Nightfall
„So you married her!" snarled the unearthy voice of the dark Lord. "Fool!"
Severus winced and tried to stay conscious. How many days have passed he did not know.
To listen and to learn was the only thing he could do and to bide his time until he could escape. He lay still on the cold stone floor.
But, was it reality this time or just another drug induced dream?
He sucked at the inside of his mouth. No residuals if a potion. With careful, slow movements he monitored his body but nothing gave him a clue for the use of a potion this time.
"Traitor!" The dark Lord signally and Mulciber kicked his body into the ribs. Severus was feeling disconnected, like watching everything from a distance. Mulciber, Nott and the young Malfoy were standing in a circle around his bruised body. The first two to do their Lords bidding, the other one to be initiated into the ways of the Deatheaters.
"You will help me, you will! See – there she is!"
He pointed at a mirror where Hemiones picture appeared.
Severus opened his eyes at gazed at her like a man dying with thirst looking at an oasis.
A young man enveloped her in his arms and caressed gently the sides of her slightly swollen stomach.
"See, she's already taken a lover!" the snakelike hissing voice teased again.
"Let him think you take the bait Severus!" He thought. "He must not learn the truth!"
And so he snarled at the scene he saw in front of him.
"Harry is taking care of Hermione. Yes, he would. And she, she is with child? Oh, what joy my love!" But then reality hit him hard. "Please, not again. Don't let history repeat itself!" His soul cried out in despair: "Hermione!"
The dark Lord mistook his exasperation for anguish and twisted his face into a sanguinary smile.
"You will help to set the trap and lure Granger, Potter and their bastard child into a rescue mission. Then I will dispose of them. Gryffindor as they are they will take the bait. And I will make sure that nothing of them remains, neither body nor soul to ever pose a threat to my powers. I will create an horcrux by the death of her and her child, which holds ultimate power! And you witness the first crutio on the cheating one!"
Severus thoughts were gaining lightening speed. His body was broken, not being able to move he had no chance to escape. His love and his children were in mortal danger because of him. They believed he was dead. If Hermione was given the smallest glint of hope that he was alive, there would be no chance in hell for anybody to restrain her. And Harry, Harry would follow. He could not allow this to happen.
He focussed on Dracos eyes. His godson understood. He softly whispered: "Legillimens!" and entered Severus mind.
"I once saved your life!" he could hear Snapes voice. "You owe me a wizards dept. Tell her I'm dead, tell her I love her from here to eternity. Tell her not to come and protect to my child!"
"I swear I will", whispered Draco in his mind and addressed the snakelike man in front of him.
"My lord, may I have some fun with Granger first? She was a nuisance at school and I would like to repay her!"
Just as Draco knew he would, the Dark Lord whirled around and whipped his wand at him.
"Crucio! Don't speak without permission!"
While his Cronies were gloating at Draco who was squirming on the ground, Severus gathered all that was left of his strengths and whispered: "Accio Notts Wand!"
With a last glance at Hermione and Harry he pointed his wand at himself. It was like Hermiones eyes met his.
"I love you!" he whispered. "Take care of the little one!" and then he pointed the wand at himself and used his last bit of strengths to cast Avada Kedavra.
7
