A/N: Thank you again to all my reviewers. I hope you enjoyed the previous chapter, here we go.

Chapter 10: Rapacity

Severus glared hatefully up at Black. His bonds tight against his skin. The bastard smirked at him triumphantly, he simply sneered back in return.

"So, itty bitty Snivvy has finally come peeping. Couldn't ever keep your beak out of other peoples business could you? Well then. I suppose your going to have to stay a while. After all, I can't have you blabbing to your master, can I?" He chuckled madly.

"Bella dearest, put him in a cage would you. Oh, and take off his shirt. Wouldn't want to get that ruined now would we?" Bellatrix cackled and dragged Severus to one of the silver cages pressed up against the wall. It was small and forced him to lie on his side, with his knees to his chest and his back pressed painfully against the bars. He forced the grunt of pain back down his throat, he wouldn't allow black to see his weakness.

"Now that Snivvy is resting comfortably we can begin. Tell me Snivillus, how do you get into Voldemorts castle?" Black questioned,

"Ha! If you think petty torture will make me talk Black, then you are as mad as your cousin." Severus spat hatefully.

"Oh I don't know Snivvy. Pain can do wonders once you know where to hurt. Especially with someone like you. Pain can make you talk when applied with enough force behind it. For example. If you tell me how to get in to Voldemorts stronghold, then I won't hurt Dalen at all. So, how about it?" After a moments silence Severus turned to his captor sneering.

"You would hurt him anyway, regardless of what I tell you. So I reiterate. If you think petty torture will make me talk, then you are sure to be disappointed. Make me break Black, if you can."

"Very well. Let us begin then" Black croaked in excitement lifting a whip off the wall. "I think, I shall enjoy this immensely."

~~~A Light is Born~~~

Peter Pettigrew puffed nervously outside the dark lords chambers. Voldemort needed to know.

"Enter." The hissed voice made him shudder in fear. Cautiously he pushed the door open and slipped inside. Fear making his entire body shake.

" Enter, Wormtail?" The dark lord hissed.

" Sirius Black has... Has... C...c...captured Severus. Sir." He stuttered out. Unsure of how his master would take the news, he stumbled backwards a few steps. Voldemort roared in anger. Standing from behind his desk he quickly glanced towards the fireplace where Dalen was playing quietly with his stuffed animals.

"This is the second move Black has made against the hard-won peace. We need to act, and soon. I beloved that Dalens safety is priority. Then we need to go about rescuing Severus. Leave Wormtail. Go tell Lucius to wait in the great hall. But first, your arm" Peter drew up his sleeve, revealing the Dark Mark. Voldemort pressed his finger to it, calling all of his most faithful. They needed to meet and decide how they would act. After Peter had scurried out Marvolo shed his snake-like glamour and picked Dalen up, resting the child on his hip. He quickly made his way to the great hall. He feared for Dalen, if Sirius had gotten his hands on Severus, then he could put Dalen in serious trouble.

"Perhaps little one, you will be going away to school much sooner than I had hoped."

~~~A Light is Born~~~

Lilly Evans stared at the letter in shock. Voldemort was asking this of her. She shook her head and looked again. This wasn't possible, it couldn't be. Carefully, she Reread the letter.

'Dear Miss Evans

I am writing to you on behalf of my son. It seems that Sirius Black is making his personal was against us known. It was brought to my attention that early yesterday, Severus Snape was captured by Black. This puts Dalen in a great deal of danger.

By now I am sure you know what I am going to ask. If you would be so kind ms Evans, would you be able to take care and look after Dalen until such a time as I may do so again. I know this is short notice, but if you would be able to take him within the week you would have my eternal gratitude.

I hope to hear from you soon.

Lord Voldemort.'

Lilly stared, then quickly grabbed parchment and quill and scribbled a reply before tossing the letter she had received into the fire. Destroying any evidence of the missive and the request. She turned back to the bird that had delivered the message. She tied the reply to his leg before sending him off. Dalen would be staying here before the week was out, she needed to prepare for him. He would be nervous and scared here for the first while. The least she could do was prepare some rooms for the child. Hat and tell Nick of course. And Draco, they both would be ecstatic. With a slight smile she began preparing for her new guest.

~~~A Light is Born~~~

"NO!" Marvolo stood shocked. This was the first time Dalen had ever raised his voice against his father. And this time he wasn't backing down or apologizing.

"NO! I am not leaving." He pouted. Dalens eyes wide and filling with tears.

"It is for your own good child." Immediately Marvolo regretted saying that. His sons eyes filled with tears of betrayal. After one last loud sob, the boy looked away. He nodded his acceptance submissively. Marvolo could tell that he had lost some of the trust that he had managed to gain with his son.

"Child. Black is after you. He is chasing you and trying to get you back. I cannot risk that, I don't want to lose you. Not again. Not after just getting you back. I don't mean to be cruel, but... I am afraid for you. Sirius already has Severus." With the final revelation Dalen jerked up to face his father.

"Master Black has taken godfather?" He questioned fearfully. Marvolo could only nod dejectedly. Dalen loved his godfather dearly. He always looked out over the grounds for him whenever Severus had been away for a while. Though it was endearing, it also worried Marvolo that Dalen had formed the parental bond with Severus and not with him.

"Will you go and stay at Hogwarts for me my son?" Marvolo asked, a bit desperate for his sons consent. After a moments hesitation, Dalen nodded, hugging his father tight.

"Thank you little one. Now go pack everything you will need. We will be leaving tonight." Dalen looked over his father, as if he was afraid that he would forget what his only parent looked like as soon as they had separated. Then he hugged his father again and walked off to his room.

Dalen had greatly improved from the fearful boy they had rescued six months ago. Now he was laughing, walking and playing almost like a normal child. Though he never disagreed before today or even spoke loudly, Marvolo was content in the knowledge that his son had recovered as much as they could hope.

"Oh Marian. I wish you were here. He needs a mother figure in his life. Hopefully Lilly Evans can be that figure for him." He sighed, before turning away and retreating to his study to finish his paperwork.

TBC

A/N: ok that was short, but I needed there to be a break between this part and the next, but, hey you guys get an early chapter. So, yeah, read, review. You know the drill.

Lots of Love

DNStalker.