Chapter Fifty-One: Prisoner

After Kingsley had (hesitantly) agreed to Severus' request, he'd allowed both John and Maliki to escort him to Azkaban prison. Usually once in, you never came out. Visitors weren't exactly a privilege when it came to this prison.
Dementors were on strict watch and Auror's were around, keeping an eye on them as well. Since the issue with Voldemort, the Dementors had not been fully trusted by the Ministry. So to keep that in check, Aurors also patrolled the prison.

"I thought your business with this witch was over," said Maliki, "And how's young Mister Potter?"

"Yes, I would have thought he would have been here," John pushed in.

Severus mentally rolled his eyes. "Harry is fine," he muttered, "It was either myself or him."

"Good choice."

Ignoring John, Snape continued, "What I want with Desiree isn't much of your business, but considering you will be escorting me and protecting me," he didn't say that with ease, "I figure you'll find out soon enough."

Maliki just shrugged and John kept silent until they reached a heavily guarded room. "Visitors aren't usually a regular here. But we've got a spare room here. She's in there waiting. You sure you're ready for this?"

Severus was more ready than ever to find out what was behind that door. How long had she been in here for? Not that long, really. And yet, when the door was opened, he was downright shocked to see the filth and grit that covered the once very attractive part Veela.

Desiree looked up, her hair a mess and her skin covered in the grit of the cells. She now wore a standard prison cloth.
"Severus?" she laughed, though it an awfully cheerful one. She seemed more than pleased to have a visitor, especially it being him.
"Come take a seat, honey," she said excitedly, patting the empty spot beside her. She grinned, twirling her now knotted hair around her finger.

Maliki and John had their wands at the ready in case anything happened. The room was quite secure, though, with more Auror's standing guard outside the cell.

"What brings you here to see little old me?"

Severus didn't sit. He wasn't here to get comfortable. He was here to get information from her. "I didn't come here to make friendly chatter. I want a simple answer. Why did you choose myself and Harry?"
A girlish giggle came from the once professor. Obviously Azkaban had already affected her. She seemed almost like Bellatrix—maybe not as crazy, but getting there. He wished that he had his wand on him, but due to orders, it was back in holding until he came out.

"Oh, Severus. With the name change, I honestly can't blame you for not knowing who I am."

Snape's eyes narrowed ever-so-slightly. He didn't make a comment, though.

"Then again, with that little ginger minge running around in front of you, who else would you notice?"

John and Maliki shared a glance.

"Seems you've had it in for the Potters all your life, huh? All those stupid Gryffindors. Merlin, you're weaker than I thought. Of course you wouldn't remember me. I was two grades beneath you. Even shared your House, and yet you still had little to no time to notice me—despite my gift."

Well it wasn't like Dumbledore really tossed anyone away from Hogwarts, was it? Werewolves, Veela. Severus wasn't surprised.
All of a sudden it dawned on him. There had been rumours of a Veela girl in Slytherin when he was a child. He figured it was just silly talk—he wasn't one to follow rumours after all. But he'd known the girl they had pinned it on.
"Katherine Grey?" he asked, "The little Slytherin girl who helped pick my books up when Potter and Black decided to attack me in the hallway?"

Desiree's—or Grey's—eyes lit up. "You do remember me…" she said almost dreamily.

Still, what the hell did this have to do with now? And why wait until now!? She'd spoken to him once, and it had been when she'd helped him. As he recalled, he shoved her off and told her to go away and that he could pick up his own books in humiliation.
"I don't see what this has to do with mine and Potter's relationship," he stated bluntly, "You aided me once, and it was the only time we had spoken. After that, I don't recall ever seeing you around."

"Of course you didn't!" scoffed Desiree, "Not with that little red haired bitch."

Severus was getting annoyed now. Not just because of the insults towards Lily, but because this seemed utterly pathetic! Screwing around with his relationship for what? Something that happened when they were teenagers!?

"I tried talking to you again, Severus. I tried hard, but… that Gryffindor always got in the way! And then when you called her a Mudblood, I was sure it was over. But no, you tailed her time and again and apologised! I thought you were above it!"
Desiree's face held nothing but disgust now. "You were a Death Eater, Severus. A good one! You still bear the Mark on your arm. You don't even deserve it, do you? You betrayed him!"

"So you decided to manipulate my relationship with Harry because I betrayed the Dark Lord?" Severus asked. He knew he still had enemies out there, but she wasn't even a Death Eater!
"You call yourself a follower?" he asked accusingly, "You don't even bear the Mark! You know nothing of what the Dark Lord truly stood for."

Desiree stood up from her seat, chains on her wrists connected to the bench so she couldn't get far. "I worshipped him more than you ever did!" she hissed, spittle flying from her mouth. "I never would have betrayed him like you had! You and your filthy fetish for Mudbloods and Gryffindors! You disgust me!"

"If you worshipped the Dark Lord so much, then why didn't you fight? Why was it I who was beside him? Where were you when Hogwarts was attacked? Where is your Dark Mark? Or are you a coward?"

Desire made a vicious noise from the back of her throat before she laughed, sitting back down. "Some may say it was cowardice, but why bother support the Dark Lord and get myself captured or killed when others were so willing?" she asked, smirking.
"The Dark Lord had his men, albeit most of them traitors and cowards, but I was to stay safe. I was to worship him silently. Don't tell me you think we're all dead or captured. There were plenty of us smart enough to let others take the credit while we simply watched and supported in silence. When he was to die? I'd destroy Potter for him… and whoever stood in my way."

Severus' knuckled whitened, but he stood his ground, placing them behind his back. "Pity, you didn't get very far with that, did you?"

"I could have!" she howled, "I could have let you both suffer the worst of deaths! Potter sick and decaying whilst you rotted in Azkaban. It should be you in here, not me!"

Severus just smirked, waving a finger and tsking. "If you knew the Dark Lord like I had, perhaps you would have killed swiftly instead of taunting your prey. It got him killed, too, in the end."

Once more, Desiree hissed. "I was good at what I did, Severus. Don't even try and berate me. I had you both ill! Do you think I'm that stupid to come rampaging into your office while others are there? Not to mention that bloody bird of yours. He may be an animal, but phoenixes are incredibly persuasive in power. I couldn't risk it."

"So you hired a Muggle, or better yet, put a curse on him to follow your orders? Was it because you are part Veela, or did you use the Imperius curse on him?"

"Oh, you men," Desiree smirked manically, "Muggles are no match for the slightest Veela. I already told you how simple that was. It was going to be a slow process, but well worth the wait in my opinion. I could have spared you, Severus. And perhaps I would have," she continued, "but you couldn't get your mind off that stupid boy! I could have given you everything he couldn't-,"

"A life of lies and manipulation?" Severus almost spat in disgust. "Do you think I'm stupid enough to not keep my body cleansed of potions? What kind of Potions master would I be to allow such a stupid elixir to get into any of my drinks?"

"You would have come to trust me, Severus. I would have been there for you, while you were sick from Potter's bond in here. I would have taken you in and looked after you while no one else would have. Oh yes, the suffering from betraying our Lord would have been spectacular, but I never intended to kill you. Just the boy. Just to finish the Dark Lord's work so he can rest in peace."

Snape scowled in repugnance. He knew that he may never live a complete and utter safe life due to his actions (and being with Potter), but he should have been more prepared. He trusted no one, and especially not Desiree. Her Veela charm hardly worked on him, but emotional manipulation was a completely different level—especially when in grieving.
He took a step closer and leant his palms onto the table. "He was not and never will be my Lord," he whispered dangerously, "And you will rot in Azkaban for the rest of your miserable life, just like you deserve. Not in a thousand years would I ever think of you as anything but the swine of this world. Even worse than the Muggles you so hate."
When she whimpered, he pushed himself up and turned his back. "Voldemort would have detested such a whelp," he jaded before pushing the door open, Maliki following him out.

"How dare you speak his name! Get back here! Come back and face me!" yelled the witch, her voice hoarse and broken. "Severus! I did this for us! For the Dark Lord! Potter needs to pay!"

Severus just stormed down the corridor of the prison, the yells soon nothing but silence.

*****
After leaving the Great Hall to check on Spells in the Owlery, Harry had been returning back inside when Ginny caught him.
"Oh, hey, Ginny, what's up?" he asked.

"I know Ron and Hermione aren't going out anymore, so I just wanted to apologise if any of it has been hard on you," said the girl.

Harry just shrugged. "It's not your fault, Ginny, you don't need to apologise about anything."

"I know, but… still. I know Ron can be a real sod sometimes."

Well she wasn't wrong there. "Well… thanks," he smiled. Don't you have Quidditch practice?"

"It was cancelled. Hufflepuff needed to train one of their new team members," she explained, "the other got suspended."

Harry felt bad that he couldn't keep up with the Quidditch that well anymore. Not being able to play for his team was awful, but exams were more important—so everyone else said. He'd kill to get back on the pitch, but he knew he just couldn't. Plus, Ginny seemed to be doing Gryffindor team proud.
"Well, next game you better knock 'em dead, right?" he laughed.

Ginny just grinned, her cheeks going a pink hue. "You bet I will. Hey, maybe when they're done we can have a game? Just fun, nothing serious."

Harry's lips parted as he knew what was coming later today. As soon as Snape returned, he'd want to know every little detail about what had gone on. But right now, he couldn't see Snape around, could he?
"Sure… I'd like that—if I have the time, though. I still have a few things to do," he added quickly—just in case Snape got back before they could start a game.

"Not a problem, Harry. We'll meet at the pitch in about an hour, does that sound good?"

"Sounds good," he said, nodding. Ginny seemed hesitant to leave, but like she didn't have anything else to say either, so she said an awkward goodbye and then ran back to Gryffindor team.
Harry walked back to the dungeons to see if Snape had returned. The office was still open—though the door was closed like he'd left it. No one was inside when he stepped in. The fire was low, Fawkes was out, and the office was quiet.
He waited for a while longer, but Snape still wasn't back. He started to worry that something bad may have happened. No, surely not. He felt a bit agitated, but that was about it, and he was positive that if anything bad happened to Snape, he'd be able to feel it through their bond.
When Snape still hadn't returned, he figured there wasn't much point just waiting around and being bored. Instead, he took Ginny's offer and he headed to the Quidditch pitch, summoning his broom beforehand.
As he went down, he saw the other Gryffindor's still in their Quidditch gear from this morning, and Ginny ran up to him.

"You made it. Didn't think you were coming back," she smirked.

Harry just grinned. "I think it's about time I got back on this broom." When Ginny grabbed his arm, he gasped as she led him onto the field. There, the games begun.
He had to admit, it felt great to be back on his broom. The last time he'd been on it was when… He tried to push the thought of Desiree out of his mind. No, this was a time for him to be carefree, not worry so much about what was going on in his personal life. He needed this.

*****
Coming back through the fireplace, Severus was still royally pissed off. He knew whatever the truth was that he wasn't going to be pleased or amused by it. And yet, the facts were the facts. Desiree was locked up. Why be so angry over it? In all honesty, he should be thrilled.
Running a hand through his hair, he vented a sigh, calming himself down. If it weren't for saying she wanted Potter dead, then he may not have been so upset. But the bond made him more feisty than he wanted to admit over the Gryffindor.
Speaking of… where was Harry? He looked around his quarters. Everything was clean from breakfast—to be expected. Although he didn't assume Harry would stick around while he was gone either. It was a somewhat warmer day and the sun was out. It was also the weekend. He'd probably be with his friends.
He'd keep to his word. He'd tell Harry what happened and what Desiree's intentions were. So he headed out of the dungeons, only to be stopped when Draco Malfoy called his name.
Turning, he looked at the Slytherin boy. He admitted, he'd always have a soft spot for Draco. Not just because the boy grew up around him and Lucius, but because he knew Draco had finally changed from his father's ways.
"Draco, what can I do for you?" he asked.

"My mother was wondering if you would like to catch up with her tomorrow? At the manor?" asked Malfoy.

Tomorrow? Severus couldn't think of an excuse out of it, and he hadn't seen Narcissa in a while.
"Will your father be there?"

"No," said Draco, "Mother and father aren't…" He drifted off.

"I see," Snape replied, understanding that Draco was a proud wizard. To have their pureblood family split up? It wasn't exactly a good look now, was it?
"What time?"

"Dinner at six," he informed, hesitating.

"Is there something else you need?"

Malfoy looked awkward for a moment before looking back up. "She said to… to bring Potter."

Now that did shock Severus. He stared at Draco for a moment before nodding. "I make no promises," he stated bluntly. It was up to Harry, really. To deny Narcissa wasn't exactly on his menu, but this was dangerous territory when it came to Harry. Merlin knew the Potters and Malfoys weren't exactly friends.

Draco nodded. "I will see you tomorrow night, then. Light dress, nothing too fancy."

When Draco walked away, Severus stood there for a moment. It was strange, very strange, and yet why didn't he think this would happen? He and Narcissa were actually quite close. After everything with Draco, they ought to be. He protected her son, and in the end… killed Dumbledore so his soul could stay innocent.
Would Harry agree to go? He had no idea. He guessed the only way to find out was to inform him of it. So he headed back outside to see if he could find the Gryffindor.
He wasn't in the usual places, yet it was a sunny day, so the next best guess was the Quidditch pitch. And sure enough, Potter could be seen on his broom, hair flying around while he was dressed in his Muggle clothes.
Severus didn't head towards the stands. He wasn't here to watch the Gryffindor's play—he wouldn't be caught dead seeing them play. The last time he was here that was under different circumstances. He was ill and Harry needed to be close.
Instead, he headed towards the doorway into the stadium, hoping to catch Harry's eye when he went past or looked in his general direction. He wasn't going to be standing here all day, so if it came to it, he'd be heading up there himself. Broom or no broom.
Already frustrated from Desiree, it didn't help any when he saw who was hovering around Harry. The Weasley girl. Hadn't she gotten it through her head yet? Potter wasn't interested! He didn't even know how Harry could look at her with what she had done to manipulate his trust!
He teeth gritted. 'It's not like you hadn't been the same way around Lily, Severus…' he tried to remind himself. 'Then again, you hadn't poisoned her with a love potions, had you?' He felt his chest pang with anger. No, he didn't like Ginerva Weasley, he never had and he never would. But seeing the girl and Harry together bugged the hell out of him. The fresh bond was eating at him with raw jealousy and rage. He wanted to go up there and knock her off her broom.
Okay, there was no need for violence. No, her and Harry were friends, and he'd just have to get used to that, wouldn't he? He understood their relationship had some ups and downs—and it always would. But that didn't mean he loved Harry any less. It just pissed him off to see the Gryffindor shrug it off like it never happened…
It wasn't a good time to be here, and he was afraid if he didn't leave then something bad may happen. With the bond so fresh, he was smart enough to not risk an accident happening. They'd been careless before, and he didn't want that. When Potter was ready to come down, then he would tell him. Be damned if he was hanging around to watch them flirt with one another, though.

*****
When Harry was done with his Quidditch, he had broken out in a sweat and his hair was a mess. When he saw the time, he quickly told Ginny that he had to go. He had no idea that it had gone so fast, but then again, time flew when you were having fun, right?
He wondered if Severus was back yet. Surely he was! He'd been out there for almost two hours. Snape promised that he would come and tell him as soon as he was back. Was he losing faith in him? No, of course not… he just worried that if he wasn't back all this time, then what exactly was going on in Azkaban?
Quickly heading to the dungeons, broom in hand, he knocked on the door and opened it. Snape was at his desk, and he felt an odd sensation hit his gut. Anger? Annoyance? Hurt? Why the hell was he just sitting there at his desk instead of going out and telling him what the hell happened!?
"I didn't know you were back…" he said oddly as he stepped inside, "I thought you said you were going to come and tell me what happened. I was starting to worry something bad was happening…"

"Were you?" questioned Severus, anger flaring into his own gut.

What was with the tone? Harry raised a brow.

"I couldn't sense a spec of concern on you whilst you and that Weasley girl were so enthralled with one another."

This again? "You weren't back, so I decided to have a game of Quidditch. Is that so bad?" Honestly, it was a sunny day and it was the weekend—he could do whatever the hell he wanted to! It wasn't like he hadn't actually waited for Snape to come back.
When Snape didn't say anything, Harry gave a huff. "You're going to do this again?" he asked. "I already told you that Ginny and I will never be like that. I don't like her like that, okay?"

"She certainly still likes you."

"So!?" Harry asked, shrugging his shoulders. "Do you think that's in my control? I can't change her feelings, Severus. What am I supposed to do? Are you saying I can't even be seen around her because it'll get you all pissed off?"

Snape's hands tightened a little. "You may do whatever you please," he said, looking up, but his voice was clearly sarcastic, "I just presumed there were more important things going on in your life right now rather than continuing a friendship that has broken trust. Something like: perhaps why a certain witch tried to get the both of us killed!"

"I waited for you!" Harry yelled, his arm coming out. "I waited for an hour and you still weren't back. What was I supposed to do? Just sit around your office all day?"

A greedy part of Snape wanted to say yes, but he knew that wasn't actually right. Harry still had a life outside of their relationship. It was wrong of him to want Harry around him all the time and no one else, and he knew that. Knowing and feeling something was completely different, though, and Harry knew he could be possessive.
He put his hands together on the desk and looked at Harry sternly. "I'm not going to argue about what you should and shouldn't have done, Potter-,"

"Oh, we're going back to a last name basis?" said the Gryffindor, frowning vehemently.

Snape rolled his eyes. "Stop acting like a child and shut up for a moment."

"I'm acting like a child? You're the one getting jealous over Ginny."

Snape stood from his seat, the chair scraping across the stone ground. "Do you want to hear what I have to say or do you want to get the hell out of my office? I went to Azkaban for you today, Harry. I was finished with her. So take it or leave it."

Sensing Snape's anger, Harry let his shoulders loosen as he put his hands back down to his side. "Fine, alright," he muttered, sitting down. Despite being bothered, he wanted to know what had happened—of course he did! This was important to the both of them.

Severus mentally sighed before sitting back down and calming himself. "Desiree's intentions were to split us apart, to have you suffer for the Dark Lord's passing. By breaking the bond, you would eventually die from being ill, and I would have been in Azkaban."

Harry swallowed heavily, looking at his lover. "So… she was a Death Eater, then?"

"No," Snape informed. "Not all of the Dark Lord's followers were Death Eaters. Many worshipped him in silence. Desiree was one. Not much of a follower in my books, but she claims to have, so I'll take her word for it."

Feeling annoyed, Harry was more than happy that she was spending her time in Azkaban. "So that was it? She just wanted to finish off his work?"

"You're going to have enemies for the rest of your life, Harry. As will I. It is something we'll have to live with and be prepared for. Desiree will not be the last."

He hated that, though. He couldn't live a life when Voldemort was alive and he couldn't even live a normal one when the bastard was dead. It only gave him more incentive to become an Auror. The more he practiced, the better he would get at protecting himself.
"What did she want with you, then? Just to let you rot in Azkaban?" he asked, looking back up.

Severus was silent for a moment. "I don't believe she quite knew what she wanted to do with me…" he murmured. "Darlene Desiree wasn't her true name. She changed it, as did she mature quite so since I had last seen her."

What? "So you did know her? You told me you didn't…"

Before Harry could chew him out, Severus put a hand up. "Darlene, no, I hardly knew her. However, the girl she had been before—Katherine Grey—I had. I met her only once, though, when I was a student here. She helped pick up my books when your father attacked me in the corridor. There had been rumours of a part Veela here at Hogwarts. She was the one targeted. However, that was the only time I had ever paid attention to her, and I recall telling her to sod off."

Harry felt his insides cringe. He doubted he'd ever get over the fact that his father had horribly tormented Snape. However, he did feel a sense of satisfaction that Snape had told her off. It was somewhat comforting to know.
"But… she obviously knew you, right? I mean, why say all that stuff? Especially when you were a… a Death Eater."

"Yes, well, apparently she had been keeping something on me. If I fooled the Dark Lord, then I certainly fooled her, too. She thought I was utterly loyal until the end result. Apparently that struck a chord with her. She waited until the time was right to strike."

It was Harry's turn to feel possessive this time. He really didn't like the way Severus was talking about her. He'd seen the way she was flirting with him while she was here. He wasn't stupid. Whatever her name was had something for him—and that pissed him off. She wasn't nice. She was in it for herself. So to pick up Snape's books? Oh yeah, definitely something for him.
"You sound like you admire that…" he muttered, though giving the other an accusing look.

Severus just raised a brow. "Well, I must admit, despite the utter hatred I hold for her, you can always respect your enemy, Harry. Certainly doesn't mean I have to like it…"

That got on Harry's nerves even more. "That woman could have sent you to Azkaban and killed me. How can you hold any kind of respect towards that?"

"I'm a Slytherin," stated Severus. He stood up from his desk and approached the younger wizard. "Harry, I don't expect someone such as yourself to understand where I am coming from. We both know that we can be quite the opposite at times."
A part of Severus was more than pleased to see that Harry was showing signs of jealousy considering what he had been thinking of the Weasley girl beforehand. It still baffled him how anyone could be so jealous for him, but he tried to embrace it the best he could. It showed Harry cared and made him feel less worried over his own possessive self.

That still didn't mean he thought it was okay to respect the persistence that Desiree or whatever her name had towards them.
"Is that it, then? Is it over?"

"I believe so."

It was strange. Harry didn't realise just how much he had been stressing over the whole situation. But as soon as Severus spoke those words, he felt a weight he didn't know existed lift from his shoulders.
He felt his body relax in the chair, the tension in his muscles deflating. It was over. Desiree was in prison. He knew the reasons why. And being a supporter of Voldemort, she wouldn't see the light of day again.

"Is everything alright?" asked the Slytherin, putting a hand onto Harry's shoulder as he seemed to gaze away.

"Yeah…" murmured Harry, looking back up, "Yeah, it's good. It's all good. It's finally over. She's in prison and won't get out for a very long time—if ever. I feel like I can finally start getting my head sorted out."

Severus' top lip curled slightly. "There is something else I must inform you of."

Looking at the Slytherin's dark eyes, Harry gave him a questioning look. "What is it?"

"Narcissa Malfoy has invited us over to the Malfoy Manor tomorrow for dinner."

Harry looked at Snape with an odd look. Suddenly, that weight that was lifted from his shoulders came piling on again.