My Eternal Curse

Chapter Fourteen

Unusual Developments

It watched Ginny, and her little fan club, from the shadows. At the moment, it was just out of range of her sensitivity. It had to be careful, lest it be noticed. It would get the little brat back for what she had done, if it was the last thing it did! No one messed with it, and got away with it! It would have its revenge, when the time was right to strike. It watched Ginny enter the Apothecary with someone. It recognized him after a few moments. So, the Potions master was here as well, how... interesting. An idea hit it, and it mentally smiled. Oh yes, that could be just what it needs. It decided not to let them out of its sight. Who knows? Maybe there was more to all of this than met the eye...

*~*~*

Severus stuck close to Miss Weasley and Mr. Potter as they traveled to the Apothecary, determined to keep the 'problem' they encountered when they first arrived from happening again. He noticed that Miss Weasley carefully concealed her face the entire time they were outside. Severus pulled off his own hood once they were safely inside the shop. He watched as Miss Weasley looked around the shop and, once she was satisfied they were alone, pulled down her hood. He decided to keep the repellent charm around them, in case anyone else came into the shop and caught them unawares. An old, silver haired wizard came out from the back of the store. Severus recognized him at once. It was the shopkeeper, Eric. He was one of the most knowledgeable shopkeepers in Potions that Severus had ever met.

"Hello, Severus," Eric said, smiling at him. "What brings-"

Eric caught sight of Miss Weasley and her familiar, and froze.

"A tame Divinus Animus?" Eric asked, looking surprised. "How did you manage to control her? Aren't you the Seer they were talking about in the Daily Prophet article this morning?"

Ix Chel hissed something in the girl's ear, Severus observed.

"Yes," she said, uncomfortably. "I'm not controlling her, I'm bonded to her."

"Bonded?" Eric asked. "Interesting... Do you think your snake would be willing give up some venom? I could make it worth your while."

"Willing?" Miss Weasley asked.

"The potency and diversity of Divinus venom, as a potion ingredient, depends greatly on whether it's given by the snake willingly," Severus explained. "Willingly given Divinus venom is very hard to come by."

He watched the girl converse with the snake for a few moments, and then turned back to the storekeeper.

"Ix Chel says that she'll agree to give you venom every time we come here, under one condition," she said.

"Name it," Eric replied, eager to see what the girl had in mind.

"That whenever I come here for supplies, everything I ask for is free of charge," Miss Weasley proposed.

"Deal," Eric agreed. Eric believed he was getting the better part of the deal, but Severus knew better. If Miss Weasley ever decided to go into Potions after Hogwarts, then the deal she had just made could end up being invaluable. "Wait here a moment... I'll be right back."

Eric disappeared through a door behind the counter.

"Do you think I've made a good deal?" Miss Weasley asked, turning towards him.

"Perhaps..." Severus said, thoughtfully. "But only if you ever plan to do anything more challenging in potions than fever-reducing, or locating potions."

"Hmm..." she intoned.

A minute later, Eric returned holding a small glass container with a foam-like stopper on top. Severus watched the shopkeeper place the container onto the counter.

"All the snake has to do is strike the stopper," Eric said. "All the venom I need will be sucked into the container."

The snake hissed something. From its tone, Severus guessed that it wasn't pleasant.

"She asks me to remind you that her name is Ix Chel, not snake," Miss Weasley said, with a subtle edge of warning in her voice. "Please refer to her by name."

"Very well, Ix Chel," Eric said, awkwardly addressing the snake. Miss Weasley placed her arm just above the counter. Ix Chel slid onto the counter and struck the foam stopper with lighting fast reflexes. Severus took a mental note of the young snake's speed, for future reference. Venom pumped out of Ix Chel's needle-sharp fangs, until the small container was almost full. Severus estimated that the container would easily cost more than four hundred Galleons, and that was assuming Eric wasn't planning on gouging his customers. Ix Chel released her grip on the container and hissed uneasily.

"Are you going to be alright?" Miss Weasley asked her snake, looking a little worried. Ix Chel hissed, and he saw Weasley's unease all but vanish. Eric picked up the container with an expression that reminded Severus of a child who'd gotten what he most desired for Christmas.

"Thank you," Eric said to Miss Weasley and Ix Chel. Ix Chel returned to what was fast becoming her usual perch on the girl's arm. Eric held up the venom to the light. It was a thick, pearly silver-white, substance that nearly seemed to have a life of its own. Severus watched appraisingly, as the venom seemed to alternate between silver and white as the light hit it, almost as if it was restless. It was completely pure in intent; there was no doubt about that. "Enjoy your shopping..."

Severus' gaze followed Eric as he disappeared back through a door behind the counter, leaving them alone. The moment he left, Severus began going over his mental list of everything he would need, and started his search. Miss Weasley listened to the snake's hisses, and began looking for ingredients herself.

"What are you looking for, Miss Weasley?" Severus asked.

"Things I'll need..." she said vaguely, almost off in her own world. Now was as good a time as any to take Albus's... advice.

"What do you know about your... companion?" Severus asked.

"You mean Ix Chel?" she asked.

"Yes," Severus said. Who else would she think he was asking about?

"What exactly do you want to know?" she asked, picking up some monkshood, and checking it for quality.

"Has she told you anything about her species, or what knowledge was lost?" he asked.

Ix Chel started hissing rapidly. Miss Weasley listened intently, obtaining some hidden meaning from the noise the snake was making.

"She says, long ago, when magic was still seen as based on intent, and not our current concepts of Light and Dark, snakes were seen differently by wizards," Miss Weasley translated. "They were both revered, and feared for their talents, which can be used for good, just as easily as evil. Somewhere along the line, both fields became more specialized, causing a spilt between what we now call Light, and Dark Wizards. Believe it or not, the Light and Dark sides weren't always at each other's throats. For a time after the 'Great Separation,' there was an uneasy peace between the two. No one knows who fired the first shot, but both sides began a bloody war for dominance. The winner would become the dominant side, subjugating the loser to their will. The vilest of Dark Magics that were performed in the war, used the power snakes hold over life and death. In the end, too many fanatics of the Light began to consider snakes to be with the Dark. As a result, Light magics that used snakes were forsaken, until, one day, the knowledge was lost completely..." Miss Weasley sighed, and bowed her head slightly. "Snakes have been considered Dark ever since."

"I see," Severus said, taking it all in. The information Miss Weasley provided was enlightening, though unexpected "That's why Divinus's past was lost?"

"Yes," she said.

"What sort of Light spells were they used for?" Severus asked, curiously.

The snake hissed.

"All manner of spells," Miss Weasley translated. "But mostly potions."

"Does she know them?" he asked.

"Yes," she replied.

"How interesting..." Severus said. "If I were to ask you how she knows, would you tell me?"

"No." she said.

"What were Divinus originally meant for?" Severus asked.

"What Ix Chel is doing now, mostly..." she replied. "Protector, guide... and everything that world entails."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Severus asked. Of all the times for riddles, why now? The snake hissed softly.

"She won't tell me," Miss Weasley said, looking puzzled.

"Why?"

"She's not saying..."

"How intriguing..." Severus sneered.

"How do you think I'm progressing in Potions?" Miss Weasley asked, trying to change the subject. "Do you think I might have the talent to train to be a Potions master one day?"

Severus was amazed by the question, and the conviction with which she had asked it, but didn't show it in the slightest. Few people ever obtained the title of 'master' in any field, much less Potions. The person seriously training for it had to be brilliant, gifted, clever, and wise enough to handle the responsibility. Above all, they had to be incredibly ambitious. Which was why Potions masters were almost always Ravenclaw or Slytherins. This girl had asked for his honest opinion of her talents, a form of sense, and a belief in his powers of observation, that he had never seen before in a Gryffindor. Despite the odds, could this girl be the exception to the rule? If she were destined to become a Potions master then she would have the vision to fulfill her potential. Nothing he said would be able to stop her from going after what she desired. Could a Gryffindor show that kind of ambition? Maybe it was time to find out. Severus decided to discourage her a bit, and see what happens.

"The talent is there, but you won't be able to go anywhere near that far with it," Severus said, his voice lacking all of his usual barbs. "Not at the rate you're progressing in your studies."

"Why?" Miss Weasley asked, her face and voice surprisingly calm for someone who was seeing their hopes, and dreams dashed. "I've got the talent, I've got the brains-"

"What you lack, is the will," Severus cut in. "Brains and talent are useless, without the ambition and cunning to wield them. The discipline of Potions takes more than skill, it takes vision. Without the vision to back your competence, your potential in Potions will never be fulfilled."

"What do I have to do?" Miss Weasley asked, determination coloring the cool tone of her voice.

"It's not what you have to do, it's who you are," Severus said, using the same words his mentor had on him, to see which way he would jump. If he were wrong about her, he would have his answer in a few moments. "Either you have the drive to succeed, or you don't."

"You're right," she said. "I would need more then just daring..."

He mentally shook his head. He was right, the girl would never know the true sprit of Potions.

"The Potions discipline isn't just about bottles of fluid, or putting together ingredients just to see what happens," she went on. "It's not about cause and effect, or even work. Potions isn't a profession at all... It's a magical art form in the truest sense of the words. It's a fantastic mix of matter and energy, the magic of intangible and tangible... it's about the merging of the wizard's own magic, on one of the oldest levels, to reshape the world around them. I love Potions! I think that each potion is a work of art, not just something that might come in handy one day. I wanted your honest opinion, because I thought you would be able to see past the stupid crest on the breast of my robes! Apparently, I was wrong about you on that. I know I can become a master one day, if I put my mind to it. I will continue to strive for my full potential, despite my sadistic teacher, who wants to see me fail because of his own misguided prejudices!"

Severus was completely dumbfounded by her statement. He had thought for sure that she wouldn't challenge him on it, but she did. Most students wouldn't have pressed the issue, much less stood up to him like that... But she wasn't like most students, if the last week she suffered through was any indication. He knew he should be furious with her for accusing him of being a bigoted sadist to his face, and deduct enough points to leave Gryffindor in debt for centuries, but he couldn't. An amused smile touched his lips as he watched her waiting to see him explode... Although through an act of Gryffindor impertinence, the girl had answered his unspoken challenge perfectly. She did have the right qualities, after all. Now it was up to him to make sure she used them.

"Then perhaps you are 'Potions master' material after all," Severus answered. "I can't promise that the road to 'master' will be easy, but I'd be more then willing to assist you in any way I can, if you will let me."

Severus watched Virginia do a double take. From the look on her face, he was sure that she had been expecting at least a month's worth of detention, not an offer to help. His smile broadened at the sight. Was this what his mentor had seen in his face when he dashed his hopes, then offered his assistance?

"What?" she asked, looking confused.

"Is your hearing defective, Miss Weasley?" Severus said, almost sneering. "I am offering you my assistance."

"Th-Thank you Professor," she said, hesitantly.

"When is your next study session with Mr. Dippet in Potions?" Severus asked.

"Monday, after classes," she replied.

"Good," Severus said. "I would like you both to report to my classroom instead."

"Yes, sir," she said, still looking a little bewildered. Neither spoke for a long minute, then Severus decided to break the silence.

"I would like to ask you, and Ix Chel, for a favor," Severus said.

"What is it?" Miss Weasley asked, curiously.

"I would like Ix Chel to willingly supply ingredients for me," Severus said.

"You want her venom?" Miss Weasley asked.

"Yes," Severus said. "Also, any skin she sheds, and a few drops of bloods on occasion."

"Why?" Miss Weasley asked.

"Because willingly given ingredients from a Divinus are practically priceless," Severus explained. "I haven't been able to obtain such quality in years, and I would be... grateful for any assistance you can supply."

Ix Chel hissed in a peculiar tone. Miss Weasley whispered to it, talking it over. Severus watched the strange exchange, with an almost morbid fascination, for several minutes before they came to a decision.

"Are you sure?" she asked, loud enough for Severus to hear. Miss Weasley turned her attention back to him. "She says she will, under one condition."

"What is it?" Severus inquired, wondering what he'd have to trade for this.

"She says that you're a 'paradox worth exploring,'" Miss Weasley translated. "I'm not sure what she means by that. She also believes that we can trust you... The condition is this: She will give you what you want, and more... by teaching you and I, the old spells and potions Light and Dark used snakes for, along with providing ingredients on a regular basis. But only if you agree to teach us what modern society has done with snake's power. The good, and the bad... She doesn't want you to teach me the enchantments themselves. Just the principles behind them, and how the Dark has twisted the magic of snakes for their purposes."

Severus wondered if she knew what she was asking of him. Asking him for that in exchange, was practically asking him to teach them an introduction to the most powerful of Dark Arts. He suspected that was exactly what the snake had in mind, but why? What exactly did they really want from him? Watching her, Severus realized that there was a lot more to this then he knew. What they offered in exchange was a powerful inducement, and, without it, he would have turned them down without a second thought. He studied the girl's face. She was more then aware of that fact... If he turned them down, he would lose a once in a lifetime opportunity, and the snake would undoubtedly teach her anyway. If he didn't... he could keep an eye on her, and keep her from turning Dark, as he had no doubt she would, if she learned all of it on her own. Yes, that would be the lesser of two evils... He would have to inform Albus of the exchange when they returned to Hogwarts, and discuss how far this should be allowed to go. Damn it! Albus was right. The girl was just like him when he was younger, too much like him. Willing to do almost anything for knowledge. If she didn't watch herself, she would end up just like him, or worse... But unlike him, she would have a mentor who could steer her clear of the darkness. It appeared that Severus was getting far more then he first bargained for, when it came to his new protégé.

"You know what you're asking of me?" Severus whispered softly.

"I do," she said, uncomfortably. From her expression, he knew that she understood the risk she was taking in proposing this. Good, then she would have no illusions.

"Than we have a deal," Severus said. "I trust you will not breathe a word of this to anyone?"

"We won't say a word to anyone," she answered. They fell into an awkward silence. After a few moments they went back to their search for ingredients. Almost twenty minutes later they returned to the counter, their arms filled with supplies. Severus did a mental inventory of what she had. Only a small portion of it were refills of ingredients she would need for class. The rest were expensive and powerful components, which were only used for the most delicate and volatile potions. From the list, it looked like she was up to something potentially dangerous, but the combination was unlike anything he'd ever seen. What could she be up to?

"Do you understand the properties of those components?" Severus asked. Miss Weasley told him the properties of each one, and they're conventional uses. Before Severus could speak, Eric reentered the room.

"Have you found everything your looking for?" Eric asked.

"Yes," Severus replied.

"Good," Eric said. Severus paid for his supplies, and Eric carefully packaged their stuff. They picked up their bags, and raised their hoods. "Have a good day."

"Bye," Miss Weasley said, and they left.

*~*~*

"Got everything you need?" Albus asked Ginny with a twinkle in his eyes.

"Yes, Headmaster," she replied.

"Good," Albus said. "Lets go."

The four of them walked to Ollivander's in silence.

Tom was angry with Ix Chel for even suggesting that bargain with Snape. If any of this got back to Dumbledore, they could be in grave peril. Tom respected Snape and his talents for deduction, which was why he was against this deal from the start. Unfortunately, he was outvoted two to one... Pulling this massively foolish stunt! There were days he missed having complete control of things. Tom sighed, fervently praying that this deal of theirs didn't blow up in their faces.

Albus entered Ollivander's first, the others trailing close behind. With a wave of his wand, Severus dispelled the repellent charm and they removed their hoods. The store was just as Albus remembered it, when he'd gotten his first wand. Mr. Ollivander came out to greet his customers.

"It is good to see you again, Albus," Ollivander said, shaking each of their hands in turn. "Wand: Willow and Unicorn hair, twelve inches... very powerful. Severus, Maple and Dragon heartstring, eleven and a half inches, perfect for complex spell work. Harry, holly and phoenix feather, eleven inches, nice and supple, a most unusual combination. Virginia, Oak and Unicorn hair, good for transfiguration work. I hear you've been having problems with your wand, Miss Weasley. How long have you been experiencing difficulties?"

"All of those meaningless wand combinations in his head..." Tom said. "Makes you wonder if there is anything else left in there."

"For about a month," Ginny said. "Since the visions started."

"Oh yes," Ollivander said. "I've heard about that... Your wand rejected you during your fight with the Death Eaters?"

"Yes," said Ginny.

"Do you remember what you were thinking or feeling at the time, Miss Weasley?" Ollivander asked. "Or how much energy you were trying to pour into the wand?"

"I was desperate to get to Harry before they did," Ginny said. "I knew he couldn't fight them alone... I remember trying to pour all of the power I could into the wand just before it burned me."

"It burned you?" Ollivander raised an eyebrow.

"Yes."

"Were you able to touch it after the battle?"

"No."

"Did it burn you again when you tried to touch it?"

"Yes."

"Did it try to flee from your touch when it rejected you, and after?"

"Yes."

"Let me see your hands," Ollivander commanded. Ginny held up her hands, and Ollivander examined them for a few moments, before letting her hands drop back to her sides again. "Hand me her old wand."

Albus handed him Ginny's old wand. Ollivander examined the wand for a few moments, and frowned.

"The core is corrupted," Ollivander said. "Curious... very curious indeed..."

"Corrupted?" Ginny asked.

"Yes," Ollivander said. "It looks like the wand corrupted during the rejection... The core of a wand becomes corrupted when too much powerful, conflicting energy is channeled through the wand. I'm afraid this wand will never work right again."

"Is that why my wand burned me?" Ginny asked.

"Not entirely," Ollivander explained. "When you poured too much anomalous energy into the wand, you started a chain reaction of sorts. What caused your burns was the feedback of partially amplified energy. There was no way anyone could have predicted this. If this is any indication, your powers are growing at a nearly dangerous, and unpredictable rate."

"Dangerous?" Ginny asked, looking worried. "Is there a chance I could hurt anyone during this growth?"

"Anomalous growth in a wizard's powers is unusual, but not unprecedented," Ollivander said. "Normally, hurting others in these cases is not an issue. However, in your case, I cannot be sure how violent this could become. The chances of it being that bad are incredibly low. You should have nothing to worry about, but try to exercise extra caution when practicing magic of any kind. During this period in your development, you will need greater control to ensure proper spell casting."

Ginny nodded, still looking a little worried. Albus noticed Ginny's sprits lift when Ix Chel hissed something in her ear.

"What causes this sort of development?" Severus asked.

"That is still a mystery," Ollivander sighed. "Though, it is believed that the sudden changes are caused by some sort of catalyst. Have you encountered anything which could spark that, my dear?"

"Not that I know of," Ginny said.

That's when the truth hit Tom like a ton of Galleons. He was the catalyst! When she accepted him, their still developing powers began to merge on a fundamental level, causing this radical chain reaction. They weren't dealing with abnormal growth of one wizard's powers, but two... their connection was a bloody wild card! Who knows what could result from this? He would have to make sure his Ginny's caution remained absolute until this was over, or things could get very ugly.

"Let's see if we can find you another compatible wand," Ollivander said. "Remember, the instant you're having trouble like that again, stop using your wand and go straight to one of your Professors or Headmaster Dumbledore."

"Yes, sir," Ginny said. Ollivander went back behind the counter, started pulling wands off the shelves, gently placing them on the counter.

"Here," Ollivander said, handing her a wand. "Oak and Phoenix feather, eleven inches. Just give it a wave."

Ginny waved it and nothing happened, a complete rejection. Before Ginny had time to think, Ollivander handed her another wand. She waved it, still nothing. After a half-hour of searching, Albus and the others were tired of standing. With a wave of his wand, Albus conjured a small table and a large, overstuffed sofa, with a pretty pattern of moons and stars on it.

"This could take a little while," Albus said, with a twinkle in his eyes. "Why don't we sit down, and get comfortable?"

Harry sat down on the left side of the sofa, obviously looking tired. Albus sat in the middle and, after some minor grumbling, Severus sat down on the right. Together, they watched rejection after rejection. After waiting for over an hour, Albus and Harry started playing a card game, while Severus watched Ginny's search with an odd sort of fascination. On the third hour Ginny was beginning to get frustrated, but Ollivander was positively beaming, his excitement growing with each rejection.

"Ah, becoming a tough customer are we?" Ollivander said, smiling. "Don't worry, we'll find you the perfect match. Let's try some more unusual combinations..."

By the fourth hour Harry and Albus gave up on cards, and started having a fascinating conversion about muggle games, with Harry trying to explain how muggle video games work.

"If Dumbledore and Potter start braiding each other's hair, kill me..." Tom said. "I wouldn't want to live after seeing Dumbledore in pigtails."

Ix Chel snickered, and even Ginny had to stifle a laugh.

Severus continued to watch Miss Weasley's progress, or lack of it, completely ignoring Potter and Albus. After a half-hour of talking amongst themselves, Albus started trying to drag Severus into the conversation. He, stubbornly, continued to remain silent. Tom couldn't blame him, if he had to choose between socializing with those two or the magical equivalent of watching paint dry, he'd pick the paint. By the beginning of the seventh hour, Albus and Harry had run out of ideas to entertain themselves, and joined Severus in watching the never-ending search for a wand. It was five o'clock. Ginny was completely flustered, and looked dead on her feet, having stood the entire time.

"How long has it been?" Harry asked.

"Miss Weasley's been at it for seven hours," Severus said.

"That long?" Albus remarked. "It reminds me of the last time I had to get a new wand..."

"How long did it take?" Harry asked, curiously.

"Almost six hours," Albus replied. "How about you two?"

"I lost count at five," Severus said.

"Six hours," Harry answered.

"Oh, this is hopeless!" Ginny groaned, putting down, what seemed like the thousandth wand. "At this rate, we're never going to find the right match!"

"I'll be right back," Ollivander said. A few minutes later Ollivander returned with two normal-sized boxes and a much larger, older looking box. He placed them on the counter. He opened the first box, and handed Ginny the wand, which was meant for an extremely Light wizard. Ginny waved it, and nothing happened. The second box he opened held a wand that was meant for an extremely Dark wizard. Albus prayed that she wouldn't get a response, and sure enough, nothing happened. Ollivander opened the larger box, which seemed to hold several wands. "Well, let's see what we have here..."

Ollivander pulled out a beautiful long wand made of mahogany, which had a slightly larger base than usual.

"This one here has one of the most unusual cores you will ever find," Ollivander said, handing Ginny the wand. "Mahogany, with snake's tooth and Hippogriff feather, thirteen inches. Very powerful..."

Ginny smiled and gave it a wave. Brilliant sparks shot out of the wand, filling Ollivander's with radiant light. After a few seconds, the lights vanished. Harry and Ginny smiled, but the others looked concerned. Tom felt the unspoken tension in the room increase ten fold, and wondered what they weren't telling them. They paid seven Galleons for the wand. Severus removed the sofa and the table with a wave of his wand. Ollivander discreetly took Albus aside for a moment.

"Be careful," Ollivander whispered. "The girl is special, like the one we lost so long ago..."

Albus nodded gravely. After a few moments of discussion, they Apparated back to the gates of Hogwarts.

____________

TBC