A Tangled Web
Book One:
All These Poses of Classical Torture
By: pandorabox82
AKA: Steph
Disclaimer: This story you are about to read is rated NC-17 for a reason. If you are a minor, leave now. That said, here follows the standard disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. I am not anywhere near JKR's writing style because I am not her. I just happen to be borrowing her characters for a little bit so I can get this story out of me. Don't sue, because I am a typical college student, and have nothing.
Author's Notes: This story came from weird and wonderful places in my mind. Please keep in mind that this is book one of five planned. Please go read the prologue to this, entitled "Eternity in the Palm of Our Hands" to understand some direction that I am going in. Also, there is a mention of a certain daytime television show. 50 points to your house if you can identify it! I would like to thank all the gals at Snape's Secret Cabinet who gave me some really good ideas for this. Also, I want to thank my bouncer, Lynne, without whom this story would never have taken on the scope that it has. She's kept me in check, and pointed out ways that seem more consistent and in character. And as always, this story is dedicated to my angel, my muse, Gretchen.
'Sisters, especially twins, are meant to get along. But when you're in the shadow of another, you'll do anything to get noticed. That's why I did it, sent the owl back with her no and my yes, even though I'd never asked her if she wanted to go. It was my turn to shine in something. She was always Mum's little helper, learning to become the perfect housewife. No, I was never for things like that. I think I really hurt her, though, pulling that little stunt. She never knew about it, of course, yet still, I took away something from her, made her bitter and resentful. She was never meant for the shadows, yet that's where I forced her to be.
'Now we both have children of our own, and as I look at my son's face, I wonder about what might have been, had I been willing to share the spotlight. Maybe she would still love me; maybe she wouldn't have married that awful Muggle. I'll never know, and that's what bothers me most, the fact that she could have been happy if I hadn't interfered.
'Voldemort wants my son. If I die, and James dies, he goes to Petunia. I just hope she can love him as she once loved me. I know that's wishful thinking, but one always needs hope in times like these. Hope is the only thing keeping me up right now. Hope for a reconciled future. Maybe tomorrow, I'll write her, and tell her the secret I've kept for so long. Maybe…'
From the diary of Lily Potter, dated 31-10-1982
Of course, tomorrow never came and Petunia never knew about the truth that had so plagued her sister. Lily's diary, along with some other articles from the home at Godric's Hollow were boxed up and taken to Lucius Malfoy's manor in hopes that they could be of use one day in the resurrection of their fallen Lord. They were all but forgotten about until one day, nineteen years later, Draco Malfoy, Lucius' son, went exploring the grounds of the manor that was now his.
"Mother, I found this box in the basement. Do you know what the pass-code is for it? Nothing I try works."
Narcissa took one look at the gilt-edged box and gasped. "Where did you get that?"
"In the basement, Mother. Were you even listening to me?"
"Try 'Necromancy'." As soon as that word was uttered from Narcissa's lips, the clasps on the box sprung open, revealing various items. Draco pulled out the two wands at the top.
"Let me guess, this stuff once belonged to Lily and James Potter?" As he continued pulling more items out, he wondered what his father had been thinking in keeping all this junk. At the bottom of the box was a small, leather-bound book. Putting everything back into the box, he thumbed through it, nothing the feminine handwriting that filled the pages. "Mother, what's this?"
She looked at the book in her son's hands. "That is Lily's diary. She recorded in it her life, starting with her arrival at Hogwarts. Your father never found any useful information in it, so he stowed it away with the rest of their things."
Draco flipped to the end of the book, stopping in the month of October 1982. As he read, he walked to the library, and took a seat in front of the fire. "Voldemort after Harry, Sirius convincing James to make Peter our Secret Keeper - why? Home to Godric's Hollow. Severus warned us of a coming attack by Voldemort - James didn't believe him, but I'm not so sure he was lying." Draco read through these entries, noting Severus' warning. Finally, he came to the last page, dated the day of Voldemort's downfall. As he read about what she'd done to her own sister, he swore aloud. "Fuck, she did that to her own sister? The little bitch should have been a Slytherin." Then he called out to his mother, "Mother, come here!"
A few moments later, she appeared. "Yes, Draco?"
"Mother, did you know Lily had a sister, a twin in fact?"
"No, I didn't. Is it important?"
"Yes, very. The war may have just been won." Standing, he gave his mother a long, passionate kiss before leading her to their bedroom.
Once in the bedroom, he pushed Narcissa onto the bed and bound her wrists to the posts at the headboard. After he's shed his clothes, he slowly and methodically began to tear off his mother's clothing. A look of mischief filled her eyes as he bent over and began to kiss her once more. Suddenly breaking off the kiss, Draco conjured up two clothespins, and then joined her on the bed.
Again, he kissed her on the lips and then began to drag his lips down her neck, nipping at the hollow of her throat, continuing on down until he'd reached one of her breasts. He took the nipple into his mouth, and began to suckle her, as he once had when he was a baby. He swirled his tongue around the peak, occasionally worrying the bud with his teeth. When he was certain it could not get any harder, he removed his lips, took one of the clothespins and attached it to her nipple.
Narcissa screamed in pain at the shock of having the hurtful pinch on her sensitive nipple. Soon, though, the pain receded into a dull ache, and she was moaning with pleasure as Draco repeated his ministrations on her other nipple. Once more, when he was sure the tip could get no harder, he released her and attached the second clothespin. This time, Narcissa felt a wave of pleasure overtake her body.
Draco resumed kissing her, moving in a straight line down her body, finally stopping at her dripping cunt. Opening her with his fingers, he began to lick and suck on her clit. Soon Narcissa was gasping and moaning, bucking her hips, trying to get him closer to her. As the waves of her orgasm washed over her, she felt her son thrust into her welcoming body. Having not fully come down from her first orgasm, Narcissa was soon begging and moaning for Draco to give her release. It fell on deaf ears as Draco continued to thrust harder and harder, driving her up to the greatest heights of passion she'd ever known. Suddenly, she was falling fast into a black abyss. Her muscles tightened on Draco's prick, bringing him with her.
Exhausted, they both fell asleep, a tangle of limbs. In his sleep, Draco smiled, his brain already planning what to do to the last of Potter's family.
The next day, Draco summoned his three closest henchmen to his side at Malfoy Manor. His plan was in place, now all he had to do was find where they lived. That would be Blaise's job - no one suspected her of being a traitor.
"Draco, why are we here?"
"Because, Goyle, I have a plan that will swing the war from stalemate to our side winning."
"How do you plan to do that, Draco?"
"By unleashing a secret weapon on the world, Blaise. And you'll all help me achieve this goal. Crabbe, Goyle - you're going to be able to really torture some people. Blaise, I need you to find out where Harry Potter's aunt and uncle live, preferably within the next two days. I want all of you to stay here with us until we set into motion Operation Phoenix Strike. Any questions?"
"Uh, Draco, what do we want with them?"
"Crabbe, that will be revealed to you in time, which we don't have much of. Blaise, go now, and don't come back until you have that address."
"Yes, Draco," she replied before she apparated to the Ministry of Magic. Asking around, she quickly found out the address from when of the senior Deatheaters who had connections. She then apparated back to the manse.
"Back so soon, Blaise?" Draco drawled.
"Yes. We're looking for Number 4 Privet Drive in Little Whinging, Surrey."
"Excellent, Blaise, excellent. Okay, now from what I heard, Harry's cousin is twenty, his aunt is forty, and his uncle is forty-five. They shouldn't be that hard to subdue. Here's what's going to happen…"
Three days later, Operation Phoenix Strike was set into motion. Once they had apparated to the house, they hid under Draco's invisibility cloak, waiting for Vernon and Dudley to return home. At 2 o'clock, Vernon pulled into the driveway, with Dudley in the passenger seat. They got out and walked into the house.
As soon as the front door closed, the four moved into action. Blaise and Draco put a shield around the house, blocking any sensors from detecting use of magic, and from anyone noticing something was wrong. When the shield was in place, Crabbe and Goyle knocked down the front door. As they ran in Draco shouted, "Remember - don't hurt the woman!"
Petunia briskly walked out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron, to see what the commotion was. When she saw the four with their wands out, she gave a gasp. "What do you freaks think you're doing here? We've had enough trouble with Harry to last us two lifetimes! Leave, now!"
This made Blaise very angry. So angry that she forgot about what Draco had ordered them not to do, and walked up to Petunia, slapping her across the face, hard. "Bitch, we're here to give you trouble!"
"Blaise, behave! You, Quietus!"
Petunia tried to yell at the young man who seemed to be the head of this attack, but found she couldn't speak a word. Much to her mortification, tears began to fall. Breaking from Blaise's light grasp, she made a run for the door.
"Petunia, I wouldn't do that if I were you! Blaise, get her!"
Blaise ran after her, catching her when Petunia tripped over the lip of the fallen door. Roughly, Blaise yanked her to her feet, and pulled Petunia over to where Draco stood. "That wasn't very smart, bitch. You're only making it harder on yourself," Blaise hissed in her ear.
"Now, Petunia, we don't want to injure you, so please, don't try that little trick again," Draco said soothingly.
Those words sent a chill of terror down Petunia's spine, and she suddenly realised that she was in way over her head.
"Now, I'm going to release you from the Quietus, and I want you to answer my questions with the right answers, the answers I want. Do you understand?"
Petunia nodded her head vigorously in response.
"Very good, Petunia. Finite Incantatum! Now, are you a witch?"
"No! I was never associated with those freaks!"
"Are you sure?"
"Very."
"Well, that's interesting. Now, where are your husband and son?"
Petunia fell silent, not willing to betray her family. Minutes passed, and still Petunia refused to speak. Finally Draco grew tired of her resistance.
"You leave me no choice, my dear Petunia. Emoveo Induvia Omnino!" Crabbe and Goyle gave a lascivious grunt of pleasure as Petunia looked down at her now nude body. Giving a slight moan, she passed out.
"Blaise, wake her up."
"With pleasure, Draco!"
"Blaise, remember I said not to hurt her."
"Oh, all right. Fine, I'll do it the long way." She conjured up a thing of smelling salts and opened it beneath Petunia's nose. Slowly, Petunia returned to the waking world.
"Now, Petunia, tell me where they are, and I'll give you your clothes back. Isn't that fair?"
"I don't want to betray them. They're my life," Petunia replied, silent tears running down her face.
"All I want to do is play a game with them. Please don't make things any more difficult, my Pet."
She bowed her head in defeat, and whispered, "They're in the kitchen."
"And where is the kitchen, Pet?"
"At the end of the hall that I came from."
"Thank you, Pet. Crabbe, Goyle! Bring them to me! Finite Incantatum!"
"Yes, Draco!," they replied in tandem, before lumbering off to the kitchen. The duo returned a few moments later, levitating Dudley and Vernon in front of them. "Here you are, Draco."
"Thank you," he replied before turning to completely face Petunia. "Now, my Pet, I know something that you do not. You are a witch, but you've so buried your powers that it will take a lot to get them out of you. Which is why I waited until I was sure Vernon and Dudley were home. They're going to help me pull you're magic out."
"But I'm not magical! How many times must I repeat this? I never got a precious owl from the freak school. Surely that proves it?"
"We all make mistakes, my Pet. Now, say good-bye to them, my Pet."
Tearfully, she made her way over to them. She stopped first at Vernon. "I'm so sorry. I never figured we'd be important enough to be bothered by Harry's world. I never thought I was magical, that was always Lily, but even now, I'm still not certain. Please, forgive me." Vernon never responded, in fact he looked away from her the entire time she was talking to him. Giving up, she moved on to Dudley, who had fearful tears coursing down his cheeks.
"You've grown so much, Dudley. I'm proud of you, never forget that, okay? Even if I'm not here to tell you that again in the future, Mummy is very proud of you."
"Mummy, don't go, who's going to cook for me and clean for me, and stuff?"
"You'll have to do that on your own, from now on, my little Duddy-kins."
"That's enough, Pet. Come back by Blaise now!" Hanging her head, she shuffled back to her captor, and meekly let her arms be held onto once more.
"Now, it's time for the real fun to begin," Draco said as he pointed his wand at the couch. In a few moments, the couch changed from the light floral print into a steel pig-roaster. Draco lit it up and turned back to the group, pulling from his robe an intricately designed scabbard and hilt. "While that warms up, Pet, can you tell me what this is?"
"It's a knife?"
"Well, yes and no. This is an Egyptian Kris. Now, do you know which god decorates the hilt?"
"I-I never studied Egyptian mythology, sir."
"That's quite all right, Pet. This is Seth, the god of death and destruction. My father gave me this blade for my first Muggle kill. Isn't it gorgeous?" he purred as he slid the wavy blade from the scabbard.
Sudden knowledge filled Petunia's eyes, and she gave a gasp of fright. "Please, don't kill them, or me," she managed to stammer out.
"Now, Pet, haven't I said we weren't going to put a scratch on you? You're much to precious to us to even consider laying a finger on you."
"What about my family?"
"Someone has to bring your magic out, and who better than your own family? Goyle, petrify Vernon!"
"Yes, Draco. Petrificus Totalus!" Vernon fell to the floor, straight and stiff as a tree. Goyle stood him up on his feet, and then Draco said those three words that Petunia was loath to hear once more. "Emoveo Induvia Omnino!" Looking at Vernon, she realised that the spell was not meant for her.
"What are you going to do to them?" Petunia asked, the rising terror evident in her voice.
"The Chinese have wonderful methods of torture. I've been waiting to try this out on someone, and now's my chance. It's been called one of the most painful ways to hurt someone, I hope that's true. But first I have to make sure my blade is sharp."
As he came up to Petunia brandishing his blade, she gave a small whimper. "Now, Pet, I may cut you accidentally, so hold very still." Slipping the Kris up one of the sleeves of her blouse, he let it slide through the fabric as smoothly as a ship sails the ocean on a calm day. Reaching the neckline, he put his knife down and slipped a hand over the exposed flesh that had been so recently covered. Petunia gave a slight shudder of revulsion, and Vernon looked ready to kill anyone, if he ever broke free.
"Very nice, Pet, very nice indeed. Reparo!" he muttered, and her clothes were back to normal. Picking the knife back up, he sauntered over to Vernon. Whispering in Vernon's ear, he said, "That was just the beginning of what will happen to your wife, if she doesn't show her magic. Now, it's time for you to die!" Stepping away, Draco began his monologue once more. "The Chinese call this the 'Thousand Slash Torture'. It is very painful and lets a lot of blood flow, without hitting any major arteries. Thus it is a very slow death to the person it is used on."
With those words, Draco began to make small slashes up and down Vernon's chest and back. When he'd finished, he waited for his victim to draw his first deep breath.
As Vernon did so, he screamed in agony. Blaise had forced Petunia to watch the whole spectacle, and Petunia felt something building in her, something she couldn't touch.
Draco, however, wasn't finished yet. "Muggles, it seems, are much better at torturing others than we are. Their methods are ingenious. I got this next bit from one of their "movies" that Father let me watch. Only, that person was dead before he got cooked." Uttering a soul-chilling laugh, Draco levitated Vernon over the pig roaster. As Vernon began to spin slowly by some spell of Draco's, Draco began to turn the fire up. Five minutes in, Vernon's screams echoed through the house, animalistic howls that shook Petunia to the core, and filled the watching Dudley with horror, knowing he was next. Ten minutes, and Vernon's screams dulled to whimpers. Twenty minutes, Vernon's heart stopped beating as the heat of the fire roasted his internal organs.
After thirty minutes had passed, Draco turned off the fire, and transfigured the pig roaster into a platter, letting Vernon's cooked corpse rest on it. When he reached Dudley's side, he once more began to talk.
"Are you feeling any differently, my Pet? Is there any power coursing through your veins? I'll spare your son if you show your powers now."
"I-I don't feel anything yet. I've told you before, I'm not a witch!"
"Then you leave me no choice, my Pet." Turning back to face Dudley, he said, "Gluttony is one of the worst vices to have, m'boy. And it looks like you have a severe case of it. That's why I've made you a special treat, Flame-Broiled Father. Set Dudley down, Crabbe."
As Crabbe did so, Draco conjured up a table and a chair. "Sit at the table, Dudley, and I'll serve you." Dudley did as he was ordered, unmitigated horror in his eyes. Petunia tried to look away, but Blaise held her head on the gruesome tableaux before her.
Draco once more pulled his Kris out, and cut a piece of Vernon's flesh off. Conjuring up a plate, he set the meat before Dudley. "Now eat and continue to eat until I say you may stop." Dudley slowly began to eat what was once his father, revulsion filling every pore in his body.
Now the feeling was in her fingertips, a weird sort of tingling. But soon it had receded to the background and all she could feel was a numb horror. Draco continued to serve Dudley more and more flesh until finally, the blonde took "pity" on Dudley. "You may stop now, Dudley. I feel that your belly has now become full. No more gluttony for you, eh m'boy?" At Dudley's nod, Draco gave another evil laugh. "Crabbe, Goyle, what is the lowest a person can stoop?"
"To eat human flesh, Draco?"
"Can you think of anything lower?"
"To eat a family member's flesh, Draco?"
"Right, and what do we do with those who commit such acts?"
"Kill them?"
"Very good, you have been paying attention at the Revels." He picked up his Kris off the table and held it in his hand. "Crabbe, levitate him once more."
As Crabbe did what he'd been told, Draco casually walked over to them, raised his arm, and slashed open Dudley's belly, letting his intestines spill out onto the floor.
"No!" Petunia cried out as the strange feeling filled her body. She released a ball of energy, before passing out cold.
As Dudley stared at his opened stomach in a mixture of shock and terror, Crabbe dropped him to push Draco out of the way of the ball of energy.
Draco looked at her a moment from his position on the floor before slowly getting to his feet and making his way to her. Giving her a soft kiss on the lips, he whispered in her ear. "You did better than I thought, Pet. Now, we need to harness this power."
"Do you want us to clean up, Draco?"
"No, leave it here for the Muggles to find. They'll figure she went crazy and killed them. There's nothing that will lead back to us."
"Okay, Draco."
"Well, then, let's apparate. You three, head back to the Manor. I'm taking the woman with me to Diagon Alley. I need some more ingredients for the potion, and I need to get her a wand. I'll see you back at the house."
The three apparated, and then Draco awakened Petunia by giving her a slight shock with his wand. Groggily, she came out of her swoon. When she saw him standing over her, she stiffened and gave a horrified gasp.
"It wasn't a dream, was it?" she whispered, tears trailing like diamonds down her face.
"We did what we had to, to get your magic out of you. Now, give me your hand. We need to go get you some equipment." When Petunia refused to give him her hand, he reached down and grabbed it, pulling her up to him, as together they apparated to Diagon Alley.
"All right, first stop is Ollivander's to get you a wand, so we can focus your power." He took off at a brisk pace, still holding her hand, forcing Petunia to keep up with his pace.
It was an impressive shop, Petunia thought, as they entered the dimly lit place. Ollivander, hearing the bell, came to the front of the shop. Seeing Malfoy, he at once thought something was amiss. Seeing the Muggle next to Malfoy, he was put on guard.
"Ah, Mr Ollivander! My friend here is visiting from France, and broke her wand. Can you help her with a new one?"
"Certainly, Mr Malfoy. I shall return in a moment." True to his word, a short while later he returned carrying four slim boxes. Setting three on the counter, he opened the box he still held. Picking up the wand that rested inside, he handed it to Petunia. "Willow, 9½ inches, dragon blood core."
Feeling foolish, Petunia held onto it, getting no reaction. Ollivander snatched it out of her hand, and put a new one there. "Oak, 8½ inches, griffin feather core," still nothing happened.
"Here's a combination I don't normally like to use. Very unpredictable," he said as he replaced the wand. "Ash, 10 inches, Veela hair core. No, that's not right. Try this last one as I go to get more from the back."
Petunia obliged him, opening the box and pulling out a beautiful wand. Holding it up, she heard the shopkeeper's voice call out: "No, that one's not right either. Put it back, I'm coming up with a few more."
She rested the wand back in its bed of velvet, and shut the box. He came up beside her with two boxes in his right hand, and three in his left. Setting the three aside, Ollivander said to Draco, "I had to run back to my office to get the wands for difficult cases."
"Interesting," Draco muttered, giving Petunia a searching look. She was too busy to see it, as Ollivander was handing her the next wand. "This one is Mahogany, 9 inches, with a dragon scale as its core. No, that's not right for you. Here, try this last simple one. It's Birch, 8¾ inches, with a griffin claw core. Well, I thought as much. We're going to have to try these last three. You'll have to open these boxes, m'dear, as I hand them to you. Here," he said, as he handed Petunia a gilt-edged purple box.
Carefully, she opened the box and pulled out the wand. "That's a Cyprus, 9½ inches in length, with a core made up of unicorn horn, chimera fur, and rose essence. Very good for Transfiguration work, but it's not for you, is it? Here, try this one." He handed her a light pink box with silver faeries on it. She put the Cyprus back and opened the second box. "This one is Rosewood, 12½ inches long, with dragons blood, a griffin feather, and two mistletoe berries at its core. Excellent for both Charms and Potions. Do you feel anything?" he asked, a worried look on his face.
"Not really," Petunia replied as she placed the wand back in its box.
He handed her the final box. It was pitch black with a golden sun on the top. As soon as Petunia grasped the box, she felt a small thrum of power go through her body. Opening the surprisingly heavy box, she slipped out a most beautiful wand. "Made of Ebony, it's 11½ inches in length, flexible, and has at its core a unicorn hair, a dragon's claw, and three phoenix tears." As she lifted her arm holding the wand, Petunia once more felt that heady sense of power.
"Yes, this is the wand for you. A strange combination, quite good for healing and protection. I've only sold a few wands as complex as yours. Albus Dumbledore owns one, and one was once owned by the late Lily Potter. I'm sure you've heard of the Potters over in France, haven't you? Well, no one knows what happened to her wand after V…, well, after. Good day, Miss?"
"Dursley, sir, and thank you."
"It's my job, Miss Dursley. Take good care of your wand, much rests on you and on it."
"Will it cost any more than usual, Ollivander?"
"Yes, Mr Malfoy. This particular wand is 29 Galleons."
"It had better perform well for that price."
"I assure you, Destiny has already been set into motion the moment she touched that wand. It will perform admirably."
Handing the aging man his fee, Draco turned to Petunia, addressing her for the first time since entering the shop. "Come, my Pet, I must get some supplies from the Apothecary. Put your wand back in its box and let's be going." Doing as she was told, she then let Draco take her arm and lead her out of the dusty shop. Before exiting, she turned slightly, and gave a sad smile to Ollivander. He returned the gesture before picking up the boxes and walking towards the many shelves holding all sorts of wands.
Draco and she walked the short distance between Ollivander's shop and the Apothecary. Upon entering, Draco quickly let go of her arm. "Now, my Pet, you may look to your heart's content, but please, don't touch anything."
"Yes, Draco."
"I'll let that slip this time, but from now on, you are to call me 'Master', or 'Sir'. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Very good, you learn fast. I shan't be more than a few minutes." Turning, he approached the counter to speak with the shopkeeper.
Petunia began to walk around, soaking up this strange new atmosphere she'd been so recently thrust into. So absorbed was she, that she didn't see the tall, thin man dressed all in black until she ran into him. "Oh, I'm sorry, sir. I didn't see you there," she stammered, as she looked into a set of angry black eyes.
Severus Snape stared down his nose at the cowering woman, who looked ready to faint any moment, and was about to reply with some scathing remark when he took a good look at her face. Something about her was very familiar. He couldn't place it, but the feeling was quite disconcerting.
As he continued to stare at her, Petunia began to feel very uncomfortable. So she began to stare back, taking in his lanky body, the long-fingered hands, the mouth set in a grim line, the aquiline nose which was very aristocratic, the burning eyes, and the slightly greasy hair. 'If he would only say something,' she thought.
It hit him suddenly as to whom she was. It was her face and her stare that brought back memories of a time when he was younger, and a face, slightly more filled out and softer, had stared at him, behind a curtain of red hair. "You're Lily's sister," he breathed.
Seeing Draco coming towards her, she gave him a slight nod. So as not to be heard, she mouthed a small phrase. 'Warn Harry,' was all she could get out before Draco came to her side.
"Ah, I see you've met Severus. I hope you made a good impression, Pet."
"The very best, Lucius. If you'll excuse me, I have to get some supplies for the classroom. I'll see you later, Lucius, Miss…?"
"Jameson, Petunia Jameson."
"It was a pleasure, Miss Jameson." Picking up her hand, he bent and gave it a slight kiss. Both were startled by the slight shock that ran through their bodies. Fixing her a hard look, Severus turned and began his shopping.
"It seems as if you indeed made a fine impression on Severus. Still, I think it best to get you out of here before someone recognises you." Roughly, he grabbed her hand, dragged her into the streets, and apparated back to his manor house.
But Petunia had made her first conscious act of defiance by lying to Draco. As Snape made his way to the Apothecary's counter, he took out a bit of Floo powder from the bag in his pocket.
"May I use your fireplace? It's most urgent."
"Yes, yes, Professor, go right ahead."
"Thank you." Throwing the Floo powder into the fireplace, he stepped in and said in a firm, yet anxious tone, "Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore's Inner Sanctum," and in a woosh he was gone.
Moments later, he reappeared in the fireplace of Albus' office. "Sir, there's a most urgent matter we need to discuss."
"What is it Severus?"
"First, I need you to get Harry and Minerva, preferably Minerva first. She needs to check something out for me."
"All right, Severus, I'll summon Minerva." He went to the fireplace and projected himself into Minerva's office. "Minerva, I need you to come to my office immediately."
"I'll be there shortly, sir. May I inquire as to what this is about?"
"We'll find out when you get here."
"Right, Albus. I'm on my way."
Minutes later, she was in the office, standing by Albus' desk. "Now, why was I called here so suddenly?"
"Minerva, can you go check on a very bad feeling of mine? Today, I saw Lily Potter's sister Petunia in the Apothecary shop on Diagon Alley. Lucius Malfoy was accompanying her, and I can't help but feel that something very wrong is going on here. What would Lucius want with a Muggle? Please, Minerva, will you check their house to make sure the family is okay?"
"That's very interesting, Severus," Albus broke in, "but why do you want me to get Harry?"
"Before Malfoy could see her, she noticed him, and mouthed to me to warn Harry. I don't know why, but somehow, this all ties together."
"Right then, Minerva - you go to Privet Drive, while I get Harry. Thank Merlin he's visiting Hermione right now. Severus, you stay here."
"Okay, Albus, I'll be off then. I'll see you in a few minutes." Reaching into a small pouch that hung off her belt, she pulled out some Floo powder, sprinkled it into the fireplace, stepped in and called out "Number 4, Privet Drive."
The minute she entered the house, she knew something was off. She felt it, deep in her bones, that great evil had recently been committed in this place. Stepping from the fireplace, she confirmed her feeling with the gruesome sight she beheld. From where she stood, she could see the pool of blood left by Vernon's torture. Turning her head, she gasped at the sight of Vernon's corpse, neatly carved like a Thanksgiving turkey. Her stomach feeling queasy at this display, she turned to leave and make her report to Albus and Severus when a faint groan pricked her ears.
Moving towards the noise, she discovered Dudley. He was obviously nearing the final stages of life. Bending slightly, she began to ask who had done this, when his eyes locked on hers.
"Mummy? Is that you? Did you come back to save me?"
Minerva sat heavily on the floor, knowing there was nothing she could do for this young man except comfort him until he died. Setting his head in her lap, she smoothed back his blonde hair. "Shh, it'll be okay, Mummy's here now."
"I knew you'd come back for me, Mummy." Reaching up with a bloody hand, he stroked her face. "I love you, Mummy."
Minerva let the tears begin to fall. It was too much, seeing this innocent's death. He should never have been drug into this war against Voldemort. "And I love you, Sweetheart. From now until always."
"And we'll always be together, right?"
"Forever and always, my sweet, until the sun doesn't shine and the angels no longer sing."
He smiled at this, and slowly, ever so slowly, his breathing began to slow, until it finally stopped. Minerva sat there for what seemed like hours, the young man's head still cradled in her lap, her shoulders heaving from the force of her sobs. When they finally slackened, she rose and returned to Hogwarts.
Stumbling from the fireplace, she gave Albus a sorrowful look, slowly shook her head, and fainted. Severus caught her before she could hit the ground. Together, he and Harry lifted her onto the couch.
"This clinches it, Albus. Look at the blood on her cheek! Something awful must have happened, and Lucius is behind it all!"
"Let's not jump to conclusions, Severus. When she wakes up, she'll tell us what she saw there."
"Uh, Severus, Albus, do you mind telling me what is going on here?"
"When Minerva gets up, we'll begin. All your questions will be answered then, hopefully."
"But, Sir," Harry was going to say when he was interrupted by a loud pop.
"Dobby has a letter for Professor Dumbledore. Dobby has noticed it is marked urgent. A Mr Ollivander sent it from Diagon Alley." Handing the letter to Albus, he once more disappeared with a pop.
"Well, it looks like we will all be speaking once Minerva decides to join us."
A slight shifting from the couch got their attention. "Albus, get me the Book."
"What book, Minerva?"
"The one that records every magical child that is born so that we can send then their letters later. Bring it to me, now!" Her voice, behind her tears, was steel.
"Yes, Minerva," he replied as he walked to the cupboard where the Pensieve was held. Opening it, he pulled out a worn leather book, and carefully carried it over to where Minerva sat. Putting it on her lap. He conjured up another couch across from her, where he motioned for Severus to take a seat next to him, and for Harry to take a seat next to Minerva.
"Well, should we get down to the business at hand, folks?" Albus asked. "Severus, you go first as you were the one to notice something was off today."
"All right, Albus. As you and Minerva already know, I had a very strange encounter earlier this afternoon. Harry, while at Diagon Alley's Apothecary, a woman bumped into me. At first, I didn't recognise her, but after we stared at each other for a few minutes, it dawned on me who she was. Harry, it was you aunt. She seemed very nervous and afraid of something. She glanced over my shoulder at one point, and then told me to warn you."
"Warn me of what, Severus?"
"That's just it, she never got the chance to tell me what. Shortly after she mouthed me that, Lucius Malfoy came up to her side, calling her 'Pet'. She herself managed to tell her allegiance with you by the assumed name she gave herself, a 'Petunia Jameson'. The fact she was with Lucius was what put my guard up. What would Lucius want with a Muggle?"
"I think I have an answer to that question," came two voices, one still choked with emotion, the other sounding a bit shocked.
"You go first, Minerva."
"Thank you, Albus. Simply put, Petunia Evans Dursley is not a Muggle. Rather, she is a Muggle-by-Choice. She received an owl, along with Lily on their eleventh birthday."
"So, my aunt has been hiding the fact that she was really a witch from me for all this time?"
"I don't think she knew, Harry. Remember, your mother and aunt were as different as night and day," Albus gently said. "It is very likely that your grandparents only wanted to send one of their girls away to school."
"No, Albus. That's not it at all," Minerva replied. "She never found out because her sister, her own twin, never told her." Sitting on Minerva's lap was a stack of letters. "These are all the people who've turned down Hogwarts in the last thirty years. Your aunt's was signed, of all people, by Lily Evans."
"No, my mother would never do something like that, not even to Aunt Petunia!" Harry exclaimed, not wanting to believe what Minerva had told them.
Minerva wrapped a comforting arm around Harry, drawing him closer to her. "Harry, look at the parchment. It is hard enough for a trained wizard to fool magic, let alone an eleven year old girl."
Harry's shoulders slumped in defeat, accepting the fact that his mother was not quite as perfect as everyone made her out to be.
"I'll read the letter from Ollivander now," Albus said, pulling open the parchment. Clearing his throat, he began:
'Dear Albus,
A very strange thing happened earlier today that I feel I must inform you of. Lucius Malfoy was in with what looked like a Muggle woman. He had me bring her wands to try out, and as soon as she touched the first one, I knew she was no ordinary Muggle. She tried out six different regular wands, and when none of those worked, I went to my 'special case' wands. Whatever Lucius, and for that matter, Voldemort, want with her, both sides had better watch out. The wand she was picked to receive, after being passed by the Cyprus and the Rosewood, is the Ebony, flexible, 11½ inches. But, it's the core what really bothers me. It contains a dragon's claw, a unicorn hair, and three phoenix tears. Whatever side she chooses will gain a powerful healer/protector. Her wand strength is just below a few select others, including yours, Albus, and maybe Minerva and Severus'. Keep on the lookout, Albus.
Your Faithful Servant,
Ollivander'
Severus and Minerva stared at Albus in shock, while Harry looked around, very confused.
"What does he mean by saying that my aunt will be a very powerful healer/protector?"
"It's in her wand, Harry. No ordinary witch or wizard receives one of Ollivander's special wands. Only one of great strength and power is capable to wield one of those. You will soon be able to get one, I believe. The fact she was chosen to have one with a core such as hers indicates great things. The claw of a dragon is given to powerful protectors - you should know the protectiveness of dragons from your tangle with one in the Tournament. Phoenix tears have great healing qualities - one in a wand is a good healer. The most I've heard of being used in a wand was four, so your aunt, untrained though she is, is among one of the foremost healers."
"Oh. But how did Lucius know this, and how did he get her?"
"I believe it's my turn to speak," Minerva answered. "Harry, today I went to your old house, on Severus' insistence. I have the sinking feeling that your aunt needed some prodding to bring out her magic. That's the only way I can justify what I saw today." She broke down into sobs once more, and this surprised Harry, to see such a strong person as Minerva crying so hard. So he did what seemed natural to him. He scooted closer to her, and wrapped his arm around her, giving her his support.
Giving Harry a watery smile, she continued on with her story. "After I'd Floo-ed to Privet Drive, I could feel evil emanating from the place. My vision confirmed my feelings. Blood pooled in front of the fireplace. A short distance away, a table was set up, and your uncle lay on top of a silver platter, carved up like a Thanksgiving turkey. It was evident that one or more people ate from him.
"I was going to leave when I heard someone groaning. There on the floor was your cousin, Dudley. He'd been gutted incompletely, only his stomach was cut open. He'd obviously tried to push everything back in. By the time I'd reached him, he was nearing death. I was going to just watch, make sure he went easy, when he opened his eyes. Though they were unfocused, he saw me. He thought I was your aunt. How could I leave him? So, I lied to him, told him I was his mother, eased his passage into the next world. I've never felt a death as closely as I felt his. His eyes will stay with me for a long time. I'm with Severus on this- we need to find Lucius and make him pay!"
Jumping on the bandwagon, Harry leapt to his feet. "Yes, if we take out Lucius, Voldemort loses his right hand man! Let's storm Malfoy Manor!"
"Harry, that isn't feasible. All we can do right now is sit back, and hope she will be okay. Anything else would be suicide."
"She's my last living relative! I have to save her!"
"I know Harry, but we can't afford to lose you as well." Looking at the faces of the three people closest to him at Hogwarts, he sighed. "We'll begin planning for how to get her back in the morning."
"Thank you, Albus," Minerva softly said.
"Yes, thank you, Albus. We need to get a plan soon, before something truly awful happens to her. What I still don't get is what Lucius would want with an untrained witch."