Sub Rosa

Chapter 50 – Dark of Noon

Severus was just adding the last of the aconite to the next batch of the Wolfsbane Potion when the call came. He swore fervently and creatively.

“Professor?” Hermione Granger’s startled voice called him from his self-absorption and he tossed the recipe scroll at her.

“I trust you can finish the potion alone?” He snapped as he headed to his rooms. The door shutting behind him cut off her startled affirmative. He was glad that Albus had suggested he use her as an assistant when Draco wasn’t available. It was nice to have someone competent and trustworthy at moments like this. Still, he had triple warded his private stores, for he knew full well what had happened to the missing Boomslang skin in her second year.

Of course, Draco wouldn’t have batted an eye at his language, but Granger was a sixteen-year-old girl, despite her prodigious intellect. She was under orders to report to Albus when he had to leave, which also cut his response time to the summons.

He stormed off to the forest, his feet knowing the way quite well. Mask and robes in place he blindly apparated, allowing his Mark to pull him to Voldemort’s location.

The sound of rain hammering in metal roofing was the first sensation he registered. The light was so dim that he could make out little detail. He could feel cement floors beneath his boots again, most likely another warehouse.

“Lumos.” He muttered and light bloomed from the tip of his wand. Large wooden crates ringed the room he was in and there were two doors, a steel door on one end and a roll down metal door on the other. Large tracks criss-crossed the ceiling with chains and hooks hanging from them. There was a popping sound to his left and another Death Eater apparated in. He swept through the smaller door, feeling the other come in behind him. They were among the first to arrive.

The second room was bigger than the first and the scene had been carefully set to show Voldemort to advantage. He sat upon a throne, probably transfigurrom rom one of the crates, Severus mused. His robes were spread across the floor and his face was hidden in the shadow cast by his hood. Nagini was curled across his lap and twined around his shoulders, a living ornament of muscle and venom.

Pettigrew crouched beside the throne, silver hand gleaming, a shadowy figure in the light of the floating torches that hung behind the throne. It was dramatic and unsettling, as it was meant to be and Severus wanted to laugh at the posing of his one-time master.

Instead, he dropped to his knees and crawled to Voldemort’s feet. He kissed the hem of the madman’s robes and murmured words of loyalty and self-debasement.

Soon the circle was filled and fifteen Death Eaters awaited orders.

“I have given you all so much, my children.” Voldemort began and Severus tensed, knowing what that slightly saddened tone meant. “I have given you power, fame and blood.” He continued. “Yet still, one of you has chosen to betray me.” The voice, soft and fatherly one moment now dropped to a furious hiss.

There was no sound or movemenom tom the Death Eaters until Severus spoke.

“But name the traitor, Master, and I will kill it.” His voice had been leached of all but the coldest emotions and he watched as one of the others shuddered as he spoke.

“Ravagienne has made a deal with the Aurors at Azkaban.” Severus heart dropped into his shoes. Minuet’s father had just been condemned to death and he had offered to kill him. “Bella has arranged with the Dementors to allow us …access to him.” Why Fudge hadn’t removed the Dementors yet was one of the many things that Severus would like to know. “Severus, you and Shiv shall go there now and…see to things.”

Severus dropped down to one knee before Voldemort. Beside him, Shiv did the same and then they apparated to the coast. Fog shrouded them from the island and muffled sound around them.

“You got the kill last time, Severus, give me the traitor.” Shiv’s voice was thick with excitement and blood lust.

“Never say that I cannot be generous, Shiv. Take him.” He shrugged, secretly glad that he didn’t have to look Minuet in the eye with her father’s blood on his hands.

They found the boat that Bella had arranged for them quickly and chatted softly as the craft floated silently towards the island prison.

“I can understand what you see in that woman, Severus, she is very pretty.” Shiv’s chuckle was appreciative and Severus pretended to a calm he didn’t feel.

“She’s smart too.” He said in an off-hand manner.

“Brains aren’t a requirement of mine.” Shiv shrugged and pulled his blade out, checking it as they approached the island. “Just a warm hole to stick it in.” What a romantic soul, Severus thought with some acid.

“I agree, but it makes seducing her more interesting.” He put a touch of predatory glee into his voice and Shiv guffawed in response. Severus was really starting to hate the other man.

They fell silent then, as the prison broke through the fog. Tall, gray and radiating a silent dread, the prison crept into the bones and chilled the heart. Severus could feel the presence of the Dementors sucking the warmth from his heart and the joy from his soul.

They tied the boat up to a gnarled old bush at the water’s edge and crept up the rocky shore. Severus took point, wand out and senses alert for any sign of Aurors. They rarely came to the island prison, but it wouldn’t do to be caught here in Death Eater’s robes.

The two figures edged up to the doors and Severus rapped lightly. There was a coldness that intensified to an almost unbearable pain and the door swung open. The Dementor before him, tattered robes flapping in the light wind, backed away from him, giving Severus space to enter the prison with Shiv.

The inside was as bleak and unfriendly looking as the outside. Cold stone, iron bars and the distant sound of dripping water were his only distraction froe roe rotting figure of the Dementor. Shiv’s breathing behind him was short shallow panting as primitive terror fought the cold control of the reasoning mind.

They followed as the Dementor led them through long narrow halls and up twisting staircases to a high r ror room. Crouched in his cell like an animal in a cage, Minuet’s father, filthy and unkempt, cowered away from the bars. The Dementor unlocked the cell for them.

They said no word as they entered and Maurice Ravagienne made no demur, spoke no word of protest, merely rose and waited, dignity pulled around him like a cloak.

Shiv stepped forward and pulled his knife. Severus couldn’t see his face behind the mask, but he knew that Shiv was smiling, because his eyes glittered, fever bright.

“Severus?” Maurice asked looking at the figure before him. Severus shifted, acknowledging the identification. Maurice turned his head to his old compatriot. “My wife and daughters, they have always been obedient. Can I count on you to see that they are taken care of?” Severus nodded.

“We take care of our own.” Maurice nodded and turned back to Shiv. The screams were loud and lasted for a long time, but the tower room was isolated and the sound didn’t carry very far.

Hours later, after his debriefing with Voldemort and receiving his new orders, Severus re-entered his rooms at Hogwarts. He carefully tucked his mask and robes away and wandered back to his lab.

Hermione Granger sat; head pillowed on her arms, surrounded by neatly labeled and bottled doses of Wolfsbane potion. She was fast asleep, her bushy brown hair covering her face and spilling out across the table. Severus coughed and she woke with a start.

“Professor!” She sat up and looked at him with relief on her face. Severus was touched by her obvious concern.

“Miss Granger it is far past curfew.” She nodded, gathered her books and papers and headed for the door. Severus stepped out with her, escorting her to the base of Gryffindor tower, shortening his usual long strides to accommodate her shorter legs.

“Is everything okay?” The girl asked softly as they walked in silence.

“Do you consider yourself Miss Ravagienne’s friend?” He asked suddenly.

“Yes, Sir.” Her confusion was plain, but she remained polite and respectful.

“She will need a friend tomorrow, Miss Granger. She will need one very badly.” Miss Granger’s face was turned up towards him, as they stopped before the fat lady’s portrait.

“She will have more than just one, Sir.” Miss Granger assured him and then after whispering the password, disappeared into the night.