Chapter 19

Disclaimer: I'm using JKR's characters for a bit of twisty plot that I've been thinking up. I'll return her lot when I'm done...no need to sue.

Thanks go to my beta, Charmed_Nay, who manages to work way too much and still finds time for me when I need her.

When Harry stepped back through the grate into Grimmauld Place, he did a double take to make certain he'd not accidentally gone to the Burrow. The room was filled with Weasleys, Tonks, the Malfoys, and other Order members.

"Uh, Lupin?" he questioned, meeting the man's bashful gaze.

"Sorry?" Lupin replied uncertainly.

"Harry! What's going on? Tell us!" Molly Weasley said upon seeing him.

Behind him, the Floo activated again, and he barely had time to step aside before Moody followed him through.

"Guarding your grate, Potter?" the man asked gruffly.

"I was just..."

"It's good to see you vigilant even though you just left my place," Moody interrupted. "What's this lot doing here?"

"That's what I'm wondering," Harry said in annoyance.

He strode forward. "Lupin, what's all this?"

"Ah, well, see..."

"Harry," Molly called from his side, tugging on his sleeve. "Where's Ron gone?"

"Where's Kingsley?" Lupin asked.

"Wotcher, Harry."

"Potter, I thought you said it would only be the few of us."

"Where's Ron?"

"Everyone shut up!" Harry yelled suddenly, stepping away from Mrs. Weasley's clutches and looking around. "Only a few people are supposed to be here," he said when the room quieted. "Lupin?"

"Seems Molly had a pair of the twins' Extendible Ears."

"And I wouldn't be left behind!"

"Well, what are they doing here?" Harry asked in exasperation, pointing towards the Malfoys.

"Draco's gone," Lucius said promptly, stepping forward.

Harry's eyes widened, and his gaze met Lupin's. "Shite."

"I think so, too," the man said.

"Think what?" Lucius asked.

"Er... look, everyone, I appreciate this, but with all of you here..." The grate fired up behind him and cut his words off. He turned to see McGonagall walking through.

"I received a Patronus from Kingsley to meet him here," she said with a shrug, looking at the others. "Keeping things quiet still, are you?"

"Apparently not," Harry retorted.

Arthur Weasley walked forward. "What's the plan, Harry?"

The grate flared emerald green again, and Kingsley came through. "I got here as quickly as I could," he said, his deep voice resonating about the room. "Thanks for the Patronus, Arthur. I'd just missed Potter when I got it."

"Right then," Harry said with a nod, coming to a decision. "If everyone would listen up, I'll fill you all in."

The room was suddenly loud once again as they all conjured chairs and made themselves comfortable. Harry gazed at each determined face before him, mentally deciding who would best do what.

"As you all know, there have been things that Ron, Hermione, and I have been doing that we couldn't really confide to everyone. Dumbledore's work." When nods and murmurs of recognition met his words, he continued. "See, even though Hermione's been gone, Ron and I have still been at it. However, there's a lot you all don't know." Here he paused. What would they say? Would they be angry like Ron?

McGonagall stood. "I just want to let you know that Potter has done as instructed by me in this matter. I thought discretion best."

"Well?" Molly asked impatiently.

"Voldemort..." a collective shudder passed through the room "...has been sending me messages. Memories to play in a Pensieve to be exact."

"Of what?" Molly asked again, unable to contain herself.

"Give him a moment, Molly, and he'll tell us all," Lupin said kindly, trying to defuse the situation before Harry could snap at the woman.

"Of Hermione and Snape," he said with a shrug. "I couldn't show these to Ron... or to any of you."

"Oh, good Lord," Hestia muttered. "You don't mean that he and she...?"

Harry nodded. "It's what it's meant to look like, but Professor McGonagall and I examined everything closely, and we've learned that it's all just an act, Hermione and Snape."

"He means to say that they are hoodwinking You-Know-Who," Lupin put in. "Severus has been sending information to us, helping us. Most of you know that much."

"He murdered Albus," Diggle said angrily. "I don't trust him."

"I can't believe I'm saying this," Harry began, "but I do. Better than that, I trust Hermione's intuition. She's been right about so much."

Molly spoke again. "And Ron, he came across these memories, didn't he? That's what prompted him to leave?"

"And has he taken my boy with him?" Narcissa asked worriedly, leaning into the partial embrace of her husband. "To what end?"

Not wanting to incriminate Ron until he knew the whole story, Harry simply said, "Malfoy would know the area. Probably offered to help. He asked if I needed help earlier."

"But he's not that insane," Narcissa said. "To go there is to go to his death."

"Maybe they didn't think they'd be caught?" Harry offered. When she said nothing, he added, "The point is that I... we... are going after Ron. He's hotheaded sometimes, doesn't think things through, and I can't let him do this alone."

"You should have been honest with him from the beginning," Molly pointed out.

"Mum," Bill began.

"No, she's right," Harry said. "I know that, but now's not the time to point fingers, is it? Want to help us get Ron, Malfoy, and Hermione back safely? Good. Than let me tell you what I found out from Lavender Brown."

"Wut es zis to do with zat girl?" Fleur asked.

"Ron went to her at Hogwarts. She helped him with a map and ... other things."

Mrs. Weasley reddened at this and looked at her husband. Arthur spoke. "And you know where he's going then?"

"Yeah. Where we should have been looking all the while! We've not been trying hard enough to find Hermione... or the Death Eaters." He ran his fingers through his hair. "And I haven't pushed it because I knew she was safe, you know? But that's no excuse. We do this now. Tonight. Whatever happens will..."

"What of your work for Dumbledore?" Kingsley asked. "Is that complete yet?"

"It will be. I need..." He looked around the room and decided to be honest. "Only I can kill Voldemort, so don't put yourselves in danger to try to be noble, but I sure could use some help in getting rid of Nagini."

"His snake, what?"

"I'd love to kill that bitch," Arthur said venomously. "Score to settle, see."

"Look what happened to you last time you clashed!" Molly pointed out.

"She's always with Voldemort, and there's a chance that we might meet up with him tonight."

"Especially if Ron's bollixed something up," George said with a nod, dodging his mother's hand.

"He's telling the truth, Mum," Fred said firmly.

"It doesn't matter, does it?" Harry asked. "If Ron and I have been doing the right things all this time, then the next step is Nagini. Anyone can help out with that."

"She can't bite us all at once, can she?" Fred said cheekily.

McGonagall spoke again. "About Hermione... I want to make it perfectly clear to all of you that no matter what You-Know-Who and his lot might believe, she is one of us and is not to be treated as anything else. What's been happening has been out of her control." Her fierce glare met Molly's narrowed eyes. "And she won't need anyone making her feel the worst for it either."

"She's right," Harry said. "I just hope that Ron can understand that... and why I didn't tell him. I thought I was doing the right thing."

"Bloody do-gooder," Moody grumbled.

"About Snape," Tonks began, looking around, "what do we do with him? You say he's one of us still and has been helping, but how do we treat him? Stun his arse, questions later? Just not hex him at all? What?"

"Yeah, the git's probably going to be flinging hexes at us, won't he?" George asked.

"Pretenses and all that," Fred clarified.

"So long as nobody does anything brash," Kingsley said with a nod. "Even if we have to hex him to keep up pretenses of our own...just don't be deadly or harmful."

"We haven't much time," Harry said, pulling a map from his pocket. "Let's get on with it. Engorgio."

Lucius Malfoy spoke up. "Severus has been aiding you all this time, you say?"

The man was clearly gobsmacked, and Harry frowned at not having the foresight to ask him and his wife to leave the room.

Narcissa said, "Potter, I appreciate that you want to see the good in someone, but Lucius and I can both assure you that we were witnesses to the living conditions there. Severus and the Mu... the girl did indeed share a bed."

"You are being had," Lucius said firmly. "Severus is the Dark Lord's man...no other's."

Before Harry could speak, Moody asked, "And you're sure about this, are you? Why should we believe you?"

"Because our son is there," Narcissa answered vehemently. "We'll not risk his life any more than you would risk Granger's or Weasley's!"

Lucius put a hand on her shoulder to calm her. "Allow me." He stood and moved forward. "Have you a Pensieve?"

"Yes."

"What would you like to know, Potter? What would you like to see?"

Harry looked around the room...some expressions were shocked while others were suspicious. "Everything," he said firmly.

Lucius nodded and turned to his wife. "Cissy, make certain to explain to everyone about the rooms in the old building while I show Potter a few things."

"While you show Potter and me," McGonagall said, rising and joining them, silently daring him to refuse her.

"So be it."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"My Lord," Severus said, kneeling before his master for a moment.

"What is it?" the man asked perceptively. "What's happened?"

"Young Ronald Weasley and Draco Malfoy have found us."

The Dark Lord stood and towered over Severus. "And the outcome of this finding? Has your girl escaped? What of Rabastan?"

"No, my Lord, she was instrumental in their capture."

"Indeed?"

"Yes, my Lord, and Rabastan returned just after."

"I shall want to see this for myself," he said, piercing Severus' eyes with his own, probing his mind.

Severus gladly replayed what he'd seen, unable to stop the pride he felt that Hermione had chosen him. For a moment, he was certain she'd go to Weasley and try to flee. He would have stopped them of course, but it had worked out so well for them all. Well, all except for Weasley and Malfoy, but that was out of his hands. The berk should never have thought to rescue her alone...much less use Draco in such a way.

"I believe you have succeeded in securing her loyalty, Severus," he said approvingly, rubbing his thin hands together in a gleeful manner. "I cannot wait to see what reaction this will bring about in Potter. It could very well be his destruction."

"I agree, Master."

"Bellatrix has gone to Gringotts to fetch something for me. I want to place it in your keeping, Severusss."

"Of course, my Lord."

"Do you not wish to know what it is?"

"It matters not, my Lord. I will protect whatever it is you choose to give me."

The Dark Lord cackled in amusement. "You've always been valuable to me. I no longer feel it is safe where it is."

"May I ask why, my Lord?"

"You may, but I may choose to not answer."

When nothing else was said, Severus asked, "Do you feel she is disloyal?"

"Not Bella, no. She will die serving only me," he said certainly. He then gave Severus a calculating gaze. "Her brother-in-law has access to that vault, and that doesn't sit well with me. I think Rabastan has been defecting from my ranks, bitter about his stint in Azkaban, you see. Have you not noticed this?"

"No, my Lord," he answered honestly.

"No matter. That is a conversation for another time. There are other things that need attending now. Nagini." He beckoned her closer and said something in Parseltongue. "I shall see you there, Severusss. Good work tonight."

"Thank you, my Lord," he said, breathing a sigh of relief as the man Disapparated. Hermione would be safe at least. He pondered what he'd learned about Rabastan before following his master.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hermione woke and found herself lying on the bed. Someone...Severus...had placed her there after she'd fainted. It didn't take long for reality to slap her soundly. She'd betrayed Ron. How had this happened? Why had she done this?

When she heard a loud slapping sound, muffled curses, and moaning, she sat up to investigate. Ron! Shoving on her shoes, she quickly made her way into the other room. Rabastan was hovering over Ron, who was still chained to the wall, but had obviously been knocked down onto his side. There was a trickle of blood on his brow. As Rabastan raised his hand again, Hermione called out. "NO! Stop it!"

He looked at her in askance, lowering his hand and arching an eyebrow.

"Please don't hurt him."

"You're Snape's woman now," he stated, eyes narrowed.

"Yes." She nodded vigorously. "I know that, but..."

"But?"

"He's my friend, Rabastan." Her heart skipped a beat as she watched his expression, and then she saw his eyes soften. He trusts me, she thought in amazement. To her, this was an accomplishment. The man had been so hostile towards her at first, but over time, it seemed they'd become friends...really. Her small triumph was ruined by Ron's livid voice.

"Friend, is it?" Ron asked furiously, sitting up. "Traitor!"

"I'm sorry, Ron, but I couldn't let you..."

"Hurt your lover?"

Tears sprang to her eyes. No, Severus was not her lover, but she'd wanted him to be. She'd turned away from what her heart knew to be right, letting Severus inside instead. "Ron, please."

"Should have just left him to it then!" he said angrily. "Thought I was doing something right on my own for the first time." He flexed against his chains. "You're not worth it!"

When she brought a hand up to her mouth in surprise at his ugly words, Rabastan flicked his wand to silence Ron. "Don't listen to that bugger," he said supportively.

"He's right," she said softly. "What have I done?"

"You've done what's right by Severus, by us all." He nodded towards Draco. "Looks like that one is waking up."

"Can I talk to Ron in private?"

"I ain't lifting that hex from him. Git's got a big mouth."

"Not a problem."

When Rabastan walked over to where Draco was, Hermione sat down and simply stared at Ron. His angry glare told her all she needed to know. He hated her, would never understand why she'd done what she'd done. "I'm sorry. There was no other way," she said in a hushed voice. "I can't explain it to you right now, but I will explain one day. I swear it."

He closed his eyes and turned his head away, as if gazing at her repulsed him. She could see his jaw tensing slightly and his chest shudder, and she wondered briefly if he was trying to stop himself from crying. Not that she blamed him.

"There's more to this than you know, Ron. What you saw..." She paused, uncertain how to word what she wanted to say. At this his head turned back to her, but his eyes were still closed. "I still love you," she said. This opened his eyes, and she could see that his expression had become somewhat softer. "There's no way I can fill you in right now, but please, when the time comes, trust me."

When she reached out to touch his face, he gave her a small nod, and though she could see the mistrust and hurt in his eyes, she knew that he was in a more reasonable state of mind than he'd been when he'd first entered. Now she only had to figure out how to get him out of there safely. And why had he brought Draco there anyway?

"Hermione," Rabastan called.

She scooted back and stood. "Is he all right?"

"Yeah, I had to silence his arse, too," he said with a shake of his head.

"What's he saying?" She feared he'd blurted something Ron or anyone else might have let slip. Hermione wouldn't be able to forgive herself if she was the cause of any others' pain. She'd done enough by getting Ron caught as it was.

"Says you're the one who made his Portkey out of here."

"What?" She looked at Draco incredulously. "Why would you say that?"

Draco opened his mouth and frantically said something that she couldn't understand, as his lips were moving too quickly to read. He seemed frightened and angry.

"Severus says he checked your mind, and there's nothing in it about you doing that. I believe him, too." He smirked. "This one's trying to save his skin, is all."

She tried to think back to the night Draco and his family had fled. What exactly did she remember? She'd been going to the loo and had heard them talking amongst themselves and saw a faint glow from Draco's wand. And then they were gone.

Hermione said, "Well, I don't know what he's playing at, but how could I have made a Portkey? I've not used a wand in months... until tonight!"

"And good wandwork it was, lass," Rabastan said. "In fact, I have to say that..."

Crack!

Both Hermione and Rabastan turned to see who'd Apparated in, thinking it was Severus, and she nearly fell back in shock. There in all his glory was the red-eyed, malicious-looking Dark Lord Voldemort. His slitty eyes quickly assessed the situation, and he strode towards her direction, his large snake slithering behind him. She backed away slightly, feeling very afraid. What did he want? Was she to be killed? Where was Severus?

Another crack sounded, lifting her heart, as only two people could use Apparition there at all, and Severus appeared, seemingly all right. At least he's safe, she thought.

"Am I to understand that you did this?" Voldemort asked, his voice high pitched and cold.

She nodded and gazed back and forth from him to Snape to Rabastan.

The man turned towards Severus and nodded. "I shall speak with our traitor first before the Weasley. Take her out of here."

"Very well, my Lord," Severus said, moving forward to pull Hermione into their room by the elbow.

"Nagini, come," Voldemort said to his snake.

Once inside, Severus pulled her into his arms in attempt to calm her shivering. "You'll be all right."

"I'm so afraid," she admitted softly, voice wavering.

"You've nothing to fear. What you've done tonight proves much to him," he said, leaning back to gaze down into her eyes intently. "He'll not doubt you...doubt us."

She shook her head. "But Ron could be killed or tortured. I didn't want this. I'm afraid for him, and Draco... Draco's told Rabastan that I made a Portkey to help his family escape. What if... if he believes him? What if he doesn't? What happens to Draco then? And why is he trying to blame me?"

Severus placed his finger to his lips. "That is out of our hands. What matters is that you are safe. Nothing has changed otherwise."

"Nothing? How can you say that?" Her voice was nearly inaudible.

"Think about the long term," he responded, expression unfathomable.

Deep down, she knew he was right. If they played their cards right, things would work out, and the Dark Lord would be defeated. However, at what cost? How could she live with herself knowing that she'd caused Ron harm? Oh, Ron, I'm so very sorry. I'll make this up to you. We'll survive. Things will be all right.

She tried to imagine what life would be like for them after the war. They'd settle down, follow their dreams, and start a family... and then her thoughts changed. Severus had appeared in her vision, seating himself next to her while Ron's image vanished. Hermione shook her head in disbelief. Was she so far gone that she couldn't remember what was right anymore?

A series of loud moans broke the silence from the other side of the screened room, but they immediately turned into screams. Severus held her tighter and wouldn't let her turn to look. For many minutes, the torture went on. She didn't know who was suffering...Draco, Ron, or both. Near the end, the voice...voices...finally became hoarse and exhausted.

"Look at me, girl," a cold voice said from behind them, causing Hermione's spine to tingle.

Severus released her, and she turned to face him obediently, albeit shakily.

"Did you aid the Malfoys in leaving?"

She shook her head and said firmly, "No."

His eyes pierced hers, and she was certain he'd invaded her mind. However, she also felt something like a comforting blanket settle over her mentally. She knew that to be Severus' calming presence and wondered if he'd be successful in helping her keep their plans away from the man. The vision came to her again...her hearing the Malfoys and seeing them vanish. Satisfied, Voldemort broke eye contact with her to talk to Severus.

"Young Malfoy says that he was trying to lure Weasley here purposely for his capture. Weasley is defiant, but I've easily seen into his mind that he was the one to approach Draco. However, Draco maintains this was all part of his plan and a well-aimed Imperius Curse aided him." His flat nostrils flared a little. "They shall both be our prisoners. Draco tried fruitlessly to Occlude himself from me. He is a liar, and he shall pay for that, but not until his treacherous mother and father are here to see it."

"And Weasley?"

"Will be killed and sent to his family and Potter," Voldemort said, "but not yet. I want Potter to see the memory of his friend's capture." Here his gaze landed on Hermione again. "And just who is responsible for it. The wait to see what happens to Weasley should be nearly unbearable for him."

She swallowed thickly and lowered her eyes demurely, hating herself and wishing she'd never made a deal with Severus in the first place. None of this would have happened if she hadn't done that.

Before any more could be said, there was a loud bang. "What the...?" Severus said, spinning around. "The wards have been breached! Fuck!"

"Potter," Voldemort said darkly. "Weasley was followed! Come, Severus."

"Stay here," Severus barked, pushing her to the bed.

More bangs sounded. She could hear Rabastan, Severus, and Voldemort all talking and readying themselves. To her horror, she heard that he'd summoned other Death Eaters to join them.

"Severus, lift your Apparition Ward so that our friends might join us while I place one so that nobody without a mark can Disapparate. We finish this now!"

Please don't let any more of my friends get hurt. Please, God, if you are there and listening to me... please.

Southern's Notes: And so it begins. I am sorry for the delay in posting. Most of this has been written for a while, but I've just had a great deal going on.

Season's Greetings to you.

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