Disclaimer: Harry Potter and everything related is the property of J.K. Rowling and anyone else who has claim to a piece of Harry's fame
Disclaimer 2: I own the plot, Saerry Snape, Aeyr's, and the Snape's being Slytherin's Heirs. Nothing more, nothing less.
Panko Piskun – Why thank you. ^^
Luna Rose – You'll see, you'll see. I've got up to chapter 59 written but now I have to type it in. OH THE HORROR!! *dies*
Arabwel – Me too. Mmm, I'm not that good in English myself. I can write I just don't get all the bloody prepositions, adjectives, and all the other ruddy English jargon. Ick. That is the reason I hate English class and really wish I was a wizard and could go to Hogwarts. THEY DON'T TEACH ENGLISH! *imagines life without English class* Oh, that would be sweet… But I doubt it will happen. *sigh* Though I think you are right, it would be Snapes instead of Snape's.
Tidmag – Okie doke!
nell – In one sitting? O_O Wow. I'm impressed. I had no idea my story could hold someone's attention so…..attentively. Yes it is isn't it? ^-^
Hippy Flower – Posting……. *laugh* And what are you in trouble with dear Voldie for now? ^^
MercS – Oh, it gets better! Chapter…. *looks* …. 57-58 is where the action really begins. And about Draco….ah, I have plans for the dear little Slytherin. I don't really like him but then again I do. I just have a bloody soft spot for Slytherin's! With the very large exception of Voldie of course. *throws darts at a board with Voldie's ugly mug on it* Haha! ^^ Yep, Sev is mad. And revenge will be sweet. *evil laugh*
Kaijinya Battousai – I didn't even notice that. Kuddos to you. ^^
MoonFire – I definitely agree with that. I should call him that sometime! Particularly in Locked in With a Madwoman so he can't do anything and I can torture him. *rubs hands together and laughs maniacally* Oh, and he is going to get it. I assure you of that. *glares evilly at Voldie*
Phoenix - *bows* Yes master. ^^
Tanja - *hugs wands and bows* Thank you, thank you.
Chapter 53 **Contact**
Almost a week later Severus was once again pacing in Dumbledore's office. Saerry, Remus, and Sirius were watching him and beginning to get tired of it.
"Sev, sit down."
Severus continued pacing, ignoring his sister's words.
"Severus, if you don't sit down I am going to tie you down!"
Saerry glared furiously at her brother and he as last sat down. The full moon was only two days away and she was highly agitated. So he did not want to cross her right them.
Severus ran a hand through his hair and said, "Sorry Saer. But I'm worried. Tomorrow and it will have been a week. And still nothing!" He slammed his fist down on his knee and a glass figurine exploded above the other three's heads.
Saerry sighed and said, "Easy Sev."
"Sorry Saer."
Sirius looked between the two of them then at the pieces of glass. He asked, "What was that?"
Saerry sighed again. "Remus, if you would explain things to Sirius. I would but I really must keep an eye on Severus."
Remus nodded and the two men went through a door into Dumbledore's study. A moment later Dumbledore returned with Mad-Eye Moody and Arthur Weasley in tow. Moody glared at Severus but growled a halfway civil 'good morning' to Saerry before sitting something down on Dumbledore's desk.
Arthur said good morning to both Snape's then asked, "Where are Remus and Sirius?"
Saerry nodded her head at the door to Dumbledore's study. "Remus is explaining a few things to Sirius."
"Ah, you mean he's explaining about the Snape's relation to Salazar Slytherin."
Saerry turned and glared at Dumbledore. "Albus . . . ."
Dumbledore smiled. "They would know sooner or later."
"I prefer later to sooner."
Dumbledore and Arthur laughed. Moody growled, "Shouldn't take long to explain."
Severus snorted and said, "You don't know Black."
"Not half as much as I know you Severus."
The two glared angrily at each other and Saerry could feel the tension in the air, snapping between them like lightning bolts. Dumbledore broke in by saying, "Severus, Alastor," in a warning sort of voice. The two men backed down but Saerry could still feel the tension in the air.
Then, "WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE SNAPES ARE SLYTHERINS HEIRS!?"
Sirius burst out of Dumbledore's study and snarled, "Slytherins Heirs?"
Saerry sighed and said, "Our ancestor married Salazar's great-granddaughter."
"You mean Harry's a bloody Slytherin?"
Severus snarled, "Half-Slytherin Black. Half-Slytherin. And if you must know, I only got placed there because I asked the hat to put me there."
Sirius snapped, "O, so you were almost a Ravenclaw?"
"No. I was almost a Gryffindor."
Sirius' jaw dropped and Remus pushed it back up.
Moody glared at them and growled, "We did come here for a reason."
Saerry now noticed the strange object Moody has sat on Dumbledore's desk. It was a large bronze serpent, coiled up with its head reared back to strike. If she didn't know better she'd say it was a paperweight.
"What is it?"
Moody growled, "Don't know. I was hoping someone could answer that for me." He deliberately looked in Severus' direction when he said 'someone'.
Severus scowled at him. "How should I know what it is?"
"The Dark Mark is on the bottom. And we all know how familiar you are with that."
Severus clamped his hand over his left arm and Saerry rose angrily from her seat. She snapped, "I'd take it kindly if you wouldn't say such things again Mr. Moody."
"Of course Ms. Snape. But there still lies the fact . . ."
"Damn the fact! My brother had changed and if you make on more remark like that I swear I will put you through so much pain you'll wish Voldemort was torturing you instead of me." She sat back down and glared coldly at the ex-Auror, who returned the glare icily.
"Alastor, Saerry, let us get back to the matter at hand," said Dumbledore with a sigh.
Saerry flushed and said, "Sorry Albus. The time is . . ."
"Not a good time for someone to anger you or Remus."
Saerry and Remus nodded at the same time.
Severus suddenly said, "It's a projector. Voldemort (Arthur winced) is especially adept at making them. Created them himself to send orders inconspicuously to u . . . the Death Eaters. The projection will appear when you tap each eye and say 'Lumos'."
Everyone looked at him for a moment before Moody tapped both of the snake's emerald eyes and growled, "Lumos." The snake's eyes lit up with an inner light and then shot out a beam of light. An image of Voldemort in a dark, dungeon-like area appeared a second later.
Arthur jumped back as the image smirked and said, "Hello Severus. I presume you're watching this now along with Dumbledore. Although I am sure you are more than likely wondering where your son is than how I might know that."
The image flickered and changed to the outside of a cell. Inside it crouched the long form of Harry. The broad form of Macnair towered over him.
A voice suddenly said, "Scream for your father Harry."
Macnair then spat, "Crucio!" Harry writhed in pain on the stone floor but no scream came from him.
A moment later Macnair left the cell and Harry lay still on his back inside. Saerry looked fearfully at the image and asked, "Is he . . .?"
"No." Severus stood behind her now, his hand on her shoulders but his eyes focused on the shadowy image before them. He said, "He's still breathing."
As they watched they heard the voice from before say, "Tsk, tsk, Harry. I'm sure your father wanted to hear you scream. Perhaps you want to tell him something instead?"
Harry rolled on his side and glared coldly at whoever owned the voice. Then he seemed to focus on them and said, "Don't try and rescue me Dad. They'll kill us both if they catch you. And I don't want that to happen."
The voice laughed and they could now tell that it was Voldemort. "A touching sentiment Harry. Very touching." The image flickered back to Voldemort and he spat, "You have three days Severus. Return to me and I will release your son. Do not . . ." Voldemort let the threat hand and pointed his wand at Harry.
"Crucio."
This time Harry could not hold back his screams as he writhed in pain. Watching the image, Saerry held tight to the arms of the chair and could feel Severus' fingertips digging into her shoulders.
They watched as Harry fell into unconsciousness from the length of the curse then were faced again by Voldemort.
"Three days. I will call you each day. If you do not come your son will die in your place. And then I will come after that sister of yours I've heard so much about."
The image wavered then vanished, the emerald light of the snake's eyes dying out. All of them stared blankly at it for a few moments before Severus picked the bronze statue up and hurled it out the window. He howled, "DAMN YOU VOLDEMORT!!" A moment later he had stormed angrily out of the office.
Saerry mumbled something and left quickly after him.
Dumbledore frowned at the broken window then looked at Sirius, who was glaring at the spot where the statue had been.
"If you feel like throwing something, do so now Sirius."
Sirius frowned then shook his head. He said, "Snape beat me to it."
Remus patted his friend's shoulder then asked, "What now?"
Dumbledore sighed and said, "We will wait for Severus. I'm certain Saerry is trying to calm him down."
Moody growled, "And if she can't?"
"Then I do not know whether Severus and Harry's lives will continue or end."
Sirius sat down heavily in a chair and held his head in his hands. He shook his head and said, "If Harry dies I'm . . ." He did not continue, just ran his hands back through his hair. Remus frowned at his friend then looked at Dumbledore, who was looking solemnly down at his desk. Moody has already left, presumably to get the snake statue, and Arthur was standing by the window, floating the broken pieces up from the ground below.
All they were waiting for was Severus.
A/N: *dances* Chapter 53, Chapter 53! ^_^