My Eternal Curse

My Eternal Curse

By Mara456

Latin Note:

aetas: an age, stage, period of life, time, era.

conservo: to preserve, conserve, maintain, keep, hold to.

Chapter Thirty-One

The Learning Curve: Part Two - Social Reflections

Ginny with Ix Chel on her right arm followed master Snape to her first Care of Magical Creatures class since the storm. She shifted the weight of the knapsack resting on her left shoulder, trying with little success to stay her trepidation. Ginny asserted that if they could handle Charms, they could handle this. Ginny and Tom continued to project an air of control and calm that neither of them really felt. They reached the Slytherin - Ravenclaw class, who were standing outside of Professor Hagrid's hut. Ginny watched the unsurprised curious mix of expressions from the other students as she joined Alexis and Mark.

"It's good to see you up and about again," said a short Slytherin, who had never taken any notice of her before. The other girl was heavy-set with shoulder-length, brunet hair, and brown eyes, wearing an aristocratic air about her like a cloak. The Slytherin held out her hand and she shook it, automatically sensing that the girl was a Dark Witch, but not an extreme one. Ginny suddenly felt happy that Professor Montgomery had ordered her to wear gloves whenever she left her room. "My name is Melinda Mulciber... I think you will find that Slytherin is a far more accepting bunch than those close-minded Gryffindor idiots you were stuck with."

"I'm beginning to," Ginny said, casting master Snape and Alexis a sidelong glance. The handshake ended as Ginny peered further into Melinda's mind, perceiving that this girl held little allegiance to the Dark Lord beyond the people close to her that supported him, and despite her background, Melinda wasn't currently being pressured into becoming a Death Eater. The girl could be a useful ally among the Slytherins, and the Dark...

Suddenly, Professor Hagrid arrived, excited about something.

"Good afternoon, class," he said. "As you've noticed, Professor Snape will be tagging along with us today. I've got a real treat for you all! Come along, you've got to see this!"

She picked up on the worried, even fearful feelings shared by many of the students. Ginny and Tom couldn't help but feel a little unnerved themselves about what their Professor meant by a 'treat.' They followed Professor Hagrid to where he normally kept his dangerous assortment of the anomalous ones. Sitting behind a chest-height fence was the last anomalous one Ginny had ever expected to see in class. It was a young, beautiful, Chimaera, curled up on the ground, watching them with large, green, mesmerizing, feline eyes. The lion head's soft, healthy-looking mane of hair was still very short, giving it a less imposing appearance than an older one would have. It had an lustrous coat of goat's hair covering its body, and the creature's long, scaly, dark green, dragon's tail was wrapped around the front of its length. Master Snape tensed and they knew that he'd had no idea that Professor Hagrid was planning this. Tom and Ginny heard several fearful gasps, as they sensed a palpable wave of terror and barely restrained panic wash over them, that neither of them shared. She admired the amazing creature as it stood stretching, and realized that it was only waist-high. This one was a mere child!

"Beautiful, ain't he?" Professor Hagrid said. "I found him ailing in the Forbidden Forest awhile back, and nursed him back to health. Now that he's well, I'll be releasing him back into the forest, but I asked him if I could do a class or two with him before he goes..."

"This is insane..." a Slytherin boy whispered.

"He talks about the bloody monster likes its got a brain," Melinda commented, just loud enough for Ginny and Alexis to hear. "Fool..."

"A word to the wise, don't ever judge a book by its cover," Tom replied softly, using Ginny's voice. "Or you may one day find yourself in more trouble than you can ever imagine."

"Interesting advice from a living example..." Melinda said softly, in an approving tone.

They stiffened when she sensed the Chimaera's thoughts, and knew that the last thing anyone should do was move.

"Don't run!" Ginny exclaimed in a tone of authority that brooked no argument, her gaze still fixed on the anomalous one. "Nothing will happen if you stay perfectly still, and do exactly what I tell you to!"

At that moment the Chimaera ran towards the fence, gracefully leaping over it, landing ten feet from the group. A Ravenclaw screamed and many of the students ran for their lives, despite Ginny's command. The Chimaera chased the fleeing teens, coming perilously close to the Professors and the remaining students, causing even more of them to panic and bolt as she tried to stop them, including Mark. Tom cursed venomously under their breath in several languages as he watched the Dark Ravenclaw go. Master Snape, Alexis, Melinda, as well as some of the others had their wands out in an instant.

"Put those away, now!" Ginny ordered. "You don't want to provoke it."

"In case you haven't noticed, Miss Weasley, it's trying to maim the students!" master Snape hissed, watching the mayhem.

"Are you crazy?" Melinda asked. "I'm not going to let that thing eat me, just because you've got some weird fascination with it!"

"Don't you see? It's a misunderstanding!" she protested. "I've got to stop it."

Ginny ran towards the Chimaera before anyone could stop her. Alexis and master Snape ran after her.

"Wait, Chimaera!" she called after the creature. "These cubs don't understand!"

Ginny ran ahead of the Chimaera and stopped directly in its path. The anomalous one came to a full stop in front of her, just as master Snape and Alexis caught up. They still had their wands out, but not aimed at the Chimaera.

"But they ran, just as any playing would," the Chimaera purred in a childish male voice. Then the Chimaera noticed her familiar. "Wow... I never thought I would get to meet a Divinus in person. I can't wait to tell my pack mates about this, they'll be so envious!"

"I know, but these cubs think you want to eat them," Ginny corrected, still surprised that she understood it so well.

"It is nice to meet you as well, child of the Forest," Ix Chel said.

"I'm not hungry," the Chimaera said, while she began to translate. "Hagrid feeds me well. Why would they think that?"

"Humans don't play like that," Ginny said, edging closer. "We're more fragile than most anomalous ones..."

"I wasn't going to hurt them," the Chimaera replied, sulkily. "I just wanted to have some fun..."

"It just wanted to play?" master Snape asked, disbelieving.

Ginny walked up to the Chimaera and scratched it behind the ears. The Chimaera leaned into her touch, obviously enjoying it.

"When it comes down to it, he's just like a big cat," Ginny mused.

"A big cat with the power to crush our throats," Tom studiously reminded her.

"True..." she thought, sitting on the cold ground. The Chimaera sat with her, resting its huge head in their lap. "I'm going to need to keep it docile until we can get it back to the forest."

"I have an idea," said Ginny, in a mollifying tone. "Why don't you sit for awhile, and you can tell us about yourself and what your people are like. We don't know that much about your kind... I'm sure a wonderful cub like you is really smart."

"Well, I do know a lot," the Chimaera said, proudly.

"What's your name, child?" Ix Chel asked.

"Loren," the Chimaera answered.

"My name is Virginia, but people call me Ginny, and my familiar's name is Ix Chel," she said, indicating each of them. "This is my master, Professor Snape, and my friend, Alexis. This is Loren. Why don't you round up the students, and bring them here. Loren and I will be fine. Make sure they behave themselves this time."

"Are you sure?" Alexis asked.

"Positive," Tom replied aloud. "Trust me."

Master Snape and Alexis split up to retrieve the rest of the class.

*~*~*

It headed to the castle, smelling a disturbing, predatory scent. Its fluffy tail twitched uneasily, as the smell grew stronger. It didn't like this at all. Just ahead, its sharp eyes caught sight of a Chimaera in the clearing. It scrambled up the nearest tree, reaching its highest branches in seconds. It studied the scene and saw that Weasley brat actually petting the bloody monster! How could she control a known Wizard killer with such frightening ease? Its master needed to know of this! Though the risk was horrible, it would have to stay for as long as possible, to discover all it could. Its Dark master would accept nothing less...

*~*~*

"Have you met the Emineo Elric yet?" Ginny asked Loren, still petting the Chirmaera's furry head.

"Yeah, but we didn't talk that much," Loren answered. "He's recouping so slowly. But there was something..."

"What?" she asked.

"He wanted me to tell the Keepers of the Forest how he's doing and stuff," Loren replied. The young Chimaera lifted his head to look at the returning students, then rested it on her lap again. "We don't have this petting stuff at home, not like this. It's so relaxing..."

"Maybe we could do this again some time," she whispered in his sensitive ear. "Just remember not to attack anyone when you visit... The humans wouldn't like it, they'd take it personally."

"I won't attack the other cubs or their shepherds," Loren promised.

"Good," Ginny replied. She couldn't believe she was doing this, but Loren really was just a child, even younger than Elric if her guess was right. She didn't want to even think about what would've happened if the anomalous one had been an adult. Tom mentally shuddered at the idea of keeping Loren subdued for the next hour. He would rather send the bloody creature on its way, but he knew that it was useless arguing with his princess when she was in this state. He would just have to keep their senses open, and wait. When Mark returned with the others Ginny couldn't hide their disappointment.

"How are you doing that?" Melinda asked, impressed.

"By listening and hearing," she answered cryptically.

"Fine, keep your secrets... for now." Ginny caught the Dark witch's thought.

Through the rest of the class they kept Loren calm, while master Snape and Professor Hagrid kept the students from bolting again. She couldn't tell which task was harder, handling the child Wizard Killer or keeping the students from panicking a second time. Ginny translated for Loren, gently coaxing him into telling them detailed information on his people, and their history.

The Ravenclaws were entranced, writing down everything she translated. The Slytherins were impressed by what they perceived as a great show of power and control. Master Snape feared that any second now the creature would turn on her, and he was more than prepared to put it down if it did. Professor Hagrid was ecstatic, seeing her as a kindred spirit. This little incident was only going to add to the mythos that was enveloping her, whether or not they wanted it to. Just before the class ended, she managed to convince Loren to allow the other students to pet him, taking in each of their scents, so he would recognize them as friends later on. For Tom, the end of class couldn't have come a moment too soon. The students said their good-byes to Ginny and Loren, and left as fast as they could, without startling the creature.

At last when only Ginny, master Snape, Professor Hagrid, and Loren remained, the time came to return the young Chimaera to the forest. Ginny, Professor Hagrid, and despite his reluctance master Snape escorted Loren to the edge of the Forbidden Forest.

"This is as far as we can go," Ginny said, kneeling before the magnificent creature. "Are you sure you'll be alright?"

"My kin are only smelling distance from me," Loren purred. "I'll be fine."

"Good," she said.

"Take this..." Loren whispered, cutting off a lock of goat hair with one of his claws. Ginny picked it up, examining it tentatively. "Keep it with you always. It will identify you as friend to my kind."

"Thank you," she whispered reverently, seeing the significance of the strange gift. Without thinking, she transfigured out of the air itself, a gray, hand-woven, drawstring bag a little smaller than the length of her palm, and then put the lock of hair inside, before hiding it in her robes.

"Farewell, bizarre girl," Loren said. Then he charged into the forest without so much as a backward glance. Ginny stood and turned back to the others. Master Snape was actively sneering at Professor Hagrid, who ignored him, still too taken with the moment to care. They headed back to Hagrid's hut together, as master Snape started berating her Professor for pulling the stunt with the Chimaera on her first day back.

Ginny and Tom only half-listened, giving in to the urge to de-focus, savoring the rare feeling of safety and security wrapped about them like a warm blanket. She had to tell master Snape about Melinda the moment they were alone- For a moment Ginny could have sworn she sensed the presence of an Animagus, but as soon as she felt it, it was gone. She blinked, snapping out of her trance, looking in vain for the disturbing, strangely familiar source.

"...and the next time you decide that you want to give my students a little treat-" Master Snape's voice became clear again, but he stopped abruptly when he saw her expression. "What is it, Virginia?"

"I thought I felt... never mind, master," she replied, unable to relax her guard again. "It's nothing... just an errant wind..."

Master Snape wanted to question her further, but thought better of it. Ginny all but put it out of her mind, but couldn't shake the feeling that she was missing something.

*~*~*

Ginny sat on her four poster-bed petting Ix Chel in her lap, while both Tom and Ix Chel lightly dozed. She was content to simply stare at the new tapestry, which depicted several formidable anomalous ones. She eased her grip on time and the outside world, allowing her perceptions to skew in this rare moment of complete solitude. Ginny had no idea how much time had passed, when she was forced to return to herself by a determined knock on the door. She gently woke Ix Chel, but before she could get up to answer it, master Snape and Harry entered the room. Tom snapped awake when he felt Snape and Potter's presence. He eyed the large, immensely old tome in Snape's hands, feeling complexly interwoven power pulsating from it like a heartbeat, as it reacted to something nearby. When Ginny saw the tome, she had a powerful, overwhelming urge to lunge at master Snape and take back what was hers, no matter the consequences. She let out a sharp exhalation of air; it was all she could do to stop herself from acting. All Ginny knew was that she had to have it back, although she was certain that she had never seen it before in her life.

"I feel a strange compulsion, master," Ginny said in a distant tone, unable to tear her eyes off of it for even a second. "Why do I feel so drawn to this tome... like it's mine..."

"What do you mean 'yours'?" Tom asked, his concern mounting. But his princess was too focused on the old book to even hear him. "Ginny, what's wrong?"

"Can you describe it?" Ix Chel asked, confused by her extreme reaction. "Talk to me, Virginia. Tell me what the tome is singing to you."

"Singing?" Ginny whispered. "I suppose you could call it that."

She beheld the Potions master's thoughts, as he watched her gaze at the tome hungrily, with a gleam in her eyes that he had seen before, the gleam of a creature possessed by a powerful, dangerous obsession. In that moment, her master knew that if he were to so much as shield the tome from Ginny's view, she would lose control, and attack him for it. She wanted to deny it, but she felt in the marrow of her bones that it was true. What in her reacted so vehemently to this primeval, powerfully familiar object? What unseen force made it so wondrously irresistible to her? Ginny felt like she would die without it. Not of her own volition, she stood and slowly began to creep towards master Snape. Tom tried to stop her, but she resisted him with a surprising ferocity. He found himself unable even hinder Ginny or the force that had gained control of her so easily.

"I fear Virginia is not in her right mind, master!" Ix Chel cautioned, urgently. "I don't know how or why, but it is calling her."

As a predatory edge shadowed her features, she became unrecognizable as the girl they knew. Both master Snape and Harry involuntarily backed away. Master Snape continued to evade her as she tried to advance on him while Harry, beside himself with worry, feared that he would do more harm than good in trying to interfere.

"Please, master..." Ginny whispered pleadingly, the unbearable pitch of her voice frightening her as much as them. "I need it! I must have it back... I can't bear this! Please, master...!"

"Somehow, the bloody necklace is doing this to her," Tom realized, sensing the hidden ties in her subconscious for the first time, which had now become active. The bonds that had been forged between her and the necklace were the most powerful Tom had ever seen! The exotic necklace had become a part of her somewhere along the line, and there was nothing he could do about it. He would just have to ride this out with her, and pray that she came out of it unscathed.

Master Snape suddenly looked down, his expression shifting from deeply disturbed to surprised. The book tried to wrench itself out of his grasp. After a few seconds of struggling, master Snape released the tome. It glided across the room and landed in Ginny's waiting hands. The compulsion vanished, and for the first time since the storm Ginny felt whole again. She breathed a heartfelt sigh of relief. Tom felt the power influencing her grow silent, but it was only a matter of time before something stirred it once more. He didn't like this turn of events at all, or what it might mean for them.

"Virginia..." the ancient tome whispered.

"It knows my name," Ginny said. She sensed that this book was conscious on a level deeper then she believed possible.

"Virginia, know this," the tome proclaimed, "You are the true Guardian, and Keeper of the Gray. Your will can shatter our divided world, or reshape it. Let nothing sway, or corrupt you... that path leads to eternal twilight! I, an echo of the past, will serve the bearers until the end comes..."

It opened to the introduction on its own. Feeling compelled, she began to read the tome aloud.

"...Within this book is a facet of the past we have preserved against time and treachery, in the hopes that one day, you, our beloved, naive children will have some record of your past, incomplete as it may be..."

"You can read that?" Harry asked, surprised.

"Of course," Ginny said, not seeing what the problem was. "It's in English. Why wouldn't I be able to read it?"

Master Snape closed the distance between them, looking over her shoulder at the text.

"Nothing has changed," master Snape confirmed. "The book is still illegible to me."

"Are you doing this?" she asked the tome.

"Yes," it replied.

"Then stop," Ginny commanded. "Allow Harry and master Snape to see you for what you are, but don't reveal yourself to anyone else, not yet anyway."

"Fascinating," master Snape murmured, his eyes scanning the page. "This book was written by the Gray! We've had the bloody thing in our family for generations, and never knew its significance..."

"Can someone tell me what's going on here?" Ginny asked. "You two obviously brought this tome to my room for a reason. What is it?"

"You may want to sit down," master Snape suggested. "This may take time."

"I really don't like the sound of that," she thought. Ginny took seat on the edge of her bed facing the couch, and the other two sat next to each other on the sofa.

"Awhile back, you asked me if I could assist you in discovering the truth about your necklace, and its mysterious powers," master Snape began. "It is time you knew the truth. I didn't tell you sooner because I wasn't sure if you were the correct holder, but I see now that you are. The necklace you wear about your neck is called Tutela. You are the first person ever to unlock its power, an ability that only The Guardian is supposed to possess."

"The Guardian?" Ginny repeated, the pieces beginning to fall into place. "Both Trelawney and the tome called me that... Did Professor Montgomery tell you about Trelawney's prophecy?"

"Yes," master Snape replied.

"What prophecy?" Harry asked.

She repeated Trelawney's words for him:

"The Guardian is in danger! Tell the one with no House to watch for the signs! She must heed them to protect the innocent... When plants' cries are heard - when health is cared for by one with a Dark Curse - At last, when a bird of madness dies without rhyme nor reason - that is when Dark Ones will come for her sister, by choice and bond. Only with four will they prevail, and keep the blood of the innocent from being spilled..."

"And you say I'm this Guardian person," Ginny said. "What is The Guardian? Why is the title so important?"

In response to her query, the tome turned to a section in the book. She started reading it aloud.

"The tale of The Stone of Initium and the final days of the Gray...

"The Gray grew fewer with each passing day, as the endless war between the three sides continued to rage on. Safe-guarding their most trusted allies, some Divinus Animus and others were hidden in shadow worlds and the deepest forests. The Gray wizards had tried everything in their power to stop the deterioration of the delicate balance that held the world together, but alas, their efforts were in vain. Once the clash between The Light and The Dark grew beyond a certain point, there was no longer a way to mend this fatal breach. So, in a final effort to preserve themselves and their dominion over the other two sides, they pooled their resources to create the most powerful weapon conceived, before or since. With it they planned to destroy the extremes of both sides, forcing the Light and Dark into a truce.

"After long, weary years of strife, they forged their greatest creation, which had the power to alter the very fabric of reality itself throughout time, known as the Stone of Initium. It was given to the greatest Seer and witch of the Gray, whose name was Taleen. She held the rare talent of perceiving and altering currents in time, while avoiding the false paths that often kept one from changing the future. When the first Guardian, Taleen, gazed through the Stone of Initium she saw nothing but disaster in every choice she made to try to save the present Gray peoples. She knew that the unrealized realities she saw would be the Grays' undoing, in sprit if not in fact. Taleen searched for an alternate path for them, refusing to give into despair, and in the far distant future she found only one.

"In that world she beheld a young Gray witch with hair like flame, who had a young Divinus Animus at her side, combating the final extreme of the age. Taleen latched onto this possibility, using the Stone of Initium to make it all but inevitable, in the hope that when the second and true Guardian appeared, she would be able either to revive the Gray, or snuff out the light of the world if evolution wasn't possible. Then Taleen and the last Gray wizards split the Stone of Initium into four separate parts, only capable of altering reality when The Four Shards were used in concert, with The Guardian directing them. Finally, Taleen created the prophecy out of what she knew, and oversaw the beginning of the end..."

The Prophecy of Initium

The bearers will work in concert reinventing the world,

when truth comes to light,

and Despite creates a divide not one heart will withstand.

The First will come out of pain and strife,

and hold the world on the edge of a knife.

Absconder will take that which is another's,

and leave nothing untouched by scorn.

Unable to mourn the unknown truth,

intrinsic for others.

The Second will be forged of extremes,

creating one of all and none.

A Master of multiple mysteries,

whose wisdom will bring forth hope for the past,

and give sanctuary to fates' outcasts.

The Third shall be made in love and devotion,

but tragedy and suffering will cover the journey.

Perception will be drawn to scorn by the ties that bind,

and discover where the hearts of others lie,

by nature's decree to embattle Despite.

The Fourth will be cultivated from love,

entwined with discord.

Through trust and rejection will find their way at last,

as twilight comes to pass.

The Guardian will only be armed with pure intent.

Thus being the one to decide,

the shape of the most glorious of days,

or of the darkest of nights.

The Fifth shall return to themselves through the path,

of innocence and love's pure light.

Their decision will shape The Fourth's eternal curse,

tipping the balance for love or Despite.

Only together,

what was once lost will return,

and the world be made anew,

or the old one burned.

"I can destroy the world," said Ginny in a low, emotional voice. "I can bring down both sides, killing everything! How could anyone place such a choice in my hands, and have faith that I would do the right thing when the time comes?"

" 'Who knows, maybe it will be what saves us.' " Tom whispered intently, seeing the importance of those words at last. "You once told me that yourself, my princess. Just because you have the power to end it, doesn't mean that you will. It only means that you have far more control over the outcome than you thought."

"But such a power..." she thought.

"He is right, Virginia," Ix Chel thought. "A possibility is not a certainty. There will be no way to know how this will end until it has played out."

"Try not to think about it too much, Gin," Harry said. "It probably won't even come to that."

"Let's hope you're right about that," master Snape said thoughtfully. "For all our sakes."

"If there are supposed to be other bearers, where are they?" Ginny asked.

Master Snape loosened the collar of his robes and pulled out a necklace similar to hers, except it had a green stone with a silver chain, and let the it rest on the chest of his robes. Ginny turned to Harry and saw that the Gryffindor had done the same, but the stone on Harry's necklace was blue, affixed to a platinum chain.

"You have them to," Tom stated aloud, using Ginny's voice. "This is definitely not coincidence, which means that the last holder must be somewhere nearby. It could be anyone, and we would never even know it..."

"What about the prophecy?" Harry suggested. "Maybe it could give us a clue."

"Well, I'm definitely The Fourth," Ginny said, studying the book. "Harry... come over here and take a look at The Third in the prophecy. Tell me, does this remind you of anyone?"

Harry took a seat next to her, and reread section she indicated.

"You know, looking at it again I can see myself in that paragraph," Harry replied.

"How about you, master?" Tom asked aloud. "You've obviously spent more time working on this than either me or Harry. Which one would you say you are here?"

"The Second," master Snape answered swiftly.

Tom read the paragraph again, and smiled slyly.

"Fitting description, considering our present status..." Tom commented aloud.

"All right, so we found master Snape, Harry, and me in the prophecy, but what about one and five?" Ginny recapped. "Who are they? Where do they fit in the puzzle?"

"I think you've overlooked one important detail," Ix Chel pointed out. "There are only four necklaces. Why then, are there five people described in the Gray witch's prophecy?"

"Good question," Ginny said.

"Another thing is that the description of The First and The Fifth appear to place them in diametrically opposing positions," master Snape added. "Almost like they mirror each other..."

They lapsed into silence. Something about the necklaces and the second paragraph reminded her of when she was overwhelmed by visions in Diagon Alley. Why would it...? Then she remembered. Ginny gasped.

"Umm... I think I know who the last bearer is," Ginny said quietly, not wanting it to be true. "The necklace had a flawless black stone on a platinum chain, right?"

"Yes, you've seen it before?" master Snape asked.

"Once, in the vision at Diagon Alley," she revealed, an unsettling feeling creeping into her. "Lord Voldemort was wearing it."

"Are you absolutely sure, Miss Weasley?" asked master Snape, only the look in his eyes belying his calm countenance.

"Yes," answered Ginny.

"Then things are worse than we thought," Harry sighed. "If we aren't careful, soon Voldemort will be holding all of the cards."

"Why would he be playing cards?" she tried to ask, but Tom stopped her.

"Haven't you learned anything in Muggle Studies?" Tom asked.

"What?" Ginny thought, confused.

"Your naiveté never ceases to amaze me," replied Tom ruefully.

"I asked a simple question..." she mentally grumbled.

"So if Voldemort is The First, then who is his opposite?" Harry asked.

"Dumbledore?" Tom suggested aloud.

Everyone considered it for a few moments.

"Nah..." they all agreed in unison.

*~*~*

Severus entered his office hoping to have a moment of peace, but when he opened the door he knew that luck was not on his side. Two uninvited visitors quietly conversed in front of his desk. They were Professors Alicia Vector and Lydia Sinistra. Alicia watched him enter with a calculating expression. She had long brown hair, drawn back into a ponytail, sea green eyes, wore bronze wire-frame glasses, and favored long, dark gray robes. Lydia had short, curly, auburn hair, dark blue eyes, a pensive expression, and wore dark red robes. He had been wondering when these two would be making an appearance at his doorstep. He might as well get this over with...

"Vector, Sinistra..." said Severus, closing the door behind him, and walking to the center of the room. "I was wondering when you two would crawl out from under your rock. So, which one of you won the bet?"

"I won the one on you and Dumbledore," Lydia answered. "Alicia won the one on your apprentice's first day... I always knew you would be the one to put our beloved Headmaster in his place."

"I'm surprised that you would put so much faith in me," replied Severus.

"It was only a matter of time before someone wrested power from Albus, especially with the way he was going," said Alicia. "You can only use a figure like The-Boy-Who-Lived as a shield for so long, before it becomes a crutch. Do you honestly think that you can teach the old dog new tricks?"

"I wasn't planning to," he replied. "Get to the point."

"We want to ally ourselves with you, and your cause," Lydia answered.

"Dumbledore merely tolerated our presence," Alicia said. "We never quite fit into his pattern. However, with you-"

"Are you going to be just as effective as a cheerleading squad at a Quidditch match, or are you actually going to do something?" Severus demanded. "Are you two willing to work for your allegiance to us? If not - then leave, and stop wasting my time!"

"We're more than willing and able to pull our own weight around here," Alicia responded.

"Please, give us a chance, Severus," Lydia humbly requested. "We will not let you down."

"Very well, I will give you a chance to prove yourselves," Severus said, hearing the honesty in their words. "But it will take some effort to earn my trust. You two claim to be intelligent, creative beings. Together your gifts for seeing patterns are unparalleled. If you're serious about helping us in this war, which we all know is coming, then present something that will help us. Show me what you have to offer, and I will agree to your alliance."

"You're nothing like Dumbledore," Alicia appraised, thoughtfully.

"Coming from you, I'll take that as a compliment," he replied.

"And you are not much like the old Severus either," Lydia added. "I think we can come up with something. Right, Vector?"

"Oh, definitely," Alicia agreed.

"Just how much do you think I've changed?" Severus asked.

"A month ago, would you have given us a chance?" Lydia asked in return.

He knew that Sinistra was correct, another reminder of his new persona.

"Let's go, Lydia," Alicia said. "We have a puzzle to solve..."

*~*~*

Arthur followed Hermione into the Great Hall, keeping an eye out for any suspicious insects. He accompanied the Gryffindor Prefect to the Ravenclaw table, where Harry and that Slytherin girl were waiting for her. After Hermione joined them, Arthur headed over to the teacher's table. Albus was already seated at his usual place, with Severus sitting to his left and Minerva to his right. On the far right Madam Pomfrey and Professor Sprout sat together, glaring at him, while Argus Filch and the Muggle Studies Professor were placed on the opposite end. Arthur took the seat next to Minerva, ignoring Pomfrey's and Sprout's snide remarks about his children. A few seconds later Filius, Sinistra, and Vector entered. Filius sat next to him again, while the other two Professors sat between them and the obstinate judgmental teachers.

Arthur conversed with Minerva and Filius as he ate, but he couldn't stop thinking about the unusual, troubling events of the day. Arthur knew as well as anyone at Hogwarts that weird and unexpected things happen all the time. But this was different, this was wrong. When Arthur had checked in with the Potions master before class, the other man had given him an order that didn't make sense. Nevertheless, he would follow it, no matter how strange; he was told to keep his distance from Ron, and not to interfere. The day had only become more inexplicable from there. Thinking about it now what scared him, wasn't how much Severus had changed, or even how distant his son was, but rather what had become of his daughter.

Every facet of Ginny had radically redefined itself since the beginning of the school year, and her re-sorting made it even more obvious. It was almost like she had become a stranger to him. To a degree, it was natural for parent and child to drift apart during these difficult years, but to him, the key wasn't to hold on to what you thought they should be, but to maintain a common ground and to get to know who they are becoming. With his daughter, it was as if all their common ground had been savagely stripped away, and he wasn't sure how to find it again. The sound of a low growl startled Arthur out of his reverie. He looked up and saw Remus enter the Great Hall through the teachers' entrance with his dog, which he recognized at once as Sirius Black. What was Sirius doing back at Hogwarts? Of all the reckless... Remus went to sit beside Severus, but Zachary literally came out of nowhere and tried to take the spot before he reached it. Both Professors put their hands on the back of the chair at the same time. This was bound to be trouble.

"Excuse me, but I normally sit beside Severus," Remus said politely.

"You didn't this morning," Zachary replied.

"Merely because you got here first," Remus stated, no more willing to let go of the chair than Zachary was.

"Now boys, play nice," Sinistra said, enjoying every moment of it with Vector. "There are plenty of chairs remaining."

"But only one right next to Severus," Zachary pointed out.

Albus chuckled lightly, watching them with his trademark twinkle. The Potions master groaned. Severus put one elbow on the table, rested his chin on his palm, and watched them. The Potions master managed to hide the embarrassment he must be feeling, but the man couldn't quite hide his disbelief.

"Yes, and it's mine," said Remus, beginning to lose patience with the Divination teacher.

"Your name is not on it," Zachary stubbornly replied, not willing to give even an inch over something so small. Startled, Arthur realized that Zachary felt close to, and positively possessive of Severus, by some strange twist of fate that powerful need had always been shared by Remus. Severus reacted as if he'd been struck when Arthur thought that, and turned his intense gaze on him, as if he had heard him. Then Severus looked at the Professors at his side and back again.

There was no way he could have heard my thoughts! Arthur silently denied. It's impossible.

Suddenly, the Potions master reacted openly to this ludicrous spectacle.

"Oh, make up your minds," Severus sneered. "We don't have all night to listen to you two squabble incessantly!"

Sirius growled fiercely, startling the Professors who didn't seem to realize that he was there. Severus with a peculiar, nearly blank expression watched Sirius edge closer. In a split second, Severus' demeanor became cold, tinged with tightly controlled anger.

"Get that mongrel away from me!" Severus hissed.

Zachary pulled out a tiny silver bell and rang it. Sirius turned his attention to the Divination teacher and growled menacingly. Vector, Sinistra, and, to his complete surprise, Filch laughed quietly at the gesture. Severus smirked at Zachary.

"I wouldn't advise it, considering our last encounter," Zachary cautioned Sirius.

"Just try it," Severus spat at Sirius in a goading whisper. "I've always wanted a dog-skin rug for my living room."

"Padfoot, stop it!" Remus whispered. Sirius' growling ceased, but the Animagus continued glaring at them. Arthur got the impression that the Divination Professor knew what lay under the other man's Animagus form. Sirius and Zachary never could stand each other, especially after Zachary became a Seer. Zachary sat down in the seat beside Severus, and Remus reluctantly sat next to Zachary, keeping Sirius between himself and the last two empty chairs.

Severus conversed with Zachary and Remus, as if afraid that neglecting either of them would start another argument. A few minutes later Hagrid arrived and sat between Remus and Filch. Arthur relaxed watching Hermione and Harry laughing with the Slytherin girl and the Ravenclaws, at home in their self-imposed exile.

"Sometimes it's amazing how adaptable children are, isn't it, Mr. Weasley?" the Head of Ravenclaw commented, watching the two Gryffindors as well. "They're so able to take it in stride, because they aren't weighed down by the bitter, narrow-minded views possessed by most adults. If we're truly lucky, we'll never find out what it's like to live in a world that somewhere along the line, moved on without us. Breaking out of such patterns, while possible, can take a miracle."

"Sorry, I'm not sure that I follow you," Arthur replied. Several of the other teachers, including Severus and Zachary, seemed to be taking in Filius' words with interest.

"You see, we spend most our lives striving for some measure of control," the Charms Professor clarified. "Control that is often made impossible by some weird law, I think its name was Murphy. We tend to reach a point when we decide that we know everything, because we're in control, even though true control is an illusion. And that, my friend, is the fatal trap, that is when we stop learning, when we lose our ability to listen, as surely as if we had gone deaf. Because the world around us is forever changing, redefining itself according to those with the most formidable will-"

"But you just said-" Arthur started.

"Oh, I see what you mean, Filius," Minerva interjected. "It's not the same thing. When someone is looking for control, they seek to throw out a system they see as corrupt, because it's fighting what they perceive as the natural order. So, when they learn to understand how it really works-"

"They can alter or destroy a system through an act of carefully applied will," Severus finished, seeing something immensely profound in the discussion. "As if their will were a scalpel, not a club as Dark Lords and fanatics have seen it as in the past. Like summoning a person's heart, instead of callously ripping it out of their chest."

"Wonderful mental image, Severus," Vector appraised, pushing away her plate.

"But what does that have to do with becoming closed?" Filch asked, having some trouble grasping the idea.

"Imagine waking up one day, discovering that your whole world has been turned upside-down, that everyone about you has, or is undergoing one paradigm shift or another," Filius continued. "Imagine that the very truths you cling to are being thrown out, and there is not a bloody thing you can do to stop it. How would you feel in a world of tomorrow, where you no longer fit in anywhere?"

"Frightening," Albus whispered to himself, the twinkle in his eyes dimming.

"I get what you mean," Filch replied. "It sounds like a horrible way to go, being so incomplete like that. Not being able to see that you doomed yourself from the start."

"Mr. Potter and Miss Granger are people who may yet learn well from this lesson, because of their... examples," Filius said.

"The Gryffindors," Minerva pointed out uneasily.

"Do you think that they will be able to return to their lives in Gryffindor, once this is over?" Severus asked, contemplatively. Everyone was much more taken aback by the fact that the Potions master seemed to genuinely care, than by the question itself. How much has the Potions master been changed by his experiences with his daughter? Arthur was sure of one thing - this was not the same Severus Snape he had known in school, this was someone else.

"It won't be the same," Remus answered, sagely. "No matter what steps the others take to make things normal, it won't return to the way things were. Neither will be able to wholly let their guard down again. In their eyes The Gryffindors have gone too far for that."

"How does one live like that?" Albus asked. "So isolated, yet accepted."

"You manage," Zachary replied.

"And if your lucky and wise enough, the experience doesn't have to embitter you," added Remus.

"If you want a better example, Albus, try asking Virginia the next time you happen to be 'dropping by,'" Severus muttered accusingly.

Minerva, Filius, Remus, and Filch stiffened at the cryptic reminder, and Albus flinched. What was Severus reminding Albus of, and what did it have to do with his daughter? Why did it bother the others who so obviously knew? Some part of him feared discovering the truth, though it might be inevitable if he was to help mend his child's wounded soul. The table remained unnaturally silent for some time. Arthur watched Hermione get up, heading for the exit of the Great Hall alone, and stood himself.

"Excuse me, Professors," Arthur said, hurrying after her.

Hermione left the Great Hall with Arthur walking close behind her. As much as she liked Mr. Weasley, she wasn't sure how much more she could take. No matter where she went or what she did, he was always there, keeping an eye on her with annoying efficiency. There was no way she could watch Ron while this Rita Skeeter nonsense was in the way. Ginny had told Hermione about the prediction she had made about Ron, but the despite evidence to the contrary, the part of her that still lov- no, that still believed in Ron had trouble believing it. She couldn't bring herself to admit it to Harry, but Hermione believed that she could get through to their friend. If only she could find the root of his madness... She went to open the door to the first-floor girls' bathroom, stopping when Arthur tried to follow. Hermione spun around, her last nerve failing her.

"It is the girls' bathroom, Arthur!" she snapped.

"Yeah..." he replied, noticing the symbol on the door for the first time. "But I better make sure it's safe."

Arthur moved passed her and opened the door to check it out. The Auror was greeted by several high-pitched screams.

"Sorry, ladies," he apologized, shutting the door. He moved out of her way. "It's safe."

She entered the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.

"I'm going to kill Harry for this," Hermione grumbled. A short time later she came out.

"Any problems?" Arthur asked. "Oh, sorry, stupid question."

"Ever heard of a thing known as 'personal space'?" she asked. "Next you're going to tell me is that we have to share quarters."

"Sure," he answered lightly. "I'll be sleeping on a cot across from you."

Hermione let out a disgusted sigh and headed back to the Great Hall.

"Come on, I was only joking," Arthur pleaded. "Wait up, Miss Granger!"

The Auror quickly caught up with her, falling into step at her side. They reentered the Great Hall, Hermione returning to her seat at the Ravenclaw table, while Arthur headed back to the high table.

"Any trouble?" Mark asked.

"My shadow tried to follow me... forget it," Hermione replied. "You don't want to know. This is entirely your fault, Harry! If you hadn't told Professor Snape that I was the one who turned her in..."

"You always go on about how I should fink to the teachers," countered Harry. "I thought you would be proud that I followed your advice."

Two Ravenclaws tried with limited success to hide their amusement.

"Don't worry about it," Alexis advised. "You'll get used to your Keeper in no time, and I know a few tricks if you don't."

"Leave it to a Slytherin to understand scrutiny, and ways around it," said a Ravenclaw girl right across from them, who still didn't trust them.

"Leave it to a Ravenclaw to understand skepticism, and ways to fashion an effective shield out of it," Alexis shot back.

"We all have our strengths," the Ravenclaw agreed backhandedly.

*~*~*

Arthur excused himself and ran after Miss Granger. Remus wondered how the Auror was going to adjust to life at Hogwarts. With the way things were going, it wasn't going to be easy.

"I wanted to thank you again, Professor Snape, for your apprentice's help in class!" Hagrid said. "I'm sorry if my little treat gave you a bit of a scare."

"A bit of a scare?" Severus reproved. "Your lucky that bloody thing wasn't interested in bloodshed, and that Miss Weasley managed to quiet it down so quickly."

Sirius let out the canine equivalent to a snort.

"Well, I'm just glad it all worked out," Hagrid replied, not discouraged by the Potions master's reaction. "Ginny was really masterful with Loren. The talent she's got for understanding is wonderful! I've never seen anything like it, except in me 'course..."

"You had a Chimera in your Care of Magical Creatures class?" Sprout asked, shocked. "I thought the rumors were exaggerated."

"They weren't," Severus answered.

"She controlled a known Wizard Killer?" Minerva asked.

"That's not the word I'd use," Hagrid corrected. "More like, reasoned with him."

"How?" Remus asked.

"The shift in her equilibrium has made her more... sensitive," Severus answered. Remus got the feeling that there was more to it than that, much more. At least now Sirius knows to keep clear of her, and why.

"That explains the notes my students showed me this afternoon," said Filius. "According to them, Miss Weasley translated for the beast, allowing it to give the class a basic lecture on its species history, and culture from their own perspective."

"I've seen those notes," Alicia said. "They're a fascinating collection of information. Miss Weasley did a fine job of interrogating the monster... I wish there was a way to gather more information on them."

"Be careful what you wish for..." Severus cautioned in a barely discernible whisper.

Padfoot growled and Remus knew that the Animagus thought Severus was up to no good. He was tired of his old pack mate's constant paranoia. Always waiting for something to jump out of the shadows was no way to live. But isn't that what Sirius has been doing for Merlin knows how long?

"You, and your silly obsessions..." Poppy grumbled at the Arithmancy teacher.

"At least I'm not an ignorant fool like you!" Alicia retorted.

"Relax, you two," Lydia said. "This is a dinner table - not a wrestling ring. Slug it out later."

"How did your tutoring session go, Filius?" Albus asked, changing the subject.

"Since her equilibrium shift, she's become dangerously over-powered," Filius answered, for the teachers benefit, as well as the Headmaster's. "Even the smallest spells can become dangerous in her hands. Miss Weasley will need to be completely reevaluated on a case by case basis, and her technique refined, before we can risk reintegration into some classes."

"Thank Merlin, she's not doing much of that bloody wand-waving in my class," Sprout said, quietly.

"You have her tomorrow, Sprout?" Albus asked.

"First class of the day," Sprout confirmed.

"I'll be overseeing the class to make sure there aren't any problems," Zachary informed them.

"Of course there won't be," Sprout said, confidently. "But I still don't see why the girl needs to drag that snake everywhere she goes."

"She has a point there, Severus," said Lydia diplomatically, before the Potions master could respond. "Just how much more dangerous would Miss Weasley become without her familiar constantly at her side?""

"Ix Chel has become too integral a part of her to dare risk separating them for any length of time," Severus sneered, "unless we want to risk a repeat of what happened in Gryffindor Tower."

The group fell silent as Arthur returned.

"Did I miss anything?" Arthur asked, taking his seat again.

"Nothing important," Albus replied.

"How is the new Divination Tower coming along?" Remus asked.

"Oh, just wonderfully," Zachary answered, with enthusiasm. "The house-elves say they'll have it to my specifications by tomorrow night."

"Why didn't you take over the old one?" Remus asked.

"The previous occupant," Zachary replied.

"I trust you've retrieved the syllabus and notes Trelawney prepared, in case anything happened to her?" Minerva inquired.

"Yep, and promptly threw them out," Zachary answered cheerfully.

"You what?" Minerva asked, incredulously.

"I threw them into my new Garbage Can of No Return," Zachary affirmed.

Filius, Alicia, and Albus each attempted to stifle a snicker.

"Your what?" Severus asked Zachary.

"The Garbage Can of No Return is one of my little inventions," Zachary explained. "Essentially, it's a normal waste bin which I've charmed to make anything that reaches the bottom vanish into oblivion. Which means you have to be really sure you want it gone, before you toss anything in there."

"If only we could do that with some people," Severus hissed under his breath, sneering at Poppy and Sprout.

Sirius growled under the table. Remus looked down, beginning to feel the same way as Severus.

*~*~*

Argus listened to the unusually enjoyable word play amongst the teachers, delighting in his meal for a change. Between the new blood at the table, and Severus' increased interaction, there was rarely a dull moment. Severus stood and headed toward the main doors of the Great Hall, which was unusual for his friend. As Severus passed him, something appeared in his lap. It was a small note. He carefully unfolded the note and read it.

Meet me in my chambers in 15 mins.

-Severus

P.S. Save room for dessert.

Argus put the note in his pocket and finished his meal, passing on dessert as instructed. When fifteen minutes were up, he and Mrs. Norris entered the Dungeons, bound for his old friend's chambers. The door opened for him on its own. He entered and it shut behind him. Severus lay on the couch with his eyes closed, rubbing his temples. On an ornate tray next to him sat a piping hot pot of coffee, two cups, sugar dispenser, and a chocolate cake with two pieces cut out and ready for consumption.

"I'd have to say that was the most confounding dinner I've ever had the misfortune to suffer through," Severus whispered.

"At least the worst is over," Argus said, trying to cheer him up.

"Hardly," his weary friend replied. "I have to meet with Virginia and Ix Chel in an hour."

He took the chair to the left of the couch, while Mrs. Norris jumped up onto her favorite chair and lay down. Severus opened his eyes and sat up. Each took the piece of cake that was waiting for them and ate in comfortable silence. They didn't speak again until they were down to their second cup of coffee.

"Virginia tells me that she is eager to meet with you," Severus murmured. "I'm curious about something. How many times have you had to punish her in the past?"

Argus considered his question carefully before answering.

"Rarely," he replied. "She was one of the more reserved, least troublemaking of the Gryffindor brats... Something, in the way she acted was always off. There were days when I wondered if there was something wrong with that Weasley. She was too quiet, too polite, acting exactly as everyone expected her to, and no more, just not right."

"And now?" Severus asked.

"I don't know," Argus answered. "I think she's finally given up on being somebody else, and the eccentric creature we're seeing, is what's been lingering in that shell for all these years... No... since that Chamber of Secrets business."

"You think that Tom Marvolo Riddle changed her?" Severus probed.

"Who?" he asked. "I thought it was Voldemort."

"It was," Severus confided. "That was his name before he became the Dark Lord. Do you think that he changed her?"

"Without a doubt," Argus declared. "She probably pretended to be normal only to satisfy her family and housemates."

"So, how did he affect her?" Severus asked thoughtfully.

"I don't know," Argus answered. "Toughened her up, made her shy away from life... What is this about, Severus? What's bothering you so much?"

"I'm not sure," said Severus unsettled. "It's probably nothing..." Argus watched Severus take a sip of his excessively sweetened coffee. "Do you know how important you are to me, my old friend? That you've always been one of the few I could confide in?"

Argus didn't know what to say to that. It wasn't like his friend to be so maudlin.

"Don't worry, you don't have to answer," Severus continued. "Your theories on my apprentice are interesting. Listen to me carefully. I don't want you to repeat them to anyone, especially Dumbledore. No one else must pursue this line of thought..."

"Of course I won't, but why?" he asked, surprised by Severus' request.

"Don't ask me for an explanation, I just know it!" Severus declared becoming uncharacteristically agitated. "No one else must pursue this! Nothing good will come such suspicions!"

"Are you sure you're okay, Severus?" he persisted, worried.

"I'm fine," Severus replied, regaining his composure. "Just a little tired, that's all."

Neither spoke for awhile. Argus could understand why Severus didn't want anyone thinking that his apprentice had been damaged during her first year. As it was, they were having enough trouble reintegrating her. They discussed the usual school matters until it was time to leave. Argus woke Mrs. Norris, and they left Severus' chambers. The Potions master headed off to his appointment, and they went to see who was wandering the halls now.

*~*~*

His princess with Ix Chel on their arm, and Snape entered their master's hidden Potions lab. Snape retrieved the components they'd collected last week, along with the additional ingredients they needed. He placed them on the worktable, while Tom and Ginny set up two cauldrons and other equipment Ix Chel directed them to. Tom and Ginny were dying to find out what their familiar was planning, and they weren't alone. Tom could also sense their master's anticipation over the potion they were about to attempt. When they were ready Ginny let Ix Chel slither onto the table, and they took a seat. Then, as instructed, master Snape released their willingly given materials from stasis. They pulled out their notebooks and quills, ready to begin.

"We've gone along with everything you've asked us to do for this project," master Snape said in Parseltongue. "Now it is time for you to come clean, Ix Chel. What are we really brewing? Why have you kept us in the dark for so long?"

"I didn't inform you sooner because what I am about to impart to you is the gravest, most sought after, and binding gift a Divinus can bestow," Ix Chel explained dramatically. "In the wrong hands, this gift could become the darkest of curses to both our kinds! You mustn't share this with anyone, no matter the circumstance! Only a Divinus Animus may give this, and only to those they choose... Swear to me that you will teach this to no one else, and that you will protect the knowledge with your lives!"

"We so swear it, Ix Chel," the three of them replied.

"You haven't doubted our loyalty to you before, don't start now." master Snape urged.

"I don't doubt any of you, but each of our kind are honor-bound to obtain this pledge," Ix Chel responded. "This potion will take a week to brew. It is one of the most volatile and delicate potions known... It is called the Aetas Conservo potion."

"You want us to brew what?" Tom asked aloud, shocked. He glanced at Snape and saw that their master was equally stunned.

"What is it?" Ginny thought, confused. "What does she what us to brew?"

"You want to teach us a variant of the Elixir of Life?" master Snape asked in an intense whisper.

"Talk about putting a stopper in death..." Ginny remarked quietly.

Master Snape raised an eyebrow at the reflection of the speech he always gave first years.

"The two potions are fundamentally different, however they do hold similar benefits," explained Ix Chel. "The so-called Elixir of Life is in the end, little more than a seductive trap. The result is always enslavement to it, because of the guiding principles it is based upon. The Elixir seeks to use pure, unsullied magic to overcome nature by suppressing the natural order of things. It replaces every normal defense with its own, making you immortal only so long as you take the drug. But when you stop, you become defenseless against time or illness, and so, death follows soon after.

"Instead, The Aetas Conservo potion seeks to use nature to its advantage by enhancing what is already there. Its protection is not absolute, like The Elixir, but it is formidable. It works by stopping the aging process, and fortifying your preexisting defenses. Barring major injury or illness, you can live off the potion indefinitely. The advantage it has over the Elixir of Life is that it is not an addictive substance. Once you stop using it, you return to normal and begin to age again. Once started, you will have to take it every thirty days to remain under its protection. We have ingredients enough for a three-month supply of potion for you both. I know that Virginia is still very young, but she needs this, just as you need each other, master. You both require every defense possible to face the extremes! If one of you should be captured, the enhancements given by the potion, will allow you to last longer against torture, or injury."

Tom was rendered dumbstruck. He had always dreamed of the gift of immortality! To have all the time in the world, armed with absolute power... The realization of his greatest dreams and ambitions, hopelessly interwoven with the fantastic paradox enfolding him, was almost more than he could bear. Tom felt a dark giddiness rise within him that wouldn't be denied. He began to laugh at the surreal horror and sheer beauty of the moment, equally rendered by the obvious truth staring back at him.

Ginny could barely hold in Tom's painfully twisted, ironic laughter, laughter that frightened her and Ix Chel. For a moment, Ginny couldn't help but wonder if he had snapped, if the idea of getting what he wanted was somehow too much for him. She didn't dare speak, or try to question him, until Tom had regained some measure of control. After a minute Ix Chel felt compelled to act.

"Why do you laugh so terribly, Tom?" Ix Chel thought. "What have I done to upset you so much?"

"It's nothing you've done. It's what I did so many years ago," Tom forced out through his peels of dark laughter. "For as long as I can remember immortality has been my obsession, Lord Voldemort's obsession. We had always thought that there was no good or evil, much less anything in between. 'There is only power... and those too weak to seek it.' How foolish that seems now. The first Voldemort never saw more to the world than that, never saw more to himself. And here I am, getting everything I have ever desired, and all I had to do was ask! What a waste!"

Ginny and Ix Chel could see the ugly irony in that. They knew that the first Tom Riddle hadn't been a hopeless cause, any more than their Tom. Now he was beginning to see how much the Dark Lord had squandered his considerable potential... Tom felt so overcome, she feared that any second he would be reduced to tears by the madness of it, but he began pulling himself back together before that happened. Ginny silently vowed to never let her Tom become the miserable creature that the Dark Lord had devolved into.

"...you two alright?" master Snape asked.

"Sorry, master, I lost my focus," Ginny mumbled in apology.

"I can understand why you were worried about telling us, Ix Chel," master Snape said. "If Voldemort were ever to get his hands on this, he would become unstoppable. How many of your kind know about this potion?"

"It is as natural to us as bitting," Ix Chel replied. "We are an immensely long-lived race, but can only bond once, in our youth. Without intervention, humans are far too fragile and short-lived to be our true companions. The Gray, who were composed of humans, elves, and others made us their true companions, which they endowed with a grand potential. In return, we gave them everything, becoming their living libraries, so that all they had learned, would never be lost."

"Amazing," Ginny whispered. "The scope of such a thing, it's unbelievable!"

"Now, you know our task," Ix Chel said. "Let us begin."

Ginny, Tom, and master Snape let nothing distract them as they listened to Ix Chel's detailed, complex instructions. Ginny had never seen a more complicated potion, but she was certain that as long as they could remain focused, they could handle it.

Severus watched Virginia take to the difficult, dangerous potion with a sense of single-minded purpose, preparing and adding components with the same dedication and innate talent he had seen from her in class. On and off through the session, he noticed the subtle magical alterations Virginia used to enhance some of the non-living items as she worked, a talent he had rarely seen in anyone, save himself. He would definitely have to evaluate her closely before she returned to Potions class. They worked half the night on the first stage of the potion. By the time it was done and could be left unattended Severus, Virginia, and Ix Chel were exhausted. Severus escorted Virginia back her chamber, before heading off to his own.

*~*~*

Voldemort paced back and forth in his new spacious, elaborately decorated throne room. He wore long, elegant, black velvet robes with a silver trim. His Dark familiar, Naigai, encircled his throne that was, in fact, a large and highly decorated armchair on a raised dais, but with some enhancement it looked adequately imposing.

"Where is that rat with Lucius?" Voldemort fumed. "What's taking them so damned long?"

"Relax, my master," Naigai hissed. "Save your rage for their arrival..."

Wormtail and Lucius entered the throne room, still wearing their normal robes. The sounds of his second-in-command's cane hitting the marble floor echoed off the walls. Lucius knelt before him, the Death Eater's long blonde hair concealing the somber expression Voldemort had only glimpsed. Wormtail followed suit.

"I-I retrieved him a-as ordered, master," Wormtail stuttered in terror.

"Leave us!" Voldemort harshly commanded.

"Yes, master," Wormtail whispered. The pathetic rat risked a fearful glance at Lucius before fleeing the scene, stopping barely long enough to close the doors behind him. He turned his attention back to Lucius, whom he knew, even now, was secretly quaking in his boots.

Let's see how long his veneer of composure lasts this time, he thought.

"You've failed me, Lucius!" the Dark Lord spat. "I told you to sway to our side as many of the formidable wizards from the Light as possible, and to report to me those you couldn't turn! Why haven't you tried to bring the Weasley clan into the fold? Why haven't you tempted Arthur and Molly Weasley, or their children? Even if we couldn't get the parents, we should have at least a few of their offspring. The mother alone would be a great asset to our side. Explain yourself, Lucius, explain to me why you haven't even considered an alliance with them!"

"They're poor, and don't have any influence, hardly worth your venerable notice, sire," Lucius answered, his voice filled with thinly disguised disdain. "The Weasleys aren't worth your time-"

"Enough!" Voldemort shouted, kicking his follower in the ribs with all his might. The Dark Lord heard the telltale sound of one of this pathetic ingrate's ribs snapping as his heavy boot connected with it. Lucius groaned, doubling over in pain.

"How dare you assume one has no power, because of mere things like money or status!" he howled in rage. "Would you have discounted me, if you had seen my humble beginnings? Answer me!"

"No, master," Lucius replied in a pained gasp.

"Liar!" spat the Dark Lord. He kicked the arrogant fool again, breaking another rib, and another, and another until Lucius finally let out an all too satisfying, piercing scream of agony, collapsing into a heap on the marble floor. A small puddle of blood began to form around his wonderfully suffering servant. Voldemort pulled out his wand, aiming for Lucius' ribs.

"Poverty and hardship can breed the most varied and dangerous allies," he continued. "One who has had to do without knows what it's like to struggle, to fight with every last breath, for survival. Their own continued existence requires them to be resourceful and hardworking, unlike a pampered fool like you. Help them, nurture them, and they are yours forever. Look down upon them, and you may eventually rue the day you were born!"

"Master, I will-" Lucius started.

"Did I say you could speak?" Voldemort shouted. "Crucio!"

He felt a wave of sadistic pleasure listening to Lucius' shrieks as the Death Eater writhed in pain. He watched the riveting sight of unimaginable torment until Lucius could take no more, and blacked out. The Dark Lord groaned in frustration and stopped the curse. The bloody fool had the nerve to pass out! Voldemort knelt into the growing puddle of blood, and revived Lucius. His servant looked up at him, the man's eyes clouded with pain.

"Remember this lesson, my little pawn," he whispered in Lucius' ear. "Remember that I won't tolerate such foolish audacity again. You're lucky that Severus has already begun work on the Weasley girl, or I would have killed you! The next time you report to me, the news had better be good, or you'll be the entertainment at our next party..."

"Yes, master..." Lucius answered in a barely distinguishable whisper.

The Dark Lord called for Wormtail to care for Lucius, and to clean up the mess. Yes, between Severus' work at Hogwarts, and Lucius' desire to make this up to him, he would have all the cards in no time. Voldemort wouldn't let Dumbledore keep such valuable assets as the Weasleys. By the time this is over, they will either be out of Dumbledore's grasp, or lying dead at his feet. Voldemort laughed maniacally at his glorious plans, already set into motion.

Meanwhile back at Hogwarts, Harry awoke to the sounds of his own agonized screams.

___________

TBC