E Pluribus Unum

A/N - Guess you might be surprised to see a new chapter here. ::sheepish grin:: Thanks to Kate for beta-ing and keeping everyone in character. Love ya babe! I will try not to make it quite so long between chapters gang, but I also have to get Dawn Breaking updated!

Thanks to Brian, Lucie, Kim, Droxy, Kateri, deblovesdragon, Irish Raven X, jeanette, Ghaeth (you are making me blush!), Helen and Deeble the magnificent!

Chapter 48 – A Tense Situation

Voldemort had summoned them to the underground chamber again, wherever it was; Voldemort seemed fond of it though Severus found it damp and chilly. In the half-light, Voldemort sat on his throne partially obscured by shadow, his face hidden by his hood, little showing but the glow of his red eyes in the blackness. It was a particularly effective tactic but then Severus was already upset.

Severus stood with outward calm, Miss Mangle beside him, and listened to the field reports that several of Voldemort’s agents were bringing in. He was nervous and frightened which was his usual state when he was in Voldemort’s presence, but today was by far one of the worst days he had had in some time.

He was cataloguing the very important information with only half his mind. Two days ago Hermione Granger had disappeared from Hogsmeade and Severus was in a terror for the girl. He had heard nothing about her from any of his usual sources and he was frantic as he thought of all the horrible things that could be happening to her.

The Muggleborn witch was far too intelligent and talented to waste in such a way. For some reason he could not get his mind off of the fear that she would be unable to take her N.E.W.T.s; he suspected that it was a trivial concern to mask his imaginings of what she might be suffering.

The students were reacting poorly to the girl’s disappearance -- Minuet was teary-eyed and Potter and Weasley looked like the walking wounded. The entire school was in a tizzy over the incident and Kathryn was filled with an icy fury that made Severus rather nervous which was the hardest part of the whole thing for him. He had never before feared what rage might drive his lover to do. He wanted Miss Granger to be safe for many reasons but he feared that he might simply have to watch her die as he had so many others. He brought his attention back to the conversation, knowing it was vital information.

“The Leaky Cauldron has been rebuilt, of course, but Tom is now much more careful about allowing people through. I think he is learning.” Smirked Pettigrew as he gave his report.

“Does he still allow the Mudbloods through?” Voldemort asked, whisper-soft.

“Yes, my Lord.” Pettigrew admitted.

“Then burn it down again and this time see to it that someone dies.” Was the quiet-voiced command and Pettigrew paled but nodded. “They are all learning far too slowly.” It was the slight bitterness in Voldemort’s tone that alerted Severus to the danger that he and his allies were in now. Voldemort was losing patience and it would mean more death and more pain for everyone. An impatient Voldemort was an unpredictable and dangerous foe.

Franco entered the room, his black hair gleaming in the torchlight, pale blue eyes eerily bright. He was dragging Hermione Granger behind him on a chain. The girl was upright but only barely and she stumbled as she was jerked forward. She looked far better than the brightest hope of Severus’ heart. She was still in her torn and dirty clothes; the blue jeans, white t-shirt and red jacket were filthy but he could not see the tears or stains that would indicate rape or excessive abuse.

“You asked for the Mudblood, my Lord?” Franco bowed and dragged the girl forward, tossing her at Voldemort’s feet. She landed on her knees before the Dark Lord but her head was unbowed and her eyes flashed defiance.

“Yes, well done, Franco.” Voldemort approved and then he steepled his fingers before him as he studied the bruised and battered girl at his feet. “She is still untouched?” Voldemort’s voice was predatory and Severus felt suddenly as though he had been drenched in ice water. He had had no clue that Miss Granger was a virgin, he had assumed that the Weasley boy…Good God, there were so many terrible things Voldemort could do with a virgin sacrifice.

“Yes, my Lord, all our spells confirm it.” Hermione shivered and knowing what was required to confirm such things in a truly methodical manner, Severus paled beneath his mask. He would have to kill Franco slowly; a simple Avada wasn’t good enough for him. He would have to find some way to get the girl away from here. He couldn’t allow the kind of power she represented to stay in Voldemort’s hands. Besides, he liked the girl, damn it, though he would rather cut out his own tongue than admit that to a soul.

Voldemort was smiling in a manner calculated to terrify the girl but she was quietly defiant and managed to look indomitable even while on her knees. Severus felt a tiny surge of pride in the child. Beside him Miss Mangle stirred.

“Can we play with her?” She asked with her little girl’s voice, gone all predatory and hungry. Hermione was looking at her in horror, her eyes flicking only briefly to Severus. Ah, he thought, Miss Mangle has told her which way to run. He felt a similar pride in the demon child as he felt in Miss Granger. His girls were very clever.

“I am afraid, Miss Mangle, that we need her somewhat intact for the Rite of Purity.” Severus could not suppress a shudder at Voldemort’s words. The Rite of Purity, it was such an innocuous name for such a horrific ritual. Miss Granger didn’t look as frightened as she ought to be; he suspected even her extensive reading hadn’t covered such intensely dark rituals. No surprise there, the description of it alone was proscribed knowledge. To have a copy of the text would mean instant death to any wizard or witch in whose possession it was found. One of the key ingredients was a virgin witch of childbearing age. Miss Granger would fit the bill far too well.

“I promise to be careful.” Miss Mangle assured him, peeping up winsomely from behind her curls and giving a dimpled smile to the Dark Lord. There was general laughter and Severus made himself join it while Miss Granger shuddered at the sound.

“Someone’s coming” Mr. Fenchurch detached himself from the shadows and moved into the room and the assembled Death Eaters fell silent.

Fenchurch stood like a living antenna and quivered slightly as he reached out his senses.

“Severus.” Miss Mangle whispered to him. He looked down at her and she reached for his hand. He extended his own and she clasped it tightly. “Severus, I am not able to protect them all, tell me who to shield.” Severus looked at Miss Granger, kneeling on the ground, looking lost and frightened now. “Very well.” Miss Mangle answered his thoughts rather than any spoken word and he felt a rush of deep affection for the dark creature beside him.

“Be careful.” He warned her, her eyes on his were strained and sad.

“I am not good, Severus.” She whispered in distress, his emotions were obviously confusing to her.

“I know.” He answered softly, knowing that it changed nothing about how he felt. Even knowing what she was and what she had done, he cared about her. After years of being frightened of loving anyone, it was as if Kathryn had pried his heart open and now he was making up for lost time. Now he loved many people and Miss Mangle was one of them.

Tears of scarlet were dripping down her face and with an angry gesture she dashed them away. Severus handed her his handkerchief and she took it with trembling hands.

“I want to be good, Severus.” She was shaking beside him and he draped an arm around her and pressed her against his side. He wished he could protect her, but he didn’t know how to shield someone from their own soul.

“You are good to me.” He answered and she relaxed against him, her eyes closing and her face gone peaceful.
Around them the Death Eaters, Fenchurch and the Dark Lord were directing all their attention outward and the tiny drama being played out in their midst went unnoticed.

There was a loud crash and a portion of the wall collapsed, hexes came flying through and Death Eaters dropped while others began firing back. Aurors came pouring through the hole and Severus exchanged glances with Miss Mangle.

She stepped away from him and her form flowed and changed. Gone was the little girl and in her place was a monstrous demon. Red scales, lashing tail and, curiously, perfectly human blue eyes. She was on all fours, growling at the oncoming Aurors and he watched her move forward with the darting grace of a cobra. Even this way, he realized, she was still a little girl to him. He loved the child unconditionally.

He moved to help Miss Granger with an eye on Franco. He made sure that the tide of battle forced him near to her and then he stepped before her and saw to it that none of the idiot Aurors accidentally hexed the child. If anyone asked later, he could say that he wanted to preserve Voldemort’s prize for him.

The Dark Lord apparated away with a pop and other Death Eaters began to flee as well as more Aurors poured through the hole. Severus saw Kingsley and Moody coming thundering in like the bleeding rabble they were. Not that he wasn’t glad to see them, but they were going to have to learn the value of stealth and subtlety some day.

Miss Mangle knocked an Auror aside and took a hex that was going astray and would most assuredly have hit Miss Granger.

Miss Granger, in the meantime, was crowded close to his ankles, trying to hide behind his robes. Her faith was touching but he would have preferred it if she had run for cover. Still, she had been barely capable of walking before, perhaps she wasn’t strong enough to run. He cursed under his breath and then tossed off a binding hex that looked as though it was aimed at an Auror but “accidentally” took out Franco. He smiled grimly behind his mask, grateful for the protection it gave him. Miss Granger moved away from him slightly, peering around his hems to catch a glimpse of the battle.

“Stay down, girl.” He barked and she ducked back behind him. A hex sizzled towards him and then veered away sharply, as though deflected by an invisible hand. Severus looked at the caster in surprise and recognized Auror Intrepidus Gabriel Leblanc, Kathryn’s baby brother. He was looking back at Severus with an amused grin before he saluted and charged off after someone else. The deflected beam puzzled him but he had other fish to fry, as Kathryn would say.

Gabriel brought down another Death Eater and Severus grumbled.

“Bloody Americans, always showing off.” Miss Granger peered out from behind Severus’ cloak again and gasped in surprise.

“Isn’t that Gabriel?” She asked and there was a tone to her voice that made Severus sigh. If the young lady had her way, the Auror Intrepidus would be tripped up by the schoolgirl behind him. “Wow, he’s incredible.” She added with an admiring tone.

“Kindly stay down, Miss Granger.” He growled and felt nothing but weary amusement at the ways of the world. The threats to Miss Granger were all gone he realized, scanning the room. Miss Mangle fled in mock terror. Gabriel Leblanc was advancing towards them and Miss Granger was watching him with sparkling eyes. So much for Mr. Weasley, he mused just before he apparated away.

When the smoke cleared, there were a bunch of captured Death Eaters, the avenging Aurors and Miss Granger. Severus and Miss Mangle were long gone.