Chapter Three

Thanks to everyone who reads and to my beautiful beta, peskipiksi! This is JKR's playground; I just stopped by to swing a while...

The Wizarding Village of Argante was quiet. Even at its busiest, it didn't have the bustle of Hogsmeade on a Hogwarts weekend or Diagon Alley on any day. But its history stretched deep into the mists of the past and of legend. Mostly inhabited by the descendants of local gentry that ruled the three clans calling the area home, there wasn't a large population here, and very few visitors found their way to this desolate part of Scotland. The ones that did find this isolated village were generally lost, and happened to stumble upon Argante by accident. Over the years, a handful stayed on, and the locals didn't concern themselves with the strangers who came and left, as they knew the charms placed on the village at its founding would erase the memories of the village from anyone without the blood of the Ladies in their veins.

This particular night was bitterly cold, and snow had been threatening all day. Disturbingly grey clouds were shrouding the sky and spitting bits of sleet at the earth. The winds tossed the trees, dancing wildly with the branches, and no one in their right mind dared to venture out. No one except for a tall man, dark-haired and pale-skinned. He waited outside The Lady and Dagger pub, wind grabbing at the heavy woolen cloak he had wrapped around his spare form. His wait wasn't too very long, though. A quiet voice that carried well in the frigid air said, "Come," and then two figures moved out of the line of trees behind the pub. One was tall, blonde and male, the other figure, almost dainty in appearance, definitely female. The man held firmly onto his charge as she stumbled drunkenly. It was as Severus expected after receiving the missive begging for his discretion and help.

The tall, dark man opened the door to the pub as the two reached him, and they went gratefully into the warmth. The handful of regulars scattered about the room barely glanced up in acknowledgement of the trio when they entered the fire-bright pub. The smell of the fire and of whatever was for dinner, and alcohol filled the air. The barman looked at the men, and Severus merely said, "Two." The man set down the tankards he was polishing and quickly set about making up a tray.

They had taken a table in the corner by the fire, when impatience finally won out. "Severus, you must hide her; I don't have a place to or I would." Lucius Malfoy was the first to speak as they waited for the barmaid to make her way to them.

The maid interrupted the conversation only long enough to place a two goblets and two bowls of stew on the table. Lucius didn't even wait for the food to cool off before he was eating and drinking hungrily.

"Don't yer friend want somefin?" the maid asked. Severus just shook his head and busied himself with his goblet. The barmaid tried to gain their attentions by arching her back and thrusting her chest out, but neither man was interested. With a huff, she flounced off and soon forgot about the corner table.

After she was out of earshot, Severus arched an elegant brow at his old comrade's unusual lack of decorum, but he dismissed it as due to the circumstances they found themselves in.

"Obviously, Lucius, I was planning something clandestine. Why else would I have given you this location? Once you leave this place you will forget everything about it, and not even Legilimency will recover the memory."

Lucius nodded and wiped his mouth on a clean handkerchief, no napkin having been offered. "Very wise, my friend." He looked Severus in the face and took a deep breath. "I want out. I'll do whatever it takes, but I want out. I know that Dumbledore helped you, and I want the same. And, if Draco isn't in prison, I want him safe too." Lucius bowed his head tiredly. "Cissy is dead."

Severus glanced sharply at the female huddled at Lucius' side. "Dead? But I thought... "

"This isn't my Cissy, Severus." He laughed mirthlessly. "I have rescued your Miss Granger, and now we need to keep her safe. You remember last summer, the special revel you weren't summoned for? I came to you that night to tell you that we had taken Miss Granger, and she was dead? She was being used as part of a ritual to bind Remus Lupin to Greyback... they finally captured Lupin. One more step and the ritual would have been finished. Please, you have to hide her -- even from Dumbledore. She'll be safer if her friends still think she is dead. Most of the Death Eaters already do. Greyback and Bella think she escaped, but no one else cares one way or the other. Even the Dark Lord told the two of them she couldn't have possibly escaped. They swore they would find her and finish the ritual at the Summer Solstice. Bella's pleas were the only reason Greyback is still alive. He managed to convince that madman Summer Solstice would be even better for the ritual." Lucius frowned and handed Severus a flask. "I was able to get Cissy's memories before she died... in my arms. I hope they help."

Accepting the etched silver container, Severus nodded in thanks and placed it into a protected pocket of his frock coat. Sighing, Severus took a deep drink of the mulled wine the barmaid had left on their table. The alcohol went down smoothly, and he reached for the bowl of stew accompanying it, knowing that he needed to keep his wits about it him. Thoughts were rolling furiously through his head. Spy, teacher, Potions master, minion, slave, knight; all these words pounded in his brain, screaming at him, and now they included a new word... keeper. One more title, one more role, surely he could juggle another without breaking.

"You say they took Lupin? When?"

Lucius shrugged. "Several nights ago. They were only waiting for the Winter Solstice next week to brew the final potion and complete the ritual." Lucius thought for a moment, then continued. "I was there, with Bella. We were gathering everything for the potion she was to brew, when they brought Lupin to Greyback. He tortured him with a silver knife for a while, then threw him in a cell. No one saw him after that except the girl that took food to him."

"I hope that Greyback still keeps his prisoners in the dark."

Lucius looked strangely at Severus. "Why?"

"It should be very interesting when they go to the cell to check on the wolf."

Severus swore at the problems he could forsee. "Damn Dumbledore. If they find out about the Polyjuiced Lupin, it will be my hide that pays for it."

"Polyjuice? Are you certain?"

"Of course I'm certain. One of Mad-Eye Moody's greatest ideas. They got another werewolf to act as Lupin whenever he needed to go out. He has been in hiding ever since Greyback almost caught him in Hogsmeade in... "

"In July, at precisely the time Miss Granger was offered the Dark Lord's hospitality."

"Just so... this may be a problem we can't get past. Damn them!"

"Perhaps not. I think I have a solution... and a scapegoat. You let me take care of the Polyjuiced werewolf problem. Now, what are we going to do about the sacrifice?"

"I have an idea, but eventually I will need your help."

Lucius agreed quickly. "Severus, this girl saved my son from taking the mark and, at the same time, she saved my life. The Dark Lord sold my Cissy to Greyback, and for months she has been at his mercy. She died protecting Miss Granger from Bella. I was able to subdue that crazy bitch, and I put a Memory charm on her, but not before stage one of the ritual was complete. If Greyback gets his claws back into Miss Granger, he will gain control of a key member in Dumbledore's camp."

Severus stared thoughtfully at Hermione, still completely bundled up in the cloak and hood Lucuis had wrapped around her when he took her from Greyback's camp. She was slumped down in her seat, obviously drugged. But no matter, he only had one choice, and he hoped it was the right one, because it was too late and too cold to try to come up with a better plan.

"Lucius, when you leave here, this place will no longer exist for you. You will remember everything else, so I strongly suggest that you find a Pensieve or work on your Occlumency. Wait a while, and continue with the public claim that Cissy is out of the country. Perhaps even say that she is ill. No one would think twice about your consulting me on potions. That can be our cover." Severus grimaced a bit and finished. "I'm sorry for your loss. She was a good woman."

"Thank you, my friend. I can't believe she is gone. When the Dark Lord sent her with those werewolves, I knew I wouldn't get her back whole, but I didn't want her dead. Miss Granger gave up her only avenue of escape to save Draco, so I need to know where I went wrong! And I owe her a life debt."

"The Dark Lord used us all, Lucius. And now we are reaping the rewards of serving his lunacy." Severus had long since finished his stew as they talked and now tossed down the last of his wine. He stood and threw a handful of coins and a bottle cap on the table. "I'll see you soon. I will make arrangements for Miss Granger, but I dare not change too many habits, not quickly anyway. That is where you'll come in. Be safe, Lucius; the Portkey will take you to my home at Spinner's End. You can Floo to the Manor from there."

He wrapped an arm around Hermione and pulled her to her feet. She didn't protest, and, when he steered her towards the door, she shuffled her feet in compliance. Severus didn't have to turn around to know that Lucius was gone, and he glanced down at his companion, knowing that as long as the night had already been, it wasn't over yet, not by a long shot.

*****

The forest was deep and dark, and heavy with the scent of damp soil and evergreens. Even in the morning light, the darkness held sway over the landscape. Rugged mountain peaks rose all around, creating a place of starkly beautiful isolation. Hermione didn't know where, precisely, they were, or how; she just knew that she was being carried, and it was cold, and snow had made its way to the forest floor and onto her and her companion. The snowfall melted from their body heat and soaked the heavy cloak that enveloped her, causing her to shiver uncontrollably. She was so tired and cold and frightened. The cloak was secured around her, so she couldn't get free even if she'd had the energy to try. All she could do was whimper feebly and hope that death got her before the werewolves did.

After what seemed like hours of travel, the shadows melted away, and she found herself surrounded by a bright light that made her eyes ache. She closed them against the pain, crying silently, and drifted off to the gentle rumble of an incantation. She never heard the whispers drifting around them of, "the Lady; the Lady is home to the Vale."

Heavy boots clunked across a wooden bridge crossing a swiftly moving stream. This was the Test of the Blood and Severus determinedly made his way across the bridge, hoping against hope that his instincts had been correct. The water rushed furiously over a small waterfall and into a large pond filled with fish and waterfowl of all sorts. The blood wards danced across their skin and recognized both the Knight and his burden as heirs of the Five. The magic shivered happily and parted to allow Severus across the stream. Unmolested, they entered the Vale of the Carn. Hermione, roused from the sleep that had been forced upon her earlier, tried to focus on her surroundings. Before she could, there was a slight murmur from above and once again, sleep stole over her, and she knew no more.

*****

The first thing Hermione noticed when she finally awoke was the bed. Rather than the harsh cell she had been subjected to for an indeterminate amount of time, she was lying in what could only be described as utter decadence. The mattress was plush, yet firm enough to give support, and the cotton flannel linens were soft against her bare skin. She was warmer than she had been for months, and the realization that she was naked under the covers didn't disturb her; she had not had anything resembling clothes for longer than she could remember. However, the knowledge that she was cocooned in comfort terrified her. She tried to sit up and found that she couldn't move. She could feel her body, but she was so exhausted, she just couldn't make it respond to her wishes. The darkness was beginning to overwhelm her senses, and she cried out in fear. At least, she tried to cry out, and that is when the pain hit and panic flared.

She was enveloped in strong arms and the warm smell of herbs before she was drawn into a sitting position. One arm held her steady while pillows were piled behind her, and then she was allowed to lie back. For a moment, she didn't react. The only sign of the terror that filled her mind, was the harsh intake of breath that caused her throat to burn like she had swallowed acid. Hands reached quickly for hers and squeezed them reassuringly.

"Hush now, Miss Granger, hush. You must be careful of your vocal cords. They have been severly damaged. Here, drink this. It will help sooth the pain until I can brew something more specific to the damage." A cool vial was pressed to her lips and she hesitated briefly before swallowing obediently. The deep voice whispered soothingly over the blind terror of being helpless and drugged again, and reigned it in enough that it was no longer all encompassing. The voice whispered to her again, and Hermione relaxed as it's familiarity washed over her. She tried to speak, but only a rough, grating sound issued from her damaged throat. This attempt to talk was paid for by horrible pain and the tears that now burned tracks down her cheeks as they flowed unchecked from her eyes.

"Stubborn girl. You must let the elixir work." The voiced huffed, but not maliciously. "Do not try to speak. Just listen for once. Do you recognize my voice, Miss Granger?"

Hermione tensed and nodded, the hands holding hers tightened briefly, and the voice continued.

"Do you remember anything that has happened to you in the recent past? Anything at all?"

Hermione nodded once more, and she heard a quiet sigh issue from the direction of the voice. Then he spoke again. "As you are in no position to tell me anything, may I have permission to use Legilimency on you to see what has happened? I can neither brew the necessary potions, nor heal you with charms if I don't have this information."

Another nod and a deep breath were the only answers she could give.

"I shall endeavor to be as quick and as painless as possible. Please understand that I have no intention of hurting you physically or mentally." That being said, there was no warning, and suddenly the past six months were flooding Hermione's mind. It wasn't quite as bad as she thought it might be, as there was some detachment from the memories. It was almost like watching a film about someone else, rather than being a story of her own life. Hermione relaxed into the pillows she was reclining on and allowed the invasion of her mind. She felt a presence and reached out tentatively towards it.

"Professor Snape, can you hear me? Can we speak this way? Or am I just talking to myself?"

She heard a slight snort in the back of her mind, then a quiet voice teased the edges of her thoughts. "Technically, no, Miss Granger, we are not speaking. Legilimens deal strictly with images and memories. However, in my line of work it has become necessary that I be able to speak to certain people in situations that are not conducive to verbalization. I created a charm that is built onto the Legilimens incantation to allow mind speech. Certain bonds also allow for telepathic communication."

Hermione was speechless for a moment before she spoke again. "Sir, I must thank you for saving me... "

"It was not I, Miss Granger, but that is a story for later. For now, cease your chattering, and let me sort through these memories. I'm afraid we have a long road ahead of us."

Hermione was instantly contrite, and worried. "I'm sorry. Please, can you help me?"

"I shall do my best; now rest while I search for what I need."

Hermione relaxed and again allowed memories to flood her mind. She watched them dispassionately as Professor Snape sorted through her recent past. When the flow of memories was arranged into a more organized stream, the Professor eased out of Hermione's mind.

"Nod your head if it is permissible for me to remove these memories into a Pensieve. I would prefer to view them there, so that I might study in detail any potions or curses that were forced onto you. I would rather not have you relive these things over and over if I can prevent it."

Hermione nodded again, and Professor Snape released her hands after another brief squeeze. "I know you want to talk, Miss Granger, but at the moment, I just need you to hold these memories at the forefront of your mind. I'll remove them to the Pensieve, and then I must get to work."

Snape smirked a little at the downhearted look on Hermione's face. "If you are good, I'll return after supper, and if you will allow the potion I gave you earlier to work, you should be able to use your voice."

With that, Hermione brightened a bit, and Snape removed the memories efficiently, filling the Pensieve sitting on the table by the bed. He then told her to sit up so he could take away some of the pillows she was propped on, and then she lay back down. Tucking the blankets lightly around her, he spoke softly. "I know removing that many memories at once is both disconcerting and exhausting. However, the benefit to you right now is that they can't plague your rest. Sleep now; when you wake I'll come back. There is a charm on the room to alert me if you need anything. You aren't alone anymore."

Hermione listened as her Professor left the room and closed the door. "How odd," she thought. He was still her stiffly formal professor, but the cruelty she had come to expect wasn't there; not at all. With this in mind, Hermione drifted easily off into the first untormented sleep she'd had in weeks. Little did she know that things would only get worse before it would get better.

*****

Severus came out of the Pensieve and barely made it to the waste paper basket. In all his years as a Death Eater, he had seen and done some horrible things, but the werewolves managed to outdo everything in his experience. Severus groaned, and wiped the cold sweat off his face as he sprawled against his desk. He could only think that there was no way Hermione would ever recover from the things to which she had been exposed.

Narcissa was dead, protecting Hermione. Lucius was now in place to spy for the Light and he, himself, was walking an even tighter rope than ever before. Severus straightened up and took a deep breath. He had to put all that away. Hermione was counting on him to heal her and to somehow keep her safe from the Dark Lord, and Greyback. And he had to keep her hidden from Dumbledore so that he could keep the house of cards he and Lucius were constructing from collapsing.

A tingle in the back of his mind alerted Severus that Hermione was rousing from her nap, so he got up off the floor, straightened his clothes, and headed to her room. He stepped out of his study and nearly ran over the tall, elegant woman reaching for the doorknob.

"In a hurry, Son?" she asked, trying to regain her balance and dignity before it was sprawled in the hallway.

"Mother, I don't have time for this right now. Miss Granger is rousing from the elixir I gave her and I need to get there before she panics."

Eileen Snape nodded at Severus' statement. "Yes, but you need to remember what... "

Severus cut her off. "Mother!" He took a deep breath. "Mum, I know who and what she is, as well as I know who and what I am. It has been well-drilled into my head these past few years. But unless I can heal her, it won't matter at all."

Eileen sighed and looked away. "I know, but we are so close... "

"Yes, Mum, but if she doesn't recover, and we don't figure out the genealogical texts, it's not going to make a difference." He closed his eyes. "She is awake and beginning to worry. I need to go."

"See to our guest, Severus, and if you need me I'll be in the library."

Severus and his mother parted ways and he made it to Hermione's bedroom just as a full blown panic attack hit.