Chapter 34

Severus Apparated to Azkaban. The wind from the sea whipped his robes around him. Icy coldness gripped at his heart as it tore at his hair and flesh. The salt spray of the sea seemed to permeate everything. He could taste it on his lips seconds after arriving. The huge prison loomed over him, dark and oppressive.

Thank Merlin there are no Dementors anymore, he thought as he stepped up to the gate.

There was a huge, severe-looking guard at the gate, and he eyed Severus suspiciously. But after checking his wand, he motioned Severus down a dark, grim hallway. The prison was freezing, and it stank of decaying bodies, vomit, and urine. Severus was lead to a huge metal door with only a small grate to see through. The guard used his wand to open the door and then ushered Severus into an even colder, gray hallway and up two flights of stairs where another huge door lead them to a corridor that held solid metal cell doors with only slots to slip plates of food through.

The guard asked, "Are you ready for this? This one is best left to rot. Don't try nothing, or you will share the cell next to him for the rest of your life, Death Eater." He sneered at Severus and used his wand to open the door.

Severus entered the dimly lit cell and saw a figure sleeping on a cot with his back to the door. There was a wooden table and chair and an ever-lit candle. A bucket with a vanishing spell was placed in the corner for Lucius' use. The spell that cleansed it kept the worst of the stink of excrement away, which he was grateful for. His heart was pounding as the door slammed shut behind him.

He called out, "Lucius."

The figure moved and a raspy voice spoke. "I hear a ghost. Go away ghost. You were best dead. This is hell." Lucius pulled the filthy, ragged blanket over his head.

"You know I am not dead," Severus informed him with a sneer. He tried not to let his disgust show. The stench of unwashed male was horrible.

Lucius slowly unfolded his body and turned toward Severus. The hate in his eyes made Severus take a step backward.

"Have you come to join me, Severus, you miserable traitor?"

He sat on the edge of the bed. His once-shiny, long, blond hair was dingy, dirty and mostly gray. He was so pale that his face was nearly translucent. His lips were cracked and had sores on them from malnutrition.

Severus was aghast at the conditions Lucius was forced to live in. Granted his crimes were many, but this was beyond cruel. There weren't even books for him to read. Severus could feel the magical dampening field like a shroud around him. So many Death Eaters had a propensity toward wandless magic that special wards blocked any use of magic within the cells.

"I saved your son from being a murderer. Did you really want that sort of life for Draco?" he asked as he pulled the chair out from the table and sat facing Lucius. "I have been told that you didn't participate in the final battle and that you only seemed concerned with finding Draco and being with Narcissa."

Lucius glared at him and chose not to comment.

"Lucius, I need your help. Agree to help me, and I may be able to lighten your sentence or at least make you more comfortable here...get you better food, books, writing materials."

"Why would you help me after what I did to that Mudblood of yours?" he asked.

Severus reached out and grabbed him by the throat, nearly lifting him off the bed. "You will show respect for my wife."

"Wife!" Lucius blanched. "You married Granger?" He then peered closer at Severus. "Where have you been? You don't look any older than you did the day you died. Are you a ghost?"

"The old buzzard encased me in a sleeper bubble for 15 years."

Lucius' eyes got wide, and then he laughed until he choked, spittle coming from his mouth in strings of bloody fluid. Lucius pulled back, spitting into Severus' face, his eyes glittering with malice. The broken wizard raised his hand to grab at him.

Severus pulled back, and his hand went out to fend off an attack. He caught Lucius in the face and knocked him back against the wall.

"Kill me," Lucius begged him. "Death is better than this hell."

Severus brushed the nasty fluid away with his sleeve.

"No one wants to see me. Draco is a sniveling worm, and Scorpius is not allowed to come here." He eyed Severus. "What do you want?" he asked, unable to crush his curiosity.

"I need your help, Lucius," Severus told him.

"I will not help those who placed me here...those who killed my Narcissa. You were my friend, Severus. At least I thought you were. Why didn't you warn me? Why didn't you help me out of that life? You went to Dumbledore and never once suggested I do the same. I was tortured far more than you will ever know. I was his pawn, his play toy. He did things to me you cannot imagine."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Severus leaned forward again.

"He was a monster. But he held a lot of power, and I wanted that power. At first I was willing to take what he gave for the chance to best him one day. I was looking for that opening. But it was not worth my son's life. Draco was my only child, the only chance for my family to continue. What would you have had me say? We all had our assigned places. Did you imagine having him in my house was pleasant?" His voice was bitter.

"Draco is a man you can be proud of. Despite his corrupt upbringing, he is a man of honor who is trying to rise above the name of Malfoy...a name you destroyed, Lucius. Scorpius loves you. He's a brilliant young man. He can become an amazing Potions master. You should be proud of him. Why did you try to poison his mind? He nearly cost me my life."

Lucius glared at him. "That was the idea."

"You put him up to that! Why let hatred rule your life now? We are free of Voldemort; you can enjoy your son and grandchild. This sentence will only take a few years of your life. You could give the ministry evidence against others who have evaded capture. Help me help Molly and Arthur. It might go toward a lighter sentence."

"They are traitors to all purebloods. They cavort with Muggles and half-breeds."

Severus was losing his patience. He reached out and grabbed Lucius by the collar of his thin robe.

"Those attitudes are best lost. Do you not hear me? Do you not understand? This is a new world for our people: purebloods, half-bloods, and Muggleborns. We can live together in peace. We all can help each other."

Lucius sneered at him and pulled away. "Tell me about the Weasleys."

Severus explained the medical facts to him and what he and his grandson were trying to do to help. "I know you have dark magic books. You may even know where the Voldemort's books are. Help me help them. Help me help your grandson be a hero and make the name Malfoy something to be proud of again. Be the friend you were when we were boys, before the madness took our lives from us."

Lucius had an evil smile on his face. "They get their reward finally."

Severus grabbed him and begged, "Please see reason, for their health, and your son and grandson." Then he did something he hadn't planned: He pulled Lucius to him and held him in a tight hug. "Be my friend again; let go of the hate."

Lucius stiffened against him, but he soon relaxed into the hug. It had been a long time since he'd had a human touch him with anything other than pain. He held on for dear life as the tears rolled down his cheeks and he cried for Narcissa, his one true love. He cried for the son who no longer looked at him with respect and for the grandson he'd tried to poison with his anger.

Severus stood a bit stunned, but he held his friend tightly, trying not to gag at the assault of body orders and other things he did not want to think about. He remembered how he'd held the boy recently. Since his escape from the balloon, love had changed everything. Could love now thaw this man's heart? Could it bring my friend back to me? He even ventured to think that if Voldemort had been loved by anyone in his life, maybe he would have never been the monster he had become. Anger and evil had a life of its own. It seemed to expand, and things in its path were destroyed. Thank God Albus Dumbledore had taken him under his wing and had saved him from the same path as the man he now held close.

Finally, Lucius pulled away and looked at him with almost a shy smile. He backed away and sat on the edge of the filthy cot.

"Someone might as well live," he said with a sigh. "There is a room in the far left tower of the mansion. The top room is only the entrance to an invisible library and hold out. You must touch the stones on the top of the fireplace in the same manner as you enter Diagon Alley but with the opposite combination and two extra taps on the top center stone. I do not know if what you are looking for is there, but that is where he kept his things."

Severus stepped close again and clasped his friend's boney shoulder. "I will make sure you receive some things to make this more livable."

"I do not matter, Severus. Death is preferable. Separation from Narcissa is a living death." He turned away, crawling into the bed, and turned his back toward Severus.

"I will not forget you, Lucius. Your son and grandson will be proud of you." He turned away, pretending not to see the man's shoulders shaking as he cried.

Severus pounded on the door and was let out. He followed the guard out of the prison. Standing once again in the salt air, he looked back at the horrible prison and wondered how many others were living in these horrible conditions. Granted some of them deserved their fate; perhaps Lucius did, too. But he would keep his promise and lessen this place's horror a bit. It might be an orange or a new blanket...maybe even a book or two to help his old friend escape for a few hours.

He Apparated to Hogwarts. He ran to the castle and down to Hermione and his rooms. She was fast asleep when he burst into their bedroom.

"Hermione," he called excitedly.

"What... what?" Hermione sat up in the bed and tried to focus on Severus, who was taking clothes from her closet. He now tossed them to her and grabbed a bag and began shoving more things into it.

"Severus, what the hell are you doing?" She came from the bed.

"You must come to Malfoy Manor with me. I know where Voldemort's library is, and I daresay you will need to stay there for at least a few days if not weeks. You will need help, as well. I will send for Harry immediately. I do not want you to venture into the place alone, nor stay alone. I'm sure Draco will be more than hospitable. But I want Harry there to protect you. I know he'll want to help. I will take you," he said as he watched her struggle into her pants. He grabbed the sweater and helped her into it. "I'm sorry to be so abrupt, but we haven't the time to lose."

Hermione nodded and grabbed a few things from the bathroom. Before she knew it, they were running across the grounds of Hogwarts to the gates and were gone.

The gate to Malfoy Manor was closed tight. Severus rang the bell and a house-elf appeared to help them. He took their message to Draco, who soon came and opened the gate and ushered them in.

Draco was more than happy to let them in to the mansion and immediately showed them the corridor to the left uppermost tower. Within minutes, Harry joined them. The two men, once enemies, eyed each other warily for a few moments. Then Draco said, "Harry, welcome to Malfoy Manor."

Harry said, "Thank you, Draco. You have a fine young son. He and my son, Albus, have gotten to be quite good friends. Shall we take a lesson from them?"

Draco nodded. "I would like that. Come, the tower room is just ahead." They were ushered into a huge, round tower room, and Severus immediately made his way to the fireplace. He'd been thinking about the opening to Diagon Alley and reached out with his wand to tap the bricks in the faux arch above the mantel backwards, adding the two taps at the top.

The fireplace folded back upon itself and opened into a doorway. The room beyond was dark, and Harry went before them with his wand ready. He was sending detection spells to protect them from any dark curses that might be there to booby trap the room. He erected a shield, as balls of fire came toward them.

Severus raised a shield as well.

Hermione and Draco said, "Lumos." The room lit up, and the four people gasped. The room, which was magically enhanced and could not be seen from the outside, was huge. It was filled with treasure and rare, old books...some unknown to present wizard scholars. The light from the tops of their wands glinted off gold and jewels.

Severus said, "Well, Draco, you're not poor anymore." He grinned at the younger man's wide eyes. "Be careful, and don't touch anything. Let Harry check it all over before you give in to any temptation to open or examine anything."

Harry said, "There is so much here. Do you want me to alert the Auror's office and get some help?"

Severus looked at Draco. "I will accept whatever you say, Draco. Right now, it's all yours. If you get help in here, you will be expected to share it and maybe give some of it back. Spoils of war."

"Get help. I'm sure there is so much here that I can share with others who were taken advantage of during the war. They will be able to benefit from it, too."

Severus placed a hand on his shoulder. "I think you just got a new job, that of distribution. It's in your house and therefore your property. I do ask one thing: Send your father some good food, vitamins and healing potions, blankets, and safe novels. He needs help. Even if you must bribe the guards, make sure he gets some help. He lives in the worst of conditions."

Draco nodded. "I will see to it immediately."

"You might go see him," Severus suggested.

Draco blanched and turned away, leaving the three of them alone.

Severus said, "Harry, we must have help. You cannot scan this whole warehouse alone, and Hermione needs help as well. I must be back in the lab soon; the boys will be awake and ready to work."

Harry nodded. "Alright, I will send for the best." He stepped out of the room and sent off his Patronus to alert his office of his need of help.

Severus went over to Hermione and pulled her close, sighing as her body pressed against his. "I'm sorry I had to leave so abruptly. I was looking forward to your promise."

Hermione grinned at him. "I knew work would come first. When this is done, we will go away for a weekend. Maybe we can go back to the beach house."

Severus pressed a kiss to her lips then one to her cheek and just held her for a few moments until Harry returned to the room. He said to Harry, "I'm leaving her in your care; see that she is safe." He turned to Hermione. "Hermione, please listen to the Aurors. You are much more needed as a reviewer than a spell breaker. Promise me that you will not touch anything until it is cleared. I will not be able to concentrate on my work if I think you might be in danger here."

Hermione wanted to protest, but the fear in his eyes was real, and so she promised. He kissed her again, and then Severus quickly left the room.

Hermione touched her fingers to her lips and then turned to find Harry watching her.

"The love you have for each other is really something, Hermione. It still amazes me to see you with him, to see him as he was all those years ago physically yet so radically changed in soul and spirit."

"It is amazing, Harry. You know how much I've loved him, how I hung on to his memory. I do not know if that was part of the spell that kept him trapped in the bubble, but no matter what, I love him with every fiber of my being. I've never been more happy."

Harry came and gave her a hug. "I'm glad you're happy. At least two of us turned out okay. I can't imagine life without Ginny. I just wish Ron would give up the past enmity and go forward with his life and find someone to love...someone who will turn his life upside down and really make it right."

She nodded, hugging him back. "I wish for that, too, Harry. It kills me that he's not here with us. We were always like the Three Musketeers when we were kids. But we are not kids anymore, and reality is not our dreams." She stepped away from him. "Now, let's start on this shelf. You check the books, and I will start looking into them."

Harry nodded and set to work. Several hours later, there were others working with them and a growing pile of books on Hermione's table. She reached for a new book as she stretched a kink out of her back.

A small, female house-elf dressed in a tiny maid's outfit popped into being in front of her. "Master Draco is asking if you want to eat, Madam. He will be having us prepare a meal for the entire company in thirty minutes in the downstairs dining hall."

Hermione sighed. She would rather eat here, but it would be a good idea to freshen up and have a walk to stretch her legs. "What is your name?" she asked the little creature.

The little elf blinked her huge eyes at Hermione. "Dolly, Madam."

"Dolly, I see you are a free elf. Do you like working here?" she asked, curious to find a liberated elf at Malfoy Manor.

"Yes, madam, this it my home. I was born here, as was my father and father's father. We are all free now that Master Draco is in charge. Will you come down for dinner?" she asked with a squirm.

"Yes, Dolly. Tell your Master we will be down soon. Thank you."

The little house-elf bowed and was gone with a crack. Hermione was surprised about the house-elf's status. She had seen that Draco had changed, but she hadn't realized how much. Even with his struggles to financially maintain his home, he'd freed his slaves. She would have to commend him for his charity.

A little later, the group found themselves in a huge dinning room. The meal was simple but delicious, and Hermione found herself enjoying the conversation of intelligent adults. She missed Severus and knew he would have enjoyed this as well.

She only hoped he was doing well with the boys and they were coming up with something that would stall the end of the curse until her team found what they needed from Voldemort's library. She'd already seen some amazing things and some things that turned her stomach. He really had been a monster.

Lisa, thank you for your amazing Beta work. I would be lost without you.

Becky and Angela, thank you for pre-reading this story and for your comments.