Ival Pythonica

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.

“I…I…” Megan took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. “Hello, Father. I am surprised to see you. I hope your flight from Italy was pleasant?” Her voice shook slightly from effort.

“Of course you are surprised to see me, Megan, just as I am surprised to hear of your….condition.” Lucius sneered at the last word as if he smelled something unpleasant.

“You heard about my condition? What did you hear?” Megan blanched.

“Plenty.” Lucius whispered low and angrily.

Megan gulped and wavered on her feet again.

****
About thirty minutes before….

Snape finished grading scrolls from First Years and put down his quill, rubbing his eyes.

“Just when I begin to think the stupidity cannot reach a higher level, I am yet again amazed.” Snape announced to the empty classroom.

He gestured with his hand toward his desk. The scrolls rolled up, flew down into a bottom desk drawer, and his quill placed itself back into the red inkwell. With a sigh he leaned back in his chair, closing his tired eyes. Just then the clock chimed five o’clock. Snape glanced up at the sound and smiled for the first time all day. In under an hour Megan would be back in his arms.

His beautiful, sexy, intelligent, and lovely Megan

Suddenly, the smile widened into a large grin, one which lit up his obsidian eyes.

Christmas day was in four days and Snape had been shopping for the past week for Megan. However, after that first night, Snape had gone shopping the past two days for more personal presents. A few presents had to be retrieved from his family home. It was those presents that were the most precious, so precious in fact that he didn’t trust an owl to deliver them safely.
Consequently, there were a couple of presents that also needed work by very skilled professionals in Diagon Alley; he was schedule to pick up those items in two days. Snape was positive that the craftsmanship of the items would be beautiful but he would only be satisfied if the items were personally inspected before they were wrapped. The other presents had been stored away safely in a hidden compartment of the armoire over the last few days. Snape planned to place them where Megan could see them tonight, so she would be surprised and cheered by his Christmas spirit. Yes, the Holidays were going to be very special.

Snape’s grin faltered slightly when he thought about how the “special Holidays” could go terribly wrong depending on Megan. He knew she was very fragile right now and in the middle of a terrible curse but she said she loved him. Not just with her words did she declare her feelings but also with her body, her eyes, her smile, and her every word. Her actions towards him showed nothing but love, affection, friendship, need, and desire. He was counting on her every actions and how he had meticulously deciphered them. If he was correct, everything could go as planned.

But …. if he was wrong ….

Snape shook his head to clear away such negative thoughts and took a deep breath to steady his nerve. Besides he had an evening to prepare for.

He stood and left the classroom, warding the door behind him. He strode the few yards to his personal quarters and unlocked the door. Snape stopped by the table and flicked his wand, making the fresh bouquet of roses appear. With another flourish, silver ribbons appeared out of thin air and entwined themselves in the stems of the roses, tying into a glittering bow. Snape nodded in satisfaction and walked over to the wall, placing his hand upon the stone. It melted away, allowing Snape to step through and into his common room. Another flick of his wand as he walked past lit the fireplace into a roaring blaze and the candles in their sconces burst into life. Walking over to the liquor cabinet, Snape pulled out one of his nice crystal decanters along with two crystal glasses. Snape set the glasses on the low coffee table in front of the fire. With careful pressure, he pulled the cork from the nearly full bottle and sniffed the opening, letting out a sigh.

“There is nothing like the scent of two-hundred year old aged White Rose Fire Whiskey.” Snape whispered, savoring the scent.

He set the bottle to breathe on the table and tilted his head at the surface of table, studying it.

“Something is missing …. it needs something else ….” After a moment he grinned.

Flicking his wand, a bouquet of a dozen white roses, green ribbons entwined in the stems that ended in loose tendrils instead of a bow, appeared on the table in front of the open bottle. Satisfied with the common room, Snape walked into the bedroom and lit all the sconces and pulled out the hide-away fireplace, setting it ablaze with silver flames. Turning, Snape pointed his wand at the bed. The comforter rolled down to the bottom of the bed and the silver silk sheets he had purchased were already in place, thanks to the House Elves. He flicked his wand over the bed a few times and suddenly it was sprinkled with white and sky blue rose petals. Walking across to the armoire, Snape pulled the doors open and, using his wand, pulled a large number of packages from inside.

Snape gestured with his wand and the packages flew into the common room, with him following behind. In the corner of the room, there was a small, freshly cut Christmas tree which had already been fully decorated by the House Elves. It was three feet tall and six feet in diameter at the bottom. The tree was in a silver stand, holding it about a foot above the floor. It was a solid silver base with intricately carved snakes which traveled from the tree base down to the floor to support the tree on four legs. A gold cloth with green and red embroidery was laid around the base of the tree. Presents of all shapes, colored wrappings, and sizes sat on the shimmering cloth were they had neatly landed.

Snape was pleased at how the Elves had decorated the tree. There were silver, gold, and red Christmas ball ornaments and tiny white lights circling the tree. The top had a sizeable star which shone a bright silver light over the whole tree and surrounding area. Stepping backwards across the room, Snape admired the tree and how the white lights and star made all the presents and tree skirt shine.

Smiling, Snape thought about how surprised Megan would be and could not wait to see her face when she saw the tree and all the gifts. He had to admit to himself how much he had spoiled her but he felt she deserved every galleon he spent. Happy that his work was complete, Snape turned and went into the bathroom. He took quick shower and emerged, walking toward the armoire. He chose a dark green button down shirt and a pair of black slacks. Slipping on his favorite black slippers, he looked himself over in the armoire’s long mirror. He had washed and combed out his hair but tied to back with a dark green ribbon so it would not hang in his face. He reached into the armoire and grabbed his cologne, sprayed a few times over his body, adjusted his collar and loosened the top button. Pleased with how he looked, he turned and walked back into the common room to wait for Megan.

Severus walked a few steps and turned towards the table to pour himself and Megan some of the Fire Whiskey, when a voice froze him in his tracks.

“Severus, you did not have to go to all this trouble just for me.”

“When have I ever gone out of my way for you, Lucius?” Snape said, turning around.

Lucius Malfoy stepped out of the shadows and smiled at Snape, but the smile was not friendly.

Lucius stood at full height, both hands leaning forward to rest on his infamous snake-headed cane. He was dressed in a very dark blue Italian robes with a black cloak, dark blue snake skin boots with silver tips and heels, black leather gloves and his hair was flowing free over his shoulders and down his back. The white-blonde hair, the exact shade of Megan’s, was a stark contrast lying against all those dark colors. His blue eyes looked almost like dark gray storm clouds; his lips were slightly pink, as were his cheeks, from traveling in the snowing winter cold.

He walked forward and removed his cloak and with a wave of his hand, it flew across the room to land on the coat rack. After leaning his cane against the edge of one of the high-backed chairs, Lucius removed his gloves. He was silent through this entire process. Once his clothes were smoothed down, Lucius turned and walked towards the liquor cabinet. His boots made a sharp clicking noise on the stone floor as Lucius walked. The next sound was of a cork popping and a click of glass against crystal as Lucius poured himself a drink. He walked back over to the chair and sat down, taking a small sip from his glass. Finally, he glanced up at Snape who had barely moved since Lucius had appeared. Setting down his glass carefully, he licked his lips and glared at Snape very hard.

“I believe you have some explanation as to why I, as Megan’s father and only parent, was not notified about her condition? I can understand that old bastard Dumbledore would not bother to owl me and I can guess why my daughter might be too embarrassed or frightened to contact me, but you, Severus? How could you!” Lucius hissed the last words in anger.

“Lucius, I am sorry I did not send you an owl and let you know how ill Megan is or was. However, she expressly asked me not to tell you and I chose to respect her wishes. Why Megan asked me is obvious by the reaction I now see. She knew well enough to not tell you until the curse was cured and the worst had past. You have a temper, Lucius. I do believe she wished to avoid it.”
Severus gestured mildly with his hands and tried to keep his voice neutral.

“I have the right to know when my daughter is in grave danger; my temper should not be the issue!”

“By your reaction at this moment, I would say Lucius, it does matter. It matters a great deal more than you realize. If you react this way around her in her fragile state the effects could be more damaging than you might have imagined. I know Megan was planning to tell you, however she felt she needed to recover from the many shocks she has incurred before she could navigate the very dangerous waters of your anger. Speaking from experience as your friend of many decades, I can fully understand her decision.” Snape leaned against the mantle and let the fire warm the chill that seemed to fill the air.

“My reaction, as you have so aptly called it, is because despite common opinion I love my daughter. She is all I have left.” Lucius sighed deeply, ribbing his temples. “I need to know she is safe and I need to know what is going on around here. Until I can ascertain all the facts I cannot create damage control and right now I NEED to start damage control.”

“Are you informing me that you are unaware of the entirety of the facts concerning Megan’s curse? You walked in here so angry I assumed you knew everything. What exactly do you know?” Snape sat down across from Lucius and studied the man’s face.

“I was in Italy, trying to enjoy my Holiday. I had received Megan’s owl informing me she would not be joining her brother and I at the Malfoy Family Villa for Christmas. Apparently, Megan would rather stay here for Christmas, Merlin only knows why. Then nothing, that is until this morning when I received the Daily Prophet by owl. When I opened it on the front page was the headline: “HOGWARTS STUDENT VICTIM OF DARK CURSE, LIFE HANGS IN BALANCE!” I quickly read through the article and when I saw that Megan was the victim in the headline and that the curse of Ival Pythonica: I panicked. I remembered back to what Voldemort had done to one of his followers long ago. I had pictures of that poor woman flashing through my mind. When I imagined someone had done something of that nature to my Megan, to a Malfoy, I was frightened and infuriated all at once. Immediately I put my affairs in order and apparated to the gates of Hogwarts.”

Severus swallowed and paled at the thought of Megan finding out she was national news. He poured himself some of the White Rose Fire Whiskey and took a sip.

“What else did the article say?” Snape asked.

“All the Prophet could find out is Megan had been cursed by the other girls in her Year, she hadn’t slept in weeks and may not live unless the conditions of the dark contract, made by the ring leader Anna Kenning, were adhered to. They believe Megan is forced to have sex with two men, one during the day, thought to be Professor Remus Lupin, and another at night but the second name is unknown to them at this time. The girls are being questioned, their memories retrieved and examined. The Prophet got wind of the possibility that there will be a hearing in two weeks. Is it true, Severus? Is Megan sleeping with that mongrel everyday and some other man every night?” Lucius eyes pleaded with Snape, who let out a sigh.

“Yes, Lucius, what you have heard is all true which I must admit is amazing considering the Daily Prophet’s track record of obtaining incorrect information to fill their headlines quickly. She does spend her days in the arms of Lupin but they must only have sex once during the daylight hours and I assure you he is no happier about it than she is. I also know she is using all the precautionary measures during their sex, so you have no worries about pregnancy. I do not believe I have to inform you that Lycanthropy is not contagious during sex, this is a known fact. He was completely against the whole idea as was I, but it was this or let her perish.”

“I agree I want my daughter to live but now she has been touched by that mongrel! As if having contact with one flea-bitten mongrel weren’t enough, now she is screwing another one!” Lucius’ voice fell to a hiss again.

“I understand, however Megan is an adult and she has to right to see Black if she chooses. He seems to make her happy and that is what matters.” Snape said with effort in his voice, as if it hurt to say the words.

“He makes her happy? Since when is that a factor of your concern? You are alright with her associating with Sirius Black now? Merlin in Hell, what has happened to you Severus! You hate Black and Lupin as much as I do and if not much, much, worse! What are you not telling me?” Lucius looked suspiciously at his friend, leaning forward, his hands on his knees.

Snape sighed, placed down his glass and braced himself.

“A lot has happened in the last seventy-two hours of which you are unaware. I was forced to be civil to Lupin and take an Unbreakable Vow with Black for Megan’s sake. All three of us were fighting and we were causing Megan more stress than she can handle right at this moment. Lupin and I merely had words in front of Dumbledore, who insisted on a truce immediately. I assume he had foreseen it would only become worse. Unbeknownst to me, Black was planning on visiting for the Holidays and I was not warned. It is my guess Dumbledore thought he could speak to Black and explain everything before he encountered me. However, Dumbledore did not get to Black before Black got to Megan and Lupin. Lupin explained the situation to Black while they were all outside. Megan had walked across the castle yard to me and we were in a very personal moment when he discovered the terms and conditions of the curse. Immediately, as Black usually does, he lost his temper and there were fisticuffs. During the fight, Megan dived between us and Black’s punch aimed for me struck Megan in the temple….”

“He hit Megan! Why on Earth was Black coming after you, Severus and what do you mean by ‘personal moment’?” Lucius interrupted, but Snape put a hand up.

“Let me finish explaining, Lucius. After the fight she was unconscious. The three of us managed to get Megan to the Hospital Ward. While she was unconscious, Dumbledore arrived to discover what had occurred. Madam Pomfrey informed us the hit to the head was hard but had not caused any serious or permanent damage. She was correct, in a sense. While it was not a brain injury and she has healed from the physical damage, that same damage jogged her memory of the Final Battle. While we were beginning to explain what took place, Megan awoke screaming over and over. She now knows she killed her mother and it took me hours to calm her down. Since then, her emotions have been very mixed up. Moreover, Black did not like my comforting Megan and Black began to taunt me as he had done in our school days. Another fight nearly ensued but Dumbledore intervened. In order to create calm, Dumbledore ordered the Unbreakable Vow between Black and I or we would both lose Megan. Of course, I agreed because I care far too much about Megan to hurt her or lose her. I believe Black had the same reasons.”

“Severus, you still have not answered my main question. Why would Black attack you? Why not attack his so-called best friend, if he is so mad about what is being done to Megan?” Lucius looked as confused as he sounded.

“Black already screamed at Lupin; however his hatred for me will always be greater than any he could feel for Lupin, no matter the circumstances. Also, Lucius, because….” Snape took a deep breath. “…. because I am the second man named in the curse. It is my bed Megan must come to at night and it is I whom Megan has to make love to every evening.”

“You, Severus? You are the other man fucking my daughter?”

Lucius stood and went to reach for his wand. Snape already had his in hand and pointed at Lucius, who stopped moving and slowly sat back down. Then he began to laugh bitterly.

“Severus Snape, you would never hex me.”

“Go for your wand again and we will test that theory. Are you so sure I will not strike first?” Snape raised his eyebrows in questioning and tilted his head slightly.

“Oh, put down your wand, Severus! I have no intention of hurting you; I was not reaching for my wand!” Lucius slowly reached in the direction of his cane but instead reached into his robes and pulled out a flask. He opened it and took a long draft. “It is the calming potion you made for me after Narcissa’s death. I needed to take something before my blood pressure skyrocketed. I do not wish to fight with you. In fact, I am not even angry at you for being the second man in this mess. I am angry my daughter knows she is her mother’s killer because of that mongrel, I am angry Lupin has defiled her and I am angry at all those girls. Worst of all, I am very, very angry because all my hard work has gone to waste. There is no way I can save her reputation from this. My plans are all for nothing!” Lucius fell back in the chair and covered his face with his hands for a moment.

Snape lowered his wand slowly but kept it in hand, at his side just in case.

“What plans?” Snape asked, completely confused.

Lucius removed his hands from his face. With a flick of his wrist, the liquor bottle he had opened earlier sailed across the room and landed on the table. Lucius poured an entire glass of Fire Whiskey for himself and took a gulp of it. He then held it in both hands, studying the liquid.

“Damn it, Lucius! What plans?” Snape was angry because he had a feeling he knew what was coming.

“Marriage plans.” Lucius words came out in a sigh, as if they were a lost cause.

“M … Ma ….Marriage plans?” Snape was wide-eyed with shock and sat down in his chair.

“Yes, Severus, marriage plans. That was one of my main reasons for being in Italy this Holiday season and why I was hoping Megan would be there. I have been trying to negotiate a very profitable marriage for her with a very wealthy Italian pure blood wizarding family. They have a young son about four years older than Megan who just finished Wizarding University and is going to be a doctor at a very reputable wizard hospital in Italy. He is looking to marry and he has met Megan on our trips to Italy over the years. His name is Frederick Vononsco and he is quite in love with Megan. I was brokering a deal with his father for the marriage. I was then going to announce the news at a grand party in Italy for Christmas Day and for our people, a party on New Years Eve. But when he heard the news of the curse, Frederick’s father balked and said he wanted the curse investigated before he would proceed with the engagement. The good news is, even if she has been through this curse, Frederick will still want Megan. He announced to his father that he would still take Megan no matter who had touched her and he reminded his father that there were cleansing ceremonies which could take place before the wedding to restore her virginity and status. When his father tried to argue, Frederick declared if he could not have Megan, he would never marry at all, no matter what his father said. I think Frederick is baiting his father into agreeing to the marriage. Hopefully, the old man takes the bait. Otherwise, I doubt I can find another pure blood family willing to take her.” He stopped to take a drink and sighed. “To think up until days ago and since she was a small child, pure blood families with all sizes of large fortunes and with handsome sons were clamoring for Megan’s hand in marriage. Sons of families with such pure blood they would have produced gorgeous grandchildren, not to mention combine our two very lucrative household fortunes, were begging me to make a marriage contract. I always thought finding Megan a husband would be so simple, almost like breathing and I would have my pick of the best and richest. Now, because of this curse, all those families have withdrawn their claims. They consider he contaminated. Now, I only have one family, the Vononsco’s, so I have to do the best I can to make this happen. Luckily, they are power, rich, pure blood for as far back as they can chart their family tree and Frederick is very handsome.”

Snape sat with his hands in his lap and just blinked at Lucius, mouth opening and closing in shock. He thought of all the training Megan had been through, all her intelligence, all her natural gifts for Potions, her plans for University, plans for a continuing apprenticeship after she graduated and, worst of all, the thought that Megan was to be contracted to another man when they loved each other so much. He would have lost her if he hadn’t revealed his feelings. Hell, if Lucius forced Megan into this marriage contract, he still could lose her to some stranger. He became angry.

“Lucius, this is not the Middle Ages or even the 1900’s. It is the New Millennium. Arranged marriages are no longer done. Besides, she already has a future. She is my apprentice and has applied to the University just outside of Hogsmeade. Megan is going to be the best Potions Mistress this age has ever seen. In fact, Dumbledore had considered hiring her to teach Advanced Potions to students who are either going to be Potion Masters or will need the Potions training for other jobs.” Snape held up his head high with pride, and then flushed red with ire. “You cannot simply scoop her up, fly her off to Italy and marry her off to his man!”

“Arranged marriage for the good of the family tree and for financial reasons is a Malfoy tradition. I was arranged to marry Narcissa because our bloods were both pure and our ascetics were likely to produce beautiful children. We did. Although, I had hoped to give Megan her career and arrange a marriage for Draco, unfortunately my son has decided he would rather be with men most of the time. I do not have to tell you, Severus, that even if it is the New Millennium, the wizarding community has yet to catch up to the idea of gay marriage. I would have no problem arranging one if they were legal and lucrative but they produce no children. Even though The Great War is over, many families still cling to the ideals of pure blood and what that stands for in our society. So, I must marry Megan to Frederick as family tradition and societal tradition dictates.”

“So Draco decided to be gay, or at least bi-sexual why does that allow him off the hook and place demands on Megan’s future? You believe she is willing to throw away a chance at a wonderful career and to ignore all her natural talent? Have you even considered how Megan might feel about all this or considered she might want someone else? What about Megan’s feelings? Does she know about this?” Snape was becoming incensed.

“No, Megan is not aware that I have already chosen a husband for her, but yes she knows the family tradition and what is expected of her. Her career was a nice thought and I do not relish watching all her talent go to waste. However, to ignore her duties to mix up potions and teach snot-nosed children is no longer an option. She must stop her studies as soon as possible and do what is required of her as a Malfoy woman: marry and produce pure blooded grandchildren to carry on the Malfoy blood.With any luck, her talents will be passed on to her children and after they go away to school, perhaps she can apply to an Italian University and pick her studies up again. There are many decent universities there and many jobs needed in the Potions field. Maybe she can even work in the hospital labs. That would be a convenient way for her and Frederick to spend more time together.” Lucius nodded at the thought like he stumbled on a good plan.

“Megan will never agree to marry a man she does not love. She will never love him. Never.” Snape’s voice held a ring of confidence underneath all the anger he felt.

Lucius merely shook his head and laughed.

“How can you be so sure Megan will never love him, Severus? When a couple is married, even with the absence of love at first, the bond between the two people can grow over the years into a strong, compassionate love. Children will also strengthen that common bond and strengthen a couple’s love. Surely, Severus you must understand, even if she does not love Frederick as he does her, she will grow to love him as Narcissa grew to love me. When I married Narcissa, I thought she was beautiful, smart and very worthy to carry the Malfoy name and my children. Unfortunately, I did not love her. Over the years, I grew to love her but it took time. I knew I loved Narcissa deeply as I ever could when she presented me with Draco. The first time I held him in my arms and looked at my wife, I knew I would love her forever. She, too, loved me like never before after Draco was born. Megan will experience the same, though at my age, I am hoping for grandchildren as soon as possible. It took Narcissa four years to get pregnant. I do not know if I can wait that long for my first grandchild. I wish not to actually look like a grandfather when I become one.” Lucius smiled at Snape.

“No. I do not understand and there are many things you do not understand. Megan wants her career and, furthermore, she wants me. I love her, Lucius and Megan loves me!” Snape stood and glared down at the other wizard. ‘And I WILL NOT allow you to take her away from me or her promising future!”

Lucius looked startled and set down his glass. He stared up at the fury on Snape’s face and suddenly began to laugh which only made Snape angrier.

“You will not allow me? I am her father, Severus, and you cannot tell me what I can and cannot do with my own flesh and blood. Besides, even if her love for you is real and even if you believe your love for her is real, it does not matter. I always knew you two would create an affection for one another, that is why I allows sat you together at dinners and parties, allowed you to be alone with her as often as possible, and why I allowed her to become your apprentice. I was hoping a little romance with a wizard like you would soften her up for the….demands of marriage.” Lucius grinned and leaned back into his chair.

“You are one sick bastard.” Snape whispered, and then looked away into the fire. “You were hoping Megan and I would have an affair, especially of a sexual nature, so she would be prepared to serve the sexual demands of her husband. Lucius, how could you use me, let alone your daughter, like pawns?”

“I remembered how her mother was so virginal on our wedding night that the sex was lousy and it took her years to learn how to please me because she knew nothing of a man’s body. I did not want Frederick to experience the same displeasure and I knew you and Megan had a growing infatuation with each other. I decided I trusted you above all others to teach her the….ropes, shall we call it?” Lucius snorted softly and took another sip of his drink.

“Oh, you think this is entertaining Lucius? Well, here is a news bulletin for you to digest: I would NEVER have crossed the line with Megan if it had not been for this curse. Now that this curse has pushed us together and we have admitted our ‘growing infatuation’ as you call it, we realized we are in love and have been for a very long time. She has already declared to everyone, except you, that her wishes are to be with me romantically after the curse is over and I wish to have her. I love her, Lucius, more than anything in this world and more than any woman I have ever known or person for that matter.” Snape turned back to Lucius with a very serious and determined look on his face.

“More than you adored that mudblood, Lily Potter?” Lucius asked, sneering at her name.

“Do not EVER besmirch her name in my presence, Lucius. I did love Lily but that was long ago and she made her choice. She would want me to finally move on and be happy. I lost Lily but I will do everything in my power NOT to lose Megan! I have had her in my arms now and that counts for something you cannot seem to fathom!” Snape was shaking with anger.

“That is very sweet, Severus.” Lucius voice was condescending and sarcastic. “I am happy you have had her, as I had planned on. Megan will be experienced enough to please any man, thanks to you. As for the other nastiness, the wolf touching her can be eradicated with a few intricate spells. Frederick will be a very pleased husband.” Lucius nodded to himself, pleased.

“I am sure he will be, as will I when Megan agrees to be my wife.” Snape said smiling.

Lucius chocked on is drink, sputtering and coughing. When he recovered himself, Lucius starred in amazement at Snape.

“You? You and Megan …. married!” Lucius shook his head wildly, chortling so hard his body shook with laughter.

“Why not I and Megan married, Lucius? I am a decorated hero from the War and everyone now knows that despite my Death Eater ties, I tried to save the Potters. I have been working for the Light since that fatal night. There are no longer clouds of suspicion or disgust hanging over my head, at least not by the society at large. I have one of the largest fortunes in this country and a respectable job. I realize I am older than Megan by some years but we love each other and would be very happy. Also, I am still quite young enough to produce children and I believe Megan and I would have stunning offspring. You and I have been friends for so long, Lucius, so you know I am good as my word and would take more than ample care of Megan. What is the problem with this idea?” Snape raised his eyebrows and folded his arms across his chest in defiance.

“Simple, Severus, very simple: you are not of pure blood. You are of half blood and that is well known. My grandchildren would only be about seventy-five percent pure blood and no future generations of my blood will be polluted as long as I live and breathe!” Lucius bellowed, throwing his glass into the fire.

“So, I am good enough to sexually educate her, bed her, seduce her and be her Potions Master but not her husband? I am good enough to be friends with, practically family as it is, but good enough to actually become family by law? So, I good enough to take her maidenhead but I am not good enough to impregnate her?” Snape roared.

“Exactly! I would give you anything in the world, old friend but not the blood of my future line.” Lucius roared back. “Megan will understand and I will explain everything to her tonight when she arrives here. She is to stop her Potions training, finish her final year here, and after graduation Megan will fly to Italy for the wedding. She will do as I tell her and as her mother would have told her because Narcissa had to do just as Megan will!”

“Are you forgetting something, Lucius? Megan has remembered she killed her own mother! She is going to be very angry with you because you lied to her AND Megan is 17, which means in this day and age, she can chose whomever and whatever she wishes! Unless you would have the audacity to use the Imperius on your own daughter to make her do as you wish?”

“I WOULD NEVER HURT HER THAT WAY! BUT SHE WILL DO AS I SAY!”

An hourglass on the mantle piece vibrated and glowed silver as the sand began to run out towards the bottom.

“Well,” Snape said, straightening his clothes and taking a deep breath, “here is your chance to ask Megan yourself because she is on her way to my quarters now. We shall see when she arrives what Megan wants.”
******

Now Megan stood there staring at her father, Snape’s arms gently holding her back against his body to keep her on her feet.

“Well, if you have been here awhile, I am sure Severus has filled you in on everything that is happening and explained how I will be fine. He probably also mentioned how time is of the essence, so as much as I would love to chat and catch up, I would prefer if you just left, father.

“I am not going just yet. We have much to discuss. I heard you remember the unfortunate accident that befell your mother….” Lucius began in a low, careful
voice.

“You mean how I unfortunately and accidently killed my own mother with the ultimate Unforgivable Curse? How I know her last thoughts and the last thing she saw was her own daughter raising her wand? How her last flash of thought was her own daughter was sending her to her final end? How, I, her own flesh and blood, and the daughter she cherished and loved from infancy took her life?” Megan spat out the words in fierce anger as tears rolled down her cheeks. “Do you also mean how you lied to me for almost a year about who killed her? How you told me it was another Death Eater or maybe an Auror because you couldn’t be sure in that confusion? How you described all kinds of awful things you would do to the killer if you could only get your hands on them, when you were saying them to MY FACE, TO ME, THE KILLER HERSELF!”

Megan screamed and a sudden strong wind whipped through the room. It was like a hurricane gust but it disturbed nothing, not even the candles, as it hit Lucius Malfoy square in the chest. He went flying into the far wall. The wind knocked him into one of the large bookshelves. Lucius let out a startled cry at first, then a howl of pain as he hit the shelves. Cracking noises filled the air as Lucius’ ribs broke on impact. He slumped to the floor, coughing, grunting and spitting up blood. Megan tore herself out of Snape’s grip and walked toward her father, stopping just above him.

“Would like to do all those horrible things to me now, father? Here I am, THE KILLER! Come and get me!” Megan threw out her arms wide and glared down at her father.

Lucius starred up at his daughter and tried to speak but coughed up more blood instead. He was struggling to breathe as he tried to sit up, but couldn’t. Lucius rolled onto his back and gripped his chest with both arms. Lucius licked his bloody lips and closed his eyes in pain.

“Go … ahead … kill … your … father … too.” Lucius’ voice was breaking with effort, his breath coming in raspy gasps.

Megan started to shake and suddenly pushed her hands out towards her father.

Lucius writhed and screamed as the bones in his arms and legs began to snap one by one. He howled and yelled for her to stop but it was like Megan was entirely somewhere else, unreachable by his voice. She looked so focused, her face twisted in anger.

“MEGAN, NO!”

Snape ran over and tried to grab Megan but when he touched her, he flew across the room. He quickly sat up and shook himself. He looked at Megan and saw why he felt like she had shocked him. He blinked several times unable to process what he saw.

Surrounding Megan’s entire body was a large bubble and inside the bubble electricity flowed between Megan’s body and the wall of the bubble. It was as if Megan was in the center of her own personal electrical storm, except she was the lightening rod. She was using that power to torture her father. The snapping of his bones had stopped but his body began to vibrate and it occurred to Snape she was electrocuting him slowly. Horrified, he got up and ran for his wand which he had dropped in his haste to stop Megan. By the time he reached it, he heard a commotion and footsteps pounding through his doorway. He looked up from where he was kneeling on the floor to watch the stone melt away.

Dumbledore, Lupin and Sirius ran through the wall and into the room. They all looked at Megan and stopped in their tracks.

“Severus, are you alright?” Lupin asked and offered him a hand, which Snape took to stand.

“Yes, I think so. I tried to stop her but there is an electrical force around her and she shocked me, sending me several feet across the room. I was going for my wand when you arrived. I do not know what to do!” He looked helplessly at Megan.

“Gentlemen, cover your ears, now!” Dumbledore ordered.

Dumbledore raised his hand towards Megan and bellowed:

“RELEASE HIM!”

Megan suddenly froze and then dropped her hands. The electrical shield which surrounded her faded away. She turned around to look at Dumbledore and the others. Megan’s arms and face were slightly red but her clothing looked completely untouched.

“Headmaster, what are you doing here and why did you bring Remus and Sirius? Is something wrong?” Megan tilted her head in confusion. “It is awfully hot in here, isn’t it?” She took a deep breath and fanned herself.

The men all starred at her, completely baffled and startled, except for Dumbledore who looked very serious. Megan looked at each of their faces in turn and wondered what was going on. They all were looking from Megan to Lucius’ unconscious, bleeding frame. Megan turned to see what they were all starring at and let out a startled, strained cry.

“NNNNOOO! FATHER!” Megan fell down at his side and attempted to touch him.
Megan turned her head to glare at the men. “Which one of you DID THIS? WHICH ONE OF YOU DID THIS?” The bookshelves and furniture rattled with the force of her voice.

Dumbledore strode forward and grabbed Megan by the shoulders, bringing her to her feet and dragging her away from her father. Megan struggled but Dumbledore was stronger. He turned her to face him.

“Look me in the eyes and you will see what you have done!” He ordered.

“See what I have done? What do you mean …?”

Dumbledore had grabbed Megan’s chin and forced her to look into his eyes. Suddenly she felt the room around her slide away into darkness but then she was right back in the room. However, she was facing the opposite direction. Before Megan could ask why everything looked different, her father sailed through her and across the room. She watched as her own body walked towards her and through her over to where Lucius was laying. In horror, she watched herself begin to torture him while he screamed. She covered her ears at the gut wrenching sound. Then she felt rather than saw Snape run through her, yelling for her to stop. Then he was flying through her again towards the other wall, this time falling through the air onto the floor. Megan was horrified as she walked closer to the electrical bubble and saw her own face, filled with anger, her lips pursed in a sneer, and her eyes almost lit up with delight each time Lucius screamed.

Suddenly, Megan was back in the room in the present, Dumbledore’s hands still gripping her arms. Megan’s eyes went wide as saucers, tears beginning to stream down on their own. She looked back over her shoulder to see the men trying to tend to Lucius, trying to find a comfortable way to get him to the Hospital Ward but they were deciding they had better call Madam Pomfrey there.

“It is too risky, Albus, to transport him in any way. There are too many broken bones and internal bleeding to risk it. I will alert Pomfrey.” Severus ran towards the fireplace to call for Pomfrey.

Megan turned back to look at Dumbledore who studied her with sad, knowing eyes. She shook her head violently from side to side, sobbing.

“I couldn’t! I didn’t! I wouldn’t! Dumbledore, please, please tell me I didn’t hurt him. Please!” Megan grabbed the front of Dumbledore robes in desperation, still shaking her head.

“I am sorry, my child. You did. You did not mean to, I know that much is true. Your father touched something in you that caused your powers to rise up and cloud your judgment. Powers you had no idea you had because of this curse.” Dumbledore gently set Megan down in a chair by the fireplace.

“This was the curse again? This is just like what happened to Isabella this afternoon. I am hurting all the people I love without even thinking about it and now with no memory of it when I stop or am stopped by someone. Who will be next? I am going to hurt one of you next?” Megan glanced at the four men around her, as Pomfrey apparated into the room.

Pomfrey took one look at the situation around her and blanched nearly white when she saw Lucius. Running over to him, she knelt down and ran her wand over him. She turned and starred opened mouth at the men and Megan.

“What in the name of all that Merlin made holy did you do to this man?” She cried.

“I did it.” Megan whispered and turned her face away. “Is he alive?” She asked.

“Yes, but barely. Albus, how could a witch of her age manage such powerful and dark magic? I have not seen injuries this bad since Voldemort tortured people. Between Lucius Malfoy and Miss Huntington today, if you had asked me if Voldemort was back I might have said yes. I deserve to know what is going on here and if this is going to get any worse!” Pomfrey stood and placed her hands on her hips.

“It will be explained all in good time, Madam Pomfrey. First, I suggest you remove Mr. Malfoy to the Hospital Wing and attend to his injuries. I will come down and answer all of your questions when I am done here.” Dumbledore’s voice held authority as he spoke.

“Very well, then, I will speak with you later.” A couple of House Elves in white aprons appeared. “Take Mr. Malfoy carefully as possible down to the Ward and I will follow you.” Pomfrey commanded the Elves, who nodded, picked up Lucius and apparated. “Later, Albus?” Pomfrey asked again, voice commanding and annoyed.

“Yes, Poppy, I promise we will speak later, now go.” Albus’ voice held an edge warning.

With that Pomfrey huffed, gave Megan a disgusted look and apparated.

Megan turned her face away from the men toward the far wall. Her sobs had quieted.

“I saw that look and felt the weight of her eyes. She finds me repulsive, as she should and as you all should. I cannot even bring myself to look at you all I am so disgusted with myself.” Her voice was strained, as if more tears were struggling to get out and she was holding them back.

Albus sat down on the edge of the coffee table in front of Megan. Sirius went to stand behind the chair, Lupin sat in the chair across the table from Megan but Snape just stood by the fireplace, starring into the flames. Lucius’ words were still echoing in his head and the flashes of what he had just seen Megan do went across his mind. He had seen such a scene only once in his life and he never thought he would see it again.

“Megan, look at me.” Albus reached for her chin when she shook her head and Sirius put his hands on her shoulders. “Look at me, my child, please.” Albus said in a gentle voice.

Megan turned her face with his pull of her chin. His eyes were kind and he was smiling softly, but there was a hint of sadness in every inch of his face. She looked at Lupin who gave her a small kind smile which didn’t reach his eyes. She glanced up at Sirius who also tried to smile and kissed the top of her head. Megan took a deep breath and dared a glanced at Snape, who must have felt her eyes on him because he returned her gaze. He had no smile, only eyes which looked very haunted.

“Severus, you look like you have seen a ghost.” Megan whispered softly.

“I have and I know I am not the only one in this room.” He whispered back, looking down at the fire again.

“What do you mean, Severus? Who did I remind you all of?” Megan looked from man to man and suddenly none of them would look at her, except Dumbledore who sighed very sadly.

Megan nodded her head, understanding what Snape had meant by everyone’s reaction to his statement. She stood and walked over to the table, grabbing the liquor bottle and pouring herself a glass of Fire Whiskey. Megan downed the whole glass and sighed as the aged liquor slid down her throat, warming her insides. She poured herself another and was about to put the glass to her lips when a hand grabbed her wrist. She looked over and it was Severus.

“Drinking into a stupor, my love, is not the answer.” His other hand reached to caress her face but Megan pulled back.

Megan laughed as the liquor made her a little warmer and braver. She downed the second glass and looked around at the confused and concerned look on everyone’s face. She waved with her hand and the liquor bottle sailed to her and she put down the glass, taking a long swig from the bottle.

“Why not get drunk? I tortured my best friend in the world and just nearly killed my father in a style that made you all remember Voldemort. If I am going to be a sadistic bitch, I might as well drink too.” Megan took another swig from the bottle and then laughed. “Look at all of you! You are all afraid of me, even you Headmaster. I can sense the tension and fear so strong it is almost like I can taste it when I breathe the air in here. I know what you are all thinking. You don’t know what to say or do next around me because I could snap at any moment.” Megan gestured with the bottle and laughed again.

Snape looked at Dumbledore, who nodded. Snape walked forward towards Megan and grabbed the bottle fiercely from Megan’s hand, who tried to keep it. He then set the bottle down and grabbed Megan’s upper arms hard and kissed her with fierce passion. Megan suddenly relaxed and melded into his body, falling into the kiss with vigor. Their tongues danced over each other, battling yet caressing. After a couple of moments, Snape pulled back and looked at Megan’s eyes.

“It worked. I can feel the tension and anger drain away from her. She’s calm and steady, Albus. What does all this mean?” Severus didn’t turn around when he said it. He just continued to stare into Megan’s eyes.

“Yes, Severus, I am afraid I do. It means the fine print in the curse is true.”

“What fine print?” Lupin said startled.

“When Megan hexed Miss Huntington today, I knew something was gravely wrong. I went back over the contract and the book Anna Kenning used, however I found nothing. So, I took a trip to Azkaban and questioned Miss Kenning who has lost most of her attitude after being there a couple of days but not all of it. I requested emergency Veritaserum when she wouldn’t tell me anything. Once she ingested it, I laid the contract in front of her and demanded she tell me what she hadn’t already revealed. She laughed and asked if it had started, meaning Megan’s mood swings and her aggression. I said yes, but it was worse than just recovering from a dark curse and I wanted to know why. She bit her finger tip and ran a bloody line across the bottom of the document. A few lines of fine print illuminated. I read the words over and over and demanded if it were true. Of course, she said it was. To quote her, ‘I consider it one final fuck you. It was my own personal assurance that if, by chance, the terms of the curse freed her, she would always remember what I had done to her. Also, it should make her life very complicated forever and embarrass her to all true pure blood society.’ Then she laughed and laughed hysterically because she knew it had happened.” Dumbledore shook his head and pulled the document from his robes.

“What has she done now?’ Megan pleaded, suddenly very frightened.

“It says: “If the terms of the curse are met, then Megan Malfoy will live. However, when the terms for her cure are initiated, no contraceptive spell will work with which ever man has sex with her first. Whichever of the two is the first to conquer her flesh will create flesh with her, and that flesh will forever be a reminder of sins and those of around her. She will also forever be magically branded to that man. She will never be comfortable without him, the longer she is away from him the more out of control she shall be and she will never love another as long as she shall live. He will be in her every thought, every dream and every wish. Only he can comfort her, calm her, make her happy, and keep her safe from herself and others. Megan will never have peace without him, again.” Albus set the document on the table for everyone to see the glowing small red words at the bottom of the scroll. Then he looked at Megan’s astonished face.

“That is why your powers are growing, why you are having wild and sporadic mood swings, and why you have been feeling so sick. It is also why Severus took that bottle away from you and why your appetite is improving faster than it should. We know Severus was the first man to make love to you and after your reaction to his touch just now, our questions to whether or not this is true need no answers. This was a cruel thing of her to do Megan but I can do nothing to neither reverse it nor take it away from you. I am sorry. I cannot believe I have to be apologizing when I should be congratulating you. I am terribly, terribly sorry you cannot enjoy a moment in your life that should be exciting and wonderful and are forced to have that moment ruined.” Albus hung his head for a moment.

Lupin just blinked wildly. Sirius starred in shock. Severus let go of Megan who collapsed to the floor on her knees. He stalked over to the table and picked up the scroll, reading the words again and again. Then he dropped the scroll, turning to stare at Megan in scared amazement.

Megan looked down at herself and placed her hands on her stomach, and then she looked up at Snape in shock.

“I’m pregnant.” Megan whispered, a tear rolling down her cheek.