Disclaimer: Not mine

The Uninvited

Chapter 18

He had been at Flourish and Blotts for about an hour by the time he had put in his request for the tome he required and was looking at the section of new arrivals when he heard a familiar voice.

"Well old friend." Lucius Malfoy smirked, "Still with your nose in a book I see."

"Lucius," Severus nodded in greeting. "I must say I am surprised to run into you here. I was not aware this shop was to your taste."

"It is not," Lucius, sneered, "However, a husband must do the wife's bidding on occasion. Narcissa had a book on order. I told her I would collect it for her."

"How is she?" Severus asked, truly interested. "I have heard from Draco that she has been ill."

"She has a case of, how shall I say, nerves?" Lucius looked at Severus strangely. "She is acting ever the mother, worried about our heir's future."

Severus noticed a slight hesitation in the man he had known for so long. Lucius was trying too hard to remain cold, his jaw clamped too tightly together. Severus knew Lucius was deeply dedicated to his wife, loved her dearly, and would sacrifice any thing for her. He also knew that Lucius' loyalty to the Dark Lord was not the only difficultly they had in their marriage.

"I will send her a new calming draught that I have been working on. It stills the nerves but does not sedate the mind. She may find it useful." Severus offered.

Severus had first met Lucius and Narcissa when still a First Year at Hogwarts. Although they were much older at the time, he still remembered Narcissa with fondness. She had taken him under her wing and watched out for him. Over the years, they had grown closer. The distrust in the Dark Lord's ranks the only thing that put distance between them.

"I thank you for that Severus." Lucius said sincerely. "Well, old friend I must be going. Perhaps we can meet for lunch or a drink. We have much catching up to do."

Again, Severus heard the insinuation in the voice. More needed to be said, but this was not the place. He watched Lucius leave, making a mental note to send his owl before the week ended.

He paid for his purchases and walked out into the crowded streets. The holidays had brought out the shoppers. He walked toward the liquor store to make his annual purchases for the Holidays.

Albus would receive his customary 50 year old bottle of Ogden's finest, Poppy her favourite elf wine, and Minerva a bottle of Muggle Scotch.

He paused at the window of Wizardly Jewellery when his eye caught on a set of emerald studded hair combs. He saw them nestled in a pile of auburn hair, saw the way the sparkling green of the stones would shine in the deep reddened brown. For a moment he considered buying them for her and sending them by owl. Dismissing the daydream for what it was, he turned and hurried off to his original destination.

He purchased the liquor and arranged for the delivery before heading to the Leaky Cauldron for lunch. He had to pass Wizardly Jewellery once again. His stride shortened, and his pace slowed. Cursing himself, he entered the store and made the purchase.

The shopkeeper had never seen Professor Snape in his shop before. He hated the wizard. He had heard the rumours, and had seen the Professor entering Knockturn Alley himself. Dark items could be had in Knockturn Alley, illegal and dangerous things, as well as the cheap whores. He waved off his clerk, after seeing her hesitate to help the dark man who had just entered.

"Professor Snape." He greeted the wizard politely, but with caution.

"The combs in the window, gold with emeralds, I will take them with me," Severus said flatly.

The shopkeeper raised an eyebrow, but walked to the window case, reaching in and taking them carefully in his hands. Walking back to the counter he laid them on a black velvet cloth and proceeded to wrap them. He handed the bill to the Professor.

Severus took out his wand and affixed his signature, authorizing Gringotts to transfer the amount to the shops account.

"They do carry a charm," the shopkeeper told him not taking his eyes off the package he was wrapping. "I should have mentioned it, if you decide against them I will understand. The combs come from a long line of pure blood witches. They were charmed originally in very dark times, not unlike our own."

Severus looked at the man, loosing patience quickly.

"Indeed." Severus intoned. "What is the nature of the charm?"

"The charm will alert you if the witch is in danger. They will allow you to apparate to her, but will not divulge her location," he explained. "Therein lies the problem. It allows you to apparate into unknown danger. I believe that is why no-one has purchased them before."

"I will take them." Severus picked up the package and placed it in his pocket and bid the shopkeeper good day.

Later that night he laid the package on the coffee table. He knew he would not give them to her over the holidays. He was not sure, when or if he would. As he held the combs, he wondered why he had made the purchase, he only knew he did not like what was happening to him, and needed to get beyond her, to move on.

He leaned back in his seat, swirling the amber whiskey in his glass, wondering how much he would have to drink to get over what he was feeling, as his floo activated and he looked up to see Albus.

"The Burrow, the wards are breached, the floo is down, hurry." Albus was gone as Severus began running. He had to leave by the main gate or the Forbidden Forest to apparate. He had to hurry. As he ran he closed his mind, and prepared himself. The last time Death Eaters had appeared as a warning, this would be no warning.

He was about to enter a battle he thought could be his last. When he stood for the Order, when he stood beside her, Voldemort's loyal followers would focus on destroying him. His cover would be gone and his life at that time would be forfeit. He ran faster, turning and apparating mid-stride only thinking that he had to find her.

He arrived to chaos. Landing with wand drawn, he quickly crouched down and sped to a low wall that ran the length of the Weasley property. Glancing around the field to assess the make-up of the attack and to determine his next move he frowned at the activity around him.

Arthur was engaging two Death Eaters in the middle of the field between him and the house. Severus quickly shot off a Sectumsempra spell to fell the taller of the two. Arthur's voice rang out clear with his own slicing spell, and the second fell clutching both hands to his stomach.

Arthur turned and saw Severus by the wall before returning to the battle. He sped toward the house with Severus running behind him looking in the same direction as Arthur, and seeing the same thing. Molly was on the porch, duelling with a female Death Eater that Severus did not recognize, a second Death Eater approaching behind her.

Arthur and Severus' feet pounded the ground, both seeing what Molly did not. The female raised her arm over her head, as Molly ran to the side, dodging what she knew was to come. As Avada Kedavra cut the air, Molly dropped, the spell passing her and hitting the man behind her. Without rising, Molly set her own killing curse at the female.

Molly did not see Arthur and Severus running towards her. She didn't recognise help on its way, nor look to others to step in. Turning and rushing into her house where the sounds of spells and screams of pain came from, she screamed for her children.

Arthur charged up the stairs and into the house behind her, Severus running for the rear.

He still had not seen any sign of Abigail or the children. He knew from the sounds that all had not made it out of the floo this time but did not know who had left, or who had stayed. The thunder cracks of apparation began around the property as the Order members arrived.

Severus ran into the house through the back door, entering the kitchen. The lower level seemed clear. He could hear fighting upstairs where he assumed Molly and Arthur had run to defend their children. Severus approached the stairs as the crackling of spells stopped and met Arthur running back down. Meeting Severus on the steps, he only had enough air left in his lungs to rasp.

"Outside, the rest are outside," as he ran out.

Again, following Arthur, they approached the front door as silence settled over the property. A single scream replaced the din of battle. Severus put out a hand to still Arthur; knowing it would be unwise to step out until they knew the situation.

Stepping to the window Severus and Arthur saw the Order members standing each turned toward the outer gate. Following their eyes, Severus saw what appeared to be the last Death Eater. He was holding Ginny, the youngest Weasley to him, her back to his chest and his wand at her throat. They stood with the only movement being Ginny's mouth curled into a scream. He heard Arthur suck in his breath, and saw him head for the door.

Severus moved quickly and put himself between Arthur and the exit, blocking him from running out. He knew there was little help he could offer, the Order members were there outnumbering seven to the one that held Ginny. He looked around still straining for a sight of Abigail. Molly, struggling to stay upright, came down the stairs in a dress covered with blood.

"Molly," Severus said, "the Order are all out there, let them handle it."

Severus cast a fast healing spell at her stomach and looking to her face he was surprised to see her try to grin at him. The rest would have to wait for Poppy. Stanching the blood was the best he could do.

"She is my baby," Molly looked at him, tears welling in her eyes, "I cannot leave my baby out there while I hide in here."

Severus went to her, putting his hand on her wand and lowering her arm. She looked up at him sadly.

"Molly, listen to me," Severus said, "Where are the rest of your children?"

"Ronald and Harry are in Hogsmeade, they were not here. George was hurt right off. Fred took him to St Mungo's before they took the floo down." Molly pushed Severus away, "The girls were in the garden and that's where I am going."

Severus knew better then to argue with the woman. He raised his wand shouting "Accio Death Eater regalia", catching the robes and mask of the dead man upstairs, as they rushed to him. Running back outside to skirt around the house, he struggled on the robes as he went. He could not risk the mask. An Order member may bring him down, but he hoped that its presence would buy him some time.

Fully robed he stood and walked out to the open field toward Ginny and her captor.

"Well, Johnson. I see you have a toy to take back to the Lord," he smirked as he approached the pair.

"What are you doing here Snape?" Scott Johnson said pulling Ginny tighter to him.

"I am a spy remember? I was called by the Order," Severus shrugged. "Now it would appear that I am no longer of use here."

Severus heard a spell cast behind him too late, the Crucio hit him flat in the back, sending him down. He withered in the spell for a full two minutes, fighting not to scream, or to cry out her name. As the spell lifted, he heard laughter, and rolling over he saw two more Death Eaters approach.

"Fuck," was the eloquent comment that issued from his lips. He heard their laughter as they walked up, one kicking his side, the other spitting down at him.

"You are too high-up Severus, too close to the Dark Lord. After we are rid of you a space opens up for one of us." Johnson said darkly.

Severus struggled to stand, making it as far as his knees he looked up at the man that held Ginny.

"Do not think the Dark Lord forgives easily. Do not think that he will not know of your actions," he said making it to his feet. "I take it the Dark Lord did not plan this attack."

"He wants his bride. He did not say how to get her," Johnson spat.

"And you think this little chit is her." Severus threw his head back in a full-throated laugh. "Oh please Johnson, take me to him for my death, I want to see the look on your face when you tell him this."

Severus watched Johnson closely, he needed a reaction other the anger, and he wanted to see fear. He needed that hesitation that would come at the same time fear found his spine and started to climb. He had learned that it took only a moment for the coldness to spread from the waist to the neck , but it was in this second that he hoped to take the upper hand.

He watched Johnson's eyes watching something behind him. A cold leer came to his face. At that moment, Severus felt his own back grow cold. He could feel her approach.

"If he wants me, here I am." Abigail said walking to the clearing. "Let her go and I'll come."

The Order members still stood vainly looking for a solution. They were all aware that if one of them had only stood in the girl's place, Johnson would have been brought down. It would not have mattered if their lives were forfeited. Years of training, from rules carved in bone and etched in blood, had taught them to stop at nothing to stay the enemy.

Now the Order stood, watching the wand held at Ginny's throat, none willing to see her killed and have Molly's youngest taken from her. They stood, and they waited. When Abigail walked in, presenting herself as a trade the Order members had hope. In the exchange of prisoners, there was always a chance for a clean shot, a clear body.

Johnson called one of the newly arrived Death Eaters to him with a jerk of his head. At the transfer, from his body to the other, Ginny had two wands at her throat, two avenues to death. The chance was gone.

Johnson walked over to Abigail, past Severus and out of his field of vision. Severus fought his desire to turn, to watch. He had to stay focused on Ginny. He had chosen her as his target when he walked onto the field, with mask in hand. He could not leave his path. He would save this one first.

He heard a soft laugh from Abigail, a soft acceptance. He felt them to his left, and watched her back pass him from the corner of this eye. He now willed Ginny to look at him, to listen to his mind, to give him access to her thoughts.

'When he lets go of you, you are to come to me. Stand behind me,' he thought to her and saw her eyes snap to lock onto his in surprise and relief.

'Good girl,' he praised her. 'Only look at me. Only listen to me. No other, whatever you hear.'

Abigail had her arm in Johnson's, as they walked toward the pair. The third Death Eater laughing.

She turned with Johnson to face Severus. She smiled and looked at Johnson, running her hand up his arm.

"Johnson and the others are well known at the Reyes," she said to Severus. "They were good friends of Grandfather's."

She walked around Johnson dragging her hand across his arms and back sensually, encouraging his leer and looking at him with one of her own.

"Let the girl go," she whispered leaning up to his ear, her tongue licking the rim, "hurry, we can go someplace private."

She let her finger touch his lips and looked down at his arousal suggestively. Walking over to Ginny, she pulled the girl's head to her, slapping her hard, then throwing her head back, she laughed.

She reached to grab hold of Ginny's wrist and Severus knew as her hand connected with the girls skin that this was the moment.

'NOW!' he shouted to Ginny's mind, as Abigail's hand pulled her free and shoved her toward Severus, Ginny already at a run closed on Severus who reached for her pulling her behind him, and shouting for her to fall. His wand was up instantly, sending the killing curse to Johnson.

The taller of the two Death Eaters grabbed Abigail and spun her into his chest. Severus stood, walking toward them sending a wordless slicing spell to the third. From the corner of his eye, he could see Molly, on her knees half way across the field. She was held back by her husband's arms, struggling against him trying to reach Ginny.

Now he faced his nightmare with his eyes wide open. His ruse as a Death Eater uncovered. His true loyalty known, he looked in Abigail's eyes and saw fear. In a blink of an eye, they could apparate, or she could die in front of him.

Knowing that if she returned to the Dark Lord she would be his bride, he opted for the first vision he had. Laying dead at his feet would be better than dead at the end of some wizard's cock at a Dark Revel. Worse he knew, would be for it to be at the end of the Dark Lord. He raised his wand at her chest, saw her close and then open her eyes, giving him consent, and knew at that moment a trust he had never known. He stretched out his wand and tilted his head back, prepared to utter the worse curse he would ever utter.

Suddenly a green light wavered, hitting the wizard that held her in the back. Severus watched as one hand loosened around Abigail's neck and the other fell, allowing the wand to clatter to the stones.

Abigail stepped free of the body and followed Severus' eye to the Wizard walking up behind her, slowly turning around, not knowing who she would face.

"Well, old friend, forgive me for crashing in unannounced, but it appeared you needed some help." Lucius Malfoy tossed his mask to the ground in front of Severus and grinned.

"As always Lucius, showing up when things are over, taking all the credit," Severus said as relief flooded over him and he fought not to slump to the ground.

The two wizards then walked toward each other, clasped each other's shoulders and embraced.

Severus pulled back slapping Lucius on the shoulders.

"There will be hell to pay," Severus warned.

"I have already paid the devil all I will," Lucius answered seriously. The two stared at each other, fully understanding what had just happened.