Shattered hearts and broken paths

~14~


November was coming to an end, the grounds of Hogwarts changed from the deep green grass color, to a thick blanket of snow. The hours of sun became shorter, and the drarkness longer.
The air changed from a warm breeze to a breath taking, bone chilling cold. The fires in the fireplaces of the castle were constantly stocked trying to heat the cool stone corriders.

Ronald Weasley sat in the Gryffindor common room, listening to a bunch of fourth year girls giggle and chat about the Christmas ball. His mind as of lately had been on one person, and one person only. Paige White. She was intelligent, Beautiful, and so hard to get near. She had Draco Malfoy around her at all times, and she even was befriending Harry, but wouldnt even take a second out of her day to try and befriend him.

'Obviously goes for wealth, and fame that one.' he thought to himself miserably. And she has the whole school wrapped around her little finger, no one cares that Hermione is gone, no one cares that she got sorted into Slytherin with the rest of those sneaky slimey snakes.

He was in a daze, the sound from the room faded away, the objects and the rooms surrounding turned into blackness, He was alone, Harry was spending more and more time with 'meetings' and preparing himself for the final battle. Ron knew he wouldnt be at the battle, not the way things were explained.

The common room door swung open, and Harry and Ginny climbed through the portrait hole arm in arm, Ginny was laughing and looking at Harry with a look of total admiration in her eyes. Ron always knew his sister with smitten with his best friend, but would have never thought his best friend would betray a friendship and go against all the rules of dating your best mates little sister.

"Hey Ron!" Ginny called as her and Harry walked towards him. Smiling like they had just won the best prize ever.

"Hey Gin, Hey Harry." Ron replied trying to act as if this new relationship hadnt bothered him.

Anger, and hate rushed through Ron's veins, it seemed everyone around him was leaving, or finding other things to do in their lives, and it didnt include him being part of it. Hermione went off to some foreign school, got a boyfriend, making Ron's effort of rekindling their relationship hopeless. Harry was dating his sister, and preparing himself to go into the final battle, alone, without Ron.

"I have to go." Ron stated simply as he stood up and took off through the portrait hole out into the hallways.

"Wonder what his problem is?" Ginny said as she sat on Harry's lap and kissed his already kiss swollen lips again.

***

Draco and Hermione sat in the common room going over the final arrangements of the Christmas ball, They knew they would have to do rounds after the ball, and they knew there would be a meeting with their Lord as it was Christmas eve and the date of Harry's suposed downfall would be drawing near.

"Dumbledore is a mad man, having the students plan these things, Anything could go wrong!" Draco said in a pout, he hated organizing things, his entier life, when a ball or party was thrown, for him or for a social event at his house, his mother planned everything.

"Its our dutie as Heads of the student body to make sure that it is going to be a good time, and not leave it up to old people to arrange with old classical music from the 50's, we dont want to waltz all night do we?" Hermione asked as she poked Draco in the ribs playfully.

"No I guess you are right." Draco replied

***

Tam, Taylor, Mika, and Blaise sat in Blaise's personal quarters and talked about the recent events. The room was heavily charmed so no one could get in, or hear their conversation, anf if they heard a conversation it was not the one they were having, all precautions were being looked out for.

"What are we doing?" Mika asked.

Mika was the smallest of the students, and he had a hard time fitting in with people because his magic sometimes seepd out of him and things he didnt want to happen just would.

"We are going to ensure that our futures are pleasant, and not under the rule of some lunatic. We want peace, We want to be able to have happy lives, and free lives without a never ending enslavement to a man who thinks he is an equal to Merlin." Blaise replied.

"What if we get caught?" Tam the youngest twin asked.

"You know you idiot," Taylor cut in sharply"We will die, we will be known as traitors, and we will die. We signed the contracts we knew full well what we were getting into, and personally I am honored to be doing this. If Harry Potter wins, we will be there to help him, and we will never be forgotten, and If we die, we die Soldiers, Helping to try and rid the world of evil. Its not the best way to die, But If I can try and make a difference might as well be the difference that would mean safety of the wizzarding world."

Blaise looked from Taylor to Tam to Mika, A smile on his face. For the first time he could speak openly about his alliance, it may have been in secrecy, but it was still openly, to another person, that was on his side.

***

A tingling sensation swept over her arm, tingling turning to pins and needles, which turned to burning, "My mark." Hermione said as she clutcher her arm looking at Draco. A sullen look came across his face, No tingling, no pins and needles, no burning, Hermione was being called out without him.

"Your being summoned?" Draco asked a little bit confused that she would be summoned without him.

"Yes, arent you?" Panic flooded her body, and the desier to run away and not go back to the lunatic filled her head, "I have to go, Im scared." She said as Draco pulled her into his arms, comforting her and saying good bye.

"I will tell your dad where you have gone." Draco said as he too stood up and left the heads common room, following her down into the dungeons.

Very much alone and walking deeper and deeper into the dungeons, Anxiety set in, Her breathing quickened, her pulse raced, her heart felt like it was going to explode through her her chest. Where was she going to floo too if Draco wasnt with her? She couldnt go to Hogsmead because students werent allowed to leave Hogwarts grounds this late.

She thought back to the hump back statue that had a hidden passage right into Hogsmnead, as long as she was away from the grounds she should be able to apparate. She ran two the third floor corrider, through the hump backed witch after tapping her wand on the hump, and into the dirty dark passage way.

Sprinting at full force for 10 minutes, she tried to apparate, No luck, "Dammit" she said as she took off in another dead sprint, sweating, panting, her chest was heaving, she stopped again, trying to regain her cool and her breath, Tapped her wand on her arm, and the pulling sensation was once again brought to her attention as she was pulled magically from one place to another.

There was no black hooded figures in the room waiting for her, No one to announce her arrival, No one to escort her to 'their Lord'. She followed the familiar hallways very much alone, breathing hard, her pulse racing even more.

When she got to the doorway of the meeting room, She pulled her Death Eater mask out of her pocket and placed it on her face, then proceeded into the room.

"Miss White, I've been expecting you." Voldemort hissed in a pleased tone.

Hermione fell to her knees and kissed the hem of her lords robes. "My Lord, I had trouble getting out of the school, Please forgive me for taking so long." She replied as she stood and faced her lord.

"Dear child, I do not expect it to be an easy task for you to leave the shool when ever I call you, I understand your situation, and I know you will show up in due time." He smiled again. "I have good news for you, Mrs Rose, has came close to a decision, I thought I would ask you one more time to talk to her. I do not know what you are saying, but it is surely convincing." He continued, "She seems to have a lighter outlook at things, and she is eating healthily when she is served her food. You have an presence around you, in which brings out, desire in people." He finished as he looked at the young woman, clothed in his black robes of uniform infront of him, a mask hiding her beautiful features.

"I will talk to her again My Lord." She replied

With a bow of acknowledgement, and a kiss to the hem of her lords robes, she stood and made a slow entrance out of the room, She had to make sure she did not seem axious to spend more time with Evalynn, She had to make it look like she meant business all the time.

***

"Professor Snape! Open the door! Come on Hurry up, Its me! Draco!" Draco screamed as he pounded his fists violently on the door. He was worried about Hermione, she was called off without him, Alone, without his comfort, without his protection, without his love, He was lost, he couldnt loose her, he couldnt bare it.

The door swung open, and a very pale dark haired man answered the door, It was late, and it was obvious Draco had woken this man from his slumber. "Hermione!" Draco managed to spit out in between breaths. "She was summoned... Alone!" He finished off, using the door frame to hold himself up.

Severus Snape went paler, Draco thought it may have been impossible. "Come in, Sit down." Severus said and opened the door further for Draco to enter.

Draco walked into the room, and plopped ever so ungracefully onto a chair in Snapes small oval sitting room. The walls were lined with bookshelves, floor to ceiling all the way around, except for where the fireplace was, a foot above the mantel, where picutres of Draco, Hermione, Lucius and Narcissa, Snape, and a young woman Draco would have assumed was a younger version of Evalynn Rose lined the top of the mantel.

"How long ago did she leave?" Snape asked, concern hardening his facial features.

"Just recently, She was just called." He replied.

"All we can do right now is sit and wait." Severus said as he got up and located a tea pot and two tea cups.

Draco looked momentairly at the man infront of him, He knew it would happen one day. One day this man, who could show no emotion, no fear, no regret, no remorse, to anything he had to face in his life, would crack, and the one crack would lead to an outburt of emotion, like a damm, slowly seeping, then giving away to ultimate chaos.

A lone tear fell from the corner of the mans dark eyes. "Draco, Im an Idiot." He sighed under his breath, the young blonde boy barely caught it. "I fell in love, I jeapordized my relationship, I threw away love to protect her because of my decisions in life, I never got to see my daughter take her first bath, say her first word, take her first step, eat her first birthday cake. I never got to see the love of my life pamper our darling little girl, I never got to know my daughter until a few weeks ago, and now I face the possibility of loosing her, of loosing her mother, because of my decisions.

I was a fool, stupid foolish man, living my life to be on the better side of things, Spy for Dumbledore so I ensured myself a free ticket out of Azkaban for being a traitor, or spy on the order for Voldermort, and hand off simple information that doesnt amount up to much. Trying hard to be in the happy medium of this battle, and I fuck up.

Dumbledore knew I was a spy for the Order, Voldemort thought I was a spy for his circle, In truth, I dont know who I wanted to come out on top, and Either way this war ended I would have a position of power for helping in the downfall of either side.

But I got caught. I was stupid, and getting sloppy, after so many years of spying, and lying flat out to Voldemort, I was seen through. Evalynn's house was ransacked, she was taken, and now she is suffering because of my decisions.

Hermione is on a suicide mission, She is doing what I did, Spying on the dark side, in hopes of the light winning, being someone she is not, and doing a damm good job, but when this final battel happens. What if the dark wins? She will die for being a traitor. What if the light wins? People will avenge the girl who betrayed their Lord after working hard to impress him and get into his most personal and inner circle of people of whom he trusted, She will be watching her every move for the rest of her life.

Evalynn is now being forced to side with Voldemort, he knows her powers, and now, I am betraying the only man in the wizzarding world who gave me a second look, even though I bare this mark of the lunatic on my arm, I am taking his students, and turning them into possible hero's behind his back, and he has not a clue, about you and Hermione and the other 4 siding on the dark.

I have to drag Harry Potter to the lunatic to watch the downfall of either man, and I could stand there, and at the beginning I could loose my life, or after I could loose my life, it all depends on the battle. I could loose my wife, my daughter, my god son, and 4 students along with Harry Potter if this situation turns out wrong.

Draco, what Am I suposed to do? I have screwed up so bad!" He finished off, ranting, tears now falling freely from his face.

"Severus, Mistakes are made, its how we build character. We cannot regret what we have done in our pasts, because we can not change the past, but we can change ourselves, and try and make who we are, be better in the future to avoid decisions we have made in the past, we can better ourselves. If no one made mistakes, we would all be like Hermione, Smart, Innocent, Morals, Ethics, and personality, our mistakes build character. We cant all be the same, or this world would be dull."

Draco looked at the man again, the tears slowed.

***

Hermione walked down the hallways of the Riddle House deep down into the dungeons where the one person she longed to talk to was being kept. A soft glow of light escaped from underneath the door leading into Evalynn's room.

With a deep sigh of preperation Hermione pushed open the heavy oak door, and stepped into the dimly lit room. She knew not to start by jumping into personal chat incase someone was hidden in the room, or if Evalynn was not really Evalynn, but an imposter hidden away under the appearance changing affects of polyjuice potion.

Hermione took a few steps forward and knelt down by the petite woman who was softly sleeping on the cold concrete floor. Warmth raushed through Hermione's veins as it did so often when she was in this womans presence. It had only been a few visits and Hermione already felt the connection with this woman who was suposebly her mother.

"Miss Rose." Hermione whispered as she gently rubbed the womans back. "Wake up." She continued a little bit louder.

Evalynn stirred in her sleep, and blinked her eyes a few times adjusting to her surroundings and the familiar face that was looking down on her. In a groggy tone she spoke. "Miss White. It is good to see you." A smile crept up the corners of her mouth. "What brings you here so late?"

"I am here to ask you about your decision, My Lord needs to know tonight weather you will join him or suffer an intolerable punishment. Your husband will be involved in this punishment if you choose not to co operate, and after your husband is executed, The other Death Eaters will have the go ahead to search for and destroy your daughter." Hermione had to be blunt, she had to get this point across to her mother, She also felt the eyes of a watcher on her back.

Hermione's bluntness was a shock to Evalynn then reality set in and she knew they were definitally not alone.

"My dear, so young, so innocent, so naive, you do not see the errors of your way. You could have stayed neutral, Your a pure blood witch, You would have been safe either way this war came out, but you subjected yourself to a life of eternal slavery to a man, who's up bringings are cruel, and his ways of life are sadistic, but for the safety of my child, and the hope of saving my love, I will ask for 5 more minutes to decide my fate." Evalynn said in a cold tone Hermione has never experianced.

An act, a damm good one at that, Hermione knew the womans decision already, she knew what she was doing, and she was greatful that the woman didnt make it look like they were buddy buddy, to the hidden eyes of their watcher. "I will give you 5 minutes,, but if your answer is unsatisfactory, I will be the first to start punishments, with or without permission from my lord." Hermione said cooly..

The watcher of this confrontation of allies stood in the corner of the dungeon, clearly shocked at the young witches drive to shine favourably in the light of their lord. An almost envy like feeling crept into the pit of their stomach and then anger rose. Years of bending over backwards to impress her lord, and she is out shined by student with much less life experiance then her own.

Bellatrix clenched her fist, and looked at the girl once more, almost admierably, but with hate at the same time. She knew she would never get away with anything happening to her, so she sat and waited to hear the decision of Evalynn and would creep out of the room when Paige would leave.

Minutes ticked by, Hermione tried to read her mothers expression or thoughts, she wanted to know her mothers fears and comfort her, make a strong bond with this woman that gave birth to her, but couldnt, not till this war was over.

Evalynn spoke. "My dear child, I have a daughter who is about your age, I have never seen her.. I will side with your lord, but on one term, Severus lives, and is un harmed, and our daughter is promised a life of freedome. If these terms are full heartedly agreed to be Your Lord, then I will co-operate fully with no questions asked."

Shock, Hermione;s jaw almost dropped at these terms, but with Voldermort knowing about Evalynn's powers she knew that these conditions were the least that she could be asking for.
"I will talk to him and come back in an hours time with My Lord's decision." Hermione said and briskly stood up to leave the room.

Bellatrix inched closer to the door.

When Hermione opened the door, Bellatrix slipped through and flew down the corriders. Hermione smiled at her mother one last time closed the door, replaced the lock charm and walked slowly up to the meeting room, where her lord was waiting anxiously for her answer.

***

Ron and Lavander sat on opposite sides of the room from one another, desire filled his body, the more he used Lavander the better he felt. A quick decision on his behalf was going to make his life alot easier for him.

"Lavander... I was wondering.. Would you like to be my girlfriend?" Ron asked, trying to sound sincere.

Lavander let out a squeel and jumped up and rushed over to Ron's side. "Of course Ronnikins! I was wondering why you were taking soo long to ask me. Its like you were holding out for Miss Know it all to get back or something..." She said as she sat on his lap and started kissing and nipping at his neck.

Ron was filled with relief, If Lavander could work her slut magic on him and relieve him of the building up tension in his life 1 or 2 times a day, he wouldnt really care what else was going on, The only thing he had to change now was his snarky attitude to the girl. He hated her, but you cannot deny yourself from a good fuck if its going to bend over on all fours and let you take them willingly.

"Lets go to the prefect's bathroom, and I'll make up my naughtyness to you." She whispered into Ron's ear and then tugged gently on the lobe of his ear encouragingly.

"Ok." Ron said as he lifted the girl off of his lap and stood up quickly.

Lavander led Ron through the corrider up to the 5th floor bathroom, pulling on his hand with urgency.

***

Kneeling infront of her lord, the flames from the fireplace gently lighting the room. "Miss White, Has Miss Rose came to a decision yet?" He asked, anticipation clear in his voice.

"My Lord, She has." Hermione spoke. "But the closure of her decision is up to you." Hermione paused, almost scared to carry on. She took a deep breath, counted to 5 and then continued again. "She will most certainly agree to side with you full heartedly and co opertate 100% if you agree that her Partner, Severus Snape is left alive, and her daughter is left to a life of freedome, this agreement has to be done by a wizzards oath, or she will not agree and will subject herself to death." Hermione said and looked at her lord.

A small smile played on his lips, It was a small price to ask, Severus Snape could live, and their daughter would be left to live a life of freedome, but He would privately try to persuade her into also joining his side, without being to obvious. She could have asked for alot more, yet her request was simple and understandable, Family is a strong bond. The only family Voldemort knew was the loyaltie of his faithful followers.

"I will agree to her requests, but, Severus Snape, Will be held prisoner untill the downfall of Harry Potter, after Potter is dead, they will be free to go and live their lives, and Evalynn Rose will remain faithful to my orders." He said as confirmation.

Hermione took the obvious look on his face, and sighed as she kissed the hem of Voldemorts robes and set off to be messenger. "When I come back, I will bring Evalynn with me." she said and smiled as she exited the room.

Back in Evalynn's small dungeon, Hermione told her the deal. Evalynn knew that there would be some sort of catch on behalf of Voldemort, he didnt play to help people, but would definitally agree to her terms, and if Severus was locked up during the battle, She would not have to worry about him getting maimed, or murdered. Soon enough this would all be over.

An agreement was reached when the terms were gone over, and Evalynn followed Hermione in silence up the long dark corriders, to the meeting room.

Hermione walked in first, fell to her knees and kissed the hem of her Lord's robes. Evalynn followed suite. Hermione knelt in silence waiting to be dismissed.

"Miss Rose." Voldemort spoke in a calm tone.

"I am very pleased you have come to a decision, now would you please let me know what your decision is?"

Evalynn shuddered at the sound of the mans voice, far too long has his presence haunted her nightmares. "My Lord." She spoke and after a pause continued."I have come to the conclusion, that I will indeed help you, but I want a wizzards oath, that Severus Snape, Will be left alive, and unharmed, and My Daughter, Hermione Snape will be left to live a life of freedome. I understand that you want to keep Severus locked up as a prisioner and I will comply with that request as long as I have a wizzards oath that Severus and Hermione will be alive, and free."

Voldemort almost fell out of his chair he was so excited, he regained his cool, calm and collected apperance, and then spoke again. "Miss Rose, I swear a wizzards Oath to you, That Severus Snape, and His Daughter Hermione Snape, will be left alive and healthy, and Hermione will be left to live a life of freedom." A green glow surrounded the man who made the oath and he smiledIt was such a small price to pay to have powers such as hers on his side.

"I Evalynn Rose, swear a Wizzards oath, to serve you, Lord Voldemort, till my dying day, I will remain faithful and co operate full on with your requests, as long as my Husband and Daughter are safe." Evalynn spoke and a green glow surrounded her as well, confirming the wizzards oath.

"Miss White, You have done an exceptionally well job tonight. You may go back to school now. Evalynn, You are free to go as well, Spend the night with your said partner and bring him back here tomorrow, I am sure you can go to the castle with Miss White. Severus would be very glad to see you. Paige keep your identity hidden." He hissed.. Both women leaned forward and kissed the Hem of their Lord's robes and set off through the hallways, and out into the dark cold night.

Once outside the house, Hermione grabbed Evalynn's hand and apparated to the tunnel underneath Honeydukes shop. In silence they headed off in the direction of the castle.

The end of the tunnel came quick, and Hermione almost didnt realize how far they had travelled in what seemed like a really short time. "Can you cast an invisibilty charm till we get to dads chambers?" Hermione asked.

"Of course I can darling." She said and with a tap on her head she became invisible.

"Follow me, Dad is going to freak out when I get there." She said.

***

Draco and Severus were sitting quietly starring at the fire, waiting for Hermione to return. Draco was getting ready to apparate to Voldemorts Headquarters when there was a soft tapping at the door. Severus stood up quickly and walked to the door.

When he opened the door he only seen Hermione and relief fell over him, that she was okay. Evalynn snuck past Severus and removed the invisibility charm, and sat across the room from a very shocked Draco.

Evalynn looked at her Lover embracing their daughter and smiled at Draco who still looked at her in disbelief, wonder filling his head on what exactly Hermione had gotten herself into while she was summoned without him.

...........

Hey Guys! Yah this chapter is pretty short, I am sorry It took so long to update.. Christmas rush and all, Hope you all had a wonderfull Christmas I know I sure did! And If I do not post before New years, Which I probably should, Due to an exsessive amount of time off work! Best health and wishes in 2007!!!

Please Review..