A Second Chance

DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING; I JUST MESS AROUND IN J.K. ROWLING'S WORLD.

Summary: Severus goes to a death eater meeting thinking that the recent torture ended in death. Much to his surprise though, he finds the beautiful Isabelle Jackson in critical shape. As she heals from her injuries of the flesh as well of the mind, she helps Severus heal from the scars left by his morbid past.

A/N: This takes place at Hogwarts (mostly) during the seventh book. The only change to the first six books is that Severus never killed Dumbledore, nor will Dumbledore going to die from Gaunt's ring. That's all I can think of right at the moment. I might think of something else later on.

Chapter One

Living Memory

Severus hurried through the halls of the Malfoy Manor listening for the screams of the death eater's latest acquisition. Supposedly today was to be a torture session. He was late in coming, and he hoped that the dark lord would not force him to participate in the tormenting.

"You're late, Severus," Voldemort hissed angrily.

"Forgive me, my lord," Severus muttered hiding his real thoughts as he bowed before Voldemort.

"Forgive You!" he screeched, "I asked very little of you today Severus, and yet you FAIL me!! Crucio!"

Severus writhed in agony but refused to let the dark lord hear his cries.

"I will not stop until I hear you scream!" Voldemort spat.

"My lord," Lucius spoke up tentatively, "Perhaps another time would be, AH!"

Voldemort stuck him across the face, "You dare try to stop me! You Impertinent FOOL! However," He said more calmly, "Perhaps you are right. Now is not the time. The girl has fouled up my mind and brought me to the edge of my temper."

In his mind, Severus gasped. Who was such a girl to cloud Voldemort's mind?

"Get up," he yelled.

Obediently Severus stood, drawing in slow even breaths, trying to counteract the effects of the Cruciatus curse.

"Now, I didn't call you here to be a second torture victim," Voldemort started, "No, I have a much more productive use of you."

"What would that be," Severus asked then added hastily, "My lord."

"You see Severus; I had a girl brought in. She was becoming too much of a threat. I let Malfoy, Carrow, and Lestrange have her. No matter how many times they cursed her, they could get neither secret nor scream from her. You know how much I like screams," He paused waiting for Severus to say something.

"Of course, Lord," Severus replied dutifully, hiding his inner disgust.

"Well, I had to sop those three before I was given the privilege of her scream. Another spell surely would have killed her," Voldemort told him, "I still wish to hear her though. I want you to take her back with you to Hogwarts. Let her be healed, and let her think she has your affections. When you feel you have weakened her as much as is necessary, bring her back, and we'll have another try," He instructed.

"It will be done, my lord," Severus intoned trying desperately not to clench his teeth in hatred.

"Good," Voldemort smiled a wicked sneer, "Lucius! Take him to the girl."

"Severus," Malfoy said, faking his friendly tone as he opened the door and let Severus go out first.

"Lucius," Severus nodded faking friendliness as well.

Malfoy led him down a series of hallways until they reached a heavy wooden door tucked away out of sight. It was just slightly ajar, and heavy breathing could be heard from within.

"I'll warn you now, but it will still take you by surprise," Malfoy started to say.

"I've seen your victims before Malfoy. I need no warning of the gruesome sight."

"I wasn't referring to that," Malfoy retorted.

"Pray tell, what could you possibly wish to warn me of then?" Severus asked crossly.

"You know her," was all he said as he swept down the halls, leaving Severus standing outside the door.

Severus whirled around to question him, but Lucius had already whisked around the corner. Cursing under his breath, Severus pulled open the large door to reveal a woman sprawled across the bed. Even in the dim light, he could see the blood pouring from her many wounds, and he could tell sheets were stained red with blood. Drawing closer, he noticed the tears in her robes. Wherever flesh was seen, it was torn, raw, or blistered. Also her limbs were askew.

Severus took out his now lit wand and brought it to the woman's face.

"Isabelle!" Severus gasped.

Isabelle tried to open her eyes, but the livid scar across her right eye only made it possible to open her left eye.

Surprise registered along with a spasm of pain as she feebly asked, "Severus? What are you doing here?"

"Helping you," Severus choked out, while lifting her out of the bed.

A small groan of pain escaped from her lips, and Isabelle clung tightly to Severus, "Where are we going?"

"Hogwarts," he replied and pulled a chain out from under his robes.

On the chain there hung a simple silver band with words etched deeply into the surface.

"How?" She murmured painfully.

"Port key," Severus answered.

He held tightly to Isabelle, and reached for the ring. The ring whirred and spun, taking them to Hogwarts even as Isabelle fell unconscious.

888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888

Albus, Minerva, and Poppy had all gone to Dumbledore's office to discuss Isabelle's health. Only Severus remained in the infirmary. He stood protectively over Isabelle's prone form. He studied her bruised face with a mournful expression.

Once upon a time, Isabelle had been a spirited woman full of life and love. Now she lay on a stark white bed, hardly even breathing. Severus could hardly comprehend it. Why did this happen to her? She deserved no such thing. He on the other hand deserved to be beaten in full, or so he thought.

The longer Severus watched Isabelle the angrier and depressed he got. Who was Voldemort to do this to people? Why was Severus even born? Questions rolled through his head, bringing hot stinging tears to his eyes. He put his head in his hands as he cried for his mental and Isabelle's physical pain.

"Severus?" Albus said gently, "Are you alright."

Severus straightened up, and wiped his eyes angrily, "I didn't hear you come in."

"And if you had, I never would have seen you like this." Dumbledore said.

"You shouldn't have seen me like this," Severus muttered.

"What's wrong?" he asked gently.

Severus remained silent and stared out at the falling rain.

"Severus, please!" Albus prodded, "I just want to help you."

"You've done enough," he replied and turned to leave.

"It's about Isabelle isn't it?" Albus guessed.

Severus paused and his shoulders stiffened. Without saying a word he opened the door.

"Severus, it's not too late you know," Dumbledore continued, "A second chance is…"

"I had my second chance!" Severus snapped, "I… I never should have even had a first."

With that, Severus left the room slamming the door behind him. He stormed to his quarters in the staff rooms, and immediately threw himself at his latest potion. His work always kept the pain, until today.

After only moments of brewing, Severus was once again reliving the horrible things of the past, and his head throbbed. He pushed the cauldron away and grabbed his head as the ache intensified. He hurriedly ran to his bathroom where he gulped down a dreamless-sleep-potion.

Finally Severus found his only peace of that day in sleep. No matter how hard his memories tried they could find no entry, and he slept blissfully on until morning.

888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888

A/N If any of you who read this have not read my story The Beauty and the Beast Effect, I should probably let you know that this won't be continued for a while. I'm waiting until I finish BBE before I start on something else. I was just asking my reviewers to vote between this story and another of which one they want me to do first. If you'd like to vote as well, the other story is called Heart and Soul, and is a HG/SS story.

Let me know what you think! I'm looking forward to the reviews! ;-) Ha-ha!