My Eternal Curse

Chapter Sixteen

Unexpected Situations

Ginny and Macdonald headed for Transfiguration class as fast as their legs could carry them. Ginny's mind was overwhelmed with guilt and horror at the results of her own, seemingly innocent, actions.

"Why did Trelawney make me give her a reading?" Ginny thought, her mind still reeling from the shock of Professor Trelawney's collapse. "Why couldn't she leave me alone for just one day? By Merlin, what was she trying to prove?"

"Calm down, my princess," Tom said. "Doing this to yourself won't help. It's not your fault, it's hers for wanting the bloody reading in the first place."

"Why didn't I just refuse to give it to her?" Ginny thought, mournfully. "What am I going to do if she...?"

"It was her choice, young one," Ix Chel pointed out. "Only she can decide how to use the knowledge you imparted to her in your reading."

Although she knew Ix Chel was probably right, Ginny couldn't quite bring herself to see it that way. Ginny and Macdonald barged into the Transfiguration classroom and ran towards Professor McGonagall, who was giving a lecture to the Slytherin and Gryffindor sixth years. Ginny vaguely noticed that Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Draco were among the students, who regarded them with mild surprise. Ginny and Macdonald skidded to a halt in front of Professor McGonagall.

"What is the meaning of this?" Professor McGonagall demanded, slightly surprised and annoyed by the disruption. "Why aren't you two in class?"

"We were... Professor," Macdonald said, struggling to catch her breath. "Trelawney... Ginny... gave her a reading-"

"I didn't lay a finger on her, Professor!" Ginny cried, as tears threatening to spill. "She insisted, and so I did... I'm so sorry, Professor! I never meant for this to happen!"

"Now, I want you both to calm down and tell me what happened from the beginning," Professor McGonagall said. Ginny and the other girl took a few moments to catch their breath, before trying again.

"We were doing Tarot cards in Divination," Macdonald explained. "Professor Trelawney made Ginny do a reading on her."

"I gave her the reading, and she... couldn't handle the answer," Ginny added, crying. Did her reading really kill her? "The cards said that horrible things were ahead for her," Ginny continued. "Professor Trelawney saw it, and collapsed! Mark's taken her to the hospital wing... I had no idea the reading would be so bad, or I wouldn't have given her one. Please believe me! I never meant for this to happen..."

Whispers and comments spread throughout the classroom like wildfire. Professor McGonagall silenced the students with a glare, before returning her attention to Ginny.

"I believe you, Miss Weasley," Professor McGonagall said, reassuringly. "Now, do you know what's wrong with her?"

"No, Professor," Ginny replied. "Right after it happened, we came to find you."

"Then it may have just been the shock," Professor McGonagall said. "This period should be over in a few minutes. I want you two to go to your next class. Thank you for bringing it to my attention so quickly. Don't worry, we'll get this sorted out."

"Thank you, Professor," Macdonald said, before turning back to Ginny. "Come on Gin, we don't want to be late."

Ginny allowed herself to be led out of the Transfiguration classroom and to Charms class. Ix Chel and Tom tried to comfort Ginny as she, Macdonald, and a couple of the students from Divination class entered Charms class, right after the seventh year class left. Ginny pulled out a handkerchief to dry her eyes, as she took her seat. Professor Flitwick saw the shocked expressions on everyone's faces, and Ginny crying.

"What is wrong with all of you?" Professor Flitwick asked. "You all look like someone just died."

"Professor Trelawney did," a Gryffindor said. Ginny started crying even harder at his words.

"Ginny gave Professor Trelawney a reading, Professor," Macdonald said. "She didn't take it well, and collapsed. A few students took her to the hospital wing... Might I add, that she was alive when they took her to the hospital wing, but we don't know how she's doing."

"My word!" Professor Flitwick said. "Miss Weasley, is this true?"

"Yes, Professor," Ginny said.

"Why don't you take the rest of the class off, and see her," Professor Flitwick suggested. "I'm sure she's alright. I'll write you a pass, and you can get today's notes from one of the other students later."

"Thank you, Professor," Ginny said. Flitwick wrote a note, and handed it to her. Ginny stood.

"Please keep in mind, Miss Weasley, that giving someone a reading does not constitute bodily harm," Professor Flitwick said. "It is not your fault that she reacted badly to it."

"Thank you, I will." Ginny left for the hospital wing.

*~*~*

Harry watched Ginny leave Transfiguration with the Gryffindor fifth year, still feeling a little shocked. He couldn't quite believe it. Why would Trelawney ask for a reading from Ginny, of all people, when she knew that Ginny was the real thing. Maybe that was why she asked, she knew that Ginny would give her an honest reading, no matter how Ginny felt about her. If that was true, then why did she collapse like that? What did Trelawney see that scared her so much?

"Alright, class dismissed," Professor McGonagall said. Everyone started filing out of the room, speculating about Ginny's latest vision. Harry and Hermione headed towards History of Magic class. Ron, who still wasn't talking to them, lagged behind.

"I hope Ginny's alright," Hermione said.

"Me too," Harry replied. "What do you think made Trelawney freak out like that?"

"I don't know," Hermione answered. "I guess we should track down Ginny during lunch and find out."

"Agreed," Harry said. "She's probably our best bet of getting a straight answer about this."

*~*~*

Professor McGonagall greeted Ginny outside of the hospital wing. From the look on her face, Ginny guessed that Trelawney wasn't doing so well. She felt something in the pit of her stomach at the thought. Could she get in trouble for giving Trelawney the reading?

"What are you doing here, Miss Weasley?" Professor McGonagall asked. "I thought I told you to go to your next class."

"I did, Professor," Ginny answered hesitantly, showing McGonagall her pass. "Professor Flitwick said it was alright for me to come down here to see her. How is she?"

"According to Madam Pomfrey, it was the shock that caused her collapse," Professor McGonagall said. "Physically she is fine, mentally, however, appears to be a different story. I don't know if I should be telling you this, but it would be better coming from me than someone else... It looks like Professor Trelawney suffered a nervous breakdown."

"Can I see her?" Ginny asked, plagued with guilt. She hated Trelawney, but to do this to her... "I just want to apologize, I promise I won't take long."

"I'm sorry, but I don't think that would be appropriate at this juncture," Professor McGonagall replied gently. "I understand how you must feel, Miss Weasley, but seeing her now may do more harm than good." Ginny nodded, sighing heavily. Professor McGonagall watched her with a sympathetic and concerned expression on her face. "Why don't you come up to my office for some tea? There is something I want to show you..."

Ginny reluctantly followed Professor McGonagall up to her office.

*~*~*

Tea with Professor McGonagall wasn't as bad as she thought it would be. In fact, Professor McGonagall had given her several large books on Transfiguration from the library, and even one from the Restricted Section to study. Professor McGonagall told her that if she continued to study hard, she would do well on her OWL's. After Ginny had taken her new textbooks up to the dorm, she spent the rest of the day avoiding the other students.

Not yet wanting to face the new set of rumors, fears, and suspicions that awaited her, she went to the kitchens for lunch. Harry, Hermione, and Mark found her in the kitchens, and kept her company. Together, Ginny and Mark relayed the tale of what happened to Trelawney, including Ginny's attempt to visit her. By the time she had to face the rest of her classes, Ginny felt ready for almost anything. She ignored the strange looks she received during the rest of her classes, including her last class, which was Astronomy.

Ginny hung back in the Astronomy Tower for a few minutes, to think after class. Realizing that she was going to be late for her meeting with Professor Snape, Ginny ran down the stairs heading for the Dungeons. Not looking where she was going, Ginny ran straight into a Slytherin fifth year coming up the stairwell. The girl was a little taller than Ginny, with long blond hair that went down to her waist, dark green eyes, and a very frail looking body. She was deathly pale. The girl stumbled. On instinct, Ginny grabbed the girl's hand to steady her.

All of a sudden, Ginny was watching the Slytherin girl jump off the Astronomy tower, plummeting to her death.

Then the vision was over, and Ginny was standing before the Slytherin again, still holding her hand. She looked at the girl's hand, and noticed that she was clutching a letter tightly, like a drowning person trying to grab onto anything to keep them afloat. Ginny looked up, saw that she was crying, and understood. The girl was about to kill herself. She couldn't let her do it, there had been more than enough suffering for one day.

"Please, don't do it," Ginny pleaded, in a low voice. "Whatever it is, it's not worth your life... please... let me help you!"

"How would you know?" the Slytherin girl whispered, with a searching expression on her face. She shook her head. "You can't help me... no one can..."

"I can... Dumbledore can," Ginny whispered, pleadingly. Merlin, if she couldn't get through to her... "Just tell me what's wrong. I swear to you, I will do everything in my power to help..."

The girl didn't respond, then she began to cry even harder. Ginny knew that she had to take control of the situation, now. If she couldn't convince her now, there would be no saving her.

"Whatever it is, I'll protect you... Headmaster Dumbledore will protect you, and so will your head of house, Professor Snape," Ginny said, gaining determination. "You can trust me. Please believe me, you're not alone! You can't want to die!" Ginny looked down at the letter again. "It's your parents, isn't it? Something's happened."

The girl stared at her for a long minute, as if trying to come to a decision. Ginny prayed that she was getting through to her.

"My father," the Slytherin explained in shaky voice. "H-he's forcing me to be-become a De-Death Eater... I can't do it... I just can't... I'll die before I take the Dark Mark! Please, help me..."

"It's okay," Ginny replied, as tears began to well up in her eyes. She let them fall as she hugged the Slytherin girl protectively. "We'll go to Dumbledore together, and fix this. Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you! You're going to be all right; everything will be all right ... Come on, I'll take you to his office."

Ginny slowly led the sobbing girl to the Headmaster's office. Thankfully, no one saw them. They arrived in front of the stone Gargoyle. The Gargoyle opened for them without the password, and they went up the moving stairs to the Headmaster's office. The door to Dumbledore's office opened just before they reached it, they went inside, and sat down. The Slytherin girl, who's name was Alexis Levine, told them her parents were Death Eaters, and that they had been pressuring her to become one for some time now. After he heard the tale, Professor Dumbledore thanked Ginny for bringing Alexis to him, and reassured her that Alexis was in good hands. Then he reminded her of her appointment with Professor Snape, and dismissed her. Ginny stood. Touching the girl's hand, Ginny was reassured that, although there was still a difficult road ahead for her, the danger had passed. With that, Ginny nodded her head in assent, and left for the Dungeons. Thinking about her vision of Snape again, Ginny realized for the first time, that she couldn't handle this alone.

"I've got to tell him," Ginny thought.

"You understand what that vision means, don't you?" Tom asked. "Didn't it say that telling him would be a mistake? Who knows what he might do when he realizes that you know his secret."

"He's a spy for Dumbledore... and he's about to be caught," Ginny thought. "I won't let him die because I was afraid to tell him."

"What if he doesn't believe us?" Tom asked. "What are we going to do then?"

"I know of a way to ensure that he does," Ix Chel hissed.

"Tell me..."

*~*~*

Severus sat behind his desk, and Mr. Dippet sat in the front row of the Potions classroom, waiting for Miss Weasley. The blasted girl was late. What could be so important, that she would risk his wrath? Severus studied Mr. Dippet intently. The boy was just as surprised at her tardiness as he was. He seemed confused, and even a little worried by her absence. If Dippet's response was any indication, this wasn't a normal occurrence.

"Weasley's late," Severus sneered, checking the time. "More than twenty minutes late."

"I don't know what could have happened to her, sir," Mr. Dippet said. "Maybe she was feeling sick, and had to stop by the hospital wing first. I'm sure she'll be here any minute."

"Professor McGonagall told me what happened in Divination," Severus informed him. "Tell me, Mr. Dippet, what do you think about the incident?"

"I think Professor Trelawney overreacted," he replied. "The reading was very dark, but that didn't mean it couldn't be avoided."

"So, you're one of the people who believes that Destiny can be changed," Severus inferred. "What makes you think that true visions can be altered?"

"Ginny."

"Miss Weasley?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Ginny's living proof that the future can be changed," Dippet affirmed. "She averted her own visions twice, because she was forewarned. I think that anyone can change their future, if they have enough foresight."

"Weasley does seem to have a nasty habit of meddling," Severus agreed. "But she may also be the exception to that rule."

"That's possible," the boy said.

"How well is Miss Weasley progressing in her studies?" Severus asked.

*~*~*

"Reconsider, Ginny," Tom said urgently, as they approached Potions class. "This is a mistake. You're putting all of our lives at risk by doing this! He's not worth it..."

"Yes, he is," Ginny replied. "He's as worthy of my help as you are. You were outvoted. Now shut up, and stay out of our way!"

"Worthy?" Tom asked. "How exactly have you been helping me?"

"By protecting our secret, and not selling you out to Harry, or Dumbledore," Ginny thought. "I think you're someone worth saving, and so is Snape. I won't let him die for doing the right thing."

"Someone worth saving," Tom intoned. "Is that how you see me? Why?"

Ginny refused to answer, unsure of what possessed her to tell him that.

"Why?" Tom persisted.

"I have my reasons," Ginny thought, as they entered the classroom. Professor Snape spotted her, looking indignant, while Mark looked concerned.

"You're a half hour late, Weasley!" Professor Snape snapped angrily. "Now tell me, what was so important that you thought it was worth keeping me waiting."

"I'm sorry I'm so late, but I had to take one of your students, Alexis Levine, to the Headmaster's office," Ginny explained, hesitantly. "It was an emergency."

"You felt the need to take her there yourself," Professor Snape said. "How touching... Why?"

"It's not my place to say," Ginny answered, uncomfortably. "Ask Professor Dumbledore or Alexis, they can fill you in."

Ginny saw a look of understanding cross his face, and his demeanor softened.

"Try to be more punctual next time." Professor Snape stood, and walked over to them. "Now, the reason why I have called you here Mr. Dippet, is because your services as Miss Weasley's tutor are no longer required."

"Why?" Mark asked.

"Because I am making Miss Weasley my Apprentice," said Professor Snape. "She has expressed a desire to become a Potions master and, unlike most of my other students, she stands more than a muggle snowball's chance in hell of succeeding."

"Wow... what an honor!" Mark exclaimed, impressed. "I always knew you had the potential, Ginny. I think you're going to make a great Potions master."

"Thanks, Mark," Ginny replied.

"Planning on coming to the Great Hall for dinner tonight?" Mark asked.

"Yeah," Ginny answered. "We figured that we have to face the other students sooner or later, tonight is as good a time as any to start. Do you mind sitting with me again tonight? It would make sitting with the other Gryffindors a little more bearable."

"Sure," Mark said. "Maybe you should try sitting at the Ravenclaw table, one of these nights. I think they would be a little more receptive to you than your house has been."

"I think I'd like that," Ginny smiled. "Don't forget, you have Charms tutoring with me tomorrow, and you need to get that advanced Summoning charm down before your test on Friday."

"Alright," Mark agreed, picking up his things. "See you later, Gin, and good luck."

"Bye," Ginny said. Mark left, and Ginny turned her attention back to Professor Snape again.

"Now, that's out of the way," Snape pulled out a small silver key and handed it to her.

"What is it for?" Ginny asked.

"This is a key to my personal Potions lab," Professor Snape said. "If we will be working together on a regular basis, you will need it. Come with me." He stood in front of the middle of the blackboard, and waited for Ginny to stand right next to him. "Voldemort's mistake."

A section of the blackboard melted away, revealing a small oak door. Professor Snape unlocked the door, and they went in. Inside was a large workroom with two large worktables covered in equipment, and two stools. The walls were covered with shelves filled with an impressive array of Potions ingredients, and rare Potions texts. Ginny turned to Snape.

"Voldemort's mistake?" she asked, still a little surprised by her Professor's choice of passwords.

"The most feared name in the wizarding world," Professor Snape replied. "Would you think of it?"

"No," she replied. Ginny studied Professor Snape. She had to tell him now, before they went any further. Ginny was afraid that Tom was right, but she had to do this. "Before we start, Professor... there is something you need to know. I saw something in Diagon Alley yesterday, when you dragged me out of the pub. I couldn't tell you then, because it would have made things worse... I know you're a spy, Professor, and I saw Voldemort kill you for betraying him."

"Did I have the word 'spy' tattooed on my forehead, Miss?" Professor Snape asked, stunned. "You're lying!"

"I'm not lying," Ginny insisted. "I saw it. Voldemort used the Killing Curse on you. Why would I lie?"

"You tell me," Snape snapped. "Since you obviously have all the answers, Miss Weasley."

"I told you he wouldn't believe us," Tom said.

"Tell him, young one," Ix Chel hissed. "He may never believe you without proof."

"I can prove it to you," Ginny said.

"How?" Professor Snape asked.

"Ix Chel can show you my vision, if you agree to let her bite you," Ginny explained.

"The venom of a Divinus is highly poisonous, and usually lethal," said Snape in a low and dangerous voice. "Are you trying to kill me?"

"Tell him if I wanted to kill him, I could have struck at any point during the conversation," Ix Chel advised.

Ginny translated Ix Chel's words, and he flinched slightly.

"It's only fatal if she wants to hurt you, and she won't," Ginny explained. There had to be some way to prove it to him. An idea hit her; she rolled up her sleeve, revealing the bite mark Ix Chel left two days ago. Professor Snape stared at the unmistakable snakebite with great intensity. "This is how I bonded to her. Ix Chel can control the effects of her venom. Think of what she's proposing as a temporary psychic bond. It will allow you to experience everything I did during my vision. You know how the venom works, you know that it's possible. Please trust me, Professor. I wouldn't lie to you about something like this."

He watched her for a long minute, before coming to a decision.

"I will... agree to it," Professor Snape sighed. "But if you're lying to me..."

"Trust me, I'm not," Ginny said. "Nor am I that stupid."

"That remains to be seen," he said in a low voice. Professor Snape walked over the worktable and sat down on one of the stools. Ginny pulled up a second stool and sat next to him. She held the arm Ix Chel was coiled around above the table. Ix Chel slithered onto the table, and waited patiently as Snape rolled up his right sleeve partway then put his arm on the table. Ginny held his hand, entwining her fingers with his.

"Now," Ginny commanded. Ix Chel struck Snape's arm, quickly pumping venom into his arm for a few moments, before moving out of reach...

Severus could feel the venom running its course through his veins at an accelerated rate. Severus tried to remain calm as the world began to slip from his grasp.

Severus stood next to Ginny, who had Ix Chel on her arm, in a large mansion, overlooking a dark and gloomy landscape. Severus was shocked by the complete and utter realism of the vision. It was as if he was really there... Severus recognized the mansion. It was the Malfoy estate. He felt a jolt of severe pain run though him, and wondered, for a moment, if something was wrong. Severus looked at Ginny, saw the slightly pained expression on her face, and understood. He was feeling what she felt during the vision. Severus looked back at the scene before him. Masked Death Eaters encircled them, but they weren't alone. The Dark Lord stood before them, looking enraged. Next to Voldemort stood Lucius Malfoy, who had a cold smirk on his face.

Severus heard a pained gasp and looked down, grimacing at the horrible sight. He lay at their feet, covered in his own blood. His wrist and his left leg looked badly broken, and were bleeding profusely. Severus noticed his wand on the floor behind the Death Eaters. So, they hadn't snapped it in two... was there a chance he could use that to his advantage? He tore his eyes away from his other self, and studied the Dark Lord, looking for any clue that could help him later on.

"You betrayed us, Severus!" Lord Voldemort howled in rage. "What have you to say for yourself, before I squash you like the insignificant pest you are!"

"I am not proud of my past," the vision version of Severus said weakly, staring up at the Dark Lord. He coughed up blood for a few moments before continuing. "Out of all the things I have done, I have but one regret... Do you know why? Because I've paid for my sins... Because, in the end, you're going to lose... No matter how many of us you kill, there will always be more to take our place. People ready to defy you, to fight to the death if they have to! Mark my words, Voldemort, your days are numbered! People like Dumbledore, Mr. Potter, and Miss Weasley are going to put a stop to your evil, sooner or later... I'm proud to have played a part in your downfall... My only regret now, is that I won't live to see it!"

"Your wrong, Severus," Voldemort said, bending down till he was at eye level with the other Severus. His red eyes gleamed malevolently at the badly wounded man. "By the time this is over, the ones you speak of will be gone, and the wizarding world will be at my feet!"

Voldemort stood once more, and backed away. He pulled out his wand and pointed it at the Severus on the floor. The vision Severus stiffened slightly, but his gaze, and his resolve, didn't waver as he faced his own death. Severus watched himself, and finally understood something he had wondered for a long time. He was never sure how he would face death. Would he face it head-on? Or would his resolve fail him at the last moment, making him grovel at the Dark Lord's feet for dark redemption?

"Avada Kedavra!" Voldemort yelled at the top of his lungs, and the vision exploded in a blinding flash of green light and the rushing sounds of death itself. Severus felt the life-force decimating power of the Killing Curse just as the vision ended.

Everything seemed a little hazy as Severus' awareness slowly returned to the present. He felt completely drained, like something had sapped all of his vital energies. He was still sitting on the stool in his workroom, slumped over the table. Severus could feel with absolute certainty, that telling anyone right away about the vision would have made the future worse. He could sense that there was still plenty of time to change things... a few months, at least. Severus tried to sit up, and immediately regretted it, as a wave of dizziness hit him and the room began to spin. He felt like he was going to be sick. Merlin, is this what the girl has to go through every time she has one of these bloody visions? He looked at Miss Weasley, who was also recovering from the after-effects of the vision. Severus noticed how quickly she seemed to bounce back, and figured it was just because she was used to it. He waited in silence for the hazy feeling and the dizziness to subside before speaking.

"Are your visions always that bad?" Severus finally asked.

"Sometimes," Miss Weasley answered, still looking uncomfortable.

"I'm sorry I doubted you," Severus said.

"I understand how you feel," Miss Weasley replied. "I didn't believe my first vision right away either."

"You didn't?" Severus asked, surprised by her admission.

"No," Miss Weasley replied. "What are we going to do, now that you know?"

"I don't know..." Severus said. "We have time... right now, that's what we need."

They fell into an unsettling silence for several minutes. Finally, Weasley decided to break the silence.

"We should get started," Miss Weasley said.

"Agreed," replied Severus.

They set up, taking the ingredients Ix Chel said were required off the shelves. When they were done, they took notes, which they would encode later with a special charm Ix Chel was planning to show them.

"What exactly does this potion do?" Severus asked.

"'Parsel potion' will allow you to understand and speak in her native tongue, as if you were born with the gift," Miss Weasley translated. "But it only lasts for a week, so you will have to keep taking it to continue to understand her. To work, you need willingly given venom already in your bloodstream, along with the potion. You won't need to be bitten every time you take the potion, just once every couple of months or so."

"That's a relief," Severus muttered. "The last thing I want is to be bitten by a poisonous creature once a week."

After one failed attempt, they managed to make a three week supply of potion. Miss Weasley bottled the other two weeks worth, while Severus drank the first dose. Severus felt a minor tingling sensation for a few moments, then nothing. He stared at Ix Chel, expecting some sort of reaction, but could feel nothing.

"I don't think this is working," Severus hissed to Weasley, who almost dropped the potion she was putting away. "We better check the recipe, and make sure it's correct."

"Oh, it's working, Professor," Miss Weasley replied. "You're speaking Parseltongue."

"If I'm speaking Parseltongue, how can you understand me?" Severus asked.

"Because I can understand her, and she knows the language," Miss Weasley said, pointing to the snake. "I can't speak it, but I know what you, Harry, and Ix Chel are saying."

"Potter," Severus hissed. "I nearly forgot..."

"You two are excellent pupils," Ix Chel said. "I can't wait until our next session."

"I studied the myths and legends about the origin of magic extensively in my youth," Severus asked. "I've never heard of any references to a time before the Light and Dark sides, Why?"

"History is written by the victors," Ix Chel replied. "The fanatics wanted to distance themselves as much at possible from the other side. So they buried the memory of their origins, and lost Gray magic in the process."

"Gray magic?" Miss Weasley asked, sitting down next to Severus again.

"It's the first art of magic, created by your people," Ix Chel explained. "It was taken up by humans, elves, and other humanoid species. Gray magic is a delicate and elegant art, belonging to an earlier, more primal time. In a world where wands were used sparingly, and the whole life cycle was an integral part of things. It's a magic based on intent, just as mine is. The same spell that can help, can also harm. Control is paramount! If you intend to help someone whom you hate, and cast the spell with the wrong intent, you can do serious damage. The strength of Gray magic is as dependent on the weaver, as it is on the tools it draws on."

"Is it a form of wandless magic?" Severus asked.

"In the beginning, wands were only part of the equation," Ix Chel replied. "Wandless magic was abandoned as wizards became more dependent on their tools."

"Can anyone use it?" Miss Weasley asked.

"No," Ix Chel said. "It takes a certain strength of character to properly wield it."

Severus began to understand the scope of his agreement with them. The power this 'Gray magic' could bring to bear would be devastating in the wrong hands. If the girl chose to go Dark with that sort of power at her command, the havoc she could wreak would make Voldemort look like a two-year-old with a nasty temper tantrum. More than the girl's life was at stake here... He would have to proceed with great care if he were going to keep her from losing herself.

"It's almost time for dinner, Miss Weasley," Severus said, willing himself not to speak in Parseltongue. He was going to have to be careful in the snake's presence until he was used to this. "We should reconvene here on Wednesday, at five o'clock."

"Alright, Professor," Miss Weasley said, collecting her things, and letting Ix Chel take her usual position. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Weasley," Severus said. Miss Weasley left. Severus wondered how in hell he got into this position in the first place.

*~*~*

On their way to the Great Hall Ix Chel dozed lightly, while Ginny and Tom talked avidly about their first session. They rounded a corner, and almost ran right into Professor Dumbledore. Ginny stopped just before she bumped into him.

"Bloody hell!" Tom exclaimed, caught off guard by Dumbledore's sudden appearance. "Is it me? Or do we seem to have a rash of Professors stalking us lately?"

"For once, I'm inclined to agree with you," Ginny thought.

"A great number of your Professors seem to have retained their primal instincts," Ix Chel said.

"That might explain Dumbledore's sloping forehead," Tom said.

Ginny and Ix Chel had to stifle a snicker.

"Is there something amusing I should be made aware of?" Professor Dumbledore asked.

"No, Professor," Ginny quickly replied.

"Is your wand giving you any trouble?" Professor Dumbledore inquired.

"No, sir," Ginny answered. "In fact, it's the best wand I've ever had."

Tom could have sworn he saw something unsettling in the old fool's eyes when she answered him.

"Good," Professor Dumbledore said. "Before you head to dinner, I need to ask you a question... What did you really see when you had that vision of Miss Levine today?"

"I saw her kill herself," Ginny murmured uneasily in a low voice. "If there is nothing else, I'll be on my way now..."

Ginny walked off without waiting for a reply.

___________

TBC