Part 13:
A laboratory somewhere in Budapest:
Selena Snape sat on a stool, stirring her caldron carefully, a fine sheen of sweat on her face. The laboratory was spelled to keep the oppressive heat from outside away. It was imperative that she not mess up the next two steps or it would set her back several weeks of preparation. Her assistant had been given orders to see that she not be disturbed for any reason. Finally, it was done and she allowed herself the luxury of stretching. With a sigh, she stood up, stepped back and bumped into someone. Wand instantly flew out and stunned the person behind her.
"Now I see where your children get their stunning reflexes." Cerebus Black said, straightening his jacket after he got up.
"What are you doing here, Black?" She glared at him, moving away to bottle the potion carefully. Walking to the door, she called her assistant Calliope to her. "Send this to the Ministry, don't let it get lost. I don't know if I can duplicate the results for some time as the ingredients are so rare."
"Admitting that you have a weakness? Not like you, Sellie." Black purred.
She winced at the nickname. "What are you doing here?"
"Can't I visit an old friend?" He asked, walking towards her. Like his son, he was tall and muscular. His black hair grew long but was held back by a red band.
"Old friend? I thought that I was the mother of the new generation of evil." She sneered at him, eyes hard. "What do you expect me to do? Welcome you back into my life with open arms? Invite you to lunch?" Unlike her children, she was petite frame with short blond hair and gray eyes.
"Now that you mention it, lunch sounds good." A hand curved under her elbow and guided her out the door. "And you know why I turned from you."
"You had an objection to the father of my children." She replied, pulling away. "Also, you had an objection to my family."
He held out a broom to her, explaining. "Come on, lunch awaits."
"I don't want to go anywhere with you." She ignored the broom.
"Oh, come on, Sellie. For old time's sake." He pleaded. "Besides, my son has written to me and informed me that your children are up to something odd."
"I'm to take the word of a Gryffindor?" She asked, raising both eyebrows. "And your son's at that?"
His dark eyes narrowed. "What is wrong with my son?"
Her arms folded and she leaned back against the door frame. "The fact that your son began a fight with my children gives me no reason to believe anything he has to say."
"Sirius did not start anything."
"Well, my children certainly didn't. They were in Durmstrang for two years, thus they did not learn of house loyalties. Ergo, your son must have introduced them to it." She reasonably said.
He resisted the childish urge to roll his eyes. "Sellie, don't be so stubborn."
"Pot calling the kettle, Black." Double edged words. "And stop calling me that."
"What? Sellie?" He asked, again holding out the broom. "I'm hungry. And no, I won't."
Exasperated, she grabbed the broom. "Black, I don't want to do this-especially not with you."
"I know. But you're going to because you know I won't give up." He smirked, then he became serious. "We need to talk about what to do with them."
"I don't see why we should. They will grow out of it." She said, perusing the menu before her. Placing it to the side, she ordered.
After he ordered, he shook his head. "Sellie, I'm afraid that something will go wrong. My son can be...rather impulsive about things."
"Well, my children can take care of themselves. I don't need worry about them."
"You should." He muttered. "How can you be so cold?"
"How can you be so emotional?" She countered, eating. "They are growing up in a harsh world, they must learn to deal with the troubles that will come into their lives. I am not going to run around, holding a bubble around my children to protect them from the big, bad world. You shouldn't either. Sirius will become used to your pampering and be unable to deal with what's out there."
"I don't pamper my son, I love him."
"As I love my children. We just show our love for them in different ways." She answered calmly.
The rest of the meal was spent in silence.
Hogwarts:
The Night of the Shrieking Shack.
"Sirius, how could you?" James yelled, racing outside. "What if Remus kills Snape? And Lily found out? Remus would be executed and she'd kill us. Sometimes, I don't know what goes on through that mind of yours-though I am beginning to think that nothing does."
"I'm sorry, Prongs. It was just a little joke." His voice was faint.
"One that could cost Remus everything he's worked for." He snapped, not even bothering to look at him as he made his way across the lawn. "Go back in and get Headmaster Dumbledore. I shudder to think what will happen if you go with me and Snape sees you."
Flinching back from his friend's anger, he turned to go back in. "Yes, James."
The blue eyed youth made his way through the tunnel, ears tuned to hear any changes in the sound of Remus' movements. As long as I don't hear anything, Snape has to be all right, he thought. Tremors momentarily shook the ground and he paused, straining to hear for any new sounds coming down the tunnel. A low growl, then hungry snarling, chilled him.
Yes, that was definitely the sound of a werewolf who had just seen his evening meal. James started running down the hall, anxious to get to Remus before anything happened, unmindful of the scratches he was receiving from the rocks and roots.
Reaching the door, he cautiously opened it and saw Snape roll effortlessly out of the reach of the pouncing wolf's paws. The Slytherin neared the door and James grabbed his collar, yanking him up and clear, slamming the door behind them quickly. They made their way back up to the surface. Once there, James collapsed. "Are you all right, Snape?" Shaken.
"Why should you care, Potter?" Severus snapped, walking away from him. He would die before he let the other boy know how frightened he had been. Ignoring his sore muscles, he made his way towards the school-stopping when he realized that he was alone.
James remained on the ground, paralyzed with fright and relief. He couldn't believe how close Snape had come to death. How close Remus had come to killing someone. He'd almost lost two friends to Siri's blind hate. He suppressed a groan, if only I hadn't been such a coward. I should've forced him to talk about this, to discuss what was going on. We all realized that something was wrong with him. I should have found out why he felt the need to play such a deadly prank on Snape.
"Potter." His head moved in the direction of the voice. The owner of the voice sighed and a hand reached out of the darkness, hauling him to his feet. "Headmaster's office."
Blindly stumbling along, they somehow made their way across the yard and towards the big doors. James came to himself when Severus stumbled again. Instantly, he supported the other man and pushed aside his feelings of guilt. He also ignored the slight tensing in the body he was supporting. Sev gritted his teeth and bore the indignity as gracefully as he could. With a stoic face, he ignored his body's betrayal of him and let himself be carried into Hogwarts.
Dumbledore was coming down to retrieve them, a frown on his face. Sirius was behind him, he was pale and shaken. Tentatively, he looked at the pair and wished that he hadn't. Severus' beaten posture made him feel sick. "Snape, I'm sorry." He whispered.
The Slytherin looked through him and followed Dumbledore into his office. Once their interview was completed, he made his way to his dorms. Black was pacing the hallway, casting anxious looks both ways. He looked oddly relieved to see the Slytherin boy coming towards him. "Lost, Black?" Scathing.
"No. I was waiting for you." He stumbled over his words.
"Spare me your noble, Gryffindor gestures. You could have killed me and got your friend sent to Azkaban. I won't forgive or forget that easily."
"I didn't think!"
"You rarely do-exemplifying your house's unspoken motto excellently." He sneered. "Which is a shame because there's a certain rawness about you. A certain untapped source of cruelty that intrigues me. There's a viciousness that is quite appealing. If it could be trained, you'd make a fine weapon."
"You disgust me." He spat, appalled by the words. Appalled by the truth he heard in the words.
"Pity. You have...potential." Severus drawled and shrugged, walking past him. "Run along to your safe, little tower before something gets you, Black. Nights in the dungeons are rarely safe for such true, blue boy scouts such as you."
Sirius fled, ashamed of himself. Ashamed of the thoughts that agreed with what Snape had to say. When he went into the dorm room, he found James fast asleep. Looking down at his friend, he knew that something had changed both of them that night. He feared that things would never be the same between them.
The only thing he could be grateful for was that Remus would not recall the night's events. He would hate to lose his two best friends because of his rash behavior. He dismissed Peter from mind easily, they had never been close. The boy had just attached himself to their group during their first year. And, for whatever reason, he had been withdrawing from them lately.
When did I fall so far away from myself? Where did I go wrong? Can I blame them for my actions? Sitting down, he wrote to his father.
Dad, would it be possible for you to get away
from work for a while? There is something I
must discuss with you.
Sirius.
"What happened to you?" Narcissa asked, when he stumbled in.
"Black and Potter." Short. Why isn't my sister here?
Her smile as he sat down was both triumphant and vicious, though there was worry in her cool eyes. "At last, we'll be rid of the meddlesome beasts. Even Headmaster Dumbledore cannot ignore this." As she spoke, she helped him remove his robe and shirt he wore under it.
"Not quite." He winced as she started to tend his wounds. "Black played a joke. Potter saved me because it got out of hand. He'll only serve detentions until school let's out next month."
"Potter saved you?" Though she was shocked, she managed to continue her work with steady hands. "The whole school will be laughing at the irony."
"Don't I know it." Bitter.
"You could always ignore the debt." She said, finishing.
The look he gave her was utterly devoid of warmth. "I cannot do that. It would give him a hold over me. I will be a slave to no one-especially a Gryffindor."
Narcissa winced at the venom in his words. "What kind of joke was it? Those looked like claw marks." She remarked, even as she admired his slim musculature. Severus had the supple strength of a fencer and she knew from their mock duels that he was stronger than he looked.
He pulled his shirt back on, warding off the goose bumps that were forming on his skin in the cold room. "Never had a chance to figure it out. I was attacked by a werewolf."
"So, the rumor mill was right for a change. There is a student werewolf around."
"Unfortunately, no. It was just a rogue werewolf. A shame really, they are wondrous creatures full of darkness and unchained brutality."
Narcissa nodded, resting a hand on his arm. "Sept's with Lucius."
Great. That's just what she needs right now, him harassing her. It hadn't escaped his notice that Lucius was being awfully protective of his sister. He wondered about the change in his behavior. Just what was his cousin up to? "Is she?"
"She's fine. A bit tired, but otherwise unharmed." She answered, lightly caressing his exposed arm. "I could take your mind off of tonight's events while they're busy." Though he wasn't attractive like Luc, there was something about him that drew her eyes.
"Nar, I could never betray Luc like that." He protested.
"He'd never know."
"But I would." Firm.
And she knew that was the end of it. Whatever else Severus Snape was, and that was still a debated question, he had his own code of ethics that he lived by and no one could sway him away from them. If it hadn't been for this knowledge, she might've ranted about Lily's unworthiness. It was with regret that she pulled away.
Severus hid his sigh of relief behind a yawn. He felt tired beyond belief but had to see his sister before he turned in. Just to be sure that Luc hasn't done anything, he assured himself. Rising, he made his way to her room, relieved to see her sleeping.
Near the end of the school year:
"Good night, Luc. I'll be in a few minutes." The black head gestured towards the door and his cousin nodded, reluctant to leave. Both had noticed that the Slytherin girl hadn't been acting like herself that day. Sept had been distracted, confused. In potions, she'd been responsible for an impressive explosion-and hadn't even noticed.
Upon entering the room, he was disturbed by the unnatural stillness around him. The figure on the bed was not moving and seemed to be barely breathing. His nose twitched at the smell of sweat and pain that permeated the room. Quick strides carried him across the floor and to the bed. Resting his hand on her sweaty forehead, he frowned. She was too warm-something was definitely brewing.
Ever so slowly, he crawled into the bed and put his arms around her. Lowering his guard, he was instantly bombarded with sensation. It was strange, he thought drowsily, how peaceful it was in the void he was passing through.
Drawn towards a circle of swirling reddish black light, he found his sister kneeling on the ground. Septina opened her eyes and looked up at him as he joined her. Surrounding them were 9 black orbs that pulsated with the light in the stillness. Outside the circle a strange kind of nothingness existed.
On the fringes of their fading alertness, they heard voices speaking. Eyes studying them and then there was nothing but the light and the feelings.
'Look upon them, Saruman. Remember them well. For they are my children. They have a role to play in our world.'
'They are unique.' A fine, hypnotic voice replied.
Sharply the other voice replied. 'Pay no heed to their physical appearance. It is their power center, their souls, such as they are, that you must recognize them by.'
'Of course, sir.' He soothed, not able to comprehend what Sauron was talking about, though there was something odd emanating from them. The palantirs actions seemed only to highlight it. 'But how did you create them?'
'How does a man usually go about creating children?' Sarcastic.
'They do not appear to have been born in the normal matter, sir.' Humble. Seeking.
Sauron's look was cutting. 'They are star split.'
Saruman had to accept that answer, though it was even more confusing than the revelation of the existence of his children was. Sauron wouldn't share his information with him. But, he consoled himself, there were other ways to gain knowledge.
'Leave now. There is nothing more for you to see.' Sauron commanded. "And Saruman, don't think that I am unaware of your actions in regards to my ring. If you aren't careful, out mutual enemies won't be the only ones chasing you.'
The wizard in white shivered at the implied threat. He correctly interpreted it to mean that Sauron would hunt him down. And that he was the one to be truly feared for he wouldn't be merciful like the others. He bowed, 'As you wish.'
After he departed, Sauron passed through the barrier and stood before the two. Two sets of dark eyes blinked up at him and his hands extended towards them, seeking to confirm what his eyes were saying. Electric shocks passed between the trio and he relaxed, understanding their bond. "Hello, Severus, Septina."
"Master." They replied, bowing their heads, faces once more covered in a curtain of dark hair.
A confused look crossed his face. "Am I? I thought that our relationship was of a different nature."
Severus and Septina exchanged looks, confused themselves. "Sir?"
"I felt your call. The palantirs which brought you here to me revealed a past I was unaware of having. Until that moment, the existence of your world-and my own experiences on it-was hidden from my sight." He explained, moving to sit on a chair that had suddenly materialized. "But there is much they were unable to show me. I want you to fill in the blanks that exist in my mind. I do not like the feeling of being lost, it is one that I thought I had purged from my being centuries ago."
Septina nodded, understanding now. "What do you want to know?"
"Everything that you care to tell me." He gestured for them to come and join him, which they did. "And that which I desire to know."
A year apart hadn't dulled their loyalty to him. Or the bond that connected them irrevocably. Resting on either side of him, taking turns, they told him everything they knew. Severus finished the tale. "If you desire more knowledge, I suggest you call upon your old friend, Daffodil. She's still running an inn at Hogsmead."
Sauron listened to them, his mind processing all that he'd heard. "What of your mother? You haven't said much about her. Were we close?"
"She doesn't have much to do with us. Certain events have really separated us since coming to Hogwarts." She answered with a sigh, resting her head on his knee.
His head stroked her hair. "Why is that?"
Severus looked up at him, a smirk on his face. "We have the great, although some would say dubious, honor of being in Slytherin house."
He nodded, thinking back. The name Slytherin meant something to him. But what? "And she thinks this is a bad thing?"
"Yes. Mother would much prefer that we were in Ravenclaw, the house of intellectuals, something mother values highly." Dry.
"I see." Oddly enough, not remembering their mother as he probably should, he did. Shrugging, he searched for more information, mainly about why their powers where still so contained. "Tell me about this school." The school itself must be one of old magic, of ancient magic, to hold them steady.
His son nodded, resting his cheek against his hand as he framed his answer. "It was founded by four master wizards long ago, quite an achievement for its time. And not only because two of the founders-Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin, were famous rivals. More important then that was the fact that it was the first school of its kind. Founded on the principal of learning magic in a caring environment which encourages growth and not fear of one's abilities."
Though he was confused by the tone of admiration, he ignored it for the moment. A hand rested against his son's head for a while, then he sighed. "Severus, leave me alone with your sister. There is much I have to say to her that doesn't concern you, which she may chose to share with you." Finality.
Severus gracefully rose to his feet and exited the strange circle. Almost immediately, he was surrounded by the fog, sounds echoed in the denseness. To his right, he heard horses approaching, so he waited with his arms crossed over his chest. Dark forms took shape the closer they came and suddenly, there they were. The Nazgul of his father. One of them stood out and studied him, weighing his value. He must be their leader.
After a few tenses moments, he slowly nodded his head-as if to say that this was the one.
An eyebrow rose imperiously, the Slytherin coolly examined them. "Speak, oh, honored leader of the league to save musty, old draperies."
The king bristled but was silent.
"Oh, come now. I know that here, at least, you can speak with the fluent tongue of living men."
"Do you know who I am, impertinent youth?" Shivery voice.
"Of course. You're the head errand boy for my father. And poster child of bad fashion sense."
"You are one to talk." He gestured to the robes Severus wore with his sword disdainfully.
"But, unlike you, I wear the black. It does not wear me." He smirked, knowing that his attitude was just bugging the Nazgul kings.
"Cease your senseless baiting of my men, Severus. Or I shall be forced to reintroduce you to my form of discipline." Warning.
"I apologize, father." He said. But the tone in his voice was barely mocking.
Sauron chuckled, despite himself. "He's a great deal like me, isn't he, Septina?"
"Quite." She agreed calmly.
"And you don't approve, do you?" He was amused.
"It is not up to me to approve or disapprove, father." Composed.
Shaking his head, he turned the conversation to other matter's. "You've told me much about Voldemort's activities and your involvement with them. Or would that be against them? But you haven't told me anything about your friend, Lily. Why is that?" His hand held her firmly down when she jumped, eyes wide with an unusual fear. "Oh, come now. Did you really think that I was unaware of your little friend?"
"I should've known better." She whispered.
"Yes, you should have." Firm. "I am waiting for your answer."
"I was of the opinion that my friendship with Lily Evans wouldn't concern you." She replied carefully.
The hand tugged her face up to meet his. "You thought wrong. Septina Snape, I can force you to tell me everything. I would prefer not to. Speak to me, child of mine."
"She started out as just my potions partner but things changed. We became friends over time, she can be rather persistent. I got to know and respect her abilities and spirit."
"There's something else, isn't there, Septina?" Shrewd. He hadn't become a successful warlord by overlooking seemingly insignificant details. The tilt of her head, the way her breath subtly increased, gave her away.
Forgive me, Lils. "Lily is no ordinary witch. She's the..." The words ended abruptly as she was ripped from the circle and brought to full awareness in her dorm room.
At the foot of her bed, a look of murderous rage on her face was Lily Evans. A trembling hand made a slicing motion, cutting off any words the Slytherin might have said. In a voice of tightly controlled anger, she spoke. "I do not care if he is your father. You will remain silent or I will silence you. Understand me?"
"How did you know?" Septina was proud to note that her voice didn't waver once.
"That would be none of your concern." Stern. Green eyes bored into the black orbs until they fell away, unable to bear the weight of that study any longer. "These are for you and your brother. I am sure that you know exactly what they are for."
Septina caught the objects automatically. Eyes that had merely been surprised, were now filled with terror.
"Be on the Quidditch Pitch after we are let out for the summer break, at night for the claiming. Don't disappoint me. I assure you, I am far deadlier than your father and Voldemort could ever dream of being." She disappeared then, leaving Sept to stare at the two dragon necklaces in her hand.
Upon further examination, she discovered that the dragon pendants were made of mithrill. "Oh, Merlyn."
*-*-*-*-
"Severus!" Sauron barked.
"Yes?"
"Where's your sister?"
Looking around, he noticed that she was missing. "I don't know. I thought no one had the ability to violate this circle."
"So did I." Hard. "Go back, keep an eye on her."
"Of course."
Sauron watched him go, eyes narrowed to sharp pinpoints of dark light. "Who has the power to challenge my power? Surely not that joke of a dark lord, Voldemort."
"Try someone closer to their home." A voice whispered.
He whipped around, studying the area intently.
The voice laughed. "Do you honestly think you can find me? You with your theatrics, though I must admit you do have some power. I will only be found when I want to reveal myself, not before and only on my terms."
"Who are you?"
"Wouldn't you like to know, old man." Mocking. "Sit down. There are a few things that I must make clear to you and you will listen."
He found himself thrust violently back upon the chair and held in place. Struggling against the invisible and ever tightening bonds, he discovered to his intense horror that he could not speak.
"Are we comfy? No. Good." Viciously.
And Sauron realized that he was in trouble.
*-*-*-*-
"What?" Sev asked groggily, blankly staring at her. He knew something was off by the way she was staring at her hand.
"A present from Lily." Ironic. Turning to him, she held them out.
He accepted them from her, gingerly. Black eyes widened as the significance of them sunk in.
"Miss Evans requests our presence on the Quidditch Pitch the night we are let out for the break. I suggest we show up, I would hate to find out what happens when you disappoint a Pendragon."
Sev didn't answer with more than a sigh.
"Exactly." Dry. She moved into a more comfortable position, reaching for her extra pillow. "Go to sleep, Sev."
"Good night, little sister."
She mock growled as she took a swipe at his head. "You're only a minute older than me, so you can stop lording it over me."
"And whose fault is that?"
"Yours. You're the one who pulled me out right behind you."
"Didn't want to be lonely." Softly said. "Father say anything that I'd be interested in?"
Running a hand soothingly through his hair, she shook her head. "No. Father just mentioned a time of silent separation. But we already went through that with him."
"There might be another definition. Did you hear what he said to that Saruman fellow?"
"About being able to recognize us, but not by our features? He probably means for us to go to him." She yawned tiredly, closing her eyes. "Night."
"Night." It was more yawned than said.
Narcissa left Lucius' room and entered theirs, recognizing the signs of a restless night. With a sigh, she gently shifted Sept closer to her brother and cast a silencing charm around them.
Lily walked into her transfiguration class, barely able to keep her eyes open. Sitting down by James, she covered her mouth and yawned.
"You all right?"
"Tired." She continued to prevent his inevitable questioning. "I had a restless night, nothing to worry about."
"That isn't like you, Lily. Your sleep is usually untroubled."
Green eyes leveled him coolly. "Oh? And you would know how?"
He sighed. "You've stayed with my family over the holidays a few times, remember? Our house elves hated having to wake you because you tend to be cranky first thing in the morning."
"Silence." Professor MacGonagal said. "Miss Evans. Mr. Potter. This is a class, not a party. I would appreciate it you two would refrain from your courting rituals."
"Ma'am." They stared at the wood of their desks, chastened. Lily had to be content with kicking him in the shin.
A laboratory somewhere in Budapest:
Selena Snape sat on a stool, stirring her caldron carefully, a fine sheen of sweat on her face. The laboratory was spelled to keep the oppressive heat from outside away. It was imperative that she not mess up the next two steps or it would set her back several weeks of preparation. Her assistant had been given orders to see that she not be disturbed for any reason. Finally, it was done and she allowed herself the luxury of stretching. With a sigh, she stood up, stepped back and bumped into someone. Wand instantly flew out and stunned the person behind her.
"Now I see where your children get their stunning reflexes." Cerebus Black said, straightening his jacket after he got up.
"What are you doing here, Black?" She glared at him, moving away to bottle the potion carefully. Walking to the door, she called her assistant Calliope to her. "Send this to the Ministry, don't let it get lost. I don't know if I can duplicate the results for some time as the ingredients are so rare."
"Admitting that you have a weakness? Not like you, Sellie." Black purred.
She winced at the nickname. "What are you doing here?"
"Can't I visit an old friend?" He asked, walking towards her. Like his son, he was tall and muscular. His black hair grew long but was held back by a red band.
"Old friend? I thought that I was the mother of the new generation of evil." She sneered at him, eyes hard. "What do you expect me to do? Welcome you back into my life with open arms? Invite you to lunch?" Unlike her children, she was petite frame with short blond hair and gray eyes.
"Now that you mention it, lunch sounds good." A hand curved under her elbow and guided her out the door. "And you know why I turned from you."
"You had an objection to the father of my children." She replied, pulling away. "Also, you had an objection to my family."
He held out a broom to her, explaining. "Come on, lunch awaits."
"I don't want to go anywhere with you." She ignored the broom.
"Oh, come on, Sellie. For old time's sake." He pleaded. "Besides, my son has written to me and informed me that your children are up to something odd."
"I'm to take the word of a Gryffindor?" She asked, raising both eyebrows. "And your son's at that?"
His dark eyes narrowed. "What is wrong with my son?"
Her arms folded and she leaned back against the door frame. "The fact that your son began a fight with my children gives me no reason to believe anything he has to say."
"Sirius did not start anything."
"Well, my children certainly didn't. They were in Durmstrang for two years, thus they did not learn of house loyalties. Ergo, your son must have introduced them to it." She reasonably said.
He resisted the childish urge to roll his eyes. "Sellie, don't be so stubborn."
"Pot calling the kettle, Black." Double edged words. "And stop calling me that."
"What? Sellie?" He asked, again holding out the broom. "I'm hungry. And no, I won't."
Exasperated, she grabbed the broom. "Black, I don't want to do this-especially not with you."
"I know. But you're going to because you know I won't give up." He smirked, then he became serious. "We need to talk about what to do with them."
"I don't see why we should. They will grow out of it." She said, perusing the menu before her. Placing it to the side, she ordered.
After he ordered, he shook his head. "Sellie, I'm afraid that something will go wrong. My son can be...rather impulsive about things."
"Well, my children can take care of themselves. I don't need worry about them."
"You should." He muttered. "How can you be so cold?"
"How can you be so emotional?" She countered, eating. "They are growing up in a harsh world, they must learn to deal with the troubles that will come into their lives. I am not going to run around, holding a bubble around my children to protect them from the big, bad world. You shouldn't either. Sirius will become used to your pampering and be unable to deal with what's out there."
"I don't pamper my son, I love him."
"As I love my children. We just show our love for them in different ways." She answered calmly.
The rest of the meal was spent in silence.
Hogwarts:
The Night of the Shrieking Shack.
"Sirius, how could you?" James yelled, racing outside. "What if Remus kills Snape? And Lily found out? Remus would be executed and she'd kill us. Sometimes, I don't know what goes on through that mind of yours-though I am beginning to think that nothing does."
"I'm sorry, Prongs. It was just a little joke." His voice was faint.
"One that could cost Remus everything he's worked for." He snapped, not even bothering to look at him as he made his way across the lawn. "Go back in and get Headmaster Dumbledore. I shudder to think what will happen if you go with me and Snape sees you."
Flinching back from his friend's anger, he turned to go back in. "Yes, James."
The blue eyed youth made his way through the tunnel, ears tuned to hear any changes in the sound of Remus' movements. As long as I don't hear anything, Snape has to be all right, he thought. Tremors momentarily shook the ground and he paused, straining to hear for any new sounds coming down the tunnel. A low growl, then hungry snarling, chilled him.
Yes, that was definitely the sound of a werewolf who had just seen his evening meal. James started running down the hall, anxious to get to Remus before anything happened, unmindful of the scratches he was receiving from the rocks and roots.
Reaching the door, he cautiously opened it and saw Snape roll effortlessly out of the reach of the pouncing wolf's paws. The Slytherin neared the door and James grabbed his collar, yanking him up and clear, slamming the door behind them quickly. They made their way back up to the surface. Once there, James collapsed. "Are you all right, Snape?" Shaken.
"Why should you care, Potter?" Severus snapped, walking away from him. He would die before he let the other boy know how frightened he had been. Ignoring his sore muscles, he made his way towards the school-stopping when he realized that he was alone.
James remained on the ground, paralyzed with fright and relief. He couldn't believe how close Snape had come to death. How close Remus had come to killing someone. He'd almost lost two friends to Siri's blind hate. He suppressed a groan, if only I hadn't been such a coward. I should've forced him to talk about this, to discuss what was going on. We all realized that something was wrong with him. I should have found out why he felt the need to play such a deadly prank on Snape.
"Potter." His head moved in the direction of the voice. The owner of the voice sighed and a hand reached out of the darkness, hauling him to his feet. "Headmaster's office."
Blindly stumbling along, they somehow made their way across the yard and towards the big doors. James came to himself when Severus stumbled again. Instantly, he supported the other man and pushed aside his feelings of guilt. He also ignored the slight tensing in the body he was supporting. Sev gritted his teeth and bore the indignity as gracefully as he could. With a stoic face, he ignored his body's betrayal of him and let himself be carried into Hogwarts.
Dumbledore was coming down to retrieve them, a frown on his face. Sirius was behind him, he was pale and shaken. Tentatively, he looked at the pair and wished that he hadn't. Severus' beaten posture made him feel sick. "Snape, I'm sorry." He whispered.
The Slytherin looked through him and followed Dumbledore into his office. Once their interview was completed, he made his way to his dorms. Black was pacing the hallway, casting anxious looks both ways. He looked oddly relieved to see the Slytherin boy coming towards him. "Lost, Black?" Scathing.
"No. I was waiting for you." He stumbled over his words.
"Spare me your noble, Gryffindor gestures. You could have killed me and got your friend sent to Azkaban. I won't forgive or forget that easily."
"I didn't think!"
"You rarely do-exemplifying your house's unspoken motto excellently." He sneered. "Which is a shame because there's a certain rawness about you. A certain untapped source of cruelty that intrigues me. There's a viciousness that is quite appealing. If it could be trained, you'd make a fine weapon."
"You disgust me." He spat, appalled by the words. Appalled by the truth he heard in the words.
"Pity. You have...potential." Severus drawled and shrugged, walking past him. "Run along to your safe, little tower before something gets you, Black. Nights in the dungeons are rarely safe for such true, blue boy scouts such as you."
Sirius fled, ashamed of himself. Ashamed of the thoughts that agreed with what Snape had to say. When he went into the dorm room, he found James fast asleep. Looking down at his friend, he knew that something had changed both of them that night. He feared that things would never be the same between them.
The only thing he could be grateful for was that Remus would not recall the night's events. He would hate to lose his two best friends because of his rash behavior. He dismissed Peter from mind easily, they had never been close. The boy had just attached himself to their group during their first year. And, for whatever reason, he had been withdrawing from them lately.
When did I fall so far away from myself? Where did I go wrong? Can I blame them for my actions? Sitting down, he wrote to his father.
Dad, would it be possible for you to get away
from work for a while? There is something I
must discuss with you.
Sirius.
"What happened to you?" Narcissa asked, when he stumbled in.
"Black and Potter." Short. Why isn't my sister here?
Her smile as he sat down was both triumphant and vicious, though there was worry in her cool eyes. "At last, we'll be rid of the meddlesome beasts. Even Headmaster Dumbledore cannot ignore this." As she spoke, she helped him remove his robe and shirt he wore under it.
"Not quite." He winced as she started to tend his wounds. "Black played a joke. Potter saved me because it got out of hand. He'll only serve detentions until school let's out next month."
"Potter saved you?" Though she was shocked, she managed to continue her work with steady hands. "The whole school will be laughing at the irony."
"Don't I know it." Bitter.
"You could always ignore the debt." She said, finishing.
The look he gave her was utterly devoid of warmth. "I cannot do that. It would give him a hold over me. I will be a slave to no one-especially a Gryffindor."
Narcissa winced at the venom in his words. "What kind of joke was it? Those looked like claw marks." She remarked, even as she admired his slim musculature. Severus had the supple strength of a fencer and she knew from their mock duels that he was stronger than he looked.
He pulled his shirt back on, warding off the goose bumps that were forming on his skin in the cold room. "Never had a chance to figure it out. I was attacked by a werewolf."
"So, the rumor mill was right for a change. There is a student werewolf around."
"Unfortunately, no. It was just a rogue werewolf. A shame really, they are wondrous creatures full of darkness and unchained brutality."
Narcissa nodded, resting a hand on his arm. "Sept's with Lucius."
Great. That's just what she needs right now, him harassing her. It hadn't escaped his notice that Lucius was being awfully protective of his sister. He wondered about the change in his behavior. Just what was his cousin up to? "Is she?"
"She's fine. A bit tired, but otherwise unharmed." She answered, lightly caressing his exposed arm. "I could take your mind off of tonight's events while they're busy." Though he wasn't attractive like Luc, there was something about him that drew her eyes.
"Nar, I could never betray Luc like that." He protested.
"He'd never know."
"But I would." Firm.
And she knew that was the end of it. Whatever else Severus Snape was, and that was still a debated question, he had his own code of ethics that he lived by and no one could sway him away from them. If it hadn't been for this knowledge, she might've ranted about Lily's unworthiness. It was with regret that she pulled away.
Severus hid his sigh of relief behind a yawn. He felt tired beyond belief but had to see his sister before he turned in. Just to be sure that Luc hasn't done anything, he assured himself. Rising, he made his way to her room, relieved to see her sleeping.
Near the end of the school year:
"Good night, Luc. I'll be in a few minutes." The black head gestured towards the door and his cousin nodded, reluctant to leave. Both had noticed that the Slytherin girl hadn't been acting like herself that day. Sept had been distracted, confused. In potions, she'd been responsible for an impressive explosion-and hadn't even noticed.
Upon entering the room, he was disturbed by the unnatural stillness around him. The figure on the bed was not moving and seemed to be barely breathing. His nose twitched at the smell of sweat and pain that permeated the room. Quick strides carried him across the floor and to the bed. Resting his hand on her sweaty forehead, he frowned. She was too warm-something was definitely brewing.
Ever so slowly, he crawled into the bed and put his arms around her. Lowering his guard, he was instantly bombarded with sensation. It was strange, he thought drowsily, how peaceful it was in the void he was passing through.
Drawn towards a circle of swirling reddish black light, he found his sister kneeling on the ground. Septina opened her eyes and looked up at him as he joined her. Surrounding them were 9 black orbs that pulsated with the light in the stillness. Outside the circle a strange kind of nothingness existed.
On the fringes of their fading alertness, they heard voices speaking. Eyes studying them and then there was nothing but the light and the feelings.
'Look upon them, Saruman. Remember them well. For they are my children. They have a role to play in our world.'
'They are unique.' A fine, hypnotic voice replied.
Sharply the other voice replied. 'Pay no heed to their physical appearance. It is their power center, their souls, such as they are, that you must recognize them by.'
'Of course, sir.' He soothed, not able to comprehend what Sauron was talking about, though there was something odd emanating from them. The palantirs actions seemed only to highlight it. 'But how did you create them?'
'How does a man usually go about creating children?' Sarcastic.
'They do not appear to have been born in the normal matter, sir.' Humble. Seeking.
Sauron's look was cutting. 'They are star split.'
Saruman had to accept that answer, though it was even more confusing than the revelation of the existence of his children was. Sauron wouldn't share his information with him. But, he consoled himself, there were other ways to gain knowledge.
'Leave now. There is nothing more for you to see.' Sauron commanded. "And Saruman, don't think that I am unaware of your actions in regards to my ring. If you aren't careful, out mutual enemies won't be the only ones chasing you.'
The wizard in white shivered at the implied threat. He correctly interpreted it to mean that Sauron would hunt him down. And that he was the one to be truly feared for he wouldn't be merciful like the others. He bowed, 'As you wish.'
After he departed, Sauron passed through the barrier and stood before the two. Two sets of dark eyes blinked up at him and his hands extended towards them, seeking to confirm what his eyes were saying. Electric shocks passed between the trio and he relaxed, understanding their bond. "Hello, Severus, Septina."
"Master." They replied, bowing their heads, faces once more covered in a curtain of dark hair.
A confused look crossed his face. "Am I? I thought that our relationship was of a different nature."
Severus and Septina exchanged looks, confused themselves. "Sir?"
"I felt your call. The palantirs which brought you here to me revealed a past I was unaware of having. Until that moment, the existence of your world-and my own experiences on it-was hidden from my sight." He explained, moving to sit on a chair that had suddenly materialized. "But there is much they were unable to show me. I want you to fill in the blanks that exist in my mind. I do not like the feeling of being lost, it is one that I thought I had purged from my being centuries ago."
Septina nodded, understanding now. "What do you want to know?"
"Everything that you care to tell me." He gestured for them to come and join him, which they did. "And that which I desire to know."
A year apart hadn't dulled their loyalty to him. Or the bond that connected them irrevocably. Resting on either side of him, taking turns, they told him everything they knew. Severus finished the tale. "If you desire more knowledge, I suggest you call upon your old friend, Daffodil. She's still running an inn at Hogsmead."
Sauron listened to them, his mind processing all that he'd heard. "What of your mother? You haven't said much about her. Were we close?"
"She doesn't have much to do with us. Certain events have really separated us since coming to Hogwarts." She answered with a sigh, resting her head on his knee.
His head stroked her hair. "Why is that?"
Severus looked up at him, a smirk on his face. "We have the great, although some would say dubious, honor of being in Slytherin house."
He nodded, thinking back. The name Slytherin meant something to him. But what? "And she thinks this is a bad thing?"
"Yes. Mother would much prefer that we were in Ravenclaw, the house of intellectuals, something mother values highly." Dry.
"I see." Oddly enough, not remembering their mother as he probably should, he did. Shrugging, he searched for more information, mainly about why their powers where still so contained. "Tell me about this school." The school itself must be one of old magic, of ancient magic, to hold them steady.
His son nodded, resting his cheek against his hand as he framed his answer. "It was founded by four master wizards long ago, quite an achievement for its time. And not only because two of the founders-Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin, were famous rivals. More important then that was the fact that it was the first school of its kind. Founded on the principal of learning magic in a caring environment which encourages growth and not fear of one's abilities."
Though he was confused by the tone of admiration, he ignored it for the moment. A hand rested against his son's head for a while, then he sighed. "Severus, leave me alone with your sister. There is much I have to say to her that doesn't concern you, which she may chose to share with you." Finality.
Severus gracefully rose to his feet and exited the strange circle. Almost immediately, he was surrounded by the fog, sounds echoed in the denseness. To his right, he heard horses approaching, so he waited with his arms crossed over his chest. Dark forms took shape the closer they came and suddenly, there they were. The Nazgul of his father. One of them stood out and studied him, weighing his value. He must be their leader.
After a few tenses moments, he slowly nodded his head-as if to say that this was the one.
An eyebrow rose imperiously, the Slytherin coolly examined them. "Speak, oh, honored leader of the league to save musty, old draperies."
The king bristled but was silent.
"Oh, come now. I know that here, at least, you can speak with the fluent tongue of living men."
"Do you know who I am, impertinent youth?" Shivery voice.
"Of course. You're the head errand boy for my father. And poster child of bad fashion sense."
"You are one to talk." He gestured to the robes Severus wore with his sword disdainfully.
"But, unlike you, I wear the black. It does not wear me." He smirked, knowing that his attitude was just bugging the Nazgul kings.
"Cease your senseless baiting of my men, Severus. Or I shall be forced to reintroduce you to my form of discipline." Warning.
"I apologize, father." He said. But the tone in his voice was barely mocking.
Sauron chuckled, despite himself. "He's a great deal like me, isn't he, Septina?"
"Quite." She agreed calmly.
"And you don't approve, do you?" He was amused.
"It is not up to me to approve or disapprove, father." Composed.
Shaking his head, he turned the conversation to other matter's. "You've told me much about Voldemort's activities and your involvement with them. Or would that be against them? But you haven't told me anything about your friend, Lily. Why is that?" His hand held her firmly down when she jumped, eyes wide with an unusual fear. "Oh, come now. Did you really think that I was unaware of your little friend?"
"I should've known better." She whispered.
"Yes, you should have." Firm. "I am waiting for your answer."
"I was of the opinion that my friendship with Lily Evans wouldn't concern you." She replied carefully.
The hand tugged her face up to meet his. "You thought wrong. Septina Snape, I can force you to tell me everything. I would prefer not to. Speak to me, child of mine."
"She started out as just my potions partner but things changed. We became friends over time, she can be rather persistent. I got to know and respect her abilities and spirit."
"There's something else, isn't there, Septina?" Shrewd. He hadn't become a successful warlord by overlooking seemingly insignificant details. The tilt of her head, the way her breath subtly increased, gave her away.
Forgive me, Lils. "Lily is no ordinary witch. She's the..." The words ended abruptly as she was ripped from the circle and brought to full awareness in her dorm room.
At the foot of her bed, a look of murderous rage on her face was Lily Evans. A trembling hand made a slicing motion, cutting off any words the Slytherin might have said. In a voice of tightly controlled anger, she spoke. "I do not care if he is your father. You will remain silent or I will silence you. Understand me?"
"How did you know?" Septina was proud to note that her voice didn't waver once.
"That would be none of your concern." Stern. Green eyes bored into the black orbs until they fell away, unable to bear the weight of that study any longer. "These are for you and your brother. I am sure that you know exactly what they are for."
Septina caught the objects automatically. Eyes that had merely been surprised, were now filled with terror.
"Be on the Quidditch Pitch after we are let out for the summer break, at night for the claiming. Don't disappoint me. I assure you, I am far deadlier than your father and Voldemort could ever dream of being." She disappeared then, leaving Sept to stare at the two dragon necklaces in her hand.
Upon further examination, she discovered that the dragon pendants were made of mithrill. "Oh, Merlyn."
*-*-*-*-
"Severus!" Sauron barked.
"Yes?"
"Where's your sister?"
Looking around, he noticed that she was missing. "I don't know. I thought no one had the ability to violate this circle."
"So did I." Hard. "Go back, keep an eye on her."
"Of course."
Sauron watched him go, eyes narrowed to sharp pinpoints of dark light. "Who has the power to challenge my power? Surely not that joke of a dark lord, Voldemort."
"Try someone closer to their home." A voice whispered.
He whipped around, studying the area intently.
The voice laughed. "Do you honestly think you can find me? You with your theatrics, though I must admit you do have some power. I will only be found when I want to reveal myself, not before and only on my terms."
"Who are you?"
"Wouldn't you like to know, old man." Mocking. "Sit down. There are a few things that I must make clear to you and you will listen."
He found himself thrust violently back upon the chair and held in place. Struggling against the invisible and ever tightening bonds, he discovered to his intense horror that he could not speak.
"Are we comfy? No. Good." Viciously.
And Sauron realized that he was in trouble.
*-*-*-*-
"What?" Sev asked groggily, blankly staring at her. He knew something was off by the way she was staring at her hand.
"A present from Lily." Ironic. Turning to him, she held them out.
He accepted them from her, gingerly. Black eyes widened as the significance of them sunk in.
"Miss Evans requests our presence on the Quidditch Pitch the night we are let out for the break. I suggest we show up, I would hate to find out what happens when you disappoint a Pendragon."
Sev didn't answer with more than a sigh.
"Exactly." Dry. She moved into a more comfortable position, reaching for her extra pillow. "Go to sleep, Sev."
"Good night, little sister."
She mock growled as she took a swipe at his head. "You're only a minute older than me, so you can stop lording it over me."
"And whose fault is that?"
"Yours. You're the one who pulled me out right behind you."
"Didn't want to be lonely." Softly said. "Father say anything that I'd be interested in?"
Running a hand soothingly through his hair, she shook her head. "No. Father just mentioned a time of silent separation. But we already went through that with him."
"There might be another definition. Did you hear what he said to that Saruman fellow?"
"About being able to recognize us, but not by our features? He probably means for us to go to him." She yawned tiredly, closing her eyes. "Night."
"Night." It was more yawned than said.
Narcissa left Lucius' room and entered theirs, recognizing the signs of a restless night. With a sigh, she gently shifted Sept closer to her brother and cast a silencing charm around them.
Lily walked into her transfiguration class, barely able to keep her eyes open. Sitting down by James, she covered her mouth and yawned.
"You all right?"
"Tired." She continued to prevent his inevitable questioning. "I had a restless night, nothing to worry about."
"That isn't like you, Lily. Your sleep is usually untroubled."
Green eyes leveled him coolly. "Oh? And you would know how?"
He sighed. "You've stayed with my family over the holidays a few times, remember? Our house elves hated having to wake you because you tend to be cranky first thing in the morning."
"Silence." Professor MacGonagal said. "Miss Evans. Mr. Potter. This is a class, not a party. I would appreciate it you two would refrain from your courting rituals."
"Ma'am." They stared at the wood of their desks, chastened. Lily had to be content with kicking him in the shin.