Chapter Eleven: Love

A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing!

Happy (very belated) birthday, Ashleaporterwashere!

Savoren.

Slinking around a corner, Severus made sure to stick to the shadows and keep his hood covering his head. With the knowledge of his betrayal of the Dark Lord, Severus knew his little escapade into Knockturn Alley could very well end in disaster. With his best friend's life on the line though, Severus bravely continued on his way.

Earlier this evening Severus had contacted an old ally about Minerva's condition and explained the potion he had to brew. The old man assured him that if he met him then he would give him the rare root - the last ingredient of the ancient potion that Severus could not find.

If he was being honest with himself he wasn't completely positive that this old man, Mr. Jaquel, was even still trustworthy. For all he knows, Mr. Jaquel could be full Death Eater by now. Even with the dangers, Severus continued forward.

It's still surprising how much he will actually do for someone else other than himself. His whole life flipped upside down last year and changed his heart forever. I'm acting like a bloody Gryffindor.

Luckily the nook where he is to meet the old man is not too much further. When he arrived, he pressed his back against the one building and hid himself fully in the shadows. He watched, frozen in place as Fenrir strode by, cackling with another man like the animal he is.

Moments passed before the old man appeared, a hood covering his face and his head lowered. "The root," he whispered, handing out the packaged rare root to his secret friend. He did not look at Severus, instead he turned and faced the alley, cautious of any curious passerby's.

Once the root was taken from his hand, Mr. Jaquel whispered, "Be careful - they have a bounty on your head. Protect your family and do not come to these shadows again," Mr. Jaquel whispered, wildly looking around himself. He kept his hood shadowing his face, not wanting anyone to find out he is helping the traitor.

Severus inclined his head and stowed the packaged root deep in his robe pocket, "Thank you." Spinning, he hurried to return to the cobble stone roads of Diagon Alley.

With his mind in a fog, Harry walked down the pathway towards the forest. He fought the feelings in his heart. He couldn't but feel sympathy toward the little, unloved orphan. I could have easily turned into him. Why didn't I? I was unloved. I was referred to as a Freak. I was unfairly punished for things I could not help. Why did I turn into the person I am today but he, he turned to darkness? How can someone be born with evil already seeded into their minds? How could a small child kill an animal? Did his parents do drugs during the pregnancy? Did they do something wrong? Could this have been different if someone else was his mother? Harry let out a deep sigh. He came to a sudden halt as he watched Draco storming out of the forest and making a bee-line for him. He held his ground, curious as to what he did to upset the blonde.

Face red in fury, Draco stopped in front of his unbiological "cousin." If looks could kill The-Boy-Who-Lived would be six feet under. "Hermione told me what you two did during the shopping trip!"

Harry sighed, I really don't have the patience for this right now. "So you know that your girlfriend went into a dark shop?"

Draco's glare darkened, "I used to go into that shop all the time! It's fine!"

Harry rolled his eyes, "Yeah, with your father. You're not really helping your argument by saying that. I'm telling you, Draco, there's something off about her. I don't trust her."

"Have you ever thought that maybe not everyone is evil? You only don't trust her because she's a Slytherin!" Draco snapped at him, rage boiling his blood. "Do you even trust me?!"

Harry let out an annoyed huff, "Of course I trust you! I used to not trust you, obviously."

"Then why don't you trust my choices?! I LOVE her, Harry! If she's evil do you truly think I would feel that way toward her?" Draco growled. He tried to push away his hurt feelings.

Harry gave a nonchalant shrug, "Love can blind someone. I understand that you don't want to believe that there's something off about her but I can't ignore it just because you're in love with her."

Seeing red, Draco gave Harry a roughly shove, "Screw you, Potter! I'm not bloody blind! I know Pansy! You know NOTHING about her! You can't just go around labeling everyone with evil and good just because of their parentage!"

Harry took a step away from the furious teenager. He tried to smother his anger from being pushed, not wanting to do something he would regret. "I don't just label people! If she's not evil then why did she go into that store?"

Draco clenched his fists, his anger starting to blind him. "Why do you even care?"

"Because it's my job! I believe that you love her and I believe that you think she is trustworthy but I have to come to that conclusion on my own, Draco! I can't just take your word for her loyalty and accept that! I need solid evidence to prove her loyalty. I'm not saying any of this to offend you or piss you off, Draco. I'm saying this because it's the bloody truth! Help me trust her and I will."

Draco leveled him with a furious look, "She doesn't have to prove shit to you, Potter."

"Is there a problem, boys?" Remus' voice interrupted their argument. He stopped, almost completely between the two (not trusting that fists would not start flying). He waited, eyeing the two curiously. He had heard their raised voices the whole way into the forest.

Unclenching his fists, Draco forced himself to take a deep breath and take a step away from Harry. He still glared at him but answered Remus through clenched teeth, "No problem here."

Remus eyed them, obviously not believing Draco's answer. "Then I advise that you go in your separate ways and cool off." He eyed Harry, trying to figure out what was going on between the two. Turning to his adoptive son, Remus added, "Nymph needs some help in the nursery. I was helping her but the Headmaster needs me. She went shopping again (you know how she is!) but she's very tired and her feet are swollen. Will you go help her put everything away?"

Draco gave a small nod of his head, "Of course." Without another look at Harry, he strode off.

Harry fidgeted under the piercing stare of his "uncle." He let out a small sigh and watched as Draco disappeared into the forest. "I'm going to go back to Aunt Poppy's."

Remus stopped him by putting his hand on his shoulder, he looked into Harry's emerald eyes, trying to find something but didn't know what. "I thought this little feud was over between the two of you?"

Harry sighed, "It was just a squabble. It's fine, honestly."

Giving a small nod, Remus looked toward the castle. "And your mother? Is she starting to feel better?"

"Dad is out finding ingredients for the potion to cure her. She's still unconscious but Aunt Poppy assured me that she will be just fine." Harry awkwardly looked away.

Remus nodded, "That's good to hear. I'm sure your father will be returning shortly with the ingredients. She will be better before you know it. Your father is many things, Harry, but the biggest thing is that he is loyal. He won't rest until he finds all the ingredients and fixes everything for you."

Harry cracked a small smile and gave a tiny nod, "I agree, Remus." Looking back toward the forest, he added, "I will talk to you later, thank you for your kind words."

Remus nodded and said his goodbyes. He watched Harry walk off and then turned and headed toward the Headmaster's office.

Pansy felt as if her heart would pound straight out of her chest as she watched her father and the Dark Lord discussing wedding plans. She turned to her mother, fear and worry evident in her eyes.

Lifting her chin, Mrs. Parkinson kept an air of pride about her. She narrowed her icy eyes on her daughter and snapped under her breath, "Wipe that look off your face, Pansy. The only emotion you should be feeling right now is honored. You are the future bride of the Dark Lord himself. You will be bathed in jewels and the finest silk. What else do you want with your life? The sole purpose of a woman is the please the man and raise offspring. Do you honestly think you could become a professor or, heaven forbid, a Ministry worker? Why make your life harder than it already will be?"

Pansy dropped her eyes, "A woman has every chance as a male in the work field, mother. I'm sixteen, mother, I shouldn't have to worry about these things. I can't get married and I'm too young to have a child!"

"Lower your voice this instant!" Her mother snapped dangerously. "These words you are speaking are traitorous. The Dark Lord will get what he wants, always. You should be honored that he wants you! You will marry him, you will conceive a baby boy for him and you will make your father and I proud."

Pansy looked away, "And what if I have a girl?"

"Being sixteen, you have many years to keep trying," Her mother dismissed the concern with a slight wave of her hand.

Clenching her jaw, Pansy looked to where her father was bowing low to the Dark Lord. "And what if I love someone else?"

Snatching out, Mrs. Parkinson landed a fiery slap against her daughter's pale cheek, "Silence! You will not screw this up for your father. When you marry the Dark Lord, your father will become his right hand. Screw this up, Pansy, and I swear to Merlin I will slit your throat. Am I quite clear?" At her daughter's fidgety nod, she added in an even more dangerous tone of voice, "Speak of such things again and I will remove your tongue." Seeing the Dark Lord walking toward them, she immediately dropped to her knees and bowed low.

Pansy quickly followed her mother's lead, bowing down to her future husband. Her stomach turned with bile.

Reaching down, Voldemort took Pansy's hand and helped her stand. He eyed her up and down, his eyes devouring every inch of her body. "The wedding is set, my beautiful flower." He gently caressed her cheek, frowning at the red hand-print. He turned a fiery glare on the woman still bowing low, "You dare mark my future wife?"

Keeping in position, Mrs. Parkinson answered her master, "My Lord, she was speaking with a poisonous tongue."

Voldemort turned his glare on the young girl in front of him, "Your actions must always be honorable, love." His voice suddenly turned cold, "Or shall I punish you?" His eyes flashed and he felt his excitement rise, "You know it gives me great pleasure, flower."

Pansy forced her face to remain emotionless. She dropped her eyes to her feet and whispered, "My deepest apologies, my Lord."

Caressing her cheek again, Voldemort eyed her hungrily, "You know I cannot love you but I crave the release you will give me. You know I am but a shell of the man I used to be. I am no less a man though, on the night of our wedding I will claim you. Until then you will continue to pleasure me. It is the duty of a wife to please." He noticed her cringe and frowned. "You fear losing your purity, flower?"

She blushed and kept her eyes down, "Yes, my Lord." What if he finds out I'm not pure? Draco claimed that weeks ago. He would surely kill me. . .

Watching her lips quiver, he captured them with his own. He could feel her stiffen in his arms, "Relax, flower. I will take care of you." He gently gathered her in his arms and lifted her, carrying her off to his chambers.

Severus entered the Infirmary and handed the potion to Poppy. The longest part of making this potion was finding the ingredients, it only took an hour to brew - thank Merlin. "Here is the cure." He followed Poppy like a lost dog as she bustled over to Minerva and lowered the protection wards.

"I need you to lift her up into a sitting position, please." Poppy quickly got everything prepared.

Severus immediately did as she asked him.

Once Minerva was in a sitting position, Poppy instructed the Potions Master, "As soon as I pour the potion in her mouth I need you to rub her throat. Did the book say how long the cure will take to kick in?"

Severus shook his head, "It depends on the patient. It could take up to a half an hour to twenty-four hours." He watched as she uncorked the vial and open her mouth. As soon as the last drop was poured into her mouth, Severus began rubbing Minerva's throat. He felt her swallow the potion after a solid minute.

Poppy eyed Minerva closely and placed a diagnostic monitor on her, "Now we wait. . ."

Hermione had been staring at Harry in silence for the past fifteen minutes. What busied her mind made her blush and look away. The question she has been wanting to ask him tickled the tip of her tongue but she couldn't find it in her to say what she wanted to say. After all, what if he says no? The embarrassment of denial would be suffocating.

Feeling her eyes on him, Harry moved so her head laid further up on his chest. "What's wrong, Herm?" He gently rubbed her back, hoping her problem wasn't anything too big.

Hermione shrugged and cuddled in closer. She closed her eyes, feeling her cheeks heat up and her heart pound furiously in her chest. Her breaths quickened as the question ate away inside her. "We're all alone," she offered, hoping he would understand her hint.

Harry frowned and looked down at her. What's that supposed to mean? Does she want me to kiss her?

Fidgeting against him, Hermione looked up at him. "Do you love me, Harry?"

Immediately, Harry nodded his head. "Of course! Have I done anything for you to question that?"

With a soft blush, she averted her eyes.

Frowning, Harry leaned down and gently took her chin, lifting her head up to him. He gently captured her lips in a kiss. Immediately he felt her put more pressure behind the kiss. His heart began to race as he felt her re-adjust so she was on top of him. Accepting the pace change, Harry deepened the kiss by parting her lips.

Breaths becoming haggard, Hermione shivered with lust as Harry moved his mouth to kiss her neck. She let out a small gasp as he started sucking on her neck. "D-don't give me a hickey," she whispered, breathing heavy as she closed her eyes.

Taking hold of her waist, Harry easily flipped her, straddling her on the couch. He moved his kisses back to her mouth and recaptured her lips.

Hermione fumbled with the button on Harry's pants and after a few failed attempts, unbuttoned them. She immediately moved to the zipper and then gripped the edges of his trousers, ready to pull them down.

Eyes wide, Harry froze and gently took her hands, leaning down, he whispered, "Did you hear that?"

Hermione frowned and listened close. Honestly though all she could hear was the pounding of her heart in her chest. Reaching up, she placed a finger over his lips, "Shh, it's nothing." Moving back to his trousers, she wiggled them down and moved to the hem of his underpants. She froze, thinking she heard something too. Before she could ask Harry about the noise she heard the front door open. Panicking, she shoved Harry off her on to the floor beside the couch and hurried to fix her clothing.

On the floor, Harry roughly pulled his pants up and latched them. He stayed on the floor, his heart hammering away.

"Hermione?" Poppy called out as she took off her robe and hung it on the hook beside the front door.

Hoping she doesn't sound out of breath or guilty, Hermione peeked over the back of the couch at her mother, "Yes?"

Seeing her daughter, Poppy frowned softly, "Where's Harry? I have news about his mother."

Hearing that, Harry jumped up from his position on the floor, "I'm right here. What's the news?"

Poppy eyed them suspiciously, "What were you doing?"

Panicking, Harry said the first thing he could think of, "Hermione's stud fell out, I was looking for it."

Acting like she was putting her earring back in, Hermione nodded, "He found it too! It was under the couch."

Poppy sighed and gave a small shake of her head, "I told you to wear backs on your earrings, Hermione." Looking at Harry, she walked toward them, "Your father and I gave your mother the cure. It could take up to a full day before it fully kicks in though."

Knowing she was getting closer, Harry tugged his shirt down in an attempt to hide any embarrassment that might occur if she noticed. "Thank you!"

Hermione's heart hammered away as she stared at Harry. She couldn't help but feel bad, I tempted him into starting and we almost got caught.

Poppy nodded, she could tell something was wrong with the two teens but decided not to push them. "You will still be staying the night here in the guest room. Your father is staying in the Infirmary until she wakes up." Heading toward the kitchen, she asked, "What do you want for supper?"

Hermione and Harry exchanged wide-eyed looks, both leaving out a breath of relief.

"That was too close," Harry whispered.

Hermione nodded in agreement and stood from the couch to go help her mother decide on supper.

Voldemort eyed Pansy closely, "So that is your plan? You do realize that the twin of that cabinet is missing, right?"

Pansy gave a small nod, "Don't worry, my Lord, I will find it."

Snapping his fingers, Voldemort motioned for Crabbe and Goyle to come over to him. Once they were bowing in front of him, he instructed them, "Go in search for the cabinet. Whoever finds it first will be rewarded greatly." He watched with satisfaction as his two followers left. Turning back to Pansy, he placed a wet kiss to the top of her head not noticing her cringe with disgust. "Well planned my flower. If I had a soul my love for you would be suffocating."

Pansy gave a small nod of her head, looking away from her future husband and toward her mother. She let out a tiny sigh at the glare leveled at her by her mother. All I am for my parents is a pass to the higher ranks. All I will be for the Dark Lord will be a hole for his snake. What if I want something more though? What if I want true love? Draco loves me in ways the Dark Lord will never be able to. And yet, what my heart wants matters not. . .

A/N: Thanks for reading!

Savoren.