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Chapter 9:

He almost collapsed on his bed, a throaty growl in the back of his throat the only sign that he was still alive. Another Deatheater meeting. Another fucking Deatheater meeting. It was the fourth one this month. He didn't even see the point of them anymore. Lucius Malfoy simply stepped up during this one and went on and on about the latest Muggle raid he had in a town that no one had ever heard of. Of course, it'd be all over the Muggle news by now, but Muggles were far too naïve to know that anything was going on. The only one that supposedly knew was their Prime Minister. But even he probably didn't fully realize what was happening. Hell, the wizarding world didn't know.

There was a war waging full on behind closed doors right now, and it was itching to erupt. The dark burn he felt when his Master called him was now becoming more frequent. This signaled the end of any childhood that the people around him innocently claimed they had. It was the end of the line. With each meeting, it became clear that the Muggle extermination had now extended its hand into the Wizarding world. Neighborhoods were slowly starting to become targeted for attacks and ultimatums. Mudbloods everywhere were now being killed, families slowly starting to be torn apart; wives, husbands, sisters, brothers… all were starting to be selfishly taken away.

The Dark Lord himself appeared at this particular meeting. It was the first time Severus had seen him since he got his mark. His glowing red eyes were the only things Severus could make out beneath the darkness of the cloak he was wearing. His pale hand gently protruded from the sleeves of his robe as he wildly gestured, his voice dripping into each crevice of the room, where the meeting was being held.

He was planning his biggest attack yet; this one would be on Diagon Alley. It was a huge risk, as Aurors and Ministry officials not only walked the streets, but many of them also lived nearby. He would attack a nearby neighboorhood, taking out everyone who wouldn't cooperate, sealing an equally ill fate upon anyone who gave in. Then, he would slowly make his way into the streets of the marketplace. He hoped to wipe out almost all of the people in the streets, who were unfortunate enough to be buying necessities that day. After he felt he and his loyal followers did a well enough job, they'd all retreat to Knockturn Alley where they'd dissaparate to their own respective, misleading, manipulative, pitiful little lives.

Severus growled again, ripping his robes from him and quickly changing. He could almost taste the environment he just came from. It was naïve and hypocritical. It was filled with powerhungry people who all wanted the same thing. They all believed that this was the only way they could get it. None of them ever admitted to themselves that they'd never get it this way. He shook his head, his mind trailing back to his thoughts as he stood up from his bed, knowing it was of no use to lay there and brood the rest of the evening.

This attack would be the first one involving the 7th year Deatheaters. Before, they'd been spared of anything (mostly because nothing was important enough to risk them getting caught by Dumbledore), but now they were all summoned to attack in just a month's time. Some would most likely even be leaving school in fear that Dumbledore would suspect them and enter their minds for information. Five Slytherins, two Hufflepuffs, one Ravenclaw, and even two Gryffindors would be taking part in this massacre.

It was time for the war to fully begin. Truly. And Severus wasn't enjoying it as much as he thought he would. But what could he do? Go to Dumbledore and beg for redemption? He snorted at the thought and continued his journey, until he reached the Great Hall. He didn't want redemption anyway. He would stick to his path until he died. He wouldn't be one of those pitiful fools who did it as their last chance or in order to get rid of their nagging conscience. Yes, Severus would participate in the raid. And yes, he would kill as many people as he could. There was no way around it, and he liked it that way.

Thoughts were shaken away by the smirk Hudson was giving him. Severus simply scowled, sitting across from his almost companion. His only reason for sitting there was to get away from the Deatheaters and Deatheaters-in-training who were all clumped at the other end of the table. Hudson was a rare breed in Slytherin. He almost resembled something good, a conscience in his mind, a warming, innocent heart.

"Good evening, Severus. I'll assume you're having a good March afternoon!" Severus was about ready to throttle him when he noticed the smirk on his lips and a glint in his eyes. "Deatheater meeting not go well? Did He plot another attack? It's not Hogwarts is it?" He quickly fired questions toward Severus.

Instead of replying, he just inhaled deeply and lowered his head slightly. He tilted his head slightly towards Bade before looked the redhead in the eyes. "It's not Hogwarts." He simply said.

Taking the hint that Severus wanted to talk about anything else, his lips quickly turned into a quirky smile that would usually never be seen on a Slytherin's face. "So, I see you've made up with Granger!"

"You know, Hudson, you could just get a life of your own without prodding into mine, like the insufferable brat you are." Severus growled, glaring at the man before him.

"Oh, I would, but yours is so much more interesting!" He smirked, quickly continuing before Severus could say something in reply. "Besides, someone has to care about your love life, dear Severus. Someone has to give you advice! You're young, innocent virgin blood!"

Severus's blood boiled. He could not believe the nerve of him and the insinuations he was making. He did not care that they were in the Great Hall in the view of everyone else. He simply got his wand out and started to stand up. When his vision, which was previously blurred from anger, came back, he noticed Hudson laughing and smirking, walking out the Great Hall doors. He stopped at the doors, letting part of his body peek out. He stood and waved at Severus, giving him a thumbs up before quickly disappearing.

Seveurus growled, seething. He was almost shaking from how angry he was. He took another deep breathe in before sitting back down at the table, glaring at each bite he took. His gaze so intense, his fury bubbling up inside him so much, he noticed that part of the table actually burst into flames. That little twit had no right.

He noticed the flames where Hudson was sitting only when he heard yelling and Professors running over. Severus quickly took his wand and silently extinguished the flames, not caring about the attention he had drawn to himself. "I apologize, Professors. I did not mean for that to occur." He said monotonously.

The teachers nodded to him, restoring the table to the way it had been before half of it burned down. Just as Severus was planning to leave the Great Hall, a note popped out of thin air. It sizzled and smoked before it fluttered onto the table. He unfolded the parchment.

'Severus, I do hope you're alright. I noticed you getting angry at Mister Hudson as he was leaving. I'm sorry for whatever he may have said or done to upset you. Dearest, Hermione.'

Severus looked up from the table to the Gryffindor table to see Hermione indeed looking quite concerned. She was turned around in her seat between Lupin and Evans. They followed her gaze to see who she was looking at. Evans and Lupin both smiled, while he noticed Potter and Black seething. Pettigrew looked indifferent. Severus took a self inking quill from his pant pocket. He put the quill to the back of the piece of parchment to quickly write a reply.

'I am fine. It is of no concern. Do not worry. I would like to, however, have a word with you tonight, if at all possible.'

He took the parchment into his hands and squeezed it. It disappeared. He hoped that Hermione would find it. She nodded to him, signaling that she indeed had. Then, she turned back to the Marauders and Evans. She clearly waved off Potter and Black. They accepted this (for once) and went back to an obviously hilarious story or anticdote. It was probably about the latest first year they had tortured for their own immature humor. He snorted.

His eyes wandered to Pettigrew while he waited for Hermione's reply. He knew it would be awhile while she bided time. Pettigrew was still the wormy blonde boy that always trailed behind Potter, Black, and Lupin, always trying to fit in, but never being able to. He was still stupid as could be. The only difference between now and his first year was that about two months ago, he had been initiated into the Dark circle. Surprisingly enough, weak, naïve, dim Pettigrew was also traitorous.

Never did he think he would see the day that a Gryffindor who hung around the Golden Boys would become a Deatheater. He wondered why it happened. He never seemed to have a problem with being a lacky and trailing behind the people, who were the only ones (most likely) who would ever truly accept him. So, what event could possibly have triggered wormy little Pettigrew turning over to the 'Dark' side? Severus figured it was the same reason most people joined in- power. But there had to be something that caused him to do it.

His thoughts trailed back to Hermione. He knew she wasn't safe around Pettigrew, but he also thought that she was most likely bright enough to see through his charade herself and keep away from him. She did seem a little cold toward him. Was that the reason? He hoped to Merlin it was. Apparently, the rest of them weren't smart enough to figure this out. Though, he couldn't say Hermione was like the rest of them. She wasn't. That's why he fell in love with her. He still wanted to warn her off. He'd talk about the Deatheater meeting with her tonight, hopefully, and then he could slip in that Pettigrew was there.

He saw her quietly slip the parchment out from inside her robe and read it, scribbling a reply. It popped up in front of him again.

'I wish I could, but James is dragging us out for a night in London tonight via apparition. Lily and I refused, but they got Remus on their (James, Peter and Sirius's) side. Lily said she'd give in if I did. That means, they'll drag me kicking and screaming out of the tower window, onto a broom out of Hogwarts grounds, and apparate there with me. Oh my, I seem to be rambling… and running out of room. Anyway, I apologize once again. I wish I could see you tonight, but tomorrow's a Saturday. We could both get away unnoticed for a bit of time alone. Please don't be angry. Love, Hermione.'

He smirked when he saw her name scribbled at the very bottom edge of the parchment. He smiled when he saw the word love used as a signature. He noticed her eyeing him all the while trying to pay attention to Potter's excited rambling (which was quite a feat since she was now facing away from the Gryffindor table).

He almost felt jealous that she'd be out all hours of the night with two of the most irresponsible pranksters in the school. He was more worried, though. He had a bad feeling in his gut that he just couldn't push away. These days were filled with Muggle raids in London. It was dangerous for anyone, magical or muggle, with wand or without. She would be out with a Deatheater, who she most likely didn't know was a Deatheater. If he led her into a trap, then it would be Severus's fault for not having warned her.

He shook off all thoughts. There was no way he could just go up to her and warn her without Pettigrew ratting on him to the Dark Lord. Then, they'd probably both be killed. He wouldn't let her die. That left him with two choices: he could trust Potter and Black to protect Hermione (and Hermione to protect herself), or he could tag along and keep watch over them.

He sighed, thinking about the pros and cons of either decision. If Severus got caught, everything would be ruined. It would be hard to follow them. Potter had that bloody map that told him where everyone was. They were also apparating. He'd have to search entire London and perform complicated locating spells to just have a prayer of finding them. This was all on top of the wear that he was feeling at the moment. As much as he hated to admit it, Potter and Black would take care of her. So, he nodded and sighed, walking out of the Great Hall. He hoped his gut feeling was wrong this time. Maybe everything would go alright for once in his life.

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