A/N:

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Chapter 10: The Potion

Severus sat and thought through Hermione's entire revelation. George went through so many emotions so fast it nearly made him dizzy to watch the young Gryffindor. He glanced over at the two lifeless bodies on the floor beside him and wondered who had slipped them the potion. He also wondered who had brewed the potions. Voldemort had obviously lost his trust in him which explains the attempt to end his life.

He watched Hermione walk towards him engrossed in her beauty, her intelligence beaming like a light house on the shore line. She already knew about Harry he doesn't know why she asked.

"You already know Hermione." He placed his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close to his chest. "We have to find him before Draco." He gently caressed her arm. "Do you feel George is capable of staying with Ron and Arthur?"

"Yes Severus I feel he needs this time with them alone. We have very limited time to find Harry and plan our attack on Draco and I feel we would be better off doing that alone."

"Hermione I think perhaps you should stay with George. We don't have room for error and I'm afraid he will attempt to do something foolish while we are absent. I will go alone and find Harry. If my suspicions are correct I may know where he is and will be able to get to him much quicker alone."

"No Severus! I want to be with you! You can't live me here!"

"I must. I will return and when this is all over I swear to you I will never leave your side again." Severus meant exactly as he said. His absence from Hermione filled him with regret. He had never connected with another human being quite as quickly as he had with Hermione on their date and the days following it. He wasn't exactly the romantic type but he knew that she was his soul mate despite the age difference. Despite that her beauty was a beauty never before seen through his eyes. Despite his hideous features. He felt unworthy of her but he would spend the rest of his life pleasing her to prove his worthiness.

Hermione tightened her arms around Severus. Not willing to let him go without her to find Harry. Tears began to fall down her cheeks she could not lose him again. The feelings that were growing within her could not be mistaken. She knew at this moment without a doubt that Severus was hers and always would be. She looked up into his eyes and placed her hand on his cheek, leaning up placing the softest pleading kiss to his lips.

"Please let me go with you. I couldn't bare it if something were to happen to you now."

Severus reveled in her touch her kiss he nearly melted at the core of his being. Such softness, such tenderness in one brief moment; this he did not deserve. Looking down at Hermione's face he brushed away her tears as she was begging him to take her with him. This could not happen the dangers were too high. He must go now before he gave in to her pleas.

"Hermione you must stay here with George where I know you will be safe. I will retrieve Harry and return. I promise you I will return." He pushed Hermione away, turned his back to her swiftly and strode away without looking back.

Hermione fell to her knees praying to the Gods that Severus would be unharmed in his journey to find Harry. She heard the familiar crack and knew Severus to be gone. Covering her face with her hands the tears began to flow freely as she braced herself for the wait of his return.

It may have been an hour or maybe two she was unaware of the time but Hermione knew nothing would get accomplished on her knees wallowing in self-pity and longing. Severus was right she did not need to go with him she needed to stay and plan. Plan for what was to come. She brought herself up and strode over to the table. Pulling her books out and placing them beside a notebook she began her quest to destroy the plans of a madman.

Meanwhile…

Severus apparated to the streets of Cairo the markets were crowded and hid him well. Thankful for his years as a spy he knew how to find people and find them quickly. His search began in a small apothecary just a short distance away from the muggle streets he found himself walking.

Entering the apothecary he found that it was empty. Immediately drawing his wand and casting a few spells he realized the owner was in the back brewing. Keeping the wand at his side he called out for the potioneer.

"Hello. I am in need of assistance."

A distant voice called out from the back of the store. "Just a moment!"

Severus waited for several minutes before the man surfaced from the back. He turned to see a jovial man with a broad smile staring at him gleefully.

"My word..could it be…Severus Snape how wonderful to see you my old friend!"

"Indeed. It has been far too many years Utet. How have you been?"

"I cannot complain. I stay busy here with my work and research. However I do feel that dark days are upon us dear boy. I have a great feeling that is why you have graced me with your presence." He gave Severus a sorrowful glare.

"I will not deny my friend that I am here on very grave circumstances. Is there a more secure place that we may speak?"

"Yes, yes of course. Follow me." He waved an arm at Severus gesturing to him to follow him to the back of his store. Giving a flick of his wand locking the front doors and turning the sign on the door to closed he led them to a small room and shut the door. Walking over to a table with four chairs he sat down. "Please have a seat Severus. It seems we have much to discuss."

"Thank you Utet." Severus made his way to the table itching to find out the information the man knew.

"Would you like some tea?"

"No. What has been happening?"

Utet waved his wand and tea appeared on the table. He poured himself a glass and tentatively took a sip savoring his tea for a moment before speaking.

"Severus I must warn you that what I speak of today is strictly between us. I cannot impress the importance of secrecy enough."

"That is understood. I give you my word and will participate in an unbreakable vow not to reveal your identity if I must."

"No that won't be necessary." Taking a deep breath and staring a moment at Severus he began the story of the last few months.

"It began shortly after your Lord was vanquished. A blond haired boy began coming into my apothecary asking questions about a potion I'm afraid the both of us know very well. The Potion of Black Ash. After many…many visits from this blond boy he finally ask me if I could brew this potion for him. I told him this potion was forbidden under Egyptian law and I had no intentions of breaking the law for some young foolish child. I must admit I was quite furious of his request and yet surprised at his audacity to ask of such a potion. I was shocked even further when he laid a thousand galleons on my counter with a piece of paper. He looked my square in the eyes and said I trust you will make the right decision. He gave an evil smirk and walked out the door." Shaking his head from side to side in disbelief as he reached into his robe and pulled out the paper handing it to Severus.

"Severus I had no intentions of brewing this potion until I looked at that note. The days following his departure were of pure outrage. Masked men wreaking havoc in the streets. Muggles and wizards disappearing only to show up dead days later in the same mysterious manner it has been a terrifying time here Severus. The paper shows these men in photographs with each week's paper having more and more of them and the photographer always showing up dead. The potion shows that the British Ministry is somewhere in Cairo. I have my suspicions to the whereabouts and that they know what I have been doing. I've brewed that potion Severus. It's nearly complete. I will be done with it in a matter of days and I am fearful that my life will come to an end once it has been delivered either by the masked men or by your ministry officials." Utet grew silent, obviously fearful for his own well-being.

Severus could not believe the old man had actually brewed the Black Ash potion. He had never seen this potion brewed and as a colleague was intrigued but as a realist he knew the severity of this potion if it did come to be in Draco's hands. There was no mistaking that the white haired man was Draco. He looked down at the note. It showed a date, time and an address. If he knew Draco as well as he thought he did he also knew that this was not the only apothecary that he had visited or paid to brew the potion.

"Utet do you know where the ministry officials have gathered?"

Utet stared at Severus with fear in his eyes. Surely Severus was not going to turn him into the authorities. He placed his hand on his wand.

"Why do you want to know where they are Severus?" He spat it out fury slowly rising within him.

"Utet I need to find Harry Potter. It is most unfortunate to report this grave news to you but the Dark Lord will rise again from that potion you brewed if I do not find him today. If I find him I will be able to prevent whatever misfortune is standing on your doorstep awaiting that potion. He is the key to the Dark Lord's return."

"The Dark Lord is dead Severus. What game are you playing at!"

"Utet you must calm yourself! The Dark Lord is dead but you know exactly what that potion is and what it does! The blonde boy is Draco Malfoy son of Lord Lucius Malfoy! You sealed your deal with the devil in disguise and now I must reverse what has begun! That potion will raise the dead and if Harry drinks that potion the Dark Lord will consume his soul and they will become one!" Severus spoke each word with as much contempt as he possibly could. At some point in his rage filled outburst he had stood and was now hovering over Utet wand out against the man's chest.

"Severus I…I…I'm sorry. Please forgive my outburst. Paranoia is my only friend these days. Please sit." He tried to defuse the situation developing before him and he dropped his wand to the floor beneath the table.

Severus remained standing wand drawn pointed at the once jovial man who now shook with fear before his hand.

"Tell me where the ministry officials are located in this city Utet." He spoke through clenched teeth.

"They are four blocks down in an abandon muggle industrial district. Once you get to the fourth intersection turn right and walk two more blocks the ministry officials have been seen coming and going from an old six story factory. The outside use to be blue but it has faded over the years. You will find your Harry Potter there." The man dropped his head to the table.

Severus turned giving his robes their customary swish. He looked back at Utet and pointed his wand at the man.

"I'm sorry Utet. Obliviate!" He turned and quickly left the building heading towards the abandon industrial district with an intense fury burning in his eyes. He was going to need to watch the location before entering. This would take some time.

A/N

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