Disclaimer #1 - Not my Characters.
Disclaimer # 2 - AU, Dark Fic, pregnancy, Mpreg.
Six months after the Dark Lord had won The Great Magical War to End All Magical Wars, and Severus Snape, Potions Master, was still settling into his new routine. He was among the highest ranking among the Death Eaters that had survived the war, and he was trusted, as far as the Dark Lord could trust any of his supporters.
"You should never have trusted his offer of a parley, Headmaster," he thought to himself. "I warned you, Headmaster. How many times did I tell you that your naiveté would be the death of you? But it was far, far worse, Headmaster. Your willingness to sacrifice yourself for your Golden Boy, your boundless faith in Potter and in the rightness of your cause, doomed all your noble efforts to failure. Damn it, Headmaster. You were supposed to win!"
The Dark Lord's win wasn't absolute. Yes, he controlled most of magical Europe, and was steadily making inroads into worldwide domination, but there were pockets of resistance. Hogwarts still stood, a golden bastion of light against the approaching darkness, except it had been made Unplottable and Moved to an entirely new location. That Masters' Level Translocation Spell had caused quite the fuss; with the Dark Lord finally announcing via the Daily Prophet that Hogwarts had been destroyed in a final, futile act of Defiance by the Resistance. Then, the trusted Severus had cast a major spell which ensured that everyone believed that Hogwarts had been destroyed, except for those trusted souls that needed to know otherwise. With a little bit of tweaking, Severus had managed to exclude the Resistance from being affected by the spell, as well, they were trusted souls that needed to know otherwise. No doubt they had prepared for such a move by the Dark Lord, and had been prepared to counteract it, but every little bit helped.
No matter what Minerva thought, Severus Tobias Snape was still the Headmaster's man. It was just now his ability to help the Resistance was greatly impaired by the simple fact that he had no damn clue where they were.
No doubt the move of Hogwarts had been overseen by the implacable enemy known as Minerva McGonagall, who still nobly struggled in their heroic fight. When the Headmaster had been lost, and Potter had proved in spades that he had been only a very lucky baby, Minerva had picked up the pieces, marshaled her forces and had started focusing on magical guerilla warfare. She was a very savvy soul, hitting the Dark Lord in the most embarrassingly public areas.
Just the other day, Severus had stood next to what had once been a very gaudy display celebrating the Dark Lord's victory over the Headmaster. Really, it had been exceedingly tacky, what with an Anaconda slowly constricting a struggling Lion to death. Every morning, the battle started anew, and every day by sundown, the lion was dead. Then one morning, there had been a large, brightly colored Phoenix sitting on top of a dead snake that had been torn asunder in midswallow of the Lion. It had proved embarrassing that seventeen Death Eaters had attempted and failed at removing the Phoenix. At last, Severus Snape had been summoned, away from his potions and his cauldrons, and asked for help.
It was a simple spell, but he could Sense Flitwick's magical essence in the fiery Phoenix who looked so much like the deceased Fawkes that Severus had looked away. The Phoenix had valiantly attempted to save his Master when the parley had turned into a magical ambush, but his noble efforts had been for naught. Not even the infamous Albus Percival Wulferic Brian Dumbledore could hope to defeat twenty seven Death Eaters led in concert by the Dark Lord.
He hadn't been there when Headmaster had died, as he had been on another mission for the Dark Lord. If he had been, Severus would like to hope that he would have died side by side next to the Headmaster, fighting against overwhelming odds. Though to be completely honest, Severus knew himself so very well that he accepted that his idea of a noble death defending the Headmaster was a hopeless daydream. He fought in the shadows, never in the sun. If he had been there when the Headmaster had been cut down, he would have hidden his true Allegiance as the Headmaster had always instructed him to do so. Severus was the Headmaster's Secret Weapon, and he wasn't to reveal his identity needlessly even to save a life.
It was ironic, that even now, some eight months after the Headmaster had died; Severus still had to force himself to address Albus Dumbledore as anything besides, 'Headmaster'.
But he needed to focus on the living, not the deeply lamented Dead. Calm, even tempered Filius still lived, and Severus somehow prevented himself from smiling at that happy bit of news. The talented Charms Instructor had been rumored to be one of the first casualties of the War, and Severus had privately mourned his loss. But with Filius still among the living, and Minerva McGonagall leading the fight, Severus felt the very first stirrings of hope in a very long time.
He examined the spell for far too long, wanting to savor the simple beauty of the charm, to bear witness to the defiant Phoenix, and burn the sight into his empty heart. It was a beautiful act of defiance, and it was a shame that he'd have to destroy it. But maybe… maybe he could Translocate the Phoenix to Manchester? Yes, that would prove quite distressing to the Dark Lord to have the Headmaster's Familiar appearing willy-nilly throughout the countryside.
Such a spell would require a careful precision, and Severus smiled.
"A First year charms student should be able to handle this, Alecto," he snidely stated. "Perhaps I should start offering tutoring in Basic Charms in my spare time?"
Like he expected, the Carrows got their knickers in a collective twist, and stormed away, taking the rest of the Incompetent but Pure Blooded Souls with them. Pure Blooded might be the Noble ideal, but it was obvious to everyone that the Carrows in particular, and the Pure Bloodeds as a whole, suffered from too much inbreeding. Merlin's knickers, he wondered if Amycus had fathered the brat Alecto was carrying. That would be truly disgusting, but lately he had spent far too much time dealing with the Dark Lord's insane desire to produce more Pure Blooded Mages not to know that there were other pairings that were far more obscene.
Most of the female Pure Blood were now carrying, and he wondered how a pregnant Cissy Malfoy would react to the news that Lucius had fathered Pansy Parkinson's brat. Among another half dozen others.
Fortunately, since he was a Dirty Half Blood, and gay to boot, he been able to avoid finding too many women and barely pubescent girls in his bed. His look of disgust was enough to cause even a half clad Pansy Parkinson to flee in shame.
With a few quick gestures, he separated Filius' Phoenix spell from the others overlaying the statue. There was no doubt that Flitwick knew that the spell had been compromised, but Severus wondered how he'd react when he realized that the Phoenix was appearing all over the countryside. A slow sweep of his wand, with a leisurely snap of his wrist, and the Phoenix was on its merry way to Manchester. In two week's hence, it would burst out in the night sky, and then disappear, only to appear in a new town later.
The Dark Lord's followers would have a wild goose chase of epic proportions, and perhaps, perhaps, the Resistance would realize that Severus Tobias Snape was still the Headmaster's man.
"I understand that you successfully handled that Phoenix incident," Lucius Malfoy commented when he returned back to Head Quarters.
"A first year could have handled it," Severus snapped. For good measure, he allowed his black robes to billow when he strode down the hallway.
"Well, the Carrows aren't known for their techniques."
"Or their abilities," Snape quickly retorted. "Alecto is reproducing. Do you actually think her child will be magically competent enough to light a match?"
"While you were out and about, picking up after the Carrows, we captured two of the Resistance," Lucius dropped that firecracker in a hot cauldron just to see his reaction."Are they dead?" Severus was proud that his voice remained cool and composed.
"No, we decided otherwise, as they're Pure Bloods." Lucius' smile turned in a twisted smirk. "Blood traitors, but their blood is Pure. Plus in spite of the fact that they're rather prolific, their children are all more than adequate in the magical department. In fact, as much as it pains me to admit, their children are far more magically competent then the Carrows."
"You're using them as Breeding Stock?" Severus was so surprised that he almost stopped walking. He managed to prevent himself from stopping, and instead, he pretended shock. "Who is willing to be Bred to two Blood Traitors?"
"No one is willing to touch either of them, so it's been decided to let nature take its course. Their child will be raised by us, and given proper training. Perhaps that will be sufficient to prevent their child from being a Blood Traitor. I have my doubts, but I also can't be responsible for fathering every child in Head Quarters." Malfoy's voice dripped in distaste.
"Pansy's still threatening to go to Cissy?" Severus quipped.
"Cissy's known about Pansy, Millicent and the rest since the beginning of the Dark Lord's Breeding program, Severus. You may doubt my sincerity, but I do care for Cissy, and I wouldn't throw her aside for Parkinson's brat. Pansy just wants more shagging." Lucius dramatically shuddered. "I told her that she'll have to wait. In six months, we'll find out if the child is magically viable, then I'll put a bag on my head and shag her again."
"Thank you for not sending her my way again." Severus' tone was quite dry.
"She squeaks in terror whenever I ask her how that night went. Whatever did you do to her, Severus? We're friends," Lucius' voice drawled. "Tell me, so I know how to handle the tiresome wench. She's become obsessed with me. It's not my fault that my sexual techniques put other Pure Bloods to shame."
"Asking for advice on females from me?" Severus questioned. "Lucius, if people only knew, your reputation as a Lothario would be shattered."
"All too true," cheerfully admitted Lucius. "Anyway, as much as I've enjoyed our conversation, you're needed in our Prison Cell for Special Guests. Confirm the woman is fertile, as she's quite long in the tooth. I'm sure he is, as they've had seven children already."
That tidbit caused Severus to stop. He knew of two purebloods that had seven children.
"Oh, didn't I mention? Our most honored guests are Arthur and Molly Weasley," Lucius grinned. "Be careful though, we stripped both of them, and Molly isn't that attractive. After seven children, everything is not quite as perky and firm as it once was."
Arthur Weasley was not a brave man, as he had a tendency to avoid confrontation, except when his family was threatened. Now, he was angry, angry as a lion, and he almost pitied the fool that entered their cell next. Behind him, his wife shook from the cold and terror.
He turned to face her and he carefully shielded her nakedness with his own.
"It's alright, my beautiful, beautiful Mollywobbles, I love you," Arthur whispered.
"I want my clothes," Molly, never one to be sidetracked by his sweet talking, hissed. "They didn't have to take our clothes."
Arthur shushed her, gently placing two fingers on her lips to silence her. It had been a bad enough experience to be captured, but their guards had insisted on removing their clothes. That had been a shameful experience for Arthur, for while he cared not a lick for their rude remarks regarding his soft physique; their guards had been quite crude about his beloved Mollywobbles.
Merlin, she had been magnificent. Her head held high, refusing to blush even as the one female guard pointedly commented about how it was obvious Molly had breastfed. Instead, Molly had stared into his eyes, and to his horror, she had wondered if he saw her THAT way.
I see every stretch mark as a badge of honor. You were pretty as a teen, Molly, but now, you're breathtaking as a woman.
"We'll get out of here," Arthur tenderly promised.
The door to their cell opened, and Arthur deliberately pushed Molly into the corner. He'd be able to shield most of her nakedness that way. Molly was his wife, the mother of his children, only he should be granted the honor and privilege of seeing her nude.
A black cloud physically entered the room, and an all too familiar voice drawled, "Lucius? Are you attempting to kill them both? Pneumonia, Lucius?"
Severus Snape shrugged out of his black cloak and he had handed it over to Arthur. His eyes were facing the wall, deliberately not looking at the naked Weasleys.
"Take it, Arthur. Your wife will develop pneumonia otherwise," Severus insisted.
"No, I will not take anything from you," Molly snapped. "Murderer! Betrayer! I pray that Albus' spirit haunts you every night!"
For a wonder, Severus did not bother commenting on Molly's accusations. Instead, he again spoke to Arthur.
"Arthur, take my robe. It is cold, and damp. I regret that the guards thought it necessary to strip you. It truly wasn't necessary."
Severus dropped the robe, and Arthur grabbed it. Quickly, he put it on his wife.
"You will wear it, Mollywobbles," he insisted. "I don't want you flaunting yourself in front of him. Everyone knows that I'm the luckiest man in the world to be married to you, but I refuse to let them know how lucky."
"I am going to be quite ill," Malfoy snidely inserted.
"You will give him a robe also," Molly insisted.
Severus' left eyebrow quirked.
"Do you want tea also?" He questioned.
"That would be quite cordial of you, as we have not eaten all day," Molly demanded, regal as any Muggle Queen.
Her bravery earned a grudging laugh of approval from Severus. He duplicated the robe, and then called out, "Nessie!"
A small female House Elf appeared. She had the same plaintive appearance that most of her kind did, with large brown eyes, though most House Elves possessed two great, big batlike ears. Not so, Nessie. She possessed one large ear and one badly disfigured ear.
"What did you do to that poor creature?" Arthur softly questioned.
"Previous owner who felt that her service was lacking and that she needed sufficient motivation," Severus explained, over Nessie's high pitched squeaks that her Master had not hurt her. "Her service was given to me. Nessie, please bring our two guests tea."
"Yes, Nessie is proud to serve!"
The House Elf disappeared and then Severus asked, "Both presentable? No spare bits showing?"
"Yes, they're clothed," Lucius announced. "Both are a long way from presentable though."
"Very well, I just need to examine both of you," Severus explained. He did a subtle casting on both, and then nodded his head. "Both are obviously quite fertile. I'd say tomorrow is probably the day this cycle that she's most likely to conceive."
"I beg your pardon?" Arthur roared.
Molly's lips were pressed together tightly, and Severus was glad that he had his wand in his hand. The witch was in a killing mood.
"Simple fact is we need more Pure Blooded Mages. You're both healthy breeding stock, as your fine litter…" Lucius stepped back from as a very angry Arthur Weasley went for his throat. For Arthur's trouble, he was shocked and slammed into the wall. "Temper, temper, though feisty is a good characteristic in a Breeding Stallion, much like docility is good in a Brood Mare."
This time, Lucius was not quite as quick with his wand, as a not-so-docile Molly Weasley landed a powerful punch on his perfect glass chin. In retaliation for her victory, Lucius again turned his wand on Arthur, causing him to seize and cry out in pain.
"One more step, Molly Weasley, and I'll destroy his mind. We're interested in his bollocks, not his mind," Lucius hissed.
The witch jumped away from Lucius and then knelt next to her husband. Severus' ill fitting robe displayed various pieces of Molly's flesh as she helped Arthur into a sitting position.
"Molly, love, don't do that again, I beg you," Arthur whispered. "It was bravely done though."
With a pop, Nessie returned with a heavily loaded tray.
"Nessie returned fast?" She anxiously squeaked.
"Yes, you've done fine," Severus assured her, which earned a happy squeak from Nessie. "Now, I'll be leaving you with your tea."
He stayed up almost the entire night striving to find some way to assist Molly and Arthur Weasley in escaping from their command performance. Nessie, his rather insistent House Elf had badgered him so intensely about not sleeping, he finally ordered her to not speak again until he gave her permission. She gave him a sad look, but kept her mouth shut. Instead, she kept plumping the pillows on his bed, and turning down the covers. She even went so far as to give him, unasked, his dressing gown,
Damning himself for a coward, he could find no way that he could help them escape and not reveal his involvement. Another plan was required.
Molly was older than he was, and while he had known far older witches to give birth, there was there was always the possibility of deadly complications.
Yes, he could kill Molly Weasley, and claim the death was due to a pulmonary embolism. Her death would also require the death of Arthur Weasley, who being so besotted with his wife, would probably expire from grief on the very spot. He could dump their bodies at the former location of Hogwarts, which no doubt Minerva was watching. Perhaps she even had put a Taboo on her name. Yes, Severus would call out her name, dump the bodies and let her find them.
Hopefully, she'd remember to check both Weasleys for a pulse before she buried them.
Else there would be hell to pay when the two Weasleys woke.
The Dark Lord decided he needed to watch the consummation, to ensure that Arthur didn't spill before…he should.
Lucky him, Severus growled.
He was gay, he didn't appreciate watching a heterosexual couple have sex… no make love…Arthur Weasley, though drugged to the gills with every aphrodisiac known to magic kind, was refusing to be anything else besides his usual plodding, completely systematic self.
It was obscene, watching a drugged, middle aged married couple making love in order to produce a healthy Pure Blood child in order to continue a mad man's dynasty based on cruelty and hate. When at long last, Arthur came with a soft cry and a full body shudder, Severus was quite prepared to leave.
Instead the two Weasleys cuddled together for a bit and then began making loveagain.
After the fourth time the two Weasleys made love, Severus had left in a huff. To hell with the Dark Lord, he had seen more than enough. Arthur Weasley was apparently hung like a stallion and insatiable to boot! They were red headed rabbits! No wonder they had so many spawn!
After a sufficient amount of time, Severus confirmed that Molly Weasley was once again expecting. The two Weasleys were quite subdued upon receiving the good news, though Arthur Weasley hesitantly smiled at his wife.
"You're such a sexy vixen when you're carrying." Arthur whispered to Molly.
Severus managed to keep his face perfectly schooled though he was beginning to find the Weasleys rather cloying.
"Come on love, let me hold you," Arthur pleaded. Molly slowly went to her husband's arm and he hugged her tightly. She clung to him, and Severus looked away from them. They did deserve some privacy.
"Will you be so kind as to get her some decent clothing, Severus?" Arthur's voice was perfectly calm, and Severus once again marveled at the almost inhuman strength Arthur Weasley possessed when it came to his family. Other, more respected Wizards would be cowering and weeping. Not so Arthur Weasley, as he needed to protect his wife. "She'll be needing proper clothes that fit. Your old robe, while warm, will not be adequate covering soon enough."
"I can arrange for that," Severus agreed, though inwardly he was praying that Minerva McGonagall would have to deal with that particular problem.
"Thank you. I am indebted," Arthur's voice was quite appreciative.
"Don't be indebted to him," Molly spat. She was on the verge of tears, and Arthur began rocking her. "He did this to us. Bill and Fleur were taking about children. We were to be grandparents, Arthur!"
She began weeping, and Arthur shook his head.
"Please leave us, Severus."
"I'll send Nessie with food and medication. She'll need to take the medication for a healthy child," Severus instructed.
Arthur Weasley nodded his head once, and then Severus left the cell. It was time for him to put the first part of his plan into effect. He prayed that he was strong enough to do what must be done.
Damn you, Headmaster. Why did you ever trust him under a parley flag?
He was deeply asleep when he was woken by Amycus Carrow.
"There's a problem in the cells," Amycus informed him. "It's urgent. It's the Weasley woman. I think she's dead."
"What?" Severus' disbelieving response was completely truthful. It took a moment for his mind to wake, and he realized that this was the night he had planned to kill Molly Weasley. "Don't you have a mediwitch?"
No, Gaeta, the mediwitch was not in Head Quarters tonight, as she had been sent to Devonshire to tend to the assorted wounded injured due to a Rebel uprising.
"You're the closest we have to a trained Mediwitch. I think she's dead, Severus!"
"With your fine analytical mind, I am sure you are correct," Severus snapped. "Nessie! I need you to take me to the prison cell where the Weasley woman is. I may need your assistance."
The House Elf ran to his side, grabbed his hand and Apparated him to the cell. Arthur Weasley was ashen, and he was holding a nonresponsive Molly Weasley in his arms. Her fiery red hair was such a noticeable contrast to her cold, pale skin.
"Everyone leave," Severus snapped to the large crowd that was standing around, gawking at the free show. He then sighed as he noticed that his House Elf was about to leave along with the horde. "Not you, Nessie. You're to help me."
"Molly, oh Molly, Molly," Arthur's stricken voice would haunt Severus' nightmares for many nights to come. "Oh, no, Molly, you're not breathing. Love, love, come back to me."
"Arthur," Severus insisted, as he knelt down next to the grieving Arthur. "Let me see her, Arthur."
"Severus, you've got to save her. SEVERUS!" Arthur screamed.
"Give her to me, Arthur. I need to look at her," Severus repeated. He kept repeating his instructions to Arthur until he was at last holding Molly Weasley.
She was ice cold. No breath was passing through her lips, and from all appearances, she was quite dead.
"What happened?" Severus questioned. He began a cursory exam, not wanting to take too long; else someone might decide to offer assistance. Time was of the essence, and he still needed to kill Arthur Weasley.
"She had stomach pains tonight. Not really bad ones, but still pains. She'd normally get them in the early part of her pregnancies. The Healers called it round ligament pain?"
"Arthur," Severus carefully placed Molly Weasley on the ground. "There's nothing I can do. She's dead, Arthur."
"No, Severus. No, NOOO!" Arthur grabbed Molly's body and began rocking it. "No, no, NO! I can't live without you, Molly. You can't leave me."
His grief was so powerful that Severus was beginning to get affected.
"Arthur, do you want to join her?" Severus softly questioned.
"Yes, Severus. Kill me, kill me now. Like you killed Albus," Arthur pleaded. "But make it quick. Oh Molly, my sweet, sweet Molly."
"I didn't kill the Headmaster, Arthur," Severus whispered. He pulled a small vial out of his pocket, and he gave it to Arthur. "Drink this before the others come back. You'll be with your Molly soon enough."
Arthur drank the potion quickly, and before long his cold body was lying next to his wife.
"Together in life, together in death," Severus whispered. "Nessie, you are to tell no one that I killed Arthur Weasley. It was a kindness, what I did."
He kept his voice cold and emotionless, as he knew that would scare the House Elf into behaving.
"No, no, no! Nessie won't say." The House Elf pleaded for him to believe her.
"Very well. I want you to prepare both of them for burial. Clean robes for both of them, and I'll create two masks. We'll be delivering their bodies back to their friends," Severus explained. "You're the only one to touch their bodies besides me. No one else."
She nodded her understanding, and Severus quickly stood, brushing the dirt off his clothes.
Headmaster, I'm reduced to this, completely dependant on a House Elf. But I'm still loyal, Headmaster. Do you look down upon me with approval? Do you at last trust your Severus?
"I'll need to inform Amycus of what happened." Severus announced.
"Minerva, someone's calling your name. Repeatedly and very loudly," Filius explained. The Charms Instructor looked disgustingly bright eyed considering how early it was in the morning.
Minerva McGonagall, leader of a rag tag Rebellion, took another sip of her tea, before she decided to answer.
"I've been hearing it for the last fifteen minutes. It's Severus Snape." Her voice was cold, and she put her tea cup down on the table hard enough to slosh the tea over the side of the cup. "He wants to meet me at the location of the old Hogwarts. He's requesting a Parley."
"Parley?" Harry Potter snapped. "He wants a Parley truce? After what he did to Albus?"
"Enough, Mr. Potter. He's calling for me, not for you. Filius, I want thirteen of the Order for backup." Minerva snippily informed him.
"Already assembled," Filius explained.
"I'm coming with you," insisted Harry.
"Once again, Mr. Potter, I have to remind you that he's requesting a Parley with me, not you. Is he requesting a Parley for himself? Or for You Know Who?" Minerva questioned.
"Neither. He's requesting a Parley for someone else. He says that he has two of our Fallen, and he wishes to return their bodies to us due to his great respect for the deceased."
"Could he be possibly returning Albus' body?" Minerva questioned Filius.
"It's been almost a year, Minerva, I highly doubt it. Keeping Albus' body gives You Know Who great power," Filius' voice was soft as he gently shot down her hopes.
"Very well. I'll meet with him. Mr. Potter, you are ordered not to follow. If I find that you or any of your friends has followed us to this meeting, you will be punished," she stated.
"Will you be giving me lines, Professor McGonagall?" Harry gently quipped, reminding her that she was no longer his instructor
"Much worse," she promised.
The early morning was cold and damp, and the two bodies were carefully positioned at what would have been the entranceway to Hogwarts. While the building was no longer physically there, he felt the spiritual presence of the wards, blocking him from entering its Hallowed Grounds.
I'm home,he thought. Yet, Headmaster, they have banned me from the one place that I knew to be a haven for me. Headmaster, are you glad that your Severus is still loyal? Does my never-ending pain slake your thirsty need for retribution?
He felt Minerva Arrive and he held out his hands, palms facing outward.
"I am unarmed," he loudly stated.
"You will not be harmed," Minerva answered. "Though most doubt my sanity for holdng to that part of the Parley Accords."
Minerva looked at the two bodies, clad in Death Eater Robes and Masks, and then she looked at Severus.
"Thank you for returning them." Her voice was soft.
"Don't you even want to know who they are?" Severus questioned.
"No, it just matters that we can take them home." Minerva easily answered. "May I ask you a question?"
"You always asked me questions, without this unexpected and unnecessary urge to ask permission," Severus retorted.
"Why did you betray Albus? He trusted you," she softly questioned. "I want to know. I'm trying to understand."
"I did not kill the Headmaster, Minerva! I did not betray him!" His voice grew angry, and he saw movement in the darkness beyond her. "There was to be no one else here!"
There was an answering flare of magic from a wand, and Severus stepped back.
"You've broken the Parley Accords, Minerva. I never thought you'd do that." His voice was cold, but he let respect color his tone. Oh, steely eyed Minerva, the pragmatist, who had balanced the ever optimistic Headmaster. The Dark Lord would find her a tough meal to chew and digest.
With a swift gesture, Severus disappeared.
"Bloody hell," she cursed. "Who broke the Accords? Answer me? Answer me?"
Bill Weasley ignored her as he ran toward the bodies.
"Don't touch them, they might be Booby trapped," Remus Lupin yelled. "BILL!"
The eldest Weasley son ignored Remus, and he pulled the face mask off the body closest to him.
"Mum," he whispered. "MUM!"
He reached for the other mask that hid the other person's face and he removed it.
"Dad," he whispered. He pulled their bodies close to him, and he began screaming. "HE KILLED MY PARENTS!"
They brought the Weasleys home to Hogwarts, the thirteen members of the Order providing a rough sort of Honor Guard. The Weasleys had disappeared some two months previously, and while Minerva had prayed that they were safe, her practical side had known the truth. As she feared, the horde of Weasleys and their assorted friends met them when they returned.
Charlie Weasley had everyone under control. A few of the boys were weeping, not ashamed to show their tears.
"We'd like to see them," Charlie quietly stated.
"I want Poppy to examine them first, Charles," Minerva's voice was soft as she denied his request. "We can clean them and make them presentable."
"I don't care if they're presentable," Ron Weasley spat. "I want to see them."
"In time, Ronald. Poppy needs to examine them, and I want Filius' input also. Take them to the Infirmary. Bill, you're to stay with your family now."
As expected, Bill began to protest, but she quickly made mincemeat of him.
"Your failure to act appropriately at the Parley could have been the death of not only you, but all of the Order Members present. You didn't even check to see if the bodies had been bespelled before you had to check to see if they were your parents. I understand, Bill, your concern for your parents, but you need to be more cautious. With your reputation as an experienced Curse Breaker, I had thought I could trust you in this matter. I was wrong," she slowly admitted. "Go with your family, Bill. They need you."
Bill nodded his head, acknowledging the truth in what she said.
Their arrival at the Infirmary found Pomona Sprout waiting for them.
"I'll help with Molly," Pomona Sprout explained. "Get her presentable for her family."
"Thank you," Minerva sincerely thanked the Herbology Instructor.
"Sirius and I will help with Arthur," Remus Lupin offered.
The werewolf's help she had already anticipated, but Sirius' offer was unexpected. She turned her eyes unto Sirius Black, who had the grace to look embarrassed.
"It's the least what I can do for him," Sirius slowly agreed. "He took care of Harry all those years I couldn't do so, and now I can finally repay him."
"Thank you," was all she said.
"Severus returned their bodies to us?" Filius' high pitch voice carried in the all too quiet Infirmary. "Minerva, I'll want to hear everything that happened after the Weasleys are prepared."
"Yes," Minerva answered. Her head was pounding, and she needed an analgesic, but Poppy was sternly rationing her potions. Poppy was far too worried about the possibility of the Rebound Affect, where the headaches would return with three times the force as her body adapted to the various painkillers.
"Your headache is back, Min?" Filius questioned. "Let me massage your temples tonight."
She was about to thank him, when Remus loudly exclaimed, "I don't believe that they're dead, Poppy. Arthur's mouth has a very odd odor. It has the scent of silver, and I burnt my skin when I touched Arthur's face. It's only a minor burn, not as severe if I had touched silver directly."
"Silver?" Minerva questioned.
Pomona leaned over Arthur, and she sniffed.
"I don't smell silver, but I do smell powdered root of asphodel, which is used in the…"
"The Draught of Living Death," exclaimed Poppy. "Let me see, let me see."
She began casting intricate spells, while Filius inserted his opinion. "A silver dagger is used in the creation of that particular potion."
"It's not it. It is, but it isn't. Severus had a tendency to modify potions to suit his purpose. The boy was quite talented," Poppy admitted.
"Though evil to the core," Pomona inserted. "He did betray Albus."
"He claims that he didn't," Minerva dropped that bomb into the conversation. "If the Weasleys are in fact, not dead, but merely unconscious, I might actually believe his protestations of innocence in that matter. Albus always trusted him."
"We've got a dilemma on our hands," Remus' voice was quite soft when he spoke. "If the Weasleys are actually alive, the news may get back to He Who Must Not Be Named. Severus has put himself into a very risky position."
"They'll have to stay dead," Minerva quickly decided. "No, we're not killing them, but their children can not be told the truth. For all purposes, Arthur and Molly Weasley are dead. We will bury an empty casket, have the ceremony and then we'll resurrect them after we win our war."
"We'll need to make this a Secret," Filius announced. "We'll need to cast the spell before anyone leaves the room. Anyone disagree?"
"Yes, their children should know that they're alive," Sirius protested.
"If I could trust them, I would," Minerva announced. "Bill broke the Parley Accords and drew his wand on an unarmed Severus. They're too volatile, and not very good actors. We need their grief to be real, Sirius. If we're betrayed from within, we'll need to keep Severus' possible loyalties a secret."
"What bloody bastards we are," Sirius snapped. "Letting them believe that their parents are DEAD. Do we lock the Weasleys in a room until the war ends? I don't envy Arthur that experience."
"Yes, Molly would go absolutely barmy," Remus admitted with a dry laugh.
"Change their appearances. I can glamour them, and we'll add them to the Secret Spell. Remember, you don't need to be conscious to be part of the Spell. We hold their hands when I bond the spell, and they'll be part of it."
"What if they're really dead?" Pomona questioned.
Poppy quickly did another round of diagnostic spells, and she shook her head.
"They're alive, barely. Molly's results are odd, which I'll have to investigate further. They'll remain in this state for probably another six hours, so we can have the children view their parents, have the funeral, and get the two Weasleys into an isolated room where they can recover."
"Room of Requirement!" Sirius inserted. "This sounds like a perfect need for that room."
"Yes, perfect, Sirius!"
"Come now, let's clean them up," Pomona announced. "We've got plans to make, and we can't be dallying."
"Let's put the two of them together," Remus decided. "Arthur's arm around Molly, and the two of them holding hands."
The Dark Lord ordered Severus to appear before him. It was the day after he had murdered both Weasleys and during a moment of sheer terror, Severus wondered if the Dark Lord had discovered his plot.
No, the Dark Lord would have executed him, not called him in for High Tea.
"Severus, I'm rather disappointed that the Weasley woman died," the Dark Lord purred.
"It happens to old sows," Severus sniped. "You overbreed them, and they become more susceptible to health issues."
"I was planning on having you raise the child," the Dark Lord explained. "In spite of your mixed heritage, you are far more proficient then many of the Pure Bloods. I had hoped that your positive influence would have molded the child into respectability. But alas, it was not to be."
Severus, not sure of how this conversation was heading, decided it was in his best interest to keep his mouth shut.
"You handled that Phoenix matter easily when Amycus couldn't. His mind is weak, and his magic… best left uncommented upon. But you, Severus,…"
The Dark Lord stared at Severus appraisingly, and Severus felt uneasy That Stare was akin to… no… the Dark Lord wasn't …. He couldn't be….
"I understand that you are homosexual, and unwilling to make use of any of the available females," the Dark Lord questioned.
Oh no, Severus thought. His mind was racing, and he wondered if the Dark Lord was about to proposition him. Merlin knew that Bellatrix had done everything except dance the Dance of the Seven Veils in the Dark Lord's Throne Room to attract the Dark Lord's interest. Yet, now Bellatrix carried a Goyle or two in her belly.
"I am of the robe lifting persuasion," Severus easily admitted. "As for not making use of the available females, I simply can not perform with them."
"Yes, even Pansy Parkinson wasn't enough to tempt you," the Dark Lord's voice was amused.
"Pansy is… " Severus shuddered.
"A slut," the Dark Lord easily admitted. "Is there anyone of the robe lifting persuasion among my followers that interests you?"
"I believe that I'm the only one that has that particular proclivity," Severus easily admitted. "At my age, you can pretty much guess the person's inclination."
"A shame," the Dark Lord admitted then pondered for a bit. "I wish to reward such a loyal follower. Therefore you'll find a bedwarmer in your bed when you return to your quarters. I'm afraid that its mind was damaged in battle, but the body is surprisingly sound. It will make a suitable Vessel."
"Vessel?" Severus questioned.
"For your child. The Vessel is Pure Blood, and possessed considerable skill when he had a mind."
"Thank you for this reward," Severus smoothly answered. Left unsaid was that the Dark Lord was quite barmy if he thought two men could make a baby.
"This will hurt," the Dark Lord admitted. He took out his wand and pointed it at Severus' chest. "But it's necessary."
Severus hadn't managed to grab his wand before the Dark Lord hexed him. He fell to the floor and then darkness overwhelmed him.
"Wakey, wakey," Lucius Malfoy's voice drawled. "You've been unconscious for a considerable length of time, Severus."
Severus woke then, and Lucius laughed.
"What happened?" Severus questioned.
"The Dark Lord decided you were worthy of a high honor, but you were required to make a donation."
Memories came rushing back to his mind, and he winced in embarrassment. That was why his pants were sticky.
"I dropped off your new friend to your quarters. I also took the liberty to ask Nessie to do something with his hair. It was in such knots, and he didn't look… attractive." Lucius then ran his fingers through his long, blond hair and laughed again.
"Come along now, you need to return to your quarters."
Severus did a quick cleaning spell, and then he declined Lucius' offer to walk him to his quarters. Malfoy was visibly disappointed that he wasn't to witness Severus meeting the Vessel, but he dared not press the issue too far. Severus, after all, was held in high regard by the Dark Lord.
He entered his quarters, and he heard a mewling noise.
"It's allright, Master here! Master help!"
Nessie bounced over to where he was, and she was quivering.
"He hurts! Nessie tried, but the pain still there!"
"Very well, I'll see what I can do," Severus announced. The last thing he wanted was a mewling, sniveling roommate.
He walked into his bedroom, and his heart shattered. There, crumbled into the fetal position, both hands pressed against his belly, his long hair neatly braided and gaily beribboned was…
"Headmaster," Severus whispered.
And the shattered wreck that had once been the most powerful wizard in Europe looked at him with vacant, blue eyes.
