"The castle is...angry...that the rightful heir has abandoned it." Librous glanced back at them as they came up to the entrance, the wards around the entire castle were starting to shift and break apart, making apparation inside excessively dangerous. He'd by some miracle got the both of them to follow after him, even with the little amount of information he had provided. Hastily dressed and sexually frustrated, they'd followed him, on foot, back to the castle.

"The castle or you?" Severus' jaw twitched. He remembered his last conversation with the little elf very well. In addition to that, it wasn't exactly the ideal position to be interrupted in but he had no shame in what he was sure had been about to transpire. He'd only put on his jacket, forgoing a shirt beneath as he'd been too busy thinking about his theory regarding what laid inside the East wing.

"The Daughter has entered the castle." Librous frowned deeper when his words didn't spark the sort of urgency he had been expecting, "She is in the catacombs."

"It's her castle too. What's the problem?" It didn't take much brilliance to figure out now who the names on the books in the library had been written about. Hermione's exceptional embarrassment, not only for her lack of clothes when he'd appeared but for being caught outside in such a state; combined with her contemplative brow.

She knew Galia had wanted to see her son again but she didn't think she'd enter the castle alone. She had dressed quickly in a t-shirt and jeans she'd summoned from the laundry line outside, keeping her bathing suit underneath. She could tell there was something wrong when Librous had spoken to them, urging them to come with him to the castle and had thus convinced Severus to go. Though he'd truly only wanted Severus, there was no way she was going to let him go alone.

Librous snarled and closed his fists tight, "The problem is, that it is not hers to claim. The beast has awoken. It has sensed her power." He motioned towards the East Wing as if they could see the magical protection surrounding it warping and bending. "The wards are crumbling. I do not know what lies beyond but I assure you, we do not want it running free."

"Actually...I do have an idea." He turned his eyes up trying to sense the wards but they weren't his own and thus, it was difficult. He'd been mulling over the possibilities of what could lay inside ever since he'd used the rest of the potion Librous had given him to save Hermione's father. He'd done research in his own texts while Hermione had been away all week but he hadn't yet found enough evidence to share his thoughts and without the potion to deconstruct, he was only able to rely on his memories.

When they entered the entrance hall Severus instantly felt a pressure descending, a darkness creeping, like smoke before a fire. He turned his eyes over the space trying to find anything out of place. Unfortunately, the room was not so familiar with him and it was hard to decern any changes.

"This way. It is the fastest." Librous clicked his fingers conjuring up a staircase that materialized out of the wall leading up to the throne room. He started up the stairs without looking back, his ears twitching from the faintest sound of cracking stone. He looked towards the wall barring off the East Wing but saw nothing, so he turned his head back towards the throne room doors.

Hermione frowned deeply, she too could feel a weight pressing down upon them. She turned her eyes up towards the glass ceiling, she too hearing something. "Why haven't you simply removed Galia yourself?"

"Servants cannot open the door, only the master of the castle or its descendants can." Librous huffed softly, obviously annoyed by such a question.

Hermione rolled her eyes at his tone but didn't press further. Severus, however, didn't let the house elf off so easily, "Why did you come down there before?"

"Parvapro insisted we needed to help you. The floor was broken, it was the only way in. After that, the catacombs were sealed again." The elf huffed again but continued on into the throne room. It was empty this time, silent and cold. The power inside the room was almost suffocating. He led them over to the wall they had used to exit the last time and turned to look at them both, "The castle is becoming more dangerous by the minute, you must get her out and restore the balance."

Severus let out a deep breath through his nose. He loathed everything about this situation; as much as he didn't want a further relationship with his cousin, he couldn't see her harmed. Especially now that she had a child. He turned his eyes to the vacant chair that was shadowed on the plinth on the back wall before looking to the hidden door waiting before them. The one man who might have possibly been able to confirm his theory about what was hidden was gone. He'd have to find another way to confirm his suspicions. He pressed his hand to the wall eliciting a soft pop and pulled it open.

Hermione followed behind Severus, keeping her eyes and ears open. The slope leading down was silent, she didn't know what she had expected but it wasn't this. She turned back as Librous slowly closed the door behind them cutting off all natural light. The low blue flames took a moment for her eyes to adjust to and she felt nearly blind for the first ten steps.

They passed the first of the many levels, Severus shooting out a light to see all the way to the end, no one, not even a crypt was there. Just empty shelves waiting to be filled. Then just as they were about to reach the third level, a soft sniffle and a soft voice singing a woeful lullaby reached their ears.

Severus didn't need to cast a light down to see the woman they had been searching for. The soft glow of light produced by an activated orb gave her away. He moved cautiously, his face set as he tried not to feel the betrayal rise up through his chest.

"Galia?" Hermione kept her voice soft, but even she could feel pain growing in her heart.

Galia sat on the floor, her arm reaching up to the stone she had placed on the pedestal. Her face shining with tears as she held her son in her arms. Her body was weakening from the power being pulled into the orb to allow her to see her son again. Her voice died out when the last of her strength left but she didn't release the orb; her eyes only looking at the innocent child held tight to her chest.

It wasn't until both Severus and Hermione came to stand before did she even register their presence. She took a slow breath, shaking her head, trying to plead with them for just a little longer. She had waited years to do this. Carrying her son's soul, protecting it with her life. She knew the day would come, she just hadn't prepared herself to let go.

Hermione slowly knelt down beside her. The baby in her arms looked real, alive. It was the most beautiful and painful magic she had ever witnessed. She knew Galia had to let go of the stone but she didn't have the heart to force her. Instead, she placed her own palm over Galia's hand, holding it tight.

"It's alright... he's safe now...no one will ever harm him again..." Tears tightened Hermione's throat as she looked into the eyes of a mother who had done everything there was in this world for her child.

Galia let out a shuddering breath, her eyes slowly closing. New tears washed down her face as her body gave a weak shudder. The baby in her arms slept peacefully, wrapped in the cloak he had died in. She could still feel his warmth, hear his cries. She couldn't let go.

"You must let go...Galia, you can do it..." Hermione could feel the woman's hold on the orb weakening, her fingers twitching. Hermione let them slip from beneath, her own hand taking her place. The orb glowed brighter than ever before, and the baby in her arms glowed a brilliant gold.

Galia could only keep her eyes open as she watched her baby grow, with wonder. The spirit trapped inside had continued to live beside her, all this time. The baby grew into that of a man, young and beautiful, right before their very eyes. His hair was long, a deep ebony, with eyes just like his mothers. He wore a pure white robe, tied at the waist with a black sash. He was tall and thin, but healthy and strong. A shuddering breath left her throat as he formed beside Hermione, his bright eyes shining with love.

"It's time, Mum." His voice was rich and deep, soft and so kind. He reached out, taking her cheek in his hand, "I love you."

Galia smiled so beautifully, her eyes blurred with tears, "My beautiful...son...I love...you...so much..." With all the strength she had left inside her she raised her hands to his face, lightly tracing his gentle features. He had her eyes, but his face was that of his father. A small pain shot through her heart for the man the boy had never known and the man who had never known of his son.

"I know..." He leaned his head down pressing his forehead against her own. "It is alright..."

Hermione closed her eyes. It was so wonderful, words could not have expressed the feeling she felt at that moment. Something only a mother could feel for her child washed through her. She knew it was time to release the orb, time to release him into the world beyond. Her eyes turned slowly, and she felt the tiniest cracks in the surface starting to form. It wasn't her own power, but that of Galia's son. Releasing himself.

"I must go now...It is time..."

"Please..."

"I love you, Mum...I will never leave your heart." He pressed his hand against Galia's chest and closed his eyes,"I will be with you, always."

Hermione gasped when the orb gave a sharp crack, the pieces falling down from under her hand. She watched mesmerized as the young man slowly faded into golden light. Her hand fell heavily down to her side, the power she had used to give him life slowly refilling her body. Her chest shuddered as she settled back on her heels, awash with indescribable emotion.

Severus moved forward catching Galia before she crashed sideways down to the floor. Her body and magical core spent. He didn't know how long she had been down there, but it was certainly long. His eyes raised up catching sight of the small stone casket inside the alcove, the name of her first born, engraved on the side. He didn't know how his body had come to rest there, but it didn't matter. He was no longer there. No longer trapped in the world that had been stolen from him.

Hermione took a slow breath, trying to center herself. Tears ran down her face as her heart felt as though it had cracked into a thousand tiny pieces. She pushed herself slowly to her feet, a bit dizzy from the torrent rushing like a raging river inside her. She gave a soft, proud smile to Severus when he carefully pulled Galia up into his arms. She could see the understanding on his face, the release of the anger that he'd held inside. It would take time but she was sure they could reconnect again.

"Let's get her home..."

"Right..." Severus shifted her slightly, letting her head rest on his shoulder. The awe of what he'd just witnessed was not lost on him. The castle was powerful, the magic within unlike the world would ever hope to know. It was no longer a mystery why no one ever spoke of this place. Why the history books held no mention of it.

Hermione led the way back to the sloping stairs, her wand lighting the way to ensure that their ascent was safe. She was mixed with a combination of wonder and drive to understand all the secrets held inside these walls. But she also understood the importance of its secrecy. She couldn't even imagine what would happen to the world if the wrong person were to come across the information held within. It was almost too much for her Gryffindor heart to handle. Those seeking power would find it here. There was no question.

Hermione moved aside to let Severus press his hand to the door to release the lock, a feat none too easy with Galia resting in his arms. As soon as the door clicked she pushed it open, holding it wide to allow him through. The throne room was just as quiet as before, as though inside its own bubble, not even the sound of wind disrupted the atmosphere. Hermione let out a small shiver unknowingly and continued to lead the way back towards the entrance.

It was just as Severus had taken the last of the stairs leading down to the entrance hall that a mighty power shot through them all. He shifted his hold and turned his head up to the stained glass skylight.

Like a punch straight to the chest, it left them all nearly breathless. Hermione gasped stumbling back a few steps into a nearby pillar, her wand instantly coming into her palm, her eyes searching for an attacker. There was nothing and no one, only the pressure of an invisible force.

Severus hastily put Galia down, leaning her inside an alcove beside the grand doors, he too having been knocked off guard. His eyes searched and searched for a cause before his eyes turned back towards the ceiling. The beautiful stained glass that had been held in place by the wards and spells protecting it from aging shined brighter than the sun filtering through.

He had only a second to process what was about to happen, his eyes shooting over to Hermione who was too far away to protect with such little time. He reached for her in vain, his arm still around Galia's shoulders as the heavy wards came crashing down.

Hermione felt as though a two-ton truck had slammed directly into her. A startled scream passed her lips as she found herself face down on the stone floor, her wand bouncing from her hand. She couldn't even open her eyes from the weight that pressed down all around her. If she hadn't known better she would have sworn gravity had been somehow doubled.

Seconds passed like hours and just when she didn't think she could remain conscious due to the breath stuck in her chest, the pressure seemed to pass through her body and down further below. She gulped in a big breath of air, her eyes going wide before she managed to lift her head and turn it in the direction she'd last seen Severus.

Severus let out a small groan, the wards collapsing had pressed him hard to his knees, also taking the wind out of him. Even though he'd seen them break, he hadn't been prepared for the centuries-old magic to come crashing down with such force. He pushed himself up and back on his heels, Galia was alright, still resting, completely oblivious. He turned his head towards Hermione, who had obviously had the wind knocked out of her. Before he could ask her if she was alright, a deep rumble shook the floor.

"The wall!" Hermione put her hand to her chest, feeling a spike of adrenaline. She whipped her head around, her eyes wide as the stone barring of the East wing gave a mighty crack. A small puff of dust falling down from the large fissure that ran from one corner to the next.

"We have to get Galia out."

"It won't matter if we don't contain whatever was behind that wall!" Hermione scooped up her wand quickly pushing herself up to her feet. "Where is Librous?"

Severus looked around the room, the shadows were deep but he could just make out the crumpled form of the elf just inside the west wing archway. He pushed himself up, "Librous? Wake up!" Severus felt caught between leaving Galia's side and putting any more distance between him and Hermione. He didn't know if all the wards had fallen or not; or even worse, what the repercussions were.

"Librous!" Severus hissed when another deep rumble shook the floor, the sound of stones falling in the distance catching his ears.

The small elf let out a small groan and slowly started to push himself to his hands and feet. He could feel the call of his master deep inside his chest and turned his head slowly towards the three of them before managing to get to his feet.

"Librous get her out, take her to the village inn."

"I will try." Librous took the risk and popped himself closer, coming to stand just in front of Severus before looking down at Galia. "The only way to stop this is to claim your rightful place...the wards on this end of the castle have fallen but all is not lost until the sun leaves the center stones. If you have not claimed your birthright by nightfall, this castle and wards surrounding the entire village will fall." He raised his eyes, piercing right into Severus' own, "Nothing will protect you."

Severus snarled as the elf popped out, his mind turning on just exactly what he meant. How on earth was he supposed to claim something he knew nothing about? He turned towards Hermione, his heart beating just a bit faster. His only hope was that he was right about the creature hidden away.

"We must try to reconstruct the wards protecting the wall."

"How? Do you know any wards that powerful?" Hermione pointed her wand to the ceiling.

"No, but maybe our combined magical talent will be enough." Severus made to close the distance between them but paused just a step away confused by the goofy grin growing on her face. "What?"

"I think that's the biggest compliment you've ever given me." Hermione knew it certainly wasn't the time but she couldn't help the beaming smile growing on her face.

"You have always been an amazing witch."

"Still nice to hear," Hermione turned towards the doors bracing herself for what may lie beyond, "Come on, we can do this." She reached back taking his hand in hers, not a single ounce of fear in her heart, "Let's go make you a King."

Severus smirked, a soft grunting chuckle hitting the back of his throat unexpectedly. He gave her hand a squeeze before releasing it to follow her closer to the wall. The crack was large but no light shined through. He called his wand in his hand taking a slow breath. Something was coming, some big. He shook his head, there wasn't enough time.

Hermione too could feel something but she wasn't ready to give up, she raised wand fully ready to cast when she felt a hand tightly grabbing the back of her shirt. All she saw was black mixed with blurred colors as her body swiveled around and a firm chest at her back. The next moment hard stone was crashing into her knees as a deep rumble filled her ears.

Severus held his breath, and closed his eyes tight as a large vacuum of power surged through, he fully expected to feel stone colliding with his back as he held Hermione protectively to his chest. The sound of stone being ripped from its place assaulted his ears for an eternity before a deathly silence filled the hall.

A slow shivering breath turned his body towards the hole that had been made. His arms relaxing to allow Hermione to turn with him. They both looked down the dark, corridor, the inside filled with vines and trees, almost like a jungle encased in stone. They both came to their shaky feet, eyes growing wide as two glowing orbs, the size of their heads, looked back at them from deep within.