Author's Notes
I am taking the foray into having two stories active at the same time. This story is another one that has been making its presence felt for a few weeks now.
For those following Potions Protege, I will update shortly. I had to take a trip, to London of all places :), and was there for the past four weeks for work related meetings. I am finally back home after enduring a 7 hour flight from hades and despite enjoying London, I hope I don't have to take another international flight for a LONG time.
Secret Songbird
Chapter 1: The Fight
Disclaimer: While I am borrowing many of the characters created by J.K. Rowling, all rights to those characters remain solely with her. I am neither receiving nor soliciting any monetary recompense for this story.
Near London
Hexes were flying. Sparks of various colors flew across the space separating Severus from several former death eaters who were intent on only one thing; bringing down the man that had betrayed their now dead master. Severus was almost used to these surprise attacks. Ever since he had gotten out of St Mungos after Nagini's bite, the attacks had grown more frequent. Still, Severus Snape was not a powerful wizard for no reason. While aggravating, these attacks kept Severus' skills sharp, and, if truth be told, he was almost enjoying the chance to finally take down the very people he had loathed for so many years. Successfully dodging a particularly well thrown jelly legs hex, Severus growled as he threw back a stupefy, smirking in satisfaction as the curse hit the death eater square in the chest, causing him to drop to the ground.
"Going to have to do better than that Whitley," Severus called out. "A first year could fight better than you," he continued to taunt.
Unfortunately, the momentary distraction gave another death eater the opening for which he had been searching and he launched a funis prehendo at Severus. Whooping in celebration, the death eater watched as the ropes tied themselves around Severus's arms and legs, trapping his wand arm and immobilizing him, causing him to fall to the ground. Calling to his fellow death eaters, Sherman approached the swearing, struggling Snape. Sherman smirked down at him as he picked up Severus' wand.
"My, my, my," Sherman taunted. "Look at what we have here. A disgusting traitor. What to do, what to do," he taunted, launching a vicious kick to Severus' side. Severus' grunted as he felt at least two of his ribs snap, but wouldn't give the former death eaters now towering over him the satisfaction of hearing him moan.
"Sherman," Severus snapped. "You're pathetic. Can't fight so you cheat, typical. All powerful when your enemy is tied up and can't defend themselves. Release me and then we'll see how good you are," Severus spat furiously.
Sherman kicked Severus again. "Shut up Snape. By the time we are done with you, that so called bravado of yours is going to be history. As much as I would love to torture you into insensibility right now, we have other plans. Prepare to disappear Snape," Sherman said mysteriously, as he hit Severus with a strong sleeping charm, putting him into a near comatose state.
Watching his enemy slump into deep unconsciousness, he turned to his compatriots, noticing that Whitley was again conscious.
"Time to carry out our plans. Whitley, Marshand, take him and dump him where we agreed. Make sure you obliviate his memories, all of them. Leave him without the sense or knowledge of who or what he is. Without anything familiar around him, the chances of his memory coming back is nil. " Sherman picked up the fallen potions master's wand. He contemplated destroying it; it would only be justice for what the traitor had done to Voldermort. Despite his misgivings, he put the wand inside the pocket of the robe Severus was wearing.
"Whadya' do that for?" Marshand questioned.
Sherman rolled his eyes before turning to the dimwitted Marshand.
"We know Snape has protective charms on his wand. Rather than chance our destruction if we try to destroy it, let Snape take that chance. Without his memories, he won't know the wand is actually a magical item. It is possible that if the wand has no meaning to him, he may destroy it himself and in the process, himself. Thinking for a second as he looked at Whitley and Marshand, Sherman stated.
"Make sure that wand is undamaged during the journey or I will do more than damage YOU!" Sherman threatened, satisfied he had gotten the message across as Whitley and Marshand both paled.
Nodding, the two death eaters hauled Severus ungently to his feet, holding Snape securely between them and as Sherman watched, the two death eaters disapparated away with the potions master.
"So long Snape," Sherman muttered. "Been nice knowing you."
Nevada, US
The night was still and quiet with the high summer's oppressive heat and humidity ever present when Whitley and Marshand appeared.
Dropping the potions master heavily to the hard ground, they looked around for a moment, cursing the heat.
"Let's get this over with so we can get back home. How these Americans can stand this heat is a mystery," Whitley grumbled. Leaning over the unconscious Snape, Whitley pulled his wand and pointed it at Severus' temple.
"Numerus memoria damnu" Sherman intoned."Serves you right traitor. Hope you enjoy losing everything and everyone you ever knew," he muttered, as he vanished the ropes still binding Snape.
"Sherman said to use obliviate. What was that you just used?" Marshand questioned.
"I made up another memory curse. This one does a more complete job than obliviate," Whitley smirked. "He won't even know how to talk; he'll be as helpless as a 2-year old."
"Hmm..have you ever tested it before to make sure? Sherman is going to be awfully pissed if Snape ever shows up again," Marshand said.
"Look you dimwitted idiot," Whitley snapped, "I may not have the fancy schooling like Sherman but I can damned well make up a stupid memory erasing curse. Even you could do it if you had more brains than a squid."
Marshand mulled over what Whitley had said for a moment, trying to determine if he had been insulted or not. Whitley just rolled his eyes at the blank look on Marshand's face. It was no fun to insult anyone who didn't have enough brains to realize they were being insulted.
"Let's go, we need to report back to Sherman," Whitley interrupted Marshand's thoughts.
The two death eaters took another few minutes to aim some more kicks to Severus' face and body before disapparating out, abandoning an unconscious Snape to the mercy of the night.