Consequences and Reflections

As always, thank you, MadBrilliant and Southern_Witch_69, for sticking with me on this and catching my mistakes. I appreciate it very much.

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Consequences and Reflections

~November 1998~

After Severus had come forward, his investigation had become a long and drawn out trial in which every aspect of his involvement in the Voldemort Wars had been examined. From the time he had been cleared of all charges at the end of Voldemort War I to when he'd joined Hogwarts as the Potions professor, up through and including his disappearance after the final battle of Voldemort War II, he had come under intense scrutiny. Numerous people had been brought in for questioning, including those Death Eaters who had surrendered on the battlefield and those who had been caught after; because they'd thought that by providing statements against Severus, the Wizengamot would grant them more leniency in their own trials. Severus had sat in the courtroom in that dreaded chair, trying to ignore the rattle of the chains as he'd listened to the witnesses and waited for the verdict.

Severus' barrister had also brought forth witnesses, which had included: portraits, house-elves, his colleagues at Hogwarts, the members of the Order, a few Healers, Ollivander, Aberforth Dumbledore, Harry Potter, Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood, and Ronald Weasley, and a few of the families Severus had been able to save from the Dark Lord's plans. Even Filch had appeared on Severus' behalf. It had caused quite a stir, his barrister calling in so many non-wizards, magical creatures, and portraits.

With each new magical creature and portrait brought in as witnesses, the debate over the validity of their testimony had been questioned as well. It had been unheard of to call on so many, and only because of the insistence of Kingsley and Harry Potter, as well as the surviving members of the Order, now all acclaimed war heroes, did the Wizengamot concede to listen to their testimony. Moreover, with each magical creature that had been declared as an acceptable witness, a new precedent had been set.

It had surprised Severus that Aberforth had known many of Albus' plans, including Albus' plans for his own death. There had been little surprise that Kingsley Shacklebolt and Arthur Weasley had known about the curse that had been eating way at Dumbledore's flesh and that they were well aware of Severus' failed attempts to reverse the effects. Apparently, Minerva McGonagall, Madam Pomfrey, and Pomona Sprout had also been well aware of the attempts that Severus had tried to save Dumbledore. Still, Severus testified that he had only managed to delay the inevitable.

Both Harry and Ron had testified on his behalf, stating that they knew about Severus' vows to both Narcissa and Dumbledore. The big shock had come when Harry Potter had stood before the Wizengamot and claimed to have poisoned the Headmaster, on Dumbledore's orders to do so, which had led to the Headmaster's weakened state when he'd faced Draco and the Death Eaters on the Astronomy Tower. Then there had been the letters from Remus Lupin to both Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall. Apparently Remus had known about Draco's task to kill Dumbledore, as he'd heard Greyback bragging about it, and had written Dumbledore several times voicing his concerns. Apparently, when Dumbledore hadn't seemed to take the warnings seriously, Remus had appealed fervently to Professor McGonagall to intervene.

Then special arrangements had to be made to accommodate Bane and Firenze by temporarily relocating to the Great Hall at Hogwarts for a few days. Hagrid had entered the improvised courtroom with the centaurs and smiled at Severus before he'd nervously taken his seat. Severus had no idea how Hagrid had convinced the centaurs to come, although getting a direct answer from the centaurs had been a true test of his barrister's patience.

The members of the Wizengamot, on the other hand and most unfortunately, had to refrain from losing their patience numerous times throughout Bane's testimony. Severus had found himself hard pressed not to grin each time Bane and Firenze had both insisted that Mars had been bright, that a shooting star had crossed the new moon, and that Venus would rise. Nevertheless, his barrister had managed to get Bane to testify that he had overheard Dumbledore's plan to have Severus kill him instead of allowing Draco to so, in the hopes of saving Draco from becoming a killer. In addition, both Bane and Firenze had even witnessed the vow Severus had made to the effect to Dumbledore, apparently on the night Mars had been obscured in shadow.

Hagrid had confirmed that he overheard Dumbledore plead with Severus to keep his vow and the argument they'd had over it. He had also testified at great length about how Severus had tried to keep a rein on the punishments made against the students, by having let Hagrid oversee many of the detentions. Neville Longbottom, Seamus Finnigan, Luna Lovegood, and Ginny Weasley had all verified that Severus had tried repeatedly to protect them from the Carrows.

Several house-elves had testified that they had been under orders to slip food to the students in the Come and Go Room when the Headmaster had known that they had gone into hiding until the Carrows had threatened them all with clothes. The ghosts who'd answered their summons had gleefully told about the mischief they'd been allowed when they'd haunted the Carrows or had given the students warnings to help keep them from falling into the Carrows' hands. The Baron and Bernard Blackmoore had both explained how they'd helped Longbottom and Finnigan free students from Filch's chains in the dungeons. The Bloody Baron, the Scot, Bernard Blackmoore, and Sir Nicholas de Mimsy Porpington had all testified to the fact that Peeves had even assisted in haunting, er, harassing the Carrows.

Ginny Weasley had also testified how Severus had helped her escape the Carrows at Easter by having Tonks impersonate her on the train and then slipping Ginny out of the castle by Portkey.

When Hermione had entered the Great Hall to testify, Severus had felt his heart leap in his chest. She had carried herself proudly, smiled warmly at him, and had taken her seat with an assured confidence. She had testified about what she'd seen during the battle the night he'd killed Dumbledore, how she'd been certain he'd given Harry the sword of Gryffindor, and how he'd stood wandless against Voldemort in the final battle. Several members of the Wizengamot had questioned her, challenging her statements, but she'd maintained her composure, unruffled, and had answered their questions clearly with well thought-out responses. When she'd been dismissed, she'd turned, smiled, and had nodded her head at him in encouragement. He'd barely inclined his head in return, not wanting the members of the Wizengamot to see any of the emotions that had swelled up inside him. She'd made the tiniest wink of her eye and then had walked out confidently.

He had watched her leave, trying to scrutinize her every action at the time, and he'd dared to hope that if he was freed, he'd be able to contact her and maybe – just maybe she'd be amendable to write him. The thought of receiving a letter from her had actually boosted his spirits.

But as much as seeing Hermione had lifted his hopes for a future, Severus had still hated having his life and actions examined so openly, especially because of all the reporters that had been scribbling away behind him.

*

Hermione had followed every word of Severus' trial in the Daily Prophet and The Quibbler. Even Witch Weekly had been following the trial. The monthly journals, Contemporary Potions and The Healer Practitioners' Periodical, had run articles on the potions produced by Severus during his time under Dumbledore, as well as his Anti-Venin and Restorative Potions for those bit by Tom 'Voldemort' Riddle's snake.

Finally, on the twenty-seventh, Severus was cleared. Hermione was elated. She rounded the corner on her way to the library while engrossed with reading the announcement in the Prophet and nearly walked through the Bloody Baron. "Oh, I'm so sorry! Pardon me, I didn't see you."

"It would behoove you to watch where you are going, young lady," he replied, clearly affronted.

Hermione blushed at the chastisement, but quickly recovered, realizing that she had the perfect opportunity to talk to him. "May I speak with you?" she asked before he had a chance to float away.

He stopped and turned, his scowl turning into a questioning stare as he regarded her. "Aren't you afraid of me, little Gryffindor?"

She was amused by his assumption. "No, you're a Hogwarts ghost... Look, I was hoping to ask you something that's been plaguing me for almost a year now."

"You want to ask about the tower room," he said, crossing his arms as he stared down at her.

The fact that he was hovering over her in an attempt to tower over her didn't faze her, but that he knew exactly what she wanted to speak to him about did. It was as if he could read her mind. "How did you...? Yes," she stammered.

He chuckled, a deep and humorless sound. "I have heard about you, that you are clever, and I have seen your notes, the diagrams on the blackboard, and the chart. You are correct in your assumptions; those are the spells that were used on the walls, stairs, and door. However, I can't tell you anything more than what you already know."

Hermione was stunned. "So, my chart is correct?" she asked, proud that she was right, but crestfallen at the same time, because she didn't have the answers she needed.

"Yes, your chart is correct. You know what the spells are," he said.

Hermione felt her heart sink. "So, I am going to be in love with Severus for eternity?" Forever in love with someone who doesn't love me in return, just like Wulfred Olins and Beaumont Smethyk had been.

"You confessed your love for him in the tower room?" he asked. His expression actually softened as he lowered himself to let his feet touch the floor. "You will yearn for him, yes, and you'll feel discontentment for any other man. Your feelings for him will grow and fester, and I'm afraid that you shall be unrequited in your sorrow."

"Is that what happened to you?" she asked, already knowing his part in the story.

"Yes," the Baron said, sinking a little further. "My love for my lady became my everlasting sorrow." He looked her in the eye with the deepest expression of remorse.

"So, I shall be doomed like the other men I read about?" Hermione asked as he started to float away. "Wait! None of the women pined away for the guys they were with, why should the spells affect me like they did you – and the other men?"

"Do you yearn for Severus Snape? Are your dreams about him so vivid that you wake, expecting to see him leaning over you or to walk through the door? When you see him, does your heart break in your chest, but the thought of choosing someone else seem so pointless, because you'd rather be with Severus Snape than any other?" the Baron asked, and Hermione's mind was saying yes to each question. "Does the thought of life without him make you want to give up living?"

She turned her head, refusing to give him the answers in her heart.

"Then when you confessed your love to him, you sealed your fate."

Hermione looked at the floor, remembering the last time in the tower room vividly as it replayed in her mind like a horrid nightmare.

He said her name repeatedly as he'd neared orgasm. His body was slick with sweat, his hair had fallen forward, nearly concealing his face. She pushed it aside to watch his expression. She loved seeing his face as he came, the way the walls he kept around him melted away. "Circe, I think I'm falling in love with you," he said as his face distorted in orgasmic bliss. "I do... I love you. Merlin, I love you." She wrapped her arms around his body as he went limp and collapsed on top of her, feeling utter happiness wash over her.

But, it had only lasted a few seconds as his words resounded in her mind. Hermione opened her eyes in a complete state of utter shock. She had no idea that he felt that way – that he actually loved her. As he pushed himself up to look at her, she stared at him in disbelief, stunned that the one thing she'd not dared to dream, wouldn't let herself hope for – was real. She was dumbstruck, finally blurting out the only thought she'd had, "Did you say you love me?"

"No, wait," she tried to say, hoping to change his mind. But as she rolled over, all she had seen was his retreating bum. She climbed to her knees, only to find herself staring at the door. Above the doorway, the words in the stone had changed, and she rose to her feet, standing before the door. Fear and dread crept upon her slowly as she read the words aloud...

"Amoris Aeterna Devotio Spreta Reiectaque Dolorem Aeternum Parit..." she whispered and wiped the tears that had started to fall from her cheek. Seeing the Baron looking at her with such an expression of sympathy brought back what he'd just said to her. "No, wait, I didn't – he did. He said that he loved me – I didn't say it. I was too stunned to say anything! And then he became angry and stormed away before – before I could tell him that I loved him too."

The Baron was thoughtful for few seconds. "You did not confess your love to him – yet you mourn him as I do my lady love. Did you not even say it to him before he'd left the room?"

Hermione shook her head. "No, he'd gone – he'd left the room – the door had closed already."

"I do not know what to tell you, child. Nevertheless, I have seen you slipping off to the tower and your face when you leave. Your expression is one I know well. You are ensnared by the spells and are now cursed to the same fate as I. I truly feel sorry for you, but I cannot help you."

Hermione leaned against the wall, mulling over his words. "It can't be. I love him. I didn't refute him – unless he refuted me. Is that what happened?"

"I am sorry," the Baron said as he floated away. "I do not know."

~December 1998~

Severus sat on the hillside, gazing at the snow-covered valley and village below, contemplating life. He yanked up and tossed a blade of dried grass. The reality was that his whole life had been under the thumb of someone who'd only used him, abused him, and lied to him: his father, his friends, the Dark Lord – even Dumbledore had used him, the one wizard Severus had believed cared about him, although in all fairness he'd done his part for Dumbledore willingly. But although he'd had Dumbledore's unwavering trust, the others had all suspected him, even those he'd considered collaborators in the war hadn't trusted him, especially after Dumbledore's death. No one had been on his side during the war. He was merely a tool and discarded as such.

Kinglsey had held true to his word though, and Severus didn't spend one day in Azkaban. Even his proclaimed house arrest hadn't precluded him from being able to leave Malfoy Manor when he'd had the urge to, not that he had left the grounds much. His only stipulation had been to have a Ministry wizard or Auror with him, for his protection, at least until the end of the trial. It was ironic actually that the one wizard that kept reaching out to him, that had constantly volunteered to escort him whenever Severus had wanted to leave the Malfoys' grounds was none other than Harry Potter. The boy seemed actually dungbog-bent on amending past grievances and developing a relationship between them.

Severus leaned back against the rock at his back. No, the confinement hadn't been too hard to take, but the constant public interest in him, the public scrutiny and insistent persistence from the reporters did bother him. A lot. Thanks to his trial, Potter's confessions and declarations on the battlefield, Rita Skeeter's two books, The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore and the unauthorized biography on his own life, Severus now knew that the entire truth, the whole ugly picture, all the lies and secrets, were laid bare. His entire life was now made public, and to a very private person, it was extremely disturbing. Added to that, it made him a sort of celebrity.

Hundreds of letters and packages had been sent to him on a regular basis, some of the packages even containing brassieres and panties. The only thing that had prevented him from hexing Draco's mirth over the objects of infatuation that witches of all ages had sent him was Severus' own sense of honor not to hex an unarmed wizard. Severus idly wondered where the annoying mail from his demented fanatical admirers was being delivered to now that he was in a place where mail couldn't be delivered.

Severus rose and walked slowly along the path that would lead him to the small cottage that was his current sanctuary. It had belonged to a victim of a raid and had stood abandoned since. With his wards, Anti-Muggle Repelling Charms, and the Fidelius Charm in place, he felt as secure as he ever had. No one knew where he was or how to find him. Even the ruddy owls couldn't find his hideaway, except for the barn owl that had adopted him when he'd first moved in. Well, he and Harry's bothersome snow owl Hagrid had given Harry for his birthday after the war or Kingsley's African Grass owl. His new owl was named Ruddy or, more accurately, the barn owl had taken the name Ruddynuisance after Severus had snapped at the bird one evening in their early association when the bird had regurgitated the remains of his kill on the kitchen floor. Since then, the owl had proven to be quite reliable, but the name stuck.

He watched a hawk circling, wishing that for once he could feel as free as the bird. He had few options before him. He was not going to return to the school. That part of his life was over. The corridors held too many memories, and none of them were worth revisiting. He could always fall back on his potions skills, but working for an apothecary or St. Mungo's was not appealing. He didn't want to be under anyone ever again. Besides, in his opinion, there was too much public fear surrounding his name and about his character to approach Mr. Jiggers in hopes of a job.

He didn't have much, just the bare minimum. Severus had snuck back into the castle through the passage Dumbledore had set up for him to retrieve his belongings, but his rooms were empty. Not that he was surprised. He had packed up what was left of his personal effects from the lab and storeroom and left the castle unnoticed. He missed his books, the memorabilia, and his extra robes. He assumed that looters had raided his belongings, for whatever reason, after the war. Other than his books and several potions, he had no idea why anyone would have wanted any of his things.

He'd gone back to Spinner's End to collect his belongings, and, as predicted, Harry had been one of the two Aurors who'd volunteered to assist him. He'd been inside for only a few minutes when the reporters arrived, and there had been several people pounding on his door. The reporters, and whoever else had been staking out his house, had made such a ruckus that the few neighbors he had had called the police. Someone had even tried to throw a rock through his window, not that it had done anything. All his windows were protected with an Unbreakable Charm on the glass. Regardless, it had been aggravating to deal with all that nonsense, so for the time being, or however long it took, he'd decided to stay away until the interest in him died down. He had simply grabbed what he could in a hurry, sealed off his house, and left, but he hadn't had enough time to get everything.

He couldn't sell his home on Spinner's End. The area was so dilapidated that there wouldn't be anyone willing to buy it, and with the magical enlargements, the magically concealed basement made by his mum, and then later reinforced by himself, he couldn't sell the house to a Muggle. He'd have to reverse the spells and have the house restored to its original state. He didn't want to take the time or invest in the effort. Besides, the house was constantly being watched, and until his enemies and those interested in him for whatever reasons lost interest, he couldn't go back there.

So, he was starting over, from scratch, to eke out a living while trying to remain unnoticed.

He now had his life, but no direction, no prospects, and no future.

*

Hermione felt exhausted. She returned Understanding the Defense of Blood and Bone Enchantments, Defeat the Allure and Avoid Ensnarement and The Acknowledged Dark Arts of Morgana le Fay back in their places in the Dark Arts section of the Restricted Section and realized she had reached the end of the bookshelf. She'd exhausted the books in the Hogwarts library, searching for anything that told her how to reverse Blood-Bound Curses, looking for a way to break the Blood-Bonded spells on the tower room. Although in all fairness, she'd had to work on the puzzle around her preparations for her N.E.W.T.s and her class work. Still, there was a limited amount of material on breaking Blood-Bonded Curses and Charms, even in the Restricted Section. The ones she did find were for specific curses and charms and didn't apply. Finally accepting defeat and realizing that she was at a standstill, she decided to turn to Professor Flitwick. She was surprised to learn that he'd even heard of the room.

"Yes, I remember hearing about a Lover's Tower in my youth, but I don't recall anyone ever finding it. Everyone assumed it was the Astronomy Tower. Leave it to you and your friends to solve another of the castle's mysteries," he said jovially.

"But, Professor, the tower room is enchanted. I have discovered at least three other couples that have fallen prey to the curses on the tower. The Grey Lady said there have been several more. What I do know is that Helena Ravenclaw, Rowena Ravenclaw's daughter, died in that room, along with the wizard who'd enchanted the room to help him win her heart – it backfired on him, and he, er, killed her. In his grief, he killed himself. I have every reason to believe that the curses are embedded in the stone with a Blood-Bonding. I want to know how it can be broken."

She showed him the entries in Hogwarts: A History and her documentation of the other victims of the tower, unsure why she wasn't telling him everything, just enough to get him to help her.

Professor Flitwick became quiet, his expression deeply thoughtful in the silence that seemed to stretch out uncomfortably. "I've never heard about a curse on the Lover's Tower, but there was a rumor of a couple from my youth who stumbled on the tower and became betrothed, but I had assumed it was the Astronomy Tower. Blood Curses, you say." His gaze became blank as he stared into nothing. "I don't profess to know much about Blood-Bound Curses. Professor Dumbledore knew about them of course... and so did Severus Snape, but I have never been able... They are Dark Arts, Miss Granger, the worst sort. I'm afraid there is very little that I could tell you about them."

"I've looked everywhere in the library that I could on Blood-Binding, but there isn't much, only explanations of what it is, not how to break it," Hermione said, feeling at a loss. "I thought you... Is there anyone at the Ministry I can contact on how to break them?"

He looked up at her and smiled. "I'm not surprised. Dumbledore would have had those books in his private library... but the Ministry is still reviewing his Dark Arts books. You could contact Severus Snape, except no one knows where he went." His eyes lit up. "I might suggest that you contact the Malfoys. As part of their probation and rehabilitation, they are to avail their library to the Ministry and academicians for research. I'm sure your request would be accepted. I'll see if I can get Professor McGonagall to sign the necessary papers."

Hermione managed to hide her disappointment well as she thanked him for his time and left his office. Later that night, she sat on the windowsill of the tower room contemplating his suggestion. She didn't like the idea of involving the Ministry if she could help it, but to visit the Malfoys wasn't a welcomed option. She knew that asking the Curse-Breakers at Gringotts for help wasn't an option; the goblins would never forgive her and her friends for essentially robbing their bank. However, the next day Professor McGonagall requested that she stay behind after her next Transfiguration lesson.

"Am I to understand that you wish to learn about Blood-Binding, Miss Granger?" she asked when they were alone in the room.

"Yes, Professor," she said, setting down her bag.

Professor McGonagall inhaled and looked at her sharply. "And may I know why?"

Hermione sighed and explained about the tower room, but didn't tell her anything about Severus Snape or his role in her dilemma. "I want to be able to break the spells. If I can't, the tower will have to be destroyed or sealed off. I asked Professor Flitwick, and he said he didn't know how to do it and referred me to the Malfoy's library. It's a long shot, but I have to try."

Professor McGonagall pursed her lips. "I had heard rumors... So you think you and either Mr. Weasley or Mr. Potter... never mind. Leave it to you and Potter to find the Lover's Tower. Are there any other myths within the castle you intend to uncover before you leave this school?"

Hermione stared at her in shock until Professor McGonagall smiled. "You're teasing me, aren't you?" Hermione asked.

Professor McGonagall laughed. "Yes, and no. You and your friends do have a way of entangling yourselves in the most dangerous and unbelievable adventures. If you think spending a week in Malfoy Manor is the way you wish to spend your hols, who am I to say no?" She handed Hermione a packet of folded parchments. "Hermione, if you decide to go, I want you to have this." She handed Hermione a red stone pendant, decorated with gold runes. "This was my sister's. This pendant shares a special connection to the one I wear. If you grasp it with your wand hand and concentrate, I will feel mine vibrate. It's a Protean Charm; change the Runes on this one, and I will see them on mine. All you have to do is ask for help and help will be sent. If the runes don't change after I feel mine vibrate, I will know you are in trouble and will send help immediately."

"Thank you," she said, holding the pendant against her chest. "I – I know how much this means to you. I'll bring it back, I promise."

"I know you will. Good luck, dear," Professor McGonagall said. "Now go. My fifth-years are arriving, and you have lessons to attend as well."

That night she drafted a letter to Narcissa Malfoy and went to the owlery the next morning before breakfast, not sure how her request would be received. She knew that the Malfoy library was extensive and contained many books on curses and Dark Arts. She was quite surprised by the letter that came to her that very night, granting her request and offering Hermione the hospitality of the Manor for as long as she needed, even inviting her to stay over Christmas hols. Since both Draco and Narcissa were technically still under house arrest, they were sure to be there, and Ginny and Luna were both a little apprehensive when Hermione announced her intent to spend a few days of her hols at Malfoy Manor. Both girls promised to keep their DA Galleons close in case Hermione had any trouble, and Ginny helped Hermione create a pair of two-way mirrors so they could communicate with each other.

When the Ministry-assigned guard admitted Hermione through the gates of Malfoy Manor, she was surprised to see Draco Malfoy waiting on the path that led to the house. "Hello, Miss Granger," he said rather formally, but much nicer than he'd ever greeted her before. "Welcome to my home."

"Thank you, Mr. Malfoy," she replied. She had a sudden chill as she looked up at the Manor house for the second time in her life, wondering what had possessed her to even consider coming here.

"Are you all right?" he asked, waiting for her to continue.

Hermione forced herself to smile at him. "Yes, sorry."

"I think I'd be apprehensive as well, considering. I thought you'd be more comfortable in the east wing. The stairs are closest to the library. If you'll come with me, I'll show you to your room," he said, indicating with his hand. He paused when they entered the foyer. "Didn't you bring a traveling trunk?"

"I have a small bag, Mr. Malfoy," she admitted, knowing that her beaded purse was in her pocket with her clothes and necessities, and her school bag held all the scrolls and diagrams she and Severus had worked out on the tower room as well as his journal.

They walked in silence, neither having much to say to each other. "My mum is in the solarium, tending to her flowers. She will be joining us for lunch," he finally said.

Hermione only nodded in understanding, thinking that Mrs. Malfoy would want to keep her distance from her Muggle-born guest.

He led her to a guest room that reminded her of a Wedgewood china box with its soft Wedgewood blue walls and white trim and adornments. The furniture was a rich combination of curly cherry and cocobolo woods. It was by far the most opulent room Hermione had ever been in. "Go ahead and put your things in the wardrobe, and freshen up if you like. Just say 'Dextin,' and he will hear you if need anything. You can call him when you're ready, and I'll come to show you to the library."

"I'd like to go now, if that's okay," she said, turning to face him.

"By all means. I only thought you'd like to settle in – but I should have known." He moved aside and indicated the doorway with his hand. "You may call me Draco, if you want," he said softly as they descended the stairs.

"Thank you. I wouldn't mind being on a first name basis," Hermione replied. When he opened the door and led her into the library, she gasped in shock. She knew it would be large, but she wasn't expecting it to be as big as it appeared. The room was at least three or four stories tall, possibly the size of a grand ballroom, with walkways, ladders, and two spiral staircases. Bright, stained-glass panels took up most of the ceiling, emitting a soft diffused light that wouldn't fade the books or dry out the expensive and old leather bindings. The furniture looked inviting, and a fire blazed in the grate.

"If you would tell me what you're interested in, I could direct you to the right section," Draco suggested, clearly pleased with Hermione's pleasure at seeing the vast wealth of his family. For there was where most of the Malfoy wealth was, in those books – books that went as far back as the Dark Ages, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and even older than that.

Hermione knew she'd have to confide in him in order to know where to begin. "Blood Curses, specifically Blood-Bonded Curses and how to break them," she said, hoping he'd not ask too many questions.

To his credit, Draco didn't sneer at her; he nodded, understandingly. "The Dark Arts books are on the top level. There used to be a false ceiling concealing it, but it's been removed." He led her to the farthest stairway. "Blood-Bound Curses are simply curses that the caster uses blood, his or an animal, when casting them. They won't be in a separate section. Start on this end."

~Christmas 1978~

Severus wasn't actually looking forward to Christmas this year, not that he ever looked forward to Christmas, but this time he'd be alone. Oh, he'd have parties to go to, some of the raiding variety, but he'd miss the Christmas dinners at the castle.

The Dark Lord was taking action against the inclusion of the Muggle-borns in civilized Wizarding society and making claims that half-bloods with Muggle parents should be dealt with. Severus overheard a few of the fellow Death Eaters talking about trimming the Muggles and Muggle-borns out of the family trees. Severus knew that many of the Death Eaters took the Dark Lord's words to the extreme, speaking about eliminating Muggle-borns altogether, some even boasting about murdering and severely torturing Muggle-borns and half-bloods during the raids. Some in the gatherings thought that those were the actions of the zealots and simply kept their distance from them, but Severus could see that these few zealots were gaining favoritism from the Dark Lord.

The Daily Prophet reported what was happening with a biased slant. Every death was Death Eater related whether the Dark Mark appeared over the scene or not. There were reports of entire families murdered, saying that the Dark Mark had been left behind as a warning to everyone – but some of the casualties didn't make sense to Severus. Some of them were pure-blood families, like the Langleys and the Alcotts. The Langleys were well-established Wizarding families. Mr. Alcott had been working for the MLE for years, and then there was the Huffier family who ran an antique shop where he'd bought instruments for Potions before. They had been attacked and killed on the night before.

Nevertheless, the boastfulness of the other Death Eaters about their activities made Severus cringe. He wasn't certain if they were misinterpreting the Dark Lord's sentiments or if they really meant to eliminate every witch and wizard with Muggle-born relations or associations, regardless of how insignificant.

The raiding parties Severus had been told to participate in were simply warnings: Muggle baiting, random acts of petty larceny, and property damage. They used hexes, curses or Unforgivables when they met resistance or had been confronted during a raid, and after each raid, they left the Dark Mark over homes as a warning. However, the raids Severus went on were not limited to families with a Muggle parent, or parents, with magical offspring either. Known Muggle-born and half-blood sympathizers were being targeted as well.

The public was growing in fear of the Dark Lord. His name, Voldemort, was never spoken, and just the sight of his Dark Mark was enough to make most people literally cower and run. Houses under which the Dark Mark had appeared in the sky were abandoned, businesses where the Mark had been scorched on the windows or door, closed the next day, the windows boarded up, the owners vanishing.

Then there were the other unusual occurrences. Werewolf attacks were happening more frequently, thankfully, many of the victims not surviving the bites. Reports of Banshees coming out at evenings and screaming on the streets, Giants coming out of the mountains and causing havoc in towns and villages, and vampire bites were being reported in the Daily Prophet more frequently than normal, although why these things were being associated with the Dark Lord, Severus was unsure. However, it was highly suspicious that the attacks of the Dark creatures were targeting witches and wizards with Muggle parentage.

According to the Daily Prophet, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named or You-Know-Who, as they were calling the Dark Lord, had enlisted the hordes of Dark creatures to his side. This didn't fit with what Severus saw at the recruitment parties, but if it was fact, and the Dark Lord was indeed controlling the Dark creatures, that meant that the Dark Lord was indeed as powerful as Avery and Mulciber boasted.

Severus sat at the riverbank contemplating his role in the Death Eaters. He was not learning about the raids beforehand, never heard about the plans or participated in making them. The zealots like Rodolphus and Rabastan Lestrange were, as was Bella Black, Rodolphus's fiancée. Severus knew that if he was going to save Lily from a raiding party, he was going to have to find a way to get in the Dark Lord's good graces and become one of the Dark Lord's favorites – the inner circle of knights. That meant he'd have to start befriending the zealots or find a way to earn their trust.

~ T B C ~>

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Author's Notes:

The African Grass owls resemble Barn owls, but they differ in appearance from their cousins the Barn owl in being larger, stronger, and with stronger contrast in their coloring. The feathers on the upperparts of their bodies are a dark brown, and the underparts are lighter, the feathers on the belly a spotted cream and the rest being more whitish than a Barn owl. Their faces are also more rounded than that of the Barn owl and are white as well. I thought that Kingsley should have one since he was depicted wearing African style robes in the movies.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Grass-owl