A.N.: Again, thank you very much for your reviews. From this chapter on I will change the rating to M since I will begin to touch on issues analogous to discrimination and other topics aimed at a more mature audience. Still, I look forward to receiving your precious comments or questions. Now, go ahead with the chapter!
Chapter 5
The Malfoy Manor
Severus Snape was flying at incredible speed through the stormy dark sky. His arms were tightly clasping the woman's body trying not to let her fall since her soaked clothes made it difficult to hold her against the violent gusts of wind. Laurel's cold, slippery hands were doing their best to grab hold of his neck and Severus sincerely wished he didn't have to lead her to that viper's nest. He knew what would happen to her if he was careless for a moment and she was left in the hands of the Death Eaters. He was tempted to change course and hide her with one of the members of the Order. Dumbledore would know what to do with her. But then he remembered the fateful Halloween night when Voldemort had sacrificed his beloved despite his pleas to spare her life and Albus Dumbledore's pained gaze as he informed him that his plan to hide the Potters with the Fidelius Charm had failed.
"I thought… you were going… to keep her… safe…"
Those words he had spoken in the director's office stabbed him again, that night, Severus was willing to end his own life, he did not feel worthy of seeing the dawn knowing that he had committed an unforgivable act by sacrificing the only person that had ever cared for him.
This time he would not make the same mistake that had ended the life of his beloved Lily. No, he would not leave the life of that stranger at the mercy of his two masters, this time he would personally take care of keeping that young woman safe, whatever the cost of it.
The rural Wiltshire landscape was looming through the dark clouds, and apprehension of what awaited him at the Malfoy Manor washed over Severus' mind. He was surprised to realize that he was getting carried away by his emotions. Of course, in the heat of the moment he had forgotten to plunge his mind into the void of occlumency and Severus chided himself for almost making such a mistake. As he began to descend, he blanked his mind, emptying it of any feelings, sinking the memories of Lily deep into his thoughts. At one point he went from being Severus Snape, the potions master at Hogwarts and Dumbledore's loyal double agent, to being Severus Snape, the Death Eater and loyal servant of Lord Voldemort.
Laurel was soaked to the bone when they finally reached their destination. She brushed away her damp hair that had clung to her face and swallowed, shivering more from fear than cold as she saw the massive wrought-iron gate that divided the wide driveway in front of her. Beside her Severus was unaffected by the thick rain droplets, his clothes were perfectly dry, and his hair did not drip icy water like Laurel's. She looked at him enviously and wished for the first time that she was able to do magic. Severus looked back at her and Laurel was surprised to see the immense darkness that seemed to have taken over his black eyes, before she could ask him what was wrong, he cut the ropes that tied her ankles and grabbing her arm, dragged her to the gate, where he raised his wand and the thick iron bars vanished, transformed into dark smoke giving them way.
The wide driveway was lined with manicured hedges, and an impressive multi-story manor house could be seen at the end of it. Severus didn't slow down, and they passed through the manor doors into the darkness of the hall. Laurel's heart stopped when she saw Fenrir Greyback waiting for them.
- "They are in the drawing room. The Dark Lord has already been informed. " - He said with a hint of resentment in his voice.
Snape nodded and tugging on Laurel's arm, they climbed the steps leading to the upper floor with Greyback following behind. Finally, they stopped in front of a door with brass handles and Snape rapped lightly with his knuckles. Before the door opened, he glanced at the werewolf and whispered dismissively:
- "You know that your entrance is not allowed, Greyback."
The latter, letting out an indignant grunt, turned and left the corridor as they both entered a wide hall richly decorated with sumptuous paintings and tapestries. A huge chandelier dominated the room, illuminating the opulent furnishings and an ancient pipe organ. But all this was not what captured Laurel's attention, the dark figure of a hooded man, seated in a high-backed chair made her instinctively step back. Snape held her in place and she, remembering his instructions, immediately gazed down to the feet of the chair, however, her fear only worsened when she saw a huge snake nesting between the man's pale feet. She had never seen an animal like that in her life, it must have been at least 12 feet long and its dark green scales reflected the light from the chandelier. Laurel closed her eyes and gasped in horror as she felt how Snape shoved her towards the hooded man.
- "Welcome, Severus. I have been told that you are bringing a present for me."
An icy sweat covered her whole body and mixed with the rainwater that was dripping down to the magnificent carpet when she heard the cold voice of the wizard that had a hissing tone like that of a snake. Snape stepped forward and bowed deeply as he said:
- "My Lord, tonight we have found a specimen that I believe will be very useful and could give us an advantage against the blood traitors."
- "Yes… An Akardos, isn't it? I must confess that I considered them totally extinct." - Voldemort spoke with a tone of fascination in his voice that quickly changed to one of utter revulsion as he turned his red eyes towards Snape. - "However, I do hope you are not implying that my powers need the support of such a despicable being, Severus."
- "I would never dare, My Lord. It is clear to every sentient being that the immense power of the Dark Lord is limitless." - He replied with a sickly-sweet voice - "I thought we could use the resistance towards magic that Akardos possesses. I have been studying about mutations in magical blood and I think I could use her blood to create a potion that grants immunity to any magical attack ... "
Voldemort's cold laugh silenced Snape's speech. To Laurel's horror, his laughter was joined by that of the Carrow siblings, who were standing in the shadows.
-"You've been studying? Ah yes, the brilliant, intellectual Professor Severus Snape. Always with his nose in the books. I see the academic life has been embedded into you, my friend. I can also see that you are trying to keep the Akardos alive. For what reason, I am not sure... "
- "My Lord, I have nothing to hide, as you know I have been loyal to you and will continue to be, and if I can put my skills to use to strengthen our war against the filthy-blood scum it would be a great honour for me."
Laurel could not understand how Severus was able to keep his face calm and his deep voice articulated in front of that sinister man. She would have already collapsed and begged for mercy, but the confidence Severus exuded gave her the strength not to cry right then and there.
- "Very well. Bring it closer."
One, two, three… Laurel counted every step she took as she was brought in front of Lord Voldemort, shaking from head to toe, trying to calm the pounding of her heart that was already jumping out of her mouth. Severus put a hand on her shoulder, forcing her to kneel down, breathing hard she bowed her head before the Dark Lord but then an ivory-coloured wand lifted her chin and made her face directly into Voldemort´s reptilian face. She barely registered that the chilling scarlet eyes had snake-like slits for pupils and that no nose was present but rather two slits occupied its place, his looks were so vicious that Laurel rapidly stared down at the small puddle that was beginning to form with the water that was dripping from her hair and clothes.
- "My, my, how lucky you were, to find such an extremely rare and, I must say, quite attractive being. Maybe that's why you are so determined to use it as your guinea pig."
- "My interest is purely scientific, My Lord." - Said Snape drawing a grimace of disgust on his sallow face. - "A wizard proud of his blood like me, would never tolerate any other type of contact with a Soulless One. My goal is simply to take advantage of its traits."
Despite the fact that Laurel knew that Severus' words were only a facade to hide his true intentions, she felt a sting in her throat when she heard him speak. The corners of her lips began to tremble, warning of the imminent crying that was coming, and she tried to control herself. She felt lonely, pathetic, weak in the face of the danger of an impending death and even though she knew that Severus was on her side, she could not help but feel a certain aversion towards him. He was a wizard after all, and how could she, a "soulless one", trust a wizard's word? She remembered Tobias, lying in bed and felt a renewed affection for him. Now she could understand the difficulties that he would have gone through when coming into contact with the magical world. The constant fear of an unknown world, of forces that were impossible for him to have control over, the inability of actually bond with people that were so different from him, a dull muggle…
-"Tell me your name, creature."
The sudden command of Voldemort brought her out of her self-absorption. She turned her nervous gaze to Snape who in turn intercede for her.
-"Its name is Rebecca Edwards, My Lord."
-"Is that so? I see you got it well trained, Severus. But now I want to hear it from its own lips."
Severus kept his cool and nodded slightly to Laurel, hinting that she must obey the Dark Lord's order.
- "My name is Rebecca Edwards, Sir." - Laurel repeated with barely a thread of voice. She hoped her trembling hands didn't give her away, but she sought inspiration from the cold blood with which Severus was capable of lying.
- "Rebecca, do you have any idea why you are here?"
- "I don't know, Sir."
- "You don't know… Very well, I'm going to try to explain it to you and I hope that little head of yours is able to understand. You are here because you carry a curse, the blood that runs through your veins, the same that ran through the veins of your ancestors hundreds of years ago, is of a nature so infinitely inferior to that of wizards or Muggles, that it is simply rotten, so corrupted that it is unable to even feel the effects of the pure and noble power of magic. And what does this mean? That you are a living-dead, a soulless creature in where evilness inhabits. The bloodlust of your people had led to the loss of thousands of precious magical lives through history and that is unforgivable. You are descended from a line of murderers and torturers, of men so inferior that they fear and hate the radiance that only magic can bring. Have you heard of Malleus Maleficarum? "
Laurel realized with terror that Voldemort was really waiting for an answer from her. She swallowed and responded in fear, praying that her words did not anger the fearsome wizard:
- "The book about the witch hunt?"
- "Excellent, excellent. Heinrich Kramer, its author, one of the most despotic Akardos, was able to convince half the Muggle world that they should kill anyone who even dare to pronounce the word witchcraft. But he was not the only one, nor the oldest. Great wars have been waged to eradicate your kind, Rebecca, but vermin are never that easy to exterminate, are they? "
Laurel's nerves could not take it anymore, as she looked at Severus' emotionless face, she lowered her head and burst into silent tears. Her light sobs were drowned out by the laughter of the Death Eaters.
- "My Lord, if you wish, I can kill the Akardos right away, so you will not have to pollute your hands with that cursed blood."
- "No, no, Alecto. There is no need for that at the moment." - Voldemort said, turning his eyes to Snape. - "I trust you, Severus, I know you will know how to make the most of it."
- "But… my Lord… do you consider that Snape is really qualified to carry out such a project? Don´t you think he will need assistance? "
- "And who will be assisting him, Amycus, you? - Voldemort laughed mockingly. - "Severus is more than qualified for that task. Get out of his way while he's working. "
Amycus and Alecto Carrow bowed deeply before exiting the room, leaving Snape and Laurel alone along with Voldemort.
- "I expect it is clear that your position as a spy at Hogwarts takes precedence over this small school project that you intend to carry out. The Akardos will stay at the cellar for now, tell Narcissa to fix one of the rooms for you and get whatever you may need. Do not disappoint me."
- "Never, My Lord."
Like the Carrows, Snape leaned his body, showing his deep submission to Lord Voldemort. He took Laurel by her arm again and hurried her out of the room.
As soon as the doors closed behind them, Laurel could finally feel her breathing return to normal and her crying begin to subside, however, her relief lasted only a few seconds as she suddenly felt a sharp blow that made her cover her face and moan in pain.
Alecto did not stop her attack, pulling her by the hair, she threw her to the ground and continued to lash out with her thick fists, scratching every inch of exposed skin. Laurel, unable to use her arms to defend herself against her, kicked her, trying to get the witch away from her.
- "ALECTO! STOP, STOP! " Severus' soft voice had turned into a furious roar. He pulled out his wand and yelled - "IMPEDIMENTA!"
Alecto's body fell motionless on Laurel and she pushed her away with difficulty.
- "HOW DARE YOU ATTACK MY SISTER ?!"
A ray of red light came out of Amycus's wand and headed for Snape, he blocked it, even so, Amycus did not stop and continued casting jinxes at Snape one after another, all bouncing against the invisible shield that Severus had conjured and hitting the walls destroying various paintings and sculptures in the corridor. Laurel crouched in a corner, with the ache of the blows growing stronger but she did not dare to make a single sound.
- "NOT IN MY HOUSE!"
The high-pitched scream of a woman stopped the fight immediately. Narcissa Malfoy was standing at the end of the corridor, her tall, slender figure and her platinum blonde hair making her glow in the dark, her beautiful face contorted with anger.
- "I will not tolerate this. Amycus, Severus, have you lost your minds? "
- "Look what he did to Alecto!" - shouted Amycus pointing to his sister who was already beginning to regain consciousness. - "He has attacked her! Humiliate her!"
-"That's enough, Amycus. She is all right." – Severus muttered giving Alecto a hand and helping her sit on the ground.
- "Do not touch her!"
- "Calm down, better help her to stand up." - Narcissa said and with a wide wave of her wand, she restored all the damage they had caused. - "You are behaving like kindergarten children. I never thought of seeing you lose your temper like that, Severus."
- "Forgive me, Narcissa. I have not slept in days. The Dark Lord has ordered me to stay here for a while. Could you prepare a room, please? "
- "You are always welcome in our home."- Narcissa's voice softened as she addressed Snape. - "But first take the girl to the cellar, I don't want any more fights in this house."
- "What about my sister? Will his aggression go unpunished? "
- "She should have known that attacking my research subject would have consequences. She should be thankful that I only immobilised her, it could have been a lot worse. She will be fine."
And as he said this, Severus picked Laurel up and carried her away, helping her down the stairs slowly. He did not utter a single word until they reached a long, completely dark passageway that led to a steep flight of stairs.
-"Lumos."
The beam of light illuminated a solid iron door at the end, and Laurel tried not to slip on the damp, narrow steps. Finally, as they entered the musty cellar, she dropped herself to the ground leaning against the cold stone wall. She let out a sigh and closed her eyes, in a way, grateful to find herself in an isolated place away from the Death Eaters. She was overwhelmed, mad, she had never felt so insignificant in her whole life. She felt disgusted with herself for being so fragile. Turning her back on Severus, she rested her cheek against the cold wall trying to soothe the swelling that had already formed on her face. She continued keeping her eyes closed, trying to completely ignore the tall figure of the wizard standing next to her, squeezing his wand with nervous fingers, undecided about what he should do next.
- "Laurel, are you…?"
- "Your guinea pig is fine. Do not worry." - She cut him off with a hard voice. - "And my name is Rebecca, remember?"
- "The cellar is soundproofed, no one can hear us."
Severus crouched down to better check her injuries, but she wriggled like a frightened animal and pulled away from him.
- "Get away from me!".
- "Can you stop behaving like a spoiled brat? I am trying to help you!"
- "Really, Severus? Are you trying to help me? How can I be sure about that? I heard you talking up there. Oh, you lie so well that it may all end up being true! A wizard as proud as you, worrying for a soulless being like me…"
"That is nonsense, Laurel, and you know it."
- "Do I? I know nothing about you, Severus. I just met you tonight, in a club, that you burnt down. I only knew your father, and the horrible condition you left him in…"
Laurel immediately regretted the words she said even before she could finish the sentence. She knew she was being unfair; she knew she was being hurtful, but for the first time in her whole life, she could not stop herself from lashing out her rage.
The deep darkness that had gripped Severus' eyes vanished in an instant, acquiring instead a deranged glint. He came closer to her, his lips tensed, breathing ragged, his voice a dangerous whisper:
- "Don´t you dare speak to me like that. Not after I risked my own life to keep yours safe. You don´t deserve all the effort I am putting through. You cannot even understand how dangerous this war is, how many lives have been lost, the woman I loved, murdered; but you just behave like an insolent twit, crying your eyes out for some nasty words and few blows to the head. Sad, I thought you were smarter than that. And if you really want to know, I did that to my father because he tried to kill my mother after one of his alcohol-filled rages. I should have killed him, but I am not a bloody murderer."
Severus was beside himself; he could not believe the words that came out of his mouth. The secrets he had been holding his whole life, deep under thousands of Occlumen layers, were now spilling out in front of Laurel. His mind buckling at her ridiculous remarks. He did not understand how he was not able to contain his emotions, never before had his Occlumency failed him, never. Not even in the face of powerful wizards such as Dumbledore or Voldemort. He closed his eyes trying to calm himself and submerge his thoughts once again, but his heart was still pounding. Defeated, he opened them and stared back at Laurel, the look on her bruised face, a mingle of regret and affection.
- "I was seven years old when my father abandoned us. Me and my pregnant mother. I was the only one at home when he packed his bags and walked out the door on a Tuesday afternoon. I remember asking him where he was going, but he completely ignored me, as if I were invisible. I stayed outside, weeping and waiting for him to come back until it was dark, and my mother showed up. I could not sleep that night listening to her crying. The next day, she behaved as if my father had never existed, and I did the same. You see, Severus, I thought I got stronger out of it, but you are right, deep down I am still that weak, weeping child. I wish I could be as brave as you."
Laurel's soft voice soothed the storm in Severus' mind. It was a strange feeling not having to focus only on his own haunted thoughts; it felt nice to sink in someone else´s memory for a change. He sat next to her, leaning his back against the wall, imagining her as a small kid. They both kept silent, staring at the darkness in the cellar. After a while, he started to feel he regained the will power to control his emotions and managed to sink into Occlumency once again.
- "You better go and rest. You look awfully tired." – She said breaking the silence.
Severus nodded, but before he stood up, he untied the cords around her wrists and handed her a small vial of Dittany's essence.
- "Put this on the bruises, it's magic, but the ingredients are also used in muggle medicine. It can help you."
The long cloak billowed behind Severus when he walked to the door, turning on his heels, he pointed his wand at Laurel, and she felt how her clothes dry up in an instant. She wrapped herself in her own black cloak and grateful she whispered:
- "Good night, Severus."
