The Liber Severi
Liber I - Severus Snape's True Love
Copyright (c) 2001 by Cassandra Houston
Illustrations by Gabriel (http://www.angelfire.com/art/angelgabriel/)
Author's Notes:
Most of the characters within belong to JK Rowling. Amethyst Rayne Black Snape, Lapis Meaker and some others belong to me, Cassandra Houston. I will not accept money for this book, nor any others made with the wonderful characters JK Rowling has created. I am only putting on paper my interpretation and theory of what the Rowling characters may have been like before the Harry Potter series and what they may be like after. I am not trying to insult or steal from Rowling. I am only having fun here.
If you like what you read (and I certainly hope you do), please feel free to forward a copy of this ebook along to friends, family and anyone else who may enjoy its contents.
I must take the time here to thank Gabriel. Gabriel! You are a saint and I am forever in your debt!
I now give you Severus Snape's True Love, the first in the Liber Severi series.
Cassandra Houston
Chapter Six: The Kidnapping
Draco Malfoy followed Professor A. Snape from a distance, as she walked from the Defense Against The Dark Arts Classroom and headed for the dungeons. He was as silent as he could be. The halls were all decked out for Christmas, but Draco took no notice. She stopped to speak to a student. She spoke and the student nodded, and then scurried in Draco's direction. Before he could move, Colin Creevy ran into him. Colin bounced off of Draco and hit the floor, looking quite fearful as he stared up at Draco.
"Go." Draco hissed, and Colin found his feet and ran.
He almost lost track of her, although he knew where she was going. She headed down the stairs towards the dungeons and Draco followed. Several turns later, she entered a particularly dark passage. He did not have much time. It was now or never. He pointed his wand at her.
"Sopora." He said, quietly.
Amethyst fell to the ground in a deep sleep.
Draco quickly went to Amethysts side and pointed his wand at her again.
"Nectio."
Ropes appeared and tied themselves tightly around Amethyst.
Draco thought he heard a noise. He kept his want pointed at Amethyst. "Properio
Malfoy Dungeon." He said quickly, in a near whisper.
Amethyst Snape disappeared.
Draco quickly picked up Amethysts briefcase and hid it under his robes. Around the corner came Crabbe. Draco's temper flared.
"You idiot!" he hissed.
Crabbe looked around. "Where is she?" he asked.
"Not here." Malfoy smiled. He gave the briefcase to Crabbe. "Get rid of this." He ordered. Crabbe took the briefcase, put it under his robes and stalked off.
Draco returned to the Slytherin common room and finished his packing. He would just make it to the Hogwarts Express.
Colin Creevy raced around a corner and bumped smack into Minerva McGonagall.
"Mister Creevy, where is the fire?" Professor McGonagall demanded?
"I'm sorry, Professor, but I have to get Ginny Weasley! The Professors Snape want to see her before she gets on the train." Colin panted.
Professor McGonagall did not move. "Calm down, Creevy before you hurt yourself." She said, looking at Colin's thin chest, which was heaving up and down.
"But I looked everywhere for her. I think she may be in the Library." Squeaked Colin, trying to control his breathing.
A low whistle penetrated the walls of the school. Colin turned white as a sheet. "Oh dear," he said. "I've missed the train." His eyes widened. "I've missed Ginny!" He leaned against a wall. "The Professors Snape are going to kill me!" he wailed.
Professor McGonagall rolled her eyes. "Colin, calm down." She said. She took him by the shoulder. "First things first. We need to tell Professor Dumbledore that you have missed the train." And she steered him in the direction of Dumbledores' office.
Colin quivered when the Gargoyle sprang to life and stepped aside to let them pass. He'd never been to Dumbledores office before, although he was glad he was not going there because he was in trouble. Or was he?
Professor McGonagall led him into the circular chamber and sat him in a chair in front of Dumbledores desk. A door opened and Dumbledore appeared.
"Mister Creevy." Dumbledore said mildly. "Why are you still here?"
Colin was about to explain to Dumbledore about he search for Ginny Weasley when the office door banged open. It was Severus Snape and he had Vincent Crabbe by the back of the neck. He threw him into the chair opposite Colin, who gave a squeak and backed as far into the chair as he could. Crabbe made to get up, but caught the look in Severus' face and plastered himself into the chair.
"Severus!" Professor McGonagall said sharply.
"I caught this fool trying to hide this in the potions classroom" he hissed, tossing a briefcase onto Dumbledores desk.
"Amethyst's" Dumbledore said, barely glancing at it.
"But I just talked to her." Collin surprised himself by saying.
"When?" Three Professors asked in unison.
"Well, it was more like half an hour ago." He said. "She stopped me and told me to get Ginny and tell her to run down to their chambers before she got on the train. That's where I was going before I fell down again."
"Again?" Professor Dumbledore said, raising his eyebrows.
"Well, I ran into Draco Malfoy first." Colin said, turning red.
"Malfoy." Hissed Snape. He took a step towards Crabbe.
"Severus." Dumbledore said, with warning in his voice, because Severus looked murderous.
Dumbledore walked over to Crabbe. "What has Mister Malfoy done to Professor Snape?" He asked, using a tone that left no argument that he would be answered.
Crabbe pouted. "Draco wouldn't tell me." He said. "Just that she wasn't in the corridor anymore. He'd knocked her out or something and tied her up and magicked her someplace."
Dumbledore looked sharply at Severus, who was shaking his head. "She must still be unconscious." He paused a moment, eyes closed. "Her eyes are definitely closed."
"Not blindfolded?" Dumbledore asked.
"No." Severus said, his eyes still closed. "No, she's unconscious or asleep." He opened his eyes. "Damn, I should have seen this coming."
Dumbledore looked at Severus sharply. "Why?"
"There was an, incident, in our common room at the beginning of the year. Amethyst said some things that doubtless made Malfoy angry."
"Angry enough to try and kidnap a teacher?" Professor McGonagall said. "If he did that, he could wind up in Azkaban!"
Colin shuddered. He'd heard of Azkaban. Remembered the Dementors.
"He didn't do it alone, I can assure you." Severus said, scowling. "He's had to have had some help."
"Severus," Professor McGonagall said, eyeing him. "Can you tell where she is?"
"Yes, Minerva, I can" Severus said. "When we were reunited, we performed the Iunctius Charm. We were unwilling to take the chance of being separated again."
"The what?' Colin sputtered. All three professors rounded on him; they'd apparently forgotten he was there.
Professor Dumbledore looked down at Colin for a long time. "The Iunctius Charm joins together two souls." He said. "From now until they're deaths, Amethyst and Severus will be able to locate each other, no matter where they are."
"Why would they do that?" Colin couldn't help but ask. "Don't they trust each other?"
"It is not that, Mister Creevy." Professor Dumbledore said. "It is like Professor Snape has said. They were unwilling to take the chance of being separated again."
Colin nodded, having no idea what that meant but knowing he'd learn no more. But he tried to say one more thing. "That sounds sort of, well, immoral."
Dumbledore sighed. "It is very advanced Dark Magic, Mister Creevy. The only willing participants I have ever heard of to ever perform it are the Professors Snape. You see, few people are willing to give up even a part of their soul to another. It makes them vulnerable. The trust you must have in the person you are joined to. Well, not many people trust that deeply. And it has never been used on a willing participant before. Mostly it was used by Lord Voldemort on those in his inner circle whom he did not trust and wanted to keep an eye on." And here he glanced at Severus. "Some people know how to turn it on and off at will, but not many. And even fewer know how to rid themselves of the Charm."
Colin gaped. He'd heard Severus knew Dark Arts, but never thought he would ever hear any of it was true! The news did nothing to alleviate the terror Severus Snape inspired in Colin.
Dumbledore said, "Well, we had better search the castle and grounds in any event. Severus, if you locate Amethyst before the next train, please let me know."
"Yes, Headmaster."
Dumbledore looked at the two students in his office. "You boys return to your common rooms. We will put you on the next train."
A search of the castle produced nothing. Severus was not seen until it was time to go to Hogsmeade and get the train. He was completely silent during the carriage ride, which he took with Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall and Flitwick.
At the station, the teachers boarded the ten o'clock train, but Dumbledore and Severus lingered. The waited for the train to depart, then disappeared.
Arthur Weasley pulled into his front yard with a light heart. It was almost Christmas and he was bringing Ginny home for the holidays. As he pulled to a stop in front of the house, he looked at it and smiled. The house had been completely remodeled, thanks to a treasure hoard found in a joint effort between Bill and Charlie. Their usual meager cut had, in this case, was not meager at all. They received half a million Galleons apiece for their find. They had paid for the remodeling of the Weasley home. Molly complained about all the extra rooms that no one was really living in except for the holidays, but Mister Weasley knew she was very pleased.
Ginny hopped out of the car, still chatting animatedly and ran into the house to see her family. Mister Weasley was left to get her trunk. He got out of the car and walked around the car.
"Good Lord." He exclaimed, when Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape appeared in front of him.
"Halloo, Arthur." Said Dumbledore, grinning at the startled expression on Mister Weasleys face.
"Albus!" He said, shaking a bit. "What in the world are you doing here? Not that I'm not glad to see you, but."
Dumbledores face became deadly serious. "I'm afraid that this isn't a social call, Arthur." He said. "We are looking for Sirius Black."
"Of course," Mister Weasley said. "He arrived this afternoon." And his eyes flicked to Severus. "Is there a problem?"
Severus said nothing, apparently deep in thought somehow. "Please, may we see him?" Dumbledore pressed.
They followed Mister Weasley into the house and joined the people congregated in the Weasley sitting room. They eyes of Mrs. Weasley, Ginny, Bill, Charley, Fred, George, Ron, Hermione, Harry Potter and Sirius Black landed on the three men. Sirius' eyes went from the face of Albus Dumbledore to the face of Severus Snape and he leaped to his feet.
"What's wrong?" He demanded.
"It would appear," Dumbledore said, very carefully. "That Amethyst has been kidnapped."
The rest of the people in the room also came to their feet. Cries of disbelief filled the room. Dumbledore raised his hand and the room fell silent.
"Severus is trying to locate her. Wherever she is, her eyes are closed. He cannot locate her right now." He explained.
Sirius took a great calming breath. "You can locate her, Severus?" he asked, tightly.
"Yes I can." Severus said, equally tense.
Hermione spoke up. "What happened, Severus? How could someone kidnap someone from Hogwarts?"
"Apparently the Malfoys have been developing new spells, that Hogwarts is not protected against." Severus said, barely moving his lips.
"The Malfoys!" Harry exclaimed.
"Yes." Severus said. "Amethyst and Draco had words at the beginning of the year. She humiliated him. Badly. Apparently Draco is seeking some sort of revenge."
"We should go to the Malfoy mansion." Sirius said, sharply.
"Sirius, calm down," Dumbledore said. "We are not sure that Amethyst is even there. We mustn't allow ourselves to become distracted." He walked to face Sirius. "Wait until Severus has located her."
"But how can he locate her?" Ron asked.
"The Iunctius Charm" whispered Hermione.
Sirius looked at Severus, but apparently decided against speaking. His expression went from one of anger to one of worry. "OK, Severus. Find her." He said in clipped tones.
Severus nodded, turned and left the house.
Sirius found him ten minutes later. Severus was standing with both hands on the Weasleys fence. His head was bent and wind was blowing his hair. When Sirius approached him from the left side, he saw Severus' eyes were closed.
They stood there for another half an hour before Severus spoke. "I am sure this will do nothing to improve our relationship, Black." He said sounding defeated. He had not opened his eyes.
Sirius looked out into the darkness. "Actually, I am seeing a great many things in a new light these days, Severus." He said. "I've come to terms with your marriage to my sister. I am still trying to figure out how to make it up to her." He paused. "And to you."
Severus chuckled. "That must have hurt." He said.
Sirius chuckled also. "Not as badly as it would have just two months ago." He said.
They lapsed into silence again. Ten minutes later Harry, Ron and Hermione joined them. "Maybe you should come inside now, before you freeze." Hermione suggested. She'd approached Severus from the right side, and noted his eyes were closed.
"No." said Severus. "I'll wait here."
Ron cleared his throat. "She's not.." he began, but both Severus and Sirius were shaking their heads.
"He would have felt it immediately if she'd been killed." Sirius said. And together he and Severus said, "This time." Both their voices filled with scorn.
Hermione opened her mouth to speak again, when suddenly Severus stood bold upright. His eyes were still closed, but there was a look of pure hatred in his face. "You son of a bitch." He hissed. He reached under his cloak and into his robes. He brought out his wand and stuck it in his ear, saying "Exaudio."
"What is it?" Harry asked, but a look from Sirius silenced him. Sirius beckoned them around him.
"He can see what she sees now. And hear what she hears." He explained.
Severus let out a volley of swearing that made even Ron turn pink, although that may have been the cold. He then chuckled. He turned and opened his eyes, looking at them all.
"She is with Draco Malfoy in the dungeon of their Manor." He hissed. "Lucius isn't there. Somehow I doubt that he would allow his son to do anything as stupid as this. Draco wants to humiliate her as badly as she humiliated him." Then Severus grinned. "Then he freed her hands."
"The connection is broken?" Sirius said.
"Yes, but that is because he knocked her out when she punched him."
Sirius smiled. "That's Amethyst. Then she's all right, for now."
Severus nodded, but his face was grim. "For now. We will have to get her out of there soon. Draco will want her conscious for what he has planed for her."
"So lets go." Ron blurted. Severus and Sirius stared at him.
"You don't think we would let you go alone, do you?" Hermione asked, her hands on her hips.
"I don't think -" Severus began, but Sirius interrupted.
"Don't waste your time arguing, Severus. It's no use."
"All right, then." He said. "I have a plan." And he began to lay it out for them. Five minutes later they had all disappeared.
Liber I - Severus Snape's True Love
Copyright (c) 2001 by Cassandra Houston
Illustrations by Gabriel (http://www.angelfire.com/art/angelgabriel/)
Author's Notes:
Most of the characters within belong to JK Rowling. Amethyst Rayne Black Snape, Lapis Meaker and some others belong to me, Cassandra Houston. I will not accept money for this book, nor any others made with the wonderful characters JK Rowling has created. I am only putting on paper my interpretation and theory of what the Rowling characters may have been like before the Harry Potter series and what they may be like after. I am not trying to insult or steal from Rowling. I am only having fun here.
If you like what you read (and I certainly hope you do), please feel free to forward a copy of this ebook along to friends, family and anyone else who may enjoy its contents.
I must take the time here to thank Gabriel. Gabriel! You are a saint and I am forever in your debt!
I now give you Severus Snape's True Love, the first in the Liber Severi series.
Cassandra Houston
Chapter Six: The Kidnapping
Draco Malfoy followed Professor A. Snape from a distance, as she walked from the Defense Against The Dark Arts Classroom and headed for the dungeons. He was as silent as he could be. The halls were all decked out for Christmas, but Draco took no notice. She stopped to speak to a student. She spoke and the student nodded, and then scurried in Draco's direction. Before he could move, Colin Creevy ran into him. Colin bounced off of Draco and hit the floor, looking quite fearful as he stared up at Draco.
"Go." Draco hissed, and Colin found his feet and ran.
He almost lost track of her, although he knew where she was going. She headed down the stairs towards the dungeons and Draco followed. Several turns later, she entered a particularly dark passage. He did not have much time. It was now or never. He pointed his wand at her.
"Sopora." He said, quietly.
Amethyst fell to the ground in a deep sleep.
Draco quickly went to Amethysts side and pointed his wand at her again.
"Nectio."
Ropes appeared and tied themselves tightly around Amethyst.
Draco thought he heard a noise. He kept his want pointed at Amethyst. "Properio
Malfoy Dungeon." He said quickly, in a near whisper.
Amethyst Snape disappeared.
Draco quickly picked up Amethysts briefcase and hid it under his robes. Around the corner came Crabbe. Draco's temper flared.
"You idiot!" he hissed.
Crabbe looked around. "Where is she?" he asked.
"Not here." Malfoy smiled. He gave the briefcase to Crabbe. "Get rid of this." He ordered. Crabbe took the briefcase, put it under his robes and stalked off.
Draco returned to the Slytherin common room and finished his packing. He would just make it to the Hogwarts Express.
Colin Creevy raced around a corner and bumped smack into Minerva McGonagall.
"Mister Creevy, where is the fire?" Professor McGonagall demanded?
"I'm sorry, Professor, but I have to get Ginny Weasley! The Professors Snape want to see her before she gets on the train." Colin panted.
Professor McGonagall did not move. "Calm down, Creevy before you hurt yourself." She said, looking at Colin's thin chest, which was heaving up and down.
"But I looked everywhere for her. I think she may be in the Library." Squeaked Colin, trying to control his breathing.
A low whistle penetrated the walls of the school. Colin turned white as a sheet. "Oh dear," he said. "I've missed the train." His eyes widened. "I've missed Ginny!" He leaned against a wall. "The Professors Snape are going to kill me!" he wailed.
Professor McGonagall rolled her eyes. "Colin, calm down." She said. She took him by the shoulder. "First things first. We need to tell Professor Dumbledore that you have missed the train." And she steered him in the direction of Dumbledores' office.
Colin quivered when the Gargoyle sprang to life and stepped aside to let them pass. He'd never been to Dumbledores office before, although he was glad he was not going there because he was in trouble. Or was he?
Professor McGonagall led him into the circular chamber and sat him in a chair in front of Dumbledores desk. A door opened and Dumbledore appeared.
"Mister Creevy." Dumbledore said mildly. "Why are you still here?"
Colin was about to explain to Dumbledore about he search for Ginny Weasley when the office door banged open. It was Severus Snape and he had Vincent Crabbe by the back of the neck. He threw him into the chair opposite Colin, who gave a squeak and backed as far into the chair as he could. Crabbe made to get up, but caught the look in Severus' face and plastered himself into the chair.
"Severus!" Professor McGonagall said sharply.
"I caught this fool trying to hide this in the potions classroom" he hissed, tossing a briefcase onto Dumbledores desk.
"Amethyst's" Dumbledore said, barely glancing at it.
"But I just talked to her." Collin surprised himself by saying.
"When?" Three Professors asked in unison.
"Well, it was more like half an hour ago." He said. "She stopped me and told me to get Ginny and tell her to run down to their chambers before she got on the train. That's where I was going before I fell down again."
"Again?" Professor Dumbledore said, raising his eyebrows.
"Well, I ran into Draco Malfoy first." Colin said, turning red.
"Malfoy." Hissed Snape. He took a step towards Crabbe.
"Severus." Dumbledore said, with warning in his voice, because Severus looked murderous.
Dumbledore walked over to Crabbe. "What has Mister Malfoy done to Professor Snape?" He asked, using a tone that left no argument that he would be answered.
Crabbe pouted. "Draco wouldn't tell me." He said. "Just that she wasn't in the corridor anymore. He'd knocked her out or something and tied her up and magicked her someplace."
Dumbledore looked sharply at Severus, who was shaking his head. "She must still be unconscious." He paused a moment, eyes closed. "Her eyes are definitely closed."
"Not blindfolded?" Dumbledore asked.
"No." Severus said, his eyes still closed. "No, she's unconscious or asleep." He opened his eyes. "Damn, I should have seen this coming."
Dumbledore looked at Severus sharply. "Why?"
"There was an, incident, in our common room at the beginning of the year. Amethyst said some things that doubtless made Malfoy angry."
"Angry enough to try and kidnap a teacher?" Professor McGonagall said. "If he did that, he could wind up in Azkaban!"
Colin shuddered. He'd heard of Azkaban. Remembered the Dementors.
"He didn't do it alone, I can assure you." Severus said, scowling. "He's had to have had some help."
"Severus," Professor McGonagall said, eyeing him. "Can you tell where she is?"
"Yes, Minerva, I can" Severus said. "When we were reunited, we performed the Iunctius Charm. We were unwilling to take the chance of being separated again."
"The what?' Colin sputtered. All three professors rounded on him; they'd apparently forgotten he was there.
Professor Dumbledore looked down at Colin for a long time. "The Iunctius Charm joins together two souls." He said. "From now until they're deaths, Amethyst and Severus will be able to locate each other, no matter where they are."
"Why would they do that?" Colin couldn't help but ask. "Don't they trust each other?"
"It is not that, Mister Creevy." Professor Dumbledore said. "It is like Professor Snape has said. They were unwilling to take the chance of being separated again."
Colin nodded, having no idea what that meant but knowing he'd learn no more. But he tried to say one more thing. "That sounds sort of, well, immoral."
Dumbledore sighed. "It is very advanced Dark Magic, Mister Creevy. The only willing participants I have ever heard of to ever perform it are the Professors Snape. You see, few people are willing to give up even a part of their soul to another. It makes them vulnerable. The trust you must have in the person you are joined to. Well, not many people trust that deeply. And it has never been used on a willing participant before. Mostly it was used by Lord Voldemort on those in his inner circle whom he did not trust and wanted to keep an eye on." And here he glanced at Severus. "Some people know how to turn it on and off at will, but not many. And even fewer know how to rid themselves of the Charm."
Colin gaped. He'd heard Severus knew Dark Arts, but never thought he would ever hear any of it was true! The news did nothing to alleviate the terror Severus Snape inspired in Colin.
Dumbledore said, "Well, we had better search the castle and grounds in any event. Severus, if you locate Amethyst before the next train, please let me know."
"Yes, Headmaster."
Dumbledore looked at the two students in his office. "You boys return to your common rooms. We will put you on the next train."
A search of the castle produced nothing. Severus was not seen until it was time to go to Hogsmeade and get the train. He was completely silent during the carriage ride, which he took with Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall and Flitwick.
At the station, the teachers boarded the ten o'clock train, but Dumbledore and Severus lingered. The waited for the train to depart, then disappeared.
Arthur Weasley pulled into his front yard with a light heart. It was almost Christmas and he was bringing Ginny home for the holidays. As he pulled to a stop in front of the house, he looked at it and smiled. The house had been completely remodeled, thanks to a treasure hoard found in a joint effort between Bill and Charlie. Their usual meager cut had, in this case, was not meager at all. They received half a million Galleons apiece for their find. They had paid for the remodeling of the Weasley home. Molly complained about all the extra rooms that no one was really living in except for the holidays, but Mister Weasley knew she was very pleased.
Ginny hopped out of the car, still chatting animatedly and ran into the house to see her family. Mister Weasley was left to get her trunk. He got out of the car and walked around the car.
"Good Lord." He exclaimed, when Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape appeared in front of him.
"Halloo, Arthur." Said Dumbledore, grinning at the startled expression on Mister Weasleys face.
"Albus!" He said, shaking a bit. "What in the world are you doing here? Not that I'm not glad to see you, but."
Dumbledores face became deadly serious. "I'm afraid that this isn't a social call, Arthur." He said. "We are looking for Sirius Black."
"Of course," Mister Weasley said. "He arrived this afternoon." And his eyes flicked to Severus. "Is there a problem?"
Severus said nothing, apparently deep in thought somehow. "Please, may we see him?" Dumbledore pressed.
They followed Mister Weasley into the house and joined the people congregated in the Weasley sitting room. They eyes of Mrs. Weasley, Ginny, Bill, Charley, Fred, George, Ron, Hermione, Harry Potter and Sirius Black landed on the three men. Sirius' eyes went from the face of Albus Dumbledore to the face of Severus Snape and he leaped to his feet.
"What's wrong?" He demanded.
"It would appear," Dumbledore said, very carefully. "That Amethyst has been kidnapped."
The rest of the people in the room also came to their feet. Cries of disbelief filled the room. Dumbledore raised his hand and the room fell silent.
"Severus is trying to locate her. Wherever she is, her eyes are closed. He cannot locate her right now." He explained.
Sirius took a great calming breath. "You can locate her, Severus?" he asked, tightly.
"Yes I can." Severus said, equally tense.
Hermione spoke up. "What happened, Severus? How could someone kidnap someone from Hogwarts?"
"Apparently the Malfoys have been developing new spells, that Hogwarts is not protected against." Severus said, barely moving his lips.
"The Malfoys!" Harry exclaimed.
"Yes." Severus said. "Amethyst and Draco had words at the beginning of the year. She humiliated him. Badly. Apparently Draco is seeking some sort of revenge."
"We should go to the Malfoy mansion." Sirius said, sharply.
"Sirius, calm down," Dumbledore said. "We are not sure that Amethyst is even there. We mustn't allow ourselves to become distracted." He walked to face Sirius. "Wait until Severus has located her."
"But how can he locate her?" Ron asked.
"The Iunctius Charm" whispered Hermione.
Sirius looked at Severus, but apparently decided against speaking. His expression went from one of anger to one of worry. "OK, Severus. Find her." He said in clipped tones.
Severus nodded, turned and left the house.
Sirius found him ten minutes later. Severus was standing with both hands on the Weasleys fence. His head was bent and wind was blowing his hair. When Sirius approached him from the left side, he saw Severus' eyes were closed.
They stood there for another half an hour before Severus spoke. "I am sure this will do nothing to improve our relationship, Black." He said sounding defeated. He had not opened his eyes.
Sirius looked out into the darkness. "Actually, I am seeing a great many things in a new light these days, Severus." He said. "I've come to terms with your marriage to my sister. I am still trying to figure out how to make it up to her." He paused. "And to you."
Severus chuckled. "That must have hurt." He said.
Sirius chuckled also. "Not as badly as it would have just two months ago." He said.
They lapsed into silence again. Ten minutes later Harry, Ron and Hermione joined them. "Maybe you should come inside now, before you freeze." Hermione suggested. She'd approached Severus from the right side, and noted his eyes were closed.
"No." said Severus. "I'll wait here."
Ron cleared his throat. "She's not.." he began, but both Severus and Sirius were shaking their heads.
"He would have felt it immediately if she'd been killed." Sirius said. And together he and Severus said, "This time." Both their voices filled with scorn.
Hermione opened her mouth to speak again, when suddenly Severus stood bold upright. His eyes were still closed, but there was a look of pure hatred in his face. "You son of a bitch." He hissed. He reached under his cloak and into his robes. He brought out his wand and stuck it in his ear, saying "Exaudio."
"What is it?" Harry asked, but a look from Sirius silenced him. Sirius beckoned them around him.
"He can see what she sees now. And hear what she hears." He explained.
Severus let out a volley of swearing that made even Ron turn pink, although that may have been the cold. He then chuckled. He turned and opened his eyes, looking at them all.
"She is with Draco Malfoy in the dungeon of their Manor." He hissed. "Lucius isn't there. Somehow I doubt that he would allow his son to do anything as stupid as this. Draco wants to humiliate her as badly as she humiliated him." Then Severus grinned. "Then he freed her hands."
"The connection is broken?" Sirius said.
"Yes, but that is because he knocked her out when she punched him."
Sirius smiled. "That's Amethyst. Then she's all right, for now."
Severus nodded, but his face was grim. "For now. We will have to get her out of there soon. Draco will want her conscious for what he has planed for her."
"So lets go." Ron blurted. Severus and Sirius stared at him.
"You don't think we would let you go alone, do you?" Hermione asked, her hands on her hips.
"I don't think -" Severus began, but Sirius interrupted.
"Don't waste your time arguing, Severus. It's no use."
"All right, then." He said. "I have a plan." And he began to lay it out for them. Five minutes later they had all disappeared.