Snape's Secret Part XXII: Judgement Day
[ A/N: I know that some people are going to find this chapter controvercial. If any new readers look at this, I am 'risking' flames. But I don't care. I'm writing this because this is how I see Voldie, and it looks like at least some of you enjoy it. While reading the upcoming chapter(s), I would like you to ponder this idea: " What if Voldie wasn't purely evil of his own account? " We have already identified that he is capable of feeling regret, love and *I'll type the gasp for the newcommer here!* sometimes even mercy. Please r/r and enjoy!!! -- Kat ]
" Tom... " Issabelle said, the silence of the sheltered ledge beginning to weigh on her nerves. Below, she could hear the cries of Death Eators and Ministry wizards and the snap-hiss of wands casting one violent curse or another, but as she peered down at Tom's lifeless body she felt as though she had left the rest of the world behind. She loved him. She really, truly loved him, and now it was all too late. Too late to tell him. Too late to push away the idea that had just seized her. As she looked up she realized a new sensation of terror -- it was even to late to fake being in love with Snape.
" What are you doing here, Issabelle? " he asked, coming up beside her and finally spotting Tom's motionless figure. Issabelle's stomach burned with a sickening disgust as she watched a smile form upon his sharp-featured face. " He's dead! Voldemort's dead! You killed him! Wonderful! "
" Your wrong. " Issabelle said quietly, " Now, go. I want a few minutes alone. "
" You want me to leave you with his corpse? " Snape asked, staring at her in disbelief.
" Just go! " Issabelle exclaimed, suddenly looking very desparate. Snape smiled as this fact dawned on him.
" Aww... Issie, I know it must be hard. You can't help getting a bit attached when you've been on such a lengthy -- "
" GO! "
" Fine. " Snape said, getting up and shaking his head. Though he racked his brain with every ounce of wit he posessed he could not figure out why she wanted to stay with a dead body.
When she was certain that Snape was out of sight, Issabelle immediately set her task underway. He had died for her, which meant he had done an unselfish deed. Would Snape have done that? It didn't matter, of course. One man's life cannot be weighed against that of another. The point was that Tom could be saved. At the very least, it was worth a try.
" Please... " Issabelle whispered, shimmery silver tears pouring down her cheeks, " Please wake up! Oh, please please wake up! I love you! Tom, please! Wake up! Wake up! "
" Issie... ? " Tom said, his eyes flickering open, " Where am I? What's going on? "
" You're alive! " Issabelle said, pulling him into a frantic embrace, " I thought I'd never see you again! "
" I'm glad to see you too, precious. " Tom said, returning her hug, " But where are the ministry wizards? Are they gone? "
" No... "
" What? " Tom asked, his face going slightly pale, " How are we going to escape, then? "
" We aren't. " Issabelle said, laughing.
" Then what are we going to do? " Tom said, panic edging into his usually calm voice.
" Explain our case. " Issabelle said. Tom realized that she truly believed that the ministry would let him off. She was not doing this at all in spite, and that was the irony of the whole thing. Deep down, though, Tom knew that would not be the way it would end.
" Issie, darling... I know this will be a shock since you were an auror and all but... I don't think it will be that easy. " Tom said gently, taking one of her hands, " I've done a hell of a lot of awful things. They're not going to just let me off... Unless... "
" What, Tom? " Issabelle asked, hanging on his every word.
" Oh, nothing. Hey, you better take that ring off. It looks like you have some kind of alergy to the metal. "
" Yeah. Good idea. " Issabelle said, beginning to slide the ring off her finger. As she moved it, a powerful shock was released which made her lift her hand away in a hurry, " Ouch! "
" Here. Let me do it. " Tom said, carefully pulling it away. As she watched, Issabelle finally remembered why she had suspected the ring to begin with. There was something Tom was not telling her and she had a hunch about what.
" I've seen that ring before. " Issabelle said, her voice full of an unnatural graveness, " It was my father's. "
" How can that be? " Tom asked, " My father gave this to me. "
" No he didn't. " Issabelle said, " I watched you receive that ring, Tom Riddle! You got it the night I was spying on you. "
" So what? " Tom said, shrugging his shoulders.
" So... Whenever my father wore that ring he was a different man. He use to... " Issabelle paused to swallow the lump that had formed in her throat, " ... to... beat my mother and he was always bringing strangers into the house... He was a monster when he was under one of its rages... "
" How can you blame his acions on the ring? "
" Because he only did that stuff when he was wearing it. And I can feel his presence in it even now. Tom, this isn't an ordinary ring. It's... alive! "
" Nonsense, my sweet. How can that be possible? "
" Because it does the same thing to you... Only this time I saw it from the start. " Issabelle explained, " You were wearing it the night you met us, when you put the curse on Sev. "
" You've defeated you're theory, then, because -- "
" But you were not wearing it when you came to see me that night. " Issabelle finished, giving him a satisfied smile, " And it was the same during all of the good and bad of the last six months, Tom. "
" You're right, Issabelle. Now that its off, I can see that. But how can we prove that to the ministry? "
" That's the hard part, most definately. " Issabelle said. Footsteps were beginning to become audible in the distance and eventually Issabelle saw Fudge come through the clearing, " But it looks like we'll get our chance. "
******
" All rise! " a court clerk said, his voice showing a hint of bordem, " The case of The Ministry of Magic versus Tom Marvelo Riddle will now come into session. You may be seated. "
Issabelle looked around the room and held in a disappointed sigh. Everywhere, she could see people wearing knowing smiles, as though they could predict the future and knew that Tom's was not going to be pretty. It saddened her to think that no one had taken the time to even question him. Regardless, she had fought tooth and nail to ensure he received a trial, though she was beginning to have second thoughts on how fair it would be. Maybe he was right. Maybe they should have run away together...
" Miss McChella, " Corneilius Fudge said sharply, pulling her out of her thoughts, " Seeing that it is you that is determined to waste our time holding this trial, I would suggest that you focus on what is happening. I want to make sure you see that he gets sentanced. "
" I am not known as one to beat around the bush, " Issabelle said, standing up, " And I will make this case no exception. It has come to my attention that Mr. Riddle had outside circumstances which caused several of the key charges against him. Based on my own first hand observation and the discovery of a very crucial peice of evidence I can prove that he is neither a threat to our society or our way of life. "
" You seriously doubt that, but you may proceed. This should prove amusing. "
" I have here an ancient artifact which, when worn by a person, eventually takes over their whole being. " Issabelle said, sliding her hand in her pocket and going white when it came out empty, " Oh, dear... "
" Is this some kind of joke, Miss McChella? Are you trying to insult me? " Fudge demanded.
" I assure you, Minister, this is no joke. It is a serious problem which is going to heavily damage my whole case. I suggest that we auspend the hearing so an immediate investigation can begin. "
" The suggestion is denied. Issabelle, you do not hold the power of judgement here. I would suggest you close your mouth before I decide to send you to the same fate I will send him. " Fudge warned, " You may sit and hold your silence. "
" I'm not done -- "
" Yes, you are, Miss McChella. This case is over. You have no evidence. " Fudge said, " Furthermore, your credability as a member of our Aurors isn't so great either... You've always been a bit of a stigma on the group... "
" How dare you speak to her like that! " Tom said, standing up. His beautiful hazel eyes glistened with an angry passion that Issabelle found even more intimidating then when his eyes had turned scarlet, " I have sat and cooperated with your ministry out of civil decency. I could just as easily kill everyone in this room without a second thought. I do not tempt me, Mr. Fudge, because though I did not directly commit the crimes you charge me with I would not have a second regret if I felt Issabelle was being threatend. "
" Tom, please! Control -- " Issabelle said.
" Tom Riddle, I hearby find you guilty of the following criminal offences: murder, treason, assult, kidnapping, vandalism and terrorism. Added to that, I wish to state that a case as vulgar and atrocious has never been witnessed in this court before today. I feel that an especially severe penalty is in order to begin repaying all of the people who have suffered from your evil doings. Therefore, I sentance you to life on the Isle of Despair. This case is finished. "
******
" What is the Isle of Despair? " Issabelle asked, resting her chin in one of her hands, " Surely I will find a way to set things right... "
" That's if there is anything left of me when you find the ring. " Tom muttered, " No one has ever gone there and lived. It takes all your worst fears, all your worst memories and all the things you miss most from your life and uses them to play with your head. "
" Oh, Tom! " Issabelle said, her voice waivering slightly, " I'm so sorry. I should have listened to you... We could have been so happy... What am I saying? We will be happy! We will make it through this! I don't care how hard it is, I'll find that ring. And when I find out who stole it, my reaction will not be nice... "
" No, Issie. " Tom said, pulling her against him and hugging her tightly, " I want you to promise me you will not do anything violent. I want you to stay the nice sweet Issabelle that I love, okay? Seeing you become dark and full of hate would be like seeing the sun refuse to shine. Promise me that you will not let the cost of my freedom be the goodness inside your heart. If it wasn't for you, I might have become the soul trapped inside that ring... "
" Its all so unfair, though! " Issabelle said, her eyes blazing with a sense of injustice, " What they're doing is wrong! "
" I know, precious, I know... " Tom said, sighing, " But we'll have to weigh it out. Now listen to me, okay? You really have to get outta here, because this isn't weighing well on your credibility, and we need that if there is any hope at all for things to be set right. "
" I practically am hope, you nit-wit! " Issabelle said, suddenly slapping a palm against her forehead, " Why didn't I think of this sooner, Tom? Isle of despair -- with my magic I can cast a spell to keep that from doing so much damage... "
" Uhhh... " Tom paused, looking down, " Don't take this the wrong way, Issie, but your magic usually isn't the most powerful, ya know... "
" My magic is only really strong when someone has a cause for it to be so. This is one of those times. " Issabelle said, " Luminia Envelopus! "
A brilliant set of prismed lights began to swirl around Tom, enveloping him in a warm and tingling glow. Smiling, Issabelle stood back and watched her spellwork with pride. Surely, that would offer some protection to him, and she was the only one who knew how to do it. Suddenly the door swung open feircely.
" Outta the way, McChella! " Fudge said, shoving her out of the way, " The Dementors are here to take our friend on his one way journey. "
" Watch your step, you klutz! You nearly knocked her over! " Tom snapped.
" Who said it was accidental? " Fudge hissed, an infuriating smirk crossing his face, " Kiss your litle mudblood friend good bye, Riddle! You'll never see her again. "
" You say one more word about her and I'll -- "
" Take him away! " Fudge said, motioning to two wizards standing guard, " Issabelle, there is a fine gentleman waiting to speak to you in the main section of the office. Do not keep him waiting. "
******
" Hello, Issie. " Snape said, looking up from an expensive leather chair at the main desk, " Did you drop this? I found it when Tom had the struggle with the ministry. "
Gazing down at his open hand, Issabelle's mouth dropped open in amazement. Snape had the Ring of Darkness. The one peice of evidence which would have cleared Tom's name forever. Everything was going to be okay.
" Oh, how wonderful! " Issabelle exclaimed, " Let me take it and show Fudge! This will solve everything! "
" It would... If I planned on giving it to you. " Snape said, closing his hand around it, " Unfortunately for Tom, I don't. "
" Why? "
" How can you be so niave, Issabelle! " Snape shouted, " He nearly destroyed our relationship! He tried to take you from me! He deserves what he is getting! "
" You know, Severus, there's one small problem with our relationship, and I've been meaning to tell you for a while now, " Issabelle said, taking a deep breath, " I love Tom. "
[ A/N: I know that some people are going to find this chapter controvercial. If any new readers look at this, I am 'risking' flames. But I don't care. I'm writing this because this is how I see Voldie, and it looks like at least some of you enjoy it. While reading the upcoming chapter(s), I would like you to ponder this idea: " What if Voldie wasn't purely evil of his own account? " We have already identified that he is capable of feeling regret, love and *I'll type the gasp for the newcommer here!* sometimes even mercy. Please r/r and enjoy!!! -- Kat ]
" Tom... " Issabelle said, the silence of the sheltered ledge beginning to weigh on her nerves. Below, she could hear the cries of Death Eators and Ministry wizards and the snap-hiss of wands casting one violent curse or another, but as she peered down at Tom's lifeless body she felt as though she had left the rest of the world behind. She loved him. She really, truly loved him, and now it was all too late. Too late to tell him. Too late to push away the idea that had just seized her. As she looked up she realized a new sensation of terror -- it was even to late to fake being in love with Snape.
" What are you doing here, Issabelle? " he asked, coming up beside her and finally spotting Tom's motionless figure. Issabelle's stomach burned with a sickening disgust as she watched a smile form upon his sharp-featured face. " He's dead! Voldemort's dead! You killed him! Wonderful! "
" Your wrong. " Issabelle said quietly, " Now, go. I want a few minutes alone. "
" You want me to leave you with his corpse? " Snape asked, staring at her in disbelief.
" Just go! " Issabelle exclaimed, suddenly looking very desparate. Snape smiled as this fact dawned on him.
" Aww... Issie, I know it must be hard. You can't help getting a bit attached when you've been on such a lengthy -- "
" GO! "
" Fine. " Snape said, getting up and shaking his head. Though he racked his brain with every ounce of wit he posessed he could not figure out why she wanted to stay with a dead body.
When she was certain that Snape was out of sight, Issabelle immediately set her task underway. He had died for her, which meant he had done an unselfish deed. Would Snape have done that? It didn't matter, of course. One man's life cannot be weighed against that of another. The point was that Tom could be saved. At the very least, it was worth a try.
" Please... " Issabelle whispered, shimmery silver tears pouring down her cheeks, " Please wake up! Oh, please please wake up! I love you! Tom, please! Wake up! Wake up! "
" Issie... ? " Tom said, his eyes flickering open, " Where am I? What's going on? "
" You're alive! " Issabelle said, pulling him into a frantic embrace, " I thought I'd never see you again! "
" I'm glad to see you too, precious. " Tom said, returning her hug, " But where are the ministry wizards? Are they gone? "
" No... "
" What? " Tom asked, his face going slightly pale, " How are we going to escape, then? "
" We aren't. " Issabelle said, laughing.
" Then what are we going to do? " Tom said, panic edging into his usually calm voice.
" Explain our case. " Issabelle said. Tom realized that she truly believed that the ministry would let him off. She was not doing this at all in spite, and that was the irony of the whole thing. Deep down, though, Tom knew that would not be the way it would end.
" Issie, darling... I know this will be a shock since you were an auror and all but... I don't think it will be that easy. " Tom said gently, taking one of her hands, " I've done a hell of a lot of awful things. They're not going to just let me off... Unless... "
" What, Tom? " Issabelle asked, hanging on his every word.
" Oh, nothing. Hey, you better take that ring off. It looks like you have some kind of alergy to the metal. "
" Yeah. Good idea. " Issabelle said, beginning to slide the ring off her finger. As she moved it, a powerful shock was released which made her lift her hand away in a hurry, " Ouch! "
" Here. Let me do it. " Tom said, carefully pulling it away. As she watched, Issabelle finally remembered why she had suspected the ring to begin with. There was something Tom was not telling her and she had a hunch about what.
" I've seen that ring before. " Issabelle said, her voice full of an unnatural graveness, " It was my father's. "
" How can that be? " Tom asked, " My father gave this to me. "
" No he didn't. " Issabelle said, " I watched you receive that ring, Tom Riddle! You got it the night I was spying on you. "
" So what? " Tom said, shrugging his shoulders.
" So... Whenever my father wore that ring he was a different man. He use to... " Issabelle paused to swallow the lump that had formed in her throat, " ... to... beat my mother and he was always bringing strangers into the house... He was a monster when he was under one of its rages... "
" How can you blame his acions on the ring? "
" Because he only did that stuff when he was wearing it. And I can feel his presence in it even now. Tom, this isn't an ordinary ring. It's... alive! "
" Nonsense, my sweet. How can that be possible? "
" Because it does the same thing to you... Only this time I saw it from the start. " Issabelle explained, " You were wearing it the night you met us, when you put the curse on Sev. "
" You've defeated you're theory, then, because -- "
" But you were not wearing it when you came to see me that night. " Issabelle finished, giving him a satisfied smile, " And it was the same during all of the good and bad of the last six months, Tom. "
" You're right, Issabelle. Now that its off, I can see that. But how can we prove that to the ministry? "
" That's the hard part, most definately. " Issabelle said. Footsteps were beginning to become audible in the distance and eventually Issabelle saw Fudge come through the clearing, " But it looks like we'll get our chance. "
******
" All rise! " a court clerk said, his voice showing a hint of bordem, " The case of The Ministry of Magic versus Tom Marvelo Riddle will now come into session. You may be seated. "
Issabelle looked around the room and held in a disappointed sigh. Everywhere, she could see people wearing knowing smiles, as though they could predict the future and knew that Tom's was not going to be pretty. It saddened her to think that no one had taken the time to even question him. Regardless, she had fought tooth and nail to ensure he received a trial, though she was beginning to have second thoughts on how fair it would be. Maybe he was right. Maybe they should have run away together...
" Miss McChella, " Corneilius Fudge said sharply, pulling her out of her thoughts, " Seeing that it is you that is determined to waste our time holding this trial, I would suggest that you focus on what is happening. I want to make sure you see that he gets sentanced. "
" I am not known as one to beat around the bush, " Issabelle said, standing up, " And I will make this case no exception. It has come to my attention that Mr. Riddle had outside circumstances which caused several of the key charges against him. Based on my own first hand observation and the discovery of a very crucial peice of evidence I can prove that he is neither a threat to our society or our way of life. "
" You seriously doubt that, but you may proceed. This should prove amusing. "
" I have here an ancient artifact which, when worn by a person, eventually takes over their whole being. " Issabelle said, sliding her hand in her pocket and going white when it came out empty, " Oh, dear... "
" Is this some kind of joke, Miss McChella? Are you trying to insult me? " Fudge demanded.
" I assure you, Minister, this is no joke. It is a serious problem which is going to heavily damage my whole case. I suggest that we auspend the hearing so an immediate investigation can begin. "
" The suggestion is denied. Issabelle, you do not hold the power of judgement here. I would suggest you close your mouth before I decide to send you to the same fate I will send him. " Fudge warned, " You may sit and hold your silence. "
" I'm not done -- "
" Yes, you are, Miss McChella. This case is over. You have no evidence. " Fudge said, " Furthermore, your credability as a member of our Aurors isn't so great either... You've always been a bit of a stigma on the group... "
" How dare you speak to her like that! " Tom said, standing up. His beautiful hazel eyes glistened with an angry passion that Issabelle found even more intimidating then when his eyes had turned scarlet, " I have sat and cooperated with your ministry out of civil decency. I could just as easily kill everyone in this room without a second thought. I do not tempt me, Mr. Fudge, because though I did not directly commit the crimes you charge me with I would not have a second regret if I felt Issabelle was being threatend. "
" Tom, please! Control -- " Issabelle said.
" Tom Riddle, I hearby find you guilty of the following criminal offences: murder, treason, assult, kidnapping, vandalism and terrorism. Added to that, I wish to state that a case as vulgar and atrocious has never been witnessed in this court before today. I feel that an especially severe penalty is in order to begin repaying all of the people who have suffered from your evil doings. Therefore, I sentance you to life on the Isle of Despair. This case is finished. "
******
" What is the Isle of Despair? " Issabelle asked, resting her chin in one of her hands, " Surely I will find a way to set things right... "
" That's if there is anything left of me when you find the ring. " Tom muttered, " No one has ever gone there and lived. It takes all your worst fears, all your worst memories and all the things you miss most from your life and uses them to play with your head. "
" Oh, Tom! " Issabelle said, her voice waivering slightly, " I'm so sorry. I should have listened to you... We could have been so happy... What am I saying? We will be happy! We will make it through this! I don't care how hard it is, I'll find that ring. And when I find out who stole it, my reaction will not be nice... "
" No, Issie. " Tom said, pulling her against him and hugging her tightly, " I want you to promise me you will not do anything violent. I want you to stay the nice sweet Issabelle that I love, okay? Seeing you become dark and full of hate would be like seeing the sun refuse to shine. Promise me that you will not let the cost of my freedom be the goodness inside your heart. If it wasn't for you, I might have become the soul trapped inside that ring... "
" Its all so unfair, though! " Issabelle said, her eyes blazing with a sense of injustice, " What they're doing is wrong! "
" I know, precious, I know... " Tom said, sighing, " But we'll have to weigh it out. Now listen to me, okay? You really have to get outta here, because this isn't weighing well on your credibility, and we need that if there is any hope at all for things to be set right. "
" I practically am hope, you nit-wit! " Issabelle said, suddenly slapping a palm against her forehead, " Why didn't I think of this sooner, Tom? Isle of despair -- with my magic I can cast a spell to keep that from doing so much damage... "
" Uhhh... " Tom paused, looking down, " Don't take this the wrong way, Issie, but your magic usually isn't the most powerful, ya know... "
" My magic is only really strong when someone has a cause for it to be so. This is one of those times. " Issabelle said, " Luminia Envelopus! "
A brilliant set of prismed lights began to swirl around Tom, enveloping him in a warm and tingling glow. Smiling, Issabelle stood back and watched her spellwork with pride. Surely, that would offer some protection to him, and she was the only one who knew how to do it. Suddenly the door swung open feircely.
" Outta the way, McChella! " Fudge said, shoving her out of the way, " The Dementors are here to take our friend on his one way journey. "
" Watch your step, you klutz! You nearly knocked her over! " Tom snapped.
" Who said it was accidental? " Fudge hissed, an infuriating smirk crossing his face, " Kiss your litle mudblood friend good bye, Riddle! You'll never see her again. "
" You say one more word about her and I'll -- "
" Take him away! " Fudge said, motioning to two wizards standing guard, " Issabelle, there is a fine gentleman waiting to speak to you in the main section of the office. Do not keep him waiting. "
******
" Hello, Issie. " Snape said, looking up from an expensive leather chair at the main desk, " Did you drop this? I found it when Tom had the struggle with the ministry. "
Gazing down at his open hand, Issabelle's mouth dropped open in amazement. Snape had the Ring of Darkness. The one peice of evidence which would have cleared Tom's name forever. Everything was going to be okay.
" Oh, how wonderful! " Issabelle exclaimed, " Let me take it and show Fudge! This will solve everything! "
" It would... If I planned on giving it to you. " Snape said, closing his hand around it, " Unfortunately for Tom, I don't. "
" Why? "
" How can you be so niave, Issabelle! " Snape shouted, " He nearly destroyed our relationship! He tried to take you from me! He deserves what he is getting! "
" You know, Severus, there's one small problem with our relationship, and I've been meaning to tell you for a while now, " Issabelle said, taking a deep breath, " I love Tom. "