Ghostly Curse

Ch 8

Ch 8 - Evening of Enlightenment

Severus sat at the table, watching the exchange between his ex-wife and his current wife with growing unease. They spoke as if there were no more hard feelings. Hermione chatted with Ginny as if the two of them had not dealt with the years of separation that was indeed a part of their past. What was worse was the love bite that stood boldly against the fair skin of Hermione’s neck.

The purple spot almost seemed to darken before him. Even as he chided himself for even caring, he found that he did, indeed care. She had sent him no word that she was returning. He had no idea she had even been offered such a prestigious position at the Ministry. Had she been able to forget him so easily?

Not that he cared one little bit. He had only settled for her when he had believed that Ginny was forever lost to him. He knew that. But for some reason, he still found himself warring with the idea that she could have not only moved on with her life, but also had invited another wizard to share it. And more than that… Why was he not here as well?

Clearing his throat, he leaned forward a little and asked, “So, who is the lucky wizard?”

Both witches stopped and stared at him. After a moment, Hermione recovered. “I’m sorry?”Trying to continue his appearance of aloof and uninterested, he continued. “I mean, the bite mark on your neck shows us quite clearly that there is a potential love interest, yet your young gentleman is not here.” He tilted his head, asking slyly, “Is there a reason you didn’t want him here to meet us?” Some major handicap, I hope? he asked silently.

Seeing the strange glint in Severus’ eyes, Hermione counted to three before responding. “No, Severus. There is no reason why I didn’t want him here.” She paused before just saying, “There is no significant man in my life. This,” she gestured to her neck. “was just someone I did to pass the time.”Ginny gasped in a mix of shock and glee even as Severus’ smug smile grew into a deep scowl. “Oh! How scandalous, Hermione! I’m so very thrilled with you! Bravo! That is a wonderful thing for you to do!”

Snape turned to look at Ginny with a raised eyebrow. “How is that a wonderful thing? She‘s turning herself into a harlot. Or at least that‘s the sound of it.”

It was Hermione that answered. “It is a wonderful thing because it means it will be a cold day in Hades before I let another man have a chance at breaking my heart. I am no fool, Severus. And I’m no child anymore either.”

She held up her hand when he opened his mouth to respond. “Stop. I have no intention of reopening wounds that are healing quite nicely now.” She shook her head. “My romantic interests or lack thereof are not the reasons I have asked you here this evening.”

For several seconds Severus’ gaze held hers and Ginny could almost taste the tension between the two of them before he finally sat back in his chair with a sigh. “Oh, very well. What is it that you need?”

With a slow, sad smile, Hermione stood and gestured for the two of them to follow her. “If you would be so kind as to follow me, please?”

As they followed Hermione into what Severus knew to be the catacombs of the castle, he asked, “What is the purpose of bringing us here? I don’t understand what your reasoning could be to bring us among the Malfoy dead.”

As she stopped outside of the room where Draco was housed, she turned to look at him. “So, have you been here?”Glancing at the door, he nodded. “Of course, not to this exact room, but I do know my way around Malfoy manor, yes.”

Hermione looked relieved and turned the doorknob. “You need to see this. Then you will understand my reason for calling on you.”

As she led them into the room, she wondered for a moment if Lucius would come. She had told him that she didn’t want to alert Severus to his presence until after he had been given a chance to deal with the shock of his godson’s condition. He had agreed, but she knew he was watching. She could feel his eyes on her the entire time she had explained away Lucius’ love bite as if it meant nothing.