The Fortress Within

Legal
stuff:  The characters belong to J.
Rowling.  I’m only borrowing them,
for non-monetary reasons.


 


This story contains images that may be
disturbing to some readers, including rape, violence, murder, sex, torture, and
a multitude of other sick stuff.  If
you don’t want to read about such things, hit the Back button, NOW!!!!
 


 


 


 


“I would like to welcome you all back. 
I trust your summer vacations were most enjoyable.” 
The Hogwarts staff and faculty sat together in the Great Hall, sharing
the evening meal.  Albus Dumbledore
continued on, “The students will begin arriving next week, so you should all
have ample time to make your class preperations. I’m sure you are all aware of
the tragic death of Remus Lupin at the hands of Voldemort’s followers this
summer.  It was a shock to all of
us, but putting that aside; I would like your help in welcoming Professor
Granger back to these hallowed halls.  
As the newest DADA teacher, we can only hope, the string of bad luck with
that position will be broken.”
 


Hermione Granger looked down at the table, blushing
slightly.  “Thank you, Albus.”
She replied shyly.  She raised her
head and met the dark eyes that were boring into her from the other end of the
table.  Severus Snape, the feared
Potions Master sneered at her.
 


“Foolish, boasting, little know it all,” Snape
thought.  Throughout her entire 7
years of school Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, and Ronald Weasley were going to
save the world; they were going to defeat Voldemort.   After graduation the ‘circle of 3’ had gone on to
train as Aurors for the Ministry. 
 


Snape shook his head slightly and smirked again at his
former student.  “Here she
sits.  When it came down to it, the
little girl couldn’t handle it and came running back to Hogwarts and her
books.”


 


 


 


Albus Dumbledore did not miss the exchange that was going
on.  Hermione visibly shook under
the hateful gaze of Severus.   The
relationship between the two professors was going to be tenuous at best. 
He had known that when he hired her. 
The best he could hope to do was try to diffuse any situations before
they arose.  “In time, all will
be revealed.”  Albus decided
there was enough electricity in the air and decided to call an end to the
dinner.  “The hour grows late and
I believe we all have a lot of work to do tomorrow. 
So I bid yol gol good night.  And
once again, welcome back my friends.”
 
HermHermione Granger was the first to flee the Hall.
 


That evening, in the quiet of the dungeons, Severus Snape
remembered Remus Lupin. 
 


He was one of the few people that Severus had ever called a
friend.  “The Granger girl will
never be worthy of licking his boots, nevertheless filling them as a
Professor.”  The snifter of
brandy he held is his hands shook as his mind was filled with fury. 
Fury at what Remus Lupin had endured at the time of his death.
 


Remus had been in Greece on vacation with Harry Potter when
Death Eaters had attacked them.  Harry
said they had both been greatly outnumbered by the hooded thugs. 
When the auror’s finally arrived, they found a very badly injured, but
still alive, Boy Who Lived (Again).  Nearby,rrourrounded by dead Deatheaters, lay Remus, his body beheaded. 
Someone had burned the dark mark on his torso as a final calling card.
 


Maybe, if he had been among the Deatheaters, the outcome
would have been different.  Maybe
Remus would be alive. “Maybe this.  Maybe
that.” He had not been there, he had not been able to save his friend. 
It had been months since Voldemort had called him. Maybe his days as a
spy were over. 
 


 “Spy, how
ironic I still try to validate myself with that title.”  The Dark Lord had made it clear at his lasvel vel that Severus
was fast outliving his usefulness.  Severus’
“inability” to lay Albus Dumbledore at Voldemort’s feet had resulted in
days of torture and abuse for Severus.  Still,
Voldemort was not convinced that the Potion’s Master did not hold some sort of
usefulness to him; as a result, Severus still lived.
 


As if Voldemort could read his thoughts, suddenly the mark
on his arm flared to life.  Pain
shot through his body, from the mark, to his toes. 
The crystal glass in his hand was crushed as the muscles in his arm
contracted in agony.  He had no time
to waste.  Severus jumped to his
feet and Accio’d his cloak.  He
raced from the dungeons, leaving a trail of blood in his wake.  He raced to the Headmaster’s office, struggling to resist
the call to apparate.
 


Hermoione Granger was on her way in Albus’ office when he
arrived.  She gasped with horror as
she viewed the blood pouring from Severus’ shredded fingers. 
Quickly she grasped her wand and moved to take his injured hand. 
“Professor Snape, what happened to your hand?”
 


Roughly he wrenched himself from her. 
“Get out of my way, you foolish twit. 
These are adult matters which do not concern you.” 
He shoved her out of the doorway and slammed the door in her face. 
He warded the door without a second thought.
 


Albus smiand and rose from his desk at the Potions
Master’s appearance.  “Ah,
Severus, I was just going to call you.  I
need to speak with you about Hermione..”
 


“There is no time right now, Albus. 
I have been summoned.  I need
to apparate now, drop the wards.”
 


Albus Dumbledore closed his eyes and whispered the words to
drop the apparation wards.  “Severus,
wait though, I must tell you….”
 


Severus Snape closed his eyes and concentrated on the
burning pain in his arm.  He
didn’t hear any more of what Albus was trying to tell him. 
 


Severus was gone.
 


With a troubled sigh, the Headmaster dropped back into his
chair.  An absentminded wave of his
hand and his office door flew open.  Hermione
Granger rushed inside, looking confused.  “Were
you able to speak with Severus about our professional relationship?” 
she asked. 
 


Albus just shook his head and stared off into space.
 


 


 


After a brief moment of nothingness, Severus Snape appeared
in the study of Malfoy Manor.  He
dropped to his knees in front of Voldemort.
 


“My Lord.  I
am here as you commanded.  How can I
be of service to you?”
 


“Ah, Severus, my loyal servant.  It has been a while, hasn’t it? 
Did you think I had forgotten you?” 
The skeletal figure of Vmortmort stood near a blazing fire. 
 


“Of course not, My Lord. 
I know that nothing escapes your grasp. 
My only concern was that I was of no use to you anymore.” 
Severus swallowed down the bile that was rising in his throat and
struggled to remain prostrate in front of the mere shadow of what had once been
an imposing wizarding figure.  Voldemort’s
real power lay in the foolish, mindless followers, which bore his brand.
 


Voldemort seemed pleased with Severus’ reaction at being
recalled.  “I must admit, I was
infuriated at your incompetence.  All
I asked for was Dumbledore, and you were simply too weak to deliver him. 
But, as one of my most loyal followers, I do have a soft spot for you. 
I have found someone to assist you in your task, Severus. 
Someone who wants Dumbledore des mus much as I do and who is willing to
do anything to see the task accomplished.  Rise,
Severus.”
 


The tall man rose to his feet.  He felt someone approach from behind.  “Good evening, Professor.” 
Severus looked into the face of Draco Malfoy.
 


Severus cringed.  Any
Malfoy was a dangerous Malfoy.  He
had to think fast.  “My Lord, I
say this with the utmost respect; but, you cannot be serious.  I cannot work with this child, how would I be able to explain
his presence?” 
 


Voldemort chuckled at this. 
“No, no, Severus.  This is
not your partner.  The two of you
will meet all in good time.   Draco,
take your Professor down to the ballroom. 
We have quite a night ahead of us.”
 


Severus bowed to the Dark Lord.  “Thank you, My Lord.  I
anxiously await your revelations.”  He
followed Malfoy, Jr. from the study. 
 


As soon as they entered the hallway, Severus became aware
of the driving beat of music coming from the second floor. 
His lip rose in disgust.  “Is
that muggle music?”
 


Draco grinned at the taller man and motioned for him to
precede him up the staircase.  “Ah,
yes.  The Dark Lord has been most
attentive to the younger Death Eater’s interests.  He realizi>wei>we are now his future. 
We have taken to playing with the muggles of London’s club
scene.  Some alcohol, some Ecstasy,
and the seductive driving beat of their music; it’s a combination almost as
good as any Imperio.  The muggles
willingly perform their services, and never see the end coming, until the blood
is being spilt.”
 


They had arrived at the large double doors, which led to
the Malfoy’s Ballroom.  Draco
threw the doors open, to reveal a large darkened, smoky room.  “The bars over there. Choose any of the muggles, no one has
any personal claims.  Share and
share alike.  Don’t get lost, Professor.”


 


Shock was not an accurate descriptive term. evereverus surveyed the scene in front of him. 
Muggles and Wizards milled throughout the room. 
The air was heavy with the electric beat of the music.
 


For every sin,
I'll have to pay


I've come to
work, I've come to play


I think I'll
find another way


It's not my
time to go


 


I'm gonna avoid
the cliche


I'm gonna
suspend my senses


I'm gonna delay
my pleasure


I'm gonna close
my body now


 


I guess, die
another day


I guess I'll
die another day


I guess, die
another day


I guess I'll
die another day


 


Severus smirked as he made his way to the bar.  “Little
did these foolish muggles realize.”  He
removed his cloak and looked down at the parody of muggle clothes he wore.  He
had not taken the time to don his frock coat.  His
white button down silk shirt glowed in the black light of the dance floor.


 


 The
bartender looked at him, waiting for his instruction.  He
hung his cloak on the back of a stool.  “Brandy”
The words reminded him of his still injured hand.  A
pass of his wand; the injury was healed before the drink was presented to him.
He turned and gazed around the room while he drank.


 


Muggle women and men gyrated with wizards and witches on
the dance floor.  They danced with
no inhibition, bumping and grinding themselves into a frenzy. 
Throughout the room was the smel sex sex. On the sidelines, here and
there, couples copulated.  Some performed for the enjoyment of those watching, others
took to the privacy of the dark edges of the rooms. 
Any combination of male and female, any port of entry, everything was on
display somewhere.  It was early;
they would wear the muggles out before the blood started to flow.
 


With any luck, he could take his part in the perfomance
before begging out of the entertainment before things got violent. 
He made his way to the edge of the dance floor. 
He needed to find himself a muggle female to make his contribution to the
revel.  As much as the though disgusted him, at least under the
influence of the drugs, it did not have the violent edge of a traditional rape. 
That would help to make the situation bearable at least. 
 


Near the dance floor, he noted a tall blond man. 
“Malfoy, Sr.” Severus drained the last of the brandy and sat
the glass on the bar.  He steeled himself and headed across the floor towards
Draco’s father.
 


Lucius Malfoy was surrounded by a personal harem of
scantily clad women attending to his needs. 
He smiled at his old friend and pushed the muggle on her knees in
front of him out of his way.  He
walked over to Severus and extended his hand. 
“Severus, it’s been a while.  I’m
so pleased that you are once again within the fold.”
 


“Lucius.  You
cannot be more pleased than I am.  I
see you still have a way with the women.” 
Severus placed a stone smile on his face as he indicated the group
following on his heels.
 


“Ah, yes.  These
whores are but a warm up, I’m afraid.  My
true entertainment should arrive soon.  Would you care for one??” 
The blond man gestured to the women on either side.
 


Severus’ eyes wandered over to the women and he absently
motioned to the woman on her knees.  “She’ll
do.”  Obediently the girl rose to
her feet and followed Severus into the shadows. 
Grinning, Lucius fell back and surrendered his body once again to the sex
crazed muggles.
 


Severus leaned back against the wall and pushed the girl
back to her knees.  He opened his
pants and freed himself, anxious to be done with the game.  He closed his eyes and leaned his head back as the girl began
to work him with her mouth.  He
cleared his mind and concentrated on the attention being applied on his now
throbbing hardness.  The music beat
a tempo through his body.
 


Pour some sugar on me
Ooh, in the name of love
Pour some sugar on me
C'mon fire me up
Pour your sugar on me
Oh, I can't get enough


I'm hot, sticky sweet
From my head to my feet yeah


 


 


  He grasped
the girl by the back of the head and forced her to take him harder, faster. 
He came quickly and smiled absently as he felt her lick himan. an.
 


He opened his eyes in time to see a figure apparate onto
the dance floor.  A witch wrapped in
a hooded cloak stood silent, waiting.  From
the way the crowd parted, he had the impression this was someone viewed as very
favored and very powerful.  Without
a thought to the muggle still at his feet, he replaced his spent manhood and
quickly did up his trouser buttons.  He stepped around the muggle girl, not giving her a second
glance, and moved forward for a better view.
 


Lucius Malfoy snarled at the women surrounding him, who
backed away immediately.  He
approached the witch, and moved his head inside her hood, presumably to take her
mouth.  He bent her back slightly,
throwing the cloak back over her shoulders. 
She was clad in black leather.  From
the bustier she wore, to the short skirt, to the thigh high boots. 
 


She shoved the elder Malfoy off of her roughly after
several moments.  Surprisingly,
Lucius did not object.  This further
supported Severus’ impression of her power. 
Still, the hood covered her face, hiding her identity. 
 


Lucius lifted his head and searched the crowd. 
His eyes found Severus and he motioned for the Potions Master to join
him.  
 


Severus wove his way through the crowd, trying not to show
any apprehension.  “Severus, look
who has arrived.  I want you to meet
your new partner.”  The
witch hung her head slightly, trying to keep her face concealed in the hood. 
A muggle cigarette appeared in her leather-gloved hand. 
She moved it inside the hood and waited as Lucius took his wand out. 
“Idio”dio” A trail of smoke rose from the hood.
 


“Oh, and Severus.  The
Dark Lord has seen fit to mark her in the most arousing way.” 
Lucius reached out and lifted a very full breast from the confines of the
black leather.  On the inner side of
the witch’s right breast was the Dark Mark. 
 


The witch made no move to stop him; just calmly smoked her
cigarette.  Without seeing her face,
Severus could not be sure, but it seemed she was barely even paying Malfoy any
mind.
 


Lucius ran his thumb over her nipple, causing it to peak. 
The witch stiffened at this and the cigarette disappeared. 
Lucius inclined his head to take her nipple into her mouth, before
continuing on.  “Most interesting,
wouldn’t you say Severus??”
 


“Most interesting, indeed,” murmured Severus. 
Involuntarily, his hand came up and his finger began tracing a pattern
over the skull and serpent burned into her flesh.
 


Fast as lightening, she had his wrist in her grasp and her
wand pointed at his crotch.  The
witch, his new partner, hissed, “You will not touch me unless I have given you
leave to do so, Potions Master.”
 


The smaller woman looked up at him, and in doing so, the
hood fell away. 
 


Severus was looking into the cold eyes of Hermione Granger.