Potions: What would a Girl Do without It?
By Slave4Severus
Disclaimer: I still do not own any of J.K.R. characters. Even though I wish I did.
"Why is it so bloody dark in here?" Alanna said sounding a bit flummoxed. The doors of the ballroom closed with a soft thud behind her, the sound echoing through the marble floored receiving hall. She stood rooted to the spot, her eyes struggling to become accustomed to the dark. Finally, feeling comfortable enough to move forward she took in her darkened surroundings with trepidation. She had never felt ill at ease in her own home, but something was just not right. Something more than unlit fireplaces and darkened rooms. She tread softly down the hallway towards the foyer and the front of the house, feeling an unknown need to keep as quiet as possible. Her heart was beating wildly in her chest as she crept into the foyer, darkness swallowing every nook and cranny. Pressing herself against the left grand staircase she peaked through the banister to find the foyer also deserted.
"Zippy?" she whispered softly, but the house elf did not make an appearance. Alanna furrowed her brow in confusion. The Flint house elves are required to answer her summons, so why did Zippy not appear? What could have possibly stopped her from answering? Or who for that matter? The answer came to her with a flash: her father. Anger licked up from the pit of her stomach, replacing the fear she had just experienced. Was this another one of his infamous tests? Did she also have an impromptu Defense against the Dark Arts practical exam to endure on top of the arduous flying lesson from this afternoon? In a swift motion Alanna retrieved her wand from the hidden pocket embedded in the lining of her robes.
'Well, not with me,' she thought viciously as she rounded the corner of the staircase and began ascending them as quickly as she could. She was livid with her father trying to scare her this way. Throwing all caution to the wind she turned at the top of the stairs to towards her private laboratory instead of going to her parents' private chambers.
'They can wait!' she ranted silently, while only a small orb of light cast from the tip of her thin, mahogany wand illuminated her passage to the lab.
'If I do not brew that muscle relaxant potion soon I am going to be stiff for three days,' she contemplated, as her hand connected with the familiar door knob. She swiftly entered and charmed the wall sconces alight. A soft glow permeated the room, illuminating the sparsely furnished lab. Alanna exhaustedly made her way to her storage case in the left hand corner and quickly gathered all the ingredients she needed for her potion, placing them on the long wooden table next to her cauldron. Her eyes fell upon a small package, hidden only just by a pillow on her red velvet couch. She wrinkled her forehead in puzzlement and hesitantly walked towards her 'thinking' couch. She carefully moved the pillow and stared at the brown package before her.
'Should I touch it?' She had read about portkeys and what handling one could lead to. At this point she did not trust her father to 'play nice,' and with that in mind she carefully eyed the parcel. It looked benign enough, but looks could be deceiving. Alanna retrieved her wand from the table where she placed it a few minutes past, and cast a couple of complex revealing charms on it.
Nothing.
Satisfied that it would not send her to Timbuktu she sat beside it on the couch and carefully placed both hands on its sides.
A crimson glow began to engulf it, creeping up her hands and arms within a few seconds, activating a revealing charm.
"Bloody Hell!" Alanna exclaimed and promptly dropped the small package in front of her feet, as if burnt. Her eyes scanned the perimeter of her lab hastily expecting someone or something to swoop down on her. She stood there a few minutes, wand at the ready, straining her ears and controlling her breathing, waiting for the imminent attack, but nothing happened. Her gaze ventured downward toward the wayward package that now lay discarded at her feet. She quickly noticed the letter that lay mere inches from her toes with her name upon it. Alanna quickly knelt down beside it and carefully picked up the roll of parchment with her wandless hand.
"This is strange." She said softly and broke the green wax seal beneath her name. As the familiar scrawl of her father welcomed her, she slowly got up and sat on the couch; reading.
My Darling Alanna,
If I know you correctly you will have gone to your laboratory, your second home, instead of obeying your mother and come straight to our chambers after your piano lesson. In case of that occurrence I have formulated this letter.
My sweet child, I wish there would be more time for me to tell you how much your mother and I love you, and how proud we are to be your parents. We have trained and educated you well, Alanna, always trust in your abilities and be comfortable in knowing where your strengths lie. You are a true asset to the Flint lineage and its noble bloodlines, but I need you to be brave for me, my darling. It is with heavy heart that we have to tell you of a plot against our family. I wish I had the time to explain it all to you, except that time is limited. As I am writing this, evil is congregating only a few feet past the manor gates. I need you to trust me now Alanna. It is imperative that you leave these grounds and this house tonight. All of our lives are in grave danger, threatened by many who want revenge for my sins. I have been asking the Gods for forgiveness in hopes that you and your mother will be spared, but you will have to take your destiny into your own hands none the less. You have probably been wondering why you had to endure the rigorous lesson this afternoon, but know that you have been sufficiently prepared in case you should be pursued to your destination.
The following items have been placed into the package that I have left for you. There is a heavy black cloak that should shield you from most of the harsh weather on your journey. Also, I have left you a broomstick that has been charmed to stay on course to your destination, no matter how many evasive maneuvers you have to take. You will be flying north into the highlands, to Hogwarts Castle to be exact. There, you will deliver the second letter that has been addressed to Albus Dumbledore, also enclosed in the parcel. He will protect and take care of you in our absence, until we come to retrieve you. Finally, I packed the following potions for your trip: Pepper-up potion (to be taken now for your no doubted exhausted state), Fortifying Draught (to be taken en route in case you need it), and a vial of Draught of Living Death (take this only when you have been captured, I do not need to tell you what its properties are, It should help you sleep through the worst of it).
In parting, I need to remind you to not come searching for us. We WILL reunite soon, my darling, and your mother and I need to know 100 percent that you will do as you are told and fly to Hogwarts. Nothing, and I will repeat this for you Alanna, nothing is to stop you from going. Even if your mother and I have been captured, you need to fly north, and I need your total cooperation on this. The wards of the Castle will let you in, the broom has been charmed accordingly, do not worry yourself about that. Also, you are to leave immediately after reading this parchment, do not go back to your room to retrieve anything. As much as it may tempt you, the sooner you leave the more likely it will be that your escape will remain undetected. I wish I would have known earlier about the grave situation we find ourselves in this evening, but sadly I will have to hug and kiss you another time, my heart.
Do not forget what we have taught you. You will prevail.
With love and devotion,
Your Father
P.S. The boa has been taken care of.
Alanna lowered the letter with trembling hands. What in the world had she just read? If she would not have been so shocked, she may have been chastised about her boa, but after this bit of news, all logical thought had escaped her. Her grasp on the parchment loosened slightly and it slid from her numb fingers, bursting into a small ball of flames and incinerating her father's message. She numbly stared in macabre fascination as the ashes floated to the ground and settled in a small heap in front of her.
She shook her head slightly trying to get her wits about her. Who would want to harm her family? She knew that her father was a very successful business man, but she always assumed he was a well loved man amongst his peers. All the dinner parties and balls her parents hosted in the past were filled with smiling and friendly people. At least the ones she could make out from her bedroom balcony above the rose garden. She was never allowed to attend any such gatherings, not until she was older they used to say. Well she must be old enough now, she supposed. Old enough to be forced to drink a potion so infamous it has even been documented in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet to escape the horrors that may await her.
Her father had a lot of explaining to do when she would meet him at that Castle. Alanna leaned down and seized the package that still lay untouched on the floor before her. With trembling hands she quickly discarded the brown paper wrapping and the lid, only to stare at its contents. Her father's shrunk, black cloak was lying on top and she quickly removed it, placing it on the couch to her left. Next, she retrieved the miniature broom she recognized as her own Nimbus 2000, placing it beside the cloak. Quickly, she took out the Pepper-up potion and uncorked it, downing the vials contents in one swift motion.
The potion ran like lightning through her veins, rejuvenating her aching body and sharpening her exhausted mind. She placed the vial back into the box and turned to the cloak beside her. With a quick wave of her wand she enlarged the heavy mantle and draped it around her shoulders. She shortened it accordingly so it would not drag behind her or hinder her from walking, or running if it should call for it.
"I can not believe I am doing this." Her voice did not sound like her own, more like a stagnant twin of her lyrical soprano. Without much searching she found a small hidden pocket on the inside of the cloak in which she placed the miniature Nimbus for safe keeping. Turning to the box she removed the vial with the golden liquid containing the Strength Fortifying Potion and the second letter, much thicker than her own, also placing them with her broom. Lastly, her fingers closed upon the vial with the indigo blue potion. Alanna held her breath as she stared transfixed at the beautiful liquid in her hand. How could something so exquisite be so dark and dangerous?
Snapping out of her reverie Alanna hid the potion in her robes, closer to her body than the other one.
"Just in case." She muttered in a hushed voice.
She righted herself and distractedly ran her fingers over her robes trying to smooth out the wrinkles. She placed her wand in her right hand and quickly pulled the hood of the cloak over her head, shrouding her face in shadows. With a quick swish of her wand she extinguished the sconces leaving everything in absolute darkness. While trying to accustom herself to the darkness she summoned every ounce of courage she possessed to follow her fathers orders.
'Whatever happens I will prevail!' She convinced herself. Silently she made her way to the door, and opened it slowly. With a quick glance she assured herself of its desertion and stealthily began her journey.
Gods, how she wished she would have had the time to pee first.
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Lucius gracefully stepped into the clearing which he had designated as a meeting place for his fellow Death Eaters. He had already donned his cloak and mask before walking amongst them, joining their circle. Everyone present knew that Lucius had been the instigator of tonight's activities, and thus was their unspoken "leader" executing the Dark Lord's commands. All whispering or low conversing had ceased the instant he strode through their ranks, all waiting in anticipation for him to speak.
"My brothers, we have gathered here today to witness and implement the wishes of our Lord and Master." He paused dramatically before continuing.
"It is with heavy heart that we have to expose one of our own tonight, as a traitor to our Master and our cause." A soft murmur rippled through the ranks, some Death Eaters stepping from one foot to another anxiously. A slow smile spread across Lucius' face as he regarded the other men's discomfort; oh how he loved the power he had over them. He surreptitiously walked around the circle studying each masked man, finally stopping in front of a smaller, fleshier figure. Lucius leisurely brought forth his wand from the folds of his black cloak, twirling it prettily before the other's face.
"Faustus." He purred softly, but loud enough for the others to hear him. The other Death Eaters probably relieved that he was not singling them out, stepped back two steps in unison and closed the circle behind Faustus.
"Is there something you would like to tell me?" He began circling the shorter man, like any predator would its prey.
"N..No, Lucius." Faustus spluttered in fear.
"Nothing at all, old friend? There is not something you have forgotten to tell me?" Lucius drawled out smoothly.
"No, Lucius. I have told you everything I know about him." The dolt was becoming more nervous, but at least his speech was a bit more acceptable Lucius thought to himself. He abruptly stopped before the trembling man and placed his wand on Faustus' forehead, pressing firmly against the pallid skin.
"Then why IS it, that I was most surprised to find somebody else in your brother's house. Someone, who thankfully, has not inherited the prominent 'good-looks' of the Flint ancestry," Lucius hissed viciously.
"I…err…I swear, I did not…" Faustus stammered, his entire body shaking like a leaf.
"SILENCE! You pathetic waste of breath! I know exactly what you were thinking. You thought you could keep that little morsel all to yourself, did you not? You thought we were going to do your dirty work, while you reap all the spoils for the evening. The titles and lands of your brother, AND his lovely…" he pressed the wand farther into Faustus' forehead, "…young…" Lucius grabbed him by the scruff, "…daughter!"
A collective gasp was heard from the men around them, while Lucius threw the offending lump from himself with remarkable strength. He removed his mask and regarded the cowering figure with an icy sneer. Almost lovingly he pointed his wand once more before muttering: "Crucio!"
Faustus writhed on the forest ground in agony, clawing at his face and chest before a high-pitched scream erupted from his lungs, disturbing the silent forest. Lucius lift the curse moments later, with a satisfied curl to his lips.
"Let this be a lesson to you, Flint. Hopefully in your next life you will heed to cross a Malfoy." The killing curse hit Faustus swiftly and accurately, his limp body falling awkwardly to the ground.
"Mr. Flint." Lucius turned on his heel and singled out yet another Death Eater from the circle. As before the remaining Death Eaters stepped back and closed the circle behind them.
"Perhaps you would care to explain the sudden appearance of your cousin?" Lucius raised both brows slightly at the younger man.
"I have a cousin?" Marcus responded in confusion.
Lucius was becoming agitated, which did not do well with his fair complexion. He would become all splotchy, and…he digressed. With a quick hand movement he relieved Marcus of his mask and moved his face closely to the youths.
"If you value your ugly hide, you will tell me what I want to know." He hissed threateningly.
Marcus bristled. Lucius wondered if he had bad breath. With a sigh of extreme annoyance he cast Legilimens on the disgusting troll and was welcomed with a plethora of sordid images. Only Lucius' good breeding kept him from retching as he recognized every misshapen witch from Knockturn Alley. Based on this alone he wanted to Avada the freak, but he delved further into the recesses of Marcus' one track mind, and found...Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Oh yes, there were summers spent with his Uncle and Aunt, but there was never anything about his cousin.
Lucius was beginning to feel a twinge of doubt about his astute hearing, when he suddenly came upon a roadblock in the young man's memories. He intensified the eye contact and examined the very subtly hidden memory within. But here it was, all wrapped up in his primitive mind, and he was able to see her grow up and interact with her parents. Lucius laughed coldly as he discontinued the spell on Marcus, who promptly stumbled backwards with a look of confusion as his small mind tried to process the barrier Lucius had broken within.
"Farrell, I am impressed by your ingenuity." He said to nobody in particular as he turned from Marcus, addressing the other Death Eaters.
"As I have mentioned earlier, there is another we may amuse ourselves with tonight." Appreciative snickers and hoots were heard from the men around him.
"However, I get the girl first! Is that absolutely understood?" The other Death Eaters did not want to cross the head Malfoy, and grudgingly accepted his demand. They always had Farrell and his wife to amuse them with in the meantime.
"Good. Then my friends. Let us do what we do best." Lucius gestured gallantly with a mocking bow into the direction of the manor, and they departed the clearing. Marcus however was still rooted to where he stood, staring down at the corpse of his father. He then turned and faced Lucius' retreating back.
"My father!" He spat out furiously.
Lucius looked over his shoulder at the boy who had just become a man and smirked sardonically.
"Whoops!"
A flash of lightning burst across the sky splitting the heavens asunder. Marcus looked one last time at his father and grudgingly followed Lucius out of the clearing, mere seconds later powerful jaws snapped shut catching only empty air.
Author's Note: To see a picture of Alanna, please visit MysticSong1978's website (available through her profile) and check out Fan Fiction Artwork!
Also, if you have read this far, you might as well leave a review. I am STARVING for reviews. Hope you'll enjoy!