Snape's Secret Part XVII: The Hostages
[ A/N: Sorry this took so long!! Spent the weekend @ grandma's -- no computer there. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this and sorry for leaving ya with a cliffhanger with such a long pause. Enjoy!! -- Kat ]
" What's wrong, aunt Issie? I don't see anything -- " Morgana stopped in mid sentence, finally realizing what Issabelle was staring at. There in the alley below were Harry, Hermione and Draco, who were trapped by Voldemort. Shivering, Morgana faced her aunt, forcing herself to stay calm, " What are we gonna do? "
" I don't know, Morgana... But this is bad. Really, really bad... "
" Well we can't just stay here! That's for sure! Let's go! " Morgana said, jumping on her broom and flying towards Voldemort and her friends at top speed. It took Issabelle a moment to catch on to what was happening and when she did her heart started pounding twice as fast.
" Morgana, wait! " Issabelle said, flying as fast as she could to catch up, " Listen to me, kid! You can't just fly off and battle Voldie! We're under cover ya know? This has to be handled very carefully or it's curtains for all of us! "
" He's gonna kill them! " Morgana shouted, still not slowing down at all, " I can't let that happen. "
" Stop! " Issabelle shouted, as she watched Morgana go into a spectacular dive towards the ground below.
" Aqua-bolt! " Morgana shouted, knocking Voldemort off his feet and pulling her broom up quickly enough that he did not spot her.
" Don't you ever do something that stupid again! Is that clear? " Issabelle shouted as they landed their brooms on the roof just above the alley.
" Why don't ya scream a little louder. Maybe Voldie will hear you! " Morgana replied, smirking.
" Now you've really done it! " Issabelle said angrily, looking down to see Voldemort ready to kill the three helpless students. " Stay here, Morgana. I'll handle this. "
" Why do I not believe you? " Morgana said, sighing, " Good luck. "
" Leave them alone! " Issabelle shouted, jumping down off the building and landing rather hard on the ground below, " What do you think you are doing?! "
" Funny, Issabelle. I was about to ask you the same thing. " Voldemort replied, pausing to look at her, " But on to my next question. What are you doing here? "
" Uh... I had planned to come here and buy a couple books today, although I fear that any volumes I had entended to purchase are... shall we say... out of print. "
" Sorry, Issie. " Voldemort said, clearly feeling bad, " I wish you had told me. I would have postponed this raid. "
" Well, it can't be helped now, can it? " Issabelle asked, giving him a weak smile, " Why are you bugging these kids, though? Surely, you'll want to have people around to run things when all of our missions are successful. "
" Very true. " Voldemort said, " However, these three are too nosy to be left alive much longer... A pity really. They all seem quite talented... "
" You can't be serious! They're kids! They're barely even teenagers! How dangerous can they really be? " Issabelle asked, clasping her hands togather.
" Issie... " Voldemort said, feeling his heart melt as he looked at her, " Okay... I won't kill them. We will take them with us. "
" That's a much better idea. " Issabelle said, now really smiling and allowing him to hug her, " Now... I have to go and find Morgana... She wanted to come and look around the shops and she kinda took off in a huff when she saw all of this. "
" Well I can't say I blame her... Poor kid... I wish I'd known, Issie. "
" There you are, my lord! Oh, and Lady Issabelle too! " Peter said, flying into the alley and landing nearby. " Ah, we have some prisioners... "
" Indeed, and they will be very useful, I am sure. " Issabelle said, glancing at them, " They are all from Hogwarts. "
" Yeah, " Draco said, a nasty smile crossing his face as he moved into the light, " I lead these two fools right into your trap, Lord Voldemort! "
" Indeed... " Voldemort said, looking at the boy and finally recignizing him, " You shall be rewarded for your cunning, young one. Your loyalty is quite impressive for one so young. "
" Well, who else is back there? " Issabelle asked, " I recignize your jackets, now show me your faces! "
" Professor McChella! How could you...! Dumbledore was counting on you... And you... you betrayed him! " Harry said, staring at her with a look of complete disgust.
" I think, Mr. Potter, that you should be very careful about how you speak to my head advisor. " Voldemort warned, pointing his wand at Harry.
" You're not going to get away with this! When the ministry finds out what you're doing -- "
" Silence, Hermione! " Issabelle said, her voicing showing a hint of annoyance, " The Ministry is defenseless. The sooner you recignize that fact, the more happy you will be. "
" What the hell is going on here? Draco? What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in school? " Lucius asked, landing with Anna behind him, " And I wasn't expecting to see you on this mission either, lady Issabelle. "
" Guess I'm just full of surprises, Huh? " Issabelle asked, laughing.
" But we all agreed not to tell you about this 'cause of your powers... " Anna said, searching Issabelle's face, " Where's Morgana? "
" She and I had planned on going shopping today, but those plans went up in smoke. " Issabelle said, " But I really should find her. I think she got upset about these three... "
" Probably. " Voldemort said, looking at Harry Hermione and Draco again, " Well, our job here is done. Do you want us to help you look, Issie? "
" Nah, I think I'll have an easier time finding her on my own. She might prove quite a hassle for you guys. She likes to use her powers to play tricks. "
" I know that only too well. " Voldemort said shaking his head.
" What did she do? " Issabelle asked, unable to help chuckling, " She didn't hurt you, I hope? "
" Oh, she lifted a finger and sent my flying across the room. " Voldemort said, trying to make it sound like it wasn't a big deal.
" My lord, surely she -- "
" I startled her. " Voldemort said, " Anyway, we shall go now. You do know your way back, Issabelle? "
" Of course. " Issabelle said, " Be careful with those two, guys. They're pretty tricky. "
******
Once she was certain that everyone had left, Issabelle made her way to the spot she had told Morgana to meet her at. Sure enough, she was there and had a hundred questions ready.
" What happened? "
" It's all gonna be okay. They are being taken back to Voldie's castle and I have him thinking that they are more valuable alive. "
" How's Draco? "
" Fine. He pulled a rather nasty stunt and told Voldemort that he had planned the whole thing and Voldie bought it. He is being celebrated like a hero. "
" Good! I was worried about him! "
" He's Lucius' son, Morgana! What did he have to worry about, realy? "
" Whatever. You sure they're gone? " Morgana asked, looking around.
" Positive. Why? "
" Well, we need to fix the town. "
" Uh... how? "
" Put your palms against mine. " Morgana said, holding her hands in front of her, palms facing forward. Issabelle did as she was told and a glistening light started to shoot out of their fingers. They stood like the for a while and then, glancing around, Morgana let go. " Have a look. "
" Whoa! We did that? " Issabelle asked in surprise.
" We sure did. " Morgana said, grinning, " Hey, I'm hungry! Let's go to the Three Broomsticks and get some food. "
" Good idea. " Issabelle said, " I'm hungry too. "
******
" So, what are we gonna do now? " Morgana asked, taking a bite of fish.
" I want to take you back to Hogwarts and give a report to uncle Albus. I bet he's worried sick about us! "
" But I don't wanna go back. I want to be with you and help fight Voldie! "
" Listen, Morgana... " Issabelle said, taking a sip of juice, " I know how you feel, but I think Anna figured out that you spilled and you might be in danger if you came back. Besides, I think its best for you to continue your lessons at Hogwarts anyway. "
" What are ya gonna tell Voldie when he asks where I am? "
" I'll tell him I took you back to Hogwarts to keep Dumbledore from getting suspicious. "
" It sucks, Issie. Draco finally shows up at the palace and its the day I have to leave! " Morgana grumbled.
" Sorry, kid... I really don't think you're missing much, though. " Issabelle said, smiling for a moment.
" Don't try to preach at me, aunt Issabelle! I've seen the way you look at Him! Its disgusting! "
" Its also all a game. "
" Look me in the face and tell me you don't care about him! " Morgana dared.
" I... uh... I... can't? " Issabelle said, looking confused as the words refused to leave her mouth.
" Yuck! "
" Well, we're done our food, so I think we had best be on our way. " Issabelle said, picking up her broom and heading out the door with Morgana in tow after paying for their food.
******
" He kissed her?! " Dumbledore asked in surprise, looking from Morgana to Issabelle in turn.
" He's kissed her several times. Its like I told you, Professor, he's in love with her! " Morgana said, her eyes growing wider by the moment.
" Surely you're playing along Issabelle? ...I bet Severus just loves that! " Dumbledore said, shaking his head knowingly.
" Oh, yes. He's been having a splendid time giving me heck about it. " Issabelle laughed, " It's weird, uncle Albus... Tom can be a good guy... I think he would be my friend, if he weren't my enemy... "
" How true... " Dumbledore said sighing, " He was brilliant, you know... Could have become anything. Smartest student in the history of Hogwarts and what does he do.... ? Becomes the Dark Lord! "
" Did Sirius make it back all right? " Issabelle asked, trying to change the subject.
" Yes, he did. He told me how brave you were. I was afraid that might have been the problem.... "
" Goodness no! I perposely fought him unarmed. We staged a battle and Morgana caused a deversion. She was brilliant! "
" Thanks, Issie. " Morgana said, blushing.
" Tom... err... I mean Voldemort... gave me a speach about how he does not accept failure and left it at that. He couldn't stay mad it me. It was really funny. "
" He's letting you call him Tom? " Dumbledore asked, sounding slightly awed, " That was one of the characteristics of his raids last time... No one called him that and lived! "
" Huh? That's weird, uncle Albus... He introduced himself to me as Tom. I brought my luggage to my room for me and we had cocoa. "
" Voldemort carried your luggage?! " Dumbledore asked, covering his mouth and trying not to laugh, " I'm never going to be able to look him in the face by the time you're done. Do go on, Issabelle! Tell me more! "
" Well, we went on a trip to Auroria and Voldie had no clue that it is my hometown. I went to the playground and was thinking aloud when he showed up. Man, I thought I'd blew it!! Then he sat down on the swing next to me, asked me if I was okay and gave me a dozen pink roses. He then took me out to dinner. "
Issabelle's stories went on for at least two more hours and finally she had to stop because Dumbledore was laughing so hard that tears were pouring down his cheeks. Looking outside, Issabelle could see the sun slowly started to set, splashing a gorgeous blend of pink purple and blue across the cloudless sky.
" Well, uncle Albus, I had better go or Sev might get worried. " Issabelle said flinging her cloak over her shoulders.
" Yeash, either him or Voldemort! " Dumbledore said, finally regaining his composure. " Issabelle, I don't think I've ever laughed that hard before in my entire life. You be careful! Bye!! "
******
Issabelle smiled as she kicked off her broom and began the flight back to Voldemort's castle. It had been good to see uncle Albus and she was glad she had been able to make him feel better. Lost in her own thoughts, Issabelle did not notice at first as the beautiful sunset suddenly gave way to huge black rain clouds, but the first harsh drops, like an icy dagger peircing her warm skin, jolted her back to reality. There we two kids in that castle now, and she couldn't protect them forever...
[ A/N: Sorry this took so long!! Spent the weekend @ grandma's -- no computer there. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this and sorry for leaving ya with a cliffhanger with such a long pause. Enjoy!! -- Kat ]
" What's wrong, aunt Issie? I don't see anything -- " Morgana stopped in mid sentence, finally realizing what Issabelle was staring at. There in the alley below were Harry, Hermione and Draco, who were trapped by Voldemort. Shivering, Morgana faced her aunt, forcing herself to stay calm, " What are we gonna do? "
" I don't know, Morgana... But this is bad. Really, really bad... "
" Well we can't just stay here! That's for sure! Let's go! " Morgana said, jumping on her broom and flying towards Voldemort and her friends at top speed. It took Issabelle a moment to catch on to what was happening and when she did her heart started pounding twice as fast.
" Morgana, wait! " Issabelle said, flying as fast as she could to catch up, " Listen to me, kid! You can't just fly off and battle Voldie! We're under cover ya know? This has to be handled very carefully or it's curtains for all of us! "
" He's gonna kill them! " Morgana shouted, still not slowing down at all, " I can't let that happen. "
" Stop! " Issabelle shouted, as she watched Morgana go into a spectacular dive towards the ground below.
" Aqua-bolt! " Morgana shouted, knocking Voldemort off his feet and pulling her broom up quickly enough that he did not spot her.
" Don't you ever do something that stupid again! Is that clear? " Issabelle shouted as they landed their brooms on the roof just above the alley.
" Why don't ya scream a little louder. Maybe Voldie will hear you! " Morgana replied, smirking.
" Now you've really done it! " Issabelle said angrily, looking down to see Voldemort ready to kill the three helpless students. " Stay here, Morgana. I'll handle this. "
" Why do I not believe you? " Morgana said, sighing, " Good luck. "
" Leave them alone! " Issabelle shouted, jumping down off the building and landing rather hard on the ground below, " What do you think you are doing?! "
" Funny, Issabelle. I was about to ask you the same thing. " Voldemort replied, pausing to look at her, " But on to my next question. What are you doing here? "
" Uh... I had planned to come here and buy a couple books today, although I fear that any volumes I had entended to purchase are... shall we say... out of print. "
" Sorry, Issie. " Voldemort said, clearly feeling bad, " I wish you had told me. I would have postponed this raid. "
" Well, it can't be helped now, can it? " Issabelle asked, giving him a weak smile, " Why are you bugging these kids, though? Surely, you'll want to have people around to run things when all of our missions are successful. "
" Very true. " Voldemort said, " However, these three are too nosy to be left alive much longer... A pity really. They all seem quite talented... "
" You can't be serious! They're kids! They're barely even teenagers! How dangerous can they really be? " Issabelle asked, clasping her hands togather.
" Issie... " Voldemort said, feeling his heart melt as he looked at her, " Okay... I won't kill them. We will take them with us. "
" That's a much better idea. " Issabelle said, now really smiling and allowing him to hug her, " Now... I have to go and find Morgana... She wanted to come and look around the shops and she kinda took off in a huff when she saw all of this. "
" Well I can't say I blame her... Poor kid... I wish I'd known, Issie. "
" There you are, my lord! Oh, and Lady Issabelle too! " Peter said, flying into the alley and landing nearby. " Ah, we have some prisioners... "
" Indeed, and they will be very useful, I am sure. " Issabelle said, glancing at them, " They are all from Hogwarts. "
" Yeah, " Draco said, a nasty smile crossing his face as he moved into the light, " I lead these two fools right into your trap, Lord Voldemort! "
" Indeed... " Voldemort said, looking at the boy and finally recignizing him, " You shall be rewarded for your cunning, young one. Your loyalty is quite impressive for one so young. "
" Well, who else is back there? " Issabelle asked, " I recignize your jackets, now show me your faces! "
" Professor McChella! How could you...! Dumbledore was counting on you... And you... you betrayed him! " Harry said, staring at her with a look of complete disgust.
" I think, Mr. Potter, that you should be very careful about how you speak to my head advisor. " Voldemort warned, pointing his wand at Harry.
" You're not going to get away with this! When the ministry finds out what you're doing -- "
" Silence, Hermione! " Issabelle said, her voicing showing a hint of annoyance, " The Ministry is defenseless. The sooner you recignize that fact, the more happy you will be. "
" What the hell is going on here? Draco? What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in school? " Lucius asked, landing with Anna behind him, " And I wasn't expecting to see you on this mission either, lady Issabelle. "
" Guess I'm just full of surprises, Huh? " Issabelle asked, laughing.
" But we all agreed not to tell you about this 'cause of your powers... " Anna said, searching Issabelle's face, " Where's Morgana? "
" She and I had planned on going shopping today, but those plans went up in smoke. " Issabelle said, " But I really should find her. I think she got upset about these three... "
" Probably. " Voldemort said, looking at Harry Hermione and Draco again, " Well, our job here is done. Do you want us to help you look, Issie? "
" Nah, I think I'll have an easier time finding her on my own. She might prove quite a hassle for you guys. She likes to use her powers to play tricks. "
" I know that only too well. " Voldemort said shaking his head.
" What did she do? " Issabelle asked, unable to help chuckling, " She didn't hurt you, I hope? "
" Oh, she lifted a finger and sent my flying across the room. " Voldemort said, trying to make it sound like it wasn't a big deal.
" My lord, surely she -- "
" I startled her. " Voldemort said, " Anyway, we shall go now. You do know your way back, Issabelle? "
" Of course. " Issabelle said, " Be careful with those two, guys. They're pretty tricky. "
******
Once she was certain that everyone had left, Issabelle made her way to the spot she had told Morgana to meet her at. Sure enough, she was there and had a hundred questions ready.
" What happened? "
" It's all gonna be okay. They are being taken back to Voldie's castle and I have him thinking that they are more valuable alive. "
" How's Draco? "
" Fine. He pulled a rather nasty stunt and told Voldemort that he had planned the whole thing and Voldie bought it. He is being celebrated like a hero. "
" Good! I was worried about him! "
" He's Lucius' son, Morgana! What did he have to worry about, realy? "
" Whatever. You sure they're gone? " Morgana asked, looking around.
" Positive. Why? "
" Well, we need to fix the town. "
" Uh... how? "
" Put your palms against mine. " Morgana said, holding her hands in front of her, palms facing forward. Issabelle did as she was told and a glistening light started to shoot out of their fingers. They stood like the for a while and then, glancing around, Morgana let go. " Have a look. "
" Whoa! We did that? " Issabelle asked in surprise.
" We sure did. " Morgana said, grinning, " Hey, I'm hungry! Let's go to the Three Broomsticks and get some food. "
" Good idea. " Issabelle said, " I'm hungry too. "
******
" So, what are we gonna do now? " Morgana asked, taking a bite of fish.
" I want to take you back to Hogwarts and give a report to uncle Albus. I bet he's worried sick about us! "
" But I don't wanna go back. I want to be with you and help fight Voldie! "
" Listen, Morgana... " Issabelle said, taking a sip of juice, " I know how you feel, but I think Anna figured out that you spilled and you might be in danger if you came back. Besides, I think its best for you to continue your lessons at Hogwarts anyway. "
" What are ya gonna tell Voldie when he asks where I am? "
" I'll tell him I took you back to Hogwarts to keep Dumbledore from getting suspicious. "
" It sucks, Issie. Draco finally shows up at the palace and its the day I have to leave! " Morgana grumbled.
" Sorry, kid... I really don't think you're missing much, though. " Issabelle said, smiling for a moment.
" Don't try to preach at me, aunt Issabelle! I've seen the way you look at Him! Its disgusting! "
" Its also all a game. "
" Look me in the face and tell me you don't care about him! " Morgana dared.
" I... uh... I... can't? " Issabelle said, looking confused as the words refused to leave her mouth.
" Yuck! "
" Well, we're done our food, so I think we had best be on our way. " Issabelle said, picking up her broom and heading out the door with Morgana in tow after paying for their food.
******
" He kissed her?! " Dumbledore asked in surprise, looking from Morgana to Issabelle in turn.
" He's kissed her several times. Its like I told you, Professor, he's in love with her! " Morgana said, her eyes growing wider by the moment.
" Surely you're playing along Issabelle? ...I bet Severus just loves that! " Dumbledore said, shaking his head knowingly.
" Oh, yes. He's been having a splendid time giving me heck about it. " Issabelle laughed, " It's weird, uncle Albus... Tom can be a good guy... I think he would be my friend, if he weren't my enemy... "
" How true... " Dumbledore said sighing, " He was brilliant, you know... Could have become anything. Smartest student in the history of Hogwarts and what does he do.... ? Becomes the Dark Lord! "
" Did Sirius make it back all right? " Issabelle asked, trying to change the subject.
" Yes, he did. He told me how brave you were. I was afraid that might have been the problem.... "
" Goodness no! I perposely fought him unarmed. We staged a battle and Morgana caused a deversion. She was brilliant! "
" Thanks, Issie. " Morgana said, blushing.
" Tom... err... I mean Voldemort... gave me a speach about how he does not accept failure and left it at that. He couldn't stay mad it me. It was really funny. "
" He's letting you call him Tom? " Dumbledore asked, sounding slightly awed, " That was one of the characteristics of his raids last time... No one called him that and lived! "
" Huh? That's weird, uncle Albus... He introduced himself to me as Tom. I brought my luggage to my room for me and we had cocoa. "
" Voldemort carried your luggage?! " Dumbledore asked, covering his mouth and trying not to laugh, " I'm never going to be able to look him in the face by the time you're done. Do go on, Issabelle! Tell me more! "
" Well, we went on a trip to Auroria and Voldie had no clue that it is my hometown. I went to the playground and was thinking aloud when he showed up. Man, I thought I'd blew it!! Then he sat down on the swing next to me, asked me if I was okay and gave me a dozen pink roses. He then took me out to dinner. "
Issabelle's stories went on for at least two more hours and finally she had to stop because Dumbledore was laughing so hard that tears were pouring down his cheeks. Looking outside, Issabelle could see the sun slowly started to set, splashing a gorgeous blend of pink purple and blue across the cloudless sky.
" Well, uncle Albus, I had better go or Sev might get worried. " Issabelle said flinging her cloak over her shoulders.
" Yeash, either him or Voldemort! " Dumbledore said, finally regaining his composure. " Issabelle, I don't think I've ever laughed that hard before in my entire life. You be careful! Bye!! "
******
Issabelle smiled as she kicked off her broom and began the flight back to Voldemort's castle. It had been good to see uncle Albus and she was glad she had been able to make him feel better. Lost in her own thoughts, Issabelle did not notice at first as the beautiful sunset suddenly gave way to huge black rain clouds, but the first harsh drops, like an icy dagger peircing her warm skin, jolted her back to reality. There we two kids in that castle now, and she couldn't protect them forever...