Chapter Two:

Hermione stared into the deep blue eyes that seemingly lost more of their customary twinkle every second. She took a deep breath and shook her head. Hermione stood up and waked to the door, she flung it open and stepped through the doorframe.

"SEVERUS!"

Snape came running through the door, wand raised. He lowered it when he found Albus and Hermione seated at the kitchen table with grim expressions. Severus ran from the room and came back in with Elizabeth. He sat her on the table and then leaned against the counter.

"What happened?"

"Severus, it is our belief that Voldemort has taken an interest in Elizabeth."

"WHAT? Why?" Snape jumped up from the counter.

"She is the first of her kind in centuries, Severus." Albus said calmly.

"First of what kind?" Hermione interjected.

"She is the first witch to be born of Gryffindor and Slytherin. The two most powerful Gryffindor and Slytherin since Voldemort himself." Albus said quietly.

"Oh, Gods." Hermione sank lower in her chair.

"What can we do?" Severus whispered, clutching his daughter in his arms.

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Severus calmly walked to the edge of the Forbidden Forest that night. He pulled on a blank white mask, and disappeared. Severus reappeared in the foyer of a large mansion. He took in his surroundings quickly. A high backed chair, no doubt where his Master was seated, surrounded by other black robed figures.

"Severus." a high voice called from the chair, "Come forward."

Severus obediently went around the chair. He bent and kissed the hem of the Dark Lord's robes, trying to hide his disgust. Severus rose when bidden to do so, taking his place between Malfoy and Avery. Voldemort's inner circle was now complete.

"Severus, I need you to perform a …special…service."

"Master?" Severus asked, stepping forward out of the circle.

"You have something, something I need to regain the power I lost." Voldemort continued.

"Yes, Master?" Severus asked evenly.

"I need this for a ritual, one that can only be performed…willingly."

Severus shuddered. Bracing himself for either a lie or the Cruciatus Curse, he waited for the Dark Lord to get to the point.

"You are the only one…"

"Only one?" Severus whispered.

"The only one with the skills to brew the potion. You are the resident Potions Master of Hogwarts after all." Voldemort laughed and sent shivers up Severus' spine.

Severus breathed a sigh of relief. His muscles relaxed and he almost smiled beside himself. The Dark Lord wanted a potion, not a four-year-old girl with dark curls who had a firm hold on his heart. He felt like singing. Severus nodded from behind his mask.

"The potions requires a number of ingredients that are rather …difficult to find, but I have faith you will complete it admirably."

"Of course Master. What potion is this?" Severus asked.

"One that requires the use of your darling daughter."

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Severus felt his knees buckle. His world was spinning. Air didn't seem to make it to his lungs in time, and he fought to calm the insane urge to kill the bastard with his own hands. Severus steadied himself, and tried to form a coherent thought.

"My--Elizabeth?" he croaked.

"Is that her name?" Voldemort said absentmindedly, "Yes, well. She has the blood of two of the most powerful wizards of this era in her veins. The fact that she is a Gryffindor will have to slide."

"Wouldn't it be better to use a pure blood, Master?" Severus sidetracked. "Possibly the young Malfoy?"

"It would be ideal of course, but the potion requires an innocent soul. I imagine you remember Young Malfoy's antics at our last raid? Not innocent. Besides, he lacks the intelligence of your mutt of a wife. Think of this as a reward, once the girl is gone, you can rid yourself of the Mudblood as well."

That last comment was it for Snape, he couldn't take it anymore. Severus suddenly disappeared from the circle. The Dark Lord's laughter filled the room. He stopped abruptly.

"As I suspected. The loyalties of our dear friends Severus lie elsewhere. He will be dealt with, and we will have the girl."

"Master?" Lucius Malfoy stepped forward from the circle.

"Yes, Yes, Malfoy. Your patience shall be rewarded. The Granger girl will be yours."

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Severus ran from the edge of the Forbidden Forrest all the way to the Headmaster's office. He burst through the door without knocking, seeing Hermione seated in one chair with their sleeping daughter in her lap. Albus looked up at him from his desk, looking older than ever before. Severus slumped into the chair next to Hermione, and hung his head in his hands.

"It is true." he croaked, "He wants me to brew a potion that uses her…her…I don't know exactly. He said something about an innocent soul. And then he says he will 'rid me of my mutt of a wife'. That bastard." his voice broke on the last word.

Hermione put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. She picked up Elizabeth and nodded at Albus. Severus looked at her curiously, standing up and taking his daughter tightly in his arms.

"I believe that is enough for tonight, Albus." Hermione said firmly.

Dumbledore nodded, waving his hand in the direction of the door sadly. Hermione led the way from the office, with Severus following closely behind. She made it all the way to their quarters before breaking down into violent sobbing.