Disclaimer: Not mine.

I Need to Breath

Chapter 35

Two more Days

Hermione glared at the sofa, an oil lamp poised in her hand, ready to hurl it at the elf's head as soon as she showed herself.

"Missus, Missus," Millie cowered, "Please Missus, he say do it."

"Get out of there, stop hiding!"

"You hex me."

"How you sneaking dwarf? You stole my wand!"

"Master say do it."

"Fine," she sighed loudly, raising the lamp higher and peeking round the side. "I promise I won't curse you."

"He makes me leave the House of Snape if I don'ts do it," Millie peeked out and saw the lamp in Hermione's hand.

"Fine," Hermione hissed and slammed the lamp back on the table. "You go tell him I need my wand."

"Missus, he says no." Millie dragged out the sacks she'd had in her hands when she had leapt behind the sofa. "He sends me with these. He says I stay here."

Hermione looked in the sacks and instructed Millie to put the items away as she found a quill and parchment. She wrote a list of book titles, and the fact that she wanted his memory of the unicorn, and wanted it sent in a pensieve at once. She gave the list to Millie with a scowl.

"How is he Millie? Still drinking?"

"No, he gets ready."

"Ready for what?" she growled. "Ready for another bottle of whiskey or is he looking of a place to vomit yet?"

"He puts on good robes, new robes. He is going to party."

"Party?" she snorted. "What are you talking about? He hates parties. He hates people. He hates leaving his damned office. And I am not too sure that he doesn't hate himself right now. As a matter of fact, he better hate himself right not or I'll kill him."

"Malfoy party. He goes to Malfoy party." Millie tried to smile as she backed away.

"He what?" Hermione shrieked. "Damn him! He's going to get himself killed. Tell him for me he is a bloody idiot. Get out. Tell him I don't want you here. Tell him you look so much like him you make me sick. Tell him … tell him… tell him…" She looked around wildly, saw the lamp and hurried to pick it up.

"I goes? I goes now?" Millie stepped back as far as she could from the hysterical witch. "He say stay, but I goes now?"

"Fine, leave me. Desert me just like that fool you call… Millie? Are you still to do anything I ask? Being free, are you still bound to Snape? Still taking orders and doing as you are told? Short of helping me back?" She glared at the elf.

"Yes Missus," Millie smiled thinly.

"Then you give your Master a big kiss from me, and tell him it's because I am not there to do it." She smiled watching the elf's eyes grow large and her ears droop. "You do as you are told or I will set you loose. Do you understand me? You'll be known as the first homeless house elf in Hogwarts history. I'll do it, believe me I will! Now go!"

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Severus tossed his robes to the house elf that greeted him in the manor's entry hall. Looking around he saw that nothing much had changed since the last time he had been here. There appeared to be a new carpet, and the wall colour was different, but other than that he saw the same gaudy display of wealth and overdone opulence that he remembered.

"Severus!" Lucius stepped out of the sitting room and greeted him. "I am surprised you could make it so soon after your wife's untimely demise."

Severus shrugged with a smirk. "I will let the Weasley have her now. He was after her just yesterday. A few hours should not make much difference to him."

"I have never understood necrophilia. Nether the less, like all Weasleys, I am sure he has his vices. I would suspect it more from Potter. He is one that would prefer the total control." Lucius chuckled.

"Perhaps they will share." Severus fought to sound non-pulsed by the conversation. "Now, where is that lovely wife of yours? It has been much too long since I have seen her."

"Indisposed, I am afraid. Come. Join us for a drink. Everyone else is already here." He turned and swept into the room with Severus at his heels.

Severus' eyes immediately fell on Draco, he turned to greet the wizard next to him, working his way around the room until he was next to his godson. They stood against the wall, each with a glass of whiskey, neither one doing more than touching it to their lips in the ruse of drinking.

"My wife sends her regards," Draco finally intoned.

"Indeed, and which wife would that be? The one you married or the one of your … dreams that looks like mine."

Draco had the grace to redden slightly. "I have many dreams, it keeps things … interesting. I plan to have one that was suggested to me this evening. However, I may have to drink more of this first."

"I would imagine Astoria may have to be quite drunk as well."

Draco chuckled and looked at Severus from the corner of his eye. "I have what I came for. I need a reason to get out of here."

"This is a much smaller assembly than I was led to believe." Severus changed topics quickly, nodding to a couple that were walking closer to them.

"There are six others, not in attendance." Draco leaned his head back on the wall and let his eyes wander across the room. "I don't think your Dark Lord began much differently, and with not nearly the wealth that is in this room. I will give you the list of those missing, but other than them, this is the entire group."

"He was just not mine, as you so poorly put it." Severus again brought the liquid to his lips, but lowered the glass. "I do not recognize the couple near the east window."

"They haven't risen since I came in. I have not been introduced and it appears I shall not be. All I have learned is their names." Draco made sure not to look directly at them. "Father intends to discuss his position with you. Agree with him, tell him…"

"Draco, you have not greeted half the guests." Lucius walked up to them, looking at his son coldly. "You two work together, talk another time. You need to spend your time cultivating other avenues. Now go."

"He does not suit Hogwarts. He needs to be moved to one of your family businesses, Lucius." Severus said as Draco walked away.

"I hardly think so," Lucius laughed. "The boy does not have half the sense his mother has, and none of her backbone."

"He is … difficult. Can we trust him?" Severus lifted his glass, this time taking a swallow of his whiskey.

Lucius tapped Severus with his walking cane, leaving it rest on his shoulder. He is of no consequence. I am not preparing a home for him but for true leader."

Severus felt a cold snake slither up his back as he lifted his glass to his mouth and drained it. Fuck, he thought, and built up walls in his mind, preparing for an onslaught if Lucius noticed any change in him.

"I need a bed," Severus sighed. "That cow had lousy timing. I had just fallen asleep when she had to be disposed of. Now I find myself falling asleep on my feet."

"I will excuse you until … shall we say tomorrow at the same time?"

"Give me two days, I will make sure Draco stays back so we may talk freely." He put his glass on the tray of a passing elf and told it to collect his robes as he walked to the entry hall.

"Fetch me Draco," he sneered down at the house elf, and then looked up at Lucius. "He has patrol tonight and I am in no mood to cover for him again."

"It is a shame you are stuck in that awful place," Lucius shook his head as if deep in thought. "There are far more important places you are needed. Perhaps a word with the Ministry will find an examination of your contract is due."

"We will discuss it next time we meet." He saw Draco walking toward him. "Mr. Malfoy, your patrol started half and hour ago. Do you expect me to listen to Longbottom's complaints yet again?"

"Father, it seems I too am leaving." Draco took his robes from the elf and exited with Severus.

As they walked to the apparation point, just beyond the gates, Severus talked quietly, telling him to make the pensieve and then get Astoria to the Burrow, and to have Harry and Ronald meet them in his study. As Draco left, Severus spun out to collect Longbottom and owl Kingsley that Draco would soon complete his task.

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"I don't understand, Headmaster. He just sounds delusional." Neville unbent from his position at the workbench and pulled off his gloves. "Surely no one will actually go along with his ideas and certainly not the names you claim to be with them. I could believe Crabbe and even the Yaxley family, but the rest… it doesn't make sense. They weren't even close to the inner circle last time, nor are they pure blood families."

"He carries a Was sceptre." Severus paced between the rows of herbs, periodical stopping to rub the plants leaves and bring his hand to his nose. "What are you doing down here Longbottom? The last three plants I would find in a kitchen rather than a lab."

Neville chuckled and walked over to a bulletin board and removed a thumbtack, then handed Severus the list it had held. Recognizing Hermione's handwriting, he sighed.

"She has been here less time than anyone, and still she manages to re-do years of organization and procedure. This greenhouse is not for culinary delights, Longbottom. It is for potion ingredients and training in Herbology."

"She calculated the cost to the kitchens and came up with this. There was extra space so I figured it wouldn't hurt. You should visit Hagrid if you think this is bad."

"Hagrid? Am I to believe we will have fresh eggs?"

"That and milk," Neville frowned. "Severus, go easy with her. She made the changes when she thought there would be a baby running around."

"She is currently … away." He looked up from the plants he was inspecting. "She is safe for a couple of days, after that … she will need to be… pacified."

"Ah, come on, you two were finally talking, what the bloody hell did you do now?"

"Professor Longbottom, I will thank you to hold your tongue…"

"Yeah, I'm sure you would." Neville seethed. "I work here, I am not your student and you have not treated me like some cauldron exploding idiot for years, yet you continue to treat Hermione as either a piece of garbage, or a piece of precious glass. You really need to figure out what you want and stick to it. You are confusing me and I don't even much like you, I can only imagine what she is thinking."

Severus' face remained unmoving as he studied Neville. "You do know honesty is often not the best policy, despite what the proverbs say."

"Snape, just … just fix whatever is going on, it would be a lot easier. Now, I am sure you didn't come down here just to inspect my greenhouses."

"No, I want you to take … Augusta, and if you are close to anyone else take them as well, and find them a safe place. I would suggest either the Burrow or the Dungeons here."

"Am I allowed to ask why?"

"Things are going to be moving fast, too fast to stop and worry about personal problems. You have to focus on what is in front of you and not what you have left behind. I hope that in three days time all this will have been for naught, but in the meantime it is best to prepare for the worse."

"There is going to be a battle?"

"Oh yes, Professor Longbottom. Most assuredly, the question should only be what kind of battle. I hope that it will be dispatched quietly at the Ministry, but in case it is not, make sure they are safe. If everything goes as planned your grandmother will complain she has been inconvenienced and know nothing more." He turned and left the greenhouse.

Severus hoped that Neville would take his advice and put his family in a safe haven but knew he could do nothing more. Standing at the top of the owlery, he watched as the bird flew off. He leaned against the stone railing, feeling as if he could fall asleep where he stood before starting down the steps only to see Potter standing at the bottom waiting.

"What now Potter?" he said, too tired to care.

"You look like shite. You really need to get some rest."

"I am headed to bed so I suggest you walk with me if you mean talk about anything other than my health in which case you may leave."

"I am sorry about Renee. I just wanted to say that."

"Surely you did not come all this way to impart your grief."

"No, I came to see what you need us to do." Harry lengthened his stride, trying to keep up with the Headmaster.

"Us?"

"Me, Ronald and if you believe it, even Draco, although the help I had in mind would not include him."

"I take it you are referring to something at the Ministry you may be able to … discover."

"Hermione had mentioned certain spells she had been researching."

"I don't want her near this, Potter. Is that clear?"

"From what I understand that is no longer a problem."

Severus smirked at him. "What do you know of Ammitt?"

"Just the name, and I'm not even sure I remember it correctly. Wasn't Ammitt a God or something of lost souls in ancient Egypt?"

"Incorrect. Ammitt was, and appears Malfoy wants him to be once again, the consummate Death Eater. Are you familiar with the Was? No? I thought not, we never have had good history lessons here, unless you want to learn undocumented half-truths about the goblin wars. Lucius no longer carries his normal overly pretentious walking stick, he carries a Was. The arrogant arsehole that he is, has now pinned his hopes on a myth."

Harry shook his head and swallowed hard. "I take it this is what you want me to see if I can find."

"Lucius is not just setting himself up to be the new Lord. I believe he is thinking of Voldemort returning and somehow joining with him in the likeness of Ammitt, that or he is completely insane and must be already under the belief he is talking to him. You need to get into the old curse breakers room. Perhaps contact the Weasley boy, the one that worked breaking curses. He studied in Egypt I believe. He has knowledge of certain artefacts that have gone missing in Memphis. Tell Arthur to have him give me a report at once. Tomorrow at the latest. "

"You really think Lucius found something? Something that will work?"

"No, don't be stupid. He can muck up even the simplest thing and I am afraid that if he … Potter, you are a fool."

"Me?"

"Lucius will attempt anything. If he has found old spells, he will not wonder if they work, or how they work. He will unleash the magic and worry about it later. We have to know what he will unleash, and if we need to, we need to stop it." Severus stopped at the main doors to the castle. "Our walk is over. Potter, whatever you find will only be used if we are unsuccessful in what we plan. I expect you to do what you can. However, I want you to find only what Lucius would have. He is not one to go too deeply into things. I am…"

"Master?" Millie stood looking at him, wringing her hands.

"I knew this was going too smoothly," Severus sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "What is it Millie? Has she burnt the place down yet?"

"No, Master," Millie wailed, and smacked her head against the door.

"Stop that," Severus leaned down and pulled her away, holding onto her arm and shaking her. "What is it…"

Millie grabbed his hair in both hands and pulled his head down quickly, giving him a wet sloppy kiss, then pushed him away and cowered on the ground.

"What the fuck are you doing?" Snape jumped back in horror, knocking into Potter, and sending him to the ground as he swiped his sleeve across his face and spat on the ground.

Potter burst out laughing as Severus pulled his wand and blasted the elf into the door, then again scrubbed his mouth with the back of his hand. He was still verbally cursing the elf as Harry managed to regain his feet in another fit of laughter. He grabbed Snape's hand and pushed the wand tip down to the ground.

"Mille," Harry laughed. "How is Hermione doing?"

"She sent this," Millie threw the list of Hermione's requests into the air and left with a pop.

Severus snatched the list from Harry's hand and raised an eyebrow. "One word, Potter, one word and you will have to find your arse because it will not be attached to your body."

Harry swallowed down his laugher, a smirk remaining on his face. "So, Hermione is not pleased I see."

"She is … upset. However, it appears not beyond working." Severus scowled at the list of books she wanted, knowing that the outcome of the research was now moot.

"Why are you always surprised by her?" Harry shook his head and started back down the steps. "I would think by now you would be used to it."

Severus watched until Potter was out of sight before going first to the infirmary. He found Ginny sitting with Renee, one baby sleeping on her shoulder, one on a mat she had laid on the floor.

"Mrs. Potter, you are welcome to use one of the infirmary cots."

"I know, Poppy already told me." She looked down at the head on her shoulder. "I wanted them close. Her funeral was going to be in the morning, but Kingsley wants to know if it should be put off."

Severus raked his hands through his hair and sighed loudly. "I will contact him."

"No. He … Headmaster, please. Kingsley says he will take her to Italy, but I think he would rather she be kept closer. My father is willing to make the arrangements. From what I hear she should be laid with the rest of the war heroes."

"Unfortunately it is not Renee Mulciber that will be laid to rest."

"We, my father and I, thought of that. We should have her funeral here. She will be laid where she belongs and the only thing we have to wait for is to lay the headstone."

"I am afraid that may not …"

"It will. We will have a closed ceremony. Only close friends and family, and since Hermione had no family, other than you, no one will be the wiser at a small gathering. Ronald said he would set shields to make sure that the Skeeter bitch does not fly in to watch. Although I think he wants her to so he can throw her in Azkaban for a while. It would work, and Mrs. Mucliber will have her peace."

"Tell your father thank you. Have him prepare the headstone without her last name. She will at least not be remembered as that."

"What was her maiden name? We could…"

"No," he paused, not wanting Yaxley to appear either, "just use Renee."

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Severus sat alone in his chambers, knowing he should be in bed, but finding it more comforting to sit in front of the fire with his bottle of whiskey. Done, he thought, it would soon be done. All of it would be over and behind him. He lifted the bottle and drank slowly, holding the whiskey in his mouth and breathing in through his nose, welcoming the slow burn and heady aroma. He would finish Lucius, and with it Narcissa. Narcissa. A woman he had once respected and thought a good witch and a better mother. He thought of Draco and swallowed his whiskey, leaning his head back on the chair and closing his eyes.

He could not sleep until he was exhausted, and even then, he could not shed the dreams that played in his mind. Not since that night he had held her on the floor of her bedchamber, not since the night his son had slipped out of her womb and coated her thighs with blood had he felt peace. If he had not doubted her, not pushed her away, not accused her of infidelities that he knew even as he said them were untrue, maybe she would be even now feeling the movement in her that she had so looked forward to. His son, whom he had denied, he now found he wanted.

He took another swallow of whiskey, and again held it in his mouth before swallowing, taking a deep breath. Two days were left between him and the true end of the war. Two days that would end with Lucius in the grave and Narcissa either joining him or in Azkaban. Only two days before he sent her away, rather than dragging her through another trial. Two days before he could return to his solitude and two days before she had a chance to be free. Free of him and her fear.