By Marie Noire
Chapter Nine : In the Clutches of the Enemy
Chantal remained in a bit of a funk for the last few days of classes, before a majority of the students left for the winter holidays. She finished grading midterms, turned in the grades to Minerva, and set about doing absolutely nothing for the next month and a half. After two days of said nothing, she was getting slightly stir-crazy. She might have felt compelled to wander Hogwarts grounds and relive cheery nostalgia… but the very thought of coming up against Severus again kept her confined to her own quarters. None of her books held any appeal, not even her much-loved and thoroughly thumbed copy of The Lord of the Rings held any sway. Music, while soothing at first, soon lapsed into bitter sweetness… every song seemed to reflect on something she had done wrong to Severus… or on something that she would love to say to him.
At last, she felt the walls pressing in and left. She not only left her rooms, but the grounds entirely, heading vaguely for Hogsmeade. She could do some shopping… Hogsmeade at Christmastime was just what she needed. This was one thing that had absolutely nothing to do with Snape.
Her steps left dark imprints in the frosted ground as she made her way into the village, her crimson cloak dragging behind her lightly. Giving into female whims that transcended all magic, her first stop was the bakery to buy some chocolate pasties. A craving was a craving, no matter how you termed it. Chantal's weakness happened to be for chocolate in any way, shape, or form. Munching on one contentedly, Chantal exited the shop and wandered.
There were few people about… and those that were appeared to be headed for the tavern in a hurry to warm up from the frosty evening. As such Hogsmeade was oddly quiet. Chantal, unnerved by the strange stillness, hastened her steps towards the centre of the village. The bookstore… she could go there and hopefully lose herself in some new volume.
As she rounded a corner, she most certainly lost herself… but not in any way she might have expected or approved of.
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Have you got something for me, Wormtail?
"Y-yes… master… something good this time. Been watching her since term began. No one pays any mind to a rat you know… that's why I'm so useful to you… right, master?" a quivering voice replied, half terrified and half proud.
I tire of your babbling, Wormtail. Who have you brought me?
"A… a professor from Hogwarts, master. Pureblood… name's Duquesne… pretty little thing. Went to school with me… was sort of a chum. Talented lovely too. She'll serve you well, my lord."
An unwilling servant, I see. If that bruise on her temple is any sign. Perfect. Well done, Wormtail. And what of your other mission?
"He is hard to see, master. You chose him for that very reason. But I think that she will sway him completely." The voice was more certain now.
Oh? And how is that, my eager servant?
"He adored her when we were young… he adores her still… he will do anything to keep her from being unduly harmed."
Are you certain of this?
"Absolutely."
Then I am pleased, Wormtail… you shall be richly rewarded. Perhaps when she has served my purposes, she will be yours to do with as you please.
Wormtail let his gaze slide over Chantal's prone body greedily, not bothering to disguise the lust glinting there. "I live only to serve you, my master… but that would be a welcome reward indeed."
-----
Severus wandered through the corridors, his cloak billowing out behind him like some Muggle's idea of a romantic vampire. His step was brisk, angry, and impatient as always… but in place of his usual dark frown was an even darker scowl. School had been out for a week and instead of the solitary peace and quiet he usually divulged in he found himself restless and brooding. Half of him wanted to go find Chantal and attempt to recapture the familiarity of their youth… the other half wanted to stalk the grounds endlessly and preserve his foul mood.
Few students and even fewer teachers remained at Hogwarts, even Potter and Weasley had left, choosing to spend the holidays with Granger's family. Dumbledore was about, but was kept busy with countless owls from the Ministry. Remus had tried to engage the Potions' Master in conversation once or twice, but was promptly shot down by a few growled words. The school seemed deserted save for the resident ghosts and the prowling Snape.
Severus grumbled under his breath as he crossed the main hall and caught sight of Remus approaching him steadily. However, the professor's normally weary, but fairly cheerful face was darkened by the creasing lines of worry.
"Severus… a moment, please?" he asked, more demanding than usual.
Severus paused, his brow furrowed in confusion at Remus' directness. "What is it?"
"Have you seen Chantal anywhere? I haven't been able to find her for days and I just went to her chambers… all of her things are in place, but the bed hasn't been slept in." Remus explained in a bit of a rush.
Severus bit his lip. "I have not seen her… does Albus know she is missing?"
Remus shook his head. "No… not yet."
"Are you certain she did not just scamper off to France without telling you?" Severus suggested.
Remus sighed. "I just told you, all of her things are still in her room. She would not leave on a long trip without her wand you know."
Severus' breath caught at that bit of information. "Quite true. It would probably be a good idea to talk to Dumbledore right away then. If she's left her wand behind then something could be gravely wrong."
Remus looked even more worried at Severus' pessimistic view. "I hate to say it… but I think you're right. Last we spoke, she mentioned heading into Hogsmeade for some Christmas shopping... that was four days ago and I have not seen her since. It's not like her to disappear."
In silence, both men headed back towards the corridor that led to various offices, including the portrait that currently guarded Dumbledore's private chambers. Remus paused, looking to Severus for the password.
Severus sighed. "Oddment."
The portrait opened respectfully enough, although its occupants, a trio of skinny witches, mumbled about having their nice tea interrupted. Quickly, Severus and Remus climbed the narrow, winding staircase that led up into a high tower.
"Have you any thoughts, Severus?" Remus asked, startled by the wizard's expression.
"A few ideas from the past. Whispered plans. I'm not sure how things have changed in the time since I came to Hogwarts though… if they've changed at all." He replied thickly.
"They?" Remus repeated, knowing full well what Severus' vagueness meant. "You think they may have something to do with it? What would they want with Chantal? She hasn't a dark bone in her body!"
"If it is them… or, more appropriately, Him… then her political standings do not matter. Power is a very potent drug and when one as powerful as He is faced with eventual mortality, what does He do with that great power?"
Remus considered. "He will pass it on to someone else? Like a monarch."
"Exactly. And who would be the perfect person to pass on His power to?"
"An heir… but He has no heir!"
"You are right… He doesn't… yet."
"Yet? What do you mean 'yet'? In His condition, He cannot… cannot… breed! Can He?"
"Who can tell? But the question of whether or not the blood is His may not matter… He has many followers who would be only too glad to… donate."
Remus stopped dead in his tracks. "An heir… the mother of pure of blood... magically gifted... certainly attractive... and preferably unwilling... Tally." Slowly, his hands balled into fists and a murderous glint came into his eyes. Severus bit back a gasp… the last time he saw that particular expression on Remus' face, he was nearly ripped to shreds by a werewolf. "If that's so... God help me... I will use this damn curse..."
Severus raised a hand to still Remus "Calm down. This is why we need to speak to Albus… he will know better how to approach the situation. If it comes to violence, you will not have to face them alone."
Severus knocked on the door that awaited them at the top, three staccato raps, and waited impatiently for an answer. Some fumbling, as though someone were quickly gathering up papers.
"Enter." Dumbledore's voice called faintly from behind the door. Remus paused, but Severus strode directly inside.
"Headmaster, we have a situation-"
"Dumbledore, something serious may-"
Dumbledore raised his hands. "Wait, wait… I cannot listen to both of you at once."
Remus plowed ahead first. "Headmaster, we haven't seen Professor Duquesne for several days. I became concerned and stopped in her quarters; I found that all of her belongings are here, her wand included… but she has not been."
Dumbledore frowned. "Are you certain you have not just missed her, Remus?"
Remus nodded. "Quite, sir. I've been asking around and no one has seen her on school grounds for at least four days."
Severus also nodded. "She has not been at any meals recently either, sir. I noticed, but thought simply that she and Professor Lupin were dining privately, being that they are old friends."
Dumbledore bit his lip. "Worrisome indeed."
Severus continued quietly. "Especially when one considers the rumors I heard before returning to Hogwarts, sir. I fear that an agent of the Dark Lord may have kidnapped Professor Duquesne. He is still mortal… and He is someone who plans for the future."
Dumbledore stood, pacing behind his desk in an agitated fashion seldom seen. "I remember all too well, Severus. And I received several owls from the Ministry that further serve to support your suggestion. It seems that all of our contacts have suddenly become disturbingly silent."
Severus took a deep breath. "Is there any indication as to why, sir?"
"It is my thought that they may have been found out by Voldemort and… eliminated. It is not like any of them not to send in regular reports… even when there is nothing to report. Last we heard, Voldemort and his followers were apparently congregating en masse… far east of here." Dumbledore continued to pace, almost thinking aloud.
Remus all but burst. "Then why are we standing about? We must go after her at once!"
Severus pounced upon him first. "Be reasonable, Remus! If we rush into this, we will lose and they may rather kill Chantal then let her be rescued! Calm yourself and think clearly."
"Severus is right, Remus… discretion is the better part of valor. We do not want Chantal to come to harm through our mistakes." Dumbledore sighed. "Severus, I had hoped I would never have to ask this of you again… yet it seems I must, for you are Chantal's only hope if she is with them."
Severus stood straighter. "I understand, sir… I have been mentally preparing myself for it."
Remus looked between the two of them, confusion writ on his face.
Dumbledore continued addressing Severus, as a general to one of his lieutenants. "You think, if I give you what the Ministry has given me about their supposed whereabouts, that you can find them safely?"
"I believe so, sir… there are not many places in the east where he can hide comfortably." Severus replied, approaching the desk to look over the papers Dumbledore had there.
"We have reason to believe that Kabul may be his center of operation for the moment." Dumbledore pointed out on a map.
Severus grimaced slightly. "Him and His blasted deserts… but if that is the case, I know exactly where to find him."
Dumbledore reached across the desk to grasp Severus' shoulder. "Be very careful, Severus. Voldemort cannot use her in exactly the way he originally intended… but his followers can."
"I understand, sir. If I have to, I may be able to use that to my advantage." Severus nodded grimly.
Dumbledore kept his fatherly hold. "This, I fear... will be more difficult than any other mission you have been on, Severus. I want your strict attention on this. He may be very cross with you. According to our sources, you are very near the top of his list. If it looks as though you will not be able to safely move through His territory, I want you to apparate back here immediately. Now is not the time to be proud or timid, understood?"
"Yes, sir… though I will not like it."
"I know you won't… but I'll never be able to replace two professors before the next term starts." Dumbledore sighed, half seriously and half jokingly.
Severus gave him a ghost of smile while Remus looked more and more confused.
"Could someone please explain to me what you're talking about?" he finally asked in exasperation.
Dumbledore sighed. "Remus, what I am about to tell you is to be kept strictly secret. You are good at those."
Remus nodded, a slight tint to his face. "Yes, sir."
"You recall rumors regarding Professor Snape? That he was once a servant of the Dark Lord himself?"
Remus looked down at the carpet in mild shame. "I do, sir… I'll admit that before I came here, I was very much concerned."
"Well… they were true to a certain extent. Severus served under both myself and the Ministry as a double agent, bringing information back to us on Voldemort's activities. He was instrumental in many of our efforts against Him." Dumbledore explained. "And now it seems he must do so again."
Remus looked at Severus with his jaw slightly agape. "A double agent? My god… Severus… you are a braver man than I."
Severus shrugged. "I do only what I have to… no more, no less."
"There are many who would not do even that." Remus insisted. "And… if I haven't done so previously… I do apologize for what happened… so… so long ago."
Severus stepped back, partially in shock and partially because he did not want Remus to apologize. He had grown rather accustomed to the comfortable bitterness that followed him everywhere. "Now is not the time to dredge up ancient history. I have to get ready. With all due respect, Headmaster… I shall gather my belongings and be in Kabul by morning."
Dumbledore nodded his assent and Severus left him and Remus, closing the door behind him and leaning against it, letting the shudder that had been threatening pass through him. Back under Voldemort… he had hoped, had prayed that it would not come to that. The past summer, he had spent most of his time at the Ministry, instructing would-be spies on the ins and outs of Voldemort's fold. Now they were all missing and he was the only one left.
Once more to the double life. He hoped he could pull it off as easily this time as he had before. But now… with Chantal at risk… the stakes were doubled. Perhaps not on a political level… but in his heart. The very idea of Chantal anywhere even close to Voldemort's clutches made him physically ill… and if his assumptions were right…
He shook his head, trying not to picture Chantal beneath any Death-Eater he knew. Any one of them would be rough, sadistic… make it as painful as possible without actually damaging what Voldemort needed most. If he got there in time, before she had been violated… perhaps he could intervene on her behalf, make something sound believable.
Whatever he had to do to save her, he would do it… Dumbledore's warnings be damned.
Now he just had to get there.
On to Chapter Ten
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