Haunted Memories
-Chapter Fourteen-
The Rich Laughter and Poisonous Thoughts
His laughter was rich to her ears. Drawing breath, Severus watched the dumbfounded young woman. Quirking an eyebrow, he wiped his smile away and instead wore his usual sneer. "Clues, Miss Granger, are not easily found. Especially through my personal belongings. You were lucky enough to have gotten this far. I highly doubt you can do it again. Kindly leave my premises and if I catch word that you've been spreading the rumour that I am back, Miss Granger. I shall have to come find you myself."
Hermione was shocked by his words. Was he threatening her? After all the trouble that she had gone through... Watching him closely, she observed the changes to his appearance. His face was gaunt and even more pale, if possible. Dark circles lined his eyes and he had the look of a haunted man. The darkness in his eyes proved all too real that he was not kidding. What was she thinking, coming to this man's rooms? Was it possible that he was innocent? Shaking uncontrollably, she started to back away from him. Severus Snape smirked when he saw her shake. Waving his hand, he wordlessly ended the silencing spell on her.
Walking out of his bedroom, he strode towards his private potions lab. Grabbing Hermione roughly around the wrist, he pulled her in the room with him. Turning towards the fireplace, he whispered a single password and the fire flared to life. Taking some floo powder, he threw some into the fireplace and announced clearly, 'Headmistress' Office.'
Immediately the fire changed colors and without another word, he shoved Hermione through the fireplace. She gasped with surprise, trying to grasp onto his robes, but to no avail started to fall forward and she felt herself being transported away. The last thing she saw of the room was the sad look which flicked through the man's face.
Severus Snape sat by the fireplace in his private lab and stared at the walls upon walls of ingredients. Each had a magical property; each had to be kept separate. Some were so dangerous that if they were to be kept together in the same room - even if they are not touching, it would form a poisonous gas which could kill an amount equal to three male hippogriffs. How he wanted to touch them now. To be able to grab them and down a potion which would keep these nightmares from coming to life. The shadows were aiming to devour him.
He held his head tightly and felt like screaming. How he had wished he didn't have to remember what had happened five years back. How he wish he could have stayed in the muggle world and live his life as John Doe. If only...if only...
Snape grimaced as he felt a headache coming on. Why did that stupid girl have to pry into my private life? Getting up, he started towards his bedroom, hoping that he could sleep his headache off. If was not good for him to brew a potion in his state and he had no extra stocks of pain relief potions - not since five years ago.
They were gathered in yet another clearing in the forest. The Dark Lord stood in the centre with all eyes on him. As the clouds enveloped the sky, the full moon's illumination disappeared, bathing them in the mists of the dark night. A laughter rang out as the muggles shivered in fear. Some were screaming with pain, whilst others were suppressing their fury. In-between the group sat a bunch of children. They were openly crying as they watched their parents suffer in the hands of the Death Eaters.
Suddenly the Dark Lord put up his hands, embellishing a shiny silver dagger. For a moment, the moon light slivered through the clouds and rested upon its blade. Those who were staring at the sword intently saw a silver snake engraved on the hilt, and it started to wind its way towards the blade in anticipation. Another dark laugh filled the air as He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named sliced the air first, tasting the feel of the sword, before cutting his left hand. The Death Eaters hissed for their leader. His left hand bleeding profusely, Voldemort's face was as stony as ever. Not a hint of pain, instead he smiled wickedly and drew his right index finger through the blood and gathered it to his mouth. The copper taste filled his lips and he laughed heartily. The Death Eaters bowed down low before their leader. Some hiding their disgust underneath their masks, others looking forward to a blood bath.
Eventually the laughter died down, he had effectively made every last one of the muggles cower before him. Especially the children. Then with a wand, he wiped away the blood and the wound in his hand before addressing his Death Eaters.
'We have gathered here today my loyal friends, to enjoy yourselves.' He motioned towards the muggles. 'The Mudbloods will be our enjoyment.' Laughter erupted throughout the clearing as the Death Eaters advanced towards the muggles. Voldemort smiled wickedly and watched. Three adults died instantly, which thoroughly disappointed him. He realized that Snape had been the one to kill two of them. Voldemort shrugged. The mudbloods that died had been too old for any fun anyways. Eventually the screams started as the Cruciatus curse started flying around. This caused a lot of joy in Voldemort and he fingered the closed wound on his hand. Turning around, he prepared to apparate back to his lair. 'Soon, Harry Potter, I shall have the true taste of your blood in me.'
Severus watched the Dark Lord go. Already most of the Death Eaters have disappeared after their Lord. The others were watching hungrily as the woman screamed in pain. He turned his head. No one had touched the children yet. But Severus knew that eventually Lucious would have a go at them. He couldn't let that happen. They were so innocent. So full of life. Too many times have he heard the young plea and too many times did he have to give them the pain that they so undeserved.
As more Death Eaters dragged the woman apart from the group, he noticed that the group that thinned considerably. He started towards the children, trying to be inconspicuous. The children had glazed looks in their eyes. They were so scared that they had stopped screaming all together. They were so shocked that they didn't seem to notice the mayhem before them. Their parents died before their eyes, their friends and family were tortured. These children had very little to live for. Suddenly, Severus felt a presence behind him and he swung around with his wand held high. Lucious Malfoy sneered at him, pushing the raised wand back down. 'Ah Severus. What a absolutely wonderful choice to start with the children.' He snickered as they didn't even move as he walked up to the youngest girl. He gathered her into his arms and drew a long skinny finger across her delicate skin. 'Aren't they just too cute?'
Snape made to scowl. 'Lucious, they are mine. Have your fun with the others.'
Malfoy laughed. 'Snape, there are too many for you to handle. Let me have my fun. You shall enjoy it more better.'
Severus Snape tried to calm his insides, but his heart had started to beat wildly with fury. He had tried to save them, but he knew that he couldn't possibly do that with Malfoy here. Before he could say anything, Lucious suddenly took out a long bloody knife and ran it's sharp edge against the young girl's throat. Her eyes grew dark and lifeless; her young body splayed against Malfoy limply.Snape stared at the blood which coated him. His hands were red from it all. From all the victims that had died before him. He wanted to scream and grab Malfoy and slice him across the throat. Instead he forced himself to laugh.
The boy sitting beside Malfoy screamed in anger. He launched himself at Snape, hoping to catch him unawares. Severus grabbed the young boy in his arms and wrenched him to the ground. The boy gasped with pain as his arm broke from the impact to the ground.He stared into the eyes of the man before him. The mask covered most of his face but he looked into the dark eyes which seemed to draw him into an endless tunnel. The next thing he knew, he heard the man mumble something and he felt nothing at all. Everything disappeared as his body stopped functioning and all the pain left him. He couldn't close his eyes but he felt himself falling asleep.
Snape turned away from the lifeless body. He had killed another one. Lucious was watching him pensively. 'Did you enjoy that one Severus? Or would you rather have one of the girls?'
Severus scowled again at the man before him. 'No Lucious, I know they are your favourites.'
Malfoy laughed again. 'True that.' He turned towards the group of children. Instantly his wand pointed and Snape endured their screams as their pain overwhelmed him. Many came towards him, with the delusion that he could help him. So Snape sent them to a place where all their pains had disappeared and they need not worry about breathing again. Eventually Lucious tired of the game and started towards the woman's screams. He left the two children before him on the ground totally limp from writhing in pain. 'I'm off to get myself some mudblood woman, Severus. Care to join me?'
Snape shook his head ' I shall finish these two off and go for the night. The Dark Lord has left too early; it's not as enjoyable without him here.' Malfoy inclined his head slightly at the mention of his Lord. 'Very well then Snape. I'll be seeing you next time.'
'As with you, Malfoy.'
The man started to walk slowly towards the remaining woman, with a gleeful look on his distorted face. Turning back around Lucious Malfoy grinned and shot a wild spell on Severus, causing the man to fall into the blood of the dead children. Laughing heartily he turned back towards the screaming woman. The beautiful blonde hair flew wildly around him as he opened his arms wide. Snape spat on the ground in disgust. The bloody mad bastard! He looked at the two children before him. He was too tired for this. No more killing, no more spilling of blood. He advanced towards them and they cowered before him. Severus sneered and gathered them in his arms. Without another word, he apparated to the closest point near Hogwarts.
They didn't know that they were safe and kept on screaming as he pulled them along. 'Children are menaces to society.' Severus thought bitterly. 'But they don't deserve that kind of death.' Already, he noticed Hagrid standing beside the gates of Hogwarts, talking to a young lady. Upon further inspection he realized that it was the Know-it-All, Hermione Granger.
The children's screams had deadened at the view of the castle. Instead they fell silent. But for some reason, Hermione turned her head and stared at the gates. There she found Severus Snape with two children in his arms. He looked deathly pale and his robes were covered with blood. His eyes were haunting and he seemed to be very tense and he looked like he had been beaten. The fury inside of her billowed out of her wand in sparks. The castle would know about this soon enough as the sparks covered the night sky. Severus Snape didn't wait a moment more. With his head held high, he spoke clearly to the young woman and her companion: "The Dark Lord will attack here with all his followers. Soon! Await our arrival." He tiredly left the children on the ground before the gate and started towards the apparating point. With one last look at the young lady rushing towards the children, he smiled to himself before popping back to his place.