"Well, that was amusing." Draco stated. He walked hand in hand with Harry right beside Hermione. He had to forgive anyone who could do that to his father. Almost anyone, at least. He would at least respect them.
Blaise smiled. "Yes. It was."
After the rather odd argument was over, Severus gave her the first of several potions that he had made. Not saying anything of Snape's abilities, the first failed to do the task. And the second, and the third. Several potions later, and a nearly unconscious Malfoy (there was a spell on him to prevent him from becoming completely comatose), they finally found the right potion. Not that anyone was actually upset.
It was a relief on Hermione. While she didn't feel quite as powerful as before, she could still feel it there. But now she couldn't unwillingly hurt anyone. Hermione was just grateful that her body had accepted Harry's, Draco's, and Blaise's power, instead of killing her. She had also realized that she most likely would never have reached the power level that she was at without them. It was also a relief to know that they would not be easily taken down, she know knew what kind of power they truly possessed. They would need it when the time came to fight Dumbledore.
"Thank you, Draco. I'm glad that I could amuse you." Though the words sounded harsh, the tone wasn't. She didn't have a problem that Draco would forgive her.
They continued to laugh until a flash of long blond hair came around the corner. They stood stock still for a second, thinking that somehow Lucius had managed to draw up the strength to get up and find them without Severus' knowledge.
But no. It was his wife. Narcissa.
All of them almost toppled over once they got over the shock.
"Well, well, well. So you are the ones who managed to bring my husband down a notch." She smirked down at then. It seemed that Draco got more from his mother than his father, who's smirk was more hateful than then humorous mocking of his mother's. Though his height obviously came from his father. While Draco still wasn't exactly tall, he was a couple of inches above both Harry and his mother, though his build was closer to his mother's. He had also gained the same grey colour of her eyes while the father's had been closer to hazel.
Once Draco had recovered he ran to his mother, squeezing her tight. She held him for a second before teasingly pushing him away. "Be careful, Draco! This dress is brand new and I won't have it wrinkled." She said in a tone that almost sounded conceited, but then she couldn't keep a straight face and broke out into a smile.
"Of course, mother." He laughed off her tone easily, knowing his mother well. He was caught of guard yet again when his mother waltzed right up to his lover then hugged him close. It was almost unheard of for her to show affection for any one else then him, and he was very nearly jealous. So call him spoiled, for wanting his mother all to himself for one moment. He couldn't be blamed for a moment of selfishness.
His mother, of course, caught the pout that had spread across his face. "Draco..." She pulled him into the hug as well.
Blaise and Hermione held back and watched the strange scene unfold. /group hug/ Hermione's mind stated. She was tempted to join in, if she was going to be truthful.
The three finally released each of, then after a moment of silence giggling was heard, though they were trying hard to stop.
"Mother, if you could stop laughing for a second, I would like for you to meet my boyfriend, the famous Harry Potter." He started laughing again when his lover scowled up at him. "I mean the adorable Harry Potter." The scowl did not lessen. "Well it's true." He pulled him close and kissed him lightly on the lips, mindful that his mother was still there. "Besides, I could have called you The-Boy-Who-Lived. Besides you are adorable at times, I admit." He continued talking and sometimes kissing him while his mother sidled up between Hermione and Blaise.
"Are they always like that?" She was rewarded with another slight jump. They had been too busy watching Harry and Draco.
"Um." Hermione fiddled with her words, trying to find the right thing to say. What do you say to your friend's mother, who you haven't met, about his relationship with his male lover? "I think so, madam." She added the last part on afterthought.
Narcissa just laughed it off. "Don't call me madam; I assure you I'm not old yet." And it was true; she could have been Draco's older sister, she was aging well enough. Then she decided to get serious as the laughter died down. "I came to pick up my dear husband. He fire-talked with me a little while ago. Lucius said he was hurt and he needed to come home quickly." She looked like she would have rolled her eye, exasperated, if it hadn't been completely unseemly of the would-be lady. Even with her joking she had to keep up appearances.
Draco could sense that things were starting to get serious and stopped his ministrations on Harry.
"And it would be nice of you to introduce your friends to me, instead of leaving it in their hands. I really thought I taught you better, Draco."
Draco, on the other hand, did role his eyes. But the gesture was kept good natured. "Yes, mother. This is Hermione, Blaise, and the pretty one is Harry." Harry simply crossed his arms and glanced at the wall to the side. /he's so cute when he's embarrassed/ Draco beamed. He had been feeling better ever since he talked with Harry, even with Her interrupting their moment. He couldn't believe that he had even thought that Harry would leave him for Voldemort's daughter. He knew that he was probably being a little unfair towards Harry's sister, but he had right to be angry at her. But still, maybe he could use her name. Possibly. After all she was kind of his family too, in a warped kind of way.
In his thoughts, Draco missed that his mother had finished the introductions on her own.
"I must fetch my husband, now. I was told that he was in trouble and if I didn't come get him while he was unconsious he would be put in the dungeons. I don't knew I Severus was serious when he said that or not, but I'm not taking that chances. Lucius would never forgive he if he had to sleep on a stone floor. I just need to put him on bed rest and make sure that he stays. Which, I assure you, is not easy. He always manages to slips away when you least expect it."
They watched as she left, but a darker look had crossed over all of their faces at some point while she had been talking. Lucius had most likely been leaving to tell Dumbledore the information he had siphoned off Tom. And his own wife had never suspected what he had been doing.
Draco realized, as they were standing there, what had happened. Lucius had tricked her into introducing him to Tom, then got himself initiated. And afterwards he then got himself into the inner circle.
He wouldn't let that bastard, hurt his mother. He ran away from the others to catch up to her before it was too late.
But he was.
He came just in time to see Lucius place a binding charm on his mother. He then shoved his way past them, forcing Draco down on the old stone floor as he ran. He darted towards the closest window and threw himself over the ledge, barely making it, due to the injuries he had sustained a short while ago.
As he toppled over the steep roof he heard footsteps as the others ran down the hallway. They were only a few seconds behind Draco, but still, they were too late, as Lucius fell over the crowning of the mansion.
They had expected to hear his body hit the ground, as they pulled each other over the ledge to chase down the traitor. But as they got to the edge, they saw, they saw nothing. Lucius had vanished.
Harry was the first to pull himself from the self-induced shock and ran back up the roof, carefully, as to not fall.
Once back over the ledge, raced as quickly as he could to find Tom. He even tried to think at him, yelling at him to not be so nice for once, JUST THIS ONCE, and look into his thoughts.
As Harry ran up the roof, he failed to hear Draco's steps, as he ran close behind him. But then instead of following Harry, he ran as fast as he could back to the room holding his mother.
After standing for a moment more, staring over the roof hoping to get a glimpse of Lucius, Hermione and Blaise made their way to find out what had happened to Snape. Why had no-one been watching Lucius in the first place?
Draco knelt beside his mother before performing "finite incantatum". He then watched as her pale face regained some of its colour and then waited until she had started to breath again. She said nothing. Narcissa just stared ahead from the arm-chair that Draco had placed her on.
Silently, he watched her for several minutes more, unsure whether he should hold her or leave her be.
His thoughts were put to a stop when she finally spoke. But, it was a whisper he barely heard.
"I am a fool aren't I?"
Draco thought to say something, he then thought against it. Then wasn't much he could say, very likely that would make any difference.
"I know I am, Draco. So do not tell me any different," he voice stayed a cold whisper.
Draco was almost afraid that if he took even a step forward that the calm would break. He couldn't imagine what his mother would do if that happened. Tears probably. He had never seen his mother cry, neither was it something he had ever desired to witness. She had always been very proud, though occasionally giving in to displays of affection from her son. He had been truly shocked when she had been so open with the others.
Narcissa was lost in thought as well. She felt as if her pride had been hurt, by Lucius. Her own husband had betrayed her, had tricked her into getting him initiated. Now his betrayal of everything she held dear was on her head. Yes, Voldemort had been more lenient with most of his followers, since Harry had been inducted but he would not easily forgive betrayal.
Though, things had really been different, lately. You could almost say that his humanity had returned to him. Everyone, almost, was happier. Voldemort had been less forceful to his allies. Before, the people, who had started out as his friends, begun to genuinely fear him. But that was all in the past. Or so it seemed, recently...
Narcissa began to shiver, with fear.
Draco watched his mother for a few minutes more before he had had enough. /to hell with it/ he though, as he swiftly got to his feet. He would not watch his mother hurt. He had had enough of doing the same with Harry, and would not do it again.
"Draco?" his mother nearly exclaimed, in surprise as he held her, like he was the parent and her the child.
"Everything will be fine," he said quietly. "Everything will be fine. Lucius will be caught." /He is not my father./ he thought as he held his mother close to him.
Blaise and Hermione were both out of breath when they found Severus. Nagini had gotten to him moments before they had and busied herself with untying the unconscious man.
"What are you doing here," Blaise questioned sharply. He didn't think he would ever be able to forgive the daughter of the man who possibly sentenced his parents. Or the woman who had tried to seduced his friend when he was already taken; resorting to spells when he couldn't some willingly.
"I heard the call. My father is calling to everyone connected to him. I found Severus first." she sneered at him, affronted that he didn't even belong there would question her about being in her own home.
"What happened to him," Hermione came forward and helped with the rope.
"What do you think happened." she glared at the girl working beside her on the rope she then dropped it when she saw that the girl wasn't paying attention and it was useless. "Lucius most likely. To keep from being caught right away."
As they got off the last of the rope Nagini pilled out her wand. To undo then charms on him.
"Why didn't you do that in the first place," Blaise questioned.
Nagini ignored him and used it to wake Snape.
Severus woke with a start, his unbound hair obscuring his face as he panted, to get his breathe back. He started to push himself up, but he was too weak and collapsed under his own weight. Nagini caught him.
"He got away." he whispered shallowly.
"Yes."
He simply nodded. "Get me to Tom." Nagini tried to walk, partially supporting his weight, but it was still too much for her. After a second Blaise stepped forward, helping support his former head of house.
Hermione trailed behind, watching for further danger.
(later that day)
Tom paced the room in the infirmary.
After Harry had alerted him, leaped at him is more like it, he had alerted everyone on the grounds to be alerted of Lucius' escape. Harry had quickly left afterwards to see to his lover. Apparently he was having problems of his own concerning his mother.
A few minutes later his daughter had showed up in his rooms. Nagini had taken Severus to the hospice after his encounter with Lucius.
(Flashback)
Severus had been watching clearing away the potions, as some of them could be considered poison if mixed wrong. He had turned his back on Lucius for a moment, thinking the men had been completely dead to the world. His imprisonment could wait for a moment.
But then in the moment's carelessness he failed to hear Lucius move behind him. Before he knew it he felt roped wind around his body as Lucius spoke a charm. His wand. /damn it!/ he silently cursed to himself. But before his thoughts could continue any further he felt a vial being forced to his lips. Severus immediately felt weakened, his mind turned to sludge. /...atropine.../ It had been the deadly nightshade.
As Snape's mind drifted, Lucius sent a message to his wife through the fireplace in the room. He signed Snape's signature to the note.
/damn Voldemort and his paranoia/ Lucius thought. It was that paranoia that was what kept Lucius from leaving through floo. But Voldemort never had it fixed so that post could not come in.
As he sent the message to his wife, he cackled with glee. She would believe that it was from Snape, no doubt. He had her wrapped completely around his thumb. She wouldn't know what to do if he wasn't around. /well, good riddance/ he could most defiantly do much better than that half-witted veela-wanna-be.
Lucius silently limped from the room to the infirmary ward. Luckily the castle was vast enough that you could easily move around and not run into another soul.
Now he just had to wait for his "dear wife" to show up. Then he would be on his way.
(end flashback)
Tom watched over Severus for hours. He wasn't showing signs of getting better, no matter what potions were forced down his throat. Though, because of those same potions Severus hadn't died within the first hour. Aside from a few moments, he was practically catatonic. He already pale skin now had a translucent glow to it. His body appeared to wasting away by the hour as Tom sat by his bedside. The occasional wince showed on the otherwise immobile face.
That face looked melancholy as usual. He had yet to find out what made him have such a lonely feel about him. Maybe it was war; it had taken its toll on everyone. Severus more than most.
Tom sighed. He would kill that bastard for what he did! He would be out there searching himself, but he knew that that would only make it easier to find him. It would also put everyone in further danger. He hoped that Malfoy hadn't taken the information to Dumbledore. Hopefully, he would be too proud to have completely sided with him.
As Tom gazed at Severus he felt something. It was odd, something he hadn't felt in years, since Lily. Then he realized that it was his heart breaking, for the second time in his life. His heart hurt from watching Severus in pain.
(Days Later)
"Lucius seems the have completely disappeared," Tom stated. They were all longing around the library, trying to some up with a plan. Tom had pulled a chair from one of the desk to the window, initially so he could research what was killing Severus. But he had found himself staring out the window, lost in thought. " I had susptected that he would betray me, just not this soon," he muttered to himself.
"Tom. I want for me and Hermione to go back." He jerked his head around and saw that Harry had crept closer while he was distracted.
"Why!?" he stared in Harry's eyes to see if by any chance he was regretting his decision to be there with him. All he saw staring back at him was eyes full of determination. /It's times like this I wonder if he really is related to Gryffindor.../
"No, no! I'm not saying I that I want to leave." Harry said quickly when he saw Tom panic. "We could convince Dumbledore that we have 'seen the error of our ways'." Harry's green eyes rolled heavenward as he said the last part.
/...and then he comes up with something entirely Slytherin./
"He might not know the trust about me, that I know that I don't have any Gryffindor or muggle ancestry, which is why Draco and Blaise can't go. Being that they are both Slytherin and pureblood." he turned his head to give Draco an apologetic smile. The boy continued to lounge on the couch; he had just lifted his head from the cushion. "If he thinks that I still think that he might trust me."
"You're going to get yourself hurt."
Harry grinned slightly. He could tell that Draco was more worried than he showed.
Now Draco forced himself from the plush sofa. "Don't grin at me, damn it! Did you hear me! You are going to get hurt! Think about it! The second you get there Dumbledore is going to suspect something! Anything could happen, and I wouldn't know until it's too late." Draco began rapidly pacing the carpet, as the panic swept in. "You can't leave me here! Don't you think it would drive me even more crazy with worry with you gone? Harry!" He was cut off as Harry took him into his arms, holding him close to his chest. "I can't let you go back there, Harry." he mumbled.
"Shh..." Harry just held on to him for a few more moments. "You'll be ok with me gone. I'm more worried about how I'll be without you. This would be the smartest thing to do. And with me there, he'll stop searching for the rest of you."
"Why can't Hermione just go?"
Hermione almost glared at the boy, but he was in enough pain as it was. "We need as many as we can to watch him, but Dumbledore wouldn't trust you two. We can convince Dumbledore that some of his brainwashing is still in effect and that I had aloud myself to be misled."
"Are you sure your love wouldn't take the plan just as badly, Miss Granger," Tom spoke, then returned to his gazing out the window. "And where is he by the way, if you don't mind me asking?" Though he didn't sound like he really cared at the moment.
"We've already talked about it. Blaise didn't like it, but he agreed." she watched Tom closely trying to find what was bothering him. She didn't think that Snape being in the infirmary could be affecting him that much. Not if they were merely friends, but she hadn't seen any real evidence that said that they were anything more than that. "And he said he was busy."
"What's wrong with him?" Harry asked. "It's like he's been avoiding us a while." He still had Draco in his arms, with the boy trying to manoeuvre them back to the coach.
"He hasn't been actually avoiding us." she nervously glanced at Tom. "He said he really needed be by himself. When I asked, Blaise said he was fine. He said that he was actually feeling better than he had in a while."
Harry smiled. "Then it's agreed that we are going." He watched Draco for a second before he slightly nodded.
Draco, Harry, and Hermione all moved to go out the door when Harry heard Tom calling him. He stopped and turned his head.
"Be careful."
Harry grinned at him, then moved quickly to join his friends and get ready to go back.
Chapter 14
Chapter 16
