Disclaimer: I disclaim, I disclaim, blah blah blah…

A/N: Thanks to my reviewers, I love you quite platonically! I don't really have much else to say, so ON WITH THE CHAPTER!!!!!!!

Chapter 3: The Third Degree

The young sorceress lay stretched out on the window seat of her room, observing the garden below. It was nothing like the gardens she was used to. In place of a lush array of vegetation, there were walkways and fences; plants did not grow where they wished, instead, everything was strictly arranged into neat squares. A few decaying plants gave off a slight aura of death—

Death. Rayne didn't want to think about death anymore, about Death Eaters. She knew Snape suspected something, that much was clear. Before she and Draco had used another Portkey to return to the Manor, Snape had whispered to her that he would be waiting later. Was being a Death Eater truly the best choice? The pain itself was enough to make her want to stay away, but the fear of what would occur if she didn't return was what held her to her previous vows. Why was it that everything Voldemort did had to be so closely related to pain and death instead of the life she was used to?

"Do something to get your mind off of this," Rayne instructed herself. After sifting through a few options, Rayne donned her green robes once again and picked up her staff. She decided to go for a walk outside, the place at which the sorceress was most content. Maybe later she would summon Solakara.

After asking a house elf to tell Draco she did not wish to be bothered, and for directions to the gardens, Rayne proceeded outside. The simple scent of plants was enough to ease her nerves. The light fragrance of thriving greenery and delicate flowers had always soothed the girl.

The sorceress had wandered around for a few minutes, when an owl smoothly landed in front of Rayne, emitting a brief hoot. After untying the bit of parchment from the owl's leg, she slipped a bronze knut into the bird's beak before it flew off.

Rayne, said the note, Come to Hogwarts School tonight to discuss the events of earlier today. If you cannot make it, let me know via owl. –SS

Even though she had been expecting something like that, Rayne was not comfortable with the idea of being under the influence of Veritaserum. Nonetheless, she had agreed, and it must be done.
The sorceress stole off to a less visible area and, just as she had done the previous night, raised her staff. "Lithnora ayria," declared Rayne, focusing on the shimmering space that was appearing. The golden bird appeared much more quickly than the last time, and settled on a branch.
"Yes?" inquired the golden bird.
"I need you to take me to Hogwarts, the wizarding school," explained Rayne. "During the initiation I tried to influence Voldemort's mind, and one of the Death Eaters helped me when the Dark Lord ordered Veritaserum. I told the Death Eater I would explain myself tonight, and I must leave now."

"You made it through the initiation then?"

"Yes…It was no less than I expected, but it was nothing short of torture."

"Is it anything that I could fix for you?" offered Solakara.

Rayne smiled gratefully at the bird, but shook her head. "No, I just need to get to Hogwarts. Right now, if you don't mind."

The bird nodded, and spread its wings. A pale light seemed to radiate from the bird, and Rayne quickly took hold of one of its dark yellow tail feathers. A rush of energy pulsed through Rayne's body, and then she was gone.

Moments later, sorceress and ayria appeared at the gates of an enormous castle. Not sure about what should be done, Rayne decided not to send away Solakara yet. Tentatively, she called out.

"Hello?" There was a pause. "Hello?"

There was the sound of a door squeaking open, and a deep voice answered, "Alright, alright, keep yer shirt on." A large man approached the gate, and he met Rayne's eyes with a look of curiosity. "Who're you? Does Dumbledore know yer here? I wasn't told t' be expectin' anyone tonight."

Rayne smiled as she replied, "No, I'm not sure if Dumbledore knew I was coming. A man called Snape told me to meet him here tonight, to discuss a personal matter. My name is Rayne. And yours would be…?"

"Hagrid, Groundskeeper of Hogwarts. Yer bein' here should be no problem; I've been told that anyun' who needs to see Professor Snape isn't to be questioned, so I can bring yeh right to 'im," replied Hagrid.

He opened the gates and Rayne and her ayria stepped inside. The school really was beautiful, especially at sunset. Light reflected off of the windows, and the lake sparkled. A rosy light bathed everything, giving a warm, inviting feeling to the school. The sorceress followed Hagrid, and gazed in admiration at the beauty that lay within the walls. Paintings covered the walls, and exquisite rugs covered the marble floors. Eventually they reached a door on the second level labeled "Severus Snape, Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts."

Hagrid left after informing her that Snape should be inside, and Rayne gripped her staff a bit tighter before knocking on the door. There was a sound of paper shuffling, and a chair squeaking. Then the door opened.

Rayne's eyes widened as the door opened. In place of the silent Death Eater she had seen before, there was a pale man with oily black hair. He glanced around the halls before harshly whispering, "Get in, quickly."

Rayne obeyed, making sure Solakara got in as well, and Snape shut and locked the door behind her. They were in what seemed to be a reasonably large office, one wall of which was stocked with various bottles. The sorceress and the professor watched each other for a moment, until Rayne broke the silence.

"Can you just give me the bloody potion so we can get this over with?" she demanded, sounding all but irritated.

Snape made an odd sort of noise, which may have been a laugh, before he went over to the bottle-lined wall. "I'm not sure how much I can trust you," he informed her, "but I respect your free will. The potion I plan for you to take does not force one to answer everything asked, but lies are impossible under its influence."

"Fine," answered Rayne, desperately wishing to draw one of her knives for a bit of additional safety. She cleared a few rolls of parchment away, and perched herself on the edge of a small oak table. Solakara alighted atop the back of a neighboring armchair, and warily watched the man.

Snape approached with a vial full of a deep amethyst-colored liquid, and handed it to Rayne. "Drink it," he ordered.

The sorceress knew it was unlikely that he would attempt to poison her, but nonetheless she had to be sure. She laid her staff on the floor, and muttered, "Curmialde." The liquid glowed for a moment, but there was no telltale green luminescence. The potion was safe. Rayne closed her eyes and quickly drank the potion. She could feel it as the elixir hit her stomach, and her vision blurred for a moment. Then it cleared, and she saw Snape sitting opposite her at his desk.

"What was that spell for? Did you think I'd poison you?!" he asked incredulously.

Rayne raised her eyebrows. "You expect me to trust you? Yes, the spell was to test for poison," she informed him, before she snapped, "Get to the real questions before I get bored and fall asleep."

"First of all," began Snape, "what is that?" he inquired, pointing at Solakara.

"It's my ayria," she responded simply.

"Elaborate or I will not hesitate to force Veritaserum down your throat," threatened Snape.

Rayne glared at him before continuing, "All sorcerers have an ayria, which they usually learn to summon by the age of eleven. They exist in a state between the physical and metaphysical. Most have forms pertaining to their sorcerer's or sorceress's element. We are able to call them from their world, and they are magical allies to us. Solakara, my ayria, is a golden phoenix."

Snape nodded, and seemed satisfied with the response. Yet the most obvious question had not been asked. "What exactly is a sorceress? Why does it seem that no wizards have heard of you? You obviously lied about your power earlier, and I am curious to know how you even managed to lie in front of the Dark Lord. To do so is quite remarkable."

Rayne pursed her lips and thought. It was a complex question, and she wanted to word her answers carefully. Giving too much away could be lethal in the end. "Yes, there are only a handful of us," she began, "and I most certainly did lie earlier, but it is no amazing feat among my kind. We are gifted with strong minds, and shielding them is fairly simple. We have a considerable amount of power, and it is true that we rival most wizards. One of the things that makes us stronger is how we relate to Muggles."

"Muggles?" Snape sneered, "How could Muggles help?"

"As I was saying," continued Rayne, not bothering to mask her annoyance at being interrupted, "We can relate to Muggles. We aren't afraid to understand them and become a part of their society from time to time, as so many wizards are. That knowledge is beneficial, especially in combat."

Snape looked at her with definite curiosity. "How so?"

He was really starting to irritate her, so she responded by quickly drawing a knife from her back, and throwing it at the Death Eater. It embedded itself next to him in the wall, less than a centimeter from his neck. His eyes widened, and he reached for his wand. "Stupef—"

Before she could be stunned, Rayne slid off the table and grabbed her staff. She spun it in front of her, and cried, "Tiranalum!" A glimmering wall appeared in front of the sorceress, and it glowed a pale red as the spell hit it. There was a deep hum, and the wall disappeared.

Snape looked at her incredulously, and seemed to consider using a more powerful incantation. The ayria had taken flight, and was glaring at him. Its golden feathers bristled, and if looks could kill, Avada Kedavara would have never been needed by anyone. After a brief moment, he thought the better of the situation and placed his wand down. Settling down again in his chair, he addressed the sorceress. "I'm sorry," he apologized, "I lost my temper. Please, continue."

"What else should I say?" Rayne asked skeptically, still holding her staff. Solakara landed on her shoulder, but the ayria seemed to flicker for a moment. Rayne gasped, and quickly got up. "I'm so sorry!" the girl exclaimed, grabbing her staff, "I've kept you here to long!" Solakara answered, "It's okay, you know I would stay if I could." Rayne responded by muttering, "Rala'nin," and the ayria vanished. Rayne set her staff down, and leaned against the desk. I never should have made Solakara stay! First I had her bring me here, and then…

"How was it you needed your staff for your last two spells, but you tested the potion without it earlier?" Snape broke in.

"We don't need our staves on minor incantations," Rayne replied. It really is lucky that the potions can be tested without a staff, thought Rayne, since we are weak against so many potions.

Next Snape inquired about the elements Rayne had mentioned when she explained about ayrias.

"We are elemental. Most of us are the basic elements: wind, fire, water, and my element, earth. There are specific spells that only sorcerers of a certain element can perform. Though Solakara is a bird, her attacks are mostly earth related, instead of air as one might think."

Snape nodded once again, and asked one of the questions Rayne had been dreading, "What are your connections with the Malfoys?"

Rayne shook her head. She wasn't going to answer this question. To do so would be digging too deep into the past.

"I want to know the answer," Snape informed her, leaning forward on his desk. "I don't want to use Veritaserum, so what will it take for you to tell me?"

Rayne pondered her answer, knowing that she had the upper hand. Smiling to herself, she answered. "Fine, I'll tell you. On one condition: you have to tell me why you became a Death Eater in the first place. Otherwise I will go to Voldemort right now and tell him where your loyalties lie."

Snape sprang to his feet before growling, "I could do the same to you, you know. Lying to the Dark Lord when you aren't even a full Death Eater?"

Clutching her staff, Rayne retorted, "Lying in minor compared to you! How do you think he would feel knowing about what you do? That you only pretend to be loyal and that he is your master?"

Snape gave in, knowing that putting his job on the line wasn't worth it. "Fine," he gave in, "I'll explain after you do."

Rayne smiled, the first time she had been truly happy that day. This was going much better than she expected…

……………

A/N: So, what did you think? It was a little to dialogue-y in my opinion, if that makes any sense, but I really needed a good way to explain things. Next chapter: We learn about the pasts of Snape and Rayne!