Snape's Secret Part XXIV: Innocence Lost
[ A/N: I bet you never thought you'd see That happen! Issabelle loving Tom was inevible, but Snape going bad -- in this fic?? Is his motive only the loss of Issabelle -- or is he driven by a darker force then his own desires? And... how will Tom's name be cleared? Will Issabelle get the ring in time? Please r/r and enjoy!! ]
Severus Snape stared entently at the eerily glowing ring that sat on the desk in front of him. Issabelle had called it the ring of darkness, though from its appearance alone he could not see why. Carved out of shimmering black onyx with a single red jewel on top, it held an elegant air of power and mistique. As his gaze continued to fall upon it, Severus could not help wondering what powers it possessed and how they might change the fate of Tom Riddle so deeply.
Issabelle no longer loved him. The thought was a stinging blow which he had not been prepared for, and he still shook his head at how clearly she had said the words. 'I love Tom.' The words sounded, again and again, with the demeneur of an ignorant child mocking him in his misfortune. Letting out a bitter laugh, Severus consoled himself with the thought that she would never see her beloved again.
" Severus? "
The voice that broke the silence was soft and uncertain, and Snape couldn't help remembering how Issabelle's had been when they first met. But that was in the past. Pausing to look up, he saw Anna watching him, a knowing smile crossing her slender lips.
" Are you allright, Severus? You haven't seemed yourself lately. " she continued, entering the room and closing the door behind her, " If there is any way that I can help, tell me. I'm worried about you. "
" No, it's nothing, Ann. " He said, gesturing towards a chair.
" Still upset about Issabelle, huh? " she said, plopping into the chair and leaning toward him, " Can't say I blame you. "
" It's just not fair! " Severus said, slamming his fist against the table, " What I mean to say is... "
" It's quite allright, Severus. " Anna said, placing a hand on his shoulder, " It's not fair. You deserve better. "
" Do you mean that? "
" Of course I do! Why else would I say it? "
" But I can't change her heart... "
" No, but you can recover, and move on... "
" Whoa! Take it easy on me, okay? I really liked her. "
" I know. " Anna said, looking down, " Say, let me know when you feel up to dating again. I know someone who'd be interested. "
" Who? "
" I'll tell you when you're ready... " Anna said, looking up again. Her cheeks had turned a flattering shade of pink and her dark eyes sparkled mischeivously.
" You? Annie... you like me? "
" Perhaps. " she replied, a grin crossing her face.
" You... and me? "
" Mmm... " Anna said, moistening her lips, " I like the sound of that. "
" Well... I... "
" Let's just take it nice and easy, Sev. " she said, giving him a gentle kiss on the cheek, " I've got to go. I have an interview with Dumbledore about becoming the new astronomy teacher. Sinistra is planning to retire. "
" Wonderful! " Severus said, watching her leave and allowing his mind to wander, " Looks like this might not be so bad after all. "
******
" Do you really think I had a choice? " Draco shouted, gazing into Morgana's cocoa eyes, " I saw an easy way out and I took it. "
" And you think that's okay? " Morgana demanded, pushing him away.
" Would it have been better if I'd let myself get tortured? Would that have made you happy, Morgy? "
" You should have helped Harry and Hermione. " Morgana said, turning away, " I should have helped them... "
" How? " Draco asked, putting a hand on her shoulder, " Issabelle brought you back here. There was nothing you could do. "
" Exactly. " Morgana said, sighing, " At least I knew Helio. They both made a full recovery, which is a relief. "
" See? " Draco said, " You did help! "
" Whatever. " Morgana said, standing up, " Come and talk to me when you decide to care about someone beside yourself! "
" Morgana, wait! "
******
" So you walked out on him? " Issabelle asked, looking at Morgana with amusement. Issabelle had been surprised when her neice burst into her private quarters, screaming about Draco being a creep at the top of his lungs. " Why? "
" Because he's so... selfish! He sucked up to that pig, Voldemort! "
" Enough. " Issabelle said, closing her eyes, " Tom was not the one who was behind those raids, Morgana. "
" What makes you say that, Issie? "
" Did you ever notice that ring he wore? " Issabelle asked.
" Yeah, it was creepy. It reminded me of something... But I don't know what. "
" I'll tell you when you're older, Morgana. " Issabelle said, resting her head in her hands, " Just trust me on this one. "
******
Two nights later, Morgana had a surprise waiting at astronomy class. Isntead of cheerful Professor Sinastra, she found Anna waiting for them at the top of the tower. A shiver went down her back as she watched the ex-death eator scan the students suspiciously. When her eyes fell on Morgana, she gave her an icy stare before facing the class as a whole.
" Due to Professor Sinastra's decission to retire, I will be taking over as your astronomy teacher. Now, I am going to be up front and say that I will put up with none of your Gryffindor nonsense and anyone who is found misbehaving in my class will be severely punished. I hope that is clear. Thank you. "
" What is your name, ma'am? " Ron asked, breaking the silence.
" My name is Professor Commons. Now, we shall begin. "
The next two hours were dull and uneventful as Anna guided them through a routine stargazing exercise to measure their level of expertise. By the time the lesson was over, Morgana felt exausted and breathed a sigh of relief.
" Miss Devoir, you shall stay behind. I wish to speak to you. " Anna said, a mocking smile accenting her features. The rest of the students returned to the dorm and Morgana found herself alone with the most intimidating woman she had ever met.
" Yes? "
" Do you know what we do to traitors, miss Devoir? " Anna asked, grinning menacingly as she advanced on Morgana.
" I do not know what you are talking about, Professor. " Morgana said, glancing at her surroundings. The hight from the tower on which they stood to the grassy courtyard below did not leave a promising sensation.
" I guess I'll have to show you, then... " Anna said, pointing her wand at Morgana.
" I don't think so! " Morgana said, her eyes glowing momentarily, " Sendio Anna! "
Anna's body levitated off the ground and flew backwards, hitting the stone wall with a sickening thud. Her cry of pain was enough to make Severus Snape, who was taking a walk through the corridors, come running.
" What have you done? " He shouted, his dark eyes staring at Anna's unconcious body in rage.
" Sh -- she attacked me, sir.. Err... would have... " Morgana said, stumbling for the words as the severity of her actions began to sink in.
" You're going to pay for this... " Snape said, his voice dropping to a whisper.
" Wrong again, Professor Snape. " Morgana said flatly, " Accio Ring of Darkness! "
Snape stared in amazement as the ring floated from his pocket to her hand. Surely, she was far to young to know that spell... Yet she had cast it, and with no apparent difficulty. Standing, he pointed his wand at her, his mouth twisting into a sneer, " You'll never escape with it, miss Devoir. Now, give it back. "
" You've got a choice, Snape: help Anna or chase me. " Morgana said, running down the staircase as fast as she could. Snape stared after her but decided that he had best look after Anna, since she looked so weak.
******
" Aunt Issie! " Morgana said, pounding on the door to Issabelle's room, " Aunt Issie! Open up! Quick! "
" W...what is it, Morgana? " Issabelle asked, rubbing her eyes, " Its 3 a.m. "
" No time, Anut Issie! We must hurry! " Morgana said, pausing to catch her breath.
" Slow down. " Issabelle said, pulling her inside and closing the door, " What happened, Morgana? "
" Anna tried to attack me -- "
" What? "
" And I sent her flying and she crashed against one of the towers -- "
" Oh, lord! "
" And then Snape came out -- "
" Great... "
" And then he threatened me and I swiped this from his pocket as I ran away. "
" You what -- " Issabelle's voice caught in her throat when she realized that Morgana was holding the ring. " Oh, dear... What to do... What to do... "
" You get outta here and use that to prove Tom's innocence. I'm gonna go and get Draco and we'll meet you in Hogsmeade. "
" What about Severus and Anna? " Issabelle asked.
" Draco and I can take them! "
" No... " Issabelle said quietly, " You'd better come with me. "
" But -- "
" No buts, Morgana. Let's get outta here! " Issabelle said, grabbing her hands and moving towards the window, " Have you ever flown before? "
" Yes. Of course. " Morgana said, rolling her eyes, " Haven't you? "
" Once. " Issabelle said, closing her eyes, " Powers of light, give me that power of flight! "
[ End note: Will Issabelle and Morgana make it? Will Tom be saved? What dangers lie ahead? And what is so special about the ring of darkness... ? ]
[ A/N: I bet you never thought you'd see That happen! Issabelle loving Tom was inevible, but Snape going bad -- in this fic?? Is his motive only the loss of Issabelle -- or is he driven by a darker force then his own desires? And... how will Tom's name be cleared? Will Issabelle get the ring in time? Please r/r and enjoy!! ]
Severus Snape stared entently at the eerily glowing ring that sat on the desk in front of him. Issabelle had called it the ring of darkness, though from its appearance alone he could not see why. Carved out of shimmering black onyx with a single red jewel on top, it held an elegant air of power and mistique. As his gaze continued to fall upon it, Severus could not help wondering what powers it possessed and how they might change the fate of Tom Riddle so deeply.
Issabelle no longer loved him. The thought was a stinging blow which he had not been prepared for, and he still shook his head at how clearly she had said the words. 'I love Tom.' The words sounded, again and again, with the demeneur of an ignorant child mocking him in his misfortune. Letting out a bitter laugh, Severus consoled himself with the thought that she would never see her beloved again.
" Severus? "
The voice that broke the silence was soft and uncertain, and Snape couldn't help remembering how Issabelle's had been when they first met. But that was in the past. Pausing to look up, he saw Anna watching him, a knowing smile crossing her slender lips.
" Are you allright, Severus? You haven't seemed yourself lately. " she continued, entering the room and closing the door behind her, " If there is any way that I can help, tell me. I'm worried about you. "
" No, it's nothing, Ann. " He said, gesturing towards a chair.
" Still upset about Issabelle, huh? " she said, plopping into the chair and leaning toward him, " Can't say I blame you. "
" It's just not fair! " Severus said, slamming his fist against the table, " What I mean to say is... "
" It's quite allright, Severus. " Anna said, placing a hand on his shoulder, " It's not fair. You deserve better. "
" Do you mean that? "
" Of course I do! Why else would I say it? "
" But I can't change her heart... "
" No, but you can recover, and move on... "
" Whoa! Take it easy on me, okay? I really liked her. "
" I know. " Anna said, looking down, " Say, let me know when you feel up to dating again. I know someone who'd be interested. "
" Who? "
" I'll tell you when you're ready... " Anna said, looking up again. Her cheeks had turned a flattering shade of pink and her dark eyes sparkled mischeivously.
" You? Annie... you like me? "
" Perhaps. " she replied, a grin crossing her face.
" You... and me? "
" Mmm... " Anna said, moistening her lips, " I like the sound of that. "
" Well... I... "
" Let's just take it nice and easy, Sev. " she said, giving him a gentle kiss on the cheek, " I've got to go. I have an interview with Dumbledore about becoming the new astronomy teacher. Sinistra is planning to retire. "
" Wonderful! " Severus said, watching her leave and allowing his mind to wander, " Looks like this might not be so bad after all. "
******
" Do you really think I had a choice? " Draco shouted, gazing into Morgana's cocoa eyes, " I saw an easy way out and I took it. "
" And you think that's okay? " Morgana demanded, pushing him away.
" Would it have been better if I'd let myself get tortured? Would that have made you happy, Morgy? "
" You should have helped Harry and Hermione. " Morgana said, turning away, " I should have helped them... "
" How? " Draco asked, putting a hand on her shoulder, " Issabelle brought you back here. There was nothing you could do. "
" Exactly. " Morgana said, sighing, " At least I knew Helio. They both made a full recovery, which is a relief. "
" See? " Draco said, " You did help! "
" Whatever. " Morgana said, standing up, " Come and talk to me when you decide to care about someone beside yourself! "
" Morgana, wait! "
******
" So you walked out on him? " Issabelle asked, looking at Morgana with amusement. Issabelle had been surprised when her neice burst into her private quarters, screaming about Draco being a creep at the top of his lungs. " Why? "
" Because he's so... selfish! He sucked up to that pig, Voldemort! "
" Enough. " Issabelle said, closing her eyes, " Tom was not the one who was behind those raids, Morgana. "
" What makes you say that, Issie? "
" Did you ever notice that ring he wore? " Issabelle asked.
" Yeah, it was creepy. It reminded me of something... But I don't know what. "
" I'll tell you when you're older, Morgana. " Issabelle said, resting her head in her hands, " Just trust me on this one. "
******
Two nights later, Morgana had a surprise waiting at astronomy class. Isntead of cheerful Professor Sinastra, she found Anna waiting for them at the top of the tower. A shiver went down her back as she watched the ex-death eator scan the students suspiciously. When her eyes fell on Morgana, she gave her an icy stare before facing the class as a whole.
" Due to Professor Sinastra's decission to retire, I will be taking over as your astronomy teacher. Now, I am going to be up front and say that I will put up with none of your Gryffindor nonsense and anyone who is found misbehaving in my class will be severely punished. I hope that is clear. Thank you. "
" What is your name, ma'am? " Ron asked, breaking the silence.
" My name is Professor Commons. Now, we shall begin. "
The next two hours were dull and uneventful as Anna guided them through a routine stargazing exercise to measure their level of expertise. By the time the lesson was over, Morgana felt exausted and breathed a sigh of relief.
" Miss Devoir, you shall stay behind. I wish to speak to you. " Anna said, a mocking smile accenting her features. The rest of the students returned to the dorm and Morgana found herself alone with the most intimidating woman she had ever met.
" Yes? "
" Do you know what we do to traitors, miss Devoir? " Anna asked, grinning menacingly as she advanced on Morgana.
" I do not know what you are talking about, Professor. " Morgana said, glancing at her surroundings. The hight from the tower on which they stood to the grassy courtyard below did not leave a promising sensation.
" I guess I'll have to show you, then... " Anna said, pointing her wand at Morgana.
" I don't think so! " Morgana said, her eyes glowing momentarily, " Sendio Anna! "
Anna's body levitated off the ground and flew backwards, hitting the stone wall with a sickening thud. Her cry of pain was enough to make Severus Snape, who was taking a walk through the corridors, come running.
" What have you done? " He shouted, his dark eyes staring at Anna's unconcious body in rage.
" Sh -- she attacked me, sir.. Err... would have... " Morgana said, stumbling for the words as the severity of her actions began to sink in.
" You're going to pay for this... " Snape said, his voice dropping to a whisper.
" Wrong again, Professor Snape. " Morgana said flatly, " Accio Ring of Darkness! "
Snape stared in amazement as the ring floated from his pocket to her hand. Surely, she was far to young to know that spell... Yet she had cast it, and with no apparent difficulty. Standing, he pointed his wand at her, his mouth twisting into a sneer, " You'll never escape with it, miss Devoir. Now, give it back. "
" You've got a choice, Snape: help Anna or chase me. " Morgana said, running down the staircase as fast as she could. Snape stared after her but decided that he had best look after Anna, since she looked so weak.
******
" Aunt Issie! " Morgana said, pounding on the door to Issabelle's room, " Aunt Issie! Open up! Quick! "
" W...what is it, Morgana? " Issabelle asked, rubbing her eyes, " Its 3 a.m. "
" No time, Anut Issie! We must hurry! " Morgana said, pausing to catch her breath.
" Slow down. " Issabelle said, pulling her inside and closing the door, " What happened, Morgana? "
" Anna tried to attack me -- "
" What? "
" And I sent her flying and she crashed against one of the towers -- "
" Oh, lord! "
" And then Snape came out -- "
" Great... "
" And then he threatened me and I swiped this from his pocket as I ran away. "
" You what -- " Issabelle's voice caught in her throat when she realized that Morgana was holding the ring. " Oh, dear... What to do... What to do... "
" You get outta here and use that to prove Tom's innocence. I'm gonna go and get Draco and we'll meet you in Hogsmeade. "
" What about Severus and Anna? " Issabelle asked.
" Draco and I can take them! "
" No... " Issabelle said quietly, " You'd better come with me. "
" But -- "
" No buts, Morgana. Let's get outta here! " Issabelle said, grabbing her hands and moving towards the window, " Have you ever flown before? "
" Yes. Of course. " Morgana said, rolling her eyes, " Haven't you? "
" Once. " Issabelle said, closing her eyes, " Powers of light, give me that power of flight! "
[ End note: Will Issabelle and Morgana make it? Will Tom be saved? What dangers lie ahead? And what is so special about the ring of darkness... ? ]