Part 3:
Fifth Year.
Severus and Septina tried to remain in the shadows. It wasn't hard after Sirius and James made it onto their Quidditch team. "You must admit that they are rather good." Septina said, watching the game from the stands. Professor Dumbledore had made the first game mandatory appearance.
"I guess if one appreciates such a mindless game as this." Severus said, watching as Luc blocked the quaffle from entering. "Though no one guards quite like Luc."
"I think our dear cousin imagines it those hoops to be the entrance to his estate." She looked at him, lips twitched in an attempt suppress a smile. "And you know that you appreciate a good game."
His head bowed in acknowledgment. "True. But this isn't a good game."
"It isn't?" She teased him.
"Of course not. We aren't on the team." He quirked an eyebrow at her.
"You know why we aren't. We overdosed on it back at Durmstrang." Septina laughed, then tensed, feeling something change in the atmosphere. Both of their eyes went immediately skyward. "Is it just me or does something look wrong?"
"It is not you." There was suppressed fury in his voice as he grabbed onto his sister's arm and pulled her away from the stands. He could tell that someone had been playing with the weather but their spell had gone dangerously awry. "Come on. We need to get inside."
Narcissa quietly rose and followed them, as did a few others from their group. They had realized sometime during their fourth year that the Snapes knew when bad things were about to occur. Standing in front of the large window, they watched as the sky filled with dark clouds that suddenly opened and pelted the crowd with hail. Narcissa watched Lucius fly through the storm nervously. Though he was a spectacular keeper, his flying skills needed work.
With a great deal of luck, he was avoiding the magical hail and heading for the safety of the locker room. The rest of the team followed him, taking great care not to crash into each other. On the other side, the Gryffindors also made themselves scarce. All of the students had cleared the arena and were now crowded into the halls, watching as the hail made craters in the ground.
Professor Dumbledore was the last one to enter the building. After he and the teachers warded the area to keep the storm in place, the door closed. His blue eyes then scanned the crowd, landing on the twins. "Would you two care to join me?" He didn't wait for them to respond, he walked away.
Severus shrugged at Septina's questioning look and started to walk after the Headmaster. What he didn't tell her was that he suspected the reason behind Professor Dumbledore's request. After a moment, she reluctantly followed him. They sat in front of his desk and waited for him to speak, hands buried in the sleeves of their robes.
Professor Dumbledore watched them as he pulled out a box of lemon drops and popped one into his mouth. Holding out the box, he offered them one. They refused. Still, he waited a while before speaking. "Did you two know that that storm was going to occur?"
"Yes." Severus answered, his eyes never leaving the headmaster's. Septina remained silent, allowing her brother to handle things.
"I see." He was surprised by the honest answer, then continued his interrogation. "Did you have something to do with it?"
"No." The eyes hardened even more.
"Are you sure?" Dumbledore pressed. "I saw you both get up and leave right before the storm began."
"Why are you even asking? You've already tried us and found us to be guilty. You wouldn't believe in our innocence." Severus bitterly said, "After all, we're Slytherin. Therefore, we must be guilty."
"I didn't say that, Severus." His voice was stern.
"You didn't have to." Septina answered when her brother remained silent.
"Are you unhappy here?" The Headmaster asked, gently digging.
They were quiet. But he caught the surprise they felt in their eyes before they disguised it. "We are content."
"Both of you?" He asked, looking pointedly at Septina.
"My brother speaks for me as well." Her answer was blunt.
Dumbledore sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "All right. You may go."
"Thank you." Severus said. Septina nodded, following him.
"If ever you want to talk, I'm always available." Professor Dumbledore watched them go, a frown on his face.
"Again, we thank you." The tone in his voice proclaimed that he had no intention of taking him up on the offer.
Professor McGonagal moved from her place at the window. She placed her hand on his shoulder, trying to comfort him. "Don't worry about them. They'll get by."
"But, Minerva, if I don't, who will?" He turned to face her, his face was solemn. "And it's their way of getting by worries me."
"What do you mean?"
Albus stared off into the distance. "I wish I knew for sure what I am feeling. Twin magic is unknown and power is power. I fear that in their case, it is double trouble."
Severus stormed down the hall towards the Slytherin dorms. Septina knew he was more than angry because she could hear it. "I cannot believe the nerve of that man. How dare he accuse us of being behind this mischief? If we had done something, it wouldn't be this kind of childish trick. Any untrained wizard can make a storm."
"Calm down, Sev. He's just doing his job." Though she was as hurt, Septina was trying to be fair.
"But if we were one of his precious Gryffindors, he'd never have questioned us." He shot back. "The way he pampers them, it's no wonder they think they run this school."
Septina flinched. Though they'd fought like most siblings did, she had never been on the receiving end of his glare. "We knew what we were up against when we arrived." It was said quietly.
"I'm sorry." He apologized. Looking at the door, he shook his head. "And I know. But that doesn't make it any less distasteful."
"It's okay." She knew what he was feeling.
Turning away from the rooms abruptly, they headed down to the dungeons. Knocking on the wall across from the potions room, a door opened into a circular room. It had surprised them when their head of house gave them this room for their use, on the condition that they told no one about it unless absolutely necessary. Sitting down on a stool, he waved his wand. In front of him a harp appeared and he began to play. After listening for a while, she picked up her flute and played along with him.
They could feel the tension, and the hurt, melt away as it flowed into the angry sounding music. The Bloody Baron sat in a corner near the fireplace, Peeves floating by his side, they watched the twins play with smiles on their faces. Contrary to popular belief, both ghosts cared for the children and enjoyed quiet moments like these.
A few months later:
Severus sat in the library, immersed in a book on advanced potions. Suddenly, he tensed up. He felt eyes rest upon him and knew that they weren't hostile. That's odd, he thought, Septina is helping Lucius practice maneuvers. Who else would be watching him?
He glanced around and saw Peter Pettigrew standing nervously in the doorway watching him. Now isn't that curious, thought Severus, slightly amused. Why would Pettigrew be watching him without the rest of his gang to protect him?
"Can it be that you've grown a spine, Pettigrew?" He questioned, setting the book down for the moment.
Peter flushed but walked up to him. "You don't scare me."
"I can see that. More's the pity." Sev responded, tartly.
"I need your help." Peter blurted out, before he lost his nerve.
"Help you? Do I look like one of your little, Gryffindor friends, Pettigrew?" He asked scathingly.
Peter muttered, looking at his hands. "They can't help me."
Severus rolled his eyes, the humor was slowly fading. "Oh, of course they can. That's what your house is known for, helping the pathetic and the downtrodden. And, as enthralling as it would be to have a Gryffindor in my debt, I have better things to do."
"But you must help me!" Peter exclaimed, voice desperate.
"Must I?" Severus asked, his amusement was gone. "I don't think so." He reached for his book, dismissing Peter from mind.
Peter stopped him by grabbing his hand in a tight grip. "Please, listen to me."
Jerking his hand away from the offending touch, Sev glared at him. "Give me one good reason why I should listen to your little sob story?
"Because I know things about you that could get you kicked out of Hogwarts." Peter hinted, though he was loath to pull punches.
Though he flinched slightly, Sev kept his face blank. "So? There are other schools."
"But your sister would remain here, alone and unprotected. I know how the both of you truly feel about Slytherin house. While the two of you were together, no one would mess with you. But if she was alone?" He let the sentence hang there. Then Peter stepped back, looking down at him challengingly. "Well?"
With a resigned sigh, Severus rose and followed the Gryffindor out the door. He sent his books into his room before the door closed behind him.
'Sept, I'll be okay.' He responded to the gentle tap inside his mind, clearly hearing the worry in her voice. The young men walked in silence towards the side door. He was surprised by his companion's ability to walk silently. I wouldn't have thought it of a Gryffindor, he mused.
Making their way over the grounds, Severus realized they were going to the Forbidden Forest. Now, why would a model boy with perfect friends want to approach the forest?
Finally Peter stopped at the edge and waited for him to join him. Severus stepped up to his side with a sigh. He was about to speak but found no voice when he realized what he'd been brought to see.
Lying in a pool of its own blood, was a unicorn.
"I didn't mean to do it." Peter explained nervously, watching as Sev knelt down. The graceful hands of his fellow student examined the wounds carefully. "I was practicing and one of my shots went wild."
"Yes, I've seen your lack of control." Severus murmured, feeling the heartbeat that was slowly dying down.
"Will she be all right?" He asked, feeling useless. He paced behind the Slytherin boy, watching out for Hagrid to come by on his evening walk.
Sev shrugged, glancing up at him. "I need to know what spell you used. And how long ago did this happen?"
"It can't have been more than a few moments. After it happened, I went to see you figuring that you would know what to do." Peter tried to recall what he'd been working on but he drew a blank. "I can't remember what I was doing. Is it important?"
"Yes. Some spells are accidentally hurtful and can thus be reversed easily. But many spells are naturally malicious their in nature and intent. Those are harder to repair." Sev explained. "Why don't you go find Hagrid?"
"Oh, I couldn't do that. I'd have to explain what happened again and why I was spell casting without a spotter." Peter was near panic now. "Isn't there anything you can do for it? You are in Slytherin and know so much about certain things."
"Just because I'm in that particular house doesn't mean I can change fate." He thought for a moment, then turned to face Peter, a grave look on his face. "Your wand, I can use it to find out what spell you were performing. Do you trust me enough to hand it over?" Oh, that's real smart. Asking a Gryffindor to hand his wand over to a Slytherin. Been smelling to many bad potions, Sev.
"Of course. If I didn't, I would've gone to someone else." Peter's fervent answer in the affirmative should've warned Severus. But in his concern for the unicorn, it didn't fully register. He absently took hold of Peter's wand and the world went dark. Peter, he, and the unicorn were transported to a spacious, but deserted manor.
"What did you do?" Severus asked, his voice sounded raspy to him. Sis, are you there? He called, worried when he received no answer.
Peter smiled crookedly at him, malicious glee in his eyes. Resting securely in his hand was Severus' wand. His own resided against his companion's throat. "Welcome, Severus Snape. My master has been waiting a long time to meet you."
Back at Hogwarts.
Shortly before Severus went with Peter.
Septina and Lucius were flying over the Quidditch field. She was helping him develop more flexibility while on his broom. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he did a nose-dive and then flipped over before gliding down to the pitch. "That's enough for me, cousin. I'm going in."
"All right, Luc. You have improved." She complimented him absently, following him. Part of her was calling to her brother. Something was wrong, she just knew it. "I'll be in soon, I just want to do a few more laps."
He studied her, blue eyes concerned. "Are you sure? You don't look well at all."
'If you say so, Sev,' she responded. Turning to Luc, she smiled faintly. "Yes, I'm sure. Could you do me a favor and look in on my brother?"
"I'll do that right after I change." Lucius didn't question her odd request. He had been on the receiving end of her intuitive feelings to often to doubt her.
She felt unease creep over her again as her brother left Hogwarts. "Thank you." Septina watched him walk away from the field with a slight nod acknowledging her words. Trying to shake off her unease, she took to the air once again.
Lily walked onto the green, looking for James. He had asked her to meet him there and she was more than a little upset to find him missing. She was about to leave when she noticed her potions partner in the sky. "Now, doesn't Septina look lonely up there?" The competitive streak that was well hidden from her house for fear of being ostracized whispered, "She could use a little competition, don't you think?"
Not giving it another thought, she got her broom and joined her. Without saying a word, a challenge was issued and they faced the hoops at the far end, focusing on the smallest of the three. The two women were evenly matched, it was a close race. But Lily managed to pull ahead and pass her by. The redhead sat up with a laugh, smiling at the Slytherin, who'd just joined her. "Great race, partner."
Septina frowned, looking off into the distance. "It was." Her answer was curt.
Lily's smile left her face, she thought that they were past this reticent phase. "You won't get rid of me that easily, Sept." She scolded lightly, trying to keep the light hearted mood of earlier.
"What?" The dark head turned and focused on her. Her mind processed the words quickly and she spoke directly to Lily. "I wasn't trying to. Sorry."
"What is it?" Lily asked, genuinely concerned. She knew that something must be terribly wrong for her to apologize so quickly.
"I don't know?" She started to say, then slipped off the broom.
"Septina!" Lily shrieked, diving down after her. There's no way I'll catch her before she hits the ground, she thought. But I can't give up. Her body melded more firmly to the broom, cutting down the air resistance.
Inches from the ground, Lily's hand closed firmly over the thick robe. She yanked the unconscious girl up with all her strength. At the same time, she pulled her broom up and evened its flight pattern, heading for the stands.
Blinking her eyes, Septina stared up at the sky, not truly seeing it. It took a moment to realize that she wasn't on her broom or in the air anymore. That she was, in fact, resting in the Gryffindor stands. And that Lily was currently speaking to her.
"Lily, take a deep breath and be quiet for just a moment. All that chatter is not good for my thought process." She ordered, her voice lacking its customary strength. "I don't know what happened. Just help me up. I need to get to my room."
"Oh, no. You are going to see Madame Pomfrey." Her head shook firmly, even as her hands smoothed back the dark hair.
The black eyes widened in horror at that suggestion. "I can't."
"After a fall like that, I must insist."
Septina had the feeling that the Gryffindor girl would've had her hands on her hips if they'd been free. "Lily, she can't do anything for me. My problem is beyond medical help."
The utter certainty chilled Lily. "What do you mean?"
The Slytherin sighed and spotted James with his friends heading their way with something she refused to classify as relief. "You're friend as here. If you really want to know, meet me outside the potions room after the evening meal. And don't tell anyone." Septina doubted that she'd show up but decided to give her the benefit of the doubt.
Lily was already working out how she was going to get away from the guys. She knew that her partner doubted her and was determined to prove her wrong. "I'll be there."
Septina just looked at her before getting up and climbing down. On trembling legs she tried to hide, she accepted her broom from Remus, who had picked it up. She was tempted to make some snide remark but thought better of it. Using self-control she didn't know she still had, she nodded her thanks and left.
"Hey, Snape. I love the way you dismounted. Very professional." Sirius couldn't resist baiting her. "You should teach it to the members of your team. That way, you might actually win a game."
Lily slapped him as hard as she could, watching Septina as she continued to walk away. "You can be a real jerk, Sirius." She muttered and walked away from them.
Remus shook his head. "I have to agree with Lily on this, Siri. That was totally uncalled for."
The other boy had the grace to look ashamed. "I realize that." Then his eyes hardened. "But if you think I'm going to apologize, you're sadly mistaken."
James and Remus looked at each other, then let it drop. It was no good talking to Siri when his mind was set. Giants would dance in the fields with flowers in their hair before he relented.
Back to Severus and Peter:
Severus slowly rose to his feet, hands resting at his side. He knew that if it became necessary, he could force Peter to give him back his wand. But he didn't know where he was exactly, or who this master of Peter's was. Thinking quickly though, he figured that there was really only one person who would have had the audacity to kidnap a student right off the grounds of Hogwarts.
Only one wizard would dare to perform such feat. A man his master was in a tentative, fragile partnership with. Voldemort. In his silkiest voice, he asked Peter. "And my master has approved of this...meeting?"
"It took me some time but I convinced him that this was meeting was in our best interests." An unfamiliar voice came from their right and a figure emerged from the sunlight. They turned towards it and Peter dropped to his knees, pulling Severus down with a jerk as he did so. "Now, now, Peter, is that any way to treat our illustrious guest?" He chided.
Severus glared at them both as he stood up. Taking his wand from Peter's unresisting hand, he put it into his pocket. He decided to wait, curious as to why Voldemort had gone to such lengths to get to him. But there was no point in letting him know that. "So, now that we've met, would you mind terribly if I leave? I do have other, rather more important things to pursue."
"Actually, I would." Voldemort spoke, feeling a little bit unnerved by the calm facade Severus presented him. His 'partner' (and he used the term loosely) was right. The boy had definite potential, if it could be guided in the right paths. At the moment, he was merely shifting between two planes of thought. "You wouldn't want to let this gentle creature to continue to suffer in your hurry to leave us, would you?" He said, laying a hand on the unicorn.
What warm blood she has. And how right for my plans, he thought, studying Severus through lowered lashes. Though if he does not live up to the promise his potential offers, I will be very put out.
Then he rose and approached Severus. His hand closed firmly over his left arm, pulling him inside the mansion. As they walked down the long and darkened hallway, Sev thought he felt a burning sensation where Voldemort was touching him. Tossing it aside as an absurd feeling, he walked through with the two men. "I think that you will find all you need here." The unicorn's body now rested on the table.
Severus gritted his teeth, knowing he was truly trapped. Blast my bloody need to know the unknown anyway, he thought irritably. He looked around the room and saw, with a sense of profound shock, that everything was where he always set things. The suspicion that had been growing at the back of his mind exploded. "You've been watching me for a long time, haven't you?"
"Of course I have. I thought you had recognized me. How remiss of you." There was deep satisfaction in his voice as he let go and moved back. "Why don't you get started? I do enjoy watching you work." He sat back, Peter resting at his feet and waited.
Severus was resigned and nodded, then asked Peter. "So, what really happened to the unicorn?" He could feel excitement building inside about this task. If he succeeded, he would do something that many deemed impossible.
"I don't know. I found it on the ground, already wounded." He answered with a careless shrug.
Severus nodded and turned to the dying animal. He gently began to clean the wound, probing for a possible sign of what injured it. I just hope Septina is okay, he thought. She must be terribly worried about me.
And all the time he worked, his left arm burned.
Hogwarts:
Septina paced the length of her room, rubbing her left arm. It was still burning and she'd tried rubbing ointment on it, trying to soothe it. Where are you, Sev? And why didn't your lotion work? Ignoring her roommates endless questioning, she continued to ask questions that went unanswered. It wasn't that hard since they'd been doing it ever since she had walked in. Apparently her fall had quickly become the latest gossip.
Finally, she fled the room. An arm grabbed her from behind, covering her mouth before she could scream.
"Septina, I couldn't find your brother." Luc explained as he pulled her into his room. He released her the moment the door closed.
"Don't do that, Luc!" She hissed, eyes flashing as she turned to face him. "What if I'd had my wand handy?"
Luc looked at her, shaking his head that she missed his words. "Then I would've ducked. Did you hear what I said?"
Her eyes widened and her face paled as she remembered. "You didn't find him?"
"No. And I even got the Bloody Baron to help me search." He smirked. "You owe me for that by the way."
"Fine." Septina agreed absently and started to pace again. "Where could he bloody be?"
"I don't know. No one saw him leave the library but his books aren't there." Luc grabbed her arm, this time giving her warning. He pulled her towards one of the chairs, forcing her to sit down. "Stop doing that, you're making me dizzy. I take it from your behavior that something has happened to him?"
Burying her head in her hands for a moment, her head shook. "Luc, I don't know." It was the only time he'd ever heard uncertainty in her voice. "There's this nothingness inside, I can't feel him anymore."
"That's bad."
"Understatement." She corrected tartly. Her hand was rubbing her arm again and he focused on that restless movement. "I hate this not knowing."
This behavior was very unlike her and he was concerned. She was exhibiting too much emotion for her, they had been trained to be still and silent. Luc asked, probing gently. "Septina, why are you rubbing your arm?"
Her eyes flew to his, then looked at her moving hand. "I didn't realize that I was doing that." She murmured, pulling up the sleeve. A raw mark was beginning to show on her upper arm. "What?"
Using his wand, he caused a bright light to center on her upper arm. He then held it between his hands and examined it. "You've never seen this before?"
"No." She was staring at it in fascination. The way it seemed to be moving, shifting ever so slightly, in sinuous waves. It mesmerized her, drew her into its depths. Suddenly weightless, she slipped from the chair.
Lucius jumped up, startled. It didn't last long. He went to the door quickly, spotting a familiar figure walking up the steps towards the female dormitories. After a moment of debate, he decided to call her. "Narcissa!"
The woman walked towards him, a disdainful expression on her face. "Yes?" Her voice made it clear that she still thought he was a worm.
"I'm not going to apologize again for leaving Septina alone. How was I to know what was going to happen to her? Besides, she asked me to check on her brother." Why am I going through this all over again? Narcissa knows this, she just doesn't want to listen.
The cold look never left her face. If anything, it became even colder. "You should have made sure one of our house was watching her-especially since you knew she was experiencing pain. Instead, she was saved by a mudblood." She paused, her voice becoming venomous. "And not just any mudblood, that blasted, show off Gryffindor mudblood."
Don't go there, Luc. Not right now, he cautioned. "Septina needs our help. She's in here, passed out on the ground. Narcissa, I think she's been marked."
Her look instantly changed, becoming pale with concern. She pushed him out of the way, kneeling down. "Are you sure?"
"Look at her arm." Was his answer.
She nodded as she recognized it, then pulled the sleeve down to cover it. "What of Severus?"
"No one knows where he is." Luc answered.
"Lucius, how did he get to her?" Narcissa paled even more as a thought occurred to her. "What if he has Severus with him?"
"He can't. Their master wouldn't let him." The blonde head shook, denying the truth that was slowly dawning on him.
Her eyes pierced his. "Look at the facts, Malfoy. Severus is gone without a trace. Septina has been marked somehow."
It wasn't fair. Why did it have to be the Snape twins? Why had Voldemort chose them over him? Lucius nodded, realizing that there was only one possible answer for it. "I've been rejected."
Narcissa didn't answer for a moment, shocked. "You don't know that for sure."
"Yes, I do." His voice was bitter. "They don't understand what an honor it is to be one of the chosen few. They would never appreciate it. Yet, they get it. Those two always get what I truly want. If they have been chosen, I have been found unworthy."
"Luc..." She trailed off, watching him storm out the door. It slammed behind him.
Lily checked her watch again, wondering where Septina was. Even if she thought I wasn't going to show up, one would think she'd have the decency to make sure. The redhead began to make her way towards the Slytherin dormitory, angry enough to not fear what might await her. Outside the door, she bumped into Lucius.
"What do you want, you scumy, little mudblood?" He sneered, itching for a fight.
"My partner." She shot back coolly.
"You and everyone else it seems." Lucius muttered, glaring at her. "You're out of luck. Someone else has made a prior claim. Why don't you go run off now before you pollute our hall?"
Her green eyes flashed and she stood up straighter, refusing to be intimidated by him. "I am not leaving until I have accomplished my task here, Malfoy. Septina asked me to meet her here." A little lie but whatever works, she thought sardonically.
He pushed her against the wall, leaning close to her. There wasn't even a sliver of fear in her eyes to give him a sense of pride. "Get this straight, mudblood. You are not worthy to traverse our hallways, no matter what Septina may have requested of you. Leave at once, you aren't welcome here." Then he let go and walked off, leaving behind one furious Gryffindor.
"Septina! If you don't want to see me at least have the courage to tell me yourself! Don't send one of your lackeys to do it!" She hollered, making sure that Malfoy heard every word. He whirled around and she stunned him.
Narcissa came downstairs with a sigh, Septina was floating behind her. She had finally gotten the medi-witch, Madame Pomfrey, to come into the dorm to see to her friend. Now, they were taking the unconscious girl to the infirmary. The Slytherin walked out the door, hatred in her eyes. "Shut up, you stupid girl. You don't understand anything."
Lily ignored her. "I have no intention of crawling into some hole! I will stay right here. If you want me to leave you in peace, you better tell me!" She continued, leaning against a wall.
"I will not be ignored by anyone! Especially a filthy mudblood like you!" Narcissa was seething, getting right into Lily's face.
The Gryffindor girl smirked. "Then do something that hasn't already been done. I've heard that swan song to many times to be bothered by it. Really, can't you Slytherins think up a new insult?"
"At least I can get by on my own. I don't need to hang onto the coats of the Potter fan club to be noticed." She shot back, seeing Lily wince slightly. "You really aren't much without that boy, are you?"
"By whose definition? I may rely on them sometimes..." She paused to acknowledge Narcissa's words, then continued with a smile. "but when I make good grades, people know that it is me, not my family. Can you claim the same thing?"
Before anything else could happen, Poppy and Septina emerged. Lily was shocked. "What happened to her? She looks terrible."
"I don't know." Poppy answered, then she saw Lucius on the ground. With a sigh, she turned to Lily, shaking her head. "You better release him. I hope you realize that I must report you to the headmaster for this."
The Gryffindor didn't say anything, other than the counter curse. She followed the medi-witch upstairs. Lucius and Narcissa glared at their backs. "I am going to find a way to pay that slut back if it's the last thing I do." She vowed, helping him up.
"We both will." Lucius was angry that a commoner had managed to humiliate him. Plus, it would hurt his cousins if their little friend was harmed. No matter how hard they protested, he knew that the twins liked Lily Evans.
Fifth Year.
Severus and Septina tried to remain in the shadows. It wasn't hard after Sirius and James made it onto their Quidditch team. "You must admit that they are rather good." Septina said, watching the game from the stands. Professor Dumbledore had made the first game mandatory appearance.
"I guess if one appreciates such a mindless game as this." Severus said, watching as Luc blocked the quaffle from entering. "Though no one guards quite like Luc."
"I think our dear cousin imagines it those hoops to be the entrance to his estate." She looked at him, lips twitched in an attempt suppress a smile. "And you know that you appreciate a good game."
His head bowed in acknowledgment. "True. But this isn't a good game."
"It isn't?" She teased him.
"Of course not. We aren't on the team." He quirked an eyebrow at her.
"You know why we aren't. We overdosed on it back at Durmstrang." Septina laughed, then tensed, feeling something change in the atmosphere. Both of their eyes went immediately skyward. "Is it just me or does something look wrong?"
"It is not you." There was suppressed fury in his voice as he grabbed onto his sister's arm and pulled her away from the stands. He could tell that someone had been playing with the weather but their spell had gone dangerously awry. "Come on. We need to get inside."
Narcissa quietly rose and followed them, as did a few others from their group. They had realized sometime during their fourth year that the Snapes knew when bad things were about to occur. Standing in front of the large window, they watched as the sky filled with dark clouds that suddenly opened and pelted the crowd with hail. Narcissa watched Lucius fly through the storm nervously. Though he was a spectacular keeper, his flying skills needed work.
With a great deal of luck, he was avoiding the magical hail and heading for the safety of the locker room. The rest of the team followed him, taking great care not to crash into each other. On the other side, the Gryffindors also made themselves scarce. All of the students had cleared the arena and were now crowded into the halls, watching as the hail made craters in the ground.
Professor Dumbledore was the last one to enter the building. After he and the teachers warded the area to keep the storm in place, the door closed. His blue eyes then scanned the crowd, landing on the twins. "Would you two care to join me?" He didn't wait for them to respond, he walked away.
Severus shrugged at Septina's questioning look and started to walk after the Headmaster. What he didn't tell her was that he suspected the reason behind Professor Dumbledore's request. After a moment, she reluctantly followed him. They sat in front of his desk and waited for him to speak, hands buried in the sleeves of their robes.
Professor Dumbledore watched them as he pulled out a box of lemon drops and popped one into his mouth. Holding out the box, he offered them one. They refused. Still, he waited a while before speaking. "Did you two know that that storm was going to occur?"
"Yes." Severus answered, his eyes never leaving the headmaster's. Septina remained silent, allowing her brother to handle things.
"I see." He was surprised by the honest answer, then continued his interrogation. "Did you have something to do with it?"
"No." The eyes hardened even more.
"Are you sure?" Dumbledore pressed. "I saw you both get up and leave right before the storm began."
"Why are you even asking? You've already tried us and found us to be guilty. You wouldn't believe in our innocence." Severus bitterly said, "After all, we're Slytherin. Therefore, we must be guilty."
"I didn't say that, Severus." His voice was stern.
"You didn't have to." Septina answered when her brother remained silent.
"Are you unhappy here?" The Headmaster asked, gently digging.
They were quiet. But he caught the surprise they felt in their eyes before they disguised it. "We are content."
"Both of you?" He asked, looking pointedly at Septina.
"My brother speaks for me as well." Her answer was blunt.
Dumbledore sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "All right. You may go."
"Thank you." Severus said. Septina nodded, following him.
"If ever you want to talk, I'm always available." Professor Dumbledore watched them go, a frown on his face.
"Again, we thank you." The tone in his voice proclaimed that he had no intention of taking him up on the offer.
Professor McGonagal moved from her place at the window. She placed her hand on his shoulder, trying to comfort him. "Don't worry about them. They'll get by."
"But, Minerva, if I don't, who will?" He turned to face her, his face was solemn. "And it's their way of getting by worries me."
"What do you mean?"
Albus stared off into the distance. "I wish I knew for sure what I am feeling. Twin magic is unknown and power is power. I fear that in their case, it is double trouble."
Severus stormed down the hall towards the Slytherin dorms. Septina knew he was more than angry because she could hear it. "I cannot believe the nerve of that man. How dare he accuse us of being behind this mischief? If we had done something, it wouldn't be this kind of childish trick. Any untrained wizard can make a storm."
"Calm down, Sev. He's just doing his job." Though she was as hurt, Septina was trying to be fair.
"But if we were one of his precious Gryffindors, he'd never have questioned us." He shot back. "The way he pampers them, it's no wonder they think they run this school."
Septina flinched. Though they'd fought like most siblings did, she had never been on the receiving end of his glare. "We knew what we were up against when we arrived." It was said quietly.
"I'm sorry." He apologized. Looking at the door, he shook his head. "And I know. But that doesn't make it any less distasteful."
"It's okay." She knew what he was feeling.
Turning away from the rooms abruptly, they headed down to the dungeons. Knocking on the wall across from the potions room, a door opened into a circular room. It had surprised them when their head of house gave them this room for their use, on the condition that they told no one about it unless absolutely necessary. Sitting down on a stool, he waved his wand. In front of him a harp appeared and he began to play. After listening for a while, she picked up her flute and played along with him.
They could feel the tension, and the hurt, melt away as it flowed into the angry sounding music. The Bloody Baron sat in a corner near the fireplace, Peeves floating by his side, they watched the twins play with smiles on their faces. Contrary to popular belief, both ghosts cared for the children and enjoyed quiet moments like these.
A few months later:
Severus sat in the library, immersed in a book on advanced potions. Suddenly, he tensed up. He felt eyes rest upon him and knew that they weren't hostile. That's odd, he thought, Septina is helping Lucius practice maneuvers. Who else would be watching him?
He glanced around and saw Peter Pettigrew standing nervously in the doorway watching him. Now isn't that curious, thought Severus, slightly amused. Why would Pettigrew be watching him without the rest of his gang to protect him?
"Can it be that you've grown a spine, Pettigrew?" He questioned, setting the book down for the moment.
Peter flushed but walked up to him. "You don't scare me."
"I can see that. More's the pity." Sev responded, tartly.
"I need your help." Peter blurted out, before he lost his nerve.
"Help you? Do I look like one of your little, Gryffindor friends, Pettigrew?" He asked scathingly.
Peter muttered, looking at his hands. "They can't help me."
Severus rolled his eyes, the humor was slowly fading. "Oh, of course they can. That's what your house is known for, helping the pathetic and the downtrodden. And, as enthralling as it would be to have a Gryffindor in my debt, I have better things to do."
"But you must help me!" Peter exclaimed, voice desperate.
"Must I?" Severus asked, his amusement was gone. "I don't think so." He reached for his book, dismissing Peter from mind.
Peter stopped him by grabbing his hand in a tight grip. "Please, listen to me."
Jerking his hand away from the offending touch, Sev glared at him. "Give me one good reason why I should listen to your little sob story?
"Because I know things about you that could get you kicked out of Hogwarts." Peter hinted, though he was loath to pull punches.
Though he flinched slightly, Sev kept his face blank. "So? There are other schools."
"But your sister would remain here, alone and unprotected. I know how the both of you truly feel about Slytherin house. While the two of you were together, no one would mess with you. But if she was alone?" He let the sentence hang there. Then Peter stepped back, looking down at him challengingly. "Well?"
With a resigned sigh, Severus rose and followed the Gryffindor out the door. He sent his books into his room before the door closed behind him.
'Sept, I'll be okay.' He responded to the gentle tap inside his mind, clearly hearing the worry in her voice. The young men walked in silence towards the side door. He was surprised by his companion's ability to walk silently. I wouldn't have thought it of a Gryffindor, he mused.
Making their way over the grounds, Severus realized they were going to the Forbidden Forest. Now, why would a model boy with perfect friends want to approach the forest?
Finally Peter stopped at the edge and waited for him to join him. Severus stepped up to his side with a sigh. He was about to speak but found no voice when he realized what he'd been brought to see.
Lying in a pool of its own blood, was a unicorn.
"I didn't mean to do it." Peter explained nervously, watching as Sev knelt down. The graceful hands of his fellow student examined the wounds carefully. "I was practicing and one of my shots went wild."
"Yes, I've seen your lack of control." Severus murmured, feeling the heartbeat that was slowly dying down.
"Will she be all right?" He asked, feeling useless. He paced behind the Slytherin boy, watching out for Hagrid to come by on his evening walk.
Sev shrugged, glancing up at him. "I need to know what spell you used. And how long ago did this happen?"
"It can't have been more than a few moments. After it happened, I went to see you figuring that you would know what to do." Peter tried to recall what he'd been working on but he drew a blank. "I can't remember what I was doing. Is it important?"
"Yes. Some spells are accidentally hurtful and can thus be reversed easily. But many spells are naturally malicious their in nature and intent. Those are harder to repair." Sev explained. "Why don't you go find Hagrid?"
"Oh, I couldn't do that. I'd have to explain what happened again and why I was spell casting without a spotter." Peter was near panic now. "Isn't there anything you can do for it? You are in Slytherin and know so much about certain things."
"Just because I'm in that particular house doesn't mean I can change fate." He thought for a moment, then turned to face Peter, a grave look on his face. "Your wand, I can use it to find out what spell you were performing. Do you trust me enough to hand it over?" Oh, that's real smart. Asking a Gryffindor to hand his wand over to a Slytherin. Been smelling to many bad potions, Sev.
"Of course. If I didn't, I would've gone to someone else." Peter's fervent answer in the affirmative should've warned Severus. But in his concern for the unicorn, it didn't fully register. He absently took hold of Peter's wand and the world went dark. Peter, he, and the unicorn were transported to a spacious, but deserted manor.
"What did you do?" Severus asked, his voice sounded raspy to him. Sis, are you there? He called, worried when he received no answer.
Peter smiled crookedly at him, malicious glee in his eyes. Resting securely in his hand was Severus' wand. His own resided against his companion's throat. "Welcome, Severus Snape. My master has been waiting a long time to meet you."
Back at Hogwarts.
Shortly before Severus went with Peter.
Septina and Lucius were flying over the Quidditch field. She was helping him develop more flexibility while on his broom. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he did a nose-dive and then flipped over before gliding down to the pitch. "That's enough for me, cousin. I'm going in."
"All right, Luc. You have improved." She complimented him absently, following him. Part of her was calling to her brother. Something was wrong, she just knew it. "I'll be in soon, I just want to do a few more laps."
He studied her, blue eyes concerned. "Are you sure? You don't look well at all."
'If you say so, Sev,' she responded. Turning to Luc, she smiled faintly. "Yes, I'm sure. Could you do me a favor and look in on my brother?"
"I'll do that right after I change." Lucius didn't question her odd request. He had been on the receiving end of her intuitive feelings to often to doubt her.
She felt unease creep over her again as her brother left Hogwarts. "Thank you." Septina watched him walk away from the field with a slight nod acknowledging her words. Trying to shake off her unease, she took to the air once again.
Lily walked onto the green, looking for James. He had asked her to meet him there and she was more than a little upset to find him missing. She was about to leave when she noticed her potions partner in the sky. "Now, doesn't Septina look lonely up there?" The competitive streak that was well hidden from her house for fear of being ostracized whispered, "She could use a little competition, don't you think?"
Not giving it another thought, she got her broom and joined her. Without saying a word, a challenge was issued and they faced the hoops at the far end, focusing on the smallest of the three. The two women were evenly matched, it was a close race. But Lily managed to pull ahead and pass her by. The redhead sat up with a laugh, smiling at the Slytherin, who'd just joined her. "Great race, partner."
Septina frowned, looking off into the distance. "It was." Her answer was curt.
Lily's smile left her face, she thought that they were past this reticent phase. "You won't get rid of me that easily, Sept." She scolded lightly, trying to keep the light hearted mood of earlier.
"What?" The dark head turned and focused on her. Her mind processed the words quickly and she spoke directly to Lily. "I wasn't trying to. Sorry."
"What is it?" Lily asked, genuinely concerned. She knew that something must be terribly wrong for her to apologize so quickly.
"I don't know?" She started to say, then slipped off the broom.
"Septina!" Lily shrieked, diving down after her. There's no way I'll catch her before she hits the ground, she thought. But I can't give up. Her body melded more firmly to the broom, cutting down the air resistance.
Inches from the ground, Lily's hand closed firmly over the thick robe. She yanked the unconscious girl up with all her strength. At the same time, she pulled her broom up and evened its flight pattern, heading for the stands.
Blinking her eyes, Septina stared up at the sky, not truly seeing it. It took a moment to realize that she wasn't on her broom or in the air anymore. That she was, in fact, resting in the Gryffindor stands. And that Lily was currently speaking to her.
"Lily, take a deep breath and be quiet for just a moment. All that chatter is not good for my thought process." She ordered, her voice lacking its customary strength. "I don't know what happened. Just help me up. I need to get to my room."
"Oh, no. You are going to see Madame Pomfrey." Her head shook firmly, even as her hands smoothed back the dark hair.
The black eyes widened in horror at that suggestion. "I can't."
"After a fall like that, I must insist."
Septina had the feeling that the Gryffindor girl would've had her hands on her hips if they'd been free. "Lily, she can't do anything for me. My problem is beyond medical help."
The utter certainty chilled Lily. "What do you mean?"
The Slytherin sighed and spotted James with his friends heading their way with something she refused to classify as relief. "You're friend as here. If you really want to know, meet me outside the potions room after the evening meal. And don't tell anyone." Septina doubted that she'd show up but decided to give her the benefit of the doubt.
Lily was already working out how she was going to get away from the guys. She knew that her partner doubted her and was determined to prove her wrong. "I'll be there."
Septina just looked at her before getting up and climbing down. On trembling legs she tried to hide, she accepted her broom from Remus, who had picked it up. She was tempted to make some snide remark but thought better of it. Using self-control she didn't know she still had, she nodded her thanks and left.
"Hey, Snape. I love the way you dismounted. Very professional." Sirius couldn't resist baiting her. "You should teach it to the members of your team. That way, you might actually win a game."
Lily slapped him as hard as she could, watching Septina as she continued to walk away. "You can be a real jerk, Sirius." She muttered and walked away from them.
Remus shook his head. "I have to agree with Lily on this, Siri. That was totally uncalled for."
The other boy had the grace to look ashamed. "I realize that." Then his eyes hardened. "But if you think I'm going to apologize, you're sadly mistaken."
James and Remus looked at each other, then let it drop. It was no good talking to Siri when his mind was set. Giants would dance in the fields with flowers in their hair before he relented.
Back to Severus and Peter:
Severus slowly rose to his feet, hands resting at his side. He knew that if it became necessary, he could force Peter to give him back his wand. But he didn't know where he was exactly, or who this master of Peter's was. Thinking quickly though, he figured that there was really only one person who would have had the audacity to kidnap a student right off the grounds of Hogwarts.
Only one wizard would dare to perform such feat. A man his master was in a tentative, fragile partnership with. Voldemort. In his silkiest voice, he asked Peter. "And my master has approved of this...meeting?"
"It took me some time but I convinced him that this was meeting was in our best interests." An unfamiliar voice came from their right and a figure emerged from the sunlight. They turned towards it and Peter dropped to his knees, pulling Severus down with a jerk as he did so. "Now, now, Peter, is that any way to treat our illustrious guest?" He chided.
Severus glared at them both as he stood up. Taking his wand from Peter's unresisting hand, he put it into his pocket. He decided to wait, curious as to why Voldemort had gone to such lengths to get to him. But there was no point in letting him know that. "So, now that we've met, would you mind terribly if I leave? I do have other, rather more important things to pursue."
"Actually, I would." Voldemort spoke, feeling a little bit unnerved by the calm facade Severus presented him. His 'partner' (and he used the term loosely) was right. The boy had definite potential, if it could be guided in the right paths. At the moment, he was merely shifting between two planes of thought. "You wouldn't want to let this gentle creature to continue to suffer in your hurry to leave us, would you?" He said, laying a hand on the unicorn.
What warm blood she has. And how right for my plans, he thought, studying Severus through lowered lashes. Though if he does not live up to the promise his potential offers, I will be very put out.
Then he rose and approached Severus. His hand closed firmly over his left arm, pulling him inside the mansion. As they walked down the long and darkened hallway, Sev thought he felt a burning sensation where Voldemort was touching him. Tossing it aside as an absurd feeling, he walked through with the two men. "I think that you will find all you need here." The unicorn's body now rested on the table.
Severus gritted his teeth, knowing he was truly trapped. Blast my bloody need to know the unknown anyway, he thought irritably. He looked around the room and saw, with a sense of profound shock, that everything was where he always set things. The suspicion that had been growing at the back of his mind exploded. "You've been watching me for a long time, haven't you?"
"Of course I have. I thought you had recognized me. How remiss of you." There was deep satisfaction in his voice as he let go and moved back. "Why don't you get started? I do enjoy watching you work." He sat back, Peter resting at his feet and waited.
Severus was resigned and nodded, then asked Peter. "So, what really happened to the unicorn?" He could feel excitement building inside about this task. If he succeeded, he would do something that many deemed impossible.
"I don't know. I found it on the ground, already wounded." He answered with a careless shrug.
Severus nodded and turned to the dying animal. He gently began to clean the wound, probing for a possible sign of what injured it. I just hope Septina is okay, he thought. She must be terribly worried about me.
And all the time he worked, his left arm burned.
Hogwarts:
Septina paced the length of her room, rubbing her left arm. It was still burning and she'd tried rubbing ointment on it, trying to soothe it. Where are you, Sev? And why didn't your lotion work? Ignoring her roommates endless questioning, she continued to ask questions that went unanswered. It wasn't that hard since they'd been doing it ever since she had walked in. Apparently her fall had quickly become the latest gossip.
Finally, she fled the room. An arm grabbed her from behind, covering her mouth before she could scream.
"Septina, I couldn't find your brother." Luc explained as he pulled her into his room. He released her the moment the door closed.
"Don't do that, Luc!" She hissed, eyes flashing as she turned to face him. "What if I'd had my wand handy?"
Luc looked at her, shaking his head that she missed his words. "Then I would've ducked. Did you hear what I said?"
Her eyes widened and her face paled as she remembered. "You didn't find him?"
"No. And I even got the Bloody Baron to help me search." He smirked. "You owe me for that by the way."
"Fine." Septina agreed absently and started to pace again. "Where could he bloody be?"
"I don't know. No one saw him leave the library but his books aren't there." Luc grabbed her arm, this time giving her warning. He pulled her towards one of the chairs, forcing her to sit down. "Stop doing that, you're making me dizzy. I take it from your behavior that something has happened to him?"
Burying her head in her hands for a moment, her head shook. "Luc, I don't know." It was the only time he'd ever heard uncertainty in her voice. "There's this nothingness inside, I can't feel him anymore."
"That's bad."
"Understatement." She corrected tartly. Her hand was rubbing her arm again and he focused on that restless movement. "I hate this not knowing."
This behavior was very unlike her and he was concerned. She was exhibiting too much emotion for her, they had been trained to be still and silent. Luc asked, probing gently. "Septina, why are you rubbing your arm?"
Her eyes flew to his, then looked at her moving hand. "I didn't realize that I was doing that." She murmured, pulling up the sleeve. A raw mark was beginning to show on her upper arm. "What?"
Using his wand, he caused a bright light to center on her upper arm. He then held it between his hands and examined it. "You've never seen this before?"
"No." She was staring at it in fascination. The way it seemed to be moving, shifting ever so slightly, in sinuous waves. It mesmerized her, drew her into its depths. Suddenly weightless, she slipped from the chair.
Lucius jumped up, startled. It didn't last long. He went to the door quickly, spotting a familiar figure walking up the steps towards the female dormitories. After a moment of debate, he decided to call her. "Narcissa!"
The woman walked towards him, a disdainful expression on her face. "Yes?" Her voice made it clear that she still thought he was a worm.
"I'm not going to apologize again for leaving Septina alone. How was I to know what was going to happen to her? Besides, she asked me to check on her brother." Why am I going through this all over again? Narcissa knows this, she just doesn't want to listen.
The cold look never left her face. If anything, it became even colder. "You should have made sure one of our house was watching her-especially since you knew she was experiencing pain. Instead, she was saved by a mudblood." She paused, her voice becoming venomous. "And not just any mudblood, that blasted, show off Gryffindor mudblood."
Don't go there, Luc. Not right now, he cautioned. "Septina needs our help. She's in here, passed out on the ground. Narcissa, I think she's been marked."
Her look instantly changed, becoming pale with concern. She pushed him out of the way, kneeling down. "Are you sure?"
"Look at her arm." Was his answer.
She nodded as she recognized it, then pulled the sleeve down to cover it. "What of Severus?"
"No one knows where he is." Luc answered.
"Lucius, how did he get to her?" Narcissa paled even more as a thought occurred to her. "What if he has Severus with him?"
"He can't. Their master wouldn't let him." The blonde head shook, denying the truth that was slowly dawning on him.
Her eyes pierced his. "Look at the facts, Malfoy. Severus is gone without a trace. Septina has been marked somehow."
It wasn't fair. Why did it have to be the Snape twins? Why had Voldemort chose them over him? Lucius nodded, realizing that there was only one possible answer for it. "I've been rejected."
Narcissa didn't answer for a moment, shocked. "You don't know that for sure."
"Yes, I do." His voice was bitter. "They don't understand what an honor it is to be one of the chosen few. They would never appreciate it. Yet, they get it. Those two always get what I truly want. If they have been chosen, I have been found unworthy."
"Luc..." She trailed off, watching him storm out the door. It slammed behind him.
Lily checked her watch again, wondering where Septina was. Even if she thought I wasn't going to show up, one would think she'd have the decency to make sure. The redhead began to make her way towards the Slytherin dormitory, angry enough to not fear what might await her. Outside the door, she bumped into Lucius.
"What do you want, you scumy, little mudblood?" He sneered, itching for a fight.
"My partner." She shot back coolly.
"You and everyone else it seems." Lucius muttered, glaring at her. "You're out of luck. Someone else has made a prior claim. Why don't you go run off now before you pollute our hall?"
Her green eyes flashed and she stood up straighter, refusing to be intimidated by him. "I am not leaving until I have accomplished my task here, Malfoy. Septina asked me to meet her here." A little lie but whatever works, she thought sardonically.
He pushed her against the wall, leaning close to her. There wasn't even a sliver of fear in her eyes to give him a sense of pride. "Get this straight, mudblood. You are not worthy to traverse our hallways, no matter what Septina may have requested of you. Leave at once, you aren't welcome here." Then he let go and walked off, leaving behind one furious Gryffindor.
"Septina! If you don't want to see me at least have the courage to tell me yourself! Don't send one of your lackeys to do it!" She hollered, making sure that Malfoy heard every word. He whirled around and she stunned him.
Narcissa came downstairs with a sigh, Septina was floating behind her. She had finally gotten the medi-witch, Madame Pomfrey, to come into the dorm to see to her friend. Now, they were taking the unconscious girl to the infirmary. The Slytherin walked out the door, hatred in her eyes. "Shut up, you stupid girl. You don't understand anything."
Lily ignored her. "I have no intention of crawling into some hole! I will stay right here. If you want me to leave you in peace, you better tell me!" She continued, leaning against a wall.
"I will not be ignored by anyone! Especially a filthy mudblood like you!" Narcissa was seething, getting right into Lily's face.
The Gryffindor girl smirked. "Then do something that hasn't already been done. I've heard that swan song to many times to be bothered by it. Really, can't you Slytherins think up a new insult?"
"At least I can get by on my own. I don't need to hang onto the coats of the Potter fan club to be noticed." She shot back, seeing Lily wince slightly. "You really aren't much without that boy, are you?"
"By whose definition? I may rely on them sometimes..." She paused to acknowledge Narcissa's words, then continued with a smile. "but when I make good grades, people know that it is me, not my family. Can you claim the same thing?"
Before anything else could happen, Poppy and Septina emerged. Lily was shocked. "What happened to her? She looks terrible."
"I don't know." Poppy answered, then she saw Lucius on the ground. With a sigh, she turned to Lily, shaking her head. "You better release him. I hope you realize that I must report you to the headmaster for this."
The Gryffindor didn't say anything, other than the counter curse. She followed the medi-witch upstairs. Lucius and Narcissa glared at their backs. "I am going to find a way to pay that slut back if it's the last thing I do." She vowed, helping him up.
"We both will." Lucius was angry that a commoner had managed to humiliate him. Plus, it would hurt his cousins if their little friend was harmed. No matter how hard they protested, he knew that the twins liked Lily Evans.