HEHEHE: I would like to extend a special thanks to Ankha (who owns Seri) for beta-reading and putting this (and my last chapter) on HTML.
Thank you very much
For doing this for me.
No matter how evil
My computer likes to be, (A/N: Die stupid computor!!!DIE!!! oh, its already dead....hum-de-dum)
You are there to help
He-he-he-he-he.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. I do not own Harry Potter. I do not Own Harry Potter. I do not own Harry Potter. I do not own Harry Potter. I do not own Harry Potter. I do not own Harry Potter. I do not own Harry Potter. I do not own Harry Potter. I do not own Harry Potter. I do not own Harry Potter. I do not own Harry Potter. I do not own Harry Potter. I do not own Harry Potter. I do not own Harry Potter...........
Chapter 5- The Promise of Torture on the Horizon
A single rat crawled through the dark, keeping a watch for predators, for it had many. The rat crept out of the sheltering trees and hurried across a wide clearing. It crept up to the house in the middle of the clearing and slipped in a hole in the wall. Once inside, it transformed into a human. He then ran up the stairs to the topmost floor and slipped through the door at the end of the hallway. Inside, someone was seated in a chair before a large fireplace, a huge serpent at its side. The man walked up to the chair, eyeing the snake. He preceded to bow and kiss the person's feet, while trying to state his business at the same time. The man in the chair kicked him, sending him soaring across the room.
"Fool! Speak clearly!" The man cowered, offering many apologies and then told his tale.
"Master, I delivered your message and they all have agreed to meet you. They will be here as soon as time allows."
"Why can't they be here now?" The man hissed.
"I...I'm sorry master. They couldn't leave their jobs, it would arouse suspicions."
"Yes, I shall wait; what else have I to do?" He faced the fire and ran a hand along the snake, as one would pet an affectionate dog; although this was no normal pet, and nor was its master. How can one tell? Well, most do not consider it a hobby to torture people, unlike this man. In actuality, he could hardly be considered a man. His attributes equaled to that of a snake more than a human, but a human is what he was, for, like all humans, he was about to make a mistake, though this mistake was likely to cost him his life.
I walk slowly to the hospital wing, I want to see Harry before I go back to the Ministry. The last time I saw him was when he was a baby, just a few months before...but I won't think about that right now. I approached the bed Harry is laying in.
"Harry?" I asked, though I already know the answer.
"Yes; do I know you?"
"No, but I know you. I was there when you were born." I smile at his shocked expression.
"Then you knew my parents."
"Very well, in fact." I take a seat beside him on the bed. "We were friends in school and many years after. My name is Serenity, by the way, Serenity Winter, but you can call me Seri, all my friends do. Dumbledore told me about what happened, how are you holding up?"
"Fine." He says, avoiding my eyes.
"That's good. Well, I have a while before I have to get back to the Ministry, if you want to talk about anything." He looks at me now with a slight distrust.
"You work for the Ministry." I sigh, he must already see how corrupt it is.
"Yes, but don't assume I am bad. There are some people in the Ministry who work for Dumbledore as well." I still sense distrust from him so I whisper for good measure, "And there are those who do believe the ranting of a Mr. Padfoot." Giving him a wink; he visibly relaxes. "I am a healer, and even worked with your parents a little; you know they were Aurors, right?" He nods. "Is there anything you want to talk about?" We sit in silence for awhile, but he gets a mischievous smile on his face that reminds me of Sirius.
"How about a game of chess? Do you know how to play?" I smile as well; after all, I am a very good chess player.
"I would love it."
An hour later we were still playing. He is quite a challenge, a trait he inherited from his father no doubt, as I have yet to beat his father.
"Checkmate!" Harry says excitedly. I look down to see that he has indeed beaten me.
"You win. Now," I say, rising from my seat, "I need to get back, there is a lot of work I need to finish. I hope to see you again sometime." I say a quick farewell and hurry out the door; I still have to fill the paperwork on the raid.
Severus sighed while he stacked papers. His first year class had just finished, and it was an interesting class. Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. Scaring the first years out of their wits was always interesting. He stood and made his way out of the castle and to Hogsmeade to pick up some things on his off period. By now, he completely blocked all memory of the conversation with Seri out of his head. When he got to Hogsmeade, he made his way to the end of the street to an old-looking store. He entered and breathed in the familiar scents of old books and potions. He walked to the counter. The women behind the counter looked up, her stare always sent shivers down his spine. She had ice blue eyes that were accentuated by jet black hair.
"Evening, Severus, what can I get for you today?" It is a fact that Severus came here often to pick up various things, and so they became acquainted, though not well. Each liked to keep their distance from people and valued their privacy.
"Good evening, Akima. I am looking for a book on dyslexia."
"Is one of your students...?"
"Yes, I believe so. He shows all the signs." She left the counter and walked through the isles.
"I think I have some literature on it. Ah, yes, here it is." Severus took the book and studied it.
"I suppose this will do." He paid her and left for The Three Broomsticks. He entered and made is way to the booth in the back. Rosmerta walked up to him.
"What can I get for you today, Professor?"
"The usual." As she hurried off, Severus opened the book and started reading.
Harry spent about a week in the hospital, and it took much persuasion of Dumbledore's part to get him out that early. He hurried to the Great Hall, or went about as fast as possible. His ankle wouldn't heal properly, and though it would get better, it would take time. Until then, he had to walk with a cane. It was simple in design, one that Hermione had picked up one evening when she was at Hogsmeade. Thinking of his friends made him walk..er, limp faster. He had not been able to see them for days, their teachers were keeping them buried in homework. When he arrived, the Great Hall was full. He hurried over to where Ron and Hermione were sitting.
"Hey guys!" They looked up, a huge grin on each of their faces.
"Harry, you're free!" George bellowed out, gaining the attention of the entire hall. Harry took a seat beside Ron and piled his plate with food. The smell alone was a good change from the food Pomfrey had him eating. About that time McGonagall came to Harry and gave him his schedule. He looked it over and groaned.
"Remind me again why I haven't dropped Divination."
"Don't worry, she has taken to plotting Dean's demise in your absence; after telling us you were going to die a horrible death from your injuries, of course." Harry sighed.
"Does everyone know what happened?"
"Dumbledore made a show of accidentally telling of the car wreck you were in." Harry smiled with relief.
"So, besides Trelawny's yearly death predictions, what have I missed?"
In a circle stood men, covered from head to toe with black robes, masked faces, masked voices. The kind of group you never want your name mentioned in. In actuality, each these held a respected position in society, ranging from head honchoes in the Ministry of Magic to owners of prominent businesses. Another thing they had in common: they all served Voldemort. It is amazing to think that such strong people cower before a simple evil overlord, but it is true. This group, though, they had special meaning; they were Voldemort's select. Perhaps this is what kept them loyal to him, the fact that they were among the best. Whatever the reason, they served him and so came loyally when they were called. And they did whatever he bid them do, and I mean whatever. Whether it was killing hundreds of defenseless muggles, or killing one of their own, they did it. And now they stood together, waiting for Voldemort. But they already knew the topic of discussion at this meeting, the rat had told them: what to do about Severus Snape.
A/N: Please go back and re-read the last chapter, it is important that you do so.
2A/N:Ummm....*looks around at readers, who are glaring at her, some showing fangs and growling*...I...well...I can't help it!!!I am evil!!! Please don't kill me!!! *group comes closer, now revealing various torture weapons* *Rose backs slowly against the wall* I don't know what has gotten into me, but I wanted to leave it off at a cliffhanger! It's Ankha's fault, I learned from the best!!! *Ankha pops in and eyes Rose* Hi Ankha, how are you? Umm...you look a little mad. Where did you get that wand....Ankha? *realizing she is safe nowhere, Rose makes this simple threa...er...plea* If you kill me, you don't find out what happens! HA!
A/N: Please go back and re-read the last chapter, it is important that you do so.
Please review, all the flames I receive (which will probably be very many) will be used to roast various characters/evil overlords.
Gil-Celeb:
Yep, you will be seeing a lot more of Seri because I finally know what I am going to do with her!!!!!!
I am not a Neville-tormenter. I think he is tormented enough by Snape and Draco. Poor kid.
good luck with the hexing!!!!!
You do?!?!?!? will you do me a big favor, please!!!! I posted the story here but have no reviews. Please go review it!!!! I need reviews there, and no one seems to want to review it. I sent out a message like weeks ago, but have gotten no responses. *sighs*. Anyway, I am writing as fast as possible, but the holidays are always really busy, and now I am starting to study for the SAT, and my teachers are set out to destroy my life with as much homework they can pile on me at a time, and I should stop complaining, and go write some more, and finish this thank-you, and stop saying and, and......
The Kuro no Tenshi, FireSenshi, Angel, Kitala: Thank you for reviewing!
Footmonster: Thanks for the teacake! and the smile! just one question...what is a teacake? *eyes it suspiciously* *Ankha pops in* You don't know what a teacake is?! *shakes her head and begins to lead her friend to the kitchen* Let's make some and you'll see.
snickerdoodle: intersting name...a friend and I tried to make snickerdoodles once, but we got the recipe wrong and it was turned into a bunch of mush, didn't taste that good either...any way