Snape's Secret Part XX: Recovery
[ A/N: I know that the last chapter was really tough to comment on since I did not focus on the central theme of the story. Thank you to those who did review, though!! That was not an easy one to write! Anyway, in this chapter we get to see the various reactions to the duel and Issabelle gets to show off some of her new powers in the real world. I have counted up the votes and they're pretty even. So, I am going to do an ending for each of the romantic scenarios. **This is not the end** Enjoy!! -- Kat. ]
The aroma of blueberry waffles made Issabelle very eager to open her eyes the next morning. Realizing how long it had been since she last ate, Issabelle did not object at all when Tom decided to help her with them, even going so far as to cut them into little peices. Issabelle drew the line when he tried to put the fork into her mouth, insisting she was capable of that much.
" How do you feel? " he asked, his eyes doing yet another scan of her slender body, " I mean, I'm sure you're not back to your usual perky self, but is there anything I can do for you, Issie? "
" I feel pretty decent. I should be up and around today, actually. " Issabelle said, taking another mouthful of waffle.
" No you won't! " Voldemort said, going very pale, " You need to recover for at least another week. We can not afford to take any chances. "
" I was an auror, Tom. I recover pretty quick. "
" Issabelle, you're the only person who has ever survived that spell. " Voldemort snapped, " I wrote it myself! "
" Disappointed yourself, eh? " Issabelle asked, beginning to chuckle.
" Possibly. " Voldemort said, his tone growing more agrivated by the minute, " The stunt you pulled last week would have sent many less fortunate witches and wizards to their grave. "
" Are you trying to scare me? " Issabelle asked, allowing her face to make it plain how dull she was finding his lecture.
" I do not allow traitors amung my Death Eaters. It causes questions of loyalty to come up amung their ranks and that does not benefit my perpose very well at all. Now, Issabelle... I have been very good to you and have let you get away with nearly anything, but you really need to take a side in all of this. "
" The only side I am taking is this: anyone I catch hurting little kids or my loved ones is gonna have hell to pay. I would be just as upset if someone were to harm you as I would be if someone were to harm uncle Albus. "
" Quit stalling, Issabelle. " Voldemort warned, " I want an answer. "
" Were the question fair you would get one. " Issabelle said, " So tell me, Did Harry and Hermoine escape? "
" How dare you! " Voldemort said furiously, his eyes flashing scarlet, " You've got 30 seconds to tell me what you're doing or I'll blow them and the rest of that damn school into such microscopic bits that no one will able to recignize the bodies, let alone revive them. "
" Take a nice deep breath and think carefully about what you are asking. " Issabelle said softly, " I think you'll see how irrational you are being. "
" I'm going to ask you this one more time, Issie... Who's side are you on? " Voldemort demanded, his eyes burning into hers with a passion she had not anticipated facing in these circumstances.
" You're serious? " Issabelle asked, her eyes opening a little wider.
" Yes! " Voldemort said, gazing down at her, " I need to know, especially since you're my head advisor. "
" I am loyal to you, Tom... However, I cannot bare to see harm done to an innocent or my family. Surely, you must be able to understand that. "
" Much better, Issabelle. " Voldemort said in a softer tone, " I have trouble sympathizing at times, but I'll do my best. I do not want to lose your loyalty. But I cannot help asking, did anything... happen... while you were asleep? "
" Indeed, many things happened! I think it will be easier to show then to tell, though. Now... let me see... " Issabellle glanced around the room until her eyes fell upon a photograph of a woman with a very mischevious smile and huge eyes. Carefully raising one of her hands she pointed a finger at the picture and focused intently on moving it using telekenisis.
The picture slowly began to levitate off the shelf and wobbily floated over to the bed, to Voldemort's amazement. Just when she believed she was in the clear, Issabelle's mind went blank, causing the picture to fall to the floor and smash into a million peices.
" Sorry! " Issabelle said, looking down at the shattered glass and wrinkled photograph in embarrassment, " I guess that still needs some work... "
" My mother's photo! Issie, how could you?! " Voldemort exclaimed, his face baring a look of utter horror.
" I really am sorry, Tom. It was an accident.. " Issabelle said, her bottom lip quivering slightly, " Want me to see if I can fix it? "
" No, no... You've done quite enough. " Voldemort replied, his sarcastic tone peircing her conscience like a knife. " Oh, dear! Don't cry, Issie. It can be easily fixed... Here... "
Issabelle accepted the hankercheif he offered her without a second thought and wiped her eyes. She certainly understood how much losing a parent hurt... well, loss, anyway. A tingling warmth began to seep through her senses and it was only then that she realized that she was being held. Looking up into his eyes, she felt her anxioty melt away.
" A-ha! " a confident voice shouted, its wringing presence demanding immediate attention and destroying the touching moment at hand, " I have proof at last. You have been cheating on me, Issabelle. And with Him, no less! "
" You are jumping to conclusions, Severus. " Issabelle said calmly.
" I want to speak to you -- alone -- as soon as possible. " Snape said, his voice turning icy. " This time you've gone too far! "
******
" We had an arguement and you caught us making up. I swear to God I wasn't cheating on you, Severus! " Issabelle said, tears rolling down her cheeks.
" That's not what I saw. " Snape replied crisply, " Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a letter to write to the Ministry of Magic. "
" What? " Issabelle exclaimed, " What are you doing? "
" The game is over, Issabelle. Its time that Voldie payed for his crimes! "
" Things are gonna get ugly, then... " Issabelle said softly.
" Why? " Snape asked, a smug grin making its way across his face, " Sad that he's gonna be sent to a place darker then Azkaban? "
" I'm not so sure that the ministry is ready to fight Voldemort head-on. "
" Well, your opinion no longer matters. " Snape said flatly, " I'd be careful if I were you, or you might end up sharing his fate. "
" I'm following uncle Albus' orders -- nothing more, nothing less. " Issabelle said, " You are free to leave. "
Snape stared at her in disbelief for a minute and then walked away. As he made his way down the corridor he was in such a hurry that he bumped into Voldemort, who had gone to get a present he had bought for Issabelle.
" Well excuse you! " Voldemort said, looking up at Snape and trying to keep his temper.
" Move. Now. " Snape said. Looking down and realizing who it was, his face went as pale as alabastor, " Pardon me my lord... I had no idea... "
" Let me by. " Voldemort said, sending him a murderous look and continuing towards the room where Issabelle lay resting. Looking around as he entered, Voldemort felt his breath catch in his throat. Issabelle was sitting up, her long blonde hair falling over her face and her head resting in her hands. As he came nearer, he could see the tears that poured from her eyes like the silvery rain she had cast in Auroria.
" Its all... over... " she said as he came and put his arms around her again, " All hope is lost... He is going... Everything will be ruined... "
" What are you talking about? Who is going? And where? " Voldemort asked, stroking her hair and laying her head against his shoulder, " Tell me, my precious. Tell me what is wrong and I will make it better. I promise you. "
" I'm scared, Tom. " Issabelle whispered, " I don't know what to do. If I tell you, I am committing a crime. If I don't tell you, I am committing a crime. The question lies in which is the more criminal -- to defy society or to defy my heart. "
" That is something that only you can answer, Issie. I can't tell you. " Voldemort replied, wiping away her tears and laying her back down on the soft pillows. " I brought something for you. "
With trembling hands, Voldemort handed her a tiny box wrapped in a golden foiled paper and tyed with a red silk ribbon. Issabelle looked at it curiously and then with the greatest of care unwrapped it, revealing a beautiful black velvet box. Issabelle looked at the box intently, her heart beating a little faster as she opened the lid. But nothing could have prepared her for what she saw as she peeked inside.
" Issabelle Dumbledore, " Tom began, taking the beautiful ring out and kneeling by her bedside, " Will you... marry me? "
" I don't know what to say, Tom. " Issabelle said, fighting to make words come out of her mouth, " You are a wonderful man, but I am still seeing Severus. I can't just... well... you see what I mean. "
" Then the answer is no. " Voldemort said, his eyes dropping to the floor and several silent tears falling from his hardened face.
" Tom, I'm really sorry. I really... well... like you. But... "
" You've said enough. I've been wasting my time on you, Issabelle. I should have known you wouldn't marry a man like me from the start. " Voldemort said, standing up and starting to walk away.
" Please don't leave... " Issabelle said, her eyes following him as he moved.
When he faced her again, Issabelle could see that his eyes were red as burning coals and that he was clutching one of his hands in pain. A shiver of fright ran though her as he once again moved towards her, his skin pale as death. Instinctly, she moved over and he lay next to her, holding her in his arms. " Its all right, Issie... I'm here. "
" Tom, there are two things I need to tell you. One, my name is not Issabelle Dumbledore -- its Issabelle McChella. Two, someone in our midst has sent word of the castle's location to the ministry of magic. "
" Issabelle McChella? A professional Auror? " Voldemort said, jumping out of the bed, " What have you told the ministry? "
" I have not said a word. " Isssabelle said, " You are my friend. I know what would befall you if I betrayed your trust, so I simply revived any innocents that you endangered. "
" I see. Tell me the name of my betrayor, and I shall let this slide. "
" Promise me you will not hurt him. " Issabelle said, her eyes searching his.
" It's Severus. " Voldemort said, his tone emotionless, " I should have known. "
" What are you going to do? " Issabelle asked.
" Do not concern yourself with that, Issabelle. Be thankful that I love you as much as I do, as you would not have survived such a confession otherwise. Is that clear? "
" Yes, Tom. " Issabelle said, unable to meet his eyes, " Don't take the secret of my surname personally. Its just that I -- "
" I understand, Issabelle. I forgive you. Had you told me the truth in the start, I would have missed meeting the most wonderful sweet loving person to have ever graced this planet. I will not hurt him, if that will make you happy. "
" Thank you, Tom. I know it must be hard, but someday your patience will pay off. "
" Well, my sweet... " Voldemort said, looking at Issabele gently, " Things are going to get tough. "
" At least we have eachother. " Issabelle said, " Please don't leave me, Tom. I need you by my side now more then I have ever needed anyone in my entire life. "
[ A/N: I know that the last chapter was really tough to comment on since I did not focus on the central theme of the story. Thank you to those who did review, though!! That was not an easy one to write! Anyway, in this chapter we get to see the various reactions to the duel and Issabelle gets to show off some of her new powers in the real world. I have counted up the votes and they're pretty even. So, I am going to do an ending for each of the romantic scenarios. **This is not the end** Enjoy!! -- Kat. ]
The aroma of blueberry waffles made Issabelle very eager to open her eyes the next morning. Realizing how long it had been since she last ate, Issabelle did not object at all when Tom decided to help her with them, even going so far as to cut them into little peices. Issabelle drew the line when he tried to put the fork into her mouth, insisting she was capable of that much.
" How do you feel? " he asked, his eyes doing yet another scan of her slender body, " I mean, I'm sure you're not back to your usual perky self, but is there anything I can do for you, Issie? "
" I feel pretty decent. I should be up and around today, actually. " Issabelle said, taking another mouthful of waffle.
" No you won't! " Voldemort said, going very pale, " You need to recover for at least another week. We can not afford to take any chances. "
" I was an auror, Tom. I recover pretty quick. "
" Issabelle, you're the only person who has ever survived that spell. " Voldemort snapped, " I wrote it myself! "
" Disappointed yourself, eh? " Issabelle asked, beginning to chuckle.
" Possibly. " Voldemort said, his tone growing more agrivated by the minute, " The stunt you pulled last week would have sent many less fortunate witches and wizards to their grave. "
" Are you trying to scare me? " Issabelle asked, allowing her face to make it plain how dull she was finding his lecture.
" I do not allow traitors amung my Death Eaters. It causes questions of loyalty to come up amung their ranks and that does not benefit my perpose very well at all. Now, Issabelle... I have been very good to you and have let you get away with nearly anything, but you really need to take a side in all of this. "
" The only side I am taking is this: anyone I catch hurting little kids or my loved ones is gonna have hell to pay. I would be just as upset if someone were to harm you as I would be if someone were to harm uncle Albus. "
" Quit stalling, Issabelle. " Voldemort warned, " I want an answer. "
" Were the question fair you would get one. " Issabelle said, " So tell me, Did Harry and Hermoine escape? "
" How dare you! " Voldemort said furiously, his eyes flashing scarlet, " You've got 30 seconds to tell me what you're doing or I'll blow them and the rest of that damn school into such microscopic bits that no one will able to recignize the bodies, let alone revive them. "
" Take a nice deep breath and think carefully about what you are asking. " Issabelle said softly, " I think you'll see how irrational you are being. "
" I'm going to ask you this one more time, Issie... Who's side are you on? " Voldemort demanded, his eyes burning into hers with a passion she had not anticipated facing in these circumstances.
" You're serious? " Issabelle asked, her eyes opening a little wider.
" Yes! " Voldemort said, gazing down at her, " I need to know, especially since you're my head advisor. "
" I am loyal to you, Tom... However, I cannot bare to see harm done to an innocent or my family. Surely, you must be able to understand that. "
" Much better, Issabelle. " Voldemort said in a softer tone, " I have trouble sympathizing at times, but I'll do my best. I do not want to lose your loyalty. But I cannot help asking, did anything... happen... while you were asleep? "
" Indeed, many things happened! I think it will be easier to show then to tell, though. Now... let me see... " Issabellle glanced around the room until her eyes fell upon a photograph of a woman with a very mischevious smile and huge eyes. Carefully raising one of her hands she pointed a finger at the picture and focused intently on moving it using telekenisis.
The picture slowly began to levitate off the shelf and wobbily floated over to the bed, to Voldemort's amazement. Just when she believed she was in the clear, Issabelle's mind went blank, causing the picture to fall to the floor and smash into a million peices.
" Sorry! " Issabelle said, looking down at the shattered glass and wrinkled photograph in embarrassment, " I guess that still needs some work... "
" My mother's photo! Issie, how could you?! " Voldemort exclaimed, his face baring a look of utter horror.
" I really am sorry, Tom. It was an accident.. " Issabelle said, her bottom lip quivering slightly, " Want me to see if I can fix it? "
" No, no... You've done quite enough. " Voldemort replied, his sarcastic tone peircing her conscience like a knife. " Oh, dear! Don't cry, Issie. It can be easily fixed... Here... "
Issabelle accepted the hankercheif he offered her without a second thought and wiped her eyes. She certainly understood how much losing a parent hurt... well, loss, anyway. A tingling warmth began to seep through her senses and it was only then that she realized that she was being held. Looking up into his eyes, she felt her anxioty melt away.
" A-ha! " a confident voice shouted, its wringing presence demanding immediate attention and destroying the touching moment at hand, " I have proof at last. You have been cheating on me, Issabelle. And with Him, no less! "
" You are jumping to conclusions, Severus. " Issabelle said calmly.
" I want to speak to you -- alone -- as soon as possible. " Snape said, his voice turning icy. " This time you've gone too far! "
******
" We had an arguement and you caught us making up. I swear to God I wasn't cheating on you, Severus! " Issabelle said, tears rolling down her cheeks.
" That's not what I saw. " Snape replied crisply, " Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a letter to write to the Ministry of Magic. "
" What? " Issabelle exclaimed, " What are you doing? "
" The game is over, Issabelle. Its time that Voldie payed for his crimes! "
" Things are gonna get ugly, then... " Issabelle said softly.
" Why? " Snape asked, a smug grin making its way across his face, " Sad that he's gonna be sent to a place darker then Azkaban? "
" I'm not so sure that the ministry is ready to fight Voldemort head-on. "
" Well, your opinion no longer matters. " Snape said flatly, " I'd be careful if I were you, or you might end up sharing his fate. "
" I'm following uncle Albus' orders -- nothing more, nothing less. " Issabelle said, " You are free to leave. "
Snape stared at her in disbelief for a minute and then walked away. As he made his way down the corridor he was in such a hurry that he bumped into Voldemort, who had gone to get a present he had bought for Issabelle.
" Well excuse you! " Voldemort said, looking up at Snape and trying to keep his temper.
" Move. Now. " Snape said. Looking down and realizing who it was, his face went as pale as alabastor, " Pardon me my lord... I had no idea... "
" Let me by. " Voldemort said, sending him a murderous look and continuing towards the room where Issabelle lay resting. Looking around as he entered, Voldemort felt his breath catch in his throat. Issabelle was sitting up, her long blonde hair falling over her face and her head resting in her hands. As he came nearer, he could see the tears that poured from her eyes like the silvery rain she had cast in Auroria.
" Its all... over... " she said as he came and put his arms around her again, " All hope is lost... He is going... Everything will be ruined... "
" What are you talking about? Who is going? And where? " Voldemort asked, stroking her hair and laying her head against his shoulder, " Tell me, my precious. Tell me what is wrong and I will make it better. I promise you. "
" I'm scared, Tom. " Issabelle whispered, " I don't know what to do. If I tell you, I am committing a crime. If I don't tell you, I am committing a crime. The question lies in which is the more criminal -- to defy society or to defy my heart. "
" That is something that only you can answer, Issie. I can't tell you. " Voldemort replied, wiping away her tears and laying her back down on the soft pillows. " I brought something for you. "
With trembling hands, Voldemort handed her a tiny box wrapped in a golden foiled paper and tyed with a red silk ribbon. Issabelle looked at it curiously and then with the greatest of care unwrapped it, revealing a beautiful black velvet box. Issabelle looked at the box intently, her heart beating a little faster as she opened the lid. But nothing could have prepared her for what she saw as she peeked inside.
" Issabelle Dumbledore, " Tom began, taking the beautiful ring out and kneeling by her bedside, " Will you... marry me? "
" I don't know what to say, Tom. " Issabelle said, fighting to make words come out of her mouth, " You are a wonderful man, but I am still seeing Severus. I can't just... well... you see what I mean. "
" Then the answer is no. " Voldemort said, his eyes dropping to the floor and several silent tears falling from his hardened face.
" Tom, I'm really sorry. I really... well... like you. But... "
" You've said enough. I've been wasting my time on you, Issabelle. I should have known you wouldn't marry a man like me from the start. " Voldemort said, standing up and starting to walk away.
" Please don't leave... " Issabelle said, her eyes following him as he moved.
When he faced her again, Issabelle could see that his eyes were red as burning coals and that he was clutching one of his hands in pain. A shiver of fright ran though her as he once again moved towards her, his skin pale as death. Instinctly, she moved over and he lay next to her, holding her in his arms. " Its all right, Issie... I'm here. "
" Tom, there are two things I need to tell you. One, my name is not Issabelle Dumbledore -- its Issabelle McChella. Two, someone in our midst has sent word of the castle's location to the ministry of magic. "
" Issabelle McChella? A professional Auror? " Voldemort said, jumping out of the bed, " What have you told the ministry? "
" I have not said a word. " Isssabelle said, " You are my friend. I know what would befall you if I betrayed your trust, so I simply revived any innocents that you endangered. "
" I see. Tell me the name of my betrayor, and I shall let this slide. "
" Promise me you will not hurt him. " Issabelle said, her eyes searching his.
" It's Severus. " Voldemort said, his tone emotionless, " I should have known. "
" What are you going to do? " Issabelle asked.
" Do not concern yourself with that, Issabelle. Be thankful that I love you as much as I do, as you would not have survived such a confession otherwise. Is that clear? "
" Yes, Tom. " Issabelle said, unable to meet his eyes, " Don't take the secret of my surname personally. Its just that I -- "
" I understand, Issabelle. I forgive you. Had you told me the truth in the start, I would have missed meeting the most wonderful sweet loving person to have ever graced this planet. I will not hurt him, if that will make you happy. "
" Thank you, Tom. I know it must be hard, but someday your patience will pay off. "
" Well, my sweet... " Voldemort said, looking at Issabele gently, " Things are going to get tough. "
" At least we have eachother. " Issabelle said, " Please don't leave me, Tom. I need you by my side now more then I have ever needed anyone in my entire life. "