Part 4:
The Lab:
Severus stepped back at last, wiping the sweat off his brow. The unicorn lay in unnatural stillness due to the potion he'd used but other than that, she would recover. There was an odd feeling of triumph inside him, he knew that he'd accomplished the impossible that day.
"Excellent work." Voldemort praised, coming to stand by his side. His hand rested briefly on the unicorn, sending a tiny shiver of fear through it. But the unicorn had resided to long in his company and the purity of heart had been replaced by a blacker purity. The unicorn was now his, as all his followers were his.
"Of course." Severus responded, turning to face him with a smirk. "That is why you had Pettigrew bring me, isn't it?" There was no arrogance in his voice.
"It is one of the reasons." Voldemort acknowledged. "But now, I think it is time for you both to get back to Hogwarts. We wouldn't want to alert anyone to my presence, would we?"
"To late." He muttered.
The dark lord looked at him, surprised. "Excuse me? Are you daring to contradict me?"
"Not on out first meeting, wouldn't want to get hurt." His remark was sarcastic, with a touch of amusement.
"Then would you care to explain to me exactly what that remark meant?" His voice was equally cutting.
"Oh, may I?" Severus responded, faux exited. "As you've been watching me for sometime, you must be aware that I have a sister. A twin sister. She has been aware that I am not on Hogwarts grounds, has been from the moment I was taken. If I'm not mistaken, the whole of Slytherin knows that I have disappeared. And if they know, then the whole school does as well."
"Yes, your sister. Unusual girl. Wonderful abilities, though not like yours. Still, I have will have need of her." Voldemort slowly nodded, a twisted smile crossing his lips before he spoke again. "I wouldn't be so sure that the school is worried about you. In fact, I think that they are more worried about her-especially that fool Dumbledore."
A chill wind swept through him. "What did you do to her?" His voice was quietly lethal.
"Why don't you go back to the school and find out?" He answered, feeling slightly chilled. Peter grabbed a fuming Severus and the two disappeared instantly. Voldemort turned to the unicorn, once more admiring his newest creation. "But does he really think that this is over?"
The unicorn offered no answer.
Severus stalked by Peter's side back towards Hogwarts. He ignored the other man's attempt to engage him in conversation, so Peter finally gave up.
"It would be best if we were not seen entering Hogwarts together." Peter said when the school came into sight.
With a sharp nod of agreement, Severus went towards an entrance by the dungeons. Lucius was waiting for him there.
"What happened to you?" Lucius hissed, pulling him into an empty classroom. There was a thinly disguised layer a hate in his voice which surprised Sev. "I mean, I have a general idea but I want to hear it from your lips."
"Peter Pettigrew approached me in the library, took me to see an injured unicorn. I was then taken to see Voldemort, who told me that our master had allowed the meeting. I healed the unicorn, we came home. End of story. Where's my sister?" He demanded, patience gone.
"I'll tell you in a moment. Did anything unusual happen?" He asked, watching him carefully. "Any odd feelings? Or strange occurrences?"
"Nothing comes to mind. Wait." Severus paused, thinking back. "My left arm burned. Why?"
"Your sister is in the infirmary." Lucius stated, not answering as he walked off.
Sev ran to catch him, taking a firm hold of his arm. "What? How?"
"Go see for yourself. I am not your nanny." He snarled, storming away.
Severus stood in the hall, shocked. What had gotten into Lucius? Then he shook off the question and went to the infirmary. "Where is she?" He demanded when Madame Pomphrey, more commonly known as Poppy, turned to face him.
"Where have you been?" Poppy demanded, then took a closer look at him. His hair was stuck to his face with dried sweat and his uniform bore signs of what looked suspiciously like blood. There was also a faint smell of some unknown potion clinging to his skin. "What happened to you?"
"Nothing." He waved off the question.
"You don't look like nothing happened." She said, hands on her hips.
"Fine. There was an accident involving a potion I was making and I'd prefer that it didn't become public knowledge. Satisfied?" Now this would've worked except that the stress of the day finally caught up to him and he passed out.
Poppy quickly levitated him towards an empty cot, passing by his sister. Almost as if they knew the other was near, their hands reached desperately for each other. She watched as they tried to touch and tap into the healing power that they shared together. Torn between wanting them to rest and allowing them to reach, she relented.
He was placed on a cot within arm's reach of her. Pale hands made contact and a tremendous surge of power passed between them, Poppy winced away from it. Dark eyes opened and Septina glared. "Just what did you think you were doing?"
"Something I did not expect."
"I see." She said, sitting up. "You were most inconsiderate to do that to me. Do you have any idea what I have gone through?"
"Do you?" He challenged her.
"Point taken." Getting up, she sat on his bed. "Well?"
"Excuse me?" Poppy interrupted their conversation. "This is an infirmary, not a meeting house. You are to rest now."
Septina and Severus exchanged looks, then nodded at Madame Pomfrey. She slid down and closed her eyes, drifting off to sleep. He followed after her and Poppy left the room. "Is she gone?" Severus asked.
"Yes."
"I don't want to rehash today's events but I met Voldemort." His voice was blunt, quiet. She almost feel off the bed. "Are you all right?"
"Are you sure?"
"I am very sure." He was positive.
"But Voldemort? I thought..." She said, sitting up.
He interrupted her, nodding his head. "So did I."
"There's something else" She waited a moment, meeting his eyes. "Sev, I think he did something to me. My left arm has been burning."
"Yours too?" He sat up, grabbing her sleeve and pulling it up. Gasping in shock, he rubbed the mark carefully. Then he pulled up his own sleeve. On his forearm was an exact duplicate. "He marked us."
"That was not in our agreement." A voice hissed from the shadows. "The nerve of that creature thinking that he could take what's mine."
"Master." The twins cried, distressed. They tried to rise from their bed.
"Remain still." He commanded, placing his hands on their shoulders and gently pushing them back down. "You are not yet recovered. He has violated the terms of our agreement. I will take care of this usurper."
"He has his place, lord." Septina quietly said.
"I realize that, my daughter." He said, stroking her hair. "But he has to learn his place."
"Doesn't help us right now though, does it?" Severus bitterly said. "We're marked and for whatever reason, Lucius' is mad at us."
"I am sorry that you have to deal with this, my son." The other hand rested on Severus' head, gently.
Severus was suspicious by this gentle side their father was exhibiting. "What is going on?"
"You will find out when the time comes, not before." The voice was hard. He left them alone.
Septina conjured up two mugs of cinnamon tea, handing him one. They sat in silence, just enjoying each other's company.
"Sept, why is Lucius mad at me?"
"I didn't know he was. He didn't seem angry when I talked to him earlier."
His head shook. "Obviously something happened between then and now because he was definitely enraged when I saw him."
"Oh." She was quiet again. "I fainted earlier, Lily Evans saved my life. Sev, she wants to know what is wrong with me because I let it slip that there was nothing medicine could do for me."
"You didn't." It was his turn to be disbelieving.
"She was going to take me to the infirmary, what was I supposed to do?"
He sighed, rubbing his forehead. "You did the best that you could. But I wish that she didn't know."
"Well, on the bright side, I think she's mad at me for missing our meeting. She probably won't bring it up again." She was silent, then looked at him. "Do you think we have any control over our life?"
"No."
"Do you get the feeling that we maybe should seek some help?" She asked, staring into the mug.
"Yes." His answer was quiet.
"Who?"
"There's only one person that I think we can trust." His eyes met hers, she slowly nodded in agreement.
"When do you want to go?"
He thought for a moment, draining the cup. "As soon as Poppy lets us out of here."
"All right."
A voice came from over their heads. "It is good to see you both up and about. And when might I enjoy another private concert?" It was the Bloody Baron.
"Whenever we can arrange it." Severus said, making the empty mugs disappear.
"Good. I look forward to it. I am sorry that my visit is short, but Peeves has been up to some mischief lately. The Headmaster has asked me to keep him under control."
"I don't envy you that task, Baron." Septina said seriously. "Good luck."
"Thank you. But I do not need it." He smiled his wicked little smile and floated away.
Mansion:
"You have violated my trust, Voldemort. I am very disappointed in you." The voice flowed through the place on silken waves.
"You mean the twins?" He responded, meeting his eyes. "He came of his own free will."
"He came under the pretext of helping someone. Though why he would help anyone is beyond me, must get it from his mother." He mused, before lashing out with a powerful curse. "Nevertheless, you were in the wrong."
A smirk twisted his lips, even as he contorted in pain. "They are mine, as well as yours. Did you not examine the marks carefully? Could you not identify what I used to do it?"
The dark eyes narrowed, till no light reflected in them. "What did you do to them?" Slowly, the grip was released on Voldemort's body.
"Ever hear about the effects of unicorn's blood?" He asked.
The sharp intake of his breath said all that Voldemort needed to know. "How did you get hold of the blood? If I'm not mistaken, the unicorn must be alive in order for it to work."
"You aren't." He moved towards a window and gestured to the deep, black unicorn that was grazing peacefully outside. "Severus healed her. You were right about that boy."
"I will find a way to reverse what you did. Then, I plan to kill you very slowly."
Voldemort quipped. "Wait your turn, Sauron."
Lily sighed silently as she followed Filch around the school, listening to him detail her detention in his sour tones. The day before he'd told her that he preferred good old fashioned torture over this 'touchy feely' nonsense. "Now, this suit of armor dates back to the days of William the Conqueror. It is only one of the ones you will be cleaning tonight. After you are done with this hallway, you are to clean to gargoyle in front of the Headmaster's office. If there is still time, we'll go to the library and see if there is some chore you can do there. I'll be back to check on you later."
She nodded and watched him walk down the hall. Yesterday it was washing the walls of the dungeon and rehanging all the paintings-which kept insisting that she was hanging them wrong or putting them in another's spot. One even had the audacity to keep falling down whenever her back was turned. Still, every time she recalled the look on Lucius' face when she stunned him, she felt that the detentions were worth it.
Mrs. Norris hissed at her, reminding her that she was there. Lily got to work, taking out the polish and began to clean the suit.
"Watch it! You're hurting me." It whined.
She jumped in surprise. Is there nothing in this castle that doesn't have some kind of life? She thought irritably. "I'm sorry."
"You should be, clumsy girl. Haven't you ever cleaned a suit before?" It scolded.
"I can't say that I have." She said, twisting the rag in her hands.
It sniffed, then continued in a voice of long suffering. "Humph. Amateurs. Just listen to me and I'll guide you through."
Lily walked up to it and did exactly as it told her to, wondering if all the suits in the hallway were this demanding. It's not like using manners would hurt its reputation.
Severus crept out of the Infirmary that night. Madame Pomfrey had insisted on keeping them for another night to observe them. He was intent on finding Lucius and demanding an explanation from him. His sister was inside, making sure that she would not suspect anything.
"Cousin, may I have a word with you?" He asked, finding Lucius awake and studying.
"Why, how kind. The prince has descended to talk to his underlings." Lucius pretended to cry but his eyes were ice hard. "I'm so moved."
"What is wrong with you?" Severus hissed.
"Why, nothing. What could possibly be wrong with me?" The blonde said.
"How about this attitude?" Severus asked.
Lucius stood up, smoothing his robe down carefully. "I have no idea what you're referring to. If you'll excuse me, I need to go. There seems to be something wrong with the air in here." He pushed his way past Severus.
That was not a wise move on Lucius' part. Sev's hand shot out and took a firm hold on his robe. "I want answers, Luc. And you're going to give them to me." The lethal menace that he'd always kept well hidden was unleashed on his cousin. "Now."
Lucius suddenly felt very afraid of his cousin. This wasn't the man he'd known practically all his life, there was something different about him. "Very well, darkling prince." He sneered, keeping his fear of this dark man hidden.
"We'll not talk here." Sev pulled Luc along with him and through a secret tunnel, leading into the hidden chamber.
"Where are we?" Lucius asked, examining the bare room. It was looked like it had been carved out of the earth and was cavernous in appearance. Along the far wall, there was a fireplace set between bookshelves. The doorway they had emerged from disappeared into the gray wall.
"Salazar Slytherin used to come here to conduct experiments or be alone. To my knowledge, none of the founders knew of this place. It is not the famed Chamber of Secrets." Severus explained, using his wand to light the flame. The chill in the air began to disperse.
"How did he accomplish that when he had a fire was going?" Lucius asked, watching the flames. They were unlike any he'd ever seen before.
"The flames are enchanted, they give off no smoke." They were silent, staring at each other. Above them they could hear the sounds of the school settling down.
Luc finally spoke, breaking eye contact to glance at his cousin's left arm. "Let me see."
"See what?" Sev demanded, crossing his arms.
"The mark of the chosen." He elaborated angrily. "I want to see it!"
His demanding voice echoed in the empty room. Severus slowly lowered his arms and pulled up his sleeve, exposing his left forearm to the air. Goosebumps formed along his skin and he shivered, in spite of efforts to remain in control of himself.
Burning with a light of its own, the hideous, yet strangely beautiful mark was revealed to Luc's hungry eyes. It was the same skull and snake his other followers knew and carried on their arms. But unlike the others, this ones color shifted and changed to suit the moods of the maker.
Luc reached out a trembling hand and touched it, falling to his knees as pain infiltrated every part of his body. Dark eyes widened in horror as the boy writhed in pain. Severus jumped back, breaking the contact. His cousin lay on the floor, stunned. A strange smile crossed his face.
"Are you all right?" Sev's voice was subdued, it sounded almost fearful in that room.
"That was the most intense and painful thing I have ever experienced." Luc whispered, in a voice that was reverent. "What a gift to be connected to a great wizard like him."
Sev snorted, leaning against a wall, holding his sleeve down to cover the mark. "A gift I'd rather forgo."
Blue eyes hardened and Luc rose to his feet, shaking. He glared at him, spitting out. "I know. You don't deserve such a gift. Such power and blessing should belong to one who would treasure it. Who would gladly use it."
"Is that what all this is about? Some stupid mark on my skin as opposed to your own?" Sev was incredulous. He was doubting his cousin's sanity, wondering just how far over the edge his cousin had gone.
"I'm not crazy. And it isn't just any mark." Luc corrected, interpreting his cousin's unspoken words with ease. "It's his."
"Oh, I'm sure that makes all the difference." He drawled sarcastically. "Luc, you are a fool. This is no gift. It is the mark of a slave."
"Better to be a slave to one who would lead us to glory and victory than a slave to one who would lead only to death and ignominy." He retorted.
"Glory and power are fleeting, Luc. You know that. There is no honor in dying for something that doesn't last."
He snorted. "Severus, you have odd ideas for a Slytherin. I am forced to wonder if that is because of your Ravenclaw mother or the polluting influence of a certain mudblood."
Sev's eyes narrowed. "May I remind you that my mother is your aunt. What does she have to do with anything?"
Luc ignored him, mainly because he couldn't refute that statement. "Tell me, cousin, how does your dear old dad feel about your 'friendship' with the unclean?" There was no mistaking the insinuation in his voice. "Or have you kept him in the dark about your affiliation with her?"
A tendril of fear raced up his spine, Luc was being obstinate about him and Lily's friendship-more so than usual. "What are you getting at, Lucius? She is nothing more than my sister's potions partner."
"Maybe you should try telling her that, Severus." He was smirking openly now. "She obviously thinks that she means more to you than that. What is she trying to do, sleep her way into accepted society?"
The tight control Sev had had on his temper slipped and he shoved Lucius against the wall. "Don't be crude, Lucius. It doesn't become you." He snarled. "Lily isn't the kind who would do that."
"How can you be so sure of that, cousin? Lily Evans is a Gryffindor and a dear friend of Black, Lupin, and Potter. Need I remind you of the way they treat you?" He asked, not really expecting an answer. "How do you know that the dirty mudblood isn't playing fast and loose with you for them? To help them both make a fool of you and the house of Slytherin?"
Sev's white hands tightened, slamming his cousin against the wall. "You know nothing about her!"
Lucius continued as if nothing had happened, though his ears started to ring. "Why are you so angry with me, Sev? Is it because you missed the obvious reason for her sudden interest in you? Jealous that I picked up on it while you remained unaware?"
"Shut up, Lucius." Sev hissed, dropping him. He was disgusted with himself for letting his temper get the better of him. Physical violence was something he preferred to avoid, it always left some kind of evidence behind.
"I'm trying to help you. You must realize that the rest of our house has been giving you wide berth ever since you started hanging out with her."
He had but..."You are being ridiculous."
"Am I?" Lucius asked, standing up slowly. "I don't think so, cousin. You are letting her unusual looks distract you from the truth. She is in Gryffindor-and a mudblood-they would never willingly associate with us unless they wanted something. Tell me, did she visit you at all today?"
Severus was silent. She hadn't. In fact, there had been no word from her.
"No, I didn't think she had." He answered his own question, a satisfied look in his eyes. "And I'll tell you why she didn't, she was to busy gloating to her friends about how easy it was to dupe you and your sister. She was safely ensconced in her tower, bragging about her personal invitation into our dorms. All she had to do was pretend interest in your sister's welfare, this allowed her to get close to both of you. I have watched you both with her, you keep part of yourselves hidden. You don't want her to see you as you really are, knowing that she would run if she did. She isn't one of us."
Though Severus didn't quite believe him, there was a ring of truth in his words. It hurt more than he could say that he couldn't find words to defend Lily.
Luc paused, watching his cousin carefully. The blank face before him let him know that Severus was listening to him, that he believed him-though he didn't want to. "Mark my words, Sev, Lily Evans is nothing but a social climbing mudblood. She will leave you both after she gets what she wants."
"So, what are you saying? That this is your way of protecting us?" He asked, an eyebrow raised in question.
"No. You don't need that." He admitted. "I am trying to remind you that you are one of us. Sev, you are different. You were put in this house for a reason. We are the ones you should trust. We are the ones you should turn to for friendship. As Slytherins, we must stick together because they won't understand anything we do. You know that."
"I'm tired." Sev finally said. "We shall discuss this further some other time."
As they parted in the common room, Lucius got in one last shot. "Don't let that piece of trash in any farther, Severus. You won't like the results."
"Are you threatening me?"
He coldly smiled. "No. Just giving you a piece of cousinly advice." Lucius went upstairs, then turned around to look down at him. "And if I were you, I'd take it. Good night, cousin."
Severus walked into the infirmary, feeling old and very tired. He fell onto his bed beside his sister, who was reading a book. Emotionally drained, he couldn't even meet her eyes.
Septina kept silent for a time, but finally she spoke. "What happened?"
"Lucius. He covets, craves, and desires the mark that we bear. He also made some insinuations about our relationship with Lily. There were some rather blatant comments about her reasons for befriending us."
"That explains the anger I felt." She murmured. "Why does he want the mark?"
"Power and glory." Severus responded, tensing suddenly. He sat up and looked towards the door but he saw nothing there. "Whoever you are, you might as well reveal yourself."
Lily slowly lowered the hood of the cloak she had stolen from James earlier. "Hi." Her voice was subdued.
"Evans." Severus said, his voice dead. "What are you doing here? Slumming?"
She flushed, angry and hurt by his words. She threw her head back, meeting his glare with one of her own. "I heard that you were in here with Septina. I was worried about you. I am your fried, remember?"
"Are you?" He asked viciously. "Then why are you sneaking around after hours? Why not visit us during the day? Are you ashamed?"
"I have done nothing to be ashamed of, unlike some in this school. And you should be flattered that I am willing to risk detention for you." Her voice was stronger now, the anger more visible in her green eyes. "It isn't like you to condemn anyone without hearing their side of the story, Severus. No matter what your oh, so, honorable cousin told you." She was sarcastic now.
For the second time that night, Severus was speechless. He had been expecting her to leave, not demand answers from him.
Septina, who had been quiet the whole time because she wasn't sure what Lucius had said, figured out the gist of his words from Severus' attack. She turned to face Lily, a closed look on her face. "Well, talk."
"Am I not to hear the charges being brought against me?" Lily was angry, and hurt, at the twins' abrupt behavior change. But she was willing to deal with it because she knew that there was a connection between the trio-even if it was a poisonous one. "After all, it is common in courts for the accused to hear what they are being tried for."
"You aren't being tried for anything." Septina pointed out when her brother remained silent.
"Really?" Lily sat down on the empty bed. "You could have fooled me. I seem to have been tried and convicted by you brother for something."
Severus sneered at her. "You want to know what's going on, mudblood?"
"I do, supercilious Slytherin." She shot back.
"You are being tried on the basis that your friendship to us is only a pretense, a way to make fools of us." He said, hiding his surprise at her comment. "In the past, you have ignored us, is that not true."
"Well, yes." She said slowly. "Though I wanted the chance to get to know you."
Again he sneered at her, ignoring the second part of her answer. "And is it not true that the only reason you became our friend was because you are Septina's partner in potions?"
She could see the trap now, ready to spring shut on her. "I became friends with her because we met in class and could put aside the
ridiculous loyalties of our houses."
"I'll take that as a yes." Sev said, finishing his argument, feeling sick about it. "The only reason you did that was for a good-make that excellent grade. And because Black probably put you up to it. Fun's over, Evans. We won't be party to your little joke anymore."
"But that isn't true. My grades in potions have always been good, even if they aren't stellar like your own." She argued, then launched her counter argument. "Isn't it true that you both ignored me?"
"We are not the ones whose motives are in question here." Severus rebuffed.
"By refusing to answer my questions, you know that your own defense falls apart." She pointed out.
"Very well. No, we did not." He answered.
"Then the only reason you became my friends is because I am Septina's partner, correct?"
He was reluctantly admiring her thinking. She had cleverly turned the tables on him. "Yes."
"Then if I am guilty of using you for better grades, then you are also guilty of using me for some purpose. Maybe as a way to entertain your friends with your stunning ability to blind a mudblood into thinking that you are sincere?" She concluded. "As long as we are both happy with the status quo, who cares what everyone else believes?"
Septina reluctantly exchanged a smile with her brother. "She has you there."
"I know. Not bad, for a Gryffindor."
She bitterly added. "And a mudblood."
"Lily, if I had wanted to say that, I would have." He scolded her gently. "You of all people know how we feel about labels. I'm sorry for this. It has been a long day."
"I'm sorry too." Septina extended her hand.
Lily slowly smiled as she took it. "So am I. I guess I shouldn't have expected our friendship to be easy, without question. Why is Lucius so against me?"
"Luc is a purist, he's almost fanatical about it." Septina explained. "Give him enough time, he soon will be."
"And these marks Severus mentioned?" She asked, watching them turn pale. "What is it?"
"How long were you at the door?"
"Long enough to see you come in." She answered, giving Severus a long, considering look.
"I see." He slowly drawled. Septina and he mind-spoke for a while, then turned back to her. "Lily, we are not at liberty to discuss the mark with anyone-no matter how much we trust them. Please, if you honor our friendship, forget you heard anything about it."
"One would think that the situation is dire." She joked. Like the rest of the school, she believed that the Snape twins weren't afraid of anything.
"It is." Septina answered quietly. "You have no idea how bad it could get."
"You're serious." Lily whispered, paling.
"Something has been growing, Lily, something truly evil." Severus explained, taking hold of her other hand. "And it wants to swallow us up."
"Voldemort." Lily's eyes were wide with fear.
Severus' look was piercing, his voice sharp. "Where did you hear that name?"
"James and Sirius were talking about him. They stopped when they saw me. I've also heard some rumors around Hogsmead, people whispering about him." She answered, gripping his hand tightly. "It is him, isn't it? The muggle hater?"
Sev shook his head slowly. "No. I wish it was. He is only a precursor to the one I speak of."
"Who is it then?" Lily was becoming terrified now. This evil was greater than Voldemort, who struck terror in so many hearts. What could it possibly be?
Before either twin could answer, even to reassure their friend, they head a door open. Lily quickly pulled the hood of her robe up and moved back against the wall. Poppy walked into their room, looking around suspiciously.
"Is something wrong?" Septina asked, leaning back against the wall.
"I thought I heard something, must have been my imagination." Poppy responded, still examining the room. She shook her head, then saw them. "And what are you still doing up? I thought I made it clear that you are to rest, you have been ill. You need to sleep if you are to get well, now get into your own bed before I get some sleeping potion."
Septina got into the cot and allowed the nurse to tuck her in, as did her brother. It felt nice to have someone do that without thinking about who they were. Lily stifled a giggle at the sight of the two independent students being tucked in like wayward children. She quietly and quickly left the room before Poppy closed the door, not wanting to get trapped. On her way to the tower, she was stopped by the Headmaster.
The Lab:
Severus stepped back at last, wiping the sweat off his brow. The unicorn lay in unnatural stillness due to the potion he'd used but other than that, she would recover. There was an odd feeling of triumph inside him, he knew that he'd accomplished the impossible that day.
"Excellent work." Voldemort praised, coming to stand by his side. His hand rested briefly on the unicorn, sending a tiny shiver of fear through it. But the unicorn had resided to long in his company and the purity of heart had been replaced by a blacker purity. The unicorn was now his, as all his followers were his.
"Of course." Severus responded, turning to face him with a smirk. "That is why you had Pettigrew bring me, isn't it?" There was no arrogance in his voice.
"It is one of the reasons." Voldemort acknowledged. "But now, I think it is time for you both to get back to Hogwarts. We wouldn't want to alert anyone to my presence, would we?"
"To late." He muttered.
The dark lord looked at him, surprised. "Excuse me? Are you daring to contradict me?"
"Not on out first meeting, wouldn't want to get hurt." His remark was sarcastic, with a touch of amusement.
"Then would you care to explain to me exactly what that remark meant?" His voice was equally cutting.
"Oh, may I?" Severus responded, faux exited. "As you've been watching me for sometime, you must be aware that I have a sister. A twin sister. She has been aware that I am not on Hogwarts grounds, has been from the moment I was taken. If I'm not mistaken, the whole of Slytherin knows that I have disappeared. And if they know, then the whole school does as well."
"Yes, your sister. Unusual girl. Wonderful abilities, though not like yours. Still, I have will have need of her." Voldemort slowly nodded, a twisted smile crossing his lips before he spoke again. "I wouldn't be so sure that the school is worried about you. In fact, I think that they are more worried about her-especially that fool Dumbledore."
A chill wind swept through him. "What did you do to her?" His voice was quietly lethal.
"Why don't you go back to the school and find out?" He answered, feeling slightly chilled. Peter grabbed a fuming Severus and the two disappeared instantly. Voldemort turned to the unicorn, once more admiring his newest creation. "But does he really think that this is over?"
The unicorn offered no answer.
Severus stalked by Peter's side back towards Hogwarts. He ignored the other man's attempt to engage him in conversation, so Peter finally gave up.
"It would be best if we were not seen entering Hogwarts together." Peter said when the school came into sight.
With a sharp nod of agreement, Severus went towards an entrance by the dungeons. Lucius was waiting for him there.
"What happened to you?" Lucius hissed, pulling him into an empty classroom. There was a thinly disguised layer a hate in his voice which surprised Sev. "I mean, I have a general idea but I want to hear it from your lips."
"Peter Pettigrew approached me in the library, took me to see an injured unicorn. I was then taken to see Voldemort, who told me that our master had allowed the meeting. I healed the unicorn, we came home. End of story. Where's my sister?" He demanded, patience gone.
"I'll tell you in a moment. Did anything unusual happen?" He asked, watching him carefully. "Any odd feelings? Or strange occurrences?"
"Nothing comes to mind. Wait." Severus paused, thinking back. "My left arm burned. Why?"
"Your sister is in the infirmary." Lucius stated, not answering as he walked off.
Sev ran to catch him, taking a firm hold of his arm. "What? How?"
"Go see for yourself. I am not your nanny." He snarled, storming away.
Severus stood in the hall, shocked. What had gotten into Lucius? Then he shook off the question and went to the infirmary. "Where is she?" He demanded when Madame Pomphrey, more commonly known as Poppy, turned to face him.
"Where have you been?" Poppy demanded, then took a closer look at him. His hair was stuck to his face with dried sweat and his uniform bore signs of what looked suspiciously like blood. There was also a faint smell of some unknown potion clinging to his skin. "What happened to you?"
"Nothing." He waved off the question.
"You don't look like nothing happened." She said, hands on her hips.
"Fine. There was an accident involving a potion I was making and I'd prefer that it didn't become public knowledge. Satisfied?" Now this would've worked except that the stress of the day finally caught up to him and he passed out.
Poppy quickly levitated him towards an empty cot, passing by his sister. Almost as if they knew the other was near, their hands reached desperately for each other. She watched as they tried to touch and tap into the healing power that they shared together. Torn between wanting them to rest and allowing them to reach, she relented.
He was placed on a cot within arm's reach of her. Pale hands made contact and a tremendous surge of power passed between them, Poppy winced away from it. Dark eyes opened and Septina glared. "Just what did you think you were doing?"
"Something I did not expect."
"I see." She said, sitting up. "You were most inconsiderate to do that to me. Do you have any idea what I have gone through?"
"Do you?" He challenged her.
"Point taken." Getting up, she sat on his bed. "Well?"
"Excuse me?" Poppy interrupted their conversation. "This is an infirmary, not a meeting house. You are to rest now."
Septina and Severus exchanged looks, then nodded at Madame Pomfrey. She slid down and closed her eyes, drifting off to sleep. He followed after her and Poppy left the room. "Is she gone?" Severus asked.
"Yes."
"I don't want to rehash today's events but I met Voldemort." His voice was blunt, quiet. She almost feel off the bed. "Are you all right?"
"Are you sure?"
"I am very sure." He was positive.
"But Voldemort? I thought..." She said, sitting up.
He interrupted her, nodding his head. "So did I."
"There's something else" She waited a moment, meeting his eyes. "Sev, I think he did something to me. My left arm has been burning."
"Yours too?" He sat up, grabbing her sleeve and pulling it up. Gasping in shock, he rubbed the mark carefully. Then he pulled up his own sleeve. On his forearm was an exact duplicate. "He marked us."
"That was not in our agreement." A voice hissed from the shadows. "The nerve of that creature thinking that he could take what's mine."
"Master." The twins cried, distressed. They tried to rise from their bed.
"Remain still." He commanded, placing his hands on their shoulders and gently pushing them back down. "You are not yet recovered. He has violated the terms of our agreement. I will take care of this usurper."
"He has his place, lord." Septina quietly said.
"I realize that, my daughter." He said, stroking her hair. "But he has to learn his place."
"Doesn't help us right now though, does it?" Severus bitterly said. "We're marked and for whatever reason, Lucius' is mad at us."
"I am sorry that you have to deal with this, my son." The other hand rested on Severus' head, gently.
Severus was suspicious by this gentle side their father was exhibiting. "What is going on?"
"You will find out when the time comes, not before." The voice was hard. He left them alone.
Septina conjured up two mugs of cinnamon tea, handing him one. They sat in silence, just enjoying each other's company.
"Sept, why is Lucius mad at me?"
"I didn't know he was. He didn't seem angry when I talked to him earlier."
His head shook. "Obviously something happened between then and now because he was definitely enraged when I saw him."
"Oh." She was quiet again. "I fainted earlier, Lily Evans saved my life. Sev, she wants to know what is wrong with me because I let it slip that there was nothing medicine could do for me."
"You didn't." It was his turn to be disbelieving.
"She was going to take me to the infirmary, what was I supposed to do?"
He sighed, rubbing his forehead. "You did the best that you could. But I wish that she didn't know."
"Well, on the bright side, I think she's mad at me for missing our meeting. She probably won't bring it up again." She was silent, then looked at him. "Do you think we have any control over our life?"
"No."
"Do you get the feeling that we maybe should seek some help?" She asked, staring into the mug.
"Yes." His answer was quiet.
"Who?"
"There's only one person that I think we can trust." His eyes met hers, she slowly nodded in agreement.
"When do you want to go?"
He thought for a moment, draining the cup. "As soon as Poppy lets us out of here."
"All right."
A voice came from over their heads. "It is good to see you both up and about. And when might I enjoy another private concert?" It was the Bloody Baron.
"Whenever we can arrange it." Severus said, making the empty mugs disappear.
"Good. I look forward to it. I am sorry that my visit is short, but Peeves has been up to some mischief lately. The Headmaster has asked me to keep him under control."
"I don't envy you that task, Baron." Septina said seriously. "Good luck."
"Thank you. But I do not need it." He smiled his wicked little smile and floated away.
Mansion:
"You have violated my trust, Voldemort. I am very disappointed in you." The voice flowed through the place on silken waves.
"You mean the twins?" He responded, meeting his eyes. "He came of his own free will."
"He came under the pretext of helping someone. Though why he would help anyone is beyond me, must get it from his mother." He mused, before lashing out with a powerful curse. "Nevertheless, you were in the wrong."
A smirk twisted his lips, even as he contorted in pain. "They are mine, as well as yours. Did you not examine the marks carefully? Could you not identify what I used to do it?"
The dark eyes narrowed, till no light reflected in them. "What did you do to them?" Slowly, the grip was released on Voldemort's body.
"Ever hear about the effects of unicorn's blood?" He asked.
The sharp intake of his breath said all that Voldemort needed to know. "How did you get hold of the blood? If I'm not mistaken, the unicorn must be alive in order for it to work."
"You aren't." He moved towards a window and gestured to the deep, black unicorn that was grazing peacefully outside. "Severus healed her. You were right about that boy."
"I will find a way to reverse what you did. Then, I plan to kill you very slowly."
Voldemort quipped. "Wait your turn, Sauron."
Lily sighed silently as she followed Filch around the school, listening to him detail her detention in his sour tones. The day before he'd told her that he preferred good old fashioned torture over this 'touchy feely' nonsense. "Now, this suit of armor dates back to the days of William the Conqueror. It is only one of the ones you will be cleaning tonight. After you are done with this hallway, you are to clean to gargoyle in front of the Headmaster's office. If there is still time, we'll go to the library and see if there is some chore you can do there. I'll be back to check on you later."
She nodded and watched him walk down the hall. Yesterday it was washing the walls of the dungeon and rehanging all the paintings-which kept insisting that she was hanging them wrong or putting them in another's spot. One even had the audacity to keep falling down whenever her back was turned. Still, every time she recalled the look on Lucius' face when she stunned him, she felt that the detentions were worth it.
Mrs. Norris hissed at her, reminding her that she was there. Lily got to work, taking out the polish and began to clean the suit.
"Watch it! You're hurting me." It whined.
She jumped in surprise. Is there nothing in this castle that doesn't have some kind of life? She thought irritably. "I'm sorry."
"You should be, clumsy girl. Haven't you ever cleaned a suit before?" It scolded.
"I can't say that I have." She said, twisting the rag in her hands.
It sniffed, then continued in a voice of long suffering. "Humph. Amateurs. Just listen to me and I'll guide you through."
Lily walked up to it and did exactly as it told her to, wondering if all the suits in the hallway were this demanding. It's not like using manners would hurt its reputation.
Severus crept out of the Infirmary that night. Madame Pomfrey had insisted on keeping them for another night to observe them. He was intent on finding Lucius and demanding an explanation from him. His sister was inside, making sure that she would not suspect anything.
"Cousin, may I have a word with you?" He asked, finding Lucius awake and studying.
"Why, how kind. The prince has descended to talk to his underlings." Lucius pretended to cry but his eyes were ice hard. "I'm so moved."
"What is wrong with you?" Severus hissed.
"Why, nothing. What could possibly be wrong with me?" The blonde said.
"How about this attitude?" Severus asked.
Lucius stood up, smoothing his robe down carefully. "I have no idea what you're referring to. If you'll excuse me, I need to go. There seems to be something wrong with the air in here." He pushed his way past Severus.
That was not a wise move on Lucius' part. Sev's hand shot out and took a firm hold on his robe. "I want answers, Luc. And you're going to give them to me." The lethal menace that he'd always kept well hidden was unleashed on his cousin. "Now."
Lucius suddenly felt very afraid of his cousin. This wasn't the man he'd known practically all his life, there was something different about him. "Very well, darkling prince." He sneered, keeping his fear of this dark man hidden.
"We'll not talk here." Sev pulled Luc along with him and through a secret tunnel, leading into the hidden chamber.
"Where are we?" Lucius asked, examining the bare room. It was looked like it had been carved out of the earth and was cavernous in appearance. Along the far wall, there was a fireplace set between bookshelves. The doorway they had emerged from disappeared into the gray wall.
"Salazar Slytherin used to come here to conduct experiments or be alone. To my knowledge, none of the founders knew of this place. It is not the famed Chamber of Secrets." Severus explained, using his wand to light the flame. The chill in the air began to disperse.
"How did he accomplish that when he had a fire was going?" Lucius asked, watching the flames. They were unlike any he'd ever seen before.
"The flames are enchanted, they give off no smoke." They were silent, staring at each other. Above them they could hear the sounds of the school settling down.
Luc finally spoke, breaking eye contact to glance at his cousin's left arm. "Let me see."
"See what?" Sev demanded, crossing his arms.
"The mark of the chosen." He elaborated angrily. "I want to see it!"
His demanding voice echoed in the empty room. Severus slowly lowered his arms and pulled up his sleeve, exposing his left forearm to the air. Goosebumps formed along his skin and he shivered, in spite of efforts to remain in control of himself.
Burning with a light of its own, the hideous, yet strangely beautiful mark was revealed to Luc's hungry eyes. It was the same skull and snake his other followers knew and carried on their arms. But unlike the others, this ones color shifted and changed to suit the moods of the maker.
Luc reached out a trembling hand and touched it, falling to his knees as pain infiltrated every part of his body. Dark eyes widened in horror as the boy writhed in pain. Severus jumped back, breaking the contact. His cousin lay on the floor, stunned. A strange smile crossed his face.
"Are you all right?" Sev's voice was subdued, it sounded almost fearful in that room.
"That was the most intense and painful thing I have ever experienced." Luc whispered, in a voice that was reverent. "What a gift to be connected to a great wizard like him."
Sev snorted, leaning against a wall, holding his sleeve down to cover the mark. "A gift I'd rather forgo."
Blue eyes hardened and Luc rose to his feet, shaking. He glared at him, spitting out. "I know. You don't deserve such a gift. Such power and blessing should belong to one who would treasure it. Who would gladly use it."
"Is that what all this is about? Some stupid mark on my skin as opposed to your own?" Sev was incredulous. He was doubting his cousin's sanity, wondering just how far over the edge his cousin had gone.
"I'm not crazy. And it isn't just any mark." Luc corrected, interpreting his cousin's unspoken words with ease. "It's his."
"Oh, I'm sure that makes all the difference." He drawled sarcastically. "Luc, you are a fool. This is no gift. It is the mark of a slave."
"Better to be a slave to one who would lead us to glory and victory than a slave to one who would lead only to death and ignominy." He retorted.
"Glory and power are fleeting, Luc. You know that. There is no honor in dying for something that doesn't last."
He snorted. "Severus, you have odd ideas for a Slytherin. I am forced to wonder if that is because of your Ravenclaw mother or the polluting influence of a certain mudblood."
Sev's eyes narrowed. "May I remind you that my mother is your aunt. What does she have to do with anything?"
Luc ignored him, mainly because he couldn't refute that statement. "Tell me, cousin, how does your dear old dad feel about your 'friendship' with the unclean?" There was no mistaking the insinuation in his voice. "Or have you kept him in the dark about your affiliation with her?"
A tendril of fear raced up his spine, Luc was being obstinate about him and Lily's friendship-more so than usual. "What are you getting at, Lucius? She is nothing more than my sister's potions partner."
"Maybe you should try telling her that, Severus." He was smirking openly now. "She obviously thinks that she means more to you than that. What is she trying to do, sleep her way into accepted society?"
The tight control Sev had had on his temper slipped and he shoved Lucius against the wall. "Don't be crude, Lucius. It doesn't become you." He snarled. "Lily isn't the kind who would do that."
"How can you be so sure of that, cousin? Lily Evans is a Gryffindor and a dear friend of Black, Lupin, and Potter. Need I remind you of the way they treat you?" He asked, not really expecting an answer. "How do you know that the dirty mudblood isn't playing fast and loose with you for them? To help them both make a fool of you and the house of Slytherin?"
Sev's white hands tightened, slamming his cousin against the wall. "You know nothing about her!"
Lucius continued as if nothing had happened, though his ears started to ring. "Why are you so angry with me, Sev? Is it because you missed the obvious reason for her sudden interest in you? Jealous that I picked up on it while you remained unaware?"
"Shut up, Lucius." Sev hissed, dropping him. He was disgusted with himself for letting his temper get the better of him. Physical violence was something he preferred to avoid, it always left some kind of evidence behind.
"I'm trying to help you. You must realize that the rest of our house has been giving you wide berth ever since you started hanging out with her."
He had but..."You are being ridiculous."
"Am I?" Lucius asked, standing up slowly. "I don't think so, cousin. You are letting her unusual looks distract you from the truth. She is in Gryffindor-and a mudblood-they would never willingly associate with us unless they wanted something. Tell me, did she visit you at all today?"
Severus was silent. She hadn't. In fact, there had been no word from her.
"No, I didn't think she had." He answered his own question, a satisfied look in his eyes. "And I'll tell you why she didn't, she was to busy gloating to her friends about how easy it was to dupe you and your sister. She was safely ensconced in her tower, bragging about her personal invitation into our dorms. All she had to do was pretend interest in your sister's welfare, this allowed her to get close to both of you. I have watched you both with her, you keep part of yourselves hidden. You don't want her to see you as you really are, knowing that she would run if she did. She isn't one of us."
Though Severus didn't quite believe him, there was a ring of truth in his words. It hurt more than he could say that he couldn't find words to defend Lily.
Luc paused, watching his cousin carefully. The blank face before him let him know that Severus was listening to him, that he believed him-though he didn't want to. "Mark my words, Sev, Lily Evans is nothing but a social climbing mudblood. She will leave you both after she gets what she wants."
"So, what are you saying? That this is your way of protecting us?" He asked, an eyebrow raised in question.
"No. You don't need that." He admitted. "I am trying to remind you that you are one of us. Sev, you are different. You were put in this house for a reason. We are the ones you should trust. We are the ones you should turn to for friendship. As Slytherins, we must stick together because they won't understand anything we do. You know that."
"I'm tired." Sev finally said. "We shall discuss this further some other time."
As they parted in the common room, Lucius got in one last shot. "Don't let that piece of trash in any farther, Severus. You won't like the results."
"Are you threatening me?"
He coldly smiled. "No. Just giving you a piece of cousinly advice." Lucius went upstairs, then turned around to look down at him. "And if I were you, I'd take it. Good night, cousin."
Severus walked into the infirmary, feeling old and very tired. He fell onto his bed beside his sister, who was reading a book. Emotionally drained, he couldn't even meet her eyes.
Septina kept silent for a time, but finally she spoke. "What happened?"
"Lucius. He covets, craves, and desires the mark that we bear. He also made some insinuations about our relationship with Lily. There were some rather blatant comments about her reasons for befriending us."
"That explains the anger I felt." She murmured. "Why does he want the mark?"
"Power and glory." Severus responded, tensing suddenly. He sat up and looked towards the door but he saw nothing there. "Whoever you are, you might as well reveal yourself."
Lily slowly lowered the hood of the cloak she had stolen from James earlier. "Hi." Her voice was subdued.
"Evans." Severus said, his voice dead. "What are you doing here? Slumming?"
She flushed, angry and hurt by his words. She threw her head back, meeting his glare with one of her own. "I heard that you were in here with Septina. I was worried about you. I am your fried, remember?"
"Are you?" He asked viciously. "Then why are you sneaking around after hours? Why not visit us during the day? Are you ashamed?"
"I have done nothing to be ashamed of, unlike some in this school. And you should be flattered that I am willing to risk detention for you." Her voice was stronger now, the anger more visible in her green eyes. "It isn't like you to condemn anyone without hearing their side of the story, Severus. No matter what your oh, so, honorable cousin told you." She was sarcastic now.
For the second time that night, Severus was speechless. He had been expecting her to leave, not demand answers from him.
Septina, who had been quiet the whole time because she wasn't sure what Lucius had said, figured out the gist of his words from Severus' attack. She turned to face Lily, a closed look on her face. "Well, talk."
"Am I not to hear the charges being brought against me?" Lily was angry, and hurt, at the twins' abrupt behavior change. But she was willing to deal with it because she knew that there was a connection between the trio-even if it was a poisonous one. "After all, it is common in courts for the accused to hear what they are being tried for."
"You aren't being tried for anything." Septina pointed out when her brother remained silent.
"Really?" Lily sat down on the empty bed. "You could have fooled me. I seem to have been tried and convicted by you brother for something."
Severus sneered at her. "You want to know what's going on, mudblood?"
"I do, supercilious Slytherin." She shot back.
"You are being tried on the basis that your friendship to us is only a pretense, a way to make fools of us." He said, hiding his surprise at her comment. "In the past, you have ignored us, is that not true."
"Well, yes." She said slowly. "Though I wanted the chance to get to know you."
Again he sneered at her, ignoring the second part of her answer. "And is it not true that the only reason you became our friend was because you are Septina's partner in potions?"
She could see the trap now, ready to spring shut on her. "I became friends with her because we met in class and could put aside the
ridiculous loyalties of our houses."
"I'll take that as a yes." Sev said, finishing his argument, feeling sick about it. "The only reason you did that was for a good-make that excellent grade. And because Black probably put you up to it. Fun's over, Evans. We won't be party to your little joke anymore."
"But that isn't true. My grades in potions have always been good, even if they aren't stellar like your own." She argued, then launched her counter argument. "Isn't it true that you both ignored me?"
"We are not the ones whose motives are in question here." Severus rebuffed.
"By refusing to answer my questions, you know that your own defense falls apart." She pointed out.
"Very well. No, we did not." He answered.
"Then the only reason you became my friends is because I am Septina's partner, correct?"
He was reluctantly admiring her thinking. She had cleverly turned the tables on him. "Yes."
"Then if I am guilty of using you for better grades, then you are also guilty of using me for some purpose. Maybe as a way to entertain your friends with your stunning ability to blind a mudblood into thinking that you are sincere?" She concluded. "As long as we are both happy with the status quo, who cares what everyone else believes?"
Septina reluctantly exchanged a smile with her brother. "She has you there."
"I know. Not bad, for a Gryffindor."
She bitterly added. "And a mudblood."
"Lily, if I had wanted to say that, I would have." He scolded her gently. "You of all people know how we feel about labels. I'm sorry for this. It has been a long day."
"I'm sorry too." Septina extended her hand.
Lily slowly smiled as she took it. "So am I. I guess I shouldn't have expected our friendship to be easy, without question. Why is Lucius so against me?"
"Luc is a purist, he's almost fanatical about it." Septina explained. "Give him enough time, he soon will be."
"And these marks Severus mentioned?" She asked, watching them turn pale. "What is it?"
"How long were you at the door?"
"Long enough to see you come in." She answered, giving Severus a long, considering look.
"I see." He slowly drawled. Septina and he mind-spoke for a while, then turned back to her. "Lily, we are not at liberty to discuss the mark with anyone-no matter how much we trust them. Please, if you honor our friendship, forget you heard anything about it."
"One would think that the situation is dire." She joked. Like the rest of the school, she believed that the Snape twins weren't afraid of anything.
"It is." Septina answered quietly. "You have no idea how bad it could get."
"You're serious." Lily whispered, paling.
"Something has been growing, Lily, something truly evil." Severus explained, taking hold of her other hand. "And it wants to swallow us up."
"Voldemort." Lily's eyes were wide with fear.
Severus' look was piercing, his voice sharp. "Where did you hear that name?"
"James and Sirius were talking about him. They stopped when they saw me. I've also heard some rumors around Hogsmead, people whispering about him." She answered, gripping his hand tightly. "It is him, isn't it? The muggle hater?"
Sev shook his head slowly. "No. I wish it was. He is only a precursor to the one I speak of."
"Who is it then?" Lily was becoming terrified now. This evil was greater than Voldemort, who struck terror in so many hearts. What could it possibly be?
Before either twin could answer, even to reassure their friend, they head a door open. Lily quickly pulled the hood of her robe up and moved back against the wall. Poppy walked into their room, looking around suspiciously.
"Is something wrong?" Septina asked, leaning back against the wall.
"I thought I heard something, must have been my imagination." Poppy responded, still examining the room. She shook her head, then saw them. "And what are you still doing up? I thought I made it clear that you are to rest, you have been ill. You need to sleep if you are to get well, now get into your own bed before I get some sleeping potion."
Septina got into the cot and allowed the nurse to tuck her in, as did her brother. It felt nice to have someone do that without thinking about who they were. Lily stifled a giggle at the sight of the two independent students being tucked in like wayward children. She quietly and quickly left the room before Poppy closed the door, not wanting to get trapped. On her way to the tower, she was stopped by the Headmaster.