Chapter Nine
It wasn't until Alex turned her attention to her damp hair that she realized she had no wand with which to dry it. "Damn." She'd have to replace it today, maybe at the wand shop across the road from Nina's café, Olli-something-or-other's. Meanwhile, she tied her hair back in a black ribbon. At least it was out of her face. Just for good measure, she loosened a few strands next to her face and twirled them around her fingers. Not bad for Alex, the wandless wonder, she thought with a small laugh.
She sighed as she thought of her wand, and before she could intervene, her mind was replaying the scene in which she lost it. Unwillingly, she felt it wrenched from her grip, watched it fly into the hand of Lucius Malfoy and disappear into his robes, leaving her defenseless. Unable to refocus, the memory suddenly overpowered her; the awareness of her own helplessness that she had pushed away a hundred times since she had limped from her shop, feeling like the world had tilted on it's axis. The reminiscence was beyond her control now, the cold voice of Lucius Malfoy speaking a single world and the sickening feeling that her body was being ripped apart over and over again; knowing there was not a damn thing she could do to stop him. She'd have to endure until she died from the pain. It was completely hopeless. Her breath began to quicken, then she could barely breathe at all as the room began to spin. Vaguely, she heard someone call her name from far away just before she fell into the solace of oblivion.
Some time later, Alex heard the sound of slightly raised voices. She almost laughed aloud when she recognized that Severus and the Headmaster were having a very quiet, very heated discussion about whether they should wake her, not realizing that they already had. For the moment, they thought that she was still out cold on Severus' bed, and she used their ignorance to her advantage, straining to hear what she could.
"I tell you, she needs rest," came Severus' voice. "The poison has taken a tremendous toll on her, not to mention the Cruciatus curse. I assure you that no one wields it quite like Lucius Malfoy," he added grimly.
"We cannot afford the delay. Members of the order have strongly warded the shop, but if Lucius unleashes the whole of Voldemort's forces tonight--"
"Impossible. It's too dangerous. He'd never risk that kind of exposure."
"It's not impossible, Severus. He's taken such risks before when there was something important to be gained."
"That was different."
The Headmaster became slightly heated. "Why? Because it didn't involve someone you cared for? How much is your infatuation with this girl costing your judgment?" Infatuation? Alex couldn't help but smile.
Severus, however, clenched his teeth. He was getting tired of hearing this accusation. "My judgment is as sound as ever, Headmaster. You are the one who seems to be losing your head to blind panic."
"Mind yourself, Professor. Remember who you are speaking to."
Severus sighed deeply. "I am well aware of who you are, and well aware of whose side I am on. What I do not understand is why this cannot wait until tomorrow night when she's had some rest."
"Severus, I know she's earned a rest, and I wish that she could have it. But if by some chance Lucius acquires that potion, some of us will not see tomorrow night. When the Death Eaters are mobilized, they are a force to be reckoned with, and with the ability to whisk away whomever they please, to wherever they please, the war would be over before we could even respond."
The potions master fell into a chair, hanging his head in acceptance as Dumbledore conjured a small table and chairs. "Why don't you go and wake her, Severus? I'm sure she'll want some breakfast."
The two spun around in sync when Alex spoke from the doorway. "Breakfast would be great. I'm starving."
Severus responded first. "Are you alright?"
"Never better."
"You fainted. What--?"
"Rough night," was the only explanation she gave. "What's for breakfast?"
With a wave of his wand, Dumbledore produced a tray of muffins and pots of tea and coffee. Alex needed only a nod of encouragement before she swung into a chair and seized the coffeepot. She had finished two cups of coffee and eaten a huge banana-nut muffin while chatting amiably with the Headmaster before she felt sated enough to slow down and ask questions. "So," she began. "Who's Voldemort?"
The sudden silence was deafening. Severus was staring at her in shock and Albus with amusement. "How much did you hear?"
"Let's see. There's going to be a war. Lucius is going to send out all of the Death Eaters, whatever the heck those are, after my uncle's potion scroll, which has yet to make an appearance, and if they get their hands on it, the world is going to end. That's about it." She grabbed another muffin and refilled her coffee. "What did I miss?"
"Quite a bit," Severus began.
"Actually, I think she's summed it up fairly well. Now," He sternly looked over his folded hands. "What have you surmised?"
It was a bit unnerving, having a look like that leveled at her by such a kindly old wizard. It sobered her at once and she replaced her cup on the table. "I've surmised a quite bit, but there are a few holes." When his only response was a slight nod, she continued. "I'm fairly certain that Severus and Lucius were conspiring to steal this potion scroll, and that one of them killed my uncle. While Severus does seem to feel awfully guilty about something, I don't think he's capable of murder." She gave the potion master a warm smile. "I assume that he is a double agent in a war against Voldemort, whoever he is, hence his outwardly friendly dealings with the enemy."
"You're insight is almost disturbing," said Severus.
"I'm not insightful, Severus. I can just see right through you," she said with a sweet smile. It wasn't true, and she didn't know why she said it unless it was to see those lovely obsidian eyes narrow in answer to the challenge.
"So," she added, "who's Voldemort?"
It was Dumbledore who answered. "Voldemort is the enemy of all good people. His main goal is the elimination of all muggles, whom he deems to be unworthy of life. But, he will not rest until he dominates all magical people, as well. He is a murderer and a tyrant, and his Death Eaters, no better. That is why they must never get their hands on the scroll hidden in your shop. It must be destroyed."
"Excuse me a moment, but this scroll is my ticket out of this mess, and you're talking about it as if it belongs to you. I see no profit in allowing you to destroy it."
"Then I will explain. What this potion does is create a link between two people. Once ingested by or applied to both, one can be apparated against his or her will to the side of the other with a simple incantation. If this fell into the hands of the enemy, countless wizards would be snatched from safety and killed or tortured for information. There are too many who would break under the anguish of a Death Eater's wand or the threat to a loved one who has been taken from them. Secrets could be revealed that would destroy nearly all hope of winning this war. If that means nothing to you, then know that their first target would be a very brave young boy whose done nothing to deserve their wrath. Like you, he's an innocent victim of circumstance."
Severus spoke up, then. "Once Lucius knows that the scroll is gone, and I will inform him, he will have nothing to gain by harming you. As you said, to him it's just business."
Alex had to admit, Dumbledore made a pretty good case, though she hated the idea of destroying anything because of it's capability to be used for evil. The same potion could be used for great good as well and the destruction or control of such items had always seemed like the worst kind of oppression to her. But, it would get Lucius off of her back and greatly help the people who had saved her life.
"Ok, how's this?" began Alex. "I need to buy a new wand before I do anything this morning. I can't go on being the wandless wonder forever. After that, we'll all swing by my place and search it from top to bottom. If we find it--- well, I'll make a decision after I see the actual article. Fair enough?"
"Fair enough," said Albus with a satisfied smile. "But, I must leave you two to begin the search without me. I have urgent business until midday. When it is completed, then I'll be along to assist."
Alex beamed charmingly at the older man. "We'll see you then."
The sun was shining brightly on Diagon Alley as Alex headed for Ollivander's to replace her wand. She had hoped that she and Severus could go together, but it wasn't safe for him to be seen it public with her just yet. In the end it was agreed that he should apparate at nine o'clock to her door where she would be waiting to let him in. Then they would have three hours alone together. The anticipation was killing her. It was like a first date, a working date, but she'd take what she could get.
She would have been hard-pressed to explain why she had so rapidly grown fond of him. There was attraction, certainly, quite a bit. But, it was nothing like the absolute lust she felt when she looked at Lucius Malfoy. With him, it was all about his power; she ached to be filled with it, consumed by it, to lose herself in his darkness. What she felt for Severus was much more safe and comfortable. In fact, when she had first laid eyes on him at Nina's, she'd felt as though she'd known him for years. In fact, she had been almost certain, despite his callous attitude toward her, that he was risking himself to free her from Malfoy's spell. Now, she understood that she was right. That she could see right through him had been a lie, but it hadn't been that far removed from the truth.
Ollivander's was not quite what she had anticipated. Dumbledore had spoken so highly of the place, she had expected much less dust and a bit more organization. Still, Ollivander himself seemed nice enough and very determined to find the right wand for her. As the wand she had lost to Malfoy had been her father's, she had never experienced the frustration and eventual exhilaration when the perfect wand finds you. It took many tries with several different combinations, but at last he placed a beautiful ebony wand in her hand and she felt the magic move within her, warmth spreading from her wand hand to pervade her entire body. It was a magnificent experience, took her breath away, really. This wand felt so different than her father's had, almost as if it were an extension of her hand.
"Ebony and dragon heartstring, thirteen inches, that's an odd combination. Nevertheless, it would seem you have been chosen." Mr. Ollivander reached for the wand to place it back in it's box and wrap it for her.
"If it's all the same to you, sir, I think I'll just hold onto it for awhile," whispered Alex, staring at the wand in awe.
"I understand. First time owning your own?"
"Yes, it is. I never imagined it made any difference."
"If you've been using someone else's wand, or a wand that you selected instead of the other way around, it's likely that you've never cast a spell properly, I'm sorry to inform you."
"Don't be sorry. It explains quite a bit, actually. All these years, I thought it was me." She paid her bill and headed for the door. "Thank you, Mr. Ollivander. It's been a pleasure."
"Thank you, Miss Borgin."
Alex was halfway back to her place before she realized that she had never told him her name.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Ultrahotpink: Thank you. I'm so glad you're enjoying it.
Silverfey: Will Alex survive this terrifying predicament? Will Severus admit to her that he was supposed to be protecting her from Lucius? Will Alex allow Dumbledore to destroy the scroll? Will she ever get our loveable potions master in bed? Tune in next chapter for another exciting episode! Ok. I'm sorry. I just had to do that. Love ya! It might be a few days before the next update. This is going to be a long weekend.
It wasn't until Alex turned her attention to her damp hair that she realized she had no wand with which to dry it. "Damn." She'd have to replace it today, maybe at the wand shop across the road from Nina's café, Olli-something-or-other's. Meanwhile, she tied her hair back in a black ribbon. At least it was out of her face. Just for good measure, she loosened a few strands next to her face and twirled them around her fingers. Not bad for Alex, the wandless wonder, she thought with a small laugh.
She sighed as she thought of her wand, and before she could intervene, her mind was replaying the scene in which she lost it. Unwillingly, she felt it wrenched from her grip, watched it fly into the hand of Lucius Malfoy and disappear into his robes, leaving her defenseless. Unable to refocus, the memory suddenly overpowered her; the awareness of her own helplessness that she had pushed away a hundred times since she had limped from her shop, feeling like the world had tilted on it's axis. The reminiscence was beyond her control now, the cold voice of Lucius Malfoy speaking a single world and the sickening feeling that her body was being ripped apart over and over again; knowing there was not a damn thing she could do to stop him. She'd have to endure until she died from the pain. It was completely hopeless. Her breath began to quicken, then she could barely breathe at all as the room began to spin. Vaguely, she heard someone call her name from far away just before she fell into the solace of oblivion.
Some time later, Alex heard the sound of slightly raised voices. She almost laughed aloud when she recognized that Severus and the Headmaster were having a very quiet, very heated discussion about whether they should wake her, not realizing that they already had. For the moment, they thought that she was still out cold on Severus' bed, and she used their ignorance to her advantage, straining to hear what she could.
"I tell you, she needs rest," came Severus' voice. "The poison has taken a tremendous toll on her, not to mention the Cruciatus curse. I assure you that no one wields it quite like Lucius Malfoy," he added grimly.
"We cannot afford the delay. Members of the order have strongly warded the shop, but if Lucius unleashes the whole of Voldemort's forces tonight--"
"Impossible. It's too dangerous. He'd never risk that kind of exposure."
"It's not impossible, Severus. He's taken such risks before when there was something important to be gained."
"That was different."
The Headmaster became slightly heated. "Why? Because it didn't involve someone you cared for? How much is your infatuation with this girl costing your judgment?" Infatuation? Alex couldn't help but smile.
Severus, however, clenched his teeth. He was getting tired of hearing this accusation. "My judgment is as sound as ever, Headmaster. You are the one who seems to be losing your head to blind panic."
"Mind yourself, Professor. Remember who you are speaking to."
Severus sighed deeply. "I am well aware of who you are, and well aware of whose side I am on. What I do not understand is why this cannot wait until tomorrow night when she's had some rest."
"Severus, I know she's earned a rest, and I wish that she could have it. But if by some chance Lucius acquires that potion, some of us will not see tomorrow night. When the Death Eaters are mobilized, they are a force to be reckoned with, and with the ability to whisk away whomever they please, to wherever they please, the war would be over before we could even respond."
The potions master fell into a chair, hanging his head in acceptance as Dumbledore conjured a small table and chairs. "Why don't you go and wake her, Severus? I'm sure she'll want some breakfast."
The two spun around in sync when Alex spoke from the doorway. "Breakfast would be great. I'm starving."
Severus responded first. "Are you alright?"
"Never better."
"You fainted. What--?"
"Rough night," was the only explanation she gave. "What's for breakfast?"
With a wave of his wand, Dumbledore produced a tray of muffins and pots of tea and coffee. Alex needed only a nod of encouragement before she swung into a chair and seized the coffeepot. She had finished two cups of coffee and eaten a huge banana-nut muffin while chatting amiably with the Headmaster before she felt sated enough to slow down and ask questions. "So," she began. "Who's Voldemort?"
The sudden silence was deafening. Severus was staring at her in shock and Albus with amusement. "How much did you hear?"
"Let's see. There's going to be a war. Lucius is going to send out all of the Death Eaters, whatever the heck those are, after my uncle's potion scroll, which has yet to make an appearance, and if they get their hands on it, the world is going to end. That's about it." She grabbed another muffin and refilled her coffee. "What did I miss?"
"Quite a bit," Severus began.
"Actually, I think she's summed it up fairly well. Now," He sternly looked over his folded hands. "What have you surmised?"
It was a bit unnerving, having a look like that leveled at her by such a kindly old wizard. It sobered her at once and she replaced her cup on the table. "I've surmised a quite bit, but there are a few holes." When his only response was a slight nod, she continued. "I'm fairly certain that Severus and Lucius were conspiring to steal this potion scroll, and that one of them killed my uncle. While Severus does seem to feel awfully guilty about something, I don't think he's capable of murder." She gave the potion master a warm smile. "I assume that he is a double agent in a war against Voldemort, whoever he is, hence his outwardly friendly dealings with the enemy."
"You're insight is almost disturbing," said Severus.
"I'm not insightful, Severus. I can just see right through you," she said with a sweet smile. It wasn't true, and she didn't know why she said it unless it was to see those lovely obsidian eyes narrow in answer to the challenge.
"So," she added, "who's Voldemort?"
It was Dumbledore who answered. "Voldemort is the enemy of all good people. His main goal is the elimination of all muggles, whom he deems to be unworthy of life. But, he will not rest until he dominates all magical people, as well. He is a murderer and a tyrant, and his Death Eaters, no better. That is why they must never get their hands on the scroll hidden in your shop. It must be destroyed."
"Excuse me a moment, but this scroll is my ticket out of this mess, and you're talking about it as if it belongs to you. I see no profit in allowing you to destroy it."
"Then I will explain. What this potion does is create a link between two people. Once ingested by or applied to both, one can be apparated against his or her will to the side of the other with a simple incantation. If this fell into the hands of the enemy, countless wizards would be snatched from safety and killed or tortured for information. There are too many who would break under the anguish of a Death Eater's wand or the threat to a loved one who has been taken from them. Secrets could be revealed that would destroy nearly all hope of winning this war. If that means nothing to you, then know that their first target would be a very brave young boy whose done nothing to deserve their wrath. Like you, he's an innocent victim of circumstance."
Severus spoke up, then. "Once Lucius knows that the scroll is gone, and I will inform him, he will have nothing to gain by harming you. As you said, to him it's just business."
Alex had to admit, Dumbledore made a pretty good case, though she hated the idea of destroying anything because of it's capability to be used for evil. The same potion could be used for great good as well and the destruction or control of such items had always seemed like the worst kind of oppression to her. But, it would get Lucius off of her back and greatly help the people who had saved her life.
"Ok, how's this?" began Alex. "I need to buy a new wand before I do anything this morning. I can't go on being the wandless wonder forever. After that, we'll all swing by my place and search it from top to bottom. If we find it--- well, I'll make a decision after I see the actual article. Fair enough?"
"Fair enough," said Albus with a satisfied smile. "But, I must leave you two to begin the search without me. I have urgent business until midday. When it is completed, then I'll be along to assist."
Alex beamed charmingly at the older man. "We'll see you then."
The sun was shining brightly on Diagon Alley as Alex headed for Ollivander's to replace her wand. She had hoped that she and Severus could go together, but it wasn't safe for him to be seen it public with her just yet. In the end it was agreed that he should apparate at nine o'clock to her door where she would be waiting to let him in. Then they would have three hours alone together. The anticipation was killing her. It was like a first date, a working date, but she'd take what she could get.
She would have been hard-pressed to explain why she had so rapidly grown fond of him. There was attraction, certainly, quite a bit. But, it was nothing like the absolute lust she felt when she looked at Lucius Malfoy. With him, it was all about his power; she ached to be filled with it, consumed by it, to lose herself in his darkness. What she felt for Severus was much more safe and comfortable. In fact, when she had first laid eyes on him at Nina's, she'd felt as though she'd known him for years. In fact, she had been almost certain, despite his callous attitude toward her, that he was risking himself to free her from Malfoy's spell. Now, she understood that she was right. That she could see right through him had been a lie, but it hadn't been that far removed from the truth.
Ollivander's was not quite what she had anticipated. Dumbledore had spoken so highly of the place, she had expected much less dust and a bit more organization. Still, Ollivander himself seemed nice enough and very determined to find the right wand for her. As the wand she had lost to Malfoy had been her father's, she had never experienced the frustration and eventual exhilaration when the perfect wand finds you. It took many tries with several different combinations, but at last he placed a beautiful ebony wand in her hand and she felt the magic move within her, warmth spreading from her wand hand to pervade her entire body. It was a magnificent experience, took her breath away, really. This wand felt so different than her father's had, almost as if it were an extension of her hand.
"Ebony and dragon heartstring, thirteen inches, that's an odd combination. Nevertheless, it would seem you have been chosen." Mr. Ollivander reached for the wand to place it back in it's box and wrap it for her.
"If it's all the same to you, sir, I think I'll just hold onto it for awhile," whispered Alex, staring at the wand in awe.
"I understand. First time owning your own?"
"Yes, it is. I never imagined it made any difference."
"If you've been using someone else's wand, or a wand that you selected instead of the other way around, it's likely that you've never cast a spell properly, I'm sorry to inform you."
"Don't be sorry. It explains quite a bit, actually. All these years, I thought it was me." She paid her bill and headed for the door. "Thank you, Mr. Ollivander. It's been a pleasure."
"Thank you, Miss Borgin."
Alex was halfway back to her place before she realized that she had never told him her name.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Ultrahotpink: Thank you. I'm so glad you're enjoying it.
Silverfey: Will Alex survive this terrifying predicament? Will Severus admit to her that he was supposed to be protecting her from Lucius? Will Alex allow Dumbledore to destroy the scroll? Will she ever get our loveable potions master in bed? Tune in next chapter for another exciting episode! Ok. I'm sorry. I just had to do that. Love ya! It might be a few days before the next update. This is going to be a long weekend.