Chapter 3
Mid-March 1980
"Please Severus, Help me!" the sound of Olivia's scream echoes through Severus' frantic heart-beat. A brief seconds later, he finds himself below Olivia, touching her for some reason, and she reacted violently. "Don't touch me! do something!" Olivia pleaded, and Severus found himself unable to speak as if his mouth is being glued while the sounds of maniacal cackle intensify, and then they were brought back to the dungeons where she lays, bare naked, and blood sweeping through her body. Her eyes were dull, and her once beautiful face felt waxy. She stared onto Severus for few seconds and then she attempts to vomit blood, shrieking in pain, the worst part of it, blood continue to leak outside of her body, trying to open her mouth. "This curse I am suffering is all because of you, you have cast the spell Severus. How could you?" Olivia said. Severus did not say anything nor tries to turn away. He silently shed tears, which both were interrupted by a cruel laugh where the Dark Lord shows up. "Great job Severus, you have shown your true loyalty, now end this worm, end her suffer." Lord Voldemort said. Severus felt struggles on his body. He found himself lifting his wand, muttering the killing curse where she laughs. The sounds of her un-ethical laugh make Severus woke up, sweating, and gasping for breath. It was in the middle of the night, and Severus couldn't let his beating heart slow down. The nightmare sporadically changes each day, Severus couldn't take it anymore. He must find him, he must end this once and for all.
Severus woke up again in the morning, dreading for the headache to stop. He looked into the mirror of his room again, examining the frantic dark circles. he groans and mutters in incohesive words. he saw the owl on the window trying to let in, which made him open, letting the owl land on his shoulder. He received yet again the same letter.
Dear Severus,
I believe I have sent you the first letter, so you have probably secured the artifact and destroyed it by now, now listen this, and listen carefully, the next artifact is hidden somewhere in Albania. luckily I have found my sources before I left for my 'second' journey but you are smart and you would find it in a matter of second. I have put my trust in you, Severus. The Dark Lord isn't who he thinks he is. he is vicious, cruel, and sadistic. I should've listened to him Severus, Maybe this is why I was away from everyone, including dear Narcissa. Tell her I said hello.
Yours sincerely,
R.A.B
Severus reread the letter again, and he looked onto the signed words which looked familiar. He went to his school yearbook, searching for the years below him, and his eyes gasped in shock. It was him, R.A.B is Regulus Arcturus Black! the one whom Severus showed him the way to become a Death Eater! that would explain why the sudden disappearance way back in 1979. Not to mention the last eye contact he and Reggie, the nickname his brother Sirius use to say. Right now, a year later, he receives a letter like this? where is Regulus? and why does he send letters like that? Before he responds, The owl hooted uncomfortably, maybe he should write a letter to Regulus, and so he brought the parchment and began writing.
12 Grimmauld Place:
Lily Potter sighs in frustration, she really hate this place. She wonders why Sirius would inherit this disgusting place, but then she remembers, it is his parent's house so it makes sense, but still, that does not change her disgust on this desperate place. Luckily Sirius, Marlene, Alice, Remus, and James agree with her statement. The place has transformed into a secret headquarters for the Order of The Phoenix, so every now and then, the headmaster summons a meeting, everyone must attend the urgent meeting. The warm touch of her husband snapped her into reality and she flashed a warm smile. He attempted to hold tight her hand and then they wait. The first people showed up were the Weasleys, She had met them a couple of years ago, the time Gideon and Fabian showed up in Hogwarts with Frank's last year back in 1976, considering he is a year ahead of them. Gideon and Fabian Prewett where Molly's Twin brothers. Sadly both were severely injured, and laid to rest in Saint Mungos so their baby sister, Molly felt paralyzed. The Healers hadn't said a thing if they were under the exposure of crusciatus, so only time will tell. The only one who consoled Molly was Lily, and since then they have become best friends. Alice also joined the bandwagon because Fabian and Gideon were also her confidants. The times like this brought them closer, and the families closer. James and Arthur were friends during their time in the ministry. They still work there, but with the erratic behavior of the ministry forces both gentlemen to temporarily quit the position
"Are you ok Lily?" Molly said while holding her latest baby. Lily looked into Molly's bright brown eyes, and she nods. She also looked at the huge baby with interest. Molly smiled and handed over the whimpering baby into Lily's arms. "Lily, meet Ronald Bilius Weasley, the newest edition of the Weasley clan," Molly said with a grin. The baby responded with a coo and a smile which made Lily melt. The baby also held her petite hand. She flushed with happiness which she shared a look onto her husband and her husband nodded, waiting for the time of their baby. They will yet discover the gender of the baby, and Lily finds herself a bit panicking about what to get on James' birthday a few weeks later. She gave little Ron back to his mother because he starts to cry indicating for milk and Molly understood. Minutes later aurors like Kingsley Shacklebot, Edgar Bones, Amelia's young brother, and surprisingly Edward Tonks and Andromeda Black-Tonks. She has brought her young daughter, Nymphadora Tonks. A few aurors James don't know and then the sound of the fireplace roared green allowing Albus Dumbledore, Horace Slughorn, Minerva McGonagall, and Rubeus Hagrid showed up.
The headmaster motions them to gather at the living room, and then they shut down their fireplace at a last-minute until it roared green, revealing Peter Pettigrew in his tired state. Everyone were shocked by Pettigrew's appearance. he hasn't been seen for the last few weeks, ever since Mary McDonald's death. "Sorry, I am late everyone, I was...I was coping with my sick mother and something else" Peter said. "Come here Wormtail, better late than never," James said. Peter was the last one to be acknowledged, not because of his short, fat frame. it is because of his inability to decide himself, and his magical capabilities. Still, the Marauders, especially James would let him in and treat him like a brother. That also made the reason why Lily fell in love with James, his selfless sense of others. Peter looked frail as if he lost a lot of weight, his blonde-brunette hair seems to fall off, and his chubby face felt dull, Mary's death must have taken a toll on him. Peter also reacted distant over Lily that bothers her because she was the only one who felt sympathy for him, she made a note that she will confront and comfort poor Peter.
"It has been a hectic week my friends. A source of mine had inferred that one of our members, Olivia Jensen, has been found in the river, dead, and mutilated" Albus said. The sound of gasps and hands-on the mouth was too much to ask, but Lily focused more onto Sirius closely. He was twitching as if one of his shag-buddies (Sirius term) had snatched his heart away. they were more of that 'friends with benefit' but Sirius would never violate her. Who would do such a monstrous thing? "It is a sad thing indeed, after the news of her death, I have sent Marlene to Paris, to console her parents and her brothers who were living in hiding for their blood status. "That is outrageous!" Sirius snapped. James managed to calm Sirius down. Lily looked into Dumbledore's twinkling eyes closely, and she glared toward the headmaster. Sirius came close and gave his threatening hands toward the tiring headmaster. "If I heard the news about her death, it is in your hands Dumbledore, your hands I will kill, Order or not" Sirius threatened and it gave a loud gasp over the headmaster. "Sirius Orion Black, I promise you with all my heart that I will protect her, I have already sent Alastor Moody on her protection," Dumbledore said. Lily found herself sigh in relief that Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody would be patrolling Marlene. "That will still make me worry and put my statement Dumbledore," Sirius said and he turned over to James, he hugged him and proceeded to cry. James hugged him back. Lily felt bad for them, she wouldn't deal it if her husband would die, she promised James that if he dies, she dies with him. "Now with all the distraction out of the way, I have traced a few Death Eaters that would make our mission easier, Avery and Walden Macnair. They may be tough to duel but they are vulnerable if subdued. I want you all to set a trap, once we find these two, we would know why Miss Jenson was kidnapped and mutilated at that time. Now the meeting has been dismissed." Dumbledore said. Dumbledore's request seemed vague, Lily thought. find two strongest members, and subdue them? Lily still remembers the coppery blood onto her mouth when these two gorillas kidnapped her and tortured her. It was Severus who cast crusciatus to her but she still felt the tingle on her body. she felt the shivering, the idea of thousand needles, swarming on her body. "Are you ok Lils?" James said. She hasn't told James about the incident, afraid he would snap and kill Severus. It is not about killing him that makes her afraid, it is about him, thrown to Azkaban, and Lily wouldn't allow that.
Somewhere in London
Severus found himself lost, he had sent a private letter to his mysterious visitor, telling him to meet at a muggle pub his father use to go with him, he hated the pub more thanks to his drunken father, and the sound of normal muggles, not knowing the fate they will endure in days to come. He wore a muggle clothing, something he hates by heart but he has to wear it, he also wears long sleeve shirt to conceal his dark mark tattoo, he waved at the waitress, ordering two muggle beers. He waited for a few minutes until his mysterious visitor shows up. "Such an odd place for a man who hates muggles," The voice of Albus Dumbledore said. Severus' eye widened on his former headmaster's appearance, his frame is tall, and his beard has shortened into neck length with auburn tint on it, He still has his sea-blue eyes, and the twinkle on his half-moon spectacles. It made Severus assume that it was his look many years ago before the aging wizard grew old. The headmaster sat, and the smiling waitress gave two beers to the gentlemen. Severus took the beer while the headmaster refused the offer, and whispered to the giggling waitress something about mint tea. "You think I would order firewhiskey? please, Severus, I have muggle bloodline in me, so I know tips and tricks, I only ordered mint tea." Albus smiles. "My name is Sam in this pub" Severus sneers. "Ah, an undercover, nice way to blend," Albus said. "Most people work here know my name to be Sam. Did you read my message headmaster?" Severus asked, not paying attention toward the smiling headmaster. "Oh, I believe I have skimmed the letter, tell me what happened? what has been bothering you, Severus?" Albus said. Severus grew alarmed on muttering anything that he knows there would-be spies. The headmaster read his thought and muttered Silencio. "Now you can speak" Albus said. "But headmaster, there could be spies" Severus said. "Considering I am talking with one" Albus jokes but Severus did not laugh. "I have charmed both of us without my wand to look like both of us are normal muggles, don't worry, now tell me what happened," Albus said. Severus took a long sip and began explaining.
After 30 minutes of brief explanations, the headmaster manages to say 'I see'. Severus took another sip and then looked into the headmaster's eye. "I can't help it headmaster, everywhere I go, I see her face, her eyes seeing through mine. I couldn't help her, even if I could, how can I escape when I am stranded with the toughest and the most powerful death eaters! not to mention the murderous look on Tiberius Nott! talking about it makes my bile rise, and all I think about is vomit" Severus said. "That would explain some scars on her neck. I have sent Marlene for paying respects to her family" Albus said. that name made an alarm to Severus and he shouted to his headmaster. "headmaster! you can't do this!" Severus shouted. "And why is that?" Albus looked into Severus eyes and he found himself flushed in embarrassment. "It was a plan, set by the Dark Lord to lure James and Sirius to the Death Eaters. It is already too late. By now they have already captured her" Severus said. "Hmm, I haven't told anyone about the order, and you somehow know a lot, is there more you don't want to tell me?" Albus said. Severus opens his mouth but lets his wall shut, The headmaster could've peeked through his mind but wanted to let Severus splurt but he didn't. He didn't want to rat that they have their own spy. Let them tear each other apart, his other thought said in his mind. "No headmaster, I haven't told the Dark Lord anything, I was just attending the meeting," Severus said. "Then who brought the subject of Miss McKinnon to the death eaters?" Albus said. Severus could've to blab out Peter Pettigrew but his sense of withdrawn attitude couldn't allow him, or his cowardice. his same thought said. "No headmaster, I believe it was Miss Jensen, moments before she was...assaulted." Severus said. Somehow his headmaster does not believe him, and so he nods and smiles to the waitress at the moment of the silence charm lifts, and took a sip of his mint tea. he also mutters a whisper to bring a small napkin and write. I will protect her, I will be there at a moment after this meeting. Severus gulps and continue drinking his beer.
"Tell me more about Mr. Avery and Walden Macnair. I know them as students, they were brute but you know more about them" Albus said. Severus almost spat his drink and looked into the headmaster's eyes. "What?" Severus asked. "Well Alastor was sent to patrol Miss McKinnon but since you have briefed me the danger she will impose, Auror Moody has told me that the lead goes to the Death Eaters which I have just mentioned to you." Albus said. 'What type of games you are playing Abraxas?' "They are brute as you say but when they are confronted, they cannot do a thing. I am not as close to them as much as with Mulciber, maybe with Regulus, but they can be captured if there was a precise plan. What you will do with them?" Severus finds himself panicking that their words would lead to him since he was physically there. "Oh nothing, I just want a word with them, that's all. Now if you excuse me, I have a plan to rescue, Nice having a conversation Severus, some other time Sam" Albus said. Severus nods, and ignores looking the knowing eyes. his Dark Mark burns on his hand and he dreads going to the mansion, knowing what the Dark Lord has done.
Riddle Manor.
Peter Pettigrew finds himself shivering, He was in charge of looking to Marlene's capture. It was only just few days since the Order meeting and he found the knock on his door, and he saw Avery and Macnair, bringing the unconscious Marlene McKinnon. Peter gulped and took her into his bed. He 'took' care of her where it was just 'traitor' or 'how could you' or the worst of it. 'what would Mary do?' Peter couldn't muster the courage to say something, let alone talk about something. The door knocked again, and the same two guys, Avery and Macnair grunted 'let's go'. Peter gulped and side apparated to the mansion.
Peter couldn't calm his beating heart and with the vulnerable sight of Marlene, gagged with a napkin, he only wished that the dark lord would spare her. funny the Dark Lord would be a forgiving type? he was tortured by the Dark Lord multiple times, he even got blackmailed by him, so he has no choice but to follow, to obey the Dark Lord's command. He found the Dark Lord arrive by himself, and the Dark Lord flashed a cruel smile to Peter. "Well done Wormtail, I always thought I would believe in you," Voldemort said. "What am I? A sitting duck?" Avery snorted. The Dark Lord turned to Avery and mutters a blood boil curse to Avery which left him howling. He lifted the curse and muttered a counter curse for it. "You have anything to say?" Lord Voldemort said. "N. My lord." Avery shivers. "Good, now release her" The Dark Lord said. Peter kept his shivering hand to release the gag and she releases her breath. "HOWDAREYOUTOBETRAYYOURBESTFRIENDS?INCLUDINGME!OHWAITTELLITELLSIRIUSABOUTIT!" Marlene said, barely looking onto the deathly calm Lord Voldemort. "I brought you into my house, and all I heard is you scream. Didn't your dear Albus teach you manners?" Lord Voldemort mock asks. Peter finds Marlene pale by seeing the Dark Lord in his flesh and she drew her wand which left the rest of the Death Eaters to growing alarmed. "Leave her, I want to know the full capabilities of the toughest Order member, I am gladly hearing much about," Lord Voldemort said. Peter stood there, watching the long duel of disarming, and levitating charm. Marlene broke a sweat while Peter sees the Dark Lord felt untouched as if he was expecting her to do that. What happened next was something Peter did not expect. "Such a pity for a woman to have an amazing gift but wasted by the filthy mudbloods. Crucio" The Dark Lord said. Peter stood there, watching her shudder in pain, his eyes flashes by seeing her vulnerable, he could've sworn he heard. 'Peter, please!' That also made the Dark Lord laugh more. "He cannot hear my darling, he only listens to me, now you have seen his true loyalty, I cannot allow you to live. Ava..." The Dark Lord almost muttered the death curse, the last thing he would hear was Peter shouting. "Wait!" The sound of silence was inferring, and it made the Dark Lord look onto the whimpering death eater with full interest. "And why shouldn't I do that worm tail?" The Dark Lord smirked, and the quiet room suddenly filled with laughter. "I...I think I have a plan to make her s..suffer" Peter stutters. "I am listening." The Dark Lord smirked wider. "I say we give her the dark curse and erase her memories, that would make her think that it was Severus doing it," Peter said. "And why should they believe Severus doing such a heinous thing, Severus has more guts and wits than you. Avada..." The Dark Lord almost finishes the killing spell. "My lord, please, if you want James to join, the other thing would make him absurdly angry is his best friend with a coma, and his worst enemy is the cause of his" Peter finds himself begging which he did when he bowed to the floor. The Dark Lord seems to have a thought. "Ah, such a clever plan Wormtail. Rise" The Dark Lord said. The shivering man rose up and looked into the Dark Lord's ruby eyes. "I want you to cast the destructive spell, I want you also to erase her memories, it would be fun by seeing her former friend doing the work. I would enjoy seeing the light in her eyes fade when she sees the destructive work you would do, but not on my wand, You do it on your own." The Dark Lord said. "But master, Pettigrew is too weak to cast a spell, let alone a curse." Avery snorts. The Dark Lord stared onto Avery and smirked. "Sure Wormtail has a shred of guts to do, now go. let her suffer." The Dark Lord said. Peter came face to face toward the cowering figure of Marlene, he couldn't do it, he couldn't even mutter a hex which Lily had taught him, but he remembers the way he was laughed by other students, he was mocked, and bullied by other, even James couldn't protect him and he found himself incredibly angry and then he let out the spell he knew but locked away from his mind a long time ago. "Terminus eius cum dolore pati, et ostendam illi verae virtutis significatione. Et ego invocabo te Arctonusum" The power of the curse is so strong that it made Peter thrown on the other side, and he saw the pale green light hit Marlene and she was dropped dead with her eyes closed. "Is she dead?" Avery spoke after the deathly silence blooms onto the hall, The Dark Lord touched her hand for a pulse and he smirks. "Ancient Latin, such a powerful old magic curse, Never thought you have it in you Wormtail to pull a powerful curse, it makes the body lingers into a never-ending coma, our Miss Marlene will sleep for a long time. good job Wormtail, no proceed, erase her memories." Lord Voldemort said. Peter couldn't believe he had pulled it, the second darkest curse. He looked onto the pale-faced Marlene and whispers. obliviate. He collapsed onto the frame and let out a sob. "Well done. Felton, Darington, toss the body into the streets, into the trash. I want to send a message to Albus that he is not safe, it is time to bring the tables around." Lord Voldemort said. "Now come to me Wormtail, I will not assign you a mark yet, I still have use on you to report everything what the order states, is it understood?" Lord Voldemort asked. "Y...Yes my lord" Peter stutters. "Good, you can leave." Lord Voldemort said. Peter felt a mix of pride and guilt, he only wished that Sirius wouldn't find him and kill him for what he had done. He only wished.
The Spell is made up Arctonusum as the meaning is As the Lady shall be accompanied by the pain, to suffer, and I will show to him truly, of the power