The Art of Love, Both Confusing and Simple
Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own HP.
Chapter 1: Everybody's Fool
Kara ran to the outside study doors and opened them. She ran in and slammed them closed on the growing storm as she pulled her hood down. A flash of lightning came from outside and as she turned she saw two familiar figures smirking in a corner. She gasped and then held a hand to her heart as they flicked the light on. It was just Lucius Malfoy and Severus Snape.
"Jesus Christ! You nearly scared me half to death!" Kara cried before sitting down in her chair behind the desk. Lucius chuckled and Kara motioned to two seats in front of it for her two "visitors" but they refused.
"No thank you. We were aiming for whole though," Lucius smirked. Kara just smiled in return as she spun in her chair. She was only 17 so she was still a bit playful.
"Gracious. Now would you care to explain why you have unexpectedly joined me on this beautiful evening?"
"Beautiful? It's hardly even lovely! Then again, it seems a whole lot better than you," Severus snorted.
"So the professor finally speaks," Kara teased. She felt his eyes on her, but she refused to look at him and meet his gaze.
"Yes. He does," Lucius glared at him. "Now, the reason we're here…" Kara raised an eyebrow as Lucius trailed off.
"Yes?"
"You know you've changed so much over the summer-"
"Get to the point, Lucius," Severus snarled.
"Yes. I quite agree with Professor Snape," Kara said smiling at Lucius who glared at both of them.
"Fine. Kara, before your father went to Azkaban-"
"I'd rather not talk about my father at the moment considering my mother has come home with a report from St. Munggo's that she is ill. Not just ill either, but insane! An insaneness that can not be treated! An insaneness that is permanent and you think I want to talk about this? The fact that my father had the idiocy to get himself caught and then sent to Azkaban causing my mother to be insane is one thing. But the fact that you believe I would want to talk about it is madness!" By now Kara was standing up and she was fighting back tears as her chair was pushed backwards onto the floor. She strode in front of the desk and pointed her finger very close to Lucius's face. "You, sir, are mad. Mad enough to believe quite a thing. I'd expect better from a two-year old!" Lucius smirked and put Kara's hand back beside her side.
"I did not come to be corrected by a little girl, Kara. I came for answers. I will ask the questions and you will answer them. You will not interrupt me nor make any comments, such as the one you just made. Understood? Good. Now as I was saying before you so rudely interrupted, before your father went to Azkaban he told the Dark Lord something of very importance. He said that you have the key to defeating Harry Potter. That you heard a prophecy of some sort he told you, yet he did not remember no matter how many times the Dark Lord put the Cruciatious (sp?) Curse on him as well as the Imperious Curse. What was that prophecy?"
"You think I'd tell the likes of you?" Kara spat.
"I did not believe it for a second. The reason I brought Severus along. Either you give it to me willingly or he will use Legilimency against you."
"Then let him."
"Severus?" Severus stood forward and his black eyes penetrated her dark blue ones. And just like that the past flashed through Kara's minds before she had time to rid it of anything she could think of and then her deepest darkest secret that she didn't believe…no, she didn't want to believe…was revealed…
And then moments later Kara was on her back and the room dark and empty. She heard her 5-year old sister down the hall screaming, "Where's sissy? You tell me where she is, mister, or I'm gonna kick your ass!" Her sister had learned that from her when she was really angry and screaming at her father just the day before he was caught and sent to Azkaban. She never got to apologize nor did she get to say goodbye before he was shipped off. And then her sister was silent. Kara quickly stood up and ran out into the hall to see her sister just staring silently at the open front door in which Kara could see Severus and Lucius running quickly away and then disapperating into the night.
"Go to bed, Sara," Kara told her younger sister. "Just forget tonight." Sara looked up at her with shiny gray eyes and frowned.
"But I want Mommy to tuck me in!" Sara said and then began to cry. Kara didn't have time for this. She picked Sara up, took her to her bedroom, and quickly tucked Sara in bed. Kara heard Sara silently cry herself to sleep as she seemed to be doing lately. Just like she seemed to do that very night.
"Come one you, guys! We haven't got much time! We're picking up an extra person today," Arthur told the kids as they all finished breakfast and grabbed their bags. Arthur had gotten a car from the Ministry and everyone quickly packed the oversized trunk before climbing in and getting comfortably seated.
"Who are we picking up, Dad?" Ron asked the question on everyone's mind as Molly climbed into the front seat with her husband.
"A classmate of yours, Ron. You should know her considering she's a seventh year in Gryffindor. Her name is Kara Simmons."
"I know her," Hermione said suddenly. "She hangs out in the Library a lot and we talk all the time considering I'm there almost as much as her. She's helped me out with a few things before and I'll gladly help her. She's really nice, but she hangs with Parvati or Lavender so we don't get to talk much in classes." Ron and Harry knew her to. She had never been all that pretty so they had never paid much attention to her, but they would soon find out they would. They turned down a street then and they passed some really cruddy houses that looked even more horrible than the Burrow.
"Man, she must be dirt poor compared to us," Ron said looking at the houses.
"Actually," Hermione began, but they had pulled up to a gate and Arthur hushed them. He rolled down his window and a voice came out of one of those little boxes really rich people have.
"Good morning. Welcome to Simmons Manor. Name and your reason for being here or relation please," a deep male voice.
"This is Arthur Weasley and I'm here to pick up Kara Simmons to take her to the train station for school," Arthur said and the large black gates swung open.
"Have a nice day, sir," the deep voice said as Arthur pulled through the gates. Everyone's mouths hung open. The house was enormous and very beautiful. It had about four different stories and went very far into the back as well as in width. It had a garden in the front and one of those curved driveways with a little garden/island in the middle so it splits in half. In the middle of the garden/island thing was a fountain that resembled the one at the Ministry. (I forget what it looks like, exactly.) They pulled up in front of the huge house and everyone climbed out. They walked to the door and it was opened as they rang the doorbell.
"Good day, Mr. Weasley. We've been expecting you. Lady Kara should be in the auditorium just down that hall in the second to last room to the right. Lady Hara is in charge as the Mistress of the house is ill at the moment. Lady Hara would like to speak with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and your children may go and fetch Lady Kara," the butler that stood in front of them said. Hermione, Ron, Harry, and Ginny began down the hall passing many rooms and maids and butlers. Above them were chandeliers made of real diamond, gold, and crystal. The ceiling was painted like the pictures the great Michael Angelo had painted on the ceiling of that one church in Italy. (I forget the name. Sorry.) The walls were mirrored gold and silver that shone brilliantly in the light and gave off the reflections of the people walking down the halls. They had Romanesque windows with stained glass, mostly of great witches and wizards, which was brightly colored and was wonderful in this house.
The four finally reached the second to last door on the right and opened it. It was just as amazing as the rest of the house. It was an auditorium with stadium seating that would easily seat 5,000 people. It was designed to be like the ancient Roman theaters, but it had cushioned seating and the stage was made of a dark oak wood instead of stone. Another thing was they had entered from next to the stage and could see the seating from where they stood. In some rows were several other doors that led to other floors and areas of the house.
Up near a door to the third floor in an aisle seat sat a girl with a guitar. She had long, wavy, light brown hair and dark blue eyes. Her skin was lightly tanned, as if she had gotten some sun this summer, and her body was well developed and had curves in all the right places. She wore an outfit to show off her curves. It was a tight, light green blouse with short, dark blue, jean shorts. As she sat she was just playing her guitar beautifully and began to sing with the tune.
"Every night in my dreams I see you, I feel you. That is how I know you go on. Far across the distance and spaces between us you have come to show you go on. Near, far, wherever you are I believe that the heart does go on. Once more you open the door and you're here in my heart and my heart will go on and on. Love can touch just one time and last for a lifetime and never let go till we're gone. Love was when I loved you one true time, I hold you in my life we'll always go on. Near, far, wherever you are I believe that the heart does go on. Once more you open the door and you're here in my heart and my heart will go on and on. You're here, there's nothing I fear, and I know that my heart will go on. We'll stay forever this way. You are safe in my heart and my heart will go on and on…"
The four below clapped and that was when Kara noticed they were there. She looked up and smiled at them before standing up and putting her guitar down on the chair. "Hermione," she said happily before quickly running to meet them. "Hello Harry, Ron. And Ginny I presume?" Ginny nodded.
"Hey, Kara," Hermione said smiling.
"Hi," Ron and Harry said together.
"You've changed," Hermione said and Kara shrugged.
"My older sister's beautiful and always has been. She said I'd one day be pretty like her and here I stand! So, you guys ready to go?" Kara asked. Everyone nodded and headed out to the car to meet Arthur and Molly.
"Great house by the way," Harry said and Ron agreed.
"Thanks," Kara said smiling. "I thought you guys would like it."
The sorting was over, Dumbledore had given his speech, and dinner was ending in the Great Hall. Kara looked around and felt eyes on her. She noticed some boys were looking at her with those suggestive looks, but she ignored them. The reason she was looking around as everyone stood up was because she felt a very familiar burning of eyes on her. She turned her head to the staff table and her dark blueeyes met black ones staring right back at her. Kara wanted to avoid his gaze, but something kept it there until a hand on her shoulder made her turn away. She turned to stare into jade green eyes instead and she smiled.
"We're leaving. Are you ok?" Harry said and Kara stood up.
"Fine. Must have dozed off. It's late and I'm just tired is all." Kara followed Harry out of the Great Hall knowing Severus' eyes were still watching her. The next morning Kara had dragged herself out of bed and downstairs with her backpack and books. She sat down on the couch as she quickly packed her backpack as she heard Harry and Ron coming down the stairs talking about the classes they had.
"We have Potions first with Snape," Ron said rolling his eyes in disgust.
"Then we have DADA with Lupin," Harry said with a smile. Remus was back.
"And after that a break before Herbology."
"And after Herbology we have Lunch and another short break before Transfiguration," Kara finished as they joined her. They waited for Hermione before heading down to breakfast. Ginny had left with a few of her sixth year friends. As breakfast owls delivered the morning post and one almost landed in Kara's porridge. She took the small package and the note and opened the note. It read in a familiar handwriting, 'Sorry.' but it wasn't signed so Kara wasn't sure who it was from. The owl took off before she opened the small package. It was a box about the size of an earring box or a ring box. Kara opened it and gasped at the beautiful dark blue with a hint of jade green earrings. She put them in and looked up at Hermione.
"I got earrings," Kara said smiling. Hermoine grinned.
"They're beautiful! Who are they from?"
"I don't know. All I got was this," Kara said handing Hermione the note. She read it and handed it back to Kara.
"That's strange." Kara shrugged. A few minutes later she was walking down to Potions with Hermione and Harry and Ron. They walked in and Hermione and Kara sat together just as Snape strode in, his robes billowing behind him.
"Today we will be having a pop quiz. It shouldn't take you longer than the period and is a potion we learned last year," Snape said. "I would like you to make Polyjuice Potion and turn it in when you're done. For homework I want a two-foot essay on what Polyjuice Potion is used for and give an example of who used it and for what reason. If you finish early you may begin. You have the ingredients in front of you. No getting help from anyone. Begin," Snape said as he swooped through the classroom. He stood at the front of the classroom and scanned the students who went to work quickly. He took a mental attendance, Weasley, Potter, Granger, Malfoy, Parkinson, Zabani, and Simmons. Severus's mind wandered back to Kara. Ever since that night just eleven days ago he couldn't get her out of his mind.
'Had she really felt that way? Then again, she didn't seem to sure herself. We never got the information out of her we needed either. Lucius was upset and the Dark Lord will be if we don't get it soon. Did she get…yes it seems she did. She's wearing the earrings that used to belong to my mother. They look pretty on her and match her eyes…I shouldn't know that. I shouldn't even be thinking about her. She's all I've thought about! Why can't I get her out of my mind? WHY!' Without knowing it Severus slammed a fist down on the desk and everyone glanced up at him before going back to their work. Everyone went back to work except Kara that is, who continued to stare at him.
"Five points from Gryffindor for not concentrating on you quiz, Ms. Simmons," Severus called before making a few rounds throughout the classroom. Kara watched him for a mew moments longer before going back to her work. As Severus walked past Kara he couldn't help but mutter, "See me after class." Kara and Hermione finished at the same time and were the first ones to pass in their potion. They sat back down and had just started their essay as everyone brought their potions up. Kara had just finished hers when the bell rang. She slowly packed up and waited until everyone had left before slinging her backpack over her shoulder and walking up to Severus at his desk, who was scribbling away on God knows what.
"You wanted to see me, Professor?" Kara asked silently. Snape looked at her and scowled.
"Yes. It's the first day of class, Ms. Simmons, and already you don't seem to be paying attention! Maybe you should be more like Malfoy and-"
"Malfoy my ass," Kara spat. "Like you give a damn about him or his father."
"You better watch what you say, Kara, or your little secret just might get out to the whole world. The secret that not only is your father a Death Eater, which everyone most likely knows, but that you are one as well! You'd better keep your mouth shut and be afraid, Simmons. Be very afraid!" Kara marched to the door and opened it.
"I'm not afraid of you, Snape. I have no reason to be. You can tell the world I'm a Death Eater for all I care. You know very well I don't give a damn about that Dark Lord. Hell, even the Dark Lord knows that! All you do is sit in your petty little office and insult people, Snape, because you don't have a life. I'm sure I have a life enough for the both of us though." And with that Kara slammed the door behind her. She turned to face Hermione who had a look of horror on her face.
"You're a Death Eater?" she asked.
"Only because my father forced me too. I never wanted to become one and I never go to the stupid meetings anyway. I don't listen to Voldemort and I don't tell him anything either. I'm a pro at Occulemcy (sp?) so he usually doesn't learn anything. Please don't tell anyone else and please don't hate me! I'd rather die than serve that piece of garbage."
"I won't tell anyone, but only if you swear everything you just said was true," Hermione said.
"I swear it," Kara said shaking hands with Hermione. Then the two of them headed to their next class, DADA. They were a few minutes late when they got there, but Remus didn't really care. They quietly took their seats next to Ron and Harry.
"Why were you guys late?" Harry whispered to Kara, who was closest to him.
"Snape made me stay after class. He said I have been careless and blah blah blah. Hermione waited for me. No big deal."
"Oh. Did you get your essay done?"
"Yes, you?"
"Almost. Can I read yours and compare with mine considering Hermione won't let us anymore?"
"Later," Kara said grinning. The week went on almost like that, but the classes were different, Kara didn't get any more mysterious letters or gifts, and they didn't have Potions again until their last class on Friday…
"I can't believe we've gotten so much homework and it's only our first week of school," Kara said as she and Hermione walked into Potions. They had seemed to become best friends since the first day of school.
"Tell me about it," Hermione agreed. Snape was sitting at his desk and the pair walked up to hand in their essays. Kara gave Snape one of those smiles that said I-hate-you-yet-I-respect-you-and-I-have-no-idea-why. Snape smirked in return and then frowned when the two turned their backs.
"Do you think we get our grades back from our potions, Mione?"
"I'm not sure. Snape had plenty of time to look them over and whatever else he does." Kara cleared her throat and mimicked what Remus had told them when they had stopped after class to say hi and find out how he was doing and such.
"It's Professor Snape, Hermione." They both laughed as they took their seats. Snape stood up and smirked at his class…again.
"I've graded your Potions. Here are your grades." With a flick of his wand papers appeared with their names in front of them. Kara sighed and showed Hermione her paper.
"He had to give me an A-, but couldn't afford to…no, think, to just give me an A! Jesus, what's with this man?"
"I'm not sure, but if you think that's bad, I got a B-," Harry said from behind them. Kara spun around in her seat and looked at Ron who was just staring at his paper.
"What did you get, Ron?" Ron just continued to stare at his paper. He turned it around and showed them. It read in big red letters, "SEE ME." Kara gave him a look of sympathy and looked up at Snape who had a large smirk as he faced them.
"Real nice, Snape," Kara mouthed before rolling her eyes. Later that evening Ron had come back and he looked overly tired.
"What did Snape say?" Kara said sitting on the couch next to him.
"He just said that he's seen Longbottom do better than this and that I failed. He also said that if I got another one as bad as this I would be kicked out of his class. He also suggested that I should study ahead of time for tests."
"That's ridiculous! It was a pop quiz! It wasn't preplanned!"
"That's what I told him and he just took away points and dismissed me."
"That is completely unfair. I'm going to have to go and talk to him."
"Don't do that just for my sake," Ron said as Kara stood up. She smiled at him and said," It's not just for your sake, but mine as well. There's something that's been bothering me and I want it to go away. I'm sure this will help." The trio, besides Kara, was confused as she left the dormitory. Kara walked down to the dungeons and was about to knock when she heard voices from inside.
"It's strange, Albus. I just can't seem to get her out of my head!"
"Maybe you should talk to her, Severus. I'm sure there's something she might be able to help with?"
"She's a student, Albus! You really have gone mad!"
"A student as she may be, she's not a child anymore, Severus. I think we've all noticed this, you especially. And Potter maybe, but mostly you I suspect."
"I don't dare think it. I don't dare it at all, Albus, and you don't seem to be much help either. I want to despise her! I wish to despise her, but instead of hate it's the opposite! Damn it! Why can't life just be simple?"
"It's your wish, Severus, not mine." Kara didn't listen any further because she heard Albus coming towards the door. She stepped aside out of Severus's view just as Albus walked out of the door. Unfortunately her cover was blown.
"Good evening, Ms. Simmons. It's a lovely night, wouldn't you agree?"
"Yes, Professor. It's a beautiful night. I'm sorry for being so rude, but I have a question of fairness for Professor Snape if you don't mind."
"Go right ahead, child. I must be off anyhow." Albus winked before disappearing down the hall. Kara took a deep breath and took a step in front of the open door and into the light. Severus sat at his desk looking at her with anger, disgust, and was that fear? Fear of her overhearing something important perhaps?
"May I help you, Ms. Simmons?" Severus asked with sarcastic politeness.
"Yes, actually, you can. Ron tells us that you gave him an unfair grade for a pop quiz in which we had no time to study for."
"My business is none of yours, Ms. Simmons. If that is all you have to say, please leave."
"Actually, it isn't. I demand you change his grade or at least let him retake the quiz! It is by means unfair and I will go to Professor Dumbledore if you do not do anything." Severus sighed.
"I am in no mood to argue with you. My business is none of yours and that includes the grades of other students. Please leave, Ms. Simmons, or I will have to report you to your Head of House for not listening to a professor."
"I am in no mood to argue with you," Kara rudely mimicked. "I'm surprised that's coming out of your mouth, Professor, considering it is you who always wants to argue. It is you who always has some reason for criticizing someone. It is you who seems to be so rude to everyone you meet without even giving them a chance. You, sir, are a fool. In fact, I'm surprised Dumbledore would give the likes of you a chance. I came here to ask one simple thing and you choose to just flat out ignore it! Is it really that hard to be kind for once, Professor Snape? I can do it. Harry, Ron, Hermoine, hell even Draco can do it! But you? No. You'll be kind to someone when Hell freezes over and Voldemort is the manager of Burger King!" Severus sighed once more and stood up.
"I will not have this coming from you, Ms. Simmons. Leave immediately. Now." Kara didn't hesitate. She walked out and slammed the door behind her. She hurried back to the common room and up to the girls' dormitory before Hermoine, Harry, or Ron could open their mouths. She was walking out the portrait with her guitar before they could say anything to her.
Kara walked to the top of the astrometry tower. She quickly tuned her guitar. She snag a quick couple of notes before gently playing a solid tune. She waited a few moments before singing in her sweet mellow voice.
"Perfect by nature, icons of self indulgence. Just what we all need, more lies about a world that never was and never will be. Have you no shame? Don't you see me?
You know you've got everybody fooled. Look here she comes now. Bow down and stare in wonder. Oh how we love you, no flaws when you're pretending, but now I know she never was and never will be. You don't know how you betrayed me and somehow you've got everybody fooled. Without the mask where will you hide? Can't find yourself lost in your lies. I know the truth now, I know who you are, and i don't love you anymore. It never was and never will be. You don't know how you betrayed me and somehow you've got everybody fooled. It never was and never will be. You're not real and you can't save me. Somehow now you're everybody's fool…"
Somewhere in the castle lay a mysterious figure in his bed. He just listened to the music coming through his bedroom music as he lie there. 'Yes,' he though as he turned over to sleep, 'Yes I am.'
So, did you like it? Please review! I love reviews and I'm sure if you have/had a story you do/would love reviews too! So is that a yes? PLEASE? Hugs to those who do! And thanx so much to everyone who at least gave my story some thought!
