The Fortress Within

The morning of the 20th entered with a blaze of blue skies


The morning of the 20th entered with a blaze of
blue skies, sunshine, and frigid cold wind. 
Severus stood looking up at the windows, watching the snow blow, and
contemplated the long day and night ahead.
 


Across the hallway, 30 aurors were starting to stir. 
Severus had spent much of the last couple days in that room running
through the plan over and over again until there was no doubt even the thickest
skulled of them had it straight.
 


The Deatheater was sleeping on the sofa where she had
fallen asleep the night before.  An
empty bottle of tequila lay on the floor next to her.  Nearby, his own empty bottle of Ogden’s lay as well. 
They had sat together most of the night, setting their own actions and
dialogue firmly.  They ran through
their lines as if this was some grand theatrical production, and on some level,
it was.
 


His Hermione had seemingly vanished. 
For the last 6 days, it had only been her Dark side. 
He missed her, but would not allow himself to dwell on the subject too
long.  Tonight it would end and tonight, by Merlin he would have her
back.
 


Suddenly, she was awake, on her feet and running for the
bedroom.  He followed and from the
bathroom could hear the sound of retching. 
He knelt on the stone behind her and held her hair back while she emptied
her stomach.  When the episode came
to an end, she sat back, eyes closed and sweat beading her brow. 
Severus stood and reached for a washcloth. 
After wetting it, he bent down and placed it into her limp hand. 
Her eyes slid open and she smiled up at him. 
“Thank you.  Guess I
overdid the tequila last night.”
 


“It would seem so, Granger. 
Get cleaned up and dressed, I’ll wait in the living room.”
 


While she showered he called for some tea and toast and
disposed of the empty bottles.  Soon,
she emerged dressed in fresh robes, her hair a tangled wet mess on her back. 
“Sit down and eat something,” Severus ordered. 
He walked into the next room and returned with her hairbrush. 
Hermione was sitting Indian style on the sofa, munching on a piece of dry
toast.  He stood behind her and
worked the knots from her hair, relishing even this stolen bit of contact with
her.
 


Hermione finished her toast and held the steaming mug in
both hands, leaning back with a sigh.  At
the sound escaping her mouth Severus’ mind was instantly thrown to nights
where the same sigh had escaped the same mouth. 
Struggling to push down the lust that was flooding through his body to
his groin, he dropped his hands away from her. 
Tossing the brush onto the sofa beside her, he mumbled, “I think you
can get the rest,” and moved around to sit in the chair across from her.
 


He made no foolish attempt to hide his desire pushing
against the fabric of his trousers.  There
was no point.  Even in this form,
Hermione was always tuned in to him; always aware of everything she did to him. 
With a sigh of his own, he reached in his pocket and pulled out his pack
of cigarettes.
 


Hermione smiled across at him and turned to set her mug on
the table.  “You know those things
will kill you.”
 


Severus lifted one eyebrow at her and exhaled a cloud of
smoke, “Indeed?”
 


“Yeah, now toss me one.”
 


As she lit one, Severus asked, “Are you ready for
tonight?”
 


“As ready as I’ll ever be. 
Are you?”
 


Severus grunted a reply.
 


Suddenly, the butt in her fingers disappeared and her face
became desperate.  “Severus, you
have to know.  No matter what
happens tonight, no matter what happens after tonight, it was all worth it. 
It was all worth ever second to have the time we did.”
 


His own butt was tossed to the hearth and he crossed to her
in a heartbeat.  Sitting beside her,
he grasped her by the shoulders firmly and looked deeply into her eyes,
“Hermione?  Oh Gods, Hermione. 
Don’t leave me.  When this is over you can stay. 
This body is yours, not hers.  Stay.”
 


Hermione’s brown eyes filled with tears, “This body is
mine, it’s hers, it’s yours, it’s….. 
Oh, it doesn’t matter.  I
can’t stay, I can’t.”  Her
hands came up on either side of his face, holding his gaze on hers. 
“Just remember it was all worth it.”
 


“Then take me with you. 
I’ll give this all up.  Magic,
the wizarding world, Hogwarts, all of it.  Take
me with you.”
 


She leaned forward, head slightly down until her forehead
touched his.  Shaking her head back
and forth, she answered softly, “No, you can’t go with me. 
There is still so much you don’t know, and you can’t know.” 
Tears coursed from her eyes, running until they dripped from her chin
onto his pants leg. 
 


With a feral cry deep from the depths of his tormented
being he gathered her to him.  He
held her almost roughly, clutching her in his grip, trying to force her into his
heart.  A wild plan started to form
in his mind, born out of desperation.  If
they failed tonight, if Voldemort was victorious, then she would have to stay. 
“Gods, what am I thinking?  What
is she doing to me?”
 


Hermione pushed his way from his arms with a strength he
never knew she possessed.  She stood
quickly and looked at him with disdain as she moved toward the door. 
“Oh, Snape, you honestly don’t think I would allow you to come with
us on the journey ahead.  I really don’t think that even you could handle the
ride.”
 


Severus fought the violent urges that filled him right
then.  The urge to run after her,
grab her and dump veritaserum down her bloody little throat was the least. 
The urge to pound Sirius Black into a bleeding heap was pretty strong. 
The urge to tear his wrists open and the whole thing be damned was, by
far, the strongest.  With a bitter
chuckle, he stood and moved off through his office to begin to prepare the
classroom.
 


Several hours later, he was exhausted, but finished. 
He had used strong magic to seal the room airtight. 
Containers filled with the deadly potion sat around the room, gallons and
gallons.  A cauldron filled with the
form that would become gas was in the center of a desk, awaiting his command to
begin atomizing.
 


Satisfied with his work, he backed out of the room by the
only unsealed door.  In the corridor
outside the classroom he ran into Harry.  “Severus,
I trust the preparations are complete in there??”
 


With a wave of his wand, the door slammed shut. “They
will be in a moment.  Harry, Once
this door is sealed, I will begin the processes inside. 
The floor will be covered with, well, liquid death, and the air will fill
with the same fumes.  NO ONE is to
breach these wards.  UNDERSTOOD? 
The potion has a reaction time of 48 hours and the doors must not be
opened until after that point.  The
bodies will be rather ripe by that point, but it’s the only way to ensure that
no one from our side is harmed.”
 


“Understood. Have you seen Hermione?”
 


Severus finished sealing and warding the doors before he
answered. “I had the pleasure of seeing both of them this morning. 
Don’t worry, she’ll be here when the time comes to apparate.”
 


Harry spoke cautiously, “You are in love with her,
aren’t you?
 


 


Severus leaned back against the stone wall and looked at
the ceiling, avoiding the other wizard’s eyes. 
“Yes, I suppose I amsp; sp; A
lot of good it does me, though.  They
have made it quite clear that once this is over, they are leaving.”
 


Harry was quiet for a moment before speaking in a flat
tone, “Then I will bring her back.”
 


Severus laughed then and looked at Harry with tormented
eyes, “Do you think it’s that simple.  Just
scoop her up and bring her back, will you?  And
what of the Deatheater, what shall we do with her? 
You know how dangerous she is, you’ve seen her in action. 
Although what you’ve seen is just a mere shadow of the truth.”
 


“That, Severus, is for you to resolve. 
You’re the only one with a modicum of control over her. You’re the
one who loves her.  You’re the one to put her together again properly.” 
 


“Just like your father, Potter.  Always the dreamer.  Well,
you just keep dreaming that little dream.  I,
myself, see things for whaey aey are.  I see a future alone.”
 


Severus turned to the door again and began to chant. 
Several long minutes passed until he nodded and turned to walk down the
corridor.  Harry heard the slam of
his door echoing through the dungeons.
 


By mid-afternoon Severus had composed himself into his
formerly unfeeling self.  He was
dressed for the final act of their performance: 
formal Potions Master costume, complete with the high-necked frock coat,
and billowing black robes. 
 


Hermione had returned about an hour ago and without a word
had locked herself in the bedroom, presumably to dress. 
She emerged, finally, as a Dark Wizard’s Fantasy in black leather. 
Low riding, skin tight pants, laced up the side from hip to ankle. 
A pair of extremely high black platform sandals brought her height closer
to his own.  A barmaid bustier top
was laced up the center, so low cut he could see the Dark Mark blazing on her
breast.  Her black, hooded witches
cloak was tossed casually over her arm and her hair was a riot of loose, wild
curls.
 


After taking in her apparel Severus allowed himself nary
another glance in her direction.  He
couldn’t afford to be caught up in her now. 
He walked to the door, “Lets go then, he will be calling soon.”
 


Across the hallway, the room was bustling. 
Ginny Weasley was the first one to greet Hermione, throwing her arms
around her.  “Oh, Hermione. 
I’ve missed you so much.  I
thought you would have stopped in sooner than this. 
Oh, my, what are you wearing.  Wow,
I never could pull something like that off, never in a million years.”
 


Hermione sniffed disdainfully, “That’s quite lucky for
you, Ginny,” before pushing her way past the shocked redhead to walk up to
where Harry and Ron were standing with Albus. 
Severus joined them, standing behind her.
 


Ron was nervously dancing from foot to foot, taking quick
glances at Hermione.  Finally, his
freckled face went white as his eyes settled on her breast. 
Hermione, of course noticed it and her hand rose to cup the black leather
beneath.  “Ah, yes, Ron. 
Voldemort has seen to brand me in a much more interesting place than
where you’re scar lies.”
 


Panic rose in the red haired wizard’s face. 
“Oh, Gods, Hermione.  You
know?  I’m so sorry.” 
Ron buried his face in his hands.  With
a rarely seen show of affection, the witch moved a hand out to pull his hands
down.  “Buck up, Ron.  You made a badice.ice.  I
am not a product of your mistake.  I
am the product of someone else’s mistake. 
It is a mistake that they will be paying for very soon.”
 


Suddenly, they felt the burn.  Hermione turned to Severus with just the hint of fear
flashing over her eyes as she fastened her cloak at her neck.  Severus reached out and pressed two flasks into Harry’s
hand.  “The Polyjuice. 
Two, in case there is a problem with one.” 
Harry shook the hand before releasing it and Severus turned to Albus. 
“You have to drop the wards in the classroom to allow apparation in. 
You should be able monitor the goings on in there with a simple window
spell.  We have to go, drop the
wards, Albus.”
 


“Good luck, you &nbs 
Good luck to all of us.”  Albus
Dumbledore closed his eyes and after a moment Hermione and Severus were gone.
 


When they appeared, the ballroom was filled with
Deatheaters.  Severus mentally
calculated close to one hundred as he dropped to his knees.  Hermione
gave cursory bow and moved to stand next to Voldemort. 
Excitement gleamed in her eyes and a huge smile was plastered across her
face.  “My Lord, the day has
finally come.  That which we have
waited for and planned is finally here.”
 


Voldemort gestured to Severus with a crook of his finger
and Severus rose to stand next to Hermione. 
“My loyal servants.  The
hour grows near and soon Hogwarts will be mine. 
My thanks go to all of you, in advance, for a job well done. 
Seize the castle, spill as much blood as you want. 
Remember, Albus Dumbledore is mine to take. 
Lucius is everyone prepared.”
 


Lucius Malfoy stepped forward, “Yes, My Lord. They are
all eagerly awaiting your command.”
 


Severus took a step forward, “My Lord, if I may?” 
Voldemort nodded and Severus continued, “Malfoy, I suggest you split
the group in two, one group apparating a few minutes after the first. 
The classroom seems a bit small for so many warriors. 
Move them out of the room quickly to allow for the second group. 
Everyone, keep close together until you have appeared at Hogwarts.”
 


Voldemort seemed pleased with his suggestion, “Make it
so, Malfoy.  You will leave at
exactly 5PM.  So, move kly.kly.”


The three of them watched closely as Lucius split the group
apart. Within minutes, each side huddled closely together in a ball. 
When Voldemort was satisfied he stepped forward. 
“Lucius, send the first group.” 
At Malfoy’s direction, the group of Deatheaters disappeared.
 


No one spoke; the room was utterly silent. 
Severus could feel Hermione tense beside him and reached a hand to grasp
hers, hidden in the folds of their cloaks. Voldemorts broke the stillness with
his command for the second group to leave. 
With a final bow, Lucius disappeared. 
 


Hermione squeezed Severus’ hand tightly and turned to
give him a truly radiant smile before spinning around to address Voldemort. 
“Oh, My Lord, all we have to do is wait.&n
Wh
When Lucius returns to give us the all clear, we will leave. 
I can’t wait to see them all dead, I can’t wait to burn the
Gryffindor tower to the ground.”  Severus
was expecting to see her jump up and down and clap her hands in glee. 
 


Voldemort, entranced by her animated demeanor, chuckled,
“Well, Hermione, I was planning to have Hogwarts as my own. 
But if you wish it, you can incinerate the whole castle. 
I’ll build another one, just to see you happy.”
 


“Now, Severus, Hermione, how goes things with the two of
you.  Any news of an heir to serve
me in the future?”
 


Hermione posture quickly went rigid, “My Lord, that is
not something to be talked about now.  There
is plenty of time for the discussion of children in the future.”
 


Voldemort eyed Hermione carefully, then nodded and smiled,
“Very well, my dear. The conversation can wait until tonight’s festivities
are complete.  Severus, look at her,
is she not just the most beautiful witch that ever walked this earth?”
 


Severus answered, his voice wrought with more emotion than
he would have liked, “That she is, My Lord.”
 


While they waited, Hermione began to pace. 
Long strides took up the ground, while her face remained completely
blank.  The wait was short, only
about 15 minutes, or so.
 


There was a “pop” and Lucius Malfoy knelt to
kiss the robe of Voldemort.  “Rise
Lucius the the castle secure?”
 


“It is My Lord.  The
Old Fool is bound and awaiting your arrival. 
What staff still lives, only do so to bear witness to Dumbledore’s
violent death and the gates are awaiting their flag made of his corpse.”
 


Severus chuckled to himself.  He had to give Sirius points for dramatics. 
But, Voldemort ate it up.  “Hermione,
are you ready to give the old man a show?”
 


Hermione came to stand next to Lucius/Sirius. 
“Yes, My Lord.  But before we go, I wish to make a claim.”
 


Voldemort’s eyes gleamed in anticipation, it was obvious
he knew what was coming.  “You may
make you’re claim, Hermione.”
 


Very seductively, Hermione leaned over to lick the earlobe
of the man standing next to her.  A
wicked smile came upon the face of Lucius Malfoy.  Then, Hermione whispered the Silencing Spell, rendering him
mute.  “Let me refresh your
memory, Lucius.  Expelliarmus.”  Sirius’ wand flew into her hand where Hermione snapped it
in half. Hermione moved to face the terrified wizard. “Almost two months ago I
was beaten and raped by yourself and 9 other men.”  A kick to the groin and Sirius’ was on his knees bent over. 
“That night, Our Lord offered me your life.” 
Another kick, this time a sharp heel in the face, flipped the man
backwards. 
 


Severus smiled as he noticed a spreading, wet mark on the
front of the man’s pants. “I reserved the right to take your life at a later
time out of loyalty to My Lord.”  Hermione
walked to his side and delivered a powerful toe to his ribs. 
Blood was beginning to flow out of  Lucius/Sirius’
mouth.  “Today I claim that
life.” Hermione crouched down to lift his head off the floor by its long,
blond hair.  “You are a disgrace
to the cause you fight for,” Hermione hissed before slamming the head back
against the marble floor with a sickening thud. 
Hermione rose to her full height and looked at the now unconscious man. 
Severus surmised from the blood spreading out on the floor beneath his
head that he may be dead already. 
 


Hermione took no chances. 
She pulled her wand from her sleeve and pointed at the body. 
“Avada Kedavra”
 


For a while she just gazed at the corpse on the floor. 
Her head rose and she looked with almost peaceful eyes, first at Severus,
then at Voldemort.  “I’m ready to finish this, My Lord.”