Something felt wrong. She woke up on the floor, the fire slowly dying. Severus was nowhere to be seen, but that didn't feel like the problem.
She couldn't place the sensation, but it felt very ominous. She had to find him; they had to go back.
"Severus, where are you?" She called down the hall.
"What is it? You were sleeping soundly so I didn't wake you." He saw the panic in her eyes. "What's happened?"
"I don't know, but I can tell something is wrong. We need to get back." She summoned their belongings, packing them into a bag. He wasn't moving.
"I'm serious, let's go!" She snapped, grabbing his arm and apparating away, completely forgetting she wasn't supposed to apparate at all.
They landed in his office and she ran for the map. Phineas appeared in his frame when he heard them arrive.
"I have no idea what's happened, but I know exactly where they are. Get the map, now is the perfect time."
Athelina grabbed the sword from behind Dumbledore's portrait. She was intent on delivering it herself if need be, but Severus grabbed her arm.
"YOU are going to stay exactly where you are. Don't think I haven't realized what you are up to my darling. The thought was practically written on your face. I will go and deliver…argh!" He grabbed his arm in pain.
She could barely hide the smirk.
"Change of plans I suppose? Needed elsewhere? Well I guess I will just have to go do this little job for you." She pulled her arm away from his grasp.
"Think again, I need to go but you are still staying put. I will leave the sword there on my way to Malfoy Manor. Dumbldore, make sure she doesn't leave the castle." He took the sword and the map, preparing to apparate.
"Severus, do not forget that the children must not see you. You will need another way to lead them to the sword." The painting reminded him as he left.
Athelina looked around thoughtfully, trying to find the best way to escape.
"Well, I suppose I'll just go sit in my room and stare at the wall." She knew that wasn't going to work, but she tried anyways.
"Take a seat dear, this might be a long evening."
Severus never expected to be able to modify the form of his patronus. He hadn't even thought it would have changed in the past year, having no real reason to conjure it. Expecting the doe to appear before him, he was greeted instead by a rather small and familiar looking serpent.
This won't do at all. How will they see it, or know it is trustworthy? I need a way to change it back.
He needed to think fast. Resisting the summons was causing serious pain, and he would find it nearly impossible to create a patronus of any sort. It was a gamble, but he hoped focusing on happy memories of Lily would cause his old patronus to return.
The happiness felt like more of an echo, and the glimmering doe reflected that. It was not as powerful as it should be, but it would do the job.
Voldemort made no mention of the fact that Snape was late. He was angry, very angry indeed.
Apparently Potter was foolish enough to return to Godric's Hollow and fell right into a trap. How the boy constantly managed to escape was beyond him. It was as if he didn't even realize how often he escaped death.
How long would it be until they discovered the sword? He didn't know how long his patronus would stay there, since it was so weak.
Voldemort was going on about some wand nonsense. How he would find the most powerful wand, following a trail of wandmakers, it all seemed like complete rubbish. This was an entirely new level of insanity in Snape's opinion. Maybe the man had finally cracked. It did not even have any connection to the plans, as far as he could tell.
He stopped listening to the rambling after a while. This would have been a wonderful time for his Christmas present, but since he left it at home he opted for imagining Voldemort's reaction to Snape being the father of his grandchild. It was slightly amusing, but also rather disturbing.
"I am sure that someone within the castle has knowledge in these matters. After all, a wand so powerful would have left its mark on history. I will require you to look into it and report back to me as soon as possible. Since running the school is keeping you from the tasks assigned to all the others, I am certain you will not mind the added responsibility." The tone Voldemort used was almost mocking, as if implying that giving him research was a kindness to keep him from boredom. He felt like a student being given extra homework; pointless homework, at that.
"Of course my lord, I will certainly look into it. However, it seems these accounts were never taken to be anything more than myth. I doubt I will find many people who treat it in any other way." The cold eyes of the madman looked at him for a long time, assessing whether to lash out in response to his comment. Perhaps as a testament to how unstable the creature was becoming, he simply chose to turn and walk away.
"I expect results in the next few weeks. You are dismissed."
Dismissed, ha. This was utterly ridiculous. Here he was, rapidly gaining control of the entire United Kingdom, and the psychotic lunatic was off chasing objects that didn't even exist.
He supposed it was for the better, since this proved an excellent distraction, he just wished it didn't have to involve him.
Preparing to apparate back, he thought momentarily of what awaited him. Had the children discovered the sword? Did Athelina manage to listen and stay where she was?
The office was far too quiet on his return. He entered the private quarters to find her on the bed, still fully clothed and looking even paler than before. Obviously she had disobeyed his wishes and gone to check up on Potter, but he did not need to bother with that at the moment. She needed some serious healing.
Athelina awoke the next morning, head pounding and feeling very weak. A tray of breakfast sat waiting for her beside the bed.
Severus was in a heated debate with the portraits. She could hear the entire conversation through the door. While she missed the beginning, it was something involving powerful wands. That got her attention.
"If he searches for the Elder Wand he does not fully understand what he seeks. The quest to possess the Hallows has destroyed many a wizard. It could turn a man mad, so who knows what it would do to a man that already is?" Dumbledore's voice expressed interest. Severus, however, seemed more angry than intrigued.
"This is just a frivolous waste of my already limited time. There is no such thing as the Deathly Hallows, and I have no intention of researching their whereabouts. I never though you to be the type that would take these things seriously Albus."
"My lad, as wizards we should realize few things are truly impossible. I never doubted anything, I simply approached everything with caution."
The Deathly Hallows…what did that even mean? She reached for her tablet, hoping one of the books might hold an answer.
The office door slammed, probably meaning Severus had walked out in a huff. She assumed this wasn't something he wanted to discuss anyways. It was better if she kept her curiosity to herself.
Still getting used to the strange keys on the contraption, she finally managed to type her query into the little search box. The results were overwhelming. She didn't even know she had that many books on this thing, but apparently there were enough to give her a days worth of reading.
It was all very intriguing. She could see how the idea of mastering death had tempted wizards over the centuries.
Each of the objects spoke to her desires in a different way. The power, the invisibility, the ability to call back the dead; if she were to possess the Hallows she would be able to avenge her family. No longer locked up and powerless, everyone would remember who she was,what she had done.
The more she read, the more her thoughts turned to dark deeds and methods of revenge. The stories preyed on her weaknesses, up to the point where she would have dropped everything and started the search. Luckily, Severus chose that moment to return.
"I see you are awake. Would you mind telling me what pressing business caused you to disobey my wishes and risk your life running about? I assume it was something horribly important that could not wait until I returned." The tone of displeasure snapped her out of the rash decision-making frenzy she had worked herself into. He was giving her the look reserved for troublesome students.
Once a teacher, always a teacher, she supposed.
"Nice to see you too, darling. I trust your meeting went well?" She gave him her best innocent smile.
"Do not try to play games with me. I know you left yesterday, after I made you promise to stay. Where did you go, and why?"
"Fine, fine, I went to check up on the sword. I was rather worried they would not find it, or you wouldn't get it there in time. Honestly, I was also a bit curious about the destroying of the horcrux. So I waited for a while after you were gone, and I took off."
His brows creased, and she was shocked he had refrained from yelling. She continued.
"I found where you put it, arrived just in time to watch them pull it out. Very fascinating. They destroyed it, but it seemed a rather messy business. I'm shocked no one else heard all the noise it made."
How he convinced himself she would actually stay was beyond her. It must have been obvious she wanted to go and see it for herself.
"So you just stood around and watched while they destroyed the locket and nobody happened to see you?" His anger was slowly becoming curiosity.
"Well obviously not. I showed up a ways away from where they had camp set up, and cast a disillusionment charm on myself as soon as I materialized. However, the ground was covered in snow and my footprints were visible. I also feared…"
"Wait, you can perform the disillusionment charm?" He interrupted.
"Yes I can, now listen to the rest before asking questions. I feared running into their wards, so I chose to cast a thermal spell over my body and transformed. That kept me from my usual serpent-related drawback, and I was able to slip through their wards undetected. I watched them leave and changed back, but all the magic took a toll on my body which is why you found me in such a state."
For a moment or two his expression changed. He looked more amazed than angry, perhaps shocked that she could perform magic he had never taught her with such ease.
"I wont say I did not wonder whether they received the sword, but I am still unhappy with your blatant disregard for your own health. Never mind the apparating being bad for you, I'm sure the spells and transformations are not great for the baby. In the future I would only ask that you think of that."
The guilt did sting a bit. She was worried about keeping the baby safe, and the biggest danger to it seemed to be her own carelessness. She decided not to make a big deal of it and change the subject back to what she wanted to hear.
"You are right, I just got caught up in everything and didn't enjoy being left behind. Now tell me what you were summoned for."
"Oh it was nothing of any real importance. Some nonsense about the Elder Wand and finally being able to overpower Potter. It was a pointless summons really. Although apparently Potter and Granger nearly escaped him the other night, walked right into his trap."
"The Elder Wand, you say? That sounds interesting. " She was trying hard not to seem eager, but she wanted him to elaborate.
"Yes, part of the Deathly Hallows, an imaginary trio of objects that would allow the owner to master death. I didn't think anyone still thought they existed, but apparently even Dumbledore was tempted by the idea in his time. It just frustrates me that his insanity is seeping into my everyday life. Now he wants me to start researching this for him, and it is a complete waste of my time."
He looked at her and saw something brighten in her eyes. It was interest. That flame he was worried she was losing came back in full force.
Severus realized in that instant how incredibly powerful she really was.
It started with her account of the spells she used in the forest. The magic she was able to teach herself, performing it without a hitch, was truly remarkable. He always knew she was talented, but her lineage pointed to her natural abilities all along.
She was destined for power. Had Olivander not said that when bringing her wand?
If she wanted to, she could easily overpower many of the wizards that currently thought themselves talented. He would never let her know it, but there was something to be feared about her.
Her history was certainly grounds for becoming a dark witch, had she chosen that path. Revenge and hatred fueled her ambition, and that frightened him. He trusted her, but was always wary she would do something rash. One wrong move and she could go overboard.
She was deep in thought, and he took the time to really look at her. She was beautiful, he always knew that; her face was the picture of cool, calculating regality. She was slim, yet very muscular for someone who was confined to a room most of the time. Perhaps it was necessary to be in shape when surviving as a snake.
Survival – that was the flame he saw in her eyes the first time he met her. When she finally felt safe with him, the flame disappeared. It was back now, but for some other purpose he wasn't aware of.
Knowing what she did in her spare time, it likely had something to do with new spells she planned to master so she could take on her father. He really needed to watch what she was reading.
She sighed and leaned back on the pillow, obviously still exhausted from the strain she put on her body. When her eyes were closed she looked so vulnerable. He got up and went back into the office so she could get some rest.
"How is she feeling?" Albus asked when he walked out. The portrait likely felt bad for allowing her to go, but honestly there was nothing he could do to stop it.
"Tired, I suppose, but she will be fine; inquisitive as ever. I'm worried I gave her some kind of idea when I was telling her about the Hallows. How can I be expected to protect her when she insists on fluttering about whenever she pleases?"
The portrait smiled thoughtfully, eyes glinting the same way they did when Albus was alive. It made Severus uncomfortable.
"Perhaps, Severus, you are focusing on the wrong thing. You are trying so hard to keep her from harm, but you forget how capable she is of doing that herself. After all, she spent nearly 18 years keeping herself alive against all odds. That was before she honed her magical skills and became one of the most powerful witches I have seen in quite some time."
Dumbledore must have seen the uncertainty on his face.
"Come now my boy, surely you know this. Your task was always to teach her and to keep her hidden. You have successfully done both of those things over the past year and a half, but your focus shifted when your feelings got involved. I'm not saying it isn't honorable to want to protect her, I am simply trying to remind you that she isn't as fragile as you think."
He was right, as always. The woman certainly was capable of looking out for herself. He just wanted her to have a life that was not controlled by fear, where she did not have to hide from others… he did not want her to have his life.
He entered the room and looked at her again, fast asleep. She was perfect, and he would do anything for her.
The change in perspective gave him new focus. He was finished trying to control her life just to keep her safe. Her life would not be easier unless the world was safe for her to live in. He would work his hardest to ensure Potter did his job, anything it took, so her and the baby could experience the full life they deserved.
A/N slowly making my way towards the end! Only a few chapters to go (hopefully)
