CHAPTER 24 - Malfoy Manor
Geneva sat with her legs crossed on the seat of a carriage on the Hogwarts Express – Sophia Baily of Slytherin was the only other occupant. Feet on the seats certainly wasn't encouraged, but it sure was comfortable. Sophia was asleep on the seat opposite, lying across it with her knees drawn up, her head resting on her bag, which was packed with books. Can't have been very comfortable, Geneva thought, but Sophia's gaping mouth told her otherwise. She'd fallen asleep a good forty-five minutes ago and hadn't so much as stirred since. Moments before, the girls had been testing each other on mock up N.E.W.T questions. It still seemed surreal to think that exams were but a matter of months away.
Geneva's eyes drifted from her book out the carriage window. It felt good to be heading home, even though it would inevitably be filled with revision. Never the less, she would have the opportunity to see her father. Fortunately he had been stable for the past few months, which, considering the circumstances surrounding her at Hogwarts, she was thankful for. If it hadn't of been for Severus, things would have taken a much darker turn. At least now, with him by her side and a self-armed skill set thanks to him and to Professor Dumbledore, she felt more at ease and knowledgeable than she was when her threatening burden came to light. Still, the prospect of what was coming terrified her, and the fact she was now away from the protection of the Hogwarts grounds and Severus put her on edge. He did all he could to ensure she was confident in everything he'd taught her before her departure, and finally, the night before she left, on Dumbledore's request, Severus restored her visions.
"You know what to do," he told her, taking back the small phial of potion she'd swallowed. "Your mind is your greatest weapon. Use it wisely. I will be here if you need me. You may contact me via owl should you experience anything, but if you apply your mind as you have so practised, you will be just fine."
"What are you going to do whilst I'm away?" she asked, jittery from the vision restoration.
"I must speak with the Dark Lord. He will be expecting me."
Geneva swallowed the rising ball of fear in her throat, now shuddering with further anticipation of their departure.
"What will he ask you?"
"Undoubtedly my lack of punctuality in your deliverance, the whereabouts of the horcrux…"
"And what will you tell him?" she asked, lowering her voice. "Will he…will he punish you for betraying him?" She couldn't bare the thought.
"I have spent years concealing and amending information where it is appropriate. Do not worry."
The sun beaming in through the carriage window and the rattling of the approaching sweet trolley disabled Geneva's thoughts temporarily.
"Anything from the trolley dears?" came a friendly voice belonging to an elderly lady now poking her head around the open carriage door.
Geneva got down from the seat pulling some change from her pocket before she had even decided what to buy.
"Two liquorish whips, a packet of Drooble's bubblegum, some fudge flies please and a chocolate frog."
The lady took the money, gave her the items and continued to the next carriage where she heard her repeat the same phrase, "Anything from the trolley dears?" Sophia was still asleep. Geneva reassumed her cross-legged position and bit into a liquorish whip, taking in the scenic view from the window. It really was the most beautiful day. She welcomed the positive thoughts induced by the sunshine and exhaled the negative as best she could.
Sophia woke only when the train had come to a stop and was surprised to see they were already at Hogsmeade station.
"I guess all that revising has taken its toll," Geneva smiled, passing her bag from the luggage rack.
"Thanks," Sophia yawned. "I must have needed the sleep. I've done too many all-nighters this week."
"I heard Fred and George have something to help with that." Geneva suggested, reminded of Orah – the thought of which she quickly brushed aside.
The sun shone high in the sky, gleaming in an ocean of baby blue, over the little thatched buildings aligning the cobbled path of the Wizarding Village of Hogsmeade as the girls made their way to Scrivenshaft's Stationary Shop to gather some school supplies. Geneva took out a small list from her pocket. She'd been meaning to buy a new note pad for a few weeks to filter her revision notes that were overflowing on scattered bits of parchment. Sophia pulled her over the right section where multiple colours were on display.
"What else do you need?" Sophia asked, when Geneva had settled on the black notebook.
She checked her list, "Umm I just need to get some eraser ink, chocolate for dad, I need to pick up a book for McGonagall's class and…"
She stopped talking realising how loud she sounded. The entire shop had grown silent. Eerily silent, as though someone had cast a spell. The only sound that could be heard was the whirring of quills and book pages turning from the displays above the shop shelves and the occasional puff of smoke from the magic erasers.
The brightly lit shelves from the rays of sunshine were now grey as if someone had thrown a giant sheet over the shop, as if a storm were approaching. Outside was just the same. Gasps and whisper of panic filled Scrivenshafts as the shop keeper walked with suspicion toward the window, craning her neck to look up to the sky. Geneva turned to Sophia whose eyes were wide in fear. The air grew cold, quickly. Icy cold. The jittery feeling that surged through her was all too familiar. Geneva looked around. Mothers were clutching their children tightly to their sides, their faces pressed into their laps, their eyes hidden. Everyone seemed to be frozen to the spot, dominated by the looming darkness that grew rapidly outside, filtering in through the windows.
Suddenly, screams broke the silence, unleashing into the air outside with sounds of broken glass and herding feet running in all directions.
"Dementors!" yelled the shop-keeper bolting for the back of the shop. "Quickly!" lifting the counter top, she frantically ushered with her arm. "Over here! Get in the back! We have a cellar!"
Geneva was shot with panic, torn between Sophia who was pulling her arm toward the counter and the helpless villagers scarpering past outside the window that she wanted to run and help. Screaming children. Her head grew fuzzy in white noise as though her mind were changing a channel. No. Not now. Not a vision! She hit the side of her head as though she could make it stop.
"Geneva! Come ON! You've got to!" There was a curdling scream of horror from the entire shop as the deafening sound of glass shards broke the French windows slicing through the room in every direction shrouded by the robes of a dementor billowing in the air, faceless, it's corpse like hands open on wide arms as though it would swallow the room into the darkest pit of depression.
Geneva was aware she crashed to the floor but could not break her vision. Severus was all she could see. Severus in what looked like a grand garden, outside a mansion, collapsed by a fountain. Geneva's eyes pressed shut. Distress hit her like a bolt, calling out his name. She couldn't tell if he was unconscious or dead. Her eyes pressed shut in horror. There was a light. A blinding blue light that made her cover her head, curled up on the floor. "No!" she screamed.
Opening her eyes, the sight before her took her breath away so much she coughed on a sharp inhale of dust. A tall black figure stood in front of her, back toward her front, arm out like a barricade, the other, armed projecting a blue light so bright Geneva shielded her eyes as though looking at the sun. A patronus.
"Severus!" she cried, pushing herself backwards on her hands. Her whole body shook in fear watching him fight off the dementors. Two of them. The blue light pulsed them back in the opposite direction, back through the shards of glass, through the broken window until they dissolved into nothingness.
Geneva's tears fell, grabbing onto his dark robes in a guttural cry. He pulled her to her feet without a word, rigid and braced, his wand out stretched, spinning around to survey the space. Everyone had fled. He pulled her tightly to his body, both breathing rapidly. The next thing Geneva knew, everything went black. Pitch black. Her body felt as though it were compressed from every direction, her ears rang, her stomach twisted. She wanted to scream but couldn't, all breath had escaped her, and then…THUD!
She felt her knees bend upon impact. She would have fallen if not supported by the arm that had been around her the whole time. Her mouth was so dry she could barely get a word out, panting, a mixture of fear and bewilderment.
"What just happened? Did we…did we just…"
"Apparate," Severus replied. "Yes."
He held her at arms length by the tops of both arms. "You're bleeding."
Geneva winced raising a hand to her forehead, only to look at it and see it was indeed covered in blood. Things had happened so quickly she hadn't even realised.
"Hold still," he instructed.
Geneva watched his face in fascination as he put his wand gently to her head and uttered an incantation that sounded like it was written in heaven. For a second she was lost in his eyes as everything that had happened came back to her. He'd saved her…again.
It wasn't until he lowered his wand that she realised.
"Sophia!" she gasped. "Sophia is back there. She ran to the back of the shop. We have to go back! We can't leave her."
"You're not going back there," he insisted. "You stay here. I will go."
It was then she realised the place she was standing was unfamiliar and not his living quarters like she thought.
"Where am I?"
"I'll explain when I'm back."
"Severus!" she grabbed his robes. "Don't. Not on my own. I have to tell you something!"
His kiss met her forehead. "Stay. I'll return soon."
And with a swish of his robes, he was gone.
Again she was met with an eerie silence, and coldness, this time, damp. It was as though the sun, high in the sky had forgotten to shine in though the windows and warm the place. Geneva pressed her arms crossed to her chest and slowly looked around. Occasionally, a floor-board would creak beneath her. Outside the window, she could barely see the blue sky for the houses that lined the street opposite in close range. Muggle houses. This couldn't be…his house, could it? It looked different from his quarters, neglected with threadbare furniture and old pictures upon a dusty mantel, but the books upon books told her it very well could be his home away from Hogwarts. It was quite sad really.
I'm sure he wouldn't mind if I got myself a glass of water, she thought, and headed off in the direction of what she hoped would be the kitchen. She felt a little strange rummaging for a glass in the cupboards. Once she found one, she rinsed it out. This place really was neglected. She'd even go as far to say almost completely abandoned. She let the water run a good while before filling her glass.
Geneva turned around to head back to the living room, when the sight before her caused the glass in her hands to fall to the floor with a SMASH!
"Silencio" the figure uttered, compressing her scream like a cork in a bottle.
"Now…now…" came the silken voice, intimidatingly calm. His fingers were clasped so tightly round Geneva's arm, they were embedding red marks into her snowy skin.
"Let me go!" she mouthed inaudibly, but it was no use. She was still silenced under his spell, but he had read her lips quite clearly.
Lucius Malfoy. His long icy hair and blue eyes were unmistakable.
"Now…you either stop your struggle, or…" he raised his snake cane to her throat. "I can do so in a way which would be rather unpleasant."
Geneva's now hauntingly grey eyes bore into his loathingly. She complied, riddled with hatred, doing her best to stand up straight, even though her chest was so tight as though iron bands were wrapped around it, making it difficult to breathe.
"Thaaaat's better," Lucius drawled, feeling her taught muscles relax. "I have some friends I'd like you to meet. Come…"
Geneva breathed hard through her nose, trying with all her might to stand tall as Lucius led her down the corridors of the large manor. Her head pounded desperate for a way out, looking around for a sign – anything – a door, a window, but the corridor in which they walked was long and endless without a window in sight. The only light came from high glass chandeliers up above.
"Herrre we are," Lucius smiled, pushing open the door with his snake headed cane.
Immediately Geneva's eyes set upon the three figures standing before her in a large, square room. Aside from the long dining table, velvet backed chairs, and the three candelabras on top of the table, the room was so bare that every step Lucius took forward echoed off the pillars and high ceiling. Geneva's eyes drew instantly to the person she knew well who was standing with his hands by his sides, wand in hand with an embedded sneer emitting the utmost hatred slapped across his face – Draco Malfoy. She knew it! He'd been in on things thing the whole time. She thought back to the horcrux and how he must have been in on the sick game of planting it. If he was involved, then Pansy had to be. Geneva worried at the fact Orah was now getting rather pally with her. It wasn't like her at all.
The other two people in the room Geneva did not know, but their expressions told her they knew of her. The woman who was stood next to Draco was practically salivating, her teeth flashed yellowy brown, ominously smiling against her pasty drawn face and sunken eyes. Her hair was wild, tumbling over her face. She whirled her crooked wand menacingly at shoulder height as Lucius gestured toward her gracefully as though he were introducing a woman of nobility.
"This…is Ms Bellatrix LeStrange."
Geneva recoiled, compressing a rising lump of vomit.
"Awww," Bellatrix teased, "She's just a bay-bee…Eh-low luv."
"And this," Lucius gestured to the man stood next to Bellatrix, "is Fenrir Greyback."
Greyback, who stood taller and broader than all of them, was quite clearly by appearance, a werewolf. The longest parts of his hair were greasily slicked back, the other parts scattered unruly over his forehead, around his ears and came underneath his chin to form a beard. His chest was as wild as his face. Heaving in excitement, his shirt was ripped apart, undoubtedly unable to contain his muscular physique. Utterly grotesque in appearance, Geneva, although afraid, was determined to look into his eyes. She wasn't going to let them intimidate her, even if she was terrified. If it wasn't for the silencio spell, she was sure her breath would be shaking like a leaf. She could feel the vibrations in her chest.
They were each standing a foot apart. Geneva, still in Lucius grasp, stood still but braced.
"Now," Lucius began, turning to her. Geneva was determined to keep her gaze. If she couldn't speak with her voice, she would allow her eyes to do the talking. She narrowed them scathingly.
"You must be wondering why I bought you here…or perhaps you already know since…" his voice trailed off, his eyes rolling slowly from Geneva's to the side of the room where there was a sudden click that sent an echo throughout. Geneva knew that sound – the sound of apparation. Severus. He stood still in the distance, dark and tall, his voluminous robes catching the last wind of his landing, his black wand by his side.
Geneva's chest busted free of the iron bars that felt as though they were clamped around it, beyond relieved to feel his presence, to see his face. Lucius grasp on her forearm was now so tight that her hand was beginning to feel numb and loose circulation.
Geneva's eyes attempted to desperately seek those of Severus, but his eyes never left Lucius. Lucius looked at Bellatrix, "Here," he spat, pushing Geneva hard into her arms, "Take her!"
Bellatrix who hissed in delight, clasped an arm across Geneva's chest, so that her back was toward her front in a type of headlock. Bellatrix rocked her, smiling in a sinister, sickened embrace.
"There now ickle bay-bee," she spoke into her ear. Geneva clutched at her own arm, which was bruised with Lucius finger-marks.
"Ahhh Severus," Lucius smiled, taking a few steps forward. "Your lack of punctuality really has faltered you over these past few months, and now…" he gestured towards Geneva, "here we have your dirty work. "As the great saying goes, if you want something done right, you must do it yourself."
Bellatrix undid the silencio spell by pointing her wand at Geneva's throat, who could now be heard struggling in her arms. Bellatrix seemed to enjoy her verbal struggles more than her silenced ones and laughed in response. Lucius continued his patronising tirade. For the first time, Severus and Geneva locked eyes.
"You should be ashamed, Severus," Lucius tutted, "Not only have you failed the Dark Lord, you have failed yourself and well..." he turned to Geneva then back to Severus, "what would Albus say?"
"Disgusting," Draco spat.
"The Ministry…" Lucius continued. "Dear me, Severus, how scandalous…a student, and a mudblood too."
Geneva could see the fire in Severus black eyes, but his exterior stood tall, allowing Lucius to enjoy his little moment. Lucius' eyes danced with a devious smile as he continued to sweep glances between Severus and Geneva, amused.
"Well anyone would think you've grown to care for the girl."
"Suprisin' innit," Bellatrix interjected, "Snape…feelin' emo-shun. Mind yous…she is pritty littul thing ain't she?"
Bellatrix rose her wand to Geneva's side and sent a bolt of shock throughout her entire body. She flopped over like a rag doll. Severus heart jolted. He took a step forward. His wand was clenched so hard his knuckles were white. Geneva sunk helplessly in Bellatrix arms. She couldn't speak, could barely breathe. Greyback gave a growling laugh.
"If you torture the girl you will damage her gift," came Snape's voice, a little quicker. "Harm her, then what use is she to the Dark Lord?"
Geneva's body turned to ice at the mention of Voldemort, the idea of being handed over to the darkest wizard to ever exist shrouded her in fear. She trusted Severus, but his words made her skin prickle.
"I was just playin," Bellatrix teased, in a sickly voice, pouting.
Lucius raised a hand for her to stop.
Look at me, look at me, Geneva thought as if staring harder would force Severus to flick his eyes in her direction. An idea – anything – how were they going to get out of this. Speak to me, but then maybe he'd blocked his thoughts. Should she? Was Lucius skilled in legillimency too? Is this how he knew about the two of them? Were all Death Eaters skilled legillimens? She cursed herself for never asking Severus. To be safe, she closed her mind by means of occlumency, but it was not easy. Her fear and desperation wouldn't allow for her thoughts to be locked away. She struggled furiously in Bellatrix arms, hatred and tears spilling from her.
"No use struggling - filthy Mudblood," Draco spat at her side.
"How dare you!" Geneva yelled.
Lucius, who had turned his attention to his son, missed the split second Severus had summoned Geneva's wand from his pocket. It flew into his hand instantly and he was now armed with two.
"Stupify!" he fired, one wand pointed at Lucius, the other at Bellatrix who both fell to the floor unconscious. Immediately Geneva was free and ran to Severus who launched Geneva's wand toward her. She caught it, firing "Incarcerous!" at Greyback who was running towards Severus, and sent Greyback thudding to the floor in an almighty crash. Draco revived Lucius with a counter curse who then sent stunning spells toward Severus who was fighting them off in pulses of light whilst Draco attempted to hit Geneva furiously with oncoming hexes and curses.
Severus had thrown Lucius back several feet and was now shielding a continuous stream of attacks from Greyback as he yanked Geneva close by her clothes.
"You must run. Hide! Escape to the grounds. I'll find you."
"I'm not leaving you here!" she insisted.
There was no time to respond further at the rate the spells were being fired around the room, now breaking the furniture and busting holes in the walls, creating clouds of dust. Draco fired a stunning spell toward Geneva. Severus threw himself in front of her but was unable to block it in time before it hit Geneva in the chest in a pulse of light. Severus heart leapt. He caught Geneva before she fell to the ground, now hanging helplessly in his arms, unconscious.
"She's down!" Draco yelled, relishing in his victory.
Severus could have retaliated and stunned Draco, but instead he fired at his father, sending him backwards, crashing into a chair, busting it to pieces. Draco ran to his father's side whilst Greyback who had been freed by Draco on the way to his father, pulled Bellatrix to her feet.
Severus put his hand to Geneva's face, uttering a quiet incantation under his breath to revive her to consciousness.
"You!" Bellatrix pointed, with her raised wand, as crooked as her smile.
Bellatrix who got to her feet like a ghoul from the grave was salivating rabidly in her approach the moment Geneva opened her eyes. Then, all at once, Bellatrix froze, arms raised from her sides. All was still about her, all but her eyes that were whirling psychopathically around as if she heard something. Lowly, under her breathe came a cackle, which grew and grew into a maniacal laugh, injecting Geneva with fear as dark clouds began to loom around the chandelier, rattling the glass beads. Draco took a step back, his father Lucius now at his side, Greyback growled along with Bellatrix as the smoke above them thickened and swirled. Geneva's grabbed a fist full of Severus' robes and pressed herself to him, shaking in fear. Voldemort.
"Close your mind," he whispered. "You are strong. Stronger than you think. Do not fear him."
The looming black clouds descended from the ceiling to swirl ominously on the floor below, engulfing her with a feeling of doom. Geneva breathed hard through her nose, watching the smoke whirl and rise up again to form a silhouette before her. Her hand fumbled desperately, and took hold of Severus arm under his robes as the figure came into view. His hideous snake like appearance struck a bolt so hard in Geneva's chest, she stepped backwards into Severus torso, gasping forcefully inward.
Voldemort, with his eyes closed, took in a long inhale through his slit like nostrils as though he had been locked up for an age and was finally unleashed. Although Geneva knew this wasn't the first time he had been freed, the delight that he exuberated in his own presence this very moment overcast her with the deepest dread. Voldemort exhaled slowly, turning his head to face her and Severus. Geneva gripped his arm tighter. She felt Severus pull it toward him harshly.
"Severus…" he drawled. "Geneva…" The very pit of her stomach fell through. "How delighted I am to finally meet your acquaintance…" his voice was snake-like and sinister as he gently flicked his wand to the side as though he was going to bow, except he didn't. His eyes were fixed on Geneva's. "It has however been brought to my attention that the pleasure of us meeting here was ill-timed through no fault of your own."
His eyes now set on Severus. Geneva could feel his heart beating in his chest against her back. "Your lack of deliverance has subjected a lull to my work, Severus. Why I believe we were meant to be here a month ago, and yet here we stand a month too late. You give me reason to question your loyalty."
Geneva noticed Voldemort's eyes inquire as if trying to see through them.
"What is this I see before me?" Voldemort questioned, showing his teeth as if he were slightly amused, his arms out, seeking the confirmation of his surrounding death eaters. Bellatrix laughed in the background.
"A unity, Lucius tells me. Can it be?"
"My Lord," Lucius spoke up. "The reason for my intervention. Severus has failed to fulfil your request
Lucius was clearly enjoying his self-proclaimed hierarchy over the wizard who had long stood the favourite to the Dark Lord, his right hand man – Severus Snape. Lucius however was soon silenced when Voldemort's hand rose for him to speak no further.
"Is this true Severus? You share a unity with the girl?"
Voldemort took a step closer. Geneva noticed how his footsteps were the only ones to not make a sound. It was as if he were floating. Awaiting Severus answer, Geneva's breath shook as Voldemort drew closer. Her head pained so intensely she fought to lock up a scream as he attempted to penetrate her mind with his soulless eyes. He was unsuccessful.
"Was your foolish infatuation with Lily not enough, Severus? You allow your loyalty to the Dark Arts after all these years to waver because of the girl before you?"
Geneva, with no idea who Lily was, still remained clinging to his arm, her mind running a thousand miles an hour.
"Lust is a sin, Severus, "and sins must be punished. You had a duty to bring me the girl."
In a flash, Geneva was levitated into the air and was thrown against a wall. She hit it with an almighty crack where she remained suspended as if being held by an invisible force. Severus didn't flinch, but Geneva let out a hard gasp, her struggles muffled as if a hand were pressed against her mouth, her eyes bulging in fear, glazed in tears so that everything before her became a blur.
"My Lord," Severus spoke, calmly, "Forgive my delay, but a gift as such required examining…time… before it was passed on to you. I had extracted her visions for they would only give away your motive and whereabouts. She could have used them to her advantage. The placement of the horcrux by Mr Malfoy here could not have been more ill-timed. The girl would have been useless to you. An empty vessel whilst I investigated her abilities. Lucius is a fool for trying to dissect what has purely been a timely and successfully thought out duty on my part, my Lord."
Geneva's tears fell, her heart-strings severed at his words, her gut felt like it was pulled from her body. The darkest place inside her believed him. Her limbs grew weak from struggling against the invisible force that held her, so much that she now felt submissively limp to the wall, her face stinging with tears, her stomach shaking with inaudible cries, retching from it's depths.
"Lies!" Spat Bellatrix.
"My Lord…" Severus continued, "Mr Malfoy also failed to return the horcrux, that which I have here…" he reached into his robes and pulled out the locket, raising an eyebrow to Lucius whose Addams apple vibrated before he'd managed to swallow.
"I think perhaps loyalty should be questioned elsewhere," Severus corrected, standing valiantly with his head held high.
Geneva's heart pounded so hard it threatened to burst out of her chest. Why was he handing the horcrux back to Voldemort?
Voldemort, who looked pleasantly surprised, stepped forward toward Severus and held out his long pale fingers, thanking him in acceptance of the object, entwining the chain between them, and placing it inside his robes.
Lucius eyes glazed over as Voldemort's cold glare set upon his face. "You told me the locket lay within the vault, Lucius. You lied to me."
Lucius stumbled so much over his words that not a single one could form. He looked suddenly gaunt and drawn in the face.
With a flash of light, Voldemort levitated him and threw him backwards into the wall so forcefully, it crumbled.
"Father!" Draco yelled, rushing to his side.
"Once again you come through, Severus. Calculated as always. I do enjoy your methods."
With only Greyback and Bellatrix standing of his death eaters, Voldemort beckoned them forward. "Shall we begin?"
"Severus…" he gestured with his wand over to Geneva. "Her abilities are fully restored?"
"Yes, my Lord, though as of now suspended. Nothing a simple incantation of my own invention cannot reverse."
"You serve well, Severus."
Severus' eyes glanced over to Lucius who was now groaning as Draco brought him round to consciousness. His narrowed eyes indicated that he couldn't see straight and had hit his head badly.
Voldemort turned to Bellatrix. "Bellatrix, the chalice…"
She rose her wand and whirled it until in a swirl of red light, the said object appeared, levitating. Bellatrix then took the large chalice with a devious narrowed look in her eye and came and stood next to Voldemort.
"Severus…" Voldemort continued. A mutual look of expectation and what must be done to follow it though was exchanged. Severus inclined his head dutifully and walked towards a struggling Geneva, twisting as much as she could in what had become an icy grip. She felt at that moment as if she didn't know him.
Geneva's heart pulsated all over her body, her entire self-becoming a throbbing mass of panic observing the determination and focus in Severus coal black eyes. For a moment she saw their entire relationship flash before her, black clouds swarming over from all around, and then…his features changed. Though his eyes still bore into hers with severity, his mouth formed to make a "shhh" notion. Geneva stopped writhing, the darkness filling her now pierced by the light of his gesture. However, once he had uttered an incantation to retrieve her, pulling him to her by the scruff of her neck, she was struggling once more. She thought she had better. Severus felt weakness in her legs; her muscles that were tired from her struggle almost gave way, and so he forcefully pulled her close. So close that she could feel it - her wand. It was there in his pocket.
Geneva caught sight of Greyback who was also approaching, now with a gleaming knife in his hand, ready to commit a blood sacrifice. Geneva's chest rose and fell erratically. Was she supposed to know what to do? They were so close now, a few feet. Panic unleashed a cry from within her, and then, all of a sudden, the entire room froze. In the centre, there burst a dome of blue light covering the entire space, so vast and luminous that eyes were shielded as though looking at the sun. Geneva's head turned instinctively into Severus' chest. And then, the blue dome burst. Dumbledore.
"Hello, Tom," he spoke, calmly. And then, he swept his wand over his head like a lasso and whipped Voldemort and the death eaters brutally to their feet. Geneva's heart pounded in his triumph. Now containing the dark forces in a blinding shield of light, Dumbledore held back an equally blinding bolt from Voldemort and further oncoming curses from the surrounding death eaters. So blinding was the light, that Dumbledore's eyes were reduced to slits, his hands outstretched, withstanding the brutal oncoming force. He managed to look over his shoulder and usher to Severus, who grabbed Geneva by the wrist.
"Run," Severus pulled.
With her curls and his robes billowing behind them, shielded by Dumbledore's light, they ran.
"Through this door."
Severus yanked it open and pulled her through. Geneva immediately burst into sobs and threw her arms around his neck "Oh God I thought I had lost you, I thought you…"
"I have to go back there."
He pulled away from her but she grabbed his arm, pulling him towards her, "No! He's going to kill you."
Severus yanked his arm away and she sobbed hard at his defiance. "The Malfoys must be detained." He raised his wand, "Homenum revelio," he cast, to reveal any human . "You are safe here."
"You're going to leave me alone again!" she croaked.
"Stop this!" Snape spat. "Use what you have been given!"
Just then, the door burst open. There stood Draco Malfoy and his father, their blue eyes scathing, fists bawled. Blood poured from Lucius icy hair that flung wet in front of his face as he raised his wand.
"Expulso!" Geneva cast, blocking Lucius spell and throwing her hand out. Lucius was flung backwards ferociously several feet. Draco was sent back by Severus. Geneva realised she had thrown her hand out with the expectation of her wand to do the work and it was still in Severus pocket. Gasping, a bewildered smile came over her.
"Come! Quickly now," he ushered, holding his wand toward the door, braced for their return. "Break the window. I'll hold them back."
"What?"
"Break the window!" he shouted.
"Confringio!" she cast, immediately throwing her hands over her head as shards of glass exploded the stained window and came pelting to the floor.
Before Lucius and Draco could enter the room again, Geneva turned to see Severus block several spells and administer one he felt was strong enough to detain them, enough to leave the door and run toward her.
"Go!" he urged, right behind her.
Geneva hopped up onto the window's ledge with his help, and as quickly as she could, avoiding the protruding glass that framed the edge, stepped over it and looked down toward the ground. It was dark outside. Below them was the front of the house, the grounds of the manor with its trees and hedge maze, down below was a hedged flower bed that was almost cut off from light, making it difficult for Geneva to see how far down she would have to jump.
"Oh God," she uttered to herself. "Oh God…" and with no choice or say in the matter, she leapt from the window frame, capsuling her dread that came out in a loud gasping thud as she hit the ground beneath. Merlin, she made it! She looked straight up in desperation waiting for Severus to follow, her heart hammering,
"Please please please, come on…" she uttered under her breath. She caught a glimpse of his black cloak over the edge after a few seconds and felt her muscles ease as a breath of relief escaped her. He jumped down beside her and raised his wand, "Oculus repairo." The shards that had blasted from the window reassembled.
"You're ok!" she breathed, "Oh God you scared me back there!" She grabbed him by the shoulders and they kissed quickly. He took her hand and urged her to stay back against the wall of the manor.
"This way," he whispered, "Quickly now."
"What about Dumbledore?" her voice shook, trampling the flowers.
"Dumbledore has things under control."
"You planned this?" she asked.
"Foolishly Lucius took you to the one location that had been planned months prior to tonight – the place the Dark Lord had arranged. Your whereabouts was clear. Lucius is a man of little intellect, though he likes to presume and convey otherwise."
"Where are we?" she asked.
"Malfoy Manor."
"But how did he…I mean…" Geneva stumbled, trying to piece everything together. "You left me in…where was that place?"
"Spinner's End. My home," he spoke lowly, pushing her against the wall as if he heard something. They only moved when he realised it was an owl and continued around the side of the house to the back.
"Your home?" she repeated. "Severus there is something you should know…Lucius – when he took me, his arm – it was invisible.He was holding…at least, I think he was holding an invisibility cloak. Hermione told me that Ha-…"
"I know what he has!" he interrupted, as though hearing Harry's name infuriated him.
"Draco must have stolen it," she whispered. "He must have followed us from Hogsmeade when the dementors attacked."
"Shh! It doesn't matter now. Follow me."
Geneva pulled his arm. "And I had a vision! When we were in Hogsmeade…"
His brow frowned inquisitively, gesturing for her to go on,
"I see now that it was this place." Her voice was jittering. "It was you. You were on the ground. You were struggling."
Pressed against the wall, she looked up at him, shaking her head in fear. He said nothing, but squeezed her hand a little tighter.
"We must work together."
"Can't we apparate back to Hogwarts?"
"No. There are protective charms placed all over the grounds. We must leave here."
Now was not the time to be feeling emotional and begrudging her gift that had caused more trouble in her life than good. Her mother's words rang in her ear - that having a third eye was both a blessing and a curse. A gift to Voldemort perhaps – a curse to her. It was the reason the man beside her, whom she had developed deep feelings for, was now risking his life in order to save hers. Silent tears fell from her eyes, gripping his hand tight at this thought. She thought of her parents too, knowing they'd be in pieces wondering where she was, of Dumbledore who was up there fighting Voldemort.
Severus eyes widened and shot her a look. She heard it too. Instantaneously they pressed flat against the wall. It was close by, as if someone had trodden on a pile of twigs, and was moving through the grass the way they came, but along the path. Geneva reached into Severus' pocket and pulled out her wand, desperately trying to control her breathing rate and not make a sound. Severus rose his wand above his shoulder and flicked it. Nothing. He scowled, sharply irritated. A concealment charm was no use. It failed just as it would to apparate. He tried a few other spells, all which had the same effect. Another sound – closer this time. It was then he noticed Geneva's eyes – they had rolled back, she was absent, incoherent. Instantly he pulled her to him, regrettably putting his hand over her mouth, fearful for the moment she came round, she would make a sound. Holding her to him, he hurried the moment along in his head, his eyes darting as far as he could see, listening to the sound that was drawing closer. When Geneva came to consciousness, she was shaking.
"It's…its Lucius," she whispered. "He…he has the invisibility cloak. There's a fountain. He hurt you, ripped you from me…you were hurt, badly," she panicked.
He took her hand and kept walking, and to Geneva's horror that's exactly where he headed when he could have avoided it – the fountain.
"Severus," she gasped. He said nothing, his eyes razor focussed on his target, his every sense heighted.
He took a step out from against the wall where they stood and went in the direction of the tall, stone fountain, then two more steps, and two more, until he was now a few feet away from Geneva and the house. Before she could speak he held back a hand signalling her to stay put. With her legs in a stance, her wand gripped so tightly her knuckles were going white, Geneva's eyes darted left and right for any sign of movement beside and in front of her, as well as keeping her watchful eye on him. What was he doing heading straight toward the very place she had seen him get hurt? She could only surmise that his wit and reflexes would arm him now he knew Lucius attacking point.
Within moments, from the corner of her eye right beside the fountain came a bolt of green light piercing the night air. Geneva's heart shot to pieces. The killing curse. Not once, but twice. It happened so fast she barely moved before it was fired again. She fled from against the wall, her wand raised and a bolt of light hit her so hard in the side she spun to the floor, landing flat on her back, ripping the air from her lungs. Bellatrix.
"'Ello luv."
Snape's eyes darted between her and Lucius, gutturally growling as he fired toward Bellatrix. Geneva thrust out her wand and fired back still on the ground, fighting for oxygen. Bellatrix cackled viciously combatting a triangle of oncoming spells from the both of them. Lucius, who had freed himself of the invisibility cloak was furiously jabbing repeatedly at Snape.
"Traitor!" he yelled.
Although Geneva had managed to jolt Bellatrix backward, she failed to cause damage to the deranged witch who now had her levitated in the air, hanging uselessly as though she were a plaything, smiling rabidly, swinging her this way and that. Geneva tossed, growling in her struggle. Snape spun, fired a counter jinx and sent Geneva tumbling to the ground.
"I wasn't gonna kill 'er," Bellatrix shouted, into the night, still firing spells, "we was just gonna break 'er 'ed' open." Her laugh was enough to make Geneva's blood run cold. "Dint ask the Dark Lord to spear this one did ya? New tactic now is it?" Her eyes burned into Geneva's, "Ee killed the last one luv," then back to Severus. "Thought you'd try running away instead this time did ya? Coward! Coward!"
Screaming she fired brutally at the both of them. Lucius only desire was to destroy Snape for humiliating him and was firing curses repeatedly through gritted teeth, his icy hair flying wildly. Severus had caught sight of his foot that was covered in the invisibility cloak.
Bellatrix was still enjoying her verbal tirade
"Just like ol' times ain't it? Crucio!"
The unforgivable curse threw Geneva to the floor, screaming into the night, her body crippling with the pain of hundreds of red-hot knives stabbing at her bones and organs as though she would die at any moment.
"Sectumsempra!" Severus yelled.
Blood. Bellatrix screamed into the darkness, falling to her knees, slashed across her centre. Severus fought with ferocity as though he were possessed, whipping Lucius to his feet with a swipe of his wand throwing him back several feet and retrieved the invisibility cloak.
Bellatrix, who was bleeding heavily was still laughing, though clasping at her wounds across her stomach. Severus repeated the curse, but this time Bellatrix deflected it onto Geneva who fell to her knees. Gashes burned through her skin as though she were cut with a hot razor. Blood seeped through her clothing. Severus ran to her side, teeth bared, roaring in anger towards Bellatrix who he'd sent spinning to the ground.
"Severus!" Geneva gasped, grabbing onto his robes, shaken with tears. Her arm was clutched to her stomach, blood pouring from her wound. "I'm sorry."
"Hush now." He pulled her arm gently away from her revealing her bleeding abdomen. He looked over his shoulder at the death eaters who were still down and placed his wand to her side, uttering a quiet incantation – vulnera sanentur. A counter curse, which required three repetitions to knit wounds. He'd only managed to say it once before her heart burst out of her chest. Lucius. He was stood there beside the fountain, his wand pointed to Severus' back just as she had envisioned in Hogsmeade. No! Her acted upon instinct, pushed Severus aside and, instead of him, was ripped from his side and thrown into the stone structure of the fountain. Everything happened in slow motion. In real time, a split second. She had hit her head so violently, she couldn't see straight, sickness washed over her, her head whirling with colours, ears ringing, disabling all noise around her.
Severus erupted, his anger aflame, repeatedly jabbing the killing curse with fire in his black eyes, smashing the fountain to pieces, launching great mounds of stone in Lucius' direction.
"You fight for a mudblood!" Lucius yelled. "Have you no shame!?"
"Shame! Something Narcissa knows of deeply," Snape reprimanded.
Geneva's crippled body stirred, pain searing through her as she'd never felt, the warmth of her blood trickling down her face. She clasped a hand to it. Bellatrix. She could see her from the corner of her wincing eye, standing in a pool of her own blood, surrounded by dementors – four of them who were approaching, looming overhead ominously in the night. Geneva reached for her wand but couldn't find it. She shouted for Severus, but was hit with silence spell from Bellatrix before her words escaped her. She couldn't speak. Accio wand! Non-verbally her wand shot to her hand. Bellatrix, enraged seemed to have control over the ravenous dementors who approached now terrifyingly close. Geneva tried to cast a patronus multiple times, but non-verbally it failed her – an incredibly tricky piece of magic in it's own right. Non-verbally it was extremely advanced and impossible for most.
She picked up a broken piece of rock and threw it at Severus to get his attention. Each one, Bellatrix deflected in silent laughter launching them back toward Geneva. In her struggled silence she tried to get up, but her wounds crippled her. Suddenly, into the night came Bellatrix's shrill laughter. Severus spun instantly in her direction, his wand raised and…
Geneva screamed, a silent, blood curdling scream that reverberated her entire being, every nerve ending was alight in horror. A dementor had latched on to Severus, looming above him like billowing death, consuming the essence of his soul, pulsating ravenously. Lucius, at that moment, disappeared. Bellatrix walked backwards wailing in laughter at Geneva's further attempts to cast a patronus non-verbally before she too was summoned like Lucius and faded away into the night. And then, Severus fell to the ground.
Geneva pushed her hands into the gravel with every bit of strength her body possessed and manoeuvred herself to her knees. She had to reach him. Her face twisted in pain, the wound on her stomach gaping as she made her way toward him crawling and pulling herself across the harsh gravel. Fuelled by adrenaline, knowing she would suffer the same fate at the hands of the dementors didn't matter, just as long as she was by his side. Geneva caught sight of his face, lifeless, his lips – blue, frozen. Her heart wailed silently, tears smearing her blood stained cheeks, washing away like a part of herself. Determined, she pulled out her wand, raised it high and non-verbally cast the spell one last time.
Expecto-Patronum!
A silvery blue slither burst from her wand tip instantly taking the form of her patronus, illuminating the night sky. Geneva's chest heaved, holding her wand like a beacon, her eyes squinting from the blinding light witnessing the dementors retreat before her, dethatching from their kiss and disappearing into the night sky.
And then there was silence. Nothing but the crickets and the sound of the crunching gravel as she pulled herself to him. She lent over, resting on her bleeding elbows. Her gut wrenched at his now gaunt appearance. Looking him swiftly over, running her hands frantically, she felt for a pulse in his neck. Tears streamed from her eyes, her heart that swelled in relief believing he was dead was now beating a thousand times a minute.
He was alive.
Her hands ran over his face, his hair, pulling him to face her.
Please, she begged, resting her head on his chest, reaching for his hand. It was cold, lifeless. She wondered if he would ever be the same. Would he exist, soulless unable to feel? Numb? Her tears fell silently against the black of his coat, her hands running along the buttons. Every moment they had experienced together played in her mind, convincing herself this was the very last moment they would share. Her heart shattered knowing he'd never know it. Geneva pressed his lifeless icy hand upon her cheek, remembering all the times he had come to her rescue and been there for her, what he had risked, and for what? If it hadn't of been for the inexplicable, infuriating ability she was born with, none of this would have ever happened.
I'm sorry, she sobbed, nuzzling into his hand. I'm so sorry. Tenderly, she kissed his palm. The taste of her wet salty tears settled on her lips, of the blood from head wound that trickled though his cold fingers. Geneva's eyes fell, her chest shaking with her mournful cry, disappearing into the darkness, beaten by the loss of blood and the tiredness reducing her every limb to heavy lead.
And then there was a flicker. Severus gradually opened his eyes. For a moment he lay immobile, as everything rushed back to him, and then his focus drew to the warmth radiating against his hand – Geneva's cheek. Although he lay in a weakened state surrounded in darkness, at that moment a part of him felt more alive and enlightened than ever. Smiling softly, he ran his thumb across her cheek. At the slightest movement, Geneva rose her head, sobbing in internal relief and threw her arms over him, sobbing.
You're here! She gasped, taking his face in his hand and peppering him with kisses. He looked weak, but alert. You're ok! Oh God I was so scared…I thought…Bellatrix…she…and then Lucius and…I tried to…but I couldn't and…
As articulate as ever, he smirked, with a wicked glint of humour in his eyes. Geneva sniffed, chuckling through her sobs.
For a moment their gaze locked, neither of them looking away for what felt like an age. His obsidian eyes stared glitteringly into her aqua blue ones. Geneva's thumb ran affectionately over his cheek. I love you, she spoke. Severus eyes twinkled, his sharp features softening in a way she had never seen. He pulled her toward him. There, they fell bound deep into a spell that needed no verbal incantation – a kiss.
"Eh-hem."
Geneva broke away and spun to the distant sound.
"Professor Dumbledore!"
He was standing right there, his fingers clasped regally in front of him with his blue robes blowing lightly in the breeze. He was poised, calm, not quite as one would expect from someone who had just encountered the Dark Lord - but if there was any one who was going to come through, it was Dumbledore.
Geneva panicked. Had he just seen the whole thing? Everything? Me, right here, kissing the Potions Professor, professing my love?!
"Oh yes," Dumbledore spoke, with a mellow smile, as a highly skilled legillimens.
Geneva attempted to sit, wincing at the sharp stabbing bolt that shot through her abdomen. If it wasn't for this, Dumbledore's observation may have had a greater impact. As it happened, it was difficult to focus on much else other than her gaping flesh wounds and the man by her side who was laying cold.
Dumbledore broke the silencing spell Bellatrix had cast to allow Geneva to speak again. Instantly she filled him in on the trail of events, but seeing her fragile state, he rested a hand on her shoulder with a soft smile and bent down beside her.
"You have lost a lot of blood," Dumbledore observed.
"I'm ok," Geneva braved, ignoring the chilled jitter of her limbs. She turned to Severus, pressing a hand to his shoulder. "Please, help him. The dementors…one of them latched on…I tried, Professor…" she started to well up.
"Professor Snape will be just fine. He needs rest and recuperation. Let me see..." he was digging around in his robe pocket for something. "Perhaps a boost in blood sugar…ah yes." He pulled from his robes something, which Geneva expected to be some kind of miraculous elixir, but it was in fact a small, wrapped hard-boiled sweet. "A sherbet lemon should do the trick I should think, until we get back to Hogwarts."
Snape, without moving his head, rolled his eyes to Dumbledore, and then back toward the night sky. He knew indeed what was in those sherbet lemons – as he had once told Geneva – 'A most ludacris concoction of laughing dust.'
Dumbledore, who took Snape's decline with humour, gave Geneva a wink.
"Now then, let's see to this…" he coaxed, referring to her wounds. Dipping into his robes once more, he reached into a deep pocket to retrieve a small opal coloured potion bottle. Geneva watched him pull out the small cork and without knowing the contents, trusting his administrations, believed it was going to help. And it did. One small drop on each abdominal wound sealed and repaired the skin before her very eyes. He had even cleansed the blood from her clothing. Marvelling at the way her wounds were instantly repaired, she thanked him. Dumbledore placed his jewelled hand on top of hers with a warm smile and gave it a gentle pat.
"Professor, how did you…He-Who-Shall-Not-Be…"
"Voldemort," he spoke confidently, as someone who had never been afraid to say his name. Still, Geneva didn't want to repeat it.
"How did you…what happened up there…"
"A conversation for a later date. Now, we must get back to Hogwarts."
Dumbledore rose slowly to his feet.
"Oh, Professor! The invisibility cloak..." Geneva remembered, "Oh no! We'll never find it now. I can't remember where it was dropped."
"Ahhh, yes. I see it, just over there," Dumbledore gestured across the grass, over the broken stones.
It didn't surprise Geneva that he could see it. Albus Dumbledore. The unexpected, expected at all times.