Chapter 8

Skyrah woke up in her husband's arms, but not in a casual way. Her back was pressed against his torso. His hand cupped her breast. She could have easily removed it and pretended nothing had happened. That wasn't the problem. The problem was that Skyrah could feel his morning erection against her butt and, as if on cue, flashbacks of the time she lost her virginity flooded back. Just great, now I am horny, she thought.

"Severus?"

There was no reaction out of him, so she tried again, this time louder.

He didn't move, he just whispered in a deep voice still half-asleep, "Yes?"

His breath hit her skin, making the hair from her nape bristle. She bit her bottom lip.

"You have a morning problem which is typical of men… Apart from your hand on my breast."

He stiffened. Now he was fully awake.

"Shit! I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable," he excused himself as he retrieved his hand and distanced himself as much as he could from his wife.

His cheeks and ears burned in embarrassment. Skyrah turned around so that they were face to face, even though they kept their distance.

"You haven't made me feel uncomfortable, Severus, you've turned me on."

His pupils dilated at her sultry tone. He didn't move, but Skyrah crawled towards him and lay on top of him.

"Should we take care of this?" she asked in a low pitch that sent shivers down his spine.

"I thought you didn't want to rush anything," he said, out of breath.

She gave him a lopsided grin. "I remember you said it was too late for that."

She traced patterns on his pectorals with her fingers.

Gods.

This was heaven. And yet, he didn't want to have sex with her like this. Rushed. Messy, getting on it because he had woken up with a hard-on. He wanted her. Merlin only knew how much. True. Yesterday he hadn't hesitated to snog her. Snogging and having sex were different, though.

"You don't have to do this."

"I want to," she husked, putting her hand on his cheek like she had done right before they lost their virginities.

He shut his eyes. Fuck. She was slowly grinding herself on his erection now. He had to bit his tongue to keep from moaning. He thanked Merlin they weren't naked. This would have been even more difficult to handle. Her hips stopped its wiggle once she noticed he wasn't moving or speaking.

"Look at me." He opened his eyes. Her expression was as soft as her touch. "We won't have sex until we are both ready and want it. I am already pregnant. We aren't forced to do anything. If you would rather wait to have sex, tell me. I will not get offended. I know it is soon."

He gulped and lowered his gaze.

"I see..." She pulled a disappointed face but recovered quickly and gave his cheek one last stroke. "Let me know when you are ready, okay?"

He nodded, thankful he hadn't needed to speak for her to understand him. He didn't trust his voice. Not right then.

With a sly grin, she added, "You aren't going to deny me a good morning kiss, too, are you?"

And she captured his mouth in a kiss. She tried to remove her body from his lower zone so that he wouldn't feel uncomfortable with their pelvises rubbing together, but she ended up brushing his hardness with her hip anyway. He let out a smoldering moan, breaking the kiss. First, he made it clear he wanted to wait for sex. Then, he went and made a sound that told her he did want to have sex. He was afraid to look her in the eye and see her reproach or confusion, so he shut his eyes and waited for her to leave. If he had kept his eyes open, he would have realized Skyrah was pleased with his reaction, smiling smugly.

When he was sure she was out of earshot, he groaned and wondered why the bloody hell he had declined her tempting offer. Again, he found himself inwardly reciting, Think about a naked Potter, Albus in pink a swimsuit, the Dark Lord…

Breakfast was not as awkward as he had expected. She behaved as if she hadn't been rejected, and for that, he was thankful. They had just finished washing the dishes when Severus grimaced and grabbed his forearm. Skyrah already knew what that meant. Seconds later, his Death Eater robes and mask were on. Skyrah wore her own mask, as well, that mask that occluded her humanity in front of Voldemort. They apparated in the woods. Voldemort and Nagini were waiting for them. As always, there were no Death Eaters to witness the reunion.

"Remove your mask, Severus."

"Did you get the job?" Severus heard Voldemort ask while he took the mask off.

"Severus arranged a meeting. I only had to convince Dumbledore, and I did. The job is mine."

"Does he suspect you?"

Severus said, "No, my Lord. He is satisfied with your daughter's addition to the teaching staff."

Grinning evilly, Voldemort caressed Skyrah's cheek.

"I knew you wouldn't disappoint me." Lowering his voice to the point only Skyrah heard him, he added, "Andraste and that pathetic excuse of a witch you have for half-sister will be glad to hear you followed my orders. They won't be crucioed today."

She controlled the urge to clench her fists. Aware she had to do something to get a clue about their whereabouts, she met his eyes and said, "I demand to see them. I have done as you wish. Sooner than expected, too. It's the least you could do, Father."

Even though Severus couldn't hear what they were talking about, he nearly cringed when Voldemort slapped his own daughter so hard the blow resonated across the dense trees. She didn't cover her stinging cheek with her palm, she didn't even blink, as if being hit by her father was normal, something she had experienced all her life.

Severus felt sick.

"Insolent child, you will not take that tone with me."

"You taught me that rewarding your servants for a good job is important to keep them motivated. It is as important as punishing them to ensure they do not fail again. I presumed I would be rewarded."

"You are my daughter, not my servant."

"I am serving you," she retorted.

They stared at each other, neither backing down, and then, he smirked and dismissed Severus without even glancing his way. Severus apparated home with a bad presentiment growing in his stomach.

"Your motivation is not an issue. I can easily order my Death Eaters to murder your half-sister while Andraste watches." Skyrah blanched. "However, I am pleased to know my lessons taught you something. Take my arm."

She didn't vacillate. They disapparated with a pop. They appeared in a dark corridor. There was poor light that came through a small, rounded window. The walls and floor were made of stone. Skyrah distinguished the beginning of stairs by the end of the corridor.

"The reward comes with conditions, Skyrah." She met his eyes, listening attentively. "Stay no longer than five minutes."

"Or else?"

"A Death Eater will report me. You will regret it profoundly."

She gulped. "Anything else?"

Her feet did not touch the ground. Her hands went to her neck. His fingers were not touching her skin, but she couldn't breathe. The more Voldemort twisted his wand in the air, the tight the invisible grip on her neck became.

"Do not ever question my authority in front of my followers," he hissed. "I am your superior."

The curse came to an end. Skyrah dropped like a ragdoll, coughing and rubbing her neck in an attempt to alleviate the pain.

"Do not bother coming back later. They will be moved after the reunion."

By the time he left, she still was in a coughing fit. She forced herself to breathe slowly and calm down before walking down the corridor and climbing down the stairs. She didn't wish to scare her family. She was certain Voldemort had strangled her aiming for that. One minute later, she had composed herself. Four minutes to go. She broke into a run. After reaching the end of the stairs, she spotted a cell a few meters away.

"Mum! Dione!"

Her throat was still sore, and her voice was scratchier than she would have liked.

"Skyrah!" two feminine voices yelled at the same time.

Skyrah cast silencing charms, in case a Death Eater eavesdropped them, and reached her family. She slid her hands through the bars. Each took one hand and squeezed it tight. Tears formed in their eyes.

Skyrah had inherited her mother's shape of face and lips, but they looked nothing alike. Her mother's hair was curly red with white locks and her eyes were of a lively blue. Skyrah's half-sister had curly red hair and blue eyes, as her mother. Unlike the older woman though, the teen had freckles on her face and her nose and her lips were thinner. Both looked paler than usual and had bags under their eyes.

"Thank Merlin you are together!" said Skyrah.

Her mother snorted. "Tom wouldn't separate us. It would mean having more Death Eaters 'looking after' us instead of serving him and helping him recruit an army."

Skyrah smiled sadly. It was good to see that, gaunt as Andraste's appearance was, she had not lost her sarcasm. "I missed you."

Her mother grinned ruefully and kissed her palm. "I've thought about you every day."

Skyrah turned her attention to her sister. "How are you, little one?"

Dione rolled her eyes. "I'm not little! I'm fifteen!"

Skyrah and her mother chuckled, and Dione ended up chortling too. Soon, the Andraste's expression sobered and she wondered, "What has he done to you, my child?"

"Nothing serious."

"What's happened to your voice?" pressed Dione.

"A cold."

The girl frowned. "You used to lie better."

Skyrah huffed. "You used to keep your mouth shut so that Mum wouldn't catch me lying."

"I'm worried about you!"

"I don't want you to worry about me! I'm not the one captive!"

"Don't. Quarrel," growled their mother. "You will regret it later."

Skyrah shut her eyes and took a big breath.

"Sorry," she said, opening her eyes. "I'm a bit stressed. I don't have much time. I need to ask you something."

"Fine, but I expect you to tell me what else Tom has done to you, apart from bruising you," said Andraste, eyeing her neck and cheek meaningfully.

Skyrah mentally kicked herself. She had not thought about the bruises.

"Tell me everything you know about horcruxes, how to destroy them and where to find them. Which are the objects he selected?"

Her mother gasped. "Do you want to kill him?"

"Do you still love him?" Skyrah shot back.

Dione looked at her mother worriedly.

"You know whom I married. He was the love of my life," she said, wrapping her free arm around her youngest daughter.

"You can still love my father. You can still want him to be alive."

"The man I once loved is no longer alive, Skyrah."

"Help me, then. Tell me everything you know about horcruxes. If he dies, you will be free. All of us will."

Andraste shook her head. "You aren't a murderer... You aren't like him."

"Mum," begged Skyrah, close to tears. "Somebody has to stop him."

"Not you."

"I have help, okay? It doesn't have to be me, but we need the information. We need it."

Andraste stared at her for a full minute. Skyrah counted every second, getting sweatier and sweatier.

"He told me the objects, but not where to find them nor how to destroy them. He didn't trust anybody with that, not even me. It was in his slytherin self-preservation blood," her mother finally said.

"If you are hiding the truth just because-"

"I have never lied to you."

Skyrah gulped and gave her a nod, urging her to continue.

"His diary, Marvolo Gaunt's Ring, Slytherin's Locket, Hufflepuff's Cup and Ravenclaw's Diadem. I don't know if he's created more horcruxes now that he's back."

Skyrah memorized them and asked, "So they are objects related to Hogwarts founders, a family ring and his diary… Is that right?"

"Yes."

Skyrah squeezed her hand. "Thank you, Mother."

"Will someone tell me what horcruxes are?" Dione asked with a pout.

This made Skyrah and Andraste crack a grin.

"I'll tell you later, Dione. Now, let your sister speak. I recall she was going to tell us what that monster has done to her."

Skyrah bit her bottom lip. "He hit and strangled me today. I think he wanted to scare you."

"What else?" pressed her mother.

"I will work as the Defense Against the Dark Arts Hogwarts teacher."

"You were always keen on teaching," whispered Andraste with a relieved smile.

"Yes. I hope my spying skills convince Father, though." At Dione's frown, Skyrah added, "I'll be teaching Harry Potter."

"Oh..."

"Tom didn't kidnap us just so that you would spy on a teenager, Skyrah. What is the real mission?"

"I had to wed his most loyal Death Eater. We have to give him an heir."

Her family would have gasped horrified if it weren't for the twinkle in her eye. They exchanged looks.

"Skyrah, dear, you had that twinkle in your eye whenever you were naughty as a child. What is the mischief?" wondered Andraste.

"Let's just say 'most loyal' aren't the words I'd choose to describe him."

Andraste smiled a crooked smile. Her sister, though, furrowed her brow.

"And that makes it good? What about Daniel?"

Brown eyes got moist. "Don't... Don't mention his name now. I had to marry a Death Eater. I did, and I've been lucky enough to find that he is not a bad person. He's treated me with respect. There's nothing else I can ask."

"Are you sure you can trust this man?" she insisted.

"He hasn't given me a reason not to."

"What about the heir? Have you... Have you already... Er... Did you and that man..."

"Dione!" yelped her mother.

Skyrah would have blushed if it weren't for the fact she was currently trying different spells to break them free. Alohomora. Incendio. Bombarda Maxima. Tears of frustration streamed down her face. Time was against her. She would have to leave her family in a bloody cell.

"Stop it, Skyrah… We can't leave. And don't even think about facing that Death Eater. He is not alone in here. They move in packs, like wolves… You can't beat them all."

Skyrah let out a sob when she realized her mother was right. "I love you. I love both of you. I'm so sorry you have to go through this."

"We know," her sister replied.

"We love you too," her mother followed. "As long as Dione and I are together, we will be fine."

Footsteps were heard. Five minutes had gone by.

"Go, Skyrah, go!" screamed Andraste, holding her youngest daughter to comfort her.

Her last thought before disapparating was that she hadn't told them she was pregnant.

Severus was pacing in the living room, mind racing, when Skyrah apparated home.

She let herself fall on her knees and covered her eyes. All the tears she had held back when she saw the conditions her mother and sister lived in brimmed over. Sobs racked her body. Alarmed, he knelt in front of her and put a comforting hand on her shaking shoulder.

"Skyrah…"

There was no response from her, so he took her hands and uncovered her face. She still didn't look at him. Hence, he cupped her chin and caressed her wet cheek, the one her father hadn't hit. She held back a sob and threw her arms around him. He slowly put his arms on her back and consoled her. He kept picturing possible scenarios of what could have upset her, and his stomach churned. They stayed in that position until Skyrah composed herself.

"What's happened? Why did he slap you? Why didn't he want me around?"

"I asked to visit my family as a reward for getting the job so soon. He disliked my bold attitude but he agreed. They looked like they hadn't slept in ages and like they aren't fed enough… He said..." She swallowed hard. "He said they wouldn't be crucioed today. And I can't do anything to get them back. They are being moved now, Merlin knows where. My mother is so strong... I know she can survive this. My sister, though... She's just a child. She's fifteen."

His face hardened. "We'll save them."

Skyrah gave him a little smile and squeezed his hand in gratefulness.

"I also have good news and bad news… I have to talk to Albus."

"What is it?"

"My mother has told me about the horcruxes. The good news is that I know five of them. The bad news is that I don't know where to find them, how to destroy them or if there are more…"

"You did a good job. We will tell him later. It is nearly lunch time. Do you wish to join me in the kitchen?" he proposed, in hopes that would cheer her up.

She bit her bottom lip. "Sorry. I feel like lying down right now."

Severus nodded. He left the room and came back shortly after with a balm. He spread the solution across her cheek. Despite his rough appearance, his touch was so delicate Skyrah was overcome with emotion.

"Severus. You don't have to do this."

He raised an eyebrow. "I can stop."

"That's not what I meant. It's just that you really don't have to do this. My father could have easily crucioed me, he has done so for less important matters. My guess is that the only reason he hasn't done it is because he knows I might be pregnant and he doesn't want to risk losing his heir." Severus kept silent. "What I'm trying to say is that they are bruises. They'll heal. They're nothing serious."

"A simple thank you would have been enough, you know?"

He would have felt sorry for being rough if she hadn't smirked and teased, "Are you seeking thankful cheek kisses?"

"Don't be ridiculous," he snarled, ignoring the sudden heat on his cheeks.

He had meant to apply the balm. Nothing more, Nothing less. A cheek kiss, though, would be a bonus.

"So you don't like them?"

"I didn't say that," he muttered under his breath.

She heard him anyway. Regardless, she kept quiet and tilted her head, giving him an easier access to her neck bruises. He took it as an invitation to keep applying the balm. She shivered. He told himself it was due to the cold balm, not to his touch. He was done, but he lingered. Her skin was so soft...

Pulling back, she wondered,"Aren't you going to ask me how I got the neck bruises? Why?"

"The Dark Lord hardly needs a reason to harm his servants," he said darkly.

A tawny owl entered through the window. Severus opened the letter the owl had brought and read it. Crumpling up the parchment, he explained to her that Albus wanted to meet them at five o'clock to talk about pressing matters. They agreed they would inform the headmaster about the horcruxes then.

Severus made to go to the kitchen, but Skyrah spun him around. He only had time to see her twinkling eyes and impish grin before her lips pressed against his cheek.

"Thank you for taking care of me, Severus."

He did get his bonus, after all.

Albus arrived punctually on Spinner's End. Skyrah looked better now that she had eaten something. The bruises were no longer visible. After the formal greetings, they took a seat. Skyrah and Albus sat on the couch, while Severus took a chair from the kitchen, like they had done in their previous meeting.

"We need to talk about Harry Potter," started Albus.

Skyrah frowned and Severus groaned.

"What is it this time? Is he tired of being famous yet? Maybe he can't find his own socks… Or perhaps he-"

Skyrah prodded Severus in the ribs to silence him.

"Go on, Albus. Let's pretend my husband kept quiet," she interjected, sending Severus a glare which told him you better shut up and listen to him at which he simply rolled his eyes.

"He's been having nightmares…"

Severus snorted. "Potter is not the only one who has trouble sleeping. I have more interesting matters to discuss."

"They are not the usual kind, Severus. He sees through Voldemort's eyes," claimed Albus.

A long pause followed.

"This means that my father and Harry Potter are connected. What if he can enter his mind? What if he can control the boy? Trick him?"

"My worries, exactly. That is why I have concluded Harry Potter must learn Occlumency," he said, looking at his spy meaningfully.

Severus got the hint. He sneered.

"Absolutely not! I'm not doing this!"

Skyrah put a hand on his knee. She had meant to calm him down. She had only managed to race his heartbeat.

"Severus, listen to Albus first. My father is up to something. He's obsessed with the boy… He considers him a threat, even if he doesn't admit it. Potter can play an important role in my father's defeat. If I can help the boy out, I will. Won't you do the same?"

Severus kept scowling. Skyrah withdrew her hand. Severus wished she hadn't.

"If my husband doesn't agree to do it, I will. I'm a decent occlumens."

Albus touched his beard. "You both should teach him. Harry has spent a month in Privet Drive. The blood wards are already recharged. He could stay here until school begins. It could do him good and he could also learn some advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts."

"I will not have the brat living in my house during school break! I already put up with his insolence during school year!" growled Severus.

Skyrah sighed, not really understanding why Severus reacted as if the boy himself was worse than Voldemort.

"Albus, give us time to think over it, please."

"There is nothing to think over!" "Of course, I understand it is asking a lot," replied at the same time Severus and Albus.

"I'll take my leave."

Before Albus could stand up and go, Skyrah cried out, "Wait! We have to tell you something."

And so she told him about the visit to her family and the information she had obtained.

"This has been an impressive progress, Skyrah. Thank you. As for your family..." He shook his head. "I will not lie to you. If Tom keeps moving them, finding them will be challenging."

Skyrah gulped.

"I know. We'll let you know what we'll do about Harry as soon as we can."

Severus rolled his eyes at the mention of Potter.

Albus left.