A/N - Hey everyone! All right, buckle up, I'm sure from the chapter title you have an idea what's going to happen. Thank you again for reading and reviewing! I appreciate all of you so much!

Chapter 35

Tortured

Lucius and Draco landed before the gates of Lestrange Manor. They entered and strode towards the door. Draco glanced at him once but Lucius just shook his head. They could not discuss this now. They needed to be ready. Lucius had no idea why he'd been called after all these months, but he raised his Occlumency shields and attempted to clear his mind.

It was a task easier said than done after what had just happened with Hermione. What she had been about to say echoed through his mind on repeat. But he could not think about that now. He could not put her in danger. He shoved that memory and all the others of her to the furthest recesses of his mind and pulled in a breath as they reached the front door of the manor.

It was opened by one of Rabastan's pets, fitted with a collar just as the other had been the day Lucius came to visit the Dark Lord. Lucius and Draco followed him to the drawing room that was slowly filling with the rest of the Death Eaters. There were a few new faces, most of them around Draco's age, some even looking a bit younger. Lucius knew most of them, sons and nephews of those he had served with in the First War. It pained him to know that another generation would now suffer under the Dark Lord's rule.

The Dark Lord, however, was nowhere to be seen. Instead, Yaxley stood at the front of the room surveying everyone as they arrived. Lucius glanced at Draco who gave an almost imperceptible nod. As they moved into the room, Lucius could feel the eyes on him and could hear the whispers. He ignored it all, neutral expression on his face as he stopped next to his son. Draco stood next to Theo but none of them spoke. Finally, Yaxley seemed to be satisfied that everyone had arrived and began to speak.

"A few days ago, there was a large output of magic in an area where there should have been none." Lucius continued to look straight ahead and certainly hoped that Draco and Theo were doing the same.

"The Ministry, unfortunately, took their time in arriving and found nothing," Yaxley continued. "They have been dealt with appropriately." Murmurs of satisfaction rippled around the room. "However, it has since come to my attention that a few of our best Snatchers have since disappeared." He tipped his head towards Greyback who led the Snatchers. "We suspect the Resistance."

There were mutterings and rumbling throughout the room and Yaxley held up his hands to quiet everyone.

"As there was no trace of Apparition, they obviously escaped on foot and cannot have gotten far. Tonight, we will search the area and the surrounding village for the Resistance," Yaxley said. "We will go house to house if we have to. They are hiding somewhere nearby and I intend to find them." Most in the room voiced their agreement as Yaxley projected a map onto the wall, pointing out the area that they would search.

"Do what you will to get the answers you need," Yaxley said with a grin. A raucous cheer went up, although Lucius was a bit surprised that it was not as loud or as bloodthirsty as it might have been even a year ago. Perhaps it was because the worst of them, Bellatrix, Rodolphus, Dolohov, were gone. Or maybe everyone was just tired of these fruitless errands. There were still enough, though, that the Muggles in the village would suffer tonight for something that they had no part in. Lucius still had no love for Muggles and likely never would. But what was about to happen would, in a way, be Lucius and Draco's fault.

Everyone began to move out of the room, donning masks and drawing their wands. Lucius had made it halfway to the door before Yaxley called out to him.

"Lucius, a word." Draco glanced at his father and Lucius attempted to give him a reassuring look before turning back to Yaxley. Yaxley waited until the room had cleared before he addressed Lucius.

"Are you sure you are up for this?" he asked with a smirk. "It has been quite some time after all." Lucius resisted the urge to sneer.

"If this is what the Dark Lord wishes, I am here to serve," Lucius replied. Yaxley's speech struck him as unusual, however. He sounded much more…cultured, than usual. Perhaps he was making an attempt now that he appeared to be in charge.

"What have you been up to all these months, I wonder?" Yaxley asked, smirk still in place.

"Managing my estate and my business dealings is rather time-consuming," Lucius replied.

"Of course," Yaxley said studying him.

"Is there something you wanted?" Lucius asked. "Otherwise, I should join everyone else."

"Oh no, Lucius," Yaxley said. "You will not be joining your brethren." Lucius' brow furrowed.

"Then why am I here?"

"Why indeed?" Yaxley replied. Lucius was getting tired of this. If Yaxley simply wanted to mock him, Lucius had much better things to be doing.

"If you do not require my services, then I will take my leave." He turned but the door to the drawing room slammed shut.

"I don't think so," Yaxley said. Lucius turned back to face the other man.

"I have no desire to play whatever little game you have planned, Corban," Lucius said. This was ridiculous. Second in command or not, Lucius was not about to stand by and let Yaxley insult him.

"I have a few questions for you, Lucius."

"Such as?" Lucius drawled.

"Such as, why do you think the Dark Lord has basically shunned you?"

"I assume it has something to do with my wife's treachery," Lucius replied, sounding bored.

"As well as your own failures, of course." Lucius tipped his head in acknowledgement. Yaxley put his arms behind his back and began to stroll across the room. He stopped and looked back at Lucius. "Not to mention Draco's inability to kill Dumbledore."

"I am well aware of all the ways my family has disappointed the Dark Lord."

"And you do not wish to redeem yourself?" Yaxley asked.

"I can only do what the Dark Lord asks of me," Lucius said. "As he has not seen fit to call me, there is not much I can do to prove myself."

"Actually, there is something you can do," Yaxley said. Lucius waited expectantly, although he was quite certain he was not going to like what Yaxley had to say.

"The Dark Lord has become aware that there is likely a traitor in our ranks." Lucius' mouth went dry. "You see, there have been too many raids where the Resistance was either gone or ready for us. Too many times where the Resistance was seen but then disappeared before we arrived. And then, of course, there was the most recent endeavor to draw them out."

"Yes, your attempt to use McGonagall as bait," Lucius said dryly. "Pity that did not work." There was a flash of something in Yaxley's eyes, but he merely smiled mildly at Lucius.

"I think, Lucius, that you may know something about this."

"What would I possibly know about it?" Lucius asked.

"Oh, I don't know," Yaxley said. "A myriad of time on your hands, a son who has been welcomed back into the Dark Lord's service, a likely vendetta against the Dark Lord for the death of your wife."

"You are accusing me of being the traitor?" Lucius asked. Yaxley whirled to face him.

"Can you think of an alternative?" His eyes bored into Lucius' and Lucius felt a nudge at his shields. The shock of it was nearly his undoing. Yaxley did not have his wand drawn, nor had he said the incantation. Still, Lucius managed to recover. He snorted in derision, pretending he hadn't noticed the intrusion.

"Really, Corban? Because there is dissension somewhere, I am automatically to blame? I have not been called in months as you are aware. How would I know any of the Dark Lord's plans in order to share them with anyone else?"

"As I said, your son has been welcomed back into the ranks with open arms." Lucius had to be careful. He could not say anything to implicate Draco while attempting to deflect suspicion from himself.

"My son is a junior Death Eater who certainly is not privy to all the Dark Lord's plans. Even if he were giving me information, which I can ensure you he is not, how would I possibly know enough to warn the Resistance on a consistent basis? And besides-" Lucius trailed off, looking away.

"Besides what?" Yaxley asked, just as Lucius had hoped he would. Lucius' jaw tightened and his lips thinned.

"It is personal family business," Lucius muttered.

"Share it with me," Yaxley said, smirk back in place. Lucius scowled at him.

"My son rarely speaks to me," he finally said. "He blames me for his mother's death." A grin split Yaxley's lips.

"Well, well, well, how far you have fallen, Lucius," Yaxley said with a laugh. Lucius glared at him.

"If that is all," Lucius said through gritted teeth. Yaxley studied him for a moment.

"No, I don't think it is." He drew his wand and held it loosely in his hand, continuing to look at Lucius. "You see, Lucius, it has come to my attention that your son is very curious. He asks a lot of questions, always wants to know everyone else's business. I find that interesting."

"He is ambitious and wants to move up the ranks," Lucius said. "You and I both know that information is the best way to do that."

"Perhaps," Yaxley said. "Or maybe it is for another reason entirely." Lucius strengthened his shields, having a suspicion as to what was coming next. "Let's see, shall we? Legilimens!"

Quickly, Lucius began to feed Yaxley memories. Memories from after the battle, Draco's disdain for him, his son's outright rejection when Lucius attempted to speak with him, Lucius walking into the dining room and Draco leaving, sometimes with his plate of food if he had not finished eating yet, days on end when Lucius had no contact with his son at all. He had not reached the level of being able to create false memories, these were all real, albeit months old. And as much as they still pained Lucius, he was glad that he had them.

The other part of his brain was trying to work out just how Yaxley had gotten so proficient at Legilimency so quickly. It was not a skill one just picked up without practice. Lucius felt the other man pushing at his shields and fell back on older memories, when Draco was younger and idolized his father. Lucius let the pain at the change in his son's respect leak through. Yaxley continued prodding, but Lucius simply began to replay the memories. Every time Yaxley attempted to follow one to get further into Lucius' mind, Lucius strengthened his shields. Finally, Yaxley pulled back.

"If you are through humiliating me, I will take my leave," Lucius said.

"Oh no, Lucius," Yaxley said with grim smile. "We're just getting started."

"Is the Dark Lord aware of what you are doing, Corban?"

"In a manner of speaking," Yaxley said with a smirk. Lucius frowned.

"Either he is or he is not," Lucius said.

"You ask too many questions, Lucius," Yaxley said. "Quite like your son."

"And I suspect that the Dark Lord has not ordered this," Lucius said. "Perhaps I should speak with him myself. I wonder what he would say if he knew you were acting outside his orders."

"Oh, he's closer than you think," Yaxley said with another of those smirks. Lucius had finally lost his patience.

"Yaxley, I have no time for this. If you wish me to aid with the search of the town, then allow me to leave. Or allow me to speak to the Dark Lord. Otherwise, we are done here."

"Did your son fail to inform you who was in charge?" Yaxley asked, mouth thinning.

"You may be the Dark Lord's mouthpiece, Corban, but that does not mean you are in charge," Lucius said. "I answer to the Dark Lord and no one else."

"I think the Dark Lord would disagree with you on that," Yaxley said. Lucius could tell he was growing angry.

"Then by all means, let us ask him," Lucius said. "I am more than happy to wait."

"The Dark Lord has more important things to do than cater to you, Lucius," Yaxley snapped.

"I am sure that he does," Lucius replied. "Therefore, since you seem to have no need for me at this time, I will return to my home." Lucius turned to leave, not intending to indulge Yaxley any further. If the Dark Lord wished to punish him for it, so be it.

"Crucio!" rang out before Lucius had taken more than three steps. He fell to his knees, teeth gritted against the pain. However, this was no normal level Cruciatus curse and Lucius was unable to stay silent. He cried out, falling forward onto his hands as the curse ripped through him. He managed to draw his wand but was disarmed immediately.

"You are hiding something," Yaxley hissed. "And I intend to find out what it is." He ended the curse and immediately dove into Lucius' head. The pain was excruciating, but Lucius concentrated on his pain and anger at the man above him and managed to keep his shields in place. He buried Hermione and everything related to her deeper in his head.

Yaxley cursed him again and Lucius writhed on the floor, realizing the last time he had felt this level of pain was after the Dark Lord had broken him out of Azkaban. Lucius had been punished for hours for his failure to obtain the prophecy.

Yaxley lifted the curse and Lucius lay panting on the floor for mere seconds before Yaxley was in his mind again. The cycle continued until Lucius thought he might pass out. He had managed to hold his shields but he knew it was only a matter of time before Yaxley broke through.

When the man raised his wand again, Lucius girded himself for another round, however instead of the Cruciatus curse, Yaxley sent a cutting curse at him, slicing open a cut on his arm. Lucius hissed as another was opened on his right calf. A third appeared across his chest and another on his left thigh.

"Tell me what I want to know, Lucius," Yaxley said in a low voice.

"I have nothing," Lucius began, then gritted his teeth as Yaxley dragged his wand down Lucius' cheek, a blooming cut opening in its wake, "to say to you."

"Pity," Yaxley said and the timbre of his voice made Lucius' eyes snap open. He had sounded like, but no, that was impossible. Yaxley grinned maniacally and Lucius stared at him. Another cut was opened on his shoulder, but Lucius ignored it, staring into Yaxley's eyes. Yaxley began to laugh and then, for a mere moment, his eyes flashed red. Lucius looked at him in horror, scrambling backward.

"Oh yes, Lucius," Yaxley said, his voice ending on a hiss so reminiscent of the Dark Lord's speech that Lucius froze. "I told you the Dark Lord was closer than you think." He cast the Cruciatus again, grinning just as the Dark Lord always had when punishing his followers.

The curse went on, only pausing long enough for Yaxley or the Dark Lord or whomever he was to send more cutting curses Lucius' way. He was growing weaker, his shields nearly crumbling. But no matter what happened, he would not let the Dark Lord find out about Hermione. Nor would he implicate his son.

"Once more, I think," Yaxley said with a laugh and once again cast Legilimens on Lucius. Sending up a silent apology to his friend, Lucius let the memories of saving Severus flood his mind. Yaxley yanked back, staring down at Lucius, looking shocked. Lucius panted, putting the last of his strength into keeping his memories of the Resistance and Hermione hidden. Yaxley dove back in, moving quickly through Lucius' memories of Severus and then backed out. Lucius managed to show him a few of Lucius and Severus at Spinner's End, hoping that Yaxley would assume that was where Severus currently was.

"You have been a very, very bad boy, Lucius," Yaxley said. "As has Severus. I shall have to pay him a visit." Lucius opened his mouth to protest, but Yaxley cast Sectumsempra at him and then moved from the room. Lucius panted, reaching out for his wand that Yaxley had carelessly tossed to the floor; he had to warn Severus, get back to Hermione, hide her. Just before he lost consciousness, Lucius managed grasp the Malfoy family ring he wore and whisper the password, his Portkey whisking him away.

Hermione had no idea how long she stared at the spot Lucius and Draco disappeared from, as if looking at it could bring them back. It was only Professor Snape hissing in pain that drew her attention back to her surroundings. She looked over at him in concern.

"Are you all right?"

"The call gets progressively stronger until one heeds it," he said. "I will be fine." But he grimaced again.

"Professor, what about your potion?" she asked. "The masking one that you were working on. Have you tried it?"

"It was designed to make the Dark Lord unable to find me through the Mark," he said. "Not take away the pain of the call."

"Still," she said. "Maybe you should take it. We have no idea why he's calling all of you in the first place, after all." The professor sat in thought for a moment before he nodded, summoning a vial. It flew into his hand and he drank it down. He looked down at the Mark on his arm and Hermione saw that it had stopped moving.

"Is that a good sign?" she asked.

"Either the call has ended or the potion has masked it," he said. "Either is possible." She nodded and bit her lip.

"Why do you think he called everyone?"

"There is no telling," Professor Snape said.

"Do you think," she paused, not wanting to voice her fears. "Do you think he knows?"

"Anything is possible," the professor said and Hermione swallowed thickly. "That does not mean that is what it is."

"But Lucius hasn't been called for months," she said.

"It does no good to speculate," he said. He moved to the drinks' cabinet and poured out two glasses of Firewhiskey, handing her one. She took a sip, then a larger gulp, hoping it would help settle her nerves.

She settled into one of the armchairs, curling up and tucking her legs under her. She had nearly told Lucius that she loved him. She wasn't sure if she was glad that she had been interrupted or not. She did want to tell him but she was also scared that he wouldn't return her feelings or worse, be appalled that she had them. Although, she thought he likely knew what she had been about to say.

What if it distracted him? What if he were thinking about her when he saw Voldemort and wasn't able to hide it in time? Voldemort would kill him. Oh, gods, what had she done?

"Miss Granger," Professor Snape said and she looked up at him, anguish clear on her face. "He will be fine. Lucius is no stranger to this." Hermione managed to nod.

"Do you think we should tell the others?" she asked.

"I am sure that Theo had one of his House Elves inform them," the professor said.

As the two of them sat in silence, sipping at their drinks, Hermione wondered how Lucius did this over and over whenever Draco was called. It had only been twenty minutes and she was nearly out of her mind. The grandfather clock ticked loudly in the corner and the crackle of the fire began to grate on her nerves. She jumped up from her chair and began to pace, taking a sip of her Firewhiskey with each pass across the room. When her glass was empty, she stopped and poured herself another. She could feel the professor's eyes on her but couldn't bring herself to still.

"Liddy," Professor Snape and the elf popped into the room.

"What does Sir be needing?" Liddy asked.

"Will you bring us a bit of food, please." Liddy glanced at the glass of Firewhiskey in Hermione's hand and frowned.

"I'm not hungry," Hermione said.

"Miss will be eating," Liddy said looking pointedly at the glass in her hand. Hermione blinked at the elf.

"All right," she said, feeling like a chastised child. She caught the smirk on the professor's face. Liddy nodded once and then disappeared. She returned a few minutes later with a tray of finger sandwiches, cheese, and fruit. Hermione picked up a piece of apple and nibbled on it, certain her stomach would not tolerate anything heartier. Liddy nodded in satisfaction before she Disapparated.

Hermione had no idea how long they sat there, drinking in silence. The clock chimed and Hermione jumped at the sudden noise. She gave Professor Snape a sheepish grin as he chuckled lowly, before taking a sandwich from the tray.

"Do you think-" Hermione began but was interrupted by Liddy's arrival.

"Sir, Master Lucius be needing you," the elf said, nearly frantic. Hermione and Professor Snape jumped to their feet.

"Where is he?" the professor asked.

"In the secret room," Liddy said. Hermione's eyes widened. Lucius had told her about the safe room. If he was there, it meant he had used his emergency Portkey. Oh gods.

"Come, come," Liddy said holding out her arms. Hermione and Professor Snape grabbed on and they disappeared, only to reappear in a small, enclosed room. Hermione's head swung around and saw Lucius' bloody body lying on the floor.

"Oh my god! Lucius!" she shouted before she ran to Lucius' side, dropping to her knees beside him. The professor pulled his wand from his sleeve and flicked it, stripping Lucius of his clothes. There were gashes and cuts all over him. The professor immediately began to chant. The three large gashes on Lucius' body slowly began to close.

"Blood replenishing potion, Miss Granger," he snapped. Hermione sat frozen, staring at Lucius in horror. "Miss Granger!" She jumped and looked at the professor. "Blood replenisher." She nodded and stood, looking frantically around the room. Finally, she drew her wand.

"Accio Blood Replenisher." A small cabinet in the corner opened and a vial flew towards her. Hermione caught it and knelt down again, lifting Lucius' head and pouring it into his mouth. It began running out of the corner of his mouth and she massaged his throat to get him to swallow. She only became aware of the tears running down her cheeks when her vision blurred and she swiped at them with her sleeve.

"Another," the professor said. "No, make that two more." Hermione gasped on a sob as she stood and ran to the cabinet, pulling out two more vials of Blood Replenishing potion.

"He also needs the blue one!" Professor Snape shouted. She searched the cabinet and found two blue vials, one light and one darker. Grabbing both, she raced back to Lucius and saw that he looked as if he was having a seizure.

"What's happening?" she cried.

"The potion, Miss Granger," the professor said. "The blue."

"Which, which one?" she asked helplessly, holding up the two blue vials.

"The darker," he said shortly. "Immediately." Hermione knelt down and grasped Lucius' chin in her hand, trying to hold him still while she forced the potion down his throat. The seizing slowed and then stopped, replaced by twitches of his limbs.

"Now the blood replenisher," Professor Snape said as he closed the last gash on Lucius' body. Hermione quickly helped Lucius swallow both vials in quick succession. There were other shallower cuts all over his body. The professor healed all of them as well and then sat back on his heels, closing his eyes and letting out a breath.

"Is he going to be all right?" Hermione asked.

"I do not know," Professor Snape said.

"Wh-what?" she asked.

"He was tortured with the Cruciatus. I have no idea for how long." Immediately, the fates of Neville's parents popped into Hermione's head. Oh god, no, this couldn't, he couldn't, no!

"But he, but he got back here. So, he had to have, he had to know how or, or," she trailed off. Or someone else had sent him back. But the only other person that knew about the Portkey was Draco.

"Liddy," the professor said appearing to have the same thought. "Can you sense Draco?" Liddy closed her eyes and concentrated.

"Master Draco be far away," she said. "But all right." Professor Snape closed his eyes in relief and Hermione realized just how much he cared for Draco. She turned back to Lucius who was still twitching and brushed his hair out of his eyes.

"What do we do?" she asked fearfully. "We don't know who did this or what they know or,"

"Let's get him onto the bed," the professor said. He levitated Lucius onto the small bed in the corner. Hermione covered him with a blanket and smoothed it out. Then she looked back at Professor Snape. He was frowning.

"I'm going to have to do Legilimency on him," the professor finally said. Hermione blanched. Lucius was already weak. Being submitted to Legilimency could make things worse. "We have no choice, Hermione." She startled a bit at the use of her given name but nodded. He was right.

"You will have to hold his eyes open for me," the professor said. Hermione climbed carefully into the bed and cradled Lucius' head in her lap. She brushed her fingers over the healed cut on his cheek and then moved her thumbs to his eyes, looking up at Professor Snape. He nodded and Hermione gently pulled Lucius' eyes open. The professor whispered the spell and stared into Lucius' eyes. A few minutes later, Professor Snape blinked and looked at her.

"It was Yaxley," he said. Hermione frowned, letting Lucius' eyes fall shut, but not moving from the position she was in. "He knows I'm alive." Hermione looked up at him in fear but the professor was looking back at Lucius, brow furrowed.

"There was something else," Professor Snape said.

"The Resistance?" Hermione asked.

"No, I do not think so," the professor said. "It does not appear that he knows about you either. It was something about Yaxley, something different. I could not see exactly, thoughts are harder to read than memories of events, especially because he is unconscious. I do not want to probe further just now."

"Is Yaxley coming here?" she asked. The professor was still looking at Lucius intently and didn't seem to hear her question. "Professor?" No response. "Severus?" His eyes flicked back to her immediately and Hermione blushed.

"I'm sorry, I," she said but he shook his head.

"No matter," he said. "It is time you stopped calling me Professor, in any case. It appears that Lucius showed Yaxley older memories of the two of us at my home in Spinner's End. I believe he will start there. But he will come here eventually. We need to not be here when he does."

"We can't move Lucius," Hermione protested.

"We will have to," the professor said.

"But why can't we just stay here? Lucius said that no one knows about this room but Draco."

"And how long do you think it will take Yaxley to confront Draco once he comes here and does not find us?" Hermione paled.

"Nott Manor?" she asked.

"Not unless we are sure that my potion works," he said. "We cannot allow Yaxley to find the Resistance."

"Ginny and Mrs. Weasley," Hermione said suddenly remembering. "They're supposed to come back tomorrow."

"Send a Patronus," the profess-, Severus said.

"How are we going to get to Draco?" she asked. "Neither of us can send him a Patronus in the middle of their raid."

"Liddy," Severus said as he turned to the House Elf. "Can you go to Draco? You must not be seen."

"Yes, sir," Liddy said.

"You must bring him here as soon as possible, Liddy. But first, you must bring the woman you have been caring for to this room."

"Yes, sir," Liddy said disappearing. She returned a few moments later with Professor Trelawney in tow. The woman immediately cowered into a corner, looking fearfully around the room. Liddy disappeared again and Hermione eased from the bed, approaching her old Divination teacher.

"Give her a sleeping draught," Severus said, summoning one from the cabinet. Although Hermione did not want to just drug the other woman, she knew that they didn't need another complication right now. She took the vial from Severus and moved towards Professor Trelawney.

"Drink this, please," she said, holding the vial out towards her. The professor looked at her and Hermione smiled encouragingly. "It's all right." Professor Trelawney reached out with a shaking hand. Hermione helped her drink the sleeping draught, then conjured another cot and levitated the woman onto it once she had fallen asleep.

And then they waited for Liddy to arrive with Draco. Hermione moved back to Lucius' side, sitting down on the edge of the bed and taking one of his hands in hers. She ran her thumb over the back of his hand as he twitched and trembled, spasms from the Cruciatus still coursing through him. She glanced up at Severus, it was so odd to call him that, even in her head, wondering how long it would take Yaxley to reach Spinner's End and determine that Severus wasn't there, nor had he been in more than two years.

"Your Mark hasn't burned," she said, not as a question. Severus looked up at her. "Now that Yaxley knows you're alive, don't you think You-Know-Who would have tried to call you individually?" Severus glanced down at his left arm and frowned. He pulled up his sleeve, but the Mark was as still as it had been before and it no longer burned black. She smiled up at him. Severus continued to stare at his arm, a look almost like wonder on his face.

"I think your potion works. Please tell me you have more for Lucius and Draco when he gets here," she said. He glanced up at her.

"Yes, I-" he began but they were interrupted by a crack and Liddy and Draco landed in the room.

"What the fuck, Severus?" Draco began but trailed off at the sight of his father. "What happened?"

"Yaxley," Severus said. "There is no time to explain, Draco, but we must leave."

"Leave, what are you, what the hell is going on? What happened to Father? And why is Trelawney in here?"

"Draco!" Severus snapped. "I need you to focus. The Dark Lord is likely on his way here. We need to get out. Where can we go that he does not know about?"

"I don't, what do you mean?"

"There have to be properties he is unaware of," Severus said. "Somewhere none of the other Death Eaters have been."

"He'll just follow us," Draco said, eyes moving from Severus to Lucius.

"No, the masking potion works," Severus said. "Where can we go?"

"I, I don't, just, wait, just, someone explain!"

"Yaxley used Legilimency on your father," Hermione said quickly. "He knows about Severus."

"Think, Draco!"

"All right!" Draco said. "All right." His brow furrowed.

"Liddy," Severus said. "I require something from my rooms. My potions bag and also the journal on my desk." The elf nodded and disappeared.

"There's a hunting lodge," Draco said. He stopped and his eyes widened. Liddy popped back into the room with Severus' things.

"What is it?" Hermione asked.

"The wards," Draco said. "Someone's come through."

"He's here," Severus replied. Hermione's heart began to pound and Severus dug into the bag of potions. Draco hissed as his Mark began to burn and Severus hurriedly shoved a vial at him. He gave another to Hermione and she got Lucius to swallow it. The pain from Draco's Mark immediately stopped. He looked up at Severus in shock.

"Can he tell?" he asked.

"Most likely," Severus replied. "The lodge?"

"Yes, we rarely went there. Father never really liked to hunt and Mother hated it, said it was too primitive. The last time we were there was the summer before Grandfather died in third year."

"Would the Dark Lord know it? Or Yaxley?"

"Not the Dark Lord," Draco said. "And I doubt Yaxley would. Father never liked him so he wouldn't have taken him there."

"What about any of the other Death Eaters?"

"Bellatrix and Rodolphus have been there I think but as they're dead." Draco shrugged.

"Rabastan? Anyone else?"

"Rabastan maybe, but I don't know for sure," Draco said. "No one else that's still alive though."

"We will have to risk it," Severus said. "Can you raise the Malfoy blood wards?"

"I know how, but can I with Father still," he trailed off. Lucius was head of the family and as such, would be in control of the family wards. They would pass to Draco on Lucius' death, which Hermione put firmly from her mind. He was not going to die. He was not.

"We will see when we get there," Severus said. Draco looked back towards Lucius.

"Father, is he," he trailed off again.

"He was subjected to the Cruciatus. We do not know for how long or how often. Also, a myriad of slicing hexes and Sectumsempra." Draco flinched at the mention of the curse Harry had cast on him.

"But he got back here," Draco said.

"Yes," Severus replied. "And when I looked in his mind to determine what had happened, he did not appear impaired. But there is no way to know for certain." Draco nodded just as what sounded like an explosion came from outside the room.

"We must go," Severus said.

"Wait, what about Ginny?" Draco said. "And Mrs. Weasley?"

"I'll send a Patronus as soon as we've gone, telling them to stay at Nott Manor," Hermione said.

"Theo," Draco said. "I have to warn him."

"Once we are gone, Draco," Severus said, putting a hand on his shoulder.

"All right," he said.

"Take Liddy with you, so she can come back for us," Severus said. "You stay with your father." Draco nodded and moved to the bed. Hermione squeezed Lucius' hand and then rose, taking a step back so Draco could grasp his father's arm.

"Wait," Severus said. He cast a body bind on Lucius. "Cancel it when you have gotten him into bed." Draco nodded and reached out for Liddy's hand. And then they were gone. Hermione's breath hitched as Lucius disappeared. There was another loud bang and Hermione jumped.

"Do you know where in the house this room is?" she asked. Severus shook his head. Hermione bit her lip. "What if he finds our research? Last I knew it was in the library."

"Lucius destroyed it," Severus said. Hermione looked at him in question. "Two days ago." When she had been staying at Nott Manor. After he had seen her sitting at Ron's bedside.

"Well, at least there's that, I suppose." Liddy reappeared in the safe room.

"Sir and Miss must be coming now," the House Elf said. She moved towards Professor Trelawney and snapped her fingers. Hermione watched the woman's body go rigid. Liddy grabbed the professor's arm and then reached out her other hand for Hermione and Severus. They grasped her fingers and with one last look at the room, disappeared.

Hermione sat on the edge of Lucius' bed, his hand in hers. Draco and Severus were examining the wards, determining what was in place and trying to figure out if Draco could raise the Malfoy blood wards. If he could, no one without Malfoy blood could get onto the property, save Liddy, of course.

Hermione had managed to conjure her Patronus once they arrived, although it had taken her a couple of tries, with as worried about everything as she was. Lucius hadn't woken or even moved, really, save the twitches that continued to plague him from the Cruciatus. Because the Floo was not connected in the lodge, they had been forced to send Liddy to Nott Manor. Draco had instructed her to explain what had happened to Kingsley and then stay in the kitchens with the Nott elves until Theo returned. They all assumed he was still in the village with the rest of the Death Eaters.

Hermione was worried not only about Lucius, but also about the Resistance. If Yaxley or Voldemort went to Nott Manor to question Theo, they would likely discover their presence. Draco had insisted that he and Theo acted like nothing more than mere acquaintances when around Yaxley or other Death Eaters, but everyone knew they had been in school together. The assumption could be made that they were, in fact, friends.

Hermione's heart clenched. They couldn't have come this far only to lose everything. It would be the cruelest trick of fate. She wouldn't let herself believe that. The prophecy had been made for a reason.

Sighing, she looked down at Lucius and raised a hand to smooth the lines on his forehead. Her fingers traced them lightly and she felt him start to relax under her touch. Hermione started, staring at his face to see if were perhaps awakening. But he just seemed to be settling deeper into sleep. Knowing that sleep would only help, she continued to stroke his forehead. Her fingers traced the line of his nose and then moved over his cheeks, circling his eyes and then moving back to his forehead. His breathing remained deep and even.

Hermione finally moved her hand from his face and he immediately frowned. Smiling at him now, she laid down on the bed next to him, leaning up on one elbow and putting her hand on his arm. His frown melted away again. She ran her hand slowly up and down his arm, wanting nothing more than for him to open his eyes and talk to her. She just wanted to know he was all right.

There were noises in the corridor and Hermione sat up in the bed. Severus and Draco stepped into the room. Draco took in her position but said nothing about it.

"Were you able to set the family wards?" she asked.

"No," Draco replied. "Father still controls them."

"Instead, we've placed the lodge under the Fidelius," Severus said. "I am the secret keeper." Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. Even if any of the other Death Eaters had been here, they wouldn't be able to see it any longer. They could find the general area, as they had with Grimmauld Place, but at least then Hermione, Draco and Severus would have warning.

"Once Father wakes, he can set the blood wards as well," Draco said. Hermione nodded.

"Has Liddy returned?" she asked.

"No," Draco said. They fell silent for a few moments.

"There is something we need to discuss" Severus said and beckoned them to the attached sitting room. Hermione glanced back at Lucius, then leaned down and kissed his forehead before following. She positioned herself on the couch so she could watch him through the open doorway.

"What is it?" Draco asked once they were seated.

"What I saw of Yaxley in your father's memories," Severus said. "Something had changed."

"I told you about the increase in power," Draco said.

"It is more than that," Severus said. "It was his voice, the way he spoke, even the way he moved."

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.

"I mean, he is not acting as he used to," Severus said. "He is more…polished, for lack of a better word." Hermione glanced at Draco who was frowning.

"You know, I said something to Theo about that," Draco said. "About the way he talked. We just thought he was trying to sound more sophisticated or something, given he was in charge now." Severus nodded and looked pensive.

"He appeared to be very skilled in Legilimency."

"I've felt him in my head more than once since that first attempt," Draco said.

"Why did you not say anything?" Severus asked. Draco shrugged.

"What would we have done about it? And besides, he never probed more than the surface. I just thought he was practicing or something."

"There was something else," Severus said. Hermione and Draco looked at him. "Lucius seemed…frightened."

"Of course, he was frightened," Hermione said. "He was being tortured and trying to hold his shields."

"No, it was not that kind of fear," Severus said. "Something had truly unnerved him."

"You think Yaxley told him something?" Draco asked.

"Or he discovered something on his own," Severus said. They looked at one another.

"No," Hermione said, knowing what Severus was going to suggest. "You can't."

"Granger," Draco said.

"No, Draco," Hermione said vehemently. "You cannot go rummaging through your father's head while he's in this state."

"We may have to," Severus said, giving her a pointed look. Meaning, if Lucius didn't survive, they needed to know what he knew.

"Not yet," she said, refusing to even entertain the thought. Draco looked at her for a few moments before he nodded.

"Not yet," he agreed.

After another half hour of discussion which got them absolutely nowhere, Hermione stood and walked back into the bedroom. Liddy had still not returned and as much as Draco wanted to go to Nott Manor to check on what was happening, they couldn't risk it. With the Floo not connected in the lodge, he would have to Apparate to the front gates or call Liddy back and have her take him. Neither were safe, however. They would just have to wait.

Hermione sat down on the edge of Lucius' bed, taking his hand in hers once again. He hadn't changed, he was still asleep, still twitching, still frowning. She rubbed the back of his hand with her thumb wishing he would open his eyes for just a moment. Just so she knew that he was all right.

Sighing, she glanced back at the half open door to the sitting room. Severus and Draco were still deep in conversation. She moved to lie next to Lucius on the bed again, holding his hand in both of hers and bringing it up to cradle against her chest. She watched the even rise and fall of his chest and then kissed his fingertips.

"I love you," she said, then gathered his hand to her again and closed her eyes. She would just rest for a bit while they waited for Liddy.