AN/- hey everyone-this might be the last chapter I might be able to publish for this month seeing my epically epic grad exams are going to starting on the 16th. Anyway-I hope you'll enjoy this-and review-don't forget to review! Also go check out this new fan art that I made on deviant art here's the link: http:/pennyda(.)deviantart(.)com/#/d4v5mya (it's a sev and rach piece-because I was too bored studing direct mareketing-I mean seriously!)

Disclaimer: The unbreakable vow piece is Rowling's-not mine(well with certain changes here and there-but it is still hers-actually everything is hers because she's great)

Chapter 52

Audrey felt her feet go wet as she fell into the marshy swamp land that she and Harry landed in, Audrey couldn't tell where they were. Harry held her hand and pulled her forward. They walked a long stretch in silence as they finally reached solid land.

"Bloody—wow!" said Audrey to herself as she felt her mouth open at the sight of the burrow. She had never been to the Weasley's house before. It was a crooked zigzag like building as if there were floors built over a small crooked looking house.

"Come on," said Harry tugging her hand forward as they walked towards the house together.

Ginny had been sitting in the kitchen when she heard paint pop outside as the water in the distant swamp was heard to have been disturbed from its silent stale form.

She walked towards the front door after send pigwedgeon off with a letter to Neville and one to Dean Thomas who had asked her out before term ended. She saw two trunks along with two owl cages one with Hedwig who seemed look like she wanted to get out and the other with old featherless who was rather annoyed with Hedwig's constant hoots, he tried to pretend to ignore the other bird and sleep.

"Mum!"

"What is it Ginny?"

"I just wanted to know when Harry and Audrey got here?"

"Harry and Audrey who?"

"Harry Potter and Audrey Snape"

"Ginny—Now I would know if Harry potter or Audrey Snape were in my house—wouldn't I!" said Mrs. Weasley amused as she headed down the stairs from the second floor quickly.

"But their trunks are in the kitchen and their owls," said Ginny excitedly.

"No dear—I seriously doubt that," said Mrs. Weasley shaking her head as her daughter rolled her eyes at the woman. Featherless gave an indignant hoot as Hedwig rattled in her cage.

"Harry? Did someone say Harry?" asked Ron coming out of his room and leaning against the railing.

"Me—nosy—is he up there with you in your room? Audrey's here too," said Ginny amused as Ron glared at her for calling him 'nosy'.

"Of coars not—I would know if my best friend was in my room, wouldn't I?" scoffed Ron.

"Is that owls I heard?" asked Hermione stand next to room as she came out of Ginny's bedroom.

"You haven't seen Harry and Audrey have you?—apparently they've been wandering around the house," asked Ginny as Hermione shook her head.

"Really?" asked Hermione as someone replied to her question.

"Really," chorused Harry and Audrey together smirking as Ginny smiled, she was so delighted to see them that she ran and pulled Audrey into a tight hug as she hugged Harry next. Hermione came in next as she pulled her friends into fierce hugs as did Ron.

"What a lovely surprise," said Mrs. Weasley happily as she pulled them each into strong hugs as they hugged her back.

"I thought you'd be coming tomorrow," smiled Mrs. Weasley at Audrey as she turned to Harry.

"And why didn't you let us know you were coming?" she smiled at Harry happily as Harry replied for the two of them.

"We didn't know either—Dumbledore," said Harry shrugging but the smile still plastered on his face.

"Oh! That man—but then what would we do without him!" claimed Mrs. Weasley as she whipped her wand and transported the owls and the trunks to Ron and Ginny's rooms.

Audrey looked at Ron whose hand was edging towards Hermione's face as Harry and the rest looked at them as well, Hermione edged away slightly on instinct.

"You've got a bit—of—toothpaste," said Ron showing Hermione the spot where there was a tiny spec of white near her mouth scratching the same spot on his face, Hermione laughed a little as she wiped it away from her face.

Harry, Audrey, Hermione and Ron sat in Ron's room as Hermione made a small fire ball float inside a jar.

"So when did you get here?" asked Audrey turning to Hermione, they had all changed into their night clothes.

"Few days ago," replied Hermione her tone seemed a little disappointed as she continued.

"Although, for a while I wasn't sure I was coming," said Hermione as she turned to look at Ron.

"Mum—sort of lost it last week said—Ginny and I had no business going back to Hogwarts," said Ron.

"And then Bill brought home—his new girlfriend and made it worse," replied Ron turning to look at Audrey.

"He brough home Fleur," said Ron dejectedly.

"You mean Fleur Delacour?" asked Audrey extremely surprised as Ron shook his head, Audrey frowned slightly thinking.

"So why doesn't your mum want you goin' back?" asked Audrey as the tiny fire ball was becoming tinier.

"Says it's too dangerous," replied Ron shrugging.

"Oh! Come on," replied Harry a little put off.

"He's not alone—even my parents—they're muggles who think something bad is happening," replied Hermione.

"Anyways—dad stepped in—told her she was being barmy—took a few days but she came 'round," replied Ron a little lightly as they shared a contended silence.

"But—this is Hogwarts we're talking about—Dumbledore—what could be safer?" asked Harry.

"There's been a lot of talk recently that Dumbledore's got a bit old," said Hermione carefully as Audrey frowned deeper than before.

"That's rubbish—well he's only—how old is he?" asked Harry defending Dumbledore.

"A hundred and thirty—give or take two years?" said Ron unsure.

"Actually he'll be seventy five this October," replied Audrey correcting him, as they were silent for a few minutes and then burst out laughing together.

Severus shifted a little as he felt a light weight on his chest as he turned onto one side taking the weight of his chest as he pushed his body flush against the weight his hand went around what he presumed to be, a rather odd shaped pillow. He groaned as the pillow moved around on its own and faced him. Severus refused to open his eyes as the fragrance of berries filled his nostrils. He could feel a hand running down his face and rest on his chest and rub light patterns along it. A voice called out to him, the voice of a woman—Rachel! No! How was that possible? He must be dreaming—his eyes were bloody closed weren't they!

"Severus," she called again softly.

"Severus—wake up—Severus?" the voice called again.

"Hmmm...Rachel," he hummed as the pillow smiled and pressed its lips onto his kissing him softly, as he finally opened his eyes to find Rachel kissing him, he looked at her longingly, waiting for reality to kick in and for her to once again disappear as she always did for several nights that she came to him like a haunting vision, but this vision of the woman refused to leave as she broke the kiss and smiled at him making slow circles on his chest, he smiled as he took her into his arms pushing her back onto the bed, only then did he realise that they were completely naked under the dark blue comforter, that she was very real—he could feel her warmth—he could feel her caresses.

"Are you by any chance carrying any hangover potion?" she asked him as she pushed her head into the crook of his neck and laid her lips there to rest.

"No," he said closing his eyes again burying is head into her sweet fragrant hair, as she made her way above him and placed her head over his chest kissing him as he refused to let go.

"Damn—tea then?" she asked him as he finally let her talk, he smiled.

"Tea it is," he replied pulling her mouth into a final kiss before she robed herself and into the kitchen as he dressed and followed suit a few minutes later. He was dressed in his boxers as he pulled on his black tee-shirt he had worn yesterday, as the memories from last night flooded back into his head. This wasn't one of his dreams—he and Rachel were not married like in his dreams—he didn't have a young son sleeping in the next room and nor was his daughter going come running in any moment crying for him to shout at his oldest son for teasing her about her studying through the day. He and Rachel still had the same history they did, he was still a death eater—and he was still the same man who had let the woman of his dreams walk away from him with his future child. He gulped as he made his way to the kitchen as slowly as he could.

He accepted the mug of tea gratefully as she drank from her own; they shared a much more comfortable silence than they had the previous evening as Rachel was the first one to speak.

"It's not this quite generally—I'd be wasting half my morning just trying to wake your daughter," she said shaking her head remembering how heavy a sleeper Audrey was. Severus smiled at her as he took another swig of his tea. Severus was thinking, he had been thinking extensively since he woke up and realised certain things—certain things he had to make clear to Rachel.

"Rachel?" he called as she looked at him giving him her full attention.

"I would appreciate it—if—this—us—we remained—umm—unknown to..., he began as she slumped a little

"I understand," she said a little forlorn, but she indeed did, he gulped and walked over to her and pulled her hands into his.

"I love you a lot—I don't think it is safe for anyone to know about us—not even Audrey," he said.

"Especially not Audrey," said Rachel chuckling a little as Severus smiled at her a little thankfully.

"Don't worry—I know what you mean," replied Rachel standing on her toes to kiss him as he snaked his arms around her as he pushed her up on the counter standing in between her legs as she kissed him back with equal passion.

Severus sat down on one of the ancient chairs around the large dining table at Malfoy Manor, Bellatrix had personally begged the dark lord to come live with her and her sister, although after the ministry's raid fiascos they were almost caught and had to kill of the officials. After that Voldemort preferred to apparate away after the meetings as the death eaters would leave as well.

The meeting had just ended with a discussion of the murders of the order members Emmeline Vance and Amelia Bones. Severus was about to apparate back to Hogsmeade, he couldn't wait to help Rachel settle down in the ministry appointed housing to the defending aurors and spinners; he wanted to make sure she was settled in. He was about to leave when someone called him away.

"Meet me in the library—after they leave—it is most crucial," read the chit that appeared in his lap and then disappeared on its own—transfiguration—had to be Narcissa. He did what he was told and was waiting in the Malfoy's grand library. The library had always attracted his attention, Lucius had never prided himself with this particular section of his house, but Severus was an avid fan, he could live and settle down in the Malfoy library if he was allowed to, there were books from all over the world. The library had potions books from China, India, the south east and places Severus had never heard of off, the collection of defence books was extensive and so was the collection of other magical theories and disciplines.

Severus was going through one shelf in particular when two women entered the library, snapping Severus's curiosity to an all time low as he put on his casual cold demeanour. Bellatrix was here, he had to be alert—he stood up straighter as he pushed a book inside the shelf again.

Narcissa walked closer as Severus eyed her cautiously, more than that he looked verily at Bellatrix, she seemed to flop herself down in the closest armchair.

"And what is that requires my urgent attention Narcissa?" asked Severus as Narcissa looked at him cautious as she turned to her sister who rolled her eyes and then shook her head.

Narcissa looked up at him, her face eloquent with despair.

"Yes, Severus, I — I think you are the only one who can help me, I have nowhere else to turn. Lucius is in jail and…"

She closed her eyes and two large tears seeped from beneath her eyelids.

"The Dark Lord has forbidden me to speak of it," Narcissa continued, her eyes still closed.

"He wishes none to know of the plan. It is… very secret. But —"

"If he has forbidden it, you ought not to speak," said Snape at once.

"The Dark Lord's word is law."

Narcissa slumped looking extremely disappointed as lines appeared on her face making her young face look much older than it was.

"Although, I am aware of your current disposition," stated Severus matter of factly as Bellatrix got up and eyed him distrustfully.

"Your sister doubts me," smirked Severus as if telling Narcissa had he did not appreciate Bellatrix's attendance.

"After all I have been successful in maintaining my position—maintaining it so well that I have managed to live and seek out from right under a great wizard," smirked Severus as Narcissa looked at him with every ounce of trust she had, Bellatrix snorted.

"Dumbledore is a great wizard—only a fool would doubt that," snapped Severus as Bellatrix glared at him but spoke.

"You were always a snivelling bastard," snapped Bellatrix.

"Bella!" snapped Narcissa begging her sister to shut up as Bellatrix threw them both a sharp angry glare.

The room shared an odd silence as Narcissa spoke, the mother in her was crying and begging her to do anything and ask this man—her only support—her useless husband's best friend to help her out of this dreadful situation.

"He's—just a boy," said Narcissa disappointedly shaking her head.

"You should be proud as should Draco," said Bellatrix walking towards a bookshelf scanning it casually as her half sleeve robes did nothing to hide her dark mark as Severus flinched unnoticeably when the snake moved a little, he turned to look at Narcissa.

"I cannot change the dark lord's mind," began Severus as Narcissa was on the verge of tears.

"But—but—I can try and help Draco in succeeding in the task appointed to him," finished Severus as Narcissa stood up from the arm chair and blinked back the tears, there was a relief, gentility and gratefulness in her eyes as she looked at him, as if unbelieving to his words, but thanking him for saying them—they gave her comfort, she could possibly sleep much better knowing that Severus was looking out for her Draco. Severus could be trusted—the dark lord trusted him—Lucius trusted him and above that—Draco trusted him as well.

"Swear to it!" claimed Bellatrix indignantly, she obviously still doubted him.

"Make the unbreakable vow—these are just empty words that—," said Bellatrix as she began her little rant but before she could complete it, she stopped as Snape gripped her sister's hand firmly into his own. Narcissa looked surprised that the man would do so much to prove himself, he had every right to walk away, every right to refuse Narcissa after Bellatrix's indignation but he didn't, he just stood there glaring sharply at Bellatrix.

"Aren't you listening, Narcissa? Oh, he'll try, I'm sure… The usual empty words, the usual slithering out of action… oh, on the Dark Lord's orders, of course!"

Severus did not look at Bellatrix. His black eyes were fixed upon Narcissa's tear-filled blue ones as she continued to clutch his hand.

"Certainly, Narcissa, I shall make the Unbreakable Vow," he said quietly. "Perhaps your sister will consent to be our Bonder."

Bellatrix's mouth fell open. Snape lowered himself so that he was kneeling opposite Narcissa. Beneath Bellatrix's astonished gaze, they grasped right hands.

"You will need your wand, Bellatrix," said Snape coldly. She drew it, still looking astonished.

"And you will need to move a little closer," he said, she stepped forward so that she stood over them, and placed the tip of her wand on their linked hands. Narcissa spoke.

"Will you, Severus, watch over my son, Draco, as he attempts to fulfil the Dark Lord's wishes?"

"I will," said Snape.

A thin tongue of brilliant flame issued from the wand and wound its way around their hands like a red-hot wire.

"And will you, to the best of your ability, protect him from harm?"

"I will," said Snape.

A second tongue of flame shot from the wand and interlinked with the first, making a fine, glowing chain.

"And, should it prove necessary… if it seems Draco will fail…" whispered Narcissa Severus's hand twitched within hers, but he did not draw away,

"Will you carry out the deed that the Dark Lord has ordered Draco to perform?"

There was a moment's silence. Bellatrix watched her wand upon their clasped hands, her eyes wide.

"I will," said Snape.

Bellatrix's astounded face glowed red in the blaze of a third unique flame, which shot from the wand, twisted with the others, and bound itself thickly around their clasped hands, like a fiery snake.

A few hours after Severus left the manor to apparate back to Hogwarts, he did not get a chance to meet Rachel, he had to go report to Dumbledore at once that the task, that what they had been suspecting had happened, Severus had won over Narcissa for a large part of his soul. He was going to die anyway—but he wondered how angry and disappointed Rachel would be if she found out what he had to do—Rachel could be calmed though—Dumbledore had promised to explain to her before they carried out the rest of the plan, because Severus needed her—he couldn't be anywhere without her and Dumbledore and he had made a deal. Dumbledore would keep the part of their old deal but that was a long time ago when Severus did not know he had a daughter—there was a thought in his head—it was nagging—what would happen when Audrey figured out his role in this mission as a death eater—what would happen when Severus would completely and totally fall in the eyes of the one person who trusted him more than herself?

AN/- don't forget reviews are 'Bear necessities' (yes-jungle book fan-yes Indian-no-do not live in forest!)