A/N: Wondering why I upped the rating for this one compared to "Finding Him"? Well, I think you'll get a taste as to why in this chapter here. Thanks always to my Beta, Anna.

Thank you to my loyal reviewers, no matter how long it takes me to update. But being in the butt end of your high school career, one has to expect delays in more leisurely activities. I hope this was worth the wait.

Chapter 3: Determination

Severus came out of the blackness of unconsciousness to more blackness. The smell was worse than the blindness, though. Damp, rank, putrid mildew, the products of bodily function and the rotting flesh of those that once produced it, and blood. He was certain some of that blood had to be his own, even though he couldn't feel the wounds yet. It wasn't long before the numbness wore off.

It was the dull soreness in his shoulders down his arms from being restrained in the hands-behind-the-back fashion that he felt first. His restraints themselves were the worst of it. The insides of the manacles were lined with pins and spikes. They dug into his wrists and prevented him from even attempting to twist his hands free. It was painful to even wiggle his fingers in the slightest way. When he did, he felt the sticky blood ooze from his chained wrists.

His face was swollen. He could only imagine the size of the bruises. His left eye was swollen shut, and maybe the right one as well – he couldn't be sure in the darkness. Not that he didn't know where he was, who had taken him, it was only why that was elusive. Then the small window on the cell door slid open, the torchlight from the corridor streamed in. Severus flinched from it, his eye watering. At least he now knew it was only the left that was damaged.

The light was shut out just as quickly as it appeared. A few softly spoken commands, the metal clang of ridiculously large locks, the high pitched squeak of greatly neglected hinges, the light flooded into the room silhouetting a man stepping through the doorway. Severus cringed at the sudden abundance of illumination. Still, with only one good eye there was no mistaking the immaculate robes, superior heir, and condescending blue eyes. "Oh, how the mighty hath fallen," the man said.

Severus shifted in his bindings the best he could to at least try to feel a little more comfortable. "I'm glad you've finally realised that about yourself, Lucius."

Malfoy laughed. "That's rather amusing, considering you're the one on the floor and I'm standing up here."

"And if I wasn't chained down here, you wouldn't have the balls to say those things to me."

"You ought to watch your mouth, Severus, it always seems to get you into trouble." Malfoy unceremoniously kicked dirt in his face, a model of maturity.

Severus spat out the foul soil. "Same can be said of you. Though where my problem is what comes out of my mouth, you seem to be unable to resist having things shoved in yours," Severus taunted in a conversationalist tone. The last remark earned him a kick in the face, reopening wounds that were barely healed. But Lucius wasn't done. He proceeded to break ribs, causing Severus to cough up blood.

Growing tired of the play, Malfoy stopped and brushed back a lock of blonde hair that fell out of place and over his forehead. He watched Severus struggle to breathe with disdain. He crouched in front of Severus, grabbed his throat and forced his head up to look at him. "You know what's worse then us so-called 'Dark Wizards'? No? It's a man with no constant loyalties, always jumping ship. Tell me, Severus, where do your loyalties lie? Nothing to say, Sevy, hmm? No witty, caustic insult to throw out?"

Snape said nothing, didn't even look at his tormentor. He just gave the tiniest of smiles, barely visible. Laughter. He as laughing at him and Lucius couldn't stand it.

"Insolent!" Lucius roared. He released his grip on Severus and let his head fall back and hit the sticky, stone wall. "I know a way to wipe that smirk off your face! Guard!"

A masked Death Eater rushed in. "Yes, sir."

"Send a couple in. Make sure they control themselves though, don't want any unfortunate incidents. The Master wants him alive and talking." One last word to Severus, "I'm sure your misery must be tantalisingly delicious." Malfoy licked his own lip before turning to leave.

Severus' head began to throb. Not from the recent beating, but from something else. Coldness gripped his chest. Voices….Mercy!…Please

Don't!

Dementor's floated into the room. Severus felt his mind and soul being torn apart.

Not my child! 

Crucio!

Why?

            Why?!

"Why…"

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It had been two weeks since Severus disappeared. Two weeks she waited, wondered, worried. For two weeks the Ministry had done nothing, and they did nothing yet. For two weeks her chest burned from the inside and out. Her agitation was so great that as she stormed into Dumbledore's office, she had not noticed that the man was already in session with.

"I'm getting sick of this, Dumbledore."

"Mallory, can't this wait?"

"No! I've been waiting for too long now. You know why the ministry isn't bothering, don't you?" She placed her hands on her hips and jiggled her left leg as she asked a question she'd obviously formed an answer to on her own. "They think he's gone back voluntarily."

"Mallory…"

"I mean if he wasn't in any danger, this," she undid the first couple clasps of her maroon robe to reveal the bright, pentacle shaped birthmark on her chest, " wouldn't be glowing so much that I don't need a torch to see my way around the halls at night!"

An interruptive cough from behind made her spin around and finally see the room's other occupant. Realising she was still holding her robe open, she quickly clasped it up, while her cheeks turned pink. She looked at him for a little while. He seemed awfully familiar. The constantly tired eyes, the light, graying hair… "Remus Lupin!"

"Good day, Miss O'Kenly," Remus greeted.

Mallory rushed to take his hand and shook it vigorously. He was taken aback by the gesture. The last time he met the woman, she wasn't so outgoing or eager for human contact. Remus smiled at her nonetheless.  He was flustered a little more when she suddenly grabbed his face and began inspecting him like a doctor would. "How's it been working out for you?" she asked as she pulled up his eyelids.

"It's been helpful, though I still say there has to be something to help with the taste."

Mallory scoffed as she checked his pulse and watched her watch. "Has your mother never told you the worse something tastes the better it is for you? My Wolfsbane potion is no exception." She finally released her patient and took a step back. "What are you doing here anyway? And what about that woman you were with, a Dr. Oliver* was it?"

Remus and Dumbledore looked at each other. The poor dear had no idea that she had touched a rather delicate subject.   "Uh, no," Remus finally ventured, "It's been some time since I've had the pleasure of her company."

Mallory frowned. "Well that's too bad. Interesting woman," she muttered as she sat down in the chair next to him.

"Mallory," Dumbledore said, finally getting the opportunity to speak, "I'm bringing Remus back to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts."

Mallory brightened. "Brilliant! Then you're actually going to let me go search for him myself?"

Dumbledore sighed. "No, my dear." Mallory's face fell. "School starts next week. I'll need you to take over Potions if Severus doesn't turn up."

Mallory thought about it for a second. "What if I can get a replacement for me, for Potions before then."

"Even still, the Ministry won't like you taking matters into your own hands."

"Bollocks to the Ministry. Albus, please, if I can get you a replacement…"

"I'll consider it."

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Mallory sat in her room, looking into the fire. "Come on," she grumbled to it. Suddenly, out of the fire sprouted the head of her old partner at the Irish Ministry- a Welshman, a sleaze bag, a Mr. Medyr Lewis.

"Well hullooo, didn't expect a call from you!" The greasy haired man smirked.

"Cut it, Lewis. I need a favour."

"Anything for you, gorgeous."

Mallory desperately tried to keep her temper. "I have some personal problems that will prevent me from doing my job; I was hoping, being the potions expert that you are, that you will be so kind as to fill in for me."

"Doesn't seem so bad. Sure I'll do it."

Mallory smiled. "Good, I hope you like children."

Lewis' face took on a sickened countenance.

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*From Iphigenia's Odi et Amo and Excrucior