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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: My apology, this chapter should have been posted 2 weeks ago, but in all the confusion around enrollment on my Master studies, work and rl - I didn't post it. I was convinced that I did, but obviously, I was wrong.
In agreement with my beta – I’m posting this chapter unedited when she finishes with fixing the grammar and with me, I will re-post this chapter at a later date.
At that time, I do expect that some parts will be enhanced and there will be no grammatical errors.
I leave it to you to read it now or wait some more.
When I upload edited chapter I’ll remove this note :)
The pain of cruciatus twisting the body sending flair after flair ricocheting and contorting the bone and the muscles.

The stone and the dust and curses flying everywhere.

Screams and dead bodies and the stench like something is badly burned and still burning.

The fear and guilt and uncontrollable shaking of the hands while her legs screamed in pain. She slipped, get up and kept on running through the dark tunnel, her name echoed while Harry ran after her calling her to slow down. Wet trail of tears cooling her overheated skin in an unpleasant way.
Pushing through the door her senses assaulted with a smell of copper, sickeningly sweet and sharp at the same time. She gasped for air, coughing. Her vision blurry, eyes full of water but she can see a distorted image of elf waving an angry arm at her.
“It is ok, I came to collect the body.” she croaked “He deserves a decent burial.”
“You no bury Master Snape, he lives.” she heard the words coming to her like from a large distance.
The door banged behind her and Harry panted out. “Are you insane? He’s dead, we could collect his body at slower pace.”
“Master Snape is no dead you foul boy.” hissed the elf.
Harry came to stand next to her, her brain struggled with the information elf gave them, Harry looked at her questioningly and she shook her head.
“The elf keeps repeating that.” she managed to say through unpleasantly dry throat.
“What?” asked Harry confused, more likely with her own confusion. After all, Harry was used that she would give him information or at least well-aimed question at any given moment, but now her brain refused to function.
Her brain finally caught up with the information she was given, she turned to grab Harry by the forearm, a bit too tight judging by the sudden twist of his face.
“He’s alive.” she whispered and moved towards the still blurry shape of the body.

People, so many people surrounding her, suffocating her, invading her personal space. She had to fight the urge and not to release her own magic to push them away.

The hospital wing is peaceful, only the cries of the skeletal-like person on the bed, her Professor, disrupt the silence. Tears well up and spilt from her eyes - he was the last person who deserved this much suffering. He saved her life so many times and now he was dying, in agony by the sound of it. So many good people died, they lost so much. She had to save him.

He gained weight, he’s awake, and still, he’s all about dad man breathing. She feels so much better now, the fog that pressed on her brain and lungs finally gone leaving her with raw pain to process slowly.
No, she didn’t change her mind - she still had the need to help him. No, not to save him, but to truly help him. To enable him to live his life however he chooses, maybe even to find love once more. His personality aside, his mind was brilliant and in his core, he was a noble person. True, he was fallible and had a selfish streak, but didn’t they all? He is a human after all. A talented wizard, and they would fail him, disrespect everything he did if they allow him to perish.
She tilted her head, watching the moonlight shadow changing and softening the sharp features.
He will never know how grateful she was for everything he did, how much she wanted for him just to be happy and in peace - alive.

Severus blinked his eyes open, staring at the ceiling above him. He felt disoriented.
Her memories, I see her memories, it wasn’t a dream.
He blinked again, confused. It was odd, almost bizarre feeling seeing himself through her eyes. It was so disarming to realise that someone cared whether he lived or died, someone other than Malfoys, someone who had nothing to gain from him. Someone who saw him worth even when he couldn’t.
Hades crooned softly and landed from his perch to the bed, pecking on strands of his hair. He turned his head toward the bird.
“That would be four, Hades.” he whispered.
Hades tilted his head and squawked, ruffling his feathers. Severus forced his lips to twist in a smile, warmth spreading through his chest.
“All right, five. Even six if I count in Potter. Does he seems genuine to you?”
Hades squawked and pecked on his hair again.
“Seven with Lovegood loon. That is more than I ever had, in my entire life.”
“Master don’t count Misty? Master is not satisfied with Misty? Misty cares.” grumbled elf from her place, he didn’t even turned his head to know that during the nights Misty occupied Hermione’s sofa.
“I was always satisfied and grateful to you Misty. Eight then. What do you think, Hades - is there a hope?” he raised a hand to caress the feathers and Hades leaned into his touch.
His chest, however, constricted forcing the air to hitch in his lungs. Hope wasn’t a word he connected with himself. The thought that formed in his mind pressed on his chest like an anvil, but then dissipated leaving an odd sense of light emptiness.
Maybe he didn’t have to hold on to old reasons, maybe everything he did had a much deeper meaning than atoning, fulfilling an old promise. The guilt was still there, the reason why was still the same but the impact of his actions unwinded in front of his eyes.
Maybe, just maybe there was hope, no matter how small it was. He caressed the feathers once more, gently nudging the bird.
“Well, that is a thought for a day, and I’d like to catch a bit more sleep, Draco is not quite as my other keeper was. Go on, go to your perch, let me sleep you feathery beast.”
Hades squawked at his face this time, ruffling his feathers and shaking them before flying away. He chuckled and closed his eyes, sinking back to sleep fast.
The sun was flickering through the leaves, soft summer breeze moved the warm air around him. He was leaning his back against the wide tree. His legs bended to support the book he was reading.
His left arm, shoulder and the left side of his chest supported her weight - his Dream Lady, she chose to lean on him rather than on the tree. She was reading as well. They sat in the companionable silence, each emerged in their own material.
No words were necessary to be exchanged, the physical contact was enough. He raised his head, looking over the neatly trimmed grass to the shimmering surface of the water.
He wanted to ask her where she’d been? Why she deserted him for so long? Why was she still hiding in the shadow? But most importantly - how much he missed her, the peace she brought with her.
Not willing to disrupt this moment of tranquillity, he directed his eyes to the book once more, keenly aware of her presence, of the soft lock of her hair tickling his neck. He didn’t know why or how, but she was back and in that moment that was all that mattered.
~ S ~ S ~ S ~
Draco wandered the halls, he was aware of the grin that he couldn’t erase. Mother and father were with Severus, and he went to his room to talk with Astoria. He was probably grinning like an idiot, but it didn’t bother him.
He passed the fathers library, still floating on his cloud. Stopped and frowned. Pacing back he blinked at the ajar door.
Could I? Should I?
It was no use talking to father, so maybe he could-- But if his father ever finds out…
He could use someone to talk to, he did send daily letters with reports of Snape’s progress to Granger and received answers, but that wasn’t the same. Besides, he couldn’t talk to her about what he discovered. He couldn’t talk to anyone.
But what if--
Mother and father will be with Severus for at least an hour, if not longer, it would be fairly safe. And the talk might help him shake off the growing feeling of fear. He didn’t write about it to Granger today, and he won’t - but…
Severus that zoned out in the middle of a sentence. Severus that was lost in his thoughts and silent, like he is contemplating something big. Severus that didn’t snap, and bite and complained scared him more than Severus that threatened his life or his privates.
Pushing the door he tiptoed into the room. Why am I sneaking in?
The room looked familiar, nothing was changed or moved for decades, including the big empty portrait above the fireplace mantle. For as long as he remembered that frame was dark grey and empty, like the resident didn’t like to dwell in it.
Draco cleared his throat. “I know who you are.” There was no response, he frowned. “Fine, but my father is mistaken. If you want Severus back home you better talk to me.”
No response.
He shrugged and turned to walk out when he was nearly at the door the rustling sound made him stop. Glancing back he saw the corner of the black robe emerging in the frame. With a satisfied smirk he traced back to the chair he occupied last time he was in this room and sat in it.
The woman, elderly and elegant walked slowly into the frame. Her features sharp and so familiar, she might pass as older female Severus for all he knew. There was no doubt in his mind that she was related to Severus.
“Young Mister Malfoy, your father wouldn’t approve you being here.” she said in a voice that he would recognize everywhere.
“No, he wouldn’t. But you are here Lady, so it must be that you do approve.” he replied wondering if his cheekiness would cost him. He heard so many times how she talked to his father and had no inclination to jump through hoops as his father did.
“I see that your manners are somewhat lacking.” her face was stony.
“Severus taught me that respect is earned not given.” Draco smirked, woman’s eyes narrowed in a familiar line.
“You wanted to talk, now - talk.” she grumbled.
“Talk - yes. But first, tell me what is my family’s debt to your family?” it occurred to him that might find out more than if asking his father, it wouldn’t hurt to try.
She contemplated his question for a bit. “Talk about it with your father.”
“If I could trust the answer my father would give me I would. However, I’m asking you, and before you decided to haggle with me, may I remind you Lady Price that I can help you.”
She raised an eyebrow and tighten her lips in a thin line, before giving one sharp nod. “Your father could learn a thing or two from you. Very well, my father helped your grandfather at one point.”
“Helped how?” he will not allow her to give him half-hearted information, and dealing with Granger he learned how to drag out information from strong-headed women.
“You really are stubborn.” she huffed. “Your grandfather had some wrong investments, your family could have lost everything they had if my father didn’t help. No, we didn’t give your family the money, we used our influence. So you see young Master Malfoy - your family has a debt to repay.”
“Agreed.” he nodded. “Still I stand by my claim, I can help you to achieve your goal.”
“I thought that your father--” she started with a condescending tone and he interrupted her.
“True, Severus and my father are friends since Severus was 11, however - my father does not know him now. Not really, not after he woke up. Severus tries to act his usual around my father and my mother. They can’t see the extent to what he is changed.” He paused, considering his next words carefully. “Granger and me - we took care of him, day in and day out.”
“Granger? The muggleborn?” she asked, her interest peaked. Draco silently congratulated himself.
“Yes. The girl who did everything to save his life and nurse him back to health.”
“The one that your father suggested?”
“I presume so, though I’m not sure why?” he shrugged.
“Your father made it possible to be informed if the suitable bride by old customs--”
“Oh, that antique thing.” He cut her off again with a smirk. “Yes, I think they are a good match, but not because of that.”
“And why do you think they are a good match?” she sounded annoyed.
Good. He thought. “For one thing whether she knows or not - she is head over heels for him. Don’t ask me why, Merlin knows it is not for his actions.”
“The girl left.” she replied bitterly. “That doesn’t sound head over heels to me.”
“She will return, besides they are still connected--”
“Connected?” she asked
“My father didn’t tell you?” he replied with a question.
“Your father is- well, your father.” She didn’t sound too happy.
“Hmh. Well, Granger had that idea to wake him up from coma combining Occlumency, Mind-healing and Muggle medicine. It wasn’t as successful as she planned, he did wake up but they are connected mind-to-mind.”
“I see--”
“No, you don’t. Severus - my Head of House, my Professor, Severus the War Hero wouldn’t do anything to put his student even disliked one into a danger. He is a straight bastard and you do not want to be on his bad side but he won’t harm you if he can avoid it.”
“I still don’t see--”
“Love or not - she has to return. But more importantly, as long as they share that connection they are not apart no matter the distance. To what she will return - now, that is the question.”
“Severus has a title, a wealth, a--”
“Severus is broken. What he has to offer? Do you know that he suffers from Post-crushiatus tremors?”
“No, I did not have that information.”
“Well - yes. He can’t perform magic, he is on a fast track to become a useless shivering lump. And - he is a Potions master.” He made a pause, hoping that his father didn’t talk too much and that she does not know that he is the one of those who found the way to stop the tremors and tissue degradation. "He was a Potions master, the best in the country, maybe even further. At the moment he is a broken man - not too much open for romance…”
“I still don’t see--”
“I am not my father, and I’m not ignorant Madam Prince. If you want your grandson to open up, to deem himself worthy to be on the receiving end of anyone's affections, to-- Stop meddling.” He stood up and frowned at her. “I know all about inherited blood magic, and how it can be manipulated. Allow him to heal, let him recuperate and regain the grasp on his magic.” that was a shot in the dark but by her reaction he guessed that is aim wasn’t too far of the truth.
“You dare to speak that way to me, you owe me!” she hissed, her face twisting.
“I don’t owe you anything, more importantly - I couldn’t care less about the debt. But if you want your precious family line to continue it would be advisable to take my request into consideration. I don’t care for you, but I do care for the man who saved my life, and I am determined to help him, even if that means to burn every portrait you have.”
“Are you threatening me?” she raised one eyebrow at him.
“Your grandson is much better at that, he actually manages to intimidate.” Draco smirked at her, she annoyed him.
The woman gazed at him, the same unnerving gaze that Severus had, for a few seemingly neverending moments they just stared at each other. Finally, she laughed, that throw him off balance.
Maybe she’s made wrong, or maybe she was batty when the portrait was made?
The woman laughed for a long time before she turned to him. “There is a much of your great-grandfather in you, young Mister Malfoy. And a lot of a Blacks as well. I like you. Very well, I will take your suggestion under advisement - but not because of your threat.”
“As long as Severus can recover, I really do not care for the reason.” he feigned the aloofness, trying to figure out was she insulted him or pay him a compliment?
“If that was all, young Mister Malfoy.” she tilted her head.
“Thank you for your time Lady Prince.” he nodded.
She left the portrait chuckling and he continued to gaze wondering will this retaliate in some way?
~ S ~ S ~ S ~
Estelle waited for the boy to leave the room before returning to the portrait. She did like the gall young man showed, he really reminded her of his great-grandfather.
The last Malfoy with the strong enough backbone before this kid.
But, could she put her hopes in the hands of this youth? He was sure in himself when he talked to her, but self-confidence, even a fake one, was a Malfoy trait. However, the young Malfoy did seem genuinely worried about her grandson, and he did confirm some of Lucius’ claims.
Is my grandson really that much damaged? Can that Muggleborn really help him?
Estelle sighed, portrait or not she still could feel pain and regret, one of the biggest was support she gave to her husband when he disowned Eileen. Her grandson grew up and she never even met him.
Lucius wasn’t stingy with words, telling her about Severus’ childhood, making all more difficult. The choice to support her husband she regretted greatly once she died. And regardless of her looks, she died fairly young, before Severus enrolled into Hogwarts.
The death does put things into perspective.
She couldn’t care less about blood purity anymore. She did, however, cared for the Severus, she wanted him to take his rightful name and to continue the family line. She also wanted him happy.
Is he beyond that, am I late?
Her biggest worry was the girl - uneducated in their ways, too young, too stubborn by the looks of things. And yet, both Malfoys claimed that she is in loved with her grandson, that problem was in him, in his sense of morality and self-doubt.
She had to find out more about the girl before making the decision. Where is the girl now, ah yes in Hogwarts. Estelle frowned, she didn’t have any portraits there, but she knew resident portraits that resided in the school.
With new determination she left her portrait, she had some old friends to reach and talk to them.
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Torment *Completed*

Torment Completed