Author's Note: Ah! Sorry for the wait! Here's the next chapter! Chapter 13 is currently in the works, and I'm hoping to have it up soon!

Chapter Twelve: Secrets (Severus)

"Go...and come home safely." Alexis' words lingered in his mind as he rushed out the door of his home. He looked around to make sure there was no one around before apparating away to the Malfoy's home. He arrived moments later and paused briefly. He had a bad feeling that was eating away at him, but pushed himself to knock on the door in front of him.

Wormtail opened the door and stood aside, allowing Severus to pass.

"The Master wishes to speak to you. You're in quite a bit of trouble! Wouldn't want to be you right now Severus." Wormtail grinned as he led Severus to the dining hall. As Severus stepped inside the other death eaters suddenly grew silent as they stared at him.

"You wished to see me my Lord?" Severus bowed slightly and looked at Voldemort.

"There has been talk of your involvement of the destruction of my manor Severus. Seeing as you were the last to see my servant alive I would very much like to hear your side of the story. Mind you, if I don't like what I hear, there will be consequences. Understood?"

"Yes my Lord." Severus could see that Voldemort was trying to read him. He was skilled in Legilimency and that made it easy to see through the lies of others. Severus on the other hand was well prepared for it. He knew he had to keep Alexis safe no matter the cost.

"I did nothing more than punish her for attacking me my Lord. When I was through she lay unconscious on the floor..."

Voldemort stood silently and approached Severus, then drew his wand.

"Crucio!" A red light shot from his wand, hitting Severus square in the chest and knocking him backwards to the floor. Severus could feel the burning pain coursing through him as Voldemort cast it again and again. When he stopped, he then kicked Severus in the stomach and across his face.

"Severus...did you burn down my mansion?!"

"No...No my Lord I didn't..." He spit out blood and coughed.

"Tell me now! What happened?!" Voldemort shouted and ordered Sakkaku and Tiburon to pick Severus up off the floor. Once they pulled him up, they held Severus' arms behind him.

"After we had left the Holy Isle...I knew I needed to convince her to trust me...so she would follow your orders...and begin her training without question..." Severus' breaths were labored, and he paused for a moment to try and catch his breath before continuing.

"She ended up forming an attachment to me...and I used it to my advantage. I was careless though, and she found out I was using her. She confronted me when we reached the Forbidden Forest and she attacked me. Shortly after, Tiburon and Sakkaku arrived and took her away..."

Voldemort's eyes were locked on Severus, and he looked as though he was deep in thought and motioned for Severus to continue.

"When I arrived at the manor that night I punished her, and she was alive when I was through. She was laying on the floor close to the wall where the wall lanterns were...she may have awakened and found a way to knock them down my Lord..."

"So you're saying she killed herself then?"

"I assume so my Lord..."

Voldemort let out a roar of frustration, then Lucius and Tiburon released their hold on Severus. Voldemort cast Crucio again on Severus.

"You are lucky this time Severus. If I didn't need you to spy on Dumbledore, you would be dead right now. This is your final chance. We can still continue with our plans but do not disappoint me again. Now get out."

Severus staggered to the door and overheard Voldemort scolding Lucius again. He gave a sigh of relief as left the Malfoy manor. By the time he arrived home he was exhausted and barely conscious. He stumbled through the door with a groan and heard Alexis' voice as she rushed to hold him up. His vision began to fail him as he felt his body go numb.

Alexis had taken him to his bed and he told her what happened, with labored breath. He then asked her for a healing potion, and the last thing he remembered was falling asleep.

Severus awoke the next morning, still tired and aching, but feeling better than he had the night before. The sunlight shimmered through the curtains and light washed across his face. He brought his arm up to cover his eyes, and looking around, noticed Alexis hadn't come to bed the night before.

Severus slowly rose, dressed, and went to find her. The house was silent as he walked down the hall into the living room, the wooden floor creaking slightly under his steps. There he saw Alexis sound asleep on the couch with a large, open book resting on her chest.

Picking up the book he looked at it for a moment. It wasn't one from his collection...so where, he thought, did it come from? It appeared ancient, and covered with a film of what he assumed was dust. The dark brown leather covering the book was worn from age, though the binding was still well intact. He began flipping through the yellowed pages trying to find some sort of clue as to the nature of the book, but the language wasn't familiar to him...

He sighed and noticed there were illustrations of potions, spells, creatures and then his gaze fell onto two image he knew all too well. The first, was a drawing of the key Alexis always wore around her neck. Lines scrawled across the image with notes he assumed were a sort of description of the metal, gem, and other identifying marks. The second image however was the Dark Mark.

He wondered why this particular image was in this book and turned the page and took out his wand. Resting the wand tip on the page he whispered "Lingua Reddo..." Hoping the text in this book would translate to one he could read, but nothing happened. Perhaps there was a protection spell of some kind? His mind raced trying to think of a way to read it but then saw movement out of the corner of his eye.

Alexis began to stir and stretched as she yawned and opened her eyes. Her gaze fell on Severus, her book open in his hand. She jumped up and the color drained from her face. She knew she had to tell him now, there was no way around it.

"Alexis, what is this? How did you get it? More importantly, why can't I translate this?" He looked angry but concerned.

"Severus...sit down, please..." She had a guilty look on her face and sat back down on the couch. Severus reluctantly sat beside her and watched as Alexis' gaze fell to the floor.

"There's something I need to tell you. I left the house yesterday while you were gone. I heard this voice that told me to go to the graveyard near here..." Alexis went on to explain how she had met Terrwyn and what she had been told after she received the book. That it was an ancient spell book from her ancestors. When she looked back up at Severus, he had rested his face in his hands and took a deep breath.

Severus understood now. He knew what it all meant, and why the Dark Mark was in the book. He thought back to when he had met Alvaro...he already knew about Terrwyn. He hadn't known that the demon king had survived though. When he heard his descendant was alive he had a gut feeling as to who it was...and he couldn't let Alexis die...he refused to believe that she needed to die at that person's hands...

"Severus. Please look at me." She gently took his hands in hers and he slowly looked up at her.

"I don't know what to say Alexis...I need time to think about this. I need to get ready to leave for Hogwarts. The classes will be starting in a few hours. I have to leave. We will discuss this more when I get home." He snapped curtly and stood up quickly.

"Severus, wait!" Alexis grabbed the hem of his shirt and he stopped without looking at her. She stood up slowly and threw her arms around his waist, resting her head on his back. Alexis' voice wavered a bit as she spoke to Severus.

"I told Terrwyn I wouldn't die. I refuse to die Severus, I'll find another way...I promise. I won't disobey you again either..."

Severus sighed and moved her hands from his waist. He turned around and pulled her close, kissing the top of her head.

"Alexis, I love you, but I need to go now. We'll talk later." His voice was gentle this time and he watched as she nodded and stepped back. He then turned and left the house.

After the door closed Alexis took a deep breath and sat down. She stared off for a moment then picked up the book again.

"There has to be something here..."

Severus arrived at Hogwarts just as breakfast was beginning, and pulled Dumbledore aside.

"Come to my office Severus, we shall speak there." He motioned for Severus to follow him and when they arrived Dumbledore closed the door behind them."

"I was almost found out. Voldemort summoned me last night to question my involvement in the fire at his manor. He tortured me and I had to convince him of my innocence. It seems Lucius may have accused me...he's still bitter that he couldn't have Alexis."

"Do they know she's alive?"

"No, they believe she's dead. However we have another problem...Alexis snuck out of the house last night while I was away. She said a spirit called her to the catacombs in the Spinners End cemetery."

Dumbledore remained silent as he sat down at his desk. Severus began to pace a bit and continued, explaining to Dumbledore what Alexis had said about the Demon King returning, and the book she had found. He also went on about the image of the Dark Mark, and his theory on who the new demon king would be.

"Albus...I think it may be Voldemort. It makes sense doesn't it?"

"Are you sure Severus? If he believes Alexis is dead this could cause trouble for not only her, but you as well...It could expose your connection to the order and put everyone at risk."

"Then what are we supposed to do Albus?!" Severus slammed his hands down on the desk and Dumbledore slowly raised his hand, motioning for Severus to calm down.

"There is nothing we can do Severus...not until we know for sure. Tread carefully, and do not act until we know for certain that it is him.."

Severus nodded and stormed out of Dumbledore's office. He didn't want to just sit around and wait. He had another idea in mind...