The Talisman of Monguk

Chapter 19: The Hand of Wrath

The first of May had arrived. Ravena Hawkins stood in front of a mirror in her office primping for yet another society ball. She wore a sleek, black, sleeveless gown with a straight skirt and a slit up the back. The dress was covered from top to bottom with teardrop-shaped beads that shook and shimmered alluringly when she moved. She wore long black gloves. Her hair was pulled up in an elegant twist secured with a jeweled comb. On her wrist, she had a showy silver and black bracelet. She was checking her appearance in the looking glass, when Severus Snape knocked on her door.

"Come in," she said, touching up her lipstick.

Snape opened the door and entered. His eyes opened wide and his jaw slackened at the sight. There before him stood Ravena, her back to him, busy at the mirror. Her long white neck, bare shoulders, and the form-flattering gown were almost too much to take. She took notice of his reflection in the mirror and turned.

"Hello, Severus," she said. "I'm almost ready. Please have a seat."

She turned back to her primping. Snape, still at a loss for words, sank into the chair across from her desk, not taking his eyes off of her.

"I can't thank you enough for agreeing to escort me to the ball," Ravena said. "I loathe these society events. I'm only going this evening at my mother's insistence."

Finally finding his voice, Snape replied, "The pleasure is all mine."

There was a knock at the door. Albus Dumbledore entered the room.

"Good evening, Ravena, Severus," the headmaster said, nodding to each in turn. "My, but you do look very becoming this evening, Ravena." His eyes twinkled behind the half-moon spectacles.

"Thank you, Headmaster," she replied with a smile, turning from the mirror.

"I have come regarding that little matter that we discussed at dinner," Dumbledore said, handing Ravena a small sealed parcel. "Kindly deliver this to Cornelius Fudge when you see him this evening. It is imperative that you give it to him discretely. No one must see you do it. And instruct him to open it in absolute privacy."

"Of course, Headmaster," she replied. "I'll see that he gets it." She tucked the parcel down inside her glove.

"Thank you," he rejoined with a fatherly smile. "I have every confidence in you. Enjoy your evening, Severus, Ravena." He nodded to them both and departed.

Ravena checked her appearance one last time. She frowned. Then she took off the bracelet, tossed it in her desk drawer, and closed the drawer with a snap.

"There! I'm finally ready," she stated, turning to face Snape. "Severus, my cloak please?"

Snape helped her into her cloak. Then he extended his arm to her. She took his arm and they left together.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

The May Ball was hosted by Lord and Lady Battington and held at their country estate. When Snape and Ravena arrived, the party was already in progress. First, they greeted their hosts and then surveyed the crowd. Snape spotted the Malfoys immediately. They strode over to greet them.

"Good evening, Lucius, Narcissa," said Ravena.

She gave Lucius her hand and nodded politely to Narcissa.

"Good evening, Ravena," Malfoy drawled, kissing her hand. "You look ravishing this evening. That dress is stunning on you."

"Thank you," Ravena replied, a self-satisfied smirk on her lips.

Narcissa's face contorted with a look of jealousy. "I doubt that your mother would approve," she sneered.

"I'm certain that she wouldn't," Ravena rejoined in her sweetest voice. Then she glanced over Narcissa's shoulder and waved her gloved fingers. "Oh, look, there's the Minister. If you'll kindly excuse me, I really must go and say 'hello.' I'll leave you three to chat."

Ravena strolled off to greet Minister Fudge. Her hips swayed as she walked in the high heels, causing the beads on the dress to shimmy. The flames from the candles in the room reflected off the sparkling beads, a thousand droplets of light drawing attention to her every curve. Malfoy and Snape stared after her. Narcissa glared at the men, her lips clamped tightly shut.

"So you and Miss Hawkins are...together?" Malfoy asked Snape, raising his eyebrows.

"No," Snape replied. "We are just colleagues."

"She would be a good match for you, Severus," Narcissa hinted, as the corner of her mouth twitched.

"Yes," Malfoy drawled, his eyes once again riveted on Ravena. "Her only fault is her over-fondness for that half-blood cousin of hers."

At the mention of Angela, Snape's expression became oddly closed. "There's no denying that she's lovely," he replied, staring vacantly across the room.

"And charming," chimed Malfoy.

"And head-strong," rejoined Snape.

Malfoy chuckled, still watching Ravena. "Well," he added. "There are advantages to a spirited woman."

Malfoy glanced over at his companion. Snape seemed lost in thought, a thousand miles away. A puzzled look crossed Malfoy's face.

"We are still talking about Ravena, aren't we?" he inquired.

Snape's head jerked abruptly to face Malfoy. "Of course," he replied. "Who else would we be discussing?"

"I could put in a good word for you with her mother?" Narcissa offered with a sly smile.

"That may help me with the mother," Snape replied, frowning. "But not, I'm afraid, with the lady."

Meanwhile, Ravena approached Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge. Pretending to adjust her glove, she discretely removed the parcel and placed it in the palm of her right hand.

"Hello, Minister," she said, extending her right hand to Fudge. "You are looking very well this evening."

The Minister turned to greet her, his face alight. "Ah, Miss Hawkins," Fudge replied, taking her hand in his. "It is always a pleasure to see you."

Ravena pressed the parcel into his right palm and clasped his hand tightly between both of hers. Then she leaned forward and kissed his cheek.

"Headmaster Dumbledore has asked me to deliver this to you," she whispered in his ear. "It is very important and must be kept secret. He instructed me to tell you to open it in private and to let no one else see it."

She released his hand, smiling sweetly all the while. With an expression of surprise still on his face, Fudge grinned and slipped the parcel into his trouser pocket. Then he kissed her on the cheek and whispered back.

"Tell Dumbledore that I admire his choice of messengers." Fudge chuckled.

Ravena blushed and laughed, so that anyone watching would think that he'd just told her a joke. Then she excused herself and strolled off to greet someone else.

A few minutes later, she went to get herself a drink. As she approached the punch bowl, a handsome wizard with long, curly, blond hair and lilac robes accosted her.

"Well, hello, Ravena," he said, tossing his head to show off his long tresses. "Your mother told me that I would find you here tonight."

"Oh, hello, Fredrick," Ravena replied, rolling her eyes, unable to disguise her revulsion.

He flashed a dazzling smile and leaned over her to pick up a glass from the table. She backed away from him. She turned to leave.

"Where are you going so soon?" he asked, grabbing hold of her right arm. "I thought that you came here for a drink"

He spun her around to face him.

"I've changed my mind," Ravena protested. "Now unhand me."

"No, I don't think so," he replied. "You owe me a dance. You promised me a dance at the Bat Wing Ball and then disappeared."

"Well, I...I said maybe," she stammered.

"You know that you and I belong together," he said, puffing out his chest with pride and flashing another toothy grin. "You're the most beautiful woman in this place. And I'm the handsomest man. What could be more natural?"

Ravena rolled her eyes again. She glanced quickly around the room, trying to think of a ploy to get away from him. She spied Snape and got an idea. She turned back to Fredrick with a sly smile.

"That may be, Fredrick," she replied. "But I already have a suitor."

"Who?" Fredrick said with a laugh and a wave of his hand.

"Do you see that man over there," she said, pointing a gloved finger toward Snape. "He's a colleague of mine at Hogwarts."

"Him!" Fredrick blustered, his eyes wide with disbelief. "You're not serious?"

"Actually, we are quite serious," she intimated. She raised her eyebrows and smiled knowingly.

Fredrick became very angry. He twisted Ravena's right arm in his grasp.

"I will not permit it," he hissed, his handsome face turning suddenly ugly.

"Let go, Fredrick!" Ravena pleaded. "You're hurting me!"

Ravena's eyes grew wide with alarm. Her thoughts raced to her wand, tucked down in a hidden sleeve in the gown alongside her right hip. Her left hand reached, trying to grab hold of the wand, but couldn't grasp it.

At that moment, Snape, who was still talking to Malfoy, glanced over at Ravena. Instantly, he assessed the situation and excused himself. He rushed to her side. His hand reached for his wand and pointed it at Fredrick's chest. His black eyes glistened.

"I strongly suggest that you let her go," Snape hissed.

Fredrick considered him for a moment. His fingers released Ravena's arm with a forceful thrust. He glared at Snape and then stormed off.

"Thank you, Severus," Ravena replied, rubbing her sore wrist. "If only I'd been able to reach my wand. I would have loved to put a jinx on that self-absorbed dolt," she spat.

"Who is he?" inquired Snape.

"An old friend of the family, Fredrick Sharp," she answered, curling her lip in scorn. "When we were children, he used to follow me around and try to hex me. Fortunately, he's not very clever, so he was fairly easy to outwit. I was spared his company for many years, while I was at school. He was waiting for me, when I returned, as conceited as ever."

Snape surveyed her, raising his eyebrows in surprise.

"I despise him," she continued, scowling. "But my mother just adores him. She would like nothing better than to see us married." She shivered at the thought and added, "I would rather die."

Snape's thin lips curled into a smile of admiration. Ravena looked around the room with boredom. Her eyes rested on Narcissa Malfoy, who wore a very sour expression. Amused, Ravena laughed and turned to Snape.

"These society balls are so tiresome," she quipped. "The only satisfaction that I get here is dancing with Father and watching the look on Narcissa Malfoy's face."

Snape frowned. He was about to protest, when the orchestra began a tango. Ravena's face lit up.

"Actually, there is a third pleasure," she said, an inviting smile perched on her ruby lips. "That would be dancing with you, Severus. You really are a marvelous dancer. Would you care to join me in a dance?"

He smiled and replied, "I would be delighted."

She pointed her wand at the lovely gown and uttered a Tailoring Charm. The hem of her dress shortened to just above her knees, revealing seamed stockings on those gorgeous long legs. Snape's jaw slackened at the sight and then snapped shut.

He escorted Ravena to the dance floor. He took her into his arms. They began to tango with staccato steps and sweeping strides. They moved gracefully among the other dancers, starting easily with the basic steps accented with those sharp head jerks. The beads on Ravena's dress sparkled and shimmered in the light as she danced.

Then Snape led her though turns, lunges, promenades, and quick footwork. Ravena surrendered herself to the passion of the music. The maneuvers increased in difficulty. Their limbs entwined, then seductively untangled. Several other dancers stopped to watch. But Snape and Ravena were oblivious to anything else around them, focused only on each other.

The music ended. Snape spun Ravena around and then cradled her in a low dip. He slowly raised her in his arms. They stared into each other's eyes with a mixture of bewilderment and fascination, breathless.

"Where did you learn to dance like that?" Ravena gushed, as they left the dance floor.

"I was going to ask you the same thing," Snape replied with a sly smirk, cocking one eyebrow.

Before she had an opportunity to answer, Ravena's parents, James and Medea Hawkins, approached. James Hawkins was tall and handsome with wavy gray hair and green eyes. His wife, Medea, was much older and not at all attractive. Her gray hair was pulled back tightly in a bun and she wore a severe expression on her face. A startled look flashed across Ravena's face when she saw them.

"Mum, Dad," she exclaimed. "I didn't see you arrive."

"Perhaps you were too busy dancing," said Medea with a disapproving glare. Her cold eyes raked over Snape.

Mr. Hawkins wrapped his daughter in a warm embrace and then turned toward Snape.

"Severus, I'd like to introduce you to my parents, James and Medea Hawkins," Ravena said, gesturing to the elder couple. "And this is Severus Snape. He is a colleague of mine at Hogwarts."

Mr. Hawkins greeted Snape with a hearty handshake. Mrs. Hawkins reluctantly extended her hand to Snape. He kissed her hand with a bow. She gave him an unpleasant smile in return. Then she turned to her daughter and surveyed her altered gown with disapprobation.

"Ravena, a Muggle dress?" she rebuked. "Surely, you could have found something more suitable to wear to this party? And perhaps something more modest."

"Mum, I am not a child," Ravena retorted, tossing her head in defiance. "I will wear what I please."

"Humph!" Medea protested. "What a way to speak to your mother."

Ravena ignored her comment and turned to her father. "So, Father, have you been here long?" she inquired, beaming up at him.

"Oh, no, dear," he replied. "We only just arrived. Just in time to see you dance. Which reminds me, I must have a dance with you."

He held out his arm to her. A worried look flashed across Ravena's face. She glanced anxiously from her mother to Snape.

"Perhaps we could wait until later?" she suggested.

"Nonsense, dear," said her mother, smiling unpleasantly. "You go off with your father and dance. I should like to have a word with your young man here."

"But, Mother, he's a fellow professor. He's not my 'young man,'" she protested. "I really think..."

Before she could finish her sentence, her father took her hand and pulled her off to the dance floor.

"Come along, Ravena," said Mr. Hawkins. "Let's dance. Your mother just wants to talk with him, that's all."

He swept his daughter into his arms and they started to waltz. Ravena danced, casting worried looks in Snape's direction all the while.

Once they were alone, Medea Hawkins took Snape firmly by the right arm.

"Now, Mr. Snape," she asked, enunciating every syllable. "What precisely is your relationship to my daughter?"

"As Miss Hawkins has stated," Snape replied, "we are colleagues at Hogwarts."

"Colleagues and nothing more?" Medea probed, staring Snape in the eye.

"Yes, that is correct," he replied, returning her cold glare.

"Liar!" she snarled, squeezing his arm rather tightly. "I know what I saw on that dance floor."

"Madam, we danced and that is all," he insisted.

He shrugged his shoulder, trying to loosen her grip. If he was becoming concerned, it certainly didn't show. On the exterior, he looked perfectly calm.

"Let me tell you something, Mr. Snape," she hissed. "My daughter is an heiress. Only the very best will do for her. So don't even think of pursuing her. If you do, you will discover that I have certain talents that will make you regret that you ever saw her. Do I make myself clear?"

"Like crystal," replied Snape through clenched teeth.

"Just so that we understand each other," she purred. "I will leave you with a little reminder."

Then she squeezed his right arm extremely tightly and uttered a curse. Snape cried out with pain and surprise. He pushed her away from him, rubbing his right arm. She stepped back from him and sniggered.

"You are insane!" he hissed.

"Perhaps." She cackled. "But there will be no more dancing for you this evening."

As the dance ended, Ravena broke free from her father and rushed off the dance floor. Breathless, she rejoined her mother and Snape. Her eyes glanced from one to the other. Snape looked very angry and rubbed his arm.

"Mother, what have you done to him?" she shouted.

"Now, dear, don't make a scene," Mrs. Hawkins rejoined, raising her hand to calm her daughter. "I just gave him a little something to remember me by."

"How could you?" Ravena spat, shaking with fury. "Tell Daddy that I'm leaving. I have nothing further to say to you." She turned to Snape and said quietly, "Severus, I wish to go back to Hogwarts now please."

"Gladly," he replied.

He extended his left arm to her and escorted her out of the room without another word.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Snape and Ravena made their way over the lawns of Hogwarts up toward the castle. Ravena was still fuming.

"Severus, I'm so sorry," she bemoaned. "I never imagined that Mum would do anything to a colleague of mine, the depraved old crone. I tried to tell her that we aren't even lovers. What could she be thinking?"

Snape raised his eyebrows. "Do you mean to tell me that your mother curses all of your suitors?"

"Not all of them," she replied with a sarcastic smirk. "Not the ones she knows nothing about. And not Fredrick Sharp." She curled her lip in derision. "Now, there's one that could benefit from a good hex."

Snape shot her a bemused look. The slightest hint of a smile played on the corner of her lips, when she saw his expression. But her smile faded as quickly as it appeared.

"As I'm sure you've guessed, mother is a Dark witch, a very talented one," she continued, scowling. "And she's fiercely protective of me. The stories that I could tell you about her..." She broke off and shook her head.

"Surely, she can't be that bad?" Snape rejoined with an incredulous look.

"You have no idea," Ravena retorted, glaring back at him. "When you grow up surrounded by Dark Magic, you learn to either love it or despise it. I detest it with every fiber of my being." Both of her fists clenched. Her blue eyes flashed with indignation. "That's why I moved away for so long. That's why I chose to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts. I want more than anything to equip others to fight against the evils that I've witnessed."

Snape arched his eyebrows. He studied her, an appreciative smirk on his lips. But he said nothing.

"And you?" Ravena inquired. "What made you so interested in the Dark Arts?"

"An overbearing father and a neglected and tormented youth," he replied philosophically. "Initially, I saw it as a way to avenge myself against the world."

"But surely you no longer believe that?" she probed, her eyes wide.

"No," he replied. "I had an epiphany some time ago."

Ravena eyed him curiously, hoping that he would elaborate. But his closed expression told her that subject was off limits. She glanced over at his right arm.

"So what did Mother do to you anyway?" she asked.

"She grabbed my arm and mumbled some curse," he spat, curling his lip. "I didn't catch it."

Ravena gasped with alarm. He turned to face her with a look of concern. She reached out and gingerly touched his upper arm on the place where he had been cursed. He winced and recoiled with pain. Ravena bit her lip. A crease appeared on her forehead.

"I think that we need to get you to the hospital wing now," she advised.

They both walked quickly into the castle and down the corridors to the Infirmary. The room was empty except for the school nurse, Madam Pomfrey. Ravena and Snape entered. Snape sat on one of the beds.

"Good evening, Severus, Ravena," greeted Madam Pomfrey. "What can I do for you?"

"Severus has been the recipient of a hex," replied Ravena.

She helped remove Snape's cloak and outer robes.

"What kind of curse?" asked Madam Pomfrey.

"That's what we are about to find out," replied Ravena. "Severus, you'll need to remove your shirt please."

"I think not," Snape replied, recoiling from her and casting her a withering glare.

Ravena's eyes opened wide with surprise, a look of puzzlement on her face. "Really, Severus," she protested. "I've heard of modesty, but don't you think you're being a bit ridiculous?"

Snape's thin lips remained clamped shut. The expression on his face told her that he had no intention of complying with her request. Ravena rolled her eyes. She could not imagine why he would not remove something as innocent as his shirt.

"Really!" she remarked, raising her eyebrows. Her ruby lips curled into a mischievous grin. "You'd think that I was trying to seduce you."

"I sincerely doubt that," Snape retorted with a look of defiance. He gave her an impatient wave. "Just cut away the sleeve."

"Fine," Ravena replied with a shrug. "Madam Pomfrey, can you bring me some scissors, please?"

Madam Pomfrey brought her a pair. Ravena carefully cut away the right sleeve of Snape's shirt. When she removed the material, they saw a purple band resembling a hand wound tightly around his upper arm. A look of horror flashed across Ravena's face.

"Manus Irae!" gasped Ravena, wide eyed.

"Oh, dear," remarked Madam Pomfrey, eyeing the purple band with alarm.

"The Hand of Wrath?" Snape inquired, his eyebrows lifted in surprise. His head whipped around to face Ravena. "Your mother hexed me with the Hand of Wrath?"

Ravena met his stare with an apologetic look. She nodded. He swallowed hard. His expression of shock melted into one of concern.

"The longer you leave it on, the tighter it constricts, until it amputates the limb," Madam Pomfrey said, knitting her brow. "We need to get that off of you now, Severus."

"And there's only one way," Ravena remarked, flinching. "You have to cut it off yourself. If someone else tries to remove it for you, it multiplies to other limbs. Madam Pomfrey, we will need a sharp scalpel and a basin please."

Madam Pomfrey bustled into her office and returned a minute later with the requested items. Snape took the scalpel in his left hand. Ravena held the basin under his arm. Both of them looked very pale. Snape hesitated for a moment, feeling the cold steel in his grasp and trying to similarly harden himself. With resolve, he plunged the knife into his arm and sliced across the purple band. His face contorted with pain, but he did not cry out. As his blood dripped into the basin, tears of sympathy filled Ravena's eyes. She sniffled a little and bit her lip, fighting to hold them back. As Snape cut across the last bit of the band, it released its hold and floated like a piece of transparent parchment down into the basin of blood. When it landed in the blood, the band bubbled and dissolved into nothingness. The self-inflicted wound on Snape's arm instantly healed itself, leaving a four-inch silvery scar as a reminder. Snape put down the scalpel. His fingers ran along the length of the scar. Madam Pomfrey leaned over and examined his arm herself.

"Nicely done, Severus," Madam Pomfrey said. "Although, you'll have that scar from now on. A side effect of the curse."

"Are you all right?" Ravena inquired with a worried expression.

"Yes, I think so" he replied, flexing his arm.

Ravena breathed a sigh of relief. She placed the basin on the bed stand. They thanked Madam Pomfrey and gathered their things, anxious to leave the memory of this incident behind them. As they walked down the corridor together, Ravena gazed at the floor, consumed with guilt.

"Severus, I'm so sorry," she whispered, as tears streamed down her cheeks. "So very sorry."

"Why?" he asked. "What did you do?"

"This is all my fault," she sobbed, looking at him remorsefully. "I told Fredrick that you and I were dating to get rid of him. He must have told my mother. Can you ever forgive me?"

She stopped and stared up at him with a penitent look. He turned to her and studied her face. His dark eyes waded into her watery blue ones. He noticed the trails of mascara washed down the ivory skin by her tears. His hand brushed them away. Then he took her right hand in his, raised it to his lips, and kissed it.

"Of course," he replied. "Good night, my dear lady."

Then he turned and strode down the corridor. She watched him go, aware that she'd just lost her heart to him.