Rating:
PG-13
House:
Schnoogle
Era:
Multiple Eras
Spoilers:
Philosopher's Stone Chamber of Secrets Prizoner of Azkaban
Stats:
Published: 08/04/2001
Updated: 12/15/2001
Words: 6,840
Chapters: 2
Hits: 3,249

Enigmatic Florae

Gurl

Story Summary:
An original L/J romance with a plot, not too much fluff, a slut!Lily, a magical ditzy Petunia, a charming Snape, and angstyJames. Although things do not seem to go along with the canon (like a magicalPetunia), everything will work out later.

Chapter 02

Chapter Summary:
An original L/J romance with a plot, not too much fluff, a slut!Lily, a magical, ditzy Petunia, a charming Snape, and an angsty James. Although things do not seem to go along with the canon (like a magical Petunia), everything will work out later.
Posted:
12/15/2001
Hits:
751
Author's Note:
My apologies to everyone that has waited. I didn't know college would interfere so much. ^_~ Anyway, thanks for all the encouraging emails and reviews. They have jump-started me countless number times. I thank my awesome betas, (you girls are awesome and good luck on your apps, Marie!), wish a happy 13 th birthday to Cassondra, and I dedicate this chapter to the "wicked coolest" roommate in the world! (I "wicked" love you "wicked" lots! ^_~)


Chapter 2 of 14
 

"I feel like one of those girls in those high-teen romance novels..." mused Petunia. "Cheerleader, perfect family, beautiful boyfriend, popular, cute, but has one major problem that totally screws up my life... A perfect plot for a sickle store novel! Seriously, someone should write a fic about me..."
 
Petunia was curled up on the Gryffindor Common Room couch re-energizing after a strenuous session of cheerleading practice. The last Quidditch game of the year wasn't too far away. Being the last game, they were planning a major cheerleading performance before the game. Cheerleading was an art after all... But the third and fourth years just couldn't do perfect splits. Petunia sighed. It was strange. Once the girls became fifth years they had no trouble splitting their legs. One would think they had had some practice somewhere else...
 
Otherwise her life was going quite well. Petunia had been concerned about Lily when she was younger but Lily had turned out fine. Lily always managed to turn both the heads of muggle men and wizards alike. Of course the wardrobe that Petunia had carefully fashioned for Lily helped a lot. As for Lily worrying that something was wrong... Petunia didn't put much thought to it... After all, those comments can't be too much different from the ones that she herself receives... And look at her--the girl with the most perfect boyfriend in all of Hogwarts...
 
Well... almost perfect.
 
There was this one thing... one tiny thing that Petunia didn't like...
 
"Hey, Petunia!"
 
Petunia jerked up at the sound of her name. Petunia smiled as Peter approached. "Sit down?" she coaxed as she sat upright.
 
"Nope. Sev sent me to tell you we have a meeting. He said he'd some straight back to you when it was over," Peter said in an undertone as he touched his left arm.
 
"Not again? Gosh won't that dude ever leave my boyfriend be? Or you for that matter..." whispered Petunia angrily.
 
Peter eyed Petunia anxiously, "Don't worry about us... Sev told me you might be a little pissed but he can take care of himself. He's tough. You know that..."
 
Petunia sighed in defeat, "I know, but still..." she protested weakly.
 
"I got to go, Petunia. Take care. You look a little tired from practice. Go take a bubble bath and try to get some rest," said Peter as he gave Petunia a hug.
 
"The two nicest people in the world just have to be Death Eaters, don't they?" Petunia muttered as she gazed at Peter's retreating figure. She felt like blowing off her frustrations to someone but she couldn't just go and tell anyone that Sev and Peter were Death Eaters. So Petunia was always left eating her self up every time the boys left for a meeting. Why Voldemort wanted the two boys was beyond her. They never really did anything. They just held a lot of fancy meetings from what Severus had told her. She had pestered Severus in all the ways she could think of to tell her why he insisted on staying a Death Eater but he would never tell her. If only Severus would quit the Death Eaters, her life would be perfect. Couldn't he just wake up to old Voldie and say 'I quit!' After all, she herself let anyone off the squad if they just said they wanted off. Life was too short to be complicated. Plus why would she waste her time with some kids that didn't want to be in the most popular club in school? Petunia sighed as she pulled herself from the couch. Maybe she did need that bubble bath Peter had mentioned. Her nerves were getting quite frazzled from all this thinking.
 
Peter collapsed against the wall as soon as he got out of the common room. He hugged himself trying to preserve the feel of Petunia as long as he could. The smell of the tropical pineapple shampoo scent of her hair... Although it had been a quick hug he savored it... No one knew of his love for Petunia. No one--except maybe Voldemort. He seemed to know everything. Speaking of Voldemort...
 
Peter jumped up and rushed down the stairs. "Sorry I took so long. She was kind of upset," Peter said apologetically to Severus who was leaning on the banister.
 
"It's all good. Now let's hurry to the meeting. We still need to get to the woods to Apparate," Snape said straightening up.
 
Peter rapidly followed Snape out of the school toward the Forbidden Forest. Even in the midst of their hurry, Peter could not help but admire the firm steps Snape took, the way he held up his head--never bowing to anything or anyone--always so poised and cool. At the same time Peter hated himself for looking up to Snape. He was Petunia's boyfriend--he shouldn't be able to talk to Snape without spitting fire. But still he could understand why Petunia looked at Snape the way she did. 'If only Snape wasn't here though... Just maybe... just maybe I could have a chance with her...' Peter thought.
 
"I'll go first," said Severus breaking into Peter's thoughts. "Malfoy must have gone without us." All the Death Eaters were given the ability to Apparate when they signed on. It was very convenient, as they hadn't learned to Apparate yet. They could use this ability until they took the official Apparation test--if they bothered to at all. Sounds like a good deal? But if one read the fine print, one would see that Voldemort would be able to track the Apparatees to wherever they went. In addition there was always the ever-present fear that Voldemort could take away the power at his slightest whim since he had given it to them in the first place. Unlike regular Apparation, the process was not without pain either.
 
Peter watched Severus vanish slowly in the air. Once again Peter was filled with admiration for Snape. Snape's expression never changed once. Peter himself always dreaded this operation. He hated the feeling of cold hands crawling up his hands and legs... hated the feeling of sharp claws sticking into the back of his neck... and then dragging... the dragging to who knew where... how was he sure that the claws that were dragging him wouldn't suddenly start choking him... and the ever-present fear of being splinched. Although the entire process took only a mere second, Peter knew he would never Apparate for his own leisure. Not if Dumbledore was doing the tango with McGonagall in a slinky red dress. Now if it was Petunia in that dress...
 
Snape found himself in the front of an ornate set of dark oak double doors. He pulled on his black hood and motioned Peter, who followed him, to do the same. Then they inaudibly pushed opened the door to a shadowy conference room. Severus could make out a plush oriental carpet on the floor, leather swivel chairs, and a marble table decorating the room. Voldemort always insisted on the best furnishings. He wasn't called a lord for nothing.
 
Nodding greetings to their fellow Death Eaters, Severus and Peter took their places near the end of the table as they lacked seniority. Once the meeting was underway, Snape found his thoughts wandering off. Nothing important was ever discussed anyway. Severus had a very strong suspicion that most of the meetings were held to boost Voldemort's self-confidence. Not that it needed more encouragement... just for reassurance. Severus glanced at Peter sitting next to him. Peter was scribbling away on a parchment, trying not to miss a single word Voldemort said. To this day, it was a mystery why Peter had wanted to voluntarily join the Dark Side. Peter wasn't the bad sort... Peter was the kind of kid that did sweet little things that usually went unnoticed. He was the one that picked up Chocolate Frog wrappers other people had thrown away--he didn't want Filch to work too hard... He made sure the plants in the Gryffindor Common Room were always watered... And he always had a pack of Cockroach Clusters for a crying child when he went to Hogsmeade.
 
'Was Peter in it for the attention then?' reflected Severus. 'Every Death Eater makes a deal with Voldemort when signing the contract. We all get something and we give something. Malfoy here... I know he's in it for the tradition and the power... And the rumor has it, he has to dedicate his first born to Voldemort's service... And Karkaroff... he gets to stay the unchallenged headmaster of Durmstrang... he's probably dedicated the whole school to dark arts in return... but Peter? I don't think he's that attention craved... He just came up to me one day and begged if he could be a Death Eater. How he found out I even was one is beyond me... Then the dimwit didn't have the sense to stop when I refused him. Why would I want to drag someone else into this same hole? He just had to kiss Malfoy's shiny arse and beg him to bring him to Voldemort... What in the world does he want so bad that he would voluntarily become a death eater? Stupid git... Gosh, these meetings are boring... Petunia is going to get worried if I don't get back soon... Peter said she was kind of upset... Of course she is upset! Who wouldn't be upset if their boyfriend dabbled in Dark Arts? How did I get into this mess?'
 
"Snape, aren't you coming?" Malfoy called.
 
"Hm? Oh. Why don't you go ahead? I have to ask of some guidance from our master," Snape answered as he rose from his seat.
 
"Do you want me to wait, Snape?" Peter asked.
 
"If you wish," Snape answered as he strode up to the head of the marble table.
 
"Master," Snape said with a low bow once he reached the head of the table.
 
"What do you want?"
 
Snape waited until the room had emptied before answering. "Out."
 
Voldemort looked sharply at Severus. Severus stood his ground and looked straight back into the dangerously glinting eyes that seemed to be boring into his soul.
 
Silence.
 
"Is our dear Petunia as good as usual?" smirked Voldemort.
 
"Fine," Severus growled with his eyes cast down not trusting himself to restrain from strangling Voldemort.
 
"My boy, you must keep your emotions under control. Being rash is no way to conquer the world... You know as well as anyone else there is no easy way out... Not many have made it out alive... If my memory serves me correctly, no one has. You still wish to leave? Or should I say, try to leave?"
 
Silence.
 
"Well, I know that once you've made up your mind, it's made. I always knew someday you would try to leave. And I assume you know that I will no longer be obligated to keep my side of the contract."
 
"You mean you still want to... But you no longer have reason to kill Petunia's family."
 
"The less muggles the merrier."
 
"..."
 
"But I'm a very generous being... I will make a deal with you. You are graduating this year, are you not? Stay with me until you graduate. On graduation day, I shall let you go. And just to show just how benevolent I am I'll even say I won't touch Petunia's parents."
 
"What's in it for you?"
 
"I have a personal potion professional to serve me until I find a replacement."
 
Severus shot Voldemort a suspicious glare, 'That can't be enough to keep Voldemort happy... There were plenty of potion masters out there...'
 
"...I also get to keep tabs on Petunia from a first-hand source."
 
Once more, Severus had to keep himself from jumping on Voldemort.
 
Voldemort ignored Severus' glare and smugly put forward his hand. "Deal?"
 
Severus searched Voldemort's eyes. This was too easy. All he had to do was stick around until graduation? Munificent, Voldemort was not. Then why was he being so nice? There had to be something behind all this...
 
"My dear boy, you don't believe me do you? But what choice do you have? If you wish to leave, you can either leave now and have our dear lovely Petunia traumatized by her parent's death, or you can leave at graduation and walk away safely. You really don't any choice but to trust me," Voldemort tauntingly said in a seemingly detached voice while examining his fingernails. Each fingernail was always perfectly manicured into a pointy tip.
 
'Ludicrous,' thought Severus, 'why he insists on wearing his nails like that... I have to give it to him though; he is clever. How did I ever get into this mess? I guess all I can do is watch my back."
 
"Alright. Do I have your word?" Severus finally asked after hesitation.
 
Wordlessly Voldemort traced a circle over Snape's Dark Mark with his wand, first clockwise and then counterclockwise tracing over the path his wand had just traveled. As he muttered, "Condicio" a piece of glittering parchment appeared between the two of them. When a formal promise is made in the wizarding world, an unseen contract is written. It remains unseen unless, as Snape did, the one of promising parties request for it. The contract is formed on a sort of ghost parchment--something one cannot touch nor destroy.
 
This particular contract was Snape's Death Eater contract. It listed all the requisites, conditions, and terms. Severus looked at the contract as Voldemort changed the term to "Until the end of the aforementioned Severus Snape's graduation ceremony from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry" and the condition to "No harm will become Petunia Evan's parents as long as the aforementioned Severus Snape does not break this agreement."
 
"I trust you are satisfied?" Voldemort asked as Severus nodded his head. "And I needn't remind you that the contract is also broken when you tell anyone of it?" Once again Severus nodded. Voldemort then snapped his fingers prompting the contract to burst into flames and disappear.
 
Severus then bowed slightly to Voldemort and turned on his heel to leave.
 
"Tell Pettigrew to stay behind." Voldemort called as Severus stepped outside where Peter was waiting.
 
"Pettigrew. He wants you. Should I wait for you or can you Apparate back?" Severus asked.
 
Peter bristled, "Of course I can Apparate back by myself. You can go ahead. Petunia will probably be worried anyway."
 
"I didn't mean it that way. I'm sure you can. But you're right. I should get back to Petunia. I'll see you later." He drew cloak around him, gave Peter a nod and Disapparated.
 
Peter gulped. Not only did he have to talk to Voldemort by himself, he had to Apparate by himself. He straightened his shoulders, pictured Snape's manner when walking, and strode into the chamber.
 
"Master, a-hem you called?" Peter asked as he cleared his throat. 'Why is it that every time I'm nervous my voice squeaks? It's not fair; Snape's voice never squeaks...'
 
Voldemort smiled an 'I-know-how-pitiful-you-are-but-I'll-pretend-not-to-notice' smile. Of course Peter was just pleased that his master smiled at him. "Snape is a good fellow isn't he? Quite striking, eh?"
 
"Yes, master," mumbled Peter, afraid he would squeak again if he spoke any louder.
 
"And Petunia now, she's quite a catch, wouldn't you agree?"
 
"Of course, master."
 
"Wouldn't you like to have Petunia by your side as you worked?"
 
"Um... yes, master..."
 
"Why the hesitation?"
 
"Well... Snape is..."
 
"Fine, do you wish to have Petunia by your side if she should come willingly? I'm sure Snape would let her go with his blessing if that would make her happy. Wouldn't you agree?"
 
"Is that possible, master?"
 
"Are you saying I'm not capable of arranging it to be so?"
 
"No, no. Not at all. What I meant was... How would you manage that?"
 
"Well, doesn't Petunia have a sister, Delion?"
 
"Yes, master. You are so wise."
 
"You can start by sending a flower to her."
 
"That sounds like a great plan master. But..."
 
"But what?" Voldemort challenged.
 
"*Gulp* Shouldn't I give a flower to Petunia first?"
 
"My dear pathetic boy, what would Snape think if you gave a flower to his girlfriend? We must approach Petunia gradually."
 
"I'm sorry for questioning you, master. What flower should I send her?" asked Peter.
 
"A lily would be nice, don't you think?" suggested Voldemort..
 
"You always know best, Master."
 
"I'm assuming you don't know anything about flowers."
 
"Not as much as you, Master."
 
"Apparate to Diagon Alley and pick up a lily. Bring it here along with one of your school owls. Can you handle such a simple task?"
 
"Yes, master. I will try my best, master. Thank you for trusting me, master."
 
"Get going. I give you 30 minutes."
 
"Yes master." Peter bowed and Disapparated., but not before Voldemort saw him squeeze his eyes shut out of fright.
 
'Poor boy... But he does come in handy. So obedient and manipulative... Snape would never trust me if I made an offer like that. Hm. I should have gotten him to pick up some more fingernail polish. I'm getting tired of forest green.'
 
Twenty-seven minutes later...
 
"Master! I am back with three minutes to spare!"
 
"Why are you so proud? Have you considered how long and tedious my wait here is?" Voldemort growled although he had rather enjoyed himself filing his nails.
 
Immediately Peter cowered saying, "M-m-master! I am sorry. It never occurred to m-me..."
 
"Enough. Let's see the flower."
 
Peter carefully put a single lily on the table in front of Voldemort and took a step back. Voldemort nodded slowly in approval while his mouth spread into a malicious grin. " You brought a school owl also? Well done. Bring me two sheets of parchment, an empty vial, and the vial of the potion labeled 'Subausculto'."
 
"Yes, master," Peter called as he eagerly stumbled to get the vials. He could not believe his luck. He was spending time alone with his master and was complimented as well!
 
Peter brought both vials and put them next to the flower. The Subausculto Potion was a silvery potion, with occasional flashes of black. Voldemort held the flower in one hand and ran his wand up and down the stem of the flower and said, "Destringo Flora!" A silvery string extracted itself from the root of the flower into the empty vial where Voldemort directed it. He then put the root of the flower in the Subausculto Potion and allowed the flower to absorb it all. Voldemort once again smiled his malevolent smile as the flower developed a soft glow around it. Peter was curious but did not dare ask what his master was doing. Voldemort then took the two sheets of parchment and waved his wand, "Transistio." He then transplanted the flower, attached one of the sheets of parchment, attached the flower to the owl, and sent it off.
 
He turned around to face Peter. "You are curious my boy. It is written all over your face. The flower will transmit whatever Delion says to it to the possessor of the flower's extracts, which is in this other vial. When you get back to the school, you are to slip this liquid in to James Potter's drink. It will stay in his body until the flower is crushed. Understand?"
 
"J-j-james? But master, what does he have to do with all this?"
 
"Wormtail, you must learn not to question me. How many times have you done that already? Do you think you would even be able to comprehend my profound plan? You must trust me,"
 
"Yes, master. It will not happen again. I trust you completely. Thank you, master."
 
From somewhere Lily's voice sounded, "...Maybe some guy actually does like me..."
 
"Be quiet, boy. Delion has received the flower. Listen to the vial."
 
Voldemort reprimanded while preparing to writing on the spare parchment, 'This is a magical flower that feeds on your words as well as sunlight and water. Replant it outside and take good care of it..."
 
From the vial, Lily's voice sounded, "but why me?"
 
Voldemort wrote, "Because you are lovely. I hope your mind is lovely enough to take care of the flower as well." And with that he said "Incendio" and reduced the parchment to ashes on the marble tabletop.
 
"Clear away the ashes, Pettigrew. Wandless. You'll spray ashes everywhere if you use your wand," Voldemort ordered as Peter raised his wand.
 
"Yes, master!" Peter jumped to the task at hand.
 
Lily's monologue sounded again as Peter left to empty the dustbin, "Do you know who you remind me of? Me. My name is Lily, too--my real name. No one knows my name but you will. You can know me as Lily. I want to be able to remain my true self to you. Well... What else can I tell a flower? I guess I'll start by telling you about my day... today was an okay day. Not much happening in my life. Um... Sam Kaye made his usual comments as did about every other boy that talked to me... Just the usual. Except you. (Here Peter came back next to Voldemort's side.) I don't sound very happy do I? It's just that I've had some question about my life lately and I haven't been able to talk to anyone. Even my sister seems distracted lately. Oh well, it's getting dark now. I should go. I'll see you tomorrow."
 
Voldemort sealed the vial thus ending their connection with Lily. "I trust you to do your job with this vial."
 
"Yes, master. You can trust me, master."
 
Voldemort broke into an evil laugh, "All we have to do now is wait for our lily to blossom."
 
"And then?" Peter squeaked.
 
"What else? Crush her!"
 
TO BE CONTINUED