Chapter Two: Mortifera

The drapes on the window were violently opened. Mortifera Acerabus, a beautiful 17 years old girl with long black hair and gleaming emerald eyes, jumped from her bed, her wand in hand. There in front of her, her father stood with a worried look on his face as the house-elves quickly packed her things. "What's going on," she asked as she sprung out of bed. "Quickly darling," he began as he directed her towards the bathroom. "Change, you must leave!"

"Leave," she asked confused. "Where?"

"London. You are going to stay with your Uncle Severus until term begins."

"WHAT!? But what about Durmstrang?"

"You've been withdrew. You will now be attending Hogwarts."

"I don't want to go back to Hogwarts! I want to stay at Durmstrang! What about my friends? And the Quidditch team?"

"You will make new friends, darling. And Quidditch isn't everything!"

"I'm not going!"

"Fera, sweetheart," he said finally stopping and looking at her. "It is not safe for you here."

"But it is safe for you," she asked.

"I will be fine. I have a few friends. We will be together again, I promise."

"Why can't I come with you," she pleaded. "You can't. Severus will take care of you. You will be safe. Hogwarts is a great school as you remember! You'll have great teachers and it's the safest place in the world to be."

He pushed her towards the bathroom. That was it, argument over. She emerged moments later wearing a pair of black slacks, an emerald shirt, and her black cloak.

The floo lit up and Severus Snape, Hogwarts potion master, stepped through the flames.

"Oh thank you, Severus," the man said as he graciously shook Severus's hand. "I don't know what I'd do if not for you and Dumbledore. You'll keep her safe?"
"You have my word, Alec."

"Fera," her father said realizing that I had returned. "I love you, my sweet girl."

"Are you ready," Severus asked holding out his hand.

"I forgot one thing," Mortifera said as she started back up the staircase. She stood on the other side of the wall so that she could still hear their conversation. "Accio journal," she said in a whisper. The journal came flying out of the room and she placed it in her cloak. She turned her attention back to her father and uncle. "Is it true," her father asked. "Igor has disappeared. The Order believes that he is dead. You are making the right decision. She will be safe with us," Severus's voice was quiet as he confirmed what her father had dreaded. "When we are gone, take this. It will help if they come looking for her," Severus said in a whisper. "Fera," he bellowed up the stairs. "We must leave."

"Coming, Uncle Severus," she said as she grabbed the bag that sat at her door and quickly headed back to where her father and uncle stood. "Be safe, Fera. I'll write to you when I can. Listen to Severus. He'll protect you."

He kissed her check. "When will I hear from you," she asked. She could feel the tears on his face. "Soon," he said. "Real soon. Here's the key to the vault at Gringott's."

She stared at him. "Take my hand, Fera. We will be apperating to the Leaky Cauldron," her uncle said offering his hand.

"I can apperate, Uncle Severus," she protested. "It's for your own safety that you take my hand," he said. She obliged him and took his hand. She took a deep breath as she concentrated on her destination. Her head swirled around her as she apperated into the backroom of the Leaky Cauldron. It had been 6 years since she had been here. She was 11 and her father brought her to buy supplies for her first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It wasn't until after her second year, when her father found out that Voldemort with the help of a Hogwarts Professor that he enrolled her at Durmstrang for her third year only by calling in a favor from his old friend Igor Karkaroff, who had now, apparently gone missing. "Severus," the voice of Tom the Inn Keeper echoed behind them. "It's good to see you."

"I hate to be a bother," Severus began. "But we need two rooms. Secure rooms."

"Yes, of course. You can't be too careful these days with you-know-who out there yet again. Follow me," he said as he guided them upstairs to the rooms. Severus opened the door to the room. "This is your room. Mine is directly across from yours should you need anything. You will find your supply list on the dresser I do believe."

She stood there just staring at the floor. "Your father loves you. He's only doing what he thinks is best, Mortifera. Don't think ill of him. He just wants to make sure that you are safe."

"I think I'll rest for a while," she said turning to enter her room. "We will meet downstairs in one hour," Severus said. She nodded then proceeded in to the room. The room was a decent size. Bigger then most the rooms at the Leaky Cauldron. Lying on the dresser was a letter, which she knew was the supply list her uncle had mentioned. She walked around the room almost aimlessly. I can't believe he shipped me off, the voice inside her raged. Of course, she was 17 now and legal in the Wizard world. She removed her cloak and laid it on the chair next to the door before making her way to her bed. Slowly her eyes dimmed.

My lord, a voice echoed in her head. I'm afraid she's gone.

Gone? Gone where, a second voice said. We have no clue, sir.

If you value your life you will find her, the voice echoed hard inside her dream. What about Harry Potter, the first voice echoed again. Leave Potter to me.

Mortifera sat up straight in the bed. Her head rushed around her. It was just a dream. It was just a dream, she repeated to herself trying to convince herself that it was nothing. "Fera," she could hear her Uncle Severus outside my door. "Fera, are you alright?"

She could not answer. Suddenly the door slung open, revealing Severus on the other side. "Fera what happened?"

"Just a dream, Uncle Severus," she said her voice shaken. "I apologize I'm late aren't I?"

"Not at all, sweet girl," he said caressing her hair. "Why don't you get up and we will go shop for your books," he suggested. She nodded and pulled herself together enough to walk into Diagon Alley.