Chapter Fifteen
Sirius had been right about one thing, Genevieve's anger stage came quickly and was extremely intense. Fortunately she had enough self control not to lash out at everyone, keeping her focused on the task at hand and returning to her duties at the school. She, and every one else, checked and rechecked every part of the plan so there would be no surprises.
Snape haunted the death eater meetings, waiting for a chance to tell the Dark Lord what he knew. He finally got his chance in early April.
"I am ready for your service now." Snape heard a bone chilling voice behind him. Immediately he did what was expected and fell to his knees.
"Anything, my lord."
"Where does the creature store the watches?"
"She keeps them in an enchanted bag, which she wears constantly, even in her sleep."
"A challenge. I look forward to seeing her again, with a little retribution for what she did to me." Snape had to act as if he didn't know what Voldemort was talking about. After all, with a few memory charms and falsified testimony Voldemort had convinced his followers that the Ministry had ambushed them at Christmas resulting in so many of their comrade's deaths.
"Genevieve is paranoid. She lives in a room that changes its location in the castle twice a week, and has placed Dark magic detectors throughout her chamber that will alert Dumbledore should a curse be fired within."
"Clever, but not unavoidable. Go on."
"Her room won't move for another two days and is located near the north tower, I have drawn a map of it for you." Snape handed him a map drawn on leather, similar to the maurauder's map in that it contained dots to represent people, but it only showed the north tower hallway.
"You have done well." Voldemort was about to leave the meeting when Snape begged for another moment.
"It gets better, my lord." Voldemort scanned the leather map before surveying Snape's bowed head.
"Better?"
"Yes, the focus of your hatred, Harry Potter" Snape spat the name, "visits the creature every evening for extra lessons." He pointed to the map. "You will be able to see when he arrives."
Voldemort's previous contentment with Snape's information turned to twisted pleasure with the possibility of killing two birds with one stone.or in this case two enemies with one blow.
*********************
Knowing that Voldemort's glowing red eyes were watching her every movement added a rigidity to Genevieve's routine. She knew he would only come when Harry was in the room and felt horrible for using him as bate, even though it has been his idea.
'It is the only way we can anticipate when Voldemort will strike,' he had said at the last meeting. 'Once he sees me on the map, alone in that room with you and no one else in the part he can see then he'll strike and we'll be ready. If not, he could come in the dead of night or when we least expect it.' Genevieve had to hand it to him, he could argue rationally for a dangerously stupid plan just like his father.
Genevieve crossed the room to make herbal tea for Professor McGonagall who had come to visit. The truth was she'd had almost a steady stream of visitors, since Snape had relinquished the map. They were there to ensure Voldemort wouldn't try anything too early, or that if he did some one else who knew the Separation spell would be present.
"You'll be using the blinding emotions on him," McGonagall was reminding her, "so be sure you stay calm. I know you're angry but you can't let him rile you up."
"Thank you, I am aware" said Genevieve respectfully. "I won't do anything to jeopardize the mission. I'm hoping to channel my anger to fight him more effectively, but still wish Harry didn't have to be so close to danger."
"As do we all, as do we all." McGonagall patted Genevieve reassuringly on the knee, and then sipped her tea in silence.
***********************
Harry made his way toward the North Tower accompanied by Remus Lupin. It was a long walk up many staircases and Harry needed something to take his mind off the impending task, so he asked his former professor questions.
"What exactly are these 'Blinding Emotions' everyone keeps talking about? Some sort of curse?" Remus chuckled.
"Nothing so magically based, more like psychological warfare. They are natural emotions that become so intense it clouds a persons thinking, or blinds them to what is actually happening. Hence the name Blinding Emotions."
"What are they and how does Genevieve use them?"
"There are a few categories, like Lust and Passion, but Genevieve's not planning on seducing You-Know-Who, at least, I hope not."
He paused, hoping his joke would ease the tension, it did, but only a little. "Fear can be debilitating. But what you are about to see belongs to the Anger, Hatred and Revenge family of Blinding Emotions. Her job is to do whatever it takes to blind him from seeing what the rest of us are doing. Incidentally, I wouldn't take anything said in there as necessarily the truth. Like Dumbledore told you earlier, just go along with whatever happens and when Voldemort is distracted the rest of us will slip in to control the situation."
"What if." Harry wasn't sure he could finish the question.
"The keys are on the mantle if you need them."
Harry nodded his understanding and as they got to Genevieve's bedroom door Lupin continued up the hallway. The majority of the white warriors were stationed on either side of the cut off line of Voldemort's map keeping a careful eye on the situation with the original marauders map.
"Hello Harry, are you ready for you lesson?"
"Yes, I'm sure this one will prove to be most educational." Harry played into the roll, expecting to see the Dark Lord at any moment. In fact, fifteen minutes passed with no sign of him, so they kept practicing Old Magic.
Genevieve sensed Harry's emotions, a cross between boredom and anxiety so decided they needed a break.
"Harry, has anyone ever taught you to dance?" Harry looked up from the potato he had just turned into a gerbil in surprise.
"No, but."
"Would you like to learn?"
"Now isn't exactly the time."
"Sure it is, we'll be looking over each other's shoulders spinning around the room. What better way to stay on our toes."
Genevieve reached into her bag and pulled out a selection of coin disks. Gratefully, she picked an upbeat song they could still waltz to and the tension soon dissolved. Harry fell into step and soon found, much to his surprise, he enjoyed dancing. The rhythm proved so soothing he cooperated when Genevieve gently urged him to experiment with the motions.
Harry spun Genevieve out but quickly dropped her hand when he saw a skeletal face and glowing red eyes watching him ten feet away. Voldemort's boney hands clapped sarcastically after dropping his now expired watch, letting it fall into the many folds of his black velvet cloak.
"Well, isn't this a happy little family." A gaunt finger motioned for them to continue. "Please, don't let me interrupt you." His voice was oily and full of false pleasure.
"Get back Harry," Genevieve placed herself between Voldemort and the Boy Who Lived then raised her hands already glowing with magic. "All this time I was worried you were going to use your one jump to increase your power or wealth, but you just wanted into my bedchamber. Flattering as that may be, I'm already spoken for."
"Stupid creature. You have a few things I need."
"A shopping trip then?"
"Hardly. Shouldn't you be scampering off to the kitchens like a good wench or saving your family from harm. Pardon me, you failed at that already. How many times have people died because of your negligence? Let's see two sets of Potters, your parents, your husband and of course we can't forget that adorable child. It may please you to know he didn't cry when I slit his throat."
"Get out of here or else I'll ram what's left of your nose down your throat."
"You call that an insult."
"Chalk it up to short notice. What I was going to say you would take as a complement. Evil maniacal fiend- for example." Her voice remained calm, nearly conversational.
"You are right, I would." Voldemort twiddled with his wand walking around the room. Genevieve kept Harry near the fireplace the furthest from Voldemort as possible, then kept talking.
"So, at risk of asking a stupid question, why are you here?"
"That is a stupid question. I want Harry and I want the other Traveler's watches. Stupify." He shot the curse lazily across the room, but Genevieve bounced it off her hands to hit the roof. "Impressive. Did you learn that in house elf school, servant girl?" Voldemort hissed. "Stupify." This time he put more force behind it.
Genevieve caught the curse and threw it back at him. It grazed his left shoulder, forcing him to pause for a moment. She shot Expellaramus and Stupify at him in rapid succession, but he managed to keep hold on his wand and remain upright. Spreading her arms out she conjured an energy field that deflected his repeated Crucio curses.
"Well, Tommy. What are you going to do now?"
He seemed to be debating his options when a grin pulled his lip-less mouth into a line. Spell after spell he hurled at the door, barricading it from the inside.
"It looks like were at a standstill. It will be most difficult for anyone to open the door from the outside to help you, are you sure you can maintain this little force field that long. Crucio, crucio, crucio, Finite Incantatum, Alohamora, relestus ." The field barely wavered, but it was enough to give him encouragement. He continued, unleashing every curse he could think of into the partition until he sat down on the bed to keep going. The wall stayed true under the assault, but it would not for long. A flick of her eye to the window over the doorway proved that the others were having difficulty getting in. Remus was mouthing the words, 'Stall him', while Sirius made a rude hand gesture behind the Dark Lord's back.
Genevieve refocused her attention on her foe.
"You may even get past that eventually, but if you want Harry, you'll have to kill me first and well all know how well something like that went on Halloween fifteen years ago."
"You could join me. I can free you from your servitude to these weak mortals. Your powers and mine combined would rule the world. Just give me what I want." His voice was appealing, but the thought disgusted Genevieve, an emotion she didn't hide in her reply.
"Has anyone ever actually believed that line, Tom? I guess not since your lack of world domination proves there have been no takers in all the years you've used it. It might be your tone; you should try to work on that, maybe in a few singles bars on women who are very, very drunk."
"I have a better idea," Voldemort was smiling, if one could call it that, and stood up again. "I lord Voldemort, issue Challenge to Genevieve Carrington." Genevieve's expression fell, revealing panic and fear.
"What, how do you." she stammered.
"You thought I would forget the traditions of your people. Remember, several of them were fiercely loyal to me before the ministry exterminated them."
"Then you know that you are also bound to meet the terms of Challenge, no matter what, by Old Magic that will enforce the conditions. Swords only, no magic." Voldemort nodded viscously. "What are the terms?"
"When I win the watches and the boy are mine." Voldemort said cockily.
"That will remain to be seen. In the event I triumph you will subject yourself to one curse of my choosing and will exile yourself from the wizarding world completely. Agreed?"
"You think you've found a curse that could hurt me, that would be good for a laugh. Agreed." Voldemort hissed. He harnessed his wand and retrieved a beautiful long sword from his cloak. The hilt was covered in a swirl of metallic snakes and emeralds, the blood grove in the center of the blade still held vestiges of his last kill.
Genevieve, sword in hand, gave Harry a firm hug.
"Alright. Remember what we practiced. Now, it's all up to you." Harry nodded nervously, and flattened himself against the fireplace.
Genevieve let down the glowing field that separated herself from Voldemort and was instantly attacked by his blade. She only took two steps back before advancing, then swiveling around so Voldemort's back was to Harry who grabbed the key off the mantle. She could not hear it, but the wizards outside the door were cheering her on.
Harry chanted quietly under his breath while rubbing the key, trying not to be distracted by the battle for his life ensuing mere feet from where he stood. It reminded him of the kung fu movies Dudley watched and their wildly fast paced sword fight scenes. He only wished that careful choreography would ensure the good guy would win this time.
As the struggle grew faster and more furious blows were taken on both sides and blood splattered the walls. Genevieve had cut him on the leg creating a pool of slippery blood on the floor. She sustained major injuries to her arms and back when she was forced to deflect an unanticipated slice with them. Sweat mingled with blood to create a pungent aroma that made Harry nauseous, yet he kept chanting.
Slowly, so as not to be noticed by the fighters he placed the key on the floor and intensified his concentration. Tangible magic swirled around it, glowing like a yellow hurricane. A breeze blew loose papers around the room and billowed the dueler's cloaks. Voldemort's mad laugh echoed through the expansive space.
"Beg for mercy, and I may let you live."
"In your dreams." She pushed him backward, toward the fireplace, with a violent, unrelenting advance. Genevieve entangled her sword with his ornate hilt and spit into his red eyes. She ripped the sword from his grasp and sent it skidding across the floor, her own sword at his neck.
"Challenge met" she sneered into his ear.
Mustering every ounce of energy left in her body she pushed him backward into the swirling vortex, a look of shock and surprise petrified on his face.
A deathly rattle issued from his lungs as his body became shrouded in grey smoke, his life essence was sucked into the key. When the portal closed his carcass fell to the ground with a satisfying 'smack'.
Genevieve, touched her blade to her forehead in salute to the time honored tradition, then having depleted all her energy, collapsed next to him. Harry struggled to stay lucid. None of his experiences with Old Magic had prepared him to feel as empty as he did at that moment. Blurry faces signed at him from the window to release the spells on the door. Harry could barely hold up his wand, let alone aim it at a point across the room and he didn't know what sealing charms were used. In a last attempt before losing consciousness he held his palm open toward the door knob, the last thought in his mind visualized it turning.
Sirius had been right about one thing, Genevieve's anger stage came quickly and was extremely intense. Fortunately she had enough self control not to lash out at everyone, keeping her focused on the task at hand and returning to her duties at the school. She, and every one else, checked and rechecked every part of the plan so there would be no surprises.
Snape haunted the death eater meetings, waiting for a chance to tell the Dark Lord what he knew. He finally got his chance in early April.
"I am ready for your service now." Snape heard a bone chilling voice behind him. Immediately he did what was expected and fell to his knees.
"Anything, my lord."
"Where does the creature store the watches?"
"She keeps them in an enchanted bag, which she wears constantly, even in her sleep."
"A challenge. I look forward to seeing her again, with a little retribution for what she did to me." Snape had to act as if he didn't know what Voldemort was talking about. After all, with a few memory charms and falsified testimony Voldemort had convinced his followers that the Ministry had ambushed them at Christmas resulting in so many of their comrade's deaths.
"Genevieve is paranoid. She lives in a room that changes its location in the castle twice a week, and has placed Dark magic detectors throughout her chamber that will alert Dumbledore should a curse be fired within."
"Clever, but not unavoidable. Go on."
"Her room won't move for another two days and is located near the north tower, I have drawn a map of it for you." Snape handed him a map drawn on leather, similar to the maurauder's map in that it contained dots to represent people, but it only showed the north tower hallway.
"You have done well." Voldemort was about to leave the meeting when Snape begged for another moment.
"It gets better, my lord." Voldemort scanned the leather map before surveying Snape's bowed head.
"Better?"
"Yes, the focus of your hatred, Harry Potter" Snape spat the name, "visits the creature every evening for extra lessons." He pointed to the map. "You will be able to see when he arrives."
Voldemort's previous contentment with Snape's information turned to twisted pleasure with the possibility of killing two birds with one stone.or in this case two enemies with one blow.
*********************
Knowing that Voldemort's glowing red eyes were watching her every movement added a rigidity to Genevieve's routine. She knew he would only come when Harry was in the room and felt horrible for using him as bate, even though it has been his idea.
'It is the only way we can anticipate when Voldemort will strike,' he had said at the last meeting. 'Once he sees me on the map, alone in that room with you and no one else in the part he can see then he'll strike and we'll be ready. If not, he could come in the dead of night or when we least expect it.' Genevieve had to hand it to him, he could argue rationally for a dangerously stupid plan just like his father.
Genevieve crossed the room to make herbal tea for Professor McGonagall who had come to visit. The truth was she'd had almost a steady stream of visitors, since Snape had relinquished the map. They were there to ensure Voldemort wouldn't try anything too early, or that if he did some one else who knew the Separation spell would be present.
"You'll be using the blinding emotions on him," McGonagall was reminding her, "so be sure you stay calm. I know you're angry but you can't let him rile you up."
"Thank you, I am aware" said Genevieve respectfully. "I won't do anything to jeopardize the mission. I'm hoping to channel my anger to fight him more effectively, but still wish Harry didn't have to be so close to danger."
"As do we all, as do we all." McGonagall patted Genevieve reassuringly on the knee, and then sipped her tea in silence.
***********************
Harry made his way toward the North Tower accompanied by Remus Lupin. It was a long walk up many staircases and Harry needed something to take his mind off the impending task, so he asked his former professor questions.
"What exactly are these 'Blinding Emotions' everyone keeps talking about? Some sort of curse?" Remus chuckled.
"Nothing so magically based, more like psychological warfare. They are natural emotions that become so intense it clouds a persons thinking, or blinds them to what is actually happening. Hence the name Blinding Emotions."
"What are they and how does Genevieve use them?"
"There are a few categories, like Lust and Passion, but Genevieve's not planning on seducing You-Know-Who, at least, I hope not."
He paused, hoping his joke would ease the tension, it did, but only a little. "Fear can be debilitating. But what you are about to see belongs to the Anger, Hatred and Revenge family of Blinding Emotions. Her job is to do whatever it takes to blind him from seeing what the rest of us are doing. Incidentally, I wouldn't take anything said in there as necessarily the truth. Like Dumbledore told you earlier, just go along with whatever happens and when Voldemort is distracted the rest of us will slip in to control the situation."
"What if." Harry wasn't sure he could finish the question.
"The keys are on the mantle if you need them."
Harry nodded his understanding and as they got to Genevieve's bedroom door Lupin continued up the hallway. The majority of the white warriors were stationed on either side of the cut off line of Voldemort's map keeping a careful eye on the situation with the original marauders map.
"Hello Harry, are you ready for you lesson?"
"Yes, I'm sure this one will prove to be most educational." Harry played into the roll, expecting to see the Dark Lord at any moment. In fact, fifteen minutes passed with no sign of him, so they kept practicing Old Magic.
Genevieve sensed Harry's emotions, a cross between boredom and anxiety so decided they needed a break.
"Harry, has anyone ever taught you to dance?" Harry looked up from the potato he had just turned into a gerbil in surprise.
"No, but."
"Would you like to learn?"
"Now isn't exactly the time."
"Sure it is, we'll be looking over each other's shoulders spinning around the room. What better way to stay on our toes."
Genevieve reached into her bag and pulled out a selection of coin disks. Gratefully, she picked an upbeat song they could still waltz to and the tension soon dissolved. Harry fell into step and soon found, much to his surprise, he enjoyed dancing. The rhythm proved so soothing he cooperated when Genevieve gently urged him to experiment with the motions.
Harry spun Genevieve out but quickly dropped her hand when he saw a skeletal face and glowing red eyes watching him ten feet away. Voldemort's boney hands clapped sarcastically after dropping his now expired watch, letting it fall into the many folds of his black velvet cloak.
"Well, isn't this a happy little family." A gaunt finger motioned for them to continue. "Please, don't let me interrupt you." His voice was oily and full of false pleasure.
"Get back Harry," Genevieve placed herself between Voldemort and the Boy Who Lived then raised her hands already glowing with magic. "All this time I was worried you were going to use your one jump to increase your power or wealth, but you just wanted into my bedchamber. Flattering as that may be, I'm already spoken for."
"Stupid creature. You have a few things I need."
"A shopping trip then?"
"Hardly. Shouldn't you be scampering off to the kitchens like a good wench or saving your family from harm. Pardon me, you failed at that already. How many times have people died because of your negligence? Let's see two sets of Potters, your parents, your husband and of course we can't forget that adorable child. It may please you to know he didn't cry when I slit his throat."
"Get out of here or else I'll ram what's left of your nose down your throat."
"You call that an insult."
"Chalk it up to short notice. What I was going to say you would take as a complement. Evil maniacal fiend- for example." Her voice remained calm, nearly conversational.
"You are right, I would." Voldemort twiddled with his wand walking around the room. Genevieve kept Harry near the fireplace the furthest from Voldemort as possible, then kept talking.
"So, at risk of asking a stupid question, why are you here?"
"That is a stupid question. I want Harry and I want the other Traveler's watches. Stupify." He shot the curse lazily across the room, but Genevieve bounced it off her hands to hit the roof. "Impressive. Did you learn that in house elf school, servant girl?" Voldemort hissed. "Stupify." This time he put more force behind it.
Genevieve caught the curse and threw it back at him. It grazed his left shoulder, forcing him to pause for a moment. She shot Expellaramus and Stupify at him in rapid succession, but he managed to keep hold on his wand and remain upright. Spreading her arms out she conjured an energy field that deflected his repeated Crucio curses.
"Well, Tommy. What are you going to do now?"
He seemed to be debating his options when a grin pulled his lip-less mouth into a line. Spell after spell he hurled at the door, barricading it from the inside.
"It looks like were at a standstill. It will be most difficult for anyone to open the door from the outside to help you, are you sure you can maintain this little force field that long. Crucio, crucio, crucio, Finite Incantatum, Alohamora, relestus ." The field barely wavered, but it was enough to give him encouragement. He continued, unleashing every curse he could think of into the partition until he sat down on the bed to keep going. The wall stayed true under the assault, but it would not for long. A flick of her eye to the window over the doorway proved that the others were having difficulty getting in. Remus was mouthing the words, 'Stall him', while Sirius made a rude hand gesture behind the Dark Lord's back.
Genevieve refocused her attention on her foe.
"You may even get past that eventually, but if you want Harry, you'll have to kill me first and well all know how well something like that went on Halloween fifteen years ago."
"You could join me. I can free you from your servitude to these weak mortals. Your powers and mine combined would rule the world. Just give me what I want." His voice was appealing, but the thought disgusted Genevieve, an emotion she didn't hide in her reply.
"Has anyone ever actually believed that line, Tom? I guess not since your lack of world domination proves there have been no takers in all the years you've used it. It might be your tone; you should try to work on that, maybe in a few singles bars on women who are very, very drunk."
"I have a better idea," Voldemort was smiling, if one could call it that, and stood up again. "I lord Voldemort, issue Challenge to Genevieve Carrington." Genevieve's expression fell, revealing panic and fear.
"What, how do you." she stammered.
"You thought I would forget the traditions of your people. Remember, several of them were fiercely loyal to me before the ministry exterminated them."
"Then you know that you are also bound to meet the terms of Challenge, no matter what, by Old Magic that will enforce the conditions. Swords only, no magic." Voldemort nodded viscously. "What are the terms?"
"When I win the watches and the boy are mine." Voldemort said cockily.
"That will remain to be seen. In the event I triumph you will subject yourself to one curse of my choosing and will exile yourself from the wizarding world completely. Agreed?"
"You think you've found a curse that could hurt me, that would be good for a laugh. Agreed." Voldemort hissed. He harnessed his wand and retrieved a beautiful long sword from his cloak. The hilt was covered in a swirl of metallic snakes and emeralds, the blood grove in the center of the blade still held vestiges of his last kill.
Genevieve, sword in hand, gave Harry a firm hug.
"Alright. Remember what we practiced. Now, it's all up to you." Harry nodded nervously, and flattened himself against the fireplace.
Genevieve let down the glowing field that separated herself from Voldemort and was instantly attacked by his blade. She only took two steps back before advancing, then swiveling around so Voldemort's back was to Harry who grabbed the key off the mantle. She could not hear it, but the wizards outside the door were cheering her on.
Harry chanted quietly under his breath while rubbing the key, trying not to be distracted by the battle for his life ensuing mere feet from where he stood. It reminded him of the kung fu movies Dudley watched and their wildly fast paced sword fight scenes. He only wished that careful choreography would ensure the good guy would win this time.
As the struggle grew faster and more furious blows were taken on both sides and blood splattered the walls. Genevieve had cut him on the leg creating a pool of slippery blood on the floor. She sustained major injuries to her arms and back when she was forced to deflect an unanticipated slice with them. Sweat mingled with blood to create a pungent aroma that made Harry nauseous, yet he kept chanting.
Slowly, so as not to be noticed by the fighters he placed the key on the floor and intensified his concentration. Tangible magic swirled around it, glowing like a yellow hurricane. A breeze blew loose papers around the room and billowed the dueler's cloaks. Voldemort's mad laugh echoed through the expansive space.
"Beg for mercy, and I may let you live."
"In your dreams." She pushed him backward, toward the fireplace, with a violent, unrelenting advance. Genevieve entangled her sword with his ornate hilt and spit into his red eyes. She ripped the sword from his grasp and sent it skidding across the floor, her own sword at his neck.
"Challenge met" she sneered into his ear.
Mustering every ounce of energy left in her body she pushed him backward into the swirling vortex, a look of shock and surprise petrified on his face.
A deathly rattle issued from his lungs as his body became shrouded in grey smoke, his life essence was sucked into the key. When the portal closed his carcass fell to the ground with a satisfying 'smack'.
Genevieve, touched her blade to her forehead in salute to the time honored tradition, then having depleted all her energy, collapsed next to him. Harry struggled to stay lucid. None of his experiences with Old Magic had prepared him to feel as empty as he did at that moment. Blurry faces signed at him from the window to release the spells on the door. Harry could barely hold up his wand, let alone aim it at a point across the room and he didn't know what sealing charms were used. In a last attempt before losing consciousness he held his palm open toward the door knob, the last thought in his mind visualized it turning.