A/N: As I sit here, eating ham from a can, a carrot, and drinking tea, I feel this chapter will be much shorter than the others. I'll try to beef it up a little. Sorry if I gross out anybody who fears needles. I'm going to have to give this chapter a PG-13 rating for violence and the use of a naughty word. Hee hee.
Disclaimer: I own nothing… especially not Harry Potter
Happy Reading!
Chapter Six – Combat Boots and Ninja Sticks
Harry, Ron and Hermione were standing at the foot of Tonks' bed. They had seen Tonks being levitated to the infirmary and had followed her there. She was now in a bed, unconscious and battle-worn.
"Does Lupin know?" Harry asked quietly, and Ron shrugged.
"He can't – it only just happened, I think."
"She's only been stupefied," Hermione added in a nervous voice. "She should be fine. I mean, well, besides having a scratch or two, I think –"
The door to the Hospital Wing opened as Snape kicked it, and he strode in at an alarmingly quick pace. He bodily picked up Ron and moved him out of the way so that he could get close to Tonks. He pointed his wand at her, muttered "ennervate!" and Tonks opened her eyes wearily. Tonks looked around, and then sat up in alarm. Snape seemed to have forgotten that the trio was in the room.
"Severus, they've taken her!" Tonks said in a rush.
"That much I have figured out," Snape replied in his usual matter-of-fact voice. "I lack details, however, and need them. Now."
Tonks took a deep, shuddery breath and before she could speak, Madam Pomfrey came in. she started fussing about Tonks and Tonks struggled to talk over being medicated and having her cuts healed.
"Well, ouch, Miranda and me had just apparated to Hogsmeade Station when we were circled by – ouch – Death Eaters. Not just a few, but, like a whole mass of – ouch!"
Madam Pomfrey had put a healing serum on a nasty gash Tonks was sporting on her face. Tonks continued her talk.
"And we fought them, of course, and Miranda was doing brilliantly – she duels with both hands, see, and –"
"Yes, I am well aware of that!" Snape snapped. "What happened next?"
Tonks sighed and paused to drink the potion Madam Pomfrey was trying to force into her mouth. She wiped her mouth and belched loudly.
"Well, I'm not so sure what happened, because I got hit and I fell. But last thing I saw, they were closing in on us and they wanted Miranda for some reason. They must have taken her someplace, I really don't know where."
Snape was quiet for a moment as he thought. Then, he turned and headed for the door, shoving Harry out of the way in the process.
"Thank you, Nymphadora," Snape said hurriedly. "I must leave."
"Be careful," Tonks said to Snape's retreating back.
Snape had, however, already left. Tonks stared at the door with her mouth slightly agape for a moment or two before turning to the shocked-looking Harry, Ron and Hermione, who were still standing at the foot of her bed.
"Wotcher," Tonks said.
o-o-o
Miranda slowly opened her eyes and let out an audible moan. When her vision became focused and she was able to lift her head, she noticed a dull throbbing pain in her left arm. She looked down and saw, to her horror, that she had three long needles stuck into the crook of her arm. She frantically raised her hand to vanish it, but felt no surge of power from her fingertips. She tried to conjure a glass of water, but that didn't happen, either. And then Miranda realized that she must be in the anti-magic chamber, somewhere deep in the heart of the Death Eater headquarters. She looked around quickly, her heart racing. A table and two chairs stood in the center of the windowless room. In the opposite corner of where Miranda sat against the wall was a small, open, would-be bathroom with a toilet, sink, and shower. Next to the table, up on the wall in a glass case, was a ninja stick, more properly known as a 'fighting bo'. The walls were a faded grey color and the ceiling was the same. Miranda wondered if this was where Voldemort intended on keeping her, and where he was.
"I really don't want to live here," Miranda thought desperately.
Miranda forced her eyes back upon her arm and noticed that the needles were ever-so-slowly injecting some sort of substance into her blood. She, with trembling fingers, reached down with her right hand and gripped the first needle. She closed her eyes, held her breath, and pulled. The needle came fourth from her skin and she managed not to gasp in pain as she dropped the needle onto the floor. The pain was unbearable, but she knew she had to take the needles out before she was caught. As quickly as she could, Miranda grasped the second needle and jerked it out of her flesh, this time letting a gasp escape from her lips. The hole from which the needle came slowly turned red and began to trickle blood. Without further protest, Miranda looked down at her arm and, with shaking hands, closed her fingers around the third and final needle. She pulled and the needle came free. She released the rest of the liquid onto the floor, eyes streaming, and pinched the hole in her arm, which continued to bleed profusely.
Miranda ripped out a segment of her sleeve with her teeth and bound the puncture wound. As she finished trying it off, the door of the room opened and someone stepped inside. The person was tall, thin, and cloaked so that Miranda could not see his eyes. She knew, however, that the person standing before her was Voldemort himself. Miranda struggled to her feet, her combat boots feeling unusually heavy underneath her. Voldemort watched with amusement as she struggled, pulling back his hood to reveal two red, slit-like eyes. Miranda eventually got to her feet and leaned against the wall, panting. Voldemort strode forward.
"How very nice it is to see you, Miranda Kent," Voldemort said in an icy drawl.
"It's 'Kent' to you," Miranda snapped back, gripping her arm and treading on the needles that littered the floor.
Voldemort laughed at the sight of Miranda crunching the needles and Miranda felt her blood run cold. She wondered what had been in those needles and if they would begin to take an effect sooner or later.
"What do you want with me?" Miranda gasped, trying to sound as if she was fine, though she was holding herself up against the wall.
Voldemort laughed yet again.
"My dear Kent, I daresay you know why you are here," Voldemort replied. "You know why I have been tracking you down, ever since I found out who you were. Do you not remember our last chat?"
"Oh, I remember all right," Miranda replied harshly. "You didn't get me then, Tom, and you won't get me now."
Voldemort seemed taken aback and he took a moment to reply, "You dare call me by my filthy father's name, you wretch. How dare you?"
"I dare because I'm not afraid of you," Miranda lied. "I'm going to get out of here alive and pure."
Miranda knew that she was not, in fact, pure, but he did not. Voldemort arched a brow. He took a step forward and Miranda shrank back against the wall. He laughed his cold laugh and Miranda scowled.
"Come, Kent, sit down to dinner with me before you transfer to me half the share of the Progenitor Veneficium. And then, sometime later, I will have it all. I will be unstoppable."
Voldemort paused in his speech to grin evilly and gesture to the table, which was set for two. "Now, enough of that. We will have nine months to discuss it. Come and sit with me."
"And if I refuse?" Miranda asked.
"Well, then I will have to hurt you," Voldemort said simply.
This time Miranda laughed. She pushed herself away form the wall and took wobbly steps.
"We can't do magic in here," Miranda said, gesturing around. "You cannot use any unforgivables on me, and I know you won't kill me. Not yet."
Voldemort replied, "Other ways exist of getting you to do as I wish. Now come, I do not wish to argue, and life would be so much easier if you just did as I say. The sooner we get this over with, the sooner you can die."
Miranda suddenly felt a strong rush of adrenaline. She walked over to the glass case containing the ninja stick, and smashed it open with her foot. Voldemort made to get her, but she pulled out the ninja stick and brandished it like a sword. Voldemort stopped in his tracks and smiled. His smile was unnerving and it made the hairs on the back of Miranda's neck prickle.
"Do you wish to challenge Lord Voldemort?" Voldemort hissed. "I can fight without magic more completely than any muggle."
"I know," Miranda said. "But I'm not going down with a fight – I'm not here to make your life easier."
With that, Miranda sprung forward.
o-o-o
Severus kicked open the door of the Death Eater's underground lair. Sitting in a chair with the Daily Prophet and sipping a glass of blood-red wine was Rodolphus Lestrange. He jumped slightly as he heard the door slam open, but otherwise looked perfectly fine.
"Ah, Severus, how's life treating you?" Roddy said calmly. "Come here, you really must try this wine. Bella stole it from the grapery in Diagon Alley – it's nearly a thousand years old."
Severus, who was very good at acting, put on a face of calm and strode over to where Roddy was sitting.
"Sorry Roddy, I have an urgent message for the Dark Lord," Severus said, bowing his head when he mentioned Voldemort.
Roddy laughed coldly, though his blue eyes were full of mirth.
"He is currently in the anti-magic chamber with the woman," Roddy said, and Severus paled. "I would imagine that he's, er, busy at the current time."
"Who's guarding the anti-magic chamber and where is it?" Severus asked calmly, helping himself to the bottle of wine that Roddy had mentioned.
"Wormtail, of course," Roddy replied with an impatient wave. "I personally think that having a guard is unnecessary, given the fact that whoever wished to disrupt our Master would have to come right in the front door and face me first."
"Well I can't fancy them getting by you," Severus said somewhat mockingly.
"The chamber itself is down in the basement," Roddy continued. "It's the only door, and Wormtail's sure to be there. You can leave your message with him."
Roddy laughed and sipped his wine. Severus placed his glass of wine down on the table without drinking any, and headed for the anti-magic chamber.
"I think I'll do that, thank you," Severus said as he walked away.
"Hey, after you relay the message to Wormtail, come back up and finish your wine. You could use some – you look peaky," Roddy called after Severus.
"No, I don't think so, Rodolphus," Severus murmured in an undertone; after today, he had a feeling he wouldn't be so welcome amongst the Death Eaters.
o-o-o
Miranda and Voldemort were locked in combat. Somehow Miranda was managing to stay steady and fight back, and was eternally grateful to Severus for teaching her how to fight. The fight was, however, not in Miranda's favor, though she did have the ninja stick and the combat boots on her side. In fact, Miranda was not sure she would have a chance without either of them. Miranda gave a kick at Voldemort's knees and the impact of the metal-lined, steel-toed boots had a great impact. Voldemort fell onto the ground with a gasp and Miranda took the time to aim a blow at his head with her ninja stick.
Voldemort reached up right before the blow came in contact with him and grabbed the stick. Miranda tried to wrench it out of his grip, but he was stronger than she. He ripped it out of her hands and got to his feet in a millisecond. He jabbed the pole right into her stomach and she gave a terrified gasp before tumbling over onto the ground. Voldemort whacked Miranda sharply in the face with the pole before giving her an additional kick in the side. Miranda felt a rib crack; she let out a pathetic groan of agony, holding her ribs. Her left arm was still throbbing, though somehow she managed to remain conscious.
Voldemort stood above her, laughing.
"You see, Kent? You cannot beat me. I am the most powerful wizard alive," Voldemort hissed.
"No – you're not," Miranda said between gritted teeth.
Voldemort faltered for a moment.
"If I am not, than who is?" Voldemort said impassively.
"I am!" Miranda yelled, and kicked Voldemort in the stomach with all of her might.
Voldemort fell backwards, not breathing, and sporting a cut lip. He gasped and regained his breath, and as he did so, Miranda stole to her feet and snatched up the ninja stick. She hit him in the face with it and knocked out a few of his teeth.
"You little -!" Voldemort shouted through blood and teeth, and leapt to his feet.
o-o-o
Peter Pettigrew was standing outside the door to the anti-magic chamber, nervously wringing his hands. He could not hear nor see what was going on inside the room, and, quite frankly, he did not want to. Suddenly, Severus came flying down the flight of stairs and stopped at the bottom. He headed straight for Peter.
"H-hello Severus," Peter stammered. "Fancy seeing you here.
"Is this the anti-magic chamber?" Severus asked without returning the greeting.
"Yes, it is, but the Dark Lord told me not to –" Peter started, but Severus cut across his words.
"I don't care, Wormtail, you will let me in this instant," Severus said dangerously.
"But I can't," Peter said, desperately frightened of the way Severus was looking at him.
Severus drew his wand and pointed it between Peter's eyes.
"Give me the keys, Pettigrew, or I will kill you," Severus said in a severely quiet, low voice.
Peter whimpered for a moment before handing over the key to the anti-magic chamber. Severus made sure the key fit into the lock with one hand while holding the wand to Peter with the other. When he was sure that the key was the right one, he turned back to Peter.
"My thanks, Wormtail," Severus said serenely before giving his wand a jerk. "Silencio! Petrificus Totalus!"
Peter's mumbling ceased at once and he fell, stiff as a board, against the wall with a thud. Severus turned the key in the lock and hastily pushed open the door.
o-o-o
Miranda had been knocked to the ground again, and was sporting a bloody nose amongst other, more grievous wounds, some of which being a twisted ankle, a black eye, and several more broken ribs. The door to the chamber flew open right as Voldemort's hands had closed around Miranda's neck and picked her up off the ground. Voldemort let Miranda fall to the floor and spun around to see Severus in the doorway, breathing heavily.
"Ah, Severus, I was not expecting you," Voldemort said. "I was just about to take care of Miss Kent here –" he kicked Miranda in the stomach and she did react more than give a feeble whimper, "– and I see you would like to help. Well, I am not going to deprive you of the chance to have a little fun, so come and hold her down for me."
Miranda, whose breathing was painful because of her ribs, looked up at Severus and saw the anger etched into his face. She was safe, at long last. Surely he would save her now, right?
"Of course, Master, it would be an honor." Severus said with a bow, and stepped forward.
Miranda gasped as Severus strode forward and grabbed her by the shoulders, holding her firmly down on the ground. She let a tear fall from her eye and wondered what was to become of her. She didn't want to believe that Severus, after all that they had been through, was going to let this happen to her. She couldn't believe it. In fact, she had good reason not to believe it, for a split second later Severus had reached up from Miranda, taken hold of Voldemort's head, and twisted it to the side. There was a sickening crack and Voldemort fell limp. Miranda gasped in horror. Severus heaved Voldemort off of Miranda and to the side, and gave him a kick in the ribs.
"Bloody bastard," Severus muttered spitefully, and then hurried over to Miranda.
He dropped down on his knees beside her and lifted her head.
"Can you hear me, Miranda?" Severus asked gently, though his heart was racing.
"I can hear you, Severus," Miranda replied weakly, opening her eyes.
"Can you stand?" Severus asked.
"No," Miranda replied weakly, a tear rolling down her cheek and into her tangled, dirty- blonde hair.
"Okay, I've got you," Severus said, and then carefully picked her up off the ground.
Miranda moaned in agony as Severus carried her out the door as carefully as he could, trying not to harm her more than she was already hurt. Severus closed the door to the anti-magic chamber, pulled out the key, and pocketed it with difficulty. He walked past Peter, who was watching in shock, up the stairs, and to the front door.
When Roddy saw Severus reach the front door, carrying a limp and wounded Miranda, he sprung to his feet.
"Severus, what are you doing?" Roddy asked in disbelief.
"I am on the Dark Lord's orders, Rodolphus," Severus replied in a business-like voice. "I am to take her to Spinner's End."
"Oh," Roddy replied, and then sunk back into his chair with uncertainty. "Well, if they're your orders then…"
Severus was already out the door and leaving the yard to a place where he could apparate. When he reached said place, he held Miranda closer to him and kissed her forehead.
"It will all be over soon," he said to the unconscious woman, and disapparated from the headquarters.
When Severus arrived in front of the Hogwarts grounds, he saw McGonagall pacing in front of the gates, looking worried and pale. It was raining there, and at the sound of someone apparating, she looked up and clapped a hand over her mouth. She opened the gates as quickly as she could and sent a patronus up to the castle. McGonagall hurried up to the castle with Severus, whose face was blank of any expression, and looked down at Miranda.
"Is she alive, Severus?" McGonagall said anxiously.
Severus nodded.
"She should be alright if she gets medical attention this instant," Severus replied curtly. "She has several broken bones, among other numerous injuries."
"When Albus gets the patronus, which I'm sure he already has, he will alert Poppy and she will be ready for you both," McGonagall said.
"Good," Severus said, quickly glancing through the rain down at Miranda, who had whimpered and clutched the front of his robes with one hand. "Good."
Once in the infirmary, Madam Pomfrey took one look at Miranda and dove into action. She gestured to a bed, which was prepared for a medical emergency.
"Here, Severus, put her down there. Good, now stand away for a moment or two," Madam Pomfrey ordered, and Severus stepped back.
Madam Pomfrey set to work at once, occasionally demanding help from Severus, who was more than ready to comply. Harry poked his head into the room, as did Ron and Hermione, and they watched from afar as quietly as they could. As Madam Pomfrey untied the cloth around Miranda's arm, Hermione let out a tiny gasp. Harry couldn't help but note Snape's stony expression.
"Needles," Snape commented.
"Yes, indeed," Madam Pomfrey replied. "And by the looks of it, she pulled them out herself. Nasty things, I can't tell off the bat what the potions were. Perhaps you could take a look at them while I work on mending some bones here?"
"Of course," Snape replied, and leaned so close to Miranda's arm that his hooked nose almost touched it.
Harry jumped as he felt someone rest a hand on his shoulder. He spun around, as did Ron and Hermione, and saw Dumbledore standing there.
"Company," Dumbledore said gravely. "Though I am sure you are all worried on Professor Kent's behalf, I still must close the infirmary for the time being. Off you trot!"
The trio nodded in unison and walked off, muttering in low voices. Albus watched as they turned the corner and then walked into the Hospital Wing himself.
"How is she?" Albus asked.
Severus looked up.
"Her blood was slowly being introduced to three different potions," Severus said.
He pointed to the first tiny hole in her arm, though it was not visible from a distance. Albus stepped forward and saw what he was referring to.
"This first one had a fast-acting potion that is used to insure pregnancy upon conception. The second one –" he pointed to the second tiny hole, which was red around the edges, "– is a protector from any STD that could be transmitted."
Albus nodded grimly. As Madam Pomfrey gently touched Miranda's ribcage, Miranda let out a gasp of pain that made everyone jump. Albus quickly turned his eyes back to Severus, who was wearing a strange expression.
"And the third, Severus?"
Severus pointed to the third hole, which was still trickling trace amounts of blood.
"The third," Severus began, "looks to me like a kind of potion that would sap one of their energy – no doubt so that Miranda couldn't fight back. Though she did quite well, from the looks of things when I came in. The Dark Lord almost looked as bad as she did."
"I don't suppose Voldemort was expecting an adrenaline rush," Albus said with what could have been a smile, only graver.
"Apparently not," Severus said, wincing at the name. "Nor do I think that he was expecting me to backstab him when he was in need. I almost feel sorry for Rodolphus and Pettigrew; the Dark Lord will undoubtedly take his anger out on them later. Here is the key to the room in which the Dark Lord is locked. The anti-magical chamber."
Severus handed Albus the key and Albus looked Severus in the eye, sighing.
"You will not go back, of course," Albus said. "Your Death Eater days are over."
This thought had obviously not occurred to Severus, for when he was told, he nearly passed out. He caught himself just in time and sunk into a nearby chair. He rested his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands, staring at the floor. When he looked up and spoke, his voice shook slightly, as though he had a hard time believing it himself. Madam Pomfrey began work on the needle holed in Miranda's arm.
"You're right," Severus said quietly, slowly. "I can't go back – I have to go into hiding."
Albus nodded and opened his mouth to speak, but as he did so, Madam Pomfrey stood up straight and spoke first.
"She should make a full recovery, though I do not know when she will awaken. I have mended her bones, healed cuts and mended abrasions. The potions have been given antidotes and I'm just going to do a little blood work."
Severus let out a breath and Albus clapped his hands together.
"Excellent, Poppy; many thanks indeed. You may close up the infirmary, but please allow Severus here to remain as long as he wishes. Good night to both of you!"
Madam Pomfrey, with one last nod to Severus and one last click of her tongue, did a final inspection of the infirmary before turning in for the night. Severus had no intention of leaving, however, not with the possibility that Miranda could wake up and be confused or scared. Severus stared down at the sleeping Miranda, whose blackened eye was slowly turning back to her normal skin tone, for a long while and did not remember falling asleep.
When he woke up, however, his head was in his arms and he was leaning on the bed that Miranda was occupying. It was still dark, but Severus had undoubtedly awoken because Miranda was stirring in her sleep. He lifted his head from his arms and stood, watching as Miranda took a deep breath. Somehow his hand found hers and he grasped it gently, not wanting to awaken her. Miranda, however, slowly opened her eyes and when she saw him, smiled softly.
"Severus," She said weakly, still smiling.
"Miranda," Severus breathed. "I – how are you feeling?"
Miranda sat up slowly and looked around the room.
"I feel alright," she said. "A little sore, but I'm alright. Did you kill him when you…"
Miranda mimed her head twisting violently to one side.
"No," Severus replied. "I cannot kill him – only Potter can. He will recover as soon as someone can mend him."
Severus sat down gingerly on the edge of the bed, not wanting to disturb anything. She took her hand and kissed his fingertips gently, then let his hand go. She sighed and slouched down, looking distinctly disgruntled.
"I shouldn't have fought back, Severus," Miranda said, peering off into space. "I should have just let him have his way with me and I never would have gotten hurt so badly."
Severus gave an incredulous scoff.
"Are you the Miranda Kent that I now or are you not?" Severus said indignantly. "Is this the Miranda Kent who, when I asked her how she was supposed to run, she said that she wouldn't run – that she'd stand and fight? Are you or are you not that same woman?"
Miranda sighed, shook her head, and turned to Severus with a sad expression.
"It wouldn't have made a difference if I'd let him," Miranda said.
Severus stood up, flustered.
"You jest," Severus said sharply. "You would have had serious trauma from the experience, not to mention you would have to bear the Dark Lord's infant!"
"No, I wouldn't," Miranda said in a monotone voice, shaking her head slowly. "It wouldn't have worked."
"And why not?" Severus asked, slightly confused.
"Because, Severus," Miranda said slowly, the smallest of smiles on her face, "I'm already pregnant."
Severus felt suddenly as if he'd been hit over the head with a frying pan. He blinked.
"What?"
"You heard me," Miranda said, pulling Severus back down before he could faint. "You're going to be a father, Severus."
Severus swallowed and opened his mouth to speak.
"I'm –" he began slowly.
"Yes."
Severus stared at her, mouth open and unable to speak. She stared back in the darkness, a meek smile on her face. The next thing he new, he was hugging her tightly in his arms, an insecure, yet blissful smile slowly spreading on his face.
"That's…"
Severus could not find the words, but Miranda understood.
A/N: So it was not as short as I imagined. It just started rolling on its own. Hope you managed to get all of that, seeing as it was pretty switchy throughout the chapter. After writing my needle scene, I remembered watching Resident Evil and some other movie I forgot aboutand I thought "Hey, this scene kind of is a lot like it. Kind of." I'm not ripping anybody off here!
Lesson of the day: Kiddie meals are still filling, even years after you've passed the age limit on them.