Doppelganger

Chapter 34 Slytherin Rites Part 3

Severus went to Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Gryffindor House and performed head counts to make sure that everyone was obeying his directives. He chuckled to himself as he went to Slytherin to check on Hermione and Mr. LeStrange.

There they were. Hermione instructing the boy as he worked to complete the assignments. "Mr. LeStrange and Miss. Granger follow me." Leading them to a door that led to his Potions classroom.

"Hermione your parents are awake and I have a House elf delivering food. You need to talk to them and I will make sure that they are moved into a safe residence within the castle until the final battle." He sent to her as he commanded Mr. LeStrange to sit as he opened the door leading to his chambers.

"Miss. Granger you will go to my study and pull out my own copy of Most Potente Potions and bring it to me."

"Of course Professor Snape." She stuttered out as she opened the door the door and went through it.

Severus turned his attention to the young boy as he casted a strong silencing charm upon the room and observed the boy.

"You should have been sorted into Gryffindor Mr. LeStrange. Leaping up to defend her and your status of our Lord?" He sneered to the boy.

"Told you did she?" Brody asked as he rubbed his left arm. "I did not know anything of my parent's involvement with the Dark Lord until Aunt Bella was given guardianship over me. Besides what of your relationship to my Second? I saw her in your chambers."

"A mission that our Lord gave to me and you do not need to worry of it." Severus snarled out.

"Whatever. I only told her of my tie to get her to be my Second to mess with Greystone and it has."

"Have you thought of the consequences boy? She could turn you in."

"If she tries than I will kill her. You know my Aunt and she told me that I am near equal to her." Brody calmly responded back to his Head of House.

They both became silent as Hermione entered the room with the book that Severus had requested and handed it to him.

Severus took the book and looked to the boy for a moment and stood to leave. "I expect you to complete your assignments Mr. LeStrange as you currently have no distractions in your House to prevent it." Leaving his classroom in a flourish.

HGSSHGSSHGSS

Draco bowed before the Dark Lord and rose as he held the newspaper up.

"Draco rise and let me see what you have brought me." Red eyes glittered at the young blonde wizard.

Draco handed him the newspaper pushing the feelings of guilt down as he had inherited father's duties of bringing news of interest to the Dark Lord. "My Lord, Snape sent this to me as he is busy in the duties of a Headmaster right now."

Voldemort read the paper and set it down. "Draco you have done well in your service to me. You may leave."

Draco hurried out of the Hall thankful that he was not punished.

Voldemort reflected. "The witch taking out most of Sytherin?" He pulled out a parchment and began to write a letter to the Mudblood.

HGSSHGSSHGSS

Wednesday came and found most of Slytherin house restored as all the students looked up to the Head table and noticed that their Potions Master was once again seated at his usual seat.

Albus went to the podium and spoke. "Thank you all for supporting Professor Snape as the rest of the staff was tied up in other business. Ten points to all the houses. Fifty points to Slytherin for the actions of the First Years to their fellow classmates. "

He looked to the students. "And now a moment of silence as Slytherin has lost four fine students. Please take a moment to pay proper respect for the dead as they travel to the Veil."

The students bowed their head in respect as they tried to figure out who it was that died.

"And now a warning as each and every one of you has a book of your House that details rites of the Founding Four. Duel Ut Nex has been issued within Slytherin house. I suggest you read up on it to prevent inadvertent harm to yourselves. Eat up!" Albus finished and sat back down at the Head table and watched as the students pulled small books out to read as a nervous hum sounded out within the hall.

Severus merely looked down to the students in normal fashion as he began to eat. He chuckled to himself when he saw Hermione and Mr. LeStrange surrounded by First Years. The older students probably commanded them to do it so there would be distance between them.

He noticed a raven circling Hermione as it finally dropped a letter down and immediately left. He knew that raven belonged to Voldemort and went down to prevent her from opening it.

Leaning down over her Severus snatched the letter from the table. "Miss. Granger a love letter from your beloved Duo?" He asked as he snatched it from her hands. "I think that I'll take that from you and you can see me after breakfast."

"Lioness trust me. That letter is from the Dark Lord. The raven is one of the birds he uses." He sent out to her using the connection.

"Of course Professor Snape." Hermione replied as she watched her husband walk away. Why did Voldemort send her a letter? It then hit her that he must have read the Daily Prophet.

Hermione looked to Brody as she finished her meal. "I am required to be with you at all times and I have to meet with Professor Snape. I'd rather get this done quickly as possible as we have Transfiguration this morning."

Brody finished his meal. "Can we harass my housemates before we go Apprentice Granger? It would help to lessen any possible retaliation demanded by the Rite."

Hermione chuckled as she pulled out her wand. "I suppose we could as everyone with the exception of the First years chose to stand by Mr. Greystone. You or me?"

Brody looked to her. "You of course. No one believes that I could ever do what you did."

Hermione grinned as she stood up with Brody and walked past the tables where the older Slytherins were sitting.

Gerald looked to the mudblood and noticed that she had her wand pointed to him. He put down his piece of toast down as his fellow snakes jumped away from him. "I hope everyone here is whole and healthy again as I would never harm a hair on your precious heads. Well all except one as I am a Second and supposed to attack the Challenger when able to as those sworn to him will protect him. "Serpensortia!"."

The Slytherins jumped back in fright as a huge snake issued from her wand landing on Mr. Greystone's plate and immediately rose up hissing in anger.

Hermione laughed as she walked away with Brody. "Have fun with that and I'll see you later Mr. Greystone."

Minerva jumped up as Albus pulled her back down. "Hermione is acting within the rules of the Rite and it is expected of her." Hermione's laughter echoed throughout the hall as she left with Brody.

Minerva looked to the Headmaster with disgust. "It is wrong Albus."

The Headmaster looked to his deputy with sadness in his eyes. "I agree Minerva but I have no choice but to allow this to happen."

Mr. Bole pointed his wand and the snake disappeared. Merlin what had he gotten himself into?

HGSSHGSSHGSS

Hermione and Brody made their way to the dungeons as Hermione worried about the letter. She knew that Voldemort would take an interest in her based on her husband's words. Damn Rite. But the reward was so enticing remembering the taunting and hexes that she received in her Hogwarts days from the Slytherins.

They entered the classroom as Professor Snape stood up from his desk. "Mr. Greystone take an inventory of the student supplies and write down what is in there. Remember our words from before." He snarled to the First Year watching the boy go into the opened cupboard.

Severus watched the boy go into the cupboard as he silently incanted "Mufflito." As he handed the letter to Hermione. "There are no charms or hexes upon it so it is safe."

Hermione looked at the letter warily before opening it and began to read.

I've realized that you have become a rather interesting witch Hermione Granger as I read the article given to me by Lord Malfoy.

I have Duel Ut Nex going on myself and if Mr. LeStrange survives you will come here because you are his Second. I would rather have you come to me voluntarily as I generously promise safe passage just this once. If I have to send someone to fetch you I assure you that it will not be pleasant and you would be killed this time.

You know how to get here.

She squeaked out as she dropped the letter and watched as it fell burning to the floor.

"We'll speak of this later Miss. Granger." Severus growled to her as Mr. LeStrange walked up and handed him the list.

Severus walked over to his desk and wrote out a note and handed it to Mr. LeStrange. "Go now as you will be late to class."

"You will send me a letter requesting a meeting with the Dark Lord on Friday and explain that it will only be if Mr. LeStrange is victorious. That way I can report back to him as it is obvious that he means for me to take you there." Severus sent to his wife as he watched her leave.

HGSSHGSSHGSS

Hermione reflected on the week. There were not many attacks on Mr. Lestrange because of the rite because Slytherin house was afraid of her. The few that did ended up in the Hospital wing for a day or two.

The students entered the Great Hall on Friday evening and noticed Slytherin table was occupied only by four. The buzz of voices quieted as the Headmaster approached his podium. "Students as you noticed Slytherin table is bare except for the Challenger the Challenged, and Seconds of Duel Ut Nex. You will be quiet as the Head of Slytherin house finishes the challenge in front of the school as required." Leaving the podium as Professor Snape took his place.

"Challenger, Challenged and Seconds please stand before me and stand before the school."

The three wizards and witch did as he obeyed and waited.

"Gerald Greystone of Slytherin house. You have issued Duel Ut Nex and are here before Hogwart's own. Do you intend to continue?"

"I do Head of Slytherin House." Gerald stated out.

"And you Brody LeStrange are challenged. Do you still accept?"

"I do Head of House." Brody replied.

Professor Snape looked to the students. "You have heard the acceptance and Duel Ut Nex is to be at midnight. Challenger, Challenged, and Seconds enjoy your last meal."

Hermione went to her place at Slytherin table and looked up in distress to her husband as the food that appeared was the same that Severus gave her so many years ago and noticed that he had already left.

HGSSHGSSHGSS

Severus led his House into the room and warded it and looked to Salazar Slytherin. "The House of Slytherin is here."

Salazar looked to his gathered House. "Very well Head of House. Bring the seconds and announce their reward as they have defended those that they vowed allegiance to and enabled them to make it to the field of challenge."

The seconds stood before the painting as the House watched in interest.

Severus stood before Mr. Bole. "As per the Rites 100 points to Slytherin House because of your loyalty and success." Pinning on a silver badge with a bold S and snakes wrapped around it.

He then stood before Hermione. "Miss. Granger though not of my House you have stood up and protected the Challenged." He pointed his wand and changed her Gryffindor robes to that of Slytherin. "Because of your loyalty and success you are a Slytherin and enjoy all rights associated to our House. 100 points to Gryffindor." Pinning the same badge onto her robes. Angry cries were heard out as the painting silenced them in a thunderous voice. "She is worthy and you will treat her with the same respect as your housemates!"

The House became quiet at the words of the Founder as they looked to their Head of House as the Seconds stepped away. "The rules are there are none. You are only required to have your robes and wand. No shield spells will be caste. Step ten paces away from one another and begin." Watching as the wizards complied.

Gerald spat out "Avadera Kedevra!" watching the young wizard barely jumped away. "You are going to die LeStrange!"

"I gave you an out Greystone! You should have taken it." Brody yelled back to him and watched in satisfaction as his cutting hex found its mark as his opponent grabbed his shoulder blood showing on his hand.

Brody quickly shrugged off his outer robes. If Greystone got behind him it could be used to choke him to death. He suddenly dove to the floor as he noticed a slight shimmer and the shout of the killing curse that he sent out barley missing him again. He heard Gerald's heavy panting and pointed his wand to the sound and intoned "Finite Incantatum" releasing the disillusionment charm and saw that Greystone was leaned over and panting out as blood dripped off his fingers.

Brody walked over to the challenger and pulled out two vials of potion. "Never let it be said that I never gave you a chance Greystone. Using the Killing curse takes a lot of magic and drains you. My Second brewed these and if you want your chance of killing me than I suggest you take them."

One First year whispered. "That's cheating."

Another voice hissed back. "There are no rules so how can you cheat?"

Bella watched Brody and frowned. He should just go for the kill. Oh he was playing with his victim but it sounded so chilvouros versus mocking. She would correct Brody when they were alone so he would not make that mistake again.

Brody laughed loudly, echoing in the room as he watched Greystone drink down the potions in disgust and threw the vials at him not noticing a dagger was thrown as well. He grunted as he felt it slide into his chest and staggered for a moment as he looked down at it. As long as he kept it in him would not bleed to death.

"You are too weak LeStrange helping me out and enabling me to strike you." The boy's impertinence driving Greystone to anger. "I am going to finish you now!"

Brody used his wand to quickly cut the dagger down until about an inch was protruding so that it would not get in his way grunting in pain as he felt the charm heat the blade and the quickly sent out "Reducto" Sending the approaching attacker violently back as Brody grabbed a phial out of his pocket and drank it down and laughed out madly as he felt in skin turn into hard leather. Hermione said that it would last only five minutes and that was all he would need to finish this. He pulled out a dagger as leapt onto the downed wizard and struck repeatedly with his blade as Greystone tried to do the same, his blade slipping off the hard skin.

"You!" Greystone shouted out as Brody slit his throat and watch as blood poured from his neck.

Brody leaned down and looked into the dying wizards eyes. Auntie always said that you need to watch the eyes as they died and he stayed on the body watching as the wizard struggled. He moved closer to smell the breath of the dying wizard before moving to his ear and whispering. "I'm sorry as you gave me no choice."

He watched as his opponent nod his head once and then the entire body shuddered for a moment and then stilled.

The whole room was silent. They expected a magical battle and were sickened at the sight of blood pooling around the dead student.

Hermione rushed over and pulled Brody off Greystone as Professor Snape knelt down and checked for a pulse.

"Duel Ut Nex is complete as Mr. LeStrange lives and Mr. Greystone is dead. All go now except for Miss. Granger as her last duty has not been performed." Professor Snape commanded as he pinned on a larger silver badge emblazoned with DUN V with snakes wrapped around it on Mr. LeStrange's shirt and immediately left as well without saying another word.

Hermione looked around in confusion to the empty room. What the hell was she supposed to do?

"No magic Miss. Granger. He is dying and you must either save him yourself or take him somewhere to be healed. It does not matter if he died now as he is considered the winner." Salazar called out from his portrait.

Hermione immediately picked up the still form and settled into a fireman's carry thanking Merlin that she took those courses every summer before she died. She hustled out of the door to find the Bloody Baron standing there with sadness in his eyes.

"Baron! I cannot use magic and you must go and tell Poppy internal bleeding with a possible deflated lung so she can be ready when I arrive." Running past the ghost and carrying her burden up the stairs.

She ran through the dark castle depending on her memory of the castle as she ran on and cried in relief as she saw that the Infirmary doors were open spilling light out and guiding her. She lowered Brody to the floor and immediately passed out from her effort.

Poppy immediately placed the two into beds as Alice attended to Hermione as she attended to Mr. LeStrange. The Baron was right in his message as she magically removed the blade and whispered a charm to seal the internal injuries. She then applied a healing salve on the wound and looked up to Belletrix LeStrange. "Miss. Granger's message was correct and if not for her Mr. LeStrange would have died as it would have taken more minutes than what I had to determine what was wrong."

Poppy looked as the witch hissed out at the information. "Professor Snape they both need rest. Can you escort Mrs. LeStrange out and I will tell her by owl if she is needed." She wanted the crazy witch out of her domain.

Severus whispered into Bella's ear. "I told you the mudblood would be successful. Tell our Lord as soon as the two are able to we will be there." Escorting her from the room.

Alice watched her two fellow Deatheaters walk out of the room as she patted her pocket containing the phial. Soon her task would be complete.