AN/- This chapter is for Animechic whose chibi brought me back to what I do best-I missed fanfiction so much p=)
Chapter 63
"The dark Lord will see you now," said Peter giving Rachel the most suspicious glare he could manage—he wasn't the only one who was eying their 'guest' that Severus had brought in to have an audience with their lord—Bellatrix had gone ballistic when she heard of it—she couldn't believe it, but no one was allowed into the room that the dark lord had invited Dumbledore's daughter into—not even Severus.
Rachel was frightened in the beginning as she was supposed to enter the dimly lit room on her own, but she mustered the courage to do so—they had taken a week to prepare her for this—making false memories about where the hatred for her parents came from—fake memories about how she had begun to detest her daughter and her friends the werewolf and the animagus—and most of all the order—also another memory of how Severus had made her realise her true potential.
All her courage though melted away when she was finally in his presence—she had never truly come face to face with the man—the man who stole blood from her daughter and was after her life—the 'maniac'. "Don't—Rachel—Don't !" she thought to herself as a large snake that had almost murdered Arthur Weasley a very good friend, slithered up the man's tall body and then went around his neck—settling there.
Lord Voldemort turned to face Rachel as she stood straighter trying to catch her breath—the man in front of her was like one of those horrible muggle 'Zombie fest' movies Audrey loved watching on rainy nights in France especially when you could see the lighting hit the tower—it was spooky—Rachel hated those movies.
"Ms. Dumbledore—what a pleasant surprise," said Voldemort as he gazed into her sky blue eyes—she prepared herself as she knew he'd be reading her mind while they spoke—it would be most difficult.
"What can I do for you?" asked Voldemort walking up to her as she took in a deep breath.
"I am here because I wish to offer my services to you," said Rachel as smoothly as she could put it. Voldemort raised his brow—if someone could call it that.
"Let me put it simply—Ms. Dumbledore—I don't trust you—if you could give me evidence that you truly-,"
"I thought you'd be faster than that?" she said Rachel as if challenging him as Voldemort laughed—as if it wasn't cold enough in the room.
"I see where your daughter gets her bravado from," laughed Voldemort as Rachel looked at him blankly.
"You are very much like your mother—she has it in her too you know," said Voldemort circling her like a prey.
"I have never-," faltered Rachel—she did not like it when someone mocked her mother—after all the woman had somewhat raised her on her own—although pappa had always been like a celebrity in her life—but Rachel knew just how hard he used to try to spend time with her—every night the tuck in and stories were compulsory—she remembered, just how many times she had woken him up from a deep sleep on the couch just so that he could read her the story he had so many times already—but he had never once refused—never. Rachel shook her head softly and looked down clearing her head. When she raised her head to look at him, he gleamed and entered her head—sieving through each memory—it took all of Rachel's energy and strength to keep him from breaking into the wall she had built around her real memories—she had to keep him out—she kept thinking about terrible things from her childhood—terrible memories—that truthfully—she never had—but when he was truly satisfied with her thoughts and let go of her—she had tears seeping down her eyes—it was like one of those tragic scenes that you knew were not true—but being human meant sympathising—but sympathising for yourself—that was pathetic.
Voldemort flinched as the woman in front of him cleared her eyes.
"Fix yourself, there is no place for the weak in my ranks," he said as she raised her head in question.
"I believe you—you seem to be affected deeply—we are similar in some aspects—we have both had terrible childhoods—just like Severus—is that why you love him—that you have something in common," asked Voldemort brushing a stray tear away with his cold finger.
"Yes," said Rachel simply—seeing that there would be no reason for a conversation with a mad man.
"I will request you to go now," said Voldemort turned around quickly as Rachel looked at him strangely.
"What?—you won't be marking me?" asked Rachel stilly estranged. Voldemort turned around—a small smile on his lips.
"I don't mark women—I don't believe they are strong enough to sustain it," said Voldemort.
"But Bellatrix has-,"
"Bellatrix can hardly be called a woman—she's a warrior—she's not weak—women are weak—but that doesn't mean that I don't find any use for them—I mean look at Narcissa—such a good host—such a good wife—they keep my death eaters happy—makes my work easier—that is why I like my death eaters to be married to good, pure blooded women," said Voldemort as he took her hand into his own and kissed the back of her palm.
"Come," he ordered her—he really didn't need to seeing he had grasped her hand firmly as the snake slithered off his shoulder and landed near his legs. He strode to the door and pulled it open to the file of death eaters just waiting for the snake to come first with Dumbledore's half eaten body.
"Severus," called Voldemort as Severus noticed the dark lord's hand on Rachel's.
"Why haven't you brought her to me before?" asked Voldemort smiling as Severus looked at the man and bowed slightly.
"I'll take that you are to marry?" asked Voldemort looking from Severus to Rachel.
"Umm...of course...my lord...if you so wish," said Severus, a glint of surprise in his eyes disappeared as soon as it came.
"Very good—Pius!" called Voldemort into the crowd of death eaters as Pius Thickness came forth—he had been a candidate for the minister's office in the last elections—he had lost by three votes.
"Yes, my lord," said Pius as he came forth with a bunch of papers.
"My blessings are with you—both of you," said Voldemort happily as Pius gave them a bad look and shoved the wedding papers into their hands as he pulled them back after they signed them.
Rachel didn't say anything as they made their way away from Malfoy manor—far away.
"Come," he said as he pulled her into his arms and apparated her to Spinner's end—it would be best if they spent the night at his house in Spinner's end—it would be safest.
Audrey and Harry had come to a consensus that if they needed to know more about Malfoy—to truly get him on their side like Dumbledore wanted Audrey too—then they would have to stay non-committal grounds—just like they had spent last term—but it wasn't like they had started dating again either—seeing they agreed that them being together wasn't as crucial as what was at stake—their lives along with the several thousands of the wizarding population.
So, once at Kings Cross Audrey spent most of her time on her toes searching for Hermione.
"Audrey!" called Hermione from near the carts as her father seemed to be trying to load her trunk on to the trolley.
"Hey," smiled Audrey as she walked up to Hermione as her mother smiled casually at her.
"You must be Audrey—we've heard so much about you," smiled Ms. Granger shaking Audrey's hand as Audrey gave her a polite smile.
"Umm... thanks," said Audrey smiling the best she could.
"I have a sister in France—she's a dentist as well—she has an office near Paris," said Mrs. Granger as Audrey nodded.
"Diana Gates?" asked Mrs. Granger as Audrey's eyebrows shot up.
"Mum—not everyone in France goes to the same-," began Hermione as Mr. Granger laughed a little.
"Yes, I used to go to her when I was younger," said Audrey smiling as Mrs. Granger eyes lit up happily.
"You never told me," said Hermione frowning.
"You never told me—about her being your aunt," said Audrey in an obvious tone.
"Hermione—Audrey!" shouted Ginny waving as Dean and Neville stood next to her, Dean's hand on her waist while Neville glowered in the side.
"I'll see you next summer," said Hermione smiling at her parents as they pulled her into a tight hug.
"We'll miss you darling," said her father as he pushed his specs up while hugging her.
"You too," said Hermione as she pulled the trolley with her as did Audrey as they passed through the barrier and onto platform nine and three quarters.
Sessions with Dumbledore started once more as they were tested in defence techniques and legillimency, although Harry failed miserably at legillimency—Audrey seemed to be a natural—but Dumbledore gave a reason stating that both her parents were accomplished at the art of mind reading and defence—therefore it was only time she time till she grew a fondness to it as well.
"Now—I wonder if you remember that memory we had seen concerning professor Slughorn," asked Dumbledore as he sat down on his chair comfortably motioning the other two to do the same as they nodded.
"Good—and you must remember that the memory was a lie and had been tampered with," said Dumbledore as the two nodded again.
"Now—I must need you to bring me the real memory," said Dumbledore as Audrey frowned.
"And how exactly are we supposed to do that?" she asked him shaking her head.
"I asked you to get to know professor Slughorn and you have done so, now I want you to persuade him to diagnose his true memory," said Dumbledore.
"But we don't know him that well," said Harry as Dumbledore sighed.
"This memory—is everything—without it we are blind—without it we leave the fate of our world to chance—you have no choice—you must not fail," finished Dumbledore gravely as Audrey bit her lower lip as they nodded and were dismissed.
Back in the common room—they decided to formulate some sort of plan—stating that they would take chances trying to influence Slughorn to tell them about the memory. Harry would go first and confront him after the first years potions class that Slughorn seemed to enjoy the most.
But, Harry seemed to have unnerved Slughorn, as the man refused to even look at Harry after their encounter—seeing he had seen right through Harry's plan—or as he called it Dumbledore's set up.
So a week later—Audrey tried to go on pally on Slughorn although refusing to mention anything to him about the prophecy—only strictly on business about when his next party would be and just how much she enjoyed his company. Although Slughorn was weary about her sudden affiliation towards him—he did not discard it completely as he was doing to Harry—Harry realised that Audrey was playing him well—first trying to get to know him—to make him trust her completely—and then bit his head off.
Audrey was just returning to her house table after talking to Slughorn and depositing her bribe of crystallised pinapples in Creme brulle flavour that she said had Gabrille send by speed post—telling her it was a life and death crisis. She was almost knocked over by her father as he held her back and stopped her from falling.
"Watch were you're going," he snapped at her maliciously as Audrey frowned.
"You watch were you're going," she muttered under her breath angrily as Snape turned around and glared at her.
"Fifty points from Gryffindor—mind your cheek girl!" he chided and glared at her as she clenched her teeth.
"Thanks—I'll make sure of it," she said sarcastically as she rolled her eyes threw him a dirty look as Snape didn't stop glaring at her. They just stood there looking at each other—loathingly—neither budged as people around them grew uncomfortable—most of the staff now tried to ignore the scene. In the end Snape looked away—she smiled victoriously as she raised her head and dared him to say something—her hands crossed over her chest as Snape raised his eyebrows at her as someone cleared their throat as both father and daughter raised their glares to the culprit.
Slughorn jumped in his seat looking at them glaring at him—as if daring him to say something—but Slughorn took it up as a challenge.
"Your daughter—is quite marvellous at Potions—Severus—as much as you were—maybe more," said Slughorn as Audrey looked at her father—whose face softened just a little.
"That day—I mistakenly gave Slytherine points instead of Gryffindor—seeing I relate the name—Snape to our house," said Slughorn smiling nostalgically as Snape gave him a polite nod.
"You must be proud to have her as your daughter—you're most lucky," said Slughorn looking at the father-daughter duo standing in front of him as neither said anything as they just stood there—their hair hiding their faces in a similar way.
"And Ms. Snape—aren't you proud to have a father such as him?" smiled Slughorn as Audrey raised her head indignantly.
"No!" she said simply spitting it like poison as Slughorn looked a little sadly at her.
"Now, Audrey—I expected better off you," he said as Audrey scoffed.
"Yes—well—we all except so many things—all my life—I expected my father to be an idol—I didn't know my mother took a fancy for dingbats," she said snottily as professor Sprout who was sitting next to professor Slughorn had pumpkin juice out her nose—as Slughorn looked at her a little affronted.
"Why you insolent, little-." Severus snarled taking a step towards her—she thought he was going to lash out against her—she was frightened—a little—she knew he would never yet her her wand flung out instinctively and was pushed into his stomach as they looked at each other seething—their eyes met as she pulled her wand away instantly.
"If you'll excuse me—" said Audrey uncomfortably as she ignored her father glaring at her.
"Ms. Snape—so much hate between family is not good," said Slughorn softly as Audrey turned around to look at her father and then at Slughorn.
"It's alright Horace—I don't consider her family," said Snape, smirking and cocking his head over at Audrey—'check mate'—he raised his eyebrows at her.
"Lucky me," she snubbed him as he uncrossed his hands as she turned around to leave. Slughorn didn't say anything as Snape sat down next to him and unrolled the newspaper and placed it in front of his face as his direct line of vision rested on his daughter sitting next to Granger as she began speaking to Granger—he wondered if she had taken his sudden attack to heart—seeing just how hurt she seemed—but then when she looked up at him with her goblet of pumpkin juice—she winked at him as she could see him grinning through the newspaper. They were most definitely the oddest father-daughter duo around—and even though he wasn't like Hermione's father was—he still was most suitable for her—and she loved him.
"So you see that why I cannot," he said his voice was weak, she knew she had him—right where she needed him—she sure was too good at her work—as the little trick she had asked her father to act out with her had most certainly been worth the fifty points he stole from her house. She couldn't believe Slughorn was so gullible—a few well chosen words and the beans came spilling—of how his daughter never visited him anymore—of how she was happy and had accepted her husband's father as her own and that was why Slughorn wanted to see Audrey and her father together—that was why Audrey told him that she had wished the same but when her father figured out the truth—he refused to accept her—she told him the generally known lie about how Snape had refused to take her in—and just how she the poor little girl in search for her idol-her father—had been shunned by the very man she had died to know—to be loved by—Audrey had almost laughed out when Slughorn had sniffed at her rubbish—she wondered how many times her father must have bitten his tongue today—seeing how much she was bad mouthing him.
"But sir—you must understand—we are so similar—shunned by people we sort out for—for so many years—consider how much you and I are alike," she said helping him raise his wand to his temple as Slughorn sniffed again as a knock on the door broke their chain of thought as Slughorn instantly moved away his hand dropping as he pocketed his wand and went to answer the door—while Audrey was left cursing her terrible luck as she clenched her hands tightly.
"Harry?" Slughorn asked confused as Harry just barged him with a dazed looking Ron, who seemed to look high on something.
"Did he just take love potion?" asked Audrey forgetting everything about the memory, as Harry looked at her as Slughorn studied Ron closely.
"I'm sorry—I guess I have bad timing" he said as softly as he could as he stood next to her.
"The worst," she replied gritting her teeth as Harry gave her small smile.
"Harry—where's Romilda—you promised to take me to her!" snarled Ron lunging towards Harry as Slughorn pushed him down onto the couch again.
"Why did you have to get him here Potter—you could have easily whipped up an antidote," said Slughorn.
"Not really—sir, I would need a professional antidote for a professional love potion," he said looking at Audrey.
"Don't look at me like that—they bloody well sell!" she said pouting as Slughorn raised his eyebrows.
"You're selling illegal potions Ms. Snape?" asked Slughorn shocked as he stirred some antidote in a goblet while Ron pranced around the room singing
"Romilda I love you—Romilda I do—when we are apart my heart only beats for you!"
"I sell them to the Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes," said Audrey as Slughorn raised his eyebrows.
"The joke shop?" he asked as Ron walked over and hugged him.
"Oh Romilda—I love you!" he claimed almost kissing Slughorn as the man pushed him down again.
"Yup," she replied as Slughorn made an impressed face.
"Here!" he said handing Ron the antidote.
"What's this love?" he asked looking doe like.
"Tonic for the nerves," replied Slughorn as Ron looked over to Harry and smiled.
"Give some to my friend Harry there too—he needs it to tell Audrey that he loves her," said Ron laughing as he gulped down the antidote making Slughorn smile while Harry looked terribly embarrassed. Audrey looked at him as he refused to turn to her—so she brushed it away as Ron's being under the influence.
"What happened to me?" asked Ron looking around the place a little startled.
"Love potion—rather strong one I must say," said Slughorn turning from Ron to Audrey as Audrey gave Ron an apologetic look.
"Love Potion?" asked Ron curiously as Audrey walked forward and stood next to Harry.
"I feel terrible," said Ron breathing deeply as Audrey sat next to him and rubbed his knee to comfort him.
"Yea, should have thought of that when you ate all those chocolates on my bed," said Harry crossing his hands.
"Why the bloody hell is Romilda Vane sending you spiked chocolates?" asked Ron as Audrey glared into nothing.
"Why is Romilda Vane sending you chocolates at all?" asked Audrey looking affronted—jealous—yes she was terribly jealous.
"How's it matter—Ron saved my life I suppose," said Harry as Ron felt a little dizzy.
"Love potion makes you feel terrible—what you need is a pick me up—I was saving this for a special occasion but seeing that it is needed now—why not!" stated Slughorn walking over with four glasses in his hand filled with what looked like mead.
"Well—here you are—cheers—to life," said Slughorn clanking his glass with Harry and Audrey as Ron shot down the glass in one gulp, a loud clanking sound and the breaking of glass alerted the others as they pulled the untouched mead glasses away from their lips as Ron fell off the ground writhing—foam coming of his mouth as he twitched like mad—poison—Ron had been poisoned!
"Ron!" chorused Harry and Audrey dashing to his side as Harry tried to do something only—he could not think of anything, but Audrey was on her feet as Slughorn looked as shocked as ever—she dashed to the open bottle of mead—circled the bottle round ten times slowly as Slughorn shook his head and sat down on the couch feeling weak. Audrey then rushed to Ron's side as she dug her hand deep into her robe pocket and pulled out five pieces of bezeors as she sized a few and then set her ear onto Ron's chest—as Harry watched on—she then nodded to herself and licked two bezeors shoving them down one after another into Ron's mouth and shutting his nose, placing her free hand over his mouth to help his swallow—as after a few minutes Ron stopped moving—and began blinking as he turned over and vomited out everything into the already dying fire as Audrey fell on her bottom and leaned into Harry for support as Ron got up his breathing so heavy it was as if he couldn't breath at all.
"These girls—they're going to kill me!" Ron announced as he rested down once again closing his eyes and falling into the unconscious.
"We need to get him to the hospital wing—for further check up," said Audrey the other two agreed and Ron was transported to the hospital wing almost immediately but that didnt rest at that—the headmaster, the deputy—the defence professor and the two aurors were called down to check on Mr. Weasley as professor Slughorn was waiting along with Ms. Weasley, ms. Snape, Ms. Granger and Mr. Potter to hear what the mediwithch had to say—Hermione was sitting on one sid and Ginny on the other.
"Quick thinking on your part Audrey on using a bezeor," said Dumbleodre as Audrey nodded politely.
"Quick thinking—quick thinking!—she bloody deserves some sort of medal of honour or something—you should have seen her Albus—she knew exactly what to do!" said Horace surprised.
"Well you must be very proud of your student Horace," said Dumbledore as Audrey blushed in embarrassment—seriously—she would have been the worst friend on the planet if she didnt do what she did for Ron.
"Can I ask how—you manage to know all this?" asked Slughorn as Audrey raised her head.
"It is practical—sir—we were taught it in our first year—the number of bezours depend on the amount of poison consumed—that is a ED level 5 poison—a bit more could have easily stopped his nervous system at the very moment that it touch his tongue—but I suppose you serve the absolute right proportions," said Audrey in an obvious tone.
"But we don't teach students all of that—in any year," said Slughorn looking baffled.
"I was a Beauxbatons vice captain sir—I was trained to know these things," said Audrey smiling a little as Slughorn shook his head at her impressed.
"Of course side lining the fact that you have five shelves filled with Potions books in your room," snapped her mother in the back as Audrey blushed crimson.
"Well—it saved someone's life—so I count my potion craze as a point earned," she said looking straight at her mother who shook her head while Audrey smirked at her.
"No one is denying that her actions were heroic—question is why were they necessary?" asked Minerva looking at the bunched up group while Poppy came in and checked the boy's vitals.
"Why indeed?" asked Albus moving towards Slughorn and taking the poisoned bottle from him?
"This seems to be a gift Horace—essence of liquorice and cherry if not polluted with three vials of poison—Extremely Dangerous level 5—very good Ms. Snape," said Dumbledore sniffing the bottle and handing it over to Snape to give his report as he nodded over at Dumbledore in agreement.
"I was meant to give as a gift myself," said Horace slowly and a little abashed.
"To whom may I ask?" called Dumbledore curiously.
"To you headmaster," said Slughorn as Minerva stood closer to her husband.
"That doesn't make any sense—why would Slughorn want to give him a poisoned gift bottle?" asked Audrey as Harry shrugged, he did not have the answer for this—but before he could even ponder further a shirll voice and th running of peep toes could be heard.
"Where's my won-won—where is he?" asked Lavender coming into the hospital wing and pushing Sirius to the side and then shoving Snape with her hands as Snape glared at her most loathfully.
"—has he been asking for me?" said Lavender all worried and flustered.
"Sure—if you're a cow," snapped Audrey inaudibly as Harry almost laughed loudly.
"What' she doing here?" asked Lavender glaring at Hermione who stood indignantly.
"Might I ask you the same question?" snapped Hermione her nostrils flaring.
"I happen to be his girlfriend!" said Lavender angrily as if she just flushed Hermione down the drain.
"Well I happen to be his-friend!" Hermione snapped back as Ginny looked up to look at Harry and Audrey looking at the conversation carefully as their eyes met hers and they gave each other a known smile.
"Don't make me laugh—you haven't spoken in weeks!" snapped Lavender as Hermione looked a little hurt but she wasn't going to back down.
"And now I suppose you want to break me up with him—because all of a sudden he's more—interesting," snapped Lavender painfully as if Hermione was trying to steal her boyfriend—Snape could be heard scoffing in the background and rolling his eyes.
"He's been poisoned to daft dimpo—and for the record I have always found him interesting!" snapped Hermione as Lavender looked angrily over at Hermione.
Ron began to stir in his sleep as everybody's attention was wavered over to him waking up or whatever.
"Ah—he senses my presence,' said lavender showing Hermione how little she mattered.
"Don't worry Won-won, I am here—" said Lavender lovingly as Ron stirred and shifted his head towards Hermione—it was a miracle as he sniffed randomly as the first words that came out of his mouth were—
"Er—mion—knee," he said and then kept repeating it as Lavender looked like her breath had just been stolen away as she burst into tears and ran out of the hospital wing. Hermione just looked at Ron whose eyes were still shut as she held his hand into hers an sat down on the bed beside him.
"Ah—to be young and to feel love's keen sting—come away everybody Mr. Weasley is well tended," said Dumbledore looking over at everybody as Audrey sniggered in the background—while Dumbldoer smiled at her.
Ginny left with the rest as Dumbledore guided everyone out.
"About time—don't you think!" said Ginny specifically to Harry as if telling him something else as well as he blushed and nodded a little. Audrey was looking over at Hermione grinning like mental as Hermione shot her a look and then blushed.
"Shut up!" she said as he got back to looking at Ron who seemed to be more comfortable with her holding his hand as Harry and Audrey walked to back to the common room together—not really saying much but happy that something good come of it.
Another week gone by and no luck with Slughorn or with Malfoy, Ron had was now out of the infirmary and they were sitting on the table for breakfast as Audrey in between Hermione and Neville just to avoid suspicion on Draco's part.
"Audrey—Can I speak to you?" asked a feminine voice from behind as Audrey turned around to find Astoria looking a little uncomfortable.
"Sure," smiled Audrey as Astoria led Audrey out of the hall where it was empty.
"Audrey—I think it is most crucial for you to know this—but you did not hear of this from me—understand!" said Astoria urgently as Audrey frowned but nodded.
"I know Draco's mission!" said Astoria as she looked around a little worried.
"And what's that?" asked Audrey as softly as she could, Astoria grew even more apprehensive and stiff.
"He is to deliver you to the dark lord—I don't know why—I don't know how he's going to do it—but when I was passing the first floor bathrooms I heard someone crying—he had his sleeves rolled up—I saw his mark—he tried to cut himself!" cried Astoria covering her mouth as Audrey grew extremely worried.
"Why doesn't he just quite—go to Dumbledore—or something!" suggested Audrey as Astoria shook her head.
"He can't—his family—and the dark lord—he's frightened he might hurt his mother," said Astoria.
"Stay with him—make sure you take care of him!" said Audrey as Astoria nodded.
"And what about you?" she asked softly as Audrey pondered for an answer.
"I don't know—we'll see about it!" she said a little boldly.
"It's true Gryffindors are blinded by courage," said Astoria as Audrey gave her a small smile and shrugged—it wasn't like she could help what could happen.
There classes went alright and they sat huddled in a semi-circle in front of the fire in the common room in the late evening discussing how Slughorn had now begun to ignore both of them.
"I just don't know how to break him anymore—I mean he just doesn't want to look at us anymore," said Audrey exasperatedly.
"Yea I suppose you've run out of luck with that one," said Ron sighing disappointedly as Audrey jumped up from her seat like a spring.
"That's it—Ron you're a bloody genius," said Audrey happily as Ron frowned.
"All we need is luck!" she exclaimed again as Harry pulled out the small vial he kept carrying with him—they had Slughorn now for sure.
AN/- hope you guys enjoyed that =) promise more if the reviews pour in.