Topic Title: A Siren's Song
Topic Description: Harry Potter Fic...Snape/OC, Voldemort/OC
Disclaimer: Snape, Dumbledore, Voldemort, etc are not my characters. They-unfortunately-belong to JK Rowling. The original ones-duh-are mine and exist in my mind!
Author's Notes: This is a work in progress. I've had this mulling around in my brain for a few weeks and seriously driving me insane. No clue how far I'll take it. ITALICS are thoughts.
A Siren's Song
Chapter One
All the new initiates had stood in a circle and had been told their assignment. They had one year to accomplish it, or face the full extent of Lord Voldemort's wrath if they failed. Each one had been given a slightly different thing to accomplish, before being sent on their ways. While others had been ordered to find means to either turn or kill certain "unknown" students from their respective schools, Severus had been given an even greater task.
His task-god help him-was to turn one of the more well known of the Gryffindor's in 7th year.
Her name was Emma Leigh Winters. Not only was she one of the top students in the school, but she was also the only granddaughter of Albus Dumbledore-his full name being Albus Dumbledore Winters, but he dropped the last name and started to use his middle name as his last name just shortly after graduating from Hogwarts himself-and first female offspring in the Dumbledore line for over twenty generations. This was not only going to be a hard task, it would be a near impossible task. She had her grandfather-Dumbledore-watching over her constantly, but she also had her grandmother-Minerva McGonagall-making sure no harm comes to her.
At first, Severus had paced in his bedroom as he tried to figure out how he was to accomplish his mission. After a few weeks went by without much progress he was starting to waver.
He had wanted to join Lord Voldemort and had gotten in contact-through Lucius Malfoy-with someone and was soon signed up as a recruit. Reality didn't hit until the summer before his final year at Hogwarts and he had been given his assignment to prove his allegience to the cause.
Voldemort had given his word that if Severus could turn Emma and pursuade her to come to their side, then he could also keep her. When he announced this, it was as though he were talking about a cow rather than a woman's life and body. If he failed, then not only would Severus suffer greatly, but Emma's life would also be in grave danger.
Women were not held highly regarded in the Death Eater circles. They were treated as property, and men had no qualms with raping them for their own pleasure. Severus hadn't seen this side of Voldemort's regime until after his initiation night had passed and he was too far in to turn back.
He had been sent on a retreival mission with a senior Death Eater named Edroy. It had been straight forward and there should have been no casualties. But that's not how Edroy had seen it. He had gone into the house, killed the man, raped and maimed the wife and young daughter before letting them slowly bleed to death on the floor in front of him before he even went and got what they had been assigned to get.
As soon as Severus had gotten away, he had thrown up until his throat was sore from the constant wretching. That had been the night that the blinds had slowly started to slide off of his eyes, letting him see Voldemort for the evil man that he was.
It took him from late summer until the middle of October before he even approached Albus Dumbledore, terrified and half out of his mind. By that time, the murdering and maiming had flowed into each other, leaving him with the constant feeling that his hands were covered in blood at any given time of the day.
After explaining his assignment, both Dumbledore and Severus had discussed details regarding the Death Eaters as well as Voldemort, before they both retired with an agreement to meet the next Saturday, bright and early.
Severus slowly walks up the stairway towards the headmaster's office, still physically feeling drained from their talk just two days ago. Has it really just been two days ago, or am I going crazy He asks himself as he knocks on the door leading into the office, trying to make his rapping sound confident and not nearly half as afraid as he is.
"Come," says the kind-yet tired-voice of Albus Dumbledore, headmaster at Hogwarts.
At the word, Severus opens the door and steps across the thresh-hold before his eyes fall upon the back of a young woman's head, confusion immediately crossing his face before being pushed deep inside once more. "Sir?"
Dumbledore looks up, his gentle eyes so inviting to even a traitor such as Severus Snape. "Come in, my dear boy."
The head turns towards Severus and his breath catches deep in his throat. His eyes meet hers, and all he sees in them is acceptance. Not bitterness or hatred. Not anger or disgust. Just acceptance. "Hello Severus," she says, the words flowing effortlessly from her ruby lips.
"Seeing how this does involve the life of my granddaughter, Severus, I took the initiative of inviting her so that we can get her opinion on the matter at hand." The way Dumbledore speaks these words lets the young man know that Emma's presence in the discussion is not up for argument. "Lemon Drop?"
Emma shakes her head slightly. "No thank you." Her eyes meet Severus' once again and they hold their gaze for a few seconds before he breaks it.
Severus sits down in the other empty chair, carefully avoiding the headmaster's granddaughter's eyes.
"I have been discussing with Emma about the options we came up with on Thursday evening. She believes that the best option for her is to go along with the act. Have people believe that she is falling for you."
"Sir, that is putting her life in even greater danger than it already is. Voldemort passes around the women like they are toys," Severus put in, making his voice sound strong.
"You said that Voldemort gave you his word that.."
"His word! What good is that! He kills without a second glance. What makes his word so binding?"
"Severus, Voldemort knows that if he were to break this promise to you, then his integrity would be questioned and that would not be a wise move on his part. I am not more excited about sending Emma into the lion's den than you are."
"Can't we send her away! Hide her!"
"Until when, my dear boy? Voldemort will not put up an easy fight and he won't just let us kill him. The war is a ways off, I'm afraid. And even if we hid her, he could find her easily."
Severus mutters something under his breath, before speaking outloud. "Well we can't send her in there. You don't want her to have to become a Death Eater, Headmaster. Now do you!"
"No, I don't, Severus. But the only two choices we really have are for her to do that or her not to, and then be killed. The second option isn't even a choice. Not in the least."
"Neither is forcing her to do this. There has to be other options that she could take. Any would be better than to be forced into that lifestyle. Trust me."
Clearing her throat, Emma is succesful in drawing both men's attention to her. "I am sitting here in the room, and seeing how this is my life we are discussing, don't you think that I should possibly have a say in the future of it!" She glances between Dumbledore and Severus, keeping them silent with just her penetrating eyes. "We can talk and talk until we are blue in the face. We can sit here and discuss options and choices, but when it comes back to reality, this is the choice I'm going to pick. The Order needs another spy, and I'm being thrust into this world, so why not use that to our advantage."
"My dear, I do not want to risk your life in that way."
"I know, but you also know that you need me to." Giving her grandfather a sad sort of smile, she sips her tea in silence.
Neither Dumbledore nor Severus speak, both knowing that what she has said is the truth, and there would be no arguing with her.
"When do we start?" She asks, eyes almost looking right into Severus' very soul.
"As soon as possible."
"Very well," says the headmaster, the resignation clear in his voice.
