Chapter Three: Replace and Capture
Severus could hold his tongue no longer, screaming loudly. TINK! His tormentor dropped the tooth into the metal bowl to join the other three already there.
Lucius felt a rush of pleasure, more intense for him than sex. Torturing Muggles was like cursing fish in a barrel, but torturing a Wizard, particularly one with Severus Snape's inherent abilities… He closed his eyes allowing the rush of pleasure to overtake him for a moment…that was priceless. Severus was a stubborn man and had held out longer than anyone had before. He had lost consciousness several times but Lucius had quickly fixed that with a well-placed Enervate. He had worked long and hard for this moment and was going to savor it.
He bent, placing his lips close to the Potion Master's ear. "That's right, Severus." He leisurely stroked the raven hair. "That's all I wanted. Was it that hard? Hmm?" He ran his finger along the outside of Severus' quickly swelling jaw. "I think I'll let you rest up a bit. I've worked up quite an appetite."
Malfoy called for his house-elf and told him to take Severus to a cell down the hall. "Water, and water only. If you heal him you'll be next on the table!" He cuffed the house-elf for good measure and quit the room.
Severus slowly came awake, hearing a soft voice calling to him. His hand cradled his right side as he attempted to breathe more deeply. The Potions Master was feeling lightheaded and his head was pounding, his face swollen. Lucius had stayed away from his left side; fearful of puncturing his heart and the breaks on the right side were not damaging enough to puncture his lung. Severus knew that Lucius was well aware of how to perform torture that would leave the victim alive but praying for death. Severus was not at that point. He was determined that he would die before he gave Malfoy the satisfaction.
Severus opened his eyes seeing a young house-elf looming over him. The elf gently took his head and raised it, putting a cup to his lips. The small amount of water he was able to take in was quickly and violently expelled, frightening the house-elf, who then ran for help.
Vomiting had increased the pain in his ribs and his mouth was in sheer agony. He almost blacked out but then focused hard on regulating his breathing, trying to shut out the pain and distance himself from it.
In moments the door burst open and Narcissa Malfoy entered. She knelt beside Severus after clearing the mess with Evanesco. He could feel anxiety coming off her in waves. She did not usually deal with the prisoners. She took the cup from the house-elf and dismissed her.
"Severus? Drink this." Lifting his head gingerly, she placed the cup to his lips.
The minute the water touched his tongue he knew she had slipped a pain-relieving potion inside. He wasn't about to argue.
"I would put a healing potion in but…you know." Her pale blue eyes met his black ones.
"You shouldn't be here… If he finds you… he'll kill you." He knew his words were somewhat muffled since he could not move his mouth very much.
"I should kill him! Look what he's gotten Draco involved in. He's a child and he's supposed to pass himself off as you? It's suicide."
Severus had also wondered how long Draco could sustain the façade, but said nothing more.
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Harry sat with Neville, Luna and Ginny in their compartment of the Hogwarts Express. Neville was excitedly relating how he had met his new girlfriend over the summer when Ron burst in, grinning from ear to ear.
"Did you hear? Did you hear!" Ron's face was flushed with excitement.
"Did I hear what?" asked Harry.
"Malfoy…" Ron stopped to drag in a few deep breaths. "He's not here. There's a rumor going around that his whole family took off when his dad escaped from Azkaban."
"How can anyone escape Azkaban, what with Dementors and all?" asked Neville.
Ginny rolled her eyes at him. "The Dementors left last Spring, don't you remember? It was in the papers. They supposedly went to fight for You-Know-Who."
"He's really gone?" asked a disbelieving Harry and Ron nodded.
Neville got up and danced an impromptu jig. The others laughed and clapped along with him, enjoying the little bit of good news.
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The Great Hall was abuzz with excitement, although the Slytherin table looked a bit more sullen than usual. The sorting was over and the Welcoming Feast was in full swing.
Minerva's eyes kept straying to the doors. She bent close to Albus, asking for the third time that evening, "Where is Severus? Lucius Malfoy escapes and Severus disappears, there must be a connection."
"Minerva, Severus has been called countless times. He will return." He patted her hand. "If he is not here by tomorrow I will set the Order to the task of finding him." He saw something black out of the corner of his eye. "Ah, here he is now."
Severus strode down the hall toward the Head Table, staring straight ahead. He had waited as long as possible before coming in. He felt the eyes of the students on him, as well as the faculty. Thank Merlin he had taken a calming potion or he would have run back the other way.
Minerva approached him. "Severus? Are you well? We've been worried!"
The cunning Slytherin kept his eyes averted. "I'm fine, Prof—Minerva. I just needed some alone time."
"You're not injured, dear boy?" Albus inquired.
"No, sir. I'm well, just very tired." He sighed deeply and allowed his shoulders to droop, hoping they would let him rest and leave him be.
Albus patted his shoulder. "Go along to your rooms, child. I'll have some food sent up. I'll stop by later to talk with you about your meeting, at about 9:30 or so."
As Severus began the trek to the dungeons, hopelessness washed over him. How in Merlin's name am I supposed to be able to do this! Dumbledore is coming to see me!
The young Slytherin had forgotten about the wards protecting Snape's rooms and was having great difficulty figuring out how to take them down. He had finally broken down and called for a house-elf who had let him in. The elf said nothing but looked at him curiously. Once inside he poured himself a Firewhiskey and downed it. He poured another and sat on the couch in front of the fire, leaning back with his legs sprawled out in front of him. He glanced at the clock. Merlin, in fifteen minutes Dumbledore will be here! His head was swimming as he downed the second glass.
Albus entered Severus' rooms. How very curious, he didn't put up his wards. Perhaps because he was expecting me? He's never done anything like that before. Maybe he was injured more than I thought. He saw Severus sprawled out on the couch, snoring, with an empty glass in his hand. Severus never could hold his liquor. Albus smiled slightly and did a quick diagnostic, seeing no broken bones or injuriesHe wrote him a note telling him about the Order meeting for tomorrow evening and left, quickly putting up the wards for his sleeping friend.
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The next morning Severus walked into the wards, not realizing they had been put up again. Sweet mother of Merlin! He spent the next twenty minutes trying to get past them and then gave up and called his father via the Floo. He also told his dad about the Order meeting and that he didn't know where it was to be held. Lucius poked his head in and told his son how to get the wards down and that he would get the information from someone about the meeting place. He then put his son under the Cruciatus Curse for two minutes for interrupting his breakfast.
As he lay there on the floor, the young Slytherin felt like crying. He hated his father sometimes. I'll never be good enough for you. He regretted telling his father about Snape. Professor Snape had always treated him the way he wished his father had and he had repaid that kindness by turning him over to his dad. He bit the inside of his lip to hold back the tears. Keep it together, Draco. Snape doesn't cry.
The Great Hall was full of the joyous laughter and the excited chatter of students. Was I ever so carefree? I doubt it. Severus strode to the Head Table, seeing Weasley out of the corner of his eye. The young redhead was shoveling food into his mouth, as if in a hurry. Just as Severus reached the teacher's table Weasley stood up and headed for the door. His companions remained seated. This is my chance! Severus whirled on his heel and followed the young Gryffindor.
Ron made his way to the Gryffindor Common Room. He had a free period this morning and wanted to get on his broomstick for some Quidditch practice. He heard boots clicking on the stone behind him and glanced over his shoulder seeing Snape.
"Mr. Weasley, I'd like a word."
Ron reluctantly stopped and turned around, irritably snapping. "I haven't done anything." His cheeks flamed as he realized he had spoken to a teacher that way.
Severus smirked. "Manners, Mr. Weasley."
"Look, are you going to threaten me again…sir?"
"Actually, I wished to apologize for that…unfortunate incident." He held out a small box, slightly larger than a deck of cards.
Ron's jaw dropped. What? He stared at the box as if it would bite him, making no move to take it.
"Just take it Mr. Weasley. I don't have all day." Severus took Ron's hand and placed the box on his palm. He then crossed his arms over his chest waiting for the boy to open it. He looked up and down the halls, seeing that there was still no one around. "Open it!" he hissed.
Ron swallowed hard, paling slightly. He held the box at arm's length, titling the lid away and gingerly removed the lid. Nothing sprang out at him or tried to bite him. Cringing slightly he tilted the box so he could see inside. No bloody way! Inside was the rarest of the rare chocolate frog cards, the only one he did not posses. "What's this for?" He reached in to touch the card and instantly felt the tug of a Portkey.
Severus watched Ron disappear, smirking slightly. He glanced around again, seeing no one. He had to tamp down the spring in his step as he made his way back to the Great Hall for breakfast.
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"Expelliarmus!" Malfoy disarmed Ron the second he appeared. "Welcome to my humble dungeon cell, Mr. Weasley."
"You bloody bastard! I should've know you and Snape were in leagues." Ron was pulled hard against the stone wall as chains sprung forth, yanking his hands back at shoulder height.
Malfoy laughed heartily. "How beautifully naïve—and such passion! Wouldn't you agree, Severus?"
Malfoy moved and Ron's eyes were drawn to the man on the floor. That can't be him!
Severus struggled to sit up, eventually completing the task. "Leave him alone." He took a moment to breathe. "He's just a child, Lucius."
"Not yet a man and no longer a child." Lucius stepped toward Ron, smiling. "Why would I go through this trouble and then let him go?"
"Who's at the school, if it's not Snape?"
"Didn't you notice anyone missing?"
Ron swept his mind of the cobwebs. It suddenly hit him like a Bludger. "Draco!"
"Clever boy," He reached for Ron's cheek.
Ron spit into his grinning face. "Don't touch me, you filthy Death Eater!"
Lucius stepped back a strange glint in his eye. He made a show of taking out his monogrammed handkerchief and cleaning his face. "Oh, I'll enjoy this, make no mistake." He took a step forward and pointed his wand at Ron's chest. "Where does the Order meet?"
"You'll get nothing from me!"
"We'll see about that, dear boy."
Narcissa couldn't sit still. The house-elves had told her there was another prisoner, this one a child. A child! She felt tears spring to her eyes. She heard piercing screams coming from the dungeons. It was not the deep voice that she knew belonged to Severus. Tears slowly trailed down her cheeks as she cast a silencing spell on the floor. She rose and crossed to the potion cabinet where she retrieved a headache potion, as an afterthought she also removed an anti-anxiety potion.
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