Snape's Heart

Chapter Fourteen

(Dark Lords and Silent Waltzes)

Molly, Julia and Severus Apparated in the front yard of the Burrow. The two women quickly brought him inside. Gently laying his limp body on the couch, Molly turned to Julia. "Quickly, dear, contact Dumbledore."

"Molly," Julia replied, looking pained, "I have to leave again. It was part of the bargain but I'll explain later. I'm almost out of time." She turned to leave but the redhead grabbed her arm.

Expecting her to start lecturing her again, Julia took a deep breath, and waited. Instead, Molly just said to her, "I'll take care of him, don't worry, love. He will be okay. Just please be careful."

Not turning around, Julia patted the hand on her arm and quickly left.

* * *

Julia knocked on the door at the manor, not quite willing to walk in on her own. The same woman, Bellatrix, let her in and led her to the same sitting room.

Voldemort was still sitting at his desk and looked over at Malfoy and nodded his head, "See, I told you she would return, and within the time I allowed her."

Turning his attention back to Julia he continued, "He insisted that you would not return, but then again"--he paused, throwing Malfoy a deadly stare--"he has never been the best judge of character."

"Thank you for having faith in me," Julia replied. She then tossed Malfoy his walking stick. She had forgotten to give it back earlier.

"Faith has nothing to do with this," he sneered. "You are merely afraid of me. Who could blame you?"

"My Lord," Julia said, trying to bring this conversation back on course, she needed to get back to Severus. "What is it that you wish me to do? I only await your instruction."

Voldemort looked at her with renewed interest, obviously, he enjoyed her subservient manner. "My lovely, Julia, my new pet, I would like you to rest. That child in your womb must be making you tired." It was as if he had read her mind and was mocking her. He continued, "I cannot allow you to go and do my bidding while you are exhausted. You might get killed, and I think you may be an asset that I am not willing to lose so soon."

"Bella!" he called once again. "Bring Julia upstairs and find her a nice room to rest in." Then he addressed Julia. "I will have food sent up to you. I want you to enjoy your stay with us. This is your home too." He smiled, and Julia wanted to scream. "I will send someone to get you later." This final statement he finished with a dismissing wave of his hand.

Julia looked over at the smug Malfoy, sitting in the corner. He raised his one eyebrow and gave her a pretty smile thru the bruises that she had given him. He knows something, she thought, uncomfortably.

* * *

As soon as it shut, she could hear Bellatrix magically locking the door. Julia began to scan her surroundings. The room was full of old furniture and everything was hunter green. Damn Slytherins, she thought, obsess much?

She walked over to the nearest chair and threw herself into it. She reached around and pulled out her weapons and wasn't really surprised that they hadn't taken them. Being a bounty hunter as long as she had been, she knew that to gain trust in a situation, you needed to create said situation. Leaving her armed gave them the opportunity to see what she would do. Which was absolutely nothing, she would play their game.

A little while later a knock came at the door and Malfoy was standing there with a tray of food. He was a handsome man, and if things were different, if she was still the person she used to be, she could see herself sleeping with him. But things were different now, he was her enemy.

"I thought you might be hungry," he drawled. Though she knew that Voldemort had just suggested the same idea right in front of him, he still tried to take credit.

"Thank you, Lucius," she replied. "I'm not really hungry right this minute, ya know, still getting queasy and all." She knew all too well that she wouldn't eat anything that these people gave her.

"Well, I'll leave it here for now," he said, placing the tray on the nearest table. He then walked over to Julia and placed his hands on her shoulders and began to rub them. "I was wondering if maybe, you would like some company?"

She hated herself for admitting that it did feel good, she was holding a lot of tension in her shoulders.

"Malfoy," she said, turning in her chair to face him, "you're insane, right? I mean, what part of holding a knife to your throat and smacking you around, did you not get? The only chance you had was when you drugged me, and even then you couldn't even perform."

He looked at her venomously and replied, "Well, this might be your last chance to get laid, since you are most likely going to die tonight. Consider it a mercy fuck."

Standing up, she walked over to the bed. Malfoy's eyes got wider. She looked at him and shook her head. "I'm not stupid. I know you're going to try to make me fail. Too bad you won't succeed."

She jumped onto the bed, landing on her knees. The bed was soft, and she knew she could just go right to sleep if she let herself. Instead she just kneeled there and watched Malfoy undress her with his eyes.

"Do you think that the Dark Lord is going to buy this act for much longer?" he hissed, acknowledging her tease. "He knows that you only came for Snape, He knows you are Dumbledore's little star."

"Well, I wonder if you have shared your superior knowledge with Lord Voldemort? I bet he was thrilled to be told by you that he must be an old fool," she retorted. "Tell me, Malfoy, what does it feel like to be better than everyone else?"

He started to pull out his wand when Bellatrix appeared in the doorway. "Malfoy, our Lord would like to speak with you, he said you would be up to no good." She eyeballed Julia, kneeling on the bed. "Obviously, Narcissa has competition."

Julia stood up on the bed, in one elegant movement she jumped down onto the floor and resumed her seat in front of the fire. Not looking at the two people standing behind her, she replied, "Don't worry, no competition here. She can have the slimy bastard."

Bellatrix gave Lucius a smug smile and turned and left, Malfoy silently followed her. As soon as the door was shut again, she could hear it being locked again with magic.

* * *

For the next three hours, Julia sat in that room. She meditated and concentrated on the unknown task that lay ahead of her. She did not allow herself to think of Severus. She needed to stay focused.

She was tired, but she has gone without sleep for much longer than this. She was in 'hunt mode' and she wouldn't relax and let down her guard until she was safe.

Without knocking, Bellatrix opened the door and motioned for her to follow. Julia thought to herself, apparently she can talk to Malfoy, but I must be far too below her in such things.

She followed her into the same sitting room once again. This time it was full to the rafters with Death Eaters. Malfoy was among them. Some she recognized from Severus' descriptions, but others were completely unknown.

"Ahh, Julia," Voldemort began, as soon as she entered the room. "I do hope you are well rested."

"Yes, thank you, my Lord," she curtsied slightly. "I feel refreshed."

"Good, very good," he replied, distractedly. "Now it is time to work. I need you to go with these gentlemen. They will be visiting some demons that have pledged their allegiance to me, but have recently shown signs of changing their minds."

Julia let out a slight sigh of relief; she had no problem killing a few demons, especially demons that sided with Voldemort.

"They will escort you," he continued, "to report everything to me. They are only to interfere if they see you succumbing to danger.'

Malfoy sneered at that; she knew he had no intention of lifting a finger to help.

"Thank you, my Lord," she replied. "Just as long as they know enough to stay out of my way," she said, looking at the Death Eaters, hoping they would catch on to her threat. "I tend to go into a frenzy once I start."

"You all hear her," Voldemort said, loudly, "no one is to interfere. If you get in her way, it will be your own fault."

Then turning to Julia he finished, "I know all about you. I have heard all the stories. Just make sure that they are not fairytales."

"I hope I am able to please you, my Lord," she said, flashing him a deadly smile.

"Now leave, and bring me back good news," he said, and they all left the room.

* * *

As they walked down the lane to the 'Apparating field', as Julia was beginning to call it, she started to exert her control.

"Okay boys," she began. "This is how it's gonna go. You show me the mark and I'll do my magic. You all just stay outta my way. We should all get along famously."

Malfoy grabbed her by the arm when they arrived at the place to Disapparate, he hissed quietly into her ear, "You are gonna stay right by me. We will see who can stay out of whose way."

* * *

They had Apparated in an alleyway, near what looked to be loading docks. The exception being that there weren't any big rigs around. She turned to the dark 'gentleman' standing next to Malfoy, "Hey big guy, what's your name?"

"Rookwood," he replied, giving her a dark sneer.

"Well, Rookwood, what are we dealing with here?" she asked, purposefully ignoring Malfoy. "What kind of demons can I expect?"

"All sorts," he said.

"Ummm hmmm," she thought, obviously a man of many words. "Okay, lead the way boys. Let's get this party going."

They all stood there staring at her. Malfoy broke the silence. "You lead the way. We are only here to watch." He then flashed his winning smile.

"Fine with me," she replied, her hands in the air, "just point the way."

Malfoy pointed toward the docking bay on the left. "That one first."

She blew him a kiss and proceeded to walk toward the big wooden doorway. Her only wish was that she had a little more information; she didn't like flying blind.

She slowly opened the door; her hands were ready to grab a weapon if she needed one. The room on the other side was huge and dimly lit. She was wrong; this wasn't a magical loading dock, it was a lair, demon flats. How quaint, she thought. The air was thick and smelled of death. She looked around at the garbage that littered the room and realized that she was about to encounter a group of Angror. She smiled to herself and thought, this is going to be easy.

"Helllooooo! Big bad demoonnsss, come out and play with meeeee!" she taunted, enjoying the view of the Death Eaters in her peripheral. They were flinching; apparently Angrors scared the big bad boys.

She heard a growl that could only be described as a cross between a cat in heat and a bark of a seal. She turned her head to see a big red beast lunge out of the dark after her. She turned quickly and pulled out her stake. She then grabbed the monster by the arm she spun it around, slamming him into the nearest wall. Before it could regain its senses she slammed the stake into its side. It burst into a purple flame and disappeared.

She looked over at the Death Eaters and was about to take a bow when she heard two more dumb red bastards heading straight at her. She quickly turned and kicked one in the face and then pushed him into his partner. They fell into a pile and she reached down and stabbed one in the side. The other she decided to beat up a bit more. She spun kicked and connected to the side of its lumpy head.

"Are there anymore of you here?" she asked, she could hear the Death Eaters mumbling behind her. They couldn't understand what she was saying because she spoke Angrean.

The beast grunted that the others left; they had heard that Death Eaters were coming so they hid. She then asked if he knew why she was here and the Angror said that they had decided that Voldemort was too dangerous and they didn't want anything to do with him.

"Fine, give them my warning," she said, "if they decide that they do not want to back Lord Voldemort, then they will have to deal with me." She accentuated this by kicking the beast in the head and knocking it out cold. She then turned to Malfoy and the others.

"Next!"

* * *

It went like this all night. Julia went in first and kicked ass. The Death Eaters stood behind her watching. By the time the early hours of morning had arrived, most of the Death Eaters were looking at her with a mixture of fear and awe.

Julia was remembering why she had loved her job, even if she was doing it for the wrong people. She wasn't fazed by killing demons, even if they didn't back Voldemort. They wouldn't back the Ministry or the Order. They were just as dangerous on their own as they were working for that madman, and so far she hadn't encountered any peaceful, spiritual sects. Unfortunately, she was beginning to enjoy herself.

When they had returned to the manor, Voldemort was waiting for them in the library. He looked exhausted, as if he had been out with them all night.

"Julia," he whispered, "did you have fun tonight?"

"Yes, my Lord," she replied, honestly. "I haven't had that much fun in a long time."

"Good, good," he sighed. "I saw how you handled those Er-a-tae demons, they looked terrified."

"You saw, my Lord?" she asked, looking at Malfoy, noticing the tired look on his face.

"Yes, my dear," he said. "Malfoy let me use his eyes, a kind of visual telepathy, if you would."

She understood. "So, do I pass the test?"

"Come to me," he replied. She walked over to him and kneeled next to the overstuffed chair that he was sitting in. He placed his hand on her cheek in a loving manner. Her skin crawled at his touch. "Go to your husband, make him well. I will call for you both very soon. You have done well, my pet, I am very pleased." She forced herself to take his hand and kiss it. She then stood and walked over to Malfoy.

"Goodnight, dear heart." She smiled. Then she punched him in the stomach, as he doubled over in pain, she patted him on the ass. As she walked out of the room she could hear Voldemort laughing, in that cold high voice.

* * *

Julia finally reached the door to the Burrow. She caught her reflection in the window, just as she was about to open the door. She had blood all over her, black, green, purple, red and yellow. She looked as if she had a run in with a paint truck. Turning around, she decided to go over to the pump that was over by the garage and clean herself off before entering the house.

"Julia!" She heard a frantic cry behind her. Turning around she saw Molly Weasley, her eyes red from crying. The older woman grabbed her and hugged her tightly. "Oh, thank Merlin, you're alive. We have been so worried."

"We?" Julia asked, hopefully.

"Yes, dear, Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey and Arthur and Severus," she replied, tears forming in her eyes once again.

Julia took in a sharp breath, "Severus? He's awake? Is he well?"

"See for yourself, dear," Molly said, opening the door.

In the living room sat a sea of red hair. It seemed that the whole Weasley family was waiting for her also. Among the red sat Dumbledore, he too looked as if he may have shed a tear. Madam Pomfrey was next to him, wringing her hands together. Sitting on the couch was Severus, as soon as he saw Julia he forced himself to stand. Madam Pomfrey tried to stop him but Dumbledore took her hand and shook his head.

After a short struggle, Severus stood and hobbled to Julia. She couldn't move, afraid that if she did she would wake up and find out that this was a dream. He came within inches of her, she couldn't breathe. He grabbed her and hugged her so tight, she let out a sob of relief and hugged him right back. They stood there crying in each others arms, neither one wanted to let go.

It was only after Albus tapped them on the shoulder did they break. "Julia, you need to tell us what happened. Severus is unable to remember much."

But it was Madam Pomfrey that interrupted, "No, Albus, she will not. At least not right now, I need to see if she is hurt and to make sure that baby is well. And I think she would like to clean up a bit." She began to pull Julia towards the upstairs bedrooms, but Severus refused to let go of her hand. Again, Poppy scolded, "You can wait right here for her. I will make sure she won't disappear again." And up they went.

* * *

In the shower, Julia felt a flood of relief. She was back, she was safe and Severus was well. She sat down in the tub and just sobbed. She had held in so much this past week and she needed to just cry. It felt good, all those emotions coming out at once. Then she felt anger start to rise inside her again. She thought to herself, that bastard made me kill. I swore I would never do that again and now I've made a deal with the devil himself.

Unfortunately, as much as she wanted to blame it all on Voldemort, she couldn't. He didn't force her to make a game of it. She had enjoyed herself, and that scared her the most.

She stood up and tried to scrub the rest of the blood out of her hair, hoping to wash the thoughts out of her head. When the water began to run cold, she got out and toweled herself off. Then after putting on some warm clothes and putting her hair back in two braids, she went off to find Madam Pomfrey.

She was in Ginny's room waiting for Julia; she smiled as the young woman entered the room. "Do you feel better, dear?" she asked.

She nodded and sat down on the bed.

"This won't take but a moment, dear. I just want to check the baby's heartbeat. Please lay down," she said.

Julia did as she was told and quietly looked up at the ceiling, waiting for the bad news. Delicately, Madam Pomfrey waived her wand over Julia's abdomen and whispered a charm. Immediately the room filled with the sound of the healthy thump of the fetus' heart. Julia sighed with relief, tears running down her face again.

When they were done, they returned downstairs, down to the anxious waiting faces.

* * *

Julia walked quietly across the living room, dressed in her familiar pale blue jogging pants, t-shirt and hoody. This one had the word Cutie written on it in blue glittery letters. She looked exhausted as she walked over and sat next to Severus on the couch. He instinctively wrapped his arm around her and she pulled her feet up and cuddled into his side. She sat there with her eyes closed just breathing in his warm scent, burying her face into his chest. Everyone was silent, waiting for her to talk. She sat like that for a little while as silent tears streamed down her face.

Albus was just about to ask her a question when Severus held up his hand. He whispered to the headmaster, "I believe she is asleep."

She wasn't asleep. She just didn't want to talk at the moment, and Severus knew. Her heart hurt, she didn't want to discuss what she had done, what she had to do. Not that they wouldn't have expected her to have done bad things. Nor would they have shunned her for what she had done. It was because she was afraid that her excitement might show through.

She hid her head in his chest, listening to the people she loved talk about her.

"What do you think happened, Albus?" Madam Pomfrey asked. "She was covered in blood."

"That was blood?" cried Ginny Weasley. "I've never seen yellow and purple blood."

"I don't want anyone to bother her with details," Dumbledore began. "She will tell us what she needs to and the rest is for her to carry alone, if she so wishes."

Just then Molly came in from the kitchen, carrying a tea tray with cups for everyone. "Ron, Ginny, Harry, Hermione, go do something else. This does not concern any of you." Then she turned on the twins. "That goes for you too, and I don't want to see those damn extendible ears anywhere near this living room."

As the teens were heading up the stairs she heard Ron exclaim, "I wish I could've seen her kick the bloody hell outta some demon."

She smiled at that and lifted her head, faking a stretch and a yawn. Severus tried to remove his arm but she pulled him back. She cuddled tighter to him and leaned upward and kissed his cheek. He looked over at her and kissed her on the head.

"I missed you, Lumpy," she whispered to him.

"I missed you too, love," he whispered back. "Did we ever get married?" he joked.

She poked him in the ribs and he winced. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you."

"It's okay, maybe I shouldn't joke about that." He smiled at her.

"You still owe me a dance, ya know." She added slyly, "And a honeymoon."

"Hmmmm, sounds good to me. I promise to pay up just as soon as I can." He looked at her, seductively. She could still see the pain in his face.

"Well, let me settle up here and we can blow this pop stand." She smiled.

He leaned in and they kissed, and the world melted away. Everyone sitting around them conveniently looked in opposite corners of the room. No one dared say anything to the star-crossed couple; they needed that selfish moment. It was only broken by accident, when Molly noticed two flesh-colored strings hanging down the stairs.

"Fred and George Weasley, bring those damned things to me right this instant!" she bellowed.

Julia leaned into Severus' ear and whispered, "Look what we have to look forward to."

She then turned to Dumbledore. "Okay Uncle Albus, what is it that you want to know?"

He began to ask her questions and she told him of the agreement she made to save Severus and about the demons that she had threatened, omitting the deaths. She also explained how he had used Malfoy's eyes.

After about thirty minutes, she had finished. She looked even more tired then before. Molly then stood up and exclaimed, "You will both stay here for another night and then tomorrow you can Floo back to Hogwarts." Everyone agreed that it was a good idea.

* * *

Later, the adults had resettled around the kitchen table, discussing lighter matters. The kids were all over the house getting their belongings ready to return to Hogwarts. Julia and Severus were still in the living room, sitting by the fire.

"How are you really feeling?" Severus began, breaking the silence.

"Tired, strained, but surprisingly content." She smiled. Her head once again nestled upon his chest.

"Poppy told you that the baby was well?" he asked, concerned.

"She's fine," Julia replied. "I think I actually may have felt her move."

"Really?" his voice had taken on an excited tone. He quickly placed a hand on her stomach.

"Don't get too excited, it was probably just nothing. But I'll definitely let you know when she starts to rearrange my internal organs," she whispered.

They sat there silently, watching the flames lick the wood inside the hearth. Suddenly Severus grabbed her hand and said, "Stand up!"

"What?" Julia replied, but she stood up anyway.

He turned to face her, placing one arm around her waist and taking her hand with his free hand.

"Stand on my feet," he said. His voice was very calm.

She smiled at him, "What are you up to?"

"Just trust me." Finally, his face broke into a smile. "Stand on my feet."

She lightly stepped on the tops of his shiny, black shoes with her baby blue socked feet. He held her tightly against his body. He mused to himself that he could feel the swell of the baby. His Rose was growing, despite all this adversity.

He slowly began to shuffle and rock back and forth, a strained Waltz. The best he could muster, considering his waning strength. She placed her head on his shoulder, her face buried in his neck. He closed his eyes and just breathed in her warmth. They 'danced' together in silence. It was their first dance together as husband and wife, about six days late.

Molly had come into the room to see if they wanted another cup of tea. She stopped when she saw them and quickly motioned the others to come and see.

They stood in the doorway, watching the sad couple. Molly had tears in her eyes, she felt something nudge her. She looked down to see that Arthur was holding her hand. He whispered, "They will be alright. Love can be an amazing thing." He then pulled his wife closer and kissed her cheek. They all retreated back into the kitchen, leaving Severus and Julia alone to dance.