Chapter 52: A Glimpse into the Future

A Glimpse into the Future

Sage scratched his arm idly, trying very hard to concentrate on his work for his OWLs. The Mark was becoming darker, its coldness permeating his entire body, while its heat irritated the specific area of skin around the Mark. Strangely, he felt himself irritable and tired, as if the presence of the power of the Mark itself was draining. Perhaps it was merely coincidence. The real reason for his state could be that he had been doing a lot of wandless magic, intermediate wandless magic. He had even been spending hours upon it everyday. The Mark, however, was more menacing to him.

"Uncle Severus?"

The man looked up from the latest issue of his favorite potions journal and scowled.

"Whatever you have to say better be more important than new developments on potions patented to combat organ failure."

Sage stared at him, an expression that Severus read as a mixture of surprise, distaste, and annoyance.

"I'm sure you will agree that it is," he said finally.

"What is it already?" He asked, shortly.

Sage swallowed slowly, "The Dark Mark, sir, is it bothering you?"

Severus put the journal down.

"It is difficult to ignore, is it not?"

"Yes, sir, it itches and burns a lot…much more than it ever had in the past. I cannot sleep very well."

The Professor cocked his head to the side, "It is that bothersome?" That is rather strange.

Sage nodded, "Yes."

"Why did you not say something before now?"

He shrugged, "It is not something that you really think to talk about."

"Well, you certainly do not need to hide its presence from me."

"Which is why I asked, Uncle."

Putting his hand out, Severus said, "Let me have a look."

Sage pulled his sleeve up on his left arm and offered the arm to his Uncle. The man looked at it and touched it. His fingers felt incredibly warm. Then he placed his entire hand over the Mark. He looked up into Sage's face and narrowed his eyes.

"Are you feeling all right otherwise? Your blood pressure is very low and your skin feels very warm."

"Warm? Warm, sir. That's strange, I feel rather cold."

Severus cleared his throat, "You feel warm, your temperature is high. I can almost feel a strange pulsing when I put my hand over your Mark, and it is most certainly warmer than the rest of your body." He rolled up his own sleeve and put his hand over it, "I do not believe that mine feels similar, besides being slightly warm."

"What does it mean? Why is my Mark different from yours."

The man frowned deeply, obviously not finding a clear answer.

"The Mark is crafted in such a way that it binds to your magic, making it somewhat like a wand in that it can channel your magic powers. The fact that it is bound to the bearers magic, is why it has the capability to burn you and act like a portkey when you touch it, with or without your wand, and apparate to his side. The spell is also bound to the Dark Lord's magic, which is what makes it possible for him to communicate in this way to you through the Mark. Because your powers are stronger and your magic is essentially rumored to be limitless, the Mark itself probably is stronger because it is your magic attached to it."

"It bothers me more than your because my powers, which are also involved in its making, are stronger than yours?"

"It is one explanation that I can think of."

"But it is getting stronger, more irritating, and growing darker. He is closer to returning, isn't He?" Apprehension showed on Sage's face.

The man steepled his hands and briefly rest his chin upon them, before lifting his head back up.

"Likely, yes. Although when or how strong He will be when He returns, there is no way to tell. You should be aware, Sage, that much of this has been thought of for a long time and precautions have been taken which will hopefully prevent you from coming to his notice before you are ready. Whether they will work or not, time will only tell."

"What precautions?" Sage asked, sitting back in his chair.

Severus sighed heavily, "I worked on a variation of the Confundus charm combined with a potent potion with radioactive tracers that were harmless to you but were likely to stay in your body for a long time. The headmaster, of course, aided in this. While the Confundus charm can be used to cause people to immediately forget what they wanted to say, or immediately turn away from a building, like Hogwarts, by distracting their attention away. We could not place a charm like that on you because it was too general in nature. What we placed on you was very specific, and we had tested it out on me before we did it to you."

"I'm confused, Uncle, exactly what does this charm/potion concoction do?"

"In theory it is supposed to keep anyone from speaking about you to the Dark Lord, thus reminding him of your existence. The remarkable thing about the charm, that Albus really created himself, is that it jumps from person to person and is spread almost like a medical virus such that even people who have not come directly into contact with you will not even be able to say anything. As I said, it was tested on me, and for a month over the summer many months ago, I did some purposefully strange things and no one could say anything to the headmaster about them, even though they talked about it amongst themselves. So the test worked."

Sage's eyes were wide, "Sir, that's remarkable. How long did it take for you to develop that?"

"More years than I would care to recall."

A curious look crossed Sage's face, "So lets say He comes back, and He calls the other Death Eaters… The simple fact that Mr. Malfoy has, er, contracted the charm from me will mean that he will spread it to every single person who apparates to Voldemort."

"Yes, although that is a rather larger scale than the test, that is the way that it should function. But, we must always be prepared for the worst. There is no way for us to know the circumstances the future brings." He accentuated his statement by steeling his face, his black eyes becoming sharp and serious.

"That does make me feel a little better though, but why didn't you tell me before this. It might have saved me some agony."

The Professor stared into the blue eyes of his nephew intently, "It was a difficult decision and one I ultimately made on my own. I did not tell you because I believed that you would progress faster if you felt that you had no other choice, no other defense. I am telling you now because you are nearly seventeen years old, almost of age, and you have shown the ability to be self-directed and excel on your own. Besides, as I said, I was and still am not certain that it will work. It was best that you deal with the prophecies first, to show you how resilient and strong you really are." He rested both his arms on the table.

Sage frowned, his furrow making his eyesbrows nearly meet. "I do not know what to say, how to respond to that. It turned out all right, I suppose, but I'm not sure that you really made the right decision in not telling me, Uncle. I really felt rather hopeless for awhile. I could have benefitted from that knowledge."

"Perhaps, or perhaps you would have hidden behind it. You came through it quite well, after a few stumbles, and you continue to do well. We should leave that in the past. The real concern now is how you are feeling."

"I suppose that's true. Move forward and all."

"I am worried by the fact that you feel cold and tired, whether or not it is related to the Mark feeling more active. You said that you haven't been able to sleep lately, have you been able to meditate?"

"Not well, sir, and not at all in these last weeks. I haven't entered my Llywen for a long while, since you grabbed me out of my room that day."

"And how long has it been since you have had a vision."

"You mean one that I did not control, or was not while I was in my Llywen, the ones that pain me?"

"Yes."

"Since well before I left over the Hols. You were there for the last one. I do not recall when it was."

"Curious," he said thinking out loud, "Distressing however."

Sage shrugged, "But I do not feel sick, like I generally do before I have a vision. I just feel tired and cold."

A slight look of concern passed over Severus's face, "Perhaps you should rest this weekend and not do any practicals. Testing your wandless magic may not be a wise idea."

"I'll be all right, sir. We do not know why I feel tired or if the Mark has something to do with it, but if it does I may not be seeing the end of it soon, and I should learn to get through it."

"I will allow you to make this decision yourself; however, if you feel like you are getting worse, you must rest. If you begin to feel like you do before you have a vision, you must let me know."

Sage pushed his black hair out of his face, "Of course I will, Uncle. It is not as if I want to be alone when I have one, and I certainly don't want to have one."

Severus nodded, still feeling that he probably should have insisted that Sage rest. Something was most certainly going on, and it was not simply with the Mark, although that was likely part of it.

As class ended, Sage was putting a sample of his potion into a bottle knowing full well that he had made it correctly. He was the first person to finish, as he was in the habit of prepping his ingredients before class, because chopping ingredients quickly in order to have time to complete the potion very rarely turned out a potion that was up to his Uncle's expectations.

Strangely, even Hermione had not figured out that little trick. Even though she may not have access to all the ingredients, as Sage did, she could still prep the ingredients that she did have. Taking time when getting the ingredients prepared to the specifications in the directions assured that they were cut, ground, or powdered correctly. You could not have a good potion if your ingredients were not prepared right.

When he went to put down the sample, he noticed, very acutely, that his hand was shaking slightly. He felt slightly dizzy, and when he focused on it he noticed that his head was throbbing. Making the potion had apparently distracted him from that.

He took in a deep breath and cursed mentally. This could only mean one thing… He was having another vision. When he looked up, he saw his Uncle staring at him.

The Professor had noticed the lack of color in Sage's face. Without hesitation he stepped forward and stated, "Miss Granger, you are in charge of the classroom. Make sure everyone turns in a sample and clears out their belongings."

Sage exhaled, relaxing, as his Uncle steered him out of the room supporting some of his weight. As soon as they exited the classroom, closing the door behind, his Uncle grabbed him more firmly and felt his head.

"Is it starting yet," he asked, knowing that Sage was going to have a vision. He could read the signs on Sage's body as well as Sage could feel them. He had seen his nephew have too many.

"No, but soon," he gasped. "It never takes, takes this long."

Severus nodded as his door swung open and he helped Sage inside. Generally, Sage did not have much warning before the visions, and now it seemed as if he had more time in better the signs and when the visions actually started. He was not sure what that meant, and he had no time to think about it. Sage struggled onto the couch with his help.

"If you can, relax your mind, perhaps it will help as the visions you have had while in such a state have not been painful."

Sage directed a twisted glare in his direction that immediately told him that the only thing Sage was focusing on was the fact that the pain of the Cruciatus would be upon him in too short of a time.

Instead of answering the look, Severus took a vial out of his robes and held it out to Sage, who still seemed to have a lot of his faculties. With purpose, Sage latched onto it with a shaking hand and held it to his mouth, drinking it down in one swallow. Almost immediately he fell completely numb against the couch, unable to move any part of his body.

Just as he went limp, the needles began to spread down his body, hitting every nerve over and over again. A intense burning sensation followed, as if his insides were being cooked. For what seemed like the hundreth time, he was a prisoner within his body unable to move or quell the pain, but yet feeling it as if it were really happening and not being able to move a limb in agony even though his brain was telling his body to do it. He took a deep, agonizing breath preparing for it to get worse, knowing that the fact his body was still made it easier for his Uncle to witness.

Voldemort circled his Death Eaters, appraising each of them, enjoying his return to power. Fresh blood was in the air and the unmistakable smell of a potion. A low mist encompassed the surroundings. He spoke, "Two have gone to Azkaban for me and they will be rewarded. Six are not here…One, who I believe is lost to us forever, he will die of course."

The scene faded.

"Kill the spare," Voldemort ordered, a cowering man standing next to him.

The man, short, stocky, and balding walked closer to him. He raised his wand and without any apparent qualms at all said, "Avada Kedavra!"

A bright flash of green light surged forward towards two shadowed figures laying on the ground.

All went black. The scene of Death Eaters reemerged.

A loud pop was heard and a vacant space in the circle filled.

Voldemort chuckled, but it came out raspy and threatening.

He hissed, "Always the bold one, yes Severus? The strong one. The only one of my Death Eaters that could keep himself from screaming during the Cruciatus… Your backbone amused me, Severus, your will captivating me. I allowed you to do and say things I would allow no other, because you were my favorite, my slippery snake. What will you say to me tonight about the accusations I have concerning you. I am most curious. Will you, in your unending boldness and strength, look me in my eyes and tell me that you have betrayed me, you Master?"

The black robed figure did not move or flinch, merely stated in a clear, unwavering voice. "I have never betrayed you, Master."

"Ever so bold, dearest Severus, but I have found no more amusement in your boldness, in your ability to stand there and lie to me. Crucio!"

The man fell to his knees heavily, pulling his arms close to him, shaking uncontrollably.

"You allow me no pleasure in seeing you squirm, but we will see how far your strength can go tonight." He lifted the curse. "Are you so bold as to think that you can come here before me again and leave unscatched after all that you have been doing while I have been gone."

"I have been working to secure you followers from our next generation, knowing that you would return, my lord," came the reply.

"You have been working to continually save the Potter brat, but no matter I am going to finish him off tonight. Or perhaps you are here to save him, Severus? Did that old fool send you on a rescue mission. Tut tut! Did he realise that he was sending you to your death."

"I care nothing for the Potter brat, Master, I had to keep up appearances to keep my position of trust so that I could be of use to you."

"Lies, Severus, lies. My patience for you has worn quite thin. Crucio!"

Again the man crumpled, this time completely to the ground. Within a minute he was lying on the ground rolling slightly from side to side.

"Scream for me, Severus. You know you want to." He raised his wand higher.

The shaking worsened and blood came from the mouth of the man either from the curse or from him biting his own lip not to scream.

What seemed like minutes passed by and still no screaming. Voldemort reached down and yanked mask clear of the man's head.

"I want to see your eyes when you die," he hissed.

The form on the ground growled, sweat rolling down his face, his lips pulled completey tight.

"I would say 'See you in Hell, Severus,' but seeing as I cannot die I cannot imagine that I will ever see your face again. Avada Kedavra."

The vision ended.

Severus jumped two feet clear in the air when Sage opened his eyes, startled as if he had just seen something horrendous, and screamed loudly. He should not have even been able to move with that potion still in him. Whatever he had seen…

He squeezed Sage's hand, which was still tightly grabbing onto his. "You're all right."

"NO!" Sage promptly bellowed again, still somewhat delusional, his chest heaving with the force of his voice. "No!" he gasped.

For the first time, Severus noticed that tears were streaming down Sage's face, mixed in with the beads of sweat.

"Whatever you saw, Sage, it is not here."

Sage stared into his Uncle's black eyes, which were quite expressive at the moment. Despite the intense wave of excruciating pain that went through his body when he moved, Sage lurched forward, dropping his Uncle's hand, and hammered his arms around Severus's chest as the man was kneeling next to him by the sofa.

"Oofffff," was the only sound that came out of the man's mouth as Sage completely knocked the air out of him. What the HELL is going on? What in Merlin's name did he see?!

Ripples of pain went through Sage's body and he couldn't make them stop as his body tremored with his somewhat subdued sobs. At least, he was trying his best to subdue them, to make them go away, but even the pain was not enough to make him stop his grief at what he had seen, experienced. He felt strangely compelled to do so. He didn't care what he had to do, what he had to become as long as he could prevent that from ever happening.

HUGGGGSSS - what do you think of them! Drop me a note pretty please and hit that review!

A/N

VD – Sage thinks that his Uncle looks good in tighter pants, but he certainly does not think that he would. Although there may come a time when he is forced to dress up. Hee hee hee. Satin or Silk? I'll have to think about that and maybe write a bit on that later on.

Lady J – Yep, Sev wears boxers… Although we all have our fantasies. I hope that school treats you well. Sad that you have to go back. I have another week. Yay!

Xiomara – I am addicted to animal planet! I love steve! Hee he. You could tell by my snake knowledge. I do have to say one thing, they weren't at home, although they were acting like it, they were actually in Snape's rooms. So kinda homey. And Sage is growing into himself more, growing up a bit, although he has a way to go.

Anonymous – Hmmm to think of a name for you… I don't know if you are a guy or a girl… So that is hard. However, you can always yuse your fav character's name and then add something to the end of it. I cannot believe you read it all straight through! The first and second fic! Damn. That is like 550 pages in Microsoft Word! Wow. Thanks so much for the review. I can't waiut to hear from you again and let me know if you decide on a name.

Carpathia – So great to hear from you! About Sage's vision with Voldie. As you can see, this is the second one. Eventually you will get to see what he does, but I cannot tell you. It would ruin it…I am glad that you reread everything, did you reread the revised one for the first fic or the older version… It's good you got some laughs second time around too. I hope to hear from you again soon.

Eline – Wow that was a great review, very detailed! I always go back and look at the story as I review too. It is so much easier that way! You were right about chapter 2, I did add it because of the pot smoking that occurred later on, something needed to be there, there needed to be more history. I am glad you thought Dumbledore to be human, and a lot will happen with him in the beginning of the next fic, A LOT! Some surprises. ;-) Hermione will make an appearance again soon, perhaps in the next chapter or two, but I am not going to say what happens only that Sage gets a HUGE slap.

Bookwitch – I am simply glad that you are still reading and enjoying the fic. Good luck with the job and leave me a note when you can. ;-)