Harry Potter and the Secret Horcrux

A distant rumble of thunder punctured the still summer evening. The air was moist and an unsettling fog hung heavily near the ground. Severus Snape glanced nervously over his shoulder. He paused only a moment before gently tapping on the faded yellow door. To an average person on the street the house appeared deserted. There was a thick layer of old leaves that were piled on the porch from the previous autumn and the house itself gave off a musty odor. A shingle hung loosely off the corner and there wasn't so much as a flicker of light that pierced the thick gray drapes that adorned the windows.

Snape heard a soft scuffling sound from inside before a voice whispered, "Who's there?"

"The only one who could find you," Snape replied quickly.

The door cracked open and a haughty looking Narcissa Malfoy glared at him. She looked like a woman who had aged too quickly. Her once pallid skin had a yellow tint, her eyes were sunken and her hair lacked any luster.

"Severus," she said in a panicky manner. "Why have you come here?"

Snape studied her for a moment before responding. "I have taken a great risk in coming here. It isn't wise for you to force me to linger in the view of others."

"Of course," she shifted as she opened the door in invitation.

Snape glanced one final time over his shoulder before stepping over the threshold. The inside of the dwelling was as unkempt as the outside. The dark mahogany floors squeaked under his steps and the house seemed to almost engulf him with a sense of misery.

"I would offer you something to eat, but I'm afraid the cupboards are rather bare," Narcissa began. "I used to be able to venture out and locate necessities, but the local shopkeeper has branded me a thief. The Muggle law enforcement is trying to find me. The last thing we need is for me to be captured by... Muggles."

"Yes," Snape said in an exaggerated voice, "if the Muggles arrest you, the news would most certainly reach the Dark Lord's ears. He is relentless in his quest to find the young Malfoy."

"You've condemned us to hell," Narcissa said in a dangerous tone. Her eyes flashed with a mixture of anger and hate.

Snape narrowed his eyes. "I've saved you from certain death. Don't be foolish enough to believe that the Dark Lord would be swift in his execution of you. The Killing Curse is merciful."

"We're the lowest forms of life. We've resorted to living at the bottom of the Muggles' social order. Why should I fear death? You've forced me and my son to murder all our dignity."

Snape took a quick turn around the room. "Yes, your standard of living has diminished."

"You dare jest?" Narcissa said viciously.

"It was you who came to me and asked me to save your son. I have gone beyond all you have asked me to do and instead of gratitude I receive bickering. Perhaps I should bring you to the Dark Lord and end your suffering," Snape retorted. "Who do you think he'd torture first? Could you bear to watch your son withering on the floor under the effect of the Cruciatus Curse ? Watching him scream... watching him beg for death?"

Narcissa took in a sharp breath and dropped her head in defeat. Snape's words had driven all the fight out of her.

"I'm not here on a social visit," Snape continued. "I have been placed in charge of locating you and delivering you to the Dark Lord."

"You wouldn't," Narcissa said breathlessly.

Snape scoffed. "I haven't yet, but I'm afraid your sister has also requested to be placed on this assignment."

"Bella?" Narcissa asked. "She'd betray me."

"She would. However, the Dark Lord has denied her request. He believes she has ulterior motives; he also is suspicious that she may already know your location. Does he have cause for such suspicion?"

Narcissa frowned. "We did exactly as you told us to do; we vanished."

Snape nodded. "Where is Draco?"

"Upstairs," Narcissa responded immediately. "He's banished to his room. He doesn't deal well with imprisonment, Severus."

"I told you not to use any magic," he snapped.

Narcissa gasped and recoiled at Snape's words.

"Did you use your wand? Wand magic can be traced," Snape hissed.

Narcissa pursed her lips and finally sighed. "It's a potion."

"You're drugging him?" Snape asked.

"I had no choice. He wants to leave; he wants to go to the Dark Lord. I can't let him walk into his own death. I know what the Dark Lord will do to him."

Severus paused in relief. "I was afraid the bad news had reached his ears."

"Bad news," Narcissa said softly.

"Your husband's life hangs in the balance. He's to be used as leverage to drive you out of hiding. Lucius Malfoy is to be executed," Snape revealed.

"Executed? That's impossible. The Ministry of Magic has outlawed such practices," Narcissa argued.

Snape frowned. "The Dark Lord has given the order. On the 21^st of September he's to be transported to the Ministry of Magic for a hearing and at that time he will meet his fate behind the veil of the Passers Curtain hidden deep within the Department of Mysteries."

"No," Narcissa whimpered. "Severus, you must do something."

"There is nothing that can be done. The order has already been given."

Narcissa suddenly wrapped her arms around herself and collapsed into a half-broken couch. A small cloud of dust seemed to drape around her as the floor gave a noisy screech.

"My husband," she whimpered as her head shook in disbelief.

"Regardless if you choose to come out of hiding or not... your husband will die. The Dark Lord will not take back his decree. He wishes to set an example," Severus said in a low tone.

Narcissa sobbed as Snape read her mind without her even asking a question.

"What potion did you use on Draco?"

"Draught of the Living Dead," Narcissa responded instantly. "It wasn't easy gathering the necessary ingredients, but he fought off a basic sleeping potion."

"So it's true. You were spotted in Knockturn Alley?" Snape asked resentfully.

"I wasn't spotted. Nobody saw me," Narcissa insisted. "I wore a cloak and kept my face covered."

Snape frowned. "You were spotted. Word has reached the Dark Lord's ears."

"What choice did I have, Severus? If Draco goes to the Dark Lord he'll be killed," Narcissa cried.

Snape looked down on her with disgust. There was something hidden deep behind his eyes. It wasn't hate or pity. It was something far older and more treacherous.

"There is another way," Snape began slowly, "but I'm not sure you're ready to explore that option. I'm not sure if you've suffered enough."

"My husband is going to be murdered and my son lies unconscious by my hands. How much more suffering would you subject me too?" Narcissa asked breathlessly.

Snape paused. "It would require a shift in loyalty. Draco would never tell you but Dumbledore offered him a hand of protection before the deed was done."

"Dumbledore is dead!" Narcissa shrieked. "You killed him."

Snape nodded. "You do not have all the facts... You must go to the Order of the Phoenix."

"Never," Narcissa hissed. "Those foul blood traitors."

"Worse than Muggles," Snape shrugged. "I can't blame you. Still, only the Order of the Phoenix can offer you and your son the protection you require."

"They'd murder us, just as the Dark Lord would," Narcissa argued.

Snape raised his eyebrows. "Perhaps, but I'd say your chances would be much better. The other side is much more forgiving than the Dark Lord."

Narcissa gasped. "Bella was right. You, a traitor?"

"Don't be ridiculous," Snape spat. "I'm loyal to the Dark Lord. However, the fact that I'm protecting you puts my life at risk. I'd rather be rid of the burden."

Narcissa shuddered before bristling and standing. She tossed her long locks over her shoulder before pursing her lips in determination. "I'd rather die than side with blood traitors."

"You may very well get your wish," Snape whispered. "I cannot promise that this location will remain safe. Before, the Dark Lord could not sense I was lying because I wasn't. I didn't know for certain that you had come here. Now that I'm aware that you are staying in this location, the Dark Lord will certainly sense, well, that the situation has changed."

"And where exactly are we supposed to go, Severus?" Narcissa asked in a trembling voice.

Snape blinked. "You just rejected my suggestions, dear Narcissa. Why would you ask me that question?"

Narcissa's face grew pale as her shaking hands ran through her hair. "You know we have no place to go."

"That isn't my concern," Snape said bitterly. "I'm risking too much by keeping your location secret."

Narcissa's eyes lit up as an idea presented itself in her mind. She reached out for Snape's hand. He drew back from her touch as she let an edgy smile touch her face.

"The Potter boy," Narcissa said in a rushed voice.

"What about the Potter boy?" Snape lashed back.

"That's the way to get back into the Dark Lord's favor," Narcissa explained. "If we kill Potter..."

"We?" Snape interrupted. "Such an act is not only foolish but it's forbidden."

Narcissa's smile wavered slightly as she continued, "If we were to kill the Potter boy then the Dark Lord would have to forgive us."

"Did you not just hear what I said?" Snape roared in frustration. "It's forbidden. Potter isn't to be touched until the Dark Lord is ready for him."

Panic set in on Narcissa's face as she scrambled for another option. "What if we delivered Potter to the Dark Lord? He might even spare Lucius's life."

Snape watched the once noble woman sweep across the room like a woman gone mad. Her eyes burned with deep desperation as she rambled on.

"Potter is too well protected," Snape reminded her. "As well protected as you would be if you'd go to the Order of the Phoenix."

Narcissa's eyes locked onto Snape's. He held a straight face as she tried to reach into his deepest thoughts to uncover his motives. Suspicion overcame her until finally she raised her finger and pointed towards the door.

"Get out," she said darkly.

Snape smirked. "Do you honestly think the Dark Lord would believe you over me? All I have to do is give the word where you are and you'd be dead."

"But you won't," Narcissa taunted. "You have just as much to lose as I do."

"What do I have to lose?" Snape challenged.

Narcissa's finger traced the side of her face. "I remember the rumors. I know you befriended her and I know what she meant to you."

"What?"

"The Mudblood that married James Potter. I've heard about how she defended you against my traitorous cousin. You place the life of her son over mine," Narcissa said wildly. "Did you love her, Severus? Would you shame your blood by mingling with that sort of filth?"

Snape's dark coal eyes remained motionless. Yes, he cared for her; yes he had dared to dream in his youth. Who couldn't care for her? Not even Slughorn could resist her charm. It had been Lily Evans that had stood up for him against James Potter and Sirius Black. It had been Lily Evans who had shown him kindness even when he'd lash out at her. She was the only one who was as talented in potions as he was. She was the only one who could master the most difficult of Defense Charms.

"Daydreaming about your dead lover?" Narcissa baited.

Snape slowly drew his wand and aimed it at the cackling woman's chest. She suddenly sobered as she watched him with a deceitful glare.

"It would be wise to not speak of what you do not know," Snape warned.

Narcissa smirked. "Did you ask our master to spare her pathetic life?"

Snape frowned. "We both know that if I had I wouldn't be holding a wand at your chest."

Narcissa didn't respond.

"Three days, then I reveal your location," Snape said frigidly.

He turned in a single motion and left the house. His heart raced wildly in his chest as he traveled down the street, away from the house. He had chosen his loyalties long ago. He knew what he desired and what he had once wished for as a young man. Disappointment had driven him one-way and regret had led him another. The desperate look that had possessed Narcissa Malfoy had frightened him. He knew desperation drove people to do foolish things.