The Dark Heir.

As Snape and Malfoy returned after that brutal night,it was not to find comfort in what they had just seen.It was to find their master awaiting them,angry.But in his fury came a bargaining.Let's see what he offers.


Chapter 1
Discussion or Death?

When Snape and Malfoy returned to the house on Spinners End,it was to find the dusty curtains drawn shut and the house completely dark.Snape fumbled in his pocket for his wand.He gazed at it through the darkness.Snape gulped.He then shot a stream of blue sparks at the door and it swung open.They stepped into the living room to a woman with dirty blonde hair and blue eyes sat on an old tattered settee.She seemed to cowar at something that neither of them could see and shook slightly.Draco shut the door behind him and saw what his mother saw before him.There stood their master,The Dark Lord.He looked very menacing and his eyes shone with violence.
"Master."chirped Snape.He too had seen Voldemort but did not cowar like the mother and son did.
"Severus."Voldemort whispered.He pointed his wand at the door and it clicked.They were locked in.Voldemort strode out from behind the door and over to the fire.It went out immediantly.They were left in darkness.Draco dashed up stairs to get away from the scene,nit wanting to know anything.
"My Lord?"asked Snape,puzzled.And then a bright green light came out of now where.It shone in the middle of the room.The light turned it to something ghastly in front of their very own eyes.It became a skull.The skull hovered over the room and a firey serpant came out of it's mouth.The serpant flashed and turned into a real snake.It slithered on the floor,hissing as it went.She curled herself around Voldemorts ankle.He started to make hissing noises and she reacted to his every word.Nagini made her way over to Snape who did not flinch as she made her way around his legs.Voldemort gave a gruesome smile.
"You do not fear her,Severus?"Voldemort asked with taunt in his voice.Snape did not respond.He was watching Nagini with close concentration.
"Then again"Voldemort went on."You are fearless aren't you Severus?Nothing scares you!"Snape still did not speak.He stared directly into those red eyes and wished he hadn't.They stared straight back at him.
"Are you scared?"he whispered.
"No!"Snape said foolishly.Voldemort looked at him with a look that might kill and then it died suddenly.
"You are wise."he said.He started to hiss again and Nagini slid down from her possesion and onto the floor.As she passed Narcissa,Narcissa shook even more.Snape was looking at her.
"My Lord,why does Narcissa shake so?"Snape asked cautiously.Voldemort looked at him.
"I am stood her presence."Voldemort replied simply.But Snape was still watching Narcissa out of the corner of his eye.She shook her head slowly and slightly.Snape concentrated his mind on her and suddenly could see what she thought of.A man with long blonde hair lay on the floor in the same room where both Snape and Narcissa were.He seemed to be begging.Tears streamed down his face.A pale hand came towards his chest,a wand twined into the fingers.A green blaze of light shot at the man and he was no more.

Snape turned his intentions back towards Voldemort,his expression shocked.
"My Lord..."he started but Voldemort rose a hand.
"Lucius,payed for your,punishment I suppose.His wife made an unbreakable vow with you.I could not kill her as it would not bring pain to both of you.Instead,I killed her husband which as you can see has brought plently of pain with it."Voldemort actually laughed.It was icy but then he stopped.
Voldemort pointed his wand at the skull and it vanished,taking Nagini with it.They were in total darkness once more.The fire blazed viciously and the room was alight with the brightness.Snape walked over to Narcissa.He looked her in the eye.She looked back at him but her lip trembled.She began to sob.She grabbed Snape's hand and put it in her own.Narcissa squeezed it tightly.Voldemort stepped over to the settee.
"I see you care for the Malfoy's?"he asked sarconically.Snape glared at him.He no longer feared the man in front of him.Now Dumbledore was gone,he was afraid of nothing.Voldemort smiled.And then he sighed.He strode over to the window.
"I am an old man,Severus."Voldemort sighed.
Snape let go of Narcissa's hand and got up off of the settee.
"What do you mean?"Snape asked curiously.Voldemort turned towards him.He smiled once again.
"I am an old man."Voldemort repeated."I am battle worn."Snape snorted.
"I am.And...and I need an heir.But no ordainary heir Severus.A dark one.I need a dark heir.And.."he added."You and Narcissa here will give me one."Narcissa stopped sobbing.Snape stared at him,his mouth wide open.
"You being an expert poitioneer,it will be easy for you to summon up the potion.Narcissa,owing me her life,can make up for her debt.Good night!"he smirked.And with that he disappeared.Snape and Narcissa were left to stare strangely at each other.

Chapter 2
Beginning


Voldemort summouned the Malfoy's stay with Snape on Spinners End for what he felt was their own safety.The next day,Narcissa and Snape barely spoke to each other.She was too embarrassed and he just didn't know what to say.Draco,however,had taken several books off of one of the bookshelves,taken food from the kitchen and locked himself in his bedroom.The evening approached.Narcissa sat in the living room reading The Evening Prophet.To get this newspaper,she had to kill every owl that delivered it.She could not risk her son's and her own's neck on something as little as that.The kitchen door opened and Snape walked into the room.He strode over to his armchair and took his wand out of his robe pocket.He flicked it and immediantly two glasses of blood red wine appeared out of thin air.One of them floated towards Narcissa,who layed down her paper and took it,muttering her thanks.She picked it back up again,leaving her glass to float in mid-air.Snape looked at the front of the paper to find his own face staring back at him.The headline flashed:

Still No News on Snape.

Nearly two days have passed since Albus Dumbledore,Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry,was murdered by ex-Death Eater,Severus Snape.Wizards across the wizarding world were shocked to learn that such a powerful man had been killed by a man he spoke that he trusted.Snape,is still believed to be working for He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.The Ministry has searched his home on the muggle estate but found nothing and he was obviously gone.Further enquirys will be taken as soon as possible.

Snape gave a silent snort.The Ministry really were mourons.Of course he wasn't there!Well he was,but if they can't detect a simple shield charm that was their own fault for not finding him.Narcissa peered over from her paper.
"Their still looking for you Severus."she said quietly.Snape looked at her.
"Nothing about Lucius's death?"he said bitterly.Narcissa looked offended.
"N..no."she sobbed.All day she had tried to keep her mind off of him.She had kept herself busy,cleaning.And now Snape dragged it up so carelessly.Narcissa hid herself back behind the paper.Silently,she cryed.Snape,however seemed wound up.Why do women have to be so touchy-feely? he thought to himself.He threw back his wine and his glass refilled.He threw that back down too and stood up.He wondered over to the cabinet in the corner and took out a large black cauldron.It flew towards the small table between the settee and the armchair.Snape looked at the paper for a moment,behind which Narcissa was still hidden.He shatply pointed his wand at the paper and it ripped in two.Narcissa sat up a bit straighter and gulped.
"We are to start."Snape said.Narcissa looked at him puzzled.He sat back down in his chair and took several bottles out of the cauldron.He tipped a small ball of Gillyweed.Snape pointed his wand at nothing in particular and a knife started to slice the Gillyweed.
"What are you brewing?"she asked shakingly,though she already knew.Snape rose an eyebrow.
"The potion."he replied simply.The Gillyweed threw itself into the cauldron and it bubbled and hissed.Some Graphorn horn started to peel itself.Narcissa stared at him.
"So soon?"she whispered.Snape nodded.
"We are to start straight away."Snape said.He was forcing himself to stay calm even though he showed no discomfort.He was very good at being emotionless.
"Do you wish me to go through the instructions?"Snape asked lazily.Narcissa nodded.
"Firstly,a part of the potion must be brewed every night.Then, both must drink a small part of the potion and..."Snape stopped suddenly.Narcissa just continued to stare at him,watery-eyed.Snape did not continue.
"Erm..the potion."he muttered,giving the potion a stir.
"Then what,Severus?"she said sounding braver than she felt.Snape looked her in the eyes.
"Kiss."he whispered and he immediantly ripped his eyes away from her own.Narcissa had her mouth wide open.She shook her head,stood up and hurired into the kitchen,leaving Snape alone,very ashamed.

This chapter dedecated to the people who brought me out of my shame.You know who you are!

Chapter 3
Acceptance with dishonoursty.

Since Narcissa had fled from Snape that night,he kept his distance and was careful not to make eye contact with her when he did.He felt useless.There was nothing for him to do.Voldemort had set him nothing and he had no one to spy upon.In his time,he tried to figure out what Draco was doing,as he had only seen him once since he came back from Hogwarts.Narcissa,meanwhile,had taken upon herself to clean every inch of the house.She did not use magic and felt like a useless Muggle,but at least she was kept occupied.She always cleaned with the wireless on,listening to what was happening around the wizarding world.This helped her bottle in all emotion for her loss.But,the next night as Narcissa was hunched on the floor,scrubbing it like mad,did she hear something that grabbed her attention.She tried to seem as though she was not paying attention,for Snape was in the room.But there it was,as though calling her name.The wireless crackled through out the room.

Recent reports have found that previously three nights ago,prisoner 123094,Mr Lucius Malfoy,was taken from his cell in Azkaban prison under the Ministry's nose,as several Aurors were guarding the prison.But healers at St Mungo's hospital have confirmed that all 40 aurors had their memories modified.As such,prisoner 123094,was found dead near the South of Yokrshire.Since there was no harm done to the body,the ministry suggest that,killing curse,Avada Kedavra was used upon him.One member of the Ministy spoke to us
"Mr Malfoy was highly liked here until nearly two years ago when he was found in the department of Ministrys,leading a party of Death eaters.He was of no loss and no one will miss him."

Narcissa stopped scrubbing the floor.Snape was staring at the back of her head.She got up off of the floor and straightened her dress.Tears were pouring from her eyes but she quickly wiped them away.Narcissa turned towards the kitchen door.
"Narcissa!"Snape cried,grabbing hold of her arm to prevent her moving.Narcissa struggled to get out of his grip and gave up.She stood there,limp,tears dripping down her face.
"Narcissa."Snape said more gently.He let go of her arm.She did not move,but stood staring at the floor.
"Look."he begun."They didn't know him.Calm down.Don't cry."Narcissa sat down beside him on the tattered settee.
"All day."she muttered."All day."Snape stared at her but she did not meet his eyes.
"You've been bottling your emotion haven't you?"he asked quite firmly.She still did not meet his eyes,but nodded.
"I see."he whispered.Narcissa wiped the tears from her eyes and brushing her hair from her face.She stepped up a little straighter.
"I'll never see him again."she whispered."Never again."Snape took her hand.
"You can talk to me."he whispered back.She met his eyes.
"Never again."she murmed.Snape stroked her hand gently.
"It's okay to be upset.He was your husband,after all.You have more to be upset about than anyone else."he comforted.She gave a small smile.
"Thank you."she whispered.One last tear fell from one of her big blue eye's and then there were no more.Neither of them thought for a second of what would happen next.It just did.And without warning,there it was.Their lips touched.It was as though an explotion had gone off in Narcissa's head.She dragged herself away from him and leapt from the room to the kitchen.

Chapter 4
short


Okay.Here it is.I feel really ill so don't blame me if it's a load of ****.

The whole of the next day Snape and Narcissa did not speak to each other.Until that evening.Narcissa sat in the room,listening to the wireless.Snape entered in from the kitchen.Narcissa got up to leave but Snape took hold of her wrists and stirred her back to the settee.
"Sit."he barked at her as she tried to get up again.She stopped moving and avoided his eyes as she said;"W..what do you want?"
Snape rose his eyebrow."The potion."he said simply.Narcissa looked at him in shock.
"B..bb..but after what..."Narcissa stuttered.
"Come now Narcissa.Are you going to let something as foolish as that take and destroy your life?"Snape interrupted.Narcissa sat with her mouth wide open.Snape smiled.
"Shall we begin?"Snape asked.She still looked at him in awe.
"It is our order.Are we to betray the Dark Lord over something as stupid as a kiss?"Snape smirked.Narcissa shook her head.
"I guess not."
"Precisely.Let us carry on."Snape pointed his wand to the far corner and a large cauldron and several small bottles came from that direction.Another point from his wand and a toe of frog began to cut itself up.
The night dragged on in silence until the clock struck eleven.With a last hiss,the potion simmered.Snape waved his wand and two small glasses appeared from thin air.One of them floated over to Narcissa who took it regretfully.They dipped into the cauldron and took a small amount of the potion into the glass.Snape threw his back whilst Narcissa sipped her's.He waited until she finished and then the deed was done.He kissed her lips and a tear ran down her face.

Oh!I already wrote chapter 4.Oh well!It was short so now I will write chapter 5.

Chapter 5
Routine and Something else

Every night after that evening the potion was brewed.It was drunk and their lips touched.It happened so many times that Narcissa thought nothing of it.At first she had felt ashamed.Felt she was betraying the memory of her late husband.And she had even considered telling Draco everything.He did not know of the task his master had set them and what was even worse was that he didn't even know his father had been murdered.Narcissa felt she could not tell him or Draco would be out of her control.Draco had a very dull seventeenth birthday.Snape,some how,had managed to get him out of his room.When he came out he was much thinner and much paler.His hair was limp but his eyes were blood shot and looked livid.Narcissa had gone out to Diagon Alley under great caution to get the present.She had taken polyjuice potion to look like the old muggle next door to hide her identity.And on his birthday she had gotten him an owl.She knew how lonely he was and he would not confide in her,so she bought him something she thought would keep him company.But Draco merely took the owl to his room,his face expressionless and came back down.His eyes scanned the room.
"So?Where is he?"he looked at Snape.His eyes were wide and threatful.Snape bit his lip slightly.
"Who Draco?"Snape asked as though he did not know what Draco was talking about.
"My father."Draco said through gritted teeth."Where is he?"Snape avoided his eyes.
"Well..he..he couldn't make it."Snape said quite simply.Draco's face went deadly white.His eyes were full of anger.He squeezed his fingers until they turned as white as his face.Narcissa stood in shock,worrying about what would happen next.
"YOU TOLD ME HE'D BE HERE!YOU SAID I COULD SEE HIM!YOU LIAR!"Draco yelled.He shoved right past Snape who's face was quite livid.
"YOUR MOTHER HASN'T SEEN YOU FOR ALMOST A MONTH!SHE'S BEEN WORRIED SICK AND ALL YOU CARE ABOUT IS SEEING YOUR FATHER WHEN YOUR MOTHER'S ALREADY HERE TO SUPPORT YOU!"Snape shouted back.He took a deep breath."You are of age.You are not meant to be acting like a stupid child."he said sharply,restraining his anger.Draco just stared at him.Then he turned his back on him and took off up the stairs.Snape shot his wand to the door and it closed with a bang.He looked over to the clock.Nearly eleven once more.
"Potion."he mumbled.Narcissa nodded and sat down onto the settee.Snape pointed his wand at the corner and all his equipment came flying towards him.He put it down onto the small table and prodded the cauldron.He pocketed his wand.Small bottles full of potions ingrediants flew out of it and began cutting or crushing themselves and threw themselves into the cauldron with a violent hiss.
"He still only a boy,Severus."Narcissa said quietly.Snape looked up at her.He sat in the old armchair and shot sparks into the fireplace with his wand.
"He's seventeen Narcissa.He is a man."Snape said back."Although he acts like a school child."
"He is distraught!He knows nothing!He has no clue of what is going on!"Narcissa exclaimed.
"And who's fault is that?"Snape turned on her."Who's fault is it that he does not know his father is dead?Who's fault is it that he does not know who murdered his father?And whose fault is it that he dosen't know that his mother has to have his former teacher's child?Narcissa!!"Snape smirked.
"MINE!"Narcissa cried."Okay!It's my fault.It's my he dosen't know Lucius is dead.And it's my fault he doesn't know Im to have your stupid child too."she mumbled.Snape just stared at her.
"You think lowly of yourself?You put the blame all onto one consience?"he said quietly.
"You were blaming me!"she cried.Snape shook his head.
"I am not blaming you,nor will you ever hear me blame you.You are probablly the most innocent out of the whole of this event.If anyone is to blame,it would be me."Snape sighed.He gazed into the fire.He closed his eyes and everything came flooding through.He was seven and his father was shouting at his mother.He was twelve and Potter had tripped him up on the Hogwarts Express.He was fifteen and he was high in the air,his robes over his head.And then he was seventeen and he saw Lily kissing Potter.And then he went back seventeen years ago.Lily was kissing him.And then Potter found out.Then Harry died.Then Lily died and.....
"Severus?"Narcissa asked.Snape opened his eyes.The heat from the fire burnt his face and threw himself from it.He shot back onto the settee beside Narcissa.
"Are you okay?"she asked."You look a bit pale."Snape had forgotten where he was and then it came back to him.
"Fine,fine"he mumbled.The clock struck eleven.The potions ingrediants stopped cutting or crushing themselves and zoomed back into their bottles.One last bubble popped on the potion and everything was silent.Snape took his wand from his pocket and flicked into the air.Two small glasses appeared out of no where and dipped themselves into the potion.One of them flew over to Narcissa who took it in one hand.She gulped it down and waited for Snape to do the same.He did so.Their lips touched again and it was only this time did Snape feel something.Something like he had felt nearly eighteen years ago.

Chapter 6
Feel

So after that night,Snape felt something towards Narcissa.He felt no anger or haterd to her but something very different.He felt something warm.Something he had only ever felt once before.Narcissa,on the other hand,was enjoying time with Severus,but felt nothing of the sort.She had no idea that Snape felt warmth for her as he had not told her anything.The last time he had done so,the person had ended up dead and he did not want Narcissa to die.Instead,he hardly spoke and spent a sum of his time reading.Narcissa did not notice.She spent a lot of the time listening to the wireless,listening to all the Dementor attacks and the murders.All of them she could trace back to the Dark Lord.The potion was going acceedingly well.And onto that night when the potion she went a tad bit different.
"Are you okay?"Snape asked Narcissa as she sat staring into the fire,listening close at the wireless.
"Hmm?Oh yes!Im fine."she replied.That was quite a lie and Snape knew it.Her well-being meant quite a lot to him.
"No your not!What upsets you?"he asked with more concern in his voice.Narcissa turned towards him.She knew he would not give in until she told him.
"Draco."she muttered.Snape rolled his eyes.
"Narcissa,he won't come out of his room.He's determined to see his father and that's just not going to happen until you tell him the truth about Lucius."he said softly.Narcissa nodded.
"I know.But it's like you said."she sighed.
"Like I said?What did I say?"he asked.
"That he had one parent here ready to comfort him and take care of him and that he was behaving like a stupid child.You were right."Narcissa sulked.Snape sighed.
"No I wasn't.Draco has to come to turns of what he saw me do.If you told him about Lucius now,no one would know what he might do.Don't blame yourself.It's not your fault."Narcissa gave a watery smile.
"Thanks."she whispered.Snape smiled back.
"Potion!"he said clapping his hands together.He pointed his wand at the corner and the cauldron flew onto the table once again.The ingrediants started to cut or crush themselves and then throw themselves into the cauldron with a pop or hiss.
"You know Severus,you haven't told me what happens after all this potion has been drunk."Narcissa said with a puzzled expression."What does happen?"
Snape bit his lip.He had not told her.She wouldn't like to hear it.He wasn't going to tell her.She would hate him and she had only just got used used to being in his presence.
"Oh.Not a lot."he muttered,pretending to be concerned about how much eye of newt went into the potion.
"Yes but what happens!How does this child be born?"she asked anxiously.Snape met her brilliant blue eyes and wished he hadn't.He could not draw his own black ones away.
"Well?"she asked again in an annoyed tone."Severus?"Snape was stumped.He had to tell her.He didn't want to but he had to.
"Well..er..it's quite the same as when..when other witches and wizards are born really.You know.Two people.And..such."he stuttered.He began to sweat.Narcissa turned very white.
"So that means."she whispered."I have to.."She got up and shook her head.
"No!"she cried."No!There's only so much guilt I can take and that draws the line!I would never,never do that!Not with you,not with anyone!That would be the biggest insult of all for Lucius memory!"she shouted.And with that she turned on her heel into the kitchen,leaving Snape behind feeling very guilty.

Chapter 7
He's dead!

Narcissa avoided Snape and stayed in her room from then on.Snape entered her room many times but she did not talk to him.He tried to explain but she would pretend to be asleep or else just stare into space gormlessly.Draco still had not come out of his room.Snape had tried to get in but the door was sealed with some strong enchantment.Snape was tired of everyone ignoring him so one night he entered Narcissa's room and sat on her bed.
"You can't ignore me forever Narcissa."he said quietly.Narcissa moved a little in her sleep.But she wasn't asleep and they both knew it.
"I cannot help the potion being this complex.I assure I would rather do anything else than this."he continued.
"Really?"she mumbled.Snape smiled slightly.
"Yes."he replied.
"Then why do it?"she asked,still not having the manners to face him or even get out of bed.Snape peered over her.
"For your life is on the line.And I'd dread to be responsible for yet another death."he whispered.Narcissa sat up a little in bed.
"You care for me so much?"Snape nodded not meeting the big blue eyes he adored so.
"Why?"she whispered."Why do you care?"Snape frowned a little.
"You think me so heartless?"he asked her.Narcissa pondered for a minute leaving him in annoyance.
"No."she said finally."But why me?Why not see to Draco?"Snape sighed.
"I cannot see to Draco.He has sealed his door shut with something very powerful and he is too arrogant.You,on the other hand,your very different.I just feel for you."he finished.Narcissa looked at him puzzled.
"I..."but she stopped.He had leant in and kissed her but she didn't stop him.Something flickered inside her chest and she became light-headed.Whether it had been one minut or ten,they finally pulled apart.Narcissa was shocked but it was nothing compared to Draco's fury.

"YOU!"he yelled at both of them.Draco grabbed his wand from his pocket and pointed it straight at Snape who was defenseless.He was thrown off of his feet and hit the wall.
"NOOO!"Narcissa screamed.Draco stepped over the hinge.
"How could you?Did you think nothing of father?How could you,you stupid cow!"Draco spat at his mother.Anger grew inside Narcissa.
"HE'S DEAD!YOUR FATHER'S DEAD!"she bawled back.Draco opened his mouth and then closed it.Narcissa clapped her hand to her mouth as though she had said a disgusting swear word.Draco shook his head.
"Dead?"he murmed.Narcissa nodded and two large tears fell from her eyes.He shook his head again.He turned his back on his mother and left the room.Narcissa climbed off her bed and bent down next to Snape.
"Severus?"she whispered.She grabbed his wrist.A pulse!
"Severus!"she cried.She fumbled in her nightdress for her wand and pointed it at Snape.His eyelids flickered and he opened his eyes.
"What.."Narcissa stopped him and flung her arms around him.
"Oh Severus!"she whispered.She tightened her hug on him.Snape was confused but let Narcissa squeeze him until he could hardly breathe.

Ignore this bit!Read on!

Chapter 8
And now it's different.

The following evening the potion had to brewed.It had been delayed for so long and Snape and Narcissa knew that if they withheld it any longer,there would be trouble.So they decided that it had to brewed.The only thing different about making the potion this time was that both of them felt nervous and embarrassed.On the contray,neither of them minded one bit,but still they did not want each other knowing that.So when nine o'clock came,Snape summouned over the large cauldron and all the ingrediants.The ingrediants all began to chop,cut or crush themselves until they were ready for the cauldron.The cauldron now was half full.
"You know,Severus."Narcissa started."You have not told me what happens when all the potion is made."Snape lowered his brow and opened his mouth to speak.
"Yes,yes."she nodded."I know about that part."she mumbled."But I mean what happens to the potion and what happens to..us."Snape did not speak for a moment.
"Well,this potion is complex.It needs to be complete before the next full moon.All of the potion needs to be consumed.When that is done the drinkers,that is to say you and I,must wait until midnight.Then..well you know the rest."he added in a mumble.Narcissa gave a nervous sort of smile.
"Good."she laughed lightly."Nice and..simple."
"I have been meaning to ask you,what Draco..saw,it was a mis.."Snape stopped.
"No.It's okay.Whatever it was it's gone.Don't worry about it."Narcissa interupted him but gave a smile.Snape smiled back puzzled slightly.The cauldron bubbled slightly.
"It's has a horrid colour."Narcissa said peering over the cauldron and looking into the contense of the potion.It was a dark green and bits of frogs legs and bats wool floated on the surface of the potion.Narcissa shuddered.Snape too peered into the cauldron.
"I have seen worse."he mumbled."But I must say,it is coming along well.I did not expect it to be this simple."Snape slouched back into his armchair.He was so very tired.He had not slept for a while and when he did it was only to have disturbing dreams of Dumbledore shouting at him or falsely begging him to spare his life.This made him very sick to the stomach.
Narcissa pointed her wand at the grate and a blazing fire irrupted into the grate.She sighed.All of the ingrediants stopped chopping,cutting and crushing themselves.The cauldron bubbled and then stopped.They both stared at it,mild fear in their eyes.Snape gulped.
"Should we do it then?"Narcissa asked in a whisper.Snape nodded.He took his wand from his pocket ad two smalls glasses emerged from thin air.One floated over to Narcissa,who took it and dipped it into the cauldron.She drank it.Snape did the same.And then they kissed.It was sensational.Both of them felt something and neither of them wanted to stop.

So here I will leave the two,alone.But not for long.

Chapter 9
The Lord Returns.

The next evening the potion was brewed as normal.Snape and Narcissa chatted quite merrily to one another,occasionally stopping to check the potion.But a knock on the door changed everything.
Snape got up and went to answer the door.And then he wished he hadn't.On the otherside of the door stood Lord Voldemort.Snape stood back.
"Severus."he said politely.He passed him through into the room.He glanced towards the cauldron.
"I see my plan is working well.I thought you might have caved into the foolish emotion of love."Voldemort said.Narcissa looked shifty."Then again,I could be correct."He peered into the cauldron and examined the green liquid within it.
"Coming along well."he murmed.Snape closed the door with a bang.
"What is that you want exactly,my Lord?"he asked curiously.Voldemort turned to face him.He gave a smile.
"Draco."he said simply.Narcissa got up off of the settee.She turned very white.
"No."she said shakingly."Please,master,he is unwell."
"And what exactly is wrong with him Narcissa?"Voldemort asked her.She opened her mouth and closed it again.
"He is in grief."replied Snape for her."He does not wish to speak to anyone.Draco has not yet come to terms with his father's death."Voldemort smiled.
"Then what I have for him will no doubt bring him out of his misery."Voldemort laughed.And then he stopped.His look was icy.He turned on Narcissa.
"Where is the boy?"he shot at her.Narcissa shook her head.Her eyes were watery.
"No!Please!He is my son!My only son!"she begged.A tear fell from her eye.Voldemort sighed.
"I shall ask you once more Narcissa."he said in an annoyed tone."Where is Draco?"Narcissa shook her head.
"No,please!"she gasped.Voldemort gritted his teeth.
"For all I have done for your family.Helped you.Hidden you and yet you won't let me talk to your son."he said menacingly.Narcissa was positively trembling.Snape's face was livid.What pleasure did he get from mocking people?How can I ask myself that? he thought.What about all the years I mocked Potter?Snape shuddered.He tried not to think about Potter.Too many bad memories.
"Are you denying me access to your son?"Voldemort asked her softly.Narcissa did not reply.Voldemort sighed.
"Very well."He fumbled into his robe pocket and pulled out his wand.He pointed straight at Narcissa.
"NO!"Snape shouted.He jumped in front of Narcissa who was now as white as a ghost.Her eyes were wide in alarm.
"DON'T TOUCH HER!"he yelled at him.Voldemort chuckled.He lowered his wand.
"I see you feel for her Severus.Perhaps you love her?"he taunted.
"Yes so what if I do?."Snape cried.Voldemort smiled.He pointed his wand at Snape instead.He looked at it,his face full of shock.
"Cruico"he screamed.Snape was thrown onto the floor and he started to twitch and jilt in pain.
"NOOO!!"yelled Narcissa."STOP IT!STOP IT!"Snape screwed his face up in pain and began to scream in agony.Voldemort laughed at the scene before him.
"The boy Narcissa."he called over Snape's screams."Give me the boy and no one need get her.Well except for Severus here."He smiled.Narcissa looked at him for a full minute.
"YES!ALRIGHT!TAKE HIM!HE'S UPSTAIRS!"she cried and began to sob.Voldemort smiled and took his wand off Snape.He stopped screaming and twitching on the floor but shook all the same.Voldemort then pointed his wand at a bookcase and it blew apart,leaving a way to a small staircase that led upstairs.He ran up the stairs and out of sight.Narcissa huddled down beside Snape.
"Are you okay?"she whispered.He nodded.He hiccuped slightly and still shook.Voldemort came back through the hole with Draco clamped into his fingers.
"Say goodbye to your mother Draco."he snarled at him.Draco looked at his mother and Snape on the floor.
"Wha.."he started but did not finish.The two of them disappeared into thin air leaving Snape and Narcissa on the floor.

Chapter 10
Part 1
Questions and Answers

Since Draco had been taken away,Narcissa was hopeless.She refused all meals Snape offered her and did not even think for the potion.She did not know where her son was and how she feared for him.Snape had tried his best to comfort her.But in the end he had just got mad at her and this,obviously did not help.So in that house on Spinners End nothing happend.That was until Narcissa had a threatful dream that awoke her to reality.

It was cold.She was by herself in a small room with a stone floor.A great wooden door stood opposite her and for some reason she could not take her eyes off of it.It was though she was expecting someone to walk through it at any moment.And then someone did.Voldemort stood and his voice rung around the room.He did not seem to notice Narcissa.
"I see you feel for her,Severus.Perhaps you love her?"And then another voice echoed through out the room.
"Yeah so what if I do?"Snape's voice echoed.Then Voldemort smiled and disappeared.
Narcissa awoke in a cold sweat.The dream kept repeating in her head as though it was something she had to know.Something telling her it was important.And then it struck her like a blow to the head.He said he loved me?He loves me? Panting,she got out of bed and clambered over to her door.She ran down the stairs and opened the living room door to find it occupied.Snape sat,glass in hand,reading a thick leather book.He looked up as she entered the room.
"What are you doing up?"he asked her.The last time he had spoken to her she had bitten his head off.
"Couldn't sleep."she mumbled sitting down next to him on the settee.He ignored her and went back to his book.Narcissa stared at him as though he was a fascinating creature.Five minutes later.
"What are you staring at?"he asked vicously.He disliked being looked at as though he was an animal in a zoo.
"I've been thinking."she started."About what you said the other day."Snape put his book down.
"What did I say the other day to make you be so awed by me?"he asked still in his sharp manor.Narcissa gave him a hard look.
"Well if your going to be like!"she said startled.Snape sighed.
"What did I say the other day?"he said,still in a bored tone.Narcissa bit her lip.
"Well...it was when..when the Dark Lord...before he.."she muttered.Snape rose his hand.
"Are you asking me what I said on my feelings for you when The Dark Lord asked me on my feelings for you?"he asked in a rush.She nodded,a bit confused.
"I told him the truth."he said simply."I said I loved you."
"I thought you did."she mumbled.
"Pointless as it was as I do not expect you to say it back.Absolutely pointless."he seemed to be talking to himself by this stage.Narcissa had wondered off to the moment in her bedroom when he had kissed her.She thought What would have happened if Draco had not seen us?
"Severus!"she shouted.
"What?"he asked once more.He had stopped mumbling to himself.
"You love me right?"she asked,glee in her eyes.He nodded,a confused expression on his face.
"Then it's simple!This potion will be a piece of cake."she smiled.Snape opened and closed his mouth.
"But...Narcissa..you are mistaken!The only way this could be simple is if we were spouses,which we are not!"he said firmly.She sighed.
"No.Love does not mean you have to be married or have children.It means you have to care for one another.And you do...and so do I."she said quietly.Snape shook his head.
"You are mistaken.You feel nothing for me!You are brainwashing yourself into thinking this is easy.It is not as easy to say I love you."Snape cried.She laughed.
"Oh,Severus!Im brainwashing myself?Your trying to convince yourself I do not love you which is a lie.I know saying I love you is not easy but if you do love someone it is .Severus,I love you."Narcissa said.Snape looked shellshocked.He shook his head.
"No.No"he said quietly.
"Kiss me."Narcissa whispered."You know you can."He stared at her for a minute.And then he leant in closer to her.Their lips touched and once again Snape was mistaken.Love is there if you can feel it.

Chapter 10
Part 2

They broke apart.
"You see."Narcissa whispered.She couldn't help but smile.Snape's face remained expressionless.And then he spoke.
"Would this be the wrong time to brew the potion?"he asked,boredom still etched in his voice.She looked at him and shook her head.
"I suppose..."
"Excellent."he interrupted her,clambering up off of the settee.He took his wand from inside his pocket and pointed it sharply at the corner.The cauldron whizzed out of the cabinet with many small bottles tailing behind it.They all landed with a thud onto the small wooden table that lay between the armchair and the settee.Snape took his place in the armchair,avoiding eye contact with Narcissa.He pointed his wand lazily at the small bottles and the ingerediants started to disembowl themselves into fine powders or accurate-length sticks.Narcissa was confused by this hard silence that had come over him.
"What is wr..."
"The potion."Snape interupted once more."Is becoming still more complex.Within the next full moon all of it must be drunk.The heir will need to be on it's way by midnight.The heir shalt then be born under a small matter of months.Seven,the most magical number.Then the two drinkers,that is to say you and I,will have to present the boy to his master where the worry is out of my hands.Do have to explain anymore?"he asked.His voice was that as though he was giving a rather dull speech to an office of business men.
"No.I..what is wron.."
"Excellent,then we need not talk further."he said finally.He pointed his wand at the settee and his book zoomed back to him.Narcissa pondered in thought. What is wrong with him?Why so icy? Meanwhile,Snape was not fully concentrating on his book.His head was buzzing.Lily kept swimming into view and she would scream as a mass of green light shot towards her.His heart dropped.Then Narcissa came to mind and she was large,pregnant perhaps.But she would not look at him.He heard her muttering things like 'Tricked me.'and 'Should be ashamed.'
"Severus?"someone called.Snape jilted awake.It was a dream.He had fallen asleep.
"Severus."Narcissa said."What is wrong?"Snape sat up a little and stared at her a moment.
"Huh?Nothing,nothing."he mumbled.He felt very embarrassed.
"Look Severus,if you have felt nothing when we kiss,why lie and say you have?"she asked him.Her eyes were quite watery.Oh for God's sake don't cry again! he thought annoyed.Then he sighed.
"Narcissa,I am not sure how I feel for you.I mean,Lucius{He had done it.She began to cry.He sighed again.}Lucius died quite recently.You are still not out of grief and you should be worrying more about your son than having a love interest.I,meanwhile can never love again."he added quietly.
"Your right."Narcissa whispered as another tear fell from her great blue eyes.She shook her head."I should have more concern for Draco,not you.I need to be protecting him.I need to find him."
"I am concerned for his safety,probablly not as much as you,but all the same.I am quite certain when I say that I do not think the Dark Lord will give him any harm at the present time.Then again,he gives heavily prices to those who betray his trust."he said firmly.Narcissa nodded.She got up off of the settee.
"Where are you going?"he asked her.She wiped the last tear from her eye.
"Bed."she replied.And with that she made her way back upstairs.Snape looked at the cauldron and sighed once more.He flicked his wand at the cauldron and it disappeared.

Chapter 11
Pain

Both Snape and Narcissa were ignoring what they had discussed that previous evening and even though they were still angry at each other,the potion had to be brewed.The full moon was approaching and soon the potion must be consumed.So once again,the potion was brewed and the silence between the two was icy.It was only when a certain Lord appeared did they sort out their act.
Someone banged on the door.Snape got up out of his seat and went to answer the door.He opened it to find his lord,Voldemort stood there awaiting his company.
"Severus."he smiled stepping past him into the living room.He spotted the cauldron.
"I see now my task is being taken seriously.This is wise."he said softly.Narcissa leapt off the settee.
"Where's my son?"she said her voice shaking with anger."WHERE'S DRACO?"she shouted at him.Voldemort laughed in her face.Narcissa fumbled into her robes and took out her wand.Snape stepped in front of her.
"Don't be foolish,Narcissa."he said quietly.She stared at him,panting slightly.Rage had taken over every part of her body.Snape took her hand.She seemed to cool.But then realised what he was doing and flung her hand away from his at once.Voldemort smiled once again.
"That's right Narcissa.Listen to Severus.He is so much smarter than you are."he smirked."But do not worry.No harm will come to him.Yet I am afraid you will not be able to see him until I have my son at my feet."he said softly.Narcissa squirmed in discomfort.
"What is it you want,my Lord?"Snape asked trying to keep politeness in his voice.Voldemort began to walk around the room.
"As you know,soon my heir will have to be on it's way.At the next full moon,I expect the deed to be done.Immediantly,I want him at my feet.I will take him and he will be fed an ageing potion so he will transform into a young man."he said stopping at the cauldron.He took a small black bottle out of his robes and poured the green liquid within it into the cauldron.The cauldron hissed viciously and began to bubble.
"My Lord,what is that?"Snape asked.He stepped cautiously nearer to his master.Voldemort straightened up and faced him.
"Something that will move the potion along a little."he smiled.And with that he turned into thin air.Snape stared at the cauldron.
"Fine."he murmed.He sat back in his old armchair and began to mutter something.A spoon appeared out of thin air and flung itself into the cauldron.It began to torn.The potion began to bubble and after a full and a half turn,simmered.Narcissa looked at Snape in shock.
"Your actually going to drink that?"she asked him.
"Correction.We are going to drink this."he said smoothly.Narcissa gasped.
"But it could kill us!"she spluttered.
"I doubt it."Snape said lazily.Two glasses appeared out of thin air and dipped themselves into the cauldron.They floated back up to the surface,full to the brim with green liquid.One of them swam over to Narcissa who stared at it for a minute.Then she took it.They both drank from the glasses.Narcissa dropped her glass and fell to the ground.Snape leapt up and knealt beside her.She began to scream.Pain beyond pain was shooting through her stomach.She flung her arms around her stomach.
"No!"Snape gasped.He threw her arms away and shoved his hand inside his robes and took out a wand.He pointed it at her stomach and blue sparks shot at her.Narcissa felt coolness melt into her body but then it burnt away and the pain was back.She began to scream even louder.Snape shoved a hand to her mouth.She stopped screaming.
"Narcissa,please listen to me.It's the potion.The potion is causing the child to grow inside of you.When you feel pain,he feels pain and that makes your agony even worse.What he put in the cauldron was acromantula venom.If you do not take the potion everytime you are in agony in such as this,you will die.There is only one solution..it..it is that..the heir must be on it's way within 48 hours.Im sorry."he said getting quieter towards the end.Narcissa's eyes began to get glazed.She shook slightly.He took his hand away from her mouth.Narcissa tried to sit up but slouched back down again.The pain was going to start again.But Snape lifted her up and kissed her to stop the pain.She seemed to melt as he held her and she felt nothing at all except relaxation.And he too,though tired and depressed,felt relaxed for the first time in a very long time.What would happen tomorrow would just have to wait for tomorrow.

Chapter 12
Options

Narcissa was exhausted,yet when she went to bed that night,she could not sleep.She was in such a difficult position,have a child she did not want or die.Narcissa knew what she would have done if Draco had never been born.But some how she was still considering the option.Snape,did not sleep either,his mind buzzing with thoughts.Maybe he was being ruthless.Maybe he should tell the Dark Lord to stuff his task,but he knew how much trouble that would cause for Draco and Narcissa and that was the last thing he wanted to do.So he felt,whatever Narcissa wanted to do,he would support her theorie full heartedly.But still the thought of her dead body made him shudder.She was one of those kind women that people are usually lucky to come across once in a lifetime,yet he had some how had come across two and had the luck he could have only dreamt of.
The following evening came with no delays.Both Narcissa and Snape had not eaten or barely talked to each other.They just didn't know what to say.So just before eleven o'clock,the cauldron was brought out once more and placed onto the small wooden table.Snape walked ovet to the cauldron and held his wand in the liquid.He took his wand back up from the cauldron and a long stem of bright green potion had attached itself to the bottom of it.He shook the stem of potion off into a small red bottle he had ready.Narcissa watched him.
"Was that the venom?"she asked quietly.Snape looked at her and nodded.
"The potion still has to be drunk."he replied just as quiet as her.She strode over to the settee and sat down.
"I've made my choice."she said quieter.Snape remained standing but stared at her in close concentration as though her words were the only thing that kept him breatheing.She looked up at him,her eyes full of tears.
"I don't want to die!"she whispered.Snape came and sat down beside her.
"You don't have to."he whispered.
"I cannot leave Draco!I cannot create more pain for him.He is so young,he does not understand."she exclaimed,tears falling from her eyes.Snape took her hand.
"He will learn."he comforted.Narcissa gave a watery smile.
"As long as you are here,he will be safe."she said softly.She grasped his hand tighly.Snape frowned slightly.
"You are not going to get hurt,Narcissa,nor are you going to die."he said quite sharply.She opened her mouth with shock.
"I..I will not live forever!I will not always be here for Draco!If now I have to go.."she gulped.Snape got up off the settee.
"You mean..you would rather die than..."he said heatdly,trying to keep anger out of his voice.Narcissa looked at him in fear.
"No!I mean..well..tonight!"she ended up shouting."Tonight!It has to be done tonight!And you just act as though it's a walk in the park!"That was it.He bubbled with anger.
"Look Narcissa,I just want to keep you safe.I reassure you I did not beg for the job and if I had my way I certainly wouldn't of picked you to be the mother!"he said firmly,still trying to keep his cool.
"Rubbish!"she shouted at him."You're just being selfish!I think I know you well enough to tell that if it were up to you then I would of been first on the list!"Snape looked at her in confussion.He let go of her hand.
"What?That makes no sense!Look,I am not protecting my own neck and I would rather die than give off anymore agoniseing pain,but Im sorry.I was chosen.I should of argued.I should!But if I had,it would not of only been me that payed."he shouted back at her.But Narcissa's expression softened.
"You were trying to protect me?"she murmed."Why?"He rubbed his forehead as though his brain hurt.
"Don't ask questions!"he snapped.She stared at him in awe.
"Why?"she asked again quietly.He refused to meet her big blue eyes.
"I don't know!I don't know."he said loudly."It's just that,I am..."he thought for a moment and then just said it."weak."Narcissa took his hand again.
"You are not weak."she whispered.He looked her into those blue eyes.He couldn't speak.And then the three words came from no where.
"I love you."he spoke.Narcissa began to cry again,but this time tears of happiness flooded from her eyes.
"I love you too."she whispered.Their lips were to meet once more,when something snapped inside of him.He leapt up.
"The potion!"he exclaimed.He looked up at the clock.Quarter to midnight.He flicked his wand at nothingness and two glasses appeared out of thin air.They were both dipped into the cauldron and he handed one to Narcissa,who shot it back.He,however,took his time.She waited until he had finished and then got up off of the settee.Narcissa made her way up to her bedroom.Snape put his glass down onto the table and followed after her.:blush:

Chapter 13
Escape.

The following morning,neither Snape or Narcissa acted strangely as they usually did the morning after the night before.She took to cleaning again whilst he read through old text books.It was not until that evening did anything strange happen.
Something slumped against the door.Snape and Narcissa looked at each other and then he got up and opened the door.There on the doorstep,pale as a aghost,ripped robes,bruised face;
"Draco!"Snape exclaimed.Narcissa put down her cloth and ran to her son's aid.
"Water."he croaked.Snape leapt back into the living room and pointed his wand at a goblet that immediantly filled with water.
"Draco,are you alright?What happened?"Narcissa asked him.Draco shook his head and took the goblet from Snape.He drank athe water down as though he was a child dying of thirst.The wind whistled in the night and a breeze flew past Draco,who shivered.
"Let's get you inside before you catch your death."Narcissa said,taking Draco's right arm and hoisted it over her shoulder.Snape did the same except with his left.They placed him onto the settee and Narcissa sat down beside him.Draco shook the glass.
"More."he groaned.She took the goblet from him and refilled.
"He did this,didn't he?"Snape said quietly.Draco ignored him and took the goblet from his mother.She sat back down beside him and began stitching his robes with her wand.Narcissa took his arm and found a large scar were his dark mark should have been.It still oozed with puss and blood.Narcissa let out a small scream of horror.Draco jerked his arm away from her.It was very painful.Snape gave him a funny look and took his arm in his hand.He ran his finger along the scar.Draco yelped with pain.
"Severus,your hurting him!"Narcissa cried.Snape looked at her for a moment and then let go of Draco's arm.He sat back down.
"Why did he do this to you Draco?"Draco ignored him,but it was hard.He hate him.He hated him so much.But he felt he could not control his rage any longer.
"You!"he snarled."YOU!Hate you,I hate you!"Draco panted heavily and took another gulp from the goblet.
"Draco,please!Calm down you'll make yourself worse!"Narcissa begged.Draco looked at her and then turned back to Snape.
"Listen to your mother,Draco."he said quietly.Draco took the goblet from his lips and threw it at Snape,who stepped to the right in no hurry.
"Did he say you were foolish?Did he tell you that your only a child?"Snape taunted.Draco shot him daggers.He smiled.
"You have every right to throw goblets at me,hate me or even kill me."he said softly."But at the end of the day we both know that you don't have the guts."Snape smirked.Draco leapt up from the settee,feeling much stronger than before,but his mother pushed him back ontot he settee.
"You'll only hurt yourself!"she sobbed.Snape laughed at him.
"See?You are no man."he grinned.Draco shook with anger.
"Kill you."he panted."I'll kill you."Narcissa looked at him in complete shock.Snape strode over to where he sat and leant in closer to him.
"Go ahead."he whispered."Try it."Draco shot his fist up to Snape's face but he was too fat and charmed his fingers still.He straightened up and headed to the door that led to the stairway.
"Im going to bed."he said merrily."Sweet dreams."He flung the door open and Narcissa and Draco heard him clambering up the stairs,laughing as he went.

Chapter 14
Smack!
I said I wouldn't write but I am bored!It only be short though.Kinda want to build up tention.Enjoy!

The next morning came and Narcissa had woken Draco with a hot cup of tea.She had searched through all of Snape's antidotes until she found a foul smelling,green ointment which she bathed on his wounds.When Snape awoke it was to find the smell of bacon wafting through his open door from the kitchen.As he entered the kitchen it was to find Narcissa fumbling about with her wand,levitating a frying pan.As she cooked the bacon it hissed and spat at her.Snape sat at the table,opposite Draco,who gave him a hard and stony look.This made him smile.
"Morning Narcissa."he said,staring back at Draco,delving deep into his grey eyes.Narcissa turned to him and gave a small smile.She tried to ignore the fact he and her son were in deep haterd of each other.She placed a plate in front of each of them and brought over two mugs of tea.She then resumed to making a cup of tea for herself.Snape began to cut intot he bacon as though it had wronged him in some way.Draco,however picked at his food,still keeping his eyes on Snape and his knife.
"How's the Dark Lord lately,Draco?"Snape asked quietly,a cruel smile playing on his lips.Narcissa stopped messing with the kettle.Draco slammed his knife and fork down and marched out of the room,knocking into Snape as he went.
"Draco!"Narcissa called after him.She stared at Snape.He smiled.
"I never knew you could cook Narcissa."he said merrily.She sat in Draco's seat.
"What is the matter with you?Why are you being so hard on Draco?"she asked with the deepest of concerns.
"There is nothing wrong with me,it's him that's got the attitude problem.Beside,it's his own fault if he can't take it."Snape said stabbing at his sausage.Narcissa took the plate from him in fury,and smashed it on the floor.
"What has he done wrong?Why should he feel the urge to kill you?"she shouted at him leaping up from her seat.
"Temper,temper Narcissa."Snape said quietly.Her anger bubbled inside her.
"WHY?"she flew at him."Why do you anger him so?"Snape looked up at her.
"I don't Narcissa."he said sharpish."Perhaps the Dark Lord let slip that you'd be having my child in a few months time?Or perhaps he still has not got over what he saw between us?Maybe,or just maybe,he thinks that I can replace Lucuis!"
"YOU WILL NEVER REPLACE MY HUSBAND!"she yelled at him.Narcissa flew at him again and slapped him around the face.In his vile anger,he hit her back.She stumbled and fell onto the floor.A large bruise had appeared under her right eye.Snape stared at her in shock.What have I done? He stared down at his own hands as though he had no control over them.Narcissa began to sob and shake.She crawled into the corner and hid her face in her hands.He knelt down beside her,but she quivered and moved away.He was gobsmacked.
"Narcissa,I am so sorry."he said quietly to her,but she wasn't listening.She was afraid.

Chapter 15
Continued

Narcissa decided she was acting stupid and dragged herself out of the corner and into the living room.She wiped her tears away with the sleeve of her robe on the way out.As she did this,she accidently touched her bruised eye and gave a small yelp of pain.In the living room,she walked over to a shelf near the door to the staircase and began searching for the ointment she had used the previous night on Draco's wounds.Snape entered in after her,his face panic stricken.
"Narcissa,I didn't mean it,Im sorry!"he pleaded at her.She said nothing and began moving bottles with such a force that they fell off the shelf and smashed.
"It's fine."she muttered,not looking at him.She had just seen the small green bottle and stretched out to grab it.
"No,it's not fine!I shouldn't of done it!Im sorry."he apologised.
"Leave me alone."she mumbled opening the door to the staircase.He grabbed her arm.
"Narcissa,please!"he said.All he wanted was her forgiveness.Never had he hit a woman.Narcissa struggled to free herself from his grip and dropped the bottle.It fell onto the floor and smashed.Fury built up inside her.She still could not free herself from his grip.Then she managed to and ripped the sleeve of her robe.
"Im sorry!"Snape gasped.Narcissa met his eyes and could no longer contain her anger.
"I SAID LEAVE ME ALONE!"she yelled at him and ran through to the stairs,slamming the door behind her.Snape stared at where she had disappeared for a moment and then to the floor where all the bottles lay broken,potions leaking out of them.He bit his lip for a moment and then walked over to his bookcase.He bent down to the lowest shelf and threw all of the books off of it.And there at the back of the shelf sat a dusty.Snape reached out and grabbed.He cleared all the dust away to reveal a golden honey liquid inside the bottle.He uncorked it and took a long swing of it.Snape stumbled a bit as he attempted to put the bottle back.He shoved the books back in messily.And since there was nothing else to do,he went to bed.

Snape,Narcissa and Draco all slept through the day.They were all tired and did not want to do anything at all.Narcissa and Draco slept fine,it was only Snape that seemed to be the one having nightmares.

He was a small boy,who cowered in the corner.He was angry at her again.He hated it when he got angry at her.What had she done?A tall man,with sallow skin and a hooked nose towered over a shaking woman with dark hair.He shouted at her.
"Useless freak!Waste of space!"She did nothing to defend herself,and that's why I hate her he thought.I hate them both.But then his father got violent and hit his mother with such a force that she was knocked off her feet and banged her head against the wall.Blood dripped from underneath her hair.He laughed at her,a laughter that rung in Snape's ears and caused him to awake in a cold sweat.Im not like that. he thought.I would never do that!But a sickening feeling came to him.He had already done that.Snape dragged himself out of bed and picked his wand up off his bedside table.He opened his door and made his way downstairs.The door was already open and he had no memory of ever closing it.He tiptoed over to his bookcase.
"Lumos!"he muttered bending down to the lowest shelf and clearing all the books out of his way.And there it sat again.The bottle,half empty of the golden honey liquid within it.He smiled to himself and took it from the bookcase.Snape stood up and made his way for the armchair.He sank back and uncorked the bottle,putting his lips to the rim.
"Tut,tut."someone spoke into the darkness.Snape shone his wand over to the settee and found Draco sat there,fully clothed.
"What are you doing up?"he asked suspiciously.He glared at him,but Draco smiled.
"I could ask you the same question,but I won't."he replied.He got up off the settee and took his wand from inside his pocket.He pointed it at the empty grate and a fire erupted within it.Draco seemed to stare into for a moment before speaking.
"My mother has a bruise underneath her right eye."he said quietly.Snape gulped and said nothing.Draco continued.
"Must have been powerful force for a bruise that big,musn't it?"
"I.."
"So I warn you."his voice getting lower and much more fierce."If you lay another finger on my mother,I will make sure I take all of the credit for your murder."Draco turned towards him.His eyes were full of hunger.Snape stared at him,mouth open.
"She was angry with you this morning and minutes after quarelling with you,a large bruise appeared under her eye.Obviously,I put two and two together and got you.Touch my mother again then you will suffer a very painful death."
"Look,Draco.."
"I don't even wanna hear it.Just leave my mother alone."and with that Draco left the room.He was not afraid of Draco,but when he ahd spoke of killing him it was with a loving caress in his voice.Snape flung the bottle back and drained it.He shuddered.Maybe he was more like his father then he thought.He shuddered again at the thought.Never! he thought. Never would I stoop that low.

Chapter 16
Problem

After finishing the whole bottle of mead,Snape staggered into bed and fell straight asleep.
His father stood shouting at his mother once more.'Pathetic!'he called her.How he hated him.Yet his mother used no magic to stop him.She cowered over Tobias,the man she thought loved her,understood her.But there he stood.Bottle in one and hand and his other a fist ready to strike like a deadly snake at his weak wife.Alcohol could be so misleading.Never! Snape mumbled in his sleep.Never will I touch the drink!But he had already broken the promise he had made to himself when he was a small child.
The next morning came and he awoke.His eyelids flickered and it was a moment or two until he realised he was not alone.
"Severus."a warm,gentle voice spoke to him.He rubbed his eyes and sat up.Narcissa sat on the end of his bed,her eye still as bruised from yesterday.
"Narcissa!What..."But she ushered him to be quiet.
"No.Let me talk."she said."I know you wouldn't of meant to hurt me,but you did."
"I..."
"And I know I was wrong to hit you and shout at you,but you still hurt me."
"Narcissa,I know but.."
"But all I want to say is,you apologised.And I except your apology.You were angry and I just made you worse,so Im sorry too."she said finally.Snape stared at her a moment.Half of him expected her to start crying and the other half expected her to start shouting at him again.But she did neither.She smiled at him.He tried to smile back but his brain seemed to be fixed on he hitting Narcissa and his father hitting his mother.
"I shouldn't of done it."he mumbled."It just shows how much Im like..."but he stopped.No one knew of his violent child hood except from himslef and Dumbledore,and since he was dead,he could hardly break that secret.Narcissa realised that he had stopped himself from saying something,but did not pester or encourage him to say anymore.She climbed off his bed and made her way to the door.Her hand was on the handle when a pain shot through her stomach and she screamed.Narcissa fell onto the floor.Snape leapt out of bed and kneeled down beside her.
"What is it?What's happened?"he asked her anxiously.She sat herself up a little.The pain had gone as soon as it had came.
"Nothing,it was just..."she screamed again.The pain soared through her stomach once more and then disappeared.
"Narcissa,what's happening?"he asked her again.The last time she had screamed like that she had been in a life or death situation.
"My stomach,pain keeps.."she screamed once more.He clasped a hand to her mouth.He had only just thought,Draco would awaken with all the noise and the last thing he wanted was for him to catch his mother in the room where his foe slept.
"Is it the heir?"he asked her quietly."It could be.Narcissa,take a bottle of Wigenweld potion from my shelf downstairs.It will ease the pain,and don't let Draco catch you leaving my room!"he whispered after her as she got up and opened the door.She tiptoed into the living room and took a small blue bottle from the shelf.Narcissa uncorked and tipped the contense down her throat.Her stomach seemed to cool and she felt very relaxed.She made her way back to bed,humming as she went.But Snape could no longer sleep.He was happy and worried at the same time.Narcissa had forgiven him and that made him joyful but she had experienced pain,pain that led to the child within her,pain that he had given her.Decideing he was extremely bored,he got dressed and went downstairs.The first thing he saw was the empty bottle on the wooden table.He picked it up and threw it into the dim fire.As it was going to burn out,the little traces of mead that hit the flames roared,as though it was a man eating lion,awaiting it's dinner.

A week passed and Snape was glad by it.A fresh week where he would not hit,shout or be threatened by or at anyone.He still had his concerns for Narcissa and remained true to his word for Draco.He neither so much as looked at her the wrong way around Draco,but when he was not there,it was paradise to be in her presence.She made him smile.But then one morning came when Narcissa had not come out of her room.The door seemed to be sealed shut with something powerful and she refused to come out of her room.Draco thought she was acting childish and left her to come out on her own accord.He had told Snape to leave her alone and he done so,in fear of what Draco might hear if he tried to talk to her.But when Draco had called it a night Snape had snuck near to Narcissa's door and tapped ot with his knuckles.
"Narcissa."he whispered."It's me!"
"Severus.I..I can't come out!"she whispered back,panic in her voice.No doubt Snape's worry grew more.
"Why?What's wrong?Is it...the thing."he added quietly as he was sure that he had heard Draco moving in his room two doors down.
"Oh Severus!You have to help me!"she whispered.Her voice was shaking slightly.
"Narcissa,I can hardly help you if Im on the other side of your door,can I?"he replied annoyingly.He heard her give a small sigh.
"Fine.Stay back."Snape got up off his knees and stood a good 10 feet away from the door.An orange glaze shone through the cracks in the door and it swung open hard,but silent.It was very dark in Narcissa's room and he clambered his way into the room.Something grabbed his arm and shut the door with a small thud.
"Narcissa what..."but he broke off.Many candles floated around the room,lit and he saw what the problem was.Her stomach was nearly twice the size it had been before.
"Ah.We have a problem."he mumbled.She marched over to him.
"A problem?A problem?Well of course we have a problem!How do I hide this great bulk from Draco?"she snapped at him.
"Sssh!Do you want him to hear us?"he whispered fierecly.She rolled her eyes at him.
"There must be something to hide it!"she pestered at him.Snape smiled at her.
"There is.Don't worry.There is!"he clapped his hands together.
"Well?Where is it?What is it?"she added,her mind strayed to animals organs.He saw this in her mind.
"Nothing like that.Just a simple potion."he said."But I don't have any."
"Well make some then!"Narcissa's hormones were rocketing.He looked at her.
"Would you be as kind enough to summon me my cauldron?"he asked haughtily.He was in a playful mood.The idea of repeating something he had already done seemed extremely easy,yet this time he vowed to change a few things.She gave him a filthy look and snatched wand from him.She flicked it upwards and a small cauldron appeared out of thin air.Many minature bottles followed it,landing with a thud on her bed.
"Thank you!"he smiled,taking the cauldron and hanging it in midair.He held his hand ou for his wand and she gave it back to him.He swished it and a fire began to crackle underneath the cauldron.Snape swished his wand again,lazily,and the bottles uncorked themselves of ingrediants.They weighed themselves,chopped themselves and finally threw themselves into the cauldron,each with a hiss or plop.Ten minutes went by,and the ingrediants stopped.The remainder of them disappeared and the fire burned out underneath the cauldron.Snape took a small bottle from the inside of his robes and dipped it into the surface of the potion.He gave it to Narcissa who eyed it carefully.Decideing ot could do her no harm she drank it.
"There.The bump should be gone by tomorrow,and may I suggest now that you sleep."he requested and the cauldron disappeared.Snape left the room and closed the door silently behind him.He made his way downstairs and took a small pink bottle from the shelf in the living room.Dreamless sleep.He needed it.He drained the bottle dry and climbed up the stairs to his own bedroom,ready for his warm and comfy bed.

Chapter 17
Discovery

Two months went by,and Narcissa continued to take the potion to keep her stomach small.Snape,too took his dreamless sleep in doses of two a day and made himself very drowsy.Draco kept his head low but still had his ideas regarding to his mother and Snape.Once or twice he noticed long glances across the table at each other.It was,not until Snape hit the bottle again did anything wrong happen.Unfortunately for him,his stock of dreamless sleep and the potion that kept Narcissa's stomach down had both ran out.Him being too drowsy to do anything and Narcissa not having the slightest clue about how either was made,landed him in big trouble.Hitting the bottle after several disturbing dreams landed him in so much trouble,it was only too suprising that Draco did not stick to his promise.

Everyone awoke one morning and each were in total frustration.Overnight,it seemed,Narcissa's stomach had grown at least the twice as it had been the night before and she was in total panic about what would happen if Draco saw her stomach.Too many hard questions she would have to face.
Snape,however fell out of bed and it took him a moment or two to realise he was no longer in the comfort of his own bed and that his head was positively killing him.He clambered clumsily off the floor and back onto his bed.But it was no use.His headache prevented him from anything as relaxing as sleep.So he got up in grief.
Draco,happily got out of his bed and downstairs and so though nothing could bother him.His plan was working perfectly.He prevented his foe from hurting his mother and his mother,he felt,was afraid of him.The idea seemed propostrious at first but it grew on him,acting like his master he believed.


So that morning only Draco and Snape emerged from their rooms and to the kitchen.Both sat in silence,avoiding eye contact.Harsh as the two months had been,they still hated each other's guts even if they did not respond to each other's haterd.Draco ate and Snape drunk.Desperate as he was,he resorted to muggle drugs,hoping against hope that they might do something to sooth his head.He was severly disappointed at their progress.Draco seemed to realise that Snape was in pain and could not help but smile to himself.Whatever hurt him made him so much happier with his own pathetic life.After a mere ten minutes in this icy silence Snape broke it by saying;
"I think your mother is unwell."He said it quietly and carelessly,trying not to draw suspiscion to his concerns for her.

"I do not doubt that she is unwell,but it would be adviseable to leave her be."Draco replied,a threatening tone ringing in his voice.

"Yes."he replied quietly.Snape still would tend to Narcissa as soon as Draco let him be.He left the table,his head throbing as he went.He took for his own room,where he might as well rest his tenderness.As he entered,he knew that as soon as he slept the nightmares would begin once more.He dreaded them so much.So he stumbled over his bed and took a small cauldron from the side.Many lose ingrediants flew from the depths of the cauldron.Snape caught the ones he needed and threw the rest aside.Accidently,he threw his own snake venom at the wall and large hole formed there.He moaned loudly and someone heard him.
"Severus?"a voice called from the hole.Of course!Narcissa's room!What a fool I have been.he thought to himself.He clambered through the hole and she grabbed his hands to help him through.He banged his hand and gave a cry of agony.
"Im sorry!"she cried.His head banged against another bump and this time Narcissa groaned.
"Sorry.What did I..."but he stopped.Her stomach.It was..huge!She stirred him onto the bed.He was so weak.
"No potion!Look what happens after nearly a month of no potion!"she shouted at him.
"Please Narcissa don't shout!My head is pounding and Draco'll hear."he said calmly.
"Why does your head hurt?"she asked him.Snape sighed.
"I overdosed on dreamless sleep."
"What?That's it?I have been suffering without your potion because you were stupid enough to take too much dreamless sleep?I thought it was something serious!"she cried at him.Snape closed his eyes and layed back on the bed.
"Im sorry.I have failed you."he panted.Narcissa sat down beside him.
"No.Do not worry.Im sure I could make the potion if you just tell me what to do."she said quietly to him.He shook his head.
"Too complex for you."he muttered.
"No!Please!Let me attempt."Narcissa quarled."You rest.You are unwell."But he was not listening.He had fallen asleep.She smiled and crept through the hole to his room.She took to his cauldron and swished her wand at it.Several ingrediants appeared from thin air.Great she thought.All I need to do now is know how to make it.Narcissa tutted.But after two hours she had done it.Narcissa happily drunk it all down.Her bump immediantly disappeared.She peered back through the hole to where Snape slept.He looked so peaceful.She left his room and made her way downstairs.Draco sat in the living room,reading.He did not look up as his mother entered the room.Narcissa went into the kitchen and ate.She was hungry and had not eaten for a good fortnight.Her skin was so pale and her hair limp and dirty.Then she sat down near her son in the living room.
"I thought you were unwell."he told his mother,not looking up from his book.
"I am fine."she replied.
"Liar.You remove yourself to your room for several days and then act as though it was only an hour.Your hiding something."he hissed.She gulped.
"Don't be foolish,Draco."


The day droned on and finally night came.Draco departed for his room,still taking the book with him.Narcissa had completely forgotten about Snape and fell asleep on the settee.

Snape awoke.His head still hurt but not as much so.It was dark.He had no idea where he was and felt cold.He felt his way of the smoothness of the bed and put his feet on the ground.He stumbled to the door and opened it to make his way downstairs.Snape stepped into the room and realised someone was asleep on the settee.He sat down beside them and noticed the familiar blonde hair.
"You'll be safe Narcissa."he whispered to her."And so will anyone else who comes along."Blue eyes flashed into the dark.
"What do you mean?a cold voice asked."Anyone else who comes along?"Snape lit his wand and found that it was not Narcissa who sat there but Draco.He jumped from his seat.
"Draco!I...."
"She's pregnant isn't she?She's having your baby!"he yelled at him.Narcissa came running down from the stairs.
"Draco,what do you shout at?"she asked startled.
"SHUT UP!I WANT ANSWERS!"Draco shouted."How long?Why?When?"Snape gritted his teeth.Suddenly,his head burned again.
"Quit shouting!"he roared."You are doing no good for yourself."Narcissa stepped down from the stairs.
"Draco,please.It is not our fault."she pleaded with him.He turned on her.
"What do you mean?Your not making sense!Just tell me what's happening!"Draco shouted at her.
"Oh come on!You think your mother would want a child after your father died so soon?And with me?Don't be such a fool!"he sneered at him.
"What do you mean?So soon?Where you planning to get pregnant?"Draco bawled flying his arms up in the air.
"In theorie,yes!"Narcissa cried."But not because I wanted to!"
"Did he make you do it?"he asked indicating towards Snape.He groaned.
"No I did not!It was all Voldemort's fault!"the room fell silent.Snape had his mouth wide open.No one could of believed what he had just said.Draco gulped.
"The Dark Lord?"he said quietly,his temper ebbing away."Made you?"Snape nodded.
"Why?"he murmed.Narcissa approached him,feeling it was safe to.
"We have not been honest with you Draco.The Dark Lord wants an heir and since you failed your task,I was punished and so was Severus."she explained calmly.Draco shook his head.
"No."he murmed.Narcissa nodded.He shook his head and shoved past her back up the stairs.She stared at Snape her eyes full of tears.She got closer to him and she threw his arms around him.Lord Voldemort brought pain,as he meant to.

Several miles away,Voldemort sensed pain and another emotion coming from the three death eaters.Maybe it was time he took another visit to Spinners End.

Chapter 18
Greetings from master


The next day was silent.Draco stayed in his bedroom.Snape had heard him sobbing late at night and felt pity for him.This could be no easier from him than me and Narcissa,he thought.Narcissa,it seemed was getting bigger by the day.She had stopped with the potion as there was no point now.Draco knew.Their secret was out.A passion as it may have been between Snape and Narcissa,their love seemed to hide out of view.Both worried for Draco and were more concerned about him than focussing on their own relationship.
Lord Voldemort,meanwhile,broaded in his impatience.He wanted the heir and he wanted it soon.He wanted to make sure all was well.He knew only too well Draco had escaped from his clutches and was determined to scare him,so with that he made his way to Spinners End without invitation.


Voldemort apparated straight into the house,his mood in no politeness.There was no one in the living room to greet him.He flicked his wand at settee and it flew up into the air,landing back down with an almighty crash.Snape came rushing into the room from the kitchen,Narcissa following behind him.
"Master."he murmed.Narcissa bent down her head."Er.Has my settee wronged you my Lord?"
"Quiet!"Voldemort shouted."I am in no mood for your games or pitiful respect.My patience is growing thin.Where is my heir?"Snape took a few steps closer to Voldemort.
"But my Lord,I was under the impression that you knew it would take a fine seven months..."
"And I understand that you were under the impression to be as smart enough to use a simple ageing potion!"he spat,breaking Snape off.Snape withered back.He had not thought of that.He had other things to worry about.Narcissa stepped in before he could speak.
"Forgive him,my Lord.He has been.....foolish lately.Please,Severus would never disobey you."she said,not daring to look Snape in the eye.Voldemort gave a cold,high laugh.
"Never disobey me?You stupid woman!That is why he is in such a state and the current time.He disobeyed me!And you influenced him with your pityful love "Narcissa blushed and took interest in her feet.
"Your sister,on the other hand,is quiet eager to do my biddings.Perhaps,if she were to stay here for a few days you would both come to your old senses?Yes,a brilliant idea.It shall be done."
"But my Lord,Bellatrix,would she not be of more use to you?Besides she does not know of the heir or of me and...."Snape stopped.A lump rose in his throat.It was just not possible to talk to Lord Voldemort,the coldest person he had ever met,about love.
"You are mistaken."Voldemort said softly."Dear Bellatrix knows of my heir and even offered to be the mother if it weren't for the man who would have to father the child."He gave Snape such a cruel smile.Like I'd wanna jump into bed with that miserable battleaxe,he thought to himself.
"And she also knows of your so called love."he finished."She shall come now.Come here Severus."Snape eyed him for a minute and then stepped a few feet closer to Voldemort.Voldemort rolled back his sleeve on his right arm and touched Snape's dark mark.It immediantly turned black.
"But will not all the other Death Eater's come?"Narcissa asked curiously.
"They are busy.They know not to come."he smiled.Snape rolled his sleeve back down and stood beside Narcissa.
Voldemort began to murmur.
"Three..two....one!"
With a small pop,Bellatrix Lestrange disapparated from thin air.She knelt down to Voldemort and kissed the hem of his robes.
"Master,master.You asked for me?"she whispered.
"Bellatrix,it is my wish that yoy stay with your sister and Severus for a few short days.They need straightening out.You may still resume to your normal duties,but this will be your base."he told her.Bellatrix turned around to spare a glance at Snape and Narcissa.He looked as though he would like nothing better to do than throw her from the building whilst Narcissa looked positively shocked.Bellatrix smiled to herself.She turned back to her master.
"As you wished."she said bowing.
"Excellent.I must away but if I were you,I'd check that Draco isn't in incredible pain.Good night!"he said merrily,disapparating.Snape and Narcissa looked at each other,startled expressions on their faces and than ran up the staircase to find the damage that awaited them there.

Chapter 19
Change of mind

They both rushed into Draco's bedroom,Bellatrix strutting behind them,a smirk lined on her face.He was on the floor,his right arm shaking madly.Narcissa threw herself down beside him.
"Draco,where does it hurt?What's the matter?"she asked nervously.Snape kept his attention at Bellatrix for a moment or two and then bent down beside Narcissa.Draco hid his right hand in his left and let out a shriek of agony.Bellatrix leant against the door frame,smiling unpleasantly onto the scene before her.Narcissa took Draco's hand away from his other and examined his finger tips.They were red hot and frail.She let out a small gasp.Snape rolled Draco's sleeve backwards slowly and stared at his arm.It had turned black.The colour drained from Snape's face.The black spread from Draco's elbow to his finger tips.He let out another yelp and shook even more violently.
"Severus.what's happening?What's wrong with his arm?"Narcissa asked Snape,losing grip on her voice.Snape held Draco's hand in his own and watched,awe struck,as his fingertips crumbled as the blackness grew towards them.
"Quick!Narcissa,essence of murtlap!"he shouted at her.She staggered upwards.
"Where is it?"she asked once more,panick in her voice.Snape thought for one moment.******!He didn't have any.
"Hem,hem."Bellatrix coughed loudly.They both turned towards her.She pulled a small bottle out of her robes and dangled it in midair.Narcissa made a snatch for it but Bellatrix was too quick and held the bottle back.
"Nope!Only darling Severus can have this bottle."she mocked in a baby voice.Snape stood up and looked into those haunting cold eyes,so different from her sister's.
"And what is it I have to do,Bellatrix?"he asked,trying to keep the rudeness out of his voice,but it was hard.If Draco didn't get that potion soon his blood vesels would probablly clog.
"I want an apology.I want to you to say,Im sorry that I took the Dark Lord for granted and that,you,Bellatrix Lestrange will always be the Dark Lord's favourite,and that I am a worm."she smiled.
"Oh come on.How immature you are Bellatrix.And to think the Dark Lord trusts you."Snape smirked.Bellatrix put her hands over her ears.
"Just say it!"she shouted.
"Touchy touchy!"
"Please,Severus.Just say it."Narcissa spoke softly.He looked at her and sighed.
"Im sorry that I took the Dark Lord for granted and that,you,Bellatrix Lestrange will always be the Dark Lord's favourite,and that I am a...worm."Snape said in a very bored tone.Bellatrix threw the bottle at him and he caught just by his own fingertips.He removed the cork and knelt down beside Draco,dapping the potion onto his hand.Draco's fingertips smoked and the blackness melted away.He let out a soft moan of relief.
"Oh Draco!"Narcissa whispered.Her son had suffered so much and deep down she took full responsibility for all his pain.
"He is put a weak boy,Narcissa.I see no reason why he should stay here."Narcissa ignored her sister.She pressed her lips to Draco's left hand,as not to hurt his right hand.
"Severus,if you were a gentleman you would have shown me to my room by now."Bellatrix said.Snape gave a cold look.
"I believe there is a small cupboard downstairs you might find suitable."he said icly.She gave out a laugh.
"Oh come now,I wish to be near my sister.I think,just in between your room and her's shall be fine."Bellatrix flattered herself,turning toe out of the room.Snape gritted his teeth.Loathsome woman,he thought.Narcissa still cooed over Draco as though he were a small child who had a tumble.He had already fallen asleep.
"Narcissa leave him to rest."he requested.She got up and turned for the door but changed her mind and turned towards him instead.
"Thank you,Severus.You have once again saved my son and took the insults of my sister.You must have highly respected Lucius."she smiled.What?,Snape thought.Narcissa turned to leave but Snape grabbed her arm.
"Lucius?Narcissa,this is for you!I thought there was still something there.What is with the change of heart?"he asked her confused.
"It's just that,when you help Draco,it's like that you are just a devoted friend."she sighed.He shook his head.
"No,no!Listen to me,everything I do,it is for you!Your probablly the reason I didn't kill myself after becoming a murderer.If it had been anyone else,I would have refused point blank."he told her.
"But why then do you hate my son and sister?"Narcissa asked him mopely.Snape laughed.
"Narcissa,I will never like your sister and that you will have to except.But Draco,he feels I am trying to replace Lucius,and some how so do I even though I do not want to!"he finished hurridly.
"I know.It's just that what we had..."
"What we have!"Snape interupted her.
"Well,yes.It's just that it just disappeared.I can't feel anything anymore."she cried.
"Don't think like that!"Snape told her."It's only that we have to go through so much that upsets you.There is still something there!"
"But..."But Snape had taken her in his arms and kissed her.Something sparked and they only broke apart when they heard footsteps.In fact,they had only just broken apart when Bellatrix entered the room.
"Where is your cauldron?"she barked at Snape.
"Downstairs."he mumbled.She eyed them suspicously.
"What were you doing?"
"Nothing."replied Narcissa quickly.Bellatrix looked at her for a moment and then left the room.
"See."murmed Snape as he left the room,and followed Bellatrix downstairs.He did not trust her with his potion kit.
"Why should you want to brew a potion Bellatrix?"he asked her when they got into the living room.She turned towards him.
"The Dark Lord has ordered me to make the ageing potion as he feels you are slipping up."she smiled at him.Snape laughed.
"You?"he asked."My dear Bellatrix,I am correct in knowing that you never took potions past fifth year am I not?"
"So?"she grumbled at him."An ageing potion is simple."Bellatrix took her wand from the inner of her robes and gave a sharp prod towards the corner with it.Immediantly,and noisely,the cauldron flew over to her,several bottles trailing after it.They all landed with a thud on the small wooden table.Bellatrix waved an annoyed hand at Snape and he departed for the kitchen.On his way,he waved his wand at the settee which quickly repaired itself.Narcissa came trotting down the stairs to find Bellatrix in the living room.She tried to sneak past her to the kitchen but she noticed her.
"Come here."Bellatrix said softly to her as she measured out beetle juice.Narcissa took a few steps towards her.
"Sit!"She jumped and sat down ontot he old settee that had been recently repaired.
"You must have found it hard,Lucius's death."she mumbled,concentrating on cutting fine strips of ginger.
"Oh yes.But Draco took it worse."Narcissa stirred a little in her seat.She felt very uncomfortable and hot.
"Yet you went to desparate measures?"
"What?"
"Snape!"she scoffed."Of all the men you could have charmed you caught Snape!How.....sickening!"Narcissa stared at her sister's back.
"It is not how it seems."
"Then tell me."Bellatrix straightened up and faced ger her sister."What is it like,Cissy?Were you so desparate that you took the first person who could convince you that they cared for you,even loved you?Were you so eager to bottle in your grief that you pounced onto the first man who was nearest?"she questioned,harshly.Narcissa shook her head, a tear running down her cheek.
"No...I."
"Face it Cissy,you are too weak to stomach anything,even preventing yourself from falling in love with a simple task of having a child is oh so hard for you."Bellatrix taunted.
"Bella...."but Narcissa said no more.Bellatrix smirked at her.
"I am ashamed that you share my blood."she whispered.Narcissa leapt from her seat and ran up the stairs,leaving Bellatrix to smile to herself.Snape entered the room and saw how happy she was.
"What have you done?"he asked her in a low growl.She smiled at him and turned back towards her potion.Snape flung the door open and began to run up the steps to Narcissa's room.

Chapter 20
Out!

As Snape entered Narcissa's room it was to find her face down on her bed,crying her eyes out.He couldn't help but sigh.
"Narcissa,why do you let Bellatrix get to you so?"he asked her,closing the door.She shifted a little on her bed,her large stomach getting in the way.She replied muffled.
"It just what she says and how she says it!"
Snape sat down on her bed."You must learn to ignore her."
"But she has always been the stronger one!Even when I was a child my parents put more responsibilty in her than me!"she cried,tightening the pillow around her ears.She wanted to be alone and she knew he would only pester her further if she told him to leave.
"But that was many years ago.When you compare her life to yours you will find who has had the most happiness.She is perhaps jealous."he soothed.He then smiled to himself.
"Or perhaps she's been madly in love with me for the past twenty years and that she could not bear her sister to have me.And her insults have been more like little love letters expressed into hatered words."Narcissa took the pillow off her head and straightened up,smiling.
"Oh indeed perhaps that is true!"she laughed.She wiped her tears away with her sleeve.
"She could not have me even if that were true."Snape said quietly."All my love goes to you and what little of it left,to Draco."
"I was stupid to let Bella get to me."she mumbled.He looked at her with a deep concern.
"Exactly what was it that she said,Narcissa?"he asked.Narcissa bit her lip.
"Well it was really stupid and I should have ignored it,but....she said that I had shown no grief for Lucius death and that I practically pounced onto the first man that could lie and say he loved me."she said quietly.Snape narrowed his eyes.
"I see."
"But do nothing!Im sure soon she would wish to return to the Dark Lord.She would bore around here without killing defenseless muggles or feeble wizards!"Narcissa said quickly.
"Do not worry Narcissa,I plan nothing where your dear sister is concerned."he reassured her.But in his head,Snape was already hatching some plan.Had Voldemort not mentioned that Bellatrix will still resume her normal duties?Of course!His mind began to work,once Bellatrix was out of the house....Hmmm.

The following morning proceeded and Snape and Bellatrix sat down at the kitchen table,both awaiting their breakfasts.She gave a cold smile at him and Snape never now took at as a threat.It took a whole lot of concentration not to laugh.Narcissa placed down three bowls of porridge,one for each of them,and sat down beside Snape.She had decided to put yesterday behind her.She would eat her porridge and then see to Draco,who was in no fit state to leave his room.Bellatrix shoved a small blue bottle to Narcissa.
"Ageing potion.Drink it!"she mumbled.Today she had to seeth her way into the Ministry and knew how hard that would be.All night,after finishing the ageing potion,she had completed a vat of polyjuice potion.She would transform into a Ministry witch before she left and disapparate.Narcissa looked at the bottle as though it were poison.She looked at Snape who gave her a tiny nod and she uncorked it and gulped it down in one go.
"Are you to be leaving us soon,Bellatrix?"Snape asked her pleasantly.Bellatrix looked at him as if he had just throw freezing cold water over her.
"What is it to you?"she asked coldly.He clattered his spoon against his bowl.
"It would be nice to know when you leave and come back so that a meal is always ready for you."he smirked.Bellatrix threw down her own spoon and made her way out of the kitchen door.
"Oh Severus."Narcissa mumbled,tucking into her porridge.

Bellatrix strode over to the bookcase.She bent down towards the bottom shelf and scrambled all the books of the shelf.Recently,she had found an empty bottle here and wondered whom had turned to drink in these desperate times.But now,here she hid her vat of polyjuice potion,in a small cauldron.She took the empty bottle,that still lay on the dusty shelf,and dipped it into the cauldron.She brought the bottle back out and drank it down quickly.Even though she was used to the taste,it was no doubt sickening.Bellatrix then shoved all the books back onto the shelf untidyly and straightened up.She made her way for the door and shut it with an almighty bang.
Narcissa finished her porridge and made her way upstairs to Draco's room,taking a fresh bowl with her.She sat it on his beside cabinet quietly,as he lay fast asleep.His finger were still black and crumbly but the pain was less so.
Snape made his way into the living room and closed the door through which Narcissa had gone into.He took his wand from the top shelf,where he kept his potions,and gave a sharp prod with it towards the door.He did the same with the ceiling,the floor and the windows.He repeated this with the kitchen,his room,Narcissa's room and then crept quietly around Draco as he did it in ther as well.Happily,he returned to the living room.Narcissa awaited him there,staring at the ceiling.
"Severus,what's wrong with the ceiling?"she asked as he entered.
"Oh nothing."he lied.Indeed,the ceiling glowed slightly and so didth the floor and windows.Snape sat down onto his settee and disappeared behind one of his favourite,darkest books; Defeating The Enemy.


Bellatrix disapparated from the Ministry to Spinners End in a hurry.They had seen her!They knew who she was!Even though she must have left them many miles behind she could still her their footsteps and shouts,ringing in her head.She ran towards the end house and flung her arm at the door to wrench it open.It would not budge.Quickly,she tried to apparate into the front room,but all she felt was a sensation as though she were being pushed through a rubber tube.She moved nowhere.A large pop was heard and men were shouting.They ran towards her.Bellatrix panted and tried once more to apparate into the house and;
"Arrragghh!"
She had splinched.Her torso floated in mid air and her legs through the door into the house.The men caught up with her and yelled."Stupefy!"Bellatrix immediantly froze,dropping her wand.
From inside the house,Snape and Narcissa could hear everything.The men shouting and heaving as they tried to pull Bellatrix's legs from the door they could not see.
"Oh my!They've got Bella!"Narcissa cried.
"That's nice."Snape said,not looking up from his book but paying no attention to it what so ever.
"I think she splinched!"
"Oh."he said in a bored tone.
"Wait a minute."Narcissa mumbled.Snape looked up from his book."You,you sealed the house.You made sure she couldn't get back in!"she cried.He smiled at her.
"How is Draco?"

As Narcissa stomach grew ever bigger,find ou next time when it is HUGE!

Chapter 21
Part 1
Arrival.

Narcissa still had her worries over Bellatrix and had no idea how she was.It was not until Snape turned the wireless on the next morning did she hear;
Bellatrix Lestrange,Death Eater, was discovered yesterday trying to break into the Department of Mysteries.Lestrange disapparated back to a small muggle street name of 'Spinner's End' where recently,another Death Eater fled from,Severus Snape.News from Lestrange has reported that she shall stay in Azkaban until her fate is decided.
Narcissa bit her lip.Snape smiled to himself.
"If you look at it from my view,she get's what she deserves even if she is your sister."he said quietly.She just looked at him anxiously.
"I guess your right."she mumbled.

The evening approached and Snape and Narcissa sat by a blazing fire,listening to the wireless for Bellatrix's fate.

We are live from courtroom 9 to find the punishment of one Bellatrix Lestrange.The jury have decided.They summon her to.....

There was a loud bang against the front door.Snape ran over and wrenched it open.A woman stood in the pouring rain,her black hair lank and her hazel eyes wide.
"Sir!"she shouted throwing her arms around him.
"Isabella?"he said confused.She nodded,smiling.Snape grinned and hugged her tighter.

Oh and FYI,the link with Isabella is not a love story!

Chapter 21
Part 2
Conclusions and Suffering

It seemed for ages that Snape and Isabella stood in an embrace and it was only when Narcissa gave a loud false cough did they pull apart.
"Come in,come in."he said merrily gesturing her through the door.Isabella smiled at Narcissa who gave her a cold look.She stopped smiling and noticed Narcissa's huge stomach.She turned quite pale.
"Ah,yes.Isabella this Narcissa,Narcissa this is Isabella,an old student of mine."Snape introduced them to one another.
"May I?"Isabella asked,pointing towards the settee.He nodded.She sat herself down and Narcissa remained standing,glaring at her.
"Drink?"he asked.
"Yes thank you."Isabella said politely.He looked at Narcissa who said nothing.He took his wand from his inner pocket of his robes and swished it so that two glasses of blood red wine appeared from thin air.Snape handed one to Isabella and sat down beside her.
"What are you doing here?"he asked,the suprise of her appearance turning into to concern.
"I found you.I heard them discussing you on the wireless and I found you."she replied.
"But what do you want with me?"
"I need your protection,sir."Isabella said softly."I need it just once more."Snape looked her puzzled.
"But you cannot stay here.The wizarding world is looking for me!If you stray they might find me!"he cried.
"No,I won't stray!Please,I just need somewhere to stay for a few days."she begged.Narcissa watched her closely.He won't buy it!But she must be desperate. she thought to herself.A cruel smile played on her lips.
"What have you done,Isabella?"Snape asked narrowing his eyes.He remembered the time she had punched Merphy in the mouth.She had a violent temper.
"I..nothing."she said quickly.
"It must have been something really bad if you came to him for help."Narcissa smirked.Isabella looked at her,her eyes cold.
"I think it is none of your business what I discuss with him."she remarked icily.Snape was stuck in the coldness between the two.
"Really,Isabella tell me what you have done."he encouraged her.
"Not in present company."she said not taking her eyes of Narcissa.He looked from Narcissa to Isabella and sighed.
"Narcissa,please leave us alone for a few minutes."Narcissa looked at him her eyes bulging.
"What?"she asked through gritted teeth.
"Leave us,for a few minutes."he said.Isabella smiled to herself.Narcissa gave the pair one last look and then strode into the kitchen,banging the door behind her.
"Moodswings."Isabella laughed.
"Yes.So Isabella,what have you done?"Snape asked her again.She looked at him for a minute her eyes full of fear.
"I have angered He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named."she said quietly.He looked her,his eyes wide with alarm.
"You have angered the Dark Lord?"he gasped.Isabella nodded.Snape got up off the settee.He rubbed his head as though his brain hurt.
"What did you do?"he dared himself to ask this even though he did not want to know the answer.He tyrned his back to her and bowed his head down.
"I...I defended myself."she replied shakingly.
"How?"he said sharply.She stared at his back and could see he would not understand as well as she had thought he would.
"It was me or them."she said quickly.Snape rose his head.
"You have killed Death Eaters?"he whispered.Isabella nodded and he knew the answer even though he could not see her."Why?"he forced himself to know more.Half of him wanted to hear nothing more of it but the other half wanted to help her.
"As I said,it was me or them."she sniffed."They were going to kill me."Snape turned around,hardly believeing his ears.
"Why?"he asked much concern in his voice.
"They wanted me to do something I knew I could not do."
"Something much worse than killing half a dozen Death Eaters?"he asked.She nodded and he came and sat back down beside her.
"What was it?What did they want you to do?"Isabella avoided his eye contact and tried her best not to cry.
"They wanted..he wanted an heir.He was going to make me the mother and he knew who would be perfect for the father."she said her voice quivering.Snape turned ghostly white."He knew how close we were when I was young.He told me everything.He said if I didn't do it he'd kill me.I told him to go ahead but he changed his mind.He then said if I didn't do it he'd kill you instead.I couldn't let him kill you but I couldn't let him do that either.So I did nothing.He held me captive for a few months and told me that he had killed you.He let me go and showed me an open grave.I was pushed in and couldn't disapparate out.I don't know how long I was there but soon after he sent some Death Eater's round to bump me off.But I got them first.I managed to escape by piling there bodies one on top of the other.Foolish that I had not thought of an escape route with magic but my mind was blurred."Her mind and his had both began to blur.Isabella's eyes were sore and Snape was deep in worry and thought.They sat in silence for a while until she broke it.
"I understand if I can not stay here now.It would be wrong."she got up of the settee but he pulled her back down.
"You're staying."he said quietly.
"Are you sure?"He nodded.Isabella looked at him for a moment and flung her arms round him.
"Thank you!"she cried.Snape said or felt nothing for a minute and then a huge flood of warmth came over him.Narcissa came barging in from the kitchen and her eyes were full of hot haterd at the sight before her.Snape threw Isabella off him.
"Old student?Don't make me laugh!Does every other teacher make out with old students?You make me SICK!"she shouted.
"Narcissa,you don't understand!"he cried but she gave him one last look of deepest loatheing her eyes filling with tears and stormed off to her room.
"Sorry."Isabella apologised.
"It's not your fault."he sighed."It's just moodswings."

Just a short thingy.

Chapter 22
Wrong thing to say.
Bad Impression.


Snape but Isabella up in his bed that night and hoped that Narcissa would calm down by morning.He himself slept on his settee and never realised before just how uncomfortable is really was.Isabella woke up early next morning a crept past him into the kitchen.She poured herself a glass of orange juice and sat down at the kitchen table.Snape awoke soon after and went into the kitchen also.
"Good morning."she smiled.He tried to smile back but it was so hard in the recent situation."Sleep well?"
"No,not really."Snape replied shaking his head.
"Well if you want your bed back...."
"No it is fine."he said brushing away her offer with a sweep of his hand.Isabella gave him one worried look.
"I hope I have not created a dilema between you and Narcissa."she said quietly.
"She is heavily pregnant.She is expected to moody and perhaps jealous."Isabella giggled.
"Jealous?Your nearly old enough to be my father!"she smiled.This time Snape smiled back.The thought of it did seem amusing.
"Perhaps she thinks there is something more between us."he laughed.
"Perhaps.But all the same,I am curious to know,does she love you or is it just the thought of her baby's father with someone else thats annoys her so?"Isabella asked.Snape frowned a little.
"To be honest,I think it is both."
"Really?"Snape nodded.
"Yes,I do not think Narcissa finds it fitting for a commited man to be so close to a woman of your age and beauty."
"Beauty?"Isabella snorted."There's a laugh."But she knew he was being serious and she felt uncomfortable about it.
Why the hell did I say that?he thought to himself.He felt utterly foolish and stupid.
"Please,forgive me."he mumbled not daring to meet her eye.
"No,it is fine."she muttered.
"You must understand this,it was wrong of me to say it."
"It is okay.A mere slip of the tongue."she reassured him.He looked at her and smiled.
"My feelings for you are entirely different from my feelings for Narcissa."
"So you two are in relations?"Isabella asked.He must think I am incredibly nosy.Truth be told,he was thinking along the same lines.But there was the girl in the woman before him whom thirteen years ago he had confinded and trusted then and still did.
"In what way?"he asked trying to break down her options to make her feel more relaxed or even more tense.
"Well,for one are you married?"This question seemed to pop out of the blue and it was as though she did not say it.
"No.We are not married."Snape said calmly letting her know that she was not being too rude.Isabella relaxed slightly.She thought best how to phrase her next question.
"Are you...involved?"she asked finding the word to replace what could have been said.
"No.That was once for the Dark Lord."he replied,his skin burning slightly as he blushed.Luckily though,Isabella did not notice.She seemed to have wondered off into her own thoughts.Snape too seemed to be miles away.He remembered when Narcissa was a wreck after Lucius had died and how he had influenced her to unbottle her grief,how he had made her care for him and if he had done that.It could have just been some stupid idea he got into his head but he could not but help feel at times that Narcissa was taking comfort in him.
The kitchen door swung open.Narcissa wobbled in and eyed the two suspiciously as she came.
"Good morning,Narcissa."Snape said.She said nothing but merely glared at him as though everything she had ever done wrong was his fault.She did not even look at Isabella who was gazing down at the table as though determined not to be seen.Narcissa opened a cupboard door and took out a box of Chocolate Cauldrons before retreating back to the living room.
"I have the impression she dosen't like me."Isabella said quietly.
"I bet your right."Snape sighed.

The day passed coldly.Narcissa did not talk to anyone,including Draco whom was shocked to find Isabella in the house.She tried to make a good impression on him but he wouldn't buy it.His mother did not like her so neither did he.She was close to Snape and how he hated him.By the end of the day,it seemed the only friend Isabella or Snape had were each other.

Still short.Kinda.

Chapter 23
Favour

Near Big Hangelton there was a small villiage next to it called Little Hangelton.Moss grew up the two posts that pointed to the two places.It was dark.It was silent.But still it was with all her might that Narcissa came here.A small pop into the night and there she appeared between the two posts.She was just a slither of shadow and her looks were not visible.Only the moonlight shone down on her blue eyes that were alert and wide.She read the sign that said 'Little Hangelton,1 mile.' and followed past where it pointed.Into the darkness she went,down a widing country lane.She strode fast along the pathaway until the path widened and a large mound of earth came into view.Narcissa moved towards the mound and began tearing away at the leaves that covered it.Finally,she tore away enough of them to reveal a small wooden door.The strangest thing about the door was that a skeleton of what seemed to be a snake hung there.The bones seemed fragile and as soon as she touched them,turned to dust.Narcissa took a deep breath and inhaled most of the dust from the snake skeleton,along with th cold night air.She pushed the door open and stepped into a very dim room.The door slammed shut behind her.The leaves began to grow back over the door,sealing her in.She fumbled for her wand in her pocket and lit it as she found it.The room was small,crampt.It had the musky smell of oldness and the walls were bare and hollow.Narcissa had hardly moved when the wall opposite did something weird.A door seemed to seep through the wall and a man with red eyes and hands like pale spiders came out of the door.Narcissa bowed down straight away.
"Narcissa.What a pleasant suprise."he said smiling.
"My Lord."she said in barely more than a whisper."I was hoping you could do me a favour."
"Come now Narcissa,you scratch my back and I'll scratch your's."he frowned slightly.
"I know,my Lord.I have important infomation to pass onto you."
"Then please,tell me and I will see what I can do for you in return."Voldemort said softly.Narcissa closed her eyes for a minute and then begun.
"My Lord,I know where the person is who killed so many of your faithful Death Eaters."Voldemort narrowed his eyes.
"Go on."he said.
"She is at Spinners End in Severus's house.He is hiding her there."she said quite bitterly.
"Oh what women can do to that man."he chuckled underneath his breath."Thank you for telling me this.Soon enough she will brought to me and be...punished."Narcissa smiled.
"My Lord,that is what I thought you would do.Anyone who betrays you must pay the ultimate price."
"Including yourself.You must not forget Narcissa,that not so long ago you betrayed me.Lord Voldemort will remember this forever."he hissed.Narcissa gulped.
"I am so sorry my Lord."she whispered.
"It is fine,for now.And as you and I have the same wish,perhaps there is something else I can do for you."Voldemort smiled.She thought for a moment.It was hard to concentrate in such company and she didn't know or dare what to ask him.Then she thought.
"Please,my Lord,Severus has caved into this womens recklessness.Please,do not hurt him."her voice shook slightly.Voldemort considered her for a moment and then he sneered.
"In the end he is of no use to me.I cannot promise you anything with his good fortune in it.Now leave,before you are missed."Narcissa looked at him,her mouth wide open.But then she let out into the night,back to Spinners End.

Chapter 24
Taken!

Narcissa made sure she got back to Spinners End undetected that night.The house was silent when she got in and all she could hear was the soft breathing of Snape fast asleep on the settee.She smiled to herself.
"Soon,you will be all mine again."she whispered and crept past him back to her room.

When the next day came,Snape was quite suspicious to see Narcissa so happy.Ever since Isabella had arrived she had been cold towards him but now here she was smiling brightly at him.He had a gut feeling that it wasn't anything good.Isabella too,was shocked to see how polite Narcissa was being towards her and was quite nervous about it.Snape and Isabella exchanged glances.Narcissa gritted her teeth behind her smile.You will be gone.she thought smiling sweetly at Isabella.And you will be mine!she laughed inside her head staring at Snape.Suddenly,her stomach quenched and she dropped her smile and screwed her face up in pain.Snape was so used to this by now that he didn't even ask to see if she was okay.Narcissa despised him for it.She wanted him to be waiting on her hand and foot at such a crucial time.But he didn't.Perhaps it was a good thing that Snape and Isabella were engaged in conversation for such long periods,that way Narcissa's thoughts could not be intercepted.It seemed that only Draco cared for his mother at such a time and he threw filthy glances at Snape from time to time.This is your fault and you don't even have the decenty to take care of it.he thought viciously.Obviously,he neither talked to him or Isabella but remained in cold silence with his mother.Narcissa had completely given up on her sickly sweet smile.Though the Malfoys were in such a brutal mood,Isabella was enjoying herself.It had been years since she had felt this happy.She had cooked and was delighted to see Snape compliment her and was quite hurt when none of the Malfous touched their dinner.But all in all,Isabella had her connection back with Snape and was enjoying his company once more.She had found out so much more infomation about him that she perhaps knew more about him than he did himself.Thing was,she didn't care he was a murderer.She too was one and she felt that they were out casts,together.It had been hard for Snape to tell her he had killed the greatest wizard of all time and was suprised to hear that she didn't already know it.Yes it seemed their bondage was back,much to the displeasure of Narcissa Malfoy.But she got her wish the following evening.

So the following evening came.Snape and Isabella sat chatting merrily about the different uses of dragon blood and seeing how many they could name,whilst sitting on the settee.Narcissa sat in the armchair,drumming her fingers on the arms quickly.Every now and then she would look up at the clock.She didn't know what to expect,but she deffinately expected it to be done tonight.There was a knock on the door.Snape's eyes were alert.
"Quickly!"he said Isabella."Go hide in the kitchen!"Isabella leapt from the settee to the kitchen and Snape got up to answer the door.He opened it and his heart missed several beats when he found the caller on the other side.
"Good evening,Severus."Voldemort smiled.Snape said nothing.He did not submit entrance for him either.He blocked the door.
"Surely you will not keep me waiting out here?"he said softly.
"Of course he won't."said Narcissa,pushing herself out of her armchair and fixing Snape with a deadly glare.Snape shook his head at her but Voldemort misread the signals or at least Snape thought he had.
"Good."he said merrily,sweeping past him into the living room."Now."Voldemort said more sharply."It has come to my attention that you are hiding one of my enemies here."Snape tried his best to keep calm and said nothing.
"Is this true?Or have I been...mislead."Voldemort said turning to Narcissa.Snape looked at them both.What's going on?he thought frantically.
"You have not been mislead,my Lord."Narcissa chirped."If you point your wand at that door opposite you,you will find your enemy."Snape stared at her.She had blabbed.He was a fool!Voldemort laughed.
"Thank you,Narcissa."Swiftly,he pointed his wand at the door and Isabella came hurtling through it landing with a thud behind the armchair.She was as white as a ghost and shaking like mad.Why hadn't she disapparated?Snape thought worridly.Now was the time to help her,again.Narcissa bent down and pulled Isabella up by her shoulder and pushed towards Voldemort.Isabella did not move.Her eyes were full of fear as she gazed into the cold ones before her.
"You!"she whispered.
"I!"Voldemort replied.Without warning,he grabbed her and gripped her in his arm.
"Thought you could get away,did you?"he spat.She did not reply.She could hardly breathe."Well now your never going to run away again."He pointed his wand at Snape who stared at it in fear.
"So goodbye to Severus."
"NO!"Narcissa and Isabella had both shouted at the same time but it was Narcissa who Voldemort turned to.
"I told you last night,Narcissa.Where Severus's good fortune is involved it will not be with me."he hissed.
"I know."she said."But please,just take the girl.That would be my favour."Voldemort considered her for a moment and then nodded.
"Fine.But you."he whispered looking at Snape."If you come looking for her,it will be all of your corpses I turn to Inferi!"He didn't think about it.Within the second Snape had whipped his wand out and blasted a green light at him but it was the second before he had disappeared in a blue light, taking Isabella with him.

Snape stood panting for a minute.His mind was racing.What was he to do?Protect her od course!his brain told him.
"Of course!"he mumbled to himself."Where will they have gone?"
"What?"Narcissa asked."You can't go follow them!If you do,it will be all three of us that will suffer!"Snape threw her a filthy look.
"And I thought I could trust you."he hissed.Loatheing in his eyes towards her.

Chapter 25
Worse Timings

"No,please!Severus,don't do this!"Narcissa begged.Snape looked her straight into her eyes but felt nothing.No sympathy,no warmth,no love.
"I have to.And believe me,if I fail you will be the first one to know it."he snapped.She shook her head.
"You don't know what you speak of!"she sobbed as she began to cry."Your brains are idled."Snape began getting closer and closer to her until she backed up against the wall.
"You are a very stupid woman."he said slowly."Did you really think that I would put you before Isabella?DID YOU?!"He was shaking with anger whilst Narcissa shook with fear.She now did not know what he was capable of and neither did he.He felt like lashing out at her,perhaps taking out his wand and giving her the pain she was giving him at the moment.But he didn't.
"Stay here."he said in a voice of forced calm.Snape backed away from her and she slumped to the ground.
"If I don't come back be sure to say bye to Draco for me."he said in a mock voice.Narcissa gulped.All this pressure could not be doing her any favours.And then....
"Arrraaggh!"she screamed.Snape looked at her confused.She was shaking even more and kept screaming.
"Severus!Stay!"she yelled at him.An act!he thought.How stuoid does she think I am?But Narcissa's screaming grew louder and she began to pant.
"Please,stay.Help me.I cannot do it alone."She quenched stomach as pain etched it's way slowly downwards making her give out an ear pierceing scream.It was no act.Narcissa had begun to sweat like mad.Snape looked at her in horror.This could not have come at a worse time.But in his ears it was not Narcissa's screams but Isabella's and he knew he had to find her.Her life was more important than that of pure evil being born.He gave Narcissa one last look and fleeted from the door into the cold night air,leaving Narcissa to tend for herself.He took several deep breaths and tried to relax his brain.His mind was clogged and he could not think where to go.
"Close your mind.Close your mind."he murmed,shutting his eyes.His mind went blank but his thoughts proceeded to those of so many years ago.
I have to go.Severus please.No more.Lily's voice rang in his ears and his heart lifted.It was as though he was floating in mid air and when he opened his eyes again,he was a new location.Godrics Hollow.In the moonlight he could see a figure running,dragging another figure with it.Isabella!he thought.Snape began to run after them.
"Isabella!"he shouted at them."Isabella!"
Isabella was being dragged across the cold ground and she could hardly breathe.But her ears were functional and she could hear some call her name in the distance.
"Severus!"she yelled back."Help!Help me!"Voldemort tightened his grip over Isabella's throat and disapparated right on the spot just before Snape could reach them.Snape was furious when he got there and threw his wand to the ground.He diverted his eyes to the ground,deep in concentration.It was not until he looked up did he notice the air where they had disapparated was a cloudy green,smoking before him.He did not know what would happen if he touched the smoke and put his hand in first.Nothing happened.He stepped into the smoke and immediantly was forced to disapparate,his mind blank.A sensation arose in his chest that he would never breathe pure air again as the smoke filled his lungs but then suddenly he was able to breathe again and took advantage of this by breathing mouthfulls of sea air.He rubbed his eyes and found himself stood on top of a cliff.The rock of the cliff was slippery and wet.He was finding it hard to grip on but he slipped.Snape let out a yell as he fell from the cliff into the sea,but he felt no wetness or coldness and he did not stop falling.He went straight through the water until he landed back on cold,hard ground.Snape was on top of a hill.From here his house was visible.It was Spinners End!And as he looked down the hill he saw again the two figures,Voldemort dragging Isabella along the bank.Snape leapt up and fell tumbling down the hill towards them,barely missing the mucky river.Voldemort stopped running and his smile was reflected in the moonlight.Snape had a stitch and looked up at him and then to Isabella.
"Isabella."he gasped.But she did not reply.Her eyes were closed and she was not moving.Blood trickled from underneath her hair and a large bruise had appeared under her eye like the one of so many years ago.She can't be dead!She isn't dead!he told himself.Voldemort chuckled.
"Maybe she isn't Severus.But maybe she soon will be."He brandished his wand from his robes and made Isabella levatate over the water.Snape scrambled to his feet,horror on his face.
"No.Don't do it!"he yelled at Voldemort.Voldemort gave him one last smile and then sharply pointed his wand towards the ground so that Isabella fell into the river with a splash.There was no time to loose.Snape felt for his wand but could not find it.Instead,he leapt in after her,the water hitting his face hard and cold.He dived deep down to the bed.He could see her falling but he could not go any faster.He was exhausted.But he was also determined.He pushed his legs and even though an all mighty blast of painful cramp shot through them,he caught up with Isabella.Snape pulled her up by the back of her robes and pushed himself back up to the surface.He gasped for air and pushed Isabella up onto the bank.Voldemort had gone.He dragged himself out of the water and bent over Isabella's lifeless form.She was soaking wet and as cold as death.Snape fumbled through her wet robes until he found her wand.He pointed it at her and a small series of golden sparks shot at her chest until she began to shake.Isabella opened her eyes with a start.She was so cold.Her eyes focused until the view of a man came over her.
"Severus."she mumbled.Snape watched her until he fell flat on his back,fast asleep.Isabella was weak,but she managed to force herself off the ground.Snape was asleep and she was just as tired as him.Instead of going back home,she lay back on the ground and fell asleep.

Chapter 26
Too much happiness.



Snape awoke first at dawn.He had no idea how he had come to sleeping on the ground until he saw Isabella beside him.He was startled for a moment and then his mind was put to ease as the sun began to rise.Isabella's eyes flickered open but he did not notice this.He sat staring up at the sky.
"It's beautiful,isn't it?"Isabella said.He jumped and looked at her.
"Good morning."she smiled.He said nothing and merely smiled back at her.He diverted his attention back to the sky.It was a wonderful sight.The dark reds and the oranges combinded made a beautiful scene.But even as Snape watched it there was something on his mind that he couldn't get off.He did not know what it was and how it annoyed him.He felt it was something important but it just had to wait.Isabella watched him as he looked at the sky.Her head was throbbing slightly but she was happy.It was not until she looked up at the sky and down to lake did she remember the events of last night.Snape too looked down to the lake and closed his eyes.An image of The Dark Lord dragging the woman beside him along the ground was haunting.He remembered her shouts and only then did he remember that she had called him Severus.He felt uneasy about this.He hoped that she would not say his name again.He was so used to being called sir that it was ridiculous.
"Er,Severus."Isabella spoke.He flinched a little but she did not notice.Instead he drew his attention back to Spinners End,trying to locate everything in his living room to keep him occupied.
"What you did last night was...noble and I thank you.It takes a man of great courage to do that."Snape turned to look at her.
"Go on."he said.Isabella straightened herself up a little.
"Well,for one thing you left to come and find me when you knew mine,your's and Narcissa's lives were in grave peril."she continued.He wasn't listening anymore.
"Narcissa."he murmed.A bell went off inside his head.Of course!Narcissa!He leapt up off his feet.
"Narcissa!How did I forget?Oh...damn you Severus!"he cursed himself as he ran down the hill back home.
"Wait!"Isabella called after him."Where are you going?"Snape did not respond nor did he stop running until he reached his house.He threw the door open but found nobody in the living room.He checked the kitchen but nobody was there.He looked upstairs,but found neither Narcissa,Draco or anyone else.Snape came back running down the stairs when the door swung open.
"Narcissa?"he asked.But it was not Narcissa.It was Isabella.
"What is wrong?Why did you hurry away?"she asked.She was confused and rather hurt that he had abanded her like that when she was complimenting him so highly.
"It is Narcissa."he said checking underneath the settee in desperate attempts that he would find her."Before I went looking for you,she went into labour."
"You what?"
"Her pregnancy was short and the ageing potion she took boosted her.I should of known it would not have been long until she gave birth."
"You left her?"Isabella said annoyed."You left a pregnant woman to tend for herself?"Snape stopped searching.He looked at her as though she had just slapped him.
"To save you."he said gobsmacked."I left her to save you."Isabella looked shifty.
"As that may have been,why didn't you sort her out before you came for me?I dunno,of taken her to St Mungo's."she said frantically.He rolled his eyes.
"How on earth could I have done that?The whole wizarding world is looking for me and you think I could just waltz into St Mungo's and ask if I could see a Healer because it was urgent?"he shouted at her.He was becoming paranoid that she was being so stupid.
"It was just a suggestion."Isabella said quietly.
"Well keep them to yourself!"he snapped.She turned away from him so that he wouldn't see her hold back her tears of anger and perhaps sadness.Snape knew he had offended her but at that moment it was important he found Narcissa.Why couldn't she understand this?Isabella may have been annoyed with Snape but her mind was full of ideas as to where Narcissa might be.But if he snapped at her again...
"You-Know-Who."she muttered.Snape's ears pricked.
"What?"She turned to face him.
"You-Know-Who."she repeated now sure that he wasn't going to snap at her again.He thought for a minute,trying to think back if he had ever mentioned anything about after that baby was born.
"Of course."he said smiling."Of course!"He ran up to Isabella and kissed her on the cheek.She seemed to become light headed but it was over as soon as it had begun.Snape had not seemed to notice anything.
"Thank you."he said."It would have taken me ages to work that one out."Isabella said nothing.She was trying to think back to her school years.Perhaps it would wash away this too happy happiness.But it didn't.She had felt herself swoon when he came near her but she had a nag in her head telling her something very important.He was your teacher!Just because he loves you enough to save your life dosen't mean he's in love with you!Isabella snapped out of it and shook her head.How stupid and over reactive she was being.
"How about a drink?"Snape asked.He was fumbling for his wand but could not find it.
"Oh god!And I even left your wand up near the lake too."he grumbled.Isabella looked at him for a moment and it took her a while to realise what he was saying.
"I'll get it."she said.Snape looked up at her.
"Would you?"he said.She nodded and distracted herself by going back up to the river to fetch her wand.


Right,I will say this one more time.Even though there was a teeny weeny not-on-the-mouth-kiss this is still NOT a LOVE STORY between SNAPE and ISABELLA!Thank you.Please review.

I hate it when I have to eat my own words but........
Chapter 27
Missions and Problems



Snape fell asleep after many glasses of wine,but Isabella could not sleep.Her mind continued to race and it was with great difficulty that she did not flee from the house.She kept looking down at him before her.He had fallen asleep beside her on the settee and he looked so peaceful.Every so often she checked the time and her eyes scanned the darkness at every faint noise that was heard.And to her utter annoyingnous,Snape mumbled under his breath as he spoke.Speaking Narcissa's name.Isabella could stand it no longer and dragged herself from the settee into the kitchen.She lit her wand and wondered over to sink to splash her face with cold water.Maybe then she would wake up.Maybe then he would never have drove her to this strange feeling inside of her.She felt as though she had a rat scratching at her insides,making her feel sick.He was your teacher!she told herself.You took it the wrong way!Isabella shook her head and left the kitchen,intending to go upstairs to see if she could rest there,when someone banged vicously on the door.She did not move for a moment until she realised the bang had awoken Snape and he was getting up to answer the door.Quickly,she dashed into the kitchen,hoping he hadn't noticed her.Snape answered the door and a happy looking Voldemort wandered into the living room.
"Good morning,Severus."he said.Snape looked him up and down and said nothing."How are you?"He still did not reply.
"Good,good."Voldemort seemed to be talking to himself."Oh and Severus,I must congratulate you."He held his hand out for him to shake and Snape took it reluctantly.
"A healthy male heir!"he shouted."Wonderful news.I seriously did not think you could do it,but then again I can't put anything by you,can I,Severus?"Voldemort smiled.
"Where is Narcissa?"he asked quietly.
"Ah yes,the mother.Do not worry,she is in safe hands."Voldemort reassured him put Snape was not reassured.
"Is she okay?Does she..hate me?"
"She is not pleased with you if that is what you mean.You left her Severus.You left her for a school girl."he replied.Snape rubbed his forehead.
"But she needs to understand........."
"Speaking of school girls."Voldemort interupted."Where is she?"
"Who?"he said stupidly.Voldemort scoffed.
"Your bit on the side.Your mistress.Your student."
"Her name is Isabella and she is neither my mistress or 'bit on the side'!"he said coldly.Voldemort smiled.
"Not from Narcissa's point of view.Really.Kissing old students when she's in the other room?Tut,tut.Try the bedroom,it's usually quiter."Snape blushed a little but Voldemort could not tell.He was focusing on his eyes,delving into his mind.Images flashed before his own eyes of.....Snape blinked,realising what he was trying to do and closed his mind.
"Look,my Lord.Why is it that you have come?"he asked,hoping against hope that he would leave soon.
"Why else?You saved the girl,I assume?Well,I wanted to congratulate you on becoming a father.You have pleased me well and your debt is repayed.Almost."
"Almost?"
"Well."Voldemort sighed."I have been planning for quite an age about my reign over Hogwarts."Snape gulped.Oh no!he thought.Voldemort smiled again."And you and Isabella are included in my plan.In Dumbledore's office,there is the sword of Godfric Gryffindor.It contains part of my soul.Now Harry Potter may have destroyed every other one of my beloved Hocruxes but I know that that one is still whole.Your task is simple.Get me the sword."he said softly.Snape stared at him for a moment.He did not want to intrude into Dumbledore's office.In fact,he would rather stay away from Hogwarts.But what were the risks?Death.He was not concerned about his life.It had never done him any favours.He would not care if The Dark Lord killed him there and then.But he knew if it concerned Isabella,he had to do it.Yes he cared for Narcissa,but he was convinced that The Dark Lord would not touch her and so he felt for Isabella instead.He racked his brain,perhaps trying to find a loophole,but he couldn't.Daringly,he asked.
"What if I don't do it?"
Voldemort considered him for a moment and then said;
"If you don't do it,then neither you or Isabella will live to see me take over the wizarding world."
"I see."he whispered.Then there were no choices.His theorie had been correct.
"I must be going."Voldemort said.
"No!Wait,before you go,tell Narcissa Im sorry and I still...love her."Snape said quieltly.Voldemort nodded and disappeared into thin air.Back in the kitchen,Isabella had heard everything.But what upset her the most were the last four words she had heard.She tried so hard to fight her emotions but no sooner had she made this promise,that she broke it,running from the kitchen to her bedroom,crying her eyes out.Snape had only seen a flash of black streak past him,but he had heard the sobs and followed her upstairs.

I have come to a theorie I hope will work and you might be pleased with?Okay,here it is.

Chapter 28
Sorry,but I love you.


Snape found Isabella on his bed,her head burrowed in between her knees.
"Isabella."he said."Why are you so upset?"He entered the room and sat down on the edge of the bed,staring at her.Isabellas rose her head and her eyes were red and puffy.
"I am being stupid."she mumbled diverting her eyes back to her knees.But Snape was not fooled.
"You heard it,didn't you?"he asked quietly.She looked up at him."You know what the Dark Lord has granted what we are to do."She nodded even though that is not what she was thinking of.
"I am sorry that you have been dragged into such a mess.It is not your fault and I take full responsibility.I do not blame you for being upset."he said softly.She shook her head.
"I am not scared!"she cried."I was under his wrath for months before I managed to escape.I did his biddings then.If I wouldn't,then it was simple.You would die.And I could not have been responsible for your death.That would have eaten me alive."Snape stared at her for a minute.He appreciated how much she cared for him,but something still wondered on his mind.
"Then why are you so upset?"he asked.Isabella looked back down at her knees.She could not tell him!It was stupid,foolish,wrong!
"I am being silly."she said quickly."I should not be acting like this."Isabella slipped off the bed and tried to run out the door but he grabbed her arm.Isabella tingled and she hated herself for it.
"Isabella."he said,a little more sternly."What is wrong?"She looked at him for a moment and slowly he let go of her arm.
"It is so stupid."she laughed nervously."I am wrong to think it could upset me so."Snape said nothing and continued to stare at her.She wished he wouldn't.He was making her anxious.She stepped away from the door to the window and looked out to see the sun begin to rise.She smiled and got lost in thought.Snape got up off the bed and stood beside her.
"Then we did it upset you?"he asked,quietly.Isabella said nothing.Her eyes were attracted to the wonderful light coming from the sun.This had to be her favourite time of day,everything was quiet and the sky was a beautiful colour.
"I should have never of come here."she said."I knew that it would only have been time until I did something I knew I would regret."He stared at her and then she turned to him.
"You have a love.Her name is Narcissa.Narcissa has just had a baby.I have no love.I have no children.I have nothing."she whispered.Isabella moved past him to the door.Snape was confused.What he was thinking,was it what she was saying?Or was it that it was something completly different.
"Isabella,I..."
"You do understand."she interupted him."I know you do.That is why I have to go."She began to walk down the stairs.He was frozen for a moment when something sparked in his head.Don't let her leave!She is in grave danger alone!
"Wait!"Snape shouted,running down the stairs after her.She had just got to the bottom when she heard his voice.He said nothing more for a minute and then said;
"I am..startled,as such to what you have expressed,but I cannot let you leave."
"But,without me around,it will be better for you and Narcissa.With me gone,everything will be normal again for you."she replied,confused at why he wouldn't let her leave.He couldn't help but smille.
"Me?Normal?I am a Death Eater,a truster of the Dark Lord,a murderer."he added forgetting his smile."But so are you.And we must stay safe,together."Isabella looked at him,her face expressionless.Then she gave a watery smile as her eyes began to fill with tears.
"You have saved my life."she sobbed."You have saved my life many times and I have been so ungrateful."
"Isabella..."
"No!You have to hear this."she cried."I have not repayed my debt to you..."
"You owe me no debt!"Snape exclaimed."Isabella,I want nothing."
"I could not live with myself if I knew that I had never done this."Isabella whispered.Tears ran down her cheek as she cried.Snape looked at her.
"I am sorry."she whispered."I was stupid enough to think that we were more than good friends.I am sorry."She turned away from him and broke down.She knew how weak and stupid she was being and just wished he would go away and leave her to cry alone.But he didn't.Snape could not block out the sound of Isabella's apologies from his ears.He stepped down to the last step to face her and put is arm around her.
"Do not cry."he said softly."Isabella,I love you."But Isabella knew he didn't mean it like that and let him put his arm right around her so that they were stood in a hug,while she sobbed into his shoulder.

Like it? :tu: Hate it? :td: Confused you? :huh: Please review and I will explain any confusion if I can and am not confused myself!:clap: ;)

Chapter 29
Loki

Both Snape and Isabella went to bed feeling ashamed of themselves and just a tad bit uncomfortable around each other.It seemed that reality had only just hit them.Isabella was coming to terms with her feelings,and had decided she would block them out so she would suffer no pain.Some may say that she was making a cowards choice but to herself she was a coward.Snape,on the other hand,had only just fully realised that he had to see Narcissa.She was after all,the mother of the son he had never met and he felt he owed his life.He had not been there for her when she had needed him perhaps the most she ever would do.So he decided upon visiting her,the only problem was he didn't know where she was.He had brief ideas,but after he thought them over twice,they seemed stupid.As for Isabella,she fell asleep only for a few short hours.Her head was pounding and it was very uneasing.Whilst Snape too only got a few hours sleep,it was the thunder and lightning that awoke him.He was lying on the sofa,remembering being the gentleman and letting Isabella sleep in his bed.He regretted it now as his neck was stiff and sore.Carefully he lifted his head up to the clock and waited until his eyes could get used to the darkness.When they did,he realised it was three am.Deciding he could sleep no more,Snape got up and dragged himself into the kitchen for some early morning breakfast before he went on his journey to find Narcissa,thus he had chosen to do.He owed her after all.

He was shocked to find that the kitchen was already occupied and many candles lit around the room.Isabella was sat at the kitchen table,looking depressenly down into her cup of tea.
"Does it taste that bad?"he asked quietly.She jumped and looked up at him.
"Im sorry.Did I wake you?"she whispered.
"No,I could not sleep.And I'll think you find that makes two of us."he smiled,sitting down opposite her.Isabella rubbed her forehead.Her head ached and she was quite dizzy.She felt she was going to faint at any moment.
"You look pale."Snape said."Are you feeling okay?"
"I am fine."she replied,in her merriest voice even though she thought she was going to throw up as she spoke.She picked up her tea and took a long gulp so that she could avoid Snape's eyes.A moment passed in silence.All they could hear were the rumbles of thunder and flashes of lightning come from outside.Isabella was not at all pleased with the weather.
"I am going to have to leave."Snape said unexpectingly.Isabella gave him quite a startled look and then said;
"Do you wish to get wet?"He shook his head.
"No,no.Isabella,I need to visit Narcissa and my...son."He almost choked on the word as it had been over eighteen years since he last said it."I feel I owe something to both of them and it will give off an even worse impression if I do not go soon."
"How do you know where they are?"she asked.He pondered for a minute and then smile to himself.
"I don't,but you do."
"I do?"
"Yes."Snape nodded."Isabella,where were you when the Dark Lord kidnapped you?Where did he take you?"Isabella thought for a moment and then shuddered.It had been so dark and horrid and just remembering it made her shiver.
"I was in a sort of basement."she said,retracing her steps in her mind."In an old large manor."
"I thought so."he said quietly.
"You know where this place is?You think she might be there?"Isabella asked,wondering how he knew so much information.
"Oh yes.After all,it is her house."he replied,softly.He stood back up and took his travelling cloak off the back of his door.
"You will be careful."she said asked him.He nodded.
"It is only the weather."Though he knew what she really meant.He tied the cloak around his neck and left the kitchen to the living room,out into the night.

A vicious storm was proceeding and the darkness only added effect to the howling winds and the flashes of lightning.The rain poured down quickly and flooded several small streams near an old manor house that seemed to be uninhabitated.Nothing was heard except for the storm until a small pop was made by a man appearing out of thin air.Snape looked up at the old manor house and took in the sight.It had been years since he had been here and oh how it had changed.The place seemed to look gloomy and deserted,far fetched from the wonderus gardens it had had and the beautiful windows it had bore.But none of that remained.He started striding up to the grounds of the manor and pointed his wand swiftly at the large iron gate before him.Immediantly,it swung open and admitted him into the grounds.The gardens were over grown and the path was not visible,but still he knew his way.He found the front door what seemed after hours whilst it had only been five minutes.He banged the great brass knocker onto the oak door and it swung open all by itself.Snape walked in without permission and as soon as he was inside,the door banged shut behind him.He found himself stood at one end of a large corridor.The walls were covered with portraits of the Malfoy family,dating back to what look liked the middle ages.Nearly all of the portraits were of men and women only had a portrait with their husband and not one alone.As he walked further and further down the corridor,he saw numerous portraits of Lucius and there were just as many of him of there was of Draco too.Each family member had a look of complete disgust upon their faces as though they were looking at something hideous.Snape was awed by them and his heart leapt at the sight of a large family portrait of the three present day Malfoys.Lucuis and Draco stood next to each other,looking stuck up and smug.Narcissa,though,sat on a green velvet armchair,looking admirely up at the two.This made him feel sick.Some may call the Malfoy family a 'pure blooded' bunch but he referred to them as cheats and fools.Each one was as bad as the rest.It was not until he diverted his eyes away from the loathsome portrait did he realise that he was at the end of the corridor.A door stood in front of him and he could hear faint voices coming from it.Snape pressed his ear against the door to listen.
"I am going to bed,mother.I suggest you do the same soon."came the drawling voice of Draco Malfoy.He was about to move away from the door when he heard one open and close in the distance.Now was his chance.He opened the door and strode into the room.Narcissa looked up at him as he entered,holding a bundle of blankets.
"Narcissa,I.."but he had realised what she was holding in her arms.Narcissa gave him a cold look and moved her arms away from his eye line.
"What do you want?"she hissed,taking in his appearance.
"That's my son,isn't it?"Snape whispered.He took a step closer to her and she diverted her arms even further away from his eyes.
"This is my son."she said."His father is dead."He fumed at these words.
"Narcissa,this child is mine.You have one son to Lucius."he said heatedly.Why was she playing such childish games?She knew the boy was his,yet she denied it.Perhaps this was some kind of cruel revenge.
"I have never given myself to you."she spat.
"I never said you did,did I?It was your choice."he replied through gritted teeth.Everything he had been through with her to have this child and she now accuses him of manipulating her.What cheek!
"To give myself to such a man?"
"Watch it!"Snape said deadly.This he could not stand.Never would he force a woman to do something she did not want to do.And how hated it when someone said he had forced someone to do something.Narcissa did not speak.Her face was mixed with anger and fear causing her to give him a sour look that was not threatening to him,but quite amusing.
"What have you called him?"he asked.She gave a startled look as though he had just told her Draco had died.
"What have you called him?"he repeated,a little more force in his voice.
"Loki."she replied quietly.Somehow she had completely given up on her hard act and was resorting to her usual self.
"May I hold him?"Snape asked.The mood had changed and it now seemed that she was willing to do anything that he wanted her to.To him,this had a good and a bad side.He did not want this power for many reasons.He did not want to scare someone into something they still did not want to do and having to live with even more regret and shame.On the other hand,he was able to do as he wished with Loki.Narcissa slowly gave him the baby and stood up beside him to be near if he might accidently drop him.Snape looked down into Loki's face and saw that he was not at all how he had expected him to look.But how had he expected him to look?To have Narcissa's beautiful blue eyes and his dark hair?Or to have his black eyes and her blonde hair?He had even thought of him to have had the red eyes of the Dark Lord and no hair at all.But no.He looked neither of these things.Loki's eyes were a light hazel and his hair was fair.He bore none of the appearances of either of them,as Narcissa's hair was mucky blonde and his eyes were so very dark.
"He's beautiful,isn't he?"she whispered,looking down at Loki.It did not seem she was taking in his odd appearances as badly as Snape.She seemed to think that he was the most beautiful baby in the world.Snape was no longer looking at Loki,but at Narcissa.Her looks were flooding back into his memory and he remembered the way her eyes looked when she had been rarely happy.They were full of light and glowed marvelously.Narcissa looked up at him and he saw the blue eyes he had just been thinking about.How it happened,neither of them knew it.But there lips touched and everything seemed to come back to Narcissa,all of her memories with him.She felt so happy and excited to be with him again.But as for Snape,what did he feel?Nothing.

Sorry for the delay.I've been ill.
Chapter 30
Changes


Snape hurried back to Spinners End,utterly confused.He had been wrong about so many things before but never had he thought himself to be wrong about the way he felt to Narcissa.Perhaps he had convinced himself that he was in love,and that she had been the lonely widower that took comfort.Yes,perhaps this was the truth.He had convinced himself this as he walked down the street back home.As he opened the front door,he found Isabella fast asleep on the settee.He smiled to himself.And then there was Isabella who would do anything for him if he asked her.No doubt she had tried to wait up for him,but she did not succeed.And Snape still could not help but think that she was ill.She was very pale in the dim morning light etching out from behind him and she looked so helpless.He knew he had concerns for her but what he had to focus on was his mission.He did not want her involved but he knew that if she wasn't then that would result in another death or two and he could not have that weight on his concience.He still had not cleared himself of four murders and only one of which he had first handly commited.So he pulled a blanket from thin air and wrapped it gently around her.She was cold and it would help.Then,silently,he crept past her to his own bedroom and was satisfied to be in his own bed after so long downstairs on the old settee.But if his wish was to fall asleep quickly,he was throughly disappointed.His mind would not clear and every person that had died out of his fault appeared in his mind.On their faces were mockery,disgust or fear.He could not stand it any longer and was just about to get up when heard voices coming from downstairs.They were arguing but in a very worrisome way.One voice sounded confused and the other rather annoyed.They were both female and immediantly Snape's mind jumped to Isabella and Narcissa.He ran down the stairs to see what all the fuss was about and as he got nearer,he could hear someone crying.He swung the door open slightly and watched what was happening before him.
"Narcissa,I don't know if he's returned!Please if you just give me a minute!"
"No!Please!Don't leave me alone!He won't stop crying!I need Severus!He can make him stop."Narcissa pleaded with her.Never had he thought this possible.He had thought that they hated each other's guts from first sight.But hang on.What had Narcissa just said?I make it stop he thought. What makes her think that?
Isabella rolled her eyes and only then did she spot Snape lurking behind the door.He widened his eyes in alarm and shook his head.
"I don't want to see her!"he murmed.He really didn't.It would embarrass him and he did not want this.Isabella gave a small nod in understanding but Narcissa noticed and turned round to where Isabella had been staring at him.
"Severus."she gasped."I need your help."Realising there was no way out,he stepped out from behind the door and faced her.Loki's screams were getting louder and louder.
"What is wrong with him?"he shouted over his screams.Narcissa shook her head.
"I don't know!"she cried."I don't know."She rushed over to him and handed Loki to him.He gazed down into the boy's face and saw he was as white as a ghost.Not only that,he was shaking like mad.Narcissa looked terrified and Isabella stared at him in awe.Snape,however,was calm.Yes it was confusing to see Loki like this,but he had a theorie.
"The potion."he muttered.
"What?What about it?"Narcissa asked confusingly.He turned to face her,and looked into her eyes for the first time since that moment.But he still felt nothing.
"The potion,it effects the ageing amount of Loki.Every week,it seems,he will age seven years."he said softly.
"How do you know this?"Isabella asked quietly.Snape turned to look at her instead.How did he know this?It was hard to explain.
"In the potion."he began,thinking best how to tell this to her."Two ingrediants have combinded to make one which has created an ageing potion,plus the other ingrediants which made the potion to create what Loki is."He still could not help notice that Isabella looked just as pale as Loki.
"He is ageing,then?"she said.He nodded.
"It is only a matter of minutes before...."But he did not get to finish his sentence.Loki had been thrown out of his arms by a powerful force and was floating in mid air.A bright light shone out from underneath him and he was shaking even harder.
"Get him down!"shouted Narcissa.She was panicing and clung to Snape's robes.Snape did not stop her.He could not help but look at Loki floating before him.Isabella too could not divert her eyes away from him and there were several spells and enchantments speeding through her head but she knew so many of them wouldn't work.But the light disappeared and black thick smoke came from out of him.Narcissa let out a scream.
"Get him down!Get him down!"The black smoke began to clear and something heavy fell from the air.Gently,Loki fell onto the settee and all three of them rushed over to him.The baby he had been was no more.Loki was a seven year old boy who was fast asleep on the settee.No one spoke for a while and then Isabella said;
"Is he okay?"
"I think so."Snape replied.He gave him a small shake and Loki began to stir.He opened his hazel eyes and Isabella gave such a small gasp that only Snape heard her.Loki looked from Narcissa,to Snape,to Isabella and cowarded at the sight of them.
"It's okay."Narcissa whispered."Your okay."He looked her,confused.Poor kid has no idea.Snape thought.Narcissa took Loki's hand and stroked it gently.
"Im your mother."she said quietly.Loki said nothing.He gazed up at her,his face expressionless.
"My mother?"he whispered.She nodded,her eyes brimming with tears.She threw her arms around him a hug.Isabella and Snape watched them,both of them not having the slightest idea of what to say.Isabella looked so pale and without a warning,she just fainted.

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Chapter 31
Dilemas
Snape had not noticed Isabella faint as he was watching Loki and Narcissa embrace.He felt uncomfortble in their presence as though he was intruding on family buisness.He couldn't decide whether to leave the room or not.But he seemed to be glued to the spot and could do nothing but stare.His mouth was dry and even if it wasn't he still wouldn't know what to say.How would he put it?Loki stopped hugging Narcissa.His brain was travelling a mile a minute from that of a baby to that of a seven year old.The word mother popped up into his head and he realised that with a mother you had to have a father.
"Mother."he said to Narcissa."Who is my father?"Loki looked around the room and his eyes fell on Snape."Is he my father?"Snape opened his mouth to speak but someone interupted him.
"Don't be silly,Loki."a soft,deadly voice came from the corner nearest the kitchen and everyone swept round to look there.Voldemort stood there,with the nastiest grin Snape had ever seen on his face.He stepped out of the corner and gave Isabella a quick look out of the corner of his eye.Snape turned to look at the floor and found her there,as white as she had been ever since he had returned from the Malfoy's Manor.He took his wand from inside his robes and pointed at her whilst Voldemort continued to talk.
"Severus is not your father,Loki.I am."Snape,Narcissa and Loki all looked at him.Narcissa and Snape were in shock were as Loki looked delighted.
"My father!"he gasped.He ran up to Voldemort and flung himself in his arms.Voldemort looked alarmed at this but hugged him back,smiling at the faces they were pulling.
"Just ask your mother,Loki.Ask her if I am your father."he said in barely above a whisper,but everybody heard him.The room was silent and confusingly,Loki let go of Voldemort and turned back to Narcissa.
"Is he my father?"he asked.He had that look in his eye that said if-you-tell-me-Im-wrong-I'll-cry.Narcissa looked at Snape fleetingly for a moment and then nodded.
"Yes,Loki.He is your father."she said slowly as though every word was making her repulsed with herself.Snape threw her quite a filthy look and quietly levitated Isabella up the stairs,following behind her.As he got upstairs,he gently rested her on his bed.He felt her forehead and found she was freezing cold.His sheets were thin and he knew he must get her some blankets,so he summouned three thick woolen blankets from thin air and tucked them in underneath her.He felt her forehead again,but Isabella still remained cold.Snape took her wrist and felt her pulse.Fine.So why was she so cold?Isabella began to stir and her eyelids flickered.
"You did not tell me it was this serious."he said,rather sharpish.She looked up at him and saw that his face was quite annoyed but she knew she was not in such big trouble that she could not easily change the subject.
"Loki."she breathed."Go and see Loki.He needs you more.They need you more."He stared at her for a minute and then looked away.
"I am staying up here with you."he said simply.
"Look after your son."she said softly.
"What son?"he grumbled.
"What do you mean?Loki is your son,is he not?"Isabella asked in confusion.
"Go ask the Dark Lord downstairs,Im sure he tell you otherwise."Isabella froze.
"He is here?Downstairs?"She shuddered."How I hate that man!"
"Join the club."Snape mumbled.
"But he is your master."
"Exactly,that is why I loathe him as I do."he replied,irritated.
"But you chose to follow him."
"And that is a descion I will always regret."
Nobody talked for a minute.Snape continued to extract many more blankets from thin air and wrapped them around Isabella,but it was pointless.She felt no more warmth,just weight of the blankets.
"I do not wish to burst your bubble,but these blankets are pointless."she said quietly.He narrowed his eyes and hissed;
"Is there anything to satisfy you at the moment?"
"Yes!Go downstairs and claim Loki as your son!"she cried.Snape threw her a look of outrage but she did not respond.She stared at him and he stared back.Some how,through eye contact,did she influence him to go downstairs.

When he got into the living room,Snape found Voldemort and Loki sat on his settee whilst Narcissa sat in the armchair opposite,giving the two rather worried looks.Voldemort noticed Snape come in and smiled at him.
"Ah Severus.We were just about to leave.Surely you would like to say goodbye to Loki and Narcissa?"he mocked him.He said nothing and did not respond to Narcissa's appologetic look.
"Or maybe not."Voldemort muttered."Ah well,we'll be seeing you.Oh but first I must speak to you in private for a minute.Narcissa,take Loki back home,would you?"Narcissa jumped at the sound of her own name and gave a little nod.She took Loki's arm and together they disapparated.Snape's mind had gone wild.When would he see his son again?What did the Dark Lord want?And how was Isabella?
"You did a noble thing today."Voldemort started,standing up from the settee.They faced each other and Snape was hoping against hope that a small amount of fear that he had wasn't showing on his face.Then again,Voldemort could sense it and he loved it.
"But let me get this clear to you,Severus."he said,dropping a tone."If you tell that boy the truth,then it won't only be your life in danger but her's as well."he said,pointing to the door that led upstairs."Oh and do get her well for next week,she has a big mission ahead of her."Voldemort smiled.Snape gave him a sour look.He was worrying like mad inside his head.How did he know that Isabella was ill when he himself had only just found out the truth?He had to have had something to do with it.
"I shall see you later."he finished,turning on the spot,he lit out with disapparation.Snape was left by himself for a moment,his thoughts all over the place.Nothing was making sense.All he knew was that he had no son anymore and he loved no one and no one loved him.It was sad and he knew it but he did not let it bother him.He had been worse off.So he walked over to his shelf where he kept many potions and took the smallest of them all.He carried it upstairs to Isabella and watched her drink it.He thought he saw the tiniest flicker of colour in her cheeks.
"Has he gone?"she asked quietly.Snape nodded and took the bottle back from her.
"Did you tell Loki you were his father?"He looked away from her before replying after sometime;
"I have told Loki nothing."
"Oh."she sighed.They sat in silence for a short while,neither knowing what to say to each other.
"Are you feeling any warmth?"he asked,breaking the silence.
"Im not sure."Isabella replied.She could not feel anything.She was neither hot not cold or normal.She felt quite dizzy and her eye sight was becoming blurred.Snape felt her forehead again and he too felt no warmth or cold.
"Perhaps this is just some muggle virus."he shrugged.
"But wouldn't the potion have killed it straight away?"she asked.He thought for a moment and remembered that most potions cured muggle diseases too.
"It would have,but I hate to think that this is something worrisome."he replied.Isabella said nothing.She stared at him to see if he could reassure her she was going to be fine.She did not feel too uneased about her health,but she was not as confident as she would have liked to have been.Snape's mind was on something completely different.The Dark Lord had said to him that she better be alright before next week.But what could possibly be happening next week?He turned quite pale.Of course!The Horcrux Mission.Oh he'd hate for her to come with him.Her life meant something and his didn't.He wanted her to be healthy but he did not want her to come with him.He could not have her risk her life for him.Something as heavy as that on his chest would drive him to somethig serious and even if that is what he wanted he still could not let that happen.
"Isabella,how are you feeling?"he asked her again.She looked at him quite confused.She was touched by all his sympathy but he was making her uneasy.
"I am not sure.I go hot and then I go cold.Sometimes I feel nothing."she replied,hoping he would not ask that question again.
"How long do you think you shall be confinded to a bed?"he asked.Where are all these strange questions coming from?Is he afraid that Im going to drop dead at any minute?
"I am not sure.It will depend how I feel."she said,confusion sounding in her voice.Snape realised he was making her uneasy.
"I am sorry."he said."I shall leave you to rest."And with that,he left the room,closing the door behind him.

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Chapter 32
The Mission Approaches

Isabella tried to improve her health over the next few days,but it seemed pointless.She still felt cold and nothing she or Snape could do made her feel any better.Several times she had told him to leave her be and go and tell Loki the truth,but each time she said this he turned a deaf ear to her or got very snappy.To keep himself occupied and his mind fully concentrated,he searched through all of his books to see if he could find what illness Isabella had,but her symptons were not linked to the same as in the books.Nearly every book he read and when he had found a paragraph or two on the symptons she had,the illness sounded unlikely.There was one he gave great thought about though,as it was connected with water.The passage read;
Tresionous
Pronounced Tree-Son-Ous

An illness caused by enchanted rivers usually cursed by Dark Wizards.The cause from the river is how much of the air has been sucked into the lungs of the person.It usually tends to be around twenty minutes for enough of the air to deposite into the lungs to create such a drastic illness.Symptons include coldness and dizziness.In some cases,hacking coughs are also included.

Snape listened hard as though expecting to hear Isabella hacking her lungs out,but he heard nothing.Perhaps this was what was wrong with her,but she had not been in the water so long and she had been thrown into the river quite a while ago.But out of all the other illness,this seemed the most likely.He put the book back on the shelf and rubbed his eyes.He had had his nose in a book for a good five hours and he would have to check to see how Isabella was.He crept up the stairs to the bedroom and openend the door to find the bed empty.Isabella was sat on the floor,gazing into the grate where she had lit a fire.
"Isabella,what are you doing out of bed?"he asked her.She did not turn around to face him but carried on gazing into the flames.They were so attractive and warm.She wanted to reach out and stroke them but she feared the burn that would await her.She was still very pale but her eyes were alert.Snape approached nearer to her.
"How are you feeling?"
"Im fine."she replied quietly.This was not exactly true.She still felt cold but something inside her had awoken.She felt as though anything was possible,even stepping through the flames in front of her.Then she remembered something that she would have to take part in,something dangerous and almost impossible.Something that made her excited and her blood boil with the mere thought of it.
"Do not get so close to the flames.You'll burn yourself."he warned.She jumped.She had almost forgotten he was in the room.Snape could not help but stare at her.She was acting most peculiar and he was retracing his mind to the list of other symptons described in some of his books.
"When is our mission?"Isabella asked suddenly.He looked up at her and she turned to face him.He saw she was still her pale self and knelt down beside her.
"My mission,Isabella.You are not to go."he said sharply.
"But it is the Dark Lord's request!I must go!"she cried.She knew he thought that she was too weak to go,but she had to go and what more,now she wanted to go.The excitement seemed so thrilling.But if she told him this, she knew he would not see it this way.
"No,you musn't.You are going to stay here and rest."he told her.He could not risk her life.It would seem so ignorent if he saved her life and then lost her it.
"I am fed up of resting."she said irritated."I am feeling fine."
"You do not look it."Snape said quietly.He looked at her pale face and the only thing he could see that was not as white were her great hazel eyes that seemed to be wide and shined in the darkness.She stared at him and thought about how much he had tried to look after her and how ungrateful she was being.
"Perhaps you are right."she whispered."But I do not wished to be confinded to your bed."
"Then get dressed,come downstairs and eat something.Maybe that is why you are so pale.You have not eaten for days."he said quietly.Isabella nodded.
"But before I do,when is it that you leave?"she asked.He looked her for a moment and decided that honesty was the best option.
"The day after tomorrow."
"I see."she mumbled.She wondered whether to say the next bit.Would it sound stupid?
"Do be careful,won't you?"Isabella said and Snape could sense the concern behind her voice.
"I shall be fine and much happier knowing that I am not leading you into any danger."he said softly.She smiled.
"I can look after myself."she laughed.Snape raised his eyebrows.
"I'll keep that in mind.But for now,I think it's time you got dressed."
"Yes,I ought to."she sighed.Snape got up of the floor and left the room for downstairs.Isabella took one last look at the flames and then extinguished them with her wand.
"Im not leting you go alone."she said to the door."You have saved my life,now it is time to pay my debt."And with that she got dressed and went downstairs.

Snape had begun to make breakfast downstairs,but failed miserably.He had never cooked for himself,never mind another person.Someone had always seemed to do it for him and sometimes he just did not eat and ignored his hunger.Isabella came into the kitchen and noticed all of the smoke coming off of the stove.Snape was frantically trying to clear the smoke with his wand but even more rose from the stove.He was fighting a losing battle.Isabella lazily flickered her wand at the stove and the smoke cleared.He turned around to face her.He looked exstatic.
"First time I've tried."he muttered as he saw the grin on her face.
"I can tell."she smiled.She peered into the pan he had been using and saw a few strips of black bacon.
"Just how I like it,smokey."Snape smiled at her joke.It was pleasant to see her so happy.
"Would you prefer something else?"
"Please.But I think I'll make it myself."she reassured him.He backed away from the stove and stood behind her.Her hair was a complete mess,it was greasy and ragged but she looked so wonderful at that moment.Seeing her happy made him happy.He watched her as she made her breakfast and when she turned around,quickly looked away.
"Would you like some?"she asked as she poured a thick rich onion soup into a bowl.
"No,Im fine,thank you."He did not feel like eating but he sat down opposite her and watched her tuck into the soup.She still looked just as pale but her eyes were full of life and were so very bright.
"Can I ask you something?"Isabella said out of the blue.Snape had not really been paying attention,but nodded after he had heard what she had said.
"Are you not scared?"she said quietly."Do you not fear what's awaiting for you out there?Are you not afraid?"He gave her a slightly puzzled look as though this question was not as personal as it was.
"What is there to fear?"he replied.
"A hundred things.Your enemies finding out your secrets and weaknesses.People thinking if you die,everything will go back to normal."she said,truly meaning what she was saying.
"Isabella,none of these things could hurt me."he lied.Isabella rose her eyebrow in suspicion.
"That is a lie.You fear people wanting to kill you.You don't want forgiveness and you'd hate to have everyone know everything about you."she said in a low voice.Snape looked at her startled.She knew too much.
"How do you know this?"his voice frantic even though he had not meant it to be.
"Because you are like me.We are both murderers.We do not want everyone knowing our secrets and weaknesses and we fear what will come the day after tomorrow."He gave her a strange look between the lines of fear,confusion and exceptense.But he had to admit it to someone soon.
"I am scared."he whispered.Isabella knocked her bowl aside and stared straight at him.
"I know you are."she whispered back."And that is why it will take two of us to complete the mission.That is why I will be going with you."But at this,Snape snapped.
"No!Your not going and that's final."He got up out of his seat and left the kitchen,shutting the door behind him with a bang,leaving Isabella cursing herself for trying,but even more for failing.

Chapter 33
Persuation and Thought

That day when Isabella had tried to persuade Snape to take her with him,passed quickly into the next day,the day before the mission was due to start.She had hoped that he had forgotten about the whole thing,but he hadn't.Snape felt nervous and on edge.He knew that tomorrow would be a hard day for him and he did not know if he would survive it.Surely Hogwarts would have recieved some tip-off of him coming and they would hardly greet him with open arms.He tried to keep his mind of it and read,but he could not concentrate.Instead,he watched Isabella over his book,fixing her appearance into his mind as it might be the last day they would have left together.His throat was dry and he had nothing to say.He felt furious at himself for not speaking to her and he bet anything that she was annoyed at him for several reasons.But Isabella was not as annoyed at him as he thought.She sat on the floor,gazing into the dephs of the fire again,deep in thought.She had to go with him tomorrow.She could not let him go alone.But how was she to persuade him to let her go?He had been very stubborn about it yesterday and that was probablly why she was having the cold shoulder today.But she could take it no more.Isabella got up from the ground and Snape quickly pretended to be reading his book as she came and sat down beside him on the settee.He looked up from his book.
"What?"
She rolled up her sleeves to reveal her wrists,which bore two large white scars.Snape felt quite sick at the look of them.Too many bad memories,but she did not see it that way.
"Remember how I got these?"she asked.He nodded,unable to speak."And do you know how much courage it took to do that?"He gave her a slightly suspicious look.She was on to something and he didn't really like it.
"Do you know how much agony I was in?And do you know how much I just wanted to die?"At this,Snape gave her his fullest attention.
"No,I didn't."he said quietly.
"You know what I think?"she asked."I think if you can take your own life,then you can do anything."Snape noticed what she was trying to do and he was determined not to let it work.
"But you didn't take your own life,did you?"he said icily."You still here."
"Only because you cared enough to save me!"she argued.He was being ruthless.It was his kindness that had let her live.
"You are incorrect."he said coldly.Isabella fixed him with a shocked look."I still care about you but right now you are getting on my nerves."
"That is because you won't listen to me!"
"There is nothing left to be heard or said!"he cried.She shook her head.
"But when tomorrow comes,you will be in grave peril."she whispered."You might die."
"That is unlikely."Snape said,but unreassureingly.His insides were tieing in a great knot.
"Do not fool yourself."she sighed."The whole wizarding world wants you dead."
"I know!"he shouted."But I cannot let the Dark Lord hurt anyone else I care for.It would kill me."Isabella stared straight into his cold black eyes and could see the fear inside them.Never had she him so afraid,as though he was a child.
"Then let me come with you."she whispered."Let me protect you."He stared into her eyes and with all his might,shook his head.
"I cannot risk your life."he whispered back.
"It would not be you risking it.It would be me."she did reassure him with these words and he felt warmer,but still he did not want this.
"If anything happened to you,if you should die...."
"Then I would have lived my life and treasured the moments I have had with you."Isabella whispered."I can look after myself."Snape rubbed his face.He was so confused.He knew the possibilities of him surving alone were slim but if he was with Isabella?
"Say I let you come with me...."She smiled.He looked angry at this.He had not yet made his choice and did not want her making it any harder for him then it already was.She noticed this and stopped smiling,but continued to stare at him instead.
"Say I did let you come with me."he continued."You must promise to do anything I tell you.If I tell you to run will you do it?"She nodded."If I tell you to hide,will you do it?"She nodded again,eagerness in her eyes."And if I tell you to leave me and go back,will you do it?"Isabella opened her mouth,her face mortified that he would want her to leave him.
"Isabella."Snape said sternly."Do you promise?"She did not speak for a moment and then nodded quite sadly.
"Then you can come."he said softly."But you must obey my rules."
"Exactly what is it your expecting?"she asked.She had imagined aurors guarding Dumbledore's office,and enchantments fixicated all over the door.
"I do not know."he replied simply.This was true.He did not know what to expect,whether it be easy or hard.But when had anything been easy or simple for him?They did not speak for a while,each lost in their own thoughts of what they were expecting.But a question came to mind and Isabella had to ask it.
"How do you know what time to go?"she asked.
"My mark will burn black."he sighed.At first,when he was young and only just became a Death Eater,he had loathed the pain of the Dark Mark burningbut after nearly twenty years of it,he had learned to ignore it.His skin was too thick to endure pain like that.He did not call it pain anyway.Pain was the agony of the cruciartius curse.Isabella had another question.
"Won't the others come?"she asked,still curious.Snape thought back to what Voldemort had told him the night he had called Bellatrix.The Death Eaters knew not to come.They were stationed all around the wizarding world as spies.But he would dread seeing them if they did turn up,especially Draco and Narcissa.It would have been even worse if Bellatrix was to show up.Then his mind strayed to Loki and he could not help think how the boy was.It was most likely he was no longer a boy.Yet he was still under the influence the Dark Lord was his father,another thing to eat away at him.He stiffled a yawn.He was tired.
"I think it's time we both went to bed."Isabella said.Snape looked at her alarmed and then realised what she meant.
"Oh yes.To our different beds you mean?"he asked her.She nodded,slightly confused by him.
"I shall sleep down here.It has been some time since you slept on a bed and you will need your comfort for tomorrow."she said softly.He got up of the settee and made his way up the stais to bed.
"Goodnight,Isabella."he called.
"Night."she called back.It took them both sometime to sleep that night,but when they did,they each had horrific dreams in which each other had died and they both were soothed at the end of this nightmares by the mere thought of one another.

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Chapter 34
Strengths and Weaknesses
Despite the horrific dreams they both had,Snape and Isabella slept that night.Neither of them knew what to expect that day but there was one thing that they were sure of,whatever it was,it was going to be terrible.In Isabella's dreams,despite the body of Snape,she had seen countless more everywhere she looked.There were massive giants everywhere,standing on the helpless people below.Dementors swarmed everywhere,sucking the souls out of the survivers.It was a beastly sight that caused her to awaken in a cold sweat.Snape,on the other hand,dreamt only of Isabella and the danger he would lead her into.Repition of her under the cruciartius curse was petrifying sight for him to endure.It was unbearable for him to witness but it was even more horrific when he found himself holding the wand that caused the pain.He dropped it and the whole of the room went black.He felt so small and sickened with himself because in his dreams,he could do anything whether he wanted to or not.This caused him to awake as well as Isabella,but he was anxious with himself.He feared what was going to happen now more than ever.He felt faint and sick.Quietly,he tiptoed into the bathroom and saw his gaunt face in the mirror through the dim light.But it was as though stranger was looking back at him.A year ago he had been at Hogwarts,and then he had worried about killing Dumbledore,a major issue.But now he was paranoid about this mission that if he could,would prevent.But all seemed hopeless and he had this sinking feeling inside of him that he wasn't going to survive the day.He knew he shouldn't have been thinking so lowly of himself,but his mind read it as clearly as a book.Here lies Severus Snape. He shuddered at the thought,but that is what he expected.He washed the sleep out of his eyes and went back into his bedroom and got dressed.The sun was rising outside of his window and he stopped to stare at the beautiful colours the sky was.Dawn was a peaceful time of day when the world awoke.But he would rather it stayed black if what was going to happen today happened.He rubbed his left arm where his dark mark was and it felt sore.He knew that it was not burning yet as it would much hotter than it was.He thought back to twenty years ago when he thought killing was a game and that it was fun.How stupid he had been.He had landed himself in so much mess that he regretted so long after.Too many murders on his concision that haunted his every living moment.Maybe it would be better off if he died today.After all,what was he living for?Isabella.a small voice said inside his head.Ah yes.Isabella.They had been through so much when she was so young and now even more when she was not as young.He could not help thinking to himself sometimes,when he saw her,that she was wasting her life here with him.She should be married with a family,not here with him.But he could not find it in his heart to tell her this in case she took it the wrong way and left him forever.That he would not be able to stand.Without her,he was nothing.
Isabella lay wide awake on the settee,thinking about death.Her face was wet with tears and she was trying to prevent herself from thinking about it,but she could not.She could not help but think about Snape dead when he done so much for her.She owed his life to him several times and was determined to pay her debt.He may say I have not debt to pay,but I do!she told herself.That is why she truly wanted to go with him,to protect him like he had done so many times before.But still the thought of him dead made her heart collapse with dread that if he leaved,she would go with him.Never had she felt for him as much as anything else.She felt useless laying there on the settee and threw the covers off of her.She sat up straight when the door opened.Snape came in and she smiled at him.
"Good morning."she said quietly.
"Is it?"he replied.Isabella said nothing and knew what he was refering to.He came and sat down beside her.He had nothing to say.He just wanted to hold onto this moment forever,her by his side.This is what he enjoyed most.She felt warmth spread through her body as he stared at her and said;
"How are you feeling?"
"I am fine."she replied simply.It was him that was to be concerned the most.But some how,Snape was not convinced by her words.Her face looked as pale as ever.Was she still ill?
"Are you sure?"he asked,more concern for her in his voice.He would not lead her into danger,he would not lead her into danger."If you do not want ot go I fully understand."
"How many times must I tell you?"she snapped."I want to go!I feel fine!"But she was far from fine.Her head was throbbing and she too felt sick.Her vision was becoming blurred but she blammed this on the light they sat in,which was none.Snape was rather hurt by her attitude and wanted her to feel happy on what could be one of the last moments with her.
"Im sorry."he said quietly."I should not be too fussy."
"It is fine."Isabella said,feeling guilty.She should not have snapped at him,but she had.Snape felt uncomfortable being with her.He wanted to run and hide and not be found.Upstairs he had convinced himself everything would be fine if he just sat in her presence but it wasn't.He was just about to get up and run away upstairs when she caught his arm.He looked straight into her hazel eyes through the dim light shining through the curtains.She had to admit this;
"Im scared for you."she whispered.He said nothing for a moment and continued to look into her hazel eyes,lost within their gaze.He felt.He felt something wonderful.Her touch was warm even though her look was not happy.Her look was like a frightened child and he did not know how to soothe her.He sat back down but she did not let go of his arm.Say something! she said.Say something to reassure me!But he didn't.He couldn't.What was he to say?He knew how much she was relying on him to say something to soothe her nerves,and this made him mad at himself for not being able to do so.
"Im scared for you."he whispered back.That's all he could say and even though Isabella did not feel the wonderful glowing feeling that convinced her of no sorrow,she felt his care onto her.He feels for me.she thought.That was enough to convince her.But Snape startled her with his weakness.
"I don't want to die."he said.Isabella had always thought him the man to laugh at death in the face,but here he was,scared to death.She took his hand and stroked it soothingly.He felt his spine tingle and himself getting hotter and hotter.
"I won't let you."she whispered,like a brave woman.She would keep this promise until her dying day.It was the least she could do.Snape gave a small smile and he knew that she was his angel.That she would do his best to protect him even if he didn't want it.There was no use in arguing against her.She would win.He would have given in anyway.He felt so vunerable.She looked at him and saw how relaxed he looked.But he did not feel as relaxed.His mark was still warm and he could feel it tingling.And all of a sudden it began to burn.He let go of her arm and let out a yell.The pain was like none before.His skin felt like it was being burnt repeatedly with a white hot poker.He screwed his eyes up in the agony.Isabella's face looked scared as she knew what this meant.
"It has begun."she whispered.
Isabella leapt up off the settee and stood next to Snape,who had grasped his right arm.He felt his blood boil and hsi skin become red raw.The mark burned black underneath his robe sleeve and he could feel the small shoots of pain gliding back and forth through his arm.She clutched it tightly and they both disapparated.


Hogsmeade.Smoke began to rise from the villiage as hooded figures could be seen casting charms all over the place,setting it on fire.Harry watched them from Hogwarts and knew it was about to begin.
"Lupin!Hermione!Ron!Professor!"he shouted over his shoulder.Lupin,Hermione,Ron and Mcgonagall all came running into the room and looked out of the window.
"Go tell everyone to get ready."Harry said to Mcgonagall.She nodded and quickly turned from the office.
"Go with her."he told the rest of them.Ron and Lupin went without delay but Hermione stayed where she was.
"What are you going to do,Harry?"she asked him.
"Im staying here."he replied."To protect Dumbledore's office."She cast him a worried look.
"You will be careful,won't you?"she whispered.He nodded.
"I'll be fine."Hermione gave a small sigh and then hurried out of the room after everyone else.Harry strode over to the portrait of Dumbledore amongst all of the others and felt impatient with him.Dumbledore had refused to answer any of his questions on Snape or his mother and this had put terrible thoughts of the two of them in his head.But he had sworn himself something.That he would find Snape and force the truthout of him before he killed him.He now was a trained killer,having successfully killing several bats he imagined as him.The Ministry had only allowed this under severe charges from Dumbledore's murder,which had horrified them at the time.Harry was looking forward to finishing Snape off and afterwards,Lord Voldemort.He knew both would come today and even suspected Snape of being down in the villiage right at that moment.But he wasn't.

Snape and Isabella appeared right on the outskirts of Hogsmeade and could only just see the smoke rising from the villiage.
"Oh no."she murmed.The pain in Snape's arm stopped and feel felt himself much stronger.Isabella though,felt utterly terrified at what lay ahead.She had convinced herself that she was ready for this,but she wasn't.
"Come on."he said,beggining to take long strides towards the villiage.He stopped when he noticed Isabella wasn't following him.
"Isabella,you told me you could do this."he said strictly."If you want to go back,then do so."She began to see the teacher in him again and shook her head.
"Then come on then!"he called,making his way towards the villiage.Isabella followed after him and felt cold in the morning sunShe caught him with,determined not to be by herself for too long.
"Are we going straight to Hogwarts?"she asked.Snape stopped for a moment and nodded.He noticed her shivering and looked her up and down to realise she was only in her white nightie.
"You best get your wand out."he said lazily.Isabella took her wand from underneath her bra strap.Snape looked at her funnily.
"Safe keepings."she replied.He nodded confused and began to start walking up to the castle again.It was a long way away in the distance,but Snape was not focussing on that.He was more interested on how he was going to get into Dumbledore's office.Isabella,however,kept cutting her bare feet and had to stop to summon herself some slippers at one point.Then she had to hurry to keep up with him.He walked through the trees near Hogsmeade,not wanting to be seen.As they got closer,they could begin to smell the smoke and hear the shouting coming from the villiage.He managed to block the sound from his ears,he had heard too many times before,even though it haunted his dreams,in reality,it seemed nothing.But Isabella could not block the noise and her fear grew even more.She had to be strong but it was hard.They managed to get through Hogsmeade and hiked upwards to Hogwarts.As soon as they were out of the bushes,they heard a loud bang.Isabella screamed and leapt back into Snape's arms as the large gate to Hogwarts came flying off.People shouted and swarmed in through over the rubble and they could see Dementors too,amongst the Death Eaters.They ran,firing jinxes and curses in all directions whilst the Order shot them back.Snape and Isabella stood watching them for a while until he snapped out of it.
"Come on."he said,letting go of Isabella and heading off for the school again.
"Are you crazy?"she cried."How are we suppose to get through all of that without one of us getting killed?"Her previous thoughts of him dead came flooding back and she shuddered again.Snape said nothing for a moment,deep in thought.
"Come here."he said.Isabella gave him one confused look and then moved towards him.He tapped his wand on her head and she had this cooling sensation swim over her body as though he had just broken an egg on her body.She gasped.Her whole body had turned see through.
"Trust me."he whispered as he repeated the same on himself.They hurried up to the grounds together and stood watching the scene before them again.It was like a battle.Even now there were a few bodies lying on the ground and Isabella was close to fainting.Snape however could identify every single one of them and he was happy to know that there were more Death Eaters down than there were Order Members.
"Come on!"he whispered.He took her arm and they ran head first through the crowd of fighters.They knocked several people over as they went and he was aiming for the Death Eaters.They had to barge through a large group of Order Members quickly before they were recognised.They came to the doors to the Entrance Hall and foolishly,they were unlocked.Snape and Isabella slipped inside easily and he was astonished to see no one inside,defending the castle.He tapped Isabella on the head again and himself and they both turned back to their normal selves.
"That was so scary."she breathed.
"You ain't seen nothing yet."he replied.He looked around him and all the wonderful memories flooded back to him.He remembered when he had come running through here with Isabella in his arms,remembered the time Sybil Trewlawny had nearly been sacked here and when he had ran through here with Draco Malfoy by his side,running for his life.It was him that shuddered this time.He turned to the right and saw the way down to the dungeons.How he longed to go down there,but he had to stay put.
"Come on!"Isabella said urgently this time.They swiftly moved up the Marble Staircase and didn't stop running until they reached the seventh floor.Snape gasped for breath as he came outside Dumbledore's office.He did not know what to do.How would he get in?
"Bombarda!"Isabella yelled,solving his problem.The wall crumbled and fell down to the ground with rubble and dust flying everywhere.There was a large hole in the wall for them to climb through and so they did.Snape got up first and looked around at the office.For the first time,he felt quite nervous about being here.He climbed straight through the wall into the room so to let Isabella come in afterwards.Her head was throbbing still after everything she had been through but she did not care.Suddenly her strength was replenishing.She too looked around the office and saw Gryffindor's sword gleaming in it's case.
"There!"she whispered,pointing at the case.But Snape was not looking at that.He noticed that Dumbledore's portrait was empty.The portrait had hung above the sword so he moved closer to it.He was more focused on the portrait.Where had he gone?
"Avada Kedavra!"A jet of green light shot at Snape and he flew up in the air.Isabella let out an ear pierceing scream.Snape dropped back to the ground with a thud.Harry smiled to himself.

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Chapter 35
Part 1
Secrets and Lies
This was not happening.It just couldn't be.Isabella was shaking and her knees buckled so that she fell to the floor.She began to sob and the events of the last few seconds kept repeating in her head.She felt as though half of her had just been tawn away and there was hardly anything left of her.Harry ignored her sobs and made his way over to Snape's body.He had not planned to do it straight away but he knew what kind of a man Snape had been.He felt no sympathy for the woman sobbing before his body,because if she was with Snape,no doubt she was like him.But Harry regretted something big that would disturb him until his dying day.He should of done it sooner and Lord Voldemort should have been his first death.Snape would have cowered with his master dead and him next.But of course,Harry was wrong.Inside him it felt as though several fires had been lit and each one of them the flames were roaring fiercely.He had the urge to do it again.So he was going to.He rose his wand and was just about to hiss;
"Avada Kedav..."
"HARRY DO NOT TOUCH THAT MAN!"someone yelled.Harry spun around and even Isabella looked up from her knees.Her eyes were glazed with tears but they widened with alarm with the sight before her.
"Sir?"Harry asked in whisper,his voice quivering.It was impossible.How could it be?Dumbledore was dead!Dead!But no.Albus Dumbledore stood in front of them,pale,but fully alive.He sighed,knowing how strange this seemed.
"Lower your wand,Harry."he said softly.Harry was so confused.Dumbledore's dead!Dead!He didn't lower his wand as Dumbledore had asked.
"Lower your wand please,Harry."he repeated with more force in his voice.Harry gave him a startled look and slowly lowered his wand.There was silence and then Harry had to say it before he burst with confusion.He wanted answers.
"Your dead!He killed you!You can't be here if your dead!"he cried on the verge of tears.He had to steady himself on the desk before he nearly fell over.He shut his eyes and began to give small sobs.There was pain inside him and it felt as though invisible old wounds had burst open and he had never even known they were there.Isabella had stopped sobbing but still cried silently.She looked up at Dumbledore who caught her eye and then looked away from him again.But she had turned right back to Snape's body and she felt coldness run through her as she took in the pain.Dumbledore didn't take his eyes of her and walked away from Harry.He knelt down next to Snape's body and took his wrist in his hand.Isabella looked at him,terrified.What was he going to him?She let out a loud sob as to tell him that she was scared and Dumbledore smiled at her which made her feel much worse.The pain was becoming even more unbearable.It felt as though someone was drawing in her heart with a rusty knife that kept getting stuck.She just wanted to make the pain go away.She wanted to be with him.She could not live without him.
"He's not dead,Isabella."Dumbledore said quietly.Isabella looked at him as though he was mad.At this,Harry's ears pricked.
"He's dead."he replied."I killed him."He stopped sobbing and let go of the table.He was shaking slightly and stumbled over to where Dumbledore was.
"A foolish thing it was to do,Harry,but no,Severus is alive."he said back softly.Harry refused to believe this.
"I killed him!He's dead!"
"No,Harry.At the present time,Severus is trapped in limbo and the only way to get him out is if care and affection is shown for him quite soon."Dumbledore argued.He knew what he was talking about,but it seemed Harry didn't.
"Then how come your alive?And how's he alive?"
"It is hard to explain,Harry."Dumbledore sighed."The thing is,when a witch or wizard dies,their deaths are usually excepted by their friends and family quite quickly and they do not hold onto the thought of them still being alive.But in some cases,like mine and Severus's,there is usually two people who cannot accept that the witch or wizard is dead.In my case,it was you and Severus and in Severus's case it is I and Isabella here."He gestured towards Isabella who was listening hard and racketing her brain to fill in the infomation on Snape.It would help her."Only then,if there are two people whom they trusted that will not let go,can that person come back to life."Dumbledore was waiting for Harry to ask a question he knew would destroy Snape but he had to answer it for him.
"Then,if you and Snape have come back to life,why didn't Sirius or my parents come back?"he asked.This question was important.Maybe there was a loophole that would allow his parents and Sirius to come back.His eyes were full of glee,but one look from Dumbledore made his glee disappear instantly.Dumbledore shook his head.
"Sirius?I am not sure.But your parents,well their friends and family excepted their deaths reasonably well as they knew how much danger they had been in after you were born.But as for your mother."This part,he dreaded the most.He knew Severus had kept this a secret for almost twenty years and as far as Dumbledore was concerned,he was the only one that knew it."There was one person who still can't believe your mother is dead."Harry wasn't shocked by this.He expected that person to be him,but even so,why not his father as well?Dumbledore was suprised by his reaction.He's got the wrong end of the stick somewhere.he thought.
"Harry that person is in this room."he said quickly hoping Harry would pick up on it soon enough.But Harry was not as quick.He looked from Dumbledore to the woman kneeling by Snape's body and then to Snape.It struck him.Anger flooded through his veins.His blood boiled and he felt like lashing out at the next person who spoke.
"It's him."he hissed."IT'S HIM ISN'T IT?"Harry shouted no longer able to contain his anger.He took a step closer to Snape on the floor and Isabella took his hand as though trying to protect him.She felt his fingers move in her palm and her seemed to vanish.Warmth flooded back to her body.She felt as though she was out in the summers day it was suppose to be,not this dreaded day.
"Yes,Harry.It is him."Dumbledore said quietly.He had expected Harry's temper.It was only common that he would do so.But Harry could not stand the old face being so calm with him and he began to hate it.But Snape could not except his mother's death when there were thousands of people better that she could have relied on to keep her spirit alive.
"Why?"he snapped."Why did she trust him?"
"Because I loved her."Snape said.He pushed himself off the floor and was ready to fight his demons.Isabella let go of his hand and she began to cry again,but her tears were those of joy.He's not dead.she thought.But she had never really believed him dead anyway.Dumbledore was staring at Snape and he smiled.He knew that he could fight his own battles and would not get angry at Harry for digging up the past when he had spent so long burying it."And as far as Im aware,she loved me too."Hot,angry tears fell down Harry's cheeks.No,he's lying!She loved my dad!She loved my dad!
"Your lying!"he hissed.
"I wish I was."Snape looked into those green eyes that were so much like Lily's but he could see no love for him in them.He saw darkness and behind the green he knew there must have been blue that was James's.Harry glared right back into those cold black eyes that had shone him the deepest of loatheing for so long but even now when Harry felt he could burst with haterd towards him,he found nothing of the sort in Snape's eyes.If anything,they were sympathetic.He could not stand this.
"STOP IT!MY MUM LOVED MY DAD!LILY EVANS LOVED JAMES POTTER!"he yelled,working himself up into a vicious rage.If he said it enough times it would come true,it would.
"Im not denying that Harry.But for sometime she loved me too."he said softly.Harry shook his head as though there were many flies around him.
"She didn't!She wouldn't."he cried.He felt as though soon he was just going to fall and carry on falling.Everyone had always told him that his mother and father had been so happy when they had been married and what Snape was saying did not sink in like their words had.Yes,she had hated him,but then she had loved him too!And no one else.Just him.
"I cannot make you believe anything you refuse to,but I know that over time,you will except it.But for now,I give up.For now I will have to proceed with my mission."Snape said.He gave up.There was no point.He could tell Harry was not willing to listen and he was far better off trying to safe the life of Isabella than argue with a boy who refused to accept.He turned his back and faced Isabella who looked absolutely devastated.He held his arms out to her and she walked into them,beginning to cry again.He closed his eyes as he hugged her.Never again had he thought he would have been able to hold her and feel her warmth.They both to have seemed the dilemma they were in and that anyone else was there.Snape opened his eyes and shouted;
"Loki!"
He let go of Isabella and took a few steps nearer to the man he knew as the boy.Everyone had turned their intentions towards him as well.Loki stood in the firm body of a young man,but he looked absolutely petrified.His blonde hair was limp and his skin oily and pale.His hazel eyes were wide with fright and Isabella noticed the colour with great interest.But Snape and Dumbledore were more concerned about what Loki held in his arms.It was Gryffindor's sword.
"Loki,put the sword down."Snape said calmly.He didn't.He hung onto it as though it was his new born baby.He shook his head.
"Loki,please.Give me the sword."he said,trying to bargain with him.
"Do as your father says,Loki."Dumbledore said quietly.Everyone stared at Dumbledore and he did not look embarrassed and knew exactly what he had just said.Snape was looking at him with alarm and confusion.How had Dumbledore known?Oh and he'd told everyone as well!Loki looked at him with a mingled expression that no one could tell what he was thinking.
"I am."he said quietly."My father wants his soul."
"No Loki,your father wants the sword."Dumbledore said softly.
"I know.Im going to give it to him."Loki said.
"Loki,The Dark Lord is not your father."Snape sighed."I am."Loki looked at him as though this was some sick joke.
"Your lying."he said just as Harry had done."Tell the truth!"He seemed to be in the rage Harry had been but it had disolved from him as soon as Dumbledore had said 'your father.'This had started to but terrible thoughts into his head.Snape shook his head once more.
"No,Im not."But Loki would not except this.He shook his head as well and leapt from the door.Snape sighed.There was no use in going after him.He gave up.
"How many sons do you have?"Harry asked out of the blue.
"Oh only two."he replied lazily.He looked at him startled.It was like he had confirmed his theorie.Snape saw the look of terror in his eyes and gave a little laugh.
"No not you,the other Harry."he said.He ignored his look of shock and left the room with Isabella following out after him.But what was he to do know?Go after Loki or just give up and go home?Isabella caught him by the sleeve.He turned around to face her and she didn't know what to say but neither did he.
"I was so scared."she ended up whispering.He looked down into her hazel eyes and could see how much fear there was still there but it seemed to melt away.He could say nothing back so he pulled her into an embrace where he felt his warmth with her in such a dramatic time.

Chapter 35
Part 2
Death and Love

A loud bang came from outside and Snape seemed to realise what he was meant to be doing.He gave Isabella one last look and began to run down the marble staircase and out into the fight that still battled before him.There were many shouts and he dodged quite a few hexes as he ran to the lake.He didn't know why he was there but something told him it was important to be here.Must find Loki.he thought.It was important.Only then could he give the sword to Harry to destroy.He looked around him and could see the water glimmering in front of him.
"Surely not."he murmed.Was Loki in there?No.It is doubtful.Snape turned around to see the battle still carrying o before him and out of the corner of his eye,could see a wonderful white marble tomb.He fixed it with a hard stare and before he knew it,he had come to it and was stroking the smoothness of the marble that felt cold with his touch.He had a strong urge to enter it and he did.But even with the noise of the fighting loud in the background,he could hear sobbing,The tomb was very dark and he couldn't see anything but the noise appeared to becoming from the far corner.Snape approached it cautiously and when he felt himself knock into someone,lit his wand.
"Loki."he whispered.He was huddled in a corner,the sword tucked under his chin.He did not look up at Snape but he stopped crying.
"Is it true?"he asked in barely above a whisper."Are you my father?"Snape could not speak.His mouth was dry and he turned his head away from him.This gave Loki everything he needed to know.
"I thought someone else must have been."he said."It had be.He couldn't be my father if he could do something so terrible such as that to my mother."Snape turned back to Loki,his eyes wide with alarm.
"What has he done?"he asked,anxiously.Loki looked up for the first time and his eyes were still full of tears.He shook his head.
"So terrible."he murmed.Snape kneeled down beside him.
"Tell me.What has he done?"he said with a sudden force of threat in his voice.
"She refused him.She refused to be his heir bearer.He wanted more children,but she refused him.And he punished her."Loki cried.Snape's insides dropped.He knew only too well how dreadful a punishment was when you refused the Dark Lord.But he knew he had to try and save her somehow.
"Where is she?Where did he take her?"
"Into the forest.When we arrived."
He got up off his knees and headed towards the mouth of the tomb when he got the shock of his life.His blood chilled as he saw the smugness and anger etched onto the face of Lord Voldemort who was blocking the tomb.
"Where do you think you're going?"he hissed.Snape didn't move nor did he remove his gaze from Voldemort as he made his way over to Loki.
"The sword."he spat."Give it to me.Now."But Loki did not move.He was looking straight at those red eyes he was so afraid of and fear struck him dumb.Voldemort already seemed to be in a violent rage and he flung his hand at Loki before snatching the sword from him.Loki hit the ground and seemed to be unconcious.But still Snape could not move.He loathed the man before him so much yet his incredible powers were forcing him to stay as he was.He watched him examine the sword.Voldemort smiled at him.
"And now I no longer need you."he said softly.Snape watched him as he drew his wand from his robes,his eyes alert.This is it.he thought.He closed his eyes and his life flashed before him.His father shouting at his mother.Lily crying in his arms.His wand raised at Dumbledore.Narcissa,which made his insides tighten as he had no chance of coming to her aid if he was dieing.And then Isabella.She stuck in his mind the longest,her eyes warming his blood from the coldness he had suffered.He had expected a fatal blow,but he experienced nothing.He opened his eyes and saw that Harry had come and he was dueling with Voldemort.The tomb was begginning to crumble and now could he feel his legs and he ran from the tomb to the forest which he now only had one intention.Find and save Narcissa.But he did not have to look far.He saw her stumble out of the forest,he robes weighing her down.He rushed over to her before she fell and caught her.She was covered in blood.Her blue eyes were drifting and her vision was poor.Narcissa could make out the blackness before her,but she was part of her was hoping it was death.The thought of him seeing her like this.But at the moment,she couldn't care.She felt as though each of her vital body organs were being pulled out one by one and the pain was only numbness.
"Severus."she whispered.She was weak and he could see this.He hated it.He could not stand to see her like this.Narcissa began to slip out of his arms and he carefully laid her onto the ground,still supporting her.
"Narcissa."he whispered back.She was cold and he could feel where her robes had been ripped and torn.He stroked the wounds on her back and she jumped."What happened?"But Narcissa was too absorbed in her last thought of memory that she didn't seem to hear him.She could feel herself passing on just by her eyes.In her mind she could see Lucius and Draco and herself.The Malfoys.Her family.Lucius.She clung onto her emotions for him and how much she had loved him and how happy he had made her.She felt as though he had gone straight through her skin and touched her heart but his hands were soft and warm.And yet she could still feel herself slipping away.But someone was clinging onto her and she could see it was Snape and that he was there,with his care.
"Im going to meet Lucius."she whispered softly."Im going to go meet my husband and my love.You must understand this.He is the only one who can take the pain away.Severus,can you take the pain away?"He shook his head and he could feel tears running down his cheek.
"Lucius can."She closed her eyes and Snape knew that she had gone.He felt himself let go of her and fall to the ground,sobbing.He stilled loved Narcissa,but not as he had done.For sometime,she had made him feel warm and wanted but then he had broken her heart and she had broken his.They were both fools.He missed her already and his grief felt unlimited.It was the pain would never go away as it had been with Lily.He still thought of her everyday and knew he would do the same with Narcissa also.The pain was soothed slightly as someone knelt down and put there arms around him.He was warm again and he could sense who it was.Isabella.She was the one he truly knew was his soul mate.He had loved both Narcissa and Lily until their deaths and still did,but with Isabella,it was something so much different.He felt he could fly when she touched him and he thought if only he could feel her lips near his.She had already soothed the tinest amount of his grief with her touch and he knew that her kiss must be so much more powerful.He remembered the time when he had kissed her on the cheek and he had felt himself lift off the ground.But he couldn't tell her how he felt.Not when he had rejected her earlier when she had admitted her feelings for him.Surely she felt nothing like that now.But he couldn't hel but have his suspicions.He was going to,but his grief was still there and he couldn't.Instead he let go of her and ran far from the forest up to the castle.Stupid!Stupid!Stupid!These words kept repeating in his mind as he strode up to the castle once he was far from the forest.He had blown his chance now even if she still did love him.He stopped and saw the chilling sight before him.There were corpses everywhere and the thought of Narcissa's body back in the forest made him quiver.But no one was hear.The Death Eaters had gone and the others were no where to be seen.The wind blew viciously from behind him and he could hear someone shouting.He turned round,expecting to see Isabella behind him.But no.It was Harry.He ran up to him and gave him a very apologetic look.
"I..er..I was wrong about you."he said shiftly."And I should of known that Dumbledore would have trusted you for a good reason and should have trusted that reason.Cos I did.I trusted it and you without knowing it.I trusted my mother and Im sure that she must have loved you enough to make me trust you.So I thank you."Harry held out his hand and Snape shook it,something he never thought he'd do.
"You are wise."he said."But the Dark Lord..."
"He's dead.It's over."Harry said boastingly."The Death Eaters fled after they felt their Dark marks burn away."Snape looked at him puzzled.
"I felt nothing."he said,confused.
"That is odd.But I am sure Dumbledore will be able to explain."
"Is he still here?"
"I think so."Harry nodded."Let's go check."Snape looked at him for a minute and then nodded.They begun to continue walking up to the castle.Snape looked over his shoulder to the forest,where he left Isabella and where Narcissa had left him.

Chapter 36
The Truth and Dumbledore's Tasks.

Isabella had been left alone in the forest and she stared gormlessly into space.She had convinced herself a lie that she now knew impossible.If she had never of returned to him she would never of had her heart broken into two,but she knew it wasn't as simple as that.But how could she stay knowing that he didn't want her anymore?The first time she had said her name he had flinched and this still haunted her memory knowing that he could not stand her even saying his name let alone loving him.Yet he had held her in his arms more than once and he not flinched then.But she could see a side to that what told her that he had taken comfort to escape his over-dramatic life.She could not stay knowing that the man she loved would never feel the same way back.So she had to rid herself of his life to make sure she could feel some happiness again.

Snape and Harry approached the outside of the doors to the Entrance Hall.They stopped,staring at the oak doors that seemed to mock them as if it knew a secret they didn't.But neither of them knew what to expect on the other side of the door.Cautiously,Harry pushed it open.The Entrance Hall was empty.There was no one there.Snape nor Harry could control their feet and they begun to start their way up to Dumbledore's office,something that they had to do.They climbed through the broken rubble and found Dumbledore staring out of the window,onto the grounds.
"It's over,sir.He's dead."Harry said,walking over to Dumbledore's desk and sitting on it.He was very tired and had had too much excitement to last a life time.
"I know,I watched the Death Eaters flee."Dumbledore said softly.He stepped away from the window and noticed Snape standing by the heap of rubble he and Harry had just climbed through.
"How are you feeling?"he asked.Snape did not look up and he did not answer.He wasn't sure how he was feeling.Scared?Sad?Terrified?He just didn't know.
"Isabella is a wise woman,Severus.I am sure she will make the right choice."he said,trying to comfort him.But it didn't work.They all sat in silence for a minute.Snape's head was flashing images of Isabella in front of him.The unhappy teenager in a bed in the Hospital Wing,the young woman hovering over a dirty river before being thrown in it and then the woman he had let go of so quickly just a few minutes previously.He felt angry with himself.He was an idotic man who deserved what he'd been given.
"Harry,will you go alert the Order that there's is a body in the forest that I wish to have taken down into the dungeons,please."Dumbledore asked out of the blue.Harry stared at him for a moment,taking in what he said and then slid of the desk and climbed through all the rubble again.
"How are you feeling?"he asked again.This time Snape looked up.
"I don't know."he replied quietly."I just want to go home."
"Not yet can you leave,Severus.I have much explaining to do and I wish you to hear it."Dumbledore said calmly.Snape said nothing.He wasn't allowed to go home and this made him feel like the sad child he had been when all he had wanted to do was sink into the ground.
"Severus,do you love her?Do you really love her?"he asked,determined for an answer.
"I don't know."Snape whispered,shaking his head.
"It is that,as in concern to your love life that you have always seemed to love that woman more than you have loved anything else,even life."
"But my life is nothing to live for.And besides,even if I told all of this,would she love me in return?After everything I've put her through and everytime she has tried to express her feelings and when I have pushed her away,do you really think she'd love me?"
"You have been through so much together."
"Bitter sweet memories."Snape spat."But with me it's never that simple is it?One another man's wife,one a recent widow and what happend to them?They both died through my fault."
"You must not think so lowly of yourself,Severus.This is all the dirty work of Lord Voldemort."Dumbledore said,trying to explain.
"Yes,but it all links back to me.If Isabella did stay with me for a few months she would only pop her clogs in the end.Perhaps I'd be the retched one to raise the wand to her."
"Severus,now you are just being horrid!"Dumbledore said sharply."You either fight gut from gut to show her how much you love her or you let her go and wallow in pity for the rest of your life!"Snape went silent and stared at Dumbledore.He had not expected that but he knew he was right.
"I will prove to everyone that you are an innocent man,but first you have to believe it yourself."he said,much calmer this time.
"You're right."Snape said quietly.He had to leave.He had to go.He was half way to the pile of rubble when he backed off sharpish.Many people were climbing over the rubble and gasped when they saw him.
"Snape!"he heard a familiar voice growl.It was Moody and the Order.Snape's eyes widened with fright as he saw Moody raise his wand.Quickly,Dumbledore stepped in front of him and Moody dropped his wand.Everyone noticed him and they all gasped.
"Do not harm this man,Alastor."he said calmly.
"Out of my way.Out of my way!"came a woman's voice from the back of the crowd.Mcgonagall noticed Dumbledore and she nearly fainted.Her eyes rolled though.Harry came through the crowd too and he stood next to Dumbledore.They were like a shield,protecting Snape from the angry mob before them.
"A..Albus?"she asked,her voice shaking.Dumbledore nodded and she fell back a little.Everyone was staring at Dumbledore,everyone was astonished.Now he knew,whilst he had there attention,that he should explain everything.
"Over recent years,many people have questioned the loyalty of Severus Snape and it is now that I would like to put their minds intact and ready for the facts.Approxomately eighteen years ago,Severus Snape had an affair with Lily Potter.But it wasn't a loveless fling that any commoner can have,their's was a relationship and before any of you judge him further let me tell you that she must of loved him enough to have had his son and been prepared to run away with him.And unfortunately,that boy only lived to be a few days old,after his mother was forced to abanden him and his father was left for dead."He stopped for a minute.He peeked over his shoulder to see Snape gazing straight down at the floor to the Order who were silent and their faces mingled with shock and fear."And when Lily Potter was murdered,there was only when man in the entire world who couldn't believe she was dead.And he stands behind me.But if you think that is terrible,wait until I tell you about what has happend over the past year and a half.Severus made and Unbreakable Vow with the late Mrs Narcissa Malfoy,of which to kill me.I knew something like this was bound to happen sooner or later so I asked him to spare Draco the agony of being a murderer and such a horrid thing I did,I asked him to kill me himself.That of which he did.And after all of that,Lord Voldemort was in need of an heir to take over after he died,because he too knew that the end was nigh.So he summouned upon Narcissa Malfoy and he told Severus that they were to give him an heir or he would harm Draco.Now he could not let that happen.So he had to do Lord Voldemort's dirty work or suffer severe consequences.But even in the darkest of times did he manage to find a light that he could love.No matter how much he would have to suffer,he was always noble enough to fight for what he believed in.His life is much worse than anyone else's here and I ask you,would you cope in his shoes?"
No one spoke.No one knew what to say.They felt pitiful towards Snape and most of them had never believed that was possible.Snape could feel his cheeks burn,but he wasn't ashamed.He did though,wish everyone would go away.He moved away from Dumbledore and looked out of the window onto the dark grounds.He could see someone moving across the grounds towards the gates.At once,he could tell it was Isabella.He had to go after her.He turned back round and he could see everyone now was staring at him.He looked away quickly.Someone was coming through the rubble,a short wizard with a brown beard.
"Good Lord,Dumbledore!"he chirped."I thought you were dead!"
"I was."Dumbledore smiled."Have you taken Narcissa from the forest?"He nodded.
"We've put her downstairs in the dungeons."
"Thank you.Now if everyone would be as kind as to let me and Severus past?"The crowd departed but Snape didn't move.
"Come,Severus.Let's not make any more mistakes.Besides,the sooner this is done,the sooner we can both leave here."Dumbledore said softly.Snape nodded and began to walk through the crowd,his head bowed down.They both got over the rubble and set off for the dungeons.
"How are you feeling?"he asked again.
"You repeat the same question many times.How am I suppose to feel?"
"Through what has happend,I should have a different answer everytime."Dumbledore shrugged.
"I hope you enjoyed hanging out my dirty laundry in public."Snape said bitterly.Dumbledore laughed.
"They had to know the truth."
"I suppose,but christ!That was full on.You left nothing out!"
"I let you keep your dignity at least.I could of told them that both Lily and Narcissa had thought you a terrible kisser or had said something along the lines of 'I've had better.'"Snape smiled for the first time that night.They got down to the dungeons and into his old classroom.He took a deep breath,remembering of all the memories he had had here.None of them were exactly golden but they made him feel as though everything was normal again.His eyes swept over to the front and he could see someone layed on his desk.
"Narcissa."he whispered.He walked over to his desk and through the dim light,could see her pale face.She was no longer in the blood stained white dress but a thin black one.He ran his hand through her hair and could feel her cold skin against his hand.
"She asked me to take the pain away."he said quietly,his voice breaking."I told her I couldn't."
"Naturally.But it may well have been that she had known that you couldn't in the first place."Dumbledore said softly.
"She said she wanted to meet Lucius."
"She's met him."Snape looked up from Narcissa to Dumbledore.Dumbledore said nothing for a moment and then approached nearer to Snape.
"When we die,wherever we go,our solemate is always there.But when I died,I was trapped in limbo until Saint Peter came and booted me into heaven.It was a wonderful place.I found Aberforth there and we just as close as we had been when we were alive.Everywhere we looked we could could see love in many different forms.Lovers,friends,brothers,sisters,mothers and fathers,it was wonderful.That may well be why I'm not scared of dying again.But I cannot leave without getting rid of your Dark Mark."Snape gripped his left arm and could feel it was still there.
"Potter said it had gone."he said confused.
"For the others.But your entwined with love and emotion and only that can get rid of it."Dumbledore nodded."So I suggest you leave this castle and head off back home and find Isabella and tell her how much you love her."Snape didn't move for a minute.
"You're right."he said.And with that he headed straight of the door and out into the cold night,ready to disapparate back to where his heart rest.With Isabella.

Chapter 37
The Sunrise

Snape disapparated just outside Spinners End and hurried down the street through cloudy darkness.Dawn was soon approaching and the last of the night creatures were getting prepared for a long sleep.He stepped up to the last house and stared at the door in front of him.He didn't know what he would find on the otherside.Will she still be here?He was curious to know.He could feel his heart breaking already if she wasn't there but he had a gut feeling that she was.He took a deep breath and placed his hand on the door knob.He turned it and pushed it into the house,into the living room.It was pitch black and once his eyes had adjusted to the even greater darkness,his heart leapt as he could see someone sat on the settee.
"H..Hello."came Isabella's voice.It was breaking and it was only too obvious she had been crying before he came in.Snape lit his wand and brandashed it over her to see her quickly wipe her eye.
"Did he..er...did he die again?Dumbledore?"she asked,sniffing.He didn't know what to say to her and continued to stare at her,into those hazel eyes he could see were full of warmth that he did not deserve but how he longed for them.He tried to speak and answer he question but instead he shook his head.His mouth was dry and he had no words to speak.Isabella tried her best at a smile but she failed miserably.
"He's a good man Dumbledore,good man.Helped me when I needed it.Mind you,you were always there as well."she said,getting quieter and quieter towards the end.She wished he'd stop staring at her.She had made her descion and now all she wanted to do was get it over and done with.Snape blinked and shook his head.He stopped staring at her and was now determined to stare anywhere else than at her.
"Well yes,but it was my job and all."he muttered after the words had sunk into him.It felt as though something had stabbed into Isabella's chest.He's making it perfectly clear he doesn't care.she thought.He still wasn't looking at her and his eyes kept glancing at the door to the stairs.
"Are you tired?"she asked.If I can get him to sleep I won't have to face him.
"I could do with a lie down."he said quietly.Indeed he could.His head was throbbing with all the pressure and tension he was feeling.Tell her!His heart argued with his brain and he was stuck in the middle.
"What's stopping you?"Isabella shrugged.But she had given off bad signals.Snape understood fully that she didn't want anything to do with him and her passed without another word whilst his heart seemed to break in two.He closed the door behind him gently.
"I love you."she whispered to thin air.She knew he had not heard these words but they were the last words she had wanted to say to him.

Snape obviously didn't sleep.He sat on his bed and stared out of the window.The darkness was clearing and he could hear the birds awakening.He must of been sat there a good hour.His thoughts had been penetrated with Isabella.It seemed he could not take his mind off her.She is so young and so beatiful.Yet she is wasted here with me.he thought this to himself and he wanted to deny that she would never leave him when he knew deep down inside that she already was.He heard a bang from downstairs and he seemed to snap out of his trance.He slipped off the bed and out of the room.
Isabella was downstairs.She flinched as she accidently banged her foot into the settee.It throbbed but it was painless to her.She waited for a moment to see if he's heard her but she could hear no movement coming from upstairs.She was thankful for this even though some part of her had hoped he had would come down and beg her not to leave.But she knew that just wasn't possible.She tied her travelling cloak around her neck and pointed her wand at all her things beside her.They disapparated outside the door so it would make it easier for her to go.She took one last look at the living room and held back her tears.She had to move on even if she didn't want to.She put her hand on the door knob when she heard a voice behind her.
"Isabella."
Isabella turned round.It was Snape.She couldn't look at him but she couldn't lift her gaze from him either.He looked her up and down and saw she was wearing her travelling cloak.Something tugged him violently inside.
"Where are you going?"he asked.But he already knew the answer.He could hardly stand up as Isabella began to speak.
"I can't stay anymore."This is what she had definately not wanted.This is why she had wanted to leave without a goodbye."I have to move on."
"No."he whispered,shaking his head."No."He couldn't let her but he was doing nothing to prevent her from going.
"I can't stay somewhere I know I'm not wanted."she said,her voice breaking.She could feel the tears running down her face.She wiped them away but even more came.
"I have never said you've not been wanted."Snape said quietly.His effort was weak but at that moment,so was he.
"But you've given off the impression more times enough."Isabella said back quickly.She was slightly angry at him for being so inconsiderate for her.But she had to stop this.Her last words could not be spoken out of anger.
"When I was fifteen,I was petrified of you."she said unexpectendly.He looked straight at her,all ears.She nodded.
"It's true.I thought you were some nosy teacher who could try and understand me,even get close to me.But you weren't like that.You could be so cold towards me and everyone else.And I found myself getting close to you.You wouldn't let anyone harm and when you gave me my own room I was chuffed.I thought that you really must have cared about me.When I tried to kill myself,half of me that tried to convicne me not to do it was focusing on you."
Snape couldn't speak now and stood and watched Isabella crying.It was heart breaking for him to see her like this when he knew that he was the problem.That's why you should let her go.said a small voice inside him.
"I didn't want to leave you at the end of my fifth year.I didn't want to leave you at the end of my seventh year.I would have done anything to stay with you at Hogwarts but it just didn't happen.And it was my fault.If I hadn't done what I had done then I would have stayed with you until the end.And I never wanted the end to come.I knew that I would never see the same thing in any other man than I did with you.It seems foolish.I was fifteen.I knew no better.But I was wise with my feelings and I clung onto them until I came back here to you.I hoped that there was no one else for you.I didn't think there would be after your traumatic stage with Lily.I really thought I'd find you all alone,in denial with Dumbledore's death.But I believed you innocent on that.Your not a murderer,Severus.You never will be.Not as long as I'm here with you.But I don't now.I don't know what you might do.And I don't want to care either.But I do.And I can't stop.I loved you all those years ago.I'll love you years after tonight.I love you."
Silence.
Snape had listened and he had absorbed every word in that she had said.He definately couldn't let her leave now.He had air to his lungs again and his brain was clear.He stopped standing and staring and moved towards Isabella.He still didn't know what to say and he had many options to pick from.
"I can't let you go."he whispered.They gazed into each others eyes and Isabella could feel herself getting weaker and the task ahead her getting harder and fading before her eyes to the black ones she looked into.
"I have to."she whispered back.The travelling cloak disappeared off her back into thin air.Temptation was becoming harder to fight.Snape swept away her hair from in her cheek so he could see her whole face.She was pale but she felt extremely hot under all the pressure she could feel.
"I love you."he whispered.Isabella surrendered.She couldn't go.She felt his lips touch her's and coolness waved over her body.She wanted this moment to never end and every bad moment seemed to disappear.Snape had never felt as he was at this moment.Everything he had ever told himself he could never have,he had.A son,a cleared name,a true love.And this was all he ever wanted.
And over to Hogwarts,Albus Dumbledore was stood in the grounds.He looked up to the sun rising over the lake and knew one thing,Isabella had made the right choice and Severus was happy.He smiled and gently,he faded away,ready to meet his brother once more.

Just to let you know.


The End.
:D