Harry Potter and the Secret Promise by SaimheofAvalon
Summary: At the end of GoF, Harry is sent home for a very specific reason – it is time for the secrets of Harry’s past to end, for a new journey to begin and for old friendships to be tested, new friendships to be formed. And, as always, Dumbledore is right, only through friendship, trust and love will the treat of Voldemort be ended.
Categories: Parental Snape > Biological Father Snape > Severitus Challenge Main Characters: .Snape and Harry (required), Draco, Hermione, Original Character, Ron, Sirius
Snape Flavour: None
Genres: Drama, General
Media Type: None
Tags: None
Takes Place: 5th summer
Warnings: None
Challenges: None
Series: None
Chapters: 39 Completed: No Word count: 124421 Read: 94744 Published: 02 Feb 2005 Updated: 05 Nov 2005
Cursed Blessings by SaimheofAvalon
Author's Notes:
Thank you for my reviewers for your kind words and support. Each review supurns me on and helps me keep writing.

August 17th

(Harry and Hermione age to between 12 and 13 years)

It was still dark when she opened her eyes, a dire sense of disorientation prodding her into wakefulness. Falling back on training ground deeply into her, she steadied and quieted her mind, allowing her consciousness to drift until she could identify what disturbed her enough to draw her from a deep and peaceful sleep. The first sense she encountered was the dominating and comforting presences of Severus' mind. It was disciplined and organized, even when a sleep. Her body relaxed back against his chest as his arms and mind reached out to entangle her, drawing her back into shelter that his love and essence embodied. The warmth was intoxicating as it lulled her sense, pulling her back toward a blissful sleep. In her half-awakened state, with the sense of Severus cocooning her, Arabella wondered if this was the reason Gran Grainne had arranged her marriage to Severus. She must have known a deep bond would form between a sensitive and an empathy. Granted, Sev was a low-level sensitive; but the curse – or gift, in this case – was there. Her grandmother had gambled that her friendship with Severus would blossom and that their minds and hearts would fall into a tandem existence. She had been right though – completely. She had fallen hard for Severus, not just as a twenty-something – but again, over that last year.

Snuggling further into her husband's embrace, she sent a mental thank-you to the powers that be for the bond created between them. She knew it was the most important factor in strengthening the fragile, threadbare fabric of her marriage. She hoped one day her daughter could experience such a bond; she hoped her gamble with Draco paid off….

Arabella sat straight up, nearly jumping out of the large bed. As her thoughts had drifted to Hermione and Draco, an icy hand had tightened around her heart and choked the panicked cry deep in her throat. Scrambling onto her knees, she searched the bottom of the bed frantically in the pitch black of her room for her dressing robe. A small tingle in her hand signaled a surge of magic just before the soft fabric of her robe brushed her fingers. Tugging it on, she was only vaguely aware of the soft rustling of bed covers or the new, dim glow that lit the way from her bedroom, down the stairs and hall towards Hermione's room.

When she reached her daughter's door, she knocked – more out of habit than conscious thought – and immediately opened it. Hermione sat on the bed, breathing rapidly. The ghostly grey of the moon's light drifting in broken streams; the heavy curtains cast dark shadows and imbued the room with a foreboding air. Arabella shivered as she stared at Hermione's vacant, shocked expression from across a seeming wide expanse. The darkness of the girl's hair and eyes emphasized the stark paleness of her skin. Unconsciously, Arabella stepped backwards, pressing her body against Severus, who stood a breath away. She needed the assurance of his presence.

She felt one arm slip around her waist and heard the soft whisper of his voice just before the candles lit and the fire in the hearth blazed, chasing the coldness from the room. Hermione's face began to lose its emptiness, becoming fear-filled and confused. Moving rapidly, Arabella crossed the room, climbed onto the bed and pulled the girl into her arms. Hermione's arms wrapped around her, tentatively at first, tightening steadily as she succumbed to the torment of emotions within her. Choked sobs increased until they became an all out expulsion of the terror and turmoil that had torn Hermione from a safe and peaceful slumber. The power of the emotions nearly overwhelmed Bella as she tried to control her own reactions and filter love and reassurance to the girl cradled against her.

Severus' joined them moments later, wrapping them both in his arms. When her daughter's sobs slowed into an occasional shutter, Arabella began to gently probe the girl's mind. After a week of monitoring, she was able to quickly find the fragile bond between Hermione and Draco that had been diminishing day-by-day, hour-by-hour. Instead of the broken thread she had hoped to find, a mental hot spot burned brightly. With a practiced ease, she built temporary barriers around the bond, isolating it from Hermione's conscious mind.

" Something's happened to Draco," Hermione said softly into the folds of Bella's robe.

At Hermione's words, Arabella sensed Sev's surprise increase coupled by shock and worry. Sitting back, Bella tried to smile reassuringly to both of them, even as she gently brushed a few loose strands of black hair from the girl's face.

" Yes, sweetheart, I think something has happened to Draco," she hesitated to continue, not wanting to scare either by stating that the boy in question was still alive. The words themselves would have suggested there was a reason – which the current state of the bond provided – to believe otherwise.

" He's hurt badly, Mama," the young voice sounded so much older than it should have – resigned and wise beyond her years. Arabella couldn't help but be saddened by the advanced maturity her daughter was showing – even knowing that it was a trait Hermione had been particularly know for in the past. The effect was even more pronounced as the first stages of "baby fat" had begun to leave her face, revealing her strong and elegant bone structure.

" Yes, Livia, " she replied, "I think you are right. There is much to do if we are to help him." Sliding off the bed, she called out "Mimi." The elf appeared in a blink, wobbly and disoriented. Mimi rubbed her large, round eyes and looked up at Arabella, waiting for instructions. Hermione slid closer to Severus as Bella spoke.

" Mimi, I need you to prepare a bath for Livia. Use the calming salts and the new scented oils and rinses I gave you for her." Hermione perked up, sitting a bit straighter, her eyes lighting with a bit of curiosity at the mention of the new items. "When she is finished bathing, I want her hair braided fully and tied back. Set out the pale blue chemise and the matching sky blue overdress. "

" Yes, Lady," the tired elf said.

Severus gently pushed Hermione from the bed, "Go on, Livia. When you are finished, have Mimi make you some of the special hot chocolate and wait for us in the kitchens. "

" Okay, Papa," Hermione said as she slid the rest of the way off the bed and followed the elf into the bathroom.

Severus followed suit and was soon standing in front of Arabella. She nodded when he gestured toward the door and walked with him from the room.

" What happened?" he demanded almost immediately.

" I don't know, but it was sudden, powerful and very painful for Draco. How many of the healing potions were you able to replenish?"

Severus was quiet for a short time as he mentally ran through his inventory of the potions he had recently brewed or was currently brewing. "One full batch of the post-Cruciatus. A batch of mild sleeping draught and painkillers, as well. I will have to retrieve others from the stores at Hogwarts."

" Can you bring some stronger pain and dreamless sleep potions, as well? I have a feeling they will be needed."

Severus nodded and started to walk toward their rooms.

" Sev," she called after him, "Hurry, please," her voice trailed off. She could bring herself to express her fear verbally.

He walked back to her, grasping her face in his hands. "I will only be gone as long as necessary. I promise. " Leaning forward, he brushed a quick kiss against her lips. She tried to smile, but couldn't quite manage. After a moment, he turned away and continued toward their rooms. Taking a fortifying breath, she followed.

=======================================

“Severus Snape!” The frantic voice called into the near empty room.

“ Severus Snape!” The voice called again and again, growing more panicked each time, demanding attention. Her heart slammed in her chest as she moved to stand in the large fireplace, bringing herself almost face to face with Lucius Malfoy formed in the green flames. For a moment she watched the pained, almost desperate expression on the man’s face as he again called out for Severus. Taking a breath to steady herself, pushing down the vestiges of guilt she felt and grabbed the green powder from its urn, tossing it into the flames.

“ Lucius? Severus isn’t here, what’s happened?” She called, forcing her voice into a calm, controlled tone.

“ Merlin! Bella, I… ” He swore then allowed his voice to fade out as he glanced behind himself before turning his face back into the fire. If possible his face registered even more panic and anger than before. Arabella found herself distinctly grateful he was not physically present at the moment; the intense waves of emotion that must be oozing off the usually cold man were disturbing and painful to imagine.

“ Lucius! Tell me what’s wrong!” She demanded, her years of training as both a mediwitch and a empath kicking in.

“ It’s Draco,” he bit out, his voice growing bitter, “He’s been hurt. He needs help. I can’t. . . I can’t…”

What Lucius didn’t say told her all she needed to know. There was only one reason he would refrain from calling in a medical professional or take his son to a hospital. Voldemort had expressed displeasure at the decision to let Draco study the arts of Avalon.

“ Lucius, listen to me. Is Draco near by?” She waited for the man to reply, accepting his almost frantic nod as an affirmative. “I am going to light the fire in the gatehouse. Give me a few minutes and then bring him through. Don’t waste time, and don’t argue. I will help him.”

Lucius’ face disappeared and Bella took off out of the study and into the great hall, calling for Livia as she ran. Throwing open the front door, she raced the distance to the gatehouse. As soon as she was through the door, she called out, "Imflamarae"

Almost immediate, Lucius face appeared and said, “We’re ready.”

Arabella nodded and stepped back. She felt a gentle pressure on her shoulder and turned to look into Hermione’s eyes. She could see the fear, confusion and worry swirling in the near-black depths. Raising a hand she touched her cheek reassuringly, “It will be alright,” she said with a tight smile as she held out her hand to her.

Arabella felt Hermione take her hand and squeezed it reassuringly just as a loud whoosh of air announced the entrance of Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy, their son's twitching body in Lucius' arms.

With a flick of the wand, Arabella transfigured a small sofa in to a bed. “Place him hear,” she said, addressing Lucius. “Livia, sweetheart, come hear. I want you to listen carefully. The Cruciatus has over stimulated his nervous system. We need to calm the activity before brain damage sets in. Do you remember what I taught you?”

“ Yes, Ma’am.” Hermione’s voice was slightly unsteady as she spoke.

Arabella smiled reassuringly at her then gestured for Hermione to take her place on one side of the bed. Then turning to Lucius, she said, “I need you to go up to the main house. I left the elves instructions, they will need your assistance to finish one of the potions..” She said and waited for him to start to balk. Lucius, surprising, hesitated only a minute – looking back at his son and then his wife, before hurrying to do Arabella's bidding.

Moving to the opposite side of Draco from Hermione, she knelt down and placed her hands besides the young woman’s slightly shaking ones. “Put your emotions aside. Focus on the energy.” She said as she studied her adopted daughter for a moment, looking for signs of distress. Arabella found none. Instead, she saw a keen expression of concentration and evidence that Draco was already improving. Reaching out, Arabella placed her hands opposite to Hermione’s and braced herself for impact of Draco’s tormented emotions. The young man’s pain and fear nearly overwhelmed her senses. It took a few seconds to regain full control of her faculties. Opening her mind, stretched out her senses to determine the current extent of activity within Draco’s mind and nervous system, then focused her energy toward decreasing and normalizing those patterns.

She was only faintly aware of Harry’s arrival at her side, followed shortly by Severus. With relief, Arabella felt the sudden decrease in Draco’s physical pain; either Harry or Severus had given the boy several pain and counter-cruciatus potions. At some point during the afternoon, she felt Hermione’s presence fail and knew the girl had exhausted herself. Trusting Sev and Harry to care for her, Arabella maintained her focus on Draco’s mind, calming to prevent further damage and healing what she could. She fought against not only her own anger and disgust at the damage and pain inflicted on the young man, but Draco’s as well.

The longer she worked on the young man, the heavier her limbs seemed and the more difficult it was to channel her energies. The prickling sting in her fingers was the first warning that she was pushing herself beyond her limits. She was not surprised when her weary mind and taxed endurance finally evaporated. Strong arms caught her sagging body, drawing her up and lifting her. Warmth and reassurance flooded into her and she relaxed into Severus embrace. “Livia?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“ Fine. I gave her a restorative. She is resting in her room.” He answered, softly.

She could feel forward motion, and tried to push herself away from him. “No, can’t leave yet. He still. . . “

“ You are exhausted, Bella. Darrius and I can handle it for now. You need to rest.” Severus voice was firm yet gentle as he continued to move out of the gatehouse, across the courtyard, into the keep and up the stairs. Once in their fire-lit room, he placed her on the large bed and gently stripped off her clothes with warm and gently hands. The feel of his fingers against her skin soothed and invigorated her at the same time. She felt him pull her up and hold several potions to her lips that she dutifully swallowed before being lowered down into the softness of their bed. She was only vaguely aware of his whispered "I love you" as her mind retreated into the darkness of sleep.

To be continued...


This story archived at http://www.potionsandsnitches.org/fanfiction/viewstory.php?sid=328