Tentatively peeks out from computer screen Is everyone mad at me? I'm so sorry! Life took an unexpected turn about two weeks ago and it really messed me up and set all my work back. Thankfully, it got back on track, but it took me another week or so to repair the damage it had done. This is the fist time in a very long while where I actually have time to myself. Anyway, enough about me. The story's here, read it, and enjoy it (hopefully). Shiegurl, thanks for your beta work and encouragement.
Disclaimer: Since I post this on the Internet for free, makes sense that I'm not J.K. Rowling (the person to whom everything belongs).
Cold as Graves
Severus sat in one of Dumbledore's hideously flamboyant chintz chair in the Headmaster's office, studiously staring at the corner of Dumbledore's desk to avoid meeting the older wizard's gaze. He knew that Dumbledore was watching him like a hawk, waiting for a chance to look into his eyes and sift through his memories for the things that Severus had stubbornly refused to tell him. A particularly loud snore from one of the portraits quickly turned into chokes and wheezes and a sea of softly murmured sympathies followed. Severus almost snarled. Brilliant headmasters and mistresses they were, but they weren't accomplished at feigning sleep. Severus was thankful that the portraits were not recognised as proper spies as he would hate for his work to be associated with such incompetence.
A sudden burst of fiery flame told him that Fawkes had returned. Severus stifled the urge to turn around and shake the answers out of the phoenix. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Fawkes nibbling affectionately at Dumbledore's ears. As he watched, Dumbledore nodded his head slightly and Fawkes flew away to land on its golden perch. The headmaster raised an eyebrow in acknowledgement of his Potions master's scrutiny and Severus' eyes hastily resumed their study of the intrigue of desk corners.
Severus' heart thudded nervously. No, not nervously, he reassured himself. Impatiently. He was impatient for Lupin to arrive, which surely accounted for the rapidly fluttering sensation, rather like hundreds of hyped up Cornish pixies, inside his chest. Fawkes had brought his news, but it was clear that Dumbledore would not impart any knowledge until the werewolf arrived.
Another burst of flame exploded in the room. This time, the fire was green and it came from the Headmaster's fireplace. Severus shot up as Remus Lupin's form unfolded itself from the crackling emerald fire.
"Headmaster. Severus," Lupin said in acknowledgement of the two men as he brushed the soot away from his tattered robes.
Dumbledore gestured to a spot in front of his desk and a chintz arm chair (more restrained in colour and design than the one Severus was sitting on) materialised. Lupin strode forward and lowered himself into it. Dumbledore then gave Severus a pointed look. Reluctantly, Severus sank down onto his chair and tried to banish the guilt that threatened to engulf him on the spot.
Lupin sighed. "Nothing, Professor Dumbledore. No trace of her anywhere, nothing. And there's not much I can do with so little information." He glared accusingly in Severus' direction.
Dumbledore nodded. "Fawkes was unable to confirm Mel's location. He can't do anything until we know the manner of her disappearance," he paused and looked expectantly at Severus. The younger man looked straight back at him and stubbornly kept his mouth shut. What happened between Mel and himself was none of the old man's business, and certainly not Lupin's. He wasn't about to tell them about the things he said to her.
Dumbledore's mouth hardened into a straight line, and he sat back against his chair, clasping his long fingers together. Severus could feel his fury gathering around him like a storm. "Something happened between Malfoy Manor and Hogwarts," he stated firmly.
"Yes," Severus muttered. The Headmaster's tone of voice did not allow anything but the truth to come from him.
Dumbledore nodded in satisfaction. "And you have something to do with it."
The evening's incidents came rushing back to Severus, replaying themselves over and over in his mind. The things he did, the things he didn't do and the things that he could have done. Severus' voice as he confirmed the accusation was hoarse; he was rapidly losing his composure.
Dumbledore sighed heavily, as one often did when they did not know how to deal with an obstinate child. The anger had left him and replacing it was the sorrow he felt for the man in front of him. Whatever it was that Severus did, he was condemning himself for it. "Severus," he said steadily, trying to keep the sympathy out of his voice, "I have never blamed you for your past mistake, and I will reserve judgement until I hear the whole story. If you do not wish to say anything, then so be it. But for the sake of the lovely young woman we all know, please tell us."
That the Headmaster had once again, extended to him his compassion and forgiveness even though he knew or suspected what he had done undid Severus. Voice trembling with emotion, he confessed everything. He was barely aware of the werewolf listening attentively beside him, and he didn't particularly care. He told them about his vow to marry her, and the argument that followed. He didn't think that Lupin would appreciate knowing how Severus had used his friendship with Mel against her, but he did not give a damn. Dumbledore had asked him to relay everything, and Severus in his current state could not deny the old man anything. His voiced faded as he finished telling them about the subsequent explosion that caused Mel to vanish.
Dumbledore stood up from his chair and started pacing his office, frowning in thought. Severus watched him for a moment longer before focusing his attention on the man sitting next to him. He knew that Remus Lupin would be furious with him, but he needed the other man's help if he was to find Mel, so he braced himself for a fight. Instead, he saw pity in the other man's eyes. Severus recoiled. Anger he could manage, but he would never allow the werewolf to pity him. Hasn't he suffered enough pity already when Potter pulled him away from the Whomping Willow? He did not need a member of Potter's fan club doing the same thing to him, especially since he always took pleasure in pitying the werewolf. To be pitied by the pitied. Fun.
The Headmaster's pacing came to an abrupt halt. "Severus, Remus," he said tersely, "forget about Mel. There is nothing we can do for her now."
Severus froze in shock even as Lupin shot out of his chintz chair. He started to speak but Dumbledore cut him off. "Forget her, boys. Or I'll Oblivate the two of you."
"Why?" Lupin demanded.
"Because as I have already told you, there is nothing we can do about it, Remus." The professor stretched out his right arm and Fawkes flew to perch on it. He stroked the bird's plumage lovingly.
"What about the Order? Can't we ask them to search for her?"
"The Order has been disbanded. I see no reason to recall them."
"They can help, Professor!"
"NO! They cannot!" Dumbledore's voice was thunderous now; the vast amount of power the man commanded was evident in the fire in his eyes. Fawkes took off with a squawk of fright. "The purpose of the Order was to defy Voldemort (Severus shuddered) and I am not sending everyone out on what I believe will be a wild Crumple-Horned Snorkack chase. The Order believed in a common goal, Remus, which is why we managed to stay together till the end, despite our losses. " Dumbledore's eyes were sorrowful but he narrowed them at Lupin nevertheless, daring his former student to defy him. "Voldemort is not gone. He will be back someday, more powerful than ever. When that day arrives, I want the Order on my side. I need their absolute trust and loyalty to our cause. I cannot afford to send them out on a fool's errand, Remus Lupin." The werewolf remained silent and Dumbledore nodded his grim satisfaction. He then turned to his Potions master. "I am sorry that I'm powerless to help you this time. Let it die, Severus. Let Mel go."
Severus heard a dull thud as his heart dropped into his stomach. Defeated, he stood up and left, closing the door behind him. He walked trance-like towards the dungeons. Mel was gone. He would never have the chance to hear her voice rise in heated debate with him over a simmering cauldron. He would never again see the fierce intelligence shine from her brilliant eyes. He could never hold her warm body against himself and love her the way she deserved to be loved. He reached his quarters and muttered the password. Just as he stepped through the door, a shout came from behind him. Dully, Severus turned around.
"Snivellus, you bastard!" Remus hissed angrily as he reached the other man. "You're going to give up just like that, aren't you?" He then delivered a punch to his jaw, snapping the Potions master from his trance. Severus whipped out his wand. "Using fists now, are we? I'm a wizard, werewolf, and unless you're even more stupid than that dog you used to call a friend, keep your filthy paws to yourself."
Remus bared his teeth at the other man. He whipped out his own wand and started pacing around Severus, looking for an opening to curse him. Remus half wished that the full moon was near, he was always more temperamental and aggressive during those times. It would serve Snape if he was furious enough to lose control right now. "You are a mistake, you know that? I can't believe I encouraged you! But unlike you, Snivellus, I fully intend to take responsibility for my own actions. I'm going to look for Mel, regardless of what Dumbledore says."
Severus stared impassively at the other man for a moment before pocketing his wand reluctantly. "We are going to look for her." He stuck out his hand. "Truce."
Remus glared at him suspiciously before offering his hand in return. "Truce," he said.
Lupin's hand barely grasped his own before Severus flung it away. Sometimes scars ran too deep to heal. There was never friendship between the two men, but Severus had unwillingly put aside some of his own aversion before to work with Lupin on things less important than looking for Mel (the Wolfsbane Potion being a prime example), he could certainly do it again for Mel.
In the coming months, Severus (with the help of Lupin) would search everywhere for traces of Mel. Each time they failed, a little part of his hope died and he would take out his anger and frustration on Lupin. Eventually, his hope would run out, and he would severe any uneasy relations with the werewolf, returning instead to his childhood bitterness towards the other man. Darkness would descend, and Severus would begin the final transformation into the cruel, bitter man that Hogwarts know today.
Hermione landed unceremoniously onto the hard ground and scrambled to get to her feet. She winced as the shaken nerves on her back protested against the quick movement. She glanced around and her blood chilled as she took in her surroundings. In front of her, among the thick fog, were the barely silhouettes of hundreds of weather-beaten tombstones. She scanned the area nervously and took in the solitary yew tree and the crumbling bricks of the church to her left. Further away in the distance to her right was a hill with an imposing old house built on top of it. Hermione vaguely noted that this was the perfect setting for a Muggle horror movie.
She started walking rapidly, her shoes kicking against piles of stones and cement of various sizes. Hermione frowned in thought even as she continued walking; it looked as if there was a duel in this place before because the debris on the ground looked suspiciously like the remnants of smashed tombstones. The gown that she had worn for the majority of the night caught itself on some dried bushes, nearly tripping her. Gathering the excess material in her hand, Hermione cursed her own hindsight; she should have changed into something more practical the moment she returned to Hogwarts. So much for constant vigilance. Moody would have been disappointed.
A maniacal laughter pierced through the thick, cold air, causing Hermione's hair to stand up on end. Hermione sensed trouble. She took out her wand for the umpteenth time that night and continued to make her way cautiously through the graveyard towards the sound. A scream of pain followed the laughter. Hermione grasped her wand tighter. Dark nights, gloomy cemeteries, maniacal laughter and screams, definitely someone's nightmare come true. Hermione was confident that these were the voices she kept hearing over and over again in her head. In that case, it was surely a sign that she had to help whoever it was in distress. She narrowed her eyes, trying to discern the outlines of two figures slowly coming into her view. Hermione advanced as far as she dared and crouched down behind a particularly tall tombstone.
"It's your turn," a woman's voice said. She sounded uninterested, but Hermione could hear the crazed excitement in her voice. She frowned in concentration. She had heard that voice from some place before, but where?
"I'm bored, Bellatrix," a voice that she identified as Malfoy's answered. Hermione hissed as she finally recognised who they were, releasing the breath that she had unknowingly held onto as she attempted to eavesdrop.
The two Death Eaters turned around sharply. "Who's there?" Bellatrix Lestrange said sharply.
Hermione bit her lips and reprimanded herself for her lack of control. By announcing her presence, she had made things infinitely more difficult. Moving slowly, she ventured to look around from her hiding spot. The Death Eaters had not moved, but their heads were turning around rapidly. Hermione was relieved; they haven't found her yet. Constant vigilance be damned! Hermione thought. She couldn't afford for two Death Eaters to be on the look out for her. If she was careful enough, she might be able to hit one of them without the other finding out where she was. Hermione peeped out warily and saw one of the bodies moving away. She aimed her wand at the other shadowy figure. "Stupefy," she muttered and heard a dull thud as a body hit the ground. Who did she manage to hit?
The next second, a curse came flying her way and smashed the tombstone that she was hiding behind. Hermione flung herself away from the exploding debris and rolled to a halt behind another one. She was forced to run again as another curse followed her. Bloody hell! Whoever it was she did not hit had managed to locate her. Hermione dodged and ran until finally, she took refuge behind another tombstone.
The attacks stopped and Hermione gulped down mouthfuls of air.
"Whoever you are, come out and duel me like a man," Malfoy's bored voice said.
"Yeah right," Hermione muttered under her breath. "I would prefer to be alive after all this, thank you very much."So she stayed where she was.
"I assume you are here on a rescue mission?" Malfoy continued. "I suggest you stop hiding and start some rescuing. The witless worm on the ground is close to dying and I'd prefer it if he'd live and suffer some more. Come on out and get this over and done with."
Hermione knew he was right. She could keep dodging all night, but whoever was hurt would probably die. She would have to try and stop Malfoy, and hopefully stay alive in the process. She composed herself, pulling her courage back together like a tattered cloak. Hermione hurled herself away from the tombstone, simultaneously sending a curse in the Death Eater's direction.
Her curse only managed to hit Malfoy's left arm, but the pain was sufficient to distract him. Hermione ran towards Malfoy, guessing that the victim would be lying in that general vincity. "Impedimenta!" she yelled, but her spell was deflected by a hastily conjured shield. Hermione skidded to a halt in front of the man and pointed her wand at him. "Hello, Malfoy," she said calmly.
Lucius Malfoy frowned, struggling to place the hauntingly familiar face of the young woman standing before him. She was dressed in a tattered red dress that went out of fashion years ago, her brilliant sapphire eyes, speckled with flecks of green, were shining with a dangerous fire behind a pair of glasses. Resting against her chest was an elaborate necklace which Lucius was sure that he had seen somewhere before. Lucius was unsure of whom the woman was, and he didn't like the uncertainty.
"Who are you?" he rasped harshly. His bleeding arm was sending tremors throughout his torso, but he kept his wand aimed steadily at her chest. A drop of blood hit the ground.
Hermione was confused. Didn't he know? The man who tried to Imperio her didn't know who she was? What was going on here? The split second that her concentration wavered proved to be a second too long. Malfoy shouted another curse and Hermione had barely enough time to defend herself with Protego. She spotted a dark lump behind Malfoy and dived towards it, knocking the blond man over in the process and tumbling over the ground with him. Hermione stuck her wand into Malfoy's chest and screamed out the Banishing Charm; feeling slightly relieved when his body lifted off her and landed a short distance behind her. She then pointed her wand at the unconscious form, Summoning it to her. The heavy body flew through the air and knocked her back onto the ground. Behind her, she could hear Malfoy getting to his feet. Hermione grabbed frantically for the unconscious person's hand and placed it against the necklace on her neck, grasping both hand and necklace within her own fingers. She heard Malfoy issue another unknown curse and felt it streaking towards her. She pointed her wand at the necklace Severus gave her. "Portus!" she yelled.
Everything happened all at once: her navel jerked forward just Malfoy's curse reached her and grazed her right calf. Pain seared upwards and Hermione cried out in agony. She tightened her hold on the unconscious body even as the familiar wind and colours swirled around her.
A second lengthened into an eternity before Hermione slammed into solid ground. She opened her blurry eyes and registered the faint outlines of the Hogwarts castle. Feeling extremely relieved, Hermione raised her wand to the sky and cast a last spell before slumping into the long grass and was unconscious.
The cemetery was eerily silent after the fight. Lucius Malfoy flicked the dust off his robes and went to revive Bellatrix. The Dark Lord would need to be informed of what happened, and Lucius shuddered to think what his master would dole out as punishment. The woman reminded him of someone he once knew, but he could not, for the life of him, figure out whom. As he helped a groggy Bellatrix to her feet, he supposed that without further information, he would concede defeat for the time being. But no matter how long it took, he would make sure that the mystery woman would one day face the full force of a Malfoy's ire and pay for his humiliation.