“beyond wandpoint” 057 by gingerbred
Mar. 21st, 2019 03:08 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
beyondwandpoint“11 10t Monday - Reactions Part 2”
Severus, Lucius, Narcissa, Bellatrix, Voldemort, Avery, Crabbe Sr., Goyle Sr., Norman Nott, assorted Death Eaters, Hermione, Sunny
Just Another Night at the Manor
Originally Published: 2018-02-12 on AO3
Chapter: 057
Pairing: Hermione Granger / Severus Snape
Rating: Mature
Warnings: Major Character Death, Rape/Non-Con
It went disastrously.
He pitches forward, landing in a heap as he reappears, his strength sufficient for the Apparition and nothing more.
He hasn't even made it to the safety of the gates.
The conditions at the Manor were... Well, he supposed they were better than Azkaban, but it's conceivable that should read 'only just' now that the Dementors were gone. It was undoubtedly to be expected, the number of escaped convicts that have been housed there, hiding, confined with little enough occasion to be out and about... He'd had a taste of their... pleasure at the chance to spread the misery more... equitably this past Friday. Those who weren't so constrained to the Manor suffered there, greatly, at the hands of those who were.
He hoped Yaxley was a frequent visitor. Fervently. And Greyback, too...
As he considered it, the list only grew longer.
The inhabitants were bored, many homicidal, it was a draw which was worse, with little to occupy their hands or minds, discounting the Malfoys' excellent library, which few seemed inclined to use.
He had no words.
They were ignorant reprobates; he had no idea why he thought it should be any different.
His visit began poorly. It got worse.
There had been an incident. There were long term ramifications. He reported the boys' misconduct from Friday; he wasn't there to stop them after all... The reproach was implied, and yet somehow no one seemed to feel personally... addressed. How... unusual. But then these were hardly the champions of personal accountability.
Never fear, he assured them, he had since punished Draco accordingly. But no one had been worried in the least about that. It was a certainty.
He could hear the Malfoys twitching uneasily behind him. Narcissa may have moaned.
He had managed to intervene Friday in time to keep the lot from being sent down, but not before such damage had been done that Dumbledore demanded... tribute.
He explained the bondings at the school.
His in particular.
Several winced at the thought. No one laughed. Yet. The memory of Willem Wilkes and his attempt to bond one of the Rosiers was fresh enough for all present. No one there considered bonds laughing matters. Not after that.
The fathers present, and Goyle Sr. was summarily summoned to make it four, were initially unwilling to let his claims stand unchallenged. Whatever else, they knew enough and were sufficiently experienced that they didn't want the potential compromising of his spy in any way to have been their fault, if only because they begat and raised the little rotters. Severus was reasonably convinced, they hadn't made a good job of either.
Severus' memories and the Dark Lord's Legilimens settled the issue quickly. Their objections were predictable, but foolish. His persistent denials earned Crabbe Sr. several Crucios.
Severus found that... satisfactory. Quite.
It didn't begin to make up for having to share those memories, though, and it will bother him, greatly, in the months to come. But then he'd always known he wouldn't have a choice.
In a fairly elegant manoeuvre, he managed to both praise Theo's perspicacity and gain Norman Nott's support. Now that his only child was apparently being cast as the hero of the piece, suddenly he was willing to believe what Snape said was gospel. Severus didn't care why it worked, just that it did. He left the bickering with the other parents in Nott's capable, if often murderous, hands.
Severus still had a great deal of justifying to do.
Contrary to Miss Granger's expectations, he put forward every single one of the reasons she contrived for their bonding. And then some. And then he dug deep and made up a few more. He might have been a little desperate towards the end.
He was pressured into acting minutes after waking from a coma, while still in no shape, thanks to the treatment he received there at the Manor, ta muchly, to be able to seek instructions. Blah blah.
Bellatrix told him not to be such a whiny little bitch, her word, not his, although he lauded her gender neutrality, just not... vocally. Everyone there knew where he was Friday. Poor ickle Potions Prof. She had thought he could handle more. How... disappointing. You-Know-Who stepped in, having seen the memories, to tell her the situation with the boys had quite thoroughly taxed Severus.
It was completely unclear if that was meant to be a help or hindrance. That's depressingly common. Fortunately as no one else seemed to be sure either, everyone struck a neutral stance on the matter until he weighed in more decisively.
Small favours.
Everyone was dead certain this was a punishment for not having Draco better in hand. No question. For once they were all in agreement. That was rare enough to be a miracle. Or a sign of impending doom. Probably that and probably his.
Severus wondered again if there weren't actually some truth to it, but if were it up to him, he'd have expelled Draco long before things ever got that far.
Poisoned mead? Cursed necklaces? The Putrefaction Potion? Imperiused students, barmaids and Aurors? Oh my. If anyone deserved a punishment for failing to have the boy under control, it should have been Albus.
The punishment theory was robustly borne out by the memories of Severus' Crucio of Draco. All were thoroughly convinced that even Snape must have seen it the same way.
That led to an uncomfortable interruption for duelling. Of course it did.
Honestly, any excuse will do. It annoys Severus no end that they can't even complete an interrogation without breaking for a battle of skills or torture. More so, naturally, when he's the individual being tortured. That would come soon enough.
Rookwood groaned his agreement with Severus as to the frequent interruptions, Augustus' frustration at their lack of focus very evident and greater than his caution. He must have been exceedingly frustrated indeed. Between that and the incessant whipping out of... wands. The constant challenging, the posturing, the perpetual measuring against one another... It was worse than school. Hogwarts, even.
They were bored out of their gourds, stuck there in the Manor as they were, and apparently Severus was slated to be the evening's... entertainment.
Severus was 'given' the chance to avenge himself, not that it was optional, to demand... satisfaction from Lucius for the... inconveniences Draco had caused. Lucius, on the other hand, was given a 'chance' to seek revenge for Severus' treatment of the Malfoy heir this evening. The reason was specious, there was no dissension - Draco got what he deserved, but then the results of the duel weren't really in question.
Even in Severus' still weakened state, it was no contest. Lucius hasn't had his own wand since last summer, and he suffered... greatly in Azkaban. He's a shadow of his former self. Severus made it quick, he had no desire to extend the abuse and soon left the man lying there on the floor, only barely conscious. When done with... attitude commensurate to their expectations, no one... crucial took it for mercy.
It wasn't as unfortunate as he initially thought, however. As everyone else watched Macy, the Malfoys' ancient house elf, gather Lucius from the ground to take him to his rooms, Severus slipped Narcissa some of his own Anti-spasmodic Potion in passing. Once she was alone again in her corner of the room and everyone's focus was elsewhere, she would summon another elf to deliver the Potion to her husband.
Severus whispered to the concerned wife and mother that he'd arranged for Draco to have some of the same. Everyone knows Severus' brew is a damn sight better than the usual dram. Cheers.
When asked, he sometimes likes to... joke the secret ingredient is 'love'. Advantageously, sarcasm puts an abrupt end to such queries. Truthfully, of course, it's 'self-interest'. That can be every bit as effective, particularly when there's no love to be had.
Cloaked in appropriately disdainful tones, he told Narcissa more loudly how Draco had spent the day in the Infirmary. And then he recounted the boy's stupidity at dinner, how he made a move on someone who enjoys the benefits of Severus' Protection Vow. That was greeted, rather typically, by laughter from those nearby. Why should the scion have fared better than his wretched father?
Word will spread, because they find other's misfortune... diverting, and they're desperate for diversion.
It undoubtably accomplished all Draco had hoped for in the process. Severus is efficient that way.
It also served to subtly reinforce the idea of that Vow in their minds, paired helpfully to an image of Severus... reacting. Everyone there has been on the receiving end of his Curse at some point or another, which says much about how they spend their evenings together. No one is eager to experience his Crucio again. It should prove... useful to have that associated with any thoughts of his bondmate.
Narcissa has known Severus for a very long time, and knows him well. Unlike most currently housed under her roof, his was company she had deliberately sought during the interim between the wars. She considers him a friend, to the extent he has any. She was perfectly able to read the message between the lines, and she could now happily ignore any reports to the contrary: her son seemed quite recovered from yesterday's misadventure. Or had until Severus had Crucioed him, but he saw no point in emphasising that overmuch. And Draco was receiving treatment for that.
She nearly broke cover, so great was her relief, and asked, half begged, if she could do anything for Severus to make amends.
It just so happens the Malfoys still have connections that defy all reason. Galleons, it seems, make the world go round, disturbingly even more so than magic, reputations be damned. And it also transpired that Severus expected to have... issues with the press in the days to come. All it took was a word in the blonde's ear.
It was practically sorted.
Well, that bit at least. His Darkness still had questions about this business of the bonding...
Severus racked his brain for more justifications... His apparent lack of hesitation should help to maintain his cover with the Order, blah blah, and the girl was insignificant anyway. She could be easily ignored.
Well, for them.
He has to live with her.
Severus tried to explain the tactical advantage his bondmate may provide for spying...
There was a moment of hilarity, it was too, too funny, Severus somehow failed to see it as such, but possibly he was the only one, when the Dark Lord realised which Mudblood Severus has been bonded to. He was apparently familiar with the chit from Potter's thoughts and found the idea simply... hysterical. Live with her indeed...
And he was exceedingly happy to share the information, such that he had, with all.
Ta.
Dolohov was encouraged to tell how easily she was defeated at the Department of Mysteries. The man had no idea how lucky he was that he didn't go into detail about what he had done to her. His luck won't hold forever.
Severus refrained from pointing out a dozen adult Death Eaters had gone up against mere handful of children, his... wife the eldest amongst them a scant sixteen (or perhaps seventeen) years of age at the time. And those children had held their own reasonably well, cheers, until help from the Order came, and all but Bella had landed in Azkaban for over a year for their pains. Hardly a good showing from the Death Eaters, but if it made them any happier, by all means, denigrate his bondmate. See if he cared.
He added Dolohov's name to his list of people to make more miserable.
He didn't make the connection between the nature of that impulse of his and the pride he couldn't reconcile on Miss Granger's part when she told Minerva how he had rescued her. They're more closely related than he could believe.
Severus needn't have worried about keeping silent, though. Goyle, who hadn't been present at the DoM, took up the slack and cheerfully pointed out how ignominiously those that were had been defeated. He's not the brightest Lumos. This only drew attention to his absence during the affair, and he was clearly in the minority as these days the participants were effectively always present and accounted for at the Manor, where they've been lying low for months now, by and large being escaped criminals, as it were.
Some animosity persisted between those that fought, those that served time in Azkaban, and those who did neither.
Goyle wasn't left standing long.
Nott was the only father left upright, and he had no more issues with Snape. Severus considered it managed. As usual with these things, he was right.
They returned to the questioning, but it didn't last long. Trying to keep Death Eaters on track is a bit like herding cats. Admittedly homicidal, demented, malevolent cats, but the comparison stands...
Still terribly amused, and apparently unable to move past the notion of Snape bonded to the bushy-haired swot, the Dark Lord actually interrupted the interrogation, again, to congratulate Severus enthusiastically on his nuptials. Everyone took it for the indication it was that he considered the bond practically punishment enough. For the bond. Severus wasn't sure that even made sense. He thought it might be a paradox.
Still, whatever opinion they may have held of his bondmate, regardless how poor, which rankled, Severus knew it wouldn't be enough. He wasn't done there. He's never done there.
Bellatrix naturally doubted everything he said. She's mad as a riled hornets' nest but she can always be relied upon to try to make his life as miserable as she can. At least there are some constants in the universe.
He had been waiting for some time for exactly such an opening to use her suggestion for the Unbreakable Vow against her. He seized his chance and told her she knew he must have been acting in Draco's best interests. She naturally neither confirmed nor denied it, and he pressed on. His Vow guaranteed it. The Dark Lord pounced, also predictably, 'which Vow?' Severus, regretfully, allowed that he was... afraid he shouldn't say.
It seems snakes have hackles. This was new to Severus, too, but Riddle had his raised and how. Narcissa felt the need to try to head off the unavoidable, not that it would help, by definition, and began to explain; Bellatrix on the other hand did anything but.
Whatever else, Riddle is no fool. He's perfectly capable of recognising avoidance when he sees it. If anything, it served to attract his attention as if she had shone a klieg on it. Or probably an absurdly bright Lumos; it's a pity they can't be directed. He demanded Bella make a report, in full.
Narcissa was quickly forgiven, she hadn't suggested the Vow, she'd simply taken advantage of the opportunity; she's a mother and apparently mothers weren't entirely to be trusted. There was no good response to that, so the room kept still. Frequently that proves to be the wisest course of action. But Bella.... Hadn't she trusted his judgment? To have compromised his spy's position... And Severus, to have gone against his wishes...
"She questioned my loyalty, to you, my Lord, what choice..." and he is the boy's godfather, he has a duty, and as long as he were fulfilling their Lord's orders... Severus was a backstop, nothing more, insurance his Lord's wishes would come to fruition. You-Know-Who, predictably, didn't admit his orders had little to do with what he really wanted. What Slytherin would?
Severus had gauged correctly. He was forgiven. Almost completely. His use as a spy once Dumbledore is eliminated is over, and Riddle might be pleased to see Severus attempt to measure himself against the old wizard.
There had been a chance Severus could have remained in position to continue spying once Draco failed, but the Vow has been sworn, and the Dark Lord is pragmatic. Or so enamoured of the idea of a dead Dumbledore now that he thought about it that he acted as though he were; the chances of that result have increased markedly with Snape's involvement. Or perhaps it hadn't occurred to him that Severus could have carried on. He's marginally less rational than Albus these days.
And Bellatrix had much explaining to do. Later. In private. In detail. It was... also satisfactory.
Now that the Vow was revealed, and as it can't be in Severus' interests for it to be common knowledge, it was assumed to be inadvertent... Quite unintentional. These people truly are imbeciles of the first water...
Severus pled. His Unbreakable Vow meant he had to keep Draco in school for the boy to have any hope of accomplishing his task. As they, to a man, didn't believe he would be successful, initially no one was particularly impressed by the argument, missing the point entirely that the Vow doesn't give a rat's about the probability of success. Cretins.
Not for the first time Severus wondered why he ever thought he could find a home with these people. He still had no good answer. What could he say? He had been young, and apparently desperate. And equally apparently blazingly obtuse himself at the time.
At least he got better. The same can't be said for the majority congregated at the Malfoys'.
Had Dumbledore scanned Draco's mind, and surely that would have followed, what were the chances of him not finding out all about that little chore the Dark Lord had set for him? He may be a doddering old dolt, fine, it's certain, but surely he isn't that incompetent. He wouldn't have missed it. This was the best measure of protection Severus could have given Draco, which, again, he couldn't emphasise it enough, he was forced to thanks to the Vow.
He distracted from the real issues by pleading, once more, that they not make it clear to Draco that he has an Unbreakable Vow guaranteeing him Severus' support. Truthfully, he didn't need the boy reporting back in any detail the kinds of things that still appear possible despite it. That wouldn't be... helpful. Merlin knows, the Crucio should certainly have made them wonder, but the fact they viewed it as warranted had made them overlook that aspect. Morons.
Instead he argued, how would he ever convince Dumbledore he could trust him were the Headmaster to see that thought in Draco's mind.
It was convincing.
Tell the boy he could trust Severus, if they must say anything, if the old goat were to see that, he would just take it to mean his spy was successful. But for Merlin's sake, don't mention the Vow... His desperation, feigned, was greeted with more mocking laughter.
He hated almost everyone in the room.
And naturally, were those present to mention it to anyone... That would make it impossible for him to fulfil the terms of the Vow. It was practically a death sentence. Still more chuckles, they're positively contemptible.
Severus wasn't really worried about it one way or another. Albus is only too willing to have him succeed. Success isn't in question, and the Vow hadn't exactly come with a time limit. And all the begging came a good deal easier to him when he frankly didn't care about the outcome in the least. But the Dark Lord was now invested in seeing this play out and had soon ordered the lot of them to swear their silence on the subject.
For the period of one year. Consider it his wedding present.
Riddle thought he was putting pressure on Severus and smiled most maliciously. Severus personally thought he'd be exceedingly lucky if he had half that time before he was forced to act, it really made no difference at all, but he put on an appropriately apprehensive air. Riddle's smile only deepened. Undoubtably that was one punishment less Severus would have to weather.
That went quite smoothly. And there was now so much focus on the Vow, the bond seemed almost an afterthought. Smoke and mirrors. Increasingly, they're becoming Severus' bread and butter.
There was no doubt either that Severus is to serve as a glorified bodyguard. Several laughed at Dumbledore's gullibility or feeble-mindedness, highly amused that apparently murder didn't count against the Potions Master when he was considered for that position. It's rather like leaving the wolf to tend the sheep, they were almost agreed.
Assuming one pulled the wolf's teeth, Bellatrix objected, knowing quite well he isn't a rapist and rather astutely suspecting his motives for the bonding. And were the sheep desiccated mummies. Severus wasn't even sure if he should be more insulted for himself or Miss Granger. Probably the witch, in all fairness.
He cringed inwardly at the reflexive image of a wolf gumming pemmican...
It was no matter. He hates Bellatrix. There's little she could say or do to change how he feels about her.
He's probably wrong about that.
In a bit of genius, he allowed the memory of a thought to trickle through, his relief that the Fidelity Vow ensured he no longer faced that particular threat. He can't be forced to rape... It would earn him a Crucio, but was readily believed, and that was what counted now. It fit with what they knew of him.
The truth is a tool like any other, it can be weaponised or used as a shield. Severus is fundamentally a street fighter; when he fights, he fights to win. He'll use anything to hand, less fussed with appearances than results when it comes down to it.
That often goes completely unrecognised, as most people have no idea what battle he's actually fighting. It leaves them unable to gauge his efforts or his success. He finds humour in that. Rather a lot of it. It may be a defence mechanism, but it's no less true.
It only works in his favour for that to go unnoticed. It's an advantage purchased at the cost of pride, and pride had stopped mattering so much back when he was still a student. Or maybe it had shifted. It's no longer as important what others think. What matters most is what he knows to be true.
And the ability to Occlude on the days that's not enough.
Those may have been increasing of late.
But Severus had done what he could to prepare. He conserved his energy today. For the most part. He had taken every remotely sensible medicinal Potion. For once. (He's not generally a good patient.) He'd even had some chocolate, not that he's sure it helps all that much in advance, but it did nice things for his spirits. Small mercies. He takes them where he can.
He hadn't overburdened his magic. Nothing more than a handful of spells at a time, nothing too dramatic, not even his Crucios, and he'd given himself time to recover afterwards. He hadn't faffed about defeating Lucius, he fought decisively, and then he stalled Riddle with his explanations and begging until he was quite recovered from the duel.
He was particularly pleased with his solution for silencing all assembled at dinner in the Great Hall - it had been elegant, a bare minimum of spells. Bloody brilliant really. He was reasonably sure a couple hundred Silencios would have been impossible by contrast. And certainly ill advised this evening.
He was as ready as he could be. He took a deep breath and Occluded some more.
Preemptively, Severus Summoned his Anti-spasmodic from the extended pocket of his cloak inconspicuously to his hand and popped the stopper. Once open, he was able to administer the Potion prophylactically directly to his stomach. He isn't really sure it should count as a 'prophylactic' if it's not a moment too soon.
Bellatrix was permitted the honours. She took great pleasure in doing so.
Her curse work was every bit as dreadful as should be anticipated coming from the Dark Lord's lieutenant. Horrible, but nothing out of the ordinary. Their ordinary. It's hardly an experience he cares for, but it's nothing he can't handle or hasn't had to frequently enough.
No, that was... acceptable. Stunningly painful, but expected. Everything was under control.
Until it wasn't.
What he hadn't prepared for was how the bond would come into play.
Miss Granger's apparent distress over his situation, by glaring contrast to the situation itself, was making it incredibly difficult for him to cope. He would have savoured the irony if it weren't taking him out at the knees. Bloody. Fucking. Hell.
He really should have known better, the way his luck had been going. It was an unforgivable oversight on his part, and he was now quite certain he was going to pay dearly.
Somewhere or another, presumably in their quarters, the witch was apparently blind with fear, worry and panic, and the bond assured she wasn't keeping it to herself. No, she was sharing. With a vengeance.
The Crucio was bad enough, no question, but the emotional assault through the bond... And he still wasn't adequately recovered for this. He was weak on his feet and faltered, barely managing to silently and wandlessly cast a Cushioning Charm before falling to one knee. Not exactly impressive, until one considers it was done while under the Cruciatus. He was genuinely satisfied with the effort. His knee would thank him.
The thought of his bondmate gave rise to another bit of inspiration, from his talk with her earlier, he cast again and got lucky. A bit of deception, play acting, and he'd caused Bellatrix to stop sooner than she otherwise would have. Her laughter rang in his ears and would echo for a while after, but laughter has never killed anyone. He couldn't give a fuck.
Dissembling admirably, more grovelling from him pried a concession from the madwoman. Well, at the Dark Lord's command, anyhow. Close enough. As his loudest detractor, she reluctantly had to - finally - admit Severus was right, she knew with certainty that he must do everything in his power to help Draco and was forced to acknowledge that Severus couldn't have had any ulterior motives. That was worth Galleons. Or perhaps he could have ulterior motives, she corrected, but if he did, they ran parallel to their own wishes. Riddle failed to understand the distinction.
Severus was forced to Occlude for all he was worth, but it was... advantageous to over and not under emphasize the pain, or they would have simply applied more.
Agreeing with what he understood of Bellatrix's analysis, her brains are so often overlooked in the face of her madness, perhaps somewhat understandably, the Dark Lord decided Severus still deserved another Crucio in parting. But when doesn't he? The bond, he accepted, was necessary due to the Vow. The Vow, however, hadn't been. As reasons go, it was as good as any other. Next time, perhaps it will be because the night is dark...
Still, on balance, he was far less displeased about the Vow than the bond, and the punishment in total was a great deal milder than Severus had any right to expect. He was very much aware of that fact and made sure not to show his relief.
Again the Dark Lord allowed Bella the honours. Considering Severus at fault for disclosing the Vow, and therefore for her own punishment that was sure to follow, Bellatrix put her all into the Curse.
It was to be expected. Misery loves company after all.
Severus tried to hide from the pain in his own mind while still exhibiting all the desired responses. He was pushed to his limits especially given how recently he had been through similar treatment. And then the damnable bond took matters resolutely out of his hands.
The flood of emotion overwhelmed him once again, and he found himself on his knees, the Cushioning Charm thankfully still in place. He cursed Dumbledore, possibly out loud, and although he might not have noticed it, the sum of his response was enough for Riddle to put up a hand to stay Bellatrix's Curse, as Severus slumped, unconscious, to the floor. All trace of the Cushioning Charm disappeared most opportunely once he had done so.
Anyone who had been unconvinced about the dangers of bonds after the Wilkes attempt found themselves taking them a great deal more seriously now. No one could recall ever seeing Snape fall like that. And that quickly...
Merlin's hairy ballsack. What had the man done?
Severus was carried from the room, and awoke sometime later in the foyer with Anthony Avery in attendance.
A reflexive pat of his sleeve revealed his wand was still in place. Riddle prefers it that way, to have his... victims armed and not reaching for their wands more clearly demonstrates their surrender. And in much the same vein as what Severus had done with Draco just hours before, it shows You-Know-Who believes he has nothing to fear. Anthony grimaced in recognition at Severus' gesture, he had been in the same position himself often enough, and nodded his now superfluous assurance - it was still there.
Avery had been his roommate for seven years at school, along with Mulciber, Wilkes and Rosier. Wilkes and Rosier died in the first war, and Mulciber spent the next fourteen years in Azkaban. Severus and Anthony have been through much together, and he is far from being as abhorrent as most who have taken up residence at the Manor.
On the contrary, he has always been one of the moderates and has been known to think of others on occasion. Worth mentioning, as it's a highly unusual trait for a Death Eater. When the Dark Lord returned, Avery had thrown himself at his feet and begged for mercy, not just for himself, but for all of his followers. It earned Anthony the Cruciatus, of course. It's not like he wouldn't have known it was coming. But it didn't stop him from doing it either.
Anthony's father was loyal, extremely so, to the Dark Lord. Avery Sr. was one of the original Death Eaters, a friend of Riddle's from Hogwarts, just like the fathers of Severus' roommates Mulciber and Rosier, or the somewhat older Lestrange brothers. Or Theo's father, for that matter; Norman Nott is one of the very few remaining of the original guard. The scarcity of their number probably should have given the younger, aspiring Death Eaters pause.
Sadly it did not.
Much like Draco and Theo in the current generation, Anthony had had virtually no choice in his development. He was destined for his role whether he liked it or not. Failure to comply and deviation from course were simply not options.
The story is all too familiar.
Their friendship, however, such as it had been, had been damaged irreparably towards the end of the first war. The first cut came when Severus changed sides, not that Avery understood what had happened. The cleft only grew wider not long after when both managed to escape prosecution for their activities during the war. It was extremely dangerous to admit they'd been loyal Death Eaters, and just as dangerous to claim they weren't. They never had a remotely honest exchange again. How could they?
Nevertheless, some fondness remains.
Anthony helped Severus up from the fainting couch he'd been left on, and not unkindly told him he was free to go.
"Do you need me to help you to the Apparition point?" He offered, assisting Severus into his winter cloak. Severus discovered that he did, and with his arm slung over Anthony's shoulders and Anthony's around his waist, the two made their cumbersome way in silence through the snow up the drive. Conversation between them is... fraught with risks and frequently avoided. It suited Severus, as it left him alone with his thoughts.
Not altogether surprisingly, Severus was having problems recognising certain details. He was angry, frustrated, and more than a little disheartened by the vulnerability the bond and Miss Granger's feelings seemed to represent. That was perfectly fair. He felt that the bond left him exposed, unable to act, and missed entirely that each time it had done so, he hadn't intended to act. He'd simply taken the abuse served.
What it did was take the choice out of his hands, although that's reason enough to be displeased. But twice now today, it had more or less brought about an earlier end to mistreatment he was suffering for reasons he should understand well enough; he'd only just explained that dynamic to Miss Granger himself.
Having left his assailants in the belief they'd been successful, more so than intended, in fact, they ended their attacks. Verbal and physical. He was ultimately less... harmed as a result. It's a difficult distinction to make, particularly if one isn't all too aware of what is happening at the time. That would be a peculiarity of loss of consciousness.
Unfortunately, those facts will escape him for a while yet.
But now once again, as he struggled to leave the Manor behind him, Miss Granger's concern was serving as a balm, kissing over raw nerve endings, soothing him, making it... better. That he noticed. Somewhere, someone, he had no desire to explain the need to depersonalise it - he knew precisely where and who, desperately wanted him out of there. Safe and whole. Home. It left him... conflicted, not that it mattered, inasmuch as he couldn't change the facts of their bond regardless how much he might he wish it.
He concentrated instead on the snowy path in front of them as they trudged to the property's border.
There must be a spell for that, to clear the way, something the elves can do... That probably meant it was necessary for their cover to make the Manor appear mostly deserted. Severus turned, thinking their footprints were an obvious flaw to that plan only to see them disappearing behind him.
There's an answer for most things if only one looks.
It was a little depressing to realise the impressions he had left behind more closely resembled drag marks than prints. Just as well they were gone...
Avery was good enough to cast a Warming Charm on them both. It would see him home. When they reached the gates, he let him out. "Will you make it back alright?"
Severus could do no more than nod.
Unsure quite how to take his leave, Anthony wished him a tentative, "Congratulations?" He paused, undecided if it really needed saying, but in light of their shared history, he felt compelled to add, "Watch yourself, Severus. You remember what happened to Wilkes."
Severus had not forgotten. Willem's fate had been going through his mind quite a bit since Albus proposed the insane idea. More so, naturally, ever since Severus had been dumb enough to have gone through with the bonding.
Avery followed it up with a grim, "Good luck," in farewell as he locked and re-warded the gates behind him.
With a 'pop' much louder than usual, Severus Apparated back to the castle.
Sunny kept a close watch as always, having long since learned to recognise the signs of a visit to the Manor, and when he discovers the Professor lying unconscious in the snow, he hurries to fetch Hermione.
Hermione has been going quietly mad for the better part of the evening. What the Professor doesn't realise, and she won't tell him any time soon, is that when he Occludes, strongly, while she may no longer be able to discern his feelings, or only the vaguest hints, she can very clearly tell that he is Occluding. It is far more noticeable, in fact, than the normal strength of their bond. It feels rather like she imagines the proverbial deafening silence must. And it's easily as oppressive.
It's also impossible to maintain that level of Occluding while being tortured, she now knows, and she was incredibly clear on much of what transpired this evening. If she thought her experience Friday was terrifying, this has redefined the word for her. Completely.
Few in the Order have any idea of the extent of the treatment he is subjected to. And few would care. Virtually none show any sympathy for him. Dumbledore has a fair idea of the reality of the situation but is relentless in the pursuit of his goals, offering little in terms of real sympathy. When he does offer sympathy, it seems a hollow gesture, considering he is the one demanding that Severus go back time and again to suffer the next round.
The fact he doesn't seem to have been sliced to ribbons again, if the feelings she was able to interpret can be relied upon for such detail, the level of pain wasn't constant or remotely linear, would indicate that his treatment probably wasn't nearly as bad as what he faced a few nights ago. But then, he wasn't in anywhere near as good shape when things began today as he had been Friday. What she knows with certainty is that he is out of their clutches now and his condition is grave.
So she's not the least bit surprised when their elf appears before her, calling for her help. It's also no coincidence that she has remained dressed, is still wearing her trainers, and has her winter cloak lying at the ready.
"Mistress, Mistress must come! Quick! Master of Potions!"
"Where is he, Sunny?" She demands, reaching for the cloak and heading towards the door, curfew be damned.
"Mistress comes now." Sunny says, and with next to no warning, the elf has grabbed her arm and Apparated her to the Professor's side. That's certainly one way to avoid Hallway Patrols. She wasn't aware elves could do that, the inability to Apparate within Hogwarts one of the firm rules extremely well documented in 'Hogwarts: A History'. She's still reeling from the usual twist and pull of Apparition, and Sunny looks at her guiltily.
"Mistress not tells Sunny does this. No," and the poor house elf begins twisting his ears before she can assure him she'll never breathe a word of it if he'll only stop. She's probably lying, but it does the trick. He relaxes a little, and she turns back to the unconscious man lying at their feet.
A Discerno, and isn't that proving a useful thing to have learnt, followed by a cursory examination reveals that at least he doesn't seem to be bleeding profusely like last time. She now recognises the shudders and tremors for what they are, Cruciatus after effects, but easy enough to guess, only too aware he'd been Crucioed before, and knows she'll need to get him to Madam Pomfrey as soon as possible.
She moves quickly to stretch him out, to better assess the situation, to make sure he would be safe to Apparate. She sticks her wand behind her ear, crawls a bit to come to a kneel on the ground behind his shoulders, wraps her arms around him and pulls him towards her until he's almost fully extended. The groan he emits as she's almost finished doing so brings her efforts to a halt, and he lies there sprawled before her, his head now pillowed in her lap.
She can't help noticing the state of his trousers, very conspicuously wet around his groin. Somewhat ironic, she decides regretfully, given what he had done to Draco earlier and their conversation thereafter. She knows he'd probably appreciate it if as few people as possible saw that, and, only slightly embarrassed, performs Cleansing, Cleaning and Drying Charms to tidy him up. No one else need ever know.
She blushes a little at the Cleansing Charm, feeling it might somehow be a bridge too far, too intimate, but she doesn't like doing things by halves. It's the correct thing to do. But possibly not exactly the appropriate thing...
He rouses a little as she casts her Charms. Hermione is relieved, of course she is, but she's also kind of sorry he does, very aware of the consideration he had shown her after she was attacked, and equally eager not to embarrass him now.
"Karma?" she quips, trying to play it off as insignificant, keeping her tone light and her gaze averted, still calmly running her hands over his chest and arms, examining him for injuries, signs of splinching, and almost achieving the appearance of professional detachment. It's a good effort.
"Aguamenti," he chuffs, rather smugly, seeking her eyes. "Our conversation..." he's short of breath, but utterly serious, "gave me the idea." The grin on his face would tell her just how proud he is of that little bit of duplicity if the bond hadn't already. It... gives her hope.
"Infirmary?" She asks him gently. If he's awake, aware, she'd prefer having his permission.
"That would be best..." he manages and then slips back into unconsciousness.
She turns to Sunny and asks if he can Apparate them to the Infirmary, and the elf explains he must never be seen Apparating someone within the castle. She doesn't quite follow, but there's plenty of time for that later, and she just accepts the parameters for the moment.
"Is there anyone in the room where the Professor stayed in the Infirmary over the weekend?" The little elf disappears practically before the words are out of her mouth, but he's back again before she can even call for him.
When the elf shakes his head in the negative, continuing the conversation as though he hadn't left, she suggests, "If you closed the door so no one would see us, could you then take us all there?" And suddenly he's smiling, Hermione feels like she's been sucked through a straw, and the three of them are relocated to the private back room of the Infirmary, the solution no sooner suggested than implemented. She doesn't quite understand the differences, but she knows that his magic is different to hers in ways she can't begin to comprehend.
She doesn't even bother getting up off the floor. From her position half beneath the Professor, still carefully cradling his head, she uses a Mobilicorpus to lift him and get him gently into the bed. Only once he's safely tucked in does she head out to look for the Matron who is rather startled to have someone effectively sneak up on her from behind.
Sunny takes advantage of her absence to remove and Banish the Master's boots and socks to the wardrobe; humans never seem to do things properly. But all told, he's satisfied with her performance. Mistress took good care of the Master. Well, except for the footwear. Boots in bed... Still shaking his head, he disappears again from sight.
A/N:
See comments for 1) a shameless plug for Grooot's latest story. Because Grooot rules.
2) Update on my good self, if you're curious, and shameless solicitation for 'hang in there, kiddo's (It's being that kind of life. *sigh*)