Disclaimer: all belong to J K Rowling, except the characters I have created.

The Beguiling of Snape: The Silent Prison 9

By the beginning of March, Hermione and Katarina had become great friends. Katarina had learned how to communicate rather well by using hand signals she found in a muggle book. They spent one evening a week together conversing about that babies and all their feelings on being pregnant. Hermione had confided in her about the notes that Lucius and Pansy had sent. This horrified Katarina, to think that Lucius could know so much of what was going on. Hermione stressed to Katarina that she and Draco were the only two students that knew of her existence, that she hadn't even told Harry or Ron.

One evening in April when Hermione had been convinced to take a rest from studying, she went to see Katarina. She was so happy for the company because she had been rather lonely. Severus was unable to come home for a couple of days due to the preparation for the NEWT's. Even though he would talk to Katarina using the mirrors that Professor Dumbledore had given them it still made the bed very cold at night.

When Hermione arrived she wasn't alone. Crookshanks had insisted on coming too. When Katarina saw him she smiled, picked him up and held him close. Hermione had a puzzled look so Katarina went to the desk to write a note. Whenever it was an important conversation or a statement was going to be quite lengthy she wrote it down instead of using sign language.

When I went to school here I had a cat and then one day he disappeared. It wasn't until recently that he came back. His name was Crookshanks.

"You mean that Crookshanks was your cat?"

Katarina nodded.

"I have been wondering where he has been slipping off to," Hermione said with a smile.

As the two of them sat their talking the topic of Severus and his first experience with pizza came up. Katarina had tried to cover her smile when Severus had told her what Hermione had demanded.

"Oh Katarina," Hermione said laughing, "You should have seen his face when he ate it. And then he asked for a second piece, it was priceless."

Katarina gave a small smile and tried to hide the tears in her eyes.

"Katarina, are you alright?"
She shook her head.

"Is there anything I can do?"

Katarina pulled out the parchment again and wrote…

Hermione, do you ever think Severus will find a way to break this curse? Sometimes I feel so left out because I can't speak and because I can't really leave this house. I just get depressed. And soon you won't be able to visit me anymore with the NEWT's coming and then graduation and then your baby being born. I'm sorry, it must be the hormones. Maybe once the baby is born it won't be so bad and I won't continue to feel sorry for myself.

Hermione read the note and took Katarina into her arms hugging her.

"We will find a way to remove this curse. I promise."

It was then that Severus and Draco came in.

"Hello Hermione. Have you and Kat had a good evening?"

"Yes we have, I was just telling her about the pizza incident."

"Oh really and did you try and hide your laughter from Hermione too?" he said as he kissed Katarina's temple.

Katarina made a hand gesture as if to say "Who me?"

They all started laughing.

"Professor, I have a question," said Draco. "why do you call Katarina Kat? Is it just short for Katarina?"

"No as a matter of fact…" he said laughing, "It was given to her because of the way she fishes," and with this Katarina playfully slapped Severus on the arm which made him laugh even more. He looked at Katarina with imploring eyes for permission to finish the story. She gestured with her hand to please continue.

"You see when we were at the cabin, there was a stream nearby and she used to fish there. Katarina had become quite the fisherman. Just picture a cat in a stream, trying to catch a fish with it's paws. On more than one occasion, that is how My Kat caught our dinner."

Hermione was near tears, trying not to laugh. The only one not laughing was Draco.

"Draco are you alright?" asked Severus.

He shook his head and sat down. Hermione rushed to sit next to him on the couch. Looking concerned she asked, "Flashback?"

He nodded.

Hermione looked at Professor Snape and said,

"Ever since the…. You know…. He has been remembering things from his childhood. Unpleasant things."

"Professor, this cabin, do you know where it was?" asked Draco in a strained voice.

"Well not really but I think that maybe it was on your father's property."

"You said it was near a stream?"

"Yes, why?"

Draco sat thinking for a moment as he massaged his temples.

"At this cabin, was there a greenhouse off to the left of the front door and the steam was just beyond the back of the greenhouse in the woods?"

With this comment Katarina paled and Draco knew he had just described the prison where she had spent the last eighteen years.

"Yes why? How do you know all of this?"

Beginning to shake a little, with his eyes shut and trying to concentrate Draco said with a strained voice…….


"When I was five, my father had upset me so I ran away from home. I came across a stream and I saw a woman there. She was so beautiful. She had the most gorgeous hair, strawberry blonde that reached the middle of her back. I was so quiet because I didn't want her to see me. That is when I saw my father, he was after her, chasing her down. When he reached her he threw her to the ground and started ripping her clothes, lying on top of her, hurting her. But she didn't make a sound. She was hitting him and he wouldn't stop. That's when I screamed at him.

"Father, you are hurting her, stop!" Draco paused resting his forearms on his knees with his head down as the sobs wracked his body. After a few moments he continued.

"When he heard me screaming at him, he got off of her and came after me. He was so angry. He hit me and asked what was I doing there. I just cried. He then asked me if I wanted what she got? I screamed No, but it did no good. That was the first time he took me. He then told me that if I ever told anyone about the girl or what had happened he would do the same to my mother and then I could watch her die.

When we arrived back at the manor, my mother came running out of the house crying,

"Where did you find him?"
My father told her that I had fallen from a small cliff and he had found me lying on the ground battered. He then looked at me and asked, "Isn't that right Draco?" I only nodded."

As he finished his story, Katarina came over and knelt in front of Draco pulling him into her arms as her tears wet his robes. He gently put his arms around her as he sobbed.

After a few minutes she pulled away and placed his hand in Hermione's. She then got up and went to Severus who was clearly shaken.

As Draco walked Hermione back to the castle they were both quiet. When they were almost there, Hermione stopped and looked at Draco.

"I love you with all my heart," was all she said.

He pulled her into his arms and whispered in her ear,

"As I love you."

~~*~~

As the first of May rolled around, Katarina hadn't seen much of Hermione or Draco due to the NEWT's coming up very soon. It was the first week of May when Severus used the mirror that Albus gave them to let Katarina that he would be extremely late and he would explain when he got there.

It was well after four in the morning when Severus arrived. As he gently reached down and kissed Kat on the cheek, she stirred and mouthed "what happened?"

"Hermione received a surprise from Lucius tonight, a pensieve charm of the night he raped her," Kat put her hand to her mouth.

"Hermione went into premature labor but she and the baby are fine. Hermione had a girl."

With this Katarina smiled and mouthed "name?"

I believe they named her Kyleigh Ann.

~~*~~

Almost three weeks after the birth of Kyleigh, Severus was sitting in his office wrapping up some things from the meeting they had that morning. Pansy had agreed to help them trap Lucius. This made him happy. He could finally tell Katarina that Lucius was going to prison soon. As he sat at his desk, Katarina sent him a message in the mirror.

Severus…. I think you need to get Madam Pomfrey and get here now please.

"Kat, are you alright?"

At this moment but……………. If you don't hurry, your child will be brought into this world by Crookshanks.

Within two hours after Severus and Madam Pomfrey got to the house, Severus and Katarina had a beautiful baby boy. When Madam Pomfrey placed the baby in Katarina's arms Severus was ready to bust with pride. How could something so big come out of such a small woman? He gently leaned over and kissed his son on the forehead and then kissed his wife.

"I can't believe we made this, he is so perfect," Severus said in wonder.

Katarina's eyes misted as she looked at her new born son. He was a long baby with a head full of jet black hair and deep blue eyes. As Katarina kissed her son she looked at Severus and mouthed, "name?"

"At one time in my life I studied Hebrew and there was a name that I will never forget. Deron, it means freedom."

Katarina smiled and nodded her approval.

"Now for a middle name."

Katarina looked at Severus and pointed at him.

"Severus?" he asked.

She nodded.

"Deron Severus Snape."

She smiled as she handed their son to his father. When Severus took his son he whispered to him, "Deron Severus Snape, you are so special and will know nothing but love."

~~*~~

In just a few short weeks the NEWT's were finished, graduation was over and Draco and Hermione were about to be married. At the beginning of the summer break, Professor Dumbledore had decided that since all the students had gone home except for Hermione, it was time to move Katarina and Deron back to the castle with Severus. This made Katarina very happy, she and Hermione were inseparable. Even though Katarina was unable to attend Hermione and Draco's wedding, she was there in spirit. The plan was to be set in motion on July 8th. This was a very stressful time for Katarina. She knew what the plan was and could only hope that Hermione was strong enough to carry it out.

News came on the 10th of what had transpired the day before. The letter read…

Katarina and Severus,

We just wanted you to know the plan went off without a hitch. Lucius is now quite harmless and residing at St. Mungo's Hospital. It is now your turn for your phase of the plan. I hope that all goes well. We'll come visit soon.

Hermione

Their plan was going to take a little time. They needed to get permission from the Ministry to use veritaserum on Lucius. They wouldn't get that until December.

It was mid-December when Draco and Narcissa arrived at St. Mungo's Hospital to deliver Lucius the divorce papers. When they stepped into the front room of the hospital they were greeted with none other than Severus and Katarina.

"Draco, Narcissa how nice to see you again. Narcissa you are looking radiant. I see that we aren't the only ones expecting a child. When is the baby due?" Serverus asked.

"Why thank you for the compliment Severus. I am due in late March with twins. And when are you due Katarina?" asked Narcissa happily.

Katarina smiled and held up six fingers.

"That is wonderful, you and Hermione are due about a month apart."

"And what brings you here Professor? Did you finally get permission from the medi-wizards to give father the veritaserum? " asked Draco.

"Yes finally Albus convinced them that it was a matter of undoing a wrong that had been done to an innocent woman. We were going in as soon as Albus gets here," Severus stated.

"Well I guess I will go in now then," said a very nervous Narcissa.

"Mother I will wait out here if you don't mind, I have no desire to see that bastard," Draco said flatly.

"Alright. I will be back as soon as I can, believe me I don't want to see him anymore than you do."

While Narcissa was gone Draco asked Severus and Katarina about the baby and how things were going since they moved in a house in Hogsmeade.

After about fifteen minutes, Narcissa came out of the room that housed Lucius and one could see she was upset. As she walked over to Draco he asked,

"Mother, are you alright?"

"Just a little shaken, your father just told me about Katarina. Of course he never mentioned any names but it was her," Narcissa said as she was trying to pull herself together. This made Katarina turn pale.

"I hope you get the information you need and are able to switch the spell," said Narcissa as Albus walked into the room.

"Ready Severus?" he asked.

"Never been more ready sir."

The room that housed Lucius was a small room with a door and a small window. The door also had a window so the medi-wizards could keep an eye on him at all times.

As Albus and Severus walked in they saw a shell of the man they once knew. Lucius, who was always so particular in his appearance was now very thin. His once immaculate silver blonde hair and once carefully trimmed goatee was now white and he looked to have aged at least thirty years, but he was still the same Lucius they always had known.

"What are you doing here? Come to gloat like Narcissa?" he asked in his same arrogant manner he always used.

"No we are here on a different mission. We are here to get the name of the curse you used on someone a long time ago," said Severus.

"Oh and what curse would that be? I did so many. How do you know I will remember the one you want?" he said with sarcastically.

"Oh I think you will remember this one. It was the one you put on Katarina Macnair."

"Why would you need that curse. She's dead," he said with a smile.

"Oh that is where you are wrong. You couldn't kill me and you couldn't kill her," said Severus triumphantly.

"But that isn't true. I left her to die in the cottage. There is no way that she could be alive," he said in a panic.

"Really? Well why don't you just look out the door's window. I think that you will find my wife, my pregnant wife, Katarina is quite alive and happy," Severus said proudly.

"NO, it isn't possible."

"But it is. You see while you were trying to beat her to death, I was in the basement unconscious."

Lucius gathered enough courage to look out the window and couldn't believe what he saw. There standing a few feet away was Katarina, smiling sweetly at something that Draco had just said. Lucius looked defeated.

"I won't tell you the curse," he finally said to them.

"Oh yes you will because we have obtained permission to give you veritaserum. You see you will talk," Severus said as he handed Lucius the bottle, "Now drink."

A few moments after he drank the potion, Albus started to question him.

"Lucius, we only have a few questions for you. First is what was the curse you put on Katarina Macnair to make her loose her voice?"

"It was a curse that I invented especially for her. It was called Ecnelis Lanrete," said Lucius.

"And what is the counter curse?" asked Severus through gritted teeth.

"You are not much of a wizard are you? It could have been ended so long ago," said Lucius laughingly.

Severus went up to Lucius and grabbed his be the front on his robes, "I asked, What is the counter curse?"

"You simply wave your wand and say End Silence."

When Lucius saw Severus' face he gave an evil laugh, "I can't believe you didn't try something so simple."

That was when Severus lost it and started to beat Lucius.

"Severus, stop," said Albus as he pulled him off Lucius, "You got what you came for lets just leave."

As Severus was leaving he turned from the door to say,

"I hope you rot in hell."

"I'm already there."

After they left, Lucius walked over to the door and looked out. There standing in the hall was Severus, waving his wand saying "End Silence."

As he said these words, Katarina felt a warmth sweeping through her throat like warm honey. With tears stinging her eyes she opened her mouth to speak for the first time in nineteen years. And her first words were what finally sent Lucius over the edge of sanity.

With a voice that hadn't been used in a long time, the sound came out very deep and raspy, like if you had a very bad cold, but clear and they made Severus weep. Her first words were, "Severus, I love you."

It was the best sound in the whole world. Severus picked her up and started spinning her around kissing her madly.

~~*~~

A few weeks later, newly married Narcissa and Sirius were having their first New Years Eve party. It was a small affair, consisting only of those who were influenced by Lucius the most. Severus, Katarina, Draco and Hermione. There was quiet dinner and music by Katarina.

"So are you enjoying yourself Katarina?" asked Narcissa.

"Oh yes, this is a wonderful party," she said with a now fully restored voice. Her voice had come back to its normal tone within a week of lifting the spell. Katarina had a very sweet pure melodious voice, which was often being heard as she sang a lot to Deron. Severus loved it when she sang. As they gathered together for the toast at midnight, an owl came swooping into the ball room where they were all gathered. As Narcissa read the letter she couldn't believe what she was reading. She handed it to Sirius and then called for everyone's attention. Sirius looked at Narcissa who nodded and he began to read aloud,

" Dear Mrs. Black,

I am writing this to inform you that your ex-husband Lucius Malfoy took his life last evening by hanging himself with the bed sheets. Being that his sheets were soft he didn't break his neck when he jumped off the chair, so he died slowly of asphyxiation. His body has been cremated as you requested for whenever he died. My deepest condolences to you and your family.

Hospital Administration Head

Tobias MacMillon."

As Sirius finished reading there was a hush through the room. He turned back to Narcissa as the clock struck midnight. Everyone raised their glasses to a toast that was made by Draco,

"May this year be the happiest of our lives to date. May peace go out to England and may all you ladies have happy and healthy babies. It has been a rough year, and may we never have to experience a year like that again."

As everyone drank their champagne they knew one thing if they knew anything….

They were all finally free…..

A/N: This is the end of this series and I hope that you enjoyed it. First I would like to thank my muse Eva. She helped me with some of the plot ideas. She is my sounding board. Love you Eva. Also I would like to thank all of those who reviewed my stories. To Burrow Gurl, Elani Wrapdon and Renee Scott (my most faithful reviewers), Sphinx, tangwystl, Sanna (who put me on her e-group hp4ever), Snape Cheerleader, Gillian Sanderson, AshNight, Amethyst, firebrand, Jessie Jess (who read Draco's Secret and reviewed it twice), Michelle, Beth, Lyndred, Lizzy/Tygreick (our resident teenage witch), Beth Brownell (Thanks for pointing out that big "booboo" in #8 so I could fix it), Melissa Ivory, LunarBard, Sev, Micki (who also had the courage to write about rape), Chrissy Jones and Thing1(who doesn't even realize that it was her review of Draco's Secret that kept me writing. The review was lost when ff.net wiped out all my stories L ). I love you guys! Thanks, you made the flamers go away.

Oh and I almost forgot…Thanks to Trans-Syberian Orchestra's CD, Beethoven's Last Night. The song, The Dreams of Candlelight is Katarina's theme, and This is Who You Are, is Severus's theme. I wrote the best chapters while listening to this CD.

Oh and BTW…. I have a new story brewing. It will also be tied into Draco's Secret and The Beguiling of Snape. It will be called …… The Marauders/The Next Generation. I hope to be posting something soon. Thanks again!!! Tessie