Harry Potter. Hermione X Male Reader Story

Snakes Let Loose and A Temporary Truce

Harry's POV

"Harry, we're coming, just get in there!" said Ron, pushing me forward. I wriggled into the earthy passage hidden in the tree's roots towards the shrieking shack. It was a much tighter squeeze than it had been the last time we had entered it.

The tunnel was low-ceilinged: we had had to double up to move through it nearly four years previously; now there was nothing for it but to crawl. I went first, wand illuminated, expecting at any moment to meet barriers, but none came.

We moved in silence, my gaze fixed upon the swinging beam of the wand held in my fist. At last the tunnel began to slope upward and I saw a sliver of light ahead. Hermione tugged at my ankle. "The Cloak!" she whispered.

"Put the Cloak on!" she forced the bundle of slippery cloth into my free hand. With difficulty I dragged it over myself, murmuring, "Nox," extinguishing the wandlight.

I continued on my hands and knees, as silently as possible, all my senses straining, expecting every second to be discovered, to hear a cold clear voice, see a flash of green light.

I heard voices coming from the room directly ahead, only slightly muffled by the fact that the opening at the end of the tunnel had been blocked up by what looked like an old crate.

Hardly daring to breathe, I edged right up to the opening and peered through a tiny gap left between crate and wall.

The room beyond was dimly lit, but I could see Nagini, swirling and coiling, safe in her enchanted, starry sphere, which floated unsupported in mid-air.

I regretted letting (Y/N) go charging after Dolohov, she was a sitting duck and now would be a perfect time to set her on fire. Though based on recent experience, I realised that would have been easier said than done.

I could see the edge of a table, and a long-fingered white hand toying with a wand. Then Snape spoke, and my heart lurched: Snape was inches away from where I was hidden.

". . . my Lord, their resistance is crumbling —" "— and it is doing so without your help," said Voldemort in his high, clear voice.

"Skilled wizard though you are, Severus, I do not think you will make much difference now. We are almost there . . . almost." "Let me find the boy. Let me bring you Potter. I know I can find him, my Lord. Please." Snape strode past the gap.

I drew back a little, keeping my eyes fixed upon Nagini, wondering whether there was any spell that might penetrate the protection surrounding her, but I could not think of anything. One failed attempt, and it would give away our position. . . . Voldemort stood up.

I could see him now, see the red eyes, the flattened, serpentine face, the pallor of him gleaming slightly in the semidarkness. "I have a problem, Severus," said Voldemort softly. "My Lord?" said Snape. Voldemort raised the Elder Wand, holding it as delicately.

"Why doesn't it work for me, Severus?" "My — my Lord?" said Snape blankly. "I do not understand. You — you have performed extraordinary magic with that wand." "No," said Voldemort.

"I have performed my usual magic. I am extraordinary, but this wand . . . no. It has not revealed the wonders it has promised. I feel no difference between this wand and the one I procured from Ollivander all those years ago."

Voldemort's tone was musing, calm, but my scar had begun to throb and pulse: Pain was building in my forehead, and I could feel that controlled sense of fury building inside Voldemort. "No difference," said Voldemort again.

Snape did not speak. I wondered whether he sensed danger and was trying to find the right words to reassure his master. Voldemort started to move around the room: I lost sight of him for seconds as he prowled, speaking in that same measured voice, while the pain and fury mounted in my head.