Hissssss. "What is stopping you from returning? You are only half done, half rewarded."Someone was talking to her. Someone whose voice had given her nightmares for years. Voldemort had come to her bedroom. Quicker than a fleeing fox, Silwen opened her eyes, only to see a grey, wispy snake slithering on the floor. She relaxed; it was only a Message Patronus. "An ally, who is not a Death Eater has stopped for a visit. Should you wish that he doesn't hurt your uncle, you will return by tomorrow at the latest, Slytherin. Am I understood?" Uselessly, the girl nodded at the enormous snake before it disappeared.
No. No. NO. This wasn't-couldn't be happening, but it was. Uncle was right, she thought, Voldemort was always a step ahead. Always, in control. And now his life–that she thought secure–was now jeopardized. Silwen couldn't let her uncle die. But, could she hand over the lives of every single witch and wizard–every child that hadn't yet been to school? Currently, after reading how powerful the wand was, she knew she couldn't hand over the wand to Voldemort. Uncle wouldn't forgive her if she saved his life. But could she ever forgive herself if she let him die? Slowly, then gaining speed, tears started down her face like brooms on a racing field. Flinging herself back onto her bed, she let many more tears into the competition down her cheeks and off her chin.
"Miss Silwen?" Lucie stood in of her doorway, holding tea and softly steaming crumpets.
"I was-I am s-so naive, Lucie. Voldemort's going to k-kill my uncle tomorrow if I don't bring the wand to him. A 'friend' is visiting and will kill my uncle if I d-don't go," sobbed Silwen into her pillowcase.
Crash! Lucie's tray was shattered on the ground, creating a rather spectacular mess. "Silwen Astoria Snape! Stop that! You're too old to cry like that!" Running up to the bed, Lucie flung the blankets and pillows off the bed-leaving Silwen bare of softness. Sitting up from surprise, Silwen looked at Lucie's fierce eyes. Gently, Lucie took Silwen's hand, and held it tightly. "The Dark Lord could be lying, Miss. He did that to Mr. Potter, remember? Dobby told me all about it!"
"You think so?"
Nodding, Lucie picked up the tray, magically cleaned the spilled tea and crumpets off the ground, got new tea, as well as new crumpets, and said, "I think so, Miss."
Whoosh... A silver, see-through doe stepped through the wall. "Don't you even think about co-" And Severus Snape's voice was cut off. Just as gently as it had appeared, the doe disappeared into the wall. How did he get a wand? wondered Silwen, jaw agape.
"So, Miss. That settles it. You will not go."
"Fine," murmured Silwen, closing her eyes, groping for her blankets and pillow.
"Oh no, Miss Silwen, it's time to start your day. You need to clean yourself up! And I need to find new robes for you, as well as wash all your old clothes. When you are clean, I will have breakfast ready." Silwen nodded, meandering over to the bathroom.
Slowly, Silwen turned water for a bath, sat on the ground and waited for the bath to fill up. She could have used the Elder Wand she supposed to make things move along quicker. But when she recalled the wand's gory history, she thought better of it. Thousands murdered with one curse, hundreds murdered to obtain the wand. Only twice had there been a peaceful transition between two owners. Blood trailed from that wand, and the less she used it, the less tainted she would be.
The bath tub filled, Silwen slipped out of her clothes and into the warm water, exhaling as the water soothed her aching body. Silwen stayed in there until the water wasn't so wonderfully warm, and her fingers looked like palid raisins. Finding new clothes just outside the door and her old ones having vanished, Silwen smiled gratefully. Thank Merlin for House Elves.
It was wonderful to feel clean, she thought as she put her hair in a haphazard bun-avoiding her reflection in the bathroom mirror, with parts of it sticking out like a rooster's tail feathers. When she entered the kitchen, and faced the little house elf's inspection. Giving her approval, Lucie nodded, to which Silwen smiled faintly, and sat down on a chair.
"If Master Snape were here, he would tell you to finish your studies, Miss, so I will make sure you do them in his place!" Loving the feeling of being home, Silwen smiled with more energy, and ate the breakfast that Lucie had brought down from Silwen's room.
Like the one before, this day was a cure for Silwen, bringing her back into a sanctuary of books, study, and home. Of course, the empty shadow of her uncle was ever omniscient, and twanged at her heart, but Silwen was still overjoyed to simply be at home–to touch her blanket, rub her feet against the house's floorboards, smell the fire. For a moment, before things caught up with her once more, Silwen had found solace–and she intended to cling to is for as long as possible. For a moment, Silwen could catch her breath, steady her feet, and prepare herself for the small battle to come. A battle between her own bravery, loyalty, and fear towards others.
