An Unlikely Situation (Part III of III) - A gift for pristineungift! Title: An Unlikely Situation Author:aleysiasnape Recipient:pristineungift Pairing(s): Severus/Hermione Word Count: 4,488 Rating: R Warnings: AU, EWE Summary: Hermione finds herself imprisoned in the dungeon. Who will help her survive? Author's Notes: I really hope the recipient likes my results. I really had fun writing this and many thanks goes to my betas. You know who you are! Disclaimer: I don’t own anything except the plot.
Lucius left Severus and Hermione alone to plot. "We should be able to get them out safely before he returns here," Hermione argued as she showed him what her plans were.
Severus raised a skeptical eyebrow. "If he does return, it will be at his discretion. Getting Lucius and his family out will be a problem. And here is your ticket out." He gave Hermione the Portkey.
"A Portkey? What about you?"
He smirked. "Witch, I have my ways of getting out of the Manor. I do know this place like the back of my hand. The Portkey will help you get out past the wards to Hogwarts."
Hermione’s eyes widened and whispered into Severus’ ear, "Is Mr. Malfoy a double agent?"
Severus shook his head. "Lucius’ allegiance is for his family’s safety. Now, let’s go over the details again."
Hermione sighed, knowing she hit a brick wall arguing with Severus. But he did kiss me. I wonder if we ever get out of here if he wants me.
She was, in fact, peeved with those two for not finding her sooner; leaving her to rely on Snape and Malfoy’s help in getting out of there. I’m not supposed to be here. Damn it. I will definitely give them a piece of my mind when I get back.
She listened intently on Severus’ plan, hoping, praying that it would work.
Elsy Apparated in and she brought them food. The only words she told them were, "Be ready." Then she Disapparated, leaving the two of them.
"She knows what’s going to happen," Hermione whispered as she ate.
"Yes, she is, after all, the head elf to the Malfoy household. She has to know these things," Severus explained as he took a sip of water.
In an hour’s time, the Malfoys headed down to the family cell. "Father, what the hell are we doing? Are we running?" Draco questioned his father softly.
Lucius whipped around. "I am trying to keep this family safe from that madman! Severus has agreed to help. And if we can find a way to get rid of these dark marks on our arms, I would gladly help the other side," he hissed irately to Draco.
Draco gulped, knowing his father was hell bent on protecting them, but he didn’t know the extent of that protection until now. He felt his mother’s hand on his arm.
"It will be alright," she whispered into Draco’s ear, trying to calm his frayed nerves.
Severus and Hermione stood ready as Lucius opened the cell. Lucius spied Hermione holding hands with Severus as he led them out of the cell.
"She’s determined to go with us. And yes, she has the Portkey with her."
Lucius led them to an ancient hallway that hadn’t been used in years, in an age, what seemed forever forgotten. He stopped at the entrance, appalled at how filthy it looked.
"Father, are we going the right way?" Draco asked warily as he eyed the cobwebs, pulling his robes close around him. He jumped every time a torch was lit for them.
"Yes. Now be quiet!" Lucius hissed back to him as he concentrated on finding the way out.
"Father and son must to do this at the same time. Miss Granger, activate the Portkey. You should be able to escape once we are through," Severus explained to her softly as she held the Portkey in her hands.
She looked at Severus, feeling a little scared about doing this. "It’ll be alright, Hermione," Severus whispered, knowing that he would probably not be seeing her for some time. He slipped her a note in her pocket telling her where to meet him once they escaped.
"I don’t want to be parted from you," Hermione whispered softly into his ear.
Severus sighed. "I will be at Hogwarts awaiting your arrival. Now, stop dawdling so we can escape. Lucius, you know what to do."
The only way through the wards was with the use of family blood. Lucius looked at Draco, knowing how much his son hated giving the sacrifice. Draco nodded once, and watched as his father sliced his own palm before passing the knife over.
Draco gritted his teeth as the blade bit deeply and then watched in fascination as the blood dripped onto the statue.
They, along with Severus, were swiftly magicked away to Hogwarts.
Hermione took a deep breath as she hesitantly looked around for anyone that could have followed. Satisfied, she took out the Portkey and activated it, hoping that it would take her back to Hogwarts too.
Closing her eyes, she felt the familiar pull as she thought to herself, I will not get sick. She felt the Portkey shift and opened her eyes. The infirmary? Lord Malfoy had a Portkey to the Hogwarts infirmary? she thought as she saw Madam Pomfrey hurrying towards her.
"Oh dear child, we were worried!" Poppy exclaimed as she helped Hermione towards a cot.
"I’m fine. Where is…" Hermione’s voice trailed off as they heard the doors bang open as Severus hurriedly walked in.
"Severus-" Poppy started to say.
"I’m not here to hurt you, Poppy, or Hermione. The Malfoys have decided to change sides and Minerva is discussing the situation with them. Also, the Carrows have been dealt with along with the other Death Eaters."
"How is that possible?" Poppy demanded as she crossed her arms.
Severus sighed, knowing that he would have to prove to her that he was still on their side. "I have always been Dumbledore’s man, Poppy. We caught them by surprise and managed to Stupefy all of them, activating the Floo network to send them off to Azkaban prison."
"But wouldn’t that anger you-know-who?" Poppy questioned Severus, worriedly knowing that Voldermort would probably take his anger out on the school anyway.
Severus smiled. "With his two most powerful Death Eaters on the opposite side of the war, he will fail."
"Aren’t you concerned about the dark mark?" Poppy asked with a worried look on her face.
Severus pinched the bridge of his nose; she was going to nag him to no end. "I am checking into that. I do want to get rid of this infernal mark."
Poppy glanced at Hermione. "I’ll be fine." Hermione tried to reassure the kind mediwitch.
"Alright, I’ll leave you in Severus’ care," Poppy mumbled as she walked away from them.
Severus let out his breath as he sat down next to Hermione. "I thought she’d never leave," he grouched to her.
"Where do we go from here, Severus?" Hermione questioned him, wondering if he wanted a relationship with her.
"Well…" Severus started to say as he pushed the hairs behind Hermione’s ear. "First we have to deal with your two Gryffindor friends, Potter and Weasley. Second, we need to stay alive and third…" Severus’ voice trailed off hesitating a bit.
"And third?" Hermione prodded, laying a hand on Severus’ arm, looking deep into his eyes.
"Damn witch, you made me lose concentration," Severus muttered as he pulled her into an embrace, kissing her.