Chapter 11 – It Begins
It was strange for the full moon to be out in the sky so early in the evening, but nobody really noticed these things except for a certain few individuals who knew something was to come.
'I must go to her immediately and keep her safe. She must not be informed that the prophecy seems to be beginning sooner than expected,' a little girl with pointed ears thought as she gazed up at the moon.
"What are we going to do? If things start sooner than planned what will happen?" the little girl asked the air that seemed to be alive. The air responded by carrying her words to a friend not that far away also staring at the full moon causing him to howl.
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Harry was sitting alone in the common room with his old and new friends. 'When did this all seem to be so hard to keep up with all of them? I never realized I missed out on a lot. Not only that, when did they all start hating each other to the point of making the air tense with it?' Harry thought as he sat on the couch with his arm around Liliana and a blank expression on his face.
"So how was your day, Hermione?" Leon asked, actually curious of what the brown haired girl had been up to lately.
"What is it to you? 'Boyo.'" Ron said with such venom that it was surprising that he and Leon didn't just stand up and start fighting right then and there.
"Ron he just asked a simple question, stop being a bloody git!" Ginny spat back.
This caused Hermione to snap at Ginny, "He can talk however he wants. Stop trying to be your mother, Ginny."
Throughout all of this Harry retained his blank expression and knew that this was one of those moments that was going to change his life forever. He had looked at each person when they spoke and noticed that they all meant what they said. He looked down at Liliana who finally spoke up and said in a soft calm voice, "Guys, why are you really fighting?"
The others turned their faces towards Liliana before anything was spoken.
"Why would you care, bitch?" Ron said in a caustic tone. His words cut into her causing her to flinch.
"It's not like we are your friends. We were just here to help show you around and tell you the rules. Nothing else. So fuck off, Ms. I'm-all-that!" Hermione spat as soon as Ron had stopped speaking.
This caused Leon and Ginny to get even more pissed off and they stood up ready to hex, Ron and Hermione until they all heard the coldest voice that they had ever heard. It made them shiver, "Shut up and Sit down."
They all obeyed immediately and when they realized that the command came from Harry, it made all of them afraid of what was going to happen if they didn't listen to him. Harry's arm had tightened around Liliana when she had been verbally abused and now she had a silent tear fall down her cheek.
Harry turned to look at both Ron and Hermione and said calmly, too calmly for their tastes, "You two have no right to act like the way you are. Nothing was said except a simple question. I will not have you talk to them this way. Either apologize right now or leave."
Liliana was looking at Harry's face. It was blank but his eyes seemed to be a shade darker than usual and there was an 'air' about him that said, 'do not mess with me if you want to live.' It scared her a bit, but then he was doing this for her, Leon and Ginny. She relaxed as she felt more protected and safe then she had ever been.
Ron and Hermione were shocked to hear what Harry had just said. Ron was the one to speak for both of them, "What? Are you serious?"
"Dead serious. So what is it going to be?" Harry replied as he disengaged his arm from Liliana and sat on the edge of his seat ready for anything. He noticed that Leon had done the same thing and nudged Ginny to sit all the way back out of the way, should anything happen.
"I can't believe I'm hearing this! My bestfriend is telling me to-to tell these NOBODIES sorry! Well I can't do that!" Ron shouted as he stood up, causing Leon and Harry to stand as well.
"And you, Hermione?" Harry said as he looked her straight in the eyes and knew the answer before she spoke.
"I'm with Ron. I refuse to apologize for speaking my mind."
"Then goodbye. I don't ever want to see you looking or talking to any of us again, especially me." Harry said, shocking all of them. "Now get the bloody hell out of here!"
Ron and Hermione just jumped and left the room like their bums were on fire.
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On the same night, at exactly the same time when Harry had lost his bestfriends, a certain Professor Snape was kneeling before the Dark Lord in the fashion of a Deatheater of his rank.
"Rise my faithful servant," Voldemort spoke as he looked down at his most intelligent servant in his service.
'Why is no one else here?' Snape thought as he rose.
"Walk with me, Severus. I am going to give you a special task. You will not fail me in this," Voldemort spoke. He stopped, speaking when they came upon a small pond. "I want you to find whomever my dear priestess wants. You will do as she says until they are found. Understood?"
"Yes, my lord, but if I may..." Snape cautiously waited for the Dark Lord to nod for him to go on before he finished. "...who is this priestess of yours?"
'It can't be the girl that we are to be wary of is it?' Snape thought as he waited for an answer, which he got promptly when a young woman stepped out into view.
She was wearing a black dress that seemed to be silk, but not silk at the same time. It was more beautiful when she moved in the light. The dress went all the way down to the ground, slowly spreading out at least a foot all the way around her. The dress was cut low showing that she was a very well endowed young woman, her skin was pale and unblemished. Her lips were thin and slightly pink in the light of the moon and her hair as golden as the sun.
"My name is Iolent. I am a priestess of Morgana." Iolent said as she moved gracefully to stand next to Voldemort, wrapping her arm through his, as she looked Snape in the eye.
Her eyes intrigued Snape. They were the color of sapphires, looking him over like he was nothing but at the same time with a look that made him feel like she knew all of his secrets.
"He will do for this task, my lord. I believe that he will be able to get me what I will need. I thank you, my lord." She spoke as she turned her head to give Voldemort a seductive smile.
Voldemort looked down at her with what seemed to be a smile, but turned out to be a sneer. "Whatever my priestess wants, she gets. I would have it no other way."
'He is smitten with her. I don't think he knows what he has gotten himself into. A Priestess of Morgana can never truly be trusted.' Snape thought as he turned his eyes to the Dark Lord and spoke, "My Lord, may I ask to whom I will be having to search for?"
The question slightly angered the Dark Lord, but he realized that only Severus had the intelligence and courage to ask such a question while in his presence. "That is for you and my priestess to discuss. Now I must go. I have other engagements to keep." Voldemort unwrapped Iolent's arm from his own and raised her hand to kiss affectionately. "You are to go home when you are done, understand my dear?"
"Yes, of course, my lord. As soon as we are done here." Iolent spoke knowing that he was going to have to wait to see her again until dawn.
"Good. Severus you will protect her with your life as you would protect me." Voldemort commanded as he looked into Severus's mind only to see that Severus would obey his command.
"Yes, my lord," Severus replied, as was called for, and as he felt the Dark Lord start to penetrate his mind, he pushed feelings of complete loyalty and love for him. He also pushed feelings of obeying him and risking his life for her if need be.
Voldemort sneered and pulled away from Snape's mind, "Good. Bye, my dear," and with a pop, he was gone, leaving Severus and Iolent alone by the pond.
'I wonder whom she wants me to find, and what does she want me to do when I find them?' Snape thought that as he turned his complete attention to Iolent, feeling disgusted that he would have to obey her every word.
"Priestess, how may I serve you?" Snape asked having a bad feeling that he was not going to like what she was about to say.
"I have need of bodyguards. I want you to find someone who is young, clever, and has the intelligence to keep me safe." Iolent spoke as she turned to look out onto the pond and knew just exactly whom she wanted. She had seen a face in her vision of a young man with platinum blonde hair, cool gray eyes, and pale white skin. She moved her hand out over the water and projected the handsome face in the water's surface. "You will find him and anyone else he deems to keep me safe. Understood?"
Severus was so surprised by the fact that she wanted Draco Malfoy as her bodyguard that he let down his guard. "What is the matter? You know whom I seek?" Iolent asked with a small hint of curiosity.
Once Severus recovered from his surprise, he spoke, "Yes, Priestess. I will find him for you, but may I ask why him in particular?" He took the chance to see if she would give him any information.
"You may ask, but that does not mean that I have to answer," Iolent replied with a mischievous glint in her eye. "You should go and find him as soon as possible."
"Yes, Priestess," Severus bowed in front of her not letting his eyes leave her eyes. "I will find him and bring him to you."
"I will be waiting," Iolent said as she turned and walked a short distance away from him. She stopped but kept her back to him, "Do not fail me in this or you will pay dearly, with the lives of those you know and love." Then with a pop she was gone.
Severus was not really fazed by the threat for some odd reason. He felt that she could not follow through on her threat, especially since he was the Dark Lord's potion master, spy and one of his most 'loyal' servants. And with that out of his mind he began to contemplate whom she wanted him to find.
"Draco Malfoy. Why does she want him?" Severus said out loud to himself.
"Yes, why indeed?" A small feminine voice spoke out from the trees nearby.
Severus snapped around to face what seemed like a small child. She had long, light blonde hair and her ears were pointed, poking through her hair. But the most interesting feature were her eyes, they made her look older than she appeared.
"Who are you?" Severus asked cautiously as his hand went to his wand ready for an attack.
'Wait she looks familiar...' Severus thought, looking more closely as she spoke.
"A friend and that is all you need to know for right now." She spoke in such a soft, but confident tone. "But the real question is why would she want that particular boy? Don't you think, Professor?"
Severus listened to what she said as he tired to place her. "He is not a Deatheater. I would have been informed immediately." He stopped speaking when he realized that he had voiced his thought out loud.
"Ah...that is true...but why would she need this boy in particular as a bodyguard?" The small child-like girl spoke with a little mischief showing in her eyes as she started Snape on a very dangerous path of thinking. 'He must see before it becomes too late. Hopefully, he will be able to figure out this mystery himself. There is still much I must do to keep them safe.'
Severus thoughts started to contemplate what she had said, until he realizes where he had seen her before. He pulled out his wand and pointed it at her as he spoke, "A friend? You were one of the wizards that attacked Potter and I at the train station before the start of term. Why should I believe anything that you would have to say, let alone, consider you a friend?"
"Because if you do not, then many more people will have to die before their time. It really is a matter of life or death, especially to those who are the most important for the future. Remember that, Severus Snape, no matter what you do you will not be able to change the events that are to come, but you may be able to delay their arrival."
Severus had tensed up as her words were burned into his mind. 'I can only delay it? Delay what? The confrontation between Potter and the Dark Lord?'
'Please you must be my ally and not my enemy. You will be able to do things that I cannot.' She thought before he replied, "Just what events are you talking about, and delay what arrival?"
"I cannot say anymore. It would be dangerous." She said turning her gaze toward the night sky as she spoke, "You will know what is to come when it is time. You will also be helpless to help the ones who need help the most in their time of need."
Severus finally lowered his wand and realized that this child-like creature was much older than her appearance let on. "If I were to heed your words well, I would think that I could at least learn the name of the one who gave the words in the first place."
She was still gazing into the sky, when she began to smile. "A friend to you, but a..." she settled her gaze upon him, speaking not only with these words but also with her eyes. "...Guardian to others." With that said she disappeared into the forest before he could say or do anything else.
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A week after the 'falling out,' as everyone in Hogwarts liked to call it, Harry seemed a little bit more like himself before Sirius died. Especially when he was in the company of a certain young lady by the name of Liliana Forest.
'It is such a shame that these good times always have to come to an end,' Headmaster Dumbledore thought. 'I just wish that I were not the person to give out the bad news. It always seems to cause a good number of people to start living their lives a lot more rashly.'
Dumbledore was sitting in front of the fire, when his thoughts were interrupted by a knock on his bedroom door. 'I wonder who that could be, especially at this hour?'
He got up out of his chair and tightened his robe as he opened the door. He was a little taken aback at the sight of a much-disheveled Professor Snape. He had dried blood all over his robes and face. 'What could have happened?'
"Severus, my boy come in. What happened? I'll call Poppy immediately." Dumbledore said as he moved out of the way to let him in and closed the door behind him.
"No, headmaster. I need to talk to you first and then I will go to Poppy myself," Snape said with a look of desperation in his eyes as he took a seat in one of the two chairs that were in front of the fireplace. "I was called earlier this evening, by the Dark Lord, to help advise him in a 'holy matter'. I told him as much as I could, considering he knows that she is in the castle just not where. I'm to begin searching for her tomorrow."
Snape was exhausted and getting sleepy. 'I have lost a lot more boys,' he thought. 'I wish that I could have helped them. Hopeful the Dark Lord will go easy on them. They will have to learn on their own what they have gotten themselves into.' With that last thought he fell into a deep sleep.
"Severus?" Dumbledore asked after sitting awhile in silence. Getting up, Dumbledore found that Snape had fallen asleep and was bleeding profusely from a large gash right below his ribs. "Hang on, my boy. I'm calling Poppy right now." With that said Dumbledore threw some floo powder into his fireplace and stuck just his head and yelled, "POPPY COME QUICKLY!"
Poppy was still in her nightgown when she flooed into his rooms. "What is the matter, Albus? Oh, my!" she said as she rushed over to Snape. "How long has he been out?"
"A few minutes..." Albus said thinking that it was a good idea for him to connect all the faculties' fireplaces to the floo network only inside Hogwarts grounds in case of emergencies like this. "...Poppy will he be alright?"
"Yes, Albus, but he will need to rest for a day or two due to all the stress his body has gone through. I don't know about his mental health. He has been unable to sleep properly these last couple of days. Especially after meeting that, Priestess Iolent." Poppy replied remembering the conversation they had a few days ago to why he couldn't sleep well lately. She turned with a worried looked at the ever-moving closed eyes of one Severus Snape.
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Snape was summoned shortly after dinner. His arm burned more intensely, making his dark mark turn a shade darker, as he retrieved his cloak and mask. 'What could this meeting possibly be about?' he thought as he walked through the passage from his rooms to just outside the school grounds.
While walking completely off the school grounds where he could not be seen, he thought about what exactly had happened to Draco Malfoy and his chums, Crabbe and Goyle. Ever since he took them to Priestess Iolent he was not able to get any useful information about what was going on. 'What is she up to?'
-- -- -- --
He remembered coming back to Hogwarts that night after meeting with Priestess Iolent and that little mystery girl. He went to meet Dumbledore to inform him of what had happened.
Once Dumbledore was updated they discussed what could be done. "All we can do right now is discuss it with the boy." Dumbledore finally stated to Snape.
Snape knew that this was true, but why should they put the boy in danger? 'I have put myself in this dangerous position, so he would not have to join this war. What am I going to do if he is harmed?'
"I do not think that it would be wise for you to be present. He still takes some of Lucius's view on things. I would not like to compromise my position, Headmaster."
Dumbledore stroked his beard as he thought about what Snape had said, "You are right, my boy. Very well. Keep me informed of the situation."
Snape left the Headmaster's office and then proceed to go to the Slytherin common room in search of his godson, Draco Malfoy. 'I have to make him aware of certain things before I propose for him to join the Dark Lord.'
Snape was a little bit surprised, when he reached the common room to see that there was a lone figure sitting in an armchair in front of the fire. "Draco? What are you still doing up this late?"
Draco snapped his head up from the fire to look at his godfather, Snape. Snape was more of a father figure than his own father was. As Draco replied, "Thinking."
"About what, Draco?"
"Nothing much, Uncle. So what are you doing in here?"
"Actually, I came to talk to you about something. You know very well that your father and I are Deatheaters. It has come to my attention that you have been picked to join in our ranks early. If you join, you will have to keep a very important person in our ranks safe, even kill. You may also have to take orders from this person to ensure their safety as well as the Dark Lord's safety. Understand?"
Draco took a few moments to think before he replied, "Yes, but why and who am I to protect?"
"Before I tell you Draco, I must inform you that your father does not know of this, and if you should fail in your assigned task, your life will be forfeited." Snape waited for Draco to nod for him to continue. "You will be guarding a woman that is important to our cause. She is also very important to the Dark Lord, her name is Priestess Iolent."
"Are you saying that she is the Dark Lord's Mistress?" Draco asked a little bit surprised and disgusted.
"Yes," Snape said looking at his godson. "You will also need two people that you trust to take orders without asking questions, and be able to kill without a second thought as to why."
Draco looked at Severus and replied, "Crabbe and Goyle. They will do whatever I say. When will I join the ranks?"
"It will be at the next meeting, which is in a month's time, Draco. You will have to keep this secret and tell no one."
"I understand, Uncle, but I really don't have a choice in this matter, do I?"
"No, you have been picked out specifically by the Priestess herself, and she will not take no for an answer. It would be wise to heed her words closely if and when she talks with you, Draco."
"Yes, Uncle."
-- -- -- --
Snape was snapped out of his memory as his dark mark burned more persistently. He placed his index finger on his dark mark, which caused him to apparate to the location of the meeting.
Once he apparated to the site of the Deatheater meeting he caught sight of a small group of boys standing off to the side. He froze when his eyes fell on his godson.
'What the hell? He shouldn't be here now...' Severus's thoughts were interrupted as the Dark Lord decided to walk up to him and said, "Well, you have done me proud, Severus. I have seen that you have brought what my Priestess had sought." The Dark Lord gestured to Draco, Crabbe and Goyle.
"I believe they will be excellent for their task, especially with your and Lucius's combined skills instilled into the young Malfoy heir." the Dark Lord praised Snape.
"Yes, my lord. I only hope that he will do his appointed task with true intelligence and skill." Snape replied taking in the scene in front of him. He could see Wormtail bringing a young girl forward, 'a muggle, no doubt.'
Voldemort brought Severus to stand next to him instead of Lucius, who seemed to be too nervous as to why Draco was at the meeting to even notice. 'Damn! This should not be happening this soon.' Snape thought.
Once the meeting came to order, all the Deatheaters were surrounding a young girl. The young men that had yet to join the Deatheaters, were just off to the side observing until it came time for them to be initiated.
"My servants! It is time to bring forth our newest brothers to prove their loyalty to me!" The Dark Lord spoke and gestured for the young men to be brought forward. "You shall go first. Rape this muggle trash and be creative. But remember to leave something for your fellow brothers when you are done."
Thomas Flint was the first to brutally rape the young girl. He, at one point, used an illusionary spell on himself to make her see him as her father. This caused the Dark Lord to grin with glee. After Flint, it was Goyle's turn. He raped her while slightly choking her the entire time. Then it was Crabbe's turn. He raped her from behind making her act as if she were a dog, barking the whole time. This caused all the Deatheaters to laugh. When Crabbe was done, it finally was Draco's turn.
'There is no way that I'm going to touch her! But how do I get out of this without getting hurt?' Draco thought as he remained completely clothed and stood in front of everyone. 'There is nothing I can do but that...'
Severus saw the small conflict that was going through Draco's mind as he stood there watching the girl be raped repeatedly, until it was Draco's turn. When it was Draco's turn, he could see what his godson was going to do. 'I hope that you will play this well, Draco. Because if you make one false move, you will meet your death early.'
Draco walked gracefully toward the girl with a small smile on his face. She was crying as she faced him. Draco stopped right in front of her and pulled out his handkerchief as he kneeled to wipe her tears away. "Don't worry, I won't rape you."
This caused the Deatheaters to shift uncomfortably and glance between Draco and the Dark Lord, but before the anybody could say or do anything, Draco continued, "How about you just calm down a bit and I will see what I can do to free you."
This statement caused the Dark Lord to raise his eyebrow in curiosity. He was about to demand what the hell was going on until he heard, "H-how?"
Draco smiled at her one last time, 'I'm going to free you from all of this.' His smile turned into a smirk as he stood and pointed his wand at her. "Just like this."
The girl's eyes had widened as soon as Draco's wand was pointed at her and then she screamed as he spoke the killing curse. 'One less muggle to worry about, now.' Draco thought as he put his wand away still smirking at the sight of the dead girl in front of him.
Everyone was startled when the Dark Lord started clapping. "My dear boy, that was an excellent show. But you were to keep her alive so the rest of us could have our own fun."
'Well, here goes nothing,' Draco thought as he knelt in front of the Dark Lord. "Forgive me, my lord, but I would never actually touch a muggle. Plus I rather liked that look in her eyes when she realized I was no friend." Draco slightly chuckled and smirked.
"I think that was the most interesting thing that I have seen in a long time, my lord," Priestess Iolent spoke as she appeared at his side from the shadows. Her eyes had a sort of twinkle to them that nobody could see but Draco, Snape, and Voldemort.
"Really? Well then, I guess he will be forgiven this once, but remember young Malfoy, I am the Master."
"Yes, my lord," Draco replied as he took in the Priestess's appearance. 'She's beautiful, but how can she be attracted to 'him'?'
"Good. Join your brothers."
"Yes, my lord."
Severus had been holding his breathe. As soon as Draco spoke the killing curse, he finally let it out slowly as not to alert anyone of his fear. He also loosened his hold on his wand. Severus couldn't help but be proud of Draco for getting through that in one piece. Then he was slightly disgusted by the way Lucius was looking at Draco as if he was a rival.
Lucius finally realized that Draco was no longer his son, but a young man to be reckoned with. He realized that he had handled that situation with nothing but pure confidence and skill. Once he realized this, he noticed that he was not standing next to the Dark Lord, but Severus Snape was. 'How the hell did I not notice that until now? What the HELL is going on? First my son is initiated without my knowledge and then Snape is in my place next to the Dark Lord!'
Once the meeting came to an end the Dark Lord called Severus, Draco, Crabbe and Goyle to follow him and Priestess Iolent. Once they were in a secluded grove he spoke, "I know that Severus here has told you, Malfoy, what is expected of you. You two will follow whatever Malfoy says to do without any questions asked. Understood?"
Crabbe and Goyle nodded, "Good. You three will be in charge of the safety of my dear, Priestess Iolent. You will keep her safe and will aid her in anything else that she will need."
"My lord, if I may..." Severus interrupted Voldemort, but Voldemort gestured for him to continue. "...the boys will have to still attend school, if they are not to be found to be Deatheaters. So where and when will they be able to keep her safe?"
Voldemort just chuckled, "A very good question, Severus. Only you would have the guts to ask it. I will be placing her in the village of Hogsmeade, so that you all will be able to keep an eye on her."
'Damn! She will be too close to her. How am I suppose to keep her safe?' Severus thought as he nodded his head and spoke, "Very wise of you, my lord."
"Yes, I know. Now with this business done. My dear, why don't you show your new bodyguards where you will be staying, while I talk with Severus here."
"Of course, my lord." Iolent purred, as she kissed his cheek before she pulled out a small watch. "This is the portkey." Iolent and her new bodyguards were gone with a small pop.
"Now, Severus. It has come to my attention that another Priestess is calling Hogswart home. You are to tell me everything that you know on the matter."
'Shit! How did he find out? Guess I better play dumb.'
"I don't know what you are talking about, my lord. I know nothing of any new visitor residing at Hogswart."
"Really now, Severus? I know you can do better than that." Lucius spoke as he came into view from the shadows behind Snape.
"I did not ask you to be present Malfoy." Voldemort spoke with venom as he pointed his wand at Malfoy and casted the Crutaius curse on him. "You will learn never to eavesdrop on me and whoever's council I keep."
Lucius screamed from the intense pain. Once he was released from the curse, he was able to catch his breath and speak, "Please forgive me, my lord."
"For now, I will, but if you make another mistake, I will not hesitate to kill you. Now Severus you will search Hogswart for that Priestess. If she is residing there, you MUST eliminate her. Understood?"
"Yes, my lord."
"Good. I have to attend to something of great importance. You both are dismissed." With that said, Voldemort disappeared with a pop.
"You were the one to bring Draco into the brotherhood. It was NOT your right but MINE! You will pay for doing this to me and taking over my place next to the Dark Lord." Lucius spat out as he pulled out a 7-inch blade and stabbed Severus just below his ribs. "You deserve a slow and painful death. This blade contains an undetectable poison that will kill you in a matter of hours. Now I will have to use this on my own son, Draco. Both of you betrayed me and you must suffer the consequences." Lucius pulled the blade out and replaced the knife in his scabbard and disappeared with a pop.
"Damn! I have to get back to warn Dumbledore of these events." Severus spoke aloud as he apparated outside of Hogswart grounds dizzily. "I have to hurry before the poison takes effect."
He reached the Headmaster's door in the matter of minutes but it seemed like hours to him. He told Albus about Voldemort knowing about the Priestess Lorene and then he couldn't keep his eyes open as he thought, 'What kind of poison did Lucius use? It seems like...' and he fell into unconsciousness.
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Severus's eyes were moving more rapidly until he bolted up and screamed the names of the only people who could help him, "Liliana! Leon!" Then he collapsed back into a fitful sleep.