Some of these guys are mine some are not etc..
Severus sat in his rooms, swigging straight from the bottle of brandy, intent on drinking himself into oblivion. He had just ended any future he might have had with Taranis, the woman he loved. Over the past few weeks the realization had sunk in that he, Severus Snape was indeed capable of love. Knowing he cared for her was one thing, but upon realizing that he was after all these years able to feel such an emotion as love? There had been no choice but to put a stop to things between them now, since there was no possibility of a relationship in the future. The argument they'd had seemed a plausible excuse, yet the fact that they were working together complicated things. Now that the potion was complete, she wouldn't be standing next to him each night tormenting him with her presence.
The emotion in her eyes as she pleaded with him was like a knife in a heart he wished he didn't have after all. Taking another deep drink of the whiskey he spotted the book of poems, "bloody depressing," he muttered under his breath, "just what I need."
Last laugh, emotions cast, into the future, into the past
Dreaming in time, longing for love
Come unto to me, hold my hand
Love save me, look me in the face
Touch my body, whisper in my ear
I am here for you, ready to stand at your side
Tears of frustration, tears of love
Facing anticipation, frustration and fear
Afraid to run, afraid to stay
Needing to love, searching through life
Longing to hold your hand, desiring to kiss your lips
Love in your eyes, I want to run, I need to stay
Bloody hell, that didn't help at all. Brandy, lots of brandy, that'll help. A few more months and Taranis will be gone away to Durmstrang and out of my life forever and I can sulk away the rest of my days alone in utter and complete misery as I've always planned.
On Saturday morning Taranis was due in Dumbledore's office at five o'clock, so they could leave before the sun came up. Unable to sleep for the past few days, she paced her room in anticipation.
Her initial reaction of self-pitying sadness had quickly turned to anger at the Potions Master. What the hell does he mean he's never led me to believe there was something special between them. True he never spoke of caring or love nor any sort of a future between them, but surely the way he made love to me last? That in itself ? I was sure he cared for me. Now that I think about it, the only feeling's he's mentioned at all were that he liked the way I looked. Bastards, all of them! There's more to me than my face and my legs and my boobs, and I thought Severus knew that. I thought we were friends, that we'd become close. We must have become close or I wouldn't have felt the Dark Mark would I? On the other hand, maybe it was just my feeling close to him.
How could I be so stupid, to care for such a man, to think he could ever return my love? Men I hate them all, never, ever again. I should become a nun, live high in the mountains and never lay eyes on another man again as long as I live!
Dressed in black pants, boots, and a heavy coat, Taranis stepped into the Headmaster's office a few minutes early, to see Remus, Moody and Black already there. Feeling uncomfortable to face Sirus she stood apart for a few moments before the man approached her.
"Taranis," he started, "I just wanted to apologize for what happened between us. Harry explained about your past, what you'd gone through, and I feel like a complete jerk." The man took her hands in his and looked into her eyes, "please forgive me for being a pushy bastard?"
"If you can forgive me for hitting you, I'm afraid I over reacted and I'm sorry for that."
The man nodded and moved back to discuss something with Lupin as she heard a voice from over her shoulder.
"I see it didn't take long for you to find a suitable replacement now did it?"
Fury washed over Taranis as she whipped around, taking pleasure in the crack of her hand across his face, "may the fires of hell consume your black soul professor."
"I assure you, professor, they already have," he drawled as he stood over her with that emotionless face.
As she moved away from him to sit alone across the room, Severus groaned inwardly as Black approached. Just what I need.
"Well Severus, once again your charm overcomes the ladies. Hurt did it?" The man said with a grin of satisfaction.
"At least 'my' nose is not left bloodied from the experience Black." Grateful for the scowl he received in reply, Snape watched the man move away and Dumbldore entered the room, his usual cheery disposition nauseating.
"Well, well, well, good morning all. I see you are ready to go, Severus the vials please?"
The Potions Master took out four vials from his robes and handed one to each of the others.
"You will each have a vial of the reanimating potion, just as a precaution you know."
"In case most of us are killed you mean?" Taranis shot him a dark look.
Disregarding her statements the old man continued, "as I was saying, Hagrid will meet you there as will Maeve. Be careful as always and I wish you the best of luck, we are all counting on you." Taking a matchbook out of his pocket and holding it out to Moody, "here is your Portkey, I will see you all very soon."
Gathered together closely, they suddenly found themselves outside of a mist laden forest, near a small thatch-roofed hut with small puffs of smoke coming out of the stone chimney. As they approached, Taranis could hear her grandmother's laughter floating over her and she entered without knocking.
"Grammy," she said running over to the older woman and enveloping her in a tight hug.
"My dear child, I knew you could do it. You and that man have worked magic indeed and I am eagerly anticipating my reunion with Merlin."
"And I'm looking forward to going back to Hogwarts, this place is depressin it is," the big man said with a weary look on his face.
Hagrid stayed in the hut as the others moved across the foggy moor, stopping at what appeared to be the edge of a cliff. Severus moved up and began motioning with his wand, muttering the spells to undo the wards. Looking frustrated when they didn't appear to work he began again.
"Professor Snape," Maeve said stepping forward, "you didn't really think I'd leave the man I love protected by only your silly little wards did you? My man, I assure you is guarded by the powerful old magic of the fey," raising her hands she began to motion with her fingers in the air. Red glowing runes began to form and quickly disappear as her hands moved faster and faster until the false apparition before them began to fade, and the mist began to lift, leaving the wonders of Avalon before them.
The group gawked in wonder, the island was completely surrounded by the sea and was laden by four high red sandstone walls. Towers on high pilings marked each of the four corners and the sea almost came up to the massive drawbridge, the famous Sword Bridge where many a knight lost his life.
Crossing over the bridge there was a cemetery, the burial ground of King Arthur, covered with may a tomb laden slab and from the rich earth grew huge and marvelous trees. Suddenly the group covered their ears as a horrible shrieking washed over them. Maeve held out her hands to stop them as wands were pulled out and aimed at the massive birds that came swooping to set down before them. Their beaks and sharp talons were shining of brass as they eyed the group.
"Who dares set foot upon this sacred land?" Thundered the largest of the three birds.
"Greetings to the Stymphalians from the Tuath de Danann," said the elder woman with a bow of respect.
The mighty creature stood in ominous silence before returning the gesture, "child of the Goddess Danu, welcome. I had wondered if your kind would ever leave the solace of Tir nan Og."
"Just me I'm afraid, the rest of my race feels well suited to the solitude in this day and age I'm afraid. It has been many years since you have honored my request to guard this isle, and now we come for Merlin and the grail. Many thanks I give you for the years you have spent here, as always you are welcome to stay, or you may go back to Lake Stymphalus as you choose."
"We know no other home great lady, but perhaps a visit to our ancient land for a time? May the gods bless you in your quest."
The group entered the castle and Maeve led them to the dungeons and through a labyrinth of damp dark tunnels until they reached their destination. The cave had a high ceiling, water dripping off the stalactites that covered the dome. Large flat stones covered the floor and lanterns lit the walls still. An extensive laboratory was set against one side of the room, along with several chairs and a wooden table.
"Oh my Merlin, quickly now," said the older woman as she knelt beside a small stone edged pool, the water shone silver like a smooth steel blade.
Taranis stepped forward, pulled out her vial and uncorked it, "by all that is holy, please let this work," slowly she emptied the contents into the pool and waited. For several moments nothing happened, and then small bubbles began to rise to the surface, then larger and larger until it appeared to boil. Slowly the liquid began to amass and draw itself upward, swirling and boiling at the same time. The group watched in wonder as a form started to emerge and solidify, the silver color changing to the black of a robe. Facial features morphing out of the liquid hardened and set into the features of the portrait in Taranis' room.
A gasp for breath echoed through the room as Merlin took his first breath and sagged to the floor, the grail held tightly in his fist.
Maeve grabbed the man and held him tightly, "Merlin you silly old fool I missed you so much."
Leaning against her the man muttered, "that was not a pleasant experience at all, oh my back is stiff, help me up will you?"
Taranis grabbed his other side and helped him to his feet as the four men stood watching.
"Thank you once again for your assistance my dearest Vivienne, and who is this enchanting young lady," he asked gazing appreciatively at Taranis.
Maeve looked smug as she cocked her head in reply, "that, my love is your granddaughter Taranis."
Merlin's eyes went wide with shock as he stumbled and almost fell to the floor. "Granddaughter did you say, I must be hearing things? Nay, I don't have a child, do I?"
"Yes you most certainly have a lovely daughter and it's about time you met her don't you think? I hope this teaches you to stop messing with those silly potions you foolish old man," she chastised.
"Er, just how long have I been, out of commission my dear?"
"Not too long my love, only a few thousand years."