Snape's POV
For what seemed like hours the Dark Lord racked my brain, testing my loyalty, searching for the slightest hint of some betrayal. I told Him that I had not returned at once so that I would not rouse Albus' suspicions. He accepted this and even commended me on a job well done.
We were at Malfoy Manor, but it was just the Dark Lord and myself in the dining room. After He withdrew from my mind, He seemed to be pondering something.
"Tell me about the girl," he said at last. "The one who lives with you."
My heart skipped a beat. This was worse than having Him wrack my brain. I betrayed no emotion.
"She is my cousin. Olivia Cain," I said. "Her mother died in a car accident with her Muggle boyfriend. I am the only family she has left, so I took her in."
He nodded thoughtfully.
"Has the tragedy of her Mother's death instilled in her a loathing for Muggles?" he asked.
"I'm not sure, my lord. We don't talk much about it. …She doesn't seem to like people in general. She has few friends."
"Hm…Ah, well, the girl is of no use to us at this time. We must focus on the present. Albus Dumbledore has been made aware of my return."
It was a statement, no a question, but I answered anyway, glad to be moving on from the subject of Olivia.
"Yes my lord. He tried to alert the minister, of course. Luckily, Fudge is stubborn. He refuses to believe. He thinks Dumbledore is a fool and Potter is delusional. He will say Diggory's death was a tragic accident."
"Who?" he asked disinterestedly.
"The boy who was with Potter, my lord."
"Ah, the spare. Yes, his death was an unfortunate accident. He was not meant to reach the end of the maze. There Barty failed me," he said. "But that is passed now. Undoubtedly Dumbledore will be gathering as many believers as he can, and rallying whoever is left of the old resistance. Dumbledore still trusts you, Severus. You will play the same role as last time."
"Of course my Lord."
"We got lucky this time. The minister will do his best to discredit Dumbledore. If our luck continues, he will get Dumbledore out of Hogwarts. Unfortunately, I don't see that happening anytime soon. On the other hand, the general public will remain blind to my return. Not like last time."
It was late when I finally returned to Hogwarts, well past midnight. I knew Albus would be waiting up for me to hear my report so I went there first. When I finished telling the night's events, he nodded thoughtfully.
"You have done well, Severus," he said. "Go get some rest- you deserve it. Classes are canceled tomorrow, so feel free to sleep in."
I nodded my head, too tired to think of an adequate response, and left his office.
I headed down to the dungeons, thinking I would kick off my shoes, drink a Sleeping Potion, crawl into my bed and sleep for a hundred years. When I entered my office, however, I found Olivia asleep at my desk. She was stretched between two chairs. Her red hair fell across her face, her features contorted into a worried frown. Just seeing her, my heart felt a little lighter- there was so much evil in the world and I was stuck right in the middle of it, but this…this made it all worth it.
I removed my cloak, hung it up, and walked over to her. I gently shook her awake. She opened her emerald eyes and gazed up at me for a moment. Her face relaxed.
"Severus…are you okay?" she asked softly.
I nodded silently, thinking.
"Come," I said finally, taking her by the hand. Using my wand I cast the spell that revealed the door to my private chambers. I opened the door and led Olivia inside.
It was a simple room, really. Just a bed, a bookcase which held books and a few rare potions I wouldn't dare lave within a student' grasp, my trunk, a wardrobe and a fireplace where a small fire was already lit. Olivia stood on the threshold of the room, leaning sleepily against the doorframe.
"What about the rules?" she asked.
"Sod the rules," I said, kicking off my shoes. "I'm tired…and I don't…I don't want to be alone."
It was difficult to admit. Olivia shut the door, which sealed itself magically, and she came over to the bed. I lay my wand on the bedside table, kicked off my shoes, and we crawled into bed. I immediately put my arms around her and she nestled against me. I sighed, thinking that I may actually be able to sleep restfully, without the use of a potion.
"What about Dumbledore?" she murmured.
"To Hell with Dumbledore," I replied. "It's not like he can fire me."
Olivia's POV
When I awoke late the next morning, I was confused as to where I was. Someone had their arms around me- Snape of course. I lifted my head slightly and looked around. We were in his room at Hogwarts, where I had never been before last night. I wasn't surprised to find it was void of pictures and personal items, save for his trunk and a few books on a shelf. I was more curious about the potions on the shelf.
Snape stirred and removed his arms from around me so he could stretch.
"Damn," he said, sitting up.
"Good morning to you, too," I said with lighthearted sarcasm.
"I had rather hoped it was all a bad dream," he sighed. I nodded sympathetically.
"Let's go into my office," Snape said, getting up. I nodded and got up as well, but instead of going towards the door to his office, I walked over to the shelf with the potions.
"What are these?" I asked curiously. "I was too sleepy to ask last night."
"Various rare potions," he replied. "…Some poisons and, of course, the antidotes."
"Ooh, like what?"
"Well," he said somewhat uncomfortably, coming to stand behind me. "That is Morticaine. Ever heard of it?"
"No."
"Not many have. It's very rare and more complex than the Wolfsbane. It takes six months to mature. Salazar Slytherin himself invented it."
"What does it do?"
"It causes death within seconds of ingestions. It's odorless and virtually undetectable."
"Yeah until the drinker drops dead after taking a sip of pumpkin juice at dinner," I pointed out. "If I were going to poison someone, I would use something undetectable, that works like an hour or more after ingestion. Something that mimics a natural death."
He looked at me oddly, then smiled slightly.
"Though I suppose it would give them more time to get an antidote, should they suspect foul play," I added as an afterthought.
"Let us hope you will never have the need to poison anyone," he said. "…Morticaine does have antidotes- the vials to the left- each of which is as difficult to brew as the potion itself. Merlin died trying to create an antidote."
"Why do you even have these?" I asked curiously.
"Not to use," he said quickly. "Or at least, not for me to use. Most I have created only to test my ability. Though I suppose, now that He has returned…In the past He has sometimes asked me to brew poisons…It's not as if I could refuse."
I nodded in agreement.
"What are some of the others?" I inquired.
"Moonseed Poison, Belladonna, Weedsoros-"
"I remember that," I said.
We had brewed the potion when I was a third-year. He had told me at the end of that year that he had used the potion in a riddle when Dumbledore asked each of the teachers to come up with something to protect the Philosopher's Stone. It had been ingenious, really. A riddle that only a wizard or witch with a great amount of logic could solve, and that was lethal to get wrong.
"What is this?" I asked curiously, picking up an emerald green potion that was glowing. It was really sort of pretty.
"…That's the Drink of Despair," he said, looking at the floor. "It's something the Dark Lord asked me to brew many years ago. It causes extreme fear and delirium in the drinker. If used a certain way…it could cause someone to relive their absolute worst memory or greatest fear. …I would not wish this poison on anyone, not even my worst enemy."
"What do you mean, if used a certain way?"
"If used to guard something. You see, the Drink of Despair cannot be scooped up with anything save for a very powerful hoodwinked object. It cannot be poured out. Once it is brewed, the first thing it is poured into after the cauldron becomes its permanent container. The potion in that vial cannot be poured out. Go ahead, try."
Curious, I uncorked the vial and attempted to pour the potion out. It sloshed like a liquid, but stopped and would not go past the opening of the bottle. I touched it tentatively with a finger. My finger went through it like a liquid, but emerged completely dry.
"It can only be consumed," Snape said.
"Weird," I said, quickly stoppering the potion and putting it back on the shelf. "But how could it be used to protect something?"
"It also causes extreme thirst. And the only thing that seems to quench the thirst it more of the potion. The more you drink, the more delirious you become, until the potion is gone. By then the wizard is so weak, they are unlikely to be capable of retrieving whatever may have been placed in the potion."
"Can't the object be Summoned out?"
"Not if someone has gone to great lengths to protect it."
"But that's insane. If the person who put the item there in the first place wanted to get it, they would have to drink the potion themselves, wouldn't they?"
"Or bring along someone and force them to do it," he said darkly. "…It was popular in medieval times, among rich pureblood wizards, to hide things like family treasures. If the wizard wanted it back, they'd just force a house-elf to drink it."
"That's horrible," I exclaimed. "…What did the Dark Lord use it for?"
"I didn't ask. I was told to brew it and never speak of it again. I never heard anything else about it either."
"…How do you know all that stuff about it?"
"There are books- very old books, centuries old some- that have ancient curses and poisons. They are very difficult to find and rare- not something you'd be able to find in Flourish and Blott's…or anywhere in Diagon Alley."
"What about Knockturn Alley?"
"Occasionally a book will show up in Borgin and Burke's. Something a thief stole from one of the pureblood families old libraries or something someone decided to pawn. Lucius Malfoy has a few in his basement that I've borrowed over the years."
I could tell he didn't like talking about poisons- or maybe he was just uncomfortable having me in his room. I left the shelf and went out into his office. Looking relieved, he followed me out and sealed the door.
"It's almost noon," I said, checking my watch. "What about classes?"
"Albus said they were cancelled," he said. "…By the way- this can't happen again."
"You initiated it," I pointed out. " 'To hell with Dumbledore' you said. 'Sod the rules'."
"Yes, I know. I'm not saying it was your fault. There were extenuating circumstances and…I just don't want you to think this will be a frequent thing."
"I understand," I said softly. "You went through a lot yesterday."
He said nothing but looked away again. I could tell he didn't want to talk about what happened. I decided not to question him about the Dark Lord…but I was curious about whether or not he had mentioned me.
"Could I brew one of those poisons?" I asked, changing the subject. "Just to see if I can do it?"
"No," he said immediately.
"What? Why not? You could help me."
"I just…don't think it's a very good idea. Can't you pick a complex potion that can't kill someone? I will assist you in brewing any non-lethal poison you choose."
"Seriously? Any potion I pick?"
He nodded.
"Well…you've limited my options a bit, haven't you?" I said with a smile. "Can I think on it?"
"Sure," he said indifferently. "…We should head up to lunch. I'd like to talk to Dumbledore."
My friends immediately began asking questions when I sat down to lunch. They knew that I had not come in last night and wanted to know what I knew about Diggory's death. Dumbledore had apparently given a speech that morning at breakfast, telling everyone not to question Potter.
They both had the same major question.
"Is the Dark Lord really back?" Alex asked quietly, a desperate, pleading look in her eyes. I nodded wordlessly. In hushed tones I recounted what I had seen and heard at the maze and in Moody's office. I told them what I remembered of Barty Crouch's confession and how Fudge brought the dementor later. I didn't tell them about the scene in the hospital wing, of course, or about Snape's being a spy.
They were both stunned and the three of us sat in silence a while, which I didn't mind. I picked at my food, not really feeling hungry. To keep my mind off the Dark Lord and Cedric Diggory, I thought about which advanced potion I would like to brew with Snape.
After lunch I slipped away to the library, found a few books on advanced potions, and sat down in a corner of the library to consider my options. I thought about Felix Felicis, the luck potion, but recalled things I had read about it before, about it causing recklessness. A bloke in Germany had jumped from a 12 foot building several years back because he felt like "nothing could possibly go wrong." I wouldn't want to risk anything like that.
I'd already had an idea of which potion I would like to try. Even after reading most of the afternoon, I decided on my first choice- Amortentia.
Snape's POV
I was in my office grading papers. The Dark Lord has risen yesterday and I was reading essays about the properties of Moonstones. I didn't want to think on what had happened, so I forced it from my mind and tried to concentrate on the essays.
Only that didn't work out so well. As much as I tried not to, my mind kept wondering, thinking about the Dark Lord. Mostly I thought about what he had said about Olivia, about her not being important "at this time." Did that mean he would try to recruit her later? And what would I do if he did? I couldn't bear for her to have to have the Mark burned into her arm, for her to have to do whatever He requested of her…just the thought made my stomach churn.
I had told Dumbledore last night. He had told me not to worry about things that had no happened yet, that there's plenty to worry about that's happening now. He told me he understand my worries. He didn't understand. He couldn't understand, not without me revealing just how much I cared about Olivia.
There was a soft knock at the door and I jumped slightly.
"Enter," I said, looking up as Olivia came in.
"What are you doing?" she asked quietly, sitting down.
"Grading papers…I don't know what else to do."
"That's why I came here. I didn't know what to do. I feel like I should be doing something…"
"I thought grading papers would help distract me…but it's not going so well."
"Well…You said I could pick a complicated potion to brew, remember?"
"Sure," I replied, though I hadn't actually thought about it. I had just said it to get her off the subject of deadly potions.
"Well, I decided."
"And what have you decided?" I inquired.
"I would like to attempt to brew Amortentia."
I smiled slightly, in spite of myself.
"You would pick that, wouldn't you? You know, if I wanted I could argue that it's not necessarily a non-lethal potion…"
"But you won't," she said with a grin.
"No," I said agreeably. "Alright then, let's get started."
We left my office and went down to the Potions classroom where Olivia began to gather ingredients. I set up a cauldron over a fire as she laid out the ingredients, which included ashwinder eggs, rose thorns, peppermint, powdered moonstone, Syrup of Hellebore and scurvy-grass.
We worked diligently on the potion, undisturbed, for the rest of the evening. We checked the recipe in the book every now and again and we scarcely spoke to each other. Around eleven o'clock that evening it was finished and we stood by the cauldron together.
"Well, we did it," I said, inhaling deeply. "It's perfect."
Olivia nodded and inhaled deeply as well.
"What do you smell?" she asked me.
"It's not the same as it's always been," I observed. "There's some flowery scent that's always been there…and a sort of wood-smoke, like a campfire smell…and raspberries."
I blushed a little at this and Olivia caught my eye. She smiled.
"I smell," she said thoughtfully. "sort of an earthy smell, like dirt…some sort of flower…puppy's breath and-"
She broke off, looking embarrassed.
"What?" I prompted.
"Your aftershave," she said, turning red. I chuckled lightly.
"Puppy's breath, really? That's one of the things that attracts you?" I asked playfully as we started to clean up.
"Puppy's are cute," she said with a shrug.
Olivia's POV
The rest of the week passed in a blur and the last day of school came quickly. When we entered the Great Hall for the leaving feast, the hall was hung with black drapes, out of respect for Cedric Diggory. The Hufflepuff table looked absolutely morose, many of them still crying silently. My heart went out to them and I felt a flood of sadness. I hadn't known Diggory well, but I'd seen him around and he was a bright kid, from what I could see from the tournament.
All four tables were less noisy than usual, even the Slytherin table and when Dumbledore stood up to address the school everyone fell silent.
"The end of another year," he said, looking around at the tables, "There is much I would like to say to you all tonight but I must first acknowledge the loss of a very fine person, who should be sitting here enjoying our feast with us. I would like you all, please, to stand, and raise your glasses, to Cedric Diggory."
Everyone stood up with their goblets raised, myself included, and we all said 'Cedric Diggory' in a loud, low voice. Then we sat back down.
"Cedric was a person who exemplified many of the qualities that distinguish Hufflepuff House," Dumbledore went on, "He was a good and loyal friend, a hard worker, he valued fair play. His death has affected you all, whether you knew him well or not. I think that you have the right, therefore, to know exactly how it came about. Cedric Diggory was murdered by Lord Voldemort."
A panicked whispered spread through the hall and people stared at Dumbledore in horror and disbelief.
"The Ministry of Magic does not wish me to tell you this," Dumbledore continued, "It is possible some of your parents will be horrified that I have done so- either because they will not believe that Lord Voldemort has returned, or because they think I should not tell you so, young as you are. It is my belief, however, that the truth is generally preferable to lies, and that any attempt to pretend that Cedric died as the result of an accident, or some
sort of blunder of his own, is an insult to his memory. There is somebody else who must be mentioned in connection with Cedric's death. I am talking, of course, about Harry Potter."
A few people glanced at Potter before looking back up at Dumbledore.
"Harry Potter managed to escape Lord Voldemort. He risked his own life to return Cedric's body to Hogwarts. He showed, in every respect, the sort of bravery that few wizards have ever shown in facing Lord Voldemort, and for this I honor him."
Dumbledore raised his goblet in Potter's direction. Most of the people in the hall raised their goblets to him. So did I, because I knew that Potter really had faced the Dark Lord and survived yet again. Draco stayed in his seat, so did many of the other Slytherins. With a sharp look I managed to get a few of the younger ones to raise their goblets. When everyone was seated Dumbledore spoke again.
"The Triwizard Tournament's aim was to further and promote magical understanding. In the light of what has happened- of Lord Voldemort's return- such ties are more important than ever before. Every guest in this Hall will be welcomed back here and time, should they wish to come. I say to you all, once again- in light of Lord Voldemort's return, we are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided. Lord Voldemort's gift for spreading discord and anmity is very great. We can fight it only by showing an equally strong bond of friendship and trust. Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open.
"It is my belief- and never have I so hoped that I am mistaken- that we are all facing dark and difficult times. Some of you in this Hall have already suffered directly at the hands of Lord Voldemort. Many of your families have been torn asunder. A week ago, a student was taken from our midst. Remember Cedric. Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was good, and kind, and brave, because he strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort. Remember Cedric Diggory."
The next day marked the last day of school. Trunks were packed and everyone was gathered in the Entrance Hall, preparing to depart. I was there, even though I would not be riding back on the train. I was there to say goodbye to my friends. Alexandria I would see again next year. Brandi I would not.
"You must both promise to write to me," she said tearfully, hugging me goodbye. "And you can come visit. Come stay in France with me. We can go shopping and hang out…"
I promised to write to them both, though I wasn't sure I would be able to. I wasn't sure what sort of Summer lay in store for me. McGonagall started to lead the students out of the hall. I said one last goodbye to my friends, nodded to McGonagall, and headed back down into the dungeons.
Snape wasn't in his office when I got there. Nor was he in the Potions classroom. Perplexed, I checked the Slytherin Common Room, the Great Hall and even looked around outside. There was no sign of him. Unsure of what to do, I made my way tentatively up to Dumbledore's office, hoping he would be there.
When I knocked on the door, there came a quiet "Come in" from inside. I opened the door, Dumbledore was standing at a window, looking out over the grounds. Snape was nowhere to be found.
"Hello Olivia," Dumbledore said, without turning around.
"Hello sir. Er…I was rather hoping Severus might be up here," I said, feeling awkward.
"He had to leave this morning, right after breakfast."
I knew he meant leave to go to the Dark Lord.
"Oh," I said. "So…do you think I should wait here or go home?"
"I don't think it makes much difference. You are welcome to stay here, if you like. You can get lunch from the kitchens."
I thought about it a moment.
"I think I'll head home. Maybe I can get some cleaning and all done before Severus returns," I said aloud. This last part was more of an after thought for myself, but Dumbledore turned to look at me.
"I am pleased that you have come to think of the house at Spinner's End as home," he said.
"I like that house. It's dark and creepy and…totally awesome," I said with a smile.
"I had always rather hoped Severus would sell it and move. It doesn't do him any good to stay in that house, with his memories."
I wasn't all that eager to have a chat with Dumbledore about Snape and his feelings, so I said nothing. Dumbledore turned back to look out the window and I took this as my cue to leave.
I went back to my dormitory and got my trunk, then headed out the front door of Hogwarts. I walked along the path to the gate. Once there, I Disapparated back to Spinner's End.
I put my stuff up in my room, then set about the task of cleaning up. I played my music as loud as I pleased, since we had no neighbors to be bothered by the noise. After sweeping, dusting, doing laundry and cleaning out the refrigerator, Snape still had not returned. It was late afternoon by then. I decided to walk to the store, since we were low on food. I left Snape a note on the counter, in case he retuned before I got back.
It had been a clear day all day and it was a little hot out now. I walked through the streets on my way into town. There weren't many people out and about and I enjoyed my solitude. Suddenly, the sound of a dog yelping and cruel laughter reached my ears. I followed the sound to an alley where three Muggle boys, each about the age of 12, stood in a circle around a dog. They were teasing the poor creature, pulling his ears and tail until he yelped. A much smaller boy with dark hair sat in a corner, looking on helplessly and weeping silently.
"Hey! You three! Leave that dog alone!" I shouted, hoping that they would run off at the sound of my voice. No such luck. The three boys turned and looked at me.
"What are you going to do about it?" the tallest of the three jeered at me. He was a gangly, dirty youth with a gap between his yellow teeth.
"You're not an adult," added another of the three.
"I could tell your parents," I pointed out, taking a few steps closer to them.
"They wouldn't give a rats ass," said the tallest.
With the boys' attention on me, the smaller boy saw and opportunity, which is what I'd hoped for. He ran and grabbed his pup. The tallest of the three boys turned and kicked him hard in the ribs as the kid scampered away.
"Leave him alone!" I shouted, now only a foot away from the boys.
"Oh yeah? What are you gonna do about it? You may be older, but there's three of us and one of you," said the tallest boy. "And we ain't afraid to scrap."
"I'm not scared of you," I snorted.
The three boys advanced towards me and with one quick movement I cold-cocked him right in the face with my fist. I felt his nose crunch under my fist and blood spurted everywhere. The bully put his hands over his broken nose and he and his two friends took off down the alley.
The small boy was sitting against the wall, massaging his injured ribs and checking his dog over for injuries. He flinched slightly as I approached. I sat down beside him against the wall, not caring that I was probably getting alley-slime all over my clothes. He was pale, thin and small, though I guessed his age to be about the same as the other boys. He wasn't as dirty as the others, but his black hair certainly hadn't been washed in a while.
"What's your name?" I asked him gently.
"Michael," he said quietly, not looking at me.
"Is your dog okay?" I asked him.
He nodded wordlessly. I reached out and petted the dog. He was not any particular breed and at some point had probably been white or blonde.
"What's his name?" I asked Michael.
"Rosco," he said, finally looking up at me. He had sad, dark eyes that reminded me instantly of Snape.
"…When he gets bigger, Rosco will protect me from bullies," Michael said after a minute.
"I'm sure he will. Dogs are very loyal companions," I said with a nod. "Would you like for me to walk you home?"
"No, I'm okay," he said quickly. "…Thanks."
"No problem," I said, getting up and brushing dirt off my pants. "I doubt those kids will be bothering you again for a while."
I left Michael and Rosco there and continued on to the store. On my way back, my arms laden with groceries, I stopped back by the alley but they were gone.
When I got home, Snape still wasn't back. I felt worried. I didn't know what it was he had gone to do or how long he would be gone. At what point should I go to Dumbledore and let him know Snape still wasn't back?
To take my mind off waiting for him, I started to make dinner. About midway through cooking, I heard the distinct pop of somebody Apparating. I hurried into the sitting room, where Snape stood. Elated, I greeted him with a kiss which he returned with enthusiasm.
"I'm so glad I can do that now," I said with a sigh. He nodded in agreement.
"You cleaned today," he said, looking around. "And made dinner. What else did you do?"
"I saved a kid and his dog," I said proudly. "What did you do?"
"Nothing to be proud of," he murmured.
"Nonsense," I said. "You were doing something for Dumbledore, right? The most important job of all."
He shrugged, still not looking at me. I kissed him again and put my arms around him.
"I will always be proud of you," I murmured, looking up into his sad black eyes.
Author's Note: Okay y'all that's the end of Book 6. Already started Book 7 and hopefully will have the first chapter posted soon. Read and reviews, please! J
~LilReporterGirl