Destiny of Souls

Chapter 13: Durmstrang

Footsteps announced the approach of Lucius Malfoy and Dumbledore. Snape put on his best concerned face and feigned like he was trying to shake her off. Kara put a hand on his arm and spoke loudly as their eavesdroppers approached.

"Severus, just tell me what's wrong. You know I'm here for you," she said looking into his eyes. His mind said "Perfect."

There was a subtle "Ahem" from the doorway. She turned around and blushed. Then she put on her most wicked face and played her Dark Witch part perfectly.

She studied Lucius carefully looking him up and down. He immediately noticed this and began a staring game with her. He wasn't very practiced and he blinked often. Finally when she was tired of playing it she made him sneeze. Snape almost smiled at her.

McGonagall and young Malfoy entered shortly after.

Dumbledore explained to Lucius Malfoy exactly what his son had done and that there was no way he could continue attending the school. Dumbledore refused to allow him to argue on his son's behalf and within a half hour Snape was escorting Draco to the Slytherin dorms to gather his things and say goodbye to his friends. This left her with a few moments alone with Lucius Malfoy and Dumbledore.

"So you're the new Dark Arts Professor that Draco has told me about," Malfoy said slyly.

"Yes, I am. I have heard a lot about you too Lucius. Draco speaks of you often," Kara retorted. He was no doubt aware that Draco referred to him so often and looked slightly uncomfortable.

"Well it is a shame that Draco did not get to spend more time with you. It sounded as if you were the most reasonable Professor here," he stated in an obvious attempt to flatter her and put Dumbledore down. She could hear in his mind "Worthless Dumbledore, couldn't hire a proper Dark Arts Professor."

Lucius started sneezing every thirty seconds or so after that and didn't stop until Snape returned. She hoped Dumbledore wasn't noticing this. Kara looked at him and he was staring at the ceiling as if he was ignoring the both of them.

Snape then escorted the Malfoys out of the castle. Kara followed them in her Invisibility cloak. When they reached the gate of Hogwarts they stopped. She stood a little behind and to the left of Snape where she could see Malfoy's eyes. She put a hand on the small of Snape's back so he would know she was there.

"I will need some other way to stay in contact," Snape said as he looked around nervously for anyone who might be listening.

"I will send an owl to you in the morning. I trust what Dumbledore and I walked in on was indication the plan is going well?" Lucius said in reply.

"More or less. I will need a few weeks to solidify everything. Tell our Master that all is well and I will be at the next Death Eater meeting as long as I have been told in advance," Snape said.

He then turned to Draco. "I am disappointed your attempt did not succeed."

He and Draco then launched into a conversation about the evenings events.

Kara just looked into Lucius' eyes in an attempt to read him. "Stupid boy couldn't carry out a simple plan. The Master will be most unpleased and will probably kill him. If he doesn't I will have to get him enrolled in Durmstrang."

She heard her name come up in conversation. "If that moron Professor Lynch hadn't heard the Mudblood screaming it would have worked," Draco said.

She read Lucius' mind again. "She really is stupid if she's falling for this greaseball. The Master would probably want her though. I will have to tell him about her."

Lucius started sneezing. Snape knew what she was up to and ended the conversation.

"I must get back. I will see you soon Lucius, " he said curtly. They shook hands. "Goodbye Draco."

He turned carefully so that he wouldn't knock her over. They went back up to the castle in silence. She followed him to his quarters and when they were both safely behind the door she took the cloak off.

"What did he say?" he asked her.

"He said Voldemort would probably kill Draco, that he would talk to Voldemort about recruiting me. And then he called you a greaseball. He didn't get a thought in edgewise after that, " she said laughing. "And he doesn't think much of his son."

"No. He doesn't. None of the Death Eater parents think very much of their children," he said. It reminded her of the conversation they had a few months ago about marriage and children. She walked over to him and looked up into his eyes. His thoughts were jumbled. He needed time to sort out what to do about Voldemort. When he realized she was reading him he looked away and put his arms around her and hugged her instead.

"Not right now Kara. I need time to think."

"I should go anyway. It is late. I am exhausted," she said.

"No you should stay here tonight. I need to think clearly. If you're not here I will just think about you anyway. If I know you're beside me sleeping I can at least move that out of my mind," he said calmly.

She pulled away and looked at him in shock. She heard him think. "It was worth a try." He was expecting rejection.

She walked into the bedroom, kicked off her shoes, pulled off her robes and climbed into bed wearing the pants and shirt she normally wore under them. He came in shortly after.

* * *

When she woke up that Sunday morning, her hand habitually shot under the pillow and she felt the book. For a few fleeting moments she knew she was in her room until she felt a warm hand on her back. Had Snape moved her to her own room? Her eyes opened. It was his. He was already awake.

She lifted the pillow and it was indeed Prixel's book. He knew what she was thinking.

"I sped up the plan last night and copied the recipe. I'll give it to the Dark Lord the next time I see him. The job will be done," he said. He had no doubt spent a lot of time pondering this during the night.

"Why did you bring the book here?" she asked.

"Because when you wake up you always panic not knowing where it is," he replied.

"Oh." She loved that he could read her that way.

"There was also a letter from Durmstrang on your bed. It's inside the book," he said. The envelope had the Durmstrang crest on it. She read the letter inside.

Kara,

Congratulations on your appointment at Hogwarts. The Headmaster here would like to invite you to join us for dinner next Saturday. Please reply by owl immediately to confirm. Professor Nabokov and I are looking forward to seeing you.

Sincerely, Kris Polishnikov

"Want to have dinner with me at Durmstrang next weekend? " she asked.

"What?"

"Polishnikov invited me. I'll tell him you're coming as well."

She didn't give him the option of saying no.

Kara spent the rest of the day grading papers and preparing lesson plans for the following day. She decided she would drop into Snape's fifth year Gryffindor class that Wednesday to observe his reaction to Harry's Christmas present. It was a gentle way of taunting him and she knew by the end of the week she would want to be spending as much time as possible observing him.

The school was buzzing with rumors about Malfoy's expulsion. Dumbledore had sworn the nine students involved to secrecy. However, the rest of Gryffindor was talking excitedly about the even since many of them witnessed Malfoy storming the common room.

On Wednesday Kara strolled silently to the dungeons. When she arrived Snape had already finished his lecture for the day and was standing behind a student observing their work. He didn't see her glide quietly into the room and impersonate his gargoyle stance just inside the door. None of the students noticed her either.

"Potter what is that?" Snape snapped as he approached Harry's workbench.

"Sir, it's a singing hourglass," Harry replied, attempting to keep a straight face.

A look of comprehension came across Snape's face and he finally noticed Kara's presence in the classroom. He looked at her momentarily and she could read his thoughts "I'm going to get you for this Kara. Plaguing my classroom with such nonsense."

"If I hear this Potter, it will be destroyed," he said dryly to Harry

"Yes Professor," Harry replied.

She continued to silently stalk the class. He ignored her and the students hadn't noticed she was there yet. When Snape had disappeared into his private storeroom she saw Pansy Parkinson throw something towards Harry's direction.

Harry looked up as the slimy black ferret liver that had landed inches from his cauldron. Pansy began to speak.

"Stupid Potter. Got Draco expelled just because he was afraid to play him in Quidditch. Draco would never march into the Gryffindor tower. Potter is such a chicken. And his girlfriend, Ginny Weasley is always wearing rags and following him around like a lost puppy," she said.

Crabbe and Goyle were sitting nearby smiling at each other. They knew precisely what Malfoy had been up to.

The Slytherins erupted into fits of giggles. Hermione restrained Ron and Harry and told them to ignore the Slytherins.

"If Snape comes back in here and finds you two retaliating, he'll give you detention and take away House points." This seemed to calm Harry and Ron down and they continued their work.

Pansy threw another liver at Harry and it landed in Hermione's cauldron and the hot solution flew up into her face. She screamed.

"Ahem," Kara said from the back of the room. The class jumped and turned around. Pansy Parkinson seemed to shrink several inches as she slid into her chair. Kara walked towards Hermione who was clutching her face. Snape came rushing from his storeroom.

"What is it now Granger?" he snapped.

Kara was attempting to pry Hermione's hands from her face.

"Ms. Parkinson threw ferret liver at her and it landed in her cauldron," Kara replied before Hermione had a chance. Hermione had several burns on her nose and cheeks.

"Come. Up to Madam Pomfrey," she said as she dragged Hermione from her chair. Kara gave Snape a cool look. He should be paying more attention in this class.

* * *

The rest of the week went by uneventfully and Saturday evening she and Snape strode down to Hogsmeade to Apparate. It was a cool evening and she had dressed extra warmly, knowing Durmstrang would be cold. She was in her formal black dress robes with a cloak over top of them. On top of that she was wearing a black fur cloak. Snape was dressed similarly. They could have been twins.

When they arrived at Durmstrang that evening, Polishnikov greeted them at the castle doors. Polishnikov shook her hand furiously with a wide smile on his face. "You look well Kara."

"This is Severus Snape, Potions Master at Hogwarts," she said.

"Delighted Severus." They shook hands and exchanged curious looks.

The three of them stepped into Polishnikov's office. Kara felt at home and it was good to be back at Durmstrang.

"Severus, I've heard a lot about you. From many places," Polishnikov said as he poured them all a drink. Polishnikov loved scotch. After he had handed their glasses he spotted Severus' confused look, sat down and pulled up the left arm of his robes. The Dark Mark was just barely visible. Snape just nodded.

"He talks about you often, Severus," he said.

"Indeed," was all Snape could say.

Polishnikov broke into a conversation with Snape about Voldemort. Kara got up.

"I have no intention of being a part of this Death Eater meeting. I'll be in the lab when you're finished," she said curtly.

The familiar smell of the laboratory just down the hall was comforting and they made a stop into it just before going to dinner.

"It hasn't changed at all," she said as they walked in a few minutes later. She sat on the stool and looked around the room. It was, of course, brighter now than the last time she was here and she could see the stained floors and walls more clearly. Snape could tell she was being nostalgic and had a somewhat amused look on his face.

"None of my students appreciate this place, Kara. You were the only one who ever did," Polishnikov said with a sigh.

After several minutes of casual conversation that included topics from his students to Prixel's death they headed towards the feasting hall. The students had not yet arrived and the hall was empty.

It was a relatively simple room with very low lighting. A tall thin man wearing gray robes walked in; it was Nabokov. He stopped as soon as he saw them standing there. It was obvious from the look of shock on his face that he was not expecting Snape. He simply stood there with a calculating stare. She met it, and for the first time in her life she could read his thoughts. "This is not wise for them to be here together. Do they know about one another and their pasts? Has she gone through Prelation with him?"

She approached him with a slight smile on her face. No one spoke for several minutes. It was clear they were all carefully considering how to approach a conversation. Nabokov had always taught her to consider her opponents carefully. He had no doubt taught Snape this as well. Nabokov was internally debating whether to mention the fact they had arrived together, or to pretend he did not know Snape.

"You can no longer hide from me Professor Nabokov," she said slyly as she raised her eyebrows. He knew exactly what she meant and suddenly his defenses came down.

"It is good to see you again Severus," Snape had a charming smile on his face. It was as if he was a schoolboy again. They shook hands.

"So my two prodigies finally found one another. I wondered how long that would take," Nabokov said mischievously.

"You knew? You knew and you never told me? I could kill you for that. It would have made things much easier if you had at the very least mentioned Prelation."

From that point on he refused to look her in the eye.

"But it's good to know I can always win a staring game with you Professor," she teased. An amused look crossed his face and he smiled. He didn't smile often, and she considered that a good sign.

Several fires in the hall lit up spectacularly signaling the beginning of dinner. This was clearly unfamiliar to Snape as he jumped slightly. The sound of students coming towards the Hall interrupted their discussion and they headed for the Staff table.

She sat between Polishnikov and Snape and immediately sunk deep into conversation with her old mentor. Several minutes later Snape nudged her under the table. She looked at him.

"Draco is here," he said.

Kara's eyes scanned the students that were looking up towards the high staff table. She spotted Draco sitting at the Korpov House table. He looked at her in awe. She nodded and smiled to him to acknowledge his presence.

Nabokov had sat himself at the end of the table next to Polishnikov so the four of them could talk privately. Kara and Snape drank quite heavily and by the end of dinner he had put his arm around the back of her chair as he leaned in to listen to her and Polishnikov discussing Potions.

"The first time I made it I got a bloody nose. Can you believe Malkin actually suggests smelling the Potion?" Kara remarked as she held in her laughter. Polishnikov was fairly drunk as well.

"I remember him from school. He was obsessed with two things," he said unable to control his laughter as he held up two fingers. "Smelling his Potions and practical jokes."

"If I ever meet him, I will kill him! There I am with this snapping Potion trying to kill me. Blood dripping down the front of my robes. And of course I ruined the potion!"

They all broke out into hysterical laughter that attracted the attention of the rest of the hall. She glanced at Malfoy who had a fork in one hand and an unattractive mouth-gaping look on his face. She simply smiled at him.

"So Polishnikov, have you met Draco Malfoy yet?" Kara asked as she drank from her goblet.

"Yes. A decent Potions student," he replied.

"Decent in all his classes from what I hear. Doesn't think much of you however," Nabokov chimed in as he nodded towards her.

"I am the reason he's here I suppose. I don't blame him," she replied as she raised the goblet and took another sip.

"In that case, we should invite him up here. Go get him Kara," Polishinikov demanded. She stood up and walked through the hall, her black robes flowing behind her.

"Mr. Malfoy. We were wondering if you cared to join us for the rest of dinner this evening?" she said to him. The rest of the students looked at Malfoy with intense jealousy. It was extremely rare for a Professor to invite a student to the staff table. It was considered an honor.

"Uh. Sure Professor Lynch," he replied nervously. He grabbed his plate.

Nabokov had conjured a chair for him just across from her so that he was able to look at all of four of the Professors. Snape had launched into a tirade about her singing hourglasses. She caught the end half of their conversation.

"I remember the first time I caught that in my laboratory," Polishnikov started. "I remember wanting to feed her to a pack of hungry dragons. Imagine yourself working on a highly dangerous concoction and suddenly jumping at the sound of Muggle rock music."

Nabokov was laughing so hard he was crying.

"She has invaded my laboratory as well Polishnikov. It is like a disease," Snape said as he looked at her and smiled slightly.

"You'll live," she replied as she sat down.

Draco was extremely confused.

"Young Malfoy, now that she is no longer your Professor I have no qualms telling you one of the stories she would never like me to repeat," Polishnikov said.

"Oh no, Please don't," Kara pleaded as her face turning extremely red.

"Yes Kris, tell it. Is this the one about the frog?" Nabokov asked, barely able to get the words out through his laughter.

"Yes!" Polishnikov said.

She put her face in her hands in extreme embarrassment. She felt Snape's arm come closer around her to console her. He was running a thumb across her back and it felt heavenly. She stood up straight and crossed her arms as he began to tell the story.

"There she was. Second year I think because Nabokov hadn't destroyed her wand yet. "

Kara nodded and rolled her eyes towards the ceiling. She looked at Draco who was warming up to the idea of being seated here with them. He had a slight smile on his face.

"She had this red ribbon in her hair tied in a bow. She looked so sweet and innocent. Her classmates loved to play jokes on her. In her hands was a Class B Prixel poison. First off Mr. Malfoy, you should know that Kara is obsessed with Prixel. She blushes at the very sound of his name. Look!" He pointed at Kara.

"That's the wine. Get on with it!" she said smiling and waving a hand at him.

"Very well. Anyway she's holding this Prixel poison when Simon Ashbell's frog hops onto the lab bench. Kara doesn't like frogs Mr. Malfoy. She screamed and dropped the phial she was holding. Amazingly it didn't break, but the top of the phial came lose and the frog began drinking it. Next thing you know, Simon is on top of Kara attempting to strangle her. He had to be a good five inches taller than her at that point but somehow she was able to whip out her wand and throw him off of her. He lands on top of her workstation and destroys all of her work. Then he breaks out into tears because his frog is dead. And she just stood there, calm as could be, a nice dark angry look on her face and told him what a moron he was for ruining her experiments. No one ever threw frogs at her ever again. The fiercest twelve year old girl I've ever known," he said as he chuckled.

Draco was staring at her in awe.

"Professor, if you don't mind me asking, how did you get accepted to Durmstrang? There are no girls allowed," he asked.

"Oh I remember that little debacle!" Nabokov chimed in. "She had an Uncle on the school board. A very -- shall we say -- influential Uncle."

Kara nodded.

"I was the only girl and I preferred it that way. It kept everyone on their toes," she said.

"And the most talented student I've ever taught," Polishnikov added as he raised his glass toward her.

* * *

Snape told her the next day that the meeting with Polishnikov had been setup to allow Draco to spot them together. It was also a chance for Snape to tell Polishnikov he had retrieved the recipe from Kara. Snape was missing from dinner that evening, but knocked on her door at midnight.

There was something different about his eyes. They seemed hollow almost. He refused to look at her directly and in the back of her mind she knew exactly what was wrong.

"Severus, what is wrong?" she asked.

He simply lifted up the left sleeve of his robes. He didn't say anything but looked at her waiting for a reaction. She gave him none. She had expected this, and despite anything they may say now, she knew exactly what needed to be done.

"Tea?" she asked.

"Avoiding this subject is unwise, Kara," he said walking over to her to stare her in the eyes. He had something important to say, but didn't know how to say it.

"I'm not avoiding it Severus, you are. Speak," she said challenging him.

"He wants you. I am to bring you to the next meeting," he said leaning in closer to challenge her.

"Really?" she had suspected this was coming. "I have no intention of being His servant. Did you tell him that?" she asked sarcastically. She knew Snape would never lash out at Voldemort. He didn't answer her.

"I refuse to go. I have no desire to participate in his little quarrels and I have no intention of standing face to face with a monster pretending to fear him when I know my powers are greater. If he wants me, he can come get me," she replied calmly as she turned to make the tea.

"Kara," he said. "If he comes to get you, you will die in the process. If you go to him now and bow down at least you can serve a useful purpose to Dumbledore."

Her mind raced. Why did Snape want her to go so badly? Did he want an accomplice doing his spy work for him? Did he have intentions to leave Dumbledore?

"I will not go to him," she replied. She looked up at him in hopes he would let her read his mind. He simply looked into the fire. It was a clear sign he was hiding something.

"Severus, if you're hiding anything from me I will find out anyway," she said firmly.

"I want - you to wear - the Mark with me," he said finally.

"What?" she shouted. "You want Him to Mark me? You want me to lose everything that I have worked so hard against and sacrifice my soul to a monster? Severus, how could you possibly ask this of me?"

"If you do not, he will do it anyway. He has heard too much from Malfoy," he replied.

"Get out. Leave. I don't want to look at you anymore," she shouted. Kara was pretending to be angry, but in her mind she had plans forming. It was one thing to ask for her company, it was another to wish that she'd openly give herself up to Voldemort.

"I'm doing this to save you," he said.

"Go. I mean it. Leave now," she spat. The door flew open and the chair he was in tipped so he had to stand up.

He shot her a fiery look and glided out the door.