A Song for Severus ~ (Not Update, but Edit)

Chapter 57 ~ Another Trip to the Stronghold

Hermione spent all of Sunday morning and afternoon in her lab, working with the diabolical Voldie-Pixies, who were being less cooperative than ever. It seemed they had somehow figured out that Hermione coming anywhere near them meant death. She had to stun them before she could get the vicious little pixies out of their cages, then wait for them to revive before she fed them the anti-elixir.

She came up with a restraining device that freed her hands to work with the creatures and made several of them. Basically it was a wooden board with tiny arm, leg and head restraints. She would lock the unconscious pixies in, wait for them to revive, then feed them the potion. It was much easier this way and she could work with more than one at a time.

Hagrid had to come and catch a few of the normal pixies and release them into the wild. They were breeding like mad because of the ample food supply and lack of predators. He wouldn’t let Hermione immobilize them because he believed it was “too ‘ard on their wee bodies” and shouldered into the enclosure with a butterfly net. He got flamed until his beard was smoking, but caught quite a few of them each go round, dumping the raging pixies into a burlap sack and gathering more until he was satisfied.

The released pixies were completely ungrateful and flamed Hagrid unmercifully when he released them into the forbidden forest, chasing him like a bunch of angry bees until he managed to reach his hut. They buzzed about for a bit, then dispersed for parts unknown as Hagrid set about patching up his burned clothing.

Hermione continued to take notes as she dosed and observed the pixies. The seizures were horrible to witness but the witch steeled herself. The Dark pixies’ evil demeanors helped quite a bit. Each looked as if it would like to kill her and probably would if it were possible.

Every creature seemed to die at the same point, when the black blood burst out of their noses and mouths. According to Severus, this was the point the blood transmuted. She began testing the blood and found that indeed there were some normal blood cells as well. Not many, but they were forming, and with each pixie that died, there were more positive changes. She just had to keep altering that ratio of venom to agistani blooms. She was bound to find the right combination if she were careful and patience.

Yet she was beginning to worry a little. It seemed the time was approaching quickly for Voltaire’s capture. Albus was on board with her, but Severus…no. She wanted to be able to go to work on the boy immediately so the Potions Master would have no complaints.

She snorted as she dissected another pixie. Severus would find something to complain about anyway. Even if they did cure Voltaire, the wizard wouldn’t trust him. He didn’t trust Volaria, though she evidenced no untoward tendencies.

Or that was what Hermione thought. Severus actually saw the young witch as an ally now, though his disposition towards her hadn’t changed outwardly. Severus Snape always appreciated intelligence, and the conversation he had with the young witch showed him that she was a clear thinker, if nothing else. She also had courage and was willing to go against popular opinion even if the consequences were dire. She was no blind follower. While it didn’t dispel all his reservations concerning the young witch, it was still a move closer to acceptance.

But Volaria would still have to prove herself.

Severus would give her the opportunity.

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Volaria was in Hermione’s rooms with her nose buried in the newest edition of “Hogwarts: A History.” She read about Bellatrix LeStrange and how she was considered the top female Death Eater under Voldemort’s reign. Hers was a dubious celebrity to be sure. She killed a lot of people.

Hermione was mentioned in the book several times as well, for helping to thwart Voldemort from getting a Sorcerer’s stone, for identifying the creature in the Chamber of Secrets as a basilisk and for receiving the highest marks at Hogwarts in over fifty years.

Cool.

Professor Snape was mentioned, but only as the Potions Master for the school. Volaria thought there should be more about the snarky wizard…much more. Maybe there would be later on. Maybe when he was dead. That happened a lot from what she could tell. Famous people were rarely famous when they were alive. They were only appreciated after the worms had them.

Volaria was all ready to move into Ravenclaw house this evening. She had asked Hermione if she thought anyone would make fun of her hair, being that she had a white patch. Hermione told her idiots were everywhere, and if anyone did…not to pay attention to it. She said she was picked on when she was younger because of her teeth and because she liked to study so much.

“It’s a part of life, Volaria. Sometimes people are just being thoughtless, sometimes they are just mean, other times they are jealous. But, everyone goes through things like this. If anyone does pick on you, ignore them,” Hermione advised, “It won’t always be that way. There were boys that picked on me who wanted to date me later. I got them back then. I wouldn’t give them the time of day.”

Volaria looked at her.

“Professor Snape seems like he picks on everybody, but he gets the time of day and night from you,” she observed as Hermione turned bright red.

”He’s a special case,” Hermione said, ending the conversation by saying she had to go to the labs.

Volaria shook her head. She was just curious because Hermione and Professor Snape seemed so…different. And Hermione was always working or thinking about working for the most part. She never did…well…girly things. Volaria didn’t have much experience doing girly things either…but she did do different hairstyles and liked pretty clothes, though she never had any until she came to Hogwarts. Hermione never did her hair or dressed up as far as the young witch could see.

And Professor Snape…he was so…so stiff and snappy all the time. She couldn’t even imagine him being nice. It would just be…wrong. Reasonable was the best the Potions Master could be as far as Volaria was concerned.

And he was reasonable. At least when it came to understanding why she needed his help.

That counted for a lot.

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Hermione was helping Volaria miniaturize her things to take them up to Ravenclaw house when Severus arrived. He was on his way to meet with Bella and attend to Voltaire. Hermione stared at him as he entered, her stomach in knots at the danger he was going to face. He walked up to the witch, studying her face, noting the fear in her eyes.

“Hermione, you look like I’m going to the gallows,” he said to her softly, then his eyes hardened as he looked toward Volaria, who was watching them.

She quickly found something very urgent to do in Hermione bedroom. Severus watched the blonde witch skitter off and the bedroom door close behind her, then turned his eyes back on Hermione.

“I will be back, witch,” he said to her.

Hermione’s eyes glistened.

“I know,” she said unconvincingly.

Severus sighed and kissed her on her forehead.

”You worry too much. I will be fine. Bella needs me,” he said, “I will return as soon as I can. And definitely tonight.”

”You’ll let me know when you’re back?” Hermione asked him.

“Volaria is moving out tonight, isn’t she?” Severus asked her in return.

“Yes,” Hermione said, nodding.

Severus gave her a little smirk.
.
“You’ll know when I return, be certain of that,” he said, his eyes glinting at her.

Severus planned to let himself into her rooms and go straight to Hermione’s bedroom. He needed to break her bed in again.

Hermione felt a little heat in her belly at the way the wizard looked at her. Severus could still make her feel like melting into a pool of bubbling lust.

”I have to go,” the wizard said, planting a kiss on her lips, “Don’t bother dressing for bed.”

The wizard turned and exited Hermione’s rooms. She watched him go, her belly still knotted up.

“Be safe, Severus,” she whispered after the door closed.

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Disillusioned and surrounded by a silencing spell, Severus apparated a short distance from the stones, his wand in hand. He removed the silencing spell but remained disillusioned. He walked the short distance to the meeting place, looking up at the sky. The sun was low, almost at the horizon.

Suddenly, Bella walked into view, her eyes narrowed angrily. She wasn’t in the best of moods. She was gripping her wand tightly. Time to relieve her of that. But she was looking around sharply.

“Severus, I know you are already here. Come out!” she demanded.

The Potions Master pointed his wand at her chest.

”My wand is pointed at your heart, Bella. Put your wand away,” he said still disillusioned.

Bellatrix stamped her foot and angrily put her wand in her pocket. Severus appeared.

”You look a bit…upset, Bella,” he purred at her, his wand still pointed.

”Yes I am upset. You have Volaria!” she hissed at him. “You have betrayed me. Albus knows everything.”

Severus shook his head.

“I would be in Azkaban if that were true, Bella. I gave Voltaire the elixir and most likely Volaria saw that. When I found out she was from your stronghold, I removed all memory of myself from her mind so she could not reveal my duplicity,” the wizard said evenly.

“Why not everything, Severus?” she growled at him.

”There wasn’t time, Bella. I was more concerned with protecting myself. No one knows where your stronghold is,” Severus said reasonably.

“But now they know I’m alive for certain,” Bella snapped back at him.

“That is a small thing, Bella. It means nothing. Some have suspected you didn’t die at the battle at all. Besides, Albus isn’t sure if Volaria is telling the truth or suffering some delusion. Claiming to be the daughter of Voldemort is quite a stretch,” the wizard said.

Bella looked at him. Yes, it really was a stretch. It was common knowledge the wizard wanted no heirs because he never intended to give up his throne and wanted to live forever.


“I have not betrayed you, Bella…and I have the elixir for Voltaire. You have trusted me this far. Continue to do so,” Severus said silkily, his black eyes meeting her gray ones.

Bella hesitated, then let out a sigh.

”Put your wand away, Severus. Of course you haven’t betrayed us. I am just…just under so much stress. Voltaire has…has changed, is more demanding, insistent, anxious to take his throne. He is very much like his father. Very much,” the witch said tiredly as Severus slowly put his wand away.

Bella did look like she had aged a little since he last saw her. How much had the boy changed?

”Let us go,” Bella said, slipping her arm into Severus’ and disapparating with him.

The witch and arrived in the open arena area where Severus had given Voltaire his first full treatment. The pale wizard looked around. The boy was nowhere to be seen.

“Where is Voltaire?” the wizard asked Bella.

“He doesn’t want to meet you here. He is in the Room of Requirement,” the witch replied, beginning to walk. Severus followed.

“He does not like to be addressed by his name any longer, Severus. You must address him with the same title and respect you gave his father. ‘My Lord.’ He has studied pensieves of how Death Eaters acted in his father’s presence and has come to expect that. Even I no longer call him Voltaire,” Bella said as they turned down a stone corridor, then another. She stopped in front of a tall iron door. It was emblazoned with serpents and skulls, and had two ringed knockers.

“Remember, eyes lowered, Severus,” Bella said warningly as she lifted the heavy knocker and let it fall, a loud bang following it.

After a moment, the door swung open slowly.

“Enter,” a high pitched voice hissed.

Both Severus and Bella entered the room, eyes lowered. Severus felt a chill at the familiarity of it.

Voltaire sat majestically on a throne of bones on a raised dais in the center of a perfect reproduction of Voldemort’s throne room. Circular and barren with stone walls and a number of brightly burning torches which kept the room very warm. Voltaire was cold-blooded now and needed external heat. He was dressed in rich green and silver robes. Slytherin colors. Severus and Bella stopped in front of the throne.

“I have brought Severus to attend you, my Lord,” Bella said, her eyes still lowered.

Voltaire’s red eyes shifted from Bella to Severus, who was showing him the proper respect he deserved. He nodded with approval.

“Very well. You may both lift your eyes and address me,” the young wizard said imperiously.

Severus lifted his head and looked at the boy.

“Thank you my Lord,” he said silkily.

“You are welcome…servant,” Voltaire replied.

Severus fought back the unpleasant response he had to being addressed as a “servant” once more.

“Have you been well, my Lord?” Severus asked the boy.

“Yesssss. My powers are increasing, but I need to be stronger. My time approaches. I must be ready to take my rightful place. Can you assure me I will be ready?” Voltaire demanded.

Severus shook his head.

“I cannot tell you that, my Lord. Only that if you apply yourself, you will become more than what you are. It all depends on you,” Severus replied evenly.

Bella shook her head slightly. Not the right response, Severus.

Voltaire’s eyes grew redder and his face snarled up in fury.

“It all depends on me, worm? Then what the fuck do I have you for? Crucio!” the young despot cried, hitting Severus with the Cruciatus curse.

“You will give me what I want, or suffer!” Voltaire hissed as Severus seized up with pain, held up by the curse. Dear gods…it was more horrible than ever.

Voltaire held his wand on him, waiting to hear the wizard scream in agony. Severus was in agony but screaming wasn’t his way.

Finally, Voltaire let him go, and Severus fell to the floor, shuddering terribly.

“He didn’t scream, Bella,” he said to the witch, who shook her head.

“Your father would strip the skin from his body and he would never scream, my Lord. It is just the wizard’s way. He has suffered however…but you don’t want to ruin him. He still must give you the elixir,” she said.

Voltaire looked down on the wizard, who was on his hands and knees now, trying to rise.

”Severus Snape, you will serve me better than you served my father,” the boy hissed at him as the wizard slowly rose, careful to keep his face neutral, despite the murder in his heart, “House elves!”

Immediately two house elves with flattened ears appeared in the throne room, bowing low.

”Yes, my Lord?” one of the elves squeaked, eyes on the floor.

“Bring me a vial of pain potion from Jordan’s stores and give it to the wizard,” he ordered.

“Yes, my Lord,” the elves said in unison.

They winked out.

Severus stood before the throne in silence, shuddering, his Occlumency walls lowered soundly as Voltaire looked at him with narrowed eyes.

”My father never trusted you,” the boy said, “I will not trust you fully either. As long as you remain useful to me, however…you will live. But you will have a new assignment for me, Severus. You are to work on creating a more powerful elixir…one that doesn’t have to be constantly administered. I want to be free of that dependence.”

”Yes, my Lord,” Severus said through slightly chattering teeth.

The boy was crazy to think he would ever do such a thing, particularly since he said Severus would only live as long as he was useful. He wouldn’t be needed if Voltaire had access to such an elixir. The Potions Master hoped the boy would make his move soon, so he could be captured. Then he’d be taken to task for crucioing him. Oh yes.

The elves returned and handed Severus the pain potion. His hand shaking, Severus opened the bottle and drank it down. After a moment or two the worst of the pain subsided. Only time would remove the rest of it.

“Better?” Voltaire asked him.

“Yes, my Lord,” Severus replied, handing the bottle back to the elf, who hurriedly winked out.

Voltaire flicked his wand and a restraining chair appeared, bolted to the floor. He stood up, put his wand in his pocket and majestically walked down the stairs and over to the chair. He sat down and locked the restraints around his ankles, then one wrist.

“Attend me,” he ordered the Potions Master, who walked over and locked the other restraint, his face contorted slightly. He would love to beat the shit out of the little monster while restrained…but there was Bella…and the ultimate goal to think about. But he wouldn’t forget this. He’d get his day.

He took the bottle of elixir out of his pocket, uncapped it, and held it to Voltaire’s lips…his black eyes glinting with hatred as the boy drank it down.

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A/N: Thanks for reading.