The Power of Love
Chapter Seven
By Alicia Jennings
~
"Miss Jensen? Professor Black? I take it you are early risers." Dumbledore's voice held amusement.
"Uh -"
"Yeah -"
"Well, I was needing to talk to you anyways, Miss Jensen. Why don't you two come up to my office?" Dumbledore motioned them to follow him and, glancing at each other, Annie and Sirius began walking.
"Every Flavor Beans," Dumbledore said cheerfully to the stone goblin. It leapt aside, leaving Annie to stare in wonder.
"I thought you didn't like those, Dumbledore," Sirius commented as they began moving up a stone staircase.
"Ah, well. I ran out of candy to choose from." He began humming a tune.
*Is that "The Power of Love"?* Annie thought. *It sounds a lot like it...oh, good grief, Annelise Marie Snape Cartier, worrying about people humming should be the LAST thing on your mind at the moment...* Finally, they reached Dumbledore's office, entered, and sat down.
Dumbledore spoke first. "Miss...um....since we are in private, may I call you Miss Snape or Miss Cartier?"
Annie shuddered. "I hate both names. May you just call me Annelise?"
"Of course," he said, smiling kindly. "Annelise, I was contacted by Mr. Marco DiMaggio, head of the Italian School of Magical Education. He would like a Hogwarts seventh year to come and teach classes for a week at ISME. Interested? I thought it would be good for you - and you could stop in at Cecelia's and see Gabrielle for a day or two."
"If it means I can see Gabby, I'll do anything, sir." Annie said breathlessly. "But wouldn't you rather Harry or Hermione go? They're Head Boy and Girl."
Sirius spoke for the first time since they had been in the hall. "It's way too dangerous for Harry and Hermione to travel. They'd be very vulnerable to Voldemort."
Annie shuddered. "Oh."
"Anyways," said Dumbledore, "I'll give you a day or two to think about it -"
"I don't need a day, sir; I'll do it. I want to see my little sister ever so badly." Annelise glanced at Sirius, who nodded.
"Very well. When would you like to leave?" Dumbledore withdrew a quill and parchment, and began scribbling something down on it.
"Tomorrow."
"Good. By the way, whatever happened to your ankle?"
~
Dumbledore sent Annie down to the hospital ward, and motioned for Sirius to stay.
"So, Mr. Black, how is the Defense class going?"
Sirius fidgeted. "Fine, sir."
"You love her, don't you?"
"Ye - wait! Are you insinuating that I am having an affair with an underage student?"
Dumbledore chuckled. "That is exactly what I'm saying, Sirius."
"Of all -"
"Just answer the question, Padfoot."
Sirius' face fell. "Yes, sir," he mumbled.
"Well, I think it's wonderful that you've found a nice young lady like Annelise Marie Snape. There's only one problem, young man."
"Yeah, the whole underage thing -"
"No. That's not the problem." Dumbledore became serious. "She's Severus's daughter, Sirius. You and Severus have never gotten along, and you very well know that. How in the world are you going to explain to him that you have a relationship with his daughter?"
Blushing, Sirius answered, "Well, er, I hadn't thought about that, sir."
"You might want to start."
~
Harry, Hermione, and Ron followed Annie to the front doors of the castle, where a Portkey was waiting to take her to Paris. Annie was trying to look sad about her departure from Hogwarts for a week and a half's time, but found it hard. She was going to see Gabby again! She'd bought her a Hogsmeade T-shirt, and a lot of candy from Honeydukes. *Aunt Cecelia will kill me,* she thought. She'd been away from Gabby on their birthday - they were both born on Christmas Day - and had felt awful about the entire situation. But it all seemed like a distant memory now.
"I'll see ya'll later," said Annie, picking up her suitcases.
"Wait! Annie!" Sirius came running down the staircase. "Dumbledore wants me to come with you on the Portkey. Voldemort was just sighted in London. You can't be too careful." He glanced at Harry, Hermione, and Ron. "You three had better go to the Gryffindor dorms. No classes today."
Hermione hugged Annie. "Have fun teaching a bunch of Italians."
"I will!" said Annie, laughing. "Have fun with Harry." Hermione slapped Annie's arm.
"On three, we'll grab the Portkey, okay?" said Sirius, glancing at his watch. "One....two.....three!"
~
Severus Snape paced the room, examining potions. "Mastersen. Your potion is much too thin. The Tast Berry Potion is supposed to be thick. Jarrets, your potion is not the right color. Hu-" He gasped, and clenched his arm.
"Professor?" asked Alvin Jarrets.
Severus groaned. *Why now?* "Class is dismissed. Leave your potion things, I will have the third years clean up."
"But -"
"GO! NOW!" The second year Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs scurried out of the classroom, not noticing the potions master running to a trapdoor in one of the other dungeons.
~
"Severus. You're two minutes late." Voldemort didn't sound very pleased.
Snape fidgeted, hoping that Voldemort wasn't in a Crucio mood. "I am sorry, my lord. I had a class to attend to."
"Oh. Understandable."
*This is too easy,* thought Snape. *There's a catch.* "What was I needed for, my lord?"
Voldemort tapped his long, pale fingers on the arm of his high-backed chair. "I need a favor, Severus, that is all. And since you are a faithful servant..."
Snape gripped his wand until his knuckles turned porcelain-white. "Yes, my lord?"
"You have a daughter, do you not?"
Snape fidgeted some more. "Yes, sir. But I do not know her very well at all - I divorced Paralee when Annelise was only two months old."
"Yes, I know."
"My lord, I am not questioning your plan, but what do you want with my daughter Anna?"
"History must repeat itself," Voldemort hissed.
"W-what, my lord?" Snape stammered.
"You heard me, Severus," Voldemort snapped. "Your student, Draco Malfoy, is graduating, is he not? Shouldn't we reward him for all the work he has done for us? The youngest Death Eater in our circle is one of the most productive."
"Yes, my lord, but -"
"CRUCIO!" The curse hit Snape almost immediately. "Do you have no brain, Severus?! History - will - repeat - itself! Draco will wed Anna!" He released the curse.
Snape stood, limbs shaking. "Y - yes, my lord." He Disapparated, one thought on his mind. *I have to get to Dumbledore...*
~
Sirius sighed. "I wish that I could be with you, my dear."
Annie snickered. " 'My dear'? Oh. We are in Paris."
"The City of Love." Sirius glanced at the faraway outline of the Eiffel Tower. "It IS too bad that I have to leave...what I would give for a vacation."
"Here's Aunt Cecelia's house," said Annie, pulling Sirius towards a huge white mansion, with gardens of flowers and fruit trees. "Do you want to see her and Gabrielle?"
"Well...do I, er....look presentable?" He self - consciously smoothed down his wild black hair, which stood back on end.
Annie laughed. "You look FINE. This is the wizard community, in case you're wondering why I'm so bold as to wear robes here. Muggles can pass through, but before they leave, they get bombarded with Memory Spells."
"Oh...yeah...geez, Cecelia's got a huge house..." Sirius hoisted the bags onto his shoulders while staring at the huge white structure with it's many turrets and towers.
"Well, look alive." Annie grinned. "I'll take some of my luggage now."
"Thanks...um...well...I guess we should, er, um....knock on the door?"
"You're nervous!"
"Am not!"
"Are so!"
"I am not!"
"Oh, hush." Annie knocked on the huge oak door. It flew open to reveal a small, curly-haired girl's happy face.
"Annie!!! You're here!"
~
Snape ran blindly to Dumbledore's office.
"Severus? WHere were you during the third - year class? I had to teach it myself." His piercing blue eyes swept over Snape. "Severus, are you all right? You're shaking like a leaf."
"Crucio - Voldemort - wants Anna - Draco - " His strength left him, and he collapsed on the floor of the office, dropping a small silver ring with a blood - red stone.
~
"Gabby!" Annie swept her little sister into a hug. "It's simply grand to see you, lil' sis. What has Aunt Cecelia been feeding you? You've grown!"
"Annie?" came Cecelia's voice. "Is that you?" Cecelia came into view, dressed in long, billowing skirts. "Oh, it's so good to see you, dear."
"It's good to see you too, Aunt Cecelia. Look who brought me!" Annie stepped aside, so that Sirius could no longer hide behind her.
Cecelia smiled. "Bonjour, Sirius. It has been a long time."
Sirius bowed. "I could say the same, Miss Jensen. What has it been - ah - fourteen years?"
"Yes," said Cecelia, nodding. "But don't call me Miss Jensen. Cecelia will suit me just fine."
"Cecelia it is. I am so sorry for your loss. Para was a joy to everyone who knew her." Sirius stared at the ground, shuffling his feet.
Cecelia's eyes grew misty. "Yes. Indeed she was."
~
Albus Dumbledore pulled a slightly crumpled note out from the top drawer of his mammoth-size desk. He unfolded it with care.
-
Dear Professor,
My time of death is near, I can feel it. Ask Trelawney if she can feel it too.
-
Dumbledore, despite the circumstances, had to chuckle. Then he continued reading.
-
- My servant Natalie, the true Seer I have told you about, came to me just recently with a prophecy. She said that it concerned Annie, Gabrielle, and I. I have a feeling it concerns Annie far more than it concerns me. Please write back.
- Paralee Cordelia Jensen Snape Cartier
-
A seperate piece of parchment fell out, scrawled in untidy hand.
~
Fly, fly!
Take thy little one and flee from evil.
Go to thy native land, to the land of thy father.
But beware!
For one feels that history must be re-enacted.
Death is imminent, but there is life - and love - in the end.
~
" 'History must repeat itself.' " Dumbledore quoted from what he had heard Severus recall of the visit with Voldemort. The words of the prophecy - " 'Death is imminent, but there is life - and love - in the end.' " He sighed.
*I've made a terrible mistake, sending Annie on this trip...*
~
Annie hadn't realized how much she'd missed Gabrielle until her visit. But all too soon, it was time for her to leave for Italy.
"Bye, Gabrielle," said Annelise, hugging her sister. "I'll be back soon." She turned to Cecelia. "How can I ever thank you?"
"You don't have to. Gabby's an angel." Cecelia gave Annie a quick hug. "Go get 'em, girl."
"Don't worry," said Annie, grinning. "I will." She gripped the Portkey, and in a flash, she was gone.
~
A/N -
Oh, lordy lordy! I'm so so so sorry for not posting in eons. Lots has happened.
For one, boyfriend and I had yet another fight...*makes a face*, and therefore, I was too mad to think of anything to write. It's probably a good thing I didn't - Annie might've gone crazy or something.
For another, the Fine Arts spring show is Mar. 22, and I'm in three - no, four - no, five - of the skits, plus I'm singing during intermission. Ack!
And region choir festival is this Thursday...ack again...*shudders at the thought of singing "How Merrily We Live" one more time*
Oh, and I almost forgot - Baptist Youth Week is coming up, and I have to be a music director again...third year in a row!
If you haven't already gotten the hint, I'm VERY BUSY. Luckily, I already have the entire series mapped out in a plotline. Unfortunately, there's that one tiny detail about WRITING THE CHAPTERS. Speaking of chapters, do ya'll like this new chaptering business? I haven't decided - I'm still just kind of not used to it. And while I'm talking, I'd like to reccomend two books - Red Dragon and The Silence Of The Lambs, both by Thomas Harris. THOSE ARE SOME GOOD BOOKS, although somewhat creepy and foul-mouthed. I read Red Dragon in two days, and The Silence Of The Lambs in about three hours. 'Course, I also read The Goblet of Fire in five hours. :-)
Ciao -
Alicia
P.S. - In response to archer1288's review for "Get Another Boyfriend, Hermione!" :
I appreciate you taking the time to review, but I'd like to make a point. I really didn't appreciate you calling me a jackass because 1.) I'm not a mule, and 2.) Just because I like the H/Hr pairing and write most of my stories like that doesn't mean you have to bash them and call me names. You can give your opinion without being rude - I wouldn't have minded if you'd said something along the lines of "This was an okay story, but I'm not a fan of the H/Hr pairing, I prefer -" etc. I'm not trying to be mean by posting this response, just trying to give you some good - natured advice: be courteous when you review! Bad reviews are very discouraging.
-Alicia J.
Chapter Seven
By Alicia Jennings
~
"Miss Jensen? Professor Black? I take it you are early risers." Dumbledore's voice held amusement.
"Uh -"
"Yeah -"
"Well, I was needing to talk to you anyways, Miss Jensen. Why don't you two come up to my office?" Dumbledore motioned them to follow him and, glancing at each other, Annie and Sirius began walking.
"Every Flavor Beans," Dumbledore said cheerfully to the stone goblin. It leapt aside, leaving Annie to stare in wonder.
"I thought you didn't like those, Dumbledore," Sirius commented as they began moving up a stone staircase.
"Ah, well. I ran out of candy to choose from." He began humming a tune.
*Is that "The Power of Love"?* Annie thought. *It sounds a lot like it...oh, good grief, Annelise Marie Snape Cartier, worrying about people humming should be the LAST thing on your mind at the moment...* Finally, they reached Dumbledore's office, entered, and sat down.
Dumbledore spoke first. "Miss...um....since we are in private, may I call you Miss Snape or Miss Cartier?"
Annie shuddered. "I hate both names. May you just call me Annelise?"
"Of course," he said, smiling kindly. "Annelise, I was contacted by Mr. Marco DiMaggio, head of the Italian School of Magical Education. He would like a Hogwarts seventh year to come and teach classes for a week at ISME. Interested? I thought it would be good for you - and you could stop in at Cecelia's and see Gabrielle for a day or two."
"If it means I can see Gabby, I'll do anything, sir." Annie said breathlessly. "But wouldn't you rather Harry or Hermione go? They're Head Boy and Girl."
Sirius spoke for the first time since they had been in the hall. "It's way too dangerous for Harry and Hermione to travel. They'd be very vulnerable to Voldemort."
Annie shuddered. "Oh."
"Anyways," said Dumbledore, "I'll give you a day or two to think about it -"
"I don't need a day, sir; I'll do it. I want to see my little sister ever so badly." Annelise glanced at Sirius, who nodded.
"Very well. When would you like to leave?" Dumbledore withdrew a quill and parchment, and began scribbling something down on it.
"Tomorrow."
"Good. By the way, whatever happened to your ankle?"
~
Dumbledore sent Annie down to the hospital ward, and motioned for Sirius to stay.
"So, Mr. Black, how is the Defense class going?"
Sirius fidgeted. "Fine, sir."
"You love her, don't you?"
"Ye - wait! Are you insinuating that I am having an affair with an underage student?"
Dumbledore chuckled. "That is exactly what I'm saying, Sirius."
"Of all -"
"Just answer the question, Padfoot."
Sirius' face fell. "Yes, sir," he mumbled.
"Well, I think it's wonderful that you've found a nice young lady like Annelise Marie Snape. There's only one problem, young man."
"Yeah, the whole underage thing -"
"No. That's not the problem." Dumbledore became serious. "She's Severus's daughter, Sirius. You and Severus have never gotten along, and you very well know that. How in the world are you going to explain to him that you have a relationship with his daughter?"
Blushing, Sirius answered, "Well, er, I hadn't thought about that, sir."
"You might want to start."
~
Harry, Hermione, and Ron followed Annie to the front doors of the castle, where a Portkey was waiting to take her to Paris. Annie was trying to look sad about her departure from Hogwarts for a week and a half's time, but found it hard. She was going to see Gabby again! She'd bought her a Hogsmeade T-shirt, and a lot of candy from Honeydukes. *Aunt Cecelia will kill me,* she thought. She'd been away from Gabby on their birthday - they were both born on Christmas Day - and had felt awful about the entire situation. But it all seemed like a distant memory now.
"I'll see ya'll later," said Annie, picking up her suitcases.
"Wait! Annie!" Sirius came running down the staircase. "Dumbledore wants me to come with you on the Portkey. Voldemort was just sighted in London. You can't be too careful." He glanced at Harry, Hermione, and Ron. "You three had better go to the Gryffindor dorms. No classes today."
Hermione hugged Annie. "Have fun teaching a bunch of Italians."
"I will!" said Annie, laughing. "Have fun with Harry." Hermione slapped Annie's arm.
"On three, we'll grab the Portkey, okay?" said Sirius, glancing at his watch. "One....two.....three!"
~
Severus Snape paced the room, examining potions. "Mastersen. Your potion is much too thin. The Tast Berry Potion is supposed to be thick. Jarrets, your potion is not the right color. Hu-" He gasped, and clenched his arm.
"Professor?" asked Alvin Jarrets.
Severus groaned. *Why now?* "Class is dismissed. Leave your potion things, I will have the third years clean up."
"But -"
"GO! NOW!" The second year Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs scurried out of the classroom, not noticing the potions master running to a trapdoor in one of the other dungeons.
~
"Severus. You're two minutes late." Voldemort didn't sound very pleased.
Snape fidgeted, hoping that Voldemort wasn't in a Crucio mood. "I am sorry, my lord. I had a class to attend to."
"Oh. Understandable."
*This is too easy,* thought Snape. *There's a catch.* "What was I needed for, my lord?"
Voldemort tapped his long, pale fingers on the arm of his high-backed chair. "I need a favor, Severus, that is all. And since you are a faithful servant..."
Snape gripped his wand until his knuckles turned porcelain-white. "Yes, my lord?"
"You have a daughter, do you not?"
Snape fidgeted some more. "Yes, sir. But I do not know her very well at all - I divorced Paralee when Annelise was only two months old."
"Yes, I know."
"My lord, I am not questioning your plan, but what do you want with my daughter Anna?"
"History must repeat itself," Voldemort hissed.
"W-what, my lord?" Snape stammered.
"You heard me, Severus," Voldemort snapped. "Your student, Draco Malfoy, is graduating, is he not? Shouldn't we reward him for all the work he has done for us? The youngest Death Eater in our circle is one of the most productive."
"Yes, my lord, but -"
"CRUCIO!" The curse hit Snape almost immediately. "Do you have no brain, Severus?! History - will - repeat - itself! Draco will wed Anna!" He released the curse.
Snape stood, limbs shaking. "Y - yes, my lord." He Disapparated, one thought on his mind. *I have to get to Dumbledore...*
~
Sirius sighed. "I wish that I could be with you, my dear."
Annie snickered. " 'My dear'? Oh. We are in Paris."
"The City of Love." Sirius glanced at the faraway outline of the Eiffel Tower. "It IS too bad that I have to leave...what I would give for a vacation."
"Here's Aunt Cecelia's house," said Annie, pulling Sirius towards a huge white mansion, with gardens of flowers and fruit trees. "Do you want to see her and Gabrielle?"
"Well...do I, er....look presentable?" He self - consciously smoothed down his wild black hair, which stood back on end.
Annie laughed. "You look FINE. This is the wizard community, in case you're wondering why I'm so bold as to wear robes here. Muggles can pass through, but before they leave, they get bombarded with Memory Spells."
"Oh...yeah...geez, Cecelia's got a huge house..." Sirius hoisted the bags onto his shoulders while staring at the huge white structure with it's many turrets and towers.
"Well, look alive." Annie grinned. "I'll take some of my luggage now."
"Thanks...um...well...I guess we should, er, um....knock on the door?"
"You're nervous!"
"Am not!"
"Are so!"
"I am not!"
"Oh, hush." Annie knocked on the huge oak door. It flew open to reveal a small, curly-haired girl's happy face.
"Annie!!! You're here!"
~
Snape ran blindly to Dumbledore's office.
"Severus? WHere were you during the third - year class? I had to teach it myself." His piercing blue eyes swept over Snape. "Severus, are you all right? You're shaking like a leaf."
"Crucio - Voldemort - wants Anna - Draco - " His strength left him, and he collapsed on the floor of the office, dropping a small silver ring with a blood - red stone.
~
"Gabby!" Annie swept her little sister into a hug. "It's simply grand to see you, lil' sis. What has Aunt Cecelia been feeding you? You've grown!"
"Annie?" came Cecelia's voice. "Is that you?" Cecelia came into view, dressed in long, billowing skirts. "Oh, it's so good to see you, dear."
"It's good to see you too, Aunt Cecelia. Look who brought me!" Annie stepped aside, so that Sirius could no longer hide behind her.
Cecelia smiled. "Bonjour, Sirius. It has been a long time."
Sirius bowed. "I could say the same, Miss Jensen. What has it been - ah - fourteen years?"
"Yes," said Cecelia, nodding. "But don't call me Miss Jensen. Cecelia will suit me just fine."
"Cecelia it is. I am so sorry for your loss. Para was a joy to everyone who knew her." Sirius stared at the ground, shuffling his feet.
Cecelia's eyes grew misty. "Yes. Indeed she was."
~
Albus Dumbledore pulled a slightly crumpled note out from the top drawer of his mammoth-size desk. He unfolded it with care.
-
Dear Professor,
My time of death is near, I can feel it. Ask Trelawney if she can feel it too.
-
Dumbledore, despite the circumstances, had to chuckle. Then he continued reading.
-
- My servant Natalie, the true Seer I have told you about, came to me just recently with a prophecy. She said that it concerned Annie, Gabrielle, and I. I have a feeling it concerns Annie far more than it concerns me. Please write back.
- Paralee Cordelia Jensen Snape Cartier
-
A seperate piece of parchment fell out, scrawled in untidy hand.
~
Fly, fly!
Take thy little one and flee from evil.
Go to thy native land, to the land of thy father.
But beware!
For one feels that history must be re-enacted.
Death is imminent, but there is life - and love - in the end.
~
" 'History must repeat itself.' " Dumbledore quoted from what he had heard Severus recall of the visit with Voldemort. The words of the prophecy - " 'Death is imminent, but there is life - and love - in the end.' " He sighed.
*I've made a terrible mistake, sending Annie on this trip...*
~
Annie hadn't realized how much she'd missed Gabrielle until her visit. But all too soon, it was time for her to leave for Italy.
"Bye, Gabrielle," said Annelise, hugging her sister. "I'll be back soon." She turned to Cecelia. "How can I ever thank you?"
"You don't have to. Gabby's an angel." Cecelia gave Annie a quick hug. "Go get 'em, girl."
"Don't worry," said Annie, grinning. "I will." She gripped the Portkey, and in a flash, she was gone.
~
A/N -
Oh, lordy lordy! I'm so so so sorry for not posting in eons. Lots has happened.
For one, boyfriend and I had yet another fight...*makes a face*, and therefore, I was too mad to think of anything to write. It's probably a good thing I didn't - Annie might've gone crazy or something.
For another, the Fine Arts spring show is Mar. 22, and I'm in three - no, four - no, five - of the skits, plus I'm singing during intermission. Ack!
And region choir festival is this Thursday...ack again...*shudders at the thought of singing "How Merrily We Live" one more time*
Oh, and I almost forgot - Baptist Youth Week is coming up, and I have to be a music director again...third year in a row!
If you haven't already gotten the hint, I'm VERY BUSY. Luckily, I already have the entire series mapped out in a plotline. Unfortunately, there's that one tiny detail about WRITING THE CHAPTERS. Speaking of chapters, do ya'll like this new chaptering business? I haven't decided - I'm still just kind of not used to it. And while I'm talking, I'd like to reccomend two books - Red Dragon and The Silence Of The Lambs, both by Thomas Harris. THOSE ARE SOME GOOD BOOKS, although somewhat creepy and foul-mouthed. I read Red Dragon in two days, and The Silence Of The Lambs in about three hours. 'Course, I also read The Goblet of Fire in five hours. :-)
Ciao -
Alicia
P.S. - In response to archer1288's review for "Get Another Boyfriend, Hermione!" :
I appreciate you taking the time to review, but I'd like to make a point. I really didn't appreciate you calling me a jackass because 1.) I'm not a mule, and 2.) Just because I like the H/Hr pairing and write most of my stories like that doesn't mean you have to bash them and call me names. You can give your opinion without being rude - I wouldn't have minded if you'd said something along the lines of "This was an okay story, but I'm not a fan of the H/Hr pairing, I prefer -" etc. I'm not trying to be mean by posting this response, just trying to give you some good - natured advice: be courteous when you review! Bad reviews are very discouraging.
-Alicia J.
