Chapter 10 – Death and Love
Britomartis had dinner with her students for the first time since their arrival.
None of them overtly acknowledged her absence, but many did express their concern over her health and shared what they had learned.
During dessert, Harry settled next to her and leaned close, whispering, "Do you know anything about a golden double-axe hidden in a cave east of here?"
Britomartis placed her fork down. "How do you know about that?"
"Ron, Ophelia, and I found it when looking through ruins."
Britomartis looked up around the table, then whispered, "Talk to me about it later. Did you do anything with it?"
"No, we left it."
"Good, good." She adjusted her sunglasses, beginning to worry.
* * *
"Professor Vox?" Harry Potter asked a little later on that night in the library.
Britomartis put the family genealogy book down. "Mr. Potter, you asked about the Golden Labrys."
"Just wondered if you knew about it."
She sat in one of the chairs and indicated for him to do so as well. "Indeed I do. The Golden Labrys needs to remain hidden. Six years ago, Voldemort had heard of the power of the Golden Labrys."
Harry perked up, his green eyes becoming darker. "What sort of power?"
"The power it symbolizes - transformation and rebirth."
"Rebirth? Like ... corporeal bodies and such?"
She blinked. "So, that's what the ... the monster was doing - using the Labrys for such ... " Her mouth became neutral. "Mr. Potter, I will tell you something that I have not shared with any of my students. Considering your own history with Voldemort, I think you should hear this."
"You aren't afraid to say his name," Harry observed.
"The power of names is ancient in my culture. Giving power away by not saying the names of evil will make the evil more powerful. Voldemort knows I hold no love for him, especially after what he had done to me." She paused. "Several years ago, I had a husband and four children, the oldest at seven and the youngest at one year. I was also a High Priestess of Atana, therefor I served in Her temples, including guarding the Golden Labrys.
"Six years ago, Death Eaters came to claim the Golden Labrys for their master. I refused to surrender it, fighting them to exhaustion, at last having to steal the Labrys away and hide it within the heart of Crete to keep their foul hands off of it.
"Unfortunately, while I was doing that, the Death Eaters decided to pay me back by killing my family."
Harry's brows knotted and he drew in a sharp breath. "That's - "
" - Evil," she finished for him. "Completely and utterly." Her face was set hard. "My husband fought long enough to die in my arms when I returned. They had disemboweled him ... which was not as horrendous as to what they did to my children." The muscles in her jaw set out starkly against her olive skin. "I hid all that time before I came to Hogwarts. I couldn't face anyone."
She was quiet for a moment, gathering her thoughts, then continued, "The Labrys has not been touched since then. Several of the high-ranking Priestesses know of its location, but the majority of the community does not. If any of Voldemort's spies hear of where the Labrys is hidden, they will probably descend upon the island and kill every person in their way to get to it. Then ... " She gave Harry a grim smile. "Voldemort will get his body. That is reason enough to keep it hidden."
Harry said nothing for a moment, then said, "Ophelia knows where it is. She's been trying to ask the other Priestesses if they know about it."
"Not at this time - festivals take the entire sisterhood to work on. She won't get an answer about anything for another three days. I had best talk to her." Britomartis gazed at him through her sunglasses. "Mr. Potter, Destiny lies like a yoke upon your shoulders. I dread to see it on someone as young as yourself, but you have been prepared for since before your birth."
Harry looked down at the floor. "I never asked for it."
"Heroes never 'ask' for it - they get it shoved on their heads like overripe squash by fairies who run off laughing. Damned exasperating to say the least."
He smiled slightly. "Yeah, it is." He became somber again. "I won't tell anyone what you told me, Professor Vox."
"I know you won't, Mr. Potter." She opened her arms and he gently leaned over and hugged her, being enclosed by her strong, warm arms. He was surprised by her warmth; he expected the Slytherin House Mother to be cool to the touch, but he found her embrace to be warm and even maternal. It was ... comfortable. "Now," she said as she released him. "We have a very busy day tomorrow - better get some rest."
"Yes, ma'am."
Harry left the room, unaware that someone small, blonde, and oily had indeed been listening outside the door of the library.
* * *
Severus Snape was surprised to feel a body crawling up into his bed in the middle of the night. The body in question seemed to be a curvy, mature female wearing a silk gown that exposed as much skin as possible - he concluded this last fact due to the suddenly-hypersensitive condition of his own skin. Not to mention that, somehow, the individual in question had become the focus of every sense he currently had, blotting out the rest of the unimportant universe.
Before he could object as rudely as he could (a reflex he did NOT want to use at the moment), a hand slapped over his mouth and a feminine voice whispered, "It's only me, Snips!"
Severus pulled Britomartis' hand away. "What are you doing in my bed?"
"I needed to be held," she explained, snuggling against him. "Besides, I've been so wrapped up we haven't talked much."
"True," he agreed, moving over to make room for her in the small bed. She drew an arm around his waist. He had often wanted her to do this back when they were kids, just to hold each other tightly and not let go. Even now he could not have voiced this simple desire to her, despite her willingness. "I missed you."
"Missed you, too," she breathed, kissing the corner of his mouth. "You smell like jasmine."
"It's the cooling salve - came out that way."
Britomartis giggled. "Works here, but it's not good for the dungeons."
"Quite true." Severus snaked an arm under her shoulders and pulled her close, inhaling her scent. "Incense and olive oil."
"Always ends up that way here." She raised her head a little, staring into his eyes in the dim light. "I'm sorry to put you through this, you having to rescue me - "
"You've given me threads of sanity before, it was my turn."
"Why did you tell me to let go?"
"Because you were suffering needlessly. We're not allowed to alter the Past - even ones like that." He exhaled loudly. "I know how hypocritical that sounds coming from me - I'm the last person to drop grudges."
"Yes."
"But it was hurting you."
Britomartis gently brushed her lips against his left hand next to her face. "You don't need to suffer for the past, either."
He caressed her face with his left hand. "But my penance will never be finished."
Both were silent for a long moment, hearing the rain pattering against the glass of the windows and the other's heartbeat as they lay silently together. Severus remembered that night well over twenty years ago when they had cuddled closely under the tree, her cloak wrapped around their young bodies as they tried to keep warm.
Fourteen and twelve, now thirty-five and thirty-three. A bitter bachelor and a weeping widow.
"What strange bedfellows we make," Severus murmured aloud.
Britomartis was silent, then blurted a giggle. "Beg pardon, Snips?"
"Just thinking about the whole arrangement," he commented as he reached over the bedside table and pulled a flower from the vase. "'Snips and Spirals Forever' ... at the cost of much sacrifice from both of us."
Britomartis propped herself up on her elbows. "Severus, please - "
"Martis, I should have asked you this twenty years ago when we had all those dances, so I'll ask it now." He placed the small flower behind her ear and added, "Spirals, would you accompany me to the festival tomorrow?"
She responded with a strong hug, lots of giggles, and an exclamation of "Yes, yes, yes!"
The wall immediately near their heads was pounded on, followed by the muffled voice of one of the Weasley twins' saying, "Snape, stop molesting our teacher - we need to sleep!"
"Was I molesting you?" he asked.
"No," she replied seriously. "I've been trying to molest you."
More banging from another direction, this time Elizabeth's voice stating, "Shut your holes, Frick and Frack! They need to loosen up once in a while!"
"Perhaps we should give them reason to think so?" he suggested.
She giggled, hugging him with her limbs. "Snips, you are tease! And I love you so!"
He inhaled deeply, hugging her in return. "And I love you, Martis."
Another pounding, this time Oliver's voice yelling, "GIVE ME A MEMORY CHARM, PLEASE!"
Severus and Britomartis held each other tightly and completely broke down into laughter.
Britomartis had dinner with her students for the first time since their arrival.
None of them overtly acknowledged her absence, but many did express their concern over her health and shared what they had learned.
During dessert, Harry settled next to her and leaned close, whispering, "Do you know anything about a golden double-axe hidden in a cave east of here?"
Britomartis placed her fork down. "How do you know about that?"
"Ron, Ophelia, and I found it when looking through ruins."
Britomartis looked up around the table, then whispered, "Talk to me about it later. Did you do anything with it?"
"No, we left it."
"Good, good." She adjusted her sunglasses, beginning to worry.
* * *
"Professor Vox?" Harry Potter asked a little later on that night in the library.
Britomartis put the family genealogy book down. "Mr. Potter, you asked about the Golden Labrys."
"Just wondered if you knew about it."
She sat in one of the chairs and indicated for him to do so as well. "Indeed I do. The Golden Labrys needs to remain hidden. Six years ago, Voldemort had heard of the power of the Golden Labrys."
Harry perked up, his green eyes becoming darker. "What sort of power?"
"The power it symbolizes - transformation and rebirth."
"Rebirth? Like ... corporeal bodies and such?"
She blinked. "So, that's what the ... the monster was doing - using the Labrys for such ... " Her mouth became neutral. "Mr. Potter, I will tell you something that I have not shared with any of my students. Considering your own history with Voldemort, I think you should hear this."
"You aren't afraid to say his name," Harry observed.
"The power of names is ancient in my culture. Giving power away by not saying the names of evil will make the evil more powerful. Voldemort knows I hold no love for him, especially after what he had done to me." She paused. "Several years ago, I had a husband and four children, the oldest at seven and the youngest at one year. I was also a High Priestess of Atana, therefor I served in Her temples, including guarding the Golden Labrys.
"Six years ago, Death Eaters came to claim the Golden Labrys for their master. I refused to surrender it, fighting them to exhaustion, at last having to steal the Labrys away and hide it within the heart of Crete to keep their foul hands off of it.
"Unfortunately, while I was doing that, the Death Eaters decided to pay me back by killing my family."
Harry's brows knotted and he drew in a sharp breath. "That's - "
" - Evil," she finished for him. "Completely and utterly." Her face was set hard. "My husband fought long enough to die in my arms when I returned. They had disemboweled him ... which was not as horrendous as to what they did to my children." The muscles in her jaw set out starkly against her olive skin. "I hid all that time before I came to Hogwarts. I couldn't face anyone."
She was quiet for a moment, gathering her thoughts, then continued, "The Labrys has not been touched since then. Several of the high-ranking Priestesses know of its location, but the majority of the community does not. If any of Voldemort's spies hear of where the Labrys is hidden, they will probably descend upon the island and kill every person in their way to get to it. Then ... " She gave Harry a grim smile. "Voldemort will get his body. That is reason enough to keep it hidden."
Harry said nothing for a moment, then said, "Ophelia knows where it is. She's been trying to ask the other Priestesses if they know about it."
"Not at this time - festivals take the entire sisterhood to work on. She won't get an answer about anything for another three days. I had best talk to her." Britomartis gazed at him through her sunglasses. "Mr. Potter, Destiny lies like a yoke upon your shoulders. I dread to see it on someone as young as yourself, but you have been prepared for since before your birth."
Harry looked down at the floor. "I never asked for it."
"Heroes never 'ask' for it - they get it shoved on their heads like overripe squash by fairies who run off laughing. Damned exasperating to say the least."
He smiled slightly. "Yeah, it is." He became somber again. "I won't tell anyone what you told me, Professor Vox."
"I know you won't, Mr. Potter." She opened her arms and he gently leaned over and hugged her, being enclosed by her strong, warm arms. He was surprised by her warmth; he expected the Slytherin House Mother to be cool to the touch, but he found her embrace to be warm and even maternal. It was ... comfortable. "Now," she said as she released him. "We have a very busy day tomorrow - better get some rest."
"Yes, ma'am."
Harry left the room, unaware that someone small, blonde, and oily had indeed been listening outside the door of the library.
* * *
Severus Snape was surprised to feel a body crawling up into his bed in the middle of the night. The body in question seemed to be a curvy, mature female wearing a silk gown that exposed as much skin as possible - he concluded this last fact due to the suddenly-hypersensitive condition of his own skin. Not to mention that, somehow, the individual in question had become the focus of every sense he currently had, blotting out the rest of the unimportant universe.
Before he could object as rudely as he could (a reflex he did NOT want to use at the moment), a hand slapped over his mouth and a feminine voice whispered, "It's only me, Snips!"
Severus pulled Britomartis' hand away. "What are you doing in my bed?"
"I needed to be held," she explained, snuggling against him. "Besides, I've been so wrapped up we haven't talked much."
"True," he agreed, moving over to make room for her in the small bed. She drew an arm around his waist. He had often wanted her to do this back when they were kids, just to hold each other tightly and not let go. Even now he could not have voiced this simple desire to her, despite her willingness. "I missed you."
"Missed you, too," she breathed, kissing the corner of his mouth. "You smell like jasmine."
"It's the cooling salve - came out that way."
Britomartis giggled. "Works here, but it's not good for the dungeons."
"Quite true." Severus snaked an arm under her shoulders and pulled her close, inhaling her scent. "Incense and olive oil."
"Always ends up that way here." She raised her head a little, staring into his eyes in the dim light. "I'm sorry to put you through this, you having to rescue me - "
"You've given me threads of sanity before, it was my turn."
"Why did you tell me to let go?"
"Because you were suffering needlessly. We're not allowed to alter the Past - even ones like that." He exhaled loudly. "I know how hypocritical that sounds coming from me - I'm the last person to drop grudges."
"Yes."
"But it was hurting you."
Britomartis gently brushed her lips against his left hand next to her face. "You don't need to suffer for the past, either."
He caressed her face with his left hand. "But my penance will never be finished."
Both were silent for a long moment, hearing the rain pattering against the glass of the windows and the other's heartbeat as they lay silently together. Severus remembered that night well over twenty years ago when they had cuddled closely under the tree, her cloak wrapped around their young bodies as they tried to keep warm.
Fourteen and twelve, now thirty-five and thirty-three. A bitter bachelor and a weeping widow.
"What strange bedfellows we make," Severus murmured aloud.
Britomartis was silent, then blurted a giggle. "Beg pardon, Snips?"
"Just thinking about the whole arrangement," he commented as he reached over the bedside table and pulled a flower from the vase. "'Snips and Spirals Forever' ... at the cost of much sacrifice from both of us."
Britomartis propped herself up on her elbows. "Severus, please - "
"Martis, I should have asked you this twenty years ago when we had all those dances, so I'll ask it now." He placed the small flower behind her ear and added, "Spirals, would you accompany me to the festival tomorrow?"
She responded with a strong hug, lots of giggles, and an exclamation of "Yes, yes, yes!"
The wall immediately near their heads was pounded on, followed by the muffled voice of one of the Weasley twins' saying, "Snape, stop molesting our teacher - we need to sleep!"
"Was I molesting you?" he asked.
"No," she replied seriously. "I've been trying to molest you."
More banging from another direction, this time Elizabeth's voice stating, "Shut your holes, Frick and Frack! They need to loosen up once in a while!"
"Perhaps we should give them reason to think so?" he suggested.
She giggled, hugging him with her limbs. "Snips, you are tease! And I love you so!"
He inhaled deeply, hugging her in return. "And I love you, Martis."
Another pounding, this time Oliver's voice yelling, "GIVE ME A MEMORY CHARM, PLEASE!"
Severus and Britomartis held each other tightly and completely broke down into laughter.