OK, I (Jeni) have finally fixed the little problem we had with my FAVOURITE
SCENE being deleted. So here's the modified chapter 5.
~~
[In the staffroom]
'Wow...I've never been in the staffroom before...' Observed Severus. 'Is it always this...ordinary?'
'Yeah, kinda spoilt the big secretness, huh.' Agreed Lupin.
'Geez...I knew Dumbledore's nose was that shape for some reason.' Said Severus, blocking his ears as he approached the headmaster, now snoring loud enough to wake ALL the portraits in the school. Severus looked around, raised an eyebrow, and asked: 'Ah...what are those weird symbols on their faces?'
'Um...must be part of the spell Hojo put on them.' Answered Lupin nervously. 'Ok, nevermind. Let's just try this stone on someone first then.'
Lupin looked around for a ginuea pig, and suddenly, his face broke into an evil grin. (Severus was starting to think Lupin was wrongly sorted into Gryffindor when he should fit in nicely in Slytherin.)
'Heeeeeeeey...' Said Lupin, ducking behind Dumbledore and McGonagoll and approaching someone at the very back corner of the staffroom. 'Look, the perfect test subject.'
Severus looked and nearly fainted.
'You wanna test potentially dangerous magic on my FATHER?' He demanded.
Professor Severus Snape Senior (alliteration. Teehee!) was resting with his head in his arms and his arms folded on a nearby desk. He used to snore too, Severus remembered, but thank goodness he had a potion for that. ^_^
'Right. So what does this do?' Lupin fiddled with the stone.
'Wait a minute...what if...' Stuttered Severus. But it was too late.
'Poisona!' Shouted Lupin, directing the stone at Professor Snape.
Silence
Silence
A cricket chirped bravely in the distance.
A bird ate the brave cricket.
Silence.
'Phew.' Said Severus. 'Now please can we...'
'Esuna!' Shouted Lupin.
There was a blinding flash of green light. And this time...
'Oh...what?' Mumbled Professor Snape.
'See? Very safe.' Lupin crossed his arms and nodded. 'Another triumph for Remus J. Lupin and his BRILLIANCE!'
He skipped around, performing the spell on all the other teachers, until one by one, sleepy mutters filled the room. Severus shook his dad's shoulders worriedly.
'Hey, old man! Are you all right?'
'What...oh, Severus!' Professor Snape picked himself up from the table. 'What is the meaning of this?'
Thankfully, because his head was in his arms while he slept, Professor Snape attained no weird symbols on his face. However, the other teachers were not so lucky. But with a few quick 'expelliaremus'es, Lupin managed to take back the damage he did.
'What is happening, Severus? I demand to know!' Demanded Professor Snape.
'Ah...' Said Severus. 'It's a long story, father, really. And we don't have time to-'
'Hi everybody!' Came a voice at the door.
'Nice timing, Harry Potter!' applauded Lupin. 'Now get these teachers outta here, won't you?'
'What's happening?' Asked poor Professor Snape, getting more confused by the second.
'Ok, professors! Follow me!' Said Harry. And the teachers, still dazed by their misadventure, followed without comment. (And for the convenience of the story, of course. ^_^)
'Come on, Snape!' Lupin shouted to Severus as he pushed the line of teachers out the door. 'Sooner we get these oldies into that portal and safety, sooner we can go rebattle Hojo!'
'Why are we putting away the teachers if we're more likely to succeed with them?' Questioned Severus.
'Because they have to look after the others. And because a hero's business is a hero's business, and teachers can't be heroes.' Answered Lupin. Severus sighed and started manovering his father towards the door. If you can't beat the idiots, join them, he guessed.
'I refuse to be pushed around like a helpless infant!' Professor Snape said angrily, as his son started pushing him around like a helpless infant. 'Severus! You just wait...when this spell wears off I'll...'
'See you!' Lupin waved cheerfully at the departing teachers as he shoved Professor Snape into the line with his other hand. Harry, look after Professor Snape here-'
He paused, and Severus saw the old evil glint in his eyes.
'And oh, Professor?' Lupin started sweetly at Professor Snape's retreating back. 'Did you know that your son is a homose-'
Severus tackled Lupin as Harry led the blissfully unaware teachers away, dragging Professor Snape by the sleeve.
[Dungeons]
'You know...' Started Jeni, taking a brave stab at conversation as she and Draco walked down the old windy stairs. 'You're really a nice guy, Draco. Why did they put you in Slytherin?'
'Evil genes.' Answered Draco silently. 'Snape has them too, but he's a big softy.'
Jeni giggled to think what Severus would do if he heard that last comment.
'And that Lupin guy can almost raise one eyebrow, if he tried.' Draco continued. 'Have you ever noticed? And he's in Gryffindor.'
'What's with evil people and their one-eyebrow trick anyway?' Jeni asked.
'See, it's what marks them as evil.' Answered Draco. 'If you see anyone who can fully raise one eyebrow and make it look graceful, then you know you've got yourself a pure evil genius of some sort.'
'Like Hojo.'
'Yeah, like Hojo.'
Jeni walked in silence for a few steps.
'Hey Draco, can you raise one of your eyebrows?' She asked softly.
'Nah.' Came the response. 'I can half-raise my left one, but that only makes me look demented.'
'I see.' Jeni giggled again. 'I'm glad.'
'So am I.' Draco smiled. The fangirls, who've almost given up, were re- charmed and started swooing all over again.
'Any particular reason...?'
''Cause..' Draco inclined his head. 'You don't like evil people, do you...?'
Jeni blushed.
And it was around this time something else happened. (Good interruption. I really hate where this conversation is going.) The high-pitched scream of a boy pierced the silent dungeon atmosphere and brought both heroes back down to earth. (Thank goodness.)
'What was that?' Hissed Draco, whipping out his wand. Jeni followed suit.
'Dunno.' She whispered, creeping along behind her handsome protector towards the source of the scream. 'But it sounded like it came from over there.'
She pointed. Dungeon no. 13's door stood open sinisterly. (Oh, really, please don't tell me you weren't expecting that.) From within, the ringing silence the scream left behind did not last. An evil laugh, the evil likes of which Jeni or even Draco had ever heard, floated out towards them.
'It's HOJO!' Hissed Draco. 'Damn. Here I was thinking he switched HQs. I guess evil people get easy to predict after a while.'
'What are we gonna do, Draco?' Whimpered Jeni. 'And who screamed?'
'Shh!' Commaned the Slytherin. They flatted themselves on the wall next to the door and listened.
'Muahahahahahahaha!' Said Hojo. 'Finally, the soul of an innocent is extracted! Sephiroth, daddy's work is nearly finished! You only need a body'
'What the-?' Draco frowned. 'Weren't you supposed to be the innocent soul or something, Jeni?'
Jeni shrugged.
'Hold on, I'm gonna risk a look.' Whispered Draco, inching towards the door.
'We're supposed to alert the others when we find out what Hojo's up to!' Rebutted Jeni.
'But someone might've died in there!' Objected Draco. 'I have to find out what's goin' on.'
'Well, if they're dead already, what's the point?' Pointed out Jeni.
'Come on, I'm not gonna get captured or anything!' Persuaded Draco.
'Actually, that may be a very likely possibility.' Said Hojo.
'Eep!' Screeched Jeni. During their talk, neither of the heroes had noticed that Hojo had appeared from the doorway, magical stones in hand.
'Hojo!' Draco pushed Jeni back towards the stairs. 'How did you know we were here?'
'Oh, please.' Hojo rolled his eyes. 'I caught every word of that last little conversation. You kids thesedays have no idea how loudly you can whisper. Though what good timing! You will now aid me in my ressurection of Sephiroth!'
He rolled a yellow stone between forefinger and thumb.
'Jeni, run.' Hissed Draco in Jeni's ear, backing away from the scientist, wand in front. 'Tell Lupin and Snape...'
'No, Draco, Draco...' Pleaded Jeni.
'RUN, JENI!' Draco roared.
'DEATH!' Commanded Hojo. The stone flashed into life.
'Run Jeni!' Draco instructed, pushing Jeni away in front of him. They both bolted towards the door. (By this time, the little fangirls had chewed their fingernails raw.)
'Too late!' Hojo laughed. A brilliant light blinded her eyes. Jeni heard Draco whimper behind her and fall with a thud onto the dungeon floor.
'There's something very special about this particular death materia!' Hojo was crackling like a maniac now. 'See now as your friend dies..'
The light died down. Jeni crouched beside Draco on the floor and touched his forehead. It was very cold. Jeni was very scared. Draco can't be dead, can he? (The fangirls all collapsed in a mass fainting frenzy)
'...and gets reborn...as MY ALLY AND SON!'
Draco's eyes fluttered open. Jeni backed away as he stood, brush himself off, look around, and finally rest his pale blue eyes on her. There was no recognition.
'Draco...?' She yelped.
Draco Malfoy stared at her coldly, and slowly, slowly, perfectly arched his left eyebrow.
'Sephiroth, my son!' Hojo said triumphantly.
Jeni fainted.
~~
Chapter 6 should be coming soon!
~~
[In the staffroom]
'Wow...I've never been in the staffroom before...' Observed Severus. 'Is it always this...ordinary?'
'Yeah, kinda spoilt the big secretness, huh.' Agreed Lupin.
'Geez...I knew Dumbledore's nose was that shape for some reason.' Said Severus, blocking his ears as he approached the headmaster, now snoring loud enough to wake ALL the portraits in the school. Severus looked around, raised an eyebrow, and asked: 'Ah...what are those weird symbols on their faces?'
'Um...must be part of the spell Hojo put on them.' Answered Lupin nervously. 'Ok, nevermind. Let's just try this stone on someone first then.'
Lupin looked around for a ginuea pig, and suddenly, his face broke into an evil grin. (Severus was starting to think Lupin was wrongly sorted into Gryffindor when he should fit in nicely in Slytherin.)
'Heeeeeeeey...' Said Lupin, ducking behind Dumbledore and McGonagoll and approaching someone at the very back corner of the staffroom. 'Look, the perfect test subject.'
Severus looked and nearly fainted.
'You wanna test potentially dangerous magic on my FATHER?' He demanded.
Professor Severus Snape Senior (alliteration. Teehee!) was resting with his head in his arms and his arms folded on a nearby desk. He used to snore too, Severus remembered, but thank goodness he had a potion for that. ^_^
'Right. So what does this do?' Lupin fiddled with the stone.
'Wait a minute...what if...' Stuttered Severus. But it was too late.
'Poisona!' Shouted Lupin, directing the stone at Professor Snape.
Silence
Silence
A cricket chirped bravely in the distance.
A bird ate the brave cricket.
Silence.
'Phew.' Said Severus. 'Now please can we...'
'Esuna!' Shouted Lupin.
There was a blinding flash of green light. And this time...
'Oh...what?' Mumbled Professor Snape.
'See? Very safe.' Lupin crossed his arms and nodded. 'Another triumph for Remus J. Lupin and his BRILLIANCE!'
He skipped around, performing the spell on all the other teachers, until one by one, sleepy mutters filled the room. Severus shook his dad's shoulders worriedly.
'Hey, old man! Are you all right?'
'What...oh, Severus!' Professor Snape picked himself up from the table. 'What is the meaning of this?'
Thankfully, because his head was in his arms while he slept, Professor Snape attained no weird symbols on his face. However, the other teachers were not so lucky. But with a few quick 'expelliaremus'es, Lupin managed to take back the damage he did.
'What is happening, Severus? I demand to know!' Demanded Professor Snape.
'Ah...' Said Severus. 'It's a long story, father, really. And we don't have time to-'
'Hi everybody!' Came a voice at the door.
'Nice timing, Harry Potter!' applauded Lupin. 'Now get these teachers outta here, won't you?'
'What's happening?' Asked poor Professor Snape, getting more confused by the second.
'Ok, professors! Follow me!' Said Harry. And the teachers, still dazed by their misadventure, followed without comment. (And for the convenience of the story, of course. ^_^)
'Come on, Snape!' Lupin shouted to Severus as he pushed the line of teachers out the door. 'Sooner we get these oldies into that portal and safety, sooner we can go rebattle Hojo!'
'Why are we putting away the teachers if we're more likely to succeed with them?' Questioned Severus.
'Because they have to look after the others. And because a hero's business is a hero's business, and teachers can't be heroes.' Answered Lupin. Severus sighed and started manovering his father towards the door. If you can't beat the idiots, join them, he guessed.
'I refuse to be pushed around like a helpless infant!' Professor Snape said angrily, as his son started pushing him around like a helpless infant. 'Severus! You just wait...when this spell wears off I'll...'
'See you!' Lupin waved cheerfully at the departing teachers as he shoved Professor Snape into the line with his other hand. Harry, look after Professor Snape here-'
He paused, and Severus saw the old evil glint in his eyes.
'And oh, Professor?' Lupin started sweetly at Professor Snape's retreating back. 'Did you know that your son is a homose-'
Severus tackled Lupin as Harry led the blissfully unaware teachers away, dragging Professor Snape by the sleeve.
[Dungeons]
'You know...' Started Jeni, taking a brave stab at conversation as she and Draco walked down the old windy stairs. 'You're really a nice guy, Draco. Why did they put you in Slytherin?'
'Evil genes.' Answered Draco silently. 'Snape has them too, but he's a big softy.'
Jeni giggled to think what Severus would do if he heard that last comment.
'And that Lupin guy can almost raise one eyebrow, if he tried.' Draco continued. 'Have you ever noticed? And he's in Gryffindor.'
'What's with evil people and their one-eyebrow trick anyway?' Jeni asked.
'See, it's what marks them as evil.' Answered Draco. 'If you see anyone who can fully raise one eyebrow and make it look graceful, then you know you've got yourself a pure evil genius of some sort.'
'Like Hojo.'
'Yeah, like Hojo.'
Jeni walked in silence for a few steps.
'Hey Draco, can you raise one of your eyebrows?' She asked softly.
'Nah.' Came the response. 'I can half-raise my left one, but that only makes me look demented.'
'I see.' Jeni giggled again. 'I'm glad.'
'So am I.' Draco smiled. The fangirls, who've almost given up, were re- charmed and started swooing all over again.
'Any particular reason...?'
''Cause..' Draco inclined his head. 'You don't like evil people, do you...?'
Jeni blushed.
And it was around this time something else happened. (Good interruption. I really hate where this conversation is going.) The high-pitched scream of a boy pierced the silent dungeon atmosphere and brought both heroes back down to earth. (Thank goodness.)
'What was that?' Hissed Draco, whipping out his wand. Jeni followed suit.
'Dunno.' She whispered, creeping along behind her handsome protector towards the source of the scream. 'But it sounded like it came from over there.'
She pointed. Dungeon no. 13's door stood open sinisterly. (Oh, really, please don't tell me you weren't expecting that.) From within, the ringing silence the scream left behind did not last. An evil laugh, the evil likes of which Jeni or even Draco had ever heard, floated out towards them.
'It's HOJO!' Hissed Draco. 'Damn. Here I was thinking he switched HQs. I guess evil people get easy to predict after a while.'
'What are we gonna do, Draco?' Whimpered Jeni. 'And who screamed?'
'Shh!' Commaned the Slytherin. They flatted themselves on the wall next to the door and listened.
'Muahahahahahahaha!' Said Hojo. 'Finally, the soul of an innocent is extracted! Sephiroth, daddy's work is nearly finished! You only need a body'
'What the-?' Draco frowned. 'Weren't you supposed to be the innocent soul or something, Jeni?'
Jeni shrugged.
'Hold on, I'm gonna risk a look.' Whispered Draco, inching towards the door.
'We're supposed to alert the others when we find out what Hojo's up to!' Rebutted Jeni.
'But someone might've died in there!' Objected Draco. 'I have to find out what's goin' on.'
'Well, if they're dead already, what's the point?' Pointed out Jeni.
'Come on, I'm not gonna get captured or anything!' Persuaded Draco.
'Actually, that may be a very likely possibility.' Said Hojo.
'Eep!' Screeched Jeni. During their talk, neither of the heroes had noticed that Hojo had appeared from the doorway, magical stones in hand.
'Hojo!' Draco pushed Jeni back towards the stairs. 'How did you know we were here?'
'Oh, please.' Hojo rolled his eyes. 'I caught every word of that last little conversation. You kids thesedays have no idea how loudly you can whisper. Though what good timing! You will now aid me in my ressurection of Sephiroth!'
He rolled a yellow stone between forefinger and thumb.
'Jeni, run.' Hissed Draco in Jeni's ear, backing away from the scientist, wand in front. 'Tell Lupin and Snape...'
'No, Draco, Draco...' Pleaded Jeni.
'RUN, JENI!' Draco roared.
'DEATH!' Commanded Hojo. The stone flashed into life.
'Run Jeni!' Draco instructed, pushing Jeni away in front of him. They both bolted towards the door. (By this time, the little fangirls had chewed their fingernails raw.)
'Too late!' Hojo laughed. A brilliant light blinded her eyes. Jeni heard Draco whimper behind her and fall with a thud onto the dungeon floor.
'There's something very special about this particular death materia!' Hojo was crackling like a maniac now. 'See now as your friend dies..'
The light died down. Jeni crouched beside Draco on the floor and touched his forehead. It was very cold. Jeni was very scared. Draco can't be dead, can he? (The fangirls all collapsed in a mass fainting frenzy)
'...and gets reborn...as MY ALLY AND SON!'
Draco's eyes fluttered open. Jeni backed away as he stood, brush himself off, look around, and finally rest his pale blue eyes on her. There was no recognition.
'Draco...?' She yelped.
Draco Malfoy stared at her coldly, and slowly, slowly, perfectly arched his left eyebrow.
'Sephiroth, my son!' Hojo said triumphantly.
Jeni fainted.
~~
Chapter 6 should be coming soon!