Snape rang the bell at Malfoy manor and waited. A house elf opened it and he strode in. "Your master is expecting me." The elf bowed and led the way to the library where Lucius Malfoy sat alone in the darkened room. He did not acknowledge Snapes presence, only stared into the fire.

Snape looked at the shadow of the man he knew. Where was all the pomp and pretense now? "Lucius?" He circled the couch to look the man in the eye. "Lucius? You look like hell. What's the matter with you?"

Lucius looked at Snape at last. His dark sunken eyes and pallid skin made it clear he'd been living on alcohol and regret. "Why would you ask such a stupid question? Say what you need to say and then get out."

Snape poured himself a whiskey and sat at the other end of the couch. "You're not the only one to lose in this game Lucius. You haven't been to His court in a week. He's already noticed. I know you. You are going to do something stupid and get yourself killed."

Lucius stood and leaned against the fireplace mantle still staring at the flames. "Define stupid."

Snape downed his glass. "Defying the Dark Lord on your own, on His turf and without your wand. You're using your fathers after He took yours, aren't you?"

"No! It's Narcissa's. It keeps her close to me." He absently caressed the wand at his side. "I killed her Severus. Just as surely as I killed my son. She never wanted to join Voldemort, or Draco either. They saw what he was. Why? Why couldn't I? Was I so blind? Was the rush of power and the forbidden so much more!? I had a life damnit! I had a wife and son that I loved more than anything on this earth. I had a home, not a torture chamber. My wealth wielded influence over men and nations. A proud heritage, now trampled in the mud. I HATE HIM!" Lucius threw his lavish crystal tumbler into the fire. It smashed into a thousand pieces and the flames flew higher with the alcohol. He laid his forehead on his arms. "I have nothing left. Go away and leave me to my end."

Severus got up and poured another finger full and placed it on the mantle. "I can't tell you why you did it. I barely understand why I did it. All I know is that there will come a reckoning, and before I die, I'm going to try to make amends. I've come here tonight to see if you will join me. I may not survive, but I won't live under his bloody foot anymore."

Lucius looked up at Snape as if he had a pink elephant on his shoulder. "YOU? You're going to fight him? Why? You're his second, his golden potions boy. Why would you give up being his right hand, to be a greasy spot on the pavement?"

Snape was angry. "I have my reasons! None of which you would understand. Suffice it to say that I am one of the reasons he was able to murder a school full of children! One of the reasons there are a hundred young women being raped every night! One of the reasons why our world will die, slowly strangled to death. I have a plan Lucius. There are others involved. Now stop wallowing in your own self pity and help me."

Lucius stood on unsteady feet, but a fire was lit in him. He knew if anyone could pull this off it would be Severus. "What do you want me to do?"

Snape looked deep into his eyes to test his sincerity. "First, you will take an unbreakable vow to never betray me by word, deed or action. There are others amongst us that are angry to have had their girls taken and… damaged. You will seek them out and gather as many as you can. You must be sure they are with us. If not, obliviate them. They must take the same oath. We are to strike next week before he can kill all the Hogwarts women and replace them. When we take Him down, the Death Eaters will need to be captured and turned over to justice. Don't worry, they will be paralyzed. You and the others will simply hold them in the dungeons for as long as it takes. Perhaps not as easy as it sounds. And…I need you to kill Bellatrix if it isn't already acomplished. We'll take care of the rest."

Lucius snorted in disbelief. "Who's, We"

Snape sneered back, "None of your business. Only I know the whole plan in case there is trouble. Now give me your hand."

oopOqoo

"Ssseveruss. I'm told you requested an audience. To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?" Voldemort was holding court as usual. The hall filled with those who hoped to gain His favor by being close at hand to adore Him.

Snape came forward and bowed low, waiting to rise with permission. Voldemort hissed and waved his hand. "I've come to you with news of the women and why they are not conceiving, despite all of our… best, efforts." The men in the room snickered. "I have discovered that they were cursed just before the battle by Minerva McGonagall. She cast a spell that makes any man who fucks them sterile." Shock and outrage filled the hall. Voldemort stood and there was immediate silence. "Only she could remove it my lord. She knew you would kill her and so take the remedy with her."

Voldemort let out an inhuman scream of frustration. The walls even shook. Everyone flinched hoping he would not take out his vengeance on them. "Are you sure of this Severussss!"

Snape sank to the floor on one knee. "Yes my Lord. Quite sure. It is extremely difficult to detect and took much effort. Never the less, everyone in this room is now incapable of producing a child. I have taken steps to reverse this spell and am very nearly ready. It is a two stage process. A potion and an enchantment. I will need to treat the women as well as the men, but it will work."

Voldemort sat back in his chair toying with a piece of cloth. "You have done well Severusss. When will the potion be ready?"

"I can treat everyone in two days my Lord. I will need to treat the women separately, but it will not take long." Snape held his breath as Voldemort considered.

The evil creature stood tall again announcing to all in the room. "You and your women will all be here in two days. Anyone failing to arrive on time will not live to regret it. We shall have a celebration afterwards. Wine, women and song. Don't wear anything too complicated. And don't bring your wives. We must keep their bloodline pure now don't we." His laughter screeched in your ear like nails on a chalkboard. The hall erupted in cheers and lascivious remarks. Nothing like a good old fashioned orgy to pick up your spirits.