Chapter 11
Autumn
Laurel was sitting by the window, looking out at the desolate gardens that at that hour were barely lit by the faint rays of the sun that autumn afternoon. She let out a rueful sigh as she saw no sign of the beautiful albino peacocks that had entertained her during the last weeks she had spent alone in the suite that now served as her luxurious prison since Severus had had to return to Hogwarts to fill his position now as Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher.
She dropped back into the armchair and took one of the hypodermic needles that she had insisted on getting after they had decided there was no other way to investigate further without obtaining samples of her blood. She tightened the elastic band on one of her arms, and took a deep breath, trying to locate her vein in the reddish skin, sore from so many puncture wounds that she had had to inflict on herself daily. This was better than having to cut her skin with a knife, she thought, remembering the shine of the sharp dagger with which wizards used to take their blood to use in their potions. Unlike them, who could cure their wounds instantly, Laurel had to learn to draw her blood with the Muggle method that she had seen the nurses perform at the nursing home so many times.
There it was, she could feel the elasticity of her bulging vein and tried to find a point where she had not punctured before. She brought the needle close to her skin and was about to insert it ...
"GET OUT OF THERE YOU FILTHY SCUM!"
The doors of the room cracked under the strong ramming of Greyback who at least once a week tried to enter the suite and sought to get his own back with the Akardos for all the insults and humiliations he had received from the wizards throughout all his life as a werewolf. Finally, he had within his grasp a being that was even more despised than him and he wanted to make her suffer all kinds of humiliations, he wanted to hear her beg for her life, bite and tear her body apart, he wanted to feel the taste of her blood that now invaded the entire wing of the manor where the suite that Snape had adapted as his laboratory was situated.
Laurel cursed when she stuck the needle wrongly as her body shook in panic at Greyback's bellow. She yanked the needle out furiously and tossed it aside, ignoring the stabbing pain and trying her best to fill the test tube with the blood that was now trickling down her arm. She turned her eyes towards the door and could see how the magical wards that Severus had summoned around the room vibrated with the savage thrusts of Greyback, who had discarded all magical attempts to break them and now called on his bestial physical strength. Little glints of golden colour descended from the ceiling of the bedroom and flocked to the cracked door, reinforcing it and repairing the splintered wood. The werewolf's snarls of defeat rang out over Narcissa's protests and Bellatrix's demonic laughter.
"I don't understand why you keep bringing that lycanthrope into my home! You know very well that it is not welcome!"
"But Cissy, Greyback just wants to play with the Akardos a bit! Sharpen his claws with her body! You won't stop that poor beast from having a bit of fun, right?"
"The Akardos belongs to the Dark Lord, Bella. I will not allow a disgusting werewolf to destroy the job our Master entrusted Snape to do. As long as she's under my roof and Snape needs her alive, no one, not even you, will enter this room. Understood?"
Bellatrix put on a false pout on her face and turning her wand towards Greyback threw a Cruciatus at him that caused the werewolf to fall to the ground whimpering like a dog and spasmodically kicking against the door.
"Very soon you will be mine, little rat! When that nasty half-blood gets tired of you, I'll be there to take care of you as you deserve, soulless bitch!"
Laurel closed her eyes and huddled in the armchair, wrapping herself tightly in Severus's black cloak. Bellatrix's screams and laughter frightened her far worse than Greyback's onslaught. She clenched her hand tightly around the test tube she'd managed to fill up and waited until the voices faded and her body stopped shaking.
Slowly she got to her feet and walked over to the long worktable, her gaze going over the row of glass vials that each glowed with a different coloured liquid. Taking care that the still warm blood was enough for all the vials, Laurel poured small amounts into each of them, noting the exact time and observing how some of them changed in consistency and colour. One of them looked promising. The green liquid had curdled on contact with the drops of blood and now a silver foam overflowed the vial. She collected a sample and sat down, watching the foam swirl inside the test tube, creating hypnotic iridescent twirls. She hoped it was a good sign, an indication that Severus's experiments were leading somewhere.
Severus. She missed him terribly and every evening she waited for him to walk through the doors of the room and share with her all the incidents that had happened during his classes, the rumours that circulated through the corridors of the castle, but above all, she longed to have the only one person she trusted nearby.
A cold draft of air filtered through the chimney and Laurel shivered. She pulled on Severus's cloak again and hugged herself, inhaling the scent of damp and medicinal herbs impregnated on the soft black fabric. She sensed it; she was about to have a nervous breakdown. The dim colours of the tapestries seemed to blend into each other, causing the room to grow darker and darker, while the merciless silence drilled into the mind of the woman who had remained motionless, unable to see beyond those four walls that surrounded her and seemed to swallow her whole. She had the sudden urge to go to the door and escape from that maelstrom of restlessness that would not let her breathe, but her legs did not respond to her. Her body had been anchored to the chair, to the table and Laurel could barely let out a furious and desperate cry from the back of her throat that served to break the spell. Without thinking, she stood up and stumbled to the double wooden doors and grasping both handles, she tried to open them in vain. Her mind was blank, she did not care what she might find on the other side, she had to get out of there at that very moment. She banged, kicked, and shook the doors with all her might until the sound of faint laughter brought her to her senses again.
"There is no way, sweetheart." - Greyback's throaty voice crept through the doors. - "I would have knocked it down by now. But I promise you that very soon, I will be the one to experiment with you, no stupid potions, no… Just my teeth on your delicious neck… You are bleeding, little lamb…"
Laurel gulped in fear as she discovered the werewolf was still outside. She looked down at her arm and realized that her blown vein had not stopped bleeding. The dark red liquid continued to flow, staining her skin and black robes as it fell in heavy drops to the ground.
"It's unique, you know? Your blood. Snape is lucky to have his way with you. If it were up to me, you wouldn't have lasted more than an hour alive. I would eat you whole: skin, nails, bones... Maybe I would even be saddened by not savouring a prey like you again… But how would I enjoy tearing your body apart! I would start with your thighs, so I wouldn't kill you right away and I could hear your moans... "
Greyback's voice had turned into a string of aroused growls and his breathing began to get heavier as he spoke. The nasty noises he was making left no doubt in Laurel´s mind about what he was doing now.
"FUCK OFF!"- She yelled at him in all her rage as she kicked the door hard while hurting herself. – "DISGUSTING BEAST, FUCK OFF!"
Greyback's laugh made her furious. She took whatever was within reach and threw it with all her strength, wanting to kill that imitation of a man with her bare hands. She was seeing red. She had made up her mind never to be weak in front of anyone... She had already shed enough tears, enough blood... She threw one of the wooden chairs and it smashed against the door. The next thing she had on hand were the vials on the table. She took the test tube, where the silver foam still swirled and she was about to toss it too, but she stopped at the thought of Severus, she thought of all the work it had taken him to make those potions, all the sleepless nights he had spent with her searching through ancient manuscripts for anything that would help them… She was not going to destroy their work.
"Never, Greyback." - She whispered, approaching him again. - "You will never put a finger on me. I will not allow it."
Laurel backed away as the werewolf punched hard enough to pierce the wood, his claws trying to catch her, but the golden sparkles swarmed to the door again, burning Greyback's skin and forcing him to abandon his attempts. Laurel barely caught a glimpse of the werewolf's wild blue gaze glaring at her through the gaping hole before the door magically repaired itself.
. . .
"She is suffering, Albus!"
Severus rested his hands on the stone parapet at the top of the astronomy tower. The long curtains of black hair couldn't hide the weariness and concern on his sallow face. Dumbledore was standing next to him, chewing a sherbet lemon as he watched the sun set on the horizon.
"She is suffering from trying to attempt the impossible! I have to get her out of there."
"You must be patient, Severus. Rome wasn't made in a day, and I see you starting to make progress. You've managed to isolate the gene that makes the Akardos so threatening, it's only a matter of time until you can do something with it."
"Threatening?" - Severus narrowed his black eyes as he looked at Dumbledore. - "She is just a poor woman! A fairly innocent and naive one, to tell the truth. She has agreed to help me without complaint, despite having to endure some rather painful trials."
"She has no choice but to accept what you offer her, Severus." - Dumbledore answered without looking at him. - "A sign that she is quite brave and cunning. I don't think she's naive at all. I am afraid, once she is free from death threats, she wouldn't want to continue assisting you."
Severus was not willing to hear those words. Dumbledore had no idea who Laurel was. He even didn't know her name, nor he had wanted to share it. Laurel was up to now under his sole responsibility and he had no interest in this changing.
"I can save her. Hide her. If only you would allow me…"
"And what will you do once Voldemort discovers you have betrayed him?" – This time Dumbledore turned to look at Severus. – "Are you willing to die for the Soulless one?"
"So far, she has proven she has a purer soul than all of those who call her soulless." – Severus hissed angrily. – "And aren´t you supposed to strive to save as many lives as possible? Is not a norm of a Gryffindor to always play the hero? Why do you want to condemn her?"
"She is not dead yet, Severus." – The blue eyes sparkled when he met the dark ones. – "I am humbled by your resolute persistence to keep this acquaintance of yours out of the reach of the Death Eaters. It kind of reminds me of your efforts to save the woman you loved, so many years ago. Is that the case, Severus?"
"Don´t you dare, Dumbledore…"
"Oh, no." – The headmaster reached in his pocket and took out a bag of sherbet lemons, offering some to Severus who rejected them. – "What I mean is, love is a very powerful form of magic, powerful enough to make you turn your back on your Dark Lord. Powerful enough to make you forget the promise you made to Lily. Harry needs you, Severus. The Order needs you. I need you."
"This has nothing to do with love! Love has only brought devastation to my life. You know it better than anyone else." – Severus was wriggling his hands, frustrated at Dumbledore´s intransigency – "I have always done everything you ask from me! I am just asking you… for this… one… little… favour."
"Is Voldemort aware of your progress?"
Severus let out a resigned sigh. It was impossible to negotiate with Albus Dumbledore.
"He has been, for the most part, away from the Manor. He is recruiting as many members as possible for his army. I have informed him of my progress, yes. He seemed pleased."
"So, he is not directly threatening the Akardos life. What about the other Death Eaters?"
"They have tried to get their hands on her from time to time, but none can pass the magic wards of the room she is being held. Narcissa has given me her word she will try her best to keep her sister at bay. Only Greyback has taken the habit to harass her very often, of course, that disgusting werewolf is no match for my protective enchantments."
"Greyback, huh?" – Said Dumbledore thoughtfully. – "Interesting."
"What's interesting about it?"
"Greyback is always striving to infect as many people as possible. He wasn't going to waste his time with prey that he knows he can't catch. He also prefers attacking young children, not adult women. It´s very curious."
Severus lose the little colour he had left on his sallow face. Giving a curt nod to Dumbledore, he turned on his heels and bolted to the tower staircase. He wanted to get to the Malfoy Manor as soon as possible.
"Severus!"
The old wizard's voice made him stop. Grudgingly he turned to him, grateful that his occlumency hid the resentment that was growing in his mind.
"Severus, I give you my word. I will protect the Akardos. The moment her life is in imminent risk, bring her in. Hogwarts and the Order of the Phoenix will protect her."
Severus gasped, he opened his mouth trying to thank Dumbledore, but it wasn't a thank you that came out of it.
"Her name is Laurel. The Akardos, her name is Laurel."
"Very well." - Dumbledore smiled and by waving one of his hands he made the bag of sherbet lemons flutter like a fat bird into Severus' hands. – "Give them to her, I'm sure Laurel will love them."
. . .
A sense of dread ran down his spine as he found the suite in utter chaos. The first thing he noticed when he opened the door were the blood stains that were splattered on the entire carpet. There were many books on the floor, with the pages torn off. Candelabrums and lamps all broken and smashed against the walls. Pieces of wood were all that was left from one of the chairs of the working table, but Severus only cared about finding his way through the sea of broken objects and reaching for the dark figure lying on the bed.
"Laurel, can you hear me?" - Severus's voice had turned into a pleading whisper. – "Please wake up."
He checked her pulse, her breathing. Everything was fine. Then he noticed the half empty bottle of brandy next to the bed. If he weren't so relieved to see her still alive, Severus was sure he'd start cursing right away. He shook her shoulders slightly.
"Wake up already, Laurel!"
She opened her eyes in horror. The memory of Greyback's wild gaze still fresh in her memory made her give a little cry at the thought that the werewolf had finally managed to sneak into the room. Terrified, she stirred on the bed trying to distance herself from the man who called her by her name.
"Calm down. It's me, Severus."
The wizard gasped when he suddenly felt the strong embrace of the woman, who buried her face in his neck, letting out a deep sigh of relief.
"Thank God! Oh, I missed you so much!" – Laurel's voice muffled against his neck, fed the flame that has been growing slowly but surely in his chest during the past weeks. Severus could also feel how his stomach seemed to fill with fluttery bugs, a feeling that had abandoned him since Lily had decided not to speak to him again. He hoped the blush on his cheeks would not be noticeable in the darkness of the room.
"Today could not get any worse."
"Greyback? Did he try to enter again?"
Laurel nodded and looked for the brandy bottle, but reaching for it, Severus stopped her.
"What the bloody hell have you done to your arm?"
"Sorry, I had a little accident." - She answered taking a drink from the bottle. – "Me tearing up this place, it was just a little accident."
"That is enough drinking for today, Laurel." – He said in his usual drawl as he took the bottle from her hands.
"No! Come on, have a sip with me."
"Absolutely not. I don't even want to think about how this room would be if you finished the entire bottle."
The smile that had appeared since he had seen Severus lost its lustre. Laurel replied crestfallen:
"Truly, it was before I opened that bottle that I started to throw things against the door. Greyback has really outdone himself this time."
"What has he done to you?"
"Nothing serious really. What could he do to me from the other side of the door? The details, I'd like to keep them to myself, if you don't mind."
"You can tell me if you want, Laurel. You can trust me."
"It is not easy to explain. I'm a bit embarrassed…" -Laurel blushed at the intense gaze of Severus whose eyes seemed to try to read her mind.
"If you don't tell me, I'll still get it off that fleabag." - Severus said, as he took a sip of brandy and handed her the bottle again. – "But maybe you can sleep more peacefully if you take it off your chest now."
Laurel took a second drink and letting out a deep sigh she answered while she felt her face burn with shame.
"Greyback masturbated by the door. He was doing it while he was talking about devouring me whole… He was saying a lot of obscenities… Augh… It was disgusting."
Severus didn't answer her. His face twisted in a threatening gesture; his lips trembled. He was a very scary vision. He grabbed the bottle and downed most of the liquor that was left. Then he stood up and strode to the door over all the shattered objects.
"Severus? Severus where are you going?"
Laurel had gotten to her feet as well and was trying to catch up without stumbling. Finally, her hand reached to grasp his long cloak, but Severus yanked free of her and continued on his way.
"Stop, I beg you. Do not leave me alone!"
"I'm going to kill Greyback. I won't be long."
Hearing this, Laurel stepped forward and stood in front of the door, blocking his way.
"WHAT?! No, no, no! You're not going to kill anyone because you're not going to get out of here tonight, understood? Please stay for me. I'm afraid of being alone, I don't think my nerves will hold up."
"Laurel, move. Now"
The woman hugged his slim body, determined to keep him from staining his hands with blood. She would not allow him to commit a crime that he would later regret. It wasn't worth it.
"Severus, please. Stay with me."
. . .
Soft candlelight illuminated the faces of Laurel and Severus, both lying side by side on the bed. In the middle of them, a package with sherbet lemons that they were eating little by little, while they talked, laughed or remained in silence while looking out the windows at the starry night sky.
"I was wondering… that darkness that suddenly appears in your eyes…"
"My eyes are very black, cold as some people say."
"No, I can see the shine in them most of the time but sometimes they turn… like dark tunnels… so black and empty."
"It´s called Occlumency. I keep my mind in hide all the time, so others cannot see my thoughts."
"Like, mind reading?"
"Mind is not a book you can simply open and read. It is much more complex than that; but yes, a Muggle would understand it like that."
"Ok. What am I thinking now?"
Severus knew that question would come up, but still he couldn't help feeling a twinge of irritation, not only because it was stupid and childish, but mainly because it was a reminder that it was not possible for him to penetrate Laurel's thoughts and memories. Really, he wanted to see inside her mind. He wanted to find an answer to a question that had plagued him for a couple of weeks.
"I can´t get inside your head." - He answered her. – "Legilimency is a form of magic, you are unfortunately, totally resistant to it."
"I am glad you cannot see what I am thinking now, Sev."
Severus turned to her, his eyes wide, his eyebrows raised. Only one person had ever called him that.
"Sev?"
Laurel giggled and wriggled over to him, resting her head on his shoulder, her long hair spread across the pillow.
"Can I call you Sev? Don't get me wrong, Severus is gorgeous… Your father chose it."
"Tobias Snape chose my name?"
"Yes, your father. Now, if you prefer, I could call you Sevy, Severy, or Mr. Buttons. You choose."
Severus chuckled. He supported his chin on top of her head, inhaling the sweet scent of her hair.
"Call me however you want. I am fine with anything, except Mr. Buttons. That is dreadful."
"Sev it is then." – Yawned Laurel as her eyes started to close. – "Thank you for staying tonight, Sev."
"With pleasure."