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Mark Of The Snake

Part 2: Dueling Without Wands

Written by: V Lynne

echoinghearts@yahoo.com

~ ~ ~

Sliding her book bag up her arm to rest hanging on her right shoulder, Roe Granger headed out of the dark dungeon area where her Potions/Defense Against Dark Arts classroom was located. The faint sounds of the still arguing Gryffindors and Slytherins filled the back of her mind as she passed by the corridor that overlooked the lake that was rumored to have merpeople as well as a giant squid in it. Her boot-clad feet clunked on the soft stone flooring until she found herself, so lost in her thoughts, right in front of the exit out of the castle.

Drawing her cloak firmly around her to ward off the chill in the air, she strode over the grass grounds and sat near the lake, close enough but not too close in case from creature decided she looked like a meal. Lying back, her cloak and robes bellowing around her in a cloud of black Roe moved her hands to keep her head off the ground, while she sought consultation from the sky above. Too early to ask the stars for help that would help her understand just what she felt towards James and why in the world when she had been in class, looked up to see Malfoy and James fighting had she thought that Malfoy was handsome, she let out a sigh.

"Thought perfect Prefects are expected to be in class right now?" The hostile, disgusted voice invaded Roe's thoughts that the girl sat up and glanced over her shoulder.

A pair of hate filled ice-blue eyes locked with Roe's cinnamon ones, as the other girl ran a casual hand through her long, wavy black-blue hair. The scarf around the girl's neck was green; the color of the Slytherin House but even without that Roe would never forget the voice of Ebony Montague.

"How would you know, as I remember you aren't exactly qualified for anywhere near Prefect status, it requires an I.Q."

"I'm laughing inside, Granger," Ebony told the annoying Gryffindor who thought she was so much better than the rest of them.

"I can see that," Roe sarcastically observed, as if the permanent frown on Ebony's face would cause her entire face to crack if she did indeed laugh out loud.

"Just what did you do to cause Damon to get but in the infirmary?"

"Me? You got it all wrong, he picked a fight with James and that's why the both of them are with Madam Pomfrey."

Roe stood up so that she was at least taller than sitting on her cloak and staring up at the Slytherin.

"Yeah, but I know it has to do with you, Granger, when doesn't it?"

"Delusional much?"

"Watch it, Mudblood or you just might find yourself in a situation that your pals Potter and Weasel can't get you out of."

"I don't need them to deal with you, Montague."

"Oh? Then why don't you prove it?" Ebony pulled out her hidden wand and held it out so that Roe could see it but as Roe had a surprise for Ebony, who was very dependent on her wand that was not the case with Roe. She out grew her need to depend completely on her wand in fifth year.

"Avis!" Ebony screeched, as the end of her wand let out fire, which Roe only gave a roll of her eyes at the weak fire spell.

Roe moved after calling the defense spell that repelled the fire from her and with the astonishment that Roe hadn't even used her wand, that was in her bag, "Expelliarmus!"

The thick oak wand of Ebony went sailing over twenty feet away and landed in aconite patch. As Roe only looked bored at the glowing rage in Ebony's face, the Gryffindor Prefect shook her head.

"As you can see, Montague, you can't even beat me with your wand. Now why don't you back off about asking me about Malfoy, I'm sure he's a big boy and doesn't need half-wits asking unintelligent questions and making false accusations for him. Impedimenta!"

Instantly Montague was frozen to the spot. Roe's face fell.

"When you manage to get out of that," Roe stated watching Montague's eyes moving, the only part of the girl that was, "think of a better way to deal with your overworked emotions concerning Malfoy. He's probably not worth it anyway."

As much as that should have cheered her up it didn't. Using spells on irrational people such as Ebony Montague was a waste, so as she walked back into the building she snapped her fingers and Ebony was released, lurching forward as she got steady on her legs.

Roe didn't realize her entire exchange with Ebony was being quietly observed by Dumbledore and McGonagall from a window high above.

~

The white haired Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts for three generations of Potters now was stroking his beard in contemplation as Minerva McGonagall held her hands clasped together in front of her, a prudish gesture, as they stepped away from his opened window.

A fluttering of wings came from Dumbledore's pet phoenix, Fawkes but that was the only sound in the great circular office decorated with portraits of retired and deceased Headmasters and Headmistresses now sleeping in their portraits hung around the room.

"Interesting that Miss Granger does not need to depend on her wand." McGonagall stated.

"Not really. She has not really ever needed her wand, she only used it because it's a requirement here."

"Even Hermione still has to use hers for most of her spells."

"True but the parentage of young Roe leaves me wondering."

"Her parentage? I thought Hermione was married to a Muggle and he died."

Dumbledore gave her a look she knew was saying a million things and could only reason that he was insinuating that Hermione, her top pupil even after all this time, had not done what she had been led to believe.

"Her skills match those of young Master Snape, don't you think?" Dumbledore offered as an insightful way of telling McGonagall exactly who Roe's true father was without going straight ahead and saying it.

Her startled expression made him smile although she quickly brought her eyes together in the way she always did when she was deep in thought.

"Her skills make more reasonable sense then."

"Indeed. Roe as well as Trey have an almost uncanny ability to rely on themselves rather than objects of magic."

"Are they mistrustful?"

"Trey, certainly. Roe I am not entirely certain, the girl's warring thoughts make her impossible to read."

"Albus! You are most certainly not using your Thought Potion to get inside the heads of our students!"

It was a reprimand that Albus expected from Minerva having known her for many years.

"Do not fret, Minerva, it does not cause any damage," at her huff he continued, "I simply think that perhaps we should use a different approach to the two."

"What do you purpose?"

"Who besides Mr. Snape and Miss Granger have the ability to do that kind of magic without a wand?"

Minerva thought for a second before concluding, "Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Potter and Miss Diggory."

"Diggory? Isn't she Cedric's sister's daughter?"

"Yes, quite the talented girl. Also on the Quidditch team for Ravenclaw as a seeker."

"So she is also like our Miss Granger in that."

"Then it's settled. I want Granger, Snape, Potter, Malfoy, and Diggory, you might as well add Weasley, Montague, Medley, Brocklehurst, Jordan, Finch-Fletchley and Davies into it as well."

"Into what?"

"The Dueling Club, without wands."

That got both her nearly all gray mixed with brown eyebrows to shoot up.

~

Getting back into the school she headed to Defense Against Dark Arts only to find the class already over, which she sighed that she'd be getting a lecture from Snape about. When she went to turn around she heard her father's voice directed at obviously two captive young males newly returned from the nurse.

"I do not like having my class time wasted on the two of you and your petty fights over something as trivial as ink and parchments. I will have peace in my class if I have to put a limited Binding spell on each of you every day until end of term. You both will not interrupt my class again and to let this sink in both of your houses will lose fifty points," at the boys identical protests, he raised his arms to signal silence, "you will now have to explain to your fellow Houses why you lost those points and I suggest you earn them back in case you pull more foolishness and I am forced to take a hundred from each house which will remove both Slytherin and Gryffindor from the Yule Ball."

Equal, "Yes, sir" was heard from the two boys before he dismissed them.

As James headed out the door, he felt himself shoved against on the of the desk sides, the push so hard his upper right side thigh caught the blunt of it and sent pain up his body. Grinding his teeth as he watched Malfoy's smug face walk away only to have a piercing glare directed at the retreating blond from Roe.

Grateful that it wasn't another Slytherin, as he had passed by many on his way back from the infirmary, with comments on him being such a klutz, waste of space, etc. A ginger smile crossed his face as to not make the petite brunette in front of him worry.

"Did I miss something or did that dressing down set everything to rights between you and Snake Boy?"

"Right," he choked out, "like getting in trouble with Malfoy set things straight between the two of us."

Her eyes searched for her father's figure but it was blessedly out of sight that she wouldn't have to hear about how she shouldn't let how 'Potter' saw him influence what deed was done in order to get such a dressing down.

"Take it I only got the last part of that, huh?"

"I am amazed I came away with skin attached, the next thing I expected was for him to announce was my immediate presence needed to be locked in the stocks."

Roe couldn't help her giggle at the picture as they walked towards the Great Hall where lunch was already being served.

"How's our champion? Still all in one piece?" Velvet wondered.

"Why don't you let James eat, Velvet?" Roe snapped.

"Oh, come on, James you'll tell us won't you?" Topaz persisted that Winnie, who was sitting next to the elder girl elbowed her to get her to shut up.

Roe's eyes shot to the Slytherin table where it seemed Malfoy was wasting no time telling everyone who would listen what happened, his face battered from the fight that she smirked but as she noticed several Hufflepuff and Ravenclaws stop to listen, mainly female in gender, it didn't seem to keep girls from appraising his attributes pale though they were. Blowing hair upwards at the loose hairs that were now seeming to aggravate her from her forehead, she saw James take her hand and use his thumb to rub the top of it gently in a calming motion.

"To think I'm the one that got in the fight and you be more upset about it than I am."

"He's a jerk."

"No argument here," Sebastian's entrance was accompanied with a strawberry blond with focused mahogany eyes, "but aren't you two supposed to be coming with us?"

James and Roe shook their heads in what he was talking about.

Then an owl entered the Great Hall, letters clutched in the talons of a great brown owl, that it passed over the four different tables. Letters flew out; 3 at Slytherin, 2 at Hufflepuff, 2 at Ravenclaw and 3 at Gryffindor. One landed each in front of James and Roe, the last one in front of Wynter who had Velvet and Topaz crowding around to see what it was. Breaking the seal, Roe opened her letter, her eyes running over it and as she had just took a sip of Pumpkin juice managed to swallow it, causing her to choke from the reaction to the words in the letter. James's eyes were rounder than usual while across to the Slytherin table, Ebony had literally sprayed juice across the table, which conveniently enough was just where Avery and Bletchley were currently sitting.

"What is it?" Winnie wondered, glancing to her elder brother who held an identical paper in his hand as well as the girl behind him did.

"A summons that we join other appointed students on the Quidditch field to start a Dueling Without Wands Club that demands our presence as part of our fifth or sixth year project that has twelve members." Roe informed, the whole table intently listening.

"And that's not what I think is getting to Roe so much as who is on the team." Wynter added.

"Who is it?"

"Malfoy, Montague and Snape are three." Velvet chimed in.

Roe groaned, her head moving to the flat table surface in defeat.

"Along with the others, the five of us here included." Mariorie Diggory, the Seeker for Ravenclaw and girl standing beside Sebastian concluded, "along with Stacey Brocklehurst and Joshua Davies of Ravenclaw with Lark Finch-Fletchley and Trent Medley from Hufflepuff."

"Twelve."

"And if you two will read at the bottom it says that we have to be there in exactly three minutes."

That got both of their attentions as they filed out with Sebastian and Mariorie, as Winnie watched with interested hazel-blue eyes as sure enough Malfoy, Snape and Ebony went out the door with Wynter, Stacey, Lark, Joshua and Trent following.

~

Sebastian observed James's lip cut and black eye were healing but slowly along with Malfoy's identical black circles and broken nose. A shame that Pomfrey had to have the touch for fixing boys that just got out of fights, cause Malfoy could use some more down time with his looks.

"So are you going to practice today?" Sebastian asked James, for unlike his two best friends he was not on the Quidditch team but rather the other important person for the whole Quidditch game, the commentator.

"After we see what this is about," James replied, seeing Roe glare at Malfoy, who was walking behind them and kicking ever so often at the back of her shoes, "have you notice that all but three of us are on one of the four Quidditch teams?"

"Really?" Sebastian looked around and sure enough he recognized that all the people minus him, Wynter and Snape were on one of the four teams, "Interesting."

All of a sudden, as they got onto the large Quidditch field, the ten- spectator platforms rose high into the air that gave a perfect view of what happened when the games were being played, could each seat hundreds. Both ends of the field had three golden poles with hoops at the end that were fifty feet in the air, those were the goal posts where the Chasers on the team had to get the red Quaffle ball through in order to score 10 points. It was still a spectacular sight inside the stadium every time you saw it.

"Nice to know that you took our invites seriously," the prissy tone of Professor McGonagall sounded before she appeared before the twelve of them, "I suggest that you," her eyes followed to the only fifth years in the group which were Trent, Joshua and Stacey, "put away your wands, for you won't be needing them."

"Didn't the letter say with was for Dueling Club?" Trent Medley, a shaggy brown haired boy who was one of the Beaters on the Hufflepuff team, questioned.

"Indeed but this is Dueling Without Wands."

"Without wands?" Ebony Montague sneered.

"Why yes, Miss Montague, I am sure that your earlier appreciation of that concept with Miss Granger taught you that it is a very needed skill to have should you ever find yourself without your wand."

"Won't help if they put a silencing spell on you." Malfoy's cocky tone interfered.

"But it will," Prof. McGonagall announced, "May I have Miss Granger and Mr. Snape please step forward to demonstrate."

Trey stepped forward, his every movement guarded as Roe shrugged her shoulders.

"Please face one another," instructing them the Professor continued as they followed her directions, "now each of you is to use a curse or hex upon the other one."

That got everyone's attention as it was usually against rules to use that type of magic.

"Go on, we are all waiting."

Roe winked at her brother, whose eyebrow lifted as if to say the Professor had no idea what she was asking as they both knew each other, had learned to do without wands around each other for years.

As they caught each other's eyesight they called out the spells, sending them toward one another only to have the spell deflected by Professor McGonagall. Roe's enlarging spell was sent towards the grass near the end of the stadium making it grow over thirty feet high while Trey's boils spell was sent off harmlessly.

"You were going to use a boils spell on me?" Roe argued.

"Hey, Princess, not everyone uses nice simple spells like an Enlargement."

Roe narrowed her eyes at him, before muttering under her breath, "Petrificus Totalus."

The moment her words ended Trey was on the ground in the Full Body Bind, lying motionless with retribution in his gold eyes.

'Love you, too' Roe mouthed impishly before snapping her fingers due to the Professor's glare and he was again able to move.

"As you can see both Miss Granger and Mr. Snape already have advanced knowledge on using magic without assistance from their wands, Miss Granger has demonstrated her ability to call off a spell by snapping her fingers which is a very simple trick. As Professor Dumbledore and I have noticed that you all have that particular gift and we want to help you develop it. For Miss Granger and Mr. Snape it will be more competition for them," her eyes saw Roe's light in up amusement while Trey's were void of any emotion, "and help yourselves become the top wizard and witches we all know you to be. This is your project, how seriously you take it is up to you. We will meet once a week until school is over, since most of you are involved in Quidditch it won't be too hard on your schedules as we have had the fore sight to accept that. Now if you are all ready you may go back to lunch or continue to your afternoon class."

With that she had dismissed them, Roe finally noticed James and Sebastian's looks of astonishment.

"Oh, come off it you two. It's simple and it's not like neither of you have never thought of not using your wands."

"We had no idea you were this good at it, Roe." Sebastian's amazement clear in his voice.

"Doubted I could do it?"

"No," James cut in, "it's just odd to see you use magic without your wand. Though it now lets me understand why you always seemed to glare at your wand with impatience."

Roe saw Trey talking with Ebony and Malfoy, as well as Diggory commenting on his spell. Medley, Brocklehurst, Davies and Jordan were all listening to Roe talk to James and Sebastian.

"How are we supposed to do that? My wand is like..a part of me." Stacey Brocklehurst whined.

"Then don't do it. She said it was up to us how far we take this knowledge that she even thought we can do this is amazing in itself." Wynter said.

Roe felt a chill, sensing eyes on her and shot a glance over to where Malfoy stood.

"Think I can do it?" Malfoy asked, his entire attitude one of complete self- confidence.

"Why does my opinion matter to you? You'll think what you want to anyway."

"True, since I already know how to do the same things you two seem to," Malfoy bragged, his white-blond hair blowing slightly due to the breeze as the group moved towards the school, "makes me wonder just how you both seemed to anticipate when you were saying a spell. Keeping something from us, Snape?"

"Why would he do that? Being around me has obviously got to be better than hanging around self-assured jerks like yourself."

James and Sebastian stood to either side of her, knowing if she did need them she would have their help but knowing Roe that didn't look to be a problem.

Malfoy addressed her only, stepping away from Ebony who seemed to be hanging on him like a leech while Trey watched expressionlessly that only the six of them were still on the outside of Hogwarts the rest of the group having already headed inside.

"Really? Think of me that often you label me with titles, Granger? If I wasn't so disgusted I'd be impressed that you are finally developing taste, being around Potter and Weasley so long."

"Only you would take what I said as a compliment, Malfoy."

"I don't really put much weight in words, Granger, actions speak so much louder."

His closeness, within arms reach was making her skin revolt against her as if actually anticipating his touch. Angered at herself, she glared at him and walked away. As the three Gryffindors entered Malfoy's gray-blue eyes sought Trey's bronze ones and locked.

~

Damon threw off his cloak as he and Trey entered the Slytherin Common Room and headed up to the 6th year boy dormitory leaving confused Ebony in the Common Room who had to deal with Avery and Bletchley who immediately came to see about Damon but left him alone at the sight of his dark glare.

The cloak landed on his green satin covered bedspread, while he turned eyeing Trey who was leaning against the far wall. Trey was his only confidant, but not his friend. He didn't think the offspring of Severus Snape had friends or completely trusted anyone until now when Damon saw the passing understanding come between Trey and infuriating Granger.

"Are you in love with Granger?" Damon bluntly wondered, his arms crossed over his muscular chest due to years of Quidditch and fights.

Trey stood leaning, one foot resting flatly on the stone surface of the Slytherin wall while his arms were buried in the pockets of his pants under his robes. His entire manner gave nothing away but after years of knowing Trey, Damon could read most of the stoic's ways by the way he presented himself.

"You are, aren't you?"

Trey did that half-smirk thing that neither denied nor admitted anything.

"Let's just say you would have to be a fool not to love Roe."

"You call her Roe even," Damon persisted, his voice chilly as the night wind.

"I don't call her Granger because the name doesn't suit her," Trey said, almost laughing inside at how very true that statement was, "Roe is her name, so I call her that."

Damon's frustration at Trey's answers that didn't answer anything became apparent on his face.

"If you want me to say I'm in love with her, you are not going to hear it because I'm not," Trey paused, "although I know you are."

Damon glared at Trey.

"How did you come to that conclusion?"

"How you act. I'm surprised the entire school doesn't know that you have feelings for her, although right at this moment she won't give you the time of day and that kills you, doesn't it?"

"I do not have feelings for that Mudblood half-breed."

Trey took offense to that, something he rarely inclined himself to do that he stood up straight and walked over to Malfoy, his height a good three inches taller than Malfoy's six-foot stature.

"I know you do, Damon, you won't admit it for she's the only girl in this place who isn't trying to get into your pants. You hate it that she prefers Potter to you; her whole attitude judges you without really knowing you by how you present yourself to this school and your numerous conquests of the female population. It eats you up inside to see her with Potter and Weasley because in your mind they are unworthy. Have I just about covered it?"

Damon ran an absentminded hand through his silky blond hair, no gel or slick-easy spell on it because after 2nd year he was discussed how pimp- like it made him look.

"She's better off with them."

"If that's the way you feel you'll never let her see you as anyone but who you make yourself up to be."

"What's your connection to her?" Damon demanded, his patience gone.

Trey stopped at the door, his hand on the handle.

"For the record, all we have is a connection."

Damon watched Trey close the door as Damon felt his anger at the whole situation build up that his rage came out as he punched his fist into the nearest stone wall, blood oozed from his now bloody knuckles and the pain ran up his arm. It took his mind off of Granger for a minute before his thoughts returned to her again.

~

The next few weeks passed in a blurred motion of time. James demanded rather than requested practice for the last two and a half weeks until November when Quidditch officially started for the season. Coming in half caked in mud and grass wasn't unusual as the practices got fiercer and so did the weather. Cold was setting in, the morning dew turned to frost on the grass that all seven of the players were bundled up only to come back to their dormitory wet, cold and hungry.

Polishing her Lightning Flash, the newest fastest broom on the market that was made specifically with girl Quidditch players in mind, with her Broom Servicing Kit that night before the game tomorrow, starting right after classes ended for the weekend Roe yawned as James and Sebastian came into the Common Room with grins on their faces.

"If it isn't Dweedle Dumb and Dweedle Dee, where have you two been?"

"Out." Their simultaneous answer echoed in the room, fire roaring in the fireplace as scattered Gryffindors played games, studied or just talked.

"Really? Where?" Roe's inquiry got a guilty look on Sebastian's face while James smiled like the charmer he was.

"Curiosity killed the cat, Roe." James informed his friend.

"Good thing I'm not feline."

Sebastian did a very well played out yawn, stretching his arms high above his head his mouth wide open.

"Catching flies, 'Bastian?" Roe wondered.

"Well, I'm bushed. Night, Roe." Sebastian ran up the boy dormitory stairs without another word.

"Alright, what did you two do and how many house points is it going to take from us?"

James's innocent expression didn't fool her for one minute; he simply kissed her forehead in a brotherly gesture and went up to his bed. A giggle sounded out of Winnie, who was helping Lily study.

"And what is so funny?"

"Those two. Just leave it alone, Roe, you don't want to ruin everything do you?"

"Ruin what?"

Lily crinkled up her nose.

"James and Sebastian are playing a party.."

That was as far as the girl got before Winnie put her hand over her younger cousin's mouth.

"A party? Why?"

But that was left alone as the bell chimed ten o' clock and Professor McGonagall entered to tell them to get to bed. Packing away her broom, Roe felt a presence at the back of her mind that she was keeping a secret. Her dreams were plagued by unseen evils and she hated sleep right now. The retreating Professor, who paused, noticed her reluctance.

"Is something the matter, Miss Granger?"

"No, Professor just worried about the game tomorrow."

Winnie shook her head at the Professor.

"She's been having nightmares."

Roe's glare silenced any further comments from Winnie.

"Really? Are they bad?"

"Kind of."

"Well if you need a sleeping draft let Pomfrey know."

Roe nodded and let the Professor leave before turning her eyes on Winnie.

"Just how do you know that?"

"Velvet. You keep them all awake and she said last night you were screaming as if you were in pain."

"I'm fine."

Winnie's facial expression stated she didn't believe Roe.

"No, you're not. You've had them before when you spent spring break at our house and even your mom.."

"I'm fine." Roe's statement was pronounced by the icy look in her eyes.

Winnie just shook her head and headed to bed.

Sighing the elder girl gathered her belongings and headed upstairs. Her eyes trailed the bed as if it was evil, looking all inviting that she fell right to sleep and into the dream world where words, deeds, and pictures flooded her mind of an evil that was no longer sleeping. It scarred her and her brother at birth. The pale, peach-colored snake shaped scar on their backs near their left side belonged to the Cursed, the two people destined to bring down each other and the world they lived in. The nightmares had started when she came to Hogwarts, her entire life one big mystery about her parents and why had she and Trey been given these marks. It hurt to think that she might have to fight her brother, other than the school activities mandated. That she might hurt the world she felt removed from, her excitement gone from magic the instant her nightmares became more bloody, hideous and plain evil that she feared hurting everyone. Wishing she was normal..wishing she was Muggle...because to her that was the only way it was going to stop this constant fear in the back of her mind.

~ ~ ~

Next chapter soon..hopefully Chapter 3: Quidditch and Secrets

December 28, 2001