I do not own any of J.K. Rowling's characters, and I'm not making any sort of profit from this. Thanx. ~Zimsta p.S. I have the feeling that I will be getting a lot of reviews from this chapter
THE QUEEN
Genevieve awoke, lying in Severus' arms after a long night of lovemaking. She watched him as he slept, his face relaxed and content. She slowly began to remember the night before. Finding out about the truth and trying to come to grips with it. Lying with Severus as he gently made love to her. She snuggled closer to him, kissing his lips. His eyes crept open, and he blinked a few times as he smiled at her.
"I have never woken to a more beautiful sight." He said, gazing at her with his charcoal black eyes. Genevieve smiled, running her hand along the side of his face. "What time is it?" She asked, holding the sheets around her body as she sat up. "I do not know. I do not care." Severus said, running his hand down the small of her back. "What about class?" She asked him, turning her head downward so that she could see him. "I will request a substitute for my lessons today. We must see the Headmaster right away." Severus sat up, straitening his hair with his fingers.
"The only problem is getting out of bed." Genevieve stretched, flopping back down onto the pillows. Severus came around, putting his hands on the bed at her sides, trapping her. "As much as I would love to lie here with you for all eternitywe have rather important matters to attend to." He brought his head forward, kissing her softly. As much as they hated to, the both got out of bed, dressing slowly, and leaving Severus' chambers.
There were no students in the hallways as they walked, but the sounds of instructors giving their lessons could be heard through the closed doors. Worry had returned to both Genevieve and Severus' minds as they walked in silence. The silence was broken, however, when Severus groaned, grabbing his arm. "No. No, no, no! Please, Severus, not now!" Genevieve begged, taking his shoulders. "I mustContinue to Dumbledore. Tell him what we know. I will return." He grabbed her with his right arm, pulling her close and giving her a long kiss before disapperating.
Genevieve turned around, running in the opposite direction of Dumbledore's office. Instead, she headed strait for the Charms classroom. She didn't have time to see Dumbledore. Severus could have been in very real trouble, and she had absolutely no time to lose. She burst through the Charms' room door as soon as she reached it, interrupting Professor Flitwick.
"You're late, Miss Hemlock." He told her in his chipper voice. "I'm sorry, Sir. I won't be in class today. The Headmaster needs to see Mr. Malfoy right away." She demanded, slightly out of breath. Professor Flitwick didn't miss a beat. "Of course. Mr. Malfoy." He nodded for Malfoy to leave. Draco stood from his seats, looking confused, as well as worried. Genevieve stepped aside as Draco passed her, then she shut the door behind them.
"What's Dumbledore want?" Draco asked, looking at her in disgust. "Nothing. Now look, we don't have much time." Genevieve began frantically. Draco furrowed his brow at her. "What in the bloody hell are you on about?" He scoffed. Genevieve's heart began to pound in her chest, frightened by what she was about to do.
"Take me to Voldemort." She said quickly. Draco's eyes became like Silver Dollars. "WWhat?" He stuttered. "Please. Right now. Severus may be in danger." She explained, her words very rushed. "Severus? Since when do you call him Severus?" Draco asked. Genevieve lost her patience. She reached forward, grabbing fists full of Draco's robes and jerking him toward her until she was right in his face.
"THAT DOESN'T MATTER! Are you going to take me to him or NOT?" She screamed, with no concern for the fact that he voice was carrying through the halls. "You'll be killed. You know that, right?" Draco said with a cold laugh. "Take me to him, now." She hissed, pushing him away from her. He stepped back, straitening his robes.
"And why should I?" he asked with a wicked smirk. Genevieve would have killed him, had she not needed him to get to Severus. "You were going to take me to him anyway. Please, Draco. I've never asked you for anything. Let's just both do one another a favour, alright?" She pleaded with him. He stared at her a moment, then slowly nodded.
"Alright, Hemlock. I'll take you." He finally agreed. Genevieve quickly held out her wrists to him. "Tie me up. No one will see." She ordered him. He did as he was told, pulling out his wand. "Behind you. It looks more forced that way." He suggested. She turned around, fear raging through her veins as the magical ropes bound her wrists. "It's the only way." She whispered to herself.
"Do we have to use the front gates? Is there another way?" She asked Malfoy, turning to face him. "We can disapperate here. I know of a way to get past the block." Malfoy said, giving her a strange look as the tears fell from her eyes. "Blindfold me." She whispered. Malfoy complied, creating a handkerchief from the tip of his wand, then tying around her head and over her eyes.
"Why are you doing this?" Genevieve heard his voice ask. "You wouldn't understand. We have to go. Time is short." She said in a broken voice. The blackness provided by the blindfold left her eyes free to conjure images of Severus. He smiled at her, his eyes sparkling, his hands reaching out to her... "Lets go." She ordered. She took a deep, forced breath, and within seconds, they were no longer at Hogwarts.
"You have betrayed us, Severus. I am sure you are well aware of the consequences." An eerie, snake-like voice growled. Genevieve winced, lowering her head toward the ground. She was right. Severus was in serious danger. Everything was suddenly very quiet, causing the hairs to stand on the back of her neck. A cold, pointed object touched her chin, lifting her face upward.
"So. Genevieve Hemlock. A pleasure to finally make your acquaintance." Voldemort seethed. Her blindfold was removed, and she found herself face to face with the most frightening creature she had ever seen. His eyes were blood red, almond shaped with black slits for pupils. His nostrils were only small slits as well, making an almost 'v' shape in the center of his grotesquely coloured face. His mouth was lip-less, showing his fanged, jagged teeth as he sneered at her. As terrifying as he was, she refused to break eye contact.
"Well done, Malfoy. Ahead of schedule as well. Take her over there." Voldemort motioned behind him, then stepped away, bringing Severus into Genevieve's view. He was unharmed physically, standing up strait and looking directly at her. However, there was more pain in his eyes than she had ever known. He knew what she had done, and he hated her for it. But he also knew that she loved him too much to just stand by and wait for an outcome.
Malfoy took Genevieve's arm and dragged her about 5 yards, throwing her to the ground in front of Severus. She looked up at him just as he was reaching down to help her. "Now, now, Severus. Leave her be." Voldemort strode between them, backhanding Severus. Severus soared backwards, dropping to the ground. He tried to compose himself as quickly as possible, massaging his jaw as he glared at Voldemort.
"It is time, my queen." Voldemort said, dropping to one knee as he bowed his head. Genevieve watched closely as a strange red light appeared in the darkness, growing steadily brighter until a figure emerged from its depths. Genevieve sucked in her breath when she realized that the tall, dark figure that stood before them was none other than Patricia Hemlock.
"Your results have pleased me, Voldemort." She said in a deep, airy voice. Voldemort bowed his head lower. "My only purpose, your highness." He spoke. Genevieve felt her body gradually begin to sink to the ground. This could not be. It was impossible. Her mother had been controlling Lord Voldemort all along. She had been the core of all the suffering and devastation. It was then that there was little doubt in Genevieve's mind that she would lose her life that night.
"I'm sorry it had to come to this Genevieve, but you left me no choice." Patricia said, walking past the still groveling Voldemort. "And I'm sorely disappointed in you, Severus. I had hoped that you would come to your senses after that little incident at Hogwarts. But clearly you have decided where your loyalties lie. Between the legs of my daughter." She finished curtly, standing face to face with Severus. He didn't so much as blink. She reached out to touch his face, but he grabbed her wrist, stopping her.
"No matter. You will both die, anyway." She said, smiling as she ripped her hand from Severus' grasp. She began to pace, twirling her between her fingers, as she always did. "The only question iswho-to kill-first." She pondered aloud. Genevieve looked away, begging silently for it all to end. There was no way for her to protect both she and Severus from her mother and Voldemort.
"If I kill you first," she pointed at Genevieve with her wand. Severus reached down and grabbed her, pulling her from the ground. "Oh, don't be jumpy, Severus, I'm not going to do it yet! Anyway, like I was sayingIf I kill you first, then I would have to fight Severus, and as much as I would love that, I'm just much too tired this evening for dueling." She said with a sigh. Severus wrapped his arms tightly around Genevieve, who was unable to return his embrace, due to her bound wrists.
"Of courseI could kill you both in one shot, but then I would miss out on all the suffering, and that just wont do. So, I guess Severus will have to be the first to go." She concluded. "No." Genevieve whispered, with only Severus being able to hear her. He brought his mouth to her ear, breathing quickly. "I love you." He whispered back to her. She buried her face in his neck, letting out light sobs.
"Oh, for God's sake, you are as pathetic as your father! Now get away from him, so I can have a clear shot." Patricia ordered, waving her hand at Genevieve, who only moved closer to Severus. "Draco, get her away from him." She shouted at Malfoy, who had been standing next to Voldemort. But Draco did not move. He stood quite still, watching Genevieve and Severus stand together.
"What are you gawking at, Draco? Hurry up, I'm growing tired!" Patricia growled. Draco stepped up to Genevieve, but to everyone's great surprise, pulled out his wand and pointed it at Patricia. "I won't." He said in a steady voice. Patricia stopped a moment, then began laughing hysterically.
"This is a joke, right? How foolish you are to think that you can even dare raise your wand to me." Patricia yelled at him. "Voldemort." She said shortly, and Voldemort drew his wand, pointing it at Draco. He didn't even get a chance to run. "Avada Kadavera!" Voldemort cried, and Draco was dead the instant the green light touched his skin. Genevieve jumped away as Draco's lifeless body fell to the ground next to her. Severus pulled her closer, bringing her head to his shoulder.
"Now. With that out of the way" Patricia walked towards them, pushing Draco's body away with her foot. "Kindly step aside, Genevieve." She grabbed Genevieve's arm, trying to pry her away from Severus, but he was not willing to let go. "Severus, don't make this difficult." Patricia said impatiently. Genevieve screamed with rage, throwing her elbow into Patricia's face. She retaliated faster than Genevieve had expected, grabbing a fist full of her hair and smacking her across the face. Patricia threw her to the ground just as Severus attacked. Genevieve screamed as she was being dragged away by Voldemort.
"NO! PLEASE! I'll do anything! Please don't kill him!" Genevieve begged between sobs. Severus and Patricia stepped away from one another, glaring into each other's eyes. "Please. I'll do anything." Genevieve repeated through tears. Patricia looked down at her, the corner of her mouth twitching. "Anything?" She asked quietly. "Genevieve, NO!" Severus shouted. "Shut up!" Patricia roared, turning her wand on him.
"Would you die for him?" Patricia asked without looking at her. Genevieve lowered her head, closing her eyes. "Yes." She whispered. "Genevieve, don't DO THIS!" Severus pleaded. "That's enough!" Patricia barked, threatening him still with her wand. "Why would you die for him, daughter? Because you love him?" She laughed. Genevieve glared at her, beads of tears rolling from her eyes.
"Love is a weakness, Genevieve. It causes nothing but trouble. Power is, above all, the most important thing in life. I offered you that power once, and you rejected it, as did your lover. You are BOTH weak." Patricia hissed, her wand trembling with anger.
"I will join you if it means saving his life." Genevieve said, trying to calm herself. Patricia laughed loudly, throwing back her head. "Oh, Genevieve. I have always enjoyed your sense of humor." Her smile suddenly faded, her face growing evil. "Genevieve" Severus whispered, looking into her eyes. "Please, God, no." Genevieve mouthed, watching in slow motion as Patricia raised her wand to level with Severus' chest. His eye's never strayed from Genevieve. She watched him, his face unafraid, his eyes full of sadness.
She never heard her mother speak the curse, and was deaf to her own screaming when the shot of green light hit Severus in the chest, throwing him through the air, sending his mouth wide open as he screamed in agony. That was it. His body fell to the ground. Motionless. Dead. Genevieve stood up, still screaming as she launched herself at her mother. "I'll KILL YOU!" she screeched, slamming her shoulder into her mother's stomach. They both fell to the ground, Genevieve struggling to free her hands from the ropes that bound them.
"Patricia." A man's voice called from the darkness, stopping Genevieve's struggle at once. She looked up just as her father appeared from behind a thickening of trees. She blinked several times to make sure that her eyes were not deceiving her. It was not an illusion. Her father was walking towards them, wand in hand, pointed directly at her mother.
"Father" Genevieve whimpered in disbelief. Harold said nothing, still focusing on Patricia, who was now standing. "Impossible. I killed you. I killed you!" She shouted at him, her face riddled with confusion. "Well, that doesn't seem to be the case, seeing as how I'm standing before you now." Harold said calmly. Genevieve could not take her eyes away from her father, still uncertain that he was truly alive.
"Voldemort! Kill him!" Patricia shouted frantically. Voldemort's wand never reached his hand. "Sincarius!" Harold shouted, the spell knocking Voldemort out cold. Patricia seemed very worried all of the sudden. "Something wrong, dear?" Harold asked her. "I don't know how you managed this, Harold. But I will not rest until I put you in your grave!" Patricia reached for her wand, which had been dropped during the scuffle, but Genevieve threw herself on top of it, pressing tightly against the ground.
"I think not. But I'm sure you'll have plenty of time to plot my demise while spending the rest of your life in Azkaban." Harold said, now only a few feet from Patricia. She stood up strait again, hatred burning in her eyes as she looked at him. "You'll never get me to Azkaban." At the split second of her last word, she disapperated. Genevieve rested her head on the grass, breathing heavily as she wished her mother dead.
"Genevieve, are you alright?" Harold's voice awakened her from her hatred. She felt the ropes disappear from her wrists, and used her arms to get to her feet. She looked at her father, relieved beyond words that he was alive and safe. But she did not embrace him, or smile, or tell him how much she had missed him. Instead, she turned around, walking over to where Severus' lifeless body lay. She kneeled beside him, putting her hand to his cold cheek.
"Severus." She whispered, her throat tightening. He was gone. She leaned over, kissing him gently on the lips. "I love you, too." She whispered in his ear, then lay her head on his chest, sobbing. She felt a hand grasp her shoulder, and looked up to see her father. "I'm sorry, Genevieve, but there's nothing we can do for him. I must go now, and take Voldemort to the Dementors. They are waiting for me. Will you be alright?" He asked, looking rather concerned. Genevieve finally hugged him, closing her eyes.
"I'll be fine. I missed you." She said, feeling like a child again. "I missed you too, pumpkin. Meet me at Hogwarts tonight. I must hurry, before he wakes up." Harold kissed her forehead, then walked over to Voldemort, disapperating at once. Genevieve sighed, looking back at Severus. She wanted so much for him to just open his eyes and get up. To smile at her and run his fingers through her hair. She would even have been overjoyed by one of his infamous insults. But he would not. He would never speak another word. Never give another glare, or sigh. Genevieve again had to come to grips with living without the man that she loved. She pulled him into her arms with great effort, trying to support him against her. She then shut her eyes, and disapperated.
