Chapter 3: Mysterious Developments

A/N: Neither Syrus nor SteffieSnape own anything from the Potterverse, nothing, only their imaginations and their OC's. They just wanted to make that clear if you didn't know.

They would like to point out that Violet Black and Draco Malfoy are not related in any way, shape or form. They would also like to mention that they have followed the story line from each of their stories, but since the release of HBP some things have become AU. They wanted to point that out as not to confuse their readers.

As always, this story is a collaboration of Syrus' fanfic and SteffieSnape's fanfic. Certain plot lines have been tweaked in order to create this story, but all in all, it is both stories combined to create one monster story. They hope you enjoy reading it as much as they enjoy writing it. Read well!


They sat down for their usual dinner in his private chambers. The usual candles were lit and glowing with a subtle golden-hue. The usual scent of sandalwood and cinnamon floated through the air, creating that familiar buzz in her head she had come to love. The mood was as it always was, except she was slightly more absorbed.

"Severus, I was wondering something."

"When do you not," he smirked faintly.

She gave him a pitiful look and continued. "When the baby is born, what's going to happen? I mean we haven't really talked about it."

He finished his glass of wine and poured another, and then he looked at her for a minute. Slowly he began, "When the child is born you will become a mother, and I a father." He looked as though this were completely obvious.

"I know that. I meant-"

Yes, I know what you meant." He gave a semi-smile. "I was indicating that our child would be our priority, our joy. We will no longer be just student and teacher, but parents." He thought for a moment. "This child is the symbol of what we share, what we give to each other, which no one can abstract."

She looked at him with her sparkling eyes and watched him watching her. Then she sighed and tried to speak.

"Why do you worry so? Are you not happy with this gift you have been blessed with?" He looked at her more closely.

"No, I am more than happy, you know that. Never have I wanted something so much. I only fear what others will say when they discover our little gift. It can't be hidden forever, Severus."

"It is possible to hide it. It's more than easy. Yet I see the disappointment on your face. Tell me, why is that?"

"Well, I know it needs to be kept secret, for many reasons obviously. If it slipped to the Ministry you could lose your job, students would despise you, and me. Though I feel, for the most part… cheated."

Snape inclined his head as if it all made perfect sense now. "You do not think it fair you will have to keep your most cherished possession hidden from the world, to keep it in the shadows until time allows the truth to be told."

She looked down at her plate and rolled a potato over with her fork. "Hmm… I have more than one forbidden secret you know."

"You also know the consequences," he said sternly, but he couldn't help the fire that burned in his stomach suddenly.

"Yes, I know. I know them all to well." She sighed again and continued rolling the potato with her fork. It always surprised her how quickly he could appear at her side, as if he moved faster than the eye could see. He took her hand and helped her to her feet. He started leading her away when she said, "where are we going?"

He merely tucked her arm in his and replied, "a walk." She almost rolled her eyes.

They walked to the small stone moors in the garden, just outside the castle grounds. It was a place they new well. She moved to the stone wall and rested her elbows on it, as he snaked his arms around her and held her close. Together they listened to the silence while the moonlight bathed the ground in azure blankets.

"Our first visit here…" he started quietly next to her ear.

"I remember it well," she finished as she smiled and closed her eyes, taking herself back to that memory.

"You surprised me more than ever that night."

"I know. I could see it in your eyes." She continued to relive the memory as if it were happening all over again.

"Then you know it was at that moment you were entirely mine, and I gave myself to you in whole for the first time."

"Yes, Severus. I knew it then too. I knew you loved me before that, and I was content, but I knew then the same thing you did: we were predestined to each other. It was more than just the lust we shared at times; it went beyond that from that moment on. I never thought I could love you more than I did, but I find that everyday I prove myself wrong."

She heard him breathe deeply before he kissed her on his favorite spot, the area between her neck and her shoulder. It caused goose bumps to rise all over her body. It never failed. Each time she fell more into his spell, and she treasured it.

He pulled his mouth away from her skin, but kept it close enough so she could feel his breath. "You are my fortitude, Seda." His mouth moved to her ear. "You are everything I am not and more. My love…" his hands ran over her stomach where their child rested safely inside her. "I long for the day we will meet our child." His voice was velvet.

She could do nothing but smile breathlessly, the way he so often made her feel. As she was soaking in the wonderful feeling he gave her, he grabbed her hand and turned her to face him. He looked at her suggestively and she understood at once.

"Severus, it's been awhile. Do you still remember it?" She looked at him in awe.

"I can hardly forget my first dance with you." He smirked. "In honor of the memory?" he asked, already bowing to her.

"In honor of the memories to come," she added and allowed him to take her hand and pull her gently into stance. Within a heartbeat they were lost in a slow yet sensual dance, stepping and swaying, turning and twirling, all to the tune of the silence as the moonlight kissed them softly.

They woke the next morning, greeted by the small ray of sun creeping into the bedroom like a prowling hunter. She groaned at the sight of light, not wanting it to be morning yet so she tossed her arms over her face. He kissed her head and watched her like he always did as she started to wake. He couldn't deny that it amused him greatly. She was, if it was possible, grouchier than he was after a student melted a cauldron. She was by no means a morning person and for some reason it started off his day with an excellent jump-start.

"Come, my love, today is the start to another year of stress and whining students."

"Hey," she said hoarsely from under her arms, "I'm a student. Well… sort of."

"Ah yes, so you are," he said sarcastically. She whacked him with a pillow, which set off a series of passionate morning kisses, and soon enough she was no longer a grouch.


The afternoon sun was now shining brightly through a tall window, pouring down upon a small girl no more than three. She had her faced pressed up against the cool glass so it appeared squashed and her nose flat like a pancake. Her soft auburn curls were tucked behind her ears, and her little fingers tapped impatiently on the window. She was waiting for something, or someone, and it seemed time couldn't pass quick enough.

She gave a soft sigh and continued pressing her face further into the window, as if she would be able to see more if she did. This continued for several more minutes until her eyes grew wide and she shrieked with delight. She started hopping up and down like a little frog, clapping her hands and letting her excitement consume her.

"Uncle Harry! Uncle Harry!" she exclaimed joyously. "Mummy! It's uncle Harry!" She jumped up and down repeatedly until she said, "Ooooo… he got something too," and she pressed her face to the window again, very curious about this package he was holding.

"Madison, come sit down and finish your lunch, darling."

"But mummy," she pointed her little index finger into the glass and squinted.

"Madison," Hermione spoke a little more stern. "Finish your lunch so you can play with Uncle Harry when he comes in. You can't play until you are done."

Madison went running full speed back into the kitchen and scrambled onto her chair as if the floor was on fire. She started picking at the pieces of her cut up sausage and stuffed them into her mouth. Ron started laughing, but Hermione looked worried.

"Madison! You'll choke!" Hermione said and immediately made the girl spit out her many pieces of sausage. "We don't eat like animals at the table. Small bites, Madi."

Hermione glared at her husband and he stopped laughing at once. Madison finally had the last bits of her lunch in her mouth when the doorbell rang. She jumped off her chair and ran to the door. She tried opening it, but even on her tiptoes she could barely reach the handle. Hermione finally opened the door and allowed Harry into their home.

"Uncle Harry!" she squeaked, her mouth wide in excitement.

"Half-pint!" Harry said just as excited. He barely had time to prepare himself before she jumped into his arms. She blew him a raspberry on his cheek and then she giggled.

He put her down and then she started circling him, searching for the package she knew he had. She made about three circles and a complete search of his robes before she looked up at him confused. He bent down and flicked his wand, and then a brown paper package appeared in his hands, slightly bigger than her torso.

"Looking for this?" he grinned.

"Ooooo… for me?" she said as her eyes lit up.

"Happy late birthday. You know I'm very sorry I couldn't be at your party, Madison."

"Ok," she said, not really caring about what he was saying. He gave her the package and she ripped it open as if it would vanish again. She tossed the paper aside and lifted the top off of a white box. She tossed the tissue paper aside too and said, "Oooh," in complete awe as she picked up a doll. "A dolly, mummy!"

The doll looked like the usual muggle doll that smelled of sweet plastic and fresh packaging, yet it was hardly as dull. The doll had pale skin and dark brown hair that fell in ringlets to its back. It was also nearly half the height of Madison, so it was fairly large. Its facial features were very realistic, as if it were an actual child; even the fingers were delicately molded.

All seemed normal until the doll opened its mouth and said, "Hello!" Madison jumped slightly but then she laughed. "Hi," she said back to it. Before anyone could blink, Madison pranced off to her room and played with her new gift.

"Well done, Harry, a gift that talks. As if our little chatterbox isn't enough," Ron said sarcastically. He clapped Harry on the shoulder and laughed.

"Thanks Harry, that was so nice of you." Hermione smiled at him, after giving Ron her usual eye roll. "So, I suppose you still aren't going to tell us where you were," Hermione said in a sigh.

Harry raised an eyebrow at her momentarily. "You are just going to keep pestering me about that, aren't you?" There was silence. "Well, actually, I've come to inform you about what I was doing, because I think you need to know."

Ron and Hermione looked at each other, then back at Harry. "Well, good, because we have got some news for you too," Hermione spoke satisfied.

They all took seats in the sitting room and Harry sat silently for a moment, thinking very deeply about something.

"Harry?" Ron said. He seemed to stir away from his thoughts finally.

"Oh, right." He took a breath. "I'm just going to say it flat out, as it will be the easiest way to start." He paused for a moment, rearing up the tension in the room. "Lucius Malfoy escaped."

Ron made a somewhat disgusted face, making his features scrunch. Hermione looked free of emotion as if she had been expecting it.

"How in the… but how? When?" Ron asked.

"I knew it might happen sooner or later," Hermione said calmly.

"So did I, I just didn't think it would be this soon." Harry added. He took another breath and pinched his nose, closing his eyes in concentration. "That's why they sent me away. They sent me to look for him, discover his whereabouts and what he was doing."

"Why would they send only one person, and why wasn't anyone else informed that some crazy former Death Eater is on the loose? Its like Sirius all over again, except this time it really is a raving lunatic," said Ron outraged. It was obvious he was a bit jealous for not being sent on the mission too, being an Auror and all.

"They didn't want it to get out like it did with Sirius, it will only cause a panic. Obviously if they sent out a herd of Aurors it would look very suspicious, Ron. Not even all the Ministry has been informed yet."

"So they are just going to let him run around and start killing people?" Ron said angrily again.

"I don't believe he's out for mass murdering, Ron. If you'll remember correctly, he wasn't exactly loyal to Voldemort at the time of his defeat. I highly doubt he'll be attracting a lot of attention to himself, for a number of reasons," Harry tried to say calmly.

"Did you find anything?" asked Hermione.

"No," he said flatly, sinking back into the sofa. "I searched for two weeks, going to the most likely hideouts, but I didn't find anything suspicious." He rubbed his face for a minute, as if he were warding off sleep. "I did find one thing interesting though. It seems as though he didn't escape on his own. The circumstances were just too odd."

"How so?" Ron asked, calming down a bit himself.

"Well, there have only been two kind of escapes. The first was Sirius. The only reason he escaped was because he transformed into a dog and-"

"Well Lucius is probably an Animagus too, he's powerful enough," Ron interrupted.

"Maybe, but as I was saying, the only reason Sirius got out is because he had enough strength left. He knew he was innocent. You remember him telling us. Lucius is not innocent, and he knows it. There's no way he could sit in Azkaban for more than a year and not be weak. I'm surprised he didn't die," he said bitterly.

Hermione made a sort of sharp breathing noise, but remained quiet.

"The only other way people escaped was because the Dementors were in Voldemort's service, so it was easier to escape then. Now that the prison is guarded by Goblins, I can't see how anyone could get out on their own. Someone helped him escape. I know it. It reminds me of Barty Crouch and his son, but there was no replacement Lucius in the cell. It was just empty."

"You don't think it's Draco, do you? I still don't fully trust that little prat," Ron said.

"No, I honestly don't think it was Draco. I don't think he's clever enough to get his father out of Azkaban, even if he wanted to. For all I know, he wants his father to rot."

No one said anything for a minute. They sat in silence, all thinking deeply.

"The strangest part is no one was informed until a few days after they discovered he was gone. That I don't understand."

"A few days?" Ron said dramatically. "Has everyone gone mental or something? What's wrong with these people? A highly guarded Death Eater escapes and no says anything to the Ministry? Bloody hell." Ron's fists were balled up tightly.

"Maybe they have gone mental, I don't know. They didn't even seem too worried that he'd gotten out either. I was a bit surprised they only wanted to send me and no one else, but I just agreed as not to start an argument. I still don't agree with everything they're doing, but at least it's not like it used to be." Harry shook his head.

"Do they have any idea what he might be doing?" Hermione asked, curiosity becoming more noticeable on her face.

"No. No one can really think of a reason he'd want to get out actually. I mean he hasn't got anything left to live for. As nasty as he is, I doubt he'd find motivation to go on."

"Revenge? Revenge for his old master," Ron hissed.

"No, I don't think he wants vengeance for his former master's death. His so-called master murdered his wife, used his son who eventually turned against him, and left him to rot in prison. I don't think Lucius wants any revenge on Voldemort's behalf. His wife, maybe, but I really have no idea right now."

"So do they plan on telling anyone about his escape? Hermione asked.

"Not any time soon. It's bound to get out eventually, but they have no plans as far as I can see. I don't know what they are playing at, but something is wrong. I don't particularly want to announce to the public that Lucius has escaped, because I think if the public is aware of it and Lucius knows that, it will be easier for him to hide."

"Easier?" Ron looked confused.

"Yes, if they act as though it's some huge problem the public will stir more attention than needed. If know one is really aware of what's going on, Lucius can go almost unnoticed in broad daylight if he wanted to." Hermione spoke that time.

"But… that doesn't make any sense," Ron said, his face screwing up in frustration.

"Ron, if Lucius knows that everyone is looking for him he'll avoid civilization completely. If only a few people know he's out there, they can look for him with Lucius being none the wiser. He'll think no one knows he's out and no one will pay attention to any oddities that may happen." Hermione said in her annoyed tone.

"Right, and obviously we want Lucius to fall prey into his own game."

"Fine, but he knows that some people will know he's out there." Ron looked back at Harry.

"Yeah, some, but he thinks he's clever enough to fool them. Maybe he is, he escaped, but he wasn't alone in his endeavors." Harry pinched his nose again and breathed.

"Well, then it might be of interest to you to know that we had a visitor during Madison's birthday party," Hermione added.

Harry's eyes opened wide, question pouring out of them. "What?"

"Yes, Percy." Ron's eyes narrowed in anger.

"Percy? But he hasn't-"

"I know, and the manner of his visit was even more odd. He suddenly apologized for everything, trying to bribe us with gifts."

"Yeah, and mum was the only one quick to accept him… again."

Harry's eyebrows suddenly shot up at this. He knew things were beginning to get very odd once more. Strange occurrences were happening all over again, and just like before, nothing seemed to make sense.

"Well that is really odd. Why would he come back so suddenly, and try to bribe you none the less." Harry scratched his head.

"I used to wonder if he was under the Imperius sometimes, but he seemed completely unrestricted. He was just acting strangely I suppose." Hermione looked out the window and thought again.

"Yeah… well next time I'm sent on a mission I'm requesting company. I think you and I will be better off if we are working together, Ron. I don't care what the Ministry says, I'll just hex them until they give in."

"Er, right." Ron smiled sheepishly.

Harry spent most of the day at Ron and Hermione's, and they mainly discussed what Lucius could be doing, and why Percy came back again so suddenly. They would try to talk about other things, but the flow of conversation always went back to the source of trouble, as usual. Over dinner, however, the mood shifted slightly.

"Oh, you aren't going to believe whom I saw at the Ministry today," Harry said as he cut up his steak.

"Who?" Ron and Hermione both asked.

"Violet. She was talking to the head of the Auror Department. I couldn't believe it was her at first."

"Violet?" Ron asked oddly. "What's she doing here?"

Hermione suddenly coughed into her cup by accident, making the two men look at her curiously. She tried to act as if nothing happened.

"You knew she was here, didn't you?" Ron said disbelievingly.

"Do you know why she's back all of a sudden?" Harry asked her.

"Well, she has a job here now." Hermione tried to avoid eye contact. She hadn't told them about meeting Violet in Diagon Alley that day.

"A job? Well that's good. Doing what?" Harry tried to sound friendly about it. After all, he hadn't seen Violet in a few years.

"Er, it's really not my place to say," Hermione tried to admit.

"Oh, come on. Stop stalling. Why can't you tell us? Stop trying to cover for her." Ron prodded her in the arm with the safe side of his fork.

"Fine, Ron, I'll tell you." She layed down her utensils and turned her head to look at him. "She's got a job here as an Auror. There. Are you happy now?" She sat up straighter and stared him in the face.

"What?" Harry looked confused.

"What!" Ron looked even more confused.

"Shush before you wake Madison," she looked at Ron furiously. "Well I didn't want to tell you because I knew you'd act that way. And if you ask me, Ron, you're being a bit immature about it. I know things didn't work out well before, I know it's weird, but you have to get over it." Hermione inclined her head and breathed.

"She's an Auror? Here? I thought she went back to America for that?" Harry asked, flat out confused.

"She transferred here so she can be with Draco, and she's living with him now too. Before you two blow your tops off, just try to remember the situation she and Draco were both in before. None of us were exactly helpful, so you owe it to her to be civil." Then she looked at Ron and poked him back. "And you, Ron, try not to just gawk at her wordlessly when you see her again. You'll just make her feel bad."

Ron shook his head. "Auror? Draco? Gawk?" His mind was all fuzzy now. "Oh this is just fine. First Percy, then Lucius, and now Violet?"

"Oh, Ron, shut up. You're making this a bigger deal than it is. And frankly you aren't exactly making your wife feel any better." Her voice rose slightly and Ron finally came back to his senses.

"Sorry, I was just… I only…" Ron mumbled.

"Yeah? Well you better be sorry, and you better kiss me before I curse your brains out of your ears, and maybe that will teach you to think before you open your mouth."

"Yes dear," he kissed her and blushed faintly. She tried to argue some more but he took her mouth in his before she could speak another word. They finally smiled at each other. Harry just rolled his eyes and looked away like he always did, acting as if he didn't notice anything. He grinned to himself. They'll never change… he thought.