Chapter 8

Disclaimer: I've borrowed a few of JKR's characters for a bit of fun in a twisted plot of mine. Teehee. I'll send them home soon.

Thanks go to my lovely beta, Charmed Nay, who just celebrated her birthday! Hope it was lovely, my dear!

Harry frowned as he watched Hermione's pale face while she tried to explain what had gone on between her and Snape. Something wasn't adding up. Her story seemed like something was missing. She blushed uncomfortably and lost her train of thought while talking, only to try to recap what she'd just said before continuing. A thought kept coming to his mind, and he couldn't push it away, much as he'd like to. Had Snape done something to her that she wasn't telling them? Had he touched her? Harry's eyes narrowed slightly. He wouldn't put it past the murdering git.

Finally, he decided to interrupt her story. "So he wants the book I've been studying. That doesn't make sense. He's been into Dark magic since he was young to hear Sirius tell it. I'm sure anything in that book wouldn't be something new to him. And why this copy? Wouldn't there be others?"

"I don't know," Hermione said softly. "He said it's what he's been looking for, and he promises to never come back so long as he gets it."

"Yeah," Ron added, "just like he promised to be loyal to Dumbledore, eh? I don't trust the git."

"Nor I... not really, but what if he can give us a location to a Horcrux or to Voldemort himself? We have to at least try to make the trade and see what we can find out. If it looks dodgy, I'll Disapparate or use a Portkey."

"We can't just let you go off to find him alone, Hermione," Harry said with a shake of his head.

She smiled shakily. "We have no choice, Harry. It's a chance I'll take. If we can get some information, then we'll be one step closer to finding a way to end all of this."

"How about we go along with her?" Ron put in suddenly. "I don't want her going alone, but we can go and make sure he doesn't try anything."

"The Invisibility Cloak," Harry said, liking Ron's idea. "He wouldn't have to know that we're there. If he does anything during the exchange, we'll Stun him."

"No," Hermione shook her head. "He told me to go alone, and he warned me not to cross him."

"He won't know we're there," Ron said.

"And no matter what information he can give us, it's not worth risking you, Hermione," Harry added firmly. "Either we go to watch the transaction, or we don't go at all. Anything he can tell us, we'd find out eventually anyway."

"I wonder what's so important about that book," she said aloud. "You're right, Harry. It isn't likely the only one. I wouldn't think anyway."

"That's the problem, isn't it? We might just be handing the slime ball something he's going to turn round and use against us," Ron said worriedly. "Maybe we should talk to Lupin. He wouldn't steer us wrong."

"The less people who know our business, the better," Harry said adamantly.

"I agree," Hermione said. "It's what Dumbledore wanted." She looked away and added, "Dumbledore's painting believes we can still trust Snape. He could have killed us all already, and he could have taken me with him." She met Harry's eyes again, determination lacing hers. "I want to do this. Something tells me that no matter what he's done, we should do it."

"He'll get his," Harry said vehemently, "no matter what Dumbledore says."

"When he contacts me, I'll tell him that I've got the book and told you I wanted to do a bit of light reading. He'll buy that, I think. When he tells me where to meet him, we'll make plans so that you two get there a little early and hide. I'm sure he'll be there early, too, though, making certain I'm alone." She frowned. "We'll just figure it out when the time comes."

"For now, we should get back to Godric's Hollow and break down those wards," Ron said, unknowingly flexing his blackened fingers.

"Let me go get the book," Hermione said, dashing out of the kitchen.

Harry turned to Ron and whispered, "Look. She might not agree, but I say we Stun Snape anyway. We can't trust him with that book or to give us any real information."

Ron nodded, eyes glinting with determination. "You read my mind, mate."

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"Come forward, Severusss," the Dark Lord said quietly. "Tell me of things in the safe house. How is the boy now?"

"He seems to be accepting his lot better, and he seems to be following Rabastan about, eager to hear old tales." Snape smirked. "I think his dear Aunt Bellatrix is having an influence on him indeed."

"And his mother? What of her?"

"She seems to be taking things in stride." Gazing into his Master's eyes, he said, "I feel she is anxious for the return of her husband and some normalcy in her life."

"Have you been... indulging in your gift?"

Snape blinked and wondered briefly what he could say to his Lord. In the end, he decided on honesty. "I could if I chose to, but I have not indulged."

"My offer still stands, Severusss. I can have Rosmerta here for you with a snap of my fingers. She may not be happy about it, but that's nothing that time won't cure...or a number of potions or hexes."

"No, sir," he said quickly. "As I've told you before, I don't want her. She's too weak."

"And just who are you wanting, Severusss? I can feel that there is something you long to tell me but are afraid to do so."

"This evening while trying to spy on Potter for you, I had a run in with his friend, Hermione Granger," he said quietly, making certain to look abashed.

"Why did you not tell me of this right away?"

"You asked me other questions first, my Lord. I was merely waiting for your approval to speak at will."

"Very well. Be seated. Tell me everything."

"The boy has the place warded, and he knew I was there the instant I hexed the girl to disarm her. I hadn't much time to escape before he and Weasley returned from... the older Weasley's wedding, knowing that someone had infiltrated their home and harmed her."

"Did you find anything in the house that reflects on what they've been doing?" the Dark Lord asked.

"They've been studying a thick book on breaking wards. I think they mean to try to find you and slip by undetected to take you by surprise."

At this, his Master emitted a long, high-pitched cackle. "The fools. Now, tell me of the girl." He leaned forward and gazed into Snape's eyes intently. Before Severus could speak, the Dark Lord said, "So... you desire her."

"I saw her naked and found her alluring," he said honestly.

"Another Mudblood, Severus? Why do you choose these women?"

"Because they are inferior to me and can be easily taught to live by your rules, my Lord, given the proper amount of time." He sulked. "If I chose someone like Bellatrix, she would try to make me feel inferior because of her birth, and I will not be commanded by anyone but you, my Lord." He flashed a sly smile. "And wouldn't Potter loathe the fact that the one man he hates most lured his friend from his side? I think it would benefit us, my Lord, if I am allowed to form a small bond with her."

"You intend to slip her insignificant information to gain her trust and to woo her."

"If it pleases you, my Lord. I think it could be easily done. I healed a sprained ankle and spouted intentions of good deeds. She eagerly ate them up, trusting my every word."

"Why do you not just snatch her and take her as your own? That would affect Potter more."

"I will do what you wish, Master."

"Lord Voldemort will think on this, Severusss, and I do commend you for thinking of it. Continue your spying activities on the boy and his friends. The more we know of their moves, the better. The brat is up to something. I can feel it when I try to enter his mind." He growled angrily. "I can't get in very far any longer it seems, and now, he's trying to push back to see into my mind."

"I will be waiting for your answer," Severus said with a nod.

After a long pause, the Dark Lord asked, "And if you did have this girl for your own? What are your intentions?"

"I would have her as my consort. She's gifted with intelligence, Master, and I know that given the right amount of attention and affection, she's easily swayed. She would be an asset in the long run, and it would disrupt Potter." He smirked. "And if she cannot be, I would terminate her."

"And you would finally have someone that doesn't belong to someone else...someone nobody else would want."

Severus nodded honestly. "That is the gist of it."

"Only because you have proved yourself to be my most faithful follower, Severusss, will I grant this wish for you. So long ago when you told me of the Prophecy, I promised to deliver the Evans Mudblood to you once I killed her husband and the boy. Even though I had no choice but to kill her, you've not held that against me and still do my bidding." With a small nod, he added, "You will have this if it is your wish. A reward for your continued loyalty."

"Thank you, my Master."

"I will call you when I have made my decision."

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Draco listened to Rabastan's laughter as he recounted a tale from his teen years when he'd had a fight with some Muggle bloke, ending in the Muggle's demise at his hand. Bellatrix seemed to be enjoying it just as much as the man enjoyed telling it. Draco pretended to be enthralled and curious while his mother seemed pale faced.

"Did the authorities never catch you?" he asked in what he hoped seemed like awe.

"Of course not. That lot can't catch a wizard! Even our Ministry never figured out it was me who did it. Didn't use a wand, see." At this point, he slipped a long, thick-bladed knife from the sleeve of his robes. "I sliced the git up right good. No magic to trace it back to me." He grinned wickedly. "Lovely things, knives."

"I often wished that Rodolphus shared your love for them," Bellatrix said wistfully. "It will be good to see him again, won't it?"

"Aye," Rabastan agreed. "Just a few more days now."

"Sorry?" Draco asked in confusion. Did this mean there would be an Azkaban break?

"Hold your tongues," Snape hissed as he glided by.

"What, Severus? It's not like the boy can leave and tell anyone. Might as well tell him his father's going to be out soon, eh?"

"My father? Out of Azkaban?" Draco asked, eyes wide and darting to his mother, who seemed to pale even more. "Mum?"

She nodded. "Yes."

"What's so wrong with me knowing?" Draco blurted angrily in Snape's direction. "I've got the right!"

"We were told to say nothing to anyone," Snape said nonchalantly. "That includes you."

"Can I help?"

"Most certainly not."

"The lad's ready to prove himself, Severus. Maybe he should come along."

Gazing back at them, Snape nodded after a moment. "Perhaps. I shall speak to the Dark Lord. His word will be law."

"Agreed," Bellatrix said. Then eyeing her sister, she said, "Cissy, are you not happy that your husband will be about soon?" She hooked a thumb in Snape's direction and sneered, after lowering her voice, saying, "It'll get you away from this miserable blighter."

"He's been kind to me," Narcissa said firmly. "Things could have been much worse."

Rabastan snickered. "Sounds like you two have been getting on just fine to me."

"Oi!" Draco said, wishing he had his wand to hex the man. How dare he speak to his mother that way!

"Ah, just funning, boy. Don't take it so personal like."

Draco shrugged and moved away from the group to gaze out of a window. So, my father will be breaking out soon. What does that mean for us? Will he be punished? Will my whole family be killed? He'd noticed that his mother had been looking a bit ill lately and wondered exactly what was wrong. He supposed he now knew. She was worried what his father would do to her when he got out... as she had been sharing Snape's bed, though she claimed he hadn't made any advances on her. It would be hard for her to prove, especially with Rabastan's filthy comments.

Often, Draco thought over the words Dumbledore had told him. If one's enemies believed a person to be dead, they wouldn't hunt him any longer. He'd planned on faking his death somehow the first time he'd been given permission to leave the place, but now, he feared even more for his mother's life. He needed to find a way to take her with him. They could hide someplace...even seek out Potter for help if he had to. Pride could and would be pushed aside. Life was more important.

Lately, he'd taken to pretending to want to follow in his aunt's footsteps, eagerly asking as many questions as he could and saying things he truly didn't mean. It seemed to be working. Even Snape's suspicious eyes looked on him with thoughtful wonder. If Snape had noticed the change and the attempts to redeem himself as a Death Eater, then the Dark Lord must have been told. Nothing Snape knew or did was unknown to their Master. Perhaps it was why Snape hadn't further scolded Rabastan and Bellatrix for letting slip the plans to release their mates from Azkaban. He'd even relented and said he'd ask the Dark Lord.

Things were falling into place. He needed only to plan it out just right so that he could slip away without them hounding him. Faking his own death would be easy, but how could he fake his mother's as well. Death Eaters wouldn't stop hunting them if they knew they'd fled. He couldn't leave her behind. Not now. Could he?

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Hermione paced in her room, thinking about the state of things. After many attempts, they'd finally unwarded and revealed the old Gryffindor home, which was quite lovely...even after many years of desertion. Made mostly of stone and nearly completely overrun by thick vines, it could easily be mistaken as nothing more than an old ruin from days past. There were many rooms inside that they'd perused, but their patience finally paid off. In one of the upstairs bedrooms, they found an old painting of Godric Gryffindor.

The pleasant man immediately told them the tale of some arrogant, young man who'd paid him a visit years earlier, enquiring all sorts of things. He promptly directed the three friends to a secret safe warded from view across the room. Inside, they found an old dagger and, after testing it, knew it to be a Horcrux. Gryffindor's painting told him that the man had hexed him, thinking he'd silenced him forever, but he'd only pretended that the curse had worked, less the sod try to destroy the painting completely.

Harry had taken the painting down and had brought it back with them to Grimmauld Place. And so, another Horcrux had been done away with, and they were on the verge of finding Slytherin's locket, which had been under their noses all along. Harry and Ron had threatened Mundungus, knowing he'd been the one to snatch it and sell it to someone else, and the man had promised that he'd get it back in a trice.

"It's been nearly two weeks, Snape," Hermione said to herself. "Where are you?" She'd truly expected him to owl her right away with a place to meet him for the exchange, but she'd not heard a word from him. That made her a little suspicious. If finding the book had been so urgent, what was the hold up? Could he not get away from his Death Eater mates? Voldemort? She pulled the picture of him from her sock drawer and gazed at him intently, watching his carefree talk with Headmaster Dumbledore, the way his eyes crinkled slightly when he laughed heartily at something his friend said, and the way his thin lips curved upwards in a small smile.

Since she'd found out what he'd done to her, she couldn't put it from her mind. She wanted badly to slap the memory from him, not wanting him to know her so intimately, but part of her wondered if he truly thought her to be nothing but an immature, plain girl...as he'd said. He'd been utterly aroused that night when he'd been Polyjuiced as Ron. It had to be a lie, him not finding her attractive. He'd wanted her on some level. That thought made her shiver. Was this some sort of plan to trick her? What exactly was he up to?

Her relationship with Ron was suffering a little. Each time he'd tried to touch her since then, she'd shied away, not really wanting his touch. It wasn't anything against him, and she wasn't so stupid as to think it was Snape again, she just felt odd about it. Oh, she'd relented and allowed him to have his way with her lately, but her mind and heart weren't into it. She couldn't help but to think of Snape when Ron touched her. Furious, she tossed the picture across the room.

"I won't let what you did ruin things for Ron and me!" she said heatedly.

At that moment, there was a light tapping at her window. She immediately went to it, threw back the curtain, and saw a small, tawny owl fluttering about, a parchment attached to its leg. She quickly opened the window and took the parchment from it and watched as it flew off without begging for food. No one other than Snape could have written the spiky scrawl that spelled out her name on the front.

Swallowing nervously, she opened the parchment and read his note.

Miss Granger,

Your Collaborator

"Ten minutes!" she said incredulously. "Harry! Ron!" she yelled, running towards the doorway, clutching the note. If they were going to be there to keep a watch out on her, they would have to go immediately, leaving her to venture there alone with the book to make it look as though she'd not told anyone.

"What is it?" Ron asked, running up the stairs to meet her halfway.

"It's him! He's sent a letter and wants to meet in ten minutes." She looked past him to Harry, who stood at the bottom of the staircase. "Can you two be ready to go now? He's likely there waiting as we speak!"

Harry nodded. "Come on, Ron. I'll just grab the cloak. Find out where he wants to meet her."

Ron said, "All right." He turned to Hermione, taking the note from her. "Don't worry, love. We'll be there to make sure the git doesn't try anything, okay?"

"Right," she said nervously. "I'll fetch my cloak and the book. S-see you there. And... Ron?"

"Yes?"

"Please be careful. Don't try to be clever or anything."

"Clever? Me?" He chuckled. "Just don't worry. We'll take the cloak and go to this alley before you get there. We'll see if he's planning anything."

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Severus waited in the darkened alleyway for the girl to show. Only a few minutes had passed since he'd sent the owl off to her, but he knew she'd come as soon as she could, likely not waiting the full ten minutes. He leaned casually against the brick wall, arms crossed over his chest while he gazed out to the entrance to the small alley. There was a small shift to his left, and he glanced just behind him with narrowed eyes. Nothing was visible to the naked eye however.

The sound of nearing footsteps had him glancing back at the entryway in anticipation, wand at the ready in his right hand...just in case she tried something shifty. When she didn't come into view, he became suspicious and mumbled quietly, "Sounded like footsteps." He strained into the silence that followed to listen for any breathing or shuffling, but he heard nothing. Unfortunately, the sounds from the nearby store muffled out any other sounds he might have detected. Something didn't feel right about this, and his instinct was usually not to be ignored.

Only another minute passed before more footsteps could be heard...these cautious but not softened in an attempt to be stealthy. Sure enough, she rounded the corner, book in her arms, gazing into the darkness with squinted eyes.

"Professor?" she asked, voice cracking with her nervousness.

"I'm here," he said, walking forward slightly, pointing his wand at her. "Are you alone?"

"Yes." She stepped back. "Please don't come any closer. I have the book. What do you have for me?"

He took a small parchment from his pocket. "I've something you'd very much like to know on this. Now, come here, girl. You have no reason to fear me."

With amusement, he watched as she inched forward and stopped nearly two feet away from him, stretching out an arm to offer him the book.

"Why so tense?" he asked.

"You still have my wand, sir. I've nothing to protect myself with," she said, voice surprisingly firm suddenly.

It was easy to see that it angered her to be wandless. "I was certain you would have acquired another by now."

"That would be easily done, but the local wandmaker isn't about any longer. I suppose your lot had something to do with that."

And then he heard it...a slight snort. She was not alone. He promptly understood what was going on, and he felt the anger surge within him. She thought to double cross him, even after he'd warned her. Her two berk friends were here under Potter's Invisibility Cloak. He should have known.

In a move as smooth as silk, he swiftly reached out, turned her around, and pulled her back against him, wand at her throat. "Show yourselves, Potter, Weasley!" he called out.

"Fucking hell, he knows!" Weasley said, pulling the cloak away from him. Potter stayed hidden. "It's only me, Snape. Couldn't let her come alone, you know."

"Do you take me for a fool, Weasley?" he asked, slight hiss to his voice. Granger struggled in his arms, and he tightened his hold on her what he hoped was painfully. "You will pay for this treachery. I warned you," he said softly into her ear.

"N-no! It's not like that," she said, but spoke no more when his arm tightened around her throat.

A red jet of light shot out at him from Weasley's far right. He moved just in time so that it missed him and hit Granger instead. Stunned, she slumped against him and didn't move at all. From his own left, Rabastan made himself visible, losing the Disillusionment Charm, and fired a multitude of hexes towards the invisible Potter and Weasley while Severus shot some off as well.

"Crucio!" Rabastan said, hitting Weasley squarely in the chest. The boy fell to the dirty ground, writhing and screaming in pain.

Potter shot a few return curses back at them, one Slicing Hex hitting Rabastan in the arm, which only enraged the man even more, sending him to bodily try to find the boy. A Binding Hex just missed Severus as he finally took good aim and Stunned Potter. He could only see the tip of the boy's trainer sticking out from beneath the Invisibility Cloak.

"Rabastan! Come!" he called when he saw that his friend had pulled his knife out and intended to do damage on Potter.

"The little prat cut me. An eye for an eye, Severus!"

"No, he's for the Dark Lord. We aren't to touch Potter!"

Reluctantly, Rabastan Disapparated away, leaving Severus alone in the alley with the two boys and an unconscious Hermione. He softly said, "Finite Incantatem! to release Weasley from the Cruciatus Curse. The boy continued to shake but looked up to him defiantly. He tossed down the parchment he'd intended to give Granger. A deal was a deal after all. He had the book, didn't he? "Wake Potter and get out of here, boy!" Severus urged before Disapparating away with Granger in his arms.

He appeared a little ways away from the old infirmary he shared with the others, dropping her to the grassy ground. He hadn't meant to take her so soon and had brought Rabastan as a precaution. The Dark Lord had decided to let her remain with Potter a while longer to build the bond between them before he coaxed her away. However, their plans were merely changed sooner rather than later. He'd been right not to trust her not to tell the others. He sneered hatefully as he stared down in her relaxed face. How dare they think to take him on and win! Hadn't they learned that they'd never win against him?

Pointing his wand at Granger, he said, "Rennervate!

Her dazed eyes opened immediately, and she sat up, rubbing her head. "What? Where is this place?"

"You are now my prisoner, Miss Granger. I warned you that you shouldn't double cross me." He reached down to roughly pull her up. "Come. It's time to meet the rest of the lot who stay here."

"But I didn't!"

"Really? And what were those two idiots doing there then?"

"They were just going to make sure you didn't try to hurt me. Nothing more!"

"Stop your lying, you stupid girl. They were trying to cast hexes to bind me. Wanted to turn me over to the Aurors, I expect."

"No, really..."

"Silence!" he hissed, dragging her towards the old building.

Southern's Notes: And now the fun begins.