Chapter 4

Disclaimer: We've borrowed some of J.K.R.'s characters here! We'll return them shortly, all nice and clean.

Thanks go to NotSoSaintly for beta reading this.

Harry stood watching the ones that he loved in momentary happiness. If things could always be this way, people smiling and laughing, the world would look like a much better place. He sighed, looking around the Burrow's garden, enjoying its new look, as the weeds and overgrown grass had been cleared away, the gnomes had been thrown out, and even the gnarled trees had been decorated for the event. Bill and Fleur's wedding had taken place about an hour before, and the reception was going strong. His gaze turned to where Ginny stood...as it always did. She was talking with Neville and Luna, laughing at something Luna had said.

Beautiful, he thought forlornly. I miss her so much, but I have to do what I think is best. I have to keep her safe... In his mind, if he was no longer associated with her, nobody would purposely seek her out to harm her in order to get to him. He also knew that he could not hold steady to the task at hand if she was around to distract him. Unfortunately, he and the others had been staying at the Burrow for the past couple of weeks, and she was right there the entire time, pretending as if all was well, but he was no fool. He knew that she was hurting. He could see it in her eyes, even when she smiled.

He turned his head slightly and watched Ron and Hermione; they were talking intimately, voices low, and each drinking a glass of champagne. He had noticed that they had become closer over the past couple of weeks. Hermione still shared a room with Ginny while he still roomed with Ron, but they had started taking walks alone every evening after dinner, usually coming back happy and flushed. A sudden flash of envy welled up inside, forcing Harry to quickly squash it. He felt guilty for even one second of begrudging them any happiness. He smiled wistfully when Ron gently cupped Hermione's face and kissed her, thinking nobody would notice.

Harry turned away before they noticed him watching and looked to Remus and Tonks. He was very happy that Remus had finally let the younger woman into his life. It was obvious that she made him happy and looked after him. He couldn't remember ever seeing his dad's old friend look so healthy and whole. Harry smirked when he remembered how surprised Remus had looked when he'd mentioned that he knew he was 'unofficially' living with Tonks when he wasn't busy trying to uncover information about the other werewolves.

Most of the members of the Order had been invited to the wedding. All were laughing, talking, and having a good time...able to let go for a few hours and forget about the recent tragedy that had taken place. Oddly enough, Voldemort and other Death Eater activity had been nonexistent since Dumbledore's death...that they knew of anyway. Wanting to not think of the headmaster or what happened, he forced himself to look back at the others. There was closeness here between everyone, a deep fondness and trust that Harry knew they would need to put to use very soon. He was glad to be a part of it. He had never seen Professor McGonagall smile quite so much, waggling her finger at Moody while she talked animatedly, spilling her heavily spiked gillywater as she did so. Seeing her smile happily made him smile in return.

Watching Molly Weasley was a quiet contentment. She bustled about the garden, making sure everyone had enough to eat or drink. She was truly the only mother he'd ever known, and he loved her as such. She nurtured and cared for him, showing him the love and affection he'd never received in his first eleven years. He loved Arthur as well...the whole Weasley clan was like family for that matter. They'd all adopted him in a way: accepted him, cared for him, and even loved him. He felt the same about Hermione, too. She was the sister that he'd never had.

Turning his head, he spotted the newlyweds talking with the bride's parents. Fleur absolutely glowed with happiness. She'd always been beautiful, but he'd never seen her look more beautiful than she did when she smiled at Bill, who never took his hand off of her...constantly touching her in some way. For some reason, he felt extremely lonely just then. He wanted Ginny.

"A Sickle for your thoughts," the object of his desire whispered in his ear.

Turning his head only, he said, "Not worth even that. Just watching all the people here, noticing how happy they all are at this moment, and wondering when it's all gonna come crashing down..."

"Please, Harry, not today. Okay? Can't you just set all that aside for a day? Hell, I'd settle for half a day!"

"I don't recall asking you to settle for anything, Ginny."

Her eyes rounded in shock and then narrowed with hurt. "No, you've never asked anything of me except for time. I've tried to give it to you, but, Harry, the longer I wait, and the more space I give you, the more bitter you become. It hurts me to see you like this. I want to help."

"Oh, I'm sorry for being bitter. How silly of me, being bitter about having to kill a madman...or worse...being killed by him! What was I thinking?" Harry didn't mean to lash out at Ginny, but because he wanted...more than anything...to take her into his arms, he decided to push her away. He knew he would have to be harsh because it seemed like every other way he'd acted towards her had only given her false hope. "I think you should go back to your friends, Ginny, and leave me alone. There is nothing you can do for me."

"Funny, I thought I was with a friend." She gently laid her hand on his shoulder. "Please trust in me, Harry. I am here for you, and if you'd let me, I'd be there when you have to face Vol... Voldemort."

"No, you won't! You will not be anywhere near me at that time!"

She simply gave him an incredulous look, saying nothing.

"I mean it, Ginny. I have made my decision on this."

"Listen, Harry, I know you've made up your mind, and truly, I do understand, but I want to help you and be there for you."

"Ginny, I won't get into this with you. You know why I broke things off...I did what I needed to do! Look," he said a little more kindly, "it's not only for you, but for me, too. I need to be able to focus, and for some reason, that's hard for me to do around you, so I decided to end things. For now."

"Yes, you did! I didn't even have a choice in the matter. Harry, I tried to understand because I knew you were going to end things...I even agreed with you...to an extent. I had told myself that I accepted it, but it's hard for me...especially knowing you care about me, too. You think that if we were together that I would be a target? Well, I am simply a target just by being a Weasley and not following the Dark Lord. And even though you and I aren't together, you are still close to my family! Everyone knows that!"

"It's not the same! Don't you see that?"

"No, actually, I don't see that! What of Hermione?"

Exasperated, Harry threw his hands up and said, "Hermione's different."

Narrowing her eyes, Ginny said, "Different? How is she different? May I remind you that I am only one year younger than you? I can help you if you'd just let me! Don't shut me out, Harry, please. I care for you." Sighing when he said nothing, she told him, "If you don't want me fighting, I guess I won't be there, but there are other things I could do... Maybe I could help you guys research or something..."

"I know you won't be there," Harry simply told her. "I won't allow it."

"YOU WON'T ALLOW IT? Why are you being so hateful? I'm not asking for much here!"

"Harry! Ginny! That's enough yelling now!" Hermione admonished. "Do you want to upset everyone today?"

"No," Harry said. "We don't."

"What the bloody hell's going on?" Ron demanded.

Harry stared at Ron firmly while replying. "I was just trying to explain to Ginny why I thought it would be best if she not be involved with certain things."

Ron nodded. "Ginny, you know that this is a situation you can't help with. Besides, you will be back at school! And you know Mum will never allow you to fight, so why are you bringing it up? Harry has enough on him right now."

"We don't mean to shut you out, Ginny. It's just that right now, there is nothing more to be done that we aren't doing, and Harry promised Professor Dumbledore that only we would handle it. Please try to understand. We aren't trying to hurt you," Hermione explained.

Ginny sighed, tired of it all. "Enough. I don't want to disrupt Bill and Fleur's day with this. I won't cause that. You're right, I suppose." Looking towards Harry, she said sadly, "Sorry. It just hurts me to see you hurting and knowing there is nothing I can do." She turned to see Neville and Luna watching them, unsure if they should approach or not. "I am going over to talk some more with Luna and Neville."

"Didn't those two come here together as a couple?" Hermione asked.

"No, I don't think so. They say they came as friends." With one last longing look at Harry, Ginny walked back over to her two friends and assured them she was fine.

Hermione walked over to Harry and engulfed him in a hug. "I'm sorry, Harry. Is there anything I can do?"

Letting out a breath, he told her, "No, not really. It's just, I know I am doing the right thing here, and nobody seems to get that."

"Well," Hermione began, "if I were her, I wouldn't want to be left behind either." She looked between them. "And I won't be."

"Look, mate," Ron started, "I don't know if you're doing right or not, pushing her from you like that, but I do know it's your decision. Well, yours and Ginny's, except you really aren't giving her much choice, but I can understand that you feel you need to do this, even if I do think you are just being stubborn. Personally, I think you should still be with her if that's what you want. I'm sure many people know that you fancy her, and whether she is your girl or not, it would still hurt you to lose her."

Exasperated, Harry said, "Ron, just stop. Ginny was right about one thing. I don't want to talk about this now. It's not the time, okay?"

"Sure, whatever you say," Ron agreed.

Noticing that Ginny had walked over to talk to Fleur's sister, Gabrielle, Harry told Ron and Hermione, "I am going to speak with Neville and Luna. It's getting dark, and I expect they will leave soon. You two coming?"

"Not just yet, I... Um... I mean to say that... Hermione and I are going for a walk and then we will."

Grinning, Harry said, "Sure, Ron, you two go ahead." Turning to Hermione, who had been unusually quiet, he teased, "Don't go too far now."

Blushing, she said, "No. No, we won't."

After Harry walked over to Luna and Neville, Ron took Hermione's hand and led her away from the crowd to the secluded spot he'd prepared for them earlier in the day. She'd been letting him go further with his petting, and he hoped that this night would prove to be 'the night' for them.

When they reached their spot by the pond, Hermione smiled. It meant a lot to her that he would go through so much trouble to please her. Besides a blanket, she noticed a bottle of what she assumed was elf-made wine and two glasses. One lonely candle was lit.

"Ron, this is lovely! I don't know about the wine, though. I've already had three glasses of champagne."

"One glass won't hurt, love." He took her hand and led her to the blanket. After they got situated, he handed her a glass, which she reluctantly took.

"I'm worried about Harry and Ginny. Do you think..."

Ron gently placed a finger on Hermione's lips. "Ssh. No talk of them or anything of that sort now. Right now, it's just you and me. I've been thinking about this all day."

After taking a generous sip of her wine, Hermione asked, "You have? Just what have you been thinking, Ronald?" She smiled teasingly at him.

Taking her glass from her and setting both his and hers down, he pulled her to him and whispered, "This," and tenderly kissed her.

Enjoying the taste of the wine on his tongue and the feel of his arms around her, Hermione moaned and deepened the kiss, much to Ron's excitement. He laid her back on the blanket and started massaging her breast on the outside of her robes.

She arched up into his hand and wove her fingers through his hair. Feeling emboldened by her moves, he slowly started unzipping her robes. She stopped kissing him for a second and simply looked into his eyes, which halted him. She saw want, need, respect, and what she had been looking for, love. Showing her courage, she laid her hand on his and finished unzipping her robes.

Ron began to breathe a little faster, becoming more excited. Suddenly, he felt a little shy; she'd always stopped him before. "Hermione, are you sure?"

"Yes, I am. I am ready to take this step with you, Ronald. Are you sure?"

"I have never been more sure of anything in my life, not even with Lav..." Ron started blushing, certain that he'd ruined things.

So, it's as I thought. He did sleep with her. Not wanting to deny him anything that Lavender had given him, she quickly said, "Let's not talk of the past just now. I want you, and you want me. That's enough. Do you, um... Do you know the Contraceptive Charm?" It was Hermione's turn to blush. It must be the wine making me so bold!

"Yes, I do. Here," he grabbed his wand and pointed it at his very noticeable erection. After muttering some words and rotating it two times clock-wise, there was a white glow, which showed he had performed the charm correctly. He put his wand down and turned back to Hermione. "Now, where were we?"

"Right here," she answered, pulling him back into her arms.

He finished unzipping her robes and pulled them off. He rose up to look at her in only a simple white bra and blue knickers, smiling. "Very nice," he complimented.

Hermione reached up to pull on his zipper, feeling bashful. When he'd taken his off, he reached for his boxers, too, wanting to remove all the barriers as quickly as possible. He felt like he would explode any second.

Hermione watched him with wide eyes, not exactly sure what to do. Not noticing her discomfort, Ron leaned down and began kissing her again, pulling her bra below her breasts. He wasn't sure how to work the clasps, as Lavender never seemed to have one on when they met for a shagging session.

He gently rubbed her breasts for a bit, exciting her, and then he moved down and started removing her knickers. She felt a moment of panic and stiffened, but after a couple more kisses, she relaxed enough so that he could remove them.

Once he had gotten them off, he gently began massaging her, trying to make her ready enough for him. After a couple of minutes, he deemed her ready and moved on top of her, bracing himself on his elbows and looking into her eyes. "Hello, there," he teased with a smile and gently kissed her once more before positioning himself and slowly thrusting inside, breaking her barrier with one push.

Hermione cried out, but the sharp pain only lasted a moment, shocking her more than anything. She looked up into his face and thought, What a comical expression... He nearly looks like he's in pain! He had his eyes closed tightly, and his lips had flattened into a thin line.

Just as his rapid, repeating thrusts caused Hermione to feel the tension building in her belly and had coerced her into moving in time with him, Ron suddenly stiffened and groaned. He whispered, "Oh, Hermione!" and then pulled her close to him, panting heavily.

Dazed, Hermione put her face against his shoulder. It wasn't quite what she had expected, but he seemed to enjoy it very much. She nearly asked if that was it, but she decided that might not be the right thing to ask. He seemed finished. Well, if that was all he and Lavender did, I don't get what the big deal was. I suppose the pressure and the friction was quite nice though.

After a few moments, he told her, "We better get back, love. It's getting late. Are you all right?"

Softly smiling, she assured him, "Yes, I'm fine. It's just..."

"I know, for me, too," he said, thinking that she felt the same as he did. Squeezing her hand once, he helped her up. After they'd dressed and cleaned everything up, they headed back to the Burrow, hand in hand...one feeling as if he owned the world while the other felt a little disappointed and awkward.

"What's wrong?" asked Rodolphus, putting away his knife and sharpening block.

"I'm pregnant," Bella replied snidely. "How am I supposed to go about my normal duties if I'm to grow huge? Our Lord had better not think to keep me away from my work! I won't have it."

"Your pregnancy is his work," he said, moving behind her and putting his arms around her, resting his palms on her stomach, rubbing gently. "You've been going on how you would be a better mother than Narcissa, stronger, showing our child the ways of our Lord. Here is your chance." He kissed the nape of her neck.

"But I don't like playing the role of a weak female." She turned around in her husband's arms. "Mother or not, I refuse to stay behind and help with the next generation of Death Eaters while you and the others get to have all the fun."

"You're so lovely when you pout," he teased. "I wish you'd be in this mood more often."

"Don't get used to it," she said, glaring slightly. "I wonder how Narcissa is handling things. I wonder if the potion worked for her."

"Who cares?" Rodolphus said, unbuttoning her robes. "We've other things to do... like celebrating on our good fortune."

"I care, that's who!" she said heatedly, though she'd maneuvered so he could more easily reach the lower buttons. "I'll bet Snape has had his filthy hands all over her every chance he got!"

"I thought you'd forgiven Severus," he said, pushing down the robes and cupping her chemise-covered breasts.

"Well, he's our Lord's man, no doubt there now, but that doesn't mean I want him to be with my sister!" She reached down, slapped her husband's hands away, and ripped the lacy fabric to free her breasts herself before placing his hands back on her exposed flesh. "The Dark Lord won't even allow me to send her an owl. Why, she should be here with me if anything! Why the seclusion?" She pulled at her hair and growled, suddenly enraged. "He's rewarding him with a sex slave for doing his deed! I'd bet my last Galleon on it! My sister deserves to be more than some half-blood's whore!"

"Lucius won't be too happy; that's for certain," Rodolphus commented before leaning down to lave a hardened nipple.

"I'll kill Malfoy if he touches her," Bella said seriously. "This is all his fault, the lot of it, the arrogant prat!"

"Come," he said, nodding towards the couch. "Let's not worry about them right now." When her eyebrow rose in challenge, he added, "I'll have my contact at Azkaban slip Lucius a letter, giving him fair warning of what's going on. He won't dare act out in anger if he's had some time to think on it. However, he might try to find away to thwart Severus' position as favorite if he gets the chance."

She nodded. "And tell him that he will have me to answer to if he thinks he can punish my sister in any way." She grinned impishly. "As for Draco, well, that's entirely up to him. The boy should have been taught a bit more of a lesson. It would strengthen him for future missions."

"If you say so."

Bellatrix realized that her husband had completely undressed her and led her to their couch. His fingers were nimbly removing his own clothing. Reaching down to touch herself intimately and bringing a finger back up to her lips for a lick, she said, "Are you going to fuck me or stand there playing with your robes?"

A knock at her door broke into her reverie. "Yes?" she called, uncertain if it would be Severus or a house-elf. He'd left just after breakfast to meet with the Dark Lord, and she hadn't seen him since. Being forced to remain in the cottage was starting to make her feel like a prisoner. She supposed that was exactly what she was though.

"I'd like a word," Severus said, opening her door completely but not entering.

She saw his eyes dart over to her bed and then back to her. He'd not stepped one foot inside of her room since the morning he'd crept from her bed after they'd made love. Wanting some amusement after being so bored all day, she smiled seductively, hoping to make him nervous. "You can come in," she said, gesturing to the bed, which was the only place he could be seated, as she was in the only chair.

"And just as easily," he said, nodding behind him, "you can come out. I will be waiting." He left abruptly, closing the door with a snap.

Her playful smile faded. Something must have gone wrong. He'd never used such a curt tone of voice with her before. Had the Dark Lord given him bad news? Deciding not to prolong their talk, hoping he had news from Draco, she stood and made her way out to find him sitting near at the table they took meals upon.

"Is something wrong, Severus?" she asked uncertainly. It wasn't often that she felt uneasy around him, but she definitely felt as if something was amiss.

"Not that it concerns you, but I will be working on something important for the Dark Lord..."

"Am I to continue staying here alone?" Narcissa interrupted. It's bad enough with only Severus for company, but I don't think I could bear it without any human contact whatsoever!

His gaze darkened. "If you don't mind?" His eyebrow arched as if challenging her to speak. When she said nothing, he continued in an annoyed voice. "It seems that only I can do what must be done, and it will take time, as I cannot openly be seen in public." He rose and approached her, pulling his wand and pointing it at her.

It took all of her strength to keep her back straight and expression nonchalant. Had he been ordered to terminate her after all?

"I need to check to see if you are pregnant. It has been two weeks," he explained.

"Very well," she said, relief flooding her.

After a flick of his wand and a faint glow, he nodded. "You are indeed. It seems that my potions have been very successful."

"Are others pregnant?" she asked, unable to help herself, moving her gaze down to her stomach and placing a manicured hand upon it. Soon she would grow round and feel her baby moving within. She'd fallen in love with Draco's turns and kicks during her first pregnancy and eagerly awaited the fluttering sensations again.

After they both were seated, he spoke again. "Yes," he said, gazing down at her hand, which was still caressing her stomach. "Of the twenty-three women who took my potions, nineteen are pregnant. We confirmed that today." He gave her a tight smile. "It seems Bellatrix is also expecting."

"Oh! Bella, a mother!" She grinned broadly. "I think being a mother will show her that it's not always easy to just watch your child..." Her words trailed away as she realized he would not approve of what she was thinking. "I suppose we will have to talk about how this child is to be reared, what is expected of me and of you... That sort of thing."

"Narcissa..." he said, voice nothing more than a whisper, "I believe you should remember that the Dark Lord wishes for me to raise this child and teach him or her the ways of our Lord." He looked away uncomfortably. "You are intended to do nothing but birth it."

The breath left her body, and she felt a bit faint. "That's... No. You must have misunderstood him. He meant for us to... to work together. He meant for me to rectify my mistake with Draco." She nodded hopefully. "I can do better this time. Really, I can."

"I am afraid not, Narcissa," Severus replied dispassionately, leaning forward. "Your punishment for your part in Draco's failure is this. I am certain in what he meant, as he spoke of it earlier."

"The Dark Lord will change is his mind," she blurted. "You'll talk to him for me." She reached across the table and touched his hand. "You've always been there for us. You'll help me."

He looked down at her hand. "Don't make this harder on yourself." He reached inside his pocket. "Here is a letter from Draco." He smirked slightly. "It seems that he has been delegated some light duties... alongside Wormtail." At her silence, he added, "Personal errands mostly." His smirk changed to a sneer. "The Dark Lord feels it's good to have him humbled."

"Severus," Narcissa said, suddenly deciding something. She could use his feelings for her to sway his resolve. He wouldn't let her down. She couldn't believe it possible of him. "I'll do anything that you want," she said suggestively.

"There's nothing," he replied, swallowing thickly.

Rising, she moved to his side, pulling at the shoulder ties of her dress. When one side fell down to reveal a satin-covered breast, she reached for his hand and placed it over it. "You can have me... an-anytime you'd like." She smiled shakily. "I know that you want me... and have for a while."

"You misunderstand me, Nar..." he began.

"No, I don't. I see it in your eyes." The other tie fell away, and her dress slid down to pool at her waist, leaving her upper body displayed. "You enjoyed my body."

"I did," he agreed.

"You can have it. Please. Just find a way for us to work things out." She pulled his other hand up to cover her other breast, feeling the heat of his palm through the fabric. "I've wanted another child for so long, and to lose this one... even if it's yours..."

"Enough!" he said, pulling his hands away roughly. "Cover yourself, woman!"

Stepping away from him, startled by his angry voice, she pulled the top of her dress up over her bra. "Please, Severus..."

"How dare you tempt me with your body, thinking to use me," he said in a dangerously low voice. "You are Lucius' wife! Do you think I would eagerly take what is his?"

"That didn't stop you from..."

"From simply following my orders. Otherwise, I would have never touched you," he said coldly. "Yes, the fuck was quite nice. I thank you for that. However, that does not give you leave to think that you can control me or sway me by offering your body." He gazed over her body from top to bottom and back up again. "I can easily get someone else to warm my bed if I so choose."

Stunned, she plopped down in the chair roughly, tears coming to her eyes. She had been certain of his feelings. How could she have been so wrong? It was possible that she hurt him with her words. She had a full nine months to change his mind. She would simply bide her time. This child would not be lost to her. A shudder passed through her body as she filled with dread. If Severus didn't care, who would protect her from Lucius if he went mad about what she'd done and been forced to do? He'd likely not dare harm her while pregnant if he escaped Azkaban, knowing the Dark Lord would not allow it, but after the birth, it appeared she would have to fend for herself. She knew that the Dark Lord had to know how this would affect Lucius and his regard for her since he'd said it was punishment for him as well. What would Draco think when he learned of her pregnancy and how she'd been used? Unable to stop the emotions flooding her body, she sobbed openly and loudly. She never noticed that he stood and walked to his room, shutting his door behind him.

Southern's Notes: Some of you are concerned that this doesn't seem like it will be an HG/SS story. It will be. Things will start moving along now that we've had the proper background for the story taken care of. So, what do you think about Snape? Does he or doesn't he? (love Narcissa, I mean...) Teehee!!

Christy's Notes: I feel bad for just about everyone in this chapter! Harry and Ginny...loving one another and having to be apart, Ron and Hermione...getting mixed signals (poor Ron!), and poor deluded Narcissa! She still thinks she can change the Dark Lord's mind.