SEDUCE AND DESTROY

Chapter 1:
~Aurora Borealis~





Aurora felt a chill tickle her skin as she stepped onto the stony gray floors of the old dungeon room. The air was quite icy, despite the large blazing-red fire in the corner. The room, well hidden in the depths of the ancient castle, was completely empty except for a large forest green rug at the foot of the fire and an enormous velvet armchair, presently occupied by a man whose face was hidden behind the shadows of the windowless walls. Only the occasional crackle of the hot fire cut through the ever-thickening silence.

Several minutes of silence slowly crept its way through the dungeon. Aurora was beginning to worry. She clutched her wand tightly in her long white fingers, her eyes wide and alert, staring into the darkness. The silence persisted. Is this some kind of test? she wondered, gripping her wand even tighter, ready to call out a curse or hex at any trace of movement.

Suddenly, like the crack of a whip, a voice sounded from the darkened armchair.

"Aurora Borealis," said the strong, familiar voice.

Restoring her composure -Why do I always overreact in these situations? she scolded herself - she took a deep, silent breath and said evenly, "Good evening, sir."

"You know why I have sent for you." He wasn't asking her. He was telling her.

Anticipation sparkled in Aurora's large, black eyes. "No sir. I was not informed."

"Ah, excellent," he smirked, "The messengers have well-fulfilled their duties. They will be rewarded."

He watched her silently. Aurora strained to see his face, but could not. She felt the urge to speak; there was so much she wanted to say. One particular question kept pounding in her head -What could be of such dire importance and require the work of asingleindividual?

"Severus Snape," he hissed, answering her as though he had read her mind.

With the clap of thunder and a loud howl, the door behind her flew open and an icy wind blew through the threshold. Instinctively, Aurora gripped her wand and pointed it into the dark hall. No one was there.

"My, my. What odd weather for July," the dark figure chuckled. As Aurora turned around to face him once again, he continued his explanation.

"His loyalties, I believe, may not lie where we perceive them to. After the incident with the Potter boy this past June..."

Aurora's eyes widened in recollection of the events. She had only been back in Britain for a year, but quickly climbed her way back up into the inner circle. As a member of this elite group, Aurora was privileged with the kind knowledge that most wizards in her line of work were not. She was always one of the first to be informed of such happenings as the events in June, especially when they pertained to Harry Potter.

"...Snape has become a great concern of mine. I have doubts that his loyalties lie with us. If they do not, his presence at Hogwarts yields a grave danger to our side."

Aurora nodded in concerned agreement.

"If my suspicions hold true, Severus Snape must be terminated. However, as he may be vital to our future prosperity, I have decided to send a spy to Hogwarts. You, Miss Borealis, will be that spy."

Aurora's eyes widened in surprise. What? Why me?she desperately wanted to ask, but knew better than to question her superior.

Instead she inquired, "How can I be sure Dumbledore will trust me?"

"Ah, he is a man who has put much faith in those far less worthy than yourself. You are a former Hogwarts student, am I correct?"

"Yes. But I have been away for many years."

"It is enough that you were once under his tutelage. He will trust you, I am certain of it."

Well if he's so sure, then I suppose...

"I will do my best to ascertain that Snape's loyalties lie..." she paused, almost waiting for his approval, "...within the proper alliance."

"I am most confident you will..."



~*~

Ever since the meeting in the dungeon, Aurora's mind was filled with confused thoughts and questions. Who is this Severus Snape? And why does his name sound so familiar?she wondered. Her every moment was occupied with thoughts of her mission and thoughts of Snape. Why is this man's loyalty so vital to our survival? What makes him so worthy of this espionage?

Once in a while, she even doubted if she was fit for the task. What in Merlin's name would he choose me for?her inner-voice would scream. I can't teach!

But she drove away her negative thoughts and replaced them with more optimistic ones. Clearly, I was the best suited for the job, she reassured herself. The man does know what he's doing, otherwise he wouldn't be where he is today. Whenever Aurora was feeling a bit insecure or fearful, she would recite in her head comforting words of self-approval.

~*~

Almost immediately after she was assigned the job, Aurora sent Dumbledore an owl from her new room at Hogsmeade Inn. She wrote the message about ten times in ten different ways before she decided it was up to par. This is what she finally sent:

Dear Headmaster Dumbledore,

How have you been? It has been quite some time since I have last seen you. After spending 4 years working in Italy, I have decided to move on to a new career, to try something different with my life. (I'm sure you will recall from my years at Hogwarts how easily I get bored with one occupation!) This is the reason I am contacting you. I have taken a serious interest in teaching and I would truly appreciate meeting with you to discuss a possible position for me at Hogwarts. I know this may be a little short-notice, therefore I understand completely if you cannot offer me a job. I realize you are a busy man, and even if we do not meet to discuss practical matters, I would truly enjoy a short rendezvous with you over a cup of tea. One of the things I have missed the most since leaving Hogwarts is the opportunity to engage with you in what always ends up being a very exciting conversation. I will be staying at the Hogsneade Inn until the end of the month. I will be awaiting your reply. Good day!

~ Aurora Borealis

One sunny August morning, Aurora was awoken from her sleep when an old gray owl swooped into her window and dropped something on top of her head. Aurora grabbed the envelope and began cursing wildly at the owl for waking her up so rudely before she realized what she was holding in her hands. Her dark eyes widened in anticipation. It was a small yellowish envelope with her name scrawled on it in emerald green ink. She turned it over only to see (and at this her heart leapt) the fresh red wax of the Hogwarts seal. She opened it quickly and much to her content, it was a letter from Dumbledore:

Dear Miss Borealis,

I am fine and well and hopefully, I can say the same for you. I would most certainly be honored to meet with you. Likewise, your conversation has been much missed. If the time is agreeable, I will be expecting your company in my office for tea this afternoon at 3 o'clock. I hope to see you then.

AlbusDumbledore







Aurora looked toward her windowsill, hoping the owl would still be there. Thankfully it was. She pulled out a piece of parchment, quickly scribbled her confirmation and handed it to the owl. It shook its head stubbornly and pushed the envelope away with its wing. Aurora wondered for a moment why the owl wouldn't take her letter. "Oh!" she cried, remembering the profanities she had yelled at it earlier, "I'm so sorry!"

Accepting her apology, the owl flew forward and swiped the letter out of her hands. She watched as it flew away into the sky towards Hogwarts. When the owl became only a gray speck in the sky, Aurora hopped out of bed and headed toward the bathroom for one of Hogsmeade Inn's famous Bouncy Bubbly Baths. Aurora spent the rest of the morning preparing herself mentally for her meeting with Dumbledore later that afternoon.

At quarter to three, Aurora headed out of Hogsmeade Inn toward her former school. She was feeling a bit lazy and found herself wishing she could just apparate. But no one can disapparate or apparate in Hogwarts!she laughed to herself, remembering how interesting she thought that little piece of information was. Hogwarts: A History. She probably read that book about a hundred times.

After her quick little stroll down memory lane, Aurora was jerked back into reality at the ever-nearing sight of Hogwarts ahead. She began to feel anxiety building up within her. Her self-confidence was starting to flail. This was definitely a most excellent time to boost what little self-esteem she had left. I know what I am doing,she told herself. I am in control.

Before she had realized it, she had reached the large wooden doors of the main entrance. "Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," she spoke into the doors, as if addressing the school by its given name.

A couple of large ugly trolls stood as guards near the entrance. Despite her height (she was quite tall for a woman), Aurora felt microscopic next to them. It reminded her very much of her first night at Hogwarts. She remembered standing calmly outside the castle, among the crowd of the other fidgety first years, showing no signs of the panic that was prodding her insides. Oh, how much she wanted to turn and run away back home to her mother. She felt the same way now. But this time the circumstances were very different. She was an adult and was there on her own terms; she had a job to do. Aurora took a long, deep breath and reached for the handle, reciting calming words in her head. I am exceptional, I am unrivalled, I am the supreme...

But before she could turn the knob, the doors swung open, revealing the tall, thin, great wizard that was Dumbledore. "Ah!" he exclaimed cheerily, "What a pleasant surprise, Miss Borealis. Come in, come in!" His blue eyes twinkled with the exact same spirited sparkle that she saw on Graduation Night eleven years before.

As she stepped through the doors and stared up at the immense staircase, Aurora felt an exhilarating rush, like she was being pulled back in time. She felt like a little girl again. To her, the school was fascinating, beautiful, captivating, enchanting. A tremendous amount of energy radiated from the walls. It was simply glorious.

Hogwarts had not changed one little bit.