Disclaimer: Oh riiiight I own it all! Muhahahaha! Seriously I get nothing but the satisfaction that you people like this story enough to read this far.

Rating: laughs evilly

A/N: I have a following! ...ok just two people who seem to like my
story and forgave me for what I did to Draco. Without Permission who
has faithfully reviewed every chapter since chapter 10 even reviewing my other much more popular story and Yaoi my darling beta hugs and wet Draco kisses

Chapter 16

Viper opened her eyes to find the enormous room empty. She swung her legs to the floor and shook her head free of the sleep charm that Voldemort cast on her. Careful not to make any noise she crept her way to the almost unnoticeable door at the side of the stage. She pressed her ear against the grainy wood and heard voices within.

Viper stood back, closed her eyes and became smoke. Slowly she slid through the cracks in the door being sure to spread her vaporous body thin enough so she wouldn't attract any attention.

There were three hooded figures in the room. The one facing the door behind the large basalt desk was obviously Voldemort. One of the other figures smelled familiar but she could not be sure. The third of them was a female she could tell. Viper wafted closer to her. She could smell the fear rolling off her in waves. Mentally she wrinkled her nose at the stench. No one had spoken since Viper drifted through the door. They were all held in an ominous silence.

'This kind of silence is usually followed by tears or anger.' Viper knew that Voldemort had just told these two people something terrible. She twisted herself around to try and see the faces of the unknown figures. She placed herself close to Voldemort's left ear. Through the shadows she could see a pale jaw and the tip of an aristocratic nose.

'Lucius. It must be and that would make the woman his wife.'

"I know that thisss isss horrible newsss for you. I had thought it bessst that I would tell you inssstead of you reading it in the papersss." Voldemort's voice cracked what composure the woman had and she started giving off silent sobs. Lucius' jaw twitched as if he was trying to keep his reaction inside himself but was barely succeeding.

"Now you can leave." Voldemort dismissed them as if he had just called them in for a routine meeting. Viper watched as Lucius stood and offered his arm to his wife. He bowed towards Voldemort and assisted his wife as she stumbled slightly out of the chair.

They both numbly went to the door and through it. Viper wondered if they would return to tell Voldemort that she was no longer on the slab of stone. After a while she drifted to the door followed by the malicious cackle of the reptilian kind chasing after her.

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Draco stood on a jutting rock watching the black water lap at the silvery white sand. 'I wish I could see some color again.' He sighed as once again the water reached up with its white foam as if it was trying to steal him away. 'Actually I would just like to see some green eyes.' He leaned back against the rock and stared into the grey sky. 'At least in the other place I could dream of Harry sometimes.' His mind drifted back to the vision he had of Harry sleeping in that strange bed. He relived the feel of Harry's lips under his own and could not help his slight moan. Draco's plea for Harry was heard only by the dead.

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Harry stared into the fire. He had not moved since he woke up and found that Viper had gone. A sound by the portrait tunnel caught his attention and he turned until he could see who was there. It was Dobby standing nervously at the mouth of the tunnel.

"Snape wants to see you Harry Potter sir! Sent Dobby to get Harry Potter!" His squeaky voice grated on Harry's ears and he stood fixing his robes. As he passed the place where he had seen Viper leaning on the wall he was surprised to find a small etching in the stone. It was a deeply scratched V and a lighter S behind it. Dobby took Harry's hand and tugged him down into the dungeons.

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Hermoine watched Harry leave the dungeons with an uneasy feeling eating away at her. 'I hope he hasn't done anything to upset Snape.' She shook her head and started up the stairs without realizing that she was being watched.

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Uasi's eyes were burning. He had never seen a girl like Hermoine before and it was hard enough not to go after her when she was fully clothed. When she had come down the stairs his heart almost stopped. She was dressed in a light white nightgown that in the light of the fire he could make out the outlines of her young body. He growled softly and made his way out the portrait hole. 'Why is it in this world with beautiful distractions like her that they have no houses of pleasure situated near this place?'

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Harry reluctantly followed Dobby down to Snape's office. He had been there a couple times before and it was never a good thing to be called to the Potion Master's presence. 'Unless you happen to be Draco Malfoy.' He thought sardonically before knocking on the dark door.

"Come in." Snape's voice was not in the least bit muffled by the thick door and with some difficulty Harry pushed it open keeping a bland mask over his face.

"You wanted to see me Professor?"

"Yes, Mr. Potter and it took you long enough to get here."

"I came as soon as Dobby told me where to go."

"I do not have time for your idiocy tonight Mr. Potter. There is a pressing matter that needs to be addressed." Harry did not like the cold tone in Snape's voice that replaced the usual hatred. Snape pointed to the chair in front of his desk and Harry sat down with trepidation.

"I am aware of the fact that you have once again befriended this Viper woman." He held up his hand for silence as Harry started to protest. "She is a dangerous creature and not to be trusted. She killed one of your classmates without a thought. What if your precious Ms. Granger was next? Or Mr. Weasley?" Snape leaned forward in his chair.

"I know both you and Dumbledore have been hoodwinked into believing she is on our side and that she will help save us all. You are mistaken. I saw tonight with my own eyes her receiving the Dark Mark with no protest." Harry opened his mouth again and was treated to a glare that simply said that if he uttered a sound he would regret it.

"Mr. Potter your relationship with this woman has brought a danger to the school and I urge you to refrain from getting closer to her."

"She does not work for Voldemort!" Harry could no longer keep quiet. "She branded herself to become a spy like you!" Snape was shocked at the vehemence in Harry's voice as he defended Viper.

"She is more loyal than you could ever dream of. Yes, she killed Draco but she did it for a reason and I have no doubt that she will do whatever she can to get him back." Harry looked at Snape with eyes burning bright.

"She has my forgiveness and Dumbledore's. It is time you forgave her as well." He stomped out the door and slammed it. As he reached the end of the hallway he broke into a run with tears streaming down his face.

A/N: Well isn't this interesting