Everything I Do, I Do It For You

Chapter 7:- Malfoy Manor

Severus Snape made his way to the Apparation spot, just outside of the grounds of Hogwarts. Inside he was fuming, fuming at Draco for being so damn stupid to leave the grounds in his search for “Every last Death Eater.” What would this accomplish, besides getting himself killed? Severus’ long legs covered the ground quickly, and before he knew it, he was at the site. The last words of Albus were running through his mind:

’I don’t want you to leave any of them alive. Question them about the whereabouts of Miss Granger, and then dispose of them as you see fit.’

Although Severus was well aware of the Headmaster’s double meaning hidden in this sentence, he wasn’t at all sure where to begin his search for Draco. Better to start at the beginning and work his way back. He needed to vent anyway, as being cooped up in the castle was doing nothing short of driving him insane. With a loud crack he Apparated to Malfoy Manor.

Severus walked up the long driveway; everything here was quiet, too quiet. He eyed the gates suspiciously, as they were wide open. Making sure that it wasn’t an elaborate trap, Severus placed a cloaking charm over himself as he made his way to the front door. The door was ajar, and again making sure that there were no wards on it, he pushed to open it. It made a creaking noise as it opened.

’Damn it, so much for a quiet entry.’ Severus cringed as the door came to an abrupt halt.

He darted behind one of the many statues that adorned Malfoy Manor. Catching his breath he thanked the gods for whatever stroke of luck he was having, while berating himself for not being cautious enough. He was exhausted and he knew it.

Looking around the Manor, he took in the sight that greeted his eyes. The place looked like a bomb had hit it. Furniture was overturned, and paintings had been ripped from the walls.

“What took you so long, Godfather?” Draco slurred.

Severus jumped and drew his wand. It took him a few seconds to recognize the voice. He looked around wildly, trying to pinpoint its exact location. His eyes fell on the only piece of furniture not upturned, the armchair by the fireplace. Draco sat with his back to the front door and although Severus couldn’t see him, he knew he was there. He took in a long, drawn-out breath before disarming his cloaking charm and tucking his wand back into his robes. He made his way over to the armchair.

“How did you know it was me and not a Death Eater come to seek out your worthless hide?” Severus asked in his usual drawl.

“It doesn’t matter, does it? I couldn’t care less if you were a Death Eater coming to take care of me.”

Severus looked down at Draco; he was nursing a glass of rum and was obviously quite drunk. He took in the look on Draco’s face. Although Draco’s eyes had never left the fireplace, the look in them was one of determination mixed with hopelessness.

“What did you expect to find here?” Severus asked gently.

“Do you like what I did with the place?” Draco said, ignoring the question while waving his hand about. He took a big gulp of rum and coughed.

“What, you did this?” Severus asked, looking bewildered.

“Yes, I thought that the place needed a bit of a spring clean, though I wonder where those pesky house-elves have gotten to, vile creatures that they are.”

Severus knew now what he had thought was a distinct possibility years ago: Draco had truly lost his mind.

“Come on, I’m taking you back to Hogwarts,” Severus muttered while tugging on Draco just under the arm.

“GET OFF ME! I don’t want to go back. This is where I belong!” Draco yelled.

Severus recoiled at Draco’s brutal honesty, a look of anger and understanding quickly passing over his face as he dropped Draco’s arm. He was determined to take his godson back to Hogwarts, although he knew he did not have the strength for a fight. A hex was out of the question, as he knew that Draco would never forgive him. Severus drew in a breath to protest, but subsided.

“What do you plan on doing now?” Severus asked, his face impassive and his voice tired.

“I plan to avenge my father,” Draco said, his voice full of venom and hatred.

Draco was still staring into the fire; they were both too caught up in the moment to notice that Rabastan Avery and Bellatrix Lestrange were silently creeping up on them, wands drawn. Bellatrix had heard muffled voices outside the Malfoy Manor and had persuaded Rabastan to go in to investigate. They had both made their way behind the same statue that Severus had been hiding behind when he first entered, and listened to the exchange of two voices. Both were astounded at the sight that met their eyes. It was Snape, the traitor, and Draco, the spineless son of Lucius Malfoy.

“EXPELLIARMUS!” Bellatrix screamed.

Severus’ and Draco’s wands flew from them with such force that Severus was almost knocked to the floor. He regained his composure and cringed as he heard the deranged laugh of Bellatrix Lestrange.

“Well well well, what do we have here, a little reunion? I knew I should have finished you both off when I had the chance,” Bellatrix said her voice dancing with pleasure.

“When did you have the chance? I don’t even remember seeing you at the last battle . . . oh that’s right, I saw your sorry ass running through the Forbidden Forest when Voldemort fell,” Severus said, adrenaline following through his veins.

“CRUCIO!” Bellatrix yelled, anger evident in her voice.

Severus hit the floor, curling up into a ball as the pain intensified. It felt like his bones were being crushed, as if a ten-tonne weight was being pressed on top of him. Although he had suffered worse at the hands of Voldemort, he had been both psychically and mentally prepared for it. Now with his body and mind exhausted, he felt like succumbing to the darkness, as it was threatening to take him.

“Enough.” Rabastan scorned Bellatrix while pushing her wand arm downwards. “I want to have some fun with him too.” His tone filled with evil intent.

Bellatrix looked like a child in a lolly shop who had just been told to look, but not touch.

Severus opened his eyes slowly. Draco had not moved a muscle. ‘What’s wrong with that stupid boy?’ Severus felt like he was about to be sick, as a wave of nausea hit him and his head started to spin.

“On your feet, you vile traitor,” Rabastan spat.

In all the commotion, they had forgotten about Draco and were eyeing Severus with rather amused looks on their faces. Severus knew from experience that these two were definitely bad news, crazy in unimaginable ways. They were the worst pair of Death Eaters one could come across. Fortunately they weren’t graced with a single brain cell between them, and this would work in Severus’ favour, if only he could signal Draco to make his move. They were both circling around him like buzzards going in for the kill. With their wands drawn and pointed at him, he made his way to his feet. A thought suddenly came to his dizzied mind.

’If I can play the after-effects of the Cruciatus well enough, that may buy me some time to signal Draco.’

He stood there swaying, playing up the part for all it was worth. True, he did feel like his head would split in two, but he pushed the pain way back into far recesses of his mind.

“Look at him! He’s had it now.” Bellatrix gave a hollow laugh, causing a shiver to penetrate Severus’ body and travel its way down his spine.

Rabastan pulled out a knife from his boot, replacing his wand in its sheath beneath his robes. Eyeing the knife, Severus shuddered involuntarily. He knew how good Rabastan was with a knife, as he had seen him use it countless times before. The way the knife became an extension of his arm was truly amazing. Severus too was familiar with the Muggle object; however he knew he didn’t have a chance, not without his wand. He caught a glimpse of his wand in Bellatrix’s robe. If only he had enough strength to perform wandless magic. Rabastan’s eyes were dancing with delight as a foul-looking sneer passed his face. He advanced on Severus.

Draco had been waiting for his opportunity to shine. He had noticed that both Lestrange and Avery were circling around his godfather like two dogs going in for the kill. They seemed to have forgotten about him. Draco seized this opportunity to do something he had never done before - he attacked the crazy Death Eating witch. Screaming at the top of his lungs, he launched himself off the armchair, kicking and punching like a man possessed. Bellatrix and Rabastan were taken aback by a spine-shattering scream. They looked over to the armchair to see Lucius Malfoy’s son come hurtling through the air at Bellatrix.

Severus knew this was his one and only chance, and with another surge of adrenaline he launched himself at Rabastan, knocking the knife from his hand. They grappled for a couple of minutes, both Severus and Rabastan getting the upper hand and then losing it. Severus wasn’t paying too much attention to what Draco and Bellatrix were doing, as he had his hands full trying to keep Rabastan from killing him. Then he saw it, his one saving grace, his wand. It was lying about two metres to his left. Rabastan saw Severus glance to his left and then do a double-take. He turned his head to see Severus’ wand lying on the ground. He quickly jumped at Severus, but was no match for his limber body and cat-like reflexes. As Severus twisted out of Rabastan’s grasp he pounced on the wand. Rabastan caught Severus’ foot in both hands and pulled as hard as he could. When he flipped him over a wand was pushed into his face as the words rang home.

“PETRIFICUS TOTALUS!” Severus roared.

Rabastan fell down on the floor, his body rigid. Other than his eyes, he was unable to move a muscle.

Severus whirled around to face Draco and Bellatrix. The sight that met his eyes was one that would haunt him until his dying days. Draco was sitting against the armchair with Bellatrix hovering over him; her wand was pointed at his chest. Draco looked at his godfather, his eyes desperate, and then a smile graced his lips. It was like Draco was at peace with what was about to happen.

“AVADA KEDAVARA!” Bellatrix shrieked in an unusually cruel, high-pitched voice.

Severus was dumbfounded. This couldn’t be happening; Bellatrix had just performed an Unforgivable Curse on his godson. Shaking himself out of his stupor, he bellowed, “PETRIFICUS TOTALUS!” He had very much wanted to return the favour and use an Unforgivable Curse on Bellatrix; however, in a brief moment of clarity he realised that this would not accomplish the task Dumbledore had sent him to do, finding Miss Granger.

Bellatrix fell to the floor to join Rabastan. Severus rushed over to Draco. Dropping to his knees and cradling the boy’s upper body in his arms, he wept silently. ‘How many more are going to have to die? Why am I powerless to stop it?’

His brief moment of weakness was turned into a fiery ball of anger as he placed Draco’s body down on the floor, his eyes shooting flames at both Death Eaters. ‘Now it’s time for a little fun,’ he thought to himself as he made his way toward the door.

***

A/N: Sorry about Draco, if there are any Draco lovers out there, but he was weak and had to die!!!

Thanks to everyone who has been following this story as it is my first baby.

As always reviews are welcome. I shall try and give everyone a chapter a week however, with HP6 coming out next weekend, I don't know how sucessfull I will be.

Hey hey hey, this chappie was beta'ed by the wonderful LydiaCarol... Thanks alot for everything!!!

Disclaimer:- Not mine, JK's!!!