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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
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A/N: @BlackRose "I don’t know if I should feel bad for Severus or not." - you should, it is a defensive mechanism, one where patient just shuts down to avoid pain. It's not a solution.: "He is at peace and he seems to see some good qualities in Hermione " - correction, in his 'dream lady', which is another defensive and evasive tactic. He is full of them.; "Draco is right." - yup, he knows Sev good.; "And what is Lucius planning? Mystery woman? " - Sorry, for that you'll have to wait a bit more ;). Thank you for your comment on my other story "Grumbling" ^_^
Warning: Mention of rape in the conversation in this chapter. For those more sensitive it may be better to avoid it.
Hermione closed the book and gazed at the direction of the window. He was sleeping again. However, these days it was hard to tell if he’s awake or not. Time seemed to crawl and he wasn’t getting any better.
All the books said the same - he could stay that way for years. And for his state, there was no magical solution. The peace he radiated now, the almost a smile that lingered in the corners of his lips scared her.
Wherever he was - he was happy.
She felt thorn. Should she just leave him like this - to live like a plant? Or should she try to help him? She frowned. Her track record with helping him wasn’t the best. In fact - it was disastrous.
Another worry was his physical condition. He would do all exercises she forced on him, moving like he’s sleepwalking. But without him putting in the effort, his muscle mass is going to dwindle again.
Hermione sighed. It’s late. When is Malfoy going to show up?
Even if she hated to admit, she welcomed Draco’s offer to help her with Severus. She kept herself busy, not wanting to dwell on thoughts - is she responsible for his state? She found some references in the books, but she couldn’t just ask Harry for more books. Especially books on that topic.
Why would he call it a rape? Her eyes prickled, a sure sign that she is close to tears. I thought… Fine, I wasn’t thinking, but… All I wanted… Why did I do that?
Hermione shook her head to chase away those thoughts. She frowned and grumbled but - she did gladly entrust most of the actions that demanded to touch Severus to Draco. Not that she had a problem touching him…
She was afraid to touch him.
And that pained her. She did everything that she could to minimize their physical contact. Hermione curled her hands into fists.
What is wrong with me?
Hermione sprawled across the overcrowded table, banging lightly her forehead on the closed book. She couldn’t decide how she felt. Her own thoughts tyrannized her, to the point where she welcomed Draco and his barbs.
She felt guilty every time she had to touch him. She missed touching him!
She wanted for him to be in peace. She missed his sharp, acerbic words!
He was in front of her. She missed him!
How is that possible?
She had a sort of tentative friendship with him. And she was scared that she lost that!
She would welcome if anyone had a suggestion how to correct things, how to make them better? But who to ask? It wasn’t like she could go to Harry and say ‘Hey how you guys stand on being raped and how to fix this?’ Harry would arrest her!
Hermione stood up from the table and approached the bed. Sitting carefully on the edge she stretched her arm, hovering with it over his. But she didn’t touch him.
“What am I going to do? How am I going to make you see? I never wanted for you to end up like this. Is it my fault? Please, just please come back.” She whispered pulling back her hand.
“What did you do?” Draco’s cold voice forced her to swirl on her spot.
“What are you talking about?” She asked.
“What did you do to him? Why are you apologizing?” Draco narrowed his eyes.
“I wasn’t apologizing, I was talking to him.” She stood up turning to Draco while her heart drummed insanely in her chest.
“What did you do him this time?!!” Draco’s wand was in his hand.
She slit her wand from the holder and pointed at Draco. This was a major seat back and oddly enough welcomed one. Draco did look a bit taken aback by her response but his hand never wavered or lowered.
The door behind them opened with a bang. Narcissa looked positively thunderous. Her voice was low but clear and threatening. “What is going on here?”
They lowered their wands and replied almost at same time.
“Nothing.”
“Nothing does demand drawing of wands?” Hissed Narcissa.
Hermione saw her like this for the first time in her life. The woman was radiating cold anger. Her stance and coldness were intimidating. Not only for her, obviously, since Draco curled his shoulders.
“Draco?”
“Yes, mother?”
“What is going on?”
“Nothing, minor dispute, mother. Honestly.”
“About what?” Narcissa raised an eyebrow.
“I came and heard Buck...Granger apologizing to Severus. I assumed she did something to him. And… ummm…. I suppose, I overreacted.” Draco was talking fast, looking at the floor.
Tattle-tell. Hermione frowned.
“Draco Malfoy, did I manage to teach you anything? I do hope that I am not as much of a failure as a parent as you just displayed.” a cold reprimand from Narcissa forced Draco to recoil.
Even she winced at the words, they sounded sharp and unusual. Narcissa was nothing but loving and warm towards Draco so far.
“My apologies, mother.” Mumbled Draco.
“Mhm.” Hummed Narcissa, slightly appeased but still evidently angry. “Miss Granger, did you or did you not do anything to Severus?”
“I didn’t, I was just talking to him.” She rushed to explain but her face felt unnaturally warm “Nothing besides what I already did.”
“Mhhhm. Draco, watch over Severus.” Narcissa gave her a pointed look. “Miss Granger, if you please, follow me. It is a long time since we had a conversation over a cup of tea.”
Even if Narcissa’s words sounded polite and calm, she still gulped and nodded. The woman could be mighty intimidating. She followed Narcissa, slightly unsure what to expect.
Narcissa ordered the tea, asking benign questions about Severus’s condition. The woman’s anger seemed to ebb further, until she was sitting with Narcissa she learned to share her tea with.
Narcissa took one sip of tea and placed the cup on the table, folding her army in her lap. With one long inhale Narcissa looked at her. It was a stern but friendly look.
“Now, Miss Granger, we can talk. I do not discuss serious matters while I’m - agitated. But, I do believe that you indeed did something.”
“I didn’t, honestly - I was just sitting on the bed and talking to him, I wasn’t even touching him.” She curled her hands around the cup, gripping it.
“Yes, I noticed that. As of lately, you are almost afraid to touch him. So much so, that you tolerate Draco helping you, and two of you do not share love for each other. Even a tolerance is a stretch. Why is that?” Narcissa sounded like she is discussing the weather, with much softer tone.
Hermione gulped. Her brain froze and refused to think clearly.
“Now, now, Miss Granger, whatever happened can’t be all that bad.” Narcissa smiled encouragingly. “Who knows, maybe my experience help you to solve your problem or dilemma.”
Suddenly she felt tired. Tired of not having anyone to lean on. Tired of feeble pep-talks she gave herself. Tired of her own thoughts. Tired of fear she felt. Narcissa’s kind words were the last drop.
Her eyes brimmed with tears. Placing hastily a cup on the table, uncertain how steady her arms are she sighed, shaking her head.
“I… I… You… No one knows… It’s bad…” The tears rolled from her eyes. “And, I’m sorry Mrs Malfoy, but I can’t tell.”
“Why?” Narcissa was still calm, but she detected a slight tone of worry in woman’s voice.
“Because it’s awful. And - if I tell - they are going to lock me away. I can’t… I can’t afford that now. Not while he’s like this. I can’t - not know.” She sobbed, unable to stop herself.
Narcissa stood up. Hermione shrunk into her arms chair, closing her eyes. She expected scolding or harsh words. What she didn’t expect was tender embrace. Her muscles were tight as a guitar string.
Narcissa caressed her hair and before she realised what she was doing, she was squeezing Narcissa in a desperate embrace, sobbing in woman’s waist. Narcissa continued to caress her hair, speaking in a soft voice.
“Come now, Miss Granger, calm yourself. We are all humans, wizards and witches or not. We are bound to make mistakes. But, mistakes can be amended and corrected if there is sincere desire to do so. There is nothing, apart from taking human life, that can’t be mended.”
Her sobs turned to open bawling. She shook her head as much as she could.
“No..” Sniff.
“You don’t understand…” The sobs interrupted her again.
“What I did…” She couldn’t continue.
Narcissa pried her hands and lowered herself to be at the same height as her eyes. Her voice soft.
“I am a wife and the mother of a Death Eaters. I am a sister of insane Death Eater. I am very close friend with Severus, and he was known among Death Eaters as Dark Lord’s monster. He was someone other Death Eaters feared. So let me be the judge of how heinous your transgression is.”
“But you will demand of me to stay away from him. And I can’t… I just can’t. And he would kill me if-if I say… If anyone knows!” She hiccuped.
Fear gripping her, freezing her insides.
“I am very good at ‘not knowing’.” Smiled gently Narcissa. “Make it easier on yourself and talk to me. If not with me then with someone…”
Hermione grabbed Narcissa’s hands clenching them. Tear renew their strength.
“There is no one… no one else! If… if I tell you, you have to promise me - just please, let me stay beside him until he’s among us again. If… When he decides to report me, I promise, I’ll go willingly. But promise me, while he’s like this… you won’t send me away.”
“Miss Granger, I'd send you away only and only if you endangered his life. Did you try to kill him?” Narcissa’s voice was still soft, eyes warm.
She shook her head. “No! Never. His life is more precious than mine!”
“I wouldn’t go that far, Miss Granger. Every life is equally precious.”
“But I... “ She gulped and closed her eyes, squeezing them tight. “I raped him.”
She breathed out and opened her eyes. You have no right to hid from scorn Hermione, you deserve it, and you are going to face it. She told herself.
To her surprise, there was no scorn on Narcissa’s face. The woman's shoulders did pull a little, back a bit straighter than they were. But, Narcissa’s eyes were sad and compassionate. Narcissa tilted her head and smiled with curiosity, almost with amusement.
“Well, I must say I didn’t expect that. You must tell, Miss Granger - how did you manage to do that? But first of all, why did you do it?” Her voice revealed genual interest, but no scorn.
Hermione took one shuddery breath and clenched her hands over her heart. Narcissa conjured one cushion and sat on it, her posture still elegant.
“Ummm, well…. Um, he’s… What I know from his memories - he is… he hasn’t had any. . .company since… Ummm, that punishment…” She stuttered, suddenly realising that Bellatrix was Narcissa’s sister.
“Since Bella.” Offered Narcissa calmly.
“Ummm, yes. I’m sorry.” She lowered her eyes.
“I was there that day. He was - kind - to her. And Bella was actively seeking the way to destroy him. I never took what he did against him. Bella was my sister and I loved her. But… It was war after all. We all fought for survival.” Nodded Narcissa, her eyes slightly clouded. “And, yes. I know what you are trying to say.”
“You knew?” She gasped, shocked by Narcissa's words.
“It was hard to miss.” Smiled Narcissa. “And you took it on yourself too - correct - that?”
“Yes. Well, no.” She rushed. “I also had a bad experience with Ron. It seemed like both of us are stuck on those bad memories. I thought… I had that idea… You see if we both move past that…”
“So, did you?”
“Did I wat?”
“Did both of you move past that bad memories?” Narcissa was still honestly curious.
“I… I don’t know. He was so angry at me that day. And all this happen that night… And now….”
“And now you are wondering did you caused his condition?” Narcissa sighed, looking relieved. She got up from the floor and sat back in her chair.
Hermione nodded. Old fears rushing in.
“I wouldn’t be too worried, Miss Granger.”
“But… I….”
“You did manage to…” Narcissa paused looking at her.
Hermione held her breath chanting internally: Don’t say it, don’t say it. She didn’t want to hear that word from Narcissa’ lips.
“...to execute your plan?” Carefully finished Narcissa.
“Yes. But….”
“Do not worry, Miss Granger. I learned few things in life, and one of them is that Severus is never defenceless - no matter the situation.”
“But I used binding charm on him.”
“And you used something to shut him up, I guess.” Narcissa giggled.
She nodded, confused. Wasn’t Narcissa supposed to be appalled by her action?
“He certainly didn’t enjoy that. I can see why you acted this way. And, I must admit - your idea wasn’t the bad one. Execution of that idea leaves a lot to be desired.”
“Wha… How?” Her brain was turned into a mush, confusion dominated. It was so strong that he stopped crying and sniffing.
“As I said before - I never knew Severus to be defenceless, no matter the circumstances. I do think that a little bit of seduction could go a long way. I’ll admit, with someone as prickly as Severus - it can be a challenge. But, you can handle his prickliness, Miss Granger.”
“But… I never seduced anyone… I know the theory, of course,...” She started, wondering why is she talking about that.
“Oh, dear. Well, we will just have to teach you then.” Smiled Narcissa.
“Why would you do that, after… Ater what I just told you…” She was honestly baffled.
“Miss Granger,” sighed Narcissa. “Severus was through much worse than that. The only thing that you seriously damaged is his sense of morality. And, I admit, he won’t go easy on you. The man has a vicious vindictive streak. But, he’ll come around. Just don’t give up on him.”
“Why would you help me? He - is your friend? Right?”
“He is a dear friend. But you are also my friend.” Replied Narcissa calmly.
“You are… We are…” Hermione was stunned by that admission.
“I thought it was obvious. We drink tea together. We talk.” Narcissa raised an eyebrow.
Hermione nodded, blinking.
“Go now, Miss Granger. I trust you have work to do with my son. We will see each other tomorrow.”
“Y...Yes, thank you, Mrs Malfoy.” She replied.
If she was upset before this conversation, she was utterly baffled after. She did feel better, calmer.
“Miss Granger,” Narcissa called when she was at the door. She turned.
“Yes?”
“Do me a favour, stop avoiding to touch him. Severus is defensive, and he won’t admit even to himself, but… Severus does need to be touched and hugged and held. Mostly and especially when he claims he doesn’t need any of that.”
“Yes, Mrs Malfoy. I’ll… I’ll follow your advice. Thank you.”
She turned to exit the room, missing Narcissa’s warm smile and amused look in her eyes.
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Torment *Completed*

Torment Completed