Soul Weaver

“Well, Snape … it looks like you’ve gone and lost your job,” Amycus Carrow’s wheezy voice said. They all had come to meet far away from the walls of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The man then giggled, with the same annoying wheeze; though it seemed now to be more from being out of breath than a previous condition.

“At least I can boast to have had one,” Severus Snape replied coolly, as he and Draco came to stand amongst the assembled group of Death Eaters.

Though it was June, the night seemed unusually cold to Severus. Alecto Carrow was the most out of breath but after a few moments she had recovered.

Draco Malfoy stood as if he were in a daze; he had a face as white as a ghost. The moonlight did not help to add color to his face as they all stood in its soft glow. Suddenly, out of the shadows, Fenrir Greyback approached them and joined the group where they had assembled. Fenrir had a twisted expression and he stared at Draco with a malicious glint in his eye.

Draco clumsily took a step back from Fenrir, suddenly realizing the man who was mostly werewolf was watching him.

“Soft little Malfoy … would your father be proud?” taunted Fenrir with a twisted humor, his half-grin revealing pointy teeth.

“Silence!” Severus barked; an angry impatience welled up and out of him. The rest stared at him with something close to fear, or perhaps it was a respect they had never shown to him before.

Severus Snape realized in that moment the status that would be associated with him, having murdered the Headmaster of Hogwarts. It would make him hated, loathed, even feared, yet he also realized some would praise him and give him respect for his deed.

Somehow that respect seemed to lose the fine glimmer that he had once desired and it left a cold and empty stain on him, a stain he was quite sure he could never remove.

He was now a marked man; he would be pursued by the Ministry of Magic. It was also likely that others would hunt him and seek his death because of the deed he had done tonight.

Severus wondered if it really mattered anymore; they had never trusted him, not really. Did anyone trust him, had there been anyone besides Albus Dumbledore who had truly ever trusted him?

“D-do … I go to the Dark Lord now?” Draco asked. His voice shook and it was very apparent to all assembled that the once arrogant and confident boy was now replaced with one that seemed lost and confused.

Severus reached out and pushed Draco forward, the two moved away from the group.

“Where are you going!?” Alecto asked in a shrill tone. “We’re to report to the Dark Lord!” she added as she followed after them like an angry dog.

“I do not answer to you!” Severus growled and turned on her; he appeared furious and seemed not himself in that moment. She stepped back, her expression showed fear and surprise.

“HE expects US!” she hissed defensively.

“Really? Well … be my guest. You have your orders from the Dark Lord personally, I do not presume to guess his desires,” Severus stated as he soothed out his face and now showed no emotions.

“I suppose we’ll just tell him you wouldn’t come with us,” Fenrir stated as he moved forward. Severus glared at him with a mixture of dislike and revulsion.

“I do not consider myself so lofty as to be the Dark Lord’s equal,” Severus stated darkly. “If you wish to appear … unannounced, when he has not summoned you into his presence, then go ahead … I will not stop you,” Severus offered with a dismissive wave of his hand. “I do not enter into his presence so lightly; I am but a servant to him,” he added softly.

The other Death Eaters seemed to become slightly confused now, and even a little wary.

“He ordered us to him with a report!” Alecto stated angrily; but it was as if she were saying it out loud to reassure herself of what the Dark Lord had said to her. A waver of fear edged her voice as Severus took a step towards them.

“If you have been ordered to appear, then I would advise you to make haste … he does not like to be kept waiting,” Severus replied in an icy tone. “Do as you will, I shall wait as is expected of me,” he added bluntly and then turned to Draco. “Come, Draco. We will go and wait to be summoned in a more acceptable location.”

Severus grabbed the boy by the shoulder and without another word the two apparated away, leaving the other Death Eaters to stand awkwardly and somewhat dumbfounded for a few moments. They all stared at each other silently and seemed a little unsure how to proceed.

“What’s he up to?” Fenrir asked darkly. “Why doesn’t he want to go directly to the Dark Lord and bring him the good news?” he pressed suspiciously.

“Are you going to tell the Dark Lord he wouldn’t accompany us?” Alecto questioned.

“Don’t you think he’ll ask?” Amycus asked as he stared at his sister timidly.

“Oh he’ll ask … and we’ll tell him,” Alecto promised in a dark tone.

“Snape just axed the old geezer …” Fenrir announced as if the realization of it had suddenly hit him and then he gave a devious laugh. “Not so much the Greatest Wizard anymore,” he taunted to the thin air.

“Fool!!” she cried. “What does that say of Snape then?” Alecto asked impatiently.

“What do you mean?” her brother asked in a curious tone.

“Are you trying to say Snape is the Greatest Wizard now?” Fenrir stated with annoyance.

“Snape never does anything without knowing where he’s stepping … he never moves unless forced or pushed to do it,” Alecto considered. “Bellatrix has never trusted him, but she’s been silent about him lately. Something else is going on,” Alecto submitted darkly.

The others stared at her blankly. “Is it wise to be on Snape’s bad side?” asked the only Death Eater who had yet to speak. He stood a little apart from them, but he was a huge blond mountain of a man who did not need words to express his opinion.

“I’ll not get into it!” Amycus answered, “Snape’s not one to be trifled with … we don’t know what his orders were from the Dark Lord … best to just tell him what Snape said and nothing more,” Amycus stated in a wary tone.

The others seemed content to follow this advice, except for Alecto who still seemed to be thinking on the situation and what had happened in the aftermath of Albus Dumbledore’s death.

“Let’s go … Snape is right, we shouldn’t keep the Dark Lord waiting,” Fenrir announced and suddenly disapparated with a loud pop. The others followed suit and disappeared in a like manner.

Many miles away in a small cottage once owned by her parents, Narcissa Malfoy sat in the sitting room and stared into a low fire. She had never told her husband that the place had passed on to her once her parents had died. It was the one thing she had that truly was hers, really hers. So much of what was once hers seemed to have slipped away over the past year, including her own son.

She could not sleep; but for many months now it seemed to be the standard for her life to have little sleep. Her inability to sleep had only worsened, the closer the end of Draco’s school year had come. He was so much like his father and, like him, her opinion or thoughts seemed to hold very little sway on most things. She wondered sometimes: if she had acted more like her sister, would her son and husband be more likely to listen to her opinions?

Did it matter anymore? Her family and life had become a simple pawn to the Dark Lord’s desire for revenge and her young son was now sent on a task she was almost certain would lead to his death.

Would Draco be able to accomplish the task the Dark Lord had ordered him to do? Even if he did, she knew her son would then be a murderer. Was this what she really wanted for her son? Was this what they must become to uphold the pureblood ideals? How had things come to this? Narcissa thought back on her past, trying to find an answer to her own internal questions.

Many years ago when she married, she had thought herself the luckiest of witches. She was young, innocent and full of all the ideals her family had hammered into her. Lucius Malfoy was handsome, wealthy, and respectable; their two families considered it the best match and everyone was sure they would produce many beautiful, talented pureblood children.

During their courtship, Lucius had explained to her about the group he was a member of, followers of Voldemort called Death Eaters. Being young and naïve it seemed nothing out of the ordinary to her. Men always had their little groups, and for pureblood men like Lucius it was not anything unusual. The fact that her sister was also a member seemed of little importance to Narcissa.

When she and Lucius married, she had been so happy, so thrilled that she would have her own home and her own family. Lucius had even told her he wished her to be a proper wife and not a member of the Death Eaters. She was glad of it, truthfully. She had seen the Mark on his arm and she did not say it aloud to him, but she did not want the horrid thing burned into her arm.

After a few years of marriage the disappointment of not having produced a child began to weigh heavily on her. Lucius also began to make comments and suggest it was her fault entirely that they had not had a child yet.

Bellatrix also had not had a child and Lucius had suggested one morning at breakfast that it must be a defect the Black sisters had to not produce children. He even went so far as to question whether someone had placed a curse on her and her sister.

She did not want to use Andromeda for her defense, but it simply popped into her head. Her middle sister had married a filthy Muggle and had been disowned by everyone in the family. Yet, she had produced a child and Narcissa had said it only to defend herself and her own blood.

Lucius had flown into a rage. He had never shown her such anger and contempt. He yelled at her and complained that he could not believe she would suggest her worthless blood-traitor sister. He had stormed out and after that morning he gave her cold and cruel treatment.

After a few months she had become desperate. Her home had become a sad and lonely place. Lucius ignored her and took his attentions outside of the home. They went on like this for many months.

Even during those months Lucius continued with his normal pursuits and sometime he would invite certain friends over for dinner; sometimes they would happen to be Death Eaters. She thought at least company distracted him and he was polite to her at times when others were around. It was when they were alone he treated her no better than a lowly Muggle.

One that she remembered was Severus Snape; he had been a scrawny, ugly, greasy little boy. She had taken little notice of him while she was a student at Hogwarts. Lucius would however invite the man sometimes to the dinner parties.

Snape the man had not wholly changed from what he had been when younger, except perhaps grown taller and even a little more disagreeable. He was quiet and rarely spoke when he happened to be invited; he seemed more to watch everyone and study them. He would sometimes make comments but it seemed rare for him to delve into the niceties and friendly chatter among friends.

On one occasion she had decided to try and draw him out, if only to have something other to do than suffer the cool glances of her husband. It did not take long to realize that Severus Snape was a man of few words and rarely shared anything of himself.

Still, he was intelligent and, compared to the other Death Eaters that sometimes showed up, he seemed more acceptable in her eyes. Truthfully some of them she could not stand to see darken her door.

It was on one of these occasions that after dinner they had all retired to a sitting room; everyone else left and Severus had not. Usually he might be among some of the first to leave but tonight he sat down with her and Lucius in the sitting room, though he seemed a little uncomfortable at first.

Lucius suddenly stood and said he would return in a few minutes. Narcissa had felt quite awkward to be left alone with Severus Snape and did not know what to say. After a long uncomfortable silence Severus Snape asked bluntly if she wished assistance to have a child.

She was offended and humiliated at the same time. He had no right to speak to her on this subject, and besides that she took his comment to mean something else entirely. Many of the guests that night had consumed too much wine and she simply assumed he was one of them.

She knew she must have turned red with humiliation as she ordered him to leave her home. She would never even consider such a thing and he was no better than a filthy Muggle for suggesting they have relations together.

It was the first time she had ever seen the man have any sort of emotional reaction about anything. He turned red and stood up abruptly as if he had been hit with something. He had sputtered out the statement, “I would never suggest that to you!”

She was quite sure they were both as red as fire and that their expressions must be very much the same. He quickly explained that Lucius had confided in him about the difficulties they were having. He then said he spoke with Lucius about certain potions that had been invented in the last few years that might help them have a child.

She was quite surprised to hear this and did not know how to take it. She confessed to him that she did not understand why he would offer her help when they had never really been particular friends.

Severus said that Lucius willingly offered him assistance in gaining employment at Hogwarts. He stated that although it was the Headmaster’s place to hire new professors, it was still within the Board of Governors’ power to reject someone they felt was not appropriate. Lucius had promised that if Severus could manage to obtain an offer of employment, Lucius himself would make sure there was no problem with the Governors’ acceptance of him as a new professor.

Narcissa felt a sudden all-consuming relief. For one, there would be no debt between them, it would be a fair trade; Secondly, if she could have a child, she knew everything would return to normal between her and Lucius. She agreed whole-heartedly.

After that night she soon realized Severus Snape was not only intelligent but a talented wizard as well. His appearance and his manner made him easy to cast off and consider unacceptable. Yet, if one took the time, one learned there was more to Severus Snape than met the eye.

Within what seemed like only a month and a half, Narcissa found herself pregnant. Snape’s talent with potions equaled his talent in making sure she did as he asked. He was quite dogged in his determination that she follow his instructions to the letter, and if she didn’t he became very unfriendly and cross. He even prepared remedies at their home and Lucius set him up with a room to work in until Narcissa became pregnant.

Narcissa found his company sometimes stressful, but overall he bothered her little unless she didn’t do as he asked. After she became pregnant he left their home and in some way she was disappointed that Lucius did not offer the man more than simple praise.

She did not think on it much though, because Lucius was pleased and she was again his proper happy wife. Severus Snape also managed to get himself a job at Hogwarts and she was glad to know that Lucius put in a favorable word with the other Governors. After that she had little contact with Severus Snape.

During this time period the Dark Lord had escalated his war. She was pregnant though and there was no way she could be involved. Lucius himself was so deep in with the Dark Lord; sometimes she worried about him and wondered what would happen if the Ministry came to raid their house or arrest her husband.

Lucius eventually told her about a Prophecy that had been made about a child that would be born who would lead to the Dark Lord’s downfall. Narcissa was afraid - what if it was her baby that now grew inside her? Lucius assured her as long as the child was born before July all would be well.

This did not in the least reassure her though. How could she know for sure the time of it? Her fears were relieved when in June she produced her darling little Draco. To her, nothing else mattered anymore; he was perfect and her beautiful baby.

Lucius even invited Severus Snape to view the child; Narcissa thanked him so many times that day. Severus had studied the baby with mild interest but he seemed like most men, reluctant to have any physical contact.

To be honest with herself, she was jealous of anyone who wanted to touch her son and she was stingy even with Lucius. It did not seem to bother him though, he was just satisfied that they had produced an acceptable offspring.

Lucius also told her that one was enough, especially after a few months of a baby. He seemed impatient with the mess and the crying. Sometimes it was overwhelming to her as well, but she spoiled Draco so much simply because she had a feeling he would be the only one.

Time went by and she involved herself more with her son and less of what Lucius did. It seemed like a year later the horrible event happened - the destruction of the Dark Lord.

Somehow Lucius managed to keep himself out of Azkaban. Severus Snape also somehow kept his name entirely out of it. Except for rumors of him being a spy or a traitor, most assumed he was Dumbledore’s lackey.

Her sister and husband did not fare so well; her sister proclaimed her loyalty instead of lying to the Ministry. It did not help that they had tortured the Longbottoms. Narcissa never really understood why they had done it. The Longbottoms were related to the Blacks, and deep down Narcissa knew her sister had become insane in her determination to serve the Dark Lord.

Since Lucius had good connections, after a few years their reputation was better than ever. No worries, they had a perfectly normal life after that.

When Draco was old enough he was sent to Hogwarts. Lucius had intended to send him to Durmstrang. Narcissa threw a fit; she had never really defied Lucius before but this time she did. She would not have her son sent so far from her. Finally Lucius relented and allowed Draco to be sent to Hogwarts.

He not only proudly became a Slytherin but his head of House was Severus Snape. Narcissa was sure Draco could be in no better hands.

Now, many years later, she wished that she had allowed her son to go to the other school. At least he would be away from this war. Instead, her son and her whole family were now in danger of being murdered by the very person they had pledged loyalty to.

Her son was just a boy, but he was expected to commit murder. Her husband was now imprisoned. She had never felt so abandoned and unprotected. Lucius had not even tried to write to her or escape; he knew the Dark Lord wanted to punish him for his failures and instead the Dark Lord took it out on her dear sweet Draco.

She was crazy with fear and had done the only thing she knew to do; she had gone to Severus Snape for help. Her sister had tried telling her not to trust Severus, but she knew he would help her. How could he not?

The sound of the door to the sitting room opening startled her out of her memories. She turned in her chair to see Draco standing in the doorway. He seemed unable to enter the room and his face was as white as death itself.

Narcissa stood and got ready to rush to him, fearing the worst. She stopped when she saw Severus Snape loom behind her son. He pushed Draco forward into the room and closed the door behind him. He watched Narcissa as Draco moved to stand before her.

“What’s happened?” she asked nervously as her eyes darted from Draco to Snape.

“I-it’s … done; the thing … it’s done,” Draco stammered. She gasped and reached out to him. He shook his head and took a step back from her.

“Draco! It’s alright … everything will be fine now. You have done as the Dark Lord asked, he will protect us now. You’ve done what he asked and …”

“I DIDN’T!” Draco yelled, interrupting her. “I … I couldn’t do it! I couldn’t do it, MOTHER!” he explained loudly and backed up a few more steps from her.

Narcissa turned as white as Draco appeared; she switched her gaze to Severus who had remained at the door watching them silently.

“He did it,” Draco said before Narcissa could say anything. She sat back down as if someone had pushed her; her legs gave out and she was in a state of shock.

“Who else saw … who was there!?” she begged and turned to stare at her son. He began to call out the names of the Death Eaters who had come to Hogwarts. The list was of some of her least favorite Voldemort supporters. While Draco ran off the names, Severus Snape had glided forward; he stopped beside her chair and stared down at her with an intensity that scared her a little. She wondered what he would ask for in exchange for this debt she now found herself in. It seemed he knew she was considering this question.

“It is a requirement of the Unbreakable Vow that you release me from it,” he started. “I have accomplished the tasks you placed on me, now you must do your part and state that I have completed the Vow,” he finished in a dark, formidable tone.

Narcissa got ready to reply to him but the door to the sitting room suddenly burst open. Bellatrix Lestrange stood framed by the opening as the door thudded against the wall. She appeared out of breath and hastily dressed.

“I thought you were in bed …” Narcissa began, but stopped as her sister stalked into the room and slammed the door. Bellatrix’ eyes never left Snape’s and she stopped when she stood near the others.

“I heard someone enter the house. I assumed it must be you two … So … is it done? Did Draco succeed?” asked Bellatrix; she seemed to still be a little out of breath.

“No, Draco did not … as you put it … succeed. It was I who finished the job for him,” Severus stated smugly.

“I was going to do it! You butted in before I could … finish!” Draco growled. He took a timid step back because Severus had turned to stare at him. The dark and frightening face of the man caused Draco to become afraid.

“Sit down,” Severus ordered. Draco meekly moved backward and sat in a chair near the window.

“You don’t give orders here, Snape! This is NOT your house!” Bellatrix hissed in a shrill tone. Snape studied her with a slightly mocking expression.

“Bellatrix … where is your husband tonight?” he questioned in a tone filled with sarcasm. “I know that they have now escaped Azkaban … so where is he?”

Bella’s eyes widened and Severus’ mouth edged up on one side with a slightly mocking smile. “Oh dear, … out on the town I suppose and you … all alone,” he taunted darkly.

“HOW DARE YOU!” she screamed and made to move toward him. Narcissa quickly stood up to block her sister.

“Bella … calm down,” Narcissa pleaded.

“This FILTHY HALF-BREED dung heap will NOT INSULT ME!” Bellatrix yelled and tried to push past her sister. Narcissa held her back, afraid of what would happen if the situation got too far out of hand.

“Half-breed?” Draco repeated aloud and stared at Snape’s back with loathing.

“Well … well, Bellatrix. Where would you come by such information?” asked Severus softly. He seemed to be enjoying the struggle Bellatrix was putting on trying to get to him. Her face was filled with disgust.

“It’s not hard to figure out,” she stated. “Especially after I made that trip with my sister to your lovely home.” Now she had a smug expression. “All a witch had to do was ask questions … in that area of the Muggle town. Muggles do talk a lot, especially when persuaded,” she insisted, and there was a spark of excitement in her eye since Severus had gone quite still.

“Maybe you think I’m not smart enough to figure you out?” she questioned. He did not reply and she grinned malevolently at him. “Half-Blood … Prince, isn’t it?” she taunted. His eyes flashed at her but she continued to taunt him. “Was that dear mummy and daddy Snape’s house? Poor little half-Muggle filth … did they breed like dogs to get you, I wonder?” she insulted.

Severus’ finger twitched slightly in reaction to her comments; his face also seemed to become as hard as stone.

“Does the Dark Lord know you’re a half-breed?” Draco asked from behind Snape.

Severus turned abruptly and made a few steps to bring him directly in front of Draco. Severus leaned forward and yanked Draco up by the front of his robes. He dragged Draco over to stand beside his mother. He pushed Draco to her roughly; Narcissa caught her son and gave Severus a swift glare of disappointment.

“I suggest, Mr. Malfoy, that you remember who just saved your very ungrateful life. If it had not been for your dear mother,” he began and waved his hand at Narcissa absently. “If she had not come to me and I had not been willing to take the Unbreakable Vow with her, then you would not be standing here right now,” he finished.

“I didn’t need your HELP! I was going to -”

“STOP MAKING EXCUSES!!!” Severus cut in. His voice was louder than Draco had ever heard it; he had never seen Snape so angry, at least not with him. “If you are going to play with the big boys … stop acting like a little child!” Severus complained. “You were a fool to take the Dark Mark if you don’t have the nerve … You’d be better served to be a lackey at the Ministry than pledging yourself to a cause you haven’t the stomach for,” he added, but his voice had become quiet and calm again.

“You’re a FILTHY HALF-BREED and a FILTHY TRAITOR!” Bellatrix screamed defiantly. “I’ll tell the Dark Lord what you did!” she threw in bitterly.

“Exactly what are you going to tell him, Bellatrix?” Severus asked, now turning to her.

“About the VOW!” she answered angrily.

“YOU CAN’T” Narcissa cried and turned to her sister.

“OH YES I CAN!” she insisted and snatched out her wand. She backed away towards the door. “Get back, you filthy traitors … I’m going to him now!” she stated, pointing her wand at her sister.

Bellatrix suddenly found herself forced back against the wall and her wand flew out of her hand without warning. She had never thought Snape could be so fast or so able to catch her off guard. When did he become so powerful, she wondered.

His wand was now pointed at her and there was a spark in his eye she had never seen before. She struggled as he approached her, but her squirming was in vain. Narcissa and Draco had backed up and appeared quite cowed by this display.

Severus moved forward and Bellatrix gasped, it felt as though someone were holding her against the wall by her neck. He studied her face silently and she gave an angry growl like a wild animal.

“Bellatrix … I fear you have gone quite insane with your desire to serve the Dark Lord,” Severus insinuated. “What will the Dark Lord think of you? Do you think your madness is an asset to him?” he asked softly.

“YOU FILTHY HALF-BREED! GET AWAY FROM ME!” she screamed. She could not free herself, no matter how much she kicked and flailed about.

“Are you truly loyal, Bellatrix? I wonder if you really are?” Severus asked.

“FILTHY SPAWN!” she spat at him, glaring with all the hate she could muster.

“Very well, Bellatrix. Go to the Dark Lord … inform him of the Vow,” he offered and relaxed his magical hold on her.

She came at him with a madness in her eyes now for revenge. He flicked his wand and she slammed back against the wall again. She growled and Narcissa gave a piteous moan, but neither she nor Draco seemed willing to interfere.

“I’m sure the Dark Lord will wonder who the Bonder was for the Vow … Do you imagine he will not ask who that person was?” Severus questioned. He waited a moment as Bella struggled for a few more seconds, then he let her go again. She took an aggressive step towards him, but then it seemed as if she realized what he had just said. Her eyes widened with surprise.

“I see that even in your madness you are still not a complete fool,” Severus allowed. “What will he think, Bellatrix? You are just as guilty as any of us are,” he explained as he put his wand away.

“NO!” she screamed angrily. “FILTHY LIAR! He … he’ll know I am loyal …He’ll see that it was …”

“WHAT, BELLATRIX!?” Severus cried, interrupting her. She was again startled and scurried away from him to stand near the window; she seemed to become like a very scared animal trapped in a cage.

“Do you think the Dark Lord will forgive your actions?” he asked moving towards her. “What will he think? First the failure at the Ministry to gain the prophecy …”

She shook her head but he took an aggressive step towards her.

“Oh yes, Bella, he blames you … just as much as the others,” insisted Severus coolly. “What will he think of this further disloyalty? Do you think he will forgive you? He never forgives … as you well know.”

His voice was powerful and intense and Bellatrix’ eyes darted from his to Narcissa’s.

“You are as much a party in this as we are and have just as much to lose, my dear. Do not in your madness think that you do not,” Severus finished. He seemed pleased to see Bellatrix throw her hands up into her hair, as if she could not stand to hear what he was saying to her.

“Do you imagine he will welcome you to him … bringing him this information? Will he be pleased with you? No, Bella … no,” Severus continued, pressing his advantage.

“SHUT UP!” she cried, pulling at her hair.

“Soon he will call us to him … the others have already gone to him with the information of what occurred tonight,” Severus explained smoothly.

Narcissa gave a gasp of fear and grabbed Draco by the arm. She turned him to her and stared into her son’s face.

“It may happen that he will still be … displeased. I protected Draco and finished the job he was meant to do. I do not know how our Lord … will take this information,” Severus considered. His tone had become soft and controlled, but there was an edge to it that betrayed emotions of uncertainty.

This statement caused Bellatrix to simply turn to her sister and nephew. She slowly lowered her hands and frowned; she appeared to take on the demeanor of a spoiled child that was unhappy but could do nothing to remedy its sadness.

“I will be unable to protect Draco further …” Severus spoke. His voice was now strained and he had turned to stare at Narcissa. “I brought him to you so you might … have a few moments together before we are called.” He waved his hand at her, seeming a little dejected.

“DRACO!” Narcissa wailed and gave a sob. Draco would not meet her eye but he also did not pull away from her grasp either.

“Narcissa, I have done all I can, release me from the Vow. I have done my part,” Severus said.

Narcissa could not bring herself to meet Severus’ eye; instead she simply stared at Draco with fear and desperation.

“Don’t release him!” Bellatrix interrupted and moved forward to stand beside Narcissa. “That’s why he came … that is why he brought Draco here. Not for you, but for himself,” she accused. “So he could get out of the Vow!”

Narcissa stared at Bellatrix and then finally up into Severus’ eyes.

“I am already out of it!” growled Severus. “I have done what was asked of me!” he complained.

Bellatrix glared at him and had a desire to reach for her wand but she realized it was elsewhere in the room. She thought quickly and then turned back to Narcissa.

“If the Vow is still in place, it is possible he might sense the magic,” Severus stated. “If we complete the Vow, it will be gone. I will tell the Dark Lord that Draco did what no other was able to … and even though he was unable to finish it, he still brought our fellow Death Eaters into Hogwarts … I can plead his case to -”

“You can do that just as well with the Vow in place,” Bella cut in angrily.

“YOU WILL RELEASE ME!” Severus yelled and came forward quickly. Bellatrix blocked him but he pushed her roughly aside.

“Do not force my hand, Bellatrix Lestrange!” he snapped and pointed his wand at her. “The penalty goes both ways on this Vow … you are the Bonder; it falls on you if either party has been denied what was stated and agreed upon,” he explained, his voice filled with menacing anger.

“The task was never clearly stated!” Bellatrix insisted triumphantly. Severus narrowed his eyes and turned. He grabbed Narcissa’s hand and held it tightly in his.

“LET HER GO!” Draco ordered, pointing his own wand at Severus. The two exchanged cold stares, but Severus did not seem impressed by what he saw and he turned his attention back to Narcissa. He now put his wand away and used his other hand to grasp Narcissa’s other hand.

“Release me, Narcissa Malfoy; say the words,” Severus said and completely ignored Draco and Bellatrix.

“Get off her!” Bella seethed. Seeing that Draco did not have the guts to go through with using his wand, she quickly went in search of hers.

“Narcissa … I have done as you asked. Release me from the Vow. I will ask no more of you than this … no debt will be owed,” he spoke softly and held her gaze.

Their eyes locked together and, though Severus Snape gave no hint of emotion, she realized in that moment somewhere below the surface there was so much more to this man than she had ever really realized. There was something in his gaze; those black eyes were always so cold but at this moment so intense and powerful as they stared into hers.

“Please, Severus, … my only son …” she begged weakly.

“If the Dark Lord suspects … if he even gets a hint of the magic … the last time I was in his company, I thought sure he sensed it,“ Severus explained and went on without pausing.

“None of us will need worry about any debts, because we will not see the light of day again if he finds out,” he stated flatly. “No debt … all I ask is that you say it is completed,” he allowed; his voice was now gentle and she had never heard him speak so kindly.

“LET GO OF HER HANDS!” Bellatrix screamed and was now beside them, pointing her wand at Severus. Narcissa’s face twisted in an unhappy frown. She stared at her sister a moment then turned her gaze back to Severus.

“I, Narcissa Malfoy, assert that the Vow that Severus Snape took with me is now complete, and no further obligation or debt will be required to fulfill the Vow,” Narcissa said meekly.

Bellatrix gave an angry growl as her wand erupted with magic of its own accord. A red billowy snake-like cord wrapped itself around Narcissa and Snape’s hands, then slowly turned white. For a brief moment both their hands glowed white and then the magic winked out, as if it had never been there.

“YOU FOOL!” Bella hissed at her sister angrily.

“I will try to explain to the Dark Lord that Draco did his best. Even he can not deny that Draco accomplished something no other has,” Severus offered; he sounded quite triumphant now. “I do not believe our actions will be in vain,” he added.

Narcissa nodded and pulled away from him, she turned to Draco and then Bella.

“Lower your wands!” she ordered. “I will not have this display and fighting between us!! If it is wrong what I did, then we are all a party to it and we will protect each other,” she announced and stared at her sister defiantly.

“HE’S not one of us! Since he got what he wanted, make the filthy half-breed leave!” Bella complained bitterly as she put away her wand.

“THAT IS ENOUGH!” yelled Narcissa and waved an angry hand at her sister. “I’m tired of this! I simply want my normal life back! This is not what I wanted!” she cried fretfully, seeming to finally be at a breaking point and needing to yell at someone.

“Mother, … please don’t -”

“NO!” she interrupted Draco and turned to him. He quickly put his wand away and seemed a little wary of her; he’d never seen her so angry.

“I should be able to walk down the street with my head held high … Instead, my husband is in Azkaban and my son might be no better than a dead man before the night is out! I want my life back … I was respected, admired … Now I am looked upon like a filthy …” She stopped and glanced at Severus, as if she realized what she had been getting ready to say.

Severus made no comment to her statement and neither did Draco or Bellatrix. After a moment Narcissa seemed to calm herself.

“May I have a few moments with my son … alone?” she asked calmly. Severus nodded and moved towards the door, but as he reached for the handle, he, Bellatrix, and Draco all jerked in surprise. Draco made a sharp intake of breath as if something hurt him.

“He calls us,” Bellatrix announced; she had an expression of satisfaction on her face. Narcissa instead looked exactly the opposite.

Severus remained silent at the door as Narcissa grabbed hold of Draco and yanked him against her.

“Draco … please do as Severus tells you, listen to him. I don’t want you dead! You hear me?” she hissed against his ear as she hugged him tightly against her.

“Mother … you’re squashing me … I’m not a child anymore,” he complained, but his voice shook with fear instead of sounding bold or brave. She pulled him back to stare silently into his eyes for a moment.

“You are my child and you are all I have left. Do not make me end up alone and forgotten,” she ordered, her voice shaking like his.

Draco frowned, but after a few seconds of staring into her eyes he leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek.

“Come, we must go … we should not keep the Dark Lord waiting,” Severus said sternly. Draco turned and walked towards Severus, who opened the door and allowed Draco to pass through it first. Severus turned to Bellatrix and gave her a slight sneer as she moved towards him.

“I suppose someone in the family should be there,” Bellatrix announced as she left the room; she did not turn to her sister or offer any comment to Severus as she exited. Severus then moved to leave.

“Severus,” Narcissa called. He paused and turned back to her with an inquiring expression.

“You will … protect him … and do what you can, won’t you?” she asked, worry still threading her voice.

“I will do what I can,” he replied, then turned and left the room.

Narcissa collapsed onto the sofa and wept once they were all gone. She was again alone, and she feared sometime in the future she would truly be all alone in the world with no family left and only memories to comfort her.