A Flicker of Magic
After breakfast, Severus, with a lingering kiss on Hermione's cheek and a worried glance, reluctantly took his leave. He and Draco had pressing work in the lab, potions that demanded their immediate attention.
"Please look after her," Severus said to Lucius, his voice laced with concern.
Lucius chuckled softly. "You have nothing to worry about, Severus. She will be well looked after."
With a final nod, Severus departed, leaving Hermione in Lucius's care. Lucius, ever the gentleman, escorted her to the den, a cozy room filled with overstuffed armchairs and shelves overflowing with ancient tomes.
He produced a slender leather box from within his robes, placing it gently on the table. With a flourish, he opened it, revealing two wands nestled within the velvet lining.
"These," he explained, "are two unregistered wands I held onto for... shall we say, emergency situations." He winked, a playful glint in his eye. "I'm not entirely sure what the cores contain, as I'm not a wand expert, but let's see if either of them works for you, shall we?"
Hermione hesitated, her fingers hovering over the wands. It had been so long since she had wielded magic, so long since she had felt the familiar thrum of power coursing through her. With a mixture of apprehension and excitement, she reached for the first wand, its smooth surface cool against her skin.
"Try it out, Hermione," Lucius encouraged, his voice gentle.
She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves. Focusing her intent, she aimed the wand at the unlit fireplace and uttered, "Incendio!"
A few sparks fizzled from the tip of the wand, but nothing more. The fireplace remained stubbornly dark. Hermione sighed, a wave of disappointment washing over her. She felt no connection to the wand, no spark of recognition.
Lucius smiled reassuringly. "It's alright, Hermione. Let's try the other one." He handed her the second wand, its handle intricately carved with swirling patterns.
Hermione took another deep breath, closing her eyes to concentrate. She reached deep within herself, summoning the magic she had suppressed for so long. Channeling it into the wand, she repeated the incantation, "Incendio!"
This time, a burst of flames erupted from the wand, several small fireballs shooting into the fireplace, igniting the logs with a satisfying roar. Hermione's eyes flew open, a smile spreading across her face. It had worked!
But a nagging feeling lingered. While she felt a connection to the wand, her magic felt... different. Suppressed, almost. It was as if something was holding her back, preventing her from accessing the full extent of her power. The feeling was unsettling, a shadow cast over her newfound hope.
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Lucius, ever perceptive, noticed the conflicting emotions swirling within Hermione. He gestured towards the plush couch, inviting her to sit. He settled into an armchair opposite her, his gaze gentle and encouraging.
"Hermione," he began, his voice soft, "something seems to be troubling you. What is it?"
Hermione sighed, a wave of frustration washing over her. "I'm so grateful to have a wand again," she explained, "and I was thrilled when the spell worked. But... something feels off. It's like I can't access all of my magic. There's a barrier, a blockage."
Lucius frowned, his brow furrowed in concern. He knew that even with a wand that wasn't perfectly compatible, a witch or wizard shouldn't experience such a significant suppression of their magic. A flicker of worry crossed his face, and he made a mental note to discuss this with Severus later.
For now, however, he wanted to reassure Hermione. He offered a warm smile, his voice calming. "Perhaps it just needs time," he suggested. "Practice with the wand, experiment with different spells. It might simply be a matter of getting reacquainted with your magic."
Hermione nodded, a glimmer of hope returning to her eyes. She stood up, impulsively throwing her arms around Lucius in a grateful hug. "Thank you, Mr. Malfoy," she said, her voice filled with sincerity. "For everything."
Lucius returned the hug, a paternal warmth radiating from him. "You're most welcome, Hermione," he replied.
With a renewed sense of purpose, Hermione returned to her room. The exhaustion from the previous night, coupled with the emotional rollercoaster of the morning, had taken its toll. She needed rest, a chance to recharge and allow her body to heal.
As she drifted off to sleep, her thoughts wandered. If anyone had told her ten years ago that she would be in Muggle London, seeking refuge with some of the most notorious Slytherins in the wizarding world, she would have laughed in disbelief. Yet here she was, surrounded by their care and support, and she couldn't imagine facing this ordeal without them. The world, it seemed, had a strange way of turning expectations upside down.
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The week that followed was a strange mix of calm and underlying tension. Hermione diligently practiced with her new wand, exploring the nuances of her magic, trying to pinpoint the source of the frustrating suppression. Lucius, true to his word, had spoken with Severus about the issue, but even the potions master was baffled. He poured over his extensive library of magical texts, searching for any mention of such a phenomenon, but to no avail.
Unbeknownst to the men, Hermione had stumbled upon a curious correlation. On the days she indulged in her Xanax ritual, her magic felt particularly weak and unreliable. Spells sputtered and fizzled, her connection to the wand tenuous at best. But as the effects of the drug wore off throughout the day, her magic gradually returned, growing stronger and more responsive.
She kept this discovery to herself, a secret gnawing at her conscience. She wasn't ready to reveal her reliance on the pills, not yet. Instead, she offered a small fib, telling Severus and Lucius that her magic was indeed improving with practice, just as Lucius had suggested.
The two men exchanged a knowing glance. They sensed that something wasn't quite right, that Hermione was holding back. But they chose to trust her, respecting her need for privacy. For now, they would observe and wait, hoping that she would confide in them when she was ready.
Despite the lingering mystery of her magic, a sense of calm settled over the headquarters. The shared meals, the quiet evenings spent in the library, the comfortable companionship – it all created a sense of normalcy that Hermione hadn't felt in years. The threat of Roland still loomed, a shadow in the background, but for now, they were safe, a haven of peace in a turbulent world.
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Severus watched Hermione closely in the days that followed. Despite the apparent calm, he could sense her spirit waning. The forced confinement within the headquarters, the lack of her usual routine, the lingering fear of Roland – it was all taking a toll on her. He knew he had to do something, to offer her a reprieve from the constant tension.
He approached her one afternoon, his heart pounding with a nervous anticipation he hadn't felt in years. "Hermione," he began, his voice hesitant, "I... I would like to court you properly. Take you on a date." He paused, a shadow of worry crossing his face. "But with Roland still out there, it's too risky to venture into town."
Hermione's face fell, disappointment evident in her eyes. She had been yearning for a sense of normalcy, a chance to escape the confines of the headquarters.
Severus gently lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. A small smile played on his lips. "However," he continued, "perhaps a weekend getaway would be more suitable. Somewhere secluded, where Roland couldn't possibly find us."
Hermione's eyes lit up, a spark of excitement replacing the disappointment. She threw her arms around Severus, a squeal of delight escaping her lips. "Yes, Severus!" she exclaimed. "I would love that! I'll get packed right away!"
Severus couldn't help but grin, a genuine expression of joy that transformed his usually stern features. Hermione was stunned. She had never seen him look so relaxed, so happy. It warmed her heart, and she vowed to do everything in her power to see that smile more often.
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"Meet me in the den when you're ready, Hermione," Severus said, his voice filled with anticipation. "We'll apparate from there."
As Hermione rushed off to pack, a sense of excitement filled the air. The prospect of a weekend escape, a chance to explore a new place and deepen their connection, was a welcome distraction from the looming threat of Roland. For a few precious days, they could forget about the dangers of the outside world and simply enjoy each other's company.
Hermione, her heart pounding with anticipation, met Severus in the den. He pulled her close, his arm encircling her waist. "We'll side-along apparate," he instructed, his voice a low rumble against her ear. "Hold on tight."
She eagerly wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face in his surprisingly solid chest. She braced herself for the familiar, albeit unpleasant, sensation of apparating. With a sharp crack, they vanished from the headquarters.
They materialized in a breathtakingly beautiful landscape. Towering mountains, cloaked in lush greenery, surrounded them. A crystal-clear lake shimmered in the valley below, reflecting the azure sky. A quaint cottage, built from weathered stone, stood nestled amongst the trees, a cobblestone path leading to its front door. The air was crisp and clean, filled with the sounds of birdsong and the gentle rustling of leaves.
Hermione gasped, her eyes wide with wonder. "Severus," she whispered, still clinging to him, "where are we? This is incredible!"
He looked down at her, a genuine smile softening his features. "My dear," he replied, his voice warm, "we are in the mountainous range of Cumbria. This is my cottage, Hermione. It's where I come to find peace and quiet, away from the world."
Hermione gazed at him in awe. She had never imagined Severus Snape owning such a charming retreat, a place of such tranquility and beauty.
He took her hand, leading her towards the cottage. He showed her the cozy den, the well-equipped kitchen, the rustic dining room. Then, he guided her down a long hallway lined with doors.
"This is the bathroom," he said, pointing to one door. A few steps further, he indicated another. "And this will be your room while you're here."
At the end of the hallway, he gestured towards a closed door. "That's my room," he said simply.
The hallway opened into a magnificent sunroom, its walls entirely made of glass. Sunlight streamed through, illuminating a vibrant array of plants and flowers. Hermione gasped again, overwhelmed by the beauty of it all.
She turned to Severus, her face radiant with joy. "Thank you for bringing me here, Severus," she said, pulling him into a tight embrace. "It's perfect."
Severus returned her hug, a warmth spreading through him. He had never shared this place with anyone before, but seeing Hermione's delight filled him with a sense of contentment he hadn't known he was capable of. This weekend, he vowed, would be a respite from the darkness, a chance to forge a new beginning.