Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any affiliated characters. I just happened to come up with the plot for this ship. All credit to J.K for her amazing universe that she allows us to play in.

Warning: Rated M. Cursing, sexual innuendos, lemons and fluff ahead. Basically what you would expect from a romance novel nowadays.
This story, however, is going to frustrate you if you are just here for romance. We get there in a slow way, but oh we get there.

Totally not canon. I mean, I am going off on a cruise here from canon folks. Bashing of characters you might adore and making other characters into nothing they were in the books. If you're looking for canon compliant don't read this story.

Draco won as the love interest. So this will eventually be a Dramione.

No Beta yet. Sorry. My Beta's are busy with my other fics!

Music is my muse:

Song for this chapter: I Gave You All; Mumford & Sons
Lyrics: And you rip it from my hands just to say that you won. But I gave you all.

Riddle This

Chapter 1
The Truth

Severus Snape was by nature a cautious man, so when his 'master' called him to him the week after the fiasco at the Ministry he was prepared to meet a Dark Lord ready to murder him. The state of Antonin Dolohov on the floor was not a good sign that he would be walking out of the room under his own steam. The man looked as if he had been tortured for weeks rather than just the last few days.

"My Lord." He said bowing down carefully.

The Dark Lord waited until he was standing again before he waved his hand at his followers, all who looked worse for wear.

"Take the trash out with you, Bella dear," Voldemort said in a bored tone that did not match the anger in his eyes.

Bella simpered at him and then rushed out and once she had left the dark lord closed his eyes as if annoyed.

"That woman is going to drive me to a level of insanity I have not yet achieved."

Severus looked up startled, the Dark Lords voice was normal, lacking the hissing it had gained since his return and he watched stunned as the man morphed from the snake-like creature Severus had seen him as back to the good-looking wizard he had been before his disappearance.

His eyes were no longer blue, but rather black with a hint of red but other than that everything was the same.

But the most startling thing had been that he had spoken what would be considered a civil sentence as if he was speaking to a friend about a mutual annoyance. Of course, Severus was annoyed by Bellatrix but for Lord Voldemort to say so in such a casual manner…

"My Lord?" He was still in his bow and unsure what to do now.

Voldemort rolled his eyes. "Severus, enough of this I think. Sit, you and I must come to an understanding."

Severus watched as a table appeared and he walked slowly to it taking a seat.

"You have veritaserum on you I assume?"

Severus nodded and pulled out a bottle he always kept on his person when summoned.

"We will need it, a guest is joining us and the story he tells will determine the ending to your own."

Severus' eyes widened as he took in the man before him.

"My Lord?"

Voldemort gave him a long hard look. "Do not think I am fooled by your excellent shields, Severus. Nor that I was not unaware that murdering Lily Potter would turn you against me. At the time I was foolish enough to think that the death of the boy was more important. I won't apologize, you wouldn't accept it. But I will tell you that Peter did not request to be their secret keeper, Severus. It was something your new master insisted upon. He handed me the Potters for his own purposes and you should be aware of that. Facts are important, do you not agree, Severus?"

Severus Snape was white and sure his heart was going to beat out of his chest as he nodded at the man before him. At a knock on the door, Voldemort snapped his fingers and morphed himself back into the snake-like monster he now portrayed.

Two death eaters walked in dragging a dirty unkempt man with them who was shoved into a chair.

"Karkaroff," Severus said softly looking at the man who was secured to his chair magically and unable to move.

"If you please, Sevveeerusss." Was said by Voldemort in a low hiss.

Severus rose and administered the potion, one of his own making that was twice as potent as the standard version, people could, after all, build up a resistance to the potion, once done with his task he took a seat again.

Voldemort dismissed the other death eaters and once they were alone he waited the proper amount of time and then nodded. "Tell me, Karkaroff, where is Diana? Where is your sister?"

Karkaroff looked like he might die of fright as he shook his head his eyes rolling. "Dead." He said finally once he had settled. "Killed. She was double-crossed."

Severus narrowed his eyes as Voldemort stood up clearly upset. "When?" He hissed slowly.

Karkaroff paused for a moment before he closed his eyes. "I do not know, my Lord. I was arrested and she was supposed to be protected. But the secret keeper, she betrayed my sister. When I finally secured my release by turning on Crouch Jr. I searched for the witch, the one who would know where my sister was. What I saw in her memory, it was not pretty."

Voldemort stormed over and used legitimacy so quickly Severus was a bit stunned. The Dark Lord was usually rather reserved, he looked a bit manic now. When he finished he stood back his face full of rage. "Severus, you look, you see."

Severus looked between the two men and then stood up moving over to the death eater and entered his mind carefully. The memory was up front and Severus studied it in curiosity and then with growing horror.

Severus stumbled back falling into his chair stunned at what he had just seen. He looked to the Dark Lord who was pacing.

"The baby did not die." Was said by Voldemort in a hushed tone.

Karkaroff nodded his face pale and terrified. "I know."

Voldemort spun to look at the man his eyes narrowing. "When did you know?" He hissed angrily.

Karkaroff went very pale. "I met her, last year."

Severus sat unmoving as this information washed over him. Not dead? Then where? Who?

Voldemort stood very still. "Her name, Karkaroff."

"Granger, Hermione Granger."

Everything in Severus froze and then went into motion, he flew up from his chair his anger palpable. "What! Potters muggle born?"

Voldemort started pacing again his face a sight to behold.

"How?" Severus asked still trying to process what he had just been told, what he had just been shown.

Voldemort waved his hand at Karkaroff who spoke quietly clearly terrified. "Dumbledore wasn't able to keep her out-." the man broke off looking as confused as Severus felt.

Severus swung his head between the Dark Lord and his former associate. "You are saying that Miss Granger is-"

Voldemort nodded his face terrifying to behold. "My daughter."

Author Notes:

Dun, dun, dun...
This story is pretty much half written and it seemed silly to not post it. It's different for me as romance is secondary and intrigue is the primary plot. But it's me, so it will get lemony, eventually. My muse also won't let it be so I am hoping if we finish this story she will let me get to others. ;)
For now, how did I do with intrigue?
For the collage, Amanda and I came up with for this story see my Instagram: CrystalJeanRed

Cheers,

Cjean