Spoilers: Order of the Phoenix
Thank you for all the reviews! You're great, all of you!
Well, it seems you all saw it coming, Severus being Salazar's Heir. I wonder how I could be that obvious (grin) I never realised until very recently how often Hermione is cast as Rowena's Heir... That's really two elements of the plot that I should have thought of more thoroughly. Now I will have to think of another plot where she's the heir of Slytherin and Severus is in fact Muggle-born :) Anyway, off with the ramblings and on with the story!
"You really didn't have to pretend you didn't guess already," Severus scowled, as Albus looked at him in surprise.
"Severus… you… What was the name of the young man who asked Salome to marry him?"
Severus sighed.
"He was called Silvanus Snape. For generations, the Snape family hid the true Heir of Slytherin and from father to son, they were all named so that the initials would be S.S."
"Salazar Slytherin," Hermione breathed.
He looked at her; she was hugging herself, her eyes wide.
How do you feel now that you know that the very man you've been asking for help with your condition is the only one able to do so… except for your worst enemy?
Her face closed and her eyes became guarded.
"I see," she said, her voice cold and emotionless. "Would you please leave me alone? I'm tired, I'd like to sleep a bit."
Albus nodded immediately.
"Naturally, Hermione. I almost forgot you were badly injured only yesterday. Rest well."
Severus didn't say anything; he just looked at her suspiciously and she returned his gaze with a glare. He smirked, shrugged and left with Albus. He heard her shift in the bed and he glanced casually behind him. She was curled up on herself and he wondered how it was she wasn't hurting in this position.
"Albus, I think we will soon have news from the Dark Lord."
"What makes you say that?"
"The ring, the silver ring he gave to Miss Granger. I think I know what it is. Did you notice that it always comes back to her? I think it's a way for him to know about her… for example, her blood."
Albus stopped.
"So… he knows that she's now the Child of the first prophecy?"
"I'm afraid so."
"Then we will have to think fast of a way to protect her. Anyway, Severus, you could have told me earlier."
"Albus, you're already meddlesome enough with what you discover by yourself, I wasn't going to give you a new weapon against me. And, anyway, I already have Salazar meddling in my life on that subject. Believe me, it's more than enough."
Albus looked at him in silence for a moment.
"What did the Sorting Hat tell you?"
"I think its exact words were: 'Ah, welcome, Heir of Salazar… SLYTHERIN!' Sometimes, Albus, you should ask it what it said. It may be useful."
Severus smirked as Albus pursed his lips. The Headmaster wisely didn't retort and didn't allude to the subject for the rest of the day.
"Severus! I have news!"
"What kind of news, Lucius?" sighed Severus, sinking into his favourite chair, thinking how much he hated Mondays and that Lucius's visit wasn't going to make it better.
"About the Mudblood. The Dark Lord decided on the date. You need to bring her to us for Samhain."
The hooded black eyes showed no emotion.
"Any reason for this particular date?"
"The last harvest, Severus," smirked Lucius, his eyes glittering.
No matter what, despite his love for his wife and son, Lucius would always feel a fierce joy at the perspective of a Muggle-born or a Muggle being tortured by the Dark Lord. If the gleam in his eyes was any indication to what was to come, Hermione would think that Draco's attempt to kill her was a mere prank. Thinking of Draco…
"By the way, Lucius, do you realise what you asked Draco to do? The girl almost died."
"Oh, I was sure you would find a way to save her. You're always so dedicated."
Severus noted Lucius's sarcastic tone and slightly frowned. It couldn't be good.
"Lucius, I didn't think you could be that stupid. Blood poisoning based on narwhal tusk has only one cure: unicorn blood. How easy exactly do you think it is for me to find unicorn blood on such a short notice?"
"Well, you did, didn't you?"
"Dumbledore knows about Draco being the girl's aggressor."
"The old fool can't do anything. The disappearance of the Malfoy heir would raise too many questions after my disappearance from Azkaban. We still are a well-known family and not even my being a Death Eater could lower Fudge's good opinion of me. Except for when I was caught trying to break into the Ministry, but well, one can't be perfect all the time, now, can we?"
Lucius's smirk almost made Severus ill and his assurance worried him.
"What does the Dark Lord have in store for her, Lucius?"
"Why would you care to know?"
"To prepare her, so she can carry with dignity. The betrothed of our Lord shouldn't look like a fool."
Lucius shook the head indulgently and Severus felt an irrepressible desire to choke him to death.
"He intends to give her the Child of the prophecy, Severus. She's young and powerful, has all the bloods required and, don't forget, she's compatible with him since she has now unicorn blood running in her veins. She could be as immortal as he is, his white queen, his angel of innocence, the light of his darkness."
His angel of innocence that he will drag with him in depravation and blackness…Unicorn blood for compatibility? What is that about?
"Make sure Narcissa and Draco are cared for and remember: Samhain!"
Lucius's head disappeared from the fireplace and Severus buried his face in his hands, wondering what he was going to do.
He found Albus by Hermione's bed in the Hospital Wing and both of them looked rather disturbed. Severus didn't care; he was far too preoccupied with the news he had from Lucius.
"Albus, we need to talk."
"About?"
"About what the Dark Lord has in store for Miss Granger."
Albus nodded and stood up.
"Rest, child," he said affectionately to Hermione. "You will need your strength soon."
"Sooner than she thinks."
Albus peered at him and saw the anxiousness in the obsidian depths of Severus's eyes.
"Very well. My office, then."
"Go ahead, I need to have a few words with Poppy."
Only a few minutes later, Severus was pacing in Albus's office, relating everything Lucius had told him.
"He's arrogant, Albus, too arrogant, considering that we have his wife and son. He doesn't even seem to care for Draco, though we know he's guilty of the assault on Miss Granger."
"Samhain… Severus, what if she's not… ready for Samhain?"
"Then the Dark Lord will have a plaything for a bit longer."
Albus paled.
"We cannot… She cannot go through this. Compatibility because of unicorn blood? I've never heard anything this stupid, yet–"
"I agree, there is something stupid in all this, something really incoherent, but I just can't pinpoint it…"
"Maybe because it seems that virgin blood is very important. Now if I'm supposed to be the mother of the final Heir, how can I still be a virgin?"
Both men stared at the young woman standing at the door.
"Miss Granger! How did you know the password and why did you leave the Hospital Wing?"
"I don't know the password, the gargoyle let me come in," she replied, shrugging. "I left the Hospital Wing to follow you because I want to know what is waiting for me."
Severus was ready to lash at her, but Albus put a calming hand on his wrist.
"Indeed, Miss Granger, you have the right to know. What did you hear?"
She looked at him, her eyes clear and unwavering.
"Samhain."
Albus sighed.
Hermione had left, back to the Hospital Wing. Severus and Albus were facing each other, Fawkes ruffling his feathers from his position on Albus's shoulder.
"What do you expect me to do?" snapped Severus.
"It seems obvious to me."
Severus blanched.
"You cannot ask this from me, Albus! She's… she's just a student and she probably wishes for better than her hated Potions Master!"
The blue eyes kept staring at him and he desperately pressured his mind in finding another excuse.
"She… she's a student! You know that during the seventeen years I taught here I never lusted after a student, let alone touch one, even when I was their age," he repeated, dazed. "Please, Albus, I'm begging, don't force me to do this!"
He closed his eyes for a brief instant.
"No. There is another solution. I can give her some of my blood and she would become the Heir."
"And then what? You know what would happen if Voldemort gets hold of her. She would be the victim of a virgin ceremony and you know what just happened last time."
Severus swallowed hard, trying to appear composed. He had assisted to a virgin ceremony only six months after joining the Death Eaters and this counted as one of his worst memories.
"Voldemort wants to see her on Samhain. We have no way out of escaping that; she has to go. Otherwise, both of you will most probably die sooner or later. Rather sooner than later if Voldemort can be trusted. And if she's still a virgin, he will be able to tie her to him forever."
"Then find someone else! I don't care who it is, as long as it's not me!"
"You are Salazar's Heir and she's Rowena's. You were destined to be together. There isn't anybody else."
"I won't continue this discussion if you're going to be that stubborn. We are already dealing with two stupid prophecies and trying to figure what the Dark Lord wants to do and you're adding Salazar's fascination with Rowena to the lot!"
"The prophecies are related to the Founders and the Child of the first prophecy is Rowena's Heir while the only blood missing for the Heir is the one of Salazar's Heir. How coincidental is that?"
"I refuse to be used like a pawn in the Founders' game," hissed Severus before leaving.
Severus went straight to the Hospital Wing; Hermione received him with a glare worthy of his.
"Well?" he said. "I thought you wanted to go see Firene. Such a good friend you are if you forget about him so easily."
She pushed the sheets away and stood up. She was already fully clothed. He chuckled.
"Come. Unless you want to wait for Poppy to catch you out of bed."
"I can go back to my dormitory," she replied tightly. "I'm not a child."
"You are certainly behaving like one," he said with a tone cutting short any protestation.
They walked to the Forbidden Forest and Severus waved his wand, performing the ritual and leaving her in her white dress, her wand safely tucked in his pocket. He levitated her in the usual clearing and she was grateful for it: she was more tired than she thought and didn't realise her relief was written all over her face.
She had hardly played the first notes of the song to the unicorn that Firene presented himself in front of her. He glowed in the falling darkness.
"Daughter of the unicorns, I am glad to see thee. My thanks go to the Dark One for saving thy life."
"I thank thee for accepting to spare some of thy blood for me."
"Think naught of it, daughter. We protect our own."
She looked up at him, worry obvious in her eyes.
"I may not be of thine own for long. There is a prophecy about a child–"
"Yes, yes. Thou art to be a mother. Do not worry, daughter, blood freely given runs through thy veins, thou wilt always be welcome among us. Both parents of the awaited child will always be welcome among us. We do not deny our own."
Severus had the distinct impression that Firene was peering intently at him when he talked about the parents of the child and he frowned.
"What doest thou know about the child?" he asked.
Hermione started, not used to hear Severus speak while Firene was present. The unicorn didn't answer immediately. He looked up at the sky and said thoughtfully:
"Mars is bright tonight."
Severus gritted his teeth.
"Didst thou speak with the centaurs recently? With Bane perhaps? Or was it Ronan?"
"Mars is bright tonight, but will be brighter on Samhain. Mars is always bright when evil is near."
Firene nuzzled gently Hermione's cheek with his soft nose and looked again in Severus's direction.
"I entrust her care to thee, Dark One."
Severus closed his eyes, wondering why his doom had to come in such a way.
Albus waited until the end of the week for bringing the subject again. Hermione still spent her nights at the Hospital Wing, for Severus wasn't sure Gryffindor Tower was safe for her.
"Did you think of the situation, Severus? Are you ready to accept your responsibility?"
"I won't condemn her to a life of darkness! She has already had her childhood stolen from her because of the Dark Lord, I'm not going to brand her as my–"
"Don't say the word!" warned Albus.
"As my plaything," finished Severus, though it wasn't the word he had intended to say.
"It's already too late for that. If I'm to believe the gossips, Hermione and you are having a torrid affair."
"We have the unicorns to prove all of them wrong."
"And as soon as she will love someone, this proof will be gone! Or would you rather have her as Voldemort's pet?"
Severus blanched violently and Albus felt a pang of anguish.
"Severus, I'm–"
The Potions Master raised a hand to stop him. When he spoke, his voice was cold and expressionless.
"There is no need. I was forgetting my debt to you, when you saved me from being the Dark Lord's pet. Naturally, I will do what you ask of me. Who am I to discuss the wishes of my master?"
"Severus, listen–"
"Two words from the Dark Lord and I'm dead. One word from you and I'm back to Azkaban. Or else, I deflower our prize student. Sometimes, I wonder why I changed sides," he said bitterly. "Well, sorry to cut short this discussion, but I have to go to my mistress."
Albus made an irritated sound and Severus turned to face him.
"I only hope that at the end, like a 'deserving' house elf, I will receive the sock setting me free."
"Severus! You're being childish!" snapped Albus.
"Childish? It's not you who have to sleep with a student you despise!"
A small gasp made him look behind him. Hermione was standing on the threshold, her white knuckles tightening on the doorframe. Their eyes met for just a moment, the time for him to see the hurt in them, and then she was gone, running away.
"Oh, Merlin," he muttered.
He found her back in the Hospital Wing and she turned on her heels to face him as soon as she heard him behind her.
"Go to Hell!" she hissed.
"Hell is overrated, Miss Granger."
"Is it really too much to ask you to leave me alone? I got your point, thank you, I'm not stupid."
"Sometimes, I doubt it."
"I don't know why you're still here. You despise me. I can't leave, since there's apparently nowhere I can go without you finding me only moments after, so kindly remove yourself from my presence."
"You don't understand–" he began.
"I understand perfectly. After all, your tale about your ancestor made things crystal clear: pure blood is the only thing that matters. So excuse me for being things I can't help being because I was born this way, a Mudblood, chosen by a stupid hat to be a disgusting Gryffindor. The only thing you could reproach me would be my friendship with Harry, because maybe I did choose a bit there. What makes you better than me? You chose to be what you are, a Death Eater, a spy, a horrible teacher playing favourite with your little Slytherins. Maybe the only thing I could really forgive you would be your detestable arrogance, because you were probably force-fed it with the content of your baby bottle!"
"You're not a Muggle-born witch. You're Rowena's Heir, the descendant of a powerful witch."
"No. I will not let you have this way with me. Just face the fact: I am a Mudblood. The word makes you wince? How do you think I reacted when I heard it for the first time and then over and over? I don't care for Rowena, I don't care for any of those blasted Founders! I'm proud of what I am, proud of being better than you Gods' gift to the wizard world pure-bloods! Mudblood, Mudblood! Such a sweet name, Malfoy revels in calling me this and I'm sure you do too, in the secret of your mind. Do you have any idea how much I hate that name, Mudblood?"
She was screaming at the top of her voice and he did the unexpected: he laughed.
She glared at him as if she was going to hex him. Suddenly he was on her, pinning against the wall, his arms on each side of her, his hands on the wall, and he was blocking her with his body.
"Now we can talk," he said softly.
"If Madam Pomfrey sees you manhandling me, she's going to have your head."
"I saved your life only one week ago, believe me, Poppy will trust me with your care."
He moved his hand on her ribs, where the narwhal tusk had hurt her, and he pressed slightly there, until a gasp of pain escaped her lips. Then he gently slid his hand up and down, his touch light on the sore spot, and he didn't stop his caress until he felt her shiver.
"I told you that you will have me if you want me," he whispered.
"That was before you said you despise me," she replied, her voice unsure.
"I'm easily angered when dealing with Albus's stubbornness."
"You said you would not let me become Voldemort's betrothed."
"Or that I would kill you first."
Her eyes turned hard again.
"I can take care of the matter from the top of the Astronomy Tower if you prefer this solution."
His hand slid behind her back and he pressed her close to him.
"Don't ever say that. Never believe such a thing. I may not like Albus's command, but if it saves your life and keeps you out of the Dark Lord's clutches, then so be it. Firene entrusted me with your life and well-being, I will not disappoint him."
"Duty," she said, sadly. "Nothing else but duty and fate. Curse the Founders."
Severus was about to reply, but he saw Albus enter the Hospital Wing and quickly moved away from Hermione.
"Severus… we need the Child."
In case you wonder why Severus seemed quite alright with the notion earlier and is now kicking and screaming against it, the answer is in the next chapter! Stay tuned! :)