Chapter Seven: Alive and surviving

One sniff told him everything. Lupin was alive and was now untouchable. A growl vibrated in Dryden's throat. His master would not be pleased to hear of this or that his traitorous Death Eater was still alive. Though the fact Snape was still breathing did prove his master's suspicion. There was another traitor in his ranks. The Dark Lord would be swift to enact his revenge on that individual now since he could now not touch the Potion Master. A twist smile adorned Dryden's weatherworn and scarred face. How delightful the world would be in a few short months.

He watched for a moment as Lupin laughed at something his mate had said. Oh yes, he knew what Lupin had done to survive. Mating with the sneering Potion Master had been a wise move to make, even if it was done in desperation. Dryden had the feeling the younger werewolf did not understand the traditions of the ritual. Lupin had denied his wolf heritage and sought to like as a wizard most of his life. There would be much to teach this young pup.

A wolfish gleam tinted his eyes, and then died. The Dark Lord would displeased with the news his new army could not kill or allow him to kill Lupin and his mate. No doubt the Dark Lord would not empathize with the werewolves on this; he would say their Werewolf honour, which decreed that each wolf and their mate must be respected was archaic and misplaced.

Frowning, Dryden leapt from the wall he had scaled. He would have to secure a private viewing the Dark Lord. He could not allow the Dark Lord to kill the pair. If it should occur no wolf would remain true to the Dark Lord. That would be the final nail in any hopes for freedom or equality for the Werewolf population. He needed to convince the Dark Lord of the benefit of keeping the pair alive. But how was it to be accomplished? It was a question he did not know the answer to; Voldemort might though as he was a resourceful wizard as well as adaptable.

Glancing up to the enlightened window, Dryden knew that Lupin had been very lucky. The walls of Hogwarts would keep him safe for now and his mate appeared to be adapting quickly. The Mourning had almost liked Lupin but Snape had come around just in time. It gave him hope that Lupin would survive the coming weeks and the trial he would face. Dryden knew he would also have to draw a battle plan, just in case the trial did not go the in the way that Lupin required the werewolves would be ready to act, with Voldemort permission of course.

"Hello there!" A thunderously loud voice boomed in the early morning daylight. "Dryden aint? I were wonder' when I'd be seeing yer again. Yer aint been in the pub much lately."

"Greetings, Hagrid." Dryden offered the friendly half giant a rare smile.

Hagrid had always been a good friend during there days at Hogwarts before Tom Riddle had decided to use the half giant as an escape-goat. If Hagrid was the Heir of Slytherin then he was the Queen of England, another example of how blind the ministry was towards those of impure blood.

"I have been away on official business, old friend."

"Oh! Did yer now?" Hagrid asked. "What official business might that be? I didn't know yer worked for the Order- I shouldn't have said that."

Dryden frowned. The Order? Could this be the Order of Phoenix? Voldemort would be very interested to hear of this. Voldemort being the elitist he was had limited his thoughts to believing that Dumbledore had limited the members to wizards only. This however proved that the old fool relied on those of a lesser magical heritage. Hagrid was a member of the Order. Oh how delightful!

"The order of the defence, do you mean Hagrid?" Dryden asked pretending to ignore the detail Hagrid had slipped up on. "I have not worked for them for a long time."

"Oh right, silly me." Hagrid grinned before adding. "Blimey look at the time, best be off. The grounds don't keep themselves."

As the half giant moved off, Dryden turned towards the forest and vanished. Hagrid turned back a moment later thinking it was very odd that his old school mate should be on the grounds of Hogwarts. But he had vanished into thin air. Blinking, Hagrid decided he best tell the Headmaster at once.

Voldemort sat on his kingly throne waiting the return of his faithful. His decision to ally with the werewolves was proving to be one of his better strategies in his war. They asked for little in return for their service as soldiers and spies. Reform of the Werewolf Laws of 1981, they had asked for. The right to education, to marry and to have children and of course to feed without limitation; the last demand he had been very eager to agree to. Werewolves had the potential to be his means of controlling the Muggle population in the future.

"Master?" Wormtail squeaked entering the darkly lit hall of Goyle Manor.

"Yes Wormtail, what is it?" Voldemort hissed bored of being bothered by the pathetic excuse of a servant he had.

"The werewolf has returned sir," Wormtail jabbered on. "He requests to speak to you privately before the Death Eaters are summoned to you."

This was not expected. Dryden never sought to speak to him privately. The wolf usually was quite happy to give his reports to the inner circle of Death Eaters and his master at the same time. What had the werewolf learnt that required private discussion? At least it was intriguing. As he was bored, he would grant the werewolf his request and make it clear that this was not to be asked for on a regular basis. A good dose of Crucio might be affective.

"Wormtail, I will see him."

"Yes master."

The sound of opening doors and muffled voices told him when Dryden entered and when Wormtail left. The werewolf's confident footsteps echoed in the darken hall as he approached his master. Voldemort watched amused as Dryden bowed low and rose to his feet without waiting to be told so. This had been Dryden's price. He would not bend to kissing the Dark Lord's robes as the Death Eaters did. He was the strongest and most respected werewolf and would claim the leadership of them. Therefore he was not scum and wished to be treated as an equal. He would bow but not kiss the dirt.

"Dryden, my faithful pet." Voldemort greeted. "Tell me what did your trip to Avery Castle reveal? Was Lupin quite mad?"

"No, my lord." Dryden said in a deep voice, almost registering as a growl. "Your suspicion there is another traitor was proven correct. Lupin had been rescued by the time I returned to Avery Castle."

Voldemort shot to his feet. Anger boiled in his icy cold veins. He was not furious at Dryden. The werewolf's mind was like at open book. He showed his master every detail keeping nothing back. What boiled his blood was the fact one of his Death Eaters was a traitor! How many were not loyal to him? First Severus had deflected and now another. Well, it was no matter. He would just have to be cautious of who he trusted.

Turning to Dryden, he asked. "What of that filthy traitorous scum I left with Lupin?"

"This is why I requested a private audience, my lord." Dryden said his voice hitching slightly. "I found no evidence for either of them there. The only blood I uncovered was a small amount. Lupin could not have torn the traitor apart. I did find evidence my lord of your greatest enemy at the scene. So I took my search to Hogwarts, the forest allows Werewolves access to the grounds."

So Snape was not dead either. Dumbledore had rescued them in the nick of time. But how was that possible? He had stayed at Avery Castle well passed midnight and the change occurred before that. Frowning Voldemort descended from his throne to a tabled laden with food.

"What did you find at Hogwarts?"

"I discovered two juicy bones, my lord." Dryden lips twisted in a smile. "It was Lupin who saved Snape's life. He has mated with the Death Eater, you sent him to kill. The downside is my lord, we can not kill them now."

Voldemort could not help but laugh. Oh by the devil, Severus must have been desperate. To bond himself eternally to a werewolf! This would keep him amused for days. The great Snape pride would be in ruins after this, when the rest of the Pureblood set knew the Snape name would be filthier than any Mudblood's. Dryden was right about not being able to kill them. Mated werewolves were respected in the ranks of the wolf population, so he would have to respect that. Perhaps drawing Lupin in with the promise of his mate's safety would bring him to heel. His defiance at their last meeting still stung, but all great leaders had to be adaptable to unplanned twists.

"Continue," Voldemort said as he feed a piece of meat of his beloved snake as she slithered along the floor to settle under the bench.

"My other news comes via an old school friend," Dryden smirked stepping forward to the table and bracing his arms on its surface. "An old friend who took the blame for you, my lord."

"That stupid, half-wit of an half giant?" Voldemort asked puzzled how Dryden would be in contact with the half giant they had both gone to school with.

"Hagrid and I have often met in the pub before I came to serve you, my lord." Dryden explained sitting uninvited at the table and helping himself to a plant under the glare of the Dark Lord. "He spotted me leaving the grounds, when I told him I was on official business, he thought aloud. I think my lord; you have underestimated Dumbledore use of Hagrid. I think he is part of the Order of Phoenix."

He watched Dryden to bite into a juicy joint of meat. The werewolf had been right. He had found two juicy bones. The fact Snape was alive displeased him greatly but revenge had come in an unusual form. It appeared now Hagrid had served him well again and would keep doing so. The half-wit would always be an easy target.

"Good work, Dryden." He said upon hearing Wormtail enter the hall again. "I shall deliver this news to my Death Eaters. Your news has proved us with a rare opportunity; I do not intend to let slip passed me."

Dryden nodded. He rose and bowed before strolling out the great hall. Voldemort knew that he had enough power to block any invasion Snape might try. Werewolves had great mentally capabilities which were greatly untapped. Dryden had learnt to use them well, but his loyalty to his master keep all his defence down when they met.

"Wormtail, show the Death Eaters in."


Meanwhile at Hogwarts...

It had been a quiet few days in the grounds of Hogwarts. Tonks had come to collect statements had left feeling rather odd. One thing that struck her on her way back to the ministry was Snape's change. It had been six years since he had taught her somehow the lack the black bat frock coat had made him seem, well less of a black bat. The pair had been allowed to leave the hospital wing after their statements had been taken. Poppy had ordered them to return to Severus's chambers have a quiet afternoon of relaxation. She also added she would have the house elves prepare them something to eat as they had missed lunch. As Remus had left he had the sensation that the afternoon would be anything but relaxing...

"Lupin!" Snape bellowed from his private office.

Remus bit his lip. No doubt that Severus had just found the letter Albus had sent to him an hour ago. After his discharge from the hospital wing, Dumbledore had arranged the castle to add another room onto Snape's quarters making it a three bedrooms suite with an additional office for Remus's use. Despite grumbles from his mate everything had been fine. Half an hour ago though, Dumbledore had dropped a spanner in the works, which was very typical of the headmaster.

He was concerned for Harry's health. He was still being very angry. The kind, caring boy they had known was grief-stricken and sporting a lot of anger. Dumbledore had received a report that ill-legal use of magic had been detected at Privet Drive. Harry's magic was as explosive as his temper. He had badly injured his cousin and two of his friends. There was no long-term damage but Harry was now homeless permanent. The Dursleys were refusing to ever allow Harry to step foot back in their home. Harry was at present with the Weasleys, where he would remain for two weeks but Albus was anxious to move Harry to somewhere more secure.

The Order Headquarters were out. The wounds of Sirius's death were too fresh and the house was still untouched. Sirius's ghost would be in every piece of furniture and it was full of too many memories. No Dumbledore had another idea. Harry's guardianship had now passed to the headmaster and Remus, so Dumbledore had decided Harry should spent the remainder of the summer either at Hogwarts or in a secret location of Remus and Severus choice.

"Remus," Severus growled walking into the drawing room of his chambers. "Care to explain this to me?"

"Dumbledore wants Harry to come stay with us as he has gotten himself into trouble again. It was an order Severus. Alright?"

"Damnation! No it is not alright, I do not want Potter anywhere near me!" Snape scowled drawing him up to his full high and looking very formidable in his black robes. "The summer holidays are my only break away from the Dunderheads I teach!"

Ignoring Severus's outburst, Remus picked up a book. "He is still coming, Severus. Dumbledore's orders."

With a snort the potion master dropped into what Remus had quickly learnt was Severus's favourite chair that stood beside the fireplace. The brusque look on the dark features of the potion master were truly frightening and if Neville Longbottom had been the room he would have wet himself and run screaming out the door. But after twenty years of knowing Snape, his moods and dark scowls, Remus now was unmoved by the many faces that Severus S. Snape could pull.

"Finished scowling yet?" Remus asked raising a brown eyebrow in the direction of his mate. "No, well fine. You scowl and I'll talk. Dumbledore is worried about Harry. He hurt the Muggles he stays with, whilst I was in the coma, surely you must see he is vulnerable right now. What is there to stop Voldemort attacking Privet Drive and snatching him?"

Remus saw Severus's scowl turn into a thoughtful frown. Dark eyes turning intense as the Potion Master's mind worked. Remus instantly knew that Severus was summing up the weaknesses and strengths of the Order at the present time. They had received a blow with the loss of their vital spy. If Potter stayed in the care of the Muggles or Weasleys too long it would endanger there lives as there would be no warning of Voldemort's plans, just like the night when... Remus dragged himself out of the link knowing where that train of thought ended.

"Very well, if I concede to Potter's visit it will be under my terms." Severus said forcefully. "I refuse to be stuck in this Dungeon and School the rest of the summer. I will discuss my plans with the Headmaster."

"Hold on!" Remus cried jumping up of his chair, feeling very left in the dark. So much from comprising on important decisions, he thought. He was going to have to put his foot down on this. As Severus rose from the chair, he pushed the Potion Master back into it; Remus was determined to have his say in this matter. "You can sit down and explain exactly what you mean by plans."

"I do not have to explain myself to you!" Severus snorted.

"Try again, Severus." Remus growled. "Equal partners remember you owe me an explanation."

Remus glared at Severus who glared back. Neither was prepared to back down. How was this to work? Remus thought to himself. We are both strong personalities. In the future I foresee a lot of disagreements! With a groan of defeat, Snape sat back and made himself comfortable before gesturing for Remus to do the same.

"Normally in August I return to my home," Severus began. "It is located on the isle Skye, a couple of hours West from here. Aside from Hogwarts it is the most secure building in these Isles. Not even Black's house contends with it for privacy. We would be quite safe there."

"Surely other Death Eaters know of it?" Remus frowned.

Death Eaters were obliged to open their homes to the Dark Lord. He used different properties as his base for each different week. It was one of the spy reports Severus himself had made to the Order's working Aurors. Severus would have had to use his own home to entertain Voldemort at sometime. How could a house were Voldemort had stayed and enjoyed sport at the expense of Muggles and Muggleborns, be safe?

Severus knew his mate's thoughts immediately and endeavoured to answer his mate's reservations about his plan. "My family have always prized our privacy above all else. An ancestor of mine found Muggles two a penny across England when he arrived here from Rome two thousand years ago. He wanted complete seclusion in which to raise a family somewhere no Muggle or Wizard would ever find. In the north of Scotland, he discovered there a Celtic tribe of Wizards and Witches, who had no contact with Muggles; an entire community of purebloods, it was heaven to him, so there he built our ancestral home. He used the darkest spells to cloak it from all seeing eyes, save those with Snape blood. A Snape must accompany guests otherwise they shall find themselves transported to a moor in North Yorkshire.

"As for Voldemort. One of my ancestor's decided that our ancestral home in the highlands was unsuited for entertaining guests." Snape said leaning against the fireplace, the candlelight glistening in his dark eyes. "So he acquired a desirable property in the South in the eighth century. The village in which it stands is called Snape, influenced by my family of course. Voldemort has only ever been there, and knows that as my primary residence."

Sneaky! Remus thought with a smile. But it was not surprising really. Severus had always been a closed sort of person. During their school days, he could remember overhearing one time the Slytherins asking Severus were he was going during the holidays; but Snape had failed to give them an answer. Padfoot and Prongs had joked, saying back to his greasy cave. Of course all the Gryffindors had a good giggle at that. He had ignored them like normal, retreating to his books for sanctuary. Was Skye Severus's sanctuary?

"Yes is the answer to your question." Severus said mellifluously.

Remus let the topic drop. He was going to look forward to Harry's visit. He had never really had time to spend with him on his own. Sirius had somehow always managed to be there also.

When Remus was out of earshot, Severus muttered. "It would be something to look forward to if you like looking forward to a dose of Crucio."