Chapter 4

Draco shot straight up in bed. He looked around his lavishly decorated room to find himself in night clothes. His hands flew to his face, checking to make sure that this was not a dream. Pinching his cheeks, he determined this was unfortunately reality. The light of dawn was peeking through the heavy drapes of his windows. Collapsing onto his back, he stared up at the ceiling. The Imperius Curse left his memories intact, and his brain cycled through the last six? Ten? Twelve hours? He had no recollection of a timeline, only the remembrance of his crimes.

"How could I do that to her…" Draco pulled a pillow over his face and screamed into it. I didn't want any of this. Please forgive me Marie.

When he arrived home, he had been greeted by Voldemort and his father. The Dark Lord rested a hand on Draco's shoulder and smiled – if you could call it that. Lucius looked on in a fit of jealousy but remained silent. "My dear boy, how does it feel to know that in just a matter of months, you will be the father of a new heir to Slytherin?" he was overjoyed at this. Everything was coming together perfectly.

Draco looked into his eyes, still under the power of the curse. "It feels good." He smirked proudly. "I'm happy to serve you, my Lord."

"You've done so well," Voldemort's long bony fingers trailed up to the top of Draco's head and rested there. "It's time to rest now." He began uttering the counter curse and released Draco from his power. He was weaker than Voldemort anticipated and had collapsed on the floor. The Unforgivable Curses put the body through an immense amount of stress, and it was Draco's first time under the influence of one.

A pair of House Elves rushed to the boy and refused to make eye contact with the older men. Together they were able to carry Draco away and up to his room. Lucius spoke once they were gone. "My Lord, I don't understand how this came to be. I thought I had one more chance. Wasn't that supposed to be me?" Voldemort became annoyed with his whining servant. His expression of joy immediately turned to disgust.

"I changed my mind. This is no longer your task. It's over for you." He left Lucius in the foyer with a look of horror plastered on his face. His breathing became shallow and his hands turned to fists. After everything I've done for him, he just pushes me out of the way?! Lucius punched a vase that was sitting on a nearby end table. I don't care what he says, this isn't over. I swear if that wench isn't pregnant after tonight, then it's my turn. I'll fuck her as many times as it takes.

Days had passed since Marie was attacked. She spent most of her time in bed, barely emerging to eat or drink. Severus did not bother her and had been waiting for her to speak up first. Dumbledore thought that was best as well. Don't push her Severus, let her open up to you if she wants to talk. There had also been a skirmish between the Order and a handful of Death Eaters. It seemed that ever since word got to Voldemort about the rape, he focused his attention on Harry again. This bought Severus some time to formulate a better defense strategy with Dumbledore.

It was late into the evening and Severus decided to make his way upstairs for an early slumber. He had been attempting to break his habit of staying up late. He needed to be well rested in order to be on his guard. Before he could move from the couch he heard Marie descending the stairs. She stopped in the doorway, wrapped up in a heavy blanket. Her hair was messy; no doubt that it hadn't been brushed this entire time. Marie slowly walked into the room and sat next to him on the couch. "I've been doing some thinking," she began, staring into the fire.

Severus put down his reading material. The light of the fire revealed her puffy eyes. Her lips were cracked and she seemed dehydrated. Severus's thoughts broke when Marie drew closer to him and rested her head on his shoulder, still staring at the flames. Under these circumstances he wouldn't dare shove her away, but he wouldn't be inviting either.

"I'm sorry I was rude to you the other night. You were only trying to help me and I was too distraught to see that." Marie didn't really notice that she had put her head down, but if he didn't object, then she wouldn't move. "I should be more grateful that I'm even alive I suppose."

"No need for an apology." He muttered, still carrying his own guilt.

Marie continued spilling her feelings. "Yes there is. Think about it: if I was anywhere else in the world and the same events were occurring, no one would help. No one. I'm lucky to have you and Professor Dumbledore. I'm lucky to have had Hogwarts. No matter what the outcome of all this is, I'll never blame you."

Severus was quiet. I need her to trust me, but I hate lying to her. Why can none of this just be simple? Marie took his prolonged silence as him understanding and accepting her apology. As Severus thought of how to respond, he felt the pressure on his shoulder become heavier. "Marie?" she was asleep. She was still exhausted both mentally and physically. Perhaps tomorrow he would try and get her to finally eat. He sighed and gingerly let her fall the rest of the way until she lay flat on the couch. "I wish I could tell you everything. You don't deserve this."

After a month of small battles between the Death Eaters and the Order, Voldemort thought it would be best to check in on what should be a growing heir. Lucius waited eagerly for instructions. It had been too long since he was needed by his superior. When Voldemort hissed his name, he perked up quickly. "Lucius, why don't you check in on Severus and the girl to make sure things are going smoothly?" He could have kissed Voldemort he was so happy to be used.

"Yes sir, of course. Right away."

Marie was in the living room, decorating a small Christmas tree. She begged Severus to let her have one. He couldn't remember the last time anything festive was in his house. Whatever makes her feel better. "For it being so short, it actually looks quite nice." He watched from an armchair as Marie placed the last bit of tinsel on the branches. Waving her wand the multicolored lights turned on and began twinkling. Taking a step back, she admired her work.

"I think it's perfect." She smiled. "There's one thing missing though." Marie walked to a nearby closet and pulled out a neatly wrapped box.

Severus furrowed his brow. "Is that… a present?" he asked. Marie placed it under the tree and turned to answer him. He couldn't remember the last time he received one of those either.

"I couldn't help myself. Just open it in a week and pretend to like it." She joked. Marie stopped laughing when there was a loud banging noise at the front door.

"Stay where you are, just in case." Severus ordered, standing up to answer it. He shoved his wand up his sleeve for quick access. Looking through the peephole, he froze. Lucius… I guess I should have expected this.

Opening the door slowly, Lucius skipped the formalities. "He sent me. Let me in." he barked. Not waiting for permission he pushed his way past Severus. "This should be quick…"

"Stop right there." He grabbed Lucius's arm and lowered his voice. "You know I don't agree with what's going on, but you know I have no choice in it either. If this is truly just a house call, then I want no funny business. Do you understand?" Severus let his wand slip from his sleeve and he jabbed it into Lucius's rib cage. The blonde only smirked, finding his attitude amusing. Don't tell me he genuinely cares for her.

"Who was at the door Professor?" Marie asked, hearing footsteps coming back into the room. She was crouched on the ground, trying to find the right spot for his present.

"Marie, please don't move."

She began to turn around. "What are you talking about, I –" her eyes widened and she fell flat on her bottom. Scrambling to her feet in a panic she fumbled to raise her wand and it fell to the floor. "Why is he here? Why did you let him in?!" she yelled. Lucius moved closer to her, backing Marie into the corner.

"To check on my grandchild of course. Or should I say Slytherin's grandchild?" He reached out to feel her stomach which was buried beneath a baggy sweatshirt. Marie swatted at his hand, making contact with a loud smacking sound. "Testy, aren't we?"

"Don't fucking touch me! I've had enough of you and your son!" she spat. Severus could do nothing but watch this unfold in front of him.

Lucius only laughed. "Is that what this is about? Did you really think I would allow him to date someone like you? Although, things are certainly different now, aren't they?" Marie looked confused. Draco had ended their friendship, right? "Wait a second…" Lucius pieced things together. "Draco never told you it was my doing? Oh this is rich."

"He… he didn't do it on his own accord?"

"No, stupid. I told him to get rid of you!"

Then he did care about me…

Marie's thoughts swirled around her head. This was too much. "Can we get on with this now?" Lucius broke the silence. Marie whimpered as he lifted her sweatshirt to reveal no swelling.

"What… You're not pregnant, are you?" Lucius's hand roamed the front of her body. His touch was freezing cold. "Severus, haven't you tested her?!" he grabbed Marie by the collar and brought her face close to his. "If I find out you took anything for this, may the gods help you…" he released her roughly and walked back to Severus.

He knew better than to speak about the potion. "Human biology isn't your strong suit, it seems." Lucius scoffed in offense. "It's only been a month. Some witches have been known to never show at all during the whole pregnancy. Give it time." Severus kept a straight face.

"We'll be sending Draco tomorrow for good measure. If it doesn't take soon, I'll be forced to come back myself and make sure it's done. Although," Lucius glanced back at Marie in a perverted manner. "I can't say I wouldn't mind that." Lucius chuckled and showed himself out of the house. This is perfect. The fun I'm going to have with her…

Severus looked at Marie who returned a cold stare. "Who are you actually working for?" she demanded to know. "One day you're trying to keep me away from this, the next you're inviting him into your home to grope and threaten me!"

"Marie, it's complicated. You wouldn't understand." He said firmly.

"Well now that I know Draco never hated me, I wonder if I would be safer with him!" Marie blew up at Severus. "Who knows – maybe soon you'll try to fuck me too! I mean, why not? Seems the whole wizarding world is trying to!" she shoved past Severus to head upstairs when he grabbed her arm and spun her around to face him.

"Don't you dare lump me into the same category as them." Severus gritted his teeth. "If I was that sick, don't you think I would have by now?! Just because I'm not allowed to reveal everything about myself to you, doesn't mean you can't trust me!" he tried desperately to reassure her.

Marie took back her arm and stopped just before reaching the staircase. "…I know Professor." She said quietly.