Four Screams
Title: Four Screams
Team Name: Spy for the Death Eaters
Word Count: 4x100
Rating: I suppose PG-13?
Challenge: Scream
Characters: Hermione/Severus and several others
Disclaimer: I am making no profit. Any characters or settings recognizable from the Harry Potter series belong to J.K. Rowling. The rest is mine.
Author’s Notes: many thanks to dacian_goddess for the lightning-fast beta.
She couldn’t see past Harry, but she listened intently. Would their double bluff work? Voldemort would probably not try Avada Kedavra on the wizard he deemed to be the Master of the Wand. There was a terrible scream, and she relaxed. It had worked as planned.
“Now,” she thought, “before the Draught of Living Death kicks in.” She nudged Harry to move. As he kneeled beside the long black-clad body, she thrust in Harry’s hand the flask she had conjured.
When the memories were gleaned, she led the way back through the tunnel. It wouldn’t do for Harry to linger.
****
Hermione had never yet heard such a sound. Severus was screaming with laughter.
“So, Minerva…”
“Those were the best faked memories of all time. She collected them in a precious flask cut from a single emerald and she wore it around her neck while she believed you dead. I’m afraid you’re quite the romantic hero.”
“And Potter?”
“Harry is a bit disgruntled since you have resurfaced, but he can hardly recant on your loyalties. You have been awarded not only an Order of Merlin First Class, but also the Tabula Smaragdina, the highest international prize. You’re famous and rich, Severus.”
****
A scream of outrage rang out, piercing the walls and floors of the Burrow. The windows rattled. The ghoul in the attic, brutally awakened, began to howl and drop pipes.
“Hermione, you can’t do that!”
“I’m sorry, Molly, but I can’t marry Ron, as I’m marrying Severus.”
“He’s twice your age!”
“Exactly, and thanks to his prominent position I have been named as Head of a totally independent research unit.”
“You’re a scarlet woman!”
“I’m indeed wearing red.”
“Ron, say something!”
Ron shuffled his feet.
Hermione laughed.
“Don’t worry, Molly. Lavender will make you a much more adequate daughter-in-law.”
****
Lavender screamed again, then lay panting. Hermione patted her hand.
“Here, here. It won’t be long now. The mediwitch is on her way. She will take good care of you, and I’ll make sure Ron won’t have an accident. I guarantee the kids will be safe and Rose will board the Hogwarts Express in time.”
“Thank you, Hermione. And please thank Severus for the potion. It did speed up the labour.”
“He will be most pleased to hear that. You are the first he’s tried it on. Don’t scream, dear. Just have that little Marjory and all will be well.”