Parseltongue.
~MindSpeak.~
~Secret Speak~
§Severus Speak§
Samhain morning, Belladora was sombre. It was early, and thunder could be heard through the desolate castle. She closed her eyes, and she felt Tom in the back of her mind. His consciousness was docile; he was asleep - alive but asleep. Her nightmare rang through her mind like an alarm; a feminine scream resounded in her ears, and a green light bounced behind her eyes.
She had to keep reminding herself that he was alive, as she got up and donned her cloak. On her way down to the common room, she contemplated skipping classes. However, she knew she couldn't miss them entirely. She walked slowly to the entrance way of the common room and spoke the password. It slipped open softly, and without a sound she stepped out.
The wall sealing behind her was the only noise in the tranquillity that was Hogwarts at night. As she travelled along the corridor to a door at the end, she marvelled at the fact that it was so quiet, she could hear the birds outside. She knocked on the door, and it seemed to shake the air around it. Loud echoes bounced around the hall, and she waited. Of course, he was asleep, and would not hear her knocking from his office. She raised a delicate hand to stroke the earring in her left ear and spoke clearly in her mind.
§Severus. Please wake up. §
Moments later she still heard nothing, so she spoke again this time louder.
§Severus! §
He was definitely awake, as she heard him yell in her mind.
§Quiet, Severus! It's Bella. §
He sighed and spoke the directions to his quarters, where she met him at the door.
"What are you doing awake, Bella?" He spoke softly, gesturing for her to sit down. She was still on edge as she sat, and he saw her jump a mile in the air when he turned the water in the heat.
"I had a nightmare." She looked small, and vulnerable. Oh, how Severus hated that look.
"Do you wish to speak about it?" He acted like he didn't see her turmoil, as he made the tea and carried it to the table.
Belladora looked over at Severus; his hair was ruffled and slightly curled from sleep, he wore a silk black shirt and tartan sleep trousers. He looked soft, and laid-back as he poured the tea. Freshly washed hair curled onto his cheek, and a precise hand tucked it behind an ear.
"It was about Tom. My father, and my mother. This is the day they died, and I think my dream was a memory."
Severus eyes snapped up to her face in shock, "You remember?!"
Belladora's eyes turned distant, and her hair turned colourless. It wasn't quite white; tints of black ran through it. Like static.
"I heard her scream." Tears ran down Bella's face, and Severus was at a loss. He moved to sit next to her on the couch and placed a hand on her shoulder. However, she took it as an invitation and lent towards him. Arms came up to wrap around his neck, and her head rested in the crook between his shoulder and his neck.
He would deny any witness vehemently, if they ever spoke of him blushing. However, there were no witnesses, and he did blush. A girl, with shields like steel, was crying on his shoulder. It struck him how young Bella actually was, even though she acted the most matured.
He would protect this girl, he vowed as he placed his arm around her shaking shoulders.
They sat there for a while; slouched on the couch, Bella lent on Severus. She wiped her now blotchy face, with a conjured tissue and pointed to the tea,
"The tea is cold." She said pointedly.
Severus laughed, and waved his wand to heat up the tea, but Bella stopped him.
"I don't like reheated tea." She smiled softly as she heard Severus cursing, muttering softly about spoilt brats, and yet he got up to make more.
"I don't think I can go to class today, Severus. I'm too on edge."
She played with a strand of her still colourless hair, braiding it and twisting it this way and that. She saw Severus nod, and boil more water for the tea.
"You may miss them if you wish it." But he saw her shake her head,
"Or you can accompany me to the library after breakfast and do your work there."
He carried the now fresh and hot tea back to the table and sat beside her, just to see her nod. Tiredness crept back into her expression and she lent once again on his shoulder after picking up her tea. However, it never made it to her mouth, as she soon fell into a deep sleep.
Severus sighed, and placed the teacup back onto the table. He stood, softly placing Belladora's head on the cushion at the head and transfigured the couch into an exceptionally soft bed. The cushion changed into a pillow, and her robe into a blanket. He left the fire burning to keep her warm and returned to bed. It was after all 2 in the morning.
He walked past Bella 5 hours later and decided to leave her there while he collected her work. He left a note on the table in front of her, should she wake up, before leaving.
His feet carried him towards the great hall, and he sat with the other teachers at the front. It was still early, and so only a few students were sat at their tables. At the head table sat Minerva, Pomona, Fillius, Poppy and Dumbledore. He internally sighed and sat next to Minerva.
"Good morning Severus." Minerva spoke in her brutish Scottish accent. He nodded to her and to Fillius next to her before speaking.
"I'm afraid Miss Avery will not be attending classes today; I wish to collect any work you have for her."
Minerva and her colleagues nodded and summoned their class work. However, out of the corner of Severus' eye he saw Dumbledore not so subtly eavesdropping. His twinkling eyes narrowed in on them and he turned in his chair.
"What is the matter with Miss Slytherin?" He spoke, softly pressing forward towards the trio.
Severus looked blankly at him before replying crisply, "I'm afraid Miss Avery is ill. She came to me this morning and asked for her work, as she did not want to miss anything. However, she will not be attending any classes today."
He then turned and dismissed the headmaster, who used to this behaviour, turned back to his food. Severus ate slowly, watchful eyes running over the great hall. He observed Bella's friends, and saw how they watched the door with worried gazes. He sighed and stood up, bidding good bye to the other teachers. He walked slowly, face void of all emotion, to the small group. Draco looked up at him, and was about to speak, however Luna shushed him.
"Thank you, Miss Lovegood." He said in a smooth, muffled voice.
"Miss Avery will not be joining classes today," he said, almost laughing at how Draco wanted to interrupt but Luna elbowed him the side, while looking serenely off to one side of the Professor. "as she is not feeling well. She is fine for now and has got her class work." He did not wait for any questions, or replies, before he swept out of the Hall.
He ended up back at his room in no time at all, and indeed Belladora was already awake, and dressed in a soft lilac silk dress, while sitting on the couch. She stroked the long sleeve, before turning to the opening door.
"I see you are up. How are you feeling?" He proclaimed, softly shutting the door behind him. His eyes ran over Bella; she looked distant, and her skin translucent. She didn't answer him, so he spoke her name softly, kneeling down in front of her. He gasped at her eyes; a wreath of lilacs stared back at him. He wondered why, as before his eyes they swirled back to a shifting prism.
"Hello Severus, I didn't know you were back. Why are you knelt on the floor?" In her voice spurned false laughter and he couldn't take it anymore. She started to laugh, but he grabbed her shoulders tight. In one motion Belladora was pressed into his chest, tight arms wrapped around her, her friend's cheek resting on her head. She blinked tears away, trying to stop them from falling, as she tried to look up at him. However, his arms tightened.
"Severus, wha-?" She tried to look up at him, but instead just sighed into his chest.
"Over the past 10 months Bella your well-being has been a priority to me, you have worked yourself into my steel, cold heart. Seeing you like this not only hurts me but it makes me worried,"
He pushed the girl away from his chest, looked down at her face, to see tears rolling down her face.
"are you alright?" He whispered, and her posture crumbled. Her shoulders shook, as did her head. It fell forward to rest on his chest, and he breathed heavily, wrapping his arms back around her. They stayed there until the clock struck 9. He shuffled a desolate Bella to the bathroom to wash her face, and she came out once again with a clear face. Her hair bellowed around her in mahogany curls, free from any style; he saw her subtly shaking. The dress she was wearing was long sleeved and floor length, but it was only made of silk. He waved his wand towards her, frowning as she flinched, and cast a warming charm on her dress.
He collected a soft cream satchel, with parchment and writing utensils in it, before shuffling Bella out of the door. He placed his hand on her shoulder and escorted her to the library. The whole way there she didn't say a word, but her eyes had turned into a spurning lilac again. As he sat her down at a table hidden behind a corner bookshelf, he saw Madam Pince – a mousy women – looking towards the disruption. He spoke quickly about how she was doing her lessons here today, and that she was not to be disturbed. The librarian looked ruffled, before storming off behind her desk.
"This is the work I collected you today, please if you need any help, ask me. I will be staying here until 11."
Time passed quickly, and surprising quietly. Belladora only had a few questions, and mostly spent the time working through the small pile. So, Severus conjured his potions Journal, and a chthonian referencing book; he had poisons to counteract.
He was stuck. Never in his life would he admit it to anyone else; however, he needed help.
"Belladora, I need your help."
She looked up softly, eyebrow raised softly. "Yes?"
He sighed heavily for what seemed like the thousandth time and turned his book to face her. "It is nearly 11 o'clock and I have classes. However, this is the ingredient list for the potion I am trying to counteract." He pointed to a cursive scrawl in his journal, "The poison is too acidic for a bezoar, a mithridate is proven ineffective as the poison absorbs the fluid and turns it into more poison. I need you to research different antidotes for me, anything you can find, any language, any continent."
Belladora nodded, looking significantly better and intrigued. "What colour is the potion, Severus?" She spoke softly, brushing her hair behind her ears in a fast motion. She pulled the journal towards her as Severus replied, "It's purple. I really must leave you know. Finish your own work first, Bella."
He left in a swirl of robes, and Belladora was on her own. She panicked for a moment, before Toms voice spoke softly.
~Has Severus thought about using crystallised deer tears? ~ she sighed as his voice brought her back.
~Hello Tom. Let me read, you can look over it with me. ~
Now if Severus was here, he would see her eyes change to lilacs again, but he wasn't. And he wouldn't know about the connection.
So, she read, and talked with Tom for most of the day. She had conjured another journal and was writing down her thoughts inside.
~Belladonna berries can add a purple hue, mix that with some acidic alkaloid, and we have our poison. ~ Tom said softly, but Belladora was no longer listening. Irritation crawled across her skin, and she became restless. She stood quietly and waved her hand to float her books behind her, however they fell to the floor with a bang. Madam Pince shooed her out seconds later, "-and change that disruptive behaviour at once!", with her books shoved in her arms. She heard Tom's voice speaking softly to her, as she walked back to her common room, but she couldn't understand what he was saying. The low tone of his voice, however, was very hypnotic. She focused on it to keep her grounded on her way.
She deposited her things off at her room, refreshed her hair manually as her magic seemed to be fluctuating, and walked to the great hall.
Eyes as sharp as knives, she takes in everything in front of her. Every laughing, rowdy Gryffindor. Every studious Ravenclaw. Which of them was studying, and which Slytherins were eating? Who was talking to who?
Everything was running through her head, as she stood in the entrance way of the Great Hall. People walked past her, and the shift in the air caused her to lose her balance; she fell into the grand golden door and placed a hand on the door to brace herself. She heard Tom shout for her in distress, but she couldn't focus. It's too loud, much too loud.
Luna could hear her. She could hear them, pouring poison into her. They were whispering awful, distracting things directly to her lady's ear. She stopped walking, and looked around the corridor she was in, and saw sprites near the wall. She tilted her head to listen to the tiny titters spoken by the pixie like creatures. They lulled on about wrack spurts, and an infestation by the Great Hall.
She didn't particularly like wrack spurts; they preyed on the vulnerable and struck when distracted. She hated being vulnerable. She distanced herself from the present, and her soft voice stroked along the sprite's minds.
"Sprites, lead me to Belladora."
She walked in a quick pace, following the invisible creatures, while humming softly. She arrived at the Great Hall and the sight she saw made her shudder.
Her lady… being overcome by a swarm of vicious looking wrack spurts. The crawled inside, and bit at her ears. They circled around her hair, pulling it this way and that.
"Begone!" She spoke softly, so softly that no one around her could hear. The wrack spurts however, just ignored her. They carried on terrorising Her Lady, and Luna saw her hands shake, and clench.
Tightened shoulders started to tremble, and chestnut brown hair melted slowly into white.
Wrack spurts were hard to tame, even harder to terminate.
Luna sent out a pulse of boiling, hot magic. The wrack spurts fell to the floor, like flies, screeching as they went. She swayed forward, and her serene voice carried across to Bella.
"Come, my lady."
The command shook Bella, and a shivering breathe tore itself from her.
"Little Luna?" The distant, echoey response was short, and her eyes were unfocused; however, she had stopped shaking,
Luna nodded and her gaze wondered to the head table. Severus was looking worriedly towards Bella; Luna waved her hand and a delicate crown of fresh flowers appeared in Belladora's Snow White hair.
Century flowers; lemon blossoms; verbena; marigolds; amaranthis: double asters. It was an incredibly sad crown, but Severus understood and went back to his food.
Luna weaved her arm through Belladora's, who had regained control of her shields, looking more alert, and led her to the table.
"Something is happening, Little Luna. Something is wrong." Her voice showed the emotion her face could not; it was scratchy and strained. She swallowed thickly.
Luna nodded slowly, "Yes Bella, something is coming. The sprites are in upheaval." She sat Bella down, shaking her head at her friends who nodded back. They understood; not here, not now.
Belladora did a head count of her friends, sighing in relief when they were all counted. She then looked down the rest of the table.
"Where is Daphne?"
An older sluggish looking prefect turned to her and spoke clearly.
"She's just been released from the hospital wing, Snape said something about her eyesight? She should get here soon…"
Hermione sighed, "They shouldn't have let her out yet, her sight will be fluctuating." Daphne and Hermione had been fighting none stop for the past couple of weeks, and Hermione still had not taken the spell off. Severus has tried to help, but every time they thought it was gone, it would come back. Like an infection, and it had been flickering between sight and blind.
"This should be the longest relapse, she'll still be blind. How will she find her way-?" A screeching bang cut Hermione off and Belladora jumped harshly.
"T-Troll! Troll in the dungeon!"
Professor Quirrell in all his idiocy, decide then to trip, fall and blunder to the floor, creating more noise than necessary. Everyone was staring at him as he stood back up, fixed his turban, and spoke again.
"Thought you ought to know."
His eyes rolled back then, and he dropped in to a dead faint. If Belladora was thinking more clearly, she would have noticed that Quirrell's faint was fake, and his eyes were open.
Havoc curled around the Hall causing frightened children to scream. Only after several red sparks flew above their heads with loud accompanying bangs did head turn to the head table. The teachers and Dumbledore had their wands out and were standing ready. Dumbledore's once tinkly voice tinted the silence, strong and vicious.
"Prefects! Lead your class mates to your common room. Teachers, with me to the dungeons."
Draco scoffed next to her, and practically goggled as Dumbledore left through a side door.
But Bella, who was already on edge, spoke over his exclamation about their common room.
"Daphne! She's still blind." She stood up quickly. "Draco, Pansy. Go to the nearest teacher. Hermione, Luna. With me." She walked to the entrance, dousing her trio in shadows as she went through the crowds. On the way she heard the golden boy scoff at something before saying, "Let's go battle it! Just imagine, we'd be hero's." she pulled out her wand, already heard enough of his egotism and confounded him.
"Go to your common room, Harry." She commanded before leading her group away. Hermione and Luna shared a look of confusion before following.
"Point me, Daphne Greengrass." She whispered softly to her wand and the three followed the compass like spell to the girl's bathroom on the first floor. They saw Daphne curled in a ball, crying next to the entrance; she was slowly muttering to herself. "Please. Please help me."
In that moment, Hermione felt pity for Greengrass. She knelt down slowly to talk to her.
"Greengrass… it's Granger, Lovegood, and Avery. We have to move. There's a troll."
Daphne's face scrunched up in confusion, but Belladora spoke. "There's no time to explain Daphne."
A horrid stench pummelled their sense, travelling towards them in a wave. Belladora turned towards the end of the corridor, and her heart stuttered in her chest. She laid eyes upon one of the most disgusting creatures; a mountain troll.
~Bella! What are you doing?!~ but she had no time now to reply to Tom, as the troll started to trundle towards them.
"Into the bathroom! Now!" Belladora shouted, and Hermione half dragged Daphne by the arm.
"What is happening?" Daphne sobbed, as she was dragged to the back of the bathroom, and Belladora slammed the door shut. She had just moved out of the way and was preparing to cast wards on the door with Luna when it shattered.
Time slowed for Belladora, and her eyes followed a jagged piece of wood. It found its target seconds later and buried itself through Luna's shoulder. Her body stumbled backwards, and blood coughed up her throat. Luna fell to her knees, shock in her eyes.
"My Lady…"
But Belladora was already gone; she disappeared behind vengeance.
Hermione watched, as Daphne clung to her back shaking. Belladora's still white hair sharpened its movements; they slashed forwards towards the troll and recoiled; tearing flesh. Reflecting irises changed into inky sclera's as she screamed – a blood curdling sound.
A wild wind rushed through the bathroom, hacking at the troll's club arm. It dropped to the floor with a ground-breaking thud. Hermione couldn't hear the screaming any longer as blood rushed to her ears. Another tornado tore towards the troll, decimating its eyes and ripping flesh away from muscle. Belladora started to float and an icy, vicious voice snarled through the wind,
"Diffindo."
Hermione and Daphne flinched as troll blood drenched them. Hermione's eyes widened as a troll head rolled past her feet. Daphne's unseeing pupils were dilated, and covered in a milky film; they rushed about the room, and her distress voice called out –
"What is happening!"
She jumped as a crash ricocheted through the floor; Hermione was shaking, and she stuttered out, "T-Troll. Be-Bella-lladora!" Her words lodged in her throat as the creature before her turned in mid-air. A demonic face stared at her; Snow white hair circled a lithe, weightless being; void eyes pierced down to her very soul. Framing dark pools was pale skin, shadowed with inky black veins travelling down her face.
A soft, succinct voice coiled through the air. It pierced through her blood rushing deafness.
"My little doll."
Monstrous eyes had softened, the veins started travelling back up her face as she stared down at Luna. She floated down and landed behind Luna just as her knees gave way.
"Leave her alone! Demon!" Hermione shouted, but stopped as Luna shook her head.
"I am here little buttercup, it is I." The buoyant whisper should have soothed her, and It did a little. But Belladora was wearing a demonic face, and she had always been taught that demons were all evil.
Belladora waved her hand, and the wood melted from the wound. Soft chanting filled the room, and Daphne choked.
"This is Black magic!"
However, all Hermione could feel was feathers. Unlike Daphne who had a grey core and could taste black magic in the air, Hermione was a neutral witch. The black magic felt like any other magic, but stronger. It ran over her skin, electrifying and dancing as it went. She was mesmerised by the blood retracting into Luna's body; the wound snapped shut and the magic stroked across her skin one last time before it disappeared. A last farewell.
Belladora cradled Luna's head to her chest, her now blood-stained dress sticking to Luna's cheek.
The little witch started to hum; the poisonous veins were completely extinct now and Belladora's face cleared.
Hermione breathed. Her arms felt heavy, and Daphne was leaning on her back – face lent on her shoulder. "Is it over?"
But she went unanswered; encapsulating prisms stared down at Luna, taking in her still pale skin.
"My Little Luna." She leant against the wall and craned her head to the ceiling. She heard footsteps, but Luna's humming slowed and Belladora's exhaustion caught up with her. She managed to stroke her earring softly before her hand dropped to the floor.
§Help me, Severus. §
Hermione saw the strength drain out of the two witches, and they slumped against the wall in a deep sleep. Seconds later, three teachers came around the corner. Seconds too late, Hermione thought, sardonically. Draco and Pansy entered after, and they both gasped. There was so much blood, Pansy couldn't help it. Tears streamed down her face, and she turned to Draco. But his eyes were looking at the wall; "Sister?" He spoke softly.
The teachers turned from the crime scene of the troll, only to pale at the sight of the students. Professor McGonagall's hand shot to her mouth, covering a quivering breath. Quirrell however, was still looking down at the troll; his eyes were flicking between it, and the students.
Severus looked the worse. His face was blank, but his eyes were swimming with emotion. It was the most emotion Hermione had ever seen from the man. He stalked forward, and his voice made everyone jump.
"Minerva, take Miss Lovegood and Miss Avery to the hospital wing, now!" The professor started at her name and blinked at the fury in his voice. She moved nonetheless and floated the two out of the room.
"Quirrell, watch the troll. Slytherins with me."
He led Pansy and Draco to the common room and dropped them off with calming droughts in their systems. He then escorted the two witches to his office.
Hermione had calmed down a little as they entered, but Daphne still jumped as the door closed. They were led to a door, and inside was a couch, a chair and a fire place. Other trivial things were laid around the room, but Hermione paid little attention and led Daphne over to the couch. She placed a hand on her arm and drew her wand, pointing it at Daphne's eyes.
"Desino." She breathed, and icy blue shone through the milky film. They cleared slowly, and Daphne's eyes gained focus. She glanced at Hermione's face, and took in the blood splashed across it. Her eyes dropped to her hands, and she saw they were doused in blood. They stared to shake, and icy blue irises travelled up Hermione's body. Blood. There was so much of it, and she lost all composure. She sobbed and threw herself into Hermione's arms. The muggleborn stared over the shaking shoulders, baffled at the scene. Professor Snape entered from a side room she hadn't noticed, carrying a bowl of steaming water, and two towels. He had taken his robe off, and his white shirt was rolled up at the wrist. He placed the bowl on the table to the side of the couch, and the tucked his hands into the pockets of his black slacks. Hermione spoke weakly, "I think I've had enough shocks for today." Her voice stuttered, and she truly did look tired. And so, Severus saved her the shock of him chuckling, and instead offered her and the distraught witch a Calming Draught.
Daphne nodded silently, and he walked over to the wall. A muttered spell, and a makeshift bookshelf appeared. He walked back over with two sickly yellow potions, in crystal vials. He passed it to each of them and watched as they swallowed it without complaint. A bit of colour returned to Hermione's face, and Daphne was now silently leaning on Hermione shoulder.
"Thank You Professor."
Severus nodded, before leaning against the door frame. His voice had softened down to low lulling tones, and they comforted the witches in front of him.
"Would you like to tell me what happened today, or do you wish to show me?"
Hermione's brow creased, as she didn't understand; but Daphne explained softly. "He wants you to give him the memory, to view in a pensieve. It doesn't hurt, Granger. Let him do it."
She was still wary, but she nodded and watched as Severus came over with his wand in his hand. "Breathe, Miss Granger. Think of what just happened. Every detail if you can."
The tip of his wand touched her temple, and she momentarily panicked as she felt the memory slip out of her mind. However, the wand was gone the next second and she saw a milky mist dangle from the end of his wand. He placed it in a vial.
"Clean yourselves up, and then call for Loppy. She will help you change your attire." He said, pointing to the towels before leaving through the door again.
"Thank you, Hermione." Daphne said softly. Hermione's amber eyes shot over to the calmed girl next to her. Blonde hair was brushed behind her ear as she spoke.
"I have cried on you, and you did remove the spell." She explained in response to Hermione's baffled expression.
"You also protected me; I say that's enough grounds for friendship." She smiled softly and stared into her eyes. "Please accept my apologies for my behaviour. I have no excuse."
Hermione, ever the humanitarian, smiled and nodded.
"You have to apologise to Bella too though. She was the one who noticed you were missing." Hermione stood up and picked up a soft towel. She dipped it in warm water and wiped it across Daphne's face.
"She told us to look for you."
Daphne breathed, as finally the grimy feeling of blood was washed away. She observed as Hermione waved her hand, and blood disappeared from both of their hairs. She could see the merit in being friends with these witches, and so she sighed.
"I guess she's not that bad; her dress sense is impeccable."
A smile fought its way onto Hermione's face, before it dropped.
"She didn't look so impeccable today, in the bathroom. She was terrifying."
Daphne's eyebrow raised; it was the least emotion she had shown all night, as her shields had finally mended at the front of her mind. She thought back to Yule.
"Was it the dark eyes, and the veins again?" She pondered, and Hermione's head snapped up to question her.
"It's done this before, is it normal?"
Daphne sighed, "Remember your etiquette, Granger. But yes, it's happened before, and no, it's not normal. But Avery is a powerful witch, who knows what's normal for her."
End of Chapter 13.
