Rating:
R
House:
The Dark Arts
Characters:
Draco Malfoy Severus Snape
Genres:
Drama Romance
Era:
Multiple Eras
Spoilers:
Philosopher's Stone Chamber of Secrets Prizoner of Azkaban Goblet of Fire Quidditch Through the Ages Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Stats:
Published: 10/04/2002
Updated: 03/31/2003
Words: 32,710
Chapters: 8
Hits: 2,128

Dragonis

Kittylioness

Story Summary:
Her path had been chosen long before her birth, a path perhaps she would wish she had never stumbled across. The Silver Dragon and the Black Snake are destined to be united. Will Meryn comply with what is ordained for her or will she usurp the three bloodlines involved?

Chapter 02

Posted:
10/04/2002
Hits:
151
Author's Note:
I'd like to give a big thanks to my Beta Avadriel, I would never be able to get this right without her!!!! :D


~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They arranged Meryn's trunks along the side of the fireplace as she packed last minute odds and ends. This was her family's home, although she had never seen it before two weeks ago, but she was leaving it now and would not return for at least a year. The apprehension on Meryn's face, although barely noticeable, was still there and she hated it. She dreaded going to Diagon Alley for fear of someone recognizing her. After the attack at the dragon encampment her face had been all over the Daily Prophet. 'Kingsley heir left parentless after Dragon Attack- British and Romanian Ministry puzzled,' was what the article was entitled. She sighed as she watched Charlie removed the Floo powder from the mantle on the fireplace and heave her two trunks beside him.

"The Leaky Cauldron," Charlie said as he disappeared into the burst of green flame.

Meryn grabbed her wand and her shoulder bag and quickly followed, shouting her destination into the fireplace as well. She stumbled from the fireplace wiping ash from her body as she searched for Charlie, who was already confirming the reservations with Tom. Meryn was to stay in Diagon Alley until she received word from Professor Dumbledore to go to Hogwarts. Charlie would leave that night to return to the dragon encampment. He had taken over her grandfather's role until the Ministry officially appointed someone else. Secretly, Meryn hoped it was Charlie.

Tom took Meryn's trunks up to her room as Charlie led her to the courtyard behind the Leaky Cauldron and entered Diagon Alley. It had been a long while since she had been in Diagon Alley, and she marveled at it. The wizarding towns in Romania paled in comparison to it. She walked beside Charlie silently until they stopped at Ollivander's. As she walked into the shop she remembered the familiar smell. When it had come time to receive her first wand, her grandfather had insisted they come to Ollivanders. She looked around the shop, and everything appeared to be as it was the last time she was there. Then from the back room, a smiling Ollivander appeared.

"Miss Meryn Kinsley, how many years has it been?" he paused, "Too long I see," he said, pointing at her wand with a melancholy look on his face, "I remember this wand as I remember all others: hemlock, dragon heartstring, 12 ¾ inches, rather pliable, no?" he asked.

"This wand had been through everything with me. It just needs a tuning and a good clean I should think." she smiled a rare smile at Ollivander. She liked this man, he had good things inside of him, she could tell.

"It may take some time," he said taking the wand in his hand and waving it about, "you should have come sooner. This wand is filthy," Ollivander grumbled to himself at the condition of the wand, "Come back in three and a half hours, and it should be done."

She quietly complied and left the shop with Charlie by her side, "Charlie?" she asked as they walked towards the Apothecary shop.

Charlie tilted his head slightly to the side as he looked at her, "Yes?"

"What's it like?"

Charlie was puzzled but could tell by the look on Meryn's face it was a difficult question for her to ask, "What's what like?"

"Having a family," She paused, contemplating, "I had my grandfather, but I've never known what a real family was like. I knew my mother for such a brief time, and I was so young," She looked at him, waiting for a response, but none came. She had obviously shocked him. Meryn never talked about how she felt; her emotions were usually kept a secret. She spoke again, "You know, to wake up to someone shaking you gently and saying 'rise and shine sweetheart." she stopped, looking rather sad, "I just can't wrap my brain around it."

Charlie stopped walking and looked at her. He opened his mouth to say something to her, but no words came out; he was at a loss. He just looked on as she continued, "My grandfather was a good man, Charlie, but not much of him wasn't professional. Yes, I was his granddaughter, but I was more of a pupil to him, a vessel to absorb information in order to make a name for myself and honor our family name. That was his purpose for me. It just so happened that I was related to him."

Charlie had never heard her speak ill of her grandfather, "You know he loved you, Meryn."

"I don't question that. I'm sure he did, but..." she trailed off.

"But you're afraid because now you're alone, and you don't want to love anybody else." she looked at him, and he could tell he had hit it dead on, "You're also afraid that now you'll have to find your mother because you don't really want to be alone."

"Charlie," she began.

"Meryn, listen, you're not alone. You have me. You're practically family to me, and I'm sure the rest of my family would love you."

"Charlie," she said again.

"I don't understand--I probably never will--what it's like, I mean, feeling like you don't have anyone."

"Charlie!" she said interrupting his rant, "It's not my mother or my grandfather, or anybody for that matter! I just don't want to go back to that house alone. It would be like waiting for something--anything!--to happen. My mind is moving a thousand miles a second, and all I want to do is go back three months ago and retie those tethers."

She stopped suddenly realizing what she had just said. Since her grandfather's death that had been the only thing on her mind: perhaps if she had tied the tethers more securely.

Charlie looked shocked, and his voice lowered an octave, "Meryn you didn't tie the tethers. You weren't permitted to."

"I know," she whispered, casting her eyes down upon Charlie's boots.

He looked at her, "What do you mean?"

"I tied the tethers. I talked one of the keepers into letting me do it. I had seen it done dozens of times before, and I practiced all the time. He shouldn't have let me, and now he's dead along with twelve others and my grandfather. Fourteen people, Charlie." she paused to take a breath, her eyes glazing over slightly, "Fourteen people I killed fourteen people!"

Charlie grabbed her by her upper arm and pulled her close, clenching his teeth, "Stop yelling or people will hear you! You listen to me: it wasn't your fault; it wasn't anybody's fault. It was fate, Meryn, and we can't go back and change it so just let it go."

Her eyes suddenly turned cold and emotionless, "Let it go?" He blinked as he noticed her transformation; Charlie knew this anger of hers could quickly turn dangerous. "Let it go, Charlie?" she was raising her voice, "I'll tell you to let it go when you've killed fourteen people--one of them being a family member--and see how that weighs down your soul!" she stopped, and her eyes bore into his skull as though she were trying to penetrate them with invisible daggers. She laughed but it sounded more like a growl, "Let it go?" she said, shaking her head. She walked away from Charlie towards the Apothecary shop.

***

Charlie didn't follow Meryn into the Apothecary; he waited outside, leaning against the street lamp, anxiously awaiting her return. He had never seen Meryn lose control like that in a public place before. She would never allow herself to do that, "Her nightmares must be getting worse," he thought. Silently he worried for a few minutes until he saw the enormous figure looming over him with a huge smile on its face.

"Hagrid!" Charlie clapped him on the arm, "How have you been?"

"Pretty worried Charlie," Hagrid bowed his head, "'arry, Ron and Hermione got themselves in a right mess."

Charlie's smile faltered, "What do you mean?"

"You mean yeh don't know? Yer mum said she was goin' ter owl yeh today ter let yeh know what happened," Hagrid finished, wishing he hadn't said anything at all and quickly added, "You know them kids. Every year it's the same thing, so don't worry, Charlie. Everybody's alright."

Charlie reluctantly nodded as Hagrid continued, "So, what're yeh doing outside the Apothecary?"

"I'm here with Meryn Kingsley. She had some errands to run in Diagon Alley before she arrived at Hogwarts," Charlie said remembering their argument again.

"Ah, I see," Hagrid smiled, "Professor Dumbledore was talking with Professor Snape abou' her at dinner the other day."

"Oh yeah? About what?" Charlie asked.

"Don't know if I should be saying nothing, but he was saying that Meryn had a few special gifts that would be refined at Hogwarts. Professor Snape agreed. He said she was a genius at Potions, and he hasn' seen a student with her potential come though Hogwarts since himself," Hagrid finished than added, "Don't be telling anyone I said anythin'. I don't suppose I was supposed to hear anythin' of their conversation."

Charlie nodded at Hagrid who smiled warmly at Charlie, "Well, I best be off. Got lots o' things ter do today. See you later, Charlie." Still thinking of their conversation Charlie waved at Hagrid as he walked away.

***

She slammed the shop door as she entered, never in her whole entire life had she been so flustered. The shopkeeper was startled by her sudden appearance and peered over his spectacles, his thoughts interrupted.

"Anything I can help you with my dear?" he paused, "Madam Malkin's Shop is two doors over."

Already quite perturbed, his comment further upset her, and she raised her voice, "I am no silly girl!" she flung a list of ingredients on the counter, "I need these as well as the sixth year potions ingredients for Hogwarts," her voice was stern, but the anger was slowly seeping out of her. The smell of the shop was inwardly calming.

"My dear isn't it a little early to be retrieving your school supplies?" he said, looking at her list, "Hogwarts let out just today."

Meryn cocked her head at the man behind the counter, her patience failing her once again, "You are a shopkeeper, are you not?"

The man nodded.

"Then you should have no problem selling me these items," she narrowed her eyes, "No questions asked."

She knew the ingredients on the list she had handed him were for a relatively advanced Dreamless Sleep potion she intended to concoct for herself.

The shopkeeper blinked twice at her, looked down at the list and opened his mouth to speak.

"No questions," she repeated.

He closed his mouth with an irritated click and bustled around the shop while she ran her fingers along the shelf where the dragon's blood was kept. She picked up a vial and placed it on the counter next to the rest of her supplies, "What sort of dragon's blood is this?" she asked.

He looked at her, knowing only advanced Potions students or a Potions Master would ask such a question, and realizing she was not the latter, he put a lopsided smirk on his face, "A potions student, are we?" he paused, squinting up at her, "I've never seen you around here before."

"That's because I've haven't been around here before."

The shopkeeper regarded her with suspicion, "Why do you need the ingredients for a Dreamless Sleep draught?"

"Doesn't that question answer itself?" she asked.

"My dear, you are an enigma," the shopkeeper sighed, "Russian Blue, is the vial you have in your hand," he said referring to the dragon's blood. "There is also Horned Celt, Welsh Giant"--he lowered his voice--"and Chinese Black Tail."

She sighed, knowing the last was very hard to come by and almost illegal. Being a dragon keeper apprentice and a dedicated Potions student was more often than not an inner conflict, but she opted for the Chinese Black Tail blood. She couldn't leave the vial with the Chinese Black Tail just lying around; people tended to ask too many questions. Additionally she purchased a more practical Horned Celt. The shopkeeper smiled as he wrapped her parcels, and Meryn dug her hand into her deep leather shoulder bag and pulled out her coin pouch. She had received a weekly allowance from her grandfather's lawyer. She was given enough money she needed to pay for expenses--in this case enough to buy her supplies and pay for her stay at the Leaky Cauldron. She handed the shopkeeper the money she owed him as she stuffed the parcels into her bag.

***

Charlie watched Meryn as she walked quickly out of the shop. He looked at her, afraid to say anything. She broke the silence; "They have Chinese Black Tail blood in there."

She watched Charlie's eyes darken, "Disgusting!" he spat, "They should be reported to the Ministry! You didn't buy any, did you?"

She looked up at him with guilt in her eyes. Charlie shook his head; he knew why she had bought it and didn't need to ask. Meryn had always been torn as to what she should do when it came to a decision between her affinity for Potions and the dragons. She had a reason for doing everything; she was a smart girl.

Her eyes bore into his and her tone was icy, "I bought it," she said as she rubbed her temples, "Doesn't mean I'm necessarily going to use it."

Charlie smiled down at her, "You've got an answer for everything."

The look in Meryn's eyes when from icy to blank, and he knew this meant that everything was forgiven. This was her way of apologizing: saying nothing. "How about we get something to eat before we continue our little journey?" Charlie said as he began walking back to the Leaky Cauldron.

Nodding her head, Meryn followed Charlie.

***

Upon their arrival at the Leaky Cauldron, Charlie excused himself for a moment in light of receiving a message from his mother. Meryn sat by herself, slowly picking at the pot roast on her plate. She told herself that she would begin the Dreamless Sleep potion tomorrow morning, and then she could once again sleep soundly through the night. For the amount of ingredients she purchased she would have enough potion to last her through the rest of the summer, after which she would contemplate what would need doing. A man cleared his throat behind her in hope to grab her attention.

"A message just arrived for you," Tom said placing an envelope on the table beside her dinner. He walked back up to the bar as Meryn tore open the envelope; the letter, as she had hoped, was from Professor Dumbledore. Meryn was to leave for Hogwarts in two days time. She was surprised that she had been called to Hogwarts so soon, but Professor Dumbledore had his reasons for everything. Meryn had quite a few things to do before she left for Hogwarts, and she hoped that two days would be enough time. The letter was short and to the point, describing how she was to arrive at Hogwarts and when. She folded it back up and slid the envelope next to the parcels from the Apothecary in her bag. She sat silently eating her supper, inwardly pleased at the surprising turn of events, if a bit apprehensive. Charlie returned to the table with a look of distress on his face.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"I have to leave for the Burrow immediately. There has been some sort of accident, and my mother needs me to come home." the look on Charlie's face mirrored the expressions of when he had told her about the events that had occurred at the Tri-wizard tournament a few years ago.

"Is there anything wrong? Is everyone okay?" those words were too familiar for her liking.

"Every year," Charlie began, "it gets worse and worse. Ever since Ron entered Hogwarts, he just..." Charlie paused, running his fingers through his hair in frustration, "he's so pigheaded and loyal that he gets himself in so much trouble, all three of them."

Meryn knew he was speaking of Ron, Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. Charlie had spoken to her of them on countless occasions. She looked up at Charlie, her eyes asking him to continue, and what Charlie said next shook Meryn to the core, "You-Know-Who, has returned and they," Charlie said, referring to Ron, Harry and Hermione, "decided to take him on themselves."

Meryn's hands clenched themselves into fists under the table, and her lips were pressed tightly together.

"Everyone's alright, thank God," Charlie sighed.

"And You-Know-Who?" Meryn asked.

"He was harmed but is not dead. Pity though," he spat.

"And Ron and the others?" she asked.

"Nothing too serious. Mainly shaken up, broken bones perhaps, maybe damaged pride," Charlie rubbed his face with his hands, "I'm going to leave in a few minutes, and you're more than welcome to come with me to the Burrow."

"No!" she said, "You need to be with your family, and I would only be in the way. Besides, Professor Dumbledore requested my arrival at Hogwarts in two days time."

Charlie reluctantly agreed to leave Meryn by herself, worried what a wounded Voldemort might do to the wizarding community, "Go, Charlie," her voice was firm, "they need you."

He sighed and looked at her small frame sitting across from him, amazed that she could instill the smallest tinge of fear in him, "I will owl you tomorrow, and I'll only ask of you one thing," he stopped waiting for her to agree, and upon her nod he finished, "Please owl me upon your arrival at Hogwarts.

Meryn was amused by his concern. Charlie pulled her into an awkward hug, but she didn't enjoy the closeness to him; it reminded her too much of pain. He walked through the fireplace, her eyes following him the whole way.

She stared at her plate filled with now cold food. Voldemort had returned. There had been rumors after the Tri-wizard tournament, but the Ministry had never confirmed anything. You-Know-Who awoke feelings inside of her she dared not acknowledge. Her grandfather had told her fear was what he fed on; it was his reason for existing and as long as people feared him he deserved the title he had given himself. Meryn shivered. Tingles running down her spine told her that she should perhaps change her train of thoughts. She stood up from the table and walked to her room and placed her parcels in her trunk, running her fingers gingerly over the vial containing the dragon's blood. Then, she headed back towards the shops in Diagon Alley. In some way, she was relieved to be by herself; she had agreed to allow Charlie to accompany her for his peace of mind. She knew he took responsibility for her.

***

Meryn walked into Madam Malkin's, dreading the next hour or so of her life, and as soon as she was through the doors, she knew her instincts had been correct. Madam Malkin looked absolutely appalled at Meryn's choice of apparel. The witch had dropped the pile of robes she had just finished neatly folding.

"I require robes for school," Meryn said, her voice very stiff.

"I would imagine," Madam Malkin scoffed, "You look like a Dragon Keeper."

"I am," Meryn sighed.

The woman looked surprised, "Oh, well um, what do you need school robes for then?" Meryn was quickly loosing her patience, and Madam Malkin noticed "Oh it doesn't really matter I suppose," she promptly began taking Meryn's measurements, "Now what do you need for robes?"

"Everything," Meryn began dryly, "school uniform, work robes, dress robes, hat, shoes... You name it, I need it."

Madam Malkin's eyes lit up, "A challenge huh? Well, my dear what's your favorite colour?"

"Favorite colour?" Meryn looked outwardly puzzled then quickly hid her emotion.

"For your dress robes," Madam Malkin smiled at the girl who had entered a dress shop for the first time in her life.

"Black," she replied.

"But black is--" Madam Malkin was going to say boring and solemn but thought better of it after glancing at Meryn's stone face, "--Such a wonderful colour on you."

Meryn almost laughed out loud at the woman when she noticed a sage green velvet robe with a vine like pattern snaking up the front, "Black will be fine and I will take that one as well," Madam Malkin smiled at the girl across the room.

Meryn's packages were quickly packed, and she rushed from the store, not wanting to buy anything else frivolously. Clothes had never been something Meryn had thought would interest her--and they never had before--but this had been her first opportunity to do anything of the sort. And for the lack of a better word Meryn suddenly felt like a... girl. She frowned slightly at herself as she waked to Ollivander's to retrieve her wand.

***

To her surprise, she found the shop not to be empty as the rest of the shops in Diagon Ally were today. A tall man was speaking to Ollivander. Meryn set her parcels on the floor next to where she was standing as she began to look around the room. The Dreamless Sleep potion began to run through her mind; perhaps she would begin it tonight rather than tomorrow. She was in the middle of listing off the amount of Flox and dried mallow she would need to grind when a familiar silky voice brought her attention back to reality.

"I suppose it was about time for a new wand anyhow," Professor Snape was speaking to Ollivander.

"Well, I'm glad I could be of help," Ollivander then caught a glimpse of Meryn standing quietly by the entrance of the shop, "Meryn Kinsley, your wand will be ready in just a few short minutes. Excuse me, Professor, I will be right back." Ollivander quickly walked towards the back of the shop as Professor Snape whirled around to face Meryn. His face was stern as he glared at her.

"Miss Kingsley, it is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance," He paused and brushed a strand of hair from his eyes, "to finally have a student whose skills in potions are not merely satisfactory pleases me."

"The pleasure is all mine, Professor. I hope I live up to my previous standards and excel upon then," Meryn was relieved of her outward calm for on the inside her heart was pounding in her chest. Professor Snape was the Potions Master at Hogwarts; he instilled everything she hoped of becoming.

He looked down upon her, "Yes," he said, arching an eyebrow, "I imagine you would."

Ollivander returned from the rear of the shop with two wands in his hands, "Now Severus, try this one," he said as he handed Professor Snape the wand, "Mahogany, fourteen inches, phoenix feather, rather stiff," Professor Snape waved the wand, and a small glow appeared at its end.

"Excellent!" Ollivander exclaimed, "Twelve Galleons, Severus. Miss Kingsley," he said, directing his stare at her, "now try to be a little more careful with your wand. I know you've been out of the country, but remember your wand needs to be tuned every couple of years. A wand has the ability to last the owner a lifetime if it's taken care of properly."

Meryn retrieved her wand from Ollivander's grasp, slightly embarrassed at his openness in front of the Professor, "Six Galleons, Miss Kingsley," he finished.

Professor Snape dropped his money on the countertop with a loud clang and spoke, "Miss Kingsley, I will see you in two days."

"Yes, Professor," she spoke as she handed her money to Ollivander.

"Oh, and Miss Kingsley?" He stopped with his hand on the door and looked back at her, "Do try to dress more appropriately."

Meryn scoffed. That was twice today she'd had a comment on her apparel. Personally she saw nothing wrong with what she was wearing. Dragon hide was a very practical fabric: fireproof, waterproof, never shrunk, stretched when need be and never tore or ripped. She sighed and, nodding goodbye to Ollivander, she walked from the shop.

She needed little else from Diagon Alley for school, although there were some things that she wished to buy: a broom for example. After the attack at the camp she had been unable to retrieve hers, and she also wished to look in Flourish and Blotts for a few new books perhaps. She walked into the store with the broomsticks in the window; she frowned slightly as she thought of the Firebolt her grandfather had just bought her only six short months before his death. The shopkeeper slowly walked up to Meryn, "What can I do for you, miss?" He saw her gaze upon the Firebolt, "Ah, and such an amazing broom! It might be a bit expensive, but excellent nonetheless."

"I know," she sighed, "I had one."

He looked at her puzzled, "Do I know you?" She was dreading this moment from the time she had arrived in England.

"You're that Kingsley girl," the shopkeeper said, "I knew your grandfather. He came in here about seven months ago and bought..." he trailed off, "Your Firebolt. Was it destroyed?"

She nodded.

"Such a pity. It was a beautiful one," he sighed.

I would like to replace it," she said.

The shopkeeper looked astonished. She really hadn't had the intention of buying another Firebolt, but upon seeing it again, it had brought back the old memories, "Very well, my dear."

She picked out the Firebolt she desired and paid the shopkeeper. She had very little money left in her pouch, and she would have to speak to her grandfather's lawyer to obtain some more. She carried the broomstick lovingly by her side as she balanced her other parcels in her other hand, making the quick decision to drop them off before heading off to Flourish and Blotts.

***

She entered Flourish and Blotts, and when the scent of parchment and books filled her nostrils, she suddenly felt so much better than she had just moments before. She walked slowly passed all the shelves, taking in as much as she could. She was mesmerized at all the titles of the books. Immediately she headed to the Potions section where she was surprised at all the new volumes that graced the shelves. A lot of the older volumes were already in her collection but she had no idea that there would be so many new texts. Meryn was so carried away in her surroundings that she barely noticed walking into something tall and hard. She looked up to see Professor Snape, seemingly shocked to see her and the amount of books on the subject of potions that had fallen from her arms to the floor.

"Professor--," she began.

"Miss Kingsley," he interrupted her, "I am pleased to see your dedication to the subject of Potions. Just try and keep your toes a little more firmly on the ground before you injure yourself, or someone else."

Meryn bent down quickly to retrieve her fallen books while Professor Snape picked up a rather large tome, "The Art of Ancient Potions," he raised an eyebrow, "a rather difficult read, Miss Kingsley. I am shocked...and pleased."

"Yes, Professor," her breath caught in her throat in excitement, "just look," she said opening the book in his hands, "at all of the long-lost potions that are believed to have existed! If only we could figure how some of these potions were created, establish the location of the original herbs and extracts they used, we may be able to use them to our advantage..." Meryn cut herself off, realizing that the Potions Master was smiling down at her.

"This year will be very interesting, and I look forward to having you in my classroom," Snape commented taking along with him his own copy of The Art of Ancient Potions. Meryn stared after the Potions Master as his robes billowed behind him.

Meryn stood there for a moment in shock. She had been taking classes from Professor Snape for close to six years now, and she had never opened up to him like that before. Meryn had never seen the professor in person prior to this, Ollivander's notwithstanding; their messages had been mainly conducted through late night lessons via the fireplace, as were the lessons with Professor Polakov. Yet, Severus Snape was the reason she had chosen to attend Hogwarts, and actually meeting him put a very many thoughts in her head, some of which weren't very appropriate. She quickly paid for her books and retreated back to the Leaky Cauldron for the last time that day.