Disclaimer: I do not own anything HP related nor am I making any profit from this story. Any original characters and/or settings belong to me and permission is needed from me before using any OC's/plot that I am currently writing as I have worked hard on the creation of this tale.
Warning: Disturbing content in this chapter. You have been warned.
From the Depths of Hell
Chapter 3
October 5, 2000
It has been several weeks since I have been keeping this journal on a daily basis so I can record all of my thoughts and research that have been accomplished with the subjects. The GT3 serum still needs work as I am afraid I have not perfected the exact formula needed to maintain the balance of perfect control and still allow the subjects to exercise a minimal amount of free will. The military just wants to be able to control these magical people but as the popular argument maintains, nothing ever goes according to plan. These experiments must have some modicum of allowance for the subjects to be able to think under duress in order to fulfill their mission objectives.
I am getting close to the balance and hopefully no more executions of the subjects will occur. What happened to the first test group was a shame but the seven other individuals that have been killed during this testing phase had been expendable. After all, the subjects are basically brought in from just about every magical country where there is an American and/or British contingent of soldiers stationed.
I have received word that a new batch of young, strong subjects have arrived from England and I am most delighted at the possibilities this presents. The formula is almost perfected so it is only a matter of time before the perfect soldier has been created.
Then I can focus on slowly integrating their magic abilities into their regime. I still think that is a bad idea, but like I have stated before, it is not my decision to make.
I must go now. Rounds need to be made to examine the new subjects to determine who will be the next ones tested.
I have a good feeling about this.
Dr. Joseph Miller
Head of Genetic Research
Wheaton and Caliph Industries
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October 2000
Hermione faced her unstable cell mate with a healthy amount of trepidation. Somehow she was not surprised to see the most devout worshipper of Voldemort as her new roommate for the foreseeable future. That's the way her luck had been running as of late.
Bellatrix's loud cackle of glee seemed to bounce off of the walls. The deranged sound served to disturb the inmates in the surrounding cells as her voice carried through the various slits that were placed strategically in the plexiglass all around the cells.
"Lestrange, as much as I would love to have a go at you, I find myself not in the mood. Quite frankly I have bigger things to worry about as do you."
The older woman sneered at the petite witch.
"Is Muddy proposing a truce? How sweet!"
Her cackle reverberated again. Neither witch was aware of the scrutiny of the others in the cell block nor their guards who had began to move towards them.
"No, not quite a truce. Just a temporary stay of your little vendetta towards me until we get out of here."
"Then what Muddy?"
Hermione was disturbed by the gleam in the insane woman's eyes.
"Then Bellatrix, all bets are off."
Silence surrounded the two witches as they appraised each other. Shifting, the older woman stood slowly, stretching her body sinuously. Trapping Hermione with her heavy-lidded gaze she pursed her lips.
"No. I don't think so."
That was all the warning the petite witch had before the older woman launched herself against her causing her head to slam painfully back against the wall. Grappling against the strong hold of her opponent, the curly-haired witch let her battle training take over. With a sharp jab at Bellatrix's throat, Hermione was able to gain space and readied a defensive stance as the older witch choked for breath. She was prepared when the other woman came rushing towards her again, and with a swift pivot, she sent her foot into Bellatrix's chest and sent her crashing against the cell wall.
"Knock it off you two!"
The voice of one of the guards did not register to the two women that were locked in a haze of violence. As Bellatrix managed to get a punch in on the shorter woman, the guards unlocked the cell. Hermione responded to the insane woman's punch with a fierce uppercut of her own that sent the older woman stumbling, holding her cheek. A shriek of rage came from the enraged Bellatrix, causing the other inmates to wince at the sheer volume of the deranged woman's anger. She made to attack again, but the curly-haired witch met her halfway.
Both were stopped by strong arms which yanked them to opposite sides of their cell. Hermione found her hands in restraints behind her back as she was forced to her knees trying not to black out from the steel like vice that gripped her throat. She managed to maneuver her head and bit down hard. She heard a shout from the guard holding her and she was violently cuffed on the side of her head causing her to tip over.
Dazedly, she saw Bellatrix in much the same situation as her. The two adversaries stared at one another, a flash of understanding in their eyes.
They would not be victims again.
With a war cry, Hermione gained her feet and snapped her head forward, breaking the guard's nose on impact. He screamed as blood gushed between his outstretched fingers in a weak attempt to block the blow from her surprise attack.
"You Bitch!" He snarled as he backhanded her forcefully sending her crashing against the cell wall.
He pressed the length of his body against the back of hers and smashed her face against the plexiglass. She saw the occupants in the cell next to her stare at her in horror as they banged against the plexiglass separating them, screaming at the guards.
She could hear sounds of struggling and cries of pain from behind her and knew that Bellatrix had to bee in much the same position as she was given that the cries she heard were from the older witch. All around them, the inmates were banging and shouting against their confinement.
She could vaguely make out the faint tromping of feet over the din as the entire cell block was lit up in flashing red lights as an alarm pierced the air. Her head was slammed again, and she felt a searing pain in her forehead where the skin had split. Blood trickled down her face, smearing against the clear wall as she was once more slammed against it.
A keening noise tore out of her throat as rage clouded her vision. She kicked back, the soft soles of her slippers not doing much damage, but she felt the guard's grip loosen. Her fingers brushed against his belt and using her restrained hands she grabbed him between his legs and squeezed with all of the strength she had.
His shouts of agony deafened her as she continued to apply pressure to his family jewels. Feeling him release her completely, she spun around as he dropped to the floor and she lashed out with her foot and nailed him in his already broken nose. He flew to the side and was still. She turned her attention to Bellatrix and saw her struggling against the large man restraining her. Without hesitation, Hermione crossed over to where her adversary was pinned and was snarling in anger. A quick kick to the face had the guard screaming as Bellatrix sprung up. She eyed the man at her feet, her dark eyes flashing. Hermione eyed the enraged witch with an apathetic eye and watched as the older woman stepped on his windpipe crushing it.
She felt a fleeting moment of remorse for the most likely dead man, but she honestly couldn't blame the witch for her animosity. Before she could speak, she was enveloped in white hot pain as electricity was shot through her system bringing her to her knees, a scream of pain tearing from her throat.
She had been tasered! The bastards stunned her!
Her face twisted in rage and bloodied, attempted to lunge towards the military men crowding her cell, but she was stopped once again by an even longer dose of electricity. As her body jerked and she screamed, long and loud the sound of it disturbing to the other inmates in its intensity. She saw darkness creeping in on her vision, but before everything went black, she saw the unconscious figure of her cellmate on the floor in front of her.
She let oblivion take her and joined the comatose witch on the floor.
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"Gone? What do you mean gone?"
Severus Snape stared at the incredulous man with a small amount of patience.
"Just what I said Lucius, Bellatrix has gone missing!"
Pouring himself another brandy, the Malfoy patriarch stared into the dancing flames of the fire in his library. His dark companion sat in a chair across from him and observed the pale aristocrat.
"And the Dark Lord? Does he know?"
"I do not know, although I think it unlikely that he wouldn't already be aware of this."
Lucius furrowed his brow in thought.
"This make how many missing now?"
Severus sighed. "Thirty-seven known disappearances but I would bet that number is actually higher. There is a significant wizarding populace in the world, now more so than when we were youths, and if these disappearances are happening here, they are most likely happening elsewhere."
Lucius absorbed his words carefully.
"We must use caution old friend. My sources at the ministry are surprisingly tight-lipped regarding this issue."
Severus smirked at the blond man. "What? Your threats of bribery and coercion falling short?"
"Shut it Snape! The public is already wary of the war between the Dark Lord and Potter, if the news of this broke; imagine the panic that would cause here in wizarding Britain. Not only do they have fear of the Dark Lord but then they would have to fear the outside world, those filthy muggles, and that is something that many of our brethren could not swallow so easily. Being afraid of a filthy, disgusting muggle! What would that accomplish?"
"Other than more followers for our Lord?"
Lucius snorted elegantly. "Do you really think our Lord would be so complacent to accept so many flocking to his cause because they 'had a change of heart' due to our missing brethren? He would use them for his own purposes and then slit their throats while they slept. You know it is true as well as I do. I imagine most of wizarding Britain that is already not on our side is aware of that fact as well."
The Potion Master's obsidian glittered intelligently. "So what are you proposing?"
The blond haired man remained in a contemplative silence for a few minutes. "I believe a temporary truce is in order for both sides. Until we can get to the bottom of this situation, it would be prudent to keep your friends and allies close, but your enemies closer, as the saying goes."
Game. Set. Match.
Severus smirked inwardly. His long-time friend had just walked right into his carefully laid trap.
"Interesting. May I ask how you are going to present this to the Dark Lord? Besides very carefully?"
A flash of annoyance crossed Lucius's mercurial eyes. "No need to ask as you will be right there beside me. After all it is our idea."
The dark man raised a brow at his companion's wicked smirk. He should not have been surprised. Lucius was a master Slytherin and he was very cunning indeed. Well so was he! After all, if it wasn't for his veiled baiting, Lucius would never have come up with the plan.
"Indeed. Very well then. I have a few things to address before we go. Shall I meet back here with you at 10'o clock?"
Nodding regally, Lucius replied. "That is acceptable. I, myself must track down my lovely wife."
All pretenses aside, Severus regarded his long-time friend with an air of sadness.
"Who is it this time?"
The Malfoy patriarch turned his glacier eyes to his oldest friend and confidante. "I'm not sure. Antonin was getting a bit familiar with her at our last gathering, but I do not know if he has been able to hold her interest or if she has moved on to the next one."
"I have told you repeatedly that you should divorce Narcissa, but I also know that it is not possible. You should save yourself the pain and stop her rather loose ways."
"It is not pain she causes me, but rather acute embarrassment. I could care less if she slept with the whole of London, as long as she was discreet. You know I have no affection for her. It is my pride she is wounding, not my heart."
Severus heard the truth in his words. While Lucius was no saint himself, Cissy took the cake. At first she was the perfect model of a Pureblooded wife, after she trapped his friend into marriage that is. Then things changed. Sighing heavily, he turned to leave.
"I will see you later old friend."
The blond-haired man waved his hand elegantly and returned his attention to the flames, lost in thought. Severus saw his way out, and once he reached the boundaries of Malfoy manor he apparated to his destination.
Upon reaching Spinner's End he swiftly entered the house he used as a cover and stopped short. There on his couch sat his Order contact with tears on her face, the woman he had grown to care for, to love.
And she loved him in return with a fervor that astonished him.
"Love? What has happened?"
He swiftly strode forward and embraced the crying witch. Sobs wracked her frame as she clutched his robes desperately. Soothing her, he rubbed her back softly feeling her gradually calm.
"Oh Severus! I just came from a meeting. Neville is missing and so is…and so is Hermione!"
Stunned the Potions Master gathered the woman in his arms as her sobs were renewed. His mind whirled with possibilities but came to only one conclusion.
The muggles had them.
Gently pushing his love back, he tenderly wiped her tears away. "We'll find them."
Cornflower blue eyes stared at him in hope. Sighing, Severus told her of the outcome of his visit at Malfoy Manor. Listening intently, her eyes sharpened with understanding of the precarious situation.
"What do you want me to do?" She asked determinedly.
"Return to the others. I will contact you when it is safe and let you know what has happened."
She flung herself at him, kissing him passionately, wriggling on his lap. Her hands were everywhere and he groaned against her lips as he felt the heat of her core through her jean clad legs. Growling he removed their clothes with a wave of his wand and soon he found himself entrenched in her tight, hot body as she rode him hard. He flipped her over taking control himself. They were frantic in their lovemaking, both reaching their release at the same time.
As the cleaned themselves with a whispered Scourgify, the dressed slowly, both loathe for the other's comforting presence to leave. With a final kiss before apparating, the witch spoke against his lips.
"I love you Severus Snape." Then she was gone.
Staring at the spot she disappeared from he returned her sentiment before attending to what needed to be done before he met with the Dark Lord later.
"I love you as well Ginerva Weasley."
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A/N: Annnnnnddddd CUT! Well there you have it dear readers, the next installment of "From the Depths of Hell". Show of hands as to who guessed who Snape's love was! I know I was surprised and I wrote the darn thing!
AND…… WE FINALLY HAVE A BIT OF LUCIUS! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now don't worry you guys, there WILL BE LUMIONE action. Just not right now. Remember this is going to be a long fic and things have to progress. As the story unfolds, we will find out more details and background on the characters. i.e. HOW THE HELL DID GINNY AND SNAPE HOOK UP?!?!?!
To all of you who were kind enough to review, thank you so very much and hopefully you will keep doing so. Those of you who haven't dropped me a line, I really wish you would but I want to say to everyone;
Thanks for reading!
F.L.