Chapter 10

All canon characters belong to JKR.

Thanks to June for all of her help in doing the beta work for me.

Chapter 10

Albus leaned forward against his desk and placed his hands palms down. He looked at the two wizards and witch before him, and smiled. “Now, I gather, Severus, you have come up with some sort of plan?”

“Well, it’s not much of a plan,” Severus said. “I thought it would be a wise idea to just get myself out of the castle. Bellatrix is no doubt looking for me, so I’ll just let her find me.”

“Are you sure you want to open yourself up like that?” Lucius asked, looking at Severus.

Severus turned to him and nodded. “Yes. She’s not going to do anything to draw attention to herself. If anything I feel she would approach me in disguise, and in a calm fashion.”

Lucius chuckled. “Severus, there is nothing calm about Bella. But, I tend to agree with you in that she will most likely approach you in disguise. I expect to hear from her in the next day or so. She has not contacted me since last Saturday, and I gather she is itching to get to work.”

“Severus, please. I think this is too dangerous,” begged Hermione.

“Hermione, if I don’t do this we will be living our lives constantly looking over our shoulders. I’ll not live like that,” he said firmly, as he touched her hand and smiled reassuringly. As he saw his wife’s eyes begin to water, his own softened. “Please, do not worry.”

Lucius stood and walked to the fireplace, and took a handful of Floo powder. “We will speak more later. I need to ready some things in my home.” Lucius turned and entered the fireplace and Flooed home.

* * * * * *

As Lucius stepped out of the Floo, he saw his wife Rosmerta standing in front of the large window looking out into the gardens. Noting she did not turn to look at him, he realized something was wrong.

“Ros? Is there something wrong?” he asked as he placed his hand on her shoulder.

She jumped slightly, then turned to look at him as though surprised. “Lucius, I didn’t hear you come in,” she said, sounding relieved, then embraced him.

He felt her trembling, then drew her away slightly. “What’s happened? Why are you trembling so?” he looked into her eyes, and realized she was frightened. He cursed himself as he remembered he had not set the new wards around the perimeter of his home.

“A woman came by this afternoon. She said she was an old acquaintance of yours.” A tear slowly ran down her cheek as she spoke. “She said she came to see you the other day, and that she was ready to begin her new life.” Rosmerta turned away from Lucius and bowed her head as she cried silently. “Who is she, Lucius? Did you… are you having a relationship with this woman?”

Lucius took hold of his wife’s shoulders and turned her to face him. “I’m sorry, I should have told you from the moment she came here.”

Rosmerta gasped, then tried to run past him.

Lucius held her firm and looked into her eyes. “No, Ros, it’s not like that.” He cupped her face with his hands, and smiled. “I love you, only you. It is not what you are thinking. Sit with me and let me explain.” Lucius guided his wife to the couch and began telling her the true nature of his relationship with Bellatrix. As he spoke, he could visibly see the change in his wife’s demeanor. As quickly as she felt relief, it was all too soon replaced by fear.

“So this is why you told the children about your past.” Lucius nodded. “Lucius, this is going to be just as dangerous for you as it is for Severus. If she finds out you are working against her…” Rosmerta’s words faded as it truly dawned on her he would be killed if he were found out.

“I know, believe me, I know from first-hand experience what Bella is capable of. But Severus is right. We need to capture her quickly; she cannot be allowed to roam free.” He stood and walked to his desk. He then pulled open the top drawer and took out a small piece of parchment, then walked back to Rosmerta and handed it to her. “This is my will.”

Rosmerta opened her mouth to protest, only to be stopped by Lucius, “It is necessary. I want you to go to the estate in France and stay there until I send for you. Take this with you and keep it safe. I will not send the children with you because I do not feel they are unsafe. I will take whatever pictures of them are hanging about, so she will not know what they look like.”

“Lucius, I’m not going anywhere,” she protested.

“You are, and that is the end of it. I will not have you involved in this mess. Bella has already taken it upon herself to show up here unannounced twice. Now, please, pack your things and leave immediately. I will send Draco along with you to make sure the anti-Apparition wards are up and strong. When all this is over, I will send you a note with Odin.”

Rosmerta knew that, once Lucius set his mind to something, he would not take no for an answer. It was best to leave him alone; she knew the less he had to worry about her, the more careful he would be. She would leave, and she would wait.

* * * * * *

Severus paced in his study. Harry had come after teaching his Charms classes, and they spoke for several hours as to how they would proceed. After a glass of firewhisky Severus began to feel restless. Perhaps letting himself be an open target for Bellatrix was not a good idea, but he knew of no other way to get her out into the open.

“I need you to do something for me,” Severus said, looking at Harry.

“Anything,” said Harry.

“If something should happen to me, I want you to make sure Hermione is taken care of. I… I don’t want her to shut herself in these dungeons; I don’t want her to be alone. You are her best friend; I want you to look out for her. I don’t want her to spend the rest of her life mourning me.”

“I don’t think you will need to worry about that. We’ll get Bellatrix before anything happens.” Harry looked at his former professor, and one-time enemy. The man looked tired, and for the first time in his life, Harry saw fear in Severus’ eyes. “But, if anything should happen, I’ll make sure she is taken care of.”

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I know its a short chapter but I'll have more tomorrow. I hope you liked this one.