A/N: Boy. This chapter has taken a long time to get up, ne? So sorry for the delay! My laptop is alive. . . but only barely. I'm out of school for the semester, but now I work four to five days a week. Hopefully this chapter will have been worth the wait! I promise to have chapter 9 up by the end of the week (I've already got it mostly written). Really quick I want to respond to some reviews that have been left by different people:
To practically everyone: Yes! YES! Of COURSE this will be an SS fic! Of course. . . you know. . . those two "S's" can stand for a lot of names. . . like Sakura, Syaoran, Severus Snape. . . evil twinkle in author's eyes Kidding! This will be a Sakura/Syaoran pairing. It will NOT, however, be an Eriol/Tomoyo pairing. I'm just not keen on that idea.
Impersonation of Mimiru: First, going back to that scene where Li is holding a pink teddy bear – no, that is not Kero. That is the pink, winged teddy bear that Sakura makes for Syaoran, and gives to him as her answer to how she feels about their relationship. Secondly – about the advice thing, do you mean the "everything will surely be alright"? Cause that is Sakura's undefeatable spell. If you're referring to Dumbledore's little chats with everyone about their problems. . . well, those things aren't important unless I bring them up later.
Heheangel kisses: Yes, yes. Eriol is in his adult form. That is why Sakura mistakes him for Clow when he enters the Great Hall for dinner.
Hikari Mizu: The only person capable of distrusting Eriol is Li, I think. Hehehe.
Okay. I'm going to shut up now and let you get to reading the story! Please review! Oh, and there's a second A/N at the end of this chapter, with my own private little commentary about the stuff in this chappie! Thanks again! Ja! Oh! And if you have any questions, or want me to either email you each new chapter as I get it done, or email you when I've posted a new chapter, just send me an email and let me know. Put "HPCCS" in the subject line, just so I know. Email me at JainaMac17aol.com. Cool! Enjoy the chapter! Yay!
This Chapter First Posted On: 5/24/04
Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling, nor do I work for CLAMP – thus, I own none of this.
Chapter 8: The High Inquisitor
There were quite a few places empty at dinner on Sunday evening. Professors Jade, Snape, McGonagall, and Dumbledore were not at their usual places at the head table; the strange blue haired visitor was nowhere to be seen; and there was a single spot empty at the Gryffindor table – the spot belonging to Sakura Kinomoto.
The staff room, however, was unusually full. A round table had been set up in the middle of the room, one big enough to seat seven people. The other furniture in the staff room had been moved out of the way. Sitting at the table, enjoying dinner, were six adults and one student.
"Ano," Sakura began, "now that we have finished with dinner I should probably rejoin the other students. My friends will be wondering where I am."
Professor Dumbledore smiled, his blue eyes twinkling as usual. "My dear Miss Kinomoto – it would not be suitable for you to leave the dinner being held in your honor, now would it?" The girl turned bright red in embarrassment and sunk back down into her seat. The headmaster chuckled.
"Sakura-san, he's only joking." Eriol put his hand on the shoulder of the girl sitting to his right. Sakura smiled and nodded, giggling a bit. "Besides, Sakura, you can't leave before dessert!"
"PUDDING!!!!!" Kero flew up from his miniature place setting at the table at the mention of dessert. Professors McGonagall, Dumbledore, Jade, and Lupin laughed at the tiny golden sun guardian. Even a smile was threatening to take over Snape's visage in response to Kero's antics.
"Sit down, Kero-chan!" Sakura pulled the guardian back down to the table where he then sat quietly, waiting for dessert.
Jovial conversation continued through dessert, and it seemed that no one really wanted to be the first to leave this enjoyable little party. Time seemed to fly by as Sakura chatted with her professors and friend. The festivities were interrupted all too soon, however, with the sound of a goblet hitting the floor.
Snape hissed in pain and clutched his left forearm. "Go quickly, Severus. He must be displeased about something. Lani, go with him to the apparition point." The two teachers nodded and quickly left the staff room, headed out of the castle. Dumbledore sighed, worry written all over his face. "I'm afraid our party is ended all too soon, and for worrisome reasons."
Professor McGonagall's mouth was drawn into a frown, "I'll go let Poppy know to wait up for him. . ."
"No, Minerva. That's alright." Dumbledore placed a hand on the witch's shoulder. "Alanni will tend to him when he returns. That is why I sent her."
"Ano. . ." Sakura stared up at the headmaster, Eriol had an arm around her shoulders in a comforting and protective manner. "Is he going to be alright, headmaster? Is. . . is there anything I can do to help?"
Remus Lupin smiled down at the girl, "Don't worry too much, Miss Sakura. Lani has gone with him, and she'll make sure he'll be fine." Lupin was still rather in awe about the girl before him. She was so kind and selfless, always putting others before herself.
Dumbledore nodded in assent to Lupin's statement. "It would be best if you just went back to your tower now, Miss Kinomoto. Everything will surely be alright." Sakura smiled up at her headmaster. "Eriol, would you mind escorting Sakura back to her tower? And after that if I could have a brief word with you in my office..."
Eriol bowed slightly to him, "Of course, Albus." He nudged Sakura gently, "Come, Sakura-san." Kero flew up and landed on Sakura's shoulder, remaining uncharacteristically quiet.
Sakura walked with Eriol to the door of the staff room. "Good night headmaster, Professor McGonagall, Lupin-san. Thank you for a wonderful evening." She bowed to the three adults and then left with Eriol.
McGonagall sunk back down into a chair after Sakura left, not even aware that she had stood at some point. "That girl is simply amazing, Albus."
"She's so full of compassion for others," Lupin said quietly.
Dumbledore nodded, quietly pondering a few things. After a few moments of silence (save for the crackling of the fire in the background) he sighed heavily. "It pains me to have brought her into this situation... But there was simply no helping it. She is needed here for her own protection."
Sakura stood before the portrait of the Fat Lady who guarded the entrance to Gryffindor Tower. "Eriol-kun? Will Snape-sensei really be alright?" She frowned, extremely worried for her potions professor.
Eriol sunk down onto one knee, looking up into Sakura's eyes. "Sakura-san, he is a strong man. I spoke with him earlier, and I know that he has the will to survive anything. He will be alright." The blue haired sorcerer smiled kindly, "Besides. He has Alanni with him. She is a very powerful witch, and she can intervene on Snape's behalf with Voldemort if it is necessary. You have nothing to worry about."
Sakura hugged Eriol quickly. "Thank you, Eriol-kun," she said quietly. She stepped away, smiling her usual bright smile. "Come back and visit again soon."
"Hai, Sakura-san. I will." Eriol watched as Sakura disappeared through the portrait hole and into Gryffindor tower. He sighed, for he too was worried for Snape's well being. Quickly and quietly he made his way to the headmaster's office to have a chat with Dumbledore.
"Crucio!" Snape writhed in agony at the feet of the Dark Lord, but he did not cry out in pain. He refused to give Voldemort that pleasure – not tonight, anyways. After a few moments the pain ceased. "Tell me, my dear Severus, why is it that you would not allow Lucius to see the girl? Are you trying to keep her from me?" Voldemort pointed his wand at the potions master once more.
"Of course not, my Lord," Snape strained to speak clearly and loud enough for the Dark Lord to hear. "Lucius did not arrive at a good time. It was nearing curfew, and she was sorted into Gryffindor house, as I mentioned before. I would not have been able to devise a plausible enough excuse to see her that night. It would have aroused suspicions, especially from McGonagall." He hoped that the Dark Lord would accept the explanation and let him leave.
Voldemort thought it over for a moment. "Alright, Severus. I trust your explanation." Snape almost sighed with relief. "However," Snape froze as the Dark Lord continued to speak, "I am going to let some of our friends remind you where your loyalties lie, dearest Severus." Voldemort motioned to a group of about six Death Eaters who had been standing off to the side, watching with sick pleasure as Snape had been tortured. "Lucius, you and your group may do as you please. But do not injure him permanently." The Death Eater at the head of the group nodded and bowed silently to Voldemort. The six Death Eaters came down upon Snape like vultures, beating him up physically while simultaneously casting the Cruciatus Curse.
After what seemed like an eternity Voldemort called the Death Eaters off. "There now, Severus. Go, and keep an eye on things for me at Hogwart's." Snape struggled to bow, but somehow managed it, then quickly apparated away.
Jade paced nervously beneath the tree that she and Snape had been using to mark their apparition point from Hogsmeade to wherever the Dark Lord called them to. She desperately hoped that he would not be too terribly injured, but knowing Voldemort the way she did, she suspected that tonight he would be worse off than he had been in a long while.
It had been nearly three hours since Snape had gone to meet with the Dark Lord. Jade looked up at the sliver of a moon, taking in the beauty of the early fall night for a few moments to alleviate her worry. She heard a quiet pop behind her and spun quickly. "Severus," she quickly knelt by his side. She cringed as she brushed his hair out of his face. . . his barely recognizable face, that is. His left eye was swollen completely shut and was bruised badly; there were a few deep cuts and many scratches all over his face; blood trickled from the right corner of his mouth. He was cradling his right arm silently, and it appeared to be bent at a rather odd angle.
He coughed roughly and tried to sit up. "Must get back," he whispered hoarsely. He yelped in pain as he managed a sitting position.
Jade carefully helped him to stand, making it so that she was mostly carrying him. They moved slowly towards the waiting school carriage. "Careful now, Severus," she said quietly as she helped him into the carriage that would take them back to the safety of the school. She climbed up after him and sat beside him, cradling him carefully in her arms as the carriage began to move carefully but quickly forward.
On the way to the castle Snape lost consciousness, probably due to the severe amount of pain he was in combined with heavy blood loss from his injuries. Once they arrived, Jade carried Snape out of the carriage and cast "Mobilicorpus" on him so as to move him as quickly and painlessly as possible up to his rooms. It must have been around one in the morning because the castle was dead silent, and Jade didn't even see a sign of Filch as she rushed through the corridors with Snape.
Luckily she'd gotten Snape to give her the password to his rooms in case of an event such as this. She settled him quickly on his bed and rushed into the kitchen, grabbing a towel and wetting it with warm water to clean his wounds. Healing him was not going to be too difficult, but time was of the essence. He was still bleeding a bit, and Jade felt that Snape really needed all the blood that was left in his body.
Jade fumbled with the buttons on his overcoat as she was trying to take it off. Finally she gave up and slid a small knife from her boot. She slit the front of his jacket open, then the front of his shirt as well. She stripped the jacket and shirt off carefully but quickly. Jade made a mental note to fix both articles of clothing later lest she suffer the wrath of Severus Snape.
She rummaged through Snape's dresser and found his secret stash of salves and healing balms, as well as healing potions of all sorts. First Jade cleaned the wounds on his face, then moved on to the cuts on his torso. It looked to Jade as though several of Snape's ribs were cracked or bruised badly. She had to really try to keep from crying. The sight of the potions master's beautifully pale body mangled so horribly was almost too much for Jade. It hurt her to the very core to see someone whom she cared so much about in so much pain.
Skillfully her nimble fingers tended to his wounds with salves and balms, then she pulled out her wand, fixing the broken bones and alleviating the swelling around his eye. Finally she quietly cast "enervate" on Snape to wake him up so he could drink the healing draughts.
Snape inhaled sharply as his eyes fluttered open. He tried to sit up quickly, but yelped as his muscles strained and burst into pain in protest. "Severus, be still," Jade said quietly but forcefully. Slowly and gently she eased him up into a sitting position and brought the first vial to his lips. "I'm going to give you a few healing draughts to finish mending your wounds and to alleviate the pain I know you're in. Drink."
"I am not a child," he growled, turning his head slightly away from her. He tried to bring his right arm up so that he could feed himself the draughts, but winced in pain as he realized how much it hurt to move.
"I know you are not a child, Severus, but you are badly hurt and I know you're in quite a lot of pain." Jade brought the vial up to his lips again. "Please don't put up a fuss. Just drink it." Snape glared at her, but reluctantly parted his lips. She carefully poured the contents of the vial into his mouth, which he quickly swallowed and was rewarded with a pleasant cooling sensation spreading through his body from the pit of his stomach. Jade repeated this process three more times, and with each potion Snape felt ten times better.
Finally she was helping him to lie down again, settling the sheets about him. Grudgingly he caught her eyes. "Thank you," he whispered, then quickly shut his eyes, trying to fall asleep as fast as humanly possible. Much to his chagrin he felt her kiss his forehead lightly and take his left hand in both of hers. He heard her settling down into a chair that she had pulled up next to his bed.
It wasn't long before Snape drifted into a quiet slumber. Jade rose to leave, but found that in his sleep Snape was gripping her hand quite firmly. She smiled softly and sank down into the chair again. She fell asleep quickly, and for the first time in a long time her sleep was peaceful.
He woke early in the morning, feeling better than he thought he should. Snape sat up slowly, and was only slightly startled to find Jade sleeping lightly in the chair beside his bed, still holding his hand. He carefully eased his hand from her grasp and slipped silently out of his bed. Snape dressed quickly and went into his kitchen, making a pot of tea as quietly as possible, because he did not want to wake Jade just yet. He poured two cups and took them back to his bedroom where the sunlight was just beginning to filter in through his windows. Snape sat lightly on the edge of his bed, carefully setting one cup of tea on the bedside table beside Jade.
"You're up early this morning," Jade sat up slowly, her neck popping quietly. She picked up the teacup beside her and took a sip, "Thank you for the tea."
"It's no trouble, really." Snape stole a glance at his torn shirt and jacket on the dresser and sighed. "I'll see if the house elves can take care of those."
Jade looked over at the torn clothes, "Sorry about that." She grinned sheepishly, "I don't know how you can stand to do up all those buttons every morning."
Snape sneered to cover his own grin, "I suppose some people are just gifted with more patience than others."
Jade stood, having finished her cup of tea. She held out her hand for Snape's now empty cup, which he handed over. "I suppose." She grinned, "I'm going to go up to my room and change. I'll see you down at breakfast?"
The potions master nodded, and Jade turned to leave. "Lani?" She paused at the door and turned to face him, remaining quiet. The words almost caught in his throat, but Snape managed to choke them out. He looked down at the floor, speaking quietly, "Thank you. . . for. . . for. . ."
Jade smiled kindly at him, "Don't think anything of it." She exited the bedroom quickly, obviously wanting to end that particular conversation before it ever really got started. He heard her deposit the tea cups in the kitchenette before exiting his chambers.
Snape sighed, rising from the bed. "This is why I don't say 'thank you' to people." He picked up the torn shirt and jacket, depositing them in his clothes hamper, and he hoped the house elves would be able to repair the items without too much trouble. He then swept out of his room and stalked down to the Great Hall for breakfast.
Monday morning brought a new face to the Great Hall at breakfast time. At the far right end of the staff table sat a toad of a woman. She was a pudgy, foul looking witch dressed in robes that were a violent shade of pink. The majority of the staff at the head table were surreptitiously glancing at the intruder, and the students spoke in hushed whispers about the identity of the badly dressed witch.
About halfway through breakfast, when almost every student was gathered in the Great Hall, Dumbledore stood, immediately gaining everyone's attention. "If I could have your attention please. You will all have noticed a new face amongst us this morning. I would like to introduce to you all Dolores Umbridge, who has just been appointed by the Ministry as the High Inquisitor to Hogwart's."
Umbridge stood, and Harry winced as a wave of pain washed over him. The High Inquisitor gave a speech about reforming Hogwart's and re-asserting the power of the Ministry in the running of the school, but Harry really wasn't paying attention. He was trying desperately to figure out why his scar had started to ache when the witch had begun her speech.
Before long students began exiting the Hall and heading to their first classes. Harry decided to head back to Gryffindor Tower, while Hermione, Ron, and Li went off to the library.
The day passed quickly, and sooner than he realized Harry found himself in Divination. Much to his dismay (and much to Trelawny dismay as well) the High Inquisitor appeared to be inspecting this particular class. Umbridge clearly made Trelawny quite uncomfortable, asking her about her Seeing abilities, her time teaching at Hogwart's, and her curriculum for the year. The flighty professor seemed quite flustered by the line of questioning. Harry would've almost enjoyed seeing Trelawny so upset if it weren't for two things – firstly that Umbridge woman gave him a very odd feeling, and secondly Sakura was looking so sympathetic towards Trelawny's fate. When class was over Harry was the first one out of the tower. He wanted to put as much distance between himself and Umbridge as humanly possible.
After dinner the Gryffindors seemed to be in a subdued mood. The common room was quiet, and for the most part students were doing homework. Hermione was working on knitting hats and socks for the house elves, despite protests from Harry and Ron. In one corner of the common room, Fred and George Weasley were demonstrating some of their latest gag products. Sakura went up to bed quite early, and the rest of the Gryffindors were not far behind her.
When Harry entered Transfiguration on Tuesday morning he was more than slightly displeased to see that the High Inquisitor was going to be sitting in on this particular class. Ron, however, thought it was going to be highly amusing. "Can't you just see McGonagall letting her have it for interrupting her class?" Ron nudged Harry as they sat down. The thought of McGonagall ripping into Umbridge made Harry smile.
McGonagall started the lesson as usual, completely ignoring Umbridge's presence. Umbridge, however, did not feel like being ignored. She kept trying to make McGonagall notice her. Finally the older witch turned on the High Inquisitor, scolding her for interrupting the class.
Of course, they were assigned quite a bit of homework, but Ron felt the entertainment during class was worth the amount of work they'd been assigned. "Did you see the look on Umbridge's face when McGonagall told her off?"
"Yeah, Ron. It was priceless." Harry nodded, "That's why I try to stay on McGonagall's good side."
"I still do not understand the purpose of the position of High Inquisitor to Hogwart's." Harry glanced at Li, who was usually pretty quiet until after dinner.
Hermione sighed, "There is no purpose. It's just the Ministry's attempt to take control of the school. Fudge is scared out of his mind about the return of You-Know-Who, and he doesn't want anyone to think he's not in complete control." Li nodded, because he understood the inner workings of politics, having grown up in the middle of political battles over the leadership of his clan.
Harry thought the rest of the day was rather dull in comparison with the antics of Transfiguration that morning. After dinner they retired to the Gryffindor common room and worked on their homework, as it was becoming the routine to do so. Li helped Harry and Ron by lending them his notes; Sakura and Ginny worked together, asking the fifth years for help on occasion; Hermione would work on her assignments and her knitting for the house elves at the same time.
After dinner Jade was in her office looking over her lesson plans for her Wednesday classes. There was a quiet knock on her door, "Come in." The door opened and closed quietly. She glanced up from her papers in time to see Snape setting a small tray with a teapot and two teacups on the side of her desk. She smiled brilliantly, "Good evening, Severus. Did you have a nice day?"
The potions professor grimaced slightly as he sank down into a chair across from Jade. He picked up the pot of tea and filled both cups, then waited until after he and Jade had each taken a cup of tea to respond to her question, "Do I ever have a nice day?" Snape took a sip from his cup.
Jade smiled, taking a sip of tea, "I'm sure you do, at least on occasion." She leaned back in her chair, a mischievous twinkle in her silver eyes. "So to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"
Snape paused for a moment, suddenly regretting his decision to come to see Jade in the first place. "I. . . I wanted to talk to you about last night." He smiled inwardly as he saw Jade shift uncomfortably. Why did he feel the need to push the issue that made her so obviously embarrassed? He supposed that it was just in his nature to derive pleasure from other people's discomfort.
"What exactly did you want to say, then, Severus?" She lifted the teacup to her lips. Snape looked down, gathering his thoughts, when he heard the teacup fall to the floor and shatter. He looked up quickly and saw Jade clutching her chest above her heart.
"Lani? Are you alright?"
She stood quickly, panic written across her face. She quickly reached into her desk and pulled out her Death Eater robes. Jade paused for a moment, biting her lip, "I'm sorry, Severus. I have to go. He's calling me." She took off out of the office, leaving Snape alone. The potions master stood, clearing up the broken teacup. He collected the tray and left her office, his thoughts lingering on the abruptness of Jade's exit. He tried to tell himself he only dwelled on the matter because it might have something to do Voldemort's grand plans for the year, but a small voice in the back of his mind whispered that he was concerned for Jade's safety because he was starting to care for the DADA professor. He quickly shushed that voice and dropped off the tea tray to the kitchens, then proceeded to the headmaster's office to report Jade's hasty exit.
She bowed low before the Dark Lord and kissed the hems of his robes. "You called for me, my Lord?" she purred. She found that her hand was taken and she was pulled gently to her feet.
"You are my most faithful servant, Alanni," Voldemort said with a sick grin.
"I would do anything for you, my Lord." She took a small step forward, closing the gap between herself and Voldemort.
He continued to grin in a rather disturbing fashion as he sank down into the large chair that was positioned behind him. "I am aware of that fact, Alanni." He motioned her closer, and she complied. "Now, tell me how things are going for you with your teaching assignment."
Jade smiled brightly as she sank gracefully to the floor at his feet, just in front of his chair. "I am glad to be teaching. It gives me a great vantage point to observe the students, and it will allow me to influence things as you desire during this school year. And I like working with the students." She glanced at the ground, a bit embarrassed to be admitting something so ridiculous to the powerful dark wizard before her.
He reached down and brushed her cheek lightly. "It pleases me to see you so happy, Alanni." He brought his hand under her chin and drew her up from her position on the floor. Voldemort pulled Jade down onto his lap, then drew her down into a kiss.
When he finally broke the kiss, Jade took a deep breath. "My Lord? I... I do not mean to be disrespectful, but I have a bit more work to do tonight to prepare for classes tomorrow. The Ministry has appointed a High Inquisitor to the school, and if my class tomorrow is not perfect, then I may risk losing my position as a professor."
Voldemort narrowed his reptilian eyes. "Yes, I have heard about this High Inquisitor." He paused for a moment, "But you dare to insult me by asking to leave when you have only just arrived?" Voldemort shoved her forcefully off his lap and onto the floor.
Jade's temper flared as she quickly got to her feet. "Thomas," she hissed, "I am not trying to insult you. If you wish for me to maintain my position at Hogwart's you must not call me at your every whim!!"
She soon regretted her words as Voldemort rose from his chair and backhanded her hard. Jade fell to the ground, and the Dark Lord continued to take his frustrations out on her. He kicked her, slapped her, yelled at her, insulted her, threw her around, but she didn't fight back.
His anger subsided as quickly as it had flared. Voldemort helped Jade to her feet and kissed her fiercely. He broke away and released her, "Go now. I will call for you again this weekend. And when I do, I expect you to be available for the rest of the night."
Jade bowed low to the ground, "Of course, my Lord. Please, forgive me." She disapparated and reappeared just outside of Hogsmeade. Beaten and feeling quite degraded Jade made her way to the Shrieking Shack and back up to the school.
She sighed heavily as she finally entered her rooms. The fire in her living room burned dimly, and she mechanically began stripping the Death Eater robes off her body. Jade tossed them aside and began stripping her torn and now bloodstained shirt off her body, wincing as she accidentally reopened some of the cuts. Someone cleared their throat and she spun to face her couch.
"Severus. . ." Jade quickly pulled her shirt back on, and she turned a bright crimson. "What are you doing here?"
He stood, moving quickly over to her, "Well, I was rather concerned for your well being. Now I see that my concerns were well founded." Snape gently led her back over to her couch. She noticed that on her coffee table he already had healing salves and draughts ready for her. Jade couldn't help but allow herself a brief smile. She sat quietly as the potions master gently and silently tended to her cuts and bruises. He looked up, his black orbs betraying a bit of nervousness. His cheeks flushed slightly, "Lani, I need you to. . . remove your shirt again so that I can tend to the rest of your wounds."
"Oh, that's alright, Severus. You've done enough. I'll be fine on my own, now."
He growled softly, "Lani. I have assisted Madam Pomfrey on many occasions up in the hospital wing. I assure you that I have a purely professional bedside manner."
Jade almost smiled as she tried to imagine a non-professional Severus Snape, and decided it was best not to argue with him. She quietly took her shirt off, not even flinching as she reopened the wounds for a second time. Jade quickly turned her back to Snape, allowing him to take care of the cuts there first. He said nothing as he cleaned and bandaged her wounds. "There," he said as he finished, "now are there any other wounds that I need to tend to?"
"Oh, well, one of my ribs doesn't feel quite right, but there's no need to trouble you with that. I'll take care of it myself a little later."
"Lani," he put a forceful hand on her shoulder, and was quite puzzled when she flinched. He softened his tone a bit, "Just let me help you."
She turned slowly to face him, hot tears streaking down her cheeks. He was puzzled for a moment, but then he saw she had a hand placed over her heart. Snape was puzzled for a moment, but he gently pulled Jade's hand away. He stared in shock at the place she had tried to hide. Right above her heart was what appeared to be a smaller version of the Dark Mark. . . except the eyes of the skull seemed to be scars from a snake bite. "What is this, Lani?" He was entranced by the mark, and traced it lightly with one finger.
Jade flinched and drew back away from him, her body shaking with sobs. "It," she began shakily, "it is a personal mark. . . It binds me to him. . . I. . ." Snape was quite confused, and for some odd reason he felt compelled to hold Jade and tell her that it would all be alright. He moved closer and seized her in his arms before the notion passed. Jade sobbed loudly and held Snape tightly.
After a few moments she began to speak again. "When I had the idea to become a part of Voldemort's inner circle to spy on him, I was having trouble figuring out how exactly to get to be his right hand. It turns out, though, that I didn't have to figure out a way after all. When I was marked. . . the Dark Lord. . . Voldemort. . . he was rather taken with me. I. . . I became his lover. He gave me a second mark, this one above my heart, to show that I belong to him and only to him." Jade quickly released Snape and drew back again, obviously ashamed.
He sat for a moment, utterly stunned, but entirely sympathetic. Snape let his impulse override his brain, quickly reaching out with his right hand and laying it over Jade's second mark. "Lani. . . you are so very brave and strong." Snape drew her into another embrace, and whispered softly in her ear, "Everything will surely be alright."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione were discussing Snape's odd behavior that morning in Potions on their way to DADA. Li was lagging behind slightly, obviously not interested in the conversation taking place. Ron groaned as they reached DADA only to find the High Inquisitor anxiously awaiting the start of class.
The four fifth year Gryffindors quickly took their seats, watching as Jade sat nervously behind her desk, dressed in her robes for once. When it seemed that everyone had arrived she stood and smiled. "Good morning, fifth years. Today we are going to take up where we left off on Friday. Wands out, and resume the pairs that you were in last class." She drew out her own wand and with a quick flick all the desks were moved out of the way. With another practiced swish the open space on the floor was covered in mats, so that no one would be injured if they fell. "Alright class, get to it. I'll be making my rounds to ensure that you are all casting your spells properly."
As the students began practicing counter-curses, Jade was practically pounced upon by that intolerable Umbridge woman. "Professor Jade, I don't understand the reason for letting the children practice things that they have no reason to learn or use at this point in their lives!!"
Harry and Ron stopped throwing jinxes at each other to turn at watch the conversation between the High Inquisitor and their DADA professor. "Miss Umbridge, I assure you that the spells I am teaching these students are age appropriate and are invaluable when combating the Dark Arts."
"But why in the world would they need to know how to combat the Dark Arts, Professor Jade?"
Harry felt his anger surge to the surface, "Oh, I don't know, could she possibly be teaching us things that we'll need to know to defend ourselves against Voldemort?" The rest of the class froze and all eyes turned to Harry.
"Mister Potter!" Umbridge's face purpled with rage. "Please refrain from using that name!" She advanced on Harry, "And why exactly are you implying that you'll need to know how to defend yourself against You-Know-Who?"
Harry folded his arms across his chest, he was nearly shaking with rage. "I'm implying that fact because I saw Voldemort restored! I was there!"
Umbridge suddenly smiled sweetly. "Oh you poor thing. You're delusional, aren't you? Well, we still can't have you spreading nasty lies like that, now can we? You will serve detention with me tonight, here."
Jade chose that moment to step in, "Just a moment, Ms. Umbridge. You are not a teacher. You cannot give Harry detention! Especially for telling the truth!!!"
The detestable High Inquisitor smiled even more sweetly (if that were even possible). "Telling the truth now, is he? I'm sorry, Professor Jade. It seems that you are a very unbalanced individual, and not suited for teaching. As of this moment I am revoking your right to teach."
Jade spun violently and kicked over one of the student desks that had been moved aside. "You can't do that!"
"Oh, I'm afraid I can." The High Inquisitor stalked up to the front of the room. "Class is dismissed, and this class is cancelled for the rest of the day. I shall inform the headmaster of the circumstances, and tomorrow I will take over teaching if a suitable replacement cannot be found."
Jade was the first out of the room. Li was close behind her. Harry, Ron, and Hermione lingered back for a moment while the room cleared out. "Dumbledore won't let Jade get fired," Hermione said quietly, "so don't get too worked up about it, Harry."
Harry was fuming, but not only because of Jade's dismissal from her position as DADA professor. He was enraged because Umbridge had called him a liar and given him detention. His train of thought was interrupted by the horrid witch whom he had just been thinking about, "You three. Quit lagging behind. You are dismissed for the day." Harry, Ron, and Hermione made to leave, "Oh, and Mister Potter?" Harry paused for a moment, "Don't forget about detention tonight. Five o'clock, please, in this class room."
Harry glared at the witch, "Why should I serve detention with a horrible lying wench like you?" He instantly regretted his words when Umbridge smiled brightly.
She pulled out a sheet of parchment and scribbled a quick note onto it. She magically sealed it and held it out towards Harry. "Take this to Professor McGonagall, Mister Potter," Umbridge beamed merrily. "And I will see you tonight."
Harry stalked out of the room and straight to McGonagall's office without so much as a word to Ron and Hermione. He was simply too upset.
"Come in," McGonagall called following Harry's quick rap on the door. Harry slid into the office and shut the door behind him. He silently took the scroll to McGonagall so she could read it. She eyed him warily as she took the note and read it. "Sit down, Mister Potter." Harry did as he was told. "Is this true?"
"Is what true, Professor?"
McGonagall's lips were drawn tight. "Did you yell at Miss Umbridge?"
"Yes."
"Did you call her a 'lying wench'?"
"Yes."
The older witch paused for a moment, then held a tin out to him. "Have a biscuit, Potter."
Harry stared blankly at the tin of biscuits. "Sorry?"
"Have a biscuit." Harry took a cookie from the tin and munched on it quietly. McGonagall leaned back in her chair and sighed. "Harry, you've got to be careful around Dolores Umbridge. You've got to keep your anger in check. She was sent here by the Minister of Magic, and she's just looking for a good enough reason to take control of the school."
"But she just sacked Jade, Professor! She sacked her for teaching us how to defend ourselves! Against the Dark Arts! It's absurd!"
"She sacked Lani?" McGonagall stood. "Goodness, Potter, why didn't you tell me when you first came in." She started towards the door then stopped and turned back to face him once more. "Harry, just try to keep your temper in control. And watch yourself around her. She's obviously a dangerous woman."
"What about the detention she gave me?" Harry stood, his rage finally simmering down.
"You'll just have to serve it, Harry. All five nights of it."
"Five nights?! She gave me five detentions? For telling the truth?!"
"Mister Potter! Lower your voice!" McGonagall folded her arms over her chest. "I'm sorry, Harry, there's nothing I can do. You'll just have to serve detention with her." She absentmindedly straightened her robes. "Now, if you'll please head back to your tower, I must go see the headmaster." Harry nodded and left her office, still quite enraged.
At five o'clock on the dot Harry arrived at the DADA classroom to find Umbridge waiting for him behind the desk at the front of the room. "Ah, good evening, Mister Potter. Have a seat, please." Harry sunk down into a seat in the first row. A sheet of parchment and a strange black quill were placed before him. "Now, your detention is fairly simple, Mr. Potter. All you have to do is write 'I will not tell lies' over and over again until it sinks in." Umbridge smirked as if she knew something he didn't.
She moved back over to the front desk, and it appeared as though she was going through Jade's lesson plans. Harry stared down at the parchment and quill for a few moments before looking up at Umbridge. "Excuse me, but you didn't give me an ink."
Umbridge smiled sweetly, "No. I didn't, did I?" She stared down at Harry for a moment, and then, "Well? What are you waiting for? Write your lines, Mister Potter."
Harry reluctantly picked up the quill and quickly wrote 'I will not tell lies' on the parchment, and gasped in pain as he realized that the red ink that had magically appeared on the page was actually his own blood. The line he had just written on the page had been etched into the skin on the back of his hand. He glared up at Umbridge, determined not to show her any other signs of weakness as his hand healed quickly. Harry returned to his task of writing lines, his hand being slashed open and healed over every time.
Hours passed. It was after midnight when Umbridge finally stood up and cleared her throat with that annoying "hem, hem" of hers. "Alright, Mister Potter. That is enough for tonight." She moved over to his desk and inspected his hand. "Yes, you'll definitely need to come back tomorrow. We'll see if we cant get that message a little deeper next time." She smiled sweetly and ushered him out of the room.
Harry angrily arrived at Gryffindor tower and ignored Hermione, Ron, and Sakura, who had apparently waited up for him. He had been forced to miss Astronomy (one of the few classes he did enjoy), and had instead spent the past several hours having the back of his hand cut. He stalked up to the boys dorms, barely had enough thought and energy to change before collapsing for the night.
((Ooo. More A/N! Firstly – Jade is Voldemort's lover! Bet you weren't exactly expecting that, now were you? Hmm? HMM? Hehe. And secondly. . . the scene with McGonagall and Harry about his detentions with Umbridge. When I read that in book five I nearly died laughing. McGonagall is SO COOL. She rocks. Oh, and I realize that in this chapter I drug Snape a bit more OOC than usual, but I swear he'll get back to being his mean and nasty self next chapter! So until then, ja! Please leave me a review!))