Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Ival Pythonica	By : MistressMalfoy2 Category: Harry Potter > General > General Views: 10032 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 17
- 18
- 19
A/N: I do not own Harry Potter, any of its characters, etc. They are all the property of J.K. Rowling. For no profit of any kind, I am simply borrowing her characters for a short while. Only the Original Character of Megan Malfoy is my own, though her last name is borrowed from J.K. Rowling.

A/N: Readers, please forgive me for the long absence!!! Life, as they say, is a bitch and sometimes it’s too complicated to find the time to write. Plus, I believe my Muse took a vacation without my consent and I had to re-read all my own work to drag her back. I promise not to stay away this long again if I can help it. I know what it’s like to wait forever for an author to update a story to the point of screaming! I appreciate all the reviews, Favorite Author and Favorite Story Alerts/Lists some of you have added!! It has been my inspiration to try to get back to it. So, without further ado, here we go…..

Megan sat on the floor barely aware that around her were Snape’s arms. The images of her mother and the dream were racing through her mind. She suddenly couldn’t breathe, couldn’t see. Someone was talking but she didn’t acknowledge the voices around her. Megan’s ears were fighting to hear anything over the pounding rush of her blood.

“Albus, surely there is another explanation? I have only read and heard tales of such marks. Why would Anna Kenning put this in the curse? She has already scared Megan and turned her life upside down. She is powerful but even she cannot create a curse which is designed to kill someone unless they follow the terms to be free, only to kill her anyway!”

Lupin leaned on the corner of Dumbledore’s desk and looked beseechingly at the Headmaster for answers. Dumbledore sighed, looking down at Megan in Snape’s arms. Her blank stare was sad, lost, and confused. Snape was looking down at Megan, smoothing her hair back from her face, his own fear clear on his face.

“I wish I had the answers you wish for, Remus, I really do, but . . . I just don’t.”

Megan finally seemed to see the room in front of her and looked up at Dumbledore. For the first time ever in Megan’s memory, the Headmaster looked tired. He had removed his spectacles with his left hand and rubbed his eyes with his right hand. His eyes had black bags under them. As if he had sensed she was looking, Dumbledore removed his hand and glanced at Megan. The light in his eyes had faded. He suddenly looked so fragile and old. It scared Megan right down to her toes.

“Nice to know I’m not the only one feeling confused right now.” Megan tried to crack a smile and failed.

Megan slowly stood and pushed away from Snape. He let go gently but hesitantly. She walked over to the window and starred out at the sun glinting off the fresh snow as it rose higher in the sky.

“I wonder how many people are watching the sun rise right now having no idea how precious a moment it is to witness and how with the blink of an eye or the flick of a wand, it could be the last one they ever see.”

Megan placed her right hand against the glass. The warm sunrise’s rays beat against the ice cold glass pane, the frost on the outside of the window began to melt. Megan shivered at the sensation as the water beaded and fell in trails through the panes below her hand. Megan sudden felt the pull of emotions from behind her. A strong sadness made her want to burst into tears, then ripples of fear made her want to cringe but the anger surfacing made her whole body begin to tremble. The emotions passed through her so quickly it stole her breath. However, the anger stayed. She had the sudden urge to hurt someone, punch something, to destroy something . . . just anything to get the anger out.

The ring vibrated against her finger. Megan glanced down to see that the ruby stone was glowing so bright the silver looked dark pink. A wave of calmness flooded up her arm and over her body, washing all the anger away in seconds. She could feel Snape’s presence, just as Dumbledore had described. It was like being hugged but not. Megan even smelled his sandalwood musk cologne and sighed.

‘That’s pretty nice. Strange and weird but nice.’ Megan thought.

‘Strange? Since when has my touching you become a weird sensation?’ Snape’s voice echoed in her head.

Megan whirled around to see her shock mirrored on Snape’s face. He was staring, open mouthed and startled as she had ever seen him. Megan just blinked. The true scientist and witch in her suddenly couldn’t resist the urge to test it, like an unconscious reaction.

‘You heard me. And I know I just heard you. I’d have said that was my imagination but I can see the surprise on your face. Are we really doing what I think we are?’

‘Yes, you are fully correct, Megan. I did hear your voice in my head. Without the slightest bit of hesitation, I thought what I would have normally said out loud, only if we had been alone, of course. I felt your reaction like a tugging on an invisible line between us. It startled me so much I could not hide my emotions enough to school my face.’

Megan and Snape were staring at one another with deep concentration and curiosity. Then they both smiled.

‘We have become telepathic with each other. So much for privacy of mind, huh, Severus?’

‘Indeed, my love. This should be quite interesting.’

Dumbledore and Lupin looked between the two like a tennis match. Finally, Lupin broke the silence with a smile of his own.

“I know that look, Megan. It means something is going on. It’s the smile of a private joke and triumph mixed together. Please, share the secret with us all so maybe we can smile, too.”

“Yes, Severus and Megan we feel like we are missing something very important. I also agree we could all use something to smile about.” Dumbledore eyed the pair closely.

‘Shall I tell them or would you like the honor, my love?’ Snape asked

Megan turned to the other men and explained.

“The curse is still as it should be. The tattoos I have gained having nothing to do with the curse.”

“How are you so sure?” Dumbledore leaned back in his chair, listening intently.

“That is simply answered, Albus.” Snape began. “As you know, the curse’s fine print said Megan and I would have a very deep, permanent and complete connection. We have already discovered that one can feel the emotions of the other and vice-versa. However, we have just discovered the connection allows us to hear the thoughts of the other. Albus, you know, as well as Lupin that telepathy cannot exist if one of the two people is truly marked by The World Spirits for death. The only cases ever recorded explained all shared powers were obliterated because the stigma of being marked removes the ability to use ‘living’ or ‘active’ powers with other living creatures.” Snape smiled in relief.

“You can truly speak to one another, mind to mind conversation?” Lupin asked.

“Yes, we just did. I remember reading one of the cases Severus is referring to.”

“Those are not the typical article for your level, though I will say I am not surprised. Where did you read those?” Snape quirked his left eyebrow at Megan.

“When I couldn’t sleep I was reading a lot from the library and I came across a few dusty back issues of “Magical Quarterly.” Megan frowned at all three men who smiled. “What!”

“I believe our reactions are to asking a very stupid question.” Dumbledore shook his head, still smiling. “Well, if the tattoos are not an implication of your impending death, it still does not mean you will not have a brush with death. I will have to research the issue further but the answer may be as simple as the death of your mother. That was obviously a’ brush with death,’ if not worse, and it is your mother who gave you these marks. I have a theory that accidentally killing Narcissa and her bequeathing the tattoos from the Other Side is all the marks mean. I have to admit I have never heard of such a documented occurrence but that does not mean it isn’t possible.”

“I agree. I can help look into this situation, Albus, as well. That is, if you would like my help, of course.” Snape asked.

“Yes, old friend, the help is always welcome. These old eyes don’t miss much but an extra set of younger ones could never hurt.”

Megan smiled to see Dumbledore returned almost back to normal. The twinkle in his eyes was just on the edge of shinning through and a true smile was again gracing his lips.

“However, there are other matters to attend to, since you are all present. Miss Huntington seems to be fully recovered and resting in her rooms. She is anxious to speak with you, Megan. Your father is dong remarkably better today. He has been escorted to private rooms in the Dungeon but they are quite a distance from your own rooms. He is also insistent on speaking with you immediately. So, you should visit both today and take Remus with you.”

“Oh Albus, I don’t know how I can do that just yet. Hell, I wouldn’t even know where to begin!”

“Do not worry, for I have already laid the ground work. Both parties are aware of why you attacked them, the delicacy of the situation and the precautions we have taken. Isabella was quite surprised but very happy for you. Lucius, on the other hand, was quite angry and if he could have walked on his own, would have barged into Severus’ quarters. He can be a very impatient and pushy man.”

“That’s my father.” Megan grimaced and then paled. “Wait. . . .do you mean they BOTH know I am pregnant? My father knows I am carrying a child and Severus is the father? Oh dear Merlin in Heaven and the Devil in Hell!”

“That is absolutely an understatement. If I know Lucius, he is angry enough to hex the first person through the door that is not Megan. He would have no qualms injuring Lupin, considering his . . . beliefs.” Snape said the last word like it left a better taste in his mouth.

“I fully agree, Severus. I would do anything for Megan but facing an angry Lucius Malfoy isn’t on my list of ‘Top Five Things I Always Wanted to Do.’ But what about you Severus? Do you believe he is going to be any nicer to you? After all, you are the father of the child she carries and you have been sleeping with her as well.” Lupin remarked, a little pale.

“Before Megan arrived, Lucius and I had a long conversation about my role in the curse and he seemed very pleased that I was sleeping with Megan. He has had the idea in mind for a long time.”

“What? What did my father plan on? Did he think we would become a couple? That makes no sense. My mother told me last night that my father had been arranging a marriage between myself and Frederick Vonosco. So he must have had an ulterior motive. What did he say?”

Snape looked at the others in the room and shook his head violently, his jet black hair falling into his eyes.

“I cannot reveal that information even in front of Albus and Lupin. It is too degrading for both of us.”

Megan crossed her arms in front of her chest and screwed up her face in irritation.

“These two men happen to know about my every move right now and are fully aware of all the details of my sex life. They also know I murdered my own mother, by accident, but still they know it all. There is very little you could say in front of these men that would embarrass me right now. Just tell us.”

Snape glanced at the seriousness in Megan’s face and sighed.

“Fine, however, remember I warned you. Your father has been placing us in one another’s company these past two years in the hopes that you and I would embark upon an affair which would . . . .educate you in how to please your future husband. A Virginity Restoration Spell afterwards and you could be pure as well as a seasoned sexual partner. I was meant to be your Master in more than Potions work.”

Megan’s jaw opened and closed but no sound came out. Her face slowly turned red but not from embarrassment. Her arms fell to her sides in tight fists and her whole body seemed to vibrate in place. The ring lit up the room in a bright red light.

“Megan? Megan! Megan, breathe! Don’t do this!”

Snape yelled at Megan as he staggered over to a pillar, almost collapsing against it. He gritted his teeth and tried to breathe through Megan’s anger that had quickly spread through his body. He gripped the pillar, closed his eyes and tried to count back from ten. He tried to push pass her feelings because if he distanced himself enough, Snape thought he could draw up a calming thought or emotion to send to Megan. There wasn’t enough time.

“Megan! Count back from ten like I taught you!” Lupin yelled.

A guttural howl ripped from Megan’s throat. The glass doors on Dumbledore’s cabinets shattered. The magically suspended ornaments flew in every direction, causing the men to crouch down to avoid being hit. Chairs, tables and even Dumbledore’s desk levitated off the ground a few feet. A strong wind blew through the office. The men shaded their eyes and looked up. Megan was levitating at least five feet off the floor, the bubble of electricity that had surrounded her body the night before was back. Her face was a wild mask, hair flying at all angles, her eyes flashing like lightening behind dark storm clouds.

Dumbledore crawled over to the pillar that Snape was clinging to, panting, red-faced and wide-eyed. Dumbledore looked around for his wand but it was nowhere in sight. Lupin had his out in his hand as he made his way over to the other two men in a crab walk. Lupin looked at Dumbledore and offered the older wizard his wand but Dumbledore shook his head. Instead, he turned to Snape and grabbed the younger wizards arm tightly, yelling above the roar of the wind. In the background, two of the leaded glass windows exploded.

“Severus! Severus!”

Snape turned frightened eyes to Dumbledore.

“Severus! Give me your hand!” He looked over his shoulder. “Remus, you hand!”

Both wizards didn’t question the Headmaster. They all clasped hands.

“Gentlemen, think calming thoughts! Any peaceful thought you can and as many as you can, then direct them at Megan! NOW!”

All three men closed their eyes and thought as hard as possible at Megan. After a few moments, the wind stopped and the levitating furniture hit the floor with a loud crash. Finally, there was a louder crash and smacking noise. Obviously, it was the sound of flesh hitting stone.

The men opened their eyes and Megan lay on the floor, unconscious. The ring on her finger has twisted, the large ruby exploded out of its setting. Snape rushed over as quickly as he could with the other two men on his heels. He knelt, picking up Megan’s upper body, placing it in his lap. She looked paler than ever. After a few minutes of coaxing her eyes fluttered open. She glanced around at the faces of the three men and what of the destroyed office.

“Oh no, it happened again. Is anyone hurt?” Megan whispered hoarsely.

“No, my love. Are you alright? Can you stand?” Snape inquired.

“No. But if there is still a chair in one piece, I could sit.”

Snape lifted Megan off the floor and sat her down gently in one of Dumbledore’s chairs by the front of his desk. Megan took a shaky deep breath and surveyed the damage, tears falling down her face.

“I am so sorry, Albus. I don’t know what happened. One minute I was angry at my father, the next I am waking up on the floor. I don’t even remember the ring working.” Megan voice was small and choked by tears as she looked down at the ruin that had once been the ring.

“That is a very good question, my dear.” Albus righted his desk chair and sat down, wiping his face with a blue handkerchief covered in yellow moons. “I have no idea why the ring failed to work or why it broke. The only explanation is that the ring is not enough protection for your affliction. That is going to be one very powerful witch or wizard you are carrying. Your powers are very good, Megan, just as Severus’ powers are excellent. If the baby your love created is combining of both your powers but using Megan as a conductor, then this is far worse than I believed.”

“Meaning, Albus that our child is using its own power plus Megan’s, which it has already in its blood. That amplifies her power twice over plus mine. I have never heard of a magical fetus doing such an act except for a few occurrences in the last trimester. The fetus is so small right now this should be utterly impossible by magical standards!” Snape was utterly shocked.

“Would that really surprise you, Severus, after everything that has taken place so far?” Lupin asked, half-laughing.

“Do you find this situation amusing, Lupin” Snape’s voice was deep with scorn. “It may not be your child or the woman you love in danger but I would have thought you would give a damn, not be entertained by her pain.”

“I am not entertained, Severus. I am truly concerned, I have no reason not be. I was laughing at how insane this has become. It’s called sarcasm. I believe it’s a thing you are very familiar with?”

“Enough. You both agreed on a truce and besides I believe I have a solution. A magical mark, much like the marks Narcissa gave Megan last night.”

“A magical mark, Albus? Are you mad! There can be very dangerous and I can speak from experience how such marks always come with consequences.” Snape rubbed has fore arm unconsciously where the Dark Mark once had been.

“You can trust me, Severus. The sort of mark I have in mind for Megan is nothing like Voldemort’s Dark Mark but it will bind the child’s powers to the womb. I will need Miss Huntington’s help, though, and access to your storeroom of herbs. I will need a vial of Megan’s and your blood for this to work. If I combine both vials of blood with red paint, chamomile with the green paint, and unicorn horn shavings into the silver paint, it should work.” Albus said as he looked off into the distance, imagining it in his head.

“Albus, I have never questioned your methods or your sanity until this moment, but I have to inquire whether you have finally lost your mind. You want to literally tattoo magic into Megan’s skin? And even if such an impossible idea were to take place, where would the said tattoo be placed?” Snape raised both eyebrows at Dumbledore.

“I would place it on her lower abdomen, right below the belly button. A heart with vines wrapped around it and out lined in silver. The combination of its parents’ blood and calming magicks pushed right into the skin above the uterus should be the ultimate protection against further incidents.” Albus stated very matter-of-factly.

“This is like nothing I have ever heard of being done in defense of Dark Arts. How can you know, Albus, if it will even work?” Lupin just blinked at Dumbledore.

“I know a lot of things that have never been revealed to the world at large. Let us say, I have met Miss Huntington and visited her shop when I discovered Megan was making magical inks. I was quite impressed. I began to research the world of magic as it is related to tattoos. There was more research and practices out there than I ever dreamed. Tattoos have always had significance in every culture since the beginning of time. Many tribes mark their people for special occasions in life, such as reaching manhood or womanhood, marriage, first kill, first child and also for protection from enemies, evil spirits, the Devil, and much more. This concept would work very well for Megan’s situation.”

“No. This is dangerous to her and the child. You have no proof it will work and if it doesn’t there could also be quite horrible repercussions.” Snape stood his full height and stared at Albus with a frown of anger.

“It is also dangerous if we do nothing. I believe this should be Megan’s decision.”

“Albus, for once I agree with Severus. Nothing we have done so far has worked as it should have nor has anything gone the way we thought. We don’t need any more dangers or mistakes. I say, no.” Lupin folded his arms across his stomach.

“Gentlemen, it is not a group decision . . .” Dumbledore began.

Snape and Lupin began arguing with Dumbledore at the same time. Their voices mingled and rose in a crescendo of anger. Megan took a deep breath and counted back from ten.

“ENOUGH!”

All three men turned to Megan. Fear spread across Snape and Lupin’s face. Dumbledore’s face was blank.

“Can we talk like I am actually in the room? I appreciate your attempts at protecting me but this has gotten completely out of hand.” Megan looked at Lupin. “You love me as a true friend. I understand you want to save me from any more pain.” Megan turned to Snape. “You love me for all that I am. You want to be my protector out of instinct. But, if I remember correctly, part of what you love about me is my strength, determination, intellect, and my magical abilities.” Megan stood and looked at both men. “I love you both, albeit in different ways but understand this: it is my body, my curse, and my baby.” Snape opened his mouth but Megan put up a hand to stop him. “Yes, Severus, it is your child as well, I know. However, I need to make the decisions from now on. The only time I want either of you to make decisions for me is if I unfortunately unable to speak for myself. I trust you both enough to decide what is best at such a critical moment. But as long as I am walking, thinking clearly and breathing on my own, I will speak for myself and my final words, whether you like it or not, is law. Are we clear?” Megan looked around the room.

Lupin shook his head in wonder and then nodded. Snape had folded his arms across his chest but his angry frown had turned to a wry smirk. Dumbledore was just grinning with a bright twinkle in his eyes. He nodded as if he approved very much. Megan let out a sigh.

“Good. Now, I want this magical tattoo of protection. I cannot hurt anyone else the way I have so far. Who knows what will happen if we don’t get this out of control. It could escalate. What if one of you is the next to get hurt? It almost happened today in this office. Enough is enough. I need to protect everyone from myself and my baby’s growing power. So,” Megan turned to Dumbledore, “what do we have to do first?”

Dumbledore rose and walked over to one of his shattered cabinets, careful to reach through the broken glass. He retrieved a small silver bowl, a vial of white ink and a long metal object. He laid the bowl and ink on his desk. He motioned Megan and Snape forward.

“Severus, place your right wrist over the bowl and Megan place your right over the bowl so you mirror each other. I am going to cut each of you. Let the blood flow into the bowl so the fluid mixes together. Remus, if you would let Miss Huntington know we are coming? Stop by Severus’ storage cabinet and take a small bottle of chamomile leaves and a bottle of unicorn horn shavings. Tell Miss Huntington to ground up the ingredients and mix them into green and silver inks, respectively. We will be down in a few moments.”

Lupin nodded and walked out of the room without another word. Dumbledore took out a silver dagger out of the metal object. It had symbols etched into the blade. The handle was ornamental, shinning gold, ebony and sapphire in the sunlight coming through the broken window.

“That’s a sacrificial dagger.” Megan stated in wonder. “In fact, it’s a very old one. Where did you get that dagger, Albus?”

He smiled and shrugged.

“I have many sources and each Headmaster through the centuries has added to the collection I have in my office. Besides, an old man has to have some secrets.”

“The words ‘some secrets’ are definitely quite an understatement, Albus.” Snape chuckled lightly.

“True, Severus. I am using this dagger because it adds power to the blood and the ceremony. Now, turn to each other and stare into each other’s eyes, do not look away under any circumstances. When I ask you to repeat certain words, repeat them exactly as I say them. Ready?”

“Why do I feel like this is a marriage ceremony?” Megan laughed.

“You are correct Megan. It is quite like a marriage ceremony. The mixing of the blood is a very special and intimate ceremony. It would take too long to explain, so let us just begin.”

The two turned and stared into each other eyes, wrists placed over the bowl. Megan hissed in pain when Dumbledore ran the blade over her wrist. In her peripheral vision she saw the blade’s symbols glow softly.

“Megan, would you please repeat after me: I give this blood willingly, a sacrifice of my life force that it may save another.”

“I give this blood willingly, a sacrifice of my life force that it may save another.”

Megan took a shaky breath as she felt the blood sliding out of wrist. She winced at the burning pain of the cut, the sound of her blood dropping into the metal bowl, pinging in the silence. She stared into Snape’s dark eyes, trying to memorize the shinning onyx color.

Dumbledore dragged the blade over Snape’s wrist but he never flinched. His blood began to drip into the bowl. The dagger’s symbols shinned brighter making the sapphire in the handle sparkle as if it were its own candle.

“Severus, repeat the same words Megan just did.”

“I give this blood willingly, a sacrifice of my life force that it may save another.”

Snape’s eyes glittered from the light the dagger was emitting. He looked into Megan’s eyes, watching the light dance off the blue and grey swirling in her pupil. He was almost hypnotized by the motion of the colors. He saw how Megan was shaking and reached out instinctively to grab her other hand which she gripped tightly. A reassuring smile graced his lips.

“Now, I will hold the blade of the dagger out over the bowl, place your wrist on opposite sides and push them together against the blade at the same time.”

They laid their wrists against the blade. Megan took a deep breath and Snape nodded at her as a signal. She tried not the close her eyes and nodded back. Their wrists clamped down around the blade of the dagger. It glowed brighter. Megan tried not to feel the pain radiating from the shallow cut being pressed against the metal. She squeezed Snape’s hand hard. He squeezed back.

“Repeat after me, both of you at the same time: I mingle these essences of life and make their union holy in the name of all good magic. May this sacrifice heal and contain the power which has run astray.”

“I mingle these essences of life and make their union holy in the name of all good magic. May this sacrifice heal and contain the power which has run astray.” Megan and Snape stated in unison.

The knife burst into blindingly white light. It burned into Megan and Snape’s flesh, sealing their wounds shut. Megan let out a scream and Snape grunted, barring clamped teeth. Megan fought the urge to pull away as the burning continued so hot she thought her flesh would boil.

“I now seal these wounds and bless this blood with the power of Merlin and the Power of all that is Light!” Dumbledore shouted.

The burning stopped and he slowly pulled the blade from between their wrists. Megan pulled hers back and held it, trying not to cry. She looked down and saw the cut was now an angry line, red and swollen but the flesh around it was flat and smooth. On closer inspection, however, she noticed symbols burned into her flesh on both sides of the cut. Snape put out his wrist next to hers and compared the marks. Snape’s wrist looked like a mirror of Megan’s.

“Now I know why I recognized the knife.” Megan voice came out shaky, breathless from pain. “It is an ancient ceremonial dagger, one of two which existed in the very beginning of magic. They are the first recorded magical implements which were used in all the important ceremonies, mostly because they required blood. In fact, it was thought that the more blood the dagger touched, the more powerful it became. The dagger was known to brand people it was used upon so they would not take place in another sacrifice because blood rituals can only be done on the pure. No one could donate twice. The handle was designed so if used improperly, it would burn anyone who was misusing the magical instrument whether without permission or especially for evil. I thought they were extinct.” Megan stared at the dagger, intrigued.

“As did I, until now. I had no idea you paid as much attention to Magical History as Potions, though I will freely admit that I am none too surprised.” Snape smirked.

Dumbledore wiped the dagger off with a thick white cloth and placed it in a magical sheath with its own archaic symbols. The metal closed around the dagger until only a small part of the handle was visible at the top. Setting it aside on his desk, he retrieved his wand from the folds in his robes. With a flick of his wrist the blood moved from the bowl to the bottle of white shimmering ink. The blood swirled through the white until the color was a deep red which shined brighter than any ink Megan ever brewed. The bottle was its own red fire, casting a red glow on the desk’s polished surface. Dumbledore grabbed the bottle and deposited it inside his robes in some inner pocket Megan couldn’t see. Moving around the desk and heading towards the door, he stopped and turned to Megan and Snape.

“Megan, are you ready to face your friend?”

“I don’t know if I will ever be ready but now is better than later. I would rather see her before my father anyway.” Megan’s voice sounded very tired.

Snape reached for her hand again, lacing his fingers through hers and lifting it to his mouth. He kissed the fingers gently, his face soft and sincere. It made Megan’s body tingle as his thoughts of love and tender affection flowed from his heart and into every fiber of her being. A smile tugged at her lips and she leaned up to kiss his lips gently.

‘I have no doubt you are fully capable of doing this. I faith in you and I am very proud of you. I love you, Megan.’ Snape projected his thought to her.

‘Thank you for your support. I love you, too, Severus.’ Megan thought back at him.

They began to walk out of the room, hand in hand, following Dumbledore down the hall towards the Dungeon.

*****************************************

Meanwhile . . . .

Lucius Malfoy lay in his bed scowling at Madam Pomfrey who handed him another Sleeping Draught mixed with very strong Healing Potions and Pain Revealer. She scowled right back at him.

“You’re obviously in pain and you have to heal. Just drink the Potion.” Pomfrey demanded, quite annoyed to be playing this game yet again today.

“How do I know you are not poisoning me? That liquid is awful, I have had enough. I will be fine.”

Lucius tried to sit up but cried out in pain as his fractured ribs pulsated.

“Yes, you sound perfectly fine.” Pomfrey said sarcastically as she thrust the potion at Lucius.

“Oh, Merlin in Hell, woman! Fine!”

Lucius snatched the potion out of Pomfrey’s hands, unstopped the cork and drank the large vial in two gulps. He threw the glass vial across the room where it shattered on the stone floor.

“I took it, now get out!”

Pomfrey huffed and with a turn of her skirts left the room, slamming the door. Lucius stared at the fire as the potion flowed through his veins. His eyes began to droop. He shook his head to clear his mind. Lucius was determined to stay awake in case Megan stopped by soon. But sleep won over after a few minutes.

Lucius awoke suddenly and blinked rapidly at the fire. He let out a breath of relief that he had stayed awake. He realized with a start he was sitting up without pain in his favorite leather chair in the living room of Malfoy Manor. The fireplace was his own, larger and brighter than the one in the Dungeons of Hogwarts. The ornate screen of silver serpents in front of the fire was reflecting the high flames.

“I must be dreaming. Gods, I am going to miss my daughter! If she stops by and I am sleeping she will leave without waking me. I have to wake up, now, before things spin any farther out of control!”

Lucius banged his fist on the arm of the leather chair and realized he was dressed in his darkest blue dress shirt with pearl buttons. His best dress slacks and blue leather boots, all with pearl button and silver strings, completed the outfit. Reaching up he felt the blue ribbon tying his hair back, the silver embroidery felt rough. A cold chill spread through his body making him shudder.

“Why would I dream about wearing the same outfit I got married in?” Lucius exclaimed.

“It was the day you looked handsomest. I always loved that color blue on you, it lights up your eyes.” A voice said from the door way to the living room which was almost parallel with his chair.

Lucius looked up and saw the person step out of the shadows into the fire and candlelight of the room.

“Dear Gods! Narcissa? Is that really you, my love?”

“Hello, my darling Lucius.” Narcissa grinned.
- 17
- 18
- 19
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Ival Pythonica