No Good Deed
" Did that really just happen?
Have I actually understood?
This weird quirk I've tried
To suppress or hide
Is a talent that could
Help me meet the Wizard
If I make good
So I'll make good"
The Wizard and I - Wicked
CHAPTER 8
"Miss Carrow, forgive me, but how does this precisely prove your innocence?" McGonagall asked after hearing Gertrude tell stories of her and Severus's time as school kids.
"What I have told you thus far, is merely to help you understand the actions that occurred during the first war. As you were kept rather at a distance while Dumbledore was busy seeing to it that we were both kept safe." Gertrude explained.
"Minerva, I realize you have little patience with us, but you must understand we know far more than you think. We can help you win this war." She added.
"And how can I trust you not to turn around and tell Voldermort?" She gulped.
"We have had this information for over a decade, and have done nothing but try and help. What we know will bring down the Dark Lord." Severus said emphatically as Gertrude reached in her rucksack and pulled out the tiara.
"What is that?" She asked.
"This, is one of the Dark Lord's horcruxes." Gertrude replied, watching Minerva's face fill with shock.
"One of? There are more?" Minerva said gasping.
"Seven, or at least that is where he was at last count." Severus replied.
"Do you know where they all are?" She asked.
"Not, where Minerva, but who." Severus answered her.
"Excuse me?"
"Seven Death Eaters were responsible for seven Horcruxes, of course the Dark Lord is smart enough to know, not to tell each Death Eater what he is truly protecting, only that it must be kept safe. However, some of us are smarter than others." Severus explained.
"Do you know where and who has each one of the Horcruxes?" Minerva asked now, warming up to their information.
"Yes, however, you must continue to listen to our tale, if you wish to know." Gertrude interjected.
"Yes, fine, you may continue.
ooo
Gertrude and Severus's sixth year did not start off well to say the least. Severus had found himself at the end mercy of James Potter, after trying to seek revenge on the "werewolf" he believed to have attacked Gertrude the previous spring. Gertrude was forced to bear witness to Lily's growing romance with James Potter. While her sister, Cecile was loosing her mind over Regulus Black. All in all, one could say that love makes you do ridiculous things.
"Gertie, what should I do about Regulus?" Cecile asked one night in the library.
"Don't look at me, I have my own problems with Severus." She shrugged.
"I know it is because I am in this stupid chair. I know he won't say but, I can feel it, he has been distant." Cecile sighed.
"You know I am trying to find something to help you, but I have been through half the books in this library and haven't gotten anywhere."
"Gertie, I just want him to love me, like Severus loves you." She said jealousy.
"I am sorry, I can't help you." Gertrude said, as Severus came walking into the library.
"Hello, Gertie, Cecile." Severus gestured.
"Hello Severus, I was just leaving." Cecile said as she maneuvered her way out.
"Gertie, have you found anything on the potions homework yet?" Severus asked.
"No, I have been incredibly busy working on the Defense Against the Dark Arts homework, then I have Astronomy after that. Not to mention the fact that my sister is crushed that Regulus isn't really in love with her, and wants me to fix it." She said stressed.
"Well, I am not much at Astronomy, but I might be able to help you with your sister's problems. Severus said sitting down next to her.
"How?" Gertie asked intrigued.
"Well, it depends, how badly does your sister want Regulus?" Severus asked slyly.
"Why?"
"Sometimes, one needs a little 'help' to fall in love." Severus said raising his eyebrows.
"What are you thinking?" She frowned.
"Amortentia."
"Isn't that illegal?" She asked.
"Not so much as illegal, more immoral. Besides, we brewed it last month in Potions, so it mustn't be that bad." Severus commented.
Gertrude frowned. There was nothing more in this world that she wanted than to help her sister.
"I suppose, we could mention it to her. There is no harm in that, is there?" Gertrude said.
"I see nothing wrong with it." Severus said looking at her.
"Severus, are you all right? I mean ever since we came back from summer holidays, you haven't been, I dunno your usual self." Gertrude said closing her Dark Arts book.
"I am fine, well , besides the fact that I almost was killed by a group of Gryffindors." Severus hissed.
"Look, I didn't tell you to go off and avenge my honor, you did that on your own free will." She hissed back.
"You two be quiet or leave!" Madame Pince growled. Severus and Gertrude grabbed their bags and walked out of the library together, still arguing.
"Look, I know you're my girlfriend, but sometimes I wish you would just stay the hell away from me." He shouted.
"Fine, you want me to leave you alone, here!" She shouted as she threw down a book he had given to her and marched off. Severus still angry, let her go.
Gertrude made her way down to the Slytherin common room, in order to speak to her sister, however she was stopped by Professor Slughorn in the process.
"Miss Carrow! I am glad I ran into you, I wanted to let you know that I spoke to a former student about your potions container that you asked me about, and he thinks he may have the answer. I was telling him about you, how talented you are and your 'special' gift, and he is quite interested to meet you." Slughorn said happily.
"Interested, in me?" She asked surprised.
"Yes, you are very talented, Professor Davies tells me that you exceed all expectations in your Defense Against the Dark Arts class." He said.
"What is this wizard's name?"
"Tom Riddle." He smiled.
"Oh, his is a pioneer in the field of mind control. I read some of his papers from when he was a student, his thesis on death and the existence of a soul. Quite fascinating."
"I will refrain myself from asking how you obtained those, however if you wish to meet him, he will be in Hogsmeade next weekend." He said.
"Thank you sir." She said, now rather pleased with herself, Tom Riddle, wanted to meet her!
Gertrude finally found her sister sitting in the common room by herself. She immediately told her about what Slughorn had just told her, and how she was going to meet with him next weekend.
"Oh, Cecile, this could be our chance, our chance to fix our horrible fates. He is brilliant, you should have read some of the things he came up with. I know he will help us, Cecile!" She said excited.
Severus entered the common room, and instantly scowled as he saw Gertie on the couch.
"What are you doing here? I thought you said you were going to leave me alone?" He said sarcastically.
"I am talking to my sister, if you haven't noticed. It has nothing to do with you." She stated.
"Look, we can't stay mad at each other forever. We have to study for Potions this week." He conceded.
"Then tell me what is wrong." She said.
"I can't."
"Can't or won't Severus?" She asked.
"Do we really have to have this conversation in front of your sister?" Severus said uncomfortable.
"I can leave, if you want." Cecile said.
"No, wait, I came down here to tell you what Severus told me about how to fix your little problem." Gertie said quickly.
"Oh, and how's that?"
"There are many number of love potions." Severus said interrupting.
"They all wear off, even I know that." Cecile replied.
"Not one, its called Amortenia." Gertie added.
"Is it illegal?" Cecile asked.
"No, just difficult to brew." Severus said.
"It just seems wrong to force someone to love you." Cecile said squeamishly.
"Yes, well it is your choice, we were just trying to help." Gertie said.
"Thanks, look, I will leave you two to sort out your problems." She said giving a sideward glance to her sister.
"Well, are you going to tell me what is up or not?" Gertie asked.
"Look it is no big deal, but it's just that, well my mother died this summer." Severus said looking at the floor.
"What!" Gertie yelled. How could he keep that from her, why would he want to?
"Look, I said it's no big deal, its been a while now. It's just been a bit hard that is all." Severus said, wishing that she would calm down.
"Severus, loosing your mother is a big deal, I should know my mum died when Cecile was born. Why didn't you tell me?" She questioned.
"She was sick, and my father refused to let me use any magic on her. Muggles, can't accept magic! Gods I hate him! I hate him, its his fault she's dead. If I could have just done something, she would have lived. I couldn't tell you because everything in my live is messy and I what I have with you, well it is relatively mess free, and I wanted it to stay that way." Severus now yelled letting his frustration out for the first time.
"I'm really sorry Severus, I know it doesn't make things better, but, I am sorry." She whispered as she hugged him.
"I am sorry too, I just, I have to be strong, you know? There is no one who's going to do things for me, especially being a half-blood." Severus said.
"I know." She whispered as she buried her head into his shoulder.
ooo
Next week Gertrude found herself sitting at a corner table in the back of Hog's Head pub, waiting to speak to one of the greatest wizards of her time.
"Miss Carrow I presume?" Tom addressed.
"Yes, a pleasure to meet you sir, she said anxious.
"Slughorn said that you were different, but I had no idea." He commented after seeing her skin.
"Yes, well, he also told me that you may know what has caused me this ailment." She asked.
"All in good time, first I hear that you enjoy ancient magic, is this true?" Tom asked.
"Yes, well I have dabbled a bit. I have a natural ability to build up my powers then direct them to a target." She said.
"Show me." He said interested. Gertie, wanting to please, closed her eyes focused her energy and released it through the size of a pinpoint at a fly that was sitting on the edge of the table. Instantly the fly exploded.
"Amazing." He said.
"Thank you, would you mind if I asked you a question?" She asked shyly.
"You may." He said pressing his fingertips together.
"When you wrote your thesis on death and the soul, you said that perhaps by conquering our greatest fear of death, and learning to become immortal, wizards would be powerful enough to stop the repression by the muggles and live freely with out strife. Do you think that that is even remotely possible? The ministry the keep such close tabs on us, it is almost gotten to the point where we must identify ourselves every minute of the day, do you agree?" She asked egarly.
"Most certainly, the government is oppressive, unrelenting and unchanging. We are the stronger race, why should we be kept hidden, why must we pay the price?" He replied. Gertrude was fascinated by him, so brilliant so ahead of his time. She ate up everything he said to her.
"Gertrude, did you see what Black just did?" Severus came over and asked, interrupting the conversation.
"No, Severus I am busy. I am sorry Mr. Riddle." She replied annoyed.
"No, my dear do not be sorry, what is your name boy?" Tom asked intrigued.
"Severus, Severus Snape." He replied shortly.
"Severus, do you enjoy ancient magic as well? Have you ever heard of Sepruscecium or Destemria or even Frastier?" He asked referring to three powerful spells.
"Please, I could do those in my sleep." He said loosely.
"Really?" Tom's eyes widened.
"Yes, my mother taught them to me." He replied.
"What house are you in Severus?" He asked practically ignoring Gertrude now.
"Slytherin."
"Wonderful. Both of you show promise. If you wish I will be holding a meeting of other witches and wizards who share our same views this summer. Join me, will you?" Tom said as he got up to leave.
"Wait, what about my potions bottle?" Gertie asked.
"Oh, yes. For payment for my knowledge, I require that you must attend this summer. I will tell you then." He said slyly.
"I suppose." She said a little weary. The three parted ways. Severus and Gertie walked the path back to the school intrigued by Tom Riddle.
A/N: I don't mean to beg, but please please, review. Is anyone reading this story? Do you hate it? Find it interesting? Let me know, pretty please!