed out of four adjoined chambers, each with a gallery, filled top to bottom with books. When she first entered the library her fingers started to itch. All that compiled knowledge within her reach! Navigating through that monstrosity would be nearly impossible without Misty’s help… and Draco’s. He knew, not only the library but also law section like the back of his hand. The place fast became her safe haven. Even if she wasn’t really allowed to take any of the books herself, or any other books except law books. But that was voluminous material to digest, for now, she was content with it.
…She was reading a book, frowning.
“Trying to intimidate the law, Bucktooth? It doesn’t work that way.” Draco mocked her
“If you want to know, the reference book apparently isn't in your library.”
“Sincerely doubt that.” He smirked
“Well, Misty can’t find it.”
“What book?”
“The one with the article ‘Tractate about werewolves – damned among us’”
“And you look for it in a Law section? Pathetic.” Draco clucked his tongue, and she growled at him
“Either help or disappear, I have work to do.”
To her surprise, Draco decided to walk off. Only to appear next to her moments later, nearly hitting her when he dropped large, thick ancient looking book on her table. She glared at him and he smirked.
“It was in the Dark Creatures section. The article speaks about the first mentioning of Werewolves in our society. Discussing the point of origin of the curse.”
Her mouth fell open, she didn’t expect from him to know the article no more than in what book it was.
“You really don’t know anything about Purebloods.” He shook his head “I was home-schooled before and during Hogwarts.”
“So you know about the laws?”
“Most of them – yes.”
“Well, good for you. Now let me work. Ummm…thank you, I guess.”
“You guess?” Draco raised an eyebrow, muttered something in his chin and walked out of the library…
Ten days after the incident…well, that was another story. Misty pop into the room with news that Harry brought Draco home, he was again hit with a curse. Luckily, with nothing too serious. He was, however, rather out of it, acting almost like he’s drunk. Severus was so upset that she finally decided to go and look for herself…
…She crept through the door. Narcissa was sitting next to rumpled looking Draco covered with few bruises. His hair a mess. Harry was talking to Lucius.
“Ummm…I’m sorry, I had to come, Severus is really upset. He wants to know what is going on.” Her voice was quiet and thin.
Lucius snapped his head to glare at her, Harry looked worried but Narissa was calm.
“Nothing to worry about. A minor accident in the Ministry.”
“Ministry?”
Lucius growled. Narcissa turned to him.
“Lucius, go and talk to Severus. Poppy will be here shortly, I have Mr Potter and Miss Granger here to help me.”
Lucius glanced at his wife
“Didn’t she done enough?” asked in a dry accusing hiss
“Lucius.” Narcissa gave him pointed look
He nodded and headed to the door, leaning heavily on the cane. Glaring at her with obvious accusation.
“This happened because of me, because I…?” she asked, realising only now why they staged such stupid rouse. Her meddling that day shifted the focus to Golden Trio more than the attack itself. Or to the Golden Meddling Duo as Prophet called them. It was rather clear now, given all the titles in Prophet. “I…I’m really sorry, I didn’t mean to…”
Lucius only continued to glare daggers at her. He stepped around her like she was no more than an offending piece of furniture, hobbling out of the room.
“Harry, Mrs Malfoy, what happened?”
“They cornered him in a corridor. He did put up a good fight Mrs Malfoy, but he was outnumbered.” Harry said softly
“And no one tried to help?”
“It isn’t very crowded corridor Hermione. He is in the Archives.”
“Archives?”
“Yes, apparently he is good with laws…”
“I know that…”
Fire blazed green and Poppy followed by Minister walked into the room. Poppy walked to Draco and shooed Narcissa, casting spell after spell.
“Nothing serious, he’ll be fine in an hour or two. Just a mild confundus charm and few bruises.”
Narcissa was whispering with Minister, Harry tried to talk to her, but she wasn’t listening. Among the myriad of feelings guilt dominated. Her brain worked fast.
“I have an idea, Harry…”
“Hermione, I don’t think you should…”
“This might work, …trust me.”
Harry shook his head, but she cleared his throat
“Minister.” Both Kingsley’s and Narcissa’s head turned to her “I apologize for interrupting. I… ummm...could it constitute as his penalty if Mal…sorry…Draco helps me? He wouldn’t have to leave the house and I could really use his help.”
“Miss Granger, I am not so sure…” Kingsley shook his head
“Just imagine, Mr Minister. What could please the public more than to know that an ex-Death Eater and Malfoy to boot works for a Muggleborn on a new Werewolf Law. It does sound…humiliating for Malfoys…Sorry about that Mrs Malfoy. And, gives the satisfaction to the people. They may decide to leave him alone and alive and unharmed so he could... suffer." her voice dropped to a whisper, she felt wrong as she voiced her reasoning. It wasn't why she suggested it, but she did learn a thing or two from Slytherins around her. "Can it be…arranged?”
“It will require approval from the Council, but essentially – yes.” Nodded slowly Kingsley “Thank you, Miss Granger. Narcissa I’ll see what I can do. Poppy?”
“The boy only needs rest.” Hiffed Poppy
“Hermione are you sure?” whispered Harry
“I messed it up, I can fix it…or at least try. Don’t worry, Harry, I can handle Malfoy in my sleep.” She smirked, hoping that Harry won’t see through her bluff
“Miss Granger, go with Mr Potter in the tea room. I will stay with Draco. Misty will call you when you're needed.” Narcissa told them softly, her eyes conveying silent gratitude…
Now she had no choice. Then again, it was a far better option to have Malfoy junior in front of her eyes than as a tail.
Working on a Law influenced the time she was spending with Severus. For all intents and purposes, her life still revolved around him. And that was frustrating at the moment.
Severus was grumpy or silent most of the time. It didn’t bother her when he would direct the barb of his words to her as much as it bothered her when he ignored her. Her brain would quiver in an effort to solve a rather unsolvable puzzle. She was missing him, and that was so disconcerting on so many levels.
She couldn’t wrap her brain around the idea that she could miss anything that came from Severus Snape, for one. And, how she could miss someone she spent a good part of the day and entire night with as the other. It was maddeningly frustrating.
His memories were few and apart from each other. But she did learn that he helped Katie Bell after she ended up cursed. And even if the Dark Lord didn’t summon him to the meetings, he did call him quite often. Each time Voldemort felt dissatisfied with slow progress he would call him. And each time he didn’t like the answer he’d be angry.
No, there is still no progress. – Crushiatus
Dumbledore is absent from the school again. – Crushiatus
No, he doesn’t know where Dumbledore went or for how long this time - Crushiatus
Dumbledore is not an easy target in the school. – Crushiatus
Two failed attempts. – Crushiatus
Those nights, when memories hit, were filled with episodes of tremors and her struggle to hold him down. With the growth of his strength, she had to put more and more effort to hold him down. Each time after the episode ended, Severus was highly displeased with the position they were in.
Well, it wasn’t like she was enjoying herself either. But what else she could do? She reached the point where seriously wanted to ask Poppy is there a spell she can use? But somehow, she was sure Severus wouldn’t appreciate that particular solution.
Lucky for her, he had more dreams than memories. And she wasn’t privy to those dreams, not that she wanted to. She knew that he was dreaming. Each time they woke up she either had to flick her wand at him or he would send her to the bathroom. Well, lately out of the room during the day.
Her own memories reminded her of the broken record. Night after night she would dream only about that cot in the tent. She reached the point in which realisation was obvious. Either she will find a way to stoop all that or she will end up broken all over again. She rather enjoyed the fact that she was her old self again.
Narrowing her eyes, she pulled a muggle pocket notebook and pen. She clicked the top of the pen and scribbled into a notebook
Connection – correlation…
1) Memory of crushiatus – post-crushiatus episode
2) Memory – reaction (???) – whose memory – possible triggers (?)
“What is that?”
She nearly jumped glaring at Draco. He was leaning at the table with curiosity.
“It is a Muggle thing.” She huffed
“Is it something about the law?”
“No.”
“Well, what is it about?”
“None of your business.”
“Maybe I can help…Unless it is full of your dirty secrets. In that case, I want to see it.” grinned Draco and she had the wish to smack him. Most of the time she found him irritating and annoying. But he was also useful. The light in her head turned on
“In fact, you could. Do you have the section with medical books?”
“Misty would skin us both alive if I give you books on mind-magic.”
“You won’t give me any of the books. You will look it up! And no, it is not the mind magic. Is there anything about crushiatus in those books – about the consequences?”
“I have to look up, but it should be. Why? Planning on using it on someone?”
“No.” she frowned at him “Severus…he has those…”
“Say no more. What do you want to know?”
“Anything on post-crushiatus. How far they researched it to find the cure.”
“I can tell you that.” He huffed, sounding disappointed “They came up only with a potion. It relaxes the muscles and prevents the tearing of the tissue during the attack. But nothing much beyond that.”
“And how do you know that? Don’t tell me you wanted to be Medi-wizard.”
“Preposterous thought.” He barked at her “Potions, Granger. I couldn’t care less about the disease. I do know Potions.” He had an air of gloating around him
“Fine, whatever. Can you still look it up – not just the ‘cure’ but any abandoned theory why they happen.”
“What, you think you can solve what they couldn’t? Presumptuous much.” He sneered
“I have something they didn’t.” she hissed at him “An insight before it happens. Actually, I have a theory…but, I need confirmation. At any rate, most of the time you can recite Law books without even glancing at them. This will give you something to work on and I can ask you if I get stuck.”
He frowned at her and stalked off, presumably to find suitable books for the research. She felt a surge of energy and returned to her reading with renewed zeal.
- 74
- 75
- 76
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