Disclaimer: All characters in this story (except for Ravenna...Snape) belong to JKR, not me. This is my take on how our beloved Severus Snape came to be the way he is. Pre HBP but with elements from same. This is my version of year 6.

Severus Snape and the Reluctant Hero

Chapter Two

Death Eaters in New York

Ravenna woke with a start, the alarm clock was blaring incessantly. She rolling on her side to turn it off and gasped in pain. Grasping her injured ribs she reached over to turn off the clock. After taking several shallow breaths and allowed the sharp pain to pass she slowly rose from the bed. Remembering she would be alone in the house today she made her way to the kitchen and began to gather up the necessary ingredients to brew a potion to help dull the pain. She now wished Severus was here, knowing he would be able to whip up something with the greatest of ease. The thought of her husband brought a smile to her bruised face.

Having completed the potion and cleaning up the kitchen, she returned to her bedroom to shower. By the time she was finished showering the pain in her ribs had diminished to a dull throb which she found easier to ignore. Knowing she needed to take full advantage of the precious little time Bloodworth had given her to recuperate, she climbed back into her bed, reliving in her mind the time she had spent with Severus the night before, and what she had discovered in his mind. With a smile on her face she fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning she vaguely remembered hearing the Bloodworth family return home and was grateful they had not disturbed her. Rising as was usual for her, at 5 a.m. she quickly showered, dressed and went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for the family. She was a bit surprised to find Madam Bloodworth in the kitchen waiting for her. Before Ravenna could speak, Gwendolyn gestured for her to take a seat opposite her at the table.

"Tish, my husband informs me that that horrid man has abused and defiled you. I just wanted to ask you, woman to woman, if there is anything I can do for you." Ravenna was rendered speechless. This awful woman was actually showing her sympathy, but obviously did not know that it was in fact Luther who had actually inflected her wounds.

"No ma'am, but your concern is much appreciated." Ravenna responded quietly with her eyes lowered in what she hoped would pass as shame.

With no further conversation, Madam Bloodworth rose from her chair and walked to stand behind 'Tish'. She rested her hand gently on her shoulder for a moment then left the room. Ravenna sat there for a moment staring at the empty chair before going about preparing breakfast.

Ravenna and just finished clearing the table when Luther came into the kitchen. "Tish." He said in his firm, cold manor.

"Sir." She responded timidly, as if she were afraid of him.

"I just wanted to apologize for my… temper. I assure you it will not happen again." He said evenly.

"Yes, sir." Was her quiet response. She wondered what would cause him to apologize, and then realized why as he placed his hands gently on her shoulders and slowly trailed them down her arms. He was going to try yet again to seduce her. She inhaled sharply through her teeth as he abruptly spun her to face him and lowered his lips towards her. She took a step back from him, bumping into the counter behind her. His only response was to glare at her menacingly for a moment, then spun on his heals and stormed out of the room. She shook her head and went about cleaning up.

Between the constant pain and pressure on her ribs and dodging Luther's attempts to seduce her, Ravenna was finding herself more exhausted each day. On several occasions she considered keeping her wand, which had been securely hidden in her dresser, on her person. The only reason she did not is she feared what Luther's reaction would be should he find it.

As the days leading up to the gathering passed, Ravenna found the Bloodworth house more and more tense. It was apparent that Luther Bloodworth had no desire to return to the Dark Lord's service, nor did he wish to sacrifice his fortune to his 'noble work'. But what choice did he have, he had taken the Mark, and had gained much of his wealth while in Voldemort's service. Should he refuse now, he would find himself dead, or worse….

On the eve of the meeting, Luther had decided to send his family away. He did not want them anywhere near the Death Eaters, fearing the Dark Lord would demand them as well as his money. Ravenna packed in preparation of her departure to where she did not know, though she was not concerned about this, she knew once away from Luther she would be able to contact Albus to let him know where she was. She was startled from her thoughts as her bedroom door flew open.

"Tish, you will remain here. Gwendolyn can handle the children this weekend." The look on his face caused her to close her mouth and not respond questioning why. He abruptly spun on his heals and left the room.

Her head was spinning, she did not expect to come face to face with Voldemort yet. She was not prepared for this. She collapsed bonelessly to the bed. Hopefully whatever plan Severus and Albus were cooking up to protect her from Voldemort's notice would work here as well as in England where they had intended. She had to find a way to let Severus know she was now told to stay, that she would be in this house when he, Voldemort and the rest of the Death Eaters arrived. She knew the fireplace in Luther's office was still in the floo network. 'Can I find a way to get in there unnoticed to use it?' She thought to her self wearily.

As the hours ticked slowly by, she finally found her opportunity. Luther had informed her he was going to escort his wife and children to the site of the portkey that would take them away. As soon as the front door closed, she ran as fast as her sore body would allow to the office. She would only have a few moments to do this. Grabbing a large handful of floo powder, she threw it into the fireplace. As she dropped to her knees in front of the fire she yelled "Hogwarts, Headmaster's office" And stuck her head into the flames.

Albus started at the flame shooting from his fireplace. Quickly recovering from the shock he smiled. "Ravenna, my child, so good to see you…"

"I only have a moment, you must tell Severus that I have been ordered to remain here for the meeting. I will be present, probably to serve refreshments, in the same room that Voldemort will soon occupy. Whatever plan you have to shield me from his notice, it needs to be done now!"

Before Albus could respond, she was gone.

She rose quickly from the hearth, dusting the remaining floo powder from her face and hair. Now relieved, she turned and walked to the office door. As she reached for the knob, the door opened.

"What the bloody hell are you doing in here? You know this room is forbidden to you!" Luther growled at her.

"I only came in to tidy up, in anticipation of your guests this evening." She hoped the remark was believable.

Luther nodded his head slightly, and she was relieved she had not been discovered. She made to pass him through the door, and was jerked back violently.

"Do you really think me a fool? Who did you contact?" He screamed at her as he pulled roughly on the hair he had a fist full of.

"I spoke to no one, I was just cleaning up." She reiterated.

He know she was lying. He slammed her face hard against the door frame then released her hair so she could fall freely to the floor. As before, when she made to get up he kicked her swiftly and repeatedly in her already broken ribs.

She was unable to breath, she felt as if she were drowning and there was nothing she could do. Once more, she attempted to get up, to get away from him. He responded by kicking her again, this time in the head. She saw spots dance before her eyes just before everything went black.

He left her lie there for a few moments while he reigned in his temper. Finally he decided to magick her to her room, where this time he would leave her to die. She would not be missed by anyone. She was, after all, a squib abandoned by her family and her employment contract was expiring tonight. No one would think twice about her being gone. With a sadistic smile on his face, he went about readying everything for the Dark Lord's arrival.

Severus knocked roughly on the front door of the Bloodworth house. He was to be the first to arrive, the herald for the Dark Lord's arrival.

The door opened abruptly. "Master Snape, welcome back. Please come in." Luther smiled tightly.

"Thank you, the Dark Lord and the others will be arriving shortly. Might we talk of another matter for a few moments until they arrive?" Severus curled his lips menacingly.

"Of course, whatever pleases you." Luther's blood ran cold at the sight of Snape's smile.

"I mean, of course, your servant. I understand it that her employ with you is coming to an end, is this correct?"

"Yes it is, but I am afraid you have missed her. As there were only a few hours left, I have released her. She has already left and did not leave me with any forwarding information. I can only assume once she has found new employment she will forward this information to me." Luther fairly shook as he spoke, desperately hoping this cold, cruel man would not see through his lie.

"Pity! I found her most … enjoyable." Again, with a sneer on her lips.

Severus stared at him for a moment, thinking 'what is this fool playing at, I know she was here only a few hours ago. From the warning she gave Dumbledore, there is no way she would leave without letting one of us know here she went. He has done something with her, and I mean to find out what.' Severus stared intently into Luther's eyes, trying to penetrate his mind. Just as he began to see images of his wife the doorbell rang. Bloodworth blinked rapidly and leapt from the desk, which he was sitting on the corner of, and practically ran from the room to answer the bell. Severus swore under his breath as he watched Luther leave the room.

Within moments Bloodworth's private office was full of Death Eaters, all of whom were sporting black robes and masks, except for himself and Snape. They were all talking in hushed voices awaiting the arrival of the Dark Lord.

Suddenly, there was a loud pop and there stood Lord Voldemort staring directly into Luther Bloodworth's eyes. Bloodworth immediately dropped to his knees before Voldemort, kissing the hem of his robe.

"Luther Bloodworth, I am so glad to have you return to my happy family." He hissed. "I feared you lost when you did not respond to my summons."

"A thousand apologies, Lord. I did not feel your summons. It must have been the great distance between us. I mean to make amends. All that is mine is at your disposal."

Severus so wanted to roll his eyes in disgust. He knew full well this man wanted nothing to do with the Dark Lord. Knew he had come to America hoping to escape. He should have known better. Once you commit to the Dark Lord, you do so for life.

After several hours of planning, all of which was about how best to use Bloodworth's fortune to further Voldemort's cause, Severus apologetically interrupted.

"Luther, might you direct me to the facilities. I fear I am unable to wait any longer." With this he glanced at Voldemort, bowing his head in a silent plea for forgiveness.

Luther looked to Voldemort before responding, at his almost imperceptible nod, he directed Severus out of the office, down the hall past the staircase and to the right.

Severus came to a stop at the bottom of the stairs, removed his wand and placed it flat in his hand. "Point me, find Ravenna Gryffin Snape." He whispered.

Immediately, the wand spun to point up the stairs and to the left, where he knew her bedroom to be. He glanced quickly back down the hallway then took the stairs two at a time. Reaching the door, he quietly opened it and froze at the sight. There on the bed, Ravenna lay not moving and apparently not breathing. He ran to her side, quickly checking her pulse. She was alive, but just barely. He had to get her out of there, get her medical attention before it was too late, but how?

Rapidly descending the staircase, he returned to Bloodworth's office. Pausing for a moment outside the door, making sure this mental shielding was firmly in place, he opened the door and re-entered the room.

He casually returned to his place beside Voldemort. Since Malfoy's failure, Severus had become the most recently favored, and as such was expected to be at his side. Quietly, he bent to Voldemort's ear and spoke. "My Lord, I beg forgiveness. I am due to report to Dumbledore. I request to be excused." He wanted to cringe at this most degrading act.

Voldemort turned to look directly into Snape's eyes, as though trying to discern if he were lying. With a casual waive of the hand, Severus turned on his heals and left the room. As soon as he had the door securely closed behind him, he ran down the hall and back up the stairs to Ravenna's room.

Entering her bedroom cautiously he scanned it quickly to confirm no one else was there. He then approached the dressed quickly and rummaged through the drawers gathering the items she would probably not want to leave behind. Deciding none of the clothing was necessary he finally opened the top most drawer. He extracted his shirt and shoved it into the pocket of his cloak then brushed his hand along the bottom of the drawer. When his fingers brushed over her wand he grasped it firmly and examined it quickly before placing it into the wand pocket of his robe with his own.

Confident he had removed everything of meaning from the dresser he turned back to the bed, casting the charm he and Albus had concocted. This charm would make her seem to Voldemort to be Severus if he tried to sense her.

Then with great care, he gently lifted her into his arms and apparated.

7