You Promised It Would Be Forever - Edit

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to JKR. All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
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Chapter 9 ~ Sharing the Truth

Early the next morning, Severus was awakened by furious banging on his office door. He quickly grabbed his robe, tied it, picked up his wand, strode through his study, opened the wall and walked into his office. Whoever was knocking on the door was hitting it so hard, it was shuddering. Scowling, Severus unwarded the door and yanked it open, prepared to light into the cretin who dared pound on it so loudly.

To his surprise he saw a distraught Argus Filch standing there, his eyes full of tears.

"They've stolen him. They've dug him up and taken him, Professor. Your boy. Your sweet boy," the craggy caretaker gasped. His scraggly hair was plastered to his head as if he had run all the way to the dungeons. He had, though he ached terribly because of it.

Severus looked at the caretaker. He had noticed his son's grave was well maintained, but never knew how much the old squib had invested in caring for Jacob and his final resting place. Severus' eyes softened for a moment.

"He hasn't been taken, Argus. He's been exhumed," Severus said to the distraught squib.

Argus looked at him wide eyed.

"Exhumed, Professor?" the caretaker asked. It was clear to see he was relieved that someone knew what happened to the child's remains.

"Yes. I took him last night. I …I had to test his remains," Severus said. He hesitated…wondering if he should tell the squib what he found out. Filch clearly cared about Jacob, for what reason the Potions Master didn't know. He decided to tell him.

"His loss was no accident, Argus. Someone caused Hermione to miscarry," Severus said to him.

Filch's face screwed up horribly.

"Murder!" he hissed, "Murder of the worst kind, Professor. Do you know who did it? Do you need help hunting the monster down? Give him to me. Give him to me and I will make him suffer."

Severus was taken aback by the venom in Argus' declaration. It was well known the squib kept an assortment of chains and whips. The Potions Master didn't doubt the man knew how to torture. That he was willing to punish someone for his child's death moved Severus.

"No Argus, I don't know yet. But I intend to find out…there will be retribution for Jacob's death, I assure you. Come in," Severus said, stepping aside.

Argus hesitated. He had never been invited into the dour wizard's abode before. But he entered warily. Severus turned and walked toward the lab.

"Come with me, Argus," he said.

The old caretaker followed Severus into the lab, looking at his equipment with interest until his rheumy old eyes fell on the covered casket.

"There's the boy," he said gently.

Severus looked at the covered casket quietly for a moment, swallowing hard several times before he spoke, his voice sounding tight.

"Argus, please take him back for me and lay him to rest. He's told me all he can," Severus said.

"Aye, Professor. I will lay him down gently to be disturbed no more," Argus said to the Potions Master, who swallowed hard again at the caretaker's words.

Argue gently lifted the casket, the cloth intact and left the lab.

Severus stood there, not able to follow.

"My son," he said hoarsely, "I will avenge you."

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After breakfast, Severus visited the Headmaster and told him of his findings.

Albus' face darkened.

"The Mordres Potion has been banned for decades. Only a very talented Potions Master could brew such a horrible elixir," the Headmaster said.

"Yes," Severus agreed, "But of the qualified Masters I know, not one of them would risk disbarment or Azkaban. I was thinking that a former Potions Master might agree to brew such a potion if the price were right. I was hoping, Albus…"

"That I would requisition the records of all former Potions Masters released before Hermione became pregnant," Albus finished for him.

"Precisely," Severus said, glad that the Headmaster was so quick on the uptake.

"I will contact the Ministry immediately," Albus said, "And will get the names and residences of all who fall into that category. Then we will pay each of them a little visit."

Severus looked at him.

"We, Headmaster?" Severus repeated.

"Yes, we…along with a few doses of veritaserum. I am tired of sitting on my ass while evil goes on around me, Severus. You are like a son to me. Jacob would have been equally as dear, especially since he represented something good in your life, something wonderful that you never dreamed you'd have. A son. And someone took him from you. I cannot begin to tell you my rage over this murderous act. I will not let you face this alone. You have been alone for too long now in your service. You will not be alone in your search for justice for your son."

The two wizards sat in silence for a moment. Then Dumbledore's blue eyes seemed to glow with an inner power.

"And if Voldemort's scaled hands have manipulated any part of this horror, then I will go with you to his very throne room to punish him, Severus," the old wizard said.

Suddenly the air was full of magic swirling about both wizards, their hair lifted by the force of it. Albus had taken a wizard's oath to enter Voldemort's stronghold if need be.

"Albus!" Severus protested.

The wizard held up his hand to silence him.

"It is too late for protests, Severus. What's done is done. I am with you now," the Headmaster said evenly.

Severus fell silent. There was nothing he could do but accept Albus' help. He was an ally and an army. Most likely he would need him if Voldemort were indeed at the bottom of Jacob's murder. Then he thought of the other reason he was here.

"Headmaster, do you have a small pensieve? I need one to collect Hermione's memories of the day she miscarried.

Albus rose.

"Certainly Severus," he said, walking over to his bookshelf and waving his hand.

A false front opened, revealing a niche. Inside the niche were pensieves stacked inside each other, alternating from largest to the smallest, which was the size of a thimble. After rattling through them, Albus chose one that could fit easily in Severus' palm.

He walked over and handed the small blue bowl to the Potions Master.

"There you go, Severus. I sincerely hope it helps," he said as the dark wizard rose from his chair.

The two men looked at each other, then Albus gave him a fatherly embrace.

"I don't envy you telling Hermione what you've discovered, Severus. She is going to be livid. I've always believed there was something more to that little witch. Something that remains untapped and undiscovered. You have to keep her calm, Severus. Don't let her go off half-brewed," Albus warned.

"Yes, Headmaster. Hermione is very volatile. She showed me that much the last years of our marriage," Severus said a bit bitterly.

Albus looked at Severus kindly.

"It may well be, Severus, that this news may make her rethink her actions of the past few years. Pain, grief and resentment can cloud a person's perceptions, make them act in a way that is not their true character. You yourself experienced that for many years before you found her. You know what it is to lash out when you find yourself in a situation you can't control. With Hermione, you were happy my boy. She brought out the best in you."

"The loss of Jacob caused a loss of herself…her heart was hurt and closed up in order not to feel any more hurt, then she drove away any and everything that could possibly hurt her further. Unfortunately, that was you, Severus. Love can hurt most of all and in her state of mind, she removed it to protect herself. That was something she could control, something she was not helpless against."

"Finding out that Jacob's death was not an accident will take away that sense of helplessness…as horrible as it is…it will put her on the path to healing, after the rage and need for revenge have been met. But the question is, Severus, if you see a change in her, will you help her heal? Will you be healed with her? If there is an inkling of hope that you both can be restored, will you try for happiness again?"

Severus looked at him.

"I don't know if I can, Albus. I just don't know," he replied.

Albus looked at him, his blue eyes twinkling again.

"At least you didn't say no, my boy. And that is encouraging," he said, patting him on his shoulder. "Now go, take that pensieve to Hermione…oh, and before you go, here is the increase in the Order's ranks. Give that to Voldemort. It will please him to know how many Order members there are."

Albus handed Severus a slip of parchment off his desk, stamped with the official Order emblem. It would look as if Severus stole it off the Headmaster's very desk.

"Just tell him you took it when my back was turned. He'll love the treachery," Albus suggested.

"Yes Headmaster. Thank you," Severus said appreciatively, heading for the floo.

He stepped through, and Albus returned to his desk.

Fawkes, who had been watching their exchange, let out a powerful trumpet, startling the Headmaster.

Albus turned to the Phoenix, his bushy eyebrows raised almost to his scalp.

"A war cry, Fawkes? I haven't heard that song from you since I battled Grindelwald back in forty-five. Perhaps I'd better focus on a contingency plan for the Dark Lord, just in case," he said thoughtfully.

The Phoenix bobbed his head and trilled in agreement.

Dumbledore considered.

"A gift is appropriate, I think," he mused.

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Severus returned to his rooms and immediately donned his deatheater gear. Placing the pensieve and parchment in his robes pocket, he apparated to the Dark Lord's stronghold.

He appeared with a clap of thunder to find the Dark Lord quite busily engaged on his throne with Bellatrix. The naked witch was inverted with her head in his lap, sucking his undulating cock with gusto and moaning as the Dark Lord used his snake-like tongue to taste and explore her. Several deatheaters lined the wall, watching them and masturbating. Gods, what a den of iniquity.

Severus knelt where he stood with his eyes on the floor and waited until they finished.

He didn't have long to wait as Bellatrix's shrill cry of climax rent the throne room, followed by the Dark Lord's high-pitched groan as he released, rounded off by the grunts of ejaculating deatheaters.

Severus was thoroughly disgusted. The entire throne room smelled like a barnyard.

The Dark Lord released Bella, and the witch kissed him, then unashamedly picked up her robes and pulled them on, fastening them only up to where her cleavage showed, as Voldemort panted and recovered slowly, his cock at rest on his thigh, sated. He began to button his robes.

Bellatrix strolled down the stairs of the throne and walked very close to Severus.

"See what you are missing, wizard?" she asked.

Severus scowled. He didn't want anything the Dark Lord had defiled.

Fully dressed now, the Dark Lord noticed Severus.

"Rise and approach Severus," he said.

"Thank you my Lord," Severus replied, reaching in his pocket and withdrawing the parchment as he walked toward the throne. Once before it, he again knelt, his eyes lowered, offering the parchment.

"What is that, Severus?" the Dark Lord asked him.

"The latest number of the ranks of the Order, my Lord," he said.

"Arise and give it to me, my faithful servant," Voldemort said.

Severus rose and stepped up the steps a ways to pass the parchment to his Lord, then returned to the floor. Voldemort scanned the parchment, then looked at Severus sharply.

"This has the seal of the Order on it Severus. How did you acquire an official Order document?" he asked the Potions Master, his forked tongue flicking out with interest.

"I was in the Headmaster's office, and took it off his desk when his back was turned," Severus replied.

The Dark Lord smiled.

"Albus has always been a careless fool. Still, my deatheaters outnumber Order members two to one. Thank you for this, Severus," Voldemort said, pleased. Then his eyes narrowed.

"I suppose you wish to see the mudblood?" he asked Severus.

"I would like to, my Lord," Severus replied.

"I hope you are not thinking of forgiving her Severus. It would be unseemly, considering the dishonor she's caused you. In my opinion you still owe her a sound beating," he hissed.

"Forgiveness, nor anything else has crossed my mind concerning the witch, my Lord. It is simply curiosity as to how she is coping that makes me want to see her. I hope she is suffering anguish," Severus replied.

The Potions Master made sure to keep his occulmency walls well shut, allowing only thoughts and memories of classes and other insignificant happenings to show through. It wouldn't do to let the Dark Lord know of his discovery concerning his son.

Voldemort nodded with approval.

"Yes, I imagine knowing she was in dire straits would be satisfying to you, Severus. She has not been taken by my deatheaters yet, though there have been several attempts this morning. She has the most amazing spell she uses. A burst of power from her wand tip that sends balls of energy to match the exact number of attackers, effectively cutting them down. If it caused death it would be quite an effective weapon for the Final Battle. I am considering asking her to adapt it for me. Out of fairness, I won't give the spell to my deatheaters to use on her. Currently, they are not allowed to use magic to try to take her. If she pleases me…it will remain that way. You may go, Severus," the Dark Lord said, waving his hand at the wizard dismissively.

Severus bowed.

"Thank you my Lord," he said.

As he approached the door leading to Hermione's room, three deatheaters walked up to him.

The Potions Master stopped and glared at them for blocking his way.

"Severus, lure the mudblood out of her room for us. We'll do any service for you that you want in exchange," one randy wizard said to him.

Severus pushed him out of the way in irritation. The wizard bristled and started to charge his retreating back, when he companion stopped him.

"He's back in form. He'll beat you senseless if you go for him," the deatheater advised his angry comrade. "We'll get her…just be patient. Without the other witches, she doesn't stand a chance."

The deatheaters departed to find other things to occupy their time.

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Severus knocked on Hermione's door.

"Get the fuck out of here!" Hermione called out.

Severus smirked despite himself.

"Hermione, it's Severus," he said through the door in a loud voice.

He heard her whisper a spell, then he opened the door and entered to find the tip of her wand in his face. She lowered it immediately.

"Better safe than raped," she said, shrugging, then sitting down on her bed.

Severus looked at her a moment, then closed the door behind him. Hermione quickly warded the door and put a silencing spell on it. She looked up at him.

Severus immediately noticed something different about the witch. It wasn't anything he could see. It was more like something he could feel…as if she were breathing again. It was very strange. He sat down on the bed beside her as she looked at him attentively. He took a deep breath.

"It is as I feared. The miscarriage was no accident," he said to the witch, expecting an explosion. But Hermione simply looked at him. "It was a potion called Mordres, an illegal substance…"

"Used for abortions," Hermione finished for him. "It comes in liquid and powdered form, the powdered form being most potent. It is virtually undetectable, having no taste or odor. It can be consumed, breathed in or absorbed through damp skin. And it was used to kill my baby. Our baby."

"Yes," Severus agreed, still waiting for the outburst of rage.

It still didn't come. Instead, Hermione's eyes took on a deadly intensity.

"They killed my baby and caused me to ruin my marriage," she said in a low voice, seeming to stare at the loo. "They took away the two things that mattered most in my life. My child and my husband."

Severus looked at her, and scowled.

"If I remember correctly, it was no "they" who handed me the divorce papers. It was you and only you, Hermione," he said coldly.

Hermione turned her amber eyes on him. They looked like they used to look, not full of resentment.

"I know," she said softly.

Severus almost expected her to add "I'm sorry," but she didn't. Instead her eyes hardened.

"We need to find out who brewed the potion," she said, her voice controlled, "then who had it made or who purchased it. Most likely a disbarred Potions Master who needed money created it. All we need is a list of wizards released from Azkaban before we married. We can work from there."

Severus looked at her, an eyebrow arched. Gods, the witch was smart. It had taken him some time to figure out what to do. It took her less than a minute.

"Albus is already on it. He has taken a Wizard's Oath to help me if Voldemort is involved," the Potions Master said.

Hermione nodded.

Severus couldn't get over how calm she appeared, though her rage was palpable.

"Do you have the pensieve?" she asked.

"Yes," he replied taking the small blue bowl out of his pocket.

Hermione took it from him and raised her wand to her head. She concentrated a moment. Severus could see emotions washing over her, though she tried to hide them. Finally she tapped the wand to her head and drew out one, then two silver strands, depositing them in the pensive. Her thoughts swirled in the small bowl, glinting. She tapped the pensieve, sealing it so the thoughts wouldn't spill, then handed it back to Severus.

"Study it, Severus. Find out who poisoned me and killed our son," she said looking at him, her eyes shining in a frightening way. It was as if inside…she had gone mad. "Find them and let me kill them," she hissed. "I wish I could kill them a thousand times."

Severus stared at her, uncomfortable at the controlled rage. This was not Hermione's normal reaction.

"Are you all right?" he asked her worriedly. He was afraid she would explode after he left and be killed by Voldemort.

She looked at him.

"No, I am not all right. I've just discovered my child was murdered in my womb. That there is someone responsible for his death who is just walking about freely. I am not all right, Severus. I am as far from all right as I can be. But I won't tip our hand. I will bide my time, then get my revenge somehow," she said evenly…only the slightest quaver in her voice betraying the depth of her emotion.

Well, he was glad of that at least, though he was still disturbed by her calm.

"I'm going to need to talk to you, Severus. After all this is over," she said, not looking at him but staring at the loo again. "There are things I need to say to you, provided I survive to say them. I will give up my life to take our child's murderer to Hell," she said softly.

Then she turned her eyes on him.

"Go, Severus," she said, "Go find out what happened."

Then she fell silent, her breasts rising and falling from restraining herself. Severus didn't like it. He still didn't trust her to maintain control.

"Are you sure you can handle this? I can do a small obliviate…" he offered.

"No. I'll be fine. Find out who poisoned me," she said flatly.

Severus rose reluctantly, then headed for the door.

He unwarded and opened it, then turned to her…but before he could speak, Hermione said, "I know. Ward the door."

Severus closed his mouth and left her room, placing the pensieve in his robes pocket.

He hoped she didn't blow.

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A/N: They are getting closer to finding out what happened. Wow, Albus took a wizard's oath and is planning for a confrontation with Voldemort…just in case based on Fawkes trumpet. Ewww about seeing Voldie and Bella in a 69. brrrrr. And Hermione is just plain scary right now. At least she said she wanted to talk to Severus. Am glad she didn't say she was sorry. It wouldn't have been enough. You see how Severus didn't fall for the emotion and allow her to blame some intangible "they" for their breakup? "You handed me the divorce papers." Painful, but true. The story seems to be amping up nicely. Now…I wonder if they will locate the brewer? Well, we'll find out as the story progresses. Please review.