Disclaimer: I do not own HP-boo hoo.

Chapter Twenty

On The Run

I did as the Dark Lord requested and put in for Deputy Head. I had been more then surprised when I was offered the job just a few days after requesting it. I was pretty sure several people on the board of governors were either threatened, blackmailed or imperioed to help me earn the position, but at this point I wasn't going to ask. After I was officially named Deputy Head the Dark Lord explained to me that he wanted me in the position to get me closer to McGonagall, whom was close to Dumbledore, whom he assumed, along with most everyone else, was still alive.

"I believe his retirement a rouse," The Dark Lord had confided, "I believe he wanted to devote more time to searching for ways to stop me from rising to power once again! You are the key in helping me know his possible whereabouts.

So I would basically have to continually give him false information to not only keep him pacified but to continue to keep Dumbledores death a secret.

Over the summer we were able to speak to Neville on two occasion. He had managed to sneak out and visit Hermione, who allowed him to use her phone. He had apparently lied to her parents and said his name was Michael, as he knew they were not fond of the danger he had gotten their daughter into. He had managed to see her on several occasions over the summer and together they were building a plan. He would not tell them what it was but he did ask for them to acquire somethings for him, mostly camping equipment, food and supplies.

Lily and I had gone back and forth on how much we should help him, especially considering he wasn't telling us what they needed the supplies we were securing for them. There was also the issue of should we keep the information from the rest of the order, for the mean time, we decided we would.

"While they meant well," Lily said one evening while we were discussing the situation, "James and Frank have done more harm then help for the poor boy. You've taught he most of what he knows and in such a short time. I think they are blinded by what they expected him to be able to accomplish verse what works best for Neville. I say we give him the benefit of the doubt."

And so we did. We gave him the supplies he requested, leaving them at a neutral location. We also included some muggle money and a two-way mirror in case he needed to get a hold of us and didn't have access to a phone. Plus during the year we wouldn't be at home anyway and only check our voice messages on the weekends, the mirror was much more convenient.

We had a strong feeling Neville would not be returning to school for his seventh year. As Hermione was helping him, we wondered if she would be leaving as well, though we hoped not. With all the anti-muggleborn propaganda out there right now she was much safer in the castle then anywhere else.

XXX

Lily sighed as she scanned the Gryffindor table once more. To her relief Hermione had returned, Neville and Potter however had not. Wherever they were they were most likely together. Ron Weasley was also here, he had immediately sat down next to Hermione and the two started passing notes. Which she thought was strange considering everyone around them was talking at the moment.

"What do you suppose that's about?" She asked motioning to the two 7th years antics.

"No idea, something they don't want anyone to overhear." I replied.

"I suppose. It's just odd considering Hermione had been staying as far away from Ron, Harry and Neville as possible and now, well she helped Neville over the summer and now she's all chummy with Ron."

"Perhaps they mended their ways. War tends to make one see what's really important in life." It was something I could contest to first hand.

"I suppose."

After the sorting of the first years, there were several announcements, including the new DADA professor, Kinglsey Shacklebolt and of course Severus as the new Deputy Head. The Head Boy and Girl were also announced, Harry had originally been offered the spot but turned it down, now we know why, he had no intensions of showing up. So it was given to Anthony Goldstein. Head Girl was awarded to Hermione Granger.

"After everything she's been through and still managing top marks, she bloody well deserves it!" Lily commented earlier that summer when he had told her who had earned the positions. She was right, Granger may have been a bit of a know-it-all, but she was brilliant and a powerful young witch.

It was a few days into the new term when I was once again summoned by the Dark Lord. As expected he wanted to know if I had heard anything about Dumbledore's whereabouts.

"The Prophet says he is holidaying in Tahiti, though I seriously doubt that." The Dark Lord scoffed.

"Potter mentioned he was going to be traveling east, but that all." I lied easily.

"Have you heard anything from Minerva or anyone else is Dumbledore's little gang?"

I often wondered why sometimes The Dark Lord referred to McGonagall by her first name, it was something he rarely did, when mentioning any opposition he usually used surnames; perhaps because he was more familiar with her as they had attended school together. He had also sometimes mentioned quirks about her, such as once I had stated that she was angry over something I had said, I don't even recall what it was now, but I remember his response was "When she's mad her nostrils flair like a dragons." And then he laughed.

I thought it was an odd thing to say but I wasn't about to question him about it.

"No, she's been very focused on the start of the school year. We have a staff meeting tomorrow if she mentions anything I will let you know."

"Very well…" He paused for a brief moment as he looked out the nearby window and then back at me. "How are you sons?"

"The twins? They are doing well, thriving."

"I heard you named one of then after young Mr. Malfoy, is that correct?"

"Yes, My Lord it is. Because he was there to help my wife I was able to get to her to St. Mungo's quickly. Any later we may have lost them."

He gave a snorted laugh but then shrugged, "That's quite semimetal of you."

"It was Lily's idea."

"Yes, women are far to emotional for their own good. I'm assuming that was your wife's idea to name your other son Griffin".

Severus nodded. "Yes, it was. Trust me I argued with her about it, but after what she went though… in the end I relented." I answered truthfully, there was no point in lying about something as trivial as a name.

"You are too soft with her," he said with a frown, "but I suppose we all have our soft spots so to speak."

I had a very hard time believing The Dark Lord had a soft spot.

"I wish to confide something in you, but you cannot tell anyone, not even your wife, is that clear."

"Of course My Lord." Of course I was eager to hear anything that he considered so secreative that he request I tell not a soul.

"Very few know of this and I would like to keep it that way, at least until I officially take over the Ministry."

"You have my word My Lord." For a brief moment I thought he was going to suggest a wizards oath or perhaps some other form of binding agreement that would simply forbid me from telling his secret without sever consequences.

"For sometime I have been having a physical relationship with Bellatrix. She is…exciting in bed." His thin lips turned into a smirk as he finished his sentence, I forced myself not to shutter at the mental image.

I can't say that I was terribly surprised by this, despite being married to another man, she was constantly fawning over The Dark Lord, it was sickening to see.

"It would appear," He continued, "That she is pregnant."

I forced myself to clear my throat so I wouldn't say something I would undoubtedly regret. It was hilarious and frightening all at the same time. The love child of a psychopath and madwoman… the poor kid.

"I never had a desire for an heir, but perhaps… having a second heir to Slytherin could only bring more honor to the ancient line, don't you think?"

"Of course my Lord." If I hadn't known better I would say he honestly sounded proud. "What of her husband, is he going to be a problem?"

When children resulted from an affair in the wizarding world most of the time the pregnancy is kept quiet and then given to a distant relative or family friend, the child is almost never raised by its actual parents; obviously this wasn't going to be the case considering how The Dark Lord was referring to the child as 'a second heir to Slytherin'.

"They are in the process of divorcing, quietly of course. It should be final within the month. I considered killing LaStrange, it would have made the while situation far easier. I only refrained because Bellatrix requested I not. He will most likely move to Spain where his mother currently resides when my take over is final, which is fine. I have informants in that vicinity he can keep in contact with if need be."

It had sounded like they had it all planned out. Though I was curious as to why, of all people, he choose to tell me.

"Soon we will have a new wizarding world, Severus. Where muggles become nothing more the instruments to see to our needs, our wants. We have already started the process to raise our population. I have recently ordered many of my followers to take fertility potions to help with our cause. One day we will be the majority, Severus. On day we will be rid the worlds of muggles once and for all, magical blood will run though everyone veins and I will rule over them all!

A/N: Hello all, a quick update. Hope you liked it!