disclaimer: No...I do not own any of the characters from Harry Potter. J.K. Rowling is a genius!)
also...while I do use the main characters of the Harry Potter stories, there are a few characters that belong to me...some haven't made their debut yet but two are Thomas Crow and Isabeaura Serpentsoot. Please enjoy! And feel free to review, I love feedback! )
ENJOY!
-boots-
Thomas Crowe flew through the hallways of the dungeons, tears of anguish spilling from the corners of his clenched eyes. He gripped his arm and winced, swallowing his cries with a strong gulp. As he ran, he felt his heart tugging at his veins for release; he felt the dark mark burn his skin and then…
"Mr. Crowe…where might you be off to…in such… a hurry?" Professor Snape's voice halted him so abruptly that he felt quite nauseous.
"I…I'm late for a class sir, Professor… I…"
"On a Sunday morning? My, my, but you are an ambitious student."
"I.." Thomas took hold of his arm again and looked as though he would faint from exhaustion. Snape's eyes widened as he felt his own arm tremble and burn.
"What have you been playing at Mr. Crowe?" He advanced towards Thomas and attempted to roll up his sleeve, but the boy protested and pushing Snape out of the way, bounded down the hallway. Severus watched him disappear with a sense of apprehension. He touched his own arm and felt the darkness in him spread. 'Why now?' he wondered.
Harry picked at his dinner, unable to stop thinking about Hermione. True, she had told them of the letter but he felt sure there was still something she hadn't revealed. It hurt him a little to think that one of his very best friends would keep something from him but he had to figure that Hermione knew what she was doing. He looked up and happened to catch eyes with Cho Chang as she was crossing the room to sit with her friends. She smiled warmly and mouthed "Hi". Harry waved his hand awkwardly and then turned his attention to Ron.
"Ron, I'm really worried about Hermione"
"I know" he managed to say between bites. "It's like she's gone completely mental- it's like…"
"What's the matter Weasley? Fattening up so you don't starve between terms?" the sharp voice of Draco Malfoy cut through the chatter of the Great Hall.
"Leave him alone Malfoy"
"Or what, Potter? You'll sick your little mudblood on me?! Oh- I tremble with fear" Crabbe and Goyle chuckled as Draco reached down to Ron's plate and grabbed a biscuit.
Harry clenched his teeth and stood quickly, lunging towards the cowardly Draco, who almost immediately ducked behind his goons.
"Leave him alone I said" The two boys stood very still, neither one tearing their eyes from the other.
"Oh would you cut it out- the two of you are being ridiculous" the small but fierce voice of Ginny Weasley piped up from the back of the room. Ginny was not the sort of young witch to interfere often in fights between boys, having grown up in a house full of them. But she felt that had Hermione been there, that's what she might have done. Ginny so looked up to Hermione's strength of character and perhaps selfishly she thought that if she behaved more like her, she may get closer to Harry.
"Come on Crabbe…Goyle" Draco turned to Harry as they made their exit "Next time, Potter…next time when you're ready to fight like a man" As the Slytherins made their way out, they eyed Ginny like three ravenous cobras and her whole body trembled as they slinked past.
"Is there any more pudding?" the small cloudy voice of Luna Lovegood broke the uncomfortable silence and the students readily continued to their dinner gossiping. Luna looked up from her plate, catching eyes with Neville Longbottom. The two exchanged an awkward greeting from across the room that no one else seemed to notice.
As Hermione made her way to the library, she had a sudden feeling that something was following her down the Grand staircase. She glanced around at the portraits and for the first time in seven years she was aware of being watched. It was as if up until that moment, she had never noticed them at all. She turned every which way, glancing up at the ceiling and over her shoulders, taking it all in before shrugging it off and continuing to the library. She was determined to find out whatever she could about this mysterious Isabeaura Serpentsoot and nothing was going to distract her from succeeding.
"Wait" A voice whispered from the walls.
"Who's there?" Hermione drew up her wand and swiftly spun around.
"Remember who YOU are..." the voice trailed off. It was a woman's voice, but it sounded hollow and rather feeble.
"Who's there?" she cried "are you a ghost?" Hermione followed the voice down the stairs as it whispered incoherently through the corridors. It seemed to be leading her somewhere.
"You are still Hermione…please remember that" it echoed and then was silent as a hinkypunk and ten times more alluring. Hermione looked around and found herself standing in front of the Hospital Wing.
"Stand!"
Thomas could barely raise his eyes to meet the dark gaze before him. He struggled as he rose to his feet, the pain in his arm finally burning away.
"You may approach me" the voice hissed from the shadows.
As Thomas stepped ever so lightly, masked faces appeared out the dark as if they were made of it. One by one, their faces shown in the light; Lucius Malfoy, Peter Pettigrew, the Carrow siblings, Yaxley and Bellatrix LeStrange were among them. Thomas did not break his eyes away from the Dark Lord's silhouette but he felt the deadly stares of his loyal followers freeze his blood as he passed.
"Bow" the Dark Lord commanded the boy, who complied without hesitation. "Well? What do you have for me, boy?" Voldemort lunged an inch from Thomas' face, his red eyes burning into the boy's mind. Thomas did not flinch though the stench rolling off the dark wizard's tongue was quite putrid.
"I have not been able to acquire any information on- "
"No!" he barked "I asked what you have- NOT what you have not discovered!"
"I…"
At that moment, the last death eater apparated and pulled off his mask.
"Severus…how nice of you to finally join our little dinner party" Malfoy's voice dripped with sarcasm. Bellatrix, who had been uncharacteristically quiet till now, let out an ear-splitting cackle. Severus stood very still, his eyes moving about the room with a slightly bewildered expression.
"But surely you know young Mr. Crowe; he's in your very own house... is he not?"
"Indeed he is" His reply was precise and unwavering. "I had no idea he had been initiated…I must say," he cocked his head towards Lucius "I am rather disappointed to have missed it, I'm sure he is quite resilient." Severus directed his attention to the Dark Lord, bowing his head as he approached.
"Do you question me Severus?" the snake faced wizard slinked forward.
There was a slight pause before the puzzled potion's master opened his mouth to speak. Thomas fixed his eyes to the floor, barely breathing. "Mr. Crowe proves to be a gifted student and no doubt, an excellent choice for early recruitment. I think you will find that some of my Slytherins" he glanced again at Lucius, who was wiping his glistening forehead with a lace handkerchief, "are better equipped for this lifestyle than others."
The tension was thicker than boomslang skin. Thomas chewed his cheek in anticipation. Voldemort peered deep into Snape's eyes, studying him with the greatest scrutiny. "Lucius- go tell your wife we are ready to dine"
"But my lord-"
"Now, Lucius- before I lose my patience".
As the platinum haired wizard made his exit, three house elves appeared with tall glasses of black jasmine wine.
"You will come with me, boy" Voldemort beckoned Thomas with his slender white fingers to an adjoining room. Severus watched them disappear behind the door with a look of disbelief he hoped was not utterly obvious. Granted, the boy had come from the Raspin Correctional facility, but surely he could not be of death eater standards. Why had he not been informed until now? Did the old fool with the silly hats know about this new spy amongst his students? Severus tried to put it out of his mind; it wouldn't do well for him to be thinking on such things should Voldemort penetrate his mind.
"Aw…the Dark Lord's got a new little informant…Are you jealous?" Bellatrix laughed maniacally, sloshing her wine glass about as she did. Snape said nothing, his eyes never straying from the closed door.
As the night progressed, the clouds moved across the sky with the proficiency of an army. The gentle ripples of Black Lake were now waves, furiously licking the sinister sky. Inside the castle, first years retreated to their respective common rooms and prepared for the impending thunder storm.
"Albus? Could I have a word?" Minerva McGonagall wrung her hands nervously as she emerged from the doorway. Her eyes appeared as cloudy as the night sky and her demeanor as icy cold. Albus Dumbledore was hovered above his pensieve in deep concentration, but made a gesture for Minerva to take a seat, which she did with a concerned look plastered to her pale face.
"What seems to be troubling you, Minerva?"
"I'm worried about Hermione Granger- Albus, I think-"
"She is a very resourceful witch Minerva, I'm sure she's fine. After all, Malfoy's aren't exactly defenseless" he chuckled and finally turned to face McGonagall, who appeared less than amused. "Besides, I have the letter here" He pulled the tattered letter from his robes and handed it to the scowling witch. "Unfortunately there is no mention of the father"
"Albus- how did you-"
The old wizard turned back to the pensieve.
"I blame the nargles" he laughed quietly.
"Albus- do you think she knows her last name yet?"
Dumbledore considered this for a minute and wondered if Severus had made the connection yet. "Minerva- I think you underestimate our dear Severus"
Minerva's eyes widened for a minute as she drew the letter up close to her face. She had always liked Katrina Malfoy. There was something different about her; true, she was a Slytherin through and through – conniving, resourceful, clever – but she had always seemed so eager to help a friend in need. Minerva thought about young Severus Snape and sadness welled up in her eyes. He had always carried a certain melancholy with him since the day he arrived at Hogwarts, but she had seen him in his lighter moments, which almost always revolved around Katrina. She had been so kind to him; treated him like a member of her family from the moment they first met. A single tear escaped the witch's eye and she wiped it away quickly, pushing her spectacles up with her index finger. She laid the letter down on Dumbledore's desk and watched him for a moment or two before turning to leave.
"Minerva?" he never tore his attention from the pensieve, "You needn't worry…Katrina Malfoy always maintained excellent marks in Divination" He turned to the surly witch and winked, his eyes full of that mystifying yet unnerving twinkle.
The frigid hallways of the castle had emptied considerably and as Luna Lovegood made her way towards Ravenclaw Tower, she felt a strange warmth move over her body.
"Neville?" she never turned to face him but the tall, gangly boy emerged behind her and placed his hand on her shoulder.
"How- how are you?" he stammered and gently turned her around.
"I'm quite tired actually. I think it must be the hostile moonsnarglers." Her wide silvery eyes never blinked as she stared at Neville. He swallowed back a nervous laugh and reached out to touch her face. The dreamy eyed girl lowered her gaze to the floor and let her body fall into his.
"I…I love you Luna"
"It's like how it feels when you sprinkle cayenne pepper into your shoes before going out in the snow…it keeps you warm but you find yourself having to explain to everyone why your shoes are red…"
Neville looked at her with a quizzical grin and held her even tighter to his chest.
"Let me walk you to-"
"It's not necessary Neville- I'm fine." She gave him a reassuring nod, "Besides, if I get lost, I'll just follow the gremligooks".
As she turned to walk away, Neville pulled her back to him and kissed her pastel lips till they were flushed pink.
"Be…be careful Luna" he managed to say quietly as she turned and skipped slowly down the steps.
Hermione carefully pushed open the Hospital door. It was completely dark and she felt along the wall as she made her way past the many cots to Madame Pomfrey's office. She thought to knock but just at that moment she heard someone cough faintly behind a door on the opposite wall. Hermione had never been in the private wing of the hospital. 'That must be where Professor Lupin is' she thought and without any hesitation she turned the knob; but the door was locked. She gently lifted her wand to it.
"Alohamora" It was a whispered plea more than a spell.
The knob clicked into place and Hermione quietly stepped into the silent room. Behind a white curtain she could see a single candle light and the silhouette of Madame Pomfrey looming over the recovering werewolf. Hermione backed into a dark corner and crouched down behind a cot; she knew Madame Pomfrey would send her away if she was discovered.
"Now you just rest Remus and if that scallywag Snape comes back I'll send him straight a way!" She smiled warmly at Lupin and raised her hand to snuff out the light.
"Please… leave it for just… a bit longer" His eyes were glassy and troubled.
Madame Pomfrey placed a hand on his head and ruffled his hair a bit.
She remembered in that moment, the very first time she had ever brought Remus into this room. He was so young; so helpless against his ailment. She remembered how terrified he was of the dark and this made her smile again.
"Very well Remus" And with that, she turned to leave, hesitating for a minute before locking the door behind her. Hermione waited for a few moments before emerging from the darkness. She cautiously inched toward the curtain and pulled it back to reveal her angelic face in the candlelight. Remus' eyes were broad with enthusiasm.
"Hermione Granger! But what are you doing here? If Ole Poppy catches you-"
"I was worried…I…I saw… last night, I mean, are you okay?"
"I'm quite well- just a bit knocked about" he smiled.
Hermione thought about what Madame Pomfrey had said regarding a certain potion's master and her attention immediately fell on Professor Lupin's injuries.
"Did Professor Snape do this to you?"
Remus cocked his head at the little witch and let out a laugh.
"What are you laughing about? I don't think it's very funny…How-"
"Hermione…Snape saved my life last night and his own I imagine" His tone changed slightly and he seemed especially serious. "He's not as bad as all you kids think"
Hermione was about to object to his use of the word "kid" but Lupin cut her off.
"I know he makes for a convenient "greasy git" but he's not all bad, you must believe me"
"But the wolfsbane potion-"
"Trust me; he's looking into the matter thoroughly. Anyway," he winced "it was probably just a silly prank." For a long time, neither one said anything. Hermione didn't want to press him with questions about her mother when he was in so much pain. And she certainly didn't want him to think that her sole purpose in visiting him was to interrogate him about the past. Professor Lupin stared deeply into his young student's face and saw the anguish buried deep in her soft expression.
"Are you quite alright Hermione? You seem… a little down these days"
She looked up at him and felt she couldn't hold back any longer.
"I…I've been rather…Professor Lupin, I must ask you something" The werewolf's eyes widened in anticipation. "I've recently discovered that the Granger's are not my true parents" She had not expected the words to come out so quickly, but they did. "My mother went to school here, she was in Slytherin, and I am desperate to find out more information but Dumbledore charmed all the yearbooks and the only person who seems to know anything about her is…is nothing but a…a spiteful bat who lives in the dungeons and makes everyone's life he touches a bloody misery!" Tears slipped down her face, leaving little road maps from her golden eyes to her heart shaped lips. Remus stared blankly at her, unable to think of what to say. He looked at her carefully and his jaw dropped.
"Kat."
"What did you say?"
"Kat Malfoy"
"Katrina?"
"Yes…Severus and Kat...rina were friends…but that means…Lucius…"
"Is my uncle"
Remus choked on what to say next. What could he say? It was all such a shock. After a few minutes, Hermione stood and began pacing a little.
"Did you know her?" she finally asked.
"Not really- I mean, just small talk from time to time. I remember she was friendly with Lily."
"Harry's mum?"
Remus nodded and seemed rather lost in remembering her. "She did put a nasty hex on James though- but then, I guess he did deserve it" he chuckled a little recalling his cocky friend.
"What happened?" Hermione sat on the side of the cot, absorbed in the werewolf's musings.
"Well, I think Harry must have told you how we used to pick on Snivellus…er, on Professor Snape" Hermione suppressed a laugh "It was always in good fun- well, I suppose there were a few times were Sirius and James did go too far…well, maybe more than a few" he raised an eyebrow and shook his head with a sigh "Oh, who I am kidding? We were down right awful to him actually"
"For heaven's sake- what did you do to him?"
"What didn't we do!" he laughed.
"Well, why did Katri- why did my mother hex Harry's dad?"
"James had it out for Snape. You see, Severus fancied Lily and so did James; so naturally James made a fool of the poor grease ball in front of her whenever he had the opportunity."
Hermione had always suspected that her potions master had once admired Harry's mother but for the life of her she couldn't understand why. It irked her a little actually. Surely Lily Potter struck her as a fairly powerful witch, but she always thought somehow that her dark and brooding professor would be more interested in the Bellatrix Black's of the world. She shook her head of such thoughts and focused her attention back to Lupin.
"We'd all just returned from winter holiday and Snape was talking to Lily just outside the Great Hall. When James saw them he practically forced himself between them. We all went into the Great Hall for the feast and all through dinner James and Sirius taunted Snape from across the room. After dinner they followed him up to the second floor. I think he was on his way to Professor Poppington's office; that was our defense against the dark arts teacher at the time, Ludovic Poppington, great teacher incidentally" Hermione sardonically raised an eyebrow. "Anyway, they followed him up to the second floor-"
"Where were YOU during all of this, Professor?"
"I was…well, that is- Pettigrew and I were…oh, alright- we were right behind them the whole time." He grinned a little and continued "James grabbed hold of him and we…we forced him into Moaning Myrtle's bathroom."
"And then?" Hermione couldn't help getting caught up in it all.
"Well- we flushed his head in the toilet a few times and Sirius cast an immobulus charm. Then we collectively cast an effeminatus charm and left him there. After an hour we had retrieved Lily and well, I imagine you can guess the rest."
Hermione was stunned. "So- you dressed him up like a girl in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom and left him there?!
Remus was now in stitches "You should have seen poor Snivellus- lipstick and little greasy curls! He looked like a distant cousin of the Black family!"
"So what did Lily do?"
"Well- she couldn't help but laugh a little but she was a bit cross with all of us and she did make us lift the spells."
"How does my mother fit in to all of this?"
"The next morning at breakfast, Katrina Malfoy entered the Great Hall like a Hungarian Horntail! I remember the look of fire in her eyes and the only words she said were 'James Potter'…it was really quite terrifying for a couple of first year boys!" Hermione was spellbound by the werewolf's description of her mother, whom up till now had not seemed to be much of a Slytherin at all.
"To this day I have no idea what the actual hex was that she cast on poor James but he was in the hospital wing for a week!"
"Well- what incantation did she use?"
"That's just it- she never said a word; just lashed her wand at him and he fell to the floor in a heap. Remember, she was a sixth year student at the time. I'd never seen someone cry so much; it was as if every sad thought he ever had suddenly welled up inside of him- it was quite chilling actually."
Hermione said nothing but smiled inwardly. True, Lupin didn't seem to know much about her mother, but something was better than nothing.
"Professor Lupin- I don't suppose you know who my father might be?"
"I'm sorry Hermione, but no, I don't. I barely knew her." The werewolf's words were few but so sincere.
"Professor- I hope that you will keep what I've told you in the strictest confidence"
"You have my word." He smiled with a sadness lingering in his eyes. He could see how much his story had meant to Hermione. As the young witch stood to leave she motioned to the candle light.
"Just leave it"
She nodded and turned away.
"Hermione- a thought just crossed my mind- if you could get a hold of your mother's wand- you may be able to find out more about her…as a witch. I'm sure her wand is chock full of interesting spells, you could take it to Ollivander, perhaps he could-"
Hermione's vacant expression suddenly sprang to life. "Priori Incantatem" she whispered. She did have her mother's wand! She reeled around and threw her arms around Lupin's neck.
"That's brilliant, Professor!" And before Lupin could even react, she had dashed away.
Remus sat very still though his mind was racing. It was nice to see Hermione Granger smile again, but he couldn't help but feel a slight sense of dread. What sort of Pandora's box might he have led Hermione to open? And just who was her father?