The Fortress Within

Severus opened his eyes


Severus opened his eyes, rolling over to peer at the clock
on the mantle. 
 


“It’s a little after seven,” said a quiet voice
behind him.  He rolled to his back,
looking up at Hermione’s pale face.
 


“Well, well, not used to see you here in the mornings.”
She was huddled in her blanket, pressed tightly against the back of the sofa as
if trying to fade into the upholstery.
 


“Yes, well, I suppose there are things that need to be
settled after last night.  You know,at iat is to be done with me.”
 


He groaned as he rose to his feet. “There is not much to
be done with you, Hermione.  You
will continue to teach and things are going to go on much as they have been. 
Albus feels it’s prudent for you to move in here with me. 
I will need to accompany you most times, now, outside of your classes. 
You do understand why?”
 


She looked down at her hands and nodded, unable to meet his
eyes.
 


Severus knelt down and lifted her chin, forcing her to see
his face.  “You have nothing to be
ashamed of, or to fear.  This
arrangement will also work to our benefit with Voldemort, make it seem as if we
are working all that much harder to deliver Albus to him. 
It’s for the best the whole way round.” 
Another painful groan and he was on his feet. 
“I need a hot shower, my back is killing me from that damn hard floor. 
On the bright side of things, we have been excused from classes today. 
Call for some breakfast while I shower, then we will get started figuring
things out.”
 


Following breakfast, they started the move. 
Severus did a little magical remodeling and created another closet, which
was soon filled to overflowing with women’s clothing. 
He had never seen so much clothing and said as much. 
Hermione had just laughed and told him he had obviously never shared
space with a woman before.  Then she
had levitated a large bureau into the room. 
It was filled with more clothes.
 


Severus had just sat down to take a break when he heard an
all to familiar voice, “Snape, just where am I supposed to sleep? 
I hope you don’t expect me to spend every friggin night on that damned
sofa.”
 


“No, Granger, I don’t expect you to spend every night
on the sofa, nor will I. I am also not sleeping on the damned floor,
either.”
 


She stomped out into the living room. 
“Well I only see one bed in there and you certainly aren’t sleeping
in it with me.  So, unless you’re
going to hang upside down from the ceiling, you great bat, you had better get
used to the sofa.”  She turned
around, stalked into the bedroom and slammed the door hard.
 


He jumped to his feet and stormed into the bedroom,
furious.  “You have nothing to
fear, your precious virtue, or what’s left of it is safe with me.”  
He reached into his sleeve and drew his wand. 
Hermione eyed him and he could see her fingers were twitching. 
She was prepared to do battle with him.  
He raised his wand slowly and pointed it at the bed.  He gave a quick flick of his wrist and replaced his wand. 
“There.”
 


Hermione turned slowly and looked at the bed. 
“There, what?”
 


Severus walked to the bed and bent over to lift the dust
ruffle.  He gave a grunt and pulled
a trundle from underneath.  “There,
Granger, is your bed.”
 


She closed her eyes and shook her head. 
She reopened her eyes and began to laugh. 
It was Hermione’s carefree giggle. 
“I’m sorry, Severus.  I
never really believed my virtue was in any danger from you.”
 


Severus returned her grin and sat on the edge of the bed to
rub his temples.  “I never
imagined that you did, my dear.”
 


Hermione moved to sit beside him on the bed. 
“Severus, I know this is a great inconvenience for you. 
I’m so sorry for everything.  I
never, ever, imagined that things would go this way.” 
She looked down at her lap, unsure of what else to say.
 


He gazed around his room, which had taken on a decidedly
female presence.  “It’s quite
all right.  It’s actually quite
amusing.  Though, if you ever let
anyone know that I now have stuffed animals in my room, I will hex you into next
week.”
 


He had expected her to laugh at this, but instead, looked
as if she would cry.  “Ummm,
there’s one more thing.  A big
thing.”
 


“Go on.”
 


“Well, it’s just that… 
Well you see…  I have a
cat.”
 


He turned his head to look at her with one raised eyebrow. 
“You have a what?”
 


“I have a cat, just a little one; very cute and not much
trouble.  He actually roams around a
lot of the time.  Well, can he stay
here, too?  Please?”
 


He narrowed his eyes and smiled sarcastically, “I don’t
suppose I really have a choice, do I?”  She
feigned a bashful smile and shook her head. 
He sucked his teeth and closed his eyes, and seemingly spoke out loud to
himself, “Nah, Sev, didn’t think so.”
 


With a wave of her hand, he heard the door to his chambers
open.  “Crookshanks, come here
baby.  Here puss, puss,” she
called in the most sickeningly sweet voice he had ever heard.  After a couple minutes of her calling, the biggest, ugliest
orange cat he had ever seen walked into the room and surveyed his new territory. 
With a disdainful glance at Severus (“not unlike my own”
Severus noted mentally), the cat walked over to his mistress and hurled himself
up in her lap.
The monstrosity allowed himself to be stroked for a minute
or two then moved off to lay in the center of Severus’ bed, trailing orange
cat hair all over his black comforter.  With
a last scathing glance at the man in black the cat lifted his back leg straight
in the air and began to clean himself.
 


Severus said hardly another word to Hermione the rest of
the day.  She spent the afternoon
and evening, either reading or trying to entice the cat to play with her. 
She kept a wide berth around Severus, sensing his dislike of her beloved
pet. 
 


A few hours after dinner, she came out to join him in the
living room.  She wore a light blue
pair of pajamas and a fleece robe.  “I
just came out to say goodnight and to thank you for everything. 
I know this is really tough and I appreciate i &nb  


His irritation had had many hours to abate and had
shriveled to the tiniest little prick he swore he could physically feel just at
the back of his neck.  He rubbed a
hand over the spot as he answered, “I’m not thrilled about the cat, I’ll
admit it.  As far as you being here,
I don’t find it unpleasant, only unfamiliar. 
I’m sure after a few days, it will be fine for both of us.”
 


“Well, I know it’s early, but I’ve been so tired
lately.  I’m going to bed. 
See you in the morning, Severus.”
 


“Goodnight Hermione.”
 


Severus sat in his chair for a couple more hours yet,
engrossed in his book.  Finally, he
could keep his eyes open no longer, and made his wa his his darkened bedroom. 
He went straight into the bathroom, feeling his way, to change and wash
up. 
 


He made his way across the room, running straight into the
trundle on the floor.  “Ow,
damn, forgot about that.”  He
pulled out his wand and with a small Illuminato spell, he could see to make his
way to the bed unimpeded.  He was
just about to crawl beneath the covers when he really looked at the bed. 
 


Hermione and Crookshanks were sound asleep in his bed. 
With a defeated sigh, he tiptoed back around the bed and lay down on the
bed on the floor.
 


Days flew by with Severus and Hermione finding it easier,
day by day, to live with each other.  The
relationship with her Hermione was growing to a friendship built on mutual
respect.  They spent quiet evenings
together comfortable with each other’s presence whether they were talking or
reading.  The Deatheater made very
few appearances, but the times she was there were still enjoyable. 
They verbally sparred and her quick wit
was refreshing.  He
was always on edge with her, and they were both exhausted after her visits.
 


Lucius called Hermione several times before Halloween. On
these nights Severus kept watch from Serpens Tower, waiting for Hermione to
return from her rendezvous.  She
still refused to discuss what was occurring at them, choosing instead to spend
the remainder of those nights locked in the bathroom. 
 


Halloween came upon them quickly.  With its arrival, there would be a great revel. 
They discussed their role with Voldemort in depth, replaying their scenes
until they were fused in both of their minds. 
Their could be no room for error, their stories had to support each
other.  Lives depended on it, the least of which were their own.
 


They spent the evening in their quarters, each quietly
contemplating the evening ahead of them.  They
took comfort from each other, only by their mutual presence.
 


Darkness fell across the castle ground and they knew the
time was drawing near.  Hermione
walked over to where Severus stood, staring into the fire.  “I suppose it will be soon.”
 


He nodded and swallowed down a hard lump before speaking. 
“We should change, tonight’s revel will be a huge celebration of
darkness.  Appropriate attire will
be expected.” 
 


With her wand, she indicated his clothing. 
After his nod, she transformed his clothing to something more suitable
for this celebration.  He looked down and surveyed her choices. 
Black twill pants, pleated in the front. 
They were caught at the waist with a black leather belt, inlaid with
silver gothic crosses.  Above that,
a cotton shirt with a banded neck, the first 3 buttons undone. 
Over this was his frock coat; but it was now unbuttoned, worn like a
jacket.  He noticed a glint of
silver at his neck and reached in to pull out a silver Madeira chain. 
“Don’t you think this is a little much??” He asked raising an
eyebrow.
 


“Not at all, it’s most becoming.”  Hermione was glad he hadn’t noticed the small silver double
hoops in his left ear.  She had
gathered his hair at the nape of his neck to show them off.
 


He removed his wand and gestured to her own wardrobe. 
Hermione shook her head vehemently. 
“I think not.”
 


Severus was insistent, “I believe turnabout is fair play
my dear.”  Before she could
protest further, he was finished.
 


Hermione now wore a long black matte jersey dress. 
An emerald and diamond jeweled clasp joined the deep scoop plunge front,
ensuring her assets stayed covered, barely. 
She could feel her back was exposed to her waist with just the whisper of
fabric crisscrossing her back. 
 


Hermione turned her head to the side and pulled a long leg
out to look at it.  It was encased
in silk thigh high stockings.  They
ran into a pair of strappy high-heeled sandals with a jeweled center str &nb  


She felt a weight at her neck and reached up to remove the
necklace she wore.  By the
firelight, she examined the wide platinum choker, glittering with diamonds. 
She did not have to check to know that she wore diamonds in her lobes as
well.  She replaced the band and
realized her hair was swept up from her shoulder, with a few curly tendrils
escaping to frame her face.
 


Before either one of them could comment further, themarkmarks flared to life.  A hasty floo-message
to Dumbledore saw the wards released.  
Hermione reached out to Severus, took his hand, and gave him a gentle
squeeze to reassure him.  “Thank
you, Severus.” And they were gone.
 


They appeared before the Dark Lord and Severus immediately
took his position on the floor.  Hermione
remained upright, a dark beautiful witch facing her demon head-on. 
“My Lord, you will forgive me if I do not take position on the floor. 
This dress does not allow for much freedom of movement and is rather
uncomfortable.  Still, I would hate
to tear it.”
 


Voldemort laughed at her and gestured her to step forward. 
“Severus, I see no sense in you staying down there, either. 
Rise and report.”  Severus
rose to full height and moved foreward, standing with Hermione and Lucius in the
head position.
 


They stood side by side and fed the demon their concocted
plan.  Hermione began, filling the
Lord with a desirable image, “My Lord, picture if you will, Albus Dumbledore
being forced to his knees, surrounded by your servants and the bodies of the
dead.  You apparate into the Great
Hall.  The old fool’s eyes, still
glinting with the last vestiges of pride, rise to gaze upon you. 
You, my Lord, stand with his sweet, innocent DADA professor on one side;
his beloved Potions Master on oth other.  If
the shock of seeing us together, victorious isn’t enough to kill him, then you
will have the privilege of flaying him wide open and levitating his corpse to
the gates of Hogwarts.”
 


A smile spread wide across Voldemorts face, his red eyes
shone with joy at the vision.  Suddenly
he was greedy for the details, “Tell me, quickly, how is this to be
accomplished.”
 


Severus took up his lines, the ever-logical Professor. 
“I have succeeded in convincing the staff that travel this holiday
season would be most enjoyable.  Only
a half dozen or so have chosen to remain.  Now,
McGonnegal is among them.  So the
fight will not be easy; but a victory is insured. 
I believe that the majority of the Deatheaters should storm the castle as
one.  It will shorten the
anticipation, bring My Lord his reward that much quicker. 
If you so desire, Hermione and I will remain with you until the proper
moment, and will appear before Dumbledore as your loyal servents.  I anxiously await the moment that the old fool realizes he
has been betrayed.”
 


Voldemort was obviously thrilled with the plan. 
He was happier and more confident than Severus had ever seen him. 
“Perfect. Lucius, you will begin to plan the battle at Hogwarts. 
You will head that leg of the operation.  Severus, Hermione, I am pleased with your work. 
Tonight will be a magical evening of celebration.”
 


“All this talk of battle has me anxious for one. 
Draco Malfoy, step up here.  Hermione,
my dear, it’s been quite a while since we have seen a display of your power. 
Let the duel begin.”
 


Draco moved up in the ranks.  He usually stood closer to the back of the room, where the
Deatheaters who were not in favor were forced to stand. 
He had a smug smile on his face and was anxious to move himself closer to
the front in the Dark Lords favor. 
 


Severus moved back to s beh behind Hermione, allowing the
opponents plenty of room.  On
Draco’s side stood Lucius with an arrogant smile pasted on his face. 
The battle was short lived.  Hermione
did not even draw her wand, just whispered a soft disarming charm and Draco was
helpless.  “I’m sorry my
Lord,” she said, turning to face Voldemort, “but as I said, I do not want to
see my gown destroyed.” 
 


Turning her back on Draco Malfoy proved to be a mistake. 
Her former classmate was furious at having been made to look like a
foolish schoolboy.  With a roar, he
was upon her.  He managed to land
several well-placed blows, before she brought her leg up between his legs. 
Severus had to restrain himself.  He
had to act disinterested in Hermione’s dealings, even when they were as
violent as this.  A sure way to give their plans away would be to show any
emotion toward the girl.  Everyone
knew the Potions Master was cold and callous. 
He could see Lucius was still watching, furious at his child’s display
of weakness.
 


Draco rolled to his side, clutching his groin. 
Hermione rose to her feet and with a wave of her hand, her costume was
instantly restored.  She walked
slowly over to the blond boy on the floor. 
She was stunning as she surveyed him, a vision in black. 
She brought up one bejeweled shoe and kicked the boy harshly in the face,
watching his blood flow with a satisfied smirk. 
 


Without another thought to her victim, Hermione joined
Severus in front of Voldemort.  Glittering
red eyes danced before them.  “Well
done my dear.  Power and beauty are
such a stunning combination.  Lucius,
tend to your son.  It’s a shame he
only inherited your looks.  Intellect
and strength would have proved him much more valuable.”
 


“My loyal servants, tonight is the darkest night of the
year, a night of fantasy, lust, and blood. 
Indulge yourselves and enjoy.”
 


The lights fell, music rose, and the muggles appeared. 
Severus guided Hermione into the shadows, a hand to her waist. 
“Granger, that was quite a display.”
 


“The little bastard, I thought the side of my head was
going to explode.  I can’t see
properly out of my right eye, Snape.”
 


Severus brought his wand up; a small light illuminated her
face.  He could see the side of her
face was swelling.  He used some
healing spells to reduce the puffiness.  “I’m
afraid that’s all I can do now, I have a potion that will clear up your sight
and take away the dizziness.  Can
you function for the rest of the evening like this?”
 


“I will function.  I
won’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me injured.  That little prick will get his. 
Mark my words.”
 


She turned and moved off into the crowd. 
Severus replaced his wand and looked across the crowd into a pair of
furious, ice blue eyes.  Lucius Malfoy had watched their exchange and was not happy.
 


Lucius moved quickly through the crowd to Hermione. 
Quickly, a heated exchange ensued.  Malfoy
tried to push her to her knees; but tonight, she would have none of it.
 


Hermione shook her head and sneered at the blond man. 
The crowd was watching as Hermione resisted Lucious, resisted him and
verbally assaulted him. She looked pointedly down at the hands, roughly grasping
her upper arms.  Her mouth moved,
Severus was sure, to issue a scathing rebuke. 
She wrenched herself free of his grasp and turned her back on him,
walking through the crowd with a regal bearing to stand next to Voldemort.
 


Severus, too, made his way to the Dark Lord, as did Lucius. 
p;
p;


“My Lord, I have tired of this situation. 
I believe I have proven myself more than worthy in your eyes. 
How long must I continue as that man’s plaything? 
I only serve him to please you my Lord. 
I will continue to do so if you desire it, only if you desire
it.”
 


Voldemort eyed the lighter man critically. 
He had proven himself weak, his blood weak and The Dark Lord was not
happy.  “Lucius, you have been my
most trusted servant and as such, I expected more from you. 
Hermione is no longer your whore, she now stands beside me, and you will
treat her with the respect she has earned. 
Severus, join her.  I
believe, Lucius, that I told you to attend to your spawn.”
 


Lucius Malfoy had been dismissed and reduced in rank. 
The game had now gotten much more dangerous.