Chapter Nine
"Evil, begone, Satan! Lord, have mercy! Forgive us our sins!"
Severus had just arrived when he heard these words. Although all the Death-Eaters, including himself, wore masks, he managed to distinguish Lucius from the rest. He gave his former schoolmate a nudge with his elbow. Lucius looked at him disparagingly. After all these years, Lucius still thought Severus inferior to him. Nonetheless, Severus was the only one he felt was discreet enough to hold a conversation with.
"Watch," was all he instructed Severus to do.
Voldemort was standing in the moonlight with an unknown man kneeling in front of him, his arms waving frantically to dispel the all-too-real vision bearing down on him.
"The Devil overcomes the man, but the will of God prevails! Back, back!"
"What is it," Voldemort asked in genuine curiousity, "that makes a Muggle believe in a being higher than he is in the face of danger, and only when all else fails? A Muggle's foolish pride? A Muggle's weakness?"
He caressed the man's head lightly, and the essence of that man transferred to him. When he removed his hand, the Muggle crumbled to the ground, and whimpered incoherently. "Mummy, mummy, bad, bad."
Voldemort sneered in disgust and kicked the man away from him. Two Death-Eaters hurriedly walked forward on their initiative to remove the Muggle. One learnt to read his master's gestures and act on a little prompting. They enchanted a hat to become a Port-Key and the victim was transported to where he had been captured.
The Dark Lord did not have to live or retain his strength by sucking a Muggle's essence, or soul, or mind… Severus had never known for certain what it was that Voldemort took from these Muggles. It was a branch of the Dark Arts which he shied away from. He might have delved in it, but by the time he was prepared, fortune, or ill fortune, saw fit for him to have a change in heart. He had his chance; he rejected its lure. To take this step was to become part of the Dark Arts, as Voldemort was now.
It was Severus's first time witnessing this… phenomena, as he could only describe it. There was nothing impressive about it. A faint light had moved from the Muggle's head to Voldemort's palm, that was all. It explained why Voldemort had not let them see what the process was like. The mystery was far more frightening than the truth.
So, why was the Dark Lord revealing it to them?
"I have decided that I am ready to start the next level." Voldemort gave what passed off as a smile, seeing that a snake could not actually smile. "I will turn to using wizards."
There was a stir, and Voldemort waited for the congregation to settle down. "As some of you are aware, a useless Muggle may not benefit me, it is merely a transition, but draining a wizard of his strengths will not merely bind his own powers to me. It will make him my servant. I understand, naturally, that I must be careful."
Severus was clinging on to his master's words, anxious to find out Voldemort's plans. Oddly though, Voldemort chose to leave them in suspense. Instead, he turned to other comparatively placid affairs. Giving instructions to various Death-Eaters, he ordered Severus and Lucius to remain behind when the others had dispersed.
"To Hogwarts, Severus, Lucius. How go Slytherin's students?"
Lucius smiled, "As always, my Lord, Draco has assured me that his influence on the younger students has not waned. He is also eager to join the ranks here as your loyal subject."
Severus murmured something to that effect, adding, "I watch over the Slytherins ever closely my Lord. They show promise. I hope that you will be pleased."
"I hope so Severus. My army is starting to gather strength. Soon, we'll return to the glory we once had. Then, we strike terror in their hearts again."
Sometimes, Severus's mind irresistibly wailed, the Dark Lord turned to clichés a trifle too much for his tastes. Evidently, Lucius thought likewise. But Lord Voldemort was no mere villain. He was too powerful and shrewd to be disregarded. He was a true heir of Slytherin. And they shook before him. Fortunately, the Dark Lord favoured Death-Eaters who were from Slytherin, and embraced them more easily than those who were not. It was a calculated move to motivate the others to prove their allegiance with him. Severus was all too painfully aware of the extraordinary zeal many who were not Slytherins possessed. He reeled from it.
"Severus?"
"My Lord."
"The Probus children."
Severus was grateful for his mask, "The children?"
"What think you of them?"
"As far as I gauge, they will not be worthy to serve you."
"I do not expect them to be, after their father disappointed me. What I want to know is their magical skills."
Foreboding welled inside Severus. "Their magical powers are raw my Lord. They have not been taught in any magical art. Probus neglected them, or perhaps thought that Hogwarts was an appropriate place to start learning…"
"Enough. It is enough I know they have not honed their powers," Voldemort said curtly. "There will be less danger to tackle an untrained child than a witch or wizard who has fully realised his potential. I want them, Severus. Bring the elder child to me first."
"Why my Lord?" Severus tried not to sound desperate, "There are other children untrained, but possessing greater potential than they."
"Ah, but they are Probus's. I shall consider it as his last service to me." Voldemort's sadistic laughter was high-pitched and carried over the meadows.
~***~
"You'll stand here and wait like the other first-years. Professor McGonagall will be coming." Hermione brought Adora to the stairs outside the Hogwarts castle. She squinted at the lake and said encouragingly, "See, the boats are coming."
Adora followed the direction, where Hermione's raised arm was pointing out. Sure enough, tiny dots that sparkled brightly grew bigger and became boats, each carrying students whose faces were lit with excitement.
"I'm afraid."
"Nonsense, what's there to be afraid about? Chin up. Then you might have a chance to get into Gryffindor."
Adora forgot her worry for a moment and cringed at Hermione's comment. "If only every Gryffindor's like you."
Hermione wrapped her arm round Adora's thin shoulders, "Don't you worry about the others, hear? They know nothing. Try for our sake, all right?"
"All right," Adora replied gloomily.
"There's the spirit." In her efforts to stay light-hearted, Hermione's voice turned squeaky. She knew that the situation would not be as optimistic as she hoped for, but perhaps it would be better than she feared.
As soon as Hermione had reached Hogwarts, she had hastily made excuses to Harry and Ron that she needed to see McGonagall. When her friends went into the Great Hall, she had run all the way to the Probus's chambers to fetch Adora. She had felt that someone should at least accompany Adora for a while on the first night of the school-term, the night where first-years met and joined the Sorting Feast. Now, Hermione was wont to leave but as the boats approached the banks, she was pressed not to let them see her there.
"I'll be off now. Don't let them get to you, ok?"
Adora said feebly, "You've told me a lot of times Hermione."
The seventh-year grimaced, "I'm beginning to sound like old Aunt Polly, aren't I? Don't answer. I know." Grateful that Adora was regaining some measure of confidence, Hermione sped off to the Great Hall.
Chewing her lower lip, Adora stood still at the top of the stairs as all the other first-years clamoured up the steps, buzzing with energy. Those who were in front of the group were the first to notice Adora. Gradually, a hush overcame the group. Adora's gaze swept across the crowd, as she remained separate from all of them. Adora resented at how they were staring at and whispering about her with varying degrees of fascination, as though she were a freak exhibition, as though she had no feelings about how they talked about her father in front of her.
"That's Adora Probus, you know. Her father worked for You-Know-Who."
"Can't you recognise her from the photographs?"
"They've been thrown out of England…"
"But she's here…"
"That means Dumbledore managed to get Fudge's agreement."
"Maybe he didn't." There were snickers.
"Yeah, he is Albus Dumbledore."
It had not occurred to Adora the trouble Dumbledore and the Hogwarts staff had taken to ensure that she could have an education in Hogwarts. She had forgotten about the Ministry. Though utterly thankful, the students' remarks stung. She trembled at their insensitivity towards her family. Nervousness turned to rage, and Adora straightened her posture, her eyes staring back at them coldly, defiantly.
"So, it's true. We have a Death-Eater in our midst."
"I am not a Death-Eater," she scowled at the boy who had spoken out.
He shook his head in disbelief, "Like breeds like. That's what my parents say. I'm glad I've got good parents."
Adora knew that she should keep silent. Snape always told her that people became tired of provoking someone who did not react. But she could not stand by and watch others condemn her parents, especially not from ignorant, pimply-faced boys. "You'll take that back."
"Oh, oh I'm scared. What are you going to do? Curse me?"
Adora drew out her wand, "Gladly." She was grimly satisfied to see his face blanch.
Another student, who was not as obnoxious as he was, said, "Come on Derek, quit it. She's harmless. And we're all going to be classmates anyway."
"She's going to be in Slytherin Vinea. I'm going to be in Ravenclaw. You are going to be in Hufflepuff. We won't be associating with people like them."
"But…"
"Do you think she'll end up anywhere else?"
Vinea threw a glance at Adora, and said nothing. The other students, who had been watching, absorbed the truth of Derek's words.
So, this was the kind of schoolmates she would be with for seven years, Adora thought bitterly. Ones who did not trust her. Ones who scorned or feared her. She saw a few who bore the resemblance of strangers her father had brought back home, whom Probus had called colleagues, or partners. She knew that they were children of Death-Eaters too. Many of them were sniggering and did not help her. The rest observed her in a detached manner. And somehow, just because of that, Adora believed she was different from them, and her father was different from the other Death-Eaters. They were the ones who should be mocked, not she. She and Serena were innocent.
Derek continued blithely, emboldened by everyone's silent agreement, "It's a good thing her father's dead. One less in the world."
Shock numbed Adora's senses for several seconds. Then, her temper broke loose, and she lunged forward, her hand outstretched to strangle him. "I'll kill you!"
She would have reached him, but for a strong thug at her collar which pulled her backwards. Without thinking, she hurled a punch at her assailant.
"That will do Miss Probus," Severus said steadily.
"I'll kill him! I swear I will!"
"It will be messy and I will not have the place dirtied with blood. You may kill him for all I care, but you will not do it in school. Do you understand me?" Severus shook her roughly.
Tears flowed out of Adora's eyes. She did not understand why she had to listen, when no one else did. Did Dumbledore not preach strength in unity? But she was already condemned before she was given a trial by her peers. She did not understand how Snape could be nice to her throughout the holidays, yet easily pretend to be distant from her. It hurt that she had to deal with this situation alone. "It's not fair! It's not!"
"Miss Probus, do you hear me?" Severus lashed out at her. He dragged her to a corner and released his hold on her. Walking forward, he pointed at the boy guilty of the last comment. Severus's eyes glinted eerily. "A Monto, am I right?"
The boy swallowed and his hands gripped his robes,
"Stop gulping like the carp I had to disembowel and store in a glass jar." Severus's remark caused Monto to hiccough, "I asked you a question."
"Yes sir. Derek Monto sir."
"Montos… Ravenclaws all the way, if my memory serves me correctly."
"Yes sir."
"Unless the Sorting Hat deems it frightfully amusing to sort you into another House… ten points off Ravenclaw."
"What?" Monto's face flushed, "But she was the one who attacked me."
"Five points more for contradicting me."
It was at this time that Minerva appeared. "Professor Snape? What's all this about?"
He told her.
"This is highly irregular," she chided. She signalled Adora to come forward. The girl's face was a mess. Tears and mucus mixed and she sniffed loudly. Minerva thrust a lace handkerchief into her hands.
Severus sneered. "If it is highly irregular, I take back the points. But, you must agree that Monto is not to go unpunished."
"Quite right. Mr. Monto, you will apologise to Miss Probus for your cruel remark."
Monto complied grudgingly.
"Now, Miss Probus. You should never attack your classmate."
"I won't say sorry to him." Adora choked with rage.
"Do it Miss Probus, or I will report to the Headmaster."
"I won't!" Adora went on like this until she remembered the extent the Hogwarts staff had gone through to get her to be accepted here. She sobbed a little more, before she did as she was told. Neither Monto nor she looked at each other. She did not see Severus leave quietly.
"Now then. This has taken too much of our time." McGonagall gave a brisk introduction to the school and its customs. Then she led the subdued group into the Great Hall, where everyone else was waiting for them.
Adora followed, her mind in a whirl. What the Headmaster said was lost on her. She kept herself far away from the others, focusing on the humiliation she had endured, unaware of Hermione and Severus, who were both looking at her worriedly.
Ron, sitting beside Hermione, saw who she was looking at, and exclaimed, "Hey, isn't that…"
Hermione hushed him up, "Yes. Now keep quiet."
Ron wanted to protest but Hermione hushed him up again, "I'll explain another time."
Harry asked curiously, "What's going on?"
Hermione refused to reply.
Severus was equally anxious. If Adora ended up in Slytherin, it would be one less obstacle for him to bring Adora to Voldemort. Obstacles, he needed more obstacles. But he saw Adora's expression, and despaired.
After the Sorting Hat sang its new song, McGonagall began to read out the students' names form a list. One by one, each first-year had his or her House announced. They were cheered on as they joined their Houses. Adora stared as Monto became sorted into Ravenclaw. Just like everyone had predicted.
"Adora Probus." McGonagall called.
The girl felt everyone's gaze fall on her. Stealing a glance at them, she saw hostility in many faces and coldness in the Slytherins'. Adora heaved and walked up the steps determinedly. When she sat on the stool, McGonagall placed the hat on her head.
~***~
"You knew my father."
"I told you Adora. I can't say anything."
"But… at least… if he were here, what would he tell me?"
~***~
What do I care? Everyone knows I'm going to be in Slytherin.
Where do you think you're going to be then?
Adora's heart flip-flopped at the voice in her head. Of course, the hat.
Fine, sort me.
Yes… Let's see… Ambition, talent, oh yes… and a thirst to prove yourself. Strange, I know I said those words to someone years ago.
Adora ignored the hat's drivel and thought to herself. I wanted to be in Slytherin, didn't I?
Mm? The hat responded in an absentminded fashion.
But the professor said there are considerations.
Old people like to think a lot, yes?
Snape isn't that old.
Snape? Oh, Severus Snape. Well, I remember sorting him into Slytherin…
Did you regret it?
Regret? Regret is a human emotion, is it not? Now, where were we? Oh, where shall I put you?
I don't know. Adora replied glumly.
You are angry.
They don't want me with them. Everyone says I belong in Slytherin. It's family tradition, right? Weasleys, Gryffindors. Montos, Ravenclaw.
Ah, yes. Tradition. But in this case, we may break out of tradition, yes?
How do I know?
You are the worst sort of students I have ever come across. Very indecisive.
You are supposed to be the one sorting me!
The hat considered this.
True.
~***~
People were fidgeting. Even staff members were becoming restless. Severus remained vigilant. And grim.
Is Adora so difficult to sort? He questioned angrily. It took all of five seconds to sort him into Slytherin. Then again, he did not want her to be like him. He should be hopeful at the length of time ticking away. But Severus remained vigilant. And grim.
Meanwhile, the students were asking each other if the hat had gone defective.
"Maybe it knows that Adora Probus is going to be a Death-Eater. That's why it refuses to sort her," Ron suggested.
"Don't be mean Ron," Hermione said.
Ginny, however, nodded, "He's got a point. McGonagall should just remove the hat."
"No one removes the hat unless it proclaims its decision," said Hermione harshly. "Anyway, if the hat has such discretion about refusing students, it'd have refused Malfoy a long time ago."
However confident she sounded, Hermione was still tense. She had met Severus on her way to the Great Hall. He had told her of his meeting with Voldemort. Later, she would wonder why he told her about it at all. For now, she concentrated on Adora. It was crucial that she was not in Slytherin. But the fatality of bitterness was not to be easily dismissed. She jumped when the Hat finally shouted.
"Ravenclaw!"
Adora looked as stunned as everyone else was, perhaps more so. When McGonagall lifted the hat off her head, Adora remained immobile. The Ravenclaws were hesitant as to how to accept this unexpected member in their ranks.
Adora looked about the Great Hall, from the students to the staff.
The stool crashed to the floor. And Adora fled.
She ran all the way out of the Great Hall. She ran to her mother and sister. She ran to her room and locked herself inside.
~***~
Hermione dropped her books onto the floor and sank into one of the sofas in the Common Room. She drew her legs to her chest and propped her on her knees. She was on the verge of insanity. At least, that was how she tried to convince herself. Insanity was an attractive option, when her recent life was brought into consideration.
She was a student, she fumed inwardly. A normal student. Worrying over N.E.W.Ts and burying herself in books in the library. Hanging out with her friends at meal-times and helping them during lessons. A normal student. If she kept repeating it to herself, she believed she would believe it. Then maybe insanity would leave her to find another victim.
A normal student. She thought. Then she winced, in unusual circumstances.
Not only did she continue aiding the Order, covering up her absences with fumbling excuses in front of Harry and Ron, she was also trying to comfort Adora.
School-term had passed for several weeks. No one had befriended Adora yet. Ellie and Serena, who had to compromise and coop themselves in their rooms for a better part of the day, did not know the actual occurrences that went on in Hogwarts. Adora resolutely stayed silent about her days, except to say that lessons were fascinating, students were really kind and she was having loads of fun.
Adora obeyed the rules and slept in the Ravenclaw dormitories. She slept reasonably well, but she would wake before the sun rose and slip out to see Severus or Hermione. Severus, when he was not too busy; Hermione, when she was carrying out her duties as prefect. Both made an exception to not deduct points off her.
As for the students, most treated her with thinly-concealed contempt. Many left her alone, but there were those who made jibes at her with every available opportunity. First-years who were Muggleborns did not fully appreciate the dynamics of the wizarding world, but were warned to avoid her. They only looked on curiously. They behaved rather sympathetically to Adora's plight, but later on, they would hear stories of what Death-Eaters were capable of.
Adora gritted her teeth and pressed on. She poured herself into her studies, determined not to be scorned for bad results. Dark shadows were beginning to show below her eyes, and the staff was concerned.
Hermione gave an exasperated sigh, frustrated over her haplessness. She had talked to the Ravenclaw Prefects and they had agreed that Adora should be taken care of, albeit tentatively. But the seniors had their own activities and were extremely busy. Adora
"Knock knock."
Hermione did not look up, "Hello Harry."
Harry sat beside her. Ron joined him, "Penny for your thoughts. You've been gloomy the whole day."
"Yes, well." Hermione said nervously.
Forget Adora's problems. She could not even deal with her own.
She started off with, "I've been mulling over what to do with Adora."
At Harry's and Ron's blank faces, she added, "The first-year?"
"Oh." Ron said, "The Death…"
"Don't say that. It's not like that. Hasn't Dumbledore told you anything?"
Ron frowned, "Come to think of it, Dumbledore was talking to Harry and me last week. He asked about us three. Said something about expecting Harry to charge into his office any minute. Then he asked whether we wanted Chocolate Frogs. But that's Dumbledore."
Hermione rubbed her eyes wearily, "Maybe he wanted me to tell you first."
She had cast it aside for weeks, but she had decided to tell Harry and Ron the truth about her summer holidays. Now, there was no turning back. She stared at her feet when she talked. She was not sure whether they were listening. When she finished, she waited several minutes before looking at them.
Ron was the first to speak, "So that's what's bothering you. You could have said Hermione." He gave a little huff after registering what Hermione had said, "Hey! It's not fair. You got to be in the thick of things. You have to tell us every secret Hermione."
Hermione stared at him gratefully. She had been afraid that Ron would have been offended for not telling him. Instead, he was pretending to be offended. She told him some of the things she did, showing that she was not having fun, that the work she did was rather boring, except for the lessons with Flitwick. She glossed over the account of her associating with Severus during the holidays. Understanding as Ron was behaving, she felt that telling him about Severus would be pushing her luck. But she was upset by Harry's response.
"Oh, so you've been here, all this time." Harry said accusingly. He refused to show he was hurt. He had been trying his best to handle the knowledge of what Fate had in store for him. He had tried not to let anyone down by kicking a fuss and refusing to learn his Occlumency lessons. However much he tried, it seemed, he did not get Dumbledore's approval.
"You know I hate staying with them. I don't understand why he can't keep me here if he can keep all of you."
"The Dursleys aren't treating you as badly as before Harry. And it's your aunt's blood protecting you…"
"But Voldemort's got my blood now, right? Dumbledore just doesn't want to see me. He knows he's to blame for Sirius. Me being here reminds him that."
"That's not the point." Hermione grabbed Harry's arm in an effort to make him see what was important, "I'm sorry that I lied. But I had to. We weren't supposed to tell anyone we were here."
Harry shrugged her hand away as though it stung. He did not listen. "Oh, you are right Hermione. Maybe he doesn't trust me, how's that? He thinks I'll spy on the Order, how's that?"
It was Hermione's turn to rage, "Oh, I can't talk to you."
"You made me a fool Hermione. I thought you were my best friend. I thought you were trying to help me. But you didn't even ask Dumbledore to let me stay, did you?" Harry stormed up the stairs to the boys' dormitories.
Ron, who had tried in vain to calm his two friends, whispered to Hermione, "I'll talk to him."
Hermione stormed out of the Gryffindor Tower.
Ron sighed and asked a monkey-shaped statue. "Why me?"
And the statue replied, "Peanuts?"
