Doppelganger

Chapter 35 Before Voldemort

Voldemort frowned as Bella told him the results of Duel Ut Nex at Hogwarts angered that he would not have the mudblood before him immediately." Greystone looks like you have a reprieve. Leave now and wait for my summons."

"As you will My Lord." Greystone replied as he rushed away. He was no fool and knew that he could never best Bellatrix LeStrange as he had seen her in action and knew her violent tendencies. At least he had more time to get his affairs settled.

HGSSHGSSHGSS

Hermione sat up as Poppy walked up and began to examine her. She had slept most of the night and day and still felt incredibly tired.

Poppy looked to the apprentice. "You were correct in your assessment of Mr. LeStrange Hermione. If I needed to diagnose him, Mr. LeStrange would be at the Veil now. I wager that you are tired and sore. Not surprising considering the distance you had to carry Mr. LeStrange and the adrenalin you expended." Patting the young woman's shoulder. "One more day I think and you will be right as rain."

Alice walked over as the medi-witch left and handed Hermione a phial. "This will help the soreness that you are feeling." She placed another phial on the stand next to the bed. "This is a sleeping draught and will place you into a healing sleep. Take it when before you sleep."

Hermione expressed her thanks and watched as Alice walked away and went into Poppy's office.

She looked over to the next cot and saw that Brody was watching her.

"I see that you are doing better Mr. LeStrange." Hermione spoke going back to formal address as she was released by the completion of the rite.

Brody picked up his wand from the stand and whispered "Muffilatio" and placed it back. "Why?" He quietly asked. "You could have left me there to die. You were released from your duty as a Second."

"I guess you should be thankful that my Gryffindor tendencies came out instead of the newly acquired Slytherin ones." She lightly replied as she looked to the young boy.

"It would have been easier for you to let me die considering the threat that I will be in the future."

"True but I sense there is something more to you Brody LeStrange. You may have been forced into something but that does not mean that you have to accept it. Find your own place and stand by it." Seeing the turmoil in his eyes. "Remember that the future is not yet written."

Just then a tawny barn owl flew into the room and landed on Brody's lap and lifted out a leg.

"Letum." Brody greeted the owl as he took the letter from his beak. "I'm sorry but I do not have anything here to give you."

Brody watched as the bird glared at him and knew that it was waiting for a reply. He quickly read the letter and conjured up a quill and ink and penned back a response and gave it to the owl and watched as it flew away.

"Don't go Hermione. The Dark Lord will kill you." He pleaded.

Hermione looked to him. "I must Brody. I will be brought before him if I do not and I would rather face him voluntarily instead of being forced there." Picking up her wand and ending the silencing spell as she noticed a large group of First Year Slytherin students enter the infirmary and gathered around Mr. LeStrange and began to talk excitedly.

Madame Pompfrey rushed out of her office. "He is only supposed to have three visitors at a time. There are other people healing in here for Merlin's sake."

Hermione spoke. "It's okay Madame Pompfrey. I am going to take this sleeping potion now and they will not disturb me." Picking up the phial and drinking the contents. She lay back down and went immediately asleep.

Severus was grading parchments in his chambers and stood up from his desk as a yawn escaped. What in Merlin was happening? It was still early in the evening and he had patrol to do later. He staggered over to his couch and fell immediately asleep still fully clothed.

He sat up as Hermione walked up to him. "In the dream world again Hermione? You know that we do not need that now." Observing that she was dressed in robes of a Slyhterin.

"I did not come here on my own. I took a healing sleep potion and it is obvious that I am here to be healed."

Severus slowly approached her and traced her jaw with a long finger as she looked up to him. "Coming to my chambers dressed in Slytherin robes? I find that alluring even when I am angry at you for not telling me you were Mr. LeStrange's second. I'll have words for you in the morning my dear." Pulling her to him as he smelled her scent. The witch was aroused.

"Enjoy the view Head of House as this will be the last time you see me dressed in the House of Slytherin." As she began to unbutton his robes. She growled in frustration. "There are far too many."

Severus chuckled as he let her continue. "Yes to keep up the appearance of being unapproachable but that never seems to deter you."

She finished the robes and he slipped out of them as Hermione sighed and began unbuttoning his shirt. Stopping for a moment she placed her hand on the front of his trousers and rubbed the bulge of his erection. "Do you know what I have underneath my robes?" She whispered lust apparent in her voice. "Please enlighten me." Running his hands over her robes as she started to unbutton his shirt again.

Hermione finished her task and pulled the shirt away. "Nothing."

Serverus pulled the witch down to him holding her in one arm as he kicked off his boots and removed the rest of his clothing and pulled off her robes. "I see the truth of your words wife and it pleases me." Picking her up and making his way to his bed and laid her down.

"I think it is time I healed you Hermione." He huskily whispered to her as he began to please her.

HGSSHGSSHGSS

Severus woke up disoriented in his bed. He remembered falling asleep on the sofa. Glancing down to the floor he saw his clothes on the floor which was not like him at all. He suddenly remembered his dream as he slid out of his bed and made his way to his bath chambers with a small smile on his face.

Hermione woke up and looked into the worried eyes of Madame Pomphrey. "Is everything okay?" She asked.

Madame Pomphrey spoke with relief evident in her voice. "You tossed and turned for hours Hermione. I thought that I might have miscalculated the dose. Brody's visitors noticed and I have been watching you. The draft should have caused you to fall into a restful sleep. Were you having nightmares?"

She remembered her dreams as a red flush crept up her neck and face. "I did but they went away."

The medi witch rose from her chair and pulled a curtain around her chair and conjured up a fresh gown and bathrobe. "Go and take a shower Hermione. You sweated buckets and I am sure that you will feel better."

Hermione took a long hot shower and dried herself off. She felt great she reflected. The dream was so real relishing the memory of her husband loving her.

She dressed back into the standard Infirmary bedclothes and suddenly came up with an idea. The Slytherins would be visiting LeStrange and she would remind them of her new status in her house. She grinned as she wandlessly changed her clothes to Slytherin attire. Straightening the green and silver tie she reflected that it looked good on her. She could not wait to see the looks on her "fellow" house mates.

She left the room and began to make her way to her bed when she was grabbed and hugged. "Harry! Ron! What on earth are you doing here?" Laughing as she hugged them back.

"The Headmaster told us you fell ill because of some rite and requested that we be guest speakers in Defense today." Harry replied and as he noticed her attire.

"Hermione! Slytherin robes?" Ron cried out in anger.

Brody looked to the group. So that was Harry Potter, mortal enemy of his Lord. He did not look like much.

Hermione pulled her friends over to Brody. "Mr. LeStrange this is Harry Potter and Ron Weasley two of my closest friends."

Brody spoke out. "They do not look happy at the dress of your House Apprentice Granger. You are one of us now." Turning his back on the group as they went to Hemrione's cot and pulled the curtain around it.

Ron incanted. "Muffliato" and spoke. "I think you need to explain this. How could you ever be of their House considering the things they did to you?"

Hermione spoke about the events of the past week and why she had those robes on fingering the pin that she had been given.

"Priceless Hermione." Harry laughed. "If only Malfoy was here to see it."

"Exactly. Now tell me what's been going on in the last two weeks."

She listened of the strange disappearances of the population of whole Wizarding villages and the constant missing person reports. Even Albus was stumped as it seemed like they left immediately as some homes had cauldrons on and food and drink on the table.

Harry pulled Ron up from the chair. "We'll go so that you can continue your torment of the Slytherins. Be careful as I can feel the Darkness pressing against me with even more force. Something terrible is going to happen soon."

She watched her friends leave as she settled down on her bed and began to catch up on the missed assignments from her Mistress.

Madame Pomphrey released them after dinner and told them to report to the Headmaster. Brody was strangely quiet as they walked to the gargoyles. They swept immediately away and the witch and wizard walked into the Headmasters office.

"Apprentice Granger, Mr. LeStrange. Professor Snape says that you have one task remaining to complete the rite and you are released to him." The Headmaster spoke.

Albus looked at the young Slytherin. "Help will always be given at Hogwarts to those that ask for it."

Professor Snape spoke out in an impatient voice. "Yes Headmaster everyone here knows that. Now we must be off." Opening the door and motioning for the two to follow him.

Soon they found themselves beyond the gates as they stood beside the tall wizard. They watched as he transformed his robes into those of the Inner Circle and roughly grabbed both of them and snarled. "The Dark Lord requires your presence." Unwrapping a Port Key and they were instantly away.

They all fell in front of Voldemort as Hermione stood up as the other two remained bowed.

Voldemort stood from his throne and walked down to the mudblood. "You have chosen wisely my dear to come to me willingly." Walking around her and noticing her Slytherin robes. "You intrigue me Hermione Granger." Pointing his wand and removing her clothes taking in her deep red scars and looked to her and chuckled as she made no attempt to cover herself.

She shuddered as Voldemort ran a long finger from her right nipple and traced the scar down to her lower back. "I remember this freshly given to you by my most faithful." Chuckling as he saw the defiant stance of the witch.

"My Lord why have you called me back here?" Hermione demanded in a mocking voice. "I have my wand I can perform that makeover that I promised to give you years ago."

"Be careful my dear as I would not want to be driven to kill you when I have generously given you safe passage." He replied red eyes glittering as he went back and sat at his throne as he observed her. "Despite the robes that you were wearing you still act like a Gryffindor."

Severus remained bowed as he sent through the connection. "Don't test him Hermione I could not bear to lose you again."

Voldemort pointed his wand to her as he noticed a slight tremble from her. "Being before me again frightens you Hermione Granger. I sense your fear."

Hermione snorted. "I fear for the Challenged. You said you had your own Duel Ut Nex going on. What has Brody LeStrange ever done to you to warrant us being brought before you?"

"A boon to you Mud Blood for being brave enough to willingly come before me. Most run and I do not like it when I have to hunt them down." Voldemort replied ignoring her question as he removed all of her hideous scars from the past and dressed her back into her original robes. "You see I can be generous when I want to. Raise my faithful." Watching Severus and Brody rise and stood beside the witch.

Voldemort pressed his wand and called Bellatrix and Greystone to him and they immediately bowed to him. "Remove your mask and stand." He commanded as his faithful followed his order and stood waiting.

"A change in plans sweet Bella. As a Greystone challenged a LeStrange and Lestrange survived the same Duel Ut Nex is active within my realm. Brody LeStrange will battle Daray as he bested the House of Greystone."

Daray felt a twinge of hope as the Dark Lord continued speaking. "If Brody falls then his Second will step in until the challenge is complete. Same rules as before. No shields are to be used. Use any means to survive."

Hermione glared at Voldemort. She could not deny that he went back on his word. If she died then it would not be at his hands. Clever plan. She felt potion phials being pushed into her pocket as Severus looked to the Dark Lord with no emotion showing his face and his robes hiding his actions.

Bella cackled out. "It does not matter My Lord. My nephew will take him down."

Voldemort conjured up a chair very much like his own and commanded. "You will sit next to me Hermione Granger. Severus stand beside me. Bella sit at my feet."

Oh Merlin! Hermione thought. Bellatrix would not like this if she realized the implications that the Dark Lord implied. She watched the deranged witch as she looked to the Dark Lord in anger as she did as she was told. Damn the witch knew.

Voldemort wandlessly casted a Shield around them as he hissed out "Begin!" To the combatants as he reached over and placed his hand upon the Hermione's hand and chuckled as he watched her jump for a moment and settle down. He was within her mind.

Rows and rows of aisles and shelves lined with books appeared as he walked through them and found the one marked Severus Snape and saw two books on the shelves. He picked up the one labeled "Distrust" and placed his hand upon it viewed the memories of her time at school and his actions before and after and the chats with the medi-apprentice concerning him. He then placed his hand on the one marked "Trust?" Reviewing that as well. So the witch was opening up to his Knight but still unsure despite his rescue of her parents. He went on reading seeing her interactions with Potter and the Headmaster.

Voldemort came to a gate with a sign that read. "Request Access Through the Librarian." He saw a huge room with rows and rows of shelves in there. He could break into it but the witch would be left addled and he did not want that yet. He withdrew from her mind and watched the combat with interest while keeping his hand upon hers.

Both wizards left pools of blood on the floor as Brody fell down panting as his wand hung limply in his hand.

Daray placed his wand in his robes and pulled out a large knife with a serrated edge and stood over the boy panting as well. The toll of sending out the Killing curse many times had depleted his magic and he was unable to send it again. He pulled the LeStrange whelp up by his hair as he laughed. "Time to die LeStrange and my House is avenged!" Placing the blade on the boy's neck.

Brody twisted away from the wizard's hold pointing his wand and shouted "Avadera Kedevra!" Watching the green light strike Greystone on the chest as he fell to the ground. He had not sent out any magic that required the strongest use of his magic until he was ready.

Brody stood up his body shaking. "My Lord I win." Falling to the floor and laid still.

Hermione jumped out of the chair and rushed up to Brody and grabbed his wrist feeling a faint pulse.

"He is mine Hermione. Again my compassion as you can use the phials that my Knight placed into your robes to save him." Voldemort called from his throne. "But why would you? I may command that he kill you later as he is at the school and has access to you."

Hermione used the phials and forced Brody to drink them and healed his wounds with the use of her wand and stood up. "I am his Second I swore fealty to him and it is the right thing to do."

Voldemort looked down to Bella "Take that to his family and give them my condolences and this." Pulling a coin bag from his robes and tossing it down to her.

"As you wish My Lord." Bella replied as she put the bag into her pocket and walked over to the body of Daray and pulled it up as she turned her body and Aparrated away.

"Tell Potter to back down and submit to me. I will wait one week and if you do not bring him here with the aid of Severus then my plans will begin and you, Potter and your precious Order will be killed."

Hermione looked to the foul wizard. "I'll pass the message but I don't think he will be very receptive to it." Watching as Voldemort whispered in her husband's ears and the nod of his head.

Severus walked down and pulled Brody to him and grabbed Hermione's hand and Aparrated away.

HGSSHGSSHGSS

They appeared at the gates and Hermione noticed the same raven that delivered the letter from Voldemort looking to her with interest.

"That is Zu. He can send whatever he sees and hears to Voldemort." Severus sent to his wife.

Hermione turned and looked to him. "How could Brody be a DeathEater Severus?"

"Granger I do not know every single witch and wizard that have dedicated themselves to the Dark Lord. I am as surprised as you are. I would have warned you had I known. I did warn you about your parents."

"Yes and I never got to really talk to you about that. I know Brody needs to get to the infirmary. Can you meet me at the big rock next to the lake in a couple of hours?"

He nodded as he motioned for here to go through the gates as he carried his burden. Hermione opened the doors and looked to him. "Promise you'll be there Severus?"

"I will Hermione." He replied as he left her to take Brody to the Infirmary.

HGSSHGSS

Bellatrix arrived back and bowed done before her Lord. "It is finished my Lord." She snarled out.

"Rise Bella and come to me. Why do you have such anger in your voice Second Knight?"

Bellatrix rose and walked up to his throne. "You insulted me in front of the mudblood My Lord."

Voldemort chuckled as he rose and grasped her hand and gently turned it over tracing his thumb along her palm. "It is only a game sweet Bella. Do you really think that I would pick that filth over you, most faithful of my followers?"

She said nothing as the Dark Lord continued.

"Come with me Bella and I will show you." Dragging her from the throne room with a fiendish smile on his face.

HGSSHGSSHGSS

Hermione arrived first at the Lake and sat down at the rock and observed her surroundings. She found Zu sitting at the lowest branch of the trees closest to the rock watching her with interest. "I am foolish to expect him to show up." She muttered out speaking for the bird's benefit.

Severus suddenly appeared. "I told you that I would come here. Did you doubt my words?" He asked as he sat down next to her.

"Is Zu here? This is your show after all." He asked across their connection.

"Why did you save my parents Snape?" She asked. "After all you did not greet me very well at beginning of term."

"While you were an irritating brat when attending school Granger I found that when you came back you were less so. You began to intrigue me. I was there and did not rescue you before even though you knew I was of the Phoenix. I felt guilty and decided to act on my own and saved them with no one's knowledge. I wanted to prove to you that I am not Voldemort's wizard."

"Snape it is all surreal. How can I believe you? Albus did not believe me when I returned and warned him about you and only said you were faithful. And you took me to Voldemort? You could have said no."

"I am a spy and it is difficult to say no to Voldemort." Using the name to assure her of his loyalties. "It is Severus if there are no students present Granger."

"I am about to kiss you Lioness. Please look startled as we are acting out for the Dark Lord." He sent to her as he grabbed her and kissed her gently.

Snape pulled her to her and began to kiss her. She pushed him away for a few moments and then began to willingly kiss back. He ended the kiss and looked to her.

"You have feelings for me Sna…Severus?" Watching as he just nodded.

"My name is Hermione. Give me a few days to think upon this revelation." She told him as she stood up and left him and made her way to the castle.

Severus waited a few moments and heard the rustle of wings and saw Zu fly off. His witch was certainly creative. Chuckling to himself he made his way back to the castle.

HGSSHGSSHGSS

Voldemort had kicked Bella out of his chambers and observed the sending of his familiar. Severus gained the mudblood's trust and things were progressing nicely.

AN Next the death of the Headmaster and things begin to escalate to the final confrontation