Chapter 9

Disclaimer: I've snatched some of JKR's characters and am using them for a spot of entertainment. I hope you like it.

Thanks go to my dear beta, Charmed_Nay, who's taken the time to read through this for me.

Ron knew he needed to speak up about what truly happened in the alley. Not wanting to linger in the alleyway, he did the first thing that came to mind. He Side-Along Apparated with Harry to Hogwarts before releasing the Stunner's hold on him. The Headmistress met them at the doorway and hurried them up to her office before Flooing Lupin and Tonks and summoning the school nurse.

"How could you have not come to me before now? I could have helped you!" Lupin said heatedly, face twisted in anger and disappointment.

"Calm down, Remus. They look as though they feel bad enough as it is," Tonks said, putting a hand on his arm.

"Yeah, we're not exactly happy that we made a mess of things," Harry sniped back, continuing to hold the cold flannel against the knot on the back of his head.

"Here you are, Mr. Potter," Madam Pomfrey said, extending a vial to him as she entered the room. "This should stop the pain straightaway."

"Thanks."

While Harry downed the nasty potion, Ron looked towards McGonagall and said, "That's not all that happened. I think you all ought to know the whole thing."

"What are you talking about, Mr. Weasley?"

"Sorry? What more is there, Ron?"

Ron gazed at Harry and shrugged. "I was a bit surprised and hurting at the time, and I wasn't sure what to say exactly."

"Go on then," Remus said, sitting down across from them, pulling Tonks down next to him.

Leaning forward in her chair and placing her elbows on her desk, McGonagall said, "Please don't leave anything out, Mr. Weasley."

"Well, Rabastan Lestrange put me under the Cruciatus, and it bloody well hurt, but I was still aware of what was going on." He nodded towards Harry. "The bloke pulled a knife and was walking to where Harry had fell. And Snape... he said something to make him stop. I'm not sure what exactly, as I was a bit preoccupied and doing a bit of screaming at the time."

Remus shook his head. "It's likely the same as before: saving Harry for the Dark Lord. Remember what he said that night, Harry?"

"Yeah. I'd wager it is."

"But why didn't they take Harry with them?" Tonks asked aloud. "I mean, it would have ended things, wouldn't it?"

"He's a damn coward," Harry spat.

"I think there's more," McGonagall said.

"Yeah," Ron said softly. "Lestrange Disapparated, leaving me as I was, but Snape took the curse off of me. Then he tossed down a parchment to me and told me to get Harry out of there."

All of the adults exchanged looks of wonder while Harry sneered. "That doesn't change anything. He's got Hermione! He took her!"

Digging into his pocket, Ron took out the parchment. "He didn't intend to though. I think... I think we forced his hand. How would he explain to Lestrange when he went back to wherever if he didn't have her? She was Stunned and at his mercy so to speak."

"I could agree with that," Remus said, brow furrowed in thought. "What's on the parchment then?"

"Right." Ron opened it and said, "He's written this to Hermione. It's like he thought that their agreement would go off without a hitch. Says, 'Miss Granger, as per our agreement, I do have some information that you might find interesting. I cannot give you the location of the Dark Lord or Nagini as of yet, but you might be interested in knowing that Borgin and Burkes has a secret back room behind their public back room. Inside, Borgin is holding a cup for the Dark Lord and often brags that we can't do anything to him, else there'd be no way to retrieve it. I thank you for the book, as I truly needed it. Perhaps one day you will understand. And, as to my promise to never again darken Grimmauld Place, I shall endeavor to do so.' That's all it says."

"It's... It's a trick!" Harry blurted with a nod. "That's right. He might have planned that in the event that something went wrong so that he'd look like he meant well."

"Or he truly had honorable intentions," McGonagall added.

Everyone began speaking at once, shouting out his or her opinion on the matter. It wasn't until a soft voice from above spoke that the room quieted.

"I've been saying all along that Severus can still be trusted," Dumbledore said from his portrait on the wall. "You see, I left instructions for him to find that very book at Grimmauld Place. So, he is indeed continuing a mission that I placed him on." He smiled kindly. "It wouldn't do to interfere."

Though the headmaster was giving Harry a stern gaze, the boy spoke. "I can't believe you're still defending him! We've had this conversation before. And this time, you can't make excuses for him! He took Hermione as his prisoner. She might turn up d-dead."

"Harry, come on, mate. Don't say that," Ron said, eyes wide with worry.

"Severus will protect her in any way that he can, Harry," Dumbledore said. He then looked to the headmistress. "I think it's time that you showed them what I asked, Minerva."

She nodded and stood, making her way to the locked cabinet behind her desk. Once she unwarded it, she pulled out a small phial that held a silvery mass inside...obviously a memory.

"Albus directed me to view this before you borrowed his Pensieve, Potter," she began, walking back towards her desk. Once she was seated, she continued, "And in here, there are two memories. One is Severus agreeing to a request Albus asked of him, albeit reluctantly, and the next is Severus trying to renege on that agreement."

"Figures," Potter muttered.

"You'll not feel that way once you've heard this. I should have showed you sooner," she said, directing an admonishing glance at Dumbledore, who didn't seem to notice. "But I was forced to wait until an opportune moment. I fear that time has passed, and you must be in the know now."

"So, you mean to say," Ron began, "that's Snape's doing all this for us still? That he's still on our side even though he... did that?"

She nodded and was about to speak when Lupin interrupted. "I don't know what to think about this!" He ran his fingers through his scruffy hair and looked down, sighing. "I always trusted him, and when he... I just don't know what to think right now."

Tonks put an arm around him supportively. "I think maybe we should share this with the rest of the Order. First... may we all witness it?"

"I think we should call a meeting at Grimmauld Place this evening. Everyone will be brought up to date on everything." She met Harry's stare. "On most things, that is. Some things still can't be discussed, but everyone should know of Miss Granger's current position and learn what I know about Severus."

"What was in that book?" Harry asked, still clearly suspicious of everything and sounding bitter.

"A way to make things right again," Dumbledore replied, adding, "and that is all I shall say at this moment. To say any more might jeopardize our plans."

"All right," Lupin said, standing. "A meeting tonight it is. We'll take care of notifying everyone. What time?"

"After eight, I should think," McGonagall said. "I should be able to slip away by then."

"Right then."

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"Sir, please stop. I swear I didn't know they were going to try anything. Maybe... maybe you provoked them when you grabbed me."

"Hold your tongue, girl," he said, tightening his grip on her arm and pushing the door open forcefully, slamming it against the wall with a bang. Four faces turned in unison and looked at the new arrivals. Three were shocked while one...Lestrange's...sneered hatefully.

"Thought you might stop off and have a bit of fun with the bint before bringing her here," he said, stepping forward. "If you don't want to have a go," he looked Hermione up and down, "I'll make use of her this night."

"I think not, and shouldn't you be seeing to the wound Potter gave you? I see some blood just there," Severus said, barely missing a step as he pulled her in his wake. "Narcissa, you will remove your things from my room." He stopped and glared down at Hermione scornfully. "It appears I will have a new guest."

"But... what?" the woman asked incredulously. "You don't mean to turn me out."

"That's exactly what I mean. I'm certain your sister wouldn't mind the company." He glanced at the dark-haired woman and added, "Unless she's busy entertaining her brother-in-law."

Rabastan snickered. "Only with tales, mate. Nothing too entertaining, mind. Me brother would cut me sac."

"How dare you say that about me!" Bellatrix said, stepping forward only to stop again.

"Spare me your dramatics," he said in a bored tone. "As you likely all know, this is Hermione Granger, and she is now my prisoner. She will not be harmed in any way... unless I choose to do so. Is that clear?"

"Denying us our right to interrogate your prisoner? She might know something important!" Bellatrix said firmly. "Our Master shall hear of this! Do you think with nothing but the dick in your pants, man?"

Snape smirked at her and calmly said, "As I told you long ago, Bella, nothing in my trousers is of any business of yours." Noticing that Narcissa hadn't moved, Snape said, "I believe I told you to move your things so that I can retire with my hostage."

"What are you going to do?" Draco asked suddenly, eyeing Hermione oddly. "You aren't actually going to... do anything, are you?"

"Why, Draco, has your aunt not taught you anything valuable? You should know better than to question your superiors." Without waiting for a reply, he led Hermione towards the corner of the large, open room.

There wasn't a real room there, but a section that was only separated from the rest of the room by a sheer, dingy curtain. She noticed a makeshift laboratory next to it and some bookshelves. She knew instantly that these were Snape's possessions, too. Why had he been sharing a room with Narcissa Malfoy? Were they having an affair? Worse. What did he intend to do with her?

Regally, the blonde woman made her way into the small room and used her wand to pack a trunk with clothes and personal items. Every now and then she'd glance over at Hermione, eyes narrowing slightly. When she finally had her things packed away, she faced Snape and, in a soft voice, asked, "Why are you keeping her here? What of our arrangement?"

"You'll soon have your husband to keep company with," he said decisively. "Our arrangement is done. We no longer have to keep up any pretenses." He shoved Hermione onto the bed. "And I would appreciate it if you'd not question me about my intentions with dear Miss Granger." He ran one long, pale finger down the side of her face as he stared at her possessively.

Hermione shivered at the way he said her name, the way he touched her, and the way his eyes penetrated hers. Surely he didn't intend to... do anything else. He's already nearly had you. He wants more, a voice whispered, causing tears of shame and fear to come into her eyes. A more hopeful voice replied, He said that I am plain, that he isn't interested in me, and they just said something about pretenses. Have they only been pretending to share a bed?

"Sir," she began.

"You will not speak unless you are spoken to. Is that clear?" he said, bending over her. When she nodded, he lowered his face near her ear and whispered, "We shall talk shortly." At that, he pushed her back onto the bed, causing her to lie across it.

"Severus, what..." Narcissa began, but her voice trailed away when he spun around to face her. "She can't just wear that while she stays here."

Hermione was certain that wasn't what the woman had intended on saying. It seemed that she'd been about to take Snape to task for the way he'd roughly handled her, but Hermione wasn't exactly sure about that. This was the same woman that had called her scum when she'd seen her at Madam Malkin's. Perhaps she was simply angry about being replaced.

"Good point," Snape said. "Have Bellatrix help you in Transfiguring some of those old linens into something she can wear. He looked back and leered at her for good measure. "She'll not need any knickers or underthings. Just something for daily wear will suffice. Maybe a nightgown as well." After a slight pause, he added, "Something short of course."

"Really! She'll need underthings and feminine items. You can't expect her to always..."

"Very well. You may leave now," he said curtly.

"I'll see what we can come up with," the woman said and left without another glance at Hermione.

Once they were alone, Snape frowned at her and flicked his wand towards the curtain. "Muffliato."

Two tears escaped Hermione's eyes at the same time, but the rest stopped as she gazed at him warily. She wanted desperately to speak to him and ask him questions, but he'd made it clear that she'd suffer if she did, so she chose to wait until he spoke, which he seemed ready to do.

He brought a hand up to cover his mouth for a moment as he stared at her. Finally, he moved it and said, "I told you not to cross me. Do you see what your actions of betrayal have caused?"

"May I speak?" she asked uncertainly, scooting closer towards the headboard, glancing from him to the curtain where she could fuzzily make out the far off area where the others were.

"Yes. Answer me."

"Professor, I swear that they were only going to make certain you didn't harm me. I didn't even know that you knew they were there until you grabbed me, and then everything happened so fast. I only meant to exchange information." She bit her lip as she waited for his reply.

"Be that as it may, you should never have told them. Why did you?"

"I...I didn't fully trust you."

Incredulously, he scoffed and stepped closer, looked towards the curtain, and then sat next to her on the bed. "I thought you might betray me, though I'd hoped you had the sense not to."

She lifted her chin and defiantly said, "You brought someone as well! I'd say that should make us even in the betrayal department."

The corner of his lips curved up slightly as he nodded his head once. "Do you want to live, Miss Granger?" he asked quietly.

"Yes," she answered breathlessly and without hesitation, afraid of where this was going.

"Will you do as I say? Never question my judgment? Do as you must to ensure your survival?"

"I... What do I have to do?"

"Questioning me already then?" He arched an eyebrow at her and leaned closer so that his face was only inches from hers. "The Dark Lord believes that I fancy you and intended to eventually take you as my own."

"But why?"

"Because I told him that I did." He smiled at her nastily, pointedly looking down at her chest and then legs. "Don't worry. The last thing I want to do is bed you." He nodded towards the curtain. "You've just seen what was sharing my bed before you got here, didn't you? That's what attracts me, which, sadly, is something you'll never be."

"You're not someone who'd attract me either!" she blurted angrily, stung by his hateful words, though feeling relieved. "Do you think that it was you who had me... er... That is to say..."

"I don't care one way or the other," he interrupted. "The point is that you will have to do what I say, and yes, that includes sleeping with me each night. They will certainly think that something else besides 'sleeping' is going on, and I will make comments to lead them to believe that you are indeed my lover. You will NOT say otherwise. Do you understand?"

So he's not actually going to force me into anything. Good. "Agreed." She paused and then asked, "What can I expect here? What's going to happen? Why are you being," she searched for the right word and could think of none, "so nice to me?"

He thought for a moment before answering. "There are other things going on here that you can't yet understand, and just so you know, I made good on my promise. I gave Weasley the information that I'd intended to give to you." He glanced over towards the curtain and noted, as she did, that the tall form of Rabastan Lestrange was nearing.

"Come here. Now." Pulling her from her position on the bed, he forced her onto her knees between his spread legs and tossed his robe over her head. Shocked, she felt a hand on her head, and it pushed at her head, grinding her face against his thigh just near his underpants and his crotch. Instinctively, she knew not to say anything and to play along, moving her head slightly every few seconds.

"Come on, girl. You can do better than that!" he said loudly, obviously making a show for their eavesdropper who had to have entered the room to truly hear anything after the spell he'd cast.

"Already getting her to do your bidding, eh?" Lestrange asked. "Lucky bastard."

"If you don't mind..."

"I was just wondering how she's settling in and if you needed any... assistance with anything."

Roughly, her head was moved and ground against his crotch again. To her horror, she could actually feel his semi-erect penis pressing against her scalp, could actually smell a musky scent she could describe only as being male.

"Watch those teeth," he hissed angrily. "Lestrange, I don't like audiences. Get out. I shall be done shortly, and we'll go to make our report to the Dark Lord."

"All right. And if you reconsider, let me know." The man left with a few loud stomps, and Snape immediately released her head.

"Just stay there for a moment."

"Yes, sir," she said softly. She didn't want to move her head, lest she'd offend him, but she didn't feel right in the position she was in. He must have realized her dilemma and noticed his own, for he pulled his robes up and motioned for her to get back on the bed. He stood and made a show of fixing his underpants. If anyone could make out their shapes through the curtain, they'd think she'd just given him fellatio and that he was cleaning himself off. Noting the growing bulge at the front of the gray underpants, she pointedly looked up at his face, hoping her burning cheeks weren't red.

He turned towards her and flicked his wand. She was suddenly bound to his bedpost by one wrist. Tugging on the tight, yet soft, rope, Hermione asked, "What is this for?"

"This is for looks... I'm certain once I leave, someone might come in. It would be odd for me to not leave you bound...for now at least." He adjusted his robes. "I must see the Dark Lord and inform him of what's happened. I will return when I can." He released the spell on the curtains, but his voice remained low enough that the others wouldn't be able to hear. "You can reach any part of this room, even though you're bound to the bed. Read if you'd like." He pointed to a small stack of books lying on top of a beat-up, wooden desk. He pulled the shrunken tome that she'd given him from one of his robe pockets and placed it inside a drawer, warding it immediately after.

"Thank you."

The instant he was gone, she gave in to the horror she felt over what had just happened and willed her roiling stomach to remain calm and not spill the contents of her last meal. If anyone other than Snape had snatched her, she was certain she wouldn't be treated the same way. So much was happening.... She couldn't think straight. Wishing she'd listened to Harry and hadn't insisted on meeting Snape, she curled up and tried to fall asleep, which would be the only way she'd find any peace at the moment...and that was only if she didn't have nightmares.

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"Can you believe that they all seem to think that there might be more to Snape than meets the eye?" Harry asked Ron incredulously after the Order members left.

Ron nodded. "Seems odd to be thinking about it, especially after he took off with Hermione like that, but after seeing those two memories, I have to admit that I'm also thinking that he's still on our side."

"She's your girlfriend, Ron, and she's now with a bloke who isn't above taking advantage of that. You heard him. He'll do what he must for the cause!" Harry said in disgust. "What we saw might very well be how it went down, but it could be that it was all an act. He's hoodwinked people all his life, Ron, and I've long thought that the headmaster was wrong in trusting him."

Ron was silent for a long moment before he looked at Harry, eyes filled with worry. "Don't you think that I'm not anxious about where Hermione is? I know what you're saying is true, but today, it just seemed like he wanted to help. It wasn't what he gave me or what he said. Not really. It was how he said it. I can't explain it to you, but I... I do think the bloke's on our side."

"So, he's got you fooled, too, then, eh?" Harry said, not really waiting for an answer. "I'm not going to be swayed. Not in this. I saw his face when he cast that spell on the headmaster. It was like he loathed him! I just can't let go of everything that's happened."

The memories had showed two different conversations between Dumbledore and Snape. In the first one, Snape had told Dumbledore about a visit he'd received from Narcissa and Bellatrix and a Vow he'd taken, not truly knowing the full meaning of it, but he'd found out afterwards what Draco's orders were through talking with Rabastan Lestrange. Dumbledore had forced him to do whatever he had to do, even casting a curse to end his life if he had to, so long as he didn't expose his position in the Dark Lord's camp. Snape had agreed after much talking from Dumbledore, but even Harry could see that the man didn't like what he was agreeing to...or at least he was pretending to not like it.

In the second memory, Snape was nearly frantic and was speaking nastily to the headmaster, saying he didn't want to do what he'd promised any longer, and that Dumbledore couldn't force him, as he'd rather lose his own life than truly follow through with the Vow he'd taken with Narcissa. Dumbledore was adamant that he'd do what he must to make certain everything went on according to plan and that he was looking into an alternative to things that would still be a winning situation. After they'd stopped talking, Snape departing dejectedly towards the castle, Hagrid engaged the headmaster in a conversation. Harry knew this to be the conversation he'd let slip to them, saying he'd overheard Snape and Dumbledore. Unfortunately, Hagrid hadn't heard everything or had left some things out.

The whole mess was confusing for Harry, but his hatred for Snape and his memories kept him biased and not wanting to trust the man. All he knew was that they'd meet again, and Snape had better be prepared for the match up, as he'd taught himself some things that he hadn't seen in the curriculum at Hogwarts. He would be a rival indeed. And if Snape harmed a hair on Hermione's head or allowed Voldemort to do anything to her, there would be hell to pay, regardless where his loyalties truly were.

"We need to just stop talking about this for right now, and we need to figure out a way to get to the cup at Borgin and Burkes."

Harry knew that his friend was right, but he couldn't understand why the boy was so calm when his lover...their best friend...had been taken by a Death Eater... a Death Eater who spouted lies easily and smooth talked his way through most anything, even Azkaban.

"I talked to Tonks before she left, and we've come up with a plan."

"That's a start. Come on then. Tell me, mate."

Harry quickly filled Ron in on the inspection she and Kingsley would claim to have to do to the place, saying that someone had tipped them off to stolen goods. While the man was tied up with them and up in the store's upper levels, Harry, Ron, and Lupin could slip in and try to unward the private room. Harry felt they could do it with some of the wards they'd found in Hermione's book. If they could unward something that Voldemort put on Godric's Hollow, they could unward this room.

Before they went up to bed, Ron quietly said, "I love her, Harry, and I am worried about what's become of her, but if I don't stay positive about this and do my part in what we have to do, I'll go mad. And besides, she'd want us to keep up with things."

"I know, mate. I know. I just... I hate this shite."

"Me too."

"Come on. Up we go. Maybe the blighter will send us something new soon," Harry said more optimistically than he felt.

"Yeah," Ron said with a nod. "He might do that. I hope."

Southern's Notes: Moving right along then. We'll soon see if captivity is all it's cracked up to be.