Disclaimer- I don't own Harry Potter, I make no money at all from this Fic. Though I do own Regina Whyteleafe XD Enjoy!
Blood splattered every surface, spraying across the ceiling and walls, every surface marred by the ghostly touch of crimson, bodies lay sprawled amongst the carnage of what had once been a fine Muggle residence. And it was clear from the large scorch marks still smouldering on the walls and carpet that there had indeed been a struggle…
Lifeless brown eyes gazed up at the Professor from amongst the tattered remains of a couch, long hair plastered down against chilled grey skin, the sweet lively features being reduced to a cold mask of horror and terror… An arm lay stretched out amongst the blood-soaked stuffing, reaching towards a wand that lay just out of reach. Below the lily white face, the flesh of her chest was scorched black, burnt right through and right into the carpet beneath her, flesh and muscle melted inwards… distorted and distended…
Blue eyes looked from the body of the child towards the fallen arm that stretched out beyond the doorframe, showing that it had been the middle aged woman who had died first, struck down the moment she had opened the door. Cut down as if she were nothing… Bloody footprints stained the white carpets under her body, two sets coming in… catching the next to come out of the living room… The man sitting up against the wall, his body slumped limply sideways…
But it was the body of the girl that brought the most grief to the heart of Albus Dumbledore as he stood in the centre of the living room of the Granger home, gazing down at the fallen child who had succumbed to the bloody hands of war. His head twisted towards the figure of the woman that hovered in the doorway from the backyard, catching the startled look in her eyes as she surveyed the horrible scene, her expression suddenly becoming shuttered at the sight of the two Muggles.
"Its just like before." The voice was barely above a whisper, the slender woman stepping fully into the room and slowly crossed the floor towards the fallen man, dropping to her knees beside Mr Granger, a hand reaching out to lightly touch the slightly warm skin of the man. Under the slightest of touches, he slipped further sideways, collapsing to the floor like a puppet that had had its strings cut. A long crimson smear swept across the white surface of the wall. "Exactly…"
Abruptly she was standing, when she had turned to face the Headmaster, staring down at the body of Hermione Granger, brown eyes widening slightly as she looked into the face…
"I am so sorry, my Dear."
"No… no…"
Before she stared at Dumbledore, frozen sharply to the spot, caught like a deer in the headlights of an oncoming car. Her mouth opened slightly for a moment, before straightening, her eyes gazing around at her at all the horror that surrounded her, the images reflecting those she had seen once before. Seen so long ago…
There is no escape from this one fate, no quick way to erase the War's touch from this moment.
"If this is discovered, it shall hinder the war effort." Albus Dumbledore was speaking low to the woman opposite him, dark blue eyes steady and looking into the mature features of Hermione Granger. A woman not unlike the girl that lay cold and still on the floor between them, one however, far more marked by the passage of time… of a war already fought. "My Dear..."
"There is nothing that can be done to change this. No matter if I went back again… and again… it would never change this day." And she was certain of it, knowing deep down that no matter how much she had desired and longed to protect her parents, she could not succeed… the pivotal point in her existence could not be altered, this decision could not be changed. One could not cheat the rules. "I can't change it…"
"You understand well." A slight nod, though his eyes turned down towards the fallen body of the young teenager…
"Confringo."
Suddenly the body of the young girl was engulfed in flames, being swallowed by the spell, the pair watching on as it was quickly incinerated. Leaving only another charred pit in the floor, as if the younger version of Hermione Granger had never existed. Her ebony wand was still clasped in one hand before she turned slightly to glance at her parents, feeling her heart shrink even more at the sight, as she slipped her wand away.
"A necessity." Her eyes lifted sharply from the hole, the amber colour glinting slightly in the flickering light bulb above her. Shoulders stiff and tense, having just destroyed herself, an act in and of itself was rather odd indeed.
"Harry…" The Headmaster gestured slightly to a photo that stood upon the mantelpiece, the still life image of the Golden Trio, the three friends leaning in their smiles bright and hopeful of a future together. "He must not know. You understand, one more death so close to him would only weaken his resolve. He is the key to victory."
"I understand." And she was bowing her head slightly as she was stepping towards the Headmaster, not quite being able to meet his blue eyes. "Do what you must. It was you who sent me in the first place…"
A wand lifted upwards and suddenly a powerful glamour was cast upon this Hermione Granger, the years and hardships melting away from her as long seconds drifted past. The short cropped hair lengthening about her shoulders, as the slender frame seemed to grow smaller, shrinking and narrowing. Younger and younger…
Ten years had been stripped away, leaving a carbon copy behind… a carbon copy of the young girl, who once brightened these rooms with her presence.
"Come, Miss Granger, there is much to be done this night."
Stooping to pick up the unfamiliar wand, the young witch lifted her head slightly, gazing at the back of Albus Dumbledore, and for a moment wondering… What would become of her?
"It's a foolhardy plan."
"It is the only option available to us," Came the reply, softly spoken and marked with exhaustion, blue eyes crinkling in worry behind half moon glasses. "You must consider it, my Child." A sigh escaped slightly parched lips, the Headmaster sinking back a little more fully into his chair, ancient body taut with so many hidden emotions
"She may well wish to be dead before she considers such an action."
"It is for her own safety… for her protection." Tired blue grey eyes lifted upwards to regard Severus Snape the younger of the men silhouetted against the stormy backdrop by the window, illuminated every few moments by the bolts of lightning lancing across the sky. "She is of great importance to this War…"
"I know." Dark eyes snapped slightly, twisting to regard Dumbledore for a long dark instant, before turning back towards the rain soaked grounds outside. His head rested against the window frame, feeling the cold metal touch against his skin. "You have no need to remind me." Shoulders hunched, he did not take his eyes off the scurrying figures of students fleeing through the rain… A slight smirk of abstract pleasure touched his lips for a brief moment.
"Are we in agreement, then?" Fingers drew the glasses from the tip of his nose, lifting them from his face and turning them in his fingers. A hand rubbed at the ache that resting just behind his eyes.
"Very well." His voice was so quiet that even Dumbledore's rather good hearing barely caught it, for a long moment he remained facing the window before turning around to regard the Headmaster steadily, his jaw set sharply.
"I appreciate you doing so."
"I am not doing it because I want to." Snape hissed, burning dark eyes pinning the older Wizard in his seat, anger marking his sallow features, before his shoulders sharpened slightly, his eyes turning away back to the world outside. "She will be a burden. Insufferable."
"But you understand the necessity of it, I am certain of all people you would know how to handle a girl like Hermione Granger." Dumbledore brought his fingers together, regarding the younger man for a long moment, knowing that the war required such things… More was at stake than just Severus's desire to continue to have such Privacy. It there was any that could possibly contend with Hermione Granger, it would be Severus Snape. "I would not ask you if it weren't necessary, but with the loss of her parents… and the increase of his powers, any advantage we possess is precious. Though the situation with this Law… Makes it all the more important for it to be you."
Another withering glare was enough to silence the old fool, ending the long prattling speech was just about to be used on him once again. "Excuse me, Headmaster. I see no need to remain any longer. You have made it perfectly clear what is required of me." And soon enough with a flap of his long robes swirling about his tall lithe frame, Snape vanished down into the stairwell… heading away from the Headmaster's office towards the sanctuary of the Dungeons.
Dumbledore paused for a long moment, before his head twisted slightly towards the hidden figure standing behind him, his glasses slipped back onto his nose once more, regarding the black robed figure for a long moment. "You understand, don't you?" His dark blue eyes flickered over the form of the Death Eater that stood in his Office, feeling no fear at all looking into that silver masked face. Knowing behind it was Regina Whyteleafe, a rather twisted witch who had somehow come under the spell of Albus's words. "The necessity of your involvement."
A frown touched her lips for only a moment before she glanced towards the shut door, before nodding slightly, a gloved hand pulling the hood more firmly down over her head, shrouding herself in the darkness of her robes in the glaring brightness of Dumbledore's office. "I will keep an eye out for him." Hands smoothed down over her robes, almost unconcerned with the fate of the Spy, before reluctantly nodding slightly.
"He is vital to the War, vital." Blue-grey eyes dropped shut for a moment, a hand resting against his temple for a long moment, before finding the Death Eater standing just behind him, a leather clad fingers squeezing his shoulder softly in sympathy, understanding the necessity of what was to happen. "As well you have told me."
"I will keep him safe, Sir, have no worry of that. I might find him disagreeable, but I know what his survival might mean." For a moment she paused, just letting her hand rest against the colourful fabric of Dumbledore's robes, feeling the tiniest spark of hope rest in some small part of her heart. Maybe this war could indeed be won…
"Follow him, Regina." The firm order came a moment later, a wizened hand gestured towards the stairs, knowing it would be beneficial for her to remain close to Snape that evening before the Summons that was expected. "Attend the meeting as arranged this evening. Make sure you bring him back, I have a fear that Lucius Malfoy will be a little too overzealous this evening over his inclusion in the Inner Circle, and his ambitions for his son."
"As you wish, Headmaster." And the black robed Death Eater bowed low before Dumbledore, eyes flashing from beneath the mask. Before dissolving into the shadows, moving effortlessly towards the stairs and the portkey that waited for her.
"Crucio."
Snape was caught square in the back, almost thrown off his feet by the force of the spell. As if a match had suddenly been struck underneath every nerve, the pain flared rapidly through him, searing through muscle and bone… Pulsing through each gush of blood in his veins, pounding again and again, before it overtook him…
And for a few moments he stood, swaying under the harsh caress of the Cruciatus Curse… Abruptly his legs buckled out from under his body, sending him crashing to his knees in a rather undignified manner. Not a sound escaped him, his vocal cords snapped roughly with the jolts of agony that swept through his body. His iron will prevented Lucius Malfoy from gaining the satisfaction of hearing him cry out, much to the latter's displeasure.
"Crucio!"
A second, blinding wave struck him hard between the shoulder blades, the force of the cast almost pushing him forwards onto his belly, but he stayed upright, stubborn and not about to be put in such a position. Muscle fibres twitched sharply as they contracted, burning jolts of flame brushed magically through each part of him.
Jerking fingers curled about his wand, unable to grasp it fully, his mouth opening slightly, unable to force the sounds of a spell to cross his lips, his mind far beyond his control to whisper a non-verbal cast. Blood seeped from the corner of his lips, sliding slowly down against the inside of the cold mask, burning hotly across his sallow skin and soaking into the edge of his hood… His body already glistened with the sheen of dark blood… long slashes in the fabric revealing deep raw wounds. The grass beneath him damp with rain was also streaked with long swaths of deep red… the colour slowly spreading out about him.
The pointed tip of a wand jabbed sharply against the back of his neck, as if attempting to stab him through the fabric of his hood, the contact of it seared through the material after several moments. His own wand however was sliding through his fingers, slick with body and unable to grasp it due to the tremors that rocked him, the wand dropped onto the wet grass with a soft thump rolling away from his reach.
"Cruci…"
"Caederio!" An unfamiliar curse cut through the air, smashing into Lucius Malfoy who hovered over the kneeling Snape. The slender frame of Regina Whyteleafe stood silhouetted against the moonlit landscape, her mask the only bright point on her form. Deceptively petite, the Witch was not one to be taken lightly in the best of times.
The curse found its mark across Malfoy's side, long whiplash slices crossed over his skin through the fabric of his robes, a fine spray of blood being blasted outwards form his body. It was enough to stun the golden haired Death Eater for a moment, enough to force him away from the downed Potions Master. Another burst of magic smashed into the other man again, sending him back another few steps, enough to drive him away.
Snape was searching for his wand… his strength ebbing with every new pulse of fresh blood over the grass, his slick fingers brushing against the edge of it… but unbalanced… he would fall…
Abruptly he was shoved to the side, the woman dropping before him, just as a brilliant green haze filled his vision, blinding him for a brief moment just as Regina blocked the incoming spell. The Shielding charm shimmering sharply as the two powerful forces collided, exploding outwards in a wave of raw magical energy. An arm thrust against Snape's shoulders as he attempted to rise even a little from the grass, driving him back down with a rough snarl of annoyance from the woman.
The vicious claws of the Cruciatus Curse curled into his flesh, stealing away any more strength he could summon, his dark eyes glaring at the back of the woman who had interfered. Limbs twisted sharply, the jolts of pain flaring through his nerves, electrifying every sense he had as he succumbed to the bitter effects of the Curse. Crimson foam bubbled up slightly from between his lips, frothing up slightly onto the lips of the mask, stealing away most of the air he attempted to suck in… His hand stretched out still, seeking his wand somewhere in the damp blades of grass…
"Coward." The woman hissed between clenched teeth, flinging another spell at Snape's attacker, dark brown eyes burning from beneath the silver mask. "You stoop to attack from behind. I thought of all the old Blood, you might have some small measure of duelling honour." A foot pushed at Snape's shoulder, trying to get the damned man to remain still… from attracting more attention.
"Reducto!" Her wand flung the spell forcefully, the burning blue burst of magic streaming from the tip of it, brightening the dark empty field with a flickering blue radiance, which crashed sharply up against a shielding spell, scorching across the ground and setting the grass alit with flames. The brilliance of the glare revealed the face of Lucius Malfoy, his mask somewhere on the ground behind him, having been flung loose by the impact of her second spell.
A cackling laugh escaped the pretty-faced man, his body having evaporated into the misty apparition, his face a glint of white against the dark hood… his wand lifted in his hand, quite intent to finish what he had started on Snape. "Did you actually believe…?" That elegant voice sounded almost bemused, long silvery-gold hair slipping from the edge of the tall pointed hood, making him look almost ethereal for a moment in the flickering brilliance of the flames. "Or were you truly so naïve to think you could stop the likes of me."
Her eyes flickered over the other man's features, considering just how to remove this threat… remove this thorn… And bring Snape back to Hogwarts… "You will displease our Master, Malfoy." Her voice was low, quiet… but ever so dangerous, her body remaining firmly between Malfoy and Snape, protecting the latter with her own body if it called for it. "By killing Snape." Watching… waiting… knowing that the other was thinking well in advance of how to deal with the likes of her.
"Killing? Oh no…" Those lips curved upwards into a rather seductive smile, blue eyes sparkling with something more sinister. "Death is so final… I just wish to remind, dear Severus of where his loyalties lie." His wand rose slightly, tapping his lips softly as if thoughtful and clearly enjoying this entire situation.
"No." She hissed, flinging another painful curse at him, anything to make that primping peacock silent. Whyteleafe advanced on him again, duelling with him in the familiar art of years practised. "I know well your plans, Malfoy, you and your little… pest of a son. He takes after you, weak-minded and a coward."
His dark eyes narrowed sharply on the woman he recognised as Regina Whyteleafe, a member of the inner Circle and bane of all Muggles. Her reputation came from the string of murders she had committed, wiping out parents of those who followed Harry Potter and that fool Dumbledore, her recent marks including the Grangers; their deaths sending a clear jolt right through to Dumbledore that no one was safe anymore. The Dark Lord commended her work, allowing her to be present in more of the Inner Circle Meets and to witness the punishment of those victims that had been brought before Voldemort.
Why would such a woman interfere in his plans? She had nothing to gain by doing so… But yet she was here, she had known what he was up to, when he had revealed nothing.
"The Dark Lord has need of his skills as a Potions Master." Her wand flickering brusquely, jerking towards Malfoy, challenging him once again, after they had paused in their duel, sizing each other up. "Has need of his skills for other things, ones such as yourself are not privy to knowing of." A wicked little smile touched her lips, knowing that she had caught Lucius with that one, knowing quite well that the other man was kept out of the loop of more… interesting information.
"You know little of the Dark Lord's plans yourself, Woman." Malfoy retorted, his wand ready, enjoying the rather odd scene as it played out. The two almost evenly matched, though it was clear Lucius knew she wouldn't dare kill him… Severus Snape was not worth it.
"Silence, you arrogant, pretty boy!" The woman growled, clearly not about to back down now… She wouldn't let Malfoy destroy Snape. "Leave, Malfoy. Before you attract more unwanted attention." A hand touched against her arm slightly, indicating the Dark Mark that burned hot under the fabric of her robes, her eyes seeming to watch Lucius, daring him… "I do not think he will take kindly to your 'meddling'. You might offer him a replacement for Snape, but are you really ready to risk displeasing him so soon? Are your plans foolproof?"
"Do not dare lecture me, woman." Irritation flared over his features, his eyes set ablaze as he watched her, his plan though cunning after his disposal of Snape was drifting away from his thoughts, his anger being jabbed sharply by some of such an inferior house that was barely holding onto its purity and position.
Suddenly she was launching herself at Lucius, a spirally fury of dark shadows and twisting mist, slamming straight into Malfoy, both of them tangling sharply together, magic locking horns as they corkscrewed upwards, twisting and tumbling in that other… dark form, their wands moving… brilliant flashes of magic burst across the field, sending showers of sparks crashing to the grass… The damp ground hissing and steam poured off it, the earth smouldering under the brilliant bursts of flame.
The field erupted to the right of Snape, cods of dirt and charred grass were flung skywards, pummelling him sharply as it fell to earth. The darkness of the night sky being illuminated by the battle… Casting a spray of magic outwards, washing over the silent landscape, casting his dark form in sharp relief against the slick grass about him.
"Confringo."
A brilliant spout of scarlet exploded against Lucius's chest,setting his robes alight with brilliant ribbons of roiling flame, sending him towards the grass, the heat seeping through to blister across Lucius's skin. The spell wrapping its fingers tightly about him, dragging him downwards… The black writhing mass of his form half solidified out of the air… his hair sizzling under the caress of the Spell, searing the ends black.
"Incarcerous."
Robes spun out of the tip of Lucius's wand, wrapping sharply about her body, snaking around her brutally, twining tightly about her like a living thing, and the force of the impact knocking her from the air as her wand hand was forced down against her side. The ropes weighted her body and she hit the ground with force, arms and legs pinwheelling in a painful motion, her head thumping against the ground… Her eyes burned into the back of Lucius Malfoy at being so humiliated with such an action. Suddenly the ropes burst into flame, hissing and sputtering around her as they were charred into ashes…
"Aguamenti."
Water spilled around the flaming Lucius, dousing the blaze. Water swirling around the tip of his wand, dangerous and growing, clearly going to use to drown the downed man… It would do… to watch the suffering of Snape, watch the light slowly slide away from the man's dark eyes… to have the pleasure… The pleasure of witnessing the death of someone above him in the circle… Someone in his way…
The death of this worthless spy would not cause much trouble… Filthy… half-blood. To think… He had spent so much time training him to assist the Dark Lord and that he could no longer provide such useful information as he had about Dumbledore's doings… Too soft… too weak… The snake handled wand was clasped tightly, lifted just enough as he approached Snape… so helpless on the ground.
"Do not ignore me, Malfoy." Came the sharp warning from behind him, having already found her feet and rushed after him, body dissolving in a twisting phantasm of black energy and scorching magic, avoiding the rapid fire of spells that exploded around her, some grazing her body as she moved. Solidifying a moment before she crashed into the back of Lucius, they toppled to the grass, twisting and whirling with the force of the impact.
Whyteleafe straddled him, for a moment, one hand gripping his collar sharply and suddenly her other hand gave a strong right hook to the fine elegant jaw, snapping his head back sharply, before striking him again and again. The wizard attempted to shake her off… his hands wrenching at her body, but she held on, her body locking around his, preventing him from dislodging her. His wand was out… trapped for a moment beneath his leg, before the next punch freed his wand that was coming up to rest against her chest.
"Imperio!"
For a long moment the spell simply stunned her… before a cloud of blissful peace sweeping through her mind driving away the pain of cracked bones and the raw burns. It left her perched upon him for a long moment, her fingers slackening their grasp on him, her limps slowly loosening…
Everything was blank… everything felt good like this… no more worries… No understanding of what was going on around her… Completely… blankness…
Get off me, Woman.
And Regina did, her limbs moving jerkily, like a puppet controlled by tight strings, her wand still gripped in one hand, her limp fingers still managing to keep her grip on it. Tottering on her feet, her body was rigid and stiff, waiting for more orders…
Move forward. I said move, Woman.
Moving towards Snape that voice whispered in the back of her mind, whispering, hissing… Commanding her and demanding that she kill Snape herself. Not feeling… no responsibility… no worries… about the death that would soon rest on her shoulders.
And suddenly she found herself standing over Snape, the man's dark eyes staring up at her, half glazed and unfocused. The woman felt it… like a heavy brick dropping right through the peaceful space she had been in. Sharp jolts of pain burned up Regina's side, shooting hot glowing sparks right into her chest, crashing against her heart for a moment. It was like being the recipient of a dose of a hateful Cruciatus Curse… The pain was overwhelming… Crashing through Imperius Curse with the subtly of a rampaging Centaur, tearing it apart.
Whirling on Lucius, the Death Eater's mouth forming a familiar spell, her wand raised high. Abruptly Lucius's wand was wrenched from his fingers, the force of the caste a Disarming Charm driving him backwards as if a car had struck him square in the chest. Her mind filled with the seething roiling pain… energising her… And her wand turned towards Lucius's dropped one, her mouth moving again… and the wand suddenly exploded, wood shattered into a thousand pieces, the core being incinerated with the sharpness of the spell.
"Crucio."
Whyteleafe's fingers were white knuckled around her wand, when she cast the Cruciatus Curse, her eyes staring down at the body of Lucius Malfoy which jerking sharply under the influences of the enveloping green cloud of magic. His voice suddenly breaking through the dark evening air, howling again and again in distorted agony… And for a moment she stood, scrutinising him, before a smirk crossed her masked features.
Taking a step forwards, the tip of her wand was right in Lucius's face, right between the eyes, before casting Obliviate over him, blanketing out his memories… making sure the man wouldn't realise he had indeed caught Snape… or who he had indeed battled that evening. The moment Regina was certain it had taken effect; she was turning away, moving across the grass back towards Snape…
Her hand slipped deep into her robes, pulling out a deeply scratched vial, dropping to her knees, she was tugging out the stopper with her teeth, bringing it abruptly to his lips. But his head twisted away, resisting the administration of any potion… knowing it could be… And she gripped his jaw tightly, forcing his mouth open and emptying the contents into it. Before locking his jaw closed again, making sure he swallowed it, knowing he wouldn't respond to any requests for him to do it otherwise. His head struggled against her grip, but he was too weak… too disorientated and he swallowed shallowly, the potion running down his throat… numbing out his pain…
The taste familiar and quite memorable, it was one of his own potions… One of his own…
"You're a right pain, Snape." The woman chuckled darkly, eyes flickering over his features, before Regina Whyteleafe was picking up his wand from where it had been dropped on the grass, tucking it up into a pocket. "Insufferable." The woman mused, almost finding it truly amusing. Before her hand pressed over his chest, making contact with his flesh and they suddenly Apparated, their bodies being squeezed through impossibly small tubes as they were whisked away to several other locations before… Arriving outside of the grounds at Hogwarts… beyond the effects of the Anti-Disapparition Jinx cast over the school.
By that time, Snape had dropped off into a rather blissful dark, and didn't see the arrival of the Headmaster who had apparently been awaiting their return. The old Wizard relieved to find both of his charges alive… much to his relief.
Okay^^ Thanks for reading! if you got this far XD At the moment, I'm desperate for a Beta for this story. I know it doesn't have much romance in it yet.... But wait! ^_____^ its coming! It really is! Reviews most welcome! please? I need to know whether anyone out there likes this story.