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Chapter Text

Hermione and Severus were perusing the small tents at Munich’s Oktoberfest. They had just eaten some of the Bavarian traditional food, and now they wanted to walk some of it off.

“Hey, Severus?”

“Yes, my love?” He quirked his brow at her.

“Have you seen Walter lately?” She looked over some of the steins that were set up on the table.

“Hmm.” Severus paused momentarily, “Come to think of it. No. I haven’t.”

“Aren’t you worried?” She inquired.

“No, but it seems like you are.” He gave her a concerned look.

“Well, he did seem troubled  even for a Lethifold.” She sighed. “Plus, I’ve missed his touch.”

“Touche, he does protect you well, my love.” Severus kissed her forehead before whispering, “I feel like we are being watched or followed.”

“I do too, but who?” She murmured back, trying not to crane her neck to look around.

“Just act normal, and eventually they will oust themselves. They always do.” He picked up a beautiful stein. “We will take this, please, along with a smaller one if you have it.”

“Right away, sir.” The lady took it and found its mate, carefully wrapped them and placed them in two boxes. “That would be 40 euros.”

Severus paid the lady and carefully placed the boxes in one of their large sacks that they were carrying around. “Shall we get something to drink?”

“Sure. Let’s hit one of the bigger beer tents this time.” She shivered. “The last one felt cramped inside.”

“Valid point.” He steered her out of the souvenir tent and guided her towards one of the tents that didn’t have a big line in front of it. “Or would you rather go to a pub?”

“No, no.” She shook her head. “I want to experience it.” She waved her hands around. “Plus, we still need to get one of their pretzels.” She gave him a nudge in the ribs.

"Very well." He noticed that people were walking by one of the bigger tents. "Why are they not going to that place? Do we want to go there?" He glanced down. "We might run into someone we don't want to see."

“Hogwash.” She waved him off. “Let’s go in and hopefully neither of us will get recognised.”

“Very well.” He placed a hand on the small of her back and guided her inside.

In the far corner of the tent, there was a group of young men crowded around a wizard who looked vaguely familiar, but they sat down at a table near the front.

“I’ll take a pint of whatever they have on tap.” Hermione requested.

“Be right back, my love.” He kissed the top of her head before going to the bar.

Hermione kept glancing at the crowded table. She was having an issue seeing the face of the one holding court. Her eyes widened when she overheard one of the young wizards call the host Krum. “Viktor?”

“Did you say Viktor? As in Krum?” Severus sat down with two pints of beer. “I thought I saw him over there.”

“Is he?” Hermione perked up. “I haven’t seen him since Fleur and Bill’s wedding.”

“Her-my-own?” A voice from the past caught their attention.

“Viktor!” She got up and hugged him, much to Severus’s dismay.

“What are you doing here?” They both spoke together, making them laugh.

“Viktor, do you remember Severus Snape?” She nodded at her lover. “He was our Potions professor.”

“I do. I’m sorry that Headmaster Karkaroff was rude to you, sir.” He shook hands with Severus.

“Old news, and I believe he met his demise.” He shook his head. “What have you been doing since retirement?”

“You aren’t playing Quidditch anymore?” Hermione tilted her head.

Severus sighed. “Love, I think you forgot your conversation with a certain Mr Weasley.”

“Oh, right. I tend to tune Ron out when he gets talking about the sport.” She gave him a sheepish look. “Sorry.”

“I gave it up after a nasty injury, and I was ready for a change.” Viktor smiled. “I still get recognised from time to time.”

“I bet you do.” She smiled at him.

“Ya, and the German wizards are nice enough to set up this tent for me every year so I can still enjoy the festivities.”

“Brilliant,” Severus replied as he glanced at his lover. “I believe it’s time to go back and relax at our hotel before our reservation tonight, love.”

Hermione tried to stifle a yawn. “Yes, it sounds like a great plan.” She finished her lager and made a face. “I still can’t get used to it being warm.”

“Have a great visit, and it was great seeing you.” Viktor gave her a quick hug before shaking Severus’s hand. He went and rejoined his group after grabbing a couple more pitchers of beer for them.

Severus and Hermione went to the apparition point and disappeared back to their room.

Chapter Text

Viktor was slamming wand wood cuttings around. “See, I knew it!” His wild eyes surveyed the table cluttered with wand-making ingredients. 

He stepped away and went to the door-length mirror. “She missed me! She's only seeing him because of me.” He cackled, which made his suit ripple.

He stared at his reflection. His beady eyes took in that his suit was made of crushed velvet, but the inside felt like cilia that moved with him as he walked.  He narrowed his eyes when he noticed that the suit wasn’t as tight as before. He pulled out his wand and tapped himself, “Imperio!” The suit stopped moving. “You will get off my body and lie on the table, Dobrinka.”

The suit whimpered as it tried to break free from the spell. Dobrinka slithered off Viktor’s body, leaving him nude in the mirror. His cock was hard, and the tip was weeping from the cilia rubbing it.

He leaned closer to the mirror. “She must have a thing for this nose line.” He spun around. “Too bad she was young when I took her to the Yule Ball that year.” He picked up his wand.

He pointed to Dobrinka, “Relashio! Relashio!” He waved his arm around, slicing the lethifold, causing her to squeal.

“Silencio!” He muted the lethifold as he continued to slash it to pieces. “Now to use a bit of this in my new wand!”

Viktor grabbed some Hornbeam, his favoured wood, lay it down and took some of the Lethifold pieces that he created, placed them in the middle, before closing it and sealing it with varnish. “I can’t wait to try this. If this works, nothing can stop me!”

While he waited for the wand to dry, he gathered the rest of the creature and threw it into a trunk and locked it. “Now, you can’t sneak up on me, Dobrinka!”

Viktor gleamed at the new wand, “If this works, Hermione shall be mine, not Severus Snape’s.”

He glanced at the wall clock and realised that he still had ten minutes before it was ready. He went over to the mirror and started playing with himself. “Oh, yes.” He stroked his shaft fast and hard as he thought about having sex with her. “Fuck! Hermione!” He squirted all over the mirror.

Viktor slid the mirror over and grabbed a dress robe to put on before walking over to the lab table. He rubbed his hands together in delight. “Let’s try this wand.”

Viktor could feel the hum from the wand as he picked it up. He rolled it between his fingers before looking at a dummy fashioned to look like Severus. “Bombardo!” The wand jumped in his hand as the spell came out. It hit the effigy and exploded everywhere.

“Yes!” He crowed menacingly. “Hermione will be mine!”

Chapter Text

Viktor sat at his desk in the lab, writing to Hermione.

Dear Hermione,

     I would like you and Severus to come to my place in Bulgaria tonight for an evening of food and games. You can stay in one of the guest rooms if you like. Please give a response to Boyan.   - Viktor

He rolled up the parchment and walked over to his owl. “Boyan, find Hermione Granger. You will wait for her response.” The Eurasian Eagle-Owl lifted its leg for the missive and flew out of the open window for him.

“I need to decide what I want us to play with. I know Hermione isn’t much of a chess player, but I wonder if Severus is.” He tapped his chin. “We shall have traditional mushroom gyuvech and some sarmi on the side. We will start with some lukanka sausage and sirene cheese.”

He started cleaning up his lab table when he heard something rustle behind him. He spun around and saw another Lethifold. “Impedimenta!” He flicked his wand again. “Imperio!”

The Lethifold froze in front of him with its eyes widened and teeth bared.

“Oh, you are a different one. Have you come to look for your fellow monster?” His grin widened evilly. “You are too late, she’s chopped to pieces.” The lethifold’s eyes narrowed.

“Die!”

“Hmm. You have given me a brilliant idea.” Viktor’s smirk grew. “Confundo! Imperio!”

The Lethifold's eyes went blank as Boyan returned with a note attached to his claw.

“Excellent!” Viktor was delighted to see that she said that they would see him later for a night of fun. “Well done, Boyan.” The owl hooted as he flew back to his perch for some water and seed.

Viktor rubbed his hands as he turned to the creature in front of him. “I have plans for you. Turn around and walk out ahead of me and up the stairs.”

The lethifold followed the instructions and kept going until it stopped in front of an ornate door.

“Imperio! Now, we are going in here, and you are going to lie down on the bed like a blanket that I know you can be,” Viktor ordered him.

The lethifold went to the bed and smoothed itself out on it to look like a comforter.

“Brilliant!” Viktor sneered. “Imperio!” His sneer widened as he relayed the final instructions. “Now, when the couple go to bed tonight, kill the male. The woman is mine. All mine!”

Viktor crowed as he left the room and locked the door behind him. He went about getting ready for his company and gave instructions to the kitchen staff.

Chapter Text

Hermione and Severus appeared just outside the village near Viktor’s castle’s gates. They looked up at his place.

“I never noticed how creepy it looked before,” Hermione replied, shivering.

“We don’t have to go, my love.” Severus tried to appeal to her senses.

“Balderdash. I promised we would go for a night of food and fun games. Besides, it’s been ages since I’ve seen him last.” Hermione swatted his chest. “Come on, it’s chilly tonight. I bet he had his kitchen whip up some traditional Bulgarian food.”

Severus stared at her momentarily. “Very well.” He opened the gate and allowed her through first. They walked up to the door and lifted the knocker shaped like a lion's head. It roared, which made Hermione jump.

“Haha, I forgot it did that.” She placed her hand on her pounding heart.

Severus placed his hand on the small of her back as the door opened.

“Hello, Hermione and Severus. Come in, come in.” Viktor greeted them as he backed away to let them into his foyer.

Severus guided her into the castle and didn’t flinch as the door slammed behind him. “Thank you for inviting us, Mister Krum.”

“Please call me, Viktor, if I can call you Severus.” He gave them a soft smile while his eyes had a little glint in them. “Please, take off your coats, and we’ll hang them in the closet.”

They took off their outerwear, and Viktor hung it up on hooks inside the closet. “Come, join me in the parlour while we wait for dinner. We will have an aperitif and light snack.”

Severus still kept his hand on Hermione’s back as they followed him into a room with mahogany furnishings and a lit fireplace. “This looks lovely, Viktor.”

“Thank you. I inherited this from my grandfather.” He smiled widely. “Have a seat.”

They sat down on a chesterfield as Viktor got comfortable on a leather wingback chair. 

“What’s the name of the village below here?” Severus inquired.

“It’s Arbanasi,” Viktor replied. “It has unique architecture and history. Maybe we will tour it tomorrow in the morning, if you aren’t in a hurry to leave.”

“Sounds interesting.” He carefully studied him before looking down at the coffee table between them. “What’s this?”

“This is our traditional sausage sliced with our locally made cheese called sirene.” He answered him. “I have firewhisky, or you can try our native wine, Mavrud.”

“I’ll try the Mavrud, Viktor.” Hermione smiled at him. “What about you, Severus?”

“I’ll stick to wine for now, maybe the whiskey after dinner.” He arched his brow at his host.

“Very well.” He decanted the wine and poured three glasses. “I purchased this wine from the winery two years ago.” He passed them their glass.

“Thank you.” They took their glass and took a sip.

“This is well made.” Severus praised it.

“It’s one of my favourite wines.” Viktor nodded while passing them each some of the appetisers. “Try this.”

Hermione sniffed it first before taking a bite. Her face lit up at the pleasing taste, and she finished the rest of the bite. “That’s a delicious combo.”

Severus nodded in agreement and took another sip of the wine as a house elf came into the room. “Dinner is ready, Master Krum.”

“Thank you, Emil.” He dipped his head as it disappeared. “Shall we?”

They rose from their seats and walked out of the parlour. Severus and Hermione followed Viktor into the large dining hall with three places set up on one end. “Please, Hermione on the left and Severus on the right.”

Severus pulled Hermione's chair out and pushed it in when she sat down.

“Thank you, love.” She gave him a beautiful smile. He dipped his head as he moved around to his seat.

The table suddenly filled with a large stew dish with various vegetables and a small platter that looked like grape leaves.

“Is this traditional, Viktor?” Hermione asked him.

“Yes, this is a traditional fall dish called gyuvetch with wild mushrooms, and the sarmi are like the Greek version with grape leaves, but we used cabbage instead.”

“I didn’t think it was grape leaves. The texture looked wrong.” Severus picked one up to look at it before taking a bite. “It’s still delightful even with the cabbage.”

Hermione took some of the veggie stew and took a careful bite due to how hot it was. Her brows furrowed. “Is this strictly vegetable?”

“Yes, why?” Viktor looked concerned. “Do you not like it? Do you want something else?”

“No, no. I wasn’t expecting it. It’s fine, actually. I’ve been eating a lot of heavy dishes, but that usually happens when we go away.”

“Oh, that’s good. I would have the house elves make you something else if you wanted something else.” Viktor smiled at her.

“No, not necessary.” She kept on eating the stew. “So, what have you been doing of late?”

“Oh, just a bit of this and that. I’m looking into wand-making since our wandmaker is looking to retire.” Viktor brandished his wand. “Isn’t it a thing of beauty?”

“Yes, it looks similar to your old one, correct?” Hermione tilted her head at it.

“Yes, it’s still hornbeam wood.” He grinned.

“What’s the core, Viktor?” Severus eyed it speculatively.

“Oh, I won’t say just yet. I have been experimenting with different things.” Viktor sneered at him. “I don’t want to give all my secrets away, just yet.”

Chapter Text

Severus looked contemplative at Viktor, "Thank you, this was perfectly cooked."

“Thank you. I will reward my staff later.” Viktor rose from his seat. “Shall we retire to the game room?”

Hermione and Severus got up and stretched before following him into a room on the far right. Severus gasped at the beautiful chess set sitting on an ornate table with two wingback chairs on either side. “Do you play chess?”

“Yes, I do. I have heard of Ronald’s reputation as a chess player, but no one else.”

“Were you complaining about Weasley and my chess matches?” Severus arched his brow at Hermione.

“No, back when we were in Hogwarts. He spent more time playing chess instead of doing his homework.” She huffed.

“Ah, yes.” He nodded. “But that paid off in your first year against Minerva’s set.”

“True, but still.” She sighed. “Go on, play Viktor. I know you haven’t played in a while.”

“What about you?” Viktor inquired.

“I’ll read a book in my beaded bag.” She pulled the bag out of her pocket, and they all heard the books fall over. “Not again.”

Severus snickered.

“Sod off.” She opened it, riffled around in it and pulled out her favourite book. “Oh, Dracula.”

Severus rolled his eyes as he sat down at the table. “Enjoy yourself, love.” He watched her take a seat in the settee by the fireplace.

“Firewhisky, Severus?” Viktor regained his attention, holding up a decanter.

“Yes, please.” He dipped his head as he looked at the chess set. “These pieces are unique.”

“Yes, they are.” Viktor gave him an old-fashioned glass. “I inherited it from my other grandfather, who taught me to play.” He sat down across from him. “Shall we spin to see who starts?”

“Spin?” Severus arched his brow.

“Yes, grab your drink first.” Viktor waited until he picked up his whisky before he grabbed a corner of the table and jerked it. The table rotated around a few cycles, and it stopped with white in front of Severus, to both of their surprise.

He took a deep drink before placing the glass down, before making his first move.

Viktor kept a resting face while playing Severus. He would have a slight glint when one of his pieces would smash the potion masters. Viktor was surprised that there was no reaction from the dark man across from him, other than a slight clench of his jaw.

Why isn’t the old man in pain? Viktor was internally sighing as his knight took out Severus’s bishop. Not even a flinch. Did my spell not work on the set? The lethifold better get him later. I want Hermione for myself, not this old bat. Viktor blinked when he realised that Emil was standing next to him. “Yes, Emil?”

“Sorry to interrupt your game, Master Krum, but I need your assistance upstairs.” He pulled on his ears.

“Oh, yes.” He nodded. “I’ll be right there.”

“Is there a problem, Viktor?” Severus inquired. “Can I help you?”

“No, no. I can handle this just fine. Finish your firewhisky with Hermione while you wait for my return. It shouldn’t take me long.” Viktor rose to his feet and left the game room with his wand drawn.

Severus watched him leave with suspicious eyes. “Hermione?”

“Hmm.” She kept on reading.

He rolled his eyes. “Hermione!”

“What?” Her head popped up. “Where’s Viktor?”

“His elf asked for his assistance on something. I think there’s something dodgy going on.” Severus joined her at the chaise.

“You are losing the plot like I am with this book, Severus.” She raised it. 

“Really?” He leaned close to her ear. “Then why was his chess set giving me sharp stings like the Cruciatus curse whenever one of his pieces wallops mine?”

“What?” Hermione sat up straight. “You are taking the piss at me.”

“I’m not, and have you ever known me to be like that?” He quirked his brow.

“No.” She closed her book and got up. She looked at the pieces. “I don’t see anything different from the one you have at home.”

“Looks can be deceiving,” Severus replied as he finished his glass and put it down on the chess table. “I think Viktor still has feelings for you.”

“Bollocks.” Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck. “Plus, I only want you, my love.” She gave him a swift kiss before moving away at the footsteps approaching.

“I’m back. I’m so sorry about that. Do you want to finish the game?” Viktor looked at them.

Hermione faked a big yawn. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Victor. I’m getting sleepy. We had a long day between the Oktoberfest and coming here.”

“That’s completely understandable.” His body slightly deflated at those words as he turned his attention to the male. “You, sir?”

“I will retire myself. I need my sleep so I can keep up with this one.” He wrapped his arm around Hermione.

“Very well.” Viktor dipped his head. “I’ll show you where your room is.” He turned around and walked out of the game room.

Chapter Text

Viktor paused outside an ornate door. “This is one of my best rooms. I even made sure you have the best spreads on the bed.”

“I’m sure whatever is on the other side will be fine. We are not fussy.” Hermione smiled at him before yawning again. “So sleepy. Good night, Viktor. Thank you so much for hosting us. See you in the morning.”

Severus dipped his head at him as he guided her into their room and closed the door. His eyes roamed the room for anything suspicious. “Do you want me to check it for jinxes?”

“Stop it, Severus.” She tapped him on his chest. “Viktor would never hurt me.”

“Hm, that’s a valid point.” He jerked his head as he walked over to the bed. “Shall we get ready for bed?”

Hermione pulled out the beaded bag again and thrust her hand in it. “Accio pyjamas.” The clothes flew into her hand, and she pulled them out.

“Excellent. I want the bottoms, please.” Severus grabbed his striped pyjama bottoms. “What are you wearing?”

“This.” She pulled off her clothes and threw on his pyjama top that fell to her knees.

His eyes flashed with desire for her. “Fuck it.” He dropped his drawers and shed his shirt before walking over to her to kiss her soundly.

Hermione moaned into his mouth as his tongue slipped in. “Yes, Severus.”

They moved to the head of the bed, and he pulled the shirt over her head before discarding it. Then they climbed into the bed before pulling the covers over themselves to ward off the chill in the room.

Severus rolled on top of Hermione as he started kissing her deeply and intently. His brows wrinkled when he felt the blanket move when they hadn’t. “Don’t move.”

Hermione gave him a confused look until she looked behind him. “Walter?”

“What?” Severus froze for a moment.

“Help me!”

“Walter!” Hermione pushed Severus aside. “Look at me, my favourite Lethifold.”

Walter brought up his dazed eyes.

“Severus, someone powerful has jinxed Walter!” She glanced down at him before staring at Walter’s green eyes. “Talk to me!” She shifted herself to her knees. “Who did this to you?”

“The evil overlord.” Walter talked in gibberish. “The bad man here.”

“Severus isn’t a bad man. You tolerate Severus, Walter.” Hermione defended her lover.

“Love, I don’t think he meant me.” He sat up and held out his hand. “Accio wand.” After he caught it. “Now, Walter, I’m going to try to release you from this spell.”

Walter gazed at Severus. “I’m supposed to eat you, sir. I was ordered to kill the man in the room and keep the woman for the evil man.”

Hermione gasped. “No, he wouldn’t!”

“For bloody’s sake, Hermione. Get your blinders off and realise that Viktor wants you for nefarious reasons.” Severus snapped at her.

“Then he is blind if he can’t see how much I love you, Severus.” Hermione huffed as she raised her own hand to receive the wand that came to her. “Let’s free our friend so we can find out what our Bulgarian Bon-Bon is up to.”

Severus snorted at her remark before dipping his head in agreement. “Shall we do it together? Because I have a bad feeling about his new wand.”

Her eyes widened. “He wouldn’t!”

“No, then why was he so cagey earlier when I asked him about the core?” He arched his brow.

“Blast it.” Hermione’s face turned to stone. “Let’s do this.” She raised her wand. “Are you ready, Walter?”

“Please do it.”

They glanced at each other as they raised their wands. They looked at Walter, “Finite Incantatem!” They held their breath as they watched his eyes blink a few times before the daze went away.

The lethifold shook his head and looked up at them. “Severus? Hermione?” He looked around the room. “Where am I?”

“What was the last thing you remember, Walter?” Severus breathed.

Walter paused for a moment. “I was following a trail of a lost Lethifold to a castle. In the basement was a male testing a new wand, I believe. He jinxed me over and over and told me I was too late for the other Lethifold.”

Hermione gasped. “We need to do something, Severus.”

“If he told Walter that he was too late, that means he did some serious damage to the other Lethifold, but he doesn’t realise that they can mend themselves for the most part. I wonder if the lethifold is still here somewhere.” Severus got up and slipped on his clothes.

Hermione wrapped a bathrobe around her body. “What are we going to do?”

“Well, for one, we need to snap that wand of his. He made it too powerful, and I doubt he has real control of it.” Severus raised his hand. “Secondly, we need him captured as well and call the Bulgarian Ministry to put him away.”

“NO! I WANT HIM DEAD!” Walter spun around. “I, Walter, the leader of the Lethifold, have decreed his death for hurting one of my own.”

Hermione had a pensive face. “I don’t want to see him killed, but,” she raised her hand to stall Walter’s tirade, “I understand you still need to feed at times.”

“I’m sorry, Hermione.” Severus moved forward. “I know you cared for Viktor as a friend, but something has changed him.”

Chapter Text

Hermione hung her head and sniffled before she angrily wiped her errant tears away. “Okay. What’s the plan?”

“I’m going to be hidden with my wand ready to take Viktor’s.” Severus paused.

“Just tell me. I already know that I’m not going to like it.” Hermione swallowed a knot in her throat.

“Lay back down on the bed, and Walter is going to fake trying to eat you.” Severus flinched slightly when Walter got into his face.

“Are you mad like the bad man?” Walter screeched in his head.

“I said FAKE it!” Severus snarked at him. “Hermione is going to scream like she’s getting hurt by you, which will make Viktor panic and run into the room to save her.” He pointed at their woman. “I know you wouldn’t truly hurt Hermione. You love her and she loves you.”

Walter’s blazing eyes eased off and backed away from his tolerated man. “Hermione, do you agree with this?” 

Hermione sighed as she lay down on the top, "No, but  I trust you, Walter and Severus will protect us both from him."

“Of course, my love.” Severus raised his wand, disillusioned himself as he stood by the chest of drawers. “I’m ready when you two are.”

“Walter?” Hermione garnered his attention. “Please do your natural thing when he comes in. Do what you need to do to protect your horde from his nefarious ways.”

“I’m sorry that I have to do this to your friend, Miss Hermione.” Walter moved to the foot of the bed. “But unfortunately, it has to be done.”

“It’s okay, Walter.” Hermione gave him a watery smile. “Begin when you are ready.” She lay back on her elbows as she watched Walter slither onto the bed.

“I’m going to brush my cilia along your body, Miss Hermione. That would be your cue to scream like you are getting eaten.” Walter opened his cape to show off his red lining and lay on her. He rippled his body to move up hers.

Hermione screamed. “NO! STOP! GET OFF ME! HELP! SEVERUS! VIKTOR! SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!”

The door banged open as Viktor ran in with a wild look in his eyes. “IMPER-” His wand flew out of his hand, startling him as it was caught with an invisible hand. “What!”

“Now, Walter!” Severus bellowed.

Walter flew off Hermione, leaving her unscathed, and turned menacingly to Viktor. “Die, you scoundrel!”

Viktor had a shocked look on his face before Walter was on top of him. He screamed.

Walter started to eat him from the front, enshrouding him so Hermione couldn’t see it happening. “I’m going to make you pay for all the Lethifolds you butchered, bad man!”  When he felt the life fade away, he finished eating the bad man and opened himself to drop Viktor’s bones onto the floor in disgust, not being able to stomach anymore. He grimaced for two reasons: one was how bad Viktor tasted, and secondly, hearing Hermione’s bawling from the bed.

“It’s over, isn’t it?” Severus inquired.

“Yes, and he’s just bones now,” Walter answered. “I’m sorry, Miss Hermione.” He rose from the floor, showing Viktor’s skeletal remains.

Severus was holding his lover on the bed. “We are sorry, Hermione.”

“I can’t believe he was going to cast the Imperius Curse on Walter.” She wailed. “I’m so sorry, Walter.”

“You don’t need to apologise for his actions. His punishment was meted out.” Walter glanced down at his body. “Ick. I feel tainted by his dark blood.”

“Would you like me to cast a cleansing spell?” Severus asked him. Walter nodded as he held himself open. He purred as the water ran over his cilia and teeth. “Feel better?”

“Much better. I wonder if there are any other Lethifolds here somewhere.” Walter closed himself up. “I would like to free them if possible.”

Hermione let out a shaky breath. “We can ask Emil.”

“Good idea, my love.” Severus smiled at her. “Emil!”

The house elf popped into the room and bowed, “You rang, sir. Do you know what happened to Master Viktor?”

Hermione got off the bed and knelt in front of him. "We are sorry to inform you that this Lethifold had to kill your master because he committed a crime against his horde. Those bones are his." The house elf's eyes grew wide. "We are sorry that we had to punish him. Do you know if there are any other Lethifolds around?" She pointed to Walter.

“Just one, ma’am.” Emil gazed up at her. “He locked it into a trunk.”

“Can you please bring it here so we can free it?” Hermione gave him a watery smile.

“Right away, Miss.” Emil disappeared and reappeared two minutes later with a rocking chest. “May I take the Master away?”

“You may,” Severus replied. “If anyone asks, tell them that the Lethifolds mete out his punishment for hurting their horde.”

“Thank you, sir.” Emil gathered what was left of Viktor and disappeared.

Chapter Text

Hermione?” Her lover called for her attention.

“Yes, Severus?” She looked up at him with sad eyes.

“I do think we need to break this wand. If I am correct, the core is part of that lethifold in the chest.” Severus glanced at Walter. “Don’t worry. I plan to let it out momentarily. I understand that you can re-merge yourself?”

“Yes, and no. It depends on how thoroughly he cut them.” Walter shook his head. “Please release them from the trunk.”

“Very well.” Severus flicked his wrist, and the locks fell to the floor. Hermione quickly removed the chains and lifted the trunk lock. “Move away, Hermione, so you don’t get a nasty surprise.”

Hermione scrambled to her feet and stood next to him as he flicked the lid open.

A small, holey, Lethifold rose from the trunk, angry. “You are going to die!”

“Halt, Dobrinka!” Walter ordered. “You will not harm our friends. We have killed the bad man.”

Dobrinka stayed in her position as Severus nudged Hermione.

She looked up at him questioningly.

“Break this and return her body parts. She’s incomplete.” Severus murmured.

Hermione took the hornbeam wand and snapped it over her knee. She broke it twice more, and the lethifold pieces floated out of the wand back towards the young one.

Dobrinka eagerly took her missing parts and glanced at Walter. “Can you help me, please?”

“Certainly, young one.” Walter went over and enshrouded her and gave her a hand putting herself back together. “Well done, Dobrinka.”

“Thank you, sir.” She twirled around to show them her new body. “May I leave now?”

“Can you find your horde?” Walter questioned her. She nodded. “Permission granted, but first, you are to tell the others that Hermione Granger and Severus Snape are to be left alone.”

“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.”  She waved at the couple and flew out of the room, looking for a way out.

“That was nice of you, Walter.” Hermione had calmed down, even though her face was blotchy.

“I don’t know about you two, but I’m ready to go home. My home,” Severus remarked.

“Yes, I’m so done with this trip.” Hermione shook her head.

“Give me one promise, first.” He looked into her muddy eyes.

“Yes?”

“The next time I tell you that something is dodgy, we leave immediately.” He arched his brow.

“Yes, Severus. Although this time it was a good thing because we found Walter again.”

“I want to thank you two for saving me tonight and helping me find the culprit that was harming my horde.” Walter rippled his skin to show his pleasure.

“You are most welcome, Walter.” Severus’s eyes glinted. “Please wrap yourself around us, and we can go home together.”

“Do you think it would work?” Hermione wrapped her arms around Severus while getting loosely enshrouded by Walter.

“Only one way to find out,” Severus replied as he thought of his apparition point at home, and tightened his grip on his lover. They all disappeared.

When they opened their eyes, they heard a grumbling sound from Walter.

“I don’t think I like that way of transport, Severus.” Walter released them from his shroud and sighed in relief. “So good to be home again.”

“Yes, it is.” Hermione kissed Severus on his lips. “I’m ready for real sleep, aren’t you?”

“Yes, let’s go to bed.” Severus took her hand as they went towards the stairs. “Coming, Walter?”

“Yes!” Walter happily followed them to their bedroom. He watched in glee as they pulled back the sheets before stripping themselves.

“Cuddle me.” Hermione shuffled to the middle.

“I will be glad to, my love, but can I take you from behind?” Severus whispered in her ear.

“Yes, please.” She lifted her leg to allow him to push into her, causing her head to fall back onto his chest. She closed her leg, trapping him as he wrapped his arms around her. “Walter?”

“Yes?”

“Join us. I need to feel the love from you both.” She held up her arm, beckoning him.

“Severus?”

“Come, we have missed you.” Severus encouraged him.

Walter slithered up on the bed and gently cocooned them with his body. “I love you both.”

“We love you, too.” Severus slowly rocked into her and caressed her body.

Walter helped them by gently caressing their bodies and was pleased that Hermione came from their ministrations.

“Severus!”

“Walter!”

Severus spasmed.

“Hermione!”

“Walter!” 

Walter settled down on their bodies, keeping them warm. “Sleep well, my friends.”

“Thank you both.” Hermione drifted off.

“I’ll stand guard. Get some rest.” Walter purred him into slumber. “Finally free and grateful to be back.”