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A PERFECT MATCH

Chapter 23: A powerful ingredient

Hermione was reluctant to leave Severus on his own but she had to go to the Potions classroom to teach the first year Huffelpuffs and Ravenclaws. When she was ready to leave, Dumbledore came in and told her he would stay with Severus while she was teaching. Relieved, Hermione prepared for the lesson.

The students found it difficult to concentrate. They were still worked up about Saturday’s events and kept gazing at her instead of paying attention to what was going on in their cauldron. Hermione had to deduct a few points here and there before her students made an effort to concentrate on their work and she could have sworn she heard someone whisper “as you wish, Mrs Snape.”

Hermione was glad to see them go. Next up, she had the seventh year Gryffindors and Slytherins. That would surely be easier, wouldn’t it ?

No way! It only seemed to be easier. Nobody said anything about what happened, probably out of respect for Draco’s feelings, but she could feel their eyes on her whenever she wasn’t looking. Elly Richards had this smug expression on her face, like she wanted to say “Told you so!” and in fact, all the girls in the classroom were giving her knowing smiles. It gave her an idea of what would happen when she and Severus would be sitting at the Head Table again, together.

When she went for lunch, Ginny caught up with her. She looked a little repentant, but was all smiles when she asked how Snape was doing.

“He’ll be fine. Although I don’t think you lot will be when he finds out what you’ve been talking about behind our backs.”

Ginny giggled. “Oh, Hermione, that’s only natural. You see, you’re living the fantasy every girl has dreamed about. Just the thought that you and Snape actually have …” But Hermione interrupted her, looking very uncomfortable: “Stop it Ginny. I will not have you discussing my private life with the entire school.”

“You can’t prevent this Hermione. Everyone knows about the letter and about you guys spending the night together. And when I say everyone, I don’t just mean the students at Hogwarts.” Hermione sighed and rolled her eyes. “I guess I’m trying to live in denial here.” She couldn’t be angry with Ginny, knowing it wasn’t her fault her love-life was public knowledge. Ginny, noticing Hermione had let her guard down, started giggling again. “Say, I always wondered … you know … what’s he like ?” Not seeing Hermione’s horrified look, Ginny continued. “Well, I’ve always imagined him to be like a volcano, you know, all self-control before finally bursting into flames.” Hermione was stunned Ginny would talk to her like that. She narrowed her eyes and replied: “If I ever hear the word ‘volcano’ in association with myself and Severus again, I will know where to find you Ginny Weasley and trust me, it won’t be your lucky day.” Then she turned around to go to the Head Table and added: “And just for your information: Severus is nothing like a volcano, for that’s just one mountain, he’s like a whole mountain-chain erupting” leaving Ginny with open mouth.

 

Hermione was glad she had the afternoon to herself. She needed some time to cool off and wanted to continue working on her potion. When she entered the lab she saw Dumbledore had left. Fawkes was sitting at the edge of her cauldron. She scratched his head, murmuring “Hey, so you’ve come to keep me company, have you ?”

She checked if Severus needed anything, but there was no change in his condition, therefore she started working. Last night, she had come up with an idea that might be some help in fighting off the pain. Now she needed to find something to get him out of this unnatural sleep. A powerful stimulant would do the trick. Only, she had to be careful it mixed well with the painkiller she had chosen. And above all, she didn’t want the potion to be addictive. She did some more research and found what she had been looking for. With renewed energy, she looked at the supplies and was happy to see everything she needed was there. She was about to start brewing when Harry came in.

“Hi, I just wanted to come over and say goodbye. I’m leaving Hogwarts. Ron has left already and wanted me to say hi for him.”

“He left ?”

“Er, yes. Don’t be mad at him. He had to leave really early this morning. Everyone at the Ministry has been assigned to the preparation of the upcoming trials. They need to collect all evidence to make a case against each Death Eater.”

“That won’t be too difficult.”

“Actually, the large amount of evidence is what makes it so difficult and poor Ron is going to have a dreadful time. Guess who will be coordinating ?”

“Who ?”

“Percy !”

Hermione groaned. “Poor Ron indeed. I’ll write to him soon. What about you, what are you going to do ?”

Harry seemed to hesitate. “You see, when the trials come up, all Death Eaters must have a chance to defend themselves to make it legitimate. This won’t be a problem since most of them have found some distant relative to be prepared to speak on their behalf. All but Voldemort. If no one wants to defend him, he cannot be convicted and will never receive a sentence.”

“Harry, I don’t like the sound of where this is going, do you mean …”

“I’m going to defend him.”

“But that’s absurd !” Hermione cried out. “How can you even try to help him ?”

“Hold on. I won’t do anything to help him ! But you see, all everyone wants to do is kill him. I don’t. And if I get a chance to explain why I don’t want him dead, I will take it.”

“Why wouldn’t you want him dead ?”

She had never seen such a cold, vindictive look on Harry’s face when he told her about his motives for defending Voldemort. “Because it would be too easy. Death would be a victory to him. I want him to suffer like his victims did, long and painful. For all I care, he may rot in Azkaban forever !”

Hermione gave him a hug when she saw the tears running down his face. He was right after all, death would be too good for that horrible creature. She rubbed his back and said : ”Well, if the famous Harry Potter speaks in favour of the defendant, I’m sure they’ll listen.”

He inquired after her research. She was happy to tell him she was ready to start brewing. He looked at the ingredients displayed on the table and gave her a puzzled look.

“Am I mistaken, or does that look like …”

“Cannabis.” She confirmed.

“Huh, you’re going to drug him ? Hermione, that’s illegal !!”

She laughed. “Really Harry, take a look around, nearly half of what’s in this lab is an illegal substance.”

“But…”

“I did some research and I found out that cannabis is a natural pain-killer. In fact, in muggle medicin, it is used most effectively by patients suffering from cancer or multiple sclerosis to control their pains.”

Harry looked surprised. “I never knew that. Say, what’s this little bit of powder ?”

“Oh, that’s just something to get him up and about again. It’s powder from the Sudanese Blister Beetle, known to be a strong stimulant. If that won’t wake him up, I don’t know what will.”

“I think I’ve heard that name before, but I cannot recall where. Are you sure it is used to wake someone up ?”

“What else can it be ?”

“Oh, don’t mind me. You’re the genius, I’m just Harry.” He smiled and turned around. “Give my love to Severus when he wakes up and tell him I’ll be in touch.” He kissed her on the cheek and left.

 

Hermione began working on the potion. After boiling it for a few hours it looked ready. When she turned around to take a vial, she saw Fawkes crying, his tears falling into the cauldron. She went up to him, touched by his concern. “Oh Fawkes, you didn’t have to do that ! He’s only in pain, but thanks anyway, every little helps.”

She stirred the potion one last time and filled the vial. When she approached the bed she took a deep breath, opened Severus’ mouth and poured the potion straight into his throat.

It must have been only a split second later when he opened his eyes. Tears of joy ran down her cheeks and she caressed his face. Slowly he tried to sit up, feeling a bit dizzy from missing so many meals. She helped him into a sitting position and gently put her arms around him, kissing him slightly on the brow. A shock went through his body and she quickly released him. He looked at her and when he spoke, he still sounded a bit hoarse: “So I’ve made it after all.”

She nodded. “We all did, we won. Voldemort and his Death Eaters are now in Azkaban”, conveniently leaving out the escape of Malfoy senior. There would be plenty of time to fill him in on the details later.

“How are you feeling ?”

“Strange. I know I’m supposed to feel pain right now, but instead my head is swimming and I’ve never been so relaxed in my entire life. What did you give me ?”

She smiled. He was back !

“I used cannabis as the main ingredient for the potion, to fight off the pain.” He nodded approving. “And it won’t get me addicted. Excellent.”

His eyes followed her across the room when she told him in detail about what happened after he had fell unconscious. He looked sad when he heard about the confrontation between Draco and his father. Before he could ask more about Lucius, she changed the subject. She didn’t want to bother him too much when he was still so weak, but she just had to know.”

“Did you ever have the intention to let me go there ?”

He sighed deeply. “No.”

“Then you meant what you wrote in the letter ?”

“Of course. Those are moments a man just does not lie about his feelings.”

“What now ?”

He sighed. “I guess you’re stuck with me.” She looked so surprised, he almost jumped off the bed to hug her.

“What ? You thought I would take it back ? I’m not a coward.” He looked a bit offended and she threw her arms around him again, smothering him in her embrace.

He stiffened again and pushed her away from him, holding her at arms length.

“Tell me, what else did you put into that potion ?”

“Oh, I had to get you out of that coma-condition, so I looked for a really potent ingredient. I must say it worked well, you reacted almost immediately.”

“What ingredient ?” He sounded really suspicious now.

“Just a little bit of powder from the Sudanese Blister Beetle.” She said it like it was nothing to be worried about, but his eyes grew bigger and his grip tightened.

“That’s a cantharide !!” the panic in his eyes made her heart jump. What had she done wrong ?

 

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