Contemplations of Birth

by Saavik13

Hermione is in trouble and goes to the one place she thinks will hold her salvation. Is the solution worse than the problem or is it in fact better? Complication, the sequal, is up! So is Convergance, the backstory.

12. Staccato

Contemplations of Birth - REVISED
Author: Saavik
Disclaimer: I don't own it, I don't need to. I have more fun playing with it this way.
Summary: Hermione is in trouble and goes to the one place she thinks will hold her salvation. Is the solution worse than the problem or is it in fact better?

CHAPTER 12: Staccato

The next few days were tense, to say the least. Severus waited cautiously for a summons, but it never came. He finally owled Lucius on Tuesday to see if the man had heard any news. Lucius didn't respond by owl, but instead came to Hogwarts in person. Severus was now VERY concerned.

"Lucius, have you had any reports? I seem to be rather uniformed of late." Severus asked as they walked towards his chambers.

Lucius shook his head no. "I haven't been contacted either, which is odd. Normally He would have wanted something or other by now. Especially considering He moved into the East wing Sunday."

"He's living at Malfoy Manor?" Severus made a very convincing effort to hide his surprise.

Lucius sneered in distaste. "Don't remind me. But there is an upside, I haven't once been summoned and I haven't seen that bloody owl the entire time. Maybe giving Him free room and board is enough to keep Him off my back."

"Perhaps I should suggest that to Albus. In exchange for free lodging for all eternity here at the school He can give up on His grand vision."

"Somehow I don't think that would work, although I wish it would." Lucius shook his head in resignation.

Snape smiled darkly. "Really, here I thought you LIKED being an aggressive negotiator."

The blond grimaced. "I used to. I should still. I don't know what's wrong with me, Severus. I can't seem to enjoy anything like I used to."

"Don't fret over it. You just grew up." Severus paused at his chamber door and muttered the password too low for his friend to hear.

"I'm 38." Lucius frowned and glared at Severus. "I grew up a long time ago."

"Physically, Lucius, but there is more to maturity than chronological age."

"This coming from a man with a 16 year old wife."

"A wonderful, intelligent, conniving wife."

"Conniving?" Lucius looked scandalized. "Good Merlin, you've fallen for the thing."

"I'd ask for help getting up but I think I like it down here." Severus gave a rather self-important smirk.

"And so the best of us has succumb." Lucius replied, crestfallen. "At least Draco doesn't seem to have been bitten yet."

"The love bug is indiscriminate. His day will come." Severus poured two glasses of brandy and handed one to the other wizard.

"How is my son?" Lucius sat down next to the stove and tried to warm his hands. The dungeons were still quite cold this early in spring.

"He is adjusting. He spends much of his time with Lupin."

Lucius looked up sharply from warming his hands. "Why would he want to fraternize with the werewolf?"

"Somehow they have come to understand one another." Severus shrugged. "Don't ask me how."

Lucius glared. "If that scraggly little creature lays a hand on my son…"

"I'd be more worried about Draco going after Remus. And I can assure you there is nothing of that nature going on between the two. I believe Lupin might wish there were, but he isn't in a position to do anything about it. He's not emotionally up to it after the Ministry."

"You mean they actually went ahead with that? I know the law's on the books, but Merlin, that's not something I thought the Ministry capable of."

Snape sneered. "You work for the Ministry, Lucius – and we both know what you are cable of and you know how they feel about werewolves. It is rare to find a lycanthrope that survives to adulthood, so the law is not usually applied until after puberty to save time and money. But Lupin wasn't known as a werewolf until I let the truth slip while he was teaching here." Severus' tone was quiet and his eyes glittered in the torchlight. He turned his back on the room and looked towards the far side of his study.

"You're feeling guilty. The girl is rubbing off on you." Lucius grinned.

"I think I deserve some guilt for what I put the man through. I wasn't thinking." Severus again spoke quietly and sat down heavily in his armchair.

"Coming from you that's the admission of the century."

"Stuff it, Lucius." Severus wearily rubbed his eyes. "So you have no information for me?"

"Nothing much. Just be careful. For a while now there have been rumors about your true allegiance. Working here so close to Dumbledore makes some of the others nervous about your true motivations. That and you never participate in the Revels, even when you attend, which is rare. Whatever is happening is likely to involve you - at least, that is my gut instinct."

"Why are you being so nice about this? You've questioned my loyalty yourself in the past." Severus gave Malfoy a questioning look; his eyes alight with a dangerous glitter.

"I don't question your allegiances, Severus. I know you work for the old man and I don't care." Lucius sighed heavily and took a long drink. "This war is not needed. When I was young I found the Lord amusing and useful. But after 10 years of being without Him, of not having to listen to another person's orders but instead forging my own way, He has lost his appeal. The games are no longer entertaining; they've become tedious and so obviously useless. I'm losing money and time to a cause that can never be. There are far too many muggles and not enough wizards to enslave them all. Without the mudbloods, our genetic pool would be too small to keep us going anyway. I've realized the truth."

Severus eyed the man carefully. "If so, why not join the Order of the Phoenix and fight him?"

Lucius snorted. "Because I'm not stupid. And I don't want to fight anyone. I want Potter to hurry up and kill the insane idiot and then I can depose Fudge and take over the Ministry."

"Ah, so there is your true motivation." Severus smirked and sipped his brandy.

"One of many." Lucius smirked right back.

"Plans within plans, my friend. You always have a plot going."

"Normally four or five. Have to keep busy to stay young."

"I only end up with gray hairs for my efforts." Severus ignored the look Lucius gave his pristine black hair. There were decidedly large benefits to being a potions master.

"The wonders of being blond. You don't notice mine."

"Why did I have to take after mother?" Severus' wry tone made Lucius laugh.

"Speaking of your mother, how did the trip to see her go?" Lucius asked.

Severus shrugged. "Hermione held her own. I must endeavor to always be nice to the child. She is frightening when angered."

Lucius grinned. "I could have told you that. In her third year she slapped Draco hard enough to bruise. He had to owl me for a concealment charm."

"He didn't report it?" Severus asked. That was not like Draco. The boy normally whined about everything under the sun.

"He was too embarrassed of being beat up by a girl."

"Well, he certainly didn't learn his lesson." Severus related the tale of Draco and Hermione's scuffle on the stairs. Lucius thanked his friend for giving Draco a harsh talking to. The boy needed disciple and an education in the proper conduct for a wizard of his status. Going after an equal's wife so openly was never a good idea, or an honorable one. The least he could have done was be sneaky about it. After the slightly awkward tale Lucius left for his manor. Severus ended up more worried than before his friend's visit. The time with Lucius did succeed in relaxing him some, but not enough. He had hoped Lucius would be able to tell him what was going on.

That night, Severus couldn't sleep and Hermione was having a nightmare. He tried to wake her, but she didn't seem to even realize he was shaking her. Fearing a dormant spell had been cast on her the night of the dinner party, Severus cast a dream spell and found himself inside his wife's mind.

The world shivered around him and slowly reformed into a vaguely familiar setting. It appeared to be the inside of the Granger home. The house was dark and Severus could hear the hum of muggle appliances in the background. At first he couldn't find the source of his wife's distress, then he saw it. Crouched in the corner of the kitchen was Elliania Granger. The woman was bleeding and obviously very frightened. Then the screams started. The sound of a man under Cruciatus floated down the stairs and the woman covered her ears and tried to block the sound. Severus, forgetting he was only a visitor to the dream, tried to get her attention.

"Run, woman! Don't sit there. Go for the door!"

"She can't get out." The flat voice of his wife made him jump. He turned around to see her standing in the pantry doorway.

"He's set up wards on the outside of the house. She can't get out the door or the windows. All she can do is try to block the sound."

Hermione stood there and watched her mother, no expression on her face.

"Hermione, what is going on?"

"He's killing them."

Severus tried to move towards her, but she held up her hand. "No, Severus. I don't want to be touched right now. Not after seeing this."

"It's just a dream, Hermione. It isn't real."

"I know I'm not a seer, but this isn't a dream. I KNOW it's not a dream. Don't ask me how, it's just not." Her voice was steady but Severus could hear the well hidden panic behind the words.

Severus shook his head no. "If this was a vision, the spell I used wouldn't have transported me in."

Hermione turned to look at him, her eyes lacking any life. "My dreams are not like this, Severus. Trust me. I don't know how or why, but this is happening."

Abruptly the screams from upstairs stopped. A moment later the sound of steps on the stairs came into the silent room. Soren Wales appeared in the kitchen doorway. Severus suppressed the reflex to hide and shivered when the man walked right through him.

"Get up, Elliania. Your husband died on his knees. You, being a Penwrath, deserve better."

"Why are you doing this, Soren? I thought you liked me."

A cold laugh filtered through the darkened room. "Liked? I don't have the capability of liking. And you brought this on yourself, you and your children."

Mrs. Granger put a hand out to the wall behind her and slowly started to push herself up off the floor. "Hermione has done nothing, she did as you asked. She married a Deatheater for you!"

Soren's face went red. "SHE MARRIED THE WRONG ONE! All my planning, all my careful grooming for nothing. The bitch had to go and ruin it all. If she had just played along I'd have full control over my inheritance. Damn Marius and his pureblood nonsense. I have every right to the Penwrath name and holdings, more than a fatherless girl child of a female squib. Hermione is not worthy to carry the title of Lady Penwrath. She hasn't the temperament or the drive for it. She thinks herself a true manipulator, poisoning me like Rosemary, defying my orders and marrying Snape, of all people. Well she bargained wrong. When she hears of your deaths she'll crack. She'll come crawling back to me, begging me to protect her. After all, who else would have killed you but the Dark Lord?"

Elliania snorted and raised her chin in defiance. "Why would Voldemort bother with two magic-less dentists, Soren? Have you even thought this through? Hermione doesn't trust you now our deaths will not change that."

"True, especially since she has found out that I killed Arern and Salze. And in the same manner as I am about to kill you." Soren sneered. "She will most likely realize I was behind the attack as soon as the ministry report arrives in the morning. She will come to me by nightfall, out of fear if not a desire for protection. Fear that I will go after her next if she doesn't do as I wish. Either way I will have her where I need her."

"And what do you want from her now?"

"I want her." Soren gave a lecherous grin and Severus felt his heart rate jump.

"For what?" Mrs. Granger tried to keep her voice even but it still squeaked a bit.

"Simple. I want her to serve her purpose. Once I get rid of Snape I'll sire my child on the girl, thus my son will receive all the things I should have."

Elliania's eyes went impossibly large. "She's your niece! And you have the manor, and anything else you could want."

Soren moved closer, pressing his wand again her throat."I do not OWN them, Elliania. I only manage the House. My son will RULE it."

"And what of your father's plans?"

"Marius was concerned only with the perpetuation of the House. He is long dead and no longer a threat." Soren's sneer grew larger and crueler. "I doubt he'd mind a little change in the plans anyway."

Elliania glared at Soren, her voice hard. "I won't let you do it! She's just a little girl. Leave her alone!"

"She's not a little girl anymore. In fact, if rumor serves, she even used an Unforgivable at a Malfoy party a few weeks ago."

Severus turned to look at his wife. Her eyes were large and she shook her head. "I didn't! They wanted me to, but I didn't. I swear..." Severus nodded at her and turned back to the conversation between Soren and Elliania. It really wouldn't have mattered if she had. Severus wasn't about to turn his back on her. Anything that might have happened in that room was a matter of survival. And nothing Hermione could have done would have been new to the other women.

Soren continued, "But truly I could have done this without killing you if you had just followed the rules."

"What rules?" Dr. Granger's right hand disappeared behind her, fumbling in the cabinet for what looked like a butcher knife.

Soren waved his wand, "Praegnatio Manifestum." A large glowing spot appeared above the woman's stomach. "You got pregnant. I cast a spell on you after Hermione's birth that would alert me if you did. I told you not to, Elliania."

"What should it matter to you? You have Hermione, let Allen and I have this child. It won't have magic. It is no threat to you." Soren saw what she was doing as the knife reflected the light from the spell and quickly cast a spell to paralyze her but leave her standing.

"Allen won't be having anything other than a bad case of decomposition. And neither will you. The child you carry is not only magical in nature but male. The chances of a second-generation squib and a muggle having a magical child are astronomical, but you pulled it off." Soren's eyes flashed in anger. "In true Penwrath fashion, you did the impossible and you will die for it." Soren raised his wand and lifted the paralyzation spell. He made sure the woman did not have a chance to go for any more weapons.

"WHY? Soren, why are you doing this!" Elliania looked around desperately for a way out. Hermione was staring un-movingly at her mother and uncle.

"I told you, the child is a wizard. According to wizard law, your marriage to Allen is legal and binding. If you have a male magical child within a legal marriage, that child will inherit before your daughter, regardless that it is half-blood. A female I can take advantage of in the wizarding world. I can manipulate the fate of a witch. They are legally second- class. That can be exploited. Not to mention I can carry out my plan of having my own child take over the House. That was my agreement with the Flints. I would get to sire a child with Hermione and take the babe to be raised as I saw fit. But if a male inherits, I lose the chance to have my blood heir gain my rightful place."

"You could have a daughter and marry her to the male heir." Elliania was grasping for straws.

Soren laughed, "A daughter would be entirely at the mercy of her husband. She would not control the House and I would most likely not gain enough time with her children to influence them. My blood would rule, but not my protégé."

"You aren't making a lot of sense, Soren." Elliania's eyes betrayed her fear but her voice stayed steady. " I believe you have finally lost your mind."

Soren didn't bother to respond. Hermione ran into her husband's arms as the curses started to fly. Cruciatus gave way to Incutere de Anima, then Ardere Viscera and Ictus Ambustio. At first Elliania managed to stay on her feet. But after a few more spells the woman fell to the ground wreathing. Calamitas, Crudelis Damnum, and Austerus Poena followed. The screams that should have filled the kitchen never came. The woman moaned, cursed, glared, and convulsed but she never screamed. Hermione couldn't bear to watch and buried her head in Snape's hair.

Elliania Granger managed to grind out a single sentence between bouts of the Cruciatus. "Hermione will kill you, and you'll see me in Hell, Soren." A flash of green filled the kitchen and all was silent.

"I own Hell, Elliania. Father left it to me." He sneered. "It was my only inheritance." Soren turned on his heel and stormed out of the house leaving Elliania's broken body where it had fallen. Snape felt the wards that had been placed fall and suddenly he woke up in his bedroom with a sobbing Hermione in his arms.

He said the first thing that came to him. "It was a dream, child."

Hermione looked at him and her eyes flared. She started hitting him, harder than he thought possible. "No, it wasn't. You bastard, you utterly heartless bastard. He killed them! He killed them...my god. Why didn't you wake up and apparate there? Why did you just stand there? Daddy. He killed my daddy." Tears streamed down her face as she pounded her fists over and over again on Severus' chest. Severus tried to hold on to her but she kept fighting him.

"Mum was pregnant; I would have had a baby brother. I always wanted a bro...Damn Soren. Damn him. I should have killed him at the manor instead of poisoning him. I should have known he'd do this after we didn't help him...I hate him! I hate him, I hate him, I hate him, I hate him..."

Hermione kept up the mantra until she passed out from exhaustion. Snape, battered and bruised, laid her down on the bed and slipped out to the bathroom. He barely made it in time to keep his stomach contents from making a mess of the bathroom rug. Soren had planned on...his Hermione. It had to be a dream….it had to. The man was STILL planning on raping his Hermione. Hell would freeze over first. That bastard wasn't going to lay a hand on the child. And that poor woman...Severus shivered. To not scream during the Cruciatus was a practiced art. It had taken Severus YEARS of service to master it. The woman hadn't uttered a sound the first time she felt it - at least, Snape assumed it was the first time. The spells Soren used were more bloody and painful than the muggle rack or iron maiden, and the woman hadn't screamed.

Severus washed his face and looked in the mirror. He was paler than usual. It had been a long time since he'd lost his composure after seeing torture. But then again, it had been a while sense he KNEW the victim. Seeing the face and knowing the name of the person writhing on the ground made the experience different, more grotesque somehow.

Severus staggered back to bed and didn't bother moving Crookshanks. The cat was curled up next to Hermione and the girl was lying in a large C shape surrounding her familiar. Snape lay down behind her, spooned up against her curved back. She sighed and leaned into him. Severus wrapped his arm over her side and breathed in the scent of her hair.

He hoped it was a dream...it had to have been. Visions don't happen to just anyone and his spell was to see dreams. An outsider couldn't share a vision. But then he thought about the child in his arms. Hermione wasn't normal. Severus had his suspicions on the cause of it all, and those suspicions could help explain the night's happenings.

First off, the girl was with her mother, not her father. She had a blood connection to the woman and not the man. Severus had a suspicion that that was the key. And as for his spell, he'd been desperate to help her. While older and normally not plagued by accidental magic use, it was possible his subconscious had somehow managed to do the impossible and transport him into a vision. It was theoretically possible... Or more likely whatever Albus had done at the bonding was affecting them more than the normal ramifications of the ceremony. Damn the old git.

Severus shook himself. It couldn't have been a vision. No matter how good the girl was at arithmancy she was not a seer. Arithmancy involves complex numbers and thought patterns. It is a calculated way of using math and parchment to see into the future. The numbers point the way, not strange trances and visions.

Hermione had been working over time trying to ascertain Voldemort's plan for Severus, but hadn't been able to get anything much. They knew He was up to something, and that something involved Snape, but what, they didn't know. Maybe all that time playing around with the future had somehow made her susceptible to a vision...

No, it couldn't be real. It was impossible; Severus tried to convince himself again. He failed. The sound of Soren outlining his plan to impregnate Hermione floated around Severus' head and wouldn't let sleep come. His arms pulled tighter around Hermione and Crookshanks looked up at him.

"He won't get her, furball. I promise you, Soren Wales will not touch my wife." The cat looked him in the eye and Severus could have sworn he saw it nod in satisfaction.

Morning came and Severus made Hermione get up. They would have to leave the dungeons to find out the truth of the night's occurrences. A very pale set of Snape's entered the Great Hall. The Headmaster was just about to ask what was wrong when a large black raven swooped into the hall. All talking stopped.

The raven was a Ministry bird used to deliver death notices. Nobody breathed as the animal took a single lap around the tables before landing on the back of Hermione's chair. The girl closed her eyes briefly and then turned to take the envelope. She plucked it out of the bird's mouth and it took flight with a squawk. Wordlessly, Hermione walked up to the head table and took her husband's hand. Severus stood, and still holding her hand, walked out of the Great Hall. Minerva was not happy about winning her bet on such a note.

The couple reached the dungeons and Hermione carefully slit the envelope open. Inside was a single unadorned note. Severus never got to read the contents. Hermione gave a cry of anguish and threw the note into the stove. Instead of giving in to tears she ran for the door. Snape caught her and held her against her struggles.

"Let me go! I'm going to kill that bastard! Do you hear me? He's dead! I don't care about the potion. I'm going to rip his head off with my bare hands! Let me go!"

"Hermione..."

"Let me go, Severus. Or I swear…. He's going to pay, that bastard..."

Severus hauled the protesting girl to the couch and slammed her down on it. "Now listen to me, Hermione. You can't kill him; you'll end up in Azkaban. The Penwraths and Snapes don't have very favorable records at the Ministry. They would love the chance to put you away, especially after the rumor we started about turning Harry. You can't go after Soren."

"I can't let him get away with it!" Hermione tried to get up but was forcibly shoved back down. She tried to wiggle away but Severus won't let her. The child was doing serious damage to his person, but he couldn't and wouldn't let her out that door.

"We won't - I promise you, he'll die. I'll help you kill him if I have to, but NOT now. There is too much going on. We still have the Dark Lord to worry about." Severus held her eyes in an open stare. He tried to make his conviction show in the dark depths. Soren Wales was living on borrowed time. Severus had no intention of letting Hermione kill him, but he'd die. Severus would do what he swore he'd never do again and kill someone in cold blood, anything to save the child, his Hermione. Remus Lupin didn't know what it meant for Severus to love someone. It meant there would never be any chances taken and no act would be too detestable should it prove to aid his chosen other. If Hermione wanted Soren dead, than dead Soren would be.

A knock on the door ended the silent contest of will. As Snape went to answer it he felt Hermione getting ready to run out as soon as the door opened. He turned a cold glare back towards her. "Stop thinking like a Gryffindor and start thinking like a Penwrath and a Slytherin. Your parents will be avenged, but proper revenge takes planning and time. Give your retribution time to come to fruition. It will only make Soren die harder." Hermione looked angry at the suggestion of waiting. Then she made a visible effort to calm down. She wanted the bastard to pay. If waiting a while made that payment all the dearer, well she could spare the time. At her nod, Severus opened the door.

Remus stood worriedly outside. "Severus, is she all right?"

Snape nodded and ushered the werewolf inside. Hermione stood up and hugged the man. Severus suppressed a wave of jealousy and sat down wearily in his chair by the stove.

"Oh, Professor, my parents...both of them."

Remus hugged the girl and then pulled back. "I know. There was an article on the attack in the Daily Prophet. They say it was Death Eaters." He gave a significant look towards Snape. "They, Skeeter, that is, uhh...She also made a few statements trying to say you and Severus might have had a hand..."

Hermione broke away and started pacing the room. Remus cringed at the waves of anger rolling off the child in spurts of magical energy that caused the books to rattle on the shelves. "That little...when I get my hands on her, she's NEVER getting out of that jar." Remus looked questioningly at Severus. Snape simply waved him off with a 'I'll tell you later' gesture.

Hermione continued to pace and rant for a few more minutes before she bonelessly fell back onto the couch. Severus moved to hold her as the tears started again.

"Remus, could you tell Albus to reschedule..." Severus asked as Hermione desperately clung to him.

"Already done. Actually, all classes have been canceled for the day and everyone is to stay in their common rooms. After the first raven, seven others delivered. It seems that whatever happened to Hermione's parents wasn't an isolated event. The Flints were attacked and the whole family was wiped out. A cousin to the Weasleys was also found dead in her shop in Brighton. The Bones family was hit almost as hard as the Flints. Poor Susan lost her mother and her two younger sisters, twins and only five years old. The others were scattered throughout the houses and were mostly distant relatives. Never the less, Albus didn't think anyone would be able to concentrate today." Remus paused, "We lost Arabella Figg. She was trying to protect the Dursleys and they killed her. Harry didn't even know she was a witch, or that she was his second cousin on his father's side, until the raven landed. Seems she was one of the brightest spots in his childhood, which is saying something. The woman was damned annoying, foul smelling, and the aging potion didn't help..."

Severus tuned out the list of the rest of the losses. Hermione was more important and other than the Flints no Slytherins were lost. Little Julian Flint, Marcus' younger brother by six years, was a tough kid and not all that close to his family. Severus was sure his Housemates would help him through. A look at the tapestry that kept track of the status and activity his children were engaged in showed Draco Malfoy in the process of comforting young Julian.

Remus soon made a move to leave but stopped in the doorway. He pulled out an envelope and left it sitting on a side table. "This came for you shortly after the ravens left." The werewolf looked sadly at Hermione than went to comfort Harry.

The rest of the day was spent trying to pacify Hermione. She wanted blood, quite literally. Severus couldn't understand her sudden NEED to commit an act she admittedly hated. He remembered her trepidation about the two-part poison, but all her unease at harming another was gone. She wanted Soren to die and die now. Dumbledore came and visited around lunchtime. His visit finally seemed to calm the girl, mostly because Albus brought two visitors with him under special charms. Hermione's grandparents, the elder set of Grangers, stepped out from behind the aged wizard.

Hermione didn't even pause for a moment and ran to them. She wouldn't let go of her grandfather's coat until he asked to sit down. James Granger was no longer a young man. Severus had always had trouble understanding how at eighty a wizard was only a little over halfway through their life, but for a muggle, eighty was the last stage. Mr. Granger sat down wearily and his wife took the seat next to him.

"Grandpa, I'm so sorry. This is all my fault." Hermione was in tears once more. She collapsed on the floor, resting her head against her grandmother's knee. The elderly woman was the same age as her husband, but the years had been kinder to her. While James Granger looked like he had weathered quite a few storms, his wife was in every way a polished lady. Catharine Granger laid her hand on her granddaughter's head and hid her tears.

"Hermione, child, it's not your fault. Allen and Elliania wouldn't want you to think that."

Hermione looked up and shook her head. "You don't understand...your son died because of me, because of who I am. Mum didn't...I'm not really your granddaughter." Hermione again hid her face and seemed to be waiting to be pushed away.

James spoke first. "We knew, pumpkin, we always knew." Hermione sat up straight and stared at him. "Allen knew and told us. He said he didn't mind and that he loved Elliania more than life itself. If she had to do this for her family, he would stand by her. It doesn't matter if Allen was your biological father. He was there, he loved you, and he was proud of you. That makes him your father." The old man held his arms out and Hermione gratefully fell into the hug.

"But grandpa, if I wasn't a witch, Soren wouldn't have killed them." At the mention of their son and daughter-in-law's murderer the old man stiffened. Hermione took it as a sign she was right and they blamed her. She backed away but James quickly pulled her back to him.

James snorted. "Soren Wales is a prime example of why they burned witches in the Middle Ages." Albus' eyes twinkled and Severus raised an eyebrow at the hard edge to the man's voice.

"He's a wizard, dear." Catharine corrected her husband.

"Semantics. It's his kind that make you people hide." Hermione was still crying. "Look little one, I loved your mother like she was my own daughter. She told us about her family and what they wanted you to do. She came to us after Christmas and explained everything. We didn't mention it in our letters because we didn't want you to have to talk about it until you were ready." The old man turned and looked at Snape. "Later she said she had met your husband and that he was a good man. I hope that is true, pumpkin. I hope he can help you realize this isn't your fault. Wales would have killed them regardless of you. When Elliania visited she told us she wanted to have a baby, but that there was a chance Wales would not like it. She never dreamed he'd kill her and Allen for it."

The old man shot a look at Dumbledore. "Albus came and got us this morning. He told us the truth. That Elliania and Allen would have had a magical child together and that was why they were killed. They knew the risks, pumpkin. They went into this with open eyes."

Hermione shook her head. "If I had done as Soren asked he'd have just made her..."

Catharine interrupted. "No child, Elliania wouldn't have done it. And Soren couldn't force her to abort the baby and leave her alive. She'd have gone to the Ministry of Magic about it. Especially now that they know she is...was, a Penwrath."

"Memory charms." Hermione pointed out in a whimper.

Severus cut in. "They wouldn't work for her doctor, friends, the rest of the Grangers. It seems they told everyone but you. There are far too many people who knew. You can't Obliviate a hundred muggles without attracting attention."

James nodded. "They were waiting until after you were out of school for the summer. They wanted to surprise you. But, they thought telling you during the term would distract you from your studies." James sighed, "I told them not to wait..."

Hermione pulled away from her grandparents and went to Severus. He pulled her into a tight embrace and rested his chin on her head. It seemed like the girl couldn't be without physical touch of some kind since the vision/dream.

The Grangers stayed for the noon meal and Albus tried to change the conversation to happier topics. He talked about the founding of the school and answered the questions the two muggles asked. It was obvious that Hermione had told them quite a bit about the wizarding world. James and Catharine knew about the MOM and werewolves, wands and house-elves. Not once did the twinkle diminish from Dumbledore's eyes and Severus was relieved. Hermione could have faced criminal charges for telling non-magic users so much about their world.

Hermione was silent the majority of the time. And her grandparents never quite picked up on the elder wizard's jovial mood. They were still very much grieving for their son, which was more than understandable to Severus. Albus had told him, when Hermione was occupied, that the Grangers hadn't even been notified by the muggle authorities of their son's fate when he arrived to bring them back. Albus had believed, and rightly so, that Hermione needed to see them.

Hermione broke the silence with a question. "What is going to happen to grandpa and grandma? If they leave Soren could kill them too. They are all I have left." The tears were dried up but Severus could hear the hopelessness in her voice.

At this point the blue eyed headmaster practically twinkled himself to death. "Ah, it seems that a 'family friend' of yours has put in a word with the governors. The Grangers are free to stay here at Hogwarts as long as they like." The two muggles looked at each other, then at their granddaughter. They wanted to return home and not give in to the fear, but Hermione needed them.

"We would be most grateful, Albus. Thank you." Catharine smiled and sipped her tea.

Severus and Hermione looked at each other, then back at Albus. At the same time they spoke. "Lucius Malfoy." Dumbledore just twinkled for an answer.

The couple was shown to guest quarters and the special spells that allowed the two inside the enchanted castle were made permanent. It was quite fortuitous that they had arrived when they did. Severus had noted that James, as he had insisted Severus call him after several tries at Mr. Granger, was pale and seemed far more tired then his wife. The trip to Hogwarts had been short and should not have caused the kind of exhaustion he seemed to be showing. When Severus asked James if he was all right, away from Hermione, the man admitted his cancer had reappeared. A five- minute trip to the infirmary left him in perfect health. They decided they wouldn't tell Hermione about how close a call it had been. The week before the muggle doctors had given him less than a year, most likely under four months. Poppy was beside herself at the inadequacies of non-magic medicine. That is, until Catharine had taken an Aspirin for a headache. The compact size and unspillablity of the pain pill caused the nurse to practically fall into convulsions of joy.

When Severus returned from the infirmary Hermione was opening the letter Lupin had delivered that morning. She started to laugh and sob at the same time. Severus pulled the letter from her hand. At first he feared it had come from her parents, mailed the muggle way before their deaths. Luckily, it proved to be from Lucius. He was inviting them to Malfoy manor for dinner Friday night. They were to reply by owl in the morning if they wished to attend. The absurdness of a dinner invitation after the events of the last 24 hours was too much for the girl.

"We don't have to go, child. He most likely sent this before he heard. I'll tell him no..."

Hermione shook her head. "No. We'll go. I want to thank him. He's the only one who would have, or could have, influenced the board of governors to allow my grandparents to live here."

Severus took a breath, "The Dark Lord has taken up residence at the manor. It would be unwise to go. I can not believe Lucius invited us with the Dark Lord there."

"Maybe he left." Hermione cocked her head to the side in thought. "That could be the reason for the invitation. He can't just owl or floo call and say, lookie, Voldie left. This could be his way of telling us without revealing anything."

Severus thought for a moment. "You might be correct. But I can't let you walk in there if He's there."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I'd be in no more danger than you. Voldemort has been ignoring the Inner- Wives since he came back."

"If Soren has managed to undermine the Dark Lord's confidence in my loyalty the danger could be great."

Hermione crossed her arms. "I'm not letting you go alone. I've lost far too many people I care for this week. I'm not adding another."

"I don't have to go." Even as he said it he knew he did. If this was Lucius trying to tell him something, he had to find out what. The man had been almost ready to convert and with his status as a trusted Death Eater slipping away, Severus had to take every chance to try and get another spy in place. He couldn't ask Draco. The boy was not in a position to be active yet and both sides knew it.

Hermione narrowed her eyes. "Yes, you do. And I'm going too." Her eyes turned pleading. "Let me do this, Severus. I feel so useless. Let me do something."

Severus reluctantly nodded his agreement and he saw the first real smile since Soren's plea grace his wife's face. Severus penned his response and set it on the table to owl in the morning. He had more important things to do than mail a letter.

He spent the majority of the night holding his wife as she sobbed and railed and was deathly silent, all alternating from second to second. She never slept, and neither did he. He wasn't about to let her have a chance to do something drastic. He spent his time trying to think of a way to lesson her guilt. It wasn't working well.

The next day classes resumed. Harry had taken the death of his one time baby-sitter hard. Finding out the truth, that he had actually had a living blood relative other than the Dursleys and that she was now gone was hard on him. He wanted to know why she hadn't taken him in. Dumbledore explained that Arabella was not really a blood relation. She was his second cousin by adoption. The protection spells placed on Harry as an infant were based on the blood ties between him and his keepers. Arabella wasn't a blood relation, so the spells wouldn't have worked. While on Privet Drive the spells kept wizards and witches from harassing Harry, thus giving him a normal childhood. If Arabella had raised him, he would have had to face the massive amount of public scrutiny he now saw from the age of one. Harry saw the logic, but expressed his displeasure at the deception.

The Dursleys had survived the attack because of Mrs. Figg and they didn't seem all that appreciative. Dumbledore had extended an invitation to allow them into Hogwarts, regardless of their treatment of Harry, to keep them safe. They had refused and were currently planning a move to America. Harry tried to curb the nasty side of his personality that hoped the plane crashed. Severus was not so kind; he wished the family were wealthy enough to have a private jet so he could CAUSE it to crash.

Hermione went through the motions of classes. She took her notes, answered her questions, and did her assignments with the usual efficiency and attention to detail. But the normal love of life was absent from her eyes. Her grandparents had both split off to investigate their interests and seemed to be getting on well in the magical world. James was having a lovely time with Prof. Sprout in the greenhouses and Catharine was teaching the house-elves how to bake her famous pecan nut cookies.

That night before sunset Hermione asked Severus for a distraction.

"Hermione, are you sure you want to do this right now?"

"No, but I can't stop thinking about..." Hermione's eyes glittered with unshed tears. "I keep picturing her dying over and over and over again. I hear Dad's screams...I can't think. I can't sleep; I can't eat. All I feel is emptiness. I want to feel something else, anything else. And I'd rather it feel good than bad, so don't make me have to start hitting my head against the wall."

Severus smiled and hugged her. "Ah. I had the feeling I was being used."

"I'll make it up to you later." She mumbled into his chest.

"I'm sure you will."

Just as Hermione was starting to forget and beginning to feel, a loud banging interrupted their activities. Severus cursed as his door flew open and a rather distraught werewolf stumbled in. Severus had given him the codes to his wards just in case there was ever an emergency since the werewolf was the only one other than Albus to know about both the extra DADA training and Draco's true allegiances. As he scrambled to get the blankets strategically arranged he vowed that if it was anything short of a Death Eater army at the gates one werewolf was going to get shaved.

"Lupin, you only have an hour before the moon rises and you transform for the first night of the cycle. Shouldn't you be elsewhere?" Snape bit out.

The out of breath dark creature ignored the undressed occupants of the bed and panted trying to catch his breath. "Draco... he...just..."

Hermione cut in. "Is he alright?" Her voice sounded concerned and a bit weary. She was worried about her classmate, but she still wasn't sure she trusted him. That didn't surprise Severus, not after what Draco pulled to 'win' Harry's trust back for her.

Lupin nodded and put his hands on his knees. "He tried to..." Lupin's eyes were wild with fright. "Severus..."

Realization hit him like a rampaging hippogriff and Severus started laughing. "He tried to pounce on you, didn't he? Figured that you'd be most vulnerable to an amorous liaison at this point in the moon cycle."

"This isn't funny!" The two laughs that greeted his statement didn't help Remus much.

"Well, I wanted a distraction." Hermione chuckled. "I should been more specific."

"Look, Lupin, this is Draco Malfoy. You knew he'd try it sometime." Severus watched as his fellow professor glared. "Did you take him up on it?"

Remus turned red. "Of course not, I couldn't...I wouldn't."

Hermione looked confused for a second than she figured it out. "Oh Professor, they didn't!" Lupin looked down. "Oh gods." Hermione paled realizing exactly what the Ministry of Magic could be capable of.

"I don't think Draco realizes what happened or he wouldn't be trying what he is." Lupin sounded sad, "But that doesn't matter. How do I handle this?"

Severus smirked. "You either turn him down or take him up on it. You're still capable of the act, Remus."

Remus crossed his arms protectively across his chest. "What happened to touch my student and die?"

"I'm just pestering you because I don't think you'll do it. Just tell him you're not ready yet. Draco knows about the law. He understands that the Ministry takes action against certain contingencies." Snape shrugged. "He must not care."

"Just say it, Severus!" Remus dropped his arms and glared. "They fixed me, castrated me, cut off my balls! And now a horny teenager is after me!"

Hermione turned a bit green at the blatant statement about Remus' fate. According to Ministry regulations, werewolves were not allowed to have children. To insure this, the law allowed forcible castration of male werewolves and total hysterectomies of females. Simple anti-fertility spells and potions, along with the less invasive muggle procedures of tubal ligation and vasectomies, wouldn't work with the increased werewolf metabolism. The procedures and chemicals were always undermined after the full moon and the transformation. While in wolf form the alterations made could not be sustained during the switch. The magic in the change caused the 'defect' to be fixed. But removing the entire organ was too large of an injury to heal, much like a missing leg or arm would not be regenerated.

Lupin had been unregistered until Severus had spilled his secret. The main reason the man had left the school to go into hiding was to avoid the 'procedure'. While Remus had no desire to have children, and was gay anyway so the chances of him impregnating someone were slim to none unless heavily drugged, didn't mean he wanted to lose a part of his body, let alone such an intimate one.

Severus was looking very guilty and embarrassed at the same time. "Remus, take some time and think about things. You are no different now than before. Think about it, less mess to clean up." That earned him a glare.

Hermione finally took charge. "Professor, if you don't mind. We were a little busy?"

Remus blushed when he realized he'd interrupted the very act Draco had tried to initiate with him earlier and started to stammer. Severus watched the man grow increasingly embarrassed and started to think. The werewolf was kind, to kind for his own good, and he seemed to truly care about the boy. Perhaps a relationship between the young Malfoy and the older man wouldn't be amiss – it might do Draco some good. Plus it would get the man out of his bedroom.

Severus grinned evilly. "Remus, I'm sorry for what I caused you. I'll talk to Draco later, but I'd advise you to explain it to him personally. In the morning. For now, you need to take your potion and do whatever it is you do three nights in a row."

Lupin nodded and still blushing apologized again for his entry. Draco had greatly disturbed him and he hadn't even noticed that his timing had been so inopportune.

After he left Hermione turned to her husband. "Prof. Lupin really wishes he could take Draco up on his offer, doesn't he?"

Severus smirked. "Yes, and technically, he could. He is still capable of intercourse, just not ejaculation or conception."

Hermione snorted. "Think of the psychological damage, Severus."

"I..." Severus lost his amused grin.

"You feel bad about letting his secret slip." Hermione laid a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Without my doing that, he'd still be in one piece."

Hermione grimaced. "No, the signs were obvious. He couldn't have gone on teaching for long without someone realizing the truth. What I don't understand is why he came back? As long as he wasn't at the school the Ministry would have most likely ignored him considering his sexual preferences."

Severus sighed heavily. "Dumbledore asked him to come back. In fact, he requested it."

"And he knew what it would mean for Lupin to do it?"

"Yes." Severus sighed again wearily. "Albus does what he must. He feels as bad about what had to happen as I do for causing it." The two lay there for a moment neither making eye contact. "Well, that killed the mood."

Hermione frowned. "You're changing the wards tomorrow. If we need one person to have the codes just in case, give them to Harry."

"I agree." The two sat there for a few more minutes before they started laughing, nearly at the same moment. The look on Lupin's face when he realized what he'd barged in on...

-

Friday started out bad and only got worse. Severus was far too preoccupied with Hermione's parent's deaths and the looming dinner to properly conduct classes. He ended up resorting to pop quizzes. As the day closed, he spared a moment to wondering if the other professors used the same tactic when they were too caught up in private affairs to pay attention. After several classes full of grumbling students Snape was finally able to morosely stalk to his dungeons quarters. Once there he donned a suitable black robe and cloak for dinner at the Manor. Something told him Lucius would not be pleased if he showed up in soiled teaching robes. Perhaps it was that week spent in the infirmary as a child after he had ventured to the Great Hall without putting on fresh ones and Lucius had caught him.

Severus let Hermione dress herself for once. He was most pleased with the result. The pale gray dress robes made her look almost nun-like in their modest yet stylish cut. All the better when it came to Malfoys and Voldemort. She was lovely but not sexual. Perfect.

At close to 6 o'clock the couple left Hogwarts and apparated to Malfoy Manor again. This time it took several minutes for the house-elf to answer the door and even longer for Lucius to appear.

"Severus, Hermione, what are you doing here?" Lucius seemed aggravated for some reason. "I would have thought you'd need more time before socializing...without invitations. Not to mention what we discussed earlier, my friend..."

Severus felt a cold shiver run down his back and the smile on the girl's face disappeared. "We did receive an invitation, Lucius. And I thought it best to answer you."

Lucius lost some color to his already pale face. "I didn't..."

"Quite right, Malfoy. I did." The voice of the Dark Lord filled the chamber. The three looked up and saw the Dark Lord standing on the balcony. It was the first time Hermione had seen him. From Harry's descriptions she had expected a monster. Voldemort had obviously used his time since the tournament to improve his looks, or perfect concealment charms. A distinguished man appeared instead of a half snake. His features placed him at around fifty, but his hair was only slightly dusted with gray. His eyes burned an unearthly red, however, and the air around him was uncomfortably thick.

Thinking quickly, Severus fell to one knee and bowed. "My Lord, why did you not request my presence directly? I would have come and brought my wife if you so desired. There was no need for you to trouble yourself in this subterfuge."

"Crucio."

Severus writhed and Hermione used all her will not to run to him. Lucius caught her eye and he gave her a silent plea to be still. The message was clear. Her Gryffindor bravery would only get her husband killed. A whispered Accio brought Severus' wand into the Dark Lord's hands.

"Severus, my one time friend, I had to make sure you came. You see...I have reason to believe you would not. Malfoy has been a most...gracious host." Voldemort descended to the main level and sneered at the blond. "By allowing me in his home, I had access to his stationary and seal. Hence your invitation. I was also able to keep track of his movements and intercept your response for this evening's...diversions."

Severus remained on the floor but attempted to gather himself. Lucius tried to reign in his indignation at being used so blatantly. Neither was entirely successful. It was obvious the Dark Lord did not trust either of them. Such lack of respect for a host's property was not helping Voldemort in the eyes of the pureblood either.

"I see your reaction, Malfoy. I do trust you, but only so far. I know your loyalty is split when it comes to this..." Voldemort kicked Severus over and onto his side. Snape didn't make a sound, nor had he through the Cruciatus. "This worthless traitor. As for using your seal, I trust you will acknowledge my right to exercise your power for you as you are mine in any way I should choose. And you, my child..." Now the Dark Lord turned his full attention to Hermione for the first time.

She squared her shoulders and refused to flinch away from his glare. Severus might have hope for convincing his 'master' of his loyalty, but Hermione knew that would be impossible. The malevolence in the Dark Lord's eyes made that more than clear. Better to make a stand now than play like a lap dog, she reasoned.

"I am not your child. Now, what makes you think my husband is any less than obedient to your will? I am unaware of his taking any action against your interests or ignoring a summons." Hermione turned her worst glare at the one-time Riddle. Might as well gather any information possible. If they somehow got out of this it might prove useful for Draco to know what to avoid while passing information to Remus on the Death Eaters.

A dark laugh greeted her. "Severus, I think I understand your attraction to her after all. Such spirit. I take it, girl, that you wish he did ignore my summons?"

Hermione gave an amused snort. "Hardly. I'd be married to that idiot Flint - or more likely dead and burned from jumping off the Astronomy tower - if he had not given into you. But I don't like his being pulled away at ungodly hours. Nor this deception. What do you want?"

Severus climbed awkwardly to his feet. Lucius broke with his better judgment and helped his friend to stand. The curse had been more brutal than normal, a sure sign of the Lord's displeasure.

"I simply wished to deal out a just punishment, Lady Penwrath." Voldemort gave a long deep chuckle. "You see, all of this has been a test. A test your dear husband failed. I gave him Slytherin's potion recipe and ordered him to marry you to ascertain his true loyalty. I have been questioning it since I re-arouse. He did much to hamper me when I tried for the Philosophers Stone. I knew he'd soon realize that Soren Wales had the rest of the Chronicles. And through you he had access to them. When he failed to deliver the documents to me, I knew."

"Wales was a pawn too?" Severus' voice came out in purest silk. Lucius wondered how the man could do that when he had trouble standing. As if in answer to the unspoken question his friend shrugged off his supportive arm and stood unwavering in front of the most feared Dark Wizard alive.

Voldemort sneered. "Of course. You are all pawns."

"A pawn may still checkmate a king, Riddle." Snape's body language clearly portrayed his deep distain for the creature before him.

"Crucio." Severus again fell to the ground. This time Hermione went for her wand.

"Yashen Chalah Eylowm " Hermione's voice wavered only a small bit on the difficult words. Once again she had used a sleep spell on an opponent, only this time the spell truly was Dark and not just questionable.

Lucius stood gaping as Voldemort dropped the curse on Severus and staggered. No one cursed the Dark Lord. Ever.

"Stupefy." The voice of Soren Wales came from a side entrance and Hermione fell stiff to the floor.

"Thank you, Soren." Voldemort righted himself and glared down at Hermione's prone form. "You are indeed proving useful. Quite impressive she is. I trust you taught her that, Severus." He turned to look at Snape.

In response the potions master simply stood and disdainfully brushed his robes flat. He somehow managed to hide any lingering pain and scornfully glared. "Go to hell, Riddle."

The Dark Lord's eyes grew an even darker shade of red. "Such an un- eloquent response." He turned to Lucius. "Malfoy, I trust you can escort Severus to a proper cell."

Lucius nodded and walked to his friend's side. The situation had rapidly gotten out of hand. Malfoy hated the loss of control in his own house, but he reasoned he never had any to begin with. As soon as Voldemort moved in the manor had not felt like home.

"What about my wife?" Severus glared at Soren and ignored Lucius.

"There is a little discussion ahead for her. Go." Voldemort waved the two Slytherins out and sat in the throne Wormtail had brought him. Lucius bristled at having his entryway turned into a throne room on top of everything else, but said nothing. There would come a time for that careful argument. Wales smirked as his nephew-in-law walked down into the depths.

As soon as they reached the lower area of the Malfoy dungeons Lucius stopped. "Severus, you have to get out of here!" His voice was calm, but his eyes pleaded.

"Not without Hermione. And I can't leave you like this. Voldemort will kill you."

Severus entered a cell and pulled the iron bar door shut himself. "Go get some sleep, Lucius. I'll think of something by morning. Just make sure my wife is all right."

"But Severus..."

"Please my friend. I don't need to worry about you too."

Lucius nodded and hesitantly left.

Severus had barely found a comfortable spot of rock when the blond returned. He had found the new 'Throne Room' empty except for the still unconscious form of Hermione and a cowering Wormtail. The little rat had stammered his master's orders to place the girl in a warded guestroom for the night. Wales and the Dark Lord would deal with her tomorrow. Enervate had failed to wake her and they had gotten tired of waiting. The Dark Lord wanted to personally confront her again before she would be removed to Ravenshire. Lucius had levitated the girl to one of his favorite rooms. It was the least he could do for Severus. After telling Snape the whereabouts of his wife, Lucius again left the dark dungeons at the potion master's insistence.

Severus spent the night pacing his cell. How could he have been this stupid? This was all his fault. Around noon on the next day Lucius came and things just got worse.

"I'm sorry, Severus. I should have known He'd do something like this."

"How is Hermione?"

"She's still in the Lilac Bedroom. I slipped her a sleeping potion with breakfast. She was hurling wandless curses at the windows trying to get out." Lucius gave a half-hearted grin. "Very Gryffindor."

Severus collapsed down onto the floor. The lower cells didn't have beds. "She is that. What does He plan on doing with her?" The question seemed moot as Severus recalled his 'eavesdropping' from a few nights ago. Soren wanted his Hermione and Soren was now working for Voldemort, or more precisely, had been all along.

"I don't know. It has something to do with that bastard Wales. What I couldn't guess. I'm being kept entirely out of the loop on this. It seems my well known loyalty to you is a liability." Malfoy's hurt pride was carefully concealed.

Severus snorted. "Indeed."

The blond nodded and moved to enter the cell. Snape tried to ignore Lucius' presence. His 'friend' kept adamantly refusing to leave the dungeons. Voldemort had told Lucius to keep out of trouble while Hermione was properly dealt with. That meant in effect Lucius was banished from his own 1st floor. But instead of keeping Narcissa company or going out to Diagon Alley the damn annoying git was bent on harassing his doomed prisoner.

"Lucius, for Merlin's sake, leave."

Lucius heaved a heavy sigh. "I can't, Severus. You're all alone down here. And if I go, who knows what Voldemort might do to you."

"As if you are in any position to stop Him should he decide to 'do something'. Leave me in peace."

Severus was sitting with his back against the stone wall opposite the door as Lucius unlocked the cell. He crossed the short distance and lowered himself to the ground next to his friend. "How are classes going?"

"Tell me you aren't attempting small talk." Snape asked incredulously. "Leave me in peace. If I'm going to die, I'd like my last moments to be in SILENCE!"

"Severus, I can't. I won't leave you here alone not knowing when the order will come."

Severus turned and looked Lucius in the eye. "If He gives you the order, you WILL carry it out." The dark tone broached no argument. Lucius refused to meet his friend's eyes and instead stared at the wall outside the cell.

The blond carefully considered his words. "No, I won't. The worst He can do is kill all of us. And at least then Draco won't have to face this pain, this unending pain." Lucius shivered and leaned unconsciously closer to Severus. For his part the potion master stayed silent somehow sensing the momentousness of this moment.

"I can't do this anymore, Severus. I just can't. I can't keep the act up. I thought maybe I, if I just did it enough I'd get over the ill feeling. If I just got used to the blood and the screams it wouldn't bother me anymore. Before Potter stopped Him the first time I tried so hard to make everyone think I liked the raids. I tried to...I don't know what I tried anymore. I was a fool." Lucius put his head in his hands. "I can't make the screams stop. I can't stop seeing all that red, blood I spilled. I can't stand it anymore. I hate it, Severus, I HATE IT!" Tears were starting to steam out of the gray eyes and Severus sat mesmerized.

"I want so much to like it. I TRY to like it. I practice so hard...but it doesn't get easier. I had so long to forget...forget what it felt like to hold someone down and...So long to forget the smell of the dungeons. Oh, I kept them full; you know that. But full of people that DESERVED to be here. Every last one of those people I put here were monsters, like the one upstairs, just without the power or the intelligence to rise to His level of evil. Even when I was trying to keep myself sharp, just in case...I picked criminals. Rapists, child molesters, murderers...I tortured them. I think that maybe I was doing to them what I feel like I deserve..."

Lucius raised his head and looked back out into the hall. "I've done all those things too, Severus. On HIS orders, yes, but I did them. And I WANTED to like it. I TRIED to like it. Does that make me worse than Him? I knew they were wrong, but I did them anyway. I hated it, but I tried not to. Gods Severus, I've helped murder hundreds just so I could pretend I was some big bad Dark Wizard. All the raids, all the...the...I gave a child a diary to kill other children..." Lucius shuddered. "I can't do it anymore...I can't stand their faces. I see them, every last one of them. They curse me; they plague me. I can't sleep anymore. I can't eat. I can't...I think Narcissa is blessed. She finally went over the edge fully after seeing Draco's Mark. The potions aren't helping at all anymore. She can't tell when she's dreaming and when she's awake. She thinks I am her dead brother and she...She is lucky. Oblivious to it all. The blood doesn't bother her...I did that to her. I married her because I was told to. I married her, then I loved her. I loved her, Severus. And I let the Dark Lord...I willingly forced her to do that. I let her get...and I watched it! I watched my wife get tortured and ignored her pleas for help. I ignored them and did the same thing to the wives of the men that hurt her. I hurt those women as retribution for what they did to her. But I never stopped them...I never tried to."

Severus eyed him carefully. "Lucius, what are you saying? I've seen you come up from here covered..."

Severus stopped as the tears turned to sobs and the normally composed blond grabbed his robes. "I wanted to enjoy it. Don't you understand? It's not normal to hate it! I'm a freak who can't stand the screams. Father always said I was weak, that I just needed to get used to it. I tried to get used to it...I failed. I always fail. He was right. Oh Merlin, Severus. I had him killed and I still can't stop him from ruining my life. I don't want to do this anymore. I want it to stop. Please make it stop. Please make them go away. Father and the Dark Lord...I can't stop the screams, Severus."

Severus grabbed his friend by the shoulders and held him at arms distance. The less-than-silent sobs were shaking the slightly slimmer shoulders and the gray eyes were wild and unfocused. Severus was beginning to think that the times he had joked about his friend being unbalanced were a little to close to the truth. "Lucius, there are no screams. As a matter of fact, the dungeons are silent."

After a large hiccup the other wizard practically climbed into Severus' lap. "I killed them. Every last one of them. HE was coming down here and 'playing' with them...He brought others...ones that had done nothing. Like the boy at the revel, the one...I couldn't let them suffer. HE was not pleased. But they were so young! Death is a comfort. Darkness and quiet. Quiet. Merlin make the voices stop. I don't want to listen anymore..."

Severus held onto the man for a moment. It made odd sense. Lucius had always been a little too eager in the games, a little too quick for a raid. Yet he always avoided the children. Except for the few times he had been ordered to...and then Lucius would normally disappear for a few days and show up thinner and more pale. The raids that Lucius planned were usually on the shadier characters of the Muggle world. He claimed it made the Muggles just think it was 'gang' related, whatever that meant. The Dark Lord loved the idea and encouraged it. If these 'gangs' were in Lucius' mind evil, then the man felt less guilt in his action.

It all made sense now. The careful selection process Lucius used when Voldemort gave him a reward of a prisoner or two for a job well done. The look in the gray eyes after a revel... a little too heated and jumpy. The complex 'honor' ideals Lucius used to justify everything and that seemed to exclude him from the nastier meaningless entertainments. Lucius had faked it. Faked a love of the death and hell created. Just like Severus had done, but instead of using academia to hide behind and avoid the brunt of it all, Lucius had submersed himself in it. While Severus felt guilty for once believing in the cause, Lucius felt guilty for NOT. It was twisted, and wrong, and oh, so...Lucius.

Severus didn't know what to do. Hermione had cried on his shoulder, but this was Lucius. A man who normally would curse someone to death, slowly, for using the wrong dinner fork. How had the he managed to pretend for so long? How could someone do the things Lucius had done while hating them?

"It's too much, Severus. All too much..." Lucius had stopped crying and was simply hugging onto his friend for all he was worth. "I've lost them all now, Severus. Narcissa, what was left of her, is gone now. The creature upstairs is an empty body. The happy girl I was pleased to find on my wedding night is long dead. Our son is following in my bloody footsteps. My only friend is locked in my dungeons and his wife is most likely about to be raped upstairs by her own great-uncle. What do I have left?"

Snape slowly patted his shoulder, ignoring the irony that he was the one giving comfort. "You have your honor, Lucius. You have the Malfoy name. You have a responsibility to tell of this to Draco. You have a duty to your son to let him know that you have made mistakes and you recognize them. You still have a chance to atone for some of what you have done."

Lucius hiccupped. "Atone? There is no true meaning to that word."

"Perhaps not, but you can trade one set of complications for another." Severus implored his friend. "Join Albus. Take my place as his spy in the Inner Circle. You will be risking your life and you will have to keep up the pretense but it would mean so much..."

Lucius shook his head. "I have not aided in a raid since the resurrection. I told the Dark Lord it had lost its appeal as I matured. He did not seem too upset about it. Said it was high time. The raids are more to cause the younger ones to gain experience in Dark Magic and inspire fear than anything else. I don't think the Dark Lord really wants to kill mudbloods. I think He's using them as rallying point for the stupid masses. A common enemy."

Lucius crawled off Snape and curled into a corner, finally contemplating what Snape had asked of him. "Spy?" He started shaking his head back and forth. "I'm not strong enough. Father was right. I am stupid and clumsily and weak. You have to be strong, like you, to spy."

Severus realized he was wrong when he thought his childhood had been bad. Whatever Lucius had endured must have been twenty times worse. And the man had hid his insecurities and fears behind the mask of aristocratic arrogance and a menacing presence. How very Slytherin, and how very sad. "You are strong, Lucius. You are not weak or stupid. To have hidden all of this for decades...At least I had Albus to let behind my masks."

"I don't know if there is anything underneath the masks anymore. Or if there ever was. What if I stop pretending and there isn't anything left?"

Severus touched his friend's arm. "You already took the masks off. What is underneath is a very troubled man. A man I am proud to call a friend. A man I caught glimpses of over the years. A man I have always wished to know better. Let Draco know this man, Lucius. Let your son see you as you are so he may learn when to take off his masks."

Lucius nodded slowly and let Severus pull him into an embrace as the afternoon waned. Severus grimly noted that he was about to die, and yet he was the one doing the comforting. The irony was palpable.

"When the senses are shaken and the soul is driven to madness, who can stand? When the souls of the oppressed fight in the troubled air that rages, who can stand? When the whirlwind of fury comes from the throne of God, when the frowns of his countenance drive the nations together, who can stand? When Sin claps his broad wings over the battle and sails rejoicing in the flood of Death; When souls are torn to everlasting fire and fiends of Hell rejoice upon the slain, O who can stand?" Severus whispered to himself.

Lucius looked up at Severus. "What does that mean?"

"Nothing Lucius, nothing." Severus sighed heavily and bowed his head. "Let me get some rest, please? I fear tonight will be trying." Lucius nodded but stayed leaning against his friend. Severus let him. He was still puzzled by the other man. Where was the elegant, refined, damnably proper Lucius?

The hours dragged by and Severus hoped Hermione was all right. He played with his bonding bracelet and looked out the still unlocked door. He could run. But he would not get far. Better to bide his time and try to get to Hermione. He could not leave without her. How had he come to this? Sacrificing himself on the slim chance of rescuing a Gryffindor know-it- all.

Lucius stirred in his sleep and mumbled, "I don't want to be a Death Eater, I want to be a lumberjack."

Severus chuckled quietly and tucked a strand of hair behind the man's ear. In sleep his friend looked innocent. He looked like an angel. Always had. But the angle's wings were blackened with soot and blood. Far more than Severus himself could lay claim to. All in an attempt to 'get used' to causing death. So senseless, so...pointless. In the end it was all pointless. It was getting dark. Voldemort preferred to hold all meetings at night for atmosphere. Whatever Hermione was going to face, she would do so tonight. Severus heard footsteps approaching and nudged Lucius awake. The man stumbled to his feet and Severus wandlessly straightened his robes for him.

"How?" Lucius looked down, finally realizing his friend's true powers. "Why haven't you run?"

Snape looked him squarely in the eye. "Hermione."

Lucius looked disbelieving for a moment before dashing out of the cell to re-lock the door from outside.

Draco rounded the edge of the cell and caught sight of his father. "Father? Why have I been summoned? Dumbledore will figure out something is up. Especially since Sn...Oh gods."

Lucius whirled on his only son, his anger palpable. "I thought I told you never to come down here!"

Draco's eyes grew large as he took in the cell and its weary occupant. "So...sorry Father. But the entryway was made up like...and the rat wasn't there and I had to sneak out of the school...what is going on?"

Lucius and Severus exchanged a heavy glance. Would Voldemort be sadistic enough to order Draco to kill his father's best friend as a sign of loyalty? Most likely yes. Severus broke the silent communication, "Draco, no matter what happens, get through this. I don't hold you responsible for any of it. Do you hear me? Just do what you have to and get home. Always remember that. Get home."

"Professor? What..." A gong sounded upstairs.

"I have the feeling we are being called, my son." Lucius eyed his friend stoically, placing a calming hand on his son's shoulder. "Severus, I will try."

Severus glared. "Don't worry about me. Remember what we talked about. If you can, please try to get Hermione to safety. I'll be fine. I always am." Lucius looked skeptical but he nodded. Father and son reluctantly backed out of the dungeon and headed towards the new 'throne' room in their entry hall.

Severus paced his cell. He could wandlessly undo the wards. Lucius had barely cast anything on the cell. A strong Alohamora from a first year would have been enough. But if he got out Lucius might lose his only chance to get Hermione to safety. Severus was desperate to know what was happening over his head. Suddenly the bracelet on his wand arm heated for a brief moment. Severus stopped pacing. Dumbledore. The man had added something to the bonding spell. The bracelets had acted up before, the vision/dream and once when Hermione had been agitated they had transmitted both her touch and her heightened anxiety.

Severus concentrated on the metal band. If Albus had created the kind of link...yes. The bracelet warmed to his touch and, almost like being pulled into a pensive, Severus could see the room in which Hermione was being kept - but he was invisible, only a mental projection.

It really was one of the nicest guestrooms at the manor. Lucius had not lied. Hermione was sitting on the bed and looked like she had just come out of whatever sedative Lucius had slipped her. She was glaring at the door and Severus turned to see what...the rat. Pettigrew was standing there, twiddling his hands nervously. In the silver appendage he held a glowing orb. Snape recognized it. Macnair had designed it but never built it, before the Potter incident in 1981. The orb sucked wandless energy into its sphere and thus eliminated wandless magic. Hermione was defenseless. The traitor motioned for Hermione to get off the bed and follow him. When she stubbornly refused, he cast Imperius. Hermione lurched off the bed and fell. After a brief struggle Hermione clutched her left arm and the bonding bracelet. She stared right into her husband's non- corporeal eyes and broke the curse.

Wormtail frowned and quickly cast Cruciatus on the child. Severus felt a portion of the pain and mentally started listing ways to cook rat. Perhaps Black would like to lend a hand...

Hermione screamed as the curse hit her. The pain on top of the stress of breaking the Imperius too much for her. Two Unforgivables in a row was more than the sixteen-year-old could handle. Severus had thought not knowing was bad. Not being able to help but seeing it was worse.

Hermione painfully climbed to her feet and followed the Animagus down into the now darkened entryway. Not a word had been exchanged except for the curses. The full Inner Circle had not been called. Only Lucius, Draco, Wormtail, Soren, the Dark Lord and Hermione were present. Soren smirked as Hermione twitched with the after effects of the curse.

"Ah, Lady Penwrath. Glad to see you were able to join us." The Dark Lord was sitting in his throne, mindlessly twirling his wand.

"It's not like I was given a choice." Hermione glared at her uncle. "So what does THAT have planned? And why is Malfoy here?"

"I assume you are talking about young Draco?"

Hermione sneered. "Dumbledore isn't stupid. He'll know Draco took the Mark after this. With Severus and I missing and all the attacks of the last few days security at the school is high. Any missing students will have difficult questions to answer. With his father's allegiances so widely known, Draco will no longer be safe at Hogwarts."

"I beg to differ, girl. Dumbledore will be only too happy to replace his spy." Hermione and Severus both blinked in confusion. "I see you are not as quick as Severus claimed." The Dark Lord smirked haughtily. "The old fool will be only too eager to believe the boy when he comes crying to him about the simply horrible things I made him do to his dear potions professor and Head of house. He'll offer young Draco the same deal he gave Severus. Immunity and sanctuary for spying. The only difference will be that instead of Severus feeding me false information and giving Dumbledore key strategies of mine, Draco will deliver Hogwarts to me." Lucius and his son looked on outwardly calm. But Severus could see the still wild gleam in the elder's eye and the tension in his pupil's shoulders.

"You see, I have planned all this out, my dear. When I instigated the test for Severus' loyalty, I made a backup plan. Should he fail, Draco would take his place in the circle and as a spy at Hogwarts. Only, Draco is loyal. Aren't you, my young one?"

"Of course, my Lord." Draco sneered at Hermione and bowed to his master. Lucius closed his eyes in silent denial.

"Oh, poor Lucius. Your son has accomplished what you could not. You are a disappointment as usual. All that breeding and you're no better than a fool. Take your pompous code of conduct and precedence orders and leave us. You are no longer welcome in my circle this night. I will call you when I am ready to see your penance." The Dark Lord waved at Malfoy in dismissal. Lucius visibly swallowed and backed out of the hall keeping his eyes on his Lord's feet. Draco never turned to see his father's departure.

"Now, back to business. Soren is here to collect you, my dear, and insure my control of the last of the Slytherin Houses."

Severus swore. Penwrath, Snape, Malfoy. The three co-founders of Slytherin house under Salazar. As the wife to Severus Snape, any children Hermione had would be legally Snape heirs unless openly and magically challenged, blood or not. And Soren looked enough like a typical Snape, minus the nose, to make it highly likely no one would question the heritage of her offspring. Soren could not only beget the Penwrath heir but the Snape as well. With Draco bearing the Mark and Hermione under the thumb of her uncle and her children being educated by the man, Voldemort would have direct control of all three families. At the right moment all it would take was the announcement that the three had united under the Heir of Slytherin and the rest of the elite pureblood families would fall in line. The last holdouts would have no choice but to follow. Most of wizarding high society was comprised of Slytherin purebloods and followers of the old ways. They would unquestionably follow an alliance between the three Houses under the Heir of Slytherin.

Hermione paled, then gave a startlingly dark laugh. "You are forgetting something. Slytherin is not the only house to have founding families to unite the front for the cause. Harry and the Weasley's are quite close. McGonagall will not hesitate to push her family into an alliance. The three Gryffindor Houses together under Harry's guiding sword as Heir will be enough to counter you. The other two houses will fall behind him. You may have money and prestige, but they will have numbers and the will."

Voldemort frowned at her. "You overestimate their chances. And Potter is halfway Dark now. Oh, I realize you and your husband have not been teaching him enough. But his appetite has been wetted. Now I will just have to insure it remains fed. The rumors of his involvement in the Arts will be enough to keep the vast majority of the wizarding world leery of his true motivations. They will fear his ambition and his cunning. They do not wish to see me defeated only to have Potter rise to my place twice as dangerous."

Hermione's smirk never wavered. "The other Heirs will arise. There are always four. Never just the two. If Harry is the Gryffindor Heir and you are Slytherin's, then Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw will follow."

"Soren, I thought you never explained this to her?" Voldemort glanced in amusement at the steward.

"I did not, my Lord. She reads more than is healthy."

Voldemort sneered at his servant. "This is not in a book, Wales."

"My husband has relieved my ignorance." Hermione narrowed her eyes. "On a great many things."

The Dark Lord laughed. "Interesting choice of words. Ignorance. You still have much of that. True, there are always at least four Heirs. But there are normally more. The power is divided. Only when there is a single living Heir for a line does the power become formidable. As the last Heir of Slytherin living and having no children myself, all of Salazar's power is at my disposal. Potter is the last of the Gryffindor line and has not produced an Heir himself yet. But he is young and untrained. The Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff houses have numerous generations of Heirs alive at once. Your mister Longbottom is actually the Heir of Hufflepuff, but he will never wield the full magnitude of that power. That is why his parents were not killed, only incapacitated. With his grandmother and father alive the power is spread through three, not one. Should both of the older Heirs die, Longbottom will achieve his potential. But I doubt he would be willing to pay the price. The same with Ravenclaw. It is odd how three of this generation's Heirs ended up in Gryffindor. Very strange."

Severus was astounded. Longbottom the Heir of Hufflepuff? It strangely fit. But who was the third? He filed the question away for later thought.

"This is all very interesting," Hermione sneered. "but I am not letting Soren anywhere near me. You will not gain control of the Snape and Penwrath lines. If they must, they will end with my husband and myself. I will not carry a child for you to use to gain power."

"You girl have no choice." Voldemort grinned and waved Soren forward. As he neared the witch Hermione licked her lips and Severus felt her apprehension and fear through the magical link. The repetitive motion of her tongue over her already moist lips was confusing him however.

Soren bent to kiss Hermione and she leaned into him and willingly gave into it. Severus felt as if a knife had plunged into his heart. Why was she...?

Suddenly Soren broke off the kiss and grabbed his throat. Hermione backed up and smirked.

"You forgot something, Uncle. Rosemary's poison. The second half is harmless to an uninfected person and will linger on the skin for up to a week. I put a vial in my last batch of lipstick before I left Hogwarts just in case. Die well, Uncle. I made a slight alteration to the recipe. It is now quite deadly."

Soren had begun to turn to blue and was trying to look at his master for help. Voldemort simply ignored the man and studied the girl while still twirling his wand. As Wales lay dying, Draco stood in the corner and tried to disappear into the shadows. Severus heard a slight noise and saw Pansy Parkinson peering over the banister. The girl watched as Wales stopped his struggles and lay still. She quickly stumbled out of the room towards the family living quarters. The Dark Lord ignored her.

"I see you have changed my plans." His red eyes narrowed.

"So sorry to inconvenience you." Hermione's grin was murderous.

"I'm sure. Severus was always my favorite you know. And you are an excellent match for him in temperament and intelligence. It really is a disappointment he failed me and forced my hand. Draco." The newest Death Eater quickly stepped into the light and his master's line of sight.

"Yes, my Lord?"

"According to reports from some of my other contacts inside Hogwarts, you have an interest in the girl."

Draco looked Hermione up and down before meeting her eye. "Yes, my lord."

"Good. You will sire the two children needed on her. Severus will be kept alive long enough to ensure there will be no questions as to the paternity of the offspring. Unfortunately, you look nothing like your professor. Charms or potions will have to be used to disguise the true parentage. This may work out better than Wales. After the birth of the Snape heir, Severus will be eliminated. You will then sire the Penwrath heir on the witch." Voldemort seemed to be rapidly outlining a new strategy. Severus allowed himself a moment to compliment the man. He might be evil, but he could certainly spin a plot on short notice.

"Meanwhile, your own Malfoy heir should be born. All three children can and will be trained at the same time. In less than two decades I will have gained complete control over Slytherin house and be able to enact the final solution."

Severus cringed at the phrasing, than at the audacity of the plan. Voldemort had no intention of making his move for twenty more years! He was going to let the children grow up before he even implemented his plan for the allegiance to unite the elite Houses. Patience seemed to be growing in no short supply for the Dark Lord. The delay would cause the Order to wear themselves out and the rest of the Wizarding world to grow complacent yet again.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" Voldemort hissed. "Take the thing out of here and get to work. Dumbledore will be expecting you back soon with a report. Make a convincing story up of how you were forced to torture good old Severus and how I made you kill Wales for being incompetent or something. Take his body back as proof. Then tell him you have Hermione in hiding and she is with Severus' child. Don't tell him where. After she gives birth to the first babe I'll let you at the traitor. Then you can heroically return his battered and preferably alive but insane form to the old man. Then you'll sire the Penwrath heir while the girl is still 'hiding'. You'll turn up with the two children in tow and a sad story of your comforting and falling for the creature after her husband's incapacitation and her tragic demise in childbirth with her second baby, your child and the Penwrath heir. The potion or charm on the first one will make it look like Severus was responsible for it, and you the second infant. That way you've covered your tracks and received the old coot's sympathy at the same time."

Draco grinned coldly. "Yes, master. The plan is brilliant."

"Of course it is."

Hermione remained silent and Severus prayed Draco would get them out of this. Severus was so distracted he didn't notice Lucius enter his cell. Draco pulled his wand and forced Hermione out of the throne room and up the staircase. Just as they were nearing the bedroom Hermione was being held in, Lucius tapped his shoulder and the bracelet vision ended.

A few more A/N:

The meaning behind spells: The words directly following the Latin/Hebrew are the direct meaning of the words, or close to it. The part in parentheses is what I am MAKING them do. I'm the author, so I pick what the spell does. So blah. Deal with it.

Praegnatio Manifestum - pregnancy manifest. (Wizarding preg. Test)

Incutere de Anima - to cause pain on the soul, (Overwhelming grief and guilt)

Ardere Viscera - burning intestines (need I say more?)

Ictus Ambustio - burning, stabbing wounds (self explanatory I think)

Calamitas - great harm (take your pick, break every bone in body, turn blood vessels inside out, rip fingernails out and use them to scratch exposed areas of skin...Okay, you get the picture.)

Crudelis Damnum - harsh penalty (sort of like Cruciatus, but more of a choking feeling)

Austerus Poena - also harsh penalty (this one is more like severe cold and burning at the same time)

Yashen Chalah Eylowm - Hebrew. Sleep, pain, forever (puts person in an eternal sleep full of hellish nightmares and such)

Another thing: The big quote from Severus to Lucius is from a poem by William Blake.

Lullaby by William Blake

O for a voice like thunder, and a tongue

To drown the throat of war! - When the senses

Are shaken, and the soul is driven to madness,

Who can stand? When the souls of the oppressed

Fight in the troubled air that rages, who can stand?

When the whirlwind of fury comes from the

Throne of God, when the frowns of his countenance

Drive the nations together, who can stand?

When Sin claps his broad wings over the battle,

And sails rejoicing in the flood of Death;

When souls are torn to everlasting fire,

And fiends of Hell rejoice upon the slain,

O who can stand? O who hath caused this?

O who can answer at the throne of God?

The Kings and Nobles of the Land have done it!

Hear it not, Heaven, thy Ministers have done it!