Snape's Secret Part X: Eyes on Me
[ A/N: I am so glad that everyone is enjoying this story! I am having a lot of fun writing it. There has been a lot of things going on in the last few chapters and I haven't spent a lot of time on Snape, so this chapter is going to focus on how he feels about what he sees going on. ]
The soft fumes, which were starting to pour from the shiny black cauldron, made Severus Snape smile. He had been standing over this potion for hours, tending to it as if it was a living child, but now it was almost done. He was relieved that at least this part of his life was not in turmoil, no, he still had complete control over the quality of his potions.
What he didn't have control over was Voldemort. The heartless brute seemed to take everything Snape loved. When he was a child, Voldemort had taken his parents. When he was a young man, Voldemort had taken his secret love. And now, even as potions master, Voldemort seemed to be on the verge of taking his new girlfriend. It just wasn't fair.
" Sev? " the soft voice pulled him out of his sulking and he turned around to find Issabelle standing there.
" What do you want? " he asked, looking at her with his coal-black eyes.
" To see you, obviously. " Issabelle said quietly, entering the room and walking over to him. " Do I really need an alterior motive? "
" No, but I figured you'd have one considering how much time you've been spending with Voldemort. " Snape muttered, sneering at the sound of the word.
" Oh, Sev! " Issabelle said with a playfully scolding look, " Do you still think I'm going to leave you for Tom? Is there nothing I can do that will convince you? "
" You could start by not going into his room after the candles have been snuffed. " Snape said, giving her a harsh look and then turning back to his potion.
" That's where Anna was. " Issabelle said, biting her lip, " What choice did I have? "
" I could've done it. "
" Yeah, right! " Issabelle said, unable to hold back a laugh at the thought of it. " I don't think you'd be coming back out of Tom caught you in his room in the middle of the night. "
" Would you please quit calling him Tom in front of me?! You're taking this mission totally the wrong way, Issabelle! The guy is insane! You're not supose to pretend to be in love with him! "
" I never said I was pretending to be in love with him! "
" You don't have to! You do it all on your own! "
Not bothering to reply, Issabelle walked out of the potions room and slammed the door behind her so hard that all of Snape's vials shook for a minute.
" Foolish girl! " he grumbled, grabbing a fresh vial of sweet dream potion just in the nick of time, " She doesn't even realize what she's doing. She doesn't see how much it hurts... "
Snape tried to go back to working on the fresh vial of Veriseutasm, but it was no use. His mind refused to focus on anything except Issabelle. The way she smiled, the way she laughed, and most of all, the way she had looked when she left his lab two hours ago.
" Enough of this! " Snape hissed at himself, " I'm going to see what she's up to before I spoil the whole batch. "
Issabelle and Anna sat on a rock looking down at the crashing waves below. It was sunny out and they had brought a pic-nic lunch with them. But although the day was beautiful and Anna's company was delightful to have once again, neither seemed to be able to pull Issabelle out of her dreary mood.
" So, how's everything going with you and Severus? " Anna asked, taking one of the ham sandwitches she had packed, " You don't look too happy, Issie. "
" We had a big fight. He thinks I am cheating on him with Tom! How rediculous! I mean, I have nothing against him, but seriously! Me, an auror! Good heavens that would be ironic! "
" You became an - " Anna stopped herself from repeating the word, but her eyes grew large with surprise just the same, " Wow! I'm impressed! "
" It was nothing, really. All I ever bid was work at the desk. I never went out on any attacks... Wait a minute, what happened to you after you went missing? I wonder why I never heard you were still alive? I mean... For a long time, I thought you were dead... "
" Far from it! Tom sure fooled everyone into thinking it, though! I woke up here, in the castle and he raised me, himself. At first I hated him and wanted to go home... I missed you like hell... " Anna said, looking at Issabelle for a moment and wiping a lose tear.
" Tom raised you?! You hated him, he even heard you say it in school! How the heck did you survive? "
" Most people wouldn't believe this, but I'm going to tell you 'cause you're my best friend and because you've met the real Tom. "
" What do you mean, the 'real' Tom? " Issabelle asked.
" Yeah, good question. " Snape muttered from behind the bushes.
" Remember how everyone at school use to think we were losers 'cause we wouldn't use the unforgivables? How they use to torment us? And how when Tom was teaching at the school he stood up for us? " Anna asked, " Well, Tom taught me how to get people's respect. To think that I deserved their respect. And that sometimes, people deserve a good kick in the pants and that's what makes the unforgivables okay. "
" Ohhh... " Issabelle said, looking half-envious. " Uncle Albus told me to never use the unforgivables and even sent notes to the teachers to excuse me from the lessons they were being taught in. He said that they are a form of unnecessary violence. "
" Want me to teach them to you? " Anna asked, tossing her wand from one hand to her other.
" Uh... no thanks. I've gone this long without knowing them, I'm sure I can't be missing too much. "
" Your loss, Issie. " Anna shrugged, setting her wand down. " Has it ever occurred to you that Tom likes you? A LOT? "
" Its obvious. However, the thought has never crossed my mind, aside from being a sore spot with Severus at times. " Issabelle asid, a slight frown crossing her features.
" Perhaps you should give it some more thought, then. You might find yourself a much happier woman. "
" I'll keep that in mind, Anna. " Issabelle said, her body shaking in pain and pent up tears finally pouring down her cheeks, " I can't deal with this. I haven't done anything and he just won't believe me. "
" It's okay, Issie... It will all turn out right... " Anna said hugging her. Issabelle sighed and rested her head on Anna's shoulder, glad that she once again had the ability to do so.
Still standing behind the bushes, Snape had to wipe his eyes as well. As he watched the two friends, he couldn't help realizing how wrong he had been. One thing was sure though, Anna wanted to get him out of the picture, and from what she'd seen of him, he deserved it. Sighing, Snape got up and started back towards the castle, unable to bare watching another tear fall from Issabelle's face.
The castle was unusually quiet as Severus entered and started to make his way back to his lab. The halls seemed deserted and the usually endless chatter seemed to have gone missing. An uneasy feeling slowly started to make its way through Snape's stomach as he passed the library and he decided that was one thing he did not need and was determined to clear his conscience of this burden as quickly as possible. Opening the door, he found a young girl sitting on one of the big arm chairs, trembling and crying.
" What's the matter? " he asked in a rare and gentle voice, sitting down in the chair next to hers.
" Something's wrong w-with Issie-belle! " the girl said through her tears.
" How do you know Issabelle? " Snape was suddenly very interested and gave her his full attention after giving her a clean hankerchief to wipe her eyes with.
" She's my aunt. "
" Your Aunt? I didn't know Issabelle had a niece. "
" Of c-course you don't! Only my friends at Hogwarts know that! And when they find out I'm here that Lucius guy is gonna be really sorry! " the girl said, staring at Snape angrily.
" I'm sure you're right. " Snape said, chucking softly, " What's your name? "
" I'm not telling you anything! " the girl snapped, " If I tell you my name, next you'll wanna know all about the Hopebringer and the Hopegiver and even though I know all about them, I'll never tell you a word! "
" Shhhh... " Snape said, finally understanding the importance of this person and why Voldemort had been keeping her arrival a secret, " I'll start, then. My name is Severus Snape and I teach potions at Hogwarts. "
" My name is Morgana, and am I glad to see you! " she said, jumping off her chair and flinging her arms around him. Snape returned the embrace, though he could not keep the look of surprise off his face. Figuring that Dumbledore must have told her about him and Issabelle, Snape grinned at her when she finally let go.
" Issabelle will be fine. We had a slight quarrel this morning about a mission, but I was just on my way to apologize to her now. " Snape said, " Would you care to come along? I'm sure she would love to see you. "
" It would please me if Morgana would stay here. I would like to make her arrival a surprise to the Advisor. I think that she will be very happy to see such a beloved family member. " Voldemort said, seeming to materialize out of one of the dark corners of the room.
" I would be beloved if she had ever seen me before! " Morgana shouted, " But because of you she couldn't! Because of you, the ministry of magic wouldn't let her adopt me! Because of you, I was homeless on the streets of London from the time I was five years old! "
" Why were you homeless? " Voldemort asked, taken aback.
" Because my parents found out I was like Issie... "Morgana said sadly, " They wanted a normal baby. "
" So muggles didn't want you and Wizards didn't wan you. " Voldemort said, chuckling nastily. " Yet another reason why mudbloods are such a niusence to the magical world. "
" Don't even think of calling me that filthy name again! " Morgana said furiously, " Or you'll pay. "
" Oh will I? " Voldemort asked, stepping towards her. The nasty grin was slowly spreading into a very cruel smile, " You know, I've killed Villages of muggles with this wand, Morgana. I'm sure it would prove just as effective on a mouthy mudblood brat. Don't push your luck with me. "
" Stay away from me! " Morgana shouted, putting a hand up to keep him from coming any closer. As she spoke, Voldemort was lifted off the ground and went flying across the room, crashing into one of the stone walls.
" Oh lord... " Snape muttered, watching Voldemort slowly get back up.
" Oh my gosh, I'm sorry! It was an accident! I really didn't mean to do that! " Morgana said, scrambling to think of something that would calm the anger which was now visable in Voldemort's eyes.
" Avada Ke- " Voldemort stopped and lowered his wand. " I can't do it... ? You have you're aunt's eyes, kid. They're all that's stopping me. Severus, get her outta here brfore I change my mind. "
Determined to find Issabelle and make up with her, Snape raced out of the castle with a very shook up Morgana hot on his heels. The pic-nic spot was deserted when the reached it and Snape felt pangs of worry going through his heart. What if she decided to take Anna's advice? However, a sudden rumbling in the bushes forced him to focus on the present.
" Stay here, Morgana. " He said firmly, quietly making his way to the suspicious area. Turning around the corner, Snape's mouth dropped open in surprise. Before him stood a very familiar-looking black dog.
[ End note: Hope you liked it!! The plot thickens... :I sure wouldn't have wanted to be Morgana back there... Anyway, if you haven't voted on who Issabelle should be with or want to vote again, feel free! Please review! Thanks! - Kat ]
[ A/N: I am so glad that everyone is enjoying this story! I am having a lot of fun writing it. There has been a lot of things going on in the last few chapters and I haven't spent a lot of time on Snape, so this chapter is going to focus on how he feels about what he sees going on. ]
The soft fumes, which were starting to pour from the shiny black cauldron, made Severus Snape smile. He had been standing over this potion for hours, tending to it as if it was a living child, but now it was almost done. He was relieved that at least this part of his life was not in turmoil, no, he still had complete control over the quality of his potions.
What he didn't have control over was Voldemort. The heartless brute seemed to take everything Snape loved. When he was a child, Voldemort had taken his parents. When he was a young man, Voldemort had taken his secret love. And now, even as potions master, Voldemort seemed to be on the verge of taking his new girlfriend. It just wasn't fair.
" Sev? " the soft voice pulled him out of his sulking and he turned around to find Issabelle standing there.
" What do you want? " he asked, looking at her with his coal-black eyes.
" To see you, obviously. " Issabelle said quietly, entering the room and walking over to him. " Do I really need an alterior motive? "
" No, but I figured you'd have one considering how much time you've been spending with Voldemort. " Snape muttered, sneering at the sound of the word.
" Oh, Sev! " Issabelle said with a playfully scolding look, " Do you still think I'm going to leave you for Tom? Is there nothing I can do that will convince you? "
" You could start by not going into his room after the candles have been snuffed. " Snape said, giving her a harsh look and then turning back to his potion.
" That's where Anna was. " Issabelle said, biting her lip, " What choice did I have? "
" I could've done it. "
" Yeah, right! " Issabelle said, unable to hold back a laugh at the thought of it. " I don't think you'd be coming back out of Tom caught you in his room in the middle of the night. "
" Would you please quit calling him Tom in front of me?! You're taking this mission totally the wrong way, Issabelle! The guy is insane! You're not supose to pretend to be in love with him! "
" I never said I was pretending to be in love with him! "
" You don't have to! You do it all on your own! "
Not bothering to reply, Issabelle walked out of the potions room and slammed the door behind her so hard that all of Snape's vials shook for a minute.
" Foolish girl! " he grumbled, grabbing a fresh vial of sweet dream potion just in the nick of time, " She doesn't even realize what she's doing. She doesn't see how much it hurts... "
Snape tried to go back to working on the fresh vial of Veriseutasm, but it was no use. His mind refused to focus on anything except Issabelle. The way she smiled, the way she laughed, and most of all, the way she had looked when she left his lab two hours ago.
" Enough of this! " Snape hissed at himself, " I'm going to see what she's up to before I spoil the whole batch. "
Issabelle and Anna sat on a rock looking down at the crashing waves below. It was sunny out and they had brought a pic-nic lunch with them. But although the day was beautiful and Anna's company was delightful to have once again, neither seemed to be able to pull Issabelle out of her dreary mood.
" So, how's everything going with you and Severus? " Anna asked, taking one of the ham sandwitches she had packed, " You don't look too happy, Issie. "
" We had a big fight. He thinks I am cheating on him with Tom! How rediculous! I mean, I have nothing against him, but seriously! Me, an auror! Good heavens that would be ironic! "
" You became an - " Anna stopped herself from repeating the word, but her eyes grew large with surprise just the same, " Wow! I'm impressed! "
" It was nothing, really. All I ever bid was work at the desk. I never went out on any attacks... Wait a minute, what happened to you after you went missing? I wonder why I never heard you were still alive? I mean... For a long time, I thought you were dead... "
" Far from it! Tom sure fooled everyone into thinking it, though! I woke up here, in the castle and he raised me, himself. At first I hated him and wanted to go home... I missed you like hell... " Anna said, looking at Issabelle for a moment and wiping a lose tear.
" Tom raised you?! You hated him, he even heard you say it in school! How the heck did you survive? "
" Most people wouldn't believe this, but I'm going to tell you 'cause you're my best friend and because you've met the real Tom. "
" What do you mean, the 'real' Tom? " Issabelle asked.
" Yeah, good question. " Snape muttered from behind the bushes.
" Remember how everyone at school use to think we were losers 'cause we wouldn't use the unforgivables? How they use to torment us? And how when Tom was teaching at the school he stood up for us? " Anna asked, " Well, Tom taught me how to get people's respect. To think that I deserved their respect. And that sometimes, people deserve a good kick in the pants and that's what makes the unforgivables okay. "
" Ohhh... " Issabelle said, looking half-envious. " Uncle Albus told me to never use the unforgivables and even sent notes to the teachers to excuse me from the lessons they were being taught in. He said that they are a form of unnecessary violence. "
" Want me to teach them to you? " Anna asked, tossing her wand from one hand to her other.
" Uh... no thanks. I've gone this long without knowing them, I'm sure I can't be missing too much. "
" Your loss, Issie. " Anna shrugged, setting her wand down. " Has it ever occurred to you that Tom likes you? A LOT? "
" Its obvious. However, the thought has never crossed my mind, aside from being a sore spot with Severus at times. " Issabelle asid, a slight frown crossing her features.
" Perhaps you should give it some more thought, then. You might find yourself a much happier woman. "
" I'll keep that in mind, Anna. " Issabelle said, her body shaking in pain and pent up tears finally pouring down her cheeks, " I can't deal with this. I haven't done anything and he just won't believe me. "
" It's okay, Issie... It will all turn out right... " Anna said hugging her. Issabelle sighed and rested her head on Anna's shoulder, glad that she once again had the ability to do so.
Still standing behind the bushes, Snape had to wipe his eyes as well. As he watched the two friends, he couldn't help realizing how wrong he had been. One thing was sure though, Anna wanted to get him out of the picture, and from what she'd seen of him, he deserved it. Sighing, Snape got up and started back towards the castle, unable to bare watching another tear fall from Issabelle's face.
The castle was unusually quiet as Severus entered and started to make his way back to his lab. The halls seemed deserted and the usually endless chatter seemed to have gone missing. An uneasy feeling slowly started to make its way through Snape's stomach as he passed the library and he decided that was one thing he did not need and was determined to clear his conscience of this burden as quickly as possible. Opening the door, he found a young girl sitting on one of the big arm chairs, trembling and crying.
" What's the matter? " he asked in a rare and gentle voice, sitting down in the chair next to hers.
" Something's wrong w-with Issie-belle! " the girl said through her tears.
" How do you know Issabelle? " Snape was suddenly very interested and gave her his full attention after giving her a clean hankerchief to wipe her eyes with.
" She's my aunt. "
" Your Aunt? I didn't know Issabelle had a niece. "
" Of c-course you don't! Only my friends at Hogwarts know that! And when they find out I'm here that Lucius guy is gonna be really sorry! " the girl said, staring at Snape angrily.
" I'm sure you're right. " Snape said, chucking softly, " What's your name? "
" I'm not telling you anything! " the girl snapped, " If I tell you my name, next you'll wanna know all about the Hopebringer and the Hopegiver and even though I know all about them, I'll never tell you a word! "
" Shhhh... " Snape said, finally understanding the importance of this person and why Voldemort had been keeping her arrival a secret, " I'll start, then. My name is Severus Snape and I teach potions at Hogwarts. "
" My name is Morgana, and am I glad to see you! " she said, jumping off her chair and flinging her arms around him. Snape returned the embrace, though he could not keep the look of surprise off his face. Figuring that Dumbledore must have told her about him and Issabelle, Snape grinned at her when she finally let go.
" Issabelle will be fine. We had a slight quarrel this morning about a mission, but I was just on my way to apologize to her now. " Snape said, " Would you care to come along? I'm sure she would love to see you. "
" It would please me if Morgana would stay here. I would like to make her arrival a surprise to the Advisor. I think that she will be very happy to see such a beloved family member. " Voldemort said, seeming to materialize out of one of the dark corners of the room.
" I would be beloved if she had ever seen me before! " Morgana shouted, " But because of you she couldn't! Because of you, the ministry of magic wouldn't let her adopt me! Because of you, I was homeless on the streets of London from the time I was five years old! "
" Why were you homeless? " Voldemort asked, taken aback.
" Because my parents found out I was like Issie... "Morgana said sadly, " They wanted a normal baby. "
" So muggles didn't want you and Wizards didn't wan you. " Voldemort said, chuckling nastily. " Yet another reason why mudbloods are such a niusence to the magical world. "
" Don't even think of calling me that filthy name again! " Morgana said furiously, " Or you'll pay. "
" Oh will I? " Voldemort asked, stepping towards her. The nasty grin was slowly spreading into a very cruel smile, " You know, I've killed Villages of muggles with this wand, Morgana. I'm sure it would prove just as effective on a mouthy mudblood brat. Don't push your luck with me. "
" Stay away from me! " Morgana shouted, putting a hand up to keep him from coming any closer. As she spoke, Voldemort was lifted off the ground and went flying across the room, crashing into one of the stone walls.
" Oh lord... " Snape muttered, watching Voldemort slowly get back up.
" Oh my gosh, I'm sorry! It was an accident! I really didn't mean to do that! " Morgana said, scrambling to think of something that would calm the anger which was now visable in Voldemort's eyes.
" Avada Ke- " Voldemort stopped and lowered his wand. " I can't do it... ? You have you're aunt's eyes, kid. They're all that's stopping me. Severus, get her outta here brfore I change my mind. "
Determined to find Issabelle and make up with her, Snape raced out of the castle with a very shook up Morgana hot on his heels. The pic-nic spot was deserted when the reached it and Snape felt pangs of worry going through his heart. What if she decided to take Anna's advice? However, a sudden rumbling in the bushes forced him to focus on the present.
" Stay here, Morgana. " He said firmly, quietly making his way to the suspicious area. Turning around the corner, Snape's mouth dropped open in surprise. Before him stood a very familiar-looking black dog.
[ End note: Hope you liked it!! The plot thickens... :I sure wouldn't have wanted to be Morgana back there... Anyway, if you haven't voted on who Issabelle should be with or want to vote again, feel free! Please review! Thanks! - Kat ]