"People say the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
Why? Do they believe there is a shortage of bad ones?"
Chapter 5: Road to Hell
Lily Potter smiled as she placed Harry into the bed. His fat, round face was peaceful. It had not been so earlier when she had struggled to get him out of the tub and into his night gown. She yawned and wrapped her arms around herself. Kissing her son one last time, she went down stairs where James had just invited someone else in. Earlier that evening, Dumbledore had contacted them with a request. She and James had agreed before even hearing the request. They trusted him and whatever he needed in these uncertain times they would do.
Minerva McGonagall was at the door and she swept in, closing the door behind her. "James, its good to see you again."
"And you McGonagall." He said. "Lily should be down any moment."
"I trust Albus told you what to expect?" She asked.
"He had." Said a voice from the back room. It startled Minerva who already seemed jumpy. The man was tall and handsome, with dark brown hair and rich brown eyes and a fierce expression that belied his true demeanor.
"Headmaster Fenrir, you scared me." She scolded after she had recovered.
Vladimir smiled. He was the Headmaster of Hecate Academy, an orphanage and school for wizards in America and sister school of Hogwarts. "I am sorry McGonagall. But I was just talking with Mallory when I heard you come in."
"Gideon's here?"
"I am." Gideon Mallory was exquisite-looking. He was pale and had white hair cut perfectly framing his narrow face and calm blue eyes. He was dressed in a loose fitting tunic and trousers. Once known as Gideon Malfoy, he was the eldest brother of Lucius and Silas Malfoy who were known advocates of Lord Voldemort but nobody could prove it. Gideon had shunned his family name and adopted a life with the Aurors. He was responsible for some of the most successful captures of Death Eaters although he was known for his 'lax' methods. He never killed unless he had to, which among Aurors were more of an exception then a rule. He was also a close friend of Vladimir Fenrir. "But Drucilla is late."
James shot him a distrusting glare. "That doesn't mean anything."
"On the contrary," Gideon said cooly. "It means she is late."
Lily walked to the fireplace in her front room, staring into the intense flames. She ran her fingers through her wild red hair. "She'll be here. Severus wouldn't allow anyone to hurt her."
Gideon snorted angrily. "And you trust a Death Eater."
"No." Lily said fiercely. "I trust Severus."
"Let us pray you are right." Gideon whispered.
"She is gone!"
Isabel's voice cut through the night. Alistair, Ian, and Liam were the first to met her outside of Alchemy's room. Declan slipped out of Charlotte's room, both scrambling to dress. Isabel shot an icy glare at Declan before motioning for Elizabeth and Garridan to keep the children in their rooms. Alistair's eyes narrowed as he searched the group.
"Where's Severus?" He muttered.
"Right here." Snape murmured and he descended the stairs, fastening his cloak around his neck. He looked at Alistair with a calm, dangerous look. "Who is missing?"
"The child and Drucilla." Ian said, holding open the door to Alchemy's room.
Snape entered and studied the room. He sensed Alistair staring at him. Alistair was a smart man. He read people and Snape didn't trust him. He walked over to the bed where they had laid Alchemy to recover. The sheets were strewn as the girl had struggled and squirmed all night. There were blood stains on the white sheets.
"She couldn't have Apparated." Liam was saying. "Severus, you placed those charms on the forest yourself didn't you?"
"That's right." Alistair said in a low, treacherous voice. "You did."
"She didn't Apparate." Snape said as he swept across the room. He leaned against the window sill. He was staring into the forest. "She wouldn't risk going against the charms, not with an injured child."
Alistair looked murderous. "I'll go looking for her."
"No," Snape replied. "I will. She sees you and there is no telling what will happen to the child. Voldemort would be...disappointed if we lose both a child and one of his harem."
Alistair knew Voldemort fancied Drucilla above most of his lovers. He forced a nod. "You have a hour, Severus."
Snape didn't acknowledge him. He turned and traveled into the forest with the darkness swallowing his outline.
Alistair waited until he was certain Severus was gone. "I'll be back."
"Where are you going Alistair?" Liam asked.
"To follow him." Alistair said, pulling on his cloak. "I don't trust him."
"But Lord Voldemort-"
"Has probably already been betrayed Drucilla and Severus."
Snape forced himself to keep a steady pace until he was sure he was out of eye shot of the Coven. He broke into a troubled dash as soon as he felt confident the forest had cloaked him. Alistair was clever and more then likely he was already following him which meant the plan had changed. "Drucilla!"
"I'm over here, Severus."
Snape maneuvered her way towards her. His mind was racing and he was sure his doubt was written on his face. He calculated the time in his head it would take for Drucilla to take Alchemy away and return before the Coven tore the woods apart looking for them. Alistair wouldn't stop until he had her body. Snape searched his options and none seemed good. Then, it occurred to him. Alistair would have bodies. But he didn't have a lot of time.
Drucilla was asking him what was wrong, standing over Alchemy with her wand out.
"Severus?"
He stopped and studied her in the moon light. Drucilla was huddled by a fire, which cracked and hissed but, thankfully, caused no smoke. Her hair was framing her face and it glistened in the pale light. It was sharply contrasted to Alchemy's wild black hair. The child was sleeping under a potion by the fire. Both were pale and shivering.
I'm risking my life for them, Snape thought suddenly as he memorized the moment, I've killed women by far more beautiful and children younger yet for these two I am risking everything. These two women...if this had been another time they could have been my family.
"There has been a change of plans," He said casually, straining to keep any concern far from his voice. "You're going. I'm not."
She panicked. "Why not?"
"Alistair suspects something...I have to stay to keep him at bay." She had begun to stammer. He held her arms firmly but lovingly. "Drucilla, listen to me. I'll be alright...its you and Alchemy I'm worried about."
"We can go to Dumbledore..."
"He doesn't know Alistair...He and the others won't stop hunting me if they believe I have betrayed them." He lifted her head. "Go. If I can, I swear I'll find you."
"I can come back...after she is safe...I can..." Drucilla was crying, clutching on to Alchemy as if she too would slip from her grasps. She had been so close... "I can..."
"Swear to me you won't!" Snape hissed, concerned.
They looked into each others eyes, both of them imagining for a moment they really were the story book family. Father, Mother, and child; there was nothing more beyond this moment and nothing before it. Snape leaned down and kissed her.
"Everything will be alright." He assured her. But she didn't hear a word that he said. She was too afraid. He looked around him, wondering and wishing for the impossible and rebuking himself for becoming so foolish over this child and this woman...
Had this been any other time, He thought to himself, any other time....
"Drucilla, I swear to you, I will find you both. I will. Just survive this okay? Swear to me..."
"I...swear." She murmured.
"Whatever ..." He said, kneeling down and studying Alchemy. He brushed his hand over her sleeping face. He leaned closer and pulled away, deciding against kissing her. "Whatever happen, don't let go."
Drucilla nodded and disappeared, leaving Snape alone in the moonlight.
James Potter had pulled her into the living room. Drucilla was shaking and ghostly pale. Minerva and Gideon had taken off their cloaks and thrown them around her and the trembling child she was clutching to her chest. It took both James and Vladimir to finally coax Drucilla to release the girl. Lily entered the room bringing Drucilla a warm cup of tea before taking the girl upstairs to dress her in something warmer.
Dumbledore had arrived shortly before Drucilla and was currently trying to make sense of her prating.
"Breath slowly...angel...that its, catch your breath." Dumbledore soothed. "Now tell me. What happened?"
"Alistair found out, somehow he found out...or he suspected something." She shook her head vigorously. "I don't remember what he said, he just kept asking me to swear to him...I promised him I'd stay away..."
"Angel? What happened?"
"He sent me away. He's there all by himself...you don't know Alistair, he is ruthless. And he hates him, he's jealous...Sev is in trouble."
"He can take care of himself, Drucilla." He said, holding her head in his lap. He looked up as Lily entered the room.
"Albus...you need to see this."
"Whatever happens...don't let go of my hand..." Drucilla was muttering as she rocked.
He saw the uncertainty in Lily's eyes. She wasn't one to scare easily. He nodded reluctantly and eased away from Drucilla. He laid her head down and let her head rest on the sofa where she curled up and closed her eyes to sleep. Dumbledore followed Lily to her bedroom where James, Gideon, Vladimir, and Minerva had already formed a circle around the bed.
The girl was sleeping on her stomach. Lily had begun to dress in one of James' shirt, half the buttons were undone and caused the shirt to hang off of slender frame. It had fallen past her left should blade. A large, blistered Dark Mark glistened from her tender brown skin. The snake curled around the skull with it's head at the base of her neck. It was healing fast.
"What does it mean?" McGonagall asked.
Dumbledore leaned forward and touched the Mark. As he touched the Mark, he felt a sudden chill followed by an incredible heat that burned him. He recoiled quickly, his fingers burned. He rubbed them tenderly. "I don't know..."
"I do. It means she is sworn to the Death Eaters." Gideon explained, his eyes were set on the sleeping child. "She was conceived, born and raised surrounded by Death Eaters; there is no telling what she represents, what she is capable of. She was created to be the perfect Death Eater, Voldemort's own." He looked up. "She is evil, Dumbledore, surely you can sense it as well as I."
Dumbledore refused to admit the change he had felt once the child entered. The air around her had become stale and chilly. Her very being seemed sinister as if darkness itself fled to surround her like a cloak. She was a child, he reminded himself, and what evil Voldemort had instilled in her could be redress. Or, at least, he hoped so.
"Destroy the seed of evil or it will grow up to be your ruin." Gideon warned.
Snape knew Alistair wouldn't stop till he had a body and that is exactly what Snape would give him. He Apparated back at the convent. It was still now, quiet. The bodies wouldn't be discovered till morning. He crept to the couple on the floor. His last victims laid as he had left them, basking in that unattainable peace. He stared at the woman who had suffered the Cruciatus Curse and to the boy who had prayed for him. Both had their eyes closed and appeared sleeping soundly, ignoring him. He was dumbstruck and a small, awed smile crept over his features. Their deity had saved them.
He leaned down and took the boy's body into his arms. The stiffness of death was setting in but the body curled into his arms. "Perhaps this is of some comfort, you may yet save a life." He whispered in his ear.
He entered the main chapel and turned to face the crucifix. It was different now, it's expression welcoming. Snape walked to it and kneeled. He bowed his head, beckoning the deity's attention to the body, like an offering. "I don't know if your real or not or if you even existed at all but if you posses half the power the Muggles believe you have, then please let this work. I know I am the last man on earth that is worthy to ask you for something but aren't people like me the ones the Muggles say you helped? Alchemy...she is just a girl, a little kid. Please let this work." Snape's voice broke a few times while he spoke but he didn't care. He remained staring at the crucifix for a long time not knowing what to expect. It didn't move or change but something was different. Snape realized it a moment later. He believe the child would live; he had hope and that was the miracle. Silently, he Disapparated.
Why? Do they believe there is a shortage of bad ones?"
Chapter 5: Road to Hell
Lily Potter smiled as she placed Harry into the bed. His fat, round face was peaceful. It had not been so earlier when she had struggled to get him out of the tub and into his night gown. She yawned and wrapped her arms around herself. Kissing her son one last time, she went down stairs where James had just invited someone else in. Earlier that evening, Dumbledore had contacted them with a request. She and James had agreed before even hearing the request. They trusted him and whatever he needed in these uncertain times they would do.
Minerva McGonagall was at the door and she swept in, closing the door behind her. "James, its good to see you again."
"And you McGonagall." He said. "Lily should be down any moment."
"I trust Albus told you what to expect?" She asked.
"He had." Said a voice from the back room. It startled Minerva who already seemed jumpy. The man was tall and handsome, with dark brown hair and rich brown eyes and a fierce expression that belied his true demeanor.
"Headmaster Fenrir, you scared me." She scolded after she had recovered.
Vladimir smiled. He was the Headmaster of Hecate Academy, an orphanage and school for wizards in America and sister school of Hogwarts. "I am sorry McGonagall. But I was just talking with Mallory when I heard you come in."
"Gideon's here?"
"I am." Gideon Mallory was exquisite-looking. He was pale and had white hair cut perfectly framing his narrow face and calm blue eyes. He was dressed in a loose fitting tunic and trousers. Once known as Gideon Malfoy, he was the eldest brother of Lucius and Silas Malfoy who were known advocates of Lord Voldemort but nobody could prove it. Gideon had shunned his family name and adopted a life with the Aurors. He was responsible for some of the most successful captures of Death Eaters although he was known for his 'lax' methods. He never killed unless he had to, which among Aurors were more of an exception then a rule. He was also a close friend of Vladimir Fenrir. "But Drucilla is late."
James shot him a distrusting glare. "That doesn't mean anything."
"On the contrary," Gideon said cooly. "It means she is late."
Lily walked to the fireplace in her front room, staring into the intense flames. She ran her fingers through her wild red hair. "She'll be here. Severus wouldn't allow anyone to hurt her."
Gideon snorted angrily. "And you trust a Death Eater."
"No." Lily said fiercely. "I trust Severus."
"Let us pray you are right." Gideon whispered.
"She is gone!"
Isabel's voice cut through the night. Alistair, Ian, and Liam were the first to met her outside of Alchemy's room. Declan slipped out of Charlotte's room, both scrambling to dress. Isabel shot an icy glare at Declan before motioning for Elizabeth and Garridan to keep the children in their rooms. Alistair's eyes narrowed as he searched the group.
"Where's Severus?" He muttered.
"Right here." Snape murmured and he descended the stairs, fastening his cloak around his neck. He looked at Alistair with a calm, dangerous look. "Who is missing?"
"The child and Drucilla." Ian said, holding open the door to Alchemy's room.
Snape entered and studied the room. He sensed Alistair staring at him. Alistair was a smart man. He read people and Snape didn't trust him. He walked over to the bed where they had laid Alchemy to recover. The sheets were strewn as the girl had struggled and squirmed all night. There were blood stains on the white sheets.
"She couldn't have Apparated." Liam was saying. "Severus, you placed those charms on the forest yourself didn't you?"
"That's right." Alistair said in a low, treacherous voice. "You did."
"She didn't Apparate." Snape said as he swept across the room. He leaned against the window sill. He was staring into the forest. "She wouldn't risk going against the charms, not with an injured child."
Alistair looked murderous. "I'll go looking for her."
"No," Snape replied. "I will. She sees you and there is no telling what will happen to the child. Voldemort would be...disappointed if we lose both a child and one of his harem."
Alistair knew Voldemort fancied Drucilla above most of his lovers. He forced a nod. "You have a hour, Severus."
Snape didn't acknowledge him. He turned and traveled into the forest with the darkness swallowing his outline.
Alistair waited until he was certain Severus was gone. "I'll be back."
"Where are you going Alistair?" Liam asked.
"To follow him." Alistair said, pulling on his cloak. "I don't trust him."
"But Lord Voldemort-"
"Has probably already been betrayed Drucilla and Severus."
Snape forced himself to keep a steady pace until he was sure he was out of eye shot of the Coven. He broke into a troubled dash as soon as he felt confident the forest had cloaked him. Alistair was clever and more then likely he was already following him which meant the plan had changed. "Drucilla!"
"I'm over here, Severus."
Snape maneuvered her way towards her. His mind was racing and he was sure his doubt was written on his face. He calculated the time in his head it would take for Drucilla to take Alchemy away and return before the Coven tore the woods apart looking for them. Alistair wouldn't stop until he had her body. Snape searched his options and none seemed good. Then, it occurred to him. Alistair would have bodies. But he didn't have a lot of time.
Drucilla was asking him what was wrong, standing over Alchemy with her wand out.
"Severus?"
He stopped and studied her in the moon light. Drucilla was huddled by a fire, which cracked and hissed but, thankfully, caused no smoke. Her hair was framing her face and it glistened in the pale light. It was sharply contrasted to Alchemy's wild black hair. The child was sleeping under a potion by the fire. Both were pale and shivering.
I'm risking my life for them, Snape thought suddenly as he memorized the moment, I've killed women by far more beautiful and children younger yet for these two I am risking everything. These two women...if this had been another time they could have been my family.
"There has been a change of plans," He said casually, straining to keep any concern far from his voice. "You're going. I'm not."
She panicked. "Why not?"
"Alistair suspects something...I have to stay to keep him at bay." She had begun to stammer. He held her arms firmly but lovingly. "Drucilla, listen to me. I'll be alright...its you and Alchemy I'm worried about."
"We can go to Dumbledore..."
"He doesn't know Alistair...He and the others won't stop hunting me if they believe I have betrayed them." He lifted her head. "Go. If I can, I swear I'll find you."
"I can come back...after she is safe...I can..." Drucilla was crying, clutching on to Alchemy as if she too would slip from her grasps. She had been so close... "I can..."
"Swear to me you won't!" Snape hissed, concerned.
They looked into each others eyes, both of them imagining for a moment they really were the story book family. Father, Mother, and child; there was nothing more beyond this moment and nothing before it. Snape leaned down and kissed her.
"Everything will be alright." He assured her. But she didn't hear a word that he said. She was too afraid. He looked around him, wondering and wishing for the impossible and rebuking himself for becoming so foolish over this child and this woman...
Had this been any other time, He thought to himself, any other time....
"Drucilla, I swear to you, I will find you both. I will. Just survive this okay? Swear to me..."
"I...swear." She murmured.
"Whatever ..." He said, kneeling down and studying Alchemy. He brushed his hand over her sleeping face. He leaned closer and pulled away, deciding against kissing her. "Whatever happen, don't let go."
Drucilla nodded and disappeared, leaving Snape alone in the moonlight.
James Potter had pulled her into the living room. Drucilla was shaking and ghostly pale. Minerva and Gideon had taken off their cloaks and thrown them around her and the trembling child she was clutching to her chest. It took both James and Vladimir to finally coax Drucilla to release the girl. Lily entered the room bringing Drucilla a warm cup of tea before taking the girl upstairs to dress her in something warmer.
Dumbledore had arrived shortly before Drucilla and was currently trying to make sense of her prating.
"Breath slowly...angel...that its, catch your breath." Dumbledore soothed. "Now tell me. What happened?"
"Alistair found out, somehow he found out...or he suspected something." She shook her head vigorously. "I don't remember what he said, he just kept asking me to swear to him...I promised him I'd stay away..."
"Angel? What happened?"
"He sent me away. He's there all by himself...you don't know Alistair, he is ruthless. And he hates him, he's jealous...Sev is in trouble."
"He can take care of himself, Drucilla." He said, holding her head in his lap. He looked up as Lily entered the room.
"Albus...you need to see this."
"Whatever happens...don't let go of my hand..." Drucilla was muttering as she rocked.
He saw the uncertainty in Lily's eyes. She wasn't one to scare easily. He nodded reluctantly and eased away from Drucilla. He laid her head down and let her head rest on the sofa where she curled up and closed her eyes to sleep. Dumbledore followed Lily to her bedroom where James, Gideon, Vladimir, and Minerva had already formed a circle around the bed.
The girl was sleeping on her stomach. Lily had begun to dress in one of James' shirt, half the buttons were undone and caused the shirt to hang off of slender frame. It had fallen past her left should blade. A large, blistered Dark Mark glistened from her tender brown skin. The snake curled around the skull with it's head at the base of her neck. It was healing fast.
"What does it mean?" McGonagall asked.
Dumbledore leaned forward and touched the Mark. As he touched the Mark, he felt a sudden chill followed by an incredible heat that burned him. He recoiled quickly, his fingers burned. He rubbed them tenderly. "I don't know..."
"I do. It means she is sworn to the Death Eaters." Gideon explained, his eyes were set on the sleeping child. "She was conceived, born and raised surrounded by Death Eaters; there is no telling what she represents, what she is capable of. She was created to be the perfect Death Eater, Voldemort's own." He looked up. "She is evil, Dumbledore, surely you can sense it as well as I."
Dumbledore refused to admit the change he had felt once the child entered. The air around her had become stale and chilly. Her very being seemed sinister as if darkness itself fled to surround her like a cloak. She was a child, he reminded himself, and what evil Voldemort had instilled in her could be redress. Or, at least, he hoped so.
"Destroy the seed of evil or it will grow up to be your ruin." Gideon warned.
Snape knew Alistair wouldn't stop till he had a body and that is exactly what Snape would give him. He Apparated back at the convent. It was still now, quiet. The bodies wouldn't be discovered till morning. He crept to the couple on the floor. His last victims laid as he had left them, basking in that unattainable peace. He stared at the woman who had suffered the Cruciatus Curse and to the boy who had prayed for him. Both had their eyes closed and appeared sleeping soundly, ignoring him. He was dumbstruck and a small, awed smile crept over his features. Their deity had saved them.
He leaned down and took the boy's body into his arms. The stiffness of death was setting in but the body curled into his arms. "Perhaps this is of some comfort, you may yet save a life." He whispered in his ear.
He entered the main chapel and turned to face the crucifix. It was different now, it's expression welcoming. Snape walked to it and kneeled. He bowed his head, beckoning the deity's attention to the body, like an offering. "I don't know if your real or not or if you even existed at all but if you posses half the power the Muggles believe you have, then please let this work. I know I am the last man on earth that is worthy to ask you for something but aren't people like me the ones the Muggles say you helped? Alchemy...she is just a girl, a little kid. Please let this work." Snape's voice broke a few times while he spoke but he didn't care. He remained staring at the crucifix for a long time not knowing what to expect. It didn't move or change but something was different. Snape realized it a moment later. He believe the child would live; he had hope and that was the miracle. Silently, he Disapparated.