A Working Relationship

A Working Relationship


Disclaimer: All canon characters are the property of JK Rowling and those with whom she has agreed contracts. This story was written for practice not profit.


Desperate Times


Severus walked slowly back to his classroom, thinking rapidly as he went. He had made the grand gesture and walked away from the Order, but what on earth was he to do now? He was certain in his heart of hearts that Lucius had found a way to take Hermione, but where on earth would he have taken her? It wasn’t like the old days when he could retreat to the Malfoy dungeons with a victim. Lucius was supposed to be in exile. The Aurors may not be efficient enough to keep him out of the country, but he wouldn’t get within a ten mile radius of his house or even his wife. Had he taken her to the Dark Lord? It seemed likely that he would, eventually at least. Not that that was any help. He could no more find the Dark Lord than he could Lucius. The mark guided his Apparation when he was called. Unless he was called to a familiar place he had no idea of where he had been. Was he really going to have to sit tight until he was summoned?

He arrived at the classroom and found it occupied. Draco was lounging in his chair with his feet up on Severus’ desk and Fawkes had perched himself on the edge of the huge cauldron in the corner.

“Hello Uncle,” drawled Draco lazily. “I thought you might be finding yourself at a bit of a loose end. Lonely and whatnot.”

“I’m not with you,” said Severus shortly, realising immediately that Draco was bursting to brag about knowing what had happened to Hermione.

“Come on Godfather! It’s not like you to be so slow. You must have missed your mudblood whore by now. Or are you so sick of her already? You got yourself into a right bloody mess there didn’t you? I imagine Dumbledore made you propose?”

“I do not have to answer to you Draco. I have chosen my master and you are not he. Where is Hermione?”

“I can’t tell you that.”

“Is it that you can’t or that you won’t?” he enquired with deceptive smoothness.

“Can’t, I’m afraid,” he said regretfully. “I did my bit by flooing her a portkey but my Dad said I was safer not knowing everything, so I don’t know where it took her. It doesn’t really matter though does it? She’s a long way from here and she won’t be coming back. My father’s going to dispose of her once and for all and you have an alibi. You have witnesses to confirm you were elsewhere at the time. Problem solved! What’s that damned bird doing in your room?”

“The Headmaster is not here. The creature must be sick of hearing McGonagall’s prattle,” said Severus, walking over to sit down next to Draco. “How can I contact your father Draco? I assume you have your ways.”

“No, I don’t. I mean… I can talk to him. He’s arranged that, but he has to contact me. He usually makes contact two or three times a week via my mirror. I can’t call him though. You might try an owl, but it would be risky for both of you.”

Severus shifted in his chair, as though uncomfortable and unbuttoned his frockcoat. His wand fell out of his sleeve, as if by accident, and he stooped to pick it up. Draco smirked as he watched him. His father was right; Severus really was going downhill fast. The smirk vanished abruptly as Severus reared up and grabbed his throat by one hand and jabbed the point end of his wand under his nose with the other.

“Mr Malfoy, I find myself in something of a quandary. I need to find Miss Granger… for purposes of my own, of which you and your father know nothing. Now, as you were instrumental in making her disappear, I need have no moral qualms about using you…or rather a part of you… to find her.”

“What do you mean?” asked Draco fearfully. “You can’t hurt me. You’ll never get away with this Snape… you’ve got too much to lose! Even the Headmaster won’t let you hurt me!”

“I do not serve the Headmaster, Mr Malfoy. Nor do I fear him! I will do as I wish. If I am apprehended, I will plead my desperation to rescue my sweet innocent fiancée from the clutches of a wanted criminal and I will lose no time in informing them that you were your father’s agent in this kidnap.”

“You wouldn’t! You wouldn’t dare! You have too much to lose!” he repeated, obviously terrified.

“I bear the mark of the Dark Lord. Everything I have is dependant on his will and pleasure. I have been shackled to this job for eighteen years because it was his will I should be here. It was his will that I should be close to Dumbledore and his pathetic band of followers. I compromised my integrity during his temporary absence because I needed to be free to serve him. I have the power to be his most useful servant, but the tedium of this job cut into my research. That is where Miss Granger comes in. She is hardworking, intelligent, useful and requires little in the way of payment other than that I use her to satisfy my baser needs. If the Dark Lord wishes to profit from my research I will need her back here and functional. Are you following me Draco?”

“What are you going to do to me?”

“No permanent damage, I assure you. I’m going to use your blood to call to your father’s so I can locate him.”

“That’s dark magic. It’s illegal!”

“I slashed an infant witch’s throat last night Draco, at your father’s behest. Be thankful I do not intend to harvest your contribution in the same way.”

“How are you going to do it?”

“I’m going to draw it from your arm with a needle. It’s the Muggle method but still effective.”

“That’s barbaric! I’m not going to stand for that! My fath…”

“Stupefy!”

Draco fell to the ground unconscious and Severus set about preparing for his ritual. Fawkes watched him, through narrowed eyes, but never left nor interfered. Severus hadn’t performed a Dark Ritual in the castle since his student days, but that was not to say, he had forgotten the meticulous preparations needed to bring it about. He worked quickly, knowing that the sooner he completed this; the greater his chances were of getting to Hermione and keeping her from harm.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


Severus stood in the middle of his circle. He was nearing the final stage of his endeavour. All that remained was to add the blood. Energy pulsed around the cleared space and Severus uncorked the tiny vial of freshly drawn blood. Tilting it gently he dripped the contents into his marble cauldron. Narrow beams of light swirled around the circle meeting and forming. It was working. He was jubilant. Over a short space of time the lights would arrange themselves into a three dimensional map. The map would have Lucius at its centre. He felt almost light-headed with exertion and relief.

This feeling left him immediately when his Dark Mark began to burn. There was no time to wait for the outcome of the spell. He had to go. Pausing briefly to check that Malfoy junior was still breathing, although at this stage he couldn’t claim to be too bothered one way or the other, he collected his cloak and took off for the Apparation point.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


He knelt at the feet of Lord Voldemort.

“You wished to see your humble servant, my lord,” he stated quietly.

“Indeed Severus. My trusted servant Lucius has been telling me some most interesting tales. I believe we have something here which may belong to you. I am sure I will be entertained by your explanation. If I am not then…”

He let the silence linger for a few seconds before giving Severus a none too gentle kick to prompt him to speak.

“My lord, before I begin the explanation, may I give you these?”

He produced a sheaf of papers from the pocket of his robe.


“What are they?” enquired Voldemort sharply.

“They are the research notes I have been making, my lord. The time I have gained since I began to make use of the Granger girl has resulted in significant progress.”

“Explain yourself Severus and tread very carefully. It is unheard of for one of my followers to interest himself in a woman of such lowly birth!”

“The girl is unusually intelligent my lord. She is able to perform many of the menial tasks Dumbledore insists on. Since I began my association with her I have been able to devote more time to your task and I have tracked down a volume I believe will eventually provide the answers you seek.”

“The girl is a mudblood. Could you not have found a more suitable assistant? I’m sure Malfoy’s boy must be more than equal in ability,” he said in an irritable tone.

“I would that he were, my lord. He is competent enough for a boy of his age, but Granger stands out more than any child I have seen at that school. I am tempted to wonder if she really is as she has been represented. I have long suspected that the mother did not come by her child through her husband.”

“Even so Severus, I am not happy about this. I have heard you have proposed to her.”

“After Lucius caught us, he told his son. His son told numerous others and the Headmaster forced my hand. If I had not agreed to marry the girl, after the liberties I have taken, I would have had to leave my post.”

“Why did you take the slut as a lover in the first place?”

“She was keen. It was her desires that drew her to me. It seemed a good idea to secure her loyalty and draw her away from her group… effectively into your service. If it were not for this interference from Lucius, my plan would be proceeding perfectly. In fact, if I might be so bold, my lord, I would ask that you command Lucius to leave me to my work.”

“You criticise my servant?”

“I do, my lord. Lucius has lost his influence and wealth, which he could have used in your service. He lost it through his own incompetence and now in his boredom, he seems to be able to think of nothing other than getting in my way!”

“You go too far!”

“With respect, my lord, I do not think so. Do I dog Lucius’ every move and kidnap every whore he lies with? Do I bring her to your court and demand that you waste your precious time on an enquiry over her? No I do not. Instead I consider your interests with my every waking moment and work as hard as I can. The decision is yours, my lord, but I would dearly like to take the girl and get back to my work.”

“It’s not as simple as that Severus.”

Severus’ blood ran cold. That was the last shot in his arsenal to get them both out alive.

“I’m afraid your girl did poor Lucius quite a bit of damage. I allowed him to play with her and it seems she did not enter into the spirit of things. There must be some recompense before she is allowed to go. I have an idea….”

Thank-you to everyone who has reviewed the previous chapters of this fic and also everyone who was so kind about my one-shot earlier this week. Some people have suggested that I might elaborate on what happened in the library in a separate story and I am giving it some consideration.