Chapter 6

All canon characters belong to JKR.

Thanks to June for being my beta.

Chapter 6

Back at Hogwarts, Severus, Harry, and Albus sat in the Snape family's living room. Osiris and Crookshanks had gone to inform Hermione and the other women what had happened. As the three men sat around the living room, the fireplace roared, then Lucius stepped out, patting himself trying to get some of the soot off of his clothes. The three looked at him.

"Let me guess," said Severus. "Bellatrix showed up at your doorstep today, with a basket of tea sandwiches and China's best Oolong."

"Close. I see you have heard the news, then," stated Lucius, walking to the sideboard where he helped himself to a much-needed drink

"Yes, Arthur contacted me a while ago," added Albus.

"How does she look?" asked Severus.

"Like she's been run over several times by the Hogwarts Express," said Lucius as he sat down.

"At least some things don't change," commented Severus with a chuckle.

"She has plans, that one," Lucius said as he looked at Severus and nodded. "Her first priority is to kill you with extreme prejudice, my friend." Lucius smirked as tipped back his tumbler of Scotch. He looked towards Albus and Harry as he sank back into the couch's cushions.

"She also seems to have some plans for Arthur, but for now it's on the back burner." Harry smiled. It was always amusing to him to hear Lucius using Muggle terms.

"Do you know where she is staying?" asked Albus.

Lucius shook his head. "No, she wouldn't tell me. When she Apparated off my grounds, she did so using a non-tracking charm."

"You need to ward your property better, and so should Draco," said Harry.

Lucius nodded in agreement, then began to look worried.

"I have been lax these last few years," Lucius pinched the bridge of his nose, and shut his eyes tightly. He took a deep breath, then exhaled. "I have taken for granted that our world was safe. I keep forgetting there are many like Bella roaming free." Lucius then looked at Severus.

"I am guilty of the same," agreed Severus.

"Severus, you of all people should be more careful," said Lucius. "Amongst the Death Eaters, you are a known traitor. At least I have the luxury of knowing my work for the Order was done behind the scenes. No one is after me."

"Lucius is right, Severus," said Albus. "You and your family must be protected. I suggest you stay on the castle grounds until Bellatrix is apprehended."

Harry looked at Albus.

"Albus, have you forgotten about Pettigrew?" Harry asked. "He lived in this castle for three years as Ron's pet rat. If it wasn't for the Marauders' Map and Crookshanks, he may never have been found out."

Albus stood and walked to the fireplace.

"That's true," said Severus. "Sooner or later, Bella will find a way to get to me, regardless of where I am. I am not going to just sit here and wait for that insane bitch to come for me. I will not hide." Severus stood and walked to Albus.

The Headmaster nodded. He had known Severus since he was a child, and now he was a man with children of his own. Albus also knew that Severus was not the type to just sit and hide. If there was a fight coming, he knew Severus would be at the forefront. Had Severus been a lesser man, he would not have been such a factor in the fall of Voldemort.

"For now, the children and Hermione are safe. I don't think Bella knows you have a family," said Lucius.

"Lucius, did she give you any indication as to when she would be contacting you again?" asked Albus.

"No, none," Lucius stood and began pacing. "I don't expect to hear from her for several days, though. I imagine she is resting, building up her strength. All those years in Azkaban must have made her magic weak to a certain degree."

Albus nodded in agreement.

"Do you think she would try to contact Narcissa, to let her know she's out?" asked Harry.

"Harry, people like Bella don't give a damn about others," Lucius laughed, looking at him. "She didn't even ask me about her sister when I saw her. Besides, they were never that close to begin with. No, Bella came to me because she needs something from me." Lucius looked at Severus. "She knows I can deliver Severus to her."

Severus knew Lucius was right. There would be no other way to get to Bellatrix. He would have to let himself be the bait. In her time, she was one of the most ruthless Death Eaters he had ever known. He also knew that, after twenty years in Azkaban, she had turned into something akin to an animal being let out of a cage. She was hungry for a kill, and he was what she wanted.

"Do you have a plan, Lucius?" asked Albus.

"Not yet," Lucius shook his head, looking at the Headmaster. "Although, I am open to suggestions. I really do not want her in my home again, but I doubt she will be telling me of her location any time soon." Lucius sat down. "I need to speak to Rosmerta."

Harry stood and walked to look out the window.

"What about the children? Shouldn't they know?" Harry said as he turned back to face both former Death Eaters.

"I had hoped to never have to tell my children what I once was," answered Severus.

"I have only grazed the surface of my past with Odette and Vladimir," added Lucius. A look of sadness crossed both men's faces.

In the last several years the wizarding world had become comfortable speaking honestly of what had happened in the past. The Dark Lord was now referred to as Voldemort instead of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. What Voldemort did and tried to do was taught in the schools, and was discussed openly. It was done so in the hopes that someone like him would never again come so close to power.

For his part, Severus wanted his children to know about Voldemort; but he had hoped to never have to tell them that their father had once followed the Dark Lord ... worse, that he had at one time been a most loyal servant.

"Perhaps you should take your children home with you before you leave, Lucius," Albus advised. "I am sure the news would be best dealt with in their home."

Lucius nodded and stood.

Albus walked him to the door, then turned. "Severus, I will send Raven and Kat to you after I see Lucius off."

Severus nodded. Harry sat down on the couch next to him. There was silence for several minutes, and then Severus spoke.

"They are going to hate me," he said, looking into the fire.

"Initially that's what they will think," Harry agreed. "But they are smart kids; they'll understand. You aren't the same person you were when you joined Voldemort. And you're their dad; they'll see that."

Still, Severus remained silent. Harry eventually left for home, knowing he owed his own wife an explanation of the day's events.

* * * * * *

A few miles away, Osiris and Crookshanks had Apparated to Hogsmeade. Osiris knew Hermione would be having lunch with Ginny and Pansy, so he figured he would try the Three Broomsticks. Sure enough, as he flew onto the windowsill and peered in, he saw her laughing at something Ginny and Pansy were saying. He stared at her for several minutes before she looked over at the window and saw him. He motioned for her to come outside.

"That's odd," Hermione said. Ginny and Pansy followed her eyes, and saw a large black raven they knew to be Osiris. "I wonder what Osiris is doing here?" Hermione excused herself and walked outside. As she opened the door, she saw Crookshanks staring up at her and then Osiris flying over to her.

"Hermione, you need to get back to the Castle," Osiris said.

"Is everything all right?" she asked.

"Severus should tell you. You should probably tell Ginny and Pansy to go home as well. There are things you all need to know," Osiris told her in an uncharacteristically serious manner.

Hermione furrowed her brow, and nodded. She went inside and relayed the message to the two other women. All three of them left the small establishment and went to their respective homes. Hermione arrived at Hogwarts with Osiris and Crookshanks, with no more words being exchanged. There was something odd going on, and she knew that it must have been serious for Osiris and Crookshanks to be so solemn now.

She walked into the rooms she shared with her husband, the two animals, and occasionally her children. Severus sat on the couch with a snifter of brandy in his hand. He gulped the small amount left in the glass, then looked up at her.

"Severus, what's happening?" she asked, her voice thick with worry.

"Arthur flooed Albus this morning with some troubling news," he rose and poured himself another drink, then looked at her. "Bellatrix Lestrange escaped from Azkaban this morning."

Hermione gasped. "What? How?" She sat down heavily on the armchair closest to her.

"Peter Pettigrew walked into the Ministry looking like Arthur. I'm sure you can figure out the rest," Severus said as he sat down on the couch once more. He rubbed his tired eyes, and sat back.

"She's coming for you," said Hermione.

Severus sighed heavily and nodded. "She has already been in contact with Lucius. No doubt she will be wanting his assistance in apprehending me," he said wearily.

"Where is Lucius now?" she asked, thinking they would both be there plotting their own ways to catch the escaped witch.

"He has taken Odette and Vladimir home for a few days. He is telling them," Severus said quietly.

Hermione rose, and then approached him. She sat next to him and reached for his hand.

"I gather we are expecting our own children to walk through that door any moment then?" she asked. He merely nodded. They sat quietly until they heard their children's laughter outside their door. They looked at each other and took a deep breath as the door opened.

"You wanted to see us?" asked Raven with a smile, as he held his sister's hand.

"Come in and sit. Your father has something he needs to tell you," said Hermione, as the children walked in and sat next to them.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sooner or later the kids had to find out. I'll have more soon.