A Woman From Voldemort's Past
Chapter One: The Mysterious Assistant
The doors of the Great Hall swung open, a small cat with the markings of a white tiger strolled in without care. He flicked his tail from side to side, then approached the head table where the Professors' were sitting. A figure, thin and frail looking, clad in a long, black cloak, entered the Hall as well. The stranger's every movement was fluid and exercised with effortless grace. The cloaked stranger walked purposefully toward the table of Professors, then curtsied gracefully to them all. They took a few steps back and removed the hood covering their face.
Her flesh was pale and smooth, almost like porcelain. Her hair was chestnut brown and pulled up into a loose bun, a few mid-back length tresses hung down to frame her thin face. Her eyes were deep, navy pools of mystery. In general, she was quite striking. A faint smile traced her thin lips as she looked directly at Albus Dumbledore.
The Headmaster stood and walked around the table, something he had never done before, and greeted her warmly. "Greetings, Miss Sage. A pleasure to see you again. I trust you received my letter then?" He spread his arms wide to embrace her, but she backed away from him quickly.
For an instant, fear crept into her eyes as she looked at him, but she banished it quickly and offered him a warm smile. When she spoke, her voice was honeyed, soft and sweet. "Yes, Sir. I am quite honored that you would call upon me to be a Professor's Aide here at Hogwarts."
There was a gasp from many of the students present, only a select few knew who she was. Headmaster Dumbledore's eyes gleamed with joy. "Good, good. Then you accept the offer?"
"Of course, Sir. How could I refuse when you have always been so kind and generous to me?"
His smile broadened as he looked at her. "Well, turn around, girl. Let's have a look at you. You've grown quite a bit since last I saw you. Quite the young lady you've turned out to be."
She smiled and nodded, then turned as he asked. When she faced him again, her eyes danced slightly with her own happiness. "It's good to be back, Sir. Though Beauxbatons was nice, it is nothing in comparison to Hogwarts."
Noticing the look of confusion on many of the Professors' faces, Dumbledore turned to them and waved a hand at the woman. "This is Miss Adara Sage. I'm sure most of you will remember her. For those who don't, she was quite an accomplished student."
Adara curtsied to the Professors again, the smile never leaving her face. "Greetings to you all. I trust you are well."
There was an audible gasp from many of the Professors in recognition of the woman. Professor McGonagall grinned faintly at Adara and nodded to her. "A pleasure to see you again, my dear."
There were nods and smiles across the table from all the Professors save one. Dumbledore turned to this man with a knowing grin. "This is Professor Serverus Snape, Miss Sage." He leaned closer and whispered in her ear. "A most disagreeable sort at times, but quite tolerable, I assure you." He winked at Adara as he introduced her to Professor Snape.
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance. I have heard of you at Beauxbatons. You are a Potions Master, as I recall. And quite infamous."
The corner of Professor Snape's mouth twitched slightly, but nothing more. He nodded to the woman. "Yes, I am the Potions Professor. And what will you be assigned with?"
She looked at Dumbledore questioningly. It was obvious she had not been informed of what she was to help teach. He looked back at her with a smile. "Defense Against the Dark Arts, of course. Miss Sage here is quite exemplary in many areas of study, however I feel she is best suited for this one." He gave her a look of admiration then turned to the students. "As you have just overheard, this is Miss Sage, she will be assisting Professor Graft. I am certain you will show her the utmost respect."
The sound of clapping resounded through the Hall, though it seemed rehearsed and empty. Adara nodded to the students, her navy eyes washing over those present as though studying them. A few students shifted uncomfortably under her piercing gaze and the masses fell silent.
"Now, you will need an office and a room, won't you?" Dumbledore's voice interrupted her concentration.
"Yes, Sir. That would be quite hospitable of you." She nodded to him and continued to smile vaguely.
"First, shall we see what house you may still belong in, Miss Sage?" His eyes gleamed as though he already knew. Adara simply smiled and nodded in response. Professor McGonagall brought out the Sorting Hat and handed it to Adara. She carefully placed it on her head and waited for the inevitable.
The hat was quiet for some time, then a soft whisper fell upon her ears. "Now this is a mind I remember. You were a confusing one to choose in the beginning, and you have not changed since. You possess the courage and strength of heart of Gryffindor, the compassion and gentle spirit of Hufflepuff, the generosity and intelligence of Ravenclaw, and the ambition and wit of Slytherin. For the second time I ask you, where would you prefer to be?"
Her lips did not move but her navy eyes seemed to glaze faintly. Her mind answered the hat. 'I would prefer Slytherin, if it's alright with you. I belonged there once, I am certain I will belong there again.'
"Very well, Adara Sage, your house shall still be...SLYTHERIN!" the Sorting Hat called out.
Adara pulled the hat from her head with a smile, her navy eyes returning to normal. She lightly brushed her lips over the material of the battered hat and spoke aloud to it. "You are still, above all, the handsomest hat I have ever seen."
"Oh, I do like this one," the hat spoke in return. And had it flesh rather than felt, it likely would have blushed.
Professor McGonagall smiled as she put the Sorting Hat away. Normally there was loud and raucous applause from the Slytherin table when their numbers were increased, but this time they were completely silent.
Adara was moving to a seat at the Slytherin table when Dumbledore stopped her. "No, my dear. You are a Professor's Aide now, and so you shall sit with the rest of us." Professor McGonagall pulled a chair to the table between Professor Snape and Professor Graft. Snape grimaced at this gesture, but made no objections. Adara nodded to Dumbledore and took her seat at the head table.
When the students and teachers had had their fill of dinner, Adara was escorted to her private chambers by Professor Snape. He spoke not one word to her as they walked to one of the many towers, so Adara decided to strike up a conversation. "I must admit, I am quite honoured to be in your presence, Sir. And at the same time, you intimidate me."
Professor Snape straightened his posture slightly at her comment, but his expression did not change. "Thank you, Miss Sage.", was all he said to her until they reached her quarters. "This is your room. I hope it is to your liking. I will meet you here in the morning to escort you to your office, then someone else will take responsibility in showing you to your classroom. Goodnight." He turned and stalked off down the corridor.
Adara let out a sigh and entered her room. It was simply humongous. She thought for a moment that the Headmaster must have taken into account what she was and provided a room that would best suit her. She waved one delicate hand and a fire immediately began to blaze in the hearth, slowly warming the chambers. She removed her cloak and hung it in a nearby closet, then looked about to find where her things had been placed.
She unpacked quickly, placing clothing and objects where they rightfully belonged, then moved out to her sitting room and deposited herself in a cushioned chair with a sigh of relief. She watched the dancing flames for awhile, then decided that sleep would be an excellent option if she was to be up for her class in the morning. She stood and moved to her bedroom, slipping out of her black dress and into a nightgown. She slid into bed and pulled up the blankets. Sleep found her quickly, but it was not pleasant.
As she ran for the door, he lunged at her again. He outweighed her by far and she found herself thrust onto her bed again. She cried out, but no sound came. No one would help her, no one even knew he was there. Her clothing was ripped from her small body as she lay there quivering in fear of what was going to happen to her.
His long, clawlike nails raked her pale, smooth flesh, tearing deep trenches into it. Again her mouth opened to scream out in pain, and again nothing was emitted. His teeth sank deeply into her neck and she thought for a moment if this was what a vampire's kiss was like. She writhed and kicked, trying in vain to free herself from his terrible grasp. Then she felt it, the sharp pain of lust as he entered her tiny body. Her back arched and her fingers gripped the sides of her mattress in agony. She threw herself from side to side trying desperately to escape him. He would show her no mercy though, and continued to wreak havoc upon her.
Cold sweat dampened her face and back as she sat up in her bed. Her breathing was ragged and heavy as she gasped in the dark. She could hear someone knocking on the door to her chamber so she quickly rose from her bed, gathered herself, and got dressed. She pulled her hair up into a bun and fastened it as she walked to the door. Upon opening it, she saw the person she thought she would.
Professor Snape stood there looking rather frustrated. "Are you not ready yet?" his tone was somewhat patronizing as he spoke. He looked her face over with his black eyes and frowned but did not comment on her appearance.
"I am almost ready, Sir. Please forgive my tardiness. You may come in, if you like. It would be more comfortable for you to ..."
He cut her off. "I will wait where I am." His words were curt. He stood where he was, not moving in the slightest.
"Very well," Adara returned his harsh tone and disappeared back into her room. Before turning away from him, she thought she noticed a look of shock beneath his grimace. She smiled to herself as she finished getting ready. She gathered up what she would need for the day, and quickly tidied herself. She rushed back to the door and gasped when she did not see the Professor there. Thinking his patience had worn out, she sighed and closed the door as she left the room.