Snape's Secret Part XXI: The Great Battle
[ A/N: Here comes the **BIG** turning point, ladies and gentlemen!! :) Who will it be, who will it be?? Well... you'll have to read the next chapter to find that out since I *promised* I would do one for each scenario. Anyway, what brings about this life-altering change? Who will live and who will die? And will those who live be happy about it...? Please R/R!! Oh, and I am only going to majorly continue with one of the couples after this split ending: Guess which -- I/S or I/V?? :) ]
Issabelle awoke, feeling a breeze of passion gently move several strands of her golden hair, tickling her neck. Even before she opened her eyes, she could tell that it was Tom by her side. She could feel his arms, still around her, enveloping and protecting her from the outside world. As she gazed at him, it almost overwhelmed her how vaulnurable he looked with his feirce scarlet eyes closed. Then again, they weren't always scarlet...
Moving slightly to get more comfortable, Issabelle put one of her arms around him and soon fell to another wave of blissful slumber. Within minutes, however, that sweet tranquility was destroyed with a deafening crash.
" What was that? " Issabelle whispered, her eyes scanning the room. The silence felt mocking, as she waited, beckoning something to challenge that it was not her imagination. Then, it came.
" This way! " a voice shouted, sending her senses into a state of panic. The voice sounded familar, but unwelcome. Where had she heard it before?
" Tom... " Issabelle whispered, " Tom... Wake up! "
" Uh... Let me sleep, sweetheart... " Tom said, rolling over.
" Tom! It's an emergency! " Issabelle said, forcing herself to stay quiet, but still feeling a note of panic enter her voice.
" What's wrong? " Tom asked, his eyes searching Issabelle quickly to make sure she was not hurt, " Are you feeling okay? "
" Quiet... " Issabelle said, moving closer to him. His heart began to race as her warm skin pressed against his and he realized she was trembling. " There are strangers in the castle. "
" Why are you scared, Issie? " Tom asked, cradling her in his arms, " Surely, they will not hurt you. I need you to be brave, precious. "
" Its not that... " Issabelle said, her voice wobbling as the words left her mouth, " I'm scared of what they will do to you. "
" Don't worry about that, my sweet... " Tom said, kissing her lips and then the tip of her nose, " They'd never be able to beat me in a duel. "
" Wanna test that, Riddle? " a cool voice said. It seemed that the stranger sucked all of the emotion out of the room, his tall muscular figure silloetted against the patch of moonlight that hit the doorway.
" James! Get outta here! You're no match for Voldie! " Issabelle said, her eyes traveling from her partner of five years to Tom and back again.
" What have you done to her, you bastard! " James shouted, drawing his wand and giving Voldemort a crazy stare, " How dare you! You don't even deserve to live on the same planet as her... let alone... Dammit! I can't even bring myself to say it! "
" James, don't! " Issabelle pleaded, " I can explain everything... "
" What have you done to her, you pri -- "
" Enough. " Tom said, his eyes focusing entently on the youth before him, " You want to fight me, kid? Do you know what I do to those I beat? "
" Cut to the chase, Voldemort! " James snapped, " Accio asshole wizard laying in bed with my little sis! "
Voldemort laughed as his body began to float off the bed and lazily picked up his wand as he passed the dresser. His long purple robes were rumplied but still intact, covering his slender body perfectly. " Are you satisfied now, young one? Will you renounce your challenge? "
" Never! " James said, laughing, " I'm gonna be world famous when I beat you! "
" Cucio! " Voldemort said, the word coming out of his mouth with such ferocity that Issabelle shivered.
James fell to the floor, his arms and legs flailing as he screamed in pain. Voldemort watched him with amusement, pausing to yawn and give a tired look at Issabelle. It was when he did this that he felt hs blood run cold. She was in tears. Tom felt his heart breaking as he looked at her pained face, although the reason for her sadness was unknown. She had not even wept when he cast the spell on Snape, yet here she was, crying hystarically over the fate of a stranger.
" Relicio! " Voldemort said, setting his wand down and running over to Issabelle, " What's wrong? "
" He... we... I... " Issabelle stammered, unable to catch her breath.
" Breathe... " Tom said, hugging her, " Now try. "
" He and I have protected eachother since our first day as Aurors. He was my partner. That's why he freaked on you. "
" I do recall telling a very beautiful woman that being an Auror was a bad career choice last summer. I caught her spying on a meeting. " Tom said, " I wonder if my advice would have been taken more seriously now? "
" Yes, it certainly would have. " Issabelle said, wiping her eyes and looking away, " What are you going to do about him, Tom? I do not think he will be getting back up anytime soon. "
" You know the answer to that, Issie.. We can't risk it. I'm sorry... " Voldemort said, sighing. Issabelle felt tears fighting to escape from her eyes and looked away, " Avada Kadevra! "
" Let's... get out of here... " Issabelle said, dizziness sweeping over her, " He was not alone. "
" Right. " Tom said, helping her out of the bed and carrying her down the hall, " I'm sorry, Issie. I -- "
" Save your speech, Tom. This is not the time. " Issabelle said, struggling free of his protective grasp and facing him.
" Nothing else could be done. " Tom said, taking hold of her arm.
" Don't touch me! " Issabelle shouted, her voice echoing off the walls.
" That's smart, isn't it? Do you want them to find us? " Tom asked, still not letting go.
" Maybe I do! " Issabelle said, letting out a bitter laugh, " You disgust me. "
" Listen to me, Issabelle! " Tom said, taking an even tighter grasp on her arm, " I am sure I could not fathom how angry you are with me right now. I don't blame you, either. What you've just been through is enough to make anyone upset. But now is not the time to play games with me. Do you understand? "
" Yes, Tom. " Issabelle said, the silent tears now falling freely, " I've got to pull myself together. Do you have a plan? "
" Yes. " Tom said, pulling her against him and rocking her in his arms. " I'm sorry, Issie... He challenged me. What could I do? I tried to talk him out of it. Not even you would posess the healing that would have been necessary. I can't believe he thought that I was... "
" I know. " Issabelle said, letting out a weary sigh, " This is not gonna go away quick, though. "
" We'll get through it together. " Tom said, tears now filling his eyes as well, " I love you, Issie. Had I known that was going to happen, I would have -- "
" Tom, please. What's done is done. Let's not let it destroy our home. " Issabelle said, wiping his eyes and kissing him " What is your plan? "
" First, I'm going to hide you. " Tom said, fighting against the lump in his throat, " It's strange, Issabelle. I've never... well... regretted a duel before. "
" Then I'd say James did not die in vain. He taught us each a valuable lesson. " Issabelle said, patting his arm, " God I hate the ministry! Why did they let him come? Fudge must have known he'd do something rash! He wasn't ready. He didn't have the skills in rationale to make it as an Auror. It makes me sick! "
" Hush! " Tom whispered, coving her mouth. There it was again. Footsteps, coming closer and closer every second. In an instant Tom's wand pressed against a brick in the wall and a secret door opened. " Get in. Now. "
The coldness of the stone walls felt ghastly against Issabelle's bare arms as she stepped into the darkened tunnel. A pair of blazing red eyes met hers and for a moment she jumped back without thinking. " Tom? "
" This way, Issie. " Tom said squeezing by her and taking her hand, " Once we get to the end of this tunnel, we should be safe. "
******
" Shit! " Tom hissed, poking his head out of the tunnel exit.
" What's wrong? "
" Quiet, Issabelle. " Tom whispered, " I've made a grave error in judgement. "
" How so? "
" Well, look. " Tom said, allowing her to peep outside. Sparks off of wands fell like fireworks against the velvet sky as Death Eators and Aurors battled eachother on the grassy plains below.
" This is a disaster. " Issabelle said, her heart slamming against her chest in terror, " Are we going to help? "
" Not yet, my sweet. " Tom said, pulling her away from the opening " My Death Eators will defeat them. "
" Uncle Arthur... ? " Issabelle asked, poking her head out of the hole again, " This is getting very ugly, Tom. Oh, no! Peter, look out! "
It was too late. As Issabelle and Tom watched from the safety of the tunnel, Severus cunningly made his way up to Wormtail. In a flash, his wand rose in the air and a shot of green light tinted the sky. Then, Peter fell with a cry of agony to the depths below, his body crashing against the angry waves.
" You're gonna pay for that, Snape! " Issabelle shouted, running out of the tunnel and towards the ledge where Snape stood with his right hand raised in victory. Tom watched her and sighed. Surely, she wasn't going to kill him. That he knew. As much as he loved Issabelle, right now she was in the way. A sudden shiver of fright made its way down his spine as he followed her with his eyes.
" Going somewhere, McChella? " a cold voice asked, jumping down from a ledge above and blocking her path.
" Get outta my way, Lucius! " Issabelle said, trying to push by him.
" I don't move for spies. " Lucius replied, smirking, " Cucio! "
The landscape became a mangled blur to Issabelle's eyes as the word left his mouth, and a scorching pain started to comsume her body. The repetitive sparks of the feiry magic was torture beyond anything Issabelle had ever known and as she sank to her knees, one high ear-splitting cry peircing the spring-tinged air.
" Does it hurt, Issabelle? " Lucius asked, grinning, " I'm just getting started. "
" Y-yes... " Issabelle managed to choke, her eyes still rolling madly.
" Good! " he laughed. As he focused on the spell, the pain increased, causing blood to pour out of Issabelle's mouth as she gave another more muffled cry. " Relicio! "
" Y-you... " Issabelle croaked, forcing her eyes to stay open.
" You've overworn your welcome, my dear. Have a look around -- it's the last thing you'll ever see. " Lucius said, laughing. " Meteora! "
" NO! " Tom screamed, jumping directly in front of Lucius' wand as he spoke the word which would have meant Issabelle's death. The flash of red shot out and hit him directly in the chest, knocking him to the ground.
" Superfly! " Snape shouted, coming up behind Lucius from the opposite direction, " So you want a duel, Malfoy? Why not try taking me on? "
" Gladly. " Lucius replied, following Snape as he purosely continued to move the fight away from where Issabelle lay wounded.
******
" Issabelle... " Tom said, taking one of her limp hands in his own, " No... "
" Tom... " she said, her voice barely audible, " I... I don't... "
" I want you to listen, my precious. " Tom said, " I only have a few minutes to explain something very important to you. "
" What do you mean... ? "
" Shh... Please listen. " Tom said, smoothing her hair away from her bloody face, " You see this ring? Well, its the core of my power. It makes me immune to the attacks of other wizards and makes my powers three times stronger then they normally would be. It also has amazing healing abilities. "
" I don't understand... "
" Issabelle, you are very ill. What he did to you... I can't even bare to think of it. I've failed you miserably... I only managed to block his final curse... "
" You... ? Sheilded me from... "
" Yes. Now... You are still very weak, Issie. I can't let anything happen to you. That's why I'm giving you my ring. "
" No... What about you... ? "
" Hush, precious. What would life be for me without you? I'll tell you this... I wouldn't want to find out. Now, don't worry. It will all be okay. " Tom said, kissing her forehead and taking the ring off his finger. Strength began failing him instantly and he had to struggle to put it on one of her fingers securely. " Have you ever... even for a moment... even slightly... loved me, Issabelle? "
" Yes. Of course I have... " Issabelle said, tears beginning to trickle down her cheeks.
" Don't cry, Issabelle... When you said that.. that... was the happiest moment of my life. I love you, and I'll always be with you. "
" Please don't die, Tom... Please... "
" Good bye. "
[ A/N: Here comes the **BIG** turning point, ladies and gentlemen!! :) Who will it be, who will it be?? Well... you'll have to read the next chapter to find that out since I *promised* I would do one for each scenario. Anyway, what brings about this life-altering change? Who will live and who will die? And will those who live be happy about it...? Please R/R!! Oh, and I am only going to majorly continue with one of the couples after this split ending: Guess which -- I/S or I/V?? :) ]
Issabelle awoke, feeling a breeze of passion gently move several strands of her golden hair, tickling her neck. Even before she opened her eyes, she could tell that it was Tom by her side. She could feel his arms, still around her, enveloping and protecting her from the outside world. As she gazed at him, it almost overwhelmed her how vaulnurable he looked with his feirce scarlet eyes closed. Then again, they weren't always scarlet...
Moving slightly to get more comfortable, Issabelle put one of her arms around him and soon fell to another wave of blissful slumber. Within minutes, however, that sweet tranquility was destroyed with a deafening crash.
" What was that? " Issabelle whispered, her eyes scanning the room. The silence felt mocking, as she waited, beckoning something to challenge that it was not her imagination. Then, it came.
" This way! " a voice shouted, sending her senses into a state of panic. The voice sounded familar, but unwelcome. Where had she heard it before?
" Tom... " Issabelle whispered, " Tom... Wake up! "
" Uh... Let me sleep, sweetheart... " Tom said, rolling over.
" Tom! It's an emergency! " Issabelle said, forcing herself to stay quiet, but still feeling a note of panic enter her voice.
" What's wrong? " Tom asked, his eyes searching Issabelle quickly to make sure she was not hurt, " Are you feeling okay? "
" Quiet... " Issabelle said, moving closer to him. His heart began to race as her warm skin pressed against his and he realized she was trembling. " There are strangers in the castle. "
" Why are you scared, Issie? " Tom asked, cradling her in his arms, " Surely, they will not hurt you. I need you to be brave, precious. "
" Its not that... " Issabelle said, her voice wobbling as the words left her mouth, " I'm scared of what they will do to you. "
" Don't worry about that, my sweet... " Tom said, kissing her lips and then the tip of her nose, " They'd never be able to beat me in a duel. "
" Wanna test that, Riddle? " a cool voice said. It seemed that the stranger sucked all of the emotion out of the room, his tall muscular figure silloetted against the patch of moonlight that hit the doorway.
" James! Get outta here! You're no match for Voldie! " Issabelle said, her eyes traveling from her partner of five years to Tom and back again.
" What have you done to her, you bastard! " James shouted, drawing his wand and giving Voldemort a crazy stare, " How dare you! You don't even deserve to live on the same planet as her... let alone... Dammit! I can't even bring myself to say it! "
" James, don't! " Issabelle pleaded, " I can explain everything... "
" What have you done to her, you pri -- "
" Enough. " Tom said, his eyes focusing entently on the youth before him, " You want to fight me, kid? Do you know what I do to those I beat? "
" Cut to the chase, Voldemort! " James snapped, " Accio asshole wizard laying in bed with my little sis! "
Voldemort laughed as his body began to float off the bed and lazily picked up his wand as he passed the dresser. His long purple robes were rumplied but still intact, covering his slender body perfectly. " Are you satisfied now, young one? Will you renounce your challenge? "
" Never! " James said, laughing, " I'm gonna be world famous when I beat you! "
" Cucio! " Voldemort said, the word coming out of his mouth with such ferocity that Issabelle shivered.
James fell to the floor, his arms and legs flailing as he screamed in pain. Voldemort watched him with amusement, pausing to yawn and give a tired look at Issabelle. It was when he did this that he felt hs blood run cold. She was in tears. Tom felt his heart breaking as he looked at her pained face, although the reason for her sadness was unknown. She had not even wept when he cast the spell on Snape, yet here she was, crying hystarically over the fate of a stranger.
" Relicio! " Voldemort said, setting his wand down and running over to Issabelle, " What's wrong? "
" He... we... I... " Issabelle stammered, unable to catch her breath.
" Breathe... " Tom said, hugging her, " Now try. "
" He and I have protected eachother since our first day as Aurors. He was my partner. That's why he freaked on you. "
" I do recall telling a very beautiful woman that being an Auror was a bad career choice last summer. I caught her spying on a meeting. " Tom said, " I wonder if my advice would have been taken more seriously now? "
" Yes, it certainly would have. " Issabelle said, wiping her eyes and looking away, " What are you going to do about him, Tom? I do not think he will be getting back up anytime soon. "
" You know the answer to that, Issie.. We can't risk it. I'm sorry... " Voldemort said, sighing. Issabelle felt tears fighting to escape from her eyes and looked away, " Avada Kadevra! "
" Let's... get out of here... " Issabelle said, dizziness sweeping over her, " He was not alone. "
" Right. " Tom said, helping her out of the bed and carrying her down the hall, " I'm sorry, Issie. I -- "
" Save your speech, Tom. This is not the time. " Issabelle said, struggling free of his protective grasp and facing him.
" Nothing else could be done. " Tom said, taking hold of her arm.
" Don't touch me! " Issabelle shouted, her voice echoing off the walls.
" That's smart, isn't it? Do you want them to find us? " Tom asked, still not letting go.
" Maybe I do! " Issabelle said, letting out a bitter laugh, " You disgust me. "
" Listen to me, Issabelle! " Tom said, taking an even tighter grasp on her arm, " I am sure I could not fathom how angry you are with me right now. I don't blame you, either. What you've just been through is enough to make anyone upset. But now is not the time to play games with me. Do you understand? "
" Yes, Tom. " Issabelle said, the silent tears now falling freely, " I've got to pull myself together. Do you have a plan? "
" Yes. " Tom said, pulling her against him and rocking her in his arms. " I'm sorry, Issie... He challenged me. What could I do? I tried to talk him out of it. Not even you would posess the healing that would have been necessary. I can't believe he thought that I was... "
" I know. " Issabelle said, letting out a weary sigh, " This is not gonna go away quick, though. "
" We'll get through it together. " Tom said, tears now filling his eyes as well, " I love you, Issie. Had I known that was going to happen, I would have -- "
" Tom, please. What's done is done. Let's not let it destroy our home. " Issabelle said, wiping his eyes and kissing him " What is your plan? "
" First, I'm going to hide you. " Tom said, fighting against the lump in his throat, " It's strange, Issabelle. I've never... well... regretted a duel before. "
" Then I'd say James did not die in vain. He taught us each a valuable lesson. " Issabelle said, patting his arm, " God I hate the ministry! Why did they let him come? Fudge must have known he'd do something rash! He wasn't ready. He didn't have the skills in rationale to make it as an Auror. It makes me sick! "
" Hush! " Tom whispered, coving her mouth. There it was again. Footsteps, coming closer and closer every second. In an instant Tom's wand pressed against a brick in the wall and a secret door opened. " Get in. Now. "
The coldness of the stone walls felt ghastly against Issabelle's bare arms as she stepped into the darkened tunnel. A pair of blazing red eyes met hers and for a moment she jumped back without thinking. " Tom? "
" This way, Issie. " Tom said squeezing by her and taking her hand, " Once we get to the end of this tunnel, we should be safe. "
******
" Shit! " Tom hissed, poking his head out of the tunnel exit.
" What's wrong? "
" Quiet, Issabelle. " Tom whispered, " I've made a grave error in judgement. "
" How so? "
" Well, look. " Tom said, allowing her to peep outside. Sparks off of wands fell like fireworks against the velvet sky as Death Eators and Aurors battled eachother on the grassy plains below.
" This is a disaster. " Issabelle said, her heart slamming against her chest in terror, " Are we going to help? "
" Not yet, my sweet. " Tom said, pulling her away from the opening " My Death Eators will defeat them. "
" Uncle Arthur... ? " Issabelle asked, poking her head out of the hole again, " This is getting very ugly, Tom. Oh, no! Peter, look out! "
It was too late. As Issabelle and Tom watched from the safety of the tunnel, Severus cunningly made his way up to Wormtail. In a flash, his wand rose in the air and a shot of green light tinted the sky. Then, Peter fell with a cry of agony to the depths below, his body crashing against the angry waves.
" You're gonna pay for that, Snape! " Issabelle shouted, running out of the tunnel and towards the ledge where Snape stood with his right hand raised in victory. Tom watched her and sighed. Surely, she wasn't going to kill him. That he knew. As much as he loved Issabelle, right now she was in the way. A sudden shiver of fright made its way down his spine as he followed her with his eyes.
" Going somewhere, McChella? " a cold voice asked, jumping down from a ledge above and blocking her path.
" Get outta my way, Lucius! " Issabelle said, trying to push by him.
" I don't move for spies. " Lucius replied, smirking, " Cucio! "
The landscape became a mangled blur to Issabelle's eyes as the word left his mouth, and a scorching pain started to comsume her body. The repetitive sparks of the feiry magic was torture beyond anything Issabelle had ever known and as she sank to her knees, one high ear-splitting cry peircing the spring-tinged air.
" Does it hurt, Issabelle? " Lucius asked, grinning, " I'm just getting started. "
" Y-yes... " Issabelle managed to choke, her eyes still rolling madly.
" Good! " he laughed. As he focused on the spell, the pain increased, causing blood to pour out of Issabelle's mouth as she gave another more muffled cry. " Relicio! "
" Y-you... " Issabelle croaked, forcing her eyes to stay open.
" You've overworn your welcome, my dear. Have a look around -- it's the last thing you'll ever see. " Lucius said, laughing. " Meteora! "
" NO! " Tom screamed, jumping directly in front of Lucius' wand as he spoke the word which would have meant Issabelle's death. The flash of red shot out and hit him directly in the chest, knocking him to the ground.
" Superfly! " Snape shouted, coming up behind Lucius from the opposite direction, " So you want a duel, Malfoy? Why not try taking me on? "
" Gladly. " Lucius replied, following Snape as he purosely continued to move the fight away from where Issabelle lay wounded.
******
" Issabelle... " Tom said, taking one of her limp hands in his own, " No... "
" Tom... " she said, her voice barely audible, " I... I don't... "
" I want you to listen, my precious. " Tom said, " I only have a few minutes to explain something very important to you. "
" What do you mean... ? "
" Shh... Please listen. " Tom said, smoothing her hair away from her bloody face, " You see this ring? Well, its the core of my power. It makes me immune to the attacks of other wizards and makes my powers three times stronger then they normally would be. It also has amazing healing abilities. "
" I don't understand... "
" Issabelle, you are very ill. What he did to you... I can't even bare to think of it. I've failed you miserably... I only managed to block his final curse... "
" You... ? Sheilded me from... "
" Yes. Now... You are still very weak, Issie. I can't let anything happen to you. That's why I'm giving you my ring. "
" No... What about you... ? "
" Hush, precious. What would life be for me without you? I'll tell you this... I wouldn't want to find out. Now, don't worry. It will all be okay. " Tom said, kissing her forehead and taking the ring off his finger. Strength began failing him instantly and he had to struggle to put it on one of her fingers securely. " Have you ever... even for a moment... even slightly... loved me, Issabelle? "
" Yes. Of course I have... " Issabelle said, tears beginning to trickle down her cheeks.
" Don't cry, Issabelle... When you said that.. that... was the happiest moment of my life. I love you, and I'll always be with you. "
" Please don't die, Tom... Please... "
" Good bye. "