EmilyCMalfoy: Thanks for reviewing! I won't say what's going to happen to Charlotte, but eventually I'll find a way to make her happy. Or happy-ish. She won't be miserable like this forever

Hawknest143: Thanks for reviewing! Honestly it made me a smile a lot when you referred to Charlotte as your baby. I love that you care so much about her. Azkaban was definitely messing with her. And it's kind of worse that she's had so many problems over the years anyway. Poor Charlotte. I'm glad you liked the chapter!

Ldub: Thanks for reviewing! You'll find out in this chapter! I feel like the whole Black family has problems anyway, so being thrown into Azkaban definitely did some damage to her and probably made things worse :/

pastelpotter: Thanks for following!

This chapter might start out a little confusing, but it'll start to make more sense when Charlotte starts to figure everything out. So...you'll be in the same position that Charlotte's in for the next little bit

CHAPTER 12

Something is wrapped tightly around me, and though I should feel constrained, I feel very comfortable, my feet warm and toasty, my head on what seems to be a cloud. I hear a fire crackling somewhere near and smell the burning of wood. I smile and open my eyes. In the armchair by the fire sits a man I instantly recognize. "You're awake," he says warmly, coming toward me.

"What happened to me?" I ask, my voice coming out as a whisper.

The Dark Lord gently sits down on the bed beside me. "Dear one, you were attacked. Your mother and I were unable to reach you before you were harmed, but we managed to counter their spells before it was too late." He reaches toward me and pulls the blanket free from me until I am able to move more easily. Then he takes my hand and brings it into my view. My wrist is bound tightly with white bandages. "It will hurt you, but that will pass soon enough. It is healing. They used powerful magic to try to kill you, and it has left its mark."

"You saved me?" I ask softly.

"I would never let any harm come to you, Aurelia."

I take his hand in both of mine. "Thank you, my Lord."

His red eyes watch me closely for a moment. "Are you prepared to fulfill your duty?"

"I believe I'm too weak today, my Lord."

He smiles at me, actually smiles, which is something so rarely bestowed upon anyone that I find myself smiling back at him. "Of course. You will not be required until the last Saturday of the month, every month, until you conceive." His red eyes continue to watch me curiously. "But are you prepared to fulfill it?"

What kind of question is that? "It is the greatest honor, my Lord." No, it's not, Charlotte, a man's voice says in the back of my mind. Who the hell is Charlotte?

Something I can't decipher flashes across his face. "I do not frighten you?"

I reach forward, slowly so that he can stop me if he wants, and touch his face, and when he does not shout at me, I leave it there. "Of course not, my Lord. You look like a snake, the symbol of the noble house of Slytherin. That does not frighten me. How could it?" It should, Charlotte. You need to get out of here, that same voice says.

"Shall I go and fetch your mother, dear one? She is so very worried about you."

"Please do." Before he stands, I take his hand and kiss the back of it. Then he disappears, and a few short minutes later, my mother arrives. "Mum!" I say, trying to sit up on the mattress.

"Aurelia," she sighs, relief flooding her features. "How are you feeling?"

"Much better. What happened to me?"

Mum looks away. "There were some members of the Order of the Phoenix who tried to kill you."

"Did you catch them?"

"They're dead now."

"Good." I move over on the mattress to give her some room. "Will you lie down with me?" She slides under the sheets with me, and I curl against her, my head on her chest. A few minutes later I realize something's wrong with her. "Why are you crying?"

Mum wraps her arms around me tightly. "I'm just so happy you're all right, my love."

I smile. "Yeah, I'm all right. Thanks to you and the Dark Lord." She makes to reply but doesn't, and a short while later I say, "Do you remember the first time you were forced to use your magic to save me?"

"Yes, of course. You were seven, and we were in Rome." She speaks stiffly as if her words are well-practiced.

"You've always been there to protect me." She tenses. "And now you've saved me again." I tighten my hold on her. "I don't know what I'd do without you." You never went to Rome with Bellatrix Lestrange because she was locked away in Azkaban. You were in an orphanage when you were seven. I wish that strange voice would leave me alone.

"I love you, Aurelia."

"I love you too, Mum." She's my favorite person in the world. I move just enough to kiss her cheek, then rest my head on her again. Her heartbeat quickens. "Are you sure you're okay?" I ask quietly.

"Yes, of course. Just…worried about you is all. You almost died."

"I'm sorry to put you through that. I know you've been more concerned with my safety since I came of age and…and I'm close to fulfilling my duty, and I…I'm going to do better to keep myself out of danger. I don't mean to worry you."

She kisses the top of my head. "There's nothing to apologize for," she says, voiceless. "Now go to sleep, you need your rest."

I fall asleep relatively quickly.

My mother and I are awakened by Aunt Narcissa. "The Dark Lord has decided that it is time for Ch-Aurelia to leave," she says kindly. Neither of us puts up any kind of fight. When the Dark Lord wants something, he gets it. It's as simple as that.

"Where am I to go?"

"You will be staying with Snape."

"The man who killed Dumbledore?"

She nods.

Interesting. "What's he like? Mum never really talks about him."

"He keeps to himself."

I really don't like the sound of that actually. "Why can't I stay here?"

"The Dark Lord commanded it. With how exhausted you are, he doesn't want you under any more stress if the other Death Eaters start arriving. It's quieter with Snape."

Some twenty minutes later, I'm saying goodbye to my mother. Then I take Aunt Narcissa's arm so she can lead me to the man who will be watching over me. "Who is Severus Snape?" I ask her as we walk together down a rundown street.

She swallows and says, "He will be headmaster of Hogwarts this year. You'll be coming back to the manor when he leaves for the school."

"Will Mum not be too busy to teach me?"

"If she's too busy, anything you need to know can be taught by any of the rest of us here. Draco won't be going back, so you won't be alone."

We stop in front of a small house, and Aunt Narcissa knocks on the door. A man with shoulder-length black hair, a sallow face, and a big nose opens the door. His eyes widen when he sees me, and he moves forward for a brief moment before glancing at Aunt Narcissa and stopping himself. "Good evening, Severus."

"Narcissa." He steps aside so we can enter his home.

"Severus, this is Aurelia Lestrange," Aunt Narcissa says, an odd look on her face. Severus furrows his brow but says nothing. "The Dark Lord has requested that she stay here with you until you leave for Hogwarts." The three of us watch each other silently before Aunt Narcissa finally says, "I'll…let the two of you get acquainted then." Then she Disapparates.

I look at this Severus person. "I'm—"

"Charlotte," he says softly, then takes me into his arms. "I didn't know you went to Azkaban until it was too late." That voice is so familiar… "I would've done something to get you out." He notices how stiff I am and releases me. "Charlotte, don't tell me—"

"I think you have the wrong person, Mr. Severus," I interrupt him. I offer him my hand. "I'm Aurelia Lestrange. The Dark Lord—"

His hands fly to either side of my face, his eyes staring deep into mine. "No no no," he whispers, more to himself than to me. "This can't be."

I clear my throat. "Severus—it is Severus, right?—you are making me uncomfortable, can you please let me go?"

He instantly releases me and takes a step back. "Right." His eyes dart away from me. "Why don't I show you to the room you'll be staying in until we return to Hogwarts?" I nod, and Severus starts toward the small staircase connected to the sad little sitting room. He leads me up the stairs and to the far back room. We watch one another silently. "This room is smaller than the other, but…" He looks away from me and swallows. "The mattress is softer." He glances back at me for a moment, his eyes searching my face. Then he clears his throat and says, "I'll let you get settled." He disappears back down the stairs.

I seriously hope I'm not here for long. This Severus person seems...off. I don't think I want to be around him too much, and I don't understand why the Dark Lord required me to come here. I could just as easily remain at the manor. At least there I won't have someone like Severus around me, keeping an eye on me. Surely the Dark Lord trusts Mum just as much as he trusts this Severus person. If I talk to the Dark Lord, he might let me stay as long as I promise to stay away from all of the Death Eaters when they show up at the manor.

I don't spend too much time trying to gather my bearings in this small room—and who gives a guest the worse of two rooms rather than giving them the bigger one? With any luck, I'll be back at Malfoy Manor before nightfall and won't have to say in this weird house with this weird man any longer than a few hours.

So, after I've prepared myself to interact with Severus, I make my way back downstairs. He sits in his armchair, bent over his knees, his head in his hands. I briefly wonder what could possibly be wrong with him before I decide that it's probably best that I don't get to know him at all. I don't want to be too friendly. He seems the type who doesn't really care for people trying to make friends with him.

I clear my throat so as not to startle him. He looks up, a sadness in his black eyes.

You know who that is, Charlotte. You have to remember. Who the fuck is Charlotte?

"Have you settled in nicely then?" he asks, his voice strained.

"Um, yes, thank you for the room." I sit down on the sofa, as far away from him as I can possibly be. "It was very…generous of you." He continues watching me, and I rub the back of my neck, feeling anxious under his scrutinizing glare. "Is there…is there any way, do you think, that I can speak with the Dark Lord?"

"You're asking permission to go back to the manor?" There's no way he already assumes that I want to leave. "You're not a prisoner here."

Oh good. He doesn't already know I want to leave. "Well, I…I just assumed that I was put here for a reason and that I wouldn't be able to go back unless I need to."

"What have I—" He stops short and clears his throat. "I will go and check for you. There are some things I need to discuss with him as well."

"You mean my presence here?" I ask. "I'm sorry to have put you out like this."

He scrunches his brow. "Don't apologize. I'll be back shortly."

He Disapparates, and I sit there for a few minutes, trying to figure out a way to pass the time while Severus tries to get my answer for me. I stand and move the bookshelves, running my hand over the spines of his books. I wonder if he'd mind if I read one of these. Or would he be frustrated at the very idea of someone touching his things? I decide I'd rather not risk it, and I'm just stepping away when I hear the pop! of someone's Apparition. I jump back, expecting Severus to be back and to snap at me for invading his privacy, but when I turn around, I see Mum. I smile broadly at her. "Thank Merlin you're here, can I please come back to the manor?"

She almost smiles. "Is Snape that poor of a host? How has he been acting?"

"He's—I just don't know what I think about him if I'm being honest. He called me 'Charlotte' after Aunt Narcissa left, and then he tried to hug me." She frowns at me, her eyes narrowing, but she nods slightly as if not entirely surprised. "Yeah, it was uncomfortable. Is there any way I can come to the manor? I can stay in your room, and when the other Death Eaters are around, I can just hide out down there."

"Aurelia, I don't think—"

"I just don't think it's fair that I have to suffer because the Dark Lord decided to keep me secret for so long. I don't want to be here with Severus. Have you seen this place? It's disgusting. I want to be with you, Mum, please."

This time she does smile, and she steps closer to me, taking my hand in hers. "I know this isn't ideal, but I don't know if there's another way right now. The Dark Lord wants you protected and safe. You're both of those things if you're here. It cannot be guaranteed at the manor."

I give her hand a squeeze. "I'm pretty sure I can protect myself—you've taught me well. And regardless, you'll be there—"

"Not always," she says. "I might get called away to assist the Dark Lord."

"But Draco and Aunt Narcissa—"

"Will also not always be there. Aurelia, I'm sorry, but this is the only way. It won't be for long, just until we make other arrangements for when Snape leaves for Hogwarts."

I groan loudly and rest my forehead on her shoulder. "I hate it here. Can I at least speak with the Dark Lord about it?"

"I don't—"

Another pop!, and Severus appears in the room. I move away from Mum and turn my attention to him. "Bellatrix," he greets her. "Might I ask what you are doing in my home?"

She glances at me. "Just checking in on my daughter. I'll know if you're not kind to her." She offers me a smile, then Disapparates.

I look at Severus hopefully. "What did the Dark Lord say?"

He grimaces. "You're not permitted to speak with him right now. He's far too busy." He motions to the sofa as if he wants me to sit, so I do. He takes a seat in the armchair of his. "I apologize for my inhospitality earlier. Would you care for something to eat or drink?"

"Um, no. Not right now." We watch each other for a long moment in silence. There's a strange sadness in his eyes that I don't fully understand, like he's experienced a world far different than my own. One where disappointments are common and sorrows are abundant. His black eyes captivate me, and I'm so intrigued by the troubled look in them that I find myself wondering about what his life must've been like before this, and I can't stop myself from blurting out, "You're going to be the headmaster of Hogwarts, I hear. I won't be able to go there, unfortunately." He clenches his jaw at this, though I don't understand why. "Did you always teach at Hogwarts? You weren't in Azkaban, were you?"

"No," he says evenly. "I didn't go Azkaban. I was a Potions Master at Hogwarts."

"So where were you when the Dark Lord fell?"

"Working in secret for him. That's how I managed to avoid Azkaban. Where were you?"

"I was a toddler. The Dark Lord chose me for my duty, as I'm sure you know, when I was born. He had Mum go away with me and hide me. We were abroad when it happened."

"And your father?"

"Tortured the Longbottoms with his brother. They're both still in Azkaban."

His eyebrows raise slightly. "Did you go to any wizarding school?"

"No, Mum taught me everything she felt I needed to know."

Our conversation slowly dies after that, and though I try sitting there to be polite and not run away, I soon find that I am far too uncomfortable with him to sit in silence like this. So I stand up and answer the question I see on his face, "The Dark Lord said I needed rest to heal. I think I'm going to go lie down for a while." He almost smiles, a weird look in his eye. "I'll be back down for dinner."

I retreat from the living room and make my way up the stairs, stopping and glancing into the bigger room that he didn't loan me. I stare around it, wondering why this strange resentment over that fact almost feels like a bout of déjà vu. I shake the feeling away and start toward the room I'm allowed to use, then lie down on the bed, surprised by how soft the mattress actually is. Maybe he wasn't lying to me. Maybe he gave me the small room so that I could have the soft bed. I almost want to thank him.

Instead I close my eyes and let myself fall into a short rest.

When I wake back up, the sun is setting, but I'm not sure exactly what time it is. I'm hungry though, so it's probably not time for dinner. For a short few minutes I debate whether or not I should go back downstairs and deal with the awkward silence or Apparate to the manor to try to have dinner with Mum. Then I sigh, because of course I won't be allowed to go there to eat with her. And the only way to end the awkward silences with Severus is by trying to befriend him to some capacity. So I crawl off the bed and go back down to the sitting room.

Severus looks up at me as I reach the bottom of the stairs. "Ch-Miss Lestrange," he says kindly, "would you oblige me with a cup of tea? I don't want you to feel unwelcome. I know it's not your first choice to be here—"

"It's probably not yours either. And it's nothing against you that I don't want to be here. I just—"

"I understand. I wouldn't want to be here with some stranger instead of at the manor with my family either."

I try to offer him a smile. He waves his wand, and two cups, a teapot, and some sugar fly into the room and come to a rest on the coffee table. He pours himself a cup, and I follow his lead, quietly appreciating the effort he's going through to make me feel more comfortable here. "The Dark Lord thinks highly of you, I hear," I say conversationally as I put some sugar in the tea and stir.

He shrugs. "I've been in his service for many years."

"You killed Dumbledore, right? The greatest wizard of the age or something."

He clears his throat and glances away. "Yes. Your mother was there. I'm I right in assuming that you were at the manor?"

"With Aunt Narcissa, yes. The Dark Lord doesn't like to put me in danger, so when he sends Death Eaters on mission such as that, he has me stay with her."

"That's kind of him," Severus mutters.

Something in his voice disturbs me, but I don't comment on it. "Dumbledore was your boss for many years, yeah? How were you able to kill someone you worked that closely with for so many years?"

"We're getting off the subject."

I nod at him, then lift the cup to my lips and take a sip. It's warm and delicious, and I'm actually surprised that he can make tea so—the cup slips from my hand, and a loud shriek tears its way through my throat. I bend over myself, hugging my knees, what feels like a knife piercing into my brain. "HELP!" I cry, covering my head with my hands. "HELP ME PLEASE!"

A beautiful honey-eyed girl kisses me.

A redheaded boy takes me into his arms.

Severus vomits blood onto me.

A witch with her hair in a tight bun rejoices with me.

I sit on a bed eating candy with a light brown-haired girl.

A little blue-eyed boy falls asleep on my shoulder.

The knife suddenly dislodges from my brain, and I take a deep breath, breathing a sigh of relief that the pain is gone. I sit upright, a strange sort of almost familiar fury boiling in my blood as I look back at Severus. "What did you do to me?" I growl. "The Dark Lord will hear about this!" I reach for my wand but cannot find it in my pocket. My eyes land on the area beside his leg on the armchair where he's placed my wand. How did he get it?

Severus leans forward, an intense look on his face. "What did you see? Did you see something?"

I nod.

He smiles and grabs my forearm. "You're still in there."

You can trust him. You can trust him. My eyes widen as I realize that it's his voice I keep hearing in my mind. Why do I keep hearing his voice?

The troubled look I saw in his eye earlier is gone, replaced with a strange hope that I'm steadily growing more and more curious about. "You're not who you think you are, Miss Lestrange. Well, you are, but not in the way you think."

You need to trust him. He won't hurt you.

"And if you'll let me, I can help you."

You need to trust him.

"I don't understand what you're saying," I say.

"You have been lied to."

"By you?"

"No, I think by—"

"How do I know you're not lying to me?"

"You don't." I watch him for a minute, my eyes scanning over his face. I don't know this man, and yet my gut is actually telling me to believe him. Which doesn't make any sense to me because why would I believe anyone like him? A man who killed someone he worked for, worked closely with, for years? I don't know him.

Yes, you do, and you need to trust him.

He swallows. "I can help you. Let me help you."

You need to trust him.

How am I supposed to trust this person I don't even know?

Charlotte, you need to trust him.

I watch him for a moment. I think I need to trust him.