Chapter 17
Severus
Severus rubbed his thumb along the surface of the soul cage, the knowledge of its contents tugging on the corners of his lips. Sympathy was not an emotion he was well acquainted with, and well, he'd enjoyed this.
Severus hummed a tune as he extracted the remnants of the first soul. Its texture thick and heavy on the tip of his wand. He smirked to himself as he watched the contents submerge into the depths of his cauldron. Black liquid curdled and fizzed, boiling over into a fiery emerald, illuminating the cold space around him.
Potion brewing afforded Severus a luxury he rarely found elsewhere. The subtle hand movements and precision, the sounds of rolling liquid and combustion, the unique smells, the intricate colors... it brought about mental clarity… a sense of crude ownership.
It was a part of him that existed before all else.
Severus' thoughts drifted to the morning. He had awoken to the soft tendrils of light bleeding into his childhood bedroom; Lily's body pressed against his, the smell of Lily's hair igniting him. It was a moment so fragile he laid still for a few moments, careful not to wake her. It was interesting how one person could change everything. The stale memories of the room that had once haunted him scattered and fled in Lily's presence.
Severus had watched as his mother served breakfast, claiming the sausage and eggs would "help cure the soul." Lily had let out a soft laugh at that remark, happy to oblige her. "Mother's orders," she'd said before taking her first bite. Severus couldn't help but smile at the sight. His mother had run her fingers through Lily's hair, pulling at auburn strands, tightening a braid down the small of her back. It was a gesture of a mother who hadn't taken care of someone in a long time, Severus realized. Maybe she had always wanted a daughter. Severus didn't know, but he continued smirking as he watched quietly through the threshold. It was another moment that would burrow deep inside him; a memory he would protect before all else.
Releasing a breath, Severus pulled away from his thoughts as his attention turned back to the sounds of his bubbling cauldron. That was earlier. Now, Severus was back at his residence. Alone. Lily and the rest of The Order had strategy planning to do and Severus had potions to brew.
"Reno," Severus spoke aloud, his fists clenching. "I'm going to need some tea." The potion would need an hour or so to mature.
Tea in hand, Severus strode through his now empty living space. The cots and other comforts Lily had conjured now hidden in the daylight. Severus made his way to his bookshelf, overflowing with tomes and textbooks; piles and piles of worn and dusty titles filled the shelves. He'd spent decades securing this collection, each hand selected and rare. Running a finger over the spines, the familiar scent of soot and parchment released upon him. His finger stopped on a text that sparked some memory within him.
Rituals & Curses: The Known & Unknown
Severus took a sip of his tea as he found a seat in his armchair by the hearth and began flipping through its pages.
"The study of ritualistic magic is curious and dire. Known to host multiple opposing properties, the full extent of ritualistic magic outcomes are unknown to the broad community of scholars… Once a ritual has been performed, wielders have reported changes in physiological and psychological states. Observed effects have included healing of chronic or terminal illness, hallucinations, delusions of grandeur, and in severe cases, death by suicide."
Severus closed the tome, tapping his fingers against its cover in quiet contemplation. Had he pushed Lily too far? How many times would he have to ask himself that.
Before he could gather his thoughts, the door frame blasted open, splintered wood soared across the threshold, crashing to the floor. Severus' veins flooded with adrenaline as he turned his gaze towards the source of the crash. His robes swept along the stoned flooring, flowing out behind him. His breath froze in his chest as he caught sight of the three bodies looming at his entryway.
"My Lord," Severus fell to his knees, steeling the panic rising within him. Why was Voldemort here? Severus' mind began racing.
The protection wards on his residence were pulsing, he could feel Voldemort pressing upon the magic, waiting for Severus to invite him in.
"Are you going to invite your Dark Lord in, Severus?" Voldemort's tone was diplomatic, playful. "You've hardly earned a hospitable reputation, but…" his eyes began to glow through the shadows, the grin on his face visible. "I do look forward to an opportunity to change that."
"Please, come in." Severus slowly rose to his feet, his voice strong. "An… unexpected pleasure, My Lord."
Voldemort slithered through the door, two bodies flanking him. Severus couldn't recognize the death eaters behind their masks, but he thought the build of one looked quite familiar. Green sparks flew from Voldemort's wand as he met Severus' gaze. Severus' bones ignited with the pain of the cruciatus curse, his bones twisting as he fought the urge to keel over and vomit.
"My Lord," Severus coughed out, "how can I be of service?"
Voldemort made small strides around where Severus now kneeled. His heels pounding against the stone with each step.
"I trust you have been working in silence, the diligent servant that you are, Severus." Voldemort stopped in front of Severus, the tip of his boots visible through the length of his robes. "You see, my magic speaks to me, and I've grown… rather interested in your whereabouts, dear Severus."
Voldemort's presence pounded against Severus' skull, forcing entry into his mind. The diplomatic tone of Voldemort's voice even more unsettling. Lethal.
Severus began funneling his memories of Lily and The Order far into the recesses of his mind. Showcasing falsified memories to Voldemort.
Foraging.
Crafting.
Hunting.
Lonliness.
"The potion is ready, My Lord," Severus spoke firmly, "should you like to embark on our quest early."
Voldemort's presence continued infiltrating his mind, the pressure building in his veins.
The twin to the chain he'd gifted Lily began warming beneath the robes of his chest. Lily. Severus' pulse was pounding as he maintained a face of calm. No. No. No.
Voldemort exited from Severus' mind with the grace of knife being yanked from an open wound. Severus fell to his hands as sweat beaded down his face. He began screaming through whatever invisible thread existed between him and Lily, hoping by the rare magic between them, she would hear him.
Do not come.
Do not come.
DO. NOT. COME.
Voldemort took slow steps towards Severus' potion station, peering into the active contents of his requested brew. Taking in a deep breathe, Voldemort turned towards Severus, "Shall we?"
Severus uncurled towards his feet as his mind continued racing. Rubbing out the creases of his robes, Severus strode towards Voldemort's side. The potion was opaque, releasing its deviously sweet smell. It was ready for consumption. Conjuring two chalices, Severus began filling them as his veins pounded.
"The honor is mine, My Lord." Severus spoke as he handed Voldemort one of the chalices.
Severus brought the edge of the chalice to his lips as he swallowed his fear. The sooner they were out of here, the better.
"Drink," Voldemort demanded as he turned his gaze turned towards the two death eaters in the background. "You are dismissed."
The liquid felt hot as it coated Severus' throat.
Lily, I am going. If you can hear me… do not come back here. It is not safe. I will see you when I return. I… love you. I love you.
The belief that Lily would be able to hear him was impossible, but he had to try. Severus stared down into the now empty chalice in his hands, his body pulsing with an unseen shield. Wearing the soul of another felt heavy and unique, like a second skin.
An arch began to manifest in front of them, stones assembling and rearranging themselves. Eternal and ancient. The portal. The entry to beyond the veil. Beckoning them to enter. Severus released a breath as he met Voldemort's piercing gaze. "After you, My Lord."
Voldemort strode towards the entryway, his robes flowing out behind him. Severus took one last look at the place he would be leaving behind, a sinister feeling stirring deep inside him. Releasing a stuttered breath, Severus gripped the silver-gilded doe beneath his robes and stepped through The Veil.