Chapter Three – Nimbus 2001
With most of the students carrying the collection of Lockhart's schoolbooks and recent autobiography all over the castle, September seemed to drag on forever as far as Snape was concerned. It took less than a week of school before he banned Defence Against the Dark Arts books from entering Potions class. Before he struck his venomous scowl in the direction of every pair of disappointed eyes, his declaration had aroused moans and groans from the better half of the classes – particularly the female halves. He'd even threatened to give a sixth year Slytherin detention for reading Magical Me as he walked down the dungeon corridor. However, if he'd done that it would have cut into the lad's Quidditch practice.
It was October now. The first Quidditch match of the season was only a few weeks away and Snape was determined to see that his House repossess the Quidditch Cup this year. The Slytherin team still needed a Seeker, but the Quidditch tryouts were coming up soon enough.
Since Harry Potter had come to Hogwarts, he'd not only managed to snare the House Cup from Slytherin, but the valued Quidditch Cup as well, adding to Snape bitter loathing. This year, the Slytherin team not only needed a Seeker to replace last years' graduate, but something else to challenge the Gryffindor team.
One evening while hard at work grading first year assignments, the answer to Snape's dilemma walked right into his office. Snape looked up when he heard the familiar rhythm of a clink following a pair of footsteps. The twisted expression on Snape's lips bared more resemblance to a snarl than it did a smile. Nonetheless, Lucius Malfoy knew all too well that he was one of the few people within a hundred kilometres of Hogwarts whose visit was appreciated by the Potions Master.
Snape stood up from his desk and rounded his way towards his visitor. "Lucius," he greeted and offered his hand.
"Good to see you, Severus." Lucius shook Snape's hand and nodded respectfully. "How do I find you this evening?"
Snape crossed his arms in front of him and exhaled deeply through his nose in an aggravated manner. "Mediocre," he decided. "And to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"
Lucius put his cane in front of him and held his arms out straight, crowning his black-gloved hands on top of the snakehead. "Need there be a reason?" Lucius asked before a thin smile played on his lips. He pressed his shoulders back and lifted his chin in a dignified manner.
Snape tilted his head back and smiled crookedly. "Of course not," he said, although he was aware that Lucius already knew he was welcome to the dungeons of Slytherin at any time.
"Very good, my friend." Lucius stepped further into the office and sat down in one of the large, black leather chairs neighbouring the empty fireplace. Snape took his seat behind the desk and leaned back into his chair. "I must say, Severus, I do wish I could come by more often to meet with you and your lovely lady friend, but frankly it is a spot of business that brought me here today."
Snape nodded and intertwined his fingers in his lap. He stretched his legs out to the side and crossed his ankles. "And what sort of business might that be?" Snape inquired.
Lucius seemed to copy Snape's manoeuvre and sat just as the Potions Master did with the exception of a slouched posture. He wiggled his finger under his nose and then returned his hands to his lap. "As you very well know, Draco is an extraordinary flier and he tells me that Quidditch tryouts are fast approaching. I believe he will offer the Slytherin team a rather remarkable advantage, don't you say?"
Snape stared down at the pile of unfinished marking as he considered Draco becoming a part of the Slytherin Quidditch team. He cocked an eyebrow when he came to a decision. "There is an opening as Seeker," he announced. "I do hope that Draco will attend the tryouts. He may just be Potter's perfect rival."
Lucius nodded affirmatively. "That he may." Lucius tapped his gloved finger against his chin in wonder as he gazed into the empty fireplace. "And what broomstick do you suppose he will be flying should he become the Slytherin Seeker? Not one of those ghastly old Cleansweeps, I hope." Lucius curled his top lip in disgust at the thought of his son mounting one of those hideous school broomsticks.
"It is not within the school's budget to supply the Quidditch teams with any of the newer models. However, you are more than welcome to supply your son with the broomstick of his choice should he make the team."
"I see," Lucius said, cunningly. "Tell me Severus, how many students plan to try for the position this year?" Lucius raised each of his eyebrows as he patiently waited for an answer.
Snape considered each of the possibilities. He hadn't heard many of his students talking about the tryouts, but a number of them certainly possessed the skill and aspiration to become a part of the team. "I shall guess between three and five, not including Draco."
Lucius tapped his finger against his chin again and nodded. "Hmm, very well then." He stood up and circled around to the back of his chair. "I'll have you know, that should my son make the team, I will surely supply him with the latest broomstick – The Nimbus 2001." Lucius casually walked around the office, merely inspecting some of the jarred goods lining the walls of Snape's dark office. "Although, I suppose a brand new broomstick might evoke jealousy amongst the other players." He leaned closer to inspect a gruesome collection of black beetles suspended in an inky blue liquid. "It would be a pity to see Draco being cast aside simply because he will be able to outmanoeuvre his teammates during each game and practice. Not to mention he will be the only true match for Potter's Nimbus 2000."
A devious smile spread across Snape's lips as he realized the direction Lucius was taking this conversation. "I do suppose then, that it will be best for the team if Draco uses the same broomstick as the rest of the Slytherin players."
"Indeed," Lucius said, turning his body towards Snape's. "Why only grant the Slytherins with one Nimbus 2001 when they could easily be granted seven?" A scheming smile slowly crept onto his face. Lucius began to chuckle with laughter and Snape was soon to join him.
"An excellent plan indeed, Lucius," Snape said. "Perhaps I will let our young Marcus Flint in on your offer before he decides upon a Seeker." He stood and offered his hand once again to the tall, blonde wizard. "I am sure Flint will see fit to grant Draco the position."
With a tight grip, Lucius shook Snape's hand and nodded in agreement to his proposal. "Very well then, I believe I have some shopping to do. I'll see you again at the tryouts."
"Indeed," Snape agreed and began to walk Lucius to the office door.
Just as the office door clicked open, Snape heard another familiar rhythm of footsteps making way towards his office. He opened the door all the way in time to let Jessica in.
She saw Snape first and smiled at him, but once she saw Lucius standing right behind him her smile quickly disappeared and she stopped short of entering the office. Her gaze flickered back and forth between the wizards both clad in layers of black until one of them spoke.
"Well, if it isn't Miss Van Eden," Lucius observed and stepped out into the corridor. "How delightful it is to see you again." Although his words sounded genuine, Jessica could sense a trace of apprehension due completely to the memory of their last encounter when she had nearly poisoned him to death in Diagon Alley.
Jessica took a slow step backwards and eyed Snape as if expecting him to do something to rid his office of this man. "Aren't you going to greet Mr. Malfoy, Jessica?" Snape questioned and slanted his head to look sternly at her.
She stared back at him, dismayed that he expected her to conduct herself in a courteous manner after everything Lucius said and done to her last December. But even as she questioned his reason, he looked right at her and as if he were speaking directly to her, Jessica heard his voice in her head.
Remember the image I must maintain, she heard in his clear, hostile voice. Do as I tell you and regard him with respect!
Jessica suddenly remembered a conversation they'd had in Paris regarding Snape's position amongst the Death Eaters. Loyal to Dumbledore and acting as a spy on his behalf, Snape still needed to appear dedicated and trustworthy to the Dark Lord and each of his faithful followers.
Snape's callous gaze fell on her again when she lifted her eyes to his. Jessica then turned in regard to Lucius and smiled. "How do you do, Mr. Malfoy?" she asked and held her hand out to shake with his.
"Very well, thank you," he said and picked her hand up delicately. "Perhaps you and I started on the wrong foot last year. I hope that this year we may be able to start off to a fresh beginning, maybe even as friends."
Jessica nodded as she feigned to accept his truce purely for Snape's sake. "As friends." Although, just as Lucius had no intention to forget their previous encounter, Jessica knew she would never use friendship to describe her relationship with Lucius Malfoy. He was more like an adversary, or her least favorite person in the world, or just a fancy looking slimeball dressed in glamorous black. But a friend? Never. His heart was too dark and his desires to see Voldemort rise again were far too great.
"Excellent," Lucius said and smiled handsomely. He held onto her fingers and began to lift Jessica's hand to his lips. Before he could kiss her, Jessica pulled her hand from his grasp and linked her arm around the Potions Master. She could feel that Snape wasn't overly impressed with her performance and knew that she'd probably hear about it after Lucius departed.
"Jessica and I will surely attend the tryouts next week," Snape told Lucius. "I do hope that you will bring Narcissa along. It will do Jessica some good to make her acquaintance. It is a pity to keep her confined to Hogwarts without female companionship within our world."
"Indeed," Lucius agreed. He turned to look at Jessica briefly. "I'll have her join us. Perhaps afterwards a drink at the Hog's Head will be in order to celebrate Draco's accomplishment."
"We shall endeavour to be available," Snape assured.
Even though she was oblivious to the conversation Snape had had with Lucius before she arrived, Jessica knew that Lucius was up to no good by means of Draco's accomplishment. The whole scene reeked of manipulation and Jessica knew Snape was going along with it not only to uphold his image in front of Lucius, but because he was also intrigued by the plan.
"Excellent," Lucius smiled excitedly. "Well then, I'll be on my way. I look forward to seeing you both next week." He looked at Jessica again and nodded. "Farewell to you, Miss Van Eden." With his cane in hand tapping against the stone corridor, Lucius made his way upstairs to the Entrance Hall to either leave or see the Headmaster.
Snape put his hand on Jessica's shoulder and adamantly ushered her into his dark office. He closed the door behind him and used his wand to seal it with his wards. He thrust his wand angrily into his robes and spun around to face her. "Must I remind you again of my obligation?" Snape asked ruthlessly.
"Absolutely not," Jessica assured. She wrapped her hands around her arms, as she was still unaccustomed to the damp chill of the dungeons.
"Good," he said. "Next week when Lucius and Narcissa come to call I expect you to treat them with the proper respect. You will make no mention of Diagon Alley nor anything else that may disrupt the peace between us."
"And in return do you plan to treat me with the same disrespect you just did upon my arrival?" Jessica quizzed and held her eyebrows high as she awaited an answer.
Snape just stood staring at Jessica for a moment. She knew in that instant that she had rendered him speechless. He had so many thoughts and frustrations running through his head that Jessica couldn't quite narrow his disposition down to one particular genre.
"Jessica," he stuttered, "you must understand that I cannot express any sort of affection towards you in the presence of those who are still loyal. Do you not see how easily my weakness can be used against me? Should I ever be exposed, my feelings for you will place you in danger."
"So what you're telling me is that until the day my father is truly dead, you're content with treating me like a sack of potatoes in the presence of your friends?" Jessica challenged.
"I am content keeping you safe!" Snape growled.
Jessica pulled on the sleeves of her mauve coloured robes and crossed her arms in imitation of Snape's unyielding stance. She put all of her weight on her left foot and stared disapprovingly at him. "I understand perfectly that you need to remain well respected within the realm of Death Eater's, but to maintain a personal friendship with Lucius Malfoy is absurd. May I remind you that he was one of the men who broke into my home, murdered my mother and kidnapped me last year? Still to this day he regrets that he did not succeed in bringing my father back to power."
Snape took a number of careful steps towards Jessica until he was standing with his chest practically pressed against hers. Lured by the sweet floral aroma of her perfume, Snape's hands came up and delicately closed around her arms. "I know what he has done," he said softly, "and Malfoy knows what I have done. I must act as if what happened in Diagon Alley has no effect on me. Lucius Malfoy would sell me out if he knew where I truly stood within the realm of followers. You must realize that the Dark Lord would use you against me if he knew how much I love you. By means of his son, Malfoy knows just how you and I are getting along, and that is why I refuse to express any sort of affection for you where we may be seen."
Snape pulled Jessica into his arms and let her settle her head against his chest. He rocked slowly back and forth with her and leaned his head down to whisper into her ear. "And that is why you treat me like a dog and disregard me when we pass in crowded corridors?" Jessica asked.
"Precisely," he said. "One day, maybe we will not have to take such precautions, but for now I need you to do this for me. It is up to you to protect the both of us," he said.
Jessica closed her eyes and hugged her arms tight around his body. She could just make out the beating of his heart beneath the thick frockcoat. She loved listening to his heart. Such rhythm gave her the sort of comfort she could only find in his tender embrace.
"Would my father not have heard your confession the night Professor Quirrell awoke me?" Jessica asked. "He was, after all, present at that time… in a strange way."
"I have thought plenty about that," Snape assured. "In light of those events, I take it as a precaution to ensure your abstinence. As much as I would like to disregard Malfoy's threat[i], I cannot deny that the truth be told. The Dark Lord will not tolerate disobedience from anyone."
Jessica nodded once in understanding. She knew that it was out of fear and precaution that Snape continued to hold out on her, despite the many opportunities she tried to coax him into lovemaking. "Sometimes I wish you wouldn't be so compliant," Jessica said half seriously. "You'd be doing both of us a favour."
Jessica could feel Snape breathing a heavy sigh. "Hmpf. If you call encouraging the Dark Lord's wrath and getting us both killed a favour, I suppose I would be."
Jessica lifted her head and looked deep into Snape's dark eyes. She stood up on her tiptoes and dotted a tiny kiss on his chin. "I would gladly give my life for you, my love," she said as she delicately pushed some loose tendrils of hair away from his face.
"As I would for you." Snape tilted her chin up with his hand and closed his eyes as he reached his lips down to kiss hers. Firstly he let his lips brush carefully over hers, then teasingly lapped his tongue across her bottom lip before Jessica wrapped her hands around his neck and pulled him into a deep kiss.
Jessica's kisses always had a way of warming his heart, even when he wished for it to remain cold and veiled. His hands found way to her waist and began slowly and tenderly sweeping up and down. He enjoyed the feel of the soft velvet of her dress, but even more importantly, the feel of her alluring curves beneath.
Almost since the very day he set eyes on her, Snape had wanted to take Jessica as a lover and there was a time he almost had. Perturbed by her father's Mark, Jessica realized the seriousness of Lucius' threat and knew that allowing Snape to take her would prove both disastrous and dangerous.
Functioning as both a symbol of ownership and an ability to perceive Jessica's emotions, her Dark Mark had burned black in warning. It was later discovered that Professor Quirrell housed Voldemort in his weakness, and through his close proximity, allowed him to issue such a warning.
With the Philosopher's Stone destroyed and Voldemort absent from all magical society, Snape knew that the Dark Lord's need for his daughter's chastity was no longer as grave as it was, so long as the value of her first coupling was not vainly wasted. Snape, along with each and every one of Voldemort's followers knew all too well what sacrifice was required of a virgin during a Death Eater's meeting. He knew what Voldemort had planned to do with Jessica once he had captured her, and in knowing, still forbid himself the pleasure of her intimacy. For if he did not do what was expected of him as a loyal follower would surly attest to his treachery.
As he embraced the only woman he had ever loved, Snape seriously considered his quandary yet again. To take her purely for love would be a treachery against the Dark Lord, but to abstain was a treachery against his heart. After moments of careful consideration, Snape came to the same conclusion he'd come to each and every time before.
He could very well have her, and in taking her earn the Dark Lord's utmost approval, but at a dear price. It very well may be years before Voldemort returned, but Snape knew he inevitably would, and on that day he would expect Snape to kneel before him with the most valuable ingredient known to exist in his hand.
Imagining what Voldemort could possibly do with the gift of her Virgin's Blood wrought a shiver up Snape's spine. Virgin's Blood itself was not such a terrible or hard-to-come-by ingredient, but Voldemort had done something to Jessica in order to prepare her for giving it to him once she had matured.
Voldemort had waited twenty-five years for Jessica's power and strength in magical powers to mature. He came about Hogwarts to take what was needed of her last year only to be taken out yet again by young Harry Potter. For that, Snape was grateful. Although he would never admit it, it was because of Potter that Jessica was still alive, still a virgin and still in his arms. If Voldemort had succeeded in acquiring the Stone, Quirrell would have taken Jessica, taken her chastity and given Voldemort the power to live forever and rule as the darkest sorcerer with the most powerful mind ever created.
* * *
(In this next part I've highlighted Tom's writing in order to easily distinguish his writing from Ginny's. Hope it helps.)
It was the fifth of October. The Gryffindor Common Room was full and that left the first year girls' dormitory empty and a perfect time for little Ginny Weasley to write to her dearest – but most unusual – friend.
Tom, are you there? is what Ginny quickly etched in the middle of the page in her diary. As she lay on top of her bed with the curtained pulled around the four-poster, she watched impatiently as the old, tattered parchment absorbed the ink from her quill. The page was blank again. Then a moment later the words Ginny was hoping for appeared in her very own ink.
Yes Ginny, I'm here. What do you want?
Ginny hurriedly began scribbling on the page. You'll never guess who sat next to me at lunch today. As the words disappeared, Ginny anxiously began scribbling another sentence before Tom's reply appeared. It was Harry Potter! I really fancy him. I have since I was a little girl. He's really famous, everyone knows who he is.
The shiny ink vanished and in its place appeared Tom's reply.
Harry Potter? Tell me about him, Ginny. Tell me everything you know about him.
Eager to write all she could about the acclaimed young wizard, Ginny wrote quickly telling Tom about everything she'd ever heard about Harry. Every now and then Tom would ask questions and Ginny was more than happy to answer each of them.
This last summer he stayed at the Burrow with us. We all had an incredible time together. It was nice having someone to talk to other than my stupid brothers.
Yes, you've told me about your brothers. Now tell me more about Harry.
Ginny dipped her quill in the black ink again before she began writing more. Harry seems very lonely. He hasn't got any brothers or sisters. Have you got any brothers or sisters, Tom?
A plain and simple 'No' appeared on the page. I've got a daughter. She is a very lovely young witch.
A daughter? How old is she?
She will be 27 this April. Her name is Jessica.
That's a beautiful name. Does she go to Hogwarts?
No, she is too old to go to Hogwarts, but I saw her there last year. I believe she may still be there. Ginny, I want you to find her. I would like to speak to her.
Is she a teacher?
No, she is not a teacher.
Ginny thought for a moment. She couldn't think of any twenty-six year old witches at Hogwarts who weren't teachers. For a little while she perused her mind, picturing all the young faces she had seen in the last few weeks at Hogwarts.
Jessica has eyes of emerald green unlike any you have ever seen before. Although Tom's description was quite accurate, Ginny still could not recall such a witch.
Wait a minute, she wrote as a possibility came to her mind, my brother Ron was talking about a nurse up in the Hospital Wing last night. He really fancies her – said she was the most beautiful witch he'd ever seen. I'll bet that's her!
Then you must take me to her, Tom instructed. Do not tell anyone, just go to her. Now.
[i] In Diagon Alley, Lucius assured Jessica that if she gave her maidenhead to anyone but the man Voldemort chose for her, he would kill both her and the man who took her: Chapter 13 – JtP.