Chaper 2

Disclaimer: J.K.R. owns these characters. I'm simply borrowing them, but I'll Scourgify them before sending them back home.

As always, I'd like to thank my lovely, brilliant beta, Charmed Nay.

"But, Master, she deserves to be treated with more..."

"You are quite lucky that I have not extended her fate to you, Bella. As I recall, you had a part in this." Their Master glared at her until she flinched in fear. "My decision is final," he said sharply, giving her no leave for argument.

"Forgive me, Master," Bellatrix said, bowing her head.

"Severusss, you've something to say," the Dark Lord stated, gaze boring into his most trusted servant's eyes.

"I do."

"And that is?"

"My Lord, I don't particularly need anyone else about," Severus said bitterly. "It was bad enough that I had Wormtail afoot last summer. A woman would just be in the way even more so."

"You'll not be out much for obvious reasons," his Lord replied, waving his hand to dismiss Snape's words. "Narcissa will enable you to pass time more easily." Here his lips spread into a nasty grin. "While you will no longer have Wormtail to bother you, you will have to share quarters with others needing refuge eventually, as there will be others that need the safety of my protection."

"As you wish, my Lord, but if I might ask, what of Lucius?"

"He will give thanks to you, Severusss, for speaking up and saving his son's life," the Dark Lord said, glaring coldly at Narcissa. "And he will appreciate that his wife was not forced to endure a cold bed."

"But my L-Lord," Narcissa began, faltering and looking away, cheeks red with shame.

"Do not try to deny that you'd rather be anywhere else other than in Severusss' bed, Narcissa, if you had a choice," he said before she could object, slitty red eyes glinting dangerously. "Your pathetic attempt at Occlumency hides nothing from me."

Severus closed his mouth and went over this tidbit of information. She wanted to be in his bed. While he'd taken out his frustration on her the night he'd killed Dumbledore, he'd never intended to have her again. He'd crossed the line as far as his friendship with Lucius was concerned. There was no going back, as he was certain that Lucius would find out. Shrugging these thoughts away, he gazed back at her and smirked. She seemed utterly embarrassed at having the Dark Lord reveal her most secret desire to all present, her sister included. His eyes moved to look at Bellatrix's disbelieving expression.

He could see that she was bursting to say something nasty, fingers clenching and unclenching at her sides. Unable to resist, he gave her a smug smile, which only incensed her further. It was always fun to rile her up. However, he didn't want to infuriate the Dark Lord. "Master, do I take this to mean that I shall not be returning to my home?"

"That is a correct assumption. I've... ah... acquired a comfortable place for you and others to stay. No Muggles or even wizards shall find it; that I can assure you." He brought a pale, thin hand to his chin. "There are other matters that you and I need to discuss." His next words were to Bellatrix. "Get your sister some changes of clothing and anything else she might need for her stay."

"How long will she be gone, Master?" Bellatrix asked, forcing her words slowly, cheek twitching as if restraining herself.

"That depends on a few things and is my decision," he said curtly. "Go now." He nodded to Draco's unconscious form. "Take the boy with you." He stood then and glanced around the room. "Leave us," he said to the others. "I will contact you when I've need of you again."

Once the room was clear, Severus relaxed his stiff stance and took a seat, waiting for his Lord to speak. He watched as he slowly walked to the window and watched the swirling mist move about in the dark night.

"Dumbledore is no more," he said finally. "The world even looks different without that codger in it." He made a show of inhaling the air with his flat nostrils and turned to face Severus. "You have done well, my loyal follower. I do hope you enjoy the gift that Lord Voldemort is bestowing on you..."

The words hung between them. Severus simply inclined his head to show that he was pleased, not trusting his voice to speak.

"I know that you have already enjoyed her, haven't you?"

It was not meant to be a question, not really, but Severus chose to answer anyway. "I was able to lose myself in the moment, yes."

"So, it's true that you aren't exactly pleased about this arrangement," the Dark Lord said, striding back towards Severus.

"I would prefer someone who did not happen to be one of my fellow Death Eaters' wives... someone for myself," he said, making certain to sound slightly bitter. He knew that his Master would understand the want of something unobtainable. "I nearly had Madam Rosmerta eating from the palm of my hand...until young Malfoy failed to do as bidden and changed all of that."

"She can still be yours. Say the word," the Dark Lord offered. "It wouldn't be too high a price to pay to reward my most loyal advisor. I am certain Hogsmeade could do without its saucy pub owner."

"No," Severus said disdainfully. "Anyone who can fall for Draco Malfoy's trickery and unpracticed Imperius Curse is no one that I care to choose for a consort."

The Dark Lord cackled at this, nodding his agreement. "She's definitely weak of the mind." A long silence stretched between them before he spoke again. "I will strive to grant you this one request, as it's where I have failed you in the past. Keep Narcissa until you find someone acceptable."

"Thank you, Master, that's most gracious," Severus said with a nod of his head.

"Now, on to business," the Dark Lord said, waving away Snape's gratitude and seating himself. "I have things that I need you to do for me, but these are to be kept between the two of us only...no one should hear of this. Do you understand?"

"I do, my Lord."

"Excellent. This may take a bit of time, what I need you to do, but we've all the time in the world." Here he paused to gaze out towards the window again as if expecting something to burst through. "With Dumbledore gone, it will only be a matter of time before I make my move against Harry Potter. He won't be able to hide for long, and when I'm ready, I shall destroy him."

Severus nodded. "I should have brought him here to you, Master." He hung his head low in a show of regret.

"Things have worked themselves out, haven't they? I believe we couldn't have planned things better. Scrimgeour and his lot are trying to protect him while he's pushing them away, according to my source. If their eyes are trained on him and only half on us, things will be much easier for me."

"Are you planning something, my Lord?" Severus asked boldly.

"I think it's time to take back what's mine." He closed his hand, making a fist, and squeezed it so tightly it shook. "My faithful followers are in Azkaban still, and I will see them out... soon."

Masking his surprise, Severus said, "I will be ready to help you, of course, at a moment's notice."

"No, I fear if you were involved something might go awry. People are seeking Dumbledore's assassin right now, so if you were spotted, things wouldn't go according to plan. I prefer to keep you doing only those things that will bring you in the least amount of contact with others as possible." He stood again, towering over Severus. "I need you to search for something that remains hidden...something precious, a treasure above all others."

Intrigued, Severus asked, "What is it, my Lord?"

"It is something that belonged to my mother."

The words were quietly spoken, shocking Severus. He'd never known his Master to be sentimental about anything or anyone, and he'd never heard him speak of his mother before.

"It was passed down through all of Salazar Slytherin's descendants and given to her," he added. "The weak wretch sold it, but I was able to find it and hide it away. Needless to say, it's of great importance. I need you to retrieve it and bring it back to me."

Now that sounds more like the Master I know. He hasn't any sentimental feelings for his mother as it had sounded, only for Slytherin, Severus thought as he stood. "Where shall I start, Master?"

"There is a cave near the place I used to live as a child. I shall explain more when it is time for you to go. I will have to ask that you bring Wormtail with you on this first mission only. There's a part of the task in which you will need him. For now, I want you to remain indoors for the next week or two. It is too dangerous right now...even to venture into a Muggle town." He pulled a small stone from his pocket. "This is a Portkey to the hideout I've procured. Take Narcissa with you. I will keep Bella and the young Malfoy here with me. I will call you when I am ready for you to venture out."

Taking the stone, Severus bowed slightly. "Yes, my Lord."

"Use your time with her to your advantage," his Master added. "I should think that Lucius will be very sorry about his failure indeed."

Severus nodded. "Yes, my Lord." He quickly left the room and walked down the corridor towards the rooms that Bellatrix inhabited in order to collect Narcissa. He was quite pleased with how things had turned out. Not that he wanted her with him, mind. No, he had plans of his own, and he could search out what he needed while doing the Dark Lord's bidding. There were some parchments that Dumbledore had stowed away, and he needed to get them. However, he'd have to wait before venturing out. The Dark Lord was right in saying it was dangerous now. Aurors, Order members, and the magical community were all looking for a sign of him. He would let things calm down before daring to return to Hogwarts, which was where he needed to go to first to get the notes he'd left behind in his haste to leave the castle.

He doubted seriously that anyone had yet to invade his private chambers. They were warded tightly and would prove hard for anyone to get through... without injury.

Opening the door to Bellatrix's room without knocking, he heard Bella say, "Your husband will be so disappointed, Narcissa. Make no mistake that he will find out. And to think it's that bl..."

"Pardon me, ladies," Severus said in his most condescending voice, "but I believe that it's time for Narcissa and me to leave."

Quickly snatching two stuffed bags from the bed, Narcissa made her way to his side. "I'm ready." Her chin lifted, and she gazed right at him with her cool eyes, blue as a clear sky.

He could sense that she was angry with him and the situation. He leaned closer and whispered, "You've no one to blame but yourself, you know."

"Shall we?" she asked, ignoring him.

"Indeed," he said in amusement. He pulled the stone from his pocket and waved his wand over it to activate it. "Hold on tightly." He lifted his arm and put it around her waist as she held onto his body determinedly and placed a dainty pinky on the stone. His eyes met the glare of Bellatrix Lestrange. "Pity you cannot accompany us," he said, giving her a mocking smile. He nodded at Draco, who was lying down on the bed, likely still exhausted from the hexes he'd received from the Dark Lord. "You have some babysitting to do." Pulling Narcissa even closer, he said, "As do I."

Before Bellatrix could reach them in her rage, Severus felt a tug behind his navel, and the room blurred away as he and Narcissa were Portkeyed to their destination.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ O ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ron closed the door to the bare cupboard. "I still don't see why we can't just stay at the Burrow... where there's food at least," he grumbled. He then eyed Hermione as she bent over. "Then again, we should have come right away, eh?"

Harry frowned. "I hate being here, too, but it's all we've got." Shrugging, he added, "I can't stay at your place and risk anyone interfering with our work."

Hermione straightened, pulling a kettle from the cabinet. "You mean you don't want your feelings for Ginny to cloud your thoughts."

"No, that's not what I mean," he said. "I know how the twins like to listen in. They're always in and out for meals and such, so we can't be certain if they're about or not. Fleur... she's worse this year than last, what with her mothering Bill and all. And sorry, Ron, but your mum would be like an interrogator each time we'd try to leave." His voice lowered, "And I don't want Ginny trying to come with us or learning what we're doing." He gave Hermione a small smile.

Rinsing out the kettle, she said, "I think we'd better make a list of the things we need here. It's not like we can just go traipsing off to the market at any given moment. We'll need to get many things at once. Stock up."

"Now you're talking," Ron said, seating himself at the table. "Say... who knows how to cook?" He eyed Hermione. "Do you?"

"We can all try. It's not that hard, is it? There's an old recipe book just there." She pointed towards a small shelf littered with parchments and a couple of small books. "It'll be like following instructions in Potions class."

Blast! she thought, eyes quickly darting over to Harry. Any time she mentioned Snape or anything related to him, Harry began a rant. She tried to busy herself with the tea.

"Never did learn much in Snape's class," he quipped. "Oh, unless murdering your friends is something he intended to teach."

Ron shook his head. "Come on, mate. He'll get his. Don't dwell on it."

"How can I not?" Harry said in annoyance. "It's all I think of." He closed his eyes and brought his hands up to his temples, rubbing them as if erasing his memory.

Hermione moved to his side and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Sit down, Harry. We have to talk about what we're going to do first and how we're going to ward the house."

"It's warded already," Ron said. "We need to make a list of things we want to eat." When Hermione glared at him, he added, "What? We'll work better on full stomachs is all I'm saying."

After Harry sat down, Hermione retrieved a quill, ink, and blank parchment from the desk in the study. "Ron, get the cups," she said as she sat down. When he rose, she said, "Oh, and looks like the tea's done. You can pour that as well."

"Anything else, your majesty?" Ron asked, playfully bowing.

"That will be all, thanks," she murmured, eyes on her writing. "Now then." As quickly as she could, she wrote down the things she knew they needed and read them aloud to see if either objected or had anything to add.

"We'll need to get some money from my vault," Harry said as he eyed the list.

"My parents opened an account for me as well," Hermione said proudly. "There's not all that much in it, but we can use that for what we need, too." It was then that she noticed how quiet Ron was. "What's wrong?"

"I haven't much money at all," he said quietly, ears and face reddening with embarrassment. "I never thought to ask Mum for any. Even though things are going better, I'm just so used to never..."

"'S all right, Ron," Harry said. "We'll use what we have for now."

Ron simply looked away, shame in his expression.

"Look," Hermione said, widening her eyes to Harry so that he'd go along, "you can just use our money for now, and when you get the chance, you can pay us back. It's only like a loaner then, you see."

"Right," Harry added. "We'll get Hermione to keep track of things."

Nodding, Ron said, "Make sure we keep records of it all. I will pay both of you back."

"Done," Hermione said, breathing a sigh of relief as Ron's expression lightened. "With Professor Dumbledore...er...gone, we should think about naming another Secret-Keeper for the house."

"Why?" Ron asked. "The secret died with him, didn't it? Only the house owner, Harry, can disclose the location now."

"Yes, but..."

"And the wards are still up that he placed," Harry said with a shrug. "I don't know how to do a Fidelus Charm anyway."

"There are books to learn from," Hermione scoffed. "There are others we can ask!"

"But we can't do that!" Ron thumped the table to get her attention. "The Order members use this as Headquarters. We can't just tell them to bugger off, can we? We need to let them come here still. It's the only safe place."

"But, Ron..."

"Right," Harry agreed. "And they'd better not think of excluding us."

"Will you both listen for a moment?" Hermione asked angrily. "What I'm trying to say is that Snape knows this location."

"He still can't tell anyone! Same as before," Ron said.

"But he can come here," Harry said, finally understanding what Hermione meant. "We won't be safe here if we don't do something about that."

"Exactly," she said. "Who could we get to be the new Secret-Keeper then? It has to be someone we trust completely. One of us, I'd say."

"Why not just set wards to let us know if Snape comes around?" Harry asked suddenly.

"But why would we want to do that? He'll still be able to get in," Hermione said heatedly. "What if he dismantles them?"

Ron looked at Harry in horror. "If it's all the same with you, I'd like to live in a Snape-free place, thanks. I don't want to wake up during the night to find that git standing over me with a wand!"

"I want him to come here," Harry said, eyes glinting dangerously.

"Er?"

"Sorry?"

Harry nodded. "I want him to think he can just come on in so that I can capture him. He'll think we're too stupid to set a trap for him."

"He's not that thick," Ron said suddenly. "He'll suspect that the Order at least set a trap for him and stay away." He turned to Hermione and lowered his voice. "If he," he nodded to Harry, "feels better doing this, so be it. We know that the git won't come here. Let's just let Harry have his way on this."

"Don't talk about me like I'm not here."

Hermione frowned and crossed her arms over her chest. "I don't like it. It's a stupid plan...one that could get one of us hurt or even killed." She sighed when they said nothing. "What if he just waltzes in and snatches Harry?"

"We'll know the minute he comes up the walk," Harry insisted. "There are wards we can use. Old Slughorn had some that alerted him when Dumbledore and I went to see him last summer."

"And it's not like Snape can just Apparate in either," Ron said, nodding his head. "And maybe we would luck up and catch the git. They'll be talking about the three of us for years, catching Dumbledore's killer and all. I hear the Ministry's got a reward for it."

"I don't like it," Hermione said. "It's reckless."

Harry stood. "I'll be right back."

The moment he left the room, Hermione tried to talk some sense into Ron. "This plan won't work. Snape's too good a wizard to have simple wards keep him out."

Unable to help himself, Ron reached over and touched her cheek. "I've been hoping to have some time alone with you."

"Ron, stop," Hermione said with a hiss. "We have to talk Harry out of this."

"It won't work," Harry said from the doorway. "Here." He placed a thick book on the table in front of her. "I saw this when I went in to light the grate. It was on the mantle."

Hermione's eyes lit up as she flipped through the book. "Harry, this is great! There are spells in here that I've never even heard of...many for placing wards and dismantling them!"

Ron, who had dropped his hand from her face to rest on her shoulder momentarily before sliding it down to rest on her thigh, said, "Give her a book, and she's lost."

She pointedly looked down at his hand. When he squeezed her in response, she smiled shyly, "So long as you don't try this tactic for... other things."

"Oi!" Harry said, making a face. "Get a room."

Hermione's smile faded. "Speaking of which, where will we all be sleeping? I don't think it's necessary for us to leave the whole house open. It'll take longer for it to cool and heat. We only need this floor."

"And just close off the other floors?" Ron asked, aghast. "What if others come for a visit?" He nodded towards Harry. "I think he and I would like a little privacy now and then, each having our own room!" Giving her thigh another squeeze, he asked, "Unless... maybe you and I could share a room?"

"No!" Hermione said quickly. "I promised your mum that we would not share rooms."

"Who's going to tell her?" he asked with a sly grin.

"Guys?"

Hermione and Ron turned to face Harry. "Sorry," she said, recovering first. "First and second floors only then. Harry, you and Ron can share as usual or pick out your own rooms. I'll keep the same one that I usually share with Ginny."

"All right," he agreed. "Let's find some intruder wards."

"How close will he get before we know he's coming?" Ron asked.

"We can decide that for ourselves," Hermione replied. "He'll probably do some sort of test for wards upon approaching, so we'll have to use one that's harder to detect." After skimming over a few pages, she said, "There are some in here that are so rare he probably wouldn't think or know to check them."

"We've all night to decide," Harry said. "After we do this, we can get our supplies and then go over all we know about the Horcruxes."

"We'll need to do some research," Hermione said quickly. "Hogwarts might have something on them...in the Restricted Section of course."

"Maybe we should get Dobby to come back here with us," Ron said. "He wouldn't mind helping us cook and the like."

Hermione glared at him and pushed his hand away from her. "Exploit Dobby? He's our friend."

"Well, we could pay him," Ron said quickly. "I've got loads of old, odd-colored socks back at home."

"No," she said firmly, daring him to argue.

"I don't want Kreacher here either," Harry said, "but I wouldn't mind Dobby so much. He could be helpful in a pinch."

"Harry!" Hermione admonished.

"I meant with his magic, Hermione, not his housekeeping skills," Harry said angrily. "Stop trying to read things into what we're saying!"

"Just say what you mean, and there won't be any misunderstandings," she said tightly, eyes narrowing. "Keep your hands off of me, Ron. We've got work to do."

"What we really need is a Pensieve," Harry said thoughtfully, running his hand through his messy hair. "We could put all of my memories about the Horcruxes there, and maybe one of us will notice something that I'm not thinking of."

"Makes sense," Hermione agreed.

"But where do we get a Pensieve?" Ron asked dejectedly. "I heard my dad mention once to Bill that they cost loads of money."

"Simple," Harry said. "We'll use Dumbledore's."

Hermione nodded. "While you get that from Professor McGonagall, I could check in the library for any books that might help us."

"We'll need your cloak and the map," Ron said. "Just as precautions."

"Fair enough. When should we go?"

Hermione frowned. "I think we should get the house in order first and owl Professor McGonagall as to what would be a good time. Usually it's only Hagrid and Filch there during the summer anyway."

"Mum said a few others are there, though, getting things back to normal. Might still be there," Ron said. He grinned suddenly. "And if it's only Filch and his mangy cat, they'll be easy enough to get by to sneak into the library."

"But not into Dumbledore's office," Hermione pointed out, "which is why we need McGonagall's approval, but if she's there and agrees, we can go as soon as possible."

"Oh, right," Ron said with a shrug.

"To Hogwarts it is," Harry said. "I'll get Hedwig and send an owl to Professor McGonagall."

Southern's Notes: Sorry this has taken a while, but I was waiting for things to calm down over at the new SH before uploading so that I could upload simultaneously, but I couldn't wait any longer. I hope you've enjoyed this part. I'll have the next one uploaded next week...back on schedule.

Next: The trio will go to Hogwarts...and so does Snape! And what's Dumbledore's painting have to say about things?