Kept Promises
Hecate got up slowly and stretched; graduation would occur this afternoon, and then she would be riding the Hogwarts Express home, where her doom awaited her with orders from the Dark Lord and a tattoo. She sat up, yawned, then began to dress; she felt antsy, more or less because of what the following weeks could mean.
She walked down to breakfast morosely, glanced at the other seventh years with loathing, then began to eat. The motions of eating came mechanically, with little gusto or desire; she was too nervous to think about food. She looked up at the High Table to see Professor Snape looking down at her; he had been helping her over the past few months by giving her lessons in spellcasting, potions, and charms to protect her from Voldemort. Although she doubted it would work, still...at least she felt more confident in herself.
The day passed quickly, and before she knew it she was attending the graduation ceremony on the Hogwarts grounds, just outside the gates. As they received their diplomas, they each walked down the line and shook hands with their assorted professors. Hecate, for the first time in a month, felt more afraid than ever; after this, there would be no more Hogwarts, no more safe house for her.
As Hecate shook hands with Professor Flitwick, tears came to her eyes; she would see these warm faces no more. Lastly, she shook hands with Professor Snape; he pulled her a little closer, however, and whispered harshly, "Save me a seat in your compartment. I'm coming with you." She looked up at him as if to say, 'But...' and he gave her the, 'But nothing,' look. She appeared barely fazed at all, then moved on, Shrinking her diploma and depositing it in her pocket. After that, she was off to the Platform.
She now belonged to Voldemort.
* * *
The train rumbled to life quickly, and soon Hecate was on her way to Hell...er...wait a moment...ah yes, home. She was alone in the compartment, mostly because everyone tried to avoid her, and it wasn't until five minutes later that Professor Snape strode in and sat down opposite of her. She put down her copy of 'Which Broomstick?' and said, "To what do I owe this surprise?" He sat back slowly, "I was just thinking..." "Uh-oh," she responded. He frowned at her, and she smiled for the first time in what felt like ages. Surprisingly, he laughed a rich laugh that almost knocked her over; "You know it's too bad you don't laugh like that more often," she said, "you might have more friends." "That's why I don't laugh," he said, the smile dropping away slowly, "now back to the subject at hand.
"Normally I live in Hogsmeade during the summer, but I happen to own an old family estate in Lewisham." "Lewisham!" said Hecate, "That's only ten kilometers from...!" "I know," he interrupted, "from where you live. That's why I thought that maybe I should move back into my mansion for at least this summer vacation. The reason being is that once the Death Eaters discover that you are very, very much not on their side, they'll go after you in seconds. Therefore, you'll need somewhere close by to run to." "And you want me to go to your mansion, and hide out there?" she asked. He nodded, "Yes." She frowned, "You're nutters. No." He looked taken aback, "What do you mean, 'No'?" "I mean no," she said, pulling out two Chocolate Frogs and tossing him one, "I'm not going to endanger you after all the help you've given me!"
He glared, "You're coming to my estate and that's the end of it." "Or you'll do what?" she said, chomping on her Frog with satisfaction. "I'll come get you is what I'll do," he replied, unwrapping his own Frog slowly. "I'd like to see you try," she said with a grin, "because you won't even know where I am when he Brands me." "Oh yes I will," he said, "because I'm going to be there." Her grin dropped, "What?" "I'm going to be there," he said, "all senior Death Eaters are present during Brandings." Suddenly her Frog didn't taste as sweet, "I resent you." He smiled, and the room lit up, "I know."
Just then, the door to the compartment opened, "Nowhere else left..." said a voice, and then Harry Potter's head popped in. His face went pale, "I...er..." "There's nowhere else left," snorted Hecate, "so you had might as well come in then." He glanced over at Snape, who glared at him nastily; Harry came in slowly, followed by Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. "The Magnificent Trio, I see," said Hecate, "inseparable as usual." Hermione looked down at Hecate with distaste as her, Ron, and Harry sat down, "We didn't ask for your opinion." "And we didn't ask for you to sit in this compartment," retorted Hecate. "There's nowhere else to sit, or else we wouldn't be in here," snapped Hermione. "Ooh, getting touchy, eh?" said Hecate. "Usually I'm never touchy, except around you!" she replied angrily.
"Ah, come now, you're just jealous..." said Hecate, inspecting her nails carefully. "Jealous!" screeched Hermione, "I am not jealous of someone like you! You stuck up..." Hecate merely waved her hands as if to say, 'Bring it on,' a pleasant smile on her face. "You...horrible...taunting...evil...Death Eater!" finished Hermione. Ron and Harry gasped; Snape almost leapt to his feet but kept quiet. Hecate's blood pressure went up a hundred percent, and her face turned red, "What did you call me?" she rasped with anger. "Everyone knows it!" cried Hermione, "Everyone! You can't hide it from anyone! It's so obvious! And you're related to the Lestranges!"
Hermione found herself slammed into the compartment door, a wand pressed against her ribcage, and Hecate Winter breathing down her neck. "If you ever call me that again...I'll hex you into oblivion." She released Hermione after a minute, then sat down, eyes enraptured on Hermione's next move. Hermione gasped for breath, seething with hatred, then, "Ron, we should go to the Prefects' compartment. That's where we belong anyway, being Head Boy and Girl." She looked at Harry apologetically, then disappeared down the train. Ron followed a moment later, and only Harry was left with Hecate and Snape. He was silent for a moment, then, "I'm sorry about Hermione. She's just...angry, about what happened to her parents and all. Thinks..." "That I had something to do with it?" said Hecate. Harry shrugged, "I don't know. I'm...I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault, Potter," said Hecate, "I just want her to leave me the hell alone. I didn't ask for her to turn into little miss ice queen around me." He nodded, then got up, "Well...I'll just...I'll just be off, then." He left the compartment quietly, and the door slid shut.
Snape clapped, "Good show. I wondered how you'd manage to get them all out of here." She shrugged, "I had to come up with something, didn't I?" The rest of the ride continued without a hitch, except for the brief discussion topic over what idiot allowed Gilderoy Lockhart onto a Chocolate Frog card.
It wasn't until later, when the train finally pulled into Platform 9 3/4 that Hecate felt a thrill of fear run through her. Soon she would be home...but not far from Snape...and that was her one comfort. When both of them had retrieved their belongings, and they stood on the platform, ready to go in two opposite directions, Hecate looked up at Snape with a worried expression. "I don't want to accidentally put you in danger," she said. He shrugged, "Even if you do, it's not like it's a position I'm not used to." That only made her feel worse, then he smiled reassuringly, "Just remember that the moment you're Branded, Apparate to my estate. They won't expect you there." She nodded, "Okay."
He gave her a half-smile, then raised his wand; a second later, he had Apparated off the platform with a quiet pop. She closed her eyes; wand raised, she in turn Apparated to a much different location.
* * *
When she opened her eyes again, Hecate was standing inside of her dark living room. She almost jumped out of her skin to discover her parents, Drusilla and Polydegmon, seated on the sofa. "Welcome home, Hecate," said her mother coldly, "are you ready?" Hecate felt her throat growing dry quickly, "Yes." Drusilla took hold of her hand firmly, and her father took her other hand; then Polydegmon held up a skull; the portkey. With a tug behind her navel and a dizzying whirl, Hecate was off to an unknown location, where Voldemort would be waiting.
* * *
Hecate opened her eyes warily, afraid of what she would see; as it turned out, she was right to be afraid. There stood Voldemort, holding his wand silently, red eyes upon her, burning into her mind like fire. She wanted to scream when she saw him...refrained. Instead she bowed deeply, "My Lord..." "Ah yes, another young one," said Voldemort calmly, "Hecate Winter...such a beautifully fitting name. As are your parents' names, for that matter..." Hecate looked up at him, awaiting his next move. "Stand up," he said easily, "it is time for you to be Branded." Three Death Eaters approached her and held out her left forearm, pulled back the sleeve; she tried to stop shivering, could barely contain herself. Then she noticed that one of them was holding her arm warmly, not with the cold, unfriendliness of the other two. She looked up at the Death Eater, but could not see his face through the hooded robe. Yet she still knew who it was; Snape.
Suddenly her strength returned, and she found the power to stop her legs from wobbling. Voldemort looked down at her, then raised his wand, "Tortia Incantato!" he bellowed, aiming his wand at her forearm. She gasped with pain, and gripped Snape's arm to keep herself upright. The spell sizzled and burned the Mark onto her arm, but she kept her screams inside herself. A moment later, it died down, and she looked up at Voldemort, trying to keep the throbbing pain out of her mind. "Well done, Hecate Winter," he said, "you'll make a perfect Death Eater." She nodded, "Th-thank you, my Lord," and bowed her head. He smiled evilly, "You are all too welcome." Suddenly, she noticed a new glint in his eye...and it seemed much worse than before. "Hecate...now that you are a Death Eater, there is one more thing that I must speak with you about. In private."
Hecate winced, wondering what that meant; the other Death Eaters, however, seemed to know, and retreated slowly...except for Snape. His heart went ice cold when he heard those words, and he found himself unable to leave. "Problem, Severus?" asked Voldemort. "Of course not, my Lord," said Snape, backing out of the room slowly; Hecate saw the moment and took it, "Aparecium!"
* * *
Hecate was in Snape's drawing room, and she fell to the floor gasping for breath; her arm felt as if it were on fire. Twenty minutes later, Snape appeared, looking extremely worn out. "They haven't figured it out yet," he said, "but they won't be fooled like that again. You won't be able to walk in public for a long time." Her breakfast churned in her stomach, "I feel like I'm about to vomit." Instantly, a bucket appeared in front of her, and she smiled weakly, "Thanks." Her arm, however, was still sizzling slightly, "Professor, it HURTS!" she moaned. "I know," he said, kneeling beside her and taking her arm gently. He conjured up a bowl of murtlap and rubbed it across the skin; within seconds the pain diminished, and she relaxed. "Nothing better than a bowl of murtlap before bedtime," she said, silently thanking the Fates for murtlap.
Suddenly she remembered earlier, "Professor...what did Voldemort mean about talking to me 'in private'?" Snape's face grew pale, "Sometimes...he...likes to...conduct...private affairs...with new female Death Eaters he...likes." Hecate's stomach dropped, and suddenly she was retching into the bucket, and up came her breakfast, lunch, and everything, it seemed, she had ever eaten in her life.
Ten minutes later she had stopped, but she still felt woozy. 'I came very close to losing more than just a bare patch of skin,' she thought with fright, 'I came closer to things I thought I'd never have to worry about.' Snape suddenly Apparated the bucket away, but the two of them continued to sit on the floor, the fire crackling warmly as if nothing horrific had ever happened. "You should go to bed," said Snape, "you need to rest." She nodded, "Alright. As long as I can take the murtlap with me?" He chuckled slightly, "You can take a whole barrel of it with you." She smiled for the first time in what felt like years, "Good. I don't know how I'll feel in the morning, but as long as the murtlap gets me through the night..." "It should," he replied, "just keep it on your arm nice and thick."
Hecate stood up, "Well...lead the way then. I'm ready to sleep, and hopefully forget all of this." Snape stood, "Follow me." He led Hecate through the entirety of the mansion, and they passed many things, such as a portrait gallery, the kitchens, the foyer, seven bedrooms, and an old ballroom. "Hasn't been used in ages," he said hastily as they passed it.
Her room was at the far end of the mansion, but it was well worth the seemingly endless walk. She smiled when she saw the bed; a large four-poster in almost the exact same style as Hogwarts' beds. The entire room, however, was covered in silver and green. "Lovely choice of color," she said, "Slytherin pride." He shrugged, "If you want to change them..." "I don't even care anymore," she said, "I just want to sleep." He nodded, "Well, I'll leave you to it, then. Goodnight." She turned to face him, "Thank you. Goodnight."
Hecate's door closed quietly, and as Snape walked away, he had a strange feeling that he shouldn't let her sleep alone tonight. Not after what had just happened. A ball of dread welled up in his stomach, but he ignored it, and welcomed sleep when he finally collapsed on his bed.
To Be Continued...
Hecate got up slowly and stretched; graduation would occur this afternoon, and then she would be riding the Hogwarts Express home, where her doom awaited her with orders from the Dark Lord and a tattoo. She sat up, yawned, then began to dress; she felt antsy, more or less because of what the following weeks could mean.
She walked down to breakfast morosely, glanced at the other seventh years with loathing, then began to eat. The motions of eating came mechanically, with little gusto or desire; she was too nervous to think about food. She looked up at the High Table to see Professor Snape looking down at her; he had been helping her over the past few months by giving her lessons in spellcasting, potions, and charms to protect her from Voldemort. Although she doubted it would work, still...at least she felt more confident in herself.
The day passed quickly, and before she knew it she was attending the graduation ceremony on the Hogwarts grounds, just outside the gates. As they received their diplomas, they each walked down the line and shook hands with their assorted professors. Hecate, for the first time in a month, felt more afraid than ever; after this, there would be no more Hogwarts, no more safe house for her.
As Hecate shook hands with Professor Flitwick, tears came to her eyes; she would see these warm faces no more. Lastly, she shook hands with Professor Snape; he pulled her a little closer, however, and whispered harshly, "Save me a seat in your compartment. I'm coming with you." She looked up at him as if to say, 'But...' and he gave her the, 'But nothing,' look. She appeared barely fazed at all, then moved on, Shrinking her diploma and depositing it in her pocket. After that, she was off to the Platform.
She now belonged to Voldemort.
* * *
The train rumbled to life quickly, and soon Hecate was on her way to Hell...er...wait a moment...ah yes, home. She was alone in the compartment, mostly because everyone tried to avoid her, and it wasn't until five minutes later that Professor Snape strode in and sat down opposite of her. She put down her copy of 'Which Broomstick?' and said, "To what do I owe this surprise?" He sat back slowly, "I was just thinking..." "Uh-oh," she responded. He frowned at her, and she smiled for the first time in what felt like ages. Surprisingly, he laughed a rich laugh that almost knocked her over; "You know it's too bad you don't laugh like that more often," she said, "you might have more friends." "That's why I don't laugh," he said, the smile dropping away slowly, "now back to the subject at hand.
"Normally I live in Hogsmeade during the summer, but I happen to own an old family estate in Lewisham." "Lewisham!" said Hecate, "That's only ten kilometers from...!" "I know," he interrupted, "from where you live. That's why I thought that maybe I should move back into my mansion for at least this summer vacation. The reason being is that once the Death Eaters discover that you are very, very much not on their side, they'll go after you in seconds. Therefore, you'll need somewhere close by to run to." "And you want me to go to your mansion, and hide out there?" she asked. He nodded, "Yes." She frowned, "You're nutters. No." He looked taken aback, "What do you mean, 'No'?" "I mean no," she said, pulling out two Chocolate Frogs and tossing him one, "I'm not going to endanger you after all the help you've given me!"
He glared, "You're coming to my estate and that's the end of it." "Or you'll do what?" she said, chomping on her Frog with satisfaction. "I'll come get you is what I'll do," he replied, unwrapping his own Frog slowly. "I'd like to see you try," she said with a grin, "because you won't even know where I am when he Brands me." "Oh yes I will," he said, "because I'm going to be there." Her grin dropped, "What?" "I'm going to be there," he said, "all senior Death Eaters are present during Brandings." Suddenly her Frog didn't taste as sweet, "I resent you." He smiled, and the room lit up, "I know."
Just then, the door to the compartment opened, "Nowhere else left..." said a voice, and then Harry Potter's head popped in. His face went pale, "I...er..." "There's nowhere else left," snorted Hecate, "so you had might as well come in then." He glanced over at Snape, who glared at him nastily; Harry came in slowly, followed by Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. "The Magnificent Trio, I see," said Hecate, "inseparable as usual." Hermione looked down at Hecate with distaste as her, Ron, and Harry sat down, "We didn't ask for your opinion." "And we didn't ask for you to sit in this compartment," retorted Hecate. "There's nowhere else to sit, or else we wouldn't be in here," snapped Hermione. "Ooh, getting touchy, eh?" said Hecate. "Usually I'm never touchy, except around you!" she replied angrily.
"Ah, come now, you're just jealous..." said Hecate, inspecting her nails carefully. "Jealous!" screeched Hermione, "I am not jealous of someone like you! You stuck up..." Hecate merely waved her hands as if to say, 'Bring it on,' a pleasant smile on her face. "You...horrible...taunting...evil...Death Eater!" finished Hermione. Ron and Harry gasped; Snape almost leapt to his feet but kept quiet. Hecate's blood pressure went up a hundred percent, and her face turned red, "What did you call me?" she rasped with anger. "Everyone knows it!" cried Hermione, "Everyone! You can't hide it from anyone! It's so obvious! And you're related to the Lestranges!"
Hermione found herself slammed into the compartment door, a wand pressed against her ribcage, and Hecate Winter breathing down her neck. "If you ever call me that again...I'll hex you into oblivion." She released Hermione after a minute, then sat down, eyes enraptured on Hermione's next move. Hermione gasped for breath, seething with hatred, then, "Ron, we should go to the Prefects' compartment. That's where we belong anyway, being Head Boy and Girl." She looked at Harry apologetically, then disappeared down the train. Ron followed a moment later, and only Harry was left with Hecate and Snape. He was silent for a moment, then, "I'm sorry about Hermione. She's just...angry, about what happened to her parents and all. Thinks..." "That I had something to do with it?" said Hecate. Harry shrugged, "I don't know. I'm...I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault, Potter," said Hecate, "I just want her to leave me the hell alone. I didn't ask for her to turn into little miss ice queen around me." He nodded, then got up, "Well...I'll just...I'll just be off, then." He left the compartment quietly, and the door slid shut.
Snape clapped, "Good show. I wondered how you'd manage to get them all out of here." She shrugged, "I had to come up with something, didn't I?" The rest of the ride continued without a hitch, except for the brief discussion topic over what idiot allowed Gilderoy Lockhart onto a Chocolate Frog card.
It wasn't until later, when the train finally pulled into Platform 9 3/4 that Hecate felt a thrill of fear run through her. Soon she would be home...but not far from Snape...and that was her one comfort. When both of them had retrieved their belongings, and they stood on the platform, ready to go in two opposite directions, Hecate looked up at Snape with a worried expression. "I don't want to accidentally put you in danger," she said. He shrugged, "Even if you do, it's not like it's a position I'm not used to." That only made her feel worse, then he smiled reassuringly, "Just remember that the moment you're Branded, Apparate to my estate. They won't expect you there." She nodded, "Okay."
He gave her a half-smile, then raised his wand; a second later, he had Apparated off the platform with a quiet pop. She closed her eyes; wand raised, she in turn Apparated to a much different location.
* * *
When she opened her eyes again, Hecate was standing inside of her dark living room. She almost jumped out of her skin to discover her parents, Drusilla and Polydegmon, seated on the sofa. "Welcome home, Hecate," said her mother coldly, "are you ready?" Hecate felt her throat growing dry quickly, "Yes." Drusilla took hold of her hand firmly, and her father took her other hand; then Polydegmon held up a skull; the portkey. With a tug behind her navel and a dizzying whirl, Hecate was off to an unknown location, where Voldemort would be waiting.
* * *
Hecate opened her eyes warily, afraid of what she would see; as it turned out, she was right to be afraid. There stood Voldemort, holding his wand silently, red eyes upon her, burning into her mind like fire. She wanted to scream when she saw him...refrained. Instead she bowed deeply, "My Lord..." "Ah yes, another young one," said Voldemort calmly, "Hecate Winter...such a beautifully fitting name. As are your parents' names, for that matter..." Hecate looked up at him, awaiting his next move. "Stand up," he said easily, "it is time for you to be Branded." Three Death Eaters approached her and held out her left forearm, pulled back the sleeve; she tried to stop shivering, could barely contain herself. Then she noticed that one of them was holding her arm warmly, not with the cold, unfriendliness of the other two. She looked up at the Death Eater, but could not see his face through the hooded robe. Yet she still knew who it was; Snape.
Suddenly her strength returned, and she found the power to stop her legs from wobbling. Voldemort looked down at her, then raised his wand, "Tortia Incantato!" he bellowed, aiming his wand at her forearm. She gasped with pain, and gripped Snape's arm to keep herself upright. The spell sizzled and burned the Mark onto her arm, but she kept her screams inside herself. A moment later, it died down, and she looked up at Voldemort, trying to keep the throbbing pain out of her mind. "Well done, Hecate Winter," he said, "you'll make a perfect Death Eater." She nodded, "Th-thank you, my Lord," and bowed her head. He smiled evilly, "You are all too welcome." Suddenly, she noticed a new glint in his eye...and it seemed much worse than before. "Hecate...now that you are a Death Eater, there is one more thing that I must speak with you about. In private."
Hecate winced, wondering what that meant; the other Death Eaters, however, seemed to know, and retreated slowly...except for Snape. His heart went ice cold when he heard those words, and he found himself unable to leave. "Problem, Severus?" asked Voldemort. "Of course not, my Lord," said Snape, backing out of the room slowly; Hecate saw the moment and took it, "Aparecium!"
* * *
Hecate was in Snape's drawing room, and she fell to the floor gasping for breath; her arm felt as if it were on fire. Twenty minutes later, Snape appeared, looking extremely worn out. "They haven't figured it out yet," he said, "but they won't be fooled like that again. You won't be able to walk in public for a long time." Her breakfast churned in her stomach, "I feel like I'm about to vomit." Instantly, a bucket appeared in front of her, and she smiled weakly, "Thanks." Her arm, however, was still sizzling slightly, "Professor, it HURTS!" she moaned. "I know," he said, kneeling beside her and taking her arm gently. He conjured up a bowl of murtlap and rubbed it across the skin; within seconds the pain diminished, and she relaxed. "Nothing better than a bowl of murtlap before bedtime," she said, silently thanking the Fates for murtlap.
Suddenly she remembered earlier, "Professor...what did Voldemort mean about talking to me 'in private'?" Snape's face grew pale, "Sometimes...he...likes to...conduct...private affairs...with new female Death Eaters he...likes." Hecate's stomach dropped, and suddenly she was retching into the bucket, and up came her breakfast, lunch, and everything, it seemed, she had ever eaten in her life.
Ten minutes later she had stopped, but she still felt woozy. 'I came very close to losing more than just a bare patch of skin,' she thought with fright, 'I came closer to things I thought I'd never have to worry about.' Snape suddenly Apparated the bucket away, but the two of them continued to sit on the floor, the fire crackling warmly as if nothing horrific had ever happened. "You should go to bed," said Snape, "you need to rest." She nodded, "Alright. As long as I can take the murtlap with me?" He chuckled slightly, "You can take a whole barrel of it with you." She smiled for the first time in what felt like years, "Good. I don't know how I'll feel in the morning, but as long as the murtlap gets me through the night..." "It should," he replied, "just keep it on your arm nice and thick."
Hecate stood up, "Well...lead the way then. I'm ready to sleep, and hopefully forget all of this." Snape stood, "Follow me." He led Hecate through the entirety of the mansion, and they passed many things, such as a portrait gallery, the kitchens, the foyer, seven bedrooms, and an old ballroom. "Hasn't been used in ages," he said hastily as they passed it.
Her room was at the far end of the mansion, but it was well worth the seemingly endless walk. She smiled when she saw the bed; a large four-poster in almost the exact same style as Hogwarts' beds. The entire room, however, was covered in silver and green. "Lovely choice of color," she said, "Slytherin pride." He shrugged, "If you want to change them..." "I don't even care anymore," she said, "I just want to sleep." He nodded, "Well, I'll leave you to it, then. Goodnight." She turned to face him, "Thank you. Goodnight."
Hecate's door closed quietly, and as Snape walked away, he had a strange feeling that he shouldn't let her sleep alone tonight. Not after what had just happened. A ball of dread welled up in his stomach, but he ignored it, and welcomed sleep when he finally collapsed on his bed.
To Be Continued...