CHAPTER SEVEN

UNFORTUNATE INCIDENTS

            "And you're sure this will work Professor Sprout?" asked Jones.

            "My dear boy, of course it'll work.  Do you think I know nothing of what I'm talking about?"        

            "No, I'm sorry dear.  I...well, sometimes I don't think before I talk.  I would have gone to Madam Pomfrey, but she would have kept me for weeks, I think."

            "Quite understandable, Professor Jones." Nigel and Sprout walked together out of the greenhouse.  Jones had endured a most unfortunate injury to his forearm while dueling Professor Snape.  Not something he really wanted to do, but Severus looked so dangerous after Orion left that he felt the need to help the professor regain a bit of his pride.

            "Nigel, can I confide in you?" asked Sprout.

            "Of course, what is it?"

            "Well, a couple of weeks ago, someone broke into the greenhouse very late at night.  Things were thrown around and several plants were broken, but nothing was taken.  Do you think it has anything to do with the leaves Dumbledore was talking to us about during the last staff meeting?"  Jones thought a moment.

            "Yes, it might just have something to do with it.  I noticed one of my students acting very strange the other day.  He started to have very wild fits.  He flopped around on the floor clenching his arm.  I wanted to take a look, but he pull viciously away and said he should go to the infirmary."

            "Was this around two o clock?" Sprout asked anxiously.

            "Yes, yes it was."

            "Oh dear.  Professor, I saw this boy run into the woods that day.  He was wearing black robes and he pulled his hood up as he entered the forest.  He had a black mark on his arm that was glowing."

            "Professor Sprout, I do believe it is time to inform the Headmaster of this discovery."

            "I'm afraid I can't let you do that, Professors," smirked a black figure as he emerged from the shadows.  A camera hung loosely around his neck as he approached the teachers.

            "Colin?  Aren't you supposed to be in class?" asked Jones.

            "Sure I am, but I have other things I need to take care of first.  Like I said, I can't let you go back to the castle."

            "What are you talking about?"

            "I'm afraid I'm going to have to kill you both.  My master does not wish to make my true intentions known to the school."  He had such a look of rage in his eyes as he advanced on his victims. 

"Colin put your wand down, I demand it!" Nigel shouted.  But the boy only laughed.

            "You honestly think I'm going to obey you?  You're cowards.  That's what you both are.  You deserve to die."         

            "Don't say that Colin, please!" cried Sprout.

            "It's too late for begging.  Goodbye Professors."  And in a blinding flash of brilliant green light, Jones and Sprout fell to the ground, dead.

            The masked student searched through Sprout's robes until he found the leaves he was looking for.  Then he grabbed his camera and took pictures of his victims, knowing that his Master would be proud of him.  Then he ran into the forest to deliver the leaves to Lord Voldemort.

***

            Orion made her way down to the dungeons, her mind set on putting things right with Severus.  Dumbledore was right, what they were doing was childish.  And after all that has happened, their fighting seemed so unimportant.  So she was going to be the bigger person and go apologize to him before he had the chance to apologize to her.  She smiled to herself as she pushed open Snape's already open door.

            "Professor?  Are you in here?"  No answer.  After checking his office and finding no one she headed to his chambers.  How she dreaded even pushing open that door, but how curious she was at the same time.  "Professor Snape?  Hallo?"  Still no answer.  'Well were in God's name is that man?' she wondered as she walked around his room, surveying.  His chambers were impeccably clean, as was his classroom and his office.  Orion frowned.  Neither her chambers nor her office were this clean...ever.  Just then a cold voice startled her.

            "I've been waiting for you."  Severus had been sitting in the chair facing the fireplace, not to be seen from the doorway. 

            "Heavens man, you gave me quite a fright."  Snape smiled as he rose from his chair, a more evil smile than he ever made before.  His eyes looked empty.  There was definitely something wrong.  Orion's head started to pound, her heart began to race.

            "Professor, are you all right?"

            "I'm fine.  Just fine."  But everything was not fine.  He advanced on Orion, seizing her arms.  She really tried to get away this time, but she couldn't.  For once in all her life she was scared out of her mind.

            "Severus. Let me go," Snape just laughed, "I mean it man, let me go."  The burning pain in her body was unbearable.

            "You know, the only reason I've been so...cruel to you, is because I am so attracted to you," he stroked her face with one hand, while the other had found its way behind her back.  They were now pushed up against the bookcase.  There was no escape.            "What the hell is the matter with you?  Snape, answer me!" she screamed.  Then she saw it--a mask on his arm with a snake flowing through it.  Though you could hardly tell it was a Dark Mark.  It was bubbling and it looked tormenting.  Her eyes grew wide as she snapped her head up to meet his fiery eyes.

            "He's got you, doesn't he?  Professor?  Stop this.  Let go of me.  Be strong!  Don't let him take over!"

            "He already has.  It feels so good too.  You should try it," he laughed again, "but in the mean time he said I could have you."

            "What?  Severus, don't you dare!"  It was too late.  Snape had pressed his lips hard into Orion's.  This time his kiss was long and rough, and his lips were of ice.  She started to cry.  She had no way out.  No one knew she was here.  She was overpowered.  As he kissed her, she did the only thing she could think of.  She placed his lower lip between her teeth and bit down...hard.  Snape let out a yelp and fell back, releasing her.  Blood was dripping down his chin.  He smiled and rubbed a finger over his lips.

            "That was a good move, Miss Avery," he said as he advanced on her once more.  Orion tore to the bed, jumping on it.  Snape followed her back and forth as she tried to head him off and make a run for the door.  When she finally saw her chance, he had dived for her.  She leapt over him and was almost to safety when he grabbed her arms and twisted them almost completely backwards.  Orion screamed in pain.  He pushed her to the best post and conjured up magic ropes to tie her hands to it.

            "You're not going to get away that easily."

            "Harry!  Harry help me!" she shouted the first name that came to her mind.  The first name that she knew would respond.

***

            Harry fell--literally fell--off his seat in Transfiguration class. 

            "Harry?  Are you all right?"  Ron couldn't help but laugh.  Professor McGonagall came over to check on Harry also.

            "What's the problem boys?"

            "Nothing Professor...I, uh, just feel a little faint.  That's all."

            "Perhaps you should go to the infirmary then.  Ron, go with him."

            "Professor?  Where are you?"

            "In Snape's chambers.  Please, Harry, hurry!"

            "What is it Harry?" Ron asked as they ran down to the dungeons.

            "It's Professor Avery, I think she's in big trouble."  The two boys ran on, with wands out and raised.

            When Harry and Ron reached Snape and Orion, he still had her pinned to the bedpost.  He was still kissing her, and was trying to remove her robes.

            "Professor Snape!" Harry shouted.  Severus turned.  The evil that flowed through him caught Harry off guard, and he fell to the ground, clutching his head in pain as his scar burned.  Ron was furious.

            "I'm sorry to have to do this Professor," he said with a shaking voice, "Oh, no wait.  I'm not." And with one swift flick of his wand and a well-chosen spell, Severus fell to the floor, unconscious.

            "Oh Ronald!  Thank you so much!  Please, there is a dagger on my leg that'll cut through these ropes."  Ron did as he was instructed.  Once free, she hugged the life out of him.  "You are my hero, thank you!"

            "No...problem.  Uh, Professor?"

            "Oh dear.  Sorry," she said as she let go of him.  "Harry..." she trailed off as she knelt by his limp body.  "Thank you."  She kissed his scar and he opened his eyes.  "You heard me."

            "Yes."

            "Thank God you heard me."

            "Is he going to be alright?" Harry asked, motioning toward Snape's crumpled robes.

            "He's going to be fine.  I'll take care of him," she implied that they leave, "Thank you so much, boys.  You are my heroes."  She gave them each a kiss on the cheek and sent them off.