The Hunt

Chapter 37

Not a Care

Severus had woken early dressed and then breakfasted alone in his chamber. Mulling over yesterdays events taking each step apart and viewing each nuance of what had happened and what was said by Lucius Malfoy, he steepled his fingers and laid his head against them forming conclusions and casting them aside rejecting what they displayed in his mind. He had absorbed himself in what Lucius was hinting at and the accusations that he had all but made vocal yet nothing made sense to him. One thing that he was most certain of was that his one time friend was ranting and had been delusional. "A Confundus Charm perhaps?" There had not been enough time to see if a charm or spell had been cast upon him and he dared not confront Lucius just yet. Not until he had more information to go by.

The chamber that Snape had chosen was simple and austere with only a simple ladder backed chair, a table on which to write and dine on, and an oil filled lamp which provided most of the light that now lit his room. A wash basin sat on a wooden pedestal at the far corner of the chamber and a old fashioned wardrobe covered the opposite wall. Severus was sitting at his table with his elbows propped on top of the table for nearly an hour now and he had still come no closer to what had possessed Lucius to do as he had done. Suddenly he stood and crossed the room to his cloak which was hanging from a peg that had been driven into the stone and went to a hidden pocket where he always kept a wand hidden in case of emergencies and withdrew a rolled up note, opened it and read it again.

Severus, I hope this note finds both you and Draco well. I bear ill tidings today. I have just learned that our Dark Lord, our Master, has been defeated by Harry Potter. I do not know the details nor when this happened but I know it to be the truth. Bellatrix and the others have devised a plan to rescue Lucius inside a fortnight. Please make all haste wherever you are to the Fortress of old. There Lucius and I will meet with you and our son. You are a good man and I know that Lucius will honor you for the aid you have given his son. You have been a trusted friend and a trusted ally. Please continue Draco's education.

Narcissa Malfoy

Severus crumbled up the note as he realized what piece of information he had overlooked. Narcissa was coming to meet them with Lucius which meant that something had occurred along the way. A wry smile crossed his pale skinned face as another piece slipped into position. Bella, when Narcissa stole into the night many years earlier, was disparate. She did not want Narcissa to come to him, was she being boastful perhaps? Narcissa knew where he stood with their Master yet Bella seemed upset by that. Was she jealous that she did not stand at the Master's right hand? Was she envious enough to…, did she plot, did she whisper in Lucius's ear? "Ahh, yes that is what Bellatrix is best at." A smile crossed his face as a vision crossed his mind's eye. Snape leaned back in his chair as he poured over this train of thought. Abruptly he stood and crossed the chamber once again and snatched his cloak from its peg and opened the door to his room and stalked out.

Making his way towards the ledge that he new Draco favored he worked the steps through his mind once again and what little evidence he had fit into a picture. Severus rounded to corners and took the pathways that led upward until he finally found himself stepping out onto an empty ledge just as the sun began to rise. Draco did not know that Snape knew where he retreated to most days but Snape also felt that a young man needed a place to go to be alone when troubled so he never made mentioned that he did know of this ledge and he knew of the two paths that led from it as well. Looking at each of the paths and studying them intensely Severus decided on one and began to trek downward along the side of the mountain wall until he came to a narrow opening that led around a corner and stopped. Noting a small alcove he peered inside of it and smiled. Someone had indeed spent at least one night in here.

Taking long quick strides Snape worked his way further down the pathway for nearly an hour. The morning's air had a chill in the wind that blew softly yet it still could be called a breeze as he surveyed a scene on the path that told a story to his eyes. He was sweating from the exertion of coming down the side of the mountain as quickly as he did yet he drew his cloak tighter about himself as he began looking more intently to the sides of the path. A bush came into view that looked as if someone had pushed through it so he left the path and followed the broken bramble until he came upon a mound that lay in a small heap. Severus knelt down and turned the heap over to see the still wide eyed look on Narcissa Malfoy's face. It was not a look of horror that had fixed itself upon her face as Snape gazed upon her. It was a look of surprise, of sorrow, and of pity. How she could have placed those emotions into just one frozen moment eluded him.

"Aguamente." Water poured from the tip of his wand as Snape washed her face clean of the dirt that had embedded itself into her skin and then turned his attention to her hands. He showed no emotion nor entertained any thoughts while doing so. Narcissa was of no concern to him, none. Without hurry he straightened her cloak and wiped the excess dirt away from her clothes and straightened her limbs pushing a shoe back onto her foot while doing so. Her wand was laying a few feet away from her and he leaned over and took her wand into his hand wiping the dirt from it before placing inside her cloak and then arranged her cloak once again. His face remained placid while he did what he did, there was no show of emotion, he had no reason to care…, and she was of no concern to him. Lifting her head he combed his fingers through her hair raking bits of bramble out of the hair and wiping away any dirt that found its way into her beautiful white blond hair and then he laid her back down and sat back on his haunches. He wondered just what she had supposedly done to deserve what had happened here. What lies did Bellatrix speak? He sat with her for a long while occasionally arranging her hair or clothes. Occasionally cleaning away dirt from her body or clothes that he had not seen before and he showed no emotion no concern…, none.

Snape squatted there on his haunches looking down upon the lifeless body and pictured the dignity that Narcissa had once carried with her as if it were a badge. He had admired her for many years. He admired the strength of character that marked her as a person who did what they said they would do and he admired her for her strength in magic too. Narcissa was a Mistress of Potions in her own right and her death was a loss that could not be shared. He admired greatness with skill and Narcissa owned a deftness, with potions that equaled his. She might have risen high within the Death Eaters ranks yet she gave up her position when Draco was born and devoted her life to his being. A scowl crossed his face as he thought of the wasted efforts of the boy yet she doted on Draco and the devotion had to be admired whether or not it was misplaced. Her qualities came to him unbidden and unordered yet he showed no emotion towards her. She intrigued him and that intrigue is what caused him to remain close to her. She could have been a formidable woman had she not given everything up to raise her son, she might have even risen higher than he or Lucius had she not removed herself.

Snape reached down and grasped her hands and pulled the body to a setting position before pulling her up onto his shoulders. He had decided to bring her with him until he could deliver her to Draco's care. He might not have cared but he would not keep this from Draco should his own plans work out. He had no idea why he was doing this, nor why he felt the need to find her. Something of his own past perhaps or somewhat of how Draco must be feeling now. He pitied her really. Narcissa was a strong woman who gave everything up because Lucius demanded it of her. His mind whirled with unbidden wonderings as he carried her back to the caves. His thoughts would trail off, or end in nonsense. He felt nothing for Narcissa Malfoy, nothing but pity at what had to have been a senseless killing on Lucius's part and he was sure that Bellatrix had planted some thought of her and him that led Lucius to do what he had done but he had no proof.. Bitterly he cursed himself and cleared his mind. He had to maintain his composure for just a bit longer and then it would all be over for him at least.

Snape neared the open mouth of the cave and then apparated to lowest chambers to lay Narcissa down on a table and hide her until the time would come for Draco to take her home. Angrily, her turned to leave her where he laid her down and immediately cleared his mind once again. Outside the Chamber he straightened his cloak and adjusted his breathing and calm before striding away in search of Draco. He had to keep him away from his father for just a little while longer. As Snape made his way toward the upper levels his right arm began to burn. Rolling up his sleeve the imprint of a Dragon began to appear of his forearm. The Great lord had summoned him to the Chamber.

Snape entered the Chamber and immediately bowed and then closed the door and sealed its entrance before bowing once again and then moved briskly towards the desk at the far end where he bowed once more and this time he knelt so that his right fist was firmly planted onto the ground and his head bowed low. "Ah, Severus as prompt as usual I see. Is the boy readied?" Grindelwald seemed as if he was being a bit cavalier in his behavior which might suggest a good mood but Snape remained as he was, a faithful servant and he answered him quickly. "Yes, Great Master, the boy is ready but I fear we may have a slight problem." Grindelwald's expression changed quickly but his tome remained even. "Explain." Snape dutifully explained the recent events involving Lucius's appearance and his failure to answer his son's questions concerning his mother and of Snape's discovery only just this morning. "And the boy's mother? You brought her here?" Grindelwald asked. "Yes Great Master, she is below in the lower chambers." Snape's answer was directed to the floor as he dared not raise his head. "And you have designs for this woman then?" Grindelwald pressed on. "Yes Great Master.. The woman will be returned to her son for his disposal once he has been raised." Again Snape addressed the floor.

Snape dared not look upward as Grindelwald kept silent waiting for Snape to continue on with his explanation and when it did not come he spoke again. "The boy is your protégé Severus and I charged you with his care. You seem to think that this is necessary then." It was more a question than a statement and Snape sensing the need for an answer he spoke. "Yes Great Master, the boy should see that which his father discards as useless. It will teach him patience when making such decisions for your greatness." Snape wanted to bite his lip for offering more than what was needed but Grindelwald misunderstood his meaning and said, "Yes you are quite right Severus. I will honor the boy and allow him to punish his father when the convention arrives now rise and step forth." Snape did as he was commanded and stepped forward to the desk, his head till bowed. Grindelwald reached forward and took Snape's right arm and pushed back his sleeve. Grindelwald made several flicks with his wand and then tapped Snape's forearm with the tip of the wand and the Dragon disappeared. "Step back Severus." Snape bowed and retreated to where he had been and knelt once again with his right fist pushed against the floor and his head bowed. "The convention will meet in two days time here in the Chamber Severus. The Dread Lords will walk again, you are dismissed!" Severus rose to his feet and bowed deeply and stepped backwards bowing his way to the door where he let himself out and then allowed himself to breathe deeply. "Just two more days and it shall be done with or without Potter."

He was concerned about Potter for the last four days. He knew that he had been near but had not sensed the use of any magic since the night of the heavy rain. Though Severus did not really know if it was Potter, deep down he did know. Harry had followed him and Draco across the world and had nearly caught them several times. It could have been no other that had camped out just down the mountain side. But now his worry was how to prepare Draco to do as he had wished for, for so long now. Draco just might realize the power that was being offered him. Only hope would make Draco understand where Grindelwald came from and only hope would make him understand just what Grindelwald intended to do. Snape had used these years to understand and he could not allow the Forbidding to be opened. As he directed his feet towards his own chamber he wondered if he had taught Draco enough of the old magics and enough of the arcane and dark magics for him to realize, for him to understand just what this would mean if it were allowed to happen. Snape wondered if indeed he would have to end it all himself. "It would spoil everything I've planned. Potter where are you?" He hissed with vehemence as he lengthened his steps as he hurried to put distance between himself and Grindelwald's chambers.

Snape reached for the knob of his door and stopped. Tilting his head he listened for the footsteps he had heard when he stopped and turned to face them. Draco had rounded to corner and stepped into the passageway just ahead of him and was coming nearer. "Severus, a moment of your time please." It was not a request, and Snape pushed open his door and stepped aside gesturing to Draco to precede him. Draco stepped inside the small chamber and moved to the side to allow Snape to enter behind him. Draco had not been in here before and looked around him and sneered at the bareness of the room but remained silent keeping his scorn to himself. Snape took the only chair and turned it to face Draco before setting down in it to await whatever it was that Draco thought important enough to seek him out.

Flicking his wand Severus produced another chair similar to his and gestured for Draco to take the seat yet Draco remained standing and paced to and fro in the short few strides that remained in the small chamber. Finally Draco squared his shoulders to ask "Do you know where my mother is? My father refuses to answer any question and only babbles about killing you. Why?" Snape leaned back into his chair and steepled his fingers against his chin as he looked down his nose to the floor. "Draco, sit down." It was an offer, a gesture of kindness yet it sounded every bit of a firm command. Draco still stood until Snape extended a hand towards the chair and said "Sit, Draco." Though the gesture was outwardly friendly, almost fatherly in kind, Snape's voice was firmer than before and its tone suggested that there would be no more offers in kindness and the undertones suggested that there be no disobedience.

Draco looked about the chamber and its bareness once again before he took the offered seat and sat with his arms folded and a sulkiness replaced the features on his face. Snape steepled his fingers again and resumed their tapping against his chin as he looked upon Draco setting there watching him and then finally he began to speak. "Your mother is dead…" Draco shot out of his chair but Snape's wand was out in a flash. "Sit down Draco. I am not finished." Snape's voice took on that dangerous oily tone of command. It was the wand that Draco eyed as he retook his seat though every fiber within him strained to scream out, to lash out, to unleash the fury that had been boiling deep within him since the night before. He had thought that he had contained that feeling and had thought that he was prepared to hear the worst of it from his father. Fighting desperately to keep his voice even and steady he asked "How?"

Snape watched him carefully for a full minute before he answered. "Draco I need to tell you something that after hearing it, it may explain what I think you have known." Snape's voice took on that fatherly tone once again yet he needed to proceed carefully. He watched as Draco's fists clenched and unclenched in time with his breathing and Snape knew that he was trying to control a most certain rage. Draco was now strong enough and quick enough that if he missed anything Draco could quite possibly kill him. Snape allowed the silence to grow for just a little bit longer before he began. "Do you recall our lecture of Calling on the Dragon?" he watched carefully as Draco nodded, and mentally incanted Legillimense.

Draco's thoughts were swirling as Snape searched for what Draco was thinking, He was not thinking straight and had not closed his mind. "Good then, now listen carefully and you will understand and no where to direct your anger when I reveal how your mother was killed." Draco was now taking short and very rapid breaths and his fists had tightened so that the skin across his knuckles had turned white against the strain yet he appeared to be calming down. Snape looked to Draco's thoughts again and though they were also slowing his mind still swirled in a mass of confusion, anger, and…, grief? "There were two wizards of our time who practiced this magic and also a much rarer form of calling on the Dragon. It is called the Dragon's breath. There is only one now who remains alive that still practices this magic. The other, Albus Dumbledore, considered it to be of the most ancient of magics and the darkest." "That old fool?" Draco interrupted with a contemptuous scowl as he spit the words out. Snape's eye's flared for the briefest of moments before continuing on. "It was this other Wizard which taught your master the ancient ways of the dark arts, and it was this wizard who twisted your master's mind. It was this wizard who placed the thoughts of immortality into your master's head." Snape's voice was rising in volume and in forcefulness and as he spoke he began to lean towards Draco and with a resounding smack on the table with his hand, he nearly shouted "And it was this wizard, who caused you mother's death by twisting your father and your aunts minds!" Spit flew from his mouth as he spoke the last few words.

Draco sat stunned for a few moments, his face reddened with the heat of both anger and fear. Angered because Snape had caused him to lean backwards away from him as he loomed into his face and fear of what Snape might do. Snape sat back into his chair and his voice returned to normal as he finished "And it is this wizard who is now your Great Master, and it is this wizard whom we await so that he may introduce you to the convention of the Dragoons." Snape looked to Draco's thoughts and found them swirling again in a more orderly mass of confusion. He smiled to himself inside his mouth, he had planted the seed of doubt and confusion that he had wanted. He had told him everything and yet nothing. Draco's mind was roiling trying to absorb what he had just heard and to sort out how this information affected him and his family, what it had to do with his mother, and with a maddening pace he tried to puzzle it through, to picture what Snape had just said but all he could focus on was that this man caused his mothers death.

Snape had hoped to unsettle Draco and he withheld the one answer Draco sought after the most. Yet he was able to turn Draco's rage towards Grindelwald without mentioning his name. He still had two more days in which to prepare Draco and to let him learn that he was to kill his own father in the presence of the members of the convention. Standing up and walking around Draco he placed a reassuring hand on Draco's shoulder and soothingly he said "We still have a few more days Draco. We can think of something that might save your father yet."