a deadly, poetic infection (sappholococcus) wrote in hp_traditions, @ 2008-05-31 23:09:00 |
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Entry tags: | harry/draco, nc17, severus/hermione |
Happy Traditions to our lovely pinch-hitters!
Title: Samhain Magic, Part 3
Author: ???
Gift For: pinch hitters (and all of our lovely participants)!
Pairing(s): Severus/Hermione and Draco/Harry
Summary: Harry, Draco, Hermione and Severus are trying to figure out what Dumbledore had planned for them, in case Voldemort ever attacked the school. Unfortunately he's dead and didn't leave any clues behind. It's decided that they will have to go to the source and ask the man himself. Includes themes from Samhain traditions and ancient magic.
Rating: NC-17 for sexual content and nudity
Warnings: rimming (tiny bit), oral, m/m, het, voyeurism, anal
Author's notes: This is an exchange fic for midnightdesire, who expressed an interest in Samhain and old magic, so this is my first attempt at writing about those topics. This is AU, since I haven't yet finished the series (bad fan, I know) and I want to keep Snape around a bit longer. :)
Word Count: 25,000ish
Beta: Thanks to greenwizard for all of his hard work! I've never used his services before this fic, so don't think you can figure out who I am from his name! :D He was awesome and edited the heck out of this baby. He was also the inspiration for the ritual aspects of the fic, so thank you Mr. D. If there are still boo-boos, it's because I was editing up to the last minute and making changes.
Part 1
Part 2
Samhain Magic
Ritual Night
Hermione, Severus, Harry, and Draco all agreed to meet for a light dinner the night of the ceremony. It was fairly common in Samhain celebrations to feast together, leaving a spot open and set for certain ancestors to 'occupy'. Usually family and friends would sit around the table and share tales of the honored ancestor, celebrating their life and their death. When Hermione had suggested it the three men had all agreed, albeit a little sadly. The curious events surrounding Dumbledore's death made it sound just a little bit awkward, but also promised to be cathartic for those personally involved in that fateful day.
Hermione looked around the small table piled with small dishes of fruits, chicken, vegetables, and what looked like blueberry tarts. She smiled a little at that. There were several spices, trees, flowers, and other plants that helped to protect against psychic attack, and she'd once read that blueberries helped. Further inspection of the table revealed dishes with fennel, and the warm scents of ginger and cloves. The house elves were an intuitive lot, and apparently decided that a little intervention on their human friends was in order. They'd also actually managed to dig up a small bag of Dead Sea salt in Severus' stores so their circle should be well enough protected that they wouldn't need this extra fortification. Still, they were things that tasted and smelled wonderful, so who was she to argue?
Hermione glanced up as Severus entered the room, followed by Draco and Harry, the latter two strolling with fingers intertwined. She felt a rush of something...envy and joy twisting strangely around each other. Never had she met two people that were so openly devoted to one another. Since their rather public outing they were together as often as they could be; Harry's position at the school being the only thing preventing them from being permanently joined at the hip. Sex, surprisingly enough, had little to do with it. They were clearly deeply in love with each other. It showed in their faces, their actions, and every plan they made.
She bit her lip and felt her heart clench as Harry grinned playfully at his blond love as he pulled out Draco's chair, the brunette outright laughing as Draco rolled his eyes that the chivalrous move. Harry leaned in to give him a slow casual kiss, and then slid into his own seat as soon as Draco sat. She couldn't deny the sweet jealousy she felt in seeing them together. They had someone to love and hold, someone to laugh with and chat with late at night.
She didn't have that with anyone, she never had. She'd chosen the route of scholar, somehow skipping woman and lover along the way.
“Miss Granger?” Severus' deep voice murmured softly from behind, startling out of her self pityingly thoughts.
Hermione spun half way around, surprised to see Severus holding her own chair politely out for her. She felt a small swell of hope when she saw Severus, the one man that had seemed to take an open interest in her, though she half suspected she'd been too absorbed by books and homework and studying to notice any other speculative stares. “Thank you,” she whispered softly, gracefully sinking into her seat.
Once Severus was seated next to her she cleared her throat, catching the attention of the three men. “Tonight is the first night of Samhain,” she started, folding her hands together in her lap. “We, along with many others, celebrate the transition from summer to winter, the harvest, and the passing of friends and family.” The men nodded slightly in agreement. “On this night we hope to once again speak with our beloved friend and mentor Albus Dumbledore,” she said, indicating to a beautifully set place at the head of the small table. Dumbledore's portrait had been hung on the wall of the small room just above the ceremonial setting. The painted man nodded solemnly to them, but remained quiet. “We will enjoy this feast prepared for us, and share stories of Albus' life and death. Please try to sample each item prepared before you, as several of them will protect you in the night to come,” she finished, glancing over at Severus for approval. He nodded slightly and gave her a small smile.
“Very well, shall we eat?” she asked, looking around at the men seated at the table. They nodded and a little of the tension broke as everyone began to dish food out on their plates and their neighbor's.
They ate, laughed, and occasionally brushed away a tear as they recounted every story they could remember about the old wizard. Even the portrait jumped in on occasion, reliving what he could for them. Soon they were down to munching on remains and licking tart syrup off their fingers as they wound down.
They were relaxing back into their chairs and enjoying the post feast lassitude and silence when Harry broke the silence. “Now what?” he asked.
Hermione flushed slightly as the next step in their night finally crept up on them. It was the step she'd hoped to ignore, but Severus had been quite adamant about it remaining in place, saying that the more they did to protect themselves and the ritual the better. She half suspected that the strange man she was just beginning to really know might have an alternative motive though. “We must bathe,” she said softly, inwardly cringing at the thought of being anywhere near naked around the three men. She wasn't normally self conscious, but she didn't have much experience being naked around anyone but Ginny and her former dorm mates.
Draco snorted and raised a brow at this. “I'll have you know I bathed only a few hours ago, so I hardly need another washing.”
The way Harry flushed and smiled softly at his love made Hermione think that it must have been a bit more than just a bath. Of course what else would two people in love be doing right before entering into a potentially dangerous ritual?
She shook her head. “No, it's a purification bath with special herbs steeped in it. Severus and I set it up earlier, so we'll let it cool and steep a little more as we get the fires ready. Once the fires are going a bit, we can take care of the bathing, and then continue on with the main part of the ritual, if you are both still ready and willing?”
Harry nodded and Draco looked at her seriously. “I am,” he said softly. “I'll do anything for Harry. Just tell me what to do.” He was putting on a brave front, but even Hermione could tell that he was nervous. He was much paler than usual, and his grip on Harry's hand white knuckled. For all of his reassurance that he was ready, she wondered if he really ever would be. She inwardly sighed and prayed she'd one day find a man that would do the same for her; risk himself for her despite his fear of the uncertain outcome.
Hermione nodded and rose from her seat. “Very well then. Minerva has opened a pocket in the school wards until midnight so we can apparate from this room to the site of the ritual. If you are ready, please take hold of myself or Severus and we'll be on our way.” Perhaps once they got started Draco would relax a little; if not, well...there wasn't anything they could do about it now.
Draco leaned in and kissed Harry once more. “Only for you,” he murmured and then moved forward to Severus, linking his arm through the older man's, and with a pop they were gone. Harry smiled at Hermione, looking just a tad stressed, but holding together rather well. “Ready?” he asked softly, reaching out and placing his hands on her shoulders.
“Yes,” she said with a nod, “And have a little faith in me and in Severus. We will protect you both, Draco especially. You are both valuable to us.”
“I'm not sure Snape would agree with you there, but thank you,” Harry said with a small shaky laugh.
“You are the key to his freedom,” she said seriously. “He won't ever admit it, but you are indeed important to him. If you die, all he has worked for will be destroyed. He won't let that happen Harry.”
“How do you know so much about Snape all of the sudden Hermione?” he asked with a curious sigh.
She flushed and lowered her gaze shyly. “We've been spending quite a lot of time together these past few weeks, and he isn't the same man he was when we were children. He doesn't treat me like I'm a hindrance now that he's realized I'm not just another idiot student.”
“I saw the way he looked at you during dinner,” Harry said, moving one hand to her chin and tilting it upwards. “I'd say he sees you very differently now. He looked at you like you were something new and interesting, and definitely beautiful.” When Hermione flushed red and tried to pull away, he pulled her into his arms. “You are a beautiful woman Hermione, and Snape is anything but blind. I think you've struck him silly with your pretty face and charming intelligence.”
“And what are you if my beauty and charm doesn't strike you down in awe?” she asked teasingly through her embarrassment.
“Gay,” he said with a chuckle. “As lovely as you are, you're not quite my type.”
“Draco is rather pretty though,” she said with a giggle.
“He is, but never tell him to his face,” Harry said, hugging her tighter and laughing softly. “It really pisses him off. He might be pretty, but he's anything but girlie.”
“Oh I know that,” she laughed, blushing deeper with each moment. “I accidentally walked in on you two once and girlie is not a term I'd use for either of you,” she admitted, refusing to pull back from the hug and look him in the face during her confession.
He stiffened slightly and sucked in a breath. “When was this?”
“A few months ago,” she admitted reluctantly. “When I was staying at your place for a few days. I went to grab a book from the library and there you two were....”
Harry laughed, though it was more in embarrassment than anything else. “I remember that night. I thought I heard something, but when I looked at the door it was closed so I passed it off as nothing. I'm sorry that we didn't think about you first though.” He hadn't seen Draco in two weeks if he recalled correctly. He'd brought Hermione home with him at the end of the school year, promising to let her use his extensive library to get some research done. Draco had been fine with the unexpected house guest, but not so much with waiting to get Harry alone. They might be settling into domesticity rather nicely, but they were also two healthy young men with healthy sexual desires. The instant they thought Hermione had gone safely up to bed, they'd started with a welcome home kiss that had turned serious in a matter of moments.
“Oh I don't know,” she mumbled into his shirt. “I rather enjoyed catching you once the shock wore off. You might both be my friends, but I can still appreciate how good both of you look bare ass naked, and all sweaty and panting.”
Harry laughed outright at that. “You're something else 'Mione; truly you are.” He felt a small twinge of embarrassment at what she'd likely seen, but it was competing heavily with a small rush of pride that she'd liked what he looked like naked. She might be like a sister to him, but he was only human and he enjoyed the praise.
She finally pulled back and smiled up at him, her cheeks a lovely shade of red. “I'm glad you're not angry Harry. I didn't mean to see anything....”
“I know,” he said tapping her nose teasingly. “Don't worry about it.” He studied her for a moment and then sighed. “Shall we join them before Snape sends out a search party?”
She grinned and nodded. “Hold tight,” she advised, concentrating on the prepared clearing and pulling Harry across the huge grounds of the school in a stomach twisting lurch.
When then came to a halt, Severus looked at them with a raised brow. “Did you get lost Miss Granger?”
“No,” she said simply before walking past him to the large wooden bath they'd created earlier that day. “Is it ready?” she asked, poking at the water.
He frowned at her vague answer, but brushed off his annoyance in favor of the task ahead of them. “Nearly. We can build the fires while it finishes cooling. I'm sure we'll exert ourselves enough in doing so that we'll desire a bath anyhow. There's no sense in wasting the water if we're only going to build up a sweat and get dirty all over again,” he reasoned.
She nodded and smiled briefly, walking past the tub towards the center of the clearing. “Yes of course. Draco and Harry, pile half of the logs and sticks over there where I've drawn a circle,” she commanded, pointing a few feet away from where she stood. “Severus and I will work on setting the fire just there,” she said pointing the other direction. Both young men shrugged and wandered towards the large pile of wood that the castle house elves had provided for them.
Severus joined her in levitating their half of the wood to the circle, and arranged it in a neat pile. “Care to tell me why it took you so long to arrive? We're a little pressed for time tonight.”
She leveled him with a stern 'are you serious' look and sighed. “If it doesn't go well tonight, we'll just do it again tomorrow. We have three nights.”
“Yes, well tonight the moon is actually full, so we're better off doing it now,” he argued back. “And you still didn't answer my other question.”
“We were simply chatting for a moment,” she said with an airy wave; 'about you.' She didn't voice that aloud of course. “It's not important now. What's important is that we get ready and you focus on tonight, not a personal conversation I had with Harry.”
Severus grunted and shrugged, turning back to the pile of wood. “That should do,” he finally said, stepping back. He glanced over his shoulder at the other pile made by Draco and Harry and nodded. “Good. Step back a moment.” They all moved backwards and watched as Severus ignited both piles with his wand. The heat was strong enough to drive them back a little further.
“Well at least that solves the issue of getting too cold once we're naked,” Hermione muttered, just loud enough for the two younger men to hear.
“Pardon?” Harry asked in surprise. “Since when are we all going to be naked?”
“Weren't you listening the other night Harry?” she asked in exasperation, though she was blushing. “Severus mentioned it, I'm sure of it. As we walk between the flames, we'd normally strip off our material possessions anyway, but now that we've also elected to take a purification bath beforehand, that's rather obviously going to happen anyway. Did you plan to bath in your clothing?” she asked, raising a brow.
Harry flushed slightly at his blunder and shrugged. “I suppose not,” he muttered.
“Besides, Draco has seen you naked, and I've already admitted to the same, so really it's only Severus that hasn't,” she said, trying to be all nonchalant about it. Draco grinned at his flushed lover and shrugged.
“I wasn't really all that concerned about myself,” Harry mumbled. He gestured vaguely and sighed. “It's just what will people think if they find out...I mean you're a girl, and there are three men here and....”
“Are you worried that this'll turn into some sort of sexual orgy Potter?” Draco asked with a snort.
Harry glared at Draco. “No, you prat,” he scowled. “I'm worried that that's what people will say happened.” He turned to look back at Hermione. “Is it necessary?”
She cocked her head. “Well no, but it'll make the ritual more powerful, as we'll be more connected to the earth and our surroundings. This is old magic Harry. We can't get all bound up in worrying about modesty and other's opinions when something this important is at stake. Even if it was a mass orgy, if it worked, I'd be willing to do it to save my students,” she announced, flushed but serious.
Severus nearly groaned aloud at her announcement as several detailed accounts of what could happen in such an event slid through his imagination. Draco's smile morphed into a wholly inappropriate predatory grin and he chuckled. “I'm sure we could think up a reason for one if you're game Granger.” Well at least he'd shrugged off a little of his nervousness if he was teasing her.
Hermione rolled her eyes and flipped Draco off so smoothly Severus was left blinking in surprise at the out of character action from the young woman. Harry and Draco on the other hand just laughed. The atmosphere relaxed noticeably though, so whatever worked....
“Now, if we're done chatting,” she said with a sigh, “Let's get on with it.”
“Who goes first?” Harry asked, reaching for the buttons of his shirt with a flush on his cheeks.
Hermione shot Severus a glare. “Severus is of the mind that we all bathe at the same time. He's concerned that the effectiveness of the herbs won't last through four separate baths.”
“Plus we are on a bit of a time schedule here,” Severus put it quietly. Of course he could easily admit to himself that even if time and potency weren't an issue, he would have found some other excuse just so he had a chance to be anywhere near Hermione while she was naked. He might be twenty years older than her, but he was still a healthy and relatively young male.
“So you say,” she muttered, reminding him subtly that she wasn't stupid. “Well,” she said gustily. “We can be adults about this right? Let's just get on with it.” With that she reached down and pulled her pale blue robe up and off, tossing it over a low branch of a nearby tree.
All three men gaped and the clearing grew still except for the rustle of Hermione carefully arranging her robe on the branch so it wouldn't wrinkle. Harry reached over and pinched Draco sharply as the blonde groaned in soft appreciation of the sight before them. After pulling off the robe, Hermione was left wearing only stockings, sturdy shoes and the tiniest thong any of them had ever seen.
Draco swore and glared at Harry in annoyance. “What? You might prefer only men, but you know very well I used to date women too,” he groused. “Just look at that lovely round ass and tell me it doesn't do anything for you.”
Hermione flushed red and spun, arms wrapped around her breasts, mouth hanging open in shock. Harry crossed his own arms, but not for protection. He glared steadily at his lover until the blond flushed guiltily and looked at the ground. “I'm just saying,” he mumbled.
“Have the lover's spat later,” Severus snorted, reaching for the buttons of his long jacket in an attempt to divert his attention from the lush spread of bare skin before him.
He knew he should think of something, anything but Hermione Granger naked, but he stupidly let his mind wander over the possibilities as she balanced on one foot and then the other, pulling off her shoes and stockings. He wanted to curse Draco for his comments that made her turn, because while the plump view of her partially covered breast was enticing, it didn't fail to occur to him what else he might have seen had she been bent over and turned the opposite direction. It was easy to imagine the teasing glimpse of full pink folds peaking from between shapely thighs, and no great leap to imagine those thighs spreading to show him something much more....
“Severus!” Hermione called out and snapped him out of his day dream with a start. She looked at him in confusion, dropping the scrap of material that could hardly be called underwear over a thin branch. “You're not even close to ready. Hurry up.”
Not ready? Could the little chit not see the bulge in his trousers? He was more than ready. Identical smirks from Draco and Harry as they pulled off their clothing told him that they'd noticed. He groaned inwardly and turned his back to finish undressing. He was just shucking off his boxers when he heard the other three splashing lightly as they climbed into the water. Quickly turning, he hoped to get into the water while they were distracted by settling themselves.
That hope was dashed when he realized that the splashes were from the two younger men only. Hermione stood right in front of him, where she was paused, hand on the tub as if she'd just been about to climb in as well. Instead her eyes were wide and her cheeks flushed red in embarrassment. “Oh my,” she said faintly, her gaze falling a little too far south for his comfort.
He cleared his throat and raised a brow, drawing her startled gaze. She mumbled an apology and quickly scrambled into the tub, giving him the brief glimpse of pale pink that he'd been fantasizing about only moments ago. She settled herself on the other side of the tub and sank nose deep into the cooled water. Harry, at her side, chuckled softly, and Draco smirked as Severus climbed into the empty space of the tub, settling himself without a word.
“My apologies Miss Granger,” he finally muttered softly, a tiny flush on his own cheeks.
She stood and scowled. “My name is Hermione. I've told you to use it twice now. Now that I've seen you naked and...” she waved her hand at the water and grunted, “call me by my first name. It's just weird to hear 'Miss Granger' when we're out in the woods in our birthday suits, you know?” She moved to slump back down but missed the seat entirely and flailed as she went under. Harry's startled squeak of surprise was the only clue as to what occurred underwater before she rose to the surface with a choke, starting at her left hand in horror. “And what's your excuse?” she demanded from the brunette. “That's just not right Harry!”
Harry blushed and scooted closer to Draco. “Well if you hadn't been grabbing you wouldn't even know about it now would you?” he defended himself. “Besides, what do you expect? I'm twenty two and naked with three other people. It's bound to act up! It's not like I fancy you...it's just we're all here and naked...and you know....” he grumbled, floundering horribly for the right explanation. His eyes jerked suddenly to Draco and his mouth dropped open in protest. The blond smirked and shrugged innocently, his arm reappearing and hanging over the edge of the tub again. It was that action that finally made Hermione's scowl drop and she started to laugh, clutching at her stomach and waving her hand as she gasped something none of them could understand.
“My god,” she finally gasped. “Look at us. We're all acting like a bunch of teenagers, blushing and fumbling, and being silly. I think most of it is even my fault,” she admitted, scooting backwards and sitting down carefully this time. “I'm sorry guys. This is just very strange for me. I haven't seen that many naked men before tonight, so I'm being stupid.”
“How many?” Harry asked with a smile. “Just me and Draco, or were there others?”
“Me?” Draco asked. “When was this?”
“In the library of your house,” she said with a dismissive wave. Draco gave Harry a 'you'll explain later’ look as she went on without pause. “Bill and the twins as they left the bathroom. Seamus when Dean yanked down his trunks when we were all swimming seventh year. And...a patient I was helping Madam Pomfrey to heal once,” she finished, not looking at Severus just in case they'd guess. She'd promised to keep it a secret after all. “Not that many, and except for the library, never...you know,” she flushed and made a gesture with her index finger that made the young men laugh, and Severus grunt in mild amusement. “I know you probably think I'm a silly little girl, but it's still weird for me.”
“Not silly,” Severus purred softly. “Just new to it all. And I assure you that most men are not turned off by that sort of innocence.”
Draco nodded and grinned at her. “Most guys will totally get off on the idea that you're a virgin, and it will drive them wild to see that sweet blush of yours.”
“You make me sound like I'm fifteen, not twenty three,” she snorted. “Who would want a silly virgin when they could find an experienced lover just as easily?” She nearly laughed at the incredulous looks she got from all three. “Seriously?” she asked in surprise.
Harry blushed slightly. “Maybe it’s a little different for me...maybe not, but the idea of being someone's first is really hot. It's that little bit of caveman still left in us I guess,” he said with a short laugh.
“Or the divide and conquer mentality,” Draco said with a lascivious grin at his lover. Harry blushed, but grinned shyly back. Hermione already knew that Harry had been a virgin when he got together with Draco, but Draco definitely hadn't been. Harry had been a little disappointed, but not enough to override his deeper feelings for the blonde. Anyone could see that they were deeply in love with each other.
“Indeed,” Severus said slowly, drawing her attention. “Men have long had the desire to claim things as their own. Taking an innocent woman is rather like carving his name into a tree,” he mused. “Even after years and years, his mark will remain. Even once the tree has covered it in bark, it's still there inside. It is the same with a woman. She will never forget the man that first buried himself inside her body, no matter how many may follow.”
Hermione felt herself flush, and not entirely in embarrassment at his words. “And the man? Does he remember where he carved his name?”
“Who could forget such a pretty tree?” Severus purred, eyes glinting in amusement, and something much more intimate.
After a moment Harry cleared his throat, drawing their attention. “What now?” he asked, reluctant to break up their 'moment', but knowing that they had much to do still.
“Finish washing yourselves, and then we'll add the hair to the fires and walk between them. After that, there's no turning back. We've drawn the circle in salt and the pentagram is set. All we need are a few words and the two of you and we'll be ready to receive Dumbledore,” Hermione said.
Both men sobered and waved quickly, dunking under the water to wash away the dirt and sweat of the day. “What's in this bath?” Draco asked curiously after a moment. “It smells nice...soothing.”
“Lavender, rosemary, thyme, basil, fennel, hyssop, mint, vervain, and valerian root,” Severus said smoothly. “They are herbs which help to sooth and protect us, as well as wash away that which clings to us as we move through the day. A salt bath would have worked too, but I don't care for the itchiness of the salt as it dries,” he said with a shrug.
Draco snorted and nodded. “It just smells rather like a perfume Mother used to wear,” he said with a sigh.
“If any woman needed soothing it was her,” Severus replied quietly, standing and slipping from the bath. Hermione followed him silently, letting the heat from the fires dry her skin as she took a small lock of hair from the bunch he pulled from his robe pocket.
The two young men came up behind her silently. “Will we be safe?” Harry asked softly, some of the nervousness from earlier evident in his voice.
“Hermione and I will do our very best to protect you from anything that dares to cross the circle of salt,” Severus replied. “It is high quality salt though, and little would risk it.”
Harry looked skeptical that salt would hold anything but an army of slugs back, but decided to trust the dark man and his curly haired friend. He turned to Draco. “If you need to stop, tell me,” he said gently lifting his hand and stroking Draco's cheek. “I won't risk losing you, so you have to tell me.” Draco nodded seriously and leaned in to kiss Harry sweetly.
Hermione looked away from them, feeling as though she was intruding on something a hundred times more private than anything she'd seen in their library. Her heart clenched with the hope that she might share the same sort of love with someone as well. Severus, who was watching the two men with a gleam of envy in his eyes, gave her some hope that maybe it was possible.
Finally Draco and Harry parted with a soft wet sound and turned towards the fires. “Let's get this over with,” Draco sighed nervously, stepping forward and tugging Harry with him.
Hermione and Severus followed directly behind, tossing their small bundles of hair into the flames in place of the typical animal bones that people usually used during Samhain. Both flared blue briefly, and then settled into normal crackling orange as if nothing had happened. “Was that a good or a bad sign?” Hermione whispered.
“Good. It means magic is out tonight and very sensitive. This should work,” Severus whispered back.
“Doesn't that also mean the demons will be more active tonight as well?” she whispered.
“They already are with the full moon out and the veil so thin anyhow,” he answered. “Keep your wand ready and your mind sharp,” he commanded softly, watching as Harry and Draco entered the salt circle and moved to stand in the middle of the pentagram as previously instructed.
Hermione gave Severus a worried look, but didn't say another word as she crossed to the other side of the circle just outside the pentagram. He watched her walk with a great deal of interest. Her naturally golden skin glowed in the firelight, and shadows danced erotically over the gentle dips and curves of her youthful body. He closed his eyes as she turned and the firelight touched her rosy, upturned nipples and the neat thatch of curls between her thighs. It was tremendously easy to wish for the orgy that Draco had previously teased her about, minus the two young men of course. Images of taking her between the roaring bonfires, or bending her over the natural alter of rock to his left filled his brain and threatened to bring the traitorous appendage between his legs to life once more.
Shaking off thoughts of Hermione, he turned his attention to the young men and cleared his throat. There were more important things to deal with at the moment, but he promised himself to pursue her quite seriously the second this damned war ended. “Sit in the center there, with your legs crossed Draco.” He nodded when the young man sat, smirking slightly when Draco yelped and drew a twig out from under his ass with a glare. Harry chuckled, and sat across from his love at Severus' direction, but made no comment. Draco huffed softly and tossed the offending stick out of the circle.
Severus took up his spot directly across from Hermione and sent her a reassuring smile. She nodded back, and with a quick accio they were holding their wands. Severus raised his wand and started the chant they'd practiced over and over in a deep resonating voice, startling Harry and Draco slightly.
“Fire red, summer's dead,
Yet shall it return.
Clear and bright in the night,
Burn, fire, burn!”
Hermione lifted her chin and her wand and said in a clear voice,
“Dance the ring, luck to bring,
When the year's aturning.
Chant the rhyme at Hallowstime,
When the fire's burning.”
Again Severus spoke clearly, his eyes focusing on Hermione's intently as the magic began to rise around them with each word they spoke.
“Fire glow, vision show
Of the heart's desire,
When the spell's chanted well
Of the witching fire.”
Hermione shuddered softly at the caress of magic on her skin and the blaze of Severus' eyes over the heads of Draco and Harry. The two young men watched in fascination as the two continued to speak, and colors began to rise from the salt line around them.
“Dance the ring, luck to bring,
When the year's aturning.
Chant the rhyme at Hallowstime,
When the fire's burning.”
Severus forced himself to keep his eyes on the young woman performing the chant with him, even as he saw a streak of blackness just outside the ring of dancing light around them. He knew demons would be attracted to the gathering of power and magic, especially considering the caliber of those present.
“Fire spark, when nights are dark,
Makes our winter's mirth.
Red leaves fall, earth takes all,
Brings them to rebirth.”
The words of the chant were a celebration of sorts, but also a point of focus for those working the magic. He watched with a strange sense of pride as Hermione continued her part of the chant and gathered power to herself easily, like it was something she did every day. But then again, she wasn't called the brightest which of her age for nothing. She was powerful, and it was a pleasure to watch her work.
“Dance the ring, luck to bring,
When the year's aturning.
Chant the rhyme at Hallowstime,
When the fire's burning.”
He raised both arms as she did the same, almost as if they were linked, and boomed out confidently, “Fire fair, earth and air,
And the heaven's rain,
And blessed be, and so may we,
At Hallowstide again.”
She smiled tightly at him, not taking her eyes away when the colored lights began to dance inward and finally outlined the pentagram surrounding Draco and Harry.
“Dance the ring, luck to bring,
When the year's aturning.
Chant the rhyme at Hallowstime,
When the fire's burning!”
She called out, pointing her wand at the young men in concert with Snape. Power flooded the circle and Draco and Harry grasped at each other under the surprising weight of it buffeting them from all sides.
Just as suddenly as the power flared, it seemed to dissipate, leaving the clearing oddly silent and dark, except for the still blazing fires. But they knew it wasn't gone. The air felt heavy, wild, and a little dangerous.
“Merlin,” Draco muttered, unsteadily shaking his head. “That was something.”
Harry hushed him gently as Hermione and Snape once more raise both wands and hands, speaking as one this time. “We come this night, a night of death and rebirth, to ask a boon of the Goddess. We seek a friend beyond the veil whose wisdom we dearly need. We ask the Goddess and beg of her to guide him here tonight. We call forth from the spirit plain Albus Dumbledore, dear friend and father to us all!”
At first it was totally silent, and Hermione and Severus looked at each other in concern, wondering if they'd said the wrong thing. After a moment Harry groaned low and slumped forward into Draco's embrace. “Harry?” he gasped, shaking him gently. “Severus? What's going on?” He shook Harry again, much harder this time. “Harry!” he cried again, the panic he was feeling evident in his voice. “What the fuck did you two do to him?” he finally yelled, gripping Harry tightly to him and glaring at Severus and Hermione furiously. “Bring him back!”
“Gently my son,” came Harry's soft reply. Draco jerked slightly in surprise at the odd response.
“Harry?” Hermione called in concern.
“He's here,” Harry said, straightening upwards and out of Draco's embrace, an odd look in his eyes. “As am I.”
“Who are you?” Severus asked carefully. It was hard to tell who would have come, even if they had called for Albus.
“My dear boy,” Harry said turning with a smile, disregarding their collective nudity completely, “I'm glad to see that my death did not bring about yours as well.”
“Albus?” Severus gasped, sagging slightly.
“Of course,” Harry said gently. “I've been waiting for you, and hoping you'd find me. I have much to say, and little time.”
“What the fuck?” Draco finally yelled. “I was supposed to be possessed, not Harry. What in the hell did you do wrong?” he asked furiously.
Hermione frowned and then groaned, smacking herself in the forehead, “We forgot to mark you so he'd know which body to possess. I'm really sorry Draco.”
He sneered at her, clearly not happy about the lame response, and probably planning to repay her later. She doubted it would be pleasant. “You're not hurting him are you?” he asked, turning to Dumbledore urgently.
“No,” Dumbledore replied with a soft smile. “Harry is sitting quite calmly right here with me. He was surprised, but he didn't fight it.”
“Why didn't you go to me?” Draco demanded, pouting a little, though he wasn’t sure why.
“I didn't know I was supposed to,” Dumbledore said with a chuckle. “Besides, Harry's link to Voldemort leaves him a little more open than you. It was easy to slip into him, so I made the choice. I do apologize however for the mix up.”
“Despite the change of plans, we're still on a time schedule here,” Severus reminded them softly. He was looking rather pale and Hermione wasn't sure if it was from the magic usage, or because he was talking to Dumbledore's spirit for the first time since he'd had to kill the man.
Hermione opened her mouth to ask him if he was alright, but was cut off as something slammed into the salt ward at her back. Stifling a shriek, she sent a stunner through the wards and took down the small red demon that had tried to attack her. It screamed and tumbled head over hoof into a tree not far away, but didn't get back up. “Can they get in?” she asked, not directing her question to anyone in particular.
“Eventually,” Dumbledore said with a small shrug. “You called me using some of my physical body, so I was drawn inward through the cracks in the wards. They will eventually break through the same gaps, but we should have enough time to complete whatever business you have with me.”
Breathing a small sigh of relief, she turned her attention to Severus again, only to find he was firing curses at several more of the short pests. She knew that they looked small and relatively harmless, but demons of any size were nasty to deal with. They had wickedly sharp teeth, and tended to be able to curse you with all sorts of inconveniences. Plus, it was sort of like when you saw a baby bear. There was always a much larger mama bear nearby too. If the little demons were flocking towards them, eventually bigger ones would come to investigate.
“Get on with it Draco,” Severus snarled as a medium sized green nasty clawed at the ward behind him, it's claws raking against it unpleasantly.
Draco focused on Harry, eyes wide. “Sir, Voldemort is planning to attack the castle any day now, possibly a week at the latest. We need to know what you planned for such an event. We've looked in your journals and pensieve, and even grilled your portrait. We have nothing.”
Dumbledore sighed and looked at the ground. “The plan was simple, but at the same time tricky. Kill him.”
“That's it?” Draco snapped. “How? Are there any traps, or spells, or anything?”
“Oh yes, the biggest trap of all; mortality,” Dumbledore said with a nod. “You have to make him mortal, human.”
“But we can't find the last piece of his soul,” Hermione protested, firing another stunner at a much larger demon than the last. That one had even managed to tear a hold in the shimmering fabric of their warding spell. She hoped the others wouldn’t notice it and try to make it bigger. “I've searched and searched through every book on the subject. Harry, Ron, and Draco have gone through every cave, house, and box that I've sent them after. Nothing they bring back is what we need.”
“Of course not. You've been looking too hard,” Dumbledore said with a sad shake of his head. “It became clear to me as I passed through the veil. For a very brief instant I could see every living soul around me, but it was too late to tell anyone. Harry has the last piece inside of him.”
Draco choked and went deathly pale. “We can't destroy Harry...even if it would kill the Dark Lord.” He jumped to his feet. “I won't allow this! There will be another way and that is final.”
“Of course you can't kill Harry,” Dumbledore said standing up as well. “He must kill the Dark Lord once his soul is whole again. However, the soul piece does need to be removed and set free to return to its owner. Once his soul is whole again he will be human, and he can be killed.”
“How?” Severus asked, relaxing a little as it seemed that the demons were staying back now, wary of the humans and their wands. That didn't mean that they were entirely safe, but hopefully they'd be left alone long enough to complete their task.
“I'll just give it a little tug,” Dumbledore said with a shrug.
“Will it hurt?” Draco asked, not wanting his lover suffer any more than he already had.
Harry turned his green gaze back to Draco and nodded. “Yes. The soul piece has rooted into Harry's some, and it will take a fair pull to get it out. He'll feel it.”
Draco paled even further somehow, and looked livid. “How can you be so nonchalant about it? How can you talk about hurting the man I love as if you were discussing the weather? This is ridiculous! Find another way,” he demanded.
“There isn't another way,” Dumbledore said regretfully, and then Harry was screaming, collapsing to the ground. Draco cried out in horror and fell to his knees, clutching at Harry as he continued to scream and writhe in agony.
Hermione clamped her free hand over her mouth and willed herself not to move or cry. Moving would disrupt their wards, and crying would make it impossible for her to fight off anything that might come their way. “Oh Harry,” she choked out, trembling with the desire to run to him.
“Severus,” Draco pleaded, holding Harry to his chest and rocking gently, “Please.”
“No,” Severus said regretfully. “This is the only way, or Albus wouldn't do it.”
“Fuck!” Draco cursed, blinking back tears as Harry arched and cried out harshly. “Fuck! Come on Harry. You can do this. Come back to me.”
Suddenly Harry relaxed, and a tiny black ball of mist floated from his nose and mouth, rapidly mixing with the black smoke of the bonfires. They blinked and stared at Harry in concern, not knowing what would happen next, or if it was over.
“It's done,” Harry whispered softly before passing out completely in Draco's arms. Draco felt for a pulse, closing his eyes and sighing in relief when it was there, strong and steady. “Thank Merlin.”
Hermione and Severus relaxed, breathing their own sigh of relief as the demons were sucked back through the veil and the wards dropped completely, leaving them drained and exhausted. “Draco, take him to the hospital wing,” Hermione suggested gently, exhaustion lacing her soft voice. “Severus and I will clean up here, and Madam Pomfrey can check him over.”
“Okay,” Draco said, nodding to the tired witch and wizard. “He'll be okay,” he muttered, probably more to reassure himself than anyone else.
“Yes he will,” Severus murmured, his shoulders sagging as he leaned against a tree for support. “He always is, isn't he?”
Draco smirked a little at that, and was gone in a flash, leaving them alone with the dying remains of their fires. It wasn't until Hermione picked up her robe a few minutes later that she realized something. She started to laugh and shook her head gently.
“Something amuses you?” Severus asked, picking up his own robe with a soft groan of exhaustion. Merlin he was going to sleep well. He was grateful that he had the weekend to rest. He wasn't quite as young as he should be for rituals like this.
She nodded and laughed, pointing to the couples' clothing a few feet away. “Imagine Pomfrey's surprise when Draco carries Harry in to her hospital, both of them naked as the day they were born.” Hermione shook her head. “I hope no students see them. It would probably scar them for life.”
Severus chuckled and called for a house elf. A tiny figure appeared at his side, not even blinking at their lack of clothing. House elves were a more open minded lot, and rarely commented on finding the masters in any sort of seemingly compromising situation. “Jingle is called Masters?” he asked politely.
Hermione raised a brow, wondering why house elves couldn't have normal names like 'Ted'. “Yes,” she said gently. “Could you take those clothes to Harry and Draco in the hospital wing?”
Jingle grinned and nodded. “Madam Pomfrey is already screaming at the young masters, she is. They's come in with not a stitch on. Dosh, tell Jingle all about it.”
“So Harry is awake?” she asked with a smile.
“Yes, but he be sleepy and mad he is naked. I take clothes to the young masters, yes?” Jingle asked, gathering up the clothing and popping out of the clearing.
Hermione grinned at Severus and shook her head. “Poor Harry. It's not really his night, is it?”
Death of an Era
Two days after their summoning ritual, Severus had been called to the Dark Lord's side once more. All of them had been sure that it meant that the attack on the school was eminent. The students were ushered to the Great Hall as quickly and quietly as possible under the guise that Minerva had decided to have a Harvest feast for them. Order members had been called, and aurors were ready and waiting. A half an hour later Severus reappeared looking strangely happy, excited even.
“He's ill!” Severus announced to those that had gathered in Minerva's office to plot their strategy and organize their people.
“He's what?” Harry asked tiredly. They'd been worried about the attack, mostly because Harry was still a little weak from the encounter with Dumbledore. Having a chunk of soul removed wasn't a walk in the park after all.
“He isn't doing well at all. Apparently his body doesn't know how to cope with being mortal again,” Severus said with a smirk. “He's called off the attack this week because he's too weak to lead it. He believes he's been poisoned; that's why he called for me.”
Hermione looked at him in surprised shock. “Do you think it's permanent? If it is, Harry could go after him in a few days when he's more rested.”
“I doubt it's permanent,” Draco piped in. “He'll eventually figure out that he's mortal and try to remedy that by making a few more horcruxes.”
“I agree,” Severus said with a sharp nod.
“Well then we'd better find a way to prevent that long enough to attack him, hadn't we?” Minerva said sternly.
Hermione and Severus glanced at each other and then shrugged. “We'll see what we can do,” Hermione murmured.
***
It took another week for them to find anything remotely useful in the Hogwart's library on souls and what could be done with them. Severus and Hermione had finally managed to narrow down their search to about twenty books, four of which looked promising. They were now painstakingly searching for any information on how to keep Voldemort's soul where it belonged; with him in a deep grave.
They'd holed themselves up in his private lab, pouring over book after book, only occasionally speaking, but oddly content in their arrangement. Both of them knew something was happening between them, but neither was quite sure if that first step should be taken to solidify what they had started.
Severus glanced up at Hermione for what felt like the thousandth time. She was sitting a few feet away, nibbling on a muggle pen as she read. He smiled slightly at the sight. She'd admitted to preferring the pen to a quill since she inevitably ended up with it in her mouth, and she really hated the sensation of mushy feather.
She sighed softly and turned the page of her book. He felt a tiny flutter in his belly as he watched her. She was beautiful and intelligent and,in his opinion, currently the sexiest woman alive. Everything was so natural about her, so smooth and graceful.
He wondered how all that he found lovely about her now would translate into the bedroom. Would she sigh softly,or would she cry out passionately? Would she try to take control,or would she defer to her partner, looking for approval every step of the way like she always had with him?
Severus stifled a groan and shifted as his groin flared to life. He wanted her, he wouldn't deny it. He wanted to shove all of their notes and books off the long desk and take her hard against the smooth surface. He wanted to watch her eyes flash with that famed Gryffindor passion, and admire the arch of her neck as she cried out in pleasure. He wanted...he wanted everything to do with her.
“Is everything okay Severus?” she asked, glancing up briefly. “You sound frustrated.”
He blinked and shook his head, realizing he must have vocalized his need. “Just tired,” he fibbed. “I think I'll stretch my legs a bit.” She nodded absently as he stood up, too absorbed in her research to offer her company. He was grateful for that, as “stretching his legs” would involve more time wanking in his bedroom than it would actually walking. He needed to get rid of some of the tension that was building, and a quick toss would have to do for now.
***
Hermione looked up and bit her lip as Severus left the room. He'd been looking at her for awhile now, though he didn't appear to realize she'd noticed. How could she not? It was hard to ignore such an intent dark gaze, even when he was trying to be discrete about it. It was like she was a puzzle that he needed to work out.
Sighing and shaking her head, she turned her attention back to her book. They had to be close, she was sure of it. They'd picked up a few ideas here and there, and each had led them to the four books they were now scanning. Three paragraphs later she was sitting up straighter and staring at the book intently. Could this be it? Was it possible? Severus! She had to show Severus!
Jumping up from the table, book clutched to her chest, she sprinted across the room towards the door he wandered through a few minutes ago. She flung the door open and was about to call out to him, but the sight before her killed her voice and had her dragging the door back as quietly as possible. Her heart pounding furiously, she leaned her forehead into the door frame. Dear Merlin had he been...?
Biting at her lip and flushing, she cracked the door open again and peeked in, knowing she shouldn't, but unable to resist the opportunity.
Severus stood on the other side of the large bedchamber, half facing the window, and thus lit by the bright moon. He was still clad all in black, but he'd unbuttoned his long coat and trousers, leaving him bared chin to thighs in the bluish light. She swallowed convulsively as he traced his fingers over his belly and down into the nest of hair surrounding his rampant length, a soft groan filling the air at the gentle caress. He was beautiful in that moment, his pale skin glowing in the moonlight, shadows dipping and dancing around the slight definition of muscle tracing down his belly and bared hips. She'd seen him naked twice, but she hadn't been able to look at him this carefully; not with Madam Pomfrey, or Harry and Draco there, and definitely not with him looking back.
As a student she'd heard many times that he was a crabby old man, but that really wasn't true. He was still young actually, and it showed most in moments like these. He'd been beaten down a bit over the years while in the service of Voldemort, but it was clearly a combination of his brilliance and a fit body that had kept him alive. He was fit and lightly muscled, like a runner or a swimmer.
Her eyes dropped and focused on the center of him as he wrapped his long agile fingers around his lovely thick erection. She bit her lip and shifted quietly. She might be a virgin, but she knew that it would feel nice. He wasn't terribly long, average from what she knew, but he did seem wonderfully thick. The idea of being stretched around him did appeal to her, and it made her belly clench and her core flutter pleasantly.
He groaned low and moved his hand slowly, seemingly savoring the sensation he was creating. Her mouth watered slightly as he flexed his hips and traced his thumb over the faintly glistening head of his cock. She'd never taken a man in her mouth, but in that moment as she watched him tease his head and stroke himself with a practiced hand, she could certainly see the appeal. Fantasies of rubbing her cheek against him like a pleased cat, or tracing her tongue over him, tasting him, and feeling him invading her throat flooded her brain. A pleasant heaviness settled in her belly and her womb clenched in excitement.
Another low groan and he was stroking himself more quickly, his free hand sliding up his chest and pinching at one flat, tiny nipple. “Oh Merlin,” she whispered, near silently. She watched, her face flushed with arousal and embarrassment as his strokes became more determined, his hips flexing slightly and his head falling back. He was beautiful to her; it was all she could do to resist the temptation to join him, or at least slide her hand into her own panties.
“Oh...Hermione,” he groaned softly, a barely there whisper of pleasure that sent her heart pounding so hard she thought she'd faint from it. He was thinking about her? He said that he was attracted to her; maybe...maybe she could...?
She was barely aware of what she was doing, and in an instant she was before him, sinking to her knees. His startled shout was only just heard over the pounding in her ears. He jerked and hissed as she gripped his hips and leaned into him, burying her face against his exposed hip, taking in his masculine scent with a deep contented breath. “Miss Gra...Hermione!” he gasped.
“Shut up,” she heard herself say, and then moved to take him into her mouth, groaning as the taste of him filled her senses and glided over her tongue sensuously. She hummed in pleasure and sucked, gripping his hips more firmly as he groaned and thrust reflexively. She didn't have a clue if she was even doing it right, but it was wonderful and amazing; better than anything she'd every done. Thank Merlin for growing up around so many boys and listening to them regale each other with tales of their exploits. She dug up everything in her memory about what to do and hoped for the best. Long fingers slid into her hair as she rasped her tongue over the head of him, tasting the sharp bitterness of his excitement. Maybe she was doing alright after all.
“Oh Merlin,” she heard him groan in that wonderfully rich voice that had sent a thrill through her since she hit puberty. She sucked in a breath and took him in further, choking as she went to deep but wanting to swallow him whole and never let go. She moaned and shuddered in raw excitement, reaching down into her panties with a free hand.
“S-stop,” he groaned. “I can't...just...I'm going to...” he gasped. “I'm too close.”
She ignored him, and a moment later was surprised as bitterness splashed her throat and tongue. His whole body shuddered, and his fingeres pulled her into him, nearly gagging her on his pulsing length. She choked and swallowed as best she could; raw excitement thrilling through her at what she was doing, at who she was doing it to. Hermione Granger had just made Severus Snape lose control.
A moment later he pulled away from her abruptly, wide eyed and panting. “Merlin's balls woman, what was that?” he gasped.
Hermione flushed, her breath nearly as fast as his. 'What was that?' She looked up at him from her place on the floor, taking in his disheveled state. His clothing was open wide, and his hair was falling forward into his face. He looked thoroughly ravished and she felt a private thrill that she'd been at least partially responsible for it. Severus wasn't one to let loose and let his guard down, but she'd busted through every barrier around his person, and done something that had left him floundering.
“You didn't like it?” she pouted, pulling her hand from her panties. That drew his attention immediately, and it was a moment before he could answer.
“Of course I did, you couldn't tell?” he grunted, a tinge of the familiar snarkiness in his voice. He began to button his trousers, his face lightly flushed with what she was sure was embarrassment.
She flushed brighter and stood. Clearly she'd overstepped her bounds by miles. “I apologize. I thought...I thought that perhaps it was something that was okay between us. I thought you wanted to...with me.” She rubbed her face and forced a smile. Glancing up at him, she held the smile and shrugged. “Forget this then okay?”
He looked flabbergasted at her reaction. Of course he wouldn't forget about it! What man in his right mind would forget about the woman he'd been fantasizing about sucking his dick? “Miss Gran...Hermione,” he corrected himself, “that's not going to happen, I assure you.” He stepped in closer to her and sighed. “When a beautiful woman sneaks into my room to pleasure me, I do not just forget about it. I'm not as heartless as that.”
Her face lit up, and for a moment he thought they might move forward. Instead she bolted across the room, heading for the door. What in the...? “Where are you going?” he asked in surprise, following her quickly. “I didn't intend to hurt your feelings.”
She waved him off and picked up a book off of the floor. “I found it!” she said turning and beaming at him. “It's why I came looking for you. I think I found a way to bind Voldemort's soul to him. If this is correct, he won't even cross over. At death both his mortal life and his soul will just end.” Flipping through the book quickly, she shoved it forward. “Look!”
He read the passage that she was pointing to and felt excitement flood through him. “This looks plausible,” he said softly. “I think you really found something here. It might just work...and it's easy enough to do. Potter could even cast this in the middle of a duel.”
“Yes, that's what makes it so perfect!” she gushed. “There were other rituals, but they would require us to contain him for several hours. This is short-term, but only takes a moment to cast, and by the time it would wear off, he should be dead.”
Severus smiled at her, a true smile. “You really are the brightest witch of your age...or any other.”
She flushed and waved a hand at him. “I just like books. Anyone can find the answers to questions if they'd just read.”
“Hermione,” he said softly, closing the book. “You're brilliant.”
She blushed brighter and smiled softly. “Thank you. From you that means a lot.”
He set the book down on his nightstand and moved towards her. Reaching out he gently traced her face with long fingers. “You are brilliant and so beautiful,” he murmured, his face surprisingly soft. “I would be pleased to find a woman half as intelligent and lovely.”
“And if I offered myself?” she asked hesitantly.
His hand paused and he looked at her seriously, “Are you?”
She took a deep breath and stepped back for him. “Severus Snape I would be honored if you would accept the gift of my first blood and all that comes with it.”
He felt heat flood him. After the last incident concerning her virginity, he'd read up on the subject and easily recognized the formal request for protection and marriage that a woman might use on a preferred suitor. It was an old way for a woman to request that a man make her his wife without actually asking it outright. “If I accept your gift, you will be mine alone,” he replied. “Is that acceptable?”
She swallowed and looked into his eyes. “Yes.”
He nodded slightly and sighed. “It is to me as well.”
She smiled nervously. “When?”
He felt his groin, still sensitive from his recent orgasm, twitch in interest. They had other business to get out of the way first however. “We must deliver your findings to the Order and Potter first. After that we will discuss this further.”
“Alright,” Hermione said with a small smile. “Let's go find Harry and then we'll discuss what the future holds for us.” He smiled slightly and nodded, reaching out to take her hand. The future...didn't that sound nice. Until Hermione he hadn't had one. It sounded very nice indeed.
***
AN: I've got to say, I'm not entirely satisfied with this one, but time constraints and life got in the way of my usual editing and re-writing process. Despite that it is a new piece of writing for you all to read, so that's good right? :) I didn't get as far into Samhain as I wanted to, mostly because I needed a little plot and couldn't just jump into a celebration. I think I'd either like to revisit this one or write another that REALLY gets into it, because it really seems like a lovely tradition. :) I had planned to go more into Snape and Hermione's relationship, as well as the final battle, but I just ran out of time and they weren't flowing like I wanted. At the advice of my beta I deleted the last bit of the story and left it where it was. I think I will come back later and either add it back in or at least do a short story about Hermione and Snape. For more about Samhain and its history check out wikipedia or http://www.chalicecentre.net/samhain.ht