Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Bound	By : goldhorse Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 126052 -:- Recommendations : 15 -:- Currently Reading : 31
Disclaimer: JK owns HP. Not me. I also don't own any quotes you might recognize. I make no money doing this, I just get the plot bunnies to quit interrupting my sleep.

Chapter List
- 7
- 8
- 9
Ginny had nicked Harry’s invisibility cloak as she left to confront Ron. She took this opportunity to head to the Room of Requirement. If Hermione wasn’t on the Marauder’s Map, she was in there. It was the only room in the school that was untraceable. Thank Merlin for nosy brothers! She stopped just outside the room when she saw Snape and Dumbledore pounding on the door that appeared.

Crouching into position just outside the door, she tried to hear the commotion. She heard Hermione scream and it took everything in her to remain silent. Hermione wouldn’t be hurt with Dumbledore there. She had to keep telling herself that and was surprised when both Professors emerged a scant minute after they had entered. She held her breath so they wouldn’t hear her.

“Well, that was unexpected,” Snape drawled.

Dumbledore chuckled. “Take it as a good sign, Severus my boy. Acceptance is half the battle.”

Snape snorted. “Hardly half, Albus. They still need training.”

“All in good time. They must be comfortable with each other first, and it looks like they are well on their way.”

Then Snape gave a low, evil chortle. “So, it seems, Albus. So it seems.”

Just then Malfoy walked out of the room and asked for a few minutes for Hermione and requested a private conversation. She saw Snape put the ward up and felt the buzzing in her ears.

Muffliato? Wasn’t that one of the spells of the Half-Blood Prince? Ginny had some contemplating to do and since she wasn’t particularly adept at lip reading, she decided to do some thinking until the ward lifted.

First things first, it was apparent that Hermione and Malfoy had to work together, especially since Dumbledore said they needed to be comfortable with each other. Hermione said she would never be alone again. It must be something very serious that they were involved in, especially if they needed training to do it. It was obvious that it was something that had to do with the upcoming war. It seemed that Malfoy had turned a new leaf. She didn’t think his father would be too happy about that. It would explain why Hermione couldn’t talk about it.

How had she gotten caught up in this in the first place? Perhaps that episode in the bathroom was more than just a mere attack? Where did Snape fit into this? The most obvious reason was that he was a spy. Perhaps he was looking after Malfoy? Where again did Hermione fit into that? Surely she wasn’t about to become a spy as well. Voldemort would Avada her after hours of torture if he were to catch her. This definitely called for some more “research”. Research sounded much better than spying. Suddenly, the buzzing was lifted and she heard the words that made her heart stop cold.

“Miss Weasley? Please remove your cloak and step forward.”

Bollocks.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

“Spying, Miss Weasley,” Snape said in a deadly low tone.

“Hold on Severus. There is much more at work here than you realize. However, we need to move this into a more secluded area. Mr. Malfoy, could you please see if she is ready?”

“Yes sir,” Draco answered warily. He gently knocked on the door and then entered. “Hermione?”

Hermione was in the bathroom. She had just finished washing her face and brushing her mane into a somewhat manageable ponytail. She had finally convinced herself that she had nothing to be embarrassed about. This was, after all, what they had been talking about for a while now.

“In here, Draco. Is it time?”

“Change of plans. They are coming in here. I think it best if we meet them outside and then, um, change the room up a bit?”

She blushed heavily and nodded. They walked out the doors and her eyes widened when she saw Ginny standing there, Harry’s cloak in hand. She looked thoroughly embarrassed and Snape looked like he was fixing to blow his top. Dumbledore was as serene and twinkling as ever. Draco walked the path three times and then opened the door, ushering Hermione through first. He followed.

“Ginny!” Harry screamed.

Ginny’s heart dropped into her shoes. Harry must have seen them on the map. “He knows,” she breathed.

“Now, now, Miss Weasley, we can take care of it. Severus, please inform Mister Potter that I will meet with him later. There are more pressing matters I must attend to.”

Snape nodded and smirked wickedly. “With pleasure, Headmaster.”

Ginny shot Harry a look that said ‘you seriously shouldn’t have done that’ and walked into the room of requirement with Dumbledore.

“Mister Potter, I would expect that you of all people would have learned the meaning of the words think before you speak?”

Harry shot him a deadly glare. “I only wanted to speak with Ginny, Professor,” he snarked, making sure to emphasize the word professor.

Speaking slowly, trying to rein in his anger, Snape began to redirect him. “Be that as it may Potter, it seems that Miss Weasley was caught trying to sneak her way into a private conversation using an item that was supposed to be on your person at all times.”

Harry quailed. Snape knew he was supposed to carry his cloak with him? He knew Dumbledore trusted him implicitly but that didn’t mean he had to. He had seen Hermione with him, Dumbledore, and Draco Malfoy of all people. If something were going on, didn’t he have the right to know? He was the chosen one for Merlin sakes!

“Um, she, I, um,” he began stammering.

“I have no time for your pathetic attempt at an excuse Mr. Potter. That will be 20 points for shouting in the halls and aiding in breaking school rules. Miss Weasley will be punished accordingly. Now, I suggest you be on your way.”

Knowing not to push it, Harry backed down. He started to turn around and sulked back to the common room when Snape stopped him.

“Oh, and Mr. Potter?” Harry turned back around. “The headmaster would like to see you in his office after dinner.”

“Yes sir,” Harry growled and then started back toward the common room. Perhaps Dumbledore would fill him in tonight. He knew one thing. He wasn’t leaving until he got some answers.

Snape entered the ROR and saw that tea was being served around a round table. Dumbledore was seated next to Miss Weasley. Draco and Hermione had chosen opposite sides of the table, obviously trying to keep up the illusion that they were enemies. Snape took his seat between the two.

“I trust Mr. Potter is back on his way to his dormitory?” Dumbledore asked.

“I can say that he was headed that way. If he actually makes it there, it will be a miracle. I suggest we put his cloak to use when some of us leave,” he stated, making pointed glances at Draco and Hermione.

“Yes, yes indeed. Now, before we begin, I feel I must let you all know of some things. Miss Weasley, I understand that we discussed the fact that we would never reveal the nature of your true self to anyone. However, I feel it is time that we revoked that statement.”

“Sir?” Ginny asked, obviously alarmed.

“Miss Weasley is in fact, a light phenom.” Gasps came from Hermione and Draco and Snape’s cup rattled against his saucer. “It seems that she was born almost as extreme as you Severus. Arthur and Molly were quite concerned when she was first born and we decided to place a mild binding spell on her at the tender age of 3. When Tom’s diary fell into her hands, his possession changed her magic forever. If we had to use numbers I’d say she started out at 90% light. However, after her possession, she is more toward 70% or so. As a result, we were able to remove her binding and she has been able to live a normal life.”

“Well, that explains why she was so drawn to the diary,” Snape said and Dumbledore nodded.

Ginny was very pale. She had been told this quite some time ago and was forbidden to speak of it to anyone. Now, not only had she been ousted as a freak, they seemed to understand. Did Dumbledore just say that Snape was unbalanced as well?

“Magic can change current?” Hermione spoke out for the first time.

“It is extremely rare Miss Granger. I’ve only heard of a few cases of it happening. Miss Weasley here is one, although there is another that has fairly recently done the same.”

Eyebrows rose all around.

“Harry,” breathed Hermione. “Voldemort has his blood. It must have changed him.”

“Indeed Miss Granger. Although the circumstances can’t be understood, it seems that Harry has been tipped to the dark side. He is an even match with Miss Weasley in the opposite direction. He was born balanced; I checked myself.”

Tears were pouring down Ginny’s face. She was so afraid that her secret would get out. She didn’t want to be called a freak. She had always worked to keep her magic under control so as not to raise any alarms.

“What’s wrong Weasley?” Draco asked. He didn’t have a clue as to why she was crying.

“Go ahead Malfoy, make fun. One more Weasley freak to add to the mix.”

Draco couldn’t help himself. He started sniggering. Seeing that he was upsetting her further, Hermione reached across the table and soundly slapped him in the chest to get his attention.

“Hey now, you must admit how absurd the notion of her being a freak because of her magic is.”

“True,” she answered. “But don’t you think she ought to know before you just start laughing at her?”

Draco signed. “Fine, go on then. I know you are dying to tell her.”

“Tell me what?” Ginny snapped. “I know I am a rarity.”

“Well, Ginny,” she began. “You aren’t really as rare as you once thought.” She turned to Snape who resignedly waved her on, giving her permission to divulge what she could, barring what the vows prevented her from revealing.

“You just heard that Harry is a phenom, but in the opposite.” Ginny nodded. “Did you pick up in the conversation that someone else was as well?”

It suddenly clicked. “Professor Snape?”

Snape sighed. “Yes, Miss Weasley. I am as dark as you were light at your birth. However, I remain the same today.”

Ginny’s mind was whirring. She turned to Dumbledore. “Why did you let me believe that I was alone in this?”

Dumbledore sighed and smiled sadly. The twinkle from his eyes was gone. “Miss Weasley, the nature of your magic must never be known. If Tom Riddle happened to learn of your unusual magical abilities, I am afraid that your brief experience with him would have been the absolute end of you. It was the reason he was so drawn to you to begin with. Your signature is unusually strong but seeing as he didn’t believe in the analysis of magical makeup but rather the power level, he never caught on. Despite the people you are currently sitting with, you really are quite a rarity.”

She nodded slowly. “So, if he ever finds out, I’m buggered?”

“We’re all buggered, as you so eloquently put it Miss Weasley,” drawled Professor Snape.

“All, sir?”

“Yes, Gin. You’ve been sleuthing around long enough to know that Draco, Professor Snape, and I are all somehow connected.” She nodded. “Well, there are more types of magical signature than balanced and phenom. It turns out we’re bigger freaks than you are!” She said brightly. At Ginny’s quizzical look, she continued. “Draco and I have a pure magic. I am entirely light and he is entirely dark. We’re unstable without the other.”

Trying valiantly to hide the shock, Ginny countered. “You’ve been stable so far. You fought like a warrior last year Hermione!”

Hermione’s face fell and she immediately started to rub her scar. “Yes, well. I’ve been magically bound since I was 10. If I had the use of my full powers, I’d more than likely be dead.”

Ginny gasped.

“Which brings us back to the reason I had to reveal your secret, Miss Weasley,” Dumbledore continued. “You remember the hex that Miss Granger took last year?”

“Yes sir. I’ve never been able to forget it. It was horrible.” She had a haunted look in her eyes.

“Yes. It seems that Miss Granger’s magical makeup has interacted with the curse. It will not just run its course. It will tear through her until she is no longer.”

Ginny looked up at Hermione in sheer horror. She saw her best friend with tears cascading down her face and she leapt out of her chair to comfort her.

“There must be a way to fix it!” She said with a determined stance, making sure to hold on to her friend tightly.

“There is Weaslette.” Ignoring her look of distaste at her new nickname, Draco continued. “I know the counter curse. However, due to the nature of my magic, I can’t perform it by myself. She must lend me her magic.” He was careful to pick around the fact that they were already bonded. Always the Slytherin, it was never good to reveal all your cards. “Healing her would cause me to feel her pain as well. Without her lending me her magic, I won’t be able to complete the counter curse. Unfortunately, we only get one shot at this. I’ll need your help as well.”

“You need me to lend you my magic?”

“Precisely. Professor Snape will be helping as well. Being a phenom, you are more tipped toward the light and would be able to lend it to me. It wouldn’t be permanent,” he added, seeing her eyes widen.

“Miss Weasley, the counter is very draining.” Snape drawled. “I can lend him my dark magic, but he must have light as well. I think it is incredibly inappropriate to ask a child to do this.” He shot a look at Dumbledore as he spoke his mind.

“Stop!” Hermione cried. “I won’t ask you all to endanger yourselves for me. I don’t care about my pain. I can handle that aspect, but I won’t cause any of you any harm.”

“Granger,” Draco started. “You seem to forget that we are in this together.”

She paled. “Oh no.”

“Oh no, indeed,” Snape drawled.

Ginny didn’t understand what the big deal was and she said so.

“Miss Weasley,” Dumbledore began. “You must know that we cannot reveal all to you. Not because you aren’t trustworthy,” he hurried, seeing her anger. “It’s is because if someone were to find out that you knew the details of what was happening, you would become a target again. I must ask an oath covering what this meeting will entail. You must never reveal this to anyone.”

“Fine,” Ginny barked. She held out her hand and made an unbreakable vow with Dumbledore.

“Now, tell me what you can.”

“Very well, Miss Granger and Mr. Malfoy are opposite ends of the magical spectrum. As such, their magic has no balance. Being unstable, they have both had their magic bound but it will only hold for so long. In order to maintain control, they will need to be bound together so they can share their abilities and become balanced.”

“Bound in what way?”

“Every way.” Snape drawled.

Ginny paled. No wonder Hermione was so upset. Her life was not her own anymore and she must do it for her own survival. Now she could see why Malfoy was concerned with her living. He wouldn’t be able to survive either. His magic would destroy him. Well, Hermione was her best friend and Harry wouldn’t be able to go on without her. She knew they shared a unique friendship.

“I’ll do it.” She stated after a pregnant silence. “I do so of my own free will because I can’t stand to think what would happen if we were to lose you Hermione.”

“Oh Ginny,” cried Hermione as she clung to her harder.

“Gryffindors,” Snape grumbled.

After much planning, Hermione’s healing was set for that night in the Hospital wing after dinner. Snape spent most of the afternoon teaching the girls how to lend their magic to Draco. He was careful not to overtax them, as they would need their full strength for the night. Ginny’s lessons took the longest since not only did she have to learn how to lend her magic, she needed to learn how to separate the light and dark energies. Luckily, she was a quick study.

After their study session, Ginny was sent down to the Great Hall to eat dinner. She was to give Harry his cloak and then return to the Hospital wing. Dumbledore would keep Harry busy while the healing took place. Snape sat in the ROR and shared a meal with Draco and Hermione.

He revealed that Dumbledore had found a place for them to stay during the holidays. The location wouldn’t be given to them until the actual day but he assured them that they would never be found. They were to leave after the train left to take the students home. They would be staying with muggles but the owner of the place knew about the wizarding world.

Dinner was a stressful event for Ginny. Snape had sent her back to the Great Hall to eat, stating that she needed her strength. However, he sent her back minus 50 points for Gryffindor and a detention with him every night until the holidays. However, tonight’s “detention” was to be used to heal Hermione and the others were to learn better control over her magical abilities. She wasn’t having any trouble, but Dumbledore felt it was now time to take the next step and learn what she could really do.

Of course, all of this had to be kept from Harry. It killed her to do so, but he still hadn’t mastered occlumency and if he were to find out, Voldemort could potentially find out as well. It would be exceptionally easy for him to do so if Harry were to get upset, which he most definitely would. He was nothing if not predictable in this matter. Once again he proved this when he started peppering Ginny with questions during dinner.

“What happened, Ginny? Did you see Hermione? Why was Malfoy there? What were Snape and Dumbledore talking about? Why did you take my cloak?”

“Gosh Harry, slow down, will you?” Ginny snapped.

“Sorry Ginny. It’s just that I saw Hermione on the map for the first time since she hexed Ron and I was worried about her.”

Ron. Ginny’s blood ran cold. They had forgotten that he was in the hospital wing. What happened if he found out? He most certainly couldn’t keep his trap shut if he saw his sister, his friend, the Potions Master, and Draco Malfoy of all people walk in. She needed to warn them! First, she had to throw Harry off the scent.

“Gin!”

Harry snapped her out of her thinking. “Oh, sorry Harry. I was just trying to sort everything out. I was headed to the hospital wing to give Ron a piece of my mind, as you know, but I decided to bring your cloak along in case I found Hermione. They have her in detention all weekend Harry. I don’t know where but it is a miracle she wasn’t expelled. Then I came across Snape and Dumbledore talking about the attack. That’s when they met her in the ROR. Malfoy appeared out of nowhere and asked why Snape had sent for him. Then they told them to go into the ROR and wait for them. They were about to say who they thought the attacker was when Dumbledore asked me to step out from underneath your cloak. I didn’t know he could see me under it.”

“Yes, he has that ability. He’s sensed me before.”

“Anyway, since I was caught, they took 50 points and I have detention with Snape every night until Christmas holidays.”

“Oh Ginny, I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay Harry. It was my fault.” She said as she handed him his cloak back.

“Indeed,” drawled Snape from behind them. They both jumped in the air like they had been hexed and turned around. “If Miss Weasley would have kept her nose out of other people’s business, she wouldn’t be leaving with me for detention right now, would she?”

“No sir,” Ginny answered. She gave an apologetic look to Harry and left the hall with Snape. As soon as they left, she turned to him. “Sir! My brother is there!”

“It has already been taken care of Miss Weasley. Madam Pomfrey slipped him a dreamless draught. He should be snoring by the time we arrive.”

Ginny nodded and followed.

Malfoy and Hermione were already in the wing when she and Professor Snape arrived. She could hear her brother snoring and looked over to see Madam Pomfrey dragging a privacy screen around him.

“Stupid git,” Ginny breathed. “He’d better learn to keep his bloody mouth shut.”

“Indeed,” Snape drawled, amusement clearly dancing in his eyes. “Back to the task at hand Miss Weasley.”

They walked over to a large empty section of the wing. Draco had busied himself levitating over one hospital bed and Hermione was retrieving another series of privacy screens to place around them. Madam Pomfrey bustled over to them.

“Professor Snape, I do not like this and I can’t condone it.”

“We have no choice Poppy. It must be done or she will die.”

Poppy looked stricken. “I thought that curse would run its own end.”

“It usually does, but it seems that Miss Granger is the exception in this case. The curse has flamed up again. I do not like the manner in which she will need to be healed, but I can’t sit by and watch her life slip away.”

The steely determination in Snape’s eyes took the girls’ breaths away. Even Draco looked to him in awe. It seemed as though Snape had a heart after all. It caused tears to form in Hermione’s eyes. She looked away quickly, resolved not to let anyone know how deeply his statement had touched her. Draco reached out and clasped her shoulder in support, to let her know he was moved too.

Once the bed was properly secluded in a corner of the wing, they began preparations for the healing. Pomfrey grabbed several vials of pepper up potion because the healing would drain everyone. Draco revealed that once the healing was complete, Hermione wouldn’t be allowed to use magic for a full 24 hours. This meant that she couldn’t consume any potion, have any magic used on her, and she couldn’t expel any magic. This restriction also prevented them from the use of silencing charms.

Poppy bustled about, making sure everyone was comfortable and that Ron was still asleep. As an extra precaution, she decided to tie him to his bed in case he broke through the dreamless sleep potion. Just as she was going to lock the main door, Lavender burst through them.

“WON-WON!” She screamed and ran over to his bed. Luckily, she was so focused on Ron that she missed the four people in the back who quickly ducked behind the privacy screen.

Shaking like a leaf, Hermione whispered furiously. “Ginny, get rid of her now!”

“Ok, ok.” She ran out from behind the screen just as Lavender had draped her body over Ron’s sleeping one. “Oi, Lavender! Madam Pomfrey said not to touch him, he’s contagious!”

Lavender squealed and jumped back as if she had been burned. “Why is my poor Won-Won tied to the bed?”

“Because the great stupid git wouldn’t stay in it,” Ginny huffed back. Lavender was so thick she was going to have to intimidate her out.

“Oh my poor Won-Won. I’ll get Hermione for this!”

“You won’t,” Ginny snapped. “He deserved everything he got for being such a pig. Now as you can see, he’s asleep. Why don’t you go back to Gryffindor and watch out for boils!” Ginny was positively shaking in anger.

“No, you aren’t my Lord. I can stay if I want.”

“No, Miss Brown, you can’t!” Madam Pomfrey cut in. “He needs his rest and everyone needs to stay away until he is released tomorrow night. Now, off with you.”

Lavender huffed, turned around, and stormed out of the wing.

“Thank you Madam Pomfrey.”

“Anytime dear,” she said sweetly. “Now, let’s get started.”

“Right,” Draco said, stepping from behind the privacy screen. “Now, first things first, the counter curse will burn your skin. Lending magic also makes you extremely hot. Therefore, you’re going to feel as if your skin has been set on fire. It would be wise to remove everything not essential for decency.”

Snape growled in protest but he knew Draco was right so he removed his outer robes, revealing a white shirt. Draco removed his robes as well as his shoes and socks but stalled when removing his shirt. Weaselette didn’t know he was marked. He shot a look to Snape who motioned for Ginny to join them. She had stripped down to her camisole and skirt.

“Miss Weasley, I am afraid I must ask for another oath. You must not reveal anything you see from here forth regarding myself, Mr. Malfoy, or Miss Granger.”

Ginny sighed. “As you wish,” she snarked and bowed. Draco sealed the vow between herself and the Professor. Madam Pomfrey had secured the door and then headed into her office, making sure they knew where the alarm was should they need her later. Then, both Slytherin’s slid their shirts off.

Both girls gasped in shock; Ginny, at the fact that both men wore the dark mark, but Hermione knew that already. It was the spider-webbed track of scars that littered the Professor’s back that shocked her. Tears sprung to her eyes as she looked on. Professor Snape was certainly fit, his pale white skin looked smooth where there weren’t scars. His perfectly defined chest and abdomen looked worthy of a statue, but it was the scars that she couldn’t get over.

Ginny gaped at both men. “You’re both Death Eaters?”

“Obviously,” Snape drawled.

“I-I, I knew you were Professor, well I suspected, but Malfoy?”

“Not something I’m proud of Weasley. Suffice it to say due to the circumstances, I’m firmly on your side, even though it may not appear that way at all times.”

“You’re a spy?” Ginny exclaimed.

“He is now,” Hermione cut in, tears streaming down her face.

“Miss Granger, why do you insist on the waterworks?”

“I’m sorry Professor. It’s just, what happened to you?” She was clearly shaken at his appearance and he couldn’t help but feel a tiny pang in his chest at the notion that someone cared for his wellbeing.

“They’re all gifts from the Dark Lord,” he answered tersely.

Her breath caught in her throat and she noticed that Ginny had teared up as well but was refusing to let them fall.

Snape sighed heavily. All the emotions were making him uncomfortable. “By all means, let’s just get this over with!” He snapped. Turning toward Draco, he motioned for him to continue.

“Right. Now Hermione, you’ll need to lie down. I’m going to have to tie your feet and one arm to the bed to keep you from moving. Remember how I said you would relive the curse?” She nodded through tears. “Well, you’re going to inadvertently fight the cure too. We both will. That being said, I’m going to have to, um, well, sit on you. I promise I won’t place my weight on you, but I’ll need to be tied down as well. Once we begin, you CANNOT lose consciousness. We both know what that means.” She nodded once again. “One more thing. You’re going to have to strip from the waist up.”

Hermione looked to him with a horrified face. NAKED, in front of everyone? It was one thing to be seen naked by Ginny as she has the same anatomy. It was much harder to let Draco see her in such a vulnerable state, even though he’d already seen her. But now Professor Snape would see her as well. It was dreadfully embarrassing.

Seeing her extreme discomfort, Snape stepped in. “Miss Granger, I know it will be most uncomfortable for both of us. However, I can assure you that this incident will never leave this room. Despite what some will say about me, I am not now nor have I ever been a lecher.” The steely tone in his voice left no argument as to the fact that he’d been accused of it before.

Sadness filled her heart and Hermione felt the need to clarify once again. However, due to the nature of their topic, she thought it wise to do so in private. “Sir, could I speak to you alone for a moment?”

He nodded and walked stiffly over to the opposite side of the room. Hermione walked up behind him and placed her hand on his arm. “Sir?” He flinched slightly, turned around, and placed a silencing charm over them. “You forget I know more about you than most?” Snape merely stared hard into her eyes, his jaw tightening a bit. “I know you would never take advantage of me. You are an honorable man despite what others might think. It’s just, well you know I struggle with my morals.”

“Miss Granger, I,” he began. He had to pause a minute to gather his thoughts. “If you tell a soul one word of this, you won’t have to worry about a curse ending your life,” he snapped.

Hermione smiled. It was somehow strangely comforting to see the snarky Potions Master struggle to keep his cool. It proved that he was human, even if his genetic makeup was a bit different. She found it endearing. “Of course not sir.”

“Very well. Miss Granger, this is a highly unusual situation but it must be done. Despite your damn know-it-all tendencies, in the last few weeks I’ve found myself becoming, dare I say it, fond of you. Not in a lecherous way, but in a, well a fatherly way. You know I value my godson. In a way, I am more like a father toward him than Lucius ever was.” He sighed heavily before he continued. “Since you’ve gotten to Draco, I find that you are a good match for him. I know you are struggling with your fate, but well. Gah, why is this so hard?” He snapped.

Hermione smiled in encouragement. She knew how hard it was for the dark man standing before her to express his feelings. He’d had to keep them hidden for so long it was probably second nature to keep everything bottled up. She knew he’d eventually get it out if she gave him time, so she stood patiently before him.

He sighed heavily again. “What I am unsuccessfully trying to say is that Draco is in essence, like my own son. Therefore, I have come to think of you as my daughter, of sorts. Somehow I have once again become fiercely protective of a Gryffindor and I can’t help myself. Miss Granger, you must know if I could go back in time and change everything I would in a heartbeat.”

She stopped him there. “Professor, please quit beating yourself up about the past. What is done is done. Peter Pettigrew betrayed Lily and James and while you made a mistake, You-Know-Who still wouldn’t have been able to touch them if that rat hadn’t revealed them.” He started to say something more when she held her hand up. “Stop. What’s done is done. You have pledged your life to help her son and get rid of the monster that caused all this. I’m sure she would understand. All we can do now is go forward. I,” she started tearing up again. “I am touched that you think of me as a daughter. You don’t know how much that means to me. I’m truly honored and I don’t think I’m scared anymore. I do have a few more things to talk to you about but seeing Draco tapping his toes and Ginny biting her nails makes me think that this conversation needs to end.”

“I believe you are right Miss Granger.” Snape intoned, relaxing ever so slightly. “Shall we join them?”

Hermione nodded and he removed the silencing spell. She somehow had felt lighter. It was most awkward having such an intimate conversation with her professor, especially since he was half dressed. Shakily she walked over to the bed and nodded to Draco that she was ready.

“Everything okay now?” he asked. She nodded and slowly took her shirt off, leaving her in her bra and jeans. She had removed her socks and shoes earlier.

Ginny gasped at the ugly red mark that reached from under her left breast to her right collar bone. She’d seen it right after Hermione was first healed and it looked worse now. With tears welling in her eyes, she reached out and gave Hermione a large hug. “It’s almost over,” she whispered into her friend’s ear.

Her words of comfort spurred Hermione onward. Quickly, before she could lose her nerve, she unclasped her bra and let it fall to the ground. This time, it was Snape who gasped. He’d been trying valiantly not to look in her direction but caught her movement and turned at that time. He slammed his eyes shut and she could see him trembling in anger, his hands balled tightly at his sides.

“If I had only known, Miss Granger, we could have done this much sooner. I am sorry.”

“Stop Professor. You had no way of knowing. Let’s just get this over with please. I’m freezing!”

Draco smirked. “Not really such a bad thing there Granger,” he teased. She blushed furiously. “Now, I’m going to transfigure your trousers into shorts. Trust me, you’ll be glad once we get started.”

Once she was down to her shorts, she climbed into bed, clutching her chest. She was trembling like a leaf and Draco knew she wouldn’t be able to take the counter curse in her current state of mind. Ignoring everyone else in the room, he climbed on top of her, careful to keep his weight on his knees.

“Hermione, look at me,” he pleaded, noticing her eyes were shut tight. She slowly opened them. He began in a whisper. “You have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. Only the strongest people can take that curse. You should wear it as a badge of honor.” He wiped the tears from her eyes and grabbed her arm, bringing to over to the side of the bed where Professor Snape tied it to the frame. He worked on securing her legs while Ginny secured Draco’s. “Remember, you are beautiful no matter what and we are in this together. You don’t have to suffer alone with it anymore. We’re fixing to take it away.” Then, ever so gently, he claimed her lips.

The world seemed right again. His lips were upon hers. The bed, the people, the wing itself disappeared and all that was left was Draco. They didn’t hear Ginny’s gasp when they emitted a white light. They didn’t hear Snape hastily explain that it was their power reacting to each other. Time stood still. All too soon, Snape cleared his throat and laid a hand upon Draco.

Draco nodded. “Ready?” he whispered to Hermione. She nodded back. “Ok, we’ll have to time this perfectly. Lay your hand on my shoulder Hermione.” She complied. “Whatever you do, don’t break the connection and don’t pass out.” She smiled slightly. “Now godfather, you’ll know when our power is dwindling?” He nodded. “That’s the time you and Weasley will add your hands and lend your magic.” Snape nodded again. “Everyone ready?”

“Ready,” they reply in unison.

“Let’s begin.”

Draco placed his right hand over the cursed mark, starting under her left breast. He gave the nod and felt Hermione transferring her magic into his body. The counter curse was melodic and beautiful, but created an intense pain. White light flowed through his hand and began weaving through the curse.

It was a painfully slow process. Her skin felt like it was on fire and she was glad that she was wearing so little. She could see the sweat dripping off of Draco’s brow as he concentrated. It didn’t look like Ginny or Snape were unaffected either as sweat rolled down their chests. Eventually, she couldn’t fight the pain any longer and began to scream. It took everything she had to concentrate on willing her magic to Draco. She could see the pain in his face, but he dared not break the counter curse. She felt her magic pulse and sensed the end of her strength.

“NOOO!!” She screeched. Ginny and Snape stepped in then. They both covered her and his hands and willed their magic into Draco. Sensing she could stop, she began concentrating on staying conscious through the searing pain. Three quarters of the way up her scar, she could see the fatigue setting in on Ginny and the Professor. With an inch to go, they were getting weak legged.

After almost an hour of healing, Draco gasped. “It is done!” All four collapsed into unconsciousness.

Hearing the end, Madam Pomfrey came bustling out of the office, tears running down her cheeks. She ignored the pounding on the door. All the other teachers were screaming to be let in but Severus had ensured her that they couldn’t. Even she didn’t know how to break the wards. She supposed only Dumbledore did. Quickly, she revived Severus with a wet washcloth and handed him a pepper up potion.

“How long was I out, Poppy?” His voice was weak and raspy from the large amount of power he had released.

“Not long, five or ten minutes at the most.”

The dark man stood on wobbly legs. He gently undid all the bindings on Hermione and Draco and struggled until he maneuvered his godson to lie beside her. Then he grabbed a blanket to cover them with. Hearing Poppy’s gasp, he turned and raised an eyebrow in question.

“Severus, did you see the scar?”

“Not hers, but I’ve seen it before.”

“You must see this.”

Sighing, he walked up to the sleeping girl. There, in place of the ugly red slash, was a beautiful scar. It looked to be braided in silver, gold, bronze, and copper. He’d never seen anything like it before.

“It must be a result of the four magical signatures. I’ve only ever seen the counter completed using one person. Then again, I’ve never seen damage as extensive as hers either. It’s truly a miracle.”

“Yes, it is, Severus. It really is.”

He laid the blanket over them and walked over to Ginny, who was crumpled in the floor. She had given so much of her power she looked pale. A visible dark aura surrounded her, a result of having spent all of the light magic she had.

“She’ll need to be kept as still as possible Poppy. She’ll be unstable until she gains at least half of her strength back.”

“Ok. Can I use magic to levitate her?”

“No. It is still too close to Miss Granger. I’ll carry her over.”

Forgetting his state of undress, Snape gingerly bent down and lifted Ginny into his arms. Walking swiftly, he carried her past the privacy screen and laid her in a bed next to her brother. He didn’t see the blazing blue eyes staring on in hatred. Her cheeks were tinged red from the heat and a hand on her forehead confirmed she was still burning up.

“Poppy, I need a fever reducer.”

Poppy quickly handed him a bottle of fever reducer and he tipped it in her mouth, massaging her throat to ensure it was swallowed. Her skin cooled and Snape let out a sigh of relief. He would never admit it but he had been impressed with the girl. He felt like a kindred spirit and the revelation was unnerving. Kindred spirits with a Weasley, could his life sink no lower? He went from having no one even remotely like himself to three people who could relate to him, magically anyway. He wasn’t deluded enough to believe he would ever find another daywalker.

“Leave her be for a while before you revive her. She’ll need the time to recuperate.”

“Of course, Severus. Would you like a fever reducer as well? You’re practically a lobster!”

Realizing he was only wearing his trousers, Snape growled and nodded in answer to Poppy. He grudgingly drank the potion as he trudged back behind the privacy curtain to dress. It was then he knew that Ronald Weasley was awake.

The hospital bed creaked and groaned against the thrashing of the red headed boy. He heard Pomfrey rushing over to try and restrain him.

“Mr. Weasley! Quit struggling! Well, of course you can’t talk, I put a silencing charm on you. You were disturbing my other patients with your incessant moaning. Oh quit trying to scream. Calm down and I might untie you!”

Hearing Pomfrey losing her patience, Snape strolled out from behind the privacy screen. He was once again impeccably dressed and had his wand lazily twirling in his hand. Of course, he wouldn’t use it if it weren’t necessary. In fact, he didn’t even know if he had enough strength left TO use it.

“Need some help Poppy?”

“Ah Severus. Thank Merlin yes. Perhaps you could sit on him or something. He’s about to tip the bed!”

Snape smirked wickedly and moved closer toward the boy when the door to the infirmary flew open and Dumbledore strolled in, closely followed by Harry Potter and half the staff of Hogwarts. His smirk fell and was replaced by his signature scowl.

“Something the matter, Headmaster?” he asked in a flat tone.

“Ah yes, Severus. It seems as though some of the teachers heard a disturbance coming from here. Is there something I should know about?”

Snape thought quickly. He noticed that Weasley was about to flip the hospital bed again and McGonagall was looking on in shock at the state of the boy. Well, this lie had better be a very good one.

“Ah, yes Headmaster. It seems as though Miss Weasley here added the wrong ingredient to a simple fever-reducing potion during her detention and it had the opposite effect. Burning from the inside as well as outside is quite painful. That was probably what you heard. We had to ward the doors in case we were contagious. Luckily, we were not.”

Dumbledore’s eyes were sparkling madly in appreciation of the tale that Severus was weaving. “Might I meet with you privately for a second?”

“Of course,” Snape drawled and made his way behind the privacy curtain. They could hear McGonagall grilling Pomfrey.

“Why on earth do you have Mr. Weasley tied to the bed?” Her Scottish accent carried over the wing.

When they were safely behind the privacy screen, Dumbledore motioned to the two sleeping students. “How did they fare?” he whispered.

“The healing was successful,” Snape answered in a low tone. “However, it did have some unexpected results.”

“Oh?”

Snape nodded and walked over to the couple. Carefully, he pulled back the blanket to reveal the top portion of the new scar. It glittered brightly on Hermione’s collarbone.

“Truly astounding,” Dumbledore breathed. “When will she be allowed magic?”

“Tomorrow at this time. Giving the fact that Mr. Weasley saw me in a rather compromising position with his sister, I think it wise that we move these two back to the Room of Requirement to recover. Weasley is unpredictable in the best circumstances. If he were to hex someone, it would be devastating to Miss Granger’s recovery.”

“Agreed. In this state, they are very vulnerable. We can’t disillusion them and they can’t floo so they must be carried.”

“Well, as soon as he is away from Miss Granger, Draco can be revived magically and then given the proper potions. I’d say that if we can get him into Poppy’s office, we could fix him up there.”

“Albus, could you please, um, turn around?”

Dumbledore gave a wry smile. “Of course, Severus my boy.”

Snape carefully peeled back the blanket, doing his very best to preserve Hermione’s modesty. Then he slid his godson’s body off of hers and replaced the blanket. Still weak, he faltered when lifting the lad. Draco was much larger than any girl. At sixteen he was just a four to five inches shy of Severus’s formidable 6’3” height. Fully grown, he would probably be taller than him. Next to Miss Granger’s modest height of 5’4”, they would make quite the contrasting couple.

“All right Albus,” Snape grunted and shifted Draco into a more comfortable position.

Dumbledore quickly gathered Draco’s clothing and draped his robes over him, shielding his hair from view. Outside the privacy screen, McGonagall was arguing with Pomfrey on the reasons for restraining Weasley. It gave Snape enough time to dart into the office. Dumbledore trailed him, locking and warding the door as he went.

“Albus, could you revive him please. I’m afraid I am not quite myself yet.”

A look of concern crossed Dumbledore’s face as he raised his wand and said, “Expergiscere! Severus, are you quite alright?”

“I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

Draco’s groan disrupted their thoughts. “How long?”

“Less than half an hour.” Snape answered. He then handed Draco a fever reducer, a pepper up potion, and a pain potion, which Draco knocked back quickly.

“How is she?”

“Sleeping,” Snape drawled. “If you wish to see her, you’ll need your strength back. Weasley saw more than we would have liked.”

“Shite,” Draco breathed, standing up gingerly. He threw on his robe, grabbed his other clothes, and made toward the door. As soon as it was cracked open, he could hear Weasley yelling.

“He did something to her I swear!” He screamed at the top of his lungs. “There was all this horrible screaming and then nothing. Then Snape comes out wearing nothing but trousers carrying Ginny in her under things!”

Draco closed the door snickering. “You’ve got your work cut out for you godfather.”

“Indeed. It should cause enough of a spectacle for you to sneak back and visit with Miss Granger. See if you can rouse her. Weasley is getting too worked up and we can’t risk him throwing a hex. Especially when I can’t block.”

Draco looked over in concern. “Godfather, you should still have remedial magical abilities.”

“I should, yes. However, due to my condition, great strain prevents my magic from returning quickly. Strength is all well and good but the vampire genes seem to overpower the magical ones in times where all energy is spent.”

“In other words, you need blood.” Draco stated bluntly.

Snape cringed. “Yes,” he said tersely.

“Do you have a store of it somewhere?”

“No,” he snapped. “I don’t make it a habit of asking strangers if I may draw their blood for later consumption!”

“Geez, calm down. Can you take some of mine?”

“No,” Snape said resignedly. “It must be taken willingly from an unbound person. Even if you weren’t bonded to Miss Granger, the most effective blood is pure.”

Draco had a questioning look and then smirked widely. “Virgin blood then?”

“Yes,” Snape snapped. “Now, I’m going to distract Weasley so you can sneak back to Miss Granger. Please revive her quickly. I believe I have some smelling salts and there is a wet washcloth there still. Help her dress and then get her ready to get out of here as soon as possible.”

Draco nodded, sensing that the conversation was now over. He crouched behind the door and waited for Dumbledore and his godfather to distract everyone.

AN: Thanks again to everyone who's reviewed. They are quite addicting! Once again, please let me know if you see any errors and let me know how I'm doing.
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