A Living Secret ~ COMPLETED

Chapter 31 ~ Dealing with a Hagg

Severus, Hermione and Harry hashed out the details of their upcoming excursion into Hogwarts to destroy the Horcrux. Harry still had strong reservations about destroying the thing responsible for sorting students into their proper houses. What would the school do without it?

“So for the sake of a hat, Mr. Potter, you would have the entire wizarding world enslaved?” Severus asked him pointedly.

“Well, no. It’s just that…” Harry started to say.

“It’s just that you have to destroy the hat, Mr. Potter. Live with it,” Severus snapped at him. Then he looked at Hermione, who was extremely quiet.

“I believe we have hashed and rehashed our plan enough. I will retrieve you both at midnight, Wednesday evening, apparate to Matilda’s room, restrain her, tell her what we are about…then move on from there whether she is cooperative or not. Understood?” he said to the two.

Both nodded.

Hermione yawned and stood up.

”Well, I’m beat and am going to bed. Good night, Harry…good night, Professor,” she said, starting to leave the room.

“Just a moment, Miss Granger,” Severus said suddenly.

Hermione turned around and looked at him, feeling her heart start to pound.

“I would like a word with you…privately,” he said, glaring at Harry who stood up like a guest in his own house.

”I guess I’ll be the one off then, Hermione,” he said to the witch, who looked very nervous.

Well, she was the one who decided to get involved with Snape, and it cost him Ron. Let her deal with the aftermath. He wasn’t going to bail her out.

”Good night Professor,” Harry said, exiting the living room and heading for his bed.

Severus looked at Hermione.

”You seem more nervous now than when you were last alone in my presence,” he purred at the witch.

Hermione didn’t respond. She just looked at him, holding her stomach as if it would fall out on the floor. Severus slowly rose and approached her. For a moment, Hermione’s legs shivered as if she were going to step back. But she didn’t. She looked up at the pale wizard as he stopped mere inches from her.

“Legilimens,” he breathed.

Severus observed the scene with Ron after he left through Hermione’s eyes. He saw how the red-haired wizard nearly attacked Hermione, heard what he called her and what he said about her sucking Harry’s cock next. He also heard the wizard’s bitter comment how he was basically a nobody with nothing important to do.

The Potions Master couldn’t help but think what a fool Ronald Weasley was to deplore his living a normal life not fraught with peril. Severus would gladly exchange places with him. What was it about Gryffindors that made them believe life wasn’t worth living unless someone was trying to take it? Good gods.

He also saw Hermione’s conversation with Harry over breakfast the next morning. The witch had no illusions about him and saw the night exactly how it was. He also heard her tell Harry she would have been happier about the encounter if not for Ron. And how she would like to do it again.

The wizard pulled out of her mind.

”So you enjoyed our encounter for the most part, did you Hermione?” he asked her softly.

Hermione swallowed and nodded, unable to speak because he was so close to her.

“Mr. Weasley was quite enraged when he left here. Obviously he thinks you ruined. Do you believe you are ruined because of me, witch?” Severus asked her.

“No,” Hermione replied, feeling her voice quaver.

”Good. There is nothing wrong with an unattached woman engaging in sex with a man she is attracted to, Hermione. It is your right and your choice. However, you are young. I probably wasn’t the best choice for a first lover. Young women often get romantic notions that aren’t true. Sex for me is merely a pleasure and a release. My tryst with you was almost…medicinal. It was what I needed at the time. There were no emotions involved other than the desire to lose myself in a woman, and desire is not a true emotion, but an animal response. I just want you to understand this,” the wizard said.

“I do understand, Professor. I know you don’t care for me,” Hermione said, her voice a bit stronger now.

Severus looked at her, his black eyes glittering a bit.

”I don’t care for you in the conventional sense, Hermione. However, you still have a powerful attraction to me…one I might like to indulge myself in from time to time if you allow it. So although I may not ‘care’ in the usual manner, you will afford me pleasure, diversion and release. And since you will, I will protect you…because it is in my best interest. I can’t fuck you if you are dead, witch, and you do want me to fuck you again don’t you? Perhaps a less rushed and more fulfilling encounter for both of us…maybe even a little… ” the wizard said silkily, drawing one slim finger down Hermione’s cheek and feeling her shudder at his touch, “…role-play?”

Hermione didn’t answer him, but her eyes…they said it all. Yes, she wanted him again. Very much. The Potions Master found himself responding to those innocent, hungry eyes.

Severus drew back from her. Tonight was not the night for this.

”Perhaps we will engage after the successful completion of our next mission,” he said to the witch, “A kind of ‘celebration.’ That is, if you are willing, Hermione. Are you?”

Hermione nodded as if hypnotized.

”As am I. Good night then, witch,” the wizard said, his dark eyes meeting hers. He hesitated a moment…then turned and exited the house, Hermione looking after him.

“Hermione, is he gone?” Harry hissed from around the corner.

He really did intend to leave Hermione alone with the wizard, but found he couldn’t do it, and hovered in the hallway, listening. Snape had got to her without breaking a sweat or raising his voice. Hermione had it bad.

”Yes, he’s gone,” she sighed, relaxing then looking at Harry with narrowed eyes.

“You were listening in on us!” she accused.

Harry shrugged.

”Well, I wasn’t sure what was going to happen, so…I thought it best I hang around. So…it looks like you’re going to get your wish,” he said, studying Hermione who turned bright red. Harry shook his head and turned, heading back down the hallway.

”Just make sure you two use a silencing charm this time. I don’t want to hear any shrieking like Ron did. The whole idea just squicks me,” he called back as he walked into his room.

Hermione stood there. Harry seemed to understand what was happening here and didn’t try to judge her.

She wished Ron could be so understanding.

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Severus was thoughtful as he left Godric’s Hollow. Hm, so Ronald Weasley was suffering from feelings of inadequacies. He believed everyone was outshining him. The boy wanted to shine, eh? A foolish, foolish wish indeed.

He returned to the throne room and Voldemort hailed him. The wizard walked up to the despot and bowed, his eyes on the floor.

”And what have you been up to tonight, loyal servant? Browsing the pubs polyjuiced?” Voldemort asked him, “You may look at me.”

Severus raised his eyes.

“Actually, my Lord…I’ve been out planning,” he said to the wizard, whose crimson eyes lit up.

“Planning what, Severus,” he inquired.

”Acquiring a gift for you…to be delivered the night of the revel,” he said to the scaly wizard.

Voldemort loved gifts. He deserved them and never got enough of them.

”What kind of gift, Severus?” the wizard pressed.

”I would like it to be a surprise, my Lord…but I promise you will find it entertaining. You will be very pleased, my Lord,” Severus said confidently.

The wizard gave him a lipless smile and sat back in his throne.

”Very well, Severus. You may keep your secret for now, but…”

Here Voldemort frowned.

“Having piqued my curiosity, your gift had better well deliver…because if it doesn’t…it will be you that serves as my…entertainment. You are my most loyal servant, but as you know, Severus…I don’t take disappointment well. Don’t disappoint me,” the wizard said.

Severus bowed.

“Never, my Lord,” he replied.

“Good. You may retire,” the Dark Lord said, dismissing him.

Severus bowed again, backed up with his eyes on the floor and when he was a suitable distance from the wizard, turned and entered the doorway that opened on the corridor that led to his rooms. He walked straight to the liquor cabinet and fixed himself a shot of firewhiskey, tossing it down.

Gods, the Potions Master hoped he just didn’t just secure himself a Crucio, or even worse…a horrible death. With his duties as a Horcrux-checker over, and Albus “out of the way” it seemed Voldemort was about to change back to his usual, torturing self as far as he was concerned. A lot was riding on this visit to Hogwarts Wednesday night.

More than Harry or Hermione even imagined.

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Wednesday night arrived, and so did Severus, promptly at twelve midnight. He strode into Harry’s living room to find both Harry and Hermione dressed like muggle burglars. He sighed. What was wrong with ordinary robes? Hermione had her beat-up knapsack on her back, open and ready. He hoped it would hold up. She’d been carrying it forever.

”I see you two are ready to steal the crown jewels,” he said sarcastically as Harry and Hermione looked down at themselves.

They were dressed all in black, better to hide in the shadows. In fact, the pale Potions Master could use some camouflage paint on his pale face. It would glow like the moon. But both Harry and Hermione had the good sense not to mention that. Besides, he’d be in serpent form, hidden in Hermione’s knapsack.

They still hadn’t come up with a way to keep Minerva from waking. Neither Harry nor Hermione were wild about the idea of hexing the witch. It just seemed…wrong. Not that Severus would mind doing it. But he wouldn’t be in wizard form.

”You have your necklace, witch?” he asked Hermione, who reached under her black turtleneck and produced the stones. Snape and Albus’ stones were glowing brightly. Harry also had his single Voldemort stone, which had an almost imperceptible glow no one had noticed yet.

“Good. Let us go,” Severus said, stalking toward the front door.

Wands firmly inserted in their back pockets, Hermione and Harry followed the wizard outside, Dobby wishing them luck and nervously wringing his claws. He hoped they would be successful. It was important for Harry Potter to be successful. To be stronger to face the Dark Lord.

Snape drew his wand, and slipped his arms through Harry’s and Hermione’s. He glowered down at them.

“One of you cast a silencing spell,” he hissed.

Hermione did it quickly.

”Good. Now the moment you feel your feet on solid ground, release me immediately. Matilda is no slouch,” the Potions Master said.

Both Harry and Hermione nodded.

They disapparated.

And found themselves in a stark bedroom. Severus quickly pointed his wand at the sleeping Matilda, whose dark eyes opened immediately. She didn’t get a chance to grab her wand off the nightstand before Severus cast the “Petrificus Totalus” spell on her. Then he raised the torches.

“Keep your wand on her. If she twitches so much as a finger, stun her. We don’t know if she can do wandless magic or not,” he said warningly to Harry.

Matilda’s eyes went wide, then narrowed as she recognized Severus Snape, the most wanted wizard other than Voldemort in the wizarding world. He was with Hermione Granger and Harry Potter. Harry Potter? What in the world was going on here? Something interesting and worth knowing, that was for sure. She hadn’t seen Severus in years. He certainly hadn’t gotten any handsomer.

“Tell her what we are doing, Miss Granger,” Severus said formally so not to show he was on a first name basis with the witch. “Prove our mission is for the Greater Good.”

Hermione walked forward and stood next to the bed, looking down at the stricken witch.

“I’m so sorry we had to do this, Professor Hagg,” Hermione began, “But it was the only way we could get into the castle. Professor Snape has the ability to apparate only to this room. So we had to come here, otherwise we wouldn’t have disturbed you.”

Matilda’s eyes widened. If the young witch thought this situation was one of mere disturbance, she wasn’t as smart as everyone claimed.

“Get on with it witch,” Severus hissed at her.

“Professor Hagg, before Albus Dumbledore died, he turned Professor Snape into his Horcrux,” the witch said, pulling out her necklace, “I have three signature stones here. One for Tom Riddle, one for Severus Snape and one for Albus Dumbledore. I stole them from the infirmary. You know what they are I imagine,” she said, holding up each sliver in turn.

Of course Matilda did. The witch watched as Hermione backed up and stood next to Severus. The gray stone began to glow, and after a moment, the blue stone that Hermione identified as belonging to the former Headmaster began to glow as well. Matilda’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Yes…you see that don’t you? The thing is, Professor Hagg, when I was in the Headmistress’ office, Voldemort’s stone began to glow. Harry and I went back to the office when the Headmistress was at a seminar, and identified the Sorting Hat as a Horcrux. Tom Riddle had placed a soul fragment in it when he attended Hogwarts. It’s been here all the time,” the young witch continued, “Harry can’t kill him if he has a Horcrux, he will just rise again. Harry’s been destroying them one at a time and he has to destroy this one before he can destroy the last one in Voldemort’s stronghold…then…then Voldemort himself,” she finished.

Matilda’s eyes shifted to the dark-haired wizard in glasses with large green eyes looking back at her, his wand trained on her body. So this was Harry Potter. He certainly didn’t look like much. He was little more than a boy. Matilda looked at Severus, her eyes narrowing.

Suddenly Severus pointed his wand at her.

”Get her wand, Miss Granger,” the wizard said. Hermione picked it up off the stand and returned to the dark wizard’s side.

”Finite,” he purred, removing the spell.

Matilda slowly sat up and moved to the side of the bed.

”So, this is the Voldemort killing party,” she said, rubbing her stiff arms a bit, “You certainly don’t look like much. Severus, you’re as ugly as ever.”

To Harry and Hermione’s surprise, the wizard gave her a half smile.

”The years haven’t improved your features either, Matilda,” he said with a gleam in his eyes. Then he said, “Miss Granger, Mr. Potter, allow me to introduce Matilda Eileen Hagg…”

”Formerly Matilda Eileen Prince, cousin,” she said smiling, with her beautiful white teeth, then looking at the shocked young witch and wizard, “I am Severus’ third cousin…from the good side of the family.”

Matilda said this with a rather sarcastic note in her voice.

Hermione and Harry exchanged disbelieving glances as Severus lowered his wand.

Matilda scowled at the pair.

“What? Surely you didn’t think I was born a ‘Hagg’ did you?” she asked them, glowering.

Neither answered, and she cackled with laughter.

”Well cousin, now that I know for certain you’re not a traitorous, murdering Death Eater that killed possibly the greatest wizard of the known wizarding world…I think you can use my help completing your goal,” she said, holding out her hand to Hermione for her wand.

Hermione hesitated.

”I hoped you would offer, cousin,” Snape said soberly, “The gods know we need help. Give her the wand, Miss Granger.”

Hermione slowly handed her the wand. Matilda looked at Harry, who still had his wand trained on her.

“Do you want to duel me, boy?” she snapped at him.

”N-n-no,” Harry said.

”Then lower your damn wand!” she hissed.

Yep. She was related to Snape all right.

Harry dropped his wand arm immediately, Snape smirking at him. Matilda flicked her wand at herself and was instantly dressed in standard witch’s garb, curly-toed boots included. She walked over to her wardrobe and took out a tall pointed hat. She looked at it for a moment.

”I really hate to do this. I’ve had this hat for ages…but, I guess it’s for the Greater Good,” she said, setting the hat on her head. She turned back to the group and beckoned them over.

“Come on now. Dark Magic’s what’s needed here. And no one knows Dark Magic like me,” she cackled, “Let’s get this show on the road.”

Hermione and Harry obediently walked over and stood next to the witch’s left. Severus followed, standing on her right.

Matilda raised her wand over her head, paused and looked at Severus.

”When all this is over, cousin…I expect my props,” she said to him.

”Indubitably,” the wizard agreed, stepping closer to her as she cast the spell.

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A/N: Ah, she’s a relative. Whew! :) Thanks for reading, ya’ll.