Black Mirror

Black Mirror

Chapter 11

Darkness Waits

Phaedra had just come through the door from the dungeons when she spotted Remus going into the parlor.

"Uncle Moony," she called. "Where is everybody?"

"Your aunt and uncle are in the gardens and Sirius has gone to Hogwarts," he replied, turning at the sound of her voice. "Is your Potions lesson with your Uncle Tiberius over?"

"Yes, he said that he had some brewing to do for Uncle Sev on a potion they're developing together. It was too dangerous for me to help so he said I could come upstairs to play."

"I see. Would you like to come outside with me to the gardens? I was just going to find Harry and Severus."

"No, I think I want to go and play in my room with Godric," Phaedra responded, a subtle idea forming in the back of her head. 'If they're all busy maybe I can find my mirror,' she thought, giving Remus her best smile. "It is fun to talk with him and he has some funny stories about the pet shop where Aunt Harry found him," she told Remus.

"I'll bet he does." Remus smiled, nodding at the little girl. "You will have to tell me some of them later."

"I will," Phaedra agreed. Bouncing up the stairs she pretended to go towards her room.

Remus shook his head ruefully. 'It will be good that she is not there since I need to tell Harry and Severus about the latest developments concerning the mirror.' With his mission in mind he disappeared outside, never realizing that Phaedra had no intentions of

playing with her pet snake...

Harry was flying on her broom enjoying the exhilaration of the warm wind as it rushed through her unruly hair on the summer day. 'Next to being in Severus' arms this is the thing I enjoy the most out of life,' she thought, making a lazy loop around the gardens below. It had been three days since the incident with the mirror. She had fully recovered but her husband continued to fuss over her in his own indomitable way. Smiling, she looked down to where he was seated at a small stone table working on his syllabus for the fall semester at Hogwarts. She grinned ruefully, realizing that she had yet to start on hers. She decided to owl Minerva for advice. Harry rather liked the idea of impressing the first years with the animagus transformation. Minerva had always done so and it had proven to be quite effective. She could also ask Sirius to come to class and demonstrate his animagus dog form too. Grinning evilly, she spelled her broom to fly back into the house, leaping into the air as Severus looked up. Letting herself go into free fall, she transformed into her phoenix, gliding down to land on the table in front of him.

"Do you get a thrill from scaring me like that? What if your transformation failed?" he questioned, annoyed. "You could have been seriously injured or killed." The beautiful phoenix simply trilled with affection. "I can see that you are just as reckless as ever."

"Ah, but that's what you love about me," Harry said, changing back. "I keep that brilliant mind of yours guessing." She grinned up at him cheekily.

"Humph, more like you just want to see if I will fall for your Marauding ways!" he answered, cuffing her head.

"Ow, that hurt!"

"My dear wife, if I had wanted it to hurt it would have done so," he sneered. "Now kindly get off of my papers." He indicated the parchments he had been working on. "You have smeared the ink all over yourself."

"Oh all right but if you don't stop pretending to be mad at me I will make you pay." She teased mischievously.

"Indeed. Just how would you do that?" He crossed his arms over his chest with a glare.

"Like this!" she exclaimed, transforming once again and flapping her wings forcefully, scattering his parchments everywhere.

"Harry James Potter Snape! You have just ruined a whole morning's work!"

"I just wanted to make sure the real Severus Snape was alive and well. I was getting nervous with you being so protective while I was recovering," she laughed, transforming back once again. Pulling out her wand she retrieved the papers and gave him a quick kiss on the nose. "I really love you, my greasy git of a Potions Master, former Death Eater, and spy extraordinaire." She flung her arms around him, breaking his reserve. He smiled back and drew her into a passionate kiss. They were unaware of the figure approaching through the garden doors.

"Ahem..." A soft familiar voice interrupted, causing them to break their embrace. "I never would have believed Severus could be so demonstrative in public." Remus smirked, golden eyes bright with mirth.

"For your information, Lupin, this is my private garden." Snape glared. He was more than relieved that his robes hid the erection which had stirred while embracing his wife. "Harry and I were just discussing my syllabus for the fall term."

"Looked like you were really enthused about it too," Remus chuckled. "At least that is what my wolfish senses were telling me." Remus had detected the scent of their desire. He winked at Harry who was blushing and pretending to look at the house.

"Lupin, I can only assume you came out here for a reason, so kindly tell us so that I can get on with my business."

"And which business would that be, Severus, the kiss or the syllabus?" Remus couldn't help but let his Marauder side show, thoroughly enjoying teasing the taciturn wizard. Snape simply glared as Remus golden eyes met his before he shook his head with a soft chuckle. "Actually, I came out here looking for the both of you. Albus has found some new information on the mirror."

"What kind of information?" Snape asked sharply.

"Don't know. He floo called just a few minutes ago. He will be here in about an hour. He wanted to go over whatever he found with Sirius first."

"Why Sirius?" Harry questioned, knitting her brow in confusion.

"Indeed, what has Black to do with that blasted thing?"

"Albus didn't say. You know how secretive he can be. Sirius flooed over to Hogwarts to talk with him and I came to find the two of you."

"You know, he did say there was something familiar about that mirror," Harry remarked speculatively. "I wonder if it could have been in the Black family at some point."

"Perhaps Black saw it somewhere and just forgot." Severus mused aloud. "However, if it were a relic within the Black family I am surprised that Phineas Nigellus is unaware of it."

"Sirius may very well have forgotten and Phineas was not the most likeable man when he was alive," Remus remarked. "We will just have to wait until they return to find out what either of them can contribute."

"It seems odd that Sirius wouldn't remember something like that mirror though." Harry arched her brow, shaking her head negatively.

"Harry, you forget that your godfather spent twelve years in Azkaban. Even though the Dementors feed on good memories they still can have an effect on the others. That is one reason people go insane in that foul place." Severus reminded her softly. 'Christ, I only spent a few weeks there after the first war and I still have nightmares,' he thought, suppressing a shudder.

"Right," she answered, shivering at the memories the Dementors always dredged up about her parents' deaths. Instinctively she and Severus put their arms around one another's waist. "It shows how strong Sirius really is that he managed to keep his mind intact all those years."

"Yes, Princess, it does. I shudder to think how things may have turned out if he hadn't been an animagus," Remus commented.

"In any event we should know within the hour. I suggest we go and prepare for Albus' visit. Phaedra should be done her Potions lesson with my uncle by now. I promised her the elves would have strawberry tarts for her today," Severus stated, gathering his papers and quills. "I had also better see if we have any of Albus' favorite lemon meringue pie too."

"Phaedra was coming up from the dungeons as I was coming to find the two of you," Remus advised, as they headed into the parlor through the French doors. "She said she was going to go and play in her room for awhile with her snake, Godric."

"I'll go and let her know that Dumbledore is coming for tea. She loves his visits. I think he slips her extra goodies under the table." Harry rolled her eyes with a smile, heading off towards the hall.

The two men sat down opposite one another and Severus summoned one of the elves to order the tea. Both men were unaware of the drama which had already begun to unfold on the upper floors of Snape Castle...

Phaedra was creeping through the upper corridors checking doors as she moved along. She had decided to go there first since the second story was mostly suites and she knew that the mirror would have been put somewhere that she was not supposed to go. Her Uncle Tiberius has strictly forbidden her from the third floor, telling her that he kept objects there which he was studying for his trade in ancient artifacts. So she cleverly deduced that would be where the mirror had been moved to.

"I have to find my mirror. I'm sure Beautiful is wondering where I have been," she muttered softly, thinking of the friendly voice who spoke to her from within. "She can help me find my mummy again. She promised! I know she didn't mean to scare everybody the other night. They just don't understand!" Sighing, she tried another door. It was unlocked. Carefully poking her head inside she allowed her eyes to adjust to the dim light coming through the lone window. The room contained some old furniture and paintings, but nothing more. Closing the door she continued on her search, knowing she would not have much more time...

Harry went into the room she used to share with Phaedra before her wedding. Godric was coiled up on the bed sound asleep. Glancing around the room she noted the door to the bathroom was ajar and it too was empty. Phaedra was not there.

"Godric, wake up," she hissed in Parseltongue.

"What?" the snake questioned sleepily.

"Wake up! Thisss isss important. Where isss Phaedra?"

"Phaedra? I haven't ssseenn her. I have been asssleeep sssinnccce breakfassstt. Isss the young one not with her relativesss?"

"No. Ssshheee sssaaiidd ssshheee waasss coming up here to play."

"Ssshheee waasss nearby..." the snake flicked his tongue scenting the air. "It waasss not long ago. I can tasssste her ssscceent."

"Come on, we have to find her. I have a bad feeling." Harry turned from the bed and the large snake slithered down the side of the bed following behind.

"Isss ssshheee in danger?"

"I don't know. Ssshheee sssaaiidd ssshheee was coming upsssttairrsss to play with you. I think ssshheee may be looking for the mirror."

"Isss thisss the mirror you sssppoke of before you gave me to her?"

"Yeessss, I am worried ssshheee haassss gone looking for it."

"Then we muussst find her quickly," the serpent hissed. "If the Dark One had sssooommthing to do with it ssshheee may be harmed. Follow me." Godric flicked his forked tongue and moved swiftly up the hallway, Harry following close behind...

Severus was reading his newest Potions Journal and Remus was reviewing his list of Muggle born students that he needed to contact when they were interrupted by a loud pop announcing one of the house elves.

"Master Severus, I is coming to tell you that Mistress Harry needs yous help. Miss Phaedra was not in her room. Mistress is following the snake to try and find her. She asked me to come and find you."

"Hazel, can you locate Miss Phaedra for us?" Snape questioned, rising from his seat.

"I tried, Master, but I is not able to cut through the dark magics I is feeling. She is somewhere in the castle where Master Tiberius has forbidden us but I cannot pinpoint where. The Dark magics is too strong," the elf wailed, wringing her hands.

"The snake should be able to follow Phaedra's scent," Remus remarked. "I will trail Harry and Godric. It is close enough to the full moon so that we should be able to follow fairly easily."

"Hazel, alert my uncle and summon the other elves to aid in the search," Severus ordered, following the werewolf from the room. "She has gone after that blasted mirror."

"Severus, she should be all right. Tiberius has the room warded and alarmed so that if the child gets anywhere near it we will know immediately," Remus calmly assured him. He wished he felt as confident as he sounded though. Reaching the second story, his nose flared, catching the recent scents of Harry and Godric overlaying that of Phaedra...

Phaedra carefully made her way up to the uppermost floors of the old castle and entered, looking around. She and Harry had never been up here on their explorations but that did not deter her. Listening carefully she could detect no sounds but wasn't sure if it was because her absence had not yet been discovered or the old walls were so thick. There were only six doors left before the narrow stairs which led to the attic. Moving forward she tried the first one. It opened easily. Inside she discovered two narrow cots and some old blankets. It was clean and there were various small items on a miniature table about the size belonging to a child. "This must be where Hazel and Winky live," she whispered to herself, hurriedly backing from the room. The next door also proved to belong to Dobby, judging by all the odd socks, and the other male house elves. That just left four more...

"Ssshheee haassss gone up to the nexxxtt floor," Godric hissed, slipping up the stairs.

"Oh, Merlin, ssshheee isss looking for the mirror! Godric, we have to hurry."

"Yeessss, I undersssstttaannd," he hissed back, increasing his speed. Harry was practically running to keep up with him. She knew snakes could move incredibly fast when necessary but had thought that was only when going to strike at their prey. He stopped at a door for a minute and she could tell he was scenting by the way his tongue was flicking. "Ssshheee went in here but did not ssstttaay," he stated, once more moving forward. He slithered up to each door and then kept going up the hall.

"Ssshheee must be checking all the doorrrsss," Harry called from behind him.

"I think sssoo too," he agreed, slithering around a bend and up to the next level before the attic...

Severus was practically running to keep up with the werewolf. It had never ceased to amaze him how fast the man could move because of his affliction. He could tell Remus was at full alert mode. His hazel eyes had turned golden and his nostrils were flaring as he sped up the hallway, tracking Harry and Godric's scent. Every now and then he would move towards a doorway but then moved on without ever breaking his stride.

"I believe Phaedra may have been checking the doors, Severus, as their scents move up the halls in that manner."

"Obviously," Snape replied, rolling his eyes at the other's back. "If they aren't on the next level head directly up to the top floor of the castle. I don't have to tell you where." Severus knew the werewolf was aware of where they had placed the mirror for safe keeping and had made up a special room across from it for his transformations.

"That was my general idea too," Lupin shot back, running towards the next flight of stairs. "The door may be locked and warded but who knows what that mirror is capable of doing."

"For once, Lupin, we fully agree on something," Snape answered, following him up the steep stairs. "Shit!" Severus swore and Lupin turned at the sound of a thud. Severus had tripped and was lying on the stairs, his ankle turned beneath him. "Just keep moving I will catch up!" Snape hissed in pain.

Lupin merely nodded and did as he was told while Severus assessed his limb. It was not broken, merely sprained. Pulling himself up he ignored the injury and hurriedly followed the werewolf. He could fix the sprain later. He had had much worse than this in the past. Right now Phaedra and Harry were his primary concern...

Phaedra sighed audibly as she tried the next two doors. The first room was completely empty and the next one simply contained some old trunks. Her curiosity might have gotten the better of her, but she decided to wait for another day to explore them. The last two doors were on either side of the hall directly opposite one another at the end of the corridor. She decided to try the one on the left first, and headed over to it.

Turning the knob, she was delighted that it was also unlocked, and stepped inside.

"I wonder why this room is set up like this?" she whispered softly. The room contained a hearth flanked by two comfortable red chairs. There was also a rather comfortable looking bed, the hangings in gold. The floor was covered with an old red and gold carpet. What had caught her attention though were all the locks on the thick door, which had been covered on the inside with an iron panel. The only window in the room was high and barred. "This almost looks like someone is being kept a prisoner here, but Uncle Sev wouldn't do something like that would he?" She shuddered involuntarily. Backing up she bumped into an old trunk which she hadn't noticed near the door. It bore a set of initials in faded gold letters, R.J.L. Studying it for a minute her eyes widened in recognition. "Oh..." she gasped. "This is the room for Uncle Moony to transform into his wolf so I will be safe if anything goes wrong!" She fled the room feeling guilty, realizing that Remus would not have wanted her to see this place, and an odd draft seemed to come from nowhere slamming the door shut behind her...

"Godric," Harry panted, "ssshheee's on the top floor! I jussstt heard a door ssslllaaamm."

"Yeessss," the serpent agreed, slithering forward. "I can tasssste her fear," the snake commented, forked tongue flicking rapidly. He deftly slid up the final set of stairs, the muscles moving his scaly body forward without a sound. "Ssssoommoonnnee isss following behind usss. I can feeeell them alssssoo."

"It haassss to be Sssseeevvveeerrusss and Reemmuusss. They muussst have gotten my meessssaage."

Godric did not respond as he whipped his body around the landing at the top of the stairs, Harry chasing from behind, trying to keep up with his rapid movements. Harry was half way down the hallway when she realized the large snake had stopped. He was not more than a foot away from Phaedra, his body coiled defensively with his head raised as if to attack. The atmosphere in the hall had gone icy cold and Harry was dimly aware of Severus and Remus crashing into the hallway behind her as they reached the top floor but she dared not turn away from the tableau unfolding before her.

Phaedra was standing with one hand on the door knob, brown eyes wide and unseeing as if she were mesmerized. Her lips moving in silent communication and was totally oblivious to the commotion going on around her. Godric was calling out to her with rapid hisses in an effort to attract her attention but to no avail. A silent gray mist was sliding from beneath the door, encircling the child's feet, gradually snaking its way up her small frame, ensnaring her like some lethal kind of rope. It was then that the snake lunged forward to strike wrapping his coils around the innocent child!

7