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 Snapes being Slytherin's Heirs. Nothing more, nothing less.
A/N: I have a new muse! His name is Atrata and he's sooo cute. ^^ Looks like a mini Sevvie. Heehee. And he's been so helpful. Now, ONWARD WITH THE STORY!
Charm – No, I'm not going to abandon this story for the other one's. I wouldn't have even started writing the other one's except that they've been ricocheting around my head and wouldn't go away. But I won't abandon this one. It's my main story at the moment.
A/N2: Also, in the last chapter I said something about Ron-Lucius' gray eyes being wide and crazed. I meant blue. It's Lucius but Ron's eyes. *hits self in the head*
Chapter 70 **Forced Confessions and Family Ties**
"Harry!"
As Harry entered the Hospital Wing, Hermione ran up and threw her arms around him. He patted her back and said, "Ease up, Herm, I'm okay. Its Draco that's hurt."
Hermione looked over at Draco, who Flint had placed on the bed next to Ron's and grimaced.
"What happened?"
"They beat him," replied Flint, who had moved over to them when Madam Pomfrey had glared at him. Hermione looked at him then looked back at Harry.
"How could they?"
Harry frowned then growled, "They could quite easily. He's just lucky my dad sent me to find him or else he'd be hurt worse." He looked over at the other full bed and asked, "How's Ron?"
Hermione looked over at Ron and replied, "Madam Pomfrey said he was starved and took a lot of the Cruciatus Curse. But he'll be fine."
Harry blanched at the mention of the curse, remembering the many times it had been used on him in Voldemort's dungeon keep.
"Hey, you've got a bruise on your cheek."
"Its nothing, Herm. Doesn't even hurt."
Hermione frowned then hugged him again. "I'm glad your okay."
Harry returned her hug then turned around as the Hospital Wing door opened. Remus poked his head in and said, "Harry, the Headmaster wands to see you. Hermione, Mr. Flint, I suggest you return to your common rooms."
Flint took a step forward and said, "Professor, I'd like to talk to Professor Snape."
"He's busy at the moment, Flint. But I will tell him that you wish to speak to him. Come along, Harry."
With that Remus disappeared down the hall and Harry turned to Flint and said, "Don't worry. I'll tell my dad about what they did to Draco."
Flint gave him a suspicious look and growled, "You better not be pulling my leg, Po – Snape."
"I'm not. I intended to tell him anyway."
Harry looked at Ron and Draco again then hugged Hermione.
"I'll see you in a while, Mione."
Hermione nodded and Harry turned and left. As he did Flint looked at Hermione and asked, "Why does he have a sword?"
Hermione sighed and replied, "Long story."
"That you do not want to tell?"
"Its Harry's to tell, not mine. Why are you talking to me anyway?"
Flint shrugged and replied, "Something Po – Sna – Harry said to me on the Quidditch pitch. Made me see how stupid this House rivalry is."
With that he left, leaving Hermione to ponder over what on earth Harry could have said.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Harry headed straight up to Dumbledore's office and found Remus and Saerry standing outside the stone gargoyle. Saerry enveloped him in a hug then asked, "Where'd you get that bruise, Harry?"
"Malfoy."
"Draco?"
"Erm, no . . . ."
Saerry blinked and said, "Then who . . .?"
"If you three will come up here I will answer that."
The three of them turned to see Severus standing in the doorway, looking grim and angry. They followed him up into Dumbledore's office and Harry saw Lucius (still in Ron's body) sitting tied to a chair. Saerry blinked them said, "Sev, that's Harry's friend Ron."
Harry shook his head and said, "No, it isn't."
"What? And where'd you get that sword?"
Severus frowned and said, "I'll explain the sword later, Saer. And no, this isn't Ron Weasley."
Remus frowned. "Who is it then?"
"Lucius Malfoy," said Dumbledore as he came into the office from his study. "He came to offer Severus and Harry a place in Voldemort's ranks."
Saerry gasped. "Then that would mean . . . ."
"He knows we're Slytherins Heirs and not him, "said Harry, blandly.
Severus nodded then said, "We've been trying to figure out how he made himself look like Weasley but we can't seem to."
Harry looked at Lucius and said, "I have a suggestion."
"Yes?"
"Arguo."
Remus blinked.
"The Abscondo Charms?"
Harry frowned then said, "Well, its makes sense. Its what my mum put me under and Professor McGonagall said Aurors use it infiltrate."
Dumbledore nodded. "That they do, Harry. Severus?
Severus nodded and drew his wand, pointing it at Lucius.
"Arguo."
There was a vague distortion to the figure in the chair then an older version of Draco appeared. Severus' lips curled in a sneer and he growled, "Should I wake him, Albus?"
Dumbledore considered it for a moment then replied, "Go on, Severus. Remus, will you go send and owl to Alastor?"
Remus nodded and rose, squeezing Saerry's hand before he left.
As the door closed behind him Severus snarled, "Enervate."
Lucius blinked as he opened his eyes. Severus smirked and said coldly, "Good morning, Lucius."
"Severus."
"Yes, that would be me."
"Traitor."
Severus' eyes narrowed and he looked ready to curse the man but Harry grabbed his father's wrist and said, "He's not worth the trouble, dad."
Lucius sneered as Severus relaxed and spat, "So, you're one big family now, aye Severus? You and Potter and your bitch of a sister."
Saerry's dark eyes flashed fire and she clenched her hand on the arms of her chair while Harry held his father's wand hand in a death grip. Above Lucius' head a book exploded out of the bookcase and blew apart, sending pages drifting to the floor. Dumbledore frowned at this and waved his wand at the bookends and pages, repairing it and replacing it on the shelf.
Lucius smirked at Saerry and said, "Struck a nerve, did I?"
Harry moved his free hand to the sword in his belt and snarled angrily, "I'm going to strike several nerves if you don't shut up."
Severus, Saerry, and Dumbledore all looked at him in surprise but Lucius went pale. He obviously remembered the sword pressed against his throat.
Severus frowned then asked, "Why did you kidnap Ron Weasley, Lucius?"
Lucius glared at him and did not reply.
"Lucius," growled Severus dangerously.
"You think I'll tell you anything, Severus?"
There was the sound of metal against cloth then Harry pressed the hilt of Slytherins sword in his father's hand. He said, "Try using this."
Severus nodded and Harry moved back a few feet, his eyes cold points of light that stayed locked on Lucius. Turning back to Lucius, Severus held up the sword and said again, "Why did you kidnap Ron Weasley?"
Lucius went pale but shook his head, lips pursed tight. Severus glared at him and snarled, "I believe I have a vial of Veritaserum in my private stores. Saer, would you go and get it for me?"
Saerry nodded and left the office, leaving Dumbledore, Severus, and Harry alone with Lucius.
"Now Lucius, you can tell me why Voldemort sent you of al people to deliver this message rather than just simply casting Imperius on Weasley. Or, we can wait for the Veritaserum and I can ask that again. Either way, I will have an answer."
Lucius paled more but said, "Then you will have to force your answers out of me. I refuse to give them freely."
Severus idly placed the swords blade against Lucius' neck. The other man jerked and Severus sneered.
"Perhaps you would like to reconsider that statement?"
"Never."
"I could just cut off your head here and now and be done with it," said Severus smoothly. Dumbledore looked sharply at him and Severus smiled at the older man.
Lucius sneered, "You wouldn't."
"Oh really."
"Yes."
"And why would that be?"
"Firstly, you need answers. Secondly, you kill me and half of Hogwarts goes with me."
Severus' face darkened and he snarled, "You idiot! You know what that charm does!"
Harry blinked and asked, "What charm?"
Dumbledore replied, "Contumelia Charm. Highly illegal as it eventually kills the person the charm was cast upon. Grindelwald's followers used it many times. If the person the charm was cast upon is killed, they – how shall I say this? – 'explode' a few second later, taking out everything in about a mile radius."
Harry gasped and looked horrified at Lucius.
"He allowed that to be cast on him?"
Lucius fixed cold gray eyes on Harry and blandly said, "I do as my Master wishes."
Harry wrinkled his nose in disgust and Severus frowned at the man. He muttered, "Idiot."
The door suddenly opened and Saerry appeared, a vial of clear liquid clutched in one hand. She handed it to Severus then returned to her seat.
Severus unstoppered the bottle with his teeth, spitting the cork onto the floor, and said, "One last chance, Lucius. Tell me why Voldemort ordered you here by your free will or I force this down your throat."
Lucius glared coolly at him and said, "I'll never tell of my own will."
Severus shook his had sadly and looked at Dumbledore, who nodded.
"Harry, come here."
Harry moved forward and Severus handed him Slytherins sword, saying, "Hold that to his throat. He moves and . . ." He let the words hand, glancing out of the corner of his eye at Lucius, who had turned a pasty white.
Harry nodded and pressed the blade of the sword against Lucius' throat. Lucius looked at him and said, "You wouldn't do it, boy."
Harry's eyes narrowed and he spat, "Just keep think that. It might just come true."
Dumbledore and Saerry exchanged a look then watched as Severus forced Lucius' jaws open (with a prod from the sword) and poured the Veritaserum down his throat. Lucius' eyes glazed over and Severus waved Harry back. The teen moved away but kept his eyes on his father. Around his neck Saeln hissed warily.
Just as Severus was about to ask a question, the door opened again and Remus came in. He looked at Dumbledore, who nodded, then walked over and sat down beside Saerry.
Severus frowned at him then asked Lucius, "Why did you kidnap Ron Weasley?"
Lucius stared blankly ahead and replied in a hollow voice, "My Master ordered me to."
"Why?"
"He told me to offer a place to Severus and his son. The offer included safety for Severus' sister."
Severus scowled and asked, "Why did you not cast Imperius on Ron Weasley?"
"My Master told me not to."
"Why?"
"He said the words from one of his Death Eaters would be more believable than the words from the boy's friend."
Severus glanced at Harry, who was talking softly to Saeln, then asked, "Why were you to give the offer?"
Lucius replied, "The Snape's are Slytherins Heirs. My Master wanted then at his side."
"How did he know this?"
"He had always known."
Severus jerked as his he had been punched and looked at Dumbledore, who said, "Remus, take Lucius into my study. Hold him there until Alastor comes to take him to the Ministry."
Remus nodded and rose. He waved hi wand at the chair Lucius was strapped to and vanished into the study with it floating along behind him.
As soon as he was gone Severus said, "He's known. He's always known." He sank into a chair and looked blankly at the floor. Harry laid Slytherins sword down by Gryffindors while Saerry went over to her brother's side. Then the teen moved to his father's side and said, "Dad?"
Severus continued to look at the floor blankly and Harry turned to Saerry.
"What's wrong with him?" he asked, his voice tinged with worry.
Saerry looked from her brother to her nephew then to Dumbledore. She wasn't sure at all about what was wrong with Severus.
"Albus?"
Dumbledore sighed then said, "I presume that what I told you was wrong, Saerry. Voldemort apparently did look at the Slytherin tree in the book and saw that the Snape's were his descendants." He looked at Severus and added, "Severs was not the only Snape to join him."
Saerry blinked. "But . . . neither of our parents were Death Eaters. Just Sev. And only I knew about Sev being one. Mum and dad would've disowned him if they had known."
"No, you and Severus' parents were never Death Eaters. But your grandfather was. And your great great uncle was one of Grindelwald's followers."
Saerry blinked and Harry softly said, "So, Voldemort's always known?"
Dumbledore nodded.
"From what Lucius said, we must assume that."
Saerry shook his head and said, "Of course. He wouldn't kill Slytherins Heirs. He'd want them on his side." She paused then continued, "No wonder he wanted Sev's complete obedience. He was afraid Sev would find out and become greater than him. That's why he burned the Manor! To keep Sev under control!"
Dumbledore nodded gravely and Harry clenched his hand into fists. Here was another reason for him to hate Voldemort. Not only had that – monster – forced his father to rape his best friend and then killed his mother and nearly himself but the bastard had destroyed his father's family! Harry scowled furiously at nothing in particular as the image of a large manor appeared in his mind. The house was engulfed in flames and from inside there came screams, screams that could only have been made by a human being being put through horrific pain.
Saerry suddenly reached out and hugged him to her. She hugged Sev to her with her other hand then buried her face in Harry's shoulder. Harry wrapped his arms about his aunt and saw his father doing the same. Only his father was clutching at her for dear life. After a moment he heard Saerry whisper, "My men. My brave, courageous men. How can there be so much pain in the world for you?"
Harry hugged Saerry tighter then looked over her head at Dumbledore. The old wizard smiled at the three of them then rose and vanished into his study. Saerry sobbed and Harry frowned. Absently he thought, How can there be so much pain for you in this world, Aunt Saerry?
Contumelia – Blow