Disclaimer: see Chapter One
Secrets and Lies
Author's Note: This chapter contains two character deaths. Please be advised.
Chapter 22: TrustSeverus strode purposefully down the halls of the dungeons, black robes swirling at his ankles. He stopped in front of a smaller than average door and knocked three times. Within a minute the door creaked open and a free elf stood, face to stomach, with Severus. Looking down, the Potions Master asked politely if he could enter.
The inside of the new quarters for the free elves resembled a small compound. They had brought down the ceiling to accommodate their size and had decorated the rooms with all manner of Greek and Roman art. Severus ducked his head and went inside to ask for the favor.
Cato had been very accommodating, since Severus had consistently treated him and the other free elves with respect.
A few moments later, Snape swept out, pleased with his bargain.
§§§§§§§§
Severus stood in the almost total darkness of the hospital wing; the only beam of light streaming from beneath the mediwitch's closed door. He carefully sat the heavy bundle on the bedside table as quietly as possible. In a whirl of black robes he turned to go, until a feeble voice croaked at him from the bed.
"Who's there?" Ron Weasley's eyes flicked open and he scanned the darkness, blinking to clear his vision.
Severus turned back. He saw the Gryffindor's blue eyes peering at him. "Are you in pain? I could alert the mediwitch…" Severus turned to go.
"I'm fine. What happened? Why am I here…again." Ron's face was clouded with confusion.
Severus glanced back to Poppy's office. He knew she was inside meeting with the Weasley clan. The Potions Master pulled a utilitarian wooden chair closer to the bed and sat stiffly, saying, "You remember nothing then?"
Ron shook his head, trying to sit up. He moaned and cringed, both hands clutching at his abdomen.
"Lie back, you foolish child!" berated the teacher, gently placing his hands on Ron's shoulders and pushing him back.
"I am perhaps not the best person to ask about your condition since I was incapacitated at the time," continued Snape. As Ron was about to ask more Severus put up a hand saying, "If you would allow me the courtesy of finishing what I was about to say before you rudely interrupt me?…"
Ron's ears turned red and he quieted, hoping that Snape would continue.
Once Severus was certain the child had been punished by the silence long enough he continued, "As I was saying…" he glanced pointedly at Ron. "I was stunned and did not see what transpired but take it on very good authority that on the night of the celebratory feast, you were stabbed in the abdomen."
With horrific clarity, it all came rushing back to Ron, Malfoy trying to strangle him and then stabbing and twisting the knife in his gut. The young Gryffindor shot up to a sitting position, moaning and seeing stars before his eyes. He felt strong hands grip his shoulders and force him back down. Ron ran one hand over his bruised throat the other snaking to his abdomen in a protective gesture.
"If you try to sit up once more you will regret it!" Severus snapped. "I will not stand here and have you reopen freshly closed wounds." The Potions Master scowled deeply.
Ron fumed. "Malfoy! That utter bastard!"
"Language, Mr. Weasley," admonished Severus. The Potions Master then slowly sat back down, folding his robes about his person imperiously, his dark gaze resting on the young redhead.
"Sorry, sir," Ron said with no trace of remorse. He took slow deep breaths until the pain subsided. "How…how did Malfoy get there?"
Pursing his lips Snape replied very softly, "Apparently he knew of a hidden passageway from the dungeons."
Ron's brow furrowed as he digested the information. "Where did he get the knife?"
Severus' cheeks blotched with his discomfiture. "It was procured from my lab," he said simply.
Ron gasped, wincing and then clutching his abdomen. "You let Malfoy—"
"—I certainly did not, young man!" Snape stood indignantly. "I did not allow the child to have a knife, he took the item without my knowledge." The Potions Master turned to go.
"Wait!" called Ron. As he saw the teacher turn Ron spied the parcel at his bedside. "What's this?"
Ron picked up a comic book from the stack now sitting on his bedside stand and read the title, "The Adventures of Martin Miggs, the Mad Muggle." He gaped at his teacher, then a slow grin spread across his face.
"Apparently it is some type of reading material," Severus drawled, waving a hand in a dismissive fashion. "I'm certain you can follow along simply by looking at the pictures."
"You got me comic books?" Ron's statement came out more like an accusation and Snape colored.
Severus crossed his arms over his chest, staring at the floor. He did not answer.
Ron flipped through the pages of one book, then smiled up at Snape. "Thank you."
Snape seemed at a loss for words. His mouth opened and closed wordlessly a few times before he simply nodded his head. "It's late. I'll leave you to your rest, then."
"Okay," said Ron. "Goodnight, sir"
Severus nodded and swept out of the room without another word.
§§§§§§§§
"Look, Malfoy scum. I want answers," snarled Moody, his good eye boring a hole in the young Slytherin while his magical one spun around. The ex-Auror circled the young Slytherin menacingly. "You were permitted," he spat the word in Draco's ear, causing the younger wizard to jump, "to stay here and this is our payment for such generosity?"
Draco shivered in fear. The younger Malfoy had tried to prevent his father from possessing his body fully but it had all happened so quickly. He had felt his father push him back into his own mind, as Lucius pushed forward and took over, stabbing Weasley. The shock of seeing the redhead's body twitch in agony shocked him enough to regain control, only to find himself staring at the receiving end of Albus Dumbledore's wand. Sparks had sizzled from the tip as Draco quickly jumped off Ron and scrambled away from the Gryffindor's body. Draco had then been taken to this room and now sat, bound to a chair.
The room looked like a mini torture chamber, complete with chains on the wall, an iron maiden in the corner and a rack. Of course, Draco was familiar with all of these torture implements, as his father had them all and many more in the dungeons of Malfoy Manor. The seat to which Draco had been bound was a heavy wooden one with thick leather bands circling the arms, legs and chest.
"Leave me alone with him for a few minutes, Albus," said Moody in a stage whisper.
"Certainly not, Alastor. He is still a child," Albus replied, pursing his lips.
"He's almost of age. The Ministry is looking at changing some of the laws to permit the prosecution of minors." Moody smirked over his shoulder at Draco. "Perhaps I could persuade them to charge him as an adult."
Albus rubbed his temples. "We're getting nowhere here, Alastor. We're all tired. Do go home for the night. I'll stay until Kingsley arrives," the leader of the Order softly commanded.
Moody straightened and glared once more at Draco before leaving the room, muttering about how some people were too soft for their own good.
Dumbledore waited until the door was shut before approaching Draco. "Perhaps Mr. Moody is right, Draco? You are a danger. Perhaps we should send you to the Ministry?"
Draco's head snapped up. "Please, sir, don't send me to the Ministry, please! I…I've heard about what they do to people there." Draco's pale eyes were wide with fear.
Albus was about to refute the young wizard's unspoken allegations but knew that they had some basis in fact. Besides, if it would mean that the child would be more forthcoming here…
"Draco, why did you do this?" the headmaster asked, his blue eyes boring into the young metamorphmagus.
Draco felt his blood rushing in his ears, sweat trickling down his back. He felt his heart rate increase as a wave of panic washed over him. "Can't…breathe," he gasped out.
Frustrated, Albus conjured a bag and held it over the restrained Slytherin's face, as he heard a knock at the door. "Come in," Albus said dispiritedly.
Severus stepped inside, shutting the door softly behind him.
Draco was relieved when he saw the Head of Slytherin enter the room. Professor Snape had always protected and cared for him. Of course, that was before he had threatened to kill him for the Dark Lord. Draco looked into his teacher's eyes and flinched at the scorn and anger that he saw there. Tears trailed down the young Slytherin's pale cheeks and he hung his head in shame.
"Can you give us a moment alone, headmaster?" asked Severus in a deceptively soft voice.
"I don't think that's a good idea, Severus. Go and get some rest, child."
"I need to speak with him, sir," said Severus meeting Albus' eyes. Black eyes pleaded with pale blue.
"I will allow you five minutes." The headmaster then stood exited the room.
Draco looked up into his teacher's face, his lip trembling as he sniffled.
Snape produced a handkerchief and held it to Draco's nose, telling him to blow. Severus then pointed his wand at the handkerchief and it disappeared. He looked at his hand, wishing he could wash it. It was then that he noticed that there was now a sink in the corner of the room. The Slytherin Head of House strode to the sink and washed his hands, drying them on the soft green and silver flannel, which lay beside.
"Draco, why?" Severus asked, taking the chair previously vacated by Dumbledore.
"I can't explain it, sir," replied Draco, tears glistening on his eyelashes.
"That's not good enough, child. How is it that you've been relaying messages from the Dark Lord?" Severus was not in the mood to beat around the bush.
Draco swallowed hard and stared at the floor, shaking his head. "I don't know, sir."
Severus' black eyes flashed. Leaning close he put his wand to Draco's temple. "You will be more forthcoming, Mr. Malfoy or you will regret it," he snarled in Draco's ear.
"Please, sir! I cannot!"
"Why not?"
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Draco's head thrashed from side to side, tears pouring down his face.
"I don't want your meaningless apologies, child! I want the truth!" Severus stood up straight. "This is your last chance to cooperate of your own volition, Draco. Tell me what's going on."
"I…I…No! I can't!" Draco said more but with his sobbing it was incoherent.
Severus poked his wand into Draco's chest. "I warned you, child. I will know what you know, one way or another," Severus drawled. He reached his hand into his robe pocket. "Shall we start with…Veritaserum?"
Draco's sobbing became louder, if that were even possible. He clenched his jaw tightly.
"Open!" Severus spat. When he was certain that the blond would not comply willingly, Snape flicked his wand and Draco's neck arched back. Severus dug a knuckle painfully into the joint of Draco's jaw until the teen opened his mouth. The Potions Master quickly instilled the needed drops then drew back, waiting.
The door to the room creaked open and Dumbledore entered with Kingsley Shacklebolt. They warily approached, noting the child's now slumped posture and glassy eyes.
Severus did not turn but continued to watch the boy, his arms crossed over his chest. "I gave him ample opportunity, sir," he said sadly.
"I'm sure you did, my boy," agreed Dumbledore. "Are we ready then?"
Kingsley withdrew a notebook from his pocket and a self-inking quill. "Ready," he answered.
§§§§§§§§§
An ear-piercing howl rent the fabric of the night. The door to Hagrid's hut slammed open, the hulking form of the half-giant filling the doorway. At the sound of a second howl Hagrid took off in the direction of the sound.
§§§§§§§§§
The trio of Albus, Severus and Kingsley had questioned Draco thoroughly and were so far satisfied with the results. They now knew how he came by his information and that his father had been invading his mind.
"Would you have killed Severus Snape?" asked Albus.
Draco titled his head to the side as if weighing the answer carefully. He then answered, the words tumbling out in a droning monotone. "No, but Father would've taken over and killed him."
Out of the corner of his eye Dumbledore saw Severus' back become rigid. "Has he possessed you since then?" Dumbledore asked.
"No. I have not heard him." The teen felt compelled to add, "He's planning something."
Kingsley's eyebrows rose. "What's he planning?"
"I don't know. There must be some reason why I haven't heard him," Draco slurred, his eyelids drooping.
"Indeed," drawled Severus.
§§§§§§§§§
Hagrid grunted as he was kicked in the lower back, again. "Stop squirmin' Malfoy!" the half-giant growled, slapping the wizard he had slung over his shoulder hard on his backside.
Lucius Malfoy had entered Hogwarts' grounds through the Forbidden Forest, prostrating himself at Hagrid's feet and begging to see the headmaster. He claimed he wished to spy for the Light to save his son. Hagrid had taken Malfoy's wand and bound him with heavy chains before slinging the human bundle over his shoulder.
Lucius yelped. "I hardly think this is necessary, Hagrid. I gave you my wand!" Lucius had the breath knocked from him in an 'oof' as Hagrid stumbled over a tree stump, causing the Death Eater's bound body to come down hard on Hagrid's shoulder.
"There was no need to bind me!" wheezed Lucius in an offensive tone, high color staining his pale face. "I am defenseless without my wand."
Hagrid laughed deeply, his whole body shaking. The much smaller wizard's body thumped against Hagrid's body repeatedly. "Tha's rich, it is. Lucius Malfoy… defenseless!" Another laughing fit overcame the creature keeper.
Malfoy bit back the nasty retort that came to his mind. The heavy metal chains had drawn his body down and Hagrid shifted, throwing Malfoy into the air and then catching him higher up on the half-giant's shoulder. Malfoy struggled again to regain his breath.
When Lucius had enough air to speak, he did. "Hagrid, if you would simply remove these chains, I could walk beside you."
Hagrid simply grunted in reply.
Malfoy began to squirm in earnest, trying to kick his legs and feet as he saw the castle looming closer. He felt a hard swat to his backside and tried unsuccessfully to stifle a yell.
"Stop squirmin' Malfoy, or I'll have to thrash you!" At once, the body stilled and Hagrid grinned to himself. Having the high and mighty Lucius Malfoy at his mercy was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The odd pair reached the steps of the castle and Hagrid took them three at a time, Malfoy's body bobbing helplessly and forcing the air from the blond's lungs.
They entered through the doors and Malfoy found enough breath to squeak out, "My shoe fell off!"
"What?" was Hagrid's reply as he spun around to look behind him. "I don' see nothin'"
Malfoy, looking rather queasy, replied, "It fell off in front of the steps, Hagrid."
Hagrid shrugged as best he could with the bundle on one side. "I'll get it later."
"No!" Malfoy began to struggle again. "I cannot see the headmaster with one shoe!"
Hagrid shook his head. "He don' care abou' tha'!"
"Please! It simply isn't done!"
Hagrid swung around again. "Alrigh'"
"Wait! Put me down! I'm going to be ill!"
Hagrid swung Malfoy into his arms and could see by his clammy skin and green-tinged complexion that he wasn't lying. The creature keeper dropped Malfoy onto the stone floor with a clank and pointed to the floor. "Stay."
The minute the hulking from of the half-giant was out of sight Lucius screamed "Dobby!"
Dobby popped into the room, his tennis ball-sized eyes growing huge as he saw who had summoned him. His former master lay in a crumpled heap on the stone floor, his white-blond hair an untidy, tangled mess. The small elf then crossed his arms over his chest defiantly and said, "You is no longer Dobby's master."
Lucius smirked. "Well see about that. Dominatus!" he spat, his gray eyes glowing green.
The Malfoy's were a very old and very dark family. The only thing that they had in more abundance than wealth was paranoia. Lucius' father, Scorpius, had finally been the one to perfect the blood magic curse, which sealed their house-elves to them, wherever they were currently housed. The code word, Dominatus, would allow any blood Malfoy to control one of their spelled house-elves completely and wandlessly for the period of one hour. By perfecting this curse, Scorpius had been able to gift powerful pureblood families with house-elves and yet could spy on each household discreetly. Wizards did not suspect the allegiances of house-elves; they were beyond reproach.
The clearly distraught house-elf stumbled backwards with a whimper, trying hard to resist the curse but to no avail. In the depths of his huge eyes a flicker of green took hold and the house-elf resisted no more.
§§§§§§§§§
"Severus, I know you must be tired. Go on to bed. This is my shift. I can handle things here until I'm relieved," said Kingsley as he watched Snape stifle a yawn.
Severus nodded drowsily. "Do you need a break before I go? You've been drinking a great deal of coffee."
Kingsley laughed. "I suppose you're right. I just wish there was a loo closer." Suddenly a door shimmered to one side of the room and creaked open, revealing a toilet. Kingsley grinned. "I really do need to get one of these rooms for the office," he joked as he stepped inside.
Draco waited until he heard the door click shut. "Are you angry with me, sir?"
Snape didn't answer, his cold penetrating gaze his only response.
"It was my father, sir, not me."
"You could've prevented it. As you said yourself, you were able to push him back after he stabbed the Weasley boy."
"I'm sorry. I was caught off guard when the weasel attacked me," Draco said defensively.
Severus' anger flared. "You've no right to call him names, Draco! Because of you, that child is lying in a bed in the hospital ward," he stabbed a finger toward the hospital wing, "with a stab wound to the gut!"
Draco hung his head. "I'm sorry, sir."
"Are you? Actions speak much louder than words, Draco." Severus crossed his arms over his chest.
Dobby popped into the room, looking around dazedly.
Severus smirked at the house-elf. "Dobby, your services are not required," Snape said tiredly.
Dobby seemed not to hear the professor. His eyes speared Draco, who shuddered as he saw the faint green shimmer in their depths.
Draco stared at the house-elf in growing horror. "Dobby?"
"Yes, Master?" the elf replied evenly.
Draco knew at once that there would be trouble beyond his wildest dreams
§§§§§§§§§
Filch was making his early morning rounds, Mrs. Norris winding about his legs. As he reached the stairs leading outside he saw Hagrid's large form sprawled facedown at the bottom of the steps.
"Hagrid!" yelled Filch, rushing to the half-giant's side.
"Uhhh," replied Hagrid, with a low moan.
§§§§§§§§§
Lucius Malfoy was livid. His cheeks were flushed from the exertion of trying to break the wards put upon the door where Dobby had said he was going. He knew his son was inside. Lucius tried again and again to gain entrance.
The Death Eater had spent far too long here and was in fear of discovery. When he had almost decided to retreat the wards suddenly dropped. Lucius warily turned the doorknob and stepped inside.
Severus Snape stood with his back to the door, sliding a notebook into his robes. Taking a deep breath, he turned to face Lucius Malfoy.
"Snape? Where is my son?" Lucius spat.
"Your fight is with me, Lucius. Leave the child out of it." Severus drew his wand and took his dueling stance.
"You could never win a duel with me, Snape," Lucius said, laughing. "Tell me where my son is and perhaps I'll allow you a quick death."
"I have nothing more to say to you, Lucius."
"It's your funeral," Lucius drawled, gracefully taking his dueling stance as well.
Severus struck first, his curse slicing a deep gash across Lucius' face.
"You can do better than that, Snape. Hell, my son could do better than that."
"Costoclasis!" yelled Snape and Lucius was thrown against the wall with the rib-breaking curse.
"Better," said Lucius, slowly standing without too much difficulty. He took his dueling stance again. "Tell me where my son is, Snape."
"I will tell you nothing," was Severus' reply.
"Fine, but I will find him, do not doubt that." Lucius said confidently. He then went on the offensive.
§§§§§§§§§
Hagrid sat, holding a garbage bag full of ice against his head as the headmaster quickly strode over to the half-giant.
"What happened?" he demanded.
"Lucius Malfoy, sir. He came here, saying he wanted to change sides…" Hagrid did not continue as he found he was watching the headmaster's quickly retreating back.
§§§§§§§§§
Severus clutched his arm to his chest. It was now rendered useless by Malfoy's bone-breaking curse. His wand lay at Malfoy's feet.
"I would've killed you quickly, Snape," said Malfoy, shaking his head. "You've really lost your edge. You fight like a teenager." He brought his heel hard onto Snape's wand snapping it in two. "Last chance, Snape. Where is my son?" Lucius pointed his wand between the Potions Master's eyes.
"Your son is dead," Snape snarled.
Lucius' cheeks flushed with anger. "And so are you! Avada Kedavra!" The green light flashed into Snape's body causing it to twitch violently before it suddenly stilled.
Malfoy gritted his teeth in anger. He had let Snape goad him into a fast death. He drew back his foot to kick Snape when he saw that the body was changing. In mute horror he watched as the hair became lighter, the body smaller. Snape's appearance began to change, the long beaky nose becoming small and pointy, the characteristics of the Malfoy lineage becoming apparent.
Lucius' wand tumbled from his grasp clacking on the stone floor as he dropped to his knees beside the body of his son. "Why? Why?" he wailed, grabbing his son's robes tightly and shaking him as tears obscured his vision.
A small vial slid out of the metamorphmagus' pocket as well as a notebook. Lucius snatched up the crystal vial, the one that he had given Snape for safekeeping…the lethal poison, Styx.
Lucius rocked back on his heels, pulling his son's limp body across his lap and clutching him to his chest whimpering loudly and rocking his son's body.
Lucius was dead any way you looked at it. There was no way out; he had failed yet again. Lucius' gray eyes were drawn to the doorknob, which was beginning to turn. Quickly making his choice Lucius took action, uncorking the bottle.
Dumbledore opened the door, wand at the ready. He saw Lucius Malfoy leaning back against one wall, Draco's body slumped across his lap. The eyes of the two had the vacant expression of death. Dumbledore quickly assessed the two and sighed deeply and sorrowfully.
Dobby popped into the room and began to dance around in circles, shouting, "Dobby is free! Dobby is free!"
"Severus? Kingsley?" Albus called out, ignoring the raving house-elf.
Dobby stopped dancing long enough to raise his hands toward the wall. A door shimmered into view and opened, revealing two wizards lying on the floor.
Dumbledore bounded into the small room. He lightly touched Severus' throat and laughed for joy when he found a strong pulse.
Severus stirred, moaning softly as he felt himself begin to descend into the depths of another drop attack. He clutched Albus' robes tightly and felt Albus pull him onto his lap as he fought to ride it out.
Kingsley sat up, rubbing a spot on the back of his head. "Dobby stunned me!" he said, partly indignant and partly embarrassed.
Dobby halted his triumphant dance and stood, his cheeks flushing crimson. "Dobby is sorry. Dobby could not deny the blood curse."
Dumbledore stroked Severus' black hair softly, trying to comfort the wizard in his misery. Severus would take Draco's death very badly. Dumbledore's eyes strayed to the room beyond the small bathroom, sadness weighing heavily on his aged body.
Summoning the last reserves of his strength, Albus turned to Kingsley. "Call the Aurors."
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Author's notes: I hope you're not too stunned that Draco died. I love his character a lot and it was hard to do but I felt compelled to do it just the same. There's just one chapter left and it will be somewhat sad but hopeful as well! Thanks for the comments and I hope this chapter wasn't too long!