Disclaimer: As usual, I own nothing except my own character, Muirgeann le Fay (Merissa Lovey), and all else belongs to the esteemed Ms. Rowling, who I thank most heartily for creating such a universe for all of us to enjoy and explore.
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"Useless fool needs help again. I'll have to send it to him." I muttered, listening to Potter's camp through his bugged wand. Three Horcruxes down, at least. He may be lucky enough to succeed. I'll send a Patronus with what I know. Perhaps that will be enough to help, I muttered. I cast the Patronus and stared at it in shock for a long moment. Why would my Patronus change? Filing the information away for later, I gave the Patronus the message Potter needed and watched the silver wolf lope out of the window quickly.
I turned around as Lovey rolled over on the bed, mumbling in her sleep. A glance toward her revealed that my shirt was bunched up around her ribs and she'd kicked the blanket off. If I wish to retain any sanity, I must get her things from Hogwarts, I thought, flicking my wand to cover her up with a blanket before my mind could fill in what details I couldn't see. The weight of the blanket made her open her eyes sleepily. More blue than grey today, they unclouded and focused on me before she sat up.
"What time is it?" she asked, yawning as she stretched, the shirt falling back down around her waist.
"It's nearly eight." I told her. She nodded and set the blanket behind her on the bed, standing up and stretching her arms far above her head once more. I kept my eyes focused carefully on her face, growing irritated with her although I knew she wasn't trying to draw my eye.
"I've slept in, then. I should probably up and do something with myself." she commented, looking around the room with an expression that fell steadily until she sighed and walked past me to the bookshelf in defeat. I followed her with my eyes, watching as her shoulders slumped lower and lower until she haphazardly snatched a book from the shelf and threw herself into the nearest chair as though weighed down by the world itself.
"I have work that needs to be done." I informed her. She barely nodded, her head still down over the book. I hesitated for half a moment before reminding myself that I didn't care what sort of state she was in, that my only goal was to keep her alive. I headed out and met Voldemort in his study. Cries from the corner of the room indicated he had been torturing someone, but I kept my eyes carefully averted to assure Voldemort I wasn't capable of being distracted. "You requested my presence, my lord?"
"Yes, Severus. I have a very serious task to give and I trusted no other to complete it." he said, pausing for a moment to watch for any sign of nervousness or untrustworthiness and seeing none. He leaned toward me across his desk. "Legilimens."
He rifled through my surface thoughts quickly, skimming them for anything out of the ordinary before signalling for me to search his thoughts. I saw the images of his Horcruxes slip by quickly before his mind settled on an image of Rowena Ravenclaw's diadem. Without saying a word, he showed me the location of it and indicated that I should check to see if it was well. Once he found my acknowledgement of his task, he left my mind and smiled.
"Once completed, you may return and rest for the remainder of the day. This work is of utmost importance and is all I require of you for now." he informed me, dismissing me by turning back to the sniffling individual in the corner. I Apparated to the gates of Hogwarts and searched for the Room of Requirement, where he'd shown me it was hidden. I stalked past where the doorway should have been three times before the door appeared and I stepped inside. I stepped in front of the diadem and bared my Dark Mark, holding it up beside it and looking between the diadem and Mark significantly.
I extracted the memory as well as those of Voldemort's thoughts of his Horcruxes and sent them to the Order with my Patronus, knowing someone there would be wise enough to discover them and use them to confront Voldemort. I Apparated to Knockturn Alley to pick up the potions ingredients and other necessities I required for the week. I stopped in front of the bookstore for half a second, thinking of getting a book for Lovey, but then I reminded myself that it would be unwise to be too friendly to her.
I Apparated back to the Manor and headed to my private study, summoning a house-elf to put away what I'd bought and bring me lunch. Once I was finished, I got up and found myself at the door to my room before I realised I'd made the decision check on Lovey. When I opened the door, wide eyes met mine with shock as she froze in front the doorway from the bathroom wearing just a towel. I blinked and realised it was surely Lovey, but she didn't look the same. I stepped toward her as she stood frozen in place.
"Were you glamoured?" I asked, stopping a few feet in front of her. Her eyes grew wider, if possible, before she turned abruptly toward the door and her hand wrapped around the door handle. I stopped her from opening the door, giving her a curious look.
"I don't know what you're talking about, but I would like to go and change into my clothes, if you don't mind. I'm hardly respectable like this." she said, her voice an octave higher and a few levels quieter than usual. Her eyes were clearer when she looked at me again, as though the colour was draining from them. "Please let me by."
"Your appearance is changing. Are you a Metamorphmagus?" I asked, resisting the urge to pick up a strand of drying hair to examine the colour. She blanched, her hair and eyes likewise draining of colour. I stepped away from the door and she shut herself quickly inside. When she finally returned, her appearance was back to normal. I frowned at her and indicated that she was to take the seat beside me. She sat down and looked away from me, checking her bun absently as though to assure herself that all was normal. "You're a Metamorphmagus. Does anyone else know?"
"No, just you." she sighed unhappily, shooting me a sharp look from under long eyelashes.
"You must have unfathomable control over your emotions if your appearance stays static so easily." I commented. She didn't reply, staring at a spot on the floor as though wishing she could disappear. "What do you actually look like? I know you to be too suspicious of the world to show your true face on a daily basis."
"Does it matter?" she snapped quietly, not looking up. "This is the look I have chosen."
"Yes, it matters. I wish to know what you're hiding." I informed her. Her lips became a thin line as her face hardened.
"That isn't a reason for you to know." she declared resolutely. I leaned back in my chair, my wand in my hand, and she paled slightly, understanding that I was in control.
"Would you like to rethink that statement, Lovey?" I asked her clearly. She shook her head curtly, her eyes still focused on the spot on the floor. I leaned forward and jabbed her arm with my wand, making her flinch. "I suggest you show me your true form, Lovey. I won't take no for an answer."
"Threaten all you want, Snape." she sighed, looking tired and resigned. For a moment, I was conflicted. Is it worth it to curse her to find out? Should I just leave her alone and not know? Wouldn't that show her that she has some sort of power over me? She looked up, her eyes as understanding as though she knew my exact thoughts, and she sighed again. "Does it really mean so much to you? If so, put your wand away."
"Why did you change your mind?" I asked, putting the wand away suspiciously. She frowned and looked away from me to try to hide the utterly defeated and depressed look that had come into her eyes.
"Does it matter?" she asked as she turned away from me and unfolded her braids so that they fell at her sides. Closing her eyes, she undid the braids and shook out the ash brown mass so it surrounded her like a curtain, hiding her face and form. It shimmered from the roots, darkening to become a deep blood red as it lengthened to touch the floor. She kept herself hidden behind it. "Look if you want, but don't expect to find a beauty hiding behind my usual mask."
"Hmm." I replied vaguely as I reached out and touched the soft hair hiding her, pushing it over her shoulder to reveal the rest of her. Her skin was a shade darker, a golden cream instead of the sickly white it had been. Her lips—drawing the eye immediately—were the sort of soft, bright red lips that cosmetics had attempted to duplicate for centuries. Black eyes, the least changed of all her features, fastened themselves upon mine with a wary look that reminded me of a dog that expected to be kicked. "You're right."
"What?" she asked, eyes wide as she tried to think what I could be agreeing with.
"You aren't beautiful." I informed her. I thought her eyes would burst out of their sockets they grew so wide, shock the only emotion I could register in them. Before she could draw meaning from my words, I added, "But you are rather pretty. A bit too unusual to be called beautiful, but your features are pleasing and attract the eye."
"Don't say that!" she hissed quietly, looking more hurt than if I'd insulted her. It was my turn to stare blankly in shock. Instead of replying, she stood and began pacing around the room, muttering quietly to herself, her appearance shifting rapidly as her clearly battling emotions struggled within her. "…mustn't listen to such nonsense….foolish Morgana….Merlin….shouldn't dwell on it, at any rate….mustn't let it show…."
"I must leave." I lied, standing. She paused for half a second before nodding at me, glossy auburn curls bouncing around her as vividly green eyes watched me leave the room. I have the feeling that I've made a very grave mistake. Surely she'll be worse than ever now.
...
"I won't move from this spot until you take me to see Lovey. I don't believe you." I declared, crossing my arms over my chest resolutely as Draco fumed.
"I already told you I can't take you to see her. Do you know how suspicious they would be?" he asked exasperatedly as he paced back and forth around the room, glancing nervously to where I sat perched on top of the bookshelf, his Death Eater robes safely hidden behind me. "Can't you just give me my robes and I'll do my very best to get a note to her?"
"Absolutely not. Promise you'll take me to see her tonight and I'll give you the robes." I told him, repeating my ultimatum. He threw his hands up in defeat, seeing that it was the only way.
"I'll talk to Snape and see what can be arranged. If there's any way, Hermione, I'll make sure you get to see her." he assured me. I knew it was the best he could offer and nodded, tossing the robes down to him before I climbed down to the floor. "Thank you."
"Don't forget your promise. You know I can make your life awful if you do, Malfoy." I reminded him. He ignored me, pulling his robes on quickly before heading out the door. I smiled after he was gone, knowing I'd won and would get what I wanted, no matter how impossible it was. I picked up one of the books he had gathered for me and curled up in the windowsill with it, glancing out the window at the bright day. Humming, I read absently as I waited for him to return.
I'll be able to see for myself that she's okay and she'll be able to tell me for sure whether or not Snape's on our side. Really, though, I just hope she's okay. They don't get along very well. I know half of that's that they like one another and can't stand the idea of it, but their ideas are so different as well. I really hope he hasn't hurt her. She's such a good person and I would hate to see a spirit as bright of hers broken. Surely Snape wouldn't lie to Draco, though. Even if Draco hasn't seen her, surely his assurances must be true.
"Miss's food." a house-elf announced, Apparating into the room and setting a tray on the table before rapidly Disapparating. I sighed and walked over to the tray, picking up an apple before returning to the windowsill. I guess this house-elf isn't a friendly one. Most of them love to talk. I wonder if Profesora Lovey has befriended any of them.
"Granger, time to go." Draco snapped from the doorway. I got up, but too slowly, and he stormed across the room and grabbed my arm angrily, ripping me away from the windowsill. I saw him flick his wand and knew he was glamouring me to look injured. Clever. With a series of curses, he dragged me down a long set of halls before loudly knocking on a door. "Professor! I need your advice!"
"Come in, Draco." Snape droned, his voice lofty and irritated, as though Draco was interrupting him. Draco opened the door and threw me inside. When I looked up from the floor, I found Snape sitting in a rather harsh looking armchair, leaning forward to play chess with Lovey as she lay on the floor across from him. I heard the door shut with a snap and watched Draco turn to Snape, waiting for his nod before he breathed a sigh of relief.
"I certainly wasn't expecting you two to show up here." Lovey commented, sitting up as she turned toward Snape for an explanation.
"Miss Granger has been rather adamant about ensuring you are well. Mr. Malfoy begged me to arrange a meeting for the sake of his sanity." Snape explained dully, giving Draco a scathing look. Lovey's lips twitched as she suppressed a smile.
"I see. Severus, is there any way we could have some tea? I think it would be a good idea to offer some to our guests." she asked. Severus? Did she really just call him by his first name? Snape waved his hand and a house-elf appeared.
"Bring tea for four." he instructed, turning away before the house-elf began bowing and promising to return shortly. Wait. Did he just listen to her? I looked to Lovey to see her lips twitch again as she stood up and came toward us.
"Come now, take a seat. If you're here to see me, you'll do as I say." she instructed. She led the still standing Draco to a seat before shooting me an irritated look and beckoning me over. "Immediately, Miss Granger."
"Yes, Profesora Lovey." I said, forgetting that I wasn't in a classroom until Draco snickered. I shot him a look as I took the empty seat beside him, opting to sit away from Snape as, although Lovey's clearly good state indicated he wasn't evil, I still had the feeling that he was not fond of me.
"Ah, there's the tea. How do you take yours?" she asked, glancing first to Malfoy as she prepared a cup and handed it to the now-scowling Snape. She passed cups to me and Draco, prepared to our taste, before taking a seat with her fingers wrapped around a thin steaming mug that had every appearance of being hot enough to burn. She turned toward me after glancing toward our sullen male companions. "Is there anything you wanted besides a visit, Miss Granger?"
"No, I merely wanted to inquire after your health and happiness. Are you well?" I asked. She shrugged with a bored expression.
"There isn't much to do, but I have been treated well." she assured me. I could see the weariness in her eyes and Snape's and knew that neither was enjoying the situation much, but a sudden sparkle in hers told me she'd found entertainment. Draco hissed suddenly and grabbed his arm as Snape glanced at his and stood.
"We are being summoned. Don't get into trouble while we're gone." he instructed. Lovey gave him a smile I could only describe as coy.
"We never do." she told him. He glared at her as he directed Draco out the door, shutting it a bit harder than was strictly necessary. She turned toward me and smiled at my horrified confusion. "Oh, yes, Miss Granger, I know how to smile and even do a bit of flirting. Shocking, isn't it, coming from an old maid like me?"
"I…erm…." I stammered, not sure how to respond. She leaned toward me with such a bright, wicked twinkle in her eyes that I wondered if I'd been mistaken about her more than I'd ever been about the others.
"It's my own sort of repayment, Miss Granger. Being caged up here—no matter how gilded and pleasant the cage—doesn't sit well with me. Finding no sort of entertainment and dwelling on the irritation our dear professor always sparks, I've been left to my own devices to amuse myself and I've discovered the most curious fact." she told me. I leaned closer as her voice quieted, wondering what she would say. "A half-hidden, clever bout of flirting can drive a man mad. It's the perfect torture to apply in a case like this."
"Aren't you worried about upsetting him?" I asked incredulously. "We're prisoners, Profesora!"
"As are they." she replied placidly, sitting back in her seat. "Perhaps it's cruel or unnatural for me to find such entertainment in tormenting him when he's just as trapped as I am, but it's all I've got. You can't understand how my soul cried and tore when once I realised I was attracted to him. I owe him as much torment as I can cause."
"What do you mean? Why would your soul cry and tear?" I asked, marking the haunted look in her eyes she tried to hide by setting her teacup on the table.
"I would've told you one day, Miss Granger. I was going to write you into my will as my heiress and then you would know, but I've thought better of that plan. My curse may be passed on and I wouldn't want you to suffer from it." she replied quietly.
"Curse?" I asked apprehensively, deciding not to worry about her will for the moment.
"Good. You weren't distracted from what was important." she said, giving me a half a smile before resuming a stoic expression as she sat straight in her chair. "Yes, a curse. A vile, loathsome curse as dark as the father who cast it on his precious little girl. No, it wasn't my father, Miss Granger, so don't go getting ideas. It was generations ago now, but the curse still lingers. I planned to put a stop to it by ensuring I never felt attracted to another soul and no soul would be attracted to me, but I failed. Funny how we play into fate's hands by trying to avoid it, isn't it? Hard as I tried, I had no chance to escape."
"Profesora, you're speaking in riddles." I told her after a moment of silence. Her face softened slightly, some of the shadows leaving it.
"Yes, I am. I'm sorry, Miss Granger, but I can't quite bring myself to tell you. Besides, we'd best be using our time more wisely. Who knows when our captors will return? How is the war going, Miss Granger? Have you, Mr. Weasley, or Mr. Potter succeeded in finding any more Horcruxes?" she asked.
"How do you know about the Horcruxes?" I gasped, staring at her in shock. She frowned slightly.
"I was present when the Headmaster died. As the Killing Curse was cast, he bequeathed his memories to me. I've got quite a useful bit of knowledge in my brain now, although it took me a while to find it." she explained. "What have you been doing? I know you three planned to go off on your own to find out what you could."
"We found Slytherin's locket before I got captured. We were busy trying to find the meaning of a symbol—wait! Would you be able to tell me what it means?" I asked, feeling excited.
"Draw it and we'll see." she replied, waving her hand. A piece of parchment and a quill floated down from the bookshelf onto the table. I was too intent upon finding out if she knew what the symbol meant to ask her how she could wandlessly and wordlessly call something to her with the apparent ease she did. I drew the symbol and handed her the paper. "It's the Deathly Hallows. Curious, that. You've heard of the tale about the three brothers that received gifts from Death, surely, Miss Granger?"
"You mean the fairy tale?" I asked incredulously. She nodded.
"Hardly a fairy tale, Miss Granger. It's true, or true enough. The Elder wand, the Resurrection Stone, and the Cloak of Invisibility are three real objects in our world. Very sought after, they are. If I'm not mistaken—which I can hardly be, with my own intuition and Dumbledore's memories—, you had the Cloak of Invisibility in your command not long ago. A useful tool of Mr. Potter's, is it not?" she said. Her eyes unfocused before I could answer, her hands suddenly folded so tightly together that her knuckles were white. I watched her in silence before her eyes unclouded and she leaned toward me with an urgent expression. "When they come to rescue you, you mustn't try to get me, do you understand? Promise me immediately, Miss Granger. It is of utmost importance that you swear not to save me."
"I—I promise." I told her, seeing danger in her steely grey eyes. She sat back, but seemed to be having more difficulty than normal in keeping her emotions hidden.
"Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley will come for you. When they do, you must go with them without hesitation." she said clearly, attempting to ensure that I would listen. I nodded and the haunted expression on her face faded, staying only in her slanted eyes. "I'm glad you're reasonable, Miss Granger. It would be poor indeed if you were to neglect to follow through with my request." she added, a slight shudder running through her. She forced her lips up into a smile that didn't reach the rest of her face. "Now, then, what were we talking about before all this seriousness about Horcruxes?"
"Draco and Professor Snape." I replied. She isn't quite right, is she?
"Ah, yes. I was giving you advice, wasn't I? Well, I'll simplify it since we don't know when they'll be back. Keep Mr. Malfoy on his toes. Drive him crazy in every way you can, but don't push him too far. If you continually remind him of his attraction to you, he'll remember everything he likes about you and won't soon forget why he saved you. Of course, feel free to have a bit of fun with it. They still deserve a good bit of torment." she told me. The sparkle in her eyes demanded that I accept the comradeship she was offering, that I take her advice and join her in bothering them. I smiled as I realised that her advice was vaguely reasonable. Or at least not harmful.
"Sounds like a great idea." I told her. She gave me an unexpectedly youthful, impish smile and handed me another cup of tea for while we waited for them to return.
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