A/N: Thank you to everyone who reviewed my last chapter. I know I've been a little longer than usual, so I apologize and promise I will try to hurry up a bit. I have work experience (welcome to the real world, kids) next week for two weeks, so I won't have too much homework. I'll try to update more during that time. Coincidentally, I've also taken the time to write another short fic, Written In The Stars. If you like Lily and James, please have a look at it. I might write a few more shorts like that if they're enjoyed.

I know Charlie is an "unlikely traitor"…but that gives the story it's twist…

This chapter has now been beta-d and this is the repost. Thanks to my wonderful beta, Angel. Had some writer's block on this chapter, and "fight scenes" aren't my strong suit. This chapter obviously looks so much better with her help. Please re-read it if you have the time. Thanks for the huge help in this chapter, Angel.

If you enjoy this update, please review!

10. Slytherin Rising

.......The Shrieking Shack. Severus bit back a scowl at the last memories of the place danced behind his eyes. Of course, every Marauder except Remus was now dead, not that it provided him much comfort.

His eyes explored the dark room. Pieces of what resembled furniture littered the dirty floor beneath his feet. From what he could make out, Severus appeared to be alone. But years of hard honed instinct bluntly told him otherwise, dark creatures were more often found shrouded in shadow than in light.

"It's been a while since I last saw you, my friend." The words rang in his ears as a chill worked its way slowly up his back. "Of course, we were never properly acquainted and perhaps the endearment of 'traitor' would be more suited to the likes of you?"

Slowly, Severus turned, a pale hand reached into the depths of the billowing material for his wand.

"Show yourself."

"Certainly."

From the shadows, a figure slowly emerged. Speechless, Severus could only stare at the man standing before him, shock and denied warred for dominance as his mind fought to process the unexpected turn of events. Severus had resigned himself to Fate's tempered hand, but nothing could prepare him for this. Reality had slapped her calloused hands across his numb face,

"Charles Weasley."

The red haired man grinned. "Surprise." Taking advantage of Severus's shock, the younger wizard produced his wand. Pointing it at the ex-Death Eater, "Petrificus Totalus!"

Severus slumped to the dirt-riddled floor; his eyes watched the Weasley boy. "I dare say a Gryffindor's heart beats within your chest. How unfortunate that your Slytherin brain ceased it's functions at the most inopportune time. You know, I had wondered, Snivellus. Just what kind of knight in shining armour Dumbledore's court jester was."

Crossing to the centre of the room, Charlie opened the trapdoor with his foot. A cloud of dust enveloped the room, the floating particles filled Severus' nose and irritated his eyes. The need to sneeze and blink the dust away frazzled his senses.

Two strong arms gripped his shoulders and dragged him across the floor. Numb and confused, he felt himself fall before smacking into the cold ground with a sharp thud. His world was sucked into the abyss of darkness, a mosaic of thoughts and images swirled behind his eyes he fell into the blissful arms of unconsciousness.

Hermione, weak from lack of food and cold from lying on the ground without being clothed, moaned a little. Her stomach hurt and her head ached. Fear added to the emotional mix. Charlie had left her but a few moments, ago when a sound above had alerted him. He had seemed almost smug at the fact that someone had come to rescue her. She knew his confidence only meant one thing- she would not be rescued. Ever. No matter how many came, Dumbledore could have done it, she knew. But it was too much to hope, that they'd even discover she was missing. Let alone have any idea where she was.

Suddenly, a dull thud outside the bars attracted her attention. She slowly turned her head; her heart lurched at the sight a few feet away.

Professor Snape, her Potions Master. What was he…? He had tried to rescue her, she realized. What she couldn't understand was why and how he'd found her. And why would he care about her in the first place? Surely, he would have been glad to get rid of an "insufferable know-it-all?"

But evidence to the contrary lay before her. His black robes were thrown askew; raven hair limply curtained his eyes in a wild mess. Snape's glazed eyes were open, but unmoving. For a paralysing second, Hermione thought he was dead. Her heart began to beat once more as she saw the steady rise and fall of his chest.

When she heard the sound of his heavy boots, Hermione shrank back against the icy bars and closed her eyes. Maybe if she wished him away, she would wake in her bed and find that it had all been nothing more then a bad dream.

"Looks like you have a visitor." His voice purred, "pity he came so soon…others will follow and I could do without the interruptions."

The door of the cage clanged open and shut as the counter curse was muttered. When she opened her eyes seconds later, she found the limp body of the Potions Master slumped in her cage. Groaning slightly, Severus pulled himself up. Sitting upright against the bars, Severus lifted his foggy head and opened his eyes.

He stared. Sitting in the opposite corner of the cage was the person he'd been looking for. But he hadn't expected to find her like this. She was crouched over, head to her knees and eyes half closed. And naked.

Automatically, he averted his eyes. No matter what the circumstances were, he couldn't allow himself to look upon her.

"I'd get a good look while you can, Sev." Charlie had returned, wearing a gloating expression. "Neither of you will last long and you can't deny that she's a sight for sore eyes."

Severus lifted his head, eyes blazing. "Shut your mouth. You don't deserve to be in her presence."

"Don't you get it yet? This is all what we deserve. For killing my master, you and the Mudblood are finally being punished and I am getting the vengeance I have yearned for so long."

Inconspicuously, Severus reached into his robes. From where Charlie was standing, he'd have a good shot at him.

"Do you honestly think I am that much of a fool? I removed your wand the minute I put the Body-Bind on you."

Blinding pain took hold of Severus. His body slid across the floor.

"Hurts doesn't it? Remember that," Charlie's voice hissed. His boots thudded away. Severus heard the trapdoor swing open.

Once he was sure that Charlie had left, Severus looked to Hermione. She was staring back at him. He made sure to keep his eyes pinned firmly on her face.

"Did he hurt you?" he asked gently.

She shook her head. Carefully, she spoke to him.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," he replied shortly. "That's nothing compared to…" He shook himself.

"I'm fine."

For a moment they said nothing. Then, Severus cursed himself.

"I'm an idiot. You must be freezing. Here," he pulled off his cloak and draped it over her shoulders. She looked mortified and seemed to curl herself up tighter than before; even though she was now covered.

He noticed the food nearby and the paleness of her face. He knew why she had not yet consumed it.

"Eat," his tone was unusually soft. "You have no reason not to."

Hermione's face was questioning.

"Don't worry. I'll get you out of here if it kills me."

Hermione gripped the black cloak more tightly to her. It wasn't as warm as she would have liked, but it at least covered her up. She was grateful he had amended the situation for her, and had been sure to focus his eyes on her face.

She was sure Snape had noticed Charlie's return, although he had made no acknowledgment of it. When she looked over at his still body, she noticed something strange. He had his hand in his boot.

She frowned. Then a glimmer of realization spread through her, as she saw his draw something out of it, very slowly. A wand.

She almost gasped but managed to stay silent. From where he was standing across the room, Charlie looked sharply over at her. She didn't move and kept her eyes fixed to the floor. Once his attention was elsewhere, she looked to Severus.

He was now staring back at her. With the slightest movement of his head, he gestured to the now empty tray and back to her.

At first she was confused, but then she understood. He wanted her to cause a diversion.

With only a moment's hesitation, she stood up and flung the tray towards the bars. With a clash, it struck them, hard. The plate slid to the floor and smashed.

"What the-" Charlie whirled round. "What are you-"

"Antiatis!"

Without warning, Snape sprung up and pointed his wand through the bars. A silvery mist appeared in front of him, blocking Charlie's first steps.

Unwittingly, he stumbled into it. Hermione watched as he was flung into the air and hung upside down. He was clearly confused, but his flailing arms and legs were of no help.

"Alohomora!"

Snape took action once more as the cage door flew open.

"Hermione, quickly!"

Hermione ran out of the cage, just as Charlie realized how to defeat the anti-gravity mist. There was no way to defend herself, without her wand she stood there helplessly. He landed before her, grinning madly. With one shove, she was back on the ground.

Before Severus could even raise his wand, Charlie raced at him. Lifting his wand, "Conjunctivitis!" As soon as the last syllable slipped from the wizard's tongue, Severus' vision blurred and the world spun haphazardly around him. Pointing blindly in the direction he believed the other man to be in, "Confundus!"

A loud thud echoed off the walls as something crashed into the rotting pieces of furniture. Severus' ears told him what his eyes could not; Charlie Weasley had smashed into the wall. Straining against the blinding pain throbbing in his head, Severus could barely make out the sounds of the vulgar curses streaming into the wizard's faint rambling.

Severus cursed under his breath as a jagged piece of wood tore into his leg. Stumbling blindly, Severus half limped and half crawled closer to the faint sounds his ears told him were near. Adrenaline coursed through his veins as a surge of foreign sounds waltzed through his ears, Severus' mind created the grimly images that fluttered behind his defective eyes. Panic screamed at Severus's brain as a familiar word echoed through his heart. Instinctively, Severus flung his protesting body to the side as a voice sang out, "Stupefy!"

Severus braced himself until he realized it wasn't Charlie's voice, but Hermione's.

There was loud thud followed by deafening silence.

Severus walked forwards uncertainly, one hand still held over the eyes and the other nursing the cut on his leg.

"Hermione?" he asked the silence. There was no answer. A few steps later, he felt a hand grip his arm gently.

"I'm here," she replied.

Tentatively, he removed the hand from his face. His vision was still rather blurry, but he managed to make out the dark eyes from her pale face staring at him in concern.

Charlie's unconscious form lay unmoving on the ground. Severus scanned the room quickly to check for further danger. His eyes fell upon an unfamiliar wand lying upon an old desk.

"Yours?" he asked. Hermione didn't respond.

When he turned, he found that she had slumped to the floor. Her breathing was quiet and her eyes were closed. He observed her with trepidation, knowing he should have checked on her the second he regained his vision.

Without a second thought, he scooped her up in his arms. Her light body folded neatly in his arms; the wizard tucked the fabric of the cloak around her cold frame. Pulling her closer against his chest, as though he were afraid of dropping a volatile potion, he picked up the forgotten wand and swept from the Shrieking Shack. He paused momentarily to enjoy the sunshine washing over him before stalking back to the castle. A strand of hair fell across her angelic face as they neared their destination.