Chapter Nine: Caged

Severus had barely slept that night. He kept waking every hour and finally gave up around 4:30am. He quietly got out of bed and looked over at Alexis, who was still sound asleep. He walked over to the door of his room and slipped his shoes on, then threw a cloak over himself and quietly slipped out the door into the dungeon hallway.

He wandered down the corridor towards the stairs leading to the main hall, and out the entrance to the grounds. The chilled autumn air rushing to his lungs made him cough a little, but he continued walking aimlessly along the grounds. His thoughts stuck on what Voldemort had ordered him to do. Defying him would cost both of their lives, and it wasn't something he was willing to risk. Perhaps there was some other way to make her stronger without sacrificing her humanity...perhaps. However it was something to discuss with Albus later on.

Without realizing it, he had ended up near the Quidditch field. He continued onward and climbed to the top of the faculty seating area and sat down, watching the sun as it began to rise over in the horizon. The sky slowly became dyed with the brilliant shades of red and orange, and the morning light slowly spread across the field.

Severus sat there for a few moments longer and then stood. He began his trek back towards the castle, feeling slightly refreshed. He could think clearly now, but he still worried. There was still too much that could go wrong...too many lives that could be lost...

Shaking his head he rose from his seat and headed back towards the castle in silence. He headed for the headmasters office to discuss the events of the night before.

Meanwhile, Alexis began to stir and slowly opened her eyes. Was it morning already? The dreamless sleep potion had done its job well, she couldn't even remember falling asleep the night before and for once, she had no nightmares to disrupt her. Glancing at the clock she saw that it was still early enough to sneak back to her dorm and prepare for class before anyone else could wake.

As she hurried to gather her things, she took one last glance at Severus' room and slipped her shoes on. Reaching for the door she turned the knob and opened the door...only to stop dead in her tracks, eyes wide, as she came face to face with...

"Bloody hell! What are you doing in Professor Snape's room?!"

Nora had her had up as if she was about to knock on the door but stood there in silence as Camile had gasped with the loud remark. Suddenly snapping back to attention Nora spun around to clamp her hand over Camile's mouth.

"SHHHH! Are you trying to wake everyone else up? Lexi you better spill the beans! Come on!" Grabbing Alexis' hand she dragged her out of doorway, shut the door and the three of them rushed back to the Slytherin common room. When they reached their room Nora shut the door behind them and rounded on Alexis.

"We were so worried about you! Professor Dumbledore said you were sick in the infirmary and Madam Pomfrey said we couldn't see you! We were going to ask Professor Snape about it but then there you were! What's going on?!"

"Nora..." Alexis said quietly and continued.

"I...I cant tell you."

"Like hell you can't! We're your friends! Aren't we? I swear Lexi whatever is going on you have to trust us. Please...whatever it is, you can tell us. We care about you and if you're in trouble or something we want to help." Nora had calmed down by the end of it and Camile nodded in agreement.

"Nora is right. Whatever it is we will keep it a secret. We'll even do a secret keeper spell if you want."

Alexis looked at her friends and gave a sigh of relief. Without a second thought she agreed and Nora and Camile took turns casting the spell on each other.

"Now tell us Lexi...what's going on between you and Professor Snape?" Camile sat down on one side of Alexis and Nora did the same.

Alexis started from the beginning and told them everything. From being Voldemort's prisoner to the events of last night. She left out her relationship with Severus for now, but when she explained what Voldemort had made her do to the villagers, she felt sick again and broke down into tears. Choking back sobs she prayed she would never have to do something like that again.

Camile and Nora threw their arms around her and hugged her. They felt sorry for Alexis and were horrified that she had been through all of that. They knew it wouldn't be the end of it, and they swore to help Alexis any way they could.

When Alexis had stopped crying she wiped her face with her sleeve and the three girls prepared for class. On their way to Charms they ran into Professor Dumbledore. He greeted them with a good morning before asking Alexis to come with him to his office. Alexis followed silently behind Dumbledore and listed as their footsteps echoed throughout the hall.

When they reached his office he asked her to sit, then sat at his desk. They sat in silence for a few moments before he cleared his throat and spoke.

"Severus spoke to me earlier about the event at the Holy Isle. I am deeply concerned. I will tell you right now my dear this is not a good position you have been placed in. Voldemort is now expecting you to carry out his killings and Severus is the one that must train you to do so. If you don't, you will both die. I'm afraid there is no choice..." He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

Alexis' eyes widened in horror. She knew what he was going to say next...

"...You must do so."

"No!" Alexis bolted up from her seat and slammed her hands down on Dumbledore's desk.

"I'm not going to kill anymore innocent people! I won't do it!" She could feel her blood beginning to boil. How could he tell her to do this? Her icy stare did not break and Dumbledore did not flinch. He slowly raised his head and met her eyes with a calm face.

"There is no other option Alexis."

"There has to be!"

"If there was then I assure you I would not have told you this. Sometimes in order to gain peace sacrifices must be made. You must think of the greater good. We can defeat him in time, but for now we must do what we can to keep the line of intelligence intact. Severus agreed to this as well. He is our only source of information and without him we risk putting the entire wizarding world in danger."

"He...agreed? You're lying...he told me..."

"That he would protect you? He will, but this is the only way he can guarantee your safety."

"By making me a killer? HOW DOES THAT PROTECT ME?!" Her voice echoed through the room and still the elderly man before her did not break his gaze.

"I do not expect you to understand now, but in time you will. Severus will see you this evening after dinner to begin your training. He will be waiting at the border to the Forbidden Forest."

Alexis stood there, without a word. Her hands balled into fists as she then turned and threw the office door open and slammed it behind her. Dumbledore sighed and removed his glasses, rubbing his eyes tiredly.

Alexis stormed down the staircase and hurried back to her class. She quietly entered Professor Flitwick's classroom and took her seat between Nora and Camile. He didn't call her out, and she assumed he knew where she was.

"Lexi, what happened?" Nora whispered.

"I'll tell you later." Alexis was still angered, but more so at Severus. How could he agree to do this? She felt so betrayed. Now she was being used by those that swore to help her...it was barely any different than before, she just wasn't being beaten here. She couldn't focus on the lesson...something about a charm that made inanimate objects dance or something, she really didn't care at the moment.

The rest of the day seemed to drag on forever. After a brief scolding from Professor McGonagall in transfiguration ("I asked you to turn the tea kettle in to a shield, not a porcupine! I know you know better! Its going to take ages to get those quills out of Mr. Donnavan's backside... ") and a surprise practical exam in Herbology, she was ready to drop by the time classes had finished. As she sat at the Slytherin table she glanced over to the staff table to see Severus looking at her. She frowned at him and quickly turned her attention to the food in front of her. She ate quickly and went to her room to change out of her uniform and in to a pair of jeans and a blue turtleneck sweater.

Alexis grabbed her wand and put on a pair of sneakers, and headed for the Forbidden Forest. Severus was already there waiting for her.

"Would you care to explain the angry look at dinner."

"No. I wouldn't. Let's just get this over with."

The two of them proceeded into the forest and after a few minutes came to a large clearing.

"We are going to cover defensive magic tonight. I want you to-"

Before he could finish Alexis had spun around and screamed "INCENDIO!" Flames burst forward from her wand and Severus barely had time to throw up a barrier.

"What is wrong with you Alexis?! What are you doing?" He cast Expelliarmus and her wand shot from her hand.

"I hate you! You lied to me again! I don't want to kill anyone else, you knew that! Professor Dumbledore told me you were going to follow Voldemort's orders...I won't be a killer!" He ran up to her and grabbed her arm to keep her from picking up her wand.

"Alexis, stop!"

"Don't TOUCH me! Pulsus!" Her body gave off a silver aura as Severus felt a force blasting him backwards, breaking his grip on Alexis and he landed hard on the ground, sliding a few feet before he came in contact with a tree. He gasped for air and tried to stand up, leaning against the tree for support.

"I'm done...I won't be used by anyone anymore. I trusted you Severus...I even...I loved you. Did you even care about me? Was I just a tool for your mission?" She stared at the ground, tears streaming down her face.

"Alexis...you...you have to...understand..." Severus fought to catch his breath and staggered towards her as his right hand clasped over his ribcage. He winced as he moved.

"You knew...didn't you? You knew it would come to this."

"Yes, but I didn't think he would do this so soon...there is still a chance to fight back against him."

"How? He'll kill us both if we do, and he'll kill us if we don't. There's no way out. I don't want anyone to die...I just want to get out of here..." Her body began to shake as she realized what she had done. Alexis ran to Severus and grabbed him as he collapsed to the ground.

"Severus...I'm sorry!"

That's when he head twigs cracking along the ground...and the all to familiar burning on his arm.

"Someone's coming..." Severus sputtered as his vision began to blur.

"What? How? No one knows we're here..."

"The mark...he can always find me with it..."

Alexis panicked. What did they want now? She could see two figures approaching from the mist of the woods.

"Did they hear us Severus?"

"I don't...know..."

Tiburon and Sakkaku approached them and glared.

"Looks like the little girl doesn't want to play anymore..and to think we were gonna skip checking up on you. Glad we didn't." Sakkaku grinned.

"Master won't be happy about this. You attacked his right hand man, and did I hear right? You wanna run? Tisk-tisk...can't have that can we?" Tiburon grabbed her arm and with one swift motion hauled her off the ground and over his shoulder.

"Stop! Put me down!" Alexis slammed her fists against Tiburon's back but he only laughed.

"Come on Sakkaku, lets take the traitor back to the boss and see what he wants to do."

"What about Snape?"

"He's a big boy, he can take care of himself. Just tell the boss what she did."

"Fine with me."

Severus could only lay on the ground and watch as the blurred figures left with Alexis. He felt his conciousness begin to slip away as he heard Alexis scream for him, then there was only darkness...

Sakakku cast a silencing spell over Alexis and bound her hands and feet, then he and Tiburon slipped off the grounds, disapparating back to the Riddle manor. With his free hand he pounded on the door.

Wormtail quickly answered the door and Tiburon elbowed him aside.

"Why do you have her?" He squeaked, slightly afraid of Tiburon's large muscular frame.

"We got ourselves a traitor."

"Is...is that so?"

"I'll go inform the Master" Sakakku walked ahead and vanished down the hall.

"Put her in the cells. Oh he won't be happy about this..." Wormtail fretted as he scurried after Sakakku.

Tiburon brought Alexis down to the cells and tossed her in locking the cell door behind him as he left. Alexis backed against the wall as she watched him ascend the stairs again.

Back in the study, Sakakku gave his account of the evening's events and Voldemort threw his teacup at him.

"That insolent little bitch. If she refuses to aid us willingly, then we will have to use force. Where is she?"

"In the cells Master."

"Good." Without another word Voldemort rose from his chair, Nagini at his heels, and headed for the basement. As he passed Tiburon he turned.

"Make sure I am not interrupted."

Tiburon nodded and stood by the cellar door as Voldemort closed it behind him. As he entered the cell room he caught sight of Alexis and grinned evilly.

"You've been a very bad girl my dear. You should know by now that no one can escape me. I guess we shall have to fix that poor behavior of yours...won't we?"

As he pulled put his wand he removed her bindings and removed the silencing spell, then he knelt in front of her and cupped her face with one of his clawed hands.

"I'm afraid I cannot give you any more special treatment my little bird. Once you cross me there is no mercy. Now then..." He hissed as he then whispered in her ear...

"...I would very much like to hear you scream..." He raised his wand and a red light shot from it. Pain surged through every inch of Alexis's body and her screams even shook Tiburon, as he listened to his boss torture the young witch on the next room.

Hours passed and he was sill not finished. After several rounds of the Cruciatis curse, he cast another spell that threw her around her cell like a rag doll. Voldemort only laughed as Alexis finally hit the floor barely able to breathe. Every inch of her body burned with pain as she lay there bloody and bruised. Voldemort stood over her with that same twisted smile on his face. She knew what was going to happen next and there was nothing she could do...she couldn't move...

Voldemort grabbed her and threw her face down against the nearby wall. With one hand he held both her wrists above her head and with the other he pulled down her jeans.

"I hope you enjoy this just as much as I will..."

Back on the Forbidden Forest, Severus had come to and slowly sat up. The sharp pain in his ribs winded him for a moment but with a quick healing spell he was back on his feet. He cast Lumos and began his trek back to the castle, stopping to pick up Alexis' wand off the ground. He needed to hurry, he had to alert Albus, then go after her. He wasn't even sure would still be alive by the time he got there but he had to try.

He raced through the halls towards Dumbledore's office and burst through the door.

"Albus! Albus are you in here?" He shouted.

"Severus, what is the matter? I didn't expect you this late, it's nearly midnight..." Dumbledore looked down at Severus from the upper floor of the office and Severus looked back up at him. Dumbledore could see Severus shaking from where he was standing.

"He has her...I think he knows."

Without another word Dumbledore opened the door to Fawkes' cage and quickly scrawled a message on a nearby piece of parchment, then he whispered something to the creature as he tied the message to its leg and it took off out the window.

"We must hurry. I've sent a message ahead to Sirius, he will alert the rest of the Order. We need to hurry to Grimmauld Place and discuss what we will do next."

"Albus! What if she's...what if he killed her?" Severus had not felt this afraid since Lily's death, and he couldn't bear it if he had caused the death of another loved one.

Albus reached out and rested a hand on Severus' shoulder.

"She is alive. She's too important to Voldemort for him to kill her."

"I hope you're right."

Just then a knock on the door silenced them. Professor McGonagall stepped through the door with two others in tow.

"Albus, I caught Alexis' roommates out of bed. They said she hadn't come back to their room and they tried to go off looking for her...is...is this a bad time?" She saw the looks on their faces and understood.

"Oh dear..."

Nora and Camile piped up.

"Something's wrong isn't it? She's in trouble!"

"How could you possibly...wait. How on Earth do you know about..."

"I believe, Severus, Alexis confided in these two." Dumbledore said as he glanced over at the two teenagers before him.

"We swore we wouldn't tell! But if she's in trouble we want to help! Please!" Nora and Camile chimed.

"Absolutely not! It's far too dangerous!" Professor McGonagall gasped.

"But Professor!" Nora tugged on McGonagall's robes.

"Out of the question! Back to your rooms!" Severus barked.

The girls jumped and quickly nodded before hurrying out of the room. Once out of earshot Camile stopped and Nora grinned.

"So what now?" Camile asked.

"We find out what they're up to and follow them." Nora continued to grin. I managed to slip one of these in Professor McGonagall's pocket." Nora pulled a small flat stone out of her pocket and showed it to Camile.

"It's a tracking rune. Wherever they go, the stone will display their location and will enable us to apparate to where they are."

"That's brilliant! How did you get it? That's really advanced magic!"

"I called in a favor from a fifth year, I helped her raid Snape's private potions supply a few years ago for Polyjuice ingredients and she said she would owe me one. She's a genius, so making one was no problem for her. We can watch them for now, and see where they go, don't want to get caught again. If we follow tonight they might catch on."

"Yeah I get it. Hey remind me to thank that girl too..." Camile chuckled and they took off towards their dorm.

Severus, Minerva, and Albus had departed for Grimmauld Place, and arrived shortly after the rest of the Order. Once everything was explained, the first to speak was Sirius.

"So a child is going to die because you blew your cover Snape?" Sirius sneered at Severus and Severus glared back.

"I don't believe my cover was blown, but this girl is very strong. Ancient magic like hers could put the wizarding world at risk."

"So how should we go about rescuing her? Storming his hideout will only get us killed, and there's a high risk that you'll die if you go there alone since you don't know for sure if you were found out." Remus Lupin took a sip of tea and glanced over at the pink haired woman beside him as she began to speak.

"We need to be smart about this, but we do need to act fast if we're going to save this kid."

"Tonks has a point, but what is there's nothing we can do? The poor dear..." A red-headed woman said as saddened look appeared on her face.

"Molly, feeling sorry won't help either, but I appreciate your concern." Dumbledore said gently.

"I do have an idea." The red-headed man next to Molly spoke up and everyone turned their attention to him.

"Do tell Arthur." Severus sighed. He was frustrated at this point.

"Severus should go. If they knew he was a spy they would have taken him too right? A few of us can scout the surrounding area and be ready to take the girl once they leave. Mind you they'll both have to go into hiding after but I'm sure we can manage that."

"Only one problem with that though, Severus has the Dark Mark on his arm. If Voldemort summons him he has to go. Right?" Tonks asked as she crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair.

Severus nodded.

"Besides if I leave with her and we suddenly go missing, I'll be under suspicion and will most likely be found and killed anyway."

"But..." Sirius ran a and through his hair and continued.

"...what if they think she's dead?" Everyone looked at him in shock as he held up his hands.

"Hold on now, I didn't mean we actually kill her. But what if something were to happen at Voldemort's hideout and we made it look like she didn't make it if he decided to evacuate?"

"So you want us to destroy the place? We could get caught!"

"You might, but he wont." Sirius nodded towards Severus and everyone began to argue among themselves about the idea, until Dumbledore cleared his throat. They all quieted down and gave him their undivided attention.

"While I do not like the idea of putting Severus and Alexis' lives at risk in such a way, it seems that Sirius' plan may in fact work. We may need to make a few changes but I think it is our best chance to get her back alive."

Severus thought for a moment and turned to Dumbledore.

"I think it may work. While I make it a habit to ignore Sirius, I think I know how we can do this."

"How?" Minerva asked.

"Alexis and I...will have to switch places."

"Wait...what?" Remus looked confused for a moment before he finally caught on.

"Oh, I get it...a Polyjuice potion then?"

Severus nodded.

"I can make it out on my own, but Alexis cannot apparate yet, and she will have a higher chance of surviving if she takes on my appearance. I can come and go as I please from Voldemort's manor so once we switch I can destroy the manor and I will need Remus and Sirius to wait nearby to help Alexis escape."

Sirius and Remus both nodded in agreement and the group continued to work out the finer details of their plan. Severus hoped it would work, he owed her that much...