The Seal of the Sorcerers
Chapter One
The Sorceress was the first person he laid eyes on. She was clad in elegant green and white robes. Her face was young, an Asian face, one that looked no older than twenty—but her eyes were ancient and profound. She looked at him with a knowing smile when he woke, but did not speak.
Severus blinked, feeling disoriented. He registered that he was on a bed—a large, soft bed that felt like he was sleeping on a cloud. Beyond that, the only image he could clearly see was the young woman's face. He looked up to see a blur of colors from what seemed to be the canopy of the bed. He tried to move his arms. They shifted slightly, but with great difficulty. He let out a groan.
What happened? He wondered, confused and groggy. He could not remember his name for a moment, or what had transpired. He certainly did not recognize the young woman either. Was he supposed to be here?
What was he doing?
It all came back in a rush. Severus gasped as his head pounded angrily. Voldemort—Voldemort thought he was the master of the Elder Wand and had Nagini bite him—then Potter—he had tried to make Potter understand but the best he could do was release his memories for the boy to see in the Pensieve later—did Potter survive? How long was he out? Was he dead?
" Yes and no." Said the young woman, still smiling. " You are dead, to the wizards at least. But life takes many forms still."
His vision was clearing. It was a canopy, above him—ornate designs were woven into the fabric. He swallowed. His throat was dry. No, he definitely did not know this woman.
" Who are you?" He rasped.
" They call me the Sorceress." Said she. " Here."
She was holding a goblet of water. Severus blinked, realizing she had been sitting earlier, for now she was towering over where he laid flat. She helped him sit up to drink. The cool water tasted so sweet—he had no idea water could taste so sweet.
She moved back as he continued to recover his bearings.
He stared at her back as she set the cup down on a tray that carried a porcelain pitcher.
" Can I…" He hesitated as she did not seem to react, " Can I see Lily?"
She paused noticeably at this.
" Lily Evans?" She inquired.
" Yes." Severus affirmed, wondering if perhaps she was surprised he would want to see Harry's mother. Maybe she did not know.
" Lily Evans is dead." She said mysteriously, finally turning around. " Is there anything you need?"
Severus frowned, confusion coursing through him like a wave. " I thought…"
" She is very much dead." Said the Sorceress. " And you are very much alive."
A heavy silence descended, as Severus struggled to rise from the newfound despair of being unable to meet with Lily yet again. Confusion warred for dominance once more.
" How?" He asked. " I—Nagini—"
The Sorceress smiled, an expression strangely sweet, her eyes twinkling a little like Dumbledore's, only with much more grace.
" You are still alive, yes."
Severus blinked a few times, trying to come up with a response.
" I am not quite the one to explain to you." The Sorceress told Severus. " Nor is this the right time. Rest assured, however; all will be revealed."
She stepped closer to the bed and rested her fair hand against his forehead. " Be at peace."
Despite his best attempts to resist, Severus fell back asleep
oO
When Severus woke again he was alone in the room. His vision was better this time around, and he saw that the room was about the same size as his old room at Hogwarts, with tempered colors. He still did not know where he was, but he knew where he was not: he was not at Hogwarts, nor anywhere near it.
He sat up with some difficulty, for his body felt heavy and his muscles were loose and useless. He noted he was in white pajamas—he had not worn white in years, and as he ran his hand through his hair he felt it was even greasier than usual. His hand came away with a black, filmy substance.
The door opened then, and the Sorceress came in. A tray hovered behind her, and she held the door open as it came in alongside her. She had no wand, nor did she even look at the tray. Severus stared at the spectacle, hand still held out, slightly black.
" Ah." Said the Sorceress, grinning. " Good, you are awake again." She shut the door. " It appears they have seen fit to assign me as your house maid for now."
Severus was dumbfounded for a moment, and finally recovered when the Sorceress was already beside him. The tray held two large bowls, one with brown liquid, the other with black.
" Who is they?" He asked. " And who are you?"
The young woman (or could she be older than she seemed?) smiled at him in a manner almost patronizing. Then again, he had asked a question she had answered before. " You would understand no more if I tell you who they are, and as I said; I am called the Sorceress." She glanced at his hand. " Oh, wonderful."
She said this with genuine pleasure, implying that somehow Severus should have black filmy stuff in his hair. Her next comment instantly confirmed and clarified that. " You are finally expelling the toxins." She lifted the bowl of black liquid. " If you can, Master Wizard, drink this?"
Master Wizard. Somehow, the title of "Sorceress" made a little more sense. Wherever he was, wizards were not prevalent. He stared at the bowl and reached out. She settled the bowl gently in his hands, but he was unable to hold the weight by himself.
" Hm, still a bit weak." She let go of the bowl. Somehow it hovered in the air. All Severus had to do was direct it.
" What is this?" He asked. He did not recognize the smell, though it smelled of herbs and spices and the earth.
" Something for the toxins." Said the Sorceress, turning back and stirring the bowl of brown liquid. " You had plenty in your system in solute form, from the years you have inhaled fumes from your potions classroom. That was nothing compared to the hurtful spells you were subjected to, and that," She gave him a funny look, " Was nothing compared to your own emotional toxins."
Severus looked at her at that, but she had turned away again. He glanced at the bowl. He did not recognize the potion at all, but there was something about the Sorceress that made him wish to trust her.
Well. Severus thought. If she wanted to kill me she would have done so already. Poisoning him would hardly be the most efficient.
The liquid tasted absolutely foul, but as a Potions Master, Severus was used to such things. The potion made him feel ill, and for a moment he wondered if he had been wrong; that she had, indeed, poisoned him. But as he broke out into sweat, he realized why he was ill.
Beads of black, filmy sweat formed along his skin. He knew, with some sorrow, that the white pajamas was going to be stained. Perhaps that was the purpose—to measure how stained his sweat still was. He felt so nauseous that he could no longer think, except to wish the feeling would pass quickly. He opened his eyes to see the Sorceress standing over him, the second bowl above him. She poured it over his face, but the liquid traveled slowly down, coating his skin all over, under the pajamas, warm and sticky.
" What…" He rasped, the sickness taking his voice. " What…"
He had the presence of mind to realize she could have ignored the question—it would probably have been easier for her, but she did not. " It isolates the toxins from the tissues into your blood." She said. " So that you can later expel it, in a different way. As well, it prevents you from suffering from the chill, due to your skin pores widening as they are now."
Why? Severus wanted to ask her. Why is she doing this? Is she helping him? Preparing him? But he was too weak to speak at this point.
" Rest." She said, lifting her hand, and Severus recognized the gesture as the one that had put him to sleep the first time. " Know a free gift when given. The wise know what to trust as well as not. Sleep."
oO
This time, when Severus woke, he was much stronger. A chair with robes was beside his bed. It was not black, as he normally would have preferred, but a gray blue, which was not terrible. He glanced at his hands and noted that they seemed rather dark, though not dirty. He ran his fingers through his hair and felt, with surprise, clean, dry locks. His chest felt lighter, and his head felt clearer. Whatever those potions had done, they had made him better somehow.
His pajamas were still white and clean, perhaps due to a cleansing spell. He was well taken care of, he decided, and ventured to show his gratitude somehow, remembering the last words of the Sorceress. The robes, he noted as he changed, were soft, softer than cotton. Once clad, he felt they looked very much informal. Just as well; he was better, but he did not feel up to go outside. The slippers also indicated he was not expected to go out.
Assuming, of course, he can—but remembering the Sorceress's words, he shook off that thought.
The door opened easily, and he was welcomed with rather loud chatter. There were robe-clad figures in a huge hall right outside his room, all carrying staves. He tried to find the sorceress that had taken care of him, but she was nowhere to be found. No one seemed to notice he had come out, and he lingered in his room bashfully, for everyone else was dressed in much more refined robes than he.
" I say this again," He heard one man enunciate loudly, " If the dead complain, you show them the fist. That is all there is to it."
" They know as much as you." Said his companion.
" Which is why you do!"
A middle-aged couple walked past, still not heeding Severus.
" She will not be pleased." Said the wife to her husband. " Once she finds out, she will not be pleased at all. She had specific instructions."
" That is his affair, not mine." Said the husband. " I have done my part. She knows as much."
" How many days do you think this will cost us?" The wife asked.
" A week, at least. We have to redistribute our resources for this."
The noise was so loud, Severus knew there must be a charm to block all of the sound out in his room, for it had been quiet and peaceful. He wondered if he should go back in and wait, but he then noticed that some people saw him, but did not really take notice.
Feeling braver by this proof that he did not look completely ridiculous, he stepped fully out, pulling the door behind him, but not closing it. He wondered where his wand was, who these people were, and where the Sorceress was. They were not wizards; the robes were very different, and their magic felt different as well. Once he stepped into the crowd, however, he felt very lost, and was reluctant to speak directly to any of the members without being spoken to.
Finally, pulling on his courage, he interrupted the two men who were speaking before.
" Excuse me," He started, and they instantly stopped to look at him. " Pardon me, but…" What could he say? What did he even want? " I am looking for…"
Would they know who she was if he just said she was the sorceress?
" I am looking for the Sorceress." He tried bravely, hoping he did not sound like a complete fool.
" You are the young wizard." Said the first man, sounding even more patronizing than Dumbledore and Voldemort combined. " Fancy that! You look much better, I daresay. When they first brought you in, you were a rag."
Severus was speechless. " Who…" He began, " Who are 'they', and where am I?"
" I do not know." Said the first man. " Some group. I just know those particular mages are very powerful, but beyond that I cannot say."
" Indeed!" His companion laughed, " Anyone less powerful would hardly be bold enough to stick her with one of their responsibilities."
" You are at the Grand Auditorium Hall." Said the first man. " I am sure the Sorceress will be with you shortly."
So they did just call her the Sorceress. Perhaps it was how it worked here.
He must have looked a little lost, for the mages then said kindly, " Come, Master Wizard. We will look for the Sorceress, doubtless she wishes to see you as well."
" Heir of Slytherin!" Someone was exclaiming. " Heir of Slytherin indeed, as if Slytherin is good enough to have any heirs—"
" Come now," Someone else interrupted, " He was powerful in his own right—"
" An absolute maniac—"
" Sorceress!" The first man bowed down. Before them stood, indeed, the Sorceress herself. The other mage bowed as well.
She had taken them by surprise, Severus realized, from the way the two men suddenly became meek and nervous. He himself was startled as well, and he was not sure if he should bow as well. She looked a lot more intimidating than she had at his bedside, her robes more ornate, and with a headdress covering her long black hair, her eyes dark and piercing, face lifted half-disdainfully, and exuding an aura of authority. He could not sense her magic though—she had hidden it.
" Master Mages." She acknowledged, a bit imperiously, before turning her eyes on Severus. " Master Wizard." She inclined her head. She was holding a staff of her own, which she moved from her right hand to her left, and raising her right hand out to him, she gestured, " I see you have recovered considerably."
Speechless with awe, Severus wondered if he was doomed to always come across powerful persons as she and succumb to their will. First Headmaster Dumbledore, then Voldemort, then Headmaster Dumbledore again. For all his supposed magical power, he was always facing people infinitely more powerful than himself. So far the Sorceress displayed no such might, but he sensed, intuitively, that she was a figure of great influence indeed.
The two mages looked a little awkward at his hesitation, but the Sorceress did not seem to mind. She smiled at him, a soft smile, and encouraged by this familiar expression, Severus took her hand.
" Thank you, Master Mages," The Sorceress said to the two men. " You may go."
" Heir of Slytherin, hahaha!" Another group erupted into laughter as she led him toward the front of the hall. Severus turned his head, no so much insulted as bemused. Seeing his inquiring look, the Sorceress slowed a little to explain.
" Your Dark Lord has fallen." She told him. " The child prevailed."
Ah. A weight lifted from his chest, a weight he was not even aware of being there. He had accomplished something, at least. No matter how indirect.
More laughter sounded, and some joke at Voldemort's expense. To his surprise the Sorceress let go of his hand to address the group.
" You may laugh." She said to the members, " But he has caused great suffering, and that is no laughing matter."
Their mirth dissipated at that, and the group bowed to her as one, remonstrated. Then they bowed apologetically to Severus, who did not know how to respond. It was fine, in the end, however; the Sorceress took his hand again and began leading him to the front of the hall, where huge gates were half open, revealing a sunny day outside.
" Where are we going?" Severus thought to ask. He felt like one of those muggles stepping into Diagon Alley for the first time.
" You wished to see the Witch Lily Evans." The Sorceress reminded him.
Taken-aback, Severus said cautiously, " You implied I could not see her."
" You could not see her while you were bedridden." She replied. " You can go to her. She cannot come to you. That is why."
Severus felt all the more confused. " But you said I was not dead."
" And you are not." The Sorceress replied patiently.
Feeling a little irritated at how she never elaborated more than she needed to, Severus demanded, " Then what is going on? Can you raise the dead?"
" No." She replied, non-fazed by his slightly shorter temper. " But beings like us can pass through the realm of the dead. They are simply not free to pass through to our world, unless they chose to before they crossed over."
This is impossible, Severus thought, and the Sorceress, as if hearing him, let go of his hand, but she kept walking, and Severus followed her. She said nothing of this, so he assumed he was doing the right thing.
Outside the hall were marble streets and other magnificent buildings. There were people heading back and forth like any wizard city, all clad in robes of different styles and colors. When they noticed the Sorceress they all stopped to bow, but the Sorceress did not acknowledge them and kept walking. The hall they just left exited through main wooden doors which opened to wide steps leading down to the main boulevard, upon which carriages drawn by both horses, thestrals, and other equine beasts, rolled along the marble bricks. The air smelled fresh and light, and Severus felt almost cleansed with each inhalation.
He was going to see Lily.
The slippers made it hard to walk down the steps, and as if sensing his struggle, the Sorceress slowed again, until they reached the bottom. With a watery shimmer, her headdress disappeared and she was clad again in the green and white robes he first saw her in. She lifted her staff and it disappeared as well.
" We are heading there." She said, pointing to a large, dark-red building. " The Veil lies there, and the path back."
A little nervous, Severus asked, " Will we be trapped?"
The Sorceress laughed lightly. " Of course not. But I should be fairly displeased if I must use my own powers to bring you back. That is, after all, not my task." She continued walking, and Severus hurried to follow her.
" What is going on?" He asked, his courage suddenly growing in his haste. " I don't understand. Why am I here? What am I doing here? What is going to happen?"
For the most part the Sorceress had been very forthcoming with him. Now, however, she only gave him a small smile, never slowing her pace, though it was a reasonable walk enough.
" As I said before," She replied patiently, " That is not for me to say. You will learn more from them."
" Who is 'them'?" Severus asked, not liking the idea of having people in control of his life that he was not aware of.
The Sorceress gestured to the building. They have arrived. There were a few steps to climb, but not much.
Not understanding, but feeling to ask any more questions, he would overstep his bounds, Severus kept his peace as they entered the red building. Inside it was dark, and illuminated by candles. The Sorceress guided him through the long hall, inside, where it opened up to reveal a large room not unlike the room holding the Veil at the Ministry back in London.
" Barb." The Sorceress called out, and a shadow jumped to its feet. A middle-aged man hurried to the fore.
" Sorceress!" He exclaimed, then hurriedly bowed. The Sorceress sighed at this.
" Open the Veil." She said to Barb. " We will be passing through."
" Yes my lady!" Barb hurried to two curtains Severus had not noticed before, and opened them to reveal two gates. " At once, my lady!"
He stepped back, and one of the doors opened. The Sorceress turned to him as the gate revealed a black unknown.
Feeling frightened for some unfathomable reason, Severus remained were he stood, not approaching the gates. A silence descended over the room.
" You face death before with ease and willingness." Said the Sorceress. " What lied then on the other side, lies there yet. Why fear it so now?"
Severus could not reply. I did not have to make a choice then. He thought. I was killed. I was not marching headlong toward death.
What if Lily hated him still? What if she blamed him for her death? What if she blamed him for Sirius Black? For Peter Pettigrew, for Harry—the way he treated the child, all these years, for Dumbledore. He had so much she would blame him for. Could he really face it now?
Heartbreak, heartbreak, when she chose James over him, when Harry was born, when Severus was left without a friend—
" The dead exist from beyond." The Sorceress broke into his thoughts. " It is those who live who do not see, for Death clears the past as it clears the future."
What did she mean? Severus swallowed. Death clears the past as it clears the future. Of course it cleared the future—the person is no longer in the future if he dies. But clear the past?
Perhaps she meant Lily understands. He thought. It did not excuse any of what he did, but perhaps, maybe, Lily was willing to forgive him.
It did not matter that he did not deserve her forgiveness. The longing for it was too much to bear.
Without further thought, he strode forward, and passed through the Veil.